Oliver Porter Wilson

My 3rd great grandfather, Oliver Porter Wilson, was born in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia in December 1821. Unfortunately, the identities of his parents and siblings remain unknown as I am unable to confirm their identity. My link to Oliver is Mary Ann Wilson, his daughter and my 2nd great grandmother. 

Oliver married Jane Elizabeth Johnson in Oglethorpe County, Georgia on December 29, 1844. Like Oliver, I have been unable to confirm Elizabeth’s family. 

Oliver and Jane were blessed with four children: Martha “Mattie” Jane Wilson (1845), William Oliver Wilson (1848), Mary Ann Wilson (1851), and Robert Harrison Wilson (1858).

On October 31, 1850, the Wilson family resided in District 161 of Greene County, Georgia. Oliver worked as a farmer, while his wife Jane was unable to read. Their daughter, Martha, was five years old, and their son Oliver, wrongfully enumerated as Oliver Jr., was three. The family lived next door to the William O. Cheney family.

On June 5, 1860, the Wilson family resided in Penfield. Oliver, aged 38, had transitioned from farming to working as a wagoner, with a personal estate valued at $300. Elizabeth, his wife, was enumerated as unable to read. Among their four children, Martha (aged 14), William (aged 11), and Mary (aged 10) were all enrolled in school. The youngest child, Robert, was just one year old. The Wilson’s neighbors included Nathan Hobbs, his wife Harriet, and Nathan’s nephew, John N. C. Jenkins (aged 13). John was the son of Marian Langford Hobbs (my 4th great-aunt) and her first husband, John Jenkins. Nathan worked as a carriage painter, suggesting a skilled trade. Perhaps he and Oliver collaborated on projects or shared expertise.

On October 24, 1862, Oliver appeared in the inventory and appraisement account statement for the estate of John W. Lankford. John, a confederate soldier and nephew of James Meriweather Lankford (my 3rd great-grandfather), had recently died of disease in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. The inventory and appraisement statement served as a crucial document for assessing and recording the assets and debts associated with an estate. It played a vital role in settling financial matters after an individual’s passing. Within this statement, a section highlighted individuals who owed money to John W. Lankford, many of which were noted as doubtful or insolvent:

• Doubtful: This designation indicated uncertainty regarding the value or collectability of an asset. The appraiser questioned its legitimacy and recovery prospects.
• Insolvent: An asset labeled as insolvent was essentially worthless for financial recovery, signifying the debtor’s inability to pay.

In Oliver’s case, he owed John $9.51, noted as doubtful. The same applied to John’s parents, Mrs. Nancy Lankford ($18.28) and Wm. A. Lankford ($29.72), as well as my 3rd great-grandfather, J. M. Lankford ($18.97).

 

On July 20, 1863, Oliver enlisted in Company C of the 9th Georgia Infantry, State Guards, under the command of Major General W. G. Johnson in Greensboro, Georgia. His service commitment was for a period of six months. The 9th Infantry from Greene County was part of the 16th Regiment Georgia Militia. Interestingly, Oliver shared this same company with another of my 3rd great grandfathers, James Meriweather Lankford. James’ son, James C. Lankford, would later marry one of Oliver’s daughters, Mary Ann Wilson. Unfortunately, I only have access to a limited set of Civil War records for Oliver, so I cannot determine whether he served beyond his initial six-month commitment or continued until the end of the war.

 

 

Extract of a muster roll for non-commissioned officers
and privates. Oliver is number 17.

When Oliver appeared on the U.S. Census for Re-organizing the Georgia Militia in 1864, he was recorded as living in Greene County, aged 42 years, born in Georgia, and working as a mechanic. On January 2, 1867, Oliver’s son William married Mary T. Lankford, daughter of James Meriweather Lankford and Caroline B. Hobbs. The marriage ceremony was officiated by Lucius C. Broome, J.P. in Greene County. Additionally, on July 6, 1867, Oliver’s name appeared on the Return of Qualified Voters for residents of Penfield, Georgia.

On the same day, he signed an amnesty oath to be re-admitted into the Union, renouncing secession, and expressing his support for the United States Constitution.

The year 1868 was a busy one with the Wilson family celebrating two joyous occasions: the marriages of their daughters, Mary and Martha. On January 5, Mary exchanged vows with James C. Lankford, while on November 1, Martha married Benjamin Fletcher Carter. Both weddings took place in Greene County. 

