My Maternal Great-Grandmother

Do you ever feel a deep connection to an ancestor that you never met and only know from genealogy research and stories?  As an adopted child who knew very few members of her biological family, I have found a great curiosity in knowing my ancestors, and one in particular has captured my heart.  She's the one I most want to know and hug.  I feel that she would understand so much about me and my losses because of her own life experiences.  I want to try to tell some of her story here. 

Frances Arbella Howell
Born:  June 21, 1888
Birthplace:  Ashe County, NC

Husband:  Dell Mack McGuire (1880-1956)

Children:  Verna Lee McGuire Cline (1909-1995)

Mack Howell McGuire (1911-1956)

Anna Laura McGuire (1914-1978)

Idella Mae McGuire (1916-1993)

Claude Allen McGuire (1918-1996)

Robert R. McGuire (1922-1992)

James Monroe McGuire (1924-1978)

William Howard McGuire (1927-2010)

Parents:  Felix Howell and Rachel Narcissus Adams

Siblings:  Amos Wellington Howell (1880-1902)

Martha Naomi Howell Church (1882-1928)

Wiley Columbus Howell (1884-1945)

William Lee Howell (1885-1962)

Polly Anna Howell Waddell (1890-1966)

David Winston Howell (1892-1908)

Walter Raleigh Howell (1894-1897)

Winford Bryan Howell (1896-1910)

Willard Blair Howell (1899-1977)

Frances Arbella Howell McGuire was born on June 21, 1888 in Ashe County, NC.  Her birthday alone is already special to me as my husband and I were married on that date.  I was not aware of her birthday at the time of our marriage, but I hope she knows.  While I am the most sad that I have no pictures of Frances herself, I know that she loved her family because she preserved photos of her parents and siblings and children.  I also regret not naming a daughter after her.  I think Arbella is a lovely old English name meaning "yielding to prayer" and also has some sweet historical value as the name of the 12th Century granddaughter of William the Lion, King of Scotland, Arbella Stuart who was an English noblewoman once considered a possible successor to Elizabeth I, and the name of the flagship that carried Puritan settlers like Governor John Winthrop and poet Anne Bradstreet to Salem, Massachusetts in 1630.  

Frances was the daughter of Felix Howell and Rachel Narcissus Adams of Watauga County, NC.  She kept pictures of her parents and grandparents which are a treasure to have.  I do wonder if I have any of her characteristics because I know I look like my mother and my mother's mother who was Frances's daughter, Anna.  She may have also looked like her beautiful daughter, Idella.  Frances was the 5th of 10 children.  Frances’s younger brother Walter died on March 27, 1897 at not quite 3 years old.  He is buried in the Amos Wellington Howell Family Cemetery in Ashe County, NC.  In 1900, Frances was 11 years old living in Pine Swamp, Ashe County, NC with her parents and siblings Martha, Wiley, William, Polly Anna, David, Winford, and Willard.  In 1902, tragedy struck the family again when the oldest son Amos Wellington was shot and killed on November 6, 1902 while working as a Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.  He had attempted to arrest a man for murdering his father, and he was fatally wounded when the suspect opened fire.  Although the shooter fled to Wyoming, he was eventually apprehended in August 1903 and extradited back to North Carolina, but he escaped the Caldwell County jail and fled into the mountains.  On April 22, 1904, the suspect was shot and killed by a Watauga County Deputy Sheriff.  Amos was buried in the Amos Wellington Howell Family Cemetery alongside his younger brother Walter.  Frances's sister, Martha Naomi (Naomi is a family name on my husband's side with his Grandmother and sister carrying the name) married Allen Hamilton Church and raised five children before she died young at 45.  Her brother, Wiley Columbus, married Lula Sophiona Greene, and they had 11 children and lived in Montana.  Her brother William Lee married Sarah Fannie Goodman, and they had 6 children.  Her sister Polly Anna married Walter Guy Waddell, and they had 8 children together.  Her brother David Winston died at 16 on August 20, 1908 in Ashe County, NC although I do not know how he died.  He is also buried in the cemetery named after his brother Amos.  Brother Winford Bryan was a cute little guy and also sadly died young at 14 of unknown causes.   I just feel like this family suffered so much loss.  Brother Willard Blair was also a cute little guy and did live a long life.  He married Octavia Virginia Gobble, and they had two children together.  

On March 29, 1908, Frances married Dell Mack McGuire in Ashe County, NC, and the two raised their 8 children.  In 1920, Frances was 30 years old living with her husband Dell and children Verna, Mack, Anna, Idella, and Claude.  On July 31, 1929, Frances passed away at 41 years old from heart failure leaving her beloved husband and 8 children behind. Her youngest son, William, was only 2 years old and was lying beside her in the bed when she died.  Thankfully, once her husband had grieved for over six years, he remarried a wonderful woman named Ada who became a loving wife and mother to their children.  

