Slaves named in the Will of Absalom Madison Janes

I recently created a new tab on this blog titled “Enslaved People of Greene County, Georgia,” something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while after learning my ancestors’ were slave owners. I was saddened, but not surprised, by this discovery because I knew my ancestors owned large plantations in Greene County. My plan for this page is to link sketches and other genealogical information I publish where names, vs. sex and age only, of the enslaved are recorded. Hopefully, this will help their descendants as they research their family history.

Absalom Madison Janes was born in Wilkes County, Georgia on June 8, 1796. According to an article published in The Daily Constitutionalist and Republic in Augusta, Georgia on October 5, 1847, “… He removed to the eastern part of Green county (now Taliaferro) in 1816, and resided there until 1839, when he removed to Penfield, where he terminated his earthly existence Sept. 25th, 1847, having just entered upon the 52d year of his age.” Absalom married Cordelia Calloway on July 18, 1817 and together they had 11 children. He was a cotton planter, state senator, one of Georgia’s first three millionaires, a founding member of Mercer University and member of the first Board of Trustees, Treasurer of the Georgia Baptist Convention, member of Bethesda Church and then Penfield Church, and according to my DNA results, my 3rd great grandfather.

His Will and an “Appraisement of Negroes” lists the names of 105 enslaved people.

Absalom Janes' Will

Georgia, Greene County Court of Ordinary

Nov Term 1847. The within will proven by the oaths of B. M. Sanders and Peter Northern, two of the witnesses to the same and [unreadable]to be recorded. Recorded in book G pages 59, 60 and 61. 4th Nov 1847. W. L. Strain, Clerk, C.O.

In the name of God amen.

I, Absalom Janes of the county of Greene and state of Georgia, being feeble in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament.

1st. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid.

2nd. I have heretofore given to my daughter Cornelia M. Sanders the following negroes big Frank valued at three hundred dollars, Betty at two hundred and fifty, Ann at four hundred and fifty, Mat at five hundred, Lucinda at five hundred, Spencer at six hundred, Willie at five hundred, Betsy at three hundred and fifty, and Frances and child at five hundred dollars – and sundry other article, cash and seven hundred and sixty five dollars – also the land and premises on which my said daughter and my son in law J. Rabun Sanders now reside in the county of Taliaferro, containing seven hundred and forty five acres more or less, valued at fifteen hundred dollars – making a total amount of six thousand two hundred and fifteen dollars, all of which I hereby confirm and for which she shall be accountable at the final divisions of my estate.

3. I have heretofore given to my son Thomas P. Janes the following negroes viz. Turner valued at six hundred dollars, Solomon at six hundred, Mace at five hundred, Lucy at five hundred, Caroline at three hundred and fifty, Hasty at one hundred, Liza at three hundred and Adeline at three hundred dollars, also provisions household furniture valued at five hundred and six five dollars – also the tract of land whereon he now lives in the county of Greene, called the Bunch tract containing five hundred and twenty acres more or less, valued at twenty three hundred dollars and making a total amount of six thousand one hundred and fifteen dollars – all of which I hereby confirm, and for which he shall account at the final division of my estate.

4. I have heretofore given to my daughter Nancy W. McWhorter the following negroes viz. Erin valued at five hundred and fifty dollars, Margaret at two hundred and fifty, Martha at two hundred and fifty, Elbert at four hundred, Hester at four hundred and fifty, Julia at four hundred and fifty, Bill at three hundred and fifty, and John at five hundred dollars – also sundry other articles and cash at five hundred dollars – also a house and lot in Penfield whereon my son in law R. L. McWhorter now lives, valued at seventeen hundred and fifty dollars – making a total amount of five thousand four hundred and fifty dollars, all of which I hereby confirm unto my son in law R. L. McWhorter and no more.

5. I hereby give and bequeath to my grandson R. L. McWhorter, son of my 2nd daughter, twenty five shares of stock in the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, and this shall be in full of his interest in my estate.

6. I hereby give and bequeath to my daughter Mary E. Janes to be paid over to her as soon as she shall become of age or marry the following negroes viz. Thomton valued at five hundred and fifty dollars, Amanda and child Sally at six hundred, Jane at five hundred, Alsey at three hundred, Polly at two hundred fifty, yellow John at five hundred, Jordan at four hundred and fifty, Caroline Mercer at four hundred and fifty, Amanda’s sons at two hundred and fifty, Chaney’s Caty at two hundred dollars, and in money or unexceptionably good notes, an amount sufficient with the above to make six thousand dollars – and money or notes to be paid over to her as soon as practicable after she becomes of age or marries – all of which she shall account for at the final settlement of my estate.

7. It is my will and desire that as soon as my debts are paid there shall be a final division of all my estate except the land and houses and lots – between my children Cornelia M. Sanders, Thomas P. Janes, Mary E. Janes, Felix W. Janes, Susan H. Janes, and Cordelia F. Janes, all to share alike, having the aforementioned specific legacies included in said divisions, and including my son in law R. L. McWhorter and also my grandson R. L. McWhorter from any part of said divisions.

