Tombstone of John Carlton, courtesy of David Carlton
Tombstone of Nancy Ann Carlton, courtesy of Rev. Tom H. Johnson, Jr.
Another view of the tombstone of Nancy Ann Carlton, courtesy of David Carlton
"Inventory and appraisement of the goods, chattels, rights, credits and effects of John Carlton, Sen., late of Madison County," dated May 29, 1868, totaled $702 and included: 120 acres of land, $350; 40 head stock cattle, $200; 1 pr. oxcart wheels, $18; 2 old ploughs, $2; 2 pine tables, $2; 1 pr. blankets, $5; 1 churn, $1; 1 meat stand, $ .50; 1 dryer(?), $1; foot adds(?), $1; 1 sugar bowler, 100 gals., $16; 1 plowstick spindle, $ .50; 1 note on John W. Carlton, $105. John W. Carlton was the executor. The sales from the estate totaled $1,011.30.
George W. Hendry, a grandson, lovingly recalled in 1900:
"John Carlton greatly resembled old Abraham. I never read of old Abraham, but in my mind's eye I behold my grandfather. He had his family worship mornings and evenings as regularly as the days came and went. I can recall vividly the verbage of many of his prayers, and can sing many of the songs that I learned when but eight years old at my grandfather's hearthstone as though it was but yesterday.
"Two of his sons-Thomas and Wright-were Methodist preachers. The former was among the oldest and the latter the youngest of the family. The whole family, from grandfather down, were exemplary Christians, their piety proverbial. Most of them held family worship, and their descendants are in evidence among many of their descendants till this day.
"If there was ever a stronger evidence of the fulfillment of God's promise to the righteous than in his case, we never heard of it. Out of the entire number of his descendants which run into the thousands, if one has ever been convicted of a crime, we never heard of it.
"John Carlton was in his ninety-third year and his wife in her ninety-second at the time of theirs, which occurred near Moseley Hall, in Taylor County [sic], Florida, in 1867 and 1868, respectively.
"As far back as I can remember Grandfather Carlton lived on the Ocklocknee River, in Thomas County, Ga., and owned a saw mill and grist mill, run by the waters of the river, which was standing only a few years ago. The mill passed from his hands to Robert M. Hendry, after which William H. Hendry owned it. The mill was lolocated eight miles north of Thomasville, Ga."
Issue of John and Nancy Ann (Alderman) Carlton, all born in Sampson County, North Carolina, except Thomas, born in Duplin County, North Carolina:
1. Thomas Carlton, born ca. 1799; died December 1841 in Lowndes County (now Brooks), Georgia; married (1) in 1820 Nancy Ward; (2) April 16, 1841 Lucretia Steward.
2. Mary "Polly" Carlton, born November 3, 1801; died July 3, 1890, Thomasville, Georgia; married on January 14, 1830 John Chastain.
3. Alderman Carlton, born January 4, 1803; died on June 14, 1856, Fort Meade, Fla.; married on September 27, 1822 Martha Maria Alderman.
4. Stephen Carlton, born August 3, 1805; died on January 9, 1886, Mt. Pisgah, Polk County, Fla; married (1) Eunice Bankston, c1827; (2) Sarah Wells, February 14, 1837; (3) Martha Ann Ray Dampier, 1882.
5. William Carlton, born October 1807; died December 16, 1875, Fort Green, Fla.; married on December 24, 1829 Harriet Hendry, daughter of William Hendry and Nancy (McFail) Hendry.
6. Elizabeth Carlton, born 1808; died October 1862 in Taylor County, Fla.; married ca. 1823 John Simmons.
7. Lydia Carlton, born April 4, 1812; died May 24, 1898, Homeland, Polk County, Fla.; married (1) in 1829 James Edward Hendry, son of William and Nancy (McFail) Hendry; (2) November 5, 1854, Benjamin Moody.
8. John Wright Carlton, born February 23, 1818; died January 13 1894, Mt. Pisgah, Polk County, Fla.; married on November 15, 1855 Mrs. Susan Lee (Cason) Murphy.
9. Martha Ann Carlton, born June 1820; died October 18, 1900, Taylor County, Fla.; married in December 1838 Robert McFail Hendry, son of William Hendry and Nancy (McFail) Hendry.
References: Milton D. Wilson, The Carlton Family Some Descendants of Thomas Carlton, Revolutionary Soldier of Duplin County, North Carolina, Polk Co. Historical Commission, Bartow, 1940s; William Alderman Parker, Aldermans In America, pp. 282, 314-315, 1957, reprinted 1977, Edwards & Broughton Co., Raleigh, NC; Folks Huxford, Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,Volumes 1 & 111; George W. Hendry, Family Record of Lydia Moody Nee Hendry Nee Carlton of Polk County, Florida,1900; Spessard Stone, John and William, Sons of Robert Hendry, 1989.
This profile is adapted from the author's Lineage of John Carlton, 1998.
August 27, 2001 & links = October 16, 2001