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Lewis McAdams

The account of Lewis McAdams’ death appears in The Springfield Republican, February 13, 1898:

“DIED OF HIS INJURIES. Lewis McAdams who was hurt at Valley Water Mill is dead. He is the aged colored man who was injured at the Valley Water Mills Thursday while attempting to throw a belt.

He was caught by the tumbling rod and his left arm fractured in three places. In addition to this, his shoulder was dislocated and he sustained other injuries.  Dr. James visited Mr. McAdams yesterday and found him in a dying condition. His patient survived until 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon (12 Feb. 1898), when death relieved him of his suffering. The deceased was the father of Prof W.H. McAdams, formerly principal of the Lincoln school, but now principal of the Douglas school. The funeral will take place at 2 o’clock at the home of the deceased, a few miles north of Springfield, and the interment will be at the Camp grave yard.”

 This respected gentleman was born in slavery and up to the age of35 could neither read nor write. He survived many difficulties and hardships, but managed to learn the harness and saddle business, becoming skilled in the trade. Following the Civil War he engaged in farming and moved to Jefferson City, Missouri around 1870. By 1881 he had returned to Greene County and bought property and later sold same for a profit. Then, in 1884, he purchased 200 acres and by working hard and paying close attention to business he prospered and was considered well to-do and successful.

 He was the father of seven children, six of whom he educated. Five later became teachers. He and his wife were members of the Gibson Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with Mr. McAdams serving as an elder and holding other offices.

The Federal Census of 1870 (Campbell Township) shows Lewis McAdams as a farmer, age 43, with wife, Margaret, age 41. Their children were: Henry, age 18; Julia, age 12; William, age 9; Celia, age 7; Maggie, age 6; Archie, age 3; and Peter, age 8 months.

According to the Springfield City Directory of Greene County Gazetteer of 1890-91, Lewis McAdams owned 93 acres in Section 4 of Campbell Township. The 1904 Greene County Missouri Plat Book reveals Lewis McAdams had property in Township 29, Range 21, Sections 4,5 (this is northeast of the Valley Water Mill Dam). Time has erased the burial site of Mr. McAdams. His grave might be one of those in the cemetery without a marker of any kind or it might have an old tombstone with lettering so dimmed by the elements that genealogists can no longer read the stone. His life, however, should be remembered and preserved in the pages of history.

Prepared by; Jean Gaffga Rayl, Member of the Greene County Historical Society Edited by: Mrs. Lea Etta McAdams of Springfield, MO, widow of Elwin McAdams, great-grandson of Lewis .McAdams, and by BryceMcAdams of Los Angeles, CA, great grandson of Lewis McAdams Resources: Pictorial and Genealogical Record of Greene Co., pp 281-282; Springfield City Directory & Greene Co. Gazetteer, 1890-91; Greene Co. Missouri 1870 Census, Campbell Township After researching the life of Mr. McAdams, a desire was created to know more about the mill that was once in operation at Valley Water Mill. It must have played a vibrant part in the lives of those living in the surrounding area. What happened to the Mill?

Added note by Cynthia Jeffries Davison – In searching for Civil War veterans in our burial list, Lewis McAdams is the only one  that appears to have served in the Civil War.

Josephine G.J. Deeds

The tombstone of Josephine Deeds was found in October 1994, buried under several layers of dirt and leaves. The original gravesite cannot be determined, although from her death date it would have been in the oldest section of Union Campground Cemetery. The shape of the stone is similar to many· others in this section, very plain and unadorned. The lettering is primitive and hard to read:

In Memory of

JosephineG. J. Deeds

Born: Feb. 17 A.D. 1843

Died: Dec. 28 A.D. 1844

Dau: of Margie (?) J.T.YD.

A footstone was found in another part of the cemetery with the initials J.G.J.D. Who were her parents? Three men in early Greene County history had the name of Deeds: James Deeds, Joshua T. Deeds, and Joseph Deeds. Only Joseph Deeds had a wife by the name of Margaret. Birth records in Greene County began in 1883. Before that time, birth registrations were «hit and miss”. As a result, no record exists for this young child. However, since the name Margie somewhat fits that of Margaret, research has focused on Joseph and Margaret Deeds.

The Polk County Missouri 1837 Tax List shows a Joseph Deeds owning 2 slaves valued at $1,000, 2 horses valued at $190, and 4 head of cattle valued at $100. In the Greene County Missouri Will Book C, NO.2: “Joseph Deeds of Greene County, State of Missouri, wrote his will on 26 Seep 1842. He named his beloved wife, Margaret M., who was to have plantation in lieu of her dower…” It should be noted that property owned by Joseph Deeds was not in the immediate vicinity of Union Campground Cemetery.

Greene County Probate Records, Book A, p. 31, May term 1843, ordered a sale of Joseph Deeds’ slaves. The Springfield Advertiser (1844-50) lists the death of Joseph Deeds in 1844, leaving a Margaret M. Deeds as one of the administrators of his estate.

By 1850, when the next federal census occurred, Margaret Deeds was listed as 49 years old, born in North Carolina, came to Missouri by 1835.

With so little information, nothing can be verified about Josephine except the dates on her tombstone. A few telephone contacts were made to individuals in Springfield who go by the name of Deeds, but no one was able to establish a Deeds family member who had had a daughter named Josephine.

Her death at such a early age, with no documentations of birth, and without family ties to Union Campground Cemetery, creates a puzzle. All that we can do in 2005 is to give recognition for her brief life and preserve and protect her tombstone.

Prepared By: Jean Rayl

George Freeman

When Did George W. Freeman Die?

Quite by chance, while researching the life and death of Elizabeth Snow Appleby, I found rather conflicting information concerning the death of her first husband, George W. Freeman. Mr. Freeman is buried in Union Campground Cemetery. In the 1960’s his tombstone was read by John and LaMerle Cochran and his death date given as May 15, 1882. I supposed the lettering on the stone was very difficult to read, more-or-Iess erased by the forces of nature. During the process of preparing a profile on Elizabeth Appleby, I had gone to the Greene County Archives in order to find more about her life and that of her husband, William A. Appleby. This is where I learned she had first been married to George W. Freeman. In his probate file, #3151, there were numerous papers and from these I learned he had died in 1852-not 1882. Listed here are a few dates and facts:

March 15, 1852: Listing of property sold by George W. Freeman March 20 thru May 12, 1852: Dr. H. M. Parrish had presented a bill to the estate of George W. Freeman for visits and medicines April 1852: John L. McCracken had presented a bill to the estate for making a coffin and case May 20, 1852: David Appleby & Thos. Edmondson were appointed to appraise slaves and other personal estate of George W. Freeman June 12, 1852: A sale bill of the Personal Estate of George W. Freeman, deceased.

I have attached copies of the doctor’s statement and the one for John L. McCracken. The others I did not copy. It is a bit puzzling why John L. McCracken presented a bill to the estate in April when apparently George W. Freeman did not pass away until May 15,

1852.

Invoice: Date: April 1852 George W. Freeman .. Due to John S. McCracken, for making one coffin and case $12.00

Invoice: George Freeman, Dec’d to H.M. Parrish 1852 Debit From 3/20 – 4/4 Sixteen visits and Med $40.00 4/7 Pint Bearing & Tonics 1.25 4/11 Visit & Medicine 2.50 4/18 Prescriptions & Moo 1.00 4/20 to 5/12 Twenty-Two Visits & Moo 55.25 Total 100.00

According to “Pioneer Families of the Missouri Ozarks'” A-G (located at the Library Center in Springfield, Missouri), George W. Freeman was born 17 Oct. 1820 and died 15 May 1852. However, in the Union Campground Cemetery booklet, under the name of George W. Freeman, the 1850 Census has his age listed as 27. If you subtract 27 from 1850, his birth date would have been in 1823. We cannot locate Mr. Freeman’s tombstone at this time, although his stone could be one of those that we are unable to read. We have found a footstone near the Freeman plot with the initials “G. W.F.”

By Jean Rayl 2000

Langston – The Old Slave

Son Filmore Taylor Hancock

Excerpts from an interview conducted in 1936-1938 by a worker employed with the Federal Writers’ Project in Missouri. “Uncle” Fil Hancock was 86 at the time, living in Rolla, MO.

Note:  Text written in the manner of Filmore’s speech.

His story is important to the Union Campground Cemetery Association because he mentions in his recollections, “If I can leave enough when I die, I want to be buried at the Union Graveyard in Greene County, MO where IN mammy is buried since three ~earlbefore the Civil War. My daddy was buried there in 1863.” Here is his story. Only selected portions are included due to limited space.

 “I was born 1851, de 28th of February. My granny come here with her missus Hancock when do) brung de Cherokee Indian tribe here from middlin’ Tennessee, de time dey moved de Missouri Indians back to Oklahoma, what dey called Indian Territory way back ’bout 135 ta 140 years ago. Our 01′ missus maiden name was Riggs. My 0l’ mastah was Scotch-Irish. A big red faced man wid sandy hair, mostly baldheaded. He weren’t ‘lowed to whip us. 0l’ missus wouldn’t let him tech us. We had to mind him, though. But she done de whipping. My own mammy whipped us good and proper. She used a razor strop, and shore poured it on us. She was puny and sick most all de times. De said she had compumption. Nowdays de calls it T.B. But it was plain old consumpion in demdays …

 “My 0l’ missus Hancock named me, herself; called me Filmore Taylor Hancock, after two presidents who took der seats in 1850. 01′ Colonel Hancock was our mastah an’ he was de richest man in Greene County, MO …His wife, 01′ missus, was born in 1804. My own granny on my mammy’s side was born in 1805. My granny was given to missus, as her own, de day she was born. Course 01′ missus was only a year old den. Der was thirty two of us slaves on our 01′ missus place, and eleven of us sprung from 01′ granny. “We had five young missus names were Winnie, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Luella and Tennessee. Dey was so rich and proud …

 “My boss – Hancock – was de biggest slave holder in Missouri when de war first come up. He settled four miles east of Springfield, MO. He owned close to 1200 or 1500 acres of ground, from Springfield to Strafford, east. We had 375 acres in cutivation-corn, oats, wheat, rye, and clover was our main crops.

“My daddy belonged to a man named Lou Langston. There is a railroad station named for this same  Langston, what was known as the Gulf Road.   I took my mammy’s white folk’s name …

 “In ’61 I see General Lyons when he passed right by our house. All de Union sojers had to pass by our house time of de war. We lived on the main road from Rolla to Springfield… “All de Union sojers stopped at our house to get water. We had a runnin’ stream that never did go dry. They filled their canteens there. All us chillun fussed ’bout ’em takin’our milk and butter outen de spring house. 0l’ missus keep all her milk and butter and cheese in dere to keep it cool. When de Union sojers come by our house to Rolla dey took so much of the water to fill dere canteens it nearly took our spring dry. Took every thing we had in de spring house …I don’t remember how dey was dressed, but dey all hade on sumpin’ blue. Uniforms, I guess …

“De Rebels held Springfield from 1861 til 1862, when General Fremont come in and took it. Marmaduke and Price had de biggest armies of the Southerners. Frement come sneaking in, wrapped his wagon wheels with old blankets so dey wouldn’t hear his coming, and he had a body guard of three hundred. Fremont come ’bout daybreak, and started shooting de town up. He got de town and held it…

 From Lennis L. Broadfoot’s book, Pioneers of The Ozarks. another interview with Filmore Hancock gives the following information:

“I didn’t leave mah mastah, but de soldiers come along in Novembah, aftah de Battle of Wilson’ Creek, which was fought August 10, 1861, and picked me up an’ stole me away, an’ took me to Yellville, Ark., an’ set me down. Dey took me on horseback. Dey had an ahmy camp in Yellville, an’ dey kept me foah a while an’ tuhned me loose, an’ der I  was, way fum my mastah, to ‘root hog aw die, ‘an’ say, mistah, it sho wuz tuf. When de sojers stole me ‘way fum mah mastah, I sho had a hahd time for a long time, an’ nearly stahved to deaf, and wished to be back on 0l’ mastah’s farm, but after I run loose fo a long time, I lahned to  get by ..”

The original interview continues:

“Ise seed six Civil War generals in mah liye.\ I seed General Shelby, General Marmaduke, an’ General Price, who was Southern generals, an’ Gereral Lyons, General Siegal, an’ General Sanborn, who wuz all Northern generals.” v “1 can name all de presidents fum Abe Lincoln to Mistah Roosevelt. But above all, Iluves de name ‘Abe’ ’cause he set de black man free.”

Filmore Hancock was very observant, interested in his surroundings and acutely aware of events and people. He had an amazing memory concerning dates and everyday activities. His story unfolds to paint a vivid portrait of a momentus period in American history. He is buried in the Rolla Cemetery in Phelps County. Either his wishes to be buried beside the graves of his parents were unknown at the time of his death or there was not enough money to ship his body to Greene County. The dates on his tombstone

read Born: Feb. 8, 1851 Died: Feb. 18, 1944

The tombstones of his parents no longer exist in Union Campground Cemetery. We can surmise his mother’s surname was Hancock and his fathers’s surname was Langston. Note: John Hancock owned property east of Union Campground Cemetery. He also owned acreage to the south and southeast. In partnership with his brother-in-law, John Morton, he owned additional properties. He was a Southern sympathizer and later moved his family to Texas.

 Filmore mentions the daughters of John Hancock and their names can be verified through the 1860 Federal Census of Campbell Township. Since forming our cemetery association, there have been many stories about soldiers camping on the Union Campground during the Civil War.

Filmore Hancock’s reminiscences would appear to verify the presence of Union soldiers near the old graveyard, and raises the possibility of some soldiers being buried there. ++++

The pen and ink drawing of Filmore Hancock is from Pioneers of the Ozarks Lennis L. Broadfoot.

Article prepared by: Jean Rayl

Ellison/Caldwell/Piper Families

Thomas Ellison, son of John and Polly Ellison, was born in 1794 in the state of Kentucky. In the early 1800s his parents moved the family to Bedford County, Tennessee, as evidenced by Bedford County Deed Book I, pp 250-252.

Thomas was married (1815) to Nancy (maiden name unknown). According to the 1820 Bedford County census, they had one son and one daughter. Sometime later, another son was born but died in 1827. While in Tennessee Thomas and Nancy were active in the Hopewell Congregation under the care of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This would indicate the Ellison family was established in the Cumberland Presbyterian faith before migrating to Missouri.

Things most sought after as the pioneer families moved steadily westward were fertile land, ample water, plentiful game and heavily timbered areas. When such a place was found, it was sure to become a settlement. What is now known as the Valley Water Mill area along the Little Sac River, Greene County, Missouri, had all these elements. In this valley Thomas Ellison purchased 240 acres in Section 10, Township 29, Range 21 and 160 acres in Section 15, Township 29, Range 21 (U.S. Land Office Springfield, MO 1839-40, Vol. 6, pp 72, 74).

Thomas and Nancy raised a large family as was common during that period: Nancy, Alexander, John, Hancock A., James C., Jane C., Polly D., Elizabeth and Robert P. Jane married W. C. Caldwell and upon her death was buried in Union Campground Cemetery. Elizabeth married Theophilus C. Piper and two of their children, Robert L. and Sarah J., are buried in the cemetery.

Thomas Ellison died in 1858 and was buried in Union Campground. His coffin and box were bought from P. C. Beal for the sum of $15.00. A headstone similar in size and shape is nearby but the name and dates are illegible. It is surmised the stone probably belongs to his wife, Nancy. A third tombstone, same size and shape, has the name Thomas Patterson Ellison, born (no date) died September 23, 1840. His name does not appear on above list of children. His tombstone has the earliest burial date in the cemetery and occurred in the same month the trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church purchased the land and established the cemetery, September 1840.

On the tombstone of Thomas Ellison is the birthdate of 23 July 1794. Research reveals this to be the earliest birthdate yet discovered in Union Campground Cemetery.

Genealogy furnished by:

Ray Ellison

1769 W. Colonial street,

Anaheim CA 92804

Ray is a descendant of Alexander Ellison.

Elizabeth Snow Appleby

Research of Union Campground began early in 1994. A new-looking marble tombstone attracted our attention, simply because it was a recent addition and was set among other old and broken stones in an area to the northwest section of the cemetery. This area later was determined to be the Freeman family plot. The etched lettering on the tombstone disclosed the following details: Elizabeth Snow Appleby Wife of W.A. Appleby Born: June 17, 1828 Died: May 21, 1864

We wondered who had cared enough to replace a damaged stone, especially since the graveyard had been abandoned for many years. We found the answer we were seeking from the Peryer Monument Company on West Kearney, Springfield, MO. On April 14, 1971, Mr. Leonard Appleby (now deceased) ordered a new tombstone for Elizabeth Appleby. When the new stone was completed on May 10, 1971, it was delivered to Mr. Appleby to his home address, Route 10, Springfield, and he then took it to the cemetery and set the stone by himself.

Marriage records of Greene

November 2000

County, MO., Book A, reveal Elizabeth Snow was married to George W. Freeman on November 29, 1846. Mr. Freeman died a few years later in 1852. He is buried in Union Campground. On March 28, 1855, Elizabeth was united in marriage to William A Appleby and the ceremony was performed by Rev. C. C. Williamson of the Kickapoo Prairie Church (later to become Mt. Comfort Church). The marriage took place at the residence of Horace Snow. William A. Appleby owned acreage in Franklin Township. He first purchased 80 acres in Section 27, Township 30, Range 21 on January 16, 1839. He later purchased 40 acres in the same section on January 26, 1848, then added 40 acres in the same section on March 24, 1856. For a number of years the Hall School House, located on his property, served as a meeting place for the Bellview Presbyterian Church (according to Holcombe’s History of Greene County, p. 899).

The Greene County Missouri 1860 Census lists William A. Appleby age 43; Elizabeth age 32; Samuel 4, Sarah 2; David 4/12; W.W. 19; Susannah 15; Scott 12; John 11; Mary 9; William Freeman 12; and George Freeman 7. Fairbanks & Tuck, Vol. I, p. 864, mentions the marriage of Sarah L. Appleby to Henry F. Kennedy on April 6, 1885. When Elizabeth died, her remains were probably placed by those of George W. Freeman in Union Campground. His tombstone was read in the 1960s by individuals from the Church of the Latter Day Saints but at the present time his stone cannot located. It could be one of the weathered stones found on or near the Freeman plot, but the lettering has long-since been obliterated by the forces of nature. Only a footstone has been discovered bearing the initials “G.W.F.” -continued page 2

by: Jean Gaffga Rayl, Member, Greene Co. Historical Soc.: Member, Founders Park Historical Research Committee

Edited by:  Joanna Coonrod, Great Granddaughter of Elizabeth Snow Appleby

The Bedell Family

As you walk near the western edge of Union Campground Cemetery, you will notice several old tombstones bearing the name BEDELL. Inscriptions on the stones are as follows:

Mary Bedell B:14 Nov. 1851 D: 2 Sept. 1920

Nathan Bedell B: 12 Jan. 1843 D: 27 Apr. 1912 Father

Harry Bedell: B: – – –  D: 5 Dec. 1908

Quoting from an article written by Ora Elizabeth Logan for Ozar’kin, Vol. V, No.1 (Spring 1983), the following account is given for the White Bedell family and the Black Bedell family (portions have been omitted because space is limited):

“David Hudson Bedell (a White man) and his father, David Bedell, arrived in Greene County, Missouri in January 1834. David Bedell had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. They came by covered wagon from Baird’s Forge in Burke County, North Carolina and settled in the vicinity of Ebenezer, about 10 miles north of Springfield. The wife of David Hudson Bedell was Marina Wallis, whose family also settled in that area. The Bedell and Wallis families homesteaded many acres north of, and including, Crystal Cave, and became prosperous farmers.

“Leanah Bedell, a slave, accompanied the Bedells to Missouri. Leanah was thought to have been born the latter part of 1818 in North Carolina. She had nine children (one of the nine was Nathan, listed above as buried in Union Campground Cemetery). The slave children of Leanah were given the surname ‘BEDELL,’ as it was customary for slaves to have the name of their masters.

“As the Black children grew, they farmed and worked alongside the white Bedell and Wallis families and became a close-knit unit. The group built a log church (Old Salem Methodist) and both Black and White worshipped together.

“Following the death of David Hudson Bedell, sometime in 1860, the Bedells found it necessary to divide their property, including slaves. The family members decided to sell the slaves within the family to keep them together, with the exception of Julia, who was sold and shipped to ~exas ..•

“Details of the slave sale are as follows: Marina Bedell, widow of said David H. Bedell, chose to take as her dower slaves Leanah and Nathan, at their valuation, being $1,500.00, leaving a balance of $5,850.00 to be divided among the heirs … lother names of slaves were listed).

“There are numerous descendants of Leanah Bedell’s children, and after five generations many of them continue to live in Springfield. The Bedells are all hardworking and industrious people, many working all their employed years for the Frisco Railroad. Many have excelled in education and music.”

In November 1994 an interview was conducted with Mrs. Beulah Benton Bedell Beller of Springfield, Missouri. Her daughter, Kay Witherspoon, was also present. The interview was conducted by Jean Gaffga Rayl, member of the Greene County Historical Society.

Mrs. Beller had in her possession a family tree of the White Bedell family dating back to Colonial America. Recorded on this family tree the name of Nathan Bedell occurs on a listing of slaves, with birth date of January 12, 1843. According to Mrs. Beller, the land owned by the White Bedells was located in Township 30, a few miles north of Union Campground Cemetery. Many of the White Bedells are buried in New Salem Cemetery.

Genealogy furnished by: Mrs. Ora Elizabeth Logan, Great Granddaughter of George and Eliza (Bedell) Crittenden. Excerpts from Ozar’kin Vol. V. No.1, published by the Ozarks Genealogical Society.

Eliza Thomas

A Tale of Two Sisters Eliza and her sister Lydia are the daughters of Hubbard and Maryanna Ragsdale.  They both first married Watson brothers, then both later married Woodson Thomas.      When it comes to the Thomas’ and their children it is a story more like yours, mine and ours.  I don’t feel I can tell Eliza’s story without telling Woodson’s story also.  I believe it was Woodson’s obituary that described his home as a mansion, and he would need one with all the children in the house.  By the  time Woodson passed away in 1862 there were 19 children in the family.   Woodson married 5 times.  He first married Abigail Hackett in 1834.  Family says in Williamson, TN, but I found a bond for them in Guilford Co, NC.  They had 5 children: Celia A. 1836, Demarius G. 1838, Sarah 1840, Abigail Margaret 1842 and Robert 1843.  It is believed Abigail died because he married Eliza in 1844.            

 Eliza Ragsdale was born 1817 in SC according to census.  She and Mr.  Watson had son William H. in June 1844 MO.  Later that same year in August Eliza married Woodson Thomas in Greene Co, MO. With Woodson she had 3 children: John Wesley 1845, Mira Matilda 1847 and James Allen 1849.  It is believed by the family that she died in childbirth.     

Woodson went on to marry twice more, 1851 to Julia Ann Dunn and 1853 to Harriett Carnes.  It does not appear he had any children with either of these wives.   Woodson then, in 1855, married Lydia.  Lydia was Eliza’s younger sister born in 1823 in Missouri.  Lydia first married in 1843 in Maury Co, TN to Jesse Watson.  She brought 5 Watson children with her into the marriage with Woodson:  Sarah A. E. 1844, Jane 1845, Rachel 1847, Samuel James 1850 and Marshall 1852, who had a twin that died.   Though 6 of the children were actually Watson’s, on the census with Woodson, before and after his death, all of the 19 children are listed as Thomas.  It took great detective work to figure out who belonged to who.     

Woodson was born in Pittsylvania Co, VA where the Jeffries and many others in the area were from.  They may very well have known each other before coming to Missouri.  As I recall, Woodson is buried in Maple Park.  He died in 1862.  He had at least 3 siblings, James Douglas 1810 VA, Sarah Ann 1814 NC and Wesley D. 1816 NC.      Woodson purchased 40 acres ca 1840, Twp 29, Rng 21, Sec 4.  In 1850 he purchased another 40 acres immediately south of his current property.  In 1868, 5 years after Woodson’s death, Lydia purchased 40 acres northeast of Strafford.  In 1872 she marriage a J.M. West.  I have not been able to locate her death information.        I can’t help but wonder if Abigail and the two Mr. Watson’s are buried in Union Campground.    

 I have been in contact with some of their descendants and have more to contact, but as of yet, none of them have had a picture of Eliza, Lydia or Woodson.

by Cynthia (Jeffries) Davison 2017, assisted by descendant William “Bill” Yates

Susan Cottrell

From a distinguished ancestors   “Susannah C. “Susan” Goodwin” was born around 1831 to 1836 in MO, according to census.  She was born to Peter Goodwin and Christina Fulbright.  Both parents were born in NC, possibly Lincoln County.  Peter ca 1791 to Isaac and Isabell Goodwin.  Christina ca 1792 o John Fulbright and Elizabeth Coulter.  They had 9 children: Rodah 1815, Eli Franklin “Frank” 1818, Nancy ca 1820, Elizabeth ca 1822, John F. 1824, David Boone 1827, William J 1830,Suzannah C. “Susan” 1833 and Ruth J 1835.     

Court records in 1805 list Peter as a 14 yr old orphan.  He was originally to have Isaac Lawrence as his guardian and was to stay as a Tanner apprentice until age 21, however, he went to court and requested and was granted Abram Goodwin as guardian.  Brother William was to apprentice as a miller.  The sheriff was looking for brother, Isaac who had apparently taken off.  It is believed the Goodwin’s were originally from Germany.       

Christina had 5 brothers and 4 sisters.  Fulbright Springs in Springfield, MO is named after her brother William.      

 Both the Goodwin and Fulbright families went from NC to TN to MO, back to TN, strayed to a few other places, then back to MO to stay.  Peter and Christina settled in Laclede County.  Online info has Peter and Christina buried in Laclede County and Greene County both, but some have Peter with a different wife.    

 Susan married 21 Nov 1850 in Laclede County, MO to Henry W. Cottrell. He was born 1832 KY.  The 1860, 1870 and 1880 census have them living in Laclede.  The 1900 census has Susan as a widow living in Springfield, MO at 215 E Calhoun.  Married daughter, Mary Andrews, is living with her but there is no husband listed.  It says Mary never had any children, but Susan had 11 children and 6 are still living.  Only 9 are known from the various census.  All were born in MO except Mary who was born in IA.  Thersey J. 1852, Mary C. 1854, John F. 1856, Amanda M. 1858, Genetta E. 1860, Rebecca E 1863, William J. 1866, Juliett 1870 and Nora 1875.    

 Henry obviously died between 1880 and 1900 based on census.  More than likely he is buried either in Laclede County or Greene County, but as of yet I have not found him, nor the 5 deceased children.     

Most of this info has come from online reports by various descendants, however, there is conflicting info, so there may be a need for corrections in the future  

by Cynthia (Jeffries) Davison  2017

Lewis, Crosby, Aldridge

Father, Daughter, Granddaughter

Three generations in our small country cemetery.

LEWIS – James S. Lewis was born 1821 IL.  It is believed by some his parents were Paul Lewis and Ann Stewart, but there is not proof.  He married Angeline Watson in IL in 1841.  Their first child, Sarah , was born in IL in  May 1842.  Their 2nd child, William B., was born in MO 1844 so they moved to MO about 1843 or 1844 where they remained for the rest of their lives.  Their other children, all born in MO, were James Allen b. 1846, Oliver W b. 1862, Mary Pernissa b. 1864 and a girl Ulysses Grant b. 1867.        In 1891 Oliver married Julia H Mack b. 1868 MO.  They had 2 children but neither survived.  Mary first married in 1883 to L.L. Hamblen, then in 1895 to James Rupert Mails. In 1887 Ulysses married Isaac Newton STIVER, the son of Isaac Stiver and Susina (Susannah) Homer, who are also in this cemetery.  Their children were Ben b. 1887, Bertha b. 1889 and Ruby b. 1900.  No info has been found on son William as of yet.      CROSBY – Sarah married William Asbury Crosby in 1859.  Census list Sarah’s occupation as a Tailoress. She had 4 children.  Daughter Elizabeth Clementine “Clemmie” b. 1860 MO and 3 sons, all born in IL according to census, are Thomas U. b. 1862, James S b. 1863 and William Lafayette b. 1864.  The family later came back to MO.  No info is known yet about Thomas and James.  William married Jennie Spitler in 1906 but was divorced by 1910 having only 1 child, Nellie Mae.  William committed suicide in 1941.  “Clemmie” first married John H. Kern, divorced, then married John D. Glenn, but by 1920 she was a widow.  In 1944 she died in her home from gas fumes that ignited setting her bed clothes on fire.

    ALDRIDGE – Nancy “Nannie” b. 1873 MO was the daughter of James Allen Lewis.  In the 1880 census Nannie and her brother John b. 1870 MO are living with their grandparents James and Angeline.  In James probate a document dated 1900 states that son James Allen and grandson John have not been seen or heard from in 7 years (1893). He therefore names Nannie as an heir, however, a later probate document dated 1906 states she is deceased.  On May 30, 1890 Nannie married Robert Aldridge b. 1862 MO.  Nannie apparently became ill and as Robert was himself also ill she was sent to the Alms House.  She came out but later went back in where she died in 1902.  After his long illness Robert died in 1918 and is buried in Maple Park.  Robert was the son of Rufus Aldridge and Narcissa CHANDLER, an ancestor of our cemetery’s current President Robert  Chandler.     

CIVIL WAR – I submitted a list of names from the cemetery to Jeff Patrick at Hulston Civil War Library, Wilson’s Creek Battlefield, of any man remotely of the age to enlist.  Of all the men on the list the only person who had any service was James S/ Lewis. He was in right from the start being mustered in Aug 1862 in Springfield, MO.  He was a Pvt. in Co. D, 8th Reg’t Missouri Calvary.  They fought in battles in Missouri and Arkansas.        

by Cynthia Davison  with assistance from Glenda Myers, descendant of Clemmie. 2017

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