A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Effective immediately the charge for back issues of the Newsletter will increase to $1.50 each. The Sept. 1989 issue cost us $1.22 each to print and mail, not counting staples, tape, envelopes, address labels, etc., so you can see that we can't continue to distribute them for one dollar. Furthermore, several more recent issues are in short supply, and in order to continue to make them available to new members, we will soon have to print more. Vol. I, Nos. 1-3 have always been printed "on demand".

Have you noticed that we have been increasing the number of pages in each issue? There is so much interesting material that I want to pass along that I can't resist sneaking it in, in spite of making printing costs a little higher. One of the most frustrating things about being editor of the Newsletter is not being able to solve the genealogical problems of all my correspondents, but conversely, one of the most rewarding things is to be able to pull evidence from my files that connects the family line of a researcher or sets him/her on the right track to finding the proof. This part of the job you don't always see in the Newsletter, but your dues and your participation in our Association have enabled many people to extend their family lines. For example, here are a few developments in the last few months. Back in the Spring, Jackie Terrell was attending with her husband a graduate school class at Sembach Air Base in West Germany and harkened to the name "Presley" when the roll was called. Seeking out the individual after the class, they discovered that the man's uncle, John Moody Presley, of Tomah, Wisconsin, was an avid family historian who had sought his family roots for years. Correspondence between John & me and between John & his Alabama cousins has confirmed that he is on the right track to proving that his family is descended from Anthony Preslar of Anson Co., N.C., who moved to Kershaw Co., S.C., ca. 1790-93, and along with his 6 or 7 sons, to Conecuh Co., Ala., ca. 1820. The query by Scott Presley of Dallas in the Sept. Newsletter prompted me to locate at the library the biographical sketch of M.B. Presley, son of Sanders Presley. For five years, since I wrote my monograph on the Anson Co., N.C. Presleys, I had wondered about the identity of Sanders Presley, who showed up so briefly in the Anson Co. records. Now, from Una Bowman of Oneida, 111., comes word that he was a son of Valentine Presley, who was in turn a son of Peter Presley of Anson Co. Valentine moved from N.C. to Smith Co., Term., and then to Clay Co., 111. Thus, Scott and Una will both be able to extend their family lines, thanks to the central collection of information by our Association. Judy Lawless of Abilene, Texas, was trying to extend the line of George Washington Preslar of Taylor Co., Texas. Thanks to information in our files, I was able to determine that he was a son of Hosea Preslar of Anson Co., N.C., and Henderson Co., Term., and to put her in contact with other members and descendants of Hosea. Margaret Hol;-yn of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was hunting the father of Parker Preslar of Callahan Co., Texas. Again, I was able to put her in touch with other descendants of Parker and to assure her that I shared a common ancestry with Parker's brother, John. Finally, Jim Anderson has forwarded to me a portion of the 1860 census data which we plan to use in future Newsletters. In that material I have located James Preslar, brother of my ancestor, John, in Butts Co., Georgia. I had recorded in my 1985 monograph the Anson Co., N.C., newspaper announcement of his marriage on 26 July 1856 to Laura Ann Griffin, and I knew from the 1864 will of his father, Joshua, that he had by then died, but I did not know where. Now, I know he left a family in Georgia. These are just a few of the new discoveries being made, and we'll bring you more detail on these and other lines in the future.

Finally, the officers of the Association wish each of you the happiest of holiday seasons. May your New Year be flooded with new-found kinfolk bearing the answers to all your genealogical problems and questions.

1850 Census

(Ed Note: Data from the 1850 census is presented as follows: Page, dwelling number/family number, name, age, sex, color, occupation, value of real estate, birthplace.)

             OHIO

ALLEN COUNTY, Bath
258  336/336   Jacob Bressler    48 M W Farmer   2000 PA
               Eliza."           36 F W               OH
               Sarah. "          12 F W               OH
               Henry "            8 M W               OH
               William "          6 M W               OH
               Catharine"         4 F W               OH
               Marian "           2 M W               OH
               Damell(?)"     10/12 M W               OH
               Jacob "           74 M W               PA

258  337/337   George Bressler   22 M W Farmer        OH
               Irena (?) "       19 F W               PA

258  338/338   Andrew Bressler   18 M W Farmer        OH
               Eliza."           23 F W               PA

ALLEN COUNTY, Perry
302   962/932  Peter Bresler     39 M W         20    OH
               Sarah "           19 F W               OH
               Henry Verman      20 M W Tailor        OH

ALLEN COUNTY, Sugar Creek
324 1258/1258  John Bressler     40 M W Farmer   800  OH
               Eliza. "          37 F W               OH
               Carlile "          7 M W               OH
               Ellen "            5 F W               OH
               Martha "           3 F W               OH
               Addline "          1 F W               OH
 
