Landed

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 7  (Feb 15-21)

Prompt: Landed

#52ancestors

 

In 1729 "Moses McCarley landed at New Castle, Delaware with others under the leadership of Hance Hamilton from Northern Ireland."[1] 

Was this the same Moses McCarley who wrote his will on June 11, 1785, and was recorded September 10, 1787 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. This will names his wife, Ruthe,  sons, James, David, Abram, grandson, Thomas, and daughters, Elizabeth Cavin and Jean Heddleston. His age listed in the will would make his birth year about 1710. Samuel and Spencer Ford testified that the said Moses McCarley signed, sealed, and delivered it as his last will and testament. [2].  There are some who believe that this implies that Ruthe's maiden name was Ford, however there is no other documents at this time to collaborate that conclusion. 

The Delaware Moses McCarley is included in the list of First Settlers who made improvements in  the Manor of Maske, PA before 1741 which includes the current borough of Gettysburg, township of Cumberland, and parts of several adjacent districts in Adams County.[3]  This group of Scots-Irish were Presbyterian and believed in education.[4]  This 1765 list was also called the original squatters of the Manor of Maske and was made out in 1765.[5]  This land was under grant to William Penn and John Digges. eventually John Digges sold the land pushing the squatters out. There have been no other records of Moses McCarley found in Delaware. 

On April 28, 1768 a land grant was issued to Moses McCarley in Mecklenburg, North Carolina on both sides of Camp Creek. David and John Huddlestone were the Chain Bearers.  This is significant because Moses' daughter, Jean married a Stephen Heddleston/Huddleston.

 On December 22, 1772 Moses McCarley of Berkley Co., South Carolina sold 100 acres of the 200 acre land grant to John Deveny of Tryon Co., North Carolina for five pounds.  The 100 acres was located on both sides of Camp Creek.  It was witnessed by Alex McCaughy and David Huddlestone and received by court during the July term of 1774.[6]

 

Recorded on March 1, 1773, Moses McCarley is listed in Craven Co, North Carolina with 250 acres Vol. 18, p. 128. [7] 

March 1, 1773, Moses McCarley is also listed with 250 acres on a branch of Jimmy's Creek in (Chesterfield)  South Carolina.[8] 

April 18th, 1785, Moses McCarley was issued 37 pounds, 11 shillings, and  pence sterling for Militia Duty as private from 1779-1783.[9]  [The Moses McCarley (Ruthe) would have been about 69 in 1779 so it seems unlikely that this is the same Moses McCarley.  I have 5 different Moses McCarleys in my database so it seems likely that this is one of them. ] 

1780 Tax list of York Co., PA lists John and Moses McCarley.[10] 

1790 Census of Ninety-Six District, South Carolina. Spartanburg County lists Ruth McKerley (widow of Moses McCarley) with 1 male over 16 and 1 female.    

1790, Moses McKerly is listed in Pendleton County with 2 males over 16 and 4 females. 

Those entries in italics I can reasonably assume are my Moses McCarley & family based in large part on his FAN grouping. The rest needs more research and may never be proven. 

---

[1] McAfee, Jane Berry. "The McCarley Memories". Farmersville, TX: 1980. Presbyterian Records, Historical Library, Belfast, Ireland, "List of Protestant Householders, 1700-1729".

[2] Spartanburg Co., South Carolina Will Book A. pages 245-246..

[3] https://eastcoastgenealogy.com/wp/2020/01/first-settlers-of-the-manor-of-maske/

[4]https://www.britannica.com/place/Delaware-state/The-colony

[5] https://eastcoastgenealogy.com/wp/2020/01/first-settlers-of-the-manor-of-maske/

[6] McAfee, Jane Berry.

[7] McAfee. & Pre-Revolutionary Plats Index of South Carolina.

[8] McAfee, & South Carolina Plats to 1776, Vol. 18, p. 128

[9] Accounts Audited in South Carolina AA4903 Sep276. Stub entries to Indents Issue in payments of claims against South Carolina.

[10] McAfee. & Salley, A.S., Jr. Accounts Audited in South Carolina AA 4904 SE page 275; Stub entries to Indents issue in Payments of Claims against South Carolina

Family Maps of Ozark County, Missouri

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 6  (Feb 8-14)

Prompt: Maps

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I love doing research with maps because they often point the way to further research, help create fan (family, associates, and neighbors) groupings, and locate local churches and cemeteries.  One of my favorite maps to search is published by Arphax Publishing.  They have taken the original landowner maps from the land survey states and created books.  The books are not intuitive. I had to actually read the instructions to figure out how to use them and find the landowners related to me. Even with that, they are so much easier than the information at the Bureau of Land Management.  The BLM website helps in letting you know which county to search and information about the land itself.  The Family Map books shows where the land is located in context with the entire county and it is easier to see how close the land is to other relatives.  There are also maps showing local landmarks, such as rivers, churches, and cemeteries.

Family Maps of Ozark County, Missouri book has patent maps showing the land patents and where they are located for my 4th Great Grandfather, George Herndon, my 3rd Great Grandfather, Isaiah Herndon, my 3rd Great Grand Uncle, Goodman Daves, and a number of other surnames who married into the family including Piland and Norris. 

After studying these maps, I could see that in one case even though a groom lived fairly far from the bride by road that following the river, they were not that far apart.  It gave me a ready made list of neighbors and I could see who was signing as witnesses on deeds.  When the same surname showed up close, I knew to research that name and fit them into the family.  I can see that Isaiah Herndon owned land near his brothers, Stephen and Henry. 

When I find a new name or place, I check to see if there is a Family Map book.  Then I check my local library to see if they have the book and if not, then WorldCat to find the nearest library that has it. 

 

 

 

 

Branching Out: DNA Research

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 5  (Feb 1-7)

Prompt: Branching Out

#52ancestors

For years I resisted DNA research for multiple reasons but with the pandemic I decided to branch out using DNA research. I spent many hours watching Rootstech webinars and YouTube videos learning the possibilities of DNA research. I'm far from an expert but I was able to help a friend determine his Father and helped put him in touch with a half sibling.  I have had less success with using my husband's DNA to break down walls.

 I came close to being a stalker for his nearest match since the match did not respond to my emails.  By the time he responded, I suspected that he was adopted.  I was right, he was adopted and couldn't help break any of our research walls down.  He also didn't seem all that interested in finding out more about his biological family or sharing his DNA information with me. 

 I still have hopes that as the database expands that a new match will pop up that will help solve that problem, meanwhile I continue to learn more about DNA research and how it can help. 

 Every marriage creates another family branch for research, but finding female ancestors can be problematic. Until recent history they were pretty much considered the property of their Fathers and Spouses. They are often not named in any records. Searching wills, deeds, tax and other records are often unproductive.  If a marriage record is not found, it may be next to impossible to prove a wife's name.  I've been studying how Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) can help.

MtDNA is very stable from Mother to Daughter and is passed almost unchanged for many generations.  Looking at my migration map from Family Tree DNA, I can see where my ancestor's route branched out from other lines over thousands of years.   My female ancestors ended up in the British Isles before arriving in North America.

My Mitochondrial haplogroup is T2b27.  The main haplogroup is T but with each branch a subsection is added so that exact matches all have a shared  female ancestor thousands of years ago.  Not particularly helpful for genealogical research but interesting to see how my female ancestors have migrated over thousands of years. 

I have 7 exact haplogroup matches, 2 of which have their earliest female ancestor in Ireland.  Elizabeth Wright born in Indiana in 1816 is the earliest ancestor I have following my maternal line.  I have been unable to determine her Mother, although I know her Father is Squire James Wright.  This is obviously a place where I need to do more research and learning more about MtDNA research may help me find Elizabeth's Mother adding one more branch to the family.  

Thank you, Mic Barnette at the Dallas Public Library, for adding to my knowledge of mitochondrial research. 

 

 

 

Curious About Their Gift

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 4  (Jan 25-31)

Prompt: Curious

#52ancestors

 My ancestral family attended the Mt. Lebanon Church in Ozark County, Missouri.  A transcription of the church records listed when my 4th Great Grandparents, "Br. George Herndon & Sister Hannah Herndon came forward & joined by experience." (Dec. 1849). Later that same month, my 3rd Great Grandfather and his sister, "Br. Isaiah Herndon & sister Mary Ann Herndon came forward & joined by letter & was rec'd in full fellowship in our church."   

 The records list the Herndons, Pilands, Daves, and Norris family members among others as they joined or left the church, including Sarah Davis/Daves who later became Isaiah's wife. This is a piece of evidence which contributes to the evidence of their marriage since no marriage record has been found for them.  They are both listed in the church rolls in 1851 proving that they did know each other as there were only 47 listed at that time.

 In May of 1850, the record states, "2nd by a motion & second the church resolve that Brs. H. W. Herndon & Isaah Herndon be virtually liberated to exercise their gift in any way they think proper."

 As I read this the first time, I couldn't help but be curious about their gift.  What was the gift that my 3rd Great Grandfather and his brother had?  Were they snake handlers?  No, that couldn't be it, could it?  I decided to do some basic research and found there are many gifts that they could have, Ministry gifts, Manifestation gifts, Utterance gifts, Power gifts, or Revelation gifts.

 Since there are indications that the two men were excused from the church and then rejoined at later times, I suspect that their gift was Ministry, which could include being an apostle who establishes and builds churches, or an evangelist, prophet, pastor, prophet or teacher.  In July of 1850, the church resolved unanimously to grant Br. Henry W. Herndon license to preach which supports that conclusion.

