Descendants of Benjamin Hawkins

1. Col. Benjamin¹⁰ Hawkins (Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 15 Aug 1754 in Bute Co., NC, and died 06 Jun 1816 in Creek Agency near Roberta, Crawford, GA. He married Lavinia Downs 09 Jan 1812 in Ft. Hawkins, Jones, GA, daughter of Isaac Downs and <Unknown>. She was born 10 May 1781 in MD, and died 22 Mar 1828 in Crawford Co., GA.

Notes for Col. Benjamin Hawkins:

Indian Agent for all Tribes south of the Ohio River. Senator from North Carolina. Well published, well-traveled, and many encyclopedia articles. Married when he thought he was on his deathbed, in order to make his children "legitimate." Then he survived for a couple of more years, and had another daughter.

The wife of a William McIntosh was Eliza Grierson (b c 1799, of Carroll Co., GA) who was said to have been raised by the family of Benjamin Hawkins. Several references exist in family histories of the "half-breed children of Benjamin Hawkins," with names other than those recorded in his will.

From: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1999: http://bioguide.congress.gov

a Delegate and a Senator from North Carolina; born in what was then [once] Granville, later Bute, and now Warren County, N.C., August 15, 1754; attended the county schools; student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) when the Revolutionary War began; acquired a knowledge of French, and, at the request of General George Washington, left school and was appointed to the General’s staff as his interpreter; member, State house of commons 1778-1779, 1784; chosen by the North Carolina legislature in 1780 to procure arms and munitions of war to defend the State; Member of the Continental Congress 1781-1783 and 1787; appointed by Congress to negotiate treaties with the Creek and Cherokee Indians in 1785; delegate to the State constitutional convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in November 1789; elected to the United States Senate and served from November 27, 1789, to March 3, 1795; appointed Indian agent for all the tribes south of the Ohio River by President Washington in 1796 and held the office until his death in Crawford County, Ga., on June 6, 1818; interment on a plantation near Roberta, Crawford County, overlooking the Flint River.

Benjamin Hawkins' will dated Jan. 9, 1812, and probated Sept. 2, 1816 names his wife Lavinia Downs and a son Madison, daughters Georgia, Muskogee, Cherokee, Carolina, Virginia and a nephew William Hawkins of N. C. as beneficiaries. The will was witnessed by: Christian Lumbough, Thomas M. Ellis, and John Jameson.

Will of Benjamin Hawkins

"By this my last will and testament, I give all my lands and Negroes and property of every description to my wife, Lavinia Hawkins and our daughters, Georgia, Muscogee, Cherokee, Carolina and Virginia, and our son Madison, and William Hawkins, my nephew of North Carolina to be divided in eight equal parts to their heirs forever. If my wife finds or chooses to stay here, she can do so with the property, or if she should move into Georgia or any State to settle, she has full power to do so, to purchase a settlement for her convenience and accommodation for her children as her judgment may direct. I appoint my wife Lavinia Hawkins executrix and my nephew William Hawkins Executor of this my last will and testament given under my hand at the Creek Agency {Spring} this ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

Witnesses:

Christian Limbough

Thomas M. Ellis

John Jameson

Signed: Benjamin Hawkins

Georgia, Jones County, Personally appeared in open court John Jameson one of the witnesses to the within will, who being duly sworn saith that he saw the testator, Benjamin Hawkins sign the same and saw the other witnesses, Christian Lumbough, Thomas M. Ellis signed in the presence of each other and the testator was in sound mind and memory. Sworn in open court September 2, 1816.

Test. A. Clark John Jameson

This will is recorded in Will Book B, page 1 in the Courthouse in Gray, Jones County, Georgia.

Memo: 4 generations

More About Col. Benjamin Hawkins:

Burial: Creek Agency, GA

Notes for Lavinia Downs:

Was she ... or wasn't she ...? The Queen of Tuckabatchie?

There is evidence in the Moravian Diaries that Lavinia indicated she was white (See her father's record). Suspicion that she was Creek has been voiced since shortly after her death, including comments such as "there is no truth to the rumor that she was an Indian." However: " ... confirmation that Lavina Downs was Creek came from the Chehaws who showed Janice [Woods Windle] that the marriage of Hawkins and Downs is recorded in the official Marriages of the Muskogee."

http://www.rootsweb.com/~gajones/hawkins.htm

Lavinia Downs is thought by many family members to be of the Ocmulgee Creek Nation, and they insist she was first the wife of Chief Long Side of Tuckabatchie (Tookautchee). He was killed in a raid, and she was widowed with a young son, Silas. Her son Silas is said to have been born in 1792 which conflicts with Lavinia's reported birthdate of 10 May 1781. The birthdate of her presumed son Silas Downs, however, would have come at age 10 or 11, if both birthdates are reported correctly.

Lavinia lived at the Creek agency (in Crawford Co., GA) with her husband, Col. Benjamin Hawkins until his death. At her death, over a decade later, she was still living in Crawford County. One of her daughters was buried in Roberta, the county seat, and records from a lawsuit / complaint indicate that this daughter, Jeffersonia, lived with Lavinia. Lavinia was buried at Ft. Hawkins, and her grave is not (obviously) marked. Her obituary was carried in the Milledgeville paper, as that town was (then) a major center and the one-time state capital.

Page 60 of the Crawford County Guardian Bonds Book "A" states that Richard W. Ellis was appointed adminsitrator of her estate on March 3, 1834. Hiram Troutman and Bryan Bateman acted as security and a bond of $500 was posted. The minimal bond indicates that Pound was correct in stating that she lost most of her inheritance from Benjamin. Hiram Troutman was the father of Joanna Troutman who sewed the famous flag carried into the Texas Revolution by the Georgia volunteers.

If Lavinia was Creek, that fact was kept secret throughout the part of the family that remained in Water Valley, Mississippi after 1850. The part of the family that moved to San Marcos kept alive this secret. Her suspected Creek heritage is commemorated by the book "True Women" by Janice Woods Windle, which has been made into a mini-series (and slightly fictionalized by screen-writers).

More About Lavinia Downs:

Burial: Ft. Hawkins, Jones, GA

Children of Benjamin Hawkins and Lavinia Downs are:

3. Muscogee¹¹ Hawkins (Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 30 Jan 1802. She married (1) Christopher 'Kit' Kyser 20 Apr 1819 in Jones Co., GA. He was born Abt. 1800, and died Bef. 15 Oct 1819. She married (2) Bagnell B. Tiller Aft. Jan 1824. She married (3) <Unknown> Moore Bef. 1850. He died in Of Ft. Gaines, GA.

Notes for Muscogee Hawkins:

The American Old West: Woodward's Reminiscences

http://www.mont.mindspring.com/~jtu3/wood/contents.html

"Col. Hawkins raised a girl who was called by the name of Muscogee Hawkins. She was the daughter of John Hill, who was a sub-Indian Agent. He hung himself at Fort Wilkinson many years ago. Muscogee married Capt. Kit Kizer, of the U.S. Army; he died, and she married Bagwell Tillor."

Muscovia Elizabeth Hawkins resided in Ft. Gaines, GA 1850. She married Mr. Moore.

Notes for Christopher 'Kit' Kyser:

Keiser, Lieutenant Colonel - Acting Deputy Quartermaster General from 11 January 1818 through August 1819 at Ft. Hawkins.

Notes for Bagnell B. Tiller:

Bagnell Tiller left his wife and "went to Texas."

Child of Muscogee Hawkins and Christopher Kyser is:

4. Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins (Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 16 Mar 1805 in GA, and died 26 Feb 1849 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. She married Lewis Lawshe 10 Aug 1819 in Jones Co., GA, son of John Lawshe and Eleanor Chamberlain. He was born 17 Aug 1789 in Lewisburg, Union, PA, and died 31 Aug 1879 in San Marcos, Hays, TX.

Notes for Cherokee Hawkins:

"The Lawshe Cemetery is located on the "hill" east of Burney Lawshe's home toward Water Valley"

Notes for Lewis Lawshe:

Served in the War of 1812 as 2nd Lieut. in Captain Barker's Company, 42n Regiment of US Infantry. Served in both Seminole Indian Wars under Gen. Andrew Jackson, and under General Patterson in the Florida Indian war. Promoted to Captain in 1817. Moved to Georgia in 1818. Married in 1819, and moved to Water Valley, MS in 1839. When Ulysses S. Grant occupied Water Valley and burned his home, his net worth went from a quarter-million dollars to nothing over-night. He then set his slaves free. He was 75 years-old, but went to Virginia and fought through the Second Battle of Manassas. Lewis Lawshe moved from Georgia in 1839 and bought a 640 acre farm in Water Valley, Yalobusha Cty, Mississippi, owned in 1973 by R.B. Lawshe. He later moved to San Marcos, Texas to live with his daughter, Mary, and died there. A Lawshe cemetery in Water Valley is overgrown, and attempts to locate it in 1998 failed.

"He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. Woods ... was the oldest inhabitant of this vicinity."

"Belived to have been the oldest member of the Masonic fraternity in the State of Texas."

San Marcos, Texas "Free Press" 6 Sep 1879.

Though some insist he was known as Lewis Madison Lawshe, articles, obituaries and his tombstone indicate "Louis Lawshe."

Children of Cherokee Hawkins and Lewis Lawshe are:

6. James Madison¹¹ Hawkins (Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 1809 in GA, and died Aft. 18 Mar 1850 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He met Mahalia.

Notes for James Madison Hawkins:

Died unmarried, leaving his acknowledged daughter, child of a slave, to his neice, Georgiann (Lawshe) Woods.

"James M. Hawkins Last Will & Testament

Know all men by these presents that I James M. Hawkins of the County of Yalobusha and State of Mississippi of Sound mind and memory do make my last will and testament as follows

Firstly I hereby declare null and void all former wills by me at any time made

Secondly - I give and bequeath unto Mrs. Georgian Ann Woods wife of Doctor Peter Woods of said county one negro girl named Martha about eight years of age and one negro boy about five years old named Jim

Thirdly I give unto my sister Jeffersonia Harvey wife of D. I. Harvey of Knoxville and state of Georgia two negroes Sarah & Margaret and five hundred dollar in cash to be separate property of my said sister from

the control and management of her said husband for and during her natural life and then to go to the heirs of her body

Forthly - I give and bequeath to my nephen Madison H. Carr of Yalobusha County son of William A. Carr four negroes Depsey, Dick, Moses, and Phillis one mule two horses and 1 mare One Two horse Waggon and One Single horse waggon

Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my sister Muscovia Elizabeth Moore of Fort Gaines and State of Georgia the Sum of five hundred dollars in cash

Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my Sister Virginia Carr wife of William A. Carr of Yalobusha County all the rest and residue of my estate real and personal and mixed "inten asing ?" hereby to give her & her heirs & assigns forever all of my estate as aforesaid not otherwise in this my last will and testament disposed of

Seventhly I hereby appoint William A. Carr of the County of aforesaid my executor of this my last will and testament - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of May 1850 in the presence of E. S. Fisher F. S. Davidson and B. L. Thompson Subscribing being witnesses hereto J. M. Hawkins (seal)"

Signed Sealed and Published in our presence & in the presence of each other by the Testator May 18th, 1850.

E. S. Fisher Witness

F. L. Davidson & B. S. Thompson

To Capt. L. Lawshe he uppon a settlement of the sale of land J. M. Hawkins

Notes for Mahalia:

Mahalia was a slave.

Child of James Hawkins and Mahalia is:

7. Virginia¹¹ Hawkins (Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 06 Mar 1811 in GA, and died 03 Oct 1851 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. She married Capt. William Austin Carr II 24 Feb 1825 in Ft. Hawkins, Pulaski Co., GA, son of Henry Carr and Mary Downs. He was born 05 Mar 1803 in GA, and died 13 Aug 1857 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Capt. William Austin Carr II:

The family of William Carr donated to Water Valley, MS the grounds on which stand the Water Valley Grammar School, a Masonic Lodge, and the Oak Hill Cemetery. Donated land for the courthouse, a Railroad Hotel and the Right-of-Way for the Mississippi Central RR.

Was appointed Postmaster of Water Valley, Yalobusha Co., MS 27 Jul 1848.

Adapted from Godspeed's "Memoirs of Mississippi" :

"Water Valley began its growth in the early 1830s. William A. Carr had the first store and blacksmith shop and was the first postmaster. Lewis Lawshe, whose wife was a sister of William A. Carr, Jr.'s wife, also came about this time, as did E. F. Crisp. Henry Carr and William Carr's land originally extended from Honeycutt to Velma. They later sold land to Henry Hill. The next to build after Hill was Mr. Hendricks."

A festival is held in Water Valley, MS each August celebrating "Turkey Bill Carr", who as a child was captured by Indians, and who is said to have been one of the earliest white residents of Yalobusha County, MS. I do not know if that is "my" William, but it sounds like it ought to be!

Children of Virginia Hawkins and William Carr are:

8. Jeffersonia E.¹¹ Hawkins (Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 12 Jul 1813, and died 15 Nov 1861. She married (1) Francis Bacon 27 Nov 1828 in Crawford Co., GA. He was born Bef. 1809, and died Bef. 1839. She married (2) Dr. Jeremiah G. Harvey 21 Nov 1839 in Crawford Co., GA. He was born 01 Jan 1793, and died 02 Oct 1871 in Of Knoxville, GA.

Notes for Jeffersonia E. Hawkins:

Jeffersonia claimed to be "the only legitimate daughter" of Benjamin Hawkins and Lavinia Downs, as they married after having the other children (and on what Benjamin thought was his death bed), and after Benjamin Hawkins had written his will.

Jeffersonia and her husbands, Francis Bacon and Jeremiah G. Harvey, and their son Francis Edmund Bacon, are all buried in the cemtery at Roberta, in Crawford Co., GA.

Jeffersonia and Francis Bacon were the subjects of a "complaint" by the other survivors and heirs of Benjamin Hawkins and Lavinia Downs, over the estate of Benjamin Hawkins. It seems that much of the estate ended up in Jeffersonia and Francis' hands, and the other heirs sued to receive just compensation. The outcome of the suit is not known to this writer, but the "complaint" can be found at:

http://www.geocities.com/markfreemn/complain.html

Notes for Dr. Jeremiah G. Harvey:

resided 1850 Knoxville, GA (mentioned as D. I. Harvey in the will of brother-in-law James Madison Hawkins)

Child of Jeffersonia Hawkins and Francis Bacon is:

11. William Emory 'Henry'¹² Lawshe (Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 29 Oct 1822 in Bibb Co., GA, and died 06 Sep 1859. He married Mary Caroline 'Marky' Markette 08 Apr 1855 in Oxford, Lafayette, MS. She was born 07 Apr 1836, and died 10 Oct 1902.

Notes for William Emory 'Henry' Lawshe:

A merchant and tax collector for the area around Water Valley, MS. One day while collecting taxes, he was sitting in his buggy in front of a farm house when he was shot and killed.

A Bible indicates his name is William Henry Lawshe.

Notes for Mary Caroline 'Marky' Markette:

Marky Markette - married second Samuel W. Montgomery, had a daughter, Dolly Montgomery.

Children of William Lawshe and Mary Markette are:

13. Capt. Lewis Madison¹² Lawshe, Jr. (Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 17 Mar 1826 in Macon, Bibb Co., GA, and died 03 Mar 1888. He married (1) Mary Jane Heard 21 Oct 1845 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, daughter of Stephen Heard and Kiziah <Unknown>. She was born 28 Feb 1828 in MS, and died 29 Jul 1858 in Lafayette Co., MS. He married (2) Elizabeth Jane Bankhead 24 Aug 1859 in Coffeeville, Yalobusha, MS, daughter of John Bankhead and Martha Lusk. She was born 1841 in SC, and died 14 Nov 1867. He married (3) Mary P. Greenhaw Aft. 1862.

Notes for Capt. Lewis Madison Lawshe, Jr.:

or born in Jones Co., GA.

Captain in Confederacy

Knights of Honor Member

Wood Street Methodist Ch. Member, Water Valley

Children of Lewis Lawshe and Mary Heard are:

Children of Lewis Lawshe and Elizabeth Bankhead are:

Children of Lewis Lawshe and Mary Greenhaw are:

15. Georgia Ann Virginia¹² Lawshe (Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 31 Jan 1831 in Bibb Co., GA, and died 20 Oct 1872 in San Marcos, Hays, TX. She married Dr. Peter Cavanaugh Woods Mar 1846 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, son of Peter Woods and Sarah Davidson. He was born Abt. 30 Dec 1819 in Shelbyville, Franklin, TN, and died 21 Jan 1898 in San Marcos, Hays, TX.

Notes for Dr. Peter Cavanaugh Woods:

Dr. Woods was the commander of the 32nd Volunteer Texas Cavalry during the Civil War. Graduated from Louisville Kentucky Medical Institute in 1842, he was a physician and planter.

Confederate army officer, was born on December 30, 1819, at Shelbyville in Franklin County, Tennessee, the son of Peter and Sarah (Davidson) Woods. He graduated from Kentucky's Louisville Medical Institute in 1842 and in 1850 established a practice in Water Valley, Mississippi, where he married Georgia Virginia Lawshe. Woods moved to Texas in 1851. He settled first at Bastrop and in 1853 moved to San Marcos, where he established himself as a planter. At the outbreak of the Civil Warqv Woods raised a company of cavalry, primarily from Hays County, later to become Company A of the Thirty-sixth Texas Cavalry regiment. This regiment was mustered into Confederate service at Camp Woods on Salado Creek on March 22, 1862, and Woods was elected colonel when the regiment was organized. The Thirty-sixth (often called the Thirty-second) Texas Cavalry regiment was recruited within a fifty-mile radius of San Antonio. Nathaniel Benton, a brother-in-law of generals Ben and Henry E. McCulloch served as the regiment's lieutenant colonel. W. P. Woods, one of the colonel's seven children, served as a trooper in his father's regiment. After instruction in drill and tactics at Camp Clark near San Marcos in July and August 1862, the regiment patrolled the area around Fredericksburg, then the scene of considerable unrest due to the large number of Union sympathizers among its German citizens. Other companies of the regiment were posted along the Rio Grande, with headquarters at Fort Ringgold in Rio Grande City, and along the Gulf Coast at Port Lavaca, with the general responsibility for maintaining order in the Corpus Christi-Brownsville-Eagle Pass triangle, protecting the ports, keeping Mexico trade open, and preventing deserters and draft evaders from crossing the international border. In June 1863 elements of the regiment were moved up the coast as far as Indianola in response to the threat of invasion from Union general Nathaniel P. Banks. On July 12 Woods was given command of the First Cavalry Brigade of Gen. Hamilton P. Bee's division, which included Woods and Charles L. Pyron's Second Texas Cavalry regiments. On September 9 the regiment was ordered dismounted. It was to be moved by rail to Beaumont, and its horses, the personal property of the men, were preempted by the Confederate government. Woods protested the order and refused to obey it. After marching and countermarching the Texas coast for several months in response to invasion alarms, 157 of Woods's troopers deserted on the night of February 1, 1864. Granted thirty days leave, Woods followed his deserters to their homes and returned with them to his camp. On February 20 the highly unpopular dismounting order was finally executed, but on February 28 the regiment was ordered to Louisiana for the Red River campaign, and remounts were hastily procured. The regiment marched for Richard Taylor's army on March 12, arriving at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, on April 9, too late for the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. They were attached to Gen. Thomas Green's cavalry division and immediately marched for Blair's Landing in pursuit of Banks's defeated army. On April 12 Woods and his men received their baptism of fire at the battle of Blair's Landing, where General Green was killed. They skirmished daily with the retreating federals through Grand Ecore, fought a determined holding action at Monett's Ferry, and continued a running fight with the enemy until a spirited action at Yellow Bayou on May 18 in which Woods was wounded halted the chase. A rifle ball entered Woods's left hand and traversed his forearm, exiting his elbow. Although he returned to service after only two weeks of convalescent leave, he never fully regained the function of his left arm.

In the reorganization that followed Green's death and Bee's removal from command, Woods's regiment became part of Xavier B. Debray's brigade of John A. Wharton's division. During the next seven months the Thirty-sixth Texas Cavalry remained in Louisiana, patrolling the Atchafalaya River from Alexandria to Opelusas. In February 1865 the regiment returned to Texas, and at Houston on May 21, 1865, by order of Gen. John B. Magruder, it divided its public property and disbanded. Following the war Woods returned to San Marcos to resume his medical practice and farming. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention of 1866. Upon the death of his first wife, Woods married Ella Reeves Ogletree in 1874; the couple had five children. Woods died in San Marcos on January 27, 1898, and is buried there.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Carl L. Duaine, The Dead Men Wore Boots: An Account of the Thirty-Second Texas Volunteer Cavalry, CSA, 1862-1865 (Austin: San Felipe, 1966).

