Triple Cousin, Lifelong Teacher: The Legacy of Oscar Roy Ashley

Discovering a cousin who connects to your tree thru multiple lines is not that rare on my paternal grandmother's side of the family.  I always like to map out the lines.  This one was a really great find even though he didn't leave any descendants, he left much more.

Oscar Roy Ashley (1906–2001) is my cousin thru 3 ancestor couples: James Morrow & Margaret Sutton, James Jakes & Nancy Harger, and James Knox & Elizabeth Craig. Born in Bedford County and raised in Murfreesboro, Oscar never married or had any known children. Instead, the record trail shows a life completely dedicated to literature and education. Oscar pursued his love for words at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduating in 1927 with a BA in English. The census records map out his decades in the classroom:

1930: Back in Bedford County, working as a local schoolteacher in Shelbyville.

1940: Relocated to Chattanooga, where he joined the faculty of the prestigious Baylor School.

1950: A brief stint in New York City working as an instructor before returning home to Tennessee.

He also served in the US Army Air Forces  during World War II

He spent decades mentoring young minds, eventually retiring in Chattanooga where he lived to be 94.

While Oscar left no known descendants to carry on his name, his final act ensured his passion for education would live on. In his will, he left his estate to his alma mater to establish the Oscar Roy Ashley Graduate School Fellowship at UT Knoxville. Today, this permanent endowment funds a $4,000 annual fellowship for talented, returning graduate students who show exceptional academic performance.

From the UT Knoxville Website  https://gradschool.utk.edu/ 

Also see the Oscar Roy Ashley Papers

The census records simply list him as "never married, but Oscar’s legacy is clearly written in the fellowship that still bears his name.

Sources Consulted:

Oscar Roy Ashley Graveside services for Oscar Roy Ashley, 94, formerly of Murfreesboro, who died Monday, July 16, at his home in Chattanooga, will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Chattanooga National Cemetery. The Rev. E. Lane Alderman Jr. will officiate. He was the son of the late Edgar Leander and Mary Elvira Stephenson Ashley.

The Daily News-Journal, July 18, 2001, Page  11. image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-journal-oscar-roy-ashley/197716870/ : accessed May 17, 2026).

1910 United States Federal Census: Civil District 1, Bedford County, Tennessee. Status: Single, Son.

1920 United States Federal Census: Murfreesboro Ward 1, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Status: Single, Son.

1930 United States Federal Census: Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee. Status: Single, Boarder; Occupation: Teacher.

1940 United States Federal Census: Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Occupation: Secondary School Teacher.

1950 United States Federal Census: New York, New York, New York. Status: Never Married; Occupation: Instructor. 

Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869–1909: Confirming birth on September 26, 1906, in Bedford County.

U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880–2012: Documenting his education, including his 1927 graduation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014

The Daily News-Journal (Murfreesboro, TN): Obituary published on July 18, 2001, page 11.

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938–1946

U.S., WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947: Showing his employment at the Baylor School in Hamilton County, Tennessee, dated October 16, 1940.

U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s–Current: Documenting his burial at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Hamilton County, Tennessee (Memorial ID 64920975).

Mothers of my Direct Line--Out to the 2nd Great Level

In celebration of Mother's Day I've gathered the information I have for the Mothers in my direct line out to my 2nd Great Grandmothers.  I did not include my mother as she is still living. This was a very interesting exercise and it let me see where I have opportunities for more research on these mother lines.  My Dad's mother, Pearl Gray Jakes Cooke was the only one of these women that I met.

Decoration Day where my maternal grandparents and maternal great grandparents are buried is on Mother's Day.  I remember when we would go to place flowers on the graves that the women whose mother was still living wore a red rose and those whose mother had passed on wore a white rose.

Grandmothers

Pearl Gray Jakes Cooke

Birth: 21 Mar 1891 in Bell Buckle, Bedford Co., Tennessee

Death: 1 Jul 1993 in Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee (Aged 102)

Burial: Jul 1993 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Davidson County, Tennessee

Parents

Father: James M Jakes (1857–1941) 

Mother: Telitha Ann Frizzell (1858–1920).

Husband

Thomas Dewitt Cooke (1888–1971), married 10 Mar 1912 in Shelbyville, Bedford County, TN solemnized by Brom R. Whittemore, Justice of the Peace.

Children

Magnus Elizabeth Cooke (1913–2000)

Viola White Cooke (1915–2006)

Thomas Dewitt Cooke (1918–1927)

Olive June Cooke (1923–2006)

Morris Bradford Cooke (1927–1994)

Billy Joe Cooke (1930–2011)

Living- Daughter

She survived six of her seven siblings living to the age of 102 and lost her 8 yr old son Tomie D to scarlet fever.

Sources

Census 

1900 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 12B

1910 Bedford Co TN Bell Buckle p 6A

1920 Marshall Co TN Dist 1 p 4B

1930 Davidson Co TN Dist 4 p 28A

1940 Davidson Co TN Dist 4 Old Hickory p 10B

1950 Davidson Co TN Old Hickory ED 19-17 Sheet 10

Vital Records

Tennessee Delayed Birth Records (1869-1909)

She was 60 years old when she applied for her delayed TN birth certicate. The sources on that certificate are the births of two of  her children, Jakes Family Bible and her sister's death certificate.

Pearl is listed as Mother in the US Social Security Application and Claims Index accounts of her children Magnus, Viola, June and Morris.

US City Directories

She is listed in several City Directories in the 1950s in Nashville.

Newspapers.com obituary from The Tennessean (3 Jul 1993)

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obituary-of-pearl-gray-ja/12003253/

Several personal items are noted, including saved envelopes from her scrapbooks that verify her various Nashville addresses. 

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34100383/pearl_gray-cooke : accessed May 8, 2026), memorial page for Pearl Gray Jakes Cooke (21 Mar 1891–1 Jul 1993), Memorial ID 34100383, citing Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

You can read more about her in a blog post I did a number of years back on her birthday.

https://mariegen.blogspot.com/2017/03/march-21-1891-birthday-of-pearl-gray.html

DNA

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Jakes & Frizzell lines and thru siblings of Pearl.

mtDNA haplogroup U3a1c8a.

Minnie Acuff Luna

Birth: October 26, 1899, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Death: July 5, 1957, in Lincoln County, Tennessee.

Burial: Charity Baptist Church Cemetery, Hazel Green, Alabama.

Minnie's obituary is transcribed in my blog post at

https://mariegen.blogspot.com/2026/04/obituary-of-minnie-acuff-luna-lincoln.html

Parents

Father: James Polk Acuff (1872–1939)

Mother: Emma Frances Hale (1875–1939)

Husband

William Richard Luna (1892–1994) married July 18, 1915, in Van Buren Co., Tennessee.

Children

Eustace/Huston Haskell Luna (1916–1992)

James Bertrom Luna (1919–2000)

Geneva Hortense Luna (1922–1923)

Mary Elizabeth Luna (1924–1925)

Ressie Mae Luna (1926–2015)

Otis Linel Luna (1929–2006)

Jessie Lee Luna (1932–2024)

Living Daughter

William Ernest "Bill" Luna (1937–2020)

My Mother who is still living

Roy Wayne Luna (1943–2013)

Sources

Censuses

1900 Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p2A

1910 Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p2A

1920 Madison Co AL Dallas p 10B

1930 Lincoln Co TN Dist 2 p 7A

1940 Lincoln Co TN p 4B

1950 Van Buren Co TN ED 88-5 sheet 3

Vital Records

She lost two infant daughters, Geneva & Elizabeth. Elizabeth's birth announcement was listed in the Huntsville Times(AL).

She was in and out of the hospital several times. My Mom remembers that they pulled fluid off of her frequently.  

She was struck by lightning and lived.

She was also hit by a stray bullet from folks hunting while sitting in her front yard in Van Buren Co TN and survived that but died at the age of 57.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9335871/minnie-luna : accessed May 8, 2026), memorial page for Minnie Acuff Luna (26 Oct 1899–5 Jul 1957),.Memorial ID 9335871, citing Charity Baptist Church Cemetery, Hazel Green, Madison County, Alabama, USA.

