Ferguson Home Page:Information about John L. Ferguson or Furgason

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John L. Ferguson or Furgason (b. 1849, d. November 30, 1881)

John L. Ferguson or Furgason (son of John Lewis Ferguson/Furgason) was born 1849 in Marine, Madison County, Illinois, and died November 30, 1881 in Missouri????.

Notes for John L. Ferguson or Furgason:
John L. Ferguson served on the Board of Supervisors of mMadison for 3 terms beginning in 1876 (not sure if it is this John or his father, but father may have died too early for this?)

Rumor from Jack Ferguson: Killed by Frank James who was stealing his horse.
from mom: Now, Dad thinks it was his grandfather's (John A.Ferguson)- father who was killed by Frank James,who was stealing his horse.
this is just what dad heard as a child, we don't know if it's true or not.He is not listed as a sheriff of Wayne County (1821-1965).
John Alexander Ferguson 's father was a sherriff in Missouri. Frank Ferguson was made his deputy. Both were killed. I heard tales by the younger brothers ???? When I first talked to you,you had mentioned relative killed by Jesse James. ???? This part seems to be supported by others. A man who owned a store in MO with a last name of Abshire took in John Alexander. My father recalls of a grampa Abshire. This man had a son ??? who lived in Santa Monica, Ca that " Grampa Abshire came to live with and where he died in the 1930's.
Will try to find out more ....especially this Abshire connection. Note: John L. was a deputy sheriff, Killed and wife had t.b.
Ferguson, JOhn L. possible?????????
Age/Birth Date: Abt 60 Death Date: 12 Feb 1905
Date Reported: Newspaper: Fulton Telegraph, Callaway Weekly Gazette
from Holly to Deb 7.12.00
5.19.01: Uncle Bob seems to think that it was the Dalton gang and that he was a sheriff in Springfield, MO.
From: DebShipmanRowe@cs.com
To: Holly@islandoutpost.com
Subject: Re: Sheriff Ferguson - barbershop caper
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 16:45:16 EDT
HI there!
I think you are wonderful, as this stuff you have told me could very well be absolutely exactly what my dad was talking about it! As I cleaned the house this morning, I got to thinking about everything. Initially I thought it would have been odd for them to have forgotten to make the Jesse James connection in telling their little tale. Then I got to thinking more! Gee! My dad had to have been a child and maybe just doesn't remember the details. I haven't shared this with him yet, but I am hoping it will jog his memory a bit and he will have maybe another little clue for us. I think it is quite possible that we are definitely talking about the very same incident! Who would have thought you would have the missing piece here to get us going again!
Ferguson Cemetary
Other:On the Barry County Line. Go to Newtonia, MO and directly East nn EE follow that Road for 6 miles, turn right when you hit the T, bout another mile beyond that. You'll be somewhere down by Capps Creek and near Jolly Mill. If coming from Monett turn South (L) on the first road at the Newton County Line. South about 2 miles, turn L & you'll end up about at the same place. Jolly Mill is a beautiful place.
Sec 11, Twp 25N, Range 29
Note:
Mr. Ferguson was born in February, 1879, at King City, Missouri, and is a son of John and Margaret Ann (Marsh) Ferguson. John Ferguson was of Scotch descent and of American Revolutionary stock, and by occupation was a farmer, in addition to which he was well known as a local Baptist minister. During the war between the states he served four years, four months and eighteen days as a Union soldier, and at the time of his honorable discharge had advanced from private to sergeant of his company. Mrs. Ferguson was a native of Clay County, Missouri, also of Revolutionary stock and of English descent. On coming from England the Marsh ancestors settled in Kentucky, whence later generations moved to Missouri.
By LAURALEE McCOOL - Special to the Log Cabin - Monday, July 13, 1998
Ten abandoned graves dated between 1837 and 1886 are on top of a hill in Palarm where Mountain Crest Estates, a real estate development, is being built. The tombstones marking the graves are large. Most of the inscriptions are easy to read despite their age. The type of material the tombstones are made of suggests the deceased had some wealth, Bill Rider of Mayflower said. Nine of the graves are enclosed by a rock wall. The wall is two to three feet high and about two feet wide. Many loose stones lay around the graves indicating the wall was higher. A wrought iron fence encloses John Ferguson's grave. Although weathered and weakened with age, the fence remains impressive. Irises and jonquils flourish in between the fallen rocks and on top of the graves. Two of the graves have large holes in them. Rider suspects vandals caused the damage. One of the tombstones is broken. A tree stump whose top is even with the break in the tombstone suggests a logger caused the damage. Joan Pearson, the real estate agent who manages the property and fiancee of one of the property owners, said they told the loggers to be careful when clearing around the cemetery. "But, you can't watch them all of the time."
Next to Ferguson's grave a big hole in the earth suggests another grave was on the hill. Rows of rocks form an underground wall around the inside top of the hole. Dean Osborne of Little Rock said that he, his brother Bob Osborne, and Real Estate Central owner Byron McKimmey purchased the 183 acres surrounding the cemetery for a new housing development. They are selling the land as 150 one-acre lots. The owners want to make the area an "exclusive estate" Osborne said. Surveyors informed the Osbornes and McKimmey about the cemetery on lot 14, said Dean Osborne. The cemetery is beside a proposed road that runs through Mountain Crest Estates. Bob Osborne owns lot 14 and two adjacent lots, Dean Osborne said. Bob plans to build his house on the front of the property and leave the cemetery undisturbed on the backside. Pearson said they want to keep the cemetery on the road so that people can stop by and visit it.
According to Dean Osborne, the men plan to restore the cemetery's wrought iron fence, and tombstones. Real Estate Central employs a mason who will repair the rock wall. The sunken graves will be filled in. Several trees around the cemetery will remain to provide shade, Osborne said. The men informed Pulaski County authorities that the cemetery is on the property so that it may be recorded with the proper agencies, Osborne said. Osborne thinks that the lot where Pearson and he will build their house was the site of an old homeplace. Trees in the area are smaller than those nearby, Osborne said. Pearson added that the soil is richer in the small section of land.
A strip of land that is now the logging road for the development was an old trail going over the hill, Osborne suspects. The soil was packed so tight that trees would not grow on the narrow passage. Palarm Creek runs into the Arkansas River just across Highway 365 from the base of the trail. The railroad runs across Palarm Creek at this point. On top of the hill, an abandoned well remains filled with water despite the heat wave. Osborne said the well is further evidence that people used the trail to reach the mouth of Palarm Creek and the railroad.
Osborne said he has heard from people in the community that Confederate soldiers utilized the trail to obtain supplies. Bob Meriwether, retired Hendrix professor of History, doubts the validity of the story. "The railroad wasn't there," Meriwether said. "I don't remember seeing any action (in the Palarm area during the Civil War)."
------
According to the Faulkner County, Arkansas Census of Cemeteries and Faulkner County; Its Land and People the following people are buried in the old cemetery:
* Francis Eliza Boyle, wife of John N. Boyle, died July 26, 1845, at the age of 31.
* John N. Boyle died Aug. 2, 1848, at 40 years of age.
* Mary Eliza Boyle was born July 17, 1848, and died Sep. 21, 1848. She was a daughter of John and Amanda Boyle.
* B. F. Danley, born Feb. 1, 1824, and died May 31, 1877.
* Samuel Waddy Danley died Oct. 28, 1855. He was the 22-month-old son of B. F. and Amanda Danley.
* John Ferguson was born Dec. 15, 1827, in Madison County, Ill., and died Jan. 11, 1886. Ferguson's tombstone states that he "died at Palarm, Arkansas" indicating that the name of the community was used in 1886.
* Daniel E. Wilson died Jan. 24, 1837, at the age of 23. He was the oldest son of Emzy and Mary Ann Wilson.
* Emzy Wilson died April 6, 1863, at the age of 72.
* Mary Ann Wilson died June 8, 1840, when she was 46 years old. She was Emzy Wilson's wife.
* Robert Wilson died May 3, 1853, at 29 years of age. He was a son of Emzy and Mary Ann Wilson.
* NOTE * I am not related to these individuals as far as I am aware. The Log-Cabin Democrat published this story on July 13, 1998.
1840 Census
Pg 13
> Moses Ferguson 111001-011001
John George Ferguson June 2001: John A. father was a duputy Sheriff and had a brother that was a deputy. Cole Younger killed them both.
Afton OK. Also there was apparently a Ferguson grocery. John Absher d around 1938. John Alexander was a sheriff for 1 term around 1910 or so. Also the father of John may have been a horsetrainer as well.
Census Place: Greenville, Wayne, MO 1880
Source: FHL Film 1254740 Nat'l archives T9-0740
Name Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace Occ fa: Mo:
John L. Ferguson Self M M W 31 Il Works in Clerks off IL VA
Nancy L. Ferguson Wife F M W 34 MO Keeps house IN IN
Frank W. Ferguson Son M S W 6 MO Il MO
John A. Ferguson Son M S W 4 MO IL MO
Oranda P. FergusonDau F S W 2M MO Il MO
Mary A. Moore Mother F W W 69 IN GA GA
Wm. McCarty Other M S W 39 MO Painter VA VA

Old Corsicana/Corsicana Cemetery (Originally named Gadfly Cemetery)
Barry County, Missouri Take highway #37 from Monett to Purdy. Turn right onto highway B, go 1.2 miles, turn left onto fm#1045 (sign missing 1997). Go about 1 mile, at bottom of hill is Joy Creek. Cemetery is located on your left at top of hill. Surrounded by privately owned land with a locked gate to keep the horses in and the owner must be contacted before going across the land into the cemetery so they can arrange to have the gate unlocked.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1979 Note by Donna Cooper Today there are no houses or signs of a town. It’s a place where there once was a village of activity in the time period of 1850 to possibly 1910 or so. The cemetery is fenced but -- not in very good care. The grass is often times high but there are no cows running in the cemetery. It seems like several years ago that the gate was not locked but now it is has a pad lock on it. So one has to walk into the cemetery area and can not drive up into the area where the graves are. Corsicana may be one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. One of today’s problems with this cemetery is that it sits on a hill hidden in the trees and is in a remote location. It is located where there is absolutely no vision of it from the rural dirt road down in the valley.
There may have been a lot of other cases of vandalism and destruction at Corsicana but these are familiar to the writer of these lines. On several occasions vandalism has occurred and a number of times and stones have been completely destroyed or missing. About twenty years ago, a lot of the stones disappeared and some left were broken and left on the ground, and others were found laying across the fence in a pasture. There have been stones removed and broken – even some thrown across the fence.

About ten years ago, someone had broken a number of the stones. About six or seven years ago someone had taken down a number of the foot markers and laid them in a pattern on the ground as to make a patio of them. They were near where *George and Sarah F. (Smith) Long were buried, but the Long family grave marker appeared not to have been tampered with and none of the graves appeared to have been vandalized.

It appeared that, for some reason, kids had been going to the cemetery -- drinking and perhaps doing other mischievous acts.
At one time there were many more stones located at Corsicana than there are today and it’s obvious when you stand at the gate and look at how many graves appear to be there that are unmarked. It’s possible that only about 25 or 30 percent of the graves have markers. [Ref: Donna Cooper, 1997]

ERGUSON, Nancy P. June 26, 1836 June 15, 1892 Child of W. J. and M. A. D
FERGUSON, Nannie Apr. 26, 1876 Aug. 26, 1896 Daughter of J. D. and N. P.
FERGUSON, Martha Jane May 22, 1830 Mar. 19, 1922 ? of John (maybe daughter?)
FERGUSON, John D. July 18, 1832 Jan. 28, 1896
FERGUSON, John Sept. 23, 1810 --- Aged 76 years
FERGUSON, Julett Oct. 22, 1883 --- Age 71 years old, wife of S. FERGUSON, S.W.
Tom Cox, my father, who married Iva, had two sisters buried in this cemetery. Their stones have been lost and destroyed. I was lucky enough to get pictures before they were taken. > Definitely go to the library in Batavia. They have a wonderful genealogical > section. > I would also venture out to to the various cemeteries your people are also buried in. I noticed you have Archer and Grays in your line. I can direct you to Chapman Archer's grave in the old Ferguson Burial Site, and Archer's old > house. I found them on my last trip to Clermont Co. His home is located at the corner of 10 mile road and Cole Rd. It is near an old P.O in "Spann", an early crossroad settlement in the early 1800's. It is a beige stone house, with acreage, and in very good condition. On the left side of the house is a white edition to the house. It is near the corner where the Historical "Spann" sign is at the corner of 10 mile Rd and Cole. It's actually located on 10 Mile Rd. If you go up the hill on 10 mile road, you'll pass a very old log cabin on your left. I don't know who's it is, but it is indicative of the times your people lived in that area. Go on up the hill, the old red schoolhouse is on your right. At the top of the hill, on your right, you'll find a nice white home, with blackish shutters. I think the address is either 3306 or 3396 Ten mile Rd. Directly across from that house, is a lane that goes back to a woods - the lane is bordered with grey fence on both side. Drive to the end of the lane and park your car. Get out of the car, and turn left and walk in the woods. There is an old cemetery back in there, almost behind the house to the left of your car. Back there is buried Archer Chapman, Issiah Ferguson, Isaac Ferguson of the Revolutionary war etc... The cemetery is called Ferguson Cemetery.
>
> There is a Gray's Lane accessable fro the old Rt 52 (between 749 and 132).
> I think the Grays use to live near the area of Grays Lane and Fagins Run. > Maybe someone else could help us here.
>
> I would stop in a gas station or real estate office, and get a good map of > Clermont Co. The cemeteries are located on the county map. It sounds like > lots of your names are from the Pierce and Ohio Townships. I've found lots > of information by going to the gravesites.
>
> Who are your Grays? Is it your Gray that married Morin? I have Andrew Grey > who married Elizabeth Logan as my ancestor and then I go on from their > daughter Margaret Gray Lindsey. I also descend from Ferguson's, Talley's, and Carters from Clermont Co. Ohio.
>
> I can direct your to Andrew and Hiram's Gray's tombstones is this is your > line. I can fax you any info you need.
>OHCLERMO-L@rootsweb.com
> Nancy Broermann
> 901 Briar Ridge Dr
> Colleyville, Tx 76034
> 817-577-8998
> nbroermann@home.com
Holly, I just received the pension file for Isaac H Ferguson, the son of John L. Ferguson and Elizabeth Blakeman for his Civil War service. In it I found the missing link for our g-g-grandfather, which I believe proves that he is from that line. Here is an excerpt from the pension file:

Isaac H. Ferguson Application for Pension for Civil War Service

Deposition November 10, 1888 at Belleville, St Clair County, IL:

“My name is Isaac H. Ferguson. I am 53 years of age, by profession a teacher. My P.O. address is Centreville Station, St Clair County, Illinois. I was born at Marine, Madison Co, Illinois in 1836; my father’s name was John L. Ferguson and my mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Meade Blakeman. I had three brothers and four sisters, namely Lovina B., I am the second child, Anna, Mary, George, Pearl, John, and William Ferguson. My father died at Marine Ill, Oct 1881, of abscess of the liver, he was about 74 years of age at the time of his death. My mother is now living at Norton, Norton Co, Kansas. Lovina B. was killed in 1856, by a throw from a carriage; Anna is living at Liberty, Adams Co, Ill; Mary is now in New Madrid, Mo; George died in 1881, 35 years of age, he died of gastritis, as the doctors called it, I think he died of a gastric ulcer. Pearl lives with my mother; John died in 1882, about 33 years of age, the cause of his death was typhoid pneumonia (a friend of Isaac and the Ferguson family, in a statement for this pension application, states that John and George both died in Missouri); William is living at Marine, Ill.

