Thomas Bowman

Thomas Bowman was born January 23, 1877, at 102 Foundry Lane in St. Rollox, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Joseph Bowman and Mary Braidwood. His parents had married on September 1, 1876, and had been together for just under five months at the time of his birth. His father, a journeyman glassblower, was originally from England. Thomas was the oldest of three, with Joseph Bowman and Alexander Bowman as his younger siblings. 

Thomas in Scotland birth register

Thomas is my husband’s 2nd cousin 2x removed. Their closest shared ancestors are Andrew Braidwood and Mary Liddell—Thomas’ great-grandparents and my husband’s 3rd great-grandparents.

By the time Joseph was born, the family had relocated to 77 East-John Street in Camlachie, Glasgow. By 1881, they were living in Dennistoun, Glasgow, where Alexander was born. That same year, the Bowman family resided at 5 County Park Terrace in Saint John Parish, Glasgow. Their home had only one windowed room, indicating modest living conditions. At age 26, Thomas’ father continued working as a glassblower.

1881 Scotland census

By 1891, Thomas (14) was living at 33 Mill Street in Bridgeton with his widowed grandmother, Christina (Martin) Braidwood (58), his widowed mother (30), aunt Martha Braidwood (26), and brothers Joseph (11) and Alexander (9). His father had evidently passed away between 1881 and 1891. His mother and aunt worked as paint workers, while his brothers were noted as scholars—though Thomas was not. Compared to their earlier home, this one had three rooms with windows, suggesting improved circumstances.

1891 Scotland census

Thomas married Sophia Johnston on February 7, 1899, at Fairbairn Free Church in Bridgeton, according to the Forms of the Free Church of Scotland. At 22, he worked as a furniture warehouseman, and his 20-year-old bride, Sophia, was a spinster. Thomas resided at 56 Albany Street, while Sophia, daughter of William Johnston and Mary Lowrie, lived at 5 Harvie Street.

Thomas in Scotland marriage register

The couple had five children—Mary Bowman, Sophia Bowman, William James Bowman, Violet Bowman, and Thomas Bowman. Their first child, Mary, was born five months after their wedding at the Johnston family home on June 10, 1899. At the time, Thomas continued as a furniture warehouseman.

Mary Bowman in Scotland birth register

Mary passed away on April 8, 1900, at 219 London Road in Camlachie, Glasgow, at just nine months old. She succumbed to acute bronchial pneumonia, which she battled for seven days. Sadly, her great-grandmother and Thomas’ grandmother, Christina (Martin) Braidwood, had died just one day prior. Mary was buried in Lair 3224 at Sandymount Cemetery, in a plot owned by her grandfather, William Johnston.

Mary Bowman in Scotland death register

Their second daughter, Sophia, was born on January 21, 1901, at the Johnston home. Thomas remained in furniture warehousing. However, in the 1901 census, Thomas and Sophia lived separately—Thomas with his widowed mother and brothers in Dalmarnock, and Sophia with her widowed father and brother in Calton. Both were recorded as married, yet their separation raises speculation—perhaps for work, family care, or other reasons.

Sophia Bowman in Scotland birth register

Thomas later worked as a paint maker, responsible for mixing pigments, oils, and resins for buildings, ships, and machinery. His brothers, Joseph and Alexander, worked as machinemen, operating and maintaining industrial machinery.

In 1901, the census captured two households connected by marriage. Thomas, a paint maker by trade, shared a modest two-windowed home at 29 Ardenlea Street with his mother Mary and brothers Joseph and Alexander. Both brothers worked as machinemen, likely in one of the area’s industrial facilities.

Meanwhile, Thomas’ wife Sophia was living separately with her family in their two-windowed home on Harvie Street. She stayed there with her widowed father William, her nine-year-old brother (also named William), and her infant daughter Sophia, just two months old at the time. Her father worked as a bleachfield worker in the textile industry—a job that involved spreading cloth across open fields and using both chemicals and natural sunlight to achieve the desired white color. Young William, like many children his age, was listed as a scholar, attending local schooling.

Thomas in the 1901 Scotland census

Thomas' wife and daughter in the 1901 Scotland census

By May 25, 1904, Thomas and Sophia seemingly reunited, as their son, William James Bowman, was born at 125 Summerfield Street in Bridgeton. Their third child, Violet Bowman, arrived on June 11, 1906, at 12 Davidson Street. Thomas continued to be employed as a paint worker.

William James Bowman in the Scotland birth register

Violet Bowman in the Scotland birth register

Thomas passed away on June 7, 1908, at age 28, at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow. His death resulted from lockjaw (tetanus), caused by a puncture wound in his left foot sustained weeks prior. He endured 12 days of suffering before succumbing. At the time, he lived at 44 East Hope Street in Dennistoun and worked as a bone work laborer, a role involving processing animal bones for industrial goods like buttons, combs, and fertilizer.

Thomas in the Scotland death register

Correction sheet to Thomas’ death register

Thomas was laid to rest in Lair 4963 at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery on June 10, 1908, alongside his grandmother, parents, and other relatives. His great-grandfather, Andrew Braidwood, was the lair’s proprietor.

Thomas in Eastern Necropolis Cemetery's burial records

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Lairholder Registry

Sophia was left to care for their three young children—but it turns out she was already pregnant. On November 7, 1908—five months after Thomas’ death—she gave birth to a son, Thomas Bowman, at 39 Springfield Road in Bridgeton.

