In Memoriam: John William Boyce (1905 - 1962)

 

John William Boyce

Born:  June 1, 1905

Died:  December 3, 1962

Employer:  Empire Pencil Company (Shelbyville)

Survivors

Widow:  Mrs. Wilma Purvis Boyce

Daughters:

Mrs. Leonard Hinson of Hohenwald, TN (Betty Jo)

Mrs. James Stephenson of Shelbyville (Nancy Jean)

Mrs. Jimmy Smith of Shelbyville (Mary Margaret "Susie")

Mrs. William Clark of Unionville (Martha)

Mrs. Ted Matthews of Nashville (Annette)

Sons:

Billy Boyce of Shelbyville

Thomas W Boyce of Unionville

John W Boyce Jr. of Unionville

Stepmother:  Mrs. Minos Boyce of Nashville (Daisy Vaughn Boyce)

Sisters:

Mrs. John Westbrooks of Shelbyville (Mary Myrtle)

Mrs. R. C. McKey of Nashville (Lucy Pearl)

Mrs. J.D. Eslick of Nashville (Carrie Elizabeth)

Mrs. Teddy Barnes of Nashville (Morton Geraldine)

Mrs. Emery Hitt of Normandy, Tenn (Sarah Catherine)

Brothers:

Charlie Boyce of Nashville

Thomas Boyce of Nashville

Minos Lee Boyce of Nashville

Raymond Boyce of Nashville

Aaron Boyce of Shelbyville

Sources:

The Tennessean, December 4, 1962, p 31. col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-william-boyc/205433199/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Obituary for William Boyce Sr.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113716659/john_william-boyce: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for John William Boyce (1 Jun 1905–3 Dec 1962), Memorial ID 113716659, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: William Allison "Allie" Thomason (1883 - 1955)

 

William Allison "Allie" Thomason

Born:  September 8, 1888    

Died:  June 2, 1955

Parents:  James Montgomery Thomason & Betty Stegall Thomason

Retired from NC & St. Louis Railway Co.'s mechanical division  31 yrs

Married:   August 27, 1911 to Mary Pressgrove

Survivors:  

Wife, Mary Pressgrove

Son:  J. Milton Thomason of Knoxville

Granddaughter:  Jean Elizabeth Thomason

Sister:  Mrs. John W. Tatum

Sources:

Nashville Banner, June 2, 1955, p  12, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-william-al/205431878/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Obituary for William Allison Thomason.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130955304/william_allison-thomason: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for William Allison Thomason (8 Sep 1883–2 Jun 1955), Memorial ID 130955304, citing Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Martha Elrod Ghee (1850 - 1938)

 

Martha Elrod Ghee

Born:  December 12, 1850

Died:  March 20, 1938

Member of the Union Ridge Baptist Church for 69 years.

Predeceased by Husband and two daughters

John Wesley Ghee (1907)

Tennie Ghee Crowder (1923)

Susan Hettie Ghee Sanders (1919)

Survivors:

Daughters:

Lula Florence Ghee Clinard

Cora Lee Ghee Thomason

Sarah Ghee Phillips

Denna Ellen Ghee Smotherman

Sons:

James Albert Ghee

John William Ghee

Ed Ghee

Thom Robert Ghee

Lonzo Lawson "Sam" Ghee

Clifton S. Ghee

67 grandchildren and 70 great grandchildren.

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 23, 1938, p 16. col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-mrs-martha-elrod/205406413/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Mrs. Martha ELrod Ghee--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18809657/martha-ghee: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for Martha Elrod Ghee (12 Dec 1850–20 Mar 1938),  Memorial ID 18809657, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: James Hugh Elmore ( 1829 -1896)

 

James Hugh Elmore

Born:  April 22, 1829

Died:  January 21, 1896

Buried at Elmore Cemetery

Married:  October 8, 1851 in Williamson Co TN to Nancy Tillman Gault

Brother of David Atha Elmore

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-james-elmore-and-w/205367524/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for James Elmore and Wife--death notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113589134/james_hugh-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for James Hugh Elmore (22 Apr 1829–21 Jan 1896), Memorial ID 113589134, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Nancy Tillman Gault Elmore (1834 -1900)

 

Nancy Tillman Gault Elmore

Born:  January 6, 1834

Died:  March 22, 1900

Married:  October 8, 1851 in Williamson Co TN to James Hugh Elmore

Parents:  Hugh McCain Gault & Martha A Floyd Gault

Buried at Elmore Cemetery

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-james-elmore-and-w/205367524/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for James Elmore and Wife--death notice.[The death notice doesn't mention her name other than Mrs Elmore and that she is the wife of James Elmore who died in 1896 and she died in 1900]

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111805067/nancy_tillman-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Nancy Tillman Gault Elmore (6 Jan 1834–21 Mar 1900), Memorial ID 111805067, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Elizabeth E White Elmore (1826-1900)

 

Elizabeth White Elmore

Born:  February 14, 1826

Died:  March 16, 1900

Married David Alta Elmore Oct 15 1851 Williamson Co TN

Buried with husband in Elmore Cemetery(Bedford Co TN) 

7 Children were born to their union.

James William Elmore

Henry N Elmore

Naomie V Elmore Hooper

Martha Elmore Brown

David Elmore

Lou Adelaide Elmore

Alfred Pinkney Elmore

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p 15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-david-altha-elmore/205349975/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for David Altha Elmore & wife, Elizabeth E. White Elmore--Death Notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113589811/elizabeth_ellen-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Elizabeth Ellen White Elmore (14 Feb 1826–15 Mar 1900), Find a Grave Memorial ID 113589811, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: David Altha Elmore (1827-1900)

 

David Atha Elmore

Born:  January 22, 1827

Died:  March 15, 1900

Married Elizabeth White October 15, 1851 in Williamson Co TN

Joined Union Ridge Baptist in 1847

Brother of James Hugh Elmore

Buried in Elmore Cemetery(Bedford Co TN) with Masonic honors

7 Children were born to their union.

James William Elmore

Henry N Elmore

Naomie V Elmore Hooper

Martha Elmore Brown

David Elmore

Lou Adelaide Elmore

Alfred Pinkney Elmore

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, June 7, 1900, p  15. col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-david-altha-elmore/205349975/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for David Altha Elmore & wife, Elizabeth E. White Elmore--Death Notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113589541/david_athey-elmore: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for David Athey Elmore (22 Jan 1827–15 Mar 1900), Find a Grave Memorial ID 113589541, citing Elmore Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Julia Lamb Sanders (1885 -1903)

 

Julia Lamb Sanders

Born:   October 8, 1876

Died:   May 11, 1903

Married September 19, 1901 to William Steven Sanders

Parents:  John W & Eliza Manire Lamb

Joined Union Ridge Baptist Oct 12, 1898

Survivors: husband, parents and son, Robert Duggan Sanders.

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, August 27, 1903, p  15, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-sande/205347476/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for Obituary for SANDERS--Julia Lamb Sanders.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66484402/julia-sanders: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Julia Lamb Sanders (8 Oct 1885–11 May 1903), Memorial ID 66484402, citing Lamb Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Margaret Thomason Simpson (1830-1909)

 

Margaret Thomason Simpson

Born:  May 6, 1830

Died:  August 15, 1909

Buried in Simpson Cemetery

Joined Union Ridge Baptist in August of 1851

Married John W. Simpson on May 6, 1855

Widowed:  October 21, 1869

Survivors:  4 children

James William Simpson 

Benjamin Isaiah Simpson

Mary Elizabeth Simpson Faris

Thomas David Simpson

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, November 25, 1909, p 14. col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-margaret-thomason/205342753/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for Margaret Thomason Simpson--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95244494/margaret_w-simpson: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Margaret W. Thomason Simpson (6 Mar 1830–15 Aug 1909), Memorial ID 95244494, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Daniel Dotson Smotherman (1844-1906)

 

Daniel Dotson Smotherman

Born:  February 28,1844

Died:  May 23, 1906

Married:  December 24, 1863 to Martha J Vickrey

Military:  Co. A 24 Tenn Inf C.S.A.

Survivors:

11 Children

Nancy Rita Ann Smotherman Wilson

Susie Eta Motherman WIlson

Mary Tennessee "Tennie" Smotherman Terry

Sarah "Alzia" Smotherman Sanders

Hugh Thomas Smotherman

Emma Rucker Smotherman Anderson

John William Smotherman

Samuel James Smotherman

Florence Malissa Smotherman Haynes

Robert Taylor Smotherman

Lomie Smotherman Wilson

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, July 19, 1906, p 13, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-d-d-smotherman-ob/205339616/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for D D Smotherman--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24902973/daniel_dotson-smotherman: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Daniel Dotson Smotherman (23 Feb 1844–23 May 1906), Memorial ID 24902973, citing Smotherman-Terry Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Sarah Elizabeth Lamb (1841-1912)

 

Sarah Elizabeth Head Lamb

Born:  March 12, 1841

Died:  July 12 1912

Buried Lamb Cemetery

Married to W.H. Lamb

Parents:  James W Head & Malinda Mary  Arnold Head

Children:

Amanda Minerva Lamb Westbrooks

Eldridge Washington Lamb

Nannie Elizabeth Lamb Taylor

John William Lamb

Malinda Ellen Lamb Morrison

George Henry C Lamb

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, October 24, 1912, p  15, col 2 & 3; image Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-sarah-elizabeth-la/205377042/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for Sarah Elizabeth Lamb--obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66485122/sarah_elizabeth-lamb: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Sarah Elizabeth Head Lamb (12 Mar 1841–12 Jul 1912), Memorial ID 66485122, citing Lamb Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Sallie Maddox Looney (1864-1912)

 

Sallie Maddox Looney

Born:  December 15, 1864

Died:  June 10, 1912

Joined the Union Ridge Baptist Church in 1906 

Married to Noah W. Looney in 1885

Buried in Cothran Cemetery

Children:

Bertha E. Looney Walden

Hugh W Looney

Arthur L. Looney

Sarah Jessie Looney Cook(Wife of W. C. "Billy Kid" Cook)

Robert Looney

Fred Looney

Vera Pauline Looney Burns

Hiram R Looney

Sources:  

Baptist and Reflector, October 24, 1912, p  15, col 1 & 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-sallie-looney-obi/205380508/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for Sallie Looney--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18063574/sallie-looney: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for Sallie Maddox Looney (15 Dec 1864–10 Jun 1912), Find a Grave Memorial ID 18063574, citing Cothran Cemetery, Rover, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: George Washington Taylor (1868-1918)

 

George Washington Taylor

Born:  February 28, 1868

Died:  April 11, 1918

Married Nannie Elizabeth Lamb in 1892

Buried in Lamb Cemetery

Children:

Robert Aaron Taylor

James Willis Taylor

Dennis Washington Taylor

Mary E Taylor Clay

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, August 22, 1918, pe  15, col 1 & 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-georg/205381538/ : accessed September 5, 2026), clip page for Obituary for George W. Taylor.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66485631/george_w-taylor: accessed 5 Sep 2026), memorial page for George W. Taylor (28 Feb 1868–11 Apr 1918),Memorial ID 66485631, citing Lamb Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.  

In Memoriam: William Thomas Johnson Sr. (1835-1918)

 

William Thomas Johnson

Born:  December 27, 1835

Died:  May 21, 1918

Predeceased by Wives:

Annie Stager Jackson Johnson(m. 1857)

Jerusha Tennessee Read Johnson(m 1869)

Survivors:

Sons: 

Joshua Francis Johnson

William Thomas Johnson Jr.

Daughters: 

Manerva Tennessee "Tennie" Johnson Tarpley

Macon Johnson Joyce

Minnie Lou Johnson Joyce

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, August 22, 1918, p 15. col 1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-w-t/205280999/ : accessed September 4, 2026), clip page for Obituary for W. T. Johnson.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24235287/william_thomas-johnson: accessed 4 Sep 2026), memorial page for William Thomas Johnson Sr. (25 Dec 1835–21 May 1918), Memorial ID 24235287, citing Johnson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Sam B Blanton (1924-1958)

 

Sam B. Blanton

Born:  November 9, 1924

Died:  February 10 1958

Parents:  Sam B Blanton and Ruth Elmore Blanton

Graduate of Eagleville High School

Member of Rover Baptist Church

Burial Simpson Cemetery

Employed by Swiss Farms Dairy as a Milkman

Survivors:

Wife:  Mary Sue Wall Blanton

Son:  Marty Blanton(later adopted by step dad Bill S. Bell Sr.)

Brother: James W Blanton of Shelbyville

Sister: Jean Marie Blanton Wall(Mrs. Bill Wall) of Chapel Hill

Sources:

Nashville Banner, February 11, 1958, p 8. col 5; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-sam-b-bla/205274890/ : accessed September 4, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Sam B. Blanton.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18809553/sam_b-blanton: accessed 4 Sep 2026), memorial page for Sam B. Blanton Jr. (9 Nov 1924–10 Feb 1958), Memorial ID 18809553, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Jody & Lesa Baltz (contributor 17485994).

In Memoriam: Charles Caswell Puckett (1876-1929)

 

Charles Caswell Puckett

Born: November 10 1876

Died: December 9, 1929

Married:  1907 to Elizabeth Arnold

Buried at Simpson Cemetery

Parents:  James Nathaniel Puckett and Mary Frances White Puckett

Joined Union Ridge Baptist Church at Rover in 1906

Children:

Clyde Russell Puckett

Charles Arnold Puckett

James Nat Puckett

Robert Earl Puckett(died in infancy)

Brothers:

Will Puckett

Lewis Puckett

Jesse Puckett

Fred Puckett

Harry Puckett

Sisters:

Mary Frances Puckett Manire(Mrs. D. L. Manier)

Alice Julia Puckett Cothran (Mrs. Ben Cawthon)

Malinda Jane "Mittie" Puckett Cothran(Mrs. Mace Cawthon)

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, February 6, 1930,

p 13. col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-charl/205266010/ : accessed September 4, 2026), clip page for Obituary for CHARLES C. PUCKETT, 1876-1929.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143336466/charles_caswell-puckett: accessed 4 Sep 2026), memorial page for Charles Caswell Puckett (10 Nov 1876–9 Nov 1929), Memorial ID 143336466, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Althea Wood Jackson (1860-1946)

 

Mrs. Althea Wood Jackson
Born:  April 14, 1860 in Unionville, Bedford Co TN, USA
Died:  November 2, 1946
Member of Union Ridge Baptist Church at Rover, Tenn (her obituary incorrectly identifies the church as Union Hill)
Buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park
Predeceased by husband, Hardy Pope Jackson

Survivors
Daughters:
Ruth Jackson Lucas (Mrs. C. F. Lucas) of Nashville
Miss Ethel Jackson of Nashville
Mary Jackson Redmond(Mrs. Frank Redmon) of Nashville
Lizzie Jackson Owen(Mrs. R. C. Owen) of Hartsville Tenn.

Sons:
W.A. Jackson of Plant City, Fla.
William Harrison Jackson of Nashville
Charles P Jackson of Atlanta
Robert J. Jackson of Nashville

Sister: Mrs. W. P. Regan of Nashville
Brothers:
E.G. Neely of St Petersburg Fla.
W.W. Neely of Venice Calif
Several Grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sources:
The Tennessean, November 3, 1946, p 4, col 2; image. Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-althea-wood/205240981/ : accessed September 3, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Althea Wood Jackson.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149556865/althea-jackson: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for Althea Wood Jackson (14 Apr 1860–2 Nov 1946), Memorial ID 149556865, citing Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Hardy Pope Jackson (1858-1939)

 

Hardy Pope Jackson
Born:  January 19 1858 in Bedford County
Died:  January 17, 1939
Parents:  James Lytle Jackson & Mary Charlotte Pope Jackson
Member of Union Ridge Baptist Church at Rover, Tenn
Buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park
Survivors
Wife: Mrs. Altha Wood Jackson
Daughters:
Mrs. C. F. Lucas of Nashville
Miss Ethel Jackson of Nashville
Mrs. Frank Redmond of Nashville
Mrs R. C. Owen of Hartsville Tenn.

Sons:
W.A. Jackson of Nashville
William Harrison Jackson of Nashville
Charles P Jackson of Nashville
James Ebron Jackson of Hendersonville, Tenn
Robert J. Jackson of Antioch

Brother: A.W. Jackson of Nashville
Sister: Mrs. Will Shelley of Decker, Tenn.
17 Grandchildren
5 Great-Grandchildren

Sources: 
Nashville Banner, January 18, 1939, p 10, col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-h-p-jack/205238272/ : accessed September 3, 2026), clip page for Obituary for H. P. Jackson.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149556666/hardy_pope-jackson: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for Hardy Pope Jackson (19 Jan 1858–16 Jan 1939), Memorial ID 149556666, citing Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Mrs. Robbie Kelly Jarrell (1896-1940)

 

Mrs. Roberta "Robbie" Buchanan Kelly Jarrell
Born: July 18, 1896
Died: April 9, 1940
Daughter of W. A. Kelly and Clemmie Buchanan Kelly
Survivors:
Husband, Burns Jarrell(Married June 1924)

Two Daughters:
Mary Louise Jarrell
Nancy Jane Jarrell

Three Sons:
Robert Burns Jarrell
Julius Sanford Jarrell
Enoch "Ensley" Jarrell

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, July 11, 1940, p 13, col  1; image. Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-robbi/205207224/ : accessed September 3, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Robbie Kelly Jarrell.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29091224/roberta-jarrell: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for Roberta “Robbie” Kelley Jarrell (18 Jul 1896–9 Apr 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 29091224, citing Jarrell Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Patsy Paterson (contributor 46596020).

In Memoriam: Nannie Elizabeth Lamb Taylor (1872-1940)

Mrs. Nannie Elizabeth Lamb Taylor
Born: November 28, 1872
Died: May 9, 1940
Joined Union Ridge Baptist in early girlhood
Parents: Willis Houston Lamb & Sarah Elizabeth Head
Predeceased by husband, George Taylor
Survivors:
3 Sons: Robert Aaron Taylor, James Willis Taylor, and Dennis "Dennie" Washington Taylor
Daughter: Mary Elizabeth Taylor Clay
7 Grandchildren

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, July 11, 1940, p 13, col 1; image,  Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-nanni/205201908/ : accessed September 3, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Nannie TAYLOR.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66485745/nannie_elizabeth-taylor: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for Nannie Elizabeth Lamb Taylor (28 Nov 1872–9 May 1940), Memorial ID 66485745, citing Lamb Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: James William Simpson (1856-1934)

 

James William Simpson
Born: March 13, 1856
Died: November 14, 1934
Married Kitty Keller January 14, 1891
Son: Frances "Frank" Grady Simpson
Taught in Public Schools for over 50 yrs in AL & TN

Sources:
Baptist and Reflector, February 7, 1935, p 10, col 4, Simpson; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-james/205079040/ : accessed September 1, 2026), clip page for Obituary for James William Simpson.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95238665/james_william-simpson: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for James William Simpson Jr. (1856–14 Nov 1934), Memorial ID 95238665, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Salome Duggin Hester Elmore (1867-1933)

Salome Duggin Hester Elmore

Born:  January 8, 1867

Died:  September 29, 1933

Married: October 15, 1889 to William Floyd Elmore

Converted early in life and became a member of Union Ridge Baptist Church.

Predeceased by Husband and two children

Survivors

Daughters:

Mary Elmore Heath

Ruth Elmore Blanton

Wilfred Elmore Harris

Son: 

Paul H Elmore

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, January 11, 1934, p  15, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-salome-hester-elmo/205166267/ : accessed September 2, 2026), clip page for Salome Hester Elmore--Death Notice.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209326944/salome_duggan-elmore: accessed 2 Sep 2026), memorial page for Salome Duggan Hester Elmore (8 Jan 1867–29 Sep 1933),  Memorial ID 209326944, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Benjamin Isaiah Simpson (1858-1932)

Benjamin Isaiah Simpson
Born:  May 25, 1858
Died:  Sep 22, 1932
Married Edna A Kimmons November 10, 1880
Predeceased by son, Eris K Simpson

Survivors:

Wife, Edna Kimmons Simpson

Sons:  

Robert Webb Simpson

Thomas Edgar Simpson

Benjamin Fred Simpson

Roy Jennings Simpson

Daughters:  

Naomi Ella "Nonnie" Simpson Davis

Alta Simpson Clay(Mrs. Edward Mastin Clay)

Deacon at Union Ridge Baptist
Mason
Member of Odd Fellows

Source:

Baptist and Reflector, May 4, 1933, p  8, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-obituary-for-b-i/205167282/ : accessed September 2, 2026), clip page for Obituary for B. I. SIMPSON.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18809707/benjamin_isaiah-simpson: accessed 2 Sep 2026), memorial page for Benjamin Isaiah Simpson (25 May 1858–22 Sep 1932), Memorial ID 18809707, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Frances Isadore Kirby Blanton (1862-1932)

Frances Isadore Kirby Blanton
Born: July 30, 1862
Died: February 28, 1932
Married to Richard Franklin Blanton in 1896
Converted and united with Union Ridge Baptist Church of Rover in early girlhood.


Source:
Baptist and Reflector, May 12, 1932, p 11, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-frances-isador-kir/205170528/ : accessed September 2, 2026), clip page for Frances Isador Kirby.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94868616/fannie-blanton: accessed 2 Sep 2026), memorial page for Fannie Kirby Blanton (20 Jul 1862–28 Feb 1932), Memorial ID 94868616, citing Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA..

In Memoriam: William Thomas Blanton (1854-1937)

William T Blanton
Born:  February 13 1854
Died:  May 2, 1937
Member of Union Ridge Baptist Church for about 63 yrs.
Married to Lula Cooper in November of 1886.
Predeceased by wife and two daughters--Mary Ella Blanton and Georgia Blanton Simpson 
Survived by a daughter--Mrs. Nora Bell Blanton Taylor and 2 sons--Sam Blanton of Rover and Will Blanton of Old Hickory.

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, July 8, 1937, p 13, col 1; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-w-t-blanton-deat/205154482/ : accessed September 2, 2026), clip page for W. T Blanton--Death Notice.

Nashville Banner, May 4, 1937, p  13, col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-obituary-for-william-th/205156118/ : accessed September 2, 2026), clip page for Obituary for William Thomas Blanton by user rmbeckman

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117540288/georgia-simpson: accessed 2 Sep 2026), memorial page for Georgia Blanton Simpson (30 Dec 1900–8 Mar 1931), Memorial ID 117540288, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209329134/nora_b-taylor: accessed 2 Sep 2026), memorial page for Nora B Taylor (31 Dec 1895–14 Aug 1982),  Memorial ID 209329134, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

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: William Allison "Allie" Thomason
Daughter: Mrs. John Tatum(Pauline Thomason) 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.

The Tennessean, April 21, 1940, p 10, col 4; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-james-montgo/205237733/ : accessed September 3, 2026), clip page for Obituary for James Montgomery THOMASON.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148953128/james_montgomery-thomason: accessed 3 Sep 2026), memorial page for James Montgomery Thomason (20 Nov 1861–20 Apr 1940), Memorial ID 148953128, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

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?