52 Ancestors – no. 33: Samuel Cas Shields (week 17)

This blog entry is about my second great-grandfather Samuel Cas Shields and boy does it have me confused! I’ve tried to weave the stories passed down through the generations into information pulled from actual records. What I find are that the dates and ages are all over the place. I asked my husband to read what I had written and he was confused as well. He suggested I needed help in figuring this puzzle out!

I note that some of the information shared is based on memories of one of Cas’ grandsons. As he shared his memories, he stated that none of what he told me was fact—it was only memory and hearsay—but it was to the best of both in his mind.

Samuel Cas Shields, the son of Mary Ann Spurgeon, was born November 26, 1869 on Shields Mountain in Sevier County, Tennessee. He went by Cas, his middle name. As to who Cas’ father was—that is the question. According to family lore, Cas was illegitimate—the son of Mr. Dunlap, a traveling salesman who sold rubber buggy tires and whips for the Dunlap Tire Company. His mother Mary Ann married Jesse William Shields, a blacksmith, most likely in the early 1850s. Together they had at least six children before Cas was born in 1869—Martha C., Hannah Elizabeth, Sabra A., Sarah Jane, John David, and William Sherman Shields. Years later, Cas’ wife Martha Ogle Shields would tell a daughter-in-law that Jesse wasn’t Cas’ father. She told her daughter-in-law that Jesse had been dead for seven years by the time Cas was born and that it was quite a scandal at the time. She also told her daughter-in-law that Cas was raised by his older sister Sally (Sarah Jane Shields) and her husband William D. Tritt. She said Tritt had a daughter named Roxie from a previous marriage and that Roxie and Cas grew up together. I have no clue as to whether any of this is true. So far, I haven’t found any proof of who Cas’ father was. If anyone reading this has found anything, I’d love to hear from you.

On July 18, 1860, Mary Ann (age 29) and Jesse Shields lived in District 4 of Sevier County, Tennessee. Jesse was a blacksmith. Mary Ann and Jesse had three children when this census was recorded—Martha (age 5), Elizabeth (age 4), and Sabra (age 1). Jesse’s mother was named Sabra, so perhaps their youngest daughter was named for her grandmother. I include this information just for the point of tracking the family.

On July 17, 1870, six month old Cas lived with his mother Mary Ann (age 40) and siblings Martha, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, and William in District 13 of Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. Mary Ann was keeping house. The record doesn’t state that Mary Ann was a widow but no adult male lived in the household. According to Find A Grave Memorial #124853090, Jesse died in Alabama in 1869. I don’t know why Jesse was in Alabama but this conflicts with family lore that Jesse had been dead for seven years before Cas was born. Since Cas was born in November 1869, it’s conceivable that Jesse fathered Cas in early 1869 and then left for Alabama where he died. Unfortunately, I can’t find any other death record for Jesse so don’t know what month he died. On another note, Cas was listed as 6/12 (6 months) in this census record which would have meant a birth month of January. This conflicts with a birth month of November provided on all other records for Cas.

On June 23, 1880, Cas lived with his mother (age 57 – note the age discrepancy here) and siblings in Richardson’s Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee. Mary Ann was listed as a widow in this census record. All of her children still lived at home, with one addition—a grandson (age 1) named E. O. Shields. At age 10, Cas was enumerated with the occupation “works on farm,” vs. “at school.” Years later in 1940, a census enumerator would record that the highest grade Cas completed was the fifth grade so I assume that Cas no longer attended school by this time. When Cas did attend school, I imagine it would have been in a one-room schoolhouse for just a few months since children were needed to help plant and harvest the crops on the farm. Cas finished the “Brown Back Speller.”

Now back to family lore—supposedly Cas met 13 year old Martha Ann Ogle while gathering wild ginseng which he would later sell to pharmacy companies for $1 per pound. I’m told that at the time, a woman could marry at age 15 and a man at any age. The local Clerk of the Court, S. P. Proffitt, was a cousin and good friend to Cas. Proffitt allegedly falsified the marriage bond and certificate for Cas and Martha and they were married in Sevier County on June 11, 1891. Now to try to figure out the facts. Martha was born in 1870 so if she married at age 13, the year would have been 1883. The marriage record is dated June 1891. Cas and Martha’s first child, James Stewart Shields, was born on November 15, 1891, five months after Cas and Martha married. Years later, Martha told a grandson that she was 15 when she had her first child. If that were the case, the year would be 1885 and Stewart was born in 1891. If the records are correct, Martha was born in 1870; Stewart was born in 1891. That would make Martha 21 when she had her first child. Or perhaps Martha had a child before Stewart who didn’t survive and no one knew about it. It’s so confusing—dates and ages just don’t match up!

