MY GRANDFATHER THOMAS JEFFERSON JEFFRIES, AND HIS FIRST WIFE, 
JOHNNIE C. AIKEN, AND THEIR DESCENDENTS


By:  Robert Jeffries rjffres@charter.net   

  Thomas Jefferson Jeffries and his wife Johnnie C. Aiken of Jasper County



Thomas Jefferson Jeffries, my grandfather, was born in Jasper County in 1866 and was listed as a four-year-old in his mother, Elizabeth Jeffries? family, for 
the 1870 Jasper County Census.On June 29, 1888 Thomas applied for a license to marry Johnnie C. Aiken in Jasper County. 

Johnnie's  father, John C. Aiken was born in 1825, married Sarah Spearman on June 24, 1852 and died in 1869. Sarah had been born on March 19, 1814 and died on June 3, 1881. Her brothers and sisters were as follows: (a) Martha G. Aiken who was born in 1855, (B) Mary C. Aiken, who was born in 1858, (C) 
James T. Aiken, who was born in 1863, (D) Ann T. Aiken, who was born in 1866, (E) Elizabeth S. Aiken who was born in 1866 and died on December 8, 1935, (F) Knox Aiken, who was born about 1869, and (G) Johnnie C. Aiken, who was born about 1869 in Morgan County, married my grandfather, Thomas Jefferson 
Jeffries on June 29, 1888 in Jasper County, and died before August 1896 in Godfrey of Morgan County.

Johnnie's father had died before she was a year old and her brother, James T. Aiken, had taken over the family as if they were his own children. He was a circuit riding Methodist preacher, who was gone much of the time. When he was away once Thomas and Johnnie got married without asking his permission. 
When he returned home and discovered his sister had married a boy, who didn't even know his father, James pitched a fit. A case was brought against Tom Jeffries for voting in an election in 1892, for the legislature, without having first paid all of his taxes. There being no evidence presented against him in the case, it was dropped.
Johnnie C. (Aiken) and Thomas Jefferson Jeffries had the following children: (A) Elizabeth Jeffries who was born on October 5, 1890, (B) Bernice Jeffries who was born in 1894, and Joe Bell Jeffries who were born in February 1892. During the childbirth of a fourth child Johnnie died.On March 25, 1896 T.J. Jeffries took out a mortgage in which he promised to pay O.H. Arnold, Jr. before October 30th a sum of $85 for value received and interest including 10% attorney fees for one mare colt mule about four years old. The animal was to stay with Arnold until it was paid for in full. Thomas said he took all the risk of the mule dying during that time period. 

In Monticello, on August 28, 1896, T. J. Jeffries took out a note in which he promised to pay James H. Campbell $85.50 in gold for value received for one open buggy painted red and one set of $10 harness. The title of the buggy and the harness was to stay with Campbell until it was paid for in full. Any risk of damage to the buggy Thomas was to pay for himself. For collateral for the note Thomas gave a note which had been given to himself from Lon Doster on the Jim Doster Place, now 
owned by S.P. Spears, and also a ten-year-old horse named Charlie.

On May 11, 1896, in Shady Dale, Thomas Jeffries promised to pay Hodge Mercantile Company $50.89 for value received, with interest and attorney fees. He agreed to mortgage his crops of five acres of corn and 25 acres of cotton planted on land he had rented from S.J. Kelley in Jasper County. Soon after Johnnie's death, Thomas married Pearl Jeffries, a mulatto daughter of Colbert Jeffries, on December 11, 1896. This was more a marriage of convenience on both 
parts than it was of love on either part. Colbert had died about five years earlier and Pearl had taken her mother to court trying to get permission to leave her household and live with her sister. She wanted a place to stay of her own. Thomas needed someone in his home to look after his babies, while he was away working in the field, and also to have lunch and supper prepared for him when he got home. An indenture was made on April 3, 1897 in which Thomas J. Jeffries of Jasper County sold O. O. Banks of Jasper County, for $100 the 119 acres of land, which had been Johnnie's before their marriage. This was recorded on April 12, 1897. (I don't know what happened here, but Johnnie's brother ended up with this land and sold it himself.)

About three years later Thomas shows up at Sand Hill Baptist Church, near Milan, in Telfair County. Rev. Dowdy then helped him get a job, and introduced him to Mary 
Catherine (Yawn) McCrimmon, a young widow with a small son. Mary Catherine was a relative of Rev. Dowdy?s wife, Not long afterwards Mary Catherine and Thomas were married and the Yawns helped Thomas get a fresh start in life. T. J. Jeffries and Mollie McCrimmon were married on March 16, 1902, in 
Telfair County, by Rev. W. H. Dowdy. Thomas made a good living and bought more and more farm land from buying and selling horses and farmland in the county.(The remainder of his life is not in Jasper County, so I will stop his story at this point.)

