Person Page - 98

     Della L. Thompson was born on 20 June 1884.¹

Della married Jacob Wesley DANIELL, son of Solomon Gary DANIELL and Martha Jane Stewart, circa 1902 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

On 11 May 1908 an unknown person died in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 23.^1,3 She was buried in Daniell Cemetery.

Della's obituary was printed on 21 May 1908 in the The Blocton Enterprise newspaper, published in West Blocton, Alabama. It was titled: "DEATH OF MRS. DANIEL-- Mrs. J. W. Daniel died at her home in Scottsville Monday, the 11th inst., about 2 o'clock P. M., and the remains were brought to Blocton Tuesday and interred in the family graveyard. Mrs. Daniel was a lovable Christian lady, and was only about 23 or 24 years of age. She leaves a husband and a little girl about 3 years of age to mourn her loss. On last Wednesday an infant preceeded its mother to the grave. Mr. Daniel is store manager for the Holmes Lumber Co. at Scottsville, and is held in high esteem by all who known him, and has the sympathy of many in his great sorrow.³

     Silas McEachern Blann was born on 14 January 1873 in Sardis, Panola County, Mississippi.²

Silas married Irma Abney, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, on 22 April 1904 at the Abney Plantation in Chilton County, Alabama.^1,2,3 1904 Silas was living in Selma, but was a tobacco salesman with a territory that included Maplesville. He and Irma met while he was in town making a sales call. For many years they lived in Selma, but by 1923 they had moved to York, Alabama where Silas opened a hardware/building materials business.⁴

He served in the Alabama Legislature 1935-1939 and was a member of the Sumter County Board of Education for 27 years. He was mayor of York, Alabma 1940-1948.⁵

Silas McEachern Blann died on 25 October 1949 in York, Sumter County, Alabama, at age 76.²

     Thomas Smith Christopher was born on 26 March 1871 in Tennessee.

Thomas married Margaret Abney, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, on 21 January 1906 at the Abney Place in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama. The ceremony was performed by J. C. Harrison, paster of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Randolph. T. S. was an insurance agent and the couple lived in Gadsden.¹

Thomas Smith Christopher and Margaret Abney appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 19 April 1910 in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas S. Christopher, a 38-year-old insurance agent, and his wife, Margaret, who was 28. They had been married four years and Margaret was the mother of two children, both still living. Thomas and his parents had been born in Tennessee. The couple's two children were Thomas S., Jr age 3 and Leroy who was a year and four months old. They lived at 415 Fourth Street.²

Thomas Smith Christopher and Margaret Abney appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 January 1920 in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas, a 48-year-old insurance agent from Tennessee and his wife, Margaret, a 37-year-old stenographer. Their two children were Thomas, Jr. age 12 and his 8-year-old brother, Grigsby. The family was now living at 945 Chestnut Street.³

Thomas Smith Christopher and Margaret Abney appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 April 1930 in Gadsden, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas, now a 59-year-old manager of an insurance agency and Margaret, his 48-year-old wife. This was apparently a second marriage for Thomas because it showed that he had first married 35 years earlier. Margaret had been married 24 years, or in 1906. The couple has two children, Thomas, 22, and Grigsby, 18. They still resided at the Chestnut Street address in a home valued at $9,000.⁴

Thomas Smith Christopher died on 14 December 1950 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, at age 79.^5,6 He was buried in Forrest Cemetery, Gadsden, Alabama.⁵

     Flora Helen Whitby was born on 2 November 1892 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. She was the youngest daughter of Eliza Jane Campbell of Wetumpka and Dr. Thomas Porter Whitby of Georgia and later Auburn. He was a dentist and Civil War veteran who moved his family to Selma before Helen's birth.²

Helen was a school teacher when she met her future husband. The school where she taught in Chilton county no longer stands and there is nothing to mark its existance. It was called the Golden Ridge School. William Abney's niece, Frances Brown, was a student there. After their marriage, she taught in the Randolph grammar school, about five miles north of the Abney Place.

