52 Ancestors: #32, Catherine Mull and Her Sister

Mary Ann

Catherine

My four times great- grandmother, Catherine Mull, and her sister, Mary Ann, "were about as close as it was possible for sisters to be."  Living as next-door neighbors, they were together daily.  Often they could be seen walking together, attired in "elegant dresses, long and full, with many petticoats, with spring bonnets bedecked with flowers tied under their chins, holding their skirts on one side."

Catherine and Mary Ann's father, Jacob Mull, was a pioneer of the town of Manilla and a whisky merchant.  Their mother was a stern-faced Scot named Margaret Richinson.  Catherine was the eldest of four, being born in 1824; Mary Ann was the youngest child, born in 1831.  They had two brothers, Cyrus and George.  

On September 18, 1842, Catherine married a Manilla doctor, James W. Trees.  Mary Ann followed suit in 1853 and was also wedded to a physician, John James Inlow.  Doctors J. W. Trees and J. J. Inlow even practiced medicine together for a short time.  James and Catherine had six children: Ethan Allen, Leander Mull, Cyrus Ebon, Lavanche, Margaret, and Marshall.

The sisters lived in very similar houses; in fact, one was a copy of the other.  In about 1858, Jacob Mull built his house in Manilla, "which though not the largest house to be ever constructed in Manilla, was nevertheless at the time the best, and architecturally speaking, the most distinctive. Soon after they were married, Mary Ann and her husband, Dr. J. J. Inlow, built their house next to Jacob's house. They were obviously similar, however, it was built in wood instead of brick. Doubtless, the young couple could not afford to spend the sum that the father could.  When Jacob Mull died in 1861, his home became the residence of his daughter Catherine, and her husband, Dr. J. W. Trees.  From that point on, the two sisters lived side by side in the most prominent location in the town."

Dr. Trees' residence, where Catherine lived.

Dr. Inlow's residence, where Mary Ann lived.

Catherine and Mary Ann "spent a lot of their time conversing with the neighbors and with people who came into town to see the doctor. [Catherine], for instance, if while sweeping out her front room she should see someone with whom she wanted to speak would throw up the window and call, stopping her work and leave it for the maid to finish."

Catherine died on November 5, 1884 in Manilla; Mary Ann died in 1902.

All quotations and pictures are from the book In Old Kenucky, a History of My Forbears by William DePrez Inlow.

52 Ancestors: #31 William Bird, War of 1812 Veteran

William Bird, 1864 photograph by A. Wilkinson

My 4th great-grandfather served in the closing months of the War of 1812.  William Bird enlisted as a private in Captain Henley Robert's Company on September 10, 1814. He continued in service with his Kentucky regiment for six months.  He was honorably discharged on the ninth of March, 1815, in Walden, Upper Canada.

William Bird was born on November 18, 1891 in Nicholas County, Kentucky.  I know nothing of his parents, except that the family was of Scotch descent.

Sometime after he returned home from the war, William met a young Virginian who had moved to Kentucky with her uncle.  Her name was Maria Dent, and the two decided to marry.

William Bird's marriage bond

In order for William and Maria to marry, a bond was made for the sum of fifty pounds (the currency of Kentucky at the time.) A marriage bond was essentially a form of guarantee that there was no lawful cause to obstruct the marriage.  A bond also affirmed that the groom would not change his mind about the union.  If there were impediments discovered, or if the groom backed away from the marriage, the bondsman would forfeit the money he had pledged. Since Maria Dent was an orphan and only child, one of the bondsmen was Maria's uncle and guardian, James Smith.  The bond was issued on November 5, 1822; the couple was married two days later.  Incidentally, the day of their marriage was also Maria's 21st birthday.

Maria Dent Bird, 1864 photograph by A. Wilkinson

William and Maria left Kentucky and  settled on a farm in Decatur County, Indiana in March of 1823.  In later years, the farm was affectionately known in the Bird family as "the old homestead."  That farm was passed on to William's eldest son and my 3rd great-grandfather, James Harvey Bird.

William and Maria had four sons (James Harvey, Benjamin Franklin, William Henry, and Samuel Edward) and four daughters (Martha Ann, Harriet, Mary, and Minerva.)  A fifth son died in infancy.  All four of William's surviving sons participated in the Civil War.

In 1855, William Bird appeared before the Circuit Court of Decatur County, applying for bounty land that was owed to him from the war.  Previously he had received a land warrant for eighty acres of land.  He had legally disposed of that land and now wanted to receive the other eighty he was entitled to.  William's request was granted.

