Washington Parish Deed Books: An Overlooked Source

Due to the two courthouse fires suffered in Washington Parish, the last occurring in 1897, researchers assume that a search of the Washington Parish deed books for ancestors living in the parish before that date is a waste of their time. This may be a serious mistake. The deed books, particularly the first twenty or so, are brimming with re-recorded records, some pre-dating the last courthouse fire by decades. Before proceeding, I should note that in Louisiana deed books are more correctly referred to as “conveyance books” but, colloquially, relatively few people refer to them that way.

Nearly all of the relevant entries in the deed books were re-recorded when (1) a seller (or sellers), wishing to convey property after 1897, was required to establish title to said property obtained before 1897; or (2) a civil suit over a pre-1897 property transaction caused the clerk to re-enter a key record.

With respect to (1), the seller may have been the individual who actually obtained the property before 1897, as demonstrated by this sequence:

[1] Deed Bk 7, 436-7; 23 Oct 1869, Enoch Hines and Susan (x) Guy his wife to Azarell McKenzie, for $600, sold title & claim to the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Sec 6, T1S R13E containing 46 acres, also lots 1 & 2 of Sec 6, T1S R13E containing 76 acres, being the land whereon vendor now resides; wits. Henry (x) Hines, Thomas I. Warner; Recorded 23 July 1903 from the burned records. [2] Deed Bk 7, 437-8; 16 Oct 1876, Azarrill McKenzie of Marion Co MS to Enoch Henry (x) Hines, for $300 ($150 cash, $150 payable 1 Jan 1878), sold NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 6 T1S R13E, containing 42 acres, also lots 1 & 2 of Sec 6, T1 R13 containing 76 acres, being acquired by vendor from Enoch Hines 23 Oct 1869; wits. Jessee A. Bullock, J.S. Burkhalter; Recorded 7 July 1903 from the burned records.

Here we have a chain of title. Enoch and Susan Guy Hines sold some 46 acres in 1869 to Azarell McKenzie who, in turn, sold the same piece of land to Enoch Henry Hines in 1876. These two items were re-recorded when Enoch Henry Hines desired to sell the said property in 1903. The obvious question becomes: how was Enoch Henry Hines related to Enoch and Susan Guy Hines? You will notice that the maiden name Susan “Guy” is recorded. The Louisiana custom of noting the maiden name of the woman in legal transactions in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries has obviously happy consequences.

While this is certainly good stuff, even better are the many deeds of heirs conveying interest to property of a deceased parent or grandparent obtained in the nineteenth century. Here are three examples:

Deed Bk 4, 382-4; 17 July 1900, Mary Brock, Martha Jane Smith, J. W. Smith, John L. Bankston, Dorcas M. Crow, J. M. (x) Crow authorizing, George T. Bankston, C. R. Carter, John W. Carter authorizing, W. P. Bankston, L. H. Bankston and Candacy Bankston, heirs of L. H. Bankston Sr. to Mrs. Irene Smith, for $500 payable in 9 notes (one to each heir), sold southern part of Butler Headright, bound E by Bogue Chitto River, N by Mrs. Sarah Sharp, W by M. T. Brumfield, S by Babington Bros., containing 238 acres, the family graveyard being exempted; wits. M. T. Brumfield, J. A. Fendlason; Recorded 14 May 1900.

Deed Bk 11, 192-3; 6 March 1882, Linea (x) Davis [with alternate spellings of first name] widow of Jeremiah Magee decd. to Mrs. Salena Richardson, for $350, sold three hundred ___ acres bounded by lands of James Was—[com?], Josiah G—[Green?] and Bogue Chitto River; Eldredge Magee, Zaborn D. Magee and Hosea D. Magee relinquish their right, title, interest to the within; wits. Adolph Gayer, Colier Pool. Re-recorded from the burned books 26 June 1906.

Deed Bk 10, 107; 23 Sept 1905 at Sunny Hill, Adolphus Vernon and Adaline Williams (wife of Alvin Williams), to “our brother” Leon J. Vernon, they being heirs of Peter and Roda Vernon, for $50 to each of us paid, sold interest to “our dead mother’s estate” consisting of about 30 acres being half of a tract of about 60 acres owned in common by their father and deceased mother, known as the Sherman Hunt place, in T1 R9E; wits. W. L. Vernon, Monroe Brumfield.

The third example is an African-American family. Occasionally, if the clear title holder had been deceased for some time, it was necessary even to re-enter estate proceedings to clear the title. One of the better examples of this is property belong to Robert and Sarah Morrow Daniel, who were both dead by 1861.

Deed Bk 22, 252-2. Division of the Estate of Sarah Morrow Daniel; 10 Oct 1861, we the legal heirs of Sarah Marrow late surviving widow of Robert Daniel deceased now also decd. have consented and agreed. We Robt. Daniel of this Parish, Mary Ann Daniel wife of Jacob Magee, Sarah Ann Daniel wife of Abram A. Harvey, all of sd Parish, being the only forced & legitimate heirs of sd Sarah Morrow decd. & all above the age of minority, do hereby consent & agree to a final petition & settlement . . . which we inherit from our deceased mother and having also agreed amongst ourselves to William T. Bateman, Wm. C. Warren and W. R. H. Faulk as appraisers of said real estate.

Deed Bk 9, 499-500; 14 Jan 1904, West Feliciana Par., William A. Daniel of MS, Willis S. Daniel of Lafayette Par., John I. Daniel, Ella R. Daniel wife of James W. McQuenn, Monroe J. Daniel of Lafayette Par. and Edgar I. Daniel of LA, to Robert Daniel of West Feliciana Parish for $7500, renounce any claims to sold property that was part of the community existing between the sd. Robert Daniel their father and Mrs. Mary R. Daniel their mother; Recorded 18 Jan 1904.

The reason why Robert and Sarah Daniel’s estate division was re-recorded in the deed books was that the heirs of their son Robert wished to relinquish their interest to their father’s estate in 1904, more than forty years after the death of the grandparents.

As you may see by these examples, the rumor that there are “no pre-1897 records” in the courthouse at Franklinton is entirely untrue, with a caveat or two. First, it should be noted that the re-entered records are somewhat imperfect, as they are typed entries made from readings of partially burned books. In addition to many lacunae which made the job difficult from the outset, the clerk often committed typographical errors and outright misreadings of the text when they were making new (typed) entries from the burned books. Names and spellings of names in the text of the deed often do not match the typed signatures, which is particularly frustrating. Second, it is obvious from reading through the re-entered records that the 1897 courthouse fire did not destroy all of the records. That said, it is equally obvious that the damaged records were permanently disposed of at some point in the early-mid twentieth century after their usefulness had, to the minds of some “well meaning” civil servants, come to an end.

So, what can you reasonably expect to get out of the extant Washington Parish deed books? If your ancestor arrived in the parish very “early” (say, 1820 or 1830) and left after a decade or two, you are not likely to find very many references to him/her in the courthouse. However, if your ancestor(s) arrived here early and members of their family stayed here after 1900, it is incumbent upon you as a good researcher to check the deed books for important evidence that may shed light on your research. The first three deed books have been microfilmed by LDS and are available from the Family History Library through a local Family History Center. Deed books 4 onward are available in textual form, only, and may be consulted by visiting the courthouse at Franklinton. As of January 2016, I have combed through the first eleven deed books and have presented in the blog index some abstracts of what I consider “more important” records. Please consult the index for deeds pertinent to your research!

Russ Williams, Rest In Peace

Dr. E. Russ Williams Jr. passed away on 15 July 2015 in Bogalusa. Dr. Williams was well known as the dean of Washington Parish genealogists and his contributions towards the reconstruction of early Washington Parish family relationships will perhaps never be matched.

Dr. Williams was my genealogical mentor, a relationship that began when I wrote him a letter at about age 13 informing him that I was a “professional genealogist.” While this was a total fallacy at that time, if it were not for his encouragement and mentorship, my life as a “real” professional genealogist may have never happened. His loss to our guild is immeasurable. His obituary may be viewed here: http://www.bogalusadailynews.com/2015/07/22/dr-ernest-williams-jr/.

Mildred Penton Richbourg, Rest In Peace

Washington Parish has lost one of her finest and best-known genealogists. Mildred Penton Richbourg, perhaps best known to WP researchers for her family history John Penton and Mary Dungeon of Mississippi and their Descendants, 1800-1996, passed away 3 April 2015. She was a native of Bogalusa, and a long-time resident of Panama City, Florida. Her obituary may be viewed here: http://www.wilsonfuneralhome.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3023804&fh_id=10759.

Ellis Letters

Stephen Ellis, the son of John Ellis and Sarah Johnston, was one of the brighter “minds” of nineteenth century Washington Parish. A man of many hats, he was at once a farmer, local Methodist preacher, shoolteacher, and Clerk of Court. Several of Stephen Ellis’s letters to his brother Ezekiel P. Ellis, who would in later life become a District Court Judge, are extant and available to researchers at the Hill Memorial Library at LSU.

Stephen Ellis, along with his wife Mary “Polly” and his parents John and Sarah Ellis, are buried in the Ellis Cemetery at Franklinton, which is so-named for them. The Stephen Ellis home stood east of the cemetery, near the spot of the present day Washington Parish Health Unit. Stephen Ellis is ancestor to most of the parish’s residents bearing the surnames Babington, Bateman and Burris, along with many others. As such, many will be interested in the surviving letters written by Stephen and other close family members and now held at LSU. I present my transcriptions of these letters, along with one not held at LSU but in my personal collection. The letters are arranged chronologically beginning with an 1833 letter from John Ellis to his wife Sarah. This is followed by eight letters from Stephen Ellis to his brother Ezekiel P. The last letter is to from Ezekiel P. Ellis to his children in 1868 describing his brother Stephen in his last illness.

Even if you are not descended from the Ellises, these letters give an interesting insight into Washington Parish society around the middle part of the nineteenth century. Several of Stephen’s complaints concerning the young men of the parish seem like they could be made by people in our time, such as the following: “all our young men here learning to be drunkards and therefore fit for nothing else”; “nearly all the young men have abandoned the idea of labour and are trying to live by their wits”; and “there are but few young men now in this parish that will follow any steady business, but expect to live by loitering about and catching some little speculation now and then.” His remarks about local politics, preachers and personalities are enlightening as well as entertaining.

John Ellis to Sarah Ellis [E. P. Ellis and Family Papers, Mss. 663, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La. This letter is a typescript. The original letter is apparently no longer extant]

April the 28th 1833
Texas, Austins Colony, Bay Prairie
Dear wife and children this is to let you know that we are all well at present. Wm Huffs family and Mr Moores is all in good health. Huff has sold his lands and all his possessions and owns no land in this country, he talks strongly of going to the United States. I am very sorry that you have forgotten me so soon & this is the fifth letter I have wrote since I have been here and has recieved no answer. I want you to be sure to write by evry opportunity if you will send your letters fo N. Orleans I shall be sure to get them. Dear wife be sure not to break up house keeping and be as saving as you posible can, for I want to purchase a negro when I come home. I am as saving as I posible can be. I go in debt for nothing but my clothing and chewing tobacco. I would have been at home last winter if I could have got money to bear my expences. Mr Moore raised only eleven bales of cotten and is some behind hand[?]. I thought best to stay and get something for my land but I think the prospect bad.
I am makeing a crop with Mr Moore and has about 50 acres in cotten and 50 in corn. I intend to try and sell my crop in the pile if I can if not I shall try to gether my crop, tho’ the time seems to be very tedious. If I had you here I could enjoy myself as well as I could any other place. Loving wife when I left home you said if I would stay and make a crop you would come to this country. I wish you to write and let me know whether you are willing to come to this country or not and let me know whether David Slocum will come or not as I may make some arrangements to get land. Francis and Ransom[?] has chosen guardians as is both living from home. Nothing more at present but Emily sends her best entreats[?] to you and all her uncles and aunts all cousins. Dear wife if I could see you I could tell you a great many things that you are not aware of.
Dear Sarah don’t part with my philly if you can manage her and if you do part with her sell her. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate husband untell death.
Farewell,
John Ellis
From John Ellis, Bay Prairie, Austin’s Settlement, Texas
To Sarah Ellis, Franklinton, Washington Parish, Louisiana

S. Ellis [Stephen] to [Ezekiel P. Ellis] His Brother [E. P. Ellis and Family Papers, Mss. 663, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La. This letter is a typescript. The original letter is apparently no longer extant]

At the Ferry, March 31st 1840
Dear Brother, this will inform you that I was sent for this morning in haste to see father. I am now with him, and though he does not appear so languid and feeble as he did in the early part of the day; yet I have no idea that he can survive more than three or four days—if you wish to see him I think you had better come up pretty soon. He wishes to see you and all the rest. He appears to be very sensible of his condition, has been telling me this evening how he wishes his business arranged &c &c.
If you are [or] any person going direct to Greensburgh please write to Hart and Sarah, as we have no chance of sending them word. In all matters of sickness we may be deceived and in this the mercy of God may be interposed to his recovery; but to all human appearance, I think our father will soon be no more. Mother Magee is also very ill and Polly has to be with her a great deal. My own health is very bad, and this makes our situation rather perplexing, duties calling us to different scenes of distress.
Mother is also in bad health. If your business is so that you can come up come to stay until an alteration either for the better or worse.
My pen and light are both bad. I will therefore close. My love to sister Emily & little Thomas.
Yours affectionately,
S. Ellis
From S. Ellis, at the Ferry
To His Brother

