The Estate of Axum Turner

Probate and estate records aren't always easily accessible. Such was the case for the Turners in Sumter County, Alabama.

Simply typing in a name and county and a range of years brings up nothing, but when I actually went in and was blessed to be able to access the minutes of the Orphans Court online, I was amazed to find an estate record for Axum Turner. While these records are accessible online, several of them do not have indexes, which means, in the little time I have, I've been examining them page by page in an attempt to find any information on the Turner family. There are 3 who fell off the map between the 1855 Alabama State census and the 1860 Federal census, mother Patience Turner, and brothers D. L. Turner (Doctor Lewis) and James A. Turner, who had married Eliza Threadgill and left a family.

The above is the settlement by the administrator. It does not give a great deal of information except that the administrator was a Dr. John Sample and that the settlement was dated August 15, 1838.

He paid the clerk $4.50 for letters, the printer $8.00, $13.35 for the settlement, $10 for his service as Administrator, and $1.50 for recieving Land Deed for a total of $37.31. This was quite an expensive undertaking for 1838.

The Bond reads, "December 3, 1837  The Estate of Axum Turner"

Know  all men by these present that we John Sample, Martial Hitt  and James Turner 

are held and firmly bound ....(illegible)

Henry T Snuggs Judge of the Orphans Court of said County in the sum of Five Hundred Dollars.

Seal:  John Sample

Marshall Hitt

James Turner

"Ordered that  the clerk make published in the "VOICE OF SUMTER" monthly for 3 months....or barred from payment". 

So any and all creditors had several months to make a claim on the estate of Axum Turner. With the estate papers being filed in December of 1837 and his land grant being issued in March of 1837, we can safely determine that 1837 was the year of his demise.








The declaration from the Orphans Court was indeed published for 3 months running in the newspaper, "The Voice of Sumter". 


The Sumter County that Axom Turner had removed to from Anson County, North Carolina, had not long been ceded to the United States government by the Choctaw tribe, in 1830,with  the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Prior to that, it was part of the Choctaw nation, but it was not an unsettled and barren wilderness.

1911 map of Sumter County, Alabama

The first European settlement was that of Fort Tombigbee, established by the French who had came up from Mobile. The Turners seem to have settled in the vicinity of Gaston, in the southern part of the county. Off to the east, going off the page in the above map, was the town of Demopolis, where the land office that issued claims, was located, in Marengo County.

Roadside Marker for Sumter County, alabamapioneers.com

In the 5 years between the creation of the county in 1832, and the death of Axum Turner in 1837, the county of Sumter had been in the process of quickly being settled, businesses and schools built, and the county seat of Livingston being established and growing. At the time of Axum's demise, the county boast of 2 newspapers, The Voice of Sumter and the Sumter County Whig.








Voice of Sumter
Livingston, Alabama28 Mar 1837, Tue  •  Page 1



Schools were advertising for students







Voice of Sumter
Livingston, Alabama04 Apr 1837, Tue  •  Page 1






Merchanties offered goods of all kinds from all over the world. 









Steamboats were ready for freight and passengers. An entire array of attorneys and tradesmen advertised their services from their offices in Livingston. Available lots in Gaston were advertised for sale and ready for occupancy, just 12 miles southeast.

It was a thriving, industrious world, ready for growth, ready for citizenry.



But who were the 3 men who put up bond and settled the estate of Axum Turner? Were they friends, neighbors, or relatives?


Marshall Hitt

Marshall Hitt seems to be a name associated with Sumter County, Alabama. Just a search of newspapers showing what was obvious multiple Marshall Hitt's, active in the 1920's, 40's and 60's, and of differing social positions, from a criminal Marshall Hitt, to a very well respected Hitt family.

The Marshall Hitt who was involved in the settling of the estate of Axum Turner, was most likely this one shown living in Sumter County in the 1830 and 1840 census records.

Name:	Marshall Hill [Marshall Hitt]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Sumter, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49:	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2
Total Free White Persons:	8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	8

This Marshall Hitt had a family of 6 children and had recorded 4 land grants in the same area of Axum Turner. The 1850 census shows only a 6 year old Marshall Hitt, son of a Charles Hitt. I've not done any research on this Marshall, but it would not surprise me if young Marshall, born in the 1840's was a grandson of the older Marshall. I see no relation to the Turner family, so it seems as if Marshall Hitt was a neighbor, perhaps only briefly acquainted to Axum Turner, if at all.

Dr. John Sample

Dr. Sample seems to have been a mover and shaker in the area, and also unrelated to Axum Turner, but perhaps, not unconnected.

Dr. Sample resided in neighboring Marengo County, Alabama, but perhaps kept an office in Livingston, and suggestively, not far from the area of Sumter County where Axum Turner had decided to settle.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25505449/john-sample

Above is the Find-a-Grave link for John Sample, Jr. He was the son of Irish immigrants who settled in South Carolina and a Revolutionary War soldier. The below article is from the Marengo County Heritage Book and found by the poster in the Marengo County Public Library and shared online. No other information is given. It is found on no less than 59 pages. The original poster was "Pearl Margaret".












As John Sample Jr. is said to have died around 1836, the Dr. John Sample who was appointed administrator of the estate of Axum Turner was most likely John Sample III.

Name:	John Sample
Age:	64
Birth Year:	abt 1786
Birthplace:	South Carolina
Home in 1850:	Marengo, Alabama, USA
Gender:	Male
Family Number:	1155
Household Members:	Name Age John Sample 64 Elizabeth Sample 60 John N Sample 21 Wm H Sample 35 Christopher T Bradley 10

John Sample III was born around 1786-1796 and was probably the John Sample in the above 1850 census of Marengo County. He, like Marshall Hitt, was probably appointed, but there is another interesting fact about the Samples that leads me to believe he just may have been associated with Axum Turner, in other words, not a stranger.


Jefferson Baptist Church

The below link is to information on Jefferson Baptist Church in Marengo County, Alabama. Established in 1820 as Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, it was credited with being established by 3 Revolutionary War Veterans: John Sample, John Gilmore and Reuben Hildreth.


https://www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/jefferson-baptist-church-c-1860/


The community of Jefferson is now only an incorporated place. Wikipedia carries the below description of this old community.


It was founded in 1810, before Marengo was a county or Alabama was a state. Most of the original settlers were veterans of the American Revolution, including John Sample, John Gilmore, and Reuben Hildreth.^[5] The village was named Jefferson in 1820, after Thomas Jefferson, and that year saw the first church established.^[5] The population had reached 200 people by 1860 and the village contained two dry goods stores, one drugstore, a male and a female academy, a Masonic Lodge, a hotel, two tanneries, a wagon shop, and a blacksmith shop.^[

Wikipedia

The counties of Sumter, Marengo and Choctaw all meet at the Southeast corner of Sumter, the Northeast corner of Choctaw and the Northwest corner of Marengo. The northeast corner of Marengo, just due east of Gaston in Sumter, where the Turners settled and just south of Demopolis, where the land office was located, was where these 3 Revolutionary War Veterans determined to settle and create a community and where they also built a church.






The below link is to the website of an Historical Home located within the area of the community of Jefferson, Marengo County, Alabama. It was the home of Dr. James A. Hildreth, a son of Revolutionary War soldier, Reuben Hildreth, one of the founders of Jefferson and the Baptist Church.

https://www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/hildreth-compton-simmons-house-at-jefferson-al-c-1848/

The name of Hildreth, most especially Reuben Hildreth, rang a few bells. Here's why.

CLIPPED FROM

Alabama Beacon
Greensboro, Alabama25 Oct 1845, Sat  •  Page 3


Reuben Hildreth hailed from Anson County, North Carolina. It is very, very likely he was associated with the Turners, and Axum Turner.





In 1797, Reuben Hildreth had applied for a Grant of 60 acres of Buffalo Creek in Anson County, NC that was issued in 1799.

Name:	Reuben Hildreth
Issue Date:	26 Jul 1799
Residence Place:	Anson, North Carolina, USA
Certificate Number Range:	5716-5389
Description:	Anson 5716-5389

By 1820, Reuben Hildreth was in Alabama and married there, no doubt to his second wife, in 1822.





He lived a very long and productive life. Note that he left a long string of namesakes as well, as there are multiple Reuben Hildreths that criss-crossed the country, some remaining in Anson, sons and grandsons of his brother David, who remained in Anson County, NC, grandsons, great-grandson, great-nephews and the like.

The following link is an article from the January 13, 2018 issue of the Andulusia Star News on the origins and migrations of this Hildreth family.  It's pretty accurate, as far as I can tell, except that they left off a few children of Reuben Hildreth, Lucy and Wilson, the youngest son. Reuben Hildreth also rubbed elbows with my direct ancestor, Starkey Ramsey in early Anson County, NC. More on that later.

https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2018/01/13/hildreth-descendants-migrated-from-anson-county-n-c/


The children of Reuben and Mary Hildreth (maiden name unknown), as far as I can determine were:

Lewis - married a Mary A. (maiden name unknown). Was in Marengo County in 1830, Choctaw in 1850 and lived in Gaston, Sumter County, where the Turners lived, in 1860. Death unknown. Four known children: Allie (Alice) b 1814, Pinkney C b 1817, Savannah b 1825 and Reuben R b 1831.

His daughter Allie married Allen J Threadgill, one of the sons of Joshua Hull Threadgill (whose property adjoined that of James Turner, father of Axom Turner). The Turner, Threadgill and Hildreth families seem to be generationally interconnected in multiple ways.

Roper Connection




The below image is the Lewis Hildreth family from the 1850 census of Choctaw County, Alabama.

Name:	Lewis Hildreth
Age:	64
Birth Year:	abt 1786
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1850:	Choctaw, Alabama, USA
Gender:	Male
Family Number:	352
Household Members:	Name Age Lewis Hildreth 64 Mary Hildreth 50 Pinkney Hildreth 33 Johnathan R Gresham 39 Eliasbeth D Gresham 32 Almarine Gresham 12 M R Gresham 8 S A Gresham 6 Jno G Gresham 4 Jas W Gresham 1 J B Thredgill 28

Notice that in the same household is a Gresham family and also a 28 year old man named J B Threadgill. Back in Anson County, NC, Reddick Drew, who was a neighbor of the Turners, and most likely, even more closely connected, back to the oldest most Eastern Counties of North Carolina, would marry a widow named Elizabeth Gresham, and after her death would marry Martha Turner, a sister of Axom Turner, and would host several children and young adults in his home with the last name of Axom. So, not only the Hildreths and Threadgills were connected to the Turners over several generations and states, but so too, were the Grissom/Greshams. That name also changed spelling, much like the Exums would turn into Axoms, with the same individual being referred to by both spellings in vaious places.



The second child of Reuben and Mary Hildreath was Reuben Hildreth Jr who would marry Mary Sample, daughter of guess who? John Sample, of course.

Then John Hildreth who would marry an Elizabeth William in 1825
James Hildreth who would marry Julia Simmons. The Simmons family orginated in Virginia and were tied into my Winfield/Booth/Jones family in Alabama as well.
Next was William Hildreth who married Martha Yarborough.
Parthena who married Jessie Morris
Lucy, who either did not marry or its unknown if she did.
Mahala who married Lemuel Simmons, and lastly,
Wilson Simmons who married Mary Yarborough.

The Yarboroughs were another family from the Anson/Montgomery area of North Carolina of whom some would migrate away, while others would remain.

Note back to the history of Jefferson Baptist Church, that the first minister was Elder James Yarborough who established the church in 1820 as Mount Pleasant Baptist.



Jefferson Baptist Church, Marengo County, Alabama


The Yarborough connection does not end there. In "Yarbrough - Yarborough and Allied Families: A Quarterly by Nelle Morris Jenkins", there is a section on the Marengo County Yarboroughs.

Full Text from the Yarborough Family Archives

She began with a description of the origins and draw of Marengo County, "Marengo County was one of the first counties in Alabama, before Alabama became a state in 1819".  The major draw, Mrs. Jenkins noted, to this area of Marengo/ Choctaw/Sumter and adjacent counties was the reason it was called The Black Belt region because of it's rich, loamy dark soil, or as Mrs. Jenkins put it "called the Black Belt because of its deep, black gumbo soil". Sumter, where Axom Turner migrated to, was organized in 1833 and became a County in December of 1832.

But the most hair-raising detail in  her account of the Marengo County Yarboroughs was the following paragraph, hair-raising for a genealogy nut, at any rate.

" The 1830 census of Marengo County lists James Yarborough (minister), Nathan Yarborough and William Yarborough, over 30 and under 40. There are the Yarborough men I believe to be the brothers of  Elizabeth Yarborough Hester. James Yarborough married Sarah Axiom in Marengo County in 1833 on 21 November. Nathan married Melinda Young  on 24 August 1820, Willilam married Martha Sample on 15 October, 1826. "  She also noted that Nathan and William served as securities for each other. Definately connected.

So where's the hair-raising detail. It's in the name of Elder (or Rev.) James Yarboroough's bride: Sarah Axiom. Now. Knowing there was a very magnetic and intricate tie between the small Axom family in old Anson and my Turner line, giving that the oldest Turner son was named Axom and with the allowance of having seen this name spelled as Exum/Axum/Axom and Axiom, it layers another possible tie to Anson County and to my Turner line. Just as Mrs. Jenkins admits in her text that the Yarborough family name came with many spellings from the ones she used in her title to Yarboro, Yarberry, Yarbro, Yarbar, etc. the Axom name also had many variations, depending on the education and knowledge of the individual writing it down and the one vocalizing it as well.


The Morris family is another that comes into play. Parthena Hildreth, daughter of Reuben, married a Jesse Morris.






The above is clipped from the 1840 census of Sumter County, Alabama. Notice Jesse Morris listed just above Thomas Threadgill, who is listed just above his father, William C. Threadgill. Jesse Morris and his wife Parthena (or Parthenia) would have a daughter, Parthena Morris, who would marry Thomas B. Threadgill. In the 1840 census, they are married and it shows 4 little boys in the household, two under 5 and two between 5 and 10. So Thomas and Parthenia were sandwiched in between their parents. The surrounding names of May, Simmons, Adkins, Meador or Meadow,  are also found in Southside Virginia and later in Anson County, NC, like a lazy river of migrations flowing south, leaving a few families in each place they landed.



Job Meador / b. in Anson Co., N.C. / Aug. 1806 / d. Feb. 28, 1867.

Sumterville Methodist Church Cemetery

Sumterville, Sumter Co, AL

In the Books "Threadgills in America", compiled by Janis Heidreich Miller, collaborating with Dr. Francis Dycus Threadgill, and "Threadgills Book II", compiled by Janis Heidenreich Miller, collaborating with Wordna Threadgill Wicker, I found the following information on a descendant of Reuben Hildreth.

" Thomas B. Threadgill (William C. 4, Thomas 3, John 2, Deodatas1)
 son of William C and his first wife, was born about 1812/1813 in Tenn. , and died before 1845 in Marengo County, Ala. Thomas married in Marengo County, name not found, about 1831 and she died soon. He married second, Parthena Morris, August 21, 1834 and bondsman was his cousin Allen Threadgill * (son of Hull) ** . In 1840 Thomas lived adjoining his father in Sumter County. Parthena Morris was a granddaughter of Reuben Hildreth, and in his will of 1845, Reuben named her two sons as heirs and as great grandchildren. By the 1840 census, tow sons born 1830-1835 and two 1835-1840. First two sons not provided for in will of Reuben Hildreth. 

Parthena and Thomas both died prior to 1845, and Nathan Morris*** was appointed guardian of minor child, Calvin Threadgill, Nov. 22, 1849, and "Sarah A. Morris, administrator of estate of Nath Morris, decd. ,  guardian of Calvin Threadgill" filed for  settlement. And January 14, 1850 "Calvin Threadgill has since died  and money all used for doctor and funeral expenses". Children of Thomas B. by both marriages were:

i Charles Frederick born 1831/1832
ii Henry W. born 1833/34 Married Feb. 21, 1856 Sarah M. Tidmore, daughter of Mark Tidmore, record on file in Sumter County. Henry and Sarah sold land to his brother Charles Frederick, Sept. 8, 1866 in Sumter County. No children in 1870 census. 
iii Andrew James born about 1837 in Sumter County. 
iv Calvin, a minor  of Marengo County in 1845, died before January, 1850."

*Allen Threadgill married Alice "Allie" Hildreth, daughter of Lewis and granddaughter of Reuben.
**Hull Threadgill referenced here was Joshua Hull Threadgill of Anson County, NC whose property adjoined that of James Turner, father of Axom Turner.
*** Nathan Morris also leads back to Anson County.

Nathan Morris

In the 1804 will of William Morris of Anson County, NC,Will Book T, Page 106,  he mentions his sons Nathan and Jeptha, his "youngest children" Patsey and William Airly Morris, and his other children" Molly Yarborough, Betsy Hemby (or Hanby), Fanny Beverly, Nathan Morris, Sally Yarborough, Jeptha Morris, Lydia Pistole. His widow was also named Patsy Morris and he named son Nathan Morris as executor. It was witnessed by James Marshall, William Farris and Nancy Seagraves.

Will of William Morris of Anson County, 1804

Nathan Morris seems to be the oldest child of William. Was Jesse who married Parthena Hildreth Nathan's son? Mrs. Jenkins noted this will in her Yarborough study. She also noted that Willliam S. Yarborough married Lydia Morris, daughter of Jeptha and that they migrated and settled in Ouchita, Arkansas.

John Gilmore, the third Revolutionary War Soldier who founded the Jefferson Community, appears to have no connection to the Turners, or Threadgills. There were lots of Gilmores in the area from then until present.

James Turner. 

The last name mentioned in the estate papers of Axom Turner is that of James Turner. Axom had a son, James Axom Turner, but I doubt very seriously this was him. The 1850 census gives James year of birth as 1825. That means in late 1837, when his father died, he was 12 or 13 years old. Given mistakes in census years, sometimes, he may have been 14 at the oldest, so I doubt very seriously he was the James Turner named. Axom's father James Turner, was still alive in 1837/1838. Could he have traveled to Alabama to visit just before Axom's death? I doubt that too, because in his own 1843 will, James lists Axom as if he is living. So, by his own will, he hadn't caught wind of his son's death. The next possibility is that of James Turner Jr., brother of Axom. James Jr. is also mentioned as if he is living in his father's will. There is also the 1831 transfer of property from James Sr. to James Jr.


Book Y Page 102 , on November 22, 1831, James Turner Sr. transfers to James Turner Jr, "for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he bears for his son James Turner.....50 cents in hand....a certain tract of land in Anson County, bordering Hull Threadgills property and adjoining William Carpenter's corner, of 103 acres. Witnesses were Allen Carpenter and Lazarus Turner.


I have yet to find a deed where James Jr. sold the tract of land given to him by his father. Did James also migrate to Alabama? I've not found a James Turner of the appropriate age in Sumter County around the time of Axom's demise,or in any of the surrounding counties. There's only a James R. Turner who shows up, around the same age as his children, whom I believe is a descendant of the Marthew/ Patience Dickerson Turner group, a fact that seems to have totally confused people as they combine the 50 year old Patience and the 71 year old Patience, who were in the same county at the same time, with totally different families, into the same person. The older Patience died in 1851 and left a substantial estate. The younger Patience was alive until at least 1855 and I am still searching for her estate records, through not being indexed, is an ordeal.

I did however, just recently find the short estate records of the youngest son of Axom and Patience, Doctor Lewis Turner, who died in late 1857 or very early in 1858. The estate was settled in January of 1858, with a William D. Houson as administrator. D. L. Turner appears to have been a single young man, born about 1830, he would have been 27 or 28 upon his death.

His property was listed as a pistol, bought by his brother William P. Turner for $1.20,
a pair of boots bought by William for $1.45. , a Saddle bought by William Threadgill, his brother-in-law, for $7.25 , 9 head of hogs purchased by Ellis Lindsey, an unrelated resident of the same town and a Mare bought by his administrator, William D Houson for $42.00.

Research continues on this family. I hopefully have records that can't be accessed online coming in the mail, as well as my slow creep through these endless pages from the Orphan Court as time permits.

I am still looking for the estate records of his son James A. Turner and of his widow, Patience, who both died between 1855 and 1860.

In the meantime, the surving family members left Sumter County and were in Porter Springs, Texas probably all by 1870. That's where to explore next.

Axum Turner

Exum family Crest

Axum Turner was apparently the oldest son of James Turner, who died in Anson County in 1843. I designate him in that way because there were more than one James Turner in Anson County during the 1800's. Another died in 1818, had married Lucy Waddell and has a well-documented family. Our line of Turners have not been well documented. It is also claimed that the first name of Jaspar Melchor Turner was James, and that Jaspar was a nickname that set him apart from the other James's. 

I'm getting a little ahead of myself by posting the Exum family Crest at the top of this post, but my research precedes my posting, so I've already determined that the Axum and Exum family were the same folks. In fact, I've seen in spelled Exum, Exam, Axum, Axom, Axiom, Axion, ad infinitum. 

And the fact that James Turner named his oldest son "Axum" is no coincidence. 

Name:	Aaron Turner [Axom or Axum Turner]  [Aom Turner]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):	Anson, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2
Total Free White Persons:	10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):	10

The only census record that Axum appears in is the 1830 census of Anson County. Therein , Axum appears to be the only adult male and between 30 and 39 years of age, with a wife in the same age group. That would put him being born between 1790 and 1800. 

He has 8 children in the household:

Two girls between 10 and 14 or born between 1816 and 1820. One girl and one boy 5 to 9, or born between 1821 and 1825 and two boys and two girls under 5, or born between 1825 and 1830. 

The earliest mentions of Axum Turner in the Anson County land records are in a few deeds involving relatives. On January 15, 1810, when he witnesses a sell of 2 tracts, one of 50  acres on Lane's Creek Road bordering the Lane's creek tract and  Jack's Branch and another of 250 acres, between Richard Allen to James Turner, Axum's father, along with Paul Allen. Then again on August 6, 1811, when he witnesses another transaction between John Kendall to his father, James Turner. This one was for 100 acres on Jack's Branch, described as a prong of Brown Creek, and began at a white oak in John Drew's line, joined Whitmill Eason's corner, crossed Jack's Branch, and joined Eason's spring. This was signed by John Kendall and witnessed by Axum Turner & Hamilton West. It was proved in court several years later, in October of 1819 by Axum Turner, Book S, Page 412.


But the very first mention of Axum that I have so far found was in a transaction between Barnabas Porter and William Threadgill, both of Anson. For $68, he sold 60 acres on the east side of Jack's Branch, that began at Dennis McLendon's turkey oak, and joined Lanier, Pope, & Lemuel Ingram. Signed by 'Barnaby' Porter and witnessed by Benjamin Boykin and Axum Turner. 


Axum would have been a young man then, perhaps 20 or 21. The connection to the Drew and Threadgill family, particularly that of one Hull Threadgill was an ongoing theme. The Dennis McLendon tract is mentioned often. The Kendall's and Allen's are mentioned occasionally. The Carpenter family, especially that of William and his son Allen, were also closely interconnected to the family of James Turner. But it was Axum and only Axum, particularly, who was connected to Barnaby Porter. And with the Porters, who I will look at more closely later, the names of Pope and Boykin are a reocurring theme. Not only those, but another as well, Axum (or Exum), as the spellling seems completely interchangeable.






The War of 1812 is one modern Americans do not seem to recall much or celebrate in any way, but it was a major player in mass migrations. Known as the Second War of Independence, it was fought between the USA and the UK and their allies and lasted from June of 1812 until February of 1815. The spark of the War was economic sanctions that had been taken against the US by England and France as part of the Napoleanic Wars. British ships were continually seizing American ships that were trading with France and imprisoning and forced recruitment of American soldiers. The war ended in 1815 with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

Name:	Axum Turner
Company:	CAPT. LANIER'S CO., NORTH CAROLINA MILITIA.
Rank - Induction:	PRIVATE
Rank - Discharge:	PRIVATE
Roll Box:	212
Microfilm Publication:	M602

Axum Turner was one of the many young men called into service at this time. He served as a Private in Captain Lanier's Company of the North Carolina Militia.

From: lumen: Boundless US History

Another factor in the War of 1812 involved Native Americans and their natural and rightful resistance to giving up territory to the increasing growth of the European settlement of America. Several battles occured from North to South. One of these involved the Creek, which is most likely the battles that Axum Turners may have taken part in, from what I can determine.

The Treaty of Fort Jackson ended the Creek Wars and resulted in lands ceded in Alabama and Southwestern Georgia. Many soldiers who participated in the War of 1812 recieved Land Bounties for their service in these areas. Some left rather quickly, others, like Axum Turner, did not, but remained in Anson for some time after their service, waiting for safer settlement to occur before moving his family there.






Axum began purchasing his own land in Anson County in 1821. In Book T, Page 353, there's recorded a sell from Reddick Drew to Axum Turner, both of Anson County, NC, for $700.50, a tract of 75 acres, that bordered a second survey of 150 acres. It was signed by Reddick Drew and witnessed by M W Mask. The property of the Drew family had long bordered that of the James Turner family, beginning with John Drew, father of Reddick. Reddick would marry Martha Turner, Axum's younger sister, sometime in late 1850 or early 1851.

In July of 1823, Sheriff Joseph Medley possessed to sell to a Grove W. May, for only $2.56, 140 acres on Jack's Branch, that began at John Drew's corner, and joined the properties of Kendall, Morris and Ball, with the exception of the 75 acres sold by Reddick Drew to Axum Turner which began at a small post oak and joined James Turner "due to and execution for $23.71 from Anson County Pleas and Quarters Sessions Court by William Marshall against Redick Drew & Thomas B Drew for $20.91 principal which was secured by William Marshall against Reddick Drew & Thomas B. Drew."
It was sold it said, because no goods or chattels were found. Reddick and Thomas B Drew were the sons of John Drew. They had obviously gotten themselves in debt and had no property or production of goods to show for it. Thomas B Drew would soon thereafter load his family up and move to Georgia.





He, too, was a veteran of the War of 1812. I don't believe Reddick Drew served in the military in any capacity. I found a document on  a Dependant Pension Application for Florida Wars, and believe this was most likely concerning his nephew, also named Reddick Drew, that was a son of Thomas B Drew.

But notice how cheap the Drew brothers property sold, $23.71 for 140 acres compared to the $700.50 that Axum had paid for just 75 acres. This left Reddick Drew (or Red or Reddie as he was sometimes seen) with just 10 acres to his name to live on, but he was not a man without a plan.


In 1825, Axum Turner recieved his own Grant from the Governor of North Carolina. On December 14th of that year by Grant of Governor  H.G. Burton, Grant no. 2777, for $10 for every 100 acres granted 100 acres that began at Joshua Brooks corner pine and joined James Barber & Lick Branch. It was signed by the Govenor and witnessed by Secretary Hill.

Axum Turner was still in Anson County up until January 5th of 1832. At that time he was mentioned in the  deed of 11 acres from William Carpenter to his father, James Turner, that bordered the property of Axum (James Turner's son) and Allen Carpenter (William's son).

Name:	Axum Turner
State:	NC
County:	Anson County
Township:	First Reg. Mr
Year:	1814
Database:	NC 1812-1814 Muster Rolls

After that time, Axum acted on his Land Bounty for his service in the War of 1812.

Name:	Axum Turner
Issue Date:	20 Mar 1837
Place:	Sumter, Alabama, USA
Land Office:	Demopolis
Meridian:	St Stephens
Township:	16-N
Range:	2-W
Section:	32
Accession Number:	AL1080__.385
Document Number:	5791

By 1837, he had settled in Sumter County, Alabama. The document states that Gains Whitfield, an " Assignee of Axum Turner" deposited in the Land Office at Deompolis, Alabama, a certificate, paid in full, "according to the provisions act of Congress of the 24th of April 1820", concerning the sale of Public Lands.  The description was for the "north half of the Southeast quarter of Section 32 in Township  16 of Range Two West in the District of Lands suject to sale at Demopolis, Alabama, containing 79 acres and 38 hundreds of an acre.

This is the last trace of Axum Turner. But as you can see by the 1830 census of Anson County, he had a young wife and a sizable family. So it was NOT the end of the family of Axum Turner.

Take note that the rest of this post is based on fragments of information and circumstantial evidence.
Adding 2 + 2, family connections, and my research is nowhere near complete, and may never be.

So, dear reader, don't take any of my assumptions as fact. This family is POSSIBLY that of Axum Turner, but the circumstantial evidence is pretty strong. This is my theory.


Axum Turner is not to be found in the 1840 census of Sumter County, Alabama. Or anywhere, for that matter, although we know he moved there by 1937. So the question is: Was there a widow Turner with several children found in the 1840 census of Sumter County, Alabama?


The answer is, there was. And to cement who was who, we have to look at 1850 first, 1840 second, and then fast forward to the 1855 state census of Sumter County, Alabama.

Name:	Patience Turner
Age:	58
Birth Year:	abt 1792
Birthplace:	South Carolina
Home in 1850:	Gaston, Sumter, Alabama, USA
Gender:	Female
Family Number:	915
Household Members:	Name Age Patience Turner 58 James Turner 25 William P Turner 21 Doct lewis Turner 20 Penelope Turner 28 Susan Turner 24 Polly Turner 23 Charlotte Turner 17

The above record shows Patience Turner, born in SC, with 7 of her children, born in NC.  But she is not the only Patience Turner in Sumter County, Alabama at this time.

Name:	Patience Turner
Age:	71
Birth Year:	abt 1779
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1850:	Gainesville, Sumter, Alabama, USA
Gender:	Female
Family Number:	956
Household Members:	Name Age Seth Little 43 Elizabeth Little 33 William G Little 17 Edwin S Little 13 Seth S Little 7 Mary E Little 11 Nancy S Little 5 Emily Moffatt 14 Robert E Moffatt 12 Olison Ruff 35 Patience Turner 71 Benjamin Bell 6

This older Patience Turner is identified as Patience Dickenson Turner. She is living with the Seth Little family and she was born in NC. The Moffat children interest me because of my Winfield connection to Moffatts, especially being in Alabama.

Name:	Patience Turner
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Sumter, Alabama
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69:	1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23:	1
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35:	1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23:	1
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54:	1
Total Free White Persons:	1
Total Slaves:	4
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	5

This older Patience Turner lived alone in 1840 with 4 slaves.  She died in 1851, and left a will. She was the widow of a Mathew Turner, and her family is well documented. I have not looked to see if there is a connection between this group of Turners and our Anson County group of Turners, but it is possible.

Name:	Patience Dickinson Turner
Gender:	Female
Marriage Age:	22
Birth Date:	18 Nov 1779
Marriage Date:	1801

Patience Dickenson Turner has a Find-a-grave link.

Name:	Patience Turner
Maiden Name:	Dickenson
Gender:	Female
Birth Date:	18 Nov 1779
Birth Place:	Wayne County, North Carolina, United States of America
Death Date:	1 Feb 1851
Death Place:	Sumter County, Alabama, United States of America
Cemetery:	Shady Grove Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place:	Panola, Sumter County, Alabama, United States of America
Has Bio?:	Y
Children:	Elizabeth Moffitt Little  Sarah Bell
URL:	https://www.findagrave.com/mem...

She was the daughter of Shadrack Dickenson and Keziah Sims of Wayne County, NC, leading back to Bertie County, NC. Many a descendant of the younger Patience Turner have them merged into the same person in attempts to climb an easy tree, but they were clearly two very different women.

Name:	Patience Tamer [Patience Turner]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Sumter, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	3
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	2
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:	2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	1
Total Free White Persons:	10
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	10

This is what the family of the younger Patience Turner looked like in 1840.

Name:	Patience Turner
Issue Date:	30 Mar 1837
Place:	Sumter, Alabama, USA
Land Office:	Tuscaloosa
Meridian:	St Stephens
Township:	22-N
Range:	3-W
Section:	1
Accession Number:	AL0880__.487
Document Number:	12834
Original URL:

To top that off, the younger Patience Turner is mentioned in the land surveys. Patience recieved her grant on March 30, 1837, while Axum's was executed 10 days earlier on March 20, 1837. He may have died along the trip actually, or at least, shortly after arriving in Alabama.

Axum's was dated March 20, 1837. Patience's was dated March 30, 1837. Ten days apart. Could he have died in between these 10 days?

Now to compare the family of Patience Turner in 1840 with the family of Axum Turner in 1830.

Name:	Patience Tamer [Patience Turner]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Sumter, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	3    1826-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	1    1831-1835
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	2    1826-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:	2    1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1     1811-1820
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59:	1     1781-1790
Free White Persons - Under 20:	8      All children
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	1      Mother
Total Free White Persons:	10

And that of Axum in 1830

Name:	Aaron Turner [Axom or Axum Turner]  [Aom Turner]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):	Anson, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	2   1825-1830
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	1   1821-1826
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1    1790-1800
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	2    1825-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	1    1821-1826
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	2    1816-1820
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:	1    1790-1800
Free White Persons - Under 20:	8     8 children
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2     2 adults
Total Free White Persons:	10

Now to add names:

Name:	Aaron Turner [Axom or Axum Turner]  [Aom Turner]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):	Anson, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	2  William P & Dr. Louis
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	1 James A.
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1  Axum
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	2  Susan and Polly
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	1  Penelope
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	2   Rebecca & Daughter 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:	1  Patience
Free White Persons - Under 20:	8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2
Total Free White Persons:	10

Only Charlotte not born yet. 

Now to 1840 in Alabama:

Name:	Patience Tamer [Patience Turner]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Sumter, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	3  James, William, D. Louis
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	1 Charlotte
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:	2 Susan and Polly
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:	2 Rebecca, Daughter 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1 Unknown
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59:	1  Patience
Free White Persons - Under 20:	8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	1
Total Free White Persons:	10

I jumped a little ahead adding Rebecca. Rebecca married in neighboring Choctaw County in 1848, before the 1850 census. She later travels to Texas with the surviving Turners and lives next to them. She was a Turner. The Texas Turners include her as one of them, therefore, no arguement. I have included her too.
The land fits. The family dynamics fits, although I've not been able to identify the older daughter or daughters who died or married prior to 1850.

Other circumstantial evidence that this family come from 2 sources: Attachment to Anson County and names. Two in particular: Threadgill and Axom.

First- Axum or Axom.

In the 1860 census of Sumter County Alabama, the 3 single Turner sisters, Penelope, Susan and Polly, are seen living alone with another adult female Turner named Eliza and 4 young children:

Name:	Eliza Turner
Age:	27
Birth Year:	abt 1833
Gender:	Female
Birth Place:	North Carolina
Home in 1860:	Southern Division, Sumter, Alabama
Post Office:	Gaston
Dwelling Number:	150
Family Number:	150
Household Members:	Name Age Penelopee Turner 30 Susan Turner 25 Polly Turner 22 Eliza Turner 27 N A Turner 9 John W Turner 8 Mary Turner 6 James Turner 5

Other Turner descendants had figured out that this Eliza was the widow of one of the Turner brothers, althought they were not sure who. William P was already married and so had youngest daughter, Charlotte.

The 1855 State Census gives us a little hint at who that was. We know it wasn't William P., as he survived and his family is found through 1900.

The Alabama State Census did not name everyone in the household, much like the Federal censuses of 1840 and prior. They listed the "Individual or Head of Household". Following were columns for:

White males over 21:
White males under 21:
White females over 21:
White females under 21:
Total:
Insane persons:
Slaves:
Free People of Color:
Total All.

Patience is still living in 1855. We know it is our Patience because the other, older Patience Dickson Turner passed away in 1851. In her household is listed one male over 21, although she is the Head of Household. This indicates a son or an employee. Then, one female over 21, one under 21, with a first total of 3, one slave, with a final total of 4.

Next to her is her son James. In his household are 2 males over 21, one male under 21, 1 female under 21 and one over. Both totals of 5 individuals.
William P and D. L Turner are also both counted as "Individuals or Heads of Household". Both of them are counted as One Male over 21 and no other persons. Their totals are one. Of note, near them also is a C. F. Threadgill.

This means that in 1855, Patience, James and Doctor Louis Turner are still living. James appears to have married and has 2 children. Willliam P. has not yet married.

Back to the name Axom. The widow and children in the 1860 census were the widow and children of James A. Turner. The children were listed as N.A., John W. , Mary and James. The descendants of John W and James seem to have taken no interest in "N. A." and Mary, and that was a mistake. While their descendants seem to have no clue who Eliza's husband was, the descendants of the other two had it all figured out.


The N turned out to be a transcription error. The child grew up and his name was William Axom Turner. He died some time between 1900 and 1910. He married Mary Jane Elizabeth Corder and they had 9 children, 4 of whom made it to adulthood. The Corder's were very intermarried with this branch of the Turner family tree. Their adult children lived into the time of death certificates and his descendants knew his middle name. They all, along with the other descendants of Axom Turner, all migrated from Sumter County, Alabama to Houston County, Texas. The descendants of William Axom (spelled "Azom" in some of the descendants trees) and of his sister, Mary Louise, also record his father's name as "James Axom Turner" and James's wife as "Eliza Threadgill".

The Threadgill Connection.


The records of the children of James Axom and Eliza Turner indicated that Eliza's maiden name was Threadgill. Recalling back the land records of my ancestor James Turner in Anson County, NC, father of Axom, grandfather of James Axom, Threadgill was a name that popped up often. His property adjoined that of a Hull Threadgill.

This is not the only time the name "Threadgill" comes up in the Sumter County, Alabama Turners.





The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas06 Jun 1880, Sun  •  Page 4

Name

Charlotte Turner

Spouse

Wm H Threadgill

Marriage Date

24 Mar 1857

County

Sumter

State

Alabama

Performed by Name

Thomas Killough

Source Information

Jordan Dodd, Liahona Research

In 1857, in Sumter County, the youngest daughter of Patience Turner (And Axom Turner), Charlotte, marries a young man named William Hull Threadgill.

William Hull Threadgill was also from Anson County, NC. To be specific, He was a son of the Hull Threadgill who was a neighbor of James Turner of Anson County. Hull Threadgill Sr., said to be Joshua Hull Threadgill died in 1872 in Anson County. The following excerpts are from his will:


"S H Gaddy applies for letters of administration on the estate of Hull Threadgill, on the request of William Threadgill, a son of said decedent. Hull Threadgill died in Anson County on the 20th of February, 1872 leaving no last will and testament.....He left surviving as his heirs at law and next of kin, Thomas H. Threadgill, now dead, without ever having had issue, G. H. Threadgill, deceased, without ever having had issue, Gideon B. Threadgill, deceased with his heirs at law his children S. H. Threadgill, Sarah Dula, wife of George T. Dula, residents of Anson County and Fanny Morgan, wife of _______ Morgan, (left blank), who resides in Tennesee, William Threadgill, Allen Threadgill and Jane Creps, residents of Texas, all foregoing are of age, Mary Threadgill, a daughter now dead without issue, a granddaughter, Susan McRae, wife of James McRae now of South Carolina, and Hannah Wells who is now dead, and her real representatives are the children of Mary Jane Lilly, who is dead, said children are minors and so far as affiant knows have no guardian, and reside in Montgomery County. "

This was an excellent recount of the heirs of Hull Threadgill. I will explore them more later on. In attempting to find the parentage of Eliza Threadgill Turner, wife of James Axom Turner, I thought to explore the children of Hull Threadgill who ended up in Texas, as William Hull and wife Charlotte Turner Threadgill did. There were a number of Eliza's and I can not yet say with any certainty which one she was. What I did find, however, was a third Threadgill tie to the children of Axom and Patience Turner.

I had determined that James A. Turner passed away between 1855 and 1860, as his widow and children show up living with his sisters in 1860. His mother, Patience, and brother D. L. , or Doctor Louis, also do not show up after 1855 in the Alabama State Census. D. L. may have moved somewhere else. There is a great deal more research to do. But the one who does show up is William P. Turner, or as I would later discover, William Porter Turner.

William P. would marry Mary Caroline Proctor on August 27, 1853 in Sumter County, Alabama. He showed up in the 1855 Alabama State Census, however, by 1860, the young family would move to Houston County, Texas, and it appears that by 1880, all the surving members of his family would move there also, including the C. F. Threadgill that showed up in the 1855 Alabama State Census with them, Charles Franklin Threadgill.

On August 4, 1883, in Houston County, Texas, William P. Turner would marry "Miss Mary P Creps", aka "Molly".

Name:	Miss Mary P. Creps
Gender:	Female
Marriage Date:	1883
Marriage Place:	Houston, Texas, United States
Spouse:	W. P. Turner

Molly would turn out to be the daughter of Eliza Jane Threadgill Creps, Jane being the sister of William Hull Threadgill who married Charlotte Turner. The Creps did not immediately turn up in Texas.

The following are the census records for Eliza Jane Threadgill Creps from 1850 - 1880.

Name:	Jane Creps
Age:	20
Birth Year:	abt 1830
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1850:	Cedar Hill, Anson, North Carolina, USA
Gender:	Female
Family Number:	604
Household Members:	Name Age Alexander J Creps 26 Jane Creps 20 James Creps 1

In 1850, Jane had not been married long, she and her husband, John Alexander Creps were a young couple with an infant son, James. They were living in Cedar Hill, Anson County, NC, not far from her parents. Their neighborhood was very interesting. Above them lived a widow, 55 year old Mary Porter, and some of her children. Below them lived Archibald Grisham, who would turn out to be the son of Elizabeth Grisham or Grissom, who would marry Reddick Drew. The same Reddick Drew who would later marry Martha Turner, sister of Axom Turner and daughter of James Turner, Sr. The same Reddick Drew who would have guardianship of some children with the surname of Axom. Archibald Gresham/Grisham/Grissom was a carpenter.

Beside of Archibald Gresham was the family of one Samuel Axom.

ame:	Eliza J Kreps
Age:	24
Birth Year:	abt 1836
Gender:	Female
Birth Place:	North Carolina
Home in 1860:	Cedar Hill, Anson, North Carolina
Post Office:	Ansonville
Dwelling Number:	262
Family Number:	262
Household Members:	Name Age John A Kreps 37 Eliza J Kreps 24 James Kreps 11 Eliza Kreps 7 Mary Kreps 4 William Kreps 1

By 1860, the family had increased to that of 4 children, including Molly, who would marry William Porter Turner, and they were still living in Cedar Hill. However, now, their neighbors were listed as J. M. Creps, a Carpenter family, some Mortons, Smiths and Earingharts, and they were living in a communtiy of skilled craftmen and carriage makers.



Name:E J Creps
Age in 1870:48
Birth Year:abt 1822
Birthplace:North Carolina
Dwelling Number:23
Home in 1870:Kingston, Roane, Tennessee
Race:WhiteGender:Female
Occupation:Keeping House
Inferred Spouse:John A Creps
Inferred Children:A L Creps 
Mary P Creps 
William Creps 
Julia Creps 
George W Creps

Household Members:

Name	Age
John A Creps	44
E J Creps	48
A L Creps	16
Mary P Creps	13
William Creps	10
Julia Creps	7
George W Creps	3

By 1870, the growing family had left North Carolina. They had moved to the City of Kingston, in  Roane County, Tennesee. John Alexander Creps was still working as a carpenter, as he had all along, and they were still living in a community of skilled craftsmen and merchants. The Creps were not a farm family. They preferred being townspeople. It appeared to be a diverse and growing town, with their neighbors origins being listed as "Kentucky, Saxony, Maine, Prussia, Tunisia".

Name:	Jane Creps
Age:	53
Birth Date:	Abt 1827
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1880:	District 8, Madison, Tennessee, USA
Dwelling Number:	89
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Wife
Marital status:	Married
Spouse's name:	John A. Creps
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Occupation:	Keeping House
Neighbors:
Household Members:	Name Age John A. Creps 57 Jane Creps 53 Ann Creps 26 Mollie Creps 23 William Creps 21 Julia Creps 18 Ida Creps 6

In 1880, they were found in Madison County, Tennesee, although in 1872, William Hull Threadgill stated that his sister ,Jane, was in Texas. I suppose it is possible they left Kingston, went to Houston County, Tennesee, and then moved back up to Madison County by 1880.


I wanted to know a little bit about the history of these areas and also the Creps family to see if there were any more connections to the Turners, the Porters, or the Axoms.


Note: The research of the children of Axom and Patience Turner has proved so mucky and involved, that I have not been able to post for quite awhile. So this is going to be one of those "to be continued" type of posts. Below is a list of the descendants of (My Theory) Axom and Patience Porter Turner.

1900 Census of Houston County, Texas. 

Name:	William P Turner
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Registry Date:	18 Nov 1869
County:	Houston
Line Number:	1571
Archive Name:	Texas State Library and Archives
Archive Collection Title:	1867 Voter Registration Lists
Archive Reel Number:	7

William P Turner was the first of the family to relocate to Houston County, Texas from Sumter County, Alabama as evidenced by his 1867 Voter Registration.


Theory:

Axom Turner, b 1795, originally of Anson County, NC, son of James Turner and possibly an Allen or an Axom. He died between March and August of 1837 in Sumter County, Alabama. I have since discovered his estate papers since starting this post. My next post will cover those.


Married to Patience Porter, daughter of James Barnaby Porter. Born about 1792 in NC, died before 1870, either in Sumter County, Alabama or Houston County, Texas.

Children:

1) Unknown daughter born about 1818, either died young or married unknown.

2) Rebecca Turner, born about 1820 died about 1885 in Houston County, Texas (probably). Estate settled around 1890 in Choctaw County, Alabama. Married an older widower, Marshall Minor (Mynor) on November 17, 1848 in Choctaw County, Alabama.
   Two children: Amanda L. Minor b 1855
                          D. Seals Minor b 1862.
                          Note: Both children were alive during the final estate settlement of Marshall and Rebecca Minor in Chotaw County, Alabama in 1891. Both were noted as living in Houston County, Texas with the other Turner descendants.  D. Seals Minor married Myrtle "Mertie" Estill (or Estelle, daughter of  William D. Estill and Eliza Hunter Estill) on February 16, 1896. They had one known daughter, Ida Minor, born in 1897. Mertie Estill Minor would marry William C.Wiggins on February 26, 1901, so it can be assumed that D. Seals Minor died before that date. It is unknown who Amanda Minor married, at this time, or if she even did.

3) James Axom Turner born about 1825 Anson County, NC died between 1855 and 1860 in Sumter County, Alabama.
Married Elizabeth "Eliza" Threadgill born about 1827 in Anson County, NC.
Four children:

    A) William Axom Turner b 1851 d before 1910.
 Married Mary Jane Elizabeth Corder ( 1854-bef 1930) Four children:
 1878 - Rebecca E. Turner
1879 - Mary A. Turner
1885 - James E. Turner
1887 - Sarah Willie Turner
1893- Twins: Fannie and Nannie Turner. Note: Twins ran in the Turner family. 

    B) John Wesley Turner b 1852 d 1919 Porter Springs, Houston County Texas.
 Married his first cousin, Francis Rebecca "Becky" Turner. (1856-1920).  Eleven children:
1877 - Albert L.Turner
1879- Mary Caroline Turner
1880 - James W. "Bud" Turner
1883 Annie Augusta Turner
1884- Elizabeth Mae Turner
1888 Nanny L. Turner
1890-1972 John Franklin Turner
1892-1970 Thomas Albert Turner
1892-1968 William T. "Babe" Turner
1896-1973 Walter Turner
1896-1968 Oscar Turner (The last two being twins)

   C) Mary Louise Turner b 18 December 1854, Died 3 Jan. 1944 Porter Springs, Houston County, TX.
Married about 1879 to Dock R Cook (1854-1924) Seven Children:

11878-1943 James Franklin Cook
1881-1886 Wilson Cook
 1884-1972 William Luke Cook
 18871-? Wesley W. Cook
 1889-1891 Nora Cook
 1893-1933 Edgar Cook
 1897-1972 Ollie Cook.

D) James Franklin Harvey Turner b 18 Feb 1856 -13 Jan 1917 Porter Springs, Houston County, TX    Marries 1894 in Houston County, Florence Vann Murray.  Five children:

1895-1974 Alton Ehteran Turner
1902-1920 Katie Turner
1904-1919 John Harvery Turner
1909-1982 Clester M. Turner
1911-1975 William W. "Billie" Turner

4)  William Porter Turner b about 1827. Served in the Civil War. First member of the family to relocated to Porter Springs in Houston County, TX. There by 1860. None of family are recorded in the 1870 census, but I believe they were all in Houston County by then. Even the well-documented founder of Porter Springs, James McIntosh Porter, is not to be found in 1870, so I believe the whole community went uncounted in 1870. William P. Turner died sometime between 1900 and 1910, presumably in Porter Springs, Houston County, Texas.

He had married Mary Caroline Proctor on August 27, 1853 in Sumter County, Alabama. 9 children to this marriage. Note: I have not fully researched this family. There are holes and possibly errors in the dates and names of the children.

1856-1920 Frances Rebecca Turner (married her 1st cousin John Wesley Turner).
1859-1907 John Turner
1862- before 1900 William P Turner, Jr. aka Billy
1862-1876 Mary A. Turner
1865-1943 Robert Lee Turner
1867- ?       Louis Turner
1870-1933  James T. F. "Jim" Turner
1873- ?      Son I. P. or J. P. Turner
1873 - 1951 Walter Oscar Turner 
Notice the repetetion of names between cousins and that Billy and Mary were possibly twins, as well as I.P and Walter O. Turner.

Married Mary P. "Mollie" Creps in 1883. She was the daughter of John Alexander Creps and Eliza Jane Threadgill, all from Anson County, NC and arrived in Texas via Tennesee. Mollie outlived William P. Turner by several decades. Three children of this marriage:

1884 - ? Joseph A. Turner
1887- ? daughter, Willie A. Turner
1890-1974  Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Turner.

5) Mary "Polly" Tuner b about 1827. Mary shows up in the 1850 and 1860 census records and no more. It is unknown if she married, died in Sumter County, Alabama, or if she made it to Houston County, Texas with the rest of the family. She is not to be found with the rest of the family in 1880.

6) Doctor Louis Turner b about 1830 D. L. Turner shows up in the 1850 Federal census for Sumter County and also in the 1855 State census of Alabama, head of his own household by then, but with not apparent family. He either relocated and I have not been able to locate him, or he passed away before 1860 in Sumter County.

7) Penelope Turner b abt. 1832 Penelope Turner did make it to Houston County, Texas. She shows up, unmarried, there with her surviving family in 1880. She may have died in Porter Springs between 1880 and 1900, as she is not to be found in the 1900 census of Porter Springs.

8) Susan Turner b abt 1830 Susan Turner shows up with the Turner family in Sumter County in the 1850 and 1860 census records. It is possible that she is the Susan A. Turner who married a John Russell and relocated first to Muskogee County, Georgia, then later to Barbour County, Alabama and filed for a Confederate pension from John Russells service in 1894. There's no culpable evidence either way, save her name and the fact that she was indeed born in NC and that her husband came from the same area.

9) Charlotte Turner b 1833 died before 1900 in Houston County, Texas.
     Married on March 24, 1857 William Hull Threadgill (1833-1900).
     William Hull Threadgill was the son of Joshua Hull Threadgill of Anson County, NC.
     Charlotte and W. H. were both born in Anson County, NC. Joshua Hull Threadgill's land adjoined
     that of James Turner, father of Axom Turner. While it is still theory that the family of Patience
     Turner and that of Axom Turner are one and the same, the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming.

5 known children were born to that marriage:

1858- 1887  Martha "Mattie" A.  Threadgill 
1859 Rebecca "Beckie" Threadgill
1861-1895 Sarah Jane Threadgill
1866- 1939     William Threadgill Jr.
1869-1889 Elizabeth "Lizzie" Threadgill





My research of Axum Turner, the Threadgill link and the Turner family is ongoing.

Next: The estate papers of Axum Turner: Found!

Sumter County, Alabama