COUSIN MONROE’S
HISTORY
of the
PICKENS FAMILY
COMPILED BY
MONROE PICKENS
REVISED AND PUBLISHED BY
KATE PICKENS DAY
Copyright, 1951
KATE PICKENS DAY
EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA
U.S.A.
Printed in the United States of America
By Hiott Press, Greenville, South Carolina
Contents
Page
Foreword
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6
Sketch of the Life of Monroe Pickens -------------------------------------
8
193- o - 1950 ------------------------------------------------------------------Coat of Arms
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15
Chapter I – Pickens
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16
Chapter II – Who Came to America -----------------------------------------
23
Chapter III - THE PICKENS FAMILY and the
Revolutionary War
------------------------------------------
31
Chapter IV - Pioneer Andrew and His Descendants ---------------------
37
Chapter V - Pioneer Robert and His Descendants
----------------------
80
Chapter VI - Pioneer Israel and His Descendants
------------------------- 192
Chapter VII - Pioneer Williams and His Descendants
Chapter VIII – Pioneer John and His Descendants
---------------- 224
------------------------- 248
Chapter IX - A Number of Family Records That
Are Incomplete
------------------------------------------- 263
Chapter X - The Andrew Pickens Reunion Association
Index To Pictures
Facing Page
--------------- 272
12
1. “Cousin Monroe” ------------------------------------------------- Frontispiece 8
2.
Coat of Arms ----------------------------------------------------
15
3.
General Andrew Pickens --------------------------------------
40
4.
Governor Francis W. Pickens
--------------------------------
57
5.
Pickens Family Reunion 1917
--------------------------------
118
6.
James Tarpley and Matilda Patton Pickens
7.
The Eight Sons and Daughter --------------------------------
121
8.
Lawrence B. Ray
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123
9.
Francis T. Pickens
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133
10.
Rev. and Mrs. Robert W. Pickens
---------------------------
143
11.
Reunion Association Presidents
-----------------------------
151
12.
Martha Catherine Pickens Carter
----------------------------
155
13.
Margaret Susannah Pickens Ray
----------------------------
158
14.
Col.Robert Pickens
15.
Col. W. Smith Pickens
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170
16.
Robert Welborn Pickens
-------------------------------------
171
17.
W. Holbert Pickens
------------------------------------------
173
18.
Rev. Robert Mason Pickens ---------------------------------
183
19.
Andrew Pickens Reunion, 1925
272
20.
A Family Group
----------------
------------------------------------------
----------------------------
---------------------------------------------
120
163
278
DEDICATION
THE lives, noble deeds and simple virtues of these, our worthy ancestors, deserve more
than a passing memory, and it is to them that this book is affectionately dedicated.
ALSO, we include future generations who bear the name of Pickens, sharing their
pardonable pride in their ancestry, yet trusting that they will be imbued with a sense of
responsibility to so live and labor that a record of their lives will add to and not detract
from the annals of THE PICKENS FAMILY.
FOREWORD
Go with me in your imagination, back through a little more than two centuries, to
the Old World and look in upon a people made poor by many wars, clinging steadfastly
to their religious convictions although severely persecuted on account of them.
These people were of many countries and of different faiths, but all had a
common desire to live where they might worship God according to the dictates of their
consciences. Hearing of the new world across the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of these
brave souls accepted its offer of freedom.
In Ireland at this time there were living families of Scotch-Irish descent by the
name of Picken. These families were Presbyterians and had already moved from
Scotland to Ireland. These were our ancestors who, filled with a desire for freedom and
moved by the spirit of adventure, braved the rough seas, crossed the stormy Atlantic and
landed on the shores of Pennsylvania. Here they took up the task of establishing
themselves in a strange country, that with the exception of a few earlier settlers who had
preceded them was inhabited by savage Indians and ferocious wild animals. These
pioneers camped in the open country until they were able to build homes for themselves.
Before leaving their homeland the hearts of these people must have been heavy as
they bade farewell to their loved ones. In America they were launching into the
unknown-savages threatened them with destruction. They had to face starvation until
crops could be raised. Was this better than living in the lands where they had been
persecuted?
These forefathers of ours were consistent and devout. They brought their church
letters with them and took part in the organization of new churches. They brought their
Bibles and used them as a guide book for their daily living. In the evenings they gathered
around their camp fires, sang the Psalms of David, offered thanks to God for his mercies
and prayers for their safe keeping, then lay down to sleep in the midst of the attendant
dangers of that vast wilderness.
Having long yearned for a Pickens family history, I have for many years been
trying to pick up the broken traditions that have been handed down to us, and weave them
together into a simple history, rich in quality and texture.
Many of whom I have requested information have responded willingly, and to
them I am greatly indebted, however, in a few cases, it has been hard to trace
relationships and there is little doubt but that many errors will show instances of this
kind.
In my own behalf, I wish to say that while this venture had some measures of
success, I have not accomplished what I desired. The task is hardly begun. I gladly turn
over to those interested in the preservation of the family records what information I have
collected with the hope that it will be used as may seem best, and that someone will take
up the task and continue to gather together and preserve records of the family and that
these will ever be a source of inspiration to future generations.
o–
With two pages of data this work has begun, and so those who have furnished the rest of
the information I wish to express my sincere thanks.
Special acknowledgment and thanks must be given to Mr. R. W. Pickens of Easley S.C.
who rendered valuable help in laying the foundation for the work; to Mr. Rupert T.
Pickens of High Point N.C.; to Mr. John A. Pickens, Chattanooga, Tenn.; to Mrs. Grace
Smith Pettijohn, Indianapolis, Indiana; to Mrs. R.D. Sturdivant, Berlin, Alabama; to Mr.
Virgil P. Phillips, Adamsville, Tennessee; to Mr. Elmer Pickens of Ohio; to Mr. E. M.
Pickens of College Park, Maryland; to Miss Eugenia W. Lore, Concord, North Carolina;
to Mrs. H. D. Pickens, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; to Mrs. Ben Day, Easley, S.C.; to Rev.
E. M. Sharpe of the Methodist church in North Mississippi; to Mr. James M. Pickens,
Chevy Chase, Maryland and to many others for various lines furnished.
MONROE PICKENS
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MONROE PICKENS
BY JULIA PICKENS HUNT
September 30, 1866 February 7, 1945
The above dates mark the beginning and the end of a useful and successful life in
every phase; one whose influence will continue to live through the years. He gave his
time, his talent and his means to those whose lives he touched.
Thomas Mason Monroe Pickens, son of Rev. Robert Mason and Marthe Burdine
Pickens was born in Anderson County, South Carolina, September 30, 1866. When
about three months old, his parents moved to Richard Burdine farm in Pickens County
and remained there until 1880 which time they moved to Greenville.
After attending the public schools, he prepared himself for an accountant. He
entered the service of the Southern Railroad Company February 12, 1896 in Charlotte,
N.C., transferring to Greenville, S.C. the next year and remaining in the service at that
place until April 1, 1938, on which date he was retired under the Railway Retirement Act.
From then until the end of his life, he continued his interest in his fellowmen, devoting
his time to home, civic and church affairs.
On November 4, 1891 he was married to Emma Medlock, daughter of James
Travis and Martha Babb Medlock of Laurens County. With the exception of the short
time spent in Charlotte, N.C. they lived in Greensville, establishing their home at 109
Lloyd Street.
Their only child, Julia Medlock Pickens, was born May 5, 1903. On March 27,
1937 she married Warren Wells Hunt, son of R.P. and Minnie Bowen Hunt of Dallas,
Texas. They are at present living at 404 W. Croft Street, Greenville, S.C.
In Civic affairs he was often consulted on important matters where sound advice
and counsel were needed. He was a member of the Board of Directors and President of
the Carolina Loan and Trust Company; on the Board of Directors of the Mechanics
Building and Loan Association, and the first Federal Building and Loan Company, being
president of the latter at a time of his death. He also served as an officer in the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a member of the Woodmen of the World.
insert picture of THOMAS MONROE PICKENS (1866-1945)…..
Being the son of a Methodist minister, it was natural for him to become affiliated
with that denomination, joining Buncombe Street Methodist church on September 3,
1883 and becoming Superintendent of the church school in 1905, a position he held for
many years. At one time or another he served as church treasurer, chairman of the board
of education, superintendent of literature and classification; he was a steward, a trustee,
secretary of the Church Conference, recording steward, district steward and a member of
the Conference Board of Education. Although a layman, he was selected to stand at the
table to assist with the Holy Communion on each Communion Sunday.
He did not do things for the honor he might receive but for the pleasure he derived
in serving others. It was his custom to stand in the hall of his church each Sunday to
shake hands with every one who came into the Sunday School. Almost any Sunday
morning he might be seen walking through the halls with a baby in his arms that had
become restless and wanted attention outside the class room. Scarcely a person entered
the church whose life was not in some way touched by his presence. On his birthday
following his death, Buncombe Street dedicated the Church Bulletin, carrying his picture
on the front, to his memory. On that day a large picture of him was hung in the hall of
the educational building near where he had so often stood to greet those who entered the
church.
One of the greatest surprises of his life and one that touched him deeply was the
banquet given on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary. It was fitting that his
anniversary should be observed in the church for both husband and wife had been loyal
workers and closely identified with the church throughout their married life.
Appreciation of their close relationship was shown by the many gifts they received from
the classes and departments of the church.
The following paragraphs, taken from one of his notebooks, explain why he
decided to compile the data for a family history:
“In the northwestern part of South Carolina, along the foothills of the Blue Ridge
mountains, lie many miles of beautiful country, slightly hilly and rolling, very rich and
fertile. Before the Revolutionary War, these native forests were covered with a very
growth of wild pea vine which furnished a luxurious pasture, summer and winter, for
horses, cattle and game. Attracted by this rich and fertile soil and salubrious climate,
many families from what is now Abbeville County, South Carolina, from Pennsylvania,
Virginia and North Carolina moved into this section to find and make new homes.
Among the settlers, there came one Robert Pickens from Abbeville County who
settled on the head waters of Three and Twenty Creek, in what is now Anderson County.
Robert Pickens established his home on land he bought from the Commonwealth of
South Carolina. His plantation, the deed shows, was bounded on all sides by public
lands, but soon other settlers bought homes near his and at an early date a church was
organized, and the church building was located on the land of Robert Pickens.
“Men do not live always, for all men are appointed to die. Cemeteries soon
became a necessity. The first chapel stood on a hill, and just across the road there was a
gently sloping hill facing the east, forming an ideal place for a cemetery. About 1792,
there was a grave made for the first person in the settlement to die. The father of Robert
Pickens, whose name was also Robert Pickens, and gone to his reward. For over one
hundred and fifty years this cemetery has continued to grow and many members of THE
PICKENS FAMILY rest there.
About 1916, the names of the members of THE PICKENS FAMILY who are
buried in this cemetery were recorded on a single sheet of paper, and along with this
record was written the fragments of history then known to the writer.
“Now, in your imagination, go with us into the living room of a little home not
many miles from the cemetery. It is in the fall of the year and the day is dying in the
west. As the evening shadows lengthen the night sets her lamps aglow.
“Inside, on the library table lay the lone sheet of paper containing the record of
the old cemetery. It is read and reread. Our thoughts turn from those who are sleeping to
the living members of the family; those who are near and dear to us at home and the
many others in far away parts of the country. Why not follow them up and get record of
them, their families and their ancestors?
Would there not be an inspiration and a sense of pride in such an undertaking?
Would not the friendship and comradeship, a knowledge of the love, joy and beauty in
the lives of our living kindred to be worthwhile?
“This was the beginning of my resolve to search for material for the history of
THE PICKENS FAMILY as found in the following pages.”
-oThe successful, active life of Monroe Pickens came to an end on the morning of
February 7, 1945, when he suffered a sudden heart attack and died immediately. He
enjoyed life until that minute, and his loved ones have come to feel that this was a sweet
way in which to make his departure. He had the respect of men and the love of little
children, and his memory lives on through the years by all who knew him.
193- o - 1950
KATE PICKENS DAY
Upon being introduced to Cousin Monroe, the disparity in our ages and the
distance of our kinship made it seem proper for me to address him as ‘Mr. Pickens.’ He
shook my hand reprovingly, “You’re Pickens, aren’t you?” I nodded. “Then call me
Cousin Monroe. I’m kin to anyone who has ever borne the name of Pickens!”
That no mere pleasantry of a gallant gentleman. Cousin Monroe meant every
word he said. There was a special warm spot in his heart for all his kin and some of the
happiest years of his life were spent, as he said, in trying to find out just how many
cousins he could claim.
It was back in the early twenties, in the hey day of family reunions, that we met.
The North Carolina branch of THE PICKENS FAMILY was holding its annual
get together the first Thursday in August and to my family was accorded the privilege of
escorting his family to Weaverville, North Carolina, for the conclave. Cousin Monroe
has been invited to speak on ‘Compiling a Family History’ and he was certainly well
prepared. Not only did he have his subject in hand but he also brought along seven loose
leaf binders filled with data he had collected.
In his speech he told of the years he had spent in the pursuit of his hobby, of his
trips to old landmarks; of hunting records in old court houses, of corresponding with
persons in a dozen different states. The seven notebooks bore the fruit of his efforts and
the audience was impressed. Here they seemed to say is something concrete, something
that ought to be preserved for posterity. As interesting as fireside tales handed down
from generation might be, they could not complete with catalogued facts. It was just
what the association had been wanting, not knowing how to obtain it, and in a burst of
‘group enthusiasm’ some one suggested that a special committee be appointed to
investigate the possibility of publishing Cousin Monroe ‘s manuscript…. If he were
willing.
He was, and the committee was forthwith appointed. Having
served on that committee, I know that there were some months, even years, of honest
effort. New birth records were filed out, family changes noted, the manuscript revised
and retyped, committee meetings held … in fact, it seems that just about everything was
attempted that should have produced the desired results. But somehow, something was
lacking- something failed to click. As reunion followed reunion the committee reported “
the material just about ready for the publishers,” but it never became reality.
Finally, in what history now calls ‘the depression’ it was very evident to all of us
that we couldn’t publish the book, no matter how much we might like to do so, for the
simple reason that neither the association nor any individual in it seemed to have the
money to finance the undertaking.
As we look backward, we are always amazed at our own blindness, our own
particular brand of stupidity. When the movement to table the effort to publish the
history was made, it seemed a matter of no great moment to me. It could be done a few
years hence I reasoned, just as well as now when things were more settled.
When things were more settled, with second World War just around the corner!
When things were more settled, not reckoning on the changes twenty turbulent years
would bring to a family numerous and as far flung as the Pickenses!
Why, ten I have often asked myself, should an attempt be made to publish the
book now, when the manuscript is twenty years old, when all eight of the children whose
families furnished the nucleus of that first North Carolina reunion are gone, along with a
host of others- including even Cousin Monroe himself?
First, because the manuscript is perishable. Since this carbon copy has been in
my possession, the binders have had to be replaced twice and the present are in a sad state
of repair.
Second, because there continue to be so many calls for the book and the
information herein contained. In the last three years, this copy has traveled to Portland,
Oregon, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Ga, and many places in between. Up until the time
of his death, Cousin Monroe maintained a constant correspondence in regard to it.
Lastly, having worked with Cousin Monroe on that committee, having heard him
express his desire to see the book completed, even as he said, if it were possible in his
lifetime, he hoped someone would continue after him, and, having in my possession the
only other complete copy of his manuscript, it has become a sort of a nameless
responsibility to me, and I want to be free of it.
Therefore, I have made arrangement with Cousin Emma to revise and publish this
manuscript as an individual. The task is colossal, for there is enough material for half a
dozen books instead of one. I must leave out more that can possibly be included and
Cousin Monroe is not here to straighten out my mistakes; neither is Cousin Welborn, who
in the beginning was so generous with his help, so well versed in early family history,
who died in 1947, aged one hundred years.
Realizing that the book may be disappointing and knowing it will be far from
perfect, I still think that I shall be glad to go on with it. I like to dream of attending some
future family reunion and as always, some cousin is going to say “Just what did become
of the book you all were talking about? Did it ever ‘get published?’ Think of the relief it
is going to be when we are able to say, “It is off the press right now and you may get your
copy any time!”
Insert logo / coat of arms of Pickens……
Once, at family gathering, when the publication by the association was beginning
to seem pretty doubtful, my Dad remarked to a cousin, when I was unwilling
eavesdropper, “ I don’t believe this thing will go through unless one person takes charge
and does it by himself. If Kate would ever just put her mind to it, I believe she could get
it published!”
Dad isn’t here to see it, along with so many of the others, but I hope he
understands that Kate did finally put her mind to it and has done the best she could!
-oPICKENS
(The Coat-of-Arms described)
He Beareth Arms: Found in Burke’s General Armory, Scotland.
Azure, Six plates argent; crest, A demi-lion, rampant argent.
Translated into non-Heraldic terms: A blue (azure) shield with six silver plates
arranged in 3, 2, 1, beginning at the top.
The demi-lion rampant issuing from the wreath of the two main colors of shield,
silver and blue.
Metal is always named first in wreath, alternating with the color.
The plate or silver round denotes generosity. The demi-lion or one half of the lion
means the same as the whole animal. The lion always held a high place in Heraldry as
the emblem of deathless courage.
Guillien speaking of the lion says: “It is he likely image of a good soldier, who
must be valiant of courage, strong of body, polite in council and foe to fear.” It is the
emblem of St. Marks.
Colors are personal characteristics granted to the bearer only on merit.
Blue signifies loyalty; silver sincerity and peace.
Chapter One
PICKENS
Containing the Origin of the Pickens Name, and Traditions Concerning the
Emigration to America.
-o(The following “Genealogical and Historical Sketch” of THE PICKENS FAMILY was
prepared by the Media research Bureau of Washington, D.C.)
The name Pickens is believed by some authorities to have been a variant of the
ancient Saxon name of Piggin or Piggins which was probably derived from a nickname
for Richard.
Other authorities claim, however, that it had its origin in the word “Piccen” in the
Lowland Scotch dialect, and was first used as a name in the ninth century.
The word Piccen they claim, seems to have implied making sharp; to sharpen; as
a lance or spear or other pointed instrument.
Similar words used in other languages or dialects would probably be: AngloSaxon, Pycan, Dutch, Pikken; German, Picken; Danish, Pikker; Swedish, Picka; Celtic’
Picc and Welsh, Pigo. In Scotland the name Piccen developed into Picken, and in
America it is the same as in Scotland with the “s” added.
At any rate, the name is found on the ancient British records in the various forms
of Piggin, Piggins, Pickings, Picking, Piggyn, Piggyns, Pickying, Pycings, Pickin,
Pickins, Picken and Pickens. The last mentioned is that most generally accepted in
America today.
Families of this name were to be found at early dates in various parts of Scotland
and in the English counties of Norfolk, London, Northumberland, Worcester and Lincoln,
and were, for most part, of the landed gentry and yeomanry of Great Britain.
It is not definitely known from which of the many illustrious lines of the family in
Great Britain the first emigrants of the name of America descended, but it is generally
believed that the greater number of them were either from Scotland or Ireland.
Possibly the first of the name in America was Thomas Picken or Pickens, who is
said to have come from Ireland about 1719, and to have settled first at Plymouth,
Massachusetts, whence he later removed to Middleborough, in the same colony. He is
claimed to have married one Margaret Steel and to have been the father by her in Ireland
of Jane, Andrew and James, as well as of Martha, John, Margaret and Thomas in
Massachusetts. It is from this line that many of the Pickens families of America are
believed to have been descended.
Another branch of the family is said to have settled in the South, but its records
ARE MOST INCOHERENT. * Of this line, General Andrew Pickens of South Carolina
is said to have been born in 1739 and to have been married in 1765, one Rebecca
Calhoun; and in the later eighteenth century one Alexander Pickens was living in
Highland County, Va., and probably had issue by his wife, Sarah, of Alexander, Rachel
and Mary.
The descendants of these and probably other branches of the family in America
have spread to practically every state of the Union and have added much to the growth of
the country as their ancestors aided in the founding of the nation. They have been noted
for their energy, industry, integrity, piety, perseverance, fortitude, resourcefulness,
initiative, patience, loyalty and courage.
*- The following letter is self explanatory:
September 30, 1948
Mrs. Ben T. Day
124 North B. Street
Easley, South Carolina
Dear Mrs. Day:
In the pressure of work I have been delayed in writing you this week in reference
to the family registers which you so kindly loaned to me when I saw you in Easley,
I find these volumes not only intensely interesting, but I feel that they are of
incalculable value as well. I am simply appalled at the amount of work and effort that
must have been required to bring them to their present expanded coverage.
I was able to obtain new folders, which I hope will be serviceable, and to transfer
the sheets as they were. I reinforced the sheets, too, in the hope they will remain firmly
in the binders.
It is now about 28 years ago that my mother mentioned to me one day her desire
to more clearly learn of the members of her family who had resided in South Carolina.
She was able to trace the line back only to her great grandmother, and she did not know
exactly where the family home had been in South Carolina.
This was probably due to the two branches in North and South Carolina having
gotten very far apart during the Civil War, and failing to reestablish contacts. The
records in your hands are the first clear records that I have ever found that establish
definitely the connection between the two branches. I am sorry that I could not have
found these books before my mother’s death several years ago; she had a very great
interest in the matter.
When I have some time available, it is my intention to make a search of some of
the abundant records in the Library of Congress, and see what else can be learned of the
residence of the Pickens brothers in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, when they first came to
this country, and, if possible, uncover their marriage records there. If these records are
not available here, I think the Pennsylvania Historical Society in Philadelphia will have
something on them.
Also, when I am in Frederick, Maryland, again, I want to look at the old land
records there and see if there is a notation of the acres on which Robert Pike Pickens
lived before his removal to the Waxhaw Settlement in North Carolina.
Until this recent trip down there, I have never known where it was in Maryland
that he resided, nor did I know that he was one of the brothers who did not go direct from
Bucks County to Augusta County, Virginia.
As I am able to develop any new material, I will transcribe it and send to you, so
that you may incorporate it in your records. You probably have the most complete record
now that is available, and it will certainly increase greatly in value as the years go along.
I shall be glad to have any suggestions that you may have in relation to checking
into records here, or mention of specific things that are worth looking up. There is
abundant information on the family and activities of General Pickens, but apart from
some old histories on the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, I have not found
anything on Robert Pike Pickens, or his son, Captain Robert Pickens.
With all good wishes, and thanking you for your kindness, I am,
Sincerely yours,
B.C. CLARKE
1499 Irving Street Northwest
Washington, D.C.
A PRETTY LITTLE FAMILY TRADITION
After years of earnest effort trying to locate early Pickens family history, we are
convinced that traditions, which to a great extent must be depended on for information,
are in some respects and in many cases conflicting.
(Furnished by Robert Welborn Pickens)
In some parts of the country, especially in South Carolina, there is a pretty little
tradition that the Pickens families are descendants of French Huguenots. Those who
make this claim are divided in their opinion as to the name of the original pioneer
Huguenot, some saying it was Robert; others that it was Andrew. However, Robert
seems to be favored by the majority and one family historian gives the date of his birth
about 1654.
According to this tradition, Robert (or Andrew) Pickens was living in France,
when the Edict of Nantes was revoked October 22, 1685, and held a very responsible
position in French courts. He had married a widow, Madame Esther Jane Bonneau, who
was a Huguenot with deep convictions. She was said to have had a strong personality
and to have possessed unusual beauty. When the Edict of Nantes was so unwisely and
unjustly revoked the persecution of Protestants in France became so severe that several
hundred thousand inhabitants were forced to leave their native land and seek safety in
other countries, all because they refused to renounce their religious convictions.
The high position of Robert (or Andrew) Pickens in the French courts gave him
and his wife every inducement to remain in France, but being consistent Huguenots, they
preferred to flee from their home and escaped by way of La Rochelle on the west coast.
They went first to Scotland and after a short sojourn there moved to Ireland.
Their religious and political situation in Ireland at that time gives strong evidence
that the home must have been in the northern section of the country, although some claim
that they have settled at Limerick on the River Shannon. It was in Ireland that the three
sons of the Huguenot who came to America were born and the names of these sons wee
Andrew, John and Robert Pickens.
The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, a comparatively recent
work, gives the name of the French Huguenot as Andrew in the following language.
“Andre (Pickon) Pickens, a Huguenot, escaped from France thence to Scotland,
then went to Ireland, from whence his sons, Andrew and Robert Pike Pickens, came to
Paxton, Pa.”
FROM FRANCE
In 1686, Rev. Elias Prioleau, a Huguenot minister of Pons, France emigrated to
South Carolina, landing at Charleston, S.C. He brought with him a considerable portion
of his Protestant congregation, and it was at this time that the ancestor of a prominent
South Carolina family by the name of Bonneau removed from France to South Carolina.
According to tradition this Bonneau family was closely connected with the widow, Esther
Jane Bonneau, who married the Huguenot Robert (or Andrew) Pickens.
It has been traditionally stated that Mr. Bonneau brought with him a portrait of
Madam Esther Jane Bonneau, and that this portrait was placed on exhibition at an
exposition held at Charleston a few years ago, as a portrait of the ancestress of THE
PICKENS FAMILY. (As yet this statement has not been verified) Exekiel Pickens, son
of General Andrew Pickens, married a descendant of Mr. Bonneau.
THE SCOTCH-IRISH TRAIL
There is also a claim among some members of THE PICKENS FAMILY that the
pioneers came from Scotch-Irish ancestry, and since the genealogy has never been traced
into the old country, it would not be fair to those who believe thus it were not mentioned
here.
When James VI of Scotland became king of England as James I in 1603, he found
the kingdom under Protestant rule. About the second year of his reign the Earle of
Tyrone in Northern Ireland formed a conspiracy against him, expecting to get help from
France or Spain, but the plot was discovered in time to prevent its execution. The large
interests of these leaders in the province of Ulster then reverted to the crown. Other
unsuccessful Irish rebellions followed one after the another, until the whole province of
Ulster containing six counties and embracing about half a million acres came into
possession of the king. King James determined to settle these vacant lands with colonists
from protestant Scotland and England, hoping that they would disseminate their faith
among the Irish people. Thus the colonists, a large body of them being from the lowlands
of Scotland settled these lands and carried with them the morals, industries, habits and
customs of the Scotch and English Protestants.
The time went on during the reign of Charles II, the Test Act was passed. This
penal legislation while aimed at the Catholics, practically disfranchised the settlers, who
for the most part were Presbyterian adherents. This was especially resented by the
Covenanters and they emigrated to America in large numbers, landing at the port of
Philadelphia. Our Pickens pioneers who came to America were among these Scotch-Irish
settlers, lived with them in Pennsylvania and Virginia and ultimately in South Carolina.
In Scotland the characteristics of the Picken family almost parallel those of THE
PICKENS FAMILY in America. A genius sarcasm that is reputed to have made one
Andrew unpopular with his Scotch neighbors seems to have aided his fame in London.
Another Andrew was a famous author.
A talent for literature and art was evidenced in several members of the family in
Scotland and one or two became distinguished for lithographic art.
In Scotland we have.
ANDREW BELFRAGE PICKEN, son of Ebenezer Picken, born November,
1808. He was a poet of note.
JOANNA BELFRAGE PICKEN, daughter of Ebenezer Picken , born Edinburg,
Scotland, May 1798. She was called the “Poet of Parsley.”
ANDREW PICKEN, a Scottish writer of fiction, born at Parsley in 1788 and died
in 1883. One of his best known and most popular books “The Dominie’s Legacy.”
Also in England:
ROGER PICKYN a rector in 1386 of Billingsford, England (An early example of
the name).
ANTHONY PICKEN, in Oxford University as early as 1575.
Chapter Two
Thomas Stays in New England, William Pennsylvania. Leaving This First
Settlement In Pennsylvania, Williams’ Sons Choose Virginia and the Carolinas.
Records Given to Substantiate the Moves.
WHO CAME TO AMERICA?
THOMAS PICKENS as before mentioned, with his wife, Margaret Steele,
emigrated to America in 1719, and landed in Mass. They had seven children, three of
whom were born before coming to America and four afterwards.
A correspondent in Pennsylvania, giving the names of the Pickens pioneers, says
that the names if “William Peckens eyn hausfrau” and “Israel Pecken eyn Hausfrau”
appear on a list of “New Comers from Eerlandt” received by certificate at the
Presbyterian church of Bensalem and Neshaminy in 1720. This church was located in
Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Quoting Bolton’s SCOTCH IRISH PIONEERS we find:
In 1722 the Neshamy (Neshaminy) (Church) records (Penne) give the names of
people from Eerlandt (Ireland) who were admitted by certificate, viz.:
“WILLIAM PICKENS and wife, MARGARET.
“Several other Pickenses.
“ISRAEL PICKENS.”
From the above records we have proof that WILLIAM PICKENS and his wife,
MARGARET came to Pennsylvania before April in the year 1720.
They had, among their children, six sons, all of whom were born in Ireland, and in 1740,
when there was a large movement of Scotch-Irish immigrants from Pennsylvania to
Virginia, these boys, or most of them, were among them.
We do not have the record of the dates of their births, but their names were as follows :
ANDREW PICKENS who married Nancy (or Ann) Davis.
ROBERT PICKENS who married Miriam ------------------.
ISRAEL PICKENS who married Martha -------------------.
WILLIAM PICKENS who married Ann Scott, a widow.
JOHN PICKENS who married Eleanor ----------------------.
GABRIEL PICKENS who married Zerubiah -----------.
This book is a partial record of the descendants of these six Scotch-Irish lads who make
up the list of what we call OUR PIONEERS. (See records of Augusta County, Virginia,
Rockbridge County, Virginia and Cabarrus County, North Carolina for transactions
pertaining to them.)
-oThe above statement in no way conflicts with the “traditions” which claim that the three
brothers, Andrew, Robert and John came over from Ireland. It simply seems to prove
that old William and Margaret had six sons, instead of three, when they came to America.
-oFROM PENNSYLVANIA TO VIRGINIA
In 1716 Governor Spotswood, of the Colony of Virginia, and some of his staff crossed
the Blue Ridge Mountains, and formally “took possession for King George, the First, of
England, “that part of the country West of the Mountains.”
The Colony of Virginia East of the mountains had been settled long before this,
but the border of the new territory lay along the Indian frontier, and was uninhabited save
by the savages. The present counties of Frederick and Augusta were in the new territory.
The first white settler in what is now Augusta County was John Lewis, who
settled near the Twin Mountains, Betsy Bell and Mary Gray, in the summer of 1732. The
Governor of the Colony of Virginia offered special privileges and greatly encouraged that
hardy and brave race of people known to us as the Scotch-Irish to settle here mainly
because he wanted to build up a storage protection for the East side of the mountains
against the Indians.
The Scotch-Irish took advantage of the special inducements offered them, and the
territory filled up rapidly. On November 1st, 1733, the General Assembly of the Colony
of Virginia passed an act establishing the counties of Frederick and Augusta, but these
counties did not formally organize until 1745.
Israel Pickens, Andrew Pickens, John Pickens and probably William Pickens and
Gabriel Pickens moved from Pennsylvania to Augusta County, Virginia about 1740 along
with the Scotch-Irish, settlers who also moved from Pennsylvania. Robert Pickens
probably settled in Frederick about the same time.
On October 30th, 1745, Governor Gooch issued the commission for Augusta
County to organize, and on the 9th of December the same year, this was done. Andrew
Pickens and John Pickens were named among the first justices, and assisted in organizing
the county government and the courts.
The County of Augusta covered all the territory now embraced in the States of
Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and nearly all of West Virginia. What is now the city of
Staunton was called “Beverly Mill Place.”
RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA
1742 – Vol. II, p. 508. MUSTERS OF AUGUSTA CO. supposed to have been
made in 1742. GABRIEL PICKENS in the company of Captain John Smith. John
Ramsey and Robert Poag in same company.
1745 – February 11, ANDREW PICKENS signed bond for James Knox as
guardian for Ann Jenney Usher.
1745. – December 9th, Records.
Order Book No. 1.
County Court formed, and among the first Justices are the names of JOHN
PICKENS and ANDREW PICKENS.
1745. – December 10th, 1745 JOHN PICKENS appointed Road Overseer. John
Rusk appointed Constable “vice ANDREW PICKENS,” Capt. Wilson’s Company.
1745/46. – ANDREW PICKENS, Peter Schoot and Richard Wood recommended
for Coroner. – ANDREW PICKENS to act until appointment. Same date ANDREW
PICKENS, Administrator of Joseph Martin.
1746. – ANDREW PICKENS appointed to take deposition.
1746. – March 10th, 1746, JOHN PICKENS was appointed Sheriff.
1746. – July 19th, 1746, Robert Patterson and James Allen were appointed to
view road from JOHN PICKENS’ Mill to Lower Meeting House.
1746. – August 20th, ANDREW PICKENS one of committee to report on “Road
from top of North Mountain.”
1747. – May 20th, ANDREW PICKENS, “Gent” to William Baskins, for 212 A,
40 L. current money of Virginia. – Acknowledged and dower released by Elinor, his
wife.
1747. – JOHN PICKENS surety for wife of Andrew Mitchell, executrix Samuel
Cunningham. ELIZABETH PICKENS’ name mention in lawsuit over land.
1747. – Vol. X, p. 29. Road from JOHN PICKENS’ mill to lower meeting house
opened. Page 3. JOHN PICKENS appointed Road Overseer.
1748. – June 23rd. JOHN PICKENS BOUGTH 400 A.S. side of South River
near the land he bought of Samuel Davidson, and 400 A. near the land he bought from
Dotty, also of South of River.
1748. – Vol. II., p.414, JOHN PICKENS in list of delinquents, marked in not
found.
1749. – ISRAEL PICKENS died.
1749. – Feb. 28th, Deed JOHN PICKENS to Robert Clauncey for 200 A., on
Middle River, Beverly Manor.
1749. – March 22nd ANDREW PICKENS appraised land for Andrew Martin.
ANDREW PICKENS signed petition.
1749. – August 16th 1748, JOHN PICKENS bought 400 acres, Hamilton’s old
place, and 400 acres between John Kerr and John Carr.
1749. – Oct. 23rd, Land entry Book No. 1, Augusta County, James Claypool
200, near Cedar Branch, “Joining WILLIAM PICKENS’ survey. Vol. LL., p. 377.
1749/50. – ANDREW PICKENS served on Committee of the Court.
1751. – November 27th, Elizabeth and Catherine King choose JOHN PICKENS
as their guardian.
1750/1. – Eo Die GABRIEL PICKENS had 100 acres of land to Howell’s
Branch, March 18th 1750/1.
1752. – Vol. I, p. 440 Petition of William Ramsey to build mill where ISRAEL
PICKENS’ or Galloway’s Mill was – it being on Mill Creek, near North River, in
Burden’s land lately bought by Ramsey.
1752. – Vol. III. P. 312, JOHN PICKENS and ELINOR, his wife deed to
Anthony Stocker of King George, bought Beverly, February 27th, 1740, and Robert Poag;
adjoining land sold to William Baskins.
1752. – Vol. I, p. 321 WILLIAM PICKENS married widow of Samuel Scott of
Augusta, who died in 1749.
1754. – March. John Smith vs. JOHN PICKENS, motion to Judgment obtained
in Orange County, Va., 1743.
1754. – October 9, 1754, JOHN PICKENS and ELINOR, his wife, convey 300
A. on Christian’s Creek, bought by JOHN PICKENS of Beverly at the fork of Long
Meadow Run, and Christian’s Creek to Wm. Bell.
1754. – November 21. Page 312, JOHN PICKENS removed out of County.
1755. – Vol. II p. 416. GABRIEL PICKENS Constable.
1756. – John Scott to JOHN PICKENS, Mtge. On 400 A. on Cub Run,
witnessed by Arnold Kuster and WILLIAM PICKENS.
1761. – May 21st John McDonald was bound to keep peace towards JOHN
PICKENS.
1765. – March 1765, MARGARET PICKENS gone to Carolina.
1765. – WILLIAM and THOMAS PICKENS signed a petition for road from
Court House to Conenant’s Road.
1768. - August 4th.
ABRAM OICKENS.
Aaron Oliver’s will to Daughter Ann Pickens, Attest:
1786. – Letter of a JOHN PICKENS to Col. Stuart, dated Holston, 17th
September, 1786, mentions his father-in-law as John Hanna.
FROM THE HISTORY OF ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA
List of Tax Payers in 1782, gives names of two JOHN PICKENS’ as having paid
taxes. The first was assessed to pay on one horse, and the other to pay on two horses.
Processioned by Cornelius Ruddle, David Robeson; for WILLIAM PICKENS, et
al., page 457, Vol. II, Abstracts of Records of Augusta County, Virginia.
Processioned by Abraham Bird, Daive Robinson: viz. For WILLIAM PICKENS,
et al.,
(Processioning: A term used to denote the manner of ascertaining the boundaries
of land, as provided by the laws of Virginia. The term is also used in North Carolina and
Georgia.)
TO THE CAROLINAS
COL. ANDREW PICKENS moved to South Carolina from Virginia about 1750
and settled at the Waxhaws in upper South Carolina. On October 1st, 1751 he was
allowed a grant of eight hundred acres of land. The deed for this tract is recorded at
Wadesboro, the county seat of Anson County, North Carolina. About fifty other grants
were made on the same date, which indicates how fast the settlements were growing.
JOHN PICKENS moved from Augusta County, Va., to South Carolina leaving
Augusta County on October 21st 1754. He lived in Craven County and in 1767 was
living in Granville County which had been cut off from Craven. Craven and Granville
Counties are both now extinct.
ROBERT PICKENS moved to South Carolina, and when he did so went by way
of Augusta County, Va. And a brother moved south with him. Tradition says he spent
about six weeks at Augusta County settlement which gave the brother time to get ready to
move. This appears to have been in October 1754, and Robert Pickens and John Pickens
went to the south at the same time.
Records in North Carolina show that other members of the family moved south
and settled in North Carolina at about the same time.
COURT RECORDS OF CABARRUS COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina was cut off from Anson County in 1760.
A grant of 101 acres of land was made to William Pickens in 1767. This land is
located in what is now Cabarrus County. This deed having been made before Cabarrus
County was cut off from Mecklenburg, the deed is recorded at Charlotte, in Mecklenburg
County Court House.
Cabarrus County was cut off from Mecklenburg County in 1791.
1797 – May 20th, 1797, Hugh Pickens bought his first land of one hundred acres,
from John Simonds.
180- o - William Pickens made his will in 1800 and left his property to his wife
Elizabeth, (who in her will dated in 1818 mentions her brother, James Black) during her
life time, except five pounds to be given to the oldest son of his brother Samuel Pickens, “my nephew, James.”
1808 – On June 6th 1808 Samuel Pickens deeded to James Pickens, son and heir
apparent, 165 acres in consideration of natural love and affection, for the better
maintenance, livelihood and support of said Samuel Pickens. This was called part of the
old Samuel Pickens’ lands and lies about three miles from Poplar Tent Church towards
the Mecklenburg line, and about ten or twelve miles from Rock River Church. The deed
was witnessed by William and Ibby Pickens.
181- o - March 1810, Hugh Pickens sold one hundred acres of land to Robert C.
Morrison. Deed witnesses by Alexander Pickens. This is the tract that Hugh Pickens
bought John Simonds May 20th, 1797.
181- o - November 26th, 1810 James Pickens bought from Samuel Pickens eleven
acres of land. Deed witnessed by Israel Pickens and Samuel Pickens, Jr.
1817 – August 23rd, 1817 William Pickens sold to Alexander Pickens 96 acres on
Clear Creek. Deed witnessed by Samuel and Elizabeth Pickens.
1818 – April 1818 Alexander Pickens sold one hundred and twenty six acres of
land to James Dickson, this being part of old William Pickens tract.
1826 – October 9th, 1826 Alexander Pickens sold to David Long, amount not
stated.
1828 – September 1828, Robert Pickens sold the tract of land to Edwin Harris
which Samuel Pickens deeded to James Pickens on June 6th, 1808.
The following marriage bonds are recorded in Cabarrus County, N.C.:
James Pickens to Mary Carson, June 23rd, 1808.
Samuel Pickens to Elenor Kilpatrick, February 4th, 1803.
Hugh Pickens to Polly Morris, April 25th,1800.
Lloyd A. Pickens to Jane Dickson, October 16th, 1826
Robert Pickens represented Cabarrus county in the House of Commons, (N.C.) in
1824 and 1826.
THE LONG CANE CREEK SETTLEMENT
THE Long Cane Creek Settlement was located at or near where the city of
Abbeville, S.C. now stands and was in the then Ninety Nine District. The first important
settlement was made in February 1756 by eight families, the majority of them by the
name of Calhoun.
When war broke out between the French and English settlers, the Cherokee
Indians of the upper part of South Carolina became allies of the English and went north
with them to Canada to fight the French. After Quebec surrendered in 1759, these
Indians marched back to their homes in Carolina. While passing through Virginia they
picked up some horses, such as came within their pathway belonging to the settlers. This
act enraged the settlers and they pursued the Indians, killing twelve of fourteen of their
number.
When the Cherokees reached their homes, some of the younger men of the tribe
sought revenge and they committed several outrages against South Carolinians as a
reprisal for what the Virginians had done to them. The white officials of the
Commonwealth of South Carolina retaliated and one thing led to another. It became
necessary for the Long Cane settlers to flee to the older and more thickly settled parts of
the country for refuge. Some went to Augusta some to the Waxhaws. On the first of
February 1760, when a part of these refugees were removing their families and effects to
Augusta they were attacked by the Cherokees in what is known as the Long Cane
Massacre and some fifty or sixty persons, mostly women and children, were killed. This
led to war with the Indians. The English authorities sent a regiment of soldiers, and
Governor Bull raised a thousand men in Carolina, and these under the command of Col.
Grant were sent to quell the uprising. Young Andrew Pickens, afterwards General
Andrew Pickens, was among these Carolina soldiers, and although only twenty one years
of age, was commissioned captain at that time.
Part of the family of Patrick Ezekiel Calhoun lost their lives in the long Cane
Massacre, but he with other members, including a daughter Rebecca, escaped to the
Waxhaw settlement, and there Rebecca met young Andrew Pickens, whom she later
married.
When the Long Cane settlers came back to their homesteads after the lapse of
almost two years, they brought considerable additions to their original numbers and
among these were some of our pioneer Pickens families. In the fall of that year (1763)
there was another Indian uprising and again several settlers were murdered. This time
they gathered themselves together in a fortified place in the community and the men
stood watch until the danger was passed. Captain Andrew Pickens was by now
demonstrating his ability as a leader in the defense against the Indians, and these
uprisings continued until after the Revolutionary was over.
Chapter Three
THE PICKENS FAMILY and the Revolutionary War. Their Numbers In the
Census of 1790. An Explanation Young Andrew was one of the bright stars in the Revolutionary War, and no
South Carolina historian attempts any account of the war without telling of the part he
played. As a general he was level headed, impartial and just. Although he was sent to
quell the Indian uprisings, they considered him a friend and he was most successful in his
negotiations with them.
Dr. A. L. Pickens, son of the centenarian Robert Welborn Pickens, is the author
of a book entitled “Skyagunsta” which gives interesting sidelights in the personal
character of General Pickens.
The Cherokee Indians gave him the name, the Skyagunsta, and their feeling for
him is well expressed in the following quotation “Children of Skyagunsta, Red Man’s
friend – more than welcome.”
General Pickens was also known as the “Wizard of Tanassee,’ this name having
its origin from the Cherokees.
These tributes from the Red Men certainly prove that the general was gifted in
dealing with others. He was most fair and wise in his treatment of the Indians even
though he was sent to quell more than one uprising and meted out stern justice when
circumstances called for it.
(Taken from ‘THE HISTORY OF EDGEFIELD COUNTY’ by J.A. Chapman).
General Andrew fought at Augusta and received the surrender of that place; he
fought at Ninety Six and was often before the celebrated Star Rebout. A brother of his
was killed there. Another brother was taken prisoner and delivered to the Tories. But,
indeed, all the garrison were tories, and they took him to Georgia and gave him to the
Indians, who burned him to death on a pile “of lightwood.”
General Pickens had chief command and gained a glorious victory over Colonel
Boyd at Kettle Creek. He had a command at Cowpens and gave General Morgan great
assistance in gaining that victory, he fought Colonel Pyle on Ham River and destroyed
his command of 300 men. He was shot from his horse by a ball at the battle of Eutaw
and was picked up as dead, but he recovered.
These and other services to the state and country mark him as one of the most
active, energetic and useful men of his time. He sat in the first County Court ever held at
the old Block Court House in Abbeville County.”
-o-
Serving in the army in South Carolina were General Pickens, Captain Joseph Pickens,
Captain John Pickens, Captain Robert Pickens, William Pickens, another Andrew
Pickens and, another William Pickens.
Heitman’s register of Officers of the Continental Army shows that Captain Joseph
Pickens was killed June 1781 at the siege of Ninety Six.
Historical Collections of South Carolina, Vol. 1 page 252 says: “ it is known that Captain
John Pickens, brother of General Andrew Pickens, after being taken prisoner by the
British, was delivered to the Indians to be tortured at the stake.”
CLAIMS AGAINST SOUTH CAROLINA GROWING OUT OF THE
REVOLUTION
South Carolina Revolutionary Soldiers were paid for their services by the
Commonwealth. These payments were made about 1785 and the following payments
were made to members of the Pickens families:
BOOK N TO W
No. 557, page 279. Pay Bill of Colonel Pickens, 1780 to 1783. (This was General
Andrew Pickens and was for supplies).
No. 630, page 289. Jonathan Pickens: Three Pounds, Seventeen Shillings one Pence for
two beaves for use of Militia, 1781 and 1782.
No. 632, page 289. William Pickens: 280 Pounds, 7 pence for duty in 79 and 80 per
account from Commissioners
No.634, page 290. For Estate of Joseph Pickens for 335 Pounds 18 Shillings sic pence,
for duty as Captain and for Wagon Master in 1779 and 1780. 29 August 1785.
BOOK R TO T
No. 190 Book S, page 136. Issued the 10 of June 1785 to Mr. Robert Pickens for Forty
four Pounds Nineteen Shillings and Three Pence farthing Sterling for Duty done in the
Militia as pr. Account Audited.
No. 191, Book S, page 136. Issued the 10 of June 1785 to Mr. Andrew Pickens for
Twenty four Pounds Eight Shillings and Six Pence three Farthings Sterling for duty done
in the Militia as pr. Account Audited. (Another Andrew Pickens).
No. 192, Book S, page 136. Issued the 10 of June to Mr. William Pickens for Seventeen
Pounds two Shillings and ten Pence farthing Sterling for duty done in the Militia as per
Account Audited.
No. 193, Book S, page 136. Issued the 10 of June 1785 to __________ For Estate to Mr.
John Pickens for Forty one Pounds Eight Shillings and Six Pence three farthings Sterling
for Duty done in the Militia and mare lost pr. Account audited.
(Note: General Andrew Pickens did not accept pay from the Commonwealth of South
Carolina for services rendered.)
THE CENSUS OF 1790
The first census of the United States was taken in 1790, and some interesting information
about the Pickens families is shown in the records of this census.
There were thirty-one heads of families, one hundred sixty five other members of
families, making one hundred and ninety six members of Pickens families, besides the
female members who had married and changed their names. The census enumerators
used various ways of spelling their name, and we find it spelled “Pickens, Pickin,
Picking, Pickins, and Picken.”
Families were located in different States as follows:
STATE
No. Families:
South Carolina ---------------------------North Carolina ---------------------------New York --------------------------------Pennsylvania -----------------------------Maryland ---------------------------------Virginia -----------------------------------
No. in Family:
11
4
3
10
2
1
79
25
22
53
7
10
The largest family was that of Israel Pickens, Pendleton, (now Anderson) County,
South Carolina, with thirteen in the family. The smallest family was that of William
Pickens, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, m with only two in the family. Fifty four
slaves were owned by different members of the family. The average size of family was
6.32. Two families were headed by females.
THE FOLLOWING RECORDS OF THE CENSUS REPORTS HAVE BEEN
SECURED:
Males Over Males
Female
16 Including Under 16 Including
Head
of Years
Head
of Slaves
Family
Family
ABBEVILLE COUNTY,
S.C.
Pickins, Jonathan
3
Pickins, Abraham
1
Pickins, Wm.
1
Pickins, Andrew
Pickins, Wm. G.
Pickins, Wm.
1
1
1
2
3
3
5
2
2
1
3
3
3
1
Pickins, Jno.
PENDLETON COUNTY,
S.C.
Pickens, Andrew, Esq.
Pickens, Elenor
Pickens, Israel
Pickens, Robert
MECKLENBURG
COUNTY, N.C.
Pickens, Capt. Samuel
Pickens, Wm.
Pickens, Wm.
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
N.Y.
Pickens, Wm.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.
Pickens, Andrew
SCHENECTADY TOWN,
N.Y.
Pickens, James
Pickens, James
CUMBERLAND
COUNTY,
PENN.,
(Eastern Part)
Pickens, John
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY, PENN.
Picken, John
YORK COUNTY, PENN.
Picking, John
Picking, Henry
Picking, Jacob
FAYETTE
COUNTY,
(BULLSKIN
TWONSHIP), PENN.
Pickings, John
MIFFLIN
COUNTY,
PENN.
Pickens, Samuel
LANCASTER COUNTY,
PENN.
(Elizabeth
Township)
Pickens, Thomas
CHARLES
COUNTY,
MD.
1
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
6
3
8
8
33
1
1
1
4
5
2
2
4
1
3
1
2
5
1
Males Over
16 Including
Head
of
Family
1
4
Males
Female
Under 16 Including
Years
Head
of Slaves
Family
2
2
2
2
4
4
1
5
1
1
2
3
2
1
1
4
1
5
3
3
1
5
1
3
1
3
1
2
3
7
5
Picking, Sarah
1
Picking, John
1
FREDERICK COUNTY
VA.
Picken, Sam. (Number in
Family 10)
1
1
2
1
There were possibly other families living in the West of the mountains of western
North Carolina and Virginia, as it is known that there was a James Pickens living in that
section in 1787.
AN EXPLANATION OF THE USE OF THE A, B, C.’s Etc.
As we begin now to follow our pioneers and their descendants through the
generations, we have catalogued them as A, B, C, and so on, hoping this will aid the
reader in keeping the lines clear.
Taking my own family connection as an example (because lineage is familiar
enough to me that there will not be such likelihood of errors.)
Emigrant from Ireland, Robert Pike Pickens had a son. (page 80)
Captain Robert Pickens, who had a son. (page 85)
Rev. Andrew Pickens, who had a son (page 119)
James Tarpley Pickens, who had a son. (page 121)
Francis Tarpley Pickens, who had a daughter (page 133)
Esther Katharine Pickens, (Day) who had a daughter. (page 134)
Esther Pickens Day (Moore). (page 134)
-oAt the close of this volume you shall find a number of blank pages, inserted for keeping
an individual family record. Example: I should add –
(G) Esther Pickens Day married Don L. Moore
Children: Donald Benjamin Moore, August 10, 1950
Margaret Penland Day married Victor Ball
Children:
Ann Katharine (Kathy) Ball, January 2, 1945
Esther Caroline Ball, May 9, 1948.
-oMore than one person has said, “Why don’t you bring the record up to date before it is
published?”
One instance of the work that would be involved: In 1930, my father and mother and
their eight children were living. Today, we as many others, have been through the
“Valley of Shadows” many times.
In February 1939, Hugh, the youngest brother died suddenly.
In December 1939, our father died, also suddenly.
In August 1942, Edith the third daughter, died leaving three small children.
In February 1949, my husband, Ben T. Day died.
In February 1950, our mother died.
Other changes in the family include the birth of five grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren. There have been six marriages. Multiply these notations by the several
hundred members who would be similarly affected and you can readily see the
impossibility of including that record.
The greater part of the material in this book is history and unchangeable and the passing
of time only tends to enhance is value, while the present generation has not yet completed
the record of its days.
Best of luck to some future historian who may attempt such a task!
D. ANDREW PICKENS, son of Ezekiel and Eliza Barksdale Pickens (second wife) was
married twice. First wife was Agnes Bell and it appears that they lived in Alabama as the
records of the Old Stone Presbyterian Church near Pendleton show that Andrew Pickens
and his wife Agnes Bell Pickens returned from Alabama and joined this church October
1841. Records of this church also show that Agnes Bell Pickens died February 10th, 1845.
The second wife of Andrew Pickens was Mary Boon, and it appears that after his second
marriage he continued to live near Pendleton, S.C. He was known as Major Andrew
Pickens.
The children of Andrew Pickens and his first wife, Agnes Bell Pickens were:
Ezekiel Pickens
Rebecca Pickens
E.
Eliza Pickens
E. EZEKIEL PICKENS, son of Andrew and Agnes Bell Pickens never married,
No further record.
E. REBECCA PICKENS, daughter of Andrew and Agnes Bell Pickens married
Captain Sally of Orangeburg, S.C.
E.
married.
ELIZA PICKENS, daughter of Andrew and Agnes Bell Pickens never
The children of Major Andrew Pickens and his second wife Mary Boon were:
E.
Andrew Calhoun
Mary Pickens.
Pickens, born November 18th, 1852
ANDREW CALHOUN PICKENS, son of Major Andrew Pickens and
Mary Boon Pickens was born near Pendleton, S.C. November 18th, 1852. After growing
to manhood he went to west, and became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South and in 1916 was Presiding Elder of Chocto District, East Oklahoma Conference.
He has served some of the best charges in his conference and has also served as a
missionary among the Indians. He married and raised a family but we have the name of
only one son.
F.
ANDREW JACKSON PICKENS, oldest son of Andrew and Margaret J.
Pickens was born October 30th, 1894, at Ardmore, Ind. T. and was a beautiful, blue eyed,
curly-headed boy. He died at Durant, Okla., May 4th, 1916.
-oD.
MARY BARKSDALE PICKENS, daughter of Ezekiel and Eliza Barksdale
Pickens, and granddaughter of General Andrew Pickens, married Robert Anderson, a
grandson of General Robert Anderson, and they had the following children :
E.
E.
Eliza Anderson,
Mary Anderson,
E.
Maria Anderson,
E.
Annie Anderson,
E.
Kizzie Anderson,
E.
Susan Anderson,
Pickens Anderson,
E.
Septima Anderson,
Robert Anderson,
E.
Kate Anderson,
Barksdale Anderson,
E.
Rosalee Anderson.
Records say they had fourteen children, but names of only twelve are given.
o–
ANN PICKENS, daughter of General Andrew and Floride Calhoun
Pickens, was born April 12th,1770. She married John Simpson and their children were:
Leah Simpson,
D.
Rebecca Simpson,
D.
Andrew Simpson,
D.
John Simpson,
D.
Ezekiel Simpson,
D.
James Simpson.
This family moved away and has been lost sight of.
C.
JANE PICKENS, daughter of General Andrew and Rebecca Calhoun
Pickens, was born November 9th, 1774 and married Dr. John Henry Miller, son of Rev.
Robert and Jane Pickens Miller. They moved to Mississippi, Issue:
D.
D.
D.
Robert Miller,
John Miller,
Eliza Miller.
For further records see Miller Family.
o–
C.
MARGARET PICKENS, daughter of General Andrew and Rebecca Calhoun
Pickens, was born July 13th, 1776, in what is now Abbeville county, South Carolina.
When she was about eight or ten years of age, her father, General Pickens, moved from
the Long Cane section of Abbeville county further up to the county towards the Blue
Ridge Mountains nearPendleton, S.C. and here she grew to womanhood.
Margaret Pickens, married Major George Bowie, a prominent citizen and successful
lawyer of Abbeville, S.C. They had only one child, a daughter.
D.
Louisa Augusta Bowie, born August 24th, 1801.
Major George Bowie was born in 1772.
Margaret Pickens Bowie died in 1830 and was buried at Valley Creek church, Dallas
county, near Selma, Alabama.
D.
LOUISA AUGUSTA BOWIE, daughter of Major George and Margaret Pickens
Bowie, was born August 24th, 1801 and died September 22nd , 1842, she was buried at
Valley Creek Prebyterian Church cemetery, about six miles north of Selma, Alabama.
She married Captain William Stephen Smith, of Charleston, S.C. Captain Smith was a
grandson of Landgrave Smith. Their children were:
William H. Smith,
E.
Andrew Pickens Smith,
E.
George Waring Smith.
The inscription on the flat slab of William Steven Smith, is as follows:
Sacred
TO THE MEMORY OF
LOUISA AUGUSTA SMITH
CONSORT OF WILLIAM S. SMITH
and only daughter of
George and Margaret Pickens Bowie.
Born in Abbeville, S.C., August 24, 1802.
Died in Dallas, Ala., September 22, 1842.
Aged 41 years and29 days.
Blessed with a pious education and early impressed with
the importance of Religion, she sought first the Kingdom
of Heaven. And as a member of the Presbyterian Church
she lived the life and died the death of the Righteous. As
a dutiful and devoted daughter, an affectionate and confiding wife, a tender and watchful mother, a consistent and
humble Christian, she was devoted while living _______.
And her life was crowned a ___________ full of patience,
fortitude, resignation and the hope of a blessed Immortality.
FRANCIS W. PICKENS, son of Governor Andrew Pickens, grandson of General
Andrew Pickens, himself Governor of South Carolina.
I would not live always: no welcome (the tomb)
Since Jesus as lain there I dread not (its gloom)
There, sweet be my rest, till He bid me (arise)
To hail him in triumph descending (the skies)
(Note: The above dashes indicate that part of the inscription which cannot be
deciphered. The acid from a nearby tree has ruined a portion of the slab.)
-o-
GOVERNOR ANDREW PICKENS
C.
ANDREW PICKENS, son of General Andrew and Rebecca Calhoun
Pickens, generally known in history as Governor Andrew Pickens, was born in what is
now Abbeville county, South Carolina, November 13th, 1779, and died June 24th, 1838.
During the war of 1812, he served in the United States army as colonel. In
December 1816, he was made governor of the State of South Carolina, and served one
term of two years. He lived a long and useful life, and was loved by many friends and
respected by all who knew him. He was buried in the Old Stone Church cemetery near
Pendleton, S.C.
His first wife who was Susan Smith Wilkinson, of Saint Paul’s Parish born
January 9, 1788, died January 28, 1810, daughter of Francis and Susan Wilkinson; was
descendant of John Morton, Governor General of South Carolina 1682-1685, who
married Eliza Blake. His second wife Mary Harrison, daughter of Benjamin Harrison of
Berkley, Virginia.
The children of Governor Andrew and Susan Wilkinson Pickens were:
Francis Wilkinson Pickens, born April 7, 1805.
Susan Pickens, born June 24th, 1808.
-oGOVERNOR FRANCIS PICKENS
D.
FRANCIS WILKINSON PICKENS, son of Governor Andrew Pickens
and Susan Wilkinson Pickens and grandson of General Andrew Pickens, was born April
7th, 1805, near Pendleton, S.C. and died January 25th, 1869.
After completing his education at the South Carolina College, in Columbia, S.C.,
he settled in Edgefield, where he became a distinguished citizen and lawyer, his law
partner being Eldred Simpkins.
Besides serving his local community in various ways, he represented his district
in Congress from 1834 to 1844. He afterwards represented his county in the State
Legislature, where he showed ability as a debater, especially during the nullification
excitement. He spoke and wrote much against the claim that Congress might abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia.
In 1858, Francis W. Pickens was appointed minister to Russia by President
Buchanan, and at St. Petesburg, he became a famous diplomat. In 1860, when the
secession excitement became very high in South Carolina, he returned to his native State.
On December 11th, 1860, after taking seven ballots, the State Legislature elected
him governor of South Carolina. On December 17th a convention of the people of the
State met in what became known as the Secession Convention, in the Baptist Church, in
Columbia, and on the next day the members of the convention met in Charleston and on
the 20th of December at noon, they assembled in St. Andrew’s Hall. At half past one
o’clock, Chancellor Inglis, of Chesterfield, stood up and read to the convention an
ordinance which had been written by Chancellor F.H. Wardlaw, which ordinance was
unanimously adopted, and at seven o’clock that evening all the members signed their
names to it.
Governor Pickens signed this ordinance as governor of the State and entered upon
the discharge of his duties as the first governor or president of the “Sovereign Nation”
which had come into existence through the action of this convention. With extraordinary
zeal and patriotic devotion, he served as governor for his term of two years until
December 1862, during which time he had to face unprecedented conditions brought
about by the war which followed the secession of South Carolina and other States, from
the United States.
After his term of office expired, Governor Pickens returned to his home, a grand
mansion known as Edgewood, and situated in the suburbs of Edgefield, S. C.
Besides being a brilliant lawyer and public servant of his State, Governor Pickens
was a successful planter of great wealth and before the war owned a number of slaves. He
was also popular in his State as a speaker before colleges and literary institutions.
When slavery was abolished, the negroes who had belonged to Governor Pickens
remained in his plantation with him and on the night before his death, he addressed the
negroes from a window, and told them to remain at Edgewood always and to see that his
wife was taken care of. They remained true to their trust.
Governor Francis Wilkinson Pickens was married three times. His first wife was
Margaret Eliza Simpkins, daughter of Eldred and Eliza Simpkins of Edgefield, S.C. His
second wife was Marion Dearing of Georgia and third wife was Lucy Holcombe.
The children of Governor Francis Wilkinson and Margaret Simpkins Pickens
were:
E.
Maria Simpkins Pickens,
E.
Anna Pickens,
E.
Eliza Pickens,
E.
Rebecca Pickens,
E.
Francis Pickens,
Susan Pickens,
E.
Eldred Pickens.
(Eldred Simpkins, father of Margaret Eliza Simpkins, was a prominent lawyer of
Edgefield, S.C., and was a law partner of Governor Francis W. Pickens. He represented
his district in Congress four years, at the end of which time he declined re-election.)
E.
MARIA SIMPKINS PICKENS, daughter of Governor Francis W. Pickens
and Margaret Eliza Simpkins Pickens married General Matthew C. Butler, a prominent
citizen of Edgefiled, February 21st, 1858. General Butler served throughout the
Confederate War as colonel in General Wade Hampton’s Legion of Calvary, and led his
men through a number of hard fought battles. He also represented his county and State in
several official positions. He was a member of the “Wallace House” of 1876.
o–
E.
ANNA PICKENS, daughter of Governor Francis W. Pickens and Margaret Eliza
Simpkins Pickens reached the age of young womanhood about the time the Confederate
War commenced. She went to Charleston and gave her time to tending the wounded and
cheering all with whom she came in contact. She lost her life April 23rd, 1864, and
following story of her death was published in a paper the following day:
THRILLING WAR INCIDENT
(Scene, Charleston 0 Time, April 23rd, 1864)
The Yankees from time to time threw a shell into the city, and nobody seemed to
mind it. But misfortune willed that yesterday a shell should throw the entire community
into mourning.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter of one of our former governors never consented
to leave the city. Despite the representation of General Beauregard, she remained braving
shells, and Greek fire, tending the wounded and cheering all with her presence. Among
the wounded officers under her care, was Mr. Andrew de Rochelle, a descendant of one
of the noblest Huguenots of this city. This young man was full of the liveliest gratitude
for her fair nurse; gratitude gave birth to a more tender sentiment; his suit was listened to;
Governor Pickens gave his consent, and the marriage was fixed for April 23rd, 1864.
Lieut. de Rochelle was on duty at Fort Sumter in the morning, and it was determined that
the ceremony should take place at the residence of Gen. Bonham at seven o’clock. At the
moment when the Episcopal clergyman was asking the bride if she was ready, a shell fell
upon the roof of the building, penetrating the room where the company was assembled,
burst and wounded nine persons, among them Miss Pickens.
The scene that followed cannot be described. Order being at last established, the
wounded were removed with the exception of the bride who lay motionless on the carpet.
He betrothed leaning and bending over her, was weeping bitterly, and trying to staunch
the blood that flowed from her terrible wound under the left breast. A surgeon came, and
declared that Miss Pickens could not live but two hours. We will not paint the general
despair.
When the wounded girl recovered her consciousness she asked to know her fate,
when they hesitated to tell her. “Andrew,” she said, “I beg you to tell me the truth; if I
must die, I can die worthy of you.” The young soldier’s tears were his answer, and Miss
Anna, summoning all her strength attempted to smile. Nothing could be more heartrending than to see the agony of this brave girl struggling in the embrace of death, and
against a terrible mortal pain.
Gov. Pickens, whose courage is known, was almost without consciousness and
Mrs. Pickens looked upon her child with dry haggard eyes of one whose reason totters.
Lieut. de Rochelle was the first to speak. “Anna,” he cried, “ I will die soon too,
but I would have you now die my wife. There is yet time to unite us.”
The young girl did not reply. She was too weak. A slight flush rose for an instant
to her pale cheek, it could be seen that joy, and pain were struggling in her spirit of
mastery. Lying upon a sofa her bridal dress all stained with blood, her hair disheveled,
she had never been more beautiful. Helpless as she was, Lieut. de Rochelle took her hand
and requested the Rev. Dr. Dickerson to proceed with the ceremony. When it was time
for the dying girl to say yes, her lips parted several times, but she could not articulate. At
last the word was spoken, and a slight foam rested upon her lips. The dying agony was
near. The minister sobbed as he proceeded with the ceremony. An hour afterwards all
was over, and the bridal chamber was the chamber of death.”
(Note- A pretty romance, but it is said by some that it is not a true story.)
E.
ELIZA SMITH PICKENS, daughter of Governor Francis W. Pickens and
Margaret Eliza Simpkins Pickens, born 1833 and died 1895, married Dr. Stricker Coles.
Information here is not complete but is said that they had children as follows:
Marion Pickens Coles,
F.
Julia Stricker Coles,
F.
John Stricker Coles.
F.
MARION PICKENS COLES, daughter of Dr. Stricker and Eliza Pickens
Coles is the wife of Stewart Phinizy.
F.
JULIA STRICKER COLES, daughter of Dr. Stricker and Eliza Pickens
Coles married John L. Stoval. She died in 1913.
F.
JOHN STRICKER COLES, son of Dr. Stricker and Eliza Pickens Coles
married Helen Iredell Jones.
o–
REBECCA PICKENS, daughter of Gov. Francis W. and Margaret Eliza
Simpkins Pickens, married John E. Bacon in St. Petersburg, Russia. Mr. Bacon was
secretary to the legation at court while Francis W. Pickens was minister to Russia. They
had the following children:
F.
Eliza Bacon,
F.
John E. Bacon,
Francis Pickens Bacon.
-o-
F.
FRANCIS PICKENS BACON, son of John E. and Rebecca Pickens
Bacon is living in Tryon, N.C., and is a prominent citizen there. He is serving as state
senator from his home county. He married Miss Anna Livingston Mines of New York
City, who died in 1930.
-oE.
FRANCIS PICKENS, son of Gov. Francis W. and Margaret Eliza
Simpkins Pickens, died young and was buried in the Simpkins graveyard at Edgefield
county, S.C.
E.
ELDRED PICKENS, son of Gov. Francis W. and Margaret Eliza
Simpkins Pickens died in childhood and was buried in the Simpkins graveyard in
Edgefield county, S.C.
E.
SUSAN PICKENS, daughter of Gov. Francis W. and Margaret Eliza
Simpkins Pickens of Edgefield, S.C., has never been located by the writer.
-oThe only child, a daughter of Gov. W. and Marion Dearing Pickens was:
E.
Jeannie Pickens.
E.
JEANNIE PICKENS, daughter of Gov. Francis W. and Marion Dearing
Pickens, married Mitchell Whaley.
D.
Governor Francis Wilkinson Pickens and his third wife, Lucy Holcombe,
were married just before he left the United States as Minister to Russia in 1858. Some
historians tell us that Lucy Holcombe was a “Texan beauty,” while others say that she
was a Kentucky girl. However all agree that she was a beautiful and accomplished
woman. Francis W. Pickens and his wife were both very popular at the court of the Czar
of Russia.
While at St. Petersburg, their only child, a daughter, was born, and she has always
been known as :
E.
Douschka Pickens.
It is said that Douschka in the Russian language means “little darling” and was
only a pet name. Some historians give her real name as Eugenia Olga Nova, after the
Duchesses Olga and Nova, her Russian god mothers, while others give her name as
Franceska.
The following is taken from a Chicago, III, newspaper:
ROMANTIC CAREER OF DOUSCHKA PICKENS
IS VIVIDLY RECALLED.
HOW THE PET OF AN EMPRESS BECAME LEADER OF
THE RED ROBED “KU KLUX KLAN”
CHICAGO, ILL., SATURDAY - Up from the Lone Star State there came to
Chicago last week a picturesque citizen of Dallas, Texas, formerly a residence of
Nacogdoches, with the romantic story of the life of Douschka Pickens at his tongue’s
end. This visiting Texan was former Brigadier General George F. Alford, Confederate
soldier, Indian fighter, legislator and capitalist.
There is, perhaps no person living who knows so well the story of the life of the
daughter of South Carolina’s war governor, for General Alford was himself once a
sweetheart and school mate of the mother of Douschka Pickens.
During all the years of her life this “Child of South Carolina” was not at once lost
sight of by the stern Texan who wrote verses to her, championed her wit and her beauty
at banquet and in legislative hall, and now accredits himself her historian by right.
General Alford tells the story of how the child, Douschka Pickens, fired the first shot of
the Civil War, but no less interesting is his recital of the story of the grandeur
surrounding her christening, of her part in one of the saddest and most tragic marriages of
war times and her bravery as a leader of the notorious Ku Klux Klan.
From the time of her birth, in the palace of the Romanoffs, until her death and
burial beneath the great oaks of Edgefield, S.C., Douschka Pickens had a marvelous
career amid the glamour and glitter of European courts, in the war stricken cities of the
Palmetto State and amid the bleak and devastated estates that had been scourged by
contending armies.
Born in the imperial palace of the Russian Tsar, christened by an Empress, made
the idol of a hundred diplomats, this child later touched the fuse to the artillery that
boomed for four years throughout Dixie, and when the war was over and the armies were
disbanded she became one of the leaders who toiled to solve the perilous problems of the
post-bellum days.
To tell the story of the life of Douschka Pickens it is necessary to go back to
Nacogdoches, Texas, that wonderful Southern town that sent out into the world so many
people of such varied interests and abilities. Within calling distance in Nacogdoches there
lived before the war, an interesting company of young people. Tom Ochiltree, the redheaded raconteur and von vivant, sauntered through the streets. Adelade McCord, who
became known throughout the world as Adah Isaacs Menkin, the Mazeppa, began her
conquests there. It was the home of General Sam Houston, the greatest of all Texans.
There lived in the town too, Lucy Holcomb, the most beautiful woman in the State.
GENERAL ALFORD’S STORY
Here begins the story told by General Alford. It is best told in his own words. It
was with great reluctance that he recited that part of the story which deals with his own
name and has not been heretofore made known.
“I was one of the Argonauts that was enticed by the dreams of fortune to the gold
fields of Califonia,” he said. “When I left Texas I went with purpose of enriching myself
and then returning to wed Lucy Holcomb the belle of Texas. I remained in California for
some time; went thence to Panama, and from there down to the western coast of South
America. I knew I was expected home, but the fever adventure led me on, and I delayed
my return for some months.
“In the meantime Lucy Holcomb had become the belle of the South. She
infatuated all who beheld her. Once when she was visiting the family of the famous
Governor, John A. Quitman, at the Missississipi capital, she captivated the entire State
Legislature, and when she departed for New Orleans the General Assembly adjourned
and went with her. Afterwards she was married to the brilliant Colonel Frank Pickens of
South Carolina.
“From the time I left for California I saw her no more as Lucy Holcomb. When I
returned she was Mrs. Pickens, and it was not long before I, too, married. I first met her
again at President Buchanan’s inauguration, where she was the most petted and
patronized of all the beauties in Washington.
“President Buchanan appointed Colonel Pickens Minister to Russia, and there the
beautiful Southern girl became the court favorite. The Empress delighted in her society,
and the women of all legations gave way for the captivating American. Later she was
taken to the imperial palace of the Romanoffs, and there in May 1858, was born the child
that was destined to figure so strangely in history.
“The Tsaritza claimed the privilege of being godmother to the infant. When the
day came for the christening all the grandeur of the Russian court was brought into play.
Invitations were sent to the representatives of all the foreign nations. The company was
the most illustrious that ever assembled for a similar purpose in the history of the world.
When the officiating dignitary of the church asked the Tsaritza, ‘What shall be the
name of this child?’ she replied:
“Her name shall be Douschka.”
The English for Douschka is ‘sweet little darling.’ But as is the Russian custom,
several additional names were given to the child, and she was christened Douschka Olga
Nova Franceska Eugenie Dorothea Pickens. The first of the series of thenames was the
one by which she was ever known.
FIRED FIRST SHOT OF THE WAR
“During the campaign of 1860, Pickens was nominated as candidate for Governor
of his State, and on the day Abraham Lincoln was elected President, Pickens was elected
Chief Executive of South Carolina of which his father had previously been Governor. He
left the Russian court and brought his wife and little daughter to America, but the Russian
royal family never forgot the little Douschka, and upon each birthday she received from
Tsar Alexander II, a bewildering array of costly gifts, a custom which was continued by
the present Tsar until the death of the beautiful woman a few years ago.
“In Carolina Douschka, a mere tot, became as great a favorite as she had been
among the splendid Russians, civil and military officers worshipped the child, and it was
universal love for her that made her historically, the leading young woman of the State
and of the South.
“When the days grew darker and darker, and it was seen that the war could not be
prevented, the Conferates at Charleston prepared for the conflict. The federals occupied
Fort Sumter, and General Beauregard made every preparation to defend the city. When it
was finally decided that he should bombared the federal fort he invited Governor Pickens
to inspect the garrison and witness the inception of hostilities. The Governor visited the
forts and gunboats, and took with him his wife and child, Douschka. All the guns were in
readiness for the first fatal shot which was to rend the nation in fractricidal strife.
When the Governor had visited all parts of the garrison, General Beauregard
picked up the goldenhaired, blue eyed little girl and petted her for a moment. Then he
placed a burning match in her tiny baby fingers and held her until she touched the fuse of
a cannon. Thus the child, at the tender age of three, born in the Russian palace, the pet of
nobility of all the nations and the daughter of the great war governor, fired the first gun
of the greatest war of modern times.
“After the first shot the artillery boomed for hours, but the child and her mother
had been taken to a place of safety. It is not necessary to deal further with the conflict
itself in telling the story.
“Throughout the war Douschka’s name was frequently heard. She became the
foster child of the State Legislature, and by special enactment that body named her "The
Child of South Carolina.” Yet it was not until the days following the war, those days
which were blacker than the war itself that Douschka became the idol of the people.
“Governor Pickens died in 1864. On his plantation at Edgefield where his slaves
who had refused to leave him despite that fact he had told them that they could go if they
wished to do so. He called his negroes about his deathbed and chose from among the
oldest of them his pallbearers, and when they gave into their keeping his wife and little
Douschka. These slaves, when freed, were never the source of the least trouble, but
anyone who lived in the South in the days following the war knows how the people
suffered at the hands of the freed negroes.
“n the early seventies the former slaves of Edgefield county, South Carolina,
became threatening. A lot of unprincipled white scoundrels had egged them on to such
deeds of mischief, and things came to such a pass that neither life nor property was
secure. As conditions grew worse the negroes gathered at Edgefield. They swarmed
through the streets and frightened the whites from their homes. They eventually formed
drunken mobs and threatened to burn the town.
“Just as the town was about to be destroyed something weird and terrifying
happened. From the four winds rode hundreds of strange looking beings, clad in long
robes of red that hung from their heads to their feet. In all 1,500 of them came, all on
horseback, all dressed alike. They gathered at the centre of the town, and then formed a
long column.
“JOAN OF ARC”
“At the head rode a slight, red robed figure. It was Douschka. She guided her
great horse through the street time and time again. The superstitious negroes fled in terror
from the town, and hid in the woods. The silent solemn march was kept up by these red
robed members of the Ku Klux Klan until every person had left the town. From that day
on not one word of discontent was ever heard from the freed slaves of Edgefield county.
Douschka was known from that time on as ‘Joan of Arc.’
“When it fell to Douschka’s lot to manage the farm when she grew to young
womanhood she performed her duties with matchless skill. She was a splendid
horsewoman, and every day rode over the estate.
“In the fox chase, a sport in which she delighted, she always rode the leading
horse, and most often got the brush. As a farmer, she learned everything that must be
done about the old plantation. To her belongs the honor of establishing the bonus system
of pay for freed slaves. In addition to their salary, she gave them a percentage of the
proceeds.
“When Douschka grew to womanhoos, she married Dr. Dugas, a brilliant banker
of Augusta, Ga. To them were born two daughters. Six years ago, while visiting her
mother at Edgefied she sickened and died after a short illness.
“Gray haired negroes who had been her father’s slaves carried the casket in which
she slept to the shade of theoaks, and there beside the grave of her great parent, another
grave was waiting. When the casket was opened at the edge of the grave of those who
leaned to take a last look at the dead face of the woman saw about her neck a beautiful
necklace, which the Tsaritza of Russia herself had hung there the day the little girl left the
Romanoff Palace.”
DOUSCHKA PICKENS, daughter of Governor Francis W. and Lucy Holcombe
Pickens married Dr. George Dugas of Augusta, Georgia.
They had two children:
F.
Lucy Dugas
F.
Adrienne Dorothea Dugas (Dolly)
LUCY DUGAS, daughter of Dr. George and Douschka Pickens Dugas, married
Benjamin R. Tillman, Jr. son of Senator B.R. Tillman.
They had two daughters:
Douschka Tillman
G.
Sarah Tillman
DOLLY DUGAS, daughter of Dr. George and Douschka Pickens Dugas married
William Wallace Sheppard.
They had three children:
G.
G.
G.
Lucy Sheppard,
Dorothea Sheppard,
William Wallace Sheppard, Jr.
LUCY SHEPPARD, married Dr. J.C. Bradley, of Washington, D.C.
DOROTHEA SHEPPARD, married --------- Jenkins.
Note: the following newspaper clipping appeared in the Pickens Sentinel, April,
1947.
GENERAL PICKENS’ GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER
DIES IN WASHINGTON, RECENTLY
From THE PICKENS’ SENTINEL
(Note: The Sentinel is indebted to Vernon Cox, formerly of Pickens, now a
resident of the national capitol, who forwarded the following clipping from the April 8 th
issue of the Washington (D.C.) Star.)
Mrs. Adrienne Dorothea Sheppard, 61 a descendant of one of South Carolina’s
oldest families, died yesterday at Georgetown University hospital after a long illness.
She was the wife of William Wallace Sheppard, an attorney for the Federal trade
Commission here.
A native of Edgefield, S.C., Mrs. Sheppard was educated privately there and spent
much of her life in that town. After living for a time in New York, she moved to
Washington in 1927, and had resided here ever since. Her last address was 3331 N. Street
N.W.
Mrs. Sheppard was the daughter of the late Dr. George Dugas, son of the founder
of the Medical College of Georgia. Her mother the late Douschka Pickens Dugas, was
born in the Imperial Palace at St. Petersburg, Russia, during the time when Mrs.
Sheppard’s grandfather, the late Francis Pickens, was the United States minister to
Russia.
Mr. Pickens served in Russia from 1858 to 1860, then returned to this country to
assume governorship of South Carolina. He served for two years and was the Confederate
official who called upon Fort Sumter to surrender, the act which marked the beginning of
Civil War.
Mrs. Sheppard’s great-grandfather, the late Andrew Pickens, a veteran of the war
of 1812, served as governor of South Carolina from 1816 to 1818, and was in charge of
peace negotiations with the Creek Indian tribe of Georgia in 1820. Her great-granfather
was the late Gen. Andrew Pickens, Revolutionary War hero, for whom Pickens county,
S.C., was named.
Washington’s Lucy Holcomb Pickens Chapter of DAR was named for Mrs.
Sheppard’s grandmother, a former South Carolina DAR regent. Mrs. Pickens’ picture
appeared on the Confederate $100 bill.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Mrs. Lucy Bradley; 4916
Van Ness Street N.W., and Mrs. Dorothea jenkins, Miami, Fla; a son, William Wallace
Sheppard, Jr., serving in the Merchant Marine, and two grandchildren.
-oSUSAN PICKENS, daughter of Governor Andrew and Susan Wilkinson Pickens was
born in South Carolina June 24th 1808, and died in Alabama September 7th, 1878, aged
seventy years. On May 26th, 1830 she was married to Judge James Martin Calhoun.
James Martin Calhoun was born at Abbeville, South Carolina January 25th, 1805,
and was educated and prepared for South Carolina College, where he graduated in
1826. Within a few weeks after graduating he went to Alabama, and settled at Cahaba,
which at that time was the most promising town between Augusta, Georgia and New
Orleans.
At Cahaba, he became the law partner of his cousin Judge Ezekiel Pickens, and
besides his law practice, he “planted” as farming was then called, on a large scale. He
bought a large plantation and stocked it with slaves, and began life as a gentleman,
farmer and lawyer. He was elected probate judge, and served a while, and in that way
earned his title as judge. He was elected to the legislature and served until 1838, when he
was promoted to the senate, where he served two terms.
In 1847, he was appointed by Governor Martin, a commissioner on the part of
Alabama, to act with James T. Archer, Esq., the commissioner for the State of Florida, to
settle the boundary line between the two states, which duty he performed in a skillful and
faithful manner, thus putting at rest a long moot question.
In 1857 he was again elected to the senate and served three terms, during which
time he was president of the senate.
He died November 20th, 1877, aged seventy-two years. The children of Judge
James Martin and Susan Pickens Calhoun were.
(Child) born May 21st, 1831,
Rebecca Pickens Calhoun,
E.
Susan Wilkinson Calhoun,
E.
Andrew Pickens Calhoun,
E.
Sallie Louisa Calhoun,
E.
James Francis Calhoun,
E.
John Caldwell Calhoun,
E.
REBECCA PICKENS CALHOUN, daughter of Judge James Martin and
Susan Pickens Calhoun was born October 28th, 1832. No record of what became of her.
E.
SUSAN WILKINSON CALHOUN, daughter of Judge James Martin and
Susan Pickens Calhoun was born July 23rd, 1834. She married a Noble.
E.
ANDREW PICKENS CALHOUN, son of Judge James Martin and
Susan Pickens Calhoun was born November 9th, 1833. He married Diddie Lee of
Carlowville, Alabama.
E.
-oE.
SALLIE LOUISA CALHOUN, daughter of Judge James Martin and
Susan Pickens Calhoun, was born August 30th, 1842 and died January 12th 1909. Buried
at Selma, Alabama. She married William Wade of Alabama, and they had the following
children:
F.
Andrew Pickens Wade,
F.
Eliza Wade,
F.
Susan Wade,
F.
Georgia Wade.
F
ANDREW PICKENS WADE, son of William and Sallie Louisa Calhoun Wade,
is with the Phoenix Knitting Mills, Columbus, Ga. He Esther Morris and they have the
following children:
G
Lillian Louisa Wade,
G
Esther Morris Wade.
G
ESTHER MORRIS WADE, daughter of Andrew Pickens and Esther Morris
Wade, married Talbert McGhee Allen, of Birmingham Ala., December 23rd, 1923.
F
ELIZA WADE, daughter of William and Sallie Louisa Calhoun Wade, married
John Averit and lives at Carlowville, Alabama.
F.
SUSAN WADE, daughter of William and Sallie Louisa Calhoun Wade died in
childhood.
F. GEORGIA WADE, daughter of William and Sallie Louisa Calhoun Wade married
her cousin, Theodore Wade, and lives at Carlowville, Alabama, and has three sons.
-oE.
JAMES FRANCIS CALHOUN, the sixth child of Judge James Martin and
Susan Pickens Calhoun, was born May 17th, 1846, at Richmond, Alabama, Dallas
County, Alabama, which settlement at that time was known as Warrington, and died
September 29th, 1904. He is interred at the Carlowville Cemetery.
He attended the University at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he entered upon the
study of medicine, but afterwards decided to study law. Before completing his law
course, he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until the close of the war. The
hardships of the days of the Reconstruction prevented him from finishing his course in
law, but served as magistrate for the community in which he lived for a number of years.
In the fall of 1881, he was elected to the Senate where he served one term.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Superintendent of the Sunday
School. His hospitality was of the old Southern type, and into the genial atmosphere of
his home he welcomed his guests, and at his fireside was there room for one more.
He was married twice. May 7th, 1870 he married Florence Olivia Lee, the
daughter of Dr. James Martin Lee. His second wife was Julia Emma Lee, daughter of
Major Francis Lee, to whom he was married December 24th, 1879.
The children of James Francis and Florence Olivia Lee Calhoun were:
F.
F.
F.
F.
Mary Louise Calhoun,
Martin Lee Calhoun,
Marion Pickens Calhoun,
Florence Olivia Calhoun.
The children of James Francis and Julia Emma Lee Calhoun were:
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
Martha Eleanor Calhoun,
James Francis Calhoun,
Andrew Pickens Calhoun,
Julia Emma Pauline Calhoun,
George Hearst Calhoun.
-oE.
JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, son of Judge James Martin and Susan Pickens
Calhoun, was born December 4th, 1850, at Carlowville, Alabama. Died in Selma,
Alabama, Monday, October 1st, 1917, and is interred at Live Oak Cemetery, Selma,
Alabama.
When quite young, he was graduated with honor from Washington and Lee University,
obtaining a degree of Bachelor of Science and Engineering. He took up his M.A. degree
later in Heidelberg, and was a student at different times, of Berlin, Laussane, and
Strasburg Universities, spending several years abroad. The honorary degree of LL.D was
conferred upon him by William and Mary College, where he held the Chair of Modern
Languages for many years. He also held the degree of LITT.D.
Before going abroad, Dr. Calhoun was professor of Latin in the University of Alabama,
and after his return was professor of Modern Languages at the Florida State College for
about twelve years, and in William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, during the
recent years of his life. Wherever he taught, his popularity was unusual.
In Masonic circles, Dr. Calhoun was especially well known and beloved. He was a
member of Jackson Lodge No. 1, F and A.M.; Florida Chapter No. 1, R.A. M., and St.
Omar Commandery, No. 12 Knights Templar, all of Tallahassee, Florida; was a past
Master of Jackson Lodge, and a past High Priest of Florida Royal Arch Chapter, and had
served through all the chairs in the Commandery up to that of Commander. Dr. Calhoun
was also an honorary life member of Tallahasee Lodge No. 937, B.P.O. Elks.
Dr. Calhoun served the Presbyterian Church as superintendent of his Sunday School
many years. He served as a link to hold the students to the faith and piety of their fathers,
and cheered many others as he passed along the way of life.
On July 11, 1878, Dr. Calhoun was married at Selma, Alabama, to Mary Rand Graham, a
daughter of Chauncy W. Graham and his wife Mary Rand Kenan. Their children were as
follows:
F.
F.
Annie Graham Calhoun,
Mary Kenan Calhoun.
G.
ANNIE GRAHAM CALHOUN, daughter of John Caldwell Calhoun and Mary
Calhoun died young.
G.
MARY KENAN CALHOUN, daughter of Dr. John Caldwell Calhoun and his
wife, Mary Rand Graham, lived at No. 612 Church Street, Selma Alabama, (1923). She
was a member of the Music Study Club, a charter member of the Pilot Club and
interested social circles.
- 0 -
C.
REBECCA PICKENS, daughter of General Andrew Pickens and Rebecca
Calhoun Pickens was born January 8th, 1784. She married William Noble, son of Major
Alexander Noble, and his wife, Catherine Calhoun. They had the following children:
D.
D.
William Noble,
Andrew Noble,
D.
Ezekiel Noble,
Samuel Noble,
Joseph Noble.
(Note: Major Alexander Noble married Catherine Calhoun, daughter of Ezekiel Calhoun,
and sister of Rebecca Calhoun, wife of General Andrew Pickens. Their children were:
William Noble,
John Noble,
Ezekiel Noble,
Patrick Noble,
Katherine Noble,
Alexander Noble,
Joseph Noble.
William Noble married Rebecca Pickens, daughter of General Andrew Pickens, and
Patrick, his brother, married Elizabeth Pickens, daughter of Ezekiel Pickens.
-oCATHERINE PICKENS, daughter of General Andrew and Rebecca Calhoun Pickens
was born June 9th, 1786. She married Dr. John Hunter, January 5th, 1808, and moved to
Alabama.
A monument in Live Oak Cemetery at Selma, Alabama says:
“Sacred to the memory of Catherine Pickens Hunter, who was born in Abbeville District,
South Carolina, June 9yh, 1786, and died in Selma. Ala., May 18th, 1871 in the eightyfifth year of her age. She was the youngest daughter of General Andrew Pickens and wife
of Dr. John Hunter.”
The children of Dr. John and Catherine Pickens Hunter were:
D.
Maria Rebecca Hunter,
Margaret Ann Hunter,
D.
John Andrew Hunter,
D.
Eliza Barksdale Hunter,
D.
Ezekiel Hunter,
D.
Joseph Hunter,
D.
John Thomas Pickens Hunter
D.
MARIA REBECCA HUNTER, daughter of Dr. John and Catherine
Pickens Hunter married Elias Parkman, March 7th, 1830. Their children were:
E.
Catherine Alla Parkman,
E.
John McGee Parkman,
John Hunter Parkman,
E.
William Elias Parkman,
E. CATHERINE ALLA PARKMAN, daughter of Elias and Rebecca Hunter
Parkman, was born in 1834, and died in 1867. She married Charles Bruce Woods, and
their children were:
Clayton Rogers Woods,
F.
John Parkman Woods,
F.
Helen Sylvester Woods.
Charles Bruce Woods died in 1890.
D.
MARGARET ANN HUNTER, daughter of Dr. John and Catherine
Pickens Hunter, married James C. Harell, November 15th, 1827.
D.
ELIZA BARKSDALE HUNTER, daughter of Dr. John and Catherine
Pickens Hunter, married William Treadwell , March 10th 1835.
D.
JOHN THOMAS PICKENS HUNTER, daughter of Dr. John and
Catherine Pickens Hunter, married Adelia Rogers in Mississipi, May 30th, 1849.
o–
C.
JOSEPH PICKENS, the youngest son of General Andrew and Rebecca Calhoun
Pickens, was born March 30, 1791, near Pendleton, S.C., but after growing to manhood
moved to Alabama. He married Caroline Henderson and their children were as follows:
Sarah Pickens,
Rebecca Pickens,
Joseph Pickens,
Henderson Pickens,
Andrew Pickens.
D.
SARAH PICKENS, daughter of Col. Joseph and Caroline Henderson Pickens was
born at Cahaba, Alabama, at that time the capitol of that State, September 29th, 1831, and
died at the Battery Park Hotel, in Asheville, North Carolina, where she was spending the
heated term, on the 22nd day of September, 1909.
(A correspondent furnishes us this description of her).
“In person, Sarah Pickens was above the medium height, with finely formed features, hair
of glossy blackness, full intellectual brow, and large magnificent gray eyes, shaded by
long, dark eyelashes. In manner, she was easy and graceful, at all times and all
circumstances, a natural heritage through generations of aristocratic ancestry. She was
most entertaining and fluent conversationalist, and her voice was that of a cultured
woman of the “Old South.” She traveled extensively and mingled with the Nation’s most
learned and great of both sexes, and her presence graced two national capitols –
Washington and Richmond. It was a great pleasure and source of information to hear her
recount the scenes and incidents, and describe the famous characters with whom she had
met. During her last years she was always vivacious, sprightly, and an admirable
companion.
After her marriage to a Mr. McQueen, she lived in her native town, and was the mother
of five children, viz.:
Caroline McQueen,
E.
Joseph Pickens McQueen,
E.
Flora McQueen,
E.
John McQueen,
E.
James William McQueen.
The two girls, Caroline and Flora, died in infancy at the age of about six months.
“With all her property swept away by the calamitous war of the sixties, leaving
her practically destitute, she took her three little boys to start life anew. She never
wavered for an instant but with undaunted heroism, fought their battles, cared for them,
shouldering their sorrows, until they grew up as giant monuments to commemorate a
mother’s love.”
-oB.
JOHN PICKENS, son of the old pioneer Andrew Pickens from the best
information obtainable, was lost at the siege of Ninety Six, during the Revolutionary war.
The estate of John Pickens was paid for his services in the war as stub entry No.
193, book S, of payments for services rendered in the war. The entry reads as follows:
“Issued the 10 of June 1785, to ________________ for estate of Mr. John Pickens
for Forty One Pounds, Eight Shillings and Sic Pence three farthings sterling for duty
done in the Militia and a Mare lost as pr. Account audited” _____________.
Evidently from the fact that payment was made to the estate of John Pickens, he
was killed during the war, and was a married man with family.
-oB
JANE PICKENS, daughter of Andrew Pickens, married Rev. Robert
Miller some time prior to 1758, while the family was living at the Waxhaw Settlement,
and when the Pickens families moved to the Long Cane Settlement, Rev. Miller and his
family moved there also.
Rev. Robert Miller was a Presbyterian minister and came from Scotland. For a
short time after he came to the Waxhaw settlement he served as pastor of the Waxhaw
Presbyterian church, and he and his wife gave ground on which the church was located.
After they had moved to the Long Cane settlement in Abbeville county during one of
General Andrew Pickens’ expeditions against the Indians, in the Revolutionary War
period, he was serving as chaplain of the army.
Upon one occasion when only a few men were in advance of the main army on
the march, they were surprised by the Indians and were in great danger, General Pickens
arranged these few men who were in advance so as to hold the Indians in check until the
main army arrived, and dispatched runners to hasten the advance of the men in the rear.
While waiting for their advance, General Andrew Pickens and members of his staff,
retired to a private place for prayer, and when the soldiers of the main army came up,
they found their leader and his officers being led in devotions by their chaplain, the Rev.
Robert Miller.
The children of Rev. Robert Miller, and his wife, Jane Pickens Miller were:
Robert Miller,
Annie Miller,
Andrew Miller,
Ebenezer Miller,
Jane Miller,
Margaret Miller,
Joseph Miller,
John Henry Miller.
C.
ANNIE MILLER, daughter of Rev. Robert Miller, and his wife Jane Pickens
Miller married Robert Simmons. No further record.
C.
MARGARET MILLER, daughter of Rev. Robert Miller, and his wife Jane
Pickens Miller married Felix Hughes, and we have record of the following children:
Jane Pickens Hughes,
D.
Sally Caroline Hughes,
D.
Mary Ann Hughes,
D.
Hibernia Margaret Hughes.
D. JANE PICKENS HUGHES, daughter of Felix and Margaret Miller Hughes,
was born April 24th, 1792, and died July 29th 1836. On January 15th, 1824, she became
the second wife of Daniel McKey, (father of Hamden Jordan McKey) and their children
were:
E.
E.
E.
E.
E.
E.
John Shanks McKey,
Clarinda Harris McKey,
Edwin McKey,
Robert Emmett McKey,
Felix Pickens McKey,
William Lemuel McKey.
E.
JOHN SHANKS MCKEY, son of Daniel and Jane Hughes McKey, was
never married. He served in the war of 1846.
E.
CLARINDA HARRIS MCKEY, daughter of Daniel and Jane Hughes
McKey and twin sister of John Shanks McKey, married Richard Lawless. They had one
son:
F.
RICHARD LAWLESS, JR.
-o-
E. EDWIN McKEY, son of Daniel and Jane Hughes McKey, died October 23rd,
1853. He married Rebecca Nixon, and their children were:
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
Charles Clarke McKey,
Samuel Nixon McKey,
Eddie McKey,
Amelia McKey,
Thomas McKey,
Mary Eliza McKey.
MARY ELIZA McKEY, daughter of Edwin and Rebecca Nixon McKey married
Harry C. Moore, and had one child:
G.
Glessner Moore.
GLESSNER MOOR, daughter of Harry C. and Mary McKey Moore was married
twice. First to Henry C. Brady and second to George S. Few.
E.
ROBERT EMMETT McKEY, son of Daniel and Jane Hughes McKey,
married Miss Price. No children.
E.
unmarried.
FELIX PICKENS McKEY, son of Daniel and Jane Hughes McKey, died
E.
WILLIAM LEMUEL McKEY, son of Daniel and Jane Hughes McKey,
never married.
-oD. SALLY CAROLINE HUGHES, daughter of Felix and Margaret Miller
Hughes, died August 8th, 1831. She married Hugh Mackay February 4th, 1819. (Hugh
Mackay was a son of Jonathan Mackay and 1st cousin of Hampton Jordan McKey, notice difference in spelling of names.) They had a daughter name unknown to writer.
THIS DAUGHTER of Hugh and Sally Hughes Mackay married John Henderson,
and their children were:
Frank Felix Henderson
(Other names not furnished)
MARY ANN HUGHES, daughter of Felix and Margaret Miller Hughes; married William
Erwin. A daughter.
ALZAIDE ANNE ERWIN, daughter of William and Mary Hughes Erwin married Joseph
Gray. Name of only one child obtained:
F.
Emma Gray
EMMA GRAY, daughter of Joseph and Alzaide Ann Erwin Gray married Joseph T.
Cobb and was living in Alvin, Texas in 1899.
-o–
D.
HIBERNIA MARGARET HUGHES, daughter of Felix and Margaret Miller
Hughes was born February 7th, 1810 and died April 27th, 1837. She married Hamden
Jordan McKey, (son of Daniel McKey by his first wife), August 13th, 1835. Their
daughter was:
E.
Martha Virginia McKey, born May 15th, 1836.
MARTHA VIRGINIA McKEY, daughter of Hamden Jordan and Hibernia Hughes
McKey died November 17th, 1836.
-o–
C.
JOSEPH MILLER, son of Rev. Robert and Jane Pickens Miller has been lost
sight of.
-o–
C.
JOHN HENRY MILLER, son of Rev. Robert and Jane Pickens Miller was a
physician. He married Jane Pickens, daughter of General Andrew Pickens, and moved to
Mississipi. Their children were:
D.
Robert Miller,
D.
John Miller,
Eliza Miller.
D. ROBERT MILLER, son of the Rev. Robert and Jane Pickens Miller was born in
1810. He married Narcisse Cheek and their children were:
E.
Irene Miller,
E.
George Miller,
Robert N. Miller.
E.
IRENE MILLER, daughter of Robert and Narcisse Cheek Miller was born in
1838 and died in 1882. She was married to James R.Mallade and they had the following
children:
-o–
F.
Robert Mallade,
F.
Joseph Mallade,
F.
George Mallade.
-o–
E GEORGE MILLER, son of Robert and Narcisse Cheek Miller was born in 1842 and
died May 21st, 1876. He married Mary Bullock, November 27th, 1865, and their children
were:
F.
Irene Miller,
F.
Bessie Miller,
F.
Robert Miller,
F.
Emma Miller,
George J. Miller.
-o–
F. IRENE MILLER, daughter of George and Mary Bullock Miller, was born September
4th, 1866. She married A.R. Brashear and their children were:
F
F
F
F
F
F
Zola Brashear,
Bessie Brashear,
Rector Brashear,
Katy Brashear,
George Brashear,
Russ Brashear.
-oF.
BESSIE MILLER, daughter Walker was born January 7th, 1868. She married Dr.
T.S. Walker, November 25th, 1883 and their children were:
F
Mae Walker,
F
Beatrice Walker,
F
Gladys Walker,
F
Sumpter Walker.
F
MAE WALKER, daughter of Dr. T.S. and Bessie Miller Walker married Cecil
Langston.
F.
ROBERT MILLER, son of George and Mary Bullock Miller was born January
st
1 , 1870 and died in April 1911. He was married twice. First to Pearl Lanier, and they
had no children. Second marriage was to Florence Payne, and their daughter was:
F
Florence Miller.
F.
EMMA MILLER, daughter of George and Mary Bullock Miller was born June
27th, 1872. Married S. L. Dupuy and children were:
G.
G.
G.
G.
Murray Dupuy,
Dew Dupuy,
Olive Dupuy,
Alice Dupuy,
OLIVE DUPUY died in May 1898.
-oF.
GEORGE J. MILLER, son of George and Mary Bullock Miller, was born January
14th, 1874 and died March 1909. He married Miss Reade, and their children were:
F.
Reade Miller,
F.
F.
F.
F.
Robert Miller,
George Miller,
Emma Miller,
Johnnie Miller.
-oE.
Robert N. Miller, son of Robert and Narcissie Cheek Miller was born in 1850
and married Emma Barr. One son was:
Hugh Barr Miller, born in 1879.
HUGH BARR MILLER, son of Robert N. and Emma Barr Miller was born in 1879. In
1904 he married a Miss Lewis and children were as follows:
F
F
Robert Miller,
Hugh Barr Miller, Jr.
-o-
B. JAMES PICKENS, son of the pioneer Andrew Pickens, it is claimed was lost early
in the Revolutionary war, or just before it commenced, during some uprising at or near
Ninety Six. Others claim that he was lost at the seige of Ninety Six during the war but we
have not located any record showing any payments for his services during the war.
We have no record showing whether he left any family or not.
ROBERT Chapter Five
Pioneer Robert and His Descendants
ROBERT PIKE PICKENS
ROBERT PIKE PICKENS, was one of the pioneers of THE PICKENS FAMILY who
came to America from Ireland early in the eighteenth century.
We do not know anything of the boyhood days of Robert Pickens in Ireland, nor do we
know just when he came to America, but it was probably some time between 1720 and
1737.
It appears that he settled in Frederick County, Maryland, while other pioneer members of
his family settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Some claim that the distance between
the families was not very great, and that they were able to keep in communication with
each other. The brothers who had settled in Pennsylvania whose names were William
Pickens, Israel Pickens, Andrew Pickens and John Pickens, after a few years, moved
from Bucks County to Lancaster County, and about 1740, Israel Pickens, John Pickens
and Andrew Pickens moved to Augusta County, Virginia. About 1750 Andrew Pickens
removed again, and went to the Waxhaw settlement in the upper part of South Carolina.
In the meantime, Israel Pickens had died in 1749.
While it must have been a very slow process in the early days of settling up of the
country, we believe that communication was kept up at intervals between Robert Pickens
and Andrew Pickens in South Carolina, and Andrew Pickens having found conditions
better in South Carolina, induced Robert Pickens to move to South also. Traditions give
us the interesting information that on the move South, Robert Pike Pickens went by the
way of the settlement in Augusta County, Virginia, and after spending something like six
weeks there, the family of another one of the pioneers moved with him to the South.
Records in Augusta County show that John Pickens sold out his property early in October
1754, and that on October 21st removed himself out of the county. This being about the
time that Robert Pike Pickens moved South we believe that John Pickens and Robert
Pickens moved at the same time.
It is said that Robert Pickens at first intended to settle in the Mecklenburg District of
North Carolina, but after he had arrived there and before he had unpacked, one night, he
and his wife were discussing their move and as they had heard that the settlement at
Waxhaw was preferable, they decided to move on to it.
It seems that Robert Pike Pickens, after a sojourn of about eight years at the Waxhaw
settlement, near the Catawba River on the line between North and South Carolina, moved
about 1763 to the Long Cane Creek settlement in Abbeville county, South Carolina.
There had been a small settlement at Long Cane for six or eight years previous to this
time, but an uprising of the Indians in 1759, and a massacre in 1760 caused these settlers
to flee for safety. Some of them escaped to the Waxhaw settlement, and after the uprising
had been subdued they returned to Long Cane about 1763. Whenthey returned, quite a
number of the settlers at the Waxhaw went with them, and we believe that it was at this
time that Robert Pickens went to Long Cane.
After the close of the Revolutionary War, his son Captain Robert Pickens, who up to the
time had lived at the Long Cane settlement, moved in 1783, to the head waters of the
Three and twenty Creek in Anderson District, and carried his father, Robert Pike Pickens
with him and took care of him in his old age, until he was taken by death in 1793, at the
age of 96 years.
The old time slaves, who in their childhood days had waited on Robert Pike Pickens left
our parents the story that he was almost blind, and had to be cared for like a child by his
loved ones.
The speech of Robert Pike Pickens was practically an Irish brogue.
He was the first person to be buried in the Pickens graveyard and a simple tombstone
marks the spot where he lies buried. It shows the year in which he was born, 1697, and
the year in which he died, 1793.
The name of his wife has not been preserved for us, except that her Christian name was
Miriam, nor do we have a record of all his children, but we have the names of the
following who were in the family.
Israel Pickens,
B.
Robert Pickens,
B.
Annie Pickens,
B.
David Pickens,
B.
Andrew Pickens,
B.
Samuel Pickens,
B.
Margaret Pickens,
B.
Elizabeth Pickens,
Annie Pickens and Robert Pickens were twins.
COPY OF WILL OF ROBERT PICKENS
Granville County,
St. Bartholomews
In the name of God. Amen. I Robert Pickens of above named parish, being weak
of body but sound mind, blist be God for it, do this twentieth day of January on the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 83, make and publish this my last will and
testament in the manner following that is to say:
First of all I give and bequeath to my son Robert Pickens whom I constituted and
make and ordain one of my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, all and
Singred, my Lands and teams and all plantation utenchals whatsoever all cattle and hobs,
only what is mentioned underneath.
Secondly – I make and constitute Miriam Pickens my other Executor one mare
colt and two young cows with calf and two sows and when she leaves the plantation.
Thirdly – I give and bequeath to my Geanson and grandaughter John and Martha
Pickens one gray mare colt.
Fourthly – I give and bequeath unto my two grandchildren Margaret and Elisabeth
Pickens one black year old colt.
Fiftly – I give and bequeath unto Eliner Prater one Silver Dollar.
Sixthly – I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jain Norwood one cow that I lent
him and her increase.
Seventh – I give and bequeath to my son Andrew Pickens one cow and calf if ever
he comes here for them.
I do hereby Disallow revoke and Disannul all and Every other testament wills
Legendes Bequests and Executors be me in any ways before named willed and
Bequeathed and Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last will and
testament. Whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year above
written.
Robert
His
X
Mark
Pickens
Signed, Sealed published and Declared by the said Robert Pickens as his Last
Will and Testament in the presence of each of us who in his presence and in the presence
of each other have hereunto subscribed our names.
Jane Seawright
Samuel Reed
Her
Margaret
X
Sharp
Mark
J.B. Earle, C.C.
Recorded in Will Book C page 15
Proved June 1, 1793, Rec’d. Sept. 14, 1793
Hugh Wardlaw J.P.
Roll No. 533
-oISRAEL PICKENS, son of Robert Pike Pickens was born, we believe in Frederick
County, Maryland. From the best evidence obtainable, he married a Miss Bole or Miss
Boyd, and settled in Abbeville District, South Carolina. Later he moved up on Rocky
River, in Anderson County. When the census of 1790 was taken, he had in his family,
two males over sixteen years of age, including himself, three under sixteen and eight
females, which gave him the largest Pickens family on record at that time. The census
reports show that he had seven slaves. The date of his birth has not been located and it is
not known whether he was among the older or the younger of his father’s family of
children.
-oThe will of Israel Pickens was made January 5th, 1829, and James Cosper was
qualified as executor of this will on March 2nd of 1829. The following is a copy of his
will:
State of South Carolina,
Anderson District.
In the name of God; Amen !
I Israel Pickens of the State and District aforesaid, being of sound and disposing
mind and memory, but weak in body, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life, and
being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me
with, I do make this my last will and testament, in the manner and form as it is
underwritten.
I relinquish a deed of gift given my oldest children, I give and entail to my
daughter Elizabeth Steward, a negro girl named Winna, and all her increase, if Elizabeth
never has any children, then at her death, this negro Winna, and her increase to be sold
and equally divided among my children. Likewise, I bequeath to my daughter Metilda,
and to my daughter Sally Williams, one negro girl named Rachel and her increase, my
two daughters to have this negro girl Rachel year about, and if this negro Rachel, have
children, they to have child about; likewise I give to my two daughters Sally Williams
and Metilda, fifty dollars and above this negro; likewise I do give to my son and daughter
Ezekiel Andrew and Sally Williams fifty dollars for the use of schooling, Sally Williams
is to be sent until she can read well, then the balance of the fifty dollars to teach him as
far as it will go; then my children to help him on as much as they are able. I do bequeath
to my granchildren, the offspring of Dilly and Rebecca, the tract of land where I formerly
lived on Rocky River. All the balance of my estate to be sold and my debts paid and
funeral expenses; the fifty dollars taken therefrom for the use of schooling Sally and
Andrew; the balance of the money risen therefrom to be equally divided among my dear
wife and children; and those of my children that have received money of my estate to be
made equal with those that have received a part. My son John has received a negro man
to the value of six hundred dollars, one tract of land to the amount of two hundred
dollars, one gray mare to the value of sixty dollars. William received one tract of land to
the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars, one bay horse to the value of thirty-five
dollars, two cows and calves at thirty dollars. Israel received one bay horse eighty dollars,
one black horse value thirty-five dollars, one gray mare value thirty dollars, one cow and
calf fifteen dollars. Now what my daughters have received, Ellender has received one bed
and furniture value thirty dollars, three cows and calves forty five dollars. Mary received
one bed and furniture twenty dollars, two cows and calves thirty dollars. Matilda
received one bed and furniture fifteen dollars. My dear wife to have a child’s part during
her widowhood; if she marries, then part to fall back and be equally divided among my
children. And I do hereby constitute and appoint James Cosper and David Boid executors
of his will and testament and for my executors to execute the above desires. Revoking all
wills and deeds of gifts by me given, I acknowledge this to be my only last will and
testament, as witness my hand and seal this fifth day of January 1829.
ISRAEL PICKENS, L.S.
Test:
John Davis
Samuel Jones,
John Bevill.
-oState of South Carolina,
Anderson District
Personally appeared before me John Bevill, who being duly sworn on evangelist
of almighty God, doth make oath and declare that he saw Israel Pickens sign, seal and
publish and pronounce and declare the same to contain my last will and testament, and
that Israel Pickens was then of sound mind and memory and understanding, to the best of
deponents knowledge and belief, and that John Davis, Samuel Jones and himself did sign
their names hereto as witnesses at the request of the testater and in his presence. At the
same time James Cosper was qualified executor. Given under my hand and seal this 2nd
day of March 1829.
John Harris, O. A. D.
-o-
85
THE PICKENS FAMILY
uderstanding, to the best of deponents knowledge and belief, and that John Davis, Samuel
Jones, and himself did sign their names hereto as witness at the request of the testater
and in his presence. At the same time James Cosper was qualified executor. Given under
my hand and seal this 2nd day of March 1829.
John Harris, O. A. D.
-oThe names of children in above will are:
C John Pickens,
C William Pickens,
C Israel Pickens,
C Dilly Pickens,
C Rebecca Pickens,
C Ellender Pickens,
C Mary Pickens,
C Elizabeth Pickens,
C Malinda Pickens,
C Sally Pickens,
C Ezekiel Andrew Pickens.
-o–
(B)
CAPTAIN ROBERT PICKENS
B
ROBERT PICKENS, son of Robert Pike Pickens, was born in Frederick
County, Maryland, November 26th, 1747. When he was about seven years old, his father
moved from Frederick County to the Waxhaw settlement in South Carolina, then on to
the Long Cane Creek section of Abbeville County. Here Robert grew to manhood, and
married. He settled on a farm in Abbeville County, where he was living in peace when
the guns at Lexington, Mass., woke the country. He had no personal end to serve, nor any
personal grievance, but the voice of duty called him, and he took up the fight for the
liberty of his country. He became a member of the personal staff of General Andrew
Pickens, and ranked as captain.
While on an expedition against the Indians he was carried up to the Northwestern
part of his state, and became favorably impressed with the beauty of the country and
fertility of the land. After the close of the War, he moved up into the section, perhaps
following the trails of the Indians, to within about thirty or thirty-five miles of the Blue
Ridge Mountains, and settled on the head waters of the Three and Twenty Creek, in what
is now Anderson County.
Robert Pickens, who will be known in this sketch as Captain Robert Pickens, was
an elder in the Long Cane Creek Presbyterian
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Church, and when he moved to his new home assisted in organizing the Three and
Twenty Presbyterian church, the name of which was early changed to Richmond, and
afterwards to Carmel, and at first stood othe ground on which the Pickens Methodist
Church now stands. In 1790 the congregation at Carmel consisted of about sixty families.
In 1788 or 1790, the Pickens families became Methodist and Carmel was removed to its
present site on the Pickens county side of the line.
After a long and useful life, Captain Robert Pickens died July 19th, 1830, and was
buried in the family graveyard which had been located on his place.
Captain Robert Pickens married Dorcas Hallum in Abbeville County, S.C.,
December 25th, 1773. Her long life was one of devotion to her husband and children, and
of usefulness to her community. She was born February 1st, 1760 and died February 5th,
1828, and lies buried by the side of her husband in the Pickens graveyard.
Captain Robert Pickens, a man of steady nerve, of strong will, of tender heart;
who made a brave soldier. Dorcas, his wife, a woman of dignity, refinement, ambition
and courage. They stand before their many descendants as worthy examples of Christian
living.
The children of Captain Robert and Dorcas Hallum Pickens were as follows:
C John Pickens
C Martha Pickens
C Margaret Pickens
C Elizabeth Pickens
C Mary Pickens
C Andrew Pickens
C Dorcas Pickens
C Annie Pickens
C Robert Pickens
-oThe descendants of this family are scattered far and wide over the country.
-o(C) JOHN PICKENS
C JOHN PICKENS, the eldest son of Robert and Dorcas Hallum Pickens, was
born in Abbeville, S.C., May 21st, 1775.
John Pickens married Nancy Bowen, December 19th, 1799, and settled on a farm
near his father’s but moved to Polk County, Tennessee, about 1821.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
The children of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens were:
D Mary B. Pickens
D Robert Pickens,
D Dorcas Pickens,
D Reece Pickens,
D Andrew Pickens,
D Rebecca Pickens,
D William Kennedy Pickens,
D Charles Asbury Pickens,
D Nancy Pickens,
D Martha Pickens.
John Pickens died November 18th, 1827, and was buried near his home place in
Tennessee.
Nancy Bowen Pickens, wife of John Pickens, was born in South Carolina May
25 , 1779, and died July 4th, 1859.
-oThe Bowen family was among the early settlers of the upper part of South
Carolina. There is an old plantation on which one branch of this family settled on the
waters of Georges Creek, about two miles west of the Saluda River, half way between the
city of Greenville and Easley, S.C. A grist and flour mill were built on this place, and
after a time a cotton gin and saw mill were added. This mill was known as Bowen’s mill,
but it has since passed out of the family, and is now known as Kay’s Mill. In the early
days there was a blacksmith and wagon repair shop located near the mill.
th
D MARY B. PICKENS, daughter of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens, was born
in the northwestern part of South Carolina, on Three and Twenty Creek, October 27th,
1800, and died near Athens, Tennessee, in 1839.
She married John Smith, and lived in Tennessee, and they had three children as
follows:
E Mary Smith
(Two sons)
We have no record of what become of Mary Smith, daughter of John and Mary
Pickens Smith. The two sons moved to Texas.
- oD ROBERT PICKENS, son of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens was born in the
Northwestern part of South Carolina, February 14th, 1802, moved with his parents to
Tennessee in 1821, died November 22nd, 1880. His first wife was Mary Smith, sister of
John and Israel Smith.
His second wife was Nancy Purdy.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
D DORCAS PICKENS, daughter of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens, was born
November 5th, 1803.
She married Israel Smith. They had a number of children, all of whom moved to
Texas and have been lost sight of.
-oD
REECE PICKENS, a son of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens, was born
January 18th, 1806, died April 19th, 1878. He was born in South Carolina, but lived in
Tennessee all his life after his parents moved there in 1821.
He married Elizabeth Neal, and they had five sons and eight daughters, names not
being known to writer. One son is living near Jacksonville, Texas.
-oD ANDREW PICKENS, son of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens, was born in
South Carolina, May 18th, 1808, and died at Carlton, Texas, February 25th, 1891. He
moved from South Carolina to Tennessee in 1821, and it is not known when he moved
from that State of Texas.
His first wife was Rebecca Stanton, second Jane Ann Ragon, and third Mrs.
Myers.
A son, Captain James Pickens, lived at Knoxville, Tennessee where he died in
1892. Another son William B. Pickens, was a minister, and at one time lived in
Boncombe County, N.C., where he was stationed. He died at Ducktown, Tennessee in
1883, and his widow is living at Cleveland, Tennessee.
- oD REBECCA PICKENS, daughter of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens, and twin
sister of Andrew Pickens, was born May 18th, 1808 in Anderson County, S.C., and
moved with her father to Tennessee in 1821. She died October 21st, 1875 at Greenbush,
Walker County, Georgia, where she lived after she married to Abraham B. Neal.
The children of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal, were as follows:
E John M. Neal,
E Reece B. Neal
E William Kennedy Neal,
E Charles Asbury Neal,
E Robert Pickens Neal,
E Abraham H. Neal,
E Joseph B. Neal,
E Benjamin F. Neal,
E Nancy Rebecca Neal,
E Mary Elizabeth Neal.
Joseph B. Neal and Benjamin F. Neal were twins.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
E JOHN M. NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal was born
November 25th, 1829, and died January 5th, 1851.
-oE REECE B. NEAL, son of Abraham and Rebecca Pickens Neal is dead. No
further record. He was born June 30th, 1832.
-oE WILLIAM KENNEDY NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal
lives at Weatherford, Texas. No further record.
E CHARLES ASBURY NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal
is dead and we have no further record.
-oE ROBERT PICKENS NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal
was born November 17th, 1838, and lives at Dalton, Ga.
-oE ABRAHAM H. NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal, born
December 8th, 1840, lives at LaFayette, Ga.
-oE JOSEPH B. NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal, was born
July 17th, 1842, in 1923 was reported as living at Lubbock, Texas, but a party who made
an effort to locate him reported that he could not be located, and was supposed to be
dead.
-oE BENJAMIN F. NEAL, son of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens Neal was
born July 17th, 1842, and is reported dead. He was a twin brother of Joseph B. Neal.
-oE NANCY REBECCA NEAL, daughter of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens
Neal, was born November 2nd, 1844. She married Captain McWilliams who is now dead
and she lives with one of her daughters at Greenbush, Ga.
-oE MARY ELIZABETH NEAL, daughter of Abraham B. and Rebecca Pickens
Neal, married a Mr. Bomar, and lives at LaFayette, Ga.
-oD WILLIAM KENNEDY PICKENS, son of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens
was born in the Northwestern section of South Carolina, May 30th, 1812, and died in
Tennessee in 1855. He lived at Cleveland where he was a merchant for a number of
years.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
He married Mary A. E. White, and had five children as follows:
E John Pickens,
E Thomas Pickens,
E Letcher Pickens,
E Albert Pickens,
E Alice Pickens.
-oD CHARLES ASBURY PICKENS, son of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens was
born in Anderson county, S.C., November 4th, 1814, and moved to Tennessee with his
parents when he was about six years of age. From that time until his death, February 18 th,
1875, he lived at the old John Pickens homestead, nine miles east of Calhoun, eight miles
from Riceville, and twelve miles Southwest of Athens, Tenn.
His first wife was Malinda Smith, and second wife was Mrs. Cassie Lane.
The children of Charles Asbury and Malinda Smith Pickens were:
E David C. Pickens,
E Sarah J. Pickens,
E Mary E. Pickens,
E Susie E. Pickens,
E John A. Pickens,
E Julius K. Pickens,
E Robert Mason Pickens,
E Henry B. Pickens,
E Lillie U. Pickens,
At the time this record is made in 1923, David, Sarah, Susie, John, Julius, Henry
and Lillie are dead.
-oE DAVID C. PICKENS, son of Charles Asbury Pickens was born at the old
John Pickens homestead in Tennessee, married and had six children, four sons and two
daughters.
One of these sons:
F J.H. Pickens.
-oF J.H. PICKENS, son of David C. Pickens is living near Etowah, Tennessee.
-oE SARAH J. PICKENS, daughter of Charles Asbury Pickens was born on the
old John Pickens homestead in McMinn County, Tennessee. She married Rev. William
M. Love and had six children, three boys and three girls. When this record was made in
1923, Rev. William M. Love was living at Pomona, Calif., Names of children not known
to writer.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
E
MARY E. PICKENS, daughter of Charles Asbury Pickens was born in
Tennessee, married James D. Cameron and is living at Cambridge, Neb. James D.
Cameron was son of Talitha Parris Cameron, and grandson of Dorcas Pickens.
-oE
SUSAN L. PICKENS, daughter of Charles Asbury and Malinda Smith
Pickens was born and grew to womanhood in McMinn County, Tennessee. She married
Calvin Clay Dodson in the fall of 1870, and from the best information obtainable moved
to Texas. Children:
F George Julius Dodson,
F Loma Jane Dodson,
F Maude Dodson,
F Julia Dodson,
F Bell Dodson,
F Anna Dodson,
F Charles Dodson,
F Lillie Dodson,
F John Dodson.
-oF GEORGE JULIUS DODSON, son of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson,
married Mamie Learson in June 1909, and lives at Carson City, Nev.
-oF LOMA JANE DODSON, daughter of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson,
was born in McMinn County, Tennessee, November 23rd, 1874 and died December 24th,
1924. She married Danridge Napoleon Williamson who was born in Collin County,
Missouri, December 19th, 1860, April 23rd, 1893.
Daughter:
G Loma Williamson.
G LOMA WILLIAMSON, daughter of Danridge Napoleon and Loma Jane
Dodson Williamson, married Jacob H. Owens and lives at Raymond, Washington.
-oF
MAUDE DODSON, daughter of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson
Married Marion Tallent.
-oF
JULIA DODSON, daughter of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson is
dead.
-oF
BELL DODSON, daughter of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson
married Ed Stanford.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
F
ANNA DODSON, daughter of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson is
dead.
-oF CHARLES DODSON, son of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson is dead.
-oF
LILLIE DODSON, daughter of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson,
married James Bates.
-oF JOHN DODSON, son of Calvin Clay and Susan Pickens Dodson, married but
the name of his wife is not available.
-oD
JOHN A. PICKENS, son of Charles Asbury Pickens was born November
16th, 1850, on the John Pickens homestead in McMinn County, Tennessee. He moved to
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and lived at No. 711 Oak Street in that city. He was greatly
interested in the history of his family and assisted in getting up a considerable amount of
the information of the descendants of John Pickens. He belonged to, and was a member
of the official board of Centenary Methodist church at Chattanooga. He died February
24th, 1919 at his home in Chattanooga.
On September 17th, 1884 he was happily married to Alice Reeder, who was born
April 6th, 1862.
Their only child was:
E Myra Reeder Pickens,
-oMYRA REEDER PICKENS, daughter of John A. and Alice Reeder Pickens was
born September 14th, 1895 and died with scarlet fever at the age of seventeen. Her death
brought great sorrow into the home of her parents, who were greatly devoted to her.
-oD JULIUS K. PICKENS, son of Charles Asbury and Malinda Smith Pickens
married twice. First Rose Beasley and second Toney Royland.
-oE
ROBERT MASON PICKENS, son of Charles Asbury and Malinda Smith
Pickens, was born on the old John Pickens home place in McMinn County, Tennessee,
November 14th, 1855.
In the boyhood of Robert Mason Pickens, he and the sons of Martha Pickens
Trew were very fond of hunting and fishing and he became very much attached to his
cousins. In 1869 this aunt, (Martha Pickens Trew) and her family moved to Texas, and
Robert ran away from home and moved with them to Texas. In Texas he was thrown
upon his own resources, and found work as a farm
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Hand and received ten dollars per month for his work. His work was very hard, and his
wages were not enough to sustain him, so after about five years his health gave way. He
gave up to die. In 1875 his father back in Tennessee died and he received his portion of
his father’s estate. This enabled him to go to Washington Territory where in due time he
regained his health. On April 13th 1888 he was married to Nellie Murray and settled in
Morton, Washington, where he engaged in farming. He is now living in Langley,
Washington.
Nellie Murray, wife of Robert Mason Pickens, was born in Bagley, Iowa, October
22nd, 1866 where she lived until she was eighteen years of age. She prepared herself for a
teacher. In 1884 her mother moved to Washington Territory. She soon commenced
teaching and engaged in this work until her marriage.
The children of Robert Mason and Nellie Murray Pickens are:
F Lillian Orinda Pickens,
F Loma Linda Pickens,
F Florence Mae Pickens,
F Robert Perry Pickens,
F Beulah Hazel Pickens.
-oF LILLIAN ORINDA PICKENS, daughter of Robert Mason and Nellie Murray
Pickens was born April 5th, 1889. On September 14th 1918, which was the last year of the
World War, she sailed as a missionary to Japan. After spending about two years studying
the language she taught in a Bible Training school at Osaka, Japan for five years, and part
of that time she had the charge of the Girl’s Dormitory. When she first arrived in Japan
the climate was very hard on her, but she soon became used to it and her health was very
much improved. In June 1925 she returned to America for rest, and while in America
visited Methodist churches on the Pacific coast reporting the work being done in Japan.
On December 4th, 1926 she returned to Japan and took up her work there.
-oF
LOMA LINDA PICKENS, daughter of Robert Mason and Nellie Murray
Pickens was born August 6th, 1891. She married Elmer H. Johnson a professor in
Wisconsin University at Madison, Wisc. He was born in 1888. They were married Dec.
31st, 1920.
-oF FLORENCE MAE PICKENS, daughter of Robert Mason and Nellie Murray
Pickens was born October 16, 1894 and on May 25th, 1920 she was married to Eugene J.
Henry.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Child:
G Loma Gale Henry.
-oF BEULAH HAZEL PICKENS, daughter of Robert Mason and Nellie Murray
Pickens was born June 2nd, 1904 and grew up to be a beautiful talented woman. On
December 27th, 1922 she married Paul A. Jerling and lives at Los Angeles, Calif.
-oE
LILLIE U. PICKENS, youngest daughter of Charles Asbury Pickens of
McMinn county, Tennessee was born September 27th, 1862, died in Amarillo, Texas,
where she had gone for her health, January 17th, 1922, and was taken back to Tennessee
for burial. On October 14th, 1880 she married John C. Carlock, who was born December
6th, 1856 and died March 15th, 1915.
John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock were the parents of eleven children as follows:
F Charlie L. Carlock,
F Fannie Carlock,
F Mary Carlock,
F Emma Sue Carlock,
F James F. Carlock,
F Lemia E. Carlock,
F William A. Carlock,
F Albert A. Carlock,
F Lillian Pearl Carlock,
F Kathryn Carlock,
F John Pickens Carlock.
-oF CHARLIE CARLOCK, son of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was born
September 1, 1881, died March 14th, 1918. No further record available.
-oF FANNIE CARLOCK, daughter of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock, was
born May 5, 1884 in Tennessee, and has lived in and near Etowah all her life. In 1922 she
was an efficient employee of the Post Office at Etowah. She furnished a considerable
amount of information for this sketch of the Carlock family.
-oF MARY CARLOCK, daughter of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was born
December 13th, 1885. No further record.
-oF EMMA SUE CARLOCK, daughter of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was
born December 12, 1886, and died January 26th, 1887.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
F JAMES F. CARLOCK, son of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was born
February 15th, 1888. No further record available.
-oF
LEMIA E. CARLOCK, was born February 6th, 1890. No further record
available.
-oF JOHN PICKENS CARLOCK, son of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was
born December 21st, 1891. He was a member of Company E, thirty-first Infantry, United
States Army, and was in the Philippine Islands, when “World War I” broke out. After war
was declared, returned to United States to camp in California. From that place was sent to
Siberia, and was in a few skirmishes there. Returned to United States and was mustered
out of army about 1920.
-oF
LILLIAN PEARL CARLOCK, daughter of John C. and Lillie Pickens
Carlock was born April 28th, 1893. She married and has had two children. Names of her
husband and children not yet furnished. Now lives with her brothers and sisters at
Etowah, Tennessee.
F WILLIAM A. CARLOCK, son of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was
born November 2nd, 1895. Grew to manhood in McMinn County, Tennessee. He was first
sergeant of Company L, 117th Infantry, Thirtieth Division, during the “World War” and
was severely wounded in action overseas. The following is a sketch of the Company to
which he belonged:
Company was organized by Captain R.W. Green, in September 1910, as
Company “A”, Separate Battalion, Tennessee National Guard. Was later attached to and
made a part of First Battalion, Third Tennessee Infantry. Company letter changed to “G’.
Later changed to “L” and attached to the Third Battalion, same regiment.
Mexican Border service from September 20th, 1916 until March 7th, 1917. Called
into Federal service, July 25th, 1917.
Went into mobilization camp at Camp Sevier, near Greenville, S.C., September
8th, 1917. Left Camp Sevier, May 3rd, 1918; arrived at Camp Mills, Long Island, May 4th.
Left United States for overseas service May 11th, 1918, arrived at Liverpool, England
May 23rd. Left Liverpool same day, arriving at Folkstone, England, May 23rd or early in
the morning of 24th, thence across English Channel, arriving at Calais, France, same day.
Left Inglehem, July 1st, arriving Tunneling Camp, Belgium, July 4th, 1918. Left
Tunneling Camp July 27th, arriving at “P” Camp same day. Left “P” Camp for Ypres
front line August 1st. Left Ypres Front August 4th. Arrived at Orilla Camp August 5th and
left August
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
7th, and arrived at Ypres Rampart same day. The Company arrived at Hamel, France,
September 23rd, 1918; at Jeancourt, September 24th; remained in support until morning of
September 29th, when the Thirtieth Division broke the famous Hindenburg line. Left front
lines October 20th, and came out for rest, and while at Heilly the armistice was signed.
Left Heilly November 23rd, for Beaufy, France.
The Company left St. Nazaire, France March 18th, 1919; arrived at Charleston,
S.C., April 2nd; moved to Camp Jackson, thence to Chickamauga Park, and was mustered
out April 16, 1919.
-oF ALBERT A. CARLOCK, son of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was born
October 17th, 1898 and was killed in the World War, near Jeancourt, France, October 7th,
1918. He was Corporal, Company “L”, 117th Light Infantry. The movements of his
company being shown in above sketch of William A. Carlock.
-oF KATHRYN CARLOCK, daughter of John C. and Lillie Pickens Carlock was
born July 1st, 1901.
-oD NANCY PICKENS, daughter of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens was born
September 14th, 1817, and died March 4th, 1896, aged seventy-eight years, five months
and twenty days. She married Henry B. Davis, and lived for awhile in McMinn County,
Tennessee, but moved to Cleveland about 1851.
The children of Henry B. and Nancy Pickens Davis were:
E John P. Davis,
E Mary Davis,
E Fannie Davis,
E Lillie Davis,
E Loma Davis,
E Emma Davis.
-oE JOHN P. DAVIS, MARY DAVIS, FANNIE DAVIS and EMMA DAVIS, all
children of Henry B. and Nancy Pickens Davis are reported dead.
-oE LILLIE DAVIS, daughter of Henry B. and Nancy Pickens Davis married a
Mr. Thomas and lives near Cleveland, Tennessee.
-oE LOMA DAVIS, daughter of Henry B. and Nancy Pickens Davis, married a
Mr. Cleveland and lives at some place in Idaho.
-oD MARTHA PICKENS, the youngest child of John and Nancy Bowen Pickens,
was born January 13th, 1822, and was the only
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
child of John Pickens to be born in Tennessee. She died in Cook County, Texas,
December 13th, 1887. She married Warner Trew and their children were:
E Jess Trew,
E Reece Trew,
E Emma Trew,
E Barshie Trew.
This family all moved to Texas in 1869.
-oC
MARTHA PICKENS, daughter of Captain Robert and Dorcas Hallum
Pickens, was born June 15, 1776. Little is known of her girlhood days, but when she was
about seven years old her parents moved from Abbeville County to Three and Twenty.
About the year 1800 she married John Smith, the son of Jeb Smith, and her father gave
them a plantation near his, on which they lived and died. It is interesting to know that
they built their log house one and one-half stories high, eighteen feet wide and twentyfour feet long. It had a shed room and small piazza in front and the house had a brick
chimney. Years later the house was converted into a barn and the shed room and piazza
used as a wagon shed. Martha Pickens Smith died March 17th, 1818.
John Smith was a farmer and blacksmith, an energetic, honest and successful
businessman. He joined the Methodist Church as soon as it was organized in his
community and lived a consistent religious life. He died September 26th, 1848.
The Smiths had several daughters, one of whom was Martha Smith who married
Robert Pickens (son of Captain Robert Pickens). Israel Smith and Joseph Smith married
daughters of John Pickens (son of Captain Robert Pickens).
-oThe children of John and Martha Pickens Smith were:
D Lucinda Smith,
D Talitha Smith,
D Sidney Smith,
D Miranda Smith,
D Mary A. Smith,
D John Collinsworth Smith,
D James Douthett Smith,
D Andrew McKindrew Smith.
-oD LUCINDA SMITH, daughter of John and Martha Pickens Smith was born in
South Carolina, September 16th, 1802, and died in Indiana, December 18th, 1870. She
married James Douthett Sims, a farmer and local Methodist minister and lived in South
98
THE PICKENS FAMILY
Carolina and Georgia for sometime, but moved to Indiana before their children were
grown.
The children on James Douthett and Lucinda Smith Sims were:
E Mary Ann Talitha Sims,
E Martha Emeline Sims,
E John McPherson Sims,
E Eliza Jane Sims,
E Marinda Elizabeth Sims,
E Margaret Louisa Sims,
E James Addison Sims,
E Emily Amanda Sims.
-oE
MARY ANN TALITHA SIMS, daughter of James Douthett and Lucinda
Smith Sims, was born in South Carolina, but her parents moved to Indiana before she was
grown. She married James Wesley Higgins, a carpenter and cabinet maker. Their only
child was:
F James Higgins.
-oF JAMES HIGGINS, son of James Wesley and Mary Ann Talitha Sims Higgins
is a millwright. He married Emeline Smith and they had two chidren:
G Estella Higgins,
G Pearl Higgins.
The second wife of James B. Higgins was Elizabeth Stultz and their children
were:
G Claude Higgins,
G Nellie Higgins.
-oG ESTELLA HIGGINS, daughter of James B. and Emeline Smith Higgins died
in infancy.
-oG PEARL HIGGINS, daughter of James B. and Emeline Smith Higgins lives in
Indianapolis, Indiana. She married John S. Shoaf, a designer and manufacturer of biscuit
dies. They have two daughters:
H Dorris Shoaf,
H Marie Shoaf.
G
CLAUDE HIGGINS, son of James B. and Elizabeth Stultz Higgins is an
electrician. He married Dana Lowden and their daughter is:
H Jeannette Higgins.
-oE MARTHA EMELINE SIMS, daughter of James Douthett and Lucinda Smith
Sims, married Martin Van Buren McQuinty, a
99
THE PICKENS FAMILY
Farmer, and they moved to Iowa. The following are the names of their children:
F Hannah McQuinty,
F Luella McQuinty.
-oE JOHN McPHERSON SIMS, son of James Douthett and Lucinda Smith Sims,
was a contractor and builder, but later in life became interested in farming, and
superintended farming interests until his death. He was greatly interested in his family
history, and when the Smith-Pickens Association was organized he became its first
president. He was married twice. At his first wedding there was a double wedding
ceremony, in which he was married to Emilyne Parr, and his sister Emily Amanda Sims
was married to his wife’s brother, Dr. J. Nelson Parr. After the death of his first wife he
married Mrs. Jane Ellen Scott-Port, of Knightstown, Indiana, and they lived at
Knightstown until his death.
The only child of John McPherson and Emeline Parr Sims was:
F Charles Elliott Sims.
There were no children by the second marriage.
-oF CHARLES ELLIOTT SIMS, son of John McPherson and Emeline Parr Sims
engaged in the wholesale jewelry business in Indianapolis, Indiana. He and his father
both died of pneumonia, a few hours apart. The son had been especially attentive to his
father during his last few years of delicate health, and while nursing him in his last illness
Elliott contracted the same disease, and both succumbed to it.
Charles Elliott Sims married Lula Pea, and their child was:
G Herbert Elliott Sims.
-oG HERBERT ELLIOTT SIMS, son of Charles Elliott and Lula Pea Sims soon
after the death of his father and grandfather met with a fatal accident while crossing a
railroad.
E ELIZA JANE SIMS, daughter of James Douthett and Lucinda Smith Sims,
after the death of her oldest sister was married to James Wesley Higgins, her brother-inlaw.
Names of their children follow:
F Orra Higgins,
F Margaret Higgins,
F Malissa Higgins,
F Emma Higgins,
F William Addison Higgins.
100
THE PICKENS FAMILY
F ORRA HIGGINS, daughter of John Wesley and Eliza Jane Sims Higgins, was
married to John Calvin, a carpenter and contractor of Zionsville, Indiana, but afterwards
moved to Indianapolis.
Their children:
G Lillian Calvin,
G Clarence Calvin.
-oG LILLIAN CALVIN, daughter of John and Orra Higgins Calvin was married
to Jasper Peacock, who was employed by a book concern at Washington, and moved to
Washington.
Their children:
H Robert Peacock,
H Ruth Peacock.
-oH RUTH PEACOCK, daughter of Jasper and Lillian Calvin Peacock died in
infancy.
-oG CLARENCE CALVIN, son of John and Orra Higgins Calvin lived in Detroit,
Michigan, where he was employed in a foundry. He married Nora Godfrey.
Children:
H Harry Calvin,
H Lillian Calvin,
H Morris Calvin,
H Elizabeth Calvin.
-oF
MARGARET HIGGINS, daughter of James Wesley and Eliza Jane Sims
Higgins married William Hammond, an editor, and lived in California. Children:
G Arthur Hammond,
G Bertha Hammond,
G Albert Hammond,
G Alfred Hammond,
G Jessie Hammond.
-oG BERTHA HAMMND, daughter of William and Margaret Higgins Hammond
was married and lives in Minneapolis, Minn. No further record.
-oF
MALISSA HIGGINS, daughter of James Wesley and Eliza Jane Sims
Higgins, a twin sister of Margaret Higgins, married Luther M. Pentecost, and lived in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
Their only child were:
G Raymond W. Pentecost.
101
THE PICKENS FAMILY
G
RAYMOND W. PENTECOST, son of Luther M. and Malissa Higgins
Pentecost died in infancy.
-oF EMMA HIGGINS, daughter of James Wesley and Eliza Jane Sims Higgins
was a woman of artistic temperament, and expert needle-woman, and her designs in art
craft gained her considerable recognition. She was married to Herbert Craft, a railroad
postal clerk of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Children:
G Dean Craft,
G Kenneth Craft.
-oG
DEAN CRAFT, son of Herbert and Emma Higgins Craft, married Ethel
Brown of Warsaw, Indiana but lived at Indianapolis, Indiana.
-oG KENNETH CRAFT, son of Herbert and Emma Higgins Craft was educated
at DePaugh University and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a noted
musician.
-oF
MIRANDA ELIZABETH SIMS, daughter of James Douthett and Lucinda
Smith Sims was married to Henry Drury, a carpenter and builder. No further record.
-oE
MARGARET LOUISA SIMS, daughter of James Douthett and Lucinda
Smith Sims married the Rev. Thomas Stabler, of Yorkshire, England, a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Their four children were all gifted musicians, and the
quartet was composed of:
F
F
F
F
William J. Stabler,
Thomas Percival Stabler,
Mary Louise Stabler,
Edith S. Stabler.
-oF
WILLIAM J. STABLER, son of Rev. Thomas and Margaret Louisa Sims
Stabler was a professional musician and lived in Michigan. He married Della Quivy, a
teacher of painting, and we have record of one son:
E Quivey Stabler.
-oF THOMAS PERCIVAL STABLER, son of Rev. Thomas and Margaret Louisa
Stabler, was a railroad man and had a position in an office in Dayton, Ohio. No further
record.
102
THE PICKENS FAMILY
F MARY LOUISA STABLER, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Margaret Louisa
Sims Stabler, married Charles Fremont Hunt of Indianapolis, Indiana, where they lived
for several years, but they afterwards moved to Lafayette, Ind.
Children:
G Helen Gayle Hunt,
G Edith Gladys Hunt,
G Richard Stabler Hunt.
-oG HELEN GAYLE HUNT and EDITH GLADYS HUNT, daughters of Charles
Fremont and Mary Stabler Hunt, were twins. Each inherited musical ability, which added
to their natural vivacity, made them especially attractive girls.
-oG
RICHARD STABLER HUNT, son of Charles Fremont and Mary Louisa
Stabler died in infancy.
-oF EDITH STABLER HUNT, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Margaret Louisa
Sims Stabler, married Alfred Pierson Conklin, a lumberman of Greenfield , Indiana, and
her father and mother lived with her until her death.
We have record of one daughter of Alfred Pierson and Edith Stabler Conklin, a
daughter:
G Mildred Conklin.
-oE JAMES ADDISON SIMS, son of James Douthett and Lucinda Smith Sims,
was a contractor and manufacturer of composition roofing and lived in Indianapolis,
Indiana. He was married twice. First wife was Jennie Pugh, who died in a few years.
Second wife was Mary E. Laughlin.
James Addison and Jennie Pugh Sims had one son:
F Walter Sims.
James Addison and Mary E. Laughlin Sims had two sons:
G Thomas Sims,
G Ernest Sims.
-oG
Thomas Sims, son of James Addison and Mary E. Laughlin Sims was
educated at the University of Michigan. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Lived with is father and mother in Indianapolis, Indiana.
103
THE PICKENS FAMILY
G ERNEST SIMS, son of James Addison and Mary E. Laughlin Sims graduated
from the University of Michigan, and was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He
became a businessman of Toronto, Canada.
-oE
EMILY AMANDA SIMS, daughter of James D. and Lucinda Smith Sims
married J. Nelson Parr, a minister and physician, and lived but a short time after her
marriage.
-oC
MARGARET PICKENS, the third child of Captain Robert and Dorcas
Hallum Pickens was born August 4th, 1778, in Abbeville County, South Carolina.
Records concerning her are very meager, but from the best evidence obtainable,
she move to North Carolina. She was very deaf, probably entire so.
Her son was:
D William Pickens.
-oD WILLIAM PICKNES, son of Margaret Pickens, was born about 1803 and
lived in Buncombe County, N.C. He was popularly known as Esquire Billy Pickens, and
was an energetic man and useful citizen.
About 1821 William Pickens married Elizabeth Brittain, a daughter of a
Revolutionary soldier, William Brittain, who lived two miles from Weaverville, N.C., on
Flat Creek.
The children of “Squire” William and Elizabeth Brittain Pickens were:
E Robert Harrison Pickens,
E Jane Pickens,
E Rachel Pickens,
E Elizabeth Pickens,
E William B. Pickens,
E Sidney Vance Pickens,
E Priscilla Pickens,
E Dorcas Pickens,
E Hannah Pickens,
E Joseph Pickens,
E John C. Pickens.
-oE
ROBERT HARRISON PICKENS, son of “Squire” William and Elizabeth
Brittain Pickens, was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, February 28th, 1823,
and died March 27th, 1910, after having lived the entire eighty-seven years of his life in
his native county. His home was at Jupiter, near Weaverville.
104
THE PICKENS FAMILY
About 1850 he married Theresa Roberts. She was born December 24th, 1833, and
died February 26th, 1926.
Theresa Roberts joined the Methodist Protestant Church at Mt. Zion, at the age of
thirteen years, and lived a consistent Christian life. She married at the age of seventeen.
At the time of her death she had forty –two grandchildren, seventy-two greatgrandchildren and fourteen great-great-grandchildren, who with five of her own children
out of thirteen, made 133 living descendants.
The children of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts Prickens were as follows:
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Mary E. Pickens,
Jane M. Pickens,
William B. Pickens,
James M. Pickens,
Ragan A. Pickens,
Vance G. Pickens,
Alvah M. Pickens,
Lula G. Pickens,
Susan G. Pickens,
Dallia R. Pickens,
Robert F. Pickens,
Oliver F. Pickens,
Seaward B. Pickens.
-oF
MARY E. PICKENS, the oldest daughter of Robert Harrison and Theresa
Roberts Pickens, of Buncombe County, N.C., was born March 2nd, 1851. On September
13th, 1874, she married G. W. Sprinkle. She was a splendid conversationalist, and talked
very interestingly of her family, and family connections.
Her husband, G.W. Sprinkle was born May 4th, 1855.
The children of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle were:
G Robert K. Sprinkle,
G Vashti L. Sprinklr,
G Josephine T. Sprinkle,
G Carl V. Sprinkle,
G Lula G. Sprinkle,
G May Sue Sprinkle,
G James E. Sprinkle,
G Russell H. Sprinkle.
-oG ROBERT K. SPRINKLE, son of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle, was born
February 2nd, 1877. He lives at Beasley, Texas.
105
THE PICKENS FAMILY
G VASHTI L. SPRINKLE, daughter of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle, was
born July 6th, 1878. She married R.W. Kilpatrick of Brevard, N.C. They now live at No. 3
Beard Street, Asheville, N.C. We have record of one daughter:
H Mary Kilpatrick.
-oG JOSEPHINE T. SPRINKLE, daughter of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle
was born April 25th, 1880. She married R.L. Jones, of Asheville, N.C. We have record
one daughter:
H Ruth Jones.
RUTH JONES married Victor Robertson.
-oG
CARL V. SPRINKLE, son of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle was born
December 30th, 1884. He married Jennie Nickles of Tennessee and lives at Darlington,
Texas.
-oG LULA G. SPRINKLE, daughter of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle, was
born July 30th, 1881. Married J.C. Charles, of Union, South Carolina and lives on Route
No. 5, Spartanburg, S.C.
-oG MAY SUE SPRINKLE, daughter of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle was
born April 27th, 1890. Lives in Laurens County, near Ware Shoals, S.C., and runs a dairy
farm. She has several children.
-oG JAMES E. SPRINKLE, son of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle was born
July 21st, 1892. He married Mary Roberts, of Flint Hill, N.C. Lives at Asheville, N.C.
-oG RUSSELL H. SPRINKLE, son of G.W. and Mary Pickens Sprinkle married
Nora Fowler, of Pickens County, S.C. He was born August 8th, 1894. Lives at No. 34
Haynsworth Street, Monaghan Mills, Greenville, S.C.
-oF
JANE M. PICKENS, daughter of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens was born December 9th, 1853. She married James Sams and they are both dead.
No further record.
-oF WILLIAM B. PICKENS, son of Roert Harrison and Theresa Roberts Pickens
was born March 3rd, 1855. Married Elizabeth Almand and lived in Texas. Died recently.
-oF JAMES M. PICKENS, son of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts Pickens
was born August 18th, 1856. Married Elizabeth Wild, and is living on Route No. 2,
Alexander, N.C. He is a noted
106
THE PICKENS FAMILY
Baptist minister, and is an influential man in his community and church. His wife was the
daughter of a Baptist minister. A strange coincidence is that he is living on an old
Methodist Camp Ground.
James M. and Elizabeth Wild Pickens have several children, but we have the
name of only one, a son:
G Cleotus Pickens
CLEOTUS PICKENS, son of James M. and Elizabeth Wild Pickens moved to
Alabama. He is married and has a family but the names of children have not been
obtained for this record.
-oF REAGAN A. PICKENS, son of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts Pickens
was born February 28th, 1858. He married Cornelia Fox and lives near Los Angekes, Cal.
His Post Office is Norwalk, Cal.
-oF VANCE GABRIEL PICKENS, son of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens, was born January 23rd, 1860. He married May Revis. She is reported dead, and
he lives at Belleflower, Los Angeles County, California.
-oF ALVAH M. PICKENS, son of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts Pickens
was born May 16th, 1862. He married Victoria McLean, and lived at Jupiter, Idaho. He
was killed in an automobile accident.
-oF
LULA G. PICKENS, daughter of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens was born June 9th, 1865. She married North B. McLean. Their home is on Route
3, (Box 5) Long Beach, Cal.
-oF
SUSAN C. PICKENS, daughter of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens was born November 3rd, 1867. She married Holden McLean.
-oF
DALLIA R. PICKENS, daughter of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens, was born January 11, 1869.
-oF ROBERT FULTON PICKENS, son of Roert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens was born June 18th, 1872. He was lost in one of the great battles fought on the
Island of Cuba, during the Spanish American War.
-oF OLIVER F. PICKENS, son of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts Pickens
was born November 18th, 1874. Died when about nine months of age.
107
THE PICKENS FAMILY
F
SEAWARD B. PICKENS, son of Robert Harrison and Theresa Roberts
Pickens was born August 6, 1877. Married Nellie Phillips, and lives at Alexander, N.C.
-oE JANE PICKENS, daughter of Squire Billy and Elizabeth Brittain Pickens was
born about 1824. She married A.J. Ramsey and they had a number of sons and daughters,
but we have not succeeded in getting their names. She is buried at Marshall, N.C.
-oE
RACHEL CATHERINE PICKENS, daughter of Squire William and
Elizabeth Brittain Pickens was born at Jupiter, N.C., April 3, 1828 and died September
19, 1898. On February 1, 1853 she was married to Gabriel Wild of Jupiter. They had
following children:
F
F
F
F
F
F
William Brittan Wild
Orra Brittain Wild
Mollie Wild
Demeriah Wild
Adeline Priscilla Wild
Alice Wild
-oF WILLIAM BRITTAIN WILD, son of Gabriel and Rachel Catherine Pickens
Wild was born in 1854. He married first, Mrs. Vista Hensley Roberts and second Mrs.
Frances Davis Postelle. No children.
-oF ORRA BRITTAIN WILD, daughter of Gabriel and Rachel Catherine Wild
was born September 1, 1856 and died in 1932. She married William H. Hunter of Jupiter,
N.C. They had nine children but we have the names of only three:
G
G
G
G
Ethel Hunter
Susie Hunter
Pearl Hunter
Ethel Hunter married Dan Hill and lives in Athens, Ga.
-oF MOLLIE WILD, daughter of Rachel Catherine and Gabriel Wild was born in
1858. She married George Mayo.
-oF DEMERIAH WILD, daughter of Gabriel and Rachel Catherine Pickens Wild
was born in 1859. She married Rev. D. Franklin Carver, a minister in the Western North
Carolina conference of the Methodist Church.
108
THE PICKENS FAMILY
Their children are:
G Dwight Gladstone Carver
G Roy Carver
G Ralston Carver
-oF
ADELINE PRISCILLA WILD, daughter of Gabriel and Rachel Catherine
Pickens Wild was born May 8, 1861. She married Rev. John Alexander Clarke of
Leicester, N.C. Rev. Clarke was a member of the Holston conference of the Methodist
church and later of the Western North Carolina conference.
The children or Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla Clarke were:
G
G
G
G
G
G
Bertram C. Clarke
Loy Wild Clarke
Geneva Alma Clarke
Adra Iona Clarke
Malta Vance Clarke
Conway Alexander Clarke
-oG BERTRAM C. CLARKE, son of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla Clarke, is a
newspaper and magazine writer and makes his home in Washington, D.C.
-oG LOY WILD CLARKE, son of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla Clarke, is a
merchant living in Centralia, Illinois.
-oG WILLIAM GUY CLARKE, son of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla Clarke,
was born March 15, 1891 and died May 14, 1910.
-oG GENEVA ALMA, daughter of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla Clarke was
born May 16, 1893 and died September 26, 1921.
-oG ADRA IONA CLARKE, daughter of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla Clarke
was born in 1895. She married Hubert R. Currin of Petersburg, Va.
-oG
MALTA VANCE CLARKE, daughter of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla
Clarke was born in 1896. She married Roy Batchelor of Greenville, North Carolina.
-oG CONWAY ALEXANDER CLARKE, son of Rev. J.A. and Adeline Priscilla
Clarke was born in 1899. He has never married.
-oG MARY ELIZABETH PICKENS, daughter of Squire William and Elizabeth
Brittain Pickens was born January 26, 1832.
109
THE PICKENS FAMILY
On May 22, 1856 she was married to Morgan B. Wild, a well to do farmer of Jupiter,
N.C.
The children of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Pickens Wild were:
F D.H. Wild,
F Minnie B. Wild,
F Laura Wild,
F Julia Wild,
F Jennie Wild,
F William V. Wild.
-oF
DOUGLAS H. WILD, son of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Wild was born
October 8, 1866. He married Flora Owenby and they had a son:
G Simmons Wild
-oF MINNIE B. WILD, daughter of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Wild married
Hamilton H. Jarrett and lived in Franklin, N.C.
-oF LAURA WILD, daughter of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Wild, married J.A.
Rogers of Skyland, N.C. They had a son.
G Sidney B. Rogers
-oF JULIA WILD, daughter of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Wild, married Mark
L. Lance of Skyland, N.C., wher they now live.
-oF JENNIE WILD, daughter of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Wild, married a Mr.
Martin and they moved to Kansas City.
-oF
WILLIAM V. WILD, son of Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Wild was born
October 2, 1872 and died July 29, 1897.
-oF
WILLIAM B. PICKENS, son of “Squire” William and Elizabeth Brittain
Pickens was born about 1833. He died while a student at Tusculum College, in
Tennessee.
-oF SIDNEY VANCE PICKENS, son of “Squire” William and Elizabeth Brittain
Pickens, was born about 1836, in Buncombe County, N.C. He enlisted in First North
Carolina Cavalry, of the Confederate Army during the Civil War of the Sixties and
served under Ransome, Hampton and Strewart. In 1864 he was commissioned as
Lieutenant, and Adjutant of 14th Cavalry. Later he was promoted to Major. After the war
ended, he married Sarah Cornelia Davis, a daughter of a “Union” captain, and settled in
110
THE PICKENS FAMILY
Hendersonville, N.C. Here he became a prominent citizen and successful lawyer, and
accumulated considerable wealth. He was a faithful and influential member of the
Methodist Protestant Church and did much for the advancement of the interests of this
church in his part of the state. He died in 1919. He had no children.
-oPRISCILLA PICKENS, DORCAS PICKENS, HANNAH PICKENS and
JOSEPH PICKENS, all children of “Squire” William and Elizabeth Brittain Pickens died
in childhood.
-oF JOHN C. PICKENS, son of “Squire” William and Elizabeth Brittain Pickens
was born January 4th, 1848, in Buncombe County, N.C., where he grew to manhood. At
the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the Federal Army, and served throughout
the war. He is a present living in California.
Having traveled a great deal, he has met many members of the Pickens families,
and he talks and writes very interestingly of them.
On June 1st, 1872, he was married to Louise Fensky, in Kansas and they raised the
following children:
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
Augusta Pickens,
Jacob Sidney Pickens,
Anna Pickens,
Jean Pickens,
Josephine Pickens,
Hulda Pickens,
Sadie Pickens,
Eileen Pickens.
-oG AUGUSTA PICEKNS, daughter of John C. and Louise Fensky Pickens was
educated in the schools of Topeka, Kansas, and early in life went to work in the office of
a large steam laundry, where she became with the management of the laundry.
Afterwards she became manager of a laundry in another city, but returned to Topeka and
entered business of her own. Some of her younger sisters being milliners she bought out a
millinery store and established the firm of “Pickens’ Ladies Hatters” in Topeka. The
business proved a success and another store was established at Wichita, Kansas.
-oG JACOB SIDNEY PICKENS, son of John C. and Louise Fensky Pickens died
in Los Angeles, California in 1921.
111
THE PICKENS FAMILY
G ANNA PICKENS, daughter of John C. Pickens, and his wife, Louise Fensky,
married a Mr. McHenry. He was an energetic man and a good manager, and they
prospered for a few years until he was taken by death. She is now living at Wichita,
Kansas, with her two children:
H Walter McHenry,
H Louise McHenry,
H LOUISE McHENRY, daughter of Anna Pickens McHenry, is in charge of the
“Pickens Hatters” branch store in Wichita, Kan.
-oG JEAN PICKENS, daughter of John C. and Louise Fensky Pickens married
H.B. Swanson, a Bank Inspector, and lives at Topeka, Kan. They have no children. Being
familiar with the millinery business she took the lead in the management of the “Pickens’
Ladies Hatters” stores when this business was first established.
-oG
JOSEPHINE PICKNES, daughter of John C. and Louise Fensky Pickens
studied law, making a specialty of the law of inheritance. It is said that she has now
married (1926) a lawyer.
-oG HULDA PICKENS, daughter of John C. and Louise Fensky Pickens, married
Nelson Armin Emmertz, secretary and treasurer of a large Cold Storage and Warehouse
Corporation of Chicago, Ill. They have a fine residence with spacious grounds in the
Suburbs of Chicago.
They have three children as follows:
H Armin Emmertz,
H Roger Emmertsz,
H Louise Emmertz.
-oG
EILEEN PICKENS, daughter of John C. and Louise Fensky Pickens is a
junior member of the firm of “Pickens’ Ladies Hatters” of Topeka and Wichita, Kansas.
Lives with her sisters at Topeka.
-oC
ELIZABETH PICKENS, daughter of Captain Robert and Dorcas Hallum
Pickens was born April 16th, 1780, at Long Cane, Abbeville County, South Carolina.
She never married, and was known throughout the community as “Aunt Betsy”.
“Aunt Betsy” raised a nephew, Andrew McKindrew Smith, son of John and
Martha Pickens Smith. When this nephew reached manhood, he went to Indiana, and
married Minerva Caroline Wagaman, sixteen year old daughter of Samuel Benjamin
Wagaman, and returned to South Carolina. “Aunt Betsy” lived with them for a number of
years, and at her death, left them her property.
112
THE PICKENS FAMILY
This good woman who brightened the lives of her friends with her kindness is
buried in the Pickens graveyard.
-oC MARY PICKENS, daughter of Captain Robert and Dorcas Hallum Pickens,
was born January 30th, 1782, at Long Cane, Abbeville County, S.C. She married George
Bowman, a Methodist minister, and moved to Indiana. Information about them is very
meager. There were at least two sons in this family as follows:
D Pickens Bowman,
D Levi Bowman.
-oD
PICKENS BOWMAN, a son of Rev. George and Mary Pickens Bowman
married. We have record of one daughter:
E Vera Bowman.
-oD LEVI BOWMAN, a son of Rev. George and Mary Pickens Bowman, married
Talitha Smith, second daughter of John and Martha Pickens Smith. Talitha Smith was
born March 14th, 1804 and died November 3rd, 1835.
Levi and Talitha Smith Bowman, had one son:
E William Bowman.
-oE WILLIAM BOWMAN, son of Levi and Talitha Smith Bowman of Indiana.
His mother died when he was very young, and he was reared by his aunt, Marinda Smith:
He married Anna Pfaff, of Westfield, Ind. Their children are:
F Flora Bell Bowman,
F Cora Apellis Bowman,
F Levi Walter Bowman,
F Harry William Bowman.
-oF
FLORA BELL BOWMAN, daughter of William and Anna Pfaff Bowman
died in infancy.
-oF CORA APELLIS BOWMAN, daughter of William and Anna Pfaff Bowman
grew to be a beautiful girl, but died just as she reached young womanhood.
-oF LEVI WALTER BOWMAN, son of William and Anna Pfaff Bowman lives
in Westfield, Indiana, and conducts farming interests with his mother and brother, Harry.
Walter married Ina Craige, of Carmel, Ind.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
F HARRY WILLIAM BOWMAN, a son of William and Anna Pfaff Bowman,
lived in Westfield, Indiana, and was a farmer. He was a musician and made some very
clever musical instruments.
He married Goldie Meyers, and we have record of one daughter.
G Cora Bowman.
-oC DORCAS PICKENS, the seventh child of Captain Robert and Dorcas Hallum
Pickens, was born July 24th, 1785, at Three and Twenty, in Anderson County, South
Carolina.
Information about Dorcas Pickens is very meager, but after growing to
womanhood, she married William Paris and moved to Tennessee, and lived on a farm in
McMinn County.
There were five sons and seven daughters in this family as follows:
D John Paris,
D Lemuel Paris,
D William Paris,
D Robert Paris,
D Jackson Paris,
D Mary Paris,
D Talitha Paris,
D Lucinda Paris,
D Elva Paris,
D Sarah Paris,
D Jerusha Paris,
D Nancy Paris.
-oD JOHN PARIS, son of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris, lived a bachelor for
many years in McMinn County, Tennessee, and was a carpenter. In later life he married
Margaret Wheeler and moved to Texas where he died. Have no records concerning
family.
-oD LEMUEL PARIS, son of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris, lived a life of a
bachelor in McMinn County, Tennessee. He was a carpenter by trade.
-oD
WILLIAM PARIS, son of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris, was a
successful farmer and lived in McMinn County, Tenn.
About the year 1847, he married Milla Ann Porter.
-oD
ROBERT H. PARIS, son of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris, lived in
Tennessee. About 1849, he married Mary Jenkins.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
They had two sons and three daughters:
E James Lemuel Paris,
E Sarah Elizabeth Paris,
E John W. Paris,
E Tennie Paris,
E Mary Dorcas Paris.
-oE JAMES LEMUEL PARIS, son of Robert H. and Mary Jenkins married and is
living in North Chattanooga, a suburb of Chattanooga, Tenn.
-oE SARAH ELIZABETH PARIS, daughter of Robert H. and Mary Jenkins Paris
married Rev. A. Kincaid, a member of the Holston Conference M.E. Church, South. She
died in Chattanooga in 1916, and her husband died in 1917.
-oE JACKSON PARIS, son of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris went west, but
returned to Tennessee and married a Miss Brewer. He died in McMinn County.
-oE MARY PARIS, daughter of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris married James
Hickey, a farmer, and lived in Polk County, Tenn., where she died.
D TALITHA PARIS, daughter of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris, was born
November 22nd, 1815 and died October 29th, 1857. On February 27th, 1835, and died
September 8th, 1899.
William O. Cameron was a farmer, and live on a fine farm on the Hiawassee
River, in Polk County, Tennessee.
The children of this union were:
E Mary J. Cameron,
E Felix A. Cameron,
E Nancy E. Cameron,
E James D. Cameron,
E Martha C. Cameron,
E William O. Cameron,
E Israel N. Cameron,
E Margaret E. Cameron,
E Archibald S. Cameron,
E John B. Cameron.
E MARY J. CAMERON, daughter of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron,
wsa born December 11th, 1835, and died in 1917. She married James Corn, and they had
five children.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
E FELIX A. CAMERON, son of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron was
born June 28th, 1837, and died February 5th, 1891. Married C.J. Mower and had six
children.
-oE NANCY E. CAMERON, daughter of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron,
was born April 26th, 1839 and died October 30th, 1907. She married William E. Trew and
they had six children.
-oE JAMES D. CAMERON, son of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron was
born February 27th, 1841. Married Mary E. Pickens, granddaughter of John Pickens.
-oE
MARTHA C. CAMERON, daughter of William O. and Talitha Paris
Cameron was born June 24th, 1843, and died June 14, 1877. She married William Hatcher
and reared a family of six children.
-oE WILLIAM C. CAMERON, son of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron,
was born March 15th, 1845, and died June 14th, 1853.
-oE ISRAEL N. CAMERON, son of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron was
born September 13th, 1847 and died June 16th, 1853.
-oE
MARGARET E. CAMERON, daughter of William O. and Talitha Paris
Cameron was born September 18th, 1849. She married Jesse Brammer and reared a
family of five children.
-oE ARCHIBALD S. CAMERON, son of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron,
was born September 26th, 1851, and died June 26th, 1853.
-oE
JOHN B. CAMERON, son of William O. and Talitha Paris Cameron was
born April 2nd, 1855. Married Ida Stauffer, and they reared a family of seven chidren.
-oThe month of June, 1853, must have been full of sorrow in the family of William
O. and Talitha Paris Cameron. Note that they lost 3 boys by death that month.
-oD LUCINDA PARIS, daughter of William and Dorcas Pickens Paris was born
in Tennessee, and married James Payne, a farmer in McMinn County. She moved to
Arkansas and has been lost sight of.
A picture made when the tenth reunion was held. See names on opposite page. We regret
that a few could not be identified.
The following are the names of those attending the Andrew Pickens reunion in
1917, at the home of Rev. and Mrs. R. W. Pickens in Weaverville:
Dr. and Mrs. J. N. Gill, Rev. and Mrs. E. W. Fox, Mrs. Essie Tilson, Mrs. Nannie
Black MacDowell, Mr. and Mrs. James Garrison, Rev. and Mrs. R. W. Pickens, Mr. and
Mrs. Milton Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Garrison, Robert Garrison, Dr. and Mrs. J. F.
Pickens, Rev. and Mrs. C. M. Pickens, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Brown, Mr. and Mrs.
Ephraim Byerly, Mr. and Mrs. Scruggs Reagan, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Weaver, Mr. and
Mrs. Ernest Reagan, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Garrison, Rev. and Mrs. C. W. Bates, Mr. and
Mrs. Roy Byerly, Sol A. Carter, Frank T. Pickens, Grady Reagan, Rev. Plyler, J. J.
Mackey, Heath Penley, Carrol Reagan, Miller Pickens, Thelma Smathers, Mrs. Leonora
Ray Riddle, Mrs. Sam Wilson, Eugenia Fox, Mrs. J. E. Smathers, Mrs. J. J. Reagan, Mrs.
Eliza Greenwood, Mrs. Blanche Walker, Mary Penley, Virginia Penley, Connie Penley,
Kate Penley, Frances Brown, Robert Brown , Ruth Brown, Clara Michael, Pearl Michael,
Margaret Pickens, Kate Pickens, Irene Edwards, Margaret Kincaid, Lass Pickens, Mary
Margaret Pickens, Lorraine Reagan, Mary Madeline Ross, Margaret Byerly, Margaret
Blackstock, Mrs. Emma Roberts, Mrs. Leona Nicholson, Mary Reagan, R. C. Pickens,
Frank Pickens, Jr., Mrs. G. W. Burgin, Ruth Burgin, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Shook, Stanton
Pickens, Mrs. Anna Lee Styles, Claude Byerly, Helen Hutchinson, Eugene Penley, Glenn
Pickens.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
D
D
D
Andrew James Pickens,
Israel McGrady Pickens,
William Pickens.
-oD ISRAEL McGRADY PICKENS had two sons:
E Charles P. Pickens,
E John M. Pickens.
-oE CHARLES P. PICKENS had a son:
F Israel Sidney Pickens, Jr.
-oD JOHN M. PICKENS had a son:
E Ira J. Pickens.
-oD WILLIAM PICKENS had a son:
E R. A. Pickens.
-oTwo children of R. A. Pickens were:
F BERT C. PICKENS, who lives at Walnut Lake, Ark.
F KATIE MAY PICKENS, (Mrs. W. A. Mills) Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
-oB MARGARET PICKENS, daughter of Robert Pike Pickens, married William
Bole, January 7, 1786.
-oB ELIZABETH PICKENS, daughter of Robert Pike Pickens married a man by
the name of Prather. Their daughter was:
C Annie Prather
-oThe following Andrew Pickens is the minister whose descendants hold the
Andrew Pickens Reunion Association in his honor at Weaverville, North Carolina. See
articles on the reunion and group pictures for further information.
-oREV. ANDREW PICKENS
C ANDREW PICKENS, son of Captain Robert and Dorcas Hallum Pickens was
born in what is now Abbeville County, South Carolina, December 24th, 1783, and died in
Weaverville, North Carolina, March 9th, 1860. In his early childhood days his father
moved up into what is now Anderson County. Here Andrew grew to manhood on a farm
in this newly settled country.
In 1809, at the age of twenty six, he entered the ministry in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, joining the South Carolina Conference which at that time also
included the greater part of North
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Carolina. Shortly after entering the ministry he was given an appointment which carried
him to the Reems Creek section of Buncombe County, North Carolina, this being a part
of the South Carolina Conference. While there in 1824, the Black Mountain and French
Broad Circuits were transferred to the Holston Conference, and he was transferred to that
from the South Carolina Conference. He remained a faithful worker in the Methodist
Episcopal Church until 1853, at which time the Methodist Protestant Church was
organized in North Carolina, and he became a member of the Methodist Protestant
Church.
In addition to his work as a minister, he took an active interest in the political and
social affairs of the community in which he lived, and also spent part of his time teaching
school.
Sometimes after moving to North Carolina he bought a farm of seven hundred
acres of land at Weaverville for seven hundred dollars on which he lived until his death.
He was buried at Weaverville.
Rev. Andrew Pickens was a man of deep thought and strong convictions,
probably a little slow in deciding some questions but once decided he stood by his
decisions to the end.
His father, Captain Robert Pickens, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War which
entitles his descendants to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution or
Daughters of the American Revolution.
The annual reunion of THE PICKENS FAMILY which has been held in North
Carolina over a period of twenty-three years is called the “Andrew Pickens Association”
in his honor.
C Rev. Andrew Pickens was married twice. On September 4, 1815, at the age of
thirty-two, he was married to Catherine Weaver who was born June 21st, 1796, and died
in 1836, at the age of forty years. She was buried in the cemetery at Weaverville, N. C.
His second wife was A. D. Edwards, and they were married October 2, 1844.
The children of Rev. Andrew and Catherine Weaver Pickens were:
D James Tarpley Pickens,
D Eliza Ann Pickens,
D Robert Wesley Pickens,
D Christley Andrew Pickens,
D Martha Catherine Pickens,
D Margaret Susanna Pickens.
There is a grave of a little child in the Pickens cemetery in Anderson County, S.
C., which it is believed, is a child of Rev.
JAMES TARPLEY and MATILDA PATTON PICEKNS,
of Swannanoah, North Carolina. Tarpley was the oldest son
of Rev. Andrew and Cartherine Weaver Pickens.
(Picture made from a tintype about seventy-five years old)
The sons and daughters of James Tarpley and Matilda Patton Pickens. It was the families
of this group who arranged the first mmeting of the North Carolina Reunion Association
forty-three years ago when this picture was made. At their first meeting, the association
changed the name to James Tarpley’s father, Rev. Andrew Pickens and included the
families of his six children in the association. See page 275.
Left to right bottom row: Francis Tarpley Pickens, William Cornelius Pickens, Robert
Christley Pickens, George Andrew Pickens; top row: Martha Pickens Edwards, Margaret
Pickens Bartlett, Mary Pickens Clinton, Kate Pickens Ray.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Andrew and Catherine Weaver Pickens. If this is correct, it is supposed that the child died
while they were living on a place leased from John Pickens, about 1821.
Rev. Andrew and D. A. Edwards Pickens had one daughter:
E Amelia Tabitha Pickens.
-oD JAMES TARPLEY PICKENS, son of Rev. Andrew and Catherine Weaver
Pickens, was born August 17, 1816, in Anderson County, S.C. and died December 29,
1885 at Swannanoa, N.C.
He was named for a Presiding Elder of the Methodist church who was a special
friend of Rev. Andrew Pickens, his father. James Tarpley grew to manhood in the North
Carolina mountains and his life work was performed there. He was a useful and
influential member of the community in which he lived.
When Buncombe County was being settled, two families arrived at about the
same time and took up their homes in the Swannanoa valley on adjoining farms. The
name of one was Patton, the name of the other Patten; one came from Scotland, the other
from Ireland. The eldest son of Patton married the eldest daughter of Patten. They reared
a large family of sturdy sons and daughters.
Matilda Caroline Patton, the fourth daughter, born Feb. 18, 1821 became the wife
of James Tarpley Pickens on Jan. 20, 1842. She was the typical offshoot of her ScotchIrish ancestry and bequeathed to her descendants a rich vein of Scottish thrift mingled
with Irish humor.
For a number of years after their marriage they lived on Reem’s Creek but
established their permanent home on the Swannanoa River, nine miles east of Asheville,
N.C.
The children of James Tarpley and Matilda Patton Pickens were:
E Elizabeth Ann Catherine Pickens,
E George Andrew Pickens,
E Mary Jane Rebecca Pickens,
E Robert Christley Pickens,
E James Matthew Pickens,
E William Cornelius Pickens,
E Margaret Eliza Matilda Pickens,
E Martha Nancy Marilda Pickens,
E Francis Tarpley Pickens.
E
ELIZABETH ANN CATHERINE PICKENS, eldest daughter of James
Tarpley and Matilda Patton Pickens grew to young womanhood on her father’s farm on
Swannanoa.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Acquiring the best education the times afforded, she became a very successful
school teacher, and it was while teaching in Yancey County that she met Milton Penland
Ray to whom she was married in 1868.
For almost fifty years they lived in Yancey County at Pensacola, N.C. Mr. Ray
was superintendent of the Methodist Protestant Sunday School at Pensacola for more than
twenty-five years.
Milton Penland Ray died June 25, 1922.
The children of Milton Penland and Catherine Pickens Ray were:
F Cornelia Caroline Lou Emma Anna May Ray,
F Ellen Serelia Mildred Amelia Josephine Alice Ray,
F Romulus Marcus Ray,
F Reginald Rudolph Ray,
F Stella Viola Ray.
Reginald Rudolph and Stella Viola Ray were twins:
(Note: “Aunt Kate” had twelve very good friends. When her two daughters were
born she honored the whole dozen by giving ‘Anna May’ and ‘Jo Alice’ six names each!)
-oF
CORNELIA CAROLINE LOU EMMA ANNA MAY RAY, daughter of
Milton Penland and Elizabeth Ann Catherine Pickens Ray was born at Pensacola, N.C.,
December 13th, 1871. On December 24th, she was married to John Wesley Ray, son of
Newton and Elizabeth Ray, and began housekeeping on a farm on Bald Creek, where
they lived until 1904. They then moved to Oklahoma City, Okla.
The family altar was established in the home of John Wesley and Anna May Ray
the first night of their abode in their home after they were married and was kept up until
his death.
On July 16th, 1922, John Wesley Ray was fatally injured in an automobile
accident and was buried at Fairlawn Cemetery. Anna May Ray, after the death of her
husband makes her home with one of her children at Weaverville, N.C.
Children:
G Elmer Milton Ray,
G Myrtle Elizabeth Ray,
G Lawrence Bertrand Ray,
G Birdie Lillian Ray,
G Clyde William Ray,
G Charles Lloyd Ray,
G Anna Ruth Mildred Ray,
G Olive Katherine Ray.
LAWRENCE RAY, C.G.M., U.S. Navy
“Home is the Sailor, home from the sea.”
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
G ELMER MILTON RAY, son of John Wesley and Anna May Ray was born
October 18, 1892. He is a farmer and a mechanic and lives at Cleveland, Oklahoma.
-oG MYRTLE ELIZABETH RAY, daughter of John Wesley and Anna May Ray,
was born October 11, 1894. On September 21st, 1921 she married Conrad Lemon,
manager for the Dunham Weather Strip Company at their branch office at Topeka,
Kansas, and their home is at 1507 Topeka Boulevard. Their children are:
H Ray Conrad Lemon,
H Mary Ardelia Lemon.
-oG LAWRENCE BERTRAND RAY, son of John Wesley and Anna May Ray
was born March 5th, 1897. He attended the Oklahoma City Schools. On October 20th,
1914, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and became a gunner on the U.S.S. Florida,
where he won several prizes for marksmanship. When the United States entered the
World War, he was transferred to the fleet of Destroyers, and he became a gunner on the
Silver Shell which sank the first German U Boat destroyed by the United States Navy. At
the end of the War he had risen to the rank of Chief Gunner’s Mate, was stationed at the
Navy Yards at Philadelphia and was appointed a Company Commander. During the
terrible epidemic of influenza he fell a victim and developed pneumonia which caused his
death January 7th, 1919. He was twenty-one years of age, strong and handsome, weighing
184 pounds. He was taken to Fairlawn Cemetery at Oklahoma City for burial. A gray
stone of granite is inscribed as follows:
“Lawrence Bertrand Ray, C. G. M., U.S. Navy
“Home is the Sailor, Home from the Sea.”
The chevron was copied from his sleeve and an anchor carved into the stone.
Mrs. Anna May Ray, the mother of Elmer Milton Ray and Lawrence Bertrand
Ray, has written the following poem in connection with the war service of her sons.
-oTHE RETURN OF THE BROTHERS
(Mrs. Anna M. Ray)
My boys are back from the army,
And yet I weep today;
And the load of my heart is heavier,
Than when they went away.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
I sent them forth with smiles and tears;
Though, proud my heart, withal,
That I could give such stalwart sons,
To heed their country’s call.
And one came back in the khaki,
Looking so strong and braveBut one came back in a casket,
And we laid him in the grave.
Oh! Sailor boy, your mother’s heart
May break, again and again;
But still she has the glory of
Being a mother of men.
-oG BIRDIE LILLIAN RAY, daughter of John Wesley and Anna May Ray ws
born March 5th, 1897, and died April 14th, 1897. She was a twin sister of Lawrence
Bertrand Ray.
-oG CLYDE WILLIAM RAY, son of John Wesley and Anna May Ray was born
August 18th, 1899. He married Dorothy Ann Robinson, and lives on a farm in Pensacola,
N.C.
They have one daughter, Anna Kate Elizabeth Ray.
-oG CHARLES LLOYD RAY, son of John Wesley and Anna May Ray was born
August 18th, 1899 and died September 25th, same year. He was a twin brother of Clyde
William Ray.
-oG ANNA RUTH MILDRED RAY, daughter of John Wesley and Anna May
Ray was born December 31st, 1901. On February 9th, 1924 she married Frank Pickens and
they live at Weaverville, N.C. Children:
H Francis Tarpley Pickens, III,
H Anna Jean Pickens,
H Nellie Carolyn Pickens,
H Lawrence Ray Pickens.
-oG OLIVE KATHERINE RAY, daughter of John Wesley and Anna May Ray
was born October 16th, 1904. She was graduated from Central High School, in Oklahoma
City in 1923, and attended Central State Teacher’s College. She is at present teaching
music in Oklahoma.
-oF ELLEN SERELIA MILDRED AMELIA JOSEPHINE ALICE RAY, better
known as Joe Alice, daughter of M. P. and
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Catherine Pickens Ray, was married to Samuel Theodore Wilson at Pensacola, N.C.,
August 23, 1891. (He was the youngest son of T.D. Wilson, better known as “Big Tom”,
the great bear hunter, mountain guide, and founder of Prof. Mitchell’s body, who was
drowned in the head waters of Cane River.)
Samuel T. Wilson is a very successful businessman and is the largest land owner
in Yancey County.
The children of Samuel T. and Joe Alice Wilson are:
G Bernard Louis Wilson,
G Viola May Wilson,
G Fred Kidder Wilson,
G Floyd Ernest Wilson,
G Ruby Kathleen Wilson,
G Clayton Earle Wilson,
G Norma Lillian Wilson,
G Clara Evelyn Wilson.
-oG
BERNARD WILSON was educated at Stanley-McCormick Institute at
Burnsville. He went to Oregon at the age of 16 and lived in different points in Canada,
and the Northwestern states for a number of years. On February 7, 1916 at Casper,
Wyoming he was married to Esther Spencer and they are now living at Ventura,
California. They have one son:
H Bernard Wilson, Jr., born January 18, 1918.
G VIOLA MAY WILSON, daughter of Sam and Joe Alice Wilson was born
January 11, 1896. On April 28, 1914 she was married to Rex Yelton. They have the
following children:
H Ray Louis Yelton,
H Lee Everett Yelton,
H Max Samuel Yelton,
H Mildred Kathleen Yelton,
H Louise Ruby Yelton.
-oG Fred Kidder Wilson died October 6, 1903.
G Floyd Ernest Wilson died April 25, 1904.
-oG RUBY KATHLEEN WILSON, daughter of Sam and Joe Alice Wilson was
born July 30, 1906. On Nov. 9, 1923 in Spartanburg, S.C., she was married to Blake Ray
of Pensacola, N.C.
Their Children are:
H Helen Katherine Ray,
H Doris Azalea Ray,
H Blake Wilson Ray,
H Elmer Earle Ray.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
G CLAYTON EARLE WILSON, son of Sam and Joe Alice Wilson was born
February 22nd, 1910. After graduating at Bald Creek High School, he spent some time at
Stanley-McCormick Institute and is now at Chicago, Ill. taking a special course in
electricity.
-oG NORMA LILLIAN WILSON, daughter of Sam and Joe Alice Wilson was
born June 13, 1913. On May 11, 1927 she was married to Neal Peterson. They have one
daughter:
H Hazel Frances Peterson.
-oG
CLARA EVELYN WILSON, daughter of Sam and Joe Alice Wilson was
born February 28, 1916. She is now a student at Bald Creek High School.
-oF ROMULUS MARCUS RAY, son of Catherine Pickens and Milton Ray died
when about 16 years of age.
-oF
REGINALD RUDOLPH RAY, son of Catherine Pickens and Milton Ray,
grew to manhood at Pensacola, N.C. He attended Weaver College and spent some time
traveling in the western states. In February 1914 he was married to Lucile Wilson, also of
Pensacola. About ten years ago they moved to a farm on the Swannanoa River, near the
old Pickens homestead, where they now reside. Their children are:
G
G
G
G
Rowena Ray,
Vonnie Ray,
Lawrence Milton Ray,
Roy Reginald Ray.
-oD GEORGE ANDREW PICKENS, son of James Tarpley and Matilda Patton
Pickens was born Nov. 5, 1843 on Reems Creek, but his father moved to Swannanoa
when he was quite small. He was educated in the country schools and at the Old
Academy (now Weaver College). Before reaching his majority the Civil War came on
and he entered as a volunteer in the Confederate Army, serving in Company K 11 th N.C.
Regiment.
He fought in the battles of Gettysburg, Petersburg, the Wilderness and other less
important ones. At the Wilderness he received a severe wound in the right shoulder.
On October 8, 1872 he was married to Rose Ella Braswell of South Carolina, a
woman of fine intellect and great personal charm.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
She was born October 19, 1847 and died June 2, 1908.
Their children are:
E Lucius Elliot Pickens,
E Matilda Ann Lugenia Pickens,
E Rupert Andrew Pickens,
E Martha Ella Blanche Pickens.
-oF LUCIUS ELLIOTT PICKENS, son of George Andrew and Rose Pickens died
in 1877, being a bright little boy of three summers.
-oE
MATILDA ANN LUGENIA PICKENS, daughter of George Andrew and
Rose Pickens was born August 18, 1875. She attended Weaver College (now Weaver).
She is a talented artist and has painted a number of pictures in pastels and oils. She was
married to Wiley Garrison in 1899 and they have two sons:
F Ewell Garrison,
F Winton Garrison.
-oF EWELL GARRISON, was married to Edna Sheppard in 1924. His wife did
not live but one year.
-oF WINTON GARRISON, is in the U.S. Navy and at present is stationed on the
U.S.S. Florida.
-oE RUPERT ANDREW PICKENS, son of George Andrew and Rose Pickens
was born April 8, 1879.
On December 5, 1908 he was married to Mary Clara Merrell who was born July
7, 1887. She died in 1925.
The children of Rupert Andrew and Clara Merrell Pickens are:
F Clyde Rupert Pickens.
F Samuel Thornton Pickens.
In 1927 Rupert Andrew Pickens was married to Stacy M. Smith, who lived but a
short time after her marriage.
-oE MARTHA ELLA BLANCHE PICKENS, daughter of George Andrew and
Rose Pickens was born September 21, 1883. She was educated at Weaver College and
became a school teacher. On September 22, 1906 she was married to Deward E. Walker,
who was born September 19, 1883.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
Their three children are:
Emmett Lemoin Walker,
Rose Alma Walker,
Emma Lois Walker.
Emmett Walker entered the U.S. Navy in 1927.
-oD MARY JANE REBECCA PICKENS, daughter of James Tarpley and Matilda
Patton Pickens was married to William Clinton on July 10, 1873. They lived on the farm
on the edge of the town of Weaverville, N.C.
Their only child was:
E Georgia Clinton.
E GEORGIA CLINTON was born April 3, 1874. On April 14, 1904 she was
married to Winslow G. Burgin. They live at Weaverville, N.C. Their children are:
F Benjamin Clinton Burgin,
F William Loy Burgin,
F Harry Moore Burgin,
F Robert Clifton Burgin,
F Kathleen Burgin,
F Ruth Burgin,
-oF BENJAMIN CLINTON BURGIN, son of W.G. and Georgia Burgin was born
January 12, 1905. He is an engineer. In 1927 he was married to Ora Brock and they have
the following children:
G Elizabeth Anne Burgin,
G Ora Virginia Burgin.
-oWilliam Loy Burgin, son of W.G. and Georgia Burgin was born March 21, 1906.
He is living in Asheville, N.C.
-oHarry Moore Burgin, son of W.G. and Georgia Burgin was born November 12,
1907.
-oThe three younger children of Winslow G. and Georgia Clinton Burgin are
attending school at Weaver College.
-oE ROBERT CHRISTLEY PICKENS, son of James Tarpley and Matilda Patton
Pickens was born at Swannanoa, N.C. in 1847 and died at Weaverville, N.C., where he
had considerable farming interests. He was a jolly man with a happy disposition and
therefore had many friends.
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
About fifty years ago, probably between 1875 and 1880, “Cousin Christley”
would often take wagon loads of “Buncombe apples” over into South Carolina, and sell
them at Greenville and nearby towns. Often theses trips would consume a week or more,
and he would visit relatives in South Carolina, and it was on some of these trips that the
writer learned to know and to love him.
Robert Christley Pickens married Mary Stepp and they reared two children as
follows:
F Clarence Pickens,
F Myrtle Pickens.
F
CLARENCE PICKENS, son of Robert Christley and Mary Stepp Pickens,
was born in Weaverville, N.C., May, 1881.
He married Nannie Henderson of Canton, N.C., and they have two children:
G Mary Joe Pickens,
G Howard Pickens.
F MYRTLE PICKENS, daughter of Robert Christley and Mary Stepp Pickens
was born October 6, 1886. She was educated at Weaverville College, and for several
years was a teacher in the schools of North and South Carolina. She assisted in
organizing the Andrew Pickens Association in North Carolina, of which she has been the
secretary for several years. On June 29th, 1910, she married Rev. C. W. Bates. Her genial
disposition makes her a splendid “minister’s wife”.
Rev. C. W. Bates is a minister of the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church, and has filled some of the best appointments in the conference and has
held several important offices in the conference. Among them being statistical secretary
of the general conferences, secretary of the general and annual conferences. He was born
in New York State July 29th, 1884. He is historian of the Andrew Pickens Association.
The children of Rev C. W. and Myrtle Pickens Bates are:
G Ronalds Bates,
G Mary Margaret Bates,
G Helen Moselle Bates.
G RONALDS BATES, son of Rev. C.W. and Myrtle Pickens Bates was born
April 19, 1911, and died on June 13, 1912 while his parents were living in Maryland. His
body was brought to Weaverville for interment.
-oE
WILLIAM CORNELIUS PICKENS, son of James Tarpley and Matilda
Patton Pickens was born at Swannanoa, N.C. June 25th, 1853. He married Sallie R. Doane
May 13th, 1885 and lived
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
for sometime in North Carolina and Tennessee but afterwards moved to Hillsboro,
Oregon, where he has farming interests and also has a blacksmith shop.
Sallie R. Doane, wife of William Cornelius Pickens was born July 18th, 1865.
The following is a list of the children born in this family:
F Earle Doane Caldwell Pickens,
F Arno Kellar Piceksn,
F Charles Nelson Pickens,
F Ruby Swannanoa Pickens,
F Tennie Williene Pickens,
F Troy Otho Pickens.
-oF
EARLE DOANE CALDWELL PICKENS, son of William Cornelius and
Sallie Doane Pickens was born June 6th, 1886, and is now engaged in the Automobile
Business in Portland, Oregon. He was one of the promoters of the First Pickens reunion
in North Carolina. He married September 9th, 1913, Marguerite Christina Wilkie who was
born September 1, 1895, and they have the following children:
G Marion Swannanoa Pickens,
G Marguerite Gene Pickens,
G Earle Wilkie Pickens,
G Donald Malcolm Pickens.
-oF ARNO KELLAR PICKENS, son of William C. and Sallie Doane Pickens was
born February 16th, 1888 and he lives at Hillsboro, Oregon, where he is engaged in
business as a blacksmith. On September 12th, 1914 he married Georgia Phillips, who was
born November 19th, 1892.
They have one child:
G Glenn John William Pickens.
-oF CHARLES NELSON PICKENS, was son of William C. and Sallie Doane
Pickens was born January 3rd, 1890. He is a decorator and painter and lives in Oregon.
On July 17th, 1919, he married Lois A. Bond who was born July 23rd, 1899 and they have
the following children:
G Charles Richards Pickens,
G Dorothy Lois Pickens,
G William Leslie Pickens.
-oF RUBY SWANNANOA PICKENS, daughter of William C. and Sallie Doane
Pickens was born April 13th, 1892. On September
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
21, 1913 she married John Wesley Collins and is living in Portland, Oregon where her
husband is engaged in business as manager of a Wall Paper Store. John Wesley Collins
was born February 1, 1899.
They have two children as follows:
G Lou Elda Collins,
G William Wesley Collins.
-oF TENNIE WILLIENE PICKENS, daughter of William C. and Sallie Doane
Pickens was born December 17th, 1893 and died May 3rd, 1903.
-oF TROY OTHO PICKENS, son of William C. and Sallie Doane Pickens was
born October 31st, 1896. He lives on a ranch near Portland, Oregon.
-oE
MARGARET PICKENS, daughter of James Tarpley and Matilda Patton
Pickens married Rev. G.A. Bartlett, a minister of the Baptist church. They lived for a
number of years in Georgia but later moved to Texas. They had the following children:
F Laura Maude Bartlett,
F John Everette Bartlett,
F Clifford A. Bartlett,
F Mary Ethel Bartlett,
F Robert Malcolm Bartlett,
F William Carey Bartlett.
-oF LAURA MAUDE BARTLETT, daughter of Rev. G.A. and Margaret Pickens
Bartlett, born Aug. 27, 1880, was married to E.C. Wilkerson, August 25, 1904. For a
number of years they made their home in Atlanta, Ga. and from there moved to Florida,
and on June 19, 1925 Maude B. Wilkerson died.
-oF
JOHN EVERETT BARTLETT, son of Rev. G.A. and Margaret Pickens
Bartlett was born May 14, 1885 and was married in June 1920. He and his wife live in
Marietta, Ga., where he is connected with the Marietta Times, a newspaper publisher at
that place.
John Everett and Jeanette Bartlett have one daughter:
G Margaret Bartlett.
-oF
CLIFFORD BARTLETT, son of Rev. G.A. and Margaret Pickens Bartlett
was born February 22, 1887 and was married in
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THE PICKENS FAMILY
August 1922 to Carrie Gidery. They lived in Port Arthur, Texas, where he is connected
with the Gulf Refining Company.
Their children are:
G Cecille Bartlett,
G Clifford Bartlett, Jr.
-oF MARY ETHEL BARTLETT, daughter of Rev. G. A. and Margaret Pickens
Bartlett was born October 23, 1889 and was married July 17, 1910 to Vergil Sesler of
Beaumont, Texas. He is owner of the Sesler Grocery Co. and is connected with the
Standard Oil Company at Beaumont. Their children are:
G Rudolph Sesler,
G Margaret Louise Sesler.
F ROBERT MALCOLM BARTLETT, son of Rev. G. A. and Margaret Pickens
Bartlett was born October 22, 1890, and was married on June 7, 1914 to Fannie Lee
Tevis. He is now connected with the Beaumont Iron and Foundry Co. of Beaumont,
Texas, where they make their home. They have one daughter:
G Fannie Lee Bartlett.
-oF WILLIAM CAREY BARTLETT, son of Rev. G. A. and Margaret Pickens
Bartlett was born July 24, 1893. He has been twice married. His first wife was Ethleen
Nichels and the second Margaret Moore. To the latter he was married in October 1923.
they have two children:
G Betty Sue Bartlett,
G Sara Ann Bartlett.
Louise Bartlett, born August 31, 1918 is the daughter of William Carey and
Ethleen Nichels Bartlett.
-oE
MARTHA NANCY MARILDA PICKENS, youngest daughter of James
Tarpley and Matilda Patton Pickens was a woman of high ideals and possessed a genial
disposition. She lived with her father and mother, taking care of them until their death.
In 1894 she was married to Thomas Edwards and lived in Weaverville, N.C.
The only child of Thomas and Martha Pickens Edwards is:
F Fred Pickens Edwards.
Fred Pickens Edwards was born April 4, 1895. He received his education at
Weaver College. During the World War he was an army field clerk and was stationed at
Camp Sevier, Greenville, S.C. In 1917 he was married to Lula Jones of Sylva, N.C. Fred
is ‘FRANK’ PICKENS, Mrs. Day’s father, modeling what the gay young blade in the
80’s should wear! Note the straw hat and the rose on the lapel. We are sorry that spots on
the tintype prevent the gold headed umbrella from showing, also the ring on his left hand.
The huge watch chain is barely discernable.