Arnett History: 1796- 1948

����������� Jesse Arnett is the oldest Arnett ancestor that is known to the Fine family.

Jesse Arnett was born Friday, October 8, 1796 in Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina. The county land is hilly and the soil is mostly fertile. Cotton is the staple product.� Though, Indian corn is also cultivated.� It was here that the Arnett family settled, married, and had children. It was an ideal place to live because the the average temperature was 76 degrees.� In 1820, he is unmarried and his father, age 40-50 resides in his home.� On Thursday, December 11, 1823, Jesse Arnett Married a North Carolina girl named Martha Jane Robertson, born Tuesday, August 29, 1798.� Jesse was twenty-seven and she was age twenty-five on their wedding day. They immediately started a family, exactly one year after their marriage date, the couple gave birth to their first child, a daughter.� Her name was Harriet Jane.� They would have to struggle to keep their newborn baby born, since January was the coldest month in Anson, with an average temperature of 42.5 degrees.� Jesse�s father died between 1820 and 1830, his mother has been dead for at least fifteen years.� On April 9, 1829 Jesse Arnett purchased approximately 200 acres of land in Anson County, NC from John Wingate. The Anson area contained 26 churches and 2 newspaper establishments. There were 11 corn and flour mills, 9 saw mills, and 2 tanneries. Granite underlies a portion of the county. The forests contain the white oak and other hard timber.� The happy couple had six more children in Anson, North Carolina.� They were Edmond Green (1826), Frances (1827), Richmond Anderson (February 15, 1829), Jesse Thomas (1831), William Peter (1833), and Martha Margaret (1835).� In 1832, Jesse most likely voted to elect Andrew Jackson president (as did 56 % of the American population), since the future president was issued a license to practice law from the very town that they were living in.� After the birth of their seventh child, they prepared to move to Georgia.� Jesse Arnett sold 100 acres to Lucretia Branch on November 2, 1835 and sold 100 acres to Elisha Keen on November 13, 1835.�

By the fall of 1837 were living in Covington, Newton County, GA. In 1840 they lived in District 462, Newton, Georgia.� Here the family would enjoy wild winters (generally 42- 54 degrees), but hot summers (ranging from 79- 106 degrees).� In Georgia, they had three more children: Sara Adeline (1837), Elvira Armenta (1837), and Theophilus Hinton (1837).� When the family celebrated the first wedding in the family, they lived in Georgia. The eldest daughter, Harriet Jane married on April 9, 1843 to Samuel Faucett.�

Sometime between April 1843- Dec 1846, the entire Arnett family moved to Chambers, Alabama. The move most likely happened in 1845, when the railroad was built to pass into Covington, GA.� This same year was the first time that the term, "Manifest Destiny," appears for the first time in the expansionist magazine the Democratic Review, in an article by the editor, John O�Sullivan.Love is in the air in Alabama, especially in the month of December.� The family celebrated many weddings while living here.� In December of 1846, Jesse and Martha Jane�s third oldest child, Frances was married to Samuel Sentell Love.� In 1849, the oldest son, Edmond Green was married to Mary Ann Mayfield but moved back to Georgia to be a private in the First Georgia Calvary of the Confederate Army.� Also in September of 1849, Jesse Thomas Arnett was married to Sarah Elizabeth Hendricks. In 1851, Richmond Anderson Arnett met and married his wife, Argent Veal.� The wedding was on December 14, 1851.� The last marriage known of Jesse�s children is in November of 1852; William Peter married Elizabeth Priscilla Hardage.� �������

After all the happy weddings followed sorrow for the Arnett family.� First the death of Jesse & Martha Jane�s oldest, Harriet Jane, about 1858.� Then their was the Civil War in America.� By 1860 Jesse & Martha Jane were living in Rock Hills, Bacon Level Community, Randolph County, Alabama.� Jesee�s land was worth $913; personal property worth $200.� Jesse Arnett was a farmer.� Jesse�s son, Richmond Anderson Arnett, was a confederate solider in the Civil War and a private under Capt. B. H. Ford�s company in the mounted infantry in Jefferson Falker Battalion.� He joined the First Alabama Calvary after reading the following poster: �Yeomanry. Loyal Southerners. Come to Your Country's Call! To put down TREASON and REBELLION and hand down to our Children, unimpaired, the Rich Legacy of the Glorious Union achieved and sealed with the blood of our forefathers. DO NOT CAST YOUR LOT�WITH THE REBELS. The secessionists, the flatlanders, the planters, the so-called gentlemen whose fine daughters do not acknowledge your existence would have you fight their RICH MAN'S WAR. If you join their rebel army it will be a POOR MAN'S FIGHT.� TROUBLESOME TIMES IN ALABAMA FOR UNION MEN. Loyal Union men of good moral habits - farmers and farmer's sons - are now joining THE FIRST ALABAMA UNION CAVALRY, UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS. Our flag is THE OLD FLAG. Our country is in peril and needs men of valour to fight for Freedom and Uncle Abe. Muster rolls are open at secret sites in Winston, Franklin, Marion, Blount, Morgan, Randolph, Walker, Jefferson, St. Clair, Lawrence, Fayette, DeKalb and Jackson counties.�� Richmond Arnett continued to live in Randolph, Alabama.

����� During most of its operational life, the 1st Alabama was part of the 16th Corps, Union Army of the Tennessee. In its early months, the unit filled traditional cavalry roles of the time: scouting, raiding, reconaissance, flank guard and screening the army on the march. It fought mostly in actions associated with those missions: actions no less deadly for being small. Names on the regiment's battle flag such as Nickajack Creek, Vincent's Crossroads and Cherokee Station among others, were hardly known at the time and are all but forgotten today. But there are better known places too, such as Streight's Raid through north Alabama; and battles at Dalton, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain in the Atlanta campaign. Men of the 1st fell on many fields in their country's service.

By the time Sherman's forces entered Atlanta in late 1864, the "1st's" reputation was secure. One general called the Alabama troops "invaluable...equal in zeal to anything we discovered in Tennessee." And Major General John Logan, commanding the 15th Army Corps in Sherman's forces, praised the troopers as "the best scouts I ever saw, and (they) know the country well from here to Montgomery." General Sherman, knowing the value of his Alabama troops as soldiers and symbols of the loyal South, chose them as his escort on the march from Atlanta to the sea.

The honor of guarding the Army's commander, however, did not keep the 1st Alabama Cavalry from the line of fire. On 10 March 1865, soon after entering North Carolina, the 1st was embroiled in its hardest fight. At Monroe's Crossroads the regiment was surprised in its camp by the dawn attack of Confederate cavalry under Generals Joseph Wheeler and Wade Hampton. The official report said that "a bloody hand-to-hand conflict" followed, lasting more than three hours. Only the timely appearance of a section of field artillery enabled the hard-pressed Alabamians to drive the Confederates from their camp and hold them off until help came.

When the smoke cleared, the Third Brigade of Judson Kilpatrick's Union cavalry division, including the 1st and two other regiments, about 800 men, had routed 5,000 Confederates. The rebels lost 103 dead and many more wounded at a cost to the Federals of 18 dead, 70 wounded and 105 missing. A potential disaster had become a clear cut victory. A few weeks later, the 1st was present at the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate army and "Sherman's March" was at last complete.

When the 1st Alabama Cavalry (U.S.V.) mustered out for good on 20 October 1865 only 397 men remained with the colors. In three years' service the regiment lost 345 men killed in action, died in prison, of disease or other non-battle causes; 88 became POWs and 279 deserted. There is no accurate count of wounded. Bitterness between secessionists and loyalists in Alabama remained after the war. It soured state politics for over a century and traces of it can still be seen. Many old troopers suffered for their loyalty, legally, politically and socially. But they're remembered, and honored, by their descendants today.

At least three (Edmond, William Peter, and Theophilus Hinton) of his four brothers were also in the Confederate Army. They wore the traditional union blue uniforms.� Richmond Anderson�s brother, William Peter, was wounded in the Civil War.

The core family, Jesse and Martha Jane were alive and farming in 1870.� He called her �Patsy�.� His land went down in value from $900 ten years before to 500 dollars.� However, his personal property was worth more, a sum of $350.� In 1880, the couple�s youngest daughter, Elvira Armenta (married name Mulloy), is single and divorced and living with them.� Her three sons live with them, as well. Martha Jane Robertson Arnett died at the age of eighty-three, on March 7, 1881 in Bacon Level Community, Randolph County, Alabama. Burial in the Old Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Randolph County, Alabama. Here, in Rock Mills, Bacon Level Community, Randolph, AL, Jesse Arnett lived until his death on Nov 12 1886.� Before his own death, he would have to live to see at least two children and his wife die.� During his lifetime, the United States of America had been a young country and had gone through many changes and three wars. �The Lousisana Purchase had taken place; this doubled the size of the country.� The War of 1812 occurred and defined the United States boundaries.� In 1846, United States was at war with Mexico in the Mexican War.� The discovery of gold in California sent people on a Gold Rush around 1848.� Differences between the North and the South caused a Civil War in 1860.� Lastly, The railroad had come and crossed towards the west.� When he died, the South was going through a reconstruction period and trying to cope without slavery.

Still, the Arnett family was not dead with Jesse Arnett and Martha Jane Robertson�s death.� Richmond Anderson Arnett, Jesse�s son, had stayed in Randolph County, Alabama.� Before the Civil War, the couple had five children (three girls and two boys).� They were Uriah W. (1853), Cordelia (1854), Jamie (1858), and William Andrew (Nov 1858), and Martha A. (1860).� Like his father, Richmond Arnett was a farmer. He farmed in Randolph until 1910 when he retired.� In 1860, his was real estate land worth in Randolph was $1,100; personal estate worth $2,000.� He was quite wealthy.� In 1878, the light bulb was invited and electricity was introduced into many households in New York by 1900.� Of course, this would have been front-page news, but the actual reality of electricity in Alabama was still a ways a way.� Richmond Arnett and his wife, Allie B. remain in Alabama.� However, their son, William Andrew Arnett moves to Texas.

The William Andrew Arnett was in Texas in 1886, when he married to a Texas girl named Allie B. (last name unknown).� They have their first son in Texas.� His name is John R. Arnett.� He was born in July of 1887.� They did not stay more than four years total in Texas, however.

By 1890, William Andrew Arnett has moved his family to Ozark, Polk, Arkansas.� In July of 1890, Lila was born to William and Allie.� This birth was followed by Carl in Dec 1892, Mary in Oct 1894, and Jackson in July 1898.

In 1893, the Arnett�s in Alabama (Richmond and Allie) go through a four year depression.� In 1895, the Arnett�s read in the newspaper about the first motion picture to be seen.� When the Arnett�s went to eat, the would notice the segregation of the whites from the blacks, due to the segregation policy.� However, they would most likely think this is a fair rule because they had fought for the South in the Civil War.

In 1900, one of Richmond Anderson Arnett�s children, William Andrew Arnett is still living in Ozark, Polk, Arkansas.� He is at least a three-generation farmer.� He was privileged enough to own 121 acres in Arkansas, and had no mortgage on the his huge property.� Three of his eight children had died in early childhood, leaving him and Allie with three sons and two daughters.� They were John R. (July 1887), Lila (1890), Carl (1892), Mary (1894), and Jackson (1898).�� On May 08, 1901, he purchased 160 acres at the Camden land office in Arkansas.� Around this time, William Andrew Arnett�s wife, Allie B. died.� She would not be around to witness her first son getting married.� Their son, John R. Arnett did marry in 1909 to a Texas girl named Hattie E. Fulton.� He was twenty-two and she was twenty-six.� They had one son that very year, named Alvin Arnett in Arkansas.

In 1910, Richmond Arnett is still alive and living with his daughter, Emma Jordon in Alabama.� He lives their with his son-in-law Julius Jordan and his twin grand daughters living with them (Addie May and Annie Ray).� The twins are 14 years old.� Son-in-law is a farmer on a general farm.� The family hears of the invention of a motor-car, the Model T Ford.� They likely did not own a car because only 8,000 cars were in America at the time and there was only 10 miles of paved roads.�It is however possible that the family might have seen a car by now.� If so, the car most likely did not exceed 20 miles per hour.� For Christmas, Richmond Arnett likely gave his grandchildren teddy bears, a fad of the decade. Then in May 28 1912, Richmond Arnett passes away in Randolph, Alabama.

Also in 1910, William Andrew Arnett is living in Madison, Madison, Arkansas with his second wife, Ketchel.� He is still farming.�

John R. Arnett, William and Allie�s son, moves his one year old son, Alvin and his wife Hattie Fulton to Barnitz, Custer, Oklahoma in 1910.� John R. Arnett could read, but could not write.� He labors on a farm that is not his.� Here the family gives birth to Lilian (1911) and Loyd R. (1915).� In 1917, thirty- year old John Ross Arnett registered for the draft of World War I.� He stated on his registration card grounds for not going to war as Kidney trouble.� From this same card, we know that he had blue eyes and brown hair.� On August 15, 1918, Grace Lee Arnett was born to John R. and Hattie E. Arnett in Bulter, Oklahoma.�

By 1920, William Andrew Arnett is on his third marriage (him being 62 and his new wife being 45).� His is married to a Mississippi girl named Ophelia.� He now farms west of Arkansas in Sulphur, McCurtain, Oklahoma.� It was here that William Andrew Arnett died. ��

� John R. and Hattie E. Arnett remain in Barnitz, Custer, Oklahoma until 1930.� During this time, from 1920- 1930. he starts farming for himself.� At first, in 1920, he is renting a farm.� In 1923, they have their last son and name it after the father, John R. Arnett, Jr.�� By 1930, he owns his own farm of 120 acres.� There is a "M.C. Maha Fulton" that lives next door to them, relation unknown.� Female age 67.� It is possible that it is a relative of Hattie�s.After 1930, John R. Arnett, Sr.�s wife, Hattie dies.�

In 1934, Grace Arnett, who is affectionately called �Gracie� marries Hershel H. Fine.� According to Hershel's second wife.� Hershel and Grace were forced to get married by Grace's father, John R. Arnett because they didn't come home until 1 am after a dance (despite the fact that Hershel claimed until his death that nothing sexual happened between the two that night).� But, eighteen year old Hershel Fine and sixteen year old Grace Arnett had been met at the door at 1 am with a shotgun by the widower and told that they were going to get married.� So, they did get married, even after only knowing one another for about two weeks.� Gracie was a typical housewife and beautiful with chubby cheeks and dark lipstick.� In 1941, Grace gives birth to Billy Ray Fine in Oklahoma

Grace�s father, John R. Arnett soon remarries a relative of the Fine family named, Rosie Bell Woolard.� Everyone calls her �Rosa�.� They live in Leedy, Ok.

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In 1945, Grace and her family moved to Enid from Leedy, OK.� They had numerous children.� She was a good and loving mother who had to put up with a cheating and unfaithful husband.� Her husband would often flirt with the girls in the restaurants during his lunch break.� She lived in Enid for two years before her death.�� Her husband, Hershel H. Fine was working at Fidelity Motors.� Her address was

On January 22, 1948, a fire started at the Fine household.� The Enid Daily Eagle, Front Page of Jan 22 1948 paper reported: "Fine, 30, who was getting up, ran to her rescue, grabbed her, and threw her on the bed, wrapping bed clothing about her, and in so doing suffered third degree burns on his hands, arms and around his face and head.� None of the children were [physically] injured, firemen said.� The police rushed the couple to the St. Mary's hospital and it was late in the forenoon before all of the burns suffered by Mrs. Fine had been dressed.� Firemen said the interior of the home was not badly damaged by the explosion and fire."� She died on January 26, 1948.� Enid, Garfield Co., OK at St. Mary's Hospital after 5 days in hospital at Age 29 yrs, 5 months, and 11 days. The cause of her death was recorded as �Burn 3rd degree thermol injury, absolutely injured at 7:30 AM at home on 1/22/48 in Enid, OK.� While cooking breakfast a oil heater blew up.� 80% of body surface was burned."� It was recorded as an accident.

She was buried two days later in the Enid Cemetery.� Her body was embalmed by John G. Pavich.� At her death, her siblings were: Lillian Bearetine of Elk City, John Arnett of Perryton, Texas, Llyod Arnett of Wichita, Kansas, and Alvin Arnett of Guymon.� Her father,� J. R. Arnett was still alive and living in Leedy, OK.� Her husband, Hershel H. Fine lived through the fire that killed his wife, only receiving third degree burns.� He immediately married one of the waitresses that he flirted with during his lunch breaks, Mark K.

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