52 Ancestor's Challenge - Elizabeth Miles born 1834 in Georgia - Week 3 - "Tough Woman"

I've been working on and off with this blog for over a year now, but still trying to get used to it all.  I'm learning new tricks every week!  This week, we are starting to use footnotes.  Hopefully I'm using them correctly.  If not....Sorry!!

Anyway...on to week # 3's challenge!  This week, the suggested theme is to write about a "tough woman."  Looking through my tree, I can find so many women that would fit the bill.  It was hard to decide on one.   With all that our ancestors had to endure, living without the modern day conveniences we have today...I'm sure I couldn't do it!

This week I've choose to write about my 3rd great grandmother, Elizabeth Miles, who was widowed during the Civil War with seven young children to take care of.

Elizabeth was the first born daughter of Robert P. Miles and Palmira Jackson.  She was born around Harris County, Georgia on October 5, 1834.  Looking at tax and census records, we know her family lived in Georgia until at least 1843. They then moved to Tallapoosa County, Alabama.¹²


Familysearch.org, John H.M. Vines and Elizabeth Miles Marriage, 2-13-1849, Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950, Tallapoosa County, Page 419, Image 355 of 547, File No.1302444(005205830)

On February 13, 1849, Elizabeth married John H.M. Vines in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.³  I wrote about John H.M. Vines in a previous post last year.  The couple had 7 children that I know of:

• Mary Ann Melvina Vines
• Nancy Elizabeth Vines (my direct ancestor)
• Lucinda Jane Vines
• Susan Margarett Vines
• Robert Javis Vines
• Matilda Estella Vines
• George Washington Vines

Bible record found in the the possessions of Mamie Estelle Locke Holcomb, Elizabeth's granddaughter.

The family resided in Tallapoosa County until the start of the Civil War.  In May of 1862, John joined Company D, of the 34th Alabama Infantry as a private.  One of my most treasured possessions is a letter he wrote home to his family.  The letter was dated July 11th, 1862.  Just 10 days later, John died of sickness somewhere near Saltillo, Mississippi.

In the letter he tells Elizabeth if she wants to move back to her father's house, she can.  Next we see Elizabeth's father listed in the Alabama State Census for the year 1866 in Fayette County, Alabama.⁴  The household has an extra 8 people living in the house, the same ages as Elizabeth and her 7 children.  Because this census does not list individual names, we can't be positive.  However, I'm pretty sure it's them, since on the 1870 Federal Census, Elizabeth and her 8 children are listed living next door to R.P. Miles, her father.  The family is still in Fayette County, Alabama, and are listed as living in Township 17.⁵

Sometime before 1874, Elizabeth moved with her children and her sister Lucinda Miles Beckett, and Lucinda's family, to Arkansas.  This is according to probate papers I have copies of.⁶ Arkansas is the last place we can locate Elizabeth.  In 1880, she is found living in Totten, Lonoke County.⁷

On June 27th, 1892, we see she filed an Application for Pension for her husband John. This was signed in the county of White, in Arkansas.  The pension not only lists the death date of her husband, John, but it also states that she suffers from "Nervous Prostration."  Elizabeth would have been 57 years old. 



Application For Pension by Elizabeth Miles Vines, June 27, 1892.  Ordered and received from Arkansas Confederate Penion Records, Arkansas History Commission, 1 Capitol Mall, 2B-215, Little Rock, AR 72201. http://www.ark-ives.com/documenting/confed_pensions/detail/default.aspx?sec=ConfPension&id=4077.

I'm not sure what happened to her after this.  I do know she was probably living with her daughter Nancy Elizabeth Vines Locke when she signed the pension application.  But by 1898, Nancy Elizabeth and her family moved to Texas.  Elizabeth's other children: Mary Ann Melvina Vines Beckett, Robert Javis Vines, and Matilda Estella Vines Cockrell also made their way to Texas by 1900.  It's unknown if Elizabeth went with them or stayed in Arkansas with her other 3 children.


If you have any questions about anything in this post, please leave me a comment.  Thanks for reading!!

---

1 Ancestry.com, 1840 United States Federal Census, R. Miles, Hueys District, Harris, Georgia, Roll:43, Page:243, Image:499, Family History Library Film:0007044.

2 Ancestry.com, Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Robert Miles, 1843, Dagnol District, Harris, Georgia, USA, Image 78 of 177.^↩

3 Familysearch.org, John H.M. Vines and Elizabeth Miles Marriage, 2-13-1849, Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950, Tallapoosa County, Page 419, Image 355-547, File No.1302444(005205830).^↩

4 Ancestry.com, Alabama State Census, 1820-1866, Robert Miles, Fayette County, 1866, Image 51 of 126.^↩

5 Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census, Elizabeth Vines, Township 17, Fayette, Alabama, Roll: M593_16, Page 457A, Image 438, Family History Library Film: 545515.^↩

6 Fayette County, Alabama, Probate Court Minutes, Volume 2, Pages 285-287, Petition For Letters, The Estate of Robert P. Miles, Dated May 13, 1874.^↩