Thomas’ son Thomas Bowman in Scotland birth register

Sophia passed away in 1920 from smallpox. She was buried in Lair 3224 at Sandymount Cemetery, alongside her father and daughter, Mary.

Sophia in Scotland death register

William Johnston Lair, Register of Lair Owners and Burials,
Sandymount Cemetery, Glasgow

References

• Alexander Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/3 670, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Andrew Braidwood, Glasgow, Scotland, Burial Records 1800–1970, images 1 and 40, FamilySearch.
• Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland Census, 1891. DOWNLOAD
• Eastern Necropolis Cemetery: Glasgow, Scotland Burial Records 1906–1912, image 86, FamilySearch.
• Joseph Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/2 940, National Records of Scotland, 1879.
• Mary Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1741, National Records of Scotland, 1908.
• Mary Bowman, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/2 320, National Records of Scotland, 1900.
• Sandymount Cemetery: Glasgow, Scotland, Burial Records 1880–1989, images 4 and 425, FamilySearch.
• Sophia Bowman, Census 644/116/2, National Records of Scotland, 1901.
• Sophia Bowman, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/1 625, National Records of Scotland, 1920.
• Thomas Bowman, Census 644/130/3, National Records of Scotland, 1891.
• Thomas Bowman, Census 644/175/14, National Records of Scotland, 1901.
• Thomas Bowman, Census 644/321/13, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1741, National Records of Scotland, 1908.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/6 239, National Records of Scotland, 1877.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/4 761, National Records of Scotland, 1908.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Marriages 644/1 76, National Records of Scotland, 1899.
• Violet Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1036, National Records of Scotland, 1899.
• William James Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1033, National Records of Scotland, 1904. 

Minty, Jack, Edmund, and Anna: property of Joseph McDermond

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

Georgia Journal, March 2, 1829

GREENE Sheriff’s Sales.—On the first Tuesday in MARCH next, will be sold at the courthouse in the town of Greenesborough, Greene county, within the usual hours of sale, the following property, to wit

Minty a woman about 25 years old, and her child Jack a boy about 1 year old, Edmund a boy about 12 years old, and Anna a girl about 12 years old, levied on as the property of Joseph McDermond to satisfy a mortgage fi. fa. in favor of George Martin, vs. Joseph McDermond.

WM. L. STRAIN, Sh’ff.

References

Greene Sheriff’s Sales, Georgia Journal, Madison, Georgia, March 2, 1829. 

James Athya Anderson

James Athya Anderson, born on January 10, 1912 in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Scotland was the son of Elizabeth Durie Athya and Alexander Anderson. James had six siblings: Jemina Athya Anderson, Helen Hamilton Anderson, Alexander Athya Anderson, Mary Brown Anderson, Janet Lambie Anderson, and Elizabeth Athya Anderson. He is my husband’s 1st cousin 1x removed with their nearest common relatives being James Wylie Athya and Jemima Durie, my husband’s great grandparents and James’ grandparents.

Register of birth for James

The Anderson family lived at 1 Avenue Street in Rutherglen when James was born. His father worked as a blacksmith. Having completed his apprenticeship under a master blacksmith, he was considered a journeyman. By the time James’ sister Mary arrived in September 1914, the Anderson’s had relocated to another street in Rutherglen—1 Baronflat Street. 

James never got to know his maternal grandfather, James Wylie Athya. He died when James was one and a half years of age from gastro-intestinal cancer in Garngadhill, Lanark, Scotland on August 12, 1913. His grandfather was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow.

The Anderson family was deeply impacted by the events of World War I, which began in July 1914. Three of James’ maternal uncles—Robert, George, and David Athya—answered the call to serve. Tragically, David lost his life in the France and Flanders campaign on May 10, 1915. 

Chalk drawing of George, David, and Robert Athya

After the war, his uncle George Athya returned home and lived at 1 Baronflat Street in Rutherglen—the same address where the Anderson family resided in 1914. The home was small, with just two rooms. It would have been a cramped living environment for 9 people, much less 10.

James’ father continued his work as a blacksmith, employed at Stewarts and Lloyds as a tube maker. His 15-year-old sister, Jemima—enumerated as Minnie in the 1921 Scotland census—worked as a carpet weaver at Templeton’s Weaving Factory. The six younger siblings, including James himself, were listed as scholars, although it is doubtful that the youngest, Janet (aged 4) and Elizabeth (aged 1), were attending school at the time. 

1921 Scotland census

James’ sister Jemima married Andrew Wilson Glen on February 15, 1924 in Rutherglen. The usual residence for both Jemima and Andrew were the same—1 Baronflat Street—the Anderson family home in Rutherglen. It would be interesting to know whether they moved into a home of their own, or continued to live in the Anderson family home. James’ grandmother Jemima (Durie) Athya passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland on November 19, 1925. She was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery along with other family members.

On March 12, 1937, James married Mary Mitchell Thomson at South Manse Hollandbush in the District of Hamilton, Lanark, Scotland, following banns according to the traditions of the Church of Scotland. At the time, James, a 25-year-old bachelor residing at 59 Cambuslang Road in Rutherglen, was employed as a general laborer. Mary, an 18-year-old spinster living at 82 Strathaven Road in Hamilton, worked as a baker packer. Born in 1918, Mary was illegitimate, and her mother, Mary Thomson, was a domestic servant in Hamilton.

Marriage register for James

James was just 27 years old when he passed away on July 19, 1939, at Robroyston Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. He died from acute miliary tuberculosis, a severe form of the disease that spreads extensively through the bloodstream. Robroyston Hospital, established in 1918, initially served as a facility for treating smallpox and tuberculosis. Briefly operating as a military hospital during 1918–1919, it became a major center for tuberculosis care by 1925, with 450 beds dedicated to patients. At the time of his death, James resided at 36 Main Street in Rutherglen. He worked as a chauffeur and had been married to Mary for only two years. I have been unable to determine James’ burial location.

Death register for James

References

• Alex Anderson, Census 654/41/4, National Records of Scotland, 1921.
• David Athya, Evening Times Roll of Honour and The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Scotland.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/70, National Records of Scotland, 1912.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/4503, National Records of Scotland, 1939.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Marriages 647/77, National Records of Scotland, 1937.
• Janet Lambie Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/44, National Records of Scotland, 1917.
• Jemima Athya, Register of Interments in Southern Necropolis, Glasgow, Scotland, 1925.
• Mary Brown Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/576, National Records of Scotland, 1914.
• Mary Mitchell Thomson, Statutory Registers Births 647/1132, National Records of Scotland, 1918.
• Robroyston; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robroyston. 

English sues Lankford over condition of Lucy

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

This is a court case involving my ancestor, James M. Lankford. In October 1853, James sold Lucy to Stephen English for $300, with a warranty that she was sound except for one arm. English soon discovered that Lucy had additional health problems affecting her shoulder and hip joints, conditions that James had allegedly failed to mention.

English filed suit in Greene County Superior Court in March 1856, claiming that James had deceived him about Lucy’s condition. The lawsuit sought damages of $300—the full purchase price. English argued that these hidden health issues made Lucy not only unusable but also created additional expenses for him.

English was awarded $300 plus court costs on March 10, 1857. James filed an appeal on March 11.

After nearly two years of legal proceedings, a jury reached awarded English a judgment on April 1, 1858 of $174.33, plus interest and court costs, less than his original demand for $300.

No. 78, Greene Superior Court. March Term 1856
Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford 
Received of Stephen English three hundred dollars in full payment for a negro woman Lucy which I warrant sound with the exception of one arm.

Oct. 19th, 1853
James M. Lankford

Georgia, Greene County. To the Honorable Superior Court of said County.
The petition of Stephen English respectfully showeth that James M. Lankford of said County hath damaged your petitioner three hundred dollars for that whereas heretofore to wit on the nineteenth day of October in the year of Eighteen Hundred and fifty-five your petitioner at the special instance and request of said defendant bargained with the said defendant to buy of him the said defendant a certain negro woman slave named Lucy at and for a certain price or sum of money to wit, the sum of Three Hundred Dollars, and the said defendant by then and there falsely and fraudulently warranting the said negro slave to be sound with the exception of one arm then and there sold the said negro Slave to your petitioner for the said sum of Three Hundred dollars, which was then and there paid by your petitioner to said defendant, whereas in truth and in fact the said negro Slave was at the time of the said warranty and sale thereof unsound and diseased seriously in her Shoulder joint, and hip joint and hath from thence hitherto so remained and continued. And your petitioner in fact Saith that the said defendant by means of the premises on the day and year aforesaid falsely and fraudulently deceived your petitioner on the sale of the said negro Slave as aforesaid and thereby the said negro Slave afterwards to wit on the day and year aforesaid not only became of use or value to your petitioner but on the contrary a source of trouble and anxiety and expense.

And whereas also your petitioner heretofore to wit on the day and year aforesaid bargained with the said defendant to buy of the said defendant a certain other negro woman slave named Lucy and the said defendant by then and there falsely warranting the said last mentioned negro slave to be sound with the exception of one arm falsely and fraudulently induced your petitioner then and there to be, and your petitioner did then and there buy of the said defendant the said last mentioned negro slave for the like sum of Three Hundred dollars whereas in truth and in fact the said last mentioned negro slave at the time of the said last mentioned warranty and sale was not sound with the exception of one arm, but there was and hath hither to been and still is unsound and diseased seriously in other parts of her body, and not only useless but expensive to your petitioner. 

And your petitioner avers that the said Defendant falsely and fraudulently deceived him in the sale of the said last mentioned negro Slave to the damage of your petitioner Three Hundred dollars as aforesaid.

Wherefore your petitioner brings suit and prays process may issue requiring the said defendant to be and appear at the next Superior Court to be held in and for said County to answer your petitioner in an action on the case.

Henry C. Ware, Plffs. Atty.

Georgia - To the Sheriff of Greene County Greeting 

Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford Case

The defendant is hereby required personally or by attorney to be and appear at the Superior Court to be held in and for the County of Greene on the Second Monday in March next then and there to answer the Plaintiffs demand in an action on the case as in default thereof the said Court will proceed as to Justice shall appertain.

Witness the Honorable Robert V. Hardeman, Judge of said Court this 19th day of February 1856.

Vincent Sanford, Clerk 

Personally Served James M. Lankford with a copy of the within Writ February 20, 1856
Thos. F. Foster, D. Sheriff 

 

Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford Case

We the Jury find for the Plaintiff, Three Hundred Dollars with costs of Court.
Peter R. Brooks, Foreman 

Court adjourned to 8 ½ clock tomorrow morning.
Robert V. Hardeman, Judge

The Honorable the Superior Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present His Honor Robert V. Hardeman, Judge
Tuesday, 10th March 1857.

Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford Case 
Verdict for the Plaintiff.
The Defendant James M. Lankford being dissatisfied with the verdict of the jury rendered in the above stated case, came into office within the time prescribed by law and demanded an Appeal which was granted. Whereupon Robert L. McWhorter Enters himself as the Security on said appeal and acknowledges himself, his heirs, and assigns held and firmly bound unto the Plaintiff in said cause for the Eventual condemnation money and all costs on the final trial of said case. In witness whereof the said James M. Lankford and Robert L. McWhorter have hereunto set their hands and Seal this 11 day March 1857.

Test
James M. Lankford

R. L. McWhorter
Vincent Sanford, Clk

Reference

• Greene County, Georgia, Court Minutes 1856–1868, images 81 and 84, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Special Proceedings Records 1856–1858, images 295–296, FamilySearch. 

Ralph Murphy’s cameras: A photographic legacy

Among our cherished family heirlooms, my husband Charlie treasures three vintage cameras. One of them, a Nikon F, has a special place in our collection—it belonged to his Uncle Ralph Murphy. In 2012, during a visit with Aunt Jean, she entrusted Charlie with this classic camera and Uncle Ralph’s collection of slides. While the stories behind the other two cameras remain unconfirmed, Charlie believes they also belonged to Ralph, who passed them down to his younger brother Earl—Charlie’s father—as he upgraded his equipment. Together, these three cameras and their accompanying slides chronicle precious moments in our family’s history.

We believe Ralph began taking photos in 1947 with an Argus C3, his first camera. This sturdy camera, produced from 1939 to 1966, was a favorite among amateur photographers in post-war America. Heavy and solid, it was built with an all-metal body and equipped with a 50mm f/3.5 lens. The all-black Argus C3 earned its nickname “The Brick” for its distinctive blocky shape.

Black Argus C3 camera with flash attachment and case

Back of black Argus C3 camera

Back view of black Argus C3 camera with flash attachment and case

The second Argus camera is a Match-Matic version of the Argus C3, and has a distinctive two-tone beige/tan and black body. This version dates from around 1950 and features a 50mm f/3.5 lens. The Match-Matic version has upgraded flash capability and simplified exposure settings. We believe Ralph purchased this version to upgrade his photography capabilities, and gave the original Argus C3 camera to Earl in the mid-1950s so he could capture photos of his growing family.

Tan Argus camera and case

Back view of tan Argus camera

The Nikon F that Aunt Jean gave Charlie in 2012 completes our vintage camera collection. This camera, introduced in 1959, represented a significant advance in camera design with its solid, all-metal construction. While we are unable to determine exactly when Ralph acquired it, we know he expanded his photography equipment with two important additions: a Nikkor-H Auto lens and a telephoto lens, reflecting his growing interest in photography. 

The Nikon F is a heavy piece of equipment—the camera body alone weighed 1.3 pounds, reaching 1.9 pounds with its finder and batteries. With both lenses added, Ralph would have carried nearly 3 pounds of camera equipment during his photo sessions. Today, a complete Nikon F set like this might be valued between $300 and $500, but its real worth lies in the thousands of family moments it captured over the decades.

Ralph’s Nikon F camera, lens, and case

Back of Ralph’s Nikon F camera

Ralph’s camera bag and Nikon F manual

Ralph’s photographic legacy extends far beyond the cameras themselves. His slide collection—21 boxes (many indexed)—chronicles nearly four decades of American life, from 1947 to 1984. Through his lens, he preserved not only family gatherings and cross-country road trips, but also significant moments of West Virginia history: a soap box derby in Nutter Fort, summer days at Tygart Lake, the rising of Clarksburg’s Skyline Drive-in, events at Palace Furniture, the excitement of local car races, town parades, and even the floods that shaped the region.

These slides, documenting both everyday moments and historical events, offer a remarkable window into mid-20th century American life through the eyes of a passionate photographer. To explore some of Ralph’s remarkable archive, click here.

Some of the storage boxes filled with Ralph’s slides

Ralph Murphy

References

• Argus C3; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_C3. 
• Argus Match-Matic C3; https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Argus_Match-Matic_C3. 
• Nikon F; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F. 

Pleasant Terrell compensated for injuries received while enslaved

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 the Georgia Rail Road Company of Richmond County and State of Georgia are held and firmly bound unto Pleasant Terrell, Freedman, and former slave of David S. Terrell of the County of Greene and State of for the true payment of $8.00 eight dollars per month for injury received while a slave and in the services of the Georgia Rail Road Company. Time of payment to commence on the first day of July 1865. And to thereafter monthly as above agreed until such time as the said Pleasant Terrell shall be able to support himself by his own labor using [blank space] and economy to support himself. The time when payment shall cease shall by decided by two physicians, one chosen by each party. For the true payment of which the Georgia Rail Road Company are held and firmly bound by these presents. Sealed with their seals and dated the seventh day of May 1867. The condition of the above obligation is such that if the Georgia Rail Road Company shall pay to the said Pleasant Terrell the sum of eight dollars per month, as above stipulated, then this obligation shall be void.

P. [Peter] W. Printup

Signed and sealed in presence of 
Jno. P. King, President 
Jas. Milligan, Treasurer

Reference

Greene County, Georgia, Deeds 1862–1871, image 356, FamilySearch. 

Hazel A. Shields

Hazel A. Shields was born September 12, 1926, in Georgia, the daughter of Walter C. B. Shields and Virginia “Gennie” Maria Craig. She was one of eight children born to the Shields family. Her siblings included Ralph Shields, Vernon “Doc” Lee Shields, Josephine Shields, W. C. “Dub” Shields, Betty Jean Shields, and Buddy Shields. The family had experienced tragedy before Hazel’s birth with the loss of her older brother, Melburn, who died at approximately age three.

Hazel is my 1st cousin 2x removed, with our nearest common ancestors being Samuel Cas Shields and Martha Ann Ogle—my 2nd great-grandparents and Hazel’s grandparents.

The Shields family’s movements in the 1930s can be traced through various records, though Hazel’s whereabouts in the 1930 census have yet to be found. By 1935, the family had established themselves in the Hall District of Pickens County, Georgia, presumably in Jasper.

The Pickens County Progress provides glimpses into Hazel’s early education. In December 1938, the paper reported that Hazel entered first grade alongside her siblings Ralph, Vernon, and Josephine. Just two months later, in February 1939, Hazel demonstrated academic promise when she, Ralph, and Josephine were placed on the first-grade honor roll.

The 1940 census, taken on May 13, paints a challenging picture of the family’s circumstances. Despite being 13 years old, Hazel had only completed the third grade, and none of the Shields children had attended school since March of that year. The census reveals her father working as a farmer and her brother serving as a farm laborer.

Hazel’s marriage to Ulysses “Ulis or Eulis” Carter, son of Lander A. and Mary L. Carter, occurred sometime between the May 1940 census and 1949. This timeline is established through two key records: the 1940 census, where Hazel was still single, and the 1949 Bradley County, Tennessee city directory, which documented the couple living in Cleveland. The directory also noted Ulis’ employment as a laborer at Stivers Lumber Company.

Though Ulis fulfilled his patriotic duty by registering for the World War II draft, records do not indicate any military service during the war.

The 1950 census, taken on May 10, provides a detailed snapshot of Hazel and Ulis’ life in Bradley County’s enumeration district 6-6. At the time, Hazel was 23 and Ulis was 36. The census reveals Ulis’ employment as a ripsaw helper at a lumber company, though he was between jobs that week and searching for work. Hazel’s status was listed as “unable to work.”

Ulis’ mother lived nearby with her second husband, William Sprayberry, and their son Earl, just a few houses down the same street.

Hazel’s life came to an untimely end on September 6, 1951, just six days shy of her 25th birthday. She died at her home near Straw Hill, a residential area in Cleveland, after a battle with pulmonary tuberculosis. Her struggle with the disease had begun nearly three years earlier, on November 13, 1948.

The Straw Hill Baptist Church hosted her funeral service on September 7, after which she was laid to rest in Cleveland’s Red Hill Cemetery. Hazel left behind her husband Ulis; sisters Josephine and Betty; brothers Ralph, Vernon, Dub, and Buddy; and her parents.

Photo by Laurie Wilson, Find A Grave member 47098859

References

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107992768/hazel-carter: accessed April 7, 2025), memorial page for Hazel Shields Carter (12 Sep 1926–6 Sep 1951), Find a Grave Memorial ID 107992768, citing Red Hill Cemetery, Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Laurie Wilson (contributor 47098859).
• Hazel A. Carter, Certificate of Death no. 51-19748, State of Tennessee, Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics, 1951.
• Hazel Carter, U.S., City Directories, 1949.
• Mrs. Eulis Carter, Cleveland Daily Banner, p. 3, September 6, 1951.
• Pickens Hi-Lights: Grade Honor Roll, Pickens County Progress, Jasper, Georgia, February 2, 1939.
• Pickens Hi-Lights: P.C.H.S. Still Growing, County Progress, Jasper, Georgia, December 8, 1938.
• U.S. Federal Census, E.D. 6-6, Bradley County, Tennessee, 1950.
• U.S. Federal Census, Hill District, Pickens County, Georgia, 1940.
• Ulis Carter, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.

Samuel Davis loans Lotty and Fed to daughter, Cornelia Preston

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

Davis to Preston

We the undersigned do certify that on this the 29th day of August, Eighteen hundred and sixty, Samuel Davis did bring before us a Negro Girl of dark color named Lotty, about seventeen years old and a negro boy of dark complexion about twelve years old named Fed and notified us that he intended to send said negroes to his daughter Cornelia Preston who is now in the Creek Nation and that he intends them simply as a loan to his said daughter.

In witness whereof we have hereunto affixed our hands and seal on the day above mentioned.

Test. 
James W. Godkin J.P.

I. L. Mathews
W. H. Morrison
Isaac R. Hall

Recorded this 29th day of August 1860.
Isaac R. Hall, Clerk

Reference

Greene County, Georgia, Deed Books 1852–1857, 1857–1862, image 483, FamilySearch. 

Alexander King gives June and John to grandson, Alexander King

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

King to King

State of Georgia, Greene County. This Indenture made this tenth day of December, Eighteen hundred and sixty-one between Alexander King of said State and County of the one part, and my grandson, Alexander King, son of Ulysses B. King of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Alexander King for and in consideration of the sum of Five dollars cash in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he has and bears to his said grandson has granted and conveyed and doth by these presents give, grant, and convey to the said Alexander King, son of the said Ulysses B. King, two Negro slaves, June, about ten years old and John, his brother, about eight years old. To have and to hold said Negro slaves to him, the said Alexander King, his heirs, and assigns. 

In testimony whereof the said Alexander King hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written. 

Alex. King

Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of
B. F. Greene
C. A. Vincent, J.P.

Recorded this 6th day of March 1863.
Isaac R. Hall, Clerk

Reference

Greene County, Georgia, Deeds 1862–1871, image 50, FamilySearch. 

Janie (Dove) Holland petitions court for support

While researching my great-grandparents, Elijah Jeffers Holland and Cornelia Jane “Janie” Dove, I uncovered a court document that reveals new details about their lives. I’m sharing it here as an extension of their story, rather than a traditional timeline sketch (I’ve already created one for each of them). If you’d like to learn more, click their names above to read their earlier sketches.

Elijah and Janie (Dove) Holland

Elijah and Janie married in 1894. After a brief stay in Hart County, Georgia, they made their home in Whitfield County, Georgia, where they farmed the land, attended church, and surrounded themselves with family and friends, becoming respected members of the community. They were blessed with three children: Roy Holland (1897), Nellie Holland (1898), and Samuel “Sam” Jackson Holland (1904). A fourth child, sadly, did not survive.

On March 4, 1915, their lives were forever altered. Elijah passed away in Dalton, Georgia, at just 42 years old, leaving Janie, 43, to navigate an uncertain future. Their three children—Roy (17), Nellie (16), and Sam (10)—were still too young to shoulder the burden of their loss. For Janie, the passing of her husband also meant the loss of the family’s sole provider.

In the early 20th century, widows like Janie endured immense hardships. With no breadwinner to support them, they turned to the courts for relief—a provision allowed under Georgia law at the time. On April 1, 1915, Janie petitioned the Whitfield County Court for 12 months of financial and property support for herself and her children, along with household furniture to help sustain their lives.

The court appointed five appraisers—G. L. Broadrick, A. L. Rollins, C. N. McAllister, George W. Cline, and W. N. Richardson—to evaluate the estate and allocate resources for Janie and the children. Their assessment concluded Janie required $890 for support and maintenance. She chose to receive her allotment in this form:

• Land: Elijah’s equitable interest in 33 acres (lot 305) and 35 acres (lot 272), valued at $700
• Livestock: One mule ($100), one cow ($25), and two pigs ($5)
• Tools and furniture: Farming tools and wagons ($10), and household furniture ($50)

This allocation provided much-needed support, but with a stipulation: Janie would be responsible for settling all outstanding debts associated with the estate.

This court document offers a small window into the challenges Janie faced after Elijah’s untimely passing, while also shedding light on the struggles women endured during that era. I can’t imagine standing in her shoes, forced to petition the court simply to secure the means to support my family. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come.

References

E. J. Holland, Whitfield County, Georgia, Probate Records 1865–1935, images 325–326, FamilySearch. 

Laura “Lollie” Lyal Martin

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.

Laura “Lollie” Lyal Martin was born on December 27, 1860, in Georgia. She was known as Lollie. Her parents, John Franklin “Frank” Martin and Adaline “Addie” Celestial Malone had recently celebrated two occasions earlier that month: their second wedding anniversary on December 7 and Addie’s birthday on December 5.

Lollie was likely named after her maternal grandmother, Laura E. Williams, and her paternal grandmother, Nancy Lyall Sims. She was an only child.

Although Lollie’s connection to me is distant, I managed to uncover one! She is the wife of my first great-uncle through the husband of my 2nd cousin, 3x removed. You can follow the connection below. Alice Beman Lankford was my great-grandmother.

Lollie was born near the end of 1860 and was not recorded in the census that year. However, reviewing the census from June 9, we learn that her parents lived in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. Her father, Frank, worked as a farmer and had a personal estate valued at $3,000. At the time, Frank was 22 years old and Addie, her mother, was 19. Sometime later, the family relocated to Floyd County, Georgia.

Tragically, before Lollie’s second birthday, her father passed away in Floyd County on August 22, 1862. Frank was laid to rest in the Martin Family Cemetery in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. His untimely death occurred without him leaving a will. Just days later, on August 26, Frank’s father, John Martin, petitioned the Floyd County Court to appoint him as temporary administrator of the estate. This allowed him to manage and sell the significant amount of perishable property Frank had left behind.

After her father’s passing, Lollie and her mother returned to Greene County. There, Addie filed a petition seeking legal authority to manage Lollie’s share of the estate, which was valued at $8,000. To demonstrate her commitment to accountability, Addie offered a $10,000 bond. She named B. Johnson and William as her securities in this arrangement and requested the court’s approval to oversee these funds. Her goal was to ensure proper management of the inheritance for her daughter’s well-being and future needs.

On January 12, 1863, a guardianship bond was established in Oglethorpe County, naming Lollie’s grandfather, John Martin, as her legal guardian. To secure this arrangement, John, alongside Mathew S. Jackson acting as a surety, pledged a financial bond of $10,000. This bond served as a safeguard, ensuring that John would faithfully fulfill his legal duties as outlined in the Letters of Guardianship and applicable laws. The bond would be voided if John adhered to these obligations, but it would remain in effect should he fail to meet his responsibilities.

On October 23, 1863, John Martin, gravely ill and aware of his approaching death, shared his final wishes regarding the distribution of his estate. Unable to formalize a written will due to the unavailability of the necessary assistance, he communicated his intentions verbally in the presence of three witnesses at his home in Oglethorpe County.

John expressed regret for not having completed a written will earlier but was determined to ensure fairness in dividing his estate. He declared that his wife, Nancy, would retain the estate, and as their children came of age or married, each would receive an equal share, in line with what others had already received during his lifetime. He emphasized that his son Thomas, who had reached adulthood but had not yet received his portion, should be given an equal share in currency to guarantee equity. John further requested that if his condition worsened, additional provisions should be made for Thomas beyond his legal inheritance.

Additionally, John stated that his son Redding S. Martin should receive $1,000 more than the standard share of the estate. He entrusted Nancy, Lollie’s grandmother, with the responsibility of managing the estate, granting her the right to retain any land and enslaved individuals she desired. He tasked her with overseeing the property’s division among their children and ensuring the education of those who had yet to be schooled, utilizing resources from the estate to fulfill this obligation.

John also included his granddaughter, Lollie, the daughter of his late son Frank, in his plans, specifying that she was to receive an inheritance equal to that of his other children. This was part of his effort to distribute his estate equitably among all his descendants.

John passed away three days later, on October 26, 1863. He was laid to rest in Martin Cemetery in Oglethorpe County.

In November 1863, Addie submitted a document to the court detailing her management of Lollie’s money and property. This report was a required demonstration of Addie’s responsible handling of Lollie’s estate. Lollie’s assets included $2,500 in Confederate Treasury Notes (bonds) and two enslaved girls: Rebecca, approximately 14 years old, and Emma, around 12 years old. The document also recorded $25 in earnings from hiring out Rebecca during 1863.

On December 7, 1863, Lollie’s grandmother, Nancy Martin, submitted a petition to the Court of Ordinary in Oglethorpe County for the probate of John Martin’s will. In the proceedings, Lollie was identified as one of the minor next of kin. To ensure proper care and oversight, Elijah “Thomas” Martin, Lollie’s uncle, was appointed as temporary guardian for her as well as several of John’s other minor children.

On January 11, 1864, Addie was officially certified to serve as Lollie’s guardian. She provided a bond with security, took the required oath, and received court approval, which authorized her to manage her daughter’s property. This certification entrusted Addie with the responsibility of using Lollie’s estate according to the law and fulfilling all guardian duties, including the submission of necessary reports.

In March 1864, with the court’s approval, Addie invested the $2,500 in Confederate bonds—similar to government loans during the Civil War—aiming to grow the funds. A certificate was issued, promising an annual interest rate of four percent on the bond. On June 1, 1864, Addie filed a return for Lollie’s estate with the court, which was likely an accounting or financial report to ensure continued oversight.

Tragically, Addie’s role as guardian was short-lived. She passed away on April 16, 1865, likely in Oglethorpe County. She was laid to rest in the Martin Family Cemetery in Oglethorpe County. With Addie’s passing, four-year-old Lollie, still a minor, became an orphan.

On June 17, 1870, 10-year-old Lollie was living with her paternal uncle, Thomas Martin, and his family in Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. They resided next door to her paternal grandmother, Nancy Martin, along with her aunt Susan Martin and uncles Redding, Benjamin, and Edgar (listed in the census as Edwin). Thomas, aged 29, worked as a farmer and had a personal estate valued at $500. His wife, Harriet, managed their household.

There is a gap in the records between April 1865, when Lollie’s mother Addie passed away, and February 1869, when William Boswell was officially named as Lollie’s guardian. Given that Lollie was living with Thomas during this time, it is possible that he assumed responsibility for her care. However, I have not found any court documents to confirm this arrangement.

Lollie’s maternal grandfather, Thompson Malone, passed away in 1862, leaving behind a substantial estate that took years to finalize. When the estate administrators, Laura E. Malone and Joseph H. Malone, were ready to settle the inheritance, it was recognized that, with the death of her mother Addie, Lollie was entitled to her mother’s share.

In February 1869, William J. Boswell—Lollie’s uncle by marriage (the husband of her mother’s sister, Josephine Malone)—petitioned the court in Greene County to be appointed as Lollie’s guardian ad litem. This role allowed him to legally represent Lollie’s interests during the estate settlement process. The court granted his request, ensuring that her inheritance rights were protected.

At just nine years old, Lollie became the recipient of two significant inheritances, securing her future despite the many hardships she had endured.

By January 11, 1873, William appointed Redding Martin, Lollie’s paternal uncle, as his lawful representative, or attorney-in-fact. Redding, who resided in Oglethorpe County—the location where John Martin’s will was probated—was authorized to act on William’s behalf in receiving payments or funds owed to Lollie from John Martin’s estate. Earlier that year, William also took care of purchasing clothing and shoes for Lollie, ensuring her needs were met.

In early March 1873, Lollie, with the permission of her guardian, William, relocated to Oglethorpe County, where she owned significant property. Following her move, William informed the courts of his desire to relinquish his guardianship responsibilities—a decision Lollie agreed to.

On March 19, 1873, Redding Martin submitted a petition to the Ordinary of Oglethorpe County, requesting the transfer of Lollie’s guardianship from William to himself. The court approved the request, officially appointing Redding as Lollie’s legal guardian in Oglethorpe County. To fulfill his guardianship duties, Redding, along with J. G. M. Edwards and Benjamin Martin as sureties, pledged a bond of $2,000. This bond ensured that Redding would responsibly manage and protect Lollie’s interests and property throughout the duration of his guardianship.

In April 1873, Redding submitted a petition to the Greene County Court of Ordinary, requesting the transfer of guardianship jurisdiction to Oglethorpe County, where both he and Lollie were now residing. After reviewing the petition and the accompanying certificate, the Greene County Court approved the transfer. This decision allowed Redding to maintain his guardianship of Lollie, now under the legal authority of Oglethorpe County.

A June 30, 1873 annual return documents financial transactions managed by Redding as Lollie’s guardian. It noted payments of $1 to Joel F. Thornton and $21.60 to R. H. Mitchell, who was likely a legal official. The return also confirmed the receipt of $905.13 from William Boswell, Lollie’s former guardian, as a transfer of funds for her estate.

On August 26, 1874, Lollie was admitted to the congregation of Crawford Baptist Church in Crawford, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

On September 28, 1874, Redding submitted an annual financial return as Lollie’s guardian, detailing disbursements made in 1873. The recorded total amounted to $2,085.55. Later, on May 31, 1876, Redding filed another financial return covering the years 1875 and 1876, reporting total disbursements of $295.44 for the two-year period.

On September 18, 1876, Redding submitted a petition to the Court, explaining that the income from Lollie’s estate was insufficient to cover the costs of her board, clothing, and education. He requested permission to draw from the principal of her estate, in addition to its accrued interest, to ensure her proper maintenance and education, as permitted by law. The Court approved his petition, granting him the authority to use as much of the estate’s principal as necessary to support and educate Lollie.

Redding submitted an annual financial return for Lollie’s estate, documenting disbursements totaling $236.90 for the year ending on July 1, 1877. For the following year, ending on July 1, 1878, he filed another financial return, reporting disbursements amounting to $185.28. Additionally, a separate return was submitted for the same year, listing further disbursements of $42.50.

On December 4, 1879, Lollie married Patrick Mell Cheney, the son of the prominent William Owen Cheney and Elizabeth Ann Callaway, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The Cheney family was well-regarded and influential in the community during that time. Lollie was 18 years old, and Patrick was 23 when they tied the knot. After their marriage, the couple settled in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, where they began building their life together.

Redding submitted an annual financial return for Lollie’s estate, covering the years 1879 and 1880. This was the first return to reference her married name, Cheney. Disbursements for the period amounted to $178.60.

By June 2, 1880, Lollie, aged 19, and her husband Patrick, aged 24, were living in District 148 of Greene County. In the census records, Lollie was listed as “Lottie.” She managed their household while Patrick worked as a farmer. Also residing with them was Patrick’s 68-year-old widowed mother, Elizabeth, who shared their home.

Tragically, just one year and four months into their marriage, Lollie passed away on April 6, 1881, at the young age of 20. The cause of her untimely death remains unknown, though it raises speculation about whether childbirth may have played a role. She was laid to rest in Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown. Her tombstone, now gradually being reclaimed by the earth, bears the inscription:

Sacred to the memory of Lollie, wife of P. M. Cheney. Born Dec. 27, 1860, Died April 6, 1881.

References

• Administrators and Guardians Letters: Greene County, Georgia, Probate Records 1856–1913, image 72, FamilySearch.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24042262/lollie_l-cheney: accessed March 16, 2025), memorial page for Lollie L Martin Cheney (27 Dec 1860–6 Apr 1881), Find a Grave Memorial ID 24042262, citing Bairdstown Cemetery, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA; maintained by PC (contributor 46773894).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32135833/adeline_celestial-martin: accessed March 18, 2025), memorial page for Adeline Celestial “Addie” Malone Martin (5 Dec 1841–16 Apr 1865), Find a Grave Memorial ID 32135833, citing Martin Cemetery, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Lu Batchelor (contributor 47083487).
• Greene County, Georgia, Probate Estate Case Files 1790–1943, images 988–992, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Real Estate Records 1869–1874, images 188–189, 192, FamilySearch.
• John Martin, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.
• John F. Martin, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.
• L. L. Martin, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Laura L. Martin, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Probate Estate Case Files 1790–1962, images 463–564, FamilySearch.
• Laura Martin, Greene County, Georgia, Court Records 1859–1886, 1865–1869, image 431, FamilySearch.
• Lollie L. Martin, Greene County, Georgia, Probate Estate C Files 1790–1943, images 117-126, FamilySearch.
• Lollie L. Martin, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Probate Estate Case Files 1790–1962, images 71, 557, 631–635, FamilySearch.
• Lollie L. Martin, U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750–1899.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 148, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 161, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Georgia Militia District 227, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.