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FOREWORD

It has been over a year since we published volume 17. At long last volume 18 is completed. Thank you for your patience. I have personally been very fortunate in having a genealogy teacher and mentor in Mrs. I.D. (Elmeree) Oakley. I owe her my gratitude for guiding me during my early efforts to learn the how-tos of genealogy and learning about our different Featherston(e) branches.
I'm certain that each of you have also had individuals who have done the same for you. We are all very fortunate to have had these researchers who have devoted so much time and energy to our learning processes.
We gratefully acknowledge all those who have spent countless hours digging for our Featherston(e) roots. "An excellent genealogist" and "exact" are words that have been used to describe Brenda Fischler by another excellent genealogist - Peg Macdonald.
There are many others who have so generously passed along their knowledge. A few that come to mind are Marie Rutledge, Madeline Raymond, Dr. George Cuttino and Ruth Parker. These people are no longer with us, but the work they have done is still being circulated. They have built a foundation that we continue to build on today.
SALUTE!
Joyce Featherston Hawkins
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Index

 FEATHERSTON FINDINGS
Volume 18
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Page 1

 MERRIMON FEATHERSTONE (ca 1770 - 1844) and his wife
AMELIA (MILLS) FEATHERSTONE (ca 1771 - ca 1846)
ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS

(JFH; This is not meant to be a complete listing of Merrimon's descendants.
It is. primarily, information gathered in North Carolina by Mrs. Doris (Cline) Ward. Some data is included that has been contributed by other researchers and is noted in the sources. Information shown in Generations I through IV is data from my files.)

I William Featherston - will dated 23 Dec 1718; m. bef. 1689/90 to Mary May - she m.l) Henry May. Sources: Charles City County. VA Court Orders 1687-1695 by Weisiger; Henrico Co., VA Records, Vol. 10. p. 355 - 16 Apr 1691, the General Assembly at James City in Henrico Co. awarded to Robert Powell, Will Featherston and Will Seawell 200 pounds of tobacco; Charles City Co., VA will of John Cross dated 29 Jan 1730/31 (JFH: see FFs. vol. 12, p. 17).

Issue of William Featherston:
1. Jane Featherston - m. John Cross.
2. William Featherston - m. Frances __?

II William Featherston - m. Frances __?. 8 Feb 1726 deed from William Fetherstone of Westover Parish, Charles City Co., VA to Elias Booth. Frances, wife of Featherstone, relinquished her dower right.

Issue of William Featherston:
1. William Featherston. Jr. - Amelia Co., VA will dated 2 Aug 1767, probated 27 Apr 1769; m. Susannah Grigg.

Ill William Featherston, Jr. - Amelia Co., VA will dated 2 Aug 1767 and probated 27 Apr 1769; m. Susannah Grigg. Sources: In 1699 William Featherston referred to as "the younger" - probably son of William Featherston of Charles City Co., VA received a land patent; Amelia Co., VA Will Bk. 2X,   p. 276 - will of William Featherstone of Parish of Nottoway, Amelia Co. dated 2 Aug 1767 and probated 27 April 1769 - children named in his will are sons William Grigg, Lewis, Richard, Jesse, Burwell and Charles Howell Featherstone and daughters, Lucy Vaughan, Frances Still, Elizabeth Featherstone and Susannah Featherstone.

Issue of William Featherston, Jr.:
(note JFH: the order of birth has not been determined.)
1. William Grigg Featherston - d. 1787 Amelia Co., VA; unmarried. Amelia Co., VA Order Bk. 18, 1786-1788 - 27 Dec 1787 - Richard Featherston is granted letters of administration on the estate of William (Grigg) Featherston, deed.; Amelia Co., VA Will Bk. 4, p. 87 - 28 Feb 1788 an inventory is made of the estate of William (Grigg) Featherston.

2. Lewis Featherston - d. ca. 1781; m. Elizabeth Leath. Amelia Co., VA Will Bk. 3, p. 43 - 7 Jan 1781 will of Lewis Featherstone mentions his loving wife Elizabeth Featherstone, brothers Charles cont.

 

Page 2

Merrimon Featherstone's Descendants (cont.)

Howel and William and "all my brothers and sisters"; Nottoway Co., VA Deed Bk. 2. p. 150, 151 - 2 Jun 1791 Elizabeth Featherston deeds slaves to children of her brother Arthur Leath.

3. Richard Featherston - b. Amelia Co., VA, d. bet. Jul 1789-Apr 1790, Lincoln Co., NC; m. bef. 26 Feb 1774 to Susanna Davenport - d/o George Davenport; Susanna m.2) to Thomas Vaughn. Sources: Amelia Co., VA Deed Bk. 13, p. 73 - Richard Featherstone and his wife Susanna had removed to Granville Co., NC by 26 Mar 1774; 20 Jul 1789 Lincoln Co., NC Deed - Richard Featherston purchased land from William Crockett; p. 18, Lincoln Co., NC Court of Pleas & Quarters Apr Court 1789 - Apr Court 1796 (JFH: exact date of court session not copied) it is ordered by the Court that letters of Adm. on the Estate of Rich. Featherston, dec. be issued to Susanah Featherston and Jesse Featherston. Other sources include: Lincoln Co., NC estate papers; Lincoln Co.. NC deeds (by Susanna) and George Davenport's Amelia Co., VA will.

4. Jesse Featherston - b. ca. 1748 VA (JFH: see Generation IV)

5. Burwell Featherston - b. 1762 or earlier, prob. Nottoway Parish, Amelia Co., VA, d. ca. 1808; m. Ann Hightower - d/o Joshua Hightower, Sr. Sources: Nottoway Co.. VA Deed Bk. 1, p. 214, 215; Oct 1808 William Featherston is granted certificate of administration of the estate of Burwell Featherston, deceased in Nottoway Co., VA; Hightower researchers.

6. Charles Howell Featherston - b. aft. Jan 1760, d. aft, 12 Jan 1791; unmarried. Nottoway Co., VA Will Bk. 1, p. 25, 26 - 12 Jan 1791 Charles H. Featherstun of Nottoway Co., VA wills to Lewis Featherstun, son of Elizabeth Featherstun his home place - Lewis Featherstun not of age, relationship of Lewis Featherstun is not stated (also spelled Featherstone in will). No wife or children are mentioned.

7. Frances Featherston - (may have been oldest child), d. by 4 Mar 1808; m. by 1767 to George Still/Stell, Jr.- d. by 1790,

8. Lucy Featherston - d. bef. 1817; m. by 1767 to John Vaughan.

9. Elizabeth Featherston - m. bet. 2 Aug 1767/28 Mar 1788 to Lewis Clarke - d. bet. 1792-1 May 1806. Frances and George Still/Stell, Lucy and John Vaughan, Elizabeth and Lew/Lewis Clarke are mentioned in various Amelia and Nottoway Cos., VA deeds and order book records.

10. Susannah Featherston - d. bef. 1792; m. aft. 1767 to Burwell Wells. Source: Records submitted to Featherstons Findings by Mrs. Lloyd (Pat) Fite and Kelly Elmore, Jr.

IV Jesse Featherston - b. ca. 1748 VA, d. bef. 15 Oct 1816 Rutherford Co. TN; m. bef. Jan 1775 to Catherine ?Thorne. Sources: Amelia Co., VA Deeds ps. 68/69, Lincoln Co., NC Court of Pleas & Sessions - April 1789-April 1796 Buncombe Co., NC Court Records; Rutherford Co., TN County Court Minutes Lincoln Co., NC Deeds; Notes JFH: No marriage record has been found for Jesse
cont.

 

Page 3

Merrimon Featherstone's Descendants (cont.)

Featherston and his wife Cattron/Catherine. An excellent research report, "Catherine, wife of Jesse Featherston" was compiled by Drew Featherstone in 1988. He shows that Catherine (b. 29 Oct 1748), wife of Jesse, was likely the daughter of Merryman Thorne and his wife Catherine Hightower.

Issue of Jesse Featherston:
1. William Featherston - b. ca. 1773/76 NC; m. 24 Apr 1809 Lincoln Co., NC to Catherine "Caty" Spencer - b. ca. 1775-1784. Sources: Lincoln Co., NC Marriage Records; Lincoln Co., NC Census Records; Rutherford Co., TN Census Records.

2. Merrimon/Merriman/Merryman Featherston - b. ca. 1770. (JFH: see Gen. V)

3. Presley Featherston - d. bef. Apr 1812 Rutherford Co., TN; m. to Nancy Loftin - d. aft. 1820, d/o William Loftin and Levina Dunn. Sources; Rutherford Co., TN Census Records; p. 184, TN Wills, Inventories & Settlements Vol. II 1804-1814 - 17 Jun 1811 Rutherford Co., TN will of William Loftin.

4. Jesse Featherston, Jr. - b. ca. 1779/81 Lincoln Co., NC. d. 7 Sep 1866 Bentonville, Benton Co., AR; m. aft. 17 Jun 1811 Rutherford Co., TN to Levina Loftin - b. ca. 1786 NC, d. 16 Oct 1872 Benton Co., AR, d/o William Loftin and Levina Dunn. Sources: Rutherford Co., TN Census Records; p. 184, TN Wills. Inventories & Settlements Vol. II 1804-1814 - 17 Jun 1811 Rutherford Co., TN will of William Loftin; Benton Co., AR Census Records.

5. Catharine Featherston - b. 8 Dec 1784 Buncombe Co., NC, d. 11 Oct 1863, P.C. Steele's, Bedford Co., TN, bur. Steele Cem. #2. Bedford Co., TN; m. 30 Jul 1812 Bedford Co., TN to John Davis - b. 7 Jun 1794, d. 6 Nov 1866 at P.C. Steele's. Bedford Co., TN, bur. Steele Cem. #2, Bedford Co., TN, s/o of Jesse Davis and Mary Knott. Sources; p. 89, Cemetery Records of Bedford Co., TN by Marsh; Research of Dorothy J. Harz.

6. Burrell/Burwell Featherston - b. 7 Oct 1791 Buncombe Co.. NC. d. 27 May 1868 Bell Buckle, Bedford Co., TN, bur. Peacock Family Cem., Bell Buckle. TN; m. Henrietta Smith - b. 5 Mar 1793 NC, d. 30 Mar 1868, bur. Peacock Cem., Bell Buckle, Bedford Co., TN, d/o Robert Smith and Mary Jarrett. Sources; Bedford Co., TN Census Records; p. 136, Some Rutherford Co., TN Cemetery Records; p. 110, Bedford Co.. TN Cemetery Book.

Generation V
2. Merrimon (also found in records as Merriman or Merryman) Featherstone - b. ca. 1770-1780 (son of Jesse Featherstone and Catherine ?Thorn), will dated 15 Mar 1844 Henderson Co., NC, bur. Family Cem., Featherston farm, Henderson Co., NC; m. 5 Nov 1799 Rutherford Co., NC to Amelia "Millie" Mills - b. ca. 1771. d. ca. 1846, d/o Col. Ambrose Mills and Ann Brown. JFH sources: NC Marriages Early to 1800 - A Research Tool compiled, extracted & transcribed by Liahona Research, Inc. edited by Jordan R. Dodd, pub. 1990 by Precision Indexing Publishers, Bountiful, UT; Will of Merrimon Featherston - Henderson Co., NC - Will Book #1, ps. 248-252.
cont.

 

Page 4

Merrimon Featherstone's Descendants (cont.)

Issue of Merrimon Featherstone:
2.1. Jesse Benson Featherston - b. 25 Mar 1801 Buncombe Co., NC; ?m.l) Amanda __?; m.2) Naomi Samply. (see Gen. VI 2.1.)

2.2. William T. Featherston - b. ca. 1804 Buncombe Co., NC; m. Mary Emily Edney. (see Gen. VI 2.2.)

2.3. Ann Brown Featherston - b. 12 Apr 1805 Buncombe Co., NC; m. Robert Washington Hawkins. (see Gen. VI 2.3.)

2.4. Seaborn T. Featherston - b. ca. 1809 NC; m. Sarah Alien, (see Gen. VI 2.4.)

2.5. Mariah Catherine Featherston - b. ca. 1815, NC; m. Fountain Alexander. (see Gen. VI 2.5.)

2.6. Ambrose Mills Featherston - d. single, ca. 1846. (see Gen. VI 2.6.)

Generation VI (Children of Merrimon Featherstone)

2.1. Jesse Benson Featherston - b. 25 Mar 1801 Buncombe Co., NC (son of Merrimon Featherston and Amelia Mills), d. May 1882 Ozark. AR, bur. Gar Cem., n. of Ozark, AR; ?m.l) Amanda __?; m.2) 1841 DeKalb Co., AL to Naomi Samply - b. ca. 1822-24 GA, d. 28 Jan 1889 Paris, AR. JFH sources: Jesse is listed in the 1840 and 1850 census records in DeKalb Co., AL. In 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses he is in Jackson Co., AL; Logan County, Arkansas Its History and Its People - pub. 1987 by Logan Co. Historical Society; 1972 letter & info from Bertha Presley (Mrs. E.L.) of Ada, OK to Ellen Featherston Edwards. Lodi. CA (copy to JFH Jun 1991); Mrs. I.D. Oakley. Hopkinsville, KY.

Issue of Jesse Benson Featherston:
2.1.1. Harriet C. Featherston - b. 1842/43 AL; m. to Dr. Richard Dixon.

2.1.2. John Featherston - b. 7 Mar 1844 DeKalb Co., AL. d. 1 Nov 1904 Paris. Logan Co., AR; m. 13 Sep 1868 Jackson Co., AL to Melinda Moore - b. Mar 1850 AL, d. Apr 1922 Paris, Logan Co., AR. d/o Isham Moore. (JFH: additional sources not listed under Jesse Benson); 1880 Jackson Co., AL census; 1900 Logan Co.. AR census.

2.1.3. Merriman Featherston - b. ca. 1846/47 AL, d. ca. 1866 - disappeared at end of Civil War. Statement by Bertha Presley, "was a confederate soldier and was captured - turned out of prison to go west and fight Indians and never returned."

2.1.4. Lafayette Featherston - b. 18 Oct 1849 DeKalb Co., AL, d. Nov 1923; m. 29 Sep 1870 AL to Mary B. Cross land - b. 9 Mar 1847 TN, d. 29 Nov 1908. JFH: listed on Johnson Co.. AR 1900 & 1910 censuses.

2.1.5. Naomi Featherston - b. ca. 1852 AL

2.1.6. Martha "Mattie" Jane Featherston - b. ca. 1853 AL; m. to Frank Wood(s).

2.1.7. Emmanda/Emmaranda/Ermanda/Emma Featherston - b. ca. 1850/56 AL; m. to John K. Tate.

2.1.8. Jesse Be(a)son Featherston - b. 19 Aug 1857 DeKalb Co., AL, d. 1936/20 Jan 1937 Holdenville, OK; m. 18 Nov 1884 Franklin Co., AR to Cyneska Karen McWhorter - b. 18 Nov 1866 near Ozark, AR, d. 12 Sep 1968 Ada. OK, d/o Ben D. McWhorter and Martha Jane Lumpkin. This family is listed in the 1900 Montgomery Co., AR census and the 1910 Hughes Co., OK census, cont.

 

Page 5

Merrimon Featherstone's Descendants - Jesse Benson Featherston (cont.)

2.1.9. Sarah "Sal lie" D. Featherston - b. ca. 1860-62 AL; m. to Francis Littrell.

2.1.10. Mary EHen Featherston - b. 21 Jul 1863 AL; m. to Edd Darwin
(JFH: Jesse Benson's descendants will not be continued here.)

2.2. William T. Featherston - b. ca. 1804 Buncombe Co., NC (son of Merrimon Featherstone and Amelia Mills), d. bet. 1880 & 1900; m. Mary Emily Edney - b. Sep 1810 NC, d. 1909. Some of William's property was inherited from his father and shared with his sister Mariah, so they lived next door to each other. In 1880, ten years after her death, William was the host for the wedding of Mariah's granddaughter Mary Clyde to William Pinkney Ward. JFH sources; Buncombe Co., NC Census records; Nov 1911 Henderson Co.. NC Superior Court record. Bk. 82, ps. 49-56; July 1996 information supplied by Scott R. Featherstone, ; Mrs. I.D. Oakley.

Issue of William T. Featherston:
2.2.1. Calvin R. "Bob" Featherston - b. ca. 1840 NC; m. Emily T. Corn.
(JFH: for additional info. see Gen. VII 2.2.1. - FFs vol. 19)

2.2.2. Ambrose Augustus Featherston - b. 24 Sep 1843 NC; m.l) Harriet L. Deaver (div.); m.2) Mrs. Clara M. (Wilson) Deaver.
(JFH: for additional info. see Gen. VII 2.2.2. - FFs vol. 19)

2.2.3. William Columbus Featherston - b. ca. 1845/47 NC; m. Lillian "Lilly" Lee Vunck. (JFH: continued to Gen. VII 2.2.3.)

?2.2.4. Dock Featherston - b. 1849, d. 1927. bur. Oakdale Cem.,Hendersonville, NC. (JFH - census records do not show this child. Does anyone have additional info?)

2.2.5. S. Merrimon Featherston - b. Feb 1850 NC; m. Mary Garren.
(JFH: continued to Gen. VII 2.2.5.)

2.2.6. James Buchanen Featherston - b. ca. 1853 NC. Listed one place as James, and another as Buchanen, both b. about 1853 (7 in 1860, and 17 in 1870 census, Henderson Co.). Must have been the same person. J.B. Featherstone, son of William Featherstone and  MaryE. Edney, d. 18 Aug 1927 in HendersonvilIe. [Henderson Co.. NC record of death].

2.1.7 . Napoleon "Little Bud" Bonaparte Featherston - b. 15 Jan 1858 NC; m. Luster Lee Nichols. (JFH: continued to Gen. VII 2.2.7.)

2.3. Ann Brown Featherston - b. 12 Apr 1805 Buncombe Co., NC (dau. of Merrimon Featherstone and Amelia Mills), d. 1853, bur. Enon Cem., Woodstock, GA (near Atlanta); m. Robert Washington Hawkins - b. 1803, NC, d. 1864, GA - a descendant of Benjamin Hawkins, an early Buncombe Co., NC leader. JFH source: Donald E. Hawkins - Concord, CA.

Issue of Ann Brown Featherston:
(JFH: The only information I have at this time).
 

2.3.1. William Washington Hawkins - bur. Enon Cem., Woodstock, GA

cont.

 

Page 6

Merrimon Featherstone's Descendants (cont.)

2.4. Seaborn T. Featherston - b. ca. 1809 NC (son of Merrimon Featherstone and Amelia Mills); m.  Sarah Alien - b. ca. 1813 NC. d/o George Alien and Margaret Osborne. Seaborn T. and Sarah lived on property bought/inherited from his father. Merrimon, and raised a family. Was active in the  community. JFH sources: Henderson Co., NC Census records.

Issue of Seaborn T. Featherston:
2.4.1. Margaret Featherston - b. 1832/3. One of the daughters between 5 and 10 years on the 1840 Henderson Co., NC Census. JFH sources: other Henderson Co., NC Census records.

2.4.2. Harriet C. Featherston - b. 1835, d. 1906 (15 in 1850 Henderson Co., NC census). From Henderson County record of Marriages, Harriet C. Featherstone m. Joseph Livingston on Jan. 9, 1855 in Henderson Co. William Hicks, Minister. No witnesses listed, no age given for either the groom or the bride. Harriet would have been 20 years of age. Joseph Livingston d. 9 Mar 1926 with the given age of 80 years, making his birthdate about 1846. He was probably older - perhaps by ten years. His parents were given as John S. and Elizabeth (Foster) Livingston. (John b. in NC and Elizabeth b.in SC). Harriet C. may have been one of the daughters between 5 and 10 on the 1840 census.

2.4.3. Emma L. Featherston - b. abt. 1837 (JFH: ?same as Janean, age 13 in the 1850 Henderson Co. census?). Likely one of the daughters under 5 on the 1840 census of Henderson Co., NC). Emma was not listed on the 1860 census, but she was deeded land by S.T. Feath- erston in 1889, according to Bk. 25, page 539 in the Henderson Co. Land records. (JFH: Scott R. Featherston lists this child as Jane Ann.) In the 1912 edition of The Asheville City Directory her residence was given as 180 Charlotte St.

2.4.4. Sarah Eliza Featherston - b. 12 Sep 1839, known as "Eliza". May have been a daughter under 5 on the 1840 census. She married 15 Nov 1859 in Henderson Co., NC to Memory Prince Dermid. She appears in the 1860 census of Henderson County, NC as Eliza Dermid, age 20, wife of Memory Dermid, age 28 - with no children. The name "Sarah" was included by Reba Dermid in the application she filed for membership in the NSDAR, based on descent from Sarah Eliza. By the 1880 census Sarah and Memory had a family of nine children.

2.4.5. John E. Featherston - b. abt. 1845-47 NC. (Shown as age 5 on the 1850 Henderson Co. census and age 13 on the 1860 census.)

2.4.6. Mary Featherston - b. abt. 1848-49 NC  (age 2 on the 1850 Henderson Co. census, and age 11 on the 1860 census). Mary was deeded land by S.T. Featherston in 1871 (Bk. 9, page 375, deed, 1871.)

2.4.7. Celia E. Featherston - b. abt. 1851 NC (9 on the 1860 Henderson Co., NC census.)

2.4.8. Louisa Featherston - b. abt. 1852 (age 18 on the 1870 Henderson Co. census)
cont.