L. [sic, S.] Ellis to E. P. Ellis [E. P. Ellis and Family Papers, Mss. 663, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La. This letter is a typescript. The original letter is apparently no longer extant]

Franklinton, June 29th, 1848
Dear Brother,
I received your kind and interesting letter about the time I arrive at home, from Smith County, and should have answered it with the return of the mail, but I was very much much fatigued, and found things pretty much out of order, both in and out doors. I have been working a little, selling and writing a good deal ever since, in order to get things straightened up a little, and have succeeded in all except the farm, that is in pretty bad fix though I am laying it buy [by] and shall perhaps finish this week, though it is raining every day.
And now I set down after dinner to write to you. I expect you would like first to hear about those children in Smith County. I found & left them well. Wiggins was not at home, they are pretty well fixed for poor people, living in a poor country, they have things snug and in good order, both about the house and little farm, and I feel proud to say that my daughters seem to be pretty good housekeepers to their practice. Simpson is dissatisified with the country and I think will sell out and move. Wiggins is better situated and may stay.
I was astonished to see so poor a country, hills and hollows, and now & then a rich spot of sideling drane sand, nothing much for cows but oak leaves, hogs dieing in crowds, but now and then a fine looking corn patch either on top or side of some hill, for there are but few level spots there, that I saw; but I must stop this, and say something else. My health, thank God is much better. My family is all tolerably well. Ellen, sister Ellis I mean, has been pretty bad again, but is now better, her family well. Our business is on the increase, but though we sell goods, we get but little money, but upon the whole could not say that we have any right to grumble or repine, we have food and raiment, and the Apostle tells us to be content therewith, and so we should for many poor creatures have not these.
I have not yet commenced my school, but expect to do so on Monday next, but it is altogether a private school, for we have no idea here of starting our public schools before next year.
We are very sorry to hear that sister Emilys health is still bad, but hope she will soon recover and gain her strength and former good health. You must not be discouraged with your farming operations. You began in a bad time, and it is not your only resource for a living. Very few cotton farms more than clear expence these times.
I am told that many of your cotton farmers are turning their attention to sugar. I should think they would succeed.
I have just received a letter from brother Tate, requesting me to ask mother Warner to address a letter him, authoriseing him to make a title or to sell your place in Covington. If you wish this done, write the letter from her to him, send it to me and I will get her to sign it and send to him.
I am wonderfully pleased at the nomination of Old Zach. I think this the time for the Whigs, now or never. About the private matter named in our last, I do not know how it will terminate. Ellen went to Smith County with me and there staid. She will be home in July. I think she undertermined on the subject, and I do not interfere more than to advise moderately, though I think well of the man.
Brother Coulter was with us last Sabbath, all their people well. I have said about all I can think of just now. The family all join in love to you and yours.
Pray for us and may the Lord bless you and yours,
L. [sic, S.] Ellis
From L. [sic, S.] Ellis, Franklinton, La.
To E. P. Ellis, Clinton, La.

Stephen Ellis to Ezekiel P. Ellis [Buck-Ellis Family Papers, Mss. 4820, Box 1, Folder 3, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.]

Franklinton, February the 24th 1850
Dear Brother, this is Sabbath, and as I am tired of reading, and as there is not much business connected with what I intend to say, I set down to answer your kind letter of the 7th last.
We are all up. I am well except biles, my old and long continued companion. Polly is not well, though able to be about her business.
We are still in this town, and may have to remain here during the present year. Still I think I shall sell the balance of my possessions here pretty soon, if so I shall shift quarters right early. Enclosed you will find the note alluded to . You will see on the back how much I paid on it. I had to leave it to him John as there was no date, this will be $25.60 on the carriage leaving $24.40, this I will try and make Lewis pay you or do it myself sometime, as he took the carriage.
I have lately been to the city, but purchased no goods, neither do I wish to do so for this place, though I am doing nothing. While in town I was introduced to a merchant of Mansfield, he told me that there was but one good lawyer in the place, and that he was consumpted, the other were young. He stated that the country was settling up very fast with respectable people, and he thought it a fine country for any and everything. Now get ready and let us go and see for ourselves. He thinks I could do well there also. I have in my condition many notions and cannot remain idle long. I am told that a part of Texas is a fine country for stock. My mind leads me to stock, more particularly on account of my boys, for they are just like the Magees, never so well satisfied as after a cow or hog. Well by the way it is not the worst business in life, and if their minds cannot be diverted, I think I had better direct them even in this thing.
I have some notion of Covington, but I fear that place, for I know the community and would fear their influence.
I recd. a letter from Ellen and was glad to hear her say she was satisfied with her school, and her home. I hope she will do well and improve, talk to her and advise her, she is in some things like her papa, subject to fits of despondency, then she wants encouragement. I know her being with you will occasion much trouble and expence, but I hope not more than will be bareable.
The relations here are all well, nothing new in our lands, two grogshops now open though it is the Holy Sabbath, all nearly all our young men here learning to be drunkards and therefore fit for nothing else.
I shall make no settlement permanently until I see and converse with you, for I should like for us to get near together if possible. If you could get a good practice in Clinton, I might live somewhere between here and there. I think much about a stock farm, some where not far from the old St Helena Court House.
I see I am not making this letter interesting, and therefore will wind up. Our best love to Sis and all the children. And for yourself, remember I believe I respect as much as I done under circumstances,
Stephen
To Ezekiel

Stephen Ellis to Ezekiel P. Ellis [Buck-Ellis Family Papers, Mss. 4820, Box 1, Folder 3, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.]

