Frances J. Burnett

Frances J. Burnett was born on September 24, 1859, in Georgia, the daughter of Joseph B. Burnett and Drucilla Henson. Before Frances’ birth, Drucilla had been married to William Caton, with whom she had three children: Samuel Pride, Edward George, and Mary Elizabeth. After William’s death, Drucilla married Joseph Burnett sometime after 1845, and the couple had four children together: Madison T., Frances J., Laura, and Jane Burnett. Samuel and Edward adopted the Burnett surname following their mother’s remarriage. Frances is my half 3rd great aunt, our shared ancestor being her mother, Drucilla Henson.

By June 26, 1860, the blended Burnett–Caton household was living in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia. Joseph worked as a miller and held a personal estate valued at $100. Drucilla’s older children—Samuel, Edward, and Elizabeth—were still at home. Samuel, then a young farmer, held a small estate valued at $30. Frances, an infant at the time, was the youngest in a household that included her parents, her brother Madison, and her older half‑siblings. Sometime between 1860 and 1862, the family relocated to Newton County, Georgia, where they remained throughout the 1860s.

Frances grew up during the Civil War, a conflict that deeply affected her family. Her two older brothers, Samuel and Edward Burnett, both served in the Confederate Army, and each was taken prisoner—Samuel in Virginia in 1864, and Edward twice, first in 1862 and again in 1864. Both young men endured harsh conditions in Union prison camps before eventually returning home.

On September 22, 1870, the Burnetts were living in Conyers, Newton County. Only two children remained in the home: Frances (12) and Laura (10). Joseph continued working as a miller, while Drucilla kept the household. The Burnetts lived next door to the family of John M. Overton, brother‑in‑law to Frances’ half‑brother Samuel, who had married Millicent “Virginia” Overton. Other Overton relatives—including Abijah and Elizabeth Overton and Elizabeth Wooley—lived nearby. I descend directly from Abijah and Virginia Overton, linking my family to Frances’ through both the Henson and Overton lines.

On December 25, 1875, Frances married James T. Harrison, son of Asa Harrison and Mary A. E. Taylor, in Gwinnett County. Rev. G. J. Bagwell performed the ceremony. Over the next 15 years, Frances gave birth to 12 children: Garland Winfield, Charles “Charley” S., Georgia Savannah (“Georgie” or “Vanie”), Effie P., Felix P., Joseph “Joe” B., Emily Ophelia, Maggie L., William “Willie” V., and three unnamed children who died young.

Marriage license for Frances and James

On June 18, 1880, the Harrisons lived in the Harbins District of Gwinnett County. James farmed while Frances managed the home. Their sons Garland (3) and Charles (1) were their only children at the time. Frances’ brother Samuel, his wife, and their eight children lived next door. Sometime after 1880, Frances’ mother Drucilla died. Around 1893, her father Joseph remarried a woman named Elizabeth, and in 1894, Frances’ half‑brother Edward died and was buried at Almand Cemetery in Conyers.

On June 25, 1900, Frances and James were living in the Cains District of Gwinnett County. They had been married 23 years, and Frances had given birth to 10 children, with 9 living. James continued farming, assisted by sons Garland, Charles, Felix, and Joseph. Frances, James, Charles, Georgia, and Felix were recorded as literate; Effie, Joseph, and Emily were not. James’ widowed mother Mary (72) lived with them. Next door lived Frances’ father Joseph and his second wife Elizabeth, who reported having borne five children, four living—though it is unclear whether any were Joseph’s, which would make them additional half‑siblings to Frances.

The Harrisons remained in the Cains District through at least April 1910. Frances had now borne 12 children, nine still living. She and James had been married 34 years. James and their son Garland worked the home farm, while Felix and Joseph labored alongside them. The youngest child, William, was 16. Six adult children still lived at home, ranging from ages 18 to 29. All could read except Felix, and Georgia, Felix, and William were unable to write.

Frances’ husband James died on July 7, 1916, and was buried at Hog Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Dacula. When their son Felix registered for the World War I draft in September 1918, he listed Frances—then living in Winder, Barrow County—as his nearest relative.

