Friday, June 19, 2015

James A. Eddins/Edins who married Nancy Ann Hendrix/Hendricks

This is 95% of what I know is true about James A. Eddins/Edins. There are lots of incorrect statements floating in the genealogy ozone about him, most of them unsupported. The article below is a little dry, but it's where the paper trail leads. These are the facts with their sources. I know there's more information available in Tallapoosa County, but I didn't get that far this year. Next year. (Yay!)

James A. had a pretty dry life. He was a regular guy, a man of his times. Indeed there are only two odd things in his life that I could find: 

• No documented kids in the first five years of his marriage.

• He was awarded a land grant after he died.


YOUTH

James A. Eddins was born about 1794 in the Saluda area of Orangeburgh District (later Lexington), South Carolina. His father was  John Eddins, as documented by the widow's 1828 ad in the South Carolina State Journal. (See earlier post at ALRoots2) His mother was Zilpha Unknown, as documented by the 1816 SC court case. Here's part of the text:

"Know all men by these presents that I, Zilpha Eddins, of Lexington District, in the state aforesaid, widow woman, for and in consideration of the natural affection and love which I have for and do bear towards my two sons, James A. Eddins and William D. Eddins..."

https://books.google.com/books?id=Zt0zAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=%22james+a.+eddins%22+sc&source=bl&ots=yQvLrSLk8m&sig=WG1eym28B0plShtK_pRUanVjBbY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAmoVChMIwtilo8iSxgIVBB-sCh3JFQB8#v=onepage&q=%22james%20a.%20eddins%22%20sc&f=false

James was likely the youngest or next youngest, but that's speculation based on the one Census that details his age and the position of his name in lists of Eddins children. 

He makes his first appearance in the 1800 U.S. Census for SC:

In the 1800 US Census for Orangeburgh, SC, Selvia Eddins (John having died around 1795) is head of household. In the household are two males under 10 (William D. & James A., 6ish), two males 10 - 15 (John S. & Ephraim), questionable 1 male 26 - 44—looks like it said one then was changed to zero. There are also one female under 10 (Unknown Female), two females 10 - 15, and one female 26 - 44 (Zilpha). Neighbors include Muntz, Peter Sea or Lea, Elizabeth Kelly, William Kelley, Samuel Kelley, Roof (Ross?), Blakeley, Turner, Borman, Senn, Carter, Hydle, Smith, Lipheart, Charles Corley, Lites (Lightsey), John Weisinger, William Daniel (brother to Frederick Daniel who married Susanah Hendrix?), Busby, John Ricord (Rickard), Geiger, Sanders, Evans, Christian Wingard.

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=7590&path=South+Carolina.Orangeburg+District.Lexington.26&fn=Selvia&ln=Eddins&st=r&pid=495483&rc=&zp=75

Second appearance in the 1810 U.S. Census for SC:

In the 1810 US Census for SC, Widow Edins is in Lexington County. In the household are one male 10 - 15, two males 16 - 25 (James A., 17ish and William D., 19ish), one male 26 - 44 (Blakely, 30, or David Winchell?). Also in the household are one female under 10 (Unknown), one female 16 - 25, two females 26 - 45 (must be DIL's) and one female 45 and over (Widow Eddins). Nearby neighbors are George, John, Henry Windgard (brothers of Benjamin, husband of Elizabeth?),  Rambo, Furney, Busby, Jumper, Martin, Hendrix, Oaks, Johnston, Bookman, Oliver, Oswalt, Keixer, Busbee, Rall, Boozer, Gibson. Neighbor David King surveyed a plat for Zilpha in 1817. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=view&r=0&dbid=7613&iid=4433429_00136&fn=Widow&ln=Edins&st=r&ssrc=&pid=582582

James A. served in the War of 1812 as outlined by wife Nancy in her application for pension in 1875. James was drafted into Capt. John Quattlebaum's Company in Col. John Bates's Regiment of the SC Militia on May 1, 1813. He was honorably discharged on November 1, 1813, in Charleston, SC. 

http://www.fold3.com/image/310512376/


YOUNG ADULTHOOD

James A. married Nancy Ann Hendrix on November 9, 1813, a week after he got out of the SC Militia. He would have been about 20; she, about 18. Dr. Frankloe married them, "there being  no legal barrier to such marriage." Indeed, Dr. Franklow lived in the Orangeburgh District from at least 1810 (Census) to 1814.

From Page 30 of Nancy’s Application for War of 1812 Pension: “The afficiant further states that there was no public or private record kept of said marriage, and it is impossible to obtain the affadavit of the clergyman who solemnized the marriage.”

http://www.fold3.com/image/310512368/

What's really odd is that there is no record of children born between 1813 (James's marriage) and Peter R., born 1818. You'd think that two young, healthy adults in their 20's and using no birth control would have at least two kids within five years. But there's no record of it...so far.

Indeed, the next time we see James Eddings, he's in Columbia, Richland County, SC, in 1820. Maybe. There's one male and one female, which is weird, because son Peter and daughter Sarah were born before 1820. Richland County, SC, has a finger in the Lexington County area, so it's likely to be James and Nancy, but we can't be sure. The only other James Edins in SC has many family members and many slaves; not likely to be our James, as there is no record that he ever had slaves.


MIDDLE AGE

By 1830 James A. was in Wilcox County, AL, about age 36:

In the 1830 US Census for AL, James A. Edens is listed in Wilcox County, no town listed. In the household there are one male under 5 (Blakely, 8, ?), one male five to ten (Hiram, 9), one male 10 - 15 (Peter, 12), and one male 30 - 40 (James, 38). There are two females under five (Zilpha, 4, and Elizabeth, 1), two females five to 10 (Rebecca, 8, and Ann Susannah, 7), one female 10 - 15 (Sarah, 11), and one female 30 - 40 (Nancy, 34). Neighbors: Jones, Linan, Kickenson, Bonner, Rivers, Smith, Tiffs, Foster, Wait, Haris, Christian, Bird, Eads, Matthews, Cragh, Hudson, Marion, Sheffield, Dods.

1840; James about 46:

In the 1840 US Census for AL there is a J.A. Eddings in an unknown township in Tallapoosa, AL. In the household are four males and 4 females. 1 male between 5 & 9 (James, 5), 1 male 10 - 14 (Blakely?) , 1 male 15 - 19 (Hiram, 19), 1 male between 40 & 49 (James). Two females between 10 & 14 (Zilpha, 14, and Elizabeth, 11), one 15 to 19 (Rebecca, 18), one 40 - 49 (Nancy). Neighbors include P.R. Eddings (son), Coleman, Yarborough, Hightower, Rope, Thornton, John Davis, Rowell, Ward, Moore, Ray, Rogers, H. J. Rix, married to daughter Ann Susannah.

These names and ages correspond to James A., Nancy, Hiram, Rebecca, Blakely, Zilpha, Elizabeth, and James.


About 1841 James F. Edins, Sr., obtained 39.55 acres near Tallassee in Tallapoosa County through the Bureau of Land Management. Twp 19N, Range 22E, Section 21, NW1/4NW1/4. As there were no other Edinses of legal age in the area, this is most likely our James A.

http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=AL4330__.294&docClass=STA&sid=lqfua42i.csh

1850:

In the 1850 U.S. Census for AL, James A. Eddins is 56, has $150, a farmer, born in SC, cannot read or write. Also in the household are (Nancy) Ann, 54, and son James T (or F), 15.  Neighbors: Rise/Rix--Daughter Ann is married to H. J.), Ables, Glover, Weeks, Stringfellow, Webster, Wilkinson, Loyd, Evans, Ellis, Harrel, King, Lovelady, Sarah Eddins (DIL), Falk, Johnson, Simmons, Vinson, Jackson.

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/View.aspx?dbid=8054&path=Alabama.Tallapoosa.Township+19.11

James A. Edders is also listed as a farmer in the 1850 Federal Agriculture Schedule for Tallapoosa County, along with others related or connected to him: Rix, Freeman, Rogers, Glover, Harrell, Lovelady, Vickery. You can read about his crops here:

http://interactive.ancestry.com/1276/32786_1220706416_0028-00826/6268610?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dNonPopCensus%26gss%3dsfs28_ms_db%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26MS_AdvCB%3d1%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln%3dedders%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrpn__ftp%3dTallapoosa%2bCounty%252c%2bAlabama%252c%2bUSA%26msrpn%3d2853%26msrpn_PInfo%3d7-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3246%257c3%257c0%257c2853%257c0%257c0%257c%26msrpn_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26uidh%3dwy5&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults

Two entries for 1855:

a) On 13 April 1855 James A. Edins appeared in court in Tallapoosa County to obtain the land warrant he felt he was owed as part of his War of 1812 service. He was 61 years old. 

http://www.fold3.com/image/310512384/

If he was 61 in 1855, then he was born in 1794. 

b) In the 1855 State Census for AL, James A. Eddins is in Tallapoosa County on Beat #6. There is one male under 21 (James T or F.), one male over 21 (James A.), one female under 21 (?) and one female over 21 (Nancy Ann).

http://interactive.ancestry.com/1576/31075_174425-00613/256150?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dAlabamaCensus%26gss%3dsfs28_ms_db%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26MS_AdvCB%3d1%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln%3deddins%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrpn__ftp%3dTallapoosa%2bCounty%252c%2bAlabama%252c%2bUSA%26msrpn%3d2853%26msrpn_PInfo%3d7-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3246%257c3%257c0%257c2853%257c0%257c0%257c%26msrpn_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26_83004002_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26uidh%3dwy5&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults


DEATH

Two entries for 1858:

1. Nancy Ann Hendrix Edins's War of 1812 Pension Application states that her husband died on January 27, 1858. 

http://interactive.ancestry.com/1133/miusa1814_114131-00820/34692?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dWarof1812_Pension%26h%3d34692%26indiv%3dtry%26o_cvc%3dImage%3aOtherRecord&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord

2. The BLM GLO records state that James A. Edins bought a piece of property in Tallassee, Tallapoosa County on March 1, 1858. After he died, apparently. Weird. 

Twp 19N, Range 22E, Section 17, NE1/4SE1/4

http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=AL4430__.187&docClass=STA&sid=morcu12g.2os


CHILDREN

To the best of my knowledge, James and Nancy had nine children:

• Peter Rusel, born 1818

• Sarah, born 1819 (don't know anything more about her)

• Hiram E., born 1821

• Zilpha Elender Emily, born about 1822 (delightful; see earlier posts)

• Rebecca Ann, born about 1822

• Blakely A., born about 1822

• Ann Susannah, born 1823

• Elizabeth, born 1829

• James T. or F., born about 1835


There are a few other documents where James A. shows his mug, but they're not significant in outlining his life. 

So there you have his life from the evidence I can produce. A dry life, but hopefully a satisfying one.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The uneventful life of Martha Jane Pope

The most remarkable thing about Martha Jane Pope is that she never did anything. Never married. Never had children. Never appeared on any official documents other than censuses. She's always just a member of the household; she never appears alone. This in opposition to her delightful great-grandmother Zilpha and dynamo mom Zilpha Elender.

Martha Jane Pope was:

• the daughter of W.H. Pope, Sr., and maybe Zilpha Elender Eddins Pope Freeman

• the sister of Frances Marion and William Henry Pope

• the granddaughter of James A. Eddins and Nancy Ann Hendrix

• the great-granddaughter of John and Zilpha Eddins

According to her grave marker, Martha Jane was born on November 13, 1836. All the censuses agree that she was born in AL. Best guesses for place are either Wilcox County or Tallassee, where Francis Marion was born.

The first time we see Martha, she is probably the female 0 - 5 in the 1840 household of William H. Pope in Wilcox County, AL. Since we know that W.H. Pope and Eleanor Edins married on January 9, 1839, any child born before that date was the product of W. H.'s first marriage. Thus Francis Marion, (possibly) born October 9, 1838, would also have been from the first marriage. And, by golly, that's the make-up of the household in 1840: one adult male, one adult female, one male 0 - 5 and one female 0 - 5. It's not surprising that they were there; parents James A. and Nancy Eddins were in Wilcox County in 1830.

Here's the link for 1840:

http://interactive.ancestry.com/8057/4411216_01272/1377087?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3d1840usfedcenancestry%26gss%3dsfs28_ms_db%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26MS_AdvCB%3d1%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln%3dpope%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrpn__ftp%3dWilcox%2bCounty%252c%2bAlabama%252c%2bUSA%26msrpn%3d3151%26msrpn_PInfo%3d7-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3246%257c3%257c0%257c3151%257c0%257c0%257c%26msrpn_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26uidh%3dwy5&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults

By 1850 there were three children in the family (Martha, Francis, and William Henry, born 1840 - 1845. William Senior was out of the picture from either divorce or death. And Zilpha Elender had remarried to Francis M. Freeman,  who was just 10 or so years older than Martha. Crazy. They had probably moved to Tallapoosa County to be near Zilpha's parents, but I've yet to find this family in 1850.

In 1860 Martha is still living at home:

In the 1860 US Census for AL, Zylpha E. Freema is living near the Realtown P.O., Western Division, Tallapoosa County, AL. She is 39, born AL, living in the household of Francis M. Freema, 28, a mechanic, born Georgia, $300. Also in the household is Martha T., 23, Francis M., 21, a farmer, and William H, 19, all born AL. They are living next door to Ann Susannah Eddins Rice (Rix) and family. Peter Eddens, 16, is up the street. Neighbors: McKissack, Summers, Haywood, Echols, Harrison, Martha (Helton) Freeman, Nancy Freeman, Susan Freeman.

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7667&iid=4211198_00208&fn=Zylpha+E&ln=Freema&st=r&ssrc=&pid=12719406

Still at home with mom in 1870:

 In the 1870 US Census for AL, Z. E. Freeman is living in Oak Bowery, Chambers County, AL. She is 45, female, keeping house, living in the household of F. M. Pope, a farmer, $550, born AL. Also in the household are Ann Edwin, 20, born AL, at home; Martha Pope, 20, born AL, and Nancy Eddins, 70, at home, born AL. Black neighbors: Blosengame, Moore, Prince, Dowdeth; Wilson; white neighbors: Kelly, Waldrop, Jeter.

Weird stuff in this family: her age is listed as "20;" it should be 33 or 34. She's listed as younger than Francis Marion; she's four years older.  She and Zilpha can read and write, while F. M. cannot. 

http://interactive.ancestry.com/7163/4257480_00361/12927513?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3d1870usfedcen%26gss%3dsfs28_ms_db%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26MS_AdvCB%3d1%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln%3dfreeman%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msbpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp%3dChambers%2bCounty%252c%2bAlabama%252c%2bUSA%26msrpn%3d544%26msrpn_PInfo%3d7-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3246%257c3%257c0%257c544%257c0%257c0%257c%26msrpn_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26_83004002_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26uidh%3dwy5&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults

Still at home with mom in 1880, but now in Opelika, Lee County:

In the 1880 US Census for Al, Z. A. Freeman is living in Opelika, Lee County, AL. She is 50 born AL, parents born SC, has rheumatism, can read & write. Also in the household are M. J. Pope, 25, parents born  SC., son F. M. Pope, 23, clerk in a junk shop, N. Edins, 84, widowed, born SC, parents born SC; SIL A. M. Edins, 30 or 38, sewing, born SC, father born SC, mother born KY; and  Neil Gilmore, laborer & servant, born AL, parents born AL. Neighbors: Wilkerson, Smith, Harris, Hightower, Tucker, Slaughter, Moore, Simms, Frazier. Apparently, right on the outskirts of Tallapoosa.

Now M.J. is only 25, when she should be 453 or 44. What is it with this family and aging????

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=6742&iid=4239780-00060&fn=Z.+A.&ln=Freeman&st=d&ssrc=&pid=6079779

I wondered if Martha's sheltered life meant she was disabled in some way. She may have been, but it's not listed anywhere, not even in the 1880 Schedule of Defectives. There is a Martha Pave, but upon further investigation it's clearly a "Martha Pool," in Chambers County. Martha Jane is clearly listed in Tallapoosa with mom Z.A. Freeman.

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=6742&iid=4239780-00060&fn=Z.+A.&ln=Freeman&st=d&ssrc=&pid=6079779

By 1900 her mother Zilpha, grandmother Nancy Ann, sister-in-law Ann, and in-laws Sallie & Lula have died. The family is reduced to just Martha's brothers. And....again the age is wrong.

In the 1900 US Census for AL, Marian Pope is living in Precinct 2, Opelika, Lee County, AL. He is 56, male, head of household, born AL in Oct 1843, single, father born SC, mother born AL, a farmer, can read but not write, rents. Also in the household are sister Jane, 58, born Nov. 1841, single, no job listed, can read and write; and William, brother, 54, single, born Nov. 1845, shoemaker. For all, born AL, father born SC, mother born AL. #195 on farm schedule.

Again, so many errors: ages, birthdates, William's marital status. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=004119993_00054&fn=Marian&ln=Pope&st=r&ssrc=&pid=34561966

Martha makes her last appearance in the 1910 Census. In the 1910 US Census for AL, F.M. Pope is living at 34 Harper St., Precinct 2, Opelika, Lee County, AL. He is 64, single, a laborer doing odd jobs, can read and write, rents, currently working, but out of work 10 weeks. Also in the household is sister Martha J., 66, single, can read and write, no job. Both born AL, father born SC, mother born AL. Neighbors: Beard, Martin, Barnes.

http://interactive.ancestry.com/7884/31111_4327203-00935/155208903?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dNonPopCensus%26gss%3dangs-d%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26MS_AdvCB%3d1%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln%3dpope%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrpn__ftp%3dAlabama%252c%2bUSA%26msrpn%3d3%26msrpn_PInfo%3d5-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3246%257c3%257c0%257c0%257c0%257c0%257c%26msrpn_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26uidh%3dwy5%26gl%3d%26gst%3d%26hc%3d50%26fh%3d100%26fsk%3dBEEb1j4IgAAE-47-ABAkds-61-&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults

And finally, according to Ancestry’s Alabama Death & Burial Index, 1881 - 1974, Martha Jane Pope was born about 1838, died 1917, father’s name William H. Pope, mother’s name Ellen Edine. Death place Opelika, Lee County, AL.

Remember Tap Roots?

The source above lists Martha Jane Pope b. November 13, 1836, d. October 17, 1917 (on reverse F. M. Pope #1). She is buried in Block 17 of Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika, AL. Also in the block are brother W.H. Pope, Sallie Pope, Lula Pope, brother F. M. Pope, mother Ellen Pope, aunt Ann Eddens, and several Gibsons, who may be cousins. 

TAP ROOTS: Epitaphs in East Central Alabama Cemeteries, Vol. 3, Rosemere Cemetery, Opelika, AL, by Robert C. Horn and Mariemma Fuller, et. al., Copyright 1985 by the Genealogical Society of East Alabama, Inc., P.O. Box 84, Dadeville, AL 36853. 

As far as I can tell, the only thing Martha Jane ever did was lie about her age. I certainly haven't found evidence of anything else!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

The sad, occasionally odd life of William Henry Pope, son of Zilpha Elender Eddins

William Henry Pope was:

• the son of Zilpha Elender (Emily?) Eddins Pope Freeman

• the grandson of James A. Eddins and Nancy Ann Hendrix

• the great-grandson of John and Zilpha Eddins

He might have been odd. Certainly odd things happen with ol' W. H. 

He was born between 1840 and 1845 in Alabama. His daddy was William H. Pope, probably Sr. WHP was out of the picture sometime after Jr.'s death from death or divorce, though I haven't discovered which, yet. He had two older siblings, Martha Jane and Francis Marion. Mother Zilpha married Francis M. Freeman in Tallapoosa County in 1849. Apparently not a popular choice, because the kids buried her as Elender Pope in the 1890's.

No trace of Mom, Stepdad, and the kids in the 1850 Census yet.

How odd. 

But later it gets worse. Much worse.

In the 1855 AL State Census, one presumes that William is living with Zilpha and Francis Freeman because there are several males of the right age in the household:

In the 1855 State Census for AL, Frances Freeman is living in Tallapoosa County. In the household are four males under 21(Frances, 20; Frances Marion, about 17; William H., about 15; plus another male), 0 males over 21, two females under 21(Martha Jane, about 19, and unknown female), one female over 21(Zilpha Elender, 30-34), and three children between ??? (can’t read). On the same beat: G. Pullin, Freeman Pullin, Edward Rix, King Hiram Davis, Abraham Pullen.


http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1576&path=1855.Tallapoosa.24&sid=&gskw=Frances+Freeman

Here’s William Henry in the 1860 US Census for AL:  In the 1860 US Census for AL, William H. Pope is living near the Realtown P.O., Western Division, Tallapoosa County, AL. He is 19, born AL. Also in the household are mom Zylpha E. (Eddins Pope) Freema, 39, born AL, living in the household of Francis M. Freema, 28, a mechanic, born Georgia, $300; Martha T., 23, and Francis M., 21, a farmer. They are living next door to Ann Susannah Eddins Rice (Rix) and family. Peter Eddens, 16, is up the street. Neighbors: McKissack, Summers, Haywood, Echols, Harrison, Martha (Helton) Freeman, Nancy Freeman, Susan Freeman.

You’ll note that the Popes are living right next door to the Summers. W.H. marries Sarah Summers in 1866. Also note that his age is listed as 19.

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7667&iid=4211198_00208&fn=Zylpha+E&ln=Freema&st=r&ssrc=&pid=12719406

His Civil War Service:

Enlisted as a private in Company G, 37th AL, on 2 March 1862. Honorably discharged Winter 1864. But he's badly injured in a railroad collision near Jackson, MS. A broken thigh and “breast injury” leave him with a horrible limp. He became a shoemaker after the War. Documented by pension application in 1893. 

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1677&path=Alabama.P.Pool%2c+W·+H·+-+Potter%2c+William.667&sid=&gskw=W+H+Pope

In the 1866 AL State Census, one assumes that William is near  Zilpha and Francis in Tallapoosa, but it's certainly not clear:

Francis Freeman is living in Tallapoosa County. In the household are one male under 10, one male 10 - 20 (William???), one male 20 - 30 (Francis),  one female 20 - 30 (Zilpha), and one female 50 - 60 (Nancy Ann Hendricks Eddins). One soldier killed. Neighbors: Nancy Freeman, Rebecca Gunter (Rebecca Ann Eddins??) McKlusky, Chelton, Harris, Brice, J. F. Freeman, Walls, Gibson, Smith, Vines, Vincent, M. N. Hendrix, Miles Whilles, Abrahm Pullen, George Pullen.  

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=1576&iid=31075_174439-00540&fn=Frances&ln=Freeman&st=d&ssrc=&pid=354092

There is a W. H. Pope in 1866 Shelby County, but the oldest male doesn't seem to be the right age for William:

http://interactive.ancestry.com/1576/31075_174438-00074/433710?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dAlabamaCensus%26gss%3dangs-d%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26MS_AdvCB%3d1%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln%3dpope%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26_83004002%3dwhite%26_83004002_x%3d1%26msrdy%3d1866%26msrdy_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26uidh%3dwy5%26gl%3d%26gst%3d%26hc%3d50%26fh%3d150%26fsk%3dBEEgT4gIgAAGKAAFNhE-61-&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults

So he's disappeared again. How odd. 

It's logical to think that William is in or near Tallapoosa in 1866 because he got married:

Marriage license between Wm H. Pope and Sarah A. Summers bonded October 17, 1866, in Tallapoosa County, AL, issued by Allen D. Sturdivant. The parties were married on October 18 by E. M. Smith, J.P. Bondsmen were William H. Pope and Benjamin F. Freeman.


