Oliver Porter Wilson

My 3rd great grandfather, Oliver Porter Wilson, was born in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia in December 1821. Unfortunately, the identities of his parents and siblings remain unknown as I am unable to confirm their identity. My link to Oliver is Mary Ann Wilson, his daughter and my 2nd great grandmother. 

Oliver married Jane Elizabeth Johnson in Oglethorpe County, Georgia on December 29, 1844. Like Oliver, I have been unable to confirm Elizabeth’s family. 

Oliver and Jane were blessed with four children: Martha “Mattie” Jane Wilson (1845), William Oliver Wilson (1848), Mary Ann Wilson (1851), and Robert Harrison Wilson (1858).

On October 31, 1850, the Wilson family resided in District 161 of Greene County, Georgia. Oliver worked as a farmer, while his wife Jane was unable to read. Their daughter, Martha, was five years old, and their son Oliver, wrongfully enumerated as Oliver Jr., was three. The family lived next door to the William O. Cheney family.

On June 5, 1860, the Wilson family resided in Penfield. Oliver, aged 38, had transitioned from farming to working as a wagoner, with a personal estate valued at $300. Elizabeth, his wife, was enumerated as unable to read. Among their four children, Martha (aged 14), William (aged 11), and Mary (aged 10) were all enrolled in school. The youngest child, Robert, was just one year old. The Wilson’s neighbors included Nathan Hobbs, his wife Harriet, and Nathan’s nephew, John N. C. Jenkins (aged 13). John was the son of Marian Langford Hobbs (my 4th great-aunt) and her first husband, John Jenkins. Nathan worked as a carriage painter, suggesting a skilled trade. Perhaps he and Oliver collaborated on projects or shared expertise.

On October 24, 1862, Oliver appeared in the inventory and appraisement account statement for the estate of John W. Lankford. John, a confederate soldier and nephew of James Meriweather Lankford (my 3rd great-grandfather), had recently died of disease in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. The inventory and appraisement statement served as a crucial document for assessing and recording the assets and debts associated with an estate. It played a vital role in settling financial matters after an individual’s passing. Within this statement, a section highlighted individuals who owed money to John W. Lankford, many of which were noted as doubtful or insolvent:

• Doubtful: This designation indicated uncertainty regarding the value or collectability of an asset. The appraiser questioned its legitimacy and recovery prospects.
• Insolvent: An asset labeled as insolvent was essentially worthless for financial recovery, signifying the debtor’s inability to pay.

In Oliver’s case, he owed John $9.51, noted as doubtful. The same applied to John’s parents, Mrs. Nancy Lankford ($18.28) and Wm. A. Lankford ($29.72), as well as my 3rd great-grandfather, J. M. Lankford ($18.97).

 

On July 20, 1863, Oliver enlisted in Company C of the 9th Georgia Infantry, State Guards, under the command of Major General W. G. Johnson in Greensboro, Georgia. His service commitment was for a period of six months. The 9th Infantry from Greene County was part of the 16th Regiment Georgia Militia. Interestingly, Oliver shared this same company with another of my 3rd great grandfathers, James Meriweather Lankford. James’ son, James C. Lankford, would later marry one of Oliver’s daughters, Mary Ann Wilson. Unfortunately, I only have access to a limited set of Civil War records for Oliver, so I cannot determine whether he served beyond his initial six-month commitment or continued until the end of the war.

 

 

Extract of a muster roll for non-commissioned officers
and privates. Oliver is number 17.

When Oliver appeared on the U.S. Census for Re-organizing the Georgia Militia in 1864, he was recorded as living in Greene County, aged 42 years, born in Georgia, and working as a mechanic. On January 2, 1867, Oliver’s son William married Mary T. Lankford, daughter of James Meriweather Lankford and Caroline B. Hobbs. The marriage ceremony was officiated by Lucius C. Broome, J.P. in Greene County. Additionally, on July 6, 1867, Oliver’s name appeared on the Return of Qualified Voters for residents of Penfield, Georgia.

On the same day, he signed an amnesty oath to be re-admitted into the Union, renouncing secession, and expressing his support for the United States Constitution.

The year 1868 was a busy one with the Wilson family celebrating two joyous occasions: the marriages of their daughters, Mary and Martha. On January 5, Mary exchanged vows with James C. Lankford, while on November 1, Martha married Benjamin Fletcher Carter. Both weddings took place in Greene County. 

To protect his personal property from seizure and sale, Oliver filed an Exemption of Personalty petition in Greene County on March 1, 1870. He stated he was the head of the family, consisting of a wife and four children and claimed the following personal property: household and kitchen furniture valued at $75, farming utensils and tools valued at $10, three head of cattle valued at $50, and seven small pigs valued at $20. The total amount claimed was $155. A hearing was scheduled for March 12, 1870. 

Prior to the hearing, as required, a notice was published in The Greensboro Herald in Greensboro, Georgia on March 3, 1870.

Georgia, Greene County. All persons are hereby notified, that Olive [sic] Porter Wilson has applied for Exemption of Personalty, and that I will pass upon the same at my office on the 12th of March, 1870. 

Given under my hand and official signature this March 1st, 1870.

march 1, D. A. Newson, Ord’y. 

On July 24, 1870, Oliver, his wife Jane, and son Robert resided in Penfield. Oliver was employed as a carpenter, while Robert, aged 11, was a day laborer. It is possible Robert assisted his father in the carpentry business. Jane managed the home. On February 24, 1878, Oliver’s son Robert married Martha C. Backus in Greene County.

On June 23, 1880, Oliver and Jane resided in Skull Shoals in Greene County, Georgia. Despite being 56 years old, Oliver continued to work as a farmer. The census record reveals that Jane, who managed the household, was unable to read or write. Oliver’s son Robert, along with Robert’s wife Martha and their son Augustus (known as Gus), lived just two houses away. The agriculture schedule, also conducted in June 1880, tells us more about Oliver. As a tenant farmer, he worked 30 acres of tilled land and 40 acres of untilled land. His farm held a value of $200, with additional assets including farming equipment and machinery worth $4, and livestock valued at $80. He spent $10 for building and repairing fences on his land. The estimated total value of his farm productions in 1879 was $470. His farm relied on a single horse, two milch cows, and seven regular cows. The milch cows produced 300 pounds of butter. Additionally, Oliver tended to four pigs and five barnyard chickens, which produced 20 dozen eggs in 1879. His efforts extended to planting 10 acres of Indian corn, resulting in a harvest of 125 bushels, and 20 acres of beans, yielding 7 bushels of beans. And finally, his farm produced 25 pounds of tobacco in the same year. 

Regrettably, I have been unable to determine the date of Oliver’s passing or the location of his final resting place. Evidently, it occurred sometime after June 1880.

References

• John W. Lankford, Greene County, Georgia, Land Estate Records 1865–1890, Court Records 1852–1865.
• Mary A. Wilson, 1868; Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828-1978,
• Notices, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, March 3, 1870.
• O. P. Wilson and J. M. Lankford, Muster Rolls, Confederate, Company C, 9th Georgia Infantry, State Guards, 1863.
• O. P. Wilson, Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 1867–1869.
• O. P. Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Civil War Muster Rolls, 1860–1864.
• Oliver P. Wilson, Mary A. Wilson, Martha J. Wilson, and William O. Wilson; Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Oliver Wilson, 1880; Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850–1880.
• Oliver Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia, 1864.
• Oliver Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia, 1864.
• Oliver Wilson, U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850–1880.
• Robert H. Wilson, Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Robert Harrison Wilson, Standard Certificate of Death no. 8177, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1919.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 161, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 160, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Skull Shoals, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• William O. Wilson and Mary T. Lankford, Marriage Certificate, State of Georgia, Greene County, 1867.
• William Oliver Wilson, Standard Certificate of Death no. 18403, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1924. 

William Henry Arthur

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.