8. It is my will and desire that my three younger children Felix W. Janes, Susan H. and Cordelia F. be supported and educated out of my estate till said divisions takes place and exchanged with said expenses in said divisions.

9. It is my will and desire that the shares of my three younger children be kept together in common stock till one of them becomes of age or marries and that each one shall draw his or her share as he or she becomes of age or marries.

10. It is my will and desire that my Executors have seven years to dispose of my real estate, and to sell it at public or private sale, and in such parcel and at such times as they may deem most expedient, under the direction of the Court of Ordinary; with the discretion, if they think it best, to reserve a sufficient amount, on which to work the negroes of the said three younger children, to be valued to them by commissioners appointed by the court.

11th. It is my will and desire that if any of my children dies in their minority, or without children of their own to heir their portions of my estate, that their said portions shall be divided, share and share alike between all my children that are there in life.

12th. It is my will and desire that my daughter Mary E. Janes be supported out of my estate till she shall receive her aforementioned specific legacy and shall account for the expense of the same at the final division of the estate.

13. I do hereby constitute and ordain my son Thomas P. Janes and my son in law James Rabun Sanders my Executors to execute this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I do hereby acknowledge the aforegoing four pages written three on the first sheet and one on the last to be my last will and testament, ordaining and confirming it by affixing hereunto my hand and seal this twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord 1847.

Absalom Janes

In witness to the signature of the foregoing we have hereunto set our names.

B. M. Sanders
Peter Northern
P. H. Mell

Georgia, Greene County, Court of Ordinary, Nov. Term 1847

Personally appeared in open court Billington M. Sanders and Peter Northern two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of Absalom Janes dec’d and on oath say that they saw him sign seal and ordain the same to be his last will and testament and that they believed him to be of perfect sound mind and memory at the time of his signing the same, and that P. H. Mell a subscribing witness to the same signed in their presence, that they signed the same in each others presence and in the presence of the Testator.

B. M. Sanders
Peter Northern

Sworn to in open court this 1 November 1847. W. L. Thain, Clerk, C.O

Appraisement of Negroes

Randle, aged 52, $350

Lele, aged 42, $300

Osborne, aged 19, $600

Charles, aged 13, $450

Hannah, aged 15, $375

Sarah, aged 11, $375

Riley, aged 10, $360

DeLeley, aged 8, $300

Betsy, aged 6, $250

Jesse, aged 3, $175

Miller Tom, aged 47, $450

Sally, aged 45, $300

Lydia, aged 19, $450

Lewis, aged 7, Burned, $100

Rhody, aged 2, $150

Big Charles, aged 42, $500

Cherry, aged 45, $300

Ely, aged 14, $400

Little Henry, aged 4, $200

Peter, aged 18 months, $150

Levy, aged 28y, $500

Lucy and Tarlton, aged 22 and 3 months, $600

Easter, aged 4, $200

Raney, aged 31, $400

Famous, aged 14, $460

Rachel, aged 11y, $325

Raney Charles, aged 7, $300

Anna, aged 5, $250

Sophronia, aged 1, $100

Sophy, aged 45, $325

Jack, aged 15, $475

Judy, aged 9, $300

Katy, aged 7, $250

Sam, aged 58, $100

Jane, aged 10, $325

Big Caroline and child Nancy, aged 23 and 6 m, $550

Joe, aged 36, $550

Adah, aged 40, $310

Nathan, aged 31, deformed hand, $500

Dice, aged 28, $450

Mariah, aged 10, $325

Delphy, aged 35, $325

Almyra, aged 10, $325

Adam, aged 38, $300

Stephen, 43 one leg, $225

Edmond, aged 32, Ruptured, $300

Willis, aged 28, $600

Mark, aged 23, $600

Little Moses, aged 21, $450

Primul, aged 36, $100

George, aged 15, $450

Hixy, aged 11, $375

Bob, aged 13, $425

Abe, aged 13, $350

Ellick, age 26, $525

Lewis, aged 23, $600

Patsy Caroline, aged 16, $500

Eliza, aged 26, $300

Sarah/Eliza child, aged 2 years, $50

Barbary, aged 50, $250

Henry, aged 20, $550

Ace, aged 31, $500

Rose, aged 17, $500

Marium, aged 11, $325

Lizzy, aged 70, $100

Nelly, aged 70, $100

Old Moses, aged 52, minus $100

Retter, aged 60, minus $50

Dec. 3rd, 1847

B. M. Sanders, Peter Northern, William Daniel, H. H. Watts, Appraisers

The two notices below ran in local newspapers and describe Absalom’s plantation.

