THE HELLUMS FAMILY HISTORY BY FRANCES ELAINE HALL HENDRICKS 205 N Holiday Drive Dadeville, AL 36853 205 825-0870 Written NOVEMBER 1990 Revised July 1996 THE HELLUMS FAMILY CHARLIE WILSON HELLUMS (Father of Viola Hellums Brown) Charlie Wilson Hellums was born in Ramer, Tennessee on April 2, 1888. He was the child of Charlie Hellums and Elizabeth Rebecca Lambert. He was raised in Booneville, Mississippi. After his father deserted the family, his mother Rebecca Lambert heard there was work in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. So the family moved there around 1902. Wilson and his brothers found work in a saw mill. Wilson met and married Geneva Isabel Farley. Geneva was the child of Johnny Cleveland Farley and Senia Hannah. She was born February 28, 1890 in Bessemer, Alabama. They were married May 27, 1906 and again the next day May 28, 1906. When they told Geneva's sister Rosie that they had married, Rosie and her boyfriend Reuben McDaniel said they might as well get married too. So when Wilson and Geneva went along with Rosie and Reuben they repeated their vows and were married twice in two days. Wilson continued to work in different saw mills in towns in Alabama. Their first child, Elizabeth Annie Hellums was born while they were still in Tuscaloosa. She was born July 3, 1907 and died July 8, 1909 at only two years old. She died of typhoid fever. At the time of Annie's death Geneva was pregnant with her second child. On January 17, 1910 Viola Hellums was born. They were living in Buhl, a small town outside of Tuscaloosa then. Viola also had typhoid fever as a young child, but was strong enough to survive. I can imagine the fear Wilson and Geneva felt when the second child seemed about to share the fate of little Annie. Roberta Hellums was born April 17, 1911 in Coker, Alabama. Raymond Webster was born December 26, 1913 in Gordo, Alabama. Elois (Lois) was born January 11, 1919 in Camden, Alabama. Clarence Wilson Hellums was born December 6, 1923 in Leeds, Alabama. The youngest child Myrtle Ruth Hellums was born August 8, 1926 in Wetumpka, Alabama. Roberta Hellums married Otie Cooper and had five children: Betty Jo, Ida May, Oats Lamar, Annie Lois, and Gary Allen. Roberta Hellums Cooper died Monday March 14, 1993 in DeMoins, Iowa and was sent back for burial in Wetumpka, Alabama. Raymond Webster Hellums married Sybil Cannon and had six children: Sadie Mae, Bobby, Harold, Edward, Mildred, and Diane. Raymond died December 17, 1976 in Montgomery. Elois Hellums married Leslie Boozer, their children are: Valarie Ann, Ruby, Frank (nickname Buddy), Joyce, Fred, and Billy Joe. She died in Wetumpka a few years ago. Clarence Wilson (C. W.) Hellums married first Leila Jones. They had no children, and divorced. Second wife's last name was Castleberry, they had no children and divorced. He then married Pauline Woodall. They have three children. Clarence Wilson Jr. (Sonny), Paula Clarine, and Kathy. Paula married Al Odom and lives in Montgomery. C. W. and Pauline divorced and C. W. now lives in Eclectic, Alabama. Myrtle Ruth married Richard White and they had one child, Priscilla. They later divorced and Myrtle is now married to George Tatum. They live at 710 « Alabama in a house she inherited from her parents, Wilson and Geneva Hellums. Myrtle's daughter Priscilla is married to Jimmy Garnett and has two sons, Tommy Wayne and Jimmy Ray. They live at 6 Alabama Street in Wetumpka. Charlie "Wilson" Hellums was nicknamed "Squire" by his childhood friends. His grandfather's name was Esquire Hellums. This may be why he had "squire" as a nickname. He liked to play with snakes as a boy, a strange past time for a child. He had a gift of healing. He could take off warts, and could take the pain out of a burn. I asked him to take a wart off my arm when I was around 11 or 12 years old. I asked him how he did it. He said he couldn't tell me, but if I wanted to learn, it was in the bible, if I was willing to look hard enough. The wart came off in a couple of weeks. I remember being at their house once when a child was brought to him that had been badly burned. He talked the fire out of the burn. I don't know how he did what he did, but you could see the little boy relax and stop crying. During his middle years, Wilson developed cataracts and became blind. He managed to still be independent, he would walk to the little store a few blocks away and buy a few grocery items Geneva needed. He could manage his own money, and kept it organized in his billfold so always knew how