7 Ancestry.com, 1880 United States Federal Census, Elizabeth  Vines, Totten, Lonoke, Arkansas, Roll: 50, Family History Film: 1254050, Page: 383B, Enumeration District: 188, Image: 0490.<^↩

52 Ancestor's Challenge - Robert P. Miles - Georgia to Alabama - Week 25

Signature of Robert P. Miles, found in probate
paperwork for Absalom Jackson's estate (his father-in-law).
Copy found in probate file, in
Chambers County Estates Box 16, Folder 43

It may be hard to read, but this is the signature of my 4th great grandfather, Robert P. Miles.  His signature was found on some probate papers in the estate of his father-in-law, Absalom Jackson.  The paper it is from is very hard to read, but I believe it has something to do with the sale of some property that Absalom owned.  The page is dated in the year 1840, and has the signatures, or marks, of each of his unwed daughters and the husbands of his married daughters.

Robert P. Miles was born around 1799, probably in Georgia.  I speculate he was born somewhere around Hancock County, GA.  His father is thought to be John Miles and was on the tax rolls of Hancock County, GA from 1895-1805.  There is a book that discusses John Miles called Your Inheritance, Vol. II, by Robbie Lee Gillis Ross, Matthews, NC, Delmar Print Co., 1972 (pages 231-236).  In the book it states John Miles was a Commissioner from Montpelier, and was a Justice of the Peace for Baldwin County, GA.  John's wife, and Robert's mother, is said to be Margaret (Peggy) Warren. 

According to this same book, Robert P. Miles had one draw in the Third Lottery Act of 1820, set up by the Georgia Legislature.  This can also be seen in the Historical Collections of the Georgia Chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution, Volume IV, Back Matter on  Ancestry.com if you have a subscription.  If you don't have a subscription, a copy of the index is found at USGenWeb.  His name can be seen in Ellis' District.

Robert is next found in the will of his father, John.  John left his son a slave named Daniel, a feather bed, and furniture.  I find the idea of having another human being as part your property reprehensible, but this was common in the south at this time.  It is sad what these people had to endure, and my heart goes out to them.

A large part of John's estate was left to his wife, Peggy.  When she died in 1826, it was divided to their children.  At her death, the estate had 18 additional slaves.  These slaves were divided up into Lots of 2 each.  Each heir of the estate drew a lot.  Robert drew lot number 7, which meant he was given 2 slaves by the names Sucky and Selilia, which were appraised at $450 together.  You can find these papers on Familysearch.org: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990, Baldwin County, Returns 1813-1831, page 139 in the book, but page 493 of 664 of the digital copies.

I'm unsure where Robert was living in 1830, but by 1833 he is shown marrying Palmira Jackson in Meriwether County, GA.  Palmira Jackson was the daughter of Absalom Jackson, who was living in Meriwether County, Ga when the 1830 census was taken.

Marriage record of Robert P. Miles and Palmira Jackson May 16, 1833, Meriwether Co., GA

Image found on Familysearch.org, "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950"

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-25508-20992-34?cc=1927197

Robert and Palmira had 9 children that we know of.  They are as follows:

• Elizabeth b.1834, d.after 1891 - married John H.M. Vines
• Lucinda b. 1835, d.1908 - married William M. Beckett
• Margaret (Maggie) b.1839, d. 1917 - married Holland Middleton Bell
• Matilda Ann b.1840, d. 1857 - married William Green Stowe
• Absalom Jackson b.1841, d.1862 - never married
• John W. b.1841, d.1918 - married Victoria P. West
• Alevia b.1844, d.unknown - don't believe she ever married, can't find her after 1880 though
• Robert Paul b.1847, d.1930 - Married Monica Bell (sister of Holland M. Bell)
• William H. b.1849, d.1918 - never married

 In 1840, there is a R. Miles living in Huey's District, No. 3, Harris County, GA, according to the 1840 Federal Census.  In the household it shows the following members:

1 male age 20-29; 2 females under the age of 5; 2 females age 5-9; 1 female age 30-39; 1 male slave under the age of 10; and 1 female slave age 10-23

We can assume the  male and older female are Robert and Palmira, however, the age of Robert would be incorrect.  The two females under the age of 5 could be Matilda Ann and Margaret, while the two other females could have been Elizabeth and Lucinda.  It's unknown whether the older female slave could have been Sucky or Selilia.  The male slave under the age of 10 would have been too young to have been Daniel, so I'm not sure what his name was.

In 1843, Robert Miles can be found in Harris County, in the Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, found on Ancestry.com.  He is located in the Dagnol District.  I can't quite make out what each item is they listed, but I can see he still had 2 slaves in his household.