The oldest daughter, Verna Lee, married Otha Hartsell "Hart" Cline, and they settled in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties and had two children, Charles Ray and Barbara Ann.  Sadly, Charles Ray passed away at only a few months old.  Their son, Mack Howell, joined the army in World War II in 1941.  He came home to marry Mae Mary Dancy and helped raise her 4 children from a previous marriage.  Daughter Anna Laura was my grandmother and probably stayed closest to her parents as she lived with them most of her life.  She did marry Barner James Allman when she was 27 and had two children, Ronald Dell and Connie Nell, although she and her husband divorced shortly after Connie was born.  She lived with her daughter Connie and Step-Mother Ada until her death in 1978 at 64 years old.  Daughter Idella Mae was a beautiful young woman who took on the primary role of caring for her father and younger siblings after their mother's death as her father did not remarry for over 6 years.  After talking to a McGuire cousin recently, I think Idella chose to commit herself to her family instead of settling down with a family of her own. I do have some memories of Idella coming to visit us and bringing me sweet gifts like a talking doll.  She aged gracefully, and I think I have some of her physical traits.  I love the picture of her surrounded by her young nieces and nephews and just looking so elegant and motherly.  I think she was a mother to many. She lived to be 77 years old.  Son Claude Allen shares a birthday, June 30th, with my daughter Mattie.  He married Ruby Faye Elder and raised six beautiful children, Frances Laura Neal, Steve Allen, Ruby Lavaughn, Gary Elder, Sharon Elaine, and Thomas.  I think my twin in life is his daughter Sharon as her picture as a child looks so much like me.  Son Robert R. married Ruby Phyllis Stancil and had four children, Robert W., Vicki Dianne, Danny L., and Richard E.  Son James Monroe married Clara Macie, and they had 3 children, James Anthony, Donna, and Carla.  He also joined the army to serve in World War II.   The youngest son William Howard married Katherine Elizabeth Tutterow, and they made a beautiful couple.  I also do remember them visiting me as a child.  They raised Katherine's children from a previous marriage.  

If there is one thing I will learn from my precious great-grandmother's too short life, it is to never take a moment for granted.  She died at the age I am now with young children like mine.  I want my children to remember me.  I want them to have lots of pictures to help them remember and treasure.  I hope that Frances is watching over us from heaven and smiles knowing we are remembering her.  I love you, Great-Grandmother Frances!  

My Maternal Grandfathers

In continuing this project I started with my grandmothers, I will try to do justice to my grandfathers although I never knew any of them.  The lack of older male role models in my life did always leave a empty place in my heart as I knew friends and relatives who had wonderful relationships with grandfathers.  My husband, especially, had some pretty special grandfathers.  Although I never had the opportunity to know mine, I did get to know one of my husband's pretty well for at least the last almost 20 years.  What I have learned from watching my husband's relationship with his grandfather and also from watching how he has been a father to our children has taught me a few things about some of the men who I missed out on knowing.  

My Biological Maternal Grandfather

Barner "Barney" James Allman

Born:  June 30, 1908

Mecklenburg County, NC

Died:  September 1, 1968

Mooresville, IN

Parents:  James Garner Allman & Carrie I. Mason

Siblings:  Flora Margaret, John Adam, Myrtle Mae, William Lee, Della Ruth, Ethel Ruby, Mary Lucille & Eunice Frances

Children:  Betty Allman, James Allman, Ronald Dell Allman & Connie Nell Allman

Although I never actually knew my grandfather as he had passed away more than a decade before my birth and had moved to Indiana and remarried before that.  It is understandable that my biological grandmother kept very few pictures to remember him, but I did find a few that depicted him as a loving father to my mother.  

Barney with daughter, Connie

My Adopted Maternal Grandfather

General Jasper Ginn (yes, General was his actual first name)

Born:  September 30, 1918

Wayne County, NC

Died:  January 25, 1986

At home in Pikeville, NC

Parents:  General Jackson Ginn & Sallie Ann Howell

Siblings:  Beulah E., George Roy, Lonnie Jackson, Theodore Leslie, Eschol D., Ezekiel, Annie Bell, Eula Mae, Mary Lee, Carl D. & John Coy

Wife:  Glady Aileen Sullivan

Children:  Lena Gray, Mary Lindora, Sandra, Baby Boy, Jackie Carol & Henry Shelton

I won't re-tell the sad story of his passing again since I did that in my last post.  Instead, I will tell what I know of him from my mother.  My mother almost worshipped her father.  I could imagine from her stories and from his loving wife that he was a man worthy of knowing.  He was very well-known and well-loved in his community.  He was a faithful Christian who led my adopted father, his son-in-law, to become a Christian and later become a minister.  When my father was dating my mother, they would visit with my mom's parents on Sunday afternoons.  Apparently nothing stood in the way of my grandfather and going to church.  No matter who was visiting in his home, when it was church time, he would tell them he was leaving for church and if they wanted to stay, he would see them when he returned.  I also learned that my mother had been a daddy's girl since she was an infant.  My mother was actually what I call a "rainbow baby" as she was the fourth girl but fifth child after the loss of her older brother at birth.  I know that my grandfather particularly wanted a son so this loss was felt deeply.  Now that I have felt this kind of heartbreaking loss, I can appreciate what he probably felt.  I also had longed for a daughter after two sons, and I lost that beloved daughter.  My first rainbow was another son, and although it hurts a little to admit that I felt the tiniest pang of disappointment when hearing that my rainbow was another boy, I also know that the joy and love I felt when I finally got that sweet baby boy and held him in my arms was like no other joy I have felt.  I know that I have been specially bonded to my sweet Mattox since he was born.  He is just such a precious gift.  So I know that although my grandfather did feel a slight pang of disappointment when his "rainbow baby" was another girl, and he jokingly wanted to call her a boy name, he settled on the name Jackie and he babied her and spoiled her.  When her younger brother did arrive, she was so distraught with jealousy that she flung herself on the bed where he laid with her mother and was probably going to do something drastic when her father caught her and carried her away.  I know he gave her a lot of special attention growing up and that she often got herself out of the heavier outdoor farm chores because of that attention.  She was the most attached to her parents and did not want to leave home like her siblings.  She did finally venture out on her own to work in Washington, D.C. as a government civil employee and later met her husband, but after living abroad and in other parts of the country while in the military, they later settled on land gifted to them by her parents so she could live close to them again.  The hardest loss of my mother's life hit shortly after when her father suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.  I don't think my mother ever got over her grief.  She was already grieving the fact that she could not bear children.  Thankfully, God blessed her and her husband with the gift of an opportunity to serve at a Children's Home which I believe saved my mother from being permanently stricken with grief and depression.  She became a mother to a household of young girls, and she was a very loving and hardworking mother making that house into a beautiful home for everyone.  

You can also read about my husband's wonderful maternal grandfather here. 

My Maternal Grandmothers

My friend, Kiki, suggested we participate in this lovely challenge to share some stories of our maternal grandmothers as part of our genealogy preservation work.  I have actually always meant to write more about mine.  As an adopted child, I was not blessed to know my biological grandmothers, but I do have some photographs of them and know from my older brother and some other relatives that they were special.  

My Biological Grandmother

Anna Laura McGuire Allman

Born:  March 14, 1914

Watauga, NC

Died:  July 5, 1978

Salisbury, NC

Parents:  Dell Mack McGuire and Frances Arbella Howell

Step-Mother:  Ada Trivette McGuire

Siblings:  Verna Lee McGuire, Mack Howell McGuire, Idella Mae McGuire, Claude Allen McGuire, Robert R. McGuire, James Monroe McGuire & William Howard McGuire

Spouse:  Barner James Allman

Step-Children:  Betty Jean Allman and James Ray Allman

Children:  Ronald Dell Allman and Connie Nell Allman

Anna was a shy young girl who was very close to her family.  Her mother died when she was at the tender age of 15.  Her youngest brother, Bill, was only 2 at the time and was lying in the bed with his mother when she passed away unexpectedly.  I can only imagine the trauma this caused to the family.  Her oldest sibling was 20 and probably already out of the house.  Anna's sister, Idella, who was about 17 did take over many duties of the family matron.  Her poor father was left to care for his 8 children the best he could.  He later found a wonderful woman named Ada to love and care for him and his children.  Even after Dell's death in 1956, Ada lived on to care for her husband's children and grandchildren until 1979.  I know she was there to help care for my older brother, Paul, as a young child.  

Grandma Ada holds great-grandson, Neal, with daughter Anna and granddaughter Connie. 

Grandma Ada helps granddaughter Connie care for her first son, Paul. 

Grandma Ada was such a sweet and special lady.  

The oldest picture I have of Grandma Anna is this one with her in the middle in a wheel chair between her sister, Idella, and son Ronnie.  I am not sure what afflictions she suffered, but she is younger than her sister Idella who looks so young and hip here in the 70s.  I can remember a little of Aunt Idella.  I don't think she ever married or had children, but she was so beautiful and fun.  Just look at those gorgeous legs!  

Grandma Anna did look well and young here with her children, Connie and Ronnie, and Ronnie's first son, Neal. 

My Adopted Grandmother

(Granny is the younger child with her older sister Doris)

Glady Aileen Sullivan (she hated the name Glady)

Born:  June 19, 1917

Wayne County, NC

Died:  October 9, 2007

Wilson, NC

Parents:  Henry Gilbert Sullivan and Mary Ward

Siblings:  Kermit B. Sullivan, Doris Sullivan, Gilbert Sullivan, Edna L. Sullivan & Cedric E. Sullivan

Spouse:  General Jasper Ginn

Children:  Lena Gray Ginn, Mary Lindora Ginn, Sandra Ginn, A Baby Boy, Jackie Carol Ginn & Henry Shelton Ginn

Granny Aileen was such a special part of my life after I was adopted.  She filled so many empty places in my heart where grandmothers should have been.  We lived right down the road from her and were surrounded by her farm.  It was a great life.  I enjoyed walks to her house on the little farm paths, helping her with her yardwork, eating many meals at her table with the most delicious homemade delicacies, and even helping her in her chicken houses.  Oh that lady was busy!  I would worry about finding her in the hot chicken houses in the heat of summer and would often go in to check on her.  Of course, I had my nose clamped shut, but the smells never bothered her.  She said, "They smelled like money."  Haha!  Eventually, I believe she did lose her sense of smell altogether.  She was so feisty.  She was a wonderful Christian lady who would never say a bad word except the occasional "Sh" word that would slip out.  It was cute to hear from my little 4 ft. 6 (probably) granny.  She had a green thumb and could make anything grow.  Her yard was always so beautiful, and yes, she did it all herself until almost 90.  She drove a little white pickup truck most of my childhood until she decided it was no longer safe for her to drive.  She mostly just drove around our little town and to church.  We spent many a Saturday morning together as I would beg to go with her to eat breakfast with all her friends at our local Hardee's.  We would sit and talk and eat together for over an hour at least.  Mind you, this was an early Saturday morning for a young pre-teen.  She would always say, "Are you sure you can get up that early?"  Haha!  Then, sometimes, we would hit the yard sales that morning.  My Aunt Lena often joined us. Lena was Granny's oldest daughter, and they often seemed more like sisters at this stage.  Granny also loved to fish.  She did have a little pond on her property, but I was never sure it had anything but snakes and frogs.  Her best friend and sister-in-law lived down the road.  Granny and "Aunt Minnie" would often fish together at a larger pond down there.  Granny also enjoyed quilting and often hosted quilting parties at her house.  She taught me how to quilt although I never attained her level of skill.  She was a pro and could sew the tiniest stitches so straight, even, and fast.  I miss those evenings together and all the laughs and stories told of old times. 

We always gathered at Granny's for all the holidays.  Easter egg hunts at Easter.  Christmas Eve parties.  Thanksgiving.  The table was always full of the best food like her homemade chicken pastry, many layered chocolate cakes, and buttermilk biscuits.  Oh how I loved watching her hands work in the flour and buttermilk to make those perfect treats.  Dinner was often finished with some biscuits and syrup or molasses for sopping.  I was her youngest grandchild for a few years until my Uncle Shelton remarried and gave us a sweet new grandson, Dalton.  Dalton kept Granny young for years as she kept him daily while his parents worked.  I just loved this lady with all my heart!  

I never got to meet Pa as he passed before I was adopted, but I know he was the best father and husband.  His death was such a tragic story.  He was devoted to Granny until the end.  He had a known weak heart due to an inoperable blood clot.  He knew not to overdue it.  One Sunday after church, he and Granny went to the mall so she could get a baby gift for a church shower.  Upon leaving, it was pouring rain.  Granny went to get the car for them, but Pa realized too late that he had the keys in his pocket.  He ran after her to give them to her.  Later that day, he was suffering from extreme weakness and exhaustion from this event and went to sleep in his favorite chair. He never woke up.  Granny had to live many years without her beloved life partner, but she was a strong woman who never gave up.

One of our favorite pastimes was playing cards.  Granny would often come to our house in the evenings for card games.  She really loved laughing at me when I would get mad about losing.  Haha!   Mostly, we played Rummy although here it looks like a little game of Go Fish during a wonderful summer visit with my other Grandma from California.  Having both of my grandmothers together was a rare and special treat!  

Another rare snapshot of Granny at our house actually smiling at the camera.  I may have taken this one. 

And another beautiful candid smile from Granny at my wedding reception. 

 

One of Evan's first trips was to visit his Granny.  I just knew he had to know his Great-Granny ASAP.  

Evan was the only one of my children to get to meet Granny.  It breaks my heart. 

We got to celebrate Granny's 90th birthday in 2007.  Granny was actually still in great health and really always was. 

Granny sat with her younger sister Edna who was talking and pointing a finger at feisty Aunt Minnie.  I am thankful I took these photos of these ladies. 

Granny with her favorite youngest grandchildren, me and Dalton. 

Later that year, Granny decided she was lonely at home all day by herself now that Dalton was in school.  She moved herself into a local retirement home where she could always have company.  She enjoyed sitting in her chair doing her crossword puzzles.  I visited her many times that summer with baby Evan.  Sadly, she suffered a bad fall at this home while going to the bathroom.  She injured her hip and ended up in a nursing home.  When I visited her in the nursing home, she had declined so fast, and it broke my heart to see a woman who I knew to be so strong and active suddenly bedridden.  She was sleeping as a leaned over her and whispered into her ear that if she was ready to leave this world and go to her beloved husband, I would miss her but I would understand.  Yes, she passed shortly after, and I believe she heard me.  

Granny, I will always love you!  You gave this girl someone to look up to and admire.  I sit crying writing these words to you.  I hope you are smiling in heaven with your husband, children, and your great-granddaughter, Mattie.  

Genealogical History of the Reese Family from Wales to Richland County, SC

I am writing this history both for preservation as well as to seek additional information about the ongoing historical assessment of the Reese Family Plantation in Richland County, SC.  This information has been acquired from my personal genealogical research.  

1^st Generation

John William Rees (or Rhys or Reese or Reece) was born about 1678 in Denbighshire, Wales.  Although the birth date is unknown, an historical record from the Christening Index from England and Wales shows his baptism date as April 24, 1678 at Holt, Denbighshire, Wales and that his father’s name was William.  While it is unclear what date John arrived in the American colonies, a record of his son Evan Rees arriving in 1724 does show up on the Passenger and Immigration Lists so John and the rest of the family may have arrived at this time or may have already come across earlier in the 1700s. 

John and his family were granted land in Duck Creek 100, Kent County, Delaware, and a map of Fox Hall Plantation shows this land bordered Owen David’s land from 1708 to 1768. 

 

John’s Will dated November 10, 1727/28 is documented in the Kent County Delaware Probate Records from 1680 to 1800.  It states that his heirs were his son-in-law, Michall Richman; grandsons John Richman and Evan Richman; granddaughters Temperance Richman and Elener Hootten; daughters Jane Rees Marshall, Hannah Rees Hootten, Martha Rees, Esther Rees; wife Elener; and son Evan Rees.  Evan does seem to be his only son.  His wife Elener and son Evan were named executers of the Will.  Witnesses were listed as Richard Empson, William Strickland, and Catharing Strickland.  The Will was probated April 20, 1728.  Arch.vol.A43, page 17.  Reg. of Wills, Liber G, folios 11-12. 

John’s date of death was somewhere before the April 20, 1728 date of the probate of his Will.  His wife Elener was still living at the time of his death, and it is not known how long she lived afterwards.  Verified by the Will, John and Elener’s children are Mary Rees Richman (ca. 1701-before 1728), Martha Rees (ca. 1701-after 1728), Esther Rees (ca. 1702-after 1728), Jane Rees Marshall (ca. 1705-after 1728), Hannah Rees Hooten (ca. 1707-after 1728), and Evan Rees (1707-1757). 

 2^nd Generation

Evan Rees was born circa 1707 in Wales.  His arrival in America was documented on Passenger and Immigration Lists in 1724 so he may have arrived at the same time as his father and the rest of his family.  A book called “Samuel Griffin of New Castle County on Delaware, Planter and his Descendants to the 7^th Generation” By Thomas Hale Streets (published in 1905) states, “Evan Rees and James Howell were the heads of two Welsh Baptist families who settled in Duck Creek hundred in 1733, having come hither, with others (James Hyatt, Nathaniel Wilds, David Evan, David Rees, Evan David Hughs and Joshua Edwards), from the Welsh Tract in Pencader hundred, and were members of that church.  (Morgan Edwards’s “History of the Baptists in Delaware.”)   Although this book states the first settlement of Duck Creek as 1733, it is apparent that Evan’s father John Rees was already in possession of land in Duck Creek before his death in 1728 and that he left that property to his heirs, including his only son Evan. 

 A family data collection record lists the marriage of Evan Rees to Sarah Lewis of New Castle County, Delaware in 1731.  There is another Delaware Land Records record stating that Evan Reece resided in New Castle, Delaware in 1751 so maybe he still had land holdings in that area.  His wife Sarah Allison Lewis may have received land in this area from her family.  A family data collection record has Sarah Lewis being born to John Lewis and Sarah Reece in New Castle, Delaware in 1711, but this record may have her mother’s maiden name confused with her own married name.  If her mother’s maiden name was indeed “Reece” then it is possible that she was from another family that spelled their name “Reece” and that the Evan Reece who resided in New Castle in 1751 was a relative of hers.  A record in the Delaware Wills and Probate Records list a Will for Evan Rees probated July 18, 1737 in Kent, Delaware although it is known that the Evan Rees in our line did not die in Delaware.  This Will may have belonged to a different Evan Rees whose family also came over to settle that part of Delaware from Wales.  That Will listed Evan’s heirs as daughters, Eleanor and Mary; son David; son-in-law George Griffith; granddaughter Esther Rees; and son Richard.  We know our Evan Rees had a son named Joseph Reese so it does not appear that this is the same Evan who later moved to South Carolina.  There was a David Rees also listed in the New Castle County book named above who may have been the son mentioned in this Will who also resided in Duck Creek, Delaware. 

 Another family data collection record shows Sarah Lewis married Evan Rees in New Castle County, Delaware in 1731 and that she later died in South Carolina on November 2, 1757.  Her parents were again listed as John Lewis and Sarah Reece.  A Find a Grave Index record lists Sarah Allison Lewis as being born in 1711 and dying November 2, 1757 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina.  Her spouse was listed as Evan Reese and her son, Joseph Reese, is also listed. 

Evan Rees is also mentioned in this story from Virginia showing he may have been on his way to South Carolina in the 1740s.  In 1748, William Hay, from Virginia, erected a "gris mill" to the great benefit and encouragement of the inhabitants of the community, but for want of a blouting cloth it could not be called complete. The expense, he said, of this mill had reduced him to so low a pitch that he was not able to buy the cloth, and so he humbly petitioned his excellency and their honors of the council to send for a cloth for him, for which he would make payment as soon as he was able. His petition was certified by John Fairchild, Thomas Howell, John Lester, Gilbert Gilder, James Weston, Evan Rees, John Pearson, James Lessly, Thomas McPherson, that the mill had been erected and was actually at work (Council Jour., Sept.6, 1749).

Evan Reese’s birth and death dates are documented in a Find a Grave Index as having been born in 1707 and dying November 30, 1757.  His wife’s name is listed as Sarah Allison Lewis, and his son, Joseph Reese, is also listed.  Another Find a Grave Index listed the same date of death and shows that he was buried in Pioneer Graveyard in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  A monument has been erected at this location that states “Rev. John Giessendanner’s and Other Death Records of Unmarked Graves in this Plot.”  “Evan Reece Nov. 30, 1757” is inscribed as the 5^th name from the bottom.  

After Evan’s wife Sarah Rees died and was buried on November 2, 1757, Evan Rees died on November 30, 1757, in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, while on his way to Georgia. On December 1, 1757, he was interred in the churchyard of Orangeburg by Pastor Giessendanner, the body of Evan Rees(e), a settler on the north side of the Congaree River, who died at the home of Luke Patrick in Orangeburg on Tuesday, November 30, then being on his journey to Georgia.

The only child that we can verify as the descendant of our Evan Rees is Joseph B. Reese. 

 3^rd Generation

Joseph Rees is mentioned as the son of Evan Rees and Sarah Lewis on both of his parents’ Find A Grave records.  A family data collection record also shows Joseph B. Rees being born in 1732 in Duck Creek, Kent, Delaware to Evan Rees and Sarah Lewis.  Joseph Reese of Richland, South Carolina is named in a 1790 Federal Census which would have been one of the first censuses completed after the Revolutionary War.  Another family data collection record listed Joseph B. Rees as marrying Sarah Altum Raiford (name may be incorrect here).  It also listed Joseph’s parents as Evan Rees and Sarah Lewis and his birth date as 1732 in Kent County, Duck Creek, Delaware as well as his death date as March 5, 1795 in Richland County, South Carolina.  It appears that the Rees family did not move to South Carolina until after Joseph’s birth in 1732.  Another family data collection record shows the marriage of Joseph Reese to Ann Sarah Reynolds in 1753 in South Carolina.  A Find a Grave Index record for Rev. Joseph Reese born in 1732 and dying on March 5, 1795 listed his parents as Evan Reese and Sarah Allison Lewis and his spouse as Ann Sarah Reese.  I believe Ann Sarah (Edwards) Reynolds Reese is the correct name for Joseph’s spouse.  A U.S. and International Marriage Records record showed Joseph Reese born in Pennsylvania (the later state where Duck Creek is located) in 1732 married Ann Edwards Reynolds. 

A South Carolina Census record also existed for Joseph Rees in South Carolina residing in the 96^th District in 1779, and a U.S. Census Constructed Record listed Joseph Rees residing in the 96^th District in South Carolina in the town of “Turkey Creek and Savannah River” in 1780.  Rev. Joseph Reese is also listed on a South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution ancestral roll document.  A U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Application was also completed for Reverend Joseph Reese born March 5, 1732 (probably not a correct date of birth being the same as his date of death) in Kent, Delaware/Pennsylvania and dying March 5, 1795 in Richland, South Carolina.  The application was dated June 30, 1926 and listed Joseph’s wife as Sarah Atturo Reese and his son, Joseph Reese. 

 In a book called “Stateburg and its People,” Chapter VII entitled The High Hills Church discussed Rev. Joseph Rees holding a successful series of evangelistic meetings at this Baptist meeting house.  On the website for the Congaree Baptist Church, it describes the history of the oldest church of any denomination in Richland County as being founded on November 30, 1765.  Rev. Joseph Reese is listed as the first pastor of the church and served as such from 1768 until his death in 1795. He is described as a “faithful pastor, greatly used evangelist, tireless church planter and a representative in the South Carolina General Assembly from 1776-1778.  The first meeting house was located on an acre of land given by William Howell and about three miles from Joseph Reese’s farm.  

A South Carolina historical marker shows that the High Hills Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Joseph Reese. 

 

Joseph’s first wife, Ann Sarah (Edwards) Reynolds Reese, has a Find a Grave Index record showing she was born in 1727 in Richmond County, Virginia and married Joseph Reese.  I believe Joseph’s first wife predeceased him, and he married another woman named Sarah who had been previously married with children.  He referenced these facts in his Will.  An ancestor’s application for Joseph to be a member of the Sons of the American Revolution listed Joseph’s wife as Sarah Atturo Reese born in 1808 so I presume that was his second wife.  I also presume her date of birth is incorrect since her husband died in 1795 so she was born prior to that. She may have died in 1808.

 Joseph Reese’s Will dated April 27, 1792 and later probated April 6, 1795 after his death March 5, 1795 listed his heirs as follows:  wife Sarah Reese (2^nd wife); daughter Catherine Reese Wells; Ann Reese Tucker; son Ephraim Reese; daughter Mary Reese Arthur; sons Joseph Reese, Jesse Reese, Timothy Reese, and John Altom Reese (received Cedar Creek tract of land). 

 4^th Generation

 John Altom Reese is named in the Will of his father Joseph Reese as his youngest son.  A family data collection record named him John Alturn (sic) Reese as the son of Joseph Reese and Ann Reynolds born April 18, 1779 in South Carolina.  Another family data record shows John Altum (sic) Rees born to Joseph B. Rees and Sarah Altum Raiford (sic) in Richland County, SC on April 18, 1779 and died March 8, 1844 in Richland County, SC.  He was married to Mary Howell.  A U.S. and International Marriage Record shows John Alton (sic) Reese born in 1779 married to Mary Howell.  A Find a Grave Index record shows John Altumn (sic) Reese born April 18, 1779 and died March 8, 1844 buried in the Reese Family Plantation Cemetery in Hopkins, Richland County, SC.  A U.S. Find a Grave Index lists John Altumn (sic) Reese born April 18, 1779 and died March 8, 1844 and buried in the Reese Family Plantation Cemetery in Hopkins, Richland County, SC.  It also listed his spouse as Mary Reese. 

 A Will for John A Reese dated December 13, 1843 was probated March 11, 1844 in Richland County, SC.  The Will listed his heirs as:  wife Mary Reese; daughter Mary Howell Reese; daughter Martha S. Reese; daughter Gracy E. Reese Brown; son Joseph E. Reese; son Arthur H. Reese; and granddaughter Emma G. Reese.

Mary Reese, wife of John A. Reese, was later listed on an 1850 U.S. Census living in Richland County, SC at the age of 73 with her daughter Mary H. Reese and granddaughter Emma Reese.  Her Find a Grave Index stated she was born December 27, 1776 in Congaree, Richland County, SC and died May 1, 1853 in Richland County, SC and was buried with her husband at Reese Family Plantation Cemetery in Hopkins, SC. 

A Richland County Historical Resources Guide was published May 2017 that listed the Reese Family Plantation Cemetery as a historical site.  This document explains the era in the 1740s when the Reese family first came to Richland County and were among the first permanent settlers to the region.  They came from the northern colonies lured by generous headrights (50 acres for each member of the family).  The area along the Congaree River was very fertile farming land and indigo cultivation of the land began aided by slave labor.  Later, the guide references the Congaree Baptist Church as the first church in Richland County with Rev. Joseph Reese as pastor.  It references Joseph’s grave on Garner’s Ferry Road in Horrell Hill. 

References to the Reese Family and Reese Family Plantation Cemetery Pgs. 20, 118, 122.

https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Portals/0/Departments/Conservation/Commission/Docs/HistoricalReferenceGuide.pdf

 

A gate has been erected to protect the historic cemetery and the surrounding land. 

A Preservation Assessment and Mapping of the Reese Family Burying Ground in Richland County, SC was completed by Chicora Foundation, Inc. of Columbia, SC on February 22, 2012. At that time, the present owner, Rev. J.P. Neal, Jr. and the Council of Village Elders were interested in doing preservation work to help protect the cemetery.  The results verified 19 unmarked graves and one marked grave.  It also concluded as I have from my genealogical research that John Altom Reese, his wife Mary Howell Reese, and their daughter Mary Howell Reese were all buried in the cemetery although only the daughter’s grave was still marked by a broken headstone.  It would be my ultimate goal to help put a memorial headstone marker at this site for John Altom and Mary Howell Reese as their living descendants.  The preservation assessment also recommends that this site is eligible for National Register inclusion because of the unique use of a ditch and bank feature in the cemetery and because it is a good representation of a burial ground for a middle class status white southern family and also for the potential archaeological remains that could be found at the site.  We would like to determine if anyone has applied for this certification since the 2012 study and if any additional historical assessments have been completed. 

http://chicora.org/pdfs/RC544%20Reese%20Family%20Burying%20Ground.pdf

 5^th Generation

 Arthur Howell Reese was referenced as the youngest son of John Altom Reese in his Will.  He is listed on an 1850 U.S. Census as being 23 years of age and incorrectly spelling his name “Arthur Ras.”  Another U.S. Census Non-Population Schedule shows Arthur H. Reese living in Richland County, South Carolina on July 19, 1850 and the schedule type was agriculture.  It shows him living with his wife Mary Ann Epps Geiger Reese’s family in Lexington, South Carolina.   A.H. Reese was listed as a Confederate soldier with the 7^th Regiment of the South Carolina Calvary in Company D as a Private.  His film number was M381 roll 27.  A Find A Grave Index record shows Arthur Howell Reese was born September 1820 in Sandy Run, Calhoun County, South Carolina and died January 1909 in Gaston, Lexington County, South Carolina.  He was buried in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery in West Columbia, SC.  His wife was Mary Ann Epps Reese, and his children are named Arthur Howell Reese, Jr., Jesse Daniel Reese, Joseph Ephraim Reese, and John William Reese.  He was granted a military veterans headstone showing an enlistment date of November 21, 1861 and a discharge date of April 9, 1865.  A picture of his headstone is included on his Ancestry profile. 

A death certificate for John William Reese further certified he was the child of Arthur Reese and Mary Geiger. 

 6^th Generation

John William Reese, born January 5, 1850 in Lexington County, South Carolina, was the firstborn son of Arthur Howell Reese and Mary Ann Epps Geiger Reese.  An 1880 U.S. Census  showed him living in Lower Richland County, SC with his wife Susanna Pagett/Padget and children Mary Janie Reese, Girtrude Reese, and William Arthur Reese.  In the 1900 U.S. Census, John was living in the Dutch Fork area of Lexington, SC with his wife Susanna and his children Kittie Nancy Reese, John Franklin Reese, Mattie Grace Reese, Jessie Estelle Reese, Dovie Elvaria Reese, Charlton Ephraim Reese, and Hugh Carroll Reese.  A 1910 U.S. Census shows John living in Congaree, Lexington, SC with his wife Susanna and children Kittie, John Franklin, Jessie Estelle, Dovie Elvaria, Charlton Ephraim, and Hugh Carroll.  A 1920 U.S. Census still shows him living in Congaree with his wife Susanna and children Sue Marshall Reese (sic), Jessie Estelle Reese, Charlton Ephraim Reese, and Hugh Carroll Reese. In 1930, he is shown still living in Congaree with his wife Susanna and children John Franklin, Jessie Estelle, and Hugh Carroll.  South Carolina Death Records show John W. Reese died at the age of 87 on May 15, 1937 in Dixianna, Lexington, SC.  A Find a Grave Index shows him dying May 15, 1937 in Gaston, Lexington County, SC and buried in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery in West Columbia, SC. 

His parents, Arthur Howell Reese and Mary Ann Epps Reese, and his wife Susanna Reese were listed as well as his children, Mary Janie Reese Slice, William Arthur Reese, John Franklin Reese, Jessie Estelle Reese, Hugh Carroll Reese, Mattie Grace Reese Gardner, Dovie Elvaria Reese Spigner, Charlton Ephraim Reese, Sue Marshall Reese Derrick, and Kittie Nancy Reese Busbee. 

 

Susanna Pagett/Padgett, wife of John William Reese, was listed on the South Carolina Death Records as being born in 1860 to Wade H. Padgett and Angeline Padgett and dying August 5, 1932 in Dixiana, Lexington, SC.  A Find a Grave Index further shows her birth date as October 12, 1856 in Edgefield County, SC. 

 7^th Generation

William Arthur Reese, son of John William Reese and Susanna Pagett, was born March 4, 1876 in Lexington County, SC.  The 1880 U.S. Census shows him living with his parents and siblings in Lower Richland County, SC at the age of about 2 years.  The 1910 U.S. Census showed him living in Fork, Lexington, SC with his wife Kate Frances Corley and his children Melvin Sylvestor Reese and Eppininna Pearl Reese.  The 1920 U.S. Census showed him living in Congaree, Lexington, SC on Charleston Road with his wife Kate Frances Corley and children Melvin Sylvestor Reese, Eppininna Pearl Reese, Jacob Corley Reese, and Ida Mae Reese.  The 1930 U.S. Census showed him living in Congaree, Lexington, SC with his wife Kate Frances Corley and children Melvin Sylvestor Reese, Eppininna Pearl Reese, Jacob Corley Reese, Ida Mae Reese, James Arthur Reese, Sr., and Betty J. Reese.  The 1940 U.S. Census showed him living in Congaree, Lexington, SC with his wife Kate Frances Corley and his son James Arthur Reese, Sr.  South Carolina Death Records show that William Arthur died at the age of 80 on December 19, 1955 in West Columbia, SC.  A Find a Grave Index record verifies his date of death as December 19, 1955 and shows him being buried at Mount Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia, SC.  It further verifies his father and mother as John William and Susanna Reese and his wife as Kate Frances Reese.  His children are listed as Infant Reese (Betty), Melvin Sylvestor Reese, Jacob Corley Reese, Eppininna Pearl Reese Mathias, James Arthur Reese, and Ida Mae Reese Waites.  A World War I Draft card for William Arthur Reese shows him residing in Richland County, SC in 1917-1918 and having a medium physical build, medium height, light color hair, and light blue eyes. 

 Kate Frances Corley was born December 17, 1886 in Lexington County, SC.  A 1900 U.S. Census showed her living with her parents, Jacob Elijah Corley and Sarah Eppinina Senn Corley, in Congaree, Lexington, SC with her siblings, A. Corrie Corley, A. Sarah Corley, Melvin G. Corley, Addie Elizabeth Corley, Martin Sidney Corley, Tally Jacob Corley, and Eppinina Gertrude Corley.  South Carolina Death Records and Find a Grave Index show Kate as born December 17, 1886 and died March 14, 1952 buried at Mount Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia, SC alongside her husband. 

8^th Generation

James Arthur Reese, Sr. was the son of William Arthur Reese and Kate Frances Corley.  He was born March 9, 1920 in Lexington County, SC.  On September 16, 1940, he enlisted with the National Guard Infantry Branch at the age of 20 weighing 150 lbs. and 70 inches tall.  The Department of Veterans Affairs shows his enlistment date as October 31, 1942 and his discharge date October 30, 1945.  His World War II Draft Card showed his registration date as September 23, 1941, and he was a 21 year old employee of Columbia Mills weighing 175 lbs. with light skin, blue eyes, brown hair, and measuring 5’10”.   A World War II Hospital Admission card showed he suffered a minor facial injury from an unarmed physical assault in April 1944 while in the line of duty.  He served on the European front fighting against Germany during the war.  He told his grandson, James Edwin Reese, many stories of the war during their many fishing trips in South Carolina.  He married Alice Laura Lindler in about 1944 and had six children:  Brenda Fay Reese Hallman Sessoms, Sandra Kay Reese Sawyer, Elizabeth Diane Reese Geiser, James Arthur Reese, Jr., William “Billy” Mitchell Reese, and John Thomas Reese. 

James Arthur Reese, Sr. and wife, Alice Laura Lindler (1940s)

The Reese children

The North Carolina Death Collection showed he died on November 5, 2000 in Richmond County, NC at the age of 80.  He was buried with a U.S. Veterans Headstone showing he was Private First Class U.S. Army World War II in Richmond County Memorial Park, Rockingham, NC. 

His wife, Alice Laura Lindler, was the daughter of John Jacob Lindler and Francis Caroline “Carrie” Corley, and was born September 28, 1924 in Lexington County, SC.  In the 1930 U.S. Census, she was shown to live with her parents in Hollow Creek, Lexington, SC and her siblings, Inez Lindler, Fannie Mae Lindler, Kitty M. Lindler, William O. Lindler, James Wiley Lindler, and Louise Lindler Neal.  Her oldest sibling, John Sidney Lindler, had died in 1927 at the age of 16 from a very tragic workplace accident.  Alice's father later succumbed to his mental anguish and shot and killed himself in 1931 just a few days after the birth of his youngest daughter, Betty.  After her father died and her mother likely had a lot of difficulty left to care for all of their children, Alice was shown in a 1940 U.S. Census living as a student in Epworth Orphanage in Columbia, Richland, SC.  Alice and James Arthur made their home together in Rockingham, NC where they raised their six children.  Alice worked most of her life and retired from Aleo Mills in 1979. She and James were faithful members of Abundant Life Church for many years. She was considered a mother of the church even after moving to Appleton in 2003.  She was a praying woman who loved reading her Bible and doing word search books. She also enjoyed playing Bingo and cards, and fellowshipping with the people that lived in her apartment building.  After her husband died, Alice went to live with her daughter Diane in Appleton, Minnesota.  Alice died on October 28, 2013 at the age of 89.  She was brought home to be buried beside her husband in Richmond County Memorial Park in Rockingham, NC.  

9^th Generation

James Arthur Reese, Jr. was the firstborn son of James Arthur Reese, Sr. and Alice Laura Lindler.  He was born on June 8, 1952 in Columbia, Richland County, SC.  He married Rowena King Hudson, daughter of David Edwin Hudson and Mattie Naomi Baxley of Rockingham, NC.  They had two children, James Edwin and Alice Naomi.  They resided in Rockingham, NC.  He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. 

James Arthur Reese, Jr. "Jimmy"

Jimmy sits surrounded by his family, including his nephew Jim, sister-in-law Homa, son Eddie, wife Rowena, and father.

10th Generation

James Edwin continues the Reese family line with four sons and two daughters and has relocated back to Richland County, SC with his family.