MY GREAT

MY GREAT, GREAT, GREAT GRANDPARENTS,

THOMAS AND ELIZABETH (MORRIS) JEFFRIES AND

THEIR DESCENDENTS

By Robert H. Jeffries 300 Sivell Road- La Grange, Georgia 30241 (rjffres@charter.net)

Thomas Jeffries, the son of Esther (Lee) and William Jeffries, Sr. was my g-, g-, great grandfather. Although Thomas was born in Virginia, he was the first of our family line to live most of his life in Jasper County, Georgia, with about twenty years in Greene County, and the remainder in Jasper County.

Thomas Jeffries was born in King and Queen County, Virginia in 1779. He moved to Georgia with the rest of Esther and William's children around 1790.

Thomas Jeffries married my great, great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Morris, in Greene County on November 23, 1803. Elizabeth had been born in Wilkes County, Georgia in 1788. Her father, Daniel Morris, soon moved the remainder of his family to Hart County, Kentucky.

The parents of Elizabeth Morris were Daniel and Abbalony (Murden) Morris.

Daniel Morris, the father of Elizabeth, was born in Currituck County, North Carolina, as the son of Thomas Morris.

The tax records show that Thomas Jeffries paid his taxes in the Owens and Watts districts of Greene County in 1798, 1805, and in other years. This is believed to have been in an area not far from where Ebnezer Baptist Church was, and still is located today in Greene County.

In 1805, February 8, 1809, and on August 12, 1812 Thomas sold some of his land in Greene County. The August 12, 1812 land was located on Jeffries? Creek and was sold to Thomas Lynne for $500. This same land was recorded as being in Taliaferro County, after that county was created in 1827, when Henry Cleveland sold the same land to Hamilton Roberts.

On March 9, 1816 and again on June 25, 1817 Thomas bought 202 ½ acres of land on Murder Creek, in Jasper County. Census and tax records show Thomas lived in an area almost entirely in Georgia Militia District #380. This general area includes the small communities of Kelly and Hopewell in Jasper County, and Mansfield and Newborn in Newton County.

Within this area is Tabneracle Church Cemetery, where many members of Burkett Jeffries, my great, great grandfather, and Thomas' oldest son of Thomas Jeffries, family are buried. Also within this area, H. Grady Wilson, Jr., who wrote the book ?Leaves of the Tree?, a history of the Wilson, Spears, and allied families, says that John Spears and his family lived. (Two of Thomas Jeffries sons and a daughter married members of neighboring John Spears? family.) The plantations, in Jasper County, I believe touched each other, and that they were very close neighbors and friends. It is unknown whether Thomas and Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries could read or write, or had any education at all, but it is known they knew how important it was to see that their children received as much education as was possible. The high point in Jeffries children's education before 1950 was in the 1830?s. It is believed these ideals would have continued, if it had not been for the War Between The States making life so tough for everyone afterwards. The schools, in Georgia, during the 1830?s were often called Academies (but a person did not have to be rich enough to send a child to what we think of as and academy today). The schools were sometimes referred to as Poor Schools (but many of the plantation owners, who sent their children to these schools were definitely not poor.) These schools were really just the first public schools. Then, as it is today, very little money went into the pay of teachers and equipment. These were the first public schools of Georgia and Thomas and his descendents used them to the fullest extent possible.

Thomas and his son, Burkett, Jeffries children attended Constitution Hall Academy, which had been established in December 1826, but its exact location today is not known. In 1833 the academy had 75 peoples attending it and received $125 from the state to operate on. This paid the teacher $62.50 for the year's work, $4.45 for furniture and repairs, and $25 to finish paying for a set of globes.

In 1836 the following children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries were attending Mount Pleasant Academy, and listed as these ages while taking the following subjects: Thomas Jeffries 19 years old and taking reading, Cordial Jeffries 14 years old and taking math, Esther Jeffries 12 years old, but it is uncertain what subject she was taking. My next ancestor, Burkett Jeffries, also had a daughter, Jane Jeffries, attending the academy, and she was listed as ten years old. This shows that Thomas and Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries wanted the best education possible for their children.

. The community of Kelly, in this area, was named for two Kelly brothers, who ran a post office and lived there all their lives. One of the brothers, John W. Kelly married Thomas Jeffries daughter, Elizabeth.

In this area also is the Old Henderson Mill. One of Burkett Jeffries daughters married Joseph Henderson, a half owner of the mill. This old mill site is still found in Jasper County, not far from Mansfield. Not far from this mill is Hardy Crossroads, where Bethlehem Baptist Church is located. It began as a full time church around 1825. Its first full time Church Clerk was P. Reeves, who is believed to have been a brother of Elizabeth (Reeves) Jeffries, Burkett's wife.

The land Thomas Jeffries bought on June 2, 1817, in Jasper County, was located near his brothers, Lee and William Jeffries, Jr.'s land. Thomas bought this land from Jacob Finney and Lee Jeffries witnessed the sale.

In the 1820 Irwin County Land Lottery Thomas received 490 acres of land in Irwin County. (Although I have seen records of a Jeffries? family living in Irwin County for years, beginning in the early days of the county, if this was a descendent of our Thomas Jeffries I only have one Jeffries male it could have been. Thomas had a son named Thomas Jeffries, who was still living in Jasper County as late as 1835, but then he disappears and I have no idea what happened to him, or where he may have gone. I haven't been able to prove, or disprove, their relationship ).

The 1820 Jasper County Census listed Thomas and Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries as both being 26-45 years old. Living in their household they had the following children: Burkett Jeffries who was 10-16 years old, Lovey and Melissa Jeffries who were 10-16 years old, Thomas and Colbert Jeffries who were 0-10 years old, and Elizabeth Jeffries who was 0-10 years old. (These were not named in the census, but I now know whom they were from later records and the ages given in this and other censuses.

The following notice appeared in Jasper County: There will be sold at the Jasper County courthouse in Monticello on the first Tuesday in April 1822 one hundred acres of land with a saw and grist mill adjoining the lands of Thomas Jeffries, John Banks, Sr., and the land of Joshua Callaway; and one Negro, which were taken on the property of Hugh McDonald and others to satisfy a fi fa of Samuel Bufferton.

On March 4, 1829 Thomas Jeffries was the highest bidder on 100 acres of land at a sheriff's auction in Jasper County.

The 1830 Jasper County Census listed Thomas as 50-60 years old, and Elizabeth as 40-50 years old. Living in their home they had a son 20-30 years old, two sons and two daughters 15-20 years old, two sons and two daughters 10-15 years old, a son 5-10 years old, and a daughter 0-5 years old.

Another household, in the same area of Jasper County, was listed in the 1830 census as Joshua C. Banks, who was 30-40 years old, and his second wife, Mary Ann (Henderson) Banks, who was 20-30 years old. (This was Joshua's second wife, because he had earlier married Thomas Jeffries? daughter Malony, who had died in 1825 and left Joshua with two young daughters to raise. Mary Ann may also have been a widow, because in their 1830 household there were daughters 0-5 and 5-10 years old, but there was also a son 5-10 years old.

On December 15, 1835 Thomas bought some land in Jasper County for $2,150.

From 1835-1865 there was one mercantile store in Shady Dale, which gave the farmer's credit until their crops had been gathered at the end of the year. Many farmers names were listed in the Spearman and Whitfield Store records, which was shown in a DAR record in the Georgia Archives. Some of those named were Thomas Jeffries, Sr. and his sons Dr. Thomas Jeffries, Colbert Jeffries, and Cordial Jeffries. The store dissolved in 1865 by the death of both men. (It is unknown for certain how they both died at the same time, but they may have been defending the store from Yankee raiders.)

In the 1840 Jasper County Census Thomas was listed as 60-70 years old and Elizabeth as 50-60 years old. Living in their household, at this time, was a son and a daughter 20-30 years old, a son and a daughter 15-20 years old, and a daughter 10-15 years old.

The 1850 Jasper County Census lists Thomas as 73 years old, Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries 62, Elizabeth M. Jeffries 31, Colbert Jeffries 31, Cordial D. Jeffries 28, and Esther Jeffries 23 years old.

The tax records of Jasper County for 1850 showed the following information for Thomas Jeffries: He owned 750 acres of land valued at $2,000 and equipment valued at $60. He also owned fourteen cows, two horses, four mules, forty hogs, and thirty-eight sheep for a total value of the livestock of $500. He owned 500 bushels of corn, 50 pounds of butter, and 20 pounds of honey, among his other farm products. The tax records stated he owned ten slaves, but the 1850 slave census of Jasper County showed he owned 26 slaves.

The 1850 Jasper County Agricultural Schedule said Thomas Jeffries owned 800 acres of land valued at $2,000, with 450 acres under cultivation that year and his livestock was valued at $500. Thomas Jeffries died in 1859 and since his will did not mention his wife, Elizabeth, it is believed she had died between the 1850 census and the time of Thomas? 1859 will.

The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Jeffries, which was recorded in Jasper County Will Book 14, on page 148, was brought into court in the June term of 1859, by his son, Colbert Jeffries, who was the executor of his father's estate. Named as heirs-at-law were: Esther, Cordial D., Colbert, William R. (mulatto), and Burkett Jeffries, William Spears in the right of his wife Melissa, John W. Kelly in the right of his wife Elizabeth, and Benjamin F. Taylor in the right of his wife Lovey. (Although he was listed as an heir, Burkett, was not mentioned specifically in the will. It is believed he received his share of his father's estate at the time of his marriage. It is known he was still living for the 1850 census, but he was not living for the 1860 census, so he may have died before his father's death.)

THE 1859 LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS

JEFFRIES

The last will and testament of me, the subscriber, Thomas Jeffries, being now of advanced age and much bodily infirmity, but of a sound mind and a disposing memory do think it proper to make this my last will and testament. 1st item- It is my will and desire that my body, after my death, be disposed of in a decent and respectful site. 2nd item- Any of my debts, if any, to be paid off by my executor hereinafter named, with as little delay as possible. 3rd item- I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Jeffries, (She was not named Kelly at the time Thomas wrote this will, but she had married John W. Kelly by the time the will was probated.) my Negroes Mary, George, Serene, Daniel, and Raney and their offspring, if any. One bedstead, one set of bed clothing, one clothes press, and one horse worth $125. I give the above stated property to Elizabeth M. Jeffries, during her lifetime and at the time of her death to her children, if any. If she has no children, it is to be equally divided between my three children, to wit, Cordial D., Colbert, and Esther Jeffries to share and share alike. Should the said Elizabeth marry the property named above should not be subject to the debts of her husband that he may have had before their marriage, or that may be made by him afterwards, nor shall the property be subject to his removal, except by her consent. 4th item- I give and bequeath to my daughter, Esther L. Jeffries, my Negroes Johanna, Henry, Wina, James, Hela, Francley, and their increase, if any. I also give her one horse worth $100, one bedstead, one feather bed, one set of bed clothing and one secretary. The above stated property I give and bestow on the above named Esther L. Jeffries during her lifetime and then to her children, if any. If she has no children the property is to go to my three children, to wit; Cordial D., Elizabeth, and Colbert Jeffries to share and share alike. Should she marry the above stated property shall not be subject to the debts of her husband, nor shall the property be subject to her husband without her consent. (About a year after Thomas? will was probated in Jasper County Esther married Christopher Columbus Spears in Jasper County. A year, or two, later she died and shortly afterwards Christopher Columbus Spears was killed in a battle in The War Between the States. They had no children, but if this property was returned to the estate and divided between the three named children, no record in Jasper County shows it. 5th item- I give and bequeath to my son, Cordial D. Jeffries, my Negroes Ned, Sam and Fannous. I also give him one bedstead, one feather bed, one lot of bed clothing, one horse, one mule worth $100, and 100 acres of land known heretofore as the Amy Smith Place, where Mrs. Huff now lives. 6th item- I give and bequeath to my daughter, Melissa L. Spears, my Negroes Cornelia, Sarah, and their increase, if any. 7th item- I give and bequeath to my son, William R. Jeffries, my Negro woman, Harriett, who is about forty years old. (Later records show William was five years old at this time, and that he was a mulatto. It is believed Harriett was his mother. It is also believed Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries died around 1854 and Thomas and Harriett were lovers until his death. It is also known that the estate paid for William's upkeep until he was 16 years old.) 8th item- I give and bequeath unto my son, Colbert Jeffries my Negroes Tilda, Hulda, Humphrey, John Rans, Gary, and Fortnight (a girl about 16 years old). I also give him 450 acres of land known heretofore as the Morrison Place, with a reserve for my daughters, Esther L. and Elizabeth M. Jeffries, for a home during the time they are single, or see proper to use the above state place as their home. 9th item- All my property not specified, in this instrument, I want sold as early as convenient. The money arising from the sale I want to go to the payment of any debts. The remainder, if any, I want to be equally divided between my children specified in this instrument, to wit; Elizabeth M., Esther L., Cordial D. and Colbert Jeffries I constitute and appoint my son, Colbert, as my executor of this my last will and testament. Thomas Jeffries L.S.

The sale of the perishable property of the estate took place on November 1, 1859 in Jasper County. On July 29, 1859 the property had been appraised at $22,920.25, with $21,800 of this listed as slaves, who were given their freedom less than five years later. (I do not know the total financial wealth of William Jeffries, Sr., Thomas? father, but I believe, in considering the value of property, etc. that Thomas is the wealthiest Jeffries I have come across in my research at any time period.)

INVENTORY OF THOMAS JEFFRIES 1859 ESTATE IN JASPER COUNTY

2 beds, bedsteads, and foundation $30 wagon and harness $50

2 beds, bedsteads, and foundation $30 11 head of sheep $11

1 bed, bedstead, and foundation $15 45 head of hogs $200

two horse wagon and harness $40 1 lot of cattle $140

lot of scythes and gin band $10 mule (Ginny) $40

plows, stocks, and gear $10 horse (Alfred) $75

gin, fan, and thresher $50 mule (Mark) $25

sixty bushels of wheat $60 mule (Bill) $90

two stacks of fodder $10 mule (Tim) $80

10 bushels of corn $25 grey horse $15

Miscellaneous Property $80 23 slaves $17,000

DESCENDENTS OF THOMAS AND ELIZABETH (MORRIS) JEFFRIES

Thomas Jeffries b. 1779 d. 1859

+Elizabeth Morris b. 1788 d. 1854

(A-1) Abbalony Jeffries b. About 1803 d. 1825

+Josiah Clayborn Banks b. February 15, 1796 d. (?)

(a) Sarah Banks b. 1822 d. (?)

+Cader Malone b. 1818 d. (?)

(a-1-A) Josephine Malone b. 1839 d. (?)

(a-1-B) Henry Malone b. 1846 d. (?)

(b) Abbalone Banks b. Between 1820-1825 d. (?)

+ (?) Malone b. (?) d. (?)

(A-2) Elizabeth Jeffries b. 1815 d. After 1880

+John W. Kelly b. 1808 d. After 1880

(Although Elizabeth and John had no children of their own, John had been married earlier and had the following children who Elizabeth raised: James (1834), William (1836), Seaborn (1838), Peyton 1842, Caroline (1847), and Mary (1847).

(A-3) Thomas Jeffries b. 1818 d. (?)

(A-4) Lovey Jeffries b. 1810 d. After 1870

+Benjamin F. Taylor b. 1807 d. (?)

(a) Paschal Taylor b. 1832 d. (?)

(b) Elizabeth Taylor b. 1833 d. (?)

© Thomas Taylor b. 1837 d. (?)

(d) Charles D. Taylor b. 1840 d. (?)

(e) Catherine Taylor b. 1842 d. (?)

(f) Martha Taylor b. 1853 d. (?)

(A-5) Melissa Jeffries b. 1821 d. (?)

+William Spears b. 1818 d. (?)

(a) Thomas Spears b. 1844 d. (?)

(b) William Spears b. 1846 d. (?)

© Burkett Spears b. 1848 d. (?)

(d) William Spears, Jr. b. 1851 d. (?)

(e) P.F. Spears b. 1854 d. (?)

(f) S.M. Spears b. 1859 d. (?)

(g) M.E. Spears b. 1860 d. (?)

(A-6) William R. Jeffries (Mulatto-Not a son of Elizabeth) b. 1854 d. (?)

+Harriett Seats (Mulatto) b. 1863 d. (?)

(a) Preston ?Press? Jeffries b. 1879 d. (?)

(b) John Jeffries b. 1884 d. (?)

(c) Audie Jeffries b. 1887 d. (?)

(d) Emma Jeffries b. 1889 d. (?)

(e) Mattie Jeffries b. 1890 d. (?)

(f) Boon Jeffries b. 1892 d. (?)

(g) Sam Jeffries b. 1895 d. (?)

(h) Lucy Jeffries b. 1896 d. (?)

(i) Eda Jeffries b. 1897 d. (?)

(A-7) Esther L. Jeffries b. July 3, 1826 d. August 1, 1851

+Columbus Augustus Spears b. 1829 d. January 22, 1864 (CSA)

(A-8) Cordial Daniel Jeffries b. 1822 d. (?) (CSA)

+Sarah Josephine Spears b. 1839 d. (?)

(a) Anna Jeffries b. 1860 d. 1887

+John H. Slater b. (?) d. (?)

(b) Thomas Jeffries b. 1864 d. (?)

© Milton Jeffries b. 1866 d. (?)

+ Mary Cook b. (?) d. (?)

(c-1) William C. Jeffries b. 1877 d. December 25, 1968

+Maggie Dee Millen b. 1897 d. (?)

(c-1-A) Louis Jeffries b. 1917 d. (?)

(c-1-B) William Jeffries b. 1818 d. (?)

(A-9) Colbert Jeffries b. 1819 d. July 28, 1891

+Nancy Teresa Smith b. 1850 d. February 7, 1921

(a) Alice ?Annie? Jeffries b. 1868 d. (?)

(b) Pearl Jeffries b. 1876 d. (?)

(A-10) Burkett Jeffries b. 1806 d. Between 1850-1860

+Elizabeth Reeves b. 1806 d. 1892

DESCENDENTS OF THOMAS AND ELIZABETH

(MORRIS) JEFFRIES-PART TWO

1. MALONY JEFFRIES- Malony is believed to be a short way of writing the name Abbalony, and that she was named for her grandmother Morris. She was born about 1803 and married Josiah Clayborn Banks in Jasper County on July 19, 1820.

The 1820 Jasper County Census listed their family as Josiah C. Banks 26-45 years old and Malony (Jeffries) Banks as 18-26 years old. Before she died in 1825 Malony had given birth to two daughters she named Abalone and Sarah Banks. After her death Josiah married Mary Ann Henderson in 1825.

The 1830 Jasper County Census showed their household as Josiah Banks 30-40 years old, Mary Ann (Henderson) Banks 20-30 years old. In their household there was a son and a daughter 5-10 years old, and a son and a daughter 0-5 years old.

The 1850 Jasper County Slave Census shows Josiah Banks owned 28 slaves.

Josiah's tombstone in the Blackwell District of Jasper County shows he was born on February 15, 1796 and died on May 10, 1859. Malony's two daughters both married Malones in Jasper County.

2. ELIZABETH JEFFRIES- Elizabeth was born in 1815 and was married to John W. Kelly in Jasper County on February 8, 1859 John had already been married and had a family of his own, although no marriage record for his earlier marriage has been found in Jasper County.

The 1850 Jasper County Agricultural Schedule showed John W. Kelly owned 180 acres of land, with 150 of the acres under cultivation and with a value of $1,500. He also owned livestock valued at $100.

The Account Book of the Spearman Whitfield Store in Shady Dale included John as one of its customers.

The 1870 Jasper County Tax Record showed John owned 290 acres of land, but that he was only farming 90 acres of it.

The 1880 Jasper County Tax Record shows John W. Kelly owned 400 acres of land, but he was only farming 100 of the acres that year. The value of his land was listed as $1,750.

John's son, William B. Kelly, married Sophia Shaw on October 14, 1869 and he married Eula Malone on January 13, 1860 in Jasper County.

John's son, Seaborn J. Kelly married L.A. Shaw on October 14, 1869 and he later married Mattie C. Downs on March 12, 1891 in Jasper County. Seaborn owned four slaves in 1860.

It is uncertain what happened to John's sons, James and Peyton Kelly, who were shown in earlier censuses. They may have been killed in the War Between the States, but I have no proof of this at this time.

The community of Kelly, in Jasper County, was named for John and his brother, who were postmasters in the community for years.

The will of John W. Kelly was presented to the Jasper County court on May 8, 1875. It mentioned his wife of sixteen years, Elizabeth, who he left 100 acres of land on Turkey Creek, the house, furniture, and $2,000 in bank notes and railroad stocks. He also left items to his daughters and to his sons, William and Seaborn Kelly. (Although John's will was recorded to the Jasper County court on May 8, 1875, the census record shows he was still living for the 1880 census.)

The 1850 Jasper County census shows John W. Kelly 42 years old was married to Mary (?) Kelly and they had the following children: James Kelly 16, William Kelly 14, Seaborn Kelly 12, Peyton Kelly 8, and twin daughters Caroline and Mary Kelly 3 years old.

The sons Peyton and James Kelly were not found in Jasper County following the War Between the States, and it is known that James died in the war, but it is unknown what happened to Seaborn. Elizabeth died after the 1880 census was taken.

Some of John W. Kelly's sons, who were in the War Between The States were as follows: (A) Seaborn J. Kelly was a private on April 24, 1861 and was transferred to Company G of the 4th Regiment of the Georgia Infantry on April 11, 1862 and was appointed a sergeant. He was captured at Spotsylvania, Virginia on May 10, 1864 and released from Fort Delaware on June 7, 1865. (B) James R. Kelly joined as a private on April 24, 1861 into Company D of the 3rd Regiment of the Georgia Volunteer Infantry in the Army of Northern Virginia, which was called ?Madison Home Guard? of Morgan County. James Kelly died at Chancellorsville, Virginia on February 10, 1864. (C) William A. Kelly was a 2nd Corporal on March 4, 1862 when he was wounded in the left arm Necessitating the amputation of the arm at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 2, 1863.He said he had been a resident of Georgia since November 18, 1844.

Although John W. Kelly had been married before he married Elizabeth Jeffries and they did not have any children of their own, many of these were young when they married and she raised these as if they were her own children.

3. THOMAS JEFFRIES- Thomas was born in 1818 and was

listed as 19 years old, while attending Mount Pleasant Academy in

1837 with others from Thomas and Elizabeth (Morris) family.

He had an account listed as Dr. Thomas Jeffries in the charge account book of the Spearman/Whitfield Store in Shady Dale, with Thomas and others from Thomas? family.

A Thomas Jeffries, who may, or may not, have been this Thomas Jeffries died in Clarke County on September 30, 1848. He was not mentioned in his father, Thomas?, 1859 will and it is believed he had already died. Another possibility is that Thomas, the son of William Jeffries, Sr. won some land in a land lottery in Irwin County, and about the time Thomas disappeared a Thomas Jeffries shows up and lives a long life leaving descendents in Irwin County, Georgia.

4. LOVEY JEFFRIES- Lovey was born in 1810 and married Benjamin F. Taylor, in Jasper County, on January 3, 1830. Benjamin Taylor had been born in 1807 and moved to Jasper County around 1830.

Around 1848 Benjamin moved his family to Pike County, Georgia, where his family was listed for the 1860 census.

Benjamin was named as an heir-at-law in Lovey's father, Thomas Jeffries?, 1869 will. He bought a case in Jasper County court against Colbert Jeffries, Lovey's brother and said he had gotten a loan of $200 from his father, before their father's death and that the loan had never been paid and it should come out of Colbert's share of the estate.

In 1850 Benjamin owned three slaves, but this had dropped to one slave by the 1860 slave census. Benjamin moved his family to Randolph County, Georgia just after the 1860 census was taken.

A will by Catherine Hawk, in Randolph County, left some of her lands to Lovey (Jeffries) Taylor. Lovey (Jeffries) Taylor died sometimes after the 1870 Randolph County census was taken.

5. MELISSA JEFFRIES- Melissa was born in 1821 and married William Spears, son of Sally (Banks) and William Spears, in Jasper County, on October 5, 1843.

William was named as an heir-t-law in Melissa's father, Thomas Jeffries?, will. William moved his family to Meriwether County, where they lived for the 1850 and 1860 censuses.

On October 12, 1863 William paid Thomas Taylor $2,000 for 202 ½ acres of land in Meriwether County.

For the 1860 Meriwether County slave census William had

eleven slaves

Before the 1870 census William had moved his family to Randolph County, where they lived for the 1880 census also.

On October 22, 1874 William bought 154 ½ acres of land in the county from Hardy F. Oxley for $754.

A William Spears, probably a son of Melissa and William, was a private in the 22nd Battalion of the Georgia Heavy Artillery, in the War Between the States. He was later transferred to the 4th Georgia Calvary. On April 26, 1865 he was taken prisoner at Tallahassee Florida. He was pardoned on May 23, 1865 at Thomasville, Georgia.

6. WILLIAM R. JEFFRIES- William was born in 1854 and he was given one piece of property by his father, Thomas Jeffries? in his will which named and listed him as a mulatto son. Even though he was only five years old he was given a 40 year old female slave, probably his mother. Records show how Thomas Jeffries? mulatto son was taken care of after Thomas? death

Thomas? estate provided for William through a guardianship bond until he was sixteen years old. The Macon Telegraph, on March 2, 1857 shows James M. Williams and Robert Minter had a guardianship bond printed whereby they were bound by the Ordinary of Jasper County, for $3,000, for William R. Jeffries. William's guardian, James M. Williams, presented the guardian's account to the court in 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, and probably other years I did not find. James Williams, in applying for William R. Jeffries? guardianship agreed to clothe, maintain, and educate William according to his circumstances and to take good and lawful care of him.

The guardian's accounts for the years 1858, 1859, 1860 and 1861 were as follows: Voucher #1?W.L. McHenry $8.72, Voucher #2--$60 Bolin Jeffries, Voucher #3--$60 Bolin Jeffries, Voucher #4--$60 Bolin Jeffries, Voucher 5-- $60 Bolin Jeffries, and Ordinary $3.00. In 1868 the following was paid on the account as follows Voucher #1--Ordinary $2.50, Voucher #2-- William R. Jeffries $200. Voucher #3-- taxes for 1868 $5.30, Voucher #4-- Ordinary $2.00, Voucher $5?commissions paying out $5.24.

In January 1870 James M. Williams asked to be dismissed from the guardianship. Bolin L. Jeffries, a son of William Jeffries, Jr., was paid to look after William.

In 1868 James Williams had the amount he was receiving, as the guardian increased by the court. In the January term of Jasper County court of 1869 James asked for and received permission to be relieved of the guardianship.

On November 19, 1877 William, listed as Billy, married Harriett Seats in Jasper County. The 1880 tax records of Jasper County shows William owned 80 acres of land in the county.

6. ESTHER L. JEFFRIES- Esther was born in 1828 and was mentioned as an unmarried daughter by her father, Thomas Jeffries?, 1859 will.

In 1837 she was listed as twelve years old and attending Mount Pleasant Academy.

On January 2, 1860 she married Columbus Augustus Spears. (Her sister, Melissa, had already married William Spears and her brother Cordial D. Jeffries had already married Sarah Josephine Spears from the same family.) William and Sally (Banks) Spears had a large family on their plantation between Farrar and Murder Creek in Jasper County. (I haven't traced Sally Banks family line, she may have been a sister to Josiah Clayborn, who married Thomas Jeffries oldest daughter, Malony, before the 1820 census.) Thomas and Elizabeth (Morris) Jeffries plantation was not far from the Spears? plantation. At this time period it was not unusual for several Jeffries to marry into the same family. Two of Thomas brothers and a sister married into the Tuggle family, three of Thomas? children married into this Spears? family. Thomas oldest son, my next ancestor, Burkett Jeffries, had two daughters to marry into the same Henderson family.

Columbus Augustus Spears joined as a private on March 4, 1862. He was admitted to the Confederate States Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia on September 15, 1863. He died of tuberculosis in the general hospital of Camp Winder in Richmond, Virginia on January 32, 1864.

Esther had been born on July 3, 1826 and died on August 11,

1861.

Columbus was in Company B of the 44th Regiment in the Georgia Volunteer Infantry, in the army of Northern Virginia, while in The Confederate States Army. He enlisted as a private on March 4, 1862 and died of tuberculosis in The General Hospital for Camp Wheeler, in Richmond, Virginia.

On January 31, 1864 his will requested that his debts be paid, and that his wife, who had already died be given a nice tombstone. All of his property was given to his brother and executor, Creade E. Spears.

I have stopped by the Spear's Family Private Cemetery, on Route #222 between Shiloh Baptist Church and Ludie Kelly's Mill, of Jasper County, and personally seen the following tombstone as marked: "Esther L. Spears-July 3, 1826-August 1, 1851."

7. CORDIAL DANIEL JEFFRIES- Cordial was born in 1822 and was attending Constitutional Hall Academy in 1837 in Jasper County.

Between 1835-1865 he had a charge account listed in the Spearman/Whitfield Mercantile Store in Shady Dale.

His father, Thomas?, 1859 will left him two slaves, a bed with bedclothing, a horse, and 100 acres of land known as the Amy Smith Place.

On December 12, 1859 Cordial Daniel Jeffries married Sarah Josephine Spears, a daughter of Sally (Banks) and William Spears.

At the sale of his father, Thomas's, estate items he bought more than anyone else from the estate.

The 1860 tax records for Jasper County shows that Cordial owned 100 acres of land valued at $390, fifteen bushels of wheat, 600 bushels of corn, and 300 bushels of sweet potatoes. His personal property was valued at $3,600. The farm of Cordial was located next to the farm of his brother, Colbert.

The 1860 slave census showed that Cordial owned six slaves.

Cordial was a private in Company E of the 28th Battalion of Heavy Artillery. He enlisted at Macon on August 6, 1861 for the duration of the war. He received $20 for enlisting and was assigned to Captain McGregor's Company. His military records show he was paid for his service from August 31,through November 15, 1863.

It is uncertain how, or when, Cordial died, but on November 3, 1866 Sarah applied for the administrationship of his estate in the Covington Star of Newton County. She said that Cordial had died without a will, and that she believed the estate was worth about $2,000. Men were appointed by the court to take an inventory of the estate and she became the administrix of the estate.

The inventory of Cordial's estate showed that he owned the following property at the time of his death:

Three beds and furniture $95 bed clothing $35 three yearlings $57

Half interest in a buggy $12 cow and calf $25 corn Sheller $10

Lot of pottage ware $15 nine chains $6 horse $125

900 pounds of pork $100 two trunks $4 horse $50

5 bushels of wheat $12.50 loom hemp $3 bacon $70

lot of cook ware $12 large pot $4 mule $30

pen of shoats $8 6 sheep $3 cow $10

folding table $6 10 hogs $30

The 1868 tax records of Jasper County shows Josephine owned 100 acres of land valued at $100, and had a total value of the estate of $218. The 1870 tax record shows the value of her land was $300 and she had personal property valued at $100.

Sarah Josephine bought 147 acres of land from C.M. Spears on December 27, 1876.

On March 11, 1879 Sarah Josephine (Spears) Jeffries married C.L. Binford in Jasper County.

On May 1, 1889 Milton Jeffries, son of Sarah and Cordial, sold C.L. Binford 331/3 acres of land known as the Cordial Jeffries home place, and his interest in his mother's estate. C.L. Binford asked the court's permission to sell the lands of Sarah Josephine (Spears) (Jeffries) Binford, deceased, in October 1889 containing 93 acres adjoining, among others, the land of Colbert Jeffries.

Milton Jeffries, son of Sarah Josephine (Spears) and Cordial Daniel Jeffries, married Mary Cook, in Jasper County, on May 18, 1887.

Benjamin W. Cook in applying for the Letters of Guardianship of William Cody Jeffries, a minor child of Milton and Mary E. (Cook) Jeffries, said they were both deceased. The court ordered that Benjamin be given $200 to take over the guardianship.

The 1900 Jasper County Census shows that William C. Jeffries was living in the household of his grandfather, Benjamin Cook.

Some researchers say William C. Jeffries married Maggie Dee Millen and died on December 25, 1968.

Anna Jeffries, daughter of Sarah Josephine (Spears) and Cordial Daniel Jeffries, married John Slater, in Jasper County, on December 13, 1877.

The Spear's Family Cemetery on Route #222 between Shiloh Baptist Church and Ludie Kelly's Mill has the following two tombstones: Sarah Josephine (Spears)(Jeffies) Binford 1839-1889, and Anna (Jeffries) Slater 1860-1887.

9. COLBERT JEFFRIES- Colbert was born in 1819 and was attending school in 1834 at Constitutional Hall Academy, in Jasper County. He was taking reading and math at that time.

The 1850 Agricultural Schedule showed Colbert owned 60 acres of land valued at $600 and owned livestock valued at $150.

. In 1859 Colbert became the executor of his father, Thomas Jeffries estate.

During the War Between the States Colbert remained at home, but he did serve in the #380 Jasper County Militia District.

Colbert married when he was 64 years old..

Some of the tax records for Colbert in Jasper County are as follows: (A) 1860 taxes- Colbert owned 60 acres of land, one horse, one mule, and 15 hogs for a value of $750. He also owned 150 bushels of corn, 15 bushels of oats, four bales of cotton, 20 pounds of butter, and one 18 year old female slave. (B) 1866 taxes- Colbert owned 80 sheep among his other items valued at $4,650 and was hiring twelve workers on his farm. (C) 1870 taxes- Colbert owned 600 acres of land valued at $2,900 and 1,000 bushels of corn. (D) 1879 taxes- Colbert owned 750 acres of farmland valued at $2,500 and his livestock and equipment was valued at $2,900. (E) 1880 taxes- Colbert owned 600 acres of farmland, but he was only farming 200 acres.

On April 2, 1872 Colbert brought a case before the Jasper County Superior Court saying the children of Nancy Bryant: Celia, who was four years old, and Cordellia, who was four months old, were his children. He said he wanted to legalize this by changing their names from Bryant to Jeffries, so that they could inherit from his estate at the time of his death.

The marriage records of Jasper County shows that Colbert Jeffries and Nancy Teresa Smith, who is believed to have been Teresa Bryant, were married on November 26, 1883.

The 1900 Jasper County Census shows Colbert's widow, Teresa Jeffries, was black. (She may have been the 16-year old female slave Colbert had received from his father's estate many years earlier.)

Living on a farm next to Colbert's for the 1880 census was a 52 year old black female and in her household, or living nearby, there were twenty mulattos with the last name of Jeffries, who were all under 40 years old.

On May 19, 1873 Colbert sold 100 acres of land just above the fork of Murder Creek on the public road.

On May 28, 1875 Colbert granted Augustus L. Slater and Seaborn J. Thompson an easement on both sides of Murder Creek, for water to be backed up on his farm as would be covered by a mill dam not to exceed ten feet high.

Colbert died on July 28, 1891 leaving an estate of real and personal property valued at $22,970. He left a widow, Teresa, and a daughter, Pearl Jeffries. Shortly after this Pearl, who was 14 years old, went into court and asked that her sister, Alice, be appointed her guardian instead of Teresa.

The estate?s land was placed on sale to the highest bidder and was bought by Teresa for $25. The estate's appraisers said that Colbert's estate was worth at least $2,000 and that he had 450 acres of land rented out to support Teresa and Pearl. Teresa bought inventory of items from Colbert's estate

INVENTORY OF COLBERT'S ESTATE

harness, plow lines, bellows, and one cutter $5.30 clock $.30

100 gallon kettle and wash pot $2.35 chest $4,25

feather bed and two pillows $8.10 calf $2.50

mattress, bed, and bedstead $1.45 mule $90.00

four bee gums and old fodder $1.35 mule $67.00

twenty bushes of corn $7.29 cow $10,00

anvil, tongs, etc. $3.90

On December 9, 1891 Alice and Teresa went into court and asked for more funds from the estate for their living expenses. The court then more than doubled their allowance.

The will of Teresa Jeffries was recorded in Mansfield, of Newton County on February 7, 1821. In her will she gave her house guest and friend, Jocular McClendon all of her property.

DESCENDENTS OF THOMAS AND ELIZABETH (MORRIS) JEFFRIES IN CENSUSES

Some of Elizabeth (Morris) and Thomas Jeffries descendents as shown in census records are as follows:

1850 Jasper County 1850 Pike County 1850 Meriwether County

Thomas Jeffries 71 Benjamin F. Taylor 43 William Spears 32

Elizabeth Jeffries 62 Lovey Taylor 39 Melissa Spears 29

Elizabeth M. Jeffries 31 Paschal M. Taylor 18 Thomas Spears 6

Colbert Jeffries 31 Elizabeth Taylor 17 William Spears 4

Cordial D. Jeffries 28 Thomas Taylor 13 Burkett Spears 2

Esther Jeffries 23 Charles D. Taylor 10

Catherine Taylor 8 1850 Jasper County

1860 Meriwether County Cader Malone 32

William Spears 41 1860 Jasper County Sarah (Banks) Malone 28

Melissa Spears 40 John W. Kelly 51 Josephine Malone 11

T. J. Spears 14 Elizabeth Kelly 45 Henry Malone 4

W. S. Spears 13 William Kelly 23

B. C. Spears 11 Peyton Kelly 16 1860 Jasper County

William Spears, Jr. 9 Caroline Kelly 12 Cordial D. Jeffries 36

P. F. Spears 4 Mary Kelly 12 Sarah Josephine (Spears) Jeffries 21

S. M. Spears 5/12

1860 Jasper County 1860 Jasper County 1870 Randolph County Columbus Augustus Spears 31 Colbert Jeffries 41 William Spears 52

Esther (Jeffries) Spears 32 Melissa Spears 50

1870 Jasper County Burkett C. Spears 21

1870 Randolph County Peyton Spears 13

Cedrick Spears 48 Benjamin F. Taylor 65 Mary E. Spears 9

Sarah Josephine (Spears) Jeffries 28 Lovey (Jeffries) Taylor 56

Anna Jeffries 8 Catherine Taylor 26

Thomas Jeffries 6 Martha Taylor 17

Milton Jeffries 4 1870 Jasper County

John W. Kelly 63

Elizabeth Kelly 57

1870 Jasper County 1870 Jasper County Caroline Kelly 22

William R. Jeffries 15 Colbert Jeffries 51 Mary Kelly 22

Thomas Jeffries 14

Hollered Jeffries 12 1880 Jasper County 1880 Jasper County

1880 Jasper County William R. Jeffries 26 (mulatto)

Colbert Jeffries 62 Harriett Jeffries 20 (mulatto)

Corsey Jeffries 30 John W. Kelly 70 Frank Jeffries 10
Annie Jeffries 12 Elizabeth Kelly 68 Preston Jeffries 8

Pearl Jeffries 4 Caroline Kelly 32 John Jeffries 12 (nephew)

Mary Kelly 32

1900 Jasper County 1880 Randolph County

William R. Jeffries 49(mulatto)1900 Jasper County William Spears 62

Harriett Jeffries 37(mulatto) Benjamin Cook 59 M. L. Spears 58

Press Jeffries 19 William C. Jeffries 12 (grandson) M. E. Spears 20

John Jeffries 16 (Milton Jeffries, son of Cordial

Audie Jeffries 13 had married Mary Cook, in Jasper

Emma Jeffries 11 County on May 18, 1887. In a later

Mattie Jeffries 10 record Benjamin Cook applied for

Boon Jeffries 8 guardianship papers on William Jeffries

Boon Jeffries 8 saying that his mother and father were

Sam Jeffries 5 both dead. A William C. Jeffries listed as Lucy Jeffries 4 28 years old had a family in 1920 Newton

Lucy Jeffries 4 old had a family in 1920 Newton County

Eda Jeffries 3 as Maggie Maggie Jeffries 23, Louis Jeffries

Eda Jeffries 3 Maggie Jeffries 23, Louis Jeffries 3, and Emma Jeffries 32 William Jeffries 1 1/2 years old.

(Although Emma Jeffries was called his sister by William, and she may have been a daughter of his mother, but she was not Thomas Jeffries child, because he had already died before she was born.)