1000 Years of Garrett Family History Page 28 28
1000 Years of Garrett Family History Page 28 28
1000 Years of Garrett Family History Page 28 28
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> <strong>28</strong><br />
Below is a copy <strong>of</strong> an old map <strong>of</strong> Buckingham County, Virginia that shows the location <strong>of</strong><br />
various land owners. There was an index with the map that gave the name <strong>of</strong> the land owner<br />
associated with each number. Number “23” is labeled “<strong>Garrett</strong> land”. Apparently that is where<br />
Charles Burton GARRETT and wife Mary Mollie Ayers lived and raised their children.<br />
The Ware family also lived in Buckingham County for several generations. The legend for the<br />
map (below) did not contain the “Ware” name but I believe they lived in the large blank area<br />
north <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Garrett</strong> land, #23. Besides marrying into the <strong>Garrett</strong>s, one <strong>of</strong> the daughters married a<br />
Moseley whose land is #24. For several generations, the Ware’s had at least one minister in the<br />
family. There are a good number <strong>of</strong> marriage records for Buckingham County where a Rev.<br />
John Ware conducted the marriage ceremony.<br />
Number “42” (near the bottom) is the location <strong>of</strong> President-to-be Thomas Jefferson’s brother,<br />
Randolph Jefferson’s land. This is where an ancestor <strong>of</strong> Frances, Isaac Bates, whipped one <strong>of</strong><br />
Randolph’s slaves until she died.<br />
Number “50” is the location <strong>of</strong> Peter Francisco’s land who played an important role in my<br />
efforts to trace the <strong>Garrett</strong> linage. More on that later.<br />
<strong>28</strong>
<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 29<br />
Of Charles Burton GARRETT’s and Mary Mollie Ayers’ eight children, the one that is my<br />
direct ancestor is Isaac Ayers GARRETT.<br />
Isaac Ayers GARRETT marries a Huguenot<br />
Isaac Ayers GARRETT was born between 1758 and 1761 in Buckingham, VA and died<br />
October <strong>28</strong>, 1825 at “Henry Rives Place”, Montgomery, TN. He married 1st Mary Elizabeth<br />
Ford Agee in 1780. She was born between 1755 and 1764 in Buckingham, VA and died about<br />
1803 in Buckingham, VA<br />
Children <strong>of</strong> Isaac Ayers GARRETT and Mary Elizabeth Ford Agee were::<br />
Chloe <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1782 in Buckingham, VA and died August 1868 in TN.<br />
Hercules A. <strong>Garrett</strong> was born about 1784 in Buckingham, VA and died 1822 in<br />
Greene Co., KY.<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1786 in Buckingham, VA and died September 5,<br />
1850 in Belle Mina, Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Elizabeth <strong>Garrett</strong> was born May 5, 1787 or March 5, 1789 in Buckingham, VA<br />
and died April 2, 1869 or Sept. 2, 1867 in Christian Co., KY.<br />
Polly <strong>Garrett</strong> was born June 20, 1788 in Buckingham, VA.<br />
Ruth <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1790 in Buckingham Co VA.<br />
Isaac Agee <strong>Garrett</strong> was born July 7, 1792 in Buckingham, VA and died August<br />
16, 1868 in Christian Co., KY.<br />
Martha <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1794 in Buckingham Co, VA and died Before 1827.<br />
Susanna <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1796 in Buckingham, VA and died After 1870.<br />
Nancy <strong>Garrett</strong> was born August 9, 1797 in Buckingham, VA and died May 10,<br />
1876 in Christian Co., KY.<br />
Jacob <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1798 in Buckingham, VA and died in Ile De Brbehat,<br />
Ccotes-Du-Nord, France.<br />
. Virginia Ann <strong>Garrett</strong> was born September 7, 1800 in Buckingham, VA and<br />
died June 7, 1837 in TN.<br />
Pleasant Bonaparte Garrott was born June 5, 1802 in Buckingham, VA and<br />
died December 12, 1875 in Christian Co., KY.<br />
Note that all <strong>of</strong> these 13 children were born in Buckingham County probably on the “<strong>Garrett</strong><br />
Land” marked on the map on the prior page.<br />
Mary Elizabeth Ford Agee was a Huguenot. She descended from the Agee’s who were one <strong>of</strong><br />
the 700 Huguenots that arrived in 1700 and settled on land that had belonged to the Manakin<br />
Indians before they were driven <strong>of</strong>f. The settlement was about 60 miles east <strong>of</strong> the Buckingham<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong>s at a place on the James River named Manakitowne (now Manakin). At the time,<br />
Manakitowne was in Henrico County but is now in Powhatan County.<br />
Mary Elizabeth Ford Agee was the daughter <strong>of</strong> James Agee who was born 1725, near<br />
Manakintowne, Virginia. He died in 1821, near Maysville, Buckingham County, Virginia. He<br />
married Mary Elizabeth Ford in 1747. He and his wife were married 76 years, and most <strong>of</strong> their<br />
married life was spent in their home in Buckingham County, in which preaching services were<br />
held for seventy years. James Agee was a Revolutionary soldier in the Seventh Virginia<br />
Regiment. They had 12 children, one <strong>of</strong> whom was Mary Elizabeth who married Isaac Ayers<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong>..<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 30<br />
After Mary Elizabeth Ford Agee had 13 children, she died in about 1803 leaving Isaac with no<br />
wife and small children. So, Isaac Ayers GARRETT remarried a woman named Phoebe<br />
Fossee.<br />
Children <strong>of</strong> Isaac Ayers GARRETT and Phoebe Fossee were:<br />
Charles Francisco GARRETT was born 1812 in VA, His place <strong>of</strong> death is<br />
unknown, but I think it was in Indian Territory, now OK.<br />
George <strong>Garrett</strong> was born in 1814 and died in infancy.<br />
Soon after the birth <strong>of</strong> the 2 nd child, George <strong>Garrett</strong>, Phoebe Fossee died, again leaving Isaac<br />
Ayers GARRETT with a small child and no wife at the age <strong>of</strong> 54.<br />
But, Isaac Ayers GARRETT’s son, Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> was living in Virginia, married with 3<br />
children, the youngest <strong>of</strong> which was the same age as Charles Francisco GARRETT. So, it<br />
appears that Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> ‘took in” his half brother, Charles Francisco GARRETT,<br />
possibly because that was cheaper than buying a slave. (Edmond owned over 20 slaves at the<br />
time.) There is some evidence that Edmond also raised another male that may have been Isaac<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong>, whose parents are unknown. I will give more information on this later.<br />
Edmond’s <strong>Garrett</strong> had a son that was two years older than Charles Francisco GARRETT,<br />
named Peter Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong>. Why Francisco? Two Franciscos within two years and a name<br />
that had never shown up before.<br />
Then I found Peter Francisco on the internet and I found Peter Francisco’s name on the same<br />
map as the <strong>Garrett</strong>s in Buckingham County, Virginia. See map on page 20.<br />
Peter Francisco is an Hero<br />
Peter Francisco made a mysterious appearance in Buckingham County as a child. He was<br />
abandoned by a ship's captain at City Point, VA in the year 1765. No one knew his age or where<br />
he came from, but his clothing and silver buckle shoes would suggest that he was <strong>of</strong> a prosperous<br />
family, apparently from Portugal and undoubtedly he had been kidnapped.<br />
Captain Anthony Winston took him home and cared for him. Anthony Winston lived in<br />
Buckingham County, Virginia and became the foster-father <strong>of</strong> Peter Francisco. Captain Winston<br />
was a sheriff <strong>of</strong> that county, member <strong>of</strong> the first conventions <strong>of</strong> 1775, Burgess <strong>of</strong> that county in<br />
1775 and a Revolutionary War soldier.<br />
Peter Francisco grew up to be a man <strong>of</strong> enormous size and strength. He was said to have been<br />
six feet and six inches in height and to have weighed 260 pounds. He volunteered for service in<br />
the Revolutionary War when very young and was noted for a number <strong>of</strong> single-handed exploits.<br />
On the battlefield <strong>of</strong> Gilford Courthouse there is a monument marking the spot where he killed<br />
eleven men in fierce combat. He made many exhibits <strong>of</strong> his enormous strength and valor that are<br />
on record. There is a place in Nottoway County, VA, for example, that marked where he defeated<br />
single-handed nine <strong>of</strong> Tarleton's British dragoons soldiers in July <strong>of</strong> 1781.<br />
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Early in the war he complained that the regular swords were not big enough for him and one was<br />
specially made at General Washington's direction over five feet from hilt to point. A massive<br />
sword given him by Colonel Mayo is in the Virginia State Library. After the war he served for<br />
many years as door-keeper <strong>of</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> Delegates.<br />
So, in 1810 Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> names his son Peter Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> and in 1812 Isaac Ayers<br />
GARRETT names his son Charles Francisco GARRETT.<br />
Isaac Ayers GARRETT’s <strong>Family</strong> Divides<br />
Around 1820, Isaac and his children left Virginia, as listed below:.<br />
Isaac Ayers GARRETT went to Montgomery Co., TN.<br />
Chloe <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Christian County, KY.<br />
Hercules <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Greene County, KY.<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Limestone County, AL.<br />
Elizabeth <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Christian County, KY<br />
Polly <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Christian County, KY.<br />
Isaac Agee <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Christian County, KY<br />
Martha <strong>Garrett</strong> married in Mecklenburg Co. VA<br />
Susanna <strong>Garrett</strong> married in Christian Co., KY then moved to Montgomery Co., TN.<br />
Nancy <strong>Garrett</strong> married in Christian County, KY.<br />
Jacob <strong>Garrett</strong> had died in France.<br />
Virginia Ann <strong>Garrett</strong> married in Christian Co., KY and dies in TN.<br />
Pleasant Bonaparte <strong>Garrett</strong> went to Christian County, KY.<br />
Charles Francisco GARRETT went to Limestone Co., AL<br />
Pleasant Bonaparte <strong>Garrett</strong> started spelling his name, “Garrott” and names one <strong>of</strong> his sons,<br />
Marcellus Aurelias Garrott.<br />
Isaac Ayers GARRETT dies “at Henry Rives Place” in Montgomery Co., TN in 1825. I found a<br />
Henry Rives living in Tennessee whose parents were from Virginia. Apparently, Isaac Ayers<br />
GARRETT and the Rives knew each other in VA.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> Isaac Ayers GARRETT’s <strong>of</strong>fspring’s go to Christian County, Kentucky but Edmond<br />
and family go to Belle Mina, Limestone County, Alabama.<br />
The map on the next page shows the “settled areas” in 1820 but more importantly, the roads that<br />
were present. I have spotted Buckingham County, VA as the light blue dot, Christian County,<br />
KY as the green dot; Montgomery County, TN as the yellow dot (almost covered up by the green<br />
dot) and Limestone County, AL as the dark green dot. All <strong>of</strong> Isaac Ayers GARRETT’s family<br />
moved as shown by the light blue lines.<br />
I have not been able to find why the family moved. Of course, the daughters moved according to<br />
where their husbands lived. As for the sons, it was likely a search for fertile land. They had<br />
farmed the same fields for over 40 years and had probably depleted them. The most likely reason<br />
for Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> splitting from the others was slavery. While in Virginia, Edmond (or<br />
sometimes listed as Edward) owned 13 slaves in 1810 and 23 slaves in 1820. None <strong>of</strong> his siblings<br />
owned slaves. His father, Isaac owned one slave.<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 32<br />
When Isaac Ayers GARRETT was 44 years old, Thomas<br />
Jefferson was president and had just made the “Louisiana<br />
Purchase”. On March 10, 1804 the formal ceremony was held<br />
transferring the purchase to the United States. Thirty-five days<br />
later, Lewis and Clark left Camp Wood (on the Wood River in<br />
Illinois) to begin their exploration up the Missouri River "under a<br />
gentle breeze."<br />
A map showing the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark’s route<br />
is on the next page.<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 33<br />
At the time, President Jefferson was smarting under the European allegations that everything in<br />
the New World was small and inferior. He hoped that Lewis & Clark would find mastodons and<br />
other large critters. Also, it would be nice to find a water route to the Pacific.<br />
33<br />
Lewis & Clark did find large animals<br />
named, buffalo. They also found many<br />
Indian tribes. One <strong>of</strong> the first were the<br />
Mandans whose village is depicted on<br />
the left.<br />
l<br />
During Isaac Ayers GARRETT’s<br />
lifetime:<br />
The Revolutionary War was fought<br />
and America gained its independence.<br />
The first “washing machine”, the<br />
“scrub board”, was invented.<br />
Previously, clothes were hit on rocks.<br />
In 1769, James Watt patented an<br />
improved version <strong>of</strong> the steam engine that ushered in the Industrial Revolution.<br />
In 1787, the era <strong>of</strong> the steamboat began in America when John Fitch made the first successful<br />
trial <strong>of</strong> a forty-five-foot steamboat on the Delaware River.<br />
Robert Fulton successfully built and operated a submarine in 1801. Later, he is credited with<br />
turning the steamboat into a commercial success.<br />
George Stephenson invented the first steam locomotive engine for railways.<br />
Napoleon Bonaparte was born when Isaac Ayer <strong>Garrett</strong> is 9 years old and meets his Waterloo<br />
in 1815, ten years before Isaac’s death.<br />
Woldgang Amadeous Mozart was born about the same time as Isaac GARRETT but died<br />
when Isaac was about 35 years old.
<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 34<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> Moves <strong>Family</strong> and Slaves to Alabama<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1786 in Buckingham, VA and died September 5, 1850 in Belle Mina,<br />
Limestone Co., Alabama. He married Sarah Sallie Gough in 1807 . She was born 1789 in<br />
Buckingham, VA and died August 17, 1850 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Children <strong>of</strong> Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> and Sarah Sallie Gough were:<br />
Sarah Judith <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1808 in Buckingham, VA and died between<br />
1854 and 1855 in Lawrence Co., AL.<br />
Peter Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> was born April 25, 1810 in Buckingham, VA and died<br />
January 24, 1894 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Nicholas <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1813 in Buckingham, VA and died 1869 in<br />
Galveston, TX.<br />
William H. <strong>Garrett</strong> was born March 19, 1816 in Buckingham, VA and died<br />
February 22, 1875 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Edmond Agee <strong>Garrett</strong> was born March 3, 1818 in Buckingham, VA and died<br />
May 24, 1856 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Between 1820 and 1830, Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> moved<br />
his family to Belle Mina, Alabama. In addition to the<br />
family, Edmond took with him 22 or 23 slaves. It is<br />
hard to conceive them all traveling by covered<br />
wagons for 600 miles via the Great Valley and<br />
Nashville Roads as shown on the page 32 map.<br />
Possibly, part <strong>of</strong> the trip was via the Tennessee<br />
River. My ancestor Charles Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> was<br />
between 8 and 18 years <strong>of</strong> age.{<br />
The following account was found to have happened<br />
in 1817 within three years <strong>of</strong> when Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong>’s family and Charles Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong><br />
arrived in Limestone Co., AL.<br />
That the petitioner (a Mr. Williams) represents that, in the year 1817, he resided in Madison<br />
County, (which adjoins Limestone Co.) <strong>of</strong> the then Territory <strong>of</strong> Alabama; that his cattle would<br />
frequently, and unavoidably, run <strong>of</strong>f to range upon the Indian lands; that, during this time,<br />
Lieutenant Houston, (Sam Houston <strong>of</strong> Texas fame) <strong>of</strong> the army <strong>of</strong> the United States, was<br />
ordered to remove intruders from the Indian lands, and to take all their stock; that, under this<br />
order, he forcibly took and carried from the lands aforesaid eighteen head <strong>of</strong> the petitioner’s cattle,<br />
whereby he has sustained considerable loss, and for which he asks Congress to make him<br />
compensation.<br />
It appears, by information the committee have received from the War Department, that General<br />
Jackson, at the time aforesaid, was ordered to cause to be removed, by military force, all persons<br />
who should be found upon the Indian lands, and to destroy their houses and improvements. In<br />
executing this order, General Jackson gave directions to Lieutenant Houston to destroy not<br />
only their houses and improvements, but also to seize their stock, and deliver it over into the<br />
hands <strong>of</strong> the marshal. Pursuant to order, Lieutenant Houston delivered to the agent <strong>of</strong> John<br />
Childers, marshal for the district <strong>of</strong> West Tennessee, fifty-one head <strong>of</strong> cattle and one horse<br />
creature, which were advertised and sold according to the laws and customs <strong>of</strong> that State. Other<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 35<br />
cattle, besides these, were subsequently taken, but the marshal refused to receive them. There is no<br />
evidence in the Treasury Department that any money arising from the sale has been paid to the<br />
United States.<br />
The above must have been on the mind <strong>of</strong> Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> when he moved to Limestone<br />
County next door to Madison County. Edmond was about 35 years old at the time.<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> was in the 1830 US Census in Limestone County, AL where Belle Mina is<br />
located with 22 slaves. Before 1850 the US Census takers did not list the names <strong>of</strong> wives or<br />
children in the household – just the name <strong>of</strong> the head-<strong>of</strong>-household, then the number <strong>of</strong> children<br />
grouped by sex and age brackets and lastly the number <strong>of</strong> slaves. In the 1830 Census, there are<br />
two more males in the household than can be accounted for by the four male children <strong>of</strong> Edmond<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong>. This supports my theory that Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> had “taken in” Charles Francisco<br />
GARRETT and included him with the rest <strong>of</strong> his family when they moved from Virginia to<br />
Alabama. The second extra male in Edmond’s family is not known; but some believe that it was<br />
an Isaac <strong>Garrett</strong> who was 6 years older than Charles Francisco GARRETT.<br />
In the 1840 Census for Limestone County, AL, Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> had 29 slaves and his son,<br />
Peter Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> had 9 slaves. Charles Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> and the mysterious Isaac<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong> are married and have children, but no slaves.<br />
In the first Census (1850) where the names <strong>of</strong> everyone in the household is listed, we find in the<br />
same household:<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong>, a male, age 64, head <strong>of</strong> household, farmer from VA<br />
Sarah a female, age 62, keeping house from VA (wife)<br />
Edmond A. <strong>Garrett</strong>, a male, age 32, farmer (son)<br />
Elizabeth Maria a female, age 24 from TN (wife <strong>of</strong> Edmond A. <strong>Garrett</strong>)<br />
Maria, a female, 11 months old, from AL (daughter <strong>of</strong> Edmond and Elizabeth)<br />
Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong>, a male, age 39, farmer from VA (son)<br />
William <strong>Garrett</strong>, a male, age 34, farmer (son)<br />
Edmond’s son, Nicholas (age 37) and daughter, Sarah Judith (age 42) are unaccounted for in the<br />
1850 Census.<br />
By the 1860 Census, Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> and wife Sarah have both died. In fact they died within<br />
one month <strong>of</strong> each other in the fall <strong>of</strong> 1850. Edmond A. <strong>Garrett</strong> has also died and his widow,<br />
Elizabeth is living next door to Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong> with her 10 year old daughter and an Overseer<br />
by the name <strong>of</strong> Thomas B. Robertson, age 20. Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong> and his recent 26 year old wife<br />
(Mary Goodson Peete) have a 10 month old son by the name <strong>of</strong> Edmond.<br />
In the 1870 Census, Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong> was 59 years old, head <strong>of</strong> the household and living with his<br />
wife, Mary and three children; Edmond age 10, Mary Orlean age 6, and son Thomas age 4. Also,<br />
living with Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong> was his brother, William <strong>Garrett</strong>, retired farmer, age 52. These 6<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong>s are the only white <strong>Garrett</strong>s in the County in 1870; however, there are 57 black <strong>Garrett</strong>s.<br />
Apparently, Peter had owned a lot <strong>of</strong> slaves.<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 36<br />
In the 1880 Census, Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong> and wife, Mary were still alive and living in AL. with his<br />
son Edmond, age 20 and a daughter age 6. Roda Peete age 47 and Darthula Peete age 27 are<br />
listed as borders. Since Peter’s wife is Mary Peete, the two “borders” are probably her sisters.<br />
In the 1930 Census, Peter’s grandson, Edmond P. <strong>Garrett</strong> age 32 was now the head <strong>of</strong><br />
household. He had a wife, age 35 named Elizabeth; a son age 6 named Edmond P. <strong>Garrett</strong>; a<br />
son age 4 named James. In the same household is his Uncle Thomas <strong>Garrett</strong>, age 63 who is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> Peter F. <strong>Garrett</strong>’s sons.<br />
I found on the internet a notice <strong>of</strong> a 2003 home tour in Belle Mina, AL where the main home was<br />
that <strong>of</strong> Peter Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong>’s great grandson Edmond P. <strong>Garrett</strong> (the 6 year old in the<br />
above paragraph) and his wife Virginia. The home reportedly was built by Peter Francisco<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong> in 1859 and is named “The Cedars”. Edmond P <strong>Garrett</strong> and wife Virginia live in the<br />
house today (March 2004). I contacted Virginia <strong>Garrett</strong> there in Belle Mina who wanted to help<br />
in my genealogical research but she was 80 years old and had cancer with only a few weeks to<br />
live. She has not responded to my last email so I am afraid that she has passed away.<br />
Charles Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> Raises <strong>Family</strong> in Alabama<br />
Charles Francisco GARRETT was born in 1812 in Virginia and died (I believe) in the<br />
Cherokee or Creek Nation, which is now OK. His wife, Rutha (Bertha) Miller was born about<br />
1811 in North Carolina and I believe also died in the Cherokee or Creek Nation. Rutha’s<br />
parents were in Somistoni, AL in 1833.<br />
I found the marriage record where Charles GARRETT (I’m dropping the Francisco because he<br />
did – probably because he could not write) married Rutha Miller on October 29, 1835. His<br />
name does not appear in the 1830 US Census for AL but there are two extra male children in the<br />
Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong> household – one <strong>of</strong> which must be Charles Francisco GARRETT.<br />
By 1840, Charles Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> has left his half brother Edmond <strong>Garrett</strong>’s household and<br />
is on his own. While his nephew, Peter Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> in starting his plantation in Belle<br />
Mina, AL and buying slaves, Charles Francisco <strong>Garrett</strong> settles a little north <strong>of</strong> Belle Mina, AL<br />
within 3 miles <strong>of</strong> the TN state line.<br />
In the 1840 Census, he is with a wife and two females under 5 years, which is correct.<br />
In the 1850 Census he is in Yell County, Arkansas with 7 children plus an Isaac <strong>Garrett</strong> and a<br />
Merrill Simpson <strong>Garrett</strong>. Merrill Simpson <strong>Garrett</strong> is the son <strong>of</strong> Isaac <strong>Garrett</strong> but Isaac’s<br />
relationship cannot be determined. Most <strong>Garrett</strong> researchers feel that Isaac <strong>Garrett</strong> was Charles’<br />
brother, but I don’t think so. If he had been Charles’ brother, that would mean that Isaac Ayers<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong> had two sons by the name <strong>of</strong> Isaac. And, Charles’ half brother, Isaac is 14 years older<br />
than the Isaac who was staying with the Charles GARRETT family in 1850.<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 37<br />
Children <strong>of</strong> Charles Francisco GARRETT and Rutha (Bertha) Miller were:<br />
Elizabeth <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1837 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Molly or Polly <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1839 in Limestone Co., Alabama and died<br />
February 5, 1925 in Siloam Springs, AR.<br />
James Carter <strong>Garrett</strong> was born December 29, 1840 in Limestone Co., AL and<br />
died January 13, 1933 in Llano or Burnet Co., TX.<br />
Louisa V. <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1842 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
John GARRETT was born November 25, 1844 in Limestone Co., Alabama and<br />
died February 25, 1919 in Benton County, AR.<br />
Joseph (Joel) <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1847 in Limestone Co., Alabama.<br />
Millie F. <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1849 in Yell Co., AR.<br />
Samuel <strong>Garrett</strong> was born 1852 in Yell Co., AR.<br />
Note that the last two children were born in Arkansas whereas the others were born in Alabama.<br />
So, between 1847 and 1850 the family moved from Limestone County, Alabama to Yell County,<br />
Arkansas.<br />
Before they moved to Arkansas, we have 1846 records <strong>of</strong> Charles GARRETT buying land in<br />
Limestone County, AL. In fact he bought two 40 acre tracts on August 4, 1846 that are only 2½<br />
miles south <strong>of</strong> the Tennessee border. This acreage was purchased from the U.S. government<br />
“according to the provisions <strong>of</strong> the Act <strong>of</strong> Congress <strong>of</strong> the 24 th <strong>of</strong> April, 1820, entitled An act<br />
making further provision for the sale <strong>of</strong> the Public Lands. The land was sold for $1.25 per acre.<br />
A copy <strong>of</strong> the actual records involved are below. There is also a copy <strong>of</strong> the receipt where he<br />
paid $50.01 for 40.01 acres. I have copies <strong>of</strong> the paper work on the second 40 acres.<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 38<br />
On July 17, 1849, Charles GARRETT sold these two tracts <strong>of</strong> land preparatory to moving to<br />
Arkansas. I can’t figure why he wanted to move when his relatives in the same neighborhood<br />
were building a plantation and buying slaves. Perhaps, Charles GARRETT had an aversion to<br />
slave ownership – he, or his sons, never owned a slave.<br />
Charles’ oldest son was named James Carter <strong>Garrett</strong> and from his obituary, we find how the<br />