 If you are interested in spiritual gifts, here are a couple of websites that I discovered which describes spiritual gifts listed in the Bible.

 Learning Religions:   

Tyndale House Publishers:

 Garr, Margie F. The old records of the Mount Lebanon Church of Thornfield, Ozark County, Missouri.  1992. Viewed at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Golightley Blacksmith Shop

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 3  (Jan 18-24)

Prompt: Favorite Photo

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Last year for the Favorite Photo, I chose to share pictures of my maternal grandparents. I thought it only fair to share a favorite picture from my paternal side this year.

From the time people graduated from foot power to horsepower, my ancestors have been involved in transportation.  My great grandfather, Robert, was a blacksmith. The first time I saw a picture of him, he was standing in front of his blacksmith shop with his two sons, George and Robert and my father, Leeland.

Blacksmiths made a wide range of items from kitchen utensils to architectural hardware and even farm equipment.  Most of us think of blacksmiths making horse shoes, although blacksmiths who predominately shoe horses or oxen are called farriers.  I have always thought it interesting that as transportation moved from horses to the early vehicles like Model Ts, my family went from blacksmiths to mechanics.  My Grandfather and Father were mechanics and truck drivers most of their lives. 

Below is a picture of my Great Grandfather's blacksmith shop which states he also does wagon wood work.  From left to right are Donald Wilcox Golightley (my Grand Uncle), Johnnie Golightley (my Grandfather), Leeland Johnston Golightley (my Father), and Robert Johnston Golightley (my Great Grandfather).

 

Treason: The Roswell Women

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 2  (Jan 11-17)

Prompt: Favorite Find

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My favorite find always seems to be the last new piece of information that I found, but they don't come very often any more as I reach further and further into the past. 

 Last summer I was not really researching but playing around with Google when I came across a FindAGrave notice for Margaret (Sumner) Wood.  She is my husband's 3rd Great Aunt, so not a close relation at all, but the information on her FindAGrave was interesting enough that I spent hours researching the historical event that it mentions and how she fit into the family.

 Margaret Sumner, her daughters, and mother, Mary Ann "Polly" (Smith) Sumner were arrested for treason by William T. Sherman in July 1864. They were working in a textile mill in Roswell, Georgia making uniforms for the Confederate Army while their husband and father was fighting in the Civil War.  

 By some accounts, 249 women and children were arrested and shipped by train to Kentucky.  Margaret and her mother, Mary Ann died while in route.  Margaret's daughters Lucinda Elizabeth "Lizzie, Easter, and Mary Ann "Molley" survived the train trip.  At the end of the war, they were not given any help in returning to Roswell, GA. The daughters remained in Kentucky and married men from that area since they didn't have the means to return to Georgia.  Some of the ladies who were arrested eventually did move back to Georgia with their Kentucky husbands.  Many of the other women, remarried without knowing if their husbands survived the war and remained in Kentucky.  Many of the husbands returned to Roswell apparently unable to find their wives and/or daughters, remarried and had another family.

 Margaret (Sumner) Wood is the daughter of Benjamin and Mary "Polly" (Smith) Sumner, my husband's 4th Great Grandparents. 

There is a book related to this event that I am trying to track down.  For more information there are several accounts on the internet, including one at:  https://www.americancivilwarforum.com/charged-with-treason-the-plight-of-the-roswell-women-472.html

Foundations of Genealogy Research

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 1  (Jan. 1-10)
Prompt: Foundations
#52ancestors

What are the foundations of my genealogy research? 

Everyone says to start with yourself and work backwards, but I didn’t hear that for many years.  So, I skipped my parents and my grandparents.  I became interested in my family history while I was in high school while all of my grandparents were alive for me to ask questions and talk to about their lives. I didn’t ask enough questions. I didn’t write down all that they told me, but they are the foundation of my research. 

I said I skipped my grandparents because I didn’t verify any of their information. I started doing actual research on their parents.  Many years later, I did go back and find the documentation for all of the facts that I already knew. I also found some pieces of information that I did not know.  My maternal grandmother told me she had lived in one county in Oklahoma from the time she was one year old until she married.  But I couldn’t find her in the census records when she was 5 years old.  I did eventually find her in a different county with her stepfather’s last name. She did not know that when she was 5 that her mother had moved with her stepfather to another county and then moved back.

When my mother decided to apply for Social Security, she needed her birth certificate to apply.  She asked me how to get her birth certificate. I had to sheepishly admit that I had a copy of it that she could use.  It saved her some time, and it was interesting watching her exam her birth certificate for the first time.

I found new information on my other grandparents, nothing really surprising. However, I filled out the details of their lives.  Start where you are the most interested, but some day go back and fill out the details, make the early connections, too.

My Grandparents