ALLEN COUNTY, Marion
329 1342/1342  Joseph Bressler   32 M W          800  OH
               Elizabeth "       23 F W               OH
 

ALLEN COUNTY, Green Township
118 311/313   Jacob Presler      29 M W Carpenter     PA
              Nancy "            24 F W               OH
              J.A. "              4 F W               OH
              Rachel "            3 F W               OH

ALLEN COUNTY, Mifflin Township
155 146/146   Philip Pressler    60 M W Farmer        PA
              Susanna "          57 F W               PA
              Hannah "           17 F W               OH
              Elisabeth "        14 F W               OH
 
ASHLAND COUNTY, Vermilion Township
412  271/279 Samuel Presler      21 M W Carpenter     -
              living with David & Susan Liston

414  300/308 Solomon Presler     20 M W Farmer        OH    
               living with Jacob & Margaret Stoufer

AUGLAIZE  COUNTY, Pushocta
_37 653/653   John Presler       48 M   Farmer 400 Germany
              Mary "             46 F              Germany
              Philip "           18 M   Shoemaker       MD
              Francis "          15 M   Tanner          MD
              Barbara "           8 F                   OH
              John "              6 M                   OH
              Margaret "          3 F                   OH

BUTLER  COUNTY, Reily
174 786/795  Michael Bressler    58 M W Carpenter       PA
             Susanna "           54 F W                 PA
             Hannah "            26 F W                 OH
             George "            14 M W                 OH
             John "              11 M W                 OH
             Mathias "            9 M W                 OH
             David "              7 M W                 OH
             Mary J. "            4 M W                 OH

BUTLER  COUNTY, Middletown
435 800/846  Michael Presler     36 M W Tailor    450   PA
             Prudence "          27 F W                 IA(?)
             Mary Jane"          11 F W                 OH

CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY, Salem
284 219/224  Jacob Bresler       33 M W Merchant 3000   PA
             Eliza "             21 F W                 PA
 
COCHOCTON  COUNTY, Perry
  82   -     Susan Bresler       22 F W                 OH
             living with Silas & Nancy M.Seymour  

CRAWFORD  COUNTY, Liberty
402 1043/1048 Eli Bresler        32 M W Farmer     800  PA     
              Juliann "          25 F W                 OH
              James W. "          4 M W                 OH
              Moses "             2 M W                 OH
              Maria "            66 F W                 PA

407 1121/1126 George Bresler     38 M W Laborer         PA
              Emily "            28 F W                 PA
              Sarah E. "          8 F W                 OH
              John "              4 M W                 OH

412 1187/1192 Michael Bresler    23 M W Wheelwright     PA
               living with Amos & Leah Warner

414 1208/1213 Isaac Bresler      25 M W Laborer         PA
              Mary "

418 1263/1269 Jno. Bresler       49 M W
              Hannah "           47 F W
              Simon "            26 M W
              John "             21 M W
              Washington"        16 M W
              Anne "             14 F W
              Hannah "           10 F W

FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO MISSISSIPPI
Part I (continued)
A History of the Presley Family by Arthur Bennett Presley

Our grandfather, James Turner Presley, son of John & Eleanor (Sandifer) Presley, was born Apr. 21, 1834 at the old home in South Carolina, and died Aug. 4, 1920 at the old soldier's home known as Beauvoir at Biloxi, Mississippi. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery at Coldwater, Mississippi. His wife (married Feb. 28, 1856) was Sallie Elvira Bennett, daughter of Thomas Bennett. They lived together a little more than fifty years. She died Feb. 25, 1909.

James T. Presley was named for James Turner, a cousin of the Presley family. Could he have been named for a descendant of Polly, Jensie or Susannah, daughters of Thomas and Jennea Presley? I am inclined to think this was quite possible. He owned the old family home after the death of his father and it was in this house that my father and my Aunt Laura were born. He was also administrator of his father's estate together with his brother, Richard H. Presley.

Five sons of John Presley were soldiers in the Confederacy - William, John Shelton, Richard, Ira, and James. Our grandfather, James, was the bugler of his company, Co. B, 2nd South Carolina Cavalry. None of these brothers were ever wounded in battle. Uncle Shelton was an ammunition carrier. He was credited with saving the life of our grandfather by bringing him some food from the rear while a battle was in progress. The food consisted of half-done biscuits.

After our grandfather returned from serving in the Confederate army, he farmed his old home place for two years. For reasons I may be able to mention elsewhere he decided to leave S.C. and move to Miss. No doubt he was influenced in this move by the fact that his brother, William, was already living in Leake Co., Miss., and their Uncle Roswell Presley was living in Coldwater.

He had a white share cropper named John Pardue who had a large family. This man said he would also like to move to Mississippi. So he was in charge of the wagons that hauled grandpa's possessions and his own. The party also included Uncle Shelton and Uncle Dick and their families. And quite possible the Browns; I am not real sure of this. Grandpa and his family came by train. Their first stop was Canton, Miss, where they were met by Uncle William who took them to his home near Carthage in Leake Co. for a visit of several days. Then by train to Coldwater where they were cared for in the home of Uncle Roswell Presley. Grandpa rented land for himself and all members of the wagon train party before they arrived.

Our grandmother, Sallie Bennett Presley, was a true daughter of the Old South, daughter of Thomas Bennett and his wife, Elvira Minter. She had one brother, also named Thomas Bennett, and four or five sisters. I cannot recall the names. One was called Lizzie and one was Nora. The mother of Elvira Minter was Elizabeth Egger. And someone back there belonged to the Hillhouse family. The Hillhouse people came from Wales. The Bennetts are also said to have come from Wales.

Grandfather and grandmother lived together more than 50 years. I can well remember attending the Golden Wedding celebration which took place at the old Porter place soon after my father bought it. Grandmother's health failed, and her mind

became clouded. She longed to go back to S.C. to visit her people but never had the opportunity. When Grandpa sold his 80 acre farm to Walker Wood for $1,600, she proudly stated: "Now, we are going back to Carolina."

The records I made of the things she told me have been lost, much to my regret. She was fond of relating facts and incidents of her early life in S.C. In those days the women of each family made the cloth from which their garments were formed. She and her sisters were all kept busy "carding" and "spinning" and "weaving" cloth from which to make their own clothing and also garments for the menfolks. This involved an awful amount of labor. I can remember grandmother telling me that if I could see all the work in one pile that she had done, it would surprise me.

She was a good cook and housekeeper and was a great lover of flowers. Along about 1905 one of her nephews came to see her, and of course that made her very happy. His name was Sprat Castle, son of one of her sisters. He was a traveling man and his line was paper bags and wrapping paper.

To James T. & Sallie Bennett Presley were born one son and two daughters: William Martin Presley, Laura E. Presleyf and Mary Anna Presley (born in Miss.). Laura E. Presley was born Feb. 16, 1860, and died Apr. 1, 1947. She married James E. Darby, Feb. 1, 1881, both of them nativas of S.C. To them were born eight sons and two daughters: Jessie, Walter, William Rexford, Ainsley, Paul Wilson, Hall Bennett, Ed, Roy, Marlia, and Olive, who died young. (Ed. Note: A note here by Marceline Darby Kellum states that the family Bible gives the name of the youngest daughter as Christine, not Olive.)

William Martin Presley was born Sept. 30, 1857 and died Mar. 10, 1941 at his home, the old Porter place on Peyton Road, Coldwater, Miss. His wife was Lela A. Graham, daughter of William Walter Graham and Dora Thornton Graham. They were married Nov. 26, 1884 at Hickory Grove church. It was a double wedding ceremony, the other couple being Bill Howard and Mollie Crawford, a first cousin to my mother, Lela Graham.

W.M. Presley, my father, known to many as "Mr. Will", was energetic, enterprising and determined to get ahead in the world. He was also fond of music and parties, and enjoyed having guests in his home. He played the guitar and his friend, Jeff Porter, played the violin. These two furnished the music for many country dances. He was also a good horse trader. His favorite sport was hunting.

When my dad was a small boy back in the old home in South Carolina, the water bucket was placed on a shelf on the front porch. This porch had bannisters around the edges but one of them had gotten knocked out leaving a vacant space. When dad wanted a drink of water at night, it was his custom to walk out into the dark and feel his way along the line of bannisters till he reached the bucket. Nowf these were troublesome times. The Negro slaves had just been freed. The white people didn't know just what to expect and neither did the Negroes, and the Negroes did a lot of prowling around at night. So one night my dad went out on the porch, for a drink of water, and he was feeling along as usual till his hand came to that vacant space and he put his hand right on top of the head of a Negro prowler. Of course, he was badly frightened, and he remembered this experience to his dying day.

During the Civil War, my dad was quite a small lad, but he remembered one small incident. It seems that the main north and south road through that section was not too far from the old Presley home. And the soldiers marched on this road. So one day he and a companion were standing by the road watching the soldiers go by. Evidently they were marching route step and free to talk. Anyway, two of them were talking about things to eat. And one was telling the other of some place he had enjoyed a full meal. After naming over several good things he added: "And big red ham gravy." Dad never forgot this remark of a passing soldier. This same road extended into North Carolina. The farmers from that state used the road to haul wagon loads of apples and whiskey for sale in South Carolina. And they drove large herds of hogs on foot, selling them as they found a market. They fed them corn carried along in wagons or bought along the way.

Sallie Bennett Presley died in 1933 at the age of 66, She is buried in Cold-water Cemetery. James T. & Sallie Bennett Presley had a son born Oct. 5, 1895, who died two days later. He was given the name William Clinton Presley, and was buried in Eavenson Cemetery on Peyton Road. Another son, Arthur Bennett Presley, the writer of this family history, was born July 28, 1887 and has now lived 73 very active years and has enjoyed many of the good things of life as well as some of its deepest sorrows. I was blessed with good and affectionate parents but no brothers or sisters.

I attended a country school and obtained an average education. I joined the Methodist church at an early age. At the age of 21 my father made me a full partner in his farming business, and I eventually became the owner of all that we two had accumulated. In addition to farming, I have been newspaper writer, census enumerator, soldier (company clerk of 64th Company, 16th Reg. Bat., 164th Brigade, World War I), Sunday School secretary, guardian for an aged lady and administrator of her estate, secretary Tate County Citizens Council, collector of Indian relics, owner of a free circulating library, foreman of the grand jury, traveler in forty-five states and various other minor activities. Now I seem to be historian of our family.

I married Mattie Dawson, a pretty Memphis widow, in 1930. After one year she returned to the city of her own accord and obtained a divorce that I did not contest. I married Lucile Jones of White Haven, Tennessee in 1935. She was the lock box girl in the Bank of Commerce in Memphis, Tenn. and proved to be an excellent wife and a business woman of exceptional ability. We lived for a year or two in the old big house with my father, then we built the home in which I have been living ever since. Her sister, Irene Jones, eventually came to live with us when her health failed, and she died here. Lucile sold her property at White Haven and invested in a farm she purchased from. A.W. Gillespie. After six or seven years she sold this farm to Ralph Mayfield, and he has made his home there ever since. Lucile lost her life in an automobile accident in Dec. 1946. She and Irene are both buried in Coldwater Cemetery. She left her entire estate to me.

In 1950 I married Miss Katherine Hainan of North Little Rock, Ark., and we have lived happily together ever since.

Thomas Preslar, or Presley, was the oldest son in the family of Thomas and Jennea Preslar/Presley. He was born in Mecklenburg Co., N.C. on Feb. 9, 1789 and died Mar. 3, 1865. I noticed in particular the spelling of the name on his monument. It was spelled Preslar. Thomas is buried in the church yard or cemetery at Armenia Methodist church. .The inscription on his monument states that he was a class leader in Armenia church for more than forty years. His wife, Sarah Preslar, died May 9, 1858 at the age of 71.

All of the children of Thomas and Sarah were girls. Three of them married Grants. And it is almost a certainty that two others married Browns. (Ed. Note: Our records show one son who died at age 5, and 8 daughters. We have no record of either of them marrying a Brown. See Brown connections in other branches of the family mentioned below.) The two Brown families who moved from South Carolina to Mississippi lived near Senatobia. One of the Brown men is said to have lost his live in the Civil War. His brother supported both families. A.S.J. Brown, known as Sid, was a cousin to my grandfather, his mother being a first cousin. I remember him well. Slayton Brown of the Arkabutla community belonged in this connection. Our grandfather was in the Confederate army with several of the Grants.

Uncle Barney Presley, son of Thomas & Jennea Preslar/Presley, moved from Chester Co., S.C. to Leake Co., Miss, at an early date. (Ed. Note: The Barney Harrison Presly family was living in Henderson Co., Tenn., in 1850. See Sept. 1987 Newsletter, p. 5.) He is said to have married a Miss Jones. (Ed. Note: He married firstly, Malinda Morgan, and secondly, Malinda Williams.) The following information about him was supplied by Tom J. Cooper of Coldwater who lived in Leake Co. in his younger days'.

Harris Presley was his only son. (Ed. Note: This is not true. He had eight sons - Elisha William, Thomas Turner, Alexander, Ellis Harrison, John Madison, Andrew Jenkins, Roswell C., & Hosea Morgan; and three daughters - Mary Jane, Sarah

Elizabeth, & Malinda.) The sons of Harris were: Lee, Lynn, Jim and Barney. Lee and Jim died young. Neither of them ever married. Jim was a railroad engineer and died in his 30's. Lynn married Birdie Waggoner, a cousin of T.J. Cooper. To them were born eleven children.

Andrew Jenkins Presley was born Apr. 5, 1845, and died in Aug. 1938.. He must have been 93 years and four months old. This Andrew Jenkins Presley must have been a brother of John and Thomas. (Ed. Note: No, this Andrew Jenkins was a son of Barney Harrison Presley.) His wife was Martha McCallum, born Mar. 28, 1853 and died Mar. 31, 1914. To this couple were born ten children, the oldest on Oct. 1, 1870 and the last on Aug. 10, 1891. Their home was at Ludlow in Scott Co., Miss.