<strong>Garrett</strong>s moved from Alabama to Arkansas. The obit states, he (James Carter) removed to<br />
Arkansas when nine years <strong>of</strong> age. His parents and other family kin went by way <strong>of</strong> the Tennessee<br />
and Mississippi Rivers, on a boat constructed especially for the pioneer movers’ use. They built<br />
the boat themselves. There he grew to manhood just as the civil war rent our frail land.<br />
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<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 39<br />
The map on the prior page shows the route taken by the Charles GARRETT family. The small<br />
red dot in northern Alabama was their starting point and the red “x” is where they stopped. This<br />
was in about 1849. Some 17 years earlier, many <strong>of</strong> the Cherokee Indians took this same water<br />
route on the way to what is now Oklahoma. The blue hatched area on the map above was the<br />
location <strong>of</strong> the Cherokee Nation, East.<br />
Evidence <strong>of</strong> Charles GARRETT and family being settled in Yell County, AR are (1) copies <strong>of</strong><br />
land purchases from the US government that Coy <strong>Garrett</strong> from Raleigh, North Carolina obtained<br />
from National Archives in Washington DC.; and (2) records <strong>of</strong> his payment <strong>of</strong> land tax in<br />
Danville, Yell Co., AR. Coy <strong>Garrett</strong> noted that he had records <strong>of</strong> Charles <strong>Garrett</strong>’s tax<br />
payments for 1851, 1852, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1861, 1862, 1867 and 1868. During the war years,<br />
the records were not kept. Initially, Charles was paying tax on 40 acres, but starting in 1862 he<br />
paid taxes on 200 acres. From this it appears that Charles left Yell Co., AR between 1868 and<br />
1870, about 4 years after the end <strong>of</strong> the Civil War.<br />
During Charles Francisco GARRETT’s life time:<br />
Charles Darwin made a 5-year scientific expedition starting<br />
in 1831 that formed the basis <strong>of</strong> his book On Origin<br />
<strong>of</strong> Species by Means <strong>of</strong> Natural Selection<br />
Rowland Hill, an English schoolmaster, invented the<br />
adhesive postage stamp in 1837, for which he was<br />
knighted. The first stamp was issued in 1840.<br />
The Colt revolver was invented and patented in 1836.<br />
John Deere invented the cast steel plow in 1837.<br />
Isaac Singer went into mass production<br />
in the 1850’s building the first<br />
successful sewing machine.<br />
George Pullman invented the Pullman<br />
sleeping train car.<br />
The Civil War was fought.<br />
The battle <strong>of</strong> the Alamo was fought, the<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Texas formed and<br />
Texas became a state<br />
39<br />
Samuel Morse<br />
(above)<br />
invented Morse code in 1840.<br />
Cyrus McCormick invented the reaper and<br />
in 1847 began mass production.
<strong>1000</strong> <strong>Years</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Garrett</strong> <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Page</strong> 40<br />
The <strong>Garrett</strong> Neighborhood in Yell County<br />
Rutha Miller <strong>Garrett</strong>’s brother, William Hudspeth Miller, his wife Matilda Morgan and<br />
children were neighbors <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Garrett</strong>s in Yell County. (The Millers and <strong>Garrett</strong>s had previously<br />
been neighbors in Limestone Co., AL) Six years after the end <strong>of</strong> the Mexican-American War, all<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Millers (except oldest son, Rufus) moved to Texas in around 1854. They were<br />
accompanied by several other families from Yell County including the Maxwells and the Davises.<br />
According to a research contact, Karolyn Russell, in Llano County, TX, Ike Maxwell arrived in<br />
Texas after crossing the Colorado River on Sept. 8, 1854. It was Ike Maxwell who named the<br />
community <strong>of</strong> Bluffton, Texas after his old home in Bluffton, Yell Co., AR.<br />
This move to Texas occurred 8 years after Texas became a state; 6 years after the Mexican-<br />
American War when Mexico gave up all claims to Texas; and 18 years after the Battle <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Alamo.<br />
The mysterious, Merrill Simpson <strong>Garrett</strong> who was in the Charles GARRETT household in the<br />
1850 Census also immigrated to Texas probably in 1854 at which time he would have been 20<br />
years old. The whereabouts <strong>of</strong> Isaac <strong>Garrett</strong>, who was in the same Census, cannot be found.<br />
40<br />
The picture on the left shows the experience <strong>of</strong><br />
moving in Arkansas in the mid 1800’s.