Images of America:  Itawamba County 

 

 

It's here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested, please e-mail me at itawambaconnections@gmail.com.  The book costs $21.99 plus sales tax for Mississippi residents and postage for mailing.   A portion of the royalties from the sale of the book will go to the Itawamba County Historical Society.   Get your copy today!

Fulton in 1900

Fulton News Beacon

February 9, 1933

Thirty-Two Years Ago
by A. D. Graham, Editor

In February,  1900, the editor of this paper first came to live and to edit a paper in Fulton.  Many changes have occurred in Fulton, as well as in every other community in this and other counties since that time.

During that time some of the best friends we ever had, or ever expect to have, breathed their last.  Among them was father, mother and a sister.   Thirty-two years in a lifetime is the most of the life of many people.  Much can happen during that many years, much that is good and much is that is bad, owing to the character of the one living.

In that year, Rev. J. A. McDougal , a mighty good old Methodist preacher, was Chancery Clerk.  Mr. E. R. Googe, another good man, was Sheriff of the county.  Dr. J. M. Walker, who spent his life and his means trying to develop the county into a better place to live, was Circuit Clerk, and Dr. M. W. Howard, who graduated in medicine at Cincinnati, was County Treasurer.   They have all passed on, and some of them did not live to fill out their terms of office.

There were but few stores here then, and they sold “on time” until fall when people sold their cotton and would come in to pay their store account.  Those who were slow to come in and settle, they would often go out and collect or send some one.  Often they would trade for cows, sometimes a mule or horse, and sometimes they would take a note for the amount due.

There was not a bank here then.  Merchants would keep their own funds until such time as they had opportunity to send the money to Tupelo, where it was deposited.  All the goods were brought out on wagon and most of the goods for the winter were hauled out in the fall, for the roads would get so bad that a wagon could not bring back much of a load.  The mail was carried on a hack and would sometimes be ten or eleven o’clock in the night getting in.  Many would wait until it came and was put up before they retired for the night.  Now, the goods that are sold here could not be brought out over the roads as they were then, and the mail could not be brought that way.

There was a ferry boat on which to get across the river, and the ferry man was employed by the Board of Supervisors.  He carried across people who lived in the county free of charge, but put charges on all who did not live in the county.  When people crossed the river and were late getting back, often they had trouble getting back across the river.

There were no saloons here at that time, but there were several at Aberdeen, and plenty could be ordered, and it was no violation of the law to have whiskey in one’s possession, or to carry it about wherever they desired.   It was nothing out of the ordinary to see a few drunk men here every week.  Nothing was done about it unless they fought or raised trouble some way.  When saloons were closed in this state those who were at Aberdeen moved to Jackson, Tenn., where they sent out literature inviting their customers to continue to patronize them, and many of them did.  Finally, they were closed out in Tennessee, and we do not know what became of them.

If we could turn Time back for thirty years for a week, no doubt people would appreciate the many convenient things we have now, and would be ready after a few days to change back to the present.  It costs more to live now, but it is worth more in many respects.

NOTE:  The above article appeared in the February 9, 1933 issue of the Fulton News Beacon, the predecessor paper to the Itawamba County Times.   Although the article is titled “Thirty-Two Years Ago” and the year of publication is 1933, the year referenced by Editor Graham is 1900, not 1901.

Abb Dulaney

This ad appeared in the Itawamba County News on January 10, 1946, but I don't know which Abb Dulaney the advertisement refers to.  Abb (or Ab) was a nickname for several Itawamba Dulaney men.  Alfred Elias "Ab" Dulaney was born in 1856 in Itawamba County, but he moved to Arkansas with his father when he was fourteen years old.   Alfred Elias was named for his grandfather, Alfred Dulaney, who was one of three Dulaney brothers who came to Itawamba County in the 1830s.    Another grandson of Alfred, Alfred G. Dulaney, was also known as "Ab" but he died in 1934 so I doubt the 1946 newspaper ad refers to his home.     Yet another grandson was named Joe Abb Dulaney, and it is most likely this "Abb" that the newspaper references.  Joe Abb Dulaney was the son of Joseph "Joe" Dulaney and Martha Ann Johnson.  He married Vonnie Senter, daughter of Thomas Alfred Senter and Rebecca Woodard.

Martin Pennington death notice from 1893

1870 Census - Martin Pennington

Recently, I posted about Veneta McKinney's newspaper transcriptions at the Lamar County Genealogy Trails website hosted by Veneta.  

Here is another little jewel that I found among her transcriptions of the Vernon Courier newspaper from 1893.

Vernon Courier, June 8, 1893

AN OCTOGENARIAN - MARTIN PENNINGTON died on May the 27 at his home four miles from Vernon in his 81st year.   He was married in 1839 to MARTHA TACKET, and they lived for 56 years on the old homestead where he died. His wife survives him. Seventeen children blessed their union, thirteen of whom are living. He left 79 grand-children and 10 great-grand-children.  He was a member of the Baptist Church for a number of years, and was a good and useful citizen. His remains were laid to rest in Friendship burying ground on the 28th of May, in presence of a large number of relatives and friends.

Martin was the brother of my great-great-great grandfather Henry Pennington -- both were sons of William Pennington and Elizabeth Surratt (sometimes found Sarratt), and brothers to Aaron and Samuel.

There is a bit of mystery surrounding William and Elizabeth.   

Five Pennington brothers migrated to then-Fayette County, Alabama from South Carolina, the oldest brother being Benjamin who came to Alabama before 1830 and set up one of the first grist mills in the county.   Records indicate a voting precinct was set up at Benjamin Pennington's house as early as 1828.    Migrating about the same time as Benjamin were William's sons by his marriage to Elizabeth Surratt:  Samuel, Aaron, Henry, and Martin.   There is a household in the 1830 census of Fayette County, Alabama, for Samuel Pennington that appears to contain his brothers, his mother Elizabeth, and possibly his grandfather William Surratt.   This early census only lists the head of the household along with the ages of the other members of the household so we cannot be certain of exactly who was living with Samuel - we can only surmise.   

But where was father William if his sons and their mother were in Alabama?  Apparently still in South Carolina with another woman, likely Isabella/Isabelle who is listed as his wife (?) in later census records in Alabama.  Did William divorce Elizabeth?  Leave her?   It appears so.  The earlier, 1820 census, back in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, includes a household for an Elizabeth Pennington enumerated next door to William Surratt.  Elizabeth's household included a young male and female, both age 10-16.    Where was William Pennington?  He was enumerated as living next to his brothers Benjamin, Isaac and Jesse, but there are additional members in his household that cannot be named.  Certainly, his household members included more than just the four sons that we would expect to find.  We know from subsequent census records that he had children born in South Carolina before 1830, likely from the second wife.

We do not know what happened to Elizabeth Surratt Pennington.  She may have remarried. Her supposed-father William Surratt lived to be at least 83 years old because he can be found living with his son, Samuel, in the 1850 census for Fayette County, Alabama. 

Big Daddy's House

My brother, Kirk, does amazing things with his hands.  This past spring, he created a replica - shown above - of the house affectionately called Big Daddy's.  Built in 1944-45 to replace an older, pioneer structure, it was the home of Hugh and Dee Sloan Pennington in their later years although Dee died in September 1945 and did not get to enjoy her new home very long.  The old homeplace was part of the Jackson Sloan estate, and when the land was divided following Jack's death, Dee Sloan Pennington "drew" her lot, getting the original dogtrot house and surrounding acreage.  Unfortunately, termite damage to the roof and foundation resulted in taking down the 1945 home a few years ago but the chimney still remains to remind future generations of the heritage of the place.