The Presley Brothers at Pickens, Miss, are evidently the grandsons of this couple. Three of them are connected with the Chevrolet Agency and another brother has the Ford Agency. Still another, Earl Presley, is a Methodist preacher in the Mississippi Conference. Barney Presley, one of their brothers, owned and operated an airport and flying service at Pickens.

(Ed. Note: Jenkins Presley, the son of Thomas & Jennea Presley/Preslar, was born in 1795, and married in 1815 in Chester Co., S.C., to Rachel Brown. He served in the War of 1812, and died 30 Sept. 1843 at Salem, Mississippi. His widow applied for a pension in 1872 and was then a resident of Tippah Co., Miss. See Mar. 1987 Newsletter, p. 39. His children have not been identified in our records, but he appears from the 1840 census of Marshall Co., Miss., to have had 3 sons and 5 daughters. Jane, Alexander, and Margaret were still at home with Rachel in Mar-' shall Co. in 1850.)

Uncle Roswell Presley, son of Thomas & Jennea Preslar/Presley, moved to Mississippi and lived at Coldwater. (Ed. Note: R.W. Presley was living in Henderson Co., Term., in 1850. See Sept. 1987 Newsletter, p. 5. Family group data for Roswell W. Presley was given in the Dec. 1987 Newsletter, p. 29, his children being John Madison, Elizabeth Jane, Mary Ellen, and Thomas Henry.) It was to his home that our grandfather came first when he landed in Tate Co. He lived about a mile west of town on the Arkabutla road (I mean the old town). Uncle Roswell later moved to the Singleton Springs community where he died of a heart attack. His wife was named Arsenie or Arsena. (Ed. Note: It was Asenath Harden.)

They had a daughter who married an Alien. He enlisted in the Confederate army and was killed in the battle of Franklin, Term. They had one son, Ira George Alien, who became a school teacher, and later served two or three terms as Superintendent of Education for Tate County. He was very strong on Presley family history. After the death of his wife, the former Lou Toombs, he went to Tupelo, Miss, to live with his daughter, Louise Riley, and was killed by being run over by a pickup truck. He had a son named Ira and another daughter named Margaret.

Uncle Roswell had a son named Tom, known as "One Eyed Tom Presley" who lived near Arkabutla. Tom had three or four daughters, one of them being cousin Sally Scott who lived and died at Arkabutla. Another was Annie who married a Williams. Tom Presley enlisted in the Confederate army when he was hardly more than a boy. He was captured by the Yankees and sent to Rock Island Prison in Illinois. There he was tortured by being hung up by the thumbs until he agreed to join the Yankee army and go fight the Indians in the West. The agreement stated that he would not be sent to fight the South. For this he was severely criticized by relatives and friends. He lost the sight of one eye while cutting stove wood.

At the present time I am unable to give any information about Elias Presley, son of Thomas & Jennea Preslar/Presley. He left South Carolina .... (Ed. Note; Anne Presley Greer points out that her ancestor, Elias Presley, remained in Chester Co., S.C. He married Catherine Brown and had six children: James Brown, Thomas Colman, William Jenkins, Catherine Jane, Mary Louisa, and Elias Lytle. Only the last two children ever married.)

I have no records pertaining to Polly, Jensie and Susannah Presley, daughters of Thomas & Jennea. Jensie was probably named for her mother, Jennea. (Ed. Note: Jennie married Thomas Vance; Polly married John Lee; and Susannah married Andrew Brown.)

(Ed. Note: The family of Thomas & Jennea Presley are well represented by the members of our Association, descendants of those who remained in South Carolina and of those who moved to Mississippi. Our archive contains group sheets, dates, places, etc. more extensive than given in this article, particularly with regard to the families of the author's great, great uncles. However, in spite of any errors or omissions that Arthur Bennett Presley may have made, his personal recollections of this family and of the anecdotes passed down to him are a treasure that will not be found in the court records. Most of the editor's notes are based on family group data provided by E.L. Singleton, 1522 Delia Ct., Boulder City, NV 89005, a descendant of Roswell W. Presley.

This series of articles will continue with additional material on this South Carolina-Mississippi family in future issues. If you have something (old records, photographs, comments, etc.) to contribute to this series, please send it along to me now, so that I can fit it into the series.)

