Dr. John Haynes Young - brother to Rachel Young Loyd

John Haynes Young was born in Monroe County, Mississippi in 1849 to William A. Young and Elizabeth C. "Bettie" Evans. The Young family lived near present-day Splunge, just across the state line from the Pine Springs area of what was then Marion County, Alabama but is now Lamar County. They settled there in the 1830s, arriving from Kentucky but there is some thought that the Youngs were in Abbeville District, South Carolina before Kentucky.

According to Dr. John H. Young's biographical sketch that appeared in the 1892 publication "A Memorial and Biographical History of Johnson and Hill Counties, Texas," he studied medicine under Dr. A. L. Moorman of Bexar, Alabama and subsequently attended the University of Louisville and the Kentucky School of Medicine. Upon completion of his coursework in 1878, he returned to Alabama where he practiced medicine in Lamar County until 1886 when he

moved to near the Itasca community in Hill County, Texas. He died there in 1929.

1880 Census Lamar County, Alabama
John H. Young 30 MS KY AL physican
Harriet L. Young 18 AL AL AL wife
Rufus B. Cody 21 boarder, attends school
Thomas Betts 14 servant, works on farm

1900 Census Hill County, Texas
John H. Young 50 MS KY AL born Oct 1849, widowed, physician
Hattie 19 AL born Sept 1880
Maud P. 17 AL born Nov 1882
Momie E. 15 AL born July 1884
Bessie C. 14 AL born Feb 1886
Lizzie A. 12 TX born Mar 1888
Henry G. 10 TX born Jan 1890
Wanona B. 9 TX born Feb 1891
Chester G. 7 TX born Nov 1892
John D. 5 TX born Nov 1894
Etta Nichols 26 single, boarder AL AL AL born Feb 1874 (This must be the same Etta who was the wife in the next census, below.)

1910 Census Hill County, Texas
Itasca
John H Young 60 MS AL AL 2nd marriage, physician, gen. practice
Etta M 36 AL KY AL wife, 1st marriage
Maud R 27 AL
Morrie E 5 AL
Elizabeth A 22 TX music teacher
Henry G 20 TX
Maud B 18 TX
Clayton G 17 TX (must be Chester)
John P 15 TX
Johnie Gilliams 27 boarder, dry goods sales lady
Allie Walden 19 servant, private family
Mable Walden 17 servant, private family
Pellie R Walden 1

1920 Census Hill County, Texas
Itasca
John H Young 70 MS KY AL postmaster
Mary Young 45 AL AL AL
Maud Young 36 AL public school teacher
Momie Young 34 AL public school teacher
Blanche Young 28 TX public school teacher

Isham James Loyd

Isham Loyd was a character. I never met him, of course, but that is the picture I have of the man. He and Rachel had a farm near Bull Mountain Creek in northwest Marion County, Alabama. In addition to a community store, they had a cotton mill, grist mill, flour mill, blacksmith shop, a pottery kiln, and carding factory. Isham was instrumental in obtaining a post office for Bull Mountain and served as its postmaster. He helped build a combination church and school and served as a teacher for the school and secretary for the church board.

He was active politically and a regular contributor of many long articles to the county newspaper, The Marion Herald. His articles were very often quite lengthy and never shy of an opinion. Several articles exist in old bound newspaper records found at the courthouse in Marion County. Two articles from newspaper issues on August 25, 1887 and November 10, 1887 have been found and copied. These articles are primarily diatribes against Wheelers.

Wheelers were supporters of the Agricultural Wheel, a farmer’s organization that believed agriculture represented the wheel that moved the economy. Wheelerism began in the late 1870s and early 1880s in Texas and Arkansas and quickly spread across the rural south. Its roots can be seen in the Grange society movement and its demise in the merger of the Wheel into the Farmers’ Alliance and ultimately the Populist party.