The 1850 Federal Census has been frustrating for me.  I have looked and looked for this family in this census, but cannot find them anywhere.  It's quite possible they were still in Harris County, GA, but on May 1, 1849, there was a land grant recorded for a Robert Miles of Tallapoosa County, Alabama.  This can be found on Ancestry.com as well in the U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907. The following piece of land is shown in the grant:

"The North East quarter of the North West quarter of Section Twenty Eight in Township Twenty Three of Range Twenty Four, East, in the District of Lands Subject to Sale at Montgomery Alabama containing forty Acres and eight and a half hundredths of an Acre."

We also know that his oldest daughter, Elizabeth Miles (my 3rd great grandmother), was married in Tallapoosa County, AL on February 13, 1849, to John H.M. Vines.  You can see the marriage details here on Familysearch.org.  It is my assumption, that the family had moved to Tallapoosa County, AL by this time.

We can't find the family in the 1850 census, but Alabama had a state census in 1855.  On Ancestry.com in the Alabama State Census, 1820-1866 records, we see a Robert Miles living in Beat 13.  In the household, it shows the following:

4 males under 21; 1 male over 21; 4 females under 21; 1 female over 21; and 2 slaves.

The families time was short in Tallapoosa County.  By 1860, the family can be found in Fayette County, Alabama.  The 1860 Federal Census shows the family living in East District, Fayette Co., AL.  The surname is spelled Myles and it shows Robert as age 60, occupation a farmer, value of real estate as $2,000, value of personal estate of $1,500, and he was born in Georgia.  The people living in his household are as follows: Palmira, Margaret, John, Absalom, Aleva, Robert, William, Green Stoe, Wm. C. Manases, Sarah A. Manases, Davens J. Manases, James H. Manases, and Dorphus Manases.  I don't think the Manases family was related to the Miles, but "Green Stoe" is actually William Green Stowe, Robert's widowed son-in-law.  He was married to Matilda Ann Miles on September 9, 1856, and she died December 27, 1857 in Tallapoosa County.  She probably died in childbirth, and is buried with their son Robert A. Stowe.

We can also see Robert in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedule on Ancestry.com.  He is shown having 2 slaves in his household and one slave house.  One is listed as a female age 30, while the other is listed as a male.  The age of the male is hard to read.  The person who indexed this typed in 29 years, but I think it looks more like 21 years.  Either way, there is a mark next to the male, which means he was a "fugitive of the state."  What that might mean, I'm not sure.  Did he run away?  Attempt to get his freedom?  The ages show they could be the same two that were living in the household in 1840 as well.

Robert Miles can also be found in the Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedule for the year 1860.  He is shown with the following for his farm:

• Acres of land improved: 135, unimproved: 425
• Cash value of farm: $200
• Value of Farming Implements and Machinery: $20
• Livestock on June 1, 1860
• Horses: 4
• Milch Cows: 4
• Working Oxen: 2
• Other Cattle: 3
• Swine: 40
• Value of Livestock: $775
• Bushels of Wheat: 100
• Bushels of Rye: 20
• Bushels of Indian Corn: 1,000
• Ginned Cotton Bales of 400 lbs each: 18

The Civil War then came and brought a lot of changes to the Miles family.  At least three of Robert and Palmira's sons, and their son-in-law, went off to war.  Only two returned.  Their son Absalom Jackson Miles died of sickness near Richmond, VA, and their daughter, Elizabeth's, husband John H.M. Vines died of sickness in Mississippi.  Their son John Miles was injured, but made it back home.

The 1866 Alabama State Census found on Ancestry.com shows the family living in Fayette County still.  There is a total of 14 people living in the household.  This would be Robert, Palmira, John, Alevia, Robert Jr., William, and their widowed daughter Elizabeth Miles Vines along with Elizabeth's 7 children: Mary Ann, Nancy Elizabeth, Lucinda, Susan, Matilda, Robert Javis, and George W.  This census also contains an area to mark whether anyone in the household was killed in the war, died of sickness, or disabled.  In Robert's household they have marked 2 for died of sickness and 1 for disabled.  The 2 that died were Absalom and John H.M. Vines, while the disabled soldier, I believe was John.

In 1870, we see Robert, age 71 years now.  He is still living in Fayette County, according to the 1870 Federal Census, he is in Township 17.  In his household were his wife, Palmira, and two of their children, Alevia and William.  Next to them on the census is their daughter Elizabeth with 5 of her children.  Her oldest daughter Mary Ann Melvina Vines was married by this time and living in Tallapoosa with her husband, Jonathan Beckett.  Elizabeth's daughter, Nancy Elizabeth was living with Mary Ann and her family too.

Another Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedule was done in 1870 as well, and can be found on Ancestry.com.  There is an R.P. Miles listed on it with the following:

• Acres of land improved: 100, unimproved: 564
• Cash value of farm: $200
• Value of Farming Implements and Machinery: $10
• Livestock on June 1, 1870
• Horses: 2
• Milch Cows: 5
• Working Oxen: 2
• Other Cattle: 10
• Swine: 19
• Value of Livestock: $467
• Bushels of Indian Corn: 400
• Bushels of Oats: 100

It's similar to what he had for the 1860 census.  Not too much had changed.  Robert didn't own a large plantation, so the war may not have affected his business as it did some people.

August 30, 1873, Robert passed away.  He is buried in the Old Section of the Fayette City Cemetery.  His wife Palmira and their grandson, Robert Calvin Miles, are buried next to him.  I've seen on record that there is a CSA soldier buried next to them, but there isn't a stone that we have found for him.  Not sure if this CSA soldier could be their son, Absalom Jackson Miles or not.  My mom and her husband have taken a couple of trips to the Fayette City Cemetery and have taken photos of the gravestones.  Interesting find, behind the old gravestones that are deteriorating from age, are two small white stones with just their initials on them.  They must have been added afterwards, but not entirely sure. Robert's was found inside the cement curb that surrounded one Bell family stones. Palmira's was found lying on the grass just behind the Bell stone.  I need to contact the people in charge of this section of the cemetery to see why this is.

Gravestones of Robert P. Miles, Palmira Jackson Miles, and Robert Calvin Miles

Second, smaller, stone with Robert's initials found in Bell plot

Photo of "RPM" stone lying inside Bell plot (on the left).  Palmira's second stone is lying in front.

Robert died intestate, and the probate of his estate was handled by his son-in-law, Holland Middleton Bell, who would eventually work as probate judge for the county. Copies of his probate paperwork can be found in the Fayette County, AL Probate Court Minutes: Vol.2, Pages 285-287, 783-784, 798-799; Vol. 3, Pages 24, 315, 342-343, 352-354; Vol. 4, Pages 43-44; and Fayette County, AL Probate Court Records, Vol. 2, Pages 401-408.

If you have any questions, or concerns, about any of the information listed above, please leave a comment. I'd be happy to provide any additional information. Thanks for reading!!

52 Ancestors Challenge - Week 11 - Palmira E. Jackson - South Carolina to Fayette County, Alabama

Continuing the 52 Ancestors Challenge, started by Amy Johnson Crow, I've decided to write about my 4th great grandmother Palmira/Palmyra Jackson.

About 15 years ago, my mom started researching our family tree online.  Based on a couple of sheets of paper that were torn out of a family bible, she was able to determine that her grandmother's, grandmother (her great, great grandmother) was Elizabeth Miles Vines.  But who were Elizabeth's parents?  Her mother and father were not listed on the pages, they began with Elizabeth and her husband John H.M. Vines (who I discussed in week 9).  Along with these bible pages, there was a letter written by John W. Miles to his sister Elizabeth Miles Vines dated September 27, 1877, from Fayette County, Alabama (copy shown below).

Eventually, she was able to stumble on to Elizabeth's parents names through copies of probate papers she received from a cousin.  They were copied at the Fayette County Courthouse in Alabama.  Her parents were Robert P. Miles and Palmira E.(F.) Miles.

Palmira E.(F.) Jackson Miles

We've spent many hours researching Palmira.  Who was she?  Where was she born?  Who were her parents?  The earliest record we could find of her was her marriage record to Robert P. Miles in Meriwether County, Georgia on May 16, 1833.  Here we see her maiden name was Jackson.

Marriage record of Robert P. Miles and Palmira Jackson May 16, 1833, Meriweather Co., GA
Image found on Familysearch.org, "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950"
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-25508-20992-34?cc=1927197

We soon came to find that searching for a woman, with the maiden name of Jackson, prior to the 1850 census was very difficult!!  In the state of Georgia, the name Jackson is very common.  Many Jacksons also moved from Georgia to Alabama, just as Palmira and Robert did.  So who's line did she belong to??  To get this answer, we'll trace Palmira's life and what we do know.

We do know the names of the children of Robert and Palmira.  We've pieced these together through a couple different documents.

• Elizabeth b.1834, d.after 1891
• Lucinda b. 1835, d.1908
• Margaret (Maggie) b.1839, d. 1917
• Matilda Ann b.1840, d. 1857
• Absalom Jackson b.1841, d.1862
• John W. b.1841, d.1918
• Alevia b.184, d.unknown
• Robert Paul b.1847, d.1930
• William H. b.1849, d.1918

After Robert and Palmira were married, we can find an R. Miles living in Huey's District, Harris County, GA on the 1840 US federal census.  The family consisted of one male age 20-29, 2 females under the age of 5, 2 females age 5-9, and one female age 30-39. 

There is no 1850 federal census, with the family's names listed, that I can find.  I've spent many hours looking with no luck.  So, the next record we turn to is the Alabama state census of 1855.  Here there is a Robert Miles living in Beat 13, Tallapoosa County, Alabama.  In the household we now see 4 males under the age of 21, 1 male age 21 and over, 4 females under the age of 21, and one female age 21 and older.  Their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was married in 1849 and living with her husband in Tallapoosa County by this time.

