The FARRIS Family - Generation 2
George Washington Farris (? - 27 Jan 1865 SC)
George Washington married Nancy Piper February 17, 1818 in Madison Co., IL. (Illinois State Archives).
George stated in the 1860 Federal census that he was born in South Carolina & Nancy was born in Georgia (about 1800). According to George's tombstone he was 66 yrs which means he would have been born in 1799.
5 Children
1 - James "Smith" Jr. (? - 19 Jun 1821 Madison Co., IL)
James was married three times. Jane BOND 30 May 1844, Susannah FOWLER and Fannie CORMACK. He was also a farmer and breeder of blooded horses according to a census. There is paperwork on James estate in the Madison Co. Probate Court.
2 - William (I follow this line - follow link for his information)
3 - Lucinda
According to the 1850 Macoupin Co., Census - Lucinda was 22 years old, making her born in 1828. She married ? HADAWAY and possibly a William DAVIS. Lucinda was living with her parent's in the 1860 Census along with a Mary Jane Hadaway age 3, possibly her daughter.
4- Sarah Jane
According to the 1860 Census - Sarah was 26 at the time. She married Robert SAWYER. Sarah Jane & Robert are both buried at the Wayne Cemetery between Wilsonville & Dorchester, Macoupin County, IL.
Notes on George Washington Faris -
George is first found in Franklin County, Tennessee along with his parents and siblings in 1812.
George purchased about 360 acres in Madison County in 1836 from the US Government for $1.25 an acre.
According to "The History of Madison Co", by W. R. Brink, George built a band mill, West of Silver Creek, near the line between Hamel and Alhambra Townships.
(Definition of the Band Mill) In the band-mill the horse powered consisted of a large, upright shaft, some 10 or 12 feet in height, with 8 or 10 long arms, let into the mainshaft and extending out from it 15 feet. Auger holes were bored at the end of the arms, in the upper side, into which wooden pins were driven. This was called the big wheel, and was, and has been seen, about 30 feet in diameter. The raw-hide or tug, was made of skins of beef cattle, cut into strips 3 inches in width; these were twisted into a round cord, or tug, long enough to encircle the circumference of the big wheel. There it was held into place by the wooden pins. From the big wheel, the belt crossed and passed under a shed to run around a drum, or "trunnel head," to which was attached the grinding machinery was set in motion. To grind twelve bushels of corn in a band-mill was considered a good day's work. Instead of using the band, powered was sometimes communicated from one wheel to other cogs.
George Pharis lived next door to James Netter Piper in the 1818 Federal Census for Madison Co., IL.
In the census' George's name was spelled Faris, Ferris, Phace & Pharis. He was also known as Washington Faris.
From the "Old Settlers Stories" Vol. 1, page #05 - Near one hundred years ago, my grandfather, Stephen WILCOX and George Feris lived on adjoining farms near Silver Creek between Staunton and New Douglas.
In those days the only way the people had of getting their produce to market was with farm wagons pulled the greater part of the time with oxen.
One fine morning the men (?) loaded their wagon with dressed hogs and other produce, leaving their companions to keep each other company over night they being sisters (Mary & Nancy) they readily agreed to stay in one house which was not very elaborate establishment.
Being a log house lathered with clay with clapboard room with no ceiling overhead, one door made of clapboards, which was (?) with a wooden latch and leather string, a fireplace was built on the outside made of rock daubed with clay, the chimney was finished to top of the house with sticks and clay. As night drew neigh, grandma (Wilcox) and Aunt (Nancy) fastened their door and settled down for a (unreadable). Aunt Nancy's baby not being (unreadable) soon began to cry. A panther distracted by the baby's crying, was soon on top of the house with all its might..er long it tore one of those mud balls from the chimney letting it fall down in the fire scattering it out over the floor. They were so alarmed that they burned two straw beds a little at a time to keep the beast from jumping down the chimney, but about daybreak it left suddenly to find something more easily gotten than jumping thru the fire although it would have enjoyed that crying baby for an early breakfast.
The crying baby of this story was Smith Ferris now deceased father of Dewitt Ferris of Bunker Hill and Mrs. Marion BIRD of Staunton.
By Mrs. J. W. WILDER of Bunker Hill.
George is also the Administrator in the Estate for a Leseal Grant dated 15 Dec 1840.
George is listed in the Honor Roll or Veteran Burial's in Macoupin County, Illinois 1956 Illinois Veteran's Commission.
He died January 27, 1965 in Staunton, Macoupin County, and is buried at the Tine Sawyer Cemetery which is located in Dorchester Twp. between Wilsonville & Sawyerville. His stone spells his name Farris. There is quite a bit of paperwork regarding George's Estate.
Notes on Nancy Piper Faris -
According to the 1860 Federal Illinois, Macoupin Co. Census - Nancy was 60 years old and born in GA.
Nancy remarried a R. W. Williams 26 May 1866 in Macoupin Co., IL. She died 19 May 1992
From the 1880 Census, 7-9, Microfilm Roll 232 . . .Illinois Dorchester Twp., taken 24th Day of June 1880. #201 - 214 in margin
Williams, Richard WM50, Married, Farmer, b. New York, Father New York / Mother Ireland_______, Nancy WF75 Married, Keeping house, b. Pennsylvania, Father Philadelphia / Mother Virginia, cannot read, cannot write. In this census there is also Grace William WF22, Single, works day labor b Illinois Father Illinois / Mother Illinois, cannot read, cannot write. And a 3 year old male, James Farris, living with Nancy & Richard.
In 1880 Nancy was living one door away from a John N. Piper 17, his wife Emma B. 15 with first cousin James E. 15.
Go to Generation 1 - James and Nancy (Piper)
Go to Generation 3 - William V. and Permelia (Harrington)
Go to my Index or my complete Surname List