Notice from The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, August 12, 1854 (click to enlarge)

Notice.—Will be sold, in accordance with the last Will and Testament of Absalom Janes, deceased, on the first Tuesday in October next, between the lawful hours of sale, if not previously disposed of by private sale, the following property, to wit:

 

A Dwelling house and Lot, in the town of Penfield, formerly occupied by said deceased, containing four acres, more or less. This is one of the most pleasantly situated residences in the village. The house is well built, of the best materials and neatly finished, there being two well finished cellars, eight spacious rooms, well ventilated, besides two convenient rooms in the garret. The plan of the building is such, that it may be occupied either for a private residence or public boarding house.  

 

Also, a vacant Building Lot, adjoining, containing four acres, more or less.

 Also, eight acres of Land, more or less, immediately in the rear of said Lots.

Also, fifty acres of Land, lying south-east, and a short distance from Penfield, adjoining lands of S. T. Peek, Esq., Phillip Robinson, and others.

 

Also, at the same time, a Storo House and Lot, in Penfield, located in the most business part of the place, now occupied by Stephen English, Esq., and formerly by Messrs. Wilburn & M’Whorter.

 

Terms made known on the same of sale.

THOS. P. JANES, JAS. R. SANDERS, Executors.

August 10, 1854

Sale of Real Estate, Planters’ Weekly, Greenesboro, Georgia, September 5, 1860 (click to enlarge)

 

SALE OF REAL ESTATE. By an Order of Greene county, will be sold on the first TUESDAY IN NOVEMBER next, before the Court House in Greenesboro, Greene County, (if not previously sold at private sale) the Tract of Land lying on Little River, in said county, whereon Col. Absalom Janes formerly lived, and now belonging to the two Minor Heirs of A. Janes, deceased, containing about (2650) Twenty-six Hundred and Fifty acres. Said settlement of land is one of the most valuable in Middle Georgia, containing a very large proportion of bottom land, in a high state of cultivation, and also a large proportion of wood land.

The improvements on the place are all that could be desired for planting or farming purposes. The plantation is in first rate repair, in every particular. Persons desiring to purchase would do well to call and examine. Mr. A. King on the place will show all the points to any one desiring to purchase. Sold for the purpose of division.

Terras.—One Third payable on the 25th of December 1860; One Third due on the 25th December 1861; and One Third payable on the 25th December, 1862, with interest from 25th December, 1860 on the two last payments. 

Any further information can be had by applying to Mr. Albert King on the place, or by letter to either of the undersigned, at Penfield, Georgia.

THOMAS P. JANES, JAMES A. SANDERS, Ex’rs.

September 3d, 1860.

Colored Church

Absalom’s will also contains a document showing he donated money to build a church for the “Colored people in the Town of Penfield.”

Penfield November 28th 1847

Absalom Janes

To the building Committee for the Colored Church –

For his subscriptions for building Church for the benefit of the Colored people in the Town of Penfield -- $50.00

Georgia, Greene County. In person appeared before me Lemuel Greene (owner of the Committee appointed for the Baptist Church in Penfield) for building a Church in said Town for the benefit of the Colored people, that Absalom Janes subscribed the amount stated in the above account with his own proper hands, and this deponent saith upon oath that the above account as it stands stated is just and true.

Sworn to before me this 29 of November 1847. 

James M. Porter, J.P.

Lemuel Greene

No. 4

Absalom Janes to the Colored Church

$50.00

Dec 1st 1847

Rec’d of the Executions of Col. Absalom Janes dec’d fifty dollars in full of the within account this Dec 1st 1847.

Lemuel Greene, Ch

By Jas M Porter 

References

• Absalom Janes will, Georgia, Greene County Court of Ordinary, November 1847.
• Absalom Janes, 1796–1847, Georgia Baptist Convention historical marker, Janes Family Cememtery, Greene County, Georgia.
• Bryant, Jonathan M., How Curious a Land: Conflict and Change in Greene County, Georgia, 1850–1885, 1996.
• Death of Col. Absalom Janes, The Daily Constitutionalist and Republic, Augusta, Georgia, October 5, 1847.
• Rice, Thaddeus Brockett, History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786–1886, 1961. 
• Notice, The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, August 12, 1854.

William Thorpe Lankford

William Thorpe Lankford, son of William A. Lankford and Nancy O. Goodman, was born in Jackson County, Georgia on July 11, 1847. He was the fourth of seven children—John W. Lankford, Elizabeth Lankford, Charles L. Lankford, William Thorpe Lankford, Robert Alonzo Lankford, Sarah W. Lankford, and Mary Frances Lankford. William is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Our nearest common relatives are Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore, my 4th great-grandparents. His father was the brother of James Meriweather Lankford, my 3rd great grandfather.

On October 19, 1850, William and his family lived in District 163 of Greene County, Georgia. His father was a farmer. Neither of his parents could read or write. At age two, William was too young for school, however, his siblings Elizabeth, John, and Charles had all attended school within the year.

