Update on William Newell Edmonds

For background, please see my original post, William Newell Edmonds.

Snippet from original post on June 12, 2013:

"I have been told that a DAR application was submitted many years ago that stated William Newell Edmonds died on March 25, 1930 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  Based on the 1930 census data, this date of death is very likely."

The information above is all that I had to go on to document the date and place of death and location of burial for my paternal great grandfather.

Until yesterday.

While searching through the Newspapers.com website I found the following obituary.

The Town Talk - Alexandria, Louisiana, 26 Mar 1930

Transcription:

EDMONDS - At the residence of his son, A. H. Edmonds, at 1850 Polk street at 2:15 o'clock, Tuesday, March 25, 1930, William N. Edmonds, aged 80 years. Deceased is survived by his wife, who resides in Guerdon, Ark., and the following sons and daughters: W. Edmonds, Memphis, Tenn.; W. P. Edmonds, Elizabeth, La.; Sam Edmonds, Wayne, Ark.; Silas Edmonds, Guerdon; J. T. Edmonds, Monroe, La.; C. D. Edmonds, McGehee, Ark.; Bruce Edmonds, Lufkin, Texas; A. H. Edmonds, Alexandria; Mrs. Arthur Halsell, Travington, Ark., and Mrs. Grover Smith, Monroe. 

The funeral procession left the mortuary parlors of Kramer & Sons undertakers, at 3 o'clock this Wednesday afternoon and proceeded to the Greenwood Memorial Park, for interment. Services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. W. W. Holmes, pastor of the First Methodist Church.

From this newly discovered information I now know the following about my great grandfather:

• Date of death
• Place of death
• Place of burial

Greenwood Memorial Park has now confirmed that William Newell Edmonds was buried in Section 6, Lot 247, Grave 3.  They also added a photograph of this area, though no headstone is shown.

Section 6, Lot 247, Grave 3 (courtesy of Greenwood Memorial Park/FindAGrave)

1850 Polk Street, Alexandria, Louisiana - 2013

Martha Elizabeth Atkins (1829-1901)

Martha Elizabeth Atkins was born in Laurens County, South Carolina on December 15, 1829 to the marriage of Thomas Atkins, Jr. and Sarah Parlow Davenport.  The 1830 U.S. Census shows Thomas, Sarah and three of their children living in Abbeville District, South Carolina.

1830 U.S. Census

By 1840 the family had relocated to Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.  

1840 U.S. Census

Martha's siblings included the following:

Alexander H (b. abt 1825 SC)
Burket (b. abt 1827 SC)
Caroline (1831-1915) m. Thomas M. Barbour (1830-1897)
William David (1833-aft 1907) m. Elizabeth J. (1846-1903)

Martha Elizabeth Atkins married Dr. William H. Harris circa 1845.  William was born in Tennessee on July 14, 1819.  The location of their marriage is unknown at this time.

The 1850 U.S. Census shows Martha and William living in Smith Township, Bradley County, Arkansas as possible boarders in the Belcher household. Their one year old son, Alphonso, is also listed.

1850 U.S. Census

It should be noted that family Bible records show a daughter named Sucins E. was born to this marriage on January 26, 1846.  Her date of death is listed as August 4, 1849.

Willis S. Smith Family Bible Record Transcription

Children born to the marriage of Martha Elizabeth Atkins and Dr. William H. Harris were:

Sucins E (1846-1849)
Alphonso (1848-1914) m. Sallie Arnold (1868-1940)
William Alonzo (1851-1859)
Mary Elizabeth Cora (1854-1879) m. William Janes (1850-1898)

Dr. William H. Harris died circa 1855.  The location of his burial is unknown at this time.

On July 1, 1855 Martha Atkins Harris married a second time to Dr. Willis S. Smith in Clark County, Arkansas.  Dr. Smith was a recent widower whose first wife, Margaret A. Janes, had died on February 19, 1855.

The 1860 U.S. Census record shows the combined families living in Beech Creek, Clark County, Arkansas.  

1860 U.S. Census

The 1870 U.S. Census record shows the family had increased in number with five children born to the marriage of Martha and Willis, beginning with Millington Smith.

1870 U.S. Census

The family residence was listed as Missouri Township, Clark County, Arkansas in the 1880 U.S. Census record.  Two more children had also been born.

1880 U.S. Census

Dr. Willis S. Smith died on May 20, 1891 in Clark County, Arkansas.  He is buried on his home place, Rawls Hill Plantation.

The 1900 U.S. Census record shows Martha as a widow and head of household.  

1900 U.S. Census

Martha Elizabeth Atkins Harris Smith died on January 20, 1901 in Clark County, Arkansas.  She is buried alongside her husband, Dr. Willis S. Smith, on Rawls Hill Plantation.

Children born to the marriage of Martha and Willis were:

Millington (1860-1940) m. Donie (1866-?)
Martha Elizabeth (1862-1954) m. Elias S. Sullivan (1849-1943)
Laura (1864-1943) m. William Newell Edmonds (1850-1930)
Henry Clay (1866-1952) m. 1. F. McBride (1849-1921) 2. Z. Sparkman (1869-1946)
Daniel Webster (1868-aft 1880)
Adonis "Don" (1871-1959) m. Loena N. Janes (1882-1971)
Fannie (1873-1946) m. Dr. John W. Green (1871-1941)

Family Bible records show three other children were born to this marriage.  No other documentation has been found on the following children:

Tuly/Turly - b. 11 Apr 1856
Thomas - b. 3 Jan 1858
Melissa - b. 30 Nov 1859

Willis S Smith Family Bible Record Transcription

Laura Smith Edmonds was my paternal great grandmother through her son, Bruce.

Anthony Edmonds and A Wife With No Name

I have been searching for more information on my paternal Edmonds line for several years now.  Specifically, I have been searching for additional records for Anthony Edmonds and his wife.  I believed (and still do) that Anthony was my 3great grandfather through his son, James Powell Edmonds.

Anthony was born circa 1780 in Halifax County, Virginia to the marriage of John Edmonds and Winifred Buckner.  He was married circa 1809 in Georgia (possibly Oglethorpe County) and was the father to seven known children.  The name of Anthony's wife was unknown to me during these past several years.

The earliest record I had for Anthony Edmonds was the 1820 U.S. Census below which showed him living in Lexington, Oglethorpe County, Georgia with his wife and five of his seven known children.

1820 U.S. Census

The 1820 U.S. Census for Oglethorpe County, Georgia lists only two other Edmonds; John and James who are listed right above Anthony.  I believe the John to be Anthony's father and James to be Anthony's brother.  James and Anthony had another brother, John, who was living in Lincoln County, Georgia in 1820 with his wife, Aurilla Tatom.

The 1830 U.S. Census shows Anthony and children living in Captain Hatchels District, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.  His wife had apparently died prior to 1830.

1830 U.S. Census

By 1840 Anthony Edmonds along with three or four of his children were living in District 605, Taliaferro County, Georgia.

1840 U.S. Census

Since I could not find an 1850 census record for Anthony, I estimated his date of death as 'bef 1850' and his place of death as Taliaferro County, Georgia.

While assisting me with my Edmonds research, Frances Bird Farley came across some Edmonds records on the Georgia Archives website which had been added since my last visit to the site over a year ago.  Frances forwarded the link to me and I began my search. As I scanned through the pages I came across the following records from the County Line Baptist Church of Oglethorpe County.

1843 Death Announcement for Anthony Edmonds

1817 & 1819 Church Records for Keziah, wife of Anthony Edmonds

1809 Church Record for John Edmonds and wife

These records not only provided the date and place of death for Anthony and a connection to the John who I believe was his father, they also provided the first name of his wife.  

A few lessons were also learned.

• Another "set of eyes" is always helpful (Thank you, Frances!)
• Check and re-check websites for newly added records
• Never give up the search

Now, to find the maiden name of Keziah....

Sunday's Obituary - Amanda Margaret Edmonds

Monroe News Star - 6/10/1976

Amanda Margaret Edmonds

Daughter of

William Thomas "Bill" Edmonds and Nelwyn Fox

Sister to

Tommy

Died on June 10, 1976

Buried in the Hasley Cemetery

West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

Amanda Margaret Edmonds was the granddaughter of James Thomas Edmonds who was a brother to my paternal grandfather, Bruce Edmonds.


Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Sharon Ray.

Alfonso Steele Celebrates 94th Birthday in 1911

The following article appeared in the April 3, 1911 edition of the Mexia Weekly Herald in Mexia, Texas:

Alfonso Steele was my paternal 3great grandfather through his son, Francis Marion "Frank" Steele; grandson, Isham Alfonso "Al" Steele; great granddaughter, Mary Allye Steele Edmonds; great-great grandson, Bruce Alfonso Edmonds.

Lumber Industry Puts Sumrall MS on the Map

Hattiesburg American - 7/4/1976

Daniel Sumrall and Mary Rebecca "Becky" Pouncey were my great-great grandparents through their daughter, Annie Sumrall Bynum; grandson, John Buel Bynum; great granddaughter, Mildred Bynum Edmonds.

Tombstone Tuesday - James Thomas Edmonds

James Thomas Edmonds

Born on June 7, 1898

Son of

William Newell Edmonds and Laura Smith

Brother to

Mary, William Adonis "Bill", Willis Powell, Samuel Jackson, Fannie Pearl,

Paul, Silas, Alphonso Hilliard "Punch", Charles Douglas "Charlie", Bruce and Martha Rebecca

Husband of
Minnie Anding
Jessie Mae Ramsey

Father to
James Thomas, Jr., Charles William and Shirley Ann
William Thomas "Bill", Sr.

Died on February 18, 1958
Buried in the Hasley Cemetery
West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

Your Memory Is Dear To Us



Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Sharon Ray.

Tombstone Tuesday - Alphonso Hilliard Edmonds

Alphonso Hilliard "Punch" Edmonds

Born on June 10, 1896

Son of

William Newell Edmonds and Laura Smith

Brother to

Mary, William Adonis "Bill", Willis Powell, Samuel Jackson, Fannie Pearl, Paul, Silas,

James Thomas, Charles Douglas "Charlie", Bruce and Martha Rebecca

Husband of

Nettie Gladys Taylor

Flossie

Father to

Mary Beth

Died on April 6, 1972

Buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery

Sycamore, Clark County, Arkansas

Sentimental Sunday - A Triostar and a Prayer

Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’

Triostar is a member of the prayer plant family and is native to the rain forests of Brazil.  At dusk the leaves fold up like hands held upright in prayer.  

I brought this plant home with me following my mother's funeral in January of 2012.  It was given in her memory by Sallie and Leon B.

Three years later, this plant is still as beautiful as it was on the day of my mother's funeral.  It reminds me of one of her handwritten prayers I found while going through her belongings.

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight

and give your angels and saints charge over those who sleep

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ

Rest your weary ones

Bless your dying ones

Soothe your suffering ones

Pity your afflicted ones

Shield your joyous ones

And all for your love's sake

Amen

Psalm 103:1-5

Isaiah 58:13-14

Mildred Bynum Edmonds

1926-2012

Tombstone Tuesday - Fannie Pearl Halsell

Fannie Pearl Edmonds

Born on August 11, 1891

Daughter of

William Newell Edmonds and Laura Smith

Sister to

Mary, William Adonis "Bill", Willis Powell, Samuel Jackson, Paul,

Silas, Alphonso Hilliard "Punch", James Thomas, Charles Douglas,

Bruce and Martha Rebecca

Wife of

Arthur Halsell

Mother to

Laura Mae and Arthur, Jr. "Buck"

Died on December 8, 1965

Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery

Sycamore, Clark County, Arkansas

Fannie Pearl Edmonds Halsell was my paternal great aunt through her brother and my grandfather, Bruce Edmonds.

Tombstone Tuesday - Samuel Jackson Edmonds

Samuel Jackson Edmonds

Born on January 14, 1890

Son of

William Newell Edmonds and Laura Smith

Brother to

Mary, William Adonis, Willis Powell, Fannie Pearl, Paul, Silas,

Alphonso Hilliard "Punch", James Thomas, Charles Douglas, 

Bruce and Martha Rebecca

Husband of

Maude S. Calhoun

Father to

Frances Elizabeth Pippen

Died on February 19, 1944

Buried in the Cogbill Cemetery

Wynne, Cross County, Arkansas

Samuel Jackson Edmonds was my paternal great uncle.

Tombstone photographs were taken by FindAGrave members, Don and Pam Childers.

Tombstone Tuesday - James Powell Edmonds

Greenwood Cemetery - Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia

James Powell Edmonds

Born in 1812 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Son of

Anthony and Keziah Edmonds

Brother to

Reuben Buckner, Sr., William A., Frances Matilda,

Amy Elizabeth and Pittman R.

Husband of 

Rebecca Ann Snow

Father to

Sarah Frances, Thomas Sanford, Samuel A., Nancy, Martha Jackson,

William Newell, Susan Catherine, Mary Bush, Elizabeth Eliza O., 

Francis Wesley "Frank" and Emma Brazora "Jo"

Died on September 20, 1864

Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia

Civil War

During the Civil War, three different hospitals were located in Cuthbert, Georgia.  It is not known in which hospital James Powell Edmonds died.  The Widows Application for Pension states that his wife was notified of his death by physicians at a Cuthbert hospital.  

The photograph at the top of the page shows the burial site of twenty-four marked confederate graves located in the Greenwood Cemetery in Cuthbert, Georgia.  Some of the twenty-four markers have names and others do not.  An open space located near the markers was used as a mass grave where over 500 confederate soldiers are said to be buried.  

Though no records have been found, I believe this is possibly the burial location of my paternal great-great grandfather, James Powell Edmonds.

Tombstone Tuesday - Willis Powell Edmonds

Willis Powell Edmonds

Born on June 10, 1888

Son of

William Newell Edmonds and Laura Smith

Brother to

Mary, William Adonis "Bill", Samuel Jackson, Fannie Pearl, Paul, Silas,

Alphonso Hilliard "Punch", James Thomas, Charles Douglas "Charlie",

Bruce and Martha Rebecca

Husband of

Bessie Lee Farley

Father to

Mabel Lea and Elvie Jane

Died on June 26, 1964

Buried in the Oakdale Cemetery

Oakdale, Allen Parish, Louisiana

Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Janet Bertram.

Edmonds Photographs from the Past, Part 6

Thomas Sanford Edmonds
1840-1923

Part 6 of 6

The following pictures are from a photo album that once belonged to the Thomas Sanford Edmonds family.  It is now in the possession of his great granddaughter, Becky.  Becky photographed the pictures as they were displayed in the velvet covered album and sent them to me for possible identification.

Any help with identification would be appreciated.  More information on Thomas Sanford Edmonds and his family may be found by clicking on his name in the first paragraph. 

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5