By the 1860 federal census, we can see the family has moved again.  They were now living in Eastern Division, Fayette County, Alabama.  In the household was Robert, Palmira, Maggie, John, Absalom, Alevia, Robert, and William, along with some others who were living with the family: Green Stow (the husband of their daughter, Matilda Ann, who passed away in 1857), and the Manasco family - William C., Sarah A., Davens J., James H., and Dorphus.  Palmira is listed as age 52, and born in Georgia.

Alabama had another state census in 1866.  The family was still living in Fayette at this time.  In the household we see 14 people: 2 males under age 10, 2 males age 10-20, one male age 20-30, one male age 70-80, one female under the age of 10, 4 females age 10-20, one female age 20-30, one female age 30-40, and one female age 50-60.  The reason the household was so large, was because their daughter Elizabeth moved back in with her parents after the death of her husband during the war.  She also brought with her, her 7 children.  Their daughter Lucinda was married and no longer living with the family.  She was living with her husband, William Marion Beckett.  Also on this census is some additional information pertaining to the Civil War.  Here we see 2 soldiers in the household died of sickness during the war, and one soldier was disabled.  We know the 2 soldiers that were killed were Robert and Palmira's son Absalom Jackson Miles, and their son-in-law, Elizabeth's husband, John H.M. Vines.  The disabled soldier was their son John W. Miles.  His application for pension says he was wounded in the right ankle during the "battle of Sharpsburg Maryland, September 17, 1862."

Robert and Palmira remained in Fayette County, and we can see them living there, in Township 17, on the 1870 federal census.  In the house with them were their children Alevia (written as Levi) and William.  The household listed next to theirs contained their daughter Elizabeth Vines and 5 of her children.

In May of 1874, Holland M. Bell began filing the paperwork for the probate of the estate of Robert P. Miles.  We don't know the exact day of his death, but according to the probate papers, it was in 1873.  He died without a will.  Holland M. Bell was the son-in-law of Robert and Palmira.  He married their daughter Margaret (Maggie) in 1866. 

Sometime before May of 1874, Robert and Palmira's daughters Elizabeth and Lucinda, along with their families, moved to White County, Arkansas.  At the beginning of this post I shared a copy of a letter written by John W. Miles to his sister Elizabeth Miles Vines who was residing in Arkansas at the time.  According to this letter, Palmira passed away September 24, 1877.  The letter also states she was buried next to her husband Robert.  Both were buried in the Fayette City Cemetery. 

To the right are some pictures we've taken of the headstones in Fayette City Cemetery.  This first picture is of Palmira's headstone.  Its almost unreadable.  The second picture shows (from left to right) Robert P. Miles (headstone is broken), Palmira E. Miles, and Robert Calvin Miles (infant son of John W. Miles and Victoria P. West Miles, grandson of Robert and Palmira, born 8/19/1886 and died 8/21/1886). 

For some reason, there are additional stones just lying around.  Behind these 3 stones in picture #2, maybe 10 to 15 feet, is the headstone of a Bell relative.  There is a concrete boarder around the grave of this individual.  Right behind the boarder and gravestone that says "Bell," is a small white stone with the initials P.E.F.M. (shown to the right).  It was just lying on the grass and looks out of place.  On another trip, it was propped on top of the concrete boarder. 

Within the boarder of that same "Bell" grave, is another small white stone that is just lying in the corner.  This particular stone has the initials R.P.M.  Why are there other stones with their initials on them?  Who placed them there, and where do they really belong??  I haven't been in contact with the church that takes care of this part of the cemetery yet.  You can see the two small stones in this last picture on the right. 

In this same cemetery, their daughter Margaret (Maggie) Miles Bell is buried and so is her husband Holland Middleton Bell.  Holland was a Civil War soldier, Fayette County Probate Judge from 1880 to 1892, and died at the age of 104 in 1943.

On September 29, 1877 Holland M. Bell started the paperwork to sell the remaining property owned by the estate of Robert P. Miles.  The land was set aside for his widow and was listed as "NE 1/4 of Section 29, T 16, R 12."  I've tried mapping this piece of property.  If I'm right, the property is south of the City of Fayette, and had the Sipsey River running through it on the west half, and County Road 35 running through the east half.  At the northeast corner of the property is where County Road 35 and Oak Grove Road meet.  Macedonia Baptist Church is just south of it on County Road 35.

So Which Jackson Family Does Palmira Belong to???

We finally made this discovery in 2010.  Palmira and Robert had twin sons.  They were the first born boys in their family.  For many years, we've believed Robert P. Miles father to be John Miles of Baldwin County, GA.  Since the other twin was named Absalom, it was natural for us to assume Palmira's father was probably named Absalom.  There were a couple of men named Absalom Jackson through out Georgia, but only one moved to Chambers County, AL in the 1830s.  We were able to get a copy of the will of Absalom Jackson who died in 1838 in Chambers County, AL.  However, this will only listed his wife, Abigail, and 3 daughters who were living at home: Abigail, Pheobe, and Mary.  Then I decided to contact the Alabama Department of Archives and History, and for a small fee, they were able to send me the entire probate file on him.  The first page listed all of his heirs.  He had 7 daughters, Palmira was listed as number 4!!  Robert P. Miles even signed for his wife's inherited property in the file!! 