Isham wrote and spoke out against the Wheelers because of perceived failings on several points. First, Isham believed that the Wheelers weren’t being truthful in their claim that they were not a political organization. As he pointed out, had the Wheel been a pure farmer’s organization he would have approved of their efforts. Isham was particularly peeved that Wheel supporters formed alliances with the Republican party, the post-war party responsible, in his view, for high tariffs and oppressive laws. These alliances led to the defeat of many leaders of the Democratic party, a party which Isham felt better represented the poor white farmer of the south. Isham also was suspicious of the farmers’ cooperatives pushed by the Wheelers. These cooperatives purchased goods in bulk and supposedly sold them to its members at discounted prices.

The published articles reflect a well-read man who quotes from different newspapers and articles from across the nation. They indicate he was a student of history and opposed big government. He was a proponent of states’ rights and opposed Federalism, railing against former President John Adams and his alien and sedition laws. The articles also indicate Isham was a man of strong opinion and beliefs and was unafraid to give voice to them. This is a trait found in many of Isham's descendants today.

Isham and Rachel are buried at Newburg Cemetery near their former farm along County Road 19 near Bull Mountain Creek. Rachel died at the age of 74 on December 12, 1912 while Isham was 84 years old when he died November 7, 1915.

Loyd Originals

Pictured here are grave markers that are believed to be Loyd originals. William Payne Loyd and his son William D. Loyd were potters, and they patented this unique grave marker on June 10, 1879. Most of the markers that are found in northeast Mississippi and northwest Alabama were actually manufactured by potters other than the Loyds. Those manufactured by the Loyds have the leaf symbol on the marker. For more on the Loyd markers, see Terry Thornton's blog. Bob Frank's blog has information on the patent that the Loyds obtained for their marker design.

William Payne Loyd was the brother of my great-great grandfather Isham James Loyd. The Loyds were a family of potters. Isham had a kiln on Bull Mountain creek in northwest Marion County, Alabama, right next to the Itawamba County line. Isham and William's brother, Lawson, moved to Winston County, Mississippi where he operated a pottery shop.

Fulton Grammar School - circa 1940

Fulton Grammar School

Many of you will recognize this photo as being taken in front of the old grammar school in Fulton. When we moved from Greenville to Fulton while I was still in junior high school, I didn't know what a grammar school was, having come from the land of "elementary schools," but I soon caught on. Later, as an adult moving from Aberdeen to Fulton, three of our four children attended school here in this very same building. A new grammar school was recently built, but it is called an "attendance center."

My father is pictured on the front row, second from the right. You can easily see why he was nicknamed "PeeWee," a name that stuck to him through the years over his real name of James even though he didn't stay a peewee. The only other person that I know in the photograph is Wilma Comer Creely who is also on the front row, fifth from the left. I'm not sure what grade this was, probably second or third grade, maybe 1940? Can anyone identify these classmates and teacher?

UPDATE:

I've heard from Wilma Comer Creely, and she has identified most everyone in this photo.

Front row: Edward Holiday, Ann Roberts, Jean Betts, Elween Pearce, Wilma Comer, Millie Steele, unknown, Armentha Bourland, David Mattox, Lovie Moore, Peewee Robinson, and Raomi Pearce.

Second row: Galaine Reeves, ? Morris, Noel Morris, Elizabeth Miller, Dot Gaither, unknown, Louise Coker, Betty Jo Tucker, Travis Staub, Pete Miller, and Jo Pierce

Third row: Frank Pearce, ? Morris, ? Shields (not sure), Halivee Dulaney, unknown, Maureen Franks, Romie Wilemon, unknown, Frank Davis, and Otis Ray Wilson

Thanks to Natalie Creely Kline for getting in touch with her mother to get these names. If anyone can identify the unnamed individuals, or if there is a correction, please let me know.

Pearl Evans Stone and children

This photo is of Mary Pearl (Evans) Stone and her children, Fred Ray Stone, Annie Maye Stone, and Julia Grace Stone; it was likely taken about 1910 or so. Pearl Evans, the daughter of John Thomas Evans and Elizabeth Ann Bishop, married William Gayland "Willie" Stone in 1897. He died just eleven years later in 1908 at the age of 31.

Annie Maye Stone, their daughter, wrote an important family history of the Stones who settled around Tremont in Itawamba County and Shottsville of Marion County, Alabama. She was married to Mautimer Dewitt Robinson, son of George Emerson Robinson and his second wife, Virginia Alice Downum.

