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FOREWORD

Welcome to FEATHERSTON FINDINGS, Volume 20.
A big THANKS to all of you who have responded with your thoughts regarding merging FEATHERSTON FINDINGS with THE FEATHERSTONE SOCIETY of England. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.
An overwhelming number of those responses were expressions of approval. Of that number, a few expressed reservations, but approved IF that was my desire. A smaller number of responses expressed complete disapproval.
After careful consideration of your thoughts and mine, I have decided to join forces with our English cousins to help further worldwide Featherston(e) genealogy. This seems to be a way for me to 'stay in the game', but to have others to share a part of the work and responsibility of a publication. I apologize to those of you who will be disappointed with my decision.
Our work is not coming to a halt, but will continue in THE FEATHERSTONE FAMILY NEWS.  Beginning with the fall issue, I will be submitting U.S. material for publication. I will also be representing THE FEATHERSTONE SOCIETY in the U.S. by taking your applications for membership, as well as copying and mailing the quarterly newsletters to our subscribers. If you have not subscribed for 1997, you may do so by sending me your check in the amount of $15.00. You will be sent the issues published to date in 1997 and the remaining ones as they become available.
If you have submitted information or your BRANCH for FEATHERSTON FINDINGS, would you object if this material is printed or reprinted in THE FEATHERSTONE FAMILY NEWS? This will give us an extended coverage, and perhaps someone in another part of the world will have the information we need to expand our ancestry. If you have objections, please notify me as soon as possible.
For my own use, I have prepared a Combined Table of Contents for the first twenty volumes of our series. This helps in locating items/articles of interest. A copy of this 14 page report may be obtained for $5.00 to cover copying and postage expenses.
FEATHERSTON FINDINGS has been very rewarding for me. I hope it has been rewarding for each of you, also. We have joined forces and accomplished a great deal that we could not have accomplished working alone. Researchers across our country have become aware of the work that has already been done, thus saving much research time and effort. It has been a joy for me to be able to help individuals find their Featherston(e) ancestors. I often receive a big thank you, but the thanks should go to all of you who have submitted this information. Without it, I would be much less effective.
Thank you so much for your support during these past seven years. We could not have achieved success without the information you've provided. The booklets you've purchased have provided the financial support that has kept us going. Our work is not ending, but is beginning anew. Please continue to help me, to be of service to those seeking help.
Joyce Featherston Hawkins

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Page 01

 WINFIELD SCOTT FEATHERSTONE
OF HOLLY SPRINGS. MISSISSIPPI

While Charles Featherstone was not the first of the name to arrive in America, he is the immigrant ancestor from whom Winfield Scott Featherstone descends. He arrived in Virginia in 1653, having been transported by Major Abraham Wood (W&M(2)14). The next reference we have of his is: "At a Court holden at Westov'r Octo'r 13, 1662" shows that Charles Featherstone was paid for Wolves' heads. (Fleet's Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. 12. Charles City County Court Orders 1661-1664, pp. 31-32.)
During the years between 1662 and 1672, there are few references to Charles Featherstone. On 30 September 1672, he was granted a land patent by Sir William Berkley, then Governor of the Colony of Virginia, for 700 acres on the North side of the Appomattox River in Henrico County, Virginia. (VA Land Patents, Bk. 6, 1665 - 1679, p. 414.) An interesting fact is that as late as 1844, Charles Edward Featherstone, a direct descendant of Charles Featherstone, still owned the home plantation, and so far as is known it consisted of. then, 300 or 307 acres of the original 700 acres. In a disposition given on 10 November 1677, Charles Featherstone's age was given as 40 odd years. (Vol. 1, Henrico Records, p. 29.)

