Friday, May 08, 2026

Mothers of my Direct Line--Out to the 2nd Great Level

In celebration of Mother's Day I've gathered the information I have for the Mothers in my direct line out to my 2nd Great Grandmothers.  I did not include my mother as she is still living. This was a very interesting exercise and it let me see where I have opportunities for more research on these mother lines.  My Dad's mother, Pearl Gray Jakes Cooke was the only one of these women that I met.

Decoration Day where my maternal grandparents and maternal great grandparents are buried is on Mother's Day.  I remember when we would go to place flowers on the graves that the women whose mother was still living wore a red rose and those whose mother had passed on wore a white rose.



Grandmothers
Pearl Gray Jakes Cooke
Birth: 21 Mar 1891 in Bell Buckle, Bedford Co., Tennessee
Death: 1 Jul 1993 in Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee (Aged 102)
Burial: Jul 1993 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Davidson County, Tennessee

Parents
Father: James M Jakes (1857–1941) 
Mother: Telitha Ann Frizzell (1858–1920).

Husband
Thomas Dewitt Cooke (1888–1971), married 10 Mar 1912 in Shelbyville, Bedford County, TN solemnized by Brom R. Whittemore, Justice of the Peace.

Children
Magnus Elizabeth Cooke (1913–2000)
Viola White Cooke (1915–2006)
Thomas Dewitt Cooke (1918–1927)
Olive June Cooke (1923–2006)
Morris Bradford Cooke (1927–1994)
Billy Joe Cooke (1930–2011)
Living- Daughter

She survived six of her seven siblings living to the age of 102 and lost her 8 yr old son Tomie D to scarlet fever.

Sources
Census 
1900 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 12B
1910 Bedford Co TN Bell Buckle p 6A
1920 Marshall Co TN Dist 1 p 4B
1930 Davidson Co TN Dist 4 p 28A
1940 Davidson Co TN Dist 4 Old Hickory p 10B
1950 Davidson Co TN Old Hickory ED 19-17 Sheet 10

Vital Records
Tennessee Delayed Birth Records (1869-1909)
She was 60 years old when she applied for her delayed TN birth certicate. The sources on that certificate are the births of two of  her children, Jakes Family Bible and her sister's death certificate.

Pearl is listed as Mother in the US Social Security Application and Claims Index accounts of her children Magnus, Viola, June and Morris.

US City Directories
She is listed in several City Directories in the 1950s in Nashville.

Newspapers.com obituary from The Tennessean (3 Jul 1993)

Several personal items are noted, including saved envelopes from her scrapbooks that verify her various Nashville addresses. 

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34100383/pearl_gray-cooke : accessed May 8, 2026), memorial page for Pearl Gray Jakes Cooke (21 Mar 1891–1 Jul 1993), Memorial ID 34100383, citing Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

You can read more about her in a blog post I did a number of years back on her birthday.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Jakes & Frizzell lines and thru siblings of Pearl.
mtDNA haplogroup U3a1c8a.

Minnie Acuff Luna
Birth: October 26, 1899, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.
Death: July 5, 1957, in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
Burial: Charity Baptist Church Cemetery, Hazel Green, Alabama.
Minnie's obituary is transcribed in my blog post at

Parents
Father: James Polk Acuff (1872–1939)
Mother: Emma Frances Hale (1875–1939)

Husband
William Richard Luna (1892–1994) married July 18, 1915, in Van Buren Co., Tennessee.

Children
Eustace/Huston Haskell Luna (1916–1992)
James Bertrom Luna (1919–2000)
Geneva Hortense Luna (1922–1923)
Mary Elizabeth Luna (1924–1925)
Ressie Mae Luna (1926–2015)
Otis Linel Luna (1929–2006)
Jessie Lee Luna (1932–2024)
Living Daughter
William Ernest "Bill" Luna (1937–2020)
My Mother who is still living
Roy Wayne Luna (1943–2013)

Sources
Censuses
1900 Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p2A
1910 Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p2A
1920 Madison Co AL Dallas p 10B
1930 Lincoln Co TN Dist 2 p 7A
1940 Lincoln Co TN p 4B
1950 Van Buren Co TN ED 88-5 sheet 3

Vital Records
She lost two infant daughters, Geneva & Elizabeth. Elizabeth's birth announcement was listed in the Huntsville Times(AL).

She was in and out of the hospital several times. My Mom remembers that they pulled fluid off of her frequently.  
She was struck by lightning and lived.
She was also hit by a stray bullet from folks hunting while sitting in her front yard in Van Buren Co TN and survived that but died at the age of 57.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9335871/minnie-luna : accessed May 8, 2026), memorial page for Minnie Acuff Luna (26 Oct 1899–5 Jul 1957),.Memorial ID 9335871, citing Charity Baptist Church Cemetery, Hazel Green, Madison County, Alabama, USA.