I am connected in two ways to this family - once through the Evans as Pearl was sister to my great-grandmother Arthusa. And again through the Robinsons - Mautimer was half-brother to my great-grandfather Gideon who was married to Arthusa. If I look a little bit harder, I bet I'd find another Itawamba connection.

Johnson siblings

This photo is not the greatest. The images are blurred, and the faces are out of focus, but I really like this picutre. In spite of its imperfections, we get a lot out of it. This appears to be an unplanned snapshot of a happy group of people, in this case siblings. We can see what kinds of clothes they used to wear, how they wore their hair. And although these siblings are not all hugged up, there's a sense of ease and compatibility with each other.

This is another photo found in Glader Johnson Mills' album, and with the help of family members I've identified the siblings. And no, I did not write on the original image or my only copy. I took copies of several old photographs to a family reunion and asked around as to who the folks were in the photos. This turned out to be an efficient way to capture information, and now I've also got photographs that are labeled for future generations. There is nothing more frustrating to me than pictures of unknown family members from generations back.

In case you can't read the writing, the brothers in the back of the photo are Julius, Donnis, Vonnie and Adron. The sisters in front are Etoye, Glader and Syble. Not pictured are siblings Dorothy and Earnest. These were all children of Fisher D. Johnson and Nora Thornton, and I'm guessing that the picture was taken in the early 1950s.

Son Webb's Store - Where the Roses Never Fade

Son Webb's Store was just one of many little country stores that were scattered around Itawamba County. A close-up of the store, left, shows it during a 1974 flood. My Aunt Tootsie said that the store was prone to flooding when the Tombigbee River got out of its banks at Ironwood Bluff. She remembers wading into water in the store. Son and his wife Verna lived in the back of the store, and when the water started rising they would put as much of the merchandise that they could up on blocks.

The store served mainly as a gathering place for the community, a place to buy crackers and a coke and talk about crops and the weather. According to Aunt Tootsie, Luther Reich built the original store and Otis Reich took it over. Otis built a home across from the store that it still standing today, although not in great shape. This home replaced a much older, two story home located on the same property. The Reichs eventually closed the store, and it was re-opened at some point by Son Webb.

Son was not his real name; it was Cullin. The 1930 census shows a Cullin E. Webb, age 27, born in Oklahoma with wife Vernie and a son named J. W. Aunt Tootsie remembers other children as well: Paul Ray, Marcelle and Polly.

The store closed sometime after 1975. What I remember most is a small sign nailed to a tree outside the store. It read, "Peaceful Valley - Where the roses never fade." I'd love to have a good photograph of the store if anyone has one.

Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

Fellow Itawambian Brenda Moore Franklin brought by some of her grandfather's photos and memorabilia a few weeks ago. She and I both live in Oxford now but share a love of our home county. According to Brenda, her grandfather, Jessie Davis Moore, was a packrat when it came to photos and keepsakes, and she got her genes from him. Thank goodness! She has a true treasure trove.

This photo was part of the collection kept by Jessie Moore, and is a picture of Primitive Baptist preachers, probably taken at a union or association meeting in the 1920s or 1930s. It is not dated. Charles Davis Moore, who was the father of Jessie Moore, was a Primitive Baptist preacher and is pictured on the front row, far right. Minutes of Enon Primitive Baptist Church indicate that Elder C. D.moore was ordained as a minister in July 1912 by the church's presbytery H. A. Rutledge, B. F. Williams and M. C. Hankins. Elder Moore also later served as minister at Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church.

It is not known whom the other Primitive Baptist preachers are in the photo, but a 1921 minutes book of the Tombigbee Primitive Baptist Association ("held with Pleasant Grove Church, Itawamba County, Miss., On Friday before the Fourth Sunday in September, 1921") included the following pastors' names: J. C. Huddleston, G. C. McNeill, M. C. Hankins, D. F. Hankins, B. F. Williams, B. A. Carter and Grady F. McWhirter.

Happy Birthday, Rebekah!!

Rebecca Davis Pennington

holding her namesake

Rebekah Kate Mills

Looks like you got what you wanted for your birthday!