So, now we are 100% certain that Palmira Jackson Miles is the daughter of Absalom Jackson.  However, I'm not 100% certain that she is the daughter of Abigail Jackson, the wife of Absalom when he died.  There is a gap of about 9 years between his 5th daughter and his 6th daughter.  So, I'm hesitant to make that conclusion.  But we do know that Palmira had 6 sisters, all of whom moved to Alabama with their families.  They were (I've included their married names): Elizabeth Brooks, Matilda Hamlin, Pheobe Thompson, Epsey Hamilton, Abigail Stephens, and Mary Tucker.  All lived in Chambers, Tallapoosa, and Fayette Counties in Alabama. 

Where exactly was Palmira born?  Not completely sure, but her father was from South Carolina and living in Jones County, Georgia by 1815.  Its very possible he could have been living in Baldwin County as early as 1807.  If he was, then Palmira, who was born about 1808, would have been born in Georgia.  But this is speculation right now.  I'm still working on Absalom's whereabouts.

But what does the E, or the F in her name mean?  We think the E might be for Elizabeth or Estella.  Both were names used throughout our family.  The F is completely foreign to me.  I wish I knew what it was for.  Always more questions!!!

So what line of Jacksons does her father Absalom descend from???  I'm still working on that.  Hopefully, we'll know soon enough!

If you have any questions, or concerns, about any of the information listed above, please leave a comment. I'd be happy to provide any additional information. Thanks for reading!!

52 Ancestors Challenge - Week 10 - Matilda Ann Miles - Not To Be Forgotten...

It's been 10 weeks now into 2014, and we're at our #10 post for the 52 Ancestors Challenge started by Amy Johnson Crow.  This week I've decided to focus on an individual who had been forgotten through time.  We've all probably come across these individuals throughout our research.  A distant family member who died before they should have.  Before having children and leaving a legacy to go on after them.  I feel it is our duty to write about these people, share their story, so they won't be forgotten.

In this case, I will be talking about the sister of my great, great, great grandmother.  Her name was Matilda Ann Miles.  Researching my family for many years, it was only recently that we came to find this Matilda was probably part of our line. 

Matilda was the daughter of Robert P. Miles and Palmira E. Jackson.  What year she was born exactly, I'm not sure.  Her tombstone is hard to read, but I believe it says she was born "January 1840."  If so, Robert and Palmira were living in Harris County, Georgia during the 1840 census.  So she would probably have been born somewhere around there.  She may have been named after Palmira's sister Matilda Jackson who married Jethro Hamlin.

There is no census record with Matilda's name on it...she isn't shown, or listed by name, with the family, nor do I have any bible records passed down showing her.  The only proof I have that Matilda Miles is related to Robert and Palmira Miles, is a picture of the gravestone in Stowe's Cemetery for her.   It looks like it says she is the daughter of "R & P Miles".  I saved a copy of the stone, but I'm hesitant to add it to this post.  I have in my notes that I found it on Findagrave.com, but today as I write this, it is not showing online on their website anymore.  I'll just have to make a trip to Stowe's Cemetery in Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, Alabama some day.  There's so much research I'd love to do in Tallapoosa and Chambers Counties!!  Maybe one day!!

Here is the other proof I have that makes me believe Matilda belonged to our family:

• 1840 US census shows Robert living in Hueys District, Harris County, GA with 5 females: 2 under 5, 2 ages 5-10, and one age 30-40 (Palmira).
  • Daughters we know for sure are:
    • Elizabeth born 1834
    • Lucinda born 1835
    • Margaret born 1839
    • If Matilda was born January 1840, she could be the second girl under 5.
• 1850 US census can not be found for the Robert P. Miles family...I've looked and looked, but it must not exist!!
• 1855 Alabama state census shows Robert living in Tallapoosa County, AL with 4 females under the age of 21.
  • Daughter Elizabeth was married and living with husband John H.M. Vines and no longer in the house. This leaves the following daughters living in the household:
    • Lucinda age 20
    • Margaret age 16
    • Another daughter, Alevia, was born in 1844 and would be about 11 years old.
    • Matilda would have been 15, and could have been this 4th girl.
• 1856 We have a marriage record found for Matilda A. Miles and William G.U. Stow in Dadeville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama - near where the Miles family was living.

Marriage Record for William G.U. Stow and Matilda A. Miles
September 9, 1856, Dadeville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama
Found online at https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-25844-7682-32?cc=1743384&wc=M9WB-HGT:n252468430

• 1860 US census shows Robert Miles living in Fayette County, AL with his wife and 6 of their kids: Margaret, John, Absalom, Alevia, Robert, and William. There are also others living in the household: "Green Stoe", and the William C. Manasco family of 5.
• I believe this "Green Stoe" could be the same William G.U. Stowe that was in Tallapoosa, who married Matilda Miles. He could have moved with the family after Matilda and his son died.  Further research on him shows his full name was probably William Green Uptegrove Stowe, son of Abraham Robinson Stowe and Sallie Frances Poindexter who were living near Stowe's Ferry, Tallapoosa County, AL.
• In 1859, Elizabeth Miles, Robert and Palmira's oldest daughter, gave birth to a girl. She named this girl Matilda. Could she have named her after her sister who passed away? I believe this was the case.

From the research I've done on William G.W. Stowe (possibly the same William Green Uptegrove Stowe?), he married in 1861 to Sarah H. Wamack in Tuscaloosa, AL. This William G. Stowe is in the 1910 US census with his wife Sarah and family. The census is blurry, but looks like it says it was his 2nd marriage.

To absolutely confirm that Matilda Ann Miles was the daughter of Robert and Palmira Miles, I've been looking for the 1850 census, but again have had no luck.

One last, and very important item about Matilda, is the fact that she most likely died in childbirth.  Buried with her is her one and only child Robert A. Stowe.  It is inscribed on the stone under Matilda's information "ALSO are infant son Robert A. Stowe."  Two young souls gone too soon.

If you have any questions, or concerns, about the information in this post, please leave me a message. I'd be happy to answer any questions or share what information I have on the individuals listed above. Thanks for reading!!

52 Ancestors Challenge - Week 9 - John H.M. Vines - 34th Alabama Infantry - Civil War

JOHN H.M. VINES

 

Is this the picture of John H.M. Vines??  We will probably never know for sure.  It was found in some of my great grandmother, Mamie's, things.  We believe it might be John H.M. Vines, her grandfather.  We can not be 100% sure of this, but the resemblance to his sister Lucinda, and his daughter Nancy Elizabeth are strong.  It is a small tin-type photo.  Also in her belongings, was a handwritten letter from John to his wife, Elizabeth Miles Vines that he wrote while away during the Civil War.  It was dated July 11, 1862, just 10 days before he died.

John H.M. Vines was born about 1829 in, or around, Abbeville, South Carolina.  He was the youngest son of John "Jabez" Vines and Nancy Mattison.  He had at least 2 sisters and 2 brothers that we know of:

• Mary "Pollie" Ann - born 1822, died 1846
• Benjamin J. "B.J." - born 1824, died 1910
• George Washington - born 1828
• Lucinda Purcilla - born 1832, died 1913

1830 Federal census we find a "Jabish" Vines living in Abbeville District, South Carolina.  There are additional children living in the household, besides the 4 we know they had: 2 older male children and 3 older female children.  So there is a possibility that John could have had additional siblings.

1840, we find the family has moved to Tallapoosa County, Alabama.  In the household are children the ages of John, B.J., George, and Lucinda.  Pollie was married by then to George M. Berry, and also living in Tallapoosa County.

Then, on February 13, 1849, we find the marriage record of John H.M. Vines and Elizabeth Miles.  Elizabeth was the oldest daughter of Robert P. Miles and Palmira Jackson.  She was born October 5, 1834 in Georgia, probably near Meriwether County.  We can see the couple living next to John's father Jabez, in Township 22, Tallapoosa County, Alabama on the 1850 census.

Together, the couple had 7 children:

• Mary Ann Melvina 1850-1897
• Nancy Elizabeth 1851-1920
• Lucinda Jane 1853-1915
• Susan Margarett 1854-????
• Robert Javis 1856-1934
• Matilda Estella 1859-1924
• George Washington 1861-????

1860 Federal census we see John, Elizabeth and their 6 older children living in Western Division (Beat 2), Tallapoosa County, Alabama.  John's occupation is shown as "farmer."  There was also a "Non-Population Schedule" done for the year of 1860.  In it, we can see he owned a farm of 320 acres, 30 improved and 290 unimproved, with a cash value of $700.  On this farm, he had 5 horses, 5 milk cows, 2 working oxen, 2 other cattle, and 16 pigs (or swine as it states).  This livestock had a value of $590.  On this schedule you can see the majority of crops raised in the area were of Indian corn and cotton.  John's farm had 30 bushels of Indian corn and 9 bales of ginned cotton (bales were of 400lbs each).  Comparing John's farm to those of his father and siblings, you see his farm was much lower in value.  Comparing acres you see he had more acres then his siblings, but less of those acres were improved.  He also had less livestock.  His siblings and father lived near each other in Beat No. 13 in Tallapoosa County, but John lived in Beat No. 2.

Then, in 1861 came the Civil War.  Its hard to read the index cards on Fold3.com, however, you find John H.M. Vines age 30 enlisting as a Private in Company D of the 34th Alabama Infantry.  His brother George Washington Vines also enlisted and served in the same company.  In the book Soldiers of the Southern Cross, The Confederate Soldiers of Tallapoosa County, Alabama, by William Gregory Wilson, "the 34th Alabama Regiment was organized at Loachapoka in Macon County, Alabama on April 15, 1862."  The company was brought together at Loachapoka, but was ordered, in June, to report to Tupelo, Mississippi.  According to Mr. Wilson's book, not only was there a lot of sickness and disease within the troops, water was scarce in Tupelo too.  The men had to "dig deep wells in search of potable water."  Because of the lack of water, and the heat of summer, Mr. Wilson believes some camps moved east of Tupelo.  We see this move shown in a letter from John H.M. Vines to his wife Elizabeth (except his camp moved north about 8 miles, not east).

