#37 of 52...William T. Ivey...

William T. Ivey.  That name sounds strong to me.  This William T. Ivey is one of  my 2nd great grandfathers.  William T. Ivey was born about April 1875 (or thereabouts) in Georgia.   I truly don't know a lot about this man.  I know that he married Lester Octavia Reid on 24 December 1895 in Carroll County, Georgia.

William T. and Lester Octavia had the following three known sons:

1). Paul Osren Ivey (1897-1972)
2). Robert E Lee Ivey (1903-1979) **My great grandfather
3). William Worley Ivey (1913-1994)

1900  Federal Census dated 5th June finds William age 22 living in Militia District 714, Carroll County, Georgia.  He was the head of the household consisting of wife Lesta (Lester) O. Ivey age 20 and son Paul O. Ivey age 3.  William is listed as being a farmer.

There are several Ivey families living nextdoor to William.  I can assume they are related, but have not investigated further.  There is a William age 52 and Keturah age 51 that are candidates for William T's parents.

There is a George N Ivey age 28 that is a good candidate to be William T's brother. My next step in this research will be to see if these are viable candidates for his relatives.

1910 Federal Census dated 9 May indicates that William age 35 years and Lester O. age 33 living in the same 714 District of Carroll County, Georgia.  William is still a farmer. He can read and write and is renting the farm.  Son Paul O is now 13 and son Robert E. L. is 7 years.
The William Ivey and Keturah F are still living nearby and are now ages 63 and 60.

1920 Federal Census dated 31 Jan 1920 is interesting to say the least.  William is listed as being 41 years old and as being a Widower.  The boys Paul O is now 23, Robert E.L is 16 and William W is 8.  William T is still a farmer.  The interesting this is this fact that he is a widower.  It is not actually true.  I have found Lester Octavia Ivey in 1940 living with youngest son William Worley Ivey.  I also found evidence that she remarried to a man with the last name Boyles and she doesn't actually pass away until 1961.  So why does it say she's dead?  A really interesting mystery there.  Is it telling that they have had three sons and they are spread apart in age?  They are about 6-8 years apart.  I will explore this further.

I do not have a death date for William.  I'm not sure when he passed away. I have some investigating to do.

#35 of 52...Robert E Lee Ivey

Robert E Lee Ivey is one of my great grandfathers.  He was born 21 Feb 1903 in Georgia to William T. Ivey and Lester Octavia Reid.

It is my understanding that Robert. E Lee Ivey was named after "The" Robert E. Lee.  I do not remember him but he did have the opportunity to actually meet me when I was an infant.  I have only seen one or two photos of him and I recall him being sort of tall in the photo.  I wish I had copies of photos of him.

Robert E Lee Ivey had two brothers.
1). Paul O. Ivey (1897-1972)
2). William Worley Ivey (1913-1994)

Robert E. Lee Ivey married Tishie Stapler in May 1925.

Robert and Tishie had 10 children.

1). Fred V. Ivey (1926-1981)
2). John William Ivey (1928-1969)
3). Charles Mayern Ivey (1930-2006)
4). Leonard W. Ivey (1934-1972)
5). Shirley Lucille Ivey (1936-1978) **my grandmother
6). Robert E Ivey JR (1938-2009)
7). Gene Ivey (1941-1989)*twin
8). Imagene Ivey (living)*twin
9) Carolyn Sue Ivey (living)
10). Mary Alice Ivey (died in infancy unknown dates)

I wish I knew more about Robert E. Lee Ivey.  It is my understanding that he was a farmer and worked very hard to keep food on the table for his family.

Robert E. Lee Ivey passed away 8 August 1979 in Carroll County, Georgia

#34 of 52...James Christopher Allen...

One of my Great Great Grandfathers was James Christopher Allen.  That's a lot of common names strung together there.  Nice, strong names; but common.  I believe I have his information correct however.

James Christopher Allen was born 11 April 1859 in Spalding County, Georgia to John Edgar Allen and Mary Elizabeth Wiggers (or possibly Wigus).
I believe the following to be the children of John Edgar and Mary Allen.

1). John W. Allen (1858-1919)
2). James Christopher Allen (1859-1942)  **my 2nd great grandfather
3). Louisa Allen (1863-1959)
4). Singleton William Allen (1865-?)
5). Walter T. Allen (1868-1923)
6). Thomas J Allen (1869-1926)
7). Minnie B. Allen (1873-?)
8). Effie Estelle Allen (1879-1958)

James Christopher Allen married Claudia Vandora Welch 28 March 1886 in Henry County, Georgia.  They had the following known children:

1). Ector Allen (1889-?)
2). Trudie Allen (1892-1975)
3). Walter W. Allen (1894-1971)
4). Linnie May Allen (1896-1979)
5). Clara Allen (1901-1949) *twin
6). William Clarence Allen (1901-1973) *twin
7). Eunice Allen (1903-1968)
8). Emma Lois Allen (1906-1990) **my great grandmother
9). Sue Allen (1910-before 1920)

#33 of 52...Berney Jack Thomason SR...

Berney Jack Thomason Sr was my great grandfather.  I called him Afaw because I couldn't say Grandpa when I was little.  I had the opportunity to get to know him growing up.  He passed when I was living abroad in Japan and unable to make it back to the funeral.  It was very difficult for me to process his death without being able to attend the funeral.  It was a hugely emotional time for me.  Afaw had a crazy sense of humor.  He was fun.  I hear there was a different side to him, but I never saw that.  

He was a security guard at a bank and later at a car dealership.  I believe at one point he may have been a sheriff deputy but I'm not sure.  I remember seeing his pistol on the table growing up and knowing that we weren't allowed to touch it unless he was holding it.  It had a pearl handle I believe.

Berney Jack Thomason Sr was born 29 June 1937 to David Luther Thomason and Emma Lois Allen in Covington, Newton County, Georgia.  He was their third child and only son.  

He had the following sisters. 

      1). Helen Louise Thomason (1924-2013)

      2). Dorothy Mae Thomason (1926-1990)

Berney Jack Thomason Sr. married Shirley Lucille Ivey 28 Feb 1954 in Porterdale, Newton County, Georgia.  It was his second marriage, but her first.  He did not have any children with his first wife. 

Together Jack and Shirley had the following children.

1). Berney Jack Thomason JR (1955-2003)

2). Donna Jane Thomason (1957-2006) **my mother

3). Janet Elaine Thomason (living)

4). Beverly June Thomason (living)

5). Julie Shirlene Thomason (living)

#32 of 52...3rd Great Grandparents

32 weeks into 52 weeks of the year!  I'm of course writing this well after the 32nd week as I got behind during the summer break with the kids.

Did you know that each of us have thirty two 3rd great grandparents?  Thirty two!  Out of my thirty two I have names for all but four.  Also out of thirty two, I have four with the last name Allen!  They are all four on my mama's paternal side.  I wonder if they are related to each other?  I've not found that to be true yet; however Allen is not exactly an unusual name.  Below each one is listed along with their parents names (if known) and their family information.

1). Lucinda Francis Allen (09 May 1841-20 Dec 1925)
     Born in Georgia.
     Parents: David Richmond Allen and Nancy Mayo
     Married: 22 April 1857 in Walton County, Georgia to William Lewis Thomason
     Children: John William Franklin Thomason (1859-1886)
                   James David Thomason (1867-1937) *my 2nd great grandfather
                   Lewis Everit Thomason (1869-  )
                   Benjamin Martin Thomason (1871-1953)
                   Thomas A. Thomason (1873-1911)
                   Nancy E Thomason (1879-1921)

2). Martha Jane Allen (abt 1850-abt 1879)
     Born in Georgia.
     Parents: supposed to be John Allen and possibly Katherine Thomason, though I've not seen enough evidence to declare this to be certain.
     Married: 11 Dec 1867 in Putnam County, Georgia to John Fields Chapman.
     Children: Martha Jane Chapman (1870-1960) **my 2nd great grandmother
                   William M. Chapman (1872-1944)
                    Maggie Chapman (abt 1874-   )
                    John T. Chapman (1875-1963)

3). John Edgar Allen (abt 1833- unknown)
     Born in Georgia.
     Parents: unknown
     Married:   21 April 1857 in Spalding County, Georgia to Mary Elizabeth Wigers.
     Children: John W. Allen (1858-1919)
                   James Christopher Allen (1859-1942)  **my 2nd great grandfather
                   Louisa Allen (abt 1863-     )
                   Singleton William Allen (abt 1865-     )
                   Walter T. Allen (1868-1923)
                   Thomas Jefferson Allen (1869-1926)
                    Minnie B. Allen (abt 1873-   )
                    Effie Estelle Allen (1879-1958)

4). Emily Catherine Allen (1839-1931)
     Born in Crawford County, Georgia.
     Parents: unknown
     Married: 5 January 1866 in Spalding County, Georgia to John Wesley Welch SR
     Children: Walter Welch (1866-1892) *died of accident gunshot wound
                    Claudia Vandora Welch (1869-1971) **my 2nd great grandmother
                    Beresford "Ressie" F. Welch (1872-1939)
                    Sallie Dovie Welch (1878-1929)
                    John Wesley Welch JR (1882-1942)
                 
It's interesting to have so many Allens on one branch.  I also have an Allen or two on another branch of the tree, but it's further back and one comes from England directly.  Do you know all of your thirty two third great grandparent's names?


                 

#31 of 52...Emma Lois Allen

I was fortunate enough to have met two of my great grandmothers.  Emma Lois Allen is one of them.  She was my paternal grandfather, Berney Jack Thomason's mother.  My Mama called her Big Mama.  I recall seeing her a few times when I was a child.  I didn't get to spend as much time with her as I did my other great grandmother; personality differences and such, but I do remember her.

Emma Lois Allen was born 26 March 1906 to James Christopher Allen and Claudia Vandora Welch.  She had the following siblings.

1). Ector Allen (abt 1889-unknown)
2). Trudie Allen (1892-1975)
3). Walter W. Allen (1894-1971)
4). Linnie Mae Allen (1896-1979)
5). William Clarence Allen (1901-1973) *twin
6). Clara Allen (1901-1949) *twin
7). Eunice Allen (1903-1968)
8). Emma Lois Allen (1906-1990) **my great grandmother
9). Sue Allen (1910-before 1920)
10). Margie Allen (unknown)

Emma Lois Allen married  David Luther Thomason.  Together they had three children.

