An update to Jessie Pope Mullins Langford's story

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “thief.”

This theme has had me stumped the entire month of November. I couldn’t think of anyone to write about so last week I started thinking about synonyms for “thief.” That didn’t help me either. I even asked my husband for suggestions, to which he responded “well, you’re a thief … you stole my heart.” While I appreciated his sentiment, that didn’t help. I finally came back Jessie Pope Mullins Langford, whose tragic story I’ve already told. If you read her story, you know that she suffered from mental illness and took her own life in 1929, leaving five young children behind. Earlier this year, I found another article in The Atlanta Constitution, published on February 20, 1929 about Pope so thought I would add the additional details to her story.

I previously mentioned that Pope’s death certificate noted that she was in a deranged state when she took her life. This new article goes on to describe her as “a possible victim of kleptomania.” The article also noted that Pope “had been arrested five times since 1924 on shop lifting charges. Each time previously she had been able to make bond and was not forced to spend a night at the police station, but Monday, Gresham and V. D. Young, Jr., told her Langford would have to be informed of her actions, they said, when she was arrested in a store with five pairs of stockings in her pockets.” Wikipedia describes kleptomania as someone with “the inability to refrain from the urge for stealing items and is usually done for reasons other than personal use or financial gain.” Wikipedia further notes that “First described in 1816, kleptomania is classified in psychiatry as an impulse control disorder. Some of the main characteristics of the disorder suggest that kleptomania could be an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, but also share similarities with addictive and mood disorders.” Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries describes deranged as being “unable to behave and think normally, especially because of mental illness.” So, all this tells me that Pope was in such a state of illness that she couldn’t control herself, and when confronted with having to tell her husband what she’d done, she couldn’t live with that.

The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, February 20, 1929

Pope came “from one of the best families in the county, and as a young girl, at Penfield, she was loved and respected by all who knew her” but that didn’t help her when it came to her illness. I wonder what life would have been for her and her young family if she’d been born today instead of in 1929.

References

• “Suicide is Held Possible Victim of Kleptomania,” The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, February 20, 1929.
• Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries; https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/topic/mental_and_emotional_problems/deranged.

William Norris Lankford

Norris Lankford (ca. 1942)

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “soldier.”

In writing this blog post, I learned that a member of the extended Lankford family was held prisoner of war in Germany during World War II.

William Norris Lankford, son of Robert Chester Lankford Sr. and Mendie Octavia Hayes was born in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on April 13, 1924. There were seven children in the Lankford family—Robert Chester Lankford Jr., Nancy Lowe Lankford, Mell Thomas Lankford, William Norris Lankford, Baby Boy Lankford, Vesta Mendie Lankford, and Otis Young Lankford. He went by Norris and is my 3rd cousin 2x removed. Our nearest common relatives are Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore. Norris’ great grandfather, Robert Chester Lankford, and my 3rd great grandfather, James Meriweather Lankford, were brothers.

In 1926 when Norris was two years old, his mother gave birth to a baby boy on December 22 and sadly, the baby died four days later. He was buried the next day at Trinity Cemetery in Charlotte. A sad Christmas for the Lankford family.

On April 22, 1930, the Lankford family lived on Glennwood Drive in Charlotte. His father, a brick mason, owned their home which was valued at $1500. Sometime between the time this census was taken, and 1938, the family moved to Brentwood, Missouri, near St. Louis.

Norris’ father died from heart disease in St Louis, Missouri on October, 22, 1938. He was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia where his parents and grandparents were buried.

In November 1939, Norris was a member of the Boys Scouts of America, belonging to Troop 320 with the Frazier School. On November 12, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat published a news item that recognized Norris as one of several boys receiving a merit badge.

On April 13, 1940, Norris, his widowed mother, and his siblings lived on Pendelton Street in Brentwood, Jefferson Township, St Louis County, Missouri. They had been living in this same home at least since April 1935. The census enumerator noted that his mother had an 8th grade education. It didn’t appear that she was working, however, his 21-year-old brother Robert was an assistant timekeeper for a fire brick manufacturer. Robert had an income of $1100 and had worked the last 52 weeks. His sister, Nancy, age 19, was a beauty operator in a commercial beauty shop.

Norris attended Brentwood High School, graduating in 1942. While there, he was active in the Games, Dancing, Tumbling, and Archery Clubs, as well as the Intramural Teams and Work Program. The Brentwood Log, his school yearbook, noted that Norris was “tall and lanky.”

From Norris' 1942 Brentswood High School yearbook, The Brentwood Log

 On June 30, 1942, Norris registered for the World War II draft in Brentwood. He was 18 years old and worked at the Way Side Market. Norris listed his weight as 147 pounds, he had a light complexion, blue eyes, and blonde hair. As noted in his 1942 yearbook, he was tall at 6’1.” He listed R. C. Lankford (his brother) as his next of kin. Norris enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks on March 13, 1943, serving as an infantryman.

World War II draft registration card

On December 16, 1944, Norris, a Private, was reported as missing in action. In early March 1945, it was determined that he had been taken prisoner in Germany and was a prisoner of the German government. The Army notified his mother, who was living at 459A Lauren Street. German prisoners of war (POW) were often separated into camps by officers, the Navy, and enlisted men. According to U.S. History, …“At those camps, the quarters typically consisted of a single-story barracks with multiple bunk beds. A stove sat in the center of the room, but some men made their own out of bricks. The men were given two small meals a day, plus deliveries of such “luxury” items as butter and other staples from the Red Cross.” I believe Norris was released from captivity on May 1, 1945. Norris was released from the Army on November 29, 1945 at Camp Crowder, Missouri.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO (March 2, 1945)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO (March 2, 1945)

The Social Security Death Index shows that Norris’ social security number was issued in Missouri before 1951 so it appears that Norris stayed in Missouri after he returned home from the Army. He was living in St. Louis in 1958 according to the St. Louis, Missouri city directory, renting a home at 2652 Louis Avenue. Norris was a foreman at General Refractories, a fire brick business at the time. Not surprising since his father was a brick mason.

Norris’ mother died in St. Louis on December 30, 1979. She was buried beside his father at Bairdstown Cemetery in Georgia.

By the time Norris’ brother Robert Jr. died at Baptist Hospital Highlands in Jefferson County, Kentucky on October 11, 1986, Norris had moved to Aberdeen, Mississippi. Public records show that Norris lived on Pinehill Drive in Aberdeen at least from 1992 to 2002.

Norris lost his brother Otis in 1997 and his sister Vesta in 2000. Norris himself died on May 5, 2001. He was buried at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Aberdeen, Mississippi.

References

• Allen Percival Green, The State Historical Society of Missouri, Historic Missourians; https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/historicmissourians/name/g/green/.
• Brentwood Log, Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Missouri, 1940, 1941, 1942 (yearbooks).
• United States History, Allied POWs, German POW camps; https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1778.html.
• Infant of R. C. Langford, certificate number 313, North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909–1976.
• Otis Young Lankford obituary, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, January 15, 1997.
• Pvt. William N. Lankford, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, March 2, 1945 and March 3, 1945.
• Robert Chester Lankford Jr. obituary, The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, October 13, 1986.
• Social Security Death Index.
• St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory, 1958.
• Troop 320, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri, November 12, 1939
• U.S. Federal Census, Brentwood, St Louis, Missouri, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, 1930.
• U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993–2002.
• Vesta M. Murphy obituary, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, August 31, 2000.
• William Lankford, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1898–1929.
• William N Lankford, World War II Prisoners of War, 1941–1946.
• William N. Lankford, Missouri, Reports of Separation Notices, 1941–1946. Robert Chester Lankford II obituary, The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, October 13, 1986.
• William N. Lankford, U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775–2006.
• William N. Lankford, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938–1946.
• William Norris Lankford, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.

Thomas Drayton Poore

The Poore Family—Thomas Drayton Poore, wife
Nancy Louise (Martin) Poore, daughter
Beulah C. Poore, older son Edron Poore, and
younger son Cary Evans Poore.
Photo shared by Jennifer Williams Colton.

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “poor man.”

Last weekend, I looked in the family tree to see if I had anyone with the name Poor and found Beulah C. Poore. I did a little research and then remembered the theme was poor “man,” not woman. Before I changed course, I found a newspaper article about her father, Thomas Drayton Poore that piqued my interest so decided to keep it in the family. I’m glad I did! Thomas had an interesting story to tell.