Frances died on August 26, 1919 in Winder. The physician listed the primary cause of death as acute dilatation of the heart, meaning her heart suddenly enlarged and failed. The secondary (contributory) cause was chronic endocarditis, a long‑term inflammation of the heart’s inner lining that weakened it over time. Together, these show that her long‑term heart disease eventually led to a fatal heart failure. Frances was buried at the old Hog Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Dacula with her husband on August 28. Her death certificate listed her parents as Joe Burnett and Drucilla Henderson—a slight error, as Drucilla’s maiden name was Henson. Frances’ son Charles served as the informant.

Photo by Toni McCall, Find A Grave
 member 46868460

References

• Asa Harrison, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Edward G. Burnett, U.S., Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Georgia, 1861-1865
• Felix Harrison, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• Frances Burnett, J. B. Burnett, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Francis Harrison, Certificate of Death no. 10276, Commonwealth of Georgia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State Board of Health, 1919.
• Fulton and Campbell Counties, Georgia, Cemetery Records, 1857–1933. 
• Knox County, Tennessee, Marriage Records 1792–1900, image 112, FamilySearch.
• Samuel P. Burnett, Georgia, Confederate Pension Applications, 1879–1960.
• Samuel P. Burnett, U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861–1865.
• U.S. Federal Census, Cains District, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 407, Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Harbins, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Hog Mountain, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Subdivision 163, Conyers, Newton County, Georgia, 1870. 

Catharin, Isabellar, Anderson, and Napolion named in Thomas Thompson's estate

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

This receipt is included among the probate estate documents for Thomas Thompson of Greene County, Georgia, who died in June 1856.

Received four Negros to wit Catharin a girl, Isabellar a girl, Anderson a boy, Napolion a boy, my full shair of the Negros of the Estate of Thomas Thompson, Deceased This Decr 26th 1856.

Henry E Thompson.

Reference

Union Point, Greene County, Georgia, Probate Estate Case Files 1790–1943, image 769, FamilySearch.

Xenophon Whitlinger McIlwain

Xenophon Whitlinger McIlwain, son of James “Jim” Xenophon McIlwain and Emaline “Emma” Hildebrand, was born June 23, 1859 in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of nine children: Xenophon Whitlinger, Jennie, Frankie, Harry White, Georgia Anna, Charles Kettering, John Kelly, James Lawrence, and Margaret Chambers McIlwain. His parents had married only months earlier, on October 12, 1858. Xenophon is my husband’s half 1st cousin 2x removed; their nearest common ancestor is Jane Gordon, Xenophon’s grandmother and my husband’s second great‑grandmother.

Just before Xenophon’s second birthday, the Civil War began, and his father enlisted in June 1861 in the 40th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. James wrote home often, referring to Xenophon affectionately as “Sonny.” He sent money for a cap, mentioned sending books, and asked Emma to “kiss Xenophon” for him. Emma, in turn, once called her son “Xen” in her letters and sent James a lock of the boy’s hair. During James’ absence, two of Xenophon’s younger siblings—Frankie and Jennie—died. 

Excerpt from undated Civil War letter by James X. McIlwain
to his wife, asking her to “kiss Xenophon and Jennie for me”

James was discharged on June 13, 1864 in Pittsburgh, roughly 35–40 miles from Apollo. He likely traveled home by Pennsylvania Railroad to a nearby stop such as Leechburg or Saltsburg, then completing the remaining distance by wagon or on foot. The trip would have taken a few hours to a day.

By June 23, 1870, the McIlwain family lived in the Kelly’s Station neighborhood of Apollo Borough. Eleven‑year‑old Xenophon was attending school. Two younger siblings—Harry (4) and Georgia Anna (2)—were at home. James, with a personal estate valued at $150, worked as a saddler, while Emma kept house. They lived four houses from Eunice Alvira (Smith) Jack, Xenophon’s half‑aunt.

On June 25, 1880, the family was still in Apollo. Twenty‑year‑old Xenophon worked as a plasterer. James continued as a saddle and harness maker, though unemployed for three months that year. Harry worked on a farm. Xenophon’s future wife lived only eight houses away. In 1881, he served as a mail messenger for the Apollo post office, earning $96 per year for transporting mail between postal points.

Xenophon recorded on the 1880 census Soundex (card 1)

1880 census Soundex (card 2)

James died on August 4, 1883 in Apollo at age 52. The family purchased Lot 112, Section A in Apollo (Riverview) Cemetery for his burial.

Xenophon and Josephine Juliette Henry applied for a marriage license on October 29, 1885. He was 26, living in Kiskiminetas Township and working as a plasterer; she was 27, the daughter of William Henry and Juliet Day Garvin, and living in Apollo. They married the same day at the First Presbyterian Church in Kittanning, with Rev. Henry L. Mayers officiating and Mrs. Lewis Phillips and Eliza Phillips Mayers as witnesses.

 

Marriage application and license

First Presbyterian Church register, Kittanning, Pennsylvania

They had seven children: Erma Ruth, James H. B., Walter F., Hugh Owens, and Jesse Bryan McIlwain, with two additional unknown children. In January 1889, Xenophon—then living in Kiski Township—borrowed $400 from the Apollo Mutual Building & Loan Association, a loan later fully repaid.

Two sons died young: Walter in 1890 at two and a half months, and James in 1893 at age six. Both were buried in Apollo Cemetery.

McIlwain family (ca. 1898)—Front row: Harry, their mother Emmaline,
and Xenophon. Back row: Charles, Margaret, John, Georgia Anna,
and Lawrence

By June 27, 1900, the family lived in Kittanning, where Xenophon continued plastering. Josephine was recorded as the mother of seven children, three living. Their daughter Erma was the only child in school. All three could read and write, and Xenophon owned his home. Around 1903, Erma married Thomas Murray Young, eventually giving Xenophon eight grandchildren.

On April 16, 1910, the family lived at Opalco and Kittanning Road in Kiskiminetas Township. Xenophon was still plastering, though unemployed for three months. Only Hugh (18) and Jesse (16) remained at home; Hugh worked as a chauffeur for a private family. Josephine had neither had nor lost additional children since 1900.

Hugh married Mary Helen McGeary on December 21, 1912 in Cramer, Indiana County, giving Xenophon three grandchildren. Jesse married Mary Elma Stitt on April 5, 1917 in Wellsburg, West Virginia, giving Xenophon seven grandchildren, including John Frederick, who died at five months in January 1924.

When Jesse registered for the World War I draft in June 1918, he listed Xenophon as his nearest relative.

Xenophon’s sister Margaret died on February 14, 1919 in Kiskiminetas from broncho‑pneumonia following influenza. She was buried at Apollo Cemetery on February 16.

Xenophon does not appear in the 1920 census, though Josephine was enumerated in Apollo with their son Hugh. She was listed as “married.”

His mother Emma died on January 5, 1920 from debility following a 1913 femur fracture and a December 1919 hip injury. She was living with daughter Georgia Anna at the time and was buried at Apollo Cemetery on January 7.

On March 10, 1920, Xenophon appeared before a Justice of the Peace as a sworn witness in the burial application for Civil War veteran Eden Eakman. Along with A. F. Young, he affirmed that he was of full age, lived in North Apollo, and believed the facts in the burial statement to be true.

Josephine died on June 4, 1922 and was buried at Apollo Cemetery. Xenophon survived her by six years. On May 28, 1928, he fell from a scaffold while working and died the next day, May 29, 1928, at Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington from shock and injuries sustained in the fall. The coroner ruled the death accidental. He was buried beside Josephine at Apollo Cemetery on June 1.

Xenophon was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Apollo.

Photo by Janet (McIlwain) Larocco

References

• Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Burial Records 1885–1914, image 328, FamilySearch.
• Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Mortgages 1805–1943, image 134, FamilySearch.
• Charles Kettering McIlwain, Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916–1947.
• Compendium of James X. McIlwain Civil War letters, compiled by Janet (McIlwain) Larocco.
• Emmaline McIlwain, Application for Burial of Indigent Widow of Deceased Soldier or Sailor.
• First Presbyterian Church, Apollo, Pennsylvania, Deaths, Baptisms, Births, Marriages, 1857–1904.
• Hugh O. McIlwain, Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1852–1968.
• James Lawrence McIlwain, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• James X. McIlwain, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861–1865.
• Jesse Bryan McIlwain, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• Jesse McIlwain, West Virginia, U.S., Marriages Index, 1785–1971.
• Letter written by Emmaline McIlwain to her husband James, May 14, 1865.
• Letter written by Jas. X. McIlwain to his wife Emma, undated.
• Letter written by Jim X. McIlwain to his wife Emma from Camp at Harrisons Landing, July 24, 1862.
• Margaret Chambers McKinstry, Certificate of Death no. 18584, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• McIlwain tombstone, Apollo (Riverview) Cemetery, Apollo, Pennsylvania.
• Mrs. Emma McIlwain, Certificate of Death no. 3584, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Naomi Ruth Young, Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906–1908.
• Personal visit to Apollo (Riverview) Cemetery, Apollo, Pennsylvania.
• Thomas, Augusta Dillman, The Bowmans: A History of Hans Dieterick Bauman and His Descendents, p. 62.
• U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1870, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1910, 1920, 1930.
• U.S. Federal Census, Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, North Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1940.
• U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970.
• X. W. McElwain and Hugh O. McIlwain, Pennsylvania, U.S., Marriages, 1852–1968.
• X. W. McElwain and X. N. McIlwain U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701–1970.
• X. W. McIlwain, U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863–1959.
• Xenophon W. McIwain [sic], Certificate of Death no. 53929, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. 

Pheby, Abram, Jacob, and Ephraim, property of Brazier Anderson’s estate

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 Jesse Boles [Booles] of the County of Greene and State of Georgia am held and firmly bound unto William Anderson, Frederick Hillsabeck, and John Wilson, all of the County and State aforesaid, and to them in trust for Alford, Claibon [Claiborne], and Matilda Anderson, the heirs of Brazier Cook [Cocke] Anderson, deceased, in the just and full sum of four thousand dollars, for the true and faithful payment whereof I bind myself, my heirs, executors, or administrators and every of them.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of November in the thirty ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America, and in the year of our Lord 1814.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas I the said Jesse Booles have now in my possession four negroes, to wit: Pheby, Abram, Jacob, and Ephraim, which was intended by Thomas Houghton to be sold and the money arising thereby to be equally divided and distributed amongst the children and heirs of Brazier Cook [Cocke] Anderson deceased above named.

Now I do by these presents agree and firmly engage to deliver up the said negroes into the hands and possession of the above named William Anderson and all brothers and sisters by blood being the children of the deceased Anderson; provided if any of the said negroes shall sicken and die, that I will not be accountable for such as shall or may be dead, but upon the full delivery of such as shall be alive on or before the first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, then the above obligation shall be null and void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

Jesse Booles [Seal]

Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of us.

Test.
John Wiggons (his mark)
J. Houghton Jr.

The heirs of the above-mentioned property have fully agreed that Jesse Booles shall not be put to law for any part of estate Brazier C. Anderson under the term of two years from the date hereof by us.

John Wilson 
Frederick Hillsabeck
Wm. Anderson

Georgia, Greene County. Personally came before me Joshua Houghton who being sworn saith that he heard the within named Jesse Booles acknowledge the within instrument of writing for the purposes therein mentioned and that himself was a subscribing witness to the same, and also the signature of John Wiggins appeared to the within.

J. Houghton Junr.

Sworn to before me this 15th Nov. 1814 
A. Bledsoe, JP

Recorded this 5th Decr. 1814
J. Bethune, Clk.

Reference

Greene County, Georgia, Deeds 1816–1818, 1811–1815, 1810–1811, image 344, FamilySearch.

Moses Wyllie

Moses Wyllie was born and baptized on August 24, 1773 in Pollokshaws, Eastwood Parish, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of James Wyllie and Margaret Deans, who had married the year before. He had at least one younger brother, Thomas, born in 1776. Moses is my husband’s 4th great-grandfather.

Like many Scottish families, the Wyllies repeated names across generations, so this Moses is a different man from the one I’ve written about previously. The surname appears in records as both Wyllie and Wylie, a common variation in Scottish parish registers.

Moses as recorded in the Scotland birth register (1773)

Pollokshaws in 1773 was a small village beside the White Cart Water, a clear river that powered early textile work and fed the wide bleaching greens where cloth was soaked and laid out to whiten in the sun. A few stone cottages stood near the water, and families mixed farm labor with spinning and weaving. Most residents were tenants of the Maxwell estate at nearby Pollok House, and daily life moved at a quiet, steady pace.

By 1796, Moses had left Eastwood Parish and moved about 17 miles southwest to Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. He married Janet Armour (or Armor) after proclamation on December 2, 1796, and worked as a weaver, later described specifically as a cotton handloom weaver.

Moses and Janet as recorded in the Scotland marriage register (1796)

Moses and Janet had at least five children, all born in Kilmarnock. Four of the birth records clearly identify each child’s birth order, allowing their family structure to be reconstructed even though the fourth child’s record has not been found. Their children, following traditional Scottish naming patterns, were:

1. Moses, born November 22, 1798, baptized November 25; named for his paternal grandfather, Moses Wyllie.
2. Thomas, born May 19, 1800; named for his maternal grandfather, Thomas Deans.
3. James, born August 5, 1802; named for his father, James Wyllie.
4. Unnamed daughter, birthdate unknown; likely named Mary after her maternal grandmother, possibly Mary Bowman.
5. Margaret, born August 30, 1808; named for her paternal grandmother, Margaret Deans.

Birth record for son Moses (1798)

Birth record for son Thomas (1800)

Birth record for son James (1802)

Birth record for daughter Margaret (1808)

The Wyllie children began forming their own households in the 1820s and 1830s. Son Moses married Mary Thomason in 1822; Thomas married Janet Dreghorn in 1823; James married Margaret Gilchrist in 1826; and Margaret married Robert Wyllie in 1835. All but Robert were living in Kilmarnock at the time of their marriages; Robert lived in the Low Church Parish.

In the 1841 census, Moses appeared alone on Back Street in Kilmarnock, working as a woolen‑loom weaver. This suggests that Janet had died before the census date of June 6, 1841. He was difficult to find because the enumerator wrote his name as “Mosey Wyllia” and recorded his age as 60. Adult ages in 1841 were rounded down, often by several years, which explains why he appears younger than his true age of about 67. His residence on Back Street also aligns with his daughter Margaret’s address when she married Robert Wyllie in 1835.

Moses in the Kilmarnock, Scotland census (1841)

By 1851, Moses was a widowed lodger, age 78, living in the household of Margaret McRay in Kilmarnock. The home also included Margaret’s daughter Janet Miller, her cousin Gavin Alston, an orphan named Ann Pairns, and another lodger, William Connell. The census described Moses as an “old weaver (pauper),” indicating he was no longer able to support himself through his trade.

Moses in the Kilmarnock, Scotland census (1851)

Moses likely died sometime after the 1851 census (taken March 30) but before December 30, 1854. This timing places his death just before Scotland introduced statutory civil registration on January 1, 1855. No death record for him appears in either the statutory registers or the Old Parish Registers on Scotland’s People, suggesting his death was not recorded, or the entry has not survived.

Kilmarnock in the years Moses lived there was a busy weaving town where handloom weavers worked in small shops or in the front rooms of their cottages. The narrow streets around the town center were lined with modest homes, workshops, and the steady activity of the textile trades. As mills and shoemaking grew, families like Moses and Janet found regular work in weaving while still living close to the surrounding farms and open fields. Moses likely led a simple working life, spending long days at his loom.

A handloom weaver in Kilmarnock during his lifetime would have worked at a large wooden floor loom—a sturdy, practical machine that filled much of a cottage room and produced the steady clatter that defined a weaver’s day. It would have been built mostly of oak or pine, with a wide rectangular frame standing several feet tall. Moses would have sat on a simple bench at the loom, using his feet to work the pedals that moved the threads into position. With his hands he sent a small wooden tool carrying the thread back and forth through the loom, then pulled the heavy frame toward him to press each new line of weaving firmly into place.

An example of the type of loom Moses might have used.
Catalan manual loom, photo by Enfo, licensed under CC BY SA 3.0, via
Wikimedia Commons. 

References

• 1841 census (1841 Census Questions), National Records of Scotland.
• James Wylie, Statutory Registers, Deaths 644/8/297, National Records of Scotland, 1873.
• James Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Births 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1802.
• Margaret Deans, Old Parish Registers, Births 562, Eastwood, 1752.
• Margaret Deans, Select Counties, Scotland, Church of Scotland, Marriages, 1615–1854.
• Margaret Gilchrist, Old Parish Registers, Marriages 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1826.
• Margaret Wylie, Old Parish Registers, Births 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1808.
• Moses Wylie, Old Parish Registers, Marriages 597/60 84, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1796.
• Moses Wyllie, Census 597/20/30, National Records of Scotland, 1851.
• Moses Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Births 562, Eastwood, 1773.
• Moses Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Births 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1798.
• Moses Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Marriages 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1822.
• Mosey Wyllia, Census 597/11/11, National Records of Scotland, 1841.
• Robert Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Marriages 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1835.
• Thomas Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Births 562, Eastwood, 1776.
• Thomas Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Births 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1800.
• Thomas Wyllie, Old Parish Registers, Marriages 597, Kilmarnock, National Records of Scotland, 1823. 

Jim and Lavina named in Will of Jesse Booles

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

Greene County, Georgia

In the name of God, Amen, I, Jesse Booles of the above county and state, being reduced low by illness and viewing life as uncertain, but being of sound mind and memory, do make and constitute this my last will and testament, viz:

Item 1st. I will that all my lands, together with my stock and all other of my property not hereinafter disposed of, be sold, and from the proceeds thereof all my just debts be paid.

Item 2nd. I will to my beloved wife Sarah one negro man by the name of Jim and one negro woman Lavina, together with her increase; two beds, bedsteads and furniture; one set of walnut tables and one pine cupboard during her lifetime or widowhood, and upon her death or marriage to be equally divided between my children Emily J. Bowls, Nancy F. Fuller, Seaborn W. Bowls, and one‑fourth part to Delilah H. Barnwell, to be managed as herein after directed.

Item 3rd. I will to my daughter Emily J. Bowls one bed, bedstead and furniture and fifty dollars.

Item 4th. I will to my son Seaborn W. Bowls one bed, bedstead and furniture and fifty dollars, and the expenses of one year’s schooling at a good country school.

Item 5th. I will to my daughter Delilah H. Barnwell one‑fourth part of my estate not heretofore disposed of, to be held in trust by my executors for the aforesaid Delilah and that she have all the interest and benefits arising from the same during her natural lifetime; and at her death, if she has no heirs of her body, to return to the rest of my children or their legal representatives, but provided she shall have a surviving child or children, it shall be equally divided between the same.

Item 6th. I will that the other three‑fourths of my estate be equally divided between my children Emily J. Bowls, Nancy F. Fuller, and Seaborn W. Bowls.

Item 7th. I will that my executors have power to make such division. By a division of my negroes or by a sale of the same, which in their wisdom they may conceive most advantageous to my legatees.

Item 8th. I constitute and appoint Thomas C. Janes and Bivin Bowls my lawful executors to this my last will and testament to execute the same according to the tenure thereof.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this seventh of March eighteen hundred and twenty‑six.

Signed and sealed in presence of:

Francis West
Thos. Moseley
Jno. Wilson

Jesse Booles (Seal)

Note: Lavina's nickname is Viny as shown in a notice published in the Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, on August 13, 1827.

Reference

Jesse Booles, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.

Pearl C. Durham

This blog post is another in a series connecting the dots in my tree to the souls buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

Pearl C. Durham, daughter of Thomas Rufus Durham and Mary Ann Cordelia “Mollie” Reynolds, was born in Alabama on May 24, 1878. Although no record has been found to confirm her middle name, her Find A Grave memorial lists it as Cordelia. Given that Cordelia was her mother’s middle name, it is possible that Pearl shared it. She was the second of four children—William “Willie” Marshall, Pearl C., Florence, and Elizabeth “Lizzie” T. Durham.

Pearl is the wife of the brother-in-law of my 1st cousin 4x removed, connecting through Robert Chester Lankford, brother of my 3rd great grandfather, James Meriweather Lankford.

On June 9, 1880, the Durham family lived in District 138 of Greene County, Georgia. Thomas worked as a farmer while Mollie kept the household. Pearl, age two, and her brother Willie, age four, were the only children in the home at that time.

Pearl married Wesley Bluford Young, son of Samuel Yancy Young and Matilda N. Guill, on December 15, 1897, in Greene County. Wesley was 12 years older than Pearl. Together they had five children: Ernest Willie, Thomas Yancy, Gladys E., Margaret “Florene”, and Wesley Bluford Young Jr. Thomas’s middle name honored his paternal grandfather, who shared the same middle name.

In June 1900, Pearl and Wesley were living in Woodville, Greene County, where they rented a home and Wesley worked as a farmer. Their first child, Ernest, was the only child in the household. Pearl’s father died on July 11, 1909, and was buried at Woodville Cemetery.

By April 1910, the Young family had moved to Sparta in Militia District 102 of Hancock County. Pearl had given birth to four children, all of whom were living. Wesley’s 40‑year‑old uncle, Mike Young, lived with them. Both Wesley and Mike worked as carpenters, while Mollie maintained the home. Everyone except Gladys and Florene could read and write. This census listed Pearl’s birthplace as Georgia rather than Alabama. Pearl’s sister Florence died on June 27, 1914, two days before her birthday, and was buried at Woodville Cemetery. When Ernest registered for the World War I draft around 1917–1918, he listed his father—then living in Stephens, Oglethorpe County—as his nearest relative.

By January 1920, the Young family had settled in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, living on Stephens Road. All members of the household were literate. Wesley farmed with the help of his son Thomas, while Ernest was attending business college. Pearl’s sister Lizzie died on February 14, 1924, and was buried at Woodville Cemetery.

By April 1930, the children had left home, and Pearl and Wesley had returned to Woodville, where they rented a home on Woodville Road. Once again, the census recorded Pearl’s birthplace as Georgia. Wesley was now working as a grocery store merchant. Pearl’s mother died on February 14, 1933, and was buried at Woodville Cemetery.

In April 1940, Pearl and Wesley were still living in Woodville, in the same home they had occupied since 1935. At age 74, Wesley was no longer able to work and had no income. Pearl had completed the second year of high school, while Wesley had a sixth‑grade education. Their daughter Gladys, her husband Lawrence Steele, and grandchildren Edward, John, and Marilyn lived next door. Wesley died on May 16, 1947, and was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery. Their son Wesley Jr. served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

By April 1950, Pearl—now widowed—was living alone in Woodville at age 71.

Pearl’s son Ernest died in Cook County, Illinois, on November 19, 1969. His remains were returned to Georgia and buried at Bairdstown Cemetery. A month later, on December 20, 1969, Pearl died in Union Point, Greene County. She too was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery.

References

• Ernest Willie Young, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52989702/thomas_rufus-durham: accessed June 18, 2026), memorial page for Thomas Rufus Durham (30 Dec 1847–11 Jul 1909), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52989702, citing Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52989703/mary_ann_cordelia-durham: accessed June 18, 2026), memorial page for Mary Ann Cordelia “Mollie” Reynolds Durham (16 Dec 1849–14 Feb 1933), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52989703, citing Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52989705/florence-durham: accessed June 18, 2026), memorial page for Florence Durham (29 Jun 1881–27 Jun 1914), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52989705, citing Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52989704/elizabeth_t-durham: accessed June 18, 2026), memorial page for Elizabeth T. Durham (11 May 1883–14 Feb 1924), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52989704, citing Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52991531/pearl-young: accessed June 18, 2026), memorial page for Pearl Durham Young (24 May 1878–20 Dec 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52991531, citing Bairdstown Cemetery, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Pearl D Young, Georgia, U.S., Death Index, 1919–1998.
• Pearl Durham, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Pearl Durham, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Sparta, Militia District 102, Hancock County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Union Point, Greene County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900, 1930, 1940, 1950.
• Wesley Bluford Young Jr., U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca. 1775–2019.