Franklinton, La., May the 25th 1852
Dear Brother,
Your kind & very interesting letter of the 14th inst. came to hand last mail, the perusal of which occasioned me much reflection, the scolding you gave me about labour came so severe that I had to reflect much to find out if I was in error. The result of my reflection is that, under all the circumstances, I am not so far wrong as you & many of my friends believe me to be.
In the first place, our section of country has but little meat & corn. In the second place, nearly all the young men have abandoned the idea of labour and are trying to live by their wits. In the 3rd place, I have a few hands who really need some person to direct and control their energies, and I can get no person to do this for love or money. In the 4th place, I have nothing else to do and cannot bear the idea of living in idleness. Therefore a necessity seems to rest upon me.
Your observations relative to the amount of labour and the remuneration here, I plead guilty to and am now lying up because I am so worn down that I can do no more until I rest.
We are all now in moderate health. Our crop is not likely after all our toil. There is nothing new in our community, only that G. W. Waterston is elected Judge of our District. I may perhaps offer for Clerk of the Court. I believe I can get the office, and perhaps will try.
We were very glad to hear that you was still satisfied with your present small farm and other business, and that you was enjoying yourself so well, for Wadsworth told me that you was fat and very lively. Oh that God may bless and prosper you and yours as to keep, ever keep you in that condition.
We truly hope your children will properly appreciate their priveleges of education, and that they all will be fully prepared to act well their various parts in life, for truly many in the world have had all those blessed advantages and after all have done but little for themselves and worse than nothing for the world, but my impression has been and still is that those cases only occur where the persons have not been properly taught in all the departments necessary for human existence, but have only been taught to make a shine in the world and have shone so fast at the start that they have become wrecks perhaps near the pinnacle of fame. Your good sense will enable you to point out to your dear children the rock on which so many thousands of our young Americans have split after all their early advantages. In fact, I see so many professional men daily throwing themselves upon community and so many illiterate gumps trying to make a living without labour, that I sometimes become alarmed at the future prospect of society. There are but few young men now in this Parish that will follow any steady business, but expect to live by loitering about and catching some little speculation now and then, a bad state of affairs, this according to my impression, but I suppose it is democratic progression and therefore old foggies like me cannot see through it.
We are not doing much in the store. We have two dutchmen to contend with and all the smart and knowing ones of our Parish seem to understand that the Dutch will sell cheap and make a fortune, where an honest American would starve. Well, we must put up with all this. We hope by hard work in the poor farm and what little we sell to make an honest support and if so the Apostle Paul tells us to be therewith content.
We have a little Preacher here that preaches us all to the bad place and there leaves us, the consequence of which is that we are cold enough, having not yet felt the awful bur[n]ings of which he tells us.
I am glad you did not alter your horse. Two in this vicinity were altered about the first of May and both died very soon after. I intend to visit you this summer if possible and we may have a trade again. My family all join me in love to you and yours. May the Lord bless & prosper you all.
Your brother,
Stephen

Stephen Ellis to Ezekiel P. Ellis [Buck-Ellis Family Papers, Mss. 4820, Box 1, Folder 3, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.]

Franklinton, La. October 28th ‘52
Well Zeek, it has been some time since I wrote to you, not for want of affection, dear brother, but from that unfortunate habit of saying another time will do &c. And further, I live a very busy life since I have turned farmer. I was gone about fifteen days to Sharon, heard Presd. Thornton preach a fine sermon. Saw our cousin Moody in Jackson. She & her husband are rich and seem to have all the original goodness of the Johnston family.
Found Melissa and family in fine health. David as usual was gone. He will make with 2 hands 5 or 600 bu. of corn, 5 or 6 bales cotton, the land is fine, but water & timber scarce.
I have after all my scuffle here this summer made about 500 bu. of corn, and 8 wagon loads of rice, and feel like going to Mrs. Chandzing again or starving. I can make bread by farming but that’s all. Our family is not well, E. P., about as usual. Little Benj was taken last Sunday evening with a blindness that lasted about two hours, then with a spasm that lasted 8 or ten hours then with a fever that lasted until Tuesday evening, during which time he was speechless. He is now a little better, but bad enough yet. I am clearing land & fixing up here. Still, I am not satisfied and will positively sell whenever I can, though I will not stop work for fear I will have to stay.
Z. Magee is no more, he died two weeks ago last Saturday. Poor fellow, he suffered long and sever[e]ly. His son Leroy is still very low.
Well, we had a fine meeting last Saturday & Sunday, between this and J. Magee’s at a new school house. Bro. Early preached Rebecca’s funeral. Ben Impson opened the door of the church and recd. about 13 members. After an hours intermission, Impson preached and took in two others, making 15 whites & some blacks. Well, you and if not you sister Emily will be anxious to know some of the persons. Well, Jas. Burris & his brother Wm., George Magee & wife, James Waskum, Tillman Lenear, and three of Wm Brumfield’s sons were among the number.
Well, we have some politics here. I am the only Scott man in this town that I know of. I am pretty warm & have some pretty heavy contests, for I have become a little anxious for the old hero. I do not think they will beat him more than 50 votes in our forlorn parish. I am also anxious for the new constitution to be adopted. I hope it will, though there is powerful opposition to it here & there are people here that believe that a man may go to the polls and give a vote for every negro he owns, the reason negro law, negro law, has been so repeatedly reiterated in their hearing. Well, we have no body here to confront Washington Parish Democracy, and you know what that is. Why don’t you send us some of your fine speakers. Well, we must do the best we can without, but I believe we can elect Nick to the Senate & Jacob Magee to the Legislator if they will offer. So, I believe that Democracy as it is called in this Parish is on the wain.
I would be glad to visit you but have too much to do, more than I ever had in life. May the Lord bless and prosper you & yours.
Farewell. Let us hear from you soon.
Your brother,
Stephen
N.B. I recd. the pamphlet. Thank you
Have you heard from G. S. and Sarah Hart lately—anything of them separating?

Stephen Ellis to Ezekiel P. Ellis [copy in possession of Bevin Creel]
Franklinton, October 19th, 1857
Very dear brother & sister,
As there appears to be some fate that forbids our meeting any more soon, I must endeaver (in school hours) at least to congratulate you upon the marriage of your son. I hope and trust that he has done well, and that both you and Tom will ever be pleased. Oh! That God may bless the young couple. I had the honour to pronounce them man & wife. I felt some embarrassment, though I do not think more than Tom did. Martina is a warm friend of mine, and as she pleased Tom, I was glad to see her do well, as I am bound to think she has, for I presume there [are] few individuals who know anything of Tom’s promise, that would feel themselves honoured, by having him united to their families.
I recd. by Thomas your kind and friendly letter, but confess that I was not only mortifd. but almost made sick at heart, when I found you was not coming. I had made such sure calculations of being in your social and lively company, and therefore drive away the blues, though I have so much to do now, that I hardly have time for them. Still, I wanted to be in your company and so inticipated and the thoughts of being fairly disappointed almost made me sick, but thank God I have become partially reconciled; for I meet with so many mishaps that I am, as I have been for many years, trying to be easy
[page missing]
year to get nearly through my debts, but since the recent fall in our staple commodity, I am again in doubt; however I think I [have] my matters so arranged as not to be severely pressed, provided I meet with no other mishap.
I am highly pleased at the idea of your settling at the Amite Station and practicing in this District. Washington Parish, westwardly will increase in population, and so will Livingston, & you will soon be the oldest Lawyer in the District, so I think your prospects pretty fair, so long as your necessity compels you to remain in the whirlpool of contention as you see proper to term your profession.
I intimated that I had to be pretty busy and so I have, teaching school and writing in the Clerk’s Office are enough for an old broke down man, as there is some little increase in the Successions of our court, and you know I write slowly. John attends entirely to the farm. I only scold a little occasionly and then be off. He is going out with Tom’s party to your place and from there to see Lewis, and as he has never travelled I am glad that he is, I have Green in his place.
Polly’s hea[l]th is improving, and my health is now pretty good for an old man; I have but little rest, but God I have much peace, and this I think helps keep me up, the mind is stayed upon God, the soul is possessed in patice [patience] & peace.
I am very well pleased with your John, I believe he has entirely forgiven me about the pinderseed and we are therefore good friends again. I described to him at the wedding how he might [be like?] his [aunt] Polly. I told him as he was the ugliest boy in the crowd–so his aunt was the ugliest old lady; he and his aunt tried to invent some plan to retaliate, but failed, and so it passed as a joke and I think they both forgave me. He stayed with us last night and really I find him a nice boy—May God bless and keep him safe from the snares incident to youth.
Polly went to meeting with me yesterday to see sister Haney; they met but together but a short time; I tried in my stammering manner to preach, as I do almost every Sabbath. I do not know that I do much good, but I endeavour to glorify the name of God.
Dear Brother, you talk feelingly and sensibly upon the subject of the marriage of your first son, well, the word of God says marriage is honourable in all; and though Thos. is young in years, he has read much, and his mind appears to [be] well matured, and there is a prospect of his doing well, I hope and pray.
My family join me in love to you and yours. May God bless and sustain you all.
Your affectionate brother,
Stephen

Stephen Ellis to E. P. Ellis [E. P. Ellis and Family Papers, Mss. 663, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La. This letter is a typescript. The original letter is apparently no longer extant]

Franklinton, July 28th 1858
My beloved and much respected Brother,
Yours of the 20th inst. has just come to hand, and afforded me much pleasure for this day heard that sister Emily was worse. I almost felt like starting to see her, but thank God you say she is better. I got home from Browns wells in Copiah County Miss. on Saturday last, very much improved in health and feeling, so much so that I almost hope to get well again, found all well at home and Jane had a pretty little daughter born the night before I arrived and is doing finely both she and the babe. Please tell mother Sims if you have an opportunity.
I staid all night with brother Daniel Warner while I was gone—all well except Wm, whose health is bad, saw almost all his children, who were on a visit.
I was at the examination of the Sharon Female College and heard the degree of Mistress of English Literature bestowed on Miss Mary Wiggins, with three other young ladies.
Our crop is poor and suffering now for rain. The courts—oh the courts have held you so long and so fast, well now you think you will get to come you and sister Emily, well I hope so—but I am not going to depict in my mind any precise time for fear of a disappointment.
I hope this will find you all well. May the Lord bless and keep you and yours. Excuse my hurry it is almost dark.
Your affectionate brother,
Stephen
From Stephen Ellis, Franklinton, La.
To E. P. Ellis

Stephen Ellis to Ezekiel P. Ellis [E. John, Thomas C. W. Ellis and Family Papers, Mss. 136, Box 2, Folder 8, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.]

At home August 17th 1860
Dearly beloved brother and sister,
I suppose John informed you of our imparabled [?] and deplorable loss. Oh! it even seems like something that is not real. It constantly appears that she will soon return to us but alas! alas! not on Earth but the direct prospect of future union is the only consolation for though she expressed but little during her illness relative to her future prospects, I have no doubt of her acceptance with God and I hope through his Grace to meet her there. There is no possible chance to describe my poor feelings. I am lost at every place except her grave. There I seem to be with her. Oh! how beggarly is human language in trying to express any feelings on the Subject, now I know how others have felt under similar bereavements.
I know you sympathize with me for I do not believe that she really loved any of her own brothers better than she did her Brother E. P. and though she never showed much yet she was a woman of very deep feelings and strong and lasting Sympathies.
What will become of us I know not. Philip is dangerously sick, the rest some better. I have had to muse more than ever through life for the last three weeks, and cannot tell when it will end. Pray for us―that we may have grace to bear hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Our loss is beyond description but we must submit. Oh! if I could have gone with her; but perhaps it is best as it is, for we have children yet incapable of doing for themselves, and perhaps God has spared me for their benefit. Oh! how I need your advice & sympathy now. If the family recovers its health, I think I can leave them. I shall be at your place next week or so soon after as possible. My crop is a complete failure.
Your office matters are all attended to. Nothing new in the vicinity.
My dear children are trying to keep house but seem to be at a great loss and so am I, but we must do the best we can under the circumstances. Pray for us. Our love to all your children―
May the God of Love and peace be with, comfort and bless you all.
Your affectionate, but disconsolate brother,
Stephen

Ezekiel P. Ellis to his children Stephen and Lizzie Ellis [E. John, Thomas C. W. Ellis and Family Papers, Mss. 136, Box 2, Folder 15, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.]

Friday morning, Franklinton La., June 12th 1868
Dear children,
we arrived safely at your uncle’s the day we left home without accident, about ten o’clock, found your uncle better than we expected, but since we came he has had several bad turns. We intended to go to your uncle Coalter’s this morning but Stephen is to[o] bad off we will not leave. We intend to go up then, but must wait until he gets better.
His situation is a peculiar and critical one. Sometimes he seems about well, at other times almost dead, he is though often up, went to the table and ate dinner with us yesterday morning.
All the rest well, nothing new.
your Ma stood the trip finely and seems quite well this morning.
As ever, your Pa.
Your Ma joins me in love to you all, to sister Nancy &c&c
To Mr Stephen or Miss Lizzie Ellis, Amite City, La.

William Magee: His Parentage

One of the more perplexing and troublesome research problems for Washington Parish researchers has been the question of the parentage of William Magee and Jonathan Magee, who settled on Bogue Chitto River and its tributary, Hays Creek, around 1810. Internet message boards are littered with queries regarding their parentage and internet family trees are universally in error with respect to the answer. This posting addresses this issue and, I believe, provides the correct answer. Please also see my entries on this family at http://www.werelate.org.
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The 1795 tax digest for Richmond County, Georgia (on p 16, viewable at “Georgia’s Virtual Vault,” http://cdm.sos.state.ga.us) shows one John Smith in “Lyon’s District,” paying taxes both for his own land in that district, as well as for the lands of William “McGee” and Jonathan “McGee.” A comparison of the names in Capt Lyon’s District with abstracted records in Davidson, “Records of Richmond County, Georgia” shows that Capt Lyon and the men in his district lived in the southern section of Richmond County, on and around Spirit Creek and neighboring watercourses.
The sibling relationship of William and Jonathan Magee is undisputed. Their relative ages, common migration pattern (Georgia>Mississippi>Louisiana), and proximity of land holdings testify to their relationship. Their parentage, however, is a difficult research problem. I will take as my starting point the 1795 tax digest for Richmond County, and focus on the questions: (1) How early did William and Jonathan Magee come to live in the area of Spirit Creek?; and (2) what other Magee/McGee men were living in that area during that general time frame who could have been their father? In order to answer these questions, I will begin with a timeline and end with a summary discussion. The reader will note that I use the spellings Magee and McGee interchangeably within.
TIMELINE OF RICHMOND COUNTY MAGEES AND ASSOCIATES
16 June 1773—Hugh Magee paid for apprehending and bringing Arthur Lot to Savannah Goal per account dated this date (Candler, “Colonial Records of the State of Georgia,” vol 19, 478).
1779 – Pay Roll of Capt Jeremiah Beall’s company of militia from Richmond County, Georgia, for the period 8 Sept 1779-18 Oct 1779, included Hugh “Megee” and “Luis Megee” (Davis, “Georgia Citizens and Soldiers of the American Revolution,” 92). This company was part of the “Lower Battalion,” covering the southern sections of Richmond County, commanded by Col Robert Middleton. Middleton and his men appear to have joined Gen McIntosh in his march from Augusta to aid the French Admiral d’Estaing’s assault on British occupied Savannah in September-October 1779. The assault was unsuccessful and French and American troops withdrew on 18 Oct 1779, the same date to which Hugh and Lewis were paid (Coleman, “The American Revolution in Georgia,” 128-9). From a genealogical standpoint, this pay roll places Hugh and Lewis Magee in the southern section of Richmond County during the American Revolution. Richmond County land records for some men in Beall’s company dated immediately after the close of the Revolution confirm this fact. We may cite, for example, that the company Lieutenant, Zephaniah Beall, petitioned for acreage on Spirit Creek in 1785 (National Genealogical Society Quarterly 56:1968, p 287). As a final point here, and to frame the following points, I should underscore that, apart from William and Jonathan Magee (obviously), Hugh and Lewis were the only two Magee/McGee men that I have been able to place in Richmond County from the beginning of the county through 1800.
28 Jan 1780—Hugh McGee appointed to administer the oath of allegiance to the state of Georgia to the inhabitants “of the lower parts” of Richmond County. (Candler, “Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia,” vol 2, 204-5). On 19 May, he qualified for this office, and also qualified as a Magistrate for Richmond County (idem, 246-7). Deeds for Hugh Magee, cited below, will show that he acquired quite sizeable land holdings in the southern section of Richmond County, along Spirit Creek.
6 July 1780—Hugh McGee named as a “rebel Captain” in the 6 July 1780 act to “disqualify and render incapable the several persons […] from holding or exercising any office of trust, honour, or profit in the Province of Georgia.” This so-called “Disqualifying Act” was passed by the British after they re-took control of Savannah from the rebelling colonists (White, “Historical Collections of Georgia” (1855), 98-105). Hugh must have made himself particularly odious to the British during the Revolution, since the Disqualifying Act singles out only 151 men, among whom were the most conspicuous leaders of the Georgia patriots, such as the Governor, leading military figures, etc.
22 March 1784—John Twiggs certified that Lewis McGee “is entitled as a refugee to a bounty of land” (“Lewis McGee” file, in “Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records 1783-1909,” database at familysearch.org). Other papers in the file of Lewis McGee include a petition and a warrant. The petition, undated, from Hugh Magee, “for the heirs of Lewis,” reads “The petition of the heirs of Lewis Magee. Your petrs. pray a warrt. for the within land in Washington County.” I assume by this record that Lewis was dead at this time. The warrant was issued 17 May 1784, to Surveyor for Washington County, Georgia, “to lay out 287 ½ acres in Washington County to Lewis McGee.” The grant for this land was issued 28 Dec 1784, and described the land as being bounded on the northeast by Ogeechee River, southeastwardly by Rheubin Lett’s (Lott’s?) land, on all other sides by vacant lands (Register of Grants Book FFF, 222, viewable in “Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records 1783-1909,” database at familysearch.org). An image of the survey may be found in Dwyer’s helpful reproduction of the Washington County Plat Book (Dwyer, “Washington County, Georgia Surveyor’s Plat Book A-1784,” 220), showing that the land was adjacent to a tract of Reuben Lett (Lott?). It is important to note that this land was not within the bounds of present-day Washington County. The land fell into Montgomery County upon that county’s formation in 1793 (today, the land is in Emanuel County, which was formed in 1812). A thorough search of Montgomery County deeds failed to show precisely what happened to the land granted to Lewis’s heirs. The only other mention of “Lewis McGee’s” land that I have been able to find is in records associated with the neighboring land of Charles Simmons. Simmons was granted land in 1785 on Ogeechee River bounded by Robert Williams and “Lewis McGee” (Register of Grants Book FFF, 208). Simmons (or Simons) appears to have conveyed this land to John Fenn. When Fenn, in turn, sold the land in 1800, the deed mentioned that the land of “Lewis McGee” adjoined the tract at the time of the original grant (Montgomery County, Georgia Deed Book “CPG,” 372-3). I am of the opinion that the land granted to Lewis McGee’s heirs was sold before Montgomery County was formed off of Washington County in 1793. This is generally supported by the 1797-98 tax digest for Montgomery County, which shows no McGee/Magee men assessed in the county (viewable at Georgia’s Virtual Vault). Unfortunately, the deeds for Washington County are not extant for this time period. Before leaving Montgomery County, Georgia, in the interest of full disclosure, I should point out that there was a William McGee who bought 1,000 acres on the Altamaha River in Montgomery County in 1799, but when he sold the same tract in 1800, he was a resident of the “County of Elbert” (Montgomery County, Georgia Deed Book “CPG,” 278-9). This man was probably the William Magee who made a deed of gift to his adult son “John” in Elbert County in 1808 (Farmer, “Elbert County, Georgia Deed Books K-R, 52, ref to Bk L, 25). I will bracket him from the present discussion.
7 Nov 1785—Richmond County, Land Court, “John Smith in behalf of the heirs of Jonathan McGee entered two hundred acres of land between Spirit Creek & Mcbean including the long pond” (Richmond County, Georgia Land Court Minutes 1784-1787, 92). This record suggests that one Jonathan McGee is deceased, and that John Smith was petitioning the land court on behalf of his heirs. However, this was not the case. The warrant issued on the same date shows that the 200 acres were issued to John Smith as “Trustee for Jonathan McGee,” to be laid out between Spirit Creek and McBean [Creek], including “The Long Pond.” (“Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records 1783-1909,” database at familysearch.org). Therefore, the entry in the land court minutes was not to a deceased man named Jonathan McGee, but to a minor of that name. The reference to Spirit Creek places Jonathan McGee in the same area of Richmond County as Hugh Magee and Lewis Magee. McBean Creek lies south of Spirit Creek, running parallel to Spirit Creek, and forms the boundary between Richmond and Burke Counties. The lands granted were obtained under the Georgia headright law passed 17 Feb 1783. Under this law, “each head of a family was allowed two hundred acres plus fifty additional acres for each family member or slave, the total amount not to exceed one thousand acres. The applicant received the first two hundred acres free but paid a fee, on a sliding scale, of one shilling to four shillings six pence per acre for each additional acre. Fees for lands were dropped entirely in 1785 but were reinstated in 1831” (Cadle, “Georgia Land Surveying History and Law,” 68). Two hundred acres, then, was the most acreage that a single male could receive. While it is certainly possible that married men with families could have “stopped” at 200 acres, if they were able to obtain larger tracts, it is likely that they did so. I have not found an age stipulation with respect to the headright law, but the fact that John Smith applied for the warrant as trustee of Jonathan McGee infers fairly clearly that Jonathan was still a minor, perhaps just about to come of age. The grant for Jonathan’s land was issued 18 July 1787. The land description was for 200 acres bounding “on all sides vacant land” (Register of Grants Book OOO, 32, viewable in “Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records 1783-1909,” at familysearch.org).
2 Oct 1786 – Richmond County, Land Court, “William McGee enters two hundred acres of land, to be laid out between Sandy run & McBean Creek on headrights.” (Richmond County, Georgia Land Court Minutes 1784-1787, 124). The grant was issued 25 July 1787. The land description was for 200 acres bounding “on all sides by vacant lands” (Register of Grants Book OOO, 85, viewable in “Georgia Headrights and Bounty Land Records 1783-1909,” at familysearch.org). As in the case of Jonathan McGee, this record places William McGee in southern Richmond County, in close proximity to Hugh Magee and Lewis Magee. For a decent map showing these watercourses, see the 1866 map of Richmond County digitized at Georgia’s Virtual vault, http://cdm.sos.state.ga.us/cdm4/cmf.php. I have been unable to determine what happened to the headrights of William and Jonathan Magee that they obtained in the 1780s in Richmond County. I have scanned every extant Richmond County deed from the formation of the county until 1810, and have found no record of the Magee boys selling their lands. There also was no record of a Sheriff’s sale, etc. Lest there be any doubt, the 1795 Richmond County tax return suggests that this land lies within the present-day boundaries of Richmond. The last county formed from sections of Richmond County was Warren County, formed in 1793. Whatever happened to the headrights of William and Jonathan Magee in Richmond County must remain a mystery, for now.
10 Nov 1793- Bond for Jonathan McGee to marry Rebecca James. (Davidson, “Records of Richmond County, Georgia,” 174).
1795—Tax return for Richmond County, p16, shows: Lyon’s District,
*Smith, John, 941 acres pine land, 47.1.-
*ditto for Jonathan McGee, 200 acres pine land, 10.-.-
*ditto for William McGee, 270 ½ acres pine land, 13.10.6
The 1795 assessment is digitized at Georgia’s Virtual Vault, http://cdm.sos.state.ga.us/cdm4/tax.php. I have delayed discussing this John Smith in depth until this entry, which places him paying taxes for both Jonathan McGee and William McGee. On a side note, I can account for how William McGee got 200 acres, but not for the other 70 1/2 acres. It is possible that he inherited the 70 1/2 acres from his father’s estate. At any rate, Jonathan and William were not minors at this time, so that is not the reason why John Smith paid their taxes. I could offer several different explanations why John Smith was paying taxes for William and Jonathan, but whatever the explanation, the tax digest demonstrates a close relationship between these three men. Sidney Holdrege has suggested, and I agree with her conclusion, that John Smith was step-father to these McGee boys. This tax record, coupled with the fact that John Smith was “trustee” for Jonathan McGee in the 7 Nov 1785 land court record cited above strongly suggests (demands?) that the father of William and Jonathan McGee was dead before 7 Nov 1785. Indeed, we have one (and only one) deceased McGee man in the correct area before that date: Lewis McGee, who was dead before 17 May 1784, at which time a land warrant was issued to his unnamed heirs. I conclude, therefore, that Lewis McGee was the father of William and Jonathan McGee.
4 Jan 1800 – John Smith and Elizabeth (x) his wife to George Walker, for $1500, sold tract on which sd Smith now resides, on both sides of Spirit Creek, in two surveys and grants, one in the name of Caleb Cox containing 287 ½ acres, the other in the name of sd Smith containing 500 acres….and according to a resurvey totals 1276 acres; wits. Geo. Allen, Free. Walker, Val. Walker; 6 Jan 1800, Elizabeth (x) Smith relinquished claim to the within; Recorded 8 April 1800. (Richmond County, GA Deed Bk G, 498-500).
9 Jan 1800— (two days after the deed above) John Smith “of Spirit Creek” in Richmond County made his will. The abstracted version reads, in part, “As my living wife before she married me saw fit to secure all her property to her children, I leave her twenty five cents.” He also named three nephews living in Scotland. Executors were Alex. Graham, Edward Primrose, witnesses Holland McTyeire, Seaborn Jones, Lucy Heard. The will was probated 6 Oct 1801 (Gilliam, “Records of Richmond County, Georgia,” 58). The language of the will infers that his present wife had children by a previous marriage. This supports my position that John Smith’s wife Elizabeth was the mother of William and Jonathan Magee.
22 Jan 1801—Deed Hugh Magee of Richmond County to Charles Burch, $500, 200 acres in the fork of Spirit Creek. (Richmond County, Georgia Deed Bk H, 204); same date 22 Jan 1801—Deed Hugh Magee of Richmond County to Edward Burch, for $500, sold 150 acres on Spirit Creek. (Richmond County, Georgia Deed Bk K, 331).
6 March 1804—James Scott, Sheriff of Richmond County, at the suit of Edward Burch against Edward Primrose, Exr. of estate of John Smith decd., sold to Edward Burch (in behalf of Gideon Seely), for $120, tract on Little Spirit Creek containing 287 ½ acres. (Richmond County, Georgia Deed Bk K, 1).
20 July 1805—Deed Hugh Magee of Richmond County to Joseph Ware, for $100, sold tract 1675 acres on Big Spirit Creek. (Richmond County, Georgia, Deed Bk L, 108).
28 Sept 1812—Will of Hugh Magee of Richmond County. Named wife Mary, son William Henry Magee, minor. Probated 6 Sept 1813. (Davidson, “Records of Richmond County, Georgia,” 50).
SUMMARY
At this point, I give the following general reconstruction. Hugh Magee and his close relation Lewis Magee (probably his brother) arrived in Richmond County, Georgia before the American Revolution, and settled in the lower section of the county, in the area of Spirit Creek. They were both active patriots in the Revolution, with Hugh serving as a Magistrate, and both men serving together at least one tour in the local militia under Capt Jeremiah Beal. At some point in the war, probably 1780 or 1781, the encroachment of the British forced these men to flee their homes as refugees. Sometime shortly after their return to Georgia, Lewis Magee died. The warrant for the Revolutionary War bounty land due him was issued 17 May 1784, upon the petition of Hugh Magee on behalf of Lewis’ heirs.
After Lewis Magee died, his widow Elizabeth remarried to John Smith. She married him prior to 7 Nov 1785, when warrant was issued to John Smith as “Trustee” of Jonathan Magee for a headright of 200 acres in the area of Spirit Creek. Jonathan Magee was probably at the cusp of coming of age at the time of the warrant. His brother, William, had already come of age himself when he petitioned for a 200 acre headright on 2 Oct 1786 for land relatively nearby. John Smith paid taxes for both William and Jonathan in 1795.
In closing, I would like to return to the two questions that I posed in paragraph two: (1) How early did William and Jonathan Magee come to live in the area of Spirit Creek?; and (2) what other Magee/McGee men were living in that area during that general time frame who could have been their father? The answer to question (1) is that they were in the area of Spirit Creek at the close of the Revolution, and may have been there for some time before that. The answer to question (2) is that the only two Magee men who I have been able to locate in this area during this time frame were Hugh and Lewis Magee. I think it is fairly obvious that Hugh was not their father. Hugh did not go with William and Jonathan to Mississippi, and he did not name them in his will. The evidence presented herein, however, leads to the fairly strong conclusion that their father was Lewis Magee.