Below is a photograph of Big Daddy's house as it looked during the 1980's.   My husband and I lived in the house during the summers of 1976 and 1977, back when the "bathroom facilities" consisted of an outhouse along with an outdoor shower stall consisting of a water hose from the kitchen sink and a metal bucket punched with holes.  Luckily, we had a window air conditioning unit to keep us cool from the record-breaking heat those summers.

Didn't Kirk do a great job replicating the house, down to the windows, shutters, porch and steps!?!   Lots of good memories were created here - Sunday dinners in the early days followed by a long period of non-use after Big Daddy died.  Later, the homeplace was the site of Easter egg hunts and New Year's Eve celebrations and many, many rook games. The bottom photo is of Aunt Vivian sitting on the front porch steps during the early 1950's, probably at a Sunday get-together.

James G. Young, 1819-1893

Veneta Aldridge McKinney, over at Lamar County Alabama Genealogy Trails, is doing a wonderful service in transcribing and publishing old newspapers of Lamar County.   After transcribing, Veneta also e-mails a summary of the deaths and marriages found in the old newspapers to the Lamar County Rootsweb message board.  As anyone who has ever transcribed old records from microfilm knows, it is a tedious process.  Amazingly, Veneta has done this for the old Marion County  and Fayette County newspapers as well.   If you have any ancestors in any of these counties, it would be worth your while to check out the work that Veneta has done at these linked websites.   Veneta is also the volunteer webmaster for the Genealogy Trails websites for Winston and Walker Counties.

Recently, one of Veneta's e-mails to the Lamar County Rootsweb message board included deaths and marriages abstracted from the 1893 Vernon Courier newspaper.  These accounts are not only informative (great information for the genealogist) but entertaining as well.  Apparently there were quite a number of marriages where the bride had to slip around her parents to get married, including one young woman who "ran away" on the train to get married in Mississippi.

The Vernon Courier reported the death of James G. Young in its February 9, 1893 issue.

VERNON COURIER
Feb. 9, 1893

Mr. JAMES G. YOUNG, a well-known citizen of Pine Springs beat departed this life last week.  Mr. YOUNG had long been a citizen of the county and his death will be keenly felt by a host of friends. 

James was the uncle of my great-great grandmother Rachel Young Loyd (brother to William A. Young).  His tombstone is pictured above, photographed just this past spring when Karol Squier, another Young descendant, and I visited Wesley Chapel Cemetery in northwestern Lamar County.  James was born February 22, 1819 and died January 30, 1893.  He was the son of James A. and Mary "Polly" Green.  Some researchers indicate that his full name was James Green Young, but I've also seen Gilbert as his middle name. 

This Young family was originally from Abbeville District, South Carolina but in 1810 are found in Warren County, Kentucky where Rachel's father, William A. Young, was born.    The family made their way southward - by 1830 they are found in Marion County, Alabama (later part of Lamar County) although later records show some of them (including my line) moved just over the line into Monroe County, Mississippi.    In fact, Wesley Chapel Cemetery is close to the Mississippi line and contains the graves of many Young relatives.

Thanks, Veneta, for all that you do!

A New Cousin

Tonight, over supper, I "discovered" a new cousin, one that I'm delighted to learn about, especially on the eve of the annual Sloan Family Reunion in the Peaceful Valley community of Itawamba County.

My great-grandmother, Dee Sloan Pennington, was the daughter of Jackson Samuel Sloan and Malissa Caroline Potts.  My "new" cousin is descended from Jackson's sister, Mary Sloan, and Malissa's brother, George W. Potts.  A double cousin from both the Potts and Sloan families!

Who is this special cousin?  Dorothy Carol Moore Dulaney, my husband's Aunt Dorothy who is married to Uncle Frank Dulaney.  Aunt Dot's mother was Allie Mae Dodson, granddaughter of George W. Potts and Mary Sloan.    Uncle Frank is visiting us this weekend while Dorothy is staying with her sister, and when Frank found out about the Sloan Reunion tomorrow he wondered if this was the same family of Sloans that Dorothy was kin to.... and it is!   Can't wait to talk to Dorothy about our common Itawamba Connections.

