Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Semi-Random Research

Randy Seaver, of Geneamusings.com, has provided the following mission for this week’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun:

1. We're going to do a little bit of Semi-Random Research tonight...what is your first name? [This is the easy part!]
2. Go to your family tree database of choice (you know, like RootsMagic, Reunion, Ancestry Member Tree), and determine who the first person in your alphabetical name index is with a surname starting with the first two letters of your first name (e.g., my first name is RAndall, so I'm looking for the first person with a surname starting with RA).  [If there are no surnames with those first two letters, take the surname after that letter combination.]
3. What do you know about this person based on your research?  It's OK to do more if you need to - in fact, it's encouraged!
4. How are you related to this person, and why is s/he in your family tree?
5. Tell us about it in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook Status post or Google+ Stream post.

This semi-random research mission has provided me with source citations for information in my genealogy database. Here's how I got them!

1. My given name is Denise.
2. The first person in my database with a surname beginning with “De” is John Richard Dean, born on 29 May 1865 in Arkansas, and died 5 March 1956 in Polk County, Missouri. I am not related to this individual; according to my database, he was the husband of my 2^nd cousin 4 times removed Mary Isabella Hammontree.
3. Since there are no sources listed for any of the information about John Richard Dean or Mary Isabella Hammontree, it’s clear that I entered this information as a “newbie genealogist” before I realized the need for accurate source citations.
4. I did find a photograph of John and Mary’s grave marker on Findagrave which includes full dates of birth and death for each of them.
5. I did not locate a record to verify their marriage on 26 November 1886 in Greene County, Missouri. However, I did find a census record for John R. Dean in the 1900 census with his wife Belle and four children. The birth information for John and Belle is consistent with the information on the tombstones; the enumerator noted that they had been married 14 years which is consistent for an 1886 marriage.
6. My genealogy database now includes the source citations for the information found! Yay!

© 2013 Denise Spurlock

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Ahnentafel Roulette

For yesterday's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings presented the following challenge.

1) What year was one of your great-grandfathers born?  Divide this number by 50 and round the number off to a whole number. This is your "roulette number."

2) Use your pedigree charts or your family tree genealogy software program to find the person with that number in your ancestral name list (some people call it an "ahnentafel"). Who is that person, and what are his/her vital information?

3) Tell us three facts about that person in your ancestral name list with the "roulette number."

4) Write about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a Facebook status or a Google Stream post, or as a comment on this blog post.

5) If you do not have a person's name for your "roulette number" then spin the wheel again - pick a great-grandmother, a grandparent, a parent, a favorite aunt or cousin, yourself, or even your children!

Ahnentafel Roulette is one of my favorite activites, and I actually wrote a post yesterday. However, after posting, I realized my brain wasn’t functioning properly (blame it on the coming Blue Moon!) and my division skills were severely impaired. So I’m trying again today!

My great-grandfather John F. Spurlock was born in 1850 (at least according to my research); divided by 50 is 37. I don’t currently have a person with the number 37 in my ahnentafel report. So I chose the next person, #38, Hugh Hammontree, one of my paternal 3^rd great-grandfathers.

Hugh Hammontree was born about 1802, probably in Blount County, Tennessee. He died about 1866 and is buried in an unmarked grave in Arcadia Cemetery, in Arcadia, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

Three facts about Hugh:

1.      He married Rachel Caskey, probably in the early 1820s in Tennessee.

2.      Hugh and Rachel are believed to have had nine children, but only seven have been identified by name: Sherreldia Jane (my 2^nd great-grandmother), John A., Sarah Anne, Rachel Elizabeth, Mary Delilah, Lucinda Adeline, and Hugh A.

3.      After Rachel’s death, Hugh married Nancy (Holland) Harrell on 29 November 1864, probably in Bienville Parish.

I can see that I need to devote some time to researching my Hammontrees -- so many ancestors, so little time!

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Surname Saturday – Ancestor #19 – Sherreldia Jane Hammontree

One of my goals for 2012 is to use the Surname Saturday blogging prompt as a way to assure that I spend some time researching each of my family lines and that I have appropriate source citations for the genealogical facts related to my ancestors. I’ve decided to use my ahnentafel report and work back through the generations starting with my grandparents, writing a summary of each ancestor. If you discovered this post through a search engine and find one of your ancestors listed here, please leave a comment to let me know.

If you discovered this post through a search engine and find one of your ancestors listed here, please leave a comment to let me know.

My paternal 2^nd great-grandmother Sherreldia Jane Hammontree was born 10 November 1825[1] probably in Tennessee.[2] Her name is sometimes recorded as Sorilda or Sarilda. She was the daughter of Hugh Hammontree and Rachel Caskey.

Sherreldia Jane Hammontree married Houston T. Owens on 29 December 1841 in Talladega County, Alabama.[3] They had fifteen children:

• Andrew J. Owens (1841-?)[4]
• Nancy C. Owens (1843-1930)[5]
• Missouri Ann Owens (1845-1927)[6]
• Dialtha Jane Owens (1847-1893)[7] – my great-grandmother
• Rachel B. Owens (1849-1851)
• Hughes R. Owens (1851-1916)[8]
• Rebecca Ursula Owens (1852-1928)[9]
• Thomas Alexander Owens (1855-1919)[10]
• Gabriel Houston Owens (1858-1928)[11]
• Sarah A. Owens (1861-1947)[12]
• Steward S. Owens (1864-1937)[13]
• Sarilda Angeline Owens (1866-1906)[14]
• John Darius Owens (1868-1951)[15]
• Charles Taylor Owens (1870-1945)[16]
• Belzora Owens (1872-died young)[17]

Like most of my female ancestors, I know little about Sherreldia. I think she may have borne more children than any of my other grandmothers. One two died young. The rest lived to adulthood.

Sherreldia died 11 December 1896 (just 15 months following her husband’s death) and is buried at Hurricane Cemetery, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.[18]

As I research Sherreldia's husband, I hope to find more information about her as well.

---

[1] Kelly Christian Priestly, "Hurricane Cemetery, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana," transcription, USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/claiborne/cemeteries/hurrican.txt : accessed 21 Apr 2010), entry for Sherreldia J. Owens. Sherreldia’s age at date of death was recorded as 71 years, 1 month, 1 day.

[2] 1850 U.S. census, population schedule, Western District, Bienville, Louisiana, p. 288A, family 559, household of Huston T. Owens; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Jan 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll 230.

[3] Talladega County, Alabama, Marriage Records, 1833-1942, A1: 246, Owens-Hammonthren; Family History microfilm 1,639,298, item 1.

[4] 1850 U.S. census, population schedule, Western District, Bienville, Louisiana, p. 288A, family 559, household of Huston T. Owens; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Jan 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll 230.

[5] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Nancy C. Owens, Memorial #15477081, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 23 Aug 2006.

[6] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Missouri Anne Owens Spurlock, Memorial #15541349, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 28 August 2006.

[7] Dialtha Owens Spurlock Photograph of grave marker, 1999; digital image, privately held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Lomita, Callifornia. 2012.

[8] Charles I. Caskey, Descendants of Houston T. Owens.

[9] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Rebecca Ursula Owens Sims, Memorial #21341670, created by Terri Carter, 3 September 2007.

[10] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Thomas Alexander Owens, Memorial #15541142, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 28 August 2006.

[11] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Gabriel Houston Owens, Memorial #15541182, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 28 August 2006.

[12] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Sarah Ann Owens, Memorial #15477146, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 23 August 2006.

[13] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Steward S. Owens, Memorial #15477194, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 23 August 2006.

[14] Charles I. Caskey, Descendants of Houston T. Owens.

[15] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), John Darius Owens, Memorial #54034110, created by Debbra, 23 Jun 2010.

[16] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Charles Taylor Owens, Memorial #15477291, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 23 August 2006.

[17] Find A Grave, online database (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 Jun 2012), Belzora Owens Owens, Memorial #15541105, created by Foster L. Spurlock, 28 August 2006.

[18] Kelly Christian Priestly, "Hurricane Cemetery, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana," transcription, USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/claiborne/cemeteries/hurrican.txt : accessed 21 Apr 2010), entry for Sherreldia J. Owens.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - Deed - Hammontree-Billings 1859

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

By 1857, Hugh Hammontree, one of my paternal 3^rd great-grandfathers, had purchased a total of approximately 160 acres of land in Bienville Parish. The deed below represents the sale of 20 acres of that land to E. and T. B. Billings, for a mere $3! I haven’t researched the economic conditions of Bienville Parish in 1859, but, at just 15 cents an acre, it seems the Billings got a great deal!

I don’t know what all the dark Xs are on this document, but from their locations, it appears that they may have been made by someone who was indexing the deeds.

“Hugh Hammontree }

To       Deed               }

E. & T. B. Billings     }

Know all men by these presents that I Hugh Hammontree of the Parish of Bienville & State of Louisiana have this day for and in consideration of Three dollars cash to me in hand paid the receipt where is hereby acknowledged, have bargained and sold, and by these presents, do bargain and sell, release and convey unto E. Billings and T. B. Billings of the Parish of Bienville and State of Louisiana their Heirs and assigns forever all of the following described piece or parcel of land, to wit. The West half of the North West fourth of the South East fourth of Section No. five (5) Township Eighteen (18) of Range five (5) containing twenty acres, and I do, by these presents, bind[?] myself my heirs and assigns, jointly, separately [sic], severally and firmly by these presents to warrant and forever defend all my signatory Rights and letters to the above described piece and parcel of Land unto the said E. Billings and T. B. Billings their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold to their own proper use any [?] forever. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal, is pres[en]ts of the subscribing witnesses on the first day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and fifty-nine.

Attest signed  G. M. Rogers }          (signed)  Hugh Hammontree  {seal}

                        R. J. Wheaton }        

State of Louisiana     }

Bienville Parish          }

Before me the undersigned authority personally came and appeared R. J. Wheaton one of the attesting witnesses to the foregoing deed who after being duly sworn, deposes and says that he was present and saw Hugh Hammontree sign the same for the purposes therein Expressed. also saw G. M. Rogers sign the same as a witness with himself all in presence of Each other & now Recognizes their signatures and that of his own as genuine.

Sworn to & subscribed Before me Sept. 26}           (signed)  R. J. Wheaton

AD. 1859        (signed) J.G. Noles Recorder}

State of Louisiana     }

Bienville Parish          }

I hereby certify that the above & foregoing is a true & correct Record of the original as filed Sept. 26, 1859, & duly Recorded October 3rd 1859.

                                                                                    John G. Noles Recorder”

Source: Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Conveyance Records, 1848-1900, F: 120, 

Hugh Hammontree, deed to E. & T. B. Billings, 3 Oct 1859; FHL microfilm 266,009.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: November 10

1825: My paternal 2^nd great-grandmother Sherreldia Jane Hammontree, the daughter of Hugh Hammontree and Rachel Caskey, was born in Tennessee. She died on 31 December 1896 and is buried at Hurricane Cemetery in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. [Source: Kelly Christian Priestly, "Hurricane Cemetery, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana," transcription, USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/claiborne/cemeteries/hurrican.txt : accessed 21 Apr 2010), entry for Sherreldia J. Owens.]

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock,
[ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lomita,
California, 2007.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - Will of William Hamontree 1815

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Today I am posting my transcription of the 1815 will of William Hamontree, one of my paternal 5th great grandfathers. William listed all his children in his will by first name only. One child's name was misread when the will was copied into the court records—Harriet should have been Harris! I thought it interesting that William was specific in his bequests of livestock to his sons Jacob and Jesse. Another peculiar bequest was the money due from the county for the care of John Hays; who WAS John Hays?

I William Hamontree of Blount County and State of Tenn-

essee being weak of body but of sound mind and disposing
memory do make and ordain this  my last will and testament
in manner following as to what worldly estate it hath pleased
God to bless me with me with after the discharge of all my just debts
I give and bequeath as follows. first my will is that my wife Patsey
Hamontree be and remain in full possession of the farm and
improvements where I now live and also the household furniture
and that she have her maintainance in the Same during her
natural life and at her decease that my two Sons Jacob and
Jesse Hamontree be the heirs and possessors of said farm
to them and their heirs [page torn] to my wife and above named
Sons after her I give and bequeath a horse called old crop the young
roane mare a colt two years old named to Jacob a last springs
colt named to Jesse, and the milch cows my wagon and gears and a
note on Daniel Best for $77. and as many hogs as my executors may
think proper to leave with them for their Support. 3^d I give and
bequeath to my wife the money due or to become due from the coun-
ty for the Support of John Hays 4^th I give and bequeath to my son
David the young mares colt. 5^th the remainder of my property to be
immediately sold by my executors the proceeds there of together with
the debts due to me to be equally divided amongst the rest of my chil-
dren Viz: James John. Betsy. Nancy. Fanny. Harriet. William and
David Hamontree I hereby nominate and appoint John and Willi-
am Hamontree executors of this my last will and testament.witness
my hand and seal this twenty sixt day of July one thousand
eight hundred and fifteen                               his
            W^m McClung [?]                     William  X  Hamontree (seal)
            James H. Doyle                                 mark

[Source: Blount County, Tennessee, William Hamontree, will dated 26 July 1815, citing Probate Record Books, Blount, Wills 1795-1869, Vol. 01, page 65; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 11 Jul 2011).]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday – Will of John Hammontree 1840

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Today, I am presenting the will of John Hammontree, one of my paternal 4^th great-grandfathers. John names his children, providing evidence to prove parent-child relationships. His daughters’ married names are given, and, in one instance, the husband’s full name is also included. An image and the source citation follow the transcription:

I John Hammontree Sr. being of Sound and perfect mind and
memory on this Eighteenth day of August in the year of our lord

Savir Jesus Christ Eighteen hundred and forty do make this my last
will and testament_ and first I will my Soul to God who gave it
and my body a christian burial, and 2^d all my just debts be paid
3^d I bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah a good Suporte out of my Mill
and plantation and remain in this my dwelling during her natural
life 4^th I bequeath to my two Sons Phillip and John my my Mills and
plantation equally by them paying my son Hugh one hundred dollars
each and the said phillip and John are to have all my personal
property by them paying my daughters Viz. Elisabeth Rosin Martha Henry
Margaret Phebe McClain and Cintha J. Cathcart Sixty dollars
each as for my daughter Polly Black she has got her part in my pay-
ing H. B. Leeper for Joseph Black her Husband
5^th I bequeath my upper plantation to my son Harvey by him paying
my son Hugh two hundred dollars. 6^th_ I bequeath to my Son
Hugh the two hundred dollars is that he is to get from my two Sons
Phillip and John as above and two hundred dollars from my Son
Harvey as above for his portion. and lastly I apoint my Son Phillip
and Benj Abernathy my executors in order this my last will and
testament my be lawfully executed in witness where of I have here-
unto set my hand and seal in the day and date first above
written in the presents of                                  his
  John McClan Jr                                  John     X   Hammontree (seal)
  David Hammontree                                       mark

Source: Blount County, Tennessee, John Hammontree will dated 18 August 1840, citing Tennessee Probate Court Records, Blount, Wills, 1795-1869, Vol. 01, p. 68; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 Jul 2011).

© 2011 Denise Spurlock