Margaret Elizabeth Allen

Margaret married William Morrison Fullen about 1868 in Sabine County, Texas. William (son of James C. Fullen and Rebecca Bal(L)\(Dwin)) was born on 16 Sep 1844 in County Of Sabine, Republic Of Texas; died on 28 Jul 1926 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William Ashley Fullen was born on 22 Jun 1871 in Milam, Sabine County, Texas; died on 16 Oct 1943 in Newton County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
2. Lawrence Allen "Lon" Fullen was born on 9 Aug 1874 in Texas; died on 14 Jan 1959 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas.
3. Lena Fullen was born on 3 Apr 1877 in Texas; died on 28 Jun 1914 in Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
4. Jennivive Fullen was born in Aug 1879 in Texas; and died.
5. Washington W. "Wash" Fullen was born on 7 Jan 1882 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 31 Mar 1934 in Jasper, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
6. Britton Fullen was born about 1882; died before 1910.

Notes:

Said to have been born in the Old District 96 of South Carolina.

Per FIRST SETTLERS OF SABINE COUNTY he received 320 acres of land on March 4, 1844

It is currently not known where he was located in 1840. There is a John W. Allen listed on the Carroll Parish, Louisiana census at that time. However, that John Allen was born sometime between 1800 and 1810, and has two daughters over the age of 10. It is not currently known if they are the same man.

On the 1854 Scholastic Census, his children Jas T. and Martha (s/b Margaret Elizabeth) were shown as being enrolled

In YELLOWED PAGES: VOLUME XXIV, No. 1, Spring, 1994, page 43, a list of Sabine County Voter's registrations are shown. Information about J.W. Allen is shown as follows:

January 29, 1868: 478 J.W. Allen Pct. Mi3, Years in State--27, Years in County--27, Years in Pct--27, Native of South Carolina.

According to the book "Selected Tax Rolls of Shelby County, Texas 1837,1845,1855,1865,1875,1885," a J.W. Allen paid taxes in Shelby County in 1885.

In her notes, Kate Allen Tirado erroneously list her uncle as John T. Allen, and shows his place of death as Sabine County.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Sabine District
Enumerated 1 Oct 1850
12-12
John W. Allin 27 M Farmer South Carolina
Cariline C " 23 F Miss
Jamest T. " 3 M Tx
Elizabeth " 1 F Tx

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Redland Beat No, 4, PO Milam
Enumerated 27 Jun 1860
Page 22
156-156
Allen, J.W,37,M,W, Clock Pedlar, $--- $700 SC
" , James T,13, M, W, TX
" , Elizabeth Do,11,F,W, TX (married to William Fullen)
" , Jane (*),9,F, W, TX (married to John Fullen) (brothers)
" , Susan (#),1, F, W, TX

*Jane is the daughter of J.W. Allen by wife Caroline. Jane was born in December 1850, and the 1850 census was taken in October 1850. Therefore, Caroline would have been between 6 and 7 months pregnant at the time of the census. The 1860 census was taken in June, before Jane had reached her 10th birthday.

#The mother of Susan Allen is not known. It does not seem likely that she is the daughter of John's second wife, Margaret Harvey Allen, who had moved back home with their one year old daughter, Mary Allen. Did John have a daughter by a woman other than his then wife, perhaps leading to their separation? Or is Susan perhaps a niece or other family member? Or are Mary/Susan the same child, listed in both households?

His former wife, Margaret, and his daughter Mary are living in another household in 1860, as follows:

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Patroon Beat No 5, PO Milam
Enumerated 6 July 1860
Pages 29 and 30
224-224
ZMA Smith 59 F Farmer 400 671 NC
Margaret Allen 34 F La
W.H. Harvey 21 M Farmer LA
ZMA Smith 8 F Tx
MAA " 5 F Tx
Mary E. Allen 1 F Tx

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat 4, PO Milam
Enumerated 2 July 1870
Page 3
112-112
Allen, John W.,47,M,W,Farmer,300, 800, S.C.
" , Frances A., 27,F,W, Ala
" , Britton (*),5,M,W,TX
" , Robert K,4,M,W, TX
" , Theodore I, 2,M,W,TX
Seaford, Frank ,32,M,W,Laborer,Prussia

*Esther McGrew Hardin in San Antonio notes that this is a name often used in the Odom and Means family (associated with the Blackburn and McGrew families of Sabine County). John and Frances Allen were living only two households away from M. Blackburn (Martha Cole Blackburn), a 72 year old Widow (of Alexander Blackburn, brother of Eliz. Blackburn) born in South Carolina and living with the family of J.N. and Susan Bailey.

1880 Census
Texas, Shelby County, Precinct 3
Enumeratd 13 Jun 1880
Page 13 SD 1 ED 89 Stamped 1 56
106-108
Allen, J.W., W,M,67,Farming, SC,GA,SC
" ,F.A., W,F,38,Wife, Keeping House,AL,AL,AL
" ,J.B.,W,M,15,Son,at home, TX,SC,AL
" ,R.G.,W,M,13,Son,at home, TX,SC,AL
" ,Theodore I,W,M,10,Son,at home,TX,SC,AL
" ,Bannister,W,M,8,Son,at home,TX,SC,AL
" ,Adelia,W,F,6,Dtr,at home,TX,SC,AL
" ,Alarissa?,W,F,4,Dtr,at home,TX,SC,AL
" ,Laura,W,F,3,Dtr,at home,TX,SC,AL
" ,Annie,W,F,1,Dtr,at home,TX,SC,AL

John married Caroline C. McGrew on 22 Apr 1845 in Louisiana. Caroline (daughter of Alexander McGrew and Elizabeth Blackburn) was born about 1827 in Marion County, Mississippi; died before 1853 in Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
It appears from the preponderance of evidence that John Allen's first wife, Caroline C., was the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Blackburn) McGrew. The 1850 Sabine County, Texas census shows that she was born circa 1827 in Mississippi. Alexander and Elizabeth McGrew lived in Marion County, Mississippi at the time of 1820. 1830, and 1840 Federal census. They also had a daughter who has not been accounted for by other researchers that was born sometime between 1820-1825.

Blanche Finley Toole, a Sabine County Genealogist, writes that Caroline McGrew and John Wooldridge Allen were married in Louisiana on 22 April 1845. She was given this information by Edna Mae Hackney, an Allen family researcher. Mrs. Hackney did not cite a source, and to date a marriage license has not been located.

Blanche Toole indicated that both Harriet (McGrew) Partin and Caroline (McGrew) Allen are mentioned in the Estate Settlement of Alexander McGrew who died in late 1849. The Sabine County Clerk notes that the records from this time period were burned in a Courthouse fire.

The strongest written evidence located to date is a deed showing John W. Allen purchasing the former homestead of Alexander McGrew from the Estate of Elizabeth Blackburn McGrew. This is the land that was deeded to her by her husband on January 22, 1849. Blanche believes that the careful wording of the deed shows that they wanted to be very careful and take all precautions to ensure that no questions arose, since relatives were selling to relatives. According to the deed, the land was sold at public auction "in strict conformity to the law, for the sum of four-hundred and one dollars, that being the highest and best bid therefore at sale and whearas afterwards, to wit, at the November term 1868 of said Court, report of said sale having been made in writing on oath and the court having inquired into the manner in which said sale was made and conducted and having found that the same was conducted fair and in accordance with the law, did order and decree that the undersigned administratix make the conveyance." Frances Steel, the Administratix of the Estate of Elizabeth McGrew was the daughter of Harriet McGrew and John Partin, and granddaughter of Elizabeth (Blackburn) McGrew. The deed was recorded on August 17, 1869 at the office of D. Pratt Clk. Ct. and on March 25, 1882 at the office of W.T. Arnold Co. Clk. Sabine Co, Texas.

Notes:

In a Family Group Sheet prepared by Eva Mae Halbert Hackney, whose father was a grandson of Thompson Allen, she lists Thompson's birth as occuring on 22 Dec 1802, Elbert County, Georgia. His parents are not listed, though the parents of his wife, Elizabeth Wooldridge, are shown. No sources are cited by Eva. This handwritten group sheet was provided to me by Blanche Finley Toole in January, 1995. Blanche said she helped Eva prepare her DAR and DRT records applications. Blanche and Eva were connected through the Burton family. Neither Blanche nor Eva knew who Thompson Allen's parents were.

