NORTHEAST ALABAMA SETTLERS - T0§m^-A'^A BnaaaaaaaaaBBBBSaaweai 8 II 1PL Up t f< ! HHHfil : 'W^Y'WM'YSi : NICHOLS MEMORIAL LIBRARY Registered National Historic Landmark Headquarters of NORTHEAST ALABAMA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. P.O. Box 674 Gadsden, Alabama 35902 VOLUME XXXIII OCTOBER 1994 NO. 2 33 NORTHEAST ALABAMA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY. INC. P. O. Box 674 Gadsden, Alabama 35902 President - (205) 547-3229 1st V. P.. Editor - (205) 546-8260 W. A. Lewis Ms. Sybil T. McCluskey 2525 Skyway Street 415 9th Street, South Gadsden, AL 35901 E. Gadsden. AL 35903 2nd V. P.. Program Chrm. - (205) 538-7923 Assoc. Editor - (205) 492-7175 Mrs. Elizabeth Yancey Mrs. Carolyn M. Pruitt 13085 Duck Springs Road 304 Taylor Road Attalla, AL 35954 Glencoe. AL 35905 3rd V. P., Membership Chrm. (205)538-9951 Recording Secretary - (205) 546-7824 Mrs. Alma Jean Walker Robert W. Pilgrim 4610 Gallant Road 2430 McClain Avenue Attalla, AL 35954 Gadsden. AL 35901 Treasurer - (205) 442-7742 Corresp. Secretary - (205) 546-2249 Lawrence Gore Mrs. Gail Brown 206 Cambridge Lane 711 Agricola Drive Rainbow City, AL 35906 Gadsden, AL 35901 Librarian-(205) 442-2148 Mrs. Jane B. Keenum 2764 School Drive Southside, AL 35901 MEMBERSHIP Any person who is genuinely interested and actively participating in genealogical and historical research shall be eligible for membership. There are no residency requirements. Non-members may submit queries at $4.00 per issue. Queries are free to members. Dues are $15.00 per year. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES 1. To aid in the preservation of Family Bible records, military records, cemetery records, and other genealogical and historical records. 2. To promote historical and genealogical research and the study of history and genealogy 3. To promote interest and encourage people who are interested in genealogical and historical research. 4. To cooperate to the extent practical with other societies that are interested in genealogy and history and preservation. 5. To collect and preserve historical and genealogical data relating to Alabama, particularly, but no limited to, the counties of Blount. Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, DeKalb. Etowah, Marshall, Randolph. St. Clair, and Talladega. EXCHANGE MEMBERS The Society will exchange quarterlies with other organizations subject to the approval of the Editor and Librarian. Exchange publications and other publications donated should be mailed to: Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society, Inc., P. O. Box 674, Gadsden. AL 35902. All publications will be placed in the Nichols Memorial Library, #1 Cabot Avenue, Gadsden, Alabama. Volume XXXIII Northeast Alabama Settlers No, October 1994 TABLE OP CONTENTS President's Letter Page i Minutes of July 1994 Meeting Page ii Wills 1824-1832, St. Clair Co., AL Page 35 Bible Record of James S. Best & Maryann E. White . Page 38 Bible Record of Richard Calvin Jones & Permelia Ellen Tyner Page 39 Isabel Strange Bible Record Page 40 Genealogy of the Veazey Family From 1725 Page 41 Henderson Bridge Cemetery Page 45 News & Reviews From Nichols Memorial Library Page 46 Notes & Queries Page 47 Meeting Announcement Page 50 Ancestor Charts Page 51 Surname Index Page 67 Membership Application/Renewal Form Centerfold Publication Order Form Centerfold Map Showing Location of Nichols Memorial Library . Back Cover Copyright, Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society, Inc. 1994 ISSN 0742 583 X > Indexed in Genealogical Periodical Annual Index Volume XXXIII Northeast Alabama Settlers No, October 1994 PRESIDENT'S LETTER Our local members who were not able to attend the July meeting missed some excellent information that will help in further research. Marvin Kelly did a splendid job in telling us how to read Alabama land deeds. His program was unusual in that genealogy was not mentioned, but it was not necessary to mention it, because in finding the land legally described, you are also going to find other family members and neighbors on the same pages. We appreciate all of you sending ancestor charts, and while we are printing what we feel to be an appropriate number, we are building a back-log. Bear with us, we will get yours published. One of our local members has made arrangements for loan, a microfilm reader, plus fifty-five rolls of film covering various subjects, e.g., fifteen rolls of pension applications for the War of 1812 and Mexican War; twenty-two rolls of 1820, 1830 & 1840 Tennessee census, and eighteen rolls of 1830 census for several states. You are invited to use this material on the days the library is opened by volunteers. Each Thursday 10 AM to 3 PM, and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9 AM to 1 PM. The Cobb County, Georgia Genealogical Society holds semi­ annual beginners classes in genealogy, which are free, and last two hours per week for five weeks. The turnout