Hugh Wylie Athya

Hugh Wylie Athya, son of James Athya and Jane Wylie, was born on July 17, 1865 in Hutchesontown, Glasgow, County Lanark, Scotland. He was the sixth child of eight—James Wylie Athya, Isaac Athya, David Athya, Margaret Athya, John D. Athya, Hugh Wylie Athya, a second son named David Athya, and Jeanie Aithey (per her birth certificate). Hugh is my husband’s 2nd great-uncle with their nearest common relatives being his parents. 

Hugh’s birth certificate shows he was born at home at 117 Hospital Street in Glasgow. His father was a power loom tenter at the time and was present when Hugh was born. The birth was registered in Glasgow on August 4.

Hugh Wylie Athya birth register (click to enlarge)

One of Hugh’s brothers, David, was born and died before Hugh joined the family in 1865. David, the third Athya child, was born in Hutchesontown on April 9, 1859. He contracted the measles and died in Hutchesontown on September 14, 1860 at 17 months of age. When another son was born in Hutchesontown on June 2, 1867, he was also named David. Sadly, he died at home in Hutchesontown on April 25, 1868 from hydrocephalus, “the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain” according to the Mayo Clinic. You may know this condition as water on the brain. This David was just 10 months old. Hugh’s sister Jeanie, the youngest Athya child, was born on June 26, 1869 in Hutchesontown. She died of double pneumonia in Hutchesontown on January 11, 1871 at the age of 18 months. 

When Hugh was six years old, he contracted chronic bronchitis and died on September 30, 1871. His family still lived in the same home on Hospital Street in Hutchesontown. His father, now working as a cotton yarn twister, was the informant on his death certificate.

Hugh Wylie Athya death register (click to enlarge)

Hugh was buried in Lair 860 at the Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow on October 2, joining his siblings David, David, and Jeanie in eternal rest. Isaac Athya, the proprietor for Lair 860, was their grandfather. 

Southern Necropolis Cemetery Register of Interments (click to enlarge)

References

• David Aithey, Statutory registers Births 644/10 1073, National Records of Scotland, 1867.
• David Athya, Statutory registers Births 644/10 608, National Records of Scotland, 1859.
• David Athya, Statutory registers Deaths 644/1- 976, National Records of Scotland, 1860.
• David Athya, Statutory registers Deaths 644/10 494, National Records of Scotland, 1868.
• Hugh Wylie Athya, Statutory registers Births 644/10 1366, National Records of Scotland, 1865.
• Hugh Wylie Athya, Statutory registers Deaths 644/10 1288, National Records of Scotland, 1871.
• Hydrocephalus, The Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/symptoms-causes/syc-20373604. 
• Isaac Athya, Statutory registers Deaths 644/3 227, National Records of Scotland, 1933.
• James Athya, Statutory registers Deaths 644/5 418, National Records of Scotland, 1913.
• Jeanie Aithey, Statutory registers Deaths 644/10 70, National Records of Scotland, 1871.
• John Athya, Statutory registers Births 644/10 858, National Records of Scotland, 1863.
• Margaret Athya, Statutory registers Deaths 646/1 140, National Records of Scotland, 1885.
• Registration district Gorbals, Civil parish Glasgow Gorbals, County Lanarkshire, Scotland census, 1881.
• Registration district Hutchesontown, Civil parish Glasgow Govan, County Lanarkshire, Scotland census, 1861.
• Southern Necropolis Cemetery burial register—Hugh Wylie Athya, Jeanie Aithey. 

Augustus, Hark, Elizzie, and Cready

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names I find in historical records of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia. 

The Georgia Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, January 28, 1858

Greene Sheriff’s Sales.

Will be sold before the court-house door in the city of Greenesboro’, on the first Tuesday in MARCH next, within the legal hours of sale, the following property to-wit:

The house and lot on which Wm. A. Lankford lived, containing two acres more or less, in the town of Penfield, adjoining L. Linnenkohl, George Readen and Wm. N. Williams: levied on as the property of Wm. A. Lankford, to satisfy a fi fa from Greene Superior Court, in favor of Augustin F. Green, adm’r, vs Wm. A. Lankford and Joel G. Hobbs, security. Property pointed out by said Hobbs. 

Jan 28, 1848. C. C. Norton, D. Sh’ff.

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ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME AND PLACE: 

A negro boy named Augustus, about 8 years old, of dark complexion: levied on as the property of Joseph H. English, to satisfy sundry fi fas issued from Greene Superior and Inferior Courts, in favor of Poullain, Jennings DuBose vs said S. D. & J. H. English. Property point - & Co. vs Stephen D. & Joseph H. English, and Charles S. ed out by J. H. English.

Jan 28, 1858. C. C. Norton, D. Sh’ff.

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ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME AND PLACE: 

One negro man named Hark, of dark complexion, about thirty-six years old; one woman named Elizzie, about twenty-eight years old; and one girl named Cready, about nine years old: levied on as the property of Robert Newsome, to satisfy two fi fas from Greene Superior Court, in favor of the adm’r of E. S. Hunter vs D. A. Newsome, and Robert Newsome, security; Thomas J. Burney vs Robert Newsome, security for E. Sparks Hunter, deceased. Property pointed out by R. Newsome.

Jan 26, 1858. C. C. Norton, D. Sh’ff. 

Joseph Jackson Lankford

Joseph Jackson Lankford, son of Curtis Caldwell Lankford and Nancy A. E. McCarty, was born on March 1, 1871 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He was the 8th child of 10—William A. Lankford, Mary A. Lankford, Irena Rebeckah H. Lankford, John R. Lankford, George Washington Lankford, Charles Moore Lankford, Wade Hamilton Lankford, Joseph Jackson Lankford, Nancy Crawford Lankford, and Florence Lee Lankford. Joseph would be my 1st cousin 4x removed with our nearest common relatives being Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore, my 4th great grandparents. He went by Joe.

On June 8, 1880, Joseph and his family lived in the Bowling Green District of Oglethorpe County, Georgia. His father Curtis was a well digger who was unable to read or write. His mother Nancy, a housekeeper, could read but not write. At age 14, brother Charles, enumerated as Charlie, worked as a farm laborer. Like his mother, he was able to read but not write. Brother Wade, enumerated as Hampton, was attending school. At age 7, Joe must have been staying home with his mother, along with sisters Nancy and Florence.

When Joe was just 16 years old, his father Curtis died in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia on June 13, 1887. Curtis was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The Oglethorpe Echo carried the death notice on June 17, 1887:

Mr. Kirk Langford died last Monday night and was buried in the cemetery here on Tuesday. After much suffering and a long spell of sickness he passed quietly away. He has many friends who will regret to hear of this death.

Joe married Lola Edwards, parents unknown, in Greene County, Georgia on March 19, 1891. It was a short-lived marriage. 

Lankford/Edwards marriage certificate

Although there are date discrepancies, it appears that Joe and Lola only lived together for five days and then three years later, she deserted him. Joe filed for a divorce in Oglethorpe County on February 28, 1896. The petition was acknowledged on February 29, Leap Day.

Georgia, Oglethorpe County.

To the Superior Court of said County.

Par. 1 … The petition of J. J. Lankford of said county shows that on the 9th day of March 1891 he was married to Lola Lankford who resides in the county of Clark in said State.

Par. 2 … That your petitioner and said Lola lived together as husband and wife until the 14th day of March 1891. 

Par. 3 … That on the last named day more than three years before the filing of this writ the said Lola without just cause wilfully deserted your petitioner and has from time of said desertion continuously persisted in the same.

Par. 4 … Wherefore your petitioner prays that he may be totally divorced from said Lola Lankford and that process issue requiring the said Lola to be and appear at the next superior court to be held in and for said county to answer your petitioners libel for divorce.

Bery Gilham, Pettsr. Atty.

Filed in office this 28th day of February 1896.

G. Lester, Clerk Sup. Court

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Service of the within and foregoing petition for Divorce is hereby acknowledged copy filing time of filing and all other and further service is hereby acknowledged by me Lola Lankford the defendant therein named. This 29th day of February 1896.

Lola Lankford

To the Superior Court of Said County.

Georgia, Oglethorpe County 

Divorce petition (click each image to enlarge)

I haven’t found when the divorce actually took place but by January 12, 1899, Joe was free to marry Bessie Tidwell, daughter of John H. Tidwell and Sarah McCannon, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Joe and Bessie had 10 children together—Lorenzo Lankford, Woodie S. Lankford, Mell Lankford, John Henry Lankford, Jessie Lankford, Lenora Lankford, Camille Lankford, Garland Lankford, Moena Lankford, and George Lee Lankford.

Lankford/Tidwell marriage certificate

On June 2, 1900, Joe and wife Bessie lived in the Bowling Greene District of Oglethorpe County. The census enumerator noted that Joe was 26 years old and Bessie 19. They had been married for one year. Bessie was noted as having had no children yet. Joe, a farmer, rented his farm. He was unable to read or write; Bessie could both read and write. A lodger named Thomas Lankford, an 18-year-old farmer born in Georgia, lived in the home with them. I have not determined whether Thomas fits into this Lankford family at this point.

On April 26, 1910, Joe and Bessie lived on Callaway Place in the Bowling Green District of Oglethorpe County. The census enumerator recorded Joseph as having been married twice. Bessie was the mother of five children, all of which were living. Joe was a farmer on a general farm. There was a 19-year-old black male living in the home. His name is hard to read but has been transcribed as Gowman Fuice. It could possibly be Gowner Fuish. Whatever the case, he was a farm laborer so probably working with Joe on the farm.

Joe’s mother Nancy died in Oglethorpe County on April 12, 1920. She was buried beside his father at Bairdstown Cemetery.

I’ve been unsuccessful in finding Joe and his family in the 1920 census but it appears they were still living in Oglethorpe County. Joe’s five-year-old son Garland died in Lexington, Oglethorpe County, Georgia on September 2, 1921. Just two days after Garland passed away, two-year-old daughter Moena died on September 4. Both Garland and Moena died from diphtheria and were buried at Salem Church Cemetery in Crawford, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The Oglethorpe Echo reported their deaths on September 9, 1921:

Two of the children of Mrs. Lankford who have been so low with diphtheria for several days died last week and were buried at Salem. 

