52 Ancestors – no. 43: Samuel Jackson Holland (week 27)

Samuel Jackson Holland

This blog post is about my Grandfather, or rather “Granddaddy,” and is a compilation of my own research and personal memories, as well as memories of two of his daughters—Fay and Barbara. Time passes, we grow older, and our memories fade. Speaking for myself, sadly I have large gaps in what I remember about of my childhood. Someday I’m going to start writing down what I do remember and maybe I’ll find a story there. Meanwhile, in the spirit of keeping memories alive—which is the point of 52 Ancestors—I offer his story instead. Scattered throughout this blog post are a few memories shared by my Aunt Barbara. I’ve placed quotes around her words to distinguish her memories vs. my ramblings. I thank Aunt Barbara for sharing these memories with me. Granddaddy was interested in his family history and attempted to document some of it himself. I wish I could share with him what I’ve learned about the Holland family, which is quite a bit since I started down my genealogical path. I hope I’ve done him proud!

Samuel Jackson Holland, son of Elijah Jeffers Holland and Cornelia Jane (Janie) Dove, was born at home in Whitfield County on October 13, 1904. He was the youngest of three children—Roy Holland, Nellie Holland, and Samuel Jackson Holland. A fourth child did not survive. He went by Sam.

House that Sam was born in

On May 4, 1910, Elijah, Janie, Roy, Nellie, and Sam lived in Whitfield County. Elijah was a farmer on a general farm. Janie, Roy, and Nellie helped out as farm laborers. Five year old Sam rounded out the family. His Aunt Sallie Dove Bowers lived four houses away with her family—husband Boone and children Ursula (Lula), Miriam, and Alec. Sam loved his Aunt Sallie. He remained close to her years later after the loss of his Mother. I imagine she became the Mother figure in his life. Sam was also close to his cousin Alec, who was just two years younger than him. I imagine they were almost like brothers what with living so close to each other and being so close in age. On August 19, 1920, the North Georgia Citizen reported that ‘Mr. Sam Holland, of Varnells Rt. 1, was calling on Mr. Alex Bowers one day last week.’ Barbara remembers “a story that Daddy used to tell about slipping a girl out of her parent’s house so the other guy with him and the girl could elope. I’ve always wondered if that could have been Alec and Myrtle Bowers.”

Sadly, young Sam lost his father Elijah who was 42 years old when he died in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia on March 4, 1915. Elijah was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton. His death was reported in the North Georgia Citizen on March 11, 1915 as ‘Elijah Holland, a highly respected resident of the Deep Springs section, this county, died last Thursday. Interment was made in Deep Springs cemetery Friday.’ Four years later, the year started off tragically when Sam’s brother Roy died at the age of 21 on January 1, 1919 in Deep Springs. I haven’t found a death record for Roy yet so don’t know what caused his death at such a young age. Roy was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery near his father. At the young age of 14, Sam was now the man of the house.

North Georgia Citizen, August 19, 1920

On January 30, 1920, Sam, his mother Janie, and sister Nellie lived in the Ninth District of Whitfield County. The following year, 20 year old Nellie contracted tuberculosis and died at 7 a.m. at home in Varnell, Whitfield County, Georgia on May 6, 1921. She was buried later that day at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery beside her father Elijah, her brother Roy, and Grandfather Leroy Thomas Holland. Sam was the informant on Nellie’s death certificate, listing his address as was Rt. 1, Varnell, Georgia.

Sam married Mary Opal Stone, daughter of Luther W. Stone and Ella (last name unknown), about 1922. Together they had one child, a son they named William Luther Holland but called W.L., born in Georgia on October 31, 1923.

On April 23, 1930, Sam, Opal, W.L., and his mother Janie lived off Cedar Valley Road in Whitfield County. Their next door neighbors were Milas and Effie Shields. That would be the last time Janie would be recorded in a census as she died in Varnell on September 19, 1930 at the age of 58. Janie was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton. Sam, the informant on his mother’s death certificate, was now the sole surviving member of his family.

Sallie (Dove) Bowers and Sam

Seven months later, Opal, Sam’s wife of nine years, died in Whitfield County on April 26, 1931. She was just 26 years old. Now it was just Sam and his young son W.L. Sam never talked much about his family. It must have been hard losing everyone at such a young age. Remember, he lost his father in 1915, his brother in 1919, his sister in 1921 followed by his mother in 1930, and finally his wife in 1931. The emotional stress of losing his entire family in such a short time and at such a young age must have been too much to bear and weighed heavy on his heart.

Two months after Opal’s death, Sam married Daisy Lee Shields, daughter of James Stewart Shields and Hattie Jane Rhinehart. Daisy was the niece of Milas Shields, Sam’s neighbor. He called her Lee while the rest of the family called her Daisy. Sam and Daisy didn’t rush to have children. He had a lot of outstanding funeral expenses for Opal and his mother and all of the financial burdens fell to him. Daisy helped Sam pay off the funeral debts by making quilts. She would drive around town in their old model A or T car selling her quilts.

In 1933, Daisy gave birth to their only child, a daughter they named Juanita Fay, at home in Tunnel Hill, Catoosa County, Georgia. After Daisy went into labor, Sam drove to Ringgold to get the doctor. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it back in time. Instead, a neighbor helped Daisy deliver Fay herself. When Sam returned, Daisy told Sam ‘there won’t be any more children.’ And there weren’t!

In 1938, Sam and Daisy lived at 1101-A E 14th Street in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee according to the Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Directory for that year. Sam was a truck driver for Miller Motor Lines.

On April 15, 1940, Sam, Daisy, W.L., and Fay lived on East 14th Street in Chattanooga. Sam was a truck driver for the Motor Express Company. Sometime after this census was taken, Daisy left the family and got a room on her own in Chattanooga. She kept in touch with Fay in 1940 but then had little contact with her from 1941 to 1948.

About 1941, Sam and Daisy divorced leaving Sam alone to take care of W.L. and Fay. After the divorce, Fay remembers that her father often took her to Warner Park in Chattanooga to see the monkeys and ride the swings. In 1942, W.L. turned 18 and was drafted into the Army. Sam and Fay rode the bus to Fort Oglethorpe to see W.L. off to Colorado where he stayed the rest of his duty, guarding prisoners of war. Sam and Fay lived alone in Chattanooga for a few months. Sam had help from Arlie Mack Rhinehart (Hattie [Rhinehart] Shields’ brother) and his wife Martha. After Arlie returned to Catoosa County, Georgia, Sam hired a housekeeper to help out. His route took him from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Murphy, North Carolina so he spent a lot of time on the road and was required to drive the trucks overnight. Fay was too young to be left by herself so she would stay with a neighbor at night.

Patsy and Sam Holland

Sam met Patsy Reba Seibers, daughter of William L. Seibers and Missie Belle Boles, in Rossville Walker County, Georgia where she was a waitress at a truck stop. They married in Rossville on September 18, 1943 and lived in Chattanooga. Together they had four children—Samuel William Holland, Barbara Jane Holland, Brenda Louise Holland, and Charles David Holland.

After Sam and Patsy were married, he decided to move the family to Atlanta so he drove a truck there to look for an apartment for himself, Patsy, and Fay. Daisy accused Sam of taking Fay across state lines (which he had not) and had him arrested. W.L. eventually testified in court that he was with Patsy and Fay at home while Sam went to Atlanta and the case was dropped.

Sometime before 1944, Sam, Patsy, and Fay moved to Atlanta where they rented a house on Washington Street from a man named Mr. Speilberger. The house had two apartments and one bathroom on the first floor. Mr. Speilberger lived in one room in the front of the house. They all shared the bathroom. Another family lived upstairs. They had the whole upstairs, including their own bathroom. Barbara was born in Atlanta at Crawford Long Hospital in 1944 while they were living in the Washington Street house.

In May 1946, Patsy gave birth to a son they named Samuel William Holland. He died on July 29 at the age of two months and was buried in an unmarked grave at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point, Fulton County, Georgia. The Hillcrest Cemetery Memorial Association records the grave in section 3, block G, lot 10. Sam bought two plots when his infant son died. Several years ago, the Hillcrest Cemetery Memorial Association set up a Veterans Memorial Brick Program to raise funds for a veteran’s memorial to be constructed alongside the main entrance drive at Hillcrest. In addition to honoring a veteran, you could recognize a loved one buried in an unmarked grave at Hillcrest. It bothered me that young Samuel didn’t have a tombstone so I made a donation for a paver brick to be engraved with his name. The veteran’s wall is finished but I have yet to find out if the brick for Samuel has been placed on the wall.

In 1947, Sam and Patsy lived at 739 Central Avenue SW in Atlanta (near where the Ted Turner stadium stands in 2015) according to the Atlanta, Georgia, City Directory. Sam was a foreman with R. L. Dante Freight Line. They still lived there in 1948 but at some point that year moved down the street into a house across the street from Julia and Jerry Gregory. The Gregory house address was 714 Central Avenue. Later that year, Sam’s daughter Fay married Julia’s nephew, Sam Lankford, at the home of Patsy’s brother, Allen Derod Seibers.

After the Central Avenue home, Barbara remembers that they “apparently moved around several times before settling the first time at a home in Hapeville, Fulton County, Georgia. They were living in a rental house on Windsor Street (she believes) in Atlanta when Brenda was born at Crawford Long Hospital in 1948. After that, they moved to a home off Bankhead Highway. Brenda was still a baby. I started kindergarten there [Fall 1949 to Spring 1950] and half the first grade [Fall 1950 to December 1950]. We then moved to a home at 3791 Highland Avenue in Hapeville. Brenda was still a toddler and no Dave.” If we calculated this correctly, it would have been January 1951.

Sam and Patsy still lived at the Highland Avenue home in 1951 according to the Atlanta, Georgia, City Directory. Sam was a foreman at Dance Freight Lines. They still lived there in 1953 but Sam was now an assistant manager at Rutherford Freight Lines. And they were once again recorded on Highland Avenue when the Atlanta City Directory was published in 1954. Sam was back at Dance Freight Lines as an assistant manager. Patsy was listed as Reba P. Holland.

Sam, two of his kids, and his Lankford grandchilden

David was born in Atlanta in 1954. According to Barbara, “Fay and Bonita [Fay’s daughter] came to stay with us while Mom was in the hospital. Mom evidently had false labor on trip number one to the hospital. Trip number two produced Dave but Mom always said that ‘it took her a week to have Dave.’” After the school year ended, Sam took the family to Gainesville [June 1954]. Brenda started the first grade at Miller Park School in Gainesville. According to Barbara, “he had a customer whose daughter had a house in Gainesville. She and her family wanted to move to Atlanta. For a time, they just traded houses. They lived in our Hapeville house and we lived in her Gainesville house from June until Christmas 1954. After that Mom and the kids moved back to Hapeville to be there for the sale of the house. Brenda finished the 1st grade at Hapeville Elementary School and I finished the 5th [June 1955]. When school was over in 1955, the Hapeville house sold and we moved to Gainesville permanently. I remember that Mom was not a happy camper selling the house and moving back to Gainesville. I guess she mellowed after a time. I think it helped when she learned to drive and could be out and about.”

The Gainesville, Georgia, City Directory recorded Sam and Patsy as living at Atlanta RD 2 in 1957. Sam was a manager at Atlanta-Ashville Motor Express Inc. The 1959 and 1960 Gainesville, Georgia, City Directories recorded Sam and Patsy as living on Tower Heights Road. Sam was a general manager at Atlanta-Asheville Motor Express Inc. Barbara remembers “we lived on Thompson Bridge Road briefly and again Dad had a customer and we moved to his rental house on Atlanta Highway. We lived there about two years and then Dad bought the Tower Heights house … and lived there until 1963 when they moved to the house you remember on Roberta Circle. Dad lived the rest of his life there.” The Tower Heights house was in Murrayville, although it had a Gainesville mailing address. Barbara believes (but can’t be sure) that they lived at the Tower Heights house when a scary event took place. “Dad was either coming or going to work on Myrtle Street near the warehouse. A young child ran out in front of the car and Daddy hit him. However, the child apparently wasn’t hurt too bad because he/she jumped up and ran into a house. Dad left the car and ran behind the child to the house or into the house (not sure). Anyway, it must have scared the daylights out of both Daddy and the child.”

The Roberta Circle house sat on a circular dirt road and was within walking distance of Lake Lanier. I recall visiting often and remember spending at least a week there during one summer. We went fishing on the lake. To get to their house, we had to cross a bridge with no side rails. I hated crossing that bridge. I just knew Mama was going to drive off the bridge into the lake. As we got closer to the bridge, I would cower in the backseat floor until we had safely crossed it. There was also a water fountain as you drove through Gainesville and I remember it was often filled with bubbles, probably from some prankster the night before. And best of all, they had a Coke machine on their carport! The neighbors would come and buy Cokes. I thought that was cool. Barbara remembers that “Mom had a huge bed of beautiful strawberries at the Roberta Circle house. One day he was out cutting grass and cut down the strawberry patch. I can’t imagine him doing that but he did. I remember he told Mom that he did it because he didn’t want to see her working so hard out there. SURE!” I suggested that meant no pie for Granddaddy and Barbara noted “That was kinda cutting off his nose to spite his face as Mama would have said. That man loved to eat and I always loved to watch him eat because he enjoyed it so much. He mixed some of his foods together. Sounds ucky but he enjoyed it. Also, I remember he sometimes drank his coffee from a saucer. I started drinking coffee at a young age because I wanted to be like Daddy.”

At home in Gainesville

Barbara remembers “Dad had a painful ulcer in the mid to late 1950s. He was up a lot at night in pain and I remember that he hung a wet towel across the head of their bed and it left one of those white stains. Apparently, he was trying to ease the pain. Anyway, the doctors finally put him in the hospital and did surgery. He spent 21 days in the Hall County Hospital.”

Sam was a trucker/warehouseman and was the manager of Atlanta-Asheville Freight Lines until his retirement in 1970. Barbara remembers that “he was at Atlanta Asheville from the beginning when the warehouse was in an old, old building on Railroad Avenue with only two boxes of freight on the floor. The freight line was already started in Atlanta. Dad started the branch in Gainesville. He visited businessmen around Gainesville to solicit their business and built up the business over the years. I remember that it seemed that Daddy worked all the time. He spent many long hours at Atlanta Asheville Freight. Gone early morning, and then after coming home for supper, he would go back to the warehouse to ‘finish up’ typing the paperwork. He was a two finger typist but good at it. I think his work at Atlanta Asheville represented a defining moment in his life. He was a farm boy from Whitfield County who only completed the 6th grade and went on to build this business with his hard work. Retirement in 1970 did not come easy for him. It was a difficult transition. He couldn’t sit back and take it easy. He sold Watkins Products and also made what he called a ‘rolling store’ in the back of his truck. He and Mom went round the country neighborhoods selling his wares. In fact, as I remember, he was out doing this when he had his first stroke. Dad had a mischievous streak that sometimes came out. It should have come out a lot more instead of all that working.”

Sam was active in church all of his life. As a young man, he sang at the church, most likely Deep Springs Church in Dalton. Barbara remembers that “Dad and Mom joined Emmanuel Baptist Church and he was active there. When they moved to Murrayville, they changed memberships to Corinth Baptist Church. He was active in church there. I don't recall that he sang in the choir as he did at a church we attended in Atlanta.”

Sam didn’t smoke or drink. He had diabetes and died from a stroke on May 26, 1972 around 9 a.m. at Hall County Hospital in Gainesville. Barbara remembers “Brenda was with him at the hospital. I was at work a few blocks away and Mother was on the way to the hospital. We were all taken to the hospital chapel and didn’t get to see Daddy until later that day at Vickers Funeral Home.” He was 67 years old. His funeral was held at Corinth Baptist Church with the Rev. O’Dean McNeal and the Rev. Willis Moore officiating. He was buried with his infant son Samuel at Hillcrest Cemetery in section 3, block G, lot 10, space 2. Sam was survived by his wife Patsy, three daughters, Fay, Barbara, and Brenda; two sons, W.L. and David; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Vickers Funeral Home of Gainesville handled the arrangements. I don’t remember the day he died or the funeral but I do remember that since my family lived in Atlanta everybody came back to our house after the service for dinner. If my memory serves me correctly, I left after the church service with Daddy so we could get home early enough for him to cook curried chicken for the family.

52 Ancestors – no. 42: Amanda Larimer Horne– (week 26)

Amanda Larimer Horne Smith

Amanda Larimer Horne, daughter of Moses Horne and Elizabeth Larimer, was born May 25, 1859 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She was the first-born child of eight—Amanda Larimer Horne, Mary Jennie Horne, Lydia E. Horne, Josephine B. Horne, Ollie Bertha Horne, George Richard Horne, and Keziah C. Horne. Amanda is my husband’s great-grandmother.

5/3/24 update: I incorrectly wrote that Moses and Elizabeth Horne had seven children, when in fact they had eight. The eight child was William Alexander Horne, born November 23, 1871, and likely died an infant. Also, Ollie Bertha Horne is incorrect. I believe her correct name to be Olean (or Olena) “Ollie” R. Horne. And Lydia's middle name is likely Etta. 

On June 11, 1860, one year old Amanda lived with her family in the Peebles Township of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Her 70-year-old widowed grandmother, Mary (Brown) Horne, lived with them. Amanda’s father was a carpenter.

I haven’t been able to find the Horne family in the 1870 census records. Amanda’s brother George was born in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania on December 1, 1869, so I expected to find them there. I ran a search on ancestry.com and found nothing. Since that didn’t work, I manually checked the 20 pages of Apollo census records and still found nothing. Disappointing to say the least since you never know what piece of information you might find. I'll keep looking.

5/3/24 update: I finally found the Horne family in 1870 living in Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The family was incorrectly transcribed as 'Worn' instead of 'Horne.' Moses Horne worked as a carpenter; his real estate was valued at $1200 and personal estate at $500. Elizabeth Horne was keeping house.

Amanda was received by probation at the Apollo United Methodist Church on October 25, 1874.

Dress Amanda made for her
oldest son Benjamin in 1884

On June 25, 1880, Amanda and her family lived in Apollo. At age 20, Amanda still lived at home and was employed as a dressmaker. It was exciting to make the discovery of her occupation as it explains how she was able to sew such a beautiful gown four years later for her two-year-old son Benjamin. Amanda’s father, Moses, was a “dealer in groceries.” Her 10-year-old brother George was a store clerk, perhaps helping his father.

Amanda married John Milton Smith, son of John Thompson Smith and Jane Gordon, on January 19, 1882 in Apollo. The marriage ceremony took place at the Apollo United Methodist Church. Together they had seven children—Benjamin Gordon Smith, George Nelson Smith, Edith McCrum Smith, Howard Stanley Smith, Helen Margaret Smith, Bertha Edna Smith, and John Thompson Smith. Amanda honored several family members by naming her children for them—Benjamin’s middle name was Gordon, Amanda’s mother’s maiden name; George was named for Amanda’s brother, George R. Horne; Bertha was named for Amanda’s sister, Ollie Bertha Horne; Amanda’s youngest son was named John Thompson Smith, the same name as her father-in-law. Helen’s middle name may be a nod to an aunt, Margaret McIlwain, her father’s stepsister.

Amanda and her son Benjamin

On June 25, 1900, Amanda, John, and their children lived in the Washington Township of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Amanda’s husband was a rougher in a sheet mill. Benjamin was a clerk in some sort of depot (I’m unable to read the type of depot in the census record). Her youngest son John was born a year and a half later on December 21, 1901.

On October 24, 1906, Amanda’s 18-year-old daughter Edith, blind as the result of measles, died of typhoid fever at Mercy Hospital. Edith had been a resident of the West Pennsylvania Institute for the Blind for 16 days prior to her death. Edith was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo.

On April 26, 1910, Amanda, John, and five of their children lived in Paulton, Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The census enumerator recorded Amanda as the mother of seven children, six of which were living. Her husband John was a roller helper in a sheet mill. Both Ben and George worked in the sheet mill as a doubler. Her son Howard no longer lived at home.

Amanda with grandsons
Howard and John Athya

The 1910s was a decade of loss for Amanda and her family. Her father Moses died in Apollo on April 11, 1910. He was buried in Apollo, most likely Apollo Cemetery. Two years later, her life was shattered when her husband John died on March 9, 1912 at the age of 61 of cardiac dropsy in the township of Bell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. John was an ironworker for the U.S. Steel Corporation at the time of his death. He was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. A year later her mother Elizabeth died in Apollo on May 1, 1913. She was buried at Apollo Cemetery. That same year, the Smith family suffered another sad loss when their daughter Helen died in Paulton from endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, at the young age of 17. Helen was buried on March 20, 1913 in the family plot at Apollo’s Riverview Cemetery. She shares a tombstone with her parents and sister Edith. And finally, Amanda’s brother George died on December 19, 1915 from a fractured skull and other injuries caused after being struck by a locomotive on the Conemaugh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad at the West Apollo Crossing. He was buried at Vandergrift Cemetery in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

On January 26, 1920, a widowed Amanda lived on Greensburg-Apollo Road in the Washington Township of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. She still had four adult children living in the home with her—Benjamin, George, Bertha, and John. Her sons all worked in the steel mill—Benjamin as a catcher, George a ruffer, and John an addressographer. Twenty-two-year-old Bertha was unemployed and probably helping her mother maintain the household and cook for the three hungry men in the house.

Bertha Smith Athya, Amanda holding
Mary Athya, Electra Smith Jack,
John Athya, and Howard Athya

Amanda’s sister Lydia died in Pittsburgh on October 2, 1923. She was buried at Vandergrift Cemetery.

Bertha finally left the home when she married a Scot, George Durie Athya, son of James Athya and Jemima Durie on June 14, 1924 in Pittsburgh. Bertha and George gave Amanda four grandchildren—John Thompson Athya, Howard George Athya, Mary Margaret Athya, and James Jem Athya.

In late 1926 or early 1927, Amanda, wanting to help her daughter Bertha with her growing family, took her two-year-old grandson John Athya home to stay with her and Benjamin. They planned to keep John there until Bertha got back on her feet after giving birth to her second son Howard. However, as young as John was, he decided he wanted to stay with his grandmother and uncle. He’d only been staying with them a few weeks, but he had visited often so was comfortable with them. It hurt Bertha’s feelings, but she realized it was best for her as living on the second floor with two children, having to carry laundry, groceries, etc. would be hard so she allowed him to stay with his grandmother and uncle.

Amanda at the far right (in apron) with the church ladies

On April 8, 1930, Amanda, Benjamin, and John lived in the Washington Township of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Benjamin was a laborer in the steel mill.

On April 5, 1940, Amanda, Benjamin, and John lived in Paulton, Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Amanda’s sister Josephine died on March 24, 1941. She was buried at Apollo Cemetery.

Amanda’s daughter Bertha and son-in-law George Athya moved in with Amanda in the early 1940s after they lost two houses—one to taxes and one when the Kiskiminetas River flooded in Apollo. Amanda was bedridden from a stroke and died of cardiac insufficiency in Washington Township on January 11, 1943. She was buried in the family plot with her husband John and daughters Edith and Helen at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. Bertha and George moved their family to Warren, Ohio after Amanda’s death, however, John chose to continue living with Benjamin. He finally joined his family in Warren after he graduated from high school.

52 Ancestors – no. 41: Julia Lee Lankford – (week 25)

Julia Lankford Hazlett

Julia Lee Lankford, daughter of James C. Lankford and Mary Ann Wilson, was born August 1875 in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. She was the 3rd child of 10—Homer J., Alice Beman, Julia Lee, Jessica Corinne, James Vason, Mary Corrine, Nathan Lawrence, Vincent Thomas, Oliver Wilson, and Lillie Della Lankford.

On June 10, 1880, Julia and her family lived in Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Her grandparents, James Meriweather and Caroline (Hobbs) Lankford lived next door.

Julia married John Dawson Hazlett, son of James Hazlett and Ellen Mullins, on August 14, 1895 in Greene County, Georgia. Together they had three children—Mary Ellen (1896), Jessie Dell (1900), and Minnie Lee Hazlett (1903).

On June 19, 1900, Julia and John, along with daughters Mary and Jessie, rented a home in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. John was a farmer.

Julia’s father James died on January 21, 1908 in Greene County, Georgia. He was buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia.

By April 29, 1910, Julia and her family had moved to Kingston, Morgan County, Georgia. John was enumerated as a farm laborer on a general farm. Both Julia and daughter Mary were enumerated as a farm laborer on a home farm.

Julia’s mother Mary Ann died in Penfield on March 26, 1919. She was buried beside her husband in Penfield Cemetery.

On January 16, 1920, Julia and her family lived on Larenby Street in Stag Hall, Warren County, Georgia. Their oldest daughter Mary no longer lived in the home. John had left farming behind and became a car inspector for the Georgia Railroad. Julia was able to read and write.

Julia died in Wilkes County, Georgia on September 2, 1924 at the young age of 49 from an enlarged spleen caused by leukemia. She was buried at Resthaven Cemetery in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia on September 3.

Several years ago, I connected with another researcher who inherited a box of photos, mainly from the Penfield area. The picture of the three women below was in that box. The researcher didn’t know who these three women were but luckily someone had labeled them Mrs. Hazlett, Mrs. Barnhart, and Mrs. Callaway. That told me right away who they were. They were three Lankford sisters—Mrs. Hazlett was Julia Lee Lankford Hazlett; Mrs. Barnhart was Jessica Corinne Lankford Barnhart; and Mrs. Callaway was Alice Beman Lankford Callaway, my great-grandmother. I already had a photo of Alice, but didn’t have one for Julia or Jessie so you know how exciting it is to receive a photo and be able to put a face to a name!

Julia Lankford Hazlett, Jessica Lankford Barnhart, and Alice Lankford Callaway

Photo of tombstone from David Slaton, Find A Grave Memorial #39090204

52 Ancestors – no. 40: Anna B. Church – (week 24)

Anna B. Church

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “Heirloom: What heirloom do you treasure? Who gave it to you? What heirloom do you wish you had?” We have several family heirlooms which I’ve already shared on this blog—a handmade baby gown worn by Benjamin Gordon Smith, a water pitcher that belonged to Electra Burnette Smith, a beautiful bubble glass chalk portrait of Bertha Edna Smith—so this week I’d like to share a large, leather bound Bible my husband inherited when my father-in-law passed away this past January. The Bible once belonged to Anna B. Church, my husband’s great-aunt, and has now been passed down at least three generations. The Bible is large—9.5 x 12 x 2.25. The pages inside the Bible are in great shape but unfortunately the spine is torn and falling apart. Anna must have had a thing for four leaf clovers because inside the Bible are lots of dried four leaf clovers along with a dried flower and leaf. Missing, however, is a record of family births, deaths, and marriages. I can’t tell you how disappointing it was to discover that this information wasn’t there! But I won’t dwell on that and will share Anna’s timeline and photos instead.

The Church Girls -
Front: Anna and Martha
Back: Jennie and Dessie

Anna B. Church, daughter of Robert Church and Lucinda Murphy, was born on December 10, 1887 in West Virginia, most likely Wetzel County. Anna was the 5th child of 11—George, Samuel C., James Benton, Jennie F., Anna B., Dessie, Charles Cleveland, Martha, William Henry, Donald Roy, and Presley Church.

On June 9, 1900, 13 year old Anna and her family lived in the Church District of Wetzel County, West Virginia. The census enumerator recorded her as Annie with her birth in February 1887. Her sister Dessie was born in February so perhaps the enumerator confused the month in recording her birth. The enumerator also recorded Anna’s mother Lucinda as the mother of 11 children, 10 of which were living. Anna’s oldest brother George was not recorded with the family so he had apparently died by the time this census was taken.

At the age of 16, Anna married Enos Perry Jackson, a short and stout, blue eyed, brown haired man 11 years her senior. The marriage was performed by James Vanhorn at her parents’ home on July 23, 1903. Perry, born in Silver Hill, Wetzel County, West Virginia on January 19, 1876, was the son of John Josiah Jackson and Lydia Ann Cain. Together Anna and Perry had two children—Otto Virgil Jackson and Carl Edwin Jackson.

Anna’s first son, Virgil, was born in Smithfield, Wetzel County, West Virginia on June 26, 1906.

Left: Full view of Bible
Center: Inside page with color artwork
Right: Regular size Bible sitting on top of Anna's Bible to compare it's size

Dried flower, leaf, and four leaf clovers found inside Anna's Bible

On April 25, 1910, Anna and Perry lived in the Grant District of Wetzel County. Perry was a salesman in a general store. They had a boarder named David Ringer (age 53, widowed, born in Pennsylvania) living in the home with them. Anna’s second son, Carl, was born in Smithfield on July 23, 1910.

Sometime before 1918, Anna and Perry divorced. Perry’s World War I registration card dated September 12, 1918 listed his son Virgil as his nearest relative so it’s assumed that Anna and Perry were divorced by this time. Perry lived in Smithfield at the time and was a clerk at Dragoo Brothers there in Smithfield.

Anna and Everett Evans

Anna married Everett Franklin Evans sometime between 1918 and 1920. Everett, the son of William (Wylie) Evans and K. Jane (maiden name unknown), was born in Marshall County, West Virginia on July 27, 1885. Everett was of medium height and build and had brown eyes and hair. He registered for the World War I draft in Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia on September 19, 1918. He was 33 years old and recorded a birthdate of July 27, 1885. Everett was a teamster with C. A. Harris. His nearest relative was William Evans of Bethany, Butler County, Ohio so I assume the marriage took place after September 1918 or he would have listed Anna as his nearest relative. Anna and Everett lived in Harrison County. They did not have children of their own, nor did they ever own a car. Everett’s nickname was Short or Shorty.

// Revision to original post, April 5, 2020: Several years after posting this, I learned that Anna and Everett did in fact have a child -- a son they named Everett Evans Jr., born on June 22, 1924. Everett Jr. was premature and only lived for nine days. //

On January 19, 1920, Anna and Everett lived alone on Monticello Avenue in Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. Everett was a driver for a truck company. Virgil (age 13) and Carl (age 9) lived with their father, Perry, in Smithfield.

On April 11, 1930, Anna and Everett still lived on Monticello Avenue in Clarksburg. A lodger by the name of Eva Morris (18 years old and single) lived in the home with them. Everett’s occupation was recorded as driver/horses. I’m guessing the photo below had something to do with that! 

Anna’s brother, Samuel C. Church, died in the Church District of Wetzel County on June 22, 1931. He was buried at Thomas Chapel Cemetery in Wetzel County.

Anna’s father, Robert Church, died in Littleton, Wetzel County, West Virginia on November 29, 1932. Her mother, Lucinda Murphy Church, died in Littleton on January 13, 1933. Both were buried at Thomas Chapel Cemetery.

Anna’s sister, Martha Church McIntire, died in Clarksburg, on August 6, 1936. She was buried at Elkview Cemetery in Clarksburg beside her two husbands, brothers Lester and Chester McIntire.

On April 22, 1940, Anna and Everett lived on Crooked Run Road (outside of Gore) in Coal, Harrison County, West Virginia. Everett worked at the Hope Gas Company. The sixth grade was the highest that Anna had completed. Everett attended school through the 5th grade.

Anna’s sister, Dessie Church Murphy, died in Littleton on November 20, 1940. She was buried at Thomas Chapel Cemetery beside her parents.

Anna and Everett Evans

Anna’s first husband Perry died in Smithfield on September 19, 1948. The immediate cause of death was coronary thrombosis (blood clot) due to acute cholecystitis (a sudden swelling and irritation of the gallbladder). It was further noted on the death certificate that it was thought to be gallstones, possibly cancer, however it was not definitely diagnosed. Perry was buried on September 22 at Barker Cemetery in Smithfield. Ann was listed as Perry’s wife on his death certificate dated/signed September 22, 1948. The certificate recorded Anna’s age as 63 years old. Perry was a retired school teacher at the time of his death.

Anna’s brother Charles Cleveland Church died in Littleton on April 12, 1955. He was buried at Anderson-Bethel Cemetery in Littleton.

Anna died of occlusive arterial disease at Weston State Hospital in Weston, Lewis County, West Virginia on March 29, 1959. She was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in Clarksburg. Everett died on April 2, 1964 of an intestinal hemorrhage in Clarksburg and was buried beside Anna. The Harrison County, West Virginia Index and Register of Deaths recorded his occupation as farmer and oil field worker.

Anna is a descendent of Henry “Old Hundred” Church for whom the town of Hundred was named.

Anna had two sons so I’m not sure why we have the Bible instead of Virgil or Carl, but we’ll sure take care of it while it’s in our possession. I may even add a four leaf clover to it if I come across one!

Resources:
Ancestry.com
U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus
West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Vital Records (death)

52 Ancestors – no. 39: Coraleta McWhorter – (week 23)

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “wedding.” I myself am a June bride but I won’t be telling my story. Maybe somewhere down the road (I’m talking way down the road) the “wedding” theme will be repeated for 52 Ancestors and someone else will write my story. Instead, I’m writing about Coraleta McWhorter, another June bride and a member of the prominent McWhorter and Davison families of Greene and Clarke Counties in Georgia. The McWhorter’s and Davison’s were often in the newspapers and the wedding of Coraleta to Charles Julian Davison was definitely newsworthy.

The local reporters wrote descriptive stories detailing the flowers and clothes at the events they covered. I always find them fun to read. Below, along with my regular timeline information, I’m sharing several articles published by the Athens Banner. The first article reports on a social event for Camilla McWhorter in which Coraleta was an attendant. The remaining articles are related to Coraleta’s engagement and marriage to Julian Davison.

Coraleta McWhorter, daughter of James Vason McWhorter Sr. and Cora Stakley, was born November 21, 1890 in Georgia, most likely Greene County. She was the fifth child of seven—Robert L., Charles Stakley, James Vason Jr., Fonville, Coraleta, Lucille, and William Pope McWhorter.

On June 2, 1900, Coraleta lived with her family in the 138th District of Woodville in Greene County, Georgia. The census enumerator listed her birth year as 1891 and an age of 9 years.

Photo of Cox College and Conservatory from:
Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Division of
Archives and History, Office of Secretary of State.

During 1908 and 1909, Coraleta attended Cox College where she was a member of the Sidney Lanier Society. The Atlanta Georgian and News reported on two of the society’s annual celebrations—on February 13, 1908, Coraleta performed a reading of “To the Cuckoo” by William Wordsworth; on April 15, 1909 she played a piano solo by Edvard Grieg.

On April 20 1910, 19 year old Coraleta lived at home. The enumerator didn’t list an occupation for her nor did he indicate that she was in school. Her widowed grandmother, Nancy Pope (Thurman) McWhorter, lived in the home with them. There was also a lodger named Rebecka Cramer and a servant named Homer Cobb living in the home.

On April 23, 1912, the Athens Banner reported on page 2: To Miss Camilla McWhorter. Miss Mary Gerdine entertained yesterday afternoon in compliment to Miss McWhorter. The happy occasion was marked by a delightful informality. Miss Gerdine’s handsome home was beautifully decorated. The spacious rooms were very attractive with great bunches of dogwood blossoms, and crystal vase and baskets of pink roses banked on the mantels and cabinets. Miss McWhorter was presented a dainty piece of lingerie, the exquisite work of the charming hostess. Hand-embroidered handkerchiefs were given for the first prize. After the game delicious refreshments were served at the card tables. The guests present were the popular bride-elect Miss McWhorter, and her attendants, Mrs. Hugh Price, Miss Kathryn Erwin, Miss Mattie Wilson DuBose, Miss Caroleta McWhorter, of Woodville, Miss Annie Carlton, Miss Katie May Arnold, Miss Susie Gerdine, Miss Marion Gerdine, Mrs. Edgeworth Lamkin.

On May 6, 1913, the Athens Banner reported on page 2: M’Whorter-Davison. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Vason McWhorter, of Woodville, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Coraleta, to Mr. Charles Julian Davison, the marriage to take place Wednesday evening, June 19th, in the Baptist church at Woodville. Miss McWhorter is one of Greene county’s brightest and prettiest girls. She is a niece of Judge Hamilton McWhorter, of Athens. Mr. Davison is a prosperous young merchant of Woodville, and is the son of Mr. Robt. E. Davison, chairman of the prison commission of the state. He is a nephew of Mr. Alex Davison, of Athens.

On May 30, 1913, the Athens Banner reported on page 2: McWhorter-Davison. The following invitation has been received in the city. Mr. and Mrs. James Vason McWhorter request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Coraleta to Mr. Charles Julian Davison on the evening of Thursday the nineteenth of June at half after eight o’clock. Baptist Church, Woodville, Georgia.

Coraleta married Charles Julian Davison, son of Robert Emmett Davison and Harriett Eliza Armstrong, on June 19, 1913 at Woodville Baptist Church in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. From the many news articles I’ve found, her husband went by Julian. Together they had two children—Robert McWhorter Davison and Charles Julian Davison Jr.

On June 21, 1913, the Athens Banner reported on page 2: McWhorter-Davison. The beautiful and interesting wedding of Miss Coralita McWhorter and Mr. Julian Davison was solemnized Thursday evening at the home of the bride in Woodville, Ga. The ceremony took place at the church in the presence of a large assemblage of friends. Rev. John Davison performed the ceremony. The bride was given in marriage by her brother, Prof. R. L. McWhorter of the University. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Lucile McWhorter, as maid of honor. The maids were Miss Sallie McWhorter, of Athens, Miss Sallie Davison and Miss Laride Turner, of Macon. The groom’s brother, Mr. Henry Davison, was best man. The groomsmen were Mr. Neil Gorman, Mr. Fondrill McWhorter, of Atlanta, and Mr. John Hudson. The ushers were Mr. Hart Sibley, of Union Point; Mr. Emmett Davison, of Woodville, and Mr. Jim Davison, of Greensboro. Miss Helen Davison presided at the organ accompanied by Mrs. J. K. Hackett, aunt of the bride, who rendered several beautiful vocal selections before the entrance of the wedding party. The handsome young bride was lovely in her gown of white charmeuse trimmed with exquisite lace and pearls. Her soft veil was caught with bunches of orange blossoms. She carried a shower bouquet of bride’s roses and lilies. The maids were charming in picturesque gowns of green satin veiled with pink embroidered chiffon and carried numerous bouquets of Killarney roses. The church decorations were very handsome. Five white columns encircled the altar which were twined with smilax and pink and white roses. The background was formed of stately palms. The marriage ceremony was followed by a brilliant reception at the home of Mrs. R. E. Davison. The presents were very handsome attesting their popularity. The wedding of these young people was an event of state wide interest both being connected with the oldest and most prominent families of the south. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. V. McWhorter, of Woodville, and a relative of Judge Hamilton McWhorter’s family. Mr. Davison the groom is a nephew of Mr. Alex Davison. The wedding was characterized by elaborate and beautiful details for which happy event many out-of-town visitors were present.

Julian listed Coraleta as his nearest relative when he registered for the World War I draft on September 12, 1918. They lived in Woodville. Julian was a farmer and a merchant.

On January 8, 1920, Coraleta, Julian (enumerated as Charles J.), and their son Robert lived on Rail Road Street in the 138th District of Woodville. Julian’s parents lived two doors away.

Coraleta’s father James died in Woodville on November 27, 1920. He was buried at Woodville Cemetery. It appears that Coraleta’s mother later married a Mr. Jackson. I base this on Find A Grave Memorial# 52989817 for a Cora Stakely Jackson who was born June 1857, the same month and year I had for Cora Stakley. Obviously I need to prove this so will look for some sort of documentation.

On April 16, 1930, Coraleta and her family still lived in the 138th District of Woodville. Her husband, enumerated as Julian, was a merchant in a dry goods store. Her son Charles Jr. was enumerated as Mac.

Coraleta’s husband, Julian, died on June 22, 1934 at the age of 55 in Greene County, Georgia. He was buried at Woodville Cemetery, leaving Coraleta a widow at age 44.

Coraleta’s mother, Cora, died on January 28, 1937. She was buried at Woodville Cemetery.

On April 3, 1940, Coraleta still lived in the 138th District of Woodville. Her brother William Pope McWhorter lived with her and her two sons. The enumerator didn’t list an occupation for Coraleta. The census record indicated that Coraleta had attended college for three years.

Coraleta’s brother Charles died in San Diego, San Diego County, California on September 21, 1954. He was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego after serving in the U.S. Navy during World Wars I and II.

Coraleta died at the age of 90 in Union Point, Greene County, Georgia on October 27, 1981. She was buried beside her husband at Woodville Cemetery.
 

References

Ancestry.com

Athens Historic Newspapers Archive, Georgia Historic Newspapers, Digital Library of Georgia

North Georgia Historic Newspapers Archive, Georgia Historic Newspapers, Digital Library of Georgia

Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Division of Archives and History, Office of Secretary of State

52 Ancestors – no. 38: Mary Lou Barnhart (week 22)

Mary Lou Barnhart (1929)

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “Commencement” and when I sat down to think about who I could blog about, Mary Lou Barnhart immediately came to mind. Several years ago I found a lovely photo of her graduating class from Greensboro High School so I figured why not share it. There may be other researchers looking for one of the students in her class.

Mary Lou Barnhart, daughter of Seaborn Brice Barnhart and Jessica Corinne Lankford, was born March 16, 1909 in Georgia (most likely Greene County). She was an only child.

On April 20, 1910, one year old Mary Lou lived with her parents on Watson Spring Road in the Branch division of Greene County, Georgia. Her father was an overseer on a farm. There were two servants living in the home, John Jorden and Willie Cosby, both farm laborers.

On January 20, 1920, Mary Lou and her family lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. Her Uncle Vincent Thomas Langford, his first wife Maude, and their five children lived four doors from them.

Jessie (Lankford) Barnhart, Mary Lou Barnhart, and Seaborn Brice Barnhart

Mary Lou graduated from Greensboro High School in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia in 1927. She then attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia, graduating in 1931. The photo at the beginning of this blog entry appeared in the college yearbook in 1929, her sophomore year.

Photo from Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Division of Archives and History, Office of Secretary of State. Greensboro High School graduating class, Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. Members of the 1927 graduating class at Greensboro High School. They are holding their diplomas and the girls are also holding flower bouquets. Bottom row, left to right: Mildred Powell, Mildred Royal, Martha Morgan, Mary Lou Barnhart, Mary Royal, Katie Moore, Catherine Hall, Fannie Slaton. Middle row: Winston Reynolds, Frances Hall, William Brown, Norenne Holcombe, Horace Brook, Pauline English, John Patton, Evelyn Overton, Emory Campbell, Katherine Taylor, Claude Wills, Anita Boswell, Edwin Arnold, Carolyn Scott. Top row: James Bryan, Robert O’Kelley, Harold Cawthon, Thomas Johnston, Raymond O’Neal, Fred Barry, Tom McGibony, James Brown, Robert Hackney, William Merritt.

On April 23, 1930, Mary Lou and her family still lived in Penfield. Her widowed great-aunt, Nannie Lankford, aged 77, lived with them.

Mary Lou and son Grady Jr. (1941)

Mary Lou married Grady Overton Jackson, Sr., son of William F. Jackson and Mattie Lay. Together they had one son, Grady Overton Jackson, Jr.

On April 11, 1940, Mary Lou and Grady lived on South Street in Greensboro. Mary Lou was a grammar school teacher. Their son Grady Jr. was born in Greene County on September 19, 1940.

Mary Lou’s mother, Jessie Lankford Barnhart, died in Greensboro on August 1, 1951. Mary Lou’s father Brice Barnhart died in Greene County on October 3, 1961. Mary Lou’s husband Grady Sr. died in Greensboro on March 28, 1978. Mary Lou died in Austell, Cobb County, Georgia on April 6, 1997. All four were buried side by side at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield.

I’m glad I decided to blog about Mary Lou. After finding her college photo/information, I realized I had posted incorrect information for her son, Grady Jr. Mary Lou was still in college when I had her giving birth to Grady Jr. I’m sure she wouldn’t appreciate me portraying her as an unwed mother when that wasn’t the case!

Penfield Cemetery

52 Ancestors – no. 37: Roy Holland – (week 21)

Roy Holland, son of Elijah Jeffers Holland and Cornelia Jane (Janie) Dove, was born July 12, 1897 in Deep Springs, Whitfield County, Georgia. He was the first child of four—Roy, Nellie, and Samuel Jackson Holland. There was a fourth child, born and died before June 14, 1900 according to census records for that year. The enumerator recorded Janie as the mother of three children, two of which were living. This census record entry is the only proof I have found of Elijah and Janie having had four children. The fourth child, Sam, wasn’t born until 1904.

On June 14, 1900, Roy lived with his family in Hart County, Georgia. His father was a farmer. There was an 18 year old boarder named Charley Williams living in the home. The family lived seven houses from Sallie Dove Bowers, his aunt. Roy’s grandmother Amanda Holland Dove lived with Aunt Sallie.

Sometime between 1900 and 1910, the family moved back to Whitfield County. My aunt remembers hearing the story of Elijah and his family traveling to Dalton in a covered wagon.

On May 4, 1910, Roy lived with his family in Whitfield County, Georgia. Roy was enumerated with an occupation of farm laborer.

Roy’s father died in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia on March 4, 1915. He was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton.

New Year’s Day was devastating for the Holland family when Roy died on January 1, 1919 in Deep Springs. He was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton. Roy’s obituary ran in the North Georgia Citizen on January 2, 1919: 

Roy Holland, aged 21 years, a popular young resident of Deep Spring section, died Wednesday. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. C. Maples, interment being in Deep Spring cemetery. 

The following news article was published in The Dalton Citizen on January 16, 1919:

On January 1, 1919, the angel of death entered the home of Mrs. E. J. Holland and took away her darling boy, Roy.

She loved her boy, but God loved him best.

Death came to the humble home and spread darkness and sorrow there. We often feel that we cannot go on in the remainder of life after a beloved one has been taken—such has been the experience of human hearts all down through the ages.

Death is no respecter of persons—the high, the low, the great, the small, the good, the bad, the young, the old. Roy was in the bloom of life. He was only twenty-one years of age.

How little it appeared that in so short a time he would be cold in death! Surely we are in the midst of death, and none are beyond its reach. To the broken-hearted mother, sister and brother we say, “weep not for your boy and loving brother, for he has just gone on before to wait for us on the other side. He is walking on streets of gold, waving his hand for our coming. We would say he is still in the hands of the same loving Father and He will deal with him the best that love can suggest.”

We miss thy kind and willing hand,
     Thy fond and earnest care;
Our home is dark without thee—
     We miss thee everywhere.

Written by his cousin who loved him, Sula Ledford, Ringgold, Ga.

Ursula G. Bowers Ledford, or Sula as she was apparently called, was the daughter of Sallie M. Dove. Sallie was Janie Dove Holland’s sister making Roy and Sula cousins.