Batemans to be Featured at 2014 Washington Parish Fair

The Washington Parish Genealogical and Historical Society is pleased to announce that the feature family for this year’s Washington Parish Fair genealogical display will be the Bateman family, which first settled in the western half of the parish shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. Four Bateman brothers settled in the area of Franklinton: Frank, Bryant, Hugh and Jason, and they are the progenitors of practically all of the Batemans in the area. Their sister Angie Bateman McMillan settled at Angie, on the eastern side of the parish, and she was the namesake of that village. Surnames prominently affiliated with the Batemans through intermarriage include the Ards, Burrises, Foils, Jameses, Magees, Popes and Richardsons, to name a few.

The display will once again be located in the rear of the Armory Building, just inside the front entrace to the Fairgrounds. In addition to the display, descendants are also cordially invited to a gathering at the Bateman Cabin in the Mile Branch Settlement, which will be held on the Saturday of the Fair, tentatively at 2:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Descendants who have old pictures that they would like included in the display are encouraged to contact me at the email listed under the “About Bevin Creel” tab. Pictures in jpeg format are preferred, but I will be happy to forward you my physical mailing address, should you wish to submit your photos in hard copy form. Please include an identification of all persons in your photograph(s). Family members are also needed to “man” the exhibit and greet those passing through. If you are interested in performing this very easy task, please contact me at the email listed under the “About Bevin Creel” tab.

The Washington Parish Pair: Lots of Fun for Kids, Adults….and Genealogists, Alike

Ask any Washington Parish native what happens during the third week in October, and you should get a nearly unanimous answer: the Washington Parish Fair! Now, for those of you who are not from the parish, images of cotton candy and ferris wheels probably come to mind when you hear this usage of the word “fair,” and these images are entirely understandable. However, while many county/parish fairs are glorified carnivals with a few side exhibits thrown together on a mickey mouse budget, the Washington Parish version is an event that energizes the entire parish community, runs on a gargantuan budget, and is operated entirely by a small army of volunteers.

The Fair attracts a crowd with diverse motivations for attending the event, and this is includes those with genealogical motives. Researchers with Washington Parish roots travel hundreds of miles to attend The Fair, oftentimes as part of one stop on a research tour. Their first stop once slogging through the notorious traffic and snagging a prized parking spot is usually the genealogy exhibit, which for many years has been held in the Old Armory building just inside the fairgrounds entrance.

Since about 1992, The Fair has sponsored a genealogy exhibit that features one pioneer Washington Parish family. That first exhibit was a big one, since its subject was the family of William Magee and Mary James, who settled on Hays Creek in the northwestern area of the parish about 1810, and whose progeny maintain a very strong presence in the area. Since 1992, members of many other noteworthy parish families, such as the Mizells, Alfords and Crains have  volunteered their money and time to put on a first rate genealogy exhibit for interested fairgoers. Obviously, this attracts a large number of actual descendants of these families, who flock to look at the old pictures and genealogical text relating to their family. However, a nearly equal number of persons visit the exhibit having no immediate connection to the family on display.

Dr. Russ Williams discusses genealogy with exhibit visitors. Kim Sanford is also seated at the table.

This includes many of the “old guard” of Washington Parish genealogists, who haul their books, files and pictures into the Old Armory and set up camp at the long table in front of the main display for the four day event. Some of these die hards, who usually show up early and leave late, include myself, along with prominent Washington Parish researchers such as Russ Williams, Fran Harry, Sylvia Smith and Bufford Crain. There are few Washington Parish genealogy questions that this group cannot answer, or at least formulate a reasonable guess. One of the favorite games of the group is to ask the average visitor “who were your grandparents?” and then proceed to place them within the Washington Parish spectrum. More than a handful of researchers come to the exhibit from out of state to pick the brains of group members or to share their research experiences. Quite often they leave with a satisfactory answer to their question or, at least, with a new research strategy to pursue.

Bevin Creel and Dr. Russ Williams at the genealogy exhibit

The other must see Fair attraction for the Washington Parish genealogist is Mile Branch Settlement. Established in the 1970’s, Mile Branch Settlement is a collection of pioneer homes and other buildings, mostly from the second half of the 19th century, that have been removed from private farms and properties throughout the parish and reassembled on the fair grounds. The old homes are named for the families from whose properties they were removed. A school, church, general store, blacksmith’s shop, grist mill, barn and other buildings ‘round out the settlement’s collection. Many visitors flock to the settlement to marvel at 19th century architecture, to sing in the old church, or to purchase old fashioned delicacies such as hoop cheese, cracklings, or cane syrup. Others are motivated to visit out of a sense of pilgrimage. Many in this category may not know exactly how they descend from a pioneer parish family, but they certainly recognize the surnames on the buildings and know whether or not they claim kin. For the more knowledgeable genealogist in the crowd, a visit to the settlement is a contextualization tool that helps to add meat to those genealogical bones or, put another way, it is a fantastic method to learn how their ancestor may have lived.

Visitors enjoy Mile Branch Settlement

So, whether you want to chat with other genealogists at the genealogy exhibit or take a step back into the 19th century, The Fair is something you want to add to your Washington Parish genealogical to-do list. We will see you in the third week of October next year!

Making A Tenuous Splash into the Blogging World

So here it is: my very first foray into the blogging universe! I was born, “raised,” churched and schooled in Washington Parish and, even after many years of living elsewhere, the grand old place still occupies a seat of special honor in my heart. This blog, I hope, will become the place where my obsession with genealogy and my love of all things Washington Parish will find a crossroads.

The musings about individuals, families, places and sources posted here will probably have no discernible order. I have no idea where this blog will take me…and I suppose that is the point of a blog. In the course of these posts, my goal is to say, in however limited a way, many of the random things I have always wanted to say about Washington Parish genealogy, especially those things that I feel are important to know, but are relatively obscure or unknown to those both inside and outside of the parish. I hope also to shine the spotlight on some individuals and/or institutions that I hold in high esteem and that have made important contributions to our field of enquiry. Finally, I fully expect that my blogging will take me afield into neighboring areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, or anywhere else where the Washington Parish genealogy sleuth my find sources of value.

So, on we go. Let’s enjoy the adventure together!