He just wanted to go home!

Ralph Junior Murphy

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “in the paper.”

Once upon a time, we had a movie projectionist in the family—my husband’s uncle Ralph Junior Murphy. In 1940, uncle Ralph lived in Littleton, Wetzel County, West Virginia with his parents and siblings Raymond, Glenn, Evelyn, and Earl. When the census enumerator asked 21-year-old Ralph for his occupation, he told him “operator” in the “show” industry. That was corroborated when I found a news article in uncle Ralph’s wallet given to my husband by his aunt Jean Murphy several years ago. Someone had written the year 1940 on the article.

Hundred Operator Had to Go so 50 Get Movie Passes
Hundred, W. Va., Feb. 17—(AP)—Fifty patrons of this community’s only movie theatre have passes for a show tonight because the operator decided a double-feature bill was “too long” and shut down the projector. 

Ralph Murphy, the only available operator, closed the show 15 minutes before completion of the second film last night.  

His only explanation was “too long,” so Miss Isabelle Brown, theatre manager, handed out passes to the patrons so they could see the end of the picture.

Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the newspaper this article was published in. With the help of someone on the Wetzel County, West Virginia Genealogy Facebook page, I learned there were two newspapers in the area at the time—the Wetzel Republican and the Wetzel Democrat. My guess is it would have been published in one or the other.

Another item in uncle Ralph’s wallet was a card with just the words “Alpine Theatre Circuit #2” and “Littleton, W.Va.” typed on it. Of course, that was a clue and after a little research, along with more help of someone on the Wetzel County, West Virginia Genealogy Facebook page, I determined that the theatre was the Alpine Theatre located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia. Walter Buhl Urling of Alpine Southern Theatres opened the Alpine in the late 1930s.

Uncle Ralph was still a projectionist when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941. He would later go on to be the projectionist at Warner’s Skyline Drive-In Theater in Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. You can read about that here.

Ralph Murphy at Warner’s Skyline Drive-In Theater, Clarksburg, West Virginia

My husband says uncle Ralph did what Ralph wanted to do so when he was ready to go, he was ready to go! It didn’t surprise him at all when he read this article. Uncle Ralph himself probably got a chuckle when he saw this article “in the paper.” At least he cared enough to save and laminate it.

References

• Hundred Operator Had to Go so 50 Get Movie Passes, newspaper unknown, 1940.
• Motion Picture Herald, vol. 135, issues 1-6, Quigley Publishing Company, 1939.
• U. S. Federal Census, Clay District, Littleton, Wetzel County, West Virginia, 1940.
• U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.

12 things I learned about James M. Lankford this week

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “12.”

I spend a lot of time searching the Georgia Historic Newspapers, a free resource provided by the Digital Library of Georgia. If you’re researching families from Georgia and you’re not using this online resource, you’re missing out! I’ve found a lot of good stuff in these newspapers. Some are very informative news articles and some are just nuggets of information, but when pieced together, they help tell the stories we’re all working so hard to write.

My 3rd great grandfather, James Meriweather Lankford, was a prominent member of his community (Penfield, Greene County, Georgia) so was often in the news. Since this week’s theme is “12,” I thought I’d see if I could find 12 new things about him. I knew he was a farmer, stock trader, slave owner, and a veteran of the Civil War. It’s turns out, he was quite the businessman in Penfield. Here’s what I learned this week from the Georgia Historic Newspapers.

1.  He owned and ran the Penfield Daily Hack.

Daily Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, Georgia, February 4, 1852

Penfield Daily Hack. The subscriber will convey Passengers from the Depot in Greensboro’ to Penfield, daily, upon the arrival of the Passenger Daily Trains at 11 o’clock, A.M. 

Leaving Greensboro’ at 11 ½ o’clock, A.M., and arriving at Penfield by 2 o’clock, P.M.

Leaving Penfield for Greensboro’ at 8 ½ o’clock, A.M., so as to connect with the Trains going East and West.

fe1-d1w&tw2t JAMES M. LANKFORD.

2.  He was a merchant.

The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, June 10, 1854

LARGE SALES & SMALL PROFITS. The subscribers respectfully inform their friends and the public that they have united in business under the firm of Williams & Langford, and have opened a large and well selected stock of Family Groceries, &c. at the old stand of A. S. Williams. Their stock comprises the following articles, viz:

Stewart’s Refined Sugar
Fine New-Orleans Brown Sugar
Crushed Sugar
Rio Coffee, Rice, and Vinegar
Molasses and New-Orleans Syrup
Salt, Nails, Irish Potatoes, Saot, Powder and Lead
Mackerel, Cod Fish, Sardines, Belogna Sausages
Star and Tailow Candles
Cheese, Black and Hyson Teas
Black Pepper, Spice, Race and Ground Ginger
Table and common salt,
Almonds, English Walnuts, Brrzil and Pecan Nuts
Tobacco, Segars and Snuff, &c. &c.

Confectionaries, &c.
Preseves, Lemon Syrup, Oranges, Lemons, Raisins, Figs, Candy, Kisses, Sugar, Plums, Toys, &c. &c.

Medicines, Paints, Oils, &c.
Sand’s Sarsaparilla, Turpentine, Castor Oil, Sweet Oil, Linseed Oil, Train Oil, Alum, Epsom Salts, Borax, Coione Kathairon, Military Shaving Soap, Cakes Soap, Tarpentine Soap, Essence of Lemon, Essence of Peppermint, do. Rose Water, Landanum, Paregoric, Blacking, Cloves, Lamp Oil, Matches, &c &c.

From the above list it may be seen that our Stock comprises the largest and best selected assortment of Family Groceries, &c. ever offered in this market.—This being the case they can afford to sell for very small profits. Students will find that a portion of the stock has been selected with especial reference to their wants. The subscribers will give their individual attention to all who favor them with their patronage.

A. S. Williams,
James M. Lankford
Penfield, April 1 13 1y

3.  He owned a livery stable in partnership with W. T. Doster and J. T. Dolvin. The partnership was dissolved in 1855.

The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, December 1, 1855

NOTICE.—The Copartnership heretofore existing under the firm and name of Doster, Lankford & Dolvin, and J. M. Lankford & Co., is this day dissolved by mutual consent.
The Books and accounts of Doster & Lankford, Dolvin, Lankford & Dolvin, and J. M. Lankford & Co., are in the hands of J. M. Lankford for collection. All persons indebted will please come forward and settle and save cost.

W. T. Doster,
J. M. Lankford.
J. T. Dolvin
Oct. 15, 1855.

Having this day bought the interest of J. M. Lankford in the firm of Doster, Lankford & Dolvin, and J. M. Lankford & Co., I now inform the public that the Livery Stable business will be continue in the name of Doster & Dolvin.

J. T. Dolvin
Oct. 15, 1855. 42—6t

4.  He was elected Constable of his district in 1856.

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, January 12, 1856

County Elections, On Monday, the 7th inst., E. L. King was elected Ordinary; A. T. Scott, Tax Collector; Wm. English, Receiver; V. Sanford, Clerk; A. L. Willis, Justice of the Inferior Court; and J. G. Holtzclaw, Surveyor.

On the 5th inst., James M. Lankford, Esq., was elected Constable of our District by an overwhelming majority.

5.  He sold Sarsaparilla extract to the public, presumably from the Williams & Lankford store. 

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, February 2, 1856

HELMBOLD’S HIGHLY CONCENTRATED Compound Fluid Extract Sarsaparilla. For Purifying the Blood, removing all diseases arising from excess of Mercury, exposure and imprudence in life, chronic constitutional disease, arising from an impure state of the Blood, and the only reliable and effectual known remedy for the cure of Scrofula, Salt Rheum, Scald Head, Ulcerations of the Throat and Legs, Pains and Swellings of the Bones, Tetter, Pimples on the Face, and all Scaly Eruptions of the Skin.

This article is now prescribed by some of the most distinguished physicians in the country, and has proved more efficient in practice than any preparation of Sarsaparilla yet offered to the public. Several cases of secondary Syphilis, Mercurial and Scrofulous diseases have entirely recovered in the incurable wards of our Public Institutions which had for many years resisted every mode of treatment that could be devised. These cases furnish striking examples of the salutary effects of this medicine in arresting some of the most inveterate diseases, after the glands were destroyed, and the bones already affected.

Notice.—Letters from responsible Physicians and Professors of several Medical Colleges, and certificates of cures from patients will be found accompanying both Preparations.

Prices—Fluid Extract of Buchu, $1 per bottle, or 6 bottles for $5, Fluid Extract of Sarsaparilla, $1 per bottle, or 6 bottles for $5, equal in strength to one gallon of Syrup or Sarsaparilla.

Prepared and sold by H. T. HELMBOLD, Chemist, 168 Chesnut Street, near the Girard House, Philadelphia.

To be had of JAMES M. LANKFORD, Penfield.

And of Druggists and Dealers everywhere.

All letters directed to the Proprietor or Agent receive immediate attention.

June 2 22—1y

6.  He sold M’Lane’s Vermifuge, a medicine used to expel worms from the body, again presumably from the Williams & Lankford store. 

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, November 29, 1856. 

Worms, Worms, Worms. A great many learned treaties have been written, explaining the origin of, and classifying the worms generated in the human system. Scarcely any topic of medical science has elicited more acute observation and profound research; and yet physicians are very much divided in opinion on the subject. It must be admitted, however, that after all, a mode of expelling them and purifying the body from their presence is of more value than the wisest, disquisitions as to their origin.

Such an expelling agent has not been found. Dr. M’Lane’s Vermifuge proves to be the much sought after specific—its efficacy being universally acknowledged by the entire medical faculty. As further proof, and the following from a lady—one of our own citizens:
New York, October 15th, 1852.

This is to certify that I was troubled with worms for more than a year. I was advised to use M’Lane’s Celebrated Vermifuge, prepared by Flemming Bros. of Pittsburg. I took one bottle, which brought away about fifty worms; I commenced improving at once, and am now perfectly well. The public can learn my name, and further particulars, by applying to Mrs. Hardie, No. 3 Manhatten place, or E. L. Theall, Druggist, corner of Rutger and Monroe sts. 

Purchasers will be careful to ask for Dr. M’Lane’s Celebrated Vermifuge, manufactured by Fleming Bros. of Pittsburg, Pa. All other Vermifuge in comparison are worthless. Dr. M’Lane’s genuine Vermifuge, also his celebrated Liver Pills, can now be had at all the respectable drug stores.—None genuine without the signature of FLEMING BROS.

Sold by J. M. Lankford, Penfield: and W. Griffin, Greenesboro, and by one agent in every town in the South.

7.  He and J. W. Jackson ran a daily hack line from Penfield to Greensboro, Georgia. They also had livery stables in both cities.

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, February 19, 1857

TO THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. Having bought out the HACK LINE from Messrs. Wilson & Thompson, the undersigned now run a Daily Line from Penfield to Greenesboro’, connecting with the daily passenger trains.

They also have Livery Stables in both places, where they are prepared to accommodate persons with Horses and Buggies to go to any point they may desire. With good Carriages and harness, gentle Horses, sober drivers, and reasonable prices, they respectfully solicit a liberal share of public patronage. Having learned the folly of a contrary course they will require the cash in all cases.

J. W. Jackson will always be found at Willis’ Hotel, Greenesboro’, and J. M. Lankford, at their Stables in Penfield.

LANKFORD & JACKSON.

Jan. 22, 1857. 1y 4

8.  He ran another livery stable with Messrs. Wilson and Raden. They dissolved the business in 1857.

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, December 17, 1857

Notice.—The firm of Lankford, Wilson & Raden has this day been dissolved by mutual consent, and no debts made against this firm will be paid after this date. All persons having claims against said firm will present them to James M. Lankford, and all persons indebted to said firm will come forward and pay up, as the cash we are compelled to have to pay our debts.

LANKFORD, WILSON & RADEN, December 5th, 1857.

9.  Joseph Raden sold his part of the livery stable to satisfy a mortgage to James M. Lankford. I enjoyed this notice because it provides details of the inventory the men had in their livery stable.

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, December 17, 1857

Greene Mortgage Sales. Will be sold in the City of Greenesboro’ on the first Tuesday in February next, between the usual hours of sale, the Interest of Joseph N. Raden in the Livery Stable of Lankford, Wilson and Raden. It being the sixth part of said firm, the following property to-wit: Two old grey Horses known as the Ellington horses, two black Horses known as the Williams horses, two black Mules.

One bay horse known as the Sharp horse; one sorrel Horse known as the Grady sorrel; one bay horse known as the Jackson horse; one sorrel known as pot gut; one bay horse known as the lame bay; one grey horse known as the Jackson grey. Seven buggies and harness; Four hacks and harness; one two Horse Wagon and harness; one one Horse wagon and Harness; one four seated Buggy and harness, all levied on as the property of Joseph N. Raden to satisfy a mortgage fi fa in favor of James M. Lankford issued from Greene Inferior Court against said Raden.

T. F. Foster, D. Sheriff. Greenesboro’ Nov. 14th, 1857.

10.  His son was wounded and it was reported that his hand might have to be amputated. A week later, the newspaper retracted part of the story saying that it was a mistake to report that amputation was a possibility. The injured person could have been my 2nd great grandfather James C. Lankford.

Planters’ Weekly, Greensboro, Georgia, May 9, 1860. 

A son of Mr. James M. Lankford of this County, was badly wounded in the wrist by the accidental discharge of his gun on Saturday last. The physicians think amputation necessary. It seems to be the misfortune of our County, that we have more distressing accidents, more Coroner’s inquests, more murders, more hoaxes to chronicle, than any other county paper in the State.

Planters’ Weekly, Greensboro, Georgia, May 16, 1860. 

We were in error last week, when we said, that the physicians thought amputation of the hand necessary for Mr. Lankford’s son, who had been wounded by the accidental discharge of his gun. They never thought or said so, and our mistake was in publishing the first report which reached us.

11.  He bought the States right to a rotating harrow in 1860, an implement that was pulled by a horse or mull to break up clods of dirt, etc.

Planters’ Weekly, Greensboro, Georgia, April 3, 1861. 

DeWitt & Barrett’s. 

Rotating Harrow.

Patented 2nd March 1858

The First premium Harrow of the empire and Green Mountain States.

The Harrow that has taken the premium, at every State and County fair where it has been exhibited and Tested.

I wish to inform the citizen of Greene and the adjoining Counties, that I have bought the “STATES RIGHT” to the above Harrow; and that I am manufacturing them at PENFIELD GEORGIA.

I have fifty nearly finished. I will sell the Harrow at $15.00, or the “Farmers Right” for five Dollars. Any one who can make a plough stock, can make one of these Harrows, as they are very simple in construction, except the centre piece of iron which is cast, it however costs but two Dollars and twenty five centers. A gentleman who has used this Harrow says, I would state for the benefit of the farming community, that it is the most simple and complete pulverizer that ever was invented. I have one in use on my farm (two miles from Auburn,) and I testify that it will do more work in one hour than a common Harrow will in two, I tested the Harrow in hard soil, and in corn subble; and I find it comes up to your statement to the very letter &e.,

Any person wishing to purchase a Harrow, can take it on his plantation and if it does not suit he may return it, and I will charge him nothing. It is the very thing for leveling the land, and breaking clods, consequently is invaluable in putting in wheat.

JAMES M. LANKFORD.
October 24th, 1860.—1y.

12.  He was a realtor of some sort.

The Georgia Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, February 4, 1858

For Sale or Rent. A comfortable house and lot in Penfield, situated in the eastern part of town. It contains four good Rooms—all the outbuildings are in good repair, and a small family will find it to be a pleasant residence.

Mr. Henry English occupied it during the past year. Apply to J. M. Lankford. Penfield, Ga.

Jan. 7, 1858. tf.

All of this information was news to me and exciting to learn. The livery stables didn’t surprise me but I had no idea about the store. Now back to the newspapers to write a story for next week’s theme “in the paper.”

References

• Penfield Daily Hack, “Daily Chronicle & Sentinel,” Augusta, Georgia, February 4, 1852.
• Large Sales & Small Profits, “The Temperance Banner,” Penfield, Georgia, June 10, 1854.
• Notice, “The Temperance Banner,” Penfield, Georgia, December 1, 1855.
• County Elections, “Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, January 12, 1856.
• Helmbold’s Highly Concentrated Compound Fluid Extract Sarsaparilla, “Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, February 2, 1856.
• Worms, Worms, Worms, “Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, November 29, 1856.
• To the Traveling Public, “Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, February 19, 1857.
• Notice, “Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, December 17, 1857.
• Greene Mortgage Sales, “Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, December 17, 1857.
• “Planters’ Weekly,” Greensboro, Georgia, May 9, 1860. 
• “Planters’ Weekly,” Greensboro, Georgia, May 16, 1860.
• DeWitt & Barrett’s, Rotating Harrow, “Planters’ Weekly,” Greensboro, Georgia, April 3, 1861. 
• For Sale or Rent, “The Georgia Temperance Crusader,” Penfield, Georgia, February 4, 1858.

Elizabeth Ann Lankford, one of many Lankford’s buried at Bairdstown Cemetery

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “large family.” For this theme, to kill two birds with one stone I chose to write about Elizabeth Ann Lankford. I’m sure if I looked, I could have found someone with a larger family than hers but I’ve been lax about my goal to document the souls buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia and this post will cover both.

Elizabeth Ann Lankford, daughter of Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore, was born January 1822 in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. She was the third child of five—William A. Lankford, James Meriweather Lankford, Elizabeth Ann Lankford, Curtis Caldwell Lankford, and Robert Chester Lankford. Elizabeth was the only sister of my 3rd great-grandfather, James M. Lankford, which makes her my 3rd great grand aunt.

Other than census records with the rest of her family, I find no other records for Elizabeth until she married William H. Bryant Sr. on December 13, 1841. She was 19 years old and he was 20. I find the records for the location of their marriage confusing though. The database “Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828-1978” has two different records for the location of their marriage. One from Greene County that doesn’t actually show they were married there. The section of the form where the justice of the peace is supposed to write the date they “were joined together in the Holy Bands of Matrimony, by me” was left blank.

Greene County, Georgia marriage record

The other is from Oglethorpe County:

Oglethorpe County, Georgia marriage record

Three other databases show the marriage location as Oglethorpe County:

• Georgia, Compiled Marriages, 1754-1850
• Georgia Marriages to 1850
• Georgia Marriages, 1699-1944

Did they go to Greene County to get the application and then get married in Oglethorpe County? Hard to say 177 years later.

Elizabeth and William had 10 children together—Sarah T. Bryant, Samuel R. (or John) Bryant, Rebecca M. Bryant, William H. Bryant Jr., Alexander Hamilton Bryant, Charles Bryant, Martha Bryant, Eugene Herbert Bryant, Jasper M. Bryant, and Mary Bryant. For a while, I thought there were 11 children because if you go through census records you find 11 named children. But based on the fact that the 1900 census record recorded Elizabeth as having had 10 children with 9 living at the time, I’m now going with 10. I mean, she would have known how many children she’d given birth to, right? One could also argue that the census enumerator recorded the children with different names on several occasions so perhaps that was what happened here. I’m thinking Samuel and John are possibly the same child. I have found no record to prove otherwise. If someone does, I’d love to hear from them.

On August 3, 1850, Elizabeth, William, and their four children—Sarah, Samuel, Rebecca, and William—lived in the 66th Division of Oglethorpe County. The census enumerator marked the column noting that William was unable to read or write. Their home was a large farm made up of 289 acres of improved land with an additional 100 acres of unimproved land. The value of their farming equipment and machines was $2,500. Livestock consisted of 100 horses, 3 mules, 4 working oxen, 2 cows, 11 sheep, and 8 pigs, all valued at $60. Can you imagine what all that livestock would be worth today! The farm produced 400 bushels of wheat, 50 bushels of rye, 500 bushels of oats, 130 bushels of rice, 11 bales of cotton, 52 bushels of peas and beans, 100 bushels of sweet potatoes, 150 pounds of butter, and 5 tons of hay. They stayed busy. But as an overseer, I’m not sure how William was able to keep records for his large farm if he was unable to read and write.

On June 29, 1860, Elizabeth and her growing family of nine children lived in District 238 of Oglethorpe County. The enumerator spelled their last name “Briant.” He also listed a two-month-old unnamed male child in the home. Elizabeth had recently given birth to a son they named Jasper so that has to be him. William was a farmer with a personal estate valued at $300.

On June 1, 1870, Elizabeth and her family lived in Maxeys, Oglethorpe County. She was enumerated as Eliza and was keeping house. William was a farmer with land valued at $2,000 and a personal estate valued at $1,000. Their son Eugene was enumerated as Henry, Jasper enumerated as James, and Alexander as Adam. At ages 12 and 10 respectively, Eugene and Jasper were unable to read and write. Three adult children still lived at home—Sarah (age 27), Rebecca (age 23), and William Jr. (age 21). William Jr., enumerated as a farm laborer, must have been helping on the farm. William Colclough, a 19-year-old male, lived in the home and was also a farm laborer. Three William’s living in the home at the same time. That must have gotten confusing at times!

On June 29, 1880, Elizabeth and her family lived in Woodstock, Oglethorpe County. William was a farmer, managing 25 acres of land and livestock. He rented out part of the land to tenants who gave him a share of their crops for using the land. There were seven adults living in the home—Elizabeth, William, Sarah (37), Rebecca (27), Mattie (24), Herbert (22), Jasper (20), and teenager Mary (17). Herbert and Jasper were farm laborers so can we assume they helped their father on the farm? A servant named Rhoda Drake, age 16, lived in the home as well. Their son Alexander (Alex), his wife Lizzie (Epps), and two daughters (Kate and a three-month old infant) lived three houses away. In the early 1880s, Elizabeth’s son William Jr. left Georgia and headed west to Texas. In 1886, he met and married Annie Laura Jones after a short courtship. They had two children, a son named Charles Leonard Bryant in 1890, and a daughter named Mary Lee Bryant in 1892. When Mary was two months old, Laura contracted pneumonia and passed away. William Jr., unable to care for a newborn, left Mary with Laura’s mother, Fannie Catherine Findley Jones, and went home to the Bryant family farm in Maxeys with his son Charles. Years later, Charles would write that “They never lived together as a family again.” William Jr. didn’t stay home long though. He left the family farm again, this time leaving his son Charles in the care of his sister Rebecca, who apparently was still living at home. I’m assuming that this was after Elizabeth had passed away since it was Rebecca who cared for Charles.

An 1894 map of Oglethorpe County shows the Bryant farm in the Falling Creek district, near Bairdstown, just over the Greene County line.

On June 5, 1900, Elizabeth, William, and three adult children—Sarah, Rebecca, and Jasper—lived in the Falling Creek District of Maxeys, probably the one shown on the 1894 map. Elizabeth and William had been married for 58 years. This is the census record that shows Elizabeth as the mother of 10 children with 9 living and the only record I have found that shows the month she was born. At age 79, William was still farming with their son Jasper helping. Sarah and Rebecca were both dressmakers. Elizabeth’s son Eugene and his family lived three houses away.

Elizabeth died in Maxeys on November 29, 1905. She was buried in what would become the family plot at Bairdstown Cemetery. The Oglethorpe Echo reported her death on December 8, 1905:

The grim monster, death, invaded the home of Mrs. William Bryant, near here (Maxeys) Wednesday of last week and claimed her as his own. She was laid to rest in the Bairdstown cemetery Thursday following after appropriate services by Rev J. D. Mell.

You have to walk the full length of Bairdstown Cemetery to get to the Bryant family plot, located at the far-right edge by the woods. Some of Elizabeth’s large family of 12 are buried in the family plot with her and William, together forever.

Bryant family plot

Bairdstown Cemetery is a small, well-kept country cemetery. I’ve walked it many times, usually with my Daddy, and I always make a point of stopping by each of my 3rd great-grandfather’s sibling’s family plots. I’ve researched them enough that I feel like I know them now. Daddy and I have talked about all the Lankford family connections there and I’ve made it a goal to figure them out. Elizabeth Lankford Bryant is one of those connections.

I would love to walk Bairdstown Cemetery with Daddy one more time and tell him the stories I’ve learned about the souls buried there. But Daddy will be 93 later this month and is no longer able to walk the cemeteries with me. So instead, I’ll tell anyone who wants to listen here on my blog. Click here to view other connections to Bairdstown Cemetery.

References

• Certificate of Death, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, W. H. Bryant, no. 33 20959, Georgia Marriages, 1699-1944.
• Georgia Marriages to 1850.
• Georgia, Deaths Index, 1914-1940.
• Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978
• Map of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, published by Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co. Engravers, 1894; http://vault.georgiaarchives.org/cdm/ref/collection/cmf/id/217.
• Moorman, Pamela Taylor, Bryant Family Connections, June 2007.
• U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedule, Division 66, Oglethorpe, Georgia, August 20, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 230, Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Division 66, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Falling Creek, Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Georgia Militia District 238, Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Maxeys, Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1870.

Happy memories of a beloved uncle

Clark Eugene Lankford

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “bachelor uncle.”

My uncle, Clark Eugene Lankford, was a kind, sweet man. He was always good to me, my sisters Bonita, Jennifer, and Vanessa, and my brother Michael. Bonita remembers that Clark was never sad or mad. He was always smiling and cutting up. Clark came to live with us at our house on Macon Drive in southeast Atlanta, Georgia after he left the U.S. Army. According to his obituary, that would have been 1961. He had spent time in Korea and brought a scrapbook and a decorative pillow home with him. Bonita remembers the scrapbook had photos of Korean women which she believes were thrown away years later immediately after he got married. Ha, my father-in-law had to do the same thing! I remember playing with the pillow in his bedroom. Both the scrapbook and pillow were very decorative.

During the years that Clark lived with us, he gave Mama $10 a week to wash his clothes and make his bed. Mama used that money to buy herself a car. At some point, the car was parked in our driveway or on the street and was totaled after being hit by another car. After the accident, Clark let Mama use his red convertible to run errands during the week. At the end of the week, Mama would wash the car before she gave it back to Clark. He and Daddy were plumbers and worked together for Thompson Brothers Plumbing in Atlanta or Decatur. Clark must have ridden to work with Daddy for him to be able to let Mama use his car. Most days, Mama packed lunches for both Daddy and Clark.

Growing up, we didn’t have the traditional family environment. Mama bent over backwards to make sure we had fun and stayed busy. Daddy on the other hand was a self-described loner. He worked all day and after work he’d spend his evenings working in the yard. We always had beautiful flowers and a big vegetable garden. But when it came to family activities, most times he didn’t participate. So, Clark stepped in and filled the void.

Uncle Ralph Epps, my Daddy Sam Lankford, brother
Michael, Clark, and my grandpa Carroll Lankford. This picture
was taken at  Bairdstown Cemetery, probably the day
my grandma was buried in 1970.

On several occasions, Mama and Clark took us to Shakey’s Pizza Parlor for pizza and beer. Well, Mama and Clark had a beer in an ice-cold frozen mug. The kids got a Coke. We’d stand on the benches underneath the windows to watch the staff make the pizzas. Then we’d all sit down and eat pizza while we listened to the piano and banjo players play Dixieland jazz. We had a ball!

Jennifer remembers that Clark would take any of us who wanted to go to Greene County when he went to visit our grandparents and aunt. He always stopped at McDonalds and we’d sing and play games on the ride there.

During the summer months, Mama went to the farmer’s market and brought back bushel bags of peas for canning. We’d all sit on the back-porch shelling peas until our fingers turned purple. Clark was right there helping us.

On Christmas morning, we couldn’t check out what Santa left us until we woke Clark up. At Easter, he helped us hunt eggs.

Michael, Clark, Vanessa, and Bonita

Bonita remembers Clark emptying the change out of his pockets every night when he got home from work. He’d save the change and every few months, we would sit around the dining table and help him roll it up. She believes he used that money as a down payment on his first house.

Daddy would sometimes take us to the Miss Georgia ice cream parlor on Lakewood Avenue on Sunday afternoons. Clark would go with us.

Every Saturday night Clark went to a dance club in DeKalb County called The Sports Arena. Bonita remembers that it wasn’t a bar, although it may have had beer. Jennifer said they sometimes had wrestling and he loved it. He wanted to take Bonita, but Daddy wouldn’t let him. Clark had a girlfriend for many years. None of us remember her name but she had children our age. Sometimes on Saturdays, he’d take us to her house to play with her kids. We’d go to the park and have picnics with them. Clark would sometimes take her to The Sports Arena on Saturday nights.

Clark eventually moved out into a small house a couple of miles from ours, behind the Southeastern Fair Grounds in Atlanta. On weekends, he’d come pick us up and take us to his house. We’d help him clean his house, cut grass, and wash his car. His house was always immaculate. I remember music playing and still today if I hear the songs “Corinna, Corinna” by Ray Peterson from 1960 or “Return to Sender” by Elvis Presley from 1962, I think of Clark.

In 1970, at the age of 37, Clark married my aunt Alice and they moved to Alpharetta, north of Atlanta. They had twin daughters whom he loved dearly. The night they were born, Mama and Jennifer went to the hospital and sat up all night with Clark. Jennifer remembers that he was a nervous wreck yet so excited. The twins weren’t born that night and at daylight, Mama and Jennifer had to leave so Mama could go to work. By the time they arrived home, Clark had already called Daddy and told him they were born right after Mama and Jennifer left. The girls were the light of his life.

My brother Michael, Clark, and cousin Tim
standing in front of my grandparents grave
at Bairdstown Cemetery. They died less than
three months apart.

When Jennifer graduated in 1972, Daddy wouldn’t go, and she remembers that she cried like a baby. Clark felt bad for Jennifer, so he and Alice attended her graduation. She always remembered him for that.

Clark and Alice eventually moved next door to Daddy in Riverdale, 10 miles south of Atlanta. Daddy and Clark were best friends and they looked out for each other. Those years were comforting for me because Daddy was getting older and lived alone. Alice died in 2004 and Clark in 2009. Both are buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia near my grandparents, Carroll and Floria Lankford. Appropriately, when Daddy is called home, he’ll be buried beside Clark at Bairdstown.

We all have great memories of my uncle Clark. For a few years, he was our “bachelor” uncle who loved us, and we loved him. He was like a second father to us.

My thanks to Mama, Bonita, and Jennifer who shared their memories of Clark with me for this post. My sisters remember a lot more than I do!

My son Kevin, Clark, my son Chris, and my Daddy (1995)

Holland ancestor at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865

Leroy Thomas Holland

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “at the Courthouse.”

When I first started researching my Holland line, my mother gave me a sheet of paper with her handwritten notes about several key ancestors in that line. One of the ancestors in her notes was my 2nd great grandfather, Leroy Thomas Holland. This is what she wrote:

Leeroy Thomas Holland, volunteered and served 4 years in Confederate Army of Virginia 1860 to 1864 and was in nearly all of the battles fought in that part of the confederacy. He was registered in the Army under “Company L” Second South Carolina Rifles, Jenkins Brigade. He was with General Lee when he surrendered at Appomattox Court House Virginia April 9, 1865.

I’ve already blogged Leroy’s life story in two separate posts: 52 Ancestors - #8: Leroy Thomas Holland and Leroy Thomas Holland Death Notice. If you read those posts, you’ll see that the dates Leroy served during the Civil War are wrong in her notes—he actually served from 1862 to 1865. He also spent a lot of time in the hospital so probably missed some of the battles. But he did in fact serve in the Jenkins Brigade and was at Appomattox Court House, Virginia when General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. On April 10, Leroy was issued a parole pass. According to the National Park Service on its web page The Appomattox Campaign, “A parole pass was an important piece of paper. Any confederate soldier who had this pass could use it as proof that they were not a deserter. The pass was also used by paroled soldiers to obtain food and transportation.”

Parole pass (click to enlarge)

Leroy’s parole pass reads:

PAROLED PRISONER’S PASS.
Appomattox Court House, Va.,
April 10th, 1865.
The BEARER, Private L. T. Holland, of Co. L 2nd Regt. of S.C. Rifles, a Paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to go to his home, and there remain undisturbed.
It was signed by Col. Robert E. Bowen of the 2nd South Carolina Rifles.

Leroy appears on parole list H of an “alphabetical listing of soldiers that were paroled at Appomattox Court House.”

In looking through a box of genealogy related papers last weekend, I came across this pass and knew it had to be my post for the “at the Courthouse” theme since I hadn’t included it in my previous posts about Leroy. The pass would have been important to Leroy and clearly places him at the court house that day.

Reference

• National Park Service, Appomattox Court House, National Historical Park Virginia, The Appomattox Campaign; https://www.nps.gov/apco/appomattox-campaign.htm; Paroling the Army of Northern Virginia, https://www.nps.gov/apco/learn/historyculture/paroling-the-army-of-northern-virginia.htm.