I have always thought that previous researchers have connected the wrong
Leonard Carden of Monroe County, TN to the wrong parents. Some people state
that the Leonard was a son of Robert & Phyllis. However, that Leonard had
died by 23 Jan 1817 by virtue of a deed in Goochland County (Leonard's son,
William, sells for 10 pds, 1/12th part of land that Leonard inherited from
his father, Robert, dec'd, to John Salmonds, on 23 Jan 1817, Goochland Co.
Deed Book 24, pg. 66).
I have also seen indicated that Leonard Carden of SC, and later of Monroe
County, TN, was the son of Robert & Elizabeth. I have trouble with this
relationship as this Leonard had 11children by his 1st wife, Tabitha and
perhaps 6 by the 2nd, Sinthia. Not one of them is named Robert or Elizabeth
(his questionable Father & Mother). This itself is not proof, but gives one
a pause for thought as the common practice at that time was to name the 1st
son after the father. His 1st son was named "John".
In Spartenburg, SC we find a Leonard, Sr. and a Leonard, Jr. Leonard, Jr.
was at least 21 in 1806 as he bought land that year. Leonard and wife Caty
sold land to Larkin (part of a tract of land that belonged to Leonard, Sr.)
in 1814. There was a Larkin, who had to be 21 in 1805 as he was a land owner
at that time. There was a Jordan, at least 21 in 1805 as he was a witness on
a deed, and a John, who also was a land owner by 1808. Our Leonard's son
John wasn't born until 1803. There was a Leonard on the 1790 SC Census with
1 male HH, 4 under the age of 16 and 4 females, and 1 other. Leonard was
granted a tract of land in 1793. It is assumed that this is Leonard Sr.
There is a John Carden involved in legal matters in July of 1788. (Note
Leonard's 1st son is named John).
I note that there is a John Sr. in Mecklenburg Co., NC in 1778, and a
Leonard in 1779. A John (Estate) and John, Jr. in 1791, and no Leonard.
A Leonard Carden appears on the Tax records in Goochland Co., VA for the
years 1787 and 1788.
From TENNESSEE, THE VOLUNTEER STATE: Vol. #4, (SLC FHC 976.8D3m) the
following write up is found for REV. WILLIAM CRAWFORD CARDEN:
Rev. William Crawford Carden, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, living at Chattanooga, was born in Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1846. His
parents were Leonard and Talitha (Hale) Carden both of whom were descended
from ancestry represented in the Revolutionary war. Among his forbears were
the Cardens. Mitchells and Hales, all Virginia pioneers and all loyal in
their espousal of the cause of independence through that sanguinary conflict
which brought freedom to the nation. Louis Hale of the same family was a
soldier of the War of 1 812.
Was this our elusive Leonard Carden, son of Robert and Elizabeth Robards?
I would like some of our Tennessee's cousin's, who have the time, to look
into the parents of this William Crawford Carden. I have a little
information on the good Reverend. He married Martha Stewart in Dunlap, TN in
1875. His children were Robert, Leonard, Frank and Mary.
If nothing else we could take up a collection of $10/15 and hire a
researcher. Those wanting to subscribe would get copies. Those not
interested would carry on with questionable information.
I would like to have some feed back on this. Previous letters have not
generated comments.
Chuck