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Acuff & Hale lines and thru siblings of Minnie.
mtDNA haplogroup is H3ei2.

Great Grandmothers
Jane Bell King Cook
Birth: March 5, 1853, in Arkansas.
Death: May 7, 1921, in Rockvale, Rutherford Co, Tennessee. 
The cause of death is noted as pulmonary tuberculosis.
Burial: May 1921, at the King Cook Cemetery in Rover, Bedford County, Tennessee.

Parents
Father: William Benton King (1819–1901)
Mother: Eliza Jane Manire (1818–1896)

Husband
William Green Cook (1854–1944); Married 1876.Marriage: February 3, 1876, in Bedford County, Tennessee, to William Green Cook.

Children
John Lemuel Cook (1877–1968)
Rebecca Love Cook (1882–1928)
Eliza Amacy Cook (1885–1973)
Thomas Dewitt Cooke (1888–1971)
William Clarence Cook (1891–1962)
Laura E. Cook (1896–1898)

Sources 
Census
1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 Rover P.O. p222
1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 292A
1880 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 275C
1900 Bedford Co TN Dist 9 p 5B
1910 Rutherford Co TN Dist 12  p 14B
1920 Entire Household was missed (She had Tuberculosis)

Vital Records
Jane is listed as mother on the TN Death Certificates of her son Clarence and her daughter Rebecca.
Jane is listed as mother on the Indiana Death Certificate of daughter, Eliza.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15668259/jane_belle-cook : accessed May 7, 2026), memorial page for Jane Belle King Cook (5 Mar 1853–7 May 1921),Memorial ID 15668259, citing King-Cook Cemetery, Unionville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the King & Manire lines and thru siblings of Jane.

Telitha Ann Frizzell Jakes
Birth: 28 Mar 1858 in Bedford County, Tennessee.
Death: 18 May 1920 in Bedford County, Tennessee 
Burial: 19 May 1920 at Willow Mount Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee.

Parents
David W. Frizzell (1808–1870)
Rebecca Manley (1818–1862)

Husband
James M. Jakes (1857–1941)01 Sep 1880 in Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Children
Ella Ruby Jakes (1881–1934)
Fannie Cora Jakes (1883–1965)
Lula B. Jakes (1885–1977)
Katherine "Kitty" Jakes (1887–1963)
John L. Jakes (1889–1937)
Pearl Gray Jakes (1891–1993)
William Bryan Jakes (1897–1997)
Frank Euless Jakes (1900–1983)

Sources
Census 
1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 117
1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 171B
1880 Never Located her in this census
1900 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 12B
1910 Bedford Co TN Bell Buckle p 6A
1920 Bedford Co TN Dist 7 excluding Shelbyville p 1B

Vital Records
Annie is listed as Mother on son John's Social Security Applications and Claims Index and also on his TN Death Certificate as well as the TN Death Certificate of daughter Cora.

Property Records: Bedford County Deed Book 21, p 124 (Recording the sale of land to Abe Eaton in 1914).

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95394553/thelitha_ann-jakes: accessed May 7, 2026), memorial page for Thelitha Ann “Annie” Frizzell Jakes (28 Mar 1858–18 May 1920), Memorial ID 95394553, citing Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Frizzell & Manley lines and thru siblings of Annie.
mtDNA haplogroup U3a1c8a.

Nancy F Pitman Luna
Birth: 1867 in Tennessee.
Death: April 1899
Burial: Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Parents
Father: David Pitman (1838–1922)
Mother: Mary D. Frances Adcock (1842–1902)

Husband
David Enoch Luna (1865–1948) on July 19, 1885, in White Co, Tennessee. 
Bond and License were issued on July 18, 1885.

Children
Minnie Frances Luna (1887–1976)
Martha Elizabeth Luna (1889–1939)
Haskell Luna (1891–1891)
William Richard Luna (1892–1994)
Mary Lee Nova Luna (1896–1996)
Samuel Douglas "Dougie" Luna (1899–1989)

Sources
Census
1870 Rutherford Co TN, Dist 6 p 298B
1880 Dekalb Co TN, p 97B

Research Note
Nancy’s residence moved between Rutherford and DeKalb counties during her youth. Notably, her final child, Samuel, was born in March 1899, just one month before her recorded death in April 1899.
When she gave birth to my maternal Grandfather Will in April of 1892 she was in Jordan, Fulton County, Kentucky.  I've always been puzzled by that because the family lived in the Dekalb, White, and Van Buren Co of Tennessee any other time I find them.  My theory is that she was visiting some of her kinfolk there and went into premature labor.  Pa was a really small baby and they did not think he was going to make it but he lived to be 101 years old--dying less than a month from what would have been his 102 birthday.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57299038/nancy_florence-luna : accessed May 7, 2026), memorial page for Nancy Florence Pittman Luna (1867–1899),Memorial ID 57299038, citing Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA.

