To the President of the United States of America,
Sir,
I William Ruffin Smith a citizen of Halifax County in the state of North Carollina aged sixty-two years rewpectfully solicit pardon for having participated in the late rebellion of the State of North Carolina against the United States in the way & manner as folows.
I have been an ardent lover of the Union during all my life and always gave it a warm suppor until after the state undertook by its so called ordinance of secession of 20 May 1861 to secede from the United States. After that event I submitted to the laws of the State and those passed by the so called Confederate States, not as a matter of simple choice but as an alternative between submission & a vain resistance. I had several sons in the army who went into the sevice because they were forced except one who against my consent volunteered. To one of these I furnished clothing, because it was not well furnished by the government of the so called Condederate States. To all I occasionally furnished food for the same reason. At one time I also agreed upon solicitation to furnish Genl Lee's army with some food. But the surrender of the General prevented it. I never held any office or agency under either government except the office of justice of the peace which I held long before the war. I owned a piece of land at a place on the Roanoke called Edward Ferry, which was forcibly taken possession of by the agent of the so called Confederate government for the purpose of throwing up military defenses and building a gun boat designed for military purposes. I remonstrated against the occupation, but in vain. They put up several buildings which are still there. I voted at the election of the members the Legislature and other offices electible by the people. I never attended any public meeting to encourage the secession or the provocation of the war. I spoke at all times against it. And I desired a return of peace. I have done nothing to aid the rebellion except what is above admitted. I am a man of family having a wife and nine children four of whom are minors. My taxable property, I think, exceeds the values of twenty thousand dollars. I owned a considerable number of slaves, all of whom are now regarded and treated as freed men and are well cared for.
I have taken the oath of amnesty prescribed by the proclamation of May 29, 1865 and will faithfully abide its terms during my life.
1865 July 28 W R Smith
Confederate Amnesty, Pardon, and Parole Records
Early in the Civil War, Congress authorized the President to extend pardon and amnesty to participants in the rebellion (12 Stat. 592). Presidential proclamations of December 8, 1863, May 29, 1865, and September 7, 1867, granted pardon and amnesty to increasingly larger groups of individuals on the condition that they take an oath of allegiance. President Andrew Johnson's proclamation of July 4, 1864, granted pardon and amnesty to virtually all remaining participants without the requirement of an oath. Amnesty and pardon records in the National Archives are found in RG 59 and RG 94.Several series of amnesty oaths, 1863-66, relate to the vast number of Southerners who wished to gain or regain U.S. citizenship. Usually a single document, the oath is all that relates to one person. Filed with the oaths, in appropriate instances, are acknowledgements of warrants of Presidential pardons and agreements to accept the conditions of pardon.
An oath shows the name of the person; place the oath was taken, which was often the place of residence; date the oath was taken; and usually the signature of the person taking the oath. Sometimes an oath gives the age and a description of the person taking the oath and, in appropriate instances, their Condederate military organization.
The series of amnesty papers, in Records of the Adjutant Genereal's Office, 1780s - 1917, RG 94, are dated primarily 1856 - 67. President Andrew Johnson's 1865 proclamation of amnesty excluded most people who had held high civilian or military rank under the Confederacy, as well as all Southerners with taxable property exceeding $20,000 in value. These persons were required to petition the President directly for special pardons.
A general name index to the series has been prepared by National Archives staff members. The files and index are available on M1003, Case Files of Applications from Former Confederates for Presdential Pardons ("Amnesty Papers"), 1865 - 1867.
33. Susan Evans
She and her sister married Smith brothers.
Attended a school for boys in Greenfield, Connecticut, and later graduted from Yale University in 1823.
Read History "Men of Mark" (incorrectly spelled "Whitmill")
According to contemporary accounts and a copy of her portrait, she was a great beauty.
A photograph of Lavinia is the posession of Gary L. Smith
They lived at "Kenmore" mear Hill's Cross Roads outside of Scotland Neck.
36. Peter Evans
Bottom of page 44, top of page 45
Owned Piney Prospect. See picture on page 44. Owned 2700 acres on deep river. Bought about 1835. Moved there, called his farm Egypt.
Built Cotton Gin at Rocky Mount in 1818. 2nd Cotton Gin South of Mason Dixon line. Sold interest to Battle family.
Read the story : Family of Dr. Isaac Hall
See page 45 and 50
Cemetery is located a few 100 yards from Kelvin Grove plantation.
40. Patton
Information regarding the ages of the 6 children came from Sharon Summer, Murfreesboro, Tenn..
Age in 1850:
Samuel Curron Patton 24
William A. 22
Nancy Ann 20
Martha N. 14
Minerva 12
Elizabeth 6An 1880 census suggests Kentucky as birth place
1St. Co. C 10th Ark. Inf., Enlisted at Springfield, Ark., on July 16, 1861, Served until discharged as overage on July 18, 1862. Commanding officers were Cols. T.D. Merrick, A.R. Witt. Listed on some records a "J.P. Starnes"
The Certification of Condederate Pension states:
Widow's application Number 13101, Widow Starnes, Ann; date of birth 1826.
Reenlisted in 1862, Company A, Morgan's Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry Division, served from 1862 to 1865. Enrolled from Van Buren Co.The Certification of Confederate Service:
Rank Sergeant, Co. A, 8th Ark. Cavalry Regiment, enlisted at Clinton, Ark. on Feb. 4, 1863.Aaron Pinkney Starnes was born in 1824 or 25 in Tennessee. He is listed as a son of Moses in an 1850 Tipton Co. Tenn. records as 22 years of age. He is also named in the 1852 will of Moses Starnes. Wore long whiskers, had a fierce temper and owned land on Bluffton, Arkansas. Was born in Madison Co. Tenn., married in March of 1844 and moved to Arkansas in 1848. Joined the Confedeerate Army in 1861. Was a Mason and a Christian. Served in Co. A of Morgan's regiment of the 8th Arkansas Cavalry from 1862-65. He received a pension for service. Dates show that he served from July 16, 1861 to July 18, 1862 and reinlisted on February 4, 1863. He is buried in Bluffton Cemetary 5 graves from the Marker of George Patton. There is a cedar tree between he and his wife.
Not much is known about the child "Ben". He is listed in a census record but my father (LH Autry) thought there was something "wrong" with him and had a vague memory that he lived alone in the woods.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ye sayeth the spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them"
Rev. XIV 13
This text is rendered more sacred to us when we consider its meaning as applied to a great and good man who has become one of those who have "died in the Lord" and one who during his life time wrought good works. Such a one was our brother and late co-laborer A.P. Starnes. He was born in Tenn. in 1824 came to Arkansas in 1848 and joined the Confederate in 1861 fighting on some closely contested fields. From early life he was a devoted christian and was one of the very few who were at all times true to their profession of faith during the civil war.
Bro. Starnes was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by Patterson Lodge No. 111 in 1857 and later in life was exalted to the August degree of the Holy Royal Arch. For many years in succession he was unanimously elected Treasurer of his Lodge and held that position at the time of his decease. He was called from labor to refreshment June 23, 1900, being the oldest member of the lodge. A brave man, a faithful christian and a devoted brother has been taken from among us. We miss him and mourn on account of his absence, the will of God is accomplished.
Therefore resolved by Patterson Lodge No. 111, F. & A.M. 1) That we bow in humble submission to the will of him who lets not a sparrow fall unnoticed; 2) That we will cherish the memory of Bro. Starnes and ever strive to emulate his noble life; 3) That in the death of Bro. Starnes this Lodge has lost one of its truest members, the M.E. Church South, a devoted supporter, the family a loving husband and father, while the state has lost one of its best citizens, and the community in which he lived a sage counseller; 4) That we extend sympathy and masonic care to the aged widow of Bro. Starnes; 5) That these resolutions be spread upon and made a part of the minutes of this Lodge that a copy be sent to the Clinton Democrat for publication and that a copy be sent to the widow to the deceased.
S.B. Barnett
S.W. Simpson
J.H. Fraser CommitteeBertha Baker sought Civil War Records from the Confederacy with success.
44. John S. Denton
Sharon P. Summar, in a letter dated July 6, 1981, written to Gary L. Smith, states she is researching the Denton lineage. That she would try to find the Murphy and Sanders line also. She was having trouble finding John S. Denton, and had been in touch with a cousin in Michigan. It is possible two of the Denton kin died in the Tennessee state prison. Another brother escaped to Arkansas, his father sent him off to stay out of trouble. She has photo copies of the prison records.
Bertha Baker has sought Civil War records from the Union Army with no success.
45. Lucinda Arnold
1870 Census clearly lists birthplace as Georgia.
Age 44 is clearly listed as her age on the census dated 2nd day of August 1870 making 1826 her birth year.1860 census lists her age at 28 making 1832 as her birth year.
Bertha Baker has sought Civil War records from the Union Army with no success.
1850 census occupation listed as Hotel Keeper. Left margin entry reads Eagle Hotel.
Lists his occupation as a Hotel proprietor, The Eagle Hotel, Columbus, Mississippi; a history By W.L. Lipscomb, Department of Archives & History, P.O. Box 571, Jackson, Mississippi, 39205
The 1860 Census report Spells the sir name Mordecai, age 50. Traditional family spelling is Mordicai.
Per hand written notes of Mordica Augustus Howard:
"Granddad (Mordica J. Howard) was born & reared in London, England. Immigrated to Orange Courthouse Va., moved to Columbus, Mississippi"
!Per hand written notes of Mordica Augustus Howard:
"Grandmother's (Mary Steverson) father was appointed tax collector in Paris France by Napoleon when he was about 20 or 21 yrs old and held that office until his death at the age of 72
60. Jeremiah Hancock
Believed that Jeremiah was born in Georgia and moved to Tuscaloosa County, which was divided into Pickens County in 1820. He Purchased Land in 1825, 1835 and 1839, which was recorded in Tuscaloosa County.
Buried Bethlehem Cemetery above Reform, Alabama, was a farmer and first married June 28, 1819, obtained license in Tuscaloosa County, but married in St. Claire County.
Was a farmer.
63. Nancy
Nancy is possibly a McShan. Information found on Ancestry.com (without sources) has her birthday as 12 Oct 1806, South Carolina and her death date as 18 March 1887, Alabama. A Nancy Cockrell is found on the 1860 Pickens County, Alabama, census with a Thomas B. Cockrell but her age is 32. (If she was truely born in 1806 her age would be 54). Listed in this family group are two children, a Sarah E. Cockrell age 19 (this matches with Sarahs age) and a James W. Cockerll who I did not know existed.