Person Page - 36

     Joseph Minton SPEER was born on 17 March 1834 in Fayette County, Georgia.

Joseph married Julia Ann BURT, daughter of Stephen Richard BURT and Catherine BILLINGSLEY, on 15 August 1857 in Coosa County, Alabama.¹

Joseph Minton SPEER died on 21 December 1923 in Weogufka, Coosa County, Alabama, at age 89.² He was buried in Weogufka Methodist Church Cemetery, Weogufka, Coosa County, Alabama.

     John A. WALKER was born circa 1837 in South Carolina the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Walker.

John married Mary Ann BURT, daughter of Stephen Richard BURT and Catherine BILLINGSLEY, on 22 November 1857 in Coosa County, Alabama.¹

John A. WALKER and Mary Ann BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 14 July 1860 in Several Districts, Coweta County, Georgia. The household was listed as John A. Wlaker, 23, real estate $3100, personal estate $1155, born South Carolinal Mary A. Walker, 22, born Alabama and Victoria A. Wlaker, 10 months old, born Georgia. His parents, Samuel and Mary Walker lived nearby.

John began military service in March 1862 in Coweta County, Georgia, in the 70th Georgia Militia.

In 1863 John A. died in Coweta County, Georgia, leaving Mary Ann a widow. His estate was probated on 7 September 1863 in Coweta County, Georgia. His father, Samuel Walker, was administrator. John died intestate.

     Catherine (Cattie) D. WALKER, daughter of John A. WALKER and Mary Ann BURT, was born on 24 September 1860 in Coosa County, Alabama.

Catherine (Cattie) D. WALKER died on 11 December 1942 in Coosa County, Alabama, at age 82.

     Elizabeth married James T. B. BURT, son of Stephen Richard BURT and Catherine BILLINGSLEY, circa 1864 in Coosa County, Alabama.

     Van Buren WATTS, son of Otis George Talmadge Van Buren WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY, was born on 2 July 1926 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.^1,2

Van Buren WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 4 April 1930, in the household of Talmadge WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.³

Van married Thelma Lee MORSE on 26 December 1958 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Walter and Marine Morse.^1,4

Van Buren WATTS died on 10 July 1999 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 73.⁵ He was buried in Kinard Cemetery, West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama.⁶

     James Wilford WATTS, son of Otis George Talmadge Van Buren WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY, was born on 4 June 1928 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

James Wilford WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 4 April 1930, in the household of Talmadge WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.²

James Wilford WATTS died on 29 August 1984 at Jefferson County Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 56.¹ He was buried in Bibbville Church Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Adelia Elizabeth WATTS, daughter of Otis George Talmadge Van Buren WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY, was born on 31 January 1930 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Adelia Elizabeth WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 4 April 1930, in the household of Talmadge WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Adelia Elizabeth WATTS died in November 2012 at age 82.

     Thelma Lee MORSE was born on 31 October 1934.

Thelma married Van Buren WATTS, son of Otis George Talmadge Van Buren WATTS and Hettie Marvin KORNEGAY, on 26 December 1958 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Walter and Marine Morse.^1,2

Thelma Lee MORSE died on 20 January 2022 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 87.³ She was buried in Kinard Cemetery, West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama.⁴

     Samuel WALKER, son of William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON, was born on 16 July 1859 in Autauga County, Alabama.¹ He was a railroad conductor.

Samuel WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 30 July 1870, in the household of his parents William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON in Chestnut Creek, Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama. He was recorded as Samuel Walker, age 11, born Alabama.

Samuel WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 7 June 1880, in the household of his father William WALKER in Beat 3, Benson, Chilton County, Alabama. He was recorded as son Samuel Walker, age 20, at school.

Samuel WALKER and Ella Belle Mallory appeared in a newspaper article 15 December 1897 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. Walker - Mallory -- The Home is in receipt of the following invitation: Mrs. N. W. Mallory requests your presence at the marriage of her daughter, Ella Belle, to Mr. Samuel Walker, Wednesday afternoon, December twenty-second, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, at two o'clock, Baptist Church, Alpine, Ala.