Emma Frances "Fannie" Hale Acuff
Birth: 5 Nov 1875 in Cane Ridge, Van Buren County, Tennessee.
Death: 5 Sep 1939 in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama.
Burial: Sep 1939 at Charity Cemetery in Hazel Green, Madison County, Alabama.

Parents
Father: William P. Hale (1849–1926)
Mother: Nancy Arminda Hitchcock (1840–1887)

Husband
James Polk Acuff: Married 27 Feb 1897 in Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Children
William Elsie Acuff (1898–1981)
Minnie Acuff (1899–1957)
Ovena Acuff (1902–1975)
Ernest Odin Acuff (1904–1935)
Emma Lou Acuff (1908–1994)
Sarah Acuff (1911–1989)

Sources
Census 
1880 Bledsoe Co TN, Dist 1, p 3A HH # 50
1900 Van Buren Co TN, Dist 1, p 2A
1910 Van Buren Co TN, Dist 1, p 2A
1920 Van Buren Co TN, Dist 1, p 10A
1930 Madison Co AL, Dallas, p 10A

Vital Records:
Fannie is listed as the mother on the TN Death Certificate of daughter Minnie as well as in the Social Security Application and Claims Index for daughter, Sarah.

The Huntsville Times, 5 Sep 1939, p 8, col 3
DEATH CLAIMS MRS. ACUFF, 63 
Rites For Local Woman Will Be Held at Home Tomorrow 
Mrs. James Acuff, 63, died this morning at 4 o'clock at the residence, 319 Rison avenue, following a long illness. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock at the home, with Homer P. Reeves, minister of the Central Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will follow in Charity cemetery, with Womack in charge of arrangements. Surviving are the husband; one son, William Acuff; four daughters, Mrs. Minnie Luna, Mrs. Ovena Sharp Sara Acuff, all of Huntsville, and Mrs. Emma Sanders, of Tennessee; and two brothers, Sam and Charles Hale, both of McMinnville, Tenn.
Pallbearers at the funeral will be John McBride, Bob Knowles, H. P. Patton, Lloyd Polk, Raymond Smith and Horace Anderton. 

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Hale & Hitchcock lines and thru siblings of Fannie.
mtDNA haplogroup is H3ei2.

2nd Great Grandmothers
Elizabeth Putman Cook
Birth: 1814 Union County, South Carolina, USA
Death: Sept 5, 1880 Bedford County, Tennessee, USA
Burial: Sept 1880 Rover, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA

Parents
Father: Jabel Putman (1772–1835)
Mother: Nancy Tyler (1784–1870)

Husband
William Clifford Cook(1811–1882): Married on September 27, 1831

Children
Minerva Cook (1834–1900)
James Polk Cook (1836–1888)
Angeline Cook (1838–1938)
Joseph Knox "Joe" Cook (1840–1907)
Rebecca Cook (1843–1857)
Jefferson Gideon Cook Sr. (1845–1931)
Elizabeth Cook (1848–1848)
David V. Cook (1849–1857)
Lurainy Jane Cook (1852–1924)
William Green Cook (1854–1944)
Cass Buchanan Cook (1857–1908)

Sources
Census
1840 Dyer Co TN p 104
1850 Likely Enumerated in Bedford Co TN Dist 10(Dist 10 entries are lost)
1860 Bedford Co TN, Dist 10, p 222
1870 Bedford Co TN, Dist 10, p 292B
1880 Bedford Co TN, Dist 9, p 269D

Vital Records: Vital Records: Her maiden name is listed on the TN Death Certificate of Daughter Lurainy(though it is not spelled correctly.  Her full name is listed on the TN Death Certificates of son Wm Green Cook and Jefferson Gideon Cook.  I have not yet located the death certificate of Angeline Cook.

Newspapers: National Banner and Nashville Whig (December 7, 1831)announces W C & Elizabeth's Sept marriage along with others.  Note on Marriage Date: While some transcriptions list the marriage as September 29, the original license confirms the ceremony was solemnized by Lemuel Manire on September 27, 1831.

FamilySearch Records: Including a deed for 42 acres in Williamson County

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66488146/elizabeth-cook : accessed May 6, 2026), memorial page for Elizabeth Putman Cook (1814–5 Sep 1880), Memorial ID 66488146, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Putman line thru siblings of Elizabeth.

Eliza Jane Manire King
Birth: 1818 in Williamson Co., Tennessee.
Death: April 1896 in Gainesville, Cooke Co., Texas.
Burial: Gainesville, Cooke Co., Texas.

Parents
Father: David Lemuel Manire (1792–1837)
Mother: Susanna Elizabeth Jackson (1798–1862)

Husband
William Benton King (1819–1901), married in 30 Sep 1841 in Williamson Co., Tennessee. The ceremony was solemnized by William Davis.

Children
Susanna Rebecca King (1842–1932)
Minerva Mary King (1845–1925)
W. J. King (1848–1860)
Stephen Robert King (1850–1913)
Jane Bell King (1853–1921)
Margaret Jordon King (1855–1926)
Richard Nance King (1857–1910)

Sources
Census 
1830 Williamson Co TN p 178 line 16 She is Female 10-14 in fathers Household
1840  Not yet found likely Williamson Co TN in Widowed Mother's Household
1850 Rutherford Co TN Versailles, p 245A
1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 222
1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 292A
1880 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 Rover p 275C

Vital Records
Eliza's maiden name of Manier/Manire is listed on Mary Manerva's TX Death Certificate.  Her full name is listed on the TN Death Certificate of her daughter Jane B King Cook.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89397706/eliza_jane-king : accessed May 6, 2026), memorial page for Eliza Jane Manire King (1818–Apr 1896), memorial ID 89397706, citing Fairview Cemetery, Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Manire line thru siblings of Eliza.

Catherine Morrow Jakes
Born: About 1830
Died: After 26 Dec 1881 evidenced by her role in a deed transfer at that time.

Parents
Father:   James Morrow(1785–1839)
Mother:  Margaret Sutton(1792–1844)
Dates of parents death(year) are given in records concerning land which fell to her and her siblings after parents death.

Husband
George Jakes married about 1845

Children
Ann Jakes (1846–1890)
Parthenia Jakes (1847–1895)
Margaret Elizabeth "Bettie" Jakes (13 Jun 1850 – 1933)
Jane Jakes (1855–1898)
James M Jakes (02 May 1857 – 1941)
William Jakes (Born ~1859)

Sources
Census:
1830 Bedford County  p 110 line 1(She is female under 5 in James Morrow's Household)
1840 Not Found likely in Bedford as she marries there abt 1845 look at guardian records
1850 Bedford Co TN Dist 1 p 80(stamped)
1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 1 Fairfield PO p 6(written)
1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 1 Shelbyville PO p 119(stamped)
1880 Rutherford Co TN Dist 24 p 372B

Court & Legal:
To determine a date of death range, the following court case was used.
George Jakes Deed to W A Kelton Rutherford Co TN Dist 24
Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958) listed on daughter Bettie's TN Death Certificate but spelled as Marr likely from how some pronounced Morrow.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Morrow line thru siblings of Catherine.

Rebecca Manley Frizzell
Birth: 1818 in Bedford County, Tennessee.
Death: 1862 in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Parents
Father: Reuben Manley (1782–1854)
Mother: Margaret Elizabeth Frizzell (1783–1827)

Husband
David W. Frizzell (1808–1870)(source: Frizzell Bible)  15 Nov 1834

Children
Lee Andrew Frizzell (1835–1901)
Margaret Catherine Frizzell (1837–1845)
James Reuben Frizzell (1839–1912)
Mary Elizabeth Frizzell (1840–1910)
David Crockett Frizzell (1842–)
Henry Hugh Clay Frizzell (1845–1917)
Permelia Jane Frizzell (1846–1882)
John B. Frizzell (1851–1929)
Absalom Manley Frizzell (1852–1931)
Theoderick Rushing Frizzell (1854–1926)
Telitha Ann Frizzell (1858–1920)

Sources
Census
1830: Bedford Co Tennessee p  131  Line 16(Female 10-14 in Reuban Manley's Household)
1840: Bedford Co Tennessee p 20 line 1(Female 20-29 in David's Household)
1850: Bedford Co Tennessee Dist 4 p 113B 
1860: Bedford Co Tennessee Dist 4 p 116B 

Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958) She is listed as mother on her children John B, Ab Manley and Telitha Annie's Death Certificates
Frizzell Bible(published 1846) Transcribed in Bible Records of Calloway County and Adjoining Counties(1971)

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Manley line thru siblings of Rebecca.
mtDNA haplogroup U3a1c8a

Keziah Rigsby Luna
Birth: May 1832 in Tennessee.
Death: 1909 in DeKalb County, Tennessee.
Burial: 1909 at Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Parent
Father: Canada Rigsby (1788–1848)
Mother: Mary Lewis (1790–1850)

Husband
Elisha Luna (1825–1889)December 11, 1851, in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Children
Samuel Turney Luna (1853–1903)
Elisha Luna (1855– )
James Dykes Luna (1858–1930)
Nancy Frances Luna (1863–1937)
David Enoch Luna (1865–1948)
Perry Green Luna (1869–1920)

Sources
Census
1850 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 6 p 86 
1860 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 7 Smithville PO p 129
1870 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 7 p 177b
1880 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 7 p 171c
1900 Dekalb Co. TN Dist. 7 p 181
US Federal Census records. These place her consistently in Civil Districts 6 and 7 of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Vital Records
Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958) Listed as mother on the TN Death Certificate of her sons, James D, and David E.  Also listed as mother on son, Perry G. and daughter, Mary F's AL Death Records.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71693814/keziah_ziggy-luna : accessed May 5, 2026), memorial page for Keziah “Kizzie” Rigsby Luna (May 1832–1909), Memorial ID 71693814, citing Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA 
atDNA matches with cousins thru Rigsby and Lewis lines.

Mary Adcock Pitman
Birth: 20 May 1842 DeKalb County, Tennessee
Death: 30 Dec 1902 DeKalb County, Tennessee
Burial: Young Bend Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee

Parents
Father: Thomas Adcock (1817–1905)
Mother: Frances Bowles (1819–1906)

Husband
David Pitman (1838–1922)
Marriage Date: 22 Dec 1859 DeKalb County, Tennessee

Children
Thomas Lucian Pittman (1861–1912)
Marshall Pitman (1865–1939)
Green Pitman (1867– )
Nancy Florence Pittman (1867–1899)
David Harlin Pitman (1869–1949)
Francis P. Pittman (1872–1947)
Mary Evelyn Pittman (1873– )
Sarah L. Pittman (1878–1961)
James M. Pittman (1880–1910)
William Horace Pittman (1883–1953)
John Tatum Pitman (1886–1970)
Robert Cecil Pittman (1886–1959)

Sources
Census 
1850 DeKalb Co. TN Dist 6 p 84A
1860 Dekalb Co. TN 7th Civil Dist p 132
1870 Rutherford Co. TN 6th Civil Dist PO Florence p 298B
1880 Dekalb Co. TN Dist 11 p 97B
1900 Dekalb Co. TN Civil Dist 7 p 175A

Tennessee State Marriages (1780-2002): Documentation for her 1859 wedding.
Her maiden name of Adcock is listed on her son David's California Death Certificate
Her full name is listed on TN Death Cert. of daughters Sarah and Pearl as well as the Social Security Application of her son Wm Horace Pittman.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54762406/mary_frances-pitmon : accessed May 5, 2026), memorial page for Mary Frances Adcock Pitmon (20 May 1842–30 Dec 1903), Memorial ID 54762406, citing Young Bend Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA 
atDNA matches with cousins thru Adcock and Bowles lines.

Sarah McElroy Acuff
Birth: November 28, 1847, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.
Death: July 2, 1925, in Dallas, Madison County, Alabama.
Burial: July 4, 1925, at McElroy Cemetery, Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Parents
Father: Andrew Jackson McElroy (1820–1900)
Mother: Jane Webb (1825–1867)

Husband 

William Leon Acuff: Married January 5, 1871, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.
They met while he was preaching at the Antioch Christian Church.
He preceded her in death in 1898.

Children
James Polk Acuff (1872–1939)
Andrew Jackson Acuff (1873–1942)
Mattie Ella Acuff (1877–1950)
William Howard Acuff (1880–1914)

Sources
Census Records
1850: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 367B HH# 14
1860: Van Buren Co TN Spencer P.O. p 21 HH# 273
1870: Van Buren Co TN Bone Cave 1st Civil Dist p. 304a HH# 15
1880: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 245A
1900: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 3A
1910: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 2B
1920: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 1B

Vital & Legal Records
Marriage Record: Van Buren County Marriage Book (January 5, 1871).
Death Records: * Alabama Death Index (1908-1959)
Alabama Death Certificate for Mrs. Sarah Acuff.
Listed as Mother on AL Death Cert of son James
Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958)
Listed as Mother on TN Death Cert of sons, Andrew and Wm Howard & daughter Mattie

Obituary: Published in The Huntsville Times(AL) on July 3, 1925 p 1 col 2
Mrs. Sarah Acuff, age 77 years, died Thursday evening at 3 o'clock at residence No 405 Rison Ave., after a long illness.
She survived by one daughter, Mrs. M. E. Slattons, two sons, A. J. and J. P. Acuff, all of Huntsville.
The body will be shipped to Quebeck, Tenn., Saturday morning for interment with Laughlin in charge.


Burial: McElroy Cemetery Van Buren Co. TN, USA
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52395889/sarah-acuff : accessed May 5, 2026), memorial page for Sarah McElroy Acuff (28 Nov 1847–2 Jul 1925), Memorial ID 52395889, citing McElroy Cemetery, Van Buren County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches with cousins thru McElroy and Webb lines.

