Saturday, September 1, 2012

The family of origin for Peter Hendricks and Elizabeth Gibson

Peter Hendricks/Hendrix/Hendrex was born about 1765 in South Carolina, probably in the Lexington/Orangeburgh area. Most people agree about the members of Peter Hendricks/Hendrix/Hendrex family. He was the son of Tobias Hendricks and Margaret Sprenckels. (All surnames have multiple spellings. Figures.) 

The best family tree I have found is here:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=:3202133&id=I0419


Peter's family of origin included:


• Father Tobias Hendrix, born about 1732

• Mother Margaret Sprenckels, born about 1731

And siblings:


• Samuel Hendrix, born ? ( I wonder if he was the Samuel Hendrix who married Fereby Eddins??)

• Elizabeth, born about 1757, married Amos Hendrix in 1779

• Tobias Hendrix, born 5 AUG 1759, and died in Rowan County, North Carolina.

• Henry Hendrix, born about 1761, married Modolanah (??)

• John Hendrix, ABT. 1761, and died BEF. 1800 in Lexington County, South Carolina.

• William Hendrix, was born ABT. 1763, and died 21 JUN 1827 in Lexington County, South Carolina.

• Peter, of course, was born ABT. 1765, and died AFT. 1850 in Alabama.

• David Hendrix, born about 1775 in Lexington County, SC, 
and died BEF. 14 MAR 1847 in Monroe County, Alabama.
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/13964615/person/28034044


I have not found any proof of Elizabeth Gibson's parents, but I suspect that her father (maybe uncle) is Benjamin Gibson, who lives in Lexington/Orangeburgh District, SC, in 1800 and 1810, and Monroe County, AL, in 1830. I can't find him in the 1820 Census, but in the 1830 US Census for AL, Benjamin Gibson again appears within a few households of Peter and Elizabeth. 

Peter married Elizabeth Gibson by 1798, when Susannah, their first child that anyone lists, was born. But there are no SC licenses that prove the marriage date; only speculations as to when the marriage took place based on the year when the first child was born. 

The family tree link above lists these children for Peter and Elizabeth:

  1. Susanna HENDRIX b: 1798
  2. Nathan HENDRIX b: 1800
  3. Aaron HENDRIX b: 1805
  4. Matilda HENDRIX b: 1808
  5. Dolly HENDRIX b: 1810
  6. Simeon HENDRIX b: 1813 in South Carolina
  7. Joseph HENDRIX b: 1815
  8. Eli Edmund HENDRIX b: 1818 in South Carolina

According to the 1800 and 1810 Censuses for SC, Peter and Elizabeth had one male and two female children born 1790 - 1800. Susannah was born about 1798--this accounts for one of the females born before 1800 but allows for another one born at another time. Such as in 1796, when Nancy Ann was born (various censuses). Nathan, born about 1800, is the male child. 

Peter and family arrived in Monroe County, AL, between 1816 and 1825. Here's how we know:

In the 1816 tax list for Monroe County, AL, there are no Hendricks/Hendrixes of any kind listed. 

http://www.trackingyourroots.com/data/1816mnro.htm

However, on March 30, 1825, Peter Hendrix bought a plot of land in Monroe County. 

http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=0117-572&docClass=CV&sid=zmuvy0ih.qre


In the 1830 US Census for Al, Peter Headen (Hendrix) is in Monroe County, AL. In the household are one male 10 - 15 (Eli Edmund, 12), one male 15 - 20 (Joseph, 15, or Simeon, 17), one male 20 - 30 (probably Aaron, 25, who didn't marry Widow Hixon until 1836; or Nathan, about 30) and one male 60 - 70 (Peter, about 65). There are also one female 10 - 15, one female 15 - 20 (Dolly, 20, who married Lawrence Rickard in 1833), one female 20 - 30 (Matilda, about 22), and one female 50 - 60  (Elizabeth, about 58). Neighbors include Reuben Headen (Hendrix), William Headen (Hendrix), Craps, Boatwright, Henry Hendrix, Jr., Henry Boozer, Frederick Daniel (who married Susannah Hendrix), George Rawl, Rebecca Kennada, Thomas P. Kennada, Aldridge, Harbin, Griffen, Johnson, Partin, McMillian, John Stagner, David Hendrix, and significantly, Benjamin Gibson.

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=8058&iid=4410702_00096&fn=Peter&ln=Headen&st=r&ssrc=&pid=1819695 

In the 1840 US Census for AL, Peter Hendrix is in Monroe County in an unnamed township. In the household is one male 70 - 80  (Peter, 75). There are also one female 5 - 10 (unknown), one female 15 - 20 (unknown), and one female 60 - 70 (Elizabeth). There is one female slave. Neighbors include Lawrence Rickard (married to Dolly), Andrew Fry (who married a Nancy Hendrix, but not the one from this family), Susanna Daniel lives nearby. 

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=8057&path=Alabama.Monroe.Not%20Stated.55&fn=Peter&ln=Hendria&st=r&pid=1255983&rc=&zp=75

In the 1830 US Census Peter Headen (Hendrix) is in Monroe County, AL, with family and neighbors nearby. In 1840 Peter Hendrix is in Monroe County in an unnamed township. 

In 1846 "Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hendrix" gave land to the First Baptist Church of Monroeville for the construction of a new church building. 

In 1850 Peter and Elizabeth Hendrix are in the 1850 US Census for AL, Peter Hendrix is living in the household of James Hendrix in Monroeville, Monroe County. Peter is 75, born NC, can read and write. Also in the household is his wife Elizabeth, 78, born SC, can read and write.

James is listed in the list of taxable properties in 1854 Monroe County, along with his aunt Susannah Daniels. James is probably a nephew. 

http://www.trackingyourroots.com/data/monrotax.htm

This is pretty much all I know about the Hendrixes at the moment. As soon as I find more, I guarantee to post it!

Additional evidence for Joseph Helton research

Today I wrote to my cousins who are interested in genealogy. Here's the body of the out-going message:

"Hi there you,

Several years ago I corresponded with RR, who was a cousin on the Edins side. Before RR died, he asked me if I had any knowledge of Native American roots in our family. I asked my aunt if she knew of any. She said no. So I reported "no" to him. 

Well, guess what? 

He may have been right.

You remember that Blakely Edins married Elizabeth Helton, right? Her parents were Joseph and Martha "Mattie" Colvin Helton. 

My latest research at ALRoots2.blogspot.com details the connections between Joseph Helton and the McDaniel family of Pike County, AL. They are DEFINITELY connected; probably a step-family. John McDaniel, the step-father, was 1/2 Scottish & 1/2 Cherokee. The mother Mary, who I believe is Joseph's mother, was born in the Cherokee Nation in TN, and thus maybe full Cherokee. 

My research has indicated only that there was a connection, not exactly what the connection is—but I do believe that Mary is Joseph's mother—thus giving our family NA roots and proving Russell correct. 

I hope you'll find the info helpful and interesting. I would like to hear your take on the info, positive or negative. Thank you for sharing it with me."
One of my newly discovered and highly artistic cousins just wrote back:
"This is great news!  Mother, my grandmother (BE), and my great aunt (CE) always said we had an Indian in the family, but they could not pinpoint the person.  They said it was a woman and grandmother.  I have been wanting to hear about this person all my life. Thank you so much."

WOW! This message made me so happy because it independently confirmed that I'm on the right track. 

Yes, the information is hearsay—but so often family legends are correct, and they deserve attention and further investigation. 

So I guarantee you, JE, I'm on it!

(It's important to respect privacy, so I've used initials instead of living people's real names. But if I know you, I'll identify the folks in the message.)
 

Joseph Helton's folks, Part 2

In Part 1, I revealed many connections between Joseph Helton and the Mary McDaniels family of Pike and Washington Counties, GA. But you'll find even more concrete evidence of their closeness in the Georgia Tax Digests at Ancestry.com. 

Where to begin?

Actually, the question is, how much to include.  There's so much.   ;-)

If you go to the Georgia Property Tax Digests 1793 - 1893 at Ancestry.com and enter "Joseph Hel*" in the search fields, you'll get 17 responses. Since we know that Joseph was in GA from at least 1811 (1812 pension application) to 1836/1838 (birth of Nancy, last child born in GA), we can eliminate any digests after 1838. This leaves just six entries. 

The earliest entry is for Joseph Hellen in Pike County in 1825. Going there:

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1729&path=Pike.1825.34&sid=&gskw=

we discover Joseph Hellen in Captain John Mays's District, with no acreage listed and only one poll, meaning  one male over 21 in the household. Remember the tax was assessed per poll, or per head, of males 21 - 60. Joseph probably owned no land but worked on the farm of....

Wait—Could it be?

Yes! It is—

ALLEN McDANIEL right next door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other neighbors who may prove important are Burrell Green, Joseph Kirbo, Josiah McDaniel, Joiner, Millener, Nathan Vinson, Mary McDaniel, Charles McDaniel, and James Whatley. 

Joseph's pattern is consistent over the next five entries: in either Pike or Washington County, one poll, no land, near the McDaniels each time. 

1826: Captain Alexander Patterson's District, Pike County, one poll, no land. Neighbors: Nathan Vinson, James Whatley, John McDaniel, Mary McDaniel, Charles McDaniel, Millner, McGlawn, John Mays, Jiner, Elliot, Jinkins. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=1729&iid=40141_1020705384_0035-00061&fn=Joseph&ln=Helton&st=d&ssrc=&pid=3520857

1827: Captain Covington's Districts, Pike County, one poll, no land. Neighbors: Samuel McDaniel, Allen McDaniel, Burns, Milner, Fryer, Joshua McDaniel, Mary McDaniel, James Whatley, Brown, Matthews. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=1729&iid=40141_1220705227_0556-00108&fn=Joseph&ln=Helton&st=d&ssrc=&pid=4828857


1832; Joseph Heler in Captain Waggon's District, Carroll County. One of my correspondents has JH in Carroll County for the birth of his son James W., born 1834. This would seem to be the best proof of her claim, but I don't think the ID is as clear as the other entries. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=1729&iid=40141_1020705384_0052-00017&fn=Joseph&ln=Heler&st=d&ssrc=&pid=3511281


1834: Captain Elliott's District, Pike County, one poll, no land. Neighbors: Childres, Thompson, Jordan, Allen McDaniel, Brown, McEarchern, Joiner, John Mays, Nathan Vinson, Charles McDaniel, Joshua McDaniel, Willis, Mary McDaniel, Milner, Randolph Colbin (Colvin?).

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1729&path=Pike.1834.42&fn=Joseph&ln=Helton&st=d&pid=3400111&rc=&zp=50

1835: Captain Covington's District, one poll, no land. Neighbors: Jinkins, Covington, Brown, Nathan Vinson, John Mays, Joiner, Barnes, Matthew McDaniel, Allen McDaniel, Milner, Brown, Elliot, and so on. 

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/View.aspx?dbid=1729&path=Pike.1835.81

After 1835, Joseph's place is not clear until he shows up in Kimbrel's, Coosa County, AL, in the 1840 U.S. Census. Though I can't prove it, I'm betting he and Mattie probably gathered their family and joined Allen McDaniel and family heading towards Mississippi, where Allen died in Koskuisko, Attalla County, in 1846. 

These entries prove to me that Joseph's folks were the McDaniels. There's no proof—yet—of his exact relationship to them. However, from Mattie's 1812 pension application, it would seem that Allen and crew are Joseph's step-brothers, and Mary McDaniels is Joseph's mother from a first marriage. 

If that's the case, several fascinating new lines of investigation open up for my line. That is, Mary McDaniel was supposedly born in the Cherokee Nation, Crockett, TN. Several Helton families applied for aid based on their Cherokee heritage. Now, I've never heard of anyone in our family saying we're part Cherokee, but wouldn't it be cool if we were?? Can't wait to find out!!!!!!