Shakin' the Family Tree

An Ashmore cousin came to call...

2013-01-11T13:24:44Z

He found me through my Find a Grave entries.

We've been corresponding for the past few days, and made an interesting discovery.

One of my Burris cousins was his first grade teacher in a little one room schoolhouse at Gumlog in Pope Co., AR.

I love it when this happens.

comments

Random musings...

2012-11-21T14:57:01Z

I started this blog to share - photos, memories, documents, places and people - with other people.

Freely sharing was important to me because of the sharing of information I experienced in the early years of this journey when I asked for information.

On surname message boards. Hard to believe, but I still find posts of my own from 1999 on some of those boards.

Distant cousins found the blog in Google searches. I correspond with several of them still. All the other bloggers were right.

If you build it, they will come.

In the last few months, I've started getting emails that go something like this:
I am making sure that this e-mail doesn't bounce. I am researching a possible family connection in Arkansas. (That's the actual text of a message I found in my inbox this morning.)

I always reply to those, to let them know the email address is still good. Sometimes, there is a distant family connection.

Sometimes, people have seen how Arkansas-intensive my tracks are on the internet, and they just need help with their own trees.

What can I say? I'm a Scorpio, and always intrigued by a mystery.

Even when it doesn't have one of my own surnames on it.

You know how people say that they hope they don't find out they unwittingly married their own cousin?

I've always figured that somewhere downline - closer to my generation - I'd find out someone was a cousin of their spouse.

I decided last week to start looking at my nephews' and niece's families on the *other* sides of their families.

I started with my niece. Her father's surname is Rankin.

Started with her dad and went backward.

After about 3 hours, I sat here grinning like a fool.

Her dad is my 4th cousin, twice removed. The connection starts in 1877, when John James Rankin married Margaret Ann Lemley in Pope County.

Margaret Ann was the daughter of Ephraim Lemley, Jr. and Cynthia Elvira Burris.

So my niece is also my 4th cousin, three times removed.

Of course, I didn't stop with the pedigree.

I'm looking for bits and pieces of information that give the third dimension to the names, dates and places.

Turns out the Rankins (and their allied families) were quite the movers and shakers in Perry County, AR.

And some of its earliest settlers.

The Rankin family will have blog posts of its own.

comments

~Squee~ My cousin started a blog

2012-11-06T22:53:36Z

She's telling stories from her mom and dad's families.

Click here to go take a look.

comments

My Burris aunts acting silly...

2012-10-25T13:05:56Z

Nancy, who publishes My Ancestors and Me, has a post up about The Photos Not Taken for her Wishful Wednesday post.

In it, she said she wished that folks had taken photos of the way their kitchens were set up back in the day. She also opined that our ancestors probably felt film was too dear to waste on a shot of something so mundane as the old Frigidaire.

That got me to thinking about one of the only photos I can recall having of a kitchen. My Burris aunts taking a moment to goof off on KP duty on Mother's Day, 1967 at my grandparents' house.

They are standing in front of the enameled double cast iron sink that was the only "dishwasher" my grandma ever had - aside from my granddad, of course.

And there are the old Venetian blinds covering the window that looked out into the side yard and detached, one-car garage...

Sadly, I cannot remember the color of the countertop, or the pattern and color of the lineoleum floor. But I do still remember the bacon cooking fork.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Nancy.

comments

Sepia Saturday: My Dad

2012-10-13T12:39:20Z

For most of my younger life, my dad owned his own business. He was a masonry contractor here in Arkansas - mostly commercial construction.

I got this photo yesterday in my email.

I had never seen it before.

Photo taken September 1958

I had no idea he had the same type of business when he and my mom lived in Florida, where I and my middle sister were born.

That's my 22 year old dad in the driver's seat. The photo was taken in 1958, the same year I was born.

Here's that street address today.

Dad will be 76 years old tomorrow.

Happy birthday, Dad.

I love you.

This is a Sepia Saturday post. Head over there for more interesting old photos and postcards.

comments

Been following another Burris post on Rootsweb...

2012-10-12T02:52:04Z

And marveling at the clues thrown out to the poster, who is looking for her father's family.

She hasn't done anything with the tips except say they lead nowhere.

So I started following them myself. I used the mortuary notice for her father's death as my beginning.

And in four hours this evening, created another Burris family tree.

Nope, as far as I can tell, we are not related.

But I have to look at any Burris clue.

Now, off to bed. It's a "school night" for me.

comments

Sepia Saturday: Hats

2012-09-08T12:57:39Z

I have a fair number of photos of my family decked out in their hats.

I even have an ancestress who made them.

The millinery shop of my g-g-grandmother, Mary Emily Conner, in Grenada Co., MS, about 1870-1875.

My grand-aunts, Ocie (left) and Arkie Burris, photo about 1909.

My grandfather, his brother and their double cousins, Elbert and Earl. Photo about 1905.

Left to right - Elbert Burris, Homer and George Burris,Jr. (brothers) and Earl Burris (brother of Elbert)

This is a Sepia Saturday post. Head over there for more cool old photos and postcards.

comments

Treasure Chest Thursday: Photos

2012-08-27T18:30:12Z

Yes, I know it's not Thursday, but I am planning ahead...so go with it, please...

I went to my dad's house last week, and took my aunt (his "big" sister) along for the ride.

Along the way, I asked her how she met her husband, and got a new little tidbit of information for the family archives.

Went graving at St. Joe Cemetery, which I refer to as the Burris burying ground. Found Aunt Margaret Jane Burris Moore's stone and photographed it.

After lunch at Dad's, we wandered downstairs and I spied a couple of photos I didn't have in our electronic archives.

A photo of my step-mom's dad in 1956 with his dog, Lonesome.

Paul Pettit, with Lonesome

There was one of Aunt Emma, and her husband, Tom Crites, taken about 1935. They don't look 50 years old to me.

Dora Emma Burris and Walter Thomas "Tommy" Crites

I asked my step-mom to scan and email the pics.

Got them today.

And a bonus.

When I called to thank her, dad answered the phone. I asked him about this last one, which is a photo of my dear step-mom on her 60th birthday.

He said he had been out and about and just ran by a store that made birthday cakes.

When he got it home, my step-mom told him it was the first birthday cake she ever had.

Ever.

So this one is precious to all of us...

comments

For the descendant on the Rootsweb Burris message board...

2012-07-07T16:13:51Z

She posted in a thread with requests for information about William Burris, born 1782, and any descendants.

She thinks her g-g-grandfather, John Crockett Burris, died in Texas...if she's talking about John Crockett Burris who was the grandson of our brick wall William, then...

That's not exactly the way it went. See this entry for photos of his gravestone, and that of your g-g-grandmother, Sarah Ann Harrelson.

They are buried, with three of their children, in Ford Cemetery in Pope Co., AR.

And none of John's siblings died in Morgan Co., AL.

comments

Another Burris family photo...

2012-06-11T02:02:58Z

This one on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of George W Burris, Sr., and Mary Mathilda Wharton - so that makes it on or around 7 Oct 1927.

This is another one where they left the spouses of their offspring out of the photo. (Did you have to pay by the person back then?)

Standing, left to right:
Richard Benjamin Burris, Ernest Arthur Burris, Dora Emma Burris Crites, William Homer Burris, George W Burris, Jr., and Ottis Gileston Burris.
Seated were the honored couple.

Missing was Walter Monroe Burris.

They were standing in birth order. Ott took his hat off, like a gentleman should.

Someone must have been very Type A - like me.

Now I know where I get it.

comments

Mystery Monday: My Burrises continue to surprise...

2012-06-11T00:28:06Z

So I'm nattering around at FamilySearch, looking at marriage records.

And run across Elbert...

His second marriage.

Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957
name: Elbert Burris
event: Marriage
event date: 09 Mar 1931
event place: , Pope, Arkansas, United States
age: 43
estimated birth year: 1888
residence: Russellville, Pope, Arkansas
spouse: Ethel Harrison
spouse's age: 29
spouse's estimated birth year: 1902
spouse's residence: Russellville, Pope, Arkansas
marriage license date: 09 Mar 1931
page: 257
film number: 2132055
digital folder number: 004331571
image number: 00072

But wait.

Elbert and Ethel were already married, weren't they? I mean, she's living with him as his wife in the 1930 census...

1930 Census
Name: Elbert Burris
Home in 1930: Illinois, Pope, Arkansas
Age: 43
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887
Birthplace: Arkansas
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Ethel
Race: White
Household Members:
Name Age
Elbert Burris 43
Ethel Burris 28
Bernice Burris 15
Loraine Burris 12
Bobbye J Burris 6

Okay Dad and favorite aunt...

What do you guys know about that one?

comments

Musing on William Burris, born 1782

2012-06-10T14:17:01Z

One of my brick walls.

Not only mine. A whole bunch of us would be ever so pleased to find out the identities of William's parents and sibs.

In my GEDCOM, I say he was born in North Carolina. From a written family history of one of his grandsons in 1937, we learned that William was an indentured servant in his youth, brought to Lawrence County, TN by the man who held his papers, and lost track of his birth family. The same grandson repeated what the rest of most of William's descendants have heard in our family lore - that William's family was Scotch-Irish.

William married and had a huge family in Lawrence County, including my g-g-grandfather, James Littleton Burris.

Because so little is known about William's origins, I made a semi-educated guess that he came from North Carolina.

This morning, I was reading through History of Tennessee (Goodspeed Publishing, 1886, ebook edition publ. 2010) again and on page 750, found additional evidence that William probably emigrated to Lawrence Co., TN from North Carolina with his employer. The settlers came chiefly from North Carolina...

Following that sentence was a list one and a half pages long of the names of heads of North Carolina families who settled Lawrence County before the year 1818.

And I'm guessing that William's employer's name may be on that list, but I haven't a clue who he was...

comments

Mystery Sunday: Who was that Burris?

2012-05-06T14:18:39Z

(Yes, I know the prompt is Mystery Monday, but I have time to write about it today. Go with it, please.)

Dad called me the other night. One of his local genealogy buddies had called him and read him a newspaper article from August 1882, where a couple of guys had busted out of the Dover jail in Pope County. The posse was hot on their trail.

One of them was a Burris. The other was a guy named Goodner. When the law caught up to them, Goodner was shot, and Burris gave it up.

No first names in the entire article.

So Dad went the next day to the Pope County Library and looked through microfilm for a couple of hours.

Found another article. It talked about Goodner and Burris. No first names.

I found a snippet of an article from the Arkansas Gazette dated 1 Aug 1882, where it gave Goodner's first name as John. It said he was wanted for shooting a sheriff.

And that's all we know.

But the Burris had to be one of ours, and from one of the articles, we know the manhunt centered around land very close to our homeplace.

My Burrises sure had a lot of secrets...

comments

Now I know where I get it...

2012-04-22T14:34:01Z

Spent some time in the 1940 census yesterday, looking in Clark County, AR for my dad when he was a wee thing...

Found him, there on line 20.

Grandma gave the information to the census enumerator.

Granddaddy worked an average of 48 hours a week as the assistant postmaster, and made $2,000 a year - today's equivalent is $32,770.29.

He was supporting a wife and three kids, and almost exactly a year later, their last child, a daughter, was born.

I also found some Callaways not far from there and was able at last to connect Joe E Callaway to his parents.

Wonder if Grandma knew her second cousin was living a few streets over?

comments

Surname Saturday: Duncan

2012-01-20T21:13:54Z

Four generations of the James Garner Duncan family.

My direct lines are in blue.

First Generation

1. James Garner Duncan was born in 1770 in North Carolina. He died in 1856 in Franklin Co., AL.

James married Elizabeth Self daughter of Parrish Self and Mary Thompson in 1791 in Chatham Co., NC. Elizabeth was born in 1774 in Gaston Co., NC. She died in 1850 in Franklin Co., AL.

They had the following children:

+ 2 M i. William Howard Duncan was born in 1793. He died in 1884.

3 F ii. Hannah Duncan was born in 1795 in North Carolina.
Hannah married Causley .

4 F iii. Isabella Duncan was born in 1797 in North Carolina.
Isabella married (1) Alexander Robinson in 1819.
Isabella married (2) Farlor T McElroy on 21 Feb 1862.

+ 5 F iv. Nancy Duncan was born in 1799. She died about 1840.

+ 6 F v. Sarah Sally Duncan was born on 3 Jan 1803. She died on 20 May 1885.

+ 7 M vi. Garner Paris Duncan was born on 17 Mar 1804. He died in Feb 1887.

+ 8 M vii. James Garner Duncan Jr was born on 14 Dec 1811. He died on 7 Jan 1873.

Second Generation

2. William Howard Duncan (James Garner) was born in 1793 in North Carolina. He died in 1884 in Marshall Co., TN.

William married Eleanor Nelly Reeves . Eleanor was born in 1800 in North Carolina.

They had the following children:

9 F i. Mary Frances Duncan .

10 F ii. Martha Duncan was born in 1818 in Tennessee.

11 M iii. John G Duncan was born on 15 May 1820 in Maury Co., TN.

12 F iv. Thena Duncan was born in 1820.

13 M v. William Howard Duncan Jr was born in 1830 in Maury Co., TN.

14 F vi. Nancy A W E Duncan was born in 1835.

15 M vii. Newton C Duncan was born in 1836 in Tennessee.

16 F viii. Marine Duncan was born on 1 Jul 1837 in Tennessee.
Marine married J Amos London in 1860. J Amos London was born in 1839.

