Maybe.
I always take dates as strong indicators, not facts. For example, Elizabeth's headstone gives a birth year of 1826, but all the Censuses suggest 1828. The Census date of her son John H. suggests he could have been illegitimate, but there's not a breath of it in a family with lots of tales. I know of at least one headstone where the last name was spelled incorrectly! How could they get the last name wrong?????
Anyway...
Her parents were Joseph and Martha Colvin Helton. She was probably the fourth child and third daughter after sisters Mary, Martha Ann, and brother Allen R. Every census puts her birth place as Georgia, and we know from the Georgia Tax Digests that Joseph was in Pike County, GA, in 1826. So, most likely she was born in Pike County, and grew up surrounded by Helton siblings and McDaniel cousins (see earlier posts at ALRoots2.blogspot.com).
In the 1830 US Census for GA, Elizabeth lived with her family of origin
in Pike County, GA. In the household were one male under 5 (Unknown or John H.??), one male 5 - 10 (Allen), and one male 40 - 50 (Joseph). There were also one female under 5 (Elizabeth, about four), two females 10 - 15 (Martha and Mary), and one female 30 - 40 (Mattie).
By 1840 the Helton family had moved to Kimbrel's (Kimbrough's?) District, Coosa County, AL. "Coosa County lies in the east-central part of the state. It is bordered by Shelby, Talladega, Clay, Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Chilton counties." (from http://www.archives.state.al.us/counties/coosa.html)
In the 1840 household there were one male 5 - 10 (James W.), one male 10 - 15 (John H.), one male 15 - 20 (Allen), and one male 50 - 60 (Joseph). There were one female under 5 (Eliza), one female 10 - 15 (Nancy), one 15 - 20 (Elizabeth, 14 or 15), and one 40 - 50 (Mattie). Mary married Joseph Davis in Pike County, GA, in 1833, and was still living in GA. Martha, 21, was not yet married to Claburn Freeman but was apparently living elsewhere.
In the 1840 household there were one male 5 - 10 (James W.), one male 10 - 15 (John H.), one male 15 - 20 (Allen), and one male 50 - 60 (Joseph). There were one female under 5 (Eliza), one female 10 - 15 (Nancy), one 15 - 20 (Elizabeth, 14 or 15), and one 40 - 50 (Mattie). Mary married Joseph Davis in Pike County, GA, in 1833, and was still living in GA. Martha, 21, was not yet married to Claburn Freeman but was apparently living elsewhere.
What impresses me at this point is that the family seems to be isolated. No family, friends or relatives around. It certainly is possible that there were friends and family about, but no names have revealed themselves to me yet. I will be looking in adjoining precincts and counties in a future blog entry.
When did Elizabeth meet Blakely? A logical answer is between 1841, when she was 15, and 1847, when she was about 20 and marrying him.
Blakely's family was probably in Tallapoosa County by 1841 when father James A. registered 40 acres with the General Land Office. Around 1846 at age 20ish Blakeley mustered into the Captain Ligon's Company of Raiford's Batallion of Alabama Volunteers to fight in the Mexican War. He served long enough (at least six months) to earn a land warrant. Apparently there's a microfilm at the Alabama Department of Archives and History that details soldiers' service. The only information I can find online is at AlabamaPioneers.com and says that this military unit mustered out on August 17 & 18, 1846.
When did Elizabeth meet Blakely? A logical answer is between 1841, when she was 15, and 1847, when she was about 20 and marrying him.
Blakely's family was probably in Tallapoosa County by 1841 when father James A. registered 40 acres with the General Land Office. Around 1846 at age 20ish Blakeley mustered into the Captain Ligon's Company of Raiford's Batallion of Alabama Volunteers to fight in the Mexican War. He served long enough (at least six months) to earn a land warrant. Apparently there's a microfilm at the Alabama Department of Archives and History that details soldiers' service. The only information I can find online is at AlabamaPioneers.com and says that this military unit mustered out on August 17 & 18, 1846.
On Sunday, February 7, 1847, Elizabeth, 20ish, married Blakely Edins in Tallapoosa County, AL. Assuming the above muster-out date is correct, then she married him within six months of his return from war. Blakely was about 25 years old. Allen Helton was the bondsman. M. D. Hornsby was the J. P. This is the only recorded marriage for either of them.
http://gsofea.org/documents/tallapoosa_marriages_vol_1.pdf
While we don't know a lot about her personal life, we can guess that Elizabeth was closer to Allen and her younger sibs than to the older Martha and Mary. Certainly as an adult she lived near Allen, and her husband was bondsman on Allen's marriage license to Martha Hardy. Allen was the bondsman on her marriage license to Blakeley. John H. and Eliza usually lived nearby.
Apparently Blakely and Elizabeth tried to start a family as soon as possible because their first son, Simmion (Simmin Aaron, Lizzie's father) was born on March 9, 1848, about 13 months after they were married. I believe that Simmin Aaron was named after two of Blakely's uncles, Simmin and Aaron Hendricks. Nancy J. was probably named after Blakely's mother and Elizabeth's sister.
While we don't know a lot about her personal life, we can guess that Elizabeth was closer to Allen and her younger sibs than to the older Martha and Mary. Certainly as an adult she lived near Allen, and her husband was bondsman on Allen's marriage license to Martha Hardy. Allen was the bondsman on her marriage license to Blakeley. John H. and Eliza usually lived nearby.
Apparently Blakely and Elizabeth tried to start a family as soon as possible because their first son, Simmion (Simmin Aaron, Lizzie's father) was born on March 9, 1848, about 13 months after they were married. I believe that Simmin Aaron was named after two of Blakely's uncles, Simmin and Aaron Hendricks. Nancy J. was probably named after Blakely's mother and Elizabeth's sister.
In the 1850 US Census for AL, Elizabeth N. (though the "N" is indistinct) Edins is living in the household of Blake Edins in Tallapoosa County. She was born GA, age 22 (indicating a birth date of 1828). He was 25, a farmer, born AL. In the same household were Simmion, 3, and Nancy, 2/12. Neighbors include brother-in-law Hiram Edins and relation John Harwell and James Meadows. The Meadows family may be connected to the Edinses, but I haven't figured out how yet.
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=0964-031&docClass=MW&sid=osmoatfc.bo5#patentDetailsTabIndex=1
Blakely was on the go, probably pretty antsy, and always on the lookout for money. As a result of his Mexican War service, Warrant # 4468 for 39.95 acres in Tallapoosa County was deposited at the General Land Office for him. He assigned the warrant dated March 1, 1851, to Samuel J. Webster. A link to the warrant is here:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=0964-031&docClass=MW&sid=osmoatfc.bo5#patentDetailsTabIndex=1
After Simmin and Nancy Jane came Sarah A. L., born about 1853, and probably named after Sarah A. L. Chatwood, Hiram E. Edin's wife.
Elizabeth's father Joseph died on May 10, 1854, in Tallapoosa County, AL. Elizabeth was 28.
By 1855 the family had probably moved from Tallapoosa County, because they are not listed in the 1855 State Census for AL in Tallapoosa. (Thanks for that observation, Cuz). Most likely in Bibb County, where they showed up in 1860.
In the 1860 US Census for AL, Elizabeth was living on the East Side Cahaba River, Bibb County. She was 32, born GA. Husband B. Edins was 36, a mechanic, born AL, $650, $600, cannot read and write. Also in the household were Simeon A., 12, Nancy J., 10, Sarah L., 7, James B. (James Blakely), 5, Eliza E., (named after her sister Eliza) 3, and Rebecca, 2/12 (probably named after Blakely's sister). Neighbors: Barnett (two children marry Barnetts), John and Eliza Helton Hardy (Elizabeth's sister and husband), John H. Helton (Elizabeth's brother), Allen and Martha Hardy Helton, Freeman.
They were surrounded by her family rather than his. This was the last time that the Census records that the family has any money.
Husband Blakely enlisted in the Confederate Army in September 1861 and served until 1865. His service story belongs in another blog entry, but you can find the details at:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11081306/person/-530249296?ssrc=
Son Simmin enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1864 aged 15 and served until a little over a year later in 1865, when he was discharged. See Simmin's records at:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11081306/person/-530243305
For Elizabeth this five-year period from age 33 to 38 must have been a horrendous struggle: living in Bibb County, no husband, no eldest son, six children. Luckily she had family living nearby, including Allen, Eliza Helton Hardy and John H. Helton.
Both Blakely and Simmin survived—luckily for me.
Husband Blakely enlisted in the Confederate Army in September 1861 and served until 1865. His service story belongs in another blog entry, but you can find the details at:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11081306/person/-530249296?ssrc=
Son Simmin enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1864 aged 15 and served until a little over a year later in 1865, when he was discharged. See Simmin's records at:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11081306/person/-530243305
For Elizabeth this five-year period from age 33 to 38 must have been a horrendous struggle: living in Bibb County, no husband, no eldest son, six children. Luckily she had family living nearby, including Allen, Eliza Helton Hardy and John H. Helton.
Both Blakely and Simmin survived—luckily for me.
In the 1866 State Census for AL, B. Edins is in Bibb County. In the household are one male under 10 (John H., 2), two males 10 - 20 (Simmin, about 18, and James Blakely, 10), one male 40 - 50 (Blakely, about 44), four males total; three females 10 and under (Eliza E., about 9, Rebecca, about 6, Mary Alice, one-ish,) one female 10 - 20 (Sarah L., 13), and one female 30 - 40 (Elizabeth, about 40). Total people: 9.
The female child who was 10 - 20 was definitely Sarah, 13, who was enumerated in the household in 1870 and survived to marry John Honeycutt on October 2, 1871, in Shelby County. But where was Nancy Jane? She was still alive in 1861, when "Blake Edins" went off to war, according to his records at ADAH:
"Left Sep 6, 1861. Had seven dependents (wife and six children); his family was allowed to draw $120.00 per year."
http://www.archives.state.al.us/civilwar/soldier.cfm?id=56294
Maybe Nancy Jane married, or died, or was simply living with another family. It's hard to tell.
"Left Sep 6, 1861. Had seven dependents (wife and six children); his family was allowed to draw $120.00 per year."
http://www.archives.state.al.us/civilwar/soldier.cfm?id=56294
Maybe Nancy Jane married, or died, or was simply living with another family. It's hard to tell.
In the 1870 U.S. Census for AL, Elizabeth was living with her family on Beat 6, Shelby Springs P.O., Bibb County. She was 47 (should be 42), born GA, cannot read or write. Blakely Eddins was 48, a carpenter, born in AL, can read and write. Also in the household were Sarah A, 17, James B., 15, Eliza E., 13, Rebecca, 10, John H., (probably named after her brother) 6, Mary A., 4, and Louana, 1. Neighbors: Holcomb, Guy, Wright, Armstrong, Vickory, Kennedy, Ousley. No close family that I can see.
They were, however, really close to Shelby County, because "B. Edins" appears on an 1869 list of eligible voters for Shelby County.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alshelby/voters8.html
Notice the ages of the last three children: John H., 6, Mary A., 4, and Louana, 1. The last two were definitely born after Blakely got home from the war. However, according to the 1900 U.S. Census for AL, John H. Edins was born in January 1864. Which would have meant that Blake had leave about May 1863. It's possible. Around that time he was listed as a nurse, location undisclosed. Or else Elizabeth was really, really lonely back in Bibb County.
You see my issue with dates?
Moving on:
They were, however, really close to Shelby County, because "B. Edins" appears on an 1869 list of eligible voters for Shelby County.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alshelby/voters8.html
Notice the ages of the last three children: John H., 6, Mary A., 4, and Louana, 1. The last two were definitely born after Blakely got home from the war. However, according to the 1900 U.S. Census for AL, John H. Edins was born in January 1864. Which would have meant that Blake had leave about May 1863. It's possible. Around that time he was listed as a nurse, location undisclosed. Or else Elizabeth was really, really lonely back in Bibb County.
You see my issue with dates?
Moving on:
In the 1880 US Census for AL, Elizabeth was 52, born GA, and living with Blakley and family on Beat #7 in Bibb County. Elizabeth's parents were both born in GA. She could not read or write. He was listed as Blakley Eddins, born about 1823 in AL, 57, carpenter, both parents born SC, could read and write. Also living there were John 15, Mary Alice, 14, Louina 10, and Elizabeth's mother, Mattie Helton, 92, born GA. Mattie's mother was born in GA, her father in Ireland.
They all live in the same town as Jesse Mahon, Allen Helton, Joe Helton, Phelan Oakley—all in or connected to Elizabeth's family.
By 1880 Elizabeth had five, maybe six grandchildren from Simmin: Launnie (?), James, Blakley, Len Franklin, Rebecca Elizabeth, and Gertrude Ann. Launnie and James have disappeared by 1880. Blake, Len Franklin, Rebecca Elizabeth and Gertrude Ann were living with Simmin and (new) wife Mollie in Dekalb County. Other children may have given her grandbabies, but I haven't found any yet.
It's likely that the family moved to Jefferson County between 1880 and 1885. Why? Maybe so that Blakely and/or Simmin could work in the Birmingham Rolling Mill?
http://faculty.upj.pitt.edu/jalexander/Research%20archive/Johnson%20Company/Johnson%20Company%20Historic%20Archive.htm
On June 14, 1885, Blakely died at age 62, and she became a widow at the age of 58. Why was Blakely buried at East Lake in Birmingham? Later in 1888 Elizabeth's grandson Blakley was buried there when he died at at 18. Why was Blakley buried there, and not Elizabeth? Did the young Blakely die unexpectedly, and they couldn't afford another lot? That's happened at least one other time in my family.
Elizabeth died 11 years after Blakely at age 70, on July 14, 1896. She had likely been living with one of her Edins children in Birmingham. Is there an obit in the Birmingham Times?? I'll have to check next time I'm in AL.
She was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, the same cemetery as many of her children and grandchildren, including Simmin and James Blakely and their children.
I'm unaware of any written evidence that Elizabeth left to tell us what she was like. However, staying married to Blakely and mothering Simmin required a ton of patience. Struggling through the War required fortitude. Living near her family, she probably showed helpfulness and loyalty.
Sounds like a lots of women from our family.
:-)
By 1880 Elizabeth had five, maybe six grandchildren from Simmin: Launnie (?), James, Blakley, Len Franklin, Rebecca Elizabeth, and Gertrude Ann. Launnie and James have disappeared by 1880. Blake, Len Franklin, Rebecca Elizabeth and Gertrude Ann were living with Simmin and (new) wife Mollie in Dekalb County. Other children may have given her grandbabies, but I haven't found any yet.
It's likely that the family moved to Jefferson County between 1880 and 1885. Why? Maybe so that Blakely and/or Simmin could work in the Birmingham Rolling Mill?
http://faculty.upj.pitt.edu/jalexander/Research%20archive/Johnson%20Company/Johnson%20Company%20Historic%20Archive.htm
On June 14, 1885, Blakely died at age 62, and she became a widow at the age of 58. Why was Blakely buried at East Lake in Birmingham? Later in 1888 Elizabeth's grandson Blakley was buried there when he died at at 18. Why was Blakley buried there, and not Elizabeth? Did the young Blakely die unexpectedly, and they couldn't afford another lot? That's happened at least one other time in my family.
Elizabeth died 11 years after Blakely at age 70, on July 14, 1896. She had likely been living with one of her Edins children in Birmingham. Is there an obit in the Birmingham Times?? I'll have to check next time I'm in AL.
She was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, the same cemetery as many of her children and grandchildren, including Simmin and James Blakely and their children.
I'm unaware of any written evidence that Elizabeth left to tell us what she was like. However, staying married to Blakely and mothering Simmin required a ton of patience. Struggling through the War required fortitude. Living near her family, she probably showed helpfulness and loyalty.
Sounds like a lots of women from our family.
:-)
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