Thomas Joseph Hightower was b. ABT 1765 in South Carolina Colony Death: Aft 1830 in Cocke Co. TN. Military Service 1812 supposedly Served Under
Andrew Jackson At The Battle Of New Orleans
Married: 1806 in Charleston, Charleston Co. SC Nancy Mason b: Abt 1775 in SC . d. after 1850 in Cocke Co, TN Thomas Hightower and Nancy (Mason) Hightower
had some of their children in SC and the rest in Cocke Co. TN.
The family moved probably from Charleston SC to Barnwell District SC, to VA for a short time, and then to Newport, Cocke Co., TN by about 1820.
Thomas is shown in the 1830 Cocke Co. Census living next door to son Allen.
2.1. William Joseph Hightower, b April 1807 Charleston, South Carolina, Death: 26 Aug 1868 in Near Bluffton, Ray Co. MO. May have married
ABT. 1828 in Cocke Co., TN Elizabeth Clevenger was b. ABT. 1807 in Cocke Co., TN, and died 6 Apr 1889 in Ray Co., MO.
daughter of Elias CLEVENGER and Nancy WOOD (Nancy Wood2, John Wood1)
Children of Elizabeth Clevenger and William Joseph Hightower are:
3.1
Nancy Hightower b. October 21, 1829, Cocke Co., TN; died July 22, 1866, buried in Old New Garden Cem., Ray Co.,
MO; married Pitman Odell was b. 30 Nov 1829 in , Ray, MO, and died 29 Nov 1869 in , Ray, MO
(son of Edwin and Lettis (Clevenger) Odell
3.2
Sarah Elizabeth Hightower., b. 1830, Ray Co., MO; died December 17, 1855, buried in Old New Garden Cem.
Ray Co., MO; married Bartlett Sisk October 7, 1853, Ray Co., MO; she was his second wife
3.3
Thomas Joseph Hightower. b. 1831, Ray Co., MO; died May 14, 1855, buried Old New Garden Cem.;
married Sarah Clevenger, June 20, 1852, in Ray Co., MO. daughter of Pitman and Betsy (McCray) Clevenger,
Sarah is also buried in Old New Garden Cem.
4.1. Martha Hightower
4.2. Effie Hightower
4.3. Carrie B. Hightower
4.4. Sallie Hightower
4.5. Will T. Hightower
4.6. Jesse A. Hightower
3.4.
3.5.
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9.
3.10
Elias Hightower b. November 5, 1832, Ray Co., MO, died January 7 1916, buried Pisgah Cem., Ray Co., MO.
He married October 15, 1855, Nancy Ann Wyman b. in 1840 and died August 8, 1856, buried in Old New Garden Cem..
Daughter of Christian H. Wyman. Second wife was Nancy Ann's sister Mary F. Wyman, b. October 5, 1842 in Ray Co., MO an
February 22, 1921, buried in Pisgah Cem., Ray Co., MO
in 1829, William with his wife and infant daughter Nancy, moved to Ray Co., MO, settling near MO City.
He later moved to Caldwell Co., MO, where the Mormons drove him out. Returning to Ray Co. he located on a
farm about two miles south of Vibbard. (q.v. History of Ray Co., MO)
In 1853, Elias made a 4-month trip with an ox-team to California.
There he was successful at mining. He returned home a few years later and
Mary & several children survived Elias.
4.1. Cornelia Jane Hightower
4.2. Nancy A. Monfort, Kansas City
4.3. Neta Wood
4.4. Harriet Catherine Hightower (1863 - 1943) Married John Henry Cox 02/Mar/1880 at Ray Co., MO.
5.1. Cleo Cox Arnote (1889 - 1931)
5.2. Earl Cox (1891 - 1946)
5.3. Paul E Cox (1893 - 1979)
5.4. Blanche P Cox McKee (1895 - 1989)
5.5. Archie Cox (1898 - 1974)
4.5. Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ M Hightower Hill (1866 - 1944)
4.6. Maggie Harris
4.7. Lee Hightower
Jennette Hightower b. September 27, 1835, and died March 25, 1868, buried in Old New Garden Cem.;
married August 25, 1853 Moses Odell was b. 21 Dec 1833 in, MO, and died 26 Jul 1865 in Ray, MO (second cousin)
Hugh Hightower. b. 1838, married Lucinda Wyman; moved to Texas
Jesse Hightower. b. 1840 and died February 19, 1862; married Mahala E. Odell (second cousin) September 2, 1858,
daughter of Edwin and Lettis (Clevenger) Odell. Jesse in CO. E. 3 MO, S.M. CAV
Henrietta Hightower b. 02/28/1842 in Ray Co., MO; died 02/16/1897 in Ray Co., MO; married September 2, 1858;
Rev. Jesse Odell (second cousin) b. 01/06/1840 in Ray Co. MO; died 11/14/1871 in Ray Co. MO.
He was the son of Edwin O'dell and Lettis Clevenger.
4.1. Evaline O'Dell Wilson (1859 - 1890)
4.2. Emaline O'Dell Wilson (1861 - 1884)
4.3. Edwin O'Dell (1864 - 1952)
4.4. Betsy Jane O'Dell Wilson (1866 - 1952)
4.5. William Silas O'Dell (1869 - 1876)
Susan Hightower b. 1844; died September 27, 1855; buried Old New Garden Cem..
3.11.
Samuel Hightower. b. 1847 and died 1932; married Mary Agnes Monfort, b. 1850 and died 1927;
both buried in Old New Garden Cem.
Henry Hightower. b. 1849, died aged 5 months, of croup.
3.12
Harriet Hightower. b. 1851, died young
3.14
William Washington Hightower. b. 05/22/1853 in Ray Co., MO; married Nancy O’Dell; b. 10/30/1854.
2.2. Allen W. Hightower (b. in 1813 SC ) Allen died abt 1875, Cocke Co.,TN.
Marriage 1 abt 1829, Louisa Jefferson b: 1813 in VA. d. abt 1845, Cocke Co., TN Louisa Jefferson is referred to as Allen’s
wife in a biography of Allen’s son Thomas Jefferson Hightower in Memoirs of Georgia published 1895. The 1830 census of Cocke Co.
shows Allen’s household to be one male (Allen) and one female (Louisa?) both age 15 to 20 and another male under age 5 (probably their
first b. Thomas Jefferson Hightower, b. October 29, 1829. By the 1840 census Allen and his wife appear to have six children.
Marriage 2 abt 1845, Priscilla b: 1830 in NC. In the 1850 Census names of all the household are shown for the first time, but by this time
Allen’s first wife (presumably named Louisa is missing. Instead there is an apparent second wife PriSC illa (sometimes Drucilla). PriSC illa
shows as 20 in 1850 and 28 in the 1860 census. She is apparently the mother of Allen’s eighth child John,
Marriage 3 Martha E. __ [Allen appears to have had a total of thirteen children]
Census and other sources point to Allen being a farmer and a cattleman. Allen was a successful planter and stock raiser in his native state
of South Carolina. Allen ran a ferry across the river (maybe the Nolichucky or French Broad). An 1839 Tax list of Cocke Co., TN show
Allen Hightower, zero acres of land, zero town lots.
In the 1870 Census, Allen and PriSC illa are not found, only Allen’s daughter Jane, Age 28 and apparently unmarried is found in the same Co..
A John Hightower in Tipton Co., TN, may be Allen and PriSC illa’s first child, as he was listed as 25 in 1870, which will relate correctly
to age 14 in the 1860 census. No Cem. records in Cocke Co. yet found that show Allen, Louisa, or Priscilla.
Allen moved with his parents from Barnwell Co., S.C. first to VA where they stayed a short while. Soon they moved to Cocke Co.TN.
Allen and Martha E. Hightower had one child.
3.a Dora E. Hightower was b. in 1859 (LA) and died in 1930 (LA). Dora married Ainsley H. Colvin.
.
Allen and Louisa Jefferson. Hightower’s children appear to be:
3.1. Thomas Jefferson Hightower b. 10/29/1829 b. in Parrottsville, Cocke Co., TN, had moved to Georgia in 1847 or 1848 he married
Eliza E Henderson who died in 1886, leaving seven children He was married for the second time in December 1887 to Georgia A Nichols
According to family stories served on the Southern side in the War Between the States. Thomas Jefferson Hightower, ran a general store in
Cherokee Co., Ga. until the spring of 1862 when he sold out the business for the purpose of accepting an appointment under the Confederate
government in the quartermaster’s department, with headquarters located in Atlanta. He remained in Atlanta after the war and was a success
businessman. According to Dupree Hightower (b. 15-Dec-1910), Thomas ran the Hightower-Hallman Wholesale Grocery in Atlanta. Dupree
has in his possession a letter written in 1897 to Dupree’s father John "Ed" Edward Hightower (b. 8-Sep-1881, d. 23-Oct-1955) from Uncle
Tom on the occasion of Ed's 16th birthday..
He served as state senator in the 1859 and 1860 sessions. (“Memories of Georgia”, Pub. by Southern Historical Assoc., Atlanta, GA.)
(Letter from Walter A. Walker, July 31, 1958)
Thomas Jefferson Hightower's children;
4.1. John B Hightower,
4.2. Albert S Hightower,
4.3. Ida R [or K] Hightower, wife of William J Montgomery,
4.4. Mark Hightower,
4.5. Milton H Hightower b: abt. 1856 in Georgia
4.6. Allen R Hightower b: abt. 1856 in Georgia
4.7. Harrison H Hightower b: abt. 1858 in Georgia
4.8. Thomas Jefferson Hightower Jr. b: abt. 1859 in Georgia
3.2. John B Hightower,
3.3. Albert S Hightower,
3.4. Ida R [or K] Hightower, wife of William J Montgomery,
3.5. Mark Hightower,
3.6. William Hightower b. c. 1835 lived in TN
3.7. Allen Hightower b. c. 1836
3.8. son b. c. 1837
3.9. Angelina (Angeline) Hightower (dau.) b. c. 1838
3.10. Margaret Jane Hightower b. c. 1840
3.11. Susan Hightower b. 1842
3.12. Milton H Hightower b: abt. 1856 in Georgia
3.13. Allen R Hightower b: ABT 1856 in Georgia
3.14. Harrison H Hightower b: ABT 1858 in Georgia
The children of Allen and third wife Priscilla
3.15. John Henry Hightower b: 12 Jul 1845 in Cocke Co. TN John died 31-Oct-1929, Spartanburg Co., SC , buried: New Prospect
Baptist Church Cem. Married : 10 Oct 1872 in Spartanburg Co. SC Elizabeth Catherine Neal b: 12 Apr 1854 in NC (daughter of Thomas
J. Neal and Elizabeth Ann Wall) d. 22-Jul-1931 Spartanburg Co. SC, buried: New Prospect Baptist Church Cem.
He served as a volunteer in the Confederate Army (TN) where he participated in many famous battles and was wounded
three times, one which made him a cripple for life. He was a member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church for 58 years at the time of his death.
Farm was 53 acres near old Rainbow Lake on Peachtree Road (formerly Traxler Dairy Road) and bordered Pacolet river. Elizabeth:
According to John Henry's family bible (in possession of Milton Powell), They were married at Captain Williamson Seay's home by S.S. Lanca
He served two terms, from December 1928 to
December 1932 as coroner of Rutherford Co..
Moved from Boiling Springs to Cliffside at age 18 where he resided until 1926 when he moved to Henrietta.
He was connected with the Blackwell-Hightower company, undertakers of Henrietta,
his association with that firm dating back to its establishment in Henrietta.
He was a member of the Henrietta Baptist Church, a member of the J .O. U. A. M. and of the Redmen.
Children
4.1. Leander Clark Hightower b: 6 May 1876 in Spartanburg Co. SC
4.2. James Harvey Hightower b: 21 Dec 1895 in Spartanburg Co. SC
4.3. Mary Elizabeth Hightower b: 8 Aug 1873 in Spartanburg Co. SC
4.4.
Thomas Allen Hightower b: Nov 1874 in Spartanburg Co. SC
4.5.
Jesse Robert Hightower was b. Nov. 30, 1878
4.6.
John Edward Hightower was b. Sept. 8, 1881
4.7. Martha Jane Hightower was b. Apr. 30, 1886 Martha Janie Hightower married William Pinkney Williams November 21, 1929.
4.8. Ida Lurana Hightower was b. Jan. 9, 1888 d 21 Jan 1973 married David Hawkins b 12 May 1889 d 21 Jul 1966
….5.1 Marjorie Hawkins Hemphill
4.9. Laura Ophelia Hightower b: 14 Mar 1890
4.10. William Chapman Hightower was b. Jan. 21, 1893 Spartanburg Co., SC , William died 26-Jul-1938, Rutherford Co., NC,
buried: Avondale (High Shoals Baptist Ch), m. 19-Apr-1916, Josephine Janie Womick, b. 23-Apr-1898, Forest City, NC,
(daughter of Quinn Lee Womick and Margaret Eva Cole) d. 22-Nov-1990, Spartanburg, SC , buried: 25-Nov-1990,
High Shoals Baptist Church in NC

5.1 William C. Hightower, Jr. married Lorelei Bostic (both still living in 2000).
6.1 William C. Hightower, III
The other dates listed in this bible are:
Births:

John H. Hightower was b. Jul. 12, 1845

E. C. Hightower was b. Apr. 12, 1854

Mary E. Hightower was b. Aug. 8, 1873

Elizabeth Ann Wall was b. Dec. 20, 1827
Bible excerpts:
Marriages

Mary E. Hightower married J. B. Dunahoo, Aug. 19, 1894

T. A. Hightower was married June 2, 1901 to Ila B. Greene

J. E. Hightower married Emma Brannon Nov. 8, 1903

Ida L. Hightower married David Hawkins July 12, 1908

Laura Hightower married Bookter Powell Sept. 23, 1909

James Harvey Hightower married Alice E. Atkins January 21st 1923
Deaths

Elizabeth Ann Seay died Oct. 30, 1894

Jesse Robert Hightower died Oct. 12, 1895









John Henry Hightower died Oct. 31, 1929
Catherine Neal Hightower died July 22, 1931
William Chapman Hightower died July 26, 1938
Leander Clark Hightower died Sept. 1, 1945
James Harvey Hightower died March 17, 1947
John E. Hightower died October 23, 1955
Janie Williams Hightower February 5, 1952
Mary E. Donnahoo died January 11, 1963
Laura Hightower Powell April 26, 1976
3.16. Nancy Hightower b. c. 1852
[this could be Nancy HIGHTOWER b. abt 1852 in TN who married Jacob MASONER/MASNER/MASNOR
about 1868 prob. in TN (poss. Greene or Cocke Co. They moved to Clay Co. MO in 1870
and Nancy died abt. 1884 in either Clay Co. or Buchanan Co. MO.
3.17. Joseph N. Hightower b. c. 1853
3.18. Harriett Hightower b. c. 1856
3.19. James R. Hightower b. c. 1858 m. Mary Bell July 15, 1879, Cocke Co., TN
3.20. Ananias Andrew "Andy" Hightower b. Aug., 1859 [ or b. 2 May 1863], Newport, Cocke Co., TN,
{this is probably another line,placed here for further research. however an
Ananias was b. Jun. 2, 1857 in TN died Sep. 21, 1941 buried Gwyn Cem. Big East Fork Haywood Co.
North Carolina married. June 4, 1879. Lavicia "Vicie" Adaline Rogers, b. Sept 16, 1862 in Haywood Co.,
d. Mar 26, 1951.... Vicie Adaline Rogers and her parents may have been from Cherokee Indian reservation in Cherokee, N.C.
they had
4.1 Thadaus Hightower b. Jun 1883 Big East Fork, Haywood Co., NC died 5 May 1967
buried Hillcrest Cem., Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC.
Thaddeus married on 25 Dec 1906 to Evelyn Lillie Burnett b. 3 Mar 1888 Haywood Co., NC
died 23 Nov 1953 Buncombe Co., NC Buried Mt. Pleasant Cem, So Hominy Candler, NC.
Thadaus children were William Dewey, Roy, Carl, Hughey, Annie Mae, Monadale and Lula Belle
4.2 Sue Ida Hightower, married Jasper miller Norris who had
5.1 James Elmer Norris who married Caddie Webb
4.3 William Allen "Willy" Hightower b. Dec. 22 1881 married Dortha Pressley on Oct. 9 1902,
died 1972 in Chico Butte California
4.4 Rev. Phillip Hightower 13 Sept 1895 - 30 April 1989 S/o Ananias A. & Lavicia Adeline Rogers Hightower.
married Beckie J. __ 14 Sept 1902-14 Jan 1964 both buried Mitchell Co., NC - Buladean Presbyterian Church Cem.
4.1
Ananias Andrew Hightower, Jr. wife Louise Browning, married 6-1-1927 in Haywood Co..
5.1 Betty Louise Hightower b. 3-6-1933 in Haywood Co., died 12-12-2002. Married Lawrence Mintz,
She and Lawrence are buried at the Bethel Community Cem. in Haywood Co.
4.2 William Allen Hightower b. Dec. 22, 1885 in Canton, Haywood Co., NC, died in Chico Butte Ca. on July 13th 1972.
He married first to Elsie May Jenkins and married October 1902 his second wife Dortha Delia Pressley b. Dec. 24, 1882
in Big East Fork, Haywood Co., NC.
William A. Hightower had nine known children:
5.1 Lorn Hightower b. Jul 19, 1903;
5.2 Remel Hightower b. Sept 12, 1904;
5.3 Elvin Hightower b. April 9, 1906;
5.4 Katie Hightower b. Jan 7, 1907 m. Tarpley Brownlow b. Dec 11, 1909,
5.5 Quetabell Hightower b. Mar 4, 1911;
5.6 William Hightower b. April 2, 1913, m. Grace Wigginton;
5.7 Eulma Hightower
5.8 Arthur Hightower b. Aug. 14, 1915, m. Sadie Atkins.
2.3. Nathaniel Barksdale ‘Boz’ Hightower [Heightour ], our line b. 1816/1818, d June 19, 1891 Coal Creek,
Anderson Co. TN. Wife Cassander Cassandra Frances French Hightower's b. abt 1816 death 19 Oct 1902
Corbin Whitley Co.. KY [see below for continuation]
2.4. Henry Hightower b. 1816,
2.5. John L. Hightower, 1810 in Charleston, Charleston Co. SC Married : 1831 in Cocke Co. TN Sarah ?
2.6. Henrietta Hightower,
2.7. Harriett Hightower,
(A Harriett Hightower married Hugh Allison 8/14/1827 Greene Co.. TN - adjacent N.E. of Cocke Co..
ref Early East TN Marriages Vol. II Brides by Bryon and Barbara Sistler, Nashville, TN
2.8. Allie Hightower, b abt 1814
2.9. Susan Hightower (b. 03/17/1811 in South Carolina; died 08/22/1880) married Allen Clevenger, b. 09/02/1808 in
Cocke Co., TN; died 07/10/1859; son of Elias Clevenger, b. ABT. 1764, Shenandoah Co., VA , d. 17 Jun 1846,
Cocke Co., TN. Susan and Allen had 10 Children - both are buried in Cocke Co., TN
3.1 Annanais Clevenger m. Harriet Allen
4.1 Elizabeth Clevenger, b. 1858, Newport, Cocke Co., TN
2.3 Nathaniel Barksdale [Barksel ] Hightower our line b. 1818 in NC d 19 Jun 1891 in Coal Creek, Anderson Co. TN
married Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Iva Francis [last name might have been Clevins] Cassandra Frances Hightower death 19 Oct 1902
Corbin Whitley Co., KY.
Cooke Co., TN Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Minutes:
1-2-1852 Jany 1852 Monday. Church met at P. Grove Sermon by J. J. Sparks. 1st opened for members received by letter
Barksdale Hightower and wife Casanda.
Census shows on October 22, 1850, Barksdale and his family were in Jefferson Co. TN district 13. Then July 24.1860
in Taylorsburg, Cocke Co. TN district 8. Taylorsburg is now Edwina, Tn. just south of Newport, Tn. South of Edwina
is Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where the Hightower family went to church. Then the family moves once again to Coal Creek,
1850 Census Jefferson Co., TN
Hightower
Barksdale
Hightower
Cassander
Hightower
Sarah Jane
Hightower
Polly A.
Hightower
William
Hightower
Leander
Hightower
Susan
Hightower
John
Hightower
Margaret
34
34
12
11
9
7
5
3
1
M . Laborer
F . .
F . .
F . .
M . .
F . .
F . .
M . .
F . .
1870. Anderson Co. TN district 5 July 25, 1870.
Hightower
Barksdale
| 51 M W | Farm Laborer 100 SC
Hightower
Cassander
| 50 F W | Keeping House North Carolina |
Hightower
Margaret
| 19 F W | At Home TN
|
Hightower
Tipton
| 13 M W | Common Laborer TN
Hightower
Martha
| 14 F W | At Home TN
|
Hightower
Rebecca
| 11 F W | At Home TN
|
Hightower
Annanias
| 10 M W | Common Laborer TN
In 1880 – lived Coal Creek, Anderson, TN
Note 1: Barksdale Hightower was the father of the heads of all Hightower households that are listed
in the 1880 Anderson Co, TN Census. Including his there were 6 households headed by
Hightowers/Heightours; Barksdale, William, John, Lee (Leander), Tip (Tipton) and A. (Ananias).
Also shown in this census in other households: Casey (Cassandra) and Susan in his household,
William, living in the Wiley Smith household and finally, Jno (Jonathan living in the H. H. Wiley
household.
3.1. Sarah Jane Hightower, b. 1838
3.2. Polly A ‘May’ Hightower, b. 1839
3.3. Leander Hightower, Rev. (March 15, 1847/49 in Cocke Co., TN. Died: July 5, 1916 in Anderson Co., TN).
married Susan Adeline BranSC om (24 January 1853-12 Feb. 1921) had 11 children. [?second marriage Bertha L Day (1882 - 1962)
Possibly 63rd TN Volunteer Infantry
.……..4.1 Jesse Hightower, lives in Millington, TN.
.……..4.2 Pauline Hightower [second youngest]
……...4.3 Ida B. Hightower b. Oct. 9, 1874 Lake City Anderson Co. TN d. Apr. 9, 1950 Clinton Anderson Co. TN
m. William Grant Pemberton (1870 - 1956)*
Children:
5.1 Daniel Leon Pemberton (1902 - 1955)*
……...4.4 ASC hley L. Hightower b 19 March 1898 , d. 17 July 1902
……...4.5 Nathaniel Thomas Hightower [possibly Jul. 30, 1872- Jun. 22, 1921]
…………….5.1 Katie Hightower
……...4.6 Bart Hightower
…………….5.1 Dorsey Hightower
…………………6.1 William Hightower
………………………7.1 Polly Hightower Isom
……...4.7 Grover Cleveland "Dutch" Hightower b. 7 Feb 1885. d. May 28, Clinton, Tn.
m. Effie. B. Apr. 28, 1894 d. Feb. 19, 1987 both burial Blowing Springs Cem. Lake City, Anderson Co TN
.……..4.8 Cora Lee “Coralie”, “Caroln” Hightower [Their 4th child] b. 8 Dec 1878 in Anderson Co., TN. d. 21 Sep 1954.
m. Granderson David Vowell (b. 13 Dec 1872; d. 1 Jun 1953), son of Francis Calvin Vowell,
his parents in Coal Creek, TN. Granderson Lived at Kitts and then Sunshine community, Harlan, KY
around 1920's. G. D. Vowell was friends with John L. Lewis and instrumental in forwarding
the cause of the UMWA. He was involved with the Coal Creek uprisings in 1890's
He was active in union organizing in Harlan and did so in Anderson Co., TN as well.
He also wrote numerous letters to the Harlan newspaper. He was taped by Alan Lomax when he came to
Harlan in 1937; he was singing old mountain ballads and church songs. a copy of the recording is in the
Library of Congress LC control no 2008700304 http://lccn.loc.gov/2008700304
Coralie raised two children besides hers, Joe and Agnes Pyles, children of John E. Vowell, Granderson's brother.
………………5.1 Jesse H. Vowell b. 16 sept 1920 Harlan Co.
………………5.2 Ida Vowell also lived in Taylor, MI
………………5.3 Gertrude Vowell [3rd or 4th child] (Harlan KY) married William Johnson (early 1900)
……………………..6.1 Margaret Johnson Married John Sayles
…………………….. ……..7.1 Michael Sayles living Canton MI,
…………………….. 6.2 William "Billy" Johnson (died 1938?) (Harlan KY)
…………………….. 6.3 Paul Robert (b. 08/12/29 d. 07/25/05) Taylor, MI.
………………5. 4 Fay Vowell Bennett Fay died April 19, 1997 from Harlan her husband, Roy died 11-27-1985,
buried at Resthaven. Fay taught Sunday School in Sunshine in late 20's, early 30's.
……………………..6.1 David A. Bennett, was 75 on April 22, 2010.
……………………..6.2 Martha Lee Bennett died September 9, 1997 buried in Resthaven Cem., Loyall, KY.
………………5. 5 Jacob Vowell
.……..4.4 James Rufus Hightower,
………………5.1 Ruby L. Hightower Foster,
……………………..6.1 Amy Foster Cox,
… …4.5 Barksdale ‘Bart’ D. Hightower b. Jan. 1876 Anderson Co. TN, killed 19 May 1902 in the Fraterville
Mine explosion Briceville Anderson Co. TN, marriage date: 12 Dec 1897 Anderson, Tenn Bertha Lou PEMBERTON
[may be daughter of Daniel & Martha (Marcum) Pemberton]. Bertha married William Lorn DAY 6 December 1903 in Anderson
Co., TN. They had 1 child, Evelyn Day, b. 15 January 1905 in TN
5.1 Bessie Orlena "Dessie" Hightower, b. May 1898; in or around Anderson Co., TN.
5.2 Dorsey L. Hightower, b. 5 February 1900, in TN. m. Dovie Huckaby
6.1 William L. Hightower & Frances Niday
7.1 Polly Hightower Isom & Michael Isom
3.4. Susan E. Hightower b. in May 1845 or 1846 Jefferson Co. TN. d. Feb. 19, 1905 Lake City Anderson Co., TN.
She married Oct 5 1879 (1) James White, (2) She married Maner Portwood. November 19, 1895 Lake City,
Anderson Co.
3.5. William Hightower b. ca 1841 Jefferson Co,TN
Marriage
(1) Rachel Holt(z), 1842? TN?
(2) Nancy Johnson, 0 kids,
(3) Mary Johnson, 0 kids
Children of William Henry
4.1 William H. (M). Hightower (Hytour, Heightour), b. 20 March 1870 Coal Creek Anderson Co, TN – died 1965 WV [other estimates range
from 1854 to 1871].
His 1938 social security application (while in Lafollette, TN) spells his name HYTOUR, place of birth: Coal Creek, TN DOB: 3-20-1870
self-reported as not sure, father: Birchville Hytour, mother: Maggie?.
On his 1965 WV death certificate his name is spelled HIGHTOWER, POB: Lake City, TN, DOB: 3-2-1858
1890 Logan Co KY
1900 Whitley Co, KY census
In the 1910 census Campbell Co. TN he is widowed and living in with his children
1920 Census: Precinct 4b, Harlan Co, KY.
1931 he is in Harlan Co. KY a newspaper article at that time says he was 77 years old
Two living descendants say that he lived to be 107 years old, dying in Anderson or Campbell Co, TN.
He married (1) Martha Herrell, b. 1877 in TN. Martha and William had 6 children
Widowed by 1910 from first wife (Martha Herrell (Harrel, Herold, etc)
They lived in and around Anderson Co, TN most of their lives.
He married (2) Ann/Anne Hall -His daughter and granddaughter (by his first wife) said (in 1987)
that his second wife was "Anne Hall".
He married (3) Dora Dove, b. abt 1900 in TN. they had 3 children
He married (4) Maggie Browning, the wife referred to during the 1931 Battle of Evarts,
Children:
5.1……… Cassie (Casandra ?) Mae Hightower b 1895, Campbell Co, TN died in 1990 at about 95 years old.
in 1987 her home was in Lafollette, Campbell Co. TN. She thought she was born in Jellico but not sure if it was TN or KY.
in 1890 she was living in her father's household in Logan Co, KY. She lived her life in East TN, se KY and sw WV
Married (l) Frank Rodgers, 1893, KY, 4 kids (2) Monroe Farrow?(3) Edgar Peters, 4 kids
6.1 Edith Geneve Rodgers, 1918 WV m. Noble Herman Jackson, 1915, AR 3 kids
5.2 ……… Maggie Hightower 1896,
5.3 ……… Grannison [Grannerson, Grantson] Hightower, b. 2 Apr 1898 in Perry Co, KY, occupation
Coal Miner.
5.4 ……… George Lee Hightower was born on 6-2-1900 in Jellico, Campbell Co, TN, he married Annie
Opal Kuhn. was Living in Ethel, Logan Co, WV and working for the Hutchinson
Coal Co on 11-27-1926. When George Lee Hightower died in April 1987 they were living in Salt Rock,
Cabell Co, WV They had at least one son.
………6.1……….George Edward Hightower born 11-26-1927 in McBeth, Logan Co, WVA. was
unemployed and living in Ethel, Logan Co, WV on 2-23-1944. When George Edward Hightower
died on 4-16-1981 they were living in Salt Rock, Cabell Co, WV
5.54………Dewey Hightower 1903/07 in TN.
Children by Dora Dove:.
5.6……… Mabel Hightower, b. 22 Apr 1916 in Harlan Co, Ky.
Children with Maggie
5.7……… Freda Pauline Hightower age 3 in 1931 (don't dare call her Freda)
5.8……… Bill (William) Hightower was five in 1931
5.9……… Sue Nell Hightower was an infant in 1931.
Maggie Browning never talked about William Hightower due to the fact that he rejected the chance
to stay out of prison when it was offered to him (the terms were he had to stay in WV with his wife
and children and not return to Kentucky, and then after his pardon he never tried to contact them and
never sent money. They grew up in poverty because of that, and Maggie blames him and won't talk
about him much. [from this we might conclude that he had lived in WV at sometime before coming to Harlan] ),
William was the first Hightower to move into KY, June 1900. Followed by Ananias Nice Hightower and his family.
3.6. John Edward Hightower, 23 Dec 1849 Newport Cocke Co. TN -10 Dec 1903 Corbin Knox Co. KY,
JEH was killed in the Mingo mines in Dec. 1903, Corbin KY m. 1868 Nancy Ann McKamey, b. November 25, 1850; d.
February 19, 1926, Corbin, KY; {dau of Nancy Seiber & John C. McKamey b. 1803}
4.1 William Hightower+ Molly Foust Pyle William became a preacher after blowing his hands off while fishing with
dynamite it the Clinch River
4.2 Thomas W. Hightower 1872 died 06--15--41, married Emma Miller died -04--05--41—age 59 WHITLEY KY
5.1. Hightower, John E.
b 1909
5.2. Hightower, Charles F. b 1910
5.3. Hightower, William b. 21 Aug. 1916
5.4. Hightower, Virginia
b 1920
4.3 Sallie Hightower 1876+ Frank Longmire
4.4 John Robert Hightower 1879 + Viola Estelle Baker lived in the Coal Creek/Lake City area
5.1 Robbie Sue
4.5 Ella Hightower+ Sam A. McKinney+ Will McKenny
4.6 Minnie ‘Minerva’ Hightower+ James Harvey Layne
4.7 James Edward Hightower [possibly Aug. 23, 1887 d Aug. 30, 1950 ]m. Mary Elizabeth Murmann
5.1 John Murmann Hightower b: 17 Sep 1909 d: 9 Feb 1987
+ Shelly Wolfson
+ Martha Nadine Joiner b: 26 Dec 1910 d: Jan 1983
John Hightower came to Santa Fe late in life, bringing his global reputation as a journalist. As a reporter for the Associated Press wire service,
he covered all the major events of the post-World War II era:
the founding of the United Nations, the Marshall Plan, the Japanese Peace conference, the North Atlantic Treaty negotiations, the Kennedy-Khrushc
summit of 1961. Not bad for a coal miner's son from TN. But no one who knew him was surprised at his trajectory.
B. in 1909 in Coal Creek, TN, John attended Knoxville public Schools and the University of TN. He left after two years to work as a
reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel. At the Associated Press in Nashville, from 1933, he was quickly promoted to TN
state editor. In 1936 his coverage of Democratic and Republican national conventions caught the attention of the
Washington AP Bureau Chief, who brought the young newsman to Washington. John became known for in depth,
Explanatory/interpretive reporting. John received the 1952 Pulitzer Prize for
International Reporting while working for the AP's Washington Bureau.
5.2 Annie Fay Hightower+ George Trammell
4.8 Virginia Hightower+ Charles James Angle
4.9 Edna Fay Hightower + Sam Russell McBath
3.7. Margret Hightower, b. 1849 married Richard Brooks
4.1 Charles Brooks killed 19 may 1902 in the Fraterville Mine explosion
3.8. Edith ‘Eda’ Hightower married 28 December 1868 in Anderson Co., TN. MCKAMEY, John C.,
was b. 16 August 1847 in Anderson Co., TN. killed 19 may 1902 in the Fraterville Mine explosion He was the son of John C. MCKAMEY
and Nancy SEIBER.
They had 12 children. They were: Sarah Jane "Janie", b. November 1869; Barstil, b. August 1871;
John Edward "Mack", b. 1 October 1873; Andrew; William; Albert, b. November 1880; Hattie,
b. January 1883; Ella, b. January 1885; James; Arthur, b. 10 May 1888; Cortland J., b. 25 March 1892;
and, OSC ar, b. December 1893, all in TN. Edith lost her husband, sons Andrew, William, and James MCKAMEY,
and nephew Barksdale D. "Bart" HIGHTOWER in the Fraterville Mine explosion.
4.1 MCKAMEY, Andrew, was b. 3 November 1876 in TN. killed 19 may 1902 in the Fraterville Mine explosion
He married 22 January 1900 in Anderson Co., TN. Magnolia E. "Maggie" BOREN They had no children.
Maggie married Joseph E. "Joe" HENDREN 13 June 1903 in Anderson Co., TN. They had 5 children:
Earl L., b. about 1904; Carl, b. 21 October 1905; Mildred, b. about 28 July 1908; Margaret, b. 4 November 1910;
and, Maggie Lee, b. 1912, all in TN. Maggie died 23 December 1914 in Anderson Co., TN.
4.2 MCKAMEY, William, was b. 20 January 1879 in TN. killed 19 may 1902 in the Fraterville Mine explosion
He married Daisy HORTON 12 September 1897 in Anderson Co., TN. They had 2 children: Wesley, b. January 1898,
and a stillb. infant in 1901. Daisy married Ed S. HALE about 1905. They had 2 children: Henry C. HALE, b. about 1906,
and Frank HALE, b. about January 1909, both in TN.
4.3 MCKAMEY, James, was b. 25 November 1886 in TN. killed 19 may 1902 in the Fraterville Mine explosion
He was unmarried .
3.9. Martha Hightower b 1856,
3.10. Tipton Hightower, b. Apr. 4, 1849 Newport Cocke Co. TN d. Apr. 7, 1940 Blue Diamond, Perry Co., KY He married 15 Jan 1875 in Anderson Co., TN
Linda, Lidda, "Lydia", ‘Lyda’ E. Carson, b. abt 1855 d. 01 Sept 1922 Perry Co KY
1920 Perry Co KY census
354-354 Hightower Tipton Head M W 68 M TN TN TN Miner
354-354 Hightower Lydia Wife F W 65 M TN GA NC
354-354 Hightower Michael Son M W 36 S TN
Tip's children are;
4.1 Charles "Frog" Hightower b. 21 Nov 1875. Married : 18 AUG 1893 in Jacksboro,
Campbell Co., TN Alice BRANTON
1920 Perry Co. KY census
Hightower Charles Head M W 44 M TN TN TN Asst mgr mine
Hightower Alice Wife F W 42 M TN NC NC
5.2 Hightower Lizzie Dau F W 29 W TN
5.3 Hightower Cora Dau F W 22 S TN
5.4 Hightower May Dau F W 18 S TN
5.5 Hightower Rosa Dau F W 15 S TN
5.6 Hightower Beattrice Dau F W 12 S TN
5.7 Hightower Ruby Dau F W 7 S TN
5.8 Hightower Clyde Son M W 3 S TN
6.1 Hightower Irena GChild F W 8 S TN TN TN
6.2 Hightower Lucille GChild F W 6 S TN TN TN
6.3 Tunstell Clarence GSon M W 2 S KY KY TN
5.6 Beatrice Effie HIGHTOWER b: 25 JUL 1907 in Fraterville, Anderson Co., TN Married : 04 JUL 1922 in
Hazard, Perry Co., KY Lee "Roy" MORGAN b: 22 MAR 1901 in Goose Creek, Manchester, Clay Co., KY Death: 17 SEP 1983
in Wyoming, Hamilton Co., OH
6.i.
Helen MORGAN b: 10 JUN 1924 died in 1924
6.ii.
Charles Ray MORGAN b: 05 JAN 1926 in Knott Co., KY
6.iii.
Jack Eugene MORGAN b: 26 AUG 1928 in Akron, OH
6.iv.
Betty Lou MORGAN b: 16 DEC 1929 in Akron, OH
6.v.
Lois Jean MORGAN born/died in 1932.
6.vi.
Living MORGAN
6.vii.
Living MORGAN
6.viii.
Living MORGAN
4.2. Levi ‘Lee’ W. Hightower, b. Feb 3, 1878 d Jan 1, 1881 Peabody Cem. LaFollette TN.
4.3. John E. Hightower, b. Mar 1880.
4.4. James P. Hightower, b. 15 Apr 1882, d. 19 May 1902 in Fraterville, TN (near Lake City) Fraterville Mine explosion,
buried in Leach Cem., Lake City, Anderson Co., TN. He married Lucy WALLACE 21 August 1898 in Anderson Co., TN.
They had 1 child,
5.1 Cecil Hightower, b. 1901 in TN.
Lucy was the daughter of Robert WALLACE and Sarah E. SHARP. Lucy married William Samuel "Sam" LEWALLEN
14 October 1903 in Anderson Co., TN. They had 4 children: Hershel Gordon, b. 28 February 1906; Agnes Emma,
b. 23 October 1908; Earl Thomas, b. 26 April 1911, all in TN; and, Freida Naomi, b. 5 April 1917 in WV.
Lucy WALLACE lost her husband and 2 brothers: William Henry and James H. WALLACE, in the Fraterville explosion.
4.5. Michael "Mitchel" Hightower, b. 1 Jul 1884 in Anderson Co, TN, occupation Coal Miner, d. 24 Sept. 1946 in
Blue Diamond, Perry Co, KY.
[Tip Hightower, the Fraterville Mine ventilation furnace operator was put on trial and was acquitted of negligence for the
explosion in Briceville, TN where 216 miners inside the mine lost their lives On May 19, 1902.
Tipton's son James P Hightower was killed as were Tipton's brother Leander, and Leander’s son Bart Hightower.
3.11. Rebecca Hightower B.: May 10, 1860 in Cocke Co., TN. Died: March 8, 1951 in Lake City, Anderson Co., TN.
[her Mother: __?__ Clevins], Rebecca m. John Anderson Leinart 2 Jan 1916 In Lake City, TN. They never had children.
3.12. Ananias Nice Hightower b. Jul. 10, 1857 [Newport Cocke Co. TN d. Apr. 26, 1942 Ages Harlan Co.
died of a Chronic Heart Attack buried in BROOKSIDE Cem. Ages, Harlan Co KY.
In the 1880 census Coal Creek, Anderson CO TN Annanias and wife and one year old son Barksdale
In the 1930 census for Frozen, Harlan Co., KY, he was enumerated as A. N. HIGHTOWER, laborer in coal mines
and shown as a widower in the household of his son, John.
In 1897 Nice was in Proctor, Red Ash, KY where the non-union mines Proctor Coal Co was operating
Nice was married three times.
He married (1) Susan Craig, married 13 Jun 1878 in Anderson Co, TN, b. 1860 their children were, Barstel, Robert, Lela and Mattie.
He married (2) Lassie B. Bowers,d. Jul. 11, 1946. married 18 Nov 1898 in Anderson Co, TN They had one son,
Virgil Lee Hightower b. Sept 1 1896 died 9 Aug 1959 in Harlan Co, Ky, buried in Rose Lawn Cem, Rosspoint, Harl
Lassie's last husband was John Buchannon Hatmaker.
He married 1899/1900, (3) Lydia Belle Hubbard, b. 15 (or 06) Sep 1884/85 in Lily, Laurel Co., KY, d. 5/6 Jun 1929
in Harlan Co, KY, buried in BROOKSIDE Cem., Ages Harlan Co, KY. Lydia: Died of a Ruptured Appendix.
[probably related to “Ottie Hubbard” 27 may 1888 – 15 Jan. 1970 who is buried in same Cem., others from same Ages KY Cem.
LUTHER and MAUDE HUBBARD – and GEORGE HUBBARD]
1910 tranSC ribed Bell Co. Fed. Census shows: Dwelling 177-ED33
HIGHTOWER, Nice, 50, TN
. ………..Lydia, wife, 25 b. KY
. ………..Vergil, son, 15, TN(so in 1895 he was somewhere in TN)
. ………..John, son, 9 KY (by 1901 he was in KY)
BRAMMER, Lela, dau, 26, b. TN
. ………..Luther, grandson, 7 b. KY
Children by Susan Craig:
4.1.
Barksdale ["Barstel", “B. H.”] Barstow William Hightower b. May 1879 Coal Creek Anderson Co TN. d, May 14, 1914, coal mine accident
[4th TN Volunteer Infantry, Company A between July 1898 and May 6, 1899. The unit served in Cuba as part of the
occupation force] in 1900 lived in Jellico Town, Whitley, KY, Barstow lived at Red Ash when the 4th TN. Vol. Inf.
was mustered into federal service, Red Ash a mining community near Kensee which is just off 25-W near Jellico, Campbell Co., TN.
Kensee is located up in the holler wheras Red Ash was more near the mouth of the holler. There was once a wye (where trains could turn
their engines) located at Maxie (another mines) and Red Ash was in that wye area. (wye is pronounced "Y") Proctor (then known as Red Ash)
and Kensee were operating mines by 1885." So I guess Red Ash and Proctor are actually one and the same
m. 1st. Marriage Oct 7, 1899 Jessie [Bessie?] Evelyn Kesterson b. Mar 1880 TN DIED AUG 6 '38
[ Anderson Co. marriage record says,
B H Hightower And Jessie Kess April 9, 1898 and
Hesterson, Jessie [Bessie?] Spouse: Hightower, B. H. Marriage date : Oct 7, 1899]
later lived in Helena, Mont. AKA Bessie Bolton Everson, whom married Byron Everson in Montana
"Bessie" Kesterson Everson is buried in non-perpetual care where the little grave marker sign is unmarked.
She was in a mental hospital in Deer Lodge, Montana when her husband Byron Everson divorced her.
When she married Byron she said her name was Bessie Bolton and that she was about 20 years younger than her
real age. a deSC endant speculates that perhaps she fled her home and family in TN/ KY area when
her 1st husband divorced her, and Bessie married someone a lot younger.
Her dad was Henry Clay Kesterson and her mom was Mary Jo Smiddy. Jessie had twin siblings Raymond and
Beatrice Kesterson b. Jun 1889 probably TN.]
Henry Clay KESTERSON (Frederick KESTERSON6, Hazzard KESTERSON5, John KESTERSON4,
John KESTERSON3, George KESTERSON2, Thomas KESTERSON1) was b. 22 MAY 1848 in Anderson TN,
and died 4 MAY 1915 in Campbell TN. He was buried in White Oak Cem.. He married Mary Jane SMIDDY
13 JUN 1880 in Campbell TN, daughter of James F SMIDDY and Elizabeth COOPER. She was b. 1 FEB 1856
in Campbell TN, and died 30 OCT 1945 in Anderson TN. She was buried 1 NOV 1945 in Clinch Valley Lake City TN.
M. 2nd Malinda ’Linda’ Johns. B. 27 may 1887 Owen co., KY, both died Apr. 4, 1914 Gatliff Whitley Co. KY,
cause of death Pellagra? (Vitamin deficiency). Burial: Powers Cem. (Upper) Nevisdale Whitley Co.
KY. Linda's parents were John Henry (Dock) Johns b. Grant co., KY and her mother was Susan Hodge b. Laurel Co. KY. –
siblings Ruby, Rawldy, Lulu, Rueben
Barksdale and Jessie Kesterson had 1 child:
5.1.
Lawrence Millard Hightower Birth Date: 16 Nov 1900. b. in Coal Creek, Tn. Death Date: Apr 1978.
From his SS application -9/13/37 @ Butte, MT, he listed his father's name - Barstow William Hightower, his mother's name
- Jessie Evelyn Kesterson
1930 Name: Lawrence Hightower, Home in 1930: Baker, Fallon, Montana
Age: 27 Birthplace: Montana
Occupation: athletic instructor Military service: WWI
Age at first marriage: 27
Lawrence Hightower 27 married Corrine 18, MN hotel maid
1910 - Name: Lawrence Hightower Age: 9
Relation to Head of House: Grandson
Father's Birth Place: TN Mother's Birth Place: TN
Home in 1910: Civil District 14, Anderson, TN
Henry Kesterson 57, TN = coal miner
Mary Kesterson 46, TN
Raymond Kesterson 20, TN = coal miner
Lawrence Hightower 9, TN = g/son
1920 Name: Lawrence M Hightower
[Laurence M Hightower]
Home in 1920: Wahiawa, Honolulu, Hawaii Territory
Age: 19 years Birthplace: TN
Father's Birth Place: TN Mother's Birth Place: KY
Race: Octoroon [defined as = a person having one-eighth black ancestry; the offspring of a quadroon and a white.]
[Oc (White)]
1930 - Lawrence M Hightower is not listed.
He went into the Army to Hawaii at age 19. According to his ½ sister Myrtle, Lawrence came to KY ca. 1923,
tried to take Myrtle home with him to Butte, Montana where his family owned a horse farm. His mom lived in
Helena, Mont. Lawrence came to Montana from the mid-west where he met and married Corrine Rose Honnef
who was from Minnesota, their children 1. Margaret Hightower and her sister 2. Lorraine Hightower were b.
in Butte, Montana
Corrine (Honnef) Hightower wrote about them living in Butte Montana. She also wrote in 1936 that
Larry Hightower had a furlough [so possibly he was still in the military]
In 1937 lived Polk's Butte, Silver Bow Co., Mont
He married again in 1958 in Ellensburg Washington Margaret DeSC o b. 1900 Germany, d. 24 Feb 1976
Michigan, and then moved about 1966 to Michigan where he died. Margaret's children were:
Arthur DeSC o, George DeSC o, and Patsy (DeSC o) Huyck.
Lawrence was a cow puncher in Montana.
STARS AND STRIPES NEWSPAPER, 8 JUL 1946
Barrow Pusher on World Trek
Eglensburg, Wash.- A 47 year old former Montana cowpuncher, Larry Hightower, was striding along at four miles an hour
today on the first leg of his wheelbarrow-pushing jaunt around the world, a 12 year project. Wearing a red flasher on his
coattails to warn drivers, Hightower started over the CaSC ade mountains towards Seattle steering his 55 pound, white-painted
wheel barrow containing a radio receiving set and personal belongings.
His 20,000 mile itinerary goes from Seattle to San FranciSC o where he will board a boat for Hawaii. He plans to island hop
to the Asiatic mainland, then push along to Portugal to take a ship to New York.
Larry Hightower the famous Wheel Barrow Pusher around the world on the 4 July 1946 to about 1950 from Ellensburg,
Washington. Larry pushed a wheelbarrow to the summit on the Pikes Peak Highway. This famous "wheelbarrow pusher"
was best known for his intention of pushing a wheelbarrow around the world that would have lasted 12 years. Larry Hightower
went on a "goodwill" tour around the United States, Canada and Mexico from 1946 to 1948 to promote the State of Washington
His trip was unusual because he pushed a wheelbarrow during most of his travels. Throughout the trip, he sent correspondenc
miSC ellaneous publications, pamphlets and artifacts to Earl Coe, Washington State's Secretary of State. His wheel barrow
and journal of his trip is said to be at the VFW in Flint, Michigan on display.
Life Magazine August 12, 1946 : Cover - Loretta Young models a decade of nightgowns and pajamas. Photo Larry Hightower
(from Ellensburg, Washington, with a wheelbarrow he hopes to push around the world),
MONTANA STANDARD, Butte, MT, 5 Sep 1929
Youth Reported Killed in War Meets His Mother Here
“Mrs. Byron Everson, 1920 Dewey Blvd., is a happy mother. Her son has come home. Reported dead in the World War,
then heard of only to be lost again, Lawrence Hightower surprised her recently by walking into the Everson house and
throwing his arms about her. The 27 year old son had not seen his mother since, as a boy still in knee breeches,
he answered the call to arms in 1917.”
Larry with his first wife Corrine (Honnef) and his 3 children Lorraine, Eugene b. in ND and Margaret Hightower
b. IN MT and her sister Lorraine.
Barstel and Jessie separated,
Barstel then married Linda ’Malinda’ Johns in KY, both Linda and Barstel died 1914. Barstel and Linda had three girls.
when Barstel and Linda died in 1914, the two living children were raised by Linda’s parents Susan Hodge 1868-1930 and
John Henry ‘Dock’ Johns Sep. 16, 1891-Mar. 20, 1980
5.2. Myrtle Hightower b. c September 15, 1906/09 - died Aug. 16, 2004 Harlan Co., KY, lived at LeJunior when
she m in Harlan Co. September 1924, Pleas Brim, b. Mar. 21, 1882 d. Apr. 24, 1944 at ‘Florida Addition,' Evarts,
Harlan Co, KY. Pleas is Buried Powers Cem. (Upper) Nevisdale Whitley Co. KY. Both lived at Kenvir
when marr. License obtained.
6.1 Estil Brim, stillb. Sep. 23, 1935, KY buried Powers Cem. (Upper) Nevisdale Whitley Co. KY
m. 2nd c. 1944 Hollie Mae Perkins b April 15, 1905 d. Harlan Co., KY son of Ambrose Perkins
6.2 Brenda Sue Perkins
6.3 Kenneth Ray Perkins
5.2 Mamie Hightower b. Jul. 3, 1913 d. November 1, 1989 Evarts, Harlan Co., KY m 5/25/1933 Elmer Barnes
[possibly b. Feb. 27, 1909 d. Jan. 29, 1969], their children
6.1 Ray Barnes [lived in Evarts, Harlan, Co. and Fla.
6.2 Clyde Earl Barnes 1939 m. Faye Deaton. [lived in Evarts, Harlan, Co. and Michigan]
6.3 Mabel Barnes b. 1936 m. Bill Webb, lived in Evarts, Harlan, Co.
5.4 Bessie Hightower b. Aug 19 1911 d. Sept 17 1912, Whitley Co. KY
1920 KY Whitley Gatliff Precinct Enumerated on: January 8 & 9, 1920
38 |Johns Dock
| Head
|R
39 |Johns Susan
| Wife
|
40 | Johns Craley
| Daughter
|
41 | Hightower Myrtle Granddaughter |
42 |Hightower Mamie | Granddaughter |
| M W 54 M Coal Mines
| F W 53
M
| F W 13
S
| F W 11
S
|FW 6
S|
Miner
4.2. Robert Lee "Bob" Hightower b. 11 Mar 1884 TN d. Mar. 29, 1949 buried Balkan Cem. Bell Co. KY.
Robert's wife was, Ruby Lawrey [LOWERY ] b. Oct. 2, 1889 Anderson Co. TN d. Jul. 14, 1966
Pineville Bell Co. buried Balkan Cem.. [dau. Of Will & Anna Lowery] In 1912 Ruby and Bob were apparently in Whitley Co., KY.
Then at some point after that, they arrived in Bell Co. where they remained until at least 1929
1910 tranSC ribed Bell Co. Fed. Census Dwelling 180
HIGHTOWER, Robert H., 26, b. TN
. Lowsy, wife, 20, b. TN
. Ethel, dau, 3
. Clarence, son, 14 mo's
children;
5.1.
5.2.
5.3.
5.4.
5.5.
HIGHTOWER, Virgil, b. Whitley Co., KY on Feb. 18, 1912,
HIGHTOWER, Laurence, b. 11-7-1914 in Bell Co., d 04/1986 in Michigan. His wife's name was Frances Hubbard.
HIGHTOWER, Mabel, b. 4-7-1917 in Bell Co., m. -?- Lundy
HIGHTOWER, Katie Irene b. Mar. 10, 1920 Bell Co KY d. Jan. 10, 1941 Bell Co. KY
HIGHTOWER, Glendon “Glydon” William, b. 9-27-1922, m. Martha Louise King of Pineville, KY
Children of Glendon
6.i.
6.ii.
Karen Hightower Carnes
Brenda Louise Hightower
6.iii.
6.iv.
6.v.
6.vi.
Betty Joe Hightower
Lawrence Hightower
Ethel Hightower
Glendon William Hightower II, b./died Sep. 1950
5.6. HIGHTOWER, Geraldine, b. 10-17-1927 [or Sept 17] in Bell Co.; m. -?- Lasley, lived Cincinnati, OH
5.7. HIGHTOWER, Teddy Willard., b. 4-4-1929 in Bell Co.-d 2006, m. Doris Buckner
HIGHTOWER, TED WILLARD - age 77, of Sharps Chapel formerly of Bell Co., KY. Ted was of Baptist faith.
Survived by: wife, Doris Buckner Hightower; daughter, Melissa Whaley of Maynardville; three granddaughters,
Jessica Sweet and Mark Martin, of SC , Angela and Ronnie Sweet Edmiston of Sharps Chapel, Amanda Whaley
of Maynardville; four great granddaughters; two great grandsons; two special
great granddaughters, Megan and Emily Edmiston of Sharps Chapel;
brother, Glydon and Louise Hightower of Pineville, KY;
sisters,
Annalene and Charles Harbin of Ewlin, VA,
Betty Jo and Andy Lamkin of Louisville, KY,
Mary Sue and Homer Mason, Callaway, KY,
Geraldine Lasley, Cincinnati, OH;
sister and brother-in-law, Wanda Graves and Betty Buckner, Mary and Warren Cleveland all of Knoxville, TN;
Shirley and Don Dugger, Prattsville, AL
brother and sister-in-law, Don and Sue Buckner of Knoxville, Charles David and Alma Buckner of Talbott;
several nieces and nephews interment at Lynnhurst Cem. Military Honors
5.8. HIGHTOWER, Ethel, b. 1907
5.9. HIGHTOWER, Clarence, b. 1908
5.10. HIGHTOWER, Irene, b. Mar. 10, 1920 KY d. Jan. 10, 1941 Bell Co. KY Burial: Balkan Cem.
Balkan Bell Co.
5.11. HIGHTOWER, Annalene . 17 Sept. 1925 in Bell Co., m. Charles Harbin of Ewlin, VA
5.12. HIGHTOWER, Betty Jo m. Andy Lamkin of Louisville, KY
5.13. HIGHTOWER, Mary Sue. M. Homer Mason, Callaway, KY,
4.3. Lela Hightower b. 9 Jul 1882. in Coal Creek, Tn. and died December 2, 1951 she is buried in Mchargue Cem. in Lily,
Laurel Co. KY, Lela was married three times- Brammer, Arthur Hodge, and Isaac Hyde.
In 1910 Lela BRAMMER was living with her parents:
BRAMMER, Lela, 26, daughter, b. TN
... Luther, age 7, b. KY
Arthur Hodge died before Theodore’s birth. Marie (Hightower) Henegar told that Lela made Arthur his lunch for work one morning
and he left for the coal mines. Co-workers saw him go into the mines but he never came out.
5.1 Luther Brammer b. 1903 in KY, wife Anna
5.2 Theodore Hodge Hightower was b. in Dunraven Perry Co. KY, on Feb 29, 1908 and died on April 29, 1992 in
Dearb., Wayne Co. Michigan. Theodore was b. with a cleft pallet and his mother never knew how to take care of his special
feeding needs so she gave him up to the KY Child Services orphanage when he was two years old. When Theodore’s Grandparents
Ananias and Lydia Bell found out where he was they went and got him. His grandparents gave him their last name of Hightower.
He was in Ages, and Harlan Co. area, for a long time before he married in Harlan KY on September 18, 1933
Sadie Lorine Taylor b. Jun. 26, 1915 Briceville Anderson Co. TN d. Jul. 15, 1996 Dearb. Heights Wayne Co Mich
However, he was married once before to a Maude, unknown last name. They were not married very long.
She was the daughter of Walter Taylor and Myrtle Flora Phillips. Walter Taylor was b. in KY 1895.
Myrtle Phillips was b. in TN August 8, 1893 and died on August 16, 1978. She was the daughter of William H. Phillips
and Sarah Elizabeth Hampton.
6.i.
6.ii.
6.iii.
6.iv.
6.v.
6.vi.
6.vii.
6.viii.
Davie R. Hightower from Lincoln Park, Michigan. was b. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. m. Carol Moore
Jacky Horvath Ocala Florida,
Myrtle (Pat) Jarosz Hudson Michigan,
Nyoka Grant Americus Georgia,
Roger Hightower Green Lake Michigan,
Donnie Hightower Melvindale Michigan,
Gerry Decker Southgate Michigan and
Beyaunna (Bea) Bozarth Gilbertsville KY.
4.4. Mattie Hightower b. 24 Oct 1889 [or tombstone reads May 18, 1890] Rockholds Whitley Co. KY. Died Aug. 25, 1977
Barbourville Knox Co. KY Burial: Resthaven Cem. Keith Harlan co., KY, Marr. Joe Sexton, lived Harlan Co.,
5.1 Gothler Sexton b. 7 Feb 1916 Bell co KY
Children by Lassie Bowers:
4.5. Virgil Lee Hightower Sr. b. 1 Sep 1896. Laurel Co. KY d. Aug. 9, 1959
Harlan Co. KY Virgil's first wife was Lydia Mae Gregory b. 08 JUL 1897 d. 03 FEB 1922 daughter of James Franklin Gregory & Julia Ann Parman
their children were;
5.1 Velma Hightower, married O'Rourke from Lily KY, but lived in Kenvir KY
5.2 Vernon Hightower b. 16 March 1919 Probably the same Vernon in this
News release: Somewhere in the South Pacific (Special). July 20, 1944
Vernon Hightower, of Evarts, KY is serving in the quarter master branch of the armed forces. He is the son of
Mr. Virgil Hightower, also of Ky. He is married to Kathleen "Ball" Hightower and has a 17 month old son.
Private Hightower was inducted in the army at Fort Thomas, Ky. He was later shipped to Camp Lee, VA and then to
Camp Ellis, Ill. He went overseas Feb 4, 1944. Mr. Hightower was a former employee of the Black Mountain, Coal Corporation.
He worked on a mechanical coal loader and operated the shuttle car. He attended Evarts high SC hool, and participated in
various sports such as football, baseball, and basketball.
5.3 Georgia Hightower.
Virgil's second wife was Mary Ann Hensley (Baker), [father might be Thomas Hensley] [this could be the Mary J. Hightower who lived in Harlan Co
died in Madison Co. age 85 on 11 October 1970] [Mary Ann Hensley evidently married several times, once to a Metcalfe, once to a Harris,
Henry L. Baker, and finally to Virgil Hightower
their children were;
5.4 Wilma Hightower,
5.5 Francis Hightower and
5.6 Virgil Lee Jr. Hightower who married Charlotte, lived in Harlan Co
Children by Lydia Belle Hubbard:
4.6. John Henry Hightower Sr. b. 3 Sep 1901 Jellico Campbell Co. TN – d. Jun. 21, 1977 Martinsville Morgan Co. Indiana,
Burial: Resthaven Cem. Keith Harlan Co. KY wife Anna Oliver b. May 21, 1905 Williamsburg Whitley Co. Death: Jan. 28, 1969
Martinsville Morgan Co. Indiana Burial: Resthaven Cem. Keith Harlan Co. KY, John loved his chewing tobacco,
he sat on his porch and enjoyed both the fresh air and a refreshing chew.
5.1 Hightower, John “Johnny” Henry Jr. Aug. 31, 1924 Brookside Harlan Co. KY, d. Jun. 24, 2000 Ages Harlan Co. Burial: Resthaven Ce
Keith Harlan Co. KY, Spouse Vera Adelaide Lyon/SC hmidt Hightower b. Jun. 14, 1930 New York d. Sep. 22, 1999 Ages
Harlan Co. KY Burial: Resthaven Cem. Keith Harlan Co. John Hightower lived Las Vegas 1996
5.2 Anna Pauline “Annie” Hightower b. Oct. 19, 1927 Brookside Harlan Co. KY, d. Apr. 6, 1996 Helena Lewis and Clark Co.
Montana, married William C. Campbell. Bill Campbell was the son of Walter and Mamie Campbell of Ages.
Annie was a member of Ages Baptist Church. She was employed by the state as a social worker,
I am not sure what title they assigned that many years ago ,but today’s title would be social worker, or investigator.
6.1 Johnny Campbell b abt. 1950 was living in Indiana, raised for the most part at Ages.
6.2 William “Bill” Jr. Campbell b. abt. 1953 was living in Indiana, raised for the most part at Ages.
5.3 Marie Hightower, married Bill Henegar lived Akron, Ohio in 1996 think Bill Henegar was related to Hubert Henegar from Ages
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This is anecdotal information on the connection of Barksdale Hightower as a son of Thomas:
In 1830 Thomas and son Allen listed in Cocke Co., TN census in Newport PO and Barksdale shows in same Co. just Taylorsburg PO.
Allen Hightower attended same church as Barksdale and wife Cassandra along with their three oldest children: Jane, Polly, and William. Cocke Co., TN
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Minutes 1838-1860
WPA Historical Records Project #65-44-1438, Oct. 26, 1936
Surname Index
HIGHTOWER, ALLEN 61, 74
HIGHTOWER, BARKSDALE 56, 66
HIGHTOWER, CASENDA 56
HIGHTOWER, JANE 76
HIGHTOWER, POLLY 70
HIGHTOWER, WILLIAM 82
From the Cooke Co., TN Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Minutes:
1-2-1852 Jany 1852 Monday. Church met at P. Grove Sermon by J. J. Sparks. 1st opened for members received by letter Barksdale Hightower and wife Casanda.
By Experience Susan Morell. Jos Manning md. E. Allen Clk.
9-10-1853 Added to the church by experience & baptism - Allen Hitower
2-9-1855 Feb. 1855. Friday, church mat at P. Grove. ... Bro. Barksdale Hightower guilty of drunknes by his own confession. ..
Sat. Mar. 1855. Church met at P. Grove. .. Bro. Hightower case refered till next meeting. Sent E. Allen and A. Clevenger to see and labor with him.
Sat. April 1855. Church met at P. Grove. .. Bro. Hightour being present renders every acknowledgement necessary and the church retains him in fellowship.
No Date listed - Added to the church - Polly Hightour
6-2-1857 ...Letter of dismission granted to Allen Hightouer
Sat. Feb. 1858 Our meeting was protracted from day to day for sixteen days in all. ..and the following persons were added to the Church by experience.
Jane Hightour...
2-2-1860 added to the church by experience - William Hightouer
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4
Annanias Andrew Hightower, Jr. wife Louise Browning, married 6-1-1927 in Haywood Co..
a. Betty Louise Hightower b. 3-6-1933 in Haywood Co., died 12-12-2002. Married Lawrence Mintz,
b. She and Lawrence are buried at the Bethel Community Cem. in Haywood Co.
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Henrietta Hightower who married Elbert Delashmit was the daughter of William Hightower and Rebbecca Daugherty who lived in district 8 Monroe Co..
This claim is based on deeds and historical documents. William sold dist. 8 property to Elbert and Henrietta.
Elbert later sold the property back to William's son Thomas Hightower, and then he and Henrietta moved to McMinn Co. where they died.
Hightower's of Monroe Co. TN.
//////////////////////////////////
This information was passed on, But no direct proof that Boz is a son of Thomas.
"The primary concern in this pedigree study is satisfied in that this Thomas is clearly the father of Allen, but some discussion is needed on the siblings of Allen,
since opinions differ. Ruth Rosencrantns of Laguna Hills, California is deSC ended from this Thomas and has concluded that Thomas married Nancy Mason and
had nine children, with Allen being next to the oldest, William Joseph Hightower who married Elizabeth Clevenger and was living in TN in 1830, or had
already moved to Ray Co. MO. This looks credible enough, but the story looks worse in the claims that Thomas served in the war of 1812 instead of the
Revolution. This story goes further claiming that this Thomas Hightower's father served in the Revolution and came from England. These latter claims,
including the name of Nancy Mason are not documented, but are cited here to show the differences existing."
"The book Precious Memories by Donna Eason c. 1989 shows the children of Thomas and Nancy Mason Hightower, based on the 1969 information from
Ruth Rosencrans. They are:
1. William Joseph Hightower b. April 1807 Charleston, S.C., d. 26 Aug. 1869
2. Allen Hightower b. c. 1812
3. Boz or Barksdale Hightower b. c. 1816
4. Henry Hightower
5. John Hightower
6. Henrietta Hightower (a Henrietta Hightower married Elbert Delashmit 9/24/1849
Monroe Co.. TN - just S.E. of Cocke Co.. ref Early East TN Marriages Vol. II
Brides by Bryon and Barbara Sistler, Nashville, TN
7. Harriett Hightower.
II Brides by Bryon and Barbara Sistler, Nashville, TN
8. Allie Hightower
9. Susan Hightower 17 March 1811 – 22 Aug. 1880, married Allen Clevenger b. 1808 TN d. 1859 - 10 Children –
"Much of the above story of William Joseph Hightower is from the biography of his son Elias in the 1893 book Portrait and Biographical Record
(published by Chapman Bros. Chicago) under Ray Co., MO, where Elias lived. From their side, it can be claimed that one grandson (Elias) is
capable of writing about his grandfather (Thomas) as another one (T. J H. Sr.). But this writer points out that T. J H. Sr. was b. and spent his childhood in
Cocke Co., TN where his father Allen and his Grandfather Thomas are shown by census records to live together or near each other in 1830.
There is no evidence that William Joseph and his son Elias lived near Thomas, his alledged grandfather. This weighs the truth in favor of T. J H. Sr.
who lived with his grandfather and the story in Memoirs of
Georgia. H Sr. was alive and alert in 1895 when Memoirs of Georgia was published from information he surely provided."
/////////////////////////////////
FROM THE WALTER A. WALKER COLLECTION Georgia State Archives Atlanta,
The earliest Hightower family of whom we have records lived in Richmond Co., VA, before the year 1700. There, in 1698, the estate of
Joshua Hightower was administered, suggesting Hightower residence there sometime before that date.
In 1726 a Joshua Hightower died in Richmond Co., leaving a wife, Eleanor, and six children. His eldest son, Charnel, married Sarah GlaSC ock
in January, 1727/8 and reared a large family. From 1720 to about 1750 three Hightower families lived in Richmond Co., close neighbors and
closely related - the families of Charnel, John, and Joshua. We do not know yet just how these three men were related. John and Joshua could have
been brothers; Charnel, the son of Joshua who died in 1726 was a cousin.
About 1750 these three families all moved to Amelia Co., to the part that in 1789 was cut off and made Nottoway Co.. They settled in the
southeast corner of the Co., near the present city of Blackstone, where Nottoway, Brunswick, and Lunenburg Counties meet. Though some lived
in each Co., they still were near one another. They continued in that region, close together, until the period of the Revolutionary War.
Fortunately for the genealogical record, the names, birth dates and names of parents of children b. in Richmond Co., VA, between
1700 and 1750 were recorded in the Farnhan Parish Register, a copy of which is to be found at the town of Warsaw, Va.
Charnel Hightower (b. about 1700; d. 1762), son of Joshua(who d. 1726), married Sarah Glascock in January 1727/8, and had children:
Elizabeth(b. March 1728/9), Sarah(b. 1731), Charnel(b. 1733), Rawleigh(b. 1734?), Joshua(b. 1741), Gregory(b. 1745), John(b. 174?), and Thomas(b. 1750).
John Hightower (b. about 1695; d. 1764) married Mary Bryan and had children: William (b. 1720), Eleanor (b. 1722), John (b. 1725),
Joshua (b. 1728), Thomas (b. 1731), George (b. 1733), Richard (b. 1737)..
Joshua Hightower (b. about 1695; d. 1772 in Amelia Co., Va.) had
children:
Charnel (b. 1721 - d. 1807 in Laurens Co., GA),
Katherine (b. 1723),
Lettice (b. 1729),
Joseph (b. 1731),
Susannah (b. 1734),
Ann,
Robert (b. 1737),
Tavenor (b. 1740) and
Epaphroditus.
It is strongly indicated that all of the Hightowers of this country are descended from that early family in Richmond Co., VA.
Atlanta, Georgia, May 1, 1954. WALTER A. WALKER
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Jacob Vowell was b. 14 July 1866 in TN d. 1902 killed in a mine explosion in Fraterville, TN. Buried Longfield Baptist Church Cem..
He married Sarah Ellen WEBB about 1885.
He was the son of Grandison D. VOWELL and Mary Emeline LEINART.
They had 7 children. They were: William A., b. 30 July 1886; Harvey Elbert b. 25 November 1887 in TN d. 05/1902;
Horace Lee, b. 29 September 1889; Mindie Emeline "Minnie", b. 9 November 1891; James Thomas, b. 18 May 1894;
Edward Calvin "Ed", b. 7 January 1898; and, Lillie, b. September 1899, all in TN.
Sarah Ellen lost her husband; her son; and, 2 brothers: William James and Huston M. WEBB.
Jacob Vowell shares a common headstone with his son, Harvey Elbert Vowell, who was 14 when he died with his father in
the Fraterville Mine. They are buried next to the headstone of Edward Vowell, another son of Jacob who died as an infant.
Before suffocating, Jacob wrote:
"Ellen, darling, goodby for us both. Elbert said the Lord has saved him. Do the best you can with the children.
We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad without any air. Horace, Elbert said for you to wear his shoes
and clothing. It is now 1/2 past 1:00. Powell Harmon's watch is in Andy Woods' hand. Ellen, I want you to live right and
come to heaven. Little Elbert said he trusted in the Lord. The bad air is closing in on us fast. Dear Ellen, I leave you in bad
condition, but set your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. Elbert said for you all to meet him in heaven,
for all of the children to meet us both. Raise the children the best you can. Oh how I wish to be with you. Goodbye, all of you,
Goodbye. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. Goodbye Ellen, Goodbye Lillie, Goodbye Jimmie,
Goodbye Minnie, Goodbye Horace. Oh God, for one more breath. Ellen, remember me as long as you live. Goodbye darling.
It is 25 minutes after 2:00. There are few of us alive yet. Jake and Elbert."
When rescuers reached the trapped miners, too late, Jacob Vowell was found with Elbert in his arms.
At Longfield Baptist Church Cem., they share a common headstone, Jacob Vowell and Harvey Elbert Vowell.
They are buried next to the headstone of Edward Vowell, another son of Jacob, who died as an infant.
###########
The source of the following information on Allen is from a report dated 1990 by Charles T. Hightower, Jr.
Allen Hightower was b. about 1812 in South Carolina, He was apparently the second son of Thomas Hightower and wife Nancy Mason or Martha _____,
Allen moved with these parents from Barnwell Co., S.C. first to VA where they stayed a short while. Soon they moved to Cocke Co., TN.
Allen appears to have married twice and had a total of thirteen children. The usual records of family events are rare, partly due to a Cocke courthouse fire.
Louisa Jefferson is referred to as Allen’s wife in a biography of Allen’s son Thomas Jefferson Hightower in Memoirs of Georgia published 1895. The 1830 census of
Cocke Co. shows Allen’s household to be one male (Allen) and one female (Louisa?) both age 15 to 20 and another male under age 5 (probably their firstb.
Thomas Jefferson Hightower, b. October 29, 1829. By the 1840 census Allen and his wife appear to have six children.
In the 1850 Census names of all the household are shown for the first time, but by this time Allen’s first wife (presumably named Louisa is missing. Instead there is an
apparent second wife PriSC illa (sometimes Drucilla). Childbirth deaths of the mother were fairly common in those years, so one could guess that Louisa died about 1842
at approximately age 30, maybe in the birth of their seventh child Susan who survive. Of course no confirmation exists.
Allen seems to have remarried in the 1840 to 1850 decade, his wife PriSC illa showing as 20 in 1850 and 28 in the 1860 census. It was not unusual to understate a bride’s y
She is apparently the mother of Allen’s eight child John, shown as six months old at the 1850 census time. But he aged to 14 for the 1860 census, indicating some apparen
incompetence. Maybe it was the error of the census marshall or maybe PriSC illa, who was shown in the 1860 census as unable to read and write. She is listed as b. in
North Carolina, the border of which is just a few miles away.
Census and other sources point to Allen being a farmer and a cattleman. A letter (Doris and John Hightower Rt 2 Box 240 Clyde, NC dated March 11, 1986 to J
udy Hughes reports that Allen ran a ferry across the river (maybe the Nolichucky or French Broad). Records of Mary Nan Hightower Davis, Liberty, TX
of an 1839 Tax list of Cocke Co., TN show Allen Hightower, zero acres of land, zero town lots.
The ending of this Allen Hightower story gets even more obSC ure. In the 1870 Census, Allen and PriSC illa are not found. Of the large family of 1860,
only Allen’s daughter Jane, Age 28 and apparently unmarried is found in the same Co.. A John Hightower in Tipton Co., TN, may be Allen and PriSC illa’s first child,
as he was listed as 25 in 1870, which will relate correctly to age 14 in the 1860 census. Where the rest of this 1860 family went by 1870 is a matter for study.
No Cem. records in Cocke Co. show Allen, Louisa, or PriSC illa.
Thomas J. Hightower, Allen’s oldest Child, had moved to Georgia in 1847 or 1848. W. A. Walker, a 1950’s researcher on the Hightower family, found that William, Allen
second child lived in TN, and that John, a half-brother of T.J. and William, moved to Spartanburg, SC . Mr. Walker’s work (died 1961) is in the Georgia Department
of Archives and History, Atlanta, and not photo-copyable.
Allen and Louisa J. Hightower’s children appear to be:
1. Thomas Jefferson b. 10/29/1829
2. William b. abt.. 1830-35
3. Allen b. abt.. 1836
4. son b. abt..1837
5. Angelina (dau.) b. abt.. 1838
6. Margaret Jane or Jane b. abt.. 1840
The children of Allen and second wife PriSC illa (or Drucilla)
8. John b. abt.. 1846-50
9. Nancy b. abt.. 1852
10. Joseph N. b. abt.. 1853
11. Harriett b. abt.. 1856
12. James R. b. abt.. 1858 m. Mary Bell July 15, 1879, Cocke Co., TN
13. Annias b. abt.. 1859 m. Adaline Rogers June 14, 1879, Cocke Co., TN
source of James and Annias’ marriage were from the LDS Library Genealogical Index
Thomas Hightower (1765-1830)
The source of the following information on Thomas is from a report dated 1992 by Charles T. Hightower, Jr
The story of Thomas is confused by the presence of two or more Thomas Hightowers in SC in 1790, both Revolutionary war patriots. The version that this writer
(Charles T. Hightower, Jr.) accepts is given first, followed by some conflicting ideas of others. The ancestor Thomas Hightower (the father of Allen) was b. in South Carol
, according to U.S. census records and the book Memoirs of Georgia. His birth date was 1760 -65, and some say his wife was Nancy Mason and others Martha _____.
No proof is seen for either, so both or neither may be correct. (He may have married twice or more.)
The 1875 biography of Thomas Jefferson Hightower in Memoirs of Georgia states that his grandfather Thomas Hightower was a “gallant soldier in the American Revolu
” and “ a native of South Carolina.” In support of this the DAR Patriot Index Vol. I shows a Thomas Hightower “private, S.C., b. abt.. 1755 d. after 1830” with wife Mart
(This book also shows a second Thomas Hightower who served in VA) The book Roster of SC Patriots in the American Revolution by Bobby Gilmer Moss
shows Thomas Hightower who “served in the militia under Col. Roebuck after the fall of Charleston.” A photocopy of pay voucher X3545 shows
Thomas received Pounds 2/8/6&3/4 for his service. He is believed to be the ancestor sought here.
Charleston fell May 1780, and the book of 1897 Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper SC by Dr. J.B.O. Landrum states that in September 1780
General Williams’ “followers were reinforced by Capt. Benjamin Roebuck’s command from the region of present Spartanburg South Carolina. This command consisted
about thirty”. Thomas must have been one of these, as it will be shown later that he was the one who lived in Spartanburg Co. in the 1790 Census. These forces, says
Landrum in the book, moved through Lincoln Co., NC, then to Cherry Mountain,
and probably participated in the major American victory at Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.
The Patriot Land Survey (Index of Land Acquisitions, Parts of Old 96th District) by Alma Smith and Jean Smith Owens indicates Thomas Hightower with 117 Acres
“on North Fork of Tyger River” listed in 1784-86 in Book A, p. 237 There are strong indications that this is a reference to ancestor Thomas and adds to the case that he
lived there at that time.
As stated earlier, the first U. S. census of SC in 1790 lists two Thomas Hightowers, one in Spartanburgh Co. and the other in adjacent Union Co..
The one in Union Co. has records of land purchase witnessed by John Osling. The evidence is very strong that this Union Co. Thomas is the other
Thomas Hightower in the DAR Patriot Index, the one who was b. in Amelia Co, VA, served in the VA militia and married Milly Arnold. This Union Co.
Resident in 1790 named Thomas Hightower moved to Greene Co. Georgia where his grave is found and where his will shows his widow Milly’s name plus the name
of some children. (An approved DAR application #.309235, dated 1938, erroneously shows Allen and Elisha Hightower as brothers and both as sons
of the Thomas Hightower who served under Col. Roebuck. This is wrong, because Elisha was the son of the Thomas who served in VA, lived in Union Co., SC
and moved to Georgia) So, of the two Thomases in SC in 1790 one concludes that the one living in Spartanburgh Co. was ancestor Thomas,
the SC patriot, as the Union Co. one was identified as the VA-b. patriot. No relationship between these two is seen so far, but certainly one is probable.
The 1800 SC census lists two Thomas Hightowers; both in Barnwell Co. and the 1810 and 1820 census also shows a Thomas. One unproven story is that ancestor
Thomas moved to VA sometime after 1790 before moving to Cocke Co. , TN. A check of the VA census fails to support this, as the 1800 records were destroyed
and the 1810 and 1820 census show no Thomas in VA. So all that seems certain is that by 1830 census time, ancestor Thomas and his son Allen were living in Cocke Co.,
TN probably close to each other. The original handwritten census records show these two households on consecutive lines. By 1840 the census fails to show Thomas or his
unnamed wife, leading one to presume that they died in the decade preceding. He was then probably in his 70’s and she was maybe in her 60’s.
The primary concern in this pedigree study is satisfied in that this Thomas is clearly the father of Allen, but some diSC ussion is needed on the siblings of Allen, since opin
differ. Ruth Rosencrans of Laguna Hills, California is deSC ended from this Thomas and has concluded that Thomas married Nancy Mason and had nine children with A
being next to the oldest, William Joseph Hightower who married Elizabeth Clevenger and was living in TN in 1830, or had already moved to Ray Co. MO.
This looks credible enough, but the story looks worse in the claims that Thomas served in the war of 1812 instead of the Revolution. This story goes further claiming that
Thomas Hightower’s father served in the Revolution and came from England. These latter claims, including the name of Nancy Mason are not documented, but are cited
to show the differences existing.
To investigate further the story that Thomas Hightower served in the war of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans (January 1815) as stated in the Ray Co., MO publication
this writer (Charles T. Hightower, Jr.) corresponded with the National Archives and National Society U. S. Daughters of 1812. They found no Thomas Hightower in that
However Ruth Hightower Smith (405N 18th St. Murray, KY. 42071) reported she copied from a microfilm at the National Archives in Washington this war of 1812 recor
Thomas Hightower (private) 2 Reg’t (Thomas’) Georgia Militia”. The father of William Joseph and Allen Hightower if b. c. 1765, would have been 50 in 1815 the year of
Battle of New Orleans. Books on this battle show no Georgia Militia as being there. No indication exists that ancestor Thomas, Allen’s father, was even in
Georgia to be in the militia. Hence, this writer (Charles T. Hightower, Jr.) finds no merit in the War of 1812 story. There were other Thomas Hightowers in
Georgia who could have been in the militia in the War of 1812, but not likely in New Orleans in 1815 for that battle.
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130
HIGHTOWER
CHARLES
D
12
23
1915
HARLAN
BLACKWELL
MARIE