much he had. He spent a lot of time sitting on the front porch in the swing. He could always tell who was coming to visit by the sound of the car engine. I remember sitting on his lap so he could "see" how big I'd grown. He would touch our faces to "see" us. They were both very loving great grandparents, and I feel very fortunate to have known my great grandparents personally. I always loved to sit in a little chair, made from coca-cola bottle tops when we would visit. Charlie Hellums (Wilson's cousin) had made that little chair. Geneva worked in the Dan River Cotton Mill in Wetumpka, Alabama for years. Around 1940 they bought a house on Alabama Street right across from the mill water tank. Geneva worked in that mill until she was carried out and couldn't work anymore. Geneva had a heart condition late in her life. She had a spell of hiccups one time, that lasted for days, which left her weak and worn out. Somehow the hiccups were caused by her heart. She worried, that she would die before him, and he would be left alone and helpless. She did die first, on July 14, 1964. She was sitting in her recliner at home, when she had a heart attack, and was dead by the time they got her to the hospital. Viola, and her daughter, Faye moved in the house with him to care for him. He was so lonely without her. He died the next year on June 25, 1965, from complications of Gall Bladder surgery. They are both buried in the Wetumpka City Cemetery, just a few blocks from their house. Viola inherited the house, and still lives there on Alabama Street. (Update: Viola Hellums Brown, my grandmother, died July 29, 1995 in Jackson's Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama from congestive heart failure. Her house on Alabama Street now belongs to her daughter, Eunice Bigham, and she lives there now. Viola's youngest sister Myrtle Tatum still lives in the house behind Grandma's and Eunice and Myrtle keep each other company.) Social Security Death Records Hellums, Charlie b: 12 Apr 1888 Alabama d: Jun 1965 SS# 417-07-7231 Hellums, Geneva b: 28 Feb 1890 Alabama d: Jul 1964 SS# 417-07-7210 Hellums, Raymond b: 26 Dec 1913 Alabama d: Dec 1976 Alabama SS# 417-07-7194 Charlie Wilson Hellums had black hair and brown eyes Geneva Farley Hellums had blonde hair and blue eyes 1910 Tuscaloosa County Census: Beat 26, Coker House # 14, Family # 151 Hellum, Wilson, age 22 married 4 years, born TN, farmer, Geneva, wife, age 18, married 4 years, two children born, 1 living, born AL, mother born AL, Father born AL, Viola, daughter, age 3 months, born AL, mother born AL, Father born TN. CHARLIE HELLUMS (Father of Charlie Wilson Hellums.) Charlie Hellums was born November 20, 1858 in Burnsville, Mississippi. He was the child of Esquire Wilson Hellums and Elizabeth Jane Bernines. He married September 23, 1877 to Elizabeth Rebecca Lambert in Tishamingo County, Mississippi. The marriage was performed by W F Livingston. Their children are: Oscar born March 1878, Mattie born March 1884, Fannie born May 1885, Charlie Wilson born April 2, 1888; John Meryl born February 23, 1892 died June 19, 1958; Nellie born 1893; Robert Lee born 1896 died April 28, 1961; and Elsie Lou born June 22, 1899. Oscar Hellums married July 17, 1902 in Tuscaloosa to Daisy McDaniel. They had two children, Charlie Hellums and a little girl that died very young. Charlie Hellums married Cliffie Nichols, the half sister of Gevena Farley Hellums. They had two children, Sarah Dean who married Herbert Stribling and Charles Franklin (Buddy) Hellums. This is the Charlie Hellums that made the chair from coke bottle tops that I mentioned before. He had a goose egg sized "whin" (soft, fluid filled lump) on top of his head. Mattie Hellums died very young. Fannie Hellums married January 26, 1902 to Robert Sanders. No further information on her is available. John Meryl Hellums married Minnie Lee Hollingsworth and had several children: Leona, Ollie May, Lucile, Milton, Lorene, and Billy Meryl. He died in Wetumpka and is buried in the Wetumpka City Cemetery along with his wife Minnie. They had two sons: Milton and Willie Murray Hellums of Wetumpka, and four daughters, Mrs Leona Forbus, Mrs Lucille Emfinger, Mrs. Ollie Mae Conner, all of Wetumpka, and Mrs. Lorraine Waites of Montgomery. Nellie Hellums married a man whose last name was Lackie, and was not heard from again. I have written to several Lackie's in the Tuscaloosa telephone book, and never received any answers. Grandpa Hellums went to see a woman in Tuscaloosa around the time his brother Robert Hellums died. They had heard that this woman might have been their sister Nellie. The woman's husband would not allow her to talk to them. She just stood there crying and wouldn't say anything. Robert Lee Hellums married January 4, 1920 in Monroe County Mississippi to Emma Evans. They had three girls: Elizabeth, Lois, who husband's last name is Barnett, and Sarah Katherine. Uncle Bob is buried in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I attended the funeral and remember the trip very well. Aunt Emma is in a nursing home in Montgomery, Alabama.