William “Henry” Arthur, son of George Hugh Arthur and Mary Caroline Johnson, was born on August 29, 1879 in Georgia. He was the 3rd child of 10—Mattie Ellen Arthur, Anna Belle Arthur, William Henry Arthur, Sarah Elizabeth “Bessie” Arthur, Julia Agnes Arthur, John Gordon Arthur, Maggie Love Arthur, Mary Frances Arthur, Mamie Arthur, and Georgia Lucile Arthur. 

Photo from Rebecca Brightwell

Henry's connection to me is the father-in-law of niece of husband of 2nd great-aunt. We have no common relative. You can see how distant the connection is below, but there is a connection. Carroll H. Lankford is my grandfather.

On June 5, 1880, Henry lived with his family in the 138th district of Greene County, Georgia. His father worked as a farmer while his mother kept house. At eight months of age, Henry was enumerated as “Infant” Arthur. The other child in the home was his four-year-old sister, Anna Belle Arthur. Henry’s maternal grandmother, Ellen C. (Hogg) Johnson, lived in the home. His maternal great grandfather (Ellen’s father), Hugh Hogg, lived next door with Henry’s aunt Margaret Hogg. Henry’s uncle James T. Arthur lived next door to the Hogg family.

Henry’s sister Mary, born November 2, 1893, died in infancy. In late April 1895, his sister Mamie died, and his mother fell sick. The Oglethorpe Echo published the following news:

April 26, 1895—We were sorry to hear of the death of the child of G. H. Arthur last Tuesday morning and also of the extreme illness of Mrs. Arthur. We extend our sympathy to the family in their sad affliction and hope for Mrs. Arthur’s speedy recovery.

May 3, 1895—We take this method in behalf of the people along the river to extend our sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Arthur and brothers and sisters in the death of sweet little Mamie. Yes, indeed she was a sweet and lovely child. Father, mother, brothers, and sister, you have this consolation. She’s not dead but only crossed the river. Gone to her eternal home amid the skies to be with the angels there and walk forevermore the golden streets in paradise.

On June 7, 1900, the Arthur family lived in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Henry and his father were farmers. Siblings Julia, John, and Maggie all attended school. The census enumerator noted that Henry’s mother had 10 children, 8 of which were living. Henry’s widowed grandmother Caroline Johnson still lived with the family. 

Henry married Mattie Belle Moore, daughter of George William Moore and Margaret E. Hogg, in Polk County, Georgia in a ceremony performed by a minister named G. B. Bowman on December 31, 1902. 

Marriage certificate from Polk County, Georgia

Henry and Mattie had eight children together—Mary Arthur, George Hugh Arthur, Emily E. Arthur, Sue Belle Arthur, Nellie Arthur, Frances Arthur, William Arthur, and Roy Mell Arthur. 

6/17/25 update: Henry and Mattie had nine children according to a news article published in The Oglethorpe Echo on January 5, 1923.

From the Oglethorpe Echo, I learned that Henry had hogs on his farm. The newspaper published the following in the Bairdstown news section on October 9, 1903:

—Mr. Henry Arthur, near here, lost three nice hogs last Tuesday night.

On April 15, 1910, the Arthur family lived on a rented farm located on Lexington Road in Bairdstown. Henry worked as a farmer on a general farm. His wife Mattie was enumerated as having had five children, all of which were living. His brother John, enumerated as Johnnie, also lived in the home. 

Henry’s mother, Mary, died suddenly on October 20, 1915. The Oglethorpe Echo reported her death on October 22:

Announcement of the sudden death of Mrs. George Arthur, of Maxeys, Wednesday was indeed sad news to her many friends over the county. She was in apparently her usual health up until a few hours before her end came when she was taken with something like acute indigestion. She was a woman beloved by all who knew her, a true Christian, a true wife and a fond mother. She is survived by her husband and eight children. Her remains were laid to rest at Bairds church, of which she was a member, yesterday.

Henry registered for the World War I draft in Oglethorpe County on September 12, 1918. At the time, he lived in the Stephens community. He listed his wife (Mrs. W. H. Arthur) as the nearest relative. Henry worked as a farmer for John W. Moody. He was of medium height and build, had gray eyes, and dark hair.

Henry's World War I registration card

On January 2, 1920, the Arthur family lived in the town of Maxeys in the Falling Creek district of Oglethorpe County. All eight children were living in the home, ranging in age from 16 to 5. Henry worked as a farmer on a general farm. His son Hugh worked as a farm laborer on a home farm. Everyone except Frances (8), William (7) and Roy (5) were able to read and write.

Henry’s wife Mattie died suddenly in Maxeys on December 30, 1922, one day before their 20th wedding anniversary. She was buried on New Year’s Eve at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown. Henry’s father, George, died suddenly on September 20, 1924 in Maxeys. The Oglethorpe Echo reported the news of his death on September 26, 1924:

Our little town (Maxeys) was again brought to sadness last Saturday morning at 8 o’clock by the sudden death of Mr. George H. Arthur. He had been in declining health for some weeks but he was about his daily duties Saturday morning, expressing himself as feeling better. He went up town, did some buying for the boarding house and ongoing home and delivering the purchase and coming into the back porch was seized, falling to the floor and in a minute was dead. His death ends a long and useful life. He was in his seventy third year; was raised and lived in this community all his life and had the utmost respect of everybody who knew him. For sixteen years he had been running a boarding house here. His wife preceded him to the grave three years ago. His body was tenderly put away at the Bairdstown cemetery Sunday afternoon after services by Rev Carswell. His children who yet remain are Mrs. N. J. Burgess, Henry and John, Misses Mattie, Annie, Bessie and Lucille. 

George was buried beside his wife at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown.

Henry died in Oglethorpe County on December 2, 1925. The Oglethorpe Echo published the following on December 11:

A very sad occasion was the burial here (Bairdstown) last Thursday of Mr. Henry Arthur. He died at St. Mary’s hospital after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. He leaves a large family of children to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy.

Henry was buried beside his wife Mattie at Bairdstown Cemetery on December 3. 

Some years ago, another researcher shared the photo below with me and several others working on common ancestors.

He also shared his best guess of who the people in the photo are, per below: 

Right to left: Hugh Arthur, Raleigh George, Emily Arthur, E.C.?, W.A. (believed to be William Arthur – Emily and Hugh’s brother), Sue Bell Arthur?, B.J.?, and Frank Bramblett. E.C. may be one of the Cabiness girls from around Maxeys.

If you rotate the photo, it appears to read Frank Arthur on the left edge. I do not yet have anyone named Frank Arthur in my database so if that is the case, I do not know who he is. But, Hugh, Emily, William, and Sue (if he's correct), would be Henry’s children. If you can identify anyone in the photo, I would love to hear from you.

 
References

• Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, April 26, 1895, May 3, 1895, and October 9, 1903.
• Death of George H. Arthur, The Oglethorpe Echo, September 26, 1924.
• Death of Mrs. George Arthur, The Oglethorpe Echo, October 22, 1915.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24210892/george-william-moore: accessed 05 May 2023), memorial page for George William Moore (28 Jul 1851–29 May 1927), Find a Grave Memorial ID 24210892, citing Lime Branch Cemetery, Polk County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Áine Ní Donnghaile (contributor 47214861).
• Mattie Bell Arthur, Standard Certificate of Death no. 33357, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Denise Murphy.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1920.
• W. H. Arthur and Mattie Belle Moore, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978. 

Robert Harrison Wilson

Robert Harrison Wilson, son of Oliver Porter Wilson and Jane Elizabeth Johnson was born in Greene County, Georgia on December 13, 1858. He was the youngest of four children—Martha Jane Wilson, William Oliver Wilson, Mary Ann Wilson, and Robert Harrison Wilson. Robert is my 2nd great grand uncle. Our nearest common relatives are his parents, Oliver and Jane. His sister Mary, who married James C. Lankford, is my 2nd great-grandmother.