William H. Pope is listed in the 1867 Voter Registration list at ADAH in Chambers County....

http://www.archives.alabama.gov/voterreg/images/12_V1_PG59.pdf

...And also in Tallapoosa:

http://www.archives.alabama.gov/voterreg/images/62_V1_PG37.pdf

How odd. 

By the 1870 US Census for AL, W. H. Pope is in Opelika, Lee County. He is 28, male, white, making shoes, born AL, a male citizen. Also in the household are S. Pope, keeping house, born AL; and son J. W. Pope, 2, male, white, born AL. Neighbors include Cunningham, Smith, Conner, Robinson, Smith, Bonnar, Peterson. His family of origin living next town over in Oak Bowery, Chambers County, AL.  

I know this because I missed the route sign in Anniston, went straight instead of left, and wound up driving through Oak Bowery and an extra hour out of my way to Opelika. 

The spirit of W. H. in action. How odd. 


In the 1880 US Census for AL, W. Henry Pope is living on Tallassee Beat 3, Elmore County, AL. He is male, white, 37, a shoemaker, born AL, father born GA, mother born AL. Also in the household are wife Sarah Ann, 36, keeping house, lung disease, born GA, father born GA, mother born GA; son John W., 12, a “scolar,” attended school in the last year, born AL, father born AL, mother born GA; Lula May, daughter, 9, “scolar,” born AL, father born AL, mother born GA, attended school; and Lucy White, black, 70, a servant. Neighbors: Smith, Glover, Reynolds, Harris, Barnes.


War wounds and pension here in document from Lee County dated 1893. If he’s back in Lee County, it’s likely that Sallie and Lula have already died. Lists $30 in goods and furniture. Pension approved 1899, when he lists his age as "57."

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1677&path=Alabama.P.Pool%2c+W·+H·+-+Potter%2c+William.667&sid=&gskw=W+H+Pope

In the 1900 US Census for AL, William Pope is 54, born November 1845, a shoemaker, single, living with brother Marian Pope and sister Jane Pope in Precinct 21, District 2, Opelika, Lee County AL. He is born AL, father born SC, mother born AL. No Sallie, Lula, or John W. in the household. We know that Sallie and Lula died, but what happened to John W.? Neighbors: Mullins, Lewis, Johnson, Key, Irvin, Tucker, Finch. 

http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=004119993_00054&fn=Marian&ln=Pope&st=r&ssrc=&pid=34561966

Oh, wait, here's something odd:

His birth year keeps changing.

• In 1860 he's 19, indicating a birth year of 1841.

• 1870, 28, 1842

• 1880, 37, 1843

• 1899, 57, 1842

• 1900, 54, 1845

And finally, in this ever-changing world he lived in, the Genealogical Society of East Alabama's publication TAP ROOTS  has this information:

• 1906, 66, 1840

The listing reads:

W. H.  Pope 
Co. G 37th ALA  - C  S A
1840  - 1906

He is buried in Block 17 of Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika, AL. Also in the block are brother F.M. Pope, wife Sallie Pope, daughter Lula Pope, sister Martha Jane Pope, mother Ellen Pope, aunt Ann Eddens, and several Gibsons. It looks like Sallie Pope and Lula Pope are on the reverse side of his grave.

TAP ROOTS: Epitaphs in East Central Alabama Cemeteries, Vol. 3, Rosemere Cemetery, Opelika, AL, by Robert C. Horn and Mariemma Fuller, et. al., Copyright 1985 by the Genealogical Society of East Alabama, Inc., P.O. Box 84, Dadeville, AL 36853. 

Kind of a sad, occasionally odd life. First he's born and his father disappears. Then his mother remarries a step-dad only 10ish years older. Then he fights in the War and is so severely wounded he limps and has to work sitting down as a shoemaker. Of all his sibs, he's the lucky one who marries and has kids; but his wife gets lung disease. She and at least one kid die before him. Then he's so poor he has to move back in with his sibs. Life sucks and finally he dies, too. 

In conclusion:

A guy runs into a bar. Ouch!

I had to end this with a joke. Anything else would be too depressing. Onward.