Samuel married Ella Belle Mallory, daughter of James Oliver Mallory and Nancy Welch Riser, on 22 December 1897 in Alpine, Talladega County, Alabama.²

Samuel WALKER and Ella Belle Mallory were listed in the 1903 city directory for Birmingham, Alabama. Samuel Walker (Ella B.), conductor, home 142 51st Street North, Woodlawn.

Between 1904 and 1909 Estelle ABNEY appeared on a Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, city directory as s boarder of her uncle, Samuel WALKER. In 1904 he was listed as Samiel Walker (Ella B.), yardmaster Southern Railroad, home 140 N. 51st, Woodlawn. In 1909 he was listed as Samuel Walker (Ella B.), conductor, home 142 N. 51st, Woodlawn. His niece, Estelle Abney, was listed as a dress maker, boarding at both of those locations.^3,4

Samuel WALKER and Ella Belle Mallory appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 May 1910 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. The household was listed as Samuel Walker, a 51-year-old railroad conductor and his wife, Ella B. Walker, age 40, a boarding house operator. They had been married once, for 12 years. Ella was the mother of one child, who was still living. Living with them was their son, Oliver Walker, age 11, Also in the household were nine male boarders, all working on the railroad.

Samuel WALKER died on 12 July 1913 in Chilton County, Alabama, at age 53.^5,6 He was buried in Isabella Methodist Church Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.¹

His obituary appeared 12 July 1913 in the The Birmingham News, published in Birmingham, Alabama. Sam Walker --- The remains of Sam Walker, aged 54 years, will be sent to Maplesville Sunday morning at 6 o'clock by Woodlin. Mr. Walker, who died early Saturday morning at the family residence, 6007 Second Avenue, South, Woodlawn, was a well known conductor on the Southern, and the Order of Railway Conductors will be in charge of the body. The deceased is survived by his widow and one son.

     Robert J. WALKER, son of William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON, was born on 20 February 1848 in Autauga County, Alabama.

Robert J. WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1850, in the household of his parents William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON in Huddleston Beat, Autauga County, Alabama. He was listed as Robert Walker, age 2.¹

Robert J. WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1860, in the household of his parents William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. He was recorded as Robert Walker, age 12.

Robert J. WALKER appeared on a census, enumerated 30 July 1870, in the household of his parents William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON in Chestnut Creek, Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama. He was recorded as Robert Walker, age 22, works on farm, born Alabama.

Robert married Wilda C. McGhee on 14 February 1878 in Chilton County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Perry McGhee and Nannie Dungan.²

Robert J. WALKER and Wilda C. McGhee appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 8 June 1880 in Beat 7, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Robert Walker, a 32-year-old farmer, and his wife, Wilda C. Walker, age 21, keeping house.

Robert and Wilda appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 July 1900 in Avoca, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The household was listed as Robert J. Walker, a 62-year-old farmer, born February 1848 in Alabama; his 41-year-old wife, Hilda Walker, born February 1859 in Alabama; and their son, Robert S. Walker, farm laborer, age 19, born December 1880 in Alabama. Robert and Hillda had been married 22 years. Hllda was the mother of three children, only one still living.

Robert J. WALKER died on 9 March 1907 in Chilton County, Alabama, at age 59.³ He was buried in Isabella Church Cemetery, Isabella, Chilton County, Alabama.⁴

     Zachariah ABNEY, son of Samuel ABNEY Sr. and Martha Harriett HAMILTON, was born on 10 February 1782 in Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina.^1,2

Zachariah married Tabitha TOWNSEND, daughter of Benjamin TOWNSEND and Patsy (?), on 17 September 1809 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Rev. Jonathan Duenst officiated.³

Zachariah ABNEY lived in northeast Old Edgefield District, South Carolina. On the land of his father near the Saluda River and Higgins Ferry. This area is now Saluda County. Zachariah's cemetery is located on this land and contains the tombstones of he, his wife and several of their children.¹

Zachariah ABNEY sold land to John ABNEY on 29 December 1810 in Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina. Both were residents of Edgefield County. According to the bond, William Kennedy, now of Georgia, had sold land where he formerly lived on Tosetys Creek, a branch of the Saluda River. It not being convenient for him to procure rights from some of the legatees of his father, Alexander Kennedy's estate, including his brothers John and James Kennedy and his sister Rosanna Kennedy, Zachariah paid $200 bond to indemnify John Abney against claims of the legatees should they come forward. Witnesses were Lark Abney and Thomas Carson.^4,5

On 7 December 1817 Edgefield County, South Carolina, Zachariah ABNEY applied for letters of administration on the estate of his mother, Martha Harriett HAMILTON.

Zachariah ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 August 1820 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The household was listed as 1 free white male under 10 [Benjamiin], 1 free white male 26-44 [James], 4 free white females under 10 [Melinda, Lucinda, Harriett, Martha Ann], 1 free white female 26-44 [Tabitha], 2 male slaves under 14, i male slave 14-25, 1 maile slave 26-44, 1 male slave 45 and over, 2 female slaves under 14, 1 female slave 14-25, and 2 female slaves 26-44. Six persons were engaged in agriculture.

Zachariah ABNEY died on 3 February 1838 at near Kinard's Ferry on the Saluda River in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 55.^3,6,2 He was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery. Take Hwy. 121 toward Newberry. Turn on Tosety Creek Road just before you get to the Saluda River. Go 0.9 miles, cemetery is on the right about 150 ft. into the woods.²

His obituary appeared 22 March 1838 in the The Edgefield Advertiser, published in Edgefield, South Carolina. "Died in Edgefiled District, on the 3rd of February 1838, Zachariah Abney, aged 56 years. Early in the year 1831, he, in company with his wife, attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Church at Bethany about four miles from his residence; and for some years past there was perhaps but one more male member at that place."⁷

     Tabitha TOWNSEND, daughter of Benjamin TOWNSEND and Patsy (?), was born on 12 May 1789.¹

Tabitha married Zachariah ABNEY, son of Samuel ABNEY Sr. and Martha Harriett HAMILTON, on 17 September 1809 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Rev. Jonathan Duenst officiated.²

Tabitha TOWNSEND appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of her husband Zachariah ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was listed as a free white female 26-44. She was 31 years old.

Tabitha ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 December 1850 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The household was listed as Tabitha Abney, 61, born Virginia. She had real estate valued at $7500. Also in the household were her son, Zachariah, age 20, farmer, and his wife, Elizabeth, 19. Both of them born in South Carolina. Another son, Wilson Abney, was living next door.³

Tabitha TOWNSEND appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 August 1860 in Saluda, Edgefield County, South Carolina. The household was listed as Tabitha Abney, age 70, farmer, born in Virginia and Gifford Gilder, age 21, born South Carolina. Tabitha had real estate valued $9,630 and personal estate valued $23,981. They lived next to her son Wilson Abney.

Tabitha TOWNSEND died on 8 October 1868 in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 79.² She was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery.⁴

     William Henry HERRIN, son of Daniel HERRIN and Margaret _____, was born in 1800 in South Carolina. He was generally known as Henry.

William married Harriett Matthews on 2 January 1830 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.^1,2 He bought land from Hardy and Maria Ann Clements on 26 January 1835 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He purchased 81.98 acres for $100, discribed as east half of southeast quarter in section 1, township 24, range 7 west. Witnesses were Daniel Herrin [his father] and L. W. Boyd.³

William Henry HERRIN witnessed the probate of the estate of Daniel HERRIN and Abraham WATTS Jr. on 21 March 1842 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. A quit claim deed shows where John Elam and Elizabeth Elam, his wife; Abram Watts and Celia Watts, his wife; Adam Fair and Kesiah Fair, his wife, for $600 sold to Henry Herrin and Elkany Herrin a parcel of land as part of the 21 Mar 1842 estate of Daniel Herrin, deceased. It was signed by John Elam, Elizabeth Elam, Abraham Watts, Celia [Lucelia] Watts, Adam Fair, and Kesiah Fair, all by their mark. The location of the land is not given but is believed to have been in section 16 or 17, township 22, range 8 west.⁴

William Henry HERRIN and Harriett Matthews appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 22 May 1860 in Jolly Jones district, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The household was listed as Henry Herrin, a 60 year old farmer. His real estate was valued at $1000 and personal property $500. His wife, Harriett, was a 57 year old seamtress, born in South Carolina. Their children were Rufus, 12; Newton, 12 and Narsella, 7. Living nearby were Elkana Herrin, Margaret Herrin and William Herrin.

William Henry HERRIN and Harriett Matthews appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 July 1870 in Precinct 14, Kennedale, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The household was listed as Henry Herrin, a 64-year-old farmer, who was born in Georgia. He held real estate valued at $400 and personal property at $200. Harriett Herrin was 57, occupation keeping house, and born in Georgia. Living with them was one daugther, Narcilla, age 17.⁵

     Caroline Walton MATHEWS was born in 1810 in Georgia.¹

Caroline married Dr. William Jefferson BURT, son of John BURT and Sarah MARSHALL, on 30 September 1828 in Washington, Autauga County, Alabama. They were married by Wade Hampton Cox, at his tavern on the Alabama River.²

Caroline Walton BURT and Dr. William Jefferson BURT sold a tract of land to David Gorre on 31 October 1829 in Autauga County. For $1000 they sold Gorre the northeast quarter of section 10, township 16, range 15 containing 160 acres. This would be down near the Alabama River and Graves Landing.³

Caroline Walton MATHEWS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1830, in the household of Dr. William Jefferson BURT in Autauga County, Alabama.⁴

Caroline Walton MATHEWS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1840, in the household of Dr. William Jefferson BURT in Autauga County, Alabama.⁵

Dr. William Jefferson BURT and Caroline Walton MATHEWS sold a tract of land to John E. Mitchell on 21 September 1841 in Autauga County, Alabama.⁶

Caroline and William moved from Autauga County to Lowndes County, Mississippi, circa 1842 which is suggested by the fact that their daughter, Mary Francis, was born there in 1843.

Caroline Walton MATHEWS and Dr. William Jefferson BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 31 October 1850 in Lowndes County, Mississippi. The household was listed as William Burt, a 46-year-old physician, born in Georgia, and his 40-year-old wife, Caroline W. Burt also of Georgia. Dr. Burt had real estate valued at $16,000. Their children born in Alabama were: Cornelia A., 20; Sarah W., 17; Susan A., 14; Eliza C., 12; and William J., 10. The two remaining children were born in Mississippi: Francis(sp) M., 7; and Allice, 4. Living nearby was William's brother, Zacheus Burt.⁷

Caroline Walton MATHEWS died on 1 February 1851 in Waverly, Lowndes County, Mississippi.⁶ She was buried in Young Cemetery, located across from the Waverly Mansion, eight miles east of West Point, Mississippi.

     Margaret A. Maer was born in 1829 in North Carolina, the daughter of Abram Maer.

Margaret married second Dr. William Jefferson BURT, son of John BURT and Sarah MARSHALL, on 13 October 1853 in Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi. The marriage was performed by A. D. Corbyn, priest and rector of St. Paul's Church, where the wedding is presumed to have taken place. The bride was the widow of F. H. Lyon and the daughter of Abram Maer.^1,2,3

Margaret A. Maer and Dr. William Jefferson BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1870 in Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi. The household was listed as W. Burt, a 66-year-old retired physician and his 41-year-old wife, Margaret from North Carolina. William, from Georgia, had $16,000 worth of real estate and personal property valued at $5,000. Living with them were their daughters Alice, 38, born in Alabama, and Alice, 23, born in Mississippi.⁴

Margaret A. BURT was named an heir in the will of Dr. William Jefferson BURT dated 5 August 1873 in Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi.^2,5