17 F ix. Sarah J Duncan was born in 1839 in Tennessee.

18 M x. James C Duncan was born in Dec 1844 in Mount Hope, Walker Co., AL.

5. Nancy Duncan (James Garner) was born in 1799 in Chatham Co., NC. She died about 1840 in Alcorn Co., MS. She was buried in Tuscumbia Baptist Cemetery, Corinth, Alcorn Co., MS.

Nancy married William Miller Easley on 1 Jan 1820 in Maury Co., TN. William was born on 19 Jan 1804 in Tennessee. He died on 2 Mar 1886 in Alcorn Co., MS. He was buried in Tuscumbia Baptist Cemetery, Corinth, Alcorn Co., MS. (This is the Duncan daughter I have been corresponding about with an Easley descendant. We have not definitively concluded that Nancy Duncan married William Easley, but are about 98% sure - this is due to transcription of the 1820 marriage record.)

They had the following children:

19 M i. Samuel Franklin Easley .

20 M ii. John Quincy Easley .

+ 21 M iii. L O D Easley was born in 1829.

22 M iv. William Green Easley was born in 1832 in Alabama.

23 F v. Lucinda Easley was born in 1836 in Alabama.

+ 24 M vi. Levi Easley was born in 1838.

25 M vii. Henry Easley was born in Mar 1839. He died in Sep 1839.

6. Sarah Sally Duncan (James Garner) was born on 3 Jan 1803 in Chatham Co., NC. She died on 20 May 1885 in Atkins, Pope County, AR. She was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

Sarah married Thomas Jefferson Wharton I son of Bartlett Wharton and Sally Ellis in 1817 in Georgia. Thomas was born on 11 Aug 1800 in South Carolina. He died on 29 Aug 1894 in Pope Co, AR. He was buried in St. Joe Cemetery, Atkins, Pope Co, AR.

They had the following children:

+ 26 M i. Jeptha H Wharton was born in 1818. He died on 19 Jan 1883.

+ 27 M ii. Bartlett Wharton was born on 12 Dec 1820. He died in 1897.

+ 28 F iii. Charlotte Wharton was born on 12 Dec 1822. She died in Sep 1884.

+ 29 F iv. Lucity Wharton was born on 4 Jul 1824. She died in 1897.

+ 30 F v. Lucinda C Wharton was born on 27 Aug 1826. She died in 1878.

+ 31 F vi. Mary "Polly" Hage Wharton was born on 22 Oct 1828. She died on 17 Sep 1895.

+ 32 M vii. Thomas Jefferson Wharton II was born on 27 Feb 1832. He died on 16 Mar 1908.

+ 33 M viii. John Pauldin Wharton was born on 4 Dec 1833. He died on 29 Jan 1910.

34 M ix. William Wharton was born in 1838 in Cobb Co., GA.

+ 35 F x. Sarah Ann Wharton was born on 15 Sep 1839. She died on 8 Mar 1927.

+ 36 F xi. Susan Annette Wharton was born on 4 May 1842. She died on 14 Jul 1928.

+ 37 F xii. Nancy Jane Wharton was born on 29 Aug 1844. She died on 20 Nov 1930.

7. Garner Paris Duncan (James Garner) was born on 17 Mar 1804 in North Carolina. He died in Feb 1887 in Saints, Colbert Co., AL.

Garner married Lydia Clements . Lydia was born in 1813 in North Carolina. She died on 18 Jan 1871 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscallosa Co., AL.

They had the following children:

38 F i. Elizabeth Duncan was born in 1830 in North Carolina.

+ 39 M ii. William H Duncan was born in 1832. He died in 1907.

40 M iii. James S Duncan was born in 1833 in Alabama.

41 M iv. Henry Duncan was born in 1835 in Alabama.

+ 42 F v. Martha "Mattie" Duncan was born in 1837. She died about 1913.

43 F vi. Vina Duncan was born in 1839 in Alabama.

44 F vii. Sarah Duncan was born in 1842 in Alabama.

45 F viii. Emaline Duncan was born in 1846 in Alabama.

46 F ix. Alabama Duncan was born in 1849 in Franklin Co., AL.

47 F x. Margaret Duncan was born in 1853 in Franklin Co., AL.

8. James Garner Duncan Jr (James Garner) was born on 14 Dec 1811 in North Carolina. He died on 7 Jan 1873 in Monroe Co., IN. He was buried in Clover Hill Cemetery, Harrodsburg, Monroe Co., IN.

James married Mary L Jordan in 1838 in North Carolina. Mary was born in 1821 in North Carolina.

They had the following children:

48 M i. Martin V Duncan was born on 15 Sep 1837 in Monroe Co., IN. He died on 24 Apr 1913 in Springdale, Washington Co., AR. He was buried in Sonora Cemetery, Sonora, Washington Co., AR.
Martin married Harriet A "Hattie" Knapp daughter of James D Knapp and Sarah Harris on 1 Jun 1863 in Greene Co., IN. Harriet was born on 10 Jan 1839 in Mt Carmel, Wabash Co., IL. She died on 8 Jun 1929 in Leroy, McLean Co., IL. She was buried in Springdale, Washington Co., AR.

49 F ii. Elizabeth Duncan was born in 1841 in Monroe Co., IN.

50 F iii. Mariam Duncan was born on 21 Aug 1844 in Monroe Co., IN. She died on 31 Dec 1928.
Mariam married Samuel Smallwood on 5 Mar 1871 in Greene Co., IN.

+ 51 M iv. Zebulon James Duncan was born in 1847. He died on 12 Sep 1872.

52 M v. Ezekiel Duncan was born in 1856 in Indiana. He died on 29 Aug 1918 in Dugger, Sullivan Co., IN.
Ezekiel married Louisa J Mitchell on 3 May 1874 in Greene Co., IN.

+ 53 F vi. Caroline Hunley "Carrie" Duncan was born on 8 Nov 1859. She died on 20 Jun 1934.

Third Generation

21. L O D Easley (Nancy Duncan, James Garner) was born in 1829 in Alabama.

L O D Easley married (1) Unknown .

They had the following children:

54 M i. Newton Easley was born in 1848 in Mississippi.
Newton married Levina P Nichols in 1875 in Mississippi. Levina was born in 1853 in Mississippi.

L O D Easley married (2) Mary A MNU . Mary was born in 1839 in Tennessee.

They had the following children:

55 M ii. William I Easley was born in 1857 in Mississippi.

56 M iii. John Easley was born in 1859 in Kentucky.

57 M iv. Newton C Easley was born in 1861 in Tennessee.

58 M v. Emcial Easley was born on 31 Jan 1866 in Tennessee. He died on 7 Mar 1939 in Chewalla, McNairy Co., TN. The cause of death was cancer, per death certificate. He was buried on 8 Mar 1939 in Tuscumbia Baptist Cemetery, Corinth, Alcorn Co., MS.

Emcial married Tempie Anne Dickson daughter of J M Dickson and Anne Hendrix in 1888. Tempie was born on 10 Feb 1867 in McNairy Co., TN. She died on 27 Jan 1943 in Ramer, McNairy Co., TN. She was buried in Tuscumbia Baptist Cemetery, Corinth, Alcorn Co., MS.

24. Levi Easley (Nancy Duncan, James Garner) was born in 1838 in Alabama.

Levi married Olivia F MNU . Olivia was born in 1841 in Alabama.

They had the following children:

59 M i. Edward Easley was born in 1880 in Texas.
Edward married Unknown .

60 F ii. Lenora B Easley was born in 1866 in Tennessee.

61 M iii. William H Easley was born in 1870 in Tennessee.

62 M iv. John F Easley was born in 1872 in Texas.

63 M v. Bedford Forrest Easley was born on 19 Jul 1874 in Texas. He died on 31 Jan 1962 in Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

Bedford married Madge Frances Turpin . Madge was born on 1 Dec 1885. She died on 11 Feb 1943 in Maricopa Co., AZ. She was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

64 M vi. Levi Easley was born in 1880 in Texas.

26. Jeptha H Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born in 1818 in Georgia. He died on 19 Jan 1883 in Navarro Co., TX.

Jeptha married Frances Harris on 19 Apr 1843 in Muscogee Co., GA. Frances was born in 1815 in Georgia.

They had the following children:

65 M i. James T Wharton was born on 16 May 1846 in Marion Co., GA.
James married Martha Mattie S MNU in 1866 in Georgia. Martha was born in Nov 1846 in Georgia.

66 F ii. Mary Ann Wharton was born in 1847 in Marion Co., GA.

67 M iii. William Robert Wharton was born on 12 Apr 1850 in Marion Co., GA. He died on 13 Jan 1884 in Texas.

William married Sarah Jane "Sallie" Barr . Sarah was born in 1842 in Georgia. She died on 13 Feb 1879 in Texas.

68 M iv. Jeptha H Wharton was born in 1852 in Georgia.

69 F v. Frances Wharton was born in 1855 in Georgia.

70 F vi. Nancy Wharton was born in 1857 in Georgia.

71 M vii. Thomas P Wharton was born in Mar 1860 in Stewart Co., GA.

72 F viii. Martha "Mattie" R Wharton was born in 1862 in Georgia.

73 F ix. Caroline Wharton was born on 18 Aug 1864 in Georgia.

74 F x. Delilah M Wharton was born in 1866 in Georgia.

27. Bartlett Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 12 Dec 1820 in Georgia. He died in 1897.

Bartlett married (1) Mary Susan "Sookie" Bentley on 23 Dec 1841 in Benton Co., AL. Mary was born in 1820 in Oglethorpe County, GA. She died before 1864.

They had the following children:

75 F i. Elizabeth Wharton was born in 1846 in Alabama.

76 M ii. James Wharton was born in 1848 in Alabama.

77 F iii. Martha Wharton was born in 1851 in Alabama.

78 M iv. Thomas Wharton was born in 1852 in Alabama.

79 M v. John Wharton was born in 1853 in Alabama.

80 F vi. Charlotta L Wharton was born in 1856 in Alabama.

81 M vii. Andrew L Wharton was born in 1860 in Calhoun Co., AL.

Bartlett married (2) Mary S Davidson on 29 Aug 1864 in Benton Co., AL. Mary was born in 1840 in Georgia.

They had the following children:

82 F viii. Frances B Wharton was born in 1866 in Alabama.

83 M ix. William Wharton was born in 1868 in Alabama.

84 M x. Harrison A Wharton was born in 1870 in Alabama.

85 M xi. Jesse E O Wharton was born in 1873 in Alabama.

86 F xii. Rachel A F Wharton was born in 1875 in Alabama.

87 M xiii. Richard G Wharton was born in 1877 in Alabama. He died in 1908.

28. Charlotte Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 12 Dec 1822 in Georgia. She died in Sep 1884 in St Clair Co., AL. She was buried in Bowman Cemetery, St Clair Co., AL.

Charlotte married Zacariah Taylor Bowman son of Drewry M Bowman Jr and Frances Ann Mullins. Zacariah was born in 1822 in Georgia. He died in 1880 in St Clair Co., AL. He was buried in Bowman Cemetery, St Clair Co., AL.

They had the following children:

88 F i. Delilah P Bowman was born in 1844 in Alabama. She died in 1880.

89 M ii. Drewery Thomas Bowman was born in 1846 in Alabama.

90 F iii. Sarah E Bowman was born in 1848 in Alabama.
Sarah married Thomas J Bentley . Thomas was born in 1853 in Alabama.

91 M iv. Zachariah Taylor Bowman Jr was born in 1850 in Alabama. He died on 10 Nov 1927 in St Clair Co., AL. He was buried in Bowman Cemetery, St Clair Co., AL.
Zachariah married Mary F MNU . Mary was born in 1854. She died in 1932 in St Clair Co., AL. She was buried in Bowman Cemetery, St Clair Co., AL.

92 M v. Peter V Bowman was born in 1851 in Alabama.

93 M vi. John C Bowman was born in 1853 in Alabama.
John married (1) Tabitha E Evans in 1871.
John married (2) Sarah E Bell . Sarah was born in 1855 in Alabama.

94 M vii. Cicero W Bowman was born in 1854 in St Clair Co., AL. He died on 21 Nov 1917 in Jefferson Co., AL.

95 F viii. Susan Bowman was born in 1856 in Alabama.

96 M ix. Benjamin F Bowman was born in 1858 in St Clair Co., AL. He died in 1918 in St Clair Co., AL. He was buried in Bowman Cemetery, St Clair Co., AL.

Benjamin married Minnie MNU . Minnie was born in 1869. She died in 1955 in St Clair Co., AL. She was buried in Bowman Cemetery, St Clair Co., AL.

97 M x. Joseph A Bowman was born in 1863 in Alabama.

29. Lucity Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 4 Jul 1824. She died in 1897.

Lucity married (1) Peter F Bowman on 15 Dec 1843 in Carroll County, GA. Peter was born in 1809 in South Carolina. He died before 1870 in Prob St. Clair Co., AL.

They had the following children:

98 F i. Emily M Bowman was born in 1845.

Lucity married (2) John B Mize on 28 Sep 1865 in St Clair Co., AL. John was born in 1800 in Georgia. He died before 1880.

They had the following children:

99 M ii. John L Mize was born in 1862 in St Clair Co., AL.

30. Lucinda C Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 27 Aug 1826 in North Carolina. She died in 1878 in Jefferson Co., AL.

Lucinda married William Bullock . William was born in 1827 in Georgia. He died in 1868 in Jefferson Co., AL.

They had the following children:

100 M i. Reuben Thomas Bullock was born on 14 Feb 1849 in Alabama. He died on 28 Mar 1923 in Arkansas Co., AR. He was buried in Van Camp Cemetery, Arkansas Co., AR.

