Some of the interesting people I've met along the way...
Littleton Sims (5th Great Grandfather, 1769-~1844) -- Orphaned in Rutherford Co., North Carolina and bound to Col. Andrew Hampton at age 14. In his honor, many of his descendants have the name Hampton. Parents unknown, but if his father is Boswell Burrell Sims, then my two Sims lines are probably related.
Capt. George Symes (10th Great Grandfather, ~1643-1687) -- Immigrant from England to Antigua in the British West Indies.
Swepson Sims (3C7R, 1775-1850) -- Married Jane Meriwether Lewis, first cousin of Capt. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They were both named for their grandmother Jane Meriwether.
Thomas Horner (13th Great Grandfather, 1547-1610) or Sir John Horner (12th Great Granduncle, ~1580-?) -- The "Little Jack Horner" of nursery rhymes with sarcastic reference to his family having obtained lands formerly held by the Abbott of Glastonbury.
Capt. John Twitty "Jack" Baker (4th Great Granduncle, ~1805-1857) -- Died in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. An organizer of the Baker/Fancher wagon train traveling from Arkansas to California. While passing though Mountain Meadows, Utah, the wagon train was attacked by Indians who had been incited by the Mormons. After the Indians were not quickly successful, a Mormon militia came and ordered the settlers to surrender their guns and they would be escorted through the Indian lines to safety. As they walked out each militia man was told upon orders to shoot the man next to him or if he had not the stomach to do it to sit down and let the Indians do it. All the men and women were killed, as well as all but 17 or 18 small children. In total it is believed that 120 people were killed. Other family members killed: Abel Baker (son), George W. Baker (son), Minerva A. Beller Baker (daughter-in-law), Mary Lovina Baker (granddaughter), Charles R. Mitchell (son-in-law), Sarah C. Mitchell Baker (daughter), John Mitchell (infant grandson). Survivors: Silas Baker (son), Mary J. Baker (daughter), Mariah Baker (daughter), Peter S. Baker (son), Martha Elizabeth Baker (granddaughter), Sarah Francis Baker (granddaughter), William Twitty Baker (grandson). These lists are probably incomplete.
Jurian Hartsfelder (8th Great Grandfather, ~1650-1689) -- A pioneer who as of 1675 was surveying land just north of what would be Philadelphia, years before the families of the original 13 Krefeld immigrant settled Germantown Pennsylvania, following the call of William Penn and Daniel Pastorius. His family was acquainted with the the original settlers of Germantown. His descendants married some of the descendants of Thones Kunders, below.
Mayor William Berry Hartsfield (3C3R, 1890-1971) -- Served as mayor of Atlanta, Georgia for 6 terms, longer than any other. He held office during a critical period when the color line separating the races began to change and the city grew from more than 100,000 inhabitants to a metropolitan population of one million. He is credited with developing Atlanta into the aviation powerhouse that it is today and with building its image as "A City Too Busy to Hate." One week after his death, the Atlanta City Council honored him by renaming the Atlanta airport the William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (currently Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport).
Major William Russell (6th Great Grandfather, ~1762-1812) -- Served under command of Maj. General Andrew Jackson in War of 1812. Sgt. Davy Crockett (not related) was in his battalion. Mentioned in Davy Crockett's book Legends of the West. First of the permanent residents of Franklin Co. Alabama. The city of Russellville, Alabama is named in his honor. His 52 cal. Peacemaker rifle is on display at the Alamo.
George Russell (5th Great Granduncle, ~1794-1831) -- Son of Major William Russell. Friend of Davy Crockett (not related). When Major Gibson asked for two of the best riflemen to scout with him into the Creek Indian Nation in 1813, Davy Crockett was selected and then asked for George Russell for his mate. Davy said, "I choose a young man by the name of George Russell, a son of old Major Russell of Tennessee, for I know'd George Russell". Played by Buddy Ebsen in Disney's Davy Crockett Films.
May be more directly related to the Beans below if Major William Russell is a descendant of Capt. George Russell.
Capt. William Bean (may be related, 1721-1782) -- The first recorded permanent white settler in what later became the state of Tennessee. Went on hunting expeditions with Daniel Boone. In 1768 built a cabin on Boone's Creek of the Watauga River. He was soon joined by his brothers-in-law, George and John Russell, and by other relatives and friends from southern Virginia. His son Russell was the first recorded white born in Tennessee. He served in the Revolutionary War from 1776-1780 as a Captain in the Watauga Riflemen. Present at the Battle of King's Mountain. At William Bean's door knocked some of the great men of the age - John Sevier, Daniel Boone, James Robertson, Arthur Campbell, and Isaac Shelby.
