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Dear Patrick and list -
After I print your message out and have a chance to read over it, I'll have
some comments to make:) Thank you very much for your info and for writing!
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear MaryJean (and entire list),
I've gone back into my e-mail and saved documents archives and have come up with a few notes that address some of the issues that MaryJean puts forth in her note following this one.
I believe it's a fair statement that we all would like to have simple facts in our research for our true "roots." If someone wishes to speculate, that's okay, as long as it's prefaced with a note to that extent.
Following is a verbatim excerpt from a note issued by Gary or Mark Childress some time ago, in which the author expounds on the theory of the "1745 crossing" in a ship by a Childress, whose descendent was Sarah Childress Polk.
Can anyone on distribution of this research list comment as to the accuracy (or inaccuracies) that might be in the following verbiage?
Are we suggesting that this tombstone did not exist at all? If not, then what was the purpose of pretense?
Thanks,
Pat Childress
From: "Mark or Gary" <london2000(a)fea.net>
To: <CHILDRESS-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [Childress Research] Re: Gravestone
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2000 7:31 PM
Hi Warren,
Last year we sent a researcher to photograph the gravestone of Joel
Childress. The photographs didn't help. You can't read the inscription from
the photograph. (If you want a black and white Xerox, send me a SASE (self
addressed stamped envelop) but be prepared for a disappointing unreadable
image of a decimated tombstone)
The stone is a fragment in several pieces with about 75% of the stone
missing. One fragment is completely flat with no inscription remaining.
The readable portions (an area of about 2 feet by 3 feet) have the birth and
death dates and an incomplete prayer. That's all that remains.
The stone is laid in cement outside a chapel at "Cannonsburg", a historical
preservation tourist site in Murfreesboro, TN.
2 brothers, descendants of Joel, played on the stone when they were
children and both brothers wrote similar accounts of the stone as adults.
The Rutherford County Historical Society published the following account in
1981.
Below are the complete memoirs of John Williams Childress, the great great
grandson of Joel Childress. These have been posted before to the list but
since there are new members I decided to re-post.
The four generations referred to below are as follows:
(1) Joel Childress had 2 sons Anderson and John Whitsitt Senior.
(2) John Whitsitt Childress SENIOR. had 4 sons John Whitsitt Jr, Joseph,
Eugene, and Horace
(3) John Whitsitt Childress JUNIOR had 3 sons John Williams Childress, Avent
Childress, and Adair Lyon Childress[called Lyon]
(4) John Williams Childress wrote the text below in 1960.
Text that is in SQUARE brackets [ ] are my additions....
Gary Childress
The Childress Family of Tennessee by John Williams Childress
Rutherford County Historical Society (Tenn.) Publication, issue 16, Winter
1981
"Our great grandfather, Joel Childress, was born on March 22, 1777. He
married Elizabeth Whitsitt, [b.] 1781- [d.] 1863, came to Tennessee from
Virginia, and settled Janurary 17, 1799, in Sumner County, where his
children were born. About 1812 he moved to Rutheford, a newly formed
county, and bought a farm about three miles south of Murfreesboro, situated
where Stones River is crossed by the Shelbyville pike. There was a large
frame house in which he lived until his death, August 19, 1819. He was
buried in a fence-enclosed family plot near the house. Among his activities
he was a Postmaster of Murfreesboro.
I well remember his grave in the apple orchard, which was marked by a
ten-foot stone resting upon six columns to a base. The top stone contained
the inscription: "Joel Childress, son of John, son of Joel, who emigrated
from Wales, in his own ship with cargo, in the year 1745." The last two
digits of the date were very dim but my brother and I agreed upon "45". His
migration in his own ship was frequent occurrence where the migrant had
sufficient means to outfit such transportation, since it was well known that
a ship and its contents could readily be sold at a profit, thus giving the
emigrant ready capital. He landed probably in Virginia, or possibly North
Carolina, since the name is found in both sates, but Joel and his wife were
both born in Virginia. Her mother was Polly Sevier.
Upon a visit with my family to Tennessee in 1923, I was distressed to find
no trace of the grave, but found that the two large stones had been used by
the then owner of the nearby cottage, just built as fireplace bases. At
least the inscription above had been left underneath and did no show at the
floor level.
After Joel's death, his widow moved into town and lived there until her
death in 1863. Elizbeth Whitsitts's oil portrait is in the home of my niece
and her great, great niece, Harriet Childress Tune, Nashville, Tenn.
There were six children of Joel and Elizabeth, but two died in infancy. The
others were Anderson, 1799-1837; Susan, 1801-1878; Sarah, 1803-1891: and
John Whitsitt [Sr.], 1807-1884. All were given the best educational
advantages available. Anderson went to Chapel Hill College (now the
University of North Carolina) [the University has no record to corroborate
Anderson's attendance and the admissions department doubts that Anderson
enrolled in Chapel Hill College]; Susan and Sarah were sent to the famous
(and first) girls' school in the country, the Moravian Church Academy,
Salem, N.C. John entered the 1822 class at Chapel Hill. Anderson graduated
in 1818, but John spent only one year, his schooling cut to one year,
presumably, by his father's death in 1819. The girls and their brother
Anderson rode horseback from middle Tennessee to Salem (some 500 miles), he
going on further about 100 miles to Chapel hill, and picking them up in the
spring for [the] return home. They were accompanied only by a faithful
slave to look after the horses and baggage.
In Anderson's class were several close friends, among them James Knox Polk,
later President of the United States, also James Otey and ____ Green, who
were to become the first Episcopal Bishops of Tennessee and Alabama,
respectively. By coincidence, my son-in-law, James Otey (Bill) Urquart, is
the great-grandson of Bishop Otey, for whom his is named. It was also quite
natural that Sarah Childress should meet and marry Jimmy Polk when he came
to Murfreesboro-then the State Capital-in his first political job as
Secretary of the State Legislature.
For the story of Sarah and James Polk, see any history book, but
particularly two, "Young Hickory" and "Memorials to Sarah Childress Polk".
The only other known copy of the latter book is in the Congressional Library
in Washington.
As is well known, Sarah Childress lived for 42 years after her husband's
death in 1849, continuing to the end to occupy the fine estate the President
had bought shortly before his term expired. She lived simply but, making no
visits except to Murfreesboro and Columbia, kept practically open house to
old friends. She died in 1891. As a boy I was taken to see her at regular
intervals. I remember her with affection. My father was the favorite of
all her relatives. At death, Aunt Sarah was buried beside her husband,
until both were transferred to a joint tomb on the Capitol grounds.
Susan Childress married Dr. Rucker and had two daughters. These girls
visited their Aunt in the White House.
The farm and house on Stones River were inherited by my grandfather, John
Whitsitt [Sr], and were successfully operated by him until his death [d.
1884] although late in life he moved to town to a house at College and
Academy Streets, which was owned by his second wife. This house still
stands and a picture of it can be found in the book called "History of
Rutherford County". The caption of this picture reads: John W. Childress
[Sr.] frequently entertained in this house his brother-in-law, President
Polk." This is, of course, an error as Polk died in 1849.
In 1853 John W. Childress [Sr.] built, on the site of his father's [Joel's]
house, a very modern and imposing two-story brick, which I visited often as
a boy of 12 or 15, when it was owned by my cousin, Frank Avent. At Frank's
marriage this house and farm where given to him by his father as a wedding
present. I often stayed with them just to be in the country and to live in
the old place. At 10 I had learned to swim in the nearby Stones River, and
Frank, a great dog fancier and huntsman, would let me hunt with him. I
remember my grandfather [John Whitsitt Childress Senior] only at his
funeral in 1884, but the country place forever stands out in my memory.
That 1853 house was built of brick made on the place, and of stone from the
River. The portico was stone, with 3-root in diameter stone columns
extending above the second floor. Inside was a large entrance hall, with
curving, "flying", no visible support, stairway, with strong banisters. All
rooms were 18 to 20 feet in height, each with about two foot frieze, the
whole being of such hard plaster (no paper) that I have often wondered about
the lost skill of such construction.
I don't remember the size of the farm, but it extended East about one-half
mile to the railroad track and the same distance to the river in the other
direction [the Childress farm was about ½ mile by ½ mile square]. The house
was set about one-fifth of a mile from the gate at Pike where it crossed
Stones River and was reached by a curved driveway, marked by red cedar
trees. When I last saw the property (1923) the last one of these trees had
just been cut down for firewood, but my girls gathered some of the sweet
smelling cedar chips as souvenirs. The house had two rooms, both sides of
hall, both stories, and an Ell, with full porch in the front.
The most outstanding memory of the house was that the portico, the columns
and the room walls were completely covered with pencil and charcoal names
and regiments of Federal soldiers stationed at or near the house, who had
spent their time "beautifying it with their 'art'". Actually, many names had
been chiseled with nail and hammer almost to the roof, and many of them were
well done from the operators point of view. The plaster of the day was so
hard that little harm had been done to the room walls.
When the Federal troops took over Murfreesboro in the summer of 1862, my
grandfather [John Whitsitt Childress Senior, brother of Sarah Childress
Polk] was forced to refugee with his daughters and small children to North
Georgia, where he remained until the end of the war. His house and farm
were immediately taken over the occupied by three "campfollower" families,
who worked the farm and slaves during the period, taking, of course, all
benefits from them as their profit as "conquerors". While the land was
overworked and the servants mistreated, it is quite possible that this
occupancy by Northerners may have preserved the place from complete
destruction, as happened to many other Southern owners who were less
fortunate.
In this connection occurred an unusual and interesting incident. During the
war my father happened to be in the vicinity of the place and so made bold
to ride up to the house to look things over. This he could do because he
wore a long, blue Union overcoat which he had taken from a captured Negro
soldier. His inquiries of one of the squatters as to who owned this place,
etc. were being insolently answered as became the squatter's right when
dealing with a private, even a Unionist. Just then there appeared, however,
a small Negro boy who had come out to gather chips from the woodpile. He
glanced up and in astonishment said: "For God, if it ain't little Marse
John!" Whereupon father [John Whitsitt Childress Junior] showed his
Confederate uniform, forced the man to go with him across the river...by
wading... and turned him over to the military authorities. When the family
returned from Georgia, no one was found of the three former "owners", but
they left their marks on the property.
I don't know how and when this place got out of the Childress family, for I
remember it only after its purchase by father's [John Whitsitt Childress
Junior] brother-in-law, James M. Avent, for Frank. In 1896, while at school
at Bell Buckle, Tenn., the principal, Sawney Webb, called me aside to tell
me that, as he was passing on train the night before, he happened to look
out of the window and saw the house being destroyed by fire. I never knew
how it happened but I never forgot my grief at the loss of the old house I
loved.
Grandfather [John Whitsitt Childress Senior] also owned and operated another
and larger farm about ten miles East of Murfreesboro. Most of his 150
slaves were stationed here, but only the overseer staff lived there.