In politics, William was a decided Whig until the organization of the Republican party, which with he then became identified.  The last presidential vote he cast was for Grant and Colfax.  He was a consistent member of the Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church for 22 years.

William Bird died at the age of 81 on February 14, 1869.  He and Maria are buried at the secluded Shiloh Cemetery in Decatur County, Indiana.  Unfortunately his tombstone was damaged when the cemetery was vandalized in 2008.  The Shiloh Cemetery Association now keeps the cemetery locked up to prevent further damage.

"[William Bird] was a Kentuckian by birth, and in many characteristics of his early life. Many years ago he was known as 'the wildest man in the county.'  But then the march of Christian civilization came along, and Mr. Bird fell in with it.  [He was] industrious and honest, and recognized among our most worthy and useful citizens.  Coming here poor, he raised a large and respectable family, and leaves them in circumstances of comfortable affluence."  (From his obituary in the Greensburg Standard, February 18, 1869.)

52 Ancestors: #30 William O. Sefton, "Ohio Billy"

Edward Bebb Sefton, son of William O. Sefton, and his family.  They are standing in front of the farmhouse William built.

My 4th great-grandfather, William Sefton, was born in Butler County, Ohio on February 22,1806. His parents, Henry Sefton and Elizabeth Boyes, were immigrants from County Antrim, Ireland.  At the age of 25, William married Catherine Shuck on October 20, 1831. Seven years after they were married, the couple decided to begin farming in Decatur County, Indiana.  In order to prevent confusion, William added the middle initial "O" to his name, since there was already another William Sefton living in the same township.  The initial stood for his native state of Ohio.

William, Catherine, and their five children settled in a log cabin which  had been built on land owned by his father, Henry Sefton.  My great-great-great grandfather, Edward Sefton, was the first to be born in that cabin.  Over the years, as William grew in wealth, the log cabin was expanded into large farmhouse to accommodate his growing family.  He owned about a thousand acres of land, the end result of many years of toil and effort.

William O. Sefton was a Democrat in his political views, and though he was popular with his party, he never aspired to office.  He once served as a trustee, at a time when it took three men to transact all the business for the township of Clinton, where he lived.

"He was cautious and conservative in his business operations, and seldom made mistakes in his investments. Personally he was a man of fine character, social in his disposition, of undoubted integrity, and honored in all his dealings. He had a high standard of morality, never having used any bad language, and lived up to the commandments to the best of his knowledge, although he never united with any church." (from A Geographical and Biographical Record of Decatur County, Indiana by the Lewis Publishing Company, 1900, p. 374)

William O. Sefton died of an " attack of pneumonia" on October 29, 1862, when he was 62.

52 Ancestors: #29 The Wartime Diary of Captain Willis E. Hedgecock

Stone reads: To live in loving hearts is not to die.

My five times great-grandfather was Willis E. Hedgecock.  He was born on December 21, 1813 in North Carolina to Thomas Hedgecock and Martha Edwards.

In 1833, Willis married Mary Ann Rausin, a Tennessee native.  He was nineteen, and she was sixteen.  They began their family in Knox County, Tennessee.  The family consisted of eleven children when Willis enlisted, ranging from 1 to 26 years old.  Their second child, Angeline, was my four times great-grandmother.

Willis was mustered in as a Union private at Camp Pine Knot in Company G, 1st Tennessee Infantry.  He was promoted to Captain of Company H, 5th Tennessee Infantry.  He participated in the Battle of Pine Mountain at Cumberland Gap.

After the war, Willis started his own dry goods store in the small hamlet of Letsinger.  An 1876 directory of Letsinger listed the total population of the village to be 30 people.

Mary Ann, his wife of 44 years, died in July of 1877.  Willis was married again the following year to Margaret Fox, a widower with one child.

Willis applied for a pension in 1895.  He was examined by Dr. A. B. Eaton on March 26, 1895.  His report stated: "I found him suffering from general debility and nervous prostration. He was also troubled with chronic bronchitis. I called again to see him March 29, 1895. He improved under treatment and I again saw him on May 4th, 1895 which was my last visit."

Willis Hedgecock died August 7, 1895 at the age of 81.  He is buried at Hickory Creek Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee.

During the war, Captain Hedgecock recorded a personal account of his experiences in a journal, which he later titled "Diary Which I Kept While in the Army Against the Rebellion.  A 16-page transcription of the diary was published in the August 2000 edition of Tennessee Ancestors.  Below are my favorite entries from the diary.

August 11, 1861:  I left my home in Knox County, Tennessee, on the evening of August 11th, 1861.  Traveled at night by Scarbro town on the Clinton Road, then turned and passed through Frosts Bottom and across to New River wearing my summer goods.  This was the second night.  It rained upon us all night.  Some took shelter in a rock house.  Some around a fire, standing or laying, taking in the rain.

September 1, 1861:  Many of the boys were attacked with measles which proved fatal to some.  Here, I witnessed such attention and kindness shown to our sick, suffering and dying soldiers as sympathizing hearts and angel hands above can administer.  I allude to the attention paid by the ladies of Danville.  My gratitude as a soldier is due to them, and they will ever be held in memory by me.

President Andrew Johnson

September 6, 1861:  Andrew Johnson came to this place [Danville, Tennessee] on the sixth and was cordially received. He greeted all the East Tennesseans with a smile, .... delivered to each East Tennessee soldier two dollars and fifty cents ... tendered as a compliment in evidence of the high regard for their loyalty and patriotism.

November 27, 1861:  I was taken sick with cold from exposure, which so affected me that I took to my pallet in camp and took medicine from McMillan.  Thomas (my son) turned out to find a house ... where I could stay.  I remained there twelve days.

January 27, 1862:  I was taken sick ... received into the residence of Mr. Andrew Phelps.  Received medical attendance by Mr. Gillilan, cost free.

March 17, 1862:  Sworn in as Captain of [Company] H of Tennessee Volunteers.

June 1, 1862:  In camp on Mud Creek.  It is raining and tents missing through mismanagement of quartermaster Lane.  Camp Landrum provisions scarce and soldiers mad and complaining.

June 8, 1862. Out on picket duty.  Received uniform at the following prices: 

Cap   $4.50     Sword and Belt   $18.00

Sash   $8.00    Expenses   $1.00

Total paid out   $31.50

July 4, 1862:  Ordered by Gen. Morgan that three national salutes by fired at morning, noon and night.

Captain Hedgecock's description of the engagement on September 11th at Pine Mountain follows.

September 11, 1862:  Myself was ordered to post my 100 men somewhere near the top of the mountain.  This I done, choosing my own postition ... while we were thus posted, a company of Rebel Cavalry came along at quick speed.  They were fired upon at each post.  At the one held by myself, they passed with all speed on fleet horses as quick as the rough nature of the road and good riders could make it.  A full volley was fired into them ... killing some and wounding others and literally piling horses.

September 30, 1862: During this whole march, 230 miles, we never drew one ration, though occasionally, we got part ration of coffee and part ration of beef, sometimes without salt and no cooking vessels to prepare it in, and often not time to roast it.   As for bread, we had none but lived on roasting ears and hard corn by gritting.  Men carried their own gritters with them all day and after leaving Cumberland Gap, we never saw a good spring until we got to Ohio.

October 3, 1862:   I saw the beautiful river of Ohio for the first time.

October 19, 1862:  Boys complaining on account of becoming so bare for clothes and shoes.  Many are now so destitute, that their nakedness can no longer be hid.  Frosty nights are also beginning to set in, which, to the soldiers in their condition, is disagreeable.

November 5, 1862: [Sent] to my family... $50.00, also my own likeness and my son, Thomas. 

Tennessee State Capitol, 1862.

December 24, 1862. ... on Christmas Eve, we entered Nashville.  We marched through and encamped in the suburbs.  Nashville is an extensive city, in a most beautiful and rich surrounding country ... though the city is now quite filthy, and emits an offensive smell to the traveller as he passes through.  Here, I had opportunity to examine the state house, which is by far the most magnificent superstructure I have ever had the pleasure to look at.

January 13, 1862: We set out at daybreak upon an expedition to follow the rebels ... who were reported to be marching ... to burn our steamboats, laden with supplies.  We soon came on their encampment.  Stayed at night on a rebel plantation.  Next morning, we continued pursuit.  It has rained all day.  We stayed out at night without tents.  During the night, it changed into sleet and thence into snow.  Next morning, the little stream called Harper's River, was so swollen, a considerable snow had fallen, we were compelled, on the 15th, to abandon the enterprise and return to our camp.  Upon the whole, it was the most disagreeable march of the campaign, up to this date.

Battle of Stones River

January 16, 1863:  Reached Murfreesboro after passing over a portion of the late, hard contested battlefield, which, by graves, dead horses, entrenchments, scars of balls, cannon and rifle-perforated walls of buildings, destroyed farms, showed but too well the horrors of war.

February 12, 1863:  Better view of Stones River was had.  There is astonishing evidence of a great battle.  Marks of cannon and rifle balls exceed anything I have yet seen.  Some rebel corpses are partially exposed to view.

February 22, 1863:  Case of Campbell decided to be smallpox, and my company, with a portion of companies G and K, ordered to leave the Regiment.

March 4, 1863:  Campbell, with smallpox, died just before sunset.

March 10, 1863:  This is now 19 months since I left home.  No letter received since September 17, 1862.  Thomas not much better yet in health.  Is still with me at my quarters.  Some indications of other cases of smallpox in the company.

March 12, 1863:  Thomas seems a little better today... received letter from home today. All well.

March 21, 1863:  Ordered back to regiment.  Returned all, except the smallpox mess.

April 3, 1863:  We entered Liberty at 12 o'clock ... the rebels had planted a cannon on a commanding eminence, overlooking the town, and that morning, ordered out all the citizens, intending, as they said, to shell the town, but a few shots from our artillery directed at their piece on the eminence, they soon considered it policy to skedaddle.

April 4, 1863:  After travelling a distance of 25 miles, the boys were all broke down with feet skinned and blistered, legs strained.  Many could scarcely walk.

On the 22nd of April, 1863, Captain Hedgecock applied for discharge due to his increasingly poor health.   The following is a transcription of his resignation letter:

Head quarters 5th Regt. E. Tenn Vols, Infty.
Camp near Carthage, Tenn.

April 22, 1863

I hereby tender my resignation as Captain of company H., 5th Regiment East Tennessee Vols. Infty. on account of disability caused by chronic bronchitis and cories (?) of the left Fermus. I have had disease called scroffa for over thirty years. I am 49 years of age and being thus afflicted am unable longer to discharge the duties of a soldier or officer in the army. I respectfully request that my Tender of Resignation be accepted for the said reasons given.

Willis E Hedgecock
Captain commanding Co. H. 5th Regt. E. Tenn Vol Infantry

Captain Hedgecock's resignation was accepted, and he received an honorable discharge.

May 6, 1863:  Received my discharge.

May 10, 1863:  Left right at 3 o'clock for Carthage.  Went aboard the steamboat "May Duke".  Day clear, sun shines beautifully.  Thomas along.  [I am] still in poor health.  All quiet along the river.  Arrive at Nashville at 6 o'clock.  Went with Thomas to Barracks.  Stay till Thursday.

May 14, 1863:  Took train for Louisville.  Had a delightful ride.  Reached Louisville at 6 o'clock.  Went to Soldiers Home.  This was a well fitted up building and it is truly what it imports to be, affording comfort to the passing soldier.  Stayed one day at Louisville.

May 15, 1863:  Left Louisville at six o'clock for Jefferson City, Indiana.  Took train ... and arrived at Vincennes at 3 o'clock.  The last named place is on the Wabash River, the line between Indiana and Illinois.

On May 16, Willis arrived in McLeansboro, Illinois, where he stayed for two weeks.  He visited his daughter Angeline's family, and helped his son-in-law Henry Richardson plant corn.  His granddaughter and my great-great-great grandmother, Sarah Richardson, was six years old at the time.

After visiting with his daughter's family, Willis made his way back to Tennessee.  The remainder of his journey sounds exhausting to me.  By foot he made his way to the banks of the Ohio River, where he took a boat to Evansville, Indiana.  From there he boarded another vessel to Louisville.  He traveled by stage coach to Danville, Kentucky.  The final leg of his journey was made on foot.  For four days, he marched across Tennessee.  

Clinch River, Tennessee

June 7, 1863:  Came to within four miles of town.

June 8, 1863:  Came into Somerset.  Found many old acquaintances.

June 9, 1863:  Traveled that day across the mountain.

Captain Hedgecock made his final diary entry on June 10, 1863:  

Waded Clinch River about 10 o'clock in the night, and in an hour more, I found myself once more at home to the great joy of myself and my family.

52 Ancestors: #28 Lewis Milburn Worland and the Cross-cut Saw

Lewis Milburn Worland, Shelbyville, Indiana

My great-great grandfather Lewis Milburn Worland was born May 26, 1867 in Shelby County, Indiana.  His parents were John William "Smokey John" Worland and Emily Montgomery.  Lewis was the fifth of nine children. As a young adult, Lewis was worked on his father's farm, along with his two older brothers.

Lewis was married to Rebecca Annabel Fisher on January 18, 1894.  At 37, Rebecca was ten years older than her husband.  The picture on the left was taken just prior to his leaving for Jasper Count, Indiana to claim Rebecca as his bride.

