WILLIAM WARREN O'NEAL FAMILY MAJOR UPDATE MAY 2024

After years of research William Warren O'Neal and first wife Margaret (Unknown maiden name) have been found before arriving in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. The breakthrough has come due to a new AI search on the webite Family Search. These records are unindexed so are difficult to find without the help of an AI search. Following is the new information.

William O'Neal applied for a Land Grant in 1833 in Marengo County, Alabama. In fact, he applied for two pieces of land. Each piece of land had to be paid for before receiving the certificate of ownership. It took about two years for William to pay for these properties.

14 October 1833 Certificate #469 39 92/100 acres in Marengo County, Alabama. Received certificate in September 1835.

11 November 1833 Certificate #670 40 14/100 acres in Marengo County, Alabama. Received certificate 25 April 1835.

  On 29 October 1836 William O'Neal and wife Margaret sold the 39 acre parcel of land to John Patton for $430.  Samuel Simmons was the acting justice who gave the following statement "the said Margaret O'Neal being examined by me separately and apart from the said husband acknowledged that she did sign the same voluntarily of her own consent written without any threats or compulsion of her said husband on the day and year therin mentioned''.   Marengo County, Alabama. Deed Book D (Jan 1836- Aug 1837): p. 281. Image 426 of 845. Accessed 12 March 2024. Database Family Search.com.https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SC-8996-M

William O'Neal and wife, Margaret O'Neal, sold the 40 acre parcel of land 8 March 1839 to J. L. Bryan of Marentgo County, Alabama for $350. Margaret was questioned separately and she resigns her claim Right and Right to Dower. Alabama, Marengo County, Deed Records, Vol. G, page 165. Image 122 of 268, item 2. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SC-N7GL?view=fullText&keywords=William%20Oneal

This information establishes a time frame for their first three children to have been born in Marengo County, Alabama. The last record found for William in Marengo County was in  1839. The first record for him in Rapides Parish, Louisiana was the 1840 census.

The big question is - why did he go to Marengo County, Alabama? He had family there: two uncles, Bridgers O'Neal and Fredrick O'Neal from Johnston County, North Carolina. They were the brothers of Warren O'Neal, the father of William Warren. His birth family will be covered in another post.

DANIEL HENDERSON

 Daniel Henderson was born about 1790 in Edgefield District, South Carolina, his age being determined by census records, especially the 1850 census. 

Around 1816 Daniel married for the first time in or near Abbeville, South Carolina. There is no marriage record since South Carolina did not require marriage license until the early 1900's. Most online trees say his first wife was Sarah Valentine. At least two sons were born to them while in South Carolina. Along with several other related families, Daniel and his wife and young sons migrated to Clarke County, Alabama prior to 1820. On 20 August 1822, Daniel registered his livestock mark and his brand as D.H.

According to the 1830 census in Clarke County, Alabama, Daniel and his wife have added three more sons and two daughters. There is one male and one female 30-39 years old; 2 males under 5 yrs; 3 males 5-9 yrs. and 1 female 5-9 yrs. 

Sometime between 1830 and 1840 Daniel's first wife died. It is not known if that happened in Alabama or in Smith County, Mississippi.

About 1835 the Daniel Henderson family had left Alabama and relocated to Smith County, Mississippi. Another family who traveled with them was the Levi Thorntons. Family stories passed down say that Daniel and his family lived in their covered wagon until their first crop was in and then they built a cabin to house the family. The Daniel Henderson family appears on the Smith County, Mississippi census in 1840. By this time Daniel has married Sarah Catherine Thornton. 

Daniel, his wife and the children still at home, appear in the 1850 census but that is the last census where Daniel or his wife appear. On 22 June 1850 Daniel joined the Leaf River Baptist Church near Pineville, Mississippi. According to the surviving minutes of the church, he was baptized the following day. It is not stated when Sarah joined the church. On 18 March 1854, both Daniel and Sarah were granted letters of dismission from this church. This is the last known or surviving record of either Daniel or Sarah Thornton Henderson. Since they lived in Smith County along with many of their children and other relatives, it is assumed they died and are buried there but the location is unknown.

Daniel Henderson also appears in some Mississippi State and Territorial Census Records. 

DANIEL'S WIVES

Daniel Henderson had two wives and without any evidence of actual marriages, the difference can be seen in the census records. In the 1830 census Daniel and his wife were in the same age category of 30-39 years old. In 1840 Daniel is 50-60 years and his wife is 30-40 years old. In 1850 Daniel is 60 years old and his wife Sarah is 42 years. Daniel's first wife, who he married either in South Carolina, is reportedly Sarah "Sallie" Valentine who died about 1836. Daniel's second wife is said to be Sarah Catherine Thornton whose father was Levi Thornton. In fact, on the 1840 census Levi and Daniel are listed on the same census page.

CHILDREN OF DANIEL HENDERSON AND 1ST WIFE (POSSIBLY SARAH VALENTINE)

1. William David Henderson b. 1817 South Carolina d. 1885 Smith County, Mississippi

2. Caroline Henderson b. 1820/21 SC or AL d. 10 Oct 1900 Smith County, Mississippi

3. James H. Henderson b. 8 Aug 1821 Clarke County, Alabama d.3 Apr 1909 Rapides Parish, Louisiana

4. Newton Henderson b. 1822/23 Clarke County, Alabama d. Unknown

5. Richard Henry Henderson b. 21 Sept 1828 d. 1899 Lawrence County, Mississippi

6. Alexander Henderson b. 1834 d. after 1861 Attala County, Mississippi

CHILDREN OF DANIEL HENDERSON AND 2ND WIFE SARAH CATHERINE THORNTON

1. Nathan Henderson b. 1839 d. 29 July 1922 Smith County, Mississippi

2. Harriett Henderson b. 15 Oct 1840 d. 15 May 1921 Smith County, Mississippi

3. Benjamin Franklin Henderson b. 3 Nov 1842 d. 9 July 1926 Smith County, Mississippi

Link to Daniel Henderson profile on WikiTree: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Henderson-10740

SOURCES

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4LN-RJC : 12 April 2016), Daniel Henderson, Smith county, Smith, Mississippi, United States; citing family 208, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPL-WR5 : 11 August 2017), Daniel Henderson, Clarke, Alabama, United States; citing 228, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 2; FHL microfilm 2,329.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRL-2ZK : 7 September 2017), Daniel Henderson, Smith, Mississippi, United States; citing p. 235, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 217; FHL microfilm 14,841.
4. ↑ Ancestry.com. Mississippi, State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Mississippi State and Territorial Censuses, 1792-1866. Microfilm V229. 3 rolls. Heritage Quest. Daniel Henderson, Smith County 1841. Line 4, v229_3.
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. Mississippi, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1805-1890 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. Original data: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. Mississippi Census, 1805-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.Daniel Henderson 1845 Smith County. Mississippi 1845 State Census Index.

• Land Patent #4941, 1841, he had 80 acres in Smith County, Mississippi. Info courtesy John Henderson (John.Henderson at ps.net).

• Smith County, Mississippi and its Families 1833-2003. Compiled and Published by Smith County Genealogical Society. Raleigh, Mississippi. c2003. Accessed at the Dallas Public Library, 1 November 2019.

JAMES H HENDERSON - UPDATE ON PARENTS

 

The last post about James H. Henderson still had the dubious parents Richard Henderson and Temperance Unknown. The problem was that there was not a son of the correct age in the household of Richard Henderson in Clarke County, Alabama in 1830. The second problem was that Richard Henderson died in 1839, Temperance and the children disappeared; she did not make an ordered second court appearance in Clarke County, Alabama concerning the appointment of and administrator for the estate of Richard and there was no other record.

Another issue was that James H. Henderson somehow traveled to and ended up in Simpson County, Mississippi and still with no apparent family. People did not take off by themselves in those early years to travel through the wilderness and still occupied Native Indian land.

Now, James H Henderson has a birth family. Daniel Henderson lived in Clarke County, Alabama during the years when James Henderson was born and growing up. On the 1830 census there are three sons in the same age group as James. In the 1830’s and before the 1840 census Daniel Henderson appeared in Smith County, Mississippi. There, in the 1840 census there are two possibilities for James Henderson to be one of the sons in the proper age category.

Smith County is adjacent to Simpson County where James Henderson and wife Sarah plus their children were living in the 1850 census. There was a record loss in Smith and Simpson Counties so many records were lost including marriage and land records. Piecing together James with his birth family has not been easy but with the help of descendants of Daniel Henderson, it has all come together.

The children of James had the following names: Allen W (maybe William), Richard C., Dorothy, Caroline Elizabeth, James W. (some have Walter), Henry, Sarah Frances and Yosebia Lavinia (these last two are Odom family names).

The children of Daniel which includes James H. and his siblings: William David, Caroline, James H., Newton, Richard Henry, Alexander. (these are James’ full siblings). There are three half-siblings: Nathan, Harriett and Benjamin Franklin. James did not name a child Newton but this name popped up as a grandchild of James and Sarah Frances. Alexander and Lydia also appeared as grandchildren’s names. Lydia was a name also from the Odom family.

The solidifying evidence that this is James’ birth family is the DNA evidence. There are descendants from several of Daniel’s children who match descendants of James H. Henderson. Matches appear on Ancesty DNA, FamilyTree DNA and on GedMatch. The matches appear in the range of 4^th cousins plus or minus a degree, which is the expected range of relationships.

Link to James H. Henderson profile on WikiTree: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Henderson-5678

O'NEAL CHILDREN UPDATE

UPDATE TO O'NEAL CHILDREN

There is an update on the post O'NEAL CHILDREN posted on March 30, 2013. DNA has now linked three children to William Warren O'Neal and his third wife Margaret Iler. Two more children were found in the 1870 census living with their mother, Margaret O'Neal. 

Look on the right of the home blog page and click on 2013, then scroll down to the post O'Neal Children.

Please notify me if you have any more information on this family and thank you for checking it out!!

Ginny Fields

September 2018

Edited to read "third wife Margaret Iler"   12 September 2020

ODOM/ODUM/OLDHAM

   

ODOMS

Like the Hendersons, our Odom research has been quite a journey. The Odom and Henderson lines intersect with the marriage of Sarah Francis Odom and James H. Henderson about 1844 in Mississippi (marriage record not yet found in any of the counties where their families are known to have lived or the surrounding counties. Pike and Simpson Counties had fires and the early records were lost. Marriage date has been calculated by age of oldest child.) The Odom-Henderson line was previously covered in posts #14 through post #18 of this blog.

For many years, most of us researching this Odom line, have known that a Richard Odom was the father of Sarah Francis but various undocumented internet trees do not have the correct Richard and do not have his correct linage. The next few posts on this blog will attempt to present the correct information with documentation.

Richard Odom was probably born before 1792 in South Carolina. By 1820, he was residing in Pike County, Mississippi (1820 U.S. Census; Census Place: Pike, Mississippi; Page: 87, NARA Roll: M33_58; Image 119.) Also about 1820, Richard married his first wife, (First name unknown) Merchant. This marriage record has not been found but the date was surmised by the birth of their first child in 1821. Some trees assert the wife's first name as Mary or Nancy or Sarah or Jane. This needs more extensive research. On this 1820 census only two people were in the household, one male age "of 16 and under 26", and one female age "of 26 and under 49".

The next census record where Richard Odom is found is the 1840 census in Simpson County, Mississippi. (1840; Census Place: Simpson, Mississippi; Roll:217; Page 218; Image: 893; Family History Library Film: 0014841) In the household was the following enumeration: Males: Ages10-14, 2

40-49, 1

Females: Ages 5-9, 1

10-14, 2

15-19, 2

40-49, 1

By 1850, Richard's first wife Unknown Merchant had died and Richard had married Elizabeth Cook, widow of Joseph Purvis. Richard and Elizabeth had no children together.

In 1850, also in Simpson County, Mississippi, Richard's household is listed as follows: #27

Richard Oldham (name misspelled) Age 61 Farmer Born SC or NC

Elizabeth Oldham Age 50 SC cannot read or write

Elizabeth Oldham 20 Miss

James Pervis 13 "

Joseph Pervis 11 "

Alexander Pervis 9 "

(1850; Census Place: Simpson, Mississippi; Roll: M432_381; Page: 289A; Image 78.)

On the same page surrounding Richard are the following listings:

#25 James Henderson Age 21 Farmer Ala

Sara " 24 Miss Daughter of Richard & __Merchant

Allen " 2 "

Richard " 5/12 "

#26 Henry H. Thornhill Age 29 Farmer Miss

Lavina " 27 " Daughter of Richard & __Merchant

Sara A " 1 "

Dolly Oldham 18 " Daughter of Richard & __Merchant

#28 Solomon Thornhill Age 40 Farmer

Eady " 29 Daughter of Richard & __Merchant

John " 7

Asa D " 3

#30 John Oldham Age 23 Farmer Miss cannot read or write

Nancy " 25 Daughter of Elizabeth & Joseph Purvis

Isaac " 6

Mary A " 1

Lucy Pervis 18 Daughter of Elizabeth & Joseph Purvis

Examining Richard's age through the above census records, we can surmise that his age of 61 is about correct in the 1850 census. This would have put his birth in 1790 or 1791.

The 1850 census page listings is really incredible in that so many close family members are clustered, not only in the same county, but as neighbors. As the Odom family is explored going back in time, this same concept of moving and living in family clusters will be seen in previous generations.

Below are the known children of Richard Odom and his first wife, Unknown Merchant.

1. Edith Odom b. 1821 in Simpson County, MS; d. April 1860 Pike County, MS;

Married Solomon Thornhill.

2. James Richard Odom b. ca 1823 MS; d. 1898 Rapides Parish, LA. Married Cinderella Beall.

3. Lavina Odom b. ca 1823 MS; d. after 1860. Married Henry Thornhill ca 1840.

4. Sarah Francis Odom b. 10 August 1826 MS; d. 20 September 1911, Forest Hill, Rapides, LA. Married James H. Henderson.

5. John Odom b. ca 1825 MS; Married Nancy Purvis. d. after 1870 Trinity, TX

6. Elizabeth Odom b. 1830 MS (no other info)

7. Dolly Odom b. 1832 MS (no other info)

Some internet trees have other children listed as follows: Margaret (no other info); James Addison (It seems he has been confused with James R. listed above and also with James Addison son of the above listed James R. Odom and Cinderella Beall)

If we match the known children with the 1840 census, this is the exact result:

Males: 10-14-2: James R. and John

Females: 5-9 - 1: Dolly

10-14-2: Sarah Francis and Elizabeth

15-19-2: Edith and Lavina

Unfortunately, the 1850 census is the last one where Richard Odom appeared as he died in 1853.

Before going back to Richard's ancestors, here are his children and their children. Most of this information was taken from census records.

Edith Odom (1821-Aft 1860 Pike Co., MS) and Solomon Thornhill (1814-April 1860 Pike Co. MS)

John Solomon Thornhill (1843 - 1909)

Asa Denson Thornhill (1847 - 1927)

Amenda Jane Thornhill (1856 - 1942)

Clarissa Thornhill (1857 - 1887)

Minda Ellen Thornhill (1859 - 1942)

Lavina Odom (1823 - Aft 1860) and Henry Thornhill (1818-Apr 1860)

Sara Thornhill b. 1849

Joseph R. Thornhill b. 1850

Leroy Thornhill b. 1853

May or Mary Thornhill b. 1856

James Richard Odom (b.20 Dec. 1823) and Cinderella (or Sinderella) Beall (b.Abt 1824 - Aft 1850)

William W. Odom b. 1846

Nancy Odom b. 1848

Dolly J. Odom b. Aug. 1850

John Odom (b. Abt 1825) and Nancy Purvis (b. Abt 1825)

Isaac Odom b. 1846

Elizabeth Odom b. 1850

Jerry Odom b. 1854

Joseph Odom b. 1856

Richard b. 1858

Sarah Francis Odom (b. 10 August 1826) and James H. Henderson (b. 8 August 1821)

Allen Henderson b. March 1847

Richard Henderson b. December 1849

Caroline E. Henderson b. 5 March 1854

James W. Henderson b. 24 June 1856

Henry Henderson b. 4 September 1858

Sarah Frances Henderson b. 18 February 1862

Yosebia Lavinia Henderson b. 5 July 1865

Summary of known records of Richard Odom:

1813, Marion County, Mississipi tax list, 1 pole, no land. (will be discussed in next post)

1815, Private, 13th Regiment(Nixon's), Mississippi Militia, War of 1812, January 6, 1815 to

February 5, 1815. Captain Moses Collins' Company. Discharged 5th of Feb 1815.

Term of service charged 1 month; Amount of pay 8 dollars.

(Fold 3)

1816 Pike County, Mississippi census, Richard Odum: 1 white male 21+.

1819 Pike County, Mississippi 1 poll $1.

1820 Pike County, Mississippi 1 poll .75

1820 Pike County, Mississippi census, Richard Odom: 1 male 16-26; 1 female 26-44.

(All of above information from Historic Pathways, EShownMills)

1821 Pike County, Mississippi combination tax roll.

1822, 1824, 1825, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835 combination tax roll Pike County.

(This information posted on Ancestry Tree by Dawn Driskell of Union, Mississippi)

1834, 1 Sept. Land sale from US Government to Richard Odom of Pike County, Mississippi,

81.5 acres, Washington, Mississippi; Certificate #1521. (Ancestry)

1840 Simpson County, Mississippi census, Richard Odem (see census information above)

1841 Simpson County, Mississippi combination tax roll.

1844 Simpson County, Mississippi personal tax roll. (Dawn Driscoll, Ancestry)

1845 Simpson County, Mississippi personal tax roll. (Dawn Driscoll, Ancestry)

1850 U.S. Census, Simpson County, Mississippi Richard Oldham (see census information above)

The next Post will be about Richard and his Odom ancestors.

JAMES H HENDERSON TIMELINE

JAMES H. HENDERSON TIME LINE

By comparing all of the information now gathered on James H. Henderson (1821 or 1822 - 1909), we now have a fairly accurate timeline for most of his life.

1821 or 1822 - Born in Clarke County, Alabama. (As stated on his Civil War Pension Application)

1846 (approximately) Simpson County, Mississippi (married Sarah Francis Odom) No marriage                  record found but this is where the Odom family was residing and 1846 is one year prior to the              birth of their first child.

1850 Simpson County, Mississippi  U.S. Federal Census.

1860 U.S. Census. Entire family missing but probably in Lawrence County, Mississippi. I have read            line by line both Simpson County and Lawrence County Census records.

1862  Lawrence County, Mississippi (As stated on Civil War Pension Application as his residence               when he joined the Confederate Army.)

1865 Lawrence County, Mississippi (As stated on Civil War Pension Application as his residence at            the end of the War.)

1869 Daughter Dorothy Henderson married Hugh Thompson in Lawrence County, Mississippi.

1870 Lawrence County, Mississippi U.S. Federal Census.

1873 Louisiana (probably Calcasieu Parish) As stated on Civil War Pension Application in 1899, that          he had lived in Louisiana for 25 years "last October" which would have been for twenty-five                years in October 1898 = moved to Louisiana October 1873.

1874 Marriage of daughter, Caroline Henderson to Sylvania Jefferson Dunn in St. Landry Parish,                Louisiana.

1875 Marriage of daughter, Sarah Frances Henderson to James Dudley Dunn in St. Landry Parish,              Louisiana.
         Marriage of son James W. Henderson to Laura Josephine Dunn probably in St. Landry Parish.           (some internet trees say Calcasieu Parish but no actual marriage record).

1880  Calcacieu Parish, Louisiana U.S. Federal Census. (Name misspelled Henneson)

1900 Spring Hill, Rapides Parish, Louisiana U.S. Federal Census.

1909 Died. Spring Hill now known as Forest Hill, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Buried Butters                        Cemetery.

I hope the above timeline will help those who are researching this Henderson family and will give everyone a perspective on the movement of the family using as many of the records as are available at this time. One note: when the Henderson family moved from Simpson to Lawrence County, Mississippi, the children were young or not yet born so everyone moved. When the family moved from Lawrence County, Mississippi to Calcasieu Parish Louisiana, they all went together, parents, children and spouses and their children. Then, most of them ended up together in Rapides Parish.

If anyone has information to add or correct, please contact me as I would really like to fill in the missing pieces for this Henderson/Odom family.

HENDERSON

HENDERSON

    In the previous few posts on Hendersons, the concentration has been on James H. Henderson and his wife Sarah Frances Odom Henderson and their family. James Henderson's ancestors are not definitely known although many internet trees have him connected to the Hendersons of North Carolina.  It will take a Y-DNA test to determine if that holds true and we now have that in process with a descendant of James.

     Reportedly, the father of James Henderson is Richard Henderson who was married to Temperance (maiden name unknown).  James said he was born in Clarke County, Alabama in 1821 or 1822.  There is, indeed, a Richard Henderson in that county in the 1830 census.  Richard is between 30 and 39 years old as is one female in the household.  There are also a number of children as follows: 1 male between 10 and 14; 2 females under 5; 2 females between 5 and 9; 1 female between 10 and 14 for a total of 6 children and 8 people total.

     There are also two other Hendersons in Clarke County in 1830.  One, Daniel Henderson and one, Matilda Henderson, widow of Wilson Henderson.  Both of these seem to be connected to other families but with further research, this could change.

     Richard Henderson does not appear in Clarke County probate records either intestate or testate. There is, however, a court record memorializing his death. In the Orphans Court Minutes of Clarke County on 9 July 1839, Temperance, widow of Richard Henderson appears and is ordered to appear again in August to show cause why Letters of Administration should not be granted in the probate of Richard Henderson. There was no other record where she did appear the next month. Below is a copy of this record.

Clarke County, Alabama. Orphans Court Minutes, p. 328; 9 July 1839. Henderson, Richard, est of.

    For now, this Henderson family will be left to further research without connecting to more ancestors that might be wrong. If anyone reading this blog has more information, please contact me as I am always interested in pursuing new avenues of research.