THE PRESLEY/PRESLAR/PRESSLY PRESS

1805 Georgia Land Lottery, Virginia S. Wood & Ralph V. Wood. Cambridge, Mass., 1964.

The Second or 1807 Land Lottery of Georgia. Vidalia, Ga., 1968.
(Ed. Note: No Presley/Pressly listed. Data from The Third & Fourth or 1820 & 182JL Land Lotteries of Georgia given in Mar. 1987 Newsletter, p. 44.)

Reprint of Official Register of Land Lottery of Georgia, 1827, Martha Lou Houston. 1976 (repr. 1986; orig. publ. 1928).

Butler Co. , Ma. , Obituaries , Comp. by Marilyn Davis Barefield Montgomery, 1985

Butler Co. in the Nineteenth Century , Marilyn Davis Hahn. Birmingham, 1978.

Preble Co., Ohio, Cemetery Inscriptions, Vol. I, Mrs. Don Short & Mrs. Dale Bowers. 1969.

Pioneer Ohio Newspapers 1802-1818. Genealogical & Historical Abstracts, Karen Mauer Green. Galveston, 1988.

Index to Early Tennessee Tax Lists, Byron & Barbara Sistler. Evanston, 111., 1977. Green. Galveston, 1988.

Mortality Schedule, Tennessee, 1850, Ed. by Ronald Vern Jackson. Accelerated Indexing Systems, Bountiful, Utah, 1979. Green. Galveston, 1988.

UNION COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, KIN
Part 4 - Birth, Death, Cemetery & Estate Records

Index to delayed births Union, North Carolina Presley, Pressley, Preslar

Index to deaths Union, North Carolina (1913-1968) Presley, Pressley, Preslar
(Not all were copied)

INDEX TO CEMETARY RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLING
FILM #882959

Estate Records of Union, North Carolina
(film #590479)

Estate of Helms Broom Page 101
Noah Broom was administrator, Those who bought at auction included
Alvin Preslar, Hugh Starnes, Elis Preslar, Henry Moser.
Dated 30 Oct 1844
Estate of Helms Broom Page 9
Noah Broom the administrator turned money over to Jacob L. Broom the
guardian of the minor heirs.

Estate Records of Union, North Carolina
(film #590480)

Estate of Helms Broom Page 73
Telitha Broom received a settlement Apr 1850
Estate of Elizabeth Broom Page 75
Heirs were Andrew Broom, Ala Broom, wife of Henry Moser, wife of
Sherrod Prestley. date Jan 1850
Estate of Rachael L. & Saml. W. Preslar Page 339
John W. Preslar was appionted their guardian 22 Nov 1852
Estate of Helms Broom Page 386
John W. Broom recieved some money from the estate Apr 1853
Estate Nancy Rosannah, Miran Drucilla Presley Page 472
They were heirs of N. Presley and John W. Presley was appointed
their guardian.
Estate of Levi Horton, Nancy Rosannah, Miriam D. and R.E. Preslar Page 505
John W. Preslar was appointed their guardian Apr 1853
Estate of Delliah Williams Page 321
Jesse A. Price as the administrator. Some of those who bought at
the auction were Wm. Wooten, W.H. Braswell, Nancy C. Price
dated 8 Jan 1880

Estate Records of Union, North Carolina
(film #590481)

Estate of John Presley Page 271
Administrator was M. R. Presley. Those who bought at auction
Included Eli Presley, J.M. Braswell, J.A. Price, D.M. Price,
Peter Presley date Jan 1856.
Estate of Elias Presley deceased Page 276
Those who bought at auction included L.M. Secrest, widow, and
Evan Presley. dated Jan 1856 Executory was Gilliam Presley.
Estate Gabriel B. Helms Page 339
Those who bought at auction included Ala Presley, Milas R. Presley
Dated Apr 1856

Estate of Wilson M.. & levi E. Broom Page 396
John W. Preslar was appointed their guardian Jan 1857
Estate of Alvin Preslar deceased Page 471
Ellas Preslar was administrator. Those who bought at auction
included John W. Preslar and Rachel Preslar.
Estate of Alien Broom Page 521
Darling Broom was administrator. Those who bought at auction
included Elizabeth Preslar, Elijah Preslar, Charles Moser.
Dated Jan 1860
Estate of Alvin Preslar deceased Page 425
Elias Preslar was administrator. Wiatt Preslar and John W. Preslar
were each mentioned.
Estate of Ellas Preslar Page 122
Gil lam Preslar and Burrell Helms were administrators. Notes due
estate included those of Evan Presley, Blackman Helms and Lydia Pressler.

Estate Records of Union, North Carolina
(film #590482)

Estate of Elias Preslar Page 71
Gillam Presley was administrator. G. W. Helms was appointed
guardian of minor children.
Estate of William Price Page 339
W. H. Simpson was administrator. Those who bought at auction
included Delilah Price, M. R. Presley, Peter Presley, Frances A.
Presley dated Apr 1868
Inventory of estate of Elijah Preslar Page 210
taken 28 Oct 1864
Estate of Levi Preslar Page 2
Administrators Elias and J. W. Preslar. Those who bought at auction
included Andrew Broom, Lydia Moser, Levi Broom, Drucilla Broom
dated Apr 1866

Estate Records of Union, North Carolina
(film # 590484)

Estate of Delilah Williams deceased. Page 132
J. A. Price was the administrator. A note was collected for J. W.
Presley. Agnes Tomberlin was mentioned. Their were 5 shares of
$12.52 distributed. Jacob Helms got $12.52 on 18 Jan 1882. B. M.
Braswell (female) got $12.52 on 2 Feb 1882. Geo. C. McLarty and
James M. Price each got $12.52 on 23 Nov 1883. (Note: the fifth
share was not mentioned). J. M. Braswell and E. E. Braswell each
signed the document. J. M. Braswell was probably the husband of
B. M. Braswell (my guess).

In the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh is a file of Miscellaneous Estate Records. The following individuals from Union Co. have files in this collection: \

Will of Elias Preslar
(LDS film #020,001, page 111)

I Elias Preslar of the state of North Carolina and county of Union being of sound mind and memory and considering the certainty of death do this day make my last will and testament in the presence of Almighty God after this manner & form.

Firstly that the executors herein after mentioned shall with the first money that may come into their hands pay all my just debts whatsoever and to whosoever owing together with a decent funeral and all funeral expences a burial suitable to the wishes of all my friends and relations.

Firstly I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Lydia one gray horse also one red cow and calf also one yearling with white and black spots also one sow and five (?) also together with all the house hold and kitchen furniture to have and to hold so long as she remains my widow and when my beloved wife Lydia ceases to be my widow then in that case the property all to be sold and egually divided among my three children of lawful heirs, viz. Leander Preslar, Permelia Preslar, Matilda Preslar further I will and devize that my beloved wife have all my farming tools together with all my pottery(?) also together with a years provision

I will and desire that my son Leander Preslar have my double barrel shotgun with shot pouch and (?) knife to have and to hold forever.

I desire that my father Eli Preslar take this gun into his possession to have and use as his own and keep till my son Leander Preslar to the age of maturity then to return to him. I hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friends Burrel Helms Jr.,'Gillam Preslar the lawful executors of this my last will and testament and they to carry out this will according to law, justice and the true intents and meaning thereof. This will makeing void all other wills heretofore made by me this 25 of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Five and by the request of Elias Preslar we do here offer our names as witnesses to the same signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us in 1855

wit. L.M. Secrist
Blackman Helms             Elias Preslar (Ed. Note: This data was compiled by James E. Anderson.)

Military Records Confederate Military Service Records

(Ed. Note: We begin in this issue a listing of service records to be found in the National Archives for those individuals who served the Confederacy during the Civil War. Our researcher, Mrs. Ruth Hustead, began this listing, but because of ill health, we have commissioned Lilla M. Licht, a professional genealogist, to continue with the project.)
(Ed. Note: OFU = Original Filed Under)

(to be continued)

FAMILY GROUP SHEET

(Ed. Note: The following family group data is shared by Mary Scott (Betty) Frazier, 355 Riverbluff Place #1, Memphis, Tenn. 38103.)

Thomas Henry Presley, son of Roswell W. & Azenath (Harden) Presley, born 31 July 1841 Chester Co., S.C., died 21 Feb. 1904 Arkabutla, Tate Co., Miss., bur. Hopevell Gem., Arkabutla, Miss., in. ca. 1869 Elizabeth Ann Darby, born 12 May 1842 Chester Co., S.C., died 14 Mar. 1912 Tate Co., Miss., bur. Hopewell Cem. (dau. of John Ainsley Darby & Sarah Clarissa Jones-Harden).
Children:
1) Belle Presley, b. 1870 Tate Co. (then DeSoto), Miss.
2) Sallie Ellen Presley (see below)
3) Annie Presley, b. 1875 Tate Co., Miss.
4) Mattie Presley, b. 1877 Tate Co., Miss.

