So, as it turns out, Richard Dicken, my 5th great-grandfather was not quite as dead as I thought he was by 1819. And there's a moral to that story! I had assumed for years that since Richard Dicken's estate was found in Edgecombe county probate files that he must in fact be dead. Furthermore Thomas … Continue reading Richard Dicken: Not Quite Dead Yet
Category: Biographies
Chunky Bob Shaw and the Old Lady
Please note that since this post was published, I have discovered that these Robert Shaw is not, in fact, my ancestor. However, I have left the post online for anyone else who may find it to be useful to their research. I've recently taken a deep dive into the Revolutionary War pension file of Robert … Continue reading Chunky Bob Shaw and the Old Lady
Slaves Held by the Shaw Family of Sumner County, Tennessee
Please note that since this post was published, I have discovered that these Shaws are not, in fact, my ancestors. However, I have left the post online for anyone else who may find it to be useful to their research. Whenever I find a slave holder in the family, I try to post as much … Continue reading Slaves Held by the Shaw Family of Sumner County, Tennessee
Miles Bembry Part III: 1810-1819
Finally getting back to writing about old Miles Bembry! The previous post, taking his biography up to 1810 can be found here. It ended with Miles' purchases of several tracts of land in Edgecombe County in preparation for his move there. By September, 1810, Miles and his wife Nancy Ann Bryan had settled just north … Continue reading Miles Bembry Part III: 1810-1819
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
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