Got this email a few days ago. Sorry, but I haven't been of much help
to her. Maybe someone else can help this lady with her Carden
'confusion'.
Martha
---------------------------------
Hello All:
I'm not sure if you remember me, I am the daughter of Roy W. Carden, who
researched the Carden family. Since Dad died, I have tried to organize
his paperwork, and the more I looked into it--it became addictive.
Therefore, I am continuing with his research.
I have hit a brick wall with Ansel Carden (b. 1798) and Susan Humphries.
I have proof that they were married and have their children listed,
however, I can't seem to find proof of Ansel's parents.
I, just like all of the others who are researching our line, have hit a
snag in what I call the "original Ansel". This Ansel was married to
Susan Humphries in 1823. I can trace her back, but I can't find who
Ansel's father was. I have found some info on the net about Ansel--and
some of the birthdates don't correlate, it states he was married to
Susan, however, it says he was born in 1844 (my Ansel was born about
1796-1798) and he and Susan were married in 1823--I know this is
incorrect, because you can't get married before you were born! There is
another Ancel born about the same time, however, he was married to
someone else (Nancy Merritt) on Jan 23, 1816. I'm thinking people are
getting the 2 Ancel/Ansel's mixed up.
Ansel is difficult to trace because of the many spellings and middle
names/initials and nicknames. So far I have Ansel, Ancel L., Ancel G.,
Ancel Grant, Ancel C., Ansel L., Ansel Levi, Ansel Lester, Ansel
Leonard, Ansil C., Ansil G. Then there are the John
Ansil/Ancel/Ansel/Ancil's..... There is some speculation that Ansel was
nicknamed Godfrey?
My Dad was Roy W. Carden. He was born and grew up around Hampton.
His parents were Otho Carden and Mollie Carnutt.
Otho's parents were Nathaniel T. Carden and Alice Jackson.
Nat's parents were Landon Carden and Emily Goodwin.
Landon's parents were Ansel Carden and Susan Humphries.
That's as far as I can go on the Carden side.
Dad had researched the family since as long asI can remember--at least
in the 1950's, which is actually amazing since he did this way before
the internet. I remember him going to different libraries and archives.
His research has helped so many, but he, like us, hit a brick wall with
Ansel.
From what he has written:
" A deed from Orange Co, NC from Anderson Malone in 1840 for 58 1/2
acres to Stacey (widow of Reuben), Wesley and Ansel (seems to be sons of
Reuben) of Carter Co., TN. This was at Chisenhalls Corner and lands of
Duke and Glen.
I believe Ansel was called Godfrey because of the many Ansel's; this
must have been a nickname. He married Susan Humphries, Feb. 4, 1823 in
Carter Co. He was a Justice of the Peace, was on a road building crew
in 1823, and jury duty the same year. He has a deed for 25 acres on the
south side of the Watauga River in 1830, and 75 acres also that year;
390 acres in 1839, 420 acres in 1850. The 1850 deed was signed by
Govenor Andrew Johnson, who would later be president of the US.
Ansel had a toll bridge over the Watauga River at Carden's Bluff. The
petition # was 50/1843/1. The petition has about 50 signatures of the
local citizens on it."
Ansel's children were:
Caroline
James W.
Mary
Jane
Elizabeth
John
Emily
Landon
Julia
Carmelia
Paul R
Cornelia"
It seems from the info above, Reuben may have been Ansel's father, or
his brother--I just don't have absolute proof right now. Unfortunately,
with me living in GA, I can't run to the local library or archives. I
may just have to plan another trip in a few months to do just that in
TN.
Is there anyone that may have any info on Ansel's father and or
brothers/family? Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where
I might be able to find this out? Any information on this and the
Carden family would be greatly appreciated.
Mega, mega thanks in advance,
Heidi