Thomas W. Cutrer

www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/

Children of Georgia Lawshe and Peter Woods are:

16. Joseph Hawkins¹² Lawshe (Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 24 Aug 1833, and died Nov 1864. He married Mary Emily Mitchell 30 Oct 1853 in Oxford, Lafayette, MS. She was born 09 Dec 1836, and died 27 Nov 1874.

Children of Joseph Lawshe and Mary Mitchell are:

17. Jeffersonia Elizabeth¹² Lawshe (Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 09 Jan 1836 in Bibb Co., GA, and died 07 Sep 1867 in Rosedale, Bolivar Co., MS. She married Thomas Jefferson Davidson 13 Apr 1854 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, son of John Davidson and Ruth Ragsdale. He was born 16 Jul 1824 in Maury Co., TN, and died 14 Apr 1874 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Jeffersonia Elizabeth Lawshe:

One record says born Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. Since her younger brother's record says GA, I will use GA.

Bur. Concordia, Bolivar, MS.

Notes for Thomas Jefferson Davidson:

He likely was living with or visiting his first cousin in 1850: "The 1850 Federal Census of Rusk County, Texas household number 721 list J. F. Davidson, 40 male with wife Mary, 35 both born in Tennessee, son Otey, 3, born in Miss. and Thomas J. Davidson, 23, born in Tenn."

He returned to Water Valley, where in 1854 he married. He was for a time the postmaster at Water Valley.

In 1860, Thomas Jefferson Davidson divided his time between managing his late father's estate and continuing to be a partner with Captain Woods in a large store in Water Valley.

He was the executor of his father's estate, and for several years managed the farm. He served in the Confederate Army in Tennessee. In February, 1862 Fort Henry on the Tennessee River fell, followed by Fort Donelson on the Cumberland with its garrison of 1300 men, six Mississippi regiments among them. Tom was among the prisoners. He was taken to Fort Warren.

He moved his family to Rosedale, Bolivar, MS. The family story says the mansion by the Mississippi River was lost in a flood, practically bankrupting the family. While living there his wife died. For some time after this tragedy, the family resided in Water Valley at the home of Rev. Edward Davidson and his wife Brank, as recounted in the memoirs of Helen Brank Davidson, their daughter:

"She speaks again of the house, the three rooms which, in 1774, were occupied "by my mother's brother Tom and his children. He had two boys, Tom (b.1862) and Lewis (b.1859), and three girls, Cousin Ruth (b.1855), Cousin Mary (b.1857), and Jeffersonia (b.1865). I have no recollection of their mother Jeffersonia Laushe [Lawshe] (b.1836). She died before I was born, but these children were members of our family."

But Helen was four years old when her uncle Tom died on April 14, 1874. He probably did not live with them at all, though his children did. According to records of the Yalobusha County Chancery Court, his children appeared before the court on May 2, petitioning that their uncle, Edward, be appointed their guardian, and Edward made bond in the amount of $10,000.

That same day Edward and his brother Frank petitioned that they be appointed administrators of Tom's estate since he left no will; that he had died possessed of a house and lot in Water Valley and 1/3 interest in a parcel of land in Bolivar County, 10 head of horses, three mules, 10 head of cattle, and some $600 in notes.

On June 3, the Davidson brothers were given court permission to sell the stock. They reported Tom's personal property sale and an inventory of his money and debts on November 28.

Dec. 1872, E. C. Davidson & W. S. B. & Helen J. Frazier, all of Yal. Co., MS, being joint heirs with C. R. Davidson, T. J. Davidson, A. B. Davidson, D. W. Davidson, M. M. Davidson, E. R. Hale & J. W. Davidson, M. A. Davidson - heirs of J. C. Davidson, decd sell their share of "The Matthews place", estate of P.M. Davidson, decd. to Thos. J. Davidson.

In 1872, several years after his wife, Jeffie had died, there was a suit by Moses J. Wicks vs Thomas J. Davidson for partition of lands in Bolivar Co., MS. By 1874 court records acknowledged his death, and the suit resumed against his heirs. J. F. Davidson is mentioned in several of these records. John Franklin Davidson was a cousin of Thomas J. Davidson who was a Physician and who was Mayor of Water Valley, MS in 1870. "Mary M., wife of J. F. Davidson, has an interest in the land as an heir of P. M. Davidson, decd. & asks to be added to lists of defdts. Suit dismissed at Complaintants' cost in Oct 1875."

The childrens' guardian was E. C. Davidson (Edward Chaffin Davidson) of Yalobusha Co., as shown in 1875 court records of Bolivar Co., MS. By June, 1878, a citation was sent to E. C. Davidson, guardian, and was mailed in June 1878 to Moses J. Wicks, Los Angeles, CA. Fannie Davidson & Ruth C. Davidson were listed "of Whitesboro, TX."

In 1880: E. C. Davidson, Grdn., et al vs M. J. Wallace et al: E. C. Davidson, grdn of Ruth C., Mary S., Lewis S., T. J. & Jeffie Davidson, minor heirs of Thos. J. Davidson, decd. & J. F. Hamilton & Fannie Hamilton all of MS vs M. J. Wallace of MS and Amanda C. Cole & her hub. E. A. Cole of Tunica Co., MS seek partition of lands. Complts own 1/3 undivided interest & defdts own the other 2/3rds. Filed 8 Nov. 1880. References are made to CC Pkt.#381 - J. M. Wallace et al vs J.F. Davidson et al. ; J. C. Sillers, G. W. Bellamy, J. S. Gant are [were?] appointed Commissioners to partition the land 19 Apr 1881. They allot 1/3 to minor Davidsons, 1/3 to Wallace, 1/3 to Amanda E. Cole 12 Nov. 1880.

Children of Jeffersonia Lawshe and Thomas Davidson are:

20. Mary C. Lavinia 'Love'¹² Lawshe (Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 25 Aug 1845 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 18 Mar 1923 in San Marcos, Hays, TX. She married Desmond Pulinski Hopkins 19 Dec 1866 in San Marcos, Hays, TX. He was born 25 May 1838, and died 05 May 1920.

Children of Mary Lawshe and Desmond Hopkins are:

22. Martha Ann Benny¹² Hawkins (James Madison¹¹, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 1829, and died 1933 in Hays Co., TX. She married Ed Tom Lawshe, son of Lewis Lawshe and <Unknown>. He was born Bef. 1830.

Notes for Martha Ann Benny Hawkins:

Georgia Lawshe inherited slave Martha Benny from her uncle Madison Hawkins, who was Martha Benny's father. Her death certificate indicates she was the daughter of Madison Hawkins. She was buried in the Negro cemetery outside San Marcos.

Notes for Ed Tom Lawshe:

Ed Tom Lawshe was acknowledged to be the son of Lewis Lawshe by a slave.

