The second Nathan Harris, son of the first Nathan, and my 6th great-grandfather, also made a will. However, I have not yet been able to find it! There is a probate file for Nathan online, however, because of family disputes about the estate. The probate file includes an extract from the original will. I wrote … Continue reading Extract from Nathan Harris II Will, 1820
Tag: Bembry
When Your Ancestor Was Found Under a Cabbage Leaf
Miles Bembry is the first Bembry in America that I have been able to identify. For years, off and on, I've been trying to figure out where he came from. I've researched online and in libraries. I've tried cluster genealogy, researching his neighbors, business associates and probable former slaves. His origins remain a complete mystery. … Continue reading When Your Ancestor Was Found Under a Cabbage Leaf
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
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
A Long Way to Tennessee 