Person Page - 70

     James Paul ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born on 21 February 1837 in Moss Hill, Jasper County, Mississippi.^1,2 He was a farmer and a merchant. He was born at Moss Hill, but moved to Montrose after the war. He and his father owned Abney's General Store, Cotton Gin, and Grist Mill and he was postmaster following his father.²

James married Eliza Ann TATUM on 22 December 1857 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

In 1858 he purchased a farm of his own in Jasper county, Mississippi where he lived until 1860, when he brought another farm in the southern part of that county. After the War Between the States he returned to farming and in 1869 he moved his family to near Montrose, Mississippi. There, in addition to farming, he served as postmaster and operated a cotton gin and grist mill with his brother, Theodore.

James began military service at age 24 in May 1861 in Mississippi when he enlisted in Company K, 37th Mississippi Infantry of the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

James Paul ABNEY died on 4 January 1920 in Montrose, Jasper County, Mississippi, at age 82.² He was buried in Montrose Cemetery.

     Eliza Ann TATUM She was the daughter of Christopher C. and Catherine (Grissett) Tatum. She was the mother of eight children.

Eliza Ann TATUM was born on 16 March 1840 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

Eliza married James Paul ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, on 22 December 1857 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

Eliza Ann TATUM died on 23 August 1890 in Montrose, Jasper County, Mississippi, at age 50.¹

     William Washington ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born on 2 June 1842 in Penantly, Jasper County, Mississippi.^1,2 He was also known as . He was a farmer and merchant. Owner, with his son-in-law, of the Abney-Travis Stores in Heidelberg and Laurel, MS. He was educated in Jasper county, Mississippi and in August 1862 enlisted in Boyle's battalion, Co. F 12th Mississippi Cavalry. After the war he returned to Mississippi and resided in Jasper county until 1884 when he moved to Heidelburg, Mississippi. He began farming with 80 undeveloped acres which he developed into one of the largest farms in the county with 3,700 acres.

William married Julia A. RISHER on 30 November 1865 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

William Washington ABNEY died on 21 May 1922 in Jasper County, Mississippi, at age 79.² He was buried in Heidelberg Cemetery, Heidelberg, Jasper County, Mississippi.

His obituary appeared about 23 May 1922 in an unknown source. Obit:…..” W.W. Abney, of Heidelberg, Miss., was born in Jasper county, Miss. June 2, 1842, a son of Robert Rutherford and Mary Ann (Roberts)Abney. He was educated in Jasper county, Miss., and in August, 1862, he enlisted in the Boyle’s Battalion, known as Company C, and later they were transferred to Company F, of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war. In May, 1865, he returned to Jasper county, Miss., and on the 30th of the following November he married Julia Ann Risher, a daughter of William and Mary E.(Ratcliff)Risher. Mrs. Abney was born in Jasper county, Miss., November 25, 1846. Soon after his marriage Mr. Abney located to Claiborne until 1884, when he removed to Heidelberg and has since been a resident of that town. He began his business career in this county after the war, opening up eighty acres of land, surrounded by and almost covered with woods. It required a great amount of perseverance and hard work to clear it and improve it and convert it into a profitable plantation. This he accomplished, and not only this, but he added to his landed possessions until he owns now about 3,700 acres, of which he cultivates about 900 acres, he being one of the most extensive planters and stock raisers in the county. He is now turning his attention more to stock raising in general, and is farming more on the “extensive” plan, with the best and most modern implements. He also owns a saw mill and grist mill with his brother Foster Abney. Mr. and Mrs. Abney are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; and they have had ten children born to them named as follows: Samuel W., born September 15, 1866, now a merchant in Heidelberg ; Catherine E., February 23, 1868, who married E.D. Travis, a merchant of Heidelberg, Miss; Walter R., born December 22, 1868, now a medical student at Louisville, Ky; John H., born February 12, 1872; Mary E., born January 30, 1874; Robert R., born April 5, 1876; Homer C., born October 28, 1778, who died April 2, 1879; Marvin G., born November 26, 1880; Anna E., born January 6, 1883; Carrie, born August 3, 1885. Personally speaking, Mr. Abney is a gentleman of many estimable qualities of heart and mind. He is one who wins the respect and esteem of the community in which he lives, and retains that respect. He is naturally proud of his family, and finds there his best friends and in his home the happiest place on earth.”.²

     Julia A. RISHER She was a daughter of William and Mary E. (Ratcliff) Risher. She was the mother of ten children.

Julia A. RISHER was born on 25 November 1846 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

Julia married William Washington ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, on 30 November 1865 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     Theodore Foster ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born on 2 September 1844 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

Theodore Foster ABNEY He was educated in Jasper Company, Mississippi. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. F 12th Mississippi Cavalry, in which regiment he served through the war. In 1867 he purchased a farm in the southern part of Jasper county. In 1875 he moved his family to a new 1,540 acre farm near Montrose, Mississippi. He also engaged in merchandising and operated a steam cotton gin and gristmill.

Theodore married Julia M. BEARD on 2 September 1867 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

Theodore Foster ABNEY died in 1921.

     Sarah Elizabeth ABNEY, daughter of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born in 1831.

Sarah Elizabeth ABNEY died in 1909.

     Dorothy Caroline ABNEY, daughter of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born in 1832. She was also known as Dolly.

Dorothy Caroline ABNEY died in 1908.

     George Poindexter ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born on 23 November 1838 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

George married Rachel Hartsfield in 1861 in Mississippi.²

George began military service at age 23 in August 1862 in Jasper County, Mississippi, as a private in Co. F 12th Mississippi Cavalry Regiment. He served until he was discharged in July 1863 due to injury. He lost one hand mangled by gun shot. He applied for a pension and his service was verified by his brothers W. W. and T. F. Abney who said they served with him.

George Poindexter ABNEY moved from Mississippi to Brazoria County, Texas, 1879 according to statements in his pension application.

George Poindexter ABNEY died on 13 May 1918 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, at age 79.¹ He was buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, Texas.

     Dr. Henry Clay ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born on 15 April 1840 in Jasper County, Mississippi.

Henry married Sarah Slade circa 1861 in Mississippi. Sarah was the daughter of Hezekiah Slade and Helena Victoria Taylor. They had seven children. Her first husband was killed during the Civil War.

During the Civil War, Dr. Henry Clay ABNEY enlisted as private in Co. K 37th Mississippi Infantry and later as 2nd Lieutenant (Medical) in Clayton's Company.

Sarah died on 24 September 1908 in Pearl River County, Mississippi, at age 69 After her death he moved from Pearl River County, Mississippi to Port Tampa, Florida leaving Dr. Henry Clay ABNEY as a widower.

Dr. Henry Clay ABNEY died on 7 November 1917 in Hillsborough County, Florida, at age 77. He was buried in Mrytle Hill Memorial Park, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida.

     Robert Franklin ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born in 1847 in Jasper County, Mississippi.

Robert married R. E. RISHER on 3 November 1873 in Mississippi.

Robert Franklin ABNEY died in 1922.

     Julia M. BEARD She was the daughter of Marcus F. and Martha (Smith) Beard.

Julia married Theodore Foster ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, on 2 September 1867 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     Rev. James Thomas ABNEY was Minister.

Rev. James Thomas ABNEY, son of James Paul ABNEY and Eliza Ann TATUM, was born on 8 June 1864 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     Samuel W. ABNEY Merchant in Heidelburg, MS. He was Merchant.

Samuel W. ABNEY, son of William Washington ABNEY and Julia A. RISHER, was born on 15 September 1866 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     Catherine E. ABNEY Married E. D. Travis, a merchant in Heidelburg, MS.

Catherine E. ABNEY, daughter of William Washington ABNEY and Julia A. RISHER, was born on 23 February 1868 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     Walter R. ABNEY Studied medicine in Louisville, KY. He was Physician.

Walter R. ABNEY, son of William Washington ABNEY and Julia A. RISHER, was born on 22 December 1869 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     John H. ABNEY, son of William Washington ABNEY and Julia A. RISHER, was born on 12 February 1872 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

     Mary E. ABNEY, daughter of William Washington ABNEY and Julia A. RISHER, was born on 30 January 1874 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