Arrington: The saga of Greene County, Alabama’s John D and Nicholas Arrington
For Arrington Wills and Probates, including William and two Arthurs of Isle of Wight and Nash Counties, North Carolina, Two James of Warren and many docs from Green County, Alabama.
For More on Arthur and Anthony (cousins from Nash and Halifx)
Intro (docs and dates below this section):
It was Maurice Hensen who asked me to help her with her ggrandfather’s family. We were cousin/co-researchers who had connected through my dad, long ago. The Arringtons were not my blood line; John D Arrington had married my ggg grandmother, Elizabeth Jane Cherry Arrington Davis Travis in Greene County, Alabama (one of my Nexus counties) in 1829. But they were family by association, and John D’s children were my half ggg aunts and uncles. So I guess they were blood-relatives, at least, that far down the line.
She sent me everything she had on the family, including a copy of several pages of John Bennett Boddie’s Southside Virginia Families that had a whole section on the Arringtons of Nash County, North Carolina.
All we had on our end was John D. Arrington – and Nicholas Arrington, who became the exec of John’s estate when he died so young. And there was an Anthony Arrington in Greene also, whose name was prominent in the Greene estate papers of Arthur Arrington. I gave it my best, combing through the Boddie information, squeezing the census for everything I could get. But we didn’t get anywhere. And she died without finding out who her family had been.
I had a little bit. Her gg granfather was Thomas Henry Arrington, the son of Nicholas. And Nicholas had married the daughter, Eliza J Davis, of Samuel Davis, said to be the son of Chesley Davis – and that seemed to cross my own Turner A Davis line (he married Elizabeth Jane Cherry Arrington after John D. died). And I had a few documents. But I really couldn’t get anywhere.
Years went by, and every so often I’d shake that tree again. Last year I did it, studying the Nash Arringtons again. There is a strong name pattern that runs through that family, and probably the most used name is Arthur, which is odd enough a name, it sticks out. Basically, the family line I was looking at was William Arrington – Arthur Arrington(1) – Arthur Arrington (2) – And this last Arthur had a mess of kids, among them Joseph, whose son Anthony was about the only person in the US with that name, and Arthur (3), whose children and wife all ended up in Greene County, Alabama after he had died.
Oh, and William, who had sons named John D. and Nicholas. His John D married Joanna Drake and lived his life in Nash County, NC, and his son Nicholas, son of William’s second wife, married Temperance Arrington Drake (according to the Boddie book) and did the same.
I was sure in my heart that my Greene County Alabama Nicholas and John D. had to be related to each other; why else would Nicholas have been chosen by John D’s wife to be the administrator of his estate? And Anthony was all over the Arthur Arrington documents – the guardianships and probate papers that were registered in Greene as well as in Nash, North Carolina where he actually died; those two had to be related.
It was easy enough, after reading all the material available from researchers I had reason to respect (document hunters) and looking at the other evidence, doing exhaustive searches, to ascertain that Anthony was, in fact, Arthur Arrington’s cousin.
But those same exhaustive searches – doing the math with the dates and the ages of children – proved that the John D. and Nicholas who were William’s sons – and who were Anthony and Arthur’s cousins, were NOT the same John D and Nicholas I was seeing in Greene County. There were census entries for all these names in both states, and they were close to the same age. But NOT the same age. In the Nash, NC family, John D was older by about 18 years than my John, but Nicholas in Nash was a younger half brother to his John, while MY Nicholas was the older full brother. But how could you possible end up with pairs of brothers with exactly the same names in the same family? It was really frustrating.
It has taken me a month of narrow-eyed, relentless digging and a lot of prayer – I read every Arrington probate I could find in Greene, followed up even the craziest leads I found in Google or ancestry. I made charts of census records.
Finally, I stopped and looked at a detail that had, for some odd reason, stuck in my head: John D and Elizabeth had a son whose middle name – recorded in maybe two places through all those records – was Portis. James Portis Arrington.
I remember having seen that name in the Boddie book, and I went back to that. But there was only one use of it in the whole volume: William of Isle of Wight (meaning isle of man) – his son Arthur had seven kids (this is all first half of the 1700s). Of those seven, one was Arthur and one was James. There was information after Arthur’s name in the book. After James, there was only this: md. Miss Portis.
That was it. The only place I’d seen that Portis name before.
But people put surnames into their childrens’ names for a reason. And now I had a new angle.
The discovery was this: William’s son Arthur had a son James Thomas. And there were wills of neighbors who became fathers-in-law who identified both him and his son. And I found several people on line who had tiny pieces of this puzzle – each different pieces. Some were contradictory. Some were flat out wrong. Boddie, for instance, was wrong about this, not having given this particular name much focus.
But I went to the documents in Nash and in Halfax county North Carolina. I read the Arthur Arrington Wills for two generations, and then the James Arrington wills for two generations. And I found that James Jr., was cousin to both Anthony and Arthur. So his sons, John D and Nicholas, were second cousins to Anthony and the Arthur whose children lived in Greene County.
I also found out that everybody had their own spin on these families. Boddie and conflated the two James. Other people had chosen a James Arrington who had migrated to Georgia as the son of Arthur, rather than looking at Warren, which is right next door to Nash and Halifax.
But when I looked tonight at the names of the huge Arrington group who’d gone to Georgia, the name patterns just weren’t there.
I don’t have a smoking gun. I thought I did. James Jr., John and Nicholas’ father left John’s kids a legacy of $400 in 1851 (that’s about fifteen years after John died, actually). There should be paperwork on that legacy – a probate, a gdnship, communication between the states – on that legacy. But I haven’t found it yet.
But what I did find tonight, as I did a census survey search – just looking for every Arrington in the United States from 1780 through 1840 gave me wonderful perspective. “James Arrington” wasn’t as common a name as you might think. Pretty much limited to North Carolina in those first decades. I could watch it disseminate, and I find myself very comfortable with the conclusions I’ve come to. There were really only two choices in James – the Georgia group with names that didn’t dovetail with the Nash family – and the James that lived right up there in the family stomping grounds. It was kind of no contest when you looked at the name patterns.
My John D used James Portis, Thomas Henry, his wife’s father’s name and Robert Willis. Nicholas used Henry Thomas (or Thomas Henry) and his wife’s father’s name for his sons.
I can hear the family in those names like a song I’ve known for years.
It really didn’t take very long to write down the story of this journey. But it was a fierce struggle getting here. Now I know Maurice’s ggg grandfather and her 4xg and 5xg and 6 and 7x great. I’m sorry she’s gone. But then, she probably already knows all this, huh?
June 25: I have finally found the smoking gun that connects the Warren County, NC Arringtons with the Greene County, Al ones. When James Arrington Jr. leaves his son, John’s heirs $400, it is paid to an agent of John’s: F.Y. Townsend. The only F.Y. Townsend who comes up on an unfiltered Ancestry search lives in Greene County. I don’t find paperwork on this legacy in Greene – but the children are mostly grown and wouldn’t need gdns to guarantee that the money was put aside for them. That the agent lives on the same 1850 page as the Brassfields is sufficient.
The pieces all fit together.
What will follow here is a collection of census entries and documents that will prove the connections:
First of all, the centerpiece of the town of Arrington, I am told by Boddie, is the church of St. Nicholas. So I’m guessing that it might be the basis for this series of names. Or it might be the connection that John, son of Arthur(2) had with the Nicholson family through his wife. Several of his children bear her name as a middle. Samuel Lewis Arrington, John’s son, married his cousin Eliza Ann Nicholson and they had ten kids. Joseph Arrington, son of Arthur(2) Named one of his children Thomas Nicholson Arrington. So the phonemes run rich in the fam.
-=0=-
A broad survey of all James Arringtons (and some other notable Arringtons) in an unfiltered Ancestry search, including both federal and state census:
1780 – North Carolina
- Arthur jr and sr Nash
- James Nash
- Joseph Nash
1782 North Carolina
- Arthur Jr and Sr Nash
- James Nash
- Joseph Nash
1784 NC
- James Sampson NC
- James Sampson nC
NC state census 1784
- James: Warren Co. number of Males between 21-60 : 1 mls under 21 and 60+: 4 Fem: 4
1786 NC
- James Warren Weather’s Dist 1786
- James Warren Weather’s
1790: Federal
- Arthur Nash
- John Nash
- Joseph (2) Nash
- Peter (2) Nash
- James in Burke and Richmond
1800 (43) in all Federal with no filter but Arrington
- James in Buncombe NC
- James in Hallifax, Warren NC
- James Jr. Hallifax Warren NC
- Joseph (2) and John, Mary, Peter, William, Willis in Hallifax NC
1810 Fed census, no filters (72) Arringtons (actually, this includes Herringtons)
- Ann Warren County
- Arthur Halifax
- James Buncombe
- James Warren
- John Nash
- 2 Joseph Nash
- Peter Nash
- Richard Nash
- Welles (Willis?) Warren
- William Nash
- Benjamin Barnwell, SC
1820: Fed (144)
- Ann Warren
- Arthur Nash
- Arthur Halifax
- James Warrenton, Warren NC
- John jr. Hash John S Nash
- Joseph jr Nash (2)
- Joseph Halifax
- Lewis Edgecomb
- Martha Nash
- Peter, Richard, Nash
- Thomas Nash
- William Nash
- James Jefferson, GA (in that county Ezekiel, Henry, James, John(2), Rebecca, Silas William(2)
1830: (248)
- Arthur: Nash
- James Arrington Fishing Creek, Warren, North Carolina (where Leah’s dad lived)
- Jas Buncombe
- John S., Joseph (2) Nash
- Martha Nash
- Nancy Halifax
- Nicholas Nash (Richard, John Peter)
- Robert Halifax
- Still a mess of them in Jefferson Ga.
- Anthony Greene, Alabama
- James Ohio and Kentucky
- Arthur Franklin, VA
1840: Fed (299)
- Archibald Nash
- Barbary Nash
- Benj Halifax, also Gideon, Henry
- James Washington NC,
- Yancy NC
- John, John D, John S Nash
- Joseph, Littleton, Samuel, William Halifax
- Nicholas, Rebbeca, Sally, Temperance Nash
- Still a mess in Ga
- James, Richmond Ga, Franklin Va, Humphreys Tenn, Talbot Ga, Upson GA
- William D Sumter, Alabama
- Anty, Perry Miss (Anthony)
- Elizabeth (John D’s wife) Greene, Alabama
- H.T. in Sumter (Nicholas’ kid)
- Jackson Sumter Al
- Joseph Sumter
- Nancy Sumter
- Nicholas Green Al
- Robert Sumter
- William clark Miss (where Anthony went)
- William Benton Al
- William Sumter AL
- Arthur Greene
- West Greene
- James Tenn (2)
Marriage:
- Mary Arrington to Benjamin Whitehead 24 July 1764 edgemcomb
- Mary Arrington to Henry Southall 28 July 1798 Warren
- Ana to Erasmus Culpepper 15 Sept 1804 Warren
- Elizabeth to Charles Marshall 21 Feb 1807 Warren
- Richard to maria D Johnson 9 Feb 1810 Warren
- Sally to Modicus Robertson 15 Dec 1813 Warren
- Nancy Arrongton to Clabour Aycock 9 March 1825 Warren
- Rebecca to Francis Rice 30 Sep 1822 Warren
- Anthony to Polly 22 Aug 1826 Halifax
- Gideon to Rhody Carter 20 Dec 1826 Warren
1786: NC Compiled census and substitutes index: James Arrington NC Warren County, Weather’s district
1800: There are two James Arringtons. (They are the only two Arringtons.) Halifax, Warren County, NC. The listings are alphabetical, which drives me nuts.
- 1m 10-15 1m 45+ 1f 10-15 2f 16-25 1f 45+ 2 people under 16 2 over 25 8 slaves (b.1755 or before)
- 1m-10 1m 16-25 1f –10 1f 16-25 2 under 16 (b.1775 – 1784) he’s 20-24
The will of James Arrington of Warren County. NC.
In the name of God Amen. I, James Arrington of Warren County, and State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind (blessed be God) . . . As make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say: First I give and bequeath unto each of my two Daughters Elizabeth Marshall and Martha Smith four hundred and twenty dollars to be raised of my Estate by Selling such of my property on a credit of six months as my wife shall choose to spare.
I lend all the rest of my Estate both real and persona after paying my just debts and the above mentioned legacy to my beloved wife, Ann Arrington for and during her life and at her death to be all sold on a credit of twelve months by my Execs and fir pay unto each of my four Daughters, Mary Southall, Elizabeth Marshall, Nancy Culpepper, and Martha Smith one hundred and eighty dollars and to my son Willis Arrington one hundred dollars and the remainder of my Estate to be equally divided between all my seven children namely Willis, James and Henry Arrington, Nancy Southall, Elizabeth Marshall Nancy Culpepper and Martha Smith, Except the on third part coming by the last mentioned clause to my daughter Martha Smith I give and bequeath to Mary Ann J Blount, daughter of Joseph Blount dec if she live to the age of twenty one years or Mary, if not to her Mother Martha Smith and I hereby make and — my three sons, Willis, James and Henry Arrington my execs of this my last Will and Testament – 21 December 1807
(List of heirs:
- Ann Arrington, wife
- Elizabeth Marshall
- Martha Smith
- Mary Southall
- Nancy Culpepper
- Willis
- James
- Henry)
Warren County Estate Papers
James Arrington 1810: Warren County 4 images:
- 1. Acct sale of estate. 1812 March 28 Buyers: Erasmus Culpepper, Nichols F Alston, Charles Marshall, Edward Smith – signed Willis Arrington.
- 2. Spine
- 3. Inventory of estate of James Arrington taken 22 Aug 1810: Cash in hand: $123.25. Bonds and accounts: 193.18
- 7 people of color: Isaac, Harry, Orah? Cate, Sam, Peter, Fed. 4 head horses. 34 cattle. 25 sheep. 118 hogs. 40 geese. Six feather beds and furniture two walnut tables, four pine ditto, one desk, 4 chests one Busfat? 12 Chairs one gun, etc. 4. Signed Willis Arrington, exec
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/DGS-004763705_00625?cc=1911121&wc=93L6-92X:185353701,183204102,186103401 Warren County, NC Estate papers
James Arrington 1825 10 images
2.. Accounts of exec. Have been examined and found supported. Left with $4,889.56
Distributed:
- Willis $689.36 It’s actually a W with a small raised s. Was there a William/
- James $581.36
- Henry Southall in right of Mary $761.36
- Erasmus Culpepper in right of Nancy: $761.36
- Charles Marshall in right of Elizabeth: $761.36
- Edward Smith I right of Martha $567.58
- William Harvey in right of wife Mary Ann? $193.78
- In settlement of the ? amt are here given to Willis Arrington 127.72
3. account of sales:
- Henry Southall bought a load of domestic stuff.
- Francis True (Harrow, plow)
- 4. John Pearson
- John Portis
- Gardener Holeman
- 5. James Arington 2nd? 1 walnut table. Negro man Harry, Peter 297 acres of land
- Wood Tucker
- Boykin Bass
- 6. Joseph Arrington Shrrff
- Henry Bains, John Shouthall, Wm Williams, Wm. Alston, Willis Arrington. All bought Sorrel horses
7. Gid Richardson, Leven Evins, Lewis Arrington, Isham Bennett, Claiborn Aycock, Holady Hedgpath, Martin Garrett, Mason Ash, George Harper, Gid Arrington, Arch Wright, Hardy Richartdson, John Davis
8. Shugan Davis, William Erby, Frances Inge [There is a Francis Inge who is guardian of the children in Greene, so this is either a connection or a wild coincidence], Cooper Decon, Edwd Alsston, Plummer Samkin, David Marshall, John Scott, Abner Aycock, Cyrus Rosser, James Evins/ John A Williams.
9. John Pearce, Wm Marshall, Jesse Richardson, Charles Marshall William King, James Arrington JR.
10. Willis Person, Henry Sims, Philip Alston, John Roan, Jesse Marshall, Absolom Richardson, Allen Jones James Arrington Jr. again.
1810: James Arrington Warren, NC i12/33
7 males –10 1m 10-15 1m 26-44 1f –10 1f 10-15 1f 26-44 10 under 16 2 over 25 (b. 1766 – 1784) he’s 30-34
1820: James Arrington, Warrenton, Warren, NC
4m 10-15 1m 16-18 3m 16-25 1m 26-44 2f 10-15 1f 26-44 6 people under 16 2 over 25 11 people (b. 1776 – 1794) He’s 40-44
On the same page with David Marshall, Ann Arrington (right next to James Arrington) is over 45
1830: Fishing Creek Warren, NC
1 m 20-29 1m 50-59 1f 20-29 1f 50-59 (b.1771 – 1780) (So far 1776 is the low, 1780 the high) he’s 50-54
on a page with abner Aycock, Dr. G Williams, George Alston James Arrington, John Williams William Stokes, Samuel T. Alston, John Southall, Edward Williams
Looking for the probate of John Portis. Stopped at I 49
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/DGS-004772487_00291?cc=1867501&wc=MDRK-8TL:170078601,170731501
John Portis:
3. JOHN FLOYD ABIAS3 PORTIS (GEORGE2, JOHN1) was born 1740, and died June 1794 in Nash Co., NC. He married SARAH JANE WILDER 1755 in Isle of Wight, VA.
Notes for JOHN FLOYD ABIAS PORTIS: John Portis died at his residence on Fishing Creek near Ransom’s Bridge and near the intersection of Halifax, Franklin, Warren, and Nash Counties. The property was also known as the “Portis Gold Mines”. His antecedent ancestors in America reportedly originated in Isle of Wight and Surry Counties, VA (not yet confirmed). John Portis left a will which his widow Sarah, and a number of other legatees mutually agreed to suppress. However, his “minor” son, Ira Portis, “by his guardian” brought suit in the Halifax Superior Court to a) establish the will of his father, and b) recover the legacy left to him by his father. (Halifax Superior Court Docket. (“Suppressed Will of John Portis-1794-of Nash County, NC,” North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. IV, No. 3, August 1978, pp. 169-170). The will identifies his children and some aspects of their status as of 5 May 1800.
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/e/w/Barbara-Anne-Lewis/GENE15-0003.html
John Portis listed in 1790 Census of Franklin Co., NC, Halifax District. 1 while male over 16 and heads of family, 4 free white males under age 16, 3 free white females and heads of family, and 1 slave.
Children of JOHN PORTIS and SARAH WILDER are:
- 4. i. IRA 4 PORTIS, b. November 17, 1777, Ransoms Bridge, Franklin, NC; d. September 08, 1825, Suggsville, Clarke Co., AL.
- 5. ii. JEREMIAH PORTIS.
- 6. iii. GEORGE WILLIAM PORTIS, d. 1795, North Carolina.
- iv. JOHN PORTIS.
- Notes for JOHN PORTIS: Received 110 acres of land from his father’s will.
- v. MARY PORTIS, m. JAMES GOODWIN, Bef. June 1794.
- Notes for JAMES GOODWIN: James Goodwin is probably the brother of Mary Ann Goodwin, future wife of Ira Portis, Mary Portis’ brother.
- vi. ELIZABETH PORTIS, m. JOHN COX, Bef. June 1794.
- 7. vii. KEZIAH PORTIS, b. 1763, Franklin Co., NC; d. October 10, 1841, Murphressboro, Rutherford Co., TN.
viii. LEAH PORTIS, m. JAMES ARRINGTON, Bef. May 05, 1800.
- Notes for LEAH PORTIS: Received two cows, calves, one sow, and pigs from her father’s will. She was possibly a minor in June 1794 and not yet married. However, in the suit it was revealed that by 5 May 1800 she had married James Arrington.
At this point, you should read the James and James jr. wills and estate papers fron 1810-1851.
1829:
Marriage record: the international one had his birth at 1805, I think. The Alabama one had no such info. http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=fs1almarriages&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=Nicholas&gsfn_x=NP_NN_NIC&gsln=Arrington&msgdy=1825&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=f35&msgdp=10&cp=12&pcat=34&fh=4&h=153632&recoff=&ml_rpos=5
Nicholas Arrington b. 1805 md Elizabeth Davis 6 Oct 1829 – Greene, Alabama
1831 – Nicholas Arrington is granted a land patent in Greene.
1832 – Nicholas Arrington takes over administration of John D. Cherry’s will. Anthony and Arthur were signed to George Cherry’s will. I think Nicholas is on that estate until 1835. (this is wrong)
1) Document:
Elizabeth J Arrington renouncing her administration in the estate of her husband. Rec. Page 669 (or 4), N 304:
The Hon Wm. B. Strut? Sir: I have determined to withdraw the right of taking the administration of the Estate of my deceased husband John D. Arrington and wish that you may appoint as administrator my BROTHER IN LAW (my caps), Nicholas Arrington and the Brother of the Dec. Respectfully yours Elizabeth J Arrington
Greene County Nov 11 1831. So now we know that they were brothers. The rest of these notes don’t know that yet.
1840 in Greene:
Nicholas Arrington: 2 males aged–5 1m 30-39 (he is born) b. 1800-1810 1 fem 5-9 1f 20-29
1840: i45/93
Elizabeth Arrington 2m-5 2m –5-9 1f10-14, 1f 15-19, 1f20-30 on page with James A. Tallman, Edwin Roberson and Mary, James Dorroh, William Thetford, Hatch, Swinson, Jones Wallace, Lightfoot, YOUng Perrin, Kennin, McAlpin, others
i17/93
Nicholas Arrington 2m –5 1m 30-39 1f5-9 1f 20-29 b. 1801-1810 with Bullock, Hunger William Glover, Charlton, Townsend, Thedford, Watlkins, David BRASSFIELD, Milton Brassfield (?) John Anderson, Daniel Ingram, DD. Briggs, W. Thomas, others
1842: Nicholas Arrington marries Charity Johnson Oct 8, 1842. Eliza J Davis must have died by then.
1850: Greene County:
- Nicholas Arrington 45 NC (b. 1805).
- Charity 35 NC
- Thomas 13 Al (This is H.T. who is Mauriece’s gg grandfather. He is Henry Thomas who is the admin for his father’s estate and also his mother’s until he died, in – I think 1871)
- James V Arrington 5
1850: Warren County, North Carolina i41/65 fam 733
- James Arrington 75 NC (b. 1775)
- Leah 75 NC
1850:
i142/188
- Nicholas Arrington 45 NC (b. 1805)
- Charity 35 (b. 1815)
- Thomas (Henry Thomas) 13 (b. 1837)
- James V 13
i149/188
- Elizabeth J. Davis 57 7000 NC
- Martha Arrington 20 AL
- James 18
- John 16
- George 14
- Robert 12
- Elizabeth T Davis
i109/188
- Patsy LR Briggs 53 NC
- Victoria Arrington 13
- Lucy A Arrington 8
- James Y Arrington 5 (these might be the children of Arthur Briggs and Eliza and probably are. Check the Arthur in Sumter. Eliza was married in 1835 – 15 years.
On a page with Hewel L Kennon physcian and fam NC Two pages after i147 which has Lovet Hines and a bunc of Gullies, Raynes P Travis and some Thetfords, Jacob Holbrook, McKees and Alfred Brassfield and Tilman Brassfield.
1860: Greene
- N. Arrington 54 NC (1806)
- C. Arrington 45 NC –(How funny that the Nash Nicolas wife is Temperance, while the Green is Charity)
- H.T. 23 minister AL Means that the family has been here at least since 1837. But we know it was earlier.
- MEA 4 Al (she inherits her mother’s money, including a fat insurance policy, and marries Charles Edgar Latimer)
1827 John D. Arrington and Penelope Cherry are security for administration of George Cherry’s estate. With Samuel Davis. SO – John D. Arrington knew the family and was close enough to them to be admin of George’s estate (intestate)
-> John D. Arrington md Betsy Jane Cherry 19 Jan 1829 Greene County, Alabama. He was said to be “over age.” If that is so, then is he over 21, or just plain “old?” What did it mean? Here is the answer to all these questions: if you look at the actual page in the marriage register, every person who is 21+ is over age of consent. Every person under has to get consent of parents. This is not a big mystery. He lived to beget 5 kids, the last of which was born in about 1838. She married Turner in 1842, and she signs many of the gdnshp papers with his surname. In one place, she is refered to as Elizabeth J Arrington, but that is struck out and replaced with Davis. So John had a daughter in about 1838 – married about nine years or so. Maybe ten.
1828 – Greene: Deed Book C p428: James Arrington sells to Francis Inge (who also lived in Warren) 5 Jul 1828. I’ll try to locate the orignal note. *******
1831: Nicholas Arrington is granted a land patent. Now I’m going to have to go back and see these docs. I dug them up 20 years ago and didn’t bother to note where.
1834: Richard Inge gdn of children of A. Arrington John P, Arthur, James H, Mariah, Willis A (estate papers or probates) The full abstract included in the Arthur/Anthony file. (There are exchanges between Francis and Richard Inge. As I recall, Francis was a physician) ***********
Greene Probates Book C pg 29 around 1830
John D. Penelope, Samuel Davis James McDonald all bond for estate of George Cherry.
1836 – Penelope Cherry’s will. John D. is security. Arthur Arrington is witness.
1840: GREENE, Alabama
i17
- Nicholas Arrington 2 male –5 1 30-39 1 f 5-9 1 20-29
- D.D. Briggs (down a bit) 1 10-14 1 15-20 1f 15-20 Duncan married into the family (he’s a dentist). And Arthur (4?) married Eliz J Briggs. So here’s another instance of the interlacing of families.
i9
Arthur Arrington 1m –5 1 20-30 2 –5 1 15-20 1 20-30 b. 1810-1820 Now, this is older than Arthur 4 should be, isn’t it?
Nicholas Arrington m Charity Johnson Oct 8 1842
Elizabeth Jane Cherry Arrington m. Turn A Davis Aug 27, 1842. John D. Arrington is dead a few years.
1842: Turner A. Davis petitions Nicholas Arrington for dower. Nicholas is admin estate of John D. Arrington, husband of Elizabeth Jane Cherry Arrington, widow – who subsequently marries Turner A. Davis
1850 Greene County, Alabama i142
- Nicholas Arrington 45 NC 2500 I’m assuming this to be the Nicholas, once husband of Elizabeth J. Davis, daughter of Samuel Davis. (And I am right)
- Charity 35 NC
- Thomas 13 Al This is Henry Thomas, who will be Lida’s father.
- James V 13 NC
i109 fam 1110
- Patsy R Briggs 52 NC (the Briggs came from Fauquer County with the Cherrys, Gullys, Johnstons(?)
- Victoria Arrington 13 AL
- Lucy A Arrington 8 Al
- James Y Arrington 5
I don’t know whose kids these are. I am wondering if they chose to stay behind with their – what was Patsy? Can’t remember my Briggs-lore. Grandmother? Instead of going on with Arthur and Arthur? Or did they belong to some other Arrington? They show up in MS later in Arthur’s family. Good guess, me.
i33 With Andrew Pickens, a John D Arrington, 45, from GA, an overseer. The entry is hard to read and may be something else.
Business in 1850 Greene
Samuel L Arrington m Margaret E Crowson Jan 28 1851 (in census, she is with John Crowson (her father) and family. Next to Wilson Cherry. Could this be John and Nicholas’ brother who hadn’t picked up his legacy by 1854?
1854: Will of Jesse P Davis, son of Samuel Davis of Sumter and his first wife (South Carolina). His sister, Eliza J., married Nicholas Davis, and their son, Thomas Arrington, nephew of Jesse P Davis, is an heir.
Estate of Jesse P Davis dec. in the new Probate Court of Sumter County:
The petition of James T. Davis respectfully showeth that his “intestate”. Jesse P Davis, dec, left the following heirs, to wit: John W. Davis, living in Choctaw County, a BROTHER, Thomas Arrington, a son of Elizabeth Arrington and a nephew of deceased living in Green County and who is a minor, William R Davis, a brother living in Sumter COunty, Headly Davis, a brother living in Sumter, Ellen Davis a minor, a half sister living in Sumter, Amanda P Davis minor and half sister living Sumter, Rachel Walton and her husband, R T? Walton, a sister living in Sumter, Emily Davis, a minor and half sister and a minor , half sister, name unknown, livng in Suter and your peptitioner and further showeth that his intestate owned … James T Davis, Dec 13 1854–
1860: Forkland, Greene, Alabama
fam 184
- N. Arrington 54 Planter 2100 NC (1806)
- C. Arrington 45 NC (1815)
- H.T. Arrington 23 minister AL
- M.E. Arrington 4 AL
- Bobben – laborer NC 40
Greensburough i16 fam 119(?)
- William Williams 60 dentist (I think we saw him in NC, too – check the sales in the probates.)
- Maria Williams 33 NC
- John C Orrick 18 AL
Children of John D Arrington and Elizabeth Jane Cherry
Martha A.
1850: Greene i149 fam 1431
- Elizabeth J Davis 37 NC
- Martha Arrington 20 AL down
- James 18 Student
- John 16
- George 14
- Robert 12
- Elizabeth T Dvis 7
1860 Forkland, Greene Al i1 Fam 151
- EJ Travis 47 Hotel Keeper NC
- JP Arrington 28 Merchant AL all down.
- GC Arrington 24 merchant
- M.A. Arrington 30 F
- S.M. Arrington 20 F (in law?)
- M.E. Davis 5/12 (grandchild?)
- E.J Davis 16
- J.B. Fuller, 18 clerk
John and Robert are the only children missing here. Their marriges would have been before 1860.
Martha A Arrington md. 9 Mar 1864 Philip May
1870: Ala, Sumter, Livingston i19 fam 585
- Phil May 59 Farmer NC
- Martha A 40 AL –all the way down
- Mary 18 Teacher
- George 14
- Anna 12
- Elizabeth 11 or 17? Or maybe 7?
- Martha 5
- Kate 4/12
Okay – so wait – they’ve only been married six years, which pretty much means that George, Anna and Elizabeth are from a firt marriage. Shoots the heck out of the name patterning I was depending on. Back we go in time again.
1860: Sumter
- Phil May 47 NC
- C.L. May 34 Can
- Sarah Butyler 71 F Can
- Louisa May 11 AL down
- Mary 9
- John 7
- Ann 2
- George 4
1870
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-23304-29261-21?cc=1978117&wc=MX52-HZ9:314241801,314484201 This is a file indicated as Henry J Arrington – but it’s H T’s estate. There is another file that I really wanted to read, but it has another person’s docs in it. This one – i8, includes a doc from Bettie Arrington to Mr. M D Garrett 1866 its about tuition. Wait, this is about Nicholas Arrington’s estate. Bettie is someone for whom the estate is paying tuition. This would be Mary A E – who goes by Elizabeth and Bettie both in the census as the decades go on.
i20 – Mary Jane Arrington, Geo C Arrington, Thos A Oliver, bond – Mary Jane is admin for HT Arrington 1870
1880: Alabama, Sumter, Belmont, 116, i8 fam 100 A puzzling entry. No relationship notes. And the word Transient after Mollie, Anni and Phil. But not after Walter. And there are others listed after them who are not in the family. It’s strange. Mary was a teacher. And Phil a land owner, at least I thought. So what happened, I wonder?
- Mollie May Lacy 28 So this is Mary?
- Anni May 21
- Phil May 69
- Walter Lacy 3
Even weirder: Jefferson, Alabama 1880 i46 fam: 471
- Martha A. May 52 SC SC SC so not our girl. But the names line up, which is really strange.
- Martha J 26 dtr
- Elizabeth A 21 dtr
- Reuben J 18 son
Who is Victoria Arrington LEE? Md. Richard Lee in 1853 Greene
The Lees, 1860, ended up – families full of them in Scotts, Perry, Alabama i4
Mary A.E. Arrington m 02 Dec 1875 in Greene Charles Lattimer (Cousin Edwin’s parents)
1850: Albama, Perry, Brush Creek
- Samuel S. Lattimore 36 SC 2000
- Amelia C 36 F SC
- Amey 24 Al
- Jehue E 11 m AL
- Eugenia 8 F Al
- John 7 m Al
- Albert 1 m AL
Jesse Chandler is next door. (this is significant, and seven years ago, I’d have known why). Turner bought or sold to a Chandler.
1840: Perry Al I 29 film 110 S. S. Latimore 00001 20001
1870: Perry, beat 10 John L 25 10 July 1870
Chas E 16 Greensboro – Chas E 18 June
1830: Lattimore Steven, Abbeville pg 85 or87 i168/201 (w/Reuben Kay, John Kay, Robertsons, Hintons, John Gantt, John L White.) 00001 (20-30) 10001 – my old conclusion was that this was not the guy I was looking for. I think I’m looking for Samuel S Lattimer’s father. But at this moment, APR 2013)
James Latimore Abbeville 62/201 pg 32/33 w/George Brownlee, Elgins
1830:
- James 00220001 0100001 – possible
- Larkin 10001 10001
- Stephen 00001 10001 w Larkin, Wm. Kay, Tribble , Jesse Chandler 100001(30-40) 00001
Jesse Chandler is 21 of SC 1850 in AL so in 1840, he have been 11 (dang), in 1830 1 year old.
1840 Al Perry Co. Chandler – W.N Chandler 010001 210001
1830 Scott Chandler Al 0 to old. And some others. Mg records 1290851 book C –E 1290853 Gandrud Probate directory 1822777 i3 Deeds index 1822185 i2,3.
1888
HT Arrington 1888 – file number 555
George C Arrington gdn of Linda Arrington (child) who becomes Lida A Dixon. Mary J Arrington gdn 1873 of Lida Arrington (this is what is written on the folder that is marked 2 of 2)
- Bond for HT to be admin for Charity – HT, GC, PC Clements and PC Shumate bound.
- Lists of buyers. If I come back to Greene, these will be the circle to pump for Arrington context. I51
- Some Williams papers are out of place here around i40.
I don’t know if these docs are the same ones shot for the probate – but I find Alfred Arrington here again.
- i54 is inventory: Peter Shumate is the JP.
- i62 Mr. Thos Arrington gdn of Bettie Arrington (HT – Thomas is identified as admin) 1868
- i69 – looks like MAE boarded with Betsy Jane Travis (Elizabeth J Cherry Arrington Davis Travis).
- I72 – Alabama Central F. College Oc 20, 1868 Recv of Mrs. C Arrington 60$ on account of daughter’s expenses for academic year. These were folks with money – especially M A Elizabeth was –
- Estate paper for Henry Arrington 1873 – there’s another estate in the file, before his. We start about i53 – 59. also 61 and 62
Estate papers for John D. Arrington. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23280-73480-57?cc=1978117&wc=MX52-HM3:314241801,314487501 Elizabeth Davis, estate of John D. Arrington, her husband. 1846
- i32 – Jan 38 – a note John D Arrington and Reuben ? note to pay Samuel Briggs, gdn of Sarah and Rebecca Cherry for boy Henry and Rachel and two Children. 1838.
- Calvin J Gulley is the admin for John D Arrington. (Stopped at 47)
- Read from 180-end. All just notes.
- 180. March 1838 James Dorroh surviving partner of Dorroh and Shack?
- This is John “T” Arrington. Which is actually John D. I15 Robert is alive in 1849
- i72 H Kennen Miss Arrington to HJ Kennon – recd of EJDavis in full. Mary Arrington?
- i77 Elizabeth J Davis – James C Bizzell Wm Bizzell securities
- i108 Mr. Geo C Arrington gdn for MAE Arrington. Mentions Shumate, Sims i111 Recept Miss Bettie Arrington – bought of G.C. Arrington dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Boots and Shoes. I115 mentions George, MAE and PC Shumate – with Simms. I118 Forkland Feb 24 1876. THIS DOC makes the statement that MAE Arrington is now MAE Latimer., and Charles E Latimer signs it. So this is solid proof.
- i125 Sam G Briggs i141 mentions Miss E T Davis for clothes etc.
- Wait – how old was George C Arrington, that his name would be on a letterhead? I142 Nov 1857 it mentions tuition for George.
- i146 = there’s the letterhead again, but now it’s Arrington and Perry for Bettie (MAE) Arrington 1873
- i156 Mr. J T Arrington for one course of singing lessons. Payment of EJ Davis to B Round feb 53
- Other small notes follow 1851-53, interesting. On one receipt, it is noted that the Irish linen is for John’s mother.
- i166 – a receipt for Lovet Hines for Miss Arrington 1850
- All through but found on 169 – the name J.H. Caldwell and S.W. Caldwell. I think they are merchants, and now I am wondering if they are relatives of Edmund who married Turner’s sister Nancy.
- i183 – Ej Davis, William H Bizzell, and James C? Bizzell bond making Elizabeth gdn of the minor children including Martha Ann Arrington, James P – minor heirs of father John D Arrington
- i185 George C Arrington is gdn in 1875 – so this is for MAE
- i222 list of John D Arrington’s heirs.
ESTATE of Patsy Briggs
i2 March 1858. Certify letters of Admin granted to Sheriff. This looks like the only item for Patsy. The rest is John Brown and a Boyd.
Henry Briggs file: heirs of Henry Briggs dec. Martha Briggs is widow: Mary Briggs, Susan Baker, John Briggs, Both??? Briggs, Martha A, Frances W. William W., (all of age)Thomas N? , Elizabeth A? J> Briggs, Richard Briggs (Minors, although it’s hard to tell if Thomas is part of the first group) 1852
John D. Arrington, Elizabeth gdn 244 images: also seems to include George’s gdnshop for MAE Arrington.
- 2. This account made 13 Oct 1852 rents of lands ’49-51 Signature Elizabeth J Davis. Imag 3 is the same, for Robert
- 3. Martha A Arrington’s accounting 1852
- 7. James H Caldwell, acting justice of peace. Martha Ann Arrington a minor of 14 years April 22nd 1847, requesting Mom as gdn. James Portis Arrington Appear selected his mother, Mrs. Davis, for gdn 24th April 1847
- 11. Martha’s request for her mother as gdn. 27 Sept 1847 Martha is stated as ABOVE the age of 14. If I got that wrong before – was the last statement that year?? I was flying on auto pilot.
- 13. John T settlement 1850-51
- 14. John T. I have here a paragraph: 1848. To amt of distributive share of Jno F?T?D? Arrington’s estate interest. Must be D. Following statements for Robert and Martha
http://www.ncgenweb.us/ncwarren/mar-1865-1900/fam-a.htm
Warren County marriages, but too late for me.
-=0=-
Miscellaneous bits of census, etc.
Elizabeth, dtr. Of James Sr.
1810 Warren, NC: 1m 26-44 1m 45+ 1f 45+ b. 1765 or earlier
also 1820
And in 1830 i Fishing Creek, Warren, NC: 1m 10-14 1m 90-99 1f 60-69 WOW. b. 1760-1670
Mary, dtr of James Sr
1810 census: Warren 5m -10 1 m 45+ 2f -10 1f 26-44
1830 Fishing Creek, Warren, NC 1m 10-14 1 15-19 1 60-69
1f 5-9 1f 40-49 She was born 1760-1770.
1850: Warren Henry Southall age 87 b. about 1763 fam 727
Mary Southall 74. b. 1776.
Henry Southall m Mary Arrington 28 July 1798 North Carolina marriage bonds
Warren County. Bondsman Henry Arrington. Wit S. Green
Henry Southall Warren Co, NC Age 82 in 1840 pg 141 NC 1840 Pensioners list
- i565 Rev war Pension and bounty
- 567: Warren county NC Cap Powell. Reg: col Long militia 9 mo application 1832
- 570 Aged 69 years in 1832 (b.1763?)
- Born in Halifax, NC 1764. Has nno record of birth. Drafted in 1780
- The story.
- Widow Johnson of Halifzxand Matthew Mabry residing in the county of Warren hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Southall. Joseph Johnson.
- Wit: Alice Conn and Rebecca King
- Application Executed Sept 6, 1855 in Warren COunty. He is the only one by his name found on the Rev. War records. I stopped on i580. Many more pages.
Henry, son of James Sr.
http://www.ncgenweb.us/ncwarren/bibles/aarington-sp.htm
8 Mar 1970 – this is from the internet, not verified, but very interesting
“The following is a copy of family data on Henry Arrington that came to me from my Aunt Velora Arrington Stallins, now 81 years old, and whose present health and state of mind would not be conducive to dependable confirmation as to where she obtained it. The data is:”
- Henry Arrington (James3, Arthur Sr. 2, and William1)
- Henry Arrington, born 29 Sep 1776, living in 1854, (date of death unknown)
- m. (1) Elizabeth on 26 Sep 1799, died 17 Mar 1808
- (2) Nancy Boone on 15 Nov 1808 in Franklin County, North Carolina
- (3) Nancy Stokes, dau. of Thomas Stokes, on 7 Dec 1812 in Franklin County, NC. She was age 59 on 1850 census of Smith County, TN and died before 1854
- Issue by second wife unknown
- Issue by Nancy Stokes
- 1. Dau. married Archibald Allen
- 2. Mahenry (Maheney) Arrington married Henry Bradley
- 3. Joel Arrington, born 11 Dec 1817 in Franklin County, died 6 Jul 1904 in Mt. Vernon, Franklin, TX. He married Sarah Louise Milligan on 31 Dec 1841 in Red River County, Republic of Texas
- 4. Albert Arrington, born 15 Oct 1819 in Franklin County, died 18 Apr 1899 in Hickman County, KY. He married 1) — Wilson, 2) Martha Owens on 20 Dec 1849, and 3) Sarah —
- 5. Priscilla Arrington, born in TN (age 27 in 1850). She married Thomas A. Biles and lived in Collin County, TX
- 6. Thomas Arrington, born in TN (age 24 in 1850), died in 1913. He married Martha — and Carolyn Wilson (order of marriages unknown)
- 7. Calvin Arrington, born 12 Oct 1828 in Smith County, TN, died 9 Aug 1904 in Fulton County, KY. He married 1) Nancy Owens on 21 Nov 1849 (She died 9 Jan 1877), and 2) Anne Hudson
- 8. William Arrington, born 20 May 1831 in Smith County, TN, died 23 Sep 1892 in Lebanon, TN. He married Sarah A. Butler on 8 Dec 1851″
Willis, son of James Sr.
Willis A. Arrington 15 May 1837: 150 acres Greene, Alabama twn 19-N Range 2E Section 1 Well, well, well –
Nancy, dtr. Of James Sr.
Marriage: Erasmus Culpepper md. Ana Arrington 15 Sep 1804 Warren, NC
Erasmus md Ann Arrington 15 Sep 1804 Warren, NC. Bndsman Willis Arrington, wit J Malone
1820: 1m-10 1m 26-44 1f -10 1f 10-15 f 16-25 1f 26-44 She’s born 1776-1794
1850: Wilcox Alabama
- Erasmus Culpepper 68 NC
- Ann 65 NC b.1875
- Mary 13 AL
Lewis Arrington: son of James Jr.
Littleton Arrington. m Eliza Harvey 8 Dec 1830 Halifax bondsman Lewis Arrington, wit J.H. Harwell
1850 census for Halifax, NC i104/183 fam 1011
- Lewis Arrington 53 Warren
- Martha 44 Halifax all the way down
- John 19
- Relinda 17
- Lewis 13
- Lear 11 F Leah, I’m certain.
- Louisa 8
- George 6
- Sarah 4
- Ben 1/12
1860: Western Distric, Halifax, NC Heathsville
- Lewis Arrington 62
- Relinda F 28 Seamstress Md. Jesse W. Green in Nov- 1 child Parents missing by 1870.War
- James L 23
- Leah A 22 Seamstress
- Martha L 19 Seamstress
- George G 16
- Sarah E 13
1870: Cucharia Halifax, NC fam 60
- Lewis 73
- Leah 30
- Martha L or S 29
- George A 2525
- Ida T Geen 8
Fam 61
Charley Alston 16
fam 62
- James Arrington 33
- Sarah I?J?L? 39
- Allice E 13
- JOhn O 11
- Mary C 2
Lewis Arrington md Martha Nevill 6 Jan 1827 Halifax NC
Ann, dtr of James Jr.
1840: census Warren, NC: 1m 20-29 1f 15-19 2f 30-39 1f 50-59
next full page: Catherine Riggan, Jezabel Riggin
1850 Census Warren, Warren, NC fam 732
- Ann Aycock 51 b1799
- Mary A Aycock 21
- Martha Aycock 20
- Francis A 19
- Ann M Aycock 16
fam 733 :
- James Arrington 75
- Leah 75
Henry, son of James Jr.
Henry Arrington md. Caroline Powell 27 Nov 1837 Bondsman Edwin D Drake
1840: Halifax, NC Henry Arrington: 1m -5 1m 30-39 1f -5 1f 15-19 1f 30-39 b. 1801-1810 on the same page is Gideon Arrington: 1m 10-15 1m 30-40 1f 20-30 1f 30-40 b. 1800-1810
1850: Halifax fam 1198 i124/183
- Littleton 44 Halifax all the way down 1806
- Eliza 40 1810
- Robert 19
- Sam 18
fam 1200
- Henry Arrington 50
- Caroline 42
- Mary 12
- Nick 11
- Tom 10
- Joe 8
- Pat 4 F
- Baley 3 M
- Feletia 1 F
The Fam Tree thinks he died 1870 in Coffeeville Yalobusha, Miss
Gideon son of James Jr.
Gid Arrington md Rhody Carter 20 Dec 1826 in Warren Lewis Morris MM Drake
- 1840: Halifax, NC Henry Arrington: 1m -5 1m 30-39 1f -5 1f 15-19 1f 30-39 b. 1801-1810
- on the same page is Gideon Arrington: 1m 10-15 1m 30-40 1f 20-30 1f 30-40 b. 1800-1810
1850: Halifax NC i123/183
fam 1185
Gideon Arrington 49 Halifax
fm 1186
Has no surname, but seems to be riding on Gid’s Arrington
- James 23
- Melissa 25
- John 25
- Albert Lunch 18
- Jackson 13
1870: Formosa, Halifax, NC Brinkleyville i31/75
- Gid Arrington 68
- William Arrington 15
- Lucy Sherrin 40
- Billie Sherrin 19
- Amanda 13
- Billie 11
- Cornelia 10
Littleton, son of James Jr.
Littleton Arrington 1840 Fed Census: 2m 5-9 1 20-29 1m 30-39 1f 20-29 Halifax, NC
On a page next to Benjamin Arrington, Joseph Arrington
1850: Halifax fam 1198 i124/183
- Littleton 44 Halifax all the way down 1806
- Eliza 40 1810
- Robert 19
- Sam 18
fam 1200
- Henry Arrington 50
- Caroline 42
- Mary 12
- Nick 11
- Tom 10
- Joe 8
- Pat 4 F
- Baley 3 M
- Feletia 1 F
1860 West dist Halifax NC
- Littleton 51 1809
- Eliza W 47 1813
- Robert H 28
- Martha R 26
- Lucy D 4
- John H 3/12
- Samuel L 26 school teacher. 1824
1870: Formosa, Halifax, NC Brinkleyville
- Littleton 62 1808
- Eliza 57 1813
- Ann 39
- Lucy 14
- Sammy 10
- Bobbie 8
1880: Brinkleyville, Halifax, NC
- Littleton Arrington 71 1809
- Eliza 65 1815
- Pattie 44
- Lucy 23
- Samuel 19
- Mary F 17
Littleton Arrington. m Eliza Harvey 8 Dec 1830 Halifax bondsman Lewis Arrington, wit J.H. Harwell
Samuel, son of James Jr – only guesses. Can’t find any connection
1850: Samuel Arrington Warrenton, Warren, NC fam 406
- John T Watson 26
- Latta 23
- Alice 2
- Sidney 0
- John Arrington 50 Physician NC
- Mary Arrington 38
- Samuel Arrington 12
- William Haynes 30
http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nr/WR0006.pdf
The story of “Elgin” in which a Samuel P Arrington figures. After the war, he is evidently a solicitor or real estate person. So is grown up, anyway. “During the trying days after the Confederate defeat, however, the Mitchels and other members of the family were rearranging their affairs in order to move to their property in Tennessee. In 1868 Peter Mitchel assigned to Samuel Arrington full pm’ler of attorney to sell and handle all his North Carolina property…Samuel P. Arrington and others sold Elgin for $20,000Samuel P. Arrington and others sold Elgin for $20,000”
5 Responses to Arringtons: John D and Nicholas – Greene, Al and Warren, NC