2013 Sep GSGSI Newsletter - Gilmer County Genealogical Society

m o u n ta i n h e r i ta g e
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
September 1, 2013
J a m e s B l a i r - R e v o l u t i o n a r y Wa r S o l d i e r
BY ANITA NEWSOM NAIL
James “Jimmy” Blair was a
patriots of the rendezvous location. A
seven stanza poem, “The Ride of the
Volume 1, Issue 3
In this quarterly issue:
James Blair Revolutionary War
Soldier
1-2
3-4
Revolutionary War soldier and father
to a First Family in Gilmer County. He
was born on 06 Mar 1761 in Augusta
County, Virginia. His parents are
Rebel”, written by John Trotwood
Moore, describes James as a historic
horseback courier.
Larkin Sisson - Civil
War Soldier
thought to be Colbert and Sarah
Morgan Blair. In 1778, when James was
17, he enlisted in the Colonial Army in
Burke County, North Carolina. He
After the war, James was appointed as
an Indian agent for the Cherokee
Nation. Also, as a surveyor, he was
responsible for settling some boundary
In Focus: Ralston School 6
in 1912
served as an orderly, ensign, sergeant,
and Indian scout. He fought in the
Battle of Sumter’s Defeat, the Battle of
Ramsour’s Mill, and served as a spy in
lines with the Indians. In The Treaty of
July 8, 1817, he surveyed the line that
separated Habersham County from
Indian Lands, which became known as
The Raft Swamp Campaign. At 19, he
was badly wounded while serving as an
“Express Rider”, alerting the patriots
that Ferguson was approaching. The
“The Blair Line”. He was credited with
helping settle and lay out Union
County, Georgia. The county seat of
Blairsville is named for him.
gathering of The Kings Mountain men
was made possible by sending these
riders in all directions to notify
James first moved to Rhea County,
Tennessee, then to the Pendleton
District of South Carolina, then to
Family Research Corner 5
Last Quarter Highlights
7
North Georgia
Memories
8
Why Should I Join A
Genealogical Society?
9
Upcoming Events For
2013
10
New Books In The
Genealogy Research
Center
10
Bulletin Board
11
The President’s Desk
11
Franklin County, Georgia, and finally
settled near Clarkesville in Habersham
County, Georgia, where he was a
Senator and Representative in the
Legislature for 27 successive years.
———————————————————
Major Battles of the Revolutionary War: On the
Battlefield at Monmouth. Benson J. Lossing, Our
Country. New York: Johnson and Bailey, 1895.
See James Blair - Revolutionary War
Soldier, Page 2
Backwoods Girl. Edward
Eggleston, A First Book In
American History, 1889.
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 2
J a m e s B l a i r - R ev o l u t i o n a r y Wa r S o l d i e r
Continued from Page 1
James married Elizabeth Powell around 1782. She
was born on 16 Apr 1765 in Orange County,
Elizabeth's tombstone against a sapling and it
eventually grew around the monument. There was
no sign of James' tombstone. It is thought that
James’ monument was destroyed in a tornado that
North Carolina. They moved to Pickens County,
Alabama in 1838. Devout Baptists, they raised a
large family. Elizabeth died on 26 Mar 1839 and
James died five days later on 31 Mar 1839.
had previously gone through the area. There are
many Blair, Powell, and Holt descendants still in
Gilmer County and surrounding areas. If you are
interested in contacting the author call
(662) 332-3305 or email [email protected].
First Family Ancestral Line:
- James (Jimmy) Blair + Elizabeth Powell
Elizabeth and James are buried in Old Mt. Moriah
Cemetery in Pickens County, Alabama, but the
actual gravesites have not been discovered.
Mahala Blair was the third child born to James and
Elizabeth. Mahala was born around 1791 in South
Carolina. She married Larkin Holt on 23 Apr 1805
in Franklin County, Georgia. He was born
about 1786, and a veteran of The War of
1812. He died on 22 Jan 1855 in Gilmer
County, Georgia. Their children were
Lucy A., Elizabeth, Seaborn, Osborn B.,
Elijah, Mary, Martha Ann, William, James,
and John L. Holt. Mahala died about 1872
in Gilmer County, Georgia.
Robbie Shepard owns the burial property
in Pickens County, Alabama. Several years
ago, she found Elizabeth Powell Blair’s
tombstone on the ground. Robbie leaned
- Mahala Blair + Larkin Holt
- Osborne B. Holt + Hannah E. Patterson
- Sarah R. Holt + William Braxton Painter
- William Jasper Painter + Mary Matilda Elliott
- Clarence Shuford Painter Minton +
Juanita Victoria Henson
- Hilda Elizabeth Minton +
Walter Decell Newsom
- Anita Lynn Newsom + Steven Ford Nail
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 3
L a r k i n S i s s o n - C i v i l Wa r S o l d i e r
BY KATHERINE COMBS BRAY
Larkin Sisson was born in North Carolina on
3 Dec 1814. He married Elizabeth Deal and the
couple is a First Family of Gilmer County. The
couple had 10 children. On 4 Feb 1842, Larkin and
Elizabeth had their second child, a son, William
Dyke Sisson, who was born in Gilmer County,
Georgia.
Larkin and William Sisson both served in the
38th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Evans
Brigade, Gordon’s Division, Wright's Legion, Army
Northern Virginia, C.S.A., Oglethorpe County.
William joined Company E as a Private on
29 Sep 1861. Larkin joined the confederacy as a
substitute for Oliver H. P. Arnold of Oglethorpe
County. In 1862, most substitutes received $300.
William was on wounded
furlough in October 1862
(after the Second Battle of
Manassas) and drew
.33 cents a day. He was
appointed 5th Sgt. in January
1863 and then promoted to
United Daughters of
3rd Sgt. later in 1863. He
the Confederacy
was on wounded furlough for
20 days in 1863, and drew .25 cents a day.
On 21 May 1864, The Richmond Examiner, printed
that 4,419 soldiers had been admitted to the
Receiving and Wayside Hospital, also called
General Hospital #9, since May 6th. Wounded
were received and dispatched to other hospitals.
William was admitted to Receiving and Wayside
on 23 May 1864. On 6 Feb 1865, he was admitted
to Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.
William was wounded at Petersburg, Virginia on
3 Apr 1865. He was furloughed from General
Hospital #7 in Richmond, Virginia on 17 Mar 1865.
He is listed on the roster of Confederate Soldiers of
Georgia, Volume 4, Page 164.
Manassas Battlefield: Quaker Guns at Centreville, Virginia.
Benson J. Lossing, The History of the Civil War. New York:
The War Memorial Association, 1912.
Larkin Sisson was killed at the Second Battle of
Manassas (Bull Run) in Virginia on 28 Aug 1862. He
was 48 years old. He was buried in a large
common grave at the site. At the time of his death,
his eldest child, a daughter, was married. In the
Wilkes County Court of Ordinary, Elizabeth, his
widow, applied to be administrator of his estate.
On 20 Dec 1866, William Sisson married Margaret
Garrard. She was the daughter of Allen T. and
Nancy Maddox Garrard. Allen served in the War
of 1812. William and Margaret lived in Wilkes
County. He was a farmer and, at one time, was a
guard of convicts. In 1870, William and Margaret
were living in Wilkes County with two children. In
1871, they had a daughter named Kate. They had
more children, but then Margaret died in 1876.
———————————————————
See Larkin Sisson - Civil War Soldier, Page 4
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
L a r k i n S i s s o n - C i v i l Wa r S o l d i e r
Continued from Page 3
Elizabeth, Larkin’s widow, died in 1877. Her son
Thomas was the administrator of her estate which
consisted of 158 acres of land with an appraised
value of $550.
William’s sister, Louisa, married Thomas F.
Combs. Louisa died in 1892, and left Tom with
four small children ranging in ages
from one to eight. William sent his
daughter Kate to help her uncle-in-law
raise the small children. Tom Combs
and Kate Sisson married. She raised
Tom’s children, her first cousins, and
two sons that she and Tom had
together. Tom’s children always called
her "Cousin Kate”. The children were
half-siblings and second cousins.
died in 1913 and is buried in the Wall-Sisson
Cemetery in Hancock County.
First Family Ancestral Line:
- Larkin Sisson + Elizabeth Deal
- William Dyke Sisson + Margaret Garrard
- Kate Sisson + Tom Combs
- Lewis Thomas Combs + Harriett Pentecost
- Katherine Combs Bray
William was living in the Devereux,
Hancock County, Georgia in 1900.
The United States Federal Census
listed him as a widower. Other
individuals residing in the household
included Martha Smallwood, a
sister-in-Iaw, and Florence Lunceford,
a granddaughter.
In 1987, Eugenia Fox Trawick
published a book of memories about
Devereux. She described Mr. Sisson,
the driver of the school wagon, as a
jolly old man. In the 1910 census,
William listed his occupation as school
bus driver and veteran of the
Confederate Army. He later lived in
the homes of his children. William
William Dyke Sisson, 1842—1913
Page 4
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 5
F a m i l y R e s e a rc h C o r n e r
HOLDEN & BEARDEN: Kathy Watkins is
looking for the father of Lydia Bearden Holden
who was born Dec 1825 and died on 13 Jun 1900.
She is buried at New Liberty with husband, Rev.
John William Holden. He was born in 1822 and
died in 1894. He is the son of Uriah and the twin
of Ozias Holden. There were four Beardens in the
1840 Census. The father could be Willouby,
Thomas, or Jacob Holden. If you have wills,
obituaries, letters, Bible or church records, please
contact: Kathy Watkins at 706-273-2526 or
[email protected]
DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE? Hannah
Swindoll is attempting to obtain any possible
information on the individuals in the picture shown
below. If you have any information on the
individuals portrayed in this photograph, contact
Hannah at 423-894-8762 or 719 Astor Ln,
Chattanooga, TN 37412-2907.
WEBB & TIDWELL: Lee and Roxanne Johnson
are looking for information on William Webb who
was born about 1854 in Georgia. His wife was
Emily Matilda Thurman–Webb. She was born in
1855 in Tennessee. William’s children: David Ralph
Webb (b. 23 Aug 1882 in Georgia); David
Thurman Webb (b. 1917 in Emory, Raines, Texas d. Sep 1963 in Tahlequah, Cherokee, Oklahoma);
and Lee Johnson Webb. William’s mother was
Sallie Tidwell (b. about 1925), and she was the
Daughter of John W. Tidwell and Lucy Adair
Tidwell. Contact Information: Lee & Roxanne
Johnson, 1401 Chickasaw, Enid, Oklahoma 73703,
Cell: 580-402-3861,
[email protected]
CANTRELL, BATES, EVANS, FORRESTER:
Tina Peavy is looking for a connection between
Hiram King Evans and Benjamin Evans. Please
contact Tina if you have any documents, a Bible
entry, or Church record linking the two men. She
is also looking for information on Mary Ann
Cantrell. Mary Ann married James M. Bates in
Gilmer County, Georgia. Her parents were James
Clayton Evans Sr. and Cintha Jane Bates. Other
family Members are Charles C. Cantrell and
Elizabeth Forrester. Phone: 678.231.5050, E-mail:
[email protected]
Amos, Davidson, Holiday, Winkler, & Wall:
A new member needs assistance to start a family
tree for Martha Amos, Thomas Franklin Amos,
Sally Davidson, Doc Holiday, Florence Inez
Winkler, and William Hubert Walls. If you have
any information on these individuals or families,
please contact: Deborah Joy Walls Kenny at
678-232-6695 or [email protected]
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 6
I n Fo c u s : R a l s t o n S c h o o l i n 1 9 1 2
This photograph, Memories, appeared in The Times-Courier on 24 Jun 1976. The article stated that the picture
was in the collection of the late Mrs. Anna Kimmons and obtained by her son, John R. Kimmons, for Everett
Weeks. Ralston School was about 12 miles out on Big Creek Road across from the Briggs Garland farm.
First Row (l-r): Bessie Anderson, Floyd Cantrell, Bluford Cantrell, Lola Holt, Mamie Cantrell, Daisy Cantrell,
Nettie Kimmons, Rosalie Cantrell, Delia Weeks, Neva Garland.
Second Row: Gomer Kimmons, Lawrence Anderson, Blummer Southerland, Veliva Lowman, Mae Cantrell,
Tamer Holt, Everett Weeks, Lola Cantrell, Unknown, Lane Weaver.
Third Row: Zelma Cantrell, Lewis Garland, Willa Anderson, Lillian Cantrell, Claude Garland, Clora Garland,
Ella Garland, Unknown, Oliver Akins – teacher.
Fourth Row: Western Cantrell, Waldo Cantrell, Grady Cantrell, Crawford Kimmons, Rubin Cantrell, Home
Kimmons.
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Last Quarter Highlights
June 22, 2013: A fun and educational program, Digging into Your Family Roots, was presented by Karen
Titus at the Gilmer County Library.
June 24, 2013: Leslie Thomas gave a wonderful presentation for a Children’s Program at the Gilmer
County Library about Native Americans with crafts.
July 11, 2013: The GCGSI held their annual picnic
and First Family Induction ceremony at the ETC
Pavilion. After socializing and a delicious picnic, First
Family of Gilmer County presented certificates and
pins to Tina G. Peavy, Lillie M. Jones Haire, Laurel
Brenda Hardy Cochran, and Kathryn Watkins
accepting certificate and pin for Alesha Suzanne
Hurst. Not pictured: John L. Hyatt, Lillie Evelyn
Anderson Canup, Cheryl Mathis Felker, Michael
Carlton Hardy, Andrew Clark Johnson, Britani
Victoria Johnson, Jennifer Fayth White Babb,
Johnathan Shawn White, Madison Brooke White,
Carla Fay Hardy Johnson, Hollyanna Kim Hardy
White, Margaret Eloise Jones Champion, Adam
Stanley Childress, Joy Lee Cantrell Childress, Louise
H, Rhodes, Jane Linton Teeter, Dennis Craig
Stewart and Linda Whitener Wolfe. The First
Family inductees are descended from ancestors that
were settled in Gilmer County by the 1840 census.
Everyone who is a descendant of early Gilmer
County settlers is welcome to apply.
August 2013: Scrougetown Church Cemetery was
mapped with an updated burial list and headstone
locations. Ten of the unidentified fieldstone graves
were identified. Thanks to all of the individuals who
participated and to those who identified the
unmarked graves!
Tina G. Peavy
receiving a First
Family
certificate and
pin.
Laurel Brenda
Hardy Cochran
receiving a First
Family
certificate and
pin.
Kathryn Watkins
accepting a First
Family certificate
and pin for
Alesha Suzanne
Hurst.
Lillie M. Jones
Haire receiving a
First Family
certificate and
pin.
Page 7
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 8
North Georgia Memories
BY GLADYS ELIZABETH DOTSON SPIVEY
We moved back to the Wimpey Place in 1945.
That Christmas Aunt Pearl took me and Grady to
the Christmas program at Cross Roads School,
they had the school dark with just candle light.
Someone played fiddle music and there was
singing. Someone was dressed up as Santa Clause.
Gifts were passed out. I remember I got a big bag
of candy. I was almost 8 years old. Grady was 6
years old.
asked who was talking. We had to carry water to
drink from the spring. During the summer they
would have revival at the
church and us kids would play
church at school. We would
sing and preach like they did at
church. In the winter we had
wood heat, the boys would
carry in the wood for the fire.
We carried our lunch in a
syrup bucket. Our lunch was a
meat or jelly biscuit and baked
Grady Dotson
sweet potato. We would stop
at grandpa and grandma
Miller’s house and get a jar of milk for lunch. Don’t
know how we kept the milk from spoiling.
Some times after school Grady and I would stop
by Uncle Emery and Aunt Mary Sanford’s and play
a while with their kids. They had a big rope swing
in a big tree they would swing us so high I would
get scared.
Gladys Elizabeth Dotson Spivey and her husband Weyman Spivey
We started to school the next year. We had to
walk form the Wimpey Place to the school at
Cross Roads. That was a long walk for two small
children with all of the wild animals roaming
around. I reckon we made so much noise nothing
bothered us. The school house was located just
before the church, when the church was located
on the right of the road. The school was a two
room building. Rev. John Quarles and his daughter
Odell was my first teacher.
I got a whipping my first week of school. We had
to sit two to a desk. The girl I was sitting with was
talking and said I was talking when the teacher
American Pioneers: A Prolific Country, Albert D. Richardson,
Beyond the Mississippi. Hartford, CT: American Publishing
Company, 1867.
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 9
W hy S h o u l d I J o i n A G e n e a l o g i c a l S o c i e t y ?
By KATHLEEN W. HINCKLEY
1. I was no longer alone. I was researching in a vacuum until I discovered a network of local genealogists.
There were more than 300 genealogists within a few miles of my home. I can now share my passion with
others, and I am plugged into a network that alerts me to the latest products, news, and opportunities.
2. I learned new research skills. The guest speakers at monthly meetings and annual workshops taught me
how to prepare a research plan, how to evaluate evidence, and techniques to discover new sources.
3. I learned how to evaluate genealogical software. One of the most frustrating decisions for a genealogist
is deciding upon the right software for their specific needs. Our society created a Computer Interest
Group and sponsored educational seminars and hands-on learning workshops. Without their guidance and
instruction, I would have floundered within the world of computer genealogy.
4. I improved my skills in reading old handwriting. My personal research included transcribing old
documents, but until I became involved in a society project, I didn't realize that my skills were elementary.
Ten Reasons to Join A Local Genealogy Society This article has been reprinted with permission from the author.
5. I learned from other members. Our society encouraged members to share their latest breakthrough or
discovery at our local meetings. This sharing was not only fun, but gave me ideas on how to solve my own
brick wall research problems.
6. I did not find a cousin, but someone else did. I'm always amazed at the odd connections that are made at
meetings. For example, someone will casually mention they are researching the Watson family in Kentucky.
Another member will answer that they are too. After comparing notes, they discover they are related six
generations back into time. Believe me, it happens more often than you may think. Members will also find
others researching the same geographical area and can help each other with resources, etc.
7. I developed lifelong friendships. Common interests create friendships, and I have gathered many through
genealogical connections. Can you imagine what it might be like if you didn't have an understanding
genealogical friend to call when you make a major discovery or solve the problem you've been working on
for several years?
We Welcome You to Invite Others to Join the Gilmer County Genealogical Society
It is a Treasure Hunt!
Did you know that Genealogy is one of the top hobbies in America, as well as, one of the fastest growing?
 We collect, preserve, and disseminate genealogical data with a focus on Gilmer, Pickens, Fannin,
Murray, and surrounding North Central Georgia Counties.
 We provide local access to genealogical materials and instructions in genealogical techniques.
 We are staffed entirely by volunteers and are the Gilmer County Library every Friday.
 Exciting new projects with forms and guidance to work on your family tree or other projects.
Send inquiries to [email protected] and go on-line: http://www.gcgsi.org/ for an application.
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 10
U p c o m i n g E v e n t s Fo r 2 0 1 3
BY BETTY RIDDLE
We will gather in
November to
decorate our
Christmas Tree for
the Sequoyah
Library Systems
Festival of Trees. A
theme will be
announced. This is
another fun
gathering where
ideas are exchanged
and future plans are
laid. Before
History of Farming: Farmer’s Cradling the Wheat. William H. Mace, A School History of the United States.
Chicago: Rand, McNally and Company,1904.
December 19th, we
will remove the tree
New Year — the date and time will be announced.
and all are invited to lunch at a local eatery.
We end our year with an Annual Christmas
Luncheon which will be at the Shriner's
Building. This is a festive time to mingle, eat, and
install our officers, for the coming year. It's a good
time to exchange ideas and lay plans for a great
We look forward to seeing everyone at the
upcoming events. Just speak up if you would like to
be involved in any of these events. We are always
looking for fresh ideas and involving more of our
members. See the quarterly schedule on Bulletin
Board, page 11.
N e w B o o k s I n T h e G e n e a l o g y R e s e a rc h C e n t e r
BY BETTY RIDDLE
This is a wonderful donation of research and photographs. The GCGSI has added several books to the
Gilmer County Library in the Genealogy Research Center.
The books were donated by Scott Logan in his mother's memory, Winnie Genell Rackley Logan:

The history of Macedonia Church
Nov. 3, 1853 - Aug. 8, 1907
Newsletter Published By Hollyanna Hardy White

Rackley - A Southern Colonial Family
and Laurel Brenda Cochran, Publishing Chair

Cantrell - Through the years
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Page 11
Bulletin Board
Colonial People: Costumes of a
Young Lady & a Businessman, Circa
1770, Elisabeth McClellan, Historic
Dress in America 1607 - 1800.
Philadelphia: George W. Jacobs &
Company, 1904.
September:

September 12th: Society Monthly Meeting, 2 p.m.

Speaker – Leslie Thomas, Using DNA to Break Though the Brick Wall

Genealogy Research Center volunteers: Trish Henson, Linda Wolfe,
Rebecca Burrell, & Eurilla Hyatt
October:

October 10th: Society Monthly Meeting, 2 p.m.

Speaker – Russell Hood from ETC, Veteran’s I Have Interviewed

Genealogy Research Center volunteers: Shirley Sluder, Rebecca
Burrell, Gladys Spivey, & Betty Riddle
November:

November 7th: Leslie Thomas, Pioneers of Gilmer from the Indians to
the early settlers. 6 p.m. Gilmer Library

November 14th: Society Monthly Meeting, 2 p.m. Election of officers
and Ellijay Lions Club “White Christmas.” Please bring gifts for
children ages 0 –11 yrs

Speaker - Vicki Stephens, Restoration and Editing of photos for Your
Family Tree/Album

November 19th: Decorate our Christmas tree for the Sequoyah
Library Systems—Festival of Trees

Genealogy Research Center volunteers: Gladys Spivey, Rebecca
Burrell, John Davis, Gloria Beaudet, & Linda Wolfe
T h e P r e s i d e n t ’s D e s k
BY KAREN TITUS
So far this year we have accomplished some of the
goals we set in January. We planned to be more
active in saving Gilmer history and have done that
by having a photo scanning day at the Gilmer
Library which was a great beginning. There are
ninety new ancestor and locale photos in our
archive. We plan to hold a second one this Fall.
Both Leslie Thomas and Karen Titus have
presented history and genealogy related seminars
to the public with the Gilmer Library Summer
Program. Both were well attended. Leslie Thomas
also provided a program to children.
Our annual picnic also allowed us to welcome
many new First Family members to the
group. Many of our members are working on local
history projects. There is
always going to be more to
do in the future but we are
moving right along in our
goals for this year.
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 919
Ellijay, GA 30540
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
The Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 919
Ellijay, GA 30540
We’re on the web!
www.gcgsi.org
Contact email: [email protected]
W h a t I s Av a i l a b l e O n l i n e ?

GCGSI Membership

Book Order Form

First Families Application

1834 and 1840 Census

Genealogical Links

Contact Information

Officers
Page 12