Gertrude Bell and Lucy Mell Lankford

Gertrude Bell and Lucy Mell Lankford were twin sisters born prematurely on February 9, 1941, to William Mell Lankford and Dorothy “Agnes” Key in Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia. Both infants lived only eight hours before passing away that same day. Their death certificates list the cause simply as “premature birth.” They were the only children born to William and Agnes. Gertrude and Lucy are my 3rd cousins 2× removed; our nearest common ancestors are Charles L. Lankford and his wife, Miss Moore, my 4th great‑grandparents.

Lucy’s death certificate was numbered 4773 and Gertrude’s 4774. Certificate numbers typically reflect the order in which the paperwork was filed, not the order of death, so the numbering does not necessarily indicate which twin died first. 

Photo used with permission, Patty Shreve,
Find A Grave member 47563794

Tragically, the family’s loss did not end there. Eighteen days after the death of her daughters, Agnes died at her home in Eatonton from puerperal septicemia, a severe postpartum infection that remained life threatening even in the early 1940s. She was only 19 years old.

All three—Gertrude, Lucy, and Agnes—were laid to rest together at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eatonton. William, a native of Greene County, Georgia, was just 32 years old when he lost his wife and both of their infant daughters.

The family published a notice in the Eatonton Messenger thanking friends and relatives for their kindness during Agnes’ illness and death, though no mention was made of the twins. The newspaper notice also reveals that Agnes was known by the nickname “Lennie,” a small detail preserved amid a heartbreaking chapter in this family’s history.

References

• Card of Thanks (p. 5) and Kinderhook (p. 7), Eatonton Messenger, Eatonton, Georgia, March 6, 1941.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77891156/gertrude_bell-lankford: accessed January 17, 2026), memorial page for Gertrude Bell Lankford (8 Feb 1941–9 Feb 1941), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77891156, citing Pine Grove Cemetery, Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Patty Shreve (contributor 47563794).
• Gertrude Bell Lankford, Certificate of Death no. 4774, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1941.
• Lucy Bell Lankford, Certificate of Death no. 4773, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1941.
• Mrs. Lennie Lankford, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, March 2, 1941.
• Mrs. W. M. Lankford, Certificate of Death no. 9985, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1941. 

Claudia Burnette

Claudia Burnette, daughter of Thomas Terrell Burnette and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Jones, was born in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, on November 23, 1905. The Burnette family had 13 children: Luther Terrell Burnette, Eva Drucilla Burnette, Floria Mae Burnette, Jesse Burnette and his twin, Willie Loyd Burnette, Prince Albert Burnette, Maudie Burnette (twin), Claudia Burnette (twin), Henry T. Burnette, Eleanor Estelle Burnette, Samuel A. Burnette, and Julia Virginia Burnette. Claudia and Maudie were fraternal twins, with Maudie arriving first. Claudia is my great‑aunt, with our nearest common relatives being her parents, my great‑grandparents. Daddy always referred to his twin aunts as Maudie and Claudie—always in that order—so I will use Claudie for the remainder of this sketch.

According to one of Claudie’s grand‑nephews, the twin sisters were named after the two mules their father Thomas kept on the family farm outside Monroe. He fondly recalled his Granny Maudie laughing about the unusual origin of their names. Around 1908, Claudie and her family attended a Jones family reunion in Walton County, where two photographs were taken. In the first, Floria (my grandmother), Eva, and Luther stand in back; mother Lizzie is seated with Henry in her lap; Prince, Thomas holding the twins Claudie and Maudie (though it is unclear which is which), and Willie are also present. The second photo shows the entire Jones family, in which I have identified 39 relatives.

 

On April 28, 1910, Claudie and her family were living in Greshamville, Greene County, having moved from Monroe in a wagon pulled by a horse. Her father was listed as a farmer on a general farm, while siblings Luther, Eva, and Floria were recorded as laborers on the home farm. Claudie’s parents had been married 16 years, and her mother was noted as having borne 10 children, 8 of whom were still living. According to my father, Elizabeth lost a set of twins, which accounts for the two no longer recorded. One of the twins was a boy named Jesse, who appeared in the 1900 census. That record, however, incorrectly states Elizabeth had five children at the time, all living. I have found no records for the other twin, leaving the identity unknown, though Claudie recalled it was a boy. In 1910, Claudie was four years old, and the youngest child in the household was Henry, age two.

The Burnette family felt the impact of World War I when Claudie’s brother Luther entered the U.S. Army on July 24, 1918. His service lasted until August 30, 1919, marking more than a year away from home. By February 13, 1920, the family had moved to the Walkers District of Greene County, where her parents would live out their lives. The 1920 Soundex card recorded her as Claud Burnett. Her father Thomas continued farming, assisted by his 78‑year‑old widowed father, Samuel Pride Burnette, who now lived with them, and 7 of the 10 Burnette children. Claudie’s mother was enumerated as Lizzie. Claudie’s brother Luther and his wife Etta Belle lived next door, both farmers. None of the children were attending school.

1920 Census Soundex cards

Claudie married Jesse “Peek” Bryan, likely in 1929 in Greene County, though I have not located a marriage record to confirm this. Peek was four years older than Claudie. My Daddy once recalled that Peek was a good man, quiet and cheerful. After their marriage, Claudie and Peek settled in Greensboro, Greene County, on Mill Street, according to the April 23, 1930 census. Peek worked as a weaver at the Mary Leila Cotton Mill, a major employer in the area. Mill Street was part of the surrounding mill village, a tightly knit community of about 75 worker houses and an industrial complex northwest of downtown Greensboro. Claudie and Peek likely rented one of these modest homes, typical of mill families during that era. The census also notes that both Claudie and Peek were literate.

Peek and Claudie

Their daughter Lizzie “Ree” Bryan was born in 1930 and Evelyn “Joyce” Bryan in 1936. Claudie had a difficult birth with Joyce and developed epilepsy afterward. Although she underwent extensive testing, doctors were unable to determine the cause, which was likely due to oxygen deprivation. Claudie’s father Thomas died from chronic myocarditis at age 71 on February 6, 1940, in Greensboro, and was buried at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery. By April 22, 1940, the Bryan family was still living on Mill Street, with Jesse now working as a loom fixer at the mill. He earned $724 in 1939, working 40 hours a week. Claudie maintained the home, and their daughters were ages nine and three.