Thomas Drayton Poore, son of Samuel Evans Poore and Mary Ann Bennett, was born on February 8, 1862 in the White Plains community of Anderson County, South Carolina. There were 13 children born to this family—Sarah Frances Poore, Mary Elizabeth Poore, Savilla Ann Poore, William Lander Poore, Thomas Drayton Poore, Hugh Dean Poore, Julia Elvenia Poore, Anna Dean Poore, John W. Poore, Ruth Della Poore, George Bennett Poore, Ada D. Poore, and Ida Venie Poore.

Thomas’ connection to me is a distant one in my Holland line—father-in-law of 2nd cousin 2x removed. The connection goes through my 2nd great grandfather’s (Leroy Thomas Holland) brother, Elijah Major Holland. Elijah had a daughter named Matilda Armathine Holland > Matilda’s son was James Furman Geer > James’ wife was Beulah C. Poore > Beulah’s father was Thomas Drayton Poore. We have no common relative.

On August 25, 1870, eight-year-old Thomas and his family lived in the Williamston Township of Anderson County, South Carolina. His father had real estate valued at $300 and a personal estate of $160. Thomas’ mother was keeping house. His three oldest sisters—Sarah, Mary, and Saville—were working on the farm. There was a 12-year-old black male named Elijah Owen working on the farm.

On June 22, 1880, Thomas and his family were still living in Williamston. His father was a farmer and his mother keeping house. Thomas had not attended school during that census year and was unable to read or write, along with his parents, and most of his siblings.

Thomas married Nancy Louise Martin, daughter of Jacob Calloway Martin and Margaret Louisa Ritchey on November 16, 1882. The ceremony was held at the Martin family home in Williamston and was performed by the Rev. G. M. Rogers. Thomas and Nancy had nine children—Beulah Corine Poore, Edron Gary Poore, Cary Evans Poore, Ida Dean Poore, Lula D. Poore, Furman George Poore, Thomas Kieffer Poore, Zora May Poore, and Mary Sam Poore. Thomas and Nancy lived with her parents near Williamston “for a number of years.”

The Poore family suffered a loss on April 12, 1895 when daughter Lula was born and died. Lula was laid to rest in the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery in Anderson County, South Carolina.

Thomas and Nancy moved to Westminster in 1900, which is where the census enumerator found them on June 12, 1900. The enumerator did not list an occupation for either of them. Nancy was however, enumerated as having had eight children, seven of which were living. Thomas and Nancy had been married for 17 years at this point. Beulah, Ida, and Furman were attending school. Both Edron and Cary were attending school but were also working as farm laborers. Thomas, Nancy, Beulah, Edron, Cary, and Ida were all able to read and write. While Furman was attending school at age five, he was just learning to read and write. They became active in their community and the Westminster Baptist Church. Thomas served as a Deacon for many years.

On January 15, 1908, a joyous occasion occurred when daughter Beulah married Furman Geer, a “popular driver of the Ligon hose wagon of the fire department.”

Thomas, a farmer and real estate dealer, was well known and respected in his community. On April 11, 1908, suffering from a throat condition, he started to lose his voice. By December 18, he was unable to talk at all, not even a whisper. Thomas “had been a public speaker, and for many years had been accustomed to sing in the church, his tones being unusually strong and clear.” The doctors, unable to help Thomas, told him his voice loss was due to “a case of nervous indigestion that had been troubling him for a long time.” Thomas’ voice loss would last for three years.

By April 26, 1910, Thomas and his family had moved to the town of Westminster in the Tugaloo Township of Oconee County, South Carolina. There were five children still living at home—Ida, Furman, Thomas, Zora, and Mary. Thomas was a farmer on the home farm. Furman was a salesman in a general merchandise store.

Thomas did not let his voice loss stop him from attending church. He was a “member and officer” at the “Baptist church in Westminster.” On February 7, 1911, a Baptist missionary named Rev. S. E. Stephens, assisted by Rev. F. G. Lavender, was holding a lengthy revival service. During a prayer service, Thomas “wrote on a slip of paper a request that prayer be offered for him that God would give him grace to bear his affliction.” Prayers were offered “that it might be God’s will to restore to him his voice,” … “but if it was not for the glory of God that it be removed that their brother might be given grace to bear it to God’s glory and praise.” After the prayer service ended, the congregation of 400 people sang a hymn. To his surprise, Thomas found that he was able to sing, loud and clear, and he ran to the front of the church. He asked the congregation to sing two songs, “Nearer, My God, to Thee” and “Praise God, from Whom All Blessing Flow” and he loudly joined in the hymns.