On June 5, 1860, one-year-old Robert and his family lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. His father was a wagoner with a personal estate valued at $300. Martha, William, and Mary were attending school and Robert’s mother was unable to read and write. They lived next door to Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr. and his wife Harriet (Tiller). Nathan was the son of Nathan Augustus Hobbs Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Lankford. His sister was Caroline B. Hobbs, my 3rd great-grandmother. Three years after this census was taken, Nathan would be gone—killed on July 2, 1863 in Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania while serving with Company C of the Georgia Third Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.

By July 24, 1870, Robert was the only child left in their Penfield home. Robert’s father worked as a carpenter, his mother kept house, and Robert at age 11, was a day laborer. At age 19, Robert married Martha C. Backus, daughter of Augustus “Gus” Backus and Mary A. Partee, in Greene County on February 24, 1878. Together had nine children—Augustus Oliver Wilson, Jasper Alford Wilson, Warren Thomas Wilson, Walter Adolphus Wilson, Charles “Charlie” Carson Wilson, Clifford Robert Wilson, Sarah “Sallie” L. Wilson, Wiley Barton Wilson, and Martha Leila Wilson.

Robert Wilson and Martha Backus' marriage certificate (click to enlarge)

On June 23, 1880, Robert and his family lived in Skull Shoals, Greene County, Georgia. They lived next door to his maternal grandmother Mary (Partee) Backus and her mother Elizabeth (Carr) Partee. Robert’s parents, Oliver and Jane, lived next door to Elizabeth Partee. Robert was a farmer while Martha kept house.

On June 21, 1900, Robert and his family lived in the Seats District of Morgan County, Georgia. Robert worked as a farmer with Gus, Jasper, Warren, Walter, and Charlie as farm laborers. Clifford and Sarah were both at school. Martha was enumerated as having had nine children, all of which were living. Everyone except for the two youngest in the house, son Wiley and daughter Martha, could read, write, and speak English.

On April 28, 1910, Robert and his family lived at Long Shoals and Greensboro Road in the Hutchinson District of Greene County, Georgia. Robert now, like his father, worked as a carpenter, building homes. His sons Charlie and Clifford both worked as laborers in a saw mill. Martha was again enumerated as the mother of nine children, all of which were living. Everyone in the house were able to read and write. Sarah, Wiley, and Leila were attending school. In 1919, Robert worked as a carpenter for the Union Seed and Fertilizer Company in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. On June 30, while doing repair work on one of the Union Seed buildings, “he lost his balance and fell” from a 12-foot scaffold. Although rushed to University Hospital, Robert received a fracture at the base of his skull and died shortly after arrival. He was 60 years old. 

The Augusta Herald, July 1, 1919

Following a funeral service held at his home on July 2, Robert was buried at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta. An obituary published in The Augusta Herald noted that Robert was survived by six sons (Charles, Clifford, Wiley, Augustus, Jasper, and Warren) and two daughters (Sarah and Leila). The death certificate listed his marital status as “widowed.” To date, I have been unable to determine when his wife Martha and son Walter died.

References

• Charlie Carson Wilson and Clifford Robert Wilson, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57730537/robert-harrison-wilson: accessed 27 March 2022), memorial page for Robert Harrison Wilson (13 Dec 1858–30 Jun 1919), Find a Grave Memorial ID 57730537, citing Westover Memorial Park, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Darleen Miller (contributor 47198771).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35331087/walter-adolphus-wilson: accessed 05 April 2022), memorial page for Walter Adolphus Wilson (12 Apr 1885–8 Jan 1952), Find a Grave Memorial ID 35331087, citing Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Darleen Miller (contributor 47198771).
• Jasper Wilson, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 30984, January 1938.
• Robert H. Wilson and Martha C. Backus marriage license, State of Georgia, Greene County, February 1878.
• Robert H. Wilson Falls to His Death, The Augusta Herald, Augusta, Georgia, July 1, 1919.
• Robert H. Wilson, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Standard Certificate of Death no. 8177.
• United States Federal Census, Hutchinson, Greene County, Georgia, 1910.
• United States Federal Census, Militia District 160, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• United States Federal Census, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.
• United States Federal Census, Scull Shoals, Greene County, Georgia, 1860, 1880.
• United States Federal Census, Seats District, Morgan County, Georgia, 1900.

52 Ancestors – Mary Ann Wilson (93-2016)

Mary Ann Wilson, daughter of Oliver Porter Wilson and Jane Elizabeth Johnson, was born November 10, 1851 in Greene County, Georgia. She was the third child of four—Martha J. Wilson, William Oliver Wilson, Mary Ann Wilson, and Robert Harrison Wilson. Mary was my 2nd great-grandmother.

On June 5, 1860, 10-year-old Mary and her family lived in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. Her father was a wagoner with a personal estate valued at $300. They lived next door to Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr. and his wife Harriet (Tiller). Nathan was the son of Nathan Augustus Hobbs Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Lankford. His sister was Caroline B. Hobbs, my 3rd great-grandmother. Three years after this census was taken, Nathan would be gone—killed in Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1863 while serving with Company C of the Georgia Third Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Eight years after the 1860 census was taken, Mary Ann Wilson married into the Lankford family, becoming the wife of James C. Lankford, son of Caroline (Hobbs) and James Meriweather Lankford on January 5, 1868 in Greene County, Georgia. The marriage ceremony was performed by Lucius C. Broome, Justice of the Peace. Together they had 10 children—Homer J. Lankford, Alice Beman Lankford, Julia Lee Lankford, Jessica Corinne Lankford, James Vason Lankford, Mary Corrine Lankford, Nathan Lawrence Lankford, Vincent Thomas Langford Sr., Oliver Wilson Lankford, and Lillie Della Lankford. Mary and James Lankford were pioneer citizens of Greene County.

On June 8, 1870, Mary and James lived in Penfield. Mary was keeping house and James was a butcher. James’ sister Emma and her husband James Wilson, also a butcher, lived four doors away. Sometime before 1880, Emma died and was buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield.
On June 10, 1880, Mary, James, and their children—Homer, Alice, Julia, and Jessie—lived in Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, next door to James’ parents, James and Caroline (Hobbs) Lankford. James was a blacksmith. Mary was enumerated as Mary Ann Lankford.

On June 1, 1900, Mary and her family lived in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. She and James had celebrated 31 years of marriage. James’ nephew, Julius C. Wilson, son of Emma S. (Lankford) Wilson, lived next door with his wife Elvie and son Julius. James was a farmer and their sons James, Nathan, and Vincent were farm laborers. I assume they were helping their father on the farm. Charles C. Davison, a member of the prominent Davison family of Greene County, lived two doors away with his family.

Mary’s husband James died in Greene County on January 21, 1908. He was buried at Penfield Cemetery. His obituary reads “Mr. J. C. Lankford. At 1 o’clock Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 1908, Mr. J. C. Lankford’s spirit passed to the great beyond, in the sixtieth year of his age. Mr. Lankford was a busy man, with boundlis energy but never too busy with his own affairs to lend a helping hand to those in distress, and need of help. He was a good neighbor, a faithful and enthusiastic friend, and a man who will be missed in the community. He leaves a large family, a wife, five sons, and five daughters and three sisters, who with a host of other near relatives and friends deeply mourn his untimely departure from our midst. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J. S. Callaway and the interment was in our city cemetery. E.B.R.”

On April 15, 1910, a widowed Mary lived in Penfield. The census enumerator recorded her as the mother of 10 children, all of which were living. Her 20 year old son Oliver, a blacksmith, lived with her. Two houses away was James England George and his wife Gussie (McCarty) George, William McCarty (Gussie’s father and widowed husband of Marian Langford Hobbs of Penfield), and Hayden George (brother of James). Hayden married Mary’s daughter Lillie Della Lankford in September that same year.