Nancy Arminda Hitchcock Hale
Birth: September 6, 1840, in Warren County, Tennessee.
Death: Between April 1883 and 1887 (based on birth of last child and husband's date of remarriage)

Parents
James P. Hitchcock (1810–1897)
Charlotta Fleming (1819–1909)

Husband
William P. Hale (1849–1926) Married around 1870.

Children
Charles Forest Hale(1872–1956)
America Hale Hillis(1874–1963)
Emma Frances Hale Acuff(1875–1939)
Vesta C. Hale Hillis(1876–)
Alice Hale(1878–)
James Buchanan Hale(1880–1947)
Sam Hale(1883–1947)

Sources
Census
1840: Warren County, TN (p 366b) She was born after census date Family enumerated
1850: Bledsoe County, TN (P 411a)
1860: Bledsoe County, TN (P 381, HH# 23/23) PO: Pikeville
1870: Bledsoe County, TN (P 1b, HH# 13/13) Dist 1
1880: Bledsoe County, TN (P 3A, HH# 50) Dist 1

Vital Records
Tennessee Death Records (1908–1965). Listed as Mother on
Buck and Sam's Death Certificates
U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index (1936–2007) Listed as Charles' mother on his US Soc. Sec Application and Claims Index.

DNA
atDNA matches with cousins thru Hale & Fleming lines.
mtDNA haplogroup is H3ei2.

Monday, April 27, 2026

Obituary of Minnie Acuff Luna--Lincoln Co TN(1957)


Funeral Services Held At Taft Church Sunday For Mrs. Minnie Acuff Luna

Funeral services for Mrs. Minnie Acuff Luna, 57, were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, at the Taft Church of Christ by Lewis Ellenburg of Huntsville, Ala.

Mrs. Luna died at the local hospital last Friday at 7:30 p.m., following a very long illness. Interment was at Charity.

Survivors include her husband, Will Luna; four daughters, Mrs. Lester Moore of Nashville, Mrs. Rufus Luna of Sparta, Mrs. William Brown of Peoria, Ill., and Miss Beatrice Luna of Taft; five sons, Bert and Wayne Luna of Taft, Haskel Luna of Huntsville, Ala., Otis Luna of Nashville, and Ernest Luna of the Smyrna Air Base; three sisters, Mrs. Ovenia Sharp and Mrs. Sarah Adair of Chattanooga, and Mrs. Emma Sanders of Huntsville; one brother, Elsie Acuff of Chattanooga, and 12 grandchildren.

[Note:  The name Rufus should be Reefus]

While searching through the Lincoln County News and the Fayetteville Observer, I found several mentions of my grandmother, Minnie Acuff Luna, in the local hospital listings. When I called my mother to verify my grandmother’s hospitalization dates, she recalled that she, too, had been hospitalized with lockjaw shortly after her mother’s passing. I checked those same newspaper columns again and was able to confirm her account.

Sources:

"Funeral Service Held at Taft Church Sunday for Mrs. Minnie Acuff Luna," July 11, 1957 , Vol 53, No 28, p 1, col 3: digital images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-93T3-XD3G : accessed 27 April 2026), IGN 8992133, Image 430 of 1297.

"Patients In Hospital," Fayetteville Observer(TN), July 14 1955, Vol CV, No 27, p 4, col 3; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-Q3RT-S3QF : accessed 27 April 2026), IGN 8984986, Image 899 of 1277.[Mrs W. R. Luna Taft Rt.]

"Patients At Hospital," Fayetteville Observer(TN), Nov 17 1955, Vol CV , No 45, p 12, col 5; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-13RT-SS2M : accessed 27 April 2026), IGN 8984986, Image 1175 of 1,277.[Mrs W. R. Luna Taft Rt.]

"List of Patients at Local Hospital," Lincoln County News, Nov 17 1955, Vol 51, No 46, p 1, col 1,; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-93T3-HK96 : accessed 27 April 2026) IGN 8992132, Image 494 of 1072. [Mrs W. R. Luna Taft Route.]

"List of Patients at Local Hospital," Lincoln County News, Dec 29 1955, Vol 51, No 52, p 1, col 1; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-13T3-HKVW : accessed 27 April 2026) IGN 8992132, Image 580 of 1072. [Mrs W. R. Luna Taft Route.]

"Patients At Hospital," Fayetteville Observer(TN), Dec 29 1955, Vol CV, No 51, p 1, col 3; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-B3RT-SSF6 : accessed 27 April 2026), IGN 8984986, Image 1264 of 1277.[Mrs W. R. Luna Taft Rt.]

"Patients At Hospital," Fayetteville Observer(TN), Apr 25 1957, Vol CVII, No 17, p 7, col 5; digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-93RT-QV12 : accessed 27 April 2026), IGN 8984988, Image 207 of 732.[Mrs W. R. Luna Taft Rt.]

Friday, April 24, 2026

Obituary of David Harlin Pitman(1869-1949) Chula Vista CA


Last Rites Held For D. H. Pitman

Funeral services for David Harlin Pitman, 80, who died Sunday in Paradise Valley sanitarium, were conducted at Hubbard mortuary Monday afternoon. The Reverend Clive Williams officiated and burial in Glen Abbey followed. Mr. Pitman, a retired farmer, was born February 25, 1869 in Smithville, Tennessee and resided Tennessee for 29 years later moving to Texas where he lived until moving to Chula Vista in 1942, Survivors include his Mrs. Minnie May Pitman, Chula Vista and the following sons and daughters: Mrs. M. C. Walters, Chula Vista, Mrs. M. P. Smith and Virty L. Pitman, both of El Cajon, Mrs. Mary Cheatwood, Carpenteria, Mrs. Lydia Kendall, Mrs. Rosa Rudolph, Mrs. Billie Gowan, Ollie Ellis, Altie Hendrix, I. L. Pitman, R.V. Pitman, 0. S. Pitman, all of Texas and Mattie, Matthews of Leavenworth, Kansas. Of Mr. Pitman's 48 grandchildren the following reside in this area: David and Patsy Pitman, and Carolyn, Terry and Charles Smith. He is also survived by 20 great grandchildren.

Source:

"Last Rites Held For D. H. Pitman," The Chula Vista Star, August 19, 1949, p 14, col 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chula-vista-star-last-rites-held-for/38098237/ : accessed April 24, 2026), clip page for Last Rites Held for D. H Pitman by user rmbeckman

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Celebrating 22 years of Blogging!!


I'm celebrating 22 years of blogging here at MarieB's Genealogy Blog this week!!  In honor of that, I'm highlighting #22 on my Ahnentafel chart which is my 2nd Great Grandfather, David W. Frizzell.

David W. Frizzell (1808–1870) was a long-time resident of Bedford County, Tennessee living the majority of his life in the Bell Buckle Tennessee area according to census and tax records. He was the son of James M Frizzell and his wife Mary Kennedy. David married Rebecca Manley on November 15th of 1834. Evidence supporting Rebecca's maiden name as Manley can be found in the Frizzell Bible Records and by examining the mother's name on the death certificates of 4 of  David and Rebecca's children(John, Henry, Abbie and Annie.) When their son John B Frizzell's widow passed in 1938, the court records listed all of John B's siblings(Children of David and Rebecca) who had surviving heirs.  You can read more about that at my blog post HERE.    

ChildBirth Year
Lee Andrew Frizzell1835
Margaret Catherine Frizzell1837
James Reuben Frizzell1839
Mary Elizabeth Frizzell1840
David Crockett Frizzell1842
Henry Hugh Clay Frizzell1845
Permelia Jane Frizzell1846
John B. Frizzell1851
Absalom Manley Frizzell1852
Theoderick Rushing Frizzell1854
Telitha Ann Frizzell1858
At least 3 of David's sons fought in the Civil War.  Lee Andrew Perkins Frizzell, James Reuben Frizzell, and David Crockett Frizzell--all in 44th Tennessee Infantry Regiment(Confederate).  Lee Andrew lost one of his legs below his knee because of an injury and David Crockett Frizzell died April 6 1862 at Shiloh. Following the death of wife Rebecca, in 1862, David remarried on January 22, 1863, to Sallie McKee. 

He was enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census of Bedford Co TN but died on the 27th of December 1870 according to the Frizzell Bible Records.

He has many descendants who live in Tennessee and beyond, some of which are among the matches on my DNA match lists at AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FTDNA and 23&me. I need to do more research into his early land records.  I've found some land records between his father and his father in law but need to do further research on both the Frizzell and Manley lines.


Thank You!
A heartfelt thank-you to all my readers and everyone who has supported and encouraged me over the years. I look forward to continuing to share my research and the stories of my ancestors for many more years to come.

Sources:

 "United States, Census, 1840", Bedford County, Tennessee, p 20, line 1, Entry for David Frizell; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYTB-9PJY : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 5154898, Image 47 of 808.

"United States, Census, 1850", Bedford County, Tennessee, Civil District 4, p 113B, Dwelling 69, Family 69, David W Frizzell Household; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DC6Q-L5Z : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 4191095, Image 233 of 555.

"United States, Census, 1860", Bedford County, Tennessee, District 4, p 116B, Dwelling 664, Family 664, David Frizzell Household; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBSF-9SGC : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 5171418, Image of 237 of 565.