(update: she has since died, do not know when) Elsie Lou was the baby of the family. She married Marion Jessie Kennedy May 12, 1918. The family was living in Colvan in Fayette County when she married. Her husband Marion went to work in Paris, Alabama in the coal mines there. When they later came back to Colvan, the rest of her family had moved on, and left no forwarding address. Elsie went further north with Marion and they eventually settled in Evansville, Indiana. She had a large family there, but always was looking for information on her family. It took forty two years, but she finally found them. She saw a obituary notice for Robert Lee Hellums in the Columbus, Mississippi newspaper and wrote the Postmaster there. He forwarded her letter to Aunt Emma. There was a large family reunion in the back yard of Grandma and Grandpa Hellums house to celebrate finding their sister. I wish they could have found the other two sisters before they all died. Wilson was blind by that time, but he said to let him feel her arm, and he would know if Elsie was truly his sister. He said she had broken her arm as a girl, and it never was set right. Elsie did indeed have one arm that stuck out funny, so they knew it was his sister. I liked Aunt Elsie very much, and was always glad when she came to visit. Her daughters would bring her down on their way to Florida for vacation and she would stay here for a few weeks. She loved vanilla malts and we always tried to get her one from the Dairy Queen every day while she visited. I used to write to her granddaughter Becky as a young teenager. She stayed overnight with me several times when they came to visit. Aunt Elsie was living in Kadiz, Kentucky with her daughter Josephine (Josie) Groves when she died just a few years ago. Charlie Hellums left his wife Rebecca Lambert with all these children not long after Elsie was born. Rebecca took the family from Booneville, Mississippi to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where the older boys could get work. Charlie moved to Adamsville Tennessee, where he had another wife, named Lula, and had two sons and a daughter by her. They were named William, Marcus and Bertie. Charlie forgot to divorce Rebecca before starting this second family, and on the census records of Tennessee he claims to have only been married once. Technically, I quess that really was true. Charlie died in 1936 and is buried in Adamsville, Tennessee.[unconfirmed] Rebecca "Becky" Hellums is listed on the 1900 Mississippi census as a widow. I don't blame her for that lie, she probably hoped he really was dead. Rebecca Lambert Hellums lived with her son Wilson and his family until she died in Tuscaloosa, Alabama before 1920. She is buried somewhere in the Tuscaloosa City Cemetery. (No record yet found of her death) Social Security Death Records Cliffie Hellums b: 22 Oct 1903 Alabama d: Sep 1978 SS# 424-20-5777 Alabama 1920 Soundex Child of Charlie & Rebecca Hellums Fayette County vol 32, ed 1, sheet 9 line 25 Osker Hellums, 47, born Miss Daisy, wife, age 46 born AL Charley, son, age 17 born AL Alabama 1920 Soundex Jefferson County, Bham 731 13th street vol 44 ed 25 sheet 15 line 12 Henry Hellums, age 63 born AL Maggie Hellum, wife, age 66 born AL 1920 Soundex This is Charlie with his second family Vol 52, ed 143, sheet 6, line 73 H-452 McNairy County Tennessee Family # 126 Hellums, Charles H., white, age 60 born Miss, (Sawyer) Luler, wife, age 42 born Tn Wm. F. son age 17 born TN Marcus, son age 16 born Tn 1910 Soundex This is Charlie with his second family h-452 Vol 63, ed 148, sheet 11 McNairy County, Tennessee Family # 220 Charlie Hellums, white, age 51, born Miss, Married once, 16 years, father born NC mother born MS, farm laborer Lula, wife age 36, 4 children born, 3 living Bertie, daughter, age 11 born KY Willie, son age 8 Marcus, son age 6 1880 Mississippi Soundex vol 1 ed 3 sheet 1 line 25 H-452 Alcorn County, Beat 3 Hellums, C. H., age 22 white