Together, Cas and Martha had 10 children—James Stewart, Milas Odell, William Elmer, Walter C. Brown, Sallie Addice, Albert Conley, Blaine Arthur, Melona Jane, Pearl Lewcrilly, and Maude Maree Shields.

On June 8, 1900, Cas and his family lived in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County, Tennessee. Both Cas and Martha were listed as 30 years of age and had been married for eight years. This record reflects a marriage in 1892. The census record showed that Martha had four children (James, Milas, William, and Walter), all of which were living and in the home. Cas rented his farm.



1900 Soundex Card

Around 1910, Cas gathered his wife and children and posed for a family photo.

Front: Melona Jane Shields in father Samuel Cas Shields' lap, Albert Conley Shields, Pearl Lewcrilly Shields in mother Martha Ogle Shields' lap, Blaine Arthur Shields, Sallie Addice Shields. Back: Milas Odell Shields, William Elmer Shields, Walter C. Brown Shields. Oldest son James Stewart Shields is not in the photo.

On April 26, 1910, a widowed Mary Ann (age 79) lived with her daughter Sarah and son-in-law William Tritt in the White Pine Precinct of Jefferson County, Tennessee. This proves the connection to Sarah and William Tritt.

On May 3, 1910, Cas and his family still lived in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County. The census enumerator recorded Cas’ age as 40 and Martha’s as 39. Cas and Martha had been married for 19 years (sounds right), both only once. Martha has had nine children, all of which were living. Cas and Martha’s oldest son, James, was no longer living at home. Cas was a farmer on a general farm and was able to read and write. Three of his sons were farm laborers—Milas, William, and Walter.

 

1910 Soundex Cards

Sometime between 1910 and 1913, Cas moved his family to Georgia. This timeframe is based on the fact that according to census records, their youngest child, Maude, was born in Georgia. Cas caught the train from Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee to Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia in search of a place to move his family and farm. It was felt that farm land in north Georgia was better and cheaper than the mountain land around Sevierville. There was also an Ogle family member (Cam Ogle) living in Dalton so it made sense to go there. Cas bought land between Praters Mill and Deep Springs and then went back to Sevierville to get his family. They made their way to Dalton using two two-horse wagons, each pulled by two mules with two cows, four dogs, two coops of chickens, and all of their furniture consisting of a kitchen stove, a table and 10 chairs, and four bed steads. The children walked and rode in the wagons. It took them 8 to 10 days to make the trip, traveling approximately 120 miles. Cas later referred to the trip as being fun—they camped by creeks and in farmer’s fields. It was more like a picnic to them. Cas picked a farm on top of a hill with a long drive, settled in, and started farming his land.

It doesn’t appear that Cas served in the military, at least I don’t find any records for him. Can I assume he was too old by the time World War I began? He also had a large family. Would he have been given a pass because of that? Nevertheless, after the end of World War I, Cas and his sons planted fields of cotton, which sold for over $500 per bale. They did very well and lived high to the point where Cas had to borrow money to replant the next year.

On January 3, 1920, Cas and his family lived on Lower Varnell Road in the Varnell District of Whitfield County. Cas was 50 and Martha 51. Cas was farming on a rented farm.

1920 Soundex Card

On February 10, 1930, Cas’ daughter Maude died in Georgia at the age of 15. Her last name was Horrell so it’s assumed she was married. Its possible Maude died in childbirth. She was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. I haven’t been able to find any other information on Maude so she’s a mystery to me.

On April 19, 1930, Cas and his family lived at Prater Mill and Deep Springs Road in the Lower Tenth District of Whitfield County. Blaine was the only child left at home now. His son Stewart and his family lived next door. Cas was enumerated as 63 years of age and Martha age 57. The census record showed that Cas was 21 and Martha 18 when they married. Cas was a farmer on a general farm.

On April 3, 1940, Cas, Martha, and Blaine lived at Praters Mill Camp and Grove Level Road in the Lower Tenth District of Whitfield County. They had lived in this house since at least 1935. Cas was enumerated as 70 years of age and Martha 68 years. He owned his home which was valued at $1,000. The census enumerator didn’t list an occupation for Cas. Had he retired from farming at this point? His son Milas and his wife Effie lived five houses from Cas and Martha.

 

Cas, Martha, and Blaine Shields

Cas’ daughter Pearl (Shields) Hester died of tuberculosis at the age of 33 at her parent’s farm in Dalton on July 26, 1941. A family member recalls being able to hear her breath outside on the porch. Pearl left five young children behind ranging in ages from 2 to 11. Pearl was buried beside her sister Maude at Grove Level Community Cemetery.

