Mary was my 5th great-grandmother. Her maiden name is usually listed as Whitnel, however, I have no primary source for this information. She was probably born in North Carolina. Her husband was Charles Parker. In her will, dated 29 February 1832, she mentioned my 4th great-grandmother, Dicey Parker Lanier, and Dicey's husband John Lanier. She … Continue reading Will of Mary Whitnel Parker of Davidson County, Tennessee, 29 February 1832
Author: Kelly
Traveler, ex-diplomatic spouse, occasional expatriate.
Will of Robert Lanier of Tyrell District, North Carolina, 20 Sep 1744
Robert Lanier was my 7th great-grandfather. He was born in Barbados about 1674, and died about 1745 in North Carolina. I copied this will text from NC Genweb. See slave names in bold below. In the name of God Amen. The twentieth Day of September in the year of our Lord God Everlasting one thousand … Continue reading Will of Robert Lanier of Tyrell District, North Carolina, 20 Sep 1744
An Earlier Bembry?
I recently visited the Local History room at the Arlington County public library just to see what might be available there. The area of North Carolina in which Miles Bembry lived was originally the Albemarle District of Virginia. Many of the residents came from what now call Virginia to North Carolina. So, I checked the … Continue reading An Earlier Bembry?
Miles Bembry Part II: 1800-1809
The 19th century starts off with yet another spelling of Bembry—and a mystery. (Read part I of the story here.) Miles is found on the 1800 census of Bertie county. His name is transcribed as "Banbury" but in fact it looks like "Bembury" or "Bembery" to me. He is listed as owning 69 slaves, after owning … Continue reading Miles Bembry Part II: 1800-1809
Miles Bembry Part 1: 1790-1799
Miles Bembry was the first person that I know of in America to call himself "Bembry." However, the name was spelled several different ways, as it is even today. He first appears on the 1790 census of Martin County, North Carolina as "Miles Benbory." He has two females in the household, presumably Ann Bryan Bembry … Continue reading Miles Bembry Part 1: 1790-1799
Targeting Miles Bembry
If you are an amateur genealogist, you've probably heard of the Genealogy Do-Over challenge that is going around. The idea is: scrap everything and start all over again, improving your research and sourcing in the process. It's a good idea, I think, and in fact, I have been sort of doing that for the last … Continue reading Targeting Miles Bembry
Sarah Simpson Bembry: After Thomas N. Bembry’s Death
When Thomas N. Bembry died in 1904, his wife Sarah Ann was left close to penniless. A paper trail found in the Florida State Archives outlines this illiterate woman's attempts to receive support from the state of Florida. On January 8, 1905, Sarah wrote to the state comptroller apparently trying to receive the balance of … Continue reading Sarah Simpson Bembry: After Thomas N. Bembry’s Death
Thomas N. Bembry Part III: The Postwar Years
After Thomas signed his oath and left Confederate service, he and Sarah Ann settled in Bellville, a small town located due south of Valdosta, Georgia and just over the Florida state line. Their oldest son, James, lived just next door with his new wife, Elizabeth Brown, probably the daughter of the William Brown who lived … Continue reading Thomas N. Bembry Part III: The Postwar Years
Thomas N. Bembry Part II: The War Years
On 14 February 1862, Thomas N. Bembry and his younger brother, Henry L. Bembry, signed on as Privates with the 5th Confederate Florida Infantry, Company F ("Frink's Guards.") Two of Sarah's brothers, Elijah Moses and Aaron signed up for the same unit on the same day. Another brother, Henry F. Simpson, signed up just a few … Continue reading Thomas N. Bembry Part II: The War Years
Thomas N. Bembry, Part I
My 3rd great-grandfather, Thomas N. Bembry, was born on 26 January 1828 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. His parents were Thomas Bembry and Martha "Patsy" Dicken. The "N" for his middle name may have been for Needham Bryan, his great-grandfather. Or, it could have been Nathan, for another great-grandfather, Nathan Harris. Thomas N. is found on … Continue reading Thomas N. Bembry, Part I
A Long Way to Tennessee 