male, born Miss Hellums, R. E., wife, age 20 born Miss W. O. son age 2 born Miss M. A. daughter, age 1 born Miss Lambert, W. H. brother, age 16 born Miss 1900 Mississippi Soundex vol 43, ed 97, sheet 7 line 95 h-452 Prentiss County, Beat 311 Helms, Beckie, white, born 1870, age 30 born Miss Oscar, son born Mar 1879, age 20 born Miss Mattie, daughter born Mar 1884, age 16 born Miss Fannie, daughter born May 1885, age 15 born Miss Wilson, son born Dec 1888, age 11, born Miss Johnnie, son, born Dec 1890, age 9 born Miss Nellie, daughter, born June 1893, age 6 born Miss Robert, son born Mar 1895, age 5 born Miss Elsie L, daughter, born Dec 1897, age 2 born Miss Cemeteries of Tishomingo County Mississippi Compiled - Printed by Miss Rayma Biggs and Mrs. Irene Barnes Iuka, Miss Forked Oak Cemetery, Prentiss County At the intersection of Hwy 364 and 365 travel about one mile North on Hwy 365 and turn right at the sign. The cemetery's about 1/4 mile off the highway. Hellums - E A wife of G. R. November 14 1870 Aug 29, 1909 Hellums, Elizabeth no dates Hellums Squire, no dates Hellums, Minnie B. Owens, Oct 4 1875 Dec 5 1972 Hellums, Mattie B., 1883 - 1918 Hellums, Henry J., 1866 - 1929 Hellums, Rebecca 1877 - 1904 (Is this Rebecca Lambert Hellums??) Hellums, M. A. wife of H. J. died feb 10 1896 28 years, 4 months, 10 days Tuscaloosa County Marriage records: Fannie Helms to Robert Sanders 1/26/1902 by James C. Brown PJ Miss Willie Hellems to J. J. Brooks 9/25/1906 by Mack Stamps, MG (Who is this?) ESQUIRE WILSON HELLUMS (Father of Charlie Hellums) Esquire Wilson Hellums was born October 19, 1830 in Camden, North Carolina, and died in 1911 in Mississippi. He was the son of Jonathan Hellums and his wife Mary. The family had left North Carolina and moved to what is now Madison County, Alabama. Esquire married Elizabeth Jane Bernines in Huntsville, Alabama around 1851. But they moved on, to the newly opened Mississippi Territory. They had a large family. Children are: John T Hellums, born 1852, died 1928; Charlie (See records of Charlie Hellums); Henry Jackson Hellums born January 4, 1866, died August 16, 1929; George Raymond Hellums born August 27, 1871 and died 1955 in Russellville, Alabama; Oscar Hellums born January 19, 1876 and died June of 1877; Melissa Ann (Sissie) born October 13, 1856, married a Sanders; Martha Adaline (Mattie) born October 4, 1861; Sarah Rachel (Dink) born November 1, 1864; Nancy Caldonia born March 21, 1867 married a Rushing; William Daniel born October 12, 1856 and died 1859; and Nalepa A born 1855. This information from family bible in the posession of Mrs. Jean Isbell in Booneville, Mississippi. I also have much information supplied by the family of Henry Jackson Hellums of Memphis, Tennessee. He was married four times and had several families. Two of his sons, twins, Earl and Mearl Hellums had visited Wilson Hellums in Wetumpka. I wrote to several Hellums listed in the Memphis telephone directory and found their families. Earl and Mearl were already dead, but their younger brother Prentiss Hellums sent me all the information he could remember. The 1860 Tishamingo County Mississippi Census listed the family: Helms, E. W. age 30 born NC; wife Elizabeth age 22, John T age 7, Nalepa A age 5, William D age 3 and Charles age 2. His father also in 1860 Tishamingo County Census: Jonathan Helms, age 56 born NC; wife Mary, age 46, born TN; Elizabeth age 22 born MS, Mary E age 19 born MS; Margaret age 17, born MS; Leander age 12, born MS; and Patsy C, age 5 born MS. At some point and for reasons unknown to us, the whole Helms family changed their name to Hellums. JONATHAN HELMS (Father of Esquire Wilson Helms/Hellums) Jonathan Helms was born around 1803 in Camden, North Carolina. He was the son of either William Hellums and his wife Letitia or John Hellums and his wife Margaret Prewett. Jonathan's wife's name was Mary. We have no information on her. Their children are: Esquire Wilson Hellums born October 19, 1830, died 1911; James L Hellums born January 3, 1848; Noah W B Hellums born April 22, 1849; Robert R Hellums born October 30, 1850; John R Hellums born May 14 1853 and Petra C Hellums born July 9 1855. This information comes from Mr James T. Hellums of Russellville, Alabama. He is the grandson of George Raymond Hellums the son of Esquire Wilson Hellums. I found census records that listed other children, Elizabeth born 1838, Mary E born 1841, Margaret born 1843, Leander born 1848 and Patsy C born 1855. Until further proof can be found to support James T. Hellums' research, I am not willing to state any ancestry past Jonathan Helms/Hellums. Mr. Hellums says that family legend passed down thru the years is that three brothers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Helms came to America from England. Maybe some day we can find proof. 