Unidentified "cousins" from a photograph provided at the 2010 Sloan Reunion

Martha Eudoxie Davis Raburn

Martha Eudoxie Davis Raburn, standing right in the photograph, was the daughter of Jesse Davis and Elvira Amanda McGee .  Born on July 5, 1854 in Gwinnett County, Georgia, she moved with her family while still a toddler to St. Clair County, Alabama around 1858.  By 1870, the Davis family were in Itawamba County where they are found enumerated in the census for that year.  Eudoxie's mother and two of her sisters died in Alabama, and her father remarried, to a widow by the name of Mary Johnson Caldwell before moving his family to the Providence Church area on the Mississippi-Alabama state line.

Eudoxie and my great-great grandfather, James William Anderson Davis, were siblings.

In 1873, Eudoxie married William Greenberry Raburn, a Civil War veteran who enlisted and served in the 41st Mississippi Regiment in Itawamba County.  The youngest of their ten children, Susie, is pictured with Eudoxie in the photograph to the left.  Susie was born just days after the death of her father, who died November 9, 1894.  Her full name was William Suzannie Raburn.

During Greenberry's stint in the Civil War, he was captured by Union soldiers and sent to Colorado as part of the Union Army after signing a Loyalty Oath.  During the cold winter, as the troops were marching in harsh conditions, Greenberry's feet became frostbitten and had to be amputated.   He returned to Itawamba County following the war and even served as tax assessor before dying in 1894.  Following his death, Eudoxie received a widow's pension from the federal government for Greenberry's service during the War.

Eudoxie Davis Raburn purchased the house now known as Bonds House, home to Itawamba County Historical Society in Mantachie, from the Sims family in the early 1900s.   The house was built around 1892 by Mantachie merchant  and mayor, James Andrew Bonds.  When Eudoxie died in 1920, the house was later sold by her heirs.

The following account was published in a 1931 newspaper - quite interesting!  I wonder what happened to the seedling that came up from the cockle burr?

Fulton News Beacon
July 16, 1931

Waited 37 Years

Some of our readers will no doubt remember Mr. Green Raburn, who served this county one term as tax assessor.  He had no feet on account of getting them frozen off during the Civil War.  He wore specially prepared shoes and appeared to be a very low man.

Rev. Sumpter Raburn, his son, recently found a cockle burr in a crevice of his father's shoe which had been there for 37 years, and which he planted and it came up and is producing after its kind, after lying dormant that long.

Images of America - Itawamba County

I am thrilled to announce the publication date for Images of America:  Itawamba County.  This photographic history book, containing over 200 vintage images, will be available for purchase on January 7, 2013.  The Images of America series of books by Arcadia Publishing chronicles the history of counties and towns across the country using vintage photographs that capture by-g0ne times, people and events that help define a community.

The book, which will cost $21.99 plus a shipping and handling fee if mailed, will be available for sale at the Itawamba County Historical Society, or directly from me, or a local retailer, and also online from Arcadia Publishing.  I recently spoke to the Itawamba County Historical Society and was pleasantly surprised to learn from someone at the meeting that the book is already listed on the company's website!  How exciting!

The book was a pure labor of love, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet both old and new "cousins" and learn more about our county.   Hopefully, the book will be both entertaining and informative.  Pre-sales will start soon, and gift cards will be available to give as Christmas gifts.  

E-mail me at ItawambaConnections@gmail.com if you are interested.

Back in the saddle again...

Last Friday was the first time I've been in the records room of a courthouse in a long time, and it was good to handle the dusty volumes and smell the mustiness of pages that haven't been touched in a long time.  By the time the day ended, I had been on all three floors of the Pontotoc courthouse plus the unused and dank basement.   Three record books of the first federal court of Northern Mississippi - held initially in the courthouse at Pontotoc - were uncovered, in varying degrees of condition and each on separate floors of the building.  

I had previously come across a published transcription of the will of James D. "Jimmy Dee" Bowen (read more about him in this previous post), but on this trip I found the will recorded in Will Book 21, Page 20.   The will, dated August 10, 1885, is pretty standard.  Jimmy Dee left his personal and real estate to his much younger widow, Catherine, for use during her lifetime.  If Catherine died or remarried, then Jimmy Dee indicated that his "son D. L. Bowen" was to receive 45 acres of land and the remainder of the estate of to "son F. W. Bowen."

The above is interesting because family history indicates that Jimmy Dee's son "Lane" Bowen died during the Civil War.  Lane was enumerated in the 1860 census as "D. L. Bowen" in his father's household, and there is a record of  an "L Bowen" enlisting on February 20, 1863.   I think that perhaps "Lane" may have been Dulaney or Delaney Bowen because the "Dee" in Jimmy Dee supposedly stood for his middle name Dulaney (or Delaney).

So, the question is... what really happened to D. L. "Lane" Bowen?  I've been unable to find a record of him since the 1860 census, other than the possible enlistment record from 1863.  Either way, the 1870 and 1880 censuses have not turned up a D. L. or Lane Bowen, and I've done a pretty thorough search.  Did Jimmy Dee make the bequest to his son D. L. Bowen, perhaps never believing that he died during the war? 

Another question... is there a connection to the Dulaney family back in South Carolina?  Jimmy Dee Bowen came from Newberry District, South Carolina.  Interesting that his son, William Elisha Bowen, moved to Itawamba County from Pontotoc, around or after the Civil War.  Probably a coincidence but still something that would be neat to figure out. 

It was good to be back in a courthouse record room, and I hope to get back again soon.

William Barksdale - William Purnell, continued

Following up on the earlier story about William Barksdale, the administrator of the Estate of William Purnell, we have learned that William likely was the guardian of the children of William Purnell: namely, Matthew Robert Purnell, Samuel Morris Purnell, and Martha "Patsey" Purnell Robinson.

William Barksdale gave his power of attorney in 1823, recorded in Lawrence County, Alabama, to William "Roberson" to recover monies due the Estate of William Purnell from the deceased Purnell's service to the United States, probably during the War of 1812 or one of the Indian Wars.   William Roberson/Robinson was likely the son of Matthew Robinson, who earlier in 1819 in Abbeville County, South Carolina, served as bondsman for William Barksdale when he was appointed administrator of Purnell's estate.

In 1826 in Lawrence County, Alabama, William R. Robinson was a bondsman for the marriage of James L. Robinson to Patsey Purnell.   I believe Patsey to be the daughter of the deceased William Purnell.  She and her husband, James, were living next to William Barksdale in the 1830 census in Marion County, Alabama (later the part that became Lamar County).    I believe Patsey's husband James to be the son of John and Elizabeth Robinson, and the nephew of William R. Robinson who signed as bondsman for James and Patsey's marriage license.  William would have signed in place of his brother, John, who died in 1825 in Lawrence County.  Both John and William are likely sons of Matthew Robinson, the oldest known Robinson in my line.

One important record that ties the Purnell and Robinson families together is a Bible that belonged to a daughter of Matthew Robert Purnell (another question - was Matthew Robert Purnell named for his grandfather Matthew Robinson - could his mother have been Matthew's daughter, thus the reason for Matthew Robinson serving as bondsman in 1819 when William Purnell's estate was opened for probate?).   The Bible of Harriet Jane Purnell Clouse, daughter of Matthew Robert Purnell and his wife Anne, was in the possession of her granddaughter Harriet Jane Clouse Moyers in 1965, and although old and faded, a transcription of the written records within the Bible has been published.

Harriet Jane Purnell married John Clouse on February 15, 1855.  Although the Bible doesn't indicate it, John Clouse is thought to be the son of Elijah Clouse and Jane Barksdale.  The releationship of Jane Barksdale to William Barksdale is as yet unknown.  Jane Barksdale Clouse was born in North Carolina, as census and newspaper records have indicated.

