Person Page - 1

     John Kennedy BROWN, son of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, was born on 14 July 1914 in Brent, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

John Kennedy BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 9 January 1920, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. He was five years old.²

He began his education by attending classes held at the Maplesville Baptist and Methodist Churches until the new Maplesville High School was built in 1924. That year he was in the 3rd and 4th grade class of Ms. Bessie Hayes. He later attended boarding school at Eldridge Baptist Academy in Walker County. His brother, Abney, had also attended this school. John played on the school's football team. He returned to Maplesville High School for his senior year. Later on he took engineering courses through a correspondence school to further his employment with the Alabama Highway Department.³

John Kennedy BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1930, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. John K. Brown was listed at a 15-year-old farmer. He was attending school.⁴ He was Division Engineer with the Alabama Highway Department between 1935 and 1976. He was first employed by the Highway Department in March 1935. He retired 31 Jan 1976 after 40 years service. He worked on highway construction across Alabama including Greensboro, Fayette, Clanton, Tuscaloosa, Mobile and Montgomery.

John appeared on a census enumerated 5 April 1940 in Greensboro, Hale County, Alabama. The household was listed as Sallie Borden, 62, widow, head of household; Wallace Bordon, 22, her son; John K. Brown, 25, lodger; and Bertram Barton, 30, lodger. John was listed as a laborer with a construction company with an income of $900. He had worked all 52 weeks in 1939. Barton was road machine operator with an income of $1200. Both were probably employed by the Alabama Highway Department. The house was at 1 Whelan Street in downtown Greensboro.

John was registered for the draft during World War II on 16 October 1940 while living in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 26 years old, born 14 Jul 1914 in Brent, Alabama. He was employed by the Alabama State Highway Department in Montgomery. He was discribed as 5'8", 158 libs., with brown eyes, brown hair and light complexion.⁵

John began military service at age 27 on 9 February 1942 in U. S. Naval Reserve Station, Birmingham, Alabama. At the time of his enlistment he was employed by the Alabama Hisghway Department. He served in the U. S. Navy Seabees, first in the 17th Naval Construction Battalion after leaving the Navy Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois. He served throughout the entire North Africa Campaign in the 120th Naval Construction Battalion. Later he was sent to Okinawa in the Pacific where he served in the Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 615 until the end of the war. He returned to the states aboard the battleship U. S. S. Alabama. This is confirmed in the history of the Alabama, "On 20 Sep 1945, Alabama stood out from Tokyo. At Okinawa she embarked some 3700 passengers for the U. S., thus doing her bit in the task of returning the Pacific veterans."

John married French Inez BURT, daughter of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, on 6 September 1943 at Belview Heights Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Their wedding announcement reads: "Miss French Burt and John K. Brown, of Maplesville, Ala., were married at 8:30 Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the parsonage of Belview Heights Presbyterian Church with Dr. J. Allen Anderson officiating. Only members of the immediate family were present. The bride wore a soldier blue suit and her flowers were in a shoulder corsage. After a wedding trip, Mr. Brown returned to Davisville, R. I., where he is stationed with U. S. Navy and the bride will return to Centerville where she is employed."⁶

He ended military service on 21 October 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was honorarily discharged based on points system as a Carpenter's Mate- 2nd Class in the Seabees.

After the War, in 1945, Big Frank, and his brother John, opened Brown Brother's Supply Company in downtown Maplesville. John Brown soon sold his share to his brother Abney and returned to the Highway Department. Frank and Abney Brown built a new store in 1951. The store remained in operation until Frank's death in 2003. Abney had retired a few years earlier. For over fifty years the hardware store served as a meeting place for the men of Maplesville, and you could nearly always find a group gathered near the front of the store, seated on boxes and upturned spools of wire or rope, playing checkers or discussing sports and politics. Frank and Abney were also partners in farming and raising cattle on the Old Abney Place.⁷

John and French were living on 1 January 1948 in Marion, Alabama. That is based on a newspaper item that listed this as their residence at the time of a visit with her parents.

John Kennedy BROWN and French Inez BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 April 1950 in Fayette, Fayette County, Alabama. The household was listed as John K. Brown, a 36 year old highway engineer, employed by the Alabama Highway Dept., and his wife, French I. Brown, age 36, housewife. They lived at 102 Temple Avenue, apartment 1 of 3. He had worked 48 the previous week.⁸

He appeared in a newspaper article 4 August 1955 in the Fayette County Times, published in Fayette, Alabama. "... Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Brown moved Monday into the [Ben] Enis home on Temple Avenue. Mrs. Clare Scharnagel moved into the apartment of Miss Julia Coggin which was formerly occupied by the Browns...." The return address on envelopes from 1950 and 1951 is 102 Temple Avenue. That appears to be a block of retail stores with apartments above them.

He appeared in a newspaper article 16 April 1959 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. Welcome is extended to Mr. and Mrs. John K. Brown and four-year-old son, John Kennedy, who are making their home at 406 8th Street. They moved here from Fayette. Mr. Brown is employed by the state highway department.

On 26 October 1961 John Kennedy BROWN and French Inez BURT were living at 4402 30th Ave E, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.⁹

As of between 1963 and 1965, John Kennedy BROWN and French Inez BURT were living in Tillman's Corner, Mobile County, Alabama. They were the first owners of a house at 5920 Bavarian Drive South. It was within walking distant of W. C. Griggs Elementary School where there son attended 3rd through 5th grades.

John and French moved from Mobile to Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, 1966 He went to work in Alabama Highway Department's 6th Division office in Montgomery where he was involved in buying land for right of ways. They bought a home on Huie Street in Prattville. They moved in the middle of the school year and their son finished the 5th grade in Prattville. He was retired on 31 January 1976 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. At the time of his retirement he was working in the Sixth Division Office in Montgomery. He had worked for the Alabama Highway Department of forty years..

John Kennedy BROWN died on 3 June 1995 at Veteran's Home in Alexander City, Alabama, at age 80. He was buried in Prattville Memorial Gardens, Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama.

     French Inez BURT, daughter of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 26 January 1914 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama. French Inez BURT also referred to among her brothers and sisters by the name of Betty.

French Inez BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1920, in the household of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

French Inez BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of her parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. She was recorded as French I. Burt, age 16.²

French Inez BURT appeared as a lodger in the household of Doris Steele on a census enumerated 9 May 1940 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as It was located on Dry Hollow Road and anotyer source called it Martin's Boarding House. She was listed as 24 years old and employed as a stenographer/secretary at the Bibb County Board of Education. She had four years of high school made $600 per month. The household included Oro W. [Doris?] Steele, a 63 year old widow, her sons John C. Steele, a 32 year old dairyman and William T. Steele, a 26 year old farmer, along with his 24 year old wife, Maxine W. Steele, a bookkeeper for a garage.³

Ferry Eleanor BURT and French Inez BURT appeared in a newspaper article 7 August 1941 in the Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. "Misses Ferry and French Burt left last weekend for a trip through the Eastern states." Doubtless this included a visit with their sister, Ruth, who had gotten married in Virginia in October 1940.

French married John Kennedy BROWN, son of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, on 6 September 1943 at Belview Heights Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Their wedding announcement reads: "Miss French Burt and John K. Brown, of Maplesville, Ala., were married at 8:30 Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the parsonage of Belview Heights Presbyterian Church with Dr. J. Allen Anderson officiating. Only members of the immediate family were present. The bride wore a soldier blue suit and her flowers were in a shoulder corsage. After a wedding trip, Mr. Brown returned to Davisville, R. I., where he is stationed with U. S. Navy and the bride will return to Centerville where she is employed."⁴ She was secretary to Francis B. Pratt, superintendent of Bibb County Board of Education on 13 September 1944 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.

French Inez BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 12 April 1945 in the Centreville Press. She was living in Oxnard, Callifornia at that time.⁵

French and John were living on 1 January 1948 in Marion, Alabama. That is based on a newspaper item that listed this as their residence at the time of a visit with her parents.

French Inez BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 28 October 1948 in the The Centreville Press. She was living in Fayette, Alabama by this time.⁶

French Inez BURT and John Kennedy BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 April 1950 in Fayette, Fayette County, Alabama. The household was listed as John K. Brown, a 36 year old highway engineer, employed by the Alabama Highway Dept., and his wife, French I. Brown, age 36, housewife. They lived at 102 Temple Avenue, apartment 1 of 3. He had worked 48 the previous week.⁷

French Inez BURT appeared in a newspaper article 31 March 1955 in the Fayette County Times, published in Fayette, Alabama. "Mr. and Mrs. John K. Brown have had as guests the past week Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burt, parents of Mrs. Brown, of West Blocton and 2 brothers, Vincent and Vonor [Varner] Burt. Also, Friday and Sunday guests were Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dale and daughter, Sandra, of Birminigham. Mrs. Brown is a patient in the Fayette hospital and relatives are getting acquainted with the newest member of the Brown family, John Kennedy Brown, Jr."

French's closest friend was Peggy England, the Fayett County librarian. Her daughter Julia Gray and John Kennedy were best friends as well.

On 26 October 1961 French Inez BURT and John Kennedy BROWN were living at 4402 30th Ave E, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.⁸

As of between 1963 and 1965, French Inez BURT and John Kennedy BROWN were living in Tillman's Corner, Mobile County, Alabama. They were the first owners of a house at 5920 Bavarian Drive South. It was within walking distant of W. C. Griggs Elementary School where there son attended 3rd through 5th grades.

She appeared in a newspaper article 18 November 1965 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Mrs. B. E. Guthery was hostess at a morning coffee on Thursday, November 18th, at her home to honor a newcomer to Prattville, Mrs. John K. Brown, formerly of Mobile."⁹

French and John moved from Mobile to Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, 1966 He went to work in Alabama Highway Department's 6th Division office in Montgomery where he was involved in buying land for right of ways. They bought a home on Huie Street in Prattville. They moved in the middle of the school year and their son finished the 5th grade in Prattville.

French Inez BURT was mentioned in the obituary of Mallory McCoy BURT on 2 February 1999 in the Birmingham News.¹⁰

French Inez BURT died on 21 June 2002 at Prattville Baptist Hospital in Prattville, Alabama, at age 88. She was buried in Prattville Memorial Gardens, Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama.

French's obituary was printed on 23 June 2002 in the The Montgomery Advertiser newspaper, published in Montgomery, Alabama. It read: "French Burt Brown, 88, a resident of Prattville, AL, died on Friday, June 21, 2002 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 24, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., from the First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Gorman Houston, Reverend Ed Henne, and Reverend Gail Baughman officiating. Burial will follow in Prattville Memorial Gardens with Prattville Memorial Chapel directing. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her parents, Irby Leon Burt and Birdie Watts Burt, and her belovd husband, John Kennedy Brown, Sr. She is survived by her one son, John Kennedy Brown, Jr., Prattville, AL; two sisters, Ferry Dale, Adamsville, AL and Wynell Welsh, Gadsden, AL and two brothers, Vincent Burt and Varner Burt, both of West Blocton, AL. Pallbearers will be Larry Owens, Bill Boykin, A. V. Welsh, Billie Burt, Kyle Burt, Keith Burt and Kendall Burt. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Myrtis Rice Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memory donations may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, c/o the Building Fund, 100 East Fourth Street, Prattville, AL 36067. The family will receive friends at Prattville Memorial Chapel on Monday morning prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m."

     Irby Leon BURT, son of Eustace Pierre BURT and Martha Jane YEAGER, was born on 22 May 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama.

Irby Leon BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 11 June 1900, in the household of Eustace Pierre BURT in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Irby Leon BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 27 April 1910, in the household of his father Eustace Pierre BURT in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as a 17-year-old farm laborer.

Irby Leon BURT, Birdie Clyde WATTS and Willie Norma WATTS appeared in a newspaper article 7 March 1912 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Scottsville News-- Miss Etta Reach entertained on last Saturday evening in honor of her guest, Miss Emma Lewis, of Lucile. The following couples spent a delightful evening with her: Mr. Irby Burt, Miss Birdie Watts, Mr. Louis Clark, Miss Stella Grimes, Mr. J. H. Stewart, Miss Emma Lewis, Mr. Jewell Wooley, Miss Beatrice Bice, Mr. Herbert Murphy, Miss Grace Lewis, Mr. Marion Bice, Miss Gertrude Wooley, Mr. Fred Bice, Miss Eva Lou Clark, Mr. Bunyan Stamps, Miss Georgia Pierson, Mr. Grady Murphy, Miss Lillie Pierson, Mr. Luther Reach, Miss Hazel Snyder, Andrew Woods, Miss Norma Watts, Mr. Otis Pierson, Miss Diana Hall, Mr. Andrew Blake. After indulging in various amusements, refreshments, consisting of hot chocolate and cake, were served by Misses Reach and Lewis. At a late hour the guests took their departure, each voting Miss Reach an ideal hostess.

He appeared in a newspaper article 28 November 1912 in the The Blocton Enterprise, published in West Blocton, Alabama. "Scottsville Items-- Mr. Irby Burt made his usual visit to this place Sunday." This must have been when he was courting Birdie and he was coming every Sunday to see her.

Irby married Birdie Clyde WATTS, daughter of George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed, on 25 December 1912 at the home of George Watts in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. Justice of Peace W. T. Wood officiated the wedding service.^2,3

The Burts owned and operated a very large farm and a lumber business in the Scottsville community until 1938 when the family moved to a new location in West Blocton. The sawmill began in 1912 was known as I. L. Burt & Sons was incorporated in 1964. In 1980 the mill was greatly expanded and relocated to Vance and named KyKenKee for the three sons of Varner Burt: Kyle, Keith and Kendall.

Due to a need for men to serve during World War I, the United States instituted a draft. The first registration was for men between the ages of 21 and 31. As a result, this first registration included men born between June 5, 1886 and June 5, 1896. Irby filled out a draft card on 5 June 1917 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was 25 years old with a wife and three children. He was a farmer employed by his father, E. P. Burt near Blocton. He was discribed as tall and slender with gray eyes and black hair.⁴

Birdie Clyde WATTS and Irby Leon BURT appeared in a newspaper article 27 February 1919 in the Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Irby Burt and children spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Watts.

Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1920 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Irby Leon Burt, age 27; his wife Birdie, age 25; daughters, French Inez, age 6; Ferry, age 5; Ruth A., age 3 1/2; and son Irby Leon, Jr., age 3 months. All were born in Alabama. Living with them were servants Doc and Viola Ray.⁵

Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Irby L. Burt, age 37 and a farmer. He owned his home, could read and write, and owned a radio. He first married at age 20. He and his parents were born in Alabama. His wife, Birdie C. Burt, was 35 years old. and had first married when she was 18. She could also read and write. Both she and her parents were born in Alabama. Their children were French I., age 16; Ferry E., age 15; Ruth A., age 12; Mallory M., age 9; George E., age 6; Vincent A., age 3 1/12; and Varner L., age 1 4/12. Living next door was Irby's father, Eustace.⁶

Irby moved from Cedar Grove to West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, 1938. There he built I. L. Burt and Sons sawmill in the lot adjoining his home. The mill made shingles and milled lumber for the mines.

Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS were members of the West Blocton Methodist Church until 1965 when they moved their membership to the newly organized Southern Methodist Church in Centreville as charter members. They continued to attend and support the church until their deaths.

At a family reunion 26 July 2003 Wynell Burt Welsh recalled that the Burt kids always referred to Maggie Yeager as "Aunt Maggie" and that Maggie would often visit the family of Irby L. Burt, Wynell's father. Aunt Maggie liked to chew tobacco and would sometimes send Wynell into town to purchase it for her. Wynell said that she was embarrassed to buy the chewing tobacco, but couldn't pass up the dime that Maggie paid her for the service. She also remembered Maggie's love of blackberry pies, and that she would annouce, "Irby, we need us a blackberry pie for breakfast." Wynell recalled how she hated having to go pick the blackberries because of her fear of snakes.⁷

Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 April 1940 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as I. L. Burt, a 47-year-old saw mill operator, and his 45-year-old wife Birdie Burt. He had completed 7 years of school and she 8 years. Also in the household were their children: daughter Ferry, age 24, 4 years of high school; daughter Ruth, age 22, 4 years of high school; son Mallory, age 19, 3 years of hight school; son George, age 15, 6 years school; son Vincent, age 13, 6 years of school; son Varner, age 11, 5 years of school; daughter Birdie, age 9, 2 years of school; and son Billie, age 5. They lived on Popular Street.

For a few months between 1950 and 1951 Irby moved with his family to Mississippi to cut a tract of wood. The investment did not pan out and he lost a great deal of money. The family returned to Bibb County and hard times for a few years. The family survived these difficult times and prospered.

Irby Leon BURT died on 15 March 1990 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 97. He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Birdie Clyde WATTS, daughter of George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed, was born on 11 September 1894 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹ The young Birdie had sandy blonde hair and a beautiful peaches and cream complexion that remained with her throughout her life. Late in life she was a large, friendly woman universally beloved by her children and grandchildren. Mama Burt was a marvelous cook, who dellighted in large family gatherings. One of her joys was singing and playing the piano, with "Little Brown Jug" being one of her favorite songs, and the one most requested by the grandkids. Mama Burt could not read music, but was a natural muscian and "played by ear." Her daughter, Nell, recalled that her mother would ask her to play a tune on the piano while she listened, then would sit down at the piano and practice what she had heard until she could play it herself.

Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 11 June 1900, in the household of her parents George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. She was five years old.²

Birdie Clyde WATTS and India Ellen WATTS appeared in a newspaper article 27 April 1911 in the The Blocton Enterprise, published in West Blocton, Alabama. Scottsville Items-- Misses Etta Reach, Birdie Watts, Eva Lou Clark and India Watts spent Sunday with Miss Beatrice Bice.

Irby Leon BURT, Birdie Clyde WATTS and Willie Norma WATTS appeared in a newspaper article 7 March 1912 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Scottsville News-- Miss Etta Reach entertained on last Saturday evening in honor of her guest, Miss Emma Lewis, of Lucile. The following couples spent a delightful evening with her: Mr. Irby Burt, Miss Birdie Watts, Mr. Louis Clark, Miss Stella Grimes, Mr. J. H. Stewart, Miss Emma Lewis, Mr. Jewell Wooley, Miss Beatrice Bice, Mr. Herbert Murphy, Miss Grace Lewis, Mr. Marion Bice, Miss Gertrude Wooley, Mr. Fred Bice, Miss Eva Lou Clark, Mr. Bunyan Stamps, Miss Georgia Pierson, Mr. Grady Murphy, Miss Lillie Pierson, Mr. Luther Reach, Miss Hazel Snyder, Andrew Woods, Miss Norma Watts, Mr. Otis Pierson, Miss Diana Hall, Mr. Andrew Blake. After indulging in various amusements, refreshments, consisting of hot chocolate and cake, were served by Misses Reach and Lewis. At a late hour the guests took their departure, each voting Miss Reach an ideal hostess.

Birdie married Irby Leon BURT, son of Eustace Pierre BURT and Martha Jane YEAGER, on 25 December 1912 at the home of George Watts in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. Justice of Peace W. T. Wood officiated the wedding service.^1,3

Birdie Clyde WATTS and Irby Leon BURT appeared in a newspaper article 27 February 1919 in the Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Irby Burt and children spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Watts.

Birdie Clyde WATTS and Irby Leon BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1920 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Irby Leon Burt, age 27; his wife Birdie, age 25; daughters, French Inez, age 6; Ferry, age 5; Ruth A., age 3 1/2; and son Irby Leon, Jr., age 3 months. All were born in Alabama. Living with them were servants Doc and Viola Ray.⁴

Birdie Clyde WATTS and Irby Leon BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Irby L. Burt, age 37 and a farmer. He owned his home, could read and write, and owned a radio. He first married at age 20. He and his parents were born in Alabama. His wife, Birdie C. Burt, was 35 years old. and had first married when she was 18. She could also read and write. Both she and her parents were born in Alabama. Their children were French I., age 16; Ferry E., age 15; Ruth A., age 12; Mallory M., age 9; George E., age 6; Vincent A., age 3 1/12; and Varner L., age 1 4/12. Living next door was Irby's father, Eustace.⁵

Birdie Clyde WATTS and Irby Leon BURT were members of the West Blocton Methodist Church until 1965 when they moved their membership to the newly organized Southern Methodist Church in Centreville as charter members. They continued to attend and support the church until their deaths.

Birdie Clyde WATTS and Irby Leon BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 April 1940 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as I. L. Burt, a 47-year-old saw mill operator, and his 45-year-old wife Birdie Burt. He had completed 7 years of school and she 8 years. Also in the household were their children: daughter Ferry, age 24, 4 years of high school; daughter Ruth, age 22, 4 years of high school; son Mallory, age 19, 3 years of hight school; son George, age 15, 6 years school; son Vincent, age 13, 6 years of school; son Varner, age 11, 5 years of school; daughter Birdie, age 9, 2 years of school; and son Billie, age 5. They lived on Popular Street.

Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared in a newspaper article 7 July 1949 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Watts Reunion Held Sunday, July 3rd -- On Sunday, July 3rd, 1949 marked the annual reunion of the George Watts family. They met at Scottsville at the Old Picnic grounds with a bountiful dinner, ice cream and swimming in Schultz Creek.

Those attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Watts, Mr. and Mrs. Crathon Watts and children, Mr and Mrs. E. C. Watts and children, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Watts and daughter, Mr. Otis Watts and children, Mrs. James F. Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Talmadge Watts and children, Mr. and Mrs. James Watts, Mr. and Mrs. John Grey, Mrs. Mae Watts, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Watts and children, Mrs. Charlie Sessions and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Watts, Mr. and Mrs. Meigs Kornegay and children, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Story and children, Mr. and Mrs. Elbre Mitchell and children, Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burt and children, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Stewart and children, Miss Marcia McLaren and Mr. Gustav Kornegay.

All departed for their home in the afternoon, reporting a wonderful time and looking forward to being together again next year. Signed-- One who was there.⁶

Grandmother Burt was assisted in running her large household by Odell, a descendant of James C. Burt's former slave, Ambrose Burt. Odell and grandmother Burt shared the cooking duty, and the wonderful meals that they produced are well remembered by the grandkids. Odell was always considered a member of the famiily and was like a second mother to the kids. She and grandmother Burt never missed their favorite soap, "As the World Turns."

Birdie Clyde WATTS died on 6 May 1982 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 87. She was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Ferry Eleanor BURT, daughter of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 16 June 1915 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama. Ferry Eleanor BURT was also known by her family as Goo.

Ferry Eleanor BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1920, in the household of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Ferry Eleanor BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of her parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. She was recorded as Ferry E. Burt, age 15.²

Ferry Eleanor BURT registered to vote in July 1936 in Centreville, Alabama. She was 21 years old and a resident of West Blocton.³

Ferry Eleanor BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 17 April 1940, in the household of her parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. She was recorded as Ferry Burt, age 24, with 4 years of high school.

Ferry Eleanor BURT and French Inez BURT appeared in a newspaper article 7 August 1941 in the Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. "Misses Ferry and French Burt left last weekend for a trip through the Eastern states." Doubtless this included a visit with their sister, Ruth, who had gotten married in Virginia in October 1940.

Ferry married Thomas Kenneth DALE on 12 June 1944 in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Ferry Eleanor BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 12 April 1945 in the Centreville Press. She was living in Praco, Alabama at the time.⁴

Ferry Eleanor BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 28 October 1948 in the The Centreville Press. She was still living in Praco, Alabama.⁵ She was employed by Hancock Fabrics in Birmingham, Alabama.

Ferry Eleanor BURT was mentioned in the obituary of Mallory McCoy BURT on 2 February 1999 in the Birmingham News.⁶

Ferry Eleanor BURT died on 16 August 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia, at age 101. She was buried in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, Alabama.

Her obituary appeared 17 August 2016 in the Birmingham News, published in Birmingham, Alabama. Mrs. Ferry Burt Dale, age 101, passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Thomas Kenneth Dale.

Mrs. Dale is survived by her daughter, Jane Pinion (Al), granddaughter, Laura Beth Jones, great-grandchildren, Samantha Rylee Jones and Christian Andrew Jones, brothers Varner "Barney" Burt (Jo), Vincent Burt (Gladys), sister, Wynell Welsh, and many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 17, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Crestview Memorial Gardens, Adamsville, AL. Graveside service will be Thursday, August 18, at 2 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, AL. Pastor Chris Crain officiating.

     Ruth Alper BURT, daughter of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 15 May 1917 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Ruth Alper BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1920, in the household of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Ruth Alper BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of her parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. She was recorded as Ruth A. Burt, age 12.³

Ruth graduated in 1935 at Bibb County High School in Centreville, Alabama. She was also Homecoming Queen.

Ruth Alper BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 17 April 1940, in the household of her parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. She was recorded as Ruth Burt, age 22, with 4 years of high school.

A letter on 3 October 1940from Anna Buckner to French Burt mentioned that Ruth was living in Sperryville, Rappahannock County, Virginia, with her Great Aunt Anna Buckner. From the 8 Aug 1940 Centreville Press, "Miss French Burt and Miss Ruth Burt are spending their vacations in Virginia." Apparently Ruth decided to extend her visit.⁴

Ruth married Joseph Earl KILBY, son of Walter Bluford KILBY and Margaret Frances Yowell, on 31 October 1940 in Flint Hill, Virginia. They met when she went to Virginia to stay with her great aunt Anna Buckner. After high school, Ruth had worked at Davies Five and Ten in Centreville to save money for the trip.^5,6

Ruth Alper BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 12 April 1945 in the Centreville Press. She was living in Woodville, Virginia at the time.⁷

Ruth Alper BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 28 October 1948 in the The Centreville Press. At this time she was listed as living in Sperryville, Virginia.⁸

Ruth Alper BURT died on 10 February 1991 at Belle Meade in Sperryville, Rappahannock County, Virginia, at age 73.^9,1 She was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia.

     I. L. BURT Jr., son of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 21 October 1919 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.

I. L. BURT Jr. appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1920, in the household of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹ He died on 2 October 1926 in Bibb County, Alabama, at age 6. He was killed in a fall from a truck. The family was returning to Blocton from visiting Eustace Burt with Irby driving. I. L was riding in the front seat and eating an apple. The girls were riding in the back of the truck. When near home, the truck hit a bump in the road and I. L. was throw from the truck and run over. He was killed instantly.^2,3 He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 7 October 1926 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Boy Killed by Truck -- Irby Burt, the eight-year-old son of Mr. [I. L. Burt] of near Scottsville, was killed on Saturday night when the wheels of a truck ran over him.

The little fellow was returning to his home with his father Saturday night after attending the circus in Blocton, and it is supposed he fell asleep, and fell under the wheel of the truck, crushing his skull.

The funeral was held at Scottsville on Sunday evening.

I. L. BURT Jr. appeared in a newspaper article 3 March 1983 in the Mobile Register, published in Mobile, Alabama. Tombstone Found After 56 Years - West Blocton, Ala. (AP) - A tombstone for the grave of a Bibb County child killed in an accident has been located, more than 56 years after his death.

The marker was found last week by a lineman for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad as he rummaged through old property in an abandoned depot in Centreville.

The tombstone, in a plain wood box and with no freight bill, apparently had been stored in depots over the years.

"It was a total surprise to us," said Varner Burt of West Blocton, brother of the accident victim, I. L. Burt, Jr.

The child was killed Oct. 2, 1926 in West Blocton when he fell from a vehicle driven by his father, I. L. Burt, and was run over. The father, now 91, still lives here.

A lineman for the railroad noticed the old crate at the depot and opened it. When he saw the name on the marker, he contacted a member of the Burt family.

     Mallory McCoy BURT, son of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 2 April 1921 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.^1,2

Mallory McCoy BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of his parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as Mallory M. Burt, age 9.³

Mallory McCoy BURT witnessed the burial of his grandfather George Weaver WATTS in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

Mallory McCoy BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 17 April 1940, in the household of his parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. He was enumerated as Mallory Burt, age 19, with three years of high school. He graduated in 1941 at West Blocton High School .

Mallory was registered for the draft during World War II on 16 February 1942 while living in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. He was 20 years old and employed by I. L. Burt sawmill in West Blocton. He was discribed as 5' 10", 165 lbs., with gray eyes, brown hair and light complexion.⁴

Mallory served in the U. S. Navy during World War II between 1942 and 1945. He enlisted 10 Jul 1942 as a seaman second class. He trained at San Diego, California before being sent to the quartermaster school in Newport, Rhode Island. He then attended amphibious training in Little Creek, Virginia and then at Appledore in England. He was assigned as a signalman 2nd class on a Landing Craft Tank version 5.

The LCT(5) was 117 long by 32 feet wide. It had a crew of one officer and 12 enlisted men. It could land up to four tanks or could also be used to land troops. It was generally carried to the landing site onboard a LST (Landing Ship Tank) or could be transported in three sections aboard a freighter.

On 30 Apr 1944 he appeared on muster roll for LCT Flotilla 4 promoted from signalman third class (SM3c) to second class (SM2c). Mallory served in the 6 Jun 1944 D-Day Invasion in LCT Flotilla 4 at Utah Beach under Lt. Cmdr. Louis E. Hubbard. One of the duties of the signal man in combat was as pointer for one of the LCT's two 20mm canons.

His ship was probably also used to transport wounded troops from the battle, and to ferry supplies and ammo to the beachfront.

Following Normandy he spent the remainder of the war in naval training centers at Chicago and the Great Lakes. He was honorably discharged 19 Oct 1945. He received the American Campaign medal, WWII Victory Medal, Amphibious Force Insignia, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.⁵ He was living on 22 March 1945 in 14th Regiment, Bld. 1400, Camp Moffett, Great Lakes, Illinois. His rank was Seaman 2nd class.

Mallory married Johnnie Ruth HARRISON on 10 April 1945 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. The Rev. W. D. Bolving officiated. The bride's parents were Benjamin Asbury Harrison and Clara Bell Lyon of Piper, Alabama.⁶

Mallory McCoy BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 12 April 1945 in the Centreville Press. He was still in service and stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois at the time.⁷ After the war he operated a farm in West Blocton.

Mallory McCoy BURT was mentioned in the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 28 October 1948 in the The Centreville Press. At the time he was living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.⁸

Mallory McCoy BURT and Johnnie Ruth HARRISON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 5 April 1950 in Cottondale, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The household was listed as Mallory McCoy Burt, a 29 year old insurance salesman, his wife, Johnnie Ruth, age 22, keeping house; and their son, Mallory Dan, age 4. Mallory had earned $5800 in 1949. He had worked 60 hours the week prior to the census enumeration. He was a World War II veteran.

Mallory was listed in the 1953 city directory for Bessemer, Alabama. Mallory M. and Johnnie H. Burt were living at 814 9th Avenue. He was working as an insurance agent for the Live Insurance Company of Georgia.

He was listed in the 1955 city directory for Bessemer, Alabama. Mallory M. Burt and wife, Johnnie H., lived at 203 Shade Street. He was employed as an agent for Service Insurance Company of Alabama. They specialize in underwriting of surety bonds for small and medium sized businesses.

He and Johnnie Ruth were listed in the 1957 city directory for Bessemer, Alabama. Mallory and Johnnie Ruth Burt were living at 312 Norwood Avenue. He had been promoted to superintendant of the local Service Insurance of Alabama office. Johnnie Ruth was now working as an operator at Edna's Beauty Shop.

Mallory McCoy BURT died on 31 January 1999 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 77.^1,2 He was buried on 3 February 1999 in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, Jefferson County, Alabama.

Mallory's obituary was printed on 2 February 1999 in the Birmingham News newspaper, published in Birmingham, Alabama. It read: "Mallory McCoy Burt, age 77, of West Blocton, died Sunday, January 31, 1999. Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 3; at 11 AM at Rockco's Funeral Home, Centreville with burial in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 2, 6 PM until 8 PM. Survivors: wife, Johnnie Ruth Harrison Burt of West Blocton; son, Mallory Dan Burt of Birmingham; daughters, Landra Marlene Jennings of Oneonta and Owanna Ruth Victory of Charlotte, NC; brothers, Vincent A. Burt and Varner L. Burt, both of West Blocton; sisters, French B. Brown of Prattville, Ferry B. Dale of Adamsville, and Wynell B. Welch of Gadsden; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Rockco's Funeral Home of Centreville directing."⁹

     Eustace Pierre BURT, son of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 26 February 1923 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.

Eustace Pierre BURT died on 1 December 1923 in Bibb County, Alabama. The cause of his death was a "Bronchal affection." The doctor of record was J. H. Owens of Duncanville and the undertaker was W. T. Wood of Blocton.^1,2 He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     George Edsel BURT, son of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 9 September 1924 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

George Edsel BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of his parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as George E. Burt, age 6.²

George Edsel BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 17 April 1940, in the household of his parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as George Burt, age 15, with 6 years of school.

George was registered for the draft during World War II on 18 December 1942 while living in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. He was 18 years old and a high school student. He was described as 5' 9", 156 lbs., with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddie complexion.³

George began military service on 29 July 1943 in Fort McClellan, Alabama, and he served as light machine gunner in 1st Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division. Regular soldiers earned only $17.50 per month pay while the paratroops earned an additional $50 per month danger pay.

According to the regimental history, the 513th Parachute Infantry was formed on 26 December 1942 and assigned to the 13th Airborne Division. It was activated 11 January 1943 at Fort Benning, Georgia, received jump training at Fort Rucker, Alabama and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 1 November 1943 then to Camp Mackall, North Carolina on 15 January 1944. The 513th PIR transferred to the Tennessee Maneuver Area on 4 March 1944 where the regiment was relieved from assignment to the 13th Airborne Division and formally assigned to the 17th Airborne Division on 10 March 1944. The unit immediately relocated to Camp Forrest, Tennessee on 24 March 1944. Staged at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts 13 August 1944. Departed the Boston Port of Embarkation on 20 August 1944.

The 513th PIR arrived in England under the command of Colonel James W. Coutts who was formerly the assistant commandant of the Fort Benning Parachute School. The regiment was then shuttled to Camp Barton Stacey in Andover, the 17th Airborne Division staging area, on August 28, 1944. Flight and tactical training continued and night maneuvers were added to the training schedule. When Operation Market Garden was initiated, the 17th Airborne was still in training and was held in strategic reserve.

Hospital admission records indicate that George was wounded during training. He was admitted in September 1944 with a leg wound caused by a machine gun bullet. It was listed as a casualty in battle, but at this time the 17th was in England. He was released in November 1944.

On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest which caught the Allies completely by surprise. The 17th was still in England, but the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were in France and were rushed by truck to contain the bulge in the Allied lines. Between December 17 and 23, the Germans were halted near St. Vith by the 82nd Airborne and Bastogne by a roadblock, defended by the U.S. 7th Armoured Division and the 101st Airborne Division. To help reinforce the siege at Bastogne the entire 17th Airborne Division was finally committed to combat in the European Theater of Operations.

From 23 to 25 December, elements of the Division were flown from Chilboton Air Field in England to the Reims area in France in spectacular night flights then hastily trucked into Belgium. Meanwhile, Patton's Third U.S. Army had finally broken the siege at Bastogne with a marathon thrust from the south. Upon arriving the 513th PIR and the other elements of the 17th Airborne Division were attached to Patton's Third U.S. Army and ordered to immediately close in at Mourmelon. After taking over the defense of the Meuse River sector from Givet to Verdun on 25 December, the 17th moved to Neufchateau, Belgium, then marched through the snow to Morhet, relieving the 28th Infantry Division on 3 January 1945 and establishing a Division Command Post.

In the ensuing days, the 513th PIR would gain their baptism of fire in actions that would have tested the mettle of the most experienced airborne units. General Patton had ordered the 17th Airborne to seize the town of Flamierge where the 11th Armour and the 87th Infantry Divisions had encountered brutal resistance from the Germans. The plan called for two regiments to push forward, the 513th PIR on the right while the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) under Col. James R Pierce would be abreast of the 513th on the left. Almost immediately after the regiments jumped-off they encountered a relentless fusillade of mortars. E company of the 513th PIR 2nd Battalion lost three commanders in consecutive order while struggling forward. Finally, a platoon of F Company under the command of Lt Samuel Calhoun and a platoon of E company under the command of Lt Richard Manning made a fix bayonet charge that routed a superior German force while capturing many of the enemy.

Meanwhile, the 1st Battalion reached Cochleval but was similarly pinned down by heavy machine-gun and mortar fusillades. When two German tanks broke out of the dense fog and threaten to overrun the 513th's position, S/Sgt Isadore S "Izzy" Jachman recovered a bazooka from a fallen comrade and single-handedly engaged the two panzers knocking them both out. Unfortunately he was killed in a burst of machine gun fire. For his action on that day S/Sgt Jachman was awarded the Medal of Honor. The 513th was hit hard and along with the 17th Airborne's two glider regiments sustained heavy casualties but they gallantly achieved their objectives.

The 17th returned to camp at Chalons-sur-Marne in France on 11 February 1945 then back to Belgium on 21 March 1945 to prepare for the air assault across the Rhine.

George had seen his first action in the Battle of the Bulge from 25 Dec 1944 to 9 Feb 1945, suffering from severe frostbite. Shortly after returning from the hospital he took part in the largest airdrop of the war, known as "Operation Varsity".

In early February 1945 the 2nd British Army was ready to force a crossing of the Rhine River. It was determined that the crossing would be in conjunction with an airborne operation by XVIII Airborne Corps. The sector selected for the assault was in the vicinity of Wesel, Germany, just north of the Ruhr, on 24 March 1945. Operation Varsity would be the last full scale airborne drop of World War II and the assignment went to the British 6th Airborne Division and the 17th Airborne Division.

Operation Varsity would be the first combat jump for the 513th PIR. As General Eisenhower watched the operation from a church tower on the west side of the Rhine the 513th had the misfortune of flying over a concentration of German antiaircraft weapons. Two-thirds of the C-46's were either damaged or in flames. The pilots remained with the aircraft until the troopers jumped. However, the 513th landed in the wrong area in the midst of the heavily fortified town of Hamminkeln. Irregardless, the 513th began conducting frontal assaults on the heavily entrenched German positions as British gliders started to land practically on top of them.

It was during this fighting that Pfc Stuart S. Stryker seeing his unit's exposed position ran to the front of his unit. He found his platoon leader and platoon sergeant laying dead. Acting on instinct he rallied his fellow paratroopers in a wild rush toward the enemy positions. Just short of the enemy positions he was riddled with machine gun fire and fell dead. However, the remainder of his platoon overtook the enemy position capturing two hundred Germans and freeing 3 American bomber pilots. For this heroic action Pfc Stryker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. This was George's platoon and the area where he was killed.

The men of the 1st Platoon, E Company of the 513th PIR were [see attached photo] (left to right) Back Row: Pfc Q.P. Lisenbee, Pfc R.W. Heriford, Sgt T.W. Preston, Pfc S.S. Stryker (MOH), Pvt J.A. Parten, S/Sgt T.J. Haynes,Pvt H.K. Kessler and Pvt Jones; Middle Row: Pfc Edwards, Pfc D. Rosen, Pvt E.P. Maley, Pfc G.G. Scott and Sgt Crapps; Front Row: Pfc J.M. Demko, Pvt Chander, Pvt Veluscious and Pfc George.E. Burt. All except one of these men were either killed or wounded.

By mid-afternoon on 24 March 1945 the 513th had secured all of its objectives including the capture of 1,100 German prisoners. By Easter Sunday, 1 April 1945, the 513th was positioned outside of the town of Munster, 50 miles east of the Rhine. The local German commander refused the surrender demands and heavy fighting broke out. It was during this engagement that Col Coutts was wounded by a piece of shrapnel ending the war for him. The war finally ended a month later on 7 May 1945 when General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender to the Allied powers.

The 513th PIR served in the Army of Occupation of Germany from 20 May - 4 July 1945. The regiment then went to Vittel, France on 15 August 1945. It returned to the United States via the Boston Port of Embarkation on 14 September 1945 and inactivated at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts on the same date.^4,5,6,7

George Edsel BURT died on 24 March 1945 in Weisel, Germany, at age 20. Operation Varsity, a part of the Allied crossing of the Rhine, was the largest airborne assault of World War II. The 17th Airborne and the British 6th Airborne were dropped over the German city of Weisel. According to a letter from his commanding officer sent to his mother, George landed safely, but was shot by a sniper while gathering his equipment which he had lost when shrapnel cut his machine gun straps during the drop. Because of the very heavy enemy gunfire, the medics were not able to get him out for quite some time. When the fighting let up, he was finally loaded into an ambulance but died on the way to the field hospital.^8,9 He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama. He was originally buried in a Dutch cemetery near the village of Margraten. A special memorial service was held at the West Blocton Methodist Church in March 1946. His body was exhumed from its European cemetery in October 1948, and returned home for burial in the family plot at Scottsville Cemetery.¹⁰

George's obituary was printed on 12 April 1945 in the Centreville Press newspaper, published in Centreville, Alabama. The article read:


His memorial service appeared 28 March 1946 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama.



His final rites appeared 28 October 1948 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama.

     Varner Lanier BURT, son of Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS, was born on 6 November 1928 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama. Varner Lanier BURT also went by the name of Barney.

Varner Lanier BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of his parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as Varner L. Burt, age 1 4/12.¹ He was a lumber mill owner in Bibb County, Alabama.

Varner Lanier BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 17 April 1940, in the household of his parents Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama. He was listed as Varner Burt, age 11, with 5 years of school. Varner and Jo love to travel, both across the U. S. and around the world.

Varner Lanier BURT witnessed a newspaper article involving I. L. BURT Jr. appearing on 3 March 1983 in the Mobile Register, Mobile, Alabama.

Varner Lanier BURT was mentioned in the obituary of Mallory McCoy BURT on 2 February 1999 in the Birmingham News.²

Varner Lanier BURT died on 20 September 2017 at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 88.

His obituary appeared 22 September 2017 in the The Birmingham News, published in Birmingham, Alabama. Varner "Barney" Burt entered rest at Brookwood Medical Center. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jo Burt; sons, Kyle Burt (Robie), Keefe Burt (Kellye), and Kendall Burt (Christa) all of West Blocton; brother, Vincent Burt of Shelby; sister, Wynell Welch of Gadsden; 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Graveside service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 at 2 PM at the Burt Family Cemetery in West Blocton with Rocko Funeral Home, Centreville, directing. Lee Forsythe officiating. He was buried on 23 September 2017 in Burt Family Cemetery, West Blocton, Alabama.

     George Weaver WATTS, son of Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER, was born on 14 August 1863 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.^1,2 He was a farmer, sawmill worker, and beekeeper. He loved music, as did many of the Watts, and for recreation taught himself to play the organ and the accordian. In 2004 the organ was in the possession of his great-grandson Joel Watts in Oregon.