1850 Itawamba County Mississippi Census recorded: District # 7 Entry # 14 Jonathan Helms, age 47 born NC, wife Mary age 35 born TN, Elizabeth age 13 born MS, Milly age 12 born MS, Mary age 10 born MS, Margaret age 8 born MS, James age 3 born MS and Noah age 2 born MS. 1860 Tishamingo County Census: Jonathan Helms, age 56 born NC; wife Mary, age 46, born TN; Elizabeth age 22 born MS, Mary E age 19 born MS; Margaret age 17, born MS; Leander age 12, born MS; and Patsy C, age 5 born MS. THE LAMBERT FAMILY JOSIAH LAMBERT (Father of Elizabeth Rebecca Lambert) Josiah Lambert was born around 1821 in Tennessee. He was the son of John Lambert. He married Avis Willis February 18, 1844 in Tishomingo County Mississippi. The marriage was performed by James Harris Justice of the Peace. Avis was the child of James and Mary Willis. She was born in 1824 in Tennessee. They had a large family, children are: James born 1845 married Sarah Brock April 2, 1865, (he fought in the Civil War, later moved his family to Gilmer, Texas. His mother was visiting him there when she died.); John A born 1847 (John left Mississippi when he was 16 years old and went to Ohio); Daniel A born 1848 married Abelene Stevens; Lucinda born 1849 married December 11, 1867 to Martin Borden; Josiah Jr. born 1850 married September 16, 1874 to P. C. Moore (Moved to South Dakota ); Hickman born 1853 married November 9, 1871 to Manurvey Stanton (Moved to Lousiana); Delila born 1856 married Joseph Carpenter November 17, 1872; and her twin Tobitha born 1856 married Charles Hughley January 6, 1884; Mary (Marietta) born 1858 married J Andrew Stanton September 23, 1877 (Married on the same day as her sister Rebecca); Rebecca born 1859 married Charlie Hellums September 23, 1877 (See Hellums records); William born 1862 married Lonnie Cox; Wilborn Hoyt born 1864 married Bunny Hughey January 6, 1884 and Charles born 1867. I have much information on the descendents of Josiah Lambert. I wrote letters to ten Lamberts in the Booneville, Mississippi telephone directory. Almost all of them answered. Mr. Ralph Lambert of Rienzi, Mississippi is a descendent of James Willis the brother of Josiah Lambert. He sent much information, and also a picture of Avis Willis. (Not a very clear picture, but it is the only one we have.) Mrs. Arrillia Thompson, daughter of Wilborn Hoyt Lambert sent information on her family. Mr. Claude Lambert of Booneville, Mississippi sent information on the Dan Lambert family. I have also corresponded with Mary Allen in Natchitoches, Lousiana, who also descends from Josiah Lambert. 1850 Tishamingo County Mississippi Census Recorded: Josiah Lambert, age 26 born Tennessee, wife Avey, age 24, born Tennessee, James age 5 born MS, John age 4 born MS, Daniel age 3 born MS, and Lucinda age 6 months born MS. 1860 Tishamingo County mississippi Census recorded: Josiah Lambert, age 39 born TN, Avis age 36 born TN, James age 15 born MS, John A age 13 born MS, Daniel A age 12, born MS, Lucinda age 11 born MS, John age 10 born MS, Hickman age 7 born MS, Delila and Tobitha age 4 born MS, Mary age 2 born MS, and Rebecca age eight months, born MS. 1870 Prentiss County Mississippi Census recorded: Avy Lambert age 43, born TN, Josiah age 18 born MS, Hickman age 16 born MS, Delilia and Talitha age 13 born MS, Marietta age 11 born MS, Rebecca age 9 born MS, William age 8 born MS, Wilburn H age 6 born MS, and Charles age 3 months born MS. Evidently Josiah was already dead before 1870. JOHN LAMBERT (Father of Josiah Lambert) John Lambert was born about 1770 in Greenwell, South Carolina. His wife is believed to be a Cherokee Indian. (No proof of this) He died in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. His children are: Josiah Lambert born 1821 married to Avis Willis February 18, 1844; James Lambert born 1819 married to Lucretia Willis (sister of Avis Willis), Hickman Lambert born 1823, married Susanah Carpenter January 18, 1845; and William born 1806, married Unity Wilson April 17, 1845. 1850 Tishamingo County Mississippi Census recorded: John Lambert age 80 farmer, born South Carolina. Nancy, age 30 born Tennessee (no relationship given), Bing age 8 and Mary age 5. Probate Record in Alcorn County Mississippi (where old Tishamingo County records are) for John Lambert died 1851. THE WILLIS FAMILY JAMES WILLIS (Father of Avis Willis) James Willis born 1800 in North Carolina, and his wife Mary born 1800 in North Carolina are the parents of Avis and Lucretia Willis. Tishamingo County Mississippi 1850 Census listed: James Willis age 50, born NC, wife Mary age 50 born NC, Daniel age 30 born NC, Mary age 18 born TN, Rebecca age 15 born TN, Sarah age 10 born TN and William age 8, born TN. We know that Avis Lambert had a brother named Daniel and a sister named Polly (at that time Polly was the nickname for Mary not Pauline). This census record seems to fit this information. THE FARLEY FAMILY JOHN CLEVELAND FARLEY (Father of Gevena Farley Hellums) John Cleveland Farley was born in 1861. [Date from Census records.] He was the child of Cleveland T. Farley and his wife Nancy. He married Senia Hannah approximately 1886 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Senia was the child of John Hannah and his wife Elizabeth. [no marriage record found yet] Their children are: Rosa, born May 1888, married May 27, 1906 to Reuben McDaniel; Geneva Isabel born February 28, 1890, died July 14, 1964 married May 27, 1906 to Charlie Wilson Hellums (see Hellums family records); Edward Eligah born February 3, 1898, died September 1, 1965, married November 1, 1916 to Willie Mae McBride; and Mary E. Farley, born March 1896. (No record of this child later, so we must conclude she died very young.) Johnny Farley worked in the saw mills and in the Coal mines of Shelby and Bibb counties. He died before 1900 in Bibb county and is buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in West Blockton, Alabama. Grandma Hellums always said he was hurt in a coal mine accident and later died from the injury. I have had problems finding records to support this. Coal mines were required to report any accident to the state. I have searched the records of accidents and found no mention of him. I wrote to the United States Steel Corporation in Fairfield, Alabama. They are the present day owners of the Blocton Mines. They have no record of John Farley working in the Blocton Mines at that time or of any accident involving him. Grandma Hellums always said that both times her mother was married at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. I can find no record of their marriage in Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, or Shelby counties. I can't find the record of her second marriage to Dutch Nichols either. This doesn't mean that any of this isn't true, but I just can't find the records. After Johnny died, Senia married George "Dutch" Nichols. They had four children, Claudie, who married Jennie Dunn and moved to Detroit to work in the car factories; Cliffie, married to Charlie Hellums, son of Oscar Hellums (see Hellums records); William Ward; and Thad (Nickname "Coot"). Grandma Hellums also said that her father Johnny Farley had some land, and that Dutch Nichols forced Senia to sell the land for five dollars. Well, this much is true. I found the deeds where she did sell the land to Walter D. Sparks for $5.00. But what is so awful about this deal, is that the same man also bought the land belonging to Johnny's brothers and sisters, all heirs of Cleveland Farley, for very small amounts. One piece of land sold for $15.00, one for $3.00, etc. He got a large section of land for a combined total of about $30.00. Elijah Farley, son of Johnny Farley, went to Bibb County after he became of legal age and talked to the Judge about this injustice. The judge investigated the sale of the children's inheritance, and the children were awarded $1000.00 to be shared equally. Senia Farley died August 13, 1915 in Millport, Alabama. Millport is in Lamar County. She is buried there. (No death certificate available for her death) [Record from family bible (actually a dictionry) kept by Geneva and now in possession of Agnes Brown Mixon.] After her death, Dutch Nichols gave away their children. Claudie and Cliffie went to live with Geneva and Wilson Hellums. A Mr. and Mrs. Fields adopted William Ward and raised him as their own. He grew up in Columbus, Mississippi. He married a woman named Margie and they had two girls, Jettie May and Gay. Nobody remembers the name of the family who took Thad. They moved away from the area, and no one knows what ever became of him. ROSA FARLEY Rosa Farley born May of 1888, married Reuben McDaniel on May 27, 1906. Reuben McDaniel was the brother of Daisy McDaniel, who married Oscar Hellums. (See Hellums history) Rosie and Reuben stayed close to Geneva and Wilson Hellums. Whenever Wilson went to another sawmill town to work, Reuben and Rosie went too. Rosie's first child, Mildred, died young of pnuemonia. She had six living children: 1. Ruth, married Ernest Cook from Ramer, Alabama. Ruth had four children, Louise, Martha Ann, married Charlie Leach, Ernest Cook Junior, and Juanita. (I went to school with Larry Leach, grandson of Ruth. Ruth still lives in Wetumpka, and is very good friends with Viola Hellums Brown). 2. Walter McDaniel 3. Emma McDaniel 4. Ethel McDaniel, married to Charlie Hill 5. James McDaniel 6. Sarah McDaniel Geneva Isabel Farley married Charlie Wilson Hellums. (See Hellums records for her children) EDWARD ELIJAH FARLEY Edward Elijah Farley married Willie Mae McBride in Eoline, Alabama, November 1, 1916. Willie Mae was the child of James McBride and Rosie M. Jones. They had 10 children: 1. Edward Eugene born August 12, 1918, married Jackie Sanders April 8, 1944 and Rosie Duncan April 10, 1947. 2. Johnie Franklin born August 12, 1920, married February 9, 1946 to Octiva Heartly. 3. Clarence J born December 12, 1923, married Frances Shuttlesworth February 9, 1946. 4. Rosie Mae born February 3, 1925, married James Autrey March 16, 1944. 5. Senia Estelle born September 20, 1927 married William McCullough March 16, 1946. 6. Charlie Cleveland born April 23, 1932 married Pauline Kinnard July 3, 1962 and Lela Colburn May of 1964. 7. Mary Magdalene born September 23, 1934 married Jack Dearman March 18, 1955. 8. Geneva Roberta born January 23, 1937 married Fred Kerr February 3, 1955 and James Gray May 10, 1975. 9. Virgie Nell born June 23, 1940 no other information on her. 10. Edna Lucille, born September 3, 1941 married Bobby Joe Smith January 23, 1957 in Loundes County Mississippi. Information on this family given by Willie Mae Farley. 1880 Shelby County Census recorded: Alfonso Farley, age 39 born Ala, his wife Margaret age 44, and brother John C age 19 born Alabama. This is our Johnny Farley, living with his brother Alfonso. 1900 Bibb County Census recorded: Sena T Farley, born March 1872 age 28, widow, born Ala; Rosa, daughter, born May 1890, age 10; Geneva Isabel, daughter, born February 1892, age 8; Mary E, daughter, born March 1896, age 4; and Edward Elijah, son, born April 1898, age 2. There is no 1890 census records at all for any county or state. CLEVELAND T FARLEY (Father of John Cleveland Farley) According to the census records, Cleveland Farley was born around 1810 in South Carolina. His wife's name was Nancy. She was born around 1814 in Alabama. They should have married about 1839. [no marriage record found for them yet] 1850 Alabama Shelby County Census record: Cleveland Farley, age 39, farmer, born SC; Nancy age 36 born Ala; Alfonso age 10 born Ala; Eliga age 8 born Ala; Elbert age 6 born Ala; Elizabeth age 2 born Ala; Jane age 5 months, born Ala; and Susan age 26 born SC (no relationship given for her). I have been unable to find 1860 or 1870 Census records for Cleveland Farley. Johnny Farley was listed with his brother in 1880, so I must conclude that Cleveland Farley died prior to 1880. The deeds given by his children to Walter Sparks, show the names of Elbert Farley; E F Farley and his wife Mary; Mary Farley, wife of Eliga Farley, deceased heir of Cleveland Farley; Bell Dawson and her husband W C Dawson; and Senia Nichols, (wife of Johnny Farley). Alabama Archives Civil War Pension Records Alfonso Farley Co H 24th Reg. Ala. Vol died Feb 1899 Wife Elizabeth Farley, Bibb Co Andy J Farley Co H 24th Reg Al Vol Died a few years after the war Sarah Farley Widow, Bibb Co JOHN HANNAH (Father of Senia Hannah) John Hannah was born about 1825 in South Carolina. His wife's name was Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born September of 1830 in Alabama. [Marriage record has not been found yet.] Their children are: John T, born 1858; Matilda, born 1865; Tilla Ann born 1867; Martha, born 1871; Senia born 1873, and Sarah E. (Etta) born January 17, 1876. Martha (Mattie) Hannah married Henry Lem Cooley in Tuscaloosa County. They had a large family. Children: Charlie, Thomas, George, Clarence, Eugene, Lemmie Delbert born 1909, Rozie married a Beardin, Mary married a Karnegia, Josie married a Reed, Lela married a Pool, Mae married a Colburn, and Delila born 1910 married a Howell. This information furnished by Mrs. Lem Cooley of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mr. Cooley said that his mother died when he was