Sallie Ellen Presley, born 8 Dec. 1873 Arkabutla, Miss., died 2 May 1959 Memphis, Term., bur. Hopewell Cem., A.Jcabutla, Miss., m. 19 Nov. 1890 Arkabutla, Tate Co., Miss. James Louis Scott, born 19 July 1864 Arkabutla, Tate Co. (then DeSoto Co.), Miss., died 1 Feb. 1930 Arkabutla, Miss., bur. Hopewell Cem., Tate Co., Miss, (son of James A. Scott & Emily Lugene Brown).
Children:
1) James Thomas Scott, b. 25 Sept. 1892 Arkabutla, Miss., d. 26 Oct. 1892 Arkabutla, Miss., bur. Hopewell Cem., Arkabutla, Miss.
2) Bessie Scott, b. 31 Dec. 1893 Arkabutla, Miss., d. 14 Oct. 1975 Memphis, Term., bur. Surrett's Cem., Arkabutla, Miss., m. Clarence Hall.
3) Leslie Lugene Scott, b. 1896 Arkabutla, Miss., d. ca. 1982 Little Rock, Ark., bur. Little Rock, Ark. , rn.-W. Carvel Dickey (double wedding with sister, Eunice).
4) Herman L. Scott, b. 16 Apr. 1895 Arkabutla, Miss., d. ca. 1975, bur. Hopewell Cem., Arkabutla, Miss., m. Josephine McKinney.
5) Eunice Scott, b. 1903 Arkabutla, Miss., d. Dec. 1987, bur. Memorial Gardens, Memphis, Term., m. Joe Tobias (double wedding with sister, Leslie).
6) Carrie Ann Scott, b. 5 June 1905 Arkabutla, Miss. d. 5 Sept. 1905 Arkabutla Miss., bur. Hopewell Cem., Arkabutla, Miss.
7) Hugh Maury Scott, b. 3 Mar. 1907 Arkabutla, Miss., d. 24 Feb. 1969 Memphis, Tenn., bur. Memorial Gardens, Memphis, Tenn., m. 16 Mar. 1926 Marion, Ark. Annie Katherine Wadley.
8) Katie M. Scott, b. 28 Sept. 1909 Arkabutla, Miss., d. 26 June 1910 Arkabutla, Miss., bur. Hopewell Cem., Arkabutla, Miss.
9) Taulbert Scott, b. 24 July 1898 Arkabutla, Miss., d. 18 Feb. 1937 Arkabutla, Miss., bur. Surrett's Cem., Arkabutla, Miss., m. Annie Belle Lane.
10) Lauren Evander Scott, b. 5 Dec. 1914 Arkabutla, Miss., d. 18 Mar. 1989 Memphis, Term., bur. Hopewell Cem., Arkabutla, Miss., ml. Ruby Jean Bruckner, m2. Zelda Keyes.

GETTING STARTED ON YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

(Ed. Note: The following is from an article, "Playing Familial Pursuit", by Dave Barry in The Washington Post (n.d.) and is shared with us by Hugh Hughes of McLean, Virginia.)

Today we're going to talk about how you can get involved in the fascinating and rewarding hobby of genealogy, which is the study of people named "Gene". Ha, ha! Not really. Although somebody should do a study of people named Gene, because

there seems to be something wrong with them. I base this on close observation of my editor, who is named Gene ....

But let's try not to think about that now. Let's instead think about the fascinating hobby of genealogy, which comes from two Greek words: genealo, which means "droning on"; and gy, which means " about your ancestors as if you're the only person who HAS any". Sound like fun? Let's get started 1

The first step is to determine your family name, which you can usually find by looking at any major credit card just below your family expiration date. Your family name reveals important information about your ancestry, because in the past, which is where the bulk of your ancestors probably resided, people were given their names based on what they did for a living. For example, if your family name is:
"Smith" — your early ancestors were blacksmiths;
"Field" — your early ancestors were shortstops;
"Dingle" — your early ancestors did something that didn't pay them well enough to get their name legally changed;
"Guywhoissupposedtocomefixtherefrigerator" — your early ancestors did not exist.

Whatever your family name i*» you probably have a family coat of arms, which you can obtain from the gift shop of any reliable tourist attraction. I obtained . „. [mine] at Gatorland,... [It] turns out to be a porcelain object about the size of a beer coaster on which is painted the official family motto ... [and] a little shield with a helmet and a horse. These objects of course date back to when knights rode on horseback in the "days of yore", which got their name from the fact that the horses left these large mounds of yore everywhere (hence the expression "Yore full of it"). Your goal is to trace your ancestry back to this era and, ideally, prove that you have royal blood, which is considered a big deal in genealogy circles.

Also, you want to prove that your ancestors came over on the Mayflower and fought in the Revolutionary War, preferably at the same time. This will entitle you to join exclusive organizations and go to meetings and social functions where you can stand around in formal clothing and chat with other people who belong to these organizationso Or, for equal fun, you can stay home and staple your lips together.

. . . [Y]ou should soon be able to trace your family tree back to a specific paramecium. The important thing is to stick with it. Remember the motto on the British royal coat-of-arms: "Dieu et Mon Droit" ("You Ate My Dog"). Nothing I could possibly say would make the point more eloquently .....