Amanda (Hall) Holland sells Georgia land

This legal record is a deed documenting the transfer of property ownership—80 acres described as the north half of land lot number 184 in the Tenth District and Third Section of Whitfield County, Georgia—from Amanda Holland to W. R. Hammontree. Amanda (Hall) Holland was the second wife of my 2nd great-grandfather, Leroy Thomas Holland, who passed away on May 4, 1892, in Beaverdale, Whitfield County, Georgia. Leroy purchased the land after moving from Anderson County, South Carolina, to Whitfield County around January 1891. I descend through Leroy’s first wife, Amanda Elizabeth Scott.

This deed corroborates what Leroy and Amanda’s son, Aaron Hall Holland, shared in a 1964 letter to my grandfather detailing Hall/Holland family history. I included some of what he wrote in a sketch about Amanda that I wrote in 2015. You can read that here. Essentially, Aaron mentioned that in 1894, the Holland family (Amanda and her sons Aaron, Lawrence, and Joseph) were ordered off land owned by their friend George Brownlee in Whitfield County, where they had lived since moving from Anderson. Following this, Amanda moved the family to 80 acres of land Leroy had purchased adjacent to Brownlee’s land. Amanda worked hard to make the land viable for them, but after much encouragement and an offer from her brother she could not refuse, she sold the 80 acres and moved to Alief, Harris County, Texas. Aaron believed she sold the land for $100, but it appears it was $150. She was already in Texas when she signed the deed over to Hammontree on December 6, 1899. This deed ensures that Hammontree legally owned the specified property in Whitfield County and that Amanda Holland transferred all her rights to him.

Amanda Holland, Deed to Wm. R. Hammontree.

N. 1/2 N. Lot No. 184 10th & 3rd.

State of Texas, County of Harris. 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: 

That I, Amanda Holland, of the County of Harris and State of Texas, in consideration of the sum of one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars cash in hand paid by W. R. Hammontree, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have granted, sold, and conveyed, and by these presents do grant, sell and convey unto the said W. R. Hammontree of the County of Whitfield and State of Georgia, all that certain tract of land, viz: The North half of land lot number one hundred and eighty-four (184) of land in the Tenth District and Third Section containing eighty (80) acres, more or less. 

Said land being situated in the County of Whitfield and State of Georgia. 

To have and to hold the above described premises together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging unto the said W. R. Hammontree, his heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said W. R. Hammontree, his heirs and assigns against every other person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. 

Witness my hand at Alief, Texas this 6th day of December A.D. 1899.

(R. S. 50) Amanda Holland.

State of Texas, County of Harris. 

Before me A. M. Smith, Notary Public in and for Harris County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Amanda Holland known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that she executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. 

Given under my hand and seal at office this 6th day of December 1899.

(Seal) A. M. Smith, Notary Public, Harris County, Texas.

Filed, recorded, and certified for June 20th, 1902. 

Clerk.

This was the second time I found a record that corroborates the family history Aaron Holland shared with my grandfather in 1964. In 2016, I wrote about two news articles I found in the Anderson Intelligencer. The first article described how Amanda and her boys survived the historic 1900 Galveston hurricane. The second article detailed a fire in Whitfield County that destroyed their livelihood when their corn, cotton seed, and fodder were lost in a fire on George Brownlee’s land. You can read about both articles here.

Reference

• An Appeal to the Charitable. Beaverdale, Whitefield [sic] Co., GA, The Anderson Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, December 20, 1893.
• Former Resident Dies in Texas, The Anderson Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, January 3, 1915.
• History of Aaron Hall and Clementina Ann (Norris) Hall, letter written by Aaron Hall Holland to Samuel Jackson Holland, May 15, 1964.
• Mr. Lee Holland, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, May 12, 1892.
• Sad Letter from Texas, The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, September 19, 1900.
• Whitfield County, Georgia, Land Records March 1901–December 1903, image 198, FamilySearch.

Lucy sold to Henry Karr, 1791

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

Know all men by these presents that, I, Francis Woodward, of Greene County, State of Georgia, have this day bargained, sold, and delivered unto Henry Karr of the County of Greene and State aforesaid, one negro girl named Lucy, about eleven or twelve years old for the valuable consideration of forty-five pounds Sterling to me in hand by the said Henry Karr before the sale and delivering of these presents the Receipt whereof hereby acknowledge and I do by these presents now and forever defend the said negro girl to the said Henry Karr, his heirs or assigns forever from the right claim or title of any other person or persons whatsoever whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of June 1791.

Francis Woodward

Test
Joseph Cook
John Burton

Recorded this 22nd day of March 1792.
E. Parks

Reference

Greene, Land Records 1785–1793, Enslavement Records 1785–1793, image 528, FamilySearch. 

Elizabeth Durie

Elizabeth Durie was born in 1853 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of James Durie and Jane Liddell Braidwood, and the third of nine children: Mary, Agnes, Elizabeth, George, Jemima, Andrewina, John, Robert, and Jane. Elizabeth is the second great-aunt of my husband, with their nearest common relatives being her parents. Elizabeth’s sister, Jemima, is my husband’s direct ancestor.

On April 7, 1861, the Durie family resided at 62 Brown Street in the District of Clyde, St. George civil parish, Glasgow. Elizabeth’s father, an engine smith, specialized in making and repairing engine parts, similar to the work of a blacksmith. At that time, the family included six children: Mary (11), Elizabeth (10), George (8), Jemima (4), Andrewina (2), and John (3 months). One sister, Agnes, born around 1851, had likely passed away. Elizabeth, Mary, and George were scholars, attending school.

1861 Scotland census

Just a week after the census was taken, Elizabeth’s sister Andrewina contracted dothinenteritis, also known as typhoid fever. She passed away at home on May 26, 1861, after enduring the disease for six weeks. In addition, Andrewina suffered from “water in the head” (hydrocephalus) for two weeks before her death. She was laid to rest at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow.

By 1871, Elizabeth and her family had relocated to 22 Pitt Street in the Blythswood District of Barony, County Lanarkshire, Scotland. The 1871 census record lists six children in the household: Mary (21), Elizabeth (20), George (18, listed as “Gane”), Jemima (14, listed as “Lemma”), John (10), and Robert (8). Elizabeth was unemployed, while her father worked as an engine fitter. Her sisters Mary and Jemima were employed as warehouse girls, and George worked as an iron turner. Both John and Robert were scholars. 

1871 Scotland census

Elizabeth married John Alexander, the son of James Alexander and Isabella Wallace, according to the banns in Scotland. Their marriage took place on February 21, 1873, in Tradeston, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. John, a journeyman baker, and Elizabeth both resided at 22 Pitt Street in Glasgow, likely a tenement-style home. At the time of their marriage, Elizabeth was 20 years old and John was 24.

Elizabeth Durie and John Alexander’s marriage record

Elizabeth and John had eight children: Jane Braidwood Alexander, John Alexander, George Alexander, Robert Alexander, Mary Alexander, James Alexander, William Alexander, and Alexander Alexander. Jane was born in 1874 and John in 1879, both in Partick, a village in Glasgow. George was born in 1881 in Rosneath, Dunbartonshire. Robert was born in 1883 and Mary in 1886, both in Kilcreggan and Cove, County Dunbartonshire. James was born in 1889, William in 1891, and Alexander in 1896, all in Anderston, County Lanarkshire. Anderston was a village in Glasgow.

In 1881, Elizabeth, John, and their children Jane and John lived at Clachan House No. 13 in the civil parish of Rosneath, County Dumbartonshire, Scotland. John was employed as a baker.

1881 Scotland census

By 1891, the Alexander family had grown substantially, adding five children since the last census. They resided at 194a Main Street in Anderston. John continued his work as a baker, while their daughter Jane worked as a seamstress. Sons John, George, and Robert, along with daughter Mary, were all attending school. Their youngest child, William, was just seven months old. The census also noted that two rooms in their house had one or more windows, a detail used to assess housing conditions and public health at the time.

1891 Scotland census

On December 14, 1900, Elizabeth’s daughter, Jane, married Alexander Bilsland, the son of Robert Bilsland and Margaret Semple. The wedding took place in Anderston, following the publication of banns according to the Forms of the United Free Church of Scotland. At the time, Robert worked as a carter, responsible for transporting goods using a cart and horse, while Jane was employed as a laundress. One of the witnesses to the marriage was John Alexander, who could have been either Elizabeth’s husband or her son.

By 1901, the Alexander family had moved to 7 North Street in the Sandyford ward of Anderston. Their new home, now with three windows, was apparently larger than their previous residence in 1891. Elizabeth’s husband, John, continued his work as a baker. Four of their children were now employed: John worked as a grocer’s shopkeeper, George as an apprentice house painter, Robert as a bonded storekeeper, and Mary as a paper bag maker. James and William were both attending school, and the family had welcomed another son, Alexander.

1901 Scotland census

Elizabeth passed away at their home at 40 Overnewton Street in Anderston on February 23, 1911. Her death was attributed to hemiplegia, a form of paralysis affecting the right side of her body, which she had endured for three years. This condition was likely caused by a stroke. 

Elizabeth Durie Alexander’s death record

Elizabeth was laid to rest in lair 384 at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery on February 25, 1911. The lair holder was her brother, John Durie.

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery interment record for Elizabeth

A month and a half later, Elizabeth’s widowed husband, John, was recorded in the census along with six of their eight children, the youngest being 14 years old. Everyone in the household was employed. John worked as a bread maker, George as a house painter, Robert as a bonded storekeeper, James as a sheet metal worker, Mary as a paper bag maker, William as a storekeeper, and Alexander as a messenger.

1911 Scotland census

 In 1912, John married his second wife, Margaret Cockburn Brown. 

John Alexander and Margaret Cockburn Brown’s marriage record

The witnesses to the marriage were Andrew Lane Wark and Eleanor Wark. Interestingly, Elizabeth’s sister Mary Durie married Robert Wark in 1892. There might be a connection between the Wark families, but I have not been able to confirm this in my research so far.

References

• Alexander Alexander, Statutory registers Births 644/10 1394, National Records of Scotland, 1896.
• Andrina Durie, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/5 442, National Records of Scotland, 1861.
• Andrina Durie, Weekly interment book, nos. 1–8950, 1855–1861, Weekly installments paid on lairs, 1901–1963, Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, image 236, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH8-P972-9?i=235&cat=1323530. 
• Diseases on Scottish death certificates from 1855, Diseases and Medical Terms; http://www.scotlandsfamily.com/medical-diseases.htm. 
• Elizabeth Alexander, Daily interment books, December 1897–August 1912, Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, image 759; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-N3ZK-147Z?cat=1323530. 
• Elizabeth Alexander, Scotland census 502/12/18, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Elizabeth Alexander, Scotland census 644/10 37/3, National Records of Scotland, 1901.
• Elizabeth Alexander, Scotland census 644/10 46/21, National Records of Scotland, 1891.
• Elizabeth Durie, Statutory registers Deaths 644/11 103, National Records of Scotland, 1911.
• Elizabeth Durie, Statutory registers Marriages 644/9 127, National Records of Scotland, 1873.
• George Alexander, Statutory registers Births 502/1 8, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• James Alexander, Statutory registers Births 644/10 202, National Records of Scotland, 1889.
• Jane Alexander, Statutory registers Marriages 644/10 395, National Records of Scotland, 1900.
• Jane Braidwood Alexander, Statutory registers Births 646/3 1117, National Records of Scotland, 1874.
• John Alexander, Scotland census 644/11 23/14, National Records of Scotland, 1911.
• John Alexander, Statutory registers Births 646/2 646, National Records of Scotland, 1879.
• John Alexander, Statutory registers Deaths 644/22 179, National Records of Scotland, 1920.
• John Durie, Scotland census 644/69/19, National Records of Scotland, 1871.
• Mary Alexander, Statutory registers Births 502/2 2, National Records of Scotland, 1886.
• Robert Alexander, Statutory registers Births 502/2 22, National Records of Scotland, 1883.
• Smith, Sarah, Genealogy, Old Occupations, Scotland, What is a Carter?, Unlock Your Past, June 21, 2024; https://www.unlockyourpast.co.uk/old-occupation-carter/.
• William Alexander, Statutory registers Births 644/10 272, National Records of Scotland, 1891.

Isham, Thornton, Jack, and Greene, servants of Mary Ann H. Findley and John H. Broughton

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

Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, December 10, 1857

Executors’ Sale.

By virtue of the last Will and Testament of John H. Broughton, late of Greene county deceased, will be sold in front of the Court-House door in the city of Greenesboro’, on the first Tuesday in January next, between the legal hours of sale, the following named negroes—to-wit: Isham about 46 years of age, a tolerable plantation smith; Thornton, about 45 years old, a good plantation carpenter.

Terms cash.

J. L. BROUGHTON, J. T. BROUGHTON. Exr’s.
Greenesboro’, Ga., Nov. 13th, 1857.—48 

The Georgia Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, January 21, 1858

Administrator’s Sale.

Will be sold on the first Tuesday in February next, before the Court House in Greenesboro’ between the legal hours of sale, two negroes, viz: Jack about 17 years old and Greene about 18 years old. Sold as the property of Mary Ann H. Findley dec’d, under an order of the Court of ordinary of Greene county. Terms cash.

S. M. FINDLEY, Adm’r.
Greenesboro, Ga, December 7th, 1857. 

References

• Executors’ Sale, Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, December 10, 1857.
• Administrator’s Sale, The Georgia Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, January 21, 1858.

Stanley Stewart Smith

Stanley Stewart Smith, born on January 11, 1919, in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, was the son of Howard “Smitty” Stanley Smith and Myrtle Mary Stewart. He was the eldest of three children, with a sister named Alma Margaret Smith and a brother named Richard Franklin Smith. Stewart is the first cousin once removed of my husband, sharing common ancestors John Milton Smith and Amanda Larimer Horne, my husband’s great-grandparents. It seems Stewart’s first name honors his father’s middle name, while his middle name is a tribute to his mother’s maiden name.

Stanley and his parents, Howard and
Myrtle (Stewart) Smith

On April 28, 1919, Stanley was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Apollo.

Roll of Infant Church Members, Apollo First Presbyterian Church

On January 12, 1920, Stanley and his family resided with his widowed maternal grandmother, Mary B. Stewart, and his uncle, Harry H. Stewart, on the south side of North Fourth Street in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. His grandmother owned the home outright. At just 11 months old, Stanley was the only child of his parents. His father worked as a clerk in a mill office, while his uncle Harry was a hardware merchant. All the adults in the household were literate.

Stanley Smith

Stanley and his sister Alma

Alma and Stanley

On April 11, 1930, the Smith family lived in a home valued at $3,000, owned by Stanley’s parents, in the First Ward of Apollo. The home was equipped with a radio. They resided 10 houses away from Georgia (Anna McIlwain) and Charles Austin, Stanley’s half first cousin once removed. His father worked as a hardware merchant. By this time, Stanley had a sister, Alma, aged 8, and a brother, Richard, aged 5.

Stanley, Alma, and their mother Myrtle

Stanley attended Jeannette High School in Jeannette, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1936. During his time there, he was a member of the junior varsity football team.

Stanley Smith (1936)

On April 4, 1940, the family continued to reside in the same home they had lived in since 1930, with the home’s value remaining at $3,000. Stanley, now 21, worked part-time as a mortician’s helper. His father remained employed as a hardware store salesman. His sister Alma, aged 18, assisted their mother with household duties, while his brother Richard, aged 15, was a high school student.

Stanley registered for the World War II draft in Apollo on October 16, 1940. He was described as having brown eyes, blonde hair, and a light complexion. He stood 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 132 pounds. At the time, he still lived with his parents in their Apollo home and worked at a funeral home operated by Elmer Buzzard. Stanley listed his father as the person who would always know his address.

Stanley’s World War II draft registration card

Stanley entered active service as a private with the U.S. Army Air Corps in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, on March 14, 1942. He remained in the States until October 6, 1942, when he was deployed overseas. He served in foreign assignments from October 7, 1942, until March 16, 1945, when he returned to the United States. Stanley was honorably discharged from active service at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina, on October 21, 1945.

Stanley married Gladys Margaret Wiant, the daughter of George Thomas Bruce Wiant and Laura C. Shook, on February 21, 1942, in Wellsburg, Brooke County, West Virginia. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. William J. Frayer of the Assembly of God Church. At the time of their marriage, Stanley was 23 years old, and Gladys was 21. The couple had at least one child, a son, whose name I will not disclose due to privacy reasons.

Stanley Smith and Gladys Wiant marriage certificate

Stanley submitted a U.S. Veteran Compensation Application on January 20, 1950. On March 23, 1950, he was awarded a total of $500, with $140 for domestic service and $360 for foreign service.

On April 8, 1950, Stanley and Gladys lived with her parents on Harrison Avenue in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Stanley worked as a drill press operator at a steel foundry. His mother-in-law owned a retail furniture store, while his 70-year-old father-in-law was apparently retired. Gladys stayed home to manage the household.

Stanley’s father, Howard, passed away at his Apollo residence on January 14, 1961, after suffering another heart attack. He was laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. Howard had dedicated 38 years of service as the Apollo Borough Council secretary.

At some point, Stanley and Gladys divorced. On August 2, 1977, the Simpson’s Leader-Times in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, reported that Stanley intended to marry Madeline Ann Deitz of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. Although I have not found an official marriage record for the couple, Madeline gave birth to a son on December 24, 1977, at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. I have identified the name of this son but will not disclose it for privacy reasons. The couple may have had an additional son and a daughter, but I have been unable to confirm this.

Stanley’s mother, Myrtle, passed away at home in Apollo on September 5, 1978, and was laid to rest beside Stanley’s father at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. His brother, Richard, tragically died in an automobile accident in Kiski Township on May 29, 1984, just one month after his retirement. Richard was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Stanley moved to Venice, Sarasota County, Florida, in 1987.

Stanley’s sister, Alma, passed away in Kiski Township, Armstrong County, on November 9, 1992, and was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. I recall that my mother-in-law was close to Alma. Stanley, the last surviving member of his immediate family, passed away at Hospice House in Venice on June 24, 1998. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and three grandchildren. Unfortunately, I have been unable to determine Stanley’s final resting place.

Stanley worked as a heating and air conditioning specialist at the U.S. Steel Research Center in Monroeville for 27 years. He was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church in Apollo and belonged to the Venice American Legion.

During my research, I found his name recorded as both Stanley and Stewart in roughly equal measure. For this sketch, I have chosen to use Stanley as his first name, as it was recorded that way in his obituary.

 References

• Births, Simpson’s Leader-Times, Kittanning, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1977.
• Editorial, Howard S. Smith, newspaper unknown, January 20, 1960 [sic].
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216213786/laura_c-wiant: accessed August 9, 2024), memorial page for Laura C. Shook Wiant (14 May 1886–24 Jul 1978), Find a Grave Memorial ID 216213786, citing Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA; maintained by Barbara Guyer (contributor 48203289).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35258349/george_thomas_bruce-wiant: accessed August 9, 2024), memorial page for George Thomas Bruce Wiant (21 Nov 1879–23 May 1951), Find a Grave Memorial ID 35258349, citing Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA; maintained by G. Stoecklein (contributor 46965842).
• Gladys Margaret (Wiant) MacLean obituary, Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Apollo, Pennsylvania; https://www.curranfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Gladys-Margaret-Wiant-MacLean?obId=2821311#/obituaryInfo. 
• Marriage Intentions, Simpson’s Leader-Times, Kittanning, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1977.
• Myrtle M. Smith obituary, newspaper unknown, September 1978.
• Stanley S. Smith, formerly of Apollo, obituary, newspaper unknown, June 1998.
• Stanley S. Smith, Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Applications, WWII, 1950.
• Stanley S. Smith, Social Security Death Index.
• Stanley S. Smith, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938–1946.
• Stanley S. Smith, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850–2010.
• Stanley Stewart Smith, Florida Death Index, 1877–1998.
• Stanley Stewart Smith, Pennsylvania, Apollo First Presbyterian Church, Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, 1910–1919; U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1743–1970.
• Stanley Stewart Smith, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.
• Stewart Smith, Jeannette High School, 1936; U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900–2016.
• U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1930, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1950. 

Tab, Lavina, Jourdan, Betsy, and child sold to Nicholas Lewis

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

Georgia, Greene County.

Know all men by these presents that, I, Thomas J. Moore, of the state and county aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen hundred and two dollars to me in hand paid have bargained, sold, and delivered unto Nicholas Lewis the following negroes to wit: Tab, Lavina, Jourdan, Betsy, and Tab’s youngest child, and I do for myself and my heirs hereby warrant and forever defend the right and title in and to said negroes and their increase to the said Nicholas Lewis, his heirs and assigns forever against the claim and demand of myself and my heirs and against the claims and demand of all other persons whatsoever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th September 1813.

Thomas J. Moore (seal)

Witness
Wm. G Grimes

Recorded 10th September 1814
John Bethune, Clk.

Reference

• Greene County, Deeds 1810–1811, 1811–1815, 1816–1818, image 324; www.familysearch.org. 

Homer J. Lankford

Homer J. Lankford, born in July 1870 in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, was the son of James C. Lankford and Mary Ann Wilson. His family was large, consisting of 10 children: Homer J. Lankford, Alice Beman Lankford, Julia Lee Lankford, Jessica Corinne Lankford, James Vason Lankford, Mary Corrine Lankford, Nathan Lawrence Lankford, Vincent Thomas Langford, Oliver Wilson Lankford, and Lillie Della Lankford. As my 2nd great-uncle, our nearest common relatives are his parents.

On June 10, 1880, the Lankford family resided in Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Homer, aged 10, was listed as ‘at home’ in the census. Although he attended school, he struggled with reading but could write. His father worked as a blacksmith, and his mother managed the household. Homer had three sisters—Alice, Julia, and Jessie—but none of them were attending school at the time. Their neighbors included Homer’s grandparents, James Meriweather Lankford, his wife Caroline (Hobbs), his 27-year-old uncle Ernest, aunts Laura (aged 23) and Marion (aged 21), and cousins Walter (aged 8) and Julius Wilson (aged 6), grandsons of James and Caroline. These boys were the sons of Emma Lankford Wilson, a daughter of James and Caroline who had likely passed away. Although I discovered Emma’s grave at Penfield Cemetery about 10 years ago, unfortunately, only her name was scratched into a stone. Recently, while researching historical newspapers, I found an article that might pertain to Emma, although I cannot definitively confirm it. It was the only record for the death of a woman with the surname Wilson that I could find.

The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, April 6, 1877
—There have been several deaths in the county within the last week. A Mrs. Wilson was burned to death near Maxey’s while burning off a straw field last week. …

On April 30, 1894, Homer married Leslie ‘Lessie’ Burton in Greene County. The ceremony was performed by John J. Daniel, a Justice of the Peace. Leslie’s parents were George W. Burton and Mattie Parham. Leslie had a twin sister named Jessie Burton. Jessie went on to marry George Washington Lankford Jr., who was a descendant of Curtis Caldwell Lankford and brother of James Meriweather Lankford.

Homer Lankford and Lessie Burton marriage certificate

On June 4, 1900, Homer and Leslie resided in a rented home in Woodville. Having been married for six years, they did not yet have any children. The census records indicate a nine-year age difference between the couple. Homer worked as a farmer, and both he and Leslie were literate, able to read, write, and speak English.

On September 30, 1902, Homer (aged 27 years, 2 months) enlisted in the Field Artillery division of the U.S. Army at Houston, Texas, under the command of Captain McClain, for a period of three years. The Field Artillery played a crucial role in providing artillery support during various conflicts and wars. Homer’s occupation at the time of enlistment was as a laborer. His physical description included blue eyes, dark brown hair, and a fair complexion. His height was recorded as 5’8”. Homer’s service was relatively short. He was discharged on December 9, 1902, at Presidio, San Francisco, California, after serving during the Philippine Insurrection for less than two months. In 1902, the Presidio served as a base for troops sent to the Philippines during both the Spanish-American War and the Philippine War.

U.S. Army Register of Enlistments

The paper trail for Homer ends with the Register of Enlistments, leaving unresolved details about his death. He likely died sometime between late December 1902 and before the 1910 census was taken. According to Find-A-Grave, Homer was buried at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Warfield, Putnam County, Georgia, but the date of his passing remains unrecorded. My request for a photo of his tombstone submitted in August 2020, has yet to be fulfilled.

As for his parents, James C. Lankford passed away on January 21, 1908, in Greene County. Mary, Homer’s mother, followed on March 26, 1919, in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. Both were laid to rest at Penfield Cemetery.

References

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132903343/homer_j-lankford: accessed July 30, 2024), memorial page for Homer J. Lankford (Jul 1870–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 132903343, citing Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Warfield, Putnam County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Jack Wooten (contributor 49753579).
• History and Park Making at the Presidio, Presidio, https://presidio.gov/about/history. 
• Homer J. Lankford, Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Homer Lankford, U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798–1914.
• Mr. J. C. Lankford, obituary, newspaper unknown, January 1908.
• Mrs. Wilson, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, April 6, 1877.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 234, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900.