Peek died in 1941 at age 38 in Athens, Clarke County. Other than his tombstone, I have not found records to determine the exact date, cause, or location of his death. Peek’s siblings helped care for Claudie after his death. He was remembered as fun‑loving and kind.

In April 1945, Claudie married George “Frank” Moore in Greene County. Frank was about 10 years older, tall and slender, with light blue eyes and light hair, and missing a finger on his right hand. He had previously married Anna “Annie” Bertha “Berta” Wright in 1918, with whom he had seven children: George Thomas Moore, Emma Louise Moore, John “Jack” Harris Moore, Edna Fay Moore, Mary “Mae” Frances Moore, Ethel Goodwin Moore, and Charles E. Moore. Annie died in 1936 of pulmonary tuberculosis and was buried at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery. Frank’s son George served in the Army in France during World War II, when his wife Hazel gave birth to their daughter Anne in 1945. Hazel, who lived with her father at the time, died a month later, and George’s sister Mae convinced Claudie and Frank to take Anne in until George returned. When he did, Anne remained with Claudie and Frank until she married at 18, having been raised as their own. During wartime rationing, Claudie struggled to obtain formula for Anne, but a friend shared ration cards, allowing her to feed the baby. Anne always called Claudie and Frank “Mama and Daddy.”

Claudie and Frank’s son, Claude “Bo” Franklin Moore, was born in 1949. Near the end of her pregnancy, Claudie had a seizure and fell onto a stove, suffering severe burns to her belly and arm. She was rushed to a hospital in Madison, Morgan County, Georgia, where she gave birth to Bo. Her arm healed with scars that left it permanently drawn. Years later, another seizure caused burns to her hand in a frying pan, and she lost her little finger and part of her ring finger. For the most part, Claudie controlled her seizures with medication, though they tended to occur around the full moon.

On April 8, 1950, Claudie and her family lived in the first house on the right of Appalachee Avenue in Greensboro. Joyce, her daughter from her first marriage, was 13 and still at home. Anne, age 4, was recorded as Claudie and Frank’s daughter, and their son Claude was an infant. Claudie maintained the household while Frank worked as a tractor driver at the county convict camp, part of Georgia’s chain gang system. He worked 55 hours a week. Anne later recalled they lived on Elm Street in 1950, so they likely moved shortly after the census was taken.

On December 31, 1955, Claudie’s brother Henry was accidentally killed while squirrel hunting in Putnam County, Georgia. His companion heard a gunshot and found Henry dead from a head wound. Two nearby fishermen helped carry his body out of the woods. The death was ruled accidental by a coroner’s jury and reported as Putnam County’s first hunting fatality of the year. Henry was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery following a service at Oak Street Baptist Church. Claudie’s brother Sam made the emotional trip to her home to share the news.

Claudie’s mother Lizzie died on December 2, 1956, at Minnie G. Boswell Hospital in Greensboro. She was buried beside her husband at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery. In her final week, Lizzie suffered acute renal failure caused by adrenal insufficiency, following a fractured shoulder. She also had generalized arteriosclerosis, chronic bronchitis, and senility.

Claudie’s sister Eleanor died in 1963 and was buried at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in McDonough, Henry County, Georgia. Her sister Floria died in 1970 in Greensboro and was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery in Oglethorpe County. Her brother Willie died in 1974 in Monroe and was buried at New Hope Methodist Church Cemetery in Between, Walton County. Claudie’s second husband Frank died on December 14, 1976 in Greene County and was buried beside his first wife Annie at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery. Her brother Luther died in 1977 and was buried at Greenview Cemetery in Greensboro, and her brother Samuel died in 1983 in Clarke County and was buried at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Claudie died at a nursing home in Union Point, Greene County, Georgia, on October 8, 1988, at the age of 82. At the time, she was living with her son and his family. She was laid to rest beside her first husband, Jesse “Peek” Bryan, at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery in Greensboro.

Claudie is remembered as kind and loving, as was Frank. Family members who knew Claudie remember her as sweet, quiet, and soft-spoken—traits she shared with her sister Floria. My Aunt Betty once said she loved her Aunt Claudie like a second mama. 

Maudie, Claudie’s twin sister, lived on for just over 13 more years as a twinless twin. In her later years, dementia slowly reshaped her world. She moved into a nursing home in Watkinsville, Oconee County, Georgia, where she passed away on January 16, 2002. She was buried at Greensboro City Cemetery in Greensboro.

Though twins, Claudie and Maudie were complete opposites. Claudie was gentle and soft‑spoken, while Maudie was fiery, cantankerous, and hard to please. For much of her life, Maudie bossed Claudie around, yet when storms gathered—both in the sky and in life—she sought her twin’s comfort. Living nearby, she often walked to Claudie’s house, especially when thunder threatened, knowing her sister’s presence could calm her fears. Maudie—the elder twin by birth—often assumed the role of leader, but even with her cantankerous nature she leaned on Claudie’s quiet strength, finding comfort in the sister who was always her safe harbor.

Maudie herself was taller by six inches. She was known for dyeing her hair jet black, a trademark look that defined her for decades. But in the nursing home, her hair grew out white as snow. Dementia softened her sharp edges, and the once bossy, hard‑to‑please Maudie became unexpectedly sweet, offering a tender final chapter to her life.

References

• Annie Bertha Moore, Certificate of Death no. 16703, Certificate of Death, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1936.
• Charles E. Moore, Certificate of Death no. 30-16071, Certificate of Death, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1930.
• Claudia B. Moore, Georgia Deaths, 1919–98.
• Claudia B. Moore, Social Security Death Index.
• Claudia Burnett Moore, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• Eatonton Hunter is Accidentally Killed Saturday, Eatonton Messenger, Eatonton, Georgia, January 5, 1956.
• Elizabeth Jones Burnette, Certificate of Death no. 30983, Certificate of Death, Georgia Department of Public Health, 1956.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58710640/frank-moore: accessed November 18, 2025), memorial page for Frank Moore (1895–1976), Find a Grave Memorial ID 58710640, citing Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery, Veazey, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by: Find a Grave.
• Frank Moore, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• George F. Moore, Georgia, U.S., Death Index, 1919–1998.
• George F. Moore, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• Greene County, Georgia, Census Soundex card, 1920.
• Luther T. Burnett, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850–2010.
• Luther Terrell Burnett, U.S., Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty, 1917–1918,
• Maudie Lord, Oconee County, Georgia, U.S., Probate Death Certificates, 1927–2010.
• Mr. Geo. F. Moore, Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978,
• Personal memories of Sam Lankford, Betty Elrod, Mickey Lord, and Anne Garner.
• Thomas Terrel Burnette, Certificate of Death no. 4275, Certificate of Death, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia, 1950.
• U.S. Federal Census, Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia, 1930, 1940, 1950.
• U.S. Federal Census, Greshamville, Greene County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Walkers District, Greene County, Georgia, 1920. 

William Ralph 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.

William Ralph Wilson, son of Thomas Brown Wilson and Martha Williams, was born in Greene County, Georgia on January 10, 1834. He was one of at least eight children: William Ralph, Joseph, James, Jack L., Pleasant, Eliza, Virginia “Ellen,” and Sarah Wilson. Though not a direct ancestor, William’s connection is complex—he is the father-in-law of the sister-in-law of the first cousin of the husband of my great-grandmother, Alice Beman Lankford. My link runs through Alice’s husband, Robert Dawson Callaway, and winds through the Mullins, Stephens, and Wilson families. Robert was not my great-grandfather, so I share no common ancestor with William.

On October 24, 1850, William lived with his family in District 163 of Greene County. His father, Thomas, was a prosperous farmer with real estate valued at $6,000. Of the seven children at home, William was the only one listed as a student, though the enumerator noted that Joseph, James, Pleasant, and Eliza had attended school within the year. The household also included six non-family adults—among them a peddler, mechanic, merchant, teacher, farmer, and clerk—suggesting the Wilson home may have operated as a boarding house.

In 1855, William married Mary Frances Edmondson, daughter of William Edmondson and Matilda (Penn) Rainey, in Putnam County, Georgia. Minister William E. Adams officiated the ceremony on June 14. The couple had five children: Anna “Belle,” Thomas B., James H., Julia Ellen, and William Robert Wilson. 

In January 1858, William was serving as Justice of the Peace in Greene County when he was asked to certify a case record for appeal. That same year, he was sued by Augustus B. Sharp over an unpaid promissory note for $1,400. William denied the debt in court but later admitted partial responsibility and agreed to pay $693 in principal and $36.07 in interest. Also in 1858, John Edmondson—likely William’s brother-in-law—filed a separate debt suit against him over a $206.80 note. William countered with a claim that Edmondson owed him $298.45 for boarding, horse care, nursing, and estate management for Matilda Edmondson, William’s mother-in-law. He also cited an 1836 note for $27.26. Edmondson’s attorney later amended the damages to $2,000. A jury ruled in Edmondson’s favor, but William appealed the decision on September 14, 1858, posting bond with his father. The case continued into the March Term of 1859, when the court reversed the verdict and awarded William $176.20 plus interest.

In April 1858, William sold a 120-acre tract of land to his father for $1,475, pledging to defend the title against future claims. That same year, he submitted a sworn account to the Greene County Court of Ordinary for teaching children from the Brook, Lunsford, Thaxton, and Wilson families. He documented 2,844 days of instruction totaling $219.30, affirming that his rates matched those charged to other patrons. A second invoice dated November 6, 1860 shows he taught children from the Reynolds and Pollard families and was paid $163.60 on January 12, 1861.

By June 9, 1860, William and Mary had moved their young family to Woodville, Greene County. Their children—Anabel, Thomas B., and a newborn enumerated as Babe—were listed in the census, and William was working as a teacher with a personal estate valued at $6,000. Perry McCutchen, a 25-year-old overseer, also lived in the household.

Two weeks after the Civil War began, William enlisted on April 24, 1861, at Penfield, Greene County, as a 2nd Sergeant in Company C of the Third Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment—known locally as the Dawson Grays. He mustered into service at Augusta on May 3 under Capt. R. G. Cole but was discharged in October 1861 after furnishing a substitute.

Partial muster roll of the Dawson Grays

Following his discharge, William remained active in local defense. He next enlisted in Greene County’s 16th Regiment Georgia Militia, appearing on the March 4, 1862 muster roll as an Adjutant. My 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas P. Janes, appears on the same muster roll, as an assistant surgeon.

Partial muster roll of the 16th Regiment, Greene County, State Militia

Between these enlistments, William formed a business partnership with John S. Bowling on December 25, 1861, establishing the Woodville Steam Mills—a sawmill and gristmill operation. William purchased a half interest and was designated the active business and contracting partner, overseeing finances, records, and outdoor operations. Bowling managed the machinery. Both partners agreed to equal contributions and compensation of $2 per day, operating under the name Wilson & Co.

On May 18, 1862, William wrote from Woodville to Henry C. Wayne, formally requesting exemption from the newly passed Confederate Conscription Act. He cited Governor Joseph E. Brown’s proclamation defending Georgia militia officers from federal conscription and outlined his qualifications: six years as Justice of the Peace for the 138th District, elected twice and commissioned by the Inferior Court, and his commission as Adjutant of the 16th Regiment Georgia Militia, dated March 5, 1863.

The Conscription Act, passed in April 1862, was the first draft law in U.S. history. Though it allowed exemptions, it sparked controversy—especially in Georgia, where Governor Brown opposed it, arguing it infringed on states’ rights and sought to shield Georgia militia officers from federal control.

In October 1863, William was appointed 2nd Lieutenant of the “Line Guards,” part of Georgia’s six-month troops raised for local defense under Governor Brown. These units, known as State Guards or “Joe Brown’s Pets,” served only within Georgia, primarily north of the Columbus–Macon–Augusta rail line. William accepted the appointment and signed an oath of office before a Justice of the Peace.

He remained in service until the war’s end, discharged from the state militia in April 1865 at the time of Robert E. Lee’s surrender. William was home on furlough in Macon, Georgia when the war ended.

During the summer of 1866, William spent considerable time in Greene County courts. In one case, he appeared as garnishee in a civil suit: William H. Pritchett vs. Joseph P. Wilson—likely his brother. As garnishee, William was required to disclose any property or financial assets he held on Joseph’s behalf. He submitted a detailed list of promissory notes and debts owed to Joseph, some involving individuals in my family tree, including W. A. Lankford and Minor S. Hobbs. The court ordered him to turn over the notes to the sheriff, placing them under court control.

That same term, William served as a juror in cases targeting newly freed Black citizens under the Black Codes. Charges included stealing, vagrancy, and simple larceny—one man was accused of stealing $4.25. Vagrancy charges often meant being poor, unemployed, and deemed “immoral,” despite being capable of work. These laws criminalized poverty and targeted Black individuals rebuilding their lives after emancipation. As a juror, William helped enforce these laws, and some of the accused were sentenced to chain gangs.

A long-standing case from 1847 was resolved in December 1867. William, his father Thomas, and brother Jack were sued by W. H. Pritchett for failing to pay a promissory note dated December 12, 1840, for $110.55. The note was payable to Thomas P. Janes and James R. Sanders, executors of Absalom Janes’ estate, for the benefit of his minor heirs—Thomas P. and Absalom Janes are my direct ancestors. The court ruled in favor of Pritchett, awarding the principal, interest, and costs.

Postwar economic collapse hit the Wilsons hard. In May 1868, William was appointed assignee in three bankruptcy cases involving his father Thomas and brother Jack, both individually and as partners in Wilson & Son of Bairdstown. As assignee, William managed debts, protected assets, and oversaw their legal distribution. He also handled family property transfers, including a 450-acre tract near Bairdstown sold to his brother Thomas B. Wilson Jr. for $2,600 in 1869—keeping the land in the family.

In 1868–1869, William served as court-appointed commissioner to partition land from the estate of John Armstrong among heirs and guardians. He surveyed and divided the property into three tracts, signed the final report, and submitted it to Superior Court.

In 1869, William lost a debt case to Brightwell & Durham over a $360 note signed in 1867. The court awarded the plaintiffs over $400 in principal, interest, and costs. That same year, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the 137th District of Greene County.

In December 1869, William filed a petition as next friend of Ella Wilson, wife of James Wilson, seeking a homestead exemption under the Georgia Constitution and Homestead Act of 1868. The petition aimed to exempt $283.50 in personal property—specifically 729 railroad ties delivered to the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company—from levy and sale for the benefit of Ella and her child, Shelbie Wilson. The exemption was approved on December 10, 1870. I’ve yet to confirm whether James and Ella were relatives.

In 1870, William purchased Elizabeth Moody’s life estate—a 79-acre tract on Little River—giving him future rights while allowing her continued residence and use during her lifetime.

By June 15, 1870, William had moved his family to Penfield, Greene County, just over four miles from Woodville. His personal estate had plummeted from $6,000 to $880. He had left teaching and turned to farming, likely seeking stability in the postwar economy. He would continue farming until 1900. Mary managed the household, and their son Thomas, age 10, was attending school.

It’s always fascinating to find familiar names when researching someone. Curtis C. Lankford, my 4th great-uncle and brother to my 3rd great-grandfather James Meriweather Lankford, lived just five houses away from William.

William’s property included 150 acres of improved land, 75 acres of woodland, and 75 acres of unimproved land, valued at $1,500. His farm machinery was worth $100, and he had paid $900 in wages, including board. His livestock—valued at $650—included 2 horses, 2 mules, 4 milch cows, 10 other cattle, and 15 swine. The farm produced 50 bushels of winter wheat, 175 bushels of Indian corn, 18 bales of cotton, and 100 pounds of butter. He also sold or slaughtered animals worth $100, with total farm production valued at $2,150.

In February 1873, William was appointed administrator of the estate of Henry H. Durham, who had died intestate in Greene County. The estate was valued at roughly $750 in real and personal property. William completed his duties and applied for Letters of Dismission in May 1875.

Later that year, William’s father, Thomas, passed away on August 18. William petitioned the court on August 26 to be named temporary administrator, citing the urgency of protecting the estate from loss during the delay required to advertise for permanent Letters. Two days later, he requested permanent administration, which was granted. He posted bond with Enoch Cheney, John Armstrong, and James Davison as securities.

On September 5, acting as temporary administrator, William petitioned to sell his father’s interest in Wilson & Co. of Bairdstown and certain perishable goods. The court approved the sale the same day, with public notice required in towns like Greensboro, Penfield, Union Point, Woodville, and Bairdstown. In November, he sought permission to sell the family’s 550-acre homestead, which was also granted.

The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, October 16, 1873

On May 1, 1875, a tornado tore through Oglethorpe and Greene Counties, striking William’s property in Bairdstown. His gin and outhouses were destroyed. He placed his family in the cellar for safety while his eldest daughter, Belle, held the front door against the wind until William helped secure it. Several people were killed, many injured, and six homes destroyed.

That summer, William was selected as a commissioner to help resolve a long-standing boundary dispute between Greene and Oglethorpe Counties. Working with the county surveyor, he helped mark the new line using local landmarks—including his own garden in Bairdstown. The updated boundary helped clear up confusion for families whose homes and farms had been caught between the two counties. 

In February 1876, a 200-acre tract of William’s land was seized by Sheriff J. H. English to satisfy a court judgment. The case, brought by Dozier, Walton & Co., named Baker Daniel as the principal debtor and Wilson & Co. as endorsers, making William liable.

In July, William submitted a detailed inventory of his father’s estate, listing dozens of outstanding debts—some less than a dollar, others over $300. Many were uncollectible, prompting him to request court permission to settle by compromise or sell at auction.

In August 1876, a citizen near Penfield wrote to The Greensboro Herald endorsing William as a candidate for the Georgia Legislature. Though he never sought office, the letter praised his moral character, long service as clerk of Bairds Baptist Church, and ability to connect with all citizens—including the local Black community.

In September, William sold a 50-foot-square parcel in Woodville to W. P. McWhorter for $25. The land had belonged to the estate of John A. Miller and was sold under court order. While no record names William executor, the transaction suggests he may have held that role.

In November, William and his brother Jack were sued by E. J. Dozier, executor of Mary Gibson’s estate, for a debt of approximately $5,500 plus interest and costs—another blow to Wilson & Co.

On July 12, 1877, Anna Belle Wilson married William H. Young in Greene County. That summer, William filed for bankruptcy. In August, Hugh G. Lewis was appointed assignee of his estate.

In January 1878, William became guardian of Annie (Armstrong) Wilson, daughter of the late James Armstrong and wife of his son Thomas. Though married, Annie was under 21 and required a guardian to manage her inheritance. James R. Sanders, her previous guardian, petitioned the court to be relieved due to poor health and recommended William. The court approved, and William posted a $2,500 bond.

In July 1878, the District Court advertised for objections to William’s bankruptcy discharge. In August, he was declared bankrupt. His land was set apart as an exemption under the Bankruptcy Act of 1867. Though discharged from personal liability, the lien on his property remained. He retained ownership and later sold the land—first to R. L. Moss & Co., then to the Hodson Brothers.

The following month, five years after his father’s death, William petitioned for dismission from his role as administrator of the estate. The court found no objections and released him from further responsibility.

In 1879, William purchased one-fifth shares from four of Elizabeth Moody’s children—James A., Little Berry, Mary Ann, and Sarah E.—who had inherited portions of the property he had originally acquired through her life estate in 1870.

In March 1879, William was appointed guardian ad litem for the minor children of Ann A. Whitlow, beneficiaries of a trust estate in Greene County. Their father had fled the state under criminal indictment, and the petition sought to sell a small parcel of land—just over an acre—at private sale to support the children. William confirmed the petition’s facts and accepted the guardianship.

In February 1880, he was named one of five appraisers for the unrepresented estate of James Brook, valued at less than $500. His role was to help assess the estate and ensure it was set aside for Brook’s widow if it fell below the legal threshold.

On March 3, 1881, Jasper Kennebrew sold a four-acre parcel in Bairdstown to Mrs. Irene Landrum, reserving rights for William to erect a depot and wagon roads near the railroad crossing. As a merchant, William likely had strategic interest in the land and needed access to the railroad.

Later that year, in October, William and his brother Jack acted as “next friends” to Charles and Hortense Young in a land transaction, signing a deed to transfer the H. C. Ware Lot to Maria Allen. The land had passed through William Edmondson—likely William’s father-in-law—and Thomas Wilson, William’s father, so it was familiar territory.

In May 1883, William appeared in Greene County court records as a witness to the will of William Callahan. Alongside Thomas Callahan and W. H. Cheney, he attested that Callahan signed freely and was of sound mind. His testimony helped secure Letters Testamentary for Frances C. Callahan, the executrix.

In March 1889, William successfully challenged a sheriff’s attempt to seize his property over an old debt. He argued the seizure was illegal due to his 1878 bankruptcy discharge and homestead exemption. At the time, he was head of household with a wife and five children. The court upheld most of his affidavit, recognizing the assets as protected under federal and state law.

On June 2, 1880, the Wilson family lived in the 138th district—likely Woodville. William and Mary had three children at home: James (19), Julia (17), and William (10), all attending school. Three Black servants also lived in the home: Lucilla (20), a cook; Thomas (13), a laborer; and Michael (11). None could read or write. William worked the farm while Mary managed the household.

The 1880 Agricultural Schedule is difficult to read, but several details emerge. William rented part of his 65 acres of tilled land to tenement farmers—a common post-Reconstruction practice. His property included 30 acres of meadows, pastures, orchards, and vineyards, plus 230 acres of unimproved land, all valued at $4,000. His farm machinery was worth $25, and he spent $30 repairing fences in 1879. No wages were reported that year.

His livestock, valued at $150, included 1 milch cow, 1 other head of cattle, 1 dropped calf, 1 calf sold alive, and 40 swine. Two animals were listed as dead, strayed, or stolen. The farm produced 30 pounds of butter, 80–90 bushels of Indian corn from 16 acres, 1–2 bales of cotton from 22 acres, and 15 bushels of sweet potatoes from 1 acre.

On March 10, 1881, Julia Wilson married George “Howard” Irby in Greene County. The ceremony was performed by H. D. D. Straton, M.G.

William had been appointed guardian of his daughter-in-law Annie (Armstrong) Wilson in 1878. By 1882, he had fulfilled his duties, settled her estate, and applied for Letters of Dismission. The court approved and formally discharged him.

In June 1884, William was appointed as one of three representatives from Greene County to assist in gathering and organizing agricultural and industrial exhibits for the 1884–85 World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans. The exhibits included local crops, preserved fruits, handmade goods, and other products that reflected the region’s economic and cultural vitality. William’s selection underscored his reputation as a respected community leader and his dedication to promoting Greene County’s achievements on a national stage.

That summer, William also resumed a more hands-on business venture. In August 1884, the Oglethorpe Echo reported that he “has put up his still and will commence work this week.” While operating a still was generally illegal without proper licensing, the public nature of the report suggests that William may have obtained the necessary permit—though no documentation has yet been found to confirm this.

In September, William sold a small parcel of land—just over a third of an acre—near the Bairdstown Depot to the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company. The sale included a provision allowing him to construct on the property, provided any development did not interfere with railroad operations. 

On November 20, 1884, William’s son James married Love Armstrong in a ceremony held at her parents’ home near Bairdstown. Following the 6 p.m. wedding, William hosted a dinner reception for the bridal party and guests at his own residence.

In June 1886, William had his Bairdstown home painted.

In February 1888, he was appointed temporary guardian of five-year-old Carrie M. McCall—not to raise her, but to protect her property. Carrie was entitled to receive over $250 from an insurance company, and her parents, George and June McCall, were unable to manage the funds. William petitioned the Greene County Court, was granted guardianship, posted a $500 bond, and swore to manage the estate faithfully.

By 1891, William used land previously exempted through bankruptcy to secure a new debt with R. L. Moss & Co. The property was eventually sold to Hodson Brothers, but William continued living there as a tenant of W. P. McWhorter. Ownership confusion followed. Because the deed to Hodson Brothers wasn’t recorded until 1899, the lien remained enforceable, and William’s possession wasn’t deemed “open and notorious” enough to defeat it.

In February 1894, William lost a lawsuit to Moss over a promissory note. Though he claimed partial repayment with 16 bales of cotton worth $724.09, the court awarded Moss $1,267.20 in principal, $123.56 in interest, and $139.07 in attorney’s fees. Another suit brought by Hodson Brothers resulted in a $1,500 judgment plus interest and fees. William’s financial credibility continued to erode.

By 1895, he was fighting to protect his family’s homestead from creditors. The land, tied to his father and family legacy, was claimed exempt under Georgia’s homestead laws. William, caring for his 59-year-old wife, argued he was too poor to post bond and that the land had already been exempted by federal court. Acting as trustee for his wife, he insisted creditors had no claim and asked the court to dissolve the injunction. He pointed out that his wife—the true beneficiary—hadn’t even been named in the case. The court disagreed, ruling the property remained subject to the original judgment.

Eventually, William and Mary left Greene County, relocating to District 119 in Richmond County. On June 12, 1900, they were living with their daughter Belle, her husband William, sons Joe and Tom, and daughter Annie. Also in the household were Steve Irby, Anna Belle (Wilson) Irby’s son, and three Black servants: Frank Lang (21), Honey Reed (16), and Jude Calwell (10). At age 66, William had apparently retired. His son-in-law worked as a railroad engineer, and grandson Joe was a farm laborer. 

Tragedy struck in August 1900. William’s son James died on the 21st from heart failure, complicated by alcoholism, and was buried at Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens. Ten days later, on August 31, Mary passed away and was laid to rest at Bairdstown Cemetery. After her death, William continued to live with Belle, now in Warren County.

In August 1906, aged 72, William applied for an Indigent Pension. Unemployed and suffering from kidney trouble, he declared no property or income since at least 1894. His daughter had supported him in 1897 and 1898 at $75 per year. E. A. Brinkley, a friend of 50 years, attested to his character and military service. Two Warren County physicians confirmed his condition, noting swelling in his lower limbs that prevented him from working. His application was approved for 1907.

On April 26, 1910, William—widowed and retired—was living with Belle, her husband William, and grandson Robert in Stag Hall, Warren County. Robert, who rented the home, supported the family as a train engineer. Belle had given birth to five children, with three living. Everyone in the household could read and write.

William passed away in Georgia on July 16, 1911. He was buried at Bairdstown Cemetery, the same place his wife had been laid to rest.

It’s fascinating that despite William’s deep entanglement with the court system—serving as administrator, guardian, juror, commissioner, and litigant—no will has been found. By the time he died, he had lost his home, declared himself indigent, and had nothing left to distribute. Perhaps, in the end, there was simply no need.

 

References

• Assignee’s Notice, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, September 6, 1877.
• Assignee’s Notice, The National Republican, Augusta, Georgia, May 13, 1868.
• Bairdstown, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, June 25, 1886.
• Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, August 15, 1884.
• Confederate Conscription Act, April 1862, National Archives, Background on Governor Brown’s opposition: Georgia Encyclopedia.
• Election for Justice Peace, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, April 8, 1869.
• Estate Records: Greene County, Georgia, Probate Estate Case Files 1790–1943, image 687, FamilySearch.
• Facing History and Ourselves, History of Slave Patrols, Black Codes, and Vagrancy Laws, Facing History; www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/history-slave-patrols-black-codes-vagrancy-laws. Accessed August 11, 2025.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75575771/james_h-wilson: accessed August 7, 2025), memorial page for James H. Wilson (4 Jun 1860–21 Aug 1900), Find a Grave Memorial ID 75575771, citing Oconee Hill Cemetery, Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA; maintained by: Find a Grave.
• First Families of Henry County, Georgia, compiled by the Genealogical Society of Henry and Clayton Counties, edited by Joseph Henry Hightower Moore, 1993.
• Greene County Sheriff’s Sale, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, February 10, 1876.
• Greene County, Georgia Special Proceedings Records 1856–1858, images 322–323, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Court Minutes 1856–1868, image 158, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Court Minutes 1866–1871, images 37–41, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Court Minutes 1874–1879, image 301, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Court Records 1886–1892, image 247, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Court Records 1892–1897, images 117–118, 204, and 233–235, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Court Records 1897–1907, images 188–194, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Deed Books 1852–1857, 1857–1862, images 355, and 540–541, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Deeds 1862–1871, images 216–217 and 333, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Deeds 1871–1876, 1876–1882, images 59, 498, 646, and 662, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Deeds 1882–1885, image 275, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Homestead Records 1888–1935, 1868–1899, image 100, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Miscellaneous Records 1866–1871, 1870–1873, image 162, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Probate Records 1852–1879, images 364, 432, and 459, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Probate Records 1879–1893, images 43, 145, 196, and 441, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Real Estate Records 1869–1874, images 181, 209, 212, 217, and 223, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, School Records 1790–1943, Probate Estate Case Files 1790–1943, image 871, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Special Proceedings Records 1856–1858, image 323, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Special Proceedings Records 1856–1860, images 94 and 224–225, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Special Proceedings Records 1860–1866, 1866–1870, images 569 and 608, FamilySearch.
• Increase in Clarke County, The Savannah Morning News, Savannah, Georgia, August 22, 1900.
• Marriages, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, November 21, 1884.
• Old County Line, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, June 17, 1875.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
• The Evolution of U.S. Bankruptcy Law: a time line, United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Rhode Island, Federal Judicial Center; https://www.rib.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/FJC%20Bankruptcy%20Timeline.pdf. 
• The Great Cyclone: Devastation, Ruin and Woe, The Daily Constitutionalist, Augusta, Georgia, May 4, 1875.
• The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, July 4, 1878, March 11, 1875, April 18, 1878, and April 20, 1882.
• The Legislature, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, September 1, 1876.
• Tombstones, William R. Wilson and Mary Frances Wilson, Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 163, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Division 66, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Harrisonville, Richmond County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Stag Hall, Warren County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850–1880 (June 1870, June 1880).
• W. R. Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Civil War Correspondence, 1861–1865.
• William R. Wilson Georgia, U.S., Civil War Muster Rolls, 1860–1864.
• William R. Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Confederate Pension Applications, 1879–1960.
• William R. Wilson, Matilda Penn, Matilda Rainey, James H. Wilson, and Anna B. Wilson, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• William R. Wilson, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861–1865.
• World’s Exposition: Preparations for Farm Exhibits, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, June 20, 1884.

George Washington Lankford Sr.

George Washington Lankford Sr., son of Curtis Caldwell Lankford and Nancy A. Elizabeth McCarty, was born in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia on July 15, 1863. There were 14 children born to this family—William A. Lankford, Mary A. Lankford, Irena Rebeckah H. Lankford, John R. Lankford, George Washington Lankford, Charles Moore Lankford, Wade Hamilton Lankford, Joseph Jackson Lankford, Nancy Crawford Lankford, Florence Lee Lankford, and four that did not survive. George is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Our nearest common relatives are Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore.

On June 15, 1870, George, his parents, and six siblings lived in Penfield. His father worked as a common laborer while his mother stayed home keeping house. His 10-year-old brother John was enumerated as a farm laborer.

On June 9, 1880, an 18-year-old boarder named George Langford lived with the Burwell Brooks family in Simston, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He worked as a farm hand and was unable to read or write. George (the subject of this sketch) was no longer living with his family in Bowling Green, Oglethorpe County, Georgia so this was most likely him. George’s last name was spelled Langford vs. Lankford in the census record which is a common thing with this surname. I noticed his father’s surname was also spelled Langford in the 1880 census record. On June 13, 1887, George’s father Curtis died at the age of 59 years following a long illness. The family buried Curtis at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Happier times came seven years later when George married Jessie (or Jesse) Burton, daughter of George W. Burton and Mattie Parham and 16 years younger than him, at Greene County, Georgia on May 2, 1894. Six children were born to this union—Owen Lankford (1898), Eva Lankford (1900), George Washington Lankford Jr. (1903), Mattie Bell Lankford (1906), William Mell Lankford (1909), and Mary Lucy Lankford (1913).

George Lankford-Jessie Burton marriage license

On June 2, 1900, George, Jessie, and their son Owen lived in a rental home in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. The census record shows that George and Jessie had been married for six years and that both could read and write. Jessie was enumerated as having had one child who was living. George worked as a sawyer in a saw mill.

By April 19, 1910, the family had moved to Union Point, Greene County, Georgia and had grown to five children. George still worked as a sawyer in a saw mill. None of the children were attending school at the time. Owen could read but not write. It was the 1910 census record that told us there were 14 children in the Curtis Lankford family. George’s mother Nancy, who was living with daughter Florence was shown as having had 14 children, 10 of which were living. 

1910 Oglethorpe County, Georgia census record showing George's mother,
Nancy Lankford, had 14 children (click to enlarge)

By January 25, 1920, the family had moved to Hudson Avenue in Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia, 32 miles from Union Point. Hopefully, they lived in a large home because there were now 11 people under one roof—George, Jessie, son Owen and wife Florrie (Owens), daughter Eva and husband Snow Gurley, sons George and William, daughters Mattie and Mary, and George’s mother-in-law Mattie (Parham Burton Drake). George continued to work in the saw mill, now as a laborer. Owen had joined his father at the saw mill. Even though she still had young children at home, Jessie now worked outside the home as a spooler in the cotton mill. Their son-in-law Snow worked as a weaver at the cotton mill, perhaps the same one as Jessie. The 1920s were hard on the Lankford family beginning on April 12, 1920 when George’s mother died. The family buried her beside George’s father at Bairdstown Cemetery. Then tragedy struck in 1922 when George Jr., only 19 years old, died following surgery for a ruptured appendix on June 16 at the Oglethorpe Infirmary in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. A funeral service performed by Rev. M. S. Williams was held at their home the next day followed by burial at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eatonton. Probably still reeling from the death of George Jr., tragedy struck again on July 3, 1923 in what today we would call a case of road rage. George’s son Owen was driving a car when he came upon a man named Tom Carter, who was driving a lumber wagon. Mr. Carter felt crowded on the road and an altercation ensued that ended with Owen being struck in the head with an auto jack. The blow fractured Owen’s skull and he died at the hospital the next day. George Sr. took a warrant out on Mr. Carter who was charged with manslaughter and then released on bond. Owen was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eatonton on July 5, leaving a wife and child behind. Mr. Carter claimed he acted in self-defense but I’ve been unable to find a news article detailing events after his release on bond so don’t know what the outcome was. And finally, George’s sketch ends with his death on May 10, 1927 in Eatonton at the age of 63. I’ve been unable to find a death or burial record for George but this is what his Find-A-Grave memorial shows. It’s believed he too was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eatonton but don’t have proof of that. Years ago, a fellow researcher visited Pine Grove Cemetery to document these Lankford deaths but she didn’t find a headstone for George. She shared the following with me: “In Pine Grove, there is a plot with 5 slabs, 1 marked for Gertrude and Lucy and 1 marked for Dorothy Agnes. The other 3 unmarked have to be Owen, George Jr. and Jessie because the cemetery records have all of them listed as section 2 lot 28. William Mell and Gladys are in section 1 Div C lot 281 1/2. No space that could be George Sr.” 

Lankford family plot at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eatonton, Georgia

Of course, I’d like to have a record to confirm George’s death and burial so if anyone reading this has one, I’d love to hear from you. 

References

• Carter Out on Bond, Eatonton Messenger, Eatonton, Georgia, July 13, 1923.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129243930/george-washington-lankford: accessed 26 December 2021), memorial page for George Washington Lankford Jr. (26 Feb 1903–16 Jun 1922), Find a Grave Memorial ID 129243930, citing Pine Grove Cemetery, Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Patty Shreve (contributor 47563794).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129388747/george-washington-lankford: accessed 27 December 2021), memorial page for George Washington Lankford Sr. (15 Jul 1863–10 May 1927), Find a Grave Memorial ID 129388747, citing Pine Grove Cemetery, Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Patty Shreve (contributor 47563794).
• George W. Lankford, Eatonton Messenger, Eatonton, Georgia, June 23, 1922.
• Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Standard Certification of Death no. 21380, Owen Langford.
• Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Standard Certification of Death no. 10570, Mr. Wade H. Lankford.
• Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Standard Certification of Death no. 13929, Geo. W. Lankford Jr.
• Langford Dies as Result of Blow on Head from Carter, Eatonton Messenger, Eatonton, Georgia, July 6, 1923.
• Obituary, Mr. Kirk Langford, Oglethorpe Echo, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, June 17, 1887.
• Personal visit to Pine Grove Cemetery, P. Moon.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bowling Green, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 0127, Woodstock, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 138, Greene County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Simston, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Union Point, Greene County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1860, 1900. 

Henry T. Burnette (104-2016)

Henry T. Burnette, son of Thomas Terrell Burnette and Elizabeth Jones, was born on May 11, 1908 in Greene County, Georgia. He was the 10th child of 13—Luther Terrell Burnette, Eva Drucilla Burnette, Floria Mae Burnette, Jesse Burnette, twin to Jesse, Willie Loyd Burnette, Prince Albert Burnette, Claudia Burnette (twin), Maudie Burnette (twin), Henry T. Burnette, Eleanor Estelle Burnette, Samuel A. Burnette, and Julia Virginia Burnette. His material grandfather and great-grandfather were both named Henry so it’s a good chance he was named for one or both of them. It’s also a good chance his middle name was Thomas or Terrell after his father but I haven’t been able to find any record that lists anything other than the initial. Henry was my great uncle.

About 1908, Henry and his family attended the Henry Jones family reunion in Walton County. He is number five in the reunion photo—sitting on his mother’s lap.

Henry Jones family reunion -- Henry is #5

Thomas Terrell Burnette family photo taken at the Jones family reunion.
Henry is sitting in his mother's lap. My grandmother Floria is standing to the left behind her mother.

         
On April 28, 1910, Henry and his family lived in Greshamville, Greene County, Georgia. His father was a farmer. The enumerator recorded his mother as having had 10 children, 8 of which were living. She had lost a set of twins—one I know was a boy. Unfortunately, I don’t know the sex of the other child who had already died by the time the census record was taken.

By February 13, 1920, Henry’s family had moved to the Walkers District of Greene County where they would stay. His father was farming on a general farm; his mother was enumerated as Lizzie. There were 10 children living in the home. Henry’s paternal grandfather, Samuel Pride Burnette, 78 years old and widowed, had moved into the home after the death of Henry’s grandmother. Henry’s brother Luther and his wife Etta Belle lived next door.

On April 14, 1930, the family still lived in the Walkers District. Only three of children were living in the home now—Henry, Sam, and Julia. Everyone in the house was able to read and write. Luther and his family still lived next door and had added two daughters to their family—Hazel and Francis. Henry’s father was still farming and now had Henry as a helper.

Henry’s father died at age 71 in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia on February 6, 1940. He was buried at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery in Greensboro. His death certificate listed the cause of death as chronic myocarditis, an inflammation of heart muscle. On April 26, 1940, Henry, his widowed mother, and his sister Julia lived on Veazey Road in the Walkers District. His mother wasn’t working but both Henry and Julia were laborers on a farm. Sometime in the early 1940s, Henry left Greene County and moved to Putnam County, Georgia.

I haven’t found a marriage record yet but sometime after March 1944, Henry married Mattie Bell Lankford, daughter of George Washington Lankford Sr. and Jessie Burton, and a native of Greene County. Mattie had previously been married to James Homer Mull, son of Horace and Vista Mull. Mattie and Homer had at least four children between 1925 and 1939—James Mull, Julius Yancey Mull, Dorothy Mull, and Eugene Mull. On March 15, 1944, Mattie and Homer were involved in a car-bus accident in Putnam County. Homer was killed instantly. Mattie survived but suffered serious injuries to her forehead and arm and was taken to Macon Hospital. To my knowledge, Henry and Mattie never had children of their own.

Photo by Patty Shreve - Find A Grave Memorial# 79323026

On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1955, Henry and a “companion” named John W. Welch, were hunting in Putnam County when Henry was accidentally killed by a .22 rifle. According to a news article published on the front page of The Eatonton Messenger on January 5, 1956, Henry and John were squirrel hunting when John heard a gunshot. John called to Henry but received no response so climbed out of the tree he was in to check on Henry. John found Henry, who had been shot in the head “just above his left ear,” lying on the ground, already dead. Two men from Jasper County were fishing nearby in Murder Creek and helped John carry Henry out of the woods. John reported that he didn’t know what caused the gun to shoot. The Eatonton Messenger wrote that Henry was Putnam County’s “first hunting fatality of the year on the last day of 1955.” Mr. I. A. Carter, the local coroner, held a jury inquest at the Vining Funeral Home where they ruled Henry’s death an accident. Henry was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Eatonton after a service held at Oak Street Baptist Church. He was working at the local aluminum plant at the time of his death. On January 5, 1956, Mattie published a “Card of Thanks” in The Eatonton Messenger which was signed "Mrs. H. T. Burnette and The Mull Family.

I didn’t know much about Henry when I started writing this blog post but that’s part of the fun of doing genealogy research. I’d been told that Henry had lived and was buried in Putnam County, that he was married to a woman (name unknown) who was either widowed or divorced, and that she had a son (name unknown) who was with Henry on a hunting trip when he was killed. Because I knew so little about Henry, I had a lot of questions:

• What was his actual birthdate?
• When did he move from Greene County to Putnam County?
• Who was his wife?
• Did he have children of his own? 
• When did he die?
• Was he really killed in a hunting accident?

Well, it took a lot of digging but I finally figured it all out. And, I got a surprise connection to the Lankford family in the process.

Finding the Eatonton Messenger news article reporting Henry’s death got the ball rolling and confirmed that he was in fact killed in a hunting accident. But now I had more questions:

• Who was John Welch?
• Was he Henry’s stepson?
• Who was the Mull family mentioned in the “card of thanks?”

I looked in my family tree file to see if I had anyone with the Welch or Mull last names. I didn’t. I then checked census records for those families but couldn’t make a connection to Henry. I searched the Eatonton newspapers again to see if there were other articles that might shed some light on these people. Still nothing. I finally found the social security record that listed Mattie Bell Lankford and all of her last names (maiden and two married names) as well as the names of both of her parents. Bingo! Her parents were George Lankford and Jessie Burton—two names I immediately recognized. I went back to my family tree file and there she was—a daughter named Mattie Bell Lankford. I later found Mattie’s obituary that listed her full name as Mattie Bell Lankford Mull Burnette. The 1940 census record listed Mattie’s son as Julius Y. Mull. Another news article connected Julius to his mother—Mrs. Henry Burnette. And finally, Julius’ obituary listed his sister as Mrs. Dorothy Welch. So there was the Welch connection. It all started to fall into place and was making sense now.

The Lankford connection was Mattie’s grandfather—Curtis Caldwell Lankford—who was the brother of my third great-grandfather, James Meriweather Lankford.

Although Henry’s life story had a sad ending, it was fun to research. My thanks to the Digital Library of Georgia for sharing the newspaper archives via the Uncle Remus Regional Library System with the world. I wouldn’t have been able to figure this out without this resource.