On July 23, 1860, William and his family lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. His father, who still worked as a farmer, had real estate valued at $1,000 and a personal estate worth $800. His brother John was no longer living in the home. John, who also lived in Penfield, had moved out of the home and was working as a grocer. William’s brother Charles worked as a farm hand. The enumerator noted that both of William’s parents were attending school, with what looks like a squiggly line drawn down the column for Elizabeth, Charles, and possibly William. The column “cannot read or write” was no longer marked for his parents. 

After the Civil War began on April 12, 1861, William’s brother John enlisted in Penfield, serving as a Private in Company C of the Dawson Grays, Third Georgia Infantry Regiment, along with several other Lankford relatives. John died of disease at a Richmond, Virginia hospital late summer 1862. William enlisted in Company I, 3rd Georgia Militia, Carswells Brigade under Captain Whit Johnston in Bowling Green, Oglethorpe County, Georgia in 1864. His company was furloughed home just before surrender in 1865 and were still furloughed when the war ended, when they disbanded.

On July 26, 1870, William (age 22) lived alone in Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. His uncle Robert Chester Lankford and his family lived next door. William, like is uncle, worked as a farmer. William’s real estate was valued at $200 and his personal estate at $100. 

On June 21, 1880, I found a William J. Lankford living in the 146th District of Greene County, Georgia. Although the middle initial isn’t a “T,” I feel certain this is probably the subject of this sketch. This William is 32 years old, matching up with the 1870 census record 10 years earlier, and he’s a farmer. What makes me feel like it’s the correct William is the fact that two doors away there is a Charlie Langford, age 36, which would be about right for William’s brother. Of course, I could be wrong on this, but to date, it’s the only William Lankford I find in the 1880 census so it’s all I have to go on for now. Use this information with caution if you’re researching this family. Living in the home with William is a 20-year-old white male named Horace Barnwell working as a laborer, a 38-year-old black female named Puss Dobbins working as a cook, and her two daughters Alice (age 14) and Georgia (age 12), both working as laborers. 

William married Willie Smith, daughter of Mr. Smith and his wife Fannie P., in Greene County, Georgia on February 7, 1884 in a service performed by County Judge W. M. Weaver. Willie, 20 years younger than William, had a twin sister named Georgie Smith. 

Marriage license for William Lankford and Willie Smith

William and Willie had five children together—Mildred Lankford (born March 1888 in Georgia), Carl Lankford (born July 1889 in Florida), Florrie Lankford (born January 1896 in Florida according to the 1910 census), and two unknown children noted in the 1900 census record. William moved his family to Osceola County, Florida in February 1889.

On June 9, 1900, William and his family lived in Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida. The census enumerator noted that William and Willie had been married for 15 years. William continued his work as a farmer, renting the home/farm they lived in. Willie was enumerated as the mother of five children, three of which were living. Both Mildred and Carl were attending school. The census enumerator noted that Florrie was born in England and worked as a liveryman who owned her farm. He clearly had recorded the information on her line for the male head of household living next door, George Milliard.  

Cropped 1900 census for William's family (click to enlarge)

William’s wife Willie died sometime after the 1900 census was taken and before 1906 when he married his second wife, Fannie P. (last name unknown).

William filed for a soldier’s pension on multiple occasions between 1907 and 1914. In September 1907, Dr. W. L. Winn submitted a Physician’s Affidavit swearing that William was a chronic sufferer from digestion and bowel troubles, the bowel trouble dating from the time he had dysentery contracted during the time he was in service. In 1909, William filed the following deposition:

State of Florida, County Osceola

Before me personally appeared W. T. Langford a person whom I certify to be reputable and entitled to credit and who being by me duly sworn according to law deposith and sayeth: that he is the identical W. T. Langford who served in the 3d Regt Georgia Militia and was duly mustered into the Confederate service as per evidence of one McWhorter (a commissioned officer in aforesaid Regiment).

Deponent further avers that during said service he occupied with his said command ditches used as breastworks to retard Shermans advance through Georgia and remained with said army during its retreat through the said State of Georgia and through a portion of the State of South Carolina and endured the same, privations and submitted to the same discipline as that imposed on the regular troops of the Confederacy.

Deponent further avers that during said service his said regiment was under orders of Genl. Jos. E. Johnson commanding the confederate army.

W. T. Lankford

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th Day of February 1909. R. A. Bartow, Notary Public, State of Florida. My commission expires February 10, 1912.

On April 16, 1910, William, Fannie, Mildred, and Florrie lived in District 0119 of Kissimmee. William owned his home and worked as a laborer doing odd jobs. The census enumerator noted that William and Fannie had been married four years and that this was also a second marriage for Fannie. He also noted that Fannie had two children, both of which were living. I’m curious as to whether the enumerator counted Mildred and Florrie as her children or whether she had children from her first marriage. At this point, I don’t know the answer. William’s daughter Mildred died on January 24, 1913 at the age of 24. She was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Kissimmee. William’s wife Fannie died some time before the 1920 census was taken. 