is amazing with attendance ranging from 40 to 100 persons per week. Their President, Jack Nunn, teaches the first class, "Introduction to Genealogy." He has graciously given us permission to repeat two outstanding points from his class which are listed below, and believe you will agree that these apply to you and I as well as beginners. First: We must never attempt to rewrite history to accommodate our research, as many special-interest groups are trying to do today. We do know that history naturally contains some errors; but we should never deliberately distort research facts just to make other parts of our research fit better into what we think it should be. The more records that you locate on an individual or family, the more likely you will find some inconsistencies. And if you accept these facts as you find them, you may later gather facts that will help explain the differences. Second: We must never judge our ancestors on the basis of today's values. I'm not the least embarrassed that some of my ancestors in the 1700's and 1800's could not read nor write. I would be if any of my contemporary relatives could not. Values were much different then, particularly in rural or frontier areas. The emphasis was not on education, but on survival and providing food, clothing, shelter and protection for the family. Good researching! W. A. Lewis President Volume XXXIII Northeast Alabama Settlers No. 2 October 1994 MINUTES The Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society met at Nichols Memorial Library in Gadsden, AL on Saturday, July 9, 1994 for the regular quarterly meeting. President W. A. Lewis called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Doyal Johns. President Lewis welcomed the members and recognized seven visitors. Mr. Lewis reported on the repairs that had been done on the Library building which included a new roof on the rear annex costing $800.00. A new heating and air conditioning system has also been installed to replace the failed system. The bill has not yet been received by the society. The copy machine also was repaired at a cost of $300.00. The Treasurer, Lawrence Gore, reported a bank balance of $5,115.29. It was also reported that we now have a microfilm reader, hand crank style, for use by the members. The Membership Chairman, Jean Walker, reported that we have 213 members to begin our new year. Two new members were recognized, Arthur McLaughlin, an avid genealogist, who has transferred to the Gadsden Goodyear Plant. He came from Kentucky where he was an active member of the Kentucky Genealogical Society. Mr. Nathaniel Davenport has joined our society and reported that he will soon publish a book on his African-American family by the name of "Reece." The program was given by our member, Marvin Kelly, who told about land surveying, using the rectangular system. His program was very educational and informative, and the group was led in an exercise of plotting land in the State and also in Etowah County, AL. Some members even plotted their own property. Land records are helpful in genealogy by identifying nearby property owners who may be relatives, thereby, helping to solve genealogical problems. The program was enjoyed by all. The meeting was adjourned and refreshments were served to the members and guests. Robert Pilgrim Recording Secretary > I I Northeast Alabama Settlers Volume XXXIII No. 2 WILLS 1824-1832 ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ALABAMA Abstract by Jerry B. Jones The first wills of St. Clair County, Alabama are recorded in the deed books. In Deed Book "A" there are ten wills for the years 1824-1832. These ten will be abstracted in this issue of Settlers. The remaining wills recorded in deed records will be abstracts in future issue. WILLIAM BRADEN Deed Book "A" - pg 625. WILLIAM BRADEN Dated September 29, 1831 Recorded December 23, 1831 Son John Braden Daughter Sarah Ann Braden Daughter Elizabeth Robertson Son Gibson Braden Son Soloman Braden Wife Elizabeth Braden Son Newman Braden Daughter Nancy Braden Executors: Wife, Elizabeth Braden and sons John and Soloman Braden Witnesses: Charles C. Farrar, John Roberson, Reuben Arnold MORDOCA FULLER Deed Book "A" - pg. 58 Dated January 15, 1831 Recorded June 22, 1832 Son David Fuller Deceased son James Fuller Son- Mordica Fuller Deceased son William Fuller Executors: Sons, David and Mordica Fuller Witnesses: L. S. Bradford and Henry Bradford Deed Book "A" - pg. 142 ABEL GILLILAND Dated December 12, 1826 Recorded February 27, 1827 Wife Mary Gilliland Son-in-law John Pattin Executor: Oldest son John Gilliland NOTE: Abel Gilliland was the son of John and Elizabeth Young Gilliland of Cocke County, Tennessee. He was born about 1782, and married in Tennessee, Mary Haynie. He did not name his children in his will but the known children were: Louiza who 35 Northeast Alabama Settlers Volume XXXIII No. married John Patton Oct. 27, 1823 St. Clair Co.; Elizabeth married Daniel Fuller Oct.