"United States, Census, 1870", Bedford County, Tennessee, District 4, p 172B, Dwelling 73, Family 73, David W Frizzell Household; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-68LS-FPQ : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 4275996, Image 123 of 924.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 27671 (1929), Rutherford County, Jno B Frizzell, died 17 October 1929; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6LK4-L7F : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4183624, image 178 of 2526; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 296 (1917), Jackson County, Henry Clay Frizzell, died 2 June 1917; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBYT-TF : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4183258(item 5), image 585 of 2148; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 28807 (1931), Bedford County, A Manley Frizelle, died 25 December 1931; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRQT-6D : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4184127, image 1325 of 1523; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 384 (1920), Bedford County, Annie Jakes, died 18 May 1920; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6SGQ-C5M : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4183998, image 396 of 2274; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

Calloway County Genealogical Society, Bible Records of Calloway County and Adjoining Counties (1971), p. 112, Frizzell Bible(Published 1846); digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/457462 : accessed 19 April 2026), image 111 of 431, Identifier 125297.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Heirs of John Frizzell listed in Rutherford Co TN Minutes(1939)


Date: December 11, 1939
Case: A. D. Frizzell et al. vs. No. 668 Allene Ferrell et al.


This case centers on a 90-acre tract of land originally owned by John (J. B.) Frizzell (recorded in Deed Book 74, page 428). John was the son of David Frizzell and Rebecca Manley Frizzell.  Following John’s death in October 1929, his widow, Susan Frizzell, occupied the property until her own passing in 1939. Because the couple had no children, the estate was distributed to the heirs of John’s siblings. All of his siblings were deceased by the time of this case, so it was necessary to trace the lineage down an addition generation or two.  It is important to remember that the Order of Reference only lists those siblings who produced heirs.  It does not mention Margaret Catherine Frizzell who died young nor  James Reuben Frizzell who is deceased and had no issue. Given the amount of heirs(60), it was determined that it would be best to sell the 90 acre tract.
  1. Lee Andrew Frizzell 5 living children (1/42 share each) and 2 grandchildren (1/84 share each).
  2. Thea Frizzell 8 living children (1/63 share each) and 5 grandchildren via Mary Frizzell Reynolds (1/315 share each).
  3. Sissie Taylor 1 living son, Zack (1/21 share), 1 grandson via Beckie (1/21 share), and 2 grandchildren via Norah (1/42 share each).
  4. Abbie Frizzell 1 living son, A. D. Frizzell, who receives a full 1/7 interest.
  5. Annie Jakes 6 living children and 1 grandchild (Hazel Jakes), each receiving a 1/49 share.
  6. Mealie Fults 3 living children, each receiving a 1/21 share.
  7. Henry Frizzell 11 living children (1/98 share each) and various grandchildren via deceased children Susan, Dona, and Dave (shares ranging down to 1/490).
I didn't mention the names of all the heirs in this article but a complete list can be seen by visiting the URL listed in the source below.

Notes:  
Thea is Theoderick Rushing Frizzell.
Sissie Taylor is Mary Elizabeth Frizzell Taylor.
Abbie Frizzell is Absalom Manley Frizzell.
Annie Jakes(my Great Grandmother) is Telitha Ann Frizzell Jakes.
Mealie Fults is Permelia Jane Frizzell Fulks.

Comparing these minutes against my own research proved highly productive, though it did reveal a discrepancy: one of the grandchildren’s surnames is recorded incorrectly. Based on the context, I suspect this error occurred when the case was being transcribed into the official minutes book.

Source:
Rutherford County(TN) Chancery Court Minutes, Vol OO, p 272-5, A D Frizzell et al vs. No.  668 Allene Ferrell et al; images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L989-Q4QY : accessed 11 April 2026), IGN 7516347, Image 169-170 of 665.

Friday, April 10, 2026

Johnny Jakes' Auto Accident-Rutherford Co. TN (1929)

For several years, I’ve been sitting on a bit of a mystery regarding my grand uncle, John L. Jakes. I had found an earlier article detailing an auto accident he was involved in, which ended with him being arrested and scheduled to appear before the Justice of the Peace the following day. Despite searching, I had never been able to locate a record which detailed the outcome.

With The Home Journal (Murfreesboro, TN) now available on FamilySearch, I finally located a follow-up piece that fills in the blanks. While both articles refer to him as "Johnny Jakes," I’m certain it’s my John L. because the reports mention his occupation as a local barber in Murfreesboro.

The two articles tell a very different story when read together. In the first, Johnny claimed he wasn't the driver, alleging that another man had been behind the wheel and fled the scene immediately after the crash. However, the second article, which was published after his court appearance which suggests the judge didn't buy that story. It appears there was no mystery driver after all; it was Johnny behind the wheel, and he had been driving while under the influence. Thankfully there were no injuries. I’m glad I located the second article. It gives me some idea of what really happened.