To protect his personal property from seizure and sale, Oliver filed an Exemption of Personalty petition in Greene County on March 1, 1870. He stated he was the head of the family, consisting of a wife and four children and claimed the following personal property: household and kitchen furniture valued at $75, farming utensils and tools valued at $10, three head of cattle valued at $50, and seven small pigs valued at $20. The total amount claimed was $155. A hearing was scheduled for March 12, 1870. 

Prior to the hearing, as required, a notice was published in The Greensboro Herald in Greensboro, Georgia on March 3, 1870.

Georgia, Greene County. All persons are hereby notified, that Olive [sic] Porter Wilson has applied for Exemption of Personalty, and that I will pass upon the same at my office on the 12th of March, 1870. 

Given under my hand and official signature this March 1st, 1870.

march 1, D. A. Newson, Ord’y. 

On July 24, 1870, Oliver, his wife Jane, and son Robert resided in Penfield. Oliver was employed as a carpenter, while Robert, aged 11, was a day laborer. It is possible Robert assisted his father in the carpentry business. Jane managed the home. On February 24, 1878, Oliver’s son Robert married Martha C. Backus in Greene County.

On June 23, 1880, Oliver and Jane resided in Skull Shoals in Greene County, Georgia. Despite being 56 years old, Oliver continued to work as a farmer. The census record reveals that Jane, who managed the household, was unable to read or write. Oliver’s son Robert, along with Robert’s wife Martha and their son Augustus (known as Gus), lived just two houses away. The agriculture schedule, also conducted in June 1880, tells us more about Oliver. As a tenant farmer, he worked 30 acres of tilled land and 40 acres of untilled land. His farm held a value of $200, with additional assets including farming equipment and machinery worth $4, and livestock valued at $80. He spent $10 for building and repairing fences on his land. The estimated total value of his farm productions in 1879 was $470. His farm relied on a single horse, two milch cows, and seven regular cows. The milch cows produced 300 pounds of butter. Additionally, Oliver tended to four pigs and five barnyard chickens, which produced 20 dozen eggs in 1879. His efforts extended to planting 10 acres of Indian corn, resulting in a harvest of 125 bushels, and 20 acres of beans, yielding 7 bushels of beans. And finally, his farm produced 25 pounds of tobacco in the same year. 

Regrettably, I have been unable to determine the date of Oliver’s passing or the location of his final resting place. Evidently, it occurred sometime after June 1880.

References

• John W. Lankford, Greene County, Georgia, Land Estate Records 1865–1890, Court Records 1852–1865.
• Mary A. Wilson, 1868; Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828-1978,
• Notices, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, March 3, 1870.
• O. P. Wilson and J. M. Lankford, Muster Rolls, Confederate, Company C, 9th Georgia Infantry, State Guards, 1863.
• O. P. Wilson, Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867–1869.
• O. P. Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Civil War Muster Rolls, 1860–1864.
• Oliver P. Wilson, Mary A. Wilson, Martha J. Wilson, and William O. Wilson; Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Oliver Wilson, 1880; Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850–1880.
• Oliver Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia, 1864.
• Oliver Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia, 1864.
• Oliver Wilson, U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850–1880.
• Robert H. Wilson, Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Robert Harrison Wilson, Standard Certificate of Death no. 8177, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1919.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 161, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 160, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Skull Shoals, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• William O. Wilson and Mary T. Lankford, Marriage Certificate, State of Georgia, Greene County, 1867.
• William Oliver Wilson, Standard Certificate of Death no. 18403, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1924. 

Lucy and Elijah, slaves of Jane Freeman

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

Jane Freeman’s Will

State of Georgia, Greene County. 

In the name of God, I, Jane Freeman of the county and state aforesaid, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament – that is to say first after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, a part of my estate personal, I give, bequeath, and dispose of as follows to wit – to my beloved son Samuel B. Freeman, the following property: a negro woman Lucy, about forty-five years of age, one bay horse colt, three or four years old, oxen and cart, my stock of hogs, all of my corn, wheat, and meat if I have any, one feather bed, bedstead, and furniture, one safe, 4 chairs, exclusive of any equal share of the residue of my estate which I want to be equally divided amongst all of my children, except John F. Freeman, who has been previously advanced to the value of a negro boy Elijah. I want my son Samuel B. Freeman to have the increase or proceeds of the above-named property as long as he lives, then go to his children or lawful heirs, to wit: Sarah, Susan, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Nancy, and I hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my said trustee Thomas M. Fambrough executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the 24th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

Her mark, Jane Freeman

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Jane Freeman in our presence, and acknowledged by her to each of us, and she at the same time published and declared the above instrument, so subscribed, to be her last will and testament, and we at the testators request and in her presence, have signed our names as witnesses hereto, and written opposite our names, our respective places of residence.

W. A. Partee, Greene Co. Ga.
James W. Findley, Greene Co. Ga.
William C. Martin, Greene Co. Ga.

Reference

Greene County, Georgia, Wills, Book 5, 1840–1877, image 635, www.familysearch.org. 

Jemima Athya Anderson

Jemima Athya Anderson, daughter of Alexander Anderson and Elizabeth Durie Athya, was born on October 1, 1905 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was the oldest of seven children born to Alexander and Elizabeth—Jemina Athya Anderson, Helen “Nellie” Hamilton Anderson, Alexander Athya Anderson, James Athya Anderson, Mary Brown Anderson, Janet Lambie Anderson, and Elizabeth Athya Anderson. Jemima is my husband’s 1st cousin 1x removed with their nearest common relatives being James Wylie Athya and Jemima Durie, my husband’s great grandparents.

Jemima was born just over five months after her parents’ marriage on April 28, 1905. Her first name likely honors her maternal grandmother, Jemima Durie, while her middle name is derived from her mother’s maiden name. At the time of her birth, the family lived at 1 Richmond Terrace in Cambuslang and her father worked as a blacksmith (journeyman).

When Jemima’s sister, Helen, was born in July 1907, their family resided at 111 Petershill Road in the District of Garngadhill, Scotland, located approximately three miles from Cambuslang. Jemima’s father continued to pursue his trade as a blacksmith at the West Greentees Water Works in Cambuslang. 

By the time Jemima’s brother, Alexander, was born in January 1910, the family had relocated to the Special Drainage District situated at 1 Avenue Street in Rutherglen, County Lanark, Scotland. The towns of Rutherglen and Cambuslang were quite close geographically, approximately 2.2 miles apart. They continued to live in the same home into 1911. Two rooms in the home had one or more windows. Jemima’s father remained dedicated to his work as a blacksmith, and specifically, he was noted to be engaged in tube work. The census enumerator referred to Jemima’s mother, Elizabeth, as Lizzie, and noted that she had given birth to three children, all of which were living. He referred to Jemima as Minnie and Helen as Nellie.

1911 Scotland census

Two years later, in January 1912, Jemima’s brother James was born. The family continued to reside in the house on 1 Avenue Street in Rutherglen. However, by the time sister Mary arrived in September 1914, they had relocated to another street in Rutherglen—1 Baronflat Street. They remained in this home through the births of two more children—sisters Janet in January 1917 and Elizabeth in September 1919. Jemima’s father continued his employment as a blacksmith.

The Anderson family continued to reside in the Baronflat Street home in 1921. The dwelling consisted of just two rooms, which meant that it must have been quite cramped with nine people sharing the space. Jemima’s father, still employed as a blacksmith, worked at Stewarts and Lloyds as a tube maker. Jemima herself, enumerated as Minnie and aged 15, worked as a carpet weaver at Templeton’s Weaving Factory. The other six children, listed as scholars, were attending school, although I have my doubts about Elizabeth (aged 1) and Janet (aged 4) being students.

 

1921 Scotland census

Jemima married Andrew Wilson Glen on February 15, 1924 in Rutherglen after publication according to the forms of the Salvation Army. The registrar listed Jemima, aged 19, as working as a power loom weaver and a spinster. Andrew, born May 1, 1904 in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, was the son of Alexander Glen, a general laborer, and Annie Montgomery. Like his father, Andrew, aged 19, also worked as a general laborer. Interestingly, the usual residence for both Jemima and Andrew were the same—1 Baronflat Street—the Anderson family home in Rutherglen. Andrew’s brother, Thomas, and Jemima’s sister, Nellie (Helen), witnessed the marriage. Thomas lived in Glasgow, while Nellie still lived in the Anderson family home. 

Jemima’s grandmother Jemima (Durie) Athya was alive for the wedding, however, she passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland on November 19, 1925. She was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery along with other family members.

