William M Davis vs. Lucinda C Davis-Bledsoe Co. TN(1884)

While exploring a lead on my Hale / Hitchcock line I ended up finding more about Wm P Hale's sister, Lucinda C Hale Bishop Davis.

While I have never been able to find her marriage to William Davis, I did find their divorce.

Image 111

The court claims the default judgement since Lucinda didn't show up after being subpoenaed.

Image 128  

Hearing Date:   10 March 1884

appearing to the court that Deft. Lucinda Davis had been guilty of

dwelling since her intermarriage with the complainant, with divers persons in violation of her marriage vows and it further appearing to the court that complt is a man of good character.  It is therefore ordered and decreed by the court that the bonds of matrimony subsisting between complainant & defendant be and hereby dissolved, decread & declared null and void for nothing held and that they be and are hereby divorced dvincul And it is further adjudged by the court that Deft recover of complainant all court cost in this case except state and co. tax for which execution will issue.

More clues about my Hale family. 

Sources:

Bledsoe Co TN Minute Books, Civil & Criminal Oct 1881-Nov 1889

p. 158, William Davis vs. Lucinda C Davis; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39J-CQG9-5 : accessed October 6, 2026), IGN 8478557, Image 111 of 622.

Bledsoe Co TN Minute Books, Civil & Criminal Oct 1881-Nov 1889

p. 193, William Davis vs. Lucinda C Davis; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39J-CQL1-P : accessed October 6, 2026), IGN 8478557, Image 128 of 622.

The Family of William Taylor Hale(1820-1861) of Bledsoe, Warren and Van Buren Counties, Tennessee

I found an entry for a case listed as State of TN vs. John Bishop in the Warren Co Tennessee Minute Book(June 1860-Feb 1867) The pages are numbered in the book(viewed on FamilySearch which has digitized the microfilmed records) and this entry begins on page 476 and carries over to the next page.  There are no dates mentioned in this listing itself that would tell when it was recorded.  However, it is recorded in between pages that are headed as Feb 6 1866 and Feb 12 1866 which would put it as some time in early February of 1866.  

By that time, my Wm Taylor Hale had died from drowning.  His daughter, Caroline Lucinda Hale had married John Bishop August 8th 1865 in Van Buren Co TN and was at the time of this document, about 4 months pregnant with their son, James Monroe Bishop(born June 1866)

Information on the Hale family is hard to find for the period 1860-1880,  If I am being honest, it doesn't get much easier during the 1880 to 1930 timeframe either as there are many same names to sort thru. For this article I will focus on the 1860 to 1880 time period.

William Taylor Hale Family Timeline

1820 BIRTH: of Wm Taylor Hale

1825 BIRTH:  of brother Frances A. Hale.

1832 DEATH:  of father, John Nathaniel Hale, in Warren County, Tennessee.

1841 TAX: (Dist. 8), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1842 TAX: (Dist. 8) as "Taylor Hails", Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1843 MARRIAGE: Wm T Hale and Adaline Elzie in Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1843 TAX: (Dist. 8) as "William T Hail", Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1844 BIRTH: Lucinda C  Hale, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.(April)

1844 TAX: (Dist. 8) as "Taylor Hails", Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1845 TAX: (Dist. 8) as "William T Hail", Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1846 TAX: NOT LISTED in the Van Buren County Tax List (Dist. 8), his brother Francis was listed.

1847 TAX: (Dist. 8) alongside Francis Hale, Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1848 BIRTH: of son, James A. Hale, in Tennessee.(July)

1848 TAX: (Dist. 8) alongside Francis Hail, Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1849 BIRTH: of son, William P. Hale, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.(May)

1849 TAX: (Dist. 8) alongside Francis Hale, Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1850 CENSUS: Van Buren Co TN Dist. 6 HH #239 Wm T, Adaline & 3 oldest children

1850 CENSUS:  Van Buren Co TN Dist. 8 HH #344 Francis Hale, wife, infant dau & Mom Catherine

1850 TAX:  (Dist. 8), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1851 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1852 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1853 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1854 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1855 BIRTH: of daughter, Mary Hale, in Tennessee.

1855 TAX: (Dist. 10), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1856 TAX: (Dist. 10), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1857 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1858 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1859 TAX: (Dist. 6), Van Buren County, Tennessee.

1860 CENSUS: (None of the Hale Family Located)

1861 DEATH:  drowned in Collins River, Warren Co., TN (Spring)

1861 BURIED:  at Shellsford Cemetery in McMinnville, TN.

Continuation of the Timeline of the Hale Family up to their reappearance in Census Records

1861  BIRTH: of son, John Nathaniel Hale.(July)

1865  MARRIAGE: of Lucinda C Hale to John Bishop(Van Buren Co. TN Aug 8)

1866 COURT: State of TN vs John Bishop assault w/ intent to commit robbery(bond Francis Hale)

1866  BIRTH: of Lucinda & John's son--James Monroe Bishop

1870  CENSUS: None of the Wm T Hale Family located on Census

1870  CENSUS:  Francis Hale Family Warren Co TN Dist 4 Dwelling & Family 37 

1874  MARRIAGE:  of James A Hale to Mary Polly Hillis

1876  BIRTH: of Lucinda & Mr. Davis' son--Luther Davis

1880  CENSUS: Adaline & Lucinda living same household (Van Buren Co. TN Dist. 8) 

1880  CENSUS: James A. Hale & Family(Van Buren Co. TN Dist. 8)

1880  CENSUS: Wm P. Hale & Family(Bledsoe Co. TN Dist. 1)

1880  CENSUS: Mary Hale Johnson & Family(Bledsoe Co. TN Dist. 1)

Transcription of the Warren Co TN Court Minutes:

page 476

State of Tennessee vs. John Bishop
No 167 Assault to commit Robbery  Rile B Thomas? prosecutor

came the defendant and Francis Hale
and Hardy Patterson into open court and acknowledged
themselfs to owe and stand indebted to the state of Tennessee in the
sum of One thousand five hundred dollars that is to say the
the defendants in the sum of one thousand dollars and the
said Francis Hale and Hardy Patterson in the sum of Five
hundred dollars jointly and severally to be levied of them respective
good and Chattels lands and tenements to the use of the state but
to be void on condition that the said Defendant makes his person
al appearance before the judge of our next circuit court to be held
for the county of Warren in the court house in the town of McMinnville

Page 477
On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June Next
to answer the state of TN on a charge of assault to commit
Robery(sic) and does not depart without leave of the court
Circuit Court Clerks Office Warren Co TN

This appears to be Wm T Hale's brother Francis putting up a security for John Bishop, husband of his niece Lucinda Hale Bishop.  There is another court entry dated June 5th of 1866 that shows that John Bishop did not show, nor did Francis Hale or Hardy Patterson.  

Ten years later Lucinda gives birth to another son that carries the surname Davis though I have never been able to find that marriage or a divorce from John Bishop. 

Oddly enough I found a divorce that was filed by a female Frances Hale(maiden name Clark) against a Wm T Hale.  This was June 1st of 1886 in Warren Co TN.  Name is the same but the people are not.

I've not found much on this family until recent years and I've yet to find an account of Wm Taylor Hale's drowning.  The main sources I have for this family outside of the 1850 census and marriage is a letter written by Phoebe Hale McCormick(younger daughter of the youngest son of Wm Taylor Hale) to my cousin  Margie Hale, a Hale and Acuff researcher.  I'm writing more about that and examining it in another blog post. Lots of work yet to be done on this line.

Source
Warren County TN Minute book June 1860-Feb 1867, p 476 & 477, State of Tennessee vs John Bishop; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-N954-R : accessed 30 September 2026), IGN 8478322, Image 242 of 344

In Memoriam: Eris Kimmons Simpson (1900 - 1923)

 

Eris Kimmons Simpson

Born:  October 17, 1900

Died:  May 3, 1923

Contracted Typhoid while working in Akron Ohio.

Survivors:

Parents:  Benjamin Isaiah Simpson and Edna Angeline Kimmons Simpson

Siblings:

Naomi E. Simpson Davis

Alta Dugan Simpson Clay 

Robert Webb Simpson

Thomas Edgar Simpson

Benjamin Frederic Simpson

Roy Jennings Simpson

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, August 16, 1923, p  13, col 2; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-eris-simpson-obit/206720933/ : accessed September 25, 2026), clip page for Eris Simpson--obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131422937/eris_kimmins-simpson: accessed 25 Sep 2026), memorial page for Eris Kimmins Simpson (17 Oct 1900–3 May 1923), Memorial ID 131422937, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA,

In Memoriam: Edna Rushing Wilhoite Davis (1871 - 1911)

 

Edna Rushing Wilhoite Davis

Born:  July 31, 1871

Died:  May 17, 1911

Buried at Willow Mount Cemetery in Bedford Co. TN

Parents:  Richard B. & Tennie Wilhoite

Husband:  John E Davis(married May 15, 1897)

Sources:

Baptist and Reflector, October 12, 1911, p  15, col 2 & 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/baptist-and-reflector-edna-rushing-davis/206593737/ : accessed September 23, 2026), clip page for Edna Rushing Davis--Obit.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92014542/edna_r-davis: accessed 23 Sep 2026), memorial page for Edna R. Wilhoite Davis (31 Jul 1871–17 May 1911), Memorial ID 92014542, citing Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

In Memoriam: Alonzo Birt Loyd (1896 - 1947)

 

Alonzo B. Loyd
Born: July 28, 1896
Died: November 13, 1947

Parents:  William Jefferson Loyd and Martha Rebecca Davis Loyd

Funeral Held at Rover Baptist with

Burial in Simpson Cemetery

Survivors

Mom-- Rebecca Loyd

Wife Edna Loyd

Daughter--Mildred Loyd of Mobile,  AL

Son-- Evans Loyd of Nashville, TN

Sisters:

Mrs. Lena Helton of Murfreesboro, TN

Mrs. J. W. Trott of Murfreesboro, TN

Mrs. Johnnie Walls of Murfreesboro, TN

Mrs. J. S. Vinson of Old Hickory, TN

Mrs. J. E. Blackburn of Florence, AL

Mrs. J W Drumwright of Chapel Hill, TN

Mrs Ruth Smith of Fosterville, TN

Brothers:  

Richard Loyd of Nashville,TN

Walter Loyd of Murfreesboro, TN

Lytle Loyd of Murfreesboro, TN

Clarence Loyd of Bristol, TN

Wayne Loyd of Bell Buckle, TN

Two Grandchildren

Sources:

The Tennessean, November 14, 1947, p 4, col 3; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-for-alonzo-b-lo/205459169/ : accessed September 6, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Alonzo B. Loyd.

Find a Grave, database and images  (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196675489/alonzo_birt-loyd: accessed 6 Sep 2026), memorial page for Alonzo Birt Loyd (28 Jul 1896–13 Nov 1947), Memorial ID 196675489, 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.

J K Cook--Road Work Book Entry 1874-1875 -- Bedford Co. TN

Below are my transcriptions from the Bedford County Tennessee Road Work Book that concern J K Cook.  I believe he was overseer for the period from Oct 1874-1875 at which time N B King was appointed to take his place. These entries are part of the Cook Family timeline which will be an upcoming blog post.   It is nice to see the properties mentioned.  

Oct 6 1874

This day the court is pleased to appoint J.K Cook over

seer of the Road leading from Dogwood Grove Church Road
in W C Taylors West boundary line to Versials  & Nicholas
Mill Road at Joseph Hayne Southwest corner and
that he have the following hands J K Cooks Widow

Lambs dowry T W Davis N F Neal Joseph Haynes
Rebecca King that lies in 10th Dist and that he
work the same as a second class Road.

Oct 6 1875
This day J K Cook overseer of the road leading from Dogwood

Grove Church Road in Taylor's W Line to Versailes & Nicolus Mill Road 

at Joseph Haynes SW Corner returned into court his order which 

was by the court accepted and it is ordered by the court that 

N B King be appointed in his ____ and stead and that he have 

the following bounds and hands. All the hand on the widow 

Lambs dower, J K Cooks hands T W Davis N F Niel Joseph Haynes, 

Rebecca Kings that live in the 10th Dist & W H Lambs and that he w

ork the same as a second class road.

Sources:  

Bedford County, Tennessee, County Court Clerk's Office, Road Minutes and Overseers Books," 1873-1886, 1889-1891, 1910, image, IGN 8659616, image 47 of 490, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-D3C6-HZ4M?i=46&cat=247682 : accessed 16 April 2024), citing Road Books, Vol. 1A, 1873-1883 pg 36, Tuesday, 6 October 1874, J K Cook appointed Overseer.

Bedford County, Tennessee, County Court Clerk's Office, Road Minutes and Overseers Books," 1873-1886, 1889-1891, 1910, image, IGN 8659616, image 72 of 490, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-63C6-HHXT?i=71&cat=247682 : accessed 16 April 2024), citing Road Books, Vol. 1A, 1873-1883 pg 86, Tuesday, 6 October 1875, J K Cook Overseer to N B King.