While continuing to operate his two farms, Grandfather [John Whitsett
Childress Senior] had other interests in town, being organizer and president
of two banks, and was, from its beginning in 1853, a Director of the
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. His rather distinguished career is told
in considerable detail in a clipping from a Nashville paper which will be
found in my mother's scrapbook, in the suitcase. While this obituary is
signed only "A.S.C.," it was written by Col. Arthur S. Colyax, owner of the
"Nashville America," to my father's [John Whitsett Childress Junior] law
partner in the firm of Colyax, Marks and Childress. The other partner,
Marks, was a former Governor of Tennessee, and Colyax was a famous orator
and former member of the Confederate Senate. I have always believed that,
while the firm had probably the largest law practice in the State, the
partners let father [John Whitsett Childress Junior] do all the work,
resulting in his breakdown of health and his retirement---1884 to 1888-to
Florida. However, he recovered and led an active and useful life for many
years.
By his first wife, Mary Williams of Nashville (for whom I am named)[John
Williams Childress], my grandfather [John Whitsett Childress Senior] had
four sons who lived to full maturity and two daughters. Two of these sons
were my father, John Whitsett, Jr., and Joseph. The latter[Joseph] had two
daughters, Mary Kee and Sarah Polk, but Joe died when they were children.
John's [John Whitsett Childress Senior] older daughters were Mary, who
married James Monroe Avent, and Bettie, who married Major General John
Calvin Brown, of Pulaski [TN]. Avent took my father [John Whitsett
Childress Junior] in as a law partner until he moved to Nashville in 1882.
We were always very close to the Avent family, my younger brother bearing
that name [Avent Childress]. The only remaining member (1960) is Sara [??],
who still lives in the old house and has one son, Jesse C. Beesley, New
York. The other daughter, Bettie [??], married James B. Murfree. Jr. His
widow survived him until 1959. She was 92 at the time of her death. The
third brother was James. M. Jr.[?? the author is not clear who he is talking
about].
Bettie Childress [is the daughter of Joseph Childress who is the son of John
Whitsett Childress Senior] married Brown [Major General John Calvin Brown]
while refugeeing in Georgia, and "between battles" of the war. They
returned to Pulaski, from which he was elected Tennessee's Governor in 1870.
Later they moved to Nashville, where he died in 1889. At which time he was
President of the Texas & Pacific Railroad. There were two daughters, Marie
and Daisy, and a son, John. No males of the name survive.
It was while living with the Browns in Pulaski [TN] that my father [John
Whitsett Childress Junior] studied law, and in 1870 was made a Manager (at
25) of Brown's campaign for Governor. That was his first experience in
politics, and probably led to his 25 years as head (Chairman) of the
Democratic Party in the State. While he retired as Chairman when he became
a judge in 1895, he was until his death (1908) always consulted and followed
in political matters.
It was also in Pulaski that my father became one of the organizers of the
original Ku Klux Klan. (For the complete and true story of the Klan, see
its history in the Ridley book. This gives the only true history of its
beginning, it operations, and its end, and could have been written only by
one who knew the story personally.) [Ridley, Bromfield L.: BATTLES AND
SKETCHES OF THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE ; Morningside Press 672pp - index -
'Ridley's Journal' is a collectors item - Index - Maps - Numerous Photos -
Illustrations - Includes battle details and section on Ku Klux Klan This
compilation of eyewitness accounts, official letters and documents, and the
author's insights provides a wealth of information on the Army of Tennessee.
Ridley served on A.P. Stewart's staff, a position which allowed him access
to privileged information. The work is arranged chronologically, with
accounts of various engagements and chapters on peripheral events relating
to the army. This book is considered a primary source for information on the
Civil War in the Western theater]. I could never get father [John Whitsett
Childress Junior] to admit his membership, for the Federal laws against it
were never repealed: but there can be no doubt that he was one of the boys
who started the KKK in 1867, when he was living in Pulaski. All Klansmen
were young Confederate officers and the original group got together as a
club or fraternity for fun only. The later KKK activities were brought
about for protection against outrages of the scalawags and carpetbaggers who
were exciting the Negroes to crimes.
Incidentally, this Ridley book is now considered a "collector's item"
because the writer's story of his return home after the surrender of the
Confederate Army is the only known account of that phase of a soldier's
life. Several histories of that period quote Ridley's diary for the only
picture of a Confederate's thoughts and acts after his parole. My father
also surrendered at the same time in North Carolina, but all I could get out
of him was that he burst into tears many times a day during the long trip to
Tennessee. Incidentally, Ridley was also from Rutherford County be [sic.
but] he and father never met during the war. He married my mother's
youngest sister, Ideyette, while she was visiting mother in Murfreesboro.
"Uncle Brom" [Bromfield Ridley] was one of the finest and most lovable
persons I ever knew, and his book-of which he was very proud-is most
interesting. He was, during his whole service, on the Staff of Gen. A.P.
Stewart-CSA.
After the death of his wife, my grandfather [John Whitsett Childress
Senior] married Mary Phillips, a cousin of his former wife, and by her had
the following sons and daughters: William Sumner [Childress] who married
Inez Wade;
The second son of William [William Sumner Childress] was Levi Wade
[Childress], who lived nearly all his life in St. Louis, Mo. He died about
three years ago, leaving one daughter and two sons: Wade, Jr.[Childress] and
Fielding [Childress], and his widow all of whom I believe to be alive.
Another son of John Whitsett Childress [Senior?], Eugene, was never married
and died while relatively a young man. The last one, Horace, had no sons,
nor did Annie, nor Ella and the baby of the family-Selene-had no children,
though married twice-first to Jonathan W. Jackson, then to Frederick
Wighthall.
With the death of his father in 1884, my father John Whitsett Jr. (April 20,
1845 - March 28, 1908) became the beloved head of the family and was so
recognized by all. He had little education since he ran away from Military
school to join the Confederate Armey and never returned. He did, however,
acquire an excellent knowledge of law while studying in Gen. Brown's office
in Pulaski, and proved his capacity when he served in Nashville as Circuit
Court Judge for the last 13 years of his life, as well as in his only active
practice after moving to Nashville. But he served capably and successfully
in many other capacities, including General Manager of the "American"
Newspaper, Assistant U.S. Attorney, President of the South Pittsburg City
Co. operating the utilities and building up of that town and organizing and
presiding as President of a National Bank which is still-after 75 years-the
strongest institution in that section of the State. In every capacity and
situation he was sought after for advice and assistance. His best-know
service was as advisor of the Democratic party in politics. This began as
Campaign Manager for his brother-in-law, John C. Brown, in his successful
race as first Democratic Governor after the war, in 1870, at the age of 25.
>From then until his judgeship in 1895, he was Chairman of the Democratic
Committee, at which time he gave up the title for ethical reasons, but
continued in his advisory capacity until the end. Amazing to say, with all
his political activities, and the usual unpleasant feelings thus engendered,
I don't believe he ever had a personal or political enemy. Partly, no
doubt, his popularity was due to his wanting no office for himself, his only
interest being to find the right man for the place in his party. Thus,
every Governor and U.S. Senator depended upon him. In fact he declined
appointment to the U.S. Senate by Governor Taylor, and later declined an
election to that body by the State Legislature, which was trying to break a
long deadlock between two candidates-Taylor and McMillin. He did not want
the job anyway, but spurned the appointment because both men were his close
friends and he would be put in a position of profiting by their defeat. The
Legislature acted, apparently, to get itself out of a long deadlock which
seemed endless. It did end, however, when a third man, Luke Lea, became a
candidate through the proper pressure (money?) to break the tie. Taylor,
after three terms as Governor, later became a United States Senator.
McMillin, after being Governor, and after 20 years in the House of
Representatives, died just aster his appointment-as Ambassador to Mexico.
His second wife, Lucile, was made a member of the Civil Service Commission
in Washington. McMillin first married my cousin, Marie Brown (General Brown
's daughter). Both Taylor and McMillin were devoted friends of father's and
I also kept up my friendship with them until their deaths.
In the late days of father's life he was often unable to hold Court and the
docket was so full that someone had to carry on. Volunteers were welcome
and the man most helpful in these emergencies was Cordell Hull, a young
Judge with 13 counties in his Circuit, who cold still come to Nashville to
help out. I realized later that he did so at his own expense. Hull was,
however, one of father's political protégés, as well as friend, and he
probably profited by the experience and association. Another such protégé
was Joseph W. Byrns, later Speaker of the House. When Hull was Secretary of
State he took occasion at several public gatherings in Washington to
introduce me as the "son of the man who taught me all the politics I know,
if any." I recall two occasions at the Jackson Day Dinners, and at other
times when he was a guest in my home. I knew most of the Tennessee
Delegation and Byrns and Hull were most helpful in my one entry into
politics-the appointment by President Coolidge as Chairman of the D.C.
Public Utilities Commission in 1926.
"My father [John Whitsitt Childress Junior] was in 1861 at military school
in Nashville, but his parents were endeavoring to keep him out of the war
because of his health and weighing only 90 pounds, and believed by them to
have "consumption" [tuberculosis]. They thought military life would be
fatal. However, he ran away from school and joined the army at Bowling
Green, Ky., in October, 1861. He was sent to Fort Donelson just in time to
surrender. From there he was sent by flat-boat to Columbus, Ohio, and then
on to prison camp at Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, Ohio.
At the end of nine months he was exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss., and
immediately returned to the army. At the beginning he became drillmaster
and Adjutant of the 50th Tennessee Regiment, and remained with that
organization. He was four times wounded, once shot entirely through the
thigh, and in the head at Franklin. In the futile charge over Federal
breastworks he crossed the Harpeth River, climbed up and was on the point of
jumping down into the trench when a bullet tore away his right eyebrow and
he was left for dead. About midnight he came to life to find himself in the
burial ditch, but, most fortunately, near the top and so able to climb out
and crawl back to the lines. While his life was saved in this miraculous
manner, he escaped the army's collapse at Nashville two weeks later.
Despite the annihilation of the Western Army, three divisions were gotten
together (in part, of course) and reached Johnson's Army in North Carolina,
only to be surrendered. This formality occurred for him on his 20th
birthday, April 20.
Father [John Whitsitt Childress Junior] was always known and spoken of as
"Captain Childress" unitl he became a judge, but never used either title
when speaking of himself over phones or otherwise. From the time he entered
the army, he was an officer, Adjutant, but drill-master also because he was
probably the only man in his regiment who had any knowledge at all of
military matters. The framed Commission on my wall shows him still a
Lieutenant and Adjutant in September, 1864, and it is presumed he was
promoted to Captain after Franklin on November 30th. I know that he was
breveted Major before the surrender, but he never used the higher rank.
After serving 3 ½ years in army and prison he returned to Murfreesboro, but
soon joined his brother-in-law, General Brown, for the study of law. Upon
completion of these studies he joined another brother-in-law, James M.
Avent, in practice in his home town. In March 1867 he and a friend, Jim
Moore, decided to travel and see the world, which ended four months later
after they had seen most of it. His diary was an extremely well written and
unusual document for a boy of 21, whose education had been interrupted by
the War, and since he and run away from school three months before he was
17, and never again attended school. The interesting way he tells the story
of this indicates the early use of a mind which enabled him to become the
useful and successful man for which he was destined. To me the story tells
of places, people, methods of travel, etc. of which I had no knowledge.
While Father told us all these stories of the trip when we were small boys,
this diary's existence was unknown to any of us, and was not found until the
death of my mother, who survived him by 20 years. When found then by Lyon
[son of John Whitsitt Childress Junior and brother of the author of this
memoir], he fortunately, made copies of it, but I have never been able to
come upon the original. It was written in a small notebook of the time.
Also, I have wondered all my adult life where Father [John Whitsitt
Childress Junior] got the money to make the trip and learned only recently
that on his majority he received an inheritance from his grandmother [one
possibly is the grandmother on the paternal side who was the wife of Joel
Childress]. I certainly never heard him express regret at the way this was
used. I know only that at the time of his marriage in 1870, and immediate
years thereafter, he and his wife were forced to live very simply. Upon his
law partnership in Nashville, things promptly took a turn for the better.
Even with the three years of idleness while he was recovering his health in
Florida, he was never again so strapped financially and was able to give the
three sons proper education. Not until I had finished my sophomore year at
Princeton did I realize the strain that cost and his illnesses were causing
him. Whereupon I got a job and quit college. Lyon [son of John Whitsitt
Childress Junior and brother of the author of this memoir] was doing well in
business and so Avent [son of John Whitsitt Childress Junior and brother of
the author of this memoir]could freely continue and graduate.
While always a loyal Confederate, he never became a "professional", as so
many others were inclined to do. However, he served the Cause outstandingly
in one instance. Probably in his capacity as manager of the largest
newspaper in the State, he attended the funeral of Jefferson Davis in 1889.
It was there determined that something should be done to perpetuate the
ideals of the South and collect and disseminate the facts. Father was
Chairman of a Committee to effect these purposes and they decided to act
through a magazine, "The Confederate Veteran." Father chose as editor an
editorial writer on the American, Sumner A. Cunningham. Through the efforts
and intelligence of this man, the magazine became the "Bible" of the veteran
everywhere, and at the same time became a most interesting and financially
successful literary venture. Its publication continued until its editor's
death, and until the vast majority of the old boys were gone. I was very
fond of Mr. Cunninghame and he almost worshipped my father.
My mother was Mary Adair Lyon (August 6, 1849 - September 29, 1928), oldest
daughter of James Adair and Adelaide Dearderick Lyon of Columbus, Miss. It
was while she was visiting some Deaderick kin in Murfreesboro-the
Wendells-that she met my father and they were married in Columbus on
December 13.
David Deaderick (originally Dietrick) had come as a "Pennsylvania Dutchment"
from Germany, 1720, settled first in that state, moved to Winchester, VA.,
anglicized his name to Deaderick. Again migrated to Tennessee, found its
oldest town -Jonesboro-and his son, David Anderson, was father of my
grandmother, Adelaide, 1817 - 1907.
Lyon's family [The author seems to be referring to the surname of his mother
's family] was almost equally distinguished in East Tennessee, but he put
himself through four years at Princeton Theological Seminary (New Jersey),
1832 - 1836, after which he had churches in Tennessee and Columbus, Miss,
St. Louis and again in Columbus, with the last ten years of his life as
Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Mississippi. His
Journals and pertinent data are in the State Archives at Jackson, and at the
Mississippi State College at State College, Miss.
Lyon [probably Mr. Lyon, father of the author's mother] was almost a fanatic
on education. He personally educated his two older sons to enter the junior
class at Princeton (then the College of New Jersey), to graduate in the
Class of 1859, the younger one being first in his class. The third son
graduated in 1872, but he got through mostly on earned scholarships. He
sent my mother to a fashionable and expensive finishing school in
Philadelphia. Just how all this was done on his salary as a Presbyterian
Minister will always remain a mystery, although he didn't seem to think it
so. He also, almost alone, founded in Clarksville, Tenn., a Presbyterian
College, built on the lines at the Princeton seminary, although he was
assisted somewhat by a Dr. William Stewart and by Dr. Joseph R. Wilson
(Woodrow's father). Lyon was elected (in 1870) the first president. He
promptly accepted but later reneged because his church just refused to let
him go. His son, Adair, later became a professor there and I spent one
year -1898-99 - as a student before transferring to Princeton. The whole
story of the College and Lyon's part in it is told in Cooper's history -
"Southwestern at Memphis" --. This book give sole credit to Lyon as the
real founder. In 1925 the City of Memphis took over the records, etc. and
brought them to that city, which a change in the name of "Southwestern at
Memphis" from its old and dwell-known "Southwestern Presbyterian
University." While still under Presbyterian auspices, it is a thriving
co-educational institution, which has put new life in the old Clarksville
school of which I and hundreds of alumni are still found, but of which there
are so few left. To illustrate, there was published in the Southwestern
News, in 1958, a picture of the 1898 football team,-- of which I was
captain. There was found no one left of the 17 members except myself. I
have the original photograph.
My mother was [a] remarkable woman in many ways. First, she was a great
beauty and always admire, but never seemed to be conscious of that. At
about 40 her hair was snow white and set off her ruddy complexion and black
eyes. She was vivacious, a great talker but never a gossip, and made
friends readily and permanently, She was not, however, a "society woman,"
but preferred church work, and to the end remained a "fundamental Christian"
. She was at home in any gathering, society or church, and was greatly
beloved, being a foil for my quiet father. She was one of the last of the
old-timers who hated liquor and worldly things, even begging me, for
example, not to dance or play cards even after I went away to college.
While we all wandered away from our strict upbringing, we always respected
her wishes and principles.
The sons of John Whitsitt [Junior]and Mary Lyon Childress were Adair Lyon
(always called Lyon), John Williams, and Avent. They were born,
respectively, August 31, 1873, February 16, 1879, and November 30, 1880.
Lyon died in October 1948. A daughter was born dead in 1872. All seven
children of these three sons are girls and, therefore, the Childress name of
the earlier branch of the family is now ended.
END
Gary Childress
8403 Seranata Drive
Whittier, CA 90603
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark or Gary" <london2000(a)fea.net>
To: <CHILDRESS-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 4:35 PM
Subject: [Childress Research] Re: {not a subscriber} Gravestone
----- Original Message -----
From: "Berg, Warren F, NBSO" <wberg(a)att.com>
To: <CHILDRESS-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 4:05 PM
Subject: {not a subscriber} Gravestone
Would it be possible to get a picture of thsi gravestone that tells the
story about the Childress trip.
Warren
wberg(a)ems.att.com
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----- Original Message -----
From: MJCV25(a)aol.com
To: CHILDRESS-RESEARCH-L(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 11:30 PM
Subject: [CHILDRESS] ABRHAM CHILDRESS lll (aka Childers) AND HIS FAMILY - VA -
Dear List,
May I make some comments and give my opinion on an on going topic or two?
Thank you, if you said yes:)
Previous discussion concerning Amherst County, VA before and during the time
of 1783 and 1800 and those named JOHN CHILDRESS who lived there and who
eventually (one branch) migrated to NC has taken several turns.
The "JOHN script", [what I call it] was produced in a series [which I'll
name as the Childress series], by Gary and Mark Childress (see Childress
Research-List archives) and was kindly shared by Joseph Childress with this list.
After reading the series several times, I recollected some of their
information, I did some digging and had discussions with those surnamed CARTER and
EDMONDSON. I also realized the information I had on EZELL-CHILDRESS family,
linked back to JOHN CHILDRESS of Knox CO, TN with my family, as I am a CHILDRESS
- EZELL myself.
The CARTER and EDMONDSON (researchers) information has been fascinating and
interesting. Whether of not anything will be completely solved with JOHN
CHILDRESS born 1759 In Albemarle County, VA, I can't say. All I can say is that
it's perfectly clear to me, there was a family connection which none of us
really understood, whether the author's of the "Childress Series" do or don't,
I can't say, they have not responded.. I must say, the ancestry tree which
was provided by the "Childress series" was confusing and had errors. This is
the responsibility of the descendants to correct it, I will only say there
are more than a few glaring errors.
I hope to set the record somewhat straight and hope those who may descend
from this branch, will check it all out. I suppose you could say the other
real issue's are - (1) WHO was JOHN CHILDRESS who was born in 1759 Albemarle
CO, VA - (2) WHO were his parents? - (3) Don't you find it odd that the
ancestry tree for JOHN CHILDRESS was proven to be full of holes and in error, with
hardly any evidence to support it? - (4) ROBERT, son of JOHN was said to
have married secondly, KEZZIAH CARTER in 1812 Amherst Co, VA, is it just me, but
don't you'all wonder HOW these two ever met, they lived 500 or so miles from
one another! What link did they have besides the Sandidge family? If any of
you know, please tell us. - (5) Isn't it also odd, with the "Childress
Series" naming a MARY as wife of SOLOMON CARTER, yet nothing was mentioned as to
WHO and WHAT was her maiden name and from what family did she come? IF I
could find it, why could they NOT find it?
I am not attaching another's research, that is their business really.
However, as most of you know, there is on going debate on where our CHILDRESS
family came from. The DNA project has hopefully shown that those with Childers
and Childress have matched, with exception of a few. But, only males can take
the test while females, many of which descend from important Childress and
Childers branches cannot contribute to it, including me!
Nest, we have the Joel Childress tombstone mystery. I don't have to repeat
it, those of you who've read the messages on the this list and the other one,
know what has been said. I have an opinion and I shared it with all of you.
I don't think the tombstone theory is reliable nor do I think it should
dictate to our original Childress or Childers ancestry. I do not believe
another group of Childresses came here ONLY during 1745 and that they were ONLY
Scottish and from Scotland. Unless you prefer the earlier tombstone story,
"from WALES and in their own ship" - And next, the different gene pools, Childers
being entirely different than Childress, due to the "1745 crossing". Also,
not one of the Scottish Childresses had given names which included "ABRAHAM,
that was only a CHILDERS name" -
We all know by now, that's a glaring misconception. The name Abraham was
also a CHILDRESS name and JOEL CHILDRESS (tombstone story) was bound out to a
ABRAHAM Childress, having been orphaned by his father, BENJAMIN Childress [Lee
Rau research] - Abraham is a common name among the families of CHILDRESS and
in fact, among the ancestry of one MARY ANN CHILDRESS who married SOLOMON
CARTER, 1759c - Abraham Childress lll was Mary Ann's father.
To Be Continued -
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear List,
May I make some comments and give my opinion on an on going topic or two?
Thank you, if you said yes:)
Previous discussion concerning Amherst County, VA before and during the time
of 1783 and 1800 and those named JOHN CHILDRESS who lived there and who
eventually (one branch) migrated to NC has taken several turns.
The "JOHN script", [what I call it] was produced in a series [which I'll
name as the Childress series], by Gary and Mark Childress (see Childress
Research-List archives) and was kindly shared by Joseph Childress with this list.