Cas’ son Walter died on April 6, 1955 in Varnell, Whitfield County, Georgia. He was buried at Red Hill Cemetery in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee.

Six months after Walter’s death, Cas died at home in Dalton on September 26, 1955. He was 85 years old. Cas was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. The Dalton Citizen ran the following obituary on September 29, 1955: “S. C. Shields Laid to Rest at Grove Level Wed. S. C. Shields, 85, passed away at his home near Deep Springs Monday morning. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Martha Shields; two daughters, Mrs. Addice McNally, of Dalton, and Mrs. Jannie Bernett [sic], of Los Angeles; five sons, Molis [sic], of Dalton, Steard [sic], of Ringgold, Elmer of Port Orange, Fla., Conley of Varnell, and Blane [sic], of Dalton; 36 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held from the Grove Level Baptist Church.”

Three of his children are buried beside Cas and Martha at Grove Level Community Cemetery—Pearl and Blaine are buried on each side of their grave. Maude was buried beside Pearl.

At the time of his death, Cas lived on 17 acres next door to his son Milas. He had lived in Dalton for 20 years at the time of his death. Cas was not an affectionate man in any way, but he wasn’t harsh. He dipped “Bruton Snuff” constantly.

Now, are you as confused as I am? Hopefully I’ve told the story in a manner that makes sense. Maybe I’ll get lucky some day and find some of the records that can help clear some of this up.

52 Ancestors - no. 32: Nathan Augustus Hobbs, Sr. (week 16—Live Long): A nonagenarian

I had another ancestor queued up for week 16 but when Amy Johnson Crow published the weekly themes for May, I saw it fit right into week 20. So, I’ll save that post for week 20 and blog about someone I already knew fit the week 16 theme of “Live Long” instead. That’s who I should have blogged about in the first place. Since I like to post on Friday evenings and haven’t written anything for this ancestor, this blog entry won’t be my usual timeline style, not that it really matters. Old Nathan lived a long life and has several nice news articles to prove it. I’ll add him to my list to do a future blog post to fill in the rest of his life details later.

Nathan Augustus Hobbs, Sr., son of Robert L. Hobbs Sr. and Mary Marion Caldwell, was born on January 8, 1790 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He married Mary Elizabeth Lankford on November 16, 1812 in Greene County, Georgia. Together they had eight children—Robert L., Joel Garner, Rebecca B., Caroline B., Nathan Augustus Jr., Minor Smith, Elizabeth Fanny, and Marian Langford Hobbs. Nathan died on June 21, 1889 in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia and was buried at Penfield Cemetery, in Penfield. For the last nine years of his life, Nathan was classified as a nonagenarian—a person 90 years old or between 90 and 100 years old according to The Free Dictionary. Less than six months and he would have been a centenarian! Nathan is my fourth great-grandfather.

I imagine that living into your 90s in the late 1800s was a rare event, enough so that Nathan had at least seven news articles written about him. Below are the articles I’ve found in the historical newspapers. They provide a wealth of information about his character and the man he was.

Sunny South, September 15, 1883, page 4. Another remarkable landmark is “Old Uncle Nathan Hobbs” whose name and long gray beard are familiar to every Penfield student. Though in his 94th year, he is still hale and hearty; chops cotton, builds cow-houses, reads without eye-glasses, enjoys a good joke, eats collards, corn bread, pound-cake, pig-iron, chunks of wood, sole leather and anything that may come along, and digest it all like a grist mill. It was a great pleasure to meet him, and his faithful daughter, Fanny, who looks after him so kindly in his old age.

Atlanta Constitution, Nov. 9, 1886, page 7. Another rare character is Nathan Hobbs, near Penfield, Ga. He is now in his ninety-seventh year, and can work every day and read without spectacles. He was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Seventy-five years ago he settled at his present home, where he has lived continuously ever since.

In 1826, Nathan was baptized in Town creek, Rev. Jack Lumpkin performing the ceremony. His companion in going down under the water was the late Hon. Thomas Stocks, who was president of the state senate. For eighty-five years Nathan had been afflicted with rheumatism. The old man is a great reader. For the news he reads The Weekly Constitution regularly; for church events he looks to the Christian Index, and for religion he reads an old Bible which was found on the battlefield of Cowpens, in 1781. The book was in an oaken chest, which had been left on the field by the British. He expresses his determination to live until he is 125 years of age.

Weekly Banner-Watchman, April 19, 1887, page 3. Green county has more old people than usually falls to the lot of any county. Uncle Nathan Hobbs, of Penfield, is in his 97th year; Dr. Poullaine, of Greenesboro [sic], and Miss Jackson, of our neighborhood, are past 95, and are quite active. We have perhaps ten others between 80 and 90.

Sunny South, March 31, 1888. There are three nonagenarians in Greene County, Nathan Hobbs is ninety-nine years old, Dr. Thomas N. Poullaine is past ninety-seven and Mrs. Jackson is in her ninety seventh year.

Weekly Banner-Watchman, June 26, 1888, page 1. An Old Man. Mr. Nathan Hobbs, of Penfield, is 100 years old, and hale and hearty. Mr. Hobbs has outlived every administration since the Revolutionary war. He has in his possession a Bible that was picked up at the battle of the Cowpens by his father. It was the property of a British paymaster, and was found on the battle field in his chest. Mr. Hobbs is a strict member of the Baptist church, and from his appearance has some years in store yet. [Note: It seems the Weekly Banner-Watchman got Nathan’s age wrong since he didn’t make it to age 100.]

Union Recorder, May 21, 1889, page 5. Nathan Hobbs of Greene county was 99 years of age on Jan. 8. He has been afflicted with rheumatism since he attained his majority, and has had a cancer for several years. His eyesight is good. He reads without glasses and has a good appetite and sound mind and memory. He was a postmaster at Penfield for more than thirty years. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for more than thirty years, and often refers to sermons he has heard preached by the late Jesse Mercer.

Eatonton Messenger, June 15, 1889, page 5. Mr. Nathan Hobbs late of Greene county died at Penfield on Tuesday of last week, aged 99 years, five months and three days. He was an exemplary member of the Baptist church for over 75 years.

With the majority of my ancestors being from Georgia, I feel lucky to have a treasure trove of free historical newspapers to research from. I know I’ve spent hours upon hours researching the village of Penfield in general, hoping to find anything that would help me break down a brick wall for Alice Beman Lankford and her son Carroll Harvey Lankford, Nathan’s great-granddaughter and second great-grandson respectively. In case it helps someone else, I’ve included links to the archives I pulled from for these news articles. Happy hunting!

Historical newspaper resources used for this blog entry:

Athens Historic Newspapers Archive, Digital Library of Georgia

Atlanta Historic Newspapers Archive, Digital Library of Georgia

Milledgeville Historic Newspapers Archive, Digital Library of Georgia

Uncle Remus Regional Library System

52 Ancestors - no. 31: Robert Durie Athya Sr. (week 15)

Robert Durie Athya

Robert Durie Athya Sr., the son of James Athya and Jemima Durie, was born on September 11, 1888 at Wishaw, Gorbals District, Lanarkshire, Scotland. It’s believed that James and Jemima had at least 10, possibly more, children but only eight have been identified—Margaret, Elizabeth, Isabella, Robert, John, George, David, and Mary. Both Robert and George shared their mother’s maiden name as their middle name, Durie.

The 1891 census of Bothwell Parish, County of Lanarkshire listed a two year old Robert with the Athya family.

The 1901 census of Motherwell, Dalziel Parish, County of Lanarkshire listed a 12 year old Robert. He was a scholar.

The 1911 England census (Return of all Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Trumpeters, Drummers and Rank and File) listed Private Robert Athya, age 21, serving in India.

During World War I (1914 – 1918), Robert served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, reaching the rank of Sergeant. Robert was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, and 15 Star Medal for his service in France. He fought alongside his brother George, and brother David who was killed in action. Family members remember being told that David most likely died in the second Battle for Ypres standing in a Belgium trench between his two brothers. David’s name is inscribed at the Le Touret Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.


George, David, and Robert Athya

Margaret Shaw and Robert Athya (ca. 1917)

Robert married Margaret Shaw, daughter of Ewan Shaw and Catherine McGillivray on November 23, 1917 in Rosskeen, Scotland. Robert was a coal miner at the time of their marriage. Together they had three children—James, Margaret Shaw, and Robert Durie Athya Jr. It’s possible there was a fourth child named Steve but I can’t document him so take that piece of information with a grain of salt. I have Steve listed in my records but have no source for that information. He didn’t come to America with Robert, James, Margaret, and Robert Jr. so if he existed, he would have been born and possibly died in Scotland before they immigrated in 1930.

On May 11, 1920, Robert’s brother George immigrated to America on the ship Columbia, arriving at Ellis Island New York on November 9, 1920. George was joining their sister, Mrs. Margaret (Athya) Close of Pleasant Heights, Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio.

Sometime before June 1930 (when the family immigrated to America), Robert’s wife Margaret died in Scotland. It’s believed she was buried in the Motherwell area.


Robert, along with his children James, Margaret, and Robert Jr., immigrated to America aboard the ship Transylvania. They departed Scotland on June 6, 1930 for a 14 day voyage to the port of New York. Robert’s occupation at the time of departure was miner. The manifest shows that they were joining Robert’s brother George Athya, who lived in West Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Robert’s sister Mrs. Lizzie Anderson of Rutherglen, was the nearest relative left behind in Scotland. I wonder if the move was planned before Margaret’s death or afterwards.

In 1933, Robert was recorded in the Steubenville city directory living at 641 Grandview Avenue in Steubenville. He worked for Wheeling Steel Corporation, where he worked for 18 years.

On April 12, 1940, Robert, Margaret, and Robert Jr. lived with the Alex Brody family in Steubenville. Robert, at age 51, was a laborer in a steel mill.

Robert’s son James traveled to Alabama in 1939 working for a carnival. While in Mobile County, he served 10 days in jail in early February for unknown reasons. He was sentenced again for vagrancy on February 24, 1939 and served 30 days in Montgomery, Mobile County, Alabama. On April 1, 1940, James was enumerated in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia. James died about 1941 in a car accident in Florida. Family members heard he went through the roof of the car which led them to believe it was a convertible.

In 1942, Robert registered for the World War II draft at the age of 53. His serial number was 1275. He listed his address as 1156 Lincoln Avenue, Steubenville, Ohio. His son, Robert Jr. was recorded as the person who would always know his address. Both Robert and Robert Jr. lived at the same address. Robert still worked at the Wheeling Steel Corporation located at South Third Street, Steubenville.

Robert died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Steubenville on January 6, 1949 at the home of his sister, Margaret Athya Close, at the age of 60. He had been sick for four weeks at the time of his death. Robert was buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville on January 10.

Robert was active in his community and was affiliated with the Westminster Church, the Eagles Lodge, and the British Ex-service Men’s Club of Steubenville.

52 Ancestors - no. 30: Lankford Family Reunions (week 14)

Floria Mae [Burnette] and Carroll Harvey Lankford

The theme for the 52 Ancestors challenge week 14 is Favorite Photo: Who is in a favorite photo of yours? Or tell the story of the photo itself—where was it taken, what was the event? Well the photo that came to mind for me was a photo of my paternal grandparents—Carroll Harvey and Floria Mae [Burnette] Lankford—on the occasion of his 72nd birthday. They both died in 1970 and this picture is exactly the way I remember them.

I don’t remember a lot about my childhood but I do remember attending many Lankford family reunions at their house. Grandpa and Grandma lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia and every September the whole family gathered there to celebrate his birthday—September 21. Grandpa and Grandma had eight children and they all had children of their own so needless to say it was a large crowd. I’m sure the reunions must have been filled with lots of good food, laughter, and fun, but the only thing I specifically remember is the time I got caught going to the bathroom on the side of the house. Ha!

Grandpa and Grandma with their eight children—front:  Carroll Harvey Jr. (AKA Sport), Grover, Clark, and Sam; back: Liz (twin), Lucile, Grandma (Floria), Grandpa (Carroll Sr.), Alice (twin), and Betty (ca. September 1959)

Grandpa and Grandma lived in the country and the house didn’t have indoor plumbing. Instead, they had a pump well in the backyard and an outhouse in the field with the mule. I hated going to that outhouse! On the particular occasion of my embarrassing moment, I decided when nature called that I wasn’t going to use the outhouse. Instead, I walked to the side of the house and squatted down close to the ground to take care of business. About that time, all of my cousins came running around the corner of the house playing a game of some sort. Oh it was so embarrassing! But I got over it.

On another occasion, I remember my uncles going up in the attic and then hearing lots of chatter and laughter coming from that direction. The next thing you know, they’re throwing the snake that was chasing them around the rafters out the window. My other memories are of the house itself. The house must have had electricity as I remember lights hanging from a cord in the center of each room. It hadn’t seen paint in years. Daddy told me that Grandpa wouldn’t let them paint it. There was a big wooden stove in the kitchen that I remember Grandma cooking at.

After Grandpa and Grandma died, the reunions were moved to my Aunt Lucile’s house in Bairdstown. This picture of the Lankford siblings was taken at one of the reunions held at her house.

Sport, Grover, Betty, Lucile, Sam, Liz, Clark, and Alice

And this is a third picture of the Lankford siblings taken about 2001.

Liz, Betty, Alice, Lucile, Sport, Clark, Grover, and Sam