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Acuff & Hale lines and thru siblings of Minnie.

mtDNA haplogroup is H3ei2.

Great Grandmothers

Jane Bell King Cook

Birth: March 5, 1853, in Arkansas.

Death: May 7, 1921, in Rockvale, Rutherford Co, Tennessee. 

The cause of death is noted as pulmonary tuberculosis.

Burial: May 1921, at the King Cook Cemetery in Rover, Bedford County, Tennessee.

Parents

Father: William Benton King (1819–1901)

Mother: Eliza Jane Manire (1818–1896)

Husband

William Green Cook (1854–1944); Married 1876.Marriage: February 3, 1876, in Bedford County, Tennessee, to William Green Cook.

Children

John Lemuel Cook (1877–1968)

Rebecca Love Cook (1882–1928)

Eliza Amacy Cook (1885–1973)

Thomas Dewitt Cooke (1888–1971)

William Clarence Cook (1891–1962)

Laura E. Cook (1896–1898)

Sources 

Census

1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 Rover P.O. p222

1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 292A

1880 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 275C

1900 Bedford Co TN Dist 9 p 5B

1910 Rutherford Co TN Dist 12  p 14B

1920 Entire Household was missed (She had Tuberculosis)

Vital Records

Jane is listed as mother on the TN Death Certificates of her son Clarence and her daughter Rebecca.

Jane is listed as mother on the Indiana Death Certificate of daughter, Eliza.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15668259/jane_belle-cook : accessed May 7, 2026), memorial page for Jane Belle King Cook (5 Mar 1853–7 May 1921),Memorial ID 15668259, citing King-Cook Cemetery, Unionville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the King & Manire lines and thru siblings of Jane.

Telitha Ann Frizzell Jakes

Birth: 28 Mar 1858 in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Death: 18 May 1920 in Bedford County, Tennessee 

Burial: 19 May 1920 at Willow Mount Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee.

Parents

David W. Frizzell (1808–1870)

Rebecca Manley (1818–1862)

Husband

James M. Jakes (1857–1941)01 Sep 1880 in Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Children

Ella Ruby Jakes (1881–1934)

Fannie Cora Jakes (1883–1965)

Lula B. Jakes (1885–1977)

Katherine "Kitty" Jakes (1887–1963)

John L. Jakes (1889–1937)

Pearl Gray Jakes (1891–1993)

William Bryan Jakes (1897–1997)

Frank Euless Jakes (1900–1983)

Sources

Census 

1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 117

1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 171B

1880 Never Located her in this census

1900 Bedford Co TN Dist 4 p 12B

1910 Bedford Co TN Bell Buckle p 6A

1920 Bedford Co TN Dist 7 excluding Shelbyville p 1B

Vital Records

Annie is listed as Mother on son John's Social Security Applications and Claims Index and also on his TN Death Certificate as well as the TN Death Certificate of daughter Cora.

Property Records: Bedford County Deed Book 21, p 124 (Recording the sale of land to Abe Eaton in 1914).

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95394553/thelitha_ann-jakes: accessed May 7, 2026), memorial page for Thelitha Ann “Annie” Frizzell Jakes (28 Mar 1858–18 May 1920), Memorial ID 95394553, citing Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Frizzell & Manley lines and thru siblings of Annie.
mtDNA haplogroup U3a1c8a.

Nancy F Pitman Luna

Birth: 1867 in Tennessee.

Death: April 1899

Burial: Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Parents

Father: David Pitman (1838–1922)

Mother: Mary D. Frances Adcock (1842–1902)

Husband

David Enoch Luna (1865–1948) on July 19, 1885, in White Co, Tennessee. 

Bond and License were issued on July 18, 1885.

Children

Minnie Frances Luna (1887–1976)

Martha Elizabeth Luna (1889–1939)

Haskell Luna (1891–1891)

William Richard Luna (1892–1994)

Mary Lee Nova Luna (1896–1996)

Samuel Douglas "Dougie" Luna (1899–1989)

Sources

Census

1870 Rutherford Co TN, Dist 6 p 298B

1880 Dekalb Co TN, p 97B

Research Note

Nancy’s residence moved between Rutherford and DeKalb counties during her youth. Notably, her final child, Samuel, was born in March 1899, just one month before her recorded death in April 1899.

When she gave birth to my maternal Grandfather Will in April of 1892 she was in Jordan, Fulton County, Kentucky.  I've always been puzzled by that because the family lived in the Dekalb, White, and Van Buren Co of Tennessee any other time I find them.  My theory is that she was visiting some of her kinfolk there and went into premature labor.  Pa was a really small baby and they did not think he was going to make it but he lived to be 101 years old--dying less than a month from what would have been his 102 birthday.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57299038/nancy_florence-luna : accessed May 7, 2026), memorial page for Nancy Florence Pittman Luna (1867–1899),Memorial ID 57299038, citing Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA.

Emma Frances "Fannie" Hale Acuff

Birth: 5 Nov 1875 in Cane Ridge, Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Death: 5 Sep 1939 in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama.

Burial: Sep 1939 at Charity Cemetery in Hazel Green, Madison County, Alabama.

Parents

Father: William P. Hale (1849–1926)

Mother: Nancy Arminda Hitchcock (1840–1887)

Husband

James Polk Acuff: Married 27 Feb 1897 in Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Children

William Elsie Acuff (1898–1981)

Minnie Acuff (1899–1957)

Ovena Acuff (1902–1975)

Ernest Odin Acuff (1904–1935)

Emma Lou Acuff (1908–1994)

Sarah Acuff (1911–1989)

Sources

Census 

1880 Bledsoe Co TN, Dist 1, p 3A HH # 50

1900 Van Buren Co TN, Dist 1, p 2A

1910 Van Buren Co TN, Dist 1, p 2A

1920 Van Buren Co TN, Dist 1, p 10A

1930 Madison Co AL, Dallas, p 10A

Vital Records:

Fannie is listed as the mother on the TN Death Certificate of daughter Minnie as well as in the Social Security Application and Claims Index for daughter, Sarah.

The Huntsville Times, 5 Sep 1939, p 8, col 3

DEATH CLAIMS MRS. ACUFF, 63 

Rites For Local Woman Will Be Held at Home Tomorrow 

Mrs. James Acuff, 63, died this morning at 4 o'clock at the residence, 319 Rison avenue, following a long illness. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock at the home, with Homer P. Reeves, minister of the Central Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will follow in Charity cemetery, with Womack in charge of arrangements. Surviving are the husband; one son, William Acuff; four daughters, Mrs. Minnie Luna, Mrs. Ovena Sharp Sara Acuff, all of Huntsville, and Mrs. Emma Sanders, of Tennessee; and two brothers, Sam and Charles Hale, both of McMinnville, Tenn.

Pallbearers at the funeral will be John McBride, Bob Knowles, H. P. Patton, Lloyd Polk, Raymond Smith and Horace Anderton. 

DNA
atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Hale & Hitchcock lines and thru siblings of Fannie.
mtDNA haplogroup is H3ei2.

2nd Great Grandmothers

Elizabeth Putman Cook

Birth: 1814 Union County, South Carolina, USA

Death: Sept 5, 1880 Bedford County, Tennessee, USA

Burial: Sept 1880 Rover, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA

Parents

Father: Jabel Putman (1772–1835)

Mother: Nancy Tyler (1784–1870)

Husband

William Clifford Cook(1811–1882): Married on September 27, 1831

Children

Minerva Cook (1834–1900)

James Polk Cook (1836–1888)

Angeline Cook (1838–1938)

Joseph Knox "Joe" Cook (1840–1907)

Rebecca Cook (1843–1857)

Jefferson Gideon Cook Sr. (1845–1931)

Elizabeth Cook (1848–1848)

David V. Cook (1849–1857)

Lurainy Jane Cook (1852–1924)

William Green Cook (1854–1944)

Cass Buchanan Cook (1857–1908)

Sources

Census

1840 Dyer Co TN p 104

1850 Likely Enumerated in Bedford Co TN Dist 10(Dist 10 entries are lost)

1860 Bedford Co TN, Dist 10, p 222

1870 Bedford Co TN, Dist 10, p 292B

1880 Bedford Co TN, Dist 9, p 269D

Vital Records: Vital Records: Her maiden name is listed on the TN Death Certificate of Daughter Lurainy(though it is not spelled correctly.  Her full name is listed on the TN Death Certificates of son Wm Green Cook and Jefferson Gideon Cook.  I have not yet located the death certificate of Angeline Cook.

Newspapers: National Banner and Nashville Whig (December 7, 1831)announces W C & Elizabeth's Sept marriage along with others.  Note on Marriage Date: While some transcriptions list the marriage as September 29, the original license confirms the ceremony was solemnized by Lemuel Manire on September 27, 1831.

FamilySearch Records: Including a deed for 42 acres in Williamson County

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4T-Q99F-3

Jabel’s Estate Division of Land. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-6WVD-J

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66488146/elizabeth-cook : accessed May 6, 2026), memorial page for Elizabeth Putman Cook (1814–5 Sep 1880), Memorial ID 66488146, citing Simpson Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Putman line thru siblings of Elizabeth.

Eliza Jane Manire King

Birth: 1818 in Williamson Co., Tennessee.

Death: April 1896 in Gainesville, Cooke Co., Texas.

Burial: Gainesville, Cooke Co., Texas.

Parents

Father: David Lemuel Manire (1792–1837)

Mother: Susanna Elizabeth Jackson (1798–1862)

Husband

William Benton King (1819–1901), married in 30 Sep 1841 in Williamson Co., Tennessee. The ceremony was solemnized by William Davis.

Children

Susanna Rebecca King (1842–1932)

Minerva Mary King (1845–1925)

W. J. King (1848–1860)

Stephen Robert King (1850–1913)

Jane Bell King (1853–1921)

Margaret Jordon King (1855–1926)

Richard Nance King (1857–1910)

Sources

Census 

1830 Williamson Co TN p 178 line 16 She is Female 10-14 in fathers Household

1840  Not yet found likely Williamson Co TN in Widowed Mother's Household

1850 Rutherford Co TN Versailles, p 245A

1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 222

1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 p 292A

1880 Bedford Co TN Dist 10 Rover p 275C

Vital Records

Eliza's maiden name of Manier/Manire is listed on Mary Manerva's TX Death Certificate.  Her full name is listed on the TN Death Certificate of her daughter Jane B King Cook.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89397706/eliza_jane-king : accessed May 6, 2026), memorial page for Eliza Jane Manire King (1818–Apr 1896), memorial ID 89397706, citing Fairview Cemetery, Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, USA.

DNA

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Manire line thru siblings of Eliza.

Catherine Morrow Jakes

Born: About 1830

Died: After 26 Dec 1881 evidenced by her role in a deed transfer at that time.

Parents

Father:   James Morrow(1785–1839)

Mother:  Margaret Sutton(1792–1844)

Dates of parents death(year) are given in records concerning land which fell to her and her siblings after parents death.

Husband

George Jakes married about 1845

Children

Ann Jakes (1846–1890)

Parthenia Jakes (1847–1895)

Margaret Elizabeth "Bettie" Jakes (13 Jun 1850 – 1933)

Jane Jakes (1855–1898)

James M Jakes (02 May 1857 – 1941)

William Jakes (Born ~1859)

Sources

Census:

1830 Bedford County  p 110 line 1(She is female under 5 in James Morrow's Household)

1840 Not Found likely in Bedford as she marries there abt 1845 look at guardian records

1850 Bedford Co TN Dist 1 p 80(stamped)

1860 Bedford Co TN Dist 1 Fairfield PO p 6(written)

1870 Bedford Co TN Dist 1 Shelbyville PO p 119(stamped)

1880 Rutherford Co TN Dist 24 p 372B

Court & Legal:

To determine a date of death range, the following court case was used.

George Jakes Deed to W A Kelton Rutherford Co TN Dist 24

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTZ-H3ML-L

Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958) listed on daughter Bettie's TN Death Certificate but spelled as Marr likely from how some pronounced Morrow.

DNA

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Morrow line thru siblings of Catherine.

Rebecca Manley Frizzell

Birth: 1818 in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Death: 1862 in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Parents

Father: Reuben Manley (1782–1854)

Mother: Margaret Elizabeth Frizzell (1783–1827)

Husband

David W. Frizzell (1808–1870)(source: Frizzell Bible)  15 Nov 1834

Children

Lee Andrew Frizzell (1835–1901)

Margaret Catherine Frizzell (1837–1845)

James Reuben Frizzell (1839–1912)

Mary Elizabeth Frizzell (1840–1910)

David Crockett Frizzell (1842–)

Henry Hugh Clay Frizzell (1845–1917)

Permelia Jane Frizzell (1846–1882)

John B. Frizzell (1851–1929)

Absalom Manley Frizzell (1852–1931)

Theoderick Rushing Frizzell (1854–1926)

Telitha Ann Frizzell (1858–1920)

Sources

Census

1830: Bedford Co Tennessee p  131  Line 16(Female 10-14 in Reuban Manley's Household)

1840: Bedford Co Tennessee p 20 line 1(Female 20-29 in David's Household)

1850: Bedford Co Tennessee Dist 4 p 113B 

1860: Bedford Co Tennessee Dist 4 p 116B 

Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958) She is listed as mother on her children John B, Ab Manley and Telitha Annie's Death Certificates

Frizzell Bible(published 1846) Transcribed in Bible Records of Calloway County and Adjoining Counties(1971)

DNA

atDNA matches in the expected range with cousins that descend from the Manley line thru siblings of Rebecca.

mtDNA haplogroup U3a1c8a

Keziah Rigsby Luna

Birth: May 1832 in Tennessee.

Death: 1909 in DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Burial: 1909 at Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Parent

Father: Canada Rigsby (1788–1848)

Mother: Mary Lewis (1790–1850)

Husband

Elisha Luna (1825–1889)December 11, 1851, in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Children

Samuel Turney Luna (1853–1903)

Elisha Luna (1855– )

James Dykes Luna (1858–1930)

Nancy Frances Luna (1863–1937)

David Enoch Luna (1865–1948)

Perry Green Luna (1869–1920)

Sources

Census

1850 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 6 p 86 

1860 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 7 Smithville PO p 129

1870 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 7 p 177b

1880 DeKalb Co. TN Dist. 7 p 171c

1900 Dekalb Co. TN Dist. 7 p 181

US Federal Census records. These place her consistently in Civil Districts 6 and 7 of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Vital Records

Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958) Listed as mother on the TN Death Certificate of her sons, James D, and David E.  Also listed as mother on son, Perry G. and daughter, Mary F's AL Death Records.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71693814/keziah_ziggy-luna : accessed May 5, 2026), memorial page for Keziah “Kizzie” Rigsby Luna (May 1832–1909), Memorial ID 71693814, citing Indian Mound Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA 

atDNA matches with cousins thru Rigsby and Lewis lines.

Mary Adcock Pitman

Birth: 20 May 1842 DeKalb County, Tennessee
Death: 30 Dec 1902 DeKalb County, Tennessee
Burial: Young Bend Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee

Parents
Father: Thomas Adcock (1817–1905)
Mother: Frances Bowles (1819–1906)

Husband
David Pitman (1838–1922)
Marriage Date: 22 Dec 1859 DeKalb County, Tennessee

Children
Thomas Lucian Pittman (1861–1912)
Marshall Pitman (1865–1939)
Green Pitman (1867– )
Nancy Florence Pittman (1867–1899)
David Harlin Pitman (1869–1949)
Francis P. Pittman (1872–1947)
Mary Evelyn Pittman (1873– )
Sarah L. Pittman (1878–1961)
James M. Pittman (1880–1910)
William Horace Pittman (1883–1953)
John Tatum Pitman (1886–1970)
Robert Cecil Pittman (1886–1959)

Sources
Census 
1850 DeKalb Co. TN Dist 6 p 84A
1860 Dekalb Co. TN 7th Civil Dist p 132
1870 Rutherford Co. TN 6th Civil Dist PO Florence p 298B
1880 Dekalb Co. TN Dist 11 p 97B
1900 Dekalb Co. TN Civil Dist 7 p 175A

Tennessee State Marriages (1780-2002): Documentation for her 1859 wedding.
Her maiden name of Adcock is listed on her son David's California Death Certificate
Her full name is listed on TN Death Cert. of daughters Sarah and Pearl as well as the Social Security Application of her son Wm Horace Pittman.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54762406/mary_frances-pitmon : accessed May 5, 2026), memorial page for Mary Frances Adcock Pitmon (20 May 1842–30 Dec 1903), Memorial ID 54762406, citing Young Bend Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA 

atDNA matches with cousins thru Adcock and Bowles lines.

Sarah McElroy Acuff
Birth: November 28, 1847, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.
Death: July 2, 1925, in Dallas, Madison County, Alabama.
Burial: July 4, 1925, at McElroy Cemetery, Van Buren County, Tennessee.

Parents
Father: Andrew Jackson McElroy (1820–1900)
Mother: Jane Webb (1825–1867)

Husband 

William Leon Acuff: Married January 5, 1871, in Van Buren County, Tennessee.
They met while he was preaching at the Antioch Christian Church.
He preceded her in death in 1898.

Children
James Polk Acuff (1872–1939)
Andrew Jackson Acuff (1873–1942)
Mattie Ella Acuff (1877–1950)
William Howard Acuff (1880–1914)

Sources
Census Records
1850: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 367B HH# 14
1860: Van Buren Co TN Spencer P.O. p 21 HH# 273
1870: Van Buren Co TN Bone Cave 1st Civil Dist p. 304a HH# 15
1880: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 245A
1900: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 3A
1910: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 2B
1920: Van Buren Co TN Dist 1 p 1B

Vital & Legal Records
Marriage Record: Van Buren County Marriage Book (January 5, 1871).
Death Records: * Alabama Death Index (1908-1959)
Alabama Death Certificate for Mrs. Sarah Acuff.
Listed as Mother on AL Death Cert of son James
Tennessee Death Records (1908-1958)
Listed as Mother on TN Death Cert of sons, Andrew and Wm Howard & daughter Mattie

Obituary: Published in The Huntsville Times(AL) on July 3, 1925 p 1 col 2
Mrs. Sarah Acuff, age 77 years, died Thursday evening at 3 o'clock at residence No 405 Rison Ave., after a long illness.
She survived by one daughter, Mrs. M. E. Slattons, two sons, A. J. and J. P. Acuff, all of Huntsville.
The body will be shipped to Quebeck, Tenn., Saturday morning for interment with Laughlin in charge.

Burial: McElroy Cemetery Van Buren Co. TN, USA
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52395889/sarah-acuff : accessed May 5, 2026), memorial page for Sarah McElroy Acuff (28 Nov 1847–2 Jul 1925), Memorial ID 52395889, citing McElroy Cemetery, Van Buren County, Tennessee, USA.

DNA
atDNA matches with cousins thru McElroy and Webb lines.

Nancy Arminda Hitchcock Hale
Birth: September 6, 1840, in Warren County, Tennessee.
Death: Between April 1883 and 1887 (based on birth of last child and husband's date of remarriage)

Parents
James P. Hitchcock (1810–1897)
Charlotta Fleming (1819–1909)

Husband
William P. Hale (1849–1926) Married around 1870.

Children
Charles Forest Hale(1872–1956)
America Hale Hillis(1874–1963)
Emma Frances Hale Acuff(1875–1939)
Vesta C. Hale Hillis(1876–)
Alice Hale(1878–)
James Buchanan Hale(1880–1947)
Sam Hale(1883–1947)

Sources
Census
1840: Warren County, TN (p 366b) She was born after census date Family enumerated
1850: Bledsoe County, TN (P 411a)
1860: Bledsoe County, TN (P 381, HH# 23/23) PO: Pikeville
1870: Bledsoe County, TN (P 1b, HH# 13/13) Dist 1
1880: Bledsoe County, TN (P 3A, HH# 50) Dist 1

Vital Records
Tennessee Death Records (1908–1965). Listed as Mother on
Buck and Sam's Death Certificates
U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index (1936–2007) Listed as Charles' mother on his US Soc. Sec Application and Claims Index.

DNA
atDNA matches with cousins thru Hale & Fleming lines.
mtDNA haplogroup is H3ei2.

Heirs of John Frizzell listed in Rutherford Co TN Minutes(1939)

Date: December 11, 1939
Case: A. D. Frizzell et al. vs. No. 668 Allene Ferrell et al.

This case centers on a 90-acre tract of land originally owned by John (J. B.) Frizzell (recorded in Deed Book 74, page 428). John was the son of David Frizzell and Rebecca Manley Frizzell.  Following John’s death in October 1929, his widow, Susan Frizzell, occupied the property until her own passing in 1939. Because the couple had no children, the estate was distributed to the heirs of John’s siblings. All of his siblings were deceased by the time of this case, so it was necessary to trace the lineage down an addition generation or two.  It is important to remember that the Order of Reference only lists those siblings who produced heirs.  It does not mention Margaret Catherine Frizzell who died young nor  James Reuben Frizzell who is deceased and had no issue. Given the amount of heirs(60), it was determined that it would be best to sell the 90 acre tract.

1. Lee Andrew Frizzell 5 living children (1/42 share each) and 2 grandchildren (1/84 share each).
2. Thea Frizzell 8 living children (1/63 share each) and 5 grandchildren via Mary Frizzell Reynolds (1/315 share each).
3. Sissie Taylor 1 living son, Zack (1/21 share), 1 grandson via Beckie (1/21 share), and 2 grandchildren via Norah (1/42 share each).
4. Abbie Frizzell 1 living son, A. D. Frizzell, who receives a full 1/7 interest.
5. Annie Jakes 6 living children and 1 grandchild (Hazel Jakes), each receiving a 1/49 share.
6. Mealie Fults 3 living children, each receiving a 1/21 share.
7. Henry Frizzell 11 living children (1/98 share each) and various grandchildren via deceased children Susan, Dona, and Dave (shares ranging down to 1/490).

I didn't mention the names of all the heirs in this article but a complete list can be seen by visiting the URL listed in the source below.

Notes:  

Thea is Theoderick Rushing Frizzell.
Sissie Taylor is Mary Elizabeth Frizzell Taylor.
Abbie Frizzell is Absalom Manley Frizzell.
Annie Jakes(my Great Grandmother) is Telitha Ann Frizzell Jakes.
Mealie Fults is Permelia Jane Frizzell Fulks.

Comparing these minutes against my own research proved highly productive, though it did reveal a discrepancy: one of the grandchildren’s surnames is recorded incorrectly. Based on the context, I suspect this error occurred when the case was being transcribed into the official minutes book.

Source:

Rutherford County(TN) Chancery Court Minutes, Vol OO, p 272-5, A D Frizzell et al vs. No.  668 Allene Ferrell et al; images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L989-Q4QY : accessed 11 April 2026), IGN 7516347, Image 169-170 of 665.

Johnny Jakes' Auto Accident-Rutherford Co. TN (1929)

For several years, I’ve been sitting on a bit of a mystery regarding my grand uncle, John L. Jakes. I had found an earlier article detailing an auto accident he was involved in, which ended with him being arrested and scheduled to appear before the Justice of the Peace the following day. Despite searching, I had never been able to locate a record which detailed the outcome.

With The Home Journal (Murfreesboro, TN) now available on FamilySearch, I finally located a follow-up piece that fills in the blanks. While both articles refer to him as "Johnny Jakes," I’m certain it’s my John L. because the reports mention his occupation as a local barber in Murfreesboro.

The two articles tell a very different story when read together. In the first, Johnny claimed he wasn't the driver, alleging that another man had been behind the wheel and fled the scene immediately after the crash. However, the second article, which was published after his court appearance which suggests the judge didn't buy that story. It appears there was no mystery driver after all; it was Johnny behind the wheel, and he had been driving while under the influence. Thankfully there were no injuries. I’m glad I located the second article. It gives me some idea of what really happened. 

Harger Family Documents- Franklin County Virginia

Harger:  Franklin County, Virginia, USA

John Harger (1756-19 Nov 1836) who died in Franklin County Virginia, is my 4th Great Grandfather through my paternal grandmother's lines. His will helps to sort thru and identify his children. There are more court records which mention his will and the family relationships. He mentions that John Burwell Harger is the son of one of his deceased daughters, but doesn't name the daughter. Later John Burwell Harger's portion is divided among the surviving children and their descendants. This yields a lot of information about who each of the children married. While I had the will, I didn't have the court case brought by Frances Harger Woody's husband. I've included the sources with the URLs to access the documents below. If you are a Harger researcher this information is very valuable.

The Harger siblings married into the Fishburn, Grist, Jakes, Jones, Picklesimer, Woody,  and Young Families

Nancy Harger Jakes and family moved to Bedford County Tennessee.
Frances Harger Woody and family moved to Osage County, Missouri.


Sources:

Franklin Co VA Will Books 1829-1837, Book 4, p 384, John Harger Dec'd Will; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9P6-938J ; accessed 12 Dec 2025), IGN 7644995(Item 2), Image 201 of 321.

Franklin Co VA Will Books 1829-1837, Book 4, pg 614, John Harger Dec'd Will; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9P6-93HP ; accessed 12 Dec 2025), IGN 7644995(Item 2), Image 315 of 321.

Franklin Co VA Chancery Papers Book Order Book B 1851-1865, p 216, John & His wife Frances Woody Vs. Harger Exr & others; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-61F1 : accessed 12 Dec 2025), IGN 8141193, Image 121 of 236.

Franklin Co VA Chancery Papers Book Order Book B 1851-1865, p 258, John & His wife Frances Woody Vs. Harger Exr & others; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-618G : accessed 12 Dec 2025), IGN 8141193, Image 141 of 236.

Franklin Co VA Chancery Papers Book Order Book B 1851-1865, p 303, John & His wife Frances Woody Vs. Harger Exr & others; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-61Z7 : accessed 12 Dec 2025), IGN 8141193, Image 164 of 236.

W B Jakes To E.P. Leach--Feb 1925 Bedford Co. TN

Bedford Co TN Trust Deed Book 32 p 527
FamilySearch, Digital image IGN 008568252 Image 621 of 655
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-X9CT-7

Accessed 26 August 2024

W B Jakes To E.P. Leach

Property used to secure the note: 
1 bay horse 8 yrs old 15 1/2 hands high and worth $200
1 light bay horse 7 yrs old 15 hands high worth $200
1 McMurray Rubber Tire Sulky worth $100
1 Joy Cart and harness worth $30

Said Property is located at my place of residence on the old Sherrin farm in the 7th district of Bedford County Tenn. 

Stipulation: 

The transfer or removal of said property from this county makes this mortgage immediately due.

This trust is made to secure said E.P. Leach for one note of this date for $125 and due Dec. 15--1925. and signed by W B Jakes, James Jakes, and John L Jakes.  Now if I pay said sum or sums as they mature, then this deed is to be null and void, but if I fail to pay said sum or sums above mentioned at maturity, then the said E. P. Leach may take immediate possession of said above described property, and is hereby empowered to sell the same either privately or publicly and pay the expenses of the deed first; second, to pay said note above described, and a reasonable attorney's fee if placed in the hands of attorney for collection, the balance to me or my order.

This 4 day of Feb 1925

My thoughts:  

I discovered this Trust Deed using the Full-Text Search at FamilySearch.org.  The summary and the transcription offered up in the side panel were riddled with errors so I didn't include it in this post. I am glad to have found this.  I plan to look at that period in Will's life and determine what was happening. 

I love seeing what my Great Uncle Will(W.B. Jakes) owned and it's an added bonus that in the process of giving the location of the property used to secure the note, it tells where he lived.

John L Jakes who signs is Will's brother, and James Jakes is their father

E P Leach was a merchant and carriagemaker who lived in Rutherford Co TN.  I believe this is why the heading says Rutherford Co TN immediately before this deed in the book.  To me, that would mean the deal was made in Rutherford but the property that secured the note was in Bedford Co TN(Will's county of residence.  Could this also be recorded in the Rutherford Co TN Deed books...I'll have to check that out.

McMurray Sulky Co.--From the Detroit Public Library Digital Collection

Don't Neglect Researching the More Recent Past

I obtained a digital copy of my Dad's 1st cousin's will by calling the county clerk's office two years ago. At the time I didn't have a working printer so I had not printed a copy out to put in my Cooke Jakes Archives Binder. I took care of that today. Cousin Hazel had no children of her own so the will was pretty straightforward. She was the only child of my paternal grandmother's brother John Jakes.  Great Uncle John had been a barber in Murfreesboro, TN. He passed away in 1937 when my Dad was really young thus Dad didn't have many memories to pass on concerning his Uncle John or his cousin Hazel who was 10 years his senior. People fall out of touch when there are deaths in the family and such was the case with my grandmother Pearl Jakes Cooke and her deceased brother's daughter Hazel.

I knew that she had married into the Jetton family but pretty much nothing else. When I was writing the article about my great-grandparents James Jakes and Annie Frizzell and their descendants, I found out more about her life. I wish I'd had the Full-text search that is offered in the FamilySearch Labs on FamilySearch.org at the time I was writing that piece.  It's probably just as well though as I am uncovering oodles of info and that would have been too much for the paper article which had already pushed the limit for inclusion in the quarterly.

The important point I want to make is that we shouldn't overlook researching our more recent relatives, such as parents, grandparents, their 1st cousins, and 1st cousins once removed. This is particularly important if you are using DNA research and want to identify matches on your DNA list. While there are privacy laws, there are still many public records that can be accessed through requests or by searching newspapers and directories. Be sure to explore the Full-text Search for those more recent ancestors and cousins.  It may give you ideas for additional places to search for information.

Nancy Harger Jakes Applies for Bounty Land

James Jakes 1788–1847
BIRTH 10 FEB 1788 • Franklin Co., Virginia, USA
DEATH 05 SEP 1847 • Bedford Co., Tennessee, USA
My 3rd great-grandfather, James Jakes married Nancy Harger on 29 MAY 1806 in Franklin Co., Virginia, USA  They have one unknown F under 10 in household during 1810 census In which they are in Franklin Co VA near John Jakes--James’ father. Their son George Jakes was my 2nd great Grandfather and was born in 1820 in Franklin Co VA. I do not have the census for them that year(1820.) The family was in Bedford Co TN by the time of son James Jakes’ birth in 1825 and the remainder of their children were born in TN. There are a good bit of descendants from John Jakes son of James & Nancy Harger Jakes so more work has been done on his line.

I had no idea that James served in the War of 1812. I just happened to do a search on the surname Jakes at the BLM site and found the listing below.  I would recommend checking the BLM GLO site to see if any of your ancestors applied for and received a warrant but opted to sell it.  

Looking at the individual entries it appears that James serviced under Capt Jones in the Virginia Militia during the War of 1812. Nancy filed for bounty land under the 1850 Act as well as the 1855 Act and sold the warrants as many did. I have copies of the Land Entry Case Files. I placed an order for Nancy's Bounty Land Applications but the Archives couldn't locate it and feel like it is either lost or misfiled. Many times the Bounty Land Applications are placed in with the pension files but with neither James nor Nancy applying for a pension that did not happen in this case.

Bounty Land under the 1850 Act:

Transcription From back of Warrant:

For Value Received I Nancy Jakes widow of James

Jakes to whom the within Warrant No(blank) was issued

do hereby sell and assign unto William C Davis & George Trumbull of

St Clair County Illinois to his heirs and assigns forever

the said warrant and authorise him to locate the same 

and receive a patent therefore.  Witness my hand

and seal this May 32st 1853.  Nancy (Her x Mark) Jakes Seal

Attest

Francis H Ragsdale

B. L. Chadwick

State of Tennessee Coffee County

On this 21st of May 1853 personally appeared Nancy

Jakes to me well known and acknowledged the foregoing

assignment to be her act and deed and I certify that the

said Nancy Jakes is the identical person to whom the

within issued and who executed the foregoing assignments thereof.

J A Brantley J P

State of Tennessee

Coffee County

I  A.M. Short Clerk of the County Court 

for said county certify that James A Brantley

Esqr whose genuine signature appears to the above certificate

is and was at the time of executing the same an acting Justice of

the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and

qualified and that full faith and credit is due to all his

official acts as such.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set

my hand and affixed my seal of office

at Manchester this 23rd day of May

1853     A M Short Clerk

Bounty Land Under the 1855 Act: 

Transcription from Back of Warrant

For Value Received I Nancy Jakes to whom the within Warrant

No 57991 was issued do hereby sell and assign unto Silas O Kellogg

of Steele County Minnesota Territory and to his heirs and assigns forever

the said warrant and authorise him to locate the same and

receive a patent therefor.

Witness my hand and seal this fifth day of Aprile 1856

Nancy (her x  mark) Jakes Seal

Attest

T. B. Martin

John Jakes

State of Tennessee County of Bedford

On this the fifth day of April in the year Eighteen

hundred and fifty six before me personally came Nancy

Jakes to me will known and acknowledge the foregoing assignment

to be her act and deed and I certify that the said Nancy Jakes

is the identical person to whom the within warrant issued and

who executed the foregoing assignment thereof 

Alexander Lee JP

State of Tennessee

County of Bedford

I J H. Thompson clerk of the county court

of the county and state aforesaid do hereby

certify that Alexander Lee Esq whose genuine signature appeared to the

foregoing certificate of acknowledgment is and was at the time of so

doing an acting justice of the peace within and for the county and

state aforesaid duly elected and commissioned and qualified and that full 

faith and credit is due all his acts as such.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed

the seal of my office as clerk aforesaid this eighth day of 

April AD Eighteen Hundred and fifty six   J H Thompson Clk

Sources:  

Nancy Jakes, widow of James Jakes(Priv., Capt Jones Company, Virginia Militia, War of 1812), bounty land Warrant file # 63701(Act of 1850 40 acres); Land Entry Case File; Record Group 49; Records of the Bureau of Land Management; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Nancy Jakes, widow of James Jakes(Priv., Capt Jones Company, Virginia Militia, War of 1812), bounty land Warrant file # 57991(Act of 1855 120 acres); Land Entry Case File; Record Group 49; Records of the Bureau of Land Management; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

James Jakes & George Jakes Land--Coffee Co TN(1860)

"Coffee Co. TN, Deeds, 1836-1901; deed index, 1836-1910"
Register of Deeds
Deed Book K pg. 471 & 472
Microfilmed by TN State Library & Archives (1969)
Deeds, v. I-K 1857-1861
Digitized at FamilySearch
FHL Film 802760 DGS 8418603
Image 577 of 626
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1X-3NCM?i=576
Deed for land from estate of Martha Wall registered for James Jakes & George Jakes

This indenture made and entered into this day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty between Hiram S Emerson Clerk of the County Court of Coffee Special Commissioner of the one part and James Jakes and George Jakes of the other parts, witnesseth that whereas the county court of Coffee County at it's January Term 1857 on the petition of the administrator and heirs at law of Martha Walls deceased decreed that the land belonging to the estate of said Martha Wall deceased be sold by the clerk of said court and whereas on the 16th day of February 1857 the said Hiram S. Emerson Clerk and said court after having first advertised the time and place of sale as required by said decree proceeded to sell the said land when W. A. C. Kendall became the purchaser at the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars, he paid Forty dollars down and executed his two notes with said James Jakes and George Jakes his securities payable in one and two years that said notes have since been fully paid off by said James Jakes and George Jakes and the said W A C Kendall transferred to the said Jakes all the rights and interest acquired by him under said purchase and directed the title to the sale land to be vested in said James Jakes and George Jakes, and the court having at the February Term of said court 1860 ordered and decreed that the said lands be conveyed to the said James Jakes and George Jakes by the Clerk of said court describing said land by metes and bounds, therefore in consideration of the premises and by virtue of decree aforesaid do hereby convey to the said James Jakes and George Jakes 2 certain tracts or parcels of land situated lying and being in the county of Coffee on the water of Rileys Creek in the 4th Civil District and bounded as follows towit, Beginning on two dogwoods and a stake the North East corner of Fifty acres entered and surveyed in the name of Thomas Jones, thence with the East boundary line of said tract South one hundred and twenty poles to two pawpaw about one and a half poles North of a large Buckeye marked W thence East passing a dogwood poplar and large Beech said to the Walter Daniels North West Corner at ten and a half poles continuing East in all seventy seven poles to a stake in said Daniels North Boundary line about three poles west of a dogwood marked as a corner thence North one hundred and thirty five poles to a stake in the South boundary line of an entry and survey for one hundred acres in the name of Barrett Adcock thence West with said south boundary line Seventy seven poles to a stake in said line thence south fifteen poles to the beginning, including and excluding fifteen acres older claims and one other tract bounded as follows to wit, Beginning on a stake about three poles west of a dogwood marked as a corner in Walter Daniels North boundary line and being also the south East corner of a fifty acre survey in the name of Martha Walls made upon entry No 1342 thence east with said Walter Daniels line seventy five and one half poles to a state in said Daniels field supposed to be on the west boundary line of W. Daniels land thence North Twenty six poles to a Black oak on the east band of a branch supposed to be said Wm Daniels North West corner thence North 27(degrees) West with a conditional line as laid off and agreed upon by and between James H Daniel and Alexr. Wall for Martha Wall one hundred and twenty four poles to a white oak the south east corner of an entry and survey in the name of Barrett Adcock for 100 acres thence West with said south boundary line of said survey eighteen poles to a state in said line, the North east Corner of said Martha Walls survey upon Entry No. 1349 for forty acres, thence south with the East boundary line of said survey one hundred and thirty five poles to the beginning.

To have and to hold the above mentioned and described land to them the said James Jakes and George Jakes the said Hiram S. Emerson Clerk and Special Commissioner as aforesaid do hereby convey to said James Jakes and George Jakes all the right title and claim of the heirs at law of Martha Wall deceased in and to said lands, hereby vesting in them the title to the same in as full and ample a manner as the said Hiram S. Emerson as clerk and Special Commissioner is capable of doing.  In testimony whereof the said Hiram S. Emerson hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal this the day and year above written

Hiram S. Emerson Clerk (seal)

& Special Commissioner

Deeds of Heirs of David Frizzell--Bedford Co. TN

Those researching David W Frizzell and wife, Rebecca Manley will be interested in the following deeds.  David and Rebecca had at least 11 children. Two of them predeceased David as did Rebecca.  He is sometimes confused with another David Frizzell who also lived in Bedford Co TN and died leaving a will naming his wife Nancy.   After Rebecca's death, David did remarry to Sallie McKee(she is the Sallie enumerated with him in 1870) however all of his known children are thru his 1st wife, Rebecca.  They lived in District 4 of Bedford County Tennessee.  I'll post any others I find and link the posts. David and Rebecca are my 2nd Great Grandparents(the maternal grandparents of my paternal grandmother)

Neighbors mentioned in the Deeds:

Heirs of James Hoover

Heirs of John Frizzell

Gray Lynch

John L Harris

John Holder 

B F Pearson

Jacob Lynn

Rebecca J Bingham

A D Fugett

Malinda Robinson

Jo Freeman

Joseph Giles

"Bedford County, Tennessee deed books and index, 1808-1966"

Register of Deeds
Deed Book QQQ pg. 202
Microfilmed by Tenn. Dept. of Education(1965)
Deeds v. QQQ-RRR Oct 1880-Nov 1882
Digitized at FamilySearch
Film #476372 DGS 8567901
Image 132 of 640
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-6Y3D?i=131
L P Frizzell and others Deed to D C Taylor

"Bedford County, Tennessee deed books and index, 1808-1966"
Register of Deeds
Deed Book QQQ pg. 203
Microfilmed by Tenn. Dept. of Education(1965)
Deeds v. QQQ-RRR Oct 1880-Nov 1882
Digitized at FamilySearch
Film #476372 DGS 8567901
Image 132 of 640
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-6Y3D?i=131
Jas R & Henry Frizzell Deed to D C Taylor


"Bedford County, Tennessee deed books and index, 1808-1966"
Register of Deeds
Deed Book QQQ pg. 204
Microfilmed by Tenn. Dept. of Education(1965)
Deeds v. QQQ-RRR Oct 1880-Nov 1882
Digitized at FamilySearch
Film #476372 DGS 8567901
Image 133 of 640
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-69MB-7
James Jakes & Wife Deed to D C Taylor

"Bedford County, Tennessee deed books and index, 1808-1966"  

Register of Deeds

Deeds v. SSS pg. 390

Microfilmed by Tenn. Dept. of Education(1965)

Deeds v. SSS-TTT Nov 1882-Feb 1885

Digitized at FamilySearch

Film #476373  DGS  8567902

Image 226 of 647

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-X327-4?cat=298281

James Jakes & wife deed to J M Fulks

"Bedford County, Tennessee deed books and index, 1808-1966"  

Register of Deeds

Deeds v. SSS pg. 391

Microfilmed by Tenn. Dept. of Education(1965)

Deeds v. SSS-TTT Nov 1882-Feb 1885

Digitized at FamilySearch

Film #476373  DGS  8567902

Image 226 of 647

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-X327-4?cat=298281

L P Frizzell & others deed to J M Fulks

Tennessee probate court books : COLLECTION RECORD, 1795-1927

Bedford Co. TN Court Clerk

Inventory of Sale v B pp 617 and 618

Microfilmed by Tenn. Dept. of Education(1965)

Wills & inventories, vol. A-B, Sept. 1863-Mar. 1878.

Digitized at FamilySearch

Film#  476081   4776095

Image 330 of 339 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S7WF-SK9F-D9

Inventory of Estate Sale from David Frizzell Probate file

Sources:

• Bedford County, Tennessee, Deed Book QQQ:202, L P Frizzell and others to D C Taylor; microfilmed by Tennessee Department of Education, 1965, Deeds v. QQQ-RRR Oct 1880-Nov 1882; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-6Y3D?i=131 : accessed  22 July 2023), image 132 of 640, film #476372, DGS 8567901.
• Bedford County, Tennessee, Deed Book QQQ:203, Jas R & Henry Frizzell to D C Taylor," microfilmed by Tennessee Department of Education, 1965, Deeds v. QQQ-RRR Oct 1880-Nov 1882; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-6Y3D?i=131 : accessed  22 July 2023), image 132 of 640, film #476372, DGS 8567901.
• Bedford County, Tennessee, Deed Book QQQ:204, James Jakes & Wife to D C Taylor," microfilmed by Tennessee Department of Education, 1965, Deeds v. QQQ-RRR Oct 1880-Nov 1882; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-69MB-7 : accessed 22 July 2023), image 133 of 640, film #476372, DGS 8567901.
• Bedford County, Tennessee, Deed Book SSS:390, James Jakes & Wife to J M Fulks," microfilmed by Tennessee Department of Education, 1965, Deeds v. SSS-TTT Nov 1882-Feb 1885; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-X327-4?cat=298281 : accessed  22 July 2023), image 226 of 647, film #476373, DGS 8567902.
• Bedford County, Tennessee, Deed Book SSS:391, L P Frizzell & others to J M Fulks," microfilmed by Tennessee Department of Education, 1965, Deeds v. SSS-TTT Nov 1882-Feb 1885; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-X327-4?cat=298281 : accessed  22 July 2023), image 226 of 647, film #476373, DGS 8567902.
• Bedford County, Tennessee, Inventory of Sale v B:617-618, Inventory of Estate Sale from David Frizzell Probate file," microfilmed by Tennessee Department of Education, 1965, Wills & inventories, vol. A-B, Sept. 1863-Mar. 1878; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S7WF-SK9F-D9 : accessed  22 July 2023), image 330 of 339, film #476081, DGS 4776095.

Receipt from Dr. Andrew Hollabaugh, M.D.

 Two of the items in the Cooke/Jakes Family Archives binder are receipts from where my grandmother was a patient of Dr. Andrew Hollabaugh.  This particular one is from 23rd of August 1962.  There is another one dated 14th March 1963.  Dr. Hollabaugh suffered a fatal heart attack on the 7th of April 1963.

A few interesting items about Dr. Hollabaugh: 

• Medical Degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine(1926)
• Post Graduate Work at Nashville General & New York Poly Clinic Hospital.
• Eye, Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist(1929)
• He had also been an instructor at Vanderbilt Medical School in addition to being a member of the Nashville Academy of Medicine, Davidson County Medical Association and American Medical Association.
• Member of Phi Beta Pi fraternity
• Member of St. George's Episcopal Church
• Buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville(which is also where my grandmother is buried)

If you are interested in knowing more about my Cooke/Jakes Family Archives binder you can read more about it in my post from 4 years ago entitled "Just a Small Portion of a Family's Paper Trail."

Source:

Cooke/Jakes Family Archive Binder, Receipt from the office of Dr. Andrew Hollabaugh dated 1962 Aug 23; binder is currently held by Marie Cooke Beckman.

“Hollabaugh Dies at 60,” The Tennessean, 08 Apr 1963, p. 19, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 17 Sep 2022).

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousins--1950 US Federal Census

In a blog post I made in April, I listed the citations of the 1950 census entries for Dad, his siblings and a number of his paternal 1st cousins. I am doing the same of his maternal 1st cousins for this post.  A link to the Enumeration Districts is also included after each citation.  I didn't hyperlink the web addresses so you will need to copy and paste the url into your browser. This will be a great help to me when I read thru the districts again. When no one was at home a revisit was required and those revisits are listed at the end of each enumeration district.  The sheet #s for the revisit sections start with 71 to set them apart from the initial walk thru.  See this informative post at HistoryHub.

Aunt Lula's Children

Dad's maternal 1st cousin James Morton Gibson & family
Morton & Martha Gibson with sons Granville & Darrell
1950 US Federal Census, Davidson Co. TN, Nashville, Enumeration District 99-271, sheet 77, Serial/Household #144, Lines 5-8( James M Gibson Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 99-271 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Nashville%2C%20Davidson&ed=99-271&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousin Telitha Aline Gibson Stevens  w/ her husband Andrew & Daughter Patricia.

1950 US Federal Census, Davidson Co. TN, Nashville, Enumeration District 99-278, Serial/Household #211, sheet 17, Lines 26-28( Andrew D Stevens Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census  (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 99-278 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Nashville%2C%20Davidson&ed=99-278&state=TN

Aunt Cora's Children

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousin Lillian Irene Gibson Wagster & Family
1950 US Federal Census, Butler Co. OH, Ross Township(West of Route 127), Enumeration District 9-114, sheet 73, Serial/Household #201, Lines 25-28( Huston I Wagster Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 9-114 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Butler&ed=9-114&state=OH

Dad's maternal 1st cousin Thomas Lytle Gibson and Family
1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Civil Dist. 24, Enumeration District 2-39, sheet 8, Serial/Household #60, Lines 20-21( Tom L Gibson Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 2-39:  https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-39&state=TN

Dad's maternal 1st Cousin Verna Gibson Wagster & her husband

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Enumeration District 2-10, sheet 13, Serial/Household #128, Lines 27-28( Paul Wagster Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 2-10 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-10&state=TN

Dad's maternal 1st cousin Bertha Eunice Gibson Stokes Osteen and Family

1950 US Federal Census, Butler Co. OH, Hamilton, Enumeration District 96-21, sheet 19, Serial/Household #227, Lines 25-27( John R O'Steen Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to Dist 96-21: https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?state=OH&county=Hamilton&Butler&ed=96-21&scheduleId=4612534

Dad's maternal 1st cousin  Preston C Gibson and Family

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Tourist Court, Enumeration District 2-4, sheet 77, Serial/Household #174, Lines 8-12( Preston Gibson & Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 2-4 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-4&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st cousin. Leone Gibson Uselton & 1st Husband

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Enumeration District 2-11, sheet 6, 210 Jefferson, Serial/Household #66, Lines 17-18(Fred Uselton & Leone); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 2-11 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-11&state=TN

Aunt Kitty's Children

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousin Mary Magdalene Bell Dye & Family
1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Enumeration District 2-10, sheet 13, Serial/Household #125, Lines 16-21(Bernum B Dye Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 2-10 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-10&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousin Zada Florene Bell McGregor & Family

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Enumeration District 2-10, sheet 26, Serial/Household #255, Lines 27-30(Florene Bell McGregor & Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 2-10 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-10&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st cousin Lawrence Melvin Bell & Family

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Civil Dist 7, Enumeration District 2-16, sheet 5, Serial/Household #49, Lines 6-8( Lawrence M Bell & Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 2-16 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-16&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st cousin Patra Bell

1950 US Federal Census, Davidson Co. TN, Nashville, Enumeration District 99-265, sheet 6, Serial/Household #60, Line 17(Living in Clarence Huffman Household but arrow drawn to Household of Lillie B Adams HH 59); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 99-265 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Nashville%2C%20Davidson&ed=99-265&scheduleId=5649164&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st cousin. Tom Bell Jr & Family

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Enumeration District 2-10, sheet 22, 703 Elliott, Serial/Household #216, Lines 26-30(Tom Bell Jr. & Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 2-10 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-10&state=TN

Dad's Maternal 1st cousins, Pearl, J.B., and Olive Bell living in the household of their parents

1950 US Federal Census, Bedford Co. TN, Shelbyville, Enumeration District 2-10, sheet 14, 530 Oak,  Serial/Household #130, Lines 5-9(Tom Bell (Sr) &  Family); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 2-10 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Bedford&ed=2-10&state=TN

Uncle John's daughter

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousin Hazel P Jakes Jetton & Family

1950 US Federal Census, Rutherford Co TN, Murfreesboro, Enumeration District 75-25, Serial/Household # 89, sheet 76, Lines 9-11(John M Jetton Family); U.S. National Archives,  1950 Census  (https://1950census.archives.gov/search).

Link to District 75-25 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?state=TN&county=Rutherford&ed=75-25&scheduleId=5664180

Uncle Will's Children
Dad's Maternal Uncle Will B Jakes Sr. & Family

1950 U.S. census, Davidson Co., TN, Old Hickory Civil Dist 4, ED 19-19, sheet 10, 311 30th Street, Serial/Household #111, line 29-30 & sheet 11, lines 1-2 (Wm B Jakes Sr. Family);  U.S. National Archives,  1950 Census  ((https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).

Link to District 19-19 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?state=TN&county=Davidson&ed=19-19

Dad's Maternal 1st Cousin Lula Pauline "Polly" Jakes Sams & Husband
1950 US Federal Census, Bay Co. FL, Parker, Enumeration District 3-38, sheet 22, Serial/Household #202, Lines 1-2(Tom B Sams & wife); U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/).
Link to District 3-38 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?state=FL&county=Bay&ed=3-38

1943-1944 Term Dupont Grammar School Report Card Davidson Co. TN

The images are scans of my Dad, Billy Joe Cooke's 6th Grade Report Card.  He was attending Dupont Grammar School in Old Hickory, Davidson County, Tennessee(USA).   
(Form No. 1)

Davidson County Elementary Schools Report

School reports are of value if they help parents understand the meaning of practices in school and the opinion of the school of the child's progress. We want each child to compete with his own record, not with those of other children. Therefore teachers and parents must avoid comparing the child with other children in class and home.

The school desires to help each child become a worthy member of the group, use his leisure time constructively, and master the school subjects.

Name: Billy Joe Cooke
Grade: 6

The grading period was every 4 weeks

Grade listed in parenthesis is his Final Average

Dad was graded on the following subjects :

Arithmetic(94)

English(93)

Geography(91)

Physiology-Hygiene(90)

Reading(90)

Spelling Test and Written work(98)

Days Present--173 Days

Days Absent-----3 Days

Days Tardy------0 Days

In that grade level they were also graded on a number of 

"Habits and attitudes Desirable for Citizenship"

Dad was Promoted to Grade 7

School  Dupont Grammar School

Principal:  W. M. Tate

Teacher:  Bertha McFerrin

Term 1943-1944

Parents Sign:  Mrs. T D Cooke signed 6 times

Dupont Grammar School Principal W M Tate (31 Dec 1896 - 31 Jan 1968)

William McKever Tate Sr. was the son of Daniel Anderson Tate & Clara Raulston and was born in Marion County, Tennessee.  He married Inez Roth in 1924 and the following year they came to Davidson County, TN where he was principal at Morny School. He worked at several other schools but held the position of principal at Dupont Elementary School from around 1938 until his retirement in 1962.  At the time of the 1940 census, Principal Tate and his family lived on Lawrence Street in Old Hickory.  That was two streets over and down about a block from where Dad and his parents lived during that time. According to his obituary, he is buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park 

6th Grade Teacher Bertha McFerrin (22 Mar 1911 - 8 May 2001)

Bertha McFerrin was the daughter of Arthur Alexander McFerrin and Callie Ann Vance. She was from the Cannon County town of Readyville.  Bertha graduated from MTSU(Then Middle TN State Teaches college) in 1936.  She never married nor had children of her own.  At the time of the 1940 Census she and her Dad were in Montgomery Co.,  Tennessee living with her sister and brother in law.  She is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee.

Sources:

1. Cooke-Jakes Family Papers, in possession of Marie Cooke Beckman, "Report Card of Billy Joe Cooke, 6th Grade student at Dupont Grammar School," School Term 1943-1944. Item Digitized 7 Aug 2022.
2. "W. M. Tate Sr. Services Today," The Tennessean(Nashville, TN) 2 Feb 1968, pg 35 Col 6; ; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 7 Aug 2022).
3. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K44V-7VJ : 11 January 2021), William M Tate, Civil District 4, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 19-9, sheet 14A, line 25, family 267, NARA digital publication T627, National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3884.
4. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; database with images, Ancestry(https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1265/: 7 Aug 2022), Tennessee > Middle Tennessee State Teachers College > 1936 > image 35 of 124.
5. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4Z6-M8G : 11 January 2021), Bertha McFerrin in household of Sterling B Odom, Civil District 12, Montgomery, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 63-24, sheet 3A, line 12, family 44, NARA digital publication T627. National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3923.
6. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55567967/bertha-mcferrin: accessed 07 August 2022), memorial page for Bertha McFerrin (22 Mar 1911–8 May 2001), Find a Grave Memorial ID 55567967, citing Riverside Cemetery, Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Patricia Davidson (contributor 46638656).

James Jakes Death Notice(1941)

 

I'd written a blog post about finding my great grandfather's death notice in the Tennessean back in 2017(see post) Today I found a death notice in the Shelbyville paper.  The Tennessean had gotten several of the daughters names wrong.  Cora Gibson was printed as Mrs. Coy Gibson and Lula Gibson was shown as Mrs. Luke Gibson.  They also spelled my grandmother's married name as Cook instead of Cooke.  The Shelbyville paper got the names correct except for my Grandmother's married name.  They put Gibson instead of Cooke.  I think it's worth noting that this happens more than we realize.  I've even seen people who have been dead for almost 20 years listed as survivors in their sibling's death notice.  I've made a note on the image of the death notice below.  You should be able to identify these errors as you are researching because you will have multiple sources and you will need to evaluate the sources and the information contained in them.

Source:  "James Jakes, 84, Retired Farmer Dies in Nashville" The Bedford Co Times, 19 Aug 1941, p. 1, col. 2; digital images, Familysearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-B3T3-QZR9?i=706&cat=483088 : accessed 8 Jun 2022).