After reading the series several times, I recollected some of their
information, I did some digging and had discussions with those surnamed CARTER and
EDMONDSON. I also realized the information I had on EZELL-CHILDRESS family,
linked back to JOHN CHILDRESS of Knox CO, TN with my family, as I am a CHILDRESS
- EZELL myself.
The CARTER and EDMONDSON (researchers) information has been fascinating and
interesting. Whether of not anything will be completely solved with JOHN
CHILDRESS born 1759 In Albemarle County, VA, I can't say. All I can say is that
it's perfectly clear to me, there was a family connection which none of us
really understood, whether the author's of the "Childress Series" do or don't,
I can't say, they have not responded.. I must say, the ancestry tree which
was provided by the "Childress series" was confusing and had errors. This is
the responsibility of the descendants to correct it, I will only say there
are more than a few glaring errors.
I hope to set the record somewhat straight and hope those who may descend
from this branch, will check it all out. I suppose you could say the other
real issue's are - (1) WHO was JOHN CHILDRESS who was born in 1759 Albemarle
CO, VA - (2) WHO were his parents? - (3) Don't you find it odd that the
ancestry tree for JOHN CHILDRESS was proven to be full of holes and in error, with
hardly any evidence to support it? - (4) ROBERT, son of JOHN was said to
have married secondly, KEZZIAH CARTER in 1812 Amherst Co, VA, is it just me, but
don't you'all wonder HOW these two ever met, they lived 500 or so miles from
one another! What link did they have besides the Sandidge family? If any of
you know, please tell us. - (5) Isn't it also odd, with the "Childress
Series" naming a MARY as wife of SOLOMON CARTER, yet nothing was mentioned as to
WHO and WHAT was her maiden name and from what family did she come? IF I
could find it, why could they NOT find it?
I am not attaching another's research, that is their business really.
However, as most of you know, there is on going debate on where our CHILDRESS
family came from. The DNA project has hopefully shown that those with Childers
and Childress have matched, with exception of a few. But, only males can take
the test while females, many of which descend from important Childress and
Childers branches cannot contribute to it, including me!
Nest, we have the Joel Childress tombstone mystery. I don't have to repeat
it, those of you who've read the messages on the this list and the other one,
know what has been said. I have an opinion and I shared it with all of you.
I don't think the tombstone theory is reliable nor do I think it should
dictate to our original Childress or Childers ancestry. I do not believe
another group of Childresses came here ONLY during 1745 and that they were ONLY
Scottish and from Scotland. Unless you prefer the earlier tombstone story,
"from WALES and in their own ship" - And next, the different gene pools, Childers
being entirely different than Childress, due to the "1745 crossing". Also,
not one of the Scottish Childresses had given names which included "ABRAHAM,
that was only a CHILDERS name" -
We all know by now, that's a glaring misconception. The name Abraham was
also a CHILDRESS name and JOEL CHILDRESS (tombstone story) was bound out to a
ABRAHAM Childress, having been orphaned by his father, BENJAMIN Childress [Lee
Rau research] - Abraham is a common name among the families of CHILDRESS and
in fact, among the ancestry of one MARY ANN CHILDRESS who married SOLOMON
CARTER, 1759c - Abraham Childress lll was Mary Ann's father.
To Be Continued -
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/henrico/vitals/marriages/misc0001...
Marriages Henrico Co., Virginia St. John's Church No Minister
Mentioned
John ADKINS to Ann CHILDRESS, July 18.1700
Nov 01, 1786....CHILDERS, Abraham, and FOSTER, Sally.
June 03, 1786...........STANTON, James, and CHILDRESS, Judith.
02 Dec 1790........................CHILDERS, Nathaniel, and BAILEY, H.
Sally.
=============================================================================
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, VIRGINIA - DEEDS
p. 333
This Indenture made the Sixteenth Day of July One Thousand Seven
Hundred and Eighty Seven between William Childers of Prince Edward
County of the one part and John Hutcherson of Amelia County of the other
part, Witnesseth that the said William Childers for and in consideration
of the full and just sum of twenty five pounds current money of Virginia
to him in hand paid by the said John Hutcherson the receipt whereof he
doth hereby acknowledge hath granted, bargained, and sold and by these
presents doth grant, bargain and sell unto the said John Hutcherson one
tract of land lying and being in the county of Prince Edward containing
fifty acres and is bounded by the lines of William Dolby, Daniel
Ellington, John Ellington and the said Childers, to have and to hold the
said tract of land and every part and parcel thereof unto the said John
Hutcherson his heirs and assigns forever and the said William Childers
doth for himself and his heirs executors and administrators defend the
said John Hutcherson and his heirs against the claim of any person or
persons whatsoever claiming any right to or in the before mentioned land
and premises In witness whreeof the said William Childers hath hereto
set his hand the day and year above witten. William Childers SEAL
At a court held for Prince Edward County July 16, 1787 the within
written deed indenture from William Childers to John Hutcherson was
presented in court and acknowledged by the said William Childers to be
his act and deed and Francis the wife of the said William CHilders being
privily examined relinquishing her right of dower to the land within
mentioned and ordered to be recorded. Test Francis Atkins Clk
==========================================================================================
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/henrico/wills/wills1655-1800.txt
HENRICO COUNTY - INDEX TO WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS, 1655-1800
Childers, Abraham 1698
Childers, Abraham 1773
Childers, Abraham Sr. 1720
Childers, Benjamin 1783
Childers, Frederick 1785
Childers, Henry 1727
Childers, Phillomon Sr. 1717
Childers, Robert 1731
Childers, Thomas 1735
Childers, William 1727
Childress, Frederick 1786
Childress, Jacob 1797
Childrey, Thomas 1758
Childrey, Thomas 1772
Childrey, Thomas 1787
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/henrico/bios/earlyfam2.txt
Christopher Branch was the son of Lionel Branch of London, Gentleman,
grandson of William Branch of Abingdon, Berkshire, Gentleman, and
great grandson of Richard Branch of Abingdon, Woolendraper.
Christopher Branch is himself styled "gentleman" in the record of his
marriage(1).
William Randolph (1651-1711) the first of the "Turkey Island Randolphs"
was the son of Richard Randolph (1621-1671) of Morton Hall,
Warwickshire;
grandson of William Randolph (1572-1650) of Little Haughton,
Northamptonshire;
great grandson of Richard Randolph, of Hams, Sussex, Gentleman.
Henry Randolph (1623-1673), an uncle of William Randolph, also settled
in Henrico County(3).
1) Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. IV, p. 123 and
Vol. XVIII, p. 85, et seq. (2) Ibid., Vol. XVI, p. 218; XVII, pp. 84,
197, 319, 425.
(3) Ibid., Vol. III, p. 261 and WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY, Vol. IV,
p. 125. Thomas Randolph (1605-1639), the poet, was a half-brother of
Henry Randolph (who came to Virginia) and of Richard Randolph (father of
William, of "Turkey Island").
John Pleasants, the immigrant, was born about 1644-5, in
Norwich,England,
the son of John Pleasants (born 1618) of St. Savior's, Norwich,worsted
weaver;
gson of John Pleasants (1588-1640) of All Saints and St. Saviour's,
Norwich, worsted weaver,
great grandson of Robert Pleasants (ante 1558-1591) of Norwich;
great great grandson of William Pleasants
(died 1583) of All Saints and St. Paul's Parishes, Norwich(2).
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/henrico/deeds/misc0001.txt
Henrico County Virginia - Deeds & Wills, 1706-1845 Film #1697555 Family
History Library Salt Lake City, Utah
Henrico County was one of the eight original counties set up in 1634.
From it were derived Goochland,(1728) and Cheserfield (1749).
Goodchland was the parent county of Albemarle (1744) and Cumberland
(1749). From Albemarle came Amherst (1741) and from Amherst in 1808
came Nelson. Buckingham came for Albemarle in 1761, and from this came
Appomttox in 1845. Fluvanna came from Albemarle in 1777. And Powhatan
from Cumberland the same year. The county was divided into parishes
of the Church of England. Henrico Parish was formed in 1611. Varina
Parish was a name used synonomously with Henrico, especially when the
principal church was a Varina during the period 1660-1720. Bristol
Parish formed in 1641 was on both sides of the Appomatox River, being in
southern Charles City County. In 1735 Dale Parish was formed from that
part of Bristol Parish North of the Appomttox and that par of Henrico
Parish south of the James, and east of King William Parish. King William
Parish was formed in 1705 from the southwestern part of Henirco Parish.
Deed #12
Philemon CHILDERS, Sr., of Henrico County, for love and affection to my
grand children Elizabeth and Tabitha, children of my son Abraham
CHILDERS, one cow called "Lilly" and one yearling steer, when they reach
16 or marry. Dated 1 Feb 1706 Wit: Giles Webb, James Cocke Recorded 1
Feb 1706
http://www.nyvagenealogy.homestead.com/VD1700.html
Virginia Death Records
Date Dec'd
Location Misc.
JAN. 30. 1684 Elizabeth cannon
Norfolk LNCW92
Mar. 06. 1687 William Creed
Surry Surry Red.
Mar. 04. 1696 timothy ezell
Surry Surry Red book
Oct 02 1775 Ben Childress Amherst
County Recorded Date (book 1799)
July 18 1791 William Chelton Lancaster
County Recorded Date
July 16 1793 Mary Carter Lancaster
County Recorded Date
http://www.nyvagenealogy.homestead.com/MVA1760.html
Virginia Marriage Records
DATE GROOM
BRIDE LOCATION SURETY/ETC.
1677 George Branch Anne England
Isle of Wight dad francis england
Sept 1 1696 Abraham Childers jr. Hester
Cannon Henrico County
July 13 1700 John Adkins Ann
Childers Henrico County
1708 Henry Childers Lucretia
Jones Henrico County
Dec. 20. 1756 Nicholas Childers Isabel
Harris Goochland Douglas
Jan 24 1764 Jonathan Willis (john) Ann Childers wid
Norfolk William Sisson
Nov. 10. 1766 John Childers Maiden
Lovel Goochland Douglas
Jan. 5. 1767 William Childers Betty Nuchols
Goochland Douglas
Feb 25 1767 Joseph Adkinson Susannah Childers
Goochland Douglas
Nov 28 1778 John Warren Frances Childers
Norfolk county surety r. taylor
Feb 28 1782 Goolsbey Childres Nancy
Swinney Amherst County
Mar 27 1783 Robert Childress Nancy
Pryor Amherst County
July 1 1784 James Childress Elizabeth Fussell
Henrico County Surety john fussell
Oct 7 1785 Reubin Childress Margaret Hudson Amherst
County Dad Joseph Childress
Jan 19 1796 Major Childress Hannah Ballew Amherst co
His Dad Joseph Childress Sr
July 15 1786 James Coleman Ann Childress
Amherst Surety Thomas Coleman
Oct 21 1786 Abraham Childerss Sally foster Henrico
County surety joseph parker
Dec 1 1790 Nathaniel Childers Sarah H. Bailey Henrico County surety
pleasant young/husband
Jan 19 1791 Benj Childress Mary anne McCabe Amherst
County Mom Sarah McCabe
Dec 23 1791 Meredith Childers Mary Goyne Henrico
County surety john Goyne
Dec 12 1797 Patrick Childers Nancy Goyne Henrico
county mom agnes goyne
May 30 1792 William Childress Jr. Rebecca Johnson Goochland
surety charles cawthorn
June 2 1792 Robert Childers Nancy Harwood Henrico County
surety thomas harwood
Oct 13 1792 Jesse Childress Annes Sandidge Amherst
County Dad John Sandidge
Feb 26 1794 Samuel Coleman Judy Childress Amherst
County Surety Jesse Childres
Dec 19 1794 John Childress Sally Goode Amherst
County Dad Benjmain Good
Jan 17 1806 Noah Childers Mary Goode Henrico
county dad john Goode
Jan 8 1796 Thomas Childress Elizabeth Atkinson Amherst co
Guardian james Alexander
Jan 13 1814 Pendleton R. Childress Maria Attkison
Goochland Dad Jonah Attkisson
Dec 26 1797 James Childers Mary Mathews Henrico
county surety thomas williams
July 22 1800 John Childress Anne Austin Henrico
County Surety Richard Allen
Sept 6 1805 John G. Childress Margaret Faundree Goochland
Surety john s. crutchfield
Jan 6 1806 Thomas Childrey Ann Pearce Widow Henrico co
Husband Francis Pearce
Mar 1 1806 John Childrey Elizabeth H. Frayser Henrico
county dad Jackson frayser
Mar. 19 1808 Charles Childrey Elizabeth Redford (his ward) Henrico
co surety john childrey
July 1 1809 Nelson Childress Milly Attkisson
Goochland surety spotswood chilress
Dec 17 1810 Spotswood childress Sally Johnson Goochland
surety william childress
May 3 1813 John Biggam Jane Childress
Goochland brother elijah childress
Aug 9 1824 Joseph Childress Maria Oliver Cumberland
County Surety John Hord
Dear List,
My previous message was in reference to the Childress in Amherst County, VA
and the discussion of the Christian name JOHN and CHILDRESS. Before I give
the information I've located on the family of MARY ANN CHILDRESS, who married
SOLOMON CARTER, she being the daughter of ABRAHAM CHILDRESS lll (aka Childers)
- I would like to name all the Childresses who were in Census - Tax records
of Amherst County, VA. The time frame is 1783 - 1800. The one in question
is the JOHN who was father of ROBERT Childress who married KESSIAH CARTER,
daughter of PETER and Elizabeth SANDIDGE CARTER, he being son of SOLOMON and
MARY ANN CHILDRESS CARTER. Once I began to delve further back, there are deeds
between "JOHN" and it suggests there were two or three of them because of
marriages into different families [Coleman - Edmondson - Stinnette, to name a
few] Here is the list taken from original (some copies were dark and
difficult to read) and abstract - ALL were spelt as CHILDRESS or CHILDRES.
1783 AMHERST COUNTY -
CHILDRESS -
Lucy - (widow of Abraham Childress lll)
JOHN - [Is this John Childress born 1759? - He would have been age 24] -
Goolsby -
Robert -
Joseph -
******************************************************************************
************
1785 AMHERST COUNTY -
Lucy (widow of Abraham Childress lll) -
Ann (widow of Benjamin Childress, SR, will of 1775) -
Goolsbey -
JOHN "Pedlar" (only one shown with the attached "Pedlar") - 9 white souls -
JOHN (5 white souls)
JOHN (same as above, abstract error?}
*********************************************
***********************************************
1787 AMHERST COUNTY, VA -
Ann (widow of Benjamin Childress, SR, will 1775) -
Thomas - (Brother of Benjamin and son of Benj. SR?) -
Benjamin - (suggested son of Benjamin and Ann Jopling Childress Sr) -
Lucy (same Lucy as above) -
Joseph -
JOHN (only one) -
******************************************************************************
**************
1788 AMHERST COUNTY, VA -
CHILDRESS -
Ann (same as above) - with notation (sons) - Benjamin, Thomas and Samuel -
(same line) -
Goolsby -
Reuben -
Lucy (same as above) -
Henry - (first notice of him)
******************************************************************************
**************
1790 AMHERST COUNTY, VA -
CHILDRESS -
Benjamin -
Samuel -
Lucy (same as above) -
Benjamin - Samuel - Richard (same line) - (probably same as the two above) -
[3-2-0-5-] -
Lucy (listed twice)
Benjamin - (third mention) -
JOHN SR. - (first mention as SR.) [1- 0- 0- 2]
JOHN JR - (first mention as JR) - [1 - 0- 0- 1]
Reuben -
Joseph -
Jesse -
******************************************************************************
**************
1791 AMHERST COUNTY, VA -
CHILDRESS -
Benjamin -
Samuel - (same line, John Pembleton) -
Royal - (son of Benjamin, Sr. per his 1775 will) -
Lucy (same as above)
NOTE - NO JOHN'S -
******************************************************************************
**************
1794 AMERST COUNTY, VA -
CHILDRESS -
Benjamin -
Thomas -
Samuel -
Royal -
Lucy (same as above) -
NOTE - NO JOHN'S -
******************************************************************************
**************
1795 AMHERST COUNTY, VA -
CHILDRESS -
Benjamin -
Samuel -
Royal -
Thomas -
Lucy (same as above) -
NOTE - NO JOHN'S -
******************************************************************************
**************
1800 AMHERST COUNTY, VA - (Lexington Parish Dist.) -
CHILDRESS -
JOHN - 1 - 3 - 0 - 0 -
JOHN - Jr. - 1 - 2 - 0 - 0 -
Joseph - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 -
******************************************************************************
**************
1783 - From the above census and tax records, there is a JOHN CHILDRESS and
also has SOLOMON CARTER [and his family of Carter] - JAMES EDMONDSON whose
daughter married JOHN CHILDRESS - JOPLING's of whom married into the
CHILDRESSES (Ann married Benjamin Childress, Sr who had a 1775 will) - Stinnett's whose
two daughters (Pricilla and Susannah) married a JOHN and a HENRY CHILDRESS
- Coleman, who also married into the CHILDRESSES - Other surnames who are
connected to those named Childress in Amherst - NEVILLS, THOMAS, PRYOR, TAYLOR,
TUCKER, SANDIDGE - CARTER, GOODRICH.
1785 - There was a JOHN CHILDRESS "Pedlar" with nine souls - This man is the
suggested Childress from the "Childress Series" published to this list by
Joseph Childress and written by his cousins, Gary and Mark Childress.
According to their series, "MARJORY (nee Powell) Childress's father (Thomas Powell,
SR) was an adjacent neighbor of SOLOMON CARTER (md. MARY - - ), of Amherst
Co., VA. Solomon CARTER's grand-daughter, KISSIAH CARTER married on or about
Jan 4, 1812 (marriage bond), in Amherst Co, VA to MARJORY CHILDRESS'S widowed
32 year old grandson ROBERT CHILDRESS, the eldest son of JOHN CHILDRESS (md
LINDSAY) -
Additionally they wrote - The paternal grandparents of JOHN CHILDRESS (md.
LINDSAY) were JOSEPH CHILDRESS, SR. (hereafter JOSEPH CHILDRESS on Rockhouse
Creek, Albemarle Co., VA) and wife SARAH (nee----, Hereinafter SARAH CHILDRESS
md. (1) JOSEPH CHILDRESS (2) JAMES EDMONDSON. Upon the untimely death of
Husband JOSEPH CHILDRESS, SR (Rockhouse Creek) in Albemarle Co., VA in 1763 (age
c43), his widow SARAH remarried to JAMES EDMONDSON of PEDLAR RIVER, Amherst
Co, VA and removed to his plantation in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. It
is SARAH's son JOHN CHILDRESS, SR who married POWELL who is named in the 1792
Will of her 2nd husband JAMES EDMONDSON as executor and Son-in-law (i.e.
Step Son), not SARAH's grandson JOHN CHILDRESS, JR (md. Lindsay) - End -
The ancestry tree they gave in their series for CHILDRESS is this -
1] JOHN CHILDRESS - Patriarch - born 1700 - Crossing -
2] JOSEPH CHILDRESS, age 25 during the 1745 Crossing - (placing him as born
1720) married SARAH - - m. 2 JAMES EDMONDSON -
3] JOHN CHILDRESS born 1740, age 5 crossing married Marjory POWELL.
4) JOHN CHILDRESS [born 1750 Albemarle Co, VA], farmer and Rev. War
Militiaman married ELIZABETH LINDSAY.-
In the above ancestry tree, It has been proven that JOSEPH did NOT marry
SARAH, she was the widow of George HAYES and she married JAMES EDMONDSON and
never married a Childress. The 1793 WILL of James EDMONDSON proved, that his
daughter married a JOHN CHILDRESS, probably in VA where they lived. JAMES
EDMONDSON was in Amherst County until about 1786c. He was in Amherst Co. for
1785 with 3 souls in his house. The TAYLORS were also there, one being George
TAYLOR, the brother in law of JOHN CHILDRESS who married LUCRESIA EDMONSON
(Christian name from Edmondson family researcher). The CARTERS, JOPLINGS and
Sandidge, the three having married into the Childress family.
According to the ARW Pension of JOHN CHILDRESS [born 1759], he left Amherst
County for Burke County, NC by 1786-7, if that was so and he said it was in
his own words, then there was a JOHN in 1787 Tax List for Amherst Co, VA. By
1788, there is NO John in Amherst until 1790 and it is my opinion from the
records I've seen that the TWO JOHN's, one SR and one JR. are not JOHN, the
PEDLAR, nor JOHN who left Amherst after his father in law, JAMES EDMONDSON who
settled in Wilkes CO, NC and who in the 1787 Census for WILKES Co, NC is next
to JOHN CHILDRESS who married his daughter. The same JOHN who was to have
married Elizabeth LINDSAY. JOHN in Wilkes County in 1790 had five children,
three boys and two girls and they were the children of Lucresia EDMONDSON,
unless JOHN had married before Lucresia to an Elizabeth LINDSAY? I found no
LINDSAY's in Amherst during the above time frame. However, I did see that the
COLEMAN family had a LINDSAY namesake in the census and the COLEMANS married
into the CHILDRESS's per marriage records and deeds.
The way I see it, the ancestry tree published by Gary and Mark Childress,
with their notation that JOSEPH was brother to BENJAMIN CHILDRESS, this may have
been so, but I have to wonder at their conclusion as to their ancestry, the
dates are off, the marriages are off, the connection is off. I would like
to see the deed of land which was left to number 3 JOHN CHILDRESS from his
father in law. I don't know if they have the right JOHN? If the deed is in the
Knox County, TN records, then I would really like for them to publish the
information. In the 1783 Amherst Co Census there was Thomas, Lucas, John, Amey
and another Thomas Powell, perhaps one of them is who they reference? The
JOHN Childress, SR and JR. I believe are connected by marriage to two other
families in VA. I don't see the connection with JOSEPH Childress to a JOHN. I
believe the JOSEPH in the census's was connected to the W. VA branch of
Childress who were shown in deeds (one receiving land in W.VA) and not JOHN born
1759 nor his father. As seen in the census's, Benjamin Childress SR had
more sons then his youngest, ROYAL (1775 will) as proved by the above census and
tax records.
To Be Continued -
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear List -
If you recall the earlier messages to the list regarding the series
published by Mark and Gary Childress (Childress Research-archives, Dr. Joseph
Childress), it was said that JOHN Childress born 1759 Albemarle County, VA's son,
ROBERT Childress, had married in Amherst County, VA to Zessiah CARTER as his
second wife in 1812. I wondered how Robert had the opportunity to even
acquaint himself with Kessiah CARTER, as she lived in Virginia while he lived in
Knox County, TN.
The latter is where his father John had moved from Amherst County, VA
[1786-7], to Burke County and Wilkes County, NC for 7-8 years [ARW Pension Papers].
John Childress then moved in Knox County, TN where he died in 1848-9. For
those of you who don't know, John Childress apparently married the daughter
of James Edmondson (his neighbor in Amherst) as John is shown as "son-in-law"
in the 1792/3 Wilkes County, NC Will of James Edmondson. Since there were no
other John's in that area of WIlkes, it is highly likely that this JOHN was
married to the EDMONDSON daughter, and who was named by a Edmondson
descendant and researcher, as LUCRESIA Edmondson.
I've studied the Amherst and Albemarle County Census - Land - Tax records
and while there were Childress living there before and during 1783-1800, it's
apparent from the series (Gary-Mark) and from other's searching these area's
for their Childress, that there were several or more branches of Childress.
I've not finished with publishing to the list the rest of the census's yet. A
John Childress "Pedlar" was in Amherst in 1785, having 9 souls in his house,
in later census, he apparently has left. There were two other Childress
named John (unless there were more and living with another family). There are
deeds in Amherst naming John's, married to three different families or they
could have been second or even third marriages, but with just those three. I
think due to the large household of most of them, it's suggested they had a
bevy of children who later appear in other counties (or in counties which were
carved from the others) and migration patterns, such as John Childress born
1759 Albemarle County, VA.
SOURCE -
(A) - "Gary and Mark Childress Series", provided by, Dr. Joseph Childress -
Ancestry Tree for CARTER of AMHERST COUNTY, VA - with additions in brackets.
1Major Thomas Carter -
2Capt. Thomas Carter (m) Katherine Dale -
3Capt. Thomas Carter (m) Arbella Williamson -
4Peter Carter (m) Judith Norris -
5SOLOMON CARTER (m) MARY [ANN CHILDRESS] -
NOTE - It's 98% proven, according to factual sources (provided by Dick
Zieman) and other Carter researchers, and with my sources, that 5SOLOMON did marry
a daughter of Abraham Childress lll (aka Childers). As with many of the lost
marriage records in VA, none was found for a Solomon Carter. But, he did
have a 1786 Amherst Co, VA Will and record of his children and wife, known as
Mary Ann Carter of which she was also shown [as CARTER] in Abraham Childress
lll 1763 Albemarle County, VA will.
Virginia Hanks also provided the only information she had abstracted, which
was taken from a 1774 Amherst County, VA Court record [Nov] which also stated
that Mary Ann Carter, late CHILDERS had a 'bastard", named JOHN CHILDERS who
was bound out in that year. Mrs. Hanks did not have the age of John
Childers, nor who he was bound to, however, Mrs. Hanks did say it was said, Mary Ann
could not care for John Childers. Also of note, there were several other
court records of which I've not viewed, which said that several or more of the
Carter children were placed with neighbors. This information abstracted from
the original film by Mrs. Virginia Hanks. It was very apparent to me, that
Mary Ann and Solomon Carter, had marital difficulties thru out their marriage.
I was also told by a researcher who examined many of the original records,
that Mary Ann could read and write, that she knew the court procedures, this
being the latter part of her marriage to Solomon and also her marriage to John
Goodrich.
The 1786 will of Solomon Carter said that Mary Ann, his wife, was estranged
from him and living with another man. He did not name him. However, there
were three court records which show that Mary Ann and John Goodrich [He was in
the 1785 Amherst Co, VA Census living near the Edmondsons and Childresses]
were living together. They acquired a marriage bond in 1786 before Solomon
died. A court record was shown to say that John Goodrich was ordered to the
Amherst Court on his adultery with Mary Ann CARTER, he did not show. Later
Amherst County will records for 1803/4 prove John Goodrich had died and that
Mary Ann Childress Carter Goodrich had filed a dispute against the will of her
second husband, John Goodrich. Abraham CARTER, her son with Solomon, was a
witness for his mother. Additionally, no male named JOHN CHILDERS was named in
the 1786 will of SOLOMON CARTER, nor was there a son named JOHN either
CHILDERS or CARTER.
Wiliam Carter, the first son of Solomon and Mary Ann, was born in the latter
part of 1760 [per his war record]. When Mary Ann had her son named JOHN
"Childers" I don't know. If John had been Carters son, he most likely wouldn't
have had him bound out, the other children were not. If Mary Ann had been
with child before she married [1759, per Dick Zieman] Solomon. perhaps might
not have known it. Later, he could have discovered the identity of John
"Childers" father and reported this to the court, for it had to have been reported
by someone. Mary Ann had children with Solomon beginning from 1760 to 1775,
barely a year or two apart. They were all named in Solomon's 1786 will and
also noted, any children born thereafter were provided for, even though Mary
Ann was not living with him, which I was told was normal procedure.
6PETER CARTER (m) Elizabeth SANDIDGE - [several Childress & Carter marriages
with Sandidge] -
7KISSIAH (Keziah) CARTER, (second wife) of, ROBERT CHILDRESS - married 1812,
Amherst Co, VA. -
NOTE - ROBERT was son of [ARW soldier], JOHN CHILDRESS, born 1759 Albemarle
County, VA., died 1848-9 Knox County, TN and perhaps his first wife Lucretia
EDMONDSON as per the will of her father, James [Edmondson]. JOHN (Gary and
Mark Childress series) it was said, also married Elizabeth Lindsey. There is
no marriage record for either, but the will of James Edmondson [1793] naming
John. The only John Childress, head of household, in Wilkes County, NC has
three sons and two daughters in the 1790 Wilkes County, NC Census.
After reading the Childress series, they named a Joseph Childress as having
been married to Sarah Edmondson, that has been proven to be in error. I've
not seen further verification from additional part to the Childress series
which gave a reason for their conclusion. My copy of the latest CFA Newsletter
does show they corrected their error. They do not name Lucretia Edmondson as
having married their ancestor, John Childress [1759-1848/9] - Nor did they
give a wife for Joseph Childress of whom many believe married Mary Farris, per
her father's will.
From some of the sources below, it is apparent, the family of JOHN CHILDRESS
whose son ROBERT married Kessiah CARTER, had interaction, (business and
marriages) with those who settled and lived (first) in Henrico County, VA. Some
could say the meeting of Robert Childress and Kessiah Carter came thru
Sandidge, but I have sources which say the family connection was way before that
time. My discovery was from the families this particular branch of Childress
married. And also my curiosity on how ROBERT Childress met and knew his second
wife. Sure, he was perhaps indirectly related to her thru Sandidge, but not
only them. Robert wasn't living in VA at the time when he married in 1812 to
Kessiah Carter, he was living in TN. Was there a family history between
Abraham Childress lll (aka Childers) and earlier blood kin relationship, of Mary
Ann Childress, before her marriage to Solomon Carter, who were the
grandparents of Kessiah Carter who married Robert Childress, son of John Childress?
Absolutely yes.
FURTHER SOURCES -
(B) "The Diary of Robert Rose" - (Port Royal, VA., 1977), page 49 -
(C) "The Deeds of Amherst County, Virginia, 1761-1807, and Albemarle County,
Virginia, 1763" - (Easley, SC, 1979) page 95 -
(D) "Marriage Bonds and Other Marriage Records of Amherst County, Virginia"
- (Baltimore, 1973), p. 77 -
(E) "Heads of Families at the first Census, State Enumeration's" - 1782 to
1785, Virginia (Washington, 1908), p. 49.
(F) "Campbell County, VA Will Book, 1, pp. 301-04.
(H) "Old Churches of Virginia, The Ellis Family", Vol 2, Ruther Langwell
Walker -
(I) "Progenitors and Kinfolk of Abraham Childers lll (aka Childress),
Alberta Marjorie Dennstedt, San Diego, CA, Vol.33/34 - "Abraham Childers lll
(ca.1681 - 1763) -
(J) Virginia Hanks (Childress descendant and published research, "Childress
Chatter" -
(K) Dick Zieman (Carter descendant and Family Carter Website) See Genforum -
Carter -
(L) CFA Childers - Childress Wills and Deeds -
(M) "Childress Chatter", Molly Reigard Editor/Publisher -
(N) Lee Rau, Childress family papers - and research -
(O) Research of "Kay" -
(P) NC Census and Tax Records - Original and Abstract -
(Q) Edmondson Family Resources -
To Be Continued -
MaryJean Childress Voegtlin
Cody,
How great! I didn't know your dad was a Eugene to:) My dad was also the
reason for my seeking our Childress ancestry. Daddy went to the GA Archives
with me and was really interested in all we located. Glad your dad is still
with you and know you enjoyed your day with him. Thank you for writing!
MaryJean
Mary, my father's name is Louis Eugene Childress he is 70 years and he is
still going strong. He is presently the Chief Plumbing Inspector for the City of
Memphis, Tn. I spent all day with him at my home yesterday. He was
instrumental in getting me interested in the Childress linage. He is a true Childress
and I am proud to be from his heritage.
Cody Childress
Dear List -
SOURCE -
"Jackson County Historical Association", [Childress-List archives] Mar 24,
1999, Ann Chambless - Excerpt -
JOHN CHILDRESS (1759-1849) stated in his pension application he was born in
Albemarle but his parents moved to AMHERST CO, VA soon after his birth and he
grew to manhood in AMHERST CO, VA. JOHN lived in AMHERST CO, VA during the
Revolutionary War, and in 1785 or 1786 he moved to Burke Co, NC (for one year)
and then to Wilkes County, NC. JOHN'S first wife was daughter of JAMES
EDMUNDSON (or Edmonston) also moved to Wilkes Co, NC and was neighbor of JOHN
CHILDRESS at the time of the 1787 WILKES CO, NC Tax list. JOHN CHILDRESS was
named as son-in-law in James Will dated 1793 in Wilkes County, NC.