Reuben married Hannah O'Dell in 1870. Hannah was born on 10 Apr 1850 in Tennessee. She died on 1 Mar 1923 in Arkansas Co., AR. She was buried in Van Camp Cemetery, Arkansas Co., AR.

101 F ii. Delilah Jane Bullock was born in 1851 in Alabama.

102 F iii. Sarah F Bullock was born in 1853 in Alabama.

103 M iv. William Jackson Bullock was born in 1855 in Alabama. He died in 1889 in Arkansas City, Desha Co., AR.

104 M v. John Bullock was born in 1857 in Alabama.

105 F vi. Lucinda C Bullock was born in 1868 in Alabama.

31. Mary "Polly" Hage Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 22 Oct 1828 in Chatham Co., NC. She died on 17 Sep 1895 in Pope Co., AR.

Mary married Benjamin Franklin Baker on 29 Jan 1846 in Calhoun Co., AL. Benjamin was born on 1 Jan 1825 in Tennessee. He died on 19 May 1923 in Hector, Pope Co., AR. He was buried in Rock Springs Cemetery, Hector, Pope Co., AR.

They had the following children:

106 M i. William T Baker was born in 1848 in Alabama.

107 F ii. Lucinda Jane Baker was born on 25 Sep 1849 in Benton Co., AL.

108 M iii. Jesse Zachary Baker was born on 15 Dec 1858 in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL. He died on 18 Apr 1931 in Cheyenne, Laramie Co., WY.
Jesse married Martha Jane Martin on 28 Aug 1881 in Pope Co., AR. Martha was born in 1861 in Alabama. She died in 1918.

109 F iv. Arinda E Baker was born in 1863 in Alabama.

110 F v. Lavina A Baker was born in 1865 in Alabama.

111 F vi. Nancy Ann "Nannie" Baker was born in 1868 in Tennessee. She died in 1930 in Pope Co., AR.

32. Thomas Jefferson Wharton II (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 27 Feb 1832 in Alta Vista, Gainesville Co., Georgia. He died on 16 Mar 1908 in Pope County, AR. He was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

Thomas married Rutha Evaline Coleman daughter of John Henry Harrison Coleman and Cynthia Cochran on 26 Jul 1855 in St Clair Co., AL. Rutha was born on 1 Oct 1837 in Carroll Co., Georgia. She died on 19 May 1911 in Pope Co., AR. She was buried in St. Joe Cemetery, Atkins Arkansas.

They had the following children:

112 F i. Martha Wharton was born in 1857 in Alabama.

113 M ii. William B Wharton was born in 1858 in Alabama. He died before 1860 in St Clair Co., AL.

114 F iii. Mary Mathilda Wharton was born on 5 Oct 1859 in Anderson, Etowah Co., AL. She died on 26 May 1938 in Pope County AR. She was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

Mary married George Washington Burris Sr son of James Littleton Burris and Elizabeth Adeline Ashmore on 7 Oct 1877 in Pope County Ar. George was born on 18 Jan 1856 in Isabell Creek, Pope Co, AR. He died on 10 Mar 1929 in Pope County AR. He was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

115 F iv. Margaret Malinda Wharton was born on 14 Jan 1862 in Huntsville, Madison County, AL. She died on 14 Aug 1927 in Russellville, Pope County, AR. She was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Russellville, Pope Co., AR.

Margaret married Jefferson William "Jeff" Burris son of James Littleton Burris and Elizabeth Adeline Ashmore on 13 Mar 1881 in Pope County, AR. Jefferson was born on 13 Mar 1860 in Pope Co., AR. He died on 15 Jan 1941 in Pope County, AR. He was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Russellville, Pope Co., AR.

116 M v. Robert L Wharton was born in 1864 in Alabama. He died before 1870.

117 F vi. Sara Texana Wharton was born in 1865 in Alabama. She died in 1889 in Pope County, AR. She was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.
Sara married Owens . Owens was born in Arkansas.

118 M vii. John William Wharton was born on 21 May 1868 in Mississippi. He died on 29 Aug 1910 in Pope Co., AR. He was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

John married Josephine "Josie" Baker on 25 Dec 1889 in Pope Co., AR. Josephine was born in Jan 1872 in Tennessee.

119 F viii. Cora Innis Wharton was born in Apr 1869 in Mississippi. She died in 1902 in Pope Co., AR. She was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.
Cora married John Thomas Ennis son of John N Ennis and Martha Jane Owens on 12 Sep 1884 in Pope Co., AR. John was born in May 1863 in Pope Co., AR. He died in 1900 in Pope Co., AR. He was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

120 M ix. Benjamin Edward Wharton was born on 31 Dec 1871. He died on 2 Apr 1946 in Contra Costa, CA. He was buried in Alamo Cemetery, Alamo, Contra Costa, CA.

Benjamin married Mary Frances "Fannie" Hall daughter of Hall and Kearns on 10 Dec 1893 in Pope Co., AR. Mary was born on 19 Oct 1874 in Nebraska. She died on 3 Dec 1962 in Contra Costa Co., CA.

33. John Pauldin Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 4 Dec 1833 in Atlanta, Cobb County, Georgia. He died on 29 Jan 1910 in Stephens County, OK. He was buried in Hope Cemetery, Marlowe, Stephens Co., OK.

John married Sarah Emaline Cochran daughter of John W Cochran and Unknown on 7 Aug 1856 in St. Clair County, AL. Sarah was born on 28 Jul 1833 in Georgia. She died on 22 Jul 1906 in Stephens County, OK. She was buried in Hope Cemetery, Marlowe, Stephens Co., OK.

They had the following children:

121 F i. Maria Isabelle Wharton was born on 10 Aug 1853 in Springfield, St. Charles County, AL. She died on 20 Oct 1939 in Mountain View, Kiowa County, OK. She was buried in Mountain View Cem, Mountain View, Kiowa Co., OK.

Maria married William Andrew "Bill" Burris son of James Littleton Burris and Elizabeth Adeline Ashmore on 10 Mar 1878 in Pope County, AR. William was born on 13 Oct 1853 in Pope Co., AR. He died on 20 Nov 1943 in Mountain View, Kiowa County, OK. He was buried in Mountain View Cem, Mountain View, Kiowa Co., OK.

122 M ii. William Bartley Wharton was born on 27 Jul 1857 in St Clair Co., AL. He died on 25 Dec 1920 in Norman, Cleveland Co, Oklahoma. The cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage. He was buried in IOOF Cemetery, Norman, Celeveland Co, OK.

William married Mary Alice Stiles daughter of Samuel Mathew Stiles and Mary Emeline Byrum in 1881 in Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR. Mary was born on 14 Jul 1862 in Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR. She died on 9 May 1930 in Norman, Cleveland Co., OK. She was buried in IOOF Cemetery, Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.

123 M iii. Robert Lee Wharton was born in 1863 in Alabama. He died in 1925 in Duncan, Stephens Co., OK.
Robert married Margaret E Stiles daughter of Samuel Mathew Stiles and Mary Emeline Byrum on 23 Jul 1882 in Pope Co., AR. Margaret was born on 16 Aug 1865 in Arkansas . She died on 16 Nov 1957 in Duncan, Stephens Co., OK.

124 F iv. Laura Wharton was born in 1866. She died before 1880.

35. Sarah Ann Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 15 Sep 1839 in Cobb County, GA. She died on 8 Mar 1927 in Mesa, Maricopa County, AZ. The cause of death was senility, inactivity (illeg) and general weakness, per death certificate. She was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

Sarah married Phillip Marion Coleman son of John Henry Harrison Coleman and Cynthia Cochran on 29 Nov 1868 in Springville, St Clair Co., AL. Phillip was born on 17 Oct 1841 in Georgia. He died on 2 Jan 1923 in Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried on 3 Jan 1923 in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

They had the following children:

125 F i. Maggie Emma Coleman was born in 1869. She died in 1934.

126 M ii. John Thomas Coleman was born on 22 Jan 1870 in Montogomery, Montogmery Co., AL. He died on 12 Aug 1938 in Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ. The cause of death was congestive heart failure, per death certificate. He was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa, Co., AZ.

John married Annie Laurie Phelps on 29 Nov 1892 in Maricopa Co., AZ. Annie was born on 22 May 1874. She died on 8 Aug 1917 in Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ. She was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa, Co., AZ.

127 M iii. Hyrum Coleman was born on 12 Feb 1872 in Springville, St Clair Co., AL. He died on 12 Feb 1872 in Springville, St Clair Co., AL.

128 M iv. Mabry Thaddeus Coleman was born on 17 Jun 1873 in Alabama. He died on 20 Feb 1901 in Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

129 F v. Kitty Simpson Coleman was born on 17 Oct 1875 in Springville, St Clair Co., AL. She died on 31 Jul 1877 in Springville, St Clair Co., AL.

130 F vi. Minnie Florence Coleman was born on 30 May 1878 in St Clair Co., AL. She died on 6 Jul 1888 in Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ. She was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa, Co., AZ.

131 vii. Unnamed Children Coleman died in Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ. Unnamed was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa, Co., AZ.

36. Susan Annette Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 4 May 1842 in St Clair Co., AL. She died on 14 Jul 1928 in Atkins, Pope Co., AR. She was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

Susan married (1) Jesse OBarr on 19 Nov 1857. Jesse was born in 1826 in Hall Co., GA. He died on 7 Mar 1869 in Houston, Chickasaw Co., MS.

They had the following children:

132 F i. Missouri OBarr was born in 1860. She died in 1888.
Missouri married William E Pollard about 1880 in St Clair Co., AL. William was born in 1862 in Georgia. He died in 1900.

133 M ii. Augustus Barto OBarr was born on 25 Dec 1862 in Alabama. He died on 6 Mar 1910 in Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

Augustus married (1) Unknown .
Augustus married (2) Lola Lollie M Peppers on 18 Dec 1890 in Sebastian Co., AR. Lola was born on 26 Nov 1874 in Missouri. She died on 7 Aug 1969 in Maricopa Co., AZ. She was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

134 M iii. Camiel Duncan OBarr was born in 1864. He died in 1868.

135 F iv. Ica Dora OBarr was born on 24 Aug 1868 in St Clair Co., AL. She died on 24 Oct 1884.

Susan married (2) John Wesley Johnson in 1874. John was born on 1 Aug 1846 in Macon, Bibb Co., GA. He died on 24 Dec 1923 in Pope Co., AR. He was buried in St Joe Cemetery, Pope Co., AR.

They had the following children:

136 F v. Beulah B Johnson was born in 1875. She died in 1944.

137 F vi. Nancy Laverne Johnson was born in 1877. She died in 1969.

138 M vii. Joseph Lonzo Johnson was born on 30 Jul 1877 in Alabama. He died on 14 Jul 1923.
Joseph married Rosa M MNU in 1906 in Pope Co., AR. Rosa was born in 1888 in Arkansas.

37. Nancy Jane Wharton (Sarah Sally Duncan, James Garner) was born on 29 Aug 1844 in Cleburne Co., Alabama. She died on 20 Nov 1930 in Tempe, Maricopa Co., AZ. She was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

Nancy married John Newton McBrayer on 1 Nov 1866 in St Clair Co., AL. John was born on 5 Mar 1837 in Jefferson Co., AL. He died on 15 Dec 1909 in Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

They had the following children:

139 M i. William D McBrayer was born in Oct 1867 in St Clair Co., AL. He died in 1933 in Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ.

140 F ii. Mary McBrayer .

141 F iii. Ida A McBrayer was born in 1872 in St Clair Co., AL.

142 F iv. Ollie Ines McBrayer was born on 27 Aug 1875 in St Clair Co., AL. She died on 22 Nov 1911 in Bisbee, Cochise Co., AZ. She was buried in Tempe Double Butte Cemetery, Tempe, Maricopa Co., AZ.

Ollie married Carl Carlson . Carl was born on 18 May 1872 in Sweden. He died on 24 Nov 1950 in Maricopa Co., AZ. He was buried in Tempe Double Butte Cemetery, Tempe, Maricopa Co., AZ.

143 F v. Laura McBrayer was born in Oct 1877 in St Clair Co., AL.
Laura married Dixon in 1894.

144 M vi. John Newton McBrayer Jr was born in Sep 1880 in St Clair Co., AL.

145 M vii. (Phillip C) Maroni McBrayer was born in Oct 1883 in St Clair Co., AL.

146 F viii. Sarah Jane Rosalvia McBrayer was born in Mar 1886 in St Clair Co., AL.
Sarah married Thomas F Arline in 1912 in Maricopa Co., AZ. Thomas was born in 1883 in Florida.

39. William H Duncan (Garner Paris, James Garner) was born in 1832 in North Carolina. He died in 1907 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK. He was buried in Shoat Springs Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

William married (1) Mary R Ross . Mary was born in 1840 in Alabama. She died before 1877.

They had the following children:

147 M i. James Duncan was born in 1862 in Colbert Co., AL.
James married Mary A MNU . Mary was born in 1867 in Alabama.

148 F ii. Martha Ann Duncan was born in 1864 in Colbert Co., AL.

149 F iii. Mary Frances "Fannie" Duncan was born in 1866 in Colbert Co., AL.

150 M iv. Arthur C Duncan was born in 1868 in Colbert Co., AL.

151 M v. John A Duncan was born in 1869 in Colbert Co., AL.

152 M vi. William Wesley Duncan was born on 24 Oct 1870 in Colbert Co., AL. He died on 28 Feb 1927 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK. He was buried in Shoat Springs Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

William married Odie Pearl Hurst . Odie died in 1932 in Tipton, Tillman Co., OK.

