Field, Wagoner, Hoover & Curtis Genealogy

Susan Emma Whittington¹

F, b. 1862, d. before 1900

Last Edited

28 Nov 2015

Birth*

Susan Emma Whittington was born in 1862 at Arkansas.²

Census*

She appeared on the census of 17 June 1880 at Alma, Crawford, Arkansas, page 558C, single, living with her mother and brother.²

Married Name

As of 23 September 1880,her married name was Curtis.³

Marriage*

She married Thomas J. Curtis, son of Joel D. Curtis and Margaret M. Jewell, on 23 September 1880 at Crawford, Arkansas.³

DeathAp*

Susan Emma Whittington appears to have died or disappeared before 1900.

Family

Thomas J. Curtis b. Mar 1860, d. b 1900

Child

Stella Mooney Curtis+⁴ b. 14 Dec 1883, d. 14 Nov 1929

Citations

[S1104] Bob Merrill, "Ancestral File of Benjamin Curtis (b. 1798)", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S2086] State of Arkansas, Arkansas Marriages 1837-1957.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.

Hiram Eli Merrill¹

M, b. 3 February 1864, d. 6 November 1946

Last Edited

26 Jul 2017

Birth*

Hiram Eli Merrill was born on 3 February 1864 at Pecan Gap, Hopkins, Texas; son of Eli R. Merrill and Sophrona Elizabeth Garner.¹

Marriage*

He married Dora Ella Curtis, daughter of Joel D. Curtis and Margaret M. Jewell, circa 1892 at Texas.¹

Census*

Hiram Eli Merrill and Dora Ella Curtis appeared on the census of 9 July 1900 at Justice Precinct 3, Clay, Texas, ED 15, sheet 19A, occupation farmer, renting, married 8 years, 3 children, 2 living.²

Census

Hiram Eli Merrill and Dora Ella Curtis appeared on the census of 28 April 1910 at Justice Precinct 1, Howard, Texas, ED 120, sheet 7A, occupation farmer, renting, married 17 years, 5 children, 4 living.³

Death*

Hiram Eli Merrill died on 6 November 1946 at Cherokee, Alfalfa, Oklahoma, at age 82.¹

Family

Dora Ella Curtis b. 27 Dec 1874, d. 3 May 1935

Child

Odis Floyd Merrill+⁴ b. 16 Oct 1899, d. 17 Dec 1964

Citations

[S1104] Bob Merrill, "Ancestral File of Benjamin Curtis (b. 1798)", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S759] National Archives and Records Administration, World War II Draft Registration Cards.

Mattie Louisa Mayo¹

F, b. 16 March 1890, d. 15 March 1971

Last Edited

28 Nov 2015

Birth*

Mattie Louisa Mayo was born on 16 March 1890 at LaFayette, Upshur, Texas.^2,3

Married Name

As of 13 January 1907,her married name was Curtis.¹

Marriage*

She married Floyd Marcus Curtis, son of Joel D. Curtis and Margaret M. Jewell, on 13 January 1907 at Howard, Texas.¹

Census

Mattie Louisa Mayo and Floyd Marcus Curtis appeared on the census of 12 May 1910 at Justice Precinct 1, Howard, Texas, ED 120, sheet 10A, occupation farmer, renting, married 3 years, 2 children, 2 living, Margaret lived with them.⁴

Census

Mattie Louisa Mayo and Floyd Marcus Curtis appeared on the census of 29 March 1920 at Justice Precinct 2, Fisher, Texas, ED 72, sheet 4A, occupation farmer, renting, 4 children at home.⁵

Census*

Mattie Louisa Mayo and Floyd Marcus Curtis appeared on the census of 7 April 1930 at Justice Precinct 2, Fisher, Texas, ED 4, sheet 5A, occupation farmer, renting, 3 children at home.²

Death*

Mattie Louisa Mayo died on 15 March 1971 at Floydada, Floyd, Texas, at age 80; buried at Floydada Cemetery.³

Family

Floyd Marcus Curtis b. 15 Nov 1878, d. 17 Aug 1941

Children

Albert Burl Curtis² b. 2 Jul 1908, d. 21 Jun 1993
Norris Curtis⁴ b. 1909
Leona May Curtis² b. 16 Jun 1911, d. 1 Jun 2003
Myrtle B. Curtis² b. 15 Dec 1913, d. 24 Mar 2002

Citations

[S1104] Bob Merrill, "Ancestral File of Benjamin Curtis (b. 1798)", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.
[S1368] Find A Grave, Find A Grave, Floydada, Floyd, Texas.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.

William Jewell¹

M, b. circa 1800

Last Edited

21 Jan 2007

Birth*

William Jewell was born circa 1800.

Marriage*

He married Tabitha (?) between 1820 and 1830.¹

Family

Tabitha (?) b. 1802

Child

Margaret M. Jewell+¹ b. Mar 1837, d. bt 1911 - 1912

Citations

[S1104] Bob Merrill, "Ancestral File of Benjamin Curtis (b. 1798)", Ancestral File.

Mary Curtis¹

F, b. circa 1828

Father

Joshua Kel Curtis¹ b. c 1785, d. 3 Dec 1842

Mother

Eleanor (Ellen or Nellie) Dent¹ b. 1795

Last Edited

15 Aug 2006

Birth*

Mary Curtis was born circa 1828 at Posey, Indiana; no information found other than marriage record.¹

Married Name

As of 3 August 1843,her married name was Dixon.¹

Marriage*

She married James Dixon on 3 August 1843 at Posey, Indiana.¹

Family

James Dixon b. c 1825

Citations

[S2295] Genealogy Division Indiana State Library, Indiana Marriages Through 1850.

James Dixon¹

M, b. circa 1825

Last Edited

15 Aug 2006

Birth*

James Dixon was born circa 1825; no record found for James Dixon other than marriage record.¹

Marriage*

He married Mary Curtis, daughter of Joshua Kel Curtis and Eleanor (Ellen or Nellie) Dent, on 3 August 1843 at Posey, Indiana.¹

Family

Mary Curtis b. c 1828

Citations

[S2295] Genealogy Division Indiana State Library, Indiana Marriages Through 1850.

Josephine Curtis¹

F, b. 1841

Father

John Nelson Curtis Sr.¹ b. 1811, d. 1 Jul 1878

Mother

Naomi (Naomey) Gillespie¹ b. 1815, d. c 1855

Last Edited

15 Aug 2006

Birth*

Josephine Curtis was born in 1841 at Burke, North Carolina; In the 1850 census she was listed next door with the E.P. and Pauline Bergin family where she was helping out, per Helen Nuffer.¹

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1850.

Peter Stroud Jr.¹

M, b. between 1765 and 1770, d. before 1852

Last Edited

24 Mar 2013

Birth*

Peter Stroud Jr. was born between 1765 and 1770 at Orange, North Carolina.²

Marriage*

He married Margaret Curtis, daughter of Jonathan Curtis and Mrs. Jonathan Curtis, circa 1789; Per Marty Grant: "Peter Stroud married Margaret Curtis in Burke (now McDowell) Co, NC sometime just before 1790. I have never found any proof that her maiden name was Curtis, but that information is handed down from generations past. She was born ca 1767/68 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina, county unknown. She might be a daughter of Jonathan Curtis (1747-1834), but that is also unproven."¹

Death*

Peter Stroud Jr. died before 1852 at McDowell, North Carolina.¹

Family

Margaret Curtis b. 1768

Children

William Stroud+² b. c 1799, d. fr 1841 - 1849
Mary Elizabeth (Polly) Stroud+¹ b. 1803

Citations

[S1232] McDowell County Deeds: Book 3, page 37, Register of Deeds.
[S1271] Marty and Karla Grant, "Peter Stroud and Margaret Curtis Family", Ancestral File.

Sarah T. Lard^1,2

F, b. 2 November 1849, d. 1 August 1925

Last Edited

3 Nov 2012

Birth*

Sarah T. Lard was born on 2 November 1849 at Sangamon, Illinois; daughter of Josiah Lard and Matilda Funderburk.^3,2,4

Married Name

As of 10 November 1870,her married name was Curtis.^1,2

Marriage*

She married Alfred W. Curtis, son of Joshua Curtis Jr. and Mary Elizabeth (Polly) Stroud, on 10 November 1870 at Sangamon, Illinois.^1,2

Census

Sarah T. Lard and Alfred W. Curtis appeared on the census of 7 June 1880 at Pawnee Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, lpage 413, occupation farmer, renting, 3 children at home.¹

Census*

Sarah T. Lard and Alfred W. Curtis appeared on the census of 2 June 1900 at West Town, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, ED 299, sheet 3B, occupation farmer, renting, married 30 years, 6 children, 6 living.⁵

Census

Sarah T. Lard and Alfred W. Curtis appeared on the census of 22 April 1910 at Chicago, Cook, Illinois.⁶

Census

Sarah T. Lard and Alfred W. Curtis appeared on the census of 5 January 1920 at Western Springs Village, Lyons Twp., Cook, Illinois, ED 112, sheet 7A, occupation manufacturer-veneered panels, owned home, 1 daughter living with them.⁷

Death*

Sarah T. Lard died on 1 August 1925 at Western Springs, Lyons Twp., Cook, Illinois, at age 75; buried at Cumberland Cemetery in Glenarm.^8,4

Family

Alfred W. Curtis b. 22 Nov 1847, d. 16 Oct 1927

Children

Laura Jane Curtis¹ b. 22 Nov 1871, d. 8 Dec 1952
Mary Effie Curtis+¹ b. 4 Nov 1873, d. 9 Jan 1963
Charles Everett Curtis+¹ b. 24 Mar 1878
Frank McVeigh Curtis+⁵ b. 7 Jul 1882, d. Oct 1962
Clarence Leroy Curtis+⁵ b. 14 Oct 1889, d. Sep 1964

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S66] Illinois, Illinois Marriages 1763-1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1880, 1900.
[S1368] Find A Grave, Find A Grave, Cumberland, Sangamon, Illinois.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S549] Illinois State Archives, Illinois Death Index.

Laura Jane Curtis^1,2

F, b. 22 November 1871, d. 8 December 1952

Father

Alfred W. Curtis¹ b. 22 Nov 1847, d. 16 Oct 1927

Mother

Sarah T. Lard¹ b. 2 Nov 1849, d. 1 Aug 1925

Last Edited

24 Jun 2008

Birth*

Laura Jane Curtis was born on 22 November 1871 at Parnee, Sangamon, Illinois.^1,3

(Witness) Census

She appeared on the census of 7 June 1880 Pawnee Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard; lpage 413, occupation farmer, renting, 3 children at home.¹

(Witness) Census

Laura Jane Curtis appeared on the census of 2 June 1900 West Town, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard; ED 299, sheet 3B, occupation farmer, renting, married 30 years, 6 children, 6 living.⁴

(Witness) Census

Laura Jane Curtis appeared on the census of 22 April 1910 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard.⁵

(Witness) Census

Laura Jane Curtis appeared on the census of 5 January 1920 Western Springs Village, Lyons Twp., Cook, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard; ED 112, sheet 7A, occupation manufacturer-veneered panels, owned home, 1 daughter living with them.⁶

Death*

Laura Jane Curtis died on 8 December 1952 at Ridgecrest, McDowell, North Carolina, at age 81; in an Asheville hospital; retired book-keeper, never married; informant Frank Curtis of Hinsdale, Illinois; buried at the Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery near Auburn Illinois.³

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1273] Timothy, "My Family Branches", Ancestral File.
[S1605] Bureau of Vital Statistics and North Carolina State Archives North Carolina State Board of Health, North Carolina Death Certificates.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.

Mary Effie Curtis^1,2

F, b. 4 November 1873, d. 9 January 1963

Father

Alfred W. Curtis¹ b. 22 Nov 1847, d. 16 Oct 1927

Mother

Sarah T. Lard¹ b. 2 Nov 1849, d. 1 Aug 1925

Last Edited

3 Nov 2012

Birth*

Mary Effie Curtis was born on 4 November 1873 at Sangamon, Illinois.^3,4

(Witness) Census

She appeared on the census of 7 June 1880 Pawnee Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard; lpage 413, occupation farmer, renting, 3 children at home.¹

Married Name

As of 25 October 1893,her married name was Clayton.²

Marriage*

Mary Effie Curtis married Manford Ernest Clayton on 25 October 1893 at Sangamon, Illinois.²

Census*

Mary Effie Curtis and Manford Ernest Clayton appeared on the census of 13 June 1900 at Ball Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, ED 83, sheet 6B, occupation farmer, renting, married 6 years, 1 child, 1 living.⁵

Census

Mary Effie Curtis and Manford Ernest Clayton appeared on the census of 21 April 1910 at Ball Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, ED 114, sheet 4B, occupation farmer, owned farm, married 15 years, 1 child, 1 living.⁶

Census

Mary Effie Curtis and Manford Ernest Clayton appeared on the census of 12 January 1920 at Divernon Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, ED 185, sheet 9B, occupation farmer, owned farm, no children at home.⁷

Census

Mary Effie Curtis and Manford Ernest Clayton appeared on the census of 28 April 1930 at Divernon Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, Ed 61, sheet 4B, occupation stock farm, renting, John and Lucy lived with them.⁸

Death*

Mary Effie Curtis died on 9 January 1963 at Illinois at age 89; buried at Cumberland Cemetery in Glenarm.⁴

Family

Manford Ernest Clayton b. 22 Apr 1874, d. 18 Dec 1949

Child

Lucy Clayton⁵ b. May 1896

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S66] Illinois, Illinois Marriages 1763-1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1880, 1900.
[S1368] Find A Grave, Find A Grave, Cumberland, Sangamon, Illinois.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.

Charles Everett Curtis^1,2

M, b. 24 March 1878

Father

Alfred W. Curtis¹ b. 22 Nov 1847, d. 16 Oct 1927

Mother

Sarah T. Lard¹ b. 2 Nov 1849, d. 1 Aug 1925

Last Edited

26 Jul 2008

Birth*

Charles Everett Curtis was born on 24 March 1878 at Sangamon, Illinois.^3,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 7 June 1880 Pawnee Twp., Sangamon, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard; lpage 413, occupation farmer, renting, 3 children at home.¹

(Witness) Census

Charles Everett Curtis appeared on the census of 2 June 1900 West Town, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, in the household of Alfred W. Curtis and Sarah T. Lard; ED 299, sheet 3B, occupation farmer, renting, married 30 years, 6 children, 6 living.⁴

Marriage*

Charles Everett Curtis married Celia Manley circa 1905 at Illinois; no marriage record found.⁵

Census*

Charles Everett Curtis and Celia Manley appeared on the census of 25 April 1910 at Western Springs Village, Lyons Twp., Cook, Illinois, ED 44, sheet 12A, occupation employee-veneer panel manufacturer, married 4 years, 1 child, 1 living, father-in-law Michael Manley lived with them.⁵

DraftWW1*

On 10 September 1918 Charles Everett Curtis registered for the draft at Western Springs, Cook, Illinois; at the time, he was employed by U.S. Government as an airplane inspector in Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin; wife Celia Curtis.²

Census

He and Celia Manley appeared on the census of 2 January 1920 at Western Springs Village, Lyons Twp., Cook, Illinois, ED 112, sheet 1B, occupation office manager, Edison Pharmacerticals, owned home, 2 children at home.⁶

Census

Charles Everett Curtis and Celia Manley appeared on the census of 26 April 1930 at Western Springs Village, Lyons Twp., Cook, Illinois, ED 2179, sheet 9A, occupation proprietor-lumber yard, owned home valued at $12,000, radio, 4 children at home.⁷

Family

Celia Manley b. 1880

Children

Jane Curtis⁵ b. 1907
Ruth Curtis⁶ b. 1911
Charles Curtis⁷ b. 1920
Elaine Curtis⁷ b. 1921

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S758] Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards.
[S1] Census of Population 1880, 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.

William Wiley Jones^1,2,3

M, b. 5 April 1857, d. 6 July 1922

Last Edited

19 Jun 2008

Birth*

William Wiley Jones was born on 5 April 1857 at Wake, North Carolina.^1,4,3

Marriage*

He married Ida A. Curtis, daughter of John Miller Curtis and Sarah A. Lineberry, on 28 September 1890 at Randolph, North Carolina.^1,2

Census*

William Wiley Jones appeared on the census of 5 June 1900 at Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, ED 79, sheet 4A, occupation agent-sewing machines, owned home, married 10 years, 4 children, 4 living.¹

Census*

He and Ida A. Curtis appeared on the census of 20 April 1910 at Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, occupation merchant-general store, married 18 years, 8 children, 6 living (record is barely legible.)⁵

Census

William Wiley Jones appeared on the census of 3 February 1920 at Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, ED 96, sheet 2B, occupation merchant-dry goods, owned home, widowed, 5 children at home.⁶

Death*

He died on 6 July 1922 at Randolph, North Carolina, at age 65; buried at the Asheboro City Cemetery.^7,4

Family

Ida A. Curtis b. 7 Sep 1868, d. 21 Feb 1913

Children

Lollie B. Jones¹ b. 14 Jan 1891, d. 23 Nov 1947
Henry Clay Jones¹ b. 22 Mar 1893, d. 4 Jun 1956
Wade Jones¹ b. Sep 1896, d. 3 May 1968
Lara Mildred Jones¹ b. 26 May 1898, d. 6 Oct 1920
Robert Lee Jones⁵ b. 17 Sep 1902, d. 4 Jun 1956
Clifton C. Jones⁴ b. 19 Feb 1905, d. 9 Jul 1905
Infant Son Jones⁴ b. 10 Jun 1906, d. 23 Aug 1906
Wiley Alexander Jones⁵ b. 12 Mar 1908, d. 23 Jul 1974
Sarah Jones⁶ b. 15 Jan 1913, d. 2 Apr 1963

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1096] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina Marriage Records, Randolph, Book 5, page 3.
[S1605] Bureau of Vital Statistics and North Carolina State Archives North Carolina State Board of Health, North Carolina Death Certificates.
[S1095] Jocelyn Brabham Barrett (ed), Randolph County Cemetery Records, Asheboro City.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1011] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina Death Records.

Luther E. Smith^1,2

M, b. September 1876, d. 2 April 1959

Last Edited

8 Sep 2006

Birth*

Luther E. Smith was born in September 1876 at North Carolina.^1,2

Marriage*

He married Sarah J. Curtis, daughter of Mary Elizabeth Curtis, on 26 September 1897 at Randolph, North Carolina.^1,2

Census*

Luther E. Smith appeared on the census of 26 June 1900 at Columbia Twp., Randolph, North Carolina, ED 84, sheet 16B, occupation farmer, renting, married 2 years, 2 children, 2 living.^1,3

Census

He appeared on the census of 23 April 1910 at Providence Twp., Randolph, North Carolina, ED 93, sheet 6A, occupation farmer, renting, married 12 years, 8 children, 8 living.⁴

Census

He appeared on the census of 20 January 1920 at Liberty Twp., Randolph, North Carolina, ED 108, sheet 15A, occupation farmer, renting, 8 children at home.⁵

Census

He appeared on the census of 25 April 1930 at Liberty Twp., Randolph, North Carolina, ED 19, sheet 17A, occupation farmer, renting, 3 children at home.⁶

Death*

He died on 2 April 1959 at Randolph, North Carolina, at age 82; buried at Grays Chapel Cemetery.^7,8

Family

Sarah J. Curtis b. 17 Jan 1874, d. 14 Dec 1943

Children

Grace Smith¹ b. Jul 1898
Archie Edward Smith¹ b. 13 Sep 1899, d. 2 Mar 1977
Herman H. Smith⁴ b. 23 Jan 1902, d. 25 Dec 1921
Boyd Smith⁴ b. 1 Apr 1902, d. 5 Dec 1928
Josephine Smith⁴ b. 27 Sep 1904, d. 31 Mar 1961
Ella M. Smith⁴ b. 1906
Mary Smith⁴ b. 1907
Anna L. Smith⁴ b. 1909
Albert E. Smith⁵ b. 27 Jul 1914, d. 16 Sep 1998
Frederick C. Smith⁵ b. 22 May 1916, d. 21 Dec 1934

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1096] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina Marriage Records, Randolph, Book 5, page 145.
[S1096] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina Marriage Records, Randolph, Book,.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.
[S1011] North Carolina State Archives, North Carolina Death Records.
[S1095] Jocelyn Brabham Barrett (ed), Randolph County Cemetery Records, Grays Chapel.

Anna M. Smith^1,2

F, b. 7 August 1868, d. 22 January 1941

Last Edited

19 Jun 2008

Birth*

Anna M. Smith was born on 7 August 1868 at North Carolina.¹

Married Name

As of circa 1894,her married name was York.^1,3

Marriage*

She married George R. York, son of William Jasper (W.J.) York and Sarah Martitia (Martha) Curtis, circa 1894 at North Carolina; marriage record not found.^1,3

(Witness) Census

Anna M. Smith appeared on the census of 29 June 1900 Grant Twp., Randolph, North Carolina, in the household of George R. York; ED 88, sheet 9B, occupation day laborer, renting, married 5 years, 2 children, 2 living.³

Death*

Anna M. Smith died on 22 January 1941 at age 72; buried at the Holly Springs Friends Meeting Cemetery.¹

Family

George R. York b. 17 Jun 1870, d. 16 Aug 1928

Citations

[S1095] Jocelyn Brabham Barrett (ed), Randolph County Cemetery Records, Holly Springs Friends Meeting.
[S1605] Bureau of Vital Statistics and North Carolina State Archives North Carolina State Board of Health, North Carolina Death Certificates, George York.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.

John Wesley Curtis^1,2,3

M, b. 9 March 1839, d. 18 July 1904

Father

Asbury Curtis^4,2,3 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^4,2,3 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

23 May 2009

Birth*

John Wesley Curtis was born on 9 March 1839 at Macon, North Carolina; middle name from neighbor's affidavit in pension file.^4,2,3

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 1840 Macon, North Carolina, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 147, 1 male under 5, 1 male and 1 female 20-29.⁵

(Witness) Census

John Wesley Curtis appeared on the census of 29 October 1850 District 85, Union, Georgia, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 254b, occupation farmer, renting, 6 children at home.⁶

Marriage*

John Wesley Curtis married Nancy Matilda Berrong, daughter of Henry W. Berrong and Isabel Bryson, on 6 September 1859 at Morganton, Fannin, Georgia; by Solomon Stanbury, JP.^4,7,8

(Witness) Census

John Wesley Curtis appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 Benton P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 441b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 7 children at home.⁹

Census*

John Wesley Curtis appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 at District 8, Polk, Tennessee, working as a miner and living with his parents. Nancy probably was living with her family in Towns County, Georgia, but her name does not appear in the census roster.⁹

Milit-Beg

He began military service on 12 May 1862 at Hiawassee, Towns, Georgia, as a Private, Company C, 6th Georgia Cavalry by Major Steinbeck. The muster roll for the period January to April 1863 notes he was absent, "detailed regimental blacksmith; furloughed home after horse April 20, 1863." The next muster roll noted he was paid through June 30, 1863 and had deserted August 1, 1863 and was dropped from the rolls.¹

Milit-Beg*

He began military service on 20 January 1864 at Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, as a Private, Company B, 10th Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, the same unit his brother William Jasper served in.¹

Milit-End*

He ended military service on 1 August 1865 at Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee.¹

Census*

He and Nancy Matilda Berrong appeared on the census of 14 June 1880 at District 11, McMinn, Tennessee, page 388A, occupation farmer, 7 children at home.¹⁰

Description*

John Wesley Curtis was described as age 42, height 5 feet 8 inches, complexion light, hair light, eyes blue; occupation farmer and blacksmith on 14 August 1882 at Athens, McMinn, Tennessee.¹

Census

He and Nancy Matilda Berrong appeared on the census of 14 June 1900 at District 9, Monroe, Tennessee, ED 114, sheet 8A, occupation blacksmith, renting, appears to be the right household, but dates of birth and number of children are wrong.¹¹

Death*

John Wesley Curtis died on 18 July 1904 at Tennessee at age 65; buried at New Hope Cemetery in Monroe County.^1,12

DeathExp

After their marriage, John Wesley went to work in copper mine at Ducktown, Tennessee, where he was enumerated in his parents' household in June 1860. Nancy probably remained with her family in Towns County, but joined John in Ducktown later that summer, as their first child, John Henry, was born there in September 1860. Work slowed at the mines as men left to go to war, and the northern industrialists who owned the mines closed them in 1861, so John Wesley moved the family back to Towns County.
John Wesley was a reluctant soldier, not enlisting when the war started, waiting until after the Conscription Act of April 1862 was passed. He enlisted ias a private in Company C of the 6th Georgia Cavalry on 12 May 1862 at Hiawassee, Towns County. Two of his cousins in Union County, Moses and Spencer Lafayette Curtis also enlisted in the 6th Georgia Cavalry a few months later.

There is no regimental history available for the 6th Georgia Cavalry, but it apparently remained in the South. The muster roll for the period January to April 1863 notes John Wesley was absent, "detailed regimental blacksmith; furloughed home after horse April 20, 1863." The next muster roll noted he was paid through June 30, 1863 and had deserted August 1, 1863 and was dropped from the rolls. Both Spencer and Moses Curtis left the Confederate Army abruptly, Spencer enlisting in the Union Army at Cl
John probably remained in Tennessee until he enlisted at Nashville as a private in Company B, 10th Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, the same united his brother William Jasper served in. This unit remained in Tennessee and had no major battle engagements. John left his regiment on November 24, 1864 to look after "the necessities of my family, they being [behind] the rebel lines and their condition especially demanding my attention. He returned to his unit May 10, 1865 under the President's amnesty proclamation. He received an honorable discharge at Nashville on 1 August 1865, and later received a pension for his military service.
John and Nancy lived at various places in McMinn, Rhea and Monroe Counties after the service.¹

Family

Nancy Matilda Berrong b. 9 May 1844, d. 23 Jul 1925

Children

John Henry Curtis+^10,1 b. 6 Sep 1860, d. 26 Sep 1940
William Asbury Curtis+^10,1 b. 1867, d. b 1 Apr 1898
Benjamin Napoleon Curtis+^10,1 b. 15 Jun 1870, d. 16 Sep 1952
James Thomas Curtis+^10,1 b. 12 Jul 1872, d. 2 Jan 1937
Charles L. Curtis+^10,1 b. 21 Sep 1874
George Washington Curtis+^10,1 b. 20 Jan 1878, d. 1952
Ella Cynthia Curtis+¹ b. 18 Jun 1881, d. 10 Mar 1948

Citations

[S1458] "Military File of John Wesley Curtis."
[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1840, 1850.
[S1235] Ray Curtis, "Ancestral File of Ray Curtis", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1840.
[S1] Census of Population 1850.
[S1201] Delta Genealogical Society, Fannin County Marriage Records.
[S1236] "Military Records of William Jasper Curtis."
[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S984] Tennessee Works Progress Administration, Monroe County, Tennessee Cemeteries (WPA).

Mary J. Curtis^1,2

F, b. 3 December 1840

Father

Asbury Curtis^1,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^1,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

19 Nov 2007

Birth*

Mary J. Curtis was born on 3 December 1840 at Macon, North Carolina.^1,2

(Witness) Census

She appeared on the census of 29 October 1850 District 85, Union, Georgia, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 254b, occupation farmer, renting, 6 children at home.²

NoteB*

No further record for Mary, but her death is not listed in the Asbury Curtis bible, so she may have married and left no family record.³

Citations

[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1850.
[S1] Census of Population 1860.

William Jasper Curtis^1,2

M, b. 18 January 1843, d. 17 May 1902

Father

Asbury Curtis^1,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^1,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

22 May 2009

Birth*

William Jasper Curtis was born on 18 January 1843 at Macon, North Carolina.^1,2,3,4

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 29 October 1850 District 85, Union, Georgia, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 254b, occupation farmer, renting, 6 children at home.¹

Marriage*

William Jasper Curtis married Mary Amanda Yother, daughter of John Yother and Annie Blackstock, on 27 November 1859 at Fannin, Georgia; by Solomon Stanberry.^5,4,6

Milit-Beg

William Jasper Curtis began military service on 18 July 1862 at Cherokee, North Carolina, as a Private by Capt. C.C. Berry in Co. A., Walker's Battalion, Thomas Legion, NC Infantry (Confederate); detached in January and February 1863 by order of Col. Wm C. Walker to go to Polk Co. TN and Cherokee Co. NC to arrest deserters.⁴

Description*

He was described as age 20 years, occupation miner, height 5' 10", fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair on 18 July 1862 at Beaver Dam, Cherokee, North Carolina.⁴

Milit-End

He ended military service on 25 June 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Jefferson, Tennessee; listed as absent without leave, deserted.⁴

Milit-Beg*

He began military service on 15 September 1863 as a Private, Company B, 10th Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry; worked as a blacksmith.⁴

Milit-End*

He ended military service on 6 August 1865 at Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee; as a Commissary Sergeant.⁴

Census*

He and Mary Amanda Yother appeared on the census of 28 July 1870 at District 8, Polk, Tennessee, page 78b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 3 children at home.⁵

Moved*

William Jasper Curtis moved to Morgan, Hall, Georgia, in 1879; using children's places of birth.⁷

Census

He and Mary Amanda Yother appeared on the census of 5 June 1880 at Morgan, Hall, Georgia, page 57A, occupation farmer, 5 children at home.⁷

Residence*

William Jasper Curtis lived on 20 January 1897 at Suit, Cherokee, North Carolina; pension application.⁴

Census

He and Mary Amanda Yother appeared on the census of 15 June 1900 at Ducktown, Polk, Tennessee, ED 128, sheet 3B, occupation blacksmith, owned home, married 41 years, number of children not given, 3 children and 2 grandchildren at home.⁸

Death*

William Jasper Curtis died on 17 May 1902 at Ducktown, Polk, Tennessee, at age 59; buried at the Ducktown Cemetery.^4,3

DeathExp

William Jasper moved to Ducktown, Tennessee after his marriage to work in the copper mines, although his first son was born in Hall County, Georgia in November 1860. He told the pension examiner that he was conscripted at Ducktown into the 19th Tennessee Infantry (CSA) but never reported, instead going to Cherokee County, North Carolina, where he enlisted for three years in Company A of Walker's Battalion of Thomas Confederate Legion on 18 July 1862, sworn in by Captain C.C. Berry. However, Confederate records state that Capt. Berry went into the mountains of Cherokee County to track down eligible recruits and returned with 500 "volunteers," who chose to join rather than go to prison.
William Jasper was detached from his unit in January 1863 and detailed to go to Polk and Cherokee County to arrest deserters, which gave him the opportunity to desert, which he did, or or about 1 July 1863. On 15 September1863, he enlisted as private, Company B, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee (near Knoxville) on 1 July 1863. His brother John Wesley joined him at the end of the year, and they both worked as blacksmiths. He was honorably discharged at Nashville on 1 August 1865, and received a pension for his service.
Following the war, William and his family moved around a good deal, living in Polk County, Pickens County, SC, Cherokee County, NC, and Fannin and Hall Counties, GA. He worked as a blacksmith and farmer.⁴

Family

Mary Amanda Yother b. 21 Nov 1842, d. 13 Aug 1919

Children

William Asbury Curtis+^5,4 b. 20 Nov 1860, d. 16 Nov 1935
Eliza Adaline Curtis⁹ b. 4 May 1863, d. 11 Jun 1865
John William Curtis^5,4 b. 25 Jun 1866, d. 21 Jun 1890
Sarah Catharine Curtis⁴ b. 25 Apr 1868, d. 29 Dec 1868
Martha J. Curtis^4,5 b. 24 Apr 1870, d. 17 Mar 1915
Mary Ann Curtis+^7,4 b. 29 Oct 1872
Nancy Josephine (Jossie) Curtis+⁷ b. 2 Nov 1875, d. 26 Jul 1935
Anna Lou Adaline (Addie, Annie) Curtis+^7,4 b. 16 Mar 1878, d. 16 Nov 1938
A.W. Curtis^9,10 b. 7 Oct 1880, d. 29 Sep 1883
Hinton Curtis^9,10 b. 22 Mar 1886, d. bt 1886 - 1899
Laura Mincy Curtis+⁸ b. 11 May 1887, d. 26 Jun 1955

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1850.
[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1423] Jo Ann Garren Finnell, Cemeteries of Polk County, Tennessee, Ducktown.
[S1236] "Military Records of William Jasper Curtis."
[S1] Census of Population 1870.
[S1201] Delta Genealogical Society, Fannin County Marriage Records.
[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1236] "Military Records of William Jasper Curtis", Bible record.
[S1244] David Hughes, "Descendant of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett", Ancestral File.

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis^1,2

F, b. 8 February 1844, d. 10 June 1887

Father

Asbury Curtis^3,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^3,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

15 Jun 2008

Birth*

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis was born on 8 February 1844 at Macon, North Carolina.^3,2

(Witness) Census

She appeared on the census of 29 October 1850 District 85, Union, Georgia, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 254b, occupation farmer, renting, 6 children at home.³

(Witness) Census

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 Benton P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 441b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 7 children at home.⁴

Married Name

As of 10 December 1861,her married name was Edwards.⁵

Marriage*

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis married Burgess Alonzo Edwards, son of Rinda (?), on 10 December 1861 at Ducktown, Polk, Tennessee.⁵

Census*

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis and Burgess Alonzo Edwards appeared on the census of 28 July 1870 at Hiwassee P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, page 80, occupation mine hand, renting, 5 children at home.⁶

Census

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis and Burgess Alonzo Edwards appeared on the census of 9 June 1880 at District 8, Polk, Tennessee, page 55D, occupation dry goods merchant, 8 children at home.⁷

Death*

Della Ann (Delian) Curtis died on 10 June 1887 at Charleston, Bradley, Tennessee, at age 43; buried at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.⁸

Family

Burgess Alonzo Edwards b. 9 May 1843, d. 27 May 1913

Children

James Monroe Edwards+⁹ b. 22 Nov 1862, d. 29 Sep 1933
Ulissa Ona Edwards+⁹ b. 9 Jun 1866, d. 3 Mar 1951
Irwin Marshall Edwards+⁹ b. 5 Sep 1867, d. 13 Dec 1935
Horace Hoyle Edwards+⁹ b. 11 Sep 1868, d. 21 Mar 1945
Dora L. Edwards+⁹ b. 1870
Mary Alice Edwards+⁷ b. 3 Mar 1872, d. 4 Jul 1951
Bascom Napoleon Edwards+⁷ b. 16 Jan 1875, d. 30 Mar 1943
Edgar Arthur Edwards+⁷ b. 7 Mar 1877, d. 28 Sep 1952

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1850-1880.
[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1850.
[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1595] "Anneos18", "McDonald/Edwards Family Tree", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population.
[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1598] Edwards Family, "Research Collection of Richard Edwards", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1870.

Samuel M. Curtis^1,2

M, b. 18 January 1846, d. 25 December 1864

Father

Asbury Curtis^1,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^1,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

15 Jul 2007

Birth*

Samuel M. Curtis was born on 18 January 1846 at Union, Georgia.^1,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 29 October 1850 District 85, Union, Georgia, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 254b, occupation farmer, renting, 6 children at home.¹

(Witness) Census

Samuel M. Curtis appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 Benton P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 441b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 7 children at home.³

Death*

Samuel M. Curtis died on 25 December 1864 at Polk, Tennessee, at age 18.^2,4

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1850.
[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1349] Nellie Curtis Bell, "Nellie Curtis Bell Research Files", Ancestral File.

Thomas J. Curtis^1,2

M, b. 23 May 1848, d. 19 February 1864

Father

Asbury Curtis^1,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^1,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

15 Jul 2007

Birth*

Thomas J. Curtis was born on 23 May 1848 at Union, Georgia.^1,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 29 October 1850 District 85, Union, Georgia, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 254b, occupation farmer, renting, 6 children at home.²

(Witness) Census

Thomas J. Curtis appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 Benton P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 441b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 7 children at home.³

Death*

Thomas J. Curtis died on 19 February 1864 at Polk, Tennessee, at age 15.^1,4

Citations

[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1850.
[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1349] Nellie Curtis Bell, "Nellie Curtis Bell Research Files", Ancestral File.

Ben James Curtis^1,2

M, b. 1 July 1850

Father

Asbury Curtis^1,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^1,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

15 Jul 2007

Birth*

Ben James Curtis was born on 1 July 1850 at Union, Georgia.^1,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 Benton P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 441b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 7 children at home.¹

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.

James Fletcher Curtis^1,2

M, b. 18 October 1855, d. 11 March 1929

Father

Asbury Curtis^3,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^3,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

9 Dec 2007

Birth*

James Fletcher Curtis was born on 18 October 1855 at Polk, Tennessee; The Asbury Curtis bible says 18 October, whereas the James Fletcher Curtis bible says 8 October.^3,2,4,5

(Witness) Census

Census*

James Fletcher Curtis appeared on the census of 28 July 1870 at Hiwassee P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, page 79, occupation mine hand, listed age 12, living with Israel and Millie Pless.⁶

Marriage*

He married Mary A. Dooley, daughter of William Dooley and Elizabeth (?), on 17 April 1886 at Ellijay, Gilmer, Georgia; by Reverend Hipps.^7,4,8

Census*

James Fletcher Curtis and Mary A. Dooley appeared on the census of 11 June 1900 at Flinthill District, Fannin, Georgia, ED 25, sheet 7A, occupation copper miner, renting, married 14 years, 4 children, 4 living.⁷

Census

James Fletcher Curtis and Mary A. Dooley appeared on the census of 10 May 1910 at Flint Hill, Fannin, Georgia, ED 34, sheet 26B, occupation copper miner, owned home, married 25 years, 9 children, 6 living.⁹

Census

James Fletcher Curtis and Mary A. Dooley appeared on the census of 18 January 1920 at Copperhill, Polk, Tennessee, ED 111, sheet 9A, occupation miner-copper mine, owned home, 3 children at home.¹⁰

Death*

James Fletcher Curtis died on 11 March 1929 at Polk, Tennessee, at age 73; buried at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery near Ducktown.^11,4,5

DeathExp

James was the only child living with his parents in 1864 known to have survived, and he lived a hard life, most of it spent working in the copper mines. When the 1870 census was taken, he was a 14 year old orphan, living with the family of Israel and Millie Pless, working in the Ducktown mine. He was not enumerated in the 1880 census, which was not uncommon for single men. Following their marriage, he and Mary lived for a while in Cherokee County, Georgia, but soon moved to the Flinthill District of Fannin County, near the dopper mines.¹²

Family

Mary A. Dooley b. 10 Apr 1869, d. 14 Aug 1960

Children

James Fletcher Curtis Jr.+⁷ b. 17 Aug 1887, d. 3 Apr 1958
William A. Curtis⁷ b. Mar 1889, d. bt 1901 - 1910
Myrtle (Mirtie) E. Curtis+⁷ b. 10 Aug 1890, d. 19 Jul 1959
Carl Thomas Curtis+⁷ b. 25 Aug 1898, d. 17 Jan 1977
Horace Gordon Curtis+⁹ b. 9 Mar 1901, d. 5 Sep 1963
Lillie Mae Curtis+⁹ b. 3 Jun 1905, d. 2 Jul 1977
Claude Curtis⁹ b. 14 Nov 1907, d. 25 Sep 1975
Eva Belle Curtis+¹⁰ b. 23 Oct 1911, d. 15 Nov 1999

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1860, 1870, 1900-1920.
[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1386] Unknown.
[S1423] Jo Ann Garren Finnell, Cemeteries of Polk County, Tennessee, Pleasant Hill.
[S1] Census of Population 1870.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1425] Jennie V. Poteet-Pitts, Gilmer County, Georgia Marriage Records.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.
[S1] Census of Population 1860-1920.

Sarah M. Curtis^1,2

F, b. 8 May 1858, d. 24 February 1864

Father

Asbury Curtis^1,2 b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett^1,2 b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

15 Jul 2007

Birth*

Sarah M. Curtis was born on 8 May 1858 at Polk, Tennessee.^1,2

(Witness) Census

She appeared on the census of 12 July 1860 Benton P.O., District 8, Polk, Tennessee, in the household of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett; page 441b, occupation blacksmith, renting, 7 children at home.²

Death*

Sarah M. Curtis died on 24 February 1864 at Polk, Tennessee, at age 5; date transcribed as 8 March 1864 by Nellie Curtis Bell.^1,3

Citations

[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.
[S1] Census of Population 1860.
[S1349] Nellie Curtis Bell, "Nellie Curtis Bell Research Files", Ancestral File.

Nancy Matilda Berrong^1,2,3

F, b. 9 May 1844, d. 23 July 1925

Father

Henry W. Berrong⁴ b. 27 Feb 1822

Mother

Isabel Bryson⁴ b. 1824

Last Edited

22 Nov 2008

Birth*

Nancy Matilda Berrong was born on 9 May 1844 at Union, Georgia.^1,2,3

Married Name

As of 6 September 1859,her married name was Curtis.^1,2,3

Marriage*

She married John Wesley Curtis, son of Asbury Curtis and Anna Burnett, on 6 September 1859 at Morganton, Fannin, Georgia; by Solomon Stanbury, JP.^1,2,3

Census

Nancy Matilda Berrong and John Wesley Curtis appeared on the census of 14 June 1880 at District 11, McMinn, Tennessee, page 388A, occupation farmer, 7 children at home.⁵

Census

Nancy Matilda Berrong and John Wesley Curtis appeared on the census of 14 June 1900 at District 9, Monroe, Tennessee, ED 114, sheet 8A, occupation blacksmith, renting, appears to be the right household, but dates of birth and number of children are wrong.⁶

(Witness) Census

Nancy Matilda Berrong appeared on the census of 6 January 1920 Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, in the household of Benjamin Napoleon Curtis and Belle Eaves; ED 162, sheet 3A, occupation foreman-railroad, renting, no children, mother at home.⁷

Death*

Nancy Matilda Berrong died on 23 July 1925 at Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, at age 81; buried at New Hope Cemetery in Monroe County.^8,9

Obit

Nancy Matilda's obituary was published in the Chattanooga Newspaper on 24 July 1925:
Mrs. Nancy M. Curtis, aged 85, died at her residence, 2627 Carr street, at 9 o'clock Thursday morning, after a lingering illness. She is survived by four sons, John, of Knoxville; Jim, of Alabama City; George and Ben Curtis of Jacksonville, Fla; one daughter, Mrs. E. V. Rule, of Jacksonville, Fla. Funeral services will be held this evening at 7:30 o'clock from the funeral parlors of the Harry E. Chapman company, the Rev. William Tidwell officiating, assisted by the Rev. T.W. Callaway. The body will be sent Saturday morning to Vonore, Tenn., for internment.

DeathExp

Nancy Berrong’s direct ancestor was Henry Napoleon Berrong. The name is said to have been spelled Beringer, and that Henry changed it later to Berrong. Henry is referred to as Henry Napoleon in several records but Napoleon could have been a nickname, as he is listed in several records as Henry P. Berrong.
Henry and his brother Elisha were born in France in 1785. Later the family moved from Germany to Holland because of religious persecutions. Henry and his brother were taken from their father's vineyards and put aboard a ship that took them from France to Charleston, South Carolina. While anchored there Henry left the ship with the aid of an escaping black man and they swam ashore. Henry and the black man found a family that took them in and hid them from people who were searching for them. There is no further information on Elisha, who remained on the ship, although the name is found in the family. The family that hid Henry from the searchers kept him at their home through the next years and sent him to the best schools of the time. He later became a well-known teacher in South Carolina.
Henry Napoleon enlisted in the South Carolina militia during the War of 1812 serving in the company of Captain Charles Banker which was part of Colonel Samuel Cannon's regiment on Beaufort Island, South Carolina. Henry was discharged at Camp Alston, South Carolina. He was turned down when he applied for a pension because he had only served from March 1, 1814 to March 31, 1814. Henry lived his final years in Towns County, Ga. In 1870 he was living in Towns County, Ga. in the household of Jesse and Susan Berrong, his son. He was 85 years old at that time.
A story told by his relatives is that in his later years Henry wore a long white beard and loved to eat sauerkraut with molasses. In 1838 Henry Napoleon served in the Volunteer Militia in James W. Killian’s Company, removing Cherokee Indians from Western North Carolina during the infamous "Trail of Tears" operation. Henry received a pension and land grants for his service with James W. Killian’s forces. Jesse Berrong, Henry's son, is said to have acquired a good deal of Indian land in the area of Towns County, Georgia. An area map still shows a Berrong lake and Berrong Mountains there near highway 76. The area where Upper Hightower Church and Cemetery are located was reportedly donated by Jesse Berrong. Henry died in 1885 at the age of 100 years old. He is buried in the Upper Hightower Baptist Church Cemetery were many of his descendants are also buried. There is a marker on Henry Napoleon's grave that identifies him as a veteran of the War of 1812.
Nancy Matilda Berrong Curtis' parents are buried at Ball Play, Tennessee. About 5 miles off US 411 highway just South of Madisonville, Tn...⁴

Family

John Wesley Curtis b. 9 Mar 1839, d. 18 Jul 1904

Children

John Henry Curtis+^5,9 b. 6 Sep 1860, d. 26 Sep 1940
William Asbury Curtis+^5,9 b. 1867, d. b 1 Apr 1898
Benjamin Napoleon Curtis+^5,9 b. 15 Jun 1870, d. 16 Sep 1952
James Thomas Curtis+^5,9 b. 12 Jul 1872, d. 2 Jan 1937
Charles L. Curtis+^5,9 b. 21 Sep 1874
George Washington Curtis+^5,9 b. 20 Jan 1878, d. 1952
Ella Cynthia Curtis+⁹ b. 18 Jun 1881, d. 10 Mar 1948

Citations

[S1235] Ray Curtis, "Ancestral File of Ray Curtis", Ancestral File.
[S1201] Delta Genealogical Society, Fannin County Marriage Records.
[S1236] "Military Records of William Jasper Curtis."
[S1573] Unknown compiler, "A Berrong Family Genealogy", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S984] Tennessee Works Progress Administration, Monroe County, Tennessee Cemeteries (WPA).
[S1458] "Military File of John Wesley Curtis."

Asbury Curtis¹

M, b. 3 June 1861, d. 24 February 1864

Father

Asbury Curtis¹ b. 25 Nov 1821, d. bt 1865 - 1870

Mother

Anna Burnett¹ b. 1820, d. c 1890

Last Edited

1 Aug 2007

Birth*

Asbury Curtis was born on 3 June 1861 at Polk, Tennessee.¹

Death*

He died on 24 February 1864 at Polk, Tennessee, at age 2.¹

Citations

[S1207] Asbury Curtis Bible.

John Henry Curtis^1,2,3

M, b. 6 September 1860, d. 26 September 1940

Father

John Wesley Curtis^1,3 b. 9 Mar 1839, d. 18 Jul 1904

Mother

Nancy Matilda Berrong^1,3 b. 9 May 1844, d. 23 Jul 1925

Last Edited

22 Nov 2008

Birth*

John Henry Curtis was born on 6 September 1860 at Tennessee; bible record in his father's military file says 6 September 1862; this is from death certificate.^1,3,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 14 June 1880 District 11, McMinn, Tennessee, in the household of John Wesley Curtis and Nancy Matilda Berrong; page 388A, occupation farmer, 7 children at home.¹

Marriage*

John Henry Curtis married Mary H. Philpott on 15 April 1886 at Dayton, Rhea, Tennessee; by Jas. A. Crawford, J.P; spelled Filpot.⁴

Milit-Beg*

John Henry Curtis began military service on 3 August 1899 at Dayton, Rhea, Tennessee, as an Artificer, Company G, 37th Regiment, U.S. Infantry.²

Milit-End*

He ended military service on 20 February 1901 at San Francisco, San Francisco, California; John Henry spent his entire service time in the Philippines as an artificer (blacksmith/shoeing horses.)⁵

Marriage*

He married Tennessee Jane (Tennie) Smith on 20 April 1906 at Rhea, Tennessee.²

Census*

John Henry Curtis and Tennessee Jane (Tennie) Smith appeared on the census of 3 May 1910 at Civil District 4, Rhea, Tennessee, ED 106, sheet 13B, occupation fireman-blast furnace, renting, married 4 years; 1 son and 6 of Tennie's Hawkins children.⁶

Moved*

John Henry Curtis moved to Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, in 1913; after the Dayton Coal and Iron Co. closed, John got a job at the Dwight Cotton Mill.⁷

Census

He and Tennessee Jane (Tennie) Smith appeared on the census of 6 January 1920 at Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, ED 95, sheet 5A, occupation laborer-cotton mill, renting, 2 children and Johnnie Hawkins at home.⁸

Residence*

John Henry Curtis lived on 24 July 1925 at Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee.

Marriage*

He married Mary Evans on 9 August 1926 at Union, Tennessee.⁹

Census*

John Henry Curtis and Nancy West appeared on the census of 17 April 1930 at District 6, Union, Tennessee, ED 10, sheet 6A, occupation farmer, listed as the farm owner, boarding with him were Calaway Herron, age 72, and his wife Nancy, age 39.¹⁰

Marriage*

John Henry Curtis married Nancy West on 20 October 1930 at Union, Tennessee; by V.H. Graves, Minister.¹¹

Death*

John Henry Curtis died on 26 September 1940 at Sharps Chapel, Union, Tennessee, at age 80; buried at the Blue Springs Church Cemetery at Sharps Chapel.¹²

Obit

John Henry's obituary was published in the Unknown Newspaper on circa 27 September 1940:
John Henry Curtis, retired farmer of near Sharp's Chapel and a Spanish-American War veteran, died at 2:45 p.m. today at his home. Services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, at Blue Springs Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Ailors has charge. Survivors: his widow, Mrs. Nancy Curtis; son, Walter Curtis, Alabama; two brothers, Ben Curtis, Calhoun, Tenn., and George Curtis, Florida, and four grandchildren.²

DeathExp

There is confusion over John Henry’s date of birth, reported as 6 September 1862 in his military service record, 6 September 1860 on his death certificate, and 1860-1864, based on various census reports. All known records state his place of birth as Polk County, or simply Tennessee.
The first public record for John Henry is the 1880 census of McMinn County, Tennessee, where he lived with his five siblings, working on his father’s farm. Although John Wesley could read and write, neither John Henry nor his brother William Asbury had received sufficient education to answer those questions affirmatively. Their younger siblings were able to attend school, as conditions in the post-war South improved. Although John Wesley failed to teach him how to read and write, he did pass along the rudiments his blacksmith trade, which is how John Henry earned his living for most of his life. In 1883 John Henry went to work for the Dayton Coal and Iron Co. in Dayton, where he worked for 20 years. In the 1910 census, John Henry gave his specific occupation as a fireman at the blast furnace, a difficult job for a 50 year old man.
John Henry’s first wife was Mary Philpot; they married 15 April 1886 in Dayton. There is no further record of this marriage or of any issue, and the most likely explanation is that Mary died young of disease or complications of childbirth.
On August 3, 1899 John Henry Curtis joined the U.S. Army in Dayton. He was discharged in San Francisco, Calif. on Feb.20, 1901. According to Army records, he spent his entire service time in the Philippines as an Artificer (blacksmith/shoeing horses).In 1901 John Henry returned to Dayton and the Dayton Coal and Iron Company. On April 20, 1906 John Henry married Tennessee Jane Smith Hawkins, the widow of Lowry Hawkins who was one of 21 men killed in an explosion at the Dayton Coal and Iron Company’s Richland Mine in Dayton on May 27, 1901. One can only speculate what motivated John Henry, by then a confirmed bachelor of 45 years, to make a household with a widow and six children, ages 6-17.
In June 1913, the Dayton Coal and Iron Co. went out of business and John Henry, Tennie, Walter, Lonnie and all six of the Hawkins children moved to Alabama City, Alabama, now part of the city of Gadsden. One of John Henrys brothers, James Thomas Curtis, already lived in Alabama City and worked at the Dwight Cotton Mill. Almost all of John Henry's family at one time or another worked at that mill. John Henry first worked in a mine at the nearby town of Kenner, before getting a job at the Dwight Mill, where he worked as a laborer when the 1920 census was taken.
The details of what happened next are a matter of long-standing conjecture in the family. John Henry’s nephew, Ralph Dexter Curtis, told Ray Curtis he remembered he was sitting on his front porch when John Henry walked by carrying a few belongings and told him he was leaving. His uncle did not say whether his departure was his choice, his wife’s choice, or brought on by some other compelling reason. Ralph places the date as 1922 or 1923, but another story places the date closer to 1920. In any case, John Henry then visited his ailing mother in Chattanooga, and at the time of her death on 24 July 1925, he was working as a blacksmith, shoeing horses in Knoxville. Tennie died in Gadsden on 6 July 1925, and her obituary did not mention John Henry as a survivor, which appears to be clear evidence of lingering animosity, at least on the part of the author of the obituary.
John Henry worked at a stable in Knoxville, where people left their horses or mules to be shod while in town on business. One of these businessmen was J.C. Evans of Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, a farmer and businessman who often led a mule or horse train carrying farm goods to sell in Nashville, returning with merchandise to sell in his store. Sharps Chapel was (and is) a fairly remote village about 25 miles north of Knoxville. On one of these trips, Evans struck a deal whereby John Henry went to work for Evans, moving to Sharps Chapel and living on a small farm that Evans owned and doing blacksmith work. Living on the same farm were an elderly man named Calaway Herron, his much younger wife Nancy (said-to-be named Nancy West, but also a sister or niece of J.C. Evans) and Mary Evans, sister of J.C. Evans. John Henry promptly married Mary Evans on 9 August 1926, and J.C. Evans deeded the farm over to John Henry. Mary died three years later on 27 November 1929, leaving John Henry again a widower but the owner of a 20 acre farm. Calaway Herron died shortly thereafter, and John Henry married the widow Nancy, then 40 years old, on 20 October 1930.
John and Nancy lived on the farm until his death. John began collecting his monthly Army pension check in 1926, and was known to have cash money in a time when it was hard to come by in Sharps Chapel.
When John died in 1940, Walter Ernest Curtis and his sons Patrick and Ray drove from Guntersville, Alabama where they lived to Sharps Chapel for the funeral. John Henry’s widow Nancy returned with them and lived there for about three months before returning to Sharps Chapel. According to a neighbor, she took a job cooking at a lumber camp, where she took up with a man half her age named Grant Jones and moved to Bulls Gap, about 50 miles east of Sharps Chapel. The house apparently remained vacant until it was purchased in 1951, when it was sold at a tax auction.
For purposes of clarification, it should be said that John Henry had a second son, Lonnie Cleburn Curtis, born 26 November 1910 in Dayton, Tennessee. Lonnie’s mother was Ethel Smith, daughter of Tennessee Jane (Smith) (Hawkins) Curtis. Walter Ernest and Lonnie were close in age and grew up as best friends.¹³

Family 1

Mary H. Philpott b. c 1865, d. bt 1887 - 1899

Family 2

Tennessee Jane (Tennie) Smith b. 4 Jul 1869, d. 6 Jul 1925

Child

Walter Ernest Curtis+² b. 20 Feb 1907, d. 18 Jul 1964

Family 3

Ethel Hawkins b. May 1890

Child

Lonnie Cleburn Curtis+¹³ b. 26 Nov 1910, d. 26 Mar 1983

Family 4

Mary Evans b. c 1880, d. 27 Nov 1929

Family 5

Nancy West b. 1890

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1345] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "John Henry Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File.
[S1458] "Military File of John Wesley Curtis."
[S1345] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "John Henry Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File, marriage record at Book 1, page 507.
[S1345] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "John Henry Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File, copy of discharge certificate.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1346] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "Walter Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1345] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "John Henry Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File, Union County marriage record.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.
[S1345] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "John Henry Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File, Certificate at Book 4, page 563 of Union County marriage book.
[S1345] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "John Henry Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File, Application for burial flag.
[S1235] Ray Curtis, "Ancestral File of Ray Curtis", Ancestral File.

William Asbury Curtis^1,2

M, b. 1867, d. before 1 April 1898

Father

John Wesley Curtis^1,2 b. 9 Mar 1839, d. 18 Jul 1904

Mother

Nancy Matilda Berrong^1,2 b. 9 May 1844, d. 23 Jul 1925

Last Edited

22 Nov 2008

Birth*

William Asbury Curtis was born in 1867 at Tennessee.^1,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 14 June 1880 District 11, McMinn, Tennessee, in the household of John Wesley Curtis and Nancy Matilda Berrong; page 388A, occupation farmer, 7 children at home.¹

Marriage*

William Asbury Curtis married Rebecca (Ruby) A. Filyaw, daughter of James Washington Filyaw and Eliza (?), on 18 September 1888 at McMinn, Tennessee; by Virgil Turner, J.P.³

NoteB*

William Asbury Curtis died in a railroad accident working for the rail line for the mining company he worked for, I believe. He fell between the couplings and was dragged about two miles. There was no traditional funeral. He was buried in Ducktown, Tennessee, probably near the other Curtis graves there. The family had no money for a tombstone, so an anvil was placed as a headstone. It probably was stolen, as we have never found it. (per Tyler S. Forrest of Athens, Tennessee, 2007, amazza@bellsouth.net.)

Death*

William Asbury Curtis died before 1 April 1898 at Tennessee; not listed as a son in his father's pension application.²

Family

Rebecca (Ruby) A. Filyaw b. 14 Mar 1870, d. 27 Nov 1927

Children

Amanda Mell Dora (Dora) Curtis+⁴ b. 1 Jul 1889, d. 15 Jul 1942
Lily Mae Curtis+⁴ b. 20 Jul 1891, d. 22 Dec 1972
Mary Della Curtis+⁴ b. 16 Nov 1893, d. 29 Nov 1969
Leona Belle Basinger+⁵ b. 14 Feb 1906, d. 14 Sep 1988

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1458] "Military File of John Wesley Curtis."
[S1297] Tennessee State Archives, McMinn County, Tennessee Marriages, copy of original certificate.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis^1,2

M, b. 15 June 1870, d. 16 September 1952

Father

John Wesley Curtis^1,2 b. 9 Mar 1839, d. 18 Jul 1904

Mother

Nancy Matilda Berrong^1,2 b. 9 May 1844, d. 23 Jul 1925

Last Edited

24 Nov 2008

Birth*

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis was born on 15 June 1870 at Tennessee.^1,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 14 June 1880 District 11, McMinn, Tennessee, in the household of John Wesley Curtis and Nancy Matilda Berrong; page 388A, occupation farmer, 7 children at home.¹

Marriage*

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis married Belle Eaves on 15 July 1888 at McMinn, Tennessee; by Z.N. McGhee.^3,4

Census

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis and Belle Eaves appeared on the census of 6 June 1900 at District 7, McMinn, Tennessee, ED 81, sheet 7B, occupation overseer-railroad section , renting, 3 children, 2 living.³

Census*

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis and Belle Eaves appeared on the census of 18 April 1910 at Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, ED 58, sheet 3A, occupation railroad foreman, renting, married 21 years, 3 children, 2 living.⁵

Census

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis and Belle Eaves appeared on the census of 6 January 1920 at Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, ED 162, sheet 3A, occupation foreman-railroad, renting, no children, mother at home.⁶

Census

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis and Belle Eaves appeared on the census of 8 April 1930 at Lisbon, Walker, Georgia, ED 12, sheet 4B, occupation foreman-pipe shop, renting-$8 month, 2 grandchildren living with them.⁷

Death*

Benjamin Napoleon Curtis died on 16 September 1952 at Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, at age 82.^8,9

Obit

Benjamin Napoleon's obituary was published in the Chattanooga Times on 17 September 1952:
Benjamin Curtis, age 83, of 906 Sheridan Avenue, passed away early Tuesday evening. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Belle Curtis; one brother, George Curtis, Jacksonville, Fla; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the National Funeral Home.⁹

Family

Belle Eaves b. Nov 1873, d. 27 Feb 1953

Children

Mary Curtis+³ b. Jun 1889, d. bt 1922 - 1925
Robert W. Curtis¹⁰ b. 18 Dec 1892, d. 11 Aug 1896
Ella Curtis+³ b. Jul 1897

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1458] "Military File of John Wesley Curtis."
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1297] Tennessee State Archives, McMinn County, Tennessee Marriages, Book 3, page 152.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.
[S1346] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "Walter Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File.
[S1395] Chattanooga Times and Free Press, Chattanooga Times, 17 September 1952.
[S993] Marvin & Samme Templin (e-mail address), McMinn County Cemetery Records, Clear Springs.

James Thomas Curtis^1,2

M, b. 12 July 1872, d. 2 January 1937

Father

John Wesley Curtis^1,2 b. 9 Mar 1839, d. 18 Jul 1904

Mother

Nancy Matilda Berrong^1,2 b. 9 May 1844, d. 23 Jul 1925

Last Edited

22 Nov 2008

Birth*

James Thomas Curtis was born on 12 July 1872 at McMinn, Tennessee.^1,3,2

(Witness) Census

He appeared on the census of 14 June 1880 District 11, McMinn, Tennessee, in the household of John Wesley Curtis and Nancy Matilda Berrong; page 388A, occupation farmer, 7 children at home.¹

Marriage*

James Thomas Curtis married Julia Ann Shaw on 11 September 1892 at Charleston, Bradley, Tennessee; by Squire Stone; witnessed by her father James F. Shaw, relatives and friends.³

Census*

James Thomas Curtis and Julia Ann Shaw appeared on the census of 16 June 1900 at Civil District 9, Bradley, North Carolina, ED 15, sheet 8a, occupation miller, renting, married 6 years, 3 children at home.⁴

Census*

James Thomas Curtis appeared on the census of 20 April 1910 at Civil District 3, Hamilton, Tennessee, ED 78, sheet 5A, occupation laborer-quarry, renting, widowed, 3 children at home.⁵

Marriage*

He married Mattie S. Haywood between 1911 and 1917.^3,6

Census

James Thomas Curtis and Mattie S. Haywood appeared on the census of 3 January 1920 at Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, ED 95, sheet 2B, occupation pipe fitter-cotton mill, renting, 2 of his children and 1 of Mattie's at home.⁷

Census*

James Thomas Curtis and Mattie S. Haywood appeared on the census of 10 April 1930 at Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, ED 47, sheet 17B, occupation truck farmer, renting, radio, 1 child at home.⁷

Death*

James Thomas Curtis died on 2 January 1937 at Etowah, Alabama, at age 64.^3,8

Family 1

Julia Ann Shaw b. 18 Mar 1873, d. 24 Apr 1908

Children

Nancy Ann (Annie) Curtis+³ b. 12 Jul 1893, d. 14 Sep 1970
Gertrude Bell Curtis³ b. 15 Feb 1896, d. 3 Aug 1976
Viola May Curtis³ b. 30 Nov 1898, d. 1916
Ralph Dexter Curtis+³ b. 4 Dec 1904, d. Sep 1986
Robert Charles Curtis³ b. 25 Mar 1907, d. 15 Jun 1908

Family 2

Mattie S. Haywood b. 1876

Child

Mattie B. Curtis⁶ b. 1918

Citations

[S1] Census of Population 1880.
[S1458] "Military File of John Wesley Curtis."
[S1348] Ray and Patrick Curtis, "James Thomas Curtis Research Files", Ancestral File.
[S1] Census of Population 1900.
[S1] Census of Population 1910.
[S1] Census of Population 1920, 1930.
[S1] Census of Population 1930.
[S649] Center for Health Statistics State of Alabama, Alabama Death Index, 1908-1959.