Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485319903:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LVG4-WTF
• _UID: 6A5BADA62E934696BF5B322DC14E5718AC8A
• Census: Jun 1880, Clark Township, Pike, Arkansas, United States
• Census: 22 Jun 1900, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States
• Census: 1910, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States

Notes:

H.W. Tennison was known as Walker. According to his great-granddaughter, he was the first of the line to be known as Walker, with a Walker in each succeeding generation. The reason he was named this was to remember the walk on the Trail of Tears. Supposedly, his mother was part Indian and she selected the name to remember her heritage.

According to a clipping from the Antlers American newspaper dated 11 Jun 1914, "H.W. Tennison died last Saturday morning. Burial was Sunday afternoon at Antlers Cemetery by WOW Lodge." However, his tombstone gives a date of 6 Jun 1914 instead of 4 Jun. Some sources list his birth as 7 March, others as 9 March. Likewise, some sources list the marriage as 12 Nov, others as 18 Nov.

Henry married Rebecca Francis Hunter on 18 Nov 1900 in Antlers, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States. Rebecca (daughter of Hunter and Joanna Young) was born in 1884 in Oklahoma, United States; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Zena Elizabeth Tennison was born on 26 Feb 1906 in Oklahoma, United States; died in Oct 1986 in Butte, California, United States.
2. Henry Walker Tennison was born on 15 Nov 1908 in Decker, Travis, Texas, United States; died on 19 Aug 1985 in Chico, Butte, California, United States.
3. Oscar Otis Tennison was born on 3 Apr 1911 in Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States; died on 10 Jan 1974 in California, United States; was buried in Hayward, Alameda, California, United States.

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485319926:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: K8TW-4DK
• _UID: ADA07DF51C874DA5BD556B344FF6CFBBD49B
• Census: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 8 Jul 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  Township 18 Range 10
• Census: Jun 1880, Clark Township, Pike, Arkansas, United States
• Census: 22 Jun 1900, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States
• Census: 28 Apr 1910, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States
• Census: 15 Jan 1920, Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States
• Census: 17 Apr 1930, Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States

Notes:

Zenas is recorded sometimes as Zenas T. and sometimes as Zenas I.Tennyson. We believe his middle name was Ignatious. According to Pushmataha County Cemeteries, Zenas is buried in the Antlers Cemetery next to his wife and near his daughter. For reasons not at all clear,in the 1910 Pushmataha Co., OK census, Zenas is ennumerated as Jessie. This could be a transcription error since a transcription rather than the actual record was viewed.

MARRIAGE: IGI M520401,1230

Buried:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14543644&

Zenas married Nancy Elizabeth Deshazo on 30 Nov 1875 in Webster, Mississippi, United States. Nancy (daughter of Rev. John Walker Deshazo and Mary Frances Elizabeth Phelps) was born on 1 Jul 1856 in Eupora, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; died on 26 Apr 1950 in Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States; was buried in Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485316412:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LVG4-WX9
• _UID: AAAA4B08D2FE4C80A090094D0EE1497C7DE2
• Census: 8 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 12 Aug 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: Jun 1880, Clark Township, Pike, Arkansas, United States
• Census: 22 Jun 1900, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States
• Census: 28 Apr 1910, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States
• Census: 15 Jan 1920, Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States
• Census: 17 Apr 1930, Antlers, Pushmataha, Oklahoma, United States

Notes:

Birth:
I have seen her birth as 1 January 1856 and as 1 July 1856.

Census:
In 1900, 5 of Nancy's 6 children were alive.

Buried:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14543657&

Notes:

Married:
MARRIAGE: IGI M520401,123

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485319939:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LCMH-57T
• _UID: 6798A3C8277946FE9C0D87CC984CC6978BE3
• Census: 25 Nov 1850, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States
• Occupation: 25 Nov 1850, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States; physician
• Census: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States
• Occupation: 29 Aug 1860; Physician
• Occupation: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; physician
• Possessions: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; real property valued at $1800, personal property valuded at $514
• Misc: Aug 1866, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  paid tax as a physician
• Census: 8 Jul 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  Township 18 Range 10
• Occupation: 8 Jul 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; physician
• Possessions: 8 Jul 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; real property $800, personal property $850
• Occupation: 2 Nov 1877, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; appointed postmaster; Address:
  Ada
• Census: 29 Jun 1880, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Occupation: 29 Jun 1880, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; physician

Notes:

PARENTS: In the 1880 census, he reports that his father is from Maryland, mother from Scotland

His age suspiciously drops in the 1880 census. I expect having a new, young wife might have something to do with this.

Ref: [,1970,gm1]

John W. Tennyson was a doctor.

According to a typescript produced maybe in the 1950's, the family came to MS from KY in about 1850. The Tennysons (Tennisons) were originally from the "old country" Wales. The first families settled in Kentucky. Dr. John W. Tennyson was from Kentucky. His wife, Ann Malinda Biggers, was from Alabama. They lived in Kentucky about 10 years before coming south. Dr J.W. and Ann M. Tennyson came to Alabama and stayed about 5 years, then came on to Mississippi, Pontotoc County about 1850. In 1856, the settled in Choctaw County. According to the 1880 census, J.W. Tennyson's father was from Maryland and his mother was from Scotland. Subsequent research has not shown this story to be terribly accurate.

Census records show that J.W. Tennyson was in Lauderdale County, Alabama in 1850, Pontotoc County, Mississippi in 1860 and Choctaw County, Mississippi in 1870. 1860 shows that he has $1800 of real estate, but I cannot find any deeds in the index for him in Pontotoc County. Would real estate in Alabama be recorded in the Federal Census? He does not appear in the Slave census. Non-Population Cenus are not available for MS.

I do not believe they married in Kentucky. There is no reason for the Biggers to be in KY.

Buried:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40734356

John married Ann Malinda Biggers about 1842 in Alabama, United States. Ann (daughter of William Biggers and Cynthia Ann Buck) was born on 22 Sep 1824 in South Carolina, United States; died on 3 May 1878 in Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; was buried in Chester, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485314711:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: KNSX-M2T
• _UID: 9A8AA2461F884B378FAADD4F46C3B75AB449
• Census: 25 Nov 1850, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States
• Census: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 8 Jul 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  Township 18 Range 10

Notes:

CONFLICT: 1870 census records her as being from SC, some sources record it as AL.

Either the birth date or the marriage date is not right for Ann Malinda Biggers. She would have been only 11 at her marriage, and that's awfully young.

Buried:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40734355

Notes:

Married:
Not married in Kentucky. Probably Alabama.

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485316429:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LHZ3-VRN
• _UID: 1D4259C0AA51422AB05B9E22ED7E4FAF13A3
• Census: 5 Nov 1850, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 8 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Occupation: 8 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; mechanic
• Possessions: 8 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; real property $75, personal property $505
• Military: 22 Mar 1862, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; enlisted in Company G, 33 Mississippi Regiment, CSA
• Residence: 1863, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; paid personal tax - 1 white poll
• Military: 1 Jul 1862–1 Jul 1863, Grenada, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; in hospital
• Military: 23 Feb 1864, Demopolis, Marengo, Alabama, United States; in hospital
• Military: 22 Jul 1864, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, United States; in hospital
• Military: 9 Aug 1864–12 Aug 1864, Macon, Bibb, Georgia, United States; in hospital for hematuria; Address:
  Ocmulgee Hospital
• Military: 15 Nov 1864, Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, United States; in hospital
• Religion: Jan 1869, Canton, Madison, Mississippi, United States; admited to the Mississippi Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church on a trial basis
• Religion: Feb 1870, Columbus, Lowndes, Mississippi, United States; listed as in his second year of a trial period before full connection with the Mississippi Conference of the M.E. Church
• Misc: 19 Feb 1870, Holly Springs, Marshall, Mississippi, United States; assigned to Greensboro charge in Holly Springs district
• Misc: 28 May 1870, Holly Springs, Marshall, Mississippi, United States; named to inaugural board of trustees for Shaw University
• Census: 12 Aug 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Occupation: 12 Aug 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; minister of the Gospel
• Religion: Jan 1871, Holly Springs, Marshall, Mississippi, United States; admitted as an elder in full connection to the Mississippi Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
• Possessions: 21 Feb 1871, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; sold land with his brother to James H. Cooper
• Religion: Dec 1871, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, United States; listed presiding elder, Columbus District and second class deacon
• Possessions: 5 Jun 1873, Sumner, Mississippi, United States; purchased 480 acres from David Nowlin
• Misc: 1874, Sumner, Mississippi, United States; paid personal property tax
• Possessions: 10 Feb 1874, Sumner, Mississippi, United States; sold land to John W. McDonald for $1250
• Possessions: 25 Aug 1874, Sumner, Mississippi, United States; sold land to J.W. Randall
• Possessions: 23 Apr 1875, Sumner, Mississippi, United States; sold 40 acres to Louis Robinson; Address:
  NW 1/4 NE 1/4 S 34 T 20 R 11 E
• Possessions: 8 Feb 1876, Sumner, Mississippi, United States; sold land to James Weir
• Occupation: Dec 1891, Arkansas, United States; appointed to serve the Danville Circuit, Arkansas Conference, M.E. Church South
• Residence: 1880–1893, Arkansas, United States; served as a Methodist pastor in Arkansas
• Occupation: 27 Nov 1893, Arkansas, United States; appointed to serve he Greenwood Circuit, Fort Smith District, Arkansas Conference, M.E. Church South
• Occupation: 15 Dec 1894, Arkansas, United States; appointed to the Greenwood Circuit, Fort Smith District, Arkansas Conference, M.E. Church South
• Residence: May 1896, Alma, Crawford, Arkansas, United States; preached the commencement sermon at the Hiram and Lydia College at Altus
• Residence: Oct 1896, Alma, Crawford, Arkansas, United States; preached at a protracted meeting at the Methodist Church
• Occupation: 27 Nov 1897, Arkansas, United States; appointed to the Mulberry Circuit, Clarksville District, North Arkansas Conference, M.E. Church South
• Census: 2 Jun 1900, Alma, Crawford, Arkansas, United States
• Occupation: 2 Jun 1900, Alma, Crawford, Arkansas, United States; clerk in a general merchandise store
• Residence: 28 Oct 1900, Alma, Crawford, Arkansas, United States
• Occupation: Nov 1901, Arkansas, United States; appointed to the Mountain View Circuit, Arkansas Conference, M.E. Church South
• Misc: 21 Jan 1902, Rudy, Crawford, Arkansas, United States; conducted a funeral for Mrs. Eliza R. Neal
• Residence: 28 Mar 1902, Lancaster, Crawford, Arkansas, United States
• Residence: Oct 1903, Camden, Benton, Tennessee, United States
• Occupation: 16 Oct 1903, Camden, Benton, Tennessee, United States; appointed to the Camden Circuit, Central Tennesse Conference, M.E. Church South
• Census: 4 May 1910, Rudy, Crawford, Arkansas, United States
• Occupation: 4 May 1910, Rudy, Crawford, Arkansas, United States; farmer
• Residence: Oct 1917, Friendship, Crockett, Tennessee, United States
• Occupation: 18 Oct 1917, Friendship, Crockett, Tennessee, United States; appointed to Friendship, McLemoresville District, Central Tennessee Conference, M.E. Church South

Notes:

So, was he married twice or three times? His obituary only calls out Mary Phelps and Fannie Cole.

Two more children are known to have been born by his first wife. Both died as infants. John Walker Deshazo was a Methodist minister and circuit rider. He is described in a book on Methodists in Arkansas. After the death of his first wife, he married a much younger woman and had a second family in Tennessee.

Susan Dickson reports his name as John Wesley Deshazo since he was a Methodist minister, a circuit rider.

According to the 1910 Census, J.W. Deshazo was only married twice, not three times. He is enumerated with Fannie Cole, his last wife.


Verbatum reproduction of a published tribute found in my mother's Bible. Jerry W. Black, 23 Feb 2008, great grandson and Disciples of Christ clergyman/retired Army Chaplain
jerwayne on Ancestry
jerwayne originally shared this on 23 Feb 2008
Deshazo--The Rev. J.W. Deshazo, Sr. was born Nov. 11, 1835. Departed this life Jan. 12th, 1918, aged 82 years, 1 month and 29 days. In the year 1854 he was married to Mary F. E. Phelph. To them were born nine children. In 1890 he was married to Fannie E. Cole and to this union were born four children. Of the 13 children, only 7 children with Mrs. Fannie E. Deshazo remain. He professed conversion at the age of thirteen and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. At the age of sixteen, he united with the M.E. Church South. He had a clear call to enter the Christian ministry but for some time the church refused him license because of his inability to pass a satisfactory examination in the common English branches as required by the church, but he being a young man with a lot of will and experience persevered and by hard study and cultivating the gifts God had given him succeeded in securing license to preach when he was about 22 years of age. He was very studious, doing the most of his study at night after a hard days labor, using the pine knots he had gathered to make the light for the late hours. He served as Chaplain at a hospital during the Civil War, during which time he witnessed hundreds of conversions. In January 1868 he and his family with his brother, Rev. L. C. Deshazo and family and one or two other families united with the Shady Grove Methodist Episcopal church in Miss. He was ordained Deacon one day and on the next day Elder, by Bishop Simpson. He served as Presiding Elder twelve years in the M.E. church spending these years on the Holly Springs and Columbus Districts in Mississippi. Spent 35 years in Arkansas, doing some the most efficient work of his life there. He engaged in the evangelistic work a number of years being very successful in his efforts. His experiences as a Methodist preacher were varied and many. Being in the vigor of his manhood during the stormy days of the sixties and the years just following some of his experiences were almost as trying as were some of the Apostle Paul's. Crossing swollen streams, spending nights along the roadside all alone with his blanket for a bed. Sometimes without food, halted by mobs along the roadside, life threatened daring the threats made trying to stop him from preaching in communities, he bravely endured as seeing him who is invisible. His mind and heart were on the uplifting and helping of others and not ease or gain for himself. Thousands have shared a part of God's spirit through his services. Not one blemish can be found against his character and life. True, devout and long-suffering was his prayerful work and his daily walk before men and in the sight of God. He had run his race, had finished his course and had lived three score years of service for Christ and His cause. He was full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. Often during his powerful preaching large numbers would shout, "Glory to God! Hallelujah!" until he was compelled to remain silent for a few minutes and then with new effort he was able to (unclear) the enthusiastic shouting congregation so that he could finish his discourse. He is gone from us but still lives in the hearts of thousands who came in touch with his life. He had often expressed himself as wanting to die in service and at his post. It seems his desire was granted as he was the faithful eighty-two year old pastor of the Friendship Charge in the Central Tenn Conference when his earthly race ended. He died with apoplexy which resulted in paralysis. He passed out with perfect ease and without a struggle and attended the events which he had many times expressed himself as looking forward to with pleasure and rejoicing. His body now sleeps in the Elizabeth cemetery on this Friendship Charge to await the resurrection morning. May the blessings of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be upon the faithful companion, the children and relatives left behind with the sweet thought of soon meeting again. H. P. Keathley, Dist. Supt.

-- AR UMC has old papers
https://arumc.org/our-ministries/archives-and-history/winfred-d-polk-archives/newspapers/

The conference minutes do not necessarily bear out all that this obituary says. It appears he joined with the Mississippi Conference of the M.E. Church (NOT Methodist Episcopal Church South). By 1871, he was presiding elder of the Columbus District. But by 1877, he was listed as supernumerary and disappeared from the conference journal. Larkin, however, continued until at least the mid-1890s.

It was said that he affiliated with the Methodist Protestant Church, but those records are hard to find. And by the 1880s, he had moved to Arkansas and affilliated with the conference there (maybe).

Birth:
Some sources say he was born in 1837.

Religion:
Assigned to the Choctaw circuit of the Holly Springs district, Mississippi Conference.

Note that he is ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church rather than the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Religion:
Assigned to the Greensborough (Greensboro) circuit of the Holly Springs District.

Religion:
Named as presiding elder over the Columbus District of the M.E. Church.

Possessions:
Sold NE ¼ S 26 T 20 R 10 for $300

Possessions:
Purchased W ½ S 5 T 19 R 11 E and NE ¼ S 32 T 20 R 11 E for $390.50 via deed of trust with James Weir as the lender.

Possessions:
Sold
N ½ NE ¼ S 32 T 20 R 11
W ½ S 33 T 20 R 11
NE ¼ S 33 T 20 R 11
NW ¼ SE ¼ S 33 T 20 R 11
SW ¼ S 5 T 19 R 11
to John W. McDonald for $1250

Possessions:
Sold E ½ SE ¼ S 32 T 20 R 11 and S ½ NE ¼ S 32 T 20 R11 to J.W. Randall for $500

Possessions:
sold
N ½ SE ¼ S 32 T 20 R 11
NW ¼ S 33 T 20 R 11
N ½ S ½ S 33 T 20 R 11
for $800

Residence:
The History of Methodism in Arkansas lists J.W. Deshazo in a list of pastors who served the Waldron Circuit. However, this list is ambiguous in that it says that the list is for is for all the pastors who servied this circuit, beginning with 1880. He is the 13th pastor on the list, so this could mean he was there after 1880. If these were annual positions, he would have been there in 1893-1894. However, if some where shorter than a year and others longer, it could have been any time prior to about 1900.

Census:
In 1900, the census reports that John and Fannie had been married 10 years and that 3 of her 4 children were still alive.

Misc:
This narrows the window when he moved to Tennessee.

Residence:
Newspaper note says "Rev. J.W. Deshazo of Lancaster, Ark., who has been down on business, returned home today taking his daughter, Mrs. Phillips."

Occupation:
Listed as Rev. J.W. Deshazo Sr. His son was appointed to the Parsons circuit.

Died:
Death certificate says 12 Jan 1918, but I have also seen 2 Jan 1918

Buried:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38308513

John married Mary Frances Elizabeth Phelps in 1854. Mary (daughter of John Wimbush Phelps and Dicy Brightwell) was born in 1830 in Tennessee, United States; died before 1890. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elizabeth Phelps
• Name: Mary F. E. Phelps
• _AMTID: 162485318982:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LHZ3-VP8
• _UID: D1CFF51E05C14E2EBA39CF018A4195E3FB84
• Census: 31 Aug 1850, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  North of the Yallobusha River
• Census: 8 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 12 Aug 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States

Notes:

Mary is listed in the 1860 census as Mary F.E. Deshazo.

In Crawford County, in December 1890, a divorce between Mary Deshazier and John W Deshazier is listed. This needs to be sorted out. I have heard that there is a second J.W. Deshazo in the area, but I have not seen evidence of him.

By 1890, John Walker Deshazo and Mary Phelps had been in Arkansas for 10 years.

-- MERGED NOTE ------------

This may actually be Mary F.E. Phelps

Birth:
The 1870 census lists her as 38 years old and J.W. as 32 years old. It seems like this may fit better. She could actually be 39-40. It looks like she may show up in the 1850 census as Elizabeth.

Name:
Some family trees call her Mary Frances Elizabeth, which would fit with the 1850 census and with the fact that her daughter had 2 middle names.

Census:
Listed as 24 years old in the 1860 census

Census:
Listed as 38 years old in the 1870 census

Notes:

Married:
The unpublished obituary for J.W. Deshazo reports that he and Mary Phelps married in 1854.

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485319915:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: 9X9N-83F
• _UID: 54F0D384F5874B7691E6EAF8359E5C95F50C
• Possessions: 1797, Caswell, North Carolina, United States
• Possessions: 1815, Caswell, North Carolina, United States
• Misc: 1817, Green, Kentucky, United States; appears in Green County tax list
• Census: 1820, Green, Kentucky, United States
• Census: 1830, Green, Kentucky, United States
• Possessions: 29 Oct 1838, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States
• Census: 1840, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States
• Census: 22 Nov 1850, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States
• Occupation: 22 Nov 1850, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States; farmer
• Possessions: 22 Nov 1850, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States; real property $100

Notes:

Alabama Ancestry Administration Pages. https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8799/007736933_00115?pid=7015719&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D8799%26h%3D7015719%26tid%3D41552722%26pid%3D19642809954%26hid%3D17422475176%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3DYfG4704%26_phstart%3Ddefault%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue&treeid=41552722&personid=19642809954&hintid=17422475176&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YfG4704&_phstart=default&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=007737009_01366



https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8799/images/007737009_01366?ssrc=&backlabel=Return
Pages 1366-1509

Birth:
Sue Green points out that John's family moved to Caswell not long after the 1775 census in Maryland.

Possessions:
John bought property as late as 1815 in Caswell, after his parents and siblings had migrated to Green County, Kentucky. But he went not too long after that.

Census:
Listed as over 45, 6 children at home.

Census:
Only 1 male 10-15 at home (John W)

Census:
Enumeration: 000100001-000111001, 6 people, no slaves

John married Nancy in BY 1796 in North Carolina, United States. Nancy was born in 1775 in Kentucky, United States; died after 1860 in Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485318743:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LRFZ-TPJ
• _UID: BEF8B32DE9104E21805F8BF2B2E6D2A569A4
• Census: 29 Aug 1860, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States

Notes:

Nancy could have been born in MD or KY. She is found in the 1860 Census in the home of her daughter Elizabeth Arnett in Lauderdale Co.,AL. According to Dr. J.W. Tennison, her son, she was born in Scotland. He reported this in the 1880 Census.

There are a number of Caswell County, North Carolina marriage records that indicate that she is actually Betsy Cheatwood

Census:
The 1860 census enumerates Nancy as born in Maryland.

Notes:

Married:
There is confusion between John B. marrying Nancy and marrying Rachel Grant. It appears that Nancy is his wife by the argument presented.

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485314770:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: KP77-3ZG
• _UID: 98EE5345FDD3417B853BFBC923806ECB0A8E
• Possessions: 30 Dec 1856, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; purchased 80 acres from A.J. Lewis
• Census: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  Tocopola
• Occupation: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; farmer; Address:
  Tocopola
• Possessions: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; real property $750, personal property $975; Address:
  Tocopola
• Probate: 13 Aug 1866, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States

Notes:

In 1850, in the US Agricultural Census of York County, SC, there is an entry for the estate of William Biggers. Since we find this William, with Cynthia, in 1860, this is not him. However, it does not appear to be a brother or nephew either. So, perhaps the story of the Irish flight is not as accurate as it might be.

In the enumeration, William Biggers estate is enumerated after Davis M. Watron, and before John Price, James E Wilson, William Anderson and William E Anderson. That makes me think that either Davis Watron or John Price is connected to the Biggers family.

In the Eugene Morris Biggers book, the author claims that William is found in the 1850 Pontotoc census. I can't find this yet to be true. Additionally, the William Biggers in Lowndes County in 1840 is 20-29 years old and therefore cannot be this William.

There are a bunch of Biggers, including William Biggers, in York county, SC in 1830.

I am skeptical of the Ireland story where Mary Ann fled while pregnant. She would have had to marry once she got to the US to support herself and her children. With as many Biggers in the area as there are, I would think that either she came with her husband or some other connection was there.

Possessions:
E 1/2 NE 1/4 S 11 T 9 R 1 E
For $300
From Alexander Lewis and wife.

Census:
In 1860, William & Cynthia lived with Kinchen & Sarah.

Probate:
Administration granted to K.M. Gray

At the end of 1869, the estate was still not closed. They had sent citations to Lafayette county with no reply. It looks like the case may have moved to Lafayette for administration.

In the meantime, there is a gap from 1869 to 1872 in Pontotoc. The 1872 records have no internal index so no records have been found yet.

Probate records, do list heirs and distributees, including Mrs. A M Tennyson

William married Cynthia Ann Buck. Cynthia was born about 1787 in South Carolina, United States; died before 13 Aug 1866 in Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485315045:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LC24-1PZ
• _UID: 168D9F46CE64414D88C3D7DF777495BD862F
• Census: 29 Aug 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  Tocopola

Notes:

Legend has it that Cynthia Ann Buck was an "indian Maiden from SC"

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485316433:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: LYYQ-SSN
• _UID: 295EF2F299F34FA8A5D0EEE28B87815A2026
• Possessions: 31 Mar 1826, Putnam, Georgia, United States; sold land to Cary Cox
• Residence: 31 Mar 1826, Bibb, Alabama, United States
• Residence: 31 Mar 1826, Bibb, Alabama, United States
• Residence: 10 Oct 1828, Bibb, Alabama, United States; witnessed a deed from Peter Deshazo to Cary Cox
• Census: 1840, Talladega, Alabama, United States
• Residence: 1846, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; paid personal property tax
• Residence: 1849, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; paid personal property tax
• Census: 5 Nov 1850, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Occupation: 5 Nov 1850, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; mechanic
• Possessions: 5 Nov 1850, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; real property $400 and 1 slave
• Census: 4 Sep 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Occupation: 4 Sep 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; farmer and school teacher
• Possessions: 4 Sep 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; real property $800, personal property $881
• Possessions: 16 Dec 1865, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; took out a mortgage on property

Notes:

There is an obituary in the UMC COnfernece Memoirs. See
https://catalog.gcah.org:8443/exist/memoirs/memoirs.xql?field1=au&term1=deshazo&op=and&field2=au&term2=&mode=all

https://catalog.gcah.org:8443/exist/memoirs/memoirs.xql?query=&show-form=true


Birth:
Some sources say that Larkin was born in Edgefield, SC. findagrave.com says that he was born in Paces Gap, Saluda County, SC.

Possessions:
This deed was made out in Bibb County, Alabama for land in Putnam County, Georgia previously owned by Lewis Deshazo

Census:
Enumeration: 1000001-11011
No slaves

Residence:
Paid tax on 1 slave and 1 poll.

Residence:
Larkin is assessed for 1 slave and 1 poll.

Census:
The census records Larkin as from Georgia rather than South Carolina.

Died:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=59126250

Larkin married Lecy Lewis on 27 Dec 1832 in Bibb, Alabama, United States. Lecy (daughter of Samuel Lewis and Dorcas Fincher) was born in 1813 in Tennessee, United States; died in 1880 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162485318253:1030:191555462
• _FSFTID: L81M-SRM
• _UID: 3379611FC80B4800AB06333DF90490F7ECBD
• Census: 5 Nov 1850, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 4 Sep 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 23 Aug 1870, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States

Notes:

Died:
FINDAGRAVE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=59126175

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162489863030:1030:191555462
• _UID: 96832BE76EE24CF2887FB5118CB98B156B4C
• Military: 30 Aug 1814, Virginia, United States; enlisted War of 1812, Capt. Isaac Medley's Co. of Virginia Militia; Address:
  Halifax Court House
• Military: 1 Dec 1814, Virginia, United States; discharged, Capt. Isaac Medley's Co Virginia Militia; Address:
  Norfolk
• Census: 1830, Henderson, Tennessee, United States
• Census: 1840, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 31 Aug 1850, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  North of the Yallobusha River
• Military: 14 Apr 1855, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States; appeared in court to apply for additional bounty land for his service
• Census: 9 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States

Notes:

This is very preliminary. John W Phelps and family are located just a few houses away from the Deshazos in 1860. There is a single sister in the home in 1860 named Druscilla, a very uncommon name, but also the name of Mary's daughter. I believe this is the father of Mary F.E. Phelps Deshazo.

There is a marriage record for John W. Phelps to Dicey Brightwell 27 Dec 1825 in Pittsylvania Co, Virginia, page 84.
"Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NKF-C3YG : 26 April 2023), John W Phelps, 1825. Before accepting that, I need to prove that she is in fact Brightwell and that they werein fact in that area.

In the 1820 census, there is a William Philps enumerated in Pittsylvania County, Virginia that could fill the bill as John's father.

Checked Henderson County Tennessee - substantial record loss, apparently. No old records.
Checked Yalobusha County MS.
District 1 Index to Deeds - Direct - Not found
District 1 Index to Deeds - Reverse -
C - 247 (Phillips) - Does not appear to be him.
District 2 Index to Deeds - Direct & Indirect - Not found



John W. Phelps appears in the Pittsylvania tax lists annually until 1826. After that, he no longer appears. By 1830, he appears in the Henderson County, TN census. Jason Brightwell appears in 1822 and continues through 1829. William and Samuel Phelps appear in 1823, William in 1822.

Military:
Dicy was awarded a widow's pension for John's service in the War of 1812.
Wid. Orig 16464
Wid Ctf 17364

According to the index, John served in Capt Medley's Co of Viriginia Militia.

John W. Phelps recveived bounty land warrants for his service:
1850 - 40 acres, Warrant 44454
1855 - 120 acres, Warrant 36436

These were both assigned to other people. One was redeemed in Choctaw County by Henry Bannon. The other was redeemed in Missouri in 1859.

Census:
Enumeration:
Free White Makes 30-39 - 1
Free White Females Under 5 - 2
Free White Females 30-39 - 1
Free White Persons under 20 - 2
Free White Persons 20-49 - 2
Totall All Free White Persons - 4
Total All Persons - 4

In the 1836 Henderson County tax list index, there are several other Phelps names, but it seems like John had already moved to Mississippi by then.
Edwin, Frederick, and Thomas are all in District 6, paying a poll, but not having much property.

Census:
Enumeration:
Free white males Under 5 - 2
Free white males 5-9 - 1
Free white males 20-29 - 2
Free white males 30-39 - 1
Free white males 40-49 - 1
Free white females 5-9 - 1
Free white females 10-14 - 2
Free white females 40-49 - 1
Persons engaged in agriculture - 2
Free white persons under 20 - 6
Free white persons 20-49 - 5
Total free white persons - 11
Total all persons - 11

Census:
Household number 1865, just 4 down from Mary Phelps Deshazo, and the only Phelps in Choctaw or surrounding counties.

There is a Matilday Phelps, age 43, living next door. I suspect that this is the widow of one of the older Phelps sons.

This census says he has $300 of real property and $530 of personal property. That sounds like he owns land. But I have not found a deed yet.

John married Dicy Brightwell on 27 Dec 1823 in Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States. Dicy was born in 1796 in Virginia, United States; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _AMTID: 162489862944:1030:191555462
• _UID: 1B504D51BD794369BF4C13E2C936D0AC660B
• Census: 31 Aug 1850, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States; Address:
  North of the Yallobusha River
• Residence: 1851, Yalobusha, Mississippi, United States
• Residence: 1855, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Census: 9 Oct 1860, Choctaw, Mississippi, United States
• Residence: 1878, Lodi, Montgomery, Mississippi, United States
• Military: 18 Feb 1879; granted a widow's pension #17364 for $8 / month

Notes:

Birth:
The 1860 Census lists her birth as Vermont! But Virginia seems more likely.

Notes:

Married:
Bondsman - John Jennings