Jonathan Acuff's Place Mentioned in Newspaper Article(1932)

My 3rd Great Grandfather, Jonathan Acuff was mentioned in an article in the Sept 22, 1932 edition of the Bledsonian and Pikeville Banner. The article was a follow-up to a previous piece about Blackmon Shirley(known as the oldest G. A. R.veteran) who, according to Calhoun Swafford, had at one time lived at the Jonathan Acuff's place. 

But at what time was that?  

I did find Blackmon in Bledsoe County Tennessee. during the 1850 US Federal Census. Blackman's age in census records is all over the place.  After looking at the listing of his reported ages as a whole, I feel his actual birth year was around 1830, which would make him about 103 at the time of his death--definitely an interesting character.

Mr. Swafford noted in the article that it had been about 55 years since he had seen Blackmon, placing their last encounter prior to 1877. Hamilton County Tennessee borders Bledsoe County, but it is most likely that Blackmon lived at the Acuff place sometime between the 1840s and 1860. While we know he was in Bledsoe County at the time of the 1850 Census, we cannot say for certain that he was living at the Acuff place at that exact time.

 

Transcription of the article:

Calhoun Swafford Knew Shirley 

Calhoun Swafford of Route 1, came to the Bledsonian office Saturday and said that he remembers Black Shirley. An article about Shirley was published in our last issue. He is now said to be living in Springtown, Texas, where is getting considerable publicity on account of his age, he having reached his 114 year. An article clipped from the daily press said that he was a native of Tennessee having lived at Pikeville. Mr. Swafford said Black Shirley at one time lived at the Jonathan Acuff place, now owned by Mrs. Mary Brown on Route 1. Later he lived near Summer City and afterwards moved to Rhea county and from there he moved to Texas. Mr. Swafford thinks it must have been at least 55 years since he last saw him. Mr. Swafford relates an interesting experience with Shirley. He said that Shirley came to their home many years ago and boasted that he could ride a wild horse they had in the barn lot. Shirley was warned by Mr. Swafford's father that the horse was wild and could not be ridden. Shirley tried it anyway, and after a fit of bucking Shirley was thrown to the ground and stayed at their home several days before recovering from injuries sustained in the fall. Shirley was related to Mr. Swafford's mother, Mrs. Miria Mills Swafford. He also married a Swafford, it is said. Mrs. H. G. Ferguson stated to The Bledsonian editor that her mother, Mrs. C. E. Pope, also knew Shirley or knew of him when he lived here.

Source:

"Calhoun Swafford Knew Shirley," Bledsonian and Pikeville Banner, Vol XIV, No 51,  Sept 22. 1932, p 1 col 2; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-Q3RX-38B8  : accessed 16 August 2026 ) IGN 8972078, Image 102 of 1057.

1850 US Federal Census Population Schedule, Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Eastern District, Household 361, line 11, Blackman Shurley; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6L9Q-R8N :  accessed 16 August 2026 ). IGN 4191096(Item 2 of 2), Image 202 of 276

Ancestry’s Updated ThruLines: What I Like and What I'd Like To See In Future Updates

The updated layout of Thrulines appeared in my account yesterday.  I think it's a great visualization tool.  It lets you see how many DNA matches have been identified AND fall within the specifications to show up on Thrulines for each branch as you can see in the image below of my Thrulines out to my 2nd Great Grandparents.  

There is nothing that checks to see if the matches are on the correct side though and even if you do evaluate and add or choose not to add there is no option to mark a match as "not valid thru this line."  Case in point, my paternal 2nd cousin once removed (also paternal for him) who is also a maternal 4th cousin once removed (thru his maternal lines) but shares no DNA thru the maternal connection. He shows up in the Thrulines of the Paternal line and the Maternal line. While we are close enough thru the maternal line to have many shared maternal cousins I know he doesn't share DNA with me thru that side because he doesn't share any DNA  with my Mom who has also tested at Ancestry.

Below is a look at my Paternal Grandmother's branch.  The Thrulines doesn't offer the next generations for my 3rd Great Grandmother, Margaret Frizzell. This is due to pedigree collapse as she is a sibling of James M Frizzell my 3rd Great Grandfather(they are the children of Nathan Frizzell and Ruahama Weaver.  It also doesn't show a duplicate of Nathan and Ruahama in card view.  I can't remember if it did prior to the layout change or not.  Regardless they would need to handle pedigree collapse the same over all views of the new display.  I'm guessing it would do the same on a repeat grandfather who had children by multiple wives.  

You can change back to the classic view (at least for now) by selecting Thrulines card view option from the menu on the left. .

When you evaluate the connections a side bar pops out much like it does when you are running comparisons in Hints

Vertical View of match's line of descent from
Polly Jakes sister of my 3rd Gr Grandfather, James Jakes(1788-1847)
of Franklin Co., Virginia

View I see when I click on Samuel Bird, son of Polly Jakes

The image above shows the timeline view

Just below that is the option to toggle Sources which for this one included: 

Records (7) 

Ancestry Member Trees (3)

Photos (1)

Family (6)

What I Like:

• Multiple View Options: Flexibility to switch depending on research needs.
• At-a-Glance Overview: A larger, cleaner overview across several generations.
• Dynamic Zoom: Seamless zooming in and out on horizontal or vertical views.
• Better Layout of Details in the Evaluating Process

What I’d Like to See Next:

• An "Evaluate & Dismiss" Feature: The ability to mark a proposed connection as invalid and remove it from view.
• Parent Side Filtering: Automatically suppressing match suggestions that contradict verified Parent Side assignments. While this wouldn't eliminate incorrect connections that happen to sit on the right parent's side through a different line, it's a great start and would clear up many common errors.

Do you have the new view yet?  What are your thoughts?  

Dunklin Co. Missouri--John Lightfoot Admin of Estate of Milton Lightfoot(Nov 1906)

 Letter of Administration granted to John Lightfoot for estate of Milton A Lightfoot dec'd

Milton Lightfoot departed this life on the 1 day of November 1906, intestate, leaving the following children and heirs at laws, residing as follows, to-wit Rosa Taylor, William Lightfoot, John Lightfoot, Vera Crews, Rena Ridge, and Alice Lightfoot all who reside in the County of Dunklin and State of Missouri, and stating that he will make a perfect inventory and faith fully administer the estate, pay on debts as far as the assets will extend and law direct, and account for and pay all cost which shall come to his knowledge or possession. And it appearing to the court that said Milton Lightfoot, died possessed of Property of a probable value of One Thousand dollars($1000)

It is ordered that Letters of administration of the goods, chattel, credits and effect of said deceased be issued to the said John Lightfoot and that he enter into bond to the state of Missourrit in the sum of Two Thousand Dollars($2000) With two or more sufficient securities residents of this county conditions according to law.  

Now on this same day comes John Lightfoot and files his bond in the sum of Two Thousand Dollars($2000) as such administrator with G.W. Simpkins and J W. Burres? as security.
The court after examining said settlement doth approve the same.

Source
Dunklin Co Missouri Probate Records. Book 11 , p 539 & 540 November Term 1906, Letter of Admin by John Lightfoot for estate of Milton A. Lightfoot dec'd; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89LS-N9WF-2 : accessed 12 July 2026) IGN 7632571(Item 1 of 4) Image 26 of 846. Continued from IGN 007632570(Item 3 of 3) Image 558-9 of 814.

Mamie Jakes Ashley & daughter Harriette Ashley Churchwell

I've written previously about brothers James Jakes and George Jakes, who married sisters Margaret C Morrow and Catherine Morrow, as well as their descendants. You can find one of those posts about Robert Jakes and his wife in this post about Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jakes. I guess I tend to write more about these Jakes Morrow cousins because of the double connection.  I descend thru George Jakes and Catherine Morrow.

Today, I am sharing more information about Robert and Clementine (Pearson) Jakes' daughter, Mary Margaret "Mamie" Jakes Ashley.

Mary Margaret "Mamie" Jakes Ashley (1900–1986) My 2C2R(2x)

Mary Margaret "Mamie" Jakes was a native of Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville. After receiving her B.S. from Peabody, she traveled abroad for a year and completed graduate work at Columbia University upon her return.

On Saturday, July 24, 1926, she married Thomas Converse Ashley at the Nashville home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jakes Sr., on Gillespie Avenue. At the time of her marriage, she was serving as the director of physical education at the Georgia State Woman's College (later Valdosta State College) in Valdosta, Georgia.

Mamie lived in Valdosta for over 55 years before moving to Savannah, Tennessee, in her later years. She was a member of Valdosta's First Christian Church.

Following a long illness, she passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, April 24, 1986, at the Hardin County Nursing Home. She is buried alongside her husband at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta, Georgia.

Harriette Dasher Ashley Churchwell (1928–2016) My 3C1R(2x)

Tom and Mamie's only child, Harriette Dasher Ashley, was born on May 25, 1928, in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia. Harriette earned a teaching degree from the University of Georgia. She went on to teach at Agnes Scott College, where she coached tennis, basketball, synchronized swimming, and cheerleading. An avid sports fan, she particularly loved playing sports, singing, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.

Throughout her life, Harriette lived in Valdosta and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Savannah and Memphis, Tennessee. She was active in her communities, serving as a worship leader at First Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Tennessee, and participating in the Junior Auxiliary and the Savannah Bridge Club. Later in life, she attended Farmington Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Tennessee.

Harriette passed away at the age of 88 on October 3, 2016, in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and was laid to rest in Savannah Cemetery in Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee. She was survived by four daughters and seven grandchildren.

Sources:
"Miss Mary Margaret Jakes Becomes Bride of Thomas Converse Ashley", Nashville Banner, July 25, 1926, p. 13; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-jakesashley-marriage-a/170883371/ : accessed August 8, 2026), clip page for Jakes/Ashley Marriage Announcement by user aandainia

"Mary Jakes Ashley(obituary)" The Jackson Sun, April 25, 1986, p. 16; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-obituary-for-mary-jakes/203391758/ : accessed August 8, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Mary Jakes Ashley by user rmbeckman.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44370281/mary_margaret-ashley: accessed August 8, 2026), memorial page for Mary Margaret “Mamie” Jakes Ashley (26 Oct 1900–24 Apr 1986), Memorial ID 44370281, citing Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, USA.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44370441/thomas_converse-ashley: accessed August 8, 2026), memorial page for Thomas Converse Ashley (16 Jun 1898–25 Oct 1971), Memorial ID 44370441, citing Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, USA.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170918472/harriete_dasher-churchwell: accessed August 8, 2026), memorial page for Harriete Dasher Ashley Churchwell (25 May 1928–3 Oct 2016), Memorial ID 170918472, citing Savannah Cemetery, Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee, USA.

Occupations in 1810 Census of Mason Co., KY

While researching a family unrelated to my own, I stumbled across what is a goldmine for anyone researching ancestors in Mason Co KY. In the 1810 US Federal Census for Mason Co Kentucky the enumerator(John McKee--assistant to the marshall of Kentucky) also recorded occupations for some of the heads of household in addition to the regular information he was required to log.

An example of some of the occupations listed in the Maysville District of Mason County Kentucky:

• Blacksmith
• Butcher
• Cabinetmaker
• Candle Chandler
• Cooper
• Ferryman
• Hatter
• House Carpenter
• Innkeeper
• MD & Innkeeper
• Merchant
• Merchant & Mill
• Minister of the Gospel
• Nailer
• Potter
• Printer
• Raker
• Saddle Treemaker
• Saddler
• School Master
• Shoemaker
• Stone Mason
• Tailor
• Tobacconist
• Waggonmaker

Finding extra notes like these in early census records is always such a fun surprise. Beyond occupations, enumerators occasionally jotted down notes. It’s a great reminder to always check the original handwritten images rather than relying solely on indexed transcripts.

Have you ever stumbled across unexpected marginal notes or hidden details while searching through census records? If so I'd love to hear about it in the comment section below!

Ancestry’s "Describe This Event" Tool

Have you noticed the new BETA "Describe This Event" option popping up on facts in your Ancestry family trees? If you have the feature it would show up in facts or timeline of a profile as seen in the above image. It's been active in my account for several weeks so I’ve been testing it out, and while it has a lot of potential for streamlining how we document our ancestors' lives, it definitely comes with a few caveats. Because it generates information strictly from linked records, it is heavily susceptible to transcription errors and misinterpretations. If an indexed record has an error or misreads a handwriting detail, that error is included in the generated summary even if there are corrections that have been made for it.  As with any AI generated text, there can be misinterpretations. Thankfully, the edit function allows us to clean up those transcription mistakes and add missing details manually

One of my biggest frustrations with adding detailed citations or notes directly to source records in Ancestry has been running into strict character limits. So far, the Description field doesn't seem to have that issue. Having an open space to write comprehensive event details, or lay out proof arguments without hitting a character limit wall is a huge win for thorough researchers and hopefully will inspire others to be more detailed in their research.

I’m still waiting to get access to the updated version of ThruLines. I’m eager to test out the new layout and navigation once it rolls out to my account.