In her Bible, Harriet Jane wrote that her father "Mathew R. Purnell" was born January 11, 1811.    In addition, "Samuel M. Purnell" was born June 7, 1812; "Marthy Ann Robison" was born January 22, 1810; and Ann Purnell was born October 31, 1812.  Matthew, Samuel, and Martha Ann "Patsey" were siblings, children of the deceased William Purnell.  Ann Purnell was the wife of Matthew Robert Purnell; her maiden name is unknown.

Harriet's Bible further records that William Barksdale , Sr. was born December 6, 1793.   The birth is consistent with the birth range found in the 1830 census household for William Barksdale in Marion County, Alabama.  The Bible also states that William Barksdale died May 19, 1856, age abt 63.   Unfortunately, I've been unable to turn up a census record anywhere for William Barksdale in 1850, a record that would surely provide additional clues.   Another entry in the Purnell-Clouse Bible is for William Barksdale, born November 28, 1837 - presumably the son of William Barksdale, Sr.   The last entry for a Barksdale in the Bible is for Nancy Barksdale, born Jan. 1810.  Was Nancy a second, younger wife of William Sr. and the mother of William born 1837?  If she was the daughter of William, Sr. then that would mean William Sr. fathered Nancy when he was sixteen, possible but how probable?   Finding that 1850 census record would be most helpful.  I think I'll give it another try.  It's probably been transcribed as Parksdale or some other odd name so I will have to be creative.

Thank goodness for Harriet Jane Purnell Clouse's Bible!  Her written records from over 150 years ago have helped sort through and put relationships together.

Bettye Sue Stone Woodhull, 1931-2012

Cousins,

Bettye Sue Stone Woodhull passed away at her home this evening.  Please say prayers for Ron and their three sons as they grieve the loss of a wife and mother.  Bettye was a dear friend.   We "met" over the internet in 2006 and very quickly became e-mail buddies.  In 2010, Mike and I were blessed to meet Bettye and husband Ron in person (and beloved dog Cricket too!) as they made an extended trip to Alabama to visit friends and family, stopping in Oxford on their way back home to Texas.

Bettye had an incredible memory.  Thanks to Bettye's amazing ability to recall even the smallest details from her childhood, I have a wonderful collection of stories and information about Bexar, Alabama in the 1930s and 1940s.  When I asked Bettye once about her gift of memory, she said that she first realized she was gifted in that way when she quoted the preacher's sermon and scripture almost word for word on the way home from a Sunday evening revival meeting in Bexar when she was about eight years old.  Her grandparents were astounded, she said.
 
In addition to sharing family connections, Bettye and I shared a love for the now extinct town of Bexar.  When I asked questions, Bettye gave me the answers and a whole lot more about the once thriving community that was home to so many of my people and hers.   Bettye was a gifted writer, putting her memories into words that helped me "see" the people and places of her youth.  I'll be forever grateful to her for making Bexar come alive once more.  Bettye's remembrances of Uncle Lucian, Granny Kate, Cousin Gertrude, Aunt Agnes and others are true treasures.

The doily pictured above was embroidered by Bettye's great-grandmother, Susan Florence "Sukey" Evans Robinson.  Sukey was the sister of my great-great grandfather, John T. Evans, and she married Henry Johnson Robinson, the younger brother of my great-great grandfather George Emerson Robinson.   Tell them all hello for me in Heaven, Bettye.

William Barksdale - William Purnell

The Purnell family line has been a brick wall for me with many missing pieces.   My great-great-great grandfather Samuel Morris Purnell came from South Carolina as a little boy, apparently part of a migration from Abbeville District that included my Robinson and Emerson families as well as other related lines such as Kennedy and Stephenson (Stenson).

Fires at both the Abbeville District, South Carolina courthouse and the Marion County, Alabama courthouse created a big gap in the record history of most of my maternal and paternal lines, including the Purnell family.

One record that survives in the Abbeville County courthouse is an 1819 probate record for William "Parnal".   William Barksdale was appointed administrator for Purnell's estate, with Matthew Robinson and John Burnett serving as his bondsmen.  

In 1823, William Barksdale and Matthew Robinson were in Lawrence County, Alabama.  Both men went to the courthouse on the same day - October 13th - to record power of attorneys.  The record filed by William Barksdale noted that he was the administrator of the Estate of William Purnell who "died in the service of the United States."   Barksdale gave William (yes, another William!) "Roberson" his power of attorney to recover $48 due the estate from the United States.  

It seems then that William Purnell may have died in the War of 1812 although no service record has been found for him in the abstracted records for that War (Virgil White compiled an extensive index of names from the War of 1812 pension files.).  Neither have I found a record of William's service in any of the Indian Wars (sometimes referred to as "Old Wars").   When I posted a query to the War of 1812 genforum site, the following response was received from an expert in this area:

"Many estates were not settled until long after the war ended, in fact, Congress had to pass the Settled Accounts Act of 6 April 1838 in order to get heirs to receive their benefits.  The accounts settled in this act are called 'the lost pensions.'   55,000 accounts were settled under this act going back to the Revolutionary War.  Parnell could have died in the First Seminole War, 20 Nov 1817 to 31 Oct 1818.  Finding his service recod would prove this theory.  There is a pension index for the wars between the War of 1812 and the Civil War.  I do not have a copy of this list.  Maybe Parnell is listed in this index."

"It appears that William Parnell died during the War of 1812 while serving with the South Carolina militia probably from disease or injuries and not from wounds. If he was serving with the US Army then the heirs would have been entitled to both the half pay and the land bounty. Since the administrator had to pick one or the other benefits, then William served in the militia. He served as a private since the heirs received the minimum of $48 per year which was the rate for the heirs of privates."

 Alas, I've checked all printed pension lists for Parnell, Purnell, and Pernell and other various spellings of the surname and have come up empty.  I also requested a record look-up from the National Archives for William Purnell in the "Old Wars, Indian Disturbances" records, but no luck there.

Even though I've yet to uncover records of William Purnell's service, the two probate records have yielded important information and, at the same time, created more questions.

Who was William Barksdale, and why was he the appointed administrator of William Purnell's estate?  What was his relationship to the Purnell family?   He may have been the brother of William Purnell's widow.  Or was he married to William Purnell's sister?  Possibly, Barksdale could have married Purnell's widow.

William Barksdale was listed on the 1830 census for Marion County, Alabama.  The census record indicates William was born between 1790 and 1800, which would put him as a contemporary of the deceased William Purnell.   The Barksdale household had two boys, age 15-20, who I believe to be Samuel Morris Purnell and his brother, Matthew Robert Purnell.  Next door was the household of James L. Robertson who was probably the same "James Robison" who married "Patsey Purnell" in Lawrence County, Alabama on October 18, 1826.

The following census of 1840 is interesting in that the households of Morris Purnell and William Barksdale are enumerated next to each other.  But.... the household of William Barksdale does not show an adult male, only two males age 5-10.  In addition to the young boys, there were five young females and one female age 30-40.  Did the census taker forget to make a mark for William?   Who were the young children in the household?

I've searched high and low for William Barksdale in the 1850 census but have been unable to locate a household for him.   

In 1860, there is a 68 year old Annie Barksdale living in the household of Matthew Robert Purnell, presumably the widow of William.

More later on the Bible records that helped tie these families together.

Minnesota Purnell Brown

Thanks to Dean Howell Page for sharing the above picture of Minnesota Purnell Brown, pictured front right.    You can read more about Minnesota at this blog post from a couple of weeks ago.  Minnesota was the daughter of Jemima C. Robinson (see Jemima's Story) and husband David M. Purnell.

Pictured with Minnesota are her daughter, Viola Brown Gullick (front left), and her half-sister Myme Arveston Desmona Keith Page.  In the back row are Flossie Lindsey Page and her mother Pearl Hughes Lindsey.