I lived in Marine until about one year prior to the breaking out of the war. I was educated for an engineer, but I farmed most the time. I went to Houston Texas in 1859 with my father, we went into business there; I returned to Marine Ill June 22, 1861.

The points I feel are proof:

Isaac's brother John died in Missouri abt 1882 at the age of abt 33. We know our g-g-grandfather died in Nov 1881 in Missouri at abt 33.

Isaac's father and some of the family went to Texas for a time. In the 1870 census of Wayne Co MO, John L is said to be "from TX."

Of course there is also the fact that we know the family was in law enforcement, which has always been said to be true of John Alexander's father's family.

I believe we have the proof we need to state that this is our family line. I plan to send for the pension file for Isaac H. Ferguson Sr, who would be our 4th g-grandfather. It will take several months to get it, but it should give valuable information. Marilyn

FERGUSON, JOHN L.
State: MO Year: 1870
County: Wayne County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Jefferson Township Page: 196
Database: MO 1870 Federal Census Ind
FERGUSON, JOHN L.
State: IL Year: 1860
County: Madison County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Marinetown P. O. Page: 705
Database: IL 1860 Federal Census Index

Hi, Holly. Well, this is interesting. What is the Aztec Club? I am not familiar with it. I am amazed that this Isaac Ferguson went to fight in the Mexican War when he was an old man!

I did get a copy of the probate record I sent for, but it has created a whole new set of questions! The John L Ferguson of this probate record died March 31, 1853. Now, Harold Ward who has the Blakeman family tree listed John L Ferguson b. 1807 d. 1858. Another researcher (I don't know who right now, but I copied their list) shows John Lewis Ferguson b. 1807 d. Oct 31, 1878. The probate record John L Ferguson did not have any of the children we have for the John L b. 1807. So I think we have 2 different John L Ferguson's in Madison Co IL in the mid 1800's. Now this probate John L may well be some relative, so I am going to study the information. He was quite wealthy, with a total estate worth about $45,000. I am going to contact Harold Ward who has the info on the Blakeman family to see if we can straighten out the info. I have also sent for the pension record for John L Ferguson who served in the Missouri State Militia during the Civil War. It will probably be several weeks before I hear back on that. Again, I don't know if this is our man or not. I don't think we can assume we have the right family just yet. Marilyn

From: "Marilyn Meador" | This is spam | Add to Address Book
To: "Holly Ferguson"
Subject: New evidence for the Ferguson line
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2003 20:56:30 -0600

Holly, I just received the pension file for Isaac H Ferguson, the son of John L. Ferguson and Elizabeth Blakeman for his Civil War service. In it I found the missing link for our g-g-grandfather, which I believe proves that he is from that line. Here is an excerpt from the pension file:

Isaac H. Ferguson Application for Pension for Civil War Service

Deposition November 10, 1888 at Belleville, St Clair County, IL:

“My name is Isaac H. Ferguson. I am 53 years of age, by profession a teacher. My P.O. address is Centreville Station, St Clair County, Illinois. I was born at Marine, Madison Co, Illinois in 1836; my father’s name was John L. Ferguson and my mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Meade Blakeman. I had three brothers and four sisters, namely Lovina B., I am the second child, Anna, Mary, George, Pearl, John, and William Ferguson. My father died at Marine Ill, Oct 1881, of abscess of the liver, he was about 74 years of age at the time of his death. My mother is now living at Norton, Norton Co, Kansas. Lovina B. was killed in 1856, by a throw from a carriage; Anna is living at Liberty, Adams Co, Ill; Mary is now in New Madrid, Mo; George died in 1881, 35 years of age, he died of gastritis, as the doctors called it, I think he died of a gastric ulcer. Pearl lives with my mother; John died in 1882, about 33 years of age, the cause of his death was typhoid pneumonia (a friend of Isaac and the Ferguson family, in a statement for this pension application, states that John and George both died in Missouri); William is living at Marine, Ill.

I lived in Marine until about one year prior to the breaking out of the war. I was educated for an engineer, but I farmed most the time. I went to Houston Texas in 1859 with my father, we went into business there; I returned to Marine Ill June 22, 1861.

The points I feel are proof:

Isaac's brother John died in Missouri abt 1882 at the age of abt 33. We know our g-g-grandfather died in Nov 1881 in Missouri at abt 33.
Isaac's father and some of the family went to Texas for a time. In the 1870 census of Wayne Co MO, John L is said to be "from TX."
Of course there is also the fact that we know the family was in law enforcement, which has always been said to be true of John Alexander's father's family.
I believe we have the proof we need to state that this is our family line. I plan to send for the pension file for Isaac H. Ferguson Sr, who would be our 4th g-grandfather. It will take several months to get it, but it should give valuable information. Marilyn
John FERGUSON (AFN: 19B3-H0N)
Pedigree
Sex: M Family
Event(s):
Birth:
10 Mar 1839
Adams Co, Il
Parents: Father: Joseph FERGUSON
And check this out…Wright County, MO again
……….. " ID: I0568
" Name: John ABSHER
" Sex: M
" Birth: 28 MAY 1877 in MO
" Death: 13 FEB 1952 in Los Angeles, CA
" Event: Alternate fact Poss. SSDI b May 18, 1878 d Jul 1968 CA

Father: Unknown ABSHER b: ABT. 1850
Mother: Unknown FINDLEY b: ABT. 1850
Marriage 1 Hattie WOOD b: 2 MAY 1879 in Hartville, Wright County, MO
" ID: I0560
" Name: Hattie WOOD 1
" Sex: F
" Birth: 2 MAY 1879 in Hartville, Wright County, MO 1
" Death: 17 SEP 1965 in Los Angeles, CA 1
Father: William Seneca WOOD b: 8 MAY 1853 in Berryville, Carroll County, AR
Mother: Missouri Ann BUTCHER b: 5 MAY 1858 in Wright County, MO
" ID: I0471
" Name: William Seneca WOOD 1
" Sex: M
" Birth: 8 MAY 1853 in Berryville, Carroll County, AR 1
" Death: 21 AUG 1926 in Wright County, MO
" Burial: Bethel Cemetery, Wright County, MO
" Occupation: Sheriff and Farmer
Father: Claiborn Foster WOOD b: 1 OCT 1832 in prob. Morgan County, IL
Mother: Mary DEDMON b: 7 MAR 1834 in MO
Marriage 1 Missouri Ann BUTCHER b: 5 MAY 1858 in Wright County, MO
" Married: 22 FEB 1874
Children
1. Dora A. WOOD b: 26 FEB 1876 in Hartville, Wright County, MO
2. Hattie WOOD b: 2 MAY 1879 in Hartville, Wright County, MO
3. Maude WOOD b: 14 DEC 1883 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
4. Cree Ethel WOOD b: 26 FEB 1885 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
5. Fred Mabon WOOD b: 8 OCT 1887 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
6. Verb WOOD b: 25 JAN 1890 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
7. Ezra Guy WOOD b: 30 APR 1892 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
8. Essie Iris WOOD b: 28 AUG 1894 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO

" ID: I0535
" Name: Missouri Ann BUTCHER 1
" Sex: F
" Birth: 5 MAY 1858 in Wright County, MO
" Death: 21 NOV 1937 in Hartville, Wright County, MO
" Burial: NOV 1937 Bethel Cemetery, Wright County, MO

Marriage 1 William Seneca WOOD b: 8 MAY 1853 in Berryville, Carroll County, AR
" Married: 22 FEB 1874
Children
1. Dora A. WOOD b: 26 FEB 1876 in Hartville, Wright County, MO
2. Hattie WOOD b: 2 MAY 1879 in Hartville, Wright County, MO
3. Maude WOOD b: 14 DEC 1883 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
4. Cree Ethel WOOD b: 26 FEB 1885 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
5. Fred Mabon WOOD b: 8 OCT 1887 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
6. Verb WOOD b: 25 JAN 1890 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
7. Ezra Guy WOOD b: 30 APR 1892 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO
8. Essie Iris WOOD b: 28 AUG 1894 in Hartsville, Wright County, MO

Sources:
1. Title: Descendants of Thomas Wood, per Peggy Hermann, 2nd Report - 2001
From California death records on Rootsweb:

ABSHER JOHN ANDERSON 05/28/1877 FINDLEY ABSHER M MISSOURI LOS ANGELES(19) 02/13/1952 Of interest, because Grandpa Absher's son was named John. This John was born the same year as John Alexander
Here is more from Elmer. I sent an email to Mark Sutherlin asking if he knew how I could obtain a copy of the photo of Charles & Francis Sutherlin.
----- Original Message -----
From: ComptonEF@aol.com
To: mmeador@wf.net
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 5:53 PM
Subject: Answers??

Marilyn,

Bob Letson makes extensive trips to Europe and especially Scotland, and frequently changes e-mail address. He is sometimes hard to get hold of.

Rich Clingman sent e-mail 10/25/2001 to Bob and myself in which he said,
"A relative of Columbus Napier and Martha Ann Sutherlin sent me a copy of a bible that belonged to Columbus. Martha Ann was the daughter of William Thompson Sutherlin, son of Samuel".

Memoranda page from Bible:
John L. Ferguson died Nov 31, 1881
Nancy Lauretta Sutherlin born June 4, 1846. Died Nov 7, 5pm, 1884.
Francis Wilson Ferguson born Jan 25, 1875
John Alexander Ferguson born May 30, 1877
Ovanda Pearl Ferguson born April 11, 1880. Died June 27, 1888.
Martha Ann Sutherlin Napier died 1950.

I do not know where they died or where they were buried.

Rich forwarded e-mail 11/2/01 from Maxine Napier cmnapier@netins.net in which she said, "I do not have an original, but a copy of the page from Columbus' Bible." You may want to try to contact Rich Clingman or Maxine Napier.

One of our e-mail group was a historian from Wayne Co. He said the courthouse in Wayne Co. burned and all early marriage records were distroyed. If John L. and Nancy were married in Wayne Co., there probably is no public record.

Shirley Napier Smith (LamarJLS@aol.com) circulated the picture of Charles and Francis Marion Sutherlin Apr 26, 2001. Since then I have changed computers and apparently lost the file. If you can not contact Shirley, try Mark Sutherlin at Mark@sutherlin.com He has kept an archive on mail from the SUTHERLIN-L@rootsweb.com mail list.

Charles Sutherlin, older brother of Samuel, was my g-g-grandfather.

I hope I have answered your questions. If not, feel free to prompt me.

If all else fails, post a query on the SUTHERLIN-L@rootsweb.com mail list.

More About John L. Ferguson or Furgason and <Unnamed>:
Single: Bet. 1865 - 1875

Children of John L. Ferguson or Furgason are:

+John Alexander Ferguson, b. May 03, 1877, MO, d. January 17, 1949, Hawthorne, California.
Francis Wilson Ferguson, b. January 25, 1875, Missouri, d. date unknown.