Lydia Russell Bean (may be related, 1726-1788) -- Wife of Capt. William Bean. She was captured along with 13 year old Samuel Moore in July 1776 by hostile Cherokee Indians prior to an attack on the Watauga settlement. She was led to the stake to be burned, but she was saved, it is said, by Nancy Ward (not related), "Beloved Woman" of the Cherokees, who told the Indians that they could use Mrs. Bean's instruction in the making of butter and cheese. So her life was spared and later she returned to her home. Lydia's brother George Russell, husband of Elizabeth Bean, was killed by Indians while on a hunting trip in Grainger County, Tennessee, in 1796. Her daughter, Jane Bean, was killed in 1798 by Indians while working her loom outside the walls of Bean's Station.
Jesse Bean (father-in-law of Capt. William Russell, 1756-1829) -- Son of William and Lydia Bean. First permanent settler of Mulberry Valley in Franklin Co., Arkansas before the Indians were driven out. In 1818 all whites were driven out of the valley except Jesse Bean and Judge Sanders who were allowed to remain because they were blacksmiths. A gunsmith of great ability, his 45-inch long rifles became famous throughout the pioneer country.
Thomas Jameson (6th Great Granduncle, 1732-1830) -- Served in Virginia militia under Lt. Col. George Washington in 1755 during the French and Indian war. Present at English and Colonial defeat at Fort Duquesne. Fought in American Revolution. In 1779, signed "A Declaration of Independence Signed by Citizens of Albemarles County, Virginia" along with Thomas Jefferson.
Catherine Jameson Mills (4th Great Grandmother, 1782-1876) -- While migrating from Kentucky to Illinois, her husband Nathan Mills took ill and died in Kentucky. After his death, at age 52, Mrs. Mills bravely continued with her family to pioneer Illinois.
Elisha Farris (4th Great Granduncle, 1745-1791) -- Elisha, wife Mary and one girl were killed during an Indian attack on Elisha's Tavern, near Moccasin Gap, VA. Daughter Nancy was taken by the Indians, but later escaped.
Nathan and Isaac Farris (4th Great Granduncles, 1746-1790, 1754-1790) -- Killed by Indians while settling Kentucky.
John Edmondson (9th Great Grandfather, ~1635-1697) -- Powerful Quaker Planter/Merchant/Attorney/Politician. Probably hosted George Fox, founder of Quakerism, in 1672. Donated the land for the Third Haven Meeting House in downtown Easton in 1682. Signed letter of congratulations to King William of Orange and Mary (Protestants) who assumed the throne after King James II (Catholic) fled England in December 1688.
Dr. Peter Sharp (10th Great Grandfather, ~1630-1672) -- Quaker doctor. An 900 acre island in the Chesapeake Bay was named Sharp's Island after him. Eventually the island eroded and is now completely covered by water. A lighthouse that was built on the island was rebuilt several times and is still anchored above the island.
Theiss Doors (10th Great Grandfather, 1614->1663) -- Father or father-in-law of many of the original settlers of Germantown (though he never left Germany himself) including Jan Streypers, Paulus Kuster, Peter Kurlis, Thones Kunders, Cornelius Theisen, Reiner Theissen, Jan Lucken, and Herman Theissen.
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Original 13 Settlers of Germantown, Pennsylvania |
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Lenert Aratts (Arents) Johannes Bleikers Jan Lensen Abraham Op Den Graeff Derick Op Den Graeff Leonard (Ryner/Rynier) Teison (Tyson) Abraham Tunes |
Thones Kunders (9th Great Granduncle, <1654-1729) -- One of the original 13 families that settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania, escaping persecution in Germany, following the call of William Penn and Daniel Pastorius. Very soon after the arrival of this little band, the first Friends meeting in Germantown was held in the house of Thones Kunders, and likely was continued there until the first meeting-house was built in 1686. It was in Thones Kunders' House that the first Anti-Slavery document in America was written in 1688.
President Theodore Roosevelt (6C5R, 1858-1919) -- 26th President of the United States of America. His fifth cousin, the 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is related to him through his paternal grandfather's line. I am related to Teddy Roosevelt through his paternal grandmother's line. Teddy's niece Eleanor Roosevelt married her fifth cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876, 5C5R) -- Of "Custer's Last Stand" fame. Finished last in his class at West Point US Military Academy. Died at the Battle Little Bighorn.
Johannes Kassel (1639-1691, 9th Great Grandfather) -- Met with William Penn in 1681 in Germany. Sailed with his brother to America, and signed the original charter of Germantown, Pennsylvania. Shortly after Johannes arrived in Germantown, he learned that a large legacy was left his family, through the death of a relative. It was necessary for them to return to Germany to claim the legacy. A Mennonite church council was called to discuss the matter. It was decided unanimously to not receive the money as it would have a tendency to make them proud.
Johannes Kuster (1670-1708, 8th Great Grandfather) -- He was one of the chain carriers when the State of Pennsylvania was surveyed and for his services was given two tracts of land of five hundred acres each, on one of which the city of Philadelphia now stands. (Surveying the lands granted to the Quaker William Penn, known as Pennsylvania ("Penn's Woods")).
General Abner Lacock (1C7R, 1770-1837) -- A member of the United States Congress. Representative and a Senator from Pennsylvania. His greatest activity in the Senate was promotion of internal improvements - roads and canals. He was Brigadier-General in the Pennsylvania militia, an expert surveyor, and accomplished writer and a good public speaker.
Rev. William S. Thomas (1754-1828, 5th Great Grandfather) -- Revolutionary War Soldier. Charter member of First Prairie Creek Baptist Church, Vigo Co., Indiana along with Daniel Boone and the famous missionary Rev. Isaac McCoy.
Edmund Liston (1763->1830. 5th Great Grandfather) -- Pioneer who migrated from Maryland to Kentucky to Ohio and Indiana along with father-in-law William Kester and the Pound families. Interesting pioneer stories.
Joseph Liston (1782-1875, 4th Great Grandfather) -- Embraced religion in 1810 and was baptized by the Rev. Isaac McCoy, afterward a missionary among the Indians. Pioneer who migrated with father Edmund Liston above. One of the first settlers of Vigo Co., Indiana when it was Indian territory. Served in the Indian Frontier Guards during the War of 1812. Charter member of First Prairie Creek Baptist Church, Vigo Co., Indiana along with Daniel Boone and the famous missionary Rev. Isaac McCoy.
William Spurgin, Sr. (1704-1750, 7th Great Grandfather) -- Along with his brother James, and possibly a sister Amy, convicted of stealing while in England, interred in Newgate Prison, and sentenced to deportation to America, where he served an indenture (usually 7 years). Their deportation may have been arranged by friends and neighbors as this was the only way for laborers to emigrate to the colonies.
Col. William Spurgin, Jr. (1734-1806, 6th Great Grandfather) -- A Justice of the Peace and a member of the State Supreme Court for North Carolina. During the American Revolution, William and his brother John were known to have served on the Tory (British) side, while their brothers, Samuel and Jesse and William's wife, Jane and her family were loyal to the Whig (Colonies) cause. At the Battle of Kettle Creek, William assumed command of the Tories after their commander was wounded. Eventually they were overpowered and fled. After the war, William's estate was confiscated and he moved to Canada, which was under British control. There he wrote to the authorities in Canada for land for having supported the King. Also some story of having joined Daniel Boone to lead a group of settlers into Kentucky for the Transylvania Company in 1775.
John Spurgin (1753-1803, 5th Great Grandfather) -- One of the first settlers of what would be Sullivan Co., TN. Appointed as a Justice of the Peace by Gov. Blount. Possible signer of the Petition to form the State of Franklin. Served as Representative to the State of Franklin. A large land owner and slave holder.
Joseph Ephriam Spurgin (1830-1909, 3rd Great Grandfather) -- During the Civil War, was conscripted into the Confederate Army in Tennessee. Was captured and imprisoned at Rock Island. After being released, enlisted in the Union Army, serving in Kansas before returning to Tennessee after the war. During the war, bushwackers repeatedly raided his home farm.
Peter Wohlgemuth (2nd Great Grandfather, 1844-1918) -- Immigrated from Prussia to America along with the entire Krimmer-Gemeinde Mennonite Church to settle the new "Gnadenau Village" in Marion Co., Kansas.
Johann Ratzlaff (2nd Great Grandfather, 1851-1941) -- Immigrated from Poland to America to with the Mennonites in Marion Co., Kansas. Cancer of the mouth ate away his jawbone so that it fell out one night as he was praying. Was preserved in alcohol and buried with him.