US Veterans Administration Payment Cards

If your ancestor served in the US Army or Navy, while you are gathering service and pension records, don't forget to look for a US Veterans Administration Pension Payment Card(s) if he or his spouse(or dependants) were receiving a pension payment between the years 1907 and 1933. See the article at Fold3.com(in link below)to learn more about the information which is included on the card. While I've gotten several Union Civil War Pension files, I've not found these payment cards as part of the pension file though ordinarily, the information contained on them will be on a number of the documents within the Pension packet.  The card provides a nice running list of the rate of the pension as well as the main pension agency responsible for the area in which the pensioner lived.  The images below are snippets of the ones US Veteran's Administration Pension Payment Cards of Army Widow Tennessee Hill(Widow of Henry F Hill).

Sources:  

Fold3, (https://www.fold3.com/publication/964/us-veterans-administration-pension-payment-cards : accessed May 13, 2023), 

"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-X76D-M?cc=1832324&wc=M6RT-2NP%3A162330801 : 22 May 2014), Hill, Robert - Hill, Zubia L. > image 352 of 760; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-X7DX-F?cc=1832324&wc=M6RT-2NP%3A162330801 : 22 May 2014), Hill, Robert - Hill, Zubia L. > image 350 of 760; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

https://www.archives.gov/files/research/military/army/dc/m850.pdf

19 Things You Can Do to Enhance Your Family Research

Well, it's official.  I've been blogging about people, places, and things I've found helpful in my research for 19 years.  Whew!  In celebration of the blogiversary, I've compiled a list of 19 ways to enhance your family research(listed in no particular order.)

1. DNA Testing--Testing using autosomal and YDNA can bring about research avenues that you might not have ever discovered using only traditional genealogy research.  It can help to focus on our blood ancestors path while broadening our family.  Many times those cousins you discover thru DNA will have pictures, family memorabilia or stories about our ancestors that weren't passed down in our own line from the shared ancestor.  DNA testing mtDNA can also be helpful if you have a specific question about a matrilineal line.
2. Read books about social situations--It was helpful for me to learn more about the Tuberculosis outbreak and hospitals when writing about my Cook(e) family.  My paternal grandfather's oldest sister's family was almost wiped out during the outbreak in Rutherford County Tennessee.  There are also many great books about slavery, women's history, and just about any other social situation you can imagine.
3. Explore the Unindexed records at FamilySearch--These are a goldmine.  I have bookmarked the Place Catalog Search Results for areas I'm researching so that I can see what is available online at FamilySearch.   It makes it feel as if I am at the courthouse browsing thru through the record books.  The best part is, no travel, no need to worry about your attire, and no dust.
4. Genealogy Education--There is so much out there in the way of education for genealogist.  Webinars, Seminars, Books and How To Videos.  Many of the libraries and genealogical societies offer free help.  I personally love Legacy FamilyTreeWebinars. ConferenceKeeper.org is also great for keeping up with all of the educational opportunities out there.
5. Order Document retrieval--There are a good number of document retrieval services offerings.  When you think about how much it would cost to travel to a library and/or archives to get copies of the files you need, it's no wonder that there is a market for retrieval.  I've discovered so much wonderful information in pension files and copies of other records and often wish I had started taking advantage of these services sooner.
6. Network--We really need to interact with other researchers who are studying the same areas or surnames.  They may have specialties that we don't. I've found it helpful to ask a friend about research problems to see if it is my approach that is limiting my results. 
7. Talk to Family--Even siblings have different memories of events that happened in a family due to their own unique perspective.  Talk to cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. They may have stories you don't and may have just assumed you knew the stories.  
8. Cluster Research-- If you aren't researching the friends, associates, and neighbors of your ancestors, you are just getting a partial picture.  Their story is so much deeper than what you see if you merely scratch the surface.
9. Visit areas where your ancestors lived.  If nothing else, it makes you feel closer to them.  It might also put you more "in tune" for researching the area.  For me it's a deep personal experience to walk on the same ground where my ancestors walked.
10. Create a Family Archive of important documents--I have made several of these for my family.  I have one with the papers of my paternal grandparents and another starting at the marriage of my parents.  Often time you don't realize how much information you have until you start assembling the notebook/binder.
11. Plan what becomes of your research--Not to be morbid, but if you don't want your research to end up at the landfill, you need to make plans for what happens to it once you have passed.  State Archives, local libraries or if you have historically significant items such as ledgers or family papers you might consider area museums. 
12. Place Name or One Name Studies--This is a given really.  The more you know about an area in which your ancestor lived, the easier it is to know and understand what was going on in their life.  Also if you familiarize yourself with the different families who carry the same surname, you will be able to differentiate between your Cook family and the other Cook families.
13. Organize Photos and Exchange--Organize your photos and try to identify the subjects and dates of each photo.  Many people do not like to share their photos of ancestors.  I share freely.  They have other descendants who might want copies.  Also if(heaven forbid) something should happen to your photo there will still be a digital version out there. That should be incentive enough to share right there.
14. Use a Notebook(or notebooks) for Brainstorming--Always keep a notebook devoted exclusively to brainstorming on your research.  When you get an idea for an avenue of research, write it down otherwise you are likely to forget.  I keep a notebook on my nightstand.
15. Revisit old Documents and Research periodically--This is especially helpful when you feel you are at a brick wall for a particular ancestors.  Many times what didn't look like helpful information when we first viewed the document is found to be helpful given what we know presently.
16. Write about your research(blog or article submissions)--Writing or blogging is so helpful.  It helps you think thru research issues. Too writing about your ancestors gets your research out there.  This can be scary but it's also scary to have done years of research and no one is aware because it's never been put out there in a publication.  It doesn't matter whether it's a submission to a local or national genealogical publication or your own blog.  Please write.
17. Join at least one Historical or Genealogical society--There are many types of historical and/or genealogical societies:  State, county, area, surname or association.   All of these serve a purpose you will just need to find one that suits your needs.  This can also help with networking and publishing.
18. Email or Call County Clerks or Librarians with Specific Questions--Emailing or calling can save you time.  If you are planning on visiting the library or archives, you can be better prepared and increase the likelihood of a successful and productive research day(or week.)  Also, sometimes they can email you a document.  
19. Mentor or be mentored--if you are an experienced researcher consider mentoring a new researcher. I began researching in 1990. I can't tell you the number of times I've wished I could tell my 1990 self DO THIS or DON'T DO THIS.  Regardless of whether you are mentoring or being mentored you will learn new things.

I hope you have found this list helpful and thanks for visiting! 

George Solifelt and wife in Columbus Ohio(Nov. 1902)

 I've been trying out a GenealogyBank subscription and found an additional mention of George H Solifelt in one of the newspapers images.  The paragraph about George contains an amazing amount of information considering it is only 3 sentences long. 

The Details

• George H Solifelt(58) & wife(32) 
• Passed thru Columbus Saturday(Nov 22nd or 29th)
• They were traveling from Pittsburgh to western KS
• They claim to have friends in KS
• They are entirely destitute & plan to take the trip on charity passes
• County Infirmary directors gave them train tickets good as far as London OH

This wife would be Mary who is enumerated with him in the 1900 Census in Granville, Mifflin Co., Pennsylvania(E.D. 135 Sheet 3B). He sides steps the questions about a wife multiple times in his application for a pension and pension increases.  This is likely the one he married in TX and who was born in Mississippi.  His 1st wife, Kate divorced him by publication and her death which occurred about a year prior was covered in a number of newspapers.  Presumably George and Mary didn't make it out to Kansas.  They leave a paper trail in Fort Smith Arkansas and later he and Tennie after Henry F Hill's death do end up in KS.  There is evidence to suggest that Mary was still alive and in Ft Smith(AR) at least until 1926.  George and Tennie came to Iola, KS in April of 1909.

I need to make a timeline. 

Source:  

“Brevities,” Columbus(Ohio) Evening Dispatch, 29 Nov 1902, p. 7, col. 7; digital image, GenealogyBank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 17 Apr 2023).

Trip from Pittsburgh to Columbus(OH) and on to London OH 
Note that this example is shown using present day roads.

Mary Amanda Morton Newsom

Mrs. Mary Amanda Morton Newsom
Died:  Aug 6th 1953 1:25am
Age:  78
Services:  Rover Baptist church on Friday Aug 7th 1953
Burial:  Simpson Cemetery
Lawrence Funeral Home in charge of services
Parents:  Elijah & Mary Culverhouse Morton
Husband:  Jerry Newsom(d. 1935)
Member of Baptist Church
Lifelong Bedford Co. resident

Survivors
Daughters:  Mrs. Albert Hudson of Rover & Mrs. Tanner Farris of Rockvale
Sons:      Frank Newsom of Morrison
                    Roy Newsom of Nashville
            Howard Newsom of Christiana
            James P Newsom of Rover Community
18 Grandchildren
7 Great Grandchildren
One sister, Mrs. Anna Anthony of Lakeland Florida
Two Half-brothers:  Jacob Morton & Robert Morton of Rockvale

Source:

"Mrs. Mary Morton Newsom," Nashville Banner, 6 August 1953, p. 10, col 2; digital images, Newspapers.com(https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 15 April 2023).

Divorce: Emma Sanders vs Dallas Sanders--Madison Co. Alabama 1946

Image 1

Image of Folder 

Image 2 

Divorce Decree. The State of Alabama, Madison County. Circuit Court of Madison County, in Equity 23rd Judicial Circuit

No 8833  June 20th 1946  Emma Sanders(Plaintiff)  vs. Dallas Sanders(Defendant) 

Granted-Plaintiff’s pleadings were taken pro confesso since the defendant did not appear despite having been served a summons. 

Image 3 

Wrapper of Decree

Image 4 

Summons

May 18th 1946 Summons for Dallas Sander to be delivered by sheriff.

Image 5 

Outer Wrapper of Summons

Signed by register and execute on same day.

Filed May 20th 1946

Rec Bk 37 pg 594

Image 6
Plaintiff's pleadings ask for a vinculo matrimonii(absolute divorce)

Image 7

Wrapper of Plaintiff's pleadings

Image 8

Acknowledgement of served summons on defendant and defendants failure to answer.

Image 9

Decree Pro Confesso 

Order Bk  6 pg. 210

Image 10

June 23rd 1946 Complainant's submission for final decree

Image 11

Notice of Register's Submission

Image 12

Certificate of Commissioner regarding Oral Depositions

Image 13

Outer Wrapper Commission to take Oral Depositions

Image 14

Deposition of Emma Sanders witness sworn and examined under and by virtue of a commission issued out of the Circuit Court of Madison County in equity in a certain cause therein pending wherein they said Emma Sanders is Complainant and Dallas Sanders is Defendant. The said witness, being duly sworn to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, deposes and says as follows:

My name is Emma Sanders. I am the Complainant in this cause and I am of full age and of sound mind. I am bona fide a resident of Madison County, Alabama having bona fide resided in the state for more than one year next before the filing of my bill for divorce. The Defendant also is of full age of sound mind and he resided at the time of the filing of my bill for divorce at 407 Rison Avenue, Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama and still lives in Madison County, Alabama. He and I were married on the 4th day of March 1933 by license regularly issued out of the probate court of Madison County Alabama and lived together thereafter as men and wife until the 12th day of May, 1946, at which time we separated while living in Madison County, Alabama, and we have not lived together since. During the time that we cohabited the Defendant drank to excess and was extremely quarrelsome when intoxicated. He has on more than one occasion struck me and has threatened my life. I was afraid that he might carry out his threats and separated from him at the time mentioned above and have not since cohabited with him.

Emma Sanders

"Alabama, Madison County Chancery and Circuit Court Records, 1829-1968," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897T-TXHD?cc=1978142&wc=9L3B-6MF%3A1080063303%2C1080497701%2C1080551102 : 26 June 2014), Divorces and Disputed Estates > 1946 > Case no 8833 Sanders, Emma vs Sanders, Dallas > image 1 of 14; citing Madison County Record Center, Huntsville.

Emma Lou Acuff Sanders
1908-1994

Granny's Charlotte Street Neighbor: Mrs. Nell Burgie Miller

During the early 1970s, my grandmother lived on North Charlotte Street in Dickson at 203 which she rented from the Sheltons.  It was a duplex but she'd rented both sections.  One of her neighbors was a lady named Mrs. Miller who taught music in her home.  I knew the address and the surname but did not remember her given name or her husband's name.  Her husband had passed before Granny moved to the house across the street. I went looking in the Dickson Co TN records at FamilySearch and was able to find her in the Tax books that goes up to the year 1965(1962-1965 image 789 of 906.₁  

After finding her in the tax list listed as Mrs. H. C Miller I was able to locate her and her husband in the 1950 Census.₂  In the census she was one of the people who were asked additional questions.  She'd been married for about 26 years but gave the number of years married as 20 in the supplemental section.  She did not have any children that I remembered and that was confirmed from her answer to that question as well.  

Transcription of Wedding Announcement from Dickson Society Page of Nashville Banner.₃
Miss Nell Burgie of Dickson and Mr. Harold Miller of Nashville were united in marriage Tuesday evening(Aug 26th) at the First Baptist church parsonage in Nashville, the Rev. Dr. Dargon officiating.  The bride is the daughter of J. B. Burgie of Dickson, and the groom is the son of the late William Miller and is an employee of the N.C. & St. L. railway.  They went to Chattanooga for a brief bridal tour and will return to Dickson to reside.

Abstract of Death Notice ₄
Death Notices: Dickson, TN
Mrs. Nell Burgie Miller age 95.  

Saturday, November 3 1989. Greenvalley Health Care Center.

Retired piano and organ teacher of Dickson.  

Widow of the late Harold C Miller.    

Survivors include her two nephews, Leslie W Stitt of Deerfield Beach FLA and Larry B Stitt of Amarillo, TX; several great nieces and nephews.  

Funeral Services: Tuesday, November 7, 1989 at 3:30 pm from the Chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home  with Warren Medley officiating.  

Active Pallbearers:  Jack Willey, Donald Weiss, Sr. Dr David Robinson, Rex Buttrey, Dr. Bill Jackson and Tom Woodall.  

Honorary Pallbearers:  Bro D Ellis Walker, Tom Davidson, George Nail, Bro Harley Buttrey, and all Former Music Students.  

Interment in the Dickson Union Cemetery. Those desiring memorials may be made to the Dickson County Library, Services under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home Dickson, TN 446-2808

Nell & her husband Harold are buried in their lot at Union Cemetery which is located off of Charlotte Street. ₅ My father is also buried  at Union Cemetery.

Sources:

1. Tennessee, Dickson County, 1831-1965; Browsable images. "County Tax Records, 1962-1965,"  image 789 of 906, FamilySearch. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-C419?i=788&cat=93578 : accessed 22 March 2023) FHL 497701, 1967.
2. 1950 US Federal Census, Dickson Co. TN, Enumeration District 22-7, Household #218, sheet 18, Lines 26-27(H C & Nell Miller) 202 N Charlotte Street; U.S. National Archives,  1950 Census  (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
3. "Society in Neighboring Towns--Dickson," Nashville Banner, Sun 31 Aug 1924, p 6, col 6; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121395792/marriage-of-burgle-miller/ : accessed 22 Mar 2023).
4. Death Notices, The Tennessean, 5 Nov 1989, pg 33 col 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 22 Mar 2023).
5. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209149407/nell-burgie-miller: accessed 22 March 2023), memorial page for Nell Burgie Miller (25 Oct 1894–4 Nov 1989), Find a Grave Memorial ID 209149407, citing Union Cemetery, Dickson, Dickson County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by bbarnhill (contributor 47395133).

Joseph Knox Cook Probate from Rutherford Co. TN Court Minute Book(1907-1908)

Rutherford Co TN Minute Book of County Court, 1804-1962, SS-TT, 1904-1911  Book TT  
FHL Film # 379635
Book TT pg 47  Image 318 of 594 J. K Cook, deceased and J Knox Cook appointed Admin of Estate
Book TT pg 66  Image 328 of 594 Guardian ad litem appointed for Eula T King, Emily May King and Jos. W Cook(grandchildren of J K Cook) with no protest from other heirs.
Book TT pg 132 Image 361 of 594 Notes that a sale list is returned(list not in minutes)
Book TT pg 164 Image 377 of 594 State of Estate, Land, debts, heirs and proposed sale of land.
Book TT pg 183 Image 386 of 594 Degree Confirming Sale and Clerk's Report on Sale

View pages of the court book by clicking on the hyperlinked page numbers above after first logging on to FamilySearch.org.  (viewing is free with a registered account which is also free)

Quick Note From County Court Minutes: Wm Cook

This William Cook mentioned in the Bedford Co TN Court Minutes during the August 1850 Term is the William Cook whose family was from Orange Co NC.  He married Nancy Lentz and they lived in the 18th District of Bedford Co TN.  Know the difference between YOUR ancestor and other people with the same name.  

✅Same Name  
✅Same County 
❌Same District 
❌Same Age 
❌Same Spouse Name

His census entry for the 1850(which happens to be the last one in which he appears) can be seen at FamilySearch at the link listed below.

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCDQ-1SP : 23 December 2020), William Cook, Civil District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Bedford Co. TN Schools-1850

Court order for School Commissioner Elections in preparation for organizing the public schools in Bedford Co. TN.  

Bedford Co TN County Court Minutes 1848-1852  pg 201 img 109 of 844(Jul Term 1850)

Of course I was curious what Act passed on Feb 8th 1850.  The quickest way to find that was to look at Hathitrust for TN Acts from that year. It was an act to amend the laws in relation to Common Schools in Bedford County, and for other purposes.

Source: 

Tennessee, Bedford County, County Court Minutes 1848-1852; Browsable images. "County Court minutes, 1848-1855, 1857-1860, 1863-1963." FamilySearch. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-D3C6-99MH-V?mode=g&cat=238954 : 1965.

Act of the state of Tennessee Passed at the First Session of the Twenty-Eighth General Assembly, For the Years 1849-1850.  

Knoxville, Tenn. : Published by Authority, 1909; Hathitrust (https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b3692983?urlappend=%3Bseq=453%3Bownerid=9007199257982285-435 : accessed 10 March 2023.)

My RootsTech 2023 Take-Away

I was one of many people(#NotAtRootsTech) who attended virtually.  It can be overwhelming because there are so many classes, talks and demos going on at the same time.  I concentrated on the live streams and chose the ones which were pertinent to my research.  There are still many more in the on demand portion of the classes which I plan to watch.

These were my favorites among the live-streamed classes(In no particular order) You can find these and more in the On Demand section at RootsTech.

• Antebellum Emancipations & Free People of Color-LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson & Deborah A. Abbott
• Using Manuscript Collections-Deborah A. Abbott
• 10 Things a Genealogist Should Do Before Leaving a Library or Archives-Melissa Barker
• How Do I Know That’s My Ancestor?-Amy Johnson Crow
• DO GENEALOGY Step-By-Step-Janet Hovorka, Diahan Southard, & Crista Cowan
• Getting Organized Using Technology and a Research Report-Kelli Jo Bergheimer
• How third-party DNA tools can help with your family history research-Jonny Perl
• Endogamy in DNA research-Tanner Blair Tolman
• Follow the Money! Records of the Record Makers-Judy G. Russell
• Shared DNA Matches - the only DNA Tool You will Ever Need-Diahan Southard

I did look thru the virtual Expo Hall some and watched the high lights of the sponsors presentations. There was a lot of focus on AI technology. The Sponsoring companies had some announcements of new tools and features.  

MyHeritage has added color coding in Family Trees, a new DNA tool--the cM Explainer™ and announced their 3rd Installment of DNA Quest Initiative.

To find out what all is happening at FamilyTreeDNA check out their blog and look for their recorded livestream session from RootsTech2023.

Ancestry.com introduced Storymaker Studio and DNA Compare which allows you to compare matches Ethnicity Estimates and DNA Communities. 

The above screenshot is the Ethnicity Estimate Comparison of two of my siblings and myself.

In the above screenshot I have compared 2 of my siblings, myself and our paternal 2nd cousin once removed.  He is one generation closer to our ICW Cook and Putman couple.  I think it's pretty cool that they can get within a range of the counties.  My Mom's is more specific as well so if that's not an incentive to get the older generations in your family DNA tested I don't know what is.

I took advantage of the RootsTech special and purchased the new RootsMagic9.  I have been using RootsMagic since version 7 and prior to that I used FamilyTreeMaker.  There are some great color-coding features in  RM.  In the new version of RootsMagic there is an Association option which allows you to add other relationships outside of family which will be very helpful in Cluster research.

If you haven't already registered Your DNA Guide has a free webinar coming up 

on  March 23, 2023 2pm Eastern    "Your DNA Matches:  Filter, Don't File"

You can register at YourDNAGuide  

Take some time to look thru the classes at RootsTech.  There is something for everyone!

William G Hight's next of kin-Jan 1881

When I L Hight asks the court to grant him letter of administration over Wm G Hight's estate in early 1881 it is recorded in the Franklin County Arkansas probate files.  
He states that Wm G Hight died 15th Jan 1881 and gives a list of names and residence of remaining next of kin.  

Jane Hendricks Daughter Madison Co AR
William McCord Grandson Bedford Co TN
Alice McCord Granddaughter Bedford Co TN
Nancy Nance Daughter Rutherford Co TN
John Hight Son Madison Co AR
William Hight Son Bedford Co TN
Caroline Gault Daughter Bedford Co TN
Jeff Hight Son Madison Co AR
Fanny Smyers Daughter Canyon City Oregon
Burrell Hight Son Madison Co AR
I L Hight Son Franklin Co AR
R M Hight Son Franklin Co AR
L F Hight Daughter Franklin Co AR

"Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979," images, FamilySearch (hhttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89W3-L734?i=136 : 3 March 2023), Franklin > Probate packets 1835-1958 Hicks, George W.-Huggins, L.M. > image 137 of 2093; county courthouses, Arkansas.

George's Time at Eastern State and Western State Penitentiary

I haven't written about George Solifelt in awhile as I've been focused on the Cook research with my new discoveries but I did want to update with the information about the time period in which he was an inmate at Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania.

Date/Time Served:  29th Jun 1870 thru 12th Jan 1872

Eastern State Penitentiary:   29th Jun 1870 to  13th Jun 1871 (Prisoner # 6718) The following image is from the Warden's Daily Journal on the day he was received at Eastern State.

George and 26 other prisoners were transferred June 13th 1871 "by virtue of an act of assembly"  The Eastern State Penitentiary Warden's Daily Journal for that date says that they were sent under the charge of Michael J Cassidy and five other of our officers without carrying with them pistols or other fire arms.

The entry for the 14th says they received a telegram at 1:20pm announcing the safe arrival of the prisoners at Pittsburg.

Western State Penitentiary: 14 Jun 1871 to 12th Jan 1872 (Prisoner # 4026)The following image is from the Warden's Daily Journal on the day he was released from Western State.

Part of the Intake process requires that they log descriptions of the inmates

The description of George's tattoo 

Western State Penitentiary: Descriptive Register (Roll 412)

Image 208 of 268

Sources:

Eastern State Penitentiary of Pennsylvania,. “Eastern State Penitentiary Warden's Daily Journals_Image00001”. Eastern State Penitentiary: Wardens’ Daily Journals (Roll 6608), Warden's Daily Journals (PA) 1829-1961, 01856. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/psa/islandora/object/psa%3Awdjpa_2630.

State Penitentiary for the Western District of Pennsylvania,. “Western State Penitentiary: Warden’S Daily Journals (Roll 7788)”, Wardens Daily Journals (PA) 1869-1875, 1875. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/psa/islandora/object/psa%3Awdjpa1860_521.

State Penitentiary for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “Western State Penitentiary: Descriptive Register (Roll 412)”, Descriptive Register (PA) 1826-1876, 1826. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/psa/islandora/object/psa%3A537669.

North Carolina Baptist Historical Collection

After Elvira's sister, Abigail Allen made the statement about the length of the prayer given by the minister at Elvira and William's marriage ceremony(1786) I had to go looking to see what I could find about him.  His name was Jacob Crocker and as she mentioned he was a Baptist preacher.  Wake Forrest has a great NC Baptist Historical Collection  So far I've searched the NC Baptist Biographical Files Collection.  In it I found not only Jacob Crocker, but some family information within his file which showed interaction with the Winston family(they are connected to the Shem Cooke descendants).  There was also a card for Roland Cooke within that collection with a notation of Records and an additional item to check.  

In addition to the previously mentioned NC Baptist Biographical Files Collection you can also find:

• Baptist Newspapers 
• Baptist State Convention of NC Digital Collection
• Books & Pamphlets
• NC Baptist Church Records & Association Files
• Religion in NC Project

If your family was of the Baptist faith in the area around the Carolinas it wouldn't hurt to check out this collection.  There is a good bit available online. Visit this page to check out the library catalog, finding aids and more.

"U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900," database with images, Ancestry(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/26266:1995?tid=77121678 : accessed 12 February 2023), H > Harris, William - Hawley, James > Harrison, Sarah - Harsin, Garret > image 381-473 of 1112: citing NARA microfilm publication M804, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C.[Image is from the portion of the War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application File of Elvira Harrison which includes a sworn statement by her sister Abigail Allen who lived one county to the west of Elvira at the time of her application.  Abigail was in attendance at the wedding of her sister to Wm Harrison and detailed her memories of the ceremony]

Elvira Harrison's Bounty Land Warrant File

From the Bounty Land Warrant file of Elvira Harrison, widow of William Harrison

(There are lots more tidbits of information within the pages but these are some of the highlights.)

William Harrison(1750-22 Jan 1833)
Appointed & commissioned a Lieutenant of Capt. John Macon's Company of the continental army of the US during the Rev War in Nov 1776 of the NC continental line in the 7th Reg commanded by Col James Hogan.  He served for 15 months.  Was at Brandywine and Germantown both battles were won by British

Included is a statement from Capt. Macon 17 Jan 1820 from Maury Co TN

Elvira States they were married 14 of February 1786 at Cannon Cooper's home.  The signed statements from Charles Allen & Abigail Allen indicate that they can't remember the year(they gave a date range.) Charles said he was not at the wedding but knew them to be married.  Abigail was at the wedding which she said was in Warren Co NC.  She recalled that Wm and Elvira were married by a Baptist preacher named Jacob Crocker.  According to Abigail, Elvira wore her bonnet and the preacher made such a long prayer during the ceremony that she told him that when she was married she would not get him to perform the ceremony.

Records show the Marriage bond in Granville Co NC was made Jan 4th 1786.

Elvira includes a list of her children and their dates of birth but says "the first Sarah Harrison was born May 17th in the year seventeen hundred & eighty seven.  The original record from which this list was taken was in an old Dictionary which was sold to one Stephen Lynch and the record afterward destroyed."

April 18th 1843 when Elvira files for increase  Hiram Putman and Anny G Putman(wife of Wm Putman) are witnesses.  Hiram is Elvira's son in law and Anny(if she is the sister of Wm C Cook) is the granddaughter of Elvira.

Elvira was living with grandson William G Hight (son of  Nancy) during her later years and he is appointed the admin of her estate and as such files to claim to get an increase she was due at the time of her death.

Sources:  

"United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WB-Q54R?cc=2069831&wc=MXMQ-529%3A355665101 : accessed 12 February 2023), 1-vol A Revolutionary War pensioners > image 528 of 593; citing NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962).

"U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900," database with images, Ancestry(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/26266:1995?tid=77121678 : accessed 12 February 2023), H  > Harris, William - Hawley, James > Harrison, Sarah - Harsin, Garret > image 381-473 of 1112: citing NARA microfilm publication  M804, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-RYSP-JL?i=1030 : 13 February 2023), Granville > Marriage bonds, 1758-1868, box 1-5 > image 1031 of 1370; North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History.

Wilson Lightfoot Deeds--Dyer Co TN

There were 3 entries for Wilson Lightfoot in the survey books of Dyer Co. Tennessee. I'm interested in him because I have a cluster of DNA matches(and so do several of my Cook / Putman cousins) that are all descendants of him.  The connection has to be further back(in my Cook / Putman ancestry) because of the way the age groups fall in known relationships from that side.  You can check out the deeds at the links below. Several of the entries mention the Occupant law of 1840. I've not studied the land of West TN because most of my ancestors were concentrated in the Middle Tennessee area.  This was an attempt by TN to get it's western land settled. 

Wilson Lightfoot entry--Dyer Co TN Land Survey Book pg 77 
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5W-BSF7-L?i=56&cat=277549

Wilson Lightfoot entry--Dyer Co TN Land Survey Book pg 109
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5W-BSF2-C?i=72&cat=277549

Wilson Lightfoot entry--Dyer Co TN Survey Entry Book Vol 1  pg 140

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-NNCC?i=103&cat=277549

I wonder if that law might have been part of the reason that Wm C Cook was in Dyer Co TN.

I didn't find him in the deed or survey book other than his mention in J B Harrison's Deed.    There is a Wm  C Coop in Dyer County at the same time but even with the poor writing in some parts it's still fairly easy to distinguish between my Wm C Cook and the Wm C Coop just by looking at the folks with which they associated.

Sources:

"Land surveys, 1827-1860; survey entries, 1820-1911," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5W-BSF7-L?i=56&cat=277549 : accessed 10 February 2023), Entry of Wilson Lightfoot No 128; citing Dyer Co., Tennessee, USA, Land Surveys, Book A, p 77; county courthouse, Tennessee; FHL microfilm 833247.

"Land surveys, 1827-1860; survey entries, 1820-1911," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5W-BSF2-C?i=72&cat=277549 : accessed 10 February 2023), Entry of Wilson Lightfoot No 232; citing Dyer Co., Tennessee, USA, Land Surveys, Book A, p 109; county courthouse, Tennessee; FHL microfilm 833247.

"Land surveys, 1827-1860; survey entries, 1820-1911," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-NNCC?i=103&cat=277549 :  accessed 10 February 2023), Entry of Wilson Lightfoot No 51; citing Dyer Co., Tennessee, USA, Register of Deeds, Survey Book 1, p 140; county courthouse, Tennessee; FHL microfilm 833248.  

Harrison Deed Mentions Transferred Note

Now that Wm C Cook's mother & family have been identified, I'm working in Dyer County Tennessee Deeds looking at Harrison deeds and found one mentioning "note made payable to Wm C Cook" it continues on down the page and on to page 74 of Dyer County, Deed Book E.  John B Harrison is the J B Harrison listed with Wm C Cook and Noah Putman in the 1840 US Federal Census of Dyer County Tennessee. He's the Brother In Law of Wm C Cook's Brother In Law(Hiram Putman) and also Wm C Cook's maternal uncle.  The image below is not the fill images but it contains the portion about the note.  To see the full images click the link above or the one in the Source section below.

Source

"Deeds, 1824-1882; deed index, 1822-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5W-B3S3-5?i=472&cat=278884 : accessed 9 February 2023), Deed by John B Harrison to E.A. McCorkle Registered 5 Apr 1841; citing Dyer Co., Tennessee, USA, Deed Book E, p 73; county courthouse, Tennessee; FHL microfilm 833238.

Bella, formerly the slave of Gen Thomas Clark & late of John Waddell & John Lord

Found Bella's will while looking for another record.  It starts out...

In the name of God Amen,  I, Bella Clark
(a coloured woman formerly the slave of General 
Thomas Clark & late of John Waddell & John 
Lord, but liberated as will appear by the records of the
county court of New Hanover....

Also mentions "present Husband a coloured man, by the name of John Lillington(?) alias

McAuslans John now a slave of Mr. John McAuslan"

Full will is at:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-VW9L-6V?i=200

Source:

"North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-VW9L-6V?cc=1867501&wc=32LK-7MS%3A169769101%2C170219401 : 5 Jan 2023), New Hanover > Wills, 1732-1864, Vol. 01 > image 201 of 244; county courthouses, North Carolina.

Other links that might contain information about some of those named.

• Record of slaves and free persons of color, New Hanover County, North Carolina, 1786-1888
• Digital Library on American Slavery
• New Hanover NC Slave Deed Project 

The Importance of Revisiting

It's important to revisit sites(online or in person) which are actively adding resources or databases.  Once you have new information such as surnames or specific locations, reviewing helps.  Sure you  have checked the county books for the surnames you were researching in 2005, but have you checked them armed with the knowledge of the discoveries you've made since then?  It does make a difference.

Surnames are not the only thing you should check.  Make sure that you keep up with what is available for the areas.  How do I know?  Yesterday I noticed that a court record index was available that hadn't been accessible from home the last time I'd visited the online records available for a specific area of interest. While reading thru the index, I located a divorce record from 1886.  Given that information I was able to seek out the County Court Records book and find the page on which the case was recorded.  This record answered my question about what happened to the 1st husband of Tennessee Ferguson and why she was using her maiden name when she married husband #2(Henry F Hill.)  I'd suspected a divorce but couldn't locate court records from the time period.  I'd also searched for records on another case from the same general time period in that area and didn't find the years needed available.  Not sure if I just missed it or if it was added.  Just happy to have found it.  The FamilySearch Research Wiki is great for pulling together a locality resources guide.  

Revisit PERSI for those surnames and areas too.  There are many area resources which were published in Genealogy quarterlies that are helpful.  I found one this morning which contained a lot of Dyer Co TN resources.  it was the July 1972 issue of Ansearchin' News(from TN Genealogical Society).  You can access issues of Ansearchin' News which are older than 10 years thru the TN Genealogical Society's website.  The more recent quarterlies are behind the member paywall.  If you have ancestors who were in Tennessee check out the society's website and consider joining.  

Franklin Co. Arkansas: Cook, Lamb, and Hight Folks

In the 1870 US Federal Census,  Joseph Knox Cook is living pretty much surrounded by his Lamb brother in laws(who are also his maternal cousins) in District 10 of Rutherford County Tennessee.  He went out to Franklin Co Arkansas after the 1880 census as did his brother James Polk Cook.  Joe's brother in law, Nelson Hiram Lamb was already out in Franklin Co AR prior to them arriving in Arkansas. In the 1880 US Federal Census Hiram Nelson was living in the Ivy District.  Joe didn't stay in Arkansas very long(see blog post). 

William G Hight's probate in Franklin Co. Arkansas was mentioned in several previous posts but today the itemized admin settlement was located.  It provides very good detail of the process and in very good penmanship too.  It begins on page 200 and then skips and continues on page 246. 

Sources:  

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD8M-DVM : 4 February 2023), Joseph Cook, 1870.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDQ2-FFZ : 4 February 2023), Joseph K. Cook, District 10, Bedford County, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district 10, sheet 275C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,244.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-S8T : 4 February 2023), N. H. Lamb, Ivy Township, Franklin, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district 60, sheet 753B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm  1,254,044.

Franklin County, Arkansas, "Administrators and guardians Settlements, 1876-1904," entry for W G Hight's estate p. 200(1881); digitized image 191 of 797, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B7-RJVY?i=190&cat=616228 : accessed 4 February 2023); FHL microfilm 1,027,670.

Franklin County, Arkansas, "Administrators and guardians Settlements, 1876-1904," continuation of entry for W G Hight's estate p. 246(1881); digitized image 216 of 797, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B7-RJGF?i=215&cat=616228 : accessed 4 February 2023); FHL microfilm 1,027,670.

More Pieces of the Puzzle: Cook and Harrison

While continuing to work on the paper trail to identify Elizabeth Harrison's Cook husband, I went ahead and connected her as Wm C. Cook's mother. I also attached the census data, the link to my blog post(s) with the reasoning, and a note in the Suffix field of her profile.  

I revisited the YDNA matches of my brother for the COOK(E) Project and went over my notes and corresponded with one of the project admins.  While we do match a group of Pattersons as close as we match Cooks, the Pattersons lived near the GA & NC Cooks that descend from the Shem Cooke and there seems to be a connection to his line.  If our connection is thru Wm Pope Cooke that married Betsy Harrison, then we would likely connect all the way back to Shem Cooke thru a line of men with the given name of William. Prior to the BigY testing the 37, 67, and 111 marker tests were all we had.  There is representation more so from Shem's son James thru his children  Roland(d. 1842 West TN) and Shem(d.1862 Carroll Co GA)  There is one tester who descends thru the elder Shem Cooke(d. 1796)'s son William but he only tested at 37 markers.  His result contains no differing mutations with my brother at that level so he is an exact match at 37 markers.  This is an older test so I'm unsure if an update is possible but I am trying to make contact with others from that line who might be interested to see if we can come up with a way to compare.  At the same time I'm working further on his paper trail to see if it crosses with ours.  When my brother's test came in, I worked the matches trees to figure out exactly how they all were the connected.  Many of them didn't have trees...so I had to do a lot of sleuthing to figure it out but for the most part I have a very good picture of how they connect.  

I have access to AncestryDNA match lists of several descendants of the Shem Cooke(Carroll Co GA) and I have been looking at their closer matches to see if I could find an intersection with our clusters of unknowns which are likely Cook/Harrison related.   I did find one where I started noticing surnames that were familiar among those matches and have now identified more Harrison matches.

After having Elizabeth Harrison Cook connected for 2 days I am now seeing matches that descend from her siblings.  The great thing is that those matches are not all thru Rebecca Harrison who would match with the Cook Putmans because of their connection to Hiram Putman(Elizabeth Putman Cook's brother).  There are descendants of Nancy Harrison Hight, Gideon V Harrison, Edward Cannon Harrison and Martha Harrison Smith.  I think too somewhere back in there is another HIGHT connection or a connection to the Nichols(wife of a Hight).  The relationships of those matches are mostly 5C & 5C1R and are all well in range for those relationships.  Checking the shared matches is helpful as well to make sure none of them matched her(they didn't.)  

It should be noted that Thrulines® is a Tool that works using our DNA match list along with the trees on Ancestry.  It's still up to us to document and prove our conclusions so that our research is solid.  

Progress with Cook research

To locate where Wm C Cook would have been around 1830 I used the information that was gained from the Williams vs. Putman State Supreme Court Case.  Given the testimony from that case it appears that Wm C Cook lived in close proximity to Zephaniah Anglin. A look at the census page from 1830 Bedford Co. TN in which Zephaniah appears show a Cook household with a male that could be Wm C Cook.  Also I believe that this Elizabeth Cook's maiden name was Harrison.  The Wm Harrison listed immediately following her is the household of Wm & Elvira Cooper Harrison.  The two households above Elizabeth are sons of Wm & Elvira.  Wm & Elvira did have a daughter named Elizabeth(b. abt 1788) who would be about 42.  The older female(presumable Elizabeth) is in the 40-50 age bracket.

A number of trees claim that Wm P Harrison of 1830 Williamson Co TN is Wm & Elvira's household however the ages for William and Elvira do not match up as they do here on the 1830 Bedford Co TN enumeration.  

Something else to consider:

On the 1840 US Federal Census of Dyer Co TN,, Wm C Cook was enumerate immediately before his brother-in-law Noah and a J B Harrison who at the time I recognized as the Brother-In-Law of Hiram Putman(another of Wm C Cook's Bro-In-Laws).  If Elizabeth Cook from 1830 Bedford Co TN census is Wm C Cook's mother, and the daughter of Wm & Elvira Harrison, then that J B Harrison that is enumerated in Dyer Co TN with Wm C Cook is not only the brother-in-law of his brother-in-law, but Wm C Cook's maternal uncle. 

This makes a pretty good argument for that and also offers an explanation for why we match a cluster of the Harrison/Cooper descendants that are not also Putmans.  I have several ideas I want to test to determine Elizabeth's spouse.  There is a William Pope Cook who married a Betsey Harrison Aug. 18th of 1806 in Franklin Co. NC.  The Pope name is common in the YDNA of the Cook line that we most closely match. 

It is my belief based on the above evidence/clues that Elizabeth Cook is the daughter of William & Elvira Cooper Harrison and the mother of Wm C Cook. 

Sources:

"United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:1TGQ-9RH : accessed 30 January 2023), Household of Wm C Kook, Dyer, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 104, NARA microfilm publication M704 , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.), roll 521-522; FHL microfilm 24,544.

"United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYY2-SVHP?i=166 : accessed 30 January 2023), Tennessee > Bedford > Not Stated > image 167 of 282; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHB-W9GK-4?cc=1726957 : 28 November 2018), > image 1 of 1; North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History.

Williams vs. Putman, Tennessee State Supreme Court Case Middle District Ordered from TN State Library & Archives via https://supreme-court-cases.tennsos.org/ Delivery(Jan 2, 2019) via email of scanned digital images(PDF) 41 pages. (Location at TSLA Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: 2 Box Number: 375)

Chasing Cook Clues

Friday afternoon I was fortunate enough to attend the first webinar in Legacy Family Tree Webinar's "The Best of ESM" series.  Armed with the inspiration from that session, I planned to devote this weekend to reviewing documents of my brick wall 2nd Great Grandfather, William C Cook.

The first thing on my agenda was to revisit the microfilmed images which are at Ancestry & FamilySearch of the folder marked "Joseph S Cook  1840" which is part of the Probate files in the Williamson Co TN Archives.  I reviewed them by writing the image number(and the annotated number on some) on index cards with descriptions of content.  I've written several blog posts explaining the contents of this folder.  Essentially the folder is a combination of the probate files of two men named Joseph Cook who died between the time period of 1838 and 1840.  When the files were placed in the archives( in the 1980s according to the archivist) they were organized into folders and inadvertently they combined these two men named Joseph Cook.  No one noticed this, or if they did they never pointed this out. Fast-forward to November 19th 1997 when The Genealogical Society of Utah microfilmed those folders and their contents exactly as they were.  If you have ever used this collection, you know that there are index cards of the folders contents.  I've asked my contact at the Williamson Co TN archives if they knew when those index cards were made she said no one seems to know for sure.  Since the card for the Joseph Cook folder lists the combined records I believe it was some time in the 1980s in an effort to catalog the files.  We know it was prior to them being microfilmed as those index cards are part of the microfilm.

The above image file is one I made using the microfilmed image of the cards & the information added by me which distinguishes between the two men.  I have corresponded with the archives and they have made a note about the files and their contents at my request.

The Joseph S Cook who died intestate is the one over which my 2nd Great Grandfather Wm C Cook was appointed administrator.   The letter of admin is recorded Williamson Co TN Letters of Administrators Vol 1 page 16 and was microfilmed within the Williamson Co TN records(as Letters of administrators,v.1-2 1838-1878) by the Tennessee State Library and Archives in 1966 and digitized by FamilySearch at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9Y5-XZLX?cat=235347  

The original estate sale list of Joseph S Cook is in the file folder mentioned above that was microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah and is online at FamilySearch at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-2JS9-TP?i=875

If you flip to view the previous image from the above link, you can see the microfilmed back portion of that document.  

The book version of the estate sale was copied into Williamson Co Tennessee Will Book Vol 6 page 31 and microfilmed in that TSLA project of 1966 on the roll that contains Will books, v. 6-7 1835-1842.  The digitized version is online on FamilySearch at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-2BQ1-9?i=18

I did a comparison of the listing of purchasers and items and found no differences accept for a few spelling issues.

Some observations:  

There are no beds only horse tack, mare, cotton, a Bible, book, two hats and an overcoat.  That to me sounds like someone who is elderly and living within the home of someone else(children, in laws, boarding.)  His wife may have died years earlier or they may have separated(not uncommon in my family even in early times) At the least I feel it's someone who is not married regardless of their age.

I don't know why, but for some reason when I read Jonathan Vickery(sp) I have always just thought Absalom Vickery(which is Wm C Cook's brother in law)  I knew this was a different person but I just wrote him off as being an in-law. Part of my decision with this review process was to not bring in my previous notes in order to have a fresh perspective.  I think this worked well as while I remembered that Jonathan had married a Smith lady, I didn't remember ever having looked for him in the 1840 US Federal Census.  That census would be a representation of life about a year and a bit after this estate sale.   I found Jonathan Vickery in 1840 Bedford Co. TN. Not surprisingly, he is in an area in which I am familiar surrounded by others who made purchases at the estate sale.  Another reason this page and people look familiar to me is because I studied it while I was studying Zephaniah Anglin.  I believe this area is District 10  of Bedford Co TN because there are Bylars (Nancy & James) which are known to have lived in the Rover area as well as Simpsons  

Anglin was a defendant along with Wm Putman in  Williams vs. Putman, a  Tennessee State Supreme Court Case for which my William C Cook had given testimony.  The testimony covered events in the time period of about 1829 to 1831. So William C Cook should have been in a household somewhere in that area in 1830.  He is married in Williamson Co TN in Sept of 1831(his Putman bride lived in Williamson Co) 

Examining the 1830 US Federal Census for Bedford Co TN in the area where Zephaniah Anglin was enumerated shows households of Harrisons and one Cook household headed by Elizabeth Cook near him(page 83)  It is possible that Wm C Cook is one of the Age 15-20 males within her household.  There is a Joseph Cook(no middle initial) on page 85 but that Joseph doesn't have any males that would be Wm C Cook's age within his household.  If this is THE Joseph S Cook then that Joseph would have been in anywhere from 28 to 38 years old  at the time of his death putting him more in the range to be Wm C Cook's brother rather than his father.  So what becomes of the younger son & daughter and the two teen females if he is the one who dies in 1838?  It's more likely that the Elizabeth Cook is the widowed mother of Wm C Cook.  If so, to which Cook was Elizabeth married?  No proof but a potential theory.  One of many but it is good to have more than one theory because there are many possibilities and nothing is for certain at this point. 

Still lots to do studying Williamson County TN District 25 community where we know both Wm C Cook and Joseph Cook were in 1838.  The 2 previous years Wm was in District 10 of Bedford Co TN. Joseph was in District 25 during the 2 years prior to 1838. There are likely clues buried within the documents of neighboring families.  Now to find them.  

Sources:

"United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYTB-9GR6?cc=1786457&wc=31SJ-161%3A1588669927%2C1588669780%2C1588665902 : 24 August 2015), Tennessee > Bedford > Not Stated > image 96 of 228; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYY2-SVHP?cc=1803958&wc=35YH-ZJ6%3A1588478503%2C1588478502%2C1588469601 : 14 August 2015), Tennessee > Bedford > Not Stated > image 167 of 282; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Williams vs. Putman--TN State Supreme Court Case Middle District Ordered from TN State Library & Archives via https://supreme-court-cases.tennsos.org/ Delivery(Jan 2, 2019) via email of scanned digital images(PDF) 41 pages. (Location at TSLA Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: 2 Box Number: 375)

Lightfoot Family

In a blog post from 2017 I referenced several newspaper articles about accused counterfeiter Benjamin Woodward and several other of his associates.  Among those associates were several Cook(e) men.  These were men are likely connected to our YDNA line though our exact connection has not been identified. At the time I had not located my 2nd Great Grandfather in the 1840 US Federal census in Dyer Co TN nor had I discovered the cluster of DNA matches with connections to the Lightfoot family in Dyer County.

One of the newspapers from that Dec 2017 blog post was The Virginia Gazette(Williamsburg, VA)'s February 25th 1773 edition.  The article  on page 3 mentions that a Capt John Lightfoot is sent to apprehend the suspects.  While working the ancestry of the group of Dyer Co TN DNA matches of myself, my siblings and our Cook/Putman cousins I discovered that the Dyer Co TN cluster traces back to a Wilson C Lightfoot & his wife, Mary Deberry.  As it turns out, Wilson C Lightfoot's father is a  John Lightfoot who died in Stewart Co TN in 1823 and left a will.  An image of the will had been posted by another researcher but they did not include a link or anything other than that it could be found on FamilySearch. It took a bit of investigating but I found it.

It was grouped in Stewart Co TN--Bonds, Miscellaneous, Settlements, 1814-1824, Vol. 03

John Lightfoot's Will

Inventory--John Lightfoot

George Cathey's Bond as Executor of Nelly Lightfoot's Will

Given the shared matches from my side the connection is back thru the ancestry of my Cook or Putman lines somehow.  Something to investigate and hopefully will "kick up" other clues.  Also need to look into the Deberry ancestry since I don't know for sure that any connection is exclusively thru the Lightfoot family. 

Revisiting Census and Tax Records

Last year I was able to finally locate my 2nd Great Grandfather Wm C Cook in the 1840 US Federal Census for Dyer Co TN.  I've been reviewing that census this morning as well as looking at Tax lists for the area and researching his neighbors a bit more.  This is something I revisit periodically since finding the census entry.  I'm trying to determine what he and his family were doing so far out of place from where I'd expect them to be. 

1839 Dyer Co Tax List Civil District 6 contains the majority of the families who are around Wm C Cook in the 1840 US Federal Census of Dyer Co TN.  Something I hadn't noticed before for this tax list was that at the very end of that District is a list of abt 15 people(it continues to the next page) with a header that on says " The Following is listed by the commissioner for Double Tax".  There is a Cook name listed--specifically, Heirs of John W Cook.   These people are a continuation of District 6 because  immediately after their listing there is a Total for District 6 row.

While this could be another rabbit hole and be a Cook with no relation it must be checked out given before I can make a determination one way or the other.  This isn't something that just applies to census or tax list but is something we should be doing especially with the documents we have for our "brickwall" ancestors.  

An additional tidbit that I also found interesting while studying neighbor Hezekiah Gibson was that there is a Hezekiah Gibson listed on the 1836 Tax List of Henderson Co TN in the same district as Shim and Johnson Cook(Sons of James Roland Cook whose descendants are close in our YDNA line)

"United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBJ-96TR?cc=1786457 : 18 July 2023), Tennessee > Dyer > Not Stated > image 37 of 42; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"Tennessee, U.S., Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895" database with images, Ancestry(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/12796:2883 : accessed 18 January 2023); citing Early Tax Lists of Tennessee. Microfilm, 12 rolls. The Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.