Children of Martha Hawkins and Ed Lawshe are:

23. Madison Henry¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 08 Oct 1826 in Macon, Bibb, GA, and died 12 Apr 1895 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He married Mourning Elizabeth Pearson 22 Nov 1849 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, daughter of Isaac Pearson and Sarah Bailey. She was born 06 Sep 1834 in Halifax Co., NC, and died 05 Nov 1888 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Madison Henry Carr:

Veteran of the War with Mexico - 1846-1848.

Children of Madison Carr and Mourning Pearson are:

25. Benjamin Hawkins¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 08 Dec 1830 in FL, and died in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He married Mary Susan Bankhead 25 Dec 1849 in Yalobusha Co., MS, daughter of James Bankhead and Cynthia Moorhead. She was born Abt. 1835 in GA, and died in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Benjamin Hawkins Carr:

Other possible children of Benjamin Hawkins Carr and Mary Susan Ann Bankhead are:

Martha Carr b 1863 Yalobusha Co., MS

Nettie E. Carr b 1864 Yalobusha Co., MS

Lucy I. Carr b 1878 Yalobusha Co., MS

one of these (Lucy?) is probably Iris.

Notes for Mary Susan Bankhead:

Mary S. Bankhead Carr was born approximately 1835 as she was at least 15 years old on September 4, 1850 and listed with her husband's parents in the 1850 census, which shows her birth place as GA.

Children of Benjamin Carr and Mary Bankhead are:

27. Cherokee Ann¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 14 Nov 1833 in GA, and died 28 Dec 1869 in MS. She married Calvin Jones Hunt 22 Oct 1854 in Coffeeville, Yalobusha, MS, son of Thomas Hunt and <Unknown>. He was born 30 Jun 1830 in Habersham Co., GA, and died Aft. 1900 in Red River Par., LA.

Notes for Calvin Jones Hunt:

Or born 9 Dec 1829. Marietta became a town in 1834.

Georgia 1850 census gives age as 21. Mississippi 1860 census gives age as 27. Jesse Carson and Calvin Jones were likely twins and their mother (1st wife) died in childbirth, after which Thomas remarried to Elizabeth (Gaddis?). Was named co-executor in Father, Thomas Hunt's will.

Raised in Marietta, GA, went to Water Valley, MS to work as a blacksmith; married the boss's daughter and set up housekeeping on a cotton plantation near Water Valley.

Private in Co. F, 15th Regt. Miss. Infantry, organized 1861, mustered into Confederate Army June 1861. T. B. Hale was also a member of this regiment, as were several Carr men. Only fought in Battle of Shilogh, 6 & 7 April 1862. Fought in the peach orchard, was in the break-through of Union lines and capture of General Prnetiss and 2200 union troops. After Shiloh he was put on detached service as a blacksmith for the remainder of the war.

"He had all the buttons shot off his coat, but no wounds at Shiloh. In 1864 a Union cavalry force of 25,000 let Memphis and went down through Mississippi across Alabama to Georgia, where they joined General Sherman in Atlanta. They burned Calvin's plantation, including all buildings, rail fences around it, looted the house and took everything they could use, burning the rest. They forced Grandmother Hunt and children to stand by in the road and dressed the Negro women slaves in her silk clothes and put them on horses behind them and rode away laughing. Papa was about four years old. Grandma also had a baby in her arms. So grandmother walked to Water Valley and stayed with her relatives until the end of the War the following May (1865). The only things they had were the clothes they were wearing.

"When Calvin Hunt arrived back at the old plantation there was nothing lefft, so he walked into Water Valley and found his family living with her relatives. Since he had nothing left but his blacksmith skill, he walked to the railroad shops of the Mississippi Central, which was the northern terminus of the railroad when the War started. Grandmother Hunt died in 1869. He kept the family together until the railroad was built north to old Fillmoer, KY and later a couple miles north to East Cairo, KY. He left the children with relatives and came to old Fillmore in 1872 and met and married Ann Rich, an orphan who was a half-sister living with Grandmother Rollins. He bought some land north of Wickliffe and built a house and went back to Mississippi to get the children. Aunt Georgia, the eldest, had married a railroad engineer, Jasper Powell, and remained in Water Valley. He quit the railroad and farmed. He had three boys and two girls by his first marriage, two boys and one girl by the second. The oldest, Walter, was born and just lived a few days when he went back to Water Valley to get the other children."

Percy James Hunt, 1979

He was found in the 1900 Pemiscot, MO census.

Calvin's application for a Civil War Pension in the State of La. and it revealed the following:

Calvin J. Hunt stated he was a native of Georgia, born in Habersham County in 1832. He enlisted in 1861 at Water Valley, Miss . He was a member of Company F, 15th ,Miss Infantry. He stated he was wounded at "Fishing Creek, Kentucky" in the battle that took place there. He was wounded in the right hand by a bullet. After that he was sent to Miss under Forrest Command until the close of the war. He advised he was in Water Valley, Miss at the surrender. He further stated he was a prisoner at Atlanta, Ga. and escaped and returned to his Command. He advised he had lived in La. about two years and he made this pension application on 8/30/1904. At the time of this application he advised he was not married that he was a Widower. He said he had no family except his sister-in-law in La.. He gave the name of Benjamin Harvey, Water Valley, Miss and Dr. T.J. Carr, Coffeeville, Miss, as two comrades that could vouch for his service. He gave his address as Coushatta, Red River Parish La..

The War Department records confirmed he was a member of Co. F, 15 th Miss Infantry, CSA; enlisted 5/26/1861, at Corinth, Miss and he was present for duty with the command 8/31/1864, the date of the last muster roll on file.

Children of Cherokee Carr and Calvin Hunt are:

28. Lewis Perry 'Tobe'¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 16 Apr 1836 in GA, and died 23 Aug 1923. He married Sarah Jane Pearson 23 Apr 1857 in Yalobusha Co., MS, daughter of Isaac Pearson and Sarah Bailey. She was born 02 Aug 1842 in Yalobusha Co., MS, and died 16 Dec 1883.

Notes for Lewis Perry 'Tobe' Carr:

May have been born in Yalobusha Co. immediately after the family moved. This is "Uncle Tobe Carr" who had a "little black book" that indicated his ancestor was Patrick Carr from Ireland, who emigrated to Savannah, GA, moved to NC for a few years, and whose descendants returned to Georgia.

Children of Lewis Carr and Sarah Pearson are:

29. Silas Washington¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 16 Mar 1839 in GA, and died in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He married Mary Jane Harrell 11 Jan 1858 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was born Aft. 1839.

Child of Silas Carr and Mary Harrell is:

30. Dr. Thomas Jefferson¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 23 Dec 1841 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 09 Jul 1914 in Coffeeville, Yalobusha, MS. He married Cornelia Viola Rice 12 Dec 1877 in Pine Valley, MS, daughter of James Rice and Louvenia Bailey. She was born 22 Aug 1860 in Infield, Nash Co., NC, and died 23 Mar 1929 in Coffeeville, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Dr. Thomas Jefferson Carr:

Mississippi Volunteers during Civil War, Battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Port Hudson, Vicksburg, wounded three times, attended Univ. of Mississippi, attended Memphis Medical College (now U. Tenn), attended Vanderbilt Univ, received med. degree, resided until 1891 resided Pine Valley, MS, and later resided Coffeeville, MS.

Children of Thomas Carr and Cornelia Rice are:

31. Lucy Polk¹² Carr (Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 27 Aug 1844 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 28 Aug 1888 in Memphis, Shelby, TN. She married Robert Plumer 'Bob' Parks 03 Jul 1867 in Yalobusha Co., MS, son of M. Parks and Mary <Unknown>. He was born 11 Mar 1841 in TN, and died 12 Aug 1900 in Memphis, Shelby, TN.

Children of Lucy Carr and Robert Parks are:

35. William Henry¹³ Lawshe (William Emory 'Henry'¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 14 Mar 1856 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 08 Dec 1927 in Whistler, AL. He married Rebecca Annie Hartfield 27 Sep 1882, daughter of William Hatfield and Mary Therrell. She was born 14 Mar 1863 in Enterprise, MS, and died 19 Jun 1948.

Children of William Lawshe and Rebecca Hartfield are:

36. Henrietta Cherokee¹³ Lawshe (William Emory 'Henry'¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 20 Aug 1857, and died 30 Sep 1933. She married Edward F. Crisp in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He was born in Madison Co., TN.

Children of Henrietta Lawshe and Edward Crisp are:

38. William Stephenson¹³ Lawshe (Lewis Madison¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 25 Feb 1847 in MS, and died 1932. He married Elizabeth Adaline West 15 Dec 1871, daughter of John West and Louisa Sturdivant. She was born Mar 1851, and died 1927.

Notes for William Stephenson Lawshe:

Was a soldier in the Confederate Army. The family were members of the Wyatt Chapel Methodist Episcopla Church, South, until they joined the first Methodist Church in Water Valley. They were active in church, social and community affairs.

Notes for Elizabeth Adaline West:

Was she also Mrs. Humphrey of Pleasant Ridge, MS?

Children of William Lawshe and Elizabeth West are:

39. Cherokee Kiziah¹³ Lawshe (Lewis Madison¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 17 Feb 1849 in MS. She married William Henry Harrison Rogers 02 May 1869, son of Sterling Rogers and Lucy King. He was born 21 Dec 1844, and died 27 Feb 1918.

Children of Cherokee Lawshe and William Rogers are:

41. Lewis Madison¹³ Lawshe III (Lewis Madison¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 04 Jan 1854, and died 19 Oct 1909 in Lexington, Holmes, MS. He married (1) Mollie H. E. Anderson 09 Jun 1873. She died Bef. 1881. He married (2) Sally F. Evans 24 Feb 1881. She was born Jul 1855.

Children of Lewis Lawshe and Sally Evans are:

45. Mary¹³ Lawshe (Lewis Madison¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 12 Dec 1863, and died 08 Jun 1937 in Crescent, OK. She married Erastus Sneed Waller 06 Feb 1890. He was born 06 Jan 1854, and died 09 Jan 1932.

Child of Mary Lawshe and Erastus Waller is:

49. Joseph Harrison¹³ Lawshe (Lewis Madison¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 27 Jul 1874. He married Lulu Belle Wilkes 1907, daughter of T. Wilkes and Belle <Unknown>. She was born 28 Feb 1888 in Indian Terr., OK.

Children of Joseph Lawshe and Lulu Wilkes are:

53. Georgia Lavinia 'Little Sweet'¹³ Woods (Georgia Ann Virginia¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 15 Aug 1855 in San Marcos, Hays, TX, and died 11 Oct 1946 in Christoval, Tom Green, TX. She married Charles Gamewell Montgomery 04 Nov 1873 in Hays Co., TX, son of John Montgomery and Hannah Moore. He was born 21 Dec 1844 in Mecklenburg Co., NC, and died 26 Nov 1919 in Grit, Mason, TX.

Notes for Charles Gamewell Montgomery:

Pickens, Monroe, 1866-1945.

Cousin Monroe's history of the Pickens family.

Revised and published by Kate Pickens Day.

[Easley, S.C., 1951]

Children of Georgia Woods and Charles Montgomery are:

54. Peter Cavanaugh¹³ Woods, Jr. (Georgia Ann Virginia¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 23 Apr 1858 in San Marcos, Hays, TX, and died 01 Jun 1950 in TX. He married Laura Matilda Hoge 26 Jun 1890 in Blanco, TX, daughter of John Hoge and Martha King. She was born 06 Apr 1873 in Blanco River, Kendall Co., TX.

Notes for Laura Matilda Hoge:

Shares some Royal ancestries, according to published genealogies.

Children of Peter Woods and Laura Hoge are:

56. Jeffersonia E. 'Jeffie'¹³ Woods (Georgia Ann Virginia¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 03 Dec 1864 in San Marcos, Hays, TX, and died 31 Jan 1957 in TX. She married Henry Clay King, son of Hugh King and Margaret Keith. He was born 12 Mar 1859 in TX, and died 28 Dec 1947.

More About Jeffersonia E. 'Jeffie' Woods:

Burial: Throckmorton Cem., TX

Notes for Henry Clay King:

One reported birthdate 12 Mar 1848.

More About Henry Clay King:

Burial: Throckmorton Cem., TX

Children of Jeffersonia Woods and Henry King are:

60. Elizabeth Ellen "Nellie"¹³ Lawshe (Joseph Hawkins¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 14 Mar 1861, and died 30 Nov 1930. She married (1) Ben Alvis Abt. 1880. She married (2) James Louis Sisk 12 Nov 1892.

Child of Elizabeth Lawshe and Ben Alvis is:

Children of Elizabeth Lawshe and James Sisk are:

61. Joseph Hawkins¹³ Lawshe, Jr. (Joseph Hawkins¹², Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 20 Sep 1864 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 30 Oct 1930 in Russellville, Pope, AR. He married Sarah Frances "Fannie" Winborn 18 May 1892 in Bells, Crockett, TN, daughter of H. Winbourn and Susan Sinclair. She was born 20 Oct 1864 in Bells, Crockett, TN, and died 24 Apr 1930 in Russellville, Pope, AR.

Notes for Joseph Hawkins Lawshe, Jr.:

Joseph resided in Oxford, MS untio 1923, working for the railroad. He moved to Pottsville, AR where he was a merchant. In 1925 he moved to Russellville, AR, where he lived until he died.

Notes for Sarah Frances "Fannie" Winborn:

Sarah was from a prominent Tennessee family. She was educated in Tennessee where she taught school until she married.

Children of Joseph Lawshe and Sarah Winborn are:

62. Ruth Cherokee¹³ Davidson (Jeffersonia Elizabeth¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 02 Feb 1855, and died 1914 in Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto, TX. She married Frank Dennison 24 Apr 1889 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Ruth Cherokee Davidson:

or Cherokee Ruth Davidson

Children of Ruth Davidson and Frank Dennison are:

63. Mary Lavenia¹³ Davidson (Jeffersonia Elizabeth¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 01 Jun 1857 in Rosedale, Bolivar, MS, and died 17 Jun 1935 in Baton Rouge, E. B. R., LA. She married William Overton Carr 26 Dec 1878 in Yalobusha Co., MS, son of Madison Carr and Mourning Pearson. He was born 17 Feb 1854 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 12 Jun 1908 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

Notes for Mary Lavenia Davidson:

From memoirs of Helen Brank Davidson, a cousin, with whom the orphan children of Tom & Jeffie resided for some time after 1874:

"There were two young ladies in Uncle Tom's family - Cousin Ruth was almost 20 now and Cousin Mary, 17. Lewis was about 15, Tom 12, and the youngest girl was the same age as my brother Harry, five years older than I. Her name was Jeffersonia, but we called her "Lovie."

"Cousin Ruth was not very pretty and had a slight affliction. I don't know just how to describe it, but often when engaged in some work she would suddenly stop and seem to lose herself, gazing straight before her and batting her eyes; then in a few minutes she would be herself again.

"My oldest sister was also named Ruth, and she was almost 14 now; they called her "Little Ruth" and the other "Big Ruth." Both Cousin Ruth and Cousin Mary went to dances and played cards. I don't know whether my sister Ruth did or not at that time. She was nine years older than I and not exactly pretty but she had a vivid and charming personality. I don't know how my father could have kept her from taking part in these gaieties.

"Cousin Mary got a position in the town school, but Cousin Ruth could only stay at home. Once when a dance was planned on very short notice, Cousin Ruth took it into her head that she must have a new dress for the occasion. Mamma thought Cousin Ruth didn't need it and couldn't make it in one day, but Cousin Ruth rushed off to town about 5 o'clock, Mamma shouting after her, 'Well, go it, Old Catalpa!' (Old Catalpa was a bull my father owned.) Cousin Ruth got our neighbor, Mrs. Allen, to help her cut the dress out, and went to the dance that evening in yellow tarlatan with black velvet ribbons.

"The two girls were having a game of cards one evening in the parlour with two young men. Cousin Ruth made a very clever or lucky play, and Cousin Mary, not realizing how it sounded, exclaimed, 'Well Sister, you're not a fool if you do have fits!' "

In April, 1876, her sister Ruth petitioned the Chancery Court, and J. Bartlett was appointed the children's guardian.

October 4, 1876 the Court passed a Decree Procunfesso, declaring that Ruth had been regularly called to appear before the court to answer "Complaintant's" bill against her, that she failed to appear or answer the said Bill of Complaint and that consequently the Court judged against her.

Soon thereafter, a court order approved Edward's wish to sell his late brother-in-law's house and lot for the benefit of heirs at public auction. The sale was made on December 4 and the property sold for $800.

On July 12, 1877, citations were issued to Yalobusha County for Edward and to Marshall County, where Uncle Frank was now living with Cousin Sissie, because of their failure to make annual reports of their guardianship. They were granted an extension of time. This same month Edward severed his relations with the Water Valley church. In October, the time allowed for making his report was again extended. Then, on November 10, Ruth, Mary, Thomas and Jeffersonia appeared before the court asking that their guardian (Edward) be empowered to spend $75 more monthly to adequately clothe, board, and educate each child for the coming year.

The next year there was an order for Edward to make a new bond, though he was no longer living in Water Valley; and in April, 1879, when he was living in Oxford, there was an order of attachment and revoking his guardianship, demanding that he make a final report. Before this time, both Ruth and Mary were of age, and Mary's husband, William Carr, with her became guardian of the minor children.

The families remained close, and the proceedings were probably "ordinary" in the case or orphans and guardianships in their late teen years.

Helen Brank Davidson continued:

"I suppose Papa felt that the people of Water Valley church wanted another preacher. I guess Uncle Tom had left some money as well as the farm for his children; anyway, Papa decided to go to Lexington, a small place out from Durant. He turned the brick house over to Uncle Tom's children. Cousin Mary was getting married to William Carr, a cousin on her mother's side. The other children were to stay with her, and she would keep house for all of them."

Children of Mary Davidson and William Carr are:

64. Lewis Lawshe¹³ Davidson (Jeffersonia Elizabeth¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 29 Nov 1859 in MS, and died 04 Nov 1949. He married Lelia Turpin, daughter of Solomon Turpin and Cordelia Brown. She was born 13 Jun 1870 in Morehouse Par., LA, and died 17 Aug 1960 in Mer Rouge, Morehouse, LA.

Notes for Lelia Turpin:

"Abel and Martha Evans moved from Claiborne County, MS to Morehouse Parish, LA in the middle of the 19th Century. They purchased land about three or four miles east of Bastrop on the Grabault Road. . The hill on which this residence was located was called Evans Hill - but is now generally known as Grabault Hill." Also, it said "Abel and Martha Mandeville Evans are buried in the Old City Cemetery in Bastrop." Further, this same source stated, "Lelia Turpin Davidson recalled her great-grandfather Abel very clearly. She said he was a huge man with a flowing mane of long white hair. He rode a large white horse and wore a long cape which hung in great folds from his broad shoulders. He was 80 when he died." Information from family groups sheets came from Tom Montgomery of Vista, CA, said, "Abel Edward Evans was just two years old when his father died in 1800. His mother was 53 years old at the time of his birth, and as she died some ten days later, it can be assumed she died as a result of his birth. Regardless, Abel never knew his parents and was raised by his brothers and sisters. He attended boarding schools for most of his early years, starting as early as 1804 - his father's estate has a record of several payments being paid with the notation of 'this sum for board of Abel'. At some point, he began school in Mobile AL, residing with Eliza Evans Battle, thought to be a daughter of his uncle. We do not know how Abel and Martha met, but the Mandeville family home was only a short distance to the west of his brother, Thomas Evans (in SC) and most likely Abel had known Martha for many years. We also do not know why both of Col. Evans' daughters married in AL, but it was probably because they had attended school in Mobile. The Mobile area had a substantial number of the Evans family and the name was prominent during this period. There was nothing really to keep him in SC and probably he and Martha intended from the beginning to return to AL where he had made his home. It is thought that his brother in-law, David Mandeville, made the trek west with them; we know that David remained in Camden (Wilcox Co), began his family in 1839, and all of his children were born in Camden. On 1 Jun 1837, Abel and Martha sold her interest in the Mandeville properties probably about this time Abel decided to continue on West and eventually ended up in Morehouse Parish, LA, where he made his final home." (All this information from a family group sheet by Tom Montgomery of Vista CA)

Children of Lewis Davidson and Lelia Turpin are:

66. Jeffersonia Elizabeth¹³ Davidson (Jeffersonia Elizabeth¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 12 Apr 1865, and died 28 Feb 1952 in Shreveport, Caddo, LA. She married John Bussey Coats 06 Jun 1887 in Morehead Par., LA, son of John Coats and Christine McRae. He was born 1862, and died 08 Dec 1914 in Bastrop, Morehouse, LA.

Notes for Jeffersonia Elizabeth Davidson:

Lovie Coats or Aunt Lala, raised Edna May James after her mother died young.

Children of Jeffersonia Davidson and John Coats are:

67. Clint Lawshe¹³ Hopkins (Mary C. Lavinia 'Love'¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born in San Marcos, Hays, TX, and died in San Marcos, Hays, TX. He married Julia Kone, daughter of Ed R. Kone.

Notes for Clint Lawshe Hopkins:

He was cashier of the State Bank and Trust Co., member of the State Democratic Committee, one of the directors and vice-president of the Austin-San Antonio Interurban Railway; manager of the San Marcos Opera House, exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks, and a steward in the Methodist Church. For his funeral, the procession was "hte largest ever known in San Marcos. Every place of business in the city was closed for two hours during the funeral services."

Children of Clint Hopkins and Julia Kone are:

68. L. Norman¹³ Hopkins (Mary C. Lavinia 'Love'¹² Lawshe, Cherokee¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) He married Irene McMeans.

Children of L. Hopkins and Irene McMeans are:

71. Lee Anderson¹³ Lawshe (Martha Ann Benny¹² Hawkins, James Madison¹¹, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) died in Poss. Muskogee, OK. He married (1) Rebecca <Unknown> Bef. 1904. She died in Poss. Chicago, IL. He married (2) Mary Barnes Abt. 1920.

Children of Lee Lawshe and Rebecca <Unknown> are:

Child of Lee Lawshe and Mary Barnes is:

76. Alice Benny¹³ Lawshee (Martha Ann Benny¹² Hawkins, James Madison¹¹, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) She married Webb Brady.

Children of Alice Lawshee and Webb Brady are:

82. William Overton¹³ Carr (Madison Henry¹², Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 17 Feb 1854 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 12 Jun 1908 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He married Mary Lavenia Davidson 26 Dec 1878 in Yalobusha Co., MS, daughter of Thomas Davidson and Jeffersonia Lawshe. She was born 01 Jun 1857 in Rosedale, Bolivar, MS, and died 17 Jun 1935 in Baton Rouge, E. B. R., LA.

Notes for Mary Lavenia Davidson:

From memoirs of Helen Brank Davidson, a cousin, with whom the orphan children of Tom & Jeffie resided for some time after 1874:

"There were two young ladies in Uncle Tom's family - Cousin Ruth was almost 20 now and Cousin Mary, 17. Lewis was about 15, Tom 12, and the youngest girl was the same age as my brother Harry, five years older than I. Her name was Jeffersonia, but we called her "Lovie."

"Cousin Ruth was not very pretty and had a slight affliction. I don't know just how to describe it, but often when engaged in some work she would suddenly stop and seem to lose herself, gazing straight before her and batting her eyes; then in a few minutes she would be herself again.

"My oldest sister was also named Ruth, and she was almost 14 now; they called her "Little Ruth" and the other "Big Ruth." Both Cousin Ruth and Cousin Mary went to dances and played cards. I don't know whether my sister Ruth did or not at that time. She was nine years older than I and not exactly pretty but she had a vivid and charming personality. I don't know how my father could have kept her from taking part in these gaieties.

"Cousin Mary got a position in the town school, but Cousin Ruth could only stay at home. Once when a dance was planned on very short notice, Cousin Ruth took it into her head that she must have a new dress for the occasion. Mamma thought Cousin Ruth didn't need it and couldn't make it in one day, but Cousin Ruth rushed off to town about 5 o'clock, Mamma shouting after her, 'Well, go it, Old Catalpa!' (Old Catalpa was a bull my father owned.) Cousin Ruth got our neighbor, Mrs. Allen, to help her cut the dress out, and went to the dance that evening in yellow tarlatan with black velvet ribbons.

"The two girls were having a game of cards one evening in the parlour with two young men. Cousin Ruth made a very clever or lucky play, and Cousin Mary, not realizing how it sounded, exclaimed, 'Well Sister, you're not a fool if you do have fits!' "

In April, 1876, her sister Ruth petitioned the Chancery Court, and J. Bartlett was appointed the children's guardian.

October 4, 1876 the Court passed a Decree Procunfesso, declaring that Ruth had been regularly called to appear before the court to answer "Complaintant's" bill against her, that she failed to appear or answer the said Bill of Complaint and that consequently the Court judged against her.

Soon thereafter, a court order approved Edward's wish to sell his late brother-in-law's house and lot for the benefit of heirs at public auction. The sale was made on December 4 and the property sold for $800.

On July 12, 1877, citations were issued to Yalobusha County for Edward and to Marshall County, where Uncle Frank was now living with Cousin Sissie, because of their failure to make annual reports of their guardianship. They were granted an extension of time. This same month Edward severed his relations with the Water Valley church. In October, the time allowed for making his report was again extended. Then, on November 10, Ruth, Mary, Thomas and Jeffersonia appeared before the court asking that their guardian (Edward) be empowered to spend $75 more monthly to adequately clothe, board, and educate each child for the coming year.

The next year there was an order for Edward to make a new bond, though he was no longer living in Water Valley; and in April, 1879, when he was living in Oxford, there was an order of attachment and revoking his guardianship, demanding that he make a final report. Before this time, both Ruth and Mary were of age, and Mary's husband, William Carr, with her became guardian of the minor children.

The families remained close, and the proceedings were probably "ordinary" in the case or orphans and guardianships in their late teen years.

Helen Brank Davidson continued:

"I suppose Papa felt that the people of Water Valley church wanted another preacher. I guess Uncle Tom had left some money as well as the farm for his children; anyway, Papa decided to go to Lexington, a small place out from Durant. He turned the brick house over to Uncle Tom's children. Cousin Mary was getting married to William Carr, a cousin on her mother's side. The other children were to stay with her, and she would keep house for all of them."

Children are listed above under (63) Mary Lavenia Davidson.

87. Robert Lee¹³ Carr (Madison Henry¹², Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born Jul 1865 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He married Myrtle Duffey 18 Oct 1894 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was born Mar 1875 in MS.

Children of Robert Carr and Myrtle Duffey are:

88. Henry Buckenridge¹³ Carr (Madison Henry¹², Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born 29 Sep 1867 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS, and died 28 Oct 1932 in MS. He married Maude W. Sykes 07 Dec 1896 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was born 07 Sep 1882, and died 24 Jan 1933 in MS.

Notes for Maude W. Sykes:

Maude M. Sykes was likely her married name. She was probably a widow.

Children of Henry Carr and Maude Sykes are:

89. Sargent Prentiss¹³ Carr (Madison Henry¹², Virginia¹¹ Hawkins, Benjamin¹⁰, Philemon⁹, Philemon⁸, <Unknown>⁷, <Unknown>⁶, John Sidney⁵, Richard (Sir)⁴, John³, William², John¹) was born May 1871 in MS, and died Abt. 1932 in MS. He married Mary Willie Shannon 27 Sep 1899 in Yalobusha Co., MS, daughter of William Shannon and Anna Coleman. She was born Jan 1875 in MS, and died Abt. 1942 in MS.

Children of Sargent Carr and Mary Shannon are: