According to Mattie Helton's application for a War of 1812 pension, she married Joseph Helton in Washington County, GA, in 1811. Joseph was probably about 31, and Mattie was probably about 20, going by their ages from the 1850 U.S. Census for AL. Why did Joseph marry so late? Why did Mattie marry a man so much older?
He probably mustered for the militia right after their marriage, which may go part way to explain why their first child was born in 1817. But really, why didn't they have any children between 1811 and 1817?
I can't wait to look at the actual documents for Mattie's War of 1812 pension application. I'm wondering if "1811" should actually be "1817"?? That would explain a lot.
The following list of children's names is based on my latest research. I don't guarantee that every name is correct, or that I haven't missed any. Nonetheless, I believe that it accurately lists Joseph and Mattie's surviving children.
• Mary, born 1817 (probably named after his mother) in GA, married Joseph Gabriel Davis (Mattie 27)
• Martha Ann, born 1819 (maybe named after Mattie) in GA, married Claborne Freeman (Mattie 29)
• Allen R., born between 1822 and 1825 (probably names after Joseph's half-brother Allen McDaniel) in GA, married 1st Pullen?, second Martha Hardy (Mattie 32ish)
• Elizabeth N., born 1826 in Pike County, GA, married Blakely Edins/Eddins (Mattie 36ish)
• John H. (probably John Henry), born 1831 in GA, married Emily Francis Harwell (Mattie 41ish)
• James W. born 1834 in GA, married Fanny ? (Mattie 44ish)
• Eliza, born about 1836 in GA, married John Hardy (Mattie 46ish)
• Henry, born about 1840 in AL, married? died young? (Mattie 50ish)
I used to think that there was a Nancy Helton born 1836 - 1838, but I've come to the conclusion that there's not. The person I thought was Nancy Helton was probably Nancy Hardy who married Freeman Pullen.
Joseph and Mattie had children from 1817 to 1840—23 years. Mattie may not have used birth control, but at least she never had to worry about who would take care of her in her old age.
Hi. I descend, I think from John C. Hardy and Eliza Helton. My great great grandfather is a John C. Hardy, born in AL in 1859. I had narrowed my search to three possibilities. Then I heard from a distant cousin I have never met, that he did a dna test, and crossmatched with Helton descendants. I would love to swap what little information I have with you. I think this Helton research is fascinating.
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