J. D. Wilson wrote about his memories of growing up in the Cox community during the 1930s: "Cox School was a one-room, one teacher school-- grades 1-6. Mrs. Helen Abney taught my mother, then me and my brothers and sisters. She drove a Model-A Ford to school. Mama said that when she taught her, Mrs. Abney rode a horse, sidesaddle, to school. Ladies did not wear slacks in those days."^3,4

Flora married William Hamilton ABNEY, son of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, on 28 October 1914 at the Church Street Methodist Church in Selma, Alabama. The church was decorated with plams and white flowers. The couple lived on the Abney family place which William farmed. His brother Zach also made it his home, but was employed managing another farm. Other family members and their families often visited.¹

Flora Helen Whitby and William Hamilton ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 April 1930 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William H. Abney, a 42-year-old farmer; his wife Helen W. Abney, a 33-year-old public school teacher. With them was their 11-year-old daughter, Flora J. Abney, who was attending school. They had a 24-year-old black servant, Dallas Worthy, who was also listed a farm labor. They lived on the Maplesville Road.⁵

Flora Helen Whitby appeared in a newspaper article 10 April 1930 in the The Union Banner, published in Clanton, Alabama. Maplesville -- Mrs. W. H. Abney entertained her sizth grade class of Cox School late Saturday afternoon. The home was beautifully decorated in Easter decorations. Games and contests were the feature of the afternoon. Salad and ice cream course was served. All seven of her class were present.

The following letter was written by Helen to her daughter, Flora-Jane, at Alabama College in Montevallo, Alabama. The date was around March 1939: "Dear Flora-Jane, I am enclosing the letters also the roll of Papa's company. It gives you the captain and all you want. One letter is from an ex-slave, Amanda Whitby Olliver. At the time this letter was written she was the only one of my grandfather Whitby's ex-slaves that we knew of living. She went to Wesleyan College-- Macon, Ga. as maid to one of Papa's sisters, the other one had one too. What would you do with one? The letter from my grandfather tells about my uncles. The other is from Papa. Please be careful with them, as would surely hate to have them destroyed. My mother didn't have any brothers in the War, they were too young. Neither did your grandmother Abney. Papa was born in 1845, Mama in 1849.

Your Grandfather [Samuel] Abney was born in 1835, Grandmother [Martha Walker Abney] in 1845. He was in Texas when the War broke out, and didn't get home for some time, and that is the reason he and his twin Zack were not together. He was in Forest's Calvary. May [Flora-Jane's father's sister, May Abney Brown] will send you the regiment and company, in the morning ["Your Grandfather Sam Abney belonged to Capt. John W. Morton's Battery, Forest Artillery."]

Your Great Uncle Zack [Abney] went from Centreville as soon as war was declared. He was a captain in The Bibb Grays, the co. for which the U. D. C. Chapter in Centerville is named.

You had 3 Great uncles on the Abney side, Henry [1824-62] and Simp [Cinnicinatus? He died in 1855?] both killed in the battle of Richmond, and buried there. Chesterfield [1838-1862] got sick and died in the army. I don't know where.

You had 3 great, great uncles on the Walker side, Burel [Shelton, 1824-1862], William [Shelton, 1835-1921] and David [Shelton, 1836-1905]. William was stationed at Montevallo a long time. He was the one your uncle William [Walker, 1852-1940], Miss Anna DuBose and Camilla Threadgill went up to visit in camp.

Georgia's grandfather, your cousin, Geo Woodruff spent a large part of the entire war in prison, and suffered terribly. [George Woodruff was the son of Martha Frances Abney (1820-1896), an older sister of Samuel Abney, and a cousin of Fora-Jane's father. Georgia was Flora-Jane's second cousin].

Mama [Eliza Jane Campbell, 1848-1922] may have had some uncles in the war, but I don't know about them. I know Papa [Thomas Porter Whitby, 1845-1922] fought in the battles of Vicksburg, and one oher near there and he was in te battle of Atlanta and Missionary Ridge and other near there. He was shot once.

Your uncle Zack [Abney] was in Lee's army. I think Papa was in Jackson's; am not sure. Zack was with Lee at Appomattox when e surrounded. He was also in the battles of Bull Run.

I hope this is what you want; also that you can read it. I hope you take care of the letter, and you can just bring them when you come. Come when Ozell can bring you. Hope you enjoyed the food. I enjoyed my trip so very much. Lots of love, Mother."⁶

Flora Helen Whitby and William Hamilton ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 May 1940 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William H. Abney, a 52-year-old farmer, and his wife, Helen W. Abney, a 46-year-old public school teacher. He had four years of high school and Helen two years of college. Living with them was their 21-year-old daughter, Flora Jane, who was in her fourth year of college. Also in the household was William's brother, Zach T. Abney, a 66-year-old farmer who had a college education. The value of the farm was listed as $4,000 and was located on the Morgan Road.⁷

Flora Helen Whitby appeared in a newspaper article 3 September 1942 in the The Blocton Enterprise, published in West Blocton, Alabama. Bibb County Teachers for 1942-43 -- "Mr. Francis Pratt, County Superintendant of Education of Bibb County, announced the teachers Tuesday for all the schools in Bibb County. Mr. Pratt and the County Board of Education have had a hard time securing capable teachers this year, due to better jobs in defense work and other places." They included Helen Abney, Zelma A. Pruett, Delores Walker, and Margueritte Smitherman named the teachers at Randolph and Mrs. Sara Cottingham the teacher at Ashby.

Flora Helen Whitby died on 2 August 1980 in Dallas, Texas, at age 87.² She was buried in the City Cemetery, Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama.

     Erasmus Hurt Alley was born on 6 April 1880 in Alabama.²

Erasmus married Nellie Peck Abney, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, on 25 November 1908 at the parlor of the Abney House in Chilton County, Alabama. For a time Hurt went into business with his brother-in-law, Silas Blann, in York, but sold out to his partner after a few years. He was a lumberman. He would go into an area, buy up the timberland and set up a sawmill, cut and saw the lumber then move to another location. He last settled in Wilsonville where he operated a sawmill, but also served as mayor.^1,3

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. Erasmus filled out a draft card circa 1914 in Montezuma, Macon County, Georgia. His occupation was isted as logging. He was discribed as medium height and build, with blue eyes and light hair.²

Erasmus Hurt Alley and Nellie Peck Abney appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 9 January 1920 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. The household was listed as Erasmus H. Alley, 39, a timber purchaser, born in Alabama and his wife Nell Alley, 30. Their children were Evelyn R., 9, Mamie Nell, 7, Edwin, 4 4/12, born Georgia, and William S., 4 months old, born in Tennessee. The two older girls were born in Alabama. Also living with the family were Erasmus' brother, Robert E. Alley, 23, a time keeper for a manufacturer, and his sister, Mamie, 37, a clerk for an express company.Their parents were born in Tennessee.⁴

Erasmus Hurt Alley and Nellie Peck Abney appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 April 1930 in Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama. The household was listed as E. H. Alley, 49, superintendent of a saw mill, and his wife, Nell Abney Alley, 38. Their children were Evelyn, 19; Mamie, 17; Edwin H., 14; William S., 11; Gray H., 5; and Forrest C., 7 months old. They lived at Saw Mill Junction and the Auburn Road.⁵

Erasmus Hurt Alley died on 19 October 1949 in St. Clair County, Alabama, at age 69.⁶ He was buried in Abney Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Samuel L. ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 20 July 1810 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Samuel L. ABNEY died on 3 January 1816 in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 5.¹ He was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery.²

     Melinda ABNEY, daughter of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 14 November 1811 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Melinda ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of her father Zachariah ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was listed as one of four free white females under 10.

Melinda married Col. James L. Mosley Gilder on 29 September 1831 in Saluda County, South Carolina.² She was buried in the Zachariah Abney Cemetery, Saluda County, South Carolina.