I have only been able to identify one child born to Jemima and Andrew: a daughter they named Elizabeth Athya Glen, born in Bridgeton in January 1931. Tragedy struck when Elizabeth was just nine years old: her father, and Jemima’s husband, passed away at the Royal Infirmary in Townhead, Glasgow, Scotland on January 13, 1940. The cause of death was a generalized peritonitis perforation of a malignant ulcer. I have been unable to identify Andrew’s final resting place. Andrew worked as a carpet cropper at the time of his death.

After two years as a widow, Jemima found new love. On July 17, 1942, she took a second husband—John McGregor, son of Robert McGregor and Agnes Henderson. The marriage, solemnized after publication in the Office of the Registrar for the District of Blythswood, Glasgow, Scotland, was witnessed by William B. and Clara Johnston, both of Duke Street in Glasgow. Prior to her marriage, Jemima resided at 105 Arcadia Street in Glasgow. John, a widower and road transport foreman, resided at 4 Beltane Street in Glasgow.

Less than two months after her wedding, Jemima suffered a heart-wrenching loss. On August 30, 1942, her mother, Elizabeth, aged 60, succumbed to cardiac failure at the Royal Infirmary in Townhead. Prior to her passing, Elizabeth had battled cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder) for three months. The exact location of her final resting place remains a mystery.

 

On September 1, 1951, Jemima, aged 46, passed away in Kelvingrove, Glasgow, Scotland. She had battled cancer of the descending colon for 11 months prior to her death. Like her mother, the exact location of her final resting place remains a mystery.

References

• Alex Anderson, Census 654/41/4, National Records of Scotland, 1921.
• Alexander Anderson, Census 654/40/27, National Records of Scotland, 1911.
• Alexander Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/49, National Records of Scotland, 1910.
• Alexander Anderson, Statutory Registers Marriages 625/3 49, National Records of Scotland, 1905.
• Andrew Glen, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 882, National Records of Scotland, 1904.
• Andrew Wilson Glen, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 88, National Records of Scotland, 1940.
• Elizabeth Anderson, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/6 1019, National Records of Scotland, 1942.
• Elizabeth Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/412, National Records of Scotland, 1919.
• Helen Hamilton Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 644/5 852, National Records of Scotland, 1907.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/70, National Records of Scotland, 1912.
• Janet Lambie Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/44, National Records of Scotland, 1917.
• Jemima Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 627/651, National Records of Scotland, 1905.
• Jemima Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Marriages 654/8 34, National Records of Scotland, 1924.
• Jemima Athya Glen, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/9 529, National Records of Scotland, 1951.
• Jemima Athya, Register of Interments in Southern Necropolis, Glasgow, Scotland, 1925.
• Jemima Glen, Statutory Registers Marriages 644/8 1256, National Records of Scotland, 1942.
• Mary Brown Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/576, National Records of Scotland, 1914.

Mary, Charles, Caesar, and Louisa: servants of Bros. Willet, Randle, and Northen

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

Colored Church Penfield, Ga. January 8th 1860 

Church met in conference. The committee appointed to labor with Mary, servant of Bro. Willet, reported that they had endeavored to discharge their duty, but Mary gave them no satisfaction, whereupon she was excluded from the church. 

Bro. Charles, servant of Dr. Randle, who had been excluded from the church, was, on confession, restored. 

Caesar, servant of Bro. P. Northen, having been guilty of most aggravated violence to his master, was excluded from the Church. 

On motion it was resolved to take up a collection monthly for church purposes. 

A letter of dismission was granted to Louisa, servant of Bro. J. E. Willet. 

U. W. Wise, Ch. Clerk

Reference

Penfield Baptist Church Minutes: 1839 – 1885, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, image 274.

Clarksburg floods of 1950

The photos I am sharing today are part of the Ralph Murphy photo archive, which my husband received from his Aunt Jean in 2012. This extensive collection comprises 21 boxes of slides, totaling thousands, all captured by Uncle Ralph. These images span the years from 1947 to 1984. Among them are scenic shots from their travels across the United States, glimpses of family members, and candid moments with friends and co-workers. I digitized the slide collection in 2015, and they continue to bring me joy.

This group of photos are from a natural disaster that took place in West Virginia in June 1950 when a devastating flash flood struck Gilmer, Harrison, Ritchie, Doddridge, Lewis, Braxton, and Upshur counties in West Virginia. Triggered by relentless rain, this flood left a trail of destruction, including:

• Thirty-three lives tragically lost
• Homes ravaged, leaving many homeless
• Businesses suffering significant losses as floodwaters inundated their premises, destroying merchandise
• Crops and gardens swept away, leaving farmers reeling from the impact
• Farm structures, haystacks, and even livestock succumbed to the relentless force of the water
• Desperate to survive, some men sought refuge in trees, clinging to them throughout the night
• In Gilmer County, a highway bridge was swept away 
• A majority of the 20 deaths in Doddridge County occurred when one house was swept away, eventually crashing into a railroad bridge
• Adding to the chaos, a gasoline storage tank containing 10,000 gallons of fuel caught fire in Weston

Clarksburg and Nutter Fort, both situated along the banks of the West Fork River in Harrison County, were not spared from the raging waters of the flood that weekend. Ralph Murphy, armed with his trusty camera, traveled the short distance from Nutter Fort to Clarksburg to capture the images you see below.

Anderson’s Restaurant, shown on the billboard in the next photo, was located at 411 N. Fourth Street in Clarksburg.

Adamston Flat Glass Company in Clarksburg

Thanks to Pete at the Clarksburg History Museum, I know the bridge in the next photo is located on Camden Street, near the Chestnut Hills community.

I hope you enjoyed these photos from Ralph’s archives. To see others from his collection, click here. You can read more about the June 1950 flood on the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History website.

References

• Blanchard, Wayne, 1950–June 24–25, Heavy Rain, Flash Flooding, Central WV, esp. Smithsburg Area (22)-34-35, Deadliest American Disasters and Large-Loss-of-Life Events website, https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/1950-june-24-25-heavy-rain-flash-flooding-central-wv-esp-smithsburg-area-22-34-35/. 
• Worst Flash Flood In History Sweeps Troy and Other Communities: Thirty-One Known Dead In 6-County Area; Little Kanawha River Hits Crest of 31.1 at Glenville, West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History; https://archive.wvculture.org/history/disasters/flood195001.html.  

Will of Gwyn Allison, leaves money to slaves

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

Gwyn Allison’s Will
Greene Court of Ordinary, September 1865. Proven in common form and ordered to be recorded.
Eugenius L. King, Ordy.

Recorded in Book G, pages 310 and 311, Sept. 5, 1854. Eugenius L. King, Ordinary

State of Georgia, Greene County. In the name of God, Amen. I, Gwyn Allison of the County of Greene and State of Georgia, being now of sound mind and disposing mind and memory and knowing at the same time the uncertainty of life, do now make the following disposition of my property in manner and form following, viz.

1st. I give to my brother, John Allison, three thousand dollars.

2nd. I give to my brother, Jesse Allison, three thousand dollars.

3rd. I give to my brother, Reuben Allison, three thousand dollars.

4th. I give to my brother William Allison’s son David two thousand dollars.

5th. I give my negro boy Joe one hundred dollars.

6th. I give my negro boy Edmond one hundred dollars.

7th. I give my negro boy William one hundred dollars.

8th. I wish my executors to give the negro women twenty dollars each. The above amount given to my negroes must be paid in silver.

9th. I give all my negroes leave to choose their master and if they chose one that don’t treat them well that they shall have the right to choose another, so as to give them the chance of making something of themselves. The women to choose for their children until they become twelve years of age, and I further direct that they are not to go out of Greene County. I don’t wish them to be sold, I depend upon Executors not to sell one of them.

10th. I give and bequeath to the Inferior Court of Greene County twenty thousand dollars, to be placed in the hands of four men who are to give bond and security, whose duty it shall be to loan out said amount and pay over annually to the Inferior Court the interest to pay for the education of poor children belonging to said County, and that no part of the principal to be used for that purpose.

11th. And all of my property, hogs, cattle and land, and all the money which is left from what I have stated above, I wish to be divided between my three brothers, John, Jesse, and Reuben Allison, equally share and share alike.

13th. I hereby nominate and appoint John Allison and William L. Strain my Executors to carry out this my last will and testament info full effect.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of April 1865.

G. Allison

Signed, sealed, and acknowledged in presence of the undersigned.
J. F. Zimmerman
Isaac R. Hall
James W. Godkin

Reference

Greene County, Georgia, Wills 1798–1914, images 75–78, www.familysearch.org.