Itawamba Cty, Saltillo Miss

July 11th 1862

 

Dear Wife I seat my self this morning to reply to your kind letter that I received yesterday and was proud to hear from you and that you was all well.  Beffy I must say to you that I haven't seen a well day since I have been hear with the exception of one week though I have been up all the time except four days and I was very bad of(f) then.  I could not walk a step with out help it was mumps that got me so lo.  I am doing tollerable well now but not able to do duty.  Beffy a soldiers life is a hard life you need not dout it.  Some of the doctors says it is my liver that is wat is the mater with me now and some of them says it is plurisy.  Ever since I have got up from the mumps I have had a sever misery in my left side and a sever cough which hurts me very much but I am a great deal better than I have been.  Beffy George holds up fine he is as lively as you pleas and has been all the time.  Beffy we have moved from Tupelo up to Saltillo about eight miles.  Walking up here worsted me mighty.  You must still direct your letters to Tupelo a while longer we will still keep marching toward Tenesee I recon some thinks we will go to Tenesee.  Beffy as you want to go to your Paps you are at liberty to go when ever you want to go.  Beffy I am more than to gratify you in any respect that you wish so I want you to go when ever you get ready.  God bless your sweet soul.  I wish I could be with you but it is out of my power at this time.  Beffy I wrote to you in a letter that I sent by Elias Berry what & how I wanted you to manage when you left for your Paps.  Beffy you no it is my wish for you to go.  Beffy you wrote for me to try to do better.  I have quit swaring entirely and have been ever since I have been here.  I will close with you and reply to Melly.  I remain your affectionate husband until death.  J.H.M. Vines

 

My dear daughter I am proud that you can write to your Pa.  Melly I want you to be good girl bless your sweet little soul and all of the rest of my children.  I wish I could be with you all.  Melly kiss Til and Budy for me.  I want to see you all so bad.  Melly when you all go to your grand Paps be sweet children.  I hope I will be with you all before long.  Melly write to me you and your ma as soon as you get this.  Farewell your loving Pa whose love shal never fail.

J.H.M. Vines

 



Such a sweet letter, and he must have been really ill.  On a widow's pension filed by Elizabeth in 1892, she put down as his date of death, July 21st, 1862.  Only 10 days later.  Whether he was still in Saltillo, MS, I'm not sure.  Towards the end of July, the 34th Alabama went by "rail roundabout through Mobile to Chattanooga in preparation for a Confederate offensive into central Kentucky."  This is according to Mr. Wilson's book.  It is certain that John did not have to see, or fight, in any battle in the war.  The 34th didn't see their first battle until December 31, 1862 at the Battle of Murfreesboro.

Where John would have died, and is buried, is a mystery.  If he could have made the journey to Tennessee, I've been told he may have died at Tyner's Station, Tennessee or camp Recovery.  However, since the 34th didn't move until late July, its quite possible he died prior to the journey, or could have been too sick to make the journey.  No, I believe he probably didn't make the trip and died somewhere near Saltillo, or Tupelo, Mississippi.  There is an unknown Confederate soldier buried in a plot next to Elizabeth's parents in Fayette County, Alabama, where Elizabeth was wanting to move per the letter from John shown above.  I'm not sure they would have brought the body back to the family.  Seems like there wouldn't have been the time or money for that.  He was probably buried with the many other men who died of disease in the area of Tupelo at that time.

Elizabeth did indeed move back with her parents.  You can find her and the 7 children in the 1870 Federal census living next door to her parents, Robert and Palmira Miles, in Fayette County, Alabama.  In fact, the 1866 Alabama state census shows Robert Miles household.  In that household is him and his wife, their remaining children living at home, and the added number of Elizabeth and her 7 children.  This particular census is interesting because it asks about the Civil War soldiers who would have been living in the household.  Where it says "died of sickness" we see they marked "2."  One would have been Elizabeth's brother Absalom Jackson Miles who died of sickness near Richmond, Virginia, and the other was probably her husband, John H.M. Vines.

It would have been interesting to hear what stories John's granddaughter, Mamie, would have heard about him.  I assume Mamie's mother, Nancy Elizabeth, must have mentioned her father at some point.  We do know his wife Elizabeth was around when Mamie was a young girl too.  So its safe to assume Elizabeth might have mentioned him to Mamie as well.  I don't think anyone asked Mamie, or even knew about this man or the letter she carried with her.

If you have any questions, or concerns, about any of the information listed above, please leave a comment.  I'd be happy to provide any additional information.  Thanks for reading!!