In a history of the W. W. Allen family, prepared by Thompson Allen's granddaughter, Kate Allen Tirado, she also writes that "Thompson Allen (Father of W. W. Allen, Levi T. and John Allen) was born December 22, 1802 in Albert (sic) County, Georgia. Thompson Allen departed this life at the age of 67 years, 10 months, and 5 days at his residence in Sabine County, Texas on October 17, 1870." Again, Thompson's parents are not mentioned by Kate. Kate prepared this four page, typewritten manuscript sometime after 1955, but before her death in October 1964

The "1850 Census Sabine County, Texas with added family information and corrections" by Helen Gomer Schluter and Blanche Finley Toole, shows that Thompson Allen in Household number 277 was the owner of 9 slaves. On this census, he is shown as age 48, and born in South Carolina. The 1860 census lists his place of birth instead as Georgia. Kate Allen Tirado, a granddaughter, writes that Thompson lived first in Houston, Texas ca 1840, later moving to Milam, Sabine County, Texas.

Sally Clark, a niece of Kate Allen Tirado, emailed that a Thos WG Allen was listed in the "First Settlers of the Republic of Texas Vol I." He was given a second class land grant as a resident of Harris County. He rec'd 1280 acres, and listed as Thos WG Allen - 3-16-1839. He woud have needed to be here prior to 10-1-1837 to be first class." It is possible this land grant in Harris county was for our Thompson Allen as Kate Tirado wrote that he lived in Houston, which is in Harris County, before moving to Milam, Sabine County in January, 1841. However it is also possible that this is another Thompson Allen, as the extract of a voters registration list from 1867 (shown in full below) for Thompson Allen shows "Yrs in State: 26, Yrs in County: 26, Yrs in Pct.: 12." This would seem to indicate that he settled directly in Sabine County around 1841, as the years in the state and county match.

According to a list of Sabine County Voter's registrations appearing in YELLOWED PAGES, Winter 1993, Page 27, "Aug 6, 1867 #322 Thompson Allen Prct 5, Yrs in State: 26, Yrs in County: 26, Yrs in Pct.: 12, Native of Georgia."

Gifford White's book, "The First Settlers of Sabine County, Texas" has the following listing: 19 Thompson Allen 1840, 640 acres, Dec 1843, noting further that a Wm D Fry and Bede Johnson are listed with the same dates.

According to an Affidavit of Mrs. C.D. Gooch, dated 25 May 1910, and on file in Sabine County, "Thompson Allen was married twice, that his first wife, whose name was Elizabeth Wooldrige before marriage; died about the year 1848, that she left surviving her, her husband, Thompson Allen and six children as follows: (1) John Allen, who died eight or nine years ago, and left a widow and children; (2) Connilia L. Allen, who married Annanias Oliver about the year 1840, and died 1909, leaving children; (3) Levi Allen who now resides in Lampasas County, Texas; (4) W.W. Allen who now resides in Lampasas, Texas; (5) Mary F. Allen who married W.W. Halbert in 1858 and died about 1900 in Sabine County, Texas leaving her husband and children; (6) Jerusha Allen, who married G.W. Speights in November 1865, and died in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas in 1888 leaving husband and children; That the said Thompson Allen and his first wife, Elizabeth, had four other children, namely Marion, Martha, Elizabeth and Augustus, all of whom died without marrying and leaving no children; that the above mentioned ten children, were all and the only children of the said Thompson Allen and his first wife, Elizabeth Wooldridge, that reached maturity."

After the death of his first wife, Thompson married second Jane Russell, the widow of Epperson Duke Payne.

On the 1854 Sabine County Scholastic Census, Thompson Allen was shown as having five children and stepchildren enrolled in District 10: William, J.P. Pain, J.D. Pain, Mary, and Jerusha.

Blanche Toole, a Sabine County Genealogist and historian stated that, "Thompson and Elizabeth Wooldridge Allen are buried in the Oliphant Chapel Memorial Garden cemetery, and Thompson was a veteran of the Mexican War. " His name has not be located in the index of Mexican War veterans, however. Blanche also indicates that Thompson Allen's sister was Jemima Allen, the first wife of A.D. Oliphint. [Note: This is not proven and may be in error]. Blanche also said that Thompson "came to Texas with his wife, Elizabeth Wooldridge, and with the Oliphints. He settled just south of the Oliphint Chapel Community, on the Palo Gacho Bayou, where he had a grist mill and lumber mill. He lived near the Oliver family. He and his wife had a large family. Elizabeth died 7 March 1847, and was buried in the Oliphint Chapel Cemetery. They were parents of seven children. Three died young. When Thompson Allen died, after 1870, family tradition says that he was buried by his first wife, Elizabeth. It is presumed the three young children were also buried nearby." [Note: presumably Blanche means Thompson and Elizabeth had a total of TEN children, three of whom died young, and seven who lived into maturity]

In the family group sheet given to me by Mrs. Toole, one that was prepared and/or extracted from the notes Edna Mae Hackney, a total of twelve children are shown. It appears that two of these twelve children died before 1836, before the families move to Texas circa 1841. This may account for the discrepency in the number of children. Mrs. Hackney listed detailed birth and death dates for the parents and children, but no support was provided for these dates. Or Mrs. Hackney may have been in error about the two children who died young.

All twelve are shown in this file, however.

In an article entitled "Mrs Etta Nichols Speeks on History of Low's Chapel" published in the August 26, 1965 issue of the SABINE COUNTY REPORTER, "John Morris gave land for church, school and Cemetery about 1890...the school was named for Thomas Allen, and called Allen's Old Mill. Thompson Allen owned a mill that sawed logs into lumber as well as ground corn for meal. It was located about 1/2 mile north of Tuckers Bridge on Palo Gacho. A dam of boards, which was called a tumbling dam, produced the power. The saw worked vertically. Thomas Allen married Glendy McLanahan's mother, who was my great grandmother. Curtis Jackson owned the mill first."



(Research):Timeline (Courtesy of Tuck Wilson)

1802 - Dec 22, Thompson born in Abbeville District, SC (Arva Allen Bible notes). Other family records show location of birth as Elbert County, GA. 1850 census shows him as age 48, born SC. 1860 census shows him as age 58, born GA.
1820 - Thompson a minor, not found in Census in Alabama or SC
1828 - dau Ruthie Ann Allen b 13 Nov 1828 in SC
1830 - dau Minerva Jenkins Allen b. in Alabama
1830- should be living in Selma, Alabama Dallas County (birth of Minerva Jenkins Allen 23 Nov 1830) but not found in census SC, Ala, Mississippi
1832 - son Thomas Bannister Allen b. 29 Sept 1832 in Alabama
1833 - son Thomas Bannister Allen d. 4 Aug 1833 in Alabama
1834 - dau Caroline Woolridge Allen b. June 1834 in Mississippi
1836 - son Levi Thompson Allen b. 3 May 1836 in Noxubee County Mississippi
1836 - dau Caroline Woolridge Allen d. 26 Oct 1836 in Mississippi
1839 - son William Washington Allen b. 12 Sep 1839 in Noxubee County Mississippi
1840 - should be living in Noxubee County Mississippi. He is not shown there but there is a "T. Allen one county over in Winston County, Mississippi with 9 people that looks good. There is an Alfred E. Oliphint in Holmes County, 1 county west of Winston.
1840-43 Thompson Allen has moved to Texas by 28 Feb 1843 when dau Mary Frances is born.

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Texas, Sabine District in the County of Sabine
Enumerated 27 28 and 29 of Nov 1850
277-277
Thompson Allen 48 M Farmer $2000 South Carolina
Jane C --- 39 F
David R Payne 16 M Alabama
Margaret E --- 15 F Alabama
Jane E ---13 F Texas
J. Peckins 11 M Texas
Caroline D --- 9 F Texas
Tery Allin 13 M Mississippi
William --- 11 M Mississippi
Mary --- 9 F Texas
Jerusha --- 5 F Texas
Alfred A --- 2/12 M Texas
Alexander Bains 21 M Farmer Alabama

1860 Census
Texas, Redland Beat No. 4 in the County of Sabine, P.O. Milam
Enumerated 30 Jun 1860
Page 23
167-167
W.A. Payne 36 F Farmer $7500 $15782 La
Margaret A Payne 15 F Texas
Sarah A Payne 10 F Texas
Benjamin R Payne 6 M Texas
William E Payne 5 M Texas
Mary R Payne 2 F Texas
H.B. Bachtlor 18 M Overseer Ga
168-168
Thompson Allen 58 M Farmer $3000 $8451 Ga
Jane C. Allen 49 F S.S.
Caroline D. Payne 19 F Texas
J.C. Allen 15 F Texas
169-169
unoccupied
170-170
Levi and Telitha Allen family




(Medical):
yDNA results

A direct male descendant of Thompson Allen's (through his son William Washington Allen), born with the Allen surname, volunteered to submit a yDNA sample to FamilyTreeDNA.com.

His kit number, in the name of William Allen, is 237184.

The results showed that he was in the R1b1a2a1a1b haplogroup.

He was a 37 marker match to the following :

Samual Doyle Allen Jr (Ancestor Ephraim P. Allen, b. 1820 North Carolina)
Ronald Lee Allen (Ancestor Edmond Allen)
Henry Walton Allen (Ancestor not indicated)
Jerome Brady (Ancestor Richard Brady b. ca. 1805 Co. Caven or Claire, Ireland)
Williams Adams (Ancestor William Adams b. 1816)

Bill Adams emailed the following about his "Adams" lineage: "I can trace my lineage back to William Adams born in Mecklenburg, VA in 1816 or 1820. I know his mother was Sarah/Sally "Adams". (And I think he may have had brothers Alfred and James). I cannot determine who his father was. His grandfather appears to be James Adams who fought in the Revolution. Sarah/Sally having a last name of "Adams" is weird.

Due to the exact match between us, I am wondering whether Sarah/Sally actually had a husband named "Allen" who died or something. Maybe Sarah/Sally went to live with her "Adams" dad for this or some other reason and the kids were raised with an Adams last name. I sayy this because it seems weird to me that Sarah/Sally's husband would also be the same last name of "Adams".

You show your earliest ancestor being 1820, but I do know that the "Adams" in Mecklenburg lived on "Allen's" creek. Also, one of them married an "Allen" (maybe it was William, I can't remember for sure.) I know there were "Allens" living in close proximity to the "Adams" in Mecklenburg, VA."

Thompson married Elizabeth Wooldridge on 8 Feb 1821 in South Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of John Wooldridge and Martha "Patsy" Ellington) was born on 7 Mar 1804 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died on 25 Nov 1847 in Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Said to be the sister of ex Mayor A. P. Wooldridge of Austin, Texas. He lived at 3122 Wheeler Street, Austin. If she is related, she is more likely an Aunt or Cousin, as Alexander Penn Wooldridge, mayor of Austin, was born on 1847 in New Orleans, and therefore would be much younger than Elizabeth.

Notes:

According to both THE SOUTHERN McGREWS GREW and the notes of Robert Lee McGrew of Pearland, TX, Alexander was probably born around 1778 in South Carolina. Wynema McGrew instead shows he was born in Louisiana/Mississippi Territory, sometime prior to 1783.

He obtained a passport in St. Stephens on September 24, 1797 to go to Georgia. His father had obtained a passport to go to Georgia earlier that same year. A land record indicates that Alexander inhabited and cultivated land near the Tombigbee River around 1797. In the early 1800's he put up a $700 bond as postmaster of Woodstown, AL. In 1801 he bought some land and in 1802, he and his mother sold land in Mississippi. He signed a memorial to Congress in 1803, and in 1806 he sold, along with other heirs of James McGrew, additional land. Alexander married Elizabeth Blackburn on October 16, 1808. Since she was under 18 years old, her father had to first grant his permission. Alexander was a veteren of the War of 1812. (Nixon's Company, Mississippi Militia), serving for the entire three years of the war. On 3 February 1817, he, a brother, and brother-in-law John Johns were charged with assault and battery. Alexander was the only one who paid a fine. In October 1818, he, John Johns, and brothers (this time William, James, and John) once again were fined for assault and battery. On July 11, 1819 he registered his brand "MC."

In 1843, he was involved in a lawsuit over the ownership of a slave named Elvy he was alleged to have stolen.

Alexander and Elizabeth (Blackburn) McGrew moved to Sabine County in the mid-1840's. They may have moved to join Elizabeth's father, Gabriel Blackburn, who had received a large land grant in Sabine County in 1836. The 1845 tax roll of Sabine County listed A. McGrew as owning 5 slaves. His eldest son, James, paid tax on a horse and a wagon at the same time. Alexander operated a gristmill on the banks of the Palo Guacho Bayou. The Texas Mortality schedule for 1850 showed "Alexander McGrew, age 58, sick 10 days, died 1849 in Sabine County." Alexander's widow, Elizabeth, can be found on the 1850 Sabine County census, along with her children John, Lorenzo, Margaret, and Adaline. She later moved back to Mississippi (Perry County) with her eldest son, James McGrew.

Blanche also indicated that the McGrew family was closely connected to the Methodist Ministers of that time. Son Lorenzo Dow McGrew was apparently named after the "eccentric Methodist Lorenzo Dow. In fact he covered virtually all of the territory of the United States in his peripatetic life, from New England to the Louisiana territory, but his journeys through the Old Southwest left an especially indeliable impression..On September 3, 1804, he married an equally peculiar woman, Peggy, and then the very next morning left her for an eight month trip through the Mississippi Territory." From the book, "A Way through the Wilderness: The Natchez Trace and the Civilization of the Southern Frontier" by William C. Davis (Harper Collins, 1995). According to Robert McGrew of Pearland, the McGrew's were in fact neighbors of preacher Lorenzo Dow in St. Stephens (Alabama) in the Mississippi Territory.

There is a military marker for Alexander McGrew in the Old Milam Cemetery in Sabine County. It is inscribed with a cross and "Alexander McGrew, Pvt Capt Motts Co, 15 Miss Militia, War of 1812. [Died] 2 Oct 1849. "

The Sabine County Reporter
October 22, 2014
Pages 1 and 2

"Milam Cemetery receives marker"

The Texas Historic Cemetery Dedication Ceremony for Milam Cemetery took place on Saturday, October 11, following the annual Nethery reunion...local historian Weldon McDaniel....gave a presentation outlining some of the significant historical events that took place in Milam and the importance of preserving the history of Milam Cemetery. He said as many as 85 percent of all early settlers coming into Texas put their boots in red dirt. Although San Augustine and Nacogdoches counties have a friendly battle over which is older, Milam is just as old as either of them....

Dorothy Nethery Spain had the honor of reading the script engraved on the marker:

"Milam, the first County Seat of Sabine County, has a history of travelers and visitors stretching back centuries. Native Americans and Spanish exploreres, soldiers and missionaries passed through and often camped on Las Boregas Creek. Texian settlers encountering the natural abundance echoed the words of Stephen F. Austin, who recorded in his diary entry of July 16, 1821: "We then suddenly came to an open rolling country thinly timbered soil about the color of Spanish browne, and in some places redder. This Red Land is very productive and is covered with the most luxuriant growth of grass I ever beheld in any country." The settlment first called Red Mound (Red Mount) was the seat of Government for the Sabine District since 1822, and was surveyed as a town site in 1828.

Milam Cemetery is on a high hill overlooking the historic community. The exact dated of the first burial will never be known Spanish Explorers were passing through present-day Milam as early as 1539 and camped on Las Boregas Creek a few hundred yards west of the cemetery. Local hisorians believed Anglo burials occurred here probably as early as 1775, since travelers used the campsite down the hill on the Las Boregas. The land on which the cemetery is located was granted to JOHN SMITH on Feb. 26, 1835. The first marked burial is dated 1864, although more than 100 unmarked graves are suspected. The numerous military Veterans dating back to the Creek War are interred here, as well as prominent early citizens from the CAUSEY, WEATHERRED. McGREW, and NETHERY families. Milam Cemetery may be the oldest organized cemetery in Sabine County, and cherished chronicle of generations of visitors and residents."

Alexander married Elizabeth Blackburn on 14 Oct 1808 in Wilkinson County, Mississippi. Elizabeth (daughter of Gabriel Blackburn and Frances Tyner) was born between 1794 and 1796 in Feliciana Parish, Louisiana; died after 1860 in Perry County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Medical):The child of a direct female descendant of Elizabeth Blackburn (Nina Fuller, the daughter of Viola Fullen and granddaughter of Jane Allen) had their mtDNA analyzed, and it was predicted as H, with only one difference from the Cambridge Reference Sequence, 16519C, which is a fast moving marker. Mitochondrial haplogroup H is a predominantly European haplogroup that participated in a population expansion beginning approximately 20,000 years ago. Today, about 30% of all mitochondrial lineages in Europe are classified as haplogroup H. It is rather uniformly distributed throughout Europe suggesting a major role in the peopling of Europe, and descendant lineages of the original haplogroup H appear in the Near East as a result of migration. Future work will better resolve the distribution and historical characteristics of this haplogroup.

On her Clan Helena website, Amelia Reimer writes that, "Whether just by chance or by the guiding hand of natural selection we do not know, but Helena's clan has grown to become the most widespread and successful of the Seven Daughters of Eve. Her children have reached every shore, settled every forest and crossed every mountain range. Helena's descendants can be found from the Alps in the South to the Scottish Highlands and the Norwegian fjords in the North, and as far east as the Urals and the Russian steppes. Helena was born about 20,000 years ago on the strip of land that joins France and Spain, near what is now Perpignan. She belonged to a family of hunters, who harvested the rich oyster beds in the lagoons of the Carmargue to supplement their diet of meat. Helena's clan arrived in Europe from the Middle East, pushing their way along the Mediterranean, constrained to the narrow strip of land that was still habitable. Not long after she was born, the glaciers that covered the Pyrenees, which Helena could see on a clear day only thirty miles from her camp, began to draw back as, little by little, the summers grew warmer. Some of her clan moved south of the mountains, up the valley of the Ebro to the West to reach the lands of the Basque, where they remain to this day. The most adventurous of her children took advantage of the climatic improvements and journeyed ever northwards to join the great movement of hunters across the plains of France. We know that they reached England around 12,000 years ago because DNA recovered from a young male skeleton found in Gough's Cave in Somerset shows that he too belonged to the clan of Helena. [Same cave as Cheddar Man, but 3,000 years older.] "

Notes:

Married:
Wilkinson County Courthouse--Woodville, Mississippi Circuit Clerks Office Marriage Book A ---- page 293

Know all men by these presents that we, ALEXANDER MCGRAW and Ezekial Petty, both of the county of Wilkinson, Mississippi Territory, are held and firmly bound unto the Governor of the Mississippi Territory and his successors in office, in the sum of $200 which payment well and truly be made, we bind ourselves and each our executors, administrators, and severally firmly by these presences sealed with our seals and dated the 12 of October 1808.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whearas the above bound Alexander McGraw hath this day prayed and obtained the license to be joined in marriage to ELIZABETH BLACKBURN of the County aforesaid, Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct this marriage for which the license was granted, then the above obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Signed, Alexander McGrew and Ezekial Petty (his mark)


Marriage Book A --- page 305 This is to certify that I, G.B. am willing to the marriage of my daughter to Mr. Alexander McGraw. Given under my hand this 13th day of October 1808. Signed, Gabriel Blackburn

Marriage Book A --- page 135 (315?) On the 16th day of October 1808, I joined in Matrimony Mr. Alexander McGraw and Miss Elizabeth Blackburn. Signed, Josias Gray, J.P.

Per a Family Group Sheet prepared by Mary Frances SMITH Fisher of Jackson, Mississippi, Alexander McGrew and his wife Elizabeth Blackburn were the parents of nine known children, and three additional children, a daughter born ca. 1810-1815 per the 1820 and 1830 Marion County, Mississippi census, a daughter born ca. 1820-1825, per the 1830 and 1840 census, and a son born ca. 1830-1835, per the 1840 census. Bettye Bragg Wagstaff of Sabine County, Texas indicated that some researchers indicate 10 children were born.

Mary Fisher used the following information in her research: 1816 MISS Marion County census 7th page 1820 MISS Marion County census page 85 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 26-45 3 females under 10, 1 female 16-26 1830 MISS Marion County census page 117 5 sons, 4 daughters plus he and Elizabeth 1840 MISS Marion County census page 117 1850 TEX Sabine County census- Elizabeth McGrew. He was listed on the Mortality Schedule. 1860 MISS Perry County census page 12, Family # 88/81 Elizabeth McGrew

Her family group sheet lists the following children:
**James Alexander McGrew b. ca 1810 m. to Elizabeth Lott
Harriet McGrew b. ca 1813 m. to John C. Partin
**William McGrew b. ca 1815 m. to Dorinda Lott
**Eliza Ann McGrew b. ca 1816 m. to Elisha M. Collins
**John Gabriel McGrew b. ca 1821 d. ca 1857 in Sabine County
**Ferdinand L. McGrew b. ca 1825 died 24 Aug 1846 in the Mexican War
**Lorenzo Dow McGrew b. circa 1828 m. to Mary Margaret Neeley
**Margaret McGrew b. circa 1835
**Adaline McGrew b. circa 1838

**Matches the LDS Family Group Sheet from Ancestral File Ver 4.15. The LDS sheet did not include Harriet McGrew, and additionally showed the following three children, apparently in error:
Thomas McGrew b. ca 1824
Samantha McGrewb. ca 1826
-male McGrew b. prior to 1830, m. 1838 to Serena ? and died 1842

Thomas and Samantha are actually the children of Alexander's brother, James Tate McGrew. They are listed in his will.

Notes:

Tuck Wilson, a descendant of Arva's eldest son, John Showell Allen, provided the following biography of Arva:

"Arva Allen was born around 1765 in Mecklenburg County Virginia. The date is established by the following:Arva paid taxes on the Purchase of a horse in 1785 when " he is not yet 21 years of age" and he paid his first "head tax" levied on persons 21 years or older the next year , 1786. He married Polly Clarke in 1786, Bolling Clarke, surety. Arva and Polly lived in Mecklenburg Co. as evidenced by the head tax that he paid in 1787, 1788 and 1789 and then they moved to Abbeville District, South Carolina, a trip by wagon train of over 300 miles. Their first two children, John Showell Allen and Banister Allen were born in Virginia and their third child, Charlotte Allen was born in Elbert County Georgia in February 1791. They made their home here for a number of years, surrounded by large numbers of Allen relatives.

The Allen family was not in the 1800 census of Abbeville District. In 1799, they moved to Elbert County, Georgia and were living on Beaver Dam Creek for two years before returning to Abbeville. Family tradition states that Arva was a millwright. This could have been the reason for their living there for two years. There was a water mill on Beaver Dam Creek until the 1930's, perhaps built by Arva. Arva also had property on Coldwater Creek in Elbert County in 1804 - Elbert County, Georgia Deed Books K-R, 1806-1819, Abstracted and Indexed by Michal Martin Farmer; Farmer Genealogy Company, Dallas, TX, 1997. Elbert Co., Ga. Deed Book R, 1818- 1819: p. 72. 2 Feb. 1804, Samuel Means, Sen., & Margret, his wife, to Joshua Jinkins, all of Elbert Co., for $300, on a branch of Cold Water Creek in sd. co., supposed to be 100 acres, adj. Hugh Means & Arva Allen, John Beard & others, in fee simple. (signed) Samuel Means, Margret (/) Means. Wit: Micajah Farrel, Jno. Cunningham, J/P., Hugh Means, W. Martin. Rec. 4 May 1818. I believe Allen family kept the property for many years as grandsonson George W. Allen used it as his address while he attended Franklin College and grandson Alex went there to visit father John Showell Allen and his second wife in 1843.

The 1810 census has them in Abbeville again. It lists 2 males, 16 - 26 (John Showell Allen and Banister Bolling Allen), 2 males under 10 (Thompson and Leroy Allen), 1 male 45 and up (Arva Allen) , 3 females 10 - 16 (Charlotte, Polly and Nancy Allen) and 1 female 45 and up (Polly Clark Allen).

The 1820 census has no mention of Arva or his family in Abbeville and no one knows for sure what happened to them. One conjecture is that Arva, Polly, and the four younger children moved to Alabama after 1810. There is an Arva Allen, living alone, in Pickens County Alabama in the 1830 census. It is possible that Arva went there to pursue his trade, the building of grain mills. Family tradition says Arva died and is buried in Huntsville, Madison County,Alabama but I can find no evidence of that. Some researchers feel he died in Covington County, Mississippi.

The Allen family migration to Alabama & Mississippi included several family members, Charlotte Allen Porter and her husband James M. Porter, Thompson Allen, Leroy Allen, Banister Allen's son Byrd Oliver Allen, and John Showell Allen's son, Samuel Linton Allen (a few years later).

Charlotte Allen Porter got Arva's bible after his death but tracking this family has been difficult. I have not found them in the 1830, 1840 or 1850 census but James M. Porter bought or sold property in Huntsville, Madison County Alabama in 1839 and 1840. Their son 2 Arva Allen Porter is in Holmes County Mississippi in in 1850 listing 5 children born there since 1839. Thompson and Leroy Allen are separate head of households found in Winston County Mississippi in 1840. Leroy Allen also buys (or sells) property in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama in 1840. Byrd Oliver Allen is found in Noxubee County MS in 1840. Samuel Linton Allen is in Sunflower County MS during the mid 1840's and 1850's from letters.

Arva could be buried anywhere in Alabama or Mississippi from the evidence I can collect. James Porter and Leroy Allen had property in Huntsville at about the right time. As to when he died, Alexander Arva Allen (grandson) writes 16 March 1843: " News had arrived when I was over (at Uncle Banister's) that Grandpa Allen was dead obtained through Bird's (Bird is Arva's grandson and Banister's son) writing to Uncle Banister. Uncle LeRoy (Arva's son) had obtained the Power of Attorney from him before his death, gone to Virginia, received the legacy and pocketed it safe enough, a great piece of rascality indeed having enclosed in the Power of Attorney a deed of gift to the legacy." This says quite a bit. Most importantly, Arva had a legacy in Virginia and likely we can identify his father and family. Also, grandson Bird was living in Choctaw County Alabama at the time, suggesting Arva died in western Alabama. It also establishes Arva's death in about late 1842 as Bird's letter arrives while Alex is visiting in early 1843 and Uncle LeRoy had already gone to Virginia to obtain the legacy.

The Allen plantation was located on a hill overlooking the Rocky River in Abbeville District. There is such a place shown on the 1820 Mills Atlas (conveniently next to a water mill) that may be the old homestead although it could also easily be Banister or John Showell Allen's place. Rembert Allen , in "The Arva Allen - Polly Clark Family of Virginia, South Carolina and other Southern States" says that the original plantation was three miles southeast of Lowndesville and it became the home of Bannister Allen. John Showell Allen had a place three miles southwest of Lowndesville, close to Samuel Linton's " Mt. Pleasant" home, near the Savannah River.

Diane Click writes that Mecklenburg was cut out of Lunenburg VA in 1765.

Christine Allen Bevans emailed, in August 2020 that:I believe that Arva Allen is Arvey Allen. I have a copy of the original Marriage Surety Bond for Arvey Allen to Polley Clarke 08/01/1786. Secured by Bolling Clarke.



(Research):In March 2014, Tuck emailed that some Public Member trees on Ancestry.Com show that Arva's father was Richard Allen. Most have this Richard dying in Cumberland County Va 1832 and had two known sons Arva and Henry. Some have Arva Allen listed as Alfred Arva Allen, a name that I have seen as Thompson Allen's youngest (although it is A. Arva Allen in the census).

The following is a summary of public member trees on Ancestry.com. If you have anything to add, I would appreciate haring from you.

Public Member Tree '96 Davis Family Tree. In this tree , Richard Allen 1740-1825 has two sons,Arva 1764-1842, and Henry Allen 1760-1830.
Henry Allen is living in Halifax County Va. In 1783, unknown spouse, has child that is Lawson R. Allen Sr. 1783-1861. No proof offered.
Lawson Allen m. Nancy Clark, Halifax Co. in 1806. This Nancy Clark is thought to be related to Polly Clark. They moved to Williamson Co. Tn with 8 Clark head of households and a number of grandchildren of Bolling Clark d. 1809 Dinwiddie Co. Doug Tucker wrote me in 2005 "Here's a couple of possible leads for your search for Arva's parents. You already know that Bolling Clark's daughter married a Lawson Allen in Halifax Co., VA in 1802. My research notes show that Lawson Allen's father may have been a Henry Allen and that his grandfather may have been named Richard Allen. I don't think that Henry and Richard came directly from my research, but rather from another Allen researcher who may have been swayed by Lawson naming his oldest son Richard Henry Allen. There is ample reason to look hard at this and I did but other than the connection of Lawson Allen back to Bolling Allen d. 1809 Dinwiddie, the records have not been much help. There is no Henry Allen in Halifax WB 0,1,and 2 1782-1792 (as far as I went). There is no Henry Allen in the 1782 Continental Census Halifax or "Records of State Enumerations 1782 Halifax. Also for 1783, and 1785. There are no marriages of Henry Allen in Halifax, in "Some Virginia Marriages" '96 Wulfleck, " Virginia Marriages1740-1850"- Ancestry.com or "Virginia Marriages 1660-1800" Ancestry.com."

Public Member Tree Charles Robbins Harris Tree '96 same as above but no proofs.

Public Member Tree '96 Jenkins In this tree, Richard Allen is b. in Hanover Co. va. Nov 21 1741 of parents James Allen (1699-1771) and Anne Anderson (1706-1776). Richard dies in Cumberland Co. Virginia in 1832. Richard Allen has two sons, Henry Allen (1760-1830) and Alfred Arva Allen (1764- 1842). No evidence is provided except for unnamed Ancestry.com trees. Searching thru the Cumberland County Will books 6-11, 1817-1852, there is no Richard Allen will or estate and he is not mentioned as a legatee in another Allen will. A Richard Allen is mentioned twice as the administrator of a William Allen dec'd. who apparently died in 1841 and his estate ran to 1846. Also no Arva or Henry appears in these willbooks at all.
What is in the Jenkins tree is a detailed list of children of James Allen d. 1771 Hanover Co. , supposed father of Richard.

Public Member Tree '96 Cohn Family Tree states Richard Allen b.741 Hanover, d. -1832 Cumberland has son Alfred Arva Allen b. 1764. Offers no proof.

Public Member Tree '96 Wilson Tilquist Allen Family. States that Arva Allen is the son of a Richard Allen (abt 1740-abt 1825) and does not claim Henry or claim to know where Richard died. No proof

(Medical):


yDNA results

A direct male descendant of Arva Allen's (through his son Thompson Allen and grandson William Washington Allen), born with the Allen surname, volunteered to submit a yDNA sample to FamilyTreeDNA.com.

His kit number, in the name of William Allen, is 237184.

The results showed that he was in the R1b1a2a1a1b haplogroup.

He was a 37 marker match to the following :

Samual Doyle Allen Jr (Ancestor Ephraim P. Allen, b. 1820 North Carolina)
Ronald Lee Allen (Ancestor Edmond Allen)
Henry Walton Allen (Ancestor not indicated)
Jerome Brady (Ancestor Richard Brady b. ca. 1805 Co. Caven or Claire, Ireland)
Williams Adams (Ancestor William Adams b. 1816)

Bill Adams emailed the following about his "Adams" lineage: "I can trace my lineage back to William Adams born in Mecklenburg, VA in 1816 or 1820. I know his mother was Sarah/Sally "Adams". (And I think he may have had brothers Alfred and James). I cannot determine who his father was. His grandfather appears to be James Adams who fought in the Revolution. Sarah/Sally having a last name of "Adams" is weird.

Due to the exact match between us, I am wondering whether Sarah/Sally actually had a husband named "Allen" who died or something. Maybe Sarah/Sally went to live with her "Adams" dad for this or some other reason and the kids were raised with an Adams last name. I sayy this because it seems weird to me that Sarah/Sally's husband would also be the same last name of "Adams".

You show your earliest ancestor being 1820, but I do know that the "Adams" in Mecklenburg lived on "Allen's" creek. Also, one of them married an "Allen" (maybe it was William, I can't remember for sure.) I know there were "Allens" living in close proximity to the "Adams" in Mecklenburg, VA."

Arva married Polly Clarke on 19 Aug 1786 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Polly was born about 1765 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia; died on 4 Jul 1835 in Alabama. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Tuck Wilson writes that "Family tradition has it that Polly Clark was a "Bolling". The Bolling family was quite prominent and so although she was a Clark, her grandmother was a Bolling (Penelope) , thus she was known by her famous family name. An important clue to her lineage is that Bolling Clark stood surety for her marriage. Records were destroyed by Tarleton when the British troops burned the Louisa County courthouse." Tuck addes that Bolling Clark's daughter married a Lawson Allen in Halifax Co, VA in 1902.

Notes:

Married:
Bolling Clarke was shown as their second (witness?). They also had two sons and one daughter that died as infants.

Notes:

Lieutenant-Colonel, Lincoln County, Georgia Militia, 1797. He was the father of one son, William, and six daughters. (McIntosh, HISTORY OF ELBERT COUNTY)

John married Martha "Patsy" Ellington about 1803 in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Martha (daughter of Jeremiah H. Ellington and Frances "Fanny" Jones) was born on 27 May 1783 in Amelia County, Virginia; died about 1825 in Abbeville County, South Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to Feldman's ANGLO-AMERICANS IN SPANISH ARCHIVES (p 27) he and John McGrew were American residents of Mobile on January 1, 1786.

Wynema McGrew writes (p. 7) that he may also have been a royalist and left the Carolinas in the late 1770s of early 1780s, moving to area that became the Mississippi Territory, as had his older brother John. He received a Spanish land grant in 1788.

The following information is courtesy of Ester McGrew Hardin, and was originally prepared by Robert Lee McGrew of Pearland, Texas in December 1986. Some additional information has been added to his work from loose papers owned by Mrs. Hardin and from the book THE SOUTHERN McGREWS GREW by Everette L. McGrew, 2106 Freeland Way, Dallas TX 75228.

James witnessed the sale of property on March 30, 1770 in Tyrone County, North/South Carolina by Alexander Kilpatrick on both sides of the Pacelot River. This is near where his brother, John, had bought land October 9, 1770. The brothers left Tyrone County in 1778, with their wives and children, and settled in Mississippi.

James settled, however, in the area of St. Stephens, Alabama, on the banks of the Tombigbee River. This was a remote area with few settlers. The boundaries of Washington County at that time were the Chattahooche River on the east, Pearl River on the west, the 31st parallel on the south, and 32 degrees, 28 minutes on the north. From this 25,000 square miles, 26 counties in Mississippi and Alabama were later formed.

Many of these early settlers from the Carolinas and Georgia were in the territory as early as 1775, and as such were subject to the laws of the ruling Spanish Government. In keeping with Spanish regulations, the commandant of the Alabama Fort of San Esteban de Tombecbe compiled in 1797 a census of the settlers of the district. This list contained fifty-one (51) families; two of which were those of John and James McGrew. They became leaders of their settlement and were successful planters living on large plantations and active in early territory politics. James's brother, John McGrew, Sr., became on of the wealthiest planters in the south, owning approximately 4000 acres. On the 1808 tax rolls, he paid a tax of $25.05 on 29 slaves and a 640 acre section.

Mrs. Hardin had in her papers a copy of a letter from The Catholic Center, Archdiocese of Mobile, Mobile, Alabama dated January 27, 1982. It showed the following baptism's:

Ana (Nancy), Maria Casia (Keziah), Guillermo (William), Juan (John), children of Santiago (James) and Constancia Tibbett (Constance Tillet) Magrew, (Protestants). Dated 17 Nov 1788. Recorded Page 31, Bapt. Rcds. Bk #2.

Under Spanish regulations all residents were required to have their children baptized by a Catholic priest, even if they were not Catholic.

JAMES McGREW, had died in 1797 at the age of 57. According to THE SOUTHERN McGREWS GREW a James McGrew of St. Stephen's obtained a passport to go to Georgia on 8 January 1797. Possibly James died while on this trip?

James's widow, Constance, and children petitioned the Congress of the United States of American for title to his land, since the original title had been a Spanish grant, and as of 1799 the territory had been taken over by the United States. John also petitioned for his land. Many letters were written to President Thomas Jefferson, and to the Congress of the United States. These were signed by John Flood McGrew, William McGrew, John McGrew, Sr, and John McGrew, Jr. [Col. John Flood McGrew was a member of the Territorial Council, and friend of Chief Pushmataha, chief of the Choctaw tribe]. These petitions were granted and full titles to the lands in question were given to the two McGrew families. John and his children prospered during the next few years, as did Constance McGrew and her grown children. Constance tried to also obtain a grant for an additional 604 acres of land, but was denied. She and her children later sold the 400 acres of their land to Wm. and John Pierce.

Below, from the AMERICAN STATE PAPERS Volume 1, p. 686, is the summary of the hearing related to the land grant of James and Constantia McGrew in the Mississippi territory:

The heirs of James McGREW, case no. 53 on the docket of the Board, and no. 73 on the books of the Register. Claim--Of 400 acres, by virtue of a Spanish warrant of survey, under the first section of the act. The claimants presented their claim, together with a surveyor's plot of the land claimed, in the following words and figures, to wit: To the Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of Congress passed the 3rd day of March, 1803, to receive and adjust claims of lands east of Pearl River. Please take notice, that the following tract of land, situated on the west side of the river Tombigbee, butting and bounded as follows: beginning on a corner cotton tree, above Reams's line and lands claimed by Young Gains, &c, about two miles below Fort St. Stephen's, (supposed;) thence, running south, eighteen degrees west, one hundred and twenty-six chains fifty links, to a corner red oak; ...... thence, down the meanders of the river to the first mentioned station; .....is claimed by James McGrew, or by his heirs, to wit: Peggy McGrew, Eliza McGrew or Eliza De Castro, Alexander McGrew, Giles McGrew, James McGrew, Jane McGrew, Nancy McGrew, Keziah McGrew, John McGrew, and Wm. McGrew, children of said James McGrew, under and by virtue of a Spanish warrant or order of survey, granted unto him, the said James McGrew, on the day of; and the said claimant did, on the 27th day of October, 1795, inhabit and cultivate the tract herein specified, agreeably to the requistions of the first section of an act of Congress, entitled an act, and the same does not appear to be claimed by any preceding provision of the act, and now exhibited to the Register of the Land Office, established east of Pearl river, to be recorded as is directed by said act. To all which they beg leave to refer, as also to the plot hereto fixed, &c, &c. Presented February 29th, 1804, by Elizabeth De Castro, her X mark. Witness, Edwin Lewis. Surveyed in February, 1804, by Robert Ligon. Chain carriers, Young Gains, Dawson Grimes.

In support of this claim, a Spanish warrant of survey was exhibited in the following words and figures, to wit: Don Estevan Miro, Colonel of the royal army, Governor civil and military of the city and province of Louisiana,&c.,&c. Mobile, 12th January, 1788. James McGrew, inhabitant of this jurisdiction of Mobile, with the greatest respect to your excellency, represents and says, that there is on the Tombigee river ten acres of vacant land, which until now, has never been claimed by any proprietor; he begs your excellency to grant him, with the profounder customery, with papers of titles necessary from the Secretary of Government, that may correspond witht he concession; for which favor he will be forever thankful. (signed) James McGrew. Certified by Vicent Folch.
.
Both Wynema McGrew, the author of a book about the Descendants of James McGrew, and G.E. McGrew, 132 Lausanne Drive, Camden, SC 29020 suggest that the McGrews of South Carolina are from Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, and landed in Charleston SC in May, 1773. See LDS Alm(?) 874714, at the Orangeburg Historical Society in South Carolina.

Esther McGrew Hardin instead speculates that the McGrew's might be descended from Quaker families originally from Pennsylvania. Many McGrew's can be found in Orange County, North Carolina records. Additionally, in the corner of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, many members of the Blackburn, Means and McGrew families were all kin, a pattern of intermarriage between these families that continued for many generations. It is possible they came to Pennyslvania from Omagh.

James married Constance Tillett before 1774 in South Carolina. Constance was born about 1752; died between 1805 and 1808 in St. Stephens, Mississippi Territory. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Constance Tillett was likely a daughter of Giles Tillett of Virginia, who was an early settler of Georgia. In 1773, he can be living with his wife and 4 sons and 3 daughters on 500 ares of land at the fork of Broad river (Georgia), where he built a cabin. During the American Revolution, he was purportedly an unrepentant loyalist. On 12 October 1774, in response to the Boston Tea Party, the settlers of Kyoka (Kiokee) and Broad River signed a protest "against any resolutions expressive of disloyalty to our most gracious King and the Lords and Commons of Great Britian." Everette McGrew notes that he was a member of the South Carolina Dragoons, Capt. John Harrison's Company, South Carolina Light Dragoons, St. Augustine, FL, 25 Apr 1783, along with George and James Tillett.

Notes:

The following was copied from the notes of Mary Frances SMITH Fisher of Jackson, Mississippi, loaned to Melinda McLemore Strong by Esther McGrew Hardin ca 1998:

New Orleans Christian Advocate October 12, 1859

The following obituary was written by Rev. William Winans, an early Mississippi circuit riding preacher, from information [presumably] told him by Gabriel Blackburn. "G. Blackburn was born in Samson (sic) County, North Carolina, in the year 1769; was carried thence by his parents, at two years old, to Caroline County, S.C. (?). Two other removes brought him near to Georgetown, in the same State, where he married at the age of twenty-one years. In 1793 he removed to the State of Tennessee; in 1797, to the neighborhood of Natchez, in the then Mississippi Territory. His next remove was into West Florida-then a Spanish Province-near where the town of Jackson now stands. Finally, he removed to the neighborhood of Monticello, in the State of Mississippi, where he died several years ago, "rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God."

Notes: Sampson County, NC was formed in 1784 from Duplin, Johnston, & New Hanover counties. Several early Blackburns were in this area, but no proof has been located on who his parents were. The 1790 South Carolina Census verifies his location in that area as he is listed as living in Georgetown District, Prince Fredericks Parish. He was shown as married on the census. No records of him in Tennessee have been discovered. Fisher speculates that Rev. Winans apparently lost contact with Gabriel Blackburn, as he did not show the correct location of death.

THE NATCHEZ COURT RECORDS 1767-1805, ABSTRACTS OF EARLY RECORDS by May Wilson McBee

This book verifies his presence in Natchez. On page 391, (a record of Book B, Land Claims) claim #452, page 345, Gabriel Blackburn and William Dunbar were the witnesses on May 9, 1798 to a deed where John Wylie, of Natchez, sold to David Ferguson 100 square acres for $150


SPANISH WEST FLORIDA INDEX, YEAR 1806

Reference 1209, Film Roll 89 Gabriel Blackburn sold 400 arpents in "New Feliciana" to John Rhea for 400 pesos cash on 9 September 1806. This is the same property listed on page 43 of the above referenced American State Papers. It was a Spanish Grant, and the document was written in Spanish and transcribed for the West Feliciana Parish records. From the transcription: "I, Don Carlos de Grand-Pre', Colonial of the Royal Armies, Military and Civil Governor of the Post and District of Baton Rogue, certify that I know the grantors who signed with Samuel Fulton and Thomas Estevan."

Witnesses: Carlos de Grand-Pre', Samuel Fulton, Thomas Estevan, GABRIEL BLACKBURN, John Scott


AMERICAN STATE PAPERS Vol 3, page 43

Register of Claims to land in the district west of Pearl River, in Louisiana, founded on complete grants derived from either the French, British, or Spanish Governments, which in the opinion of the undersigned commissioners are valid, agreeable to the laws, usages, or customs of such Governments. Item #194. By whom claimed: Gabriel Blackburn, Original claimant: G. Blackburn, Nature of claim: Spanish Patent, Date of claim: 18 Sept 1809 Quantity Claimed: 400 arpents, Where situated: Feliciana, By whom issued: J. Morales, When surveyed: 27 July 1799, By whom surveyed: V. Pintado, Cultivation and Inhabitation: 1805-1814


AMERICAN STATE PAPERS Vol 3, page 65, Item #15

Claimed by: Gabriel Blackburn, Qty: 800, Where: Feliciana, General remarks: Papers carried to Pensacola by V.S. Pintado

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS Vol 3, Page 468, Item #50

Present Claimant: David Thomas, Original Claimant: Gabriel Blackburn, Nature of Claim: Plat and Certification, Quantity: 817, Where: Feliciana, By whom issued: Carondelet, When surveyed: 21 August 1805, By whom surveyed: V. Pintado, Inhabitation and Cultivation: 1806-1820

In the NOTORIAL BOOK E, PAGE 130-131, EAST FELICIANA PARISH, CLINTON, LOUISIANA, in a document dated 12 March 1817, it appears that Gabriel Blackburn of Feliciana sold to David Thomas of Mississippi the above referenced tract of land (pg. 65 and pg. 468) for $2,500

NOTORIAL BOOK B, PAGE 13, WEST FELICIANA PARISH, ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA shows Gabriel Blackburn as "Constable for the Parish of Feliciana, Territory of Orleans." This document refers to the date "24 July 1812" and was recorded on 10 December 1818. He would have been constable prior to 30 April 1812, when Louisiana became a state, but after Feliciana Parish was formed.

LOUSIANA SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF 1812 compiled by Marion John Bennett Pierson

P. 12 Gabriel Blackburn, Alexander S. Blackburn (his eldest son) Gabriel Blackburn-1 Sgt.-Pvt.-Capt. Griffith's Co. Mounted Riflemen, La. Vols. Alexander S. Blackburn-Pvt.-Capt. Griffith's Co. Mounted Riflemen, La. Vols. I. Blackburn-Pvt.-First Regiment (de jan's) La. Militia (relationship unknown)

(All Louisiana information was supplied to Mrs. Fisher by Jean Loflin of Baton Rouge, a fellow Stringer researcher)

Land Patents from the Department of Interior and National Archives
St. Stephens Land Office
Patent #1505 Patent dated Dec. 1, 1830
Recorded in Vol. 24, Page 309 (Washington)
Date of Sales 29 Jan 1816
Original Purchaser, William McGREW
Amount 160.12 acres
Location Twp 4 North, Range 17 West, SE 1/4 of Section One
To whom Patented Gabriel Blackburn
Date of Final Certificate 23 Jun 1829
Signed by President Andrew Jackson

The reverse side of the receipt #546 reads as follows: "I, William McGrew do transfer all wright, title, and interest to the within Certificate over to Gabriel Blackburn this third day of February 1817." Acknowledged before the day and year just written, Wm. Lott, Q. M. (Justice of the Quorum)

BOUNTY REQUEST from the National Archives 1855- Rejected File #184522 War of 1812, re-examined 9 January 1857 "Gabriel Blackburn Sgt. served in Captain Llewellyn Griffith's Co, LA Militia from 29 Oct until 22 Jan 1815, when he was reduced in ranks and served as private till 24 Mar 1815." (After the Battle of New Orleans, while he was in service in that area, so it is probable he took part in that battle). This bounty request was filed from Milam, Sabine County, Texas on June 23, 1855 by Gabriel's daughter, Elizabeth Blackburn McGrew, widow of Alexander McGrew.

It reads:

"STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF SABINE

On this 18th day of June AD 1855 personally appeared before me the undersigned authority, authorized to administer oaths for general purposes within and for the said county, ELIZABETH MCGREW aged 59 years, a resident of said county and State who being by me duly sworn according to the law on oath declares that, affidavit: Alexander S. Blackburn, Harriet Freeland, Armstrong J. Blackburn, Feliciana Cole, Ferdinand Blackburn, and Frances A. Means are the sole surviving heirs of Gabriel Blackburn, deceased, being (the) deceaseds own children, that the said Gabriel Blackburn died in the year 1848, that said Gabriel Blackburn is the identical person who voluntered a Private in the company commanded by Captain Griffith, name of Col. and no of regiment not recollected, in the war with Great Britian declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812, that he voluntered 1813 for and during the war and continued in active service in said war for something near one year and was honorably discharged, thinks at New Orleans. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land, for self and co-heirs, which they may be entitled to under the acts of Congress, heretofore passed, Granting Bounty Lands to certain officers, soldiers who have been engaged in the military services of the United States" she further states that "she has not received a warrant for Bounty Land under the act of Congress nor made any other application therefor is this Behalf." Signed Elizabeth McGrew Witnessed by Gideon A. Norford and James M. Weathered, residents of Sabine County. who declared that they were well acquantied with Gabriel Blackburn, and that he died in Sabine in 1848.

Note: The clerks lined out the names of: Harriet Freeland, Armstrong J. Blackburn, Feliciana Cole, and Ferdinand Blackburn, presumably because they had never been to Texas and were not personally known to the clerks.

In a letter from Mary Fisher to Esther McGrew Hardin of San Antonio, she asks "Do you have the reference that states "Gabriel Blackburn had the reputation for making the best corn whiskey in the Mississippi Territory?" Someone told me about this but they could not locate it and they could not remember where they found it. I would love to have a copy...I did locate one statement in "Mississippi as a Providence, Territory and State" by Gov. C.C. Claiborne that might be what they were thinking about. 'The Creek Indians stole a large lot of whiskey belonging to Parson Blackburn.' This was in the chapter "Natchez in the Olden Times", page 528. It went on to say he was an eminent "Presbyterian" clergyman, so I am not sure if it was Gabriel or not. Do you have the New Orleans Christian Advocate article? It is the most fascinating thing that I have found. It tells how Gabriel plotted to kill a man before he became a Christian. Let me know if you need it."

In her reply, Esther McGrew Hardin cited the book "Annals of Tennessee" by Ramsey, in which there is a story of Gideon Blackburn, who established with Samuel Doak a Presbyterian college, and became a noted Presbyterian preacher. Esther stated that this must be the Pastor Blackburn who had the stash of whiskey stolen by the Indians. She noted other references to Gideon Blackburn in the Mississippi History by Claiborne and in "Tennessee Cousins" by Worth S. Ray. Esther believes it possible that Gideon and Gabriel were related, and this might be why Gabriel went to Tennessee.

According to Blanche Finley Toole of Sabine County, Texas, Gabriel Blackburn's home was just west of the Old Milam cemetery and his Gristmill was located on Borreagus Creek. This property later (much later) became the property of the John W. Allen family. Allen descendants still live there and know where the old lost cemetery is. According to an article in the August 26, 1965 SABINE COUNTY REPORTER entitled "Mrs. Etta Nichols Speaks on History of Low's Chapel.. "Long leaf virgin timber grew prolifically in the vicinity at the Allen Saw Mill on Palo Guacho Creek."

Gabriel may have been buried in the Old Milam cemetery, or his body may have been returned to Columbia, Mississipi to be interred on his old homeplace on Highway 13, on property owned in 1963 by a Mr. Polk.





(Research):

Census Information:


1840 Census
Mississippi, Marion County
Stamped 116

Gabriel Blackburn

Free White Males
70 thru 79-1

Free White Females
70 thru 79-1


Slaves

Males 36 thru 54-2
Females 36 thru 54-2

Total All Persons 6
Person employed in agriculture:: 3

Ancestry also shows a Gabriel Blackburn on the 1841 Marion County, Mississippi State Census and on the 1845 Marion County, Mississippi State Census. Additonally, there is a Gabriel Blackburn in Lawrence County, Mississippi in 1841.

They also show Gabriel Blackburn of Sabine County on the Republic of Texas Poll List for 1846, as well as being on the Texas Tax list for 1846.

Gabriel married Frances Tyner before 1790 in Georgetown District, South Carolina. Frances was born about 1768 in South Carolina; died on 15 Jul 1853 in DeWitt County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She might have instead been born in North Carolina. Per affidavit of Richard Eugene Blackburn (courtesy of Mary Frances Smith Fisher, by way of Rozier Dedwylder), she was a sister of Sarah Tyner who married Robert Lott who was murdered at his home on Black Creek by the Copeland Gang in 1844. Mary Frances Smith Fisher notes that her father might be Benjamin Tyner.

Blanche Toole of Sabine County instead shows her maiden name as IRVINE. This may simply have been speculation based on son Armstrong Irvine Blackburn's middle name.

Mary Frances Fisher Smith had in her notes, from Dr. Johnie L. Reeves of Austin, the following obituary:

The Gonzalez Inquirer
Gonzalez, Texas
16 July 1853, page. 3, Col. 1
Microfilm, The Eugene C. Barker Texas History Center, Austin, Texas

Died after a prolonged illness, on the 15th inst., at the residence of Col. W. Means, Mrs. FRANCES BLACKBURN, age 93 years.

She emigrated to east Texas in 1843, thence to western Texas in '49. She was a warm and devoted Christian, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 45 years, during which time she was the subject of many and severe trials, all of which she bore with Christian meekness and resignation. She was indeed, and in truth a help-mate for her husband, he being a minister of the Gospel, also a member of the Masonic Fraternity. She ever manifested a deep interest in the salvation of the souls of her fellow beings. She was an affectionate mother, always endevouring to train her children in the way they should go, and instilling into their minds the principles of the Divine Word. She left a number of relatives and friends to mourn her loss, but they mourn not as those having no hope.

Dr. Reeves notes that if the age of death (93) is correct, Frances should have been born ca 1760 versus 1768, as previously supposed.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1850 Census
Texas, Dewitt County,
Enumerated 11 Sept 1850
48-48
William Means 40 M Farmer $10,000 Ga
Francis Means 39 F Miss
Ferdinand B. Means 19 M La
Margaret L. Means 17 F Tx
Sarah F. Means 13 F Tx
Napolean F. Means 11 M Tx
William B. Means 9 M Tx
Francis Blackburn 82 F SC





(Medical):The child of a direct female descendant of Frances Tyner (Elizabeth Blackburn>Caroline McGrew>Jane Allen>Viola Fullen>Nina Fuller>son Tom McLemore) had their mtDNA analyzed, and it was predicted as H, with only one difference from the Cambridge Reference Sequence, 16519C, which is a fast moving marker. Mitochondrial haplogroup H is a predominantly European haplogroup that participated in a population expansion beginning approximately 20,000 years ago. Today, about 30% of all mitochondrial lineages in Europe are classified as haplogroup H. It is rather uniformly distributed throughout Europe suggesting a major role in the peopling of Europe, and descendant lineages of the original haplogroup H appear in the Near East as a result of migration. Future work will better resolve the distribution and historical characteristics of this haplogroup.

On her Clan Helena website, Amelia Reimer writes that, "Whether just by chance or by the guiding hand of natural selection we do not know, but Helena's clan has grown to become the most widespread and successful of the Seven Daughters of Eve. Her children have reached every shore, settled every forest and crossed every mountain range. Helena's descendants can be found from the Alps in the South to the Scottish Highlands and the Norwegian fjords in the North, and as far east as the Urals and the Russian steppes. Helena was born about 20,000 years ago on the strip of land that joins France and Spain, near what is now Perpignan. She belonged to a family of hunters, who harvested the rich oyster beds in the lagoons of the Carmargue to supplement their diet of meat. Helena's clan arrived in Europe from the Middle East, pushing their way along the Mediterranean, constrained to the narrow strip of land that was still habitable. Not long after she was born, the glaciers that covered the Pyrenees, which Helena could see on a clear day only thirty miles from her camp, began to draw back as, little by little, the summers grew warmer. Some of her clan moved south of the mountains, up the valley of the Ebro to the West to reach the lands of the Basque, where they remain to this day. The most adventurous of her children took advantage of the climatic improvements and journeyed ever northwards to join the great movement of hunters across the plains of France. We know that they reached England around 12,000 years ago because DNA recovered from a young male skeleton found in Gough's Cave in Somerset shows that he too belonged to the clan of Helena. [Same cave as Cheddar Man, but 3,000 years older.] "