Word spread through town and, in fact, the country, about his sudden voice restoration. Thomas’ story was reported in at least Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, California, Kentucky, Mississippi, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. Fearing people wouldn’t believe what had happened was true, on April 2, 1911, Thomas submitted a written statement, or an “affidavit,” testifying to the events that had taken place. He wasn’t the only person to submit an affidavit. His physician, Burt Mitchell, M.D., did as well. Dr. Mitchell was well aware of Thomas’ health issues (an attack of neuralgia and the nervous indigestion) and his voice loss. Dr. Mitchell knew of the prayers offered and the voice restoration and determined that it was due to Thomas’ faith in God. Rev. Lavender, the pastor of the church, also submitted an affidavit testifying “that he was present at the service when Mr. Thomas Drayton Poore’s power of speech was returned to him; that the return followed four especial prayers offered in behalf of Mr. Poore.” Rev. Lavender felt that Thomas’ “return of voice was a direct answer to these prayers.” It was truly a miracle.

Thomas' story made the front page news in many cities  throughout the United States

In August 1911, Thomas went back to Anderson and was expected to visit White Plains Baptist Church where he would most likely talk about his experience. The Anderson Daily Mail wrote about him on August 4, 1911:

… In speaking about his health today, Mr. Poore says that he has grown stronger and heartier every day since his voice was restored. At no time since last February has he felt his voice weaken, and to-day he talks better than he did before his voice left him nearly four years ago. Mr. Poore has received a hundred or more letters from people from all sections of the United States inquiring about the miracle and asking him to vouch for the newspaper accounts. One magazine in California has published a detailed account of the restoration of his voice in answer to prayer.

Mr. Poore is 47 years of age, and is pleasantly remembered in Anderson County where he has a host of friends. He was kept busy today shaking hands with former acquaintances and receiving their congratulations. He is a man of means, having acquired considerable property, and has now retired from active business.

Family papers that were in the possession of Louise Poore Williams revealed Thomas’ thoughts on the matter, in his own words as published in the Tribune on February 7, 1914:

Three Years Ago (written by T. D. Poore), Westminster, S.C., February 7, 1914.
Mr. Editor of Tribune and Readers of Same: 

Three years ago today, in our meeting in the Baptist church, God saw fit to give my voice back to me, after special prayer was made on my behalf, and I began to sing and to talk and to give God the praise for the blessings that I have received. And I am still praising him today. 

The protracted services three years started on January 31, at night, with our then pastor, Rev. F. G. Lavender assisted by Rev. S. E. Stephens, doing the preaching. Bro. Stephens is a great preacher and has great faith of God. He is now doing a great work in China, of which I am glad. In the meeting three years ago many were drawn closer to God. Twenty-seven were added to the church by baptism. 

Today I think of the many changes that has come to us in the three years just gone—I say short, for it seems so short. Some have moved from us into other fields. Bro. Lavender, our pastor at that time, is among the number, and we hear he is doing great work. And some have stopped attending services with us that were with us then. And some have gone to their reward. Bro. C. E. O. Mitchell, who was superintendent of our Sabbath school at that time, is in this number. He enjoyed greatly being in this meeting and rejoiced when he saw me so blessed. He often spoke of this glad day, which was a great day with many. 

The day I speak of was the day before my birthday, and we were all so over-joyed that we forgot all about my birthday. So, tomorrow is my birthday, which brings me to 52. Here I stop and study for a moment. What is my greatest desire? Here it is: To see the old saved now, before they are called away. Sad, sad, to be old and in sin, and Jesus saying, Come and be saved. Lost man, won’t you come and be saved? Will you?

To honor their mother, Mary Ann Bennett Poore, the Poore family held their first family reunion at the home of Venie Poore Atkins in Sandy Springs, South Carolina in May 1914. It took all morning for the approximately 100 guests to arrive, including all but two of her children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The family enjoyed a large dinner and speeches by both Thomas and S. B. Sullivan.

On January 2, 1920, Thomas and his family lived on North Maine Street in Westminster. Mary was the only child left at home. Thomas was a manager on a general farm.

By April 9, 1930, Thomas, Nancy, and Mary had moved to Simpson Street in Westminster. The census enumerator noted that Thomas was 20 and Nancy 15 when they first married. Thomas was a farmer and Mary a saleslady in a dry goods store.

On November 16, 1932, family and friends gathered at the Poore home to celebrate Thomas and Nancy’s golden anniversary—50 years of marriage. The home was decorated in a gold theme of fall flowers. A buffet dinner was served that “with a few changes was a duplicate of the one served at the wedding 50 years ago.” After dinner, guests enjoyed two wedding cakes—one an “immense heart-shaped wedding cake in three tiers, elaborately decorated and tapped with a miniature bride and groom” and a second cake “containing the traditional bridal emblems.” Guests received “small cards bearing the dates in gold and tied with gold ribbon.”

Thomas Drayton Poore and his wife Nancy Louise Martin Poore
on their 50th wedding anniversary. The Greenville News
ran a story about their anniversary celebration which included
this photo on November 27, 1932.
(Photo shared by Jennifer Williams Colton.)

Thomas’ son Kieffer died on January 26, 1934. The Louise Poore Williams family papers revealed that Kieffer “was a Baptist minister until his health began to fail him. When driving through Kewanee, Mississippi, he ran into the back of a wagon pulled by horses. Kieffer was killed instantly when the tongue of the wagon penetrated his car.” He was buried at Shorts Baptist Cemetery in Sumter County, Alabama. Another son, Furman, died on March 13, 1935. He was buried at East View Cemetery in Westminster, Oconee County, South Carolina.

By April 25, 1940, Thomas had moved once again, this time to Wins Street in Westminster. All of the children had now left home. Thomas and Nancy were enumerated as having an elementary school education with the highest-grade completed by Thomas being the sixth grade and Nancy the fifth grade. At the age of 78, Thomas was working a full 40-hour week on the farm.

Thomas’ son Edron died on March 21, 1942. He was buried at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster. Thomas’ wife Nancy died at home in Williamston on March 15, 1944. The doctor’s handwriting on Nancy’s death certificate is very hard to read but I’m able to decipher two of the five lines listed as cause of death. One was arteriosclerosis, a “thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries” according to Wikipedia. The other was myocardial degeneration, which means she had heart issues. Nancy was buried at East View Cemetery in Westminster, Oconee County, South Carolina on March 17. Revs. H. M. Fallaw and N. J. Stansell officiated. The family barely had time to recover from Nancy’s death when Thomas’ daughter Beulah died of chronic nephritis on May 12, 1945 at the age of 61. She was buried the next day at East View Cemetery in Westminster. And less than one year later, Thomas died at his home in Westminster at the age of 84 on April 18, 1946 of a cerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension. He was survived by one son and three daughters; two brothers and two sisters; 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild. His funeral was held on April 21 at the home of Rev. W. S. Crommer, who performed the service. Rev. Crommer was assisted by Revs. H. M. Fowler and W. M. Major. Thomas was buried at East View Cemetery in Westminster. I’ll note that Thomas’ death certificate records his death date as Thursday, April 18, however, the newspapers recorded his death date as Friday, April 19, the same date you’ll find on his tombstone.

Partial view of Thomas' death certificate showing the dates

An interesting piece of information from the Louise Poore Williams family papers revealed that “Thomas Drayton Poore dreamed that the undertaker would part his hair on the wrong side. This dream seemed to bother him and he conveyed this concern to Mary Sam Poore and Ida Dean Poore Moore Bottoms. When the daughters first viewed the body of their father, they realized that the dream had become true as their father had said it would.”

Photo by Robert Barbi, Find A Grave member 46889958

I’d like to thank Jennifer Williams Colton for sharing photos and family papers with me. They definitely helped to tell Thomas’ story.


References

• “Answer Prayer—The Power of Speech Was Restored to a Man at Westminster, S.C.—Dumb for Three Years,” The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, South Carolina, April 11, 1911.
• “Comes to Oconee for Bride,” Keowee Courier, Pickens, South Carolina, January 22, 1908.
• “Dumb Man Cured as Friends Pray: Remarkable Case of Restored Speech Reported,” The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana, April 12, 1911.
• “Dumb Man Sings Doxology,” The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, April 16, 1911. 
• “Dumb Two Years He Now Sings Doxology,” The Bristol Evening News, Bristol, Tennessee, April 14, 1911.
• “Mr. T. D. Poore Visits in Anderson,” Anderson Daily Mail, August 4, 1911.
• “Mrs. T. D. Poore,” The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina, March 16, 1944 and March 17, 1944.
• “Prayer Restores His Voice,” Thinks Man Long Dumb,” The Washington Times, Washington, District of Columbia, April 9, 1911.
• “Prayers Answered and Man Recovers Voice,” The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado, April 11, 1911.
• “Restored by Prayer,” Jackson Daily News, Jackson, Mississippi, April 9, 1911.
• “Reunion of the Poore Family,” Keowee Courier, Pickens, South Carolina, May 20, 1914.
• “Speech Restored by Prayer,” The Opp Messenger, Opp, Alabama, April 14, 1911.
• “Thomas D. Poore,” The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina, April 20, 1946.
• “Thomas D. Poore,” The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina, April 21, 1946.
• “Voice is Restored as Friends Pray, The Bedford Daily Mail, Bedford, Indiana, May 20, 1911.
• “Voice is Restored as Friends Pray,” Escanaba Morning Press, Escanaba, Michigan, May 23, 1911.
• “Voice is Restored as Friends Pray,” Hopkinsville Kentuckian, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, July 4, 1911.
• “Voice is Restored as Friends Pray,” Journal Gazette, Mattoon, Illinois, June 21, 1911.
• “Voice is Restored as Friends Pray,” The Donaldsonville Chief, Donaldsonville, Louisiana, June 3, 1911.
• “Voice is Restored as Friends Pray,” The Sheboygan Press, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, May 18, 1911.
• “Voice Recovered After Prayers Are Offered,” Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, April 9, 1911.
• Arteriosclerosis; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arteriosclerosis.
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com accessed 10 November 2019), memorial page for Thomas Drayton Poore (8 Feb 1862–19 Apr 1946), Find A Grave Memorial no. 66269557, citing East View Cemetery, Westminster, Oconee County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by Jennifer Williams Colton (contributor 47309836).
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed 10 November 2019), memorial page for Edron G. Poore (1886–1942), Find A Grave Memorial no. 121546481, citing Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, Oconee County, South Carolina, USA; maintained by Dora Brown (contributor 47895331).
• Personal Poore family papers that were in the possession of Louise Poore Williams.
• Savilla A. Hiott obituary, The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, May 20, 1937.
• Shorts Baptist Cemetery, Sumter County, AL, by Sarah Mozingo, June, 1998; http://www.algenweb.org/choctaw/shortsbaptist_cem.html.
• Standard Certificate of Death no. 09735, State of South Carolina, Thomas Drayton Poore.
• Standard Certificate of Death no. 09911, State of South Carolina, Edron Gary Poore.
• Standard Certificate of Death no. 12778, State of South Carolina, Mrs. J. F. Geer.
• The Coffeyville Daily Journal, Coffeyville, Kansas, April 18, 1911.
• The Democratic Advocate, Westminster, Maryland, April 14, 1911.
• U.S. Federal Census, Tugaloo, Oconee, South Carolina, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Westminster, Oconee, South Carolina, 1920, 1930, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Williamston, Anderson, South Carolina, 1870, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Williamston, Anderson, South Carolina, 1900.

Boot camp graduation, Company 1845, U.S. Navy

Two years ago, I blogged about my Daddy, Samuel Terrell Lankford—a U.S. Navy veteran. Tonight, I have an update to that post I want to share since tomorrow is Veterans Day.

Company 1845, U.S. Navy, United States Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois
(October 19, 1944 - click to enlarge)

Daddy passed away this past August and while I was home for his funeral, my brother gave me a picture I’d never seen before from Daddy’s Naval Training Center boot camp graduation in October 1944. When Michael handed the picture to me, it was rolled up tightly. When unrolled, you could see it has several cracks in it. Daddy is in the front row, 10th person from the left. Luckily, the crack that covers his body missed his face. He’s the only person I can identify in the picture.

Close-up of Samuel Terrell Lankford (center)

According to the Recruit Training Command web page, there were more than one million Sailors trained at Great Lakes between the attack on Pearl Harbor and the surrender of Japan on August 14, 1945. Daddy was one of them.

The picture shows that this was Company 1845, United States Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. You can see a sign in the background that reads 21st Regiment. I don’t know if that relates to this Company or just to the ship photos behind the sailors. The picture was taken on October 19, 1944 so Daddy would have been 18 years old at the time.

Daddy would go on to serve as a cook on the U.S.S. Laffey.

Thank you again, Daddy, for your service!

Reference

• History of Recruit Training Command, Recruit Training Command, The Navy’s Only Bootcamp; https://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/about.html#history

William Owen Cheney Sr.

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “rich man.”

This blog post is another in a series connecting the dots in my tree to the souls buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

William Owen Cheney Sr., son of John Cheney and Catherine “Katie” Evans Owen, was born in Wilkes County, Georgia on September 30, 1809. The Cheney family was a large one. William’s father had eight children by his first wife, Rachel Benson, and eight children by his second wife, Catherine Owen. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, several of the children did not survive infancy. The children from John’s first marriage were Aquilla Cheney, Thomas Benson Cheney, Julia Cheney, Richard Cheney, Margaret Cheney, John Cheney, Samuel Cheney, and Joseph Cheney. The children from John’s second marriage were Drucilla Echols Cheney, Sarah Harris Cheney, William Owen Cheney, Elizabeth Evans Cheney, Harriet Holcomb Cheney, Melissa Baldwin Cheney, Rhoda Ann Cheney, and Marian Catherine Jane Cheney.

William’s connection to me is very distant—we have no common relative, however, there is a connection. William is the great grandfather of husband of 2nd cousin 3x removed. The connection runs through my 4th great grandfather, Charles L. Lankford. Charles’ son was Robert Chester Lankford > Robert’s son was William Mell Lankford > William’s daughter was Pauline Lankford > Pauline’s husband was Harold A. English > Harold’s father was Patrick M. English > Patrick’s mother was Martha Sarah Cheney > Martha’s father was William Owen Cheney.

William’s father served in Captain Levin Winder’s company in the First Maryland Regiment during the Revolutionary War.

William married Mary Elizabeth Callaway, daughter of Rev. Enoch Callaway and Martha Patsy Reeves, in Wilkes County, Georgia on November 4, 1829. Together they had at least 13 children—Enoch Reeves Cheney, Martha Sarah Cheney, Almarine Catherine Cheney, William Owen Cheney Jr., John Franklin Cheney, Mary Elizabeth Cheney, Rhoda Ann Cheney, Reuben (or Robert) Sumpter Cheney, Thomas Butler Cheney, Felicia Melanie Cheney, Melissa Lurine Cheney, Howell Cheney, and Patrick Mell Cheney. There may have also been a son named Joseph Benson Cheney. Two of his children became ministers—John and Reuben. His son William Jr. became a physician/surgeon.

William’s father died at the age of 72 in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia on October 19, 1837. John was buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield.

Marriage license for William O. Cheney and Elizabeth Callaway

William moved from Wilkes to Greene County in December 1839. He remained there the rest of his life.

On October 31, 1850, William, his wife, children, and mother lived in District 161 of Greene County, Georgia. William was a farmer with real estate valued at $5,000. He owned 30 slaves, many of them children. Four years later, William’s mother died at his Greene County home on May 14, 1854. Catherine, a native of Virginia, was 73 years old at the time of her death. She was buried at Penfield Cemetery with his father. William was the administrator of her estate later that year. All of her perishable property, including horses, hogs, plantation tools, corn, fodder, oats, cotton seed, among other things, were sold at her late residence in Greene County, along with a total of 760 acres of land.

On June 2, 1860, William and his family lived in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. At this point, there were only four children remaining in the home—Mary, Rhoda, Reuben, and Patrick. There was a 33-year-old seamstress named Emily Moore living in the home with the family. William was a farmer with real estate valued at $4,750 and a personal estate valued at $18,000. William was managing the farm with the help of 20 slaves, eight of which were children.

On June 3, 1870, William, Elizabeth, and Patrick lived in Penfield. Unlike years past, the census enumerator didn’t record any real or personal estate for William. Instead, he recorded real estate valued at $1,600 and a personal estate of $800 for Elizabeth. William was a farmer, Elizabeth keeping house, and their son Patrick was a farm laborer.

William died of liver and heart disease in Georgia on Sunday, August 6, 1871. He was buried at Bairdstown Baptist Church Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. His will, probated in Greene County on January 28, 1871, left his whole estate and personal belongings to his wife Elizabeth, 150 acres of land as the homestead, and 800 acres of land. William willed that his son Patrick Mell Cheney remain with his mother until he reached majority. William also willed that Patrick’s board, clothing, and education should be paid for by the estate, and that he receive one good horse, bridle, saddle, one bed and bedstead, furniture, and $50 worth of household and kitchen furniture. Should Elizabeth die before Patrick was educated, then he would receive the homestead and 250 acres of land. William appointed his son Enoch as the executor of the will. When Elizabeth died, their son Enoch was to receive 50 acres of land. The remainder of his land was to be sold and the proceeds would be equally divided between sons John and Robert, and his sons-in-law William H. McWhorter and John S. Wheatly. William’s household and kitchen furniture were to be shared between his sons Enoch, William Jr., John, Robert, and Patrick Cheney, and his son-in-law Stephen English.

William’s tombstone at Bairdstown Cemetery reads:

Sacred to the memory of Wm. O. Cheney, Sen.
Born, Sept 30th, 1809
Died, August 6th, 1871
By the grace of God I am what I am

Two things strike me about the grave—the “Sen.” after his name on the stone and the Southern Cross of Honor marker at the head of his grave. I thought the “Sen.” meant that William was a senator but I don’t find him listed anywhere as a state or U.S. senator. I also don’t find that he served during the Civil War. I do find a military record for his son, William O. Cheney Jr., who was a surgeon with the 7th Battalion, Georgia Cavalry (State Guards). I’ll keep an eye out for a record that documents his service, if he in fact did serve.

William's grave (2012)

Southern Cross of Honor Marker at the head of William's grave

William’s marker is also showing its age. Until this past August, it had been seven years since I last visited Bairdstown Cemetery. When I do visit, I always walk the cemetery with my camera and on both occasions, snapped a photo of William’s grave. When you compare the photos, you’ll notice considerable damage has taken place since my last visit.

William's grave (August 2019)

William's grave (August 2019)

By all accounts, William was a rich man. It appears he was very comfortable financially with a large plantation and plenty of land and he was surrounded by his large family, which is worth more than money can buy.

References

• Administrator’s Sale, The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, December 23, 1854.
• Austin, Jeannette Holland, The Georgians: Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984.
• Cheney, William O., U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861–1865.
• Executor’s Sale, The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, September 09, 1854.
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed 02 November 2019), memorial page for William Owen Cheney, Sr. (30 Sep 1809–6 Aug 1871), Find A Grave Memorial no. 24039548, citing Bairdstown Cemetery, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA ; maintained by Alice Wolfe Allen (contributor 47160492).
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed 03 November 2019), memorial page for John Cheney (30 Aug 1765–19 Oct 1837), Find A Grave Memorial no. 73550153, citing Penfield Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA ; Maintained by Don Sharp (contributor 48167782).
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed 03 November 2019), memorial page for Catherine Evans Owen Cheney (3 Jan 1781–14 May 1854), Find A Grave Memorial no. 14469345, citing Penfield Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA ; Maintained by Mz Fish (contributor 46622368).
• Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978 for William O. Chaney.
• Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Georgia, Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.
• Lasher, George William, The Ministerial Directory of the Baptist Churches in the United States of America, Ministerial Directory Company, 1899.
• Last Will and Testament, William O. Cheney, Sr.
• McCall, Howard H., Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia, Genealogical Publishing Company, 2010.
• Obituary, Catherine E. Cheney, The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, May 27, 1854.
• Orrell, R. L., Descendants of Richard Cheney of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 161, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Militia District 141, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Slave Schedule, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.
• William O. Cheney, Sr. Death, Herald-Journal, Greene County, Georgia, date unknown.
• William Owen Cheney photo from Brown, Tomlin, Hearn, Fambrough tree, stewartbrown71, www.ancestry.com, August 15, 2009.