very young. He didn't know much about her. From her death certificate she died January 20, 1920 at 49 years and five months of age. She died of Broncho Pneumonia, and is buried in the Coaling Cemetery, Coaling, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Her father is listed as John Hannah of Jefferson County, Alabama, mothers's name not listed, husband listed as Lem Cooley. Senia Hannah married Johnny Cleveland Farley (See Farley records) Sarah Etta Hannah married Jessie Lafayette McCulley on January 27, 1897 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. "Fate" McCulley was the son of Robert R. McCulley and his wife Sarah Ann. He was born October 6, 1873 in West Blockton, Alabama. They had two children: Annie Elizabeth born April 2, 1892, died December 24, 1966, married to Luther Patton in 1918; and Rufus Clarence born November 26, 1904 died March 31, 1963 married Pauline Desmond October 23, 1926. Sarah Etta died March 6, 1908 and Fate married Janie Maydelle West on December 18, 1912 in Montgomery, County, Alabama. They had one daughter, Jessie M. Poe, who supplied me with this information. We took a trip with Grandma and Grandpa Hellums to see Uncle "Fate" when I was a little girl. We went to West Blockton, Alabama to his house. His wife, Aunt Jane was very sweet and gave me a present, a package of powder puffs. We took a ride up in the hills to the old house where Grandma Hellums had lived. There were wild red roses growing in the yard, and Grandma picked some to keep. Uncle Fate died April 21, 1961, and both of them are buried at Red Eagle Family Cemetery in West Blockton, Alabama. Tuscaloosa County Alabama 1870 Census recorded: John Hannah, age 45, born SC, wife Elizabeth, age 32 born Ala.; John T. age 12, born Ala; Mitilda age 5 born Ala, and Tilla A. age 5 born Ala. The Tuscaloosa County Alabama 1880 Census recorded: John Hannah, age 47, wife Elizabeth age 44, Matilda age 14, Ann age 12, Martha age 9, Senuth age 7, and Sarah E. age 4. Bibb County Alabama 1900 Census Recorded: Fayette McCulley born October 1873, age 26, Butcher, born Alabama, wife Etta, born January 1876, age 24 born Alabama, Anna born April 1897 age 2 and Elizabeth Farley, born September 1844 age 55, mother-in-law, widow 6 years, born Alabama. (Elizabeth Hannah Farley had married Johnny Farley's older brother Alfonso Farley a confederate veteran. He died in 1899.) Bibb County 1910 Census soundex Recorded: ed 12 sheet 18 line 5 McCulley, Fayette, white, age 36 Annie daughter age 12 Ruffus son age 6 Mary, sister age 26 Bibb County 1920 Soundex vol 1 ed 14 sheet 16 line 9 McCulley, Fayette, white age 47 born AL Minnie, wife, age 39 born AL Rufus, son, age 16 born AL J. R. son (daughter) age 1 born AL 1900 Bibb County Soundex vol 3 ed 2 sheet 14 line 73 Scottsville Cooley, Henry L. white, born Aug 1866, age 33 born AL Martha E wife Aug 1871 age 28 born AL Charles L son July 1887 age 12 AL Roxy A daughter, December 1888 age 11 born AL May E daughter, October 1890 age 9 born AL Josephine B daughter, January 1893, age 7 born AL John T. son, May 1895, age 5 born AL Eugene B. son, March 1898 age 2 born AL Clara M. daughter, December 1899 age 6 months born AL From: Cemetery Records of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Vol II page 37 Coaling Cemetery T 22 R 8 Black & white mixed Martha Cooley 1870 - 1920 Eugene Cooley Mar 6 1898 Sept 1, 1922 Howard C Cooley 1921 - 1921 Edward Clyde Cooley 1921 - 1921 Leon Cooley 1867 - 1945 Lem Cooley 1867 - 1945 1910 Soundex Tuscaloosa County ed 152 sheet 17 vol 108 William Dawson, white, age 30 Bell, wife, age 22 1910 Soundex C-400 vol 3, ed 2 page 5 Bibb County, Lem Cooley, age 46 Martha wife, age 42 Josie, daughter age 17 Tom, son age 15 Jim E., son age 12 May, daughter age 10 George W, son age 7 Clarence, son age 5 Lela, daughter age 3 Lema, son age 1 Farley, Elizabeth, mother in law age 61 Hellums notes: Mississippi Civil War Index - East Point, GA microfilm Hellums, Wilson Co K 17th Miss Inf, Private Hellums, Wilson Co H 7th Miss Calv, Sergent Helms, E. W. Co A, 2nd Miss inf. Private Helms, Wilson, Co H, 7th Miss Calv, Sergent Hannah family notes: Alabama CSA Index - Archives, Montg, Microfilm Hanna John Co D 36 Ala inf, Private " John E. C. B. 4th Ala Inf. Private John M Co C 29th Lieutenant, Capt John W Co H 10 Ala 2nd Lieutenant Hannah J. B Co B, 8th End Lieutenant John E, Co B 4th, Private J. F, Co E 10 Ala J. W. Co 1 18 Ala, Private J. W., Co A 29th Ala private J. W., Co D, 58 Ala, Private J. W., CP of Instr, Talladega