153 F vii. Virginia Paralee Duncan was born on 16 Feb 1873 in Colbert Co., AL. She died on 30 Apr 1926 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK. She was buried in Shoat Springs Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

Virginia married Charles G Williams . Charles was born on 18 May 1870. He died on 26 Apr 1938 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK. He was buried in Shoat Springs Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

William married (2) Mary Angeline Snow in 1878 in Colbert Co., AL. Mary was born in 1849 in North Carolina.

They had the following children:

154 F viii. Lydia Irene "Lillie" Duncan was born on 16 Sep 1884 in Colbert Co., AL.

Lydia married George E Baty in 1902. George was born on 9 Mar 1878 in Lockesburg, Sevier Co., AR. He died on 15 Aug 1948 in Alameda Co., CA.

155 M ix. Edgar Eli Duncan was born on 9 Jul 1885 in Colbert Co., AL. He died on 17 Feb 1965 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK. He was buried in Shoat Springs Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

Edgar married Mary Tokenny Richards on 15 Mar 1909 in Choctaw Co., OK. Mary was born on 9 Jul 1892. She died on 3 Oct 1977 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK. She was buried in Shoat Springs Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

156 F x. Maggie R Duncan was born in Jul 1890 in Colbert Co., AL. She died in May 1944 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., OK.

Maggie married James Davis .

157 F xi. Joanna Alabama Duncan was born on 25 Jan 1892 in Texas. She died on 19 Sep 1976 in Hugo, Choctaw Co., OK.

42. Martha "Mattie" Duncan (Garner Paris, James Garner) was born in 1837 in Alabama. She died about 1913.

Martha married Edwin Buchanan Sockwell in 1871 in Colbert Co., AL. The marriage ended in divorce.Edwin was born on 1 Nov 1814 in Georgia. He died in 1892 in Saints, Franklin Co., AL. He was buried in Old Bethel Cemetery, Colbert Co., AL.

They had the following children:

158 M i. DeWitt Clinton Sockwell was born on 26 Aug 1874 in Colbert Co., AL. He died on 19 Dec 1955 in Denton Co., TX.

DeWitt married Sallie Terria McDaniel on 4 Nov 1899 in Ferris Co., TX. Sallie was born in Mar 1876 in Mississippi. She died in 1952.

51. Zebulon James Duncan (James Garner, James Garner) was born in 1847 in Monroe Co., IN. He died on 12 Sep 1872 in Monroe Co., IN. He was buried in Clover Hill Cemetery, Harrodsburg, Monroe Co., IN.

Zebulon married Mary E Johnston . Mary was born in 1850 in Indiana.

They had the following children:

159 M i. Eugene Duncan was born in 1869 in Monroe Co., IN.

Eugene married Daisy Victoria Ragland in 1898. The marriage ended in divorce.Daisy was born on 10 Apr 1879 in Banner, Calhoun Co., MS. She died on 27 Jan 1971 in Red Oak, Latimer Co., OK.

160 F ii. Myrtle Duncan was born in 1872 in Indiana.

53. Caroline Hunley "Carrie" Duncan (James Garner, James Garner) was born on 8 Nov 1859 in Greene Co., IN. She died on 20 Jun 1934 in Bloomfield, Greene Co., IN. She was buried on 23 Jun 1934 in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Park, Greene Co., IN.

Caroline married David Henry Mitchell on 29 May 1880 in Greene Co., IN. David was born on 9 Jan 1861. He died on 24 Nov 1944 in Greene Co., IN. He was buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Park, Greene Co., IN.

They had the following children:

161 M i. Ralph Hobart Mitchell was born on 1 Mar 1896 in Greene Co., IN. He died on 16 Dec 1900 in Greene Co., IN. The cause of death was extended illnesses, culminating in heart failure, per obituary. He was buried on 17 Dec 1900 in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Park, Greene Co., IN.

comments

Obituary of Mary Mathilda (Wharton) Burris, 1859-1938

2011-12-30T14:38:45Z

I spent some time at the Arkansas History Commission yesterday, scrolling through microfilm of old newspapers to find some more obituaries.

I found the one for my paternal great grandmother, Mary Mathilda Wharton, but not for her husband, George Washington Burris, Sr.

Funeral Friday for Mrs. Mary M Burris
Mrs. Mary Matilda Burris, 72 years old, long time resident of Pope county, died Thursday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W T Crites, rural route 3, Atkins, Ark.

Mrs. Burris was born at Anderson, Ala., and came to Pope county when she was 17 years old. She had lived in Russellville until a short time ago. Mrs. Burris was the wife of the late George Burris, former postmaster at Russellville.

In addition to the daughter, survivors include six sons, Ernest Burris, Conway; Homer Burris, Hensley; Richard Burris, Atkins; Walter Burris, Short Okla.; George Burris, Arkadelphia; and a brother, Ed Whorton (sic), Walnut Creek, Calif.

Funeral service was conducted Friday at 3 p.m. at the St. Joe cemetery, north of Atkins by Rev. F M Hudson, Free Will Baptist minister, assisted by Rev. W R Jobe. Arrangements were directed by the Shinn and Son Funeral Home of Russellville.
Published on Thursday, 2 Jun 1938, in the Russellville Courier-Democrat

I learned two things from this obit.

I knew Mary was born in Alabama, but now I have a town and county.

I didn't know she died at Aunt Emma's house.

comments

My mystery Burrises...

2011-12-28T17:48:48Z

I have the greatest amount of information about my Tennessee Burrises who came to Arkansas.

One of my strongest brick walls is my 3rd great grandfather, William Burris.

I have no idea who his parents were, or his siblings.

A couple of his sons have stumped me also.

Richard Charles Burris was child number 6 of William Burris and Elizabeth Bailey. (I will probably get some indignant hate mail from other Burris researchers on that statement, as there are at last count, some Burris researchers who say William and Elizabeth had 15 children before her death about 1835. However, I can only account for 11, so I'm standing by what I said, and if someone wants to give me some evidence to review, I'm happy to look at it.)

Richard Charles Burris married Sarah "Sally" A Rogers on 29 Jul 1832, in Tennessee.

He was 20 years old, and she, 15. They appear briefly in Pope County, AR, in the 1840 census. But by 1860, they were back in Hardin Co., TN, where most of their children were born.

I've only been able to trace one of their 9 children, James Andrew Burris, all the way to the end of his life.

Family lore says Richard was killed in the Civil War. In the 1880 census, Sally Burris was living with her youngest son, Henry in Pope Co., IL.

And son James appeared to lived most of his life in Massac Co., IL. He married Lydia Ann Denton on 13 Jan 1869 in Gallatin Co., IL.

