AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON
Of Union & Bradley Counties, Arkansas
by Bill King
AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON was born December 31, 1818 in Feliciana
Parish, Mississippi Territory (now Louisiana). Gus was murdered
on March 27, 1869 at Moro Bay, Bradley CO, AR and is buried at
New London Cemetery in Union County. He was the youngest son of
WILLIAM WITHERINGTON, JR. and SARAH 'SALLY' STANLEY. Both his
mother and father were born in Darlington District, SC and the
family migrated to Feliciana Parish about 1809. In 1813, William
Witherington, Jr. received an Ensign's Commission in the 17th
Regiment of the Mississippi Territory Militia, during the War
of 1812. Family tales indicate that both he and his oldest son,
Daniel, fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.
Daniel had served as a young Private in the Louisiana Militia.
The family later moved to Conecuh County, AL about 1820, while
Gus was still a very young child.
About 1847, Gus and two of his older
brothers, John and James migrated to Southern Arkansas from Conecuh
County, Alabama. Gus and James settled in Union County, living
near the communities of Champagnolle and Old Union quite near
the Ouachita River. Gus later operated the ferry crossing at Pigeon
Hill in Union County, and also owned a small plantation of 365
Acres just across the Ouachita River in Bradley County. He called
his plantation Mount Vernon.
Older brother John, and his wife,
MARY ELLIS, settled a few miles north of the Ouachita River near
the early community of Artesian in Ouachita County (now a part
of Calhoun County). His brother James was killed in a hunting
accident in 1849 there in Union County and is buried at Wesley
Chapel Cemetery, located five miles east of El Dorado near Old
Union.
Gus Witherington's first marriage
was to MARTHA K. LOVETT in February 1848 in Union County, AR.
Martha was the daughter of THOMAS LOVETT. Gus and Martha had six
known children: Mary (who married T.J. Smith); Sarah (who married
Lucius A. Turner); Dick (who died as a young boy at age 5); Arlina
(no information available); and 'Willie' B. (no information available).
Following Martha's death on October
30, 1857 (immediately following the birth of 'Willie'), Gus married
MARY EMMA FINCH on January 13, 1859 in El Dorado, Union CO, AR.
Mary Emma was the daughter of JOSEPH FINCH and EMMA KRESS. Mary
Emma was born in 1838 in Ontario, Canada. Mary Emma bore Gus four
additional children: Henry Stuart (no information available);
Emma Evalyon (married Edmund Pendelton Harrison, Sr. in Union
County); Madeleine Augusta (married Dr. Thomas Clemens Hart in
Pine Bluff); and Hattie May (married Frank G. Price).
The following pages will provide
the reader with many of the activities of 'Uncle Gus' throughout
his life in Conecuh County, Alabama and Union & Bradley Counties
in Southern Arkansas. His life was one of early hardship, but
it is quite apparent that Gus Witherington was a man of large
size, great strength and capacity, and with an adventurous nature,
a driving ambition and a solid work ethic.
In June 1998, following the annual
Witherington Family Reunion at Moro Bay State Park, my wife and
I visited the New London Cemetery in Union County, a few miles
south of Moro Bay where 'Uncle Gus' was murdered in 1869. We spent
a few quiet and reflective moments at his gravesite. I commented
to my wife that I wished that I could have known 'Uncle Gus' personally
as I knew that I would have enjoyed sitting with him and hearing
the many interesting stories of his life experiences. "Uncle
Gus' was a very special man!
Transcription of letter provided by KING FAMILY ASSOCIATION
By Bill King, Houston, TX Email: LynnBillKing@pdq.net
Letter of W. C. Finch of Crossett, AR
407 E 3rd Ave, Crossett, Ark. 71635
8 January 1992
Dear Bill, <Witherington>
Gus Witherington came to York, PA in 1858 on business and met
Mary Emma Finch and married her there. {BILL KINGíS NOTE:
They actually met in New Orleans, not York, PA, and were married
in Union County, Arkansas/Source 1859 Union County Marriage Bond
'B', Page 206} Gus then persuaded her brother Wm. S. Finch, her
sister Amelia Finch, and her father Joseph Henry Finch and her
mother Emma Dean (nee Kress) Conkey Finch all to move to Arkansas
with him. Mary Emma did not want to move without her family. They
arrived at Gus' home at Pigeon Hill Arkansas in 1858 on the west
bank of the Ouachita River. The 1860 census of Union CO shows
them all in Gus' household.
In 1862, Wm S. Finch married Rebecca
Rogers Terrell at New London, Arkansas which is about a 1 1/2
miles south of Pigeon Hill. Also Joseph Henry Finch died in 1862
and was buried at the New London Cemetery, near the New London
Baptist Church on Winchester Road. The Terrells were members of
this church and possibly Gus Witherington was also. (The church
secretary is checking the old records for me now).
Amelia Finch met and married a steamboat
captain named Robert L. Withers from Longview, Arkansas on the
Saline River. They met when the whole family was making a trip
to New Orleans. Capt. Bob owned an interest in this steamboat
'Morgan Nelson' at the time. Gus Witherington organized a company
for the Confederate Army of men from the New London, Pigeon Hill
and Longview areas, Union and Ashley counties on the two rivers.
Gus was the Captain, Wm S. Finch and Bob Withers were Lt.'s. In
May 1863 the 3 brothers-in-law bought out all the shares of the
'Morgan Nelson' steamboat as partners. (All this sounds to me
as if Gus was well fixed enough to outfit a Co. of soldiers and
to buy a 1/3 interest in a steamboat, as well as to move all his
in-laws from Pennsylvania to Arkansas.)
William C. Finch letter, continued:
They loaded the company on the steamboat and went to New Orleans
to volunteer. The General told Gus he would accept his company
with thanks but he would not accept Gus because he'd be the first
one killed. Gus was 6' 6 1/2" tall. The General then said
he could also use the steamboat, so they struck a deal. Gus, W.
S. Finch and Capt Bob were given commissions each of Captain in
the Confederate Army. The boat was to be operated by them to haul
supplies up river for the CSA Army to various points on the Mississippi,
Black, Red, Ouachita and Saline Rivers. They were allowed to haul
cotton and other products south to New Orleans for civilians and
could keep the money for non-military hauls. They also carried
two flags, USA and CSA as well as uniforms for both sides to aid
them in running the 'Yankee' blockades. (They could have been
shot as spies if caught.) However, they were not caught and they
operated the boat for the Confederacy, Major Latimer's Quartermaster's
Corps, HDQ Camden, Arkansas, from May 1862 to June 1865 when they
took the Oath of Allegiance to the USA. They all 3 ended up 'rich'
with each a chest full of Confederate bills. Their only real assets
left were their lands and the boat 'Morgan Nelson' which they
sold in New Orleans.
Captain Bob Withers used his share
to buy another steamboat 'Carrie Poole' which he operated for
several years. He also operated a ferry on the Saline River near
Longview at Cavaness Landing. Wm S. Finch went into partnership
with his other brother-in-law William Simon Terrell. They built
and operated a store at Pigeon Hill until 1882 when Rebecca, his
wife, died. She is buried at New London Cemetery near her father-in-law,
J. H. Finch. (stone still readable.)
I have pictures of Rebecca and Gus'
stones. They are in the middle of the cemetery. I believe J.H.
Finch is between. I was told by an elderly lady at New London
that this was correct, that J.H. Finch's stone was damaged in
a storm and the pieces later scattered and lost. There is a goodly
space between Gus and Rebecca, enough for J.H. plus space for
each of their spouses. Possibly Gus' first wife is there next
to him but I could not find a stone. I believe this was a Finch
Row (planned) as the Terrells are in another part of the cemetery
some distance west.
Wm Simon Terrell stayed at New London
with the store and died there (there is still a store at the ferry
landing at Pigeon Hill, on the Union County side of the River).
Wm S. Finch married Sarah Jane Everett of New London. They moved
to Warren...had 3 children and are both buried at Warren.
Emma Dean Finch went to live with
her daughter Amelia and Capt. Bob Withers at Longview. Emma Dean
is buried at Prairie Chapel Cemetery next to her son-in-law Capt.
Robert L. Withers in the Withers Plot.
Amelia Finch Withers lived into
the 1920's and is buried in a Withers Plot in the Hamburg Cemetery
with several sons and daughters. Mary Emma Finch Witherington
later married William D. Harrison and moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
They had two girls, Versa and Pearl. In the 1940's Pearl lived
in Portland, AR. Mary Emma is buried in Pine Bluff with 2nd husband,
William D. Harrison.
Hattie May Witherington Price lived
in Hamburg and is buried in the Hamburg Cemetery. We visited 'Cousin
Hattie' often when I was a child. Vera Welch was a good friend,
both in Fordyce & Little Rock of my mother's family (Calhoun)
who were raised in Fordyce as well as Minnie Finch Koonce, daughter
of Wm S. Finch who married Edgar Koonce.
I have marked up a Gus Witherington
sheet as we have it in our family records and tombstone pictures.
I am searching for a picture of Gus Witherington and a picture
of steamboat 'Morgan Nelson'. If I can give you any more information,
please write or call.
Sincerely,
Wm C. Finch (Signature)
Best wishes,Ed
Proven Data About Augustus Levan Witherington:
Augustus Levan was born December 31, 1818 in Feliciana Parish,
Louisiana. 'Gus' was child # 12 of William Witherington, Jr. &
Sarah 'Salley' Stanley.
Gus' father, William Witherington, Jr., received a Commission
as ENSIGN in the 17th Regiment, Mississippi Territory on 7 July
1813. The Commission was signed at Washington, MS by David Holmes,
Governor of the Mississippi Territory. It is said by some that
'Ensign Witherington' was in the Battle of New Orleans during
the War of 1812, but this has not been proven as fact.
Following the Civil War, Gus and
Mary Emma (Finch) lived in Bradley County across the Ouachita
River from Pigeon Hill, Union County. Gus had named his new Plantation
in Bradley County 'Mount Vernon'.
Gus was murdered March 27, 1869 at Moro Bay, Bradley County, Arkansas.
Gus is buried in the New London Cemetery, Union County, AR in
the Finch Family Plot.
Martha Lovett (wife #1) died 1857 in Union
County and is buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery located on Ark
Hwy # 15 east of El Dorado.
After Gus' death, Mary Emma Finch (wife # 2) married William D.
Harrison.Ý Mary Emma Finch and Wm D. Harrison are both
buried at Pine Bluff, ARK.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1858-59-60 Tax Records - Bradley County, Arkansas
A. L. Witherington
ENSW Sec. 25 Twn. 16 Range 12 84 Acres
ENE 33 16 12 80 Acres
SNW 34 16 12 80 Acres
SWSW 27 16 12 29.83 Acres
SESW 28 16 12 39.89 Acres
NWNW 34 16 12 40 Acres
Total 364.16 Acres
Bill King's Note: The above land would have been located immediately
north and east of the Ouachita River, and lying SE of the community
of Moro Bay and east across the river from the Pigeon Hill landing.
The Ouachita River makes a large loop to the north (toward Moro
Bay) just a bit west of the above land owned by Gus. This is likely
the land referred to in family stories as the 'Mount Vernon Plantation'
of Gus Witherington.
-
4 -
Arkansas Census Records
Union County - 1850 - Franklin Township
A. L. Witherington 30 m Farmer LA
Martha 21 f AL <1st wife - Martha Lovett, b. 1827>
Mary E. 2 f AL
Sarah 4 mos. female AL
Union County - 1860 - Pigeon Hill Township 3 Aug. 1860
A. L. Witherington 37 r/e $10k/ per $25k LA
Mary 22 CanadaÝ <2nd wife - Mary Emma Finch, b. 1838-Canada>
Joseph Finch 55 N.Y. <f-i-l>
Emma Finch 50 N.Y. <m-i-l>
W. S. Finch 26 N.Y.
Amelia Finch 19 Mich.
Mary Witherington 11 AL
Sarah Witherington 9 ARK
Chayler (sp?) Witherington 5 male ARK
Orlena Witherington 7 f ARK
Willie Witherington 3 male ARK
Henry Witherington 3 mos. ARK
Notes: Family moved from AL to ARK before 1850, as child-Sarah
(4 mos) was shown born in AL on 1850 census. First wife, Martha
K. Lovett, diedÝ1857 (their son-Willie was born about 1857,
could she have died in childbirth??). Gus was married to Mary
E. Finch on 13 January 1859 in El Dorado, Union County.
Letters of Administration -Estate of Augustus L. Witherington
Value of Estate - about $1500.
ELIAS D. KING, here applying for Letters of Administration on
the Estate of AUGUSTUS L. WITHERINGTON late of said County, being
that AUGUSTUS L. WITHERINGTON departed this life in Bradley County
on or about the 27th day of March 1869.
Heirs: Henry S. Witherington, E. Evalyon Witherington, Madaline
A. Witherington,ÝHattie May Witherington of Bradley County,
Ark. Mrs. Mary E. Smith, Union County, Ark. Sallie K. Witherington
and Orlina M. Witherington of Texas.
Bond: Dated: May 28, 1869, $3000 - Elias D. King, Mary E. Witherington,
B.C. Weir and James H. Averyt (Avant)
NEW LONDON CEMETERY *
Union County, Arkansas
CEMETERY GRAVESTONE
AUGUSTUS L. WITHERINGTON
Born January 1, 1819 Died March 27, 1869
Age: 50 Years, 2 Months, 26 Days
Cemetery established about 1810
************
GUS WITHERINGTON, Union County - Pigeon Hill, Arkansas Assets
Inventory of Store June 4, 1869
53 Pairs of Shoes 15 Pocket Knives
3 Whet Rocks 20 Hand Saw Files
4 Sets of knives & forks 1 Gross of Coffee
Shoe Brushes, Slates, Boots, Shoes, Spurs, Trunk, Tin Pans, Lamps,
Pitchers, Bowls, Stone Dishes
Cups & Saucers, Plates, Tumblers, Goblets, Tin Buckets, Horse
Collars
1 Bolts of Alpaca, Prints, Cotton, Worsted, Flannel
15 Goats, 2 Milk Cows
Inventory Total: $ 1016.16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Documents of Administration Package (continued)
RECEIPT
Received of Elias D. King, Administrator of theÝEstate
of Augustus L. Witherington, Deceased, Two Hundred and Ninety
Nine Dollars and 54 cents, As a part of my Dower Interest in the
proceeds of sale of the personal property belonging to the Estate
of the said Augustus L. Witherington, Deceased.
Dated: February 1st, 1870
Signed: M. E. Witherington
(Widow of A. L. Witherington, Deceased)
Pigeon Hill, Arkansas
February 11, 1862
J. F. H. HARMON
In Account With Augustus L. Witherington
$1250.56 Cr.
***********
Bill King Question: Could J. F. H. Harmon have been serving as
a 'merchant-banker' in Union County
and in possession of funds belonging to the credit of Augustus
Levan Witherington?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Final Accounting Current
Elias D. King, Administrator
Estate of Augustus L. Witherington, Deceased
July Term 1883
Confirmed and Ordered of Record
July Term 1884
A. A. Turner, Judge
Filed: July 10, 1883
******************
The following is a transcription of letter dated Feb. 26, 1981
from Gordon L. Harrison, Jr., of Houston, to Virginia M. Witherington
of Arkadelphia, Arkansas
HARRISON CONVEYOR CO.
4010 Bluebonnet # 115
Houston, Texas 77025
(713) 661-3405
February 26, 1981
Dear Virginia
Your information on the Finch's strikes a warm part of my soul.
We are now discussing our great-grandfather, Augustus Levan Witherington,
a most colorful and interesting free spirit.
To digress a moment; I am not a
family buff. Leonard Green's wife, Bettye, is the person who has
traced the staid Harrison family at the Clayton Library in Houston.
Mildred White O'Quin also is a family nut. She has an "Ensign
Certificate" of James Witherington, member of the MISSISSIPPI
DRAGOONS, dated 1813. I believe this James Witherington is the
father of A.L.
My father was a pet of his mother.
I suspect they were conspirators in meanness to your mother. My
father has many family stories he got from Evelyn Emma Witherington
Harrison. My father exaggerates, and imagines events that never
happened, so take my further comments with this aberration of
Gordon's in mind.
James Witherington appears in 1830
census, Conecuh County, Alabama; A.L. Witherington is not shown.
A. L. first appears in Union County, Arkansas marriages 1829-1870,
by Spencer: (1) A. L. Witherington 21 to Martha K. Lovett 18,
February 1848. (2) A. L. Witherington 35 to Miss M. E. Finch 21,
at Dr. Nance's on 13th Jan 1859.
According to Gordon, Mary Emma Finch left
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to take a position as a music teacher at Madeline
Brevard's School for Young Ladies in New Orleans. A. L. evidently
met our great-grandmother in New Orleans, and married her in Arkansas.
Mary Emma got her brother William S. Finch, Sister Amelia, and
mother Emma Dean Finch to live in Arkansas with her. Amelia married
Robert Withers. William S. married Rebecca Terrell, sister to
Simon Terrell. Both of these men were business associates of A.L.
A.L. was very good to the Finch Family.
A.L. was evidently a prosperous
businessman, got "Billy-Goats" drunk on Sunday, had
many fist fights, and took an active part in the breeding of his
female slaves. He was smart enough to be in the Quarter Master
Corp in Texas, nearly caught by the Yankees when he was visiting
Mary Emma in 1864 at Champonolle.
As a boy in Warren, I was shown
a Warren newspaper dated 1869 headlined: 'MR. DAVIS SHOOTS 'BULLY'
GUS WITHERINGTON IN SELF-DEFENSE'.
According to Gordon, A.L. whipped
Davis before 1861 (?), and Davis carried a grudge against A.L.
Gordon claims A.L. and his son, Henry Stuart, got off of A.L.'s
steamboat a Moro Bay, Davis was lying in the bushes and rifle-shot
A.L. in the back of the head. (Note: Newspaper story reported
he was killed with a shot gun.)
Now for another 'juicy' scandal:
The Widow Mary Emma married William D. Harrison, son of William
Kennon Harrison, brother of Edmund Reid Harrison. Will and our
grandfather, Edmund Pendleton Harrison were first cousins, one
married to the mother, the other to the daughter. The Widow Mary
Emma must have acquired a loving disposition from A.L. Will D.
(Harrison) and Mary Emma had Versa Burton (Aunt Burt) and Pearl
Eugenia (Aunt Lolly). They lived in Pine Bluff when E.P. and Evelyn
Emma were first married.
Page 2 of Gordon Harrison Letter to Virginia Witherington:
August Levan Witherington is my favorite relative. He was the
mainstay of the Finch's when they first came to Arkansas. When
he died, Mary Emma did not know too much about his business affairs.
Gordon claims the poor widow was cheated out of her property.
Remember that William S. Finch, Robert Withers and Simon Terrell
were his associates and probably advised her about A.L.'s property.
William D. Harrison was a traveling
"Daguerreotype" picture-taker. E. P. supposedly held
him in contempt. I imagine Will D. (Harrison) helped the Widow
Mary Emma dispose of her property.
Best Regards, Don
Gordon L Harrison, Jr.
NOTE The above letter was found in family research papers of Virginia
M. Witherington of Arkadelphia, Arkansas and was transcribed by
Bill King of Houston on August 1, 1999.
Killed: We are informed that Mr. Gus Witherington, late of Champagnolle,
was, on Friday 26th ult., at Moro Bay killed by a Mr. James Davis.
He was shot three times. We have not heard the particulars of
the difficulty. (From the Camden News)
April 6, 1869 (page 3 col. 2)
A.L. Witherington, formerly of Champagnolle, but more lately of
Mt. Vernon, Bradley county, was brutally murdered on the 27th
of March, at Moro, Calhoun county, by a man named James A. Davis.
He was in conversation at the store door of Bratton & Co.,
with Mr. Schaer of Little Rock, when Davis approaching from behind
shot him without warning. The first shot passed through his head,
the second through his body, when falling upon the floor he was
shot a third time in the left shoulder. Mr. Witherington was conveyed
to Pigeon Hill, where he died on the night of the 19th.Ý
Pigeon Hill Masonic Lodge No. 98, buried Mr. Witherington with
the usual ceremonies. We will publish their resolutions next week.
Mr. Witherington was an old and respected citizen of Union County.
AR Gaz. Oct. 26, 1869 (page 4 col 2)
The governor has offered a reward of $200 for the arrest and conviction
of James Davis, charged with the murder of A.L. Witherington,
at Moro Landing, Calhoun County.
AR Gaz. Feb. 6 1872 (page 1 col 2)
The Warren Eagle says Jas. A. Davis, who shot and killed A.L.
Wortherington (sic), a highly respected citizen of Bradley county,
about three years ago, and made his escape, created quite a sensation
the other day by reappearing and surrendering himself to the officers
of the law with a view of standing trial.
The Bradley County Eagle, Warren, Arkansas, Sat. Jan. 27th, 1872
The Murderer Now In Jail In This City
Last Tuesday night our town was thrown into a fever of excitement
by the arrival at the Warren House of Mr. James A. Davis. Charged
with murder and under an escort of armed men.
It appears that about four years
ago a difficulty occurred in the village of Mount Vernon, in this
county, between two residents, named A.L. Wortherington (sic)
and James A. Davis; the former being the aggressor. Davis was
beaten in a most shocking manner, his face being battered in a
terrible way; his eyes nearly put out; his jaw broken, and his
spine injured beyond recovery. While being thus outraged and unable
to defend himself he said: "Wortherington (sic), you had
better kill me now, while you have a chance, for if I ever recover,
I will kill you!"
At last the difficulty ceased and
the parties separated. Time rolled on and about a year elapsed,
when they met again, in the village of Moro Bay, on the Ouachita
River, about the 28th of March 1869. When Davis saw Wortherington
(sic), he said to a bystander: "Is that Wortherington (sic)?"
And upon receiving an affirmative reply, walked off, got a shotgun,
and deliberately shot his victim dead.
Fearing mob law, James A. Davis
took up his abode in Calhoun County where he remained until the
time of his arrest. In the meantime it appeared the Grand Jury
of this county found a true bill against him for murder in the
first degree for which he was arrested.
When the officers presented the
warrant, he surrendered cheerfully, and is now closely confined
in the county jail.
He seems quite indifferent to his situation and thinks the law
will justify his deed; and from what we learn, public sympathy
is with him, for Wortherington (sic) is represented as being very
turbulent and quarrelsome disposition, even to maltreat any person
for the least imaginary cause and threatened the life of Davis
several times carrying guns to execute his threats. These are
represented by the facts in the case and we give them to the public
without comment.
Above article provided to Bill King by Jann Woodard of Bradley
County Gen. Society 1-20-99
~~~~~~~~
'GUS' WITHERINGTON INFORMATION
Provided by Bryan Howerton 1/23/99, Researcher with Gerdes Civil
War Pages,
E-Mail: howerton@cswnet.com
WITHERS, Robert James
Born 15 Jun 1820 in South Carolina, Died 18 Jun 1901 in Arkansas.
Buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Drew County, Arkansas
Widow - Amelia Finch Withers filed Arkansas pension application
#22346 from Bradley County, August 9, 1915.
Listed in Ashley County 1860 Census, occupation carpenter
C.S. Marine Service, commander, Steamer Morgan Nelson
Bryan Howerton Information, Continued
WITHERINGTON, Augustus L
Listed in Union County 1860, age 27, born in Louisiana, occupation
merchant.
No Arkansas service or pension record.
FINCH, William Stuart
Born 11 Sep 1830 at Clarence, New York, Died 19 Jul 1907 at Warren,
Arkansas
Buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Bradley County, Arkansas
Married Rebecca Rogers Terrell, 10 Jan 1861, Union county, Arkansas
Listed in Union County 1860 census.
Married Sarah Jane Everett, 30 Sep 1883, Union county, Arkansas
Widow Sallie J. Finch filed Arkansas pension application #15144
from Bradley County, 6 Aug 1913.
Cited service in Quartermaster's Dept., Maj. Latimer's Ark. Div.
<Unable to locate any record of a Major Latimer>
If these men served in the Confederate navy or marine service,
their records would not be filed in Arkansas. The C.S. Navy and
Marine Corps (and I assume Marine Service) have their own Compiled
Service Records microfilm series, completely separate from the
various State volunteers.
Likewise, if they served for example
as a quartermaster, working directly for a department or army,
their CSRs would be filed with the regular Confederate Army microfilms
(again, a separate microfilm series).
Hope this helps. Bryan
Howerton
The Following Message From Chuck Jackson - St. Louis, dated
February 1999
'Morgan Nelson, CSA Marine Service'
Bill - found mentioned in a letter to General Buckner from General
E. Kirby Smith. Will "snail mail" the letter to you
but will transcribe verbatim below. (See next page for letter.)
I think this letter answers the question as to the role of the
Morgan Stanley in the Civil War and why I could not find Withers,
Witherington, nor Finch in the Civil War books. Headquarters Trans-Mississippi
Department. Chuck
Shreveport, February 27, 1865
To: Lieut. Gen. S. B. Buckner, Commanding District of West Louisiana
GENERAL:
Major Buckner's communication from Monroe of 21st February with
your endorsement is just received. The steamer Barkman was burned
in the Bartholomew. The Fletcher and Morgan Nelson have by telegraph
to Camden been ordered to Monroe, where they will be at the disposition
of Major Buckner for the purpose of procuring corn. The Ouachita
country above the Louisiana line is absolutely stripped of forage.
To maintain that line the garrison at Camden is compelled to supply
itself from the lower Ouachita and its tributaries. It is of vital
importance for the protection of Northern Louisiana, as well as
the planting interests in the Red River Valley, in the District
of Arkansas, that Camden should be held by us. General Magruder
estimates that 30,000 bushels of corn will meet his necessities
and enable him to maintain the line of the Ouachita until the
coming crop can be gathered. The boats will at the disposal of
your officers, and I wish you would instruct them to use dispatch
and energy in securing and removing the corn from the Boeuf. What
is not needed for the District of Arkansas and your cavalry on
the Ouachita can be transported up Little River to within sixteen
miles of Alexandria, and be made available for the troops in the
lower portion of your district. As the wants of the garrison at
Camden are pressing, I wish the first load of the Fletcher sent
to that point. You can afterward, as your necessities will allow,
increase the amount of corn sent to Camden to 30,000 or even 50,000
bushels.
The boats will remain under your
control, and General Magruder instructed that he can depend upon
your officers forwarding to Camden the corn necessary for the
support of that garrison.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. Kirby Smith
Commanding General, CSA
***********
From: Chuck Jackson, St. Louis: Bill, The set of books I researched
looking for any sign that Withers, Witherington, and/or Finch
were in the Confederate Navy were: Official Records of the Union
and Confederate NaviesÝin the War of the Rebellion. Published
under the direction of: The Hon. Curtis D. Wilbur, Secretary of
the Navy, by Dudley W. Knox, Captain, U. S. Navy, Retired Officer
in Charge, Office of Naval Records and Library by authority of
an Act of Congress approved July 31, 1894. United States Government
Printing Office Washington ñ 1927
E-Mail to/from Robert Owens,
Date: Sunday, February 14, 1999
Robert, many thanks for the info on the Morgan Nelson and also
for the info below. Believe that this was very likely my relative,
A.L. Witherington (not A.J.)
His name was AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON.
'Gus' was said to have been a partner with Captain Robert Withers
and William Finch as owners of the 'Morgan Nelson'. However, no
proof has surfaced on this fact, and is only found in Witherington
& Finch family tales handed down through the years.
Again, I will greatly appreciate all info on any of the above.
Bill
King,
Morgan Nelson: Sternwheel, packet, wooden hull, built at
Middletown, Pa. 1859. 109 tons. 120' x 21'.8" x 4'.4".
She appeared at New Orleans Jan. 24, 1861, owned by Josiah and
James Dillon of Wheeling, Va., with Capt. Joseph Richardson, also
of Wheeling, in charge. She had seven changes of ownership at
New Orleans 1861-1868, when dismantled.
Carrie Poole: Sternwheel, packet, wooden hull, built at
Evansville, Ind., 1865. 118'.7" x 21' x 3'.7". Advertised
August 1866 running New Orleans-Red River, Capt. J.F. Muse, "draws
only 12 inches light." Had four or five owners including
Red River Packet Co., and Capt. Noah Scovell. When she burned
at Algiers, La., was owned by James M. Kane, New Orleans, with
Capt. W.H. King, master. This on July 27, 1870.
Dr. Buffington: Sidewheel packet, wooden hull, built at
Cincinnati, Oh. 1857. 157'x32'x5'. Ran New Orleans-Grand Encore
(Camden), owned by A.J. Buffington, New Orleans. Capt. L.T. Moore
was master in 1858. In 1861 owned by A.L. Witherington, Carrollton
(New Orleans), who also was master. Made trips up White River,
and was lost there, December 1862.
These steamboats were mentioned in a paper called The County Explorer.
It says: Captain Robert J. Withers, a well- known and respected
leader of the community, operated two of several boats that plied
the Marie Saline. The Carrie Poole and the Morgan Nelson. This
at Longview, Saline River, Arkansas.
The other information was obtained from Way's Packet Directory.
Robert Owens
From the Web Pages: (1) "Riverboats" and (2) "Riverboat
Captains"
1. Name: DR. BUFFINGTON
Type: Sidewheeler, Wooden hull packet Size: 175 X 32 X 5
Launched: 1857, Cincinnati, Oh.
Destroyed: 1862, Dec. lost on White R. (See ** below)
Area: 1857-61, New Orleans - Grand Ecore; 1861, N. O. - White
R.
Owner: 1857, Buffington, A. J.
*1860, Avant, Nathan T. of Union, Ark.
*1860, Dec. 4, Buffington, Capt. A.J.
1861. Witherington, A.L. of Carrollton, La.
Captains: 1858, Moore, L.T.
1860, March 28 - 1861 Avant, Nathan T.
*1861, Witherington, A.L.
The following was copied from the pages of the Journals of the
House of Representatives, 2nd Congress of the Confederate States
of America. Volume 7, page 13 of the Journals of the Confederate
Congress, 1861-1865.
Web Page: < http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ammemhome.html >
Page 13 (in part)
Date: Second Day, Tuesday, May 3, 1864
Mr. A. H. Garland (Augustus H. Garland,
Representative of the State of Arkansas) introduced: A bill "to
provide for the redemption of the old issue of Treasury notes
held by certain Indian tribes;" which was read a first and
second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Also,
a bill "for the relief of A. L. WITHERINGTON, of Union County,
in the State of Arkansas; which was read a first and second time
and referred to the Committee on Claims.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Family Interview with James Sidney King c. 1936
James Sidney King was the son of John Coleman King. He was the
Grandson of James King, Sr.& Catherine Coleman King (Catherine
is buried at Wesley Cemetery in Union County, AR).
From the family records of Betty Sue Griffin
Mitcham of El Dorado; daughter of Abbie Coral King Griffin and
great granddaughter of John Coleman King of Union County.
James Sidney King of Union County, son
of John Coleman King, in a 1936 family history interview, told
a story of his father and Gus Witherington crossing the Mississippi
River on rafts and riding horseback when they came to Arkansas.
They passed several plantations in the rich Mississippi Valley
where the ownerís house, known as the 'big house', was
set far back from the road and a big gate and a lawn were out
in front of the 'big house'. King and Witherington made their
headquarters at Norris Springs in Union County and went out each
day with a spade looking for rich land, but decided to go to Texas
where Dallas now is. They later decided to come back to Union
County where the transportation on the Ouachita River was good
and they could get their cotton to market at New Orleans and where
the land was rich."
*************************
Early Alabama (Conecuh County) Land Records for Augustus L. Witherington
Aug. 18, 1837 40 Acres SW/SW, Sec. 15, Township 7 N, Range 11
E.
(Located near Lyeffion, NE of Witherington Family Cemetery)
July 1, 1845 39.375 A. NE/SW, Sec. 1, Township 6 N, Range 10 E.
(Located near China and the Witherington Family Cemetery)
Early Arkansas (Union County) Land Records for Augustus L. Witherington
Sept 1, 1856 40 Acres SW/NE, Sec 29, Township 17 S, Range 14 W.
(Located South of Hwy 15, near Wesley Cemetery)
July 1, 1859 80 Acres SE/NE, Sec 7 Township 17 S, Range12 W.
(Part) NW/SW, Sec 8, Township 17 S, Range 12 W. (Located So. of
Pigeon Hill and South of the Ouachita River)
From Harry Wilson on 22 April 2001Pettigrew, Arkansas Hornridge@aol.com
Bill, I have several hundred old documents that were handed down
to me in my family. The documents start in 1783 and go to the
1900's. In the 1850's and early 1860's my great grandfather sent
cotton to New Orleans by way of several steamboats. One of them
was the Morgan Nelson. I have made a CD of scans of the documents.
The following is taken from my index to the scans. I don't know
if they will help you any but might be interesting. *1861 06 Sale
of 5 bales of cotton for A.P. Wilson from Monticello, Drew Co.,
Ark, to Houghton Rankin & Co., weigher is E. Fremont, by Cleveland
Brothers, received on the Steamer Morgan Nelson from Long View,
dated New Orleans, January 20, 1861, signed by ÝB. Roper
*1861 07 Sale of 2 bales of cotton for A.P. Wilson from Monticello,
Drew Co., Ark, to Geo A. Holt, weigher is E.Fremont, by Cleveland
Brothers, received on the Steamer M Nelson from Long View, dated
New Orleans, April 8, 1861, signed by B.H. Roper *1861 08 ÝSale
of 10 bales of cotton for A.P. Wilson from Monticello, Drew Co.,
Ark, to Geo A. Holt, weigher is E.Fremont, by Cleveland Brothers,
received on the Steamer Morgan Nelson from Long View, dated New
Orleans, February 23, 1861, signed by S.A. Cowen. *1861 22 Shipped
in good order by A.H. Morgan on the Steamboat called the Morgan
Nelson, Jos. Richards, master, in the Port of Cornish & bound
for New Orleans to A.P. Tubbs & Co., 9 bales of cotton, dated
Cornish, February 16, 1861, signed by Carpenter. Please keep me
in mind if you find a picture of the Morgan Nelson. I am trying
to get pictures of all of the steamboats that my great grandfather
used to send and receive cotton and supplies. He had a plantation
at Monticello, Arkansas.
Harry
Researcher's Notes:
This information on the life of AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON has
been developed over the past three years with the help of many
researchers ..........far too many to list here. It is being provided
in hopes that some of the information provided of "Uncle
Gus" and his life and death will be of interest to Union,
Calhoun & Bradley County historians and genealogists. I visited
the New London Cemetery grave of Gus Witherington on June 13,
1999, following the annual Witherington Family Reunion and I felt
very pleased "to have finally found Uncle Gus".
Gus Witherington was my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.
William Witherington, Jr. (the father
of Gus, John & James Witherington) was my 4th Great Grandpa.
All three sons came to Southern Arkansas from Conecuh County,
AL about 1845-1846.
John Witherington was my 3rd Great
Grandfather. John migrated to Ouachita County (now Calhoun) and
settled south of Artesian, north of the Ouachita River, only a
few miles from his brothers, James and Gus.
I descend from John Witherington
(the older brother of Gus & James), who was born 1801 in Darlington
District, SC and who died 1855 in Calhoun County, Arkansas.
Submitted by
WILLIAM R. KING, JR
14106 Carolcrest Circle, Houston, TX 77079
(281) 493-6767
E-Mail: BillKing@houston.rr.com