In 1670 he was on a list of heads of families in Henrico County. (24 W&M(1) 262.) It is assumed that Charles Featherstone was born ca. 1637 in England, and most likely in London, although his place of birth has not, to this writer's knowledge, been proved. There are numerous Featherstone birth, marriage, and death dates recorded in the Church records in the Cathedral of St. Savior/St. Mary Ovarie in Southwark, England (across the Thames River from London. (Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray, p. 644). As far as this writer knows these records have not been researched for Featherstones.
Charles Featherstone married Rebecca, maiden name thought to have been Stratton. In the will of Edward Stratton, Jr., who died 1698, he mentions his sister Rebecca Newman. (24W&M(1)275.) Rebecca had been married to Anthony Patrum, by whom she had a son, Francis Patrum, before she married Charles Featherstone. (Henrico County Court Record Bk. 5, p. 509.)
We do not know when Anthony Patrum died, but Francis, son of Anthony and Rebecca Patrum, was born ca. 1671. (Valentine Papers, Vol. 3, p. 1790. 1692 Court RecordsJ
Charles Featherstone and Rebecca must have married some time after 1671, if Rebecca was the mother of Charles Featherstone's children, for Anne Featherstone discharged her guardian, Samuel Newman, in February 1692/3; she must have been at least 18 years of age when that was done. (Henrico County Record Bk. 2, 1678 - 1693, p. 405.)
Samuel Newman was also the guardian of Hen: Chas: Featherstone as is shown by the following record: Henrico County, August 20, 1702 "Henry ffetherston one of the orphans of Chas ffetherston deed being upwards of twenty one years of age comes into open Court and doth acknowledge that he hath Reed. his full portion or part of his deed ffathers Estate and therof doth discharge his present Guardian Samuel 1 Newman and his (last words not legible)". (Henrico Court Record Bk. Orphans Court, 1677 - 1739, p. 451.)
Samuel Newman who was guardian of both Anne and Hen: Chas: Featherstone was the same Samuel Newman who had married Rebecca Featherstone by 1683. (Henrico County Order Book, 1678 - 1693, p. 150.') cont.

 

Page 02

Winfield Scott Featherstone of Holly Springs, MS (cont.)

At this time we are not completely convinced that Rebecca was the mother of Charles Featherstone's children. There is no real reason to doubt that she was their mother, but in the Featherstone lines that we have worked on only one granddaughter of Charles Featherstone has been found to have been named Rebecca.
In 1683, shortly after Samuel Newman and Rebecca Patrum Featherstone had married, he "went into open court and acknowledged a free gift (which he desires may be recorded) to Francis Patrum (his wife's son)...". (No source for this; it was sent to this writer in some notes from the late Miss Grace Gaw.) Samuel Newman, who was guardian of both Anne and Hen; Chas: Featherstone was the same Samuel Newman who married Rebecca Featherstone by 1683. (Henrico County Order Book, 1678 - 1693, p. 150.)
Charles Featherstone died before 25 September 1682 as is shown by the following record: "probates and administrators return to the Secretary's office for the year AD 1682 until this 25th day of 7ber. viz Rebecca ffetherstone adm:tion on her husband Charles ffetherstone estate". (Henrico County Records Deeds and Wills, 1677 - 1692., p. 25.) The inventory of the estate of  Charles Featherstone was recorded on 2 October 1682. (Henrico County Records, Vol. 1, p. 226.)
On 2 May 1726, Rebecca Newman "aged 77 years or thereabouts" gave a depostion in which she stated: "that she was perfectly well acquainted with Charles ffetherstone of the said County of Henrico in the Colony aforesaid Deceased and that the said Charles ffetherstone left behind him at the time of his Death four children begotten in Lawful Marriage to witt one son named Henry Charles ffetherstone which was his eldest son and three Daughters named Anne Sarah and Susannah ffetherstone and that the said Henry Charles ffetherstone at this time remains in full and perfect Life..." (Reel 17A, p. 18, Henrico County Deeds and Wills, No. 1, pt. 1).
That does not sound to this writer the way a mother would speak of her children and, the fact that Samuel Newman gave a gift to Francis Patrum and not to the Featherstone children is another reason that we doubt that Rebecca was the mother of Charles Featherstone's children.
Issue of Charles Featherstone and (name of mother not known at this time.)
1. Anne Featherstone married Abraham Burton
2. Henry Charles (also known as Hen; Chas: Featherstone)
3. Sarah Featherstone - nothing known
4. Susannah Featherstone - nothing known.

SECOND GENERATION
Henry Charles Featherstone, son of Charles Featherstone and (name of mother not known at this time), was also known as Hen: Chas: Featherstone. He was born ca. 1681 as on 20 August 1702, he discharged his guardian, Samuel Newman, who had married Rebecca Featherstone. (Henrico County Record Bk. Orphan Court, 1677 - 1739, p. 45.) We have not been able to find a record of Henry Charles Featherstone's marriage, but we know that his wife's first name was Elizabeth. In both the Walthall and Featherstone families it is known that there was a marriage cont.

Page 03

Winfield Scott Featherstone of Holly Springs, MS (cont.)

between the two families during this period. While it is conjecture, we are reasonably sure that Henry Charles Featherstone married Elizabeth Walthall, the daughter of Ricahrd Walthall and (name of his wife is not known.) Hen: Chas: Featherstone witnessed the will of Dinah Walthall, who had a sister named Elizabeth. They were the daughters of Richard Walthall, as is stated in the above paragraph. Dinah Walthall's will was dated 15 October 1715, so the marriage of Hen: Chas: Featherstone must have taken place after the death of Elizabeth's sister, Dinah. The will of Elizabeth Featherstone (Chesterfield County, Va., Will Bk. 1, 1749 - 1763, p. 30) is dated 26 February 1759, and was proved at October 1759 Court. In this will she names: "My son Henry Featherstone, my daughter Mary..., and my four daughters" (names not given).
It is a known fact the Hen: Chas: Featherstone had a son named Charles even though he is not mentioned in his mother's will. We know this from a land indenture between Charles Featherstone and Henry Featherstone. (Henrico County, Va.. Deed Ek. 1744 - 1748, pp. 824, 825.)
Issue of Hen: Chas; Featherstone and Elizabeth (Walthall) Featherstone:
1. Henry Featherstone, died unmarried
2. Mary Featherstone, died unmarried
3. Charles Featherstone, married Phoebe Walthall
4. Daughter Featherstone. married Thomas Jefferies
5. Rebecca Featherstone, married Thomas Sadler
(The above children of Hen: Chas: Featherstone and Elizabeth (Walthall) Featherstone may not be, and probably is not, the correct order of birth.)

THIRD GENERATION
Charles Featherstone, the son of Hen: Chas: and Elizabeth (Walthall) Featherstone, born ca. 1715 - 1718, married ca. 1740 to Phoebe Walthall, his cousin, daughter of Henry Walthall and Pheobe (Ligon) Walthall.
Charles  Featherstone made his will 13 November 1778; the date of probate is not given. Charles Featherstone and Phoebe Walthall were first cousins... They were married ca. 1740. Phoebe (Walthall Featherstone died after 4 July 1760, and prior to the time her father's will was written on 9 April 1764. (Chesterfield Co., VA Deed Bk. 4, pp. 27, 28 and Chesterfield County Will Bk. 1, pp. 459, 460.)
Issue of Charles Featherstone and Phoebe (Walthall) Featherstone:
1. Henry Featherstone, married Elizabeth Marshall
2. Edward Featherstone, married Sarah Ashbrooke
3. Charles Featherstone, b. 19 February 1743. married Ann French
4. Elizabeth Featherstone, d. 1800, married Thomas Walthall
5. Phoebe Featherstone, d. 16 December 1820, married Irby Hudson.

FOURTH GENERATION
Henry Featherstone, son of Charles and Phoebe (Walthall) Featherstone, was born ca. 1738. He was married before 1 July 1778 to Elizabeth Marshall, the daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Moseley) Marshall of Chesterfield County, Virginia. cont.

Page 04

Winfield Scott Featherstone of Holly Springs, MS (cont.)

It is not known whether or not Henry Featherstone fought in the Revolutionary War, but on 11 November 1785, he did contribute grain and fodder for the use of the Continental Troops.
Henry Featherstone was a Methodist Minister. He was issued a license to preach on 15 June 1788. (Chesterfield County Ministers Bonds for year 1788.) Henry Featherstone and Elizabeth (Marshall) Featherstone began to sell their land in Virginia, and the first record I have is that on 9 July 1787, they sold 41 acres to William Walthall.
On 11 February 1790, Henry Featherstone freed at least part of his slaves. It has been said that Henry Featherstone was an abolitionist, although this has not been proved.
The sale of the property of Henry and Elizabeth (Marshall) Featherstone continued from 1787 until April 1797. On 12 December 1801, Henry Featherstone, Sr., bought 67 1/2 acres from a William Featherstone of the city of Richmond, Virginia. The relationship, if any, between Henry Featherstone and William Featherstone of the city of Richmond is not known.
In February 1804 and on 9 Apr 1808, Henry and Elizabeth (Marshall) Featherstone sell still more land.
Evidently, between April 1808 and March 1813, Henry Featherstone moved from Chesterfield County, Virginia, to Smith County, Tennessee. It is not known whether Elizabeth (Marshall) Featherstone died before or after the move to Tennessee.
In the Smith County, Tennessee Court Minutes, March 1813, p. 237, Henry Featherstone sold 50 acres to his son-in-law, Charles C. Cogbill, who had married his daughter, Mary Anne (Polly) Featherstone.
Henry Featherstone is listed in the 1820 Smith County. Tennessee Census but his wife is not listed. His will is recorded in Smith County, Tennessee, Will Bk. 9. pp. 13, 14, 15, on 28 July 1828.
Issue of Henry and Elizabeth (Marshall) Featherstone:
1. Sarah Featherstone, b. 31 Mar 1770, married Thomas Hardie
2. Charles Featherstone, b. 7 December 1771, married Lucy Pitts
3. Henry Featherstone, b. 28 May 1774, married Nancy Marshall
4. William Feathestone, b. November 1776 - nothing known
5. Alexander Featherstone, b. 14 August 1778 - nothing known
6. Elizabeth Featherstone, b. 27 March 1780, married John Cogbill
7. ___ Featherstone. b. 2 February 1782 - nothing known
8. (Edward) Featherstone, b. 16 December 1783
9. Mary Ann (Polly) Featherstone, b. 23 March 1786, married Charles
Christian Cogbill
10. (Phoebe) Featherstone, b. 1 March 1790, married Marquis deLafayette
Sharp
11. Daniel Featherstone, b. 28 March 1793
(Note by Marie Rut ledge: The above names and dates were copied by me from a copy of a copy of a Bible record that at one time was in the possession of Sam Featherstone, who was a cousin of my great-grandfather, John Featherstone, son of Edward Featherstone and his wife Mary (Hibbitt) Featherstone. I remember my grandmother "loaning this Bible" to the said Sam Featherstone; I do not remember any of the names-in the Bible.) cont.
 

Page 05

Winfield Scott Featherstone of Holly Springs, MS (cont.)

FIFTH GENERATION
Charles Featherstone, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Marshall) Featherstone, was born 8 December 1771 in Virginia. He died 25 November 1852, and is buried in Franklin Cemetery, Heard County, Georgia. On 15 January 1794, Charles Featherstone and Lucy Pitts, daughter of Lunsford and Elizabeth (Crutcher) Pitts, were married in Powhatan County, Virginia.
Lucy (Pitts) Featherstone was born 28 March 1775, in Virginia. She died 21 December 1853, and is buried in Franklin Cemetery, Heard County, Georgia. Charles Featherstone and his family moved to Tennessee for he is listed on the 1836 Rutherford County, Tennessee Tax list in the 18th civil district.
Issue of Charles and Lucy (Pitts) Featherstone:
1. Edward Featherstone, b. 20 January 1796; d. 19 November 1857; m.
Rebecca Wilcox Alston at Mt. Vernon, Montgomery County, Georgia
2. Henry Featherstone, b. 1798; d. 15 September 1818 or 1819.
3. Frances Featherstone, b. 20 August 1801; m. Richard M. Fletcher
4. Berthenia Malinda Featherstone, b. 15 May 1802; m. (1) David M.
Hannis; m. (2) John McMurry
5. Elizabeth C. Featherstone, b. 28 December 1805; m. (1) Uriah H.
Gardner; m. (2) Robert McKnight
6. Malinda H. Featherstone, b. 2 July 1807; m. M.W. Freeman
7. Sarah Featherstone. birthdate not given - nothing known
8. Lucius Horace Featherstone, b. 9 July 1814; d. 4 January 1886; m.
Maria Ann Tomkins, Newman, Georgia
9. Winfield Scott Featherstone, b. 8 August 1819; d. 28 May 1891, Holly
Springs, Mississippi; m. (1) Mary Scott Harris of Columbus,
Mississippi; m. (2) Lizzie McEwen.
(NOTE: Birth and death dates sent to Marie Rutledge by Mrs. Lillian Featherstone Wideman of Homer, Louisiana, and Dr. George Cuttino, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.)

SIXTH GENERATION
Winfield Scott Featherstone was born 8 August 1819 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He died 28 May 1891 in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and is buried in Hill Crest Cemetery there. He was the youngest child of Charles and Lucy (Pitts) Featherstone.
His first wife was Mary Scott Harris of Columbus, Mississippi; there were no children by this marriage. In June 1858, he married Lizzie McEwen, daughter of Alexander C. and Eliza (maiden name not known) McEwen.
Winfield Scott Featherstone's profession was law; he practiced in Holly Springs, Mississippi, though Dunbar Rowland in his HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI, Vol. 1, p. 692, states: "Winfield Scott Featherstone, a young lawyer from Houston", was put forward by the Democrats as their candidate for Congress - the year was not given. In this election he defeated Alexander McClung. In 1849, he was re-elected to Congress. In 1861, he was appointed by governor Pettus of Mississippi as a commissioner to visit other Southern States to try and influence them to cooperate with Mississippi in her session(sic) plans. cont.

 

Page 06

Winfield Scott Featherstone of Holly Springs, MS (cont.)

Featherstone was assigned to Kentucky and in this effort he was not successful as Kentucky did not secede from the Union.
During the War between the States, Winfield Scott Featherstone was in Company G, 17th Mississippi Infantry F & S. He was Captain from 27 May until 30 June 1861. He was promoted to Colonel on 4 June 1861 and on 1 Apr 1862, he was promoted to Brigadier General of the Confederate States Army.
General Featherstone served with distinction in the Confederate States Army and was held in high esteem by the men who served with him. After the War, General Featherstone began to practice law again in Holly Springs. In 1867, he served his State in lower house of the Mississippi Legislature. It was General Featherstone who, in 1876, introduced a resolution to take measures to determine whether or not the carpetbagger Governor of Mississippi might be impeached. The Governor resigned rather than face the impeachment charges.
In 1878, a Yellow Fever epidemic hit Holly Springs and General Featherstone's wife and two of the children were victims of this dread disease.
It is regrettable that the only information that this writer has on the family of General Winfield Scott Featherstone is the list of his children. It is not known if this list is complete.
Issue of Winfield Scott and Lizzie (McEwen) Featherstone:
1. Charles Alexander Featherstone, b. 15 March 1859; d. 4 July 1860
2. Lizzie George Featherstone. b. 6 June 1861; d. 28 September 1878
3. Winfield J. Featherstone, b. 6 October 1864; d. 11 Septebmer 1878
4. Elsie Featherstone (date of birth not known), d. 23 March 1939
5. Dudley M. Featherstone, b. 11 August 1865; d. 18 March 1911
6. Lucius Marshall Featherstone, b. 14 November 1870; d. 1 June 1871
compiled April 1977 by Marie Rutledge of Greenwood, MS (JFH: Faye Marie Rutledge - b. 5 Sep 1921 Gibson Co., TN. d. Aug 1985 Greenwood, MS, d/o William Thomas Rut ledge/Gladys Bennie Featherston - BRANCH #3.)

SUMNER COUNTY. TENNESSEE WILL ABSTRACTS 1788-1882
by Shirley Wilson 1987 HendersonvilIe, TN

p. 53
Nancy Hibbett, 28 Jun 1849; May 1854 - Four granddaughters Louisa, Martha, Phebe Ann and Mary Featherston. Four sons and two daughters David C. Hibbett, Robert H. Hibbett, Joseph F. Hibbett, John J. Hibbett, Elizabeth Sharp and Louisa Sharp. Graveyard where husband James Hibbett is buried in Macon Co. and grave of Mary Y. Featherston. Ex: John J. Hibbett. Wit: James Barr and William A. Lauderdale (wo, 418)

p. 86
Lunsford Pitts, 26 Jun 1813 - Mentions James Hastings, Joseph McCraven, Wilson Yandell, Henry Fetherson. Son Burton H. Pitts & his sons Lunsford Pitts and George Gains Pitts & his dau. Rebecca Pitts, son Henry Pitts, son Lunsford C. Pitts, daughters Lucy Fetherson, Fanny Black & former husband, Betsy Yandell,
cont.