James Andrew Burris, Lydia Denton Burris, Emily E "Emma" Burris, photo circa 1871

James Andrew Burris died on 4 Jul 1925 in Hillerman, Massac Co., IL. Lydia followed him in death almost 16 years to that day, on 3 Jul 1941, at the home of her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, "Betty" Burris Culver, in Hillerman, Massac Co., IL.

comments

Ernest Arthur Burris family

2011-12-04T14:57:40Z

Ernest Arthur Burris was the second of twelve children born to George Washington Burris, Sr., and Mary Mathilda Wharton.

He was also their second son. He was born 2 Nov 1880, as our family says "on Isabell Creek," and died in 1952.

On 5 Feb 1905, he married Ida May McCauley. She was the daughter of Patrick McCauley (who was born in Ireland), and Mary E Thoss. Ida was born 22 Apr 1887, and died 10 May 1971. She and Ernest are buried in St. Joe Cemetery in Pope County, not far from where Ernest was born.

This photo is of Ernest and Ida in 1950 at St. Joe.

Ernest, in an undated photo.

Ernest and Ida had three sons, Lewis Earl Burris, Fay O Burris, and Ernest McCauley Burris.

Lewis Earl Burris, undated photo.

Lewis Earl Burris was born 28 Oct 1905, and died 24 May 1971. He is buried in St. Joe Cemetery also, and is the grandfather of the cousin who shared these photos with me.

comments

More new (to me) Burris family photos

2011-12-04T00:25:25Z

These are courtesy of a newly discovered cousin who found the blog.

George Washington Burris Sr., and wife Mary Mathilda Wharton, undated photo

George Washington Burris, Sr., undated photo

Left to right: Dora Emma (Burris) Crites, Ottis Gileston Burris and wife, Gertha Leah Hill, on the occasion of what we believe was Ott and Gertha's 55th wedding anniversary in 1971.

Thanks to my cousin for sharing.

comments

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu HI

2011-12-03T13:52:40Z

Ancestry.com sent me an update email announcing the addition of thousands of photos of "The Wall," the memorial to veterans who died in World War II during the invasion of Pearl Harbor.

I had to look for my fourth cousin, Woodrow Lyle Rainey, son of Edgar Clarence Rainey and Millie Mae Burris.

And he was there.

You can search for names of your family members on "The Wall" by clicking this link, but you will have to be a member to see the images from the free index.

comments

We may get all those Burrises identified yet...

2011-11-20T00:55:49Z

The ones in my huge family portrait, circa 1920s, in the static entry at the top of the blog.

I've been getting some emails from a second cousin, once removed, who found the blog and is comparing notes with her mom.

And I'm hoping they will agree to do a guest blog post here.

~genealogy happy-dance~

comments

Lucky me...

2011-11-04T23:30:00Z

I am waiting on mail.

*Real* mail - not a window envelope.

With never before seen photos (at least by me) of some of my Burris kin.

I'm practicing my happy dance...

comments

Connecting more dots...

2011-10-29T15:23:46Z

I met my second cousin yesterday.

He and his wife traveled from Texas for a reunion of his leg of the Burris family that will be held in Fort Smith this weekend.

He wanted to see St. Joe Cemetery, where his grandfather, Walter Monroe Burris, is buried with a whole bunch of our Burris clan. He also wanted to see the old homeplace where our ancestor, James Littleton Burris, built the cabin that housed so many Burris descendants.

We decided to rendezvous at a gas station at the Atkins exit off Interstate 40.

I called Dad as we left the gas station so he could meet us at the cemetery.

I had to call when we left, because within 10 minutes, we all lost all cell phone signals as we headed up into the modest mountains of rural Pope County.

As we gathered outside the cemetery gates, we had a discussion about how we were related.

My second cousin (sorry, guys but the family tree software says Carl is my second cousin, and Dad's first cousin, once removed) descends from James Littleton Burris and Elizabeth Adeline Ashmore like this:

James and Adeline Burris
George Washington (Sr) and Mary M (Wharton) Burris
Walter Monroe and Grace (Bowden) Burris
Cecil Blain and Arlie Ann (Fridell) Burris
Carl

For my dad, it goes like this:
James and Adeline Burris
George Washington (Sr) and Mary M (Wharton) Burris
George Washington (Jr) and Addie Louise (Herrington) Burris
Dad

G W (Jr) and Walter were brothers.

The old cabin that was the original homeplace was demolished in the mid 1960s and there is not even a footprint left. The old well, dug by hand, is still there, but covered.

We went on to Dad's house - just across the road - and this time, I was all ears as Dad and Carl started swapping the details of the stories they heard.

We used to grow our own wheat. Dad's dad told him about how they used to get the wheat ready to take into Atkins to the mill, and would load the wagon the night before and put it in the barn. Then, they'd get up before sunup the next morning and make the trip into Atkins to the mill. They got back home after dark.

Apparently, that trip got *really* old and my ancestors decided to have their own mill - in the barn. Carl's dad told him about how that mill was built - with leather bearings, no less (James Burris was a tanner) - and used a mule or a horse to go round and round to grind the wheat.

And wouldn't I love to have a photo or a piece of a millstone?

Carl hadn't realized that after the 1838 migration of our Burris and Ashmore ancestors from Lawrence Co., TN, where young James Burris and Adeline Ashmore walked most of the trip and fell in love, they had not immediately married.

They were married on 12 Nov 1840. I always figured it was because Adeline was only 15 during the trip, but something Carl told us made me wonder if it wasn't for a more practical consideration.

Carl said not long after the large ox-drawn wagon party - of not only our Burrises and Ashmores, but a whole bunch of their neighbors - got to Center Valley, 20 year old James Burris took off with a gun and an ax, to go find him some land and build a home.

By the time he had been gone for about three months with no word to the folks back in Center Valley, they began to fear he was dead.

Then, the sigh of relief - James came back. And the homeplace was built, and another move undertaken, this time to the fertile land next to Isabell Creek, where most of James and Adeline's 10 children were born. (The first died - most likely stillborn - and was buried in the first grave in Old Baptist Cemetery in Center Valley.)

We swapped photos during our visit, and Carl had a real gem.

Walter Monroe Burris and first wife, Grace Bowden, undated family photo

We have scant few photos of Walter, and none as a young man. To see Grace's image was very precious.

This journey through my family's history is a real delight.

To meet a cousin who shares much of my history - he at age 82, my dad at 75, and me at age 53...

Well, that's just beyond words.

comments

Sentimental Sunday: Fishing in Florida (or was that Louisiana?)

2011-10-28T23:45:31Z

The back of the photo said 1950 in Florida.

Dad said it was Louisiana.

My dad, and his dad...George Washington Burris, Jr.

And they caught some huge fish...

comments

So, I'm off...

2011-10-28T12:37:13Z

To Pope County to meet my newly found second cousin and tromp through a cemetery with him.

It's a crisp fall day, we had rain yesterday, and there is a mist shrouding the ground.

And...I was contacted by another new cousin this week.

This journey is good.

comments