On April 7, 1930, Joe and his family lived in the Mill Settlement—North East Side of Union Point, Greene County, Georgia. He rented his home, valued at $800. Joe was still unable to read or write. Working at the hosiery mill was a family affair with three of the four living in the home working there. Joe worked as a finisher, Bessie an inspector, and daughter Camille (age 16) a knitter. George, age 7, was attending school. The mid-1930s were hard on Joe’s family. His daughter Lenora gave birth to a son, Harold Ashley, in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia on March 28, 1935. Harold contracted bronchial pneumonia and died in Woodville on May 2, 1935 (age one month, seven days). Lenora died (age 26) at home from bronchial pneumonia in Union Point on December 18, 1937, three days after giving birth to another son, James (Jimmie) Lee Ashley on December 15. Sadly, Jimmie died (age one and a half months) in Greensboro, Greene County on February 1, 1938 from malnutrition acidosis. All three were buried at a cemetery in Siloam, Greene County, Georgia—Harold on May 2, 1935, Lenora on December 21, 1937, and Jimmie on February 1, 1938. 

Joe, Bessie, and their family

On April 24, 1940, Joe and Bessie lived in Union Point along with two of their adult sons. John, age 33, was divorced. Their son George lived there with his wife Clarice (Turner). There was a 12-year age difference between George and Clarice. George was enumerated as age 17 and Clarice 29. Joe, George, and Clarice worked at the Hosiery Manufacturing Company—Joe as a sweeper, George a turner, and Clarice a knitter. John was apparently not working. The enumerator noted that all five of them had been living in the same place since April 1, 1935. The census record shows that Joe and George had an income of $676 while Clarice’s income was $520. The hosiery company was their only source of income.

Bessie and Joe Lankford

On April 10, 1950, Joe and his family lived in Union Point. George and Clarice continued to live with Joe and Bessie and now had two children—Rachel (age 9) and Bennie (age 5). George worked as a newspaper carrier and Clarice ran the knitting machine at the hosiery mill.

Joe died at the age of 83 on May 23, 1954 at his niece’s home in Union Point. He was buried at Wisteria Cemetery in Union Point on May 25 following a funeral service at the First Methodist Church in Union Point officiated by Revs. Owen Duvall and W.W. Byington. Joe had been a member of the Oglethorpe Methodist Church. He spent his life working as a farmer and textile worker. Joe was survived by his wife Bessie; daughter Camile; sons Lloyd, Woodie, Mell, John, Jessie, and George; sister Florence; 36 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Lankford family plot

References

• Certificates of Death, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics: Harold Ashley (12565), Lenora Ashley (31967), Jimmie Lee Ashley (3928), Moena Lankford (23718), Garland Lankford (23716), 
• Death of two children, Oglethorpe Echo, September 9, 1921.
• Joseph Lankford and Lola Edwards; Jas. J. Lankford and Bessie Tidwell: Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Mr. Kirk Langford, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, June 17, 1887.
• Mrs. Lenora Ashley, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, December 24, 1937.
• Mrs. Lenora L. Ashley Passes at Union Point, The Herald Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, December 24, 1937.
• Obituary, J. J. Lankford is Claimed by Death, newspaper unknown, 1954.
• Personal visit to Wisteria Cemetery, Union Point, Georgia.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bowling Green, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1880, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 138, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Union Point, Greene County, Georgia, 1930, 1940, 1950.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1860. 

Dinah and Leannah baptized

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names I find in historical records of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia. 

August 29, 1847 entry from the Penfield Baptist Church Minutes: 1839 – 1885, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia.

On Sabbath morning, August 29, 1847, the ordinance of baptism was administered, and the right hand of fellowship given to Sisters Morgan & Lansdell and to Brethren W. H. Clark, Wm. Bunn, G. C. Davis, G. Cornwell and Thos. Morgan. Two colored women, Dinah, (belonging to Mrs. Kellum) and Leannah (belonging to Bro. Greene) related their Christian experiences, were baptized and received the right hand of fellowship.

J. F. Dagg, C. Clerk

Patsy and Oliver, property of John T. Dolvin

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

The Georgia Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, January 7, 1858

Greene Sheriff’s Sale.

Will be sold in the City of Greenesboro’ on the first Tuesday in January next, between the usual hours of sale, the following property to-wit:

One negro Woman named Patsy about 40 years old, of copper color, and her son Oliver about 5 years old, levied on as the property of John T. Dolvin to satisfy one fi fa from Greene Inferior Court, C. A. Davis vs. John T. Dolvin and one fi fa from the Superior Court, Wm. J. Neary vs. Dorster and Dolvin, property pointed out by W. J. Neary.

C. C. Norton, D. Sheriff.

Nov 14th, 1857.

Thomas Gresham Janes

Thomas Gresham Janes, son of William Janes IV and Selah Gresham, was born in Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia on July 11, 1794. The Janes family was a large one with at least 12 children—Thomas Gresham Janes, Absalom Madison Janes, Susannah Janes, Elizabeth Janes, Edward Janes, Archibald Gresham Janes, William Janes Jr., Lovicia Janes, Simeon R. Janes, Selah G. Janes, Daniel (or David) H. Janes, and Maryann Frances Janes. Thomas is my 4th great uncle with our nearest common relatives being his parents.

At some point, Thomas’ family moved to Wilkes County, Georgia. The Janes family was wealthy so he would have most likely gotten the best education possible at the time. Thomas studied to become a doctor, interning at the Philadelphia Hospital in Pennsylvania for “one season.” He received his medical degree in 1818. The book History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786–1886 by Rice and Williams states Thomas “represented Greene Co. in the legislature in 1827-28, 34-35, and was Senator in 1836-37-38. He was one of the first Trustees of Mercer University.”

Thomas married Malinda Walker P. West, daughter of Francis West and Jane Chivers, in a ceremony performed by Jesse Mercer in Greene County, Georgia on January 30, 1821. Thomas and Malinda had two children together—William Francis Janes and Sarah Jane Thomas Janes. 

Marriage certificate for Thomas Janes and Malinda West

The Janes family suffered a tragic loss when Malinda died on March 4, 1827. The Southern Recorder of Milledgeville published a death notice on March 19, 1827:

[Communicated.] Departed this life on the 4th inst., Mrs. Malinda W. P. Janes, daughter of Frances West, Esq. and consort of Thomas G. Janes, M.D.—Mrs. Janes had some ten or twelve months previous to her dissolution, enjoyed a hope in Jesus, which she called a little hope; yet in the agonies of death it did not desert her, but magnified into an humble assurance of a blessed immortality.

“Jesus can make a dying bed

    Feel soft as downy pillows are,

While on his breast she [can’d her head,

    And breath’d her life out sweetly there.”

“O death! Where is thy sting?

“O grave! Where is thy victory?”

    “The café was broke to let her fly,

    And build her happy nest on high.”

Southern Recorder (March 19, 1827)

Malinda was buried at the Thomas Janes Family Cemetery in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. The news article does not state a cause of death for Malinda, so I’m left wondering what caused this 26-year-old woman to die so young. Did she die in childbirth? I looked for a record that shows a birthyear or age for daughter Sarah and the only one I find is the 1860 Polk County, Georgia census. That year, Sarah was enumerated as Jane, age 33. Do the math and that would make her birthyear to be about 1827. Did the mother die and the baby survive? It is possible but at this point, I have no way of confirming. So, for now, it is just a thought. Whatever the case, the year 1827 was made worse when Thomas’ father William died in Taliaferro County, Georgia on July 9. Thomas was named one of the executors of his father’s estate as noted in a September 12, 1829 article published in the Southern Recorder announcing the sale of eight slaves:

Taliaferro Sheriff’s Sale.

Will be sold, on the first Tuesday in December next, at the Court-house door in Crawfordville, Taliaferro county, within the usual hours of sale, the following property, to wit:

Eight Negroes, Lucy, a woman, about 45 years of age; Jinny, about 27 years of age, and her child; Rainey, a woman, about 25 years of age; Russel, a boy, about 8 years of age; Clary, about 7 years of age; Ransom, about 4 years of age, and Mary, 4 years old, all levied on as the property of Robert Tuggle, to satisfy a mortgage fi fa in favor of Thomas G. Janes, Absalom Janes and Archibald G. Janes, executors of the estate of William Janes, deceased—property pointed out in said mortgage. – C. A. Nelms, D. Sh’f. Sept. 4.

Thomas’s second wife was Malinda’s sister, Emily T. West. They were married in Greene County, Georgia on January 17, 1828 by a minister named Jonathan Davis. Thomas and Malinda had three children together—Susannah Elizabeth Janes, George Valerius Janes, and Athalia Alvira Holly Janes.

Marriage certificate for Thomas Janes and Emily West

Thomas was a member of the Temperance Society, a group that “committed its members to moderation in the consumption of distilled liquors.” One of six delegates for the Greene County Society, Thomas attended their convention in Athens, Georgia on August 5, 1834. He traveled to Athens again on May 11, 1835 to attend a convention of the stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road Company where Thomas was elected one of 16 directors for the organization, representing Greene County.

Sadly, the Janes family suffered another tragic loss when Emily died in Greene County on July 8, 1835. She was just 24 years old. Emily was buried at the Thomas Janes Family Cemetery in Penfield. Thomas was now left with five young children to raise. 

He remained active though, attending a Georgia Rail Road Company convention on May 9, 1836. On April 1, 1837, the newspaper Miners Recorder and Spy in the West of Auraria, Georgia published a “List of Stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, April 1, 1837” noting that Thomas owned 60 shares of stock in the railroad.

The following notice was published by The Western Georgia in Rome, Georgia on October 30, 1838 announcing the sale of slaves, sundry goods and merchandise:

Paulding Sheriff-sales for December 

Oct. 30, 1838.

At the same place, on the first Tuesday in January next, 1839, the following property, to wit:

Three Negroes, namely, Booker a man forty-five years old; Charles a man about thirty five years old; and Moriah a woman, about twenty-two years old, and sundry goods wares and Merchandize, being the remnant of a stock of goods; levied on by virtue of a Martgage [sic] fi.fa. issued from Talliaferro [sic] Inferior Court in favor of Thomas G. Janes, vs. A. G. Janes. Property pointed out in said fi.fa.

Oct. 30.     T. C. Dunlap, Shff.

The Western Georgian (October 30, 1838)

Thomas represented Greene County as a delegate at the Georgia Commercial Convention held in Milledgeville, Georgia on November 12, 1838. The purpose of the meeting was “to deliberate on such measures as may be deemed proper and necessary, to recommend to the Legislature for the purpose of promoting a direct and import trade with foreign countries.”

Thomas married his third wife, Elizabeth P. Sanford in Greene County on July 26, 1839, in a ceremony performed by Shaler G. Hillyer, M.G.

Marriage certificate for Thomas Janes and Elizabeth Sanford

Thomas was named one of three executors in his former father-in-law Francis West’s will which was recorded in Greene County on March 2, 1841. His wife Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter, Mary Selah Janes, in Greene County on August 4, 1843. Mary would never know her father, however. Thomas died in Greene County on September 14, 1843, when Mary was just one month old. The Southern Recorder published the following on October 3, 1843:

On the 14th inst. at his residence in Greene county, of a protracted disease, Dr. Thomas G. Janes in the 50th year of his age.

Southern Recorder (October 3, 1843)

Thomas was buried at the family cemetery in Penfield with his first and second wives, sisters Malinda and Emily.

Photos used with permission, M.T. researcher, Find A Grave member 47527061.

Greene County Clerk William L. Strain recorded Thomas’ will on September 28, 1843.

State of Georgia, Greene County

In the name of God, amen, I, Thomas G. Janes, of the county and state aforesaid being of sound mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament.

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

2nd. I bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth P. Janes, five hundred dollars in money, and the land and premises wherein I now reside together with all the household and kitchen furniture (with the provision that she be bound to furnish my three children (wiz) Susan E., George V. and Athaliah E. Janes, a bed stead and furniture with forty dollars each, my son William F. and Sarah J. T. having received theres). Also I give to my said beloved wife, all the plantation tools, four wheeled pleasure carriage and carriage horses, the two horse wagon and harness, one ox cart and yoke of oxen, three choice horses besides the carriage horses – six choice cows and yearlings, thirty choice stock hogs from choice sows and pigs, all my stock of sheep and geese, also my family bible, hymn books and such other family books as she may choose. I also give to my said beloved wife the following named negroes (viz.) Mariah, a woman and her children, Franklin and Sophy, with her increase, a negro man, Jepe and Fanny his wife and her increase; all of the above-named property both read and personal to belong to my said beloved wife forever in for simple. It is further my will that my beforesaid, beloved wife, whenever I may die shall have an ample supply of corn, fodder, pork or bacon, wheat, oats,—to support her and her negroes and stock during the next year following.

3rd. As it is probable that my said beloved wife Elizabeth P. Janes is in a state of pregnancy, I will to my said wife during her lifetime from other negroes (viz.) Len a boy, Smith a boy, Rosetta and Queen, girls and their increase, but if my said wife should have a living child of her present probable pregnancy, the four last named negroes to belong to said child after the death of my said wife, but if there should be no living child or if such child should die in infancy, the said four negroes to belong to my said wife in her own right forever.

4th. It is my will, that if my said wife should have a living child from her present probable pregnancy, I will to said child, six negroes (viz.) Aron a boy, Charlotte, Antinelle, Isabella, Celia Ann and Eliza and their increase, to revert to and belong to my estate to be equally divided, share and share alike between my five other children, my said wife, having no part in them.

5th. I will to the child my said beloved wife may have, if her present probable pregnancy, five hundred dollars in money, ten share of the stock of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, and also the tract of land lying and being in this county in the waters of Richland Creek containing about seven hundred acres, called the Mill tract, adjoining Tarpley, Calton and others, but if no living child should be brought forth and if such child should die in infancy then and in that case, the said money to wit five hundred dollars, the ten share of the stock of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company and the said seven hundred acres of land, to revert to and become a part of my estate and be equally divided share and share alike between my five other children, my said wife having no share or part thereof.

6th. It is my will that my Executors herein after named, shall have full power and authority to rent, lease or sell the said mile tract of land, bequeathed in the 5th item, at their discretion whenever they may deem it for the interest of the estate in any time in fifteen years.

7th. I will to my eldest son William F. Janes, one bed and furniture, one desk and book case, together with all my books, excepting those given to my beloved wife, also Eight negroes (viz.) John Fitch, and Beddy his wife and her infant child and Miller, Berry, Rachel, Sally and Emily (all the children of John Fitch and Beddy) and their increase also. I will to my said son William F. the tract of land he now is improving in Paulding County, Georgia, lying in the second district of the fourth section consisting of numbers 888, 889, 890, 838, 839, 840, 817, 767, 769, and one third of number 768, containing in all three hundred and seventy three and a third (373 1/3) acres more or less also three acres of number 990, including the house and improvements where he now lives, together with privilege of water of the spring on said lot.

8th. I will to my daughter Sarah J. T. Gibson, 1 bed and furniture, one bureau, one horse, and all the property heretofore given her, and six negroes (viz.) Betty and her five children, Daniel, Harry, Eve, Silsy, and Rebekah and their increase, and also, she may take a settlement of land at the Deason place, or lots number 849 of the 2nd district 4th section and land, connected therewith, lying to the North West including the Scott place, to be laid off by my Executors in such a way as not to injure the realm of my other lands—all lying in Paulding County, Georgia. Also, I will to my said daughter three acres of number 990, wherever she may see proper to locate it, for the purpose of building, together with privilege of water of the spring on said lot.

9th. It is my will that the property of every description willed to my son William F. Janes and Sarah J. T. Gibson be valued by persons appointed by the Court of Ordinary (excepting the Books within to my son William F.) and accounted for in the division of my estate between them and three other children Susan E. Janes, George V. Janes, and Athaliah E. Janes.

10th. It is my will and desire that all the negroes I may die preferred of, not otherwise bequeathed in this my will, to be equally divided, share and share alike between my five children William F. Janes, Sarah J. T. Gibson, Susan E. Janes, George V. Janes, and Athaliah E. Janes, William F. and Sarah J. T. accounting for these negroes, willed them. The negroes of the three minor children, Susan E., George V. and Athaliah E. to be kept in common stock and each of them to receive their part, when each shall arrive at lawful age or get married.

11th. It is my will that my executors, herein after named have full power and authority to sell any and all lands I may die prepared of, besides those herein bequeathed, and excepting the lands I own in second district fourth section originally Clarke now Paulding County, in whatever parcels, and such credits and at such time as they may deem most to the interest of my estate, within ten years.

12th. It is my will and desire that my executors herein after named and I do hereby authorize them to purchase for the benefit of my estate any lots of land in Cedar Valley Paulding County, Georgia, that they may think necessary and important to improve the release of the settlements of land I own in said really.

13th. It is my will and desire that whenever either of my three minor children, Susan E., George V. or Athaliah E. Janes, arrives at lawful age or marry, that persons be appointed by the court and assign to such one as aforesaid, a settlement of land in Cedar Valley, Paulding County, similar to the treats, willed to my two oldest children, William F. and Sarah J. T. realized at the same rates of those given the two elder, as nearly as practicable, to be accounted for in the settlement between the legatees.

14th. It is my will that my executors have power and authority to lease, rent, or sell my interest (it being one third part) of the land and mills on Cedar Creek, Paulding County, upon such time as they may deem to the interest of my estate (the other parts owned by William E. and George W. West).

15th. It is my will that my Executors keep up the farm in Paulding County, now managed by Mark Jackson for me according to the written agreement between said Jacks and myself, by contract with him or some other person so long as they may deem it for the interest of my estate.

          ------------

Greene Court of Ordinary, September adj'd Term 1843

Personally appeared in open court B. M. Sanders and P. H. Mell, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of Thomas G. Janes deceased, who being duly sworn say that they saw the within named Thomas G. Janes, sign s--- the --- him acknowledge the same to be his last will and testament, and that they each believe him to be of perfect sound mind and memory at the time of his signing the same and that they together with W. H. Stokes, subscribed their names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the Testator.

B. M. Sanders

P. H. Mell

Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 27 September 1843.

W. L. Strain, Clk.

You can read a full inventory and appraisement of his estate here.

Two legal notices were published in The Christian Index on February 16, 1844, advertising the sale of two tracts of Thomas’ land for the benefit of some of his children and to make notice to those owed money or indebted to the estate:

FOUR Months after date, application will be made to the Honorable Inferior Court of Greene county, when sitting as a Court of Ordinary, for leave to sell two tracts of Land in said county, belonging to part of the children of Thomas G. Janes, late of said county, deceased, for a division.

Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, George W. West, Ex’s.

Jan. 8, 1844.

------------

ALL persons having demands against the estate of Thomas G. Janes, deceased, are requested to present them in terms of the law—those indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment.

Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, George W. West, Ex’s.

Jan. 8. 1844.

The Christian Index (February 16, 1844)

Another legal notice was published in The Christian Index on August 2, 1844, advertising what was probably the same two tracts of land noted above.

AGREEABLY to an order of the Inferior Court of Greene county, when sitting for Ordinary purposes, will be sold, on the first Tuesday in October next, before the Court House door, in the town of Greenesboro’, two Tracts of Land in said County. One containing five hundred an eighteen acres, more or less, whereon Francis West deceased, formerly resided—the other containing two hundred and twenty-five acres, more or less, known as the Mill tract, both tracts adjoining the lands of Thos. G. Janes, deceased. Sold for the purpose of division, between part of the heirs of Thomas G. Janes, dec’d. Terms made known on the day. 

Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, G. W. West, Exrs.

July 22, 1844.

Work continued on the execution of Thomas’ will into 1846. On January 30, 1846, the Christian Index published the following notice regarding the sale of more land:

EXECUTORS’ SALE.

Will be sold, by virtue of an order of the Inferior Court of Greene county, when sitting for ordinary purposes, before the court house door in Greenesboro, on the first Tuesday in February next, one tract of land containing 700 acres, more or less, lying on the waters of Richland Creek, in said county, adjoining Mosely, Carlton and others, belonging to the estate of Dr. T. G. Janes, deceased. Terms made known on the day of sale. 

Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, G. W. West, Exrs.

July 22, 1844.

Executor Henry A. Gibson was Thomas’ son-in-law, married to daughter Sarah. Henry contracted typhoid fever in 1849 and died in Paulding County that September after suffering for 16 days. He was 26 years old. A May 4, 1850 appraisal of Henry’s estate listed Thomas’ estate in an inventory of blacksmith accounts for 1848 and 1847.

It took 23 years to settle Thomas’ estate. On September 13, 1866, the following notice was published in The Daily Intelligencer in Atlanta, Georgia:

Georgia, Polk County.

William F. Janes, executor of the last will and testament of Thomas G. Janes, deceased, has applied to me in due form to be discharged from his administration on said deceased’s estate, he having fully settled the same—

This is therefore to notify the legatees, creditors and all persons concerned, to file their objections to said executor’s being dismissed, in my office, on or before the first Monday in October next; otherwise letters of dismission will be granted to said executor according to law. Given under my hand and official signature, March 9th, 1866.

S. A. Borders, Ordinary

References

• Augusta Commercial Convention, The Weekly Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, October 23, 1838.
• Collins, Reba Belle Neighbors, History of the Janes-Peek Family, Edmond, Oklahoma: William Collins Sons and Company Limited, 1975.
• Commercial Convention, The Weekly Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, December 4, 1838.
• Executor’s Sale, The Christian Index, Washington, Georgia, January 30, 1846.
• Extracts from the Minutes of a Convention of the Stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road Company, Southern Banner, Athens, Georgia, May 20, 1835.
• Extracts from the Report of the Committee on the Engineer’s Report—adopted by the Convention, Southern Banner, Athens, Georgia, May 26, 1836.
• Fahey, David M., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Temperance Movement, New Georgia Encyclopedia; https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/temperance-movement/.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52923362/malinda-walker-janes: accessed 08 January 2023), memorial page for Malinda Walker West Janes (30 Jan 1805–4 Mar 1823), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52923362, citing Thomas Janes Family Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52923333/emily-t-janes: accessed 08 January 2023), memorial page for Emily T. West Janes (1811–8 Jul 1835), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52923333, citing Thomas Janes Family Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52923157/thomas-gresham-janes: accessed 05 November 2022), memorial page for Dr Thomas Gresham Janes (11 Jul 1794–14 Sep 1843), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52923157, citing Thomas Janes Family Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Henry A. Gibson, U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850–1885.
• Janes cemetery photos, M.T. researcher, Find A Grave member 47527061.
• Legal notice, The Christian Index, Washington, Georgia, August 2, 1844.
• Legal notice, The Daily Intelligencer, Atlanta, Georgia, September 13, 1866
• Legal notices, The Christian Index, Washington, Georgia, February 16, 1844.
• List of Stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, April 1, 1837, Miners Recorder and Spy in the West, Auraria, Georgia, July 8, 1837.
• Paulding Sheriff-sales for December, The Western Georgian, Rome, Georgia, October 30, 1838.
• Rice, Thaddeus Brockett, History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786–1886, edited by Carolyn White Williams, 1961.
• Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, March 19, 1827 and October 3, 1843.
• Taliaferro Sheriff’s Sale, Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, September 12, 1829.
• Temperance Society, Southern Banner, Athens, Georgia, August 16, 1834.
• Thomas G. Janes and Emily T. West, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Thomas G. Janes and Malinda P. W. West, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Thomas G. Janes and Malinda Walker P. West, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
• Thomas G. Janes, Georgia, Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 1075, Cedartown, Polk County, Georgia, 1860.
• William Francis Janes, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
• William Janes and Selah Gresham, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
• William Janes death, Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, July 23, 1827.
• William Janes, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992. 

My Granny’s Bible

One of the items I inherited last year when Mama passed away was her mother’s Bible. I specifically selected Granny’s Bible because I wanted a keepsake to remember her by. I was given a couple of items when Granny died in 1987—a crocheted piece that looks like a slice of watermelon, a cloth strawberry stuffed with Poly-fil fiber, and one of her nightgowns. None of these meant anything to me though. But her Bible was something she used, perhaps daily, flipping between pages, reading the verses within the chapters. And as a genealogist, her Bible is a family treasure and record.

My Granny was Daisy Lee Shields. She married five different men, one of them twice. I have only been able to document three of the five. When I opened the Bible, I was happy to discover it documents one of the remaining two, at least his last name. That was one of several items that caught my attention as I looked through the Bible.

My parents gave the Bible to Granny for Christmas in 1958. The inside page reads:

Presented to Daisy L. Casbohm

By Sammuel T. Lankford Wife Faye Lankford and Children

Date Dec. 25, 1958.

Daddy’s name is misspelled – Sammuel vs. Samuel, as is Mama’s, Faye vs. Fay. Although the writing is similar, I believe it was written by Granny, not Mama. It definitely wasn’t written by Daddy. Assuming it was Granny, that would explain the misspellings.

There were two return address labels she had cut off envelopes—both were me. One from the apartment my husband and I lived at our first year of marriage. The other from the first (and only) house we bought, and still live in. I remember exchanging letters with Granny in the 1960s and apparently, I did so in the early 1980s.

The last page contained two separate entries handwritten by Granny. The first one referenced her sister Betty, who was the fourth child born to James Stewart Shields and Hattie Jane Rhinehart. It reads:

(The 7 Gifts.) My Sister

Betty Ann Mays, passed away 2-20-75 at University Hosp Ala. Laid to rest in West Hill Cemetery in Dalton, Ga. Funeral 2 PM Wed. or Thur  - Mt Vernon Church. Pastor Floyd Guffey. 1975.

I wondered what she meant by “The 7 Gifts” so looked at the Shields family group sheet. My great-grandparents had 11 children that survived—seven of them were girls. Was this who she was referring to? I’ll never know but it’s an interesting thought. I was not sure about the spelling of the pastor’s namer so googled him. It appears his first name was Lloyd, not Floyd. She was close.

The second entry was a listing of my parents, my siblings and myself, and all our birthdates. Mama was Granny’s only child so we were her family. She dated this entry Sunday PM, Aug 16-81 and noted Luke C-14. Granny also wrote Mama’s age with an arrow pointing to my oldest sister Bonita and the number of years difference between her and my second sister Jennifer. 

Granny had a book marker from the 74th Annual Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy between pages 228 and 229. This event took place September 11–17, 1979 in Cleveland, Tennessee which is where she lived. There was what looks to be the top left corner of a $2 bill and a Japanese government-issued Philippine peso, also known as Japanese invasion money. 

On page 513, Psalm 27, she wrote the name “Leroy.” I have no clue who Leroy was. Granny left markings and a newspaper clipping (newspaper unknown) on pages 514 and 515. The markings were on Psalm 29–33. The newspaper clipping read:

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Shields from South Carolina were recent Sunday dinner guests of the Paul Shields family. They came by while they were on vacation.

Paul Sam Shields was Granny’s brother. To my knowledge, he did not have a son named Mark and at this point, I do not know how Mark connects to the Shields family.

I found three pressed four-leaf clovers and one flower. The flower was between pages 590 and 591, Ecclesiastes 3–5. Beside chapter 5, she wrote the name “Herbie.” Herbie was someone she went to church with and her last boyfriend. 

Several pages were folded in half—the first Exodus 31–32 and the second Deuteronomy 22. 

Deuteronomy 22:5: The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for all that do so are abomination until the Lord they God.

Granny marked several pages having to do with “unlawful marriages and lusts.”

Leviticus 18:15: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of they daughter in law; she is they son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

Leviticus 18:22: Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is abomination.

And more markings:

Leviticus 20:12—And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. 

Leviticus 20:13—If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 

Leviticus 20:14—And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness; they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

On the page containing Leviticus 22, she wrote “Un-clean Things to Eat” across the top of the page. Beside Chapter 22, she wrote “Woman.” Granny marked the beginning of the Book of Esther with an “X” and the date 8-2-81. Beside Psalm 41, Granny wrote “For me.” Further down, beside verses 5–8, she wrote the name “Loretta M.” I do not know who Loretta was, but she also wrote her name beside Psalm 91.

Psalm 41:5—Mine enemies speak evil of me. When shall he die, and his name perish?

Psalm 41:6—And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity; his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

Psalm 41:7—All that hate me whisper together against me; against me do they devise my hurt.

Psalm 41:8—An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast until him; and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

Granny marked many verses throughout Psalm 46–59. This Bible provides the subject matter across the top of each page which are: Confidence of the church in God; The majesty of God; A prayer of pardon and renewal; and Prayers to God for deliverance. She wrote “Read this” beside Psalm 56 (Prayers to God for deliverance) and “Read Aloud” beside Psalm 59 (Prayers for deliverance from enemies). She was interested in Proverbs 22 and wanted to “read Whole C 22.” The page containing Proverbs 24 was dog eared. Granny circled Ecclesiastes 11:8:

But if a man lives many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

She must have read or studied the Song of Solomon on September 16, 1977 as she marked that date before the book title. And read the book of Isaiah on Sunday, July 7, 1981. She also marked Joel 1 to “read this chapter” and Corinthians 11 to “Read.” Granny wrote the following on an envelope flap she left in the Bible (both sides):

St. Matthew C-5 V27-28 thru 32. Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. About Divorcement 31-32.

 Mark Chapter 22 about fig tree.

Matt: 5-27 commit adultery

She marked Matthew 6:9-13:

Matthew 6:9—After this manner therefore pray ye; Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10—Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:11—Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:12—And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:13—And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

At the top of Romans, Granny wrote “Men leaving the natural use of women.” She marked Hebrews 13:1-4:

Hebrews 13:1—Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:2—Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:3—Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Hebrews 13:4—Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

And finally, she marked a verse in Revelation 21:8:

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

And Revelation 22:14–15:

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

I was happy to find a few nuggets in Granny’s Bible. I wish I knew what the passages she marked meant to her. There seemed to be a running theme. Did they have something to do with her six marriages? What experiences had she gone through? What had she put her husbands through? Was she feeling guilt and seeking forgiveness? We will never know but I hope she found what she was looking for.