George Weaver WATTS appeared on a state census, enumerated 1866, in the household of his father Daniel Henry WATTS in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He was one of three males under age 10.³

George Weaver WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 10 July 1870, in the household of his parents Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER in 15th Precinct, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He was six years old.⁴

George Weaver WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1880, in the household of his parents Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER in Smallwoods, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He was seventeen years old and his occupation was farm laborer.⁵

George Weaver WATTS was listed as a resident in Zachariah WEAVER and Sarah Vaughn's household in the census report on 1 June 1880 in Smith's Beat, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He was recorded as George Watts, WM, 20, serant, drives wagon. It is not certain that this is George W. Watts as the age is off a few years, but it is likely.⁶

George married Adelia Reed, daughter of Dempsey J. G. WEAVER and Letisia Hudson, on 7 January 1883 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. George Watts and Adelia Reed applied for and received a license on 5 Jan 1883, with George and D. H. Watts attesting to the probate judge that "Deliah Reed" was over eighteen and could legally marry. The wedding was held 7 Jan 1883 at the home of Mrs. Lucintia [Letisia] Weaver.^7,8

George Weaver WATTS received a 23 July 1892 letter from J. B. Forester of Bessemer addressed to "Geo. and Dela Wats": "Dear Children, I got your letter and was glad to hear you all was well and sorry to hear that Mealy [Permelia Weaver] was ded. this leaves us all well. times is so dull that ther is nothing a going on. it has rain so much it have ruin prety well everything. Dela is ther any school fer a young on down there[?] if there is let me know hool is teaching and how long will ther teach[?] Dela your ma ses she will need help to eat beans for tha are roten on the Ground. your ma ses times is so heard that she dont know how she can come. she will come as soon as she can. she want to see you all mity Bad. the [unreadable] is all well as faras i know. let me know if you have hird from Bell [Belle Weaver, Adelia's sister] in your next letter. Rite soom to your Father & mother". [Note: All periods added by editor to make letter more readable. James B. Forrester was Adelia's step-father, the husband of Letisia Hudson Weaver].⁹


George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts (head), born July 1862, age 37, teamster; Dealy A. (wife), October 1862, age 37; Lillie H. (dau.), October 1883, age 16; Charley M. (son), April 1885, age 15; Minnie A. (dau.), September 1887, age 12; John Cleveland (son), September 1890, age 9; Birdie C. (dau.), September 1894, age 5; and Willie N. (dau.), February 1897, age 2. Lillie, Charley, Minnie and John were said to be attending school. George and Adelia had been married 17 years. She was the mother of seven children, six of them living in 1900. George was able to read and write, but Adelia could not. Living six houses away was Phillip M. Watts.¹⁰

George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts, a farmer, age 66. He owned his home and had first married at age 19. He and his parents were born in Alabama and he could neither read nor write. His wife Adelia was 66 years old and had also married at age 19. She and her parents were born in Alabama and she also could not read or write. The only child living with them was their daughter, Lillie, age 45. She could read and write.¹¹

On 20 January 1938 George Weaver died in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 74 leaving Adelia a widow.^7,12 He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

George's obituary was printed on 27 January 1938 in the Centreville Press newspaper, published in Centreville, Alabama. The article read: "Mr. George Watts, age 74, died at his home last Thursday morning about 6:30 o'clock after an illness of about six months. Funeral services were held at West Scottsville Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. Paul Doyle. He was laid to rest in old Scottsville Cemetery with Brown Service in charge. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Marvin Watts, A. J. Watts, Cecil Watts, Eldridge Watts, Mallory Burt, and Edwin Young. He joined the Methodist church in early manhood of which he was a faithful member as long as he was able to attend services. He was married to Miss Delia Weaver, January 7th 1883 and to this union there was born 10 children of which four have preceded their father to the grave. He was survived by his wife and six children, 34 grandchildren and 3 brothers and 1 sister and a host of relatives and friends. He was a devoted husband, a kind and affectionate father and had many friends. The family wishes to express their appreciation to everyone that aided them in any way during his illness and death. Signed-- One who loved him."¹³

     Adelia Reed, daughter of Dempsey J. G. WEAVER and Letisia Hudson, was born on 20 October 1863 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Adelia Reed appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1870, in the household of her parents Dempsey J. G. WEAVER and Lou Hudson in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She was listed as five years old.¹ When she was only eight years old, Addie worked in a cotton or linen mill at Cottondale.²

Adelia married George Weaver WATTS, son of Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER, on 7 January 1883 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. George Watts and Adelia Reed applied for and received a license on 5 Jan 1883, with George and D. H. Watts attesting to the probate judge that "Deliah Reed" was over eighteen and could legally marry. The wedding was held 7 Jan 1883 at the home of Mrs. Lucintia [Letisia] Weaver.^3,4

The following is the text of a 23 July 1892 letter from J. B. Forester of Bessemer to "Geo. and Dela Wats" [George and Adelia Watts]: "Dear Children, I got your letter and was glad to hear you all was well and sorry to hear that Mealy [Permelia Weaver] was ded. this leaves us all well. times is so dull that ther is nothing a going on. it has rain so much it have ruin prety well everything. Dela is ther any school fer a young on down there[?] if there is let me know hool is teaching and how long will ther teach[?] Dela your ma ses she will need help to eat beans for tha are roten on the Ground. your ma ses times is so heard that she dont know how she can come. she will come as soon as she can. she want to see you all mity Bad. the [unreadable] is all well as faras i know. let me know if you have hird from Bell [Belle Weaver, Adelia's sister] in your next letter. Rite soom to your Father & mother". [Note: All periods added by editor to make letter more readable. James B. Forrester is thought be be Adelia's step-father, the husband of Letisia Hudson Weaver].⁵

Adelia Reed and George Weaver WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts (head), born July 1862, age 37, teamster; Dealy A. (wife), October 1862, age 37; Lillie H. (dau.), October 1883, age 16; Charley M. (son), April 1885, age 15; Minnie A. (dau.), September 1887, age 12; John Cleveland (son), September 1890, age 9; Birdie C. (dau.), September 1894, age 5; and Willie N. (dau.), February 1897, age 2. Lillie, Charley, Minnie and John were said to be attending school. George and Adelia had been married 17 years. She was the mother of seven children, six of them living in 1900. George was able to read and write, but Adelia could not. Living six houses away was Phillip M. Watts.⁶

Adelia Reed registered to vote in January 1926 in Centreville, Alabama. She was 63 and a resident of Blocton. Her date of birth was given as 23 Oct 1863.⁷

Adelia Reed and George Weaver WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts, a farmer, age 66. He owned his home and had first married at age 19. He and his parents were born in Alabama and he could neither read nor write. His wife Adelia was 66 years old and had also married at age 19. She and her parents were born in Alabama and she also could not read or write. The only child living with them was their daughter, Lillie, age 45. She could read and write.⁸

George died on 20 January 1938 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 74 leaving Adelia Reed as a widow.^3,9

Adelia Reed was identified as his surviving wife in George Weaver WATTS's obituary in the Centreville Press dated 27 January 1938, published in Centreville, Alabama.¹⁰

Adelia Reed died on 11 June 1944 in Northport, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, at age 80. She was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

Adelia's obituary was printed on 15 June 1944 in the Centreville Press newspaper, published in Centreville, Alabama. It said: "Mrs. Adelia Watts Dies-- Mrs. Adelia Watts of Scottsville, died Sunday night, June 11th, at 8 o'clock, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jess Skinner, of Northport. She was 80 years, 7 months and 11 days old. She was sick about two months before her death. The funeral was held in West Scottsville Church and burial in the adjoining cemetery, Tuesday evening under a beautiful bank of flowers. She leaves to mourn her passing three daughters and two sons, Mrs. Irby Burt, of West Blocton, Mrs. Jess Skinner, of Northport, Miss Lilly Watts. Mr. Talmadge Watts, of Scottsville, and Mr. Charlie Watts, of Centreville. A husband and five children proceeded her to the grave several years ago. Thirty-four grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends also survive. The active pallbearers were: Cecil Watts, Crathon Watts, A. J. Watts. Tolbert Bice, Van Watts, and Ned Burt, with Collins Funeral Home in charge."¹¹

     Francis Horatio BROWN, son of Waymon Leggett BROWN and Fereby Jane CHISM, was born on 12 October 1872 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹ Francis also went by the name of Rasch.

Francis Horatio BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1880, in the household of his parents Waymon BROWN and Jane CHISM in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as son, Francis Brown, age 6, born Alabama.²

Francis was employed as a school teacher circa 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. The school was located near the Bibb and Perry County border.³ He was next employed as a clerk and bookkeeper in Mahan's General Store circa 1900 in Randolph, Bibb County, Alabama. Randolph was a key railway shipping point for Bibb, Chilton and Perry counties. At that time, many people in the area were moving to Arkansas, Oklahoma or Texas. Rasch bought a number of small farms from them at very low prices, and in that way accumulated about 1200 acres. The land ran from the area near the present day Maplesville Airport over to Highway 191, very close to the Abney Plantation. Most of these small farms had houses on them and Rasch rented the land to tenant farmers. He also operated a small saw mill and gin shop near Randolph.⁴

Francis married Frances May ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, on 3 January 1906 at her parent's parlor in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. They met while Rasch was working in Mahan's Store.⁵

Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 36, farmer; wife Frances M., age 25; and daughter Frances D., age 3. The couple had been married four years and had one child. They lived in Maplesville on the Montgomery Road, two houses away from James D. Haggard.⁶

F. H. Brown moved to Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama in 1919 and bought a little store from Jesse J. Hayes. He built a new store in 1920 in the block adjacent to the Maplesville Bank. There was a vacant lot between the store and the bank and someone had a flower garden there. The family lived in the town during the winter so that the children could go to school, and in the summer moved back to their farm north of Maplesville, near Randolph. Mr. Brown was in the mercantile business until about 1935.⁷ The Bank of Maplesville was chartered and opened its doors 19 Sep 1919. That same year Rasch was elected to its board of directors and served until 1926. He also served as the bank's Vice-President for a time.⁸ He was a charter member of the Maplesville Masonic Lodge #706 which was organized in in 1927.⁹

Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 9 January 1920 in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 47, farmer; wife Francis M., age 37; daughter Francis D., age 13; son Thomas A., age 9; son John K., age 5; son Frank B., age 1 year 11 months; and father Waymon L. Brown, age 82, a widower.¹⁰

Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 10 April 1930 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. Abney was home visiting from the Univesity of Alabama. His parents drove him and Charlie Haggard to Montgomery on Sunday.

Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 April 1930 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as F. H. Brown, 56-year-old merchant in a general merchandise store, and Mary [May?] F. Brown, his 47-year-old wife. He married at 32 and she at 28. They owned their home at 24 Clay Street which was valued at $4000 and they owned a radio. Also in the household were their children: Frances D., a 25-year-old widow and public school teacher; Abney T., 19; John K., 17, farmer; Frank B., 12, farmer; Horatio F., 12; and George K., 7. All of the boys were attending school.¹¹

Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 April 1940 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 66, no occupation; Frances Mae Brown, 58; Francis H. Brown, Jr., 19, attending first year of college; and George Brown, 17, attending 3rd year of high school. They lived on Brown Street. Mae Brown had one year of college.¹²

Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 April 1950 in Block 17, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 76; wife May A. Brown, age 69; son Frank B. Brown, 32, merchant in hardware store; and son F. Horatio Brown, 30, wholesale salesman of fertillizer. All were born in Alabama.¹³

Francis Horatio BROWN died on 10 May 1957 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 84. He was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.¹⁴

His obituary appeared 12 May 1957 in the The Montgomery Advertiser, published in Montgomery, Alabama. Maplesville-- Francis H. Brown, 84, died here at home Friday. Funeral at Maplesvillle Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Sunday with burial in Abney cemetery near here. Survivors include widow, Mrs. Mary Abney Brown, daughter, Mrs. Frances Gulledge, Verbena; five sons, Thomas A., Frank B., Maplesville, John Kennedy, Fayette, F. H. Jr., Montgomery, George K., Birmingham; six grandchildren; brother, Anderson Brown, Montgomery; sister, Mrs. J. D. Haggard, Maplesville. Martin Funeral Home directing.

His obituary appeared 16 May 1957 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. We extend our sympathy to the loved ones of Mr. F. H. Brown. Mr. Brown passed away last Friday night at his home at 6:00 o'clock. Funeral services at Maplesville Methodist Church at 3:00 p. m. Sunday, with burial in the Abney Cemetery, near the old home place. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mae Abney Brown; one daughter, Mrs. Frank Gulledge; five sons-- Abney, Frank, John, Rash and George; and six grandchildren. Mr. Brown was in the grocery and merchandise business here for a number of years, but has been in a failing health for the past 10 or more years.

     Frances May ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 25 June 1880 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.^1,2,3 Frances was also known as Fannie Mae.

Frances May ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was listed as May Abney, age 17.⁴

Fannie Mae ABNEY was educated in Alabama Girls' Industrial School, Montevallo, Chilton County, Alabama, between 1903 and 1904. This school later became Alabama College, then the University of Montevallo.^5,6

Frances married Francis Horatio BROWN, son of Waymon Leggett BROWN and Fereby Jane CHISM, on 3 January 1906 at her parent's parlor in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. They met while Rasch was working in Mahan's Store.²

Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 36, farmer; wife Frances M., age 25; and daughter Frances D., age 3. The couple had been married four years and had one child. They lived in Maplesville on the Montgomery Road, two houses away from James D. Haggard.⁷

Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 9 January 1920 in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 47, farmer; wife Francis M., age 37; daughter Francis D., age 13; son Thomas A., age 9; son John K., age 5; son Frank B., age 1 year 11 months; and father Waymon L. Brown, age 82, a widower.⁸

May was a charter member of the Maplesville Order of the Eastern Star, Clara Sue Chapter #308, which was organized 22 Nov 1922.⁹

Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN appeared in a newspaper article 10 April 1930 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. Abney was home visiting from the Univesity of Alabama. His parents drove him and Charlie Haggard to Montgomery on Sunday.

Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 April 1930 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as F. H. Brown, 56-year-old merchant in a general merchandise store, and Mary [May?] F. Brown, his 47-year-old wife. He married at 32 and she at 28. They owned their home at 24 Clay Street which was valued at $4000 and they owned a radio. Also in the household were their children: Frances D., a 25-year-old widow and public school teacher; Abney T., 19; John K., 17, farmer; Frank B., 12, farmer; Horatio F., 12; and George K., 7. All of the boys were attending school.¹⁰

Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 April 1940 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 66, no occupation; Frances Mae Brown, 58; Francis H. Brown, Jr., 19, attending first year of college; and George Brown, 17, attending 3rd year of high school. They lived on Brown Street. Mae Brown had one year of college.¹¹

Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 April 1950 in Block 17, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Francis H. Brown, age 76; wife May A. Brown, age 69; son Frank B. Brown, 32, merchant in hardware store; and son F. Horatio Brown, 30, wholesale salesman of fertillizer. All were born in Alabama.¹²

Frances May ABNEY died on 9 June 1963 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 82. She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

Her obituary appeared 11 June 1963 in the The Montgomery Advertiser, published in Montgomery, Alabama. Maplesville-- Mrs. Mary Francis Brown, 82, died Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Maplesville Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Abney Cemetery, Martin Funeral Home of Clanton directing. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. F. D. Gulledge, Verbena; five sons, John Kennedy Brown, Tuscaloosa; T. Abney and Frank Britton Brown, both of Maplesville, F. H. Brown Jr., Montgomery, George K. Brown, Germany; two sisters, Mrs. S. M. Bland, York, Mrs. T. H. Christopher, Gadsden; one brother, E. H. Abney, Clemson, S. C; seven grandchildren.

Her obituary appeared 13 June 1963 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. The first part of the obit is identical to the one from Montgomery. It only adds: Pallbearers were: Ben Cobern, Carlos Owens, Hershell Shanks, Willard Hicks, Willie Pearce, and Berean Huff. Honorary-- Kermit Cobern, Ed Clapp, J. P. Thomas, Garland Poshee, Van Potts, Preston McGee, Dudley Nix, M. L. Argo, al Foshee, Jr. and Charley Bates.

Native of Chilton county, she was a daughter of Samuel Abney and Amanthashe Walker Abney.

     Thomas Hamilton Abney BROWN, son of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, was born on 31 August 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was commonly known as Abney.

Thomas Hamilton Abney BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 9 January 1920, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. He was nine years old.¹

Abney BROWN and Charlie HAGGARD were mentioned in the Newspaper Tidbit of Frances May ABNEY and Francis Horatio BROWN on 10 April 1930 in The Union Banner, Clanton, Alabama. Abney was home visiting from the Univesity of Alabama. His parents drove him and Charlie Haggard to Montgomery on Sunday.

Thomas Hamilton Abney BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1930, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. Abney T. Brown was recorded ast 19 years old. He was attending school.²

Abney began military service at age 21 on 10 February 1932 in the 3rd U. S. Navy Construction Battalions (Seabees) during World War II. He was stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged 28 Sep 1945 with the rank of Carpenter's Mate 2nd Class.³

Abney attended Dallas County High School and graduated the University of Alabama in 1934. In 1931 he appeared in the yearbook as a member of the Tau Omega Chi fraternity. He remained a lifelong fan of the Crimson Tide. After graduation he worked for the State Highway Department until leaving for the military in 1942.^4,5

Thomas Hamilton Abney BROWN was listed as a resident in a boarding house in a census enumerated on 10 April 1940 in Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. He was one of 11 boarders in the house of proprietors Jasper E. and Celeste Shealy at 101 Circle Drive. T. A. Brown was listed as a lodger, 29 years old, single, born Alabama, and employed as a material inspector for the State Highway Department. He had worked all 52 weeks in 1939 and had earned $1500 in 1940. He had completed two years of college. In 1935 he had been living in Gadsden, Etowah county, Alabama. There were two other highway department employees who were boarders there, one a male engineer and the other a female stenographer. They were not connected.

Also in the boarding house was lodger, Eunice Abney, age 32, born in Georgia, and a bookkeeper for an automotive company. She had four years high school. Her income was $1300. In 1935 she had been living in Lafayette, Walker county, Georgia.⁶

Thomas was registered for the draft during World War II on 16 October 1940 while living in Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. He was 30 years old and employed by the Alabama State Highway Department there in Alexander City, Alabama. He was discribed as 5' 11", 155 lbs., with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. His permanant residence and draft board was Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.⁷

After the War, in 1945, Big Frank, and his brother John, opened Brown Brother's Supply Company in downtown Maplesville. John Brown soon sold his share to his brother Abney and returned to the Highway Department. Frank and Abney Brown built a new store in 1951. The store remained in operation until Frank's death in 2003. Abney had retired a few years earlier. For over fifty years the hardware store served as a meeting place for the men of Maplesville, and you could nearly always find a group gathered near the front of the store, seated on boxes and upturned spools of wire or rope, playing checkers or discussing sports and politics. Frank and Abney were also partners in farming and raising cattle on the Old Abney Place.⁸

Thomas married Celia Louanna GERALD, daughter of Lawrence Francis GERALD and Ella Winnifred Mastin, on 23 October 1946 in Dothan, Dale County, Alabama.⁹

Thomas Hamilton Abney BROWN and Celia Louanna GERALD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 April 1950 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas A. Brown, a 39 year old merchant in a hardware store and his wife, Celia L. Brown, age 30. They had two daughters living with them, Patricia F., age 2, and Charlotte A. who had been born in June. All were born in Alabama.¹⁰

Thomas Hamilton Abney BROWN died on 26 May 2008 at Heritage Hospital in Snellville, Georgia, at age 97. He was buried on 29 May 2008 in Clanton Cemetery, Clanton, Chilton County, Alabama.

Abney's obituary was printed on 29 May 2008 in the Clanton Advertiser newspaper, published in Clanton, Alabama. It read: "Thomas Abney Brown, 97, of Snellville, Ga. died Monday, May 26 at Heritage Hospital. He was born Wednesday, August 31, 1910 in Chilton County, son of the late Francis H. Brown and the late Mary Abney. He was self-employed. Survivors include his daughters Susan Britton Brown of Snellville, Ga., Charlotte Crow of Mobile [should be Shelby Co.], Pat Taylor of Birmingham; sons, Tom Brown of Shelby, Frank Brown of Maplesville; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and brother, George Brown of Birmingham. Services will be held today at Martin Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Danny Rasberry officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Clanton City Cemetery."

     Frank Britton BROWN, son of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, was born on 20 January 1918 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. In his adult years Frank was also known to his family as "Big Frank" to differentiate him from his nephew, "Little Frank," who lived next door.

Frank Britton BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 9 January 1920, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. He was one year old.¹

Frank Britton BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1930, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. Frank B. Brown was listed as a 12-year-old farmer. He was attending school.²

Frank had begun first grade in 1924, the year the new Maplesville High School was completed. When the Depression resulted in the closing of the schools in Maplesville, Frank transferred to Chilton County High School in Clanton and graduated from there in 1936.³

He attended college at Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, majoring in Veterinarian Medicine, and left after one year in 1937. He remained an avid Tiger fan for the rest of his life.⁴

Frank was registered for the draft during World War II on 16 October 1940 while living in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 22 years old and employed by the Alabama State Highway Department in Alexander City, Alabama. He was discribed as 5' 10.5", 155 lbs., with brown hair, brown eyes, and a light complexion.⁵

After leaving Auburn, Frank worked for four years 1937-41) inspecting all phases of highway construction for the Alabama Highway Department. He then worked U. S. Corps of Engineers in Childersburg, Alabama inspecting layout of buildings and facilities for Du Pont Powder Plant. He made final inspection of all concrete forms before pouring concrete, verifying grade, line and proper location. He next worked 17 months 27 Aug 1942 to 7 Dec 1943 for Pan Am Airways in the Caribbean Islands supervising the placement of runway in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.He inspected completed jobs running physical tests on all materials used. He left there to enter the Army Air Force.⁶

He began military service at age 26 on 17 March 1944 in Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia. As World War II began Frank was exempted from military service because of his valuable work with Pan Am, however when his brothers joined he chose to volunteer also. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a gunnery instructor training gunners for the B-17 and B-29 bombers. He served with the 286th Combat Crew Training School was stationed in Pyote, Texas. He gave instruction on turret gun operation to classes of 10 to 40 people. Courses covered sighting, switching, burst control, and flight expediency repairs to weapons and turrets. Assisted in range instruction giving practical demonstrations of classroom instruction.

He attended AAF Technical School in Ft. Myers, Florida and Laredo, Texas. He had 6 weeks of flexible armory school in 1944. Instruction included training and practice in the operation and maintenance of .50 caliber machine guns and the turret in which in which specialization was given. Special emphasis was place in the theory and use of deflection firing. Course also included practice in using gun cameras and in firing machine guns, both on the ground and in 16 to 20 hours of actual flying.

He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army as a PFC 26 Mar 1946. He recieved AAF Crew Memmber wings, Good Conduct Metal, American Service Metal, World War II Victory Metal and qualified as Carbine Marksman and Pistol Sharpshooter.^7,8,9

After the War, in 1945, Big Frank, and his brother John, opened Brown Brother's Supply Company in downtown Maplesville. John Brown soon sold his share to his brother Abney and returned to the Highway Department. Frank and Abney Brown built a new store in 1951. The store remained in operation until Frank's death in 2003. Abney had retired a few years earlier. For over fifty years the hardware store served as a meeting place for the men of Maplesville, and you could nearly always find a group gathered near the front of the store, seated on boxes and upturned spools of wire or rope, playing checkers or discussing sports and politics. Frank and Abney were also partners in farming and raising cattle on the Old Abney Place.¹⁰

Big Frank never married, but dated Miss Edna Tucker for nearly fifty years. Edna served as county health nurse in Prattville for many years until she retired to her family home near Isabella. Frank's neices and nephews always viewed Edna as their aunt, and her family in turn adopted Frank. The pair loved to travel and visit sites around the Southeast. When asked why the pair never married, Frank just replied that he valued his freedom too much.

Late in his life macular degeneration caused Frank's eyesite to deteriate until he was nearly blind. He was offered a free device from the Veterans Administration that would allow him to read, but in typical fashion, Frank told them to give the expensive device to someone who could use it more. In spite of his condition he continued to drive every morning from his house into town to open the store. The road in front of his house was a busy one with fast moving traffic. Since his eyesite was too bad for him to see oncoming cars, Frank would turn off the engine, roll down the windows and listen for traffic. When he could hear nothing coming, he would quickly start the engine and pull out onto the road. He did not really need the little money the store generated, but he hated to deny his old friends the companionship the meeting place offered.

Frank Britton BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 10 April 1950, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Block 17, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was enumerated as Frank B. Brown, age 32, merchant in hardware store, born Alabama.¹¹

Frank Britton BROWN died on 28 February 2003 at Shelby Medical Center in Alabaster, Alabama, at age 85. He was buried on 2 March 2003 in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

Frank's obituary was printed on 4 March 2003 in the Clanton Advertiser newspaper, published in Clanton, Alabama. It read: "Funeral services for Frank Britton Brown, 85, of Maplesville, were held Sunday, March 2, 2003 at Martin Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Tucker [Edna's nephew] officiating. Burial followed at Abney Cemetery. Born on January 20, 1918 to Francis H. Brown and Mary Brown (Abney), he died Friday, February 28 at Shelby Medical Center in Alabaster. Survivors include his brothers Thomas Abney Brown of Maplesville and George Knight Brown of Mountain Brook; nieces Charlotte B. Crow of Birmingham, Pat Taylor of Birmingham and Susan Brown of Atlanta; nephews Thomas A. Brown, Jr. of Montgomery, Frank Brown II of Maplesville, F. H. Brown of New Orleans and John K. Brown of Prattville."

     Francis Horatio BROWN II, son of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, was born on 9 April 1920 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. Francis Horatio BROWN II also went by the name of Rasch.

Francis Horatio BROWN II appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1930, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. Horatio F. Brown was recorded as 9-years-old and attending school.¹

Francis Horatio was educated between 1938 and 1940 at Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama. In 1938 he was listed in the freshman class. In 1940 he was listed as a sophomore in agricultural science and a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.²

Francis Horatio BROWN II appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1940, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 19 years old and attending his first year of college.³

Rasch was registered for the draft during World War II on 1 June 1941 while living in Sylacauga, Talladega County, Alabama. He was employed as an inspector at the Alabama Ordnance Works in Childersburg. He was living at 1505 Broadway, in Sylacauga. He was discribed as 5'11", 140 lbs., with light complexion, gray eyes and brown wavy hair. He had a broken nose.⁴

Francis began military service at age 22 on 16 May 1942 in Fort McClellan, Alabama, as a sergeant in the 138th Army Air Corps. He trained at Bryan Field in Texas and served as trainer in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Advanced single-engine flight training was performed at Lake Charles until 13 January 1943 when it was reassigned to the newly established Aloe Army Airfield, Texas. AAF Flying Training Command was replaced by Third Air Force, which established a tactical bomber group training school at the airfield, being redesignated as Lake Charles Army Airfield. n May 1943, the 336th Bombardment Group (Medium) was activated as a B-26 Marauder Replacement Training Unit. He was honorably discharged 17 Dec 1945 at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama. At the time of his enlistment he had 2 years of college and his civilian occupation was listed as general office clerk.⁵

Before the war Rasch had been working as a lumber inspector. He graduated Auburn University in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and was an ardent Auburn football fan for the rest of his life. After college he worked for many years in agricultural sales and retired from the Alabama Department of Agriculture. His job resulted in his family living at various times in Montgomery, Cullman, Alabaster, and finally in Warrior. He graduated in 1948 at Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama. He apparently had taken a break from his studies due to the war. He returned in 1947 for his junior year. He graduated in agricultural science.⁶

Francis Horatio BROWN II appeared on a census, enumerated 10 April 1950, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Block 17, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was enumerated as F. Horatio Brown, age 30, wholesale salesman of fertilizer, born in Alabama.⁷

Francis married Virginia SANDERS on 12 September 1956 in the First Methodist Church, Montgomery, Alabama. Their marriage license application listed him living at 59 E. Patton Avenue and Virginia at 602 S. Court Street.⁸

In 1960 Francis Horatio BROWN II and Virginia SANDERS were living at 535 Burgwyn Rd., Montgomery, Alabama. The Montgomery City Directory for that year listed him as a salesman for American Agricultural Chemicals.

Francis Horatio BROWN II died on 2 February 1991 in Warrior, Alabama, at age 70. He was buried on 4 February 1991 in the Abney Family Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

Rasch's obituary was printed on 6 February 1991 in the Clanton Advertiser newspaper, published in Clanton, Alabama. It read: "Funeral services for Francis H. Brown, Jr., 70, of Warrior, AL were February 4 at 1:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the Abney Cemetery. The Rev. Richard Coggins and the Rev. Gary Sanders officiated with Martin Funeral Home directing. Mr. Brown died February 2 in Birmingham. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Brown of Warrior; one son, Francis Brown III of New Orleans; one sister, Frances Gulledge of Birmingham; four brothers, Thomas Abney Brown and Frank Brown of Maplesville; John Brown of Prattville and George Brown of Birmingham."

     George Knight BROWN, son of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, was born on 22 October 1922 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

George Knight BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1930, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. George K. Brown was recorded at 7-years-old and attedning school.¹

George Knight BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1940, in the household of his parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 17 years old and in his third year of high school.²

George was registered for the draft during World War II on 30 June 1942 while living in Clanton, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 19 years old and employed by E. I. Dupont in Childersburg, Alabama. He was discribed as 5' 11", 170 lbs., with brown eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion.³

George Knight BROWN served in the U. S. Army during World War II between 1942 and 1946 in Europe and the Pacific. He enlisted 10 Dec 1942 in the US Army Signal Corps and entered service 9 Apr 1943 at Auburn, Alabama. He had one year of college at that time. He was a pipeline construction foreman in the 138th Engineers Petroleum Distribution Company with a rank of Tec 5. He served in the Europeon theatre until the surrender of Germany, first in the Rhineland and then in Central Europe (Germany). He was then shipped out to the the Phillipines in the Pacific. He was stationed on the Bataan peninsula training for the invasion of Japan. He was part of the occupation army in Japan following the surrender. He was discharged 11 Feb 1946 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.⁴ He was an insurance agent for John Hancock Life Insurance. He built a very successful business in Birmingham, and for a time in Germany. After returning to Alabama he made his home in Mountain Brook. He graduated in 1948 at Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama. He majored in industrial management and, along with his brother Rasch, was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. He also attended the University of Kentucky.⁵

George married first Helen LAZENBY on 26 February 1949 in Saint John's Episcopal Church, Montgomery, Alabama. She was the daughter of the late Elbert Kenneth Lazenby and Maibeth Crook. Her step-father was Richard Malcolm Houston. She also attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute so perhaps that is where they met.⁶

George Knight BROWN and Helen LAZENBY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 13 April 1950 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. The household was listed as George K. Brown, a 27-year-old life insurance agent and his 21-year-old wife, Helen L. Brown, a service representative for the telephone company. They lived at 7401 Division Avenue. George and Helen were divorced in May 1951 in Montgomery, Alabama.⁷

George married second Norma Jean TURMAN on 11 March 1961 in Bluff Park Methodist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. It was a formal wedding in the chapel of the church for family only, with a reception afterward at home of George and Lorene Turman at 742 Valley Street in Birmingham. The honeymoon was a trip along the Gulf coast.⁸

George Knight BROWN was identified as her surviving husband in Norma Jean TURMAN's obituary in the Birmingham News newspaper, dated 6 October 2009, published in Birmingham, Alabama.

George Knight BROWN died on 23 November 2018 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, at age 96. He was buried on 29 November 2018 in Abney Cemetery, Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Frances Dorothy BROWN, daughter of Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY, was born on 15 November 1906 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was known to friends and family as Frances. She was a school teacher in Verbena, Chilton County, Alabama.

Frances BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1910, in the household of her parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as the only child, Frances D. Brown, age 3.¹

Dovie CASEY and Frances Dorothy BROWN appeared in a newspaper article 8 October 1916 in the The Montgomery Advertiser, published in Montgomery, Alabama. Centreville Society-- Mr. S. G. I. Burdin and Misses Dovie Casey, Frances Brown and Grace Avery motored to Montevallo Thursday afternoon, returning to Centreville last night.

Frances BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 9 January 1920, in the household of her parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. She was 13 years old.²

Frances graduated on 8 May 1924 at Bibb County High School in Centreville, Alabama, at age 17. In the class directory she was discribed by the following quote: "From the crown of her head to the sole of her foot, she is all mirth." She was in the Home Economics Club. After high school whe spent three years studying to be a teacher at Montevallo College, graduating there in 1927.³

She appeared in a newspaper article 7 October 1924 in the Selma Times-Journal, published in Selma, Alabama. A marriage license was issued at the Dallas County Court House here Tuesday to Miss Dorothy Frances Brown of Maplesville and Mr. James Munro Ramsey, a flagman on the Southern road.

Frances married James Monroe Ramsey Jr. on 7 October 1924 at the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Plantersville, Dallas County, Alabama. The service was performed by Rev. J. W. Jones. Ramsey was a resident of Selma and Frances of Maplesville. This was his second marriage. [Note: this marriage may have been anulled. She was back with her family in 1930 and listed as a widow, but with surname Brown. She was listed as Miss Brown when she married Frank Gulledge in 1933. JM Ramsey married again in 1926]⁴

She appeared in a newspaper article 4 November 1928 in the Selma Times-Journal, published in Selma, Alabama. In the Maplesville News section it mentioned that Frances was teaching at Mt. Pisgah near Clanton.

Frances Dorothy BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 21 April 1930, in the household of her parents Francis Horatio BROWN and Frances May ABNEY in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded at 26-years-old, a widow, and a public school teacher.⁵

Frances married Franklin Dudley GULLEDGE, son of William Asbury GULLEDGE and Fannie May DUDLEY, on 28 June 1933 at the Abney Place in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama. The service was performed by Rev. J. P. Peacock of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. After their marriage they lived in Verbena.

Frances BROWN and Frank GULLEDGE appeared in a newspaper article 13 July 1933 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. Maplesville Dots -- The wedding of Miss Frances Brown to Frank Gulledge was solemnized Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock at the home of her aunt, Mrs. W. B. Abney. [I think this should have read her uncle Mr. W. H. Abney] After a brief wedding trip they will make their home in Maplesville.

Frances Dorothy BROWN and Franklin Dudley GULLEDGE appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 April 1940 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. The household was listed as Frank B. Gulledge, 39 year old machine operator in a tin plate mill, and his wife, Frances B. Gulledge, a 32 year old housewife. They lived at 4117 Avenue S at the corner of Court Street. Both were college graduates. They had been living in Chilton county in 1935.⁶

As of 1941, Frances Dorothy BROWN and Franklin Dudley GULLEDGE were living in Birmingham, Alabama. The city directory lists them at 4117 Avenue S in Ensley. Frank was a machine operator at Tennesse Coal, Iron and Railroad Company (TCI). In 1942 they were at 4645 Avenue S. and Frank was now an electrical operator at TCI.

In 1946 Frances Dorothy BROWN and Franklin Dudley GULLEDGE were living in Birmingham, Alabama. They appeared in the city directory for that year living at 1313-A 13th Avenue South. Frank was an electrical operator with TCI.

Frances Dorothy BROWN and Frank GULLEDGE appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 12 April 1950 in Verbena, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Frank D. Gulledge, a 49 year old clerk in a grocery store. He was married and his wife was Frances B. Gulledge, a 42 year old county school teacher. Living with them was Frank's father, Will A. Gulledge, a 74 year old widow and merchant in general merchandise. He owned his business. All were born in Alabama.⁷

On 5 June 1953 Frances B. Gulledge, a teacher, born in Maplesville, Alabama, departed from New York City on board the S. S. Italia for Plymouth, England for a one month tour of Europe. From Pymouth the ship was bound for France. She appeared to be traveling alone.⁸

She appeared in a newspaper article 20 August 1959 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. In a list published of the teachers for Chilton county during the upcoming school year, Mrs. Frances B. Gulledge was listed as one of the teachers at Verbena High School. She was listed at the same place in 1960 and 1962.

Frances BROWN died on 15 December 1995 in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 89. She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Waymon Leggett BROWN, son of Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Mary CAMP, was born on 24 August 1837 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹ Waymon Leggett BROWN went by Waymon.

He was probably the male under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr., in the 1840 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama.²

Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 5 November 1850, in the household of his parents Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Polly CAMP in Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as Wyman L. Brown, age 11, born Alabama.³

Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1860, in the household of his parents Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Mary CAMP in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as Wyman L. Brown, age 22.⁴

Waymon began military service at age 24 on 6 September 1861 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama, when he enlisted in Co. D 20th Alabama Infantry, CSA. He was recruited by Captain R. M. Pratt for the war. The unit was mustered into service in Montgomery, then detailed to Mobile during September to December 1861. They were then assigned to East Tennessee where they guarded against local marauders. From 26 March to 17 April 1862 he was listed "absent waiting on sick at Knoxville, Tennessee. The 20th participated in the Kentucky campaign under Gen. Sterling Price, but saw no action. In early 1863 they were transferred to Vicksburg, Mississippi where they fought at Port Gibson, Champion Hill and the Siege of Vicksburg. They were captured with the Army and Waymon was paroled June 1865 at Selma, Alabama by Col. William R. Marshall of 7th Minnesota Volunteers. He served at Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Powder Springs, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Columbia, Tennessee. He was wounded 16 December 1864 in the right shoulder and elbow at the Battle of Nashville. He returned to fight in the Battle of Bennettsville, North Carolina. He was discharged 20 April 1865 at Salisbury, North Carolina. After the war he farmed and served as a deputy sheriff and bailiff for his father, Jesse, who was elected sheriff in 1868.

Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1866, in the household of his father Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. in Bibb County, Alabama. He was probably the one male age 20-30. He was also most likely the male listed as disabled in the war.⁵

Waymon married Fereby Jane CHISM, daughter of John CHISM and Dorinda TERRY, on 14 January 1869 in Bibb County, Alabama. The rites were solemized by David L. Brown, justice of the peace. He was appointed Constable of Bibb County precinct 5 on 2 February 1869 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.⁶

Waymon BROWN and Jenny CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon Brown, age 30, farmer, $300 real estate, $450 personal property; Jane, age 26, keeping house; and Mahala Miller (black female), age 9. All were born in Alabama.^7,8

Waymon BROWN and Jane CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as "Wamon" Brown, his wife Jane, and their three children. Waymon Brown, age 40, was recorded as a farmer, born in Alabama. His father was born in Tennessee and his mother in North Carolina. Jane, 37, and her father were born in Alabama, while her mother was born in South Carolina. Their sons Francis, age 6 and Henderson [Anderson], age 5, and daughter, Marsela, age 6 months, were all born in Alabama.⁹ Waymon was elected Justice of Peace on 1 August 1892 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹⁰

Waymon was a member of Free Springs Baptist Church, which was located six miles east of Ashby, Bibb County and three miles east of British, Chilton County. It was established 1898. He was a delegate to the Shelby Baptist Association from 1898 to 1904, the Bibb Baptist Association from 1904-1916, and served as church clerk and sunday school superintendant. The church has been extinct since about 1917.¹¹

Waymon Leggett BROWN and Fereby Jane CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1900 in Benson, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon Brown, age 59, born August 1840, farmer; wife Fereby J., age 51, born February 1849; daughter Bessie M., age 20, born January 1880; and 2 black male servants, age 16 and 26. They had been married 37 years and were parents of three children. All were born in Alabama. Living next door was their son, Anderson.¹²

Waymon BROWN and Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 3 November 1904 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. An examination was conducted last Saturday by Postmaster Fuller in Centreville for Rural Free Delivery Carriers. The proposed Route is out of Randolph through a part of Bibb and. Chilton counties. There are four applicants who stood for the examinations, as follows: W. L. Brown, Jno. W. Prim, Zack T. Abney and Wm. G. Oakley. The examination papers have been mailed to the Department, and until they return it will be impossible to tell who will be awarded the job.

Waymon BROWN and Jane CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon L. Brown, age 73, farmer, born Alabama, parents born Tennessee; and wife Fereby J., age 72, she and her parents born Alabama. They had been married 36 years and had three children. They lived on the Maplesville Road [now Hwy. 191] with son, Anderson, living next door.¹³

Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 9 January 1920, in the household of his son Francis Horatio BROWN in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 82 years old.¹⁴

Waymon Leggett BROWN died on 23 January 1923 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 85.^1,15 He was buried in Sandy Chapel Cemetery, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.

His estate was probated on 10 April 1923 in Chilton County, Alabama. His son, Francis H. Brown, was the administrator of the estate. Heirs were son F. H. Brown, age 51, son A. L. Brown of Montevallo, age 48; and daughter Mrs. J. D. Haggard of Maplesville, age 41.¹⁶

     Fereby Jane CHISM, daughter of John CHISM and Dorinda TERRY, was born on 7 January 1842 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.^1,2 She was typically called Jane. She also went by the name of Jenny.

Fereby Jane CHISM appeared on a census, enumerated 5 November 1850, in the household of her parents John CHISM and Dorinda TERRY in Bibb County, Alabama. She was 8 years old.³

Fereby Jane CHISM appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1860, in the household of her parents John CHISM and Dorinda TERRY in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. She was 16.⁴

Fereby Jane CHISM married Waymon Leggett BROWN, son of Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Mary CAMP, on 14 January 1869 in Bibb County, Alabama. The rites were solemized by David L. Brown, justice of the peace.

Jenny CHISM and Waymon BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon Brown, age 30, farmer, $300 real estate, $450 personal property; Jane, age 26, keeping house; and Mahala Miller (black female), age 9. All were born in Alabama.^5,6

Jane CHISM and Waymon BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as "Wamon" Brown, his wife Jane, and their three children. Waymon Brown, age 40, was recorded as a farmer, born in Alabama. His father was born in Tennessee and his mother in North Carolina. Jane, 37, and her father were born in Alabama, while her mother was born in South Carolina. Their sons Francis, age 6 and Henderson [Anderson], age 5, and daughter, Marsela, age 6 months, were all born in Alabama.⁷

Fereby Jane CHISM and Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1900 in Benson, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon Brown, age 59, born August 1840, farmer; wife Fereby J., age 51, born February 1849; daughter Bessie M., age 20, born January 1880; and 2 black male servants, age 16 and 26. They had been married 37 years and were parents of three children. All were born in Alabama. Living next door was their son, Anderson.⁸

Jane CHISM and Waymon BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon L. Brown, age 73, farmer, born Alabama, parents born Tennessee; and wife Fereby J., age 72, she and her parents born Alabama. They had been married 36 years and had three children. They lived on the Maplesville Road [now Hwy. 191] with son, Anderson, living next door.⁹

Fereby Jane CHISM died on 18 September 1912 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 70.^1,10 She was buried in Sandy Chapel Cemetery, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Samuel ABNEY III, son of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes, was born on 10 September 1835 at the Abney Plantation "Trail's End" in Randolph, Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. He and his brother Zach were identical twins.^1,2

Samuel ABNEY III appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1840, in the household of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama.³

Samuel ABNEY III appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1850, in the household of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Eliza Ann Echols in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama.⁴ He and Zachariah ABNEY attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, between 1855 and 1857. According to family tradition, they were the first twins to graduate from the University, and that has been confirmed by school records. He later read law in the office of Senator John T. Morgan in Selma and was admitted to the bar there in 1859.^5,6,7 He was teaching school in 1858 in Montevallo, Shelby County, Alabama. The story goes that one time he and his twin brother, Zach, switched places and the students never noticed.⁶

Brothers Samuel and Alexander Hamilton ABNEY purchased a store in the name of Abney and Brother, "Merchants and Traders and Co-partners doing business at Pittsburg..." , from Wright and Beasley. When Sam returned to Alabama at the start of the war, Alexander managed the business and sent Sam his share of the profits on 4 June 1860 in Pittsburg, Upshur County, Texas.^8,9

Samuel ABNEY III was found in the census of 21 June 1860 living in a rooming house in Pittsburg, Upshur County, Texas. The household was enumerated as Eratus Kelsey, age 38, carpenter, $300, born New York; Jane Kelsey, age 27, Georgia; Thomas Kelsey, age 7, Texas; Louisa Kelsey, age 3, Texas; William Kelsey, age 1, Texas; Wm. Bedard, age 42, sharpening, $200, North Carolina; Wm. Bragg, age 36, coachmaker, Conneticut; W. V. Barten, age 23, loafer, Alabama; S. ABNEY; age 22, loafer, Alabama; J. L. Colliers, age 24, Postmaster, Georgia; R. M. (B. M.?) Burt, age 28, loafer, born Georgia; and E. P. Heath, age 21, bootmaker, Georgia.¹⁰



Upon returning to Alabama at the start of the war, Samuel enlisted in Centreville, Alabama, at age 26 on 24 April 1862 in Co. H, 44th Alabama Infantry. He was enlisted by F. M. Goode for three years or the war. He apparently never reported for duty as he is reported AWOL in July. Then in December 1862 his captain again listed him AWOL with the note: "This man originally joined 44th but before going into camp of instruction joined another organization and cannot be found. He will hereafter be dropped."¹¹ This is confirmed by the fact that on this date Sam was also enlisted in Randolph by the same Capt. Francis M. Goode for three years or the war in Co. D, 5th Battalion (Mounted), Hilliard's Legion. He served as 5th sergeant of his company. Apparently Sam decided that he preferred riding to walking!¹¹

On 12 Aug 1862, while in the vicinity of Loudon, Tennessee, Company D was detached from Hilliard's Legion as escort for Brigadier General Thomas J. Churchill and served in that capacity throughout the Kentucky Campaign until 10 Nov 1862. Hilliard's Legion was disbanded 25 Nov 1862 near Murphreesboro, Tennessee. The 5th Battalion (Mounted) and the 19th Georgia Cavalry Battalion combined 29 Dec 1862 to form the 10th Confederate Cavalry. They saw action in the Battle of Stone's River between 30 Dec 1862 and 3 Jan 1863 as part of Gen. Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry Brigade. On a 31 Dec 1863 roster of Co. D 10th Confederate Cavalry Sam is listed as "on detached service in Capt. Marshall's Battery by order of Col. Scott since 1 Aug 1863." This refers to Captain W. R. Marshall's Tennessee Light Artillery Company, also known as the "Brown Horse Artillery." The transfer was permanent according to a 1 Mar 1864 roster.

On April 25, 1863 it was reported in Colonel J. S Scott's Cavalry Brigade, which was on outpost and special duty. Colonel Scott, in reporting on the raid his brigade made into Kentucky beginning July 25, 1863, reported the Brown Horse Artillery, with four guns, as part of his force. This expedition went to Williamsburg, London, Richmond, Winchester, Irvine, Stanford and Somerset, Kentucky, recrossed the Cumberland River at Smith Shoals, and retired to Concord, Tennessee, where the brigade was located on August 7, 1863. Colonel Scott reported five days and nights of fighting, with a heavy skirmish at Rogersville, five miles from Richmond, and again at Stanford, Kentucky. Here he reported that Marshall's Battery with the howitzers from Robinson's were run forward and cleared the town.

This was the last report found on the battery, and what its subsequent fate was is not known.¹²

The sequence of events is confusing, but at some point this unit was merged into Capt. John W. Morton's battery of Tennessee Light Artillery serving in Jackson's Division of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry.

On November 7, 1863, Morton's Battery, with four officers and 67 men was assigned as part of the tiny force with which General Forrest moved to West Tennessee to assume command of the cavalry forces in West Tennessee and North Mississippi. On November 28, the battery was reported at Okolona, Mississippi with four rifled guns, and this constituted its armament for the rest of the war. It may have been about this time that Sam joined Morton's Battery of Tennessee Light Artillery.

He enlisted as a private, but on 1 Dec 1863 Sam was appointed corporal and later promoted to sergeant.

The battery was engaged in the Battle of Tishomingo Creek, or Brice's Crossroads on June 10; and again in the Battle of Harrisburg, July 15. General A. Buford, in reporting on this battle, stated: "On July 13, about 5:00 P. M., with Belrs Brigade, and Morton's Battery, I attacked the enemy (Major General A. J. Smith) on his right flank during the march."

On September 24, the battery was with General Forrest at the capture of Athens, Alabama, and on his subsequent raid to Pulaski, in Middle Tennessee. On October 29, it formed part of the force at Fort Heiman and Paris Landing which shelled and captured the steamer Mazeppa, with two barges; and on October 30, the steamer Cheeseman. A shell from Morton's Battery was credited with disabling the Mazeppa, thus leading to its capture. On November 4, with Morton as acting Chief of Artillery, and Lieutenant Tully Brown in command of the battery, the battery took part in the bombardment and burning of the Federal Depot at Johnsonville, Tennessee.

Hardly pausing for breath, it then moved into Middle Tennessee the last half of November in General Forrest's operations in support of General John B. Hood's invasion. In his reports of this campaign, General Forrest made specific mention of Morton's Battery twice. He reported that on December 1, he moved across the Harpeth River (near Franklin) and advanced up the Wilson pike where he struck the enemy in considerable force at Owen's Crossroads, and ordered Morton to open upon him with his battery. On December 3, Morton's battery was mentioned as taking part in the shelling and capture of Stockade Number Two on the railroad from Nashville to Murfreesboro.

Following this campaign, Forrest's forces withdrew into Mississippi, where, on February 13, 1865, in the reorganization of his forces, Morton's Battery was attached to Brigadier General W. H. Jackson's Division. Sam surrendered with the battery 4 May 1865 at Citronelle, Alabama and was paroled, along with the rest of Forrest's command, at Gainesville, Alabama in 10 May 1865. Before returning home he spent one day in a Confederate hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.¹³

Samuel ABNEY III appeared on a census, enumerated 1866, in the household of his father Thomas Hamilton ABNEY in Bibb County, Alabama. Sam and Zach were the two males, 30-40.¹⁴

Samuel married Martha Anne WALKER, daughter of William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON, on 21 April 1870 at the front parlor of the Walker House in Isabella, Chilton County, Alabama. Sam's best man was Anderson Baker.^15,16,17

Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 28 August 1870 in Chestnut Creek, Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as Sam Abney, age 30; and Martha Abney, age 19. Sam's occupation was farming. He had real esstate valued $800 and personal estate $500.¹⁹

Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 June 1880 in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Samuel Abney, a 44-year-old farmer; his 34-year-old wife, Martha Abney; daughter Augusta, 8; son Zachariah, 7; daughter Sarah, 5; daughter Estelle, 3; daughter Emma [Irma], 2; and sister-in-laws Virginia, 50 and Sarah Abney, 60 of Virginia. All of the other family were born in Alabama.

Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 18 June 1900 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Sam Abney, age 64, born September 1835 in Alabama. His father was born in South Carolina and his mother in Delaware. His occupation was farming. Sam's wife was Martha Abney, age 45, born October 1854 in Alabama. Both of her parents were also born in Alabama. Their children were: Zack, 25, a store clerk, born January 1875; Saroah [Sarah], 23, born November 1877; Estel [Estelle], 21, born August 1878; Irma, 19, born March 1881; May, 17, born June 1882; Margaret, 16, born June 1884; Evelyn, 14, born December 1886; William, 12, born April 1888; and Nellie, 9, born January 1891. Also living in the household were Sam's sister, Vaginia [Virginia], 73, born June 1826 in Alabama, and boarders, Gussie Knupp, a music teacher, age 27, born October 1872 in Alabama and a black farm laborer, Will Hall, 25, born March 1875 in Alabama.²⁰

Samuel ABNEY III appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Samuel Abney, age 74, farmer, born Alabama. His father was born in South Carolina, while his mother was born in Delaware. His wife, Martha, age 64, was born in Alabama, as was her mother, while her father was born in North Carolina. Sam and Martha had been married 39 years and had 10 children. Living with them were daughter, Evelyn L., age 25, and son, William H., age 23, both born in Alabama. The family lived near Maplesville on the Montgomery Road.²¹

Samuel and Zachariah ABNEY were participates in the Confederate Veterans Reunion and dedication of the new Confederate Monument on 22 July 1910 in Bibb County Courthouse, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was very shaken by the death of Evelyn Lillie ABNEY on 24 March 1911 in the Abney House, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was said to have been a very beautiful girl ("the prettiest of the lot") with lots of beaux. The died of a sudden illness while away at school.^22,23

He appeared in a newspaper article 17 August 1911 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Abney, of Maplesville, attended the funeral of their brother, Capt. Z. Abney, near Prattville last Friday. Mr. Samuel Abney is a twin brother of the deceased, the only child now left of the large family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hamilton Abney, who settled many years ago in Bibb county. The two brothers were so much alike in physical appearance that many who knew the deceased so well in life could scarcely realize they were not still with him in life at the funeral Friday."

Samuel ABNEY III died on 12 February 1917 in Chilton County, Alabama, at age 81. He died after being ill with influenza for about nine days.¹⁶ He was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 15 February 1917 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. The many friends of Mr. Abney will be pained to hear of his death at his home east of Maplesville. His death occurred last Monday night. He was 84 years old. He was a twin brother of Mr. Zack Abney who was for many years Autauga county's popular register in chancery and who died in 1911. They were very much alike in personal appearance. Samuel Abney was a good citizen and the world around him was made better and brighter by his life.

     Martha Anne WALKER, daughter of William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON, was born on 25 October 1845 in Autauga County, Alabama.¹

Martha Anne WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1850, in the household of her parents William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON in Huddleston Beat, Autauga County, Alabama. She was listed as Martha Walker, age 4.²

Martha Anne WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1860, in the household of her parents William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. She was recorded as Martha Walker, age 14.

Martha married Samuel ABNEY III, son of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes, on 21 April 1870 at the front parlor of the Walker House in Isabella, Chilton County, Alabama. Sam's best man was Anderson Baker.^4,5,6

Martha Anne WALKER and Samuel ABNEY III appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 28 August 1870 in Chestnut Creek, Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as Sam Abney, age 30; and Martha Abney, age 19. Sam's occupation was farming. He had real esstate valued $800 and personal estate $500.⁷

Martha Anne WALKER and Samuel ABNEY III appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 June 1880 in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Samuel Abney, a 44-year-old farmer; his 34-year-old wife, Martha Abney; daughter Augusta, 8; son Zachariah, 7; daughter Sarah, 5; daughter Estelle, 3; daughter Emma [Irma], 2; and sister-in-laws Virginia, 50 and Sarah Abney, 60 of Virginia. All of the other family were born in Alabama.

Martha Anne WALKER and Samuel ABNEY III appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 18 June 1900 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Sam Abney, age 64, born September 1835 in Alabama. His father was born in South Carolina and his mother in Delaware. His occupation was farming. Sam's wife was Martha Abney, age 45, born October 1854 in Alabama. Both of her parents were also born in Alabama. Their children were: Zack, 25, a store clerk, born January 1875; Saroah [Sarah], 23, born November 1877; Estel [Estelle], 21, born August 1878; Irma, 19, born March 1881; May, 17, born June 1882; Margaret, 16, born June 1884; Evelyn, 14, born December 1886; William, 12, born April 1888; and Nellie, 9, born January 1891. Also living in the household were Sam's sister, Vaginia [Virginia], 73, born June 1826 in Alabama, and boarders, Gussie Knupp, a music teacher, age 27, born October 1872 in Alabama and a black farm laborer, Will Hall, 25, born March 1875 in Alabama.⁸

Martha Anne WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1910, in the household of Samuel ABNEY III in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.⁹

Martha Anne WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 27 January 1920 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Martha Abney, a 74-year-0ld widow and farm owner. Living with her were her sons Zachariah T. Abney, a 46-year-old saw mill owner; William H. Abney, a 33-year-old farmer; her daughter-in-law, William's wife, Flora H. age 27; granddaughter Flora J., age 10 months; and boarder Foster Hull, a 22-year-old blockman at the sawmill.¹⁰

Martha Anne WALKER died on 25 May 1922 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, at age 76.

Her obituary appeared 26 May 1922 in the an unknown place , published in an unknown place , an unknown place . The Montgomery Advertiser: Selma, Ala., May 26, "Mrs. Martha Abney, 74 years old, of Maplesville, died at a hospital here last night of an illness of several months. Mrs. Abney was a member of a prominent family. She is survived by seven daughters and two sons. The body was shipped to Maplesville forfuneral and internment today." She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Augusta ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 15 October 1871 in Chilton County, Alabama.¹ Augusta ABNEY also went by the name of Gussie.

Augusta ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1880, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as daughter Augusta Abney, age 8, born Alabama.

From The Shelby Chronicles published in Columbiana in 1884 Gussie was attending Smith's High School with a grade of 92. Her teacher was Lucy A. Smith.

No proof has been found, but it is believed within the family that Gussie was educated at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. George K. Brown said that the Walker's financed her education.

Zachariah ABNEY, Augusta ABNEY and Samuel L. ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 14 March 1890 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Miss Gussie Abney, of Maplesville, Ala., and Mr. Sam Abney [son of Alexander Abney], of Texas, have been on a visit to their uncle, Capt. Z. Abney."

She appeared in a newspaper article 20 May 1890 in the The Shelby News, published in Calera, Alabama. Miss Gussie Abney, one of the prettiest of the many pretty girls of Mulberry [Maplesville?], has stopped over in Clanton on her return from a visit to relatives in Prattville.

Gussie ABNEY was attending trainingl on 17 September 1896 at Bibb County Teacher's Institute in Centreville, Alabama. According the county superintendant of education the law stated that each teacher must attend one instiute each year or their license could be suspended or cancelled.

Gussie ABNEY and Sarah Virginia ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 17 November 1899 in the The Living Truth, published in Greenville, Alabama. The following teachers were granted certificates [License to teach in Alabama granted by State Board of Examiners] last Friday: Chilton county-- Second Grade: Miss Abbie Spratlen, Miss Gussie Abney, S. J. Strock, Miss Sarah Abney.

Augusta married first Jacob KNUPP on 1 February 1900 in Abney House, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. Rev. Byrd L. Moore of the Randolph circuit officiated. She was 30 and he was 40. Zach Abney and H. S. Doster from Prattiville were in attendence.^1,2

Augusta KNUPP appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as a boarder, Gussie Knupp, a music teacher, age 27, born October 1872 in Alabama.³

Augusta KNUPP appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 26 April 1910 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana. The household was listed as Augusta Knupp was living in a duplex at 212 North 7th Street. She was recorded as 33 years of age, married 10 years with no children. She was employed as a saleslady selling tea and coffee. In the other half of the building was George A. Knight, a 59 [or 39] year old widower who was a agent selling tea and coffee. He was born in Michigan.

Jacob died on 21 September 1910 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, of complications from cirrhosis of liver leaving Gussie ABNEY as a widow. The source is Massachusetts Death Records, 1841-1915. This may not be the right Jacob Knupp, but it seems to fit. Deceased was a 46 years old salesman. Marital status "unknown".

Augusta married second George A. Knight on 1 January 1920 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana.⁴

Augusta ABNEY and George A. Knight appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 January 1920 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana. The household was listed as George A Knight, 59, a retail merchant of, and Augusta Knight, 41, an agent sellling tea and coffee. They lived at 214 N. 7th Street.

Augusta ABNEY and George A. Knight appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1940 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana. The household was listed as Augusta Knight, 58, and George A. Knight, 89. They lived at 212/2 North 7th Street.

Augusta ABNEY died on 25 May 1950 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, at age 78. She died in a fire.^4,5 She was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.

She appeared in a newspaper article 30 May 1950 in the The Indianapolis News, published in Indianapolis, Indiana. 11 Storerooms Are Condemned After Fire. Vincennes, Ind.-- May 30. Eleven storerooms on North Seventh Street in. the block where a Friday night fire resulted in the death of Mrs. Augusta Knight, aged widow, was condemned today by Fire Chief Dewey Shepherd. Shepherd said the owners had been ordered to tear down the buildings or to remodel them.

     Zachariah Taylor ABNEY, son of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 6 January 1873 at Abney Plantation in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.¹

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1880, in the household of his parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was recorded as son Zachariah Abney, age 7, born Alabama.

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY was educated in Southern University, Greensboro, Alabama. This school later moved to Birmingham and became Birmingham Southern.

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of his parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was listed as a 25 year old store clerk.²

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY was mentioned in the newspaper article of Waymon BROWN that appeared 3 November 1904 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. An examination was conducted last Saturday by Postmaster Fuller in Centreville for Rural Free Delivery Carriers. The proposed Route is out of Randolph through a part of Bibb and. Chilton counties. There are four applicants who stood for the examinations, as follows: W. L. Brown, Jno. W. Prim, Zack T. Abney and Wm. G. Oakley. The examination papers have been mailed to the Department, and until they return it will be impossible to tell who will be awarded the job.

With no end in sight for World War I, the United States instituted it's third and final registration. It included all men who were between the ages of 18 and 21, and 31 to 45 years of age. This added younger men than the previous registrations, those who were born between September 12, 1897 and September 12, 1900; and added an older group of men, born between September 12, 1873 and September 12, 1888. Zachariah filled out a draft card on 12 September 1918 in Clanton, Chilton County, Alabama. He was a 45-year-old self-employed farmer. He was discribed as tall with a medium build with brown eyes and black hair.³

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 27 January 1920, in the household of his mother Martha Anne WALKER in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. He was listed as a 46-year-old saw mill owner.⁴

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 21 May 1940, in the household of his brother William Hamilton ABNEY in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. He was listed as a 66-year-old farmer with a college education.⁵

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY died on 24 June 1954 at Selma Baptist Hospital in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, at age 81. Cause of death was coronary thrombosis. His residence was listed at Maplesville.⁶ He was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 1 July 1954 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. It read: "Zack T. Abney, 80, a lifelong resident of Chilton County, died at 11 a. m. Thursday in a Selma hospital after a short illness. He was the son of the late Samuel and Martha Walker Abney. Surviving are a brother, W. H. Abney, Maplesville; four sisters, Mrs. Irma Blann, York; Mrs. Nelle Abney, Clanton; Mrs. Margarett Christopher, Gadsden; Mrs. May Brown, Maplesville; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held from Cox Chapel Saturday at 4 p. m. Rev. Max Hale conducting. Pallbearers were nephews, Marcus and Brown Bolling, M. G. Clieveland, Kayser Morgan, T. S. and G. S. Christopher, G. H. Abney. Speigner Funeral Home of Clanton is directing."

     Sarah Virginia ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 11 November 1874 at Abney Plantation in Chilton County, Alabama.¹

Sarah Virginia ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1880, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as daughter Sarah Abney, age 5, born Alabama.

Sarah and Estelle ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 25 June 1897 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Misses Sarah and Estella Abney, of Randolph, have been on a visit to relatives near Prattville." They were likely visiting their older brother, Zachariah, who was an attorney in Prattville. Sarah and Estelle were apparently close friends as they traveled often together. In the 20 Jun 1900 Wilcox Progressive in Camden they were mentioned as "guests of the Institute last week, having left Monday for their home." And in 1907 they took a trip together to New York City.

Gussie ABNEY and Sarah Virginia ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 17 November 1899 in the The Living Truth, published in Greenville, Alabama. The following teachers were granted certificates [License to teach in Alabama granted by State Board of Examiners] last Friday: Chilton county-- Second Grade: Miss Abbie Spratlen, Miss Gussie Abney, S. J. Strock, Miss Sarah Abney.

Sarah Virginia ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was 23 years old.²

She appeared in a newspaper article 19 April 1901 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. Patillo-Abney-- The following invitation has been issued: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Abney request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Sara Virginia, to Mr. Alfonso Patillo on Wednesday afternoon, April the twenty-fourth, at two o'clock, at their residence, Randolph, Alabama.

Sarah married Walter Frank BRITTON, son of George Gass BRITTON and Margaret Jane Dodd, on 21 April 1901 in Randolph, Bibb County, Alabama.

Sarah Virginia ABNEY and Walter Frank BRITTON appeared in a newspaper article 26 April 1901 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. A ROMANTIC MARRIAGE-- Britton-Abney-- A romantic marriage took place at the home of Mr. Samuel Abney on last Sunday afternoon near Maplesville, Chilton county. Last week the invitations were issued to the marriage of Miss Sarah Abney to Claude A. Patillo, of this county. The marriage was to take place on last Wednesday. Mr. W. H. Britton who has long paid homage at the same shrine, on last Saturday visited Maplesville. After a few hours spent at the home of Miss Abney by his pursuasive eloquence he won the victory that was to change his life's destiny to a certain extent. On Saturday afternoon he left for Clanton to procure a marriage license. On arriving there he found that a marriage license had been obtained a few days before by Mr. Patillo. But not daunted by the obstacle in the way of the fulfillment of loves sweet dream he finally pursuaded Judge Adams to issue the desired license. He returned to the home of Miss Abney on Sunday in company with a minister who in a few words performed the ceremony that linked together in a romantic manner these two lives.

Mr. C. A. Patillo, the prospective groom spent Sunday at Billingsley, unconscious of what was transpiring at the home of his intended bride until late in the afternoon. The bride and groom left Maplesville for Prattville on Sunday afternoon and are now stopping at the McLemore house. They will spent the summer here. (Note: The McLemore House was also known as the Mims Hotel.)

Mr. Britton is a most substantial young business man of Anniston and is at present employed by the Continental Gin Company.

The Progress extends congratulations to the happy couple and wishes them bon voyage on the sea of life.

Irma Abney and Sarah Virginia ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 16 August 1901 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Miss Irma Abney, of Randolph, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. W. F. Brittain." This suggests that Sarah and Frank were still living in Prattville at this time.

Sarah Virginia ABNEY and Walter Frank BRITTON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 April 1910 in Anniston, Alabama. The household was listed as Frank Bretton, a 34-year-old foreman in a tin shop and Sara, his 34-year-old wife. They had been married 9 years and had two children, both living. Also in the household were their two children, Sara age 7 and Sam age 5, and a 40-year-old mulatto servant Williams, no first name listed.³

As of 1913, Sarah Virginia ABNEY and Walter Frank BRITTON were living in Anniston, Alabama. At 1504 Wilmer Avenue. He was still employed as vice president of Interstate Roofing & Foundry. Sarah's sister, Estelle Abney, was living with them and employed as a dress maker.

Sarah Virginia ABNEY and Walter Frank BRITTON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 January 1920 in Ward 4, Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama. The household was listed as Frank Britton, a 44-year-old superintendant of a business who was born in Virginia. His parents also were from Virginia. Sarah, his wife, was also 44 and was born in Alabama. They had a 17-year-old daughter, Sarah, and a 15-year-old son, Sam. Living with them were two lodgers, William Miller, a 49-year-old engineer from South Carolina and Ruth Cox, a 17-year-old department store salesclerk from Kentucky.⁴

As of 1922, Sarah Virginia ABNEY and Walter Frank BRITTON were living in Anniston, Alabama. At 413 Quintard Street. His employment had not changed.

On 26 April 1926 Sarah Virginia died in Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama, at age 51 leaving Walter Frank a widower.⁵ She was buried in Edgemont Cemetery.

Sarah's obituary was printed on 27 April 1926 in the Anniston Star newspaper, published in Anniston, Alabama. It read: "Mrs. Britton Dies Monday of Apoplexy-- Prominent Woman of this City Drops Dead After Dressing to go to Town.

Mrs. W. Frank Britton, age 51, one of the best known and most popular women of the city, died suddenly at her home, 413 Quintard Avenue, yesterday afternoon. Apoplexy is attributed as the cause of her death. Mrs. Britton had dressed to go to town when she dropped dead. The news of her death was a profound shock to her many friends.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the residence. Dr. James T. McGlothlin, pastor of the Parker Memorial Baptist Church, will be in charge of the service. Internment will be in Edgemont Cemetery.

Mrs. Britton is survived by her husband W. Frank Britton, of this city, one daughter, Mrs. B. C. Anderson, of Auburn, Ala., and one son, Sam Britton, student at University of Alabama. She is also survived by two brothers, W. H. Abney, of Maplesville, Ala., and Zack Abney, of Randolph, Ala; six sisters, Mrs. George Knight, of Vincenes, Ia; Mrs. B. S. McMillan, of Burton, Ala; Mrs. S. S. Blaine, of York, Ala; Mrs. F. H. Brown, of Maplesville, Ala; Mrs. T. S. Christopher, of Gadsden, Ala., and Mrs. E. H. Alley, of Demopolis, Ala.

The following will serve as pall bearers: L. M. Burns, L. H. Carre, W. S. Kilby, Hugh Walker, R. W. Ledbetter, A. C. Quinn, J. E. Sutton, and C. H. Young.

Mrs. Britton was a member of Parker Memorial church and was active in religious and social circles."⁶

     Estelle ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 12 August 1876 at the Abney Plantation in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.¹ She was a skilled dress maker.

She appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1880, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as daughter Estelle Abney, age 3, born Alabama.

Estelle and Sarah Virginia ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 25 June 1897 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Misses Sarah and Estella Abney, of Randolph, have been on a visit to relatives near Prattville." They were likely visiting their older brother, Zachariah, who was an attorney in Prattville. Sarah and Estelle were apparently close friends as they traveled often together. In the 20 Jun 1900 Wilcox Progressive in Camden they were mentioned as "guests of the Institute last week, having left Monday for their home." And in 1907 they took a trip together to New York City.

Estelle attended the Alabama Girls' Industrial School, Montevallo, Chilton County, Alabama, between 1899 and 1900. The school had been founded in 1896 and at this time would have had about 400 students.^2,3

She appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was listed as Estel [Estelle] Abney, age 21, born August 1878.⁴

She appeared in a newspaper article 9 February 1903 in the Birmingham News, published in Birmingham, Alabama. Miss Estelle Abney, of Randolph, Ala. is the guest of Miss Mary Henley [in Birmingham].

Between 1904 and 1909 Estelle was listed in the city directory for Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. In 1904 Estelle Abney was listed as a dress maker who boarded at 140 N. 51st Street in Woodlawn, while in 1909 she boarded at 142 N. 51st Street in Woodlawn. She was boarding with her uncle Samuel Walker and wife, Ella Belle Mallory. The city directory shows them at both of these locations. However, she did not appear in their household in the 1910 census. Sam and Ella had nine boarders listed on that census, all male railroad workers.^5,6

Estelle ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 14 August 1907 in the Birmingham News, published in Birmingham, Alabama. "Miss Estelle Abney, connected with the Burger Dry Goods Company, accompanied by her sister and Miss Catherine Mallory, is visiting New York, Washington and other points east." The sister is not named, but was most likely Sarah Virginia Britton. Catherine S, Mallory (1881-1969) was the younger sister of Sam Walker's wife, Ella Bell Mallory.

She appeared in a newspaper article 28 May 1912 in the Birmingham Post-Herald, published in Birmingham, Alabama. It referred to a party held in Woodlawn at the home of Mrs. R. L. Smith. The honorees were Miss Louise Vaughn of Atlanta and Miss Estelle Abney of Anniston. "Both are attractive girls of the brunette types." Estelle wore a satin dress enhanced with lace in pink and white.

Estelle ABNEY was listed in the 1913 city directory for Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama. Estelle Abney was a dress maker for Powers-Woodruff Company and boarded at 1504 Wilmer Avenue. That was the home of her sister Sarah Virginia and husband Frank Britton.⁷

Estelle ABNEY was listed in the 1915 city directory for Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Estelle Abney was employed as a fitter with Caheen's, and boarded at 133 N. 60th. Caheen Bros. (1904–1928) was a dry goods store on 2nd Avenue North, between 19th and 20th streets. Same block as S. H. Kress and F. W. Woolworth & Co. A photo of Caheen Bros. shows women's dresses in the window so Estelle was proably working doing fittings and alterations in the dress department. The address where she boarded was that of Ella Walker, widow of Sam, whose home was shown at 133 N. 60th in that same directory.⁸

Estelle ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 22 January 1919 in the Greenville Advocate, published in Greenville, Alabama. "Miss Estelle Abney is visiting her mother in Maplesville." Her wedding announcement in the Greenville newspaper later that year said that she had been a resident of Greenville for the previous three years. Estelle had also visited her mother in December and other times with the earliest mentioned in the Greenville paper in 1917.

Estelle married Benjamin Swanson McMILLAN on 17 June 1919 home of her sister Sarah Britton in Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama. The groom was a widower and a store manager in Brewton. The service was perforrmed by Rev. Sam F. Hodges, minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Anniston. After a wedding trip to Birmingham they planned to reside in Brewton, the home of the groom.^1,9

In a newspaper article 18 June 1919 in the Anniston Star it mentions that "Among the out-of-town guests assembled for the McMillan-Abney wedding yesterday were Mrs. Abney [her mother, Martha] of Maplesville, Mr. A. D. Graham of Greenville, Miss Mary Huly of Birmingham, Mrs. C. R. Christopher of Gadsden [Margaret Abney?], and Miss Gene [Jean] McMillan of Brewton." Jean was the groom's 15 year old daughter from his previous marriage. Estelle's sister Margaret was the wife of T. S. Christopher of Gadsden. The "Miss Mary Huly of Birmingham" might be the Miss Mary Henley of Birmingham who Estelle visited in 1903. Possibly a friend from school. A. D. Graham was a friend of Benjamin's who had accompanied him on the trip from Greenville.

Estelle ABNEY and Benjamin Swanson McMILLAN were listed as residents in a boarding house in a census enumerated on 14 June 1920 in Brewton, Escambia County, Alabama. John D. and Carry E. Foshee, ages 39 and 32, were the owners of the house at 441 Evergreen Avenue. Residents included them and their two sons, the four McMillans and five additional boarders. They were listed as boarders Ben S. McMillan, a 48 year old manager of a general supply store, and his wife was Estelle McMillan, age 38. Ben had two daughters with them from a previous marriage, Bennie McMillan, age 19 and Jean McMillan, age 16.

After their time with the Foshees Estelle and Ben moved to their own home on Douglas Avenue in Brewton. He was the long time manager of the Cedar Creek Store in Brewton.^10,11

Estelle left a will dated 26 June 1927. She bequeathed to her niece, Virginia Blann, her chest of silver and her set of china. She left any money she had in a certain account in the Anniston City National Bank and in the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Brewton to her brothers and sisters, share and share alike. If one of them died before her she asked that their share go to their children, if any. To her brothers William and Zack she left her interest in the land known as the Martha Abney estate, and at their deaths to her remaining heirs. To her sister, Irma Abney Blann, she left her government bonds valued $500. To her husband, B. S. McMillan she left the rest of her savings accounts in the Bank of Brewton and the Farmers & Merchants Bank, also her stock in Alabama Light & Power Company. She stipulated that he could not make any changes to the investments without the court's permission, and at his death the money would go to her heirs. She left all her other property to her husband. She named her sister, Augusta Knight, her executrix. It was witnessed by J. E. Carahan and Harry E. Lewis.

Estelle ABNEY died on 6 July 1928 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, at age 51. Her cause of death was biliary cirrhosis with stones in her common duct.^12,13 She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.

Her obituary appeared 7 July 1928 in the Birmingham News, published in Birmingham, Alabama. Mrs. Estelle McMillan, 46, of Maplesville, Ala., died Friday night in a Birmingham infirmary. She is survived by the husband, Benjamin S. McMillan, five sisters, Mrs. George A. Knight, of Indiana; Mrs. T. S. Christopher, of Gadsden, Ala; Mrs. S. M. Bland(sp), of York, Ala; Mrs. E. H. Alley, of Georgia; and Mrs. Horatio Brown, of Maplesville, and two brothers, Zac and William Abney, of Maplesville. The body will be send Sunday, at an hour to be announced by Johns, to Maplesville for burial.

     Irma Abney, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 21 March 1878 at the Abney Plantation in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.¹

Irma Abney appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1880, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was recorded as daughter Emma [Irma] Abney, age 2, born Alabama.

Irma Abney appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was 19 years old.²

Irma Abney appeared in a newspaper article 16 August 1901 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Miss Irma Abney, of Randolph, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. W. F. Brittain." This suggests that Sarah and Frank were still living in Prattville at this time.

Irma married Silas McEachern Blann on 22 April 1904 at the Abney Plantation in Chilton County, Alabama. He was the son of Alfred Averett McEachern and Jane Elizabeth Kelley, and the grandson of Silas L. Blann and Elizabeth Ann Averett.^1,3,4 She met her future husband when his territory as a tobacco salesman brought him to Maplesville. For many years they lived in Selma, but by 1923 they moved to York, Alabama where Silas opened a hardware/building materials business.⁵

Irma Abney died on 6 February 1966 in Brewton, Escambia County, Alabama, at age 87. Cause of death was a heart attack and senility. The informant was Mrs. Oscar Gordon.^6,7 She was buried in York Municipal Cemetery, York, Sumter County, Alabama.