The couple had two sons and a daughter: Leonard, Dola, and Luther.   Leonard and Dola were born when Lewis and Rebecca lived in Jasper County.  For a short time, the Worlands resided in Jennings County, which is where their daughter Dola later met her husband, Clyde Holtzlider.

Worland family c. 1901.

Lewis was a farmer for most of his life, but for a time he was a sheriff in Milhousen, Decatur County.  Lewis' son, Leonard, also became a sheriff.  My grandma, Martha Holtzlider, used to visit her uncle Leonard at the Shelby County jail.  She remembered taking food to the prisoners and sliding the trays under the doors.

Six of Lewis' grandchildren served during WWII.  His grandson and namesake, Milburn Holtzlider, posthumously received the Purple Heart Award after he was shot by a sniper at Iwo Jima.

On July 17, 1947,  Lewis died from a heart attack.  He had been cutting wood using a cross-cut saw; he was 80 years old.  A month later, his wife Rebecca had a paralytic stroke and passed away.

52 Ancestors: #27 Caywood Davis, Man of Many Names

Davis family c, 1900. Back row: Rose, Belle, Lawrence.  Front row: William, Caywood, Paris, Sarah, Milton.

I have had a hard time researching my third great-grandfather because his name has been spelled many different ways: Chaywood, Kaywood, Raywood, Leawood, Chawood, Taywood, Cawood, and Charwood. 

Caywood Davis was born September 6, 1856 in Illinois.  He was the son of William Cors Davis and his second wife, Mary "Polly" Nicholson.  Caywood had a younger brother, Warner, and an older sister, Sarah, along with six older half siblings. 

Caywood married Sarah Richardson on October 4, 1874 in McLeansboro, Illinois.  They were both seventeen so they had to have consent from Caywood's father on the marriage certificate.

Caywood was a farmer for at least 20 years.  In 1880, the family lived on a farm in McLeansboro.  Their neighbors included Caywood's brother, Warner, and two of Sarah's sisters, Mary Ann and Lorinda Jane.  By 1910, Caywood had stopped farming and worked as a janitor at a church.  The Davises relocated to Vincennes, Indiana by 1920, and Caywood began a furniture business with his oldest son, Milton.

Children of Caywood and Sarah: Milton, William, Lawrence, Rose, Paris, Belle.

Sometime before 1930, Caywood and Sarah moved to Connersville, Indiana -- maybe because two of their children were living there.  Their daughter, Mrs. Belle Mount, had been living in Connersville since 1920 and ran her own salon, "La Belle Beauty Shop".  Their son, Paris, lived with Belle's family.  He later lived with Caywood and Sarah and was employed as a printer.  Caywood worked as a janitor at the Central State Bank.  He also was an employee at the Spicely Drug Store.  Caywood and his wife were members of the Grand Avenue Methodist Church in Connersville.

On April 9, 1947, following a long illness, Caywood Davis died.  His wife died ten days later.  They had celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary the year before.

52 Ancestors: #26 George Holzlider, Stowaway from Luxembourg

Port of Havre, France, in 1841.

My 3 times great-grandfather, George Holzlider, had to flee for his life because he accidentally killed a rabbit.  His job was to flush out game for noblemen to hunt on the King's grounds in Luxembourg. In those days it was a crime to kill animals belonging to nobility.  After hiding in a dry well for a few days, George ventured his way to the French coast.  He stowed away on a ship that set sail from Havre, France bound for America.

According to George's granddaughter, Stella McCammon,  George became friends with the ship's young cook, who secretly gave him food.  Her name was Mary Gertrude. On August 13, 1850, George married her in Hamilton County, Ohio.  They were both 29.  He was a devout Protestant, and she was a Catholic.

George and Gertrude had two children while they lived in Ohio: Anna Mary and William (my great-great grandfather.)  Three more, Edward, Julia, and Lena, were born after the Holzliders moved to Jennings County, Indiana.  Lena, the youngest, was just six months old when her father enlisted in Co. D, 7th Decatur County Indiana Infantry on September 13, 1861.  He was discharged on September 20, 1864, after being wounded in the leg.  As a Civil War veteran, he received a pension of fourteen dollars a month.

After his wife died, George went to live with his granddaughter, Stella Holzlider McCammon, in Pierceville, Indiana. Sometime soon after, he fell out of a haymow and broke his hip.  George lived for two more weeks, then died on September 6, 1897 and was buried at St. Denis Cemetery in Zenas, Jennings County, Indiana.