1). Helen Louise Thomason (1924-2013)
2). Dorothy Mae Thomason (1926-1990)
3). Berney Jack Thomason SR (1931-2003) **My grandfather "Afaw"

Even though I met her and kind of knew her, I don't really know much about her.  I don't know if that makes sense or not.  I recall a few times visiting her at her home, she lived on Washington Street in Covington, GA. I remember seeing her at Kroger sometimes when we would be shopping but she never really took up time with me or spoke directly to me.  She always spoke to my Mama.  I think Big Mama had a favorite grandchild and it wasn't my Mama and by extension I wasn't either.  I can say that she had either demensia or Alzheimer's so sometimes her behavior and the things she would say weren't what her normal personality would have been had she not been ill.  I remember when she passed away and we sat with my Afaw and my Great Aunt Louise.  There were a bunch of cousins there too.  1990 was a tough year for that side of the family since we lost Great Aunt Dorothy in a car accident as well.

Emma Lois lost her husband, David Luther Thomason in 1967.  She remarried Howard H. Denham, he was a widower.  Unfortunately he died unexpectedly in a car accident in 1972.  

Funny thing is I don't have any photos of her.

#30 of 52...Martha Jane Chapman

As I do more research I find myself wondering more and more about the lives of my female ancestors.  I wonder what their lives were really like?  What were their likes and dislikes?  What kind of personality they had?  Were they strict and formal?  Were they lenient and relaxed?  Did they have a sense of humor or were they serious?  I want to relate more to them.  I do the same for my ancestors but especially for my grandmothers.

Today I'm focusing on a 2nd great grandmother on my mother's paternal side; Martha Jane Chapman.  Martha Jane "Mattie" Chapman was born 2 November 1870 in Putnam County, Georgia to John Fields Chapman and Martha Jane Allen, a daughter of John Allen.

John Fields Chapman and Martha Jane Allen had four children before her death. He remarried and had more children with his second wife.

1). Martha Jane "Mattie" Chapman (1870-1960) **my great great grandmother
2). William M. Chapman (1872-1944)
3). Maggie Chapman (abt 1874-     )
4). John T. Chapman (1876-      )

Mattie Chapman married James David Thomason 4 April 1886 in Newton County, Georgia.  Together they had ten children that survived childhood.  They had two known children to have passed young.

1). Willie Thomason (1888-1962)
2). Charlie Woodson Thomason (1890-1956)
3). Mary Lou Thomason (1892-     )
4). Henry Grady Thomason (1894-1980)
5). David Luther Thomason (1896-1967)  **my great grandfather
6). Susie Thomason (1899-1983)
7). Ludie Bea Thomason (1903-1988)
8). Howard Thomason (1908-1952)
9). Sallie Cleo Thomason (1911-2003)
10) Claude L Thomason (1915-1990)

Mattie gave birth to at least 12 children with 10 surviving to adulthood.  Mattie lived to be nearly 90 years old. She passed away 16 Aug 1960. She was widowed at the age of 67 when her husband died from a freak accident.  I wonder what she was like?  I've seen a couple of photos of her.  I can see the resemblance in her face of some of my aunts and even my Mama a little.  I did not get the opportunity to know that side of my family very well.  

Below is a photo I found on Ancestry.com.

Mattie Jane Chapman Thomason and her brother William (Buddy) Chapman

phyllishillking originally shared this on 5/18/2011 on Ancestry.com

#29 of 52...David Luther Thomason

One of my maternal great grandparents is David Luther Thomason.  David Luther was born 24 December 1896 to James David Thomason and Martha Jane Chapman.  He had the following siblings.

1). Baby Boy Thomason (1886-unknown)
2). Willie Thomason (1888-1962)
3). Charlie Woodson Thomason (1890-1956)
4). Mary Lou Thomason (1892-  )
5). Henry Grady Thomason (1894-1980)
6). David Luther Thomason (1896-1967) **my great grandfather
7). Susie Thomason (1899-1983)
8). Ludie Bea Thomason (1903-1988)
9). Howard Thomason (1908-1952)
10). Sallie Cleo Thomason (1911-2003)
11). Baby Girl Thomason (1913-   )
12). Claude L Thomason (1915-1990)


David Luther (I'm told he went by Luther) married Emma Lois Allen.  I just realized that I do not have their marriage date or any documentation about it.  I will add that to my research goals for the next year.
Luther and Lois had the following children.

1). Helen Louise Thomason (1924-2013) *We called her Aunt Ease, because saying Louise was hard sometimes for us kids.
2). Dorothy Mae Thomason (1926-1990)  *She was killed in a car accident.  I remember when this happened and it was awful.
3). Berney Jack Thomason SR (1931-2003) **This is my Grandfather, I called him "Afaw" which is my baby way of trying to say Grandpa and it stuck.

I did not get to meet David Luther because he passed 10 years before I was born.  I don't know much about him at all other than the facts I've gathered.  I remember my Mama spoke of him as being "Big Daddy" but I don't recall many stories about him.  I'd like to find out more about him as a person.

#27 of 52...John Colvin Bussey

UPDATED:  24 Dec 2020  Updated links and added information for Esther Alley Bussey Smith

John Colvin Bussey is my great-grandfather.  He is my grandmother Alice's father.  He died the year before I was born so I never got an opportunity to know him in person.  I did hear lots of fabulous stories about him though.  I also was able to hear his voice because my daddy made a cassette recording of him when he was a teenager.

John Colvin Bussey was born 19 November 1892 in Atlanta, Georgia to Samuel T. Bussey and Louella "Ella" Ledbetter.  He was their 3rd child.  His mother was 19 years old when he was born.  The children of Samuel T. and Ella Bussey were:

1). Willis Collier Bussey SR (1887-1966)
2).  Samuel T. Bussey JR (1890-1905)
3).  John Colvin Bussey (1892-1976)
4).  James Jefferson Bussey (1898-1959)

John Bussey grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.  His father was a stable boss for many years.

John spent some time in the Army in WWI.  He was drafted.  Below is a snippet from his service card.

WWI Statement of Service Summary Cards, CLM-396, Ancestry.com

John first married Esther J. Alley, daughter of William and Lizzie (Brown) Alley, 19 December 1919 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.  They were divorced 9 October 1928 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.  As far as I've been able to ascertain there were no children from this marriage.  Esther married T.M. Smith by 1930 as I found them together in the census.  Unfortunately, Esther died of suicide on, Tuesday 10 Dec 1935.  She was 32 years old.  

Second John Bussey married my great grandmother Troy Eugene Waller 17 August 1934 in Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia.  It was a second marriage for both of them.  John adopted Troy's daughter Cora as his own.  John and Troy had the following children together.

1). Ella Alice Bussey (1935-2022)
2). Colvin Troy Bussey (living)

John Colvin was an artist.  He created stained glass windows in churches in the Atlanta area.  He had a fabulous vegetable garden and kept chickens.  He sustained an injury to his left eye rendering him blind.  He was left-handed.

He passed away at home of a massive heart attack on Jan 4, 1976, he was 83 years old.

John Colvin Bussey, unknown date, original owned by Alice Bussey Curran

#25 of 52...Henry Martin Reid...

Ancestry.com has a new thing connected with the DNA results called "DNA Circles".  It connects you with others probable descendants of a single ancestor.  It uses DNA matching as well as actual family trees.  I'm in a big ol' circle for Henry Martin Reid.  There are 36 of us in this circle, including me, my Aunt Janet, and my two boys.  We're referred to as the Shirley Ivey family group since she is who we descend through.

Henry Martin Reid is my 5th great grandfather on my mother's maternal side. There are many family trees out there with Henry Martin Reid in them.  I am only putting information here that I'm fairly confident in the accuracy.  I'm leaving much out, as I've not been able to verify all of it yet.

Henry Martin Reid was born 3 Feb 1773 in Rowan County, North Carolina.  His parents were George Reid Sr and Margaret Chambers.

Henry Martin Reid married Edith E. Harrison who was born in 1782 in North Carolina.  They had the following children.

1). Lydia Reid (1802-1890)
2). Catherine "Katie" Reid (abt 1803-Unknown)
3) William Davis Reid (1806-before 1890) **this is my 4th great grandfather
4). Reuben Reid (1808-1852)
5). Elizabeth Reid (1814-1885)
6). Robert A Reid (1817-1873)
7). John Reid (1823-1904)

Henry Martin Reid passed away in 1853.

#24 of 52...Charlie Henry Waller...Moonshiner and Murderer?

Charlie Henry Waller was my 2nd great grandfather. He is my grandmother Alice Bussey Curran's maternal grandfather.

Charlie was born 27 July 1880 in Henry county Georgia to Samuel Waller and Elizabeth Serene Lee Knowles.  Charlie was their first child.  They also had the following other known children:

1). Charlie Henry Waller (1880-1955) *my great great grandfather

2). George W. Waller (1886-uncertain) 

3). John Waller (1883- 1944) 

4). Lula Waller (1889-uncertain)

5). Samuel L Waller JR. (1896-1961)

Charlie's father Samuel lived in Fayette, Fulton, and Clayton Counties in Georgia.  He was always listed as a farmer in the census records.  Charlie married Ina Brown on 13 October 1907 in Fulton County, Georgia.  You can see photos of them here.

Charlie and Ina had the following known children:

1). William Henry Waller (1908-1986)

2). Troy Eugene Waller (1909-1991) **my great grandmother, I called her Maw-maw

3). Bobby Gladys Waller (1911-1980)

4). Estelle Waller (1913-1942)

5). Lois Waller (1916-1979)

6). Clara May Waller (1917-1995)

7). Josie Lee Waller (1920-1995)

8). Herbert Albert Waller (1922-1995)

9). Ina Myrtle "Daisy" Waller (1924-1997)

A photo of all the children as adults can be found here.

My Maw-maw, Troy Waller Bussey used to tell me stories about bootlegging and that her father would run moonshine over the state line into Alabama.  She told me a story once about how they would put the liquor under the seat and then she would sit on top of the seat and hold the sleeping baby (it could have been anyone of her younger siblings) so the revenuers wouldn't make her get up and search under her when they crossed the line.  These types of stories fascinated me as a child.  My Nana was surprised that my Maw-maw would share such stories with me.  It seems that she was sharing with me a secret of the family.  

A few years after my Maw-maw passed away the stories of Papa Waller and the "Waller Gang" resurfaced and that once long held secret was out in the world.  Not only was The Waller brothers involved in moon-shining, but also there was a murder and relatives spent time in prison.  

In 1997 Bruce L. Jordan wrote a book called "Death Unexpected The Violent Deaths of Fayette".  Mr. Jordan's book has an entire chapter called "Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow... James Langston, October 28, 1922.  This is Chapter 5 of the book and it details the murder of Mr. Langston, a mail carrier.  The story is laid out very well in this book and if you want to read it, I have it to let you borrow.  Mr. Langston was found murdered in the vicinity of Kite's Lake.  A few weeks prior to Mr. Langston's murder the sheriff had located and destroyed a fifty gallon unit still.  My great great grandfather Charlie Waller and his brother John were caught headed in the direction of the still with a a wagon full of jugs.  Coincidence?  Not likely.

On October 31, 1922 my 2nd great grandfather Charlie Waller, his brother John Waller and a man named George B. Samuels were taken to jail on suspicion of murder but no charges were filed.  

To make a very long and quite intriguing story short; the Waller brothers and others involved in the still wanted the person that told on them to die.  The people, Ora Whittle and Oscar Dutton were sent out to do the deed.  They killed the wrong person.  Mr. Langston was not the person that turned in the still.  It was actually a fella named Ab Davis that was a fruit peddler and John Waller's own daughter Iula Waller!  

Oscar Dutton admitted to doing the actual deed and was convicted July 1925 to life in prison.  Ora Whittle was also convicted while always saying he was innocent.  He too was sentenced to life in prison.  Ora Whittle was likely the look-out.  The Oscar Dutton trial offered much fanfare and was a spectacle. 

John Waller, my great great Uncle was also tried.  His trial was on 7 July 1925.  Author Bruce Jordan describes it as "quietly, and with much less fanfare."  There were no defense witnesses and he was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.  His daughter, Iula (Eula) testified against her father.  He was sentenced to life in prison.  

Even more people were caught up in the conspiracy to commit murder and were tried and sentenced to life in prison.  They were Melvin Windham and Rainey Cauthen who implicated Melvin Brown.  My great great grandfather, the subject of this blog post, was also convicted in December 1925 in the Superior Court of Fayette.  He was convicted of accessory before the fact and sentenced to life.  Though he is not listed in the book by Mr. Langston, a third Waller was convicted as well.  John and Charlie's brother George Waller.  

So there you have it.  Charlie Waller was both a moonshiner and also sort of a murderer.  While he didn't actually do the killing he was in on the idea of and set for the actions that caused the death.  So what happened next?  

see source at the end

The listing above is from the Central Register of Convicts for Georgia, 1817-1976 found on Ancestry.com.  The listing is for Charlie Waller, convicted of Accesory before the fact to murder, received into custody 12 April 1926 convicted by Fayette County, paroled July 25, 1932.  There is an interesting story that goes along with his parole for another post.  It has to do with his youngest child.

George Waller, convicted of murder, 11 Apr 1926 by Campbell County, paroled May 25, 1933. 

Above is John Waller, accessory before the fact to murder, convicted Dec 6, 1925 by Fayette County and paroled 13 Nov 1935.  

Ora Whittle (two cases), convicted of murder, Dec 6, 1925, Fayette and Cambell County.  Way over on his line it says that he escaped on 10 May 1930 and was not recaptured (at least on this document there is no record of it)!

Melvin Windham, convicted of murder, 19 Dec 1925, Fayette County, paroled 10 Sept 1933. Further over on his line however it states that he escaped twice.  Once 2 Nov 1928 to be recaptured 4 Nov 1928 and again 13 Aug 1931 and recaptured 23 Aug 1931. 

Rainey Cauthen convicted of murder, 19 Dec 1925 by Fayette County, paroled May 8, 1934.

Melvin Brown, who by the way was my great-great grandfather Charlie Waller's brother in law.  Melvin was Ina Myrtle's brother.  Melvin was convicted of murder 13 Mar 1927.  It appears he escaped three times being returned twice.  Escaping 12 Nov 1927 recaptured 17 Nov 1927.  Escaped again 7 Feb 1930 and not being recaptured until 27 Aug 1932. The final time listed in this document is 2 Aug 1933 with no return listed.  

Charlie Henry Waller went on to live his life after he was paroled.  He passed away 16 Sep 1955 at the age of 75. 

Sources:

Jordan, Bruce L. Death Unexpected: The Violent Deaths of Fayette. Atlanta: Midtown Pub. Corp, 1997. Print.

Description

Volume Title : Central Register of Convicts, 1889, 1902-1951

Source Information

Ancestry.com. Georgia, Central Register of Convicts, 1817-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.
Original data: Prison—Inmate Administration—Central Register of Convicts, 1817–1976. Series 21/3/27. Georgia State Archives, Morrow, Georgia.

Source Description

Get the facts on time served by these inmates in the Georgia prison system.

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#21 of 52...James David Thomason...Killed by Dynamite Blast

My great great grandfather, James David Thomason was killed in a freak accident in 1937.  Here's a snippet of the Newspaper article.

The Covington News, Friday January 15, 1937
Vol 73, Front Page

The family was moving from their house to another home near-by.  Mr. Thomason was cleaning up the place and swept the debris into the burning fire and there was a stray blasting cap there.  It ignited and blew up, almost instantaneously killing him.  I had heard this story passed down through the family. 

James David Thomason was born 25 March 1867 in Newton County, Georgia.  His parents were William Lewis Thomason and Lucinda Francis Allen.   William and Lucinda had the following known children:

1). John William Franklin Thomason (1859-1886)

2). James David Thomason (1867-1937)  **my great great grandfather**subject of this post

3). Lewis Evrit Thomason (1869-?)

4). Benjamin Martin Thomason (1871-1953)

5). Thomas A. Thomason (1873-1911)
6). Nancy E Thomason (1879-1921)

James David married Martha Jane (Mattie) Chapman, daughter of John Fields Chapman and wife Mattie, 4 April 1886.  James David and Mattie had the following known children:

1). Baby Boy Thomason (1886-?_)
2). Willie Thomason (1888-1962)
3). Charlie Woodson Thomason (1890-1956)
4). Mary Lou Thomason (1892-?)
5). Henry Grady Thomason (1894-1980)
6). David Luther Thomason (1896-1967)  **my great grandfather** {aka: Big Daddy to my Mama}
7). Susie Thomason (1899-1983)
8). Ludie Bea Thomason (1903-1988)
9). Howard Thomason (1908-1952)
10). Sallie Cleo Thomason (1911-2003)
11). Baby Girl Thomason (1913-unknown)
12). Claude L Thomason (1915-1990)

#19 of 52...Eugene Ledbetter...a Lost Uncle Found

I've mostly been keeping these posts limited to actual direct line ancestors and not collateral relatives; however, I feel that they are all our relations and I am including them.  Today I'm going to talk about Eugene Ledbetter, brother to my great great grandmother Lou Ella Ledbetter Bussey.
I have always been fascinated by Ella Ledbetter Bussey, since she was my grandmother's grandmother.  My Nana to this day speaks of Ella with high regard and remarkable love.  She calls her Mama Bussey and she was an influential person in my Nana's life.  There is a fantastic photograph of Ella in riding boots and a hat.  Somewhere I think I have a copy of that photo.  I really need to organize my stuff better!  Anyway,she always seemed like a spitfire and someone I wish I could have gotten the opportunity to know.  So Ella has long been a research topic for me.  Nana has said that Ella was an orphan and that the relatives that she lived with was mean to her.  Of course I wanted to search for her family and find out what happened.  As far as Nana knew, Mama Bussey had no siblings, at least none she ever spoke of.

I started researching going back through each census year.  When I started the newest one was the 1930 census.  I traced Ella back during her married life.  I started trying to find her prior to her marriage.  Her Family Bible has her listed as being born in 1872 and I take that as being pretty accurate as it was her Bible and she wrote the information in there or had someone do it for her. The first census she would be listed in would be the 1880.  I searched and searched finally finding who I believe to be her in Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia living with the mysterious Elizabeth Lawrence and her children.  In that census it lists Ludella (which we think is actually Louella) Ledbetter and right under her name is a Jene Ledbetter.  Jene?  Who's Jene?  Could it mean Eugene?  And now it appears that Ella had a brother named Eugene!  This was news to us.

I continue searching and searching and cannot find anything about their parents nor anything about Eugene after that single census.  I make the assumption that he died in childhood and the likelihood of finding a document about it in Georgia is very low.  I searched Findagrave.com, found a memorial for Eugene from Hollywood Cemetery in Atlanta.  I realize that this is the same cemetery where Ella is buried.  The person that set up the memorial had written information and had a death certificate number.  I contacted her and she stated that she got the information from the death records at the Georgia State Archives.  I start searching the Georgia Archives website with the death records found a Eugene's death certificate.  It is then that I truly know that he is indeed our uncle.  He died at the home of Ella as it lists her address.  Also as informant is Ella's son JJ (James Jefferson) Bussey.  That solved the one mystery of who was Jene/Gene?  It lists his parents as Alice Mull and John Ledbetter; which simultaneously gives information and creates more questions.

Where exactly was Eugene between 1880 and 1903?  I believe to have found him in the Atlanta City directory starting in 1903, but cannot be certain that it is him listed.  I have not found him on any census after 1880; but he should be in 1900, 1910 and 1920.

Eugene Ledbetter (1876-1929)

#16 of 52...Claudia Vandora Welch Allen...oldest direct female ancestor

I went through my tree and looked for people that lived the longest lives. I narrowed the list down to ones that I was fairly sure of the accuracy of their correct birth and death dates.  I realized that my Great Great Grandmother Claudia Vandora Welch Allen "Claudie" lived to be 102 years and 25 days old!  She is my ancestor through my mother's paternal grandmother's side.

Claudia Vandora Welch was born 6 Aug 1869 in Henry County, Georgia to John W. Welch and Emily Catherine Allen.  John W and Emily had the following children:

1). Walter Welch (1866-1892)
2). Claudia Vandora Welch (1869-1971) **my 2nd great grandmother
3). Beresford "Ressie" Welch (1872- 1939)
4). Sallie Dovie Welch (1878-1929)
5). John W. Welch (1882-1942)

Claudia married James Christopher Allen 28 March 1886 in Henry County, Georgia.  I'm not sure if he was related to her through her mother or not.  That would be something to investigate since I do not have Emily Cahterine's parent's information.

Claudia and James had 10 known children though in the 1911 census she indicated that she had 11 children with 8 still living.

1). Ector Allen (abt 1889-unknown)
2). Trudie Allen (1892-1975)
3). Walter W. Allen (1894-1971)
4). Linnie Mae Allen (1896-1979)
5.) Clara Allen (1901-1949) *twin
6). William Clarence Allen (1901-1973) *twin
7). Eunice Allen (1904-1968)
8). Emma Lois Allen (1906-1990)  **my great grandmother (I was able to meet her).
9). Sue Allen (1910-bef 1920)
10. Margie Allen (dates unknown)

From census records I've gathered that James Christopher Allen was a farmer and Claudie was the homemaker for her family.  She lived a very long life!
102 years is amazing.
She passed away in Butts County, Georgia 31 Aug 1971, 25 days after her 102nd birthday.  I imagine someone from that branch of the family has photos of her.  I don't know that side very well, but if any of you from that side read this, I'd love a scan of a photo of her and any of the Allen family that you all might have!

Wordless Wednesday....Charlie Henry & Ina Brown Waller

Below are two photos of my Great Great Grandparents
Charlie Henry Waller (1880-1955) and Ina Brown Waller (1892-1959).  These are the parents of the children I featured last week here.

Ina Brown and Charlie Henry Waller
Copy of photo owned by my Great Aunt Cora Cumbie

Charlie Henry Waller & Ina Brown Waller
Copy of photo owned by my Great Aunt Cora Cumbie

#6 of 52...Thomas J. Bussey

Continuing on with the Civil War Ancestors let me introduce you to my 3rd Great Grandfather Thomas J. Bussey.  Thomas was born 15 Aug 1818 to Malachi Bussey and Martha A Frazier.  Thomas married Lucy Anne Livingston, daughter of Taliferro Livingston and Catherine Anglin Whatley 22 Feb 1846 in Pike County Georgia.

Thomas and Lucy had the following known children:

1). Willis M. Bussey (1845-  )  * it would appear that Willis was born in Dec 1845 and his parents were not married until Feb 1846.
2). James Whatley Bussey (1849-   )
3). Lucretia Celestia Bussey (1851-    )
4). Catherine Savannah Bussey (1855-   )
5). Samuel Thomas Bussey (1856-1914)  **my great great grandfather
6). Marietta J. Bussey (1859-   )
7). Alfred H. Bussey (1860-  )  
8). Lucy A. Bussey (1863-1923)
9). Martha J Bussey (1868-   )

Thomas and Lucy were listed in the 1860 Federal census for Zebulon Post Office, Pike County, GA.  The value of the real estate owned for Thomas was $1000 and personal estate being valued at $6765.  In the 1860 Slave Schedule for Pike County it is shown that Thomas owned 8 slaves and had two slave houses.  Mr. Bussey was not a poor farmer as many of my other family members were, Mr. Bussey had some money to his name.

I do not have a military record for Thomas Bussey, but I did find his application for Indigent Pension in 1885 and the following years until his death.  Indigent meaning he was poor.  He states in the records that he served about 10 months in Co H, 7th Regiment of the Georgia Militia.  He was discharged and paroled in April 1865 in Macon Georgia by the Yankee authorities.  He says he was a farmer until 1885 and then his health began to fail.  He states that in 1891 all his land was sold to cover his debt and he is now completely dependent upon his children for care.  He states that his wife is also infirm. He did receive his pension for his service to the cause and to help support him in his old age.  He was an interesting looking man as this is a photo of him below.  I'm not sure if that is a pinky ring or if it's a scratch on the photo.  Either way, he's a fine-looking fellow.  Look at his long hair and seems to have a bit of a curl to it.  He has on a fine striped suit. Mr. Thomas J. Bussey died 11 Dec 1908 at the age of 90.  

Wordless Wednesday...The Waller Children

Below is a photo from Easter 1942
I copied this photo from my grandmother's collection.

Children of Charlie Waller and Ina Brown.

I can identify almost everyone with some certainty however I admit I could be mistaken on a couple. The names are correct, but I may be misidentifying some.  I am certain of the men and of my great grandmother. 

Front row Left to right starting with the light colored dress:

        Daisy (Ina) Waller Webb, Gladys Waller Dunson, Troy Eugene Waller Bussey*my great grandmother,         Josie Lee Waller Chapman

Second Row, Left to right: 

     Lois Waller Kelly, Hurbert Albert Waller, Estelle Waller Mathis, William Waller, Clara Mae Waller Wall 

#5 of 52...John Wesley Welch

Let me introduce you to another Civil War Veteran from my family tree.  It seems that many of my ancestors were discharged due to medical issues and my 3rd Great Grandfather John W. Welch is no exception.  John Wesley Welch is my ancestor through my maternal grandfather's maternal line. That would be Jack Thomason's mother Emma Lois Allen's line.  

John Wesley Welch was born 26 July 1838 in Henry County, Georgia and died 25 Jan 1884 in Henry County, Georgia.

John is the son of Wesley Cook Welch and his first wife Lydia Welch (I think).  Mr. Wesley Cook Welch was apparently married four times and had children with three of the four wives.  I've not quite got them all untangled.  I'll get them sorted out eventually.  For now it is believed that John Wesley's mother was Lydia. Due to the number of marriages and the fact that my 4th Great Grandfather had around 11 children and I'm not sure who each one's mother is I will not list John's siblings.  

From his Disability Discharge Paper, "Private John W. Welch, of Captain W.W. Delamar Company 22 of the Twenty Seventh Regiment of Confederate States was enlisted by Major Calhoon of the 27th Regiment of Geo. Vol, at Camp Stephens on the ninth day of September 1861 to serve during the war; he was born in Henry county in the State of Georgia, is twenty three years of age, five feet, nine 1/2 inches high, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.  During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty sixty days.  The disability was caused by cold sitting in his head which has lasted during the last three years he said.  J.W. Welch has been under medical treatment the most of that time.  The medicine has proved ineffective.

Station: Manassas (can't read the second part)
Date: December ninth 1861.

Signed W.W.Delamar"

The surgeon wrote the following "general disability caused by long continual disease of the frontal and maxillary sinuses.  I further declare my belief that he will never be able to discharge the duties of a soldier.

Signed  Tho M Duvall Surgeon."

Discharged 11th day of December, 1861 at Camp Pickens.

So there you have it.  He had serious sinus infections and they discharged him.  I wonder what kind of medicine would he be given for sinus infection in 1861?  They didn't have antibiotics.

John Wesley Welch went on to marry Emily Catherine Allen 5 Jan 1866 in Spalding County, Georgia.
Emily Catherine was born 15 Sep 1839 and died 5 Aug 1931.  She is from yet another Allen line in my family.  I have not yet traced her family back to see if they intersect with any of the other Allen lines.

John W. Welch and Emily C. Allen had the following known children:

1). Walter Welch (1866-1892)
2). Claudia Vandora Welch (1869-1971) **my 2nd great grandmother
3). Ressie F. Welch (1872-1939)
4). Sallie Dovie Welch (1878-1929)
5). John Wesley Welch JR (1882-1942)

John Wesley Welch SR passed away 25 Jan 1884.

#4 of 52...David Richmond Allen

I'm on a roll with researching varying Civil War ancestors in my family tree.  Today I'm looking at David R. Allen, one of my 4th Great Grandfathers.  He is my ancestor through my maternal grandfather, Berney Jack Thomason's line.

David Richmond Allen was born about 1817 in Georgia.  I've not verified his parents yet.  Some researchers have his parents as William A. Allen and Sara Thomason, but I have not been able to make that connection just yet.

David married Nancy Mayo (daughter of Elisha Mayo & Kiziah Thrower) 12 Dec 1838 in Walton County, Georgia.

David and Nancy had the following known children:

1) Lucinda Francis Allen (1841-1925) *my 3rd great grandmother
2) John D. Allen  (1842-1844)
3) William Elisha Allen (1844-1914)
4) Sarah Milissa Allen (1847-1915)
5) James Austin Allen (1850-1925)
6) Lewis Allen (1851-1852)
7) David A. Allen (1851-  )
8) Ambrose Allen (1853-1905)
9) Kizzie Jane Allen (1855-1927)

David Allen was a farmer in Walton County Georgia.  Along came the Civil War and on 16 Sep 1861 he enlisted to serve 3 years or the length of the war.  He became a Private of Capt J.P. Wilkinson's Company G of the 35th Rgt.  His Certificate of Disability for Discharge states he was born in Morgan County (but other Civil War records indicate Walton County; Monroe County; Walnut Grove (which is in Walton County and the county seat is Monroe).  Because of the discrepancies I do not know exactly where he was born and to whom.

David was discharged due to disability on 25 July 1862.  It states that he is 45 years of age, 5ft 9in tall, dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.  His occupation is farmer.

During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty ____ days.  Below it states "His disease originated from exposure while on duty March 6th 1862 and has not been able for duty since."

The surgeon wrote the following, "a serious affection of the legs, the result of a burn of seven years standing which renders him incapable of marching or _?__unreadable___  duty.  I therefore recommend his discharge."

The sad part is that David was discharged on July 25, 1862 but never made it home.  He died in the Confederate hospital in Augusta on 28 July 1862.  He is buried in Augusta, Georgia.  Even though according to the information at the cemetery, he was not a Capt, but a Private.  The Civil War documents including his wife's application for Widow pension also states he was a Private.