The Gupton Family

Robert Thomas Gupton

Robert was another son of Abner Gupton. Robert was born on 15 Jun 1811 in Tennessee. Robert married Martha Henrietta Power on 15 Jun 1835. Henrietta was born in North Carolina and at a very young age moved to Tennessee with her parents Samuel D Power and Martha Ward of Warren County, North Carolina. There is speculation that Henrietta was Abner's step daughter when he married second Martha.

On 10 Jun 1847 Robert was appointed US Postmaster a position he served in for several years.

Robert was a slave holder as his father had been.

The Tax List of 1862 listed Robert as having 640 acres with a value of $1,400. He paid on 19 Aug
1866 $4.90 in tax.

Items from the News:

Monday Mar 15, 1841 Nashville Union

Clarksville Chronicle Jun 5, 1868

Robert passed away on 22 Oct 1866 (before the estate of his father was settled).

Robert and Henrietta had the following children:


John Jerome Gupton was born on 19 Jun 1847 and died 8 Dec 1921. John married Martha Jane Gupton who was possibly the daughter of Abner Jr and Jane. They were married on 8 May 1871.His nickname was "Squire"

Squire John and Martha Jane Gupton

He can be found in the Federal Census in 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1920.

The Tennessean Sun Mar 22 1874

It appears that he was commissioned to be a Magistrate in Cheatham County.

John and Martha Jane had the following children:

• Elsia or Essia born in 1875
• Martha H. or Marthy born in 1878 and married T.D. Atkins on 30 Dec 1895.
• Charles F. or Charlie born 18 Dec 1880. He married Effie Price before 1910. In 1916 Charlie was living in Nashville. On his WWI draft card he was described as tall, slender, brown eyes and black hair. He had lost an arm, leg, hand, eye or was obviously physically disabled in some way. In the 1930 Federal Census Charlie is living in Detroit Michigan where he was a molder in a stove factory and owned a radio. Charlie died in May of 1964
• Dempsey Orman was born on 17 Jun 1885. He appears to have changed occupation often. On his WWI draft card he is described as tall, medium build, blue eyes and black hair. His occupation was a clerk at New Ark Shoe Company. In 1910 Charlie was a conductor on a street car and was living with his brother Charlie. in 1940 Dempsey was an Insurance Agent. He died in October of 1966.
• John Power was born 14 Apr 1895. He went by Power but we find that he also went by the alias of P. Fry. He was the "bad sheep" in the family. After communicating with another descendant of the Gupton family I learned that the story goes something like this, one day he went running through the house grabbing clothes and left. He never came home again. Power ended up in California where he "got into trouble". The story continues, his mother received a telegram requesting money as Power had died and they need the money to bury him. She sent it. Years later she received another telegram stating he had died again. His mother mortgaged the farm to send money. She was unable to pay the money back and had to move to Nashville. 
  
  
  
   
• 
  
  
  
  
  
• Harry Oran was born on 30 Oct 1897 and died in February of 1987. He married Elsie Knox. He also had a list of different occupations. In 1930 he was a clean up foreman for the Rayon Mills, In 1940 he was a fireman. In 1959 he was a guard. On his WWI draft card he was described as medium height and build with brown eyes and light brown hair. He was also a farmer at that time. In the 1950s it appears that he moved to Nashville Tennessee.

Cave J (son of Robert Thomas) born 17 Jul 1846. Served in the Civil War.  Married Henrietta Duke on 20 Sep 1866. Died 17 Apr 1872. They had the following children:

• Roberta Etta "Bobbie" born after 1866 and died single on 20 Sep 1930
• Samuel Duke born 1869
• Cave Duke born 1870 died 1872. (Could there have been an illness that took father and son?)

Henrietta remarried on 29 Oct 1873 to Ebenezar Nimrod Gupton, so we shall see her again in a future blog post.

Henrietta L born 20 Aug 1856. She married John Martindale Duke on 8 Mar 1869. Henrietta passed away on 8 Mar 1886. They had the following children:

John M. Duke

• Philip Heaton Duke - born on 12 Aug 1878. On 27 May 1909 in Huntington West Virginia he married Victoria Chambers. On his WWI draft card he was described as medium height and build with gray eyes and brown hair. His occupation was Lawyer and Superintendent of Schools. In 1918 he applied for a passport to sail on 15 Nov 1918. He died on 25 May 1950.
• Allen James Duke was born 15 May 1875 and died on 26 Jan 1907 from cancer of the kidney. He was single and a photographer.
• John Tandy Duke was born on 12 May 1877. He was married twice, first to Anna and then to Josephine Link. He was a merchant in hardware and a farmer. His WWI draft card described him as medium in height and build with blue eyes and brown hair. He died 16 Oct 1960.

  

  John Tandy Duke
  
  

This concludes the story of Robert Thomas Gupton, son of Abner, and his family.

Thanks for stopping by!

Next week I will continue the story of the Gupton Family.

Pattie

The Gupton Family

James Hunt Gupton

James was the son of Abner Gupton and his wife Judith Hunt. He was born in Franklin County, North Carolina. He was around eight years old when his family packed up and left North Carolina for Tennessee. 

James was married three times during his life. His first wife was Sarah Hale and they were married 29 Jan 1829. They had two children; Sarah Ann and Nicholas J

Sarah passed away in 1850 before the Federal Census was taken in September of 1850. The next year he married Martha Makes on January 5th. She passed away around 1860 and they did not have any children. The 1860 he was living alone according to the census. 

On October 25, 1860 he married an Irish girl, Margaret T Dowling. She came to the United States at the age of eight. They had two sons; Robert Thomas and John Daniel. Maggie passed away in 1864.

Maggie Dowling Gupton

For some reason the family trees on ancestry have James passing away in Missouri but I have not found any documents that support that. In 1870 the Federal Census has him living in Tennessee. 

James Hunt Gupton's Children

Sarah Ann was born 1 Feb 1832. She married Benjamin Franklin Batts on January 3, 1851. They had 13 children. Benjamin passed away 19 Jan 1892 and Sarah followed him on March third of that year.

Sarah Ann Gupton Batts

Sarah's children:

• William Riley born 13 Aug 1850 -was in the Civil War and was a prisoner of war.  7 Apr 1889 married Barbara Cruse. 1920 occupation was proprietor of grocery store- died in 1929
• James 1852-1854
• Mary Frances born in 1856 - married Irvin Wilson 24 Oct 1877 - died 28 Feb 1884 from injuries in a fall - treated by Dr. Abner Gupton (to be discussed in a future blog)
• Nicholas Cave born 3 Mar 1860 died 29 Oct 1918
• John Thomas born 12 Apr 1864 in Tenn - married Cora Wylie - died 17 Aug 1935 in LaGrange, Cook, Illinois
• Martha H "Marthy" born 12 Jan 1862 in Tenn - married David Potter on 17 Dec 1882
• Allan  1865-1869
• Calvin 1866-1869
• Juda 1867-1876
• Caledonia "Callie" 1873-1899

Nicholas 

Nick Gupton

Nick was born in 1838 and died on 7 Mar 1897. He married Eliza Davis on 28 Mar 1864.

Robert Thomas born 11 Nov 1861 in Tenn. died 19 Feb 1935

Robert's great granddaughter shared information about "Jim Bob" on ancestry. 

Robert Thomas and Clara

Robert married Clara Ellen Claypoole on 31 Oct 1892. 

1901- Robert Thomas and Clara

Then on 1 Jul 1912 he married Lula Georgia Brewer of Kentucky under an alias of Charles..

I have no idea why he married under an alias because it seems that Clara died in 1912.

Lula Georgia Brewer

Lula's father was James Albert Brewer born in Tennessee in 1848. Could this be a connection to our Brewers??

Lula died on 31 Aug 1918.

Then there was another marriage to Blance Reed. At this time he was a 57 year old widower and she was a 26 year old divorcee.

During all this time he was a painter and paper hanger.

Robert died 19 Feb 1935.

John Daniel also known as Short John was born 28 Sep 1863 in Tenn and died 6 Apr 1940 in Tenn. He married Sarah "Sally" V Pardue on 5 Mar 1885. He was a shoemaker by trade. On his death certificate his occupation was ran a shoe repair shop.

John Daniel Gupton

Sally Pardue Gupton

I hope you have enjoyed the story of James Hunt Gupton and his children. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Gupton Family

Thomas Gupton

Thomas Gupton was another son of James' Gupton (1734 -1807). Thomas also left North Carolina and moved to Tennessee. Records for Thomas are not as numerous as those found for Abner. However, it is highly likely that he either left with Abner or followed him. Let's see what records indicate...

In 1808 Abner purchased his first tract of land in Tennessee. But Thomas did not marry until 1812 and that was in North Carolina. The first Federal or State Census I can find for Thomas is in 1830 in Tennessee. His first trip to Tennessee is unknown. Did he go with Abner, visit Abner and later return or did he just marry and then follow? We may never know the answer to that. 

On 8 Jun 1812 the marriage bond for Thomas Gupton and Priscilla Bledsoe was issued. James Gupton was bondman. 

The only census records I have found Thomas in are the 1830 and 1840 Federal Census for Montgomery, Tennessee.

Unfortunately I can not find a grave or probate record for Thomas. On ancestry family trees list his death 28 Nov 1843, but they do not show documentation. It would explain the lack of records after 1840.

Thomas' sons migrated to Kentucky; Joseph, Abner and Oscar.

Joseph was born in North Carolina on 20 Nov 1814. This helps build the timeline for his father. 

I can not find many records for Thomas' daughter Emily, but what I have indicates that in 1823 she was born in North Carolina. This too helps to narrow down the move of Thomas and his wife Priscilla.

Oscar Gupton moved to Kentucky where he drowned in October of 1856. His occupation was carpenter.

Joseph Gupton married Martha Jones on 4 Jan 1838 in Montgomery Tennessee. 

They had the following children:

• Judith Ann born 2 Dec 1840 died 13 Jan 1935 in Calloway Kentucky
• Edmund Jones born 16 Oct 1842 died 25 May 1921 in Cheatham Tennessee
• Martha A born in 1846
• James Thomas born 10 Mar 1849 married Missouri Amazon Anderson in 1872 died 10 Mar 1918  

  

  James Thomas and Missouri

• Elizabeth born 1850 died 1900
• Joseph Robert born 17 Apr 1852 married Mary Louisa Cook died 25 Mar 1945 in Graves County Kentucky. He was a grocery merchant. 
• Pinkley Hawk born Sep 1853 married Martha died 15 Aug 1927 in Murray, Calloway Kentucky
• Jacob "Jake" C born 26 Aug 1855 married Zilpha Gupton died 21 Mar 1909 in Graves Kentucky
• Mary born 1855
• Abner Calvin Dayton born Jun 1860 died 3 Sep 1932 in Bailey Texas

Thomas' son Abner born 5 Apr 1820 in Franklin County, North Carolina and married Mary Nicholson on 12 Feb 1846 in Tennessee. He died 15 Jun 1910 in Graves Kentucky.

Abner's daughter Zilpha married Jacob Gupton. Jacob was Abner's brother Joseph's son. 

Abner's son James Alvin born 16 Mar 1865 married Mrytle and died in Randolph Arkansas on 3 Mar 1941.

Abner's daughter Hettie Ellen born 17 Mar 1870 - married James Bannon - died in Ohio but buried in Kentucky.

Hettie Ellen Bannon

James Bannon

  

Thomas Gupton Jr., son of Thomas and Priscilla was born in 1824 in North Carolina. He married Harriet Jones on 18 Dec 1851. He died on 8 Feb 1912 in Cheatham Tennessee. Something interesting on the 1880 census, he recorded that he was sick with a headache!

They had the following children:

• Mary F. born 21 Jan 1860 and married Benjamin Frank Frazier. She died on 4 Dec 1936 in Tennessee
• Lucy J born in 1856 and married G.H. Frazier on 8 Jan 1880.
• James Franklin born 13 Apr 1858 and married Martha Jones on 10 Mar 1881. He died on 19 Jun 1933 in Tennessee.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about Thomas Gupton's family. 

Next I will explore James H. Gupton's family stories.

The sons of Abner Gupton..

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Gupton Family

Abner

Abner would be my uncle but he was such a character that I have to share what I have discovered about him.

Abner came to Bute County, North Carolina with his father, James, and his uncle, Stephen. Because of the Federal Census records we can determine that he was born around 1761.

Abner was a soldier in the War for Independence and was wounded at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina that was fought on 15 March 1781. (I have now found three great grandfathers that fought in this battle.)

In the 1790 Federal Census Abner is listed living alone in Franklin County, NC.

Abner married Judith Hunt, daughter of James Hunt Sr. and Mary Rackley, in Franklin County on 30 Aug 1796. Their marriage record is a bit hard to read as the ink has faded over time. 

Abner and Judith are found in the census records in North Carolina in 1800. Four of their children; Mary "Polly", James H., Sarah "Sally", and Abner Jr. were born in North Carolina.

On 29 Dec 1807, Abner sold his 617 acres of land on both sides of Cypress Swamp to Michiel Eley for the sum of 3000 silver dollars. (Franklin County, NC)

Shortly after selling his land Abner joined the increasing number of residents in North Carolina that immigrated west. 

There is an interesting series of articles on North Carolina Digital history about the reason so many North Carolina residents left and the nickname "The Rip Van Winkle State". Here is the link for that series of articles.

Why they left

On 21 Jul 1808 Abner purchased his first tract of land in Tennessee for the sum of $900.00. This tract of 300 acres in Montgomery County was on Half Pone Creek. Less than two months later he added to his acreage by purchasing for the sum of $640.00 320 acres (4 Sep 1808).

Below is land acquired in 1830.

According to the tradition, he erected a block-house at the forks of Half Pone and Raccoon Creeks for protection from the bands of hostile Native Americans that were roving in the area.  Here Abner lived for 51 years and where three more children were born; Judith, Robert Thomas and Elizabeth.

Abner served as Magistrate of Montgomery County for many years. 

In an interview of his grandson's widow, Mary Pardue, she described Abner as the most beloved resident of Montgomery County in his day and "everybody knew him as Grand Daddy Ab". She also said the following:

He owned just about all the land from Clarksville to Ashland City, and whenever poor folks came along and no way to support their wives and children, he just told them to "go over there on that hill and build you a cabin and go to work". He would give them that land and pay the taxes on it for them. Grand Daddy Ab was, I reckon, the richest man this county ever saw. He had a hundred and eight slaves and thousands of acres of land. He owned property fifteen miles wide from Clarksville to Ashland City. Just about all of it was lost during the war.(Civil War)

Abner also gave the land for the Mount Herman Baptist Church that descendants of Abner still worship. Found in Deed Book T, page 334 is the registered deed witnessed by Abner Hunter and Nimrod Gupton on 16 Dec 1843.

In the 1830 Federal Census it is recorded that two individuals living there are deaf and dumb.
From his will we know that Abner Jr was deaf and dumb.

Abner and Judith had 7 children. They were:

1. Mary Polly Gupton- born in 1799 in NC, married to Thomas Hunter on 20 Mar 1817.
2. James H. Gupton - born 1800 in NC, Married three times; Sarah Hale, Martha Moke, Margaret Dowling. Moved to Scott Missouri.
3. Sarah "Sally" Gupton born 1804 in NC. married John "Jack" Pardue Jr about 1820
4. Abner Gupton Jr. born in 1805 in NC, married Jane Batts 19 May 1844, died 18 Jul 1856 in Montgomery Tenn.
5. Judith Gupton born 1808 in Tenn, married Enoch Dozier
6. Robert Thomas Gupton born 15 Jun 1811 in Tenn. married Martha Henrietta Power, died 22 Oct 1866
7. Elizabeth Gupton born 1818 in Tenn, married Matthew Hale

Abner wrote two wills, the first was recorded in the Cheatham County Courthouse in Ashland City, Tennessee in Will Book A pgs 127-130. He wrote this first will when he was about 80 years old and written on 5 Apr 1841. Judith died 9 days later on 14 Apr 1841 at the age of 63 years.
Five months later a license was issued on 14 Sep 1841 for the intended marriage of Abner Gupton to the widow, Martha A. Power.  They were married on 5 Oct 1841 by his son, Robert Thomas Gupton, Justice of the Peace.

Abner's Wills:

Transcribed First Will:

I ABNER GUPTON do make and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other Wills by Me any time made.

First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after My death as possible out of any Monies that I May die possessed of May first come into the hands of My executor.

Secondly, If my Wife JUDITH GUPTON should survive Me in life My estate all is to stay in on Common stock in her charge til her death, and after the death of us both I want it divided in seven equal shares and distributed as follows.

1st unto the heirs of MARY HUNTER My daughter, I will one seventh share and I appoint Mary Hunter My daughter their executors to keep the said share and its increase together, till her death and after her death to be divided among them.

2nd Unto the heirs of SARAH PARDUE My daughter I will one seventh share and I appoint Sarah Pardue and John Pardue her husband their executor and executrix to Keep the said share and its increase together till the death of Sarah Pardue, My daughter and after her death to be equally divided amongst her heirs.

3 Unto the lawful begotten of JAMES GUPTON My son I will one seventh share and I appoint James Gupton, My son their excutor to keep the said James Gupton my son and after  his death the said Share and its increase to his lawful begotten heirs.

4th Unto ABNER GUPTON My son I leave one seventh share to have and to hold, during his life time and its increase and after his death the said Abner Gupton My son I want it divided as stated in the other shares and appoint Robert T. Gupton his executor, to act for the said Abner Gupton, my son.

5th Unto Judith Gupton, My daughter I leave one seventh share to have and to hold during her life time and if the said Judith Gupton My daughter should marry and have heirs at her death the said Judith Gupton My daughter the said seventh share to be equally divided among them.

6th Unto the lawful heirs of ROBERT T GUPTON My son I will one seventh share the said share is to be kept together and its increase till the death of My son Robert Gupton and after his death to be equally divided among all his lawful begotten heirs and I appoint R.T. Gupton My son their executor.

7th Unto the lawful begotten heir of ELIZABETH HALE My daughter I will one seventh share the said share its increase till the death of Elizabeth Hale My daughter and after her death to be equally divided amongst all her children that she may leave and I appoint Matthew T. Hale and Elizabeth Hale their executor and executrix.

And futher if any of my Children should die without one heir the share or shares they draw for their children is to be divided amongst My children that had heirs as stated.

Lastly I do hereby Nominate and appoint James and Robert T. Gupton My executors to comply with my above name distribution in witness whereof I do to this My will set My hand and seal this 5th day of April 1841.

In Abner's second will we learn that Abner Jr married without his father's knowledge and had children. Abner's choice of words used in this new will made it clear that he was not happy about the marriage. 

"Whereas I have been informed that some years ago my deaf and dumb son, ABNER GUPTON was married to one Jane Batts without my knowledge or consent, and since said marriage up to the death of my son ABNER which took place two years ago and up to his death and since the said Jane has had several children some of which I learn is now living, and for reasons best known to myself I make this my wish will and desire. I will unto the said Jane and her children twenty five acres of land including the place she now lives on running back to Pool line and run so as to take half the spring and this all her said children is to have in my estate after my death that I may die seized and possessed of in any shape form or fashion in land or equity"

 

Abner died on 20 Aug 1859 and was buried near his home at the forks of Half Pone and Raccoon Creeks. His descendants located his grave and place a headstone in the family cemetery.

Below is a map of the county that marks the location of the Gupton land.  (bottom right )

I hope you have enjoyed reading the story about Uncle Abner.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

sorry for the issue with the background. after retyping it several times, I have given up. LOL

The Gupton Family

James Gupton

In my last post I ended with Stephen, James, and Abner in Franklin County. So I will pick up where I left off. 

The funny thing I have learned during my research is how many different connections I have with this family. It turns out that James is my 5 times great grandfather and so is Stephen! 

James married Sarah Foster in 1752 probably in the Northern Neck area of Virginia.

James Gupton is found in several records in Bute County. 

In 1771 James was a taxpayer in Bute County, North Carolina.

On 13 Aug 1772 it was recorded in the Court minutes that Benjamin Perry was appointed overseer of the road in James Gupton's room.

James took the Oath of Allegiance in William Alston's District during 1775-6.

"I will bare faithful and true allegiance to the State of North Carolina and will truly endeavor to support maintain and defend the Independent Goverm't thereof against George the third King of Great Britain and his successors and the attempts of any other persons, prince, power, State, or potentate who by secret are treason conspire copies or by open force shall attempt to subject the same and I will in every respect conduct myself as a peaceful orderly subject and that I will disclose and make known to the Governor (or) some member of the Council of State or some Justice of the Superior Courts or of the peace all treason conspiracies and attempts committed or intended against the State which shall come to my knowledge- so help you God."
The Oath had to be administered by justices of their districts to qualify the men to vote for members in the election.

Both of the records below were during 1777 and found in the Bute County Minutes for the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions

He is found in the 1790 Federal Census:

He appears again in 1800 in the Federal Census.

His will was recorded in 1807.

James and Sarah had the following children:

• Abner born in 1761 died 20 Aug 1859
• Sarah born in 1752
• James born in 1778 and died in June 1845 (my 4 times great grandfather)
• Winifred born in 1775 died in 1843
• Robert born 24 Feb 1776 died after 1850
• Susannah born in 1782 died in 1819
• Rhosamond born 1759
• Thomas born 3 Apr 1784 and died 28 Nov 1843
• Nancy born 1766

Next post will be about Abner Gupton - an interesting man that left North Carolina.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Gupton Family

The Beginning

Since my last post, I have been researching the Gupton family. This family immigrated to at least five states during the early 1800's. But they began the journey in Virginia.

William Gupton (Gutton)

William Gupton born in Belfast, Ireland during 1640, arrived on February 20, 1662. He, along with 115 others, were transported by Captain William Mosley and Captain John Hull. They had been granted 5798 acres in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Each of the 116 passengers were allotted 50 acres. 

He probably married Susannah York and they had at least three sons; William Jr., Stephen, and Francis.

His will was recorded on 10 Feb 1709.

Sons, William and Stephen, witnessed the will of James Tarpley in 1711.

William Jr married Mary Elizabeth Dolan in North Farham Parrish, Rappahannock Virginia.

William and Elizabeth had the following children: Stephen born 30 Nov 1713, Thomas born 1 July 1709, Henry born 13 Dec 1713, Elizabeth born 25 Sep 1709, Peter born 1 Jul 1721, Sarah born 9 Feb 1717, William born 31 Jan 1722.

William Jr passed away in 1722. His will was recorded in September of that year and his wife was his administrator. 

Stephen, son of William Jr,  married Margaret Coward in 1729 and then later married Magdaline Garland. Stephen's will was recorded March 5, 1749 and named his wife, Magdaline, and his sons; Stephen, William Garland, and Vincent. He named his oldest daughter Anne. Later that year his inventory was returned by his wife. It seems that he did not mention by name all of his children.

Found in the Registers of North Farnham Parrish:

B- Gupton, Stephen son of William and Mary Gupton 30 November 1713
B- Gupton, Stephen son of Stephen and Eliza Gupton 27 November 1703
Marriage: Gupton, Stephen and Margaret Coward 23 January 1728/9
B- Gupton, Mary daughter of Stephen and Margaret Gupton 27 January 1731/2
B- Gupton, Elizabeth daughter of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 26 March 1737
B- Gupton, William son of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 12 January 1738
B- Gupton, Anne daughter of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 24 Novemeber 1740
B- Gupton, Stephen son of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 31 January 1742
B- Gupton, William Garland son of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 31 May 1745
B- Gupton, Vincent son of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 9 May 1747
B- Gupton, Henrietha daughter of Stephen and Magdaline Gupton 8 September 1750

William Jr.'s sons moved to Orange County sometime after Jan 1732

William, son of William Jr, is probably one of the William Guptons that was in the French and Indian War. There were two William Guptons from Orange in the records. One was described as 23 years old, 5 foot 10 inches, fair, well made and slim with an occupation as carpenter. The other William Gupton from Orange was 5 foot tall, fair, knock kneed and a planter. (1755-1756) They are both most likely descendants of the original William Gupton.

After the war Stephen, James, and James' son Abner are found in the records for Bute County, North Carolina. Vincent is found in Chatham County, North Carolina. 

Next post will look at the Guptons in North Carolina and the immigration to the other states. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

Looking at the Gupton Connection

Elijah Albert Gupton

Carolina Gupton that married Doctor Buck Pearce on the West family branch is one connection that we have to the Guptons.

Elijah Albert Gupton and Mary Ann Aycock were the parents of Carolina. Elijah was born 1 Nov 1824 in the Gupton Community in Franklin County, North Carolina. His birth date appears on census records, death certificate and headstone. In the North Carolina, Marriage Records 1741-2011 database there is a marriage bond for Elijah and Mary.

In the 1850 Federal Census enumerated on the 9th of Sept 1850, Elijah was 26 years old and his occupation was listed as sheriff. Mary was 22 years old.  The 19 year old farmer Joshua Yarbourgh was living in the household. Next door was Elijah's mother, Frances Gupton, who was 50 years old. Elijah's father is believed to have passed away in 1845.

Elijah is found in records as E.A. Gupton.

In The North Carolina Standard - Wednesday - May 23, 1855 we find that E.A. is active in community government.

By the 1860 Federal Census E.A. and Mary had five children; Sidney 9, Amanda 7, Carolina 5, Nancy 3, and Elijah 1.

Then in the 1870 Federal Census four more children are listed; Doctor E. Mary, Ida and Edward. 

E.A.'s occupation, Sheriff, created records for him. 

Results of the election are found in The Semi Weekly Standard, Aug 13, 1862 edition.

Semi Weekly Standard Aug 13, 1862

Having the job as sheriff had drawbacks as we find a disgruntled citizen in The Semi Weekly Standard July 14, 1863.

In 1863 E.A. is found in the records of the Freemasons Lodge No. 185

When I look through the members' names I find many that I recognize. 

Although E.A. did not serve during the Civil War as a soldier, he was active as sheriff and filed claims with the confederate army for his services. 

 Next post - after the war.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonard Family of NC

William Henry Leonard

William Henry Leonard, son of Larkin, is our direct ancestor in the Leonard family. William was born 19 Jul 1838 in Franklin County. He is the only son of Larkin that lived to have a family. His father was 37 years old and Cynthia was 31 when he was born. 

To see the earlier Post about William and Seraphna (click here) 

William was 22 when the Civil War began. He and his brother, Peyton, enlisted 20 May 1861, in the Confederate Army; 15^th Infantry - Company G . 

Most of the records I have found on Fold3 are faint and hard to read. However, the records that are readable tell us that he was captured and spent time in the hospital during the war. He entered the war as a private and was promoted to Sergeant by the end of the war. He was mustered out at Appomattox. 

William was captured at South Mountain on 14 Sep 1862 and sent to Fort Delaware and later exchanged.

Sadly William's brother, Peyton, did not survive the war. 

After returning home to Franklin County, William married the widow Seraphna Collins Murphy on January 29, 1868.

Collins Connection

Seraphna is our branch on the family tree that connects us to the Collins family. Her father was James T. Collins and her mother was Mariah Cope. Seraphna was the oldest of eleven children, born 28 Feb 1842.

James T. Collins’ father was Peter Collins. Peter was the son of James Collins and Priscilla Smart.

Priscilla’s father was Peter Smart, he immigrated from Edinburgh Scotland and settled in North Carolina. It is through Peter Smart’s son, Laban, that we are supposed to have ties to Daniel Boone.

James Collins was from Kingsale, Isle of Wight, Virginia. He was a member of the North Carolina Militia and fought during the American Revolutionary War. 

For James Collins earlier post click here

The Civil War changed life in the southern states forever. 

On April 15, 1865 the town commissioners of Louisburg passed a resolution formally surrendering the town to Sherman and asking for protection. A letter was written and delivered by Jones Fuller and Dr. Ellis Malone. The letter is currently in the National Archives in Washington D.C.

Rumors suggest that when Sherman received the letter he asked, "Where the heck is Louisburg" and went in search of a map. 

At the time Sherman did not intend to move his troops through Louisburg and replied to the letter saying such.

However, after the war ended things changed. Thousands of troops moved through the county on their way to Richmond and Washington D.C.

On May 1, 1865 approximately 12,000 - 15,000 troops camped in the grooves near the male academy in Louisburg. They stored so much grain in the academy that the floor collapsed. 

Between April 29 and July 8, Sherman's troops occupied the town of Louisburg.

In the Cecil W. Robbins Library at Louisburg College the diary of Anna Long Thomas Fuller can be found. In her diary she enters her observations and concerns. 

On April 29th she wrote: 

"A squad of Yankee cavalry entered the town and stopped in front of our house. They came to tell of the approach of the Army, a large portion of which will pass through here Monday and Tuesday. Tonight, a guard is appointed to protect the town from the "Bummers", a set of lawless men who come before, and follow the army, to plunder and destroy everything in their way..."

On May 4th she wrote:

"Yesterday was very quiet, and we hoped we had seen the last Yankees, but not so - about dusk ... we saw riding up the street, very rapidly, a squad of Yankee Cavalry. We thought they were the "Bummers" and fled to our houses frightened, but they proceeded a Regiment, who have come here to maintain order, and execute orders issued at headquarters a few days ago freeing all the slaves, and requiring their owners pay them wages...." 

Franklin County had lost approximately 400 men during the war. Almost 50 men were from the Gold Mine Township. Rebuilding was a slow process. No family was left untouched by the war. Morale was low but life went on. 

1880

Below is the 1880 Federal Census.

William and Seraphna had two sons; William Peyton and Henry Lee.

More of their story to come....

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonards of North Carolina

More Taxes

An interesting discovery that gives insight into life in the late 1800s..

From the inventory of Larkin Leonard we know that they had a still and a cider press. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie