Nathan Mansfield Lankford

Nathan Mansfield Lankford, son of Curtis Caldwell Lankford and Catherine Anne Carruth, was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia on April 22, 1843. He was the fifth child of eight—Mary Elizabeth Lankford, Martha Emily Lankford, Lauraette Mitchell Lankford, James Carruth Lankford, Nathan Mansfield Lankford, John Bailis Lankford, Robert Cotesworth Lankford, and William Perry Lankford. Nathan’s sister Martha died in infancy in 1838, before he was born. 

Nathan is my 1st cousin 5x removed with our nearest common relatives being Nathan Lankford and Marion Caldwell. Nathan and Marion, married about 1790 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, are my 5th great grandparents. According to the book “History of Gwinnett County, Georgia,” by James C. Flanigan, Nathan Lankford “served as a private soldier in the American Revolution. He was in the memorable Battle of King’s Mountain, October 7, 1780 at which time he was only sixteen years of age. He was a brick mason by trade and helped to build the first White House in Washington, D.C. The corner stone was laid by George Washington, October 13, 1782 and Nathan Lankford was present.” The book goes on to say that Nathan Mansfield Lankford’s great-grandfather and my 6th great-grandfather was John Lankford who was born in Cornwall County, England about 1709 and came to America about 1725. John “married a Miss Taylor who was a relative of President Zack Taylor.”

On August 2, 1850, eight-year-old Nathan lived in Berkshire, Gwinnett County, Georgia with his parents and siblings Mary (age 16), Laureate (age 12), James (age 10), John (age 5), Robert (age 3), and William (one month). His father was a farmer with real estate valued at $3000. His 83-year-old grandmother, Marion Caldwell Lankford (enumerated as Mariam Lankford) lived next door, along with Elizabeth Lankford (age 66), and Robert Lankford (43). I believe Robert was his uncle (born 1809)—the age is right. I’m not sure who Elizabeth was at this point in my research.

On September 22, 1860, 17-year-old Nathan and his family lived in the Berkshire district of Gwinnett County. His father was a farmer with real estate valued at $2500 and a personal estate valued at $4500. Nathan was attending school. The Lankford family were clustered together in the neighborhood when the census enumerator visited. Nathan’s cousin, Robert Mansfield Braden Jr., his family, and Nathan’s aunt Rhoda Lankford Braden (sister of Nathan’s father) lived four houses away. Nathan’s uncle (his father’s and Rhoda’s brother) Robert S. Langford and his family lived next door to the Braden’s—three houses from Nathan’s house. Minor Langford lived next door and the age would be right to be Nathan’s uncle but I’m stumped by the other individuals living in the home with Minor—Mary Mathews and her children Harriett, Minerva, John, William, and Eli. I don’t believe they are related to the Lankford’s after finding Mary and her children living as a family unit with no others in other census years. I could be wrong though so take that information with a grain of salt. 

The Civil War began in 1861 and forever changed the Lankford family. In 1862, Nathan traveled to Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia and enlisted as a private in Company C, 12th Georgia Battalion Light Artillery. In November 1864, he was sent to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia by the physician in command and then furloughed home due to chills and fever in January 1865. Nathan didn't recover from his sickness until the fall of 1866 and didn’t return to his command. His regiment surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia on April 9, 1865 without Nathan present. At the time of his discharge, Nathan held the rank of sergeant. Nathan would later become “a member of Gen. C. A. Evans Camp Confederate Veterans” in Decatur, Georgia. Nathan’s brother James didn’t survive the war, dying of measles while in service. There is a Find A Grave memorial for James that shows him buried at Pounds Cemetery in Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Following the end of the Civil War, Georgia was in shambles and reconstruction began. According to Ancestry.com, “the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 required Southern states to ratify the 14th Amendment, draft new state constitutions, and register voters, both black and white. In order to vote, men had to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States, and some were disqualified for their participation in Confederate government posts.” Nathan signed this oath on July 8, 1867. 

Nathan's oath of allegiance (click to enlarge)

Nathan married Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” McElroy, daughter of John William McElroy and Margaret Matilda Tilly, in DeKalb County, Georgia on November 14, 1867. Together they had five children—Frances Emily Lankford, William Curtis Lankford, Ellie Margaret (or Margaret Ellie) Lankford, Lenora Dean Lankford, and Allie Nina Lankford. 

Lankford-McElroy marriage record

On August 20, 1870, the Lankford family lived in the Brownings District of Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia. Nathan was a farmer with real estate valued at $800 and a personal estate valued at $525. His wife Mary E. was keeping house. Their first child, one year old Frances Emily, was enumerated as Fannie E. A 13-year-old black female named Frances McDaniel lived in the home as well and was a farm laborer. The 1870 Agricultural Census Schedule showed that Nathan had 280 acres of land—20 of which were “improved,” 200 “Woodland,” and 60 “Other unimproved.” His farm was valued at $800 and tools and machinery at $40. Nathan’s livestock was valued at $225 and included 1 mule, 1 milch cow, 1 other cattle, 5 sheep, and 11 swine. He grew wheat, Indian corn, and oats. During the period 1873–1876, the Georgia Property Tax Digests in Clarkston (Brownings District) of DeKalb County show that he had 202.5 acres of land valued at $1800. That same land was valued at $1500 during the period 1877–1880. 

On June 9, 1880, Nathan and his family lived in Clarkston (Brownings District, Cross Keys) of DeKalb County, Georgia. Nathan was a farmer. The enumerator noted that both of his parents were born in North Carolina. His wife was enumerated as Elizabeth, daughter Frances as Fannie, daughter Margaret Ellie as Ella, and daughter Lenora as Nora. Nathan’s 65-year-old mother-in-law Margaret (Tilly) McElroy lived with them, along with a 20-year-old black hired hand named Raz Turner who helped on the farm. The Manufacturers Census Schedule showed that the nature of his business was “Ginning” with a $1100 capital investment. He employed six hands to help him work the land, five of them above age 16. The “value of material (including mill supplies and fuel)” was $6000. The “value of product (including jobbing and repairing)” was $6300.

The year 1883 was a terrible one for the Lankford family with the death of Nathan’s father, Curtis, in Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia on June 27. The Atlanta Constitution published a death notice on June 28: 

“Special to The Constitution. Stone Mountain, June 27.—Died, near this place to-day, Mr. C. C. Lankford, at his residence in Gwinnett county, aged 77 years. He leaves the wife of his youth, about the same age, several children and friends and relatives in Georgia and North Carolina to mourn their loss. Had been a member of the Methodist church for over fifty years.” 

Curtis’ death was soon followed by Nathan’s mother, Catherine Anne Carruth Lankford, in Gwinnett County on August 28, 1883. Both Curtis and Catherine were buried at Pounds Cemetery in Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia. 

In the year 1890, the Property Tax Digests for Stone Mountain showed that Mrs. N. M. Lankford had 200 acres of land valued at $1500. Nathan himself had 35 acres valued at $1200. That same year, Nathan decided to run for office. The Atlanta Constitution reported this on November 29, 1890:

Interested in becoming a county official—Mr. J. A. Mason, the present county treasurer, wants to serve another term. He is opposed by three clever men, Mr. John G. Brown, N. M. Lankford and I. N. Wilson. Mr. Mason’s opponents are all members of the alliance.

Nathan’s son William married Susan Allen on April 18, 1895. The Houston Home Journal in Perry, Houston County, Georgia reported the marriage on April 25, 1895:

Powersville news. On last Thursday evening at 6 o’clock the marriage of Mr. Wm. Langford, of Midway, Ala., to Miss Susie Allen, of Powersville, was consummated at the residence of the residence [sic] of the bride’s uncle, Mr. W. E. Warren. A few minutes before six sweet notes of the wedding march were sounded on the organ by Miss Stella Tomlin, of Butler, Ga. Then came the bridal party as follows: Miss Maggie Allen with Mr. Tim Allen, Miss Emma Lou Jones, of Macon, with Mr. John Allen, Miss Maud Cliett with Mr. Jimmie Hughes. Mr. Lankford with his lovely bride leaning upon his arm came forward and took their proper place. Dr. W. L. Jones, the silver tongued divine, in a very beautiful and impressive manner joined them together as man and wife. After showers of congratulations and best wishes from their many friends, a very elegant and sumptuous luncheon was served. The bride is the accomplished daughter of Mrs. George W. Allen, and is in every way fitted to make Mr. Lankford a happy companion through life. The groom is a gentleman in every particular. Mr. Lankford has long been a trusted employe [sic] of the C. R. R. Co., and now holds a responsible position as depot agent at Midway, Ala. His friends are numbered by the score, who wish for him and his fair bride a long, prosperous and happy life. The happy couple left on the 7 o’clock train for a bridal tour in North Georgia. While there they will visit several points of interest, such as the Blue Ridge and Lookout mountains, Rome, Ga., and other points, after which they will return to their future home at Midway, Ala.

On June 6, 1900, Nathan, his wife Mary, and daughters Margaret (age 26) and Allie (age 22) lived in Pickneyville, Gwinnett County, Georgia. Nathan and Mary had been married for 30 years. The census enumerator recorded Mary as the mother of five children, all of which were living. Nathan was a farmer. On August 5, 1901, The Atlanta Constitution reported that “Mrs. Will Lankford, of Ozark, Ala., is visiting the family of Mr. N. M. Lankford.” A very sad event took place on March 17, 1903 when Nathan’s grandson, Warren Lankford, died at his home. The Home Journal of Perry, Houston County, Georgia reported the death on April 2, 1903:

In Memoriam. Written for The Home Journal. Little Warren Lankford, the 3-year-old son of Mr. W. C. and Mrs. Susan Allen Lankford, went to sleep March 17, 1903, at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lankford, Clarkston, Ga. Intelligent beyond his years, sweet and winsome, we all loved him. God, in His wisdom, chose this bright jewel for His kingdom. His little voice, though sadly missed here, is making sweet melody in his heavenly home. May the gentle influences of his short life spent here cause his bereaved parents to look over the mystic river of death into the sweet haven of eternal rest. He is not dead, only sleeping; the bud, transplanted, shall bloom again far brighter than moon or stars.

Loved ones, press onward to the Golden City, and there, united with little Warren, you may live through all eternity and there with him praise our Father, who doeth all things well.

Powersville, Ga.  F. D. Chunn.

But the year 1903 ended on a happy note for the Lankford family with the marriage of their daughter Allie. The Constitution reported it on November 25, 1903:

Atlanta, GA. Wednesday, November 25, 1903—ESTES-LANKFORD. Clarkston, Ga., November 24—(Special.) A beautiful and interesting event of the week was the marriage this evening of Miss Allie Nina Lankford and Mr. Thomas Otto Estes. The event was characterized by the sweet solemnity of a home wedding and was witnessed by the relatives and most intimate friends of the young couple. The bride, who is a handsome brunette, wore a traveling suit of brown with hat to match and carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley. An elegant course dinner was served the guests and Mr. and Mrs. Estes left on the evening train for their home in Lincolnton. The bride is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. M. Lankford and by her sweet Christian character has endeared herself to many friends who regret to give her up. Mr. Estes is a prominent business man of Lincolnton and has many friends there who will delight to welcome his bride.

Nathan’s sister, Lauraette Mitchell Lankford McClain, died on January 23, 1905, just five days after her birthday. She was buried at Harmony Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia. In October 1907, Nathan and Mary traveled to Orlando, Florida where they spent the winter. 

At age 60, Nathan filed for an Indigent Pension in Clarkston, DeKalb County, Georgia on December 16, 1908 based on the grounds of infirmity and poverty. He stated that he “has no real estate in the State of Georgia, nor in any other State, but that his wife, Mary E. Lankford, does own a house and let in DeKalb County, Georgia, bought from J. W. Kirkpatrick, administrator [sic] that the purchase price paid thereafer [sic] was $800.00 and that the whole amount of the purchase price was paid by said Mary E. Lankford, and that N. M. Lankford paid no part of the purchase price at all.” He further stated “My physical condition is very poor. … I am not able to make a living at any kind of labor.” Nathan was supported by his wife and children during the years 1901 to 1907. He stated that his support cost about $125 per year and that he contributed $50 of that from his own labor or income. This was the first time he had applied for a pension. Two doctors—W. S. Angelely and C. S. Branyon—examined him on September 22, 1908 and determined that his precise physical condition was “rupture piles, indigestion, and a general breakdown which renders him unable to do manual labor or any other kind of labor to support himself.” 

On August 10, 1909, Nathan’s nephew, George Curtis Lankford, son of his brother John Balis Lankford, married Ramona Bennett. Nathan most likely attended the wedding which was reported in The Atlanta Constitution on August 14: 

Bennett-Langford. A pretty wedding of the week was that of Miss Ramona Bennett and Mr. George Curtis Lankford, at St. Phillip’s Episcopal cathedral, on Tuesday morning, at 11 o’clock. Rev. Gilbert Higgs officiating. Mr. W. Taber player the wedding march. Miss May Belle Yarbrough, maid of honor, wore a white lingerio gown trimmed with lace, and wore a picture hat of white Neapolitan, and carried a shower bouquet of pink roses. The bride entered with her father, Mr. H. W. Bennett, who gave her away. Her gown was of blue silk trimmed in pearl gray, and her picture hat was of blue. She carried a shower bouquet of bride roses. She was met at the altar by the groom and his best man, Mr. Robert Lankford, of Tifton. Mr. and Mrs. Lankford left for an extended trip. They will return the latter part of the month.

On February 20, 1910, The Atlanta Constitution reported that Nathan and Elizabeth hosted the 95th birthday family reunion of Granny McElroy (Elizabeth’s mother Margaret (Tilly) McElroy) at his home. The celebration was attended by about 50 members of the family. On April 16, 1910, the census enumerator found Nathan and his wife living in Clarkston. Their daughter Margaret, her husband Pleasant Collinsworth, and five-year-old son Allen lived with them. Nathan’s 95-year-old mother-in-law Margaret McElroy lived with them as well. Pleasant supported his family by working as a physician in a general practice. In September 1911, Nathan traveled to Rome, Georgia to attend a confederate soldier’s reunion. February 1912 brought the 97th birthday celebration of Nathan’s mother-in-law in Norcross. The Atlanta Constitution reported it on February 15, 1912 and noted that “Mrs. McElroy was considered one of the pioneers of Georgia, having moved to Georgia from Pendleton, S.C., when 11 years old.” A year later, the McElroy family gathered again to celebrate the 98th birthday of Granny McElroy. The Constitution in Atlanta reported it on February 13, 1913:

Mrs. M’Elroy Celebrates Her Ninety-Eighth Birthday—Norcross, Ga., February 13—(Special.)—Descendants of the fourth generation were gathered yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. O. Estes, Clarkston, to celebrate the ninety-eighth birthday of Mrs. Margaret McElroy and to hope that she will pass the century mark as hale and hearty as she is at the present time. 

On February 3, 1914, Nathan’s brother Robert Cotesworth Lankford, died suddenly of heart failure in Norcross, Gwinnett County, Georgia. Robert was buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery in Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia. That same year, Nathan’s five-year-old granddaughter Elizabeth Catherine Estes, daughter of Allie (Lankford) and Thomas Estes died on October 6. Elizabeth was buried at Clarkston Cemetery.

Nathan’s mother-in-law Margaret McElroy turned 100 years old in February 1915. Five generations of the family gathered at the home of Stephen Tilly McElroy, Nathan’s brother-in-law, in Norcross, Georgia to celebrate. 

Less than two years after the death of Nathan’s granddaughter Elizabeth Estes, her father (and Nathan’s son-in-law) Thomas Estes died on May 10, 1916. Thomas was buried at Clarkston Cemetery.

At the age of 101 years, Granny McElroy, died on August 7, 1916 at Nathan and Mary’s home. The Atlanta Constitution reported her death later that day … “She came here two weeks ago from Norcross to visit her daughter, and on the day of her arrival received a fall, breaking her hip and receiving other injuries. The fall was the immediate cause of her death, as, notwithstanding her advanced age, she had been enjoying fairly good health.”

In late August 1916, Nathan’s grandnephew, Bennett Curtis Lankford, grandson of his brother John Bailis Lankford, died in Atlanta. Bennett was buried at Harmony Grove Church Cemetery. A little over a year later, on October 17, 1917, Nathan’s brother William Perry Lankford died at his home in Tucker, Gwinnett County, Georgia. He was buried at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Stone Mountain.

On January 2, 1920, Nathan and Mary lived with his daughter (Ellie) Margaret and her family (husband Pleasant Collinsworth and sons Allen and Pleasant Jr.) in Omega, Tift County, Georgia. Nathan was 76 years old and no longer working. His son-in-law Pleasant continued to work as a physician in a general practice. 

Nathan died in Omega on June 5, 1920, probably at his daughter’s house. His body was brought from south Georgia to Norcross for a funeral service held at the Methodist church with Rev. Nath Thompson, a former pastor, officiating. After the service, Nathan was buried at Norcross Town Cemetery in Norcross, Georgia with six of his grandsons acting as pallbearers. Nathan was considered a “highly respected citizen of Clarkston.” He was very active in the Methodist church and dedicated much of his life to the church. Nathan was a teacher and superintendent for the church Sunday school. He was known to have a “strong Christian character” and to be a peace maker.

Gravestone photo used with permission of Lisa Spulick

References

• Accident Is Fatal For Granny McElroy; Dies in 102d Year, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, August 7, 1916.
• Bennett-Langford Marriage, The Atlanta Constitution, August 14, 1909.
• C. R. Lankford, Norcross, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, February 3, 1914.
• Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Browning, DeKalb, Georgia; Archive Collection Number: T1137; Roll: T1137:7; Page: 43; Line: 34; Schedule Type: Agriculture 17.
• Family Reunion, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, February 20, 1910.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93965522/laura-mitchell-mcclain: accessed 31 July 2022), memorial page for Laura Mitchell Lankford McClain (28 Jan 1839–23 Jan 1905), Find a Grave Memorial ID 93965522, citing Harmony Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Whitfield (contributor 47786265).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88556032/james-carruth-lankford: accessed 31 July 2022), memorial page for James Carruth Lankford (15 Feb 1841–4 Jan 1862), Find a Grave Memorial ID 88556032, citing Pounds Cemetery, Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Linda Hinkle (contributor 47082158).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37121270/nathan-mansfield-lankford: accessed 31 July 2022), memorial page for Nathan Mansfield Lankford (20 Apr 1843–5 Jun 1920), Find a Grave Memorial ID 37121270, citing Norcross City Cemetery, Norcross, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Quietly Resting (contributor 47077524).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28795020/curtis-caldwell-lankford: accessed 31 July 2022), memorial page for Curtis Caldwell Lankford (1 Feb 1806–27 Jun 1883), Find a Grave Memorial ID 28795020, citing Pounds Cemetery, Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA; maintained by R Hill (contributor 47034378).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28794784/catherine-anne-lankford: accessed 31 July 2022), memorial page for Catherine Anne Carruth Lankford (9 Nov 1810–28 Aug 1883), Find a Grave Memorial ID 28794784, citing Pounds Cemetery, Lilburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA; maintained by R Hill (contributor 47034378).
• Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, Nathan M. Lankford, 1873–1876, 1877–1880, 1890.
• History of Gwinnett County, Georgia, vol. 2, James C. Flanigan, printed by Tyler & Co., 1984.
• In Memoriam, Little Warren Lankford, Home Journal, Perry, Georgia, April 2, 1903.
• In Memorium, The News-Herald, Lawrenceville, Georgia, July 22, 1920.
• Interested in Becoming a County Official, The Atlanta Constitution, November 28, 1890.
• Lankford Funeral Notice, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, August 27, 1916.
• Marriage of Estes Lankford, The Constitution, November 25, 1903.
• Miss Elizabeth Catherine Estes Funeral, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, October 8, 1914.
• Mrs. M’Elroy Celebrates Her Ninety-Eighth Birthday, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, February 15, 1912.
• Mrs. Will Lankford visits family, The Atlanta Constitution, August 5, 1901.
• N. M. Lankford, Georgia, Confederate Pension Applications, 1879–1960.
• N. M. Lankford, Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867–1869.
• N. M. Lankford, U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles.
• Nathan Lankford Dies on Saturday, The Atlanta Constitution, June 6, 1920.
• Nathan M. Lankford and Lizzie McElroy, Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Nathan M. Lankford, Fulton and Campbell Counties, Georgia, Cemetery Records, 1857–1933.
• One Hundred Candles Lighted on Cake at “Granny” McElroy’s Birthday Party, The Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, February 14, 1915.
• Powersville news, marriage of William Langford to Miss Susie Allen, Houston Home Journal, April 25, 1895.
• Special to The Constitution, Curtis Lankford death notice, The Atlanta Constitution, June 28, 1883.
• Tombstone photo by Quietly Resting, Find A Grave Memorial# 37121270.
• Travel to Rome, Georgia, The Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, September 24, 1911.
• Trip to Florida, The Atlanta Constitution, October 27, 1907.
• U.S. Federal Census, Berkshire, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1850, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Brownings District, Cross Keys, DeKalb County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Brownings District, Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Clarkston, DeKalb County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Omega, Tift County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Pickneyville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, Agriculture, 1870.
• U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, Manufacturing, 1880.
• W. P. Lankford Obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, October 18, 1917.
• William Perry Lankford obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, October 18, 1917. 

Jack L. Wilson

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.

Jack L. Wilson, son of Thomas B. Wilson and Martha Williams, was born in Georgia on January 28, 1840. There were at least eight children in his family—William Ralph Wilson, Joseph Wilson, James Wilson, Jack L. Wilson, Pleasant Wilson, Eliza Wilson, Virginia Ellen Wilson, and Sarah (Sallie) Wilson. Jack is the uncle of husband of sister-in-law of 1st cousin of husband of great grandmother (Alice Beman Lankford Callaway) to me … weaving through Mullins to Callaway and finally to my Lankford line. We have no common relative. Yes, its roundabout but it is a connection, lol.

On October 24, 1850, the Wilson family lived in District 163 of Greene County, Georgia. His father, born in Virginia, was a farmer with real estate valued at $6,000. Although most of the children in the home were old enough to be in school, Jack’s brother William was the only one enumerated as a student. Jack’s parents may have been running a boarding house as there were six unrelated people living in the home—James Healey, age 35, peddler; William Jackson, age 20, mechanic; Thomas Callahan, age 27, merchant; W. A Houston, age 24, teacher; Daniel Brown, age 25, farmer; and James Armstrong, age 20, clerk.

On August 9, 1860, the Wilson family lived in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. Jack’s father, still working as a farmer, was doing well financially with real estate valued at $5,500 and a personal estate valued at $29,000. Jack, at age 20, was the oldest child living at home and worked as a clerk. There was a 20-year-old male named Frank L. Veazey living in the home who worked as an overseer. Frank had a personal estate valued at $300.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Jack was enlisted by Capt. R. L. McWhorter at Penfield, Georgia as a private in Company C, Third Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army on April 24. He was mustered into service on May 3, 1861 by Capt. R. G. Cole in Augusta, Georgia. Jack’s name appeared on the muster roll dated June 30, 1861. He was discharged in 1862.

Jack married Jane Catherine Neal, daughter of George W. Neal and Eliza W. Edmondson, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia on October 3, 1865. Jack and Jane had four children together—George N. Wilson, Blanche L. Wilson, Julia L. Wilson, and Nellie F. Wilson.

Marriage record for Jack Wilson and Jane Neal (click to enlarge)

On June 16, 1870, Jack, his wife Jane, and children George and Blanche lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. Jack worked as a merchant and had a personal estate valued at $600. His father and sister Sarah (Sallie) lived six houses from Jack and his family. Jack’s father died some time in 1873. At the time, his father owned a tract of land in Greene County consisting of about 69 acres of which Jack owned one half interest in 40 of those acres. Jack agreed to the sale of the land for the benefit of the heirs and creditors of his father’s estate. During the years 1878 to 1882, U.S. property tax records for Bairdstown, Georgia show that Jack owned 155 acres of land valued at $400.

On June 3, 1880, Jack and his family (Jane, age 34; George, age 13; Blanche, age 10; Julia, age 7; Nellie, age 1) still lived in Penfield. Jack worked as a merchant while Jane stayed at home and kept house. Nellie was enumerated as Ellen F. Wilson. Their son George worked as a clerk in a store, probably with his father. The census record shows that although Jane was born in Georgia, her parents were both born in Vermont. There were three black servants living in the home—Mary Lumpkin, age 41, cook; Felix Brinkley, age 13, nurse; and Frank Wilson, age 25, farm hand. Frank’s wife Jane, age 23 and a housekeeper, and daughter Alma, age 6, lived in the home as well. Both Jane and Alma were enumerated as mulatto. The census agriculture record shows that Jack owned 50 acres of tilled land and 25 acres of woodland. His farm, valued at $1400, was maintained with $100 worth of tools and $140 worth of fertilizers. He kept his livestock, valued at $150, within fences that cost him $25 to build in 1879. Jack paid $150 wages for farm labor in 1879. Jack grew Indian corn, oats, rye, wheat, and cotton. During the years 1884 to 1887, U.S. property tax records for Woodville, Georgia show that Jack owned 301 acres of land valued at $1505. 

Property tax record for Woodville, Georgia (click to enlarge)

He employed 18 “hands” between the ages of 12 and 65. During the years 1878 to 1882, Jack owned 155 acres of land in Bairdstown, however, property tax records show that he was a non-resident. The same tax record shows that city or town property in Janie’s name had an aggregate value of $250. The same 301 acres of land in Woodville were valued at $1204 in 1890.

On June 1, 1900, Jack, his wife Jane (enumerated as Janie), and daughter Nellie, age 20, were the only people left in the home. They had left Penfield and moved back to Woodville. Jack worked as a farmer. Jane was enumerated as having had four children, all of which were living. Nellie worked as a music teacher. Jack may have moved to Bairdstown after the census was taken. As early as July 1900, the Bairdstown correspondent of The Oglethorpe Echo started reporting that Jack was sick. The newspaper chronicled his illness on multiple occasions:

July 27, 1900—Mr. Jack Wilson has been quite sick for several days but is better now.

August 3, 1900—Mr. J. L. Wilson, who has been sick, is much better we are are [sic] glad to write.

January 25, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson, who has been in bad health for some time, is improving a little we are glad to say.

March 15, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson, who has been very feeble, is improving we are glad to state.

March 22, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson, our postmaster, is still in very feeble health.

June 28, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson, our postmaster, who has been sick for some time, is slowly improving.

July 26, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson, who has been in bad health so long, is not improving very fast.

August 9, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson’s condition at this time is not at all favorable we are sorry to state.

August 16, 1901—Mr. J. L. Wilson is still very feeble. No improvement in his condition since our last.

They also reported that he was postmaster in Bairdstown so, do you have to live in the community if you’re a postmaster?

Jack died on September 3, 1901, in either Oglethorpe or Greene County. The Oglethorpe Echo published a death notice on September 6:

—Mr. J. L. Wilson, whose illness we have chronicled several times, died last Wednesday night at 12 o’clock. He will be greatly missed by his many relatives and friends. He was ever obliging and kind, always ready to render any service in his power. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his sad death. Our loss is his gain, but we hope to meet him in that bright home beyond the skies where all pain and suffering shall cease and joy and happiness reign supreme.

“Then shall we know as we are known,

   And in that world above

Forever sing around the throne

   His everlasting love.”

Jack was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery.

References

• Administrator’s Sale, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, November 20, 1873.
• Ancestry.com, Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
• Census Year: 1880; Census Place: District 138, Greene, Georgia; Archive Collection Number: T1137; Roll: T1137:14; Page: 10; Line: 6; Schedule Type: Agriculture.
• Company Roll of the Dawson Grays of Green Co., Ga. When This Company Joined the 3rd Regt. Ga. Vol. It Was Ever Afterwards Known as Co. C.
• George W. Neal and Eliza W. Edmondson, Georgia, County Marriages, 1785–1950.
• J. L. Wilson and Jane C. Neal (1865), Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Jack L. Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793–1892.
• Jack L. Wilson, U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861–1865.
• Mr. J. L. Wilson death notice, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, September 6, 1901.
• Mr. J. L. Wilson’s illness, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, July 27, August 3, 1900 and January 25, March 15, 22, June 28, July 26, August 9, 16, 1901.
• Mrs. Janie Wilson obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, March 28, 1944.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Georgia.
• Thomas B. Wilson and Martha Williams (1830), Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 163, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Georgia Militia District 232, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Militia District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1870, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1860, 1900. 

William Hoyt Vest

William “Hoyt” Vest, son of Andrew Jackson Vest and Bessie Elliott, was born in Beaverdale, Whitfield County, Georgia, on August 7, 1905. He was the oldest child of six—William Hoyt Vest, Della Mae Vest, Robert Earl Vest, George Luther Vest, Andrew Jackson Vest Jr., and Martha Lee Vest. He was my step grandfather and we called him Hoyt. I last saw Hoyt when I was a teenager so most of my memories of him have faded. I do remember that he was heavyset, tall, and a quiet, sweet man.

William "Hoyt" Vest

I researched and wrote much of this sketch on what would have been his 117th birthday and was anxious to see what I would find. It ended up being quite a few things. My research started out with a bump though. I was unable to find Hoyt in the 1910 and 1930 census records. I spent two days using the Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org search engines, as well as performing manual page by page searches myself. I looked in both Whitfield County and Catoosa County in Georgia, as well as Hamilton County in Tennessee. I searched on his wife and children’s names and found none of them. I finally had to move on but will check back later. This has happened before, and I eventually find them.

On January 19, 1920, the Vest family lived in Blackstock, Catoosa County, Georgia. Hoyt’s father was a farmer on a general farm. He was enumerated as what looks like Harriet, was 14 years old, and worked as a farm laborer on the home farm. Hoyt was attending school and could read and write.

Hoyt married Mary Wells in Hamilton County, Tennessee on November 7, 1925. The Chattanooga Daily Times reported their names on November 8, 1925 in a list of people who had obtained a marriage license. Hoyt’s last name was incorrectly listed as “West” vs. “Vest” in the news clipping. 

One page from the Vest-Wells marriage license (1925)

Vest-Wells marriage license (click to enlarge)

On June 29, 1926, a premature infant was born in Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia. It appears the baby was alive at birth vs. stillborn as the doctor certified that he saw her alive on June 29. Sadly, she died at 7 a.m. that morning. The unnamed infant was buried the same day on the home grounds in Ringgold. The death certificate listed the father as Hoyt Vest, born in Whitfield County, Georgia. However, the name of the mother is a mystery. In the box “maiden name of mother,” the name Mary K. Huffacker, born in Knoxville, Tennessee was listed. As you read on, you’ll see that on Hoyt’s World War II draft registration card, his wife was listed as Mrs. Mary Cathern Vest. So, is Mary Wells and Mary K. Huffacker the same woman? Did the “K” stand for Katherine (Cathern)? I don’t find any other records to help solve this mystery so who knows. Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated. 

Cropped image from the unnamed infant's death certificate showing the maiden name of mother

 
Hoyt’s sister Martha Lee Vest was born in Georgia, probably Whitfield County, on May 1, 1927. She died in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia on February 15, 1928. Her death certificate notes there was no physician present. Instead, a statement from Hoyt’s parents said Martha probably died from measles and influenza. She was buried the next day at Ebenezer Cemetery in Catoosa County.

Hoyt and Mary welcomed a daughter they named Louella Mae Vest on November 7, 1929, born in Chattanooga. Another daughter, Billie Jean Vest, was born in Hamilton County on February 16, 1934. Sadly, she didn’t survive infancy and died at home in Lupton City, Hamilton County, Tennessee on March 26. Lupton City was a suburb of Chattanooga. The cause of death listed on her death certificate was influenza and broncho pneumonia, contributed by congenital heart disease. Billie was buried the next day at Ebenezer Cemetery in Catoosa County, Georgia.

Cropped image from Billie Jean Vest's death certificate showing burial location

 
Martha and Billie’s death certificates were clues that helped me figure out who I believe Mary Wells’ parents were. If I’m correct, that would be James “Glenn” Wells and Amanda Leonard. Both Martha and Billie were buried in Ebenezer Cemetery. Neither death certificate included the cemetery location so I looked for that cemetery in the Chattanooga area. Didn’t find one so looked in Georgia and found one in Catoosa County. Hoyt’s family lived in Catoosa County as did Hoyt and Mary themselves at one point but I still needed a connection. One of the burials listed in Ebenezer Cemetery’s Find A Grave site is Thomas Benton “T.B.” Wells. So now I had both Vest and Wells burials in that cemetery but was still looking to connect Mary to T.B. Wells. I decided to let Ancestry.com do the work for me and started building his family tree. It turns out, T.B. Wells had a son named James Glenn Wells who had a daughter named Mary with Amanda Leonard. The 1910 Blackstock, Catoosa County, Georgia census record shows the Glenn Wells family with daughter Mary (born 1909) and her grandfather “Benton Wells” living in the home. The birth year is off a little but within reasonable numbers. Assuming this is correct, along with the connection to Catoosa County, it makes sense that Mary would bury her daughter at Ebenezer Cemetery. I still need the paper trail to prove the connection, but I feel like I’m onto something here. 

Glenn Wells family, with Mary included, in 1910 census record (click to enlarge)

A son named Hobert McKinley Vest, was born to Hoyt and Mary in Tennessee on December 27, 1937.

On April 3, 1940, Hoyt, his wife Mary, daughter Louella, and son Hobert (enumerated as Hovert) lived in a rental home at 56 Third Avenue in Lupton City. They had been living in the same house since 1935. The highest grade in school Hoyt had completed was the 7th. A 21-year-old white female named Mossie Stepp lived in the home as well. Mossie was enumerated as a servant with the occupation of housekeeper in a private home. She too had been living in the home since 1935. Hoyt was employed as a yarn boy in a cotton mill and had made $789 in 1939. Mary was employed as a reeler in a cotton mill and made $889 in 1939. According to the Hall Genealogy Website: Old Occupation Names, a reeler “received yarn on bobbins or paper tubes and arranged them on a shelf above the machine; guided and attached the end of the yarns to swifts (skeleton reels), which revolved and wound the yarn upon themselves in skein form; controlled the power drive on the machine; mended broken threads; removed the hanks or skeins of yarn from the machine when completed.” Mossie had been paid $156 for her services with I imagine room and board included. 

Hoyt was also enumerated at his parents’ home in the Blackstock District of Catoosa County, Georgia on April 13, 1940. This census record shows that he was married but his wife and children were not listed. Hoyt was employed as a farmer/unpaid family worker and had worked 30 hours during the week of March 24–30, 1940. His father was still a farmer, as was his brothers Andrew Jr., Earl, and George. The record shows that everyone in the house had been living there since 1935, although we know that was not the case for Hoyt.

Hoyt registered for the World War II draft in Hamilton County, Tennessee, on October 16, 1940 at the age of 35. He and his wife, Mary, lived at 56 Third Avenue in Lupton City. His registration card described him as being 6’ 2” tall and weighing 222 pounds. He had a dark complexion, black hair, and brown eyes. Hoyt worked at the Dixie Mercerizing Company in Lupton City. According to Wikipedia, “mercerisation is a textile finishing treatment for cellulose fabric and yarn, mainly cotton and flax, which improves dye uptake and tear strength, reduces fabric shrinkage, and imparts a silk-like luster.”

World War II draft registration card

On April 7, 1950, Hoyt, Mary, Louella, and Hobert still lived in the Third Avenue house in Lupton City. Hoyt worked as an oiler in the spinning department of a textile mill while Mary was no longer employed. Their daughter Louella, age 20, was also working in the textile mill, as a winder. The Chattanooga City Directories for the years 1952 – 1954 showed that they continued to live in the Third Avenue house. In 1954, Hoyt worked as a spinner at the Dixie Mercerizing Company. Sometime after 1954, Hoyt apparently divorced Mary and married my granny, Daisy Lee Shields. I’m told they lived together for several years before they married so it must have been in the late 1950s. Hoyt was Granny’s sixth husband, well technically, fifth—she married one of them twice. 

Hoyt and my Granny, Daisy Shields in the Smoky Mountains

Hoyt, Granny, and my sister Jennifer

Hoyt and Granny

I remember they lived in a house in Tunnel Hill, Whitfield County, Georgia built by one of Granny’s other husbands. I believe the property the house was built on was given to Granny by her father, James Stewart Shields. The house sat up on a small hill and was a short walk down the dirt road from my great-grandparents house. There was no running water inside—it had both a well and an outhouse sitting in the yard. I recall going to the well, dropping the bucket that hung from a rope, and then drinking water from the big ladle that was always sitting in the bucket. Every summer, a couple of us usually spent a week there and we took our baths in a big wash tub in the kitchen. The outhouse sat on the other inside of the driveway on the back side of the house. Granny was a beautician and owned a beauty shop. The two of them would take us to the shop for a wash and haircut. We traveled together to the Smoky Mountains and they spent Christmas with us.

Hoyt washing hair at Granny's beauty shop (not sure which of us this is)

Me with Hoyt in the background

Hoyt and an unknown man. Unfortunately, I never asked Mama who he was.

My sister Bonita, Hoyt, me, brother Michael, sisters Vanessa and Jennifer and Granny

Me, Mama (Fay Lankford), Hoyt, and Granny

Hoyt’s mother Bessie died on September 17, 1959 at her home in Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia. By this time, Hoyt had moved from Tennessee and was living in Ringgold. His father Andrew died at Fort Oglethorpe, Catoosa County, Georgia on April 13, 1969. Both were buried at Nellie Head Church in Tunnel Hill.

Hoyt and his mother, Bessie Elliott Vest

At some point, Hoyt and Granny sold the Tunnel Hill house and moved to Calhoun, Gordon County, Georgia after he got a job in the carpet mills. They lived there four or five years and then moved to Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee. Somewhere along the way, Hoyt developed diabetes and lost a big toe on one foot. He eventually lost the leg above the knee and then later lost the other leg and was totally dependent on Granny. This apparently didn’t sit well with her and she filed for divorce. After the divorce, Hoyt moved to San Diego, California to live with his son. My sister remembers that he didn’t want to go but Granny was moving on. Other Vest family members had moved to California at some point so perhaps they were all together. Hoyt’s brother George died in El Cajon, San Diego County, California on September 20, 1983. We lost track of what happened to Hoyt after his move but did learn he died in San Diego on April 30, 1987. Unfortunately, we don’t know the circumstances or where he was buried. 

In researching to write his story, I learned that Hoyt had a lot of heartache in his life. And when he needed support the most, my Granny wasn’t there for him. I hope he found peace in life before he died.

Granny, my sister Bonita, Hoyt holding me, Daddy (Sam Lankford)
holding my sister Jennifer in our backyard

References

• California Death Index, 1940-1997, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPV7-8HT:26 November 2014), William Hoyt Vest, 30 Apr 1987; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
• Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Directory, 1952, 1953, 1954.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10966405/thomas-benton-wells: accessed 9 August 2022), memorial page for Thomas Benton “T.B.” Wells (1838–7 Apr 1916), Find a Grave Memorial ID 10966405, citing Ebenezer Cemetery, Catoosa County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Lawrence Wells (contributor 47075545).
• George Luther Vest, California Death Index, 1940–1997.
• Hall Genealogy Website: Old Occupation Names; http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/q-r.html#R. 
• Hobert McKinley Vest, California, U.S., Death Index, 1940–1997.
• Inf. of Hoyt Vest, Georgia, U.S., Death Index, 1919–1998.
• Marriage Licenses, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, November 8, 1925.
• Mercerised cotton; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercerised_cotton. 
• Mrs. Bessie Elliott Vest and Andrew Jackson Vest obituaries, newspapers unknown.
• Personal Lankford family memories.
• U.S. Federal Census, Blackstock, Catoosa County, Georgia, 1910, 1920, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Lupton City, Hamilton County, Tennessee, 1950.
• U.S. Federal Census, Rocky Face, Whitfield County, Georgia, 1930.
• Unnamed infant of Hoyt Vest, Standard Certificate of Birth no. 13709, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• William Hoyt Vest, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947. 

James M. Lankford, the horse doctor

This week, I’d like to share three news articles I found that help tell the story of James Meriweather Lankford, my 3rd great grandfather. James wore many hats. In addition to being a son, husband, father, and grandfather, James was a farmer, soldier, constable, realtor, and merchant, selling groceries, household supplies, toiletries, and medicines. He spent much of his life dealing with horses—he was a stock trader; he owned and ran both a livery stable and a daily hack service that transported passengers to and from the train in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. And he was a horse doctor. James ran the following article in The Greensboro Herald mid- to late 1873 and early 1874.

Everybody! Look Here, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, July 24, 1873.

To Farmers and Friends Generally. I have moved from Penfield to within one mile of Scull Shoals, Ga., where I propose to cure Horses diseased with Fistula, Polk-evil, Swinny, Big-head, weak eyes, Set-fast on the back, Founder; also to castrate Colts. No cure, I charge nothing for my trouble.

Having had twenty years experience in handling Horses, if I take your horse in hand it will cost you nothing unless I cure. I argue that 99 out of every 100 horses go blind or get disabled from the above diseases and the want of proper treatment.

My address will be SCULL SHOALS, Ga.

James M. Langford.

May 29, 1873

The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, July 24, 1873

He seemed pretty confident in his ability to heal horses, didn’t he? James was so serious about being a horse doctor, he wrote a book about it. I found an August 3, 1883 article in the Georgia Home Journal advertising the book A Treatise on the Horse and His Various Diseases! 

A Treatise on the Horse and His Various Diseases!

By J. M. Lankford, of Greene County

Receipes [sic] for all diseases, nils and complaints peculiar to horses, mules, etc., by a man of many years experience. This book is endorsed by some of the most prominent men in Middle Georgia. State and county rights for the sale of this book can be purchased from J. M. LANKFORD.

July 27th, 1883.

Georgia Home Journal, August 3, 1883

Of course, I had to see if the book existed and found copies of it for sale on several websites. However, the book shows the author as B. J. Kendall, not James. I finally found a digital copy on the Internet Archive website listing Burney James Kendall as the author of the book published in 1879, four years before James’ advertisement. I have no clue what was going on with James in 1883, but he did in fact publish a book that year. On January 25, 2016, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) Blog featured Lankford’s Horse Book as the “book of the month.” The book, published in Atlanta in 1883, was written by James M. Lankford of Penfield, Georgia. But was this the same book as Kendall’s? The BPL Blog shared a sample remedy to cure colic from James’ book, so I checked Kendall’s book to see if the Treatise book had the same remedy. On page 8 of the Treatise book, there was a treatment for colic that’s very different from what the BPL Blog shared from Lankford’s Horse Book. So, they must be different books but not having a copy of Lankford’s Horse Book, I can’t confirm that. According to the Southern History Department (Birmingham Public Library System) Facebook page, “BPL is the only library in the world that owns Lankford’s Horse Book, and it is part of our rare book collection.” If interested, you can read the BPL Blog here: Southern History Book of the Month: Lankford’s Horse Book. You’ll find a copy of Kendall’s book here: A Treatise on the Horse and His Diseases. 

Image used with permission: Southern History Department, Birmingham Public Library System

Another interesting article was disturbing but did confirm James was a horse doctor. This article was published in the Georgia Home Journal in Greensboro on August 13, 1886. 

Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, August 13, 1886.—J. M. Langford, a horse doctor of Greene county, and well known in Augusta, was assaulted and robbed of $200 Saturday night. The robbers thought he was dead and threw his body into a creek. He crawled out and still lives.

I love to find these types of articles. They add substance to writing my ancestor’s life story.

References

• A Treatise on the Horse and His Various Diseases!, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, August 3, 1883.
• Daily Chronicle and Sentinel, Augusta, Georgia, February 4, 1852.
• Everybody! Look Here, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, July 24, 1873.
• Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, August 13, 1886.
• Kendall, Burney James, A Treatise on the Horse and His Diseases, 1879, Internet Archive; https://archive.org/details/treatiseonhorseh01kend/mode/2up. 
• Southern History Book of the Month: Lankford’s Horse Book, Birmingham Public Library Blog, January 25, 2016.
• Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, January 12, 1856.
• Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, November 29, 1856.
• The Georgia Temperance Crusader, Penfield, Georgia, February 4, 1858.
• The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, December 1, 1855.
• The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, June 10, 1854.