Crick--Bullock--Creswell Reunion In Rover(1940)

Crick Bullock Creswell Reunion

Held on Sunday, July 7th 1940

at the home of Mr. & Mrs. T.F. Crick & Daughter, Minnie Ellen in Rover, Bedford Co. Tennessee.

Attendees:

Mr. & Mrs Sam Anderson & family of Cross Keys

Dr. & Mrs. P.A. Creswell of Pottsville

William Creswell of Columbia

Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Eley of Unionville

Mrs. John Medley and 6 daughters of Wartrace

Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Cooper & son Carl of Ray's Chapel

Miss Fannie B Maxwell of Wartrace

Mr. & Mrs. Emmett Crick of Nashville

Mr. & Mrs. E. W. Crick & family of Chapel Hill

Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Beasley of Cedar Grove

Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Creswell of Nashville

Mr. & Mrs. Kelton Marlin & family of Cedar Grove

Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Crick & family of Cedar Grove

Tom Simpson & Family

Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Trice of Franklin

Mr. & Mrs. Jim Reed & family of Nashville

Willie Bullock & Family

Mrs. Herman Bullock & family of Holtland

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ezell of Nashville

Miss Lois Bullock of Nashville

Jimmie Tucker of Nashville

Ed Smotherman & family

Eugene Crick & family of Eagleville

Mr. & Mrs. D.E. Crick of Philadelphia Penn.

Mr. & Mrs. Grady Crick of Nashville

Charlie Dishmon & family 

John Price & Family of North Fork

Mr. & Mrs. W.D. Graham of Bethesda

Mrs. Nora Maxwell of Longview

Joe Crick of Halls Mill

Clayton Carlton & family of Jungle Town

Jack Brown & Family 

Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Smotherman

Mr. & Mrs. Nat Wheeler of Bell Buckle

B.F. Bullock

Jasper Dishmon

Franklin Blanton

J. W. Brown

Watson Giles & Family of Chapel Hill

Rev. & Mrs. R.S. Qualls & children

Burns Jarrell & family

In Memoriam: Pearl Lamb(1903-1936)

Pearl Lamb
Born: October 18, 1903
Died: June 2, 1936
Saved at age 11 and united with Baptist Church at age 13.
Survived by 

Parents:  Mr & Mrs W.H. Lamb

Brothers:  Eugene of Rover, H.B. and Bill of Nashville.

Graduated from State Teachers College in 1932.

Teacher for 5 years at Unionville High School.

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, October 1, 1936, p 17, col 1 & 2, Pearl Lamb; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-pearl-lamb-obit/205042090/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Pearl Lamb-Obit.

The Rutherford Courier, June 5, 1936, p 8, col 6 & 7; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rutherford-courier-illness-fatal-to/205042470/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Illness Fatal To Miss Pearl Lamb by user rmbeckman

In Memoriam: Mrs. Betty Stegall Thomason(1861-1936)

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Stegall Thomason
Born: December 17, 1861
Died: July 10, 1936
Married: October 29, 1882 to J. M. Thomason
Joined Church in 1884.

Survivors
Husband: James Montgomery Thomason
Son: W.A. Thomason
Daughter: Mrs J.W. Tatum
Sister: Mrs. Sallie Beasley, of Franklin
Brother: Frank Stegall of Hartzel, Mo.
Grandson: Milton Thomason of Nashville.

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, October 1, 1936, p 17, col 1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mrs-bettie-thomas/205043455/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Mrs. Bettie Thomason--Obit.

Nashville Banner, July 11, 1936, p 2, col 6; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner/77446794/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117793628/mary_elizabeth-thomason: accessed 31 Aug 2026), memorial page for Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” Stegall Thomason (7 Jan 1861–10 Jul 1936), Memorial ID 117793628, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Emma Thomason Osteen(1865-1936)

Emma Thomason Osteen

Born: October 12, 1865

Died: March 16, 1936

Buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery
Joined Union Ridge Baptist at age 10.
She was the daughter of Adam Turner Thomason & Winnie Jane Weaver Thomason.
Predeceased by husband, Forrest Osteen(married Sept 9, 1884)
Survived by daughter, Lille Mae Osteen Harris(wife of Leonard Harris)

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, July 2, 1936, p 20, col 2 & 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mrs-emma-thomason/205044346/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Mrs. Emma Thomason Osteen-Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34870897/emma_adora-osteen: accessed 31 Aug 2026), memorial page for Emma Adora Thomason Osteen (1865–1936), Memorial ID 34870897, citing Cedar Grove Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Bettie Hester Jarrell(1863-1936)

 

Mrs. Bettie  Hester Jarrell
Born: January 2, 1863
Died: January 10, 1936
Joined Union Ridge Baptist Church in early life.
Married Julius Jarrell July 11, 1888.
Survivors:
Sons:  Walter Burns Jarrell & J. Frank Jarrell
Daughter Mary B Jarrell 


Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, March 12, 1936, p 10, col 3;image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-betti/205048034/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Bettie Jarrell.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29091264/mary_elizabeth-jarrell: accessed 31 Aug 2026), memorial page for Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” Hester Jarrell (2 Jan 1863–10 Jan 1936), Memorial ID 29091264, citing Jarrell Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: John William Lamb(1861-1935)

John William Lamb

Born: May 20, 1861
Died: June 24, 1935

Buried at Lamb Cemetery
Married To Eliza Manier October 15, 1882

Parents:  Willis Houston Lamb and Sarah Elizabeth Head Lamb
Converted and united with church in early life.
Deacon for many years at Union Ridge Baptist.

Source:
Baptist and Reflector, August 15, 1935, p 16, col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-john-william-lamb/205051167/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for John William Lamb--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66484599/john_william-lamb: accessed 31 Aug 2026), memorial page for John William Lamb (20 May 1861–24 Jun 1935), Memorial ID 66484599, citing Lamb Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Nannie Elizabeth Sanders(1919-1936)

Nannie Elizabeth Sanders
Born: March 26 1919
Died: July 29, 1936
Joined Union Ridge Baptist at age 13.

Buried at Simpson Cemetery
Survived by
Parents-- Mr & Mrs John Sanders
Two Sisters
Nine Brothers

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, October 1, 1936, p 17, col 2, Nannie Sanders; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-nannie-sanders-ob/205041266/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Nannie Sanders--Obit.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Ruth Elmore Blanton(1893-1942)

Ruth Elmore Blanton

Born: May 4, 1893
Died: Oct 9, 1942
Married: December 25, 1923 to Sam Blanton.

Buried at Simpson Cemetery
3 Children:
Sam Jr.
James and Jean(twins)

Member of Union Ridge Baptist since she was a young girl.

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, February 10, 1944, p 15, col 1, Blanton; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-ruth-elmore-blanto/204991539/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Ruth Elmore Blanton.

In Memoriam: Mr. G. T. Johnson(1871- 1940)

Mr. G.T. Johnson
known as Mr. Tommie
Born:  September 14, 1871 (Date from FindAGrave)
Died: December 12, 1940
Married to Miss Elizabeth Garrett on October 18, 1896
Survived by wife, daughter & a number of grandchildren
Predeceased by son who died young.
Member of Union Ridge Baptist Church

Source:
Baptist and Reflector, February 10, 1944, p 15; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mr-g-t-johnson/204992604/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Mr. G. T. Johnson.

In Memoriam: Mr. James Montgomery Thomason(1861-1940)

Mr. James Montgomery Thomason

Born:  November 20, 1861
Died: April 20, 1940
Member of Union Ridge Baptist Church for 69 years.
Served as Deacon, Church treasurer, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent.
Buried at Simpson Cemetery

Married to Bettie Stegall Thomason(passed in 1936)
Survivors:
Son: Allie Thomason
Daughter: Mrs. John Tatum of Nashville

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, July 11, 1940, p 13, col 1, Thomason; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-james/204993153/ : accessed August 31, 2026), clip page for Obituary for James Montgomery THOMASON.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Annie Jeffress Shearin(1868-1943)

Mrs. Annie Jeffress Shearin

Born: February 27th 1868
Died: September 28th, 1943 at her home in Rover after a long illness.

Survivors: 
Husband:  E.C. Shearin
Sons--Tom, Jess, and Bill of Rover. 
Daughters--Mrs Alvie Taylor and Mrs Eugene Lamb, of Rover, Mrs Edd Elmore, of Nashville.
She was a member of the Union Ridge Baptist Church since a young lady.
A kind loving wife and mother has gone home to her reward in heaven--Mrs. Elizabeth Ruckett.

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, February 17, 1944, p 17, col 2, Obituary of Annie J Shearin: image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-annie/204966839/ : accessed August 30, 2026), clip page for Obituary for ANNIE JEFFRESS SHEARIN by user rmbeckman

In Memoriam: Thea H. Winsett(1870-1941)

 

Thea H. Winsett

Born:  1870

Died:  June 15th,1941, age 71 years.

Buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville TN.
He married to Emma Pope, and to this union five children were born.

He was a member of Union Ridge Baptist Church, and was loyal to his church until failing health caused him to retire from farming and moved to Nashville, fifteen years before his death.

He died suddenly with a heart attack, while attending a family reunion.

The Lord knows best and maketh no mistakes.--Nettie Shearin.

Source:
Baptist and Reflector, February 17, 1944, p 17, col 2, obituary of Thea H Winsett; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obit-thea-h-winset/204967352/ : accessed August 30, 2026), clip page for Obit Thea H Winsett.

In Memoriam: Mr. Eldridge Washington Lamb(1868-1943)

Mr. Eldridge Washington Lamb

Born:  September 23rd 1868

Died:  Evening of March 21 1943, Age 74 years, 5 months, 29 days

One of oldest member of Union Ridge Baptist Church(joined at age 21)

He was married to Laura Owen, September 23rd 1897. 

Child, Alton who preceded him.[This is Laura Alton Lamb(1898-1904) who appears on the 1900 US Federal Census in Eldridge's household. She is buried at Lamb Cemetery with her parents]

To the grief stricken widow we extend our sympathy and point her to the Master who said, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.:--Mrs. Lillian Shearin.

Source: 

Baptist and Reflector, February 17, 1944, p 17, col 1, Obituary of Eldridge Washington Lamb; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-eldri/204966594/ : accessed August 30, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Eldridge Washington LAMB.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Edna Kimmins Simpson(1861-1943)

Mrs. Edna Kimmins Simpson

Born:  April  5th 1861(Not given in article--date from FindAGrave)
Died:  July 20th, 1943

Buried at Simpson Cemetery in Rover.

One of the oldest members of Union Ridge Baptist Church at Rover, Tenn.
She united with this church in early life and was a willing worker in Sunday School, the W.M.U. and all church work.

She was married to B.I. Simpson in 1880. They had 7 children, 5 of which survive her.

To know her was to love her and she had made many friends during her eighty-two years.
Her influence will live on in her children, grandchildren and friends.

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, February 17, 1944, p 17, col 2, obituary of Edna Kimmins Simpson; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-edna/204967014/ : accessed August 30, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Edna Kimmins Simpson.

Exploring My 23andMe Historical DNA Matches

 

I thought it might be a fun exercise to look at my Historical Matches at 23andMe.  Historical DNA matches compare your genetic data with DNA recovered from ancient human remains or historical individuals discovered at archaeological sites.  I sorted my historical matches by amount of matches from each group and it looks like I match with more samples from the Viking Age era than any of the others.  

I pulled the match info into a table including all categories but only the top two of the Viking Age era

I gave this information along with the descriptive blurbs included for each of the matches to Gemini and asked it to give me a brief summary.  

Gemini's Summary:
Your historical DNA matches span roughly 3,000 years of human history (from ~1400 BCE to 1700 CE) across a broad geographic range, including Western Europe, Central Eurasia, Scandinavia, and South Asia.

Highest Shared DNA: Your strongest genetic connections among these profiles are to Viking Age Merchant VK479 (0.14% DNA / 9.86 cM across 2 segments) and Viking Age Individual VK368 (0.13% DNA / 9.11 cM across 2 segments). Because you share multiple segments and higher centiMorgan values with them, these represent your most relatively recent shared ancestry among the listed group.

Geographic Spread: While the majority of your matches are centered in Medieval Europe and Scandinavia (e.g., Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Faroe Islands), you also share ancient genetic links with distant Eurasian populations from Kazakhstan (Late Bronze Age) and Pakistan (Swat Valley).

Relationship Context: All listed matches are classified as "Very distantly related." Rather than direct linear descent, these matches indicate that you and these historical individuals inherited small, preserved segments of DNA from common ancestors who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago.

I think that is a far assessment.  All of my ancestors(paternal & maternal) were living in the American Colonies by the time of the Revolutionary War.

My current ancestry composition at 23andMe as of their last update-- September 09, 2025.

Legacy Family Tree Webinars' Newest Feature: Learning Paths

 

I'm loving Legacy Family Tree Webinars' new feature called Learning Paths. It pulls together 3–6 webinars on a focused topic, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. You can choose from over 100 pre-created paths or build your own custom path. Simply pick the topics you like, enroll, and the site automatically tracks your progress.

Enrolling in paths, tracking progress, creating playlists, and earning certificates is completely free. Watching the individual webinars follows standard site access rules: free webinars remain free, while members-only webinars require a Webinar Membership.

My membership continues to feel like one of the best investments in family history research education.

An Ongoing Workflow: Connecting Top Matches to Help Identify Shared DNA Lines

My latest research project workflow has me working on identifying and linking within my tree my DNA Matches at Ancestry. I'm starting on my paternal matches so I've filtered them to show paternal lines.  I have my view set to show my top 50 Paternal matches and all of those but 10 are mapped out in my tree.  Having 80% connected is pretty good. Since these paternal matches range from 56-76 centiMorgans, I should be able to at least narrow it down to a grandparent or great-grandparent's branch of the family.

I took a quick look at my top 50 maternal matches and I have all but 3 of those identified.  There is also one surprise cousin whom I have identified but am not linking.  The maternal top 50 range from 117-281 centiMorgans.  The difference in the ranges between the maternal and paternal top 50 matches is likely due to my maternal grandfather's branch having a high number of descendants and with more active researchers among them.

To find our relationship path, I use the shared matches to identify the tester's lineage.  Some are easier to figure out than others, especially when a match has a close relative with an attached tree.

Once I finish mapping the top maternal matches, I'll meet my goal of having all DNA matches sharing 50 cMs or greater identified within my tree. Accomplishing this will make identifying future matches a lot easier. Also once I get the first page for each side done I will likely do the same for the 2nd pages of  paternal and maternal matches.

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.

Tennessee Non-Population Census Manufacturing Schedules

 

Below are links to the U.S. Non-Population Manufacturing Schedules for Tennessee on FamilySearch. You will need to log in to view them, but account registration is free.

While these schedules can be spotty for certain years and locations, they are a fantastic genealogical resource as they offer a window into local business networks and reveal the craftsmen, millers, and merchants with whom your ancestors may have traded.

1850 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN: Anderson-Wilson counties
(NARA Series T1135, Roll 30)

1860 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN: Monroe - Wilson counties
(NARA Series T1135, Roll 32)

1870 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN:  Anderson - Lewis counties

(NARA Series T1135, Roll 33)

1880 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN:  Anderson - Lawrence counties; Lewis - Wilson counties

 (NARA Series T1135, Roll 35)

 (NARA Series T1135, Roll 36)

The 1850 schedule for Bedford County TN only covers Districts 20-25, but is a good example of the assortment of industries in the area. If you are lucky enough to have an area that has multiple years available, comparing them would be a great learning exercise.

1850 Bedford County Tennessee Dist 20 21 22 23 24 25 Industry/Manufacturing Schedule Images via FamilySearch.org
image 9 of 190
Name	Business name	Raw Material	Power	Product
Nicholas Anthony	Mill & Flour	Logs and grain	water &saw	Flour & Meal
R L Landris & Cummins	Tanner	Hides and Bark	Hand
Heard and Russel	B Smith	Iron	Hand power	Sundaries
George W Heard	Wool Carder	Wool	Water	Wool
George Hufman	Mills SawMiller	Logs	Water & saw	Plank
John and A Hufman	Miller Flour	Logs	Water & saw	Flour & meal
James Maupin	Tanner	Hide	Hand	Leather
image 10 of 190
B M Burow	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries
John B Pearson	Tanner	Hides & bark	Hand	Sides Soleboot Skins
George H Castle	Tanner	Hides & bark	Hand	Sides Sole Leather
Joshua M Hix	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries
Mathew Cuningham	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand	Sundaries
John Coleman	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand	Sundaries
J G and J Evans	Manufactor	Hemp	Hand	Balings Rope Twine
John P Henry	Cabinet Maker	Plank & ?	Hand	Furniture
Samuel Nealy	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand & Fire	Sundries
Samuel Thompson	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand & Fire	Sundries
A Smith & Co	Miller	Logs	Water Saw Stones	Plank
John Chandlier	Miller	Logs	Water Saw	Plank
James W   E??y	Wagon Wright	Iron & Coal	Hand	Wagon & Carts
Frost and Heise	Tanner	Hides & Bark	Hand	Sides Sole Leather Skins
J W Bearden	Gun Smith	G Barrells G lock	Hand	Guns
Kindred Pearsen	Tanner	Hides & Bark	Hand	Sides Sole leather skins
Charles Pearsen	Hatter	Wool	Hand	Wool Hats
A Phillip	Tanner	Hides cord & cork	Hand	Skins and Leather
C T Phillip	Sadler	harnesses	Hand	Saddle & Bridles
William Hall	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries
Daniel Dean	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries