OF THE HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF MARION COUNTY ARKANSAS

(continued from Volume 3 Number 2)

Compiled by Vicki A. Roberts

Travel on the beautiful White River in the early days was by keel boat - large, heavy-timbered, awkward craft with rounded bottoms. They usually ranged in size from between forty and seventy feet in length and eight to twelve feet in width. They opened the river to trade and settlement by pioneering white men.

From Sumner County TN, John Lafferty, explored the White .River as early as 1802. He established a trading post on the Upper White and became one of the earliest keel boat operators. By 1810 Robert Bean ran a trading post near Guion AR which was still in operation when Schoolcraft visited the area in 1819. And sometime before 1819, John C. Luttig, an agent for Christian Wilt of St. Louis, was reported to be the largest trader and keel boat operator on the White.

As early as 1815 three Shawnee Indian villages are known to have existed on White River. One was near the mouth of Livingston's Creek, one was at the mouth of Pine Bayou, and one was near the mouth of Big North Fork River. Colonel Luis was the Shawnee Chief at the North Fork settlement.

Jesse Money (1818-1884), son of Jacob Money, migrated to his father's old trading post on White River ca 1840. He was Sheriff of Marion County from 1844 to 1850, operated Money's Ferry (later known as Tablet's Ferry), managed a cotton gin, and developed Money's Landing which was a thriving steamboat dock. He was known far and wide for having piloted a steamboat farther up White River than anyone else, having gone as far as the mouth of the James River.

In the autumn of 1835 Jesse Goodman, Write and John Rutherford were chosen by a group of prospective settlers to scout the wilderness of Arkansas and Missouri for a suitable new home. They liked the White River area and returned to Tennessee and Indiana with tales of a wondrous country and the beautiful spot they had decided upon. Goodman bought a keel boat to transport the women and children down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and then up the White. He also bought large amounts of supplies and trade goods, including several barrels of whiskey, peach brandy, Spanish brandy, rye, and cherry and mint cordials. Off he sailed with his cargo and passengers. Meantime, the men and boys drove the cattle and other stock overland through Missouri, taking about six weeks. Several weeks after their arrival at their destination, a courier arrived from the Batesville area with the urgent request that the men and boys make all haste to transport numerous canoes down the White to help push Goodman and his heavily laden keel boat up the river. Never before had a vessel as large as Goodman's keel boat traveled so far up White River. Curious pioneers and their families came from near and far to view and wonder at the huge craft. By 1837 Jesse Goodman had become the first keel boat operator in what became the Marion County area of White River.

Another, and easier, form of transportation used by those early settlers who traveled up and down White River was the flat boat. A useful craft, pioneers and their families, particularly those along the Upper White, depended on them and the men who sailed them for supplies such as salt, flour, whiskey, coffee and lead. Bear oil, venison, hides, honey, and beeswax were traded for these supplies.

Sills Claiborne Turbo recorded two flat boat accidents in the area of Elbow Shoals. The first occurred in 1835 when a flat boat laden with numerous iron wash kettles, cooking pots, frying pans, and similar containers approached the shoals. The flat boat owner was hoping to sell this cargo to the settlers along the White. Unfortunately the boat rammed against the right bank of the river and sank straightway. On top of that, it was the rainy season and, before any of the cargo could be rescued, freshets of runoff from recent rains swelled the White and completely buried both the boat and its pots and pans

The second accident occurred in the Spring of 1848 when Benjamin Majors was taking a load of corn and fattened cattle down river by flatboat to market in New Orleans. At the same shoal, in almost the exact same spot, the swift current forced the bow of the from the bank, the crewmen rushed to the bow and jumped to safety. They all made it except Bob Rains who fell backwards into the swirling water. Luckily he was rescued by his shipmates. The cattle, tied securely to the boat, were not so lucky. The captain and his crew stood helplessly on shore watching the boat, with its cargo still on board, being swept away into deep water and thus sinking.

The first steamboat to appear on White River was the "Waverly," commanded by Captain Philip Pennywit with Thomas Todd Tunstall serving as her pilot. She arrived in Batesville in 1831. The life span of these steamboats averaged three and a half years with a seven- to eight-year-old one being considered quite aged. Most of the steamers were relatively small boats, often towing flatboats or keelboats which were loaded by merchants with exports for downstream ports. Jesse Money and his partner Person owned the "Thomas P. Ray," a steamer which "in 1858 carried over 3,000 barrels of salt, not to mention whiskey, up White River this season." Construction of the White River Railroad ended regular steamboat traffic in 1903. The last one on the river was the "Ozark Queen" which ran out of Batesville.

Ferries have been used up and down White River to get from one side to the other for at least 180 years. Two or three, and probably more, are still used today. The operation of ferries is controlled by law. The first ferry on White River - actually the first in all of Arkansas - was located at Poke Bayou in 1818. (To be continued - - - - -)

As we celebrate this 222nd birthday of our nation, I hope each of us can and will take the time to reflect on just what and how much our forefathers forfeited so that the inalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" could and would be among their descendants. Without these rights we undoubtedly would have no Bramble Bush, no libraries for research, no Internet, no queries, no Ancestor Fairs - none of the precious mainstays in the lives of genealogical researchers. So often we take these and so many, many other things for granted, forgetting the trials and hardships experienced by those who came before us. Our heritage is rich in sharing, caring, preserving.. Let's all strive harder than ever to preserve this heritage in all its ramifications for the generations to come, just as our forefathers did 222 years ago.

The Ninth Annual North Arkansas Ancestor Fair at Leslie back in June was, as usual, lots of fun. Ran into many old friends, met some interesting new people, sold some books, helped folks with family tree problems, and generally had a good time. Russell Baker's talk on "Burned Counties," of which Marion is one, was quite instructive. We felt pretty good coming away with the knowledge that the Society has at least one copy of every single source available to do research in this little ash heap of ours (except one that costs about $1500 and is a bit iffy even at that price). Coordinator James Johnston and his volunteers are great organizers. They all warrant a huge round of thanks for their endeavors.

It's unseasonably hot and dry, dry, dry here in the Ozarks. So far we've been very lucky with no major fires like so many people. We'll need to hay the cattle soon unless we get rain - which we haven't had any to speak of for around six or seven weeks. Ponds and creeks are holding up, but they're real low. If you're into rain dances, we'd sure appreciate your help. But gently, please. Gently. No gully washers.

Supplement to Genealogies of Marion Co. Families is coming along, but, honestly, we need more input from all of you about your families. Before 1830 and mostly after 1920 we have no public records. We must needs rely on each you for the people and their relationships to each other. As Editor, my eternal thanks go to John and Nancy Nolan of Grandview WA for all the corrections they have so diligently tracked down and the additional data they've sent. They're quite a team.

Contributed by Don Duggins, 331 Sunset Dr., Mountain Home AR 72653-7851

 
I went searching for an ancestor. I cannot find him still.
He moved around from place to place, and did not leave a will.

He married where a courthouse burned; he mended all his fences.
He avoided any man who came to take the US Census.

He always kept his luggage packed, this man who had no fame,
And every 20 years or so this rascal changed his name.

His parents came from Europe. They should be upon a list
Of passengers to the USA, but somehow they got missed.

And no one else in all this world is searching for this man;
So I can play geneo-solitaire to find him if I can.

I'm told he's buried in a plot, with tombstone he is blessed;
But weather took the engraving and some vandals took the rest.

He died before county clerks decided to keep records.
No family Bible has emerged in spite of all my efforts.

To top it off this ancestor, who has caused me many groans,
Just to give me one more pain, betrothed a girl named Jones.

from White River Chronicles by Lynn Morrow 1994

I've lost my hard copy of this issue - as soon as I find it I'll scan in this map Thanks for your understanding <I mean my floor and room looks just like yours! :>) > Linda

R E C E N T   A C Q U I S I T I O N S

ARKANSAS PENSIONERS 1818-1900. Dorothy E. Payne. 1985. Purchased by the Society.

PIONEERS AND RESIDENTS OF WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA PRIOR TO THE CIVIL WAR. Madge Pettit. 1988. Purchased by the Society.

THE MELUNGEONS. Bonnie Ball. 1992. Purchased by the Society

MELUNGEONS YESTERDAY AND TODAY. Jean Patterson Bible. 1975. Purchased by the Society.

DESCENDANTS OF JESSE HUDSON AND RELATED FAMILIES. Jewel Norman Hudson. Donated to the Society.

CLARK FAMILY. Robert W. Clark. 1998. Donated to the Society.

ESTES FAMILY. Rhio Gillis. 1998. Donated to the Society.

EIGHT GENERATIONS OF SUSPECTED DESCENDANTS OF HEINRICH & GERTRUDE YOCHAM. Bob Derryberry. 1998. Donated to the Society.

BESHEARS/BRASHEARS, W.O.WOOD - PAULA BESHEARS - PBesh99083@aol.com

 CANTRELL, COKER, HARDESTER, JONES, KING, NAVE, SAYLOR, SULLIVAN, TRIMBLE, YOUNG, YOCHAM - JERRY YOUNG jly@ionet.net

CARSON, CARTER, COCHRAN, TRIMBLE -KATHY REEVES - kreeves@tenet.edu

CALLAHAN, FIRESTONE, KEETER, MESSICK - ANGELA MILLER - macian@lcc.net

COKER, HAWKINS, HENDERSON, HILL, HUDSON, GARRISON, MITCHELL, NAVE, PARKER, REA, SEWELL, TRIMBLE, WARREN, WAGNER, WIGGINS, VanMETER - JERRIE SEWELL - jerrieS@aol.com

COWDREY, ESTES, JEFFERSON - RHIO GILLIS - rhioreh@MC12000.com

EVANS, MAYNARD, SPURLOCK, TIPPIT - BOB TIPPIT - btippit@texramp.net

GREGORY, MEARS, WAGGONER, etc. - JANICE MEARS - mears@southshore.com

 HEARD, REDDELL, SULLIVAN, TREECE - JAMES JOHNSTON - johnston@ipa.net

 LEDFORD, EVANS, etc. - ELLEN LEDFORD - ellen@airmail.net

 OTT, ROSE, TREAT, etc. - DON OTT - dott@centuryinter.net

 WOOD, DUGGINS, JONES, POYNTER, JEFFERSON, etc. - DON DUGGINS - duggantq@mtnhome.com

A listing of those desiring a 640-acre tract in the east and permitted to reside there.

 EMIGRATION ROLLS 1817 to 1835

Those who filed to emigrate to Arkansas country and, after 1828, to Oklahoma.

 HENDERSON ROLL 1835

A census of over 16,000 Cherokee residing in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to be removed to Oklahoma under the Treaty of Echota (1835).

 MULLAY ROLL 1848

This is a census of 1,517 Cherokee people remaining in North Carolina after the removal of 1838. John C. Mullay took the census pursuant to an Act of Congress in 1848.

 SILER ROLL 1851

A listing of some 17,000 Eastern Cherokee entitled to a per capita payment pursuant to an Act of Congress 1850.

 CHAPMAN ROLL 1852

Prepared by Albert Chapman as a listing of those Cherokee actually receiving payment based on the Siler census.

 SWETLAND ROLL 1869

Prepared by S. H. Swetland as a listing of those Cherokee, and their descendants, who were listed as remaining in North Carolina by Mullay in 1848. Made pursuant to an Act of Congress 1868 for a removal payment authorization.

 HESTER ROLL 1883

Compiled by Joseph G. Hester as a roll of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 1883. (This roll is an excellant source of information including ancestors, Chapman Roll numbers, age, English name and Indian name.)

 CHURCHILL ROLL 1908

By Inspector Frank C. Churchill to certify members of the Easter Band of Cherokee Indians. Like the Hester Roll, includes a lot of information including degree of Rejectees.

 GUION MILLER ROLL 1909

Compiled by Mr. Miller of all Eastern East Cherokee, not Old Settlers, residing either east or west of the Mississippi River. Ordered by Court of Claims as a result of a suit won by the Eastern Cherokee.

 A Court of Claims resulted in members of the Eastern Cherokee living either east or west of the Mississippi River, not including the Old Settlers, to be entitled to participate in a monetary award by the Court as a result of various treaty violations.

 In order to participate, one had to be alive on 28 May 1906 and establish himself as a member of the Eastern Cherokee, or a descendant thereof, at the time of the violated treaties. 48,847 separate applications were filed, representing some 90,000 individuals. Out of this number, 3,436 Cherokee east of the Mississippi and 27,284 west of the Mississippi were certified by Mr. Miller as being eligible to participate in the award.

 One lucky enough to find an ancestor on this roll can find out a tremendous amount of information. Not only is the roll detailed, but copies of the actual applications are available which, in most cases, go back to the mid and early 1850s.

 BAKER ROLL 1924

This was supposed to be the final roll of the Eastern Cherokee. The land was to be allotted and all were to become regular citizens. Fortunately the Eastern Cherokee avoided the termination procedures, unlike their brothers of the Nation to the west. The BAKER ROLL REVISED is the current membership roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

 OLD SETTLER ROLL 1851

A listing of Cherokee still living in 1855 who were already residing in Oklahoma when the main body of the Cherokee arrived in the winter of 1839 as a result of the Treaty of New Echota 1835. Approximately one third of the Cherokee people at that time were Old Settlers and two thirds were new arrivals.

 DRENNEN ROLL 1852

The first census of the new arrivals of 1839. The New Echota Treaty Group - "Trail of Tears."

 DAWES ROLL 1898-1914

The final roll for allotting land and terminating the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Senator Henry L. Dawes was the commission's chairman and consequently, the name Dawes is associated with the final roll. The roll turned out to not be as final as it was expected to be. Upon the reorganization of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in the 1970s, the Dawes Roll became the only means of certifying membership. To be enrolled by the Cherokee Nation, one must prove ancestry to a person enrolled by Dawes. Information on enrollment with the Cherokee Nation may be obtained by writing to: Cherokee Nation, Tribal Registrar, PO Box 948, Tahlequah OK 74465

Cherokee Roots by Bob Blankenship 1992

SNEED, Charley aged 17 of White River Township

COKER, Jane aged 18 of White River Township

July 1824

RAYMOND, Henry Clay of MCAR BURLESON, Joseph Jr. aged 22 of Shiloah Comm.

BROWN, Callie Miller of MCAR DEARMAN, Neacy aged 16 of Shiloah Comm.

187 16 April 1852

PIERCE, Charles W. aged 25 of MCAR BURLESON, Jasper aged 27 of MCAR

(son of William & Scynthia [Bell] Pierce) PERRY, Ann Elizabeth aged 16 of MCAR

LANGWELL, Malinda aged 21 of Boone Co. 1 November 1883

19 October 1892

COKER, Bill aged 30 of Lead Hill

TRIMBLE, Mary aged 14 of Franklin Township

1862

EVANS, William R. aged 18 of MCAR HORNER, Jesse F. aged 22 of MCAR

COOPER, Amanda Lee aged 16 of MCAR CANTRELL, Sarah Alice aged 14 of MCAR

7 March 1858 7 October 1880

FIRESTONE, H. C. aged 23 of MCAR BEARDEN, Newton J. aged 22 of Bearden Twp

(son of Martha Firestone) (son of John & Mary Bearden)

KEETER,. Mary F. aged 19 of MCAR HUDSPETH, Margaret E. aged 17 of MCAR

(daughter of John & Priscilla Keeter) 1861

17 July 1884

DILLAHUNTY, John G. aged 25 of MCAR SIMS, John P. of MCAR

CANTRELL, Amanda aged 21 of MCAR REA, Nancy Ann aged 16 of Union Township

(daughter of William Cantrell, sister of Sarah Cantrell) 14 January 1875

1871

BENNETTS BAYOU BENNETTS RIVER 1830-1900.. Donald S. Hubbell Jr. 1981:

"The records do show that in 1810 there were 1,062 white people living in what is now the State of Arkansas. Population maps for that period indicate the population for the Ozark Mountains was less than one person per square mile."

Mysty McPherson, 35 MC 6023, Yellville AR 72687, 870-449-5223, shakerag@mtnhome.com

With the help of many, many people, we've put together the addresses of some interesting web sites for those of you traveling in cyberspace. And we've included some e-mail addresses too. Please give them all a try, wander around in the various links provided, and have fun. If you like this feature, let us know. We'll try to collect more people and places from time to time.

QUERIES is published in Bramble Bush as a service to researchers who may wish to exchange information of mutual historic and/or genealogical interests. Queries from both members and non-members are accepted, and are published in order of receipt, as space permits. If you respond to a query, kindly send a copy of your answer to Bramble Bush. Responsibility for accuracy of data in queries rests with the submitter.

 BURRIS - YOUNGER. Would like to correspond or e-mail with descendants or descendants of siblings of MOLLIE BELLE BURRIS (daughter of George W. & Lyssie Perilda [Maxey] Burris) who married 1891 JOHN WILLIS YOUNGER (son of William Alexander & Lucinda Jane [Hinson] Younger) and their siblings. Wilma (Younger) Norton, 528 Tamarack Dr., Lodi CA 95240. e-mail wilma@softcom.net

 CLARK. Seek info ancestors/descendants of JAMES P. CLARK b GA April 1842, his wife NANCY L. ___ b GA July 1846, their children MARY F. CLARK b GA 1866; JOHN BENJAMIN L. CLARK b GA Aug 1868; CHARLES R. CLARK b MCAR 18 June 1870; SARAH A. CLARK b MCAR 1873 m JACK DAVIS; DAVID MATTHEW CLARK b MCAR April 1975; JOHN/JAMES B. CLARK b MCAR Jan 1877; WILLIAM WALTER CLARK b MCAR 10 Jan 1876; KATIE CLARK b MCAR Oct 1884; JOSEPH CLARK b MCAR Feb 1886. Robert W. Clark, 4524 W. Butler Drive, Chandler AZ 85226. 602-940-8844. e-mail HMCbob92@aol.com

 CROWNOVER. Seek parents/ancestors of GOODMAN CROWNOVER and his wife ARLENA ___ who had a daughter AVIS b Whiteville, Baxter Co. AR 4 Dec 1909 m Whiteville 1 Jan 1933 CARL EMERY McCRACKEN. Mysty McPherson, 35 MC 6023, Yellville AR 72687-7620. 870-449-5223. e-mail: shakerag@mtnhome.com

 RHEA or REA. Seek info ancestors/descendants/siblings of SUSAN ELCINA ___, wife of LEONARD D. RHEA/REA (son of JOHN K/M. & MARTHA LUTICIA (DUDLEY) REA) b IL 1846. Mysty McPherson, 35 MC 6023, Yellville AR 72687-7620. e-mail: shakerag@mtnhome.com

 SULLIVAN - CANTRELL. Seek info descendants of REUBEN and MARY F. (SULLIVAN) CANTRELL who are probably buried in Elm Springs Cemetery, Boone Co. AR. Jerry L. Young, PO Box 1111, Sand Springs OK 74063. e-mail: jly@ionet.net

 WOOD. Seek proof that THOMAS D. WOOD b poss Anderson Co. TN 1800-1810 d MCAR April 1849, in Izard Co. AR 1830 census with wife, 1 son, 3 daughters and MCAR 1840 census with wife, 2 sons, 5 daughters, is son of WILLIAM OBEDIAH "Revolutionary Bill" WOOD b prob Wake Co. NC 1758 d MCAR 10 Aug 1845. Mysty McPherson, 35 MC 6023, Yellville AR 72687-7620. e-mail shakerag@mtnhome.com.

Families & Fairs is designed to announce dates and places of reunions, ancestor fairs, and historical commemorations wherever they may be held. The information must reach us no later than March 15, June 15, September 15, and/or December 15 to be included in the next issue of Bramble Bush. The name and address of a contact person must be included. This feature is free of charge.

 18th ANNUAL GENEALOGY CONFERENCE. 31 July thru 1 August 1998. Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City MO. Contact: Shellie Gilmor, 11304 N. Donnely Ave, Kansas City MO 64157. For information call 816-781-0288.

 OZARKS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 18th FALL CONFERENCE. 25 & 26 September 1998. University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield MO 65806. For information call 417-889-5677 or 417-881-5424 or e-mail bhickman@mail.orion.org.

SERVICE DIRECTORY is published in Bramble Bush as a service to those who may wish to advertise some of the many books, products, and services available that relate to historic and/or genealogical research. The charge per ad per year is $12. Ads from both members and non-members are accepted. The name and address of a contact person must accompany each ad.

 "EARLY DAYS OF MARION COUNTY" Lester & Marian Burnes, $25. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

 GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH. Marion Co. AR and surrounding areas. Experienced researcher. $10 per hour plus copy costs and postage. Vicki Roberts, HCR 66 Box 399, Yellville AR 72687; (870)-449-6195 aft 6:00 pm CST.

 GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH. Marion Co. AR area. $10 per hour plus copy costs and postage. Experienced researcher. Mysty McPherson, 35 MC 6023, Yellville AR 72687-1720; (870)-449-5223. E-mail: shakerag@mtnhome.com.

 "INDEX TO THE MOUNTAIN ECHO 12 March 1886 thru 26 June 1903." Births, marriages, deaths. $23.50 + $3.50 s/h. Margie Garr, 1505 Mistletoe, Mountain Home AR 72653, (870)-425-0405.

 IZARD CO. AR 1830 FEDERAL CENSUS, indexed, $4. Nancy A. Wood, 4643 S 28 Avenue, Tulsa OK 74107.

 MARION CO. AR 1840 FEDERAL CENSUS, indexed, $4. Nancy A. Wood, 4643 S 28 Avenue, Tulsa OK 74107.

 MARION CO. AR 1850 FEDERAL CENSUS, indexed, $10. Nancy A. Wood, 4643 S 28 Avenue, Tulsa OK 74107.

 "MARION COUNTY AR 1890 CENSUS." Reconstructed from 1880 & 1900 census; land, tax records, etc. Hardbound. $40. Helen McMindes, 626 West South Avenue, Harrison AR 72601.

 "MARION COUNTY CEMETERIES" Marian S. Burnes. $20. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

 "MARION COUNTY FAMILIES 1811-1900." Genealogies of 400 families settling in MCAR by 1900. Hardbound. HGSMCA $60. HGSMCA, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687

 "MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1888-1896" Marian S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $12. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

 "MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1897-1906" Marian S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $15. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

 "MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1905-1915" Marian S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $15. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

Membership in the Historical Genealogical Society of Marion County Arkansas is $12 per year

Membership for one year runs from 1 January to 31 December of that year.

Membership includes the quarterly newsletter Bramble Bush

Membership begun later in the year includes all issues of Bramble Bush for that year.

Make your check for $12 payable to HGSMCA and send to HGSMCA, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687-9612.

Bramble Bush is published quarterly by the Historic Genealogical Society of Marion County Arkansas, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687. EDITORIAL STAFF: Editor, Vicki Roberts; Design/Production, Mysty McPherson; Art Work, Bonnie Sanders; Queries, Mary Birrer; Subscriptions, Barbara Holland; Printing, Quality Quick Printing, 828 Pine St., Harrison AR 72601; Contributing writers, Vicki Roberts, Mysty McPherson. HGSMCA OFFICERS: Chair, Vicki Roberts; Vice-Chair, Don Duggins; Secretary, Mary Birrer; Treasurer, Barbara Holland; Grants/Purchasing, Mysty McPherson.