The Great Flood of 1974

The first photo, right, shows the flooded Tombigbee River during the Great Flood of 1974. January 1974 is the date stamped on the photo, taken from Highway 25 at Bean's Ferry. The Bean's Ferry road was our usual route to Peaceful Valley from Fulton although flooding often prevented its use. When that was the case, then we traveled a bit further up Highway 25 and took the road across Ironwood Bluff. And when that road was impassable due to flooding, we had to cross the river at Highway 78, turn at Peppertown, and "go the back way" by the firetower because the waters at Frog Level were likely out too. Seems like, during this particular flood, the Tombigbee River was even across Highway 78 up to Davis Ford.

The next photo was taken at Son Webb's Grocery at Cardsville, looking toward Ironwood Bluff. You can see my father's reflection as he is taking the photo. The road leading to Ironwood Bluff was completely submerged as was the road that turns to the right and leads to Peaceful Valley.

The bottom photo is of me and my brother, Kirk, as we paddle around the front yard of my grandparents, Fessie and Beck Pennington of the Peaceful Valley community . This flooding was caused by the waters of English Branch which flows into the Tombigbee River just above Barr's Ferry. We call English Branch simply "the creek" and it still occasionally floods.

Beloved Daughter

Pictured is Vivian Taylor, beloved daughter of Lawrence and Dorothy (Johnson) Taylor. This little girl died from meningitis when she was not yet three years old. The precious photo was taken following her death on March 24, 1936 and was found in a photo album kept by Dorothy's sister, Glader Johnson Mills.

Vivian is buried at Sandy Springs Cemetery in Itawamba County.

Mills Family Reunion - 2008

On Labor Day, the descendants of William Orville Mills and Talitha McKay Mills gathered in Marietta for food and fellowship. Pictured above are most of the attendees. The oldest descendant in attendance was ninety-one year old Winnie Marie Mills, granddaughter of Orville and Talitha. Marie is the daughter of Henry Edward Mills and was married to Charlie Martin who died in 1989.

Mills family c 1938

This photograph of the Mills family was taken about 1938. William Henry Mills and Glader Mae Johnson Mills are posing with their two children, Paul and Vera Mae.

Aren't the children cute?

Henry was named after his two grandfathers - William Orville Mills and Henry Randolph. He was the son of Jesse Thomas Mills and Onady Randolph.

We are not sure where Glader got her name. Surprisingly, I've found another Glader Johnson in the area and about the same age, but her name was spelled Glada Johnson. Maybe Glader Mae was actually Glada Mae, pronounced Glader Mae. Our Itawamba families are prone to put an "er" on most anything. Glader was the daughter of Fisher Demarcus Johnson and Nora Thornton.

Although Henry died well before I met Mike, Glader died in 2007 so I knew her. She was a very sweet person. And multi-talented. She could play piano by ear, having had no formal training, but perhaps her greatest talent - and her legacy - was sewing. Glader made dozens of beautiful quilts many of which are in the possession of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren today. She could crochet and embroider too. I wish I knew what happened to that black and gold crocheted toboggan that she did for Mike one Christmas.

Baptism at Mud Creek, or is it Bennett's Pond?

Pictured at left is a photo taken in the 1930s of a baptism either at Mud Creek or Bennett's Pond in northern Itawamba County. The photo was in the possession of Glader Mills, Mike's grandmother, and was graciously provided to us by Aunt Vera Mae Mills Holcomb, Glader's daughter. Vera Mae indicated that the scene was of her father Henry's baptism. Since providing us with the photo, I've learned that there are several copies out there. Upon showing it to our daughter-in-law, Jada Jamerson Mills, she immediately recognized it as being a framed photo on her grandmother's bedroom wall. This photograph is also displayed in the Sandy Springs Baptist Church fellowship hall.


For some reason, I'm thinking that the baptism took place at Mud Creek, but this conflicts with Glader's Bible, left. Her Bible indicates that her husband William Henry Mills was saved in 1939 at Sandy Springs and was baptized at Bennet's Pond. But note that Glader indicates that she was baptized at Mud Creek in 1934.

So which is it? Glader at Mud Creek in 1934? Or Henry was Bennett's Pond in 1939?

Where was Bennett's Pond?