The AMHERST Co, VA 1783 TAX LIST shows JAMES EDMONSTON living next to ROBERT
CHILDRESS, GOOLSBEY CHILDRESS and JOHN CHILDRESS, as well as George TAYLOR
(brother-in-law) of JOHN CHILDRESS and JOHN DUNCAN (brother-in-law) of JOHN
CHILDRESS. JOSEPH CHILDRESS was also in Amherst Co, VA in 1783. PETER CARTER
lived in the area of the CHILDRESS clan in 1783. A THOMAS LUCAS also lived
in this neighborhood, and JOHN CHILDRESS' son, ROBERT married (1) POLLY LUCAS
and (2) KEZIAH CARTER (daughter of PETER CARTER) [Note, Peter was son of
SOLOMON and MARY ANN CHILDRESS CARTER] -
In 1783 AMHERST CO, VA, HENRY CHILDRESS's son, ROBERT, married NANCY PRYOR,
daughter of Nicholas PRYOR who was neighbor to the CHILDRESSES who lived in
the PEDLAR RIVER area of AMHERST CO. - -
SOURCE -
1783 - HEAD OF FAMILIES, CENSUS - AMHERST COUNTY, VA - White - Black -
1) Lucy CHILDRESS 1 - 6 [widow of Abraham Childress lll, aka Childers] -
2) Ann CHILDRESS 5 - 1 [Ann JOPLING CHILDRESS, widow of Benjamin] -
3) Peter, Edward, Wm CARTER - [Carter - Childress marriages] -
4) JOHN CHILDRESS - 9 -
5) Goolsbey CHILDRESS 3 -
6) Robert CHILDRESS 2 -
7) JAMES EDMONSTON 3 - [Father-in-law of JOHN CHILDRESS] -
8) George TAYLOR 8 - [Brother-in-law of JOHN CHILDRESS] -
9) John DUNCAN 9 - [Brother-in-law of JOHN CHILDRESS] -
10) Edmund GOODRICH [probably kin to JOHN Goodrich, 2nd husband of Mary Ann
Childress Carter, widow of Solomon Carter, parents of Peter whose daughter,
Keziah (m) Robert Childress, son of John Childress (b) 1759.
11) Nicholas Pryor and David - [Robert CHILDRESS (m) daugh of Nicholas
Pryor] -
12)SANDIDGE - William, John, Larkin, Pullam - [This surname married the
Childress's] -
13)Joseph CHILDRESS 10 - 9 -
THOSE who were either married or kin to CHILDRESS in AMHERST - AND in this
Census - JOPLING - THOMAS - POWELL - STINNETT - GOOLSBEY - COLEMAN (had
Christian name of LINDSEY, they married Childress) - TUCKER -
******************************************************************************
*************************
SOURCE - 1785 - HEADS OF FAMILY, CENSUS - AMHERST COUNTY, VA -
1) Lucy CHILDRESS (same as above)
2) Josiah JOPLING (kin to Ann Jopling who m. Benjamin CHILDRESS) -
3) Ann CHELDERS (Childress) - 5-1-2
4) Goolesby CHILDRESS -
5) Goodrich - Edmond, Thomas and James (same as above) -
6) Carter - Edward, Peter, Landon, William (same as above) -
7) Pryor - Nicholas - (same as above) -
8) GOODRICH, John - 6 (2nd husband of Mary Ann Childress Carter, widow of
Solomon)
9) SANDEDGE (Sandidge) John (same as above) -
10) Martin, James
11) JOHN CHILDRESS (PEDLAR) 9 - 1 - [Probably the one who had a patent on
Pedlar River) -
12) Sandidge - Benjamin (same as above)
13) Henry CHILDRESS 1 -
14) TAYLOR, George, William (same as above) -
15) JOHN CHELDRESS - 5 -
16) JOHN CHELDRESS - 5 - (I don't know if there were TWO of them or a
mistake in the abstract, name spelt as shown, was Childress) -
17) JAMES EDMONSTON - 3 - (Father-In-Law of JOHN CHILDRESS) -
******************************************************************************
************************
To Be Continued -
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear Patrick,
Re: DNA study and your website -
Thank you very much for the DNA update! It was very informative and I
personally appreciate your expertise and opinion on the subject. I recommend all
the list subscribers to visit your website.
On another note, along the one you mentioned, who changed the spelling of
his name (Childers - Childress) due to a family squabble. Six years ago, I had
correspondence with a woman whose husband was a double Childress. However,
her husband did not have Childress as his surname. His story being that his
father was in love with a young woman and their families forbid them to
marry, saying they were "to young" - so, they packed a bag and both of them left
their families and married anyway, but in doing so, HE changed his surname
(Childress) to that of HIS mother's so that they wouldn't get caught, they
didn't *S* -
The ancestral Childresses in question are two very well known branches. One
being ARW soldier, David Childress, who married Leticia Gaines and the
other, William Childress who married Ann Burton, both families settled in early TN
and both in Sullivan County. Their lines crossed thru their children who
intermarried. David being the son of Henry and Mary Farmer Childers (aka
Childress) whose brother was John Childress, father of Judge John Childress of
Nashville, TN fame, whose son was, George Campbell Childress, author of the
Texas Declaration of Independence. Both lineage's intertwining to confuse even
the best of genealogists! To top that off, the descendant (of both lineage's)
changes his name to his mothers! Thus eliminating the surname of Childress
all together! So, this just goes to show us, some with the name were born
with it, some change it, some acquired it thru adoption. No matter how it was
procured, it's one more interesting family name!
Thank you also, for the compliment, as a Childress, I feel that it's not
only an honor to carry the name, but a responsibility to. Also, on this
"Father's Day" I wish to honor my deceased father (Theodore Eugene Childress) by
perhaps sharing research with others. My father never knew all I (now know)
about our Childress lineage, so if I can contribute something to our family, I
feel honored to do so. Thank you for writing, keep us updated on the DNA
project!
MaryJean
Dear List -
Since the published series on JOHN CHILDRESS born 1759 Albemarle County, VA
(Gary and Mark Childress, Childress-List), the more I've read, the more errors
I've found in published reports. It seems in the tax and census and land
records about five JOHN Childress are in the location of Amherst County. I
won't solve them all, no one has to date, unless they have not come forward.
But, there are some wills, marriages, deeds, census and tax records which can
perhaps separate them.
We know for instance that a JOHN Childress married the daughter of James
Edmondson and both John and his father-in-law, [James], lived close by in
Amherst. Both disappear [after 1786c] to NC about the same time. John married
Edmondson's daughter, very likely named Lucrecia or Lucy. There is a John
Childress who married Pricilla Stinnette according to her father's will. There
are two John's living side by side in the tax and census and near Robert, Henry
and Goolsby Childress and near James Edmondson. There is one lone John
Childress with "(Pedlar)" by his name in one census, not [that marker] to show
again after a certain date. Then after the rest are gone from Amherst, there
are two named John Sr and John Jr., side by side in the 1800 records. These
two we know are not, nor either, John Childress (born 1759) because his
pension said he was in NC by 1785-86 for 7-8 years and then to Knox County, TN.
where he died by 1748/9.
SOURCE -
"CHILDRESS-LIST Archives - Dec. 31, 1998 - Childers vs Childress - Gary
Childress to Eldon Elgin" -
Hello Eldon - Just one other point, even if there were no evidence of the
Childresses crossing from IRELAND and if there were no extant family lore
confirming it, there is still one glaring piece of evidence that emerges. There
is a population explosion of the surname Childress/Childers...The Childers
lineage can, as you reference, have a Henry producing a John. The problem is
that upon close inspection there are too many JOHNS. In the 1790 census of
Albemarle and Amherst, I have counted 7 - 8 JOHN CHILDRESSES (not counting the
CHILDERS), that would have been alive at the same time. etc.
Sometimes I think that the CHILDRESS surname is on the verge of extinction.
The name has so co-mingled with CHILDERS in Virginia as to require a labor
of love to distinguish the two....etc.
There are these distinctions between the CHILDERS and CHILDRESS Surnames. I
rely on this information to make a differentiation. The CHILDERS migrated
to VA from ENGLAND in the mid 1600's. I conclude that the CHILDRESSES
migrated to VA in 1745 from ULSTER, Northern Ireland. The CHILDRESS family bought
their own ship. The record of the CHILDRESS crossing is recorded on the
gravestone of JOEL Childress, whose daughter Sarah married President Polk....etc.
SOURCE -
"CHILDRESS-LIST (archives) Mark and Gary Childress, Sep 1, 2001, from Debbie
Childress Croy, born in Amherst Co, VA [mother and father born and raised on
the PEDLAR MILLS, someplace, grandfather was John Alexander Childress] -
Dear Debbie, It appears from your mention of PEDLAR MILLS that your family
may be related to JOHN CHILDRESS born circa 1740 who is identifiable in deeds
of record in the 18th Century Amherst County, VA as living on the PEDLAR
RIVER. He had at least one son JOHN CHILDRESS, JR. (married SARAH GOODE) who
also lived on the PEDLAR RIVER until about 1803. Their descendants are not
clearly understood.
Regarding the families that you mention such as CARTER, GOOLSBY, STINNETTE,
SANDIDGE, PRYOR, COLEMAN, WRIGHT, THOMAS, SMITH, WOODY, those families
intermarried with the CHILDRESSES of Amherst County in the late 1700's, etc.
SOURCE -
"CHILDRESS-List (archives) - From: Jackson Cty Historical Association, Ann
B. Chambless, May 12, 1999" -
JOHN CHILDRESS PATENT: Amherst County, VA, 320 ACRES on both sides of PEDLAR
RIVER, Amherst Co, VA, PATENTS E, 1780-1781, page 232. When was this 320
Acres sold by JOHN CHILDRESS and to whom? -
To be continued -
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear List -
As with my earlier message dated June 16th, I gave excerpts from the
Childress DNA-List (Gary Childress). I've printed out most of the messages from
that list regarding what Gary and Mark classified as Viking and Celtic.
From a message dated Sat, Dec. 18, 2004, RE: News - This is some of what
Gary Childress had to say about their "breaking news" -
EXCERPTS -
The latest DNA research has taken a bizarre turn...a JOHN S. ALLRED surnamed
individual has matched 21/15 with VIKING CHILDRESS surnamed individuals
enough to be related yet has enough mutations to suggest that the common ancestor
to this Childress - Allred union was centuries ago. It would have taken
several centuries for some of Allred and Childress mutations to occur that are
evident in the DNA test.
It appears that the Viking Childress group and the ALLRED surname shared a
common ancestor. Further there is a case to be made that the ALLRED surname
begat the VIKING CHILDRESS group. I am pondering the hypothesis that
somewhere in the Middle Ages an ALLRED surnamed individual had a CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK
and that that baby then took the CHILDRESS SURNAME and his descendants are
the VIKING CHILDRESS lineage's of today.
The ALLRED connection dovetails with the possible origin of the CHILDRESS
surname itself. The surname "Childress" MAY HAVE BEEN A SURNAME GIVEN BY THE
church TO out of wedlock births since numerous church records have entries for
these births as "Child of Christ" of "Child of our Father".
ADDITIONALLY -
Gary Childress goes further to say before he made these statements in the
later message of April 2005 - "There are quite of number of mutations on CELTIC
CHILDRESS test results and until now those mis-matches seemed to be to many
to classify the testing parties as related by a RECENT COMMON ANCESTOR". -
Etc. Etc. - "I am revisiting the interpretation of CELTIC CHILDRESS DNA test
results and am classifying most of the Celtic CHILDRESSES as related to each
other with a RECENT COMMON ANCESTOR." -
COMMENTS -
It would seem to me, that the above ALLRED theory wasn't successful. Have
any of you seen mention of the results of this ALLRED who Gary believes to be,
THE ancestor of what he calls "VIKING CHILDRESS"? And of whom this ALLRED
is THE ancestor of ALL of the Childers and Childress who do not match the
CELTIC bunch? In all the rest of the messages, nothing further has been said
regarding this ALLRED fellow. Apparently, the ALLRED theory was not conclusive
nor was he a Childress, any Childress, Viking or "Celtic". Anyone know?
Also the early mention of out of wedlock as an answer as to WHERE WE CAME
FROM. Do any of you find this strange? All of the one's {many} who do match
are now considered to be derived from BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK ancestor named
ALLRED.
While I am very interested in anything found. It seems to me that these
theories are going no where at all. Logic seems to be thrown out the window,
along with obvious reasons as to why a large group of Childers and Childress
match and a very small group do NOT match. While I've said this before, I
don't know if any of the Childress family came from the shores out of Scotland
and or Wales. However, there have been messages posted to this list from "Kay"
with regard to the Childers and other variants who lived in Scotland. Whether
or not these people came to America, I don't know. No ship migration has
been proven at this point, only those we know for sure who came to America have
been seen on ship lists and they have been classified as "Viking
Childresses" -
Families migrated towards a better life, left their homeland for a better
future for their family. Traditionally, this is exactly what happened. It was
not possible for many families to live where they were born. They went were
there was work, where other members of their family migrated. During the
17th century, it was very difficult in this part of Europe. But if we think
logically here, once they all reached the shores of America, there was some type
of proven documentation which gave proof as to where they came from and what
they were doing.
Children born out of wedlock was more common than many of us realize. Gary
brought up the NC Bastardly Bonds to prove it. While some people whose
relatives have taken DNA for other surnames have found they don't match the
surname they have carried all their lives, I'm sure was stunning. This happened in
OUR Childress and Childers families. From what Gary had to say about the
CELTIC mutations, this would suggest to me, that this may have been the reason
for these "contaminated mutations". Not caused by contaminated X, but due to
THE X. I fully believe there are male Childers - Childresses who descend
from a FEMALE ancestor, but who also carry the surname. I don't doubt it, a
good case in point is MARY ANN CHILDRESS, daughter of Abraham Childress lll (AKA
Childers) who was married to a CARTER, likely way before 1763 date of her
father's will. Those Carter descendants of whom I have discussed Mary Ann
with, have agreed, Mary Ann Childress married Solomon Carter in 1759.
As discussed in another message to this list, Mary Ann, did in fact, have an
out of wedlock son named JOHN "Childers". The record was recorded in
Amherst County, VA in 1774. My source (Virginia Hanks) remembers nothing further
about the case. But, one thing is clear to me. Mary Ann married Solomon
Carter in 1759 and THEIR son, William Carter, was born in the latter part of 1760.
If Mary Ann Childress Carter had an out of wedlock son named JOHN "Childers"
(aka Childress), he could very well have been born before 1760. I intend to
study it further, after I view the court documentation. Also, any children
of Mary Ann's son, John Childers (aka Childress) would NOT carry the Y, but
would be carrying their mother's maiden name. Would his descendants
"mutations" be a lot?
Gary (Childress) further comment was, that his CELTIC branch of CHILDRESS
had no DNA connection to the VIKING Childresses (or Childers), but they do.
According to his series, his ancestry tree names Solomon Carter, so he's a
direct descendant of Mary Ann Childress who married 1759 to Solomon Carter.
It's my opinion, that no matter if the DNA comes from a female Childers or
Childress. I may not carry the Y, but I do carry the Childress DNA of my
father and so do my children. In ancient time in Scotland, no matter if a female
married or not, she always carried her maiden name and most likely, the life
long tie with her clan.
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear List:
I'm not a DNA authority, just a Childress:) Reading over all the messages
from two DNA sites for CHILDERS and CHILDRESS, I'm a bit confused. As a
female, I can't take the DNA, because I carry the X, correct? The males carries
the Y, correct? With this said, I am confused by an April 12, 2005 message by
Mark and Gary Childress to the CHILDRESS-DNA-List (archives) - It's my
understanding [correct me if wrong] that the only three in the CELTIC CHILDRESS
GROUP are the following - Gary, Mark and Joseph Childress, the latter is their
cousin, all three descend from John Childress born 1759 Albemarle County, VA,
then shortly thereafter his birth, to Amherst County and who migrated
[according to his ARW pension record] from Amherst county after 1786 to Burke
County, NC for one year, then to Wilkes County, NC for 7 to 8 years, finally
migrating to Knox County, TN where he lived and died 1848/9 per Knox County, TN
court settlement records.
EXCERPTS - Gary Childress message - April 12, 2005 - As follows -
For myself and the Celtic Childress Group we are looking for patterns that
show relatedness between very mutant results and shed some light on mutation
rates. The Celtic Group has a lot of mutations. These mutations may be due
to environmental exposures such as toxic chemicals from tanning (the Edinburg
Childresses of the 17th Century were leather and metal workers). Modern
geneticists in the third world countries have found that when tanners dump their
chemicals on the ground, the toxins percolate into the underground water
table and endanger the community. Geneticists have determined that those
drinking the water have increased chromosome damage on the X chromosome. That may
explain some of the mutations in the CELTIC CHILDRESS group who ancestors had
a tanning related trade or lived in the vicinity of tanners. -
QUESTION - What is Gary trying to say in the above? Is he saying there is
concern on his part over the discovery that ONLY the CELTIC CHILDRESSES have a
lot of mutations due to "damage" to the X chromosome? Does this suggest
that as a female, we determine "a lot of mutations" in the DNA of the male
CHILDRESS? I'm asking you fellows, those who've taken the DNA and those of you
who are understanding what Gary actually means? Not saying there's a hidden
agenda, but it just reads as odd to me. Because, we are excluded and the "we"
being female Childresses, why would this be of importance within the CELTIC
CHILDRESSESS and ONLY them? The only reason I can possibly conjure up would
be male Childresses who might not have a male CHILDRESS as father, but rather
a female Childress as mother. Does this sound far fetched? It does not to
me. Anyone?
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin
Dear List -
In two previous messages I've posted to the list, there has been discussion
regarding MARY ANN CHILDRESS who was named as "MARY ANN CARTER" in the 1763
Albemarle County, Virginia will of her father, ABRAHAM CHILDRESS lll (aka
Childers) -
I've had the opportunity to discuss the CARTER - ELLIS and CHILDRESS (along
with other connected families) with very knowledgeable researchers. We've
compared notes, discussed possibilities and known fact, based on documentation
and also conjecture with good old logic. I know more about the Carters than
I did when I began researching them and their connection to MARY ANN
CHILDRESS CARTER. Since two and perhaps three of the MARY ANN's who married the
CARTER brothers are proven, as Childress I would like to give you some of what
I've learned and see what you think.
Below is a message to the ELLIS-list on rootsweb. This was given to me by a
Carter descendant and researcher (David) and mentioned by Dick Zieman, both
of whom, know a great deal about the CARTERS, their marriages and etc. In
the meantime, please see the message below - this is called "THE ELLIS LETTER",
which was written in 1857 and was published in "OLD CHURCHES, MINISTERS and
FAMILIES of VIRGINIA" Vol. ll, by BISHOP MEADE -
_Click here:
http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/textindices/E/ELLIS+...
(http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/textindices/E/ELLIS+...)
In the letter, it presents a good guide line for when the ELLIS family came
to America, where they settled and their connection to CARTER which was by
marriage. It was in fact, PETER CARTER who married MARY ANN ELLIS, she being
one of the MARY ANN's who married one of the three CARTER brothers. PETER was
brother of SOLOMON CARTER who also married a MARY ANN and we are 95 percent
sure she was MARY ANN CHILDRESS. SOLOMON, in case you don't know, was the
father of PETER CARTER who was father of KESSIAH (Keziah) CARTER who married
ROBERT CHILDRESS in 1812 Amherst County and ROBERT was son of JOHN CHILDRESS
born 1759 ALBEMARLE County, Virginia and died 1848-9 Knox County, TN.
The ELLIS LETTER above is not only valuable because of genealogical
references, but, for the time line, where they lived, how and who lived nearby. It
was said by Carter researchers that the ELLIS family was the reason for their
migration from one county in Virginia to where they finally settled, AMHERST
County, VA. As this discussion so far has been centered on MARY ANN
CHILDRESS CARTER and what we know of her life so far, it is important to understand
how it may have been and what led up to her life as we know of it.
Taken from the letter above, some valuable information - The first was DAVID
ELLIS, from the second supply of emigrants from ENGLAND, and was one of the
men sent by Capt. Smith to build a house for King Powhatan at his favorite
seat, Werowocomico, on York River. JOHN ELLIS was one of the grantee's in the
second charter of the VA Company. My immediate family is of Welsh
extraction, and my descent traced to JOHN ELLIS, who settled on PETER's CREEK, a branch
of TUCKAHOE CREEK, in HENRICO COUNTY. He was born in the year 1661, and he
appears at VARINA, the county seat of HENRICO, October 1, 1683. -
From the small amount (so far) of information from the "ELLIS LETTER", it
was apparent to me that when I was told WHY the ELLIS and CARTER families came
to AMHERST, I had wondered where they had migrated from, who they knew there
and what their migration pattern had led them to. It's highly suggested (to
me) that the ELLIS family were knowledgeable about other families in their
area. I also was interested in knowing how MARY ANN CHILDRESS even met SOLOMON
CARTER to begin with or did she have an earlier association with he and his
family. Or as fate would have it, was her father and mother neighbors of the
man she married, SOLOMON CARTER?
From VIRGINIA HANKS - SEE the following -
(_http://www.childers-childress.com/hanks1.html_
(http://www.childers-childress.com/hanks1.html) ) -
TUCKAHOE CREEK - :
1738 - WILLIAM CANNON to ABRAHAM [Childress lll] and ELIZABETH and WILLIAM
CANNON CHILDERS [Childress] (Abraham was living on Tuckahoe Creek) JAMES RIVER
and CARTER'S FERRY.
There are other land entries which I'll be publishing on the location of
CHILDRESS and where they were living. But in the meantime, an early association
is suggested to have begun with the ELLIS family and that of ABRAHAM
CHILDRESS lll and his family while they all lived on TUCKAHOE CREEK. To be
continued -
MaryJean Childress - Voegtlin