Mary died of Bright’s disease in Penfield on March 26, 1919. She was buried on March 27 beside her husband at Penfield Cemetery. Mary’s death certificate listed her birth year as 1841 vs. 1851. If you do the math, that would have made Mary 78 years old—not 68 years, 4 months, and 16 days as recorded on the certificate. Her tombstone is marked 1851. Mary’s death certificate also listed her middle name as Amanda. The only other time I’ve seen a middle name listed for Mary vs. her initial “A” was the 1880 census where she was listed as Mary Ann Lankford. So is her middle name Ann or Amanda? Hard to say. Seaborn Brice Barnhart, her son-in-law, was the informant on her death certificate.

Mary’s daughter Jessica or “Jessie” was the administratrix of the estate. Mary left a “large estate of real and personal property, worth the sum of five hundred ($500) dollars.” Jessie applied to sell the land in the Village of Penfield, Greene County, Georgia on June 9, 1919. The petition showed that Mary’s estate consisted of a tract of land in the Village of Penfield, on the northeast corner of Evans Gresham’s lot, bounded north by Main Street, East by thirty feet street and lot of Mrs. Barnhart, south and west by Evans Gresham lot, formerly owned by Penfield Hosiery Mills. Jessie sold the land for $600 to pay her mother’s debts and then distributed the remaining money among her siblings. Disbursements were made as follows:

• Voucher No. 1/Penfield, Georgia, September 1, 1919. Received of Mrs. Jessie Barnhart as adm’x estate of Mrs. Mary Lankford $191.90 in settlement of the attached eight accounts, transferred to me as shown by entries thereon. [signed] S.B. Barnhart
• Dr. E. G. Adams: $44
• Boswell Trading Company: $76 for one casket and phone messages
• E. R. Boswell: $2 for two hands digging the grave of said Mrs. Lankford
• J. T. Campbell: $3 to fix the grave of Mrs. Lankford
• Dr. W. M. Durham: $13.50 to visit Mrs. Lankford four times
• Dr. Goodwin Gheesling: $8 for one visit and two prescriptions for Mrs. Lankford
• McCommons-Thompson-Boswell Company: $35.90 for brick, cement, lime, flooring, and hearse hire
• Dr. J. A. Stapler: $9.50 for professional services
• The Herald-Journal: $12 to publish citations to sell land and to announce the administration sale
• F. B. Shipp: $23.50 Ordinary services (appointment of administratrix and sale of land), and final estate settlement
• Noel Park: $25 for professional services (attorney)
• Voucher No. 5 [this line cut off of copy]. Said purpose ($18), T. S. Gentry trip same ($1.50), Love Kimbro trip Greensboro to Penfield for medicine delivered same ($1.50), E. L. Leach same to Woodville ($2), J. Roy Boswell same to Woodville ($1.15), Wade Barnhart hauling same to Mrs. Lankford’s grave ($3), P. Kendrick hauling brick and cement to same ($4), Hal English trip in car to Greensboro by adm’x ($1.50), R. W. Copelan, selling land, auctioneer ($1), Revenue stamp on adm’x deed ($1). Total $71.45. [signed] S. B. Barnhart.
• Voucher No. 6—Penfield, Georgia, September 1, 1919. Received of S. B. Barnhart as adm’x estate of Mrs. Mary Lankford $30, commissions due adm’x. on $600 received and paid out. [signed] Jessie Barnhart.
• Alice Beman Lankford Callaway: $27.35
• Voucher No. 8. Penfield, Georgia, September 1, 1919. Received of Mrs. Jessie Barnhart as adm’x. estate of Mrs. Mary Lankford $218.80 for the following items. Share Mrs. Jessie Barnhart in estate of Mrs. Mary Lankford / $27.35 / Amount due Mrs. Jessie Barnhart and S. B. Barnhart as transferees of the following heirs of the estate, to wit: Mrs. Della L. George, J. V., O. W., V. T. and N. L. Lankford, Mrs. J. D. West and Mrs. Mary L. Callaway, see deed dated March 28, 1919, recorded Clerk’s office Greene Superior Court in deed book 19, page 531. / $191.45 / $218.80 [signed] S. B. Barnhart [signed] Jessie Barnhart.