William’s claims for a pension were denied on the grounds that he served in the State Militia of Georgia and not in the regular Confederate States Army. He was therefore not entitled to a pension under the law of the state of Florida which provided for pensions to sailors and soldiers who enlisted and served in the Confederate States Army or in the service of the State of Florida. States troops of other states were not entitled under Florida state law.

In 1914, William had real estate in Kissimmee valued at $900.

On January 13, 1920, a widowed William lived on Randolph Avenue in Kissimmee. His daughter Florrie was now married and both she and her husband Louis Perry lived in the home with William. William worked as a public laborer and Louis as an automobile mechanic.

William died in Florida in 1925. He was still living in Kissimmee at the time of his death. William was buried near Mildred at Rose Hill Cemetery in Kissimmee. The only marking for his grave is an Iron Cross. His will, dated November 22, 1924, was filed in an Osceola County, Florida probate court on May 2, 1925. William left his son Carl a gold watch and daughter Florrie a center table. The rest of his property and possessions were left to Carl and Florrie, share and share alike. Had his wife Fannie still been alive, it would have been a three-way share. G. C. Bryan was appointed as the executor of William’s will.

References

• Deaths in the Third Georgia Regiment, Company C, Dawson Grays, Penfield, GA, Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel, Augusta, Georgia, December 9, 1862.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120194412/mildred-lankford: accessed 14 May 2022), memorial page for Mildred Lankford (1889–24 Jan 1913), Find a Grave Memorial ID 120194412, citing Rose Hill Cemetery, Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida, USA; maintained by Nicole Dollins (contributor 47119014).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120194305/william-thorpe-lankford: accessed 14 May 2022), memorial page for William Thorpe Lankford (17 Jul 1847–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 120194305, citing Rose Hill Cemetery, Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida, USA; maintained by Nicole Dollins (contributor 47119014).
• John W. Lankford, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Georgia.
• State Board of Pensions, LANKFORD, William Thorpe, 1907, State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory; https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/179919, accessed May 14, 2022.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 146, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 163, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida, 1900, 1910, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1870. 
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.
• W. T. Lankford, Florida, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1827–1950.
• William T. Lankford and Willie Smith, marriage license 145, State of Georgia, Greene County; Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978. 

Emily E. Arthur

Emily E. Arthur, daughter of William Henry Arthur and Mattie Belle Moore, was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia on May 3, 1906. She was the third child of eight—Mary Arthur, George “Hugh” Arthur, Emily E. Arthur, Sue Belle Arthur, Nellie Arthur, Frances Arthur, William Arthur, and Roy Mell Arthur. Emily is the wife of my 2nd cousin 3x removed (Raleigh Minor George). We have no common relatives.

Emily (Arthur) and daughter Juanita George (1936). Photo courtesy of Kenneth George.

On April 15, 1910, Emily and her family lived on Lexington Road in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Her parents had been married for seven years and had five children. Emily’s father was a farmer on a general farm. Both of her parents could read and write. Johnnie Arthur, Emily’s paternal uncle, lived in the home. He too worked as a farmer.

On January 2, 1920, the Arthur family lived in the Falling Creek district of Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Emily had a new sister and two new brothers since the last census was taken—Frances, William, and Roy. Her father continued to work as a farmer on a general farm and her brother Hugh now worked as a farm laborer on the home farm. With the exception of Roy, all of the children were attending school.

Emily was just 16 years old when her mother died suddenly in Maxeys on December 30, 1922. Within three years, her father was gone as well, passing away in Oglethorpe County on December 2, 1925. Both were buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown.

Emily married Raleigh Minor George, son of James England George and Gussie Annette McCarty, on May 26, 1924. I assume the marriage would have taken place in Oglethorpe or nearby Greene County, Georgia. There was a six-year age difference between Emily and Raleigh. I’m only aware of one daughter born to this union—Juanita Elizabeth George in 1928.

Arthur family members - Emily is the last woman on the right with the
initials E.A. above her head. Raleigh is standing beside her with the
initials R.G. above his head. Emily's brother Hugh Arthur is the last man on
the right. I'm unsure who the others are. Photo courtesy of Kenneth George.

On April 2, 1930, Emily, Raleigh, and Juanita lived on Railroad Street (East Side) in Maxeys. Emily’s 10-year-old brother Mark T. Arthur lived in the home as well. Raleigh worked as an auto garage machinist. About 1934, Emily and Raleigh opened a general store in Maxeys. Their store was housed in what had once been the Citizens Bank and still included the bank vault that was eventually converted into a kitchen. The store also had a pot-bellied stove to keep them warm. They sold a lot of tobacco products including snuff, chewing tobacco, and apparently tobacco for rolling into cigarettes. They kept a five-gallon jar of pickled pig’s feet on the counter for customers to help themselves at 15 cents each and sold cans of sardines for 5 cents each.