On 29 March 1839 Melinda died in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 27 leaving James L. Mosley a widower. After her death Col. Gilder married Harriet Yarborough, daughter of Gilson and Elizabeth Yarborough of Saluda.¹

     Lucinda ABNEY, daughter of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 1 August 1813 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Lucinda ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of her father Zachariah ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was listed as one of four free white females under 10.

     Harriett ABNEY, daughter of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 29 April 1815 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.^1,2

Harriett ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of her father Zachariah ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was listed as one of four free white females under 10.

Harriett married Jacob Kinard Schumpert on 4 January 1834 in Saluda County, South Carolina.^3,4

Harriett ABNEY died on 3 November 1884 in Prosperity, Newberry County, South Carolina, at age 69.² She was buried in Rosemont Cemetery, Newberry, Newberry County, South Carolina.⁵

     Benjamin T. ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 15 January 1817 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Benjamin T. ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of his father Zachariah ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was listed as a free white male under 10.

Benjamin T. ABNEY died on 26 March 1849 at near Higgins Ferry in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 32.^1,2 He was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery.³

His obituary appeared 11 April 1849 in the The Edgefield Advertiser, published in Edgefield, South Carolina. "Died on Friday, March 26, at the residence of his mother, near Higgins Ferry, in Edgefield District, Benjamin T. Abney, in about the 30th year of his age. His disease was complicated, but the immediate cause of his death seems to have been tubercular of the brain."²

     Martha Ann ABNEY, daughter of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 13 May 1819 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Martha Ann ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of her father Zachariah ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was listed as one of four free white females under 10.

Martha married William C. Gilder circa 1839.^1,2

Martha Ann ABNEY died in July 1882 at age 63.¹

     Minerva ABNEY, daughter of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 28 January 1821 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

     Wilson ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 2 July 1824 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Wilson ABNEY was listed as Tabitha ABNEY's neighbor in a census on 10 December 1850 in in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was living alone and enumerated as Wilson Abney, 26, farmer, and had real estate valued at $2500.²

Wilson married Clorian West on 29 December 1850 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. From the Edgefield Advertiser, 6 Feb 1851: Married on the 29th ult. by Rev. T. D. Puryfoy, Mr. Wilson Abney to Miss Clorian West, daughter of Arthur West, all of this district.^3,4

Wilson ABNEY and Chloe Ann West appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 August 1860 in Saluda, Edgefield County, South Carolina. The household was listed as Wilson Abney, a 35 year old farmer; his inferred wife Chloe Abney, 29; and Richard Coleman, 16. All were born in South Carolina. Wilson had real estate valued $5,000 and personal estate valued $14,415. They lived next door to Tabitha Abney.

Wilson began military service at age 37 on 4 October 1861 in Camp Butler, South Carolina, where he enlisted as a private in Co. K 2nd Regiment South Carolina Artillery. He was later promoted to sergeant.⁵

He appeared in a newspaper article 21 March 1866 in the Edgefield Advertiser, published in Edgefield, South Carolina. To The Public -- Having heard that my nephew and ward, Richard Coleman, a minor, is alleged to have taken part in robbing the driver of Mr. Harmon C. Moseley of his mules, some time about the 3d or 4th of this month, I feel it my duty to make this public announcement that the charge is without foundation. At that time my nephew was in Anderson District, having been sent there by myself to inquire to the suitability of the female school at Williamston, with the view of sending his sister (who is also my ward) to that school. As soon as I have time to go for them, I shall procure and publish statements of reliable citizens of Anderson District substantiating the above. -- Wilson Abney, Edgefield District, 14 Mar 1866.

He appeared in a legal announcement 28 November 1866 in the Edgefield Advertiser, published in Edgefield, South Carolina.

On 26 September 1868 Wilson died near Bauknight's Ferry on the Saluda River in Edgefield County, South Carolina, at age 44 as a result of a feud leaving Clorian a widow. Chloe Ann remarried twice, in 1870 to Rev. Robert M. Harrison and about 1874 to Joel Inabinet.^1,6 He was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery, Saluda, Saluda County, South Carolina.⁷

Wilson ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 1 October 1868 in the The Daily Phoenix, published in Columbia, South Carolina. "A said occurrence -- we regret to chronicle the death of Wilson Abney, which took place on Saturday last, at a barbecue in Edgefield. The circumstances, as far as we are able to ascertain, are these: There had existed for some time, a feud between Abney and Talbert Perrin; and on their coming n contact, at the barbecue, their ill feelings found vent, resulting as above, Abney being shot in the fracas which ensued, by Perrin. Both were Democrats. At this time, such dissensions among ourselves are particularly to be deplored. We cannot afford to lose voters."

The following expanded variation of Wilson's death was found on Ancestry.com, submitted by Gerry Coleman:

Note: Bauknight's Ferry was north of Higgins Ferry. Bauknight was just north of present day SC 391 bridge, while Higgins was south of there, near the SC 395 bridge.

     Light Townsend ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 18 February 1826 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Light Townsend ABNEY died on 1 May 1851 in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 25.^1,2 He was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery.³

     Zachariah Taylor ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 24 December 1829 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Zachariah married Elizabeth Susan McClure circa 1850 in Saluda County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Cary McClure and Maria Louise Davenport. Her grandparents were William McClure and Elizabeth Reagin. Cary and Maria Louisa moved from Newberry to Harrison County, Texas about 1854. Cary died there in December 1870 or January 1871. His will was probated there in January 1871 and mentions that his daughter and her husband were both dead. Cary and Maria reared their Abney grandchildren.³

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 10 December 1850, in the household of his mother Tabitha ABNEY in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was enumerated as Zachariah Abney, 20, farmer, born South Carolina. With him was his wife, Elizabeth, 19, also born in South Carolina.⁴

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure moved from Newberry County, South Carolina to Harrison County, Texas, circa 1854 Zach and Elizabeth traveled along with her parents, Cary and Maria Louisa Mclure. Apparently the Abneys had moved from Edgefield to Newberry to be nearer to her parents as both their sons Cary and Olin say they were born in Newberry county.

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY and Elizabeth Susan McClure appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 22 August 1860 in Elysian Fields, Harrison County, Texas. The household was listed as Z. Abney, a 30 year old farmer and Eliabeth Abney his 29 year old wife. He had real estate valued $11000 and personal estate $60000. Living with them were their three sons C. M., age 9; O. L., age 7; and J. G. Abney, age 5. All were born in South Carolina, except for John who born in Texas. Elizabeth's parents were living nearby.⁵

Zachariah began military service at age 32 on 4 March 1862 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, where he enlisted as a private in Company A, 25th Louisiana Infantry, CSA. He died in service probably either from wounds suffered in the battles around Corinth, Mississippi or from desease.

This is from a history of the regiment: "This regiment was organized March 26, 1862, at New Orleans with 1,018 men. Ordered to Corinth, Mississippi, the regiment traveled by steamer to Memphis and from there by train to its destination. The men arrived at Corinth on April 11 and later marched to Monterey, Tennessee. During the operations around Corinth the next month, the regiment participated in several skirmishes. On May 9, the men saw their first battle at Farmington, at which 2 men were killed and 29 were wounded. The regiment's brigade commander wrote that the men 'behaved like veterans' during the engagement. When Corinth was evacuated, the regiment marched to Tupelo and remained in camp there until August. The men then went with the army on its invasion of Kentucky and fought in the Battle of Perryville."⁶

Zachariah Taylor ABNEY died on 9 June 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi, at age 32. He died in service during the Civil War.^1,7,6,8

     Sampson Philip Newton ABNEY, son of Zachariah ABNEY and Tabitha TOWNSEND, was born on 7 November 1833 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Sampson Philip Newton ABNEY died on 2 November 1835 in Saluda County, South Carolina, at age 1.^2,3 He was buried in Zachariah Abney Cemetery.²