On April 30, 1940, Emily, Raleigh, and Juanita still lived in the Falling Creek district of Maxeys. They’d been living in the same home since at least 1935. Raleigh worked as the proprietor of a filling station, working 70 hours the week before the census was taken. That would have kept him pretty busy so I wonder if the filling station was part of their general store or did he work elsewhere and leave Emily in charge of the store. I found several articles written by Bob Harrell for his “Dateline Georgia” series in The Atlanta Constitution and they didn’t mention a filling station, just the general store.

On May 2, 1950, Emily, Raleigh, and Juanita lived on State Highway 77 in Maxeys. The census enumerator didn’t record an occupation for Emily, although it was apparent from Harrell’s “Dateline Georgia” articles that she worked at the general store for many years. The enumerator did record Raleigh as working as a manager and Juanita as a clerk, both in a grocery store. From the “Dateline Georgia” articles, it appears the store was a gathering place for the citizens of Maxeys from early on and continued well into the 1960s. Their pot-bellied stove was eventually converted to a more modern type stove and they placed several chairs and a sofa around the stove for people to stop and visit. During slow periods, Emily sewed from an old foot-peddled sewing machine they kept in the store. Emily and Raleigh were still operating the store into the early 1970s, although life was different by then and people didn’t stop and visit like they used to. In 1972, Harrell dedicated one article to the bank vault that had been converted into a kitchen. It didn’t have access to running water so Emily brought in buckets of water to cook and clean. She decorated the tiny kitchen with a small table, a couple of “straight-backed chairs” and a “red and white checkered oil cloth.” Emily told Harrell she ate and cooked in the kitchen, saving her from having to go home during the day.

In another 1972 “Dateline Georgia”" article, Harrell wrote of Raleigh purchasing a Model T bus with a body made of wood and planks for seats about 1926. He then contracted to be a school bus driver for the Greene County School Board. Raleigh drove the school bus 43 years and told Harrell he “never would have made it without her” [Emily]. Raleigh told Harrell he had to “draw the oil from the motor” into Emily’s “old iron cookpot” and heat it up the next morning to keep the bus running. But Raleigh didn’t just drive the school bus. Harrell wrote of the children giving Raleigh a shopping list as they boarded the bus in the morning. After delivering the children to school, Raleigh went back to the general store and gathered the goods, I assume with Emily’s help, to give to the students when they boarded the bus for their trip home. It appears that while Raleigh drove the bus and pursued other opportunities to help the children and citizens of Maxeys all those years, Emily ran the store.

Thelma Mapp George, Juanita Elizabeth George Brightwell and
Emily Arthur George. Photo courtesy of Kenneth George.

Emily died on September 30, 1983 in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia at the age of 77. She was buried at Maxeys Sunset Cemetery in Maxeys. Her funeral, officiated by Revs. Wayne Spangler and Eugene Murray, was held at Maxeys Christian Church. She was survived by her husband Raleigh, daughter Juanita, sisters Nell and Frances, brothers Roy and Hugh, and two grandchildren. Emily was a homemaker, a member of Maxeys Christian Church and the Ladies Aid Society.

Photo courtesy of Bud, Find a Grave member ID 46594959.

References

• Emily A. George, Georgia Deaths 1919–98.
• Emily George, Social Security Death Index.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61209883/emily-a-george: accessed 28 May 2022), memorial page for Emily A. George (3 May 1906–30 Sep 1983), Find a Grave Memorial ID 61209883, citing Sunset Street Cemetery, Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA; maintained by 1-48069415 (contributor 48069415).
• Gravestone photo by Bud, Find a Grave member ID 46594959.
• Harrell, Bob, Her Kitchen Is Bank Vault, Dateline Georgia, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 13, 1972.
• Harrell, Bob, Rabbits Rode His School Bus, Too, Dateline Georgia, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 12, 1972.
• Mattie Bell Arthur, Standard Certificate of Death no. 33357, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Mrs. Emily Arthur George Obituary, Oglethorpe Echo, October 6, 1983.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1930, 1940, 1950. 

Homestead records from Greene County, Georgia

Always on the hunt for new records, I periodically scan the billions of free records accessible on the FamilySearch website. Many of these records are indexed, but many are not. Don’t let that stop you though. After a fellow researcher found burial records in the unindexed historical images for direct Athya ancestors from Glasgow, Scotland in both our families, these images have become one of my “go to” places to research. It’s easy to use, you just need to set up a free account. From the unindexed Historical Images page, you simply enter an area you want to search, and you’ll get a list of all they have available. You’re on your own from there, just start browsing. I try to spend a little time each week in these records.

In today’s post, I share recent finds of homestead records for ancestors from Greene County, Georgia—Caroline B. (Hobbs) Lankford, her husband James M. Lankford, and James’ brother William A. Lankford. Caroline and James Lankford are my 3rd great-grandparents. I already had her homestead record, found on a visit to the Georgia Archives years ago, but had never seen the other two. Luckily, the Greene County, Georgia "Record of Homesteads, Book A" has an index in the front so I knew what page to look for them. The image below is the cover of that book with an overlay of a portion of the “L” index. I’ve also posted images of the legal notices that were published in The Greensboro Herald of Greensboro, Georgia for each homestead record.

Record of Homesteads, Book A, Greene County, Georgia
and a portion of the "L" index (click to enlarge)

 
Caroline B. Lankford

Page 110, No. 61. Georgia, Greene County. To the Ordinary of said County. The Petition of Caroline B. Lankford wife of James M. Lankford of said County, respectfully showeth that she is the head of a family, consisting of herself & 5 children, to wit, Emma Lankford, Amorette B. Lankford, Nathan Lankford, Samuel Lankford & Maria Lankford, and that she desires, under the provisions of Section First, Article Seven of the Constitution of Georgia, and an act of the General Assembly entitled “An Act to provide for setting apart a Homestead of Realty and Personalty, and for the valuation of said Property,” etc., approved October 3, 1868, to have laid off and set apart, to be escempt from levy and sale, as a Homestead for the use of her said family, on or out of a Town Lot in Penfield, containing 4 acres, bounded by lands of Robinson & Mercer University, belonging to her husband James M. Lankford, a portion or the whole of said real estate not to escceed the value of Two Thousand Dollars in specie.

Your Petitioner further showeth that, under the provisions of said Constitution and of said Act, she desires to have set apart, to be escempt from levy and sale, for the use and benefit of said family, certain Personal Property, not to escceed One Thousand Dollars in Specie, a schedule of which said personalty is hereth attached, marked eschibit “A,” to which reference is hereby made.

Your Petitioner therefore asks, that the usual notice in such cases may issue, and be published, as is by law required, and as in duty bound petitioner will ever pray, etc.

Witness J. L. Tarwater.
Caroline B. Lankford (her mark), Wife of James M. Lankford.

Eschibit “A.” Schedule of Personalty of Caroline B. Lankford, Wife of James M. Lankford.

Household & Kitchen furniture        $100.00

25 Hogs $50.00                                   50.00

5 Cows & yearlings                               5.00

1 Gold Watch & Chain                        30.00

1 One Horse Wagon                           20.00

                                                $275.00

Filed in office July 6, 69 & Hearing published for July 17, 1869. D. A. Newsom, Ordinary

Georgia, Greene County. To Jefferson F. Wright, County Surveyor. You are hereby commanded to proceed upon the Lands claimed by Caroline B. Lankford, Wife of Jas. M. Lankford of said County, said lands described in a petition on file in my office, and shall lay off the Homestead awarded by Section First, Article Seventh of the Constitution of Georgia, on or out of the Lands claimed by the said Caroline B. Lankford. And make a Plot of the same, and an affidavit, that the same is correctly platted and laid off and that to the best of your knowledge and belief, is not worth more than Two thousand Dollars in specie; and that you return the same to me on or before 17th day of July 1869.

Herein fail not under the penalty to be imposed for contempt. Given under my hand and official signature this 9th day of July 1869.  -- D. A. Newsom, Ordinary

Homestead plat for Caroline B. Lankford

Georgia, Greene County. Personally appeared before me Jefferson F. Wright, County Surveyor, and in for the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn deposeth and sayeth, that the above is a correct Plat of the Homestead of Caroline B. Lankford. That the same is correctly surveyed and laid off under and by virtue of an Order from D. A. Newsom, Ordinary of said County, herewith filed, and that to the best of his knowledge and belief, the same parcel of land described by the foregoing Plot is not worth more than Two Thousand Dollars in species. --Jefferson F. Wright S.G.C.

Sworn to subscribed before me this 17th day of July 1869. A. J. Shannon, Deputy Clerk Court of Ordinary.

Approved July 17th 1869. D. A. Newsom, Ordinary. Recorded this 23rd day of July 1869. Isaac R. Hall, Clerk.

The image below is the legal notice published in The Greensboro Herald on July 22, 1869.

James M. Lankford

Page 106, No. 57. James M. Lankford a debtor and the head of a family of Greene County, Georgia claims that the following schedule of property owned by him is escempt from levy & sale, under the Statutes of said State to wit. 

1 House & Lot in Penfield, Greene Co. Georgia, worth $100.00.

1 Cow & Calf. Seventy five Dollars worth of provisions.

10 Head of Hogs, Beds, Bedsteads & Bedding.

1 Spinning wheel & 2 Pair Cards, Ordinary Cooking untensils & Table.

Crockery.

This January 9th, 1869. -- James M. Lankford

Recorded this 10th day of June 1869. Isaac R. Hall, Clerk

The image below is the legal notice published in The Greensboro Herald on January 14, 1869.

(click to enlarge)

William A. Lankford
Page 120. No. 66. Georgia, Greene County. To the Ordinary of said County. The Petition of William A. Lankford of said County respectfully showeth, that he is the head of a family consisting of his wife Nancy O. Lankford and three children, and that he desires, under the provisions of Section First Article Seven of the Constitution of Georgia, and an act of the General Assembly entitled “An Act to provide for setting apart a Homestead of Realty and Personalty, and for the valuation of said property,” etc., approved October 3, 1868, to have laid off and set apart to be escempt from levy and sale, as a Homestead for the use of his said family, on or out of one hundred and thirty one acres of Land in said County, adjoining lands of William Moncrief, Wm. Mayo and others, a portion or the whole of said real estate not to escceed the value of Two Thousand Dollars in specie.

Your Petitioner therefore prays that an order may issue to the County Surveyor of said County, if none to some other Surveyor, requiring him to lay off and make a plat of a Homestead for said family and make return thereof in accordance with the law.

Your Petitioner further showeth that, under the provisions of said Constitution and of said Act, he desires to have set apart to be excempt from levy and sale for the use and benefit of said family certain Personal Property, not to escceed One Thousand Dollars in specie a schedule of which said personalty is hereto attached marked eschibit “A” to which reference is hereby made.

Your Petitioner therefore asks that the usual notice in such cases may issue, and be published, as is by law required and as in duty bound petitioner will ever pray, etc.

William A. Lankford By his Attys at Law, Robinson & Branch

“A.” Schedule of Personalty of William A. Lankford.

1 Horse $75.00. 4 Cows & 2 Calves $80.00. 3 Head Hogs $25.00.        $180.00

1 one horse Wagon $15.00. 1 Two horse Wagon 5.00.                                20.00

1 old Buggy $5.00. 1 Lot Farming Tools $5.00.                                          10.00

1 Lot Household Furniture consisting of Beds, Bedding

Chairs, Crockery, Cooking Utensils, H.                             50.00

25 Bushels of Corn $25.00. 4 Bales Cotton $360.00.                                385.00

2000 lbs. Fodder.                                                                                          20.00

1 Note on Miles Caldwell $75.00. 1 Note on Lacy Moncrief 9.00.             84.00

1 Note on Colemus Jack $100.00. 1 Note on Josiah Pollard 62.50.           162.50 = $911.50

Filed in Office Oct 6th 1869. Hearing published for 16th Oct 1869. A. J. Shannon Deputy.

Georgia, Greene County. To Jefferson F. Wright, County Surveyor. You are hereby commanded to proceed upon the Lands claims by William A. Lankford of said County, said land described in a Petition on file in my office and shall lay off the Homestead awarded by Section First Article Seventh of the Constitution of Georgia on or out of the Lands claimed by the said William A. Lankford, and make a Plat and an Affidavit, that the same is correctly Platted and laid off and that to the best of your knowledge and belief is not worth more than Two Thousand dollars in specie, and that you return the same to me on or before the 16th day of September 1869. Herein fail not, under the penalty to be imposed for contempt.

Given under my hand and Official signature this 6th day of October 1869. D. A. Newsom, Ordinary.

Homestead plat for William A. Lankford (click to enlarge)

Georgia, Greene County. Personally appeared before me Jefferson F. Wright, County Surveyor, in and for the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that the above is a correct Plat of the Homestead of William A. Lankford. That the same is correctly surveyed and laid off under and by virtue of an order from D. A. Newsom Ordinary of said County herewith filed, and that toe the best of his knowledge and belief the said parcel of Land described by the foregoing Plat is not worth more than Two Thousand Dollars in specie. --  J. F. Wright, S.G.C.

Sworn to & subscribed before me 15th day of October 1869. A. J. Shannon, Deputy. Recorded this 20th day of October 1869. Isaac R. Hall, Clerk.

The images below are legal notices published in The Greensboro Herald on October 21, 1869.

References

• Legal Notice for Caroline B. Lankford, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, July 22, 1869.
• Legal Notices, Greene, Sheriff’s Sales, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, October 21, 1869.
• Legal Notices, Greene, Sheriff’s Sales, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, January 14, 1869.
• Record of Homestead, Caroline B. Lankford, Greene County, Georgia; https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?page=7&place=395663&rmsId=TH-909-88274-99207-44&imageIndex=75&singleView=true. 
• Record of Homestead, James M. Lankford, Greene County, Georgia; https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?page=7&place=395663&rmsId=TH-909-88274-99207-44&imageIndex=73&singleView=true. 
• Record of Homestead, William A. Lankford, Greene County, Georgia; https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?page=7&place=395663&rmsId=TH-909-88274-99207-44&imageIndex=80&singleView=true.