B. DESCENDENTS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON JEFFRIES AND HIS 
FIRST WIFE, JOHNNIE C. AIKEN

A. Thomas Jefferson Jeffries b. April 6, 
1866 d. October 10, 1953 
+Johnnie C. Aiken (Married June 29, 1888) b. 1870 
d. Before August 1896
I. Bernice Jeffries (Married August 7, 1919) b. October 5, 
1890d. November 1, 1958
+ Roy James Harris, Sr. b. 
February 10, 1896 d. March 16, 1973
(A). Emily Elliott (Harris) Peterson 
b. May 14, 1920 d. (?)
+Lonnie S. Peterson 
b. April 13, 1925 d. (?)
(A-1-a) Margaret (Peterson) 
Campbell b. April 25, 1958 d. (?)
(B). James Calvin Harris b. September 15, 
1922 d. (?) + Joanne 
Boyd b. (?) 
d. (?)
(B-1). Kenneth Richard 
Harris b. November 27, 1956 d. (?)
(B-2). James Ronnie 
Harris b. January 9, 1958 d. (?)
©. Roy James Harris, Jr. 
b. July 22, 1926 d. (?)
+ Jolene Stokes 
b. (?) d. 
(?)
+Monice Branson 
b. (?) d.(?)
(C-1). Roy James Harris 
III b. August 1, 1949 d. (?)
(C-2). Vance Stokes 
Harris b. August 21, 1954 d. (?)
(C-3). Lisa Bernice 
Harris b. April 29, 1959 d. (?)
(D). Joe Burtchaell Harris 
b. May 1, 1930 d. (?)
+Paticia Boyette (Married August 
24, 1937) b. August 24, 1937 d. (?)
(D-1). Sonja Lee 
Harris b. September 29, 1956 d. (?)
(D-2). David Jeffries 
Harris b. July 18, 1964 d. (?)
+Karen Thompson (Married 
1978) b. (?) d. (?)
+Jane Tanner (Married 
1987) b. (?) d. (?)
(D-3). Dustin Randall 
Harris b. December 22, 1987 d. (?)

II. Sarah Elizabeth Jeffries b. 
October 5, 1894 d. June , 1961
+Bruce Anderson, Sr. 
b. January 2, 1963 d. (?)
(A). Marion Elizabeth Anderson b. March 
16, 1922 d. December 19, 1995 
(B). Robert Bruce Anderson, Jr. 
b. (?) d. June 1, 1964
+Betty Arthur 
b. March 16, d. (?)
(B-1). Mickey 
Anderson b. (?) d. (?)
+Bobby 
Standridge b. (?) d. (?)
(B-1-a) 
Justin Standridge b. (?) d. (?)
(B-2. Cindy Anderson 
b. (?) d. (?)
+Sue 
Jenkins b. (?) d. (?)
©. Dorothy Ann Anderson 
b. August 29, 1925 d. (?)
+Harold Eugene Shrader, M.D. 
b. d. (?) 
(C-1) Jeffery Glenn 
Shrader b. January 31, 1951 d. (?)
+Marsha Ann Charles 
b. (?) d. (?) 
(C-1-a) 
Elizabeth Shrader b. (?) d. (?)
(C-1-b) 
Katherine Shrader b (?) d. (?)
(C-1-c 
Jeffery Glenn Shrader b. (?) d. (?)
(C-2) Mark Joel Shrader 
b. January 10, 1957 d. (?)
+ Arlene Dawken 
b. (?) d. (?)
(C-2-a) 
Jacquelin Sharder b. (?) d. (?)
(C-2-b) 
Kathleen Shrader b. (?) d. (?)
(C-3) Karen Elizabeth 
Shrader, M.D. b. April 1, 1955 d. (?)
+Steve Spain, M.D. 
b. (?) d (?).
(C-3-a) 
Allison Spain b. About 1985 d. (?)
(C-3-b) 
Nicholas Spain b. About 1987 d. (?)
(C-4) Gregory Lynn Shrader 
b. October 5, 1952 d. (?)
+Laura Elizabeth Thomas 
(Married May 18, 1974) b. (?) d. (?)
(C-4-a) Travis 
Gregory Shrader b. March 20, 1982 d. (?)
(C-4-b) 
Virginia Leigh Shrader b. April 26, 1986 d. (?)
(C-4-c) Scott 
Eugene Shrader b. May 10, 1954 d. (?)
+Carrie 
Sibley b. March 31, d. (?)

(C-4-c-1) Joel Scott Shrader b. (?) d. (?) 

(C-4-c-2) Joni Shrader b. (?) d. (?)

(C-4-c-3 Jenna Ann Shrader b.(?) d. (?)
+ 
Buck McGowen b. (?) d. (?)

III. Joe Bell Jeffries b. February 22, 1892 
d. August 8, 1963 
+Maggie Erni Maloy (Married Dec. 20, 1920) b. Oct. 28, 
1900 d. Feb. 8, 1969
(A). Bernice Elizabeth Jeffries b. 
September 14, 1921 d. October 14, 1987
+Willie Lenis Cheek (Married June 16, 1946 b. 
Apr. 11, 1918 d. May 26, 1974
(A-1) Janice Elaine Cheek 
b. September 2, 1948 d. (?)
(A-2). Jeffery Lenis Cheek, Sr. 
b. November 21, 1952 d. (?).
+Karen Smith (March 1978) 
b. July 16, d. (?)
(A-2-a) Jeffery Lenis 
Cheek, Jr. b. April 25, d. (?)
(A-2-b) Christy Celia 
Cheek b. October 25, 1983 d. (?)
(A-3). Willie Joe Cheek 
b. September 20, 1955 d. (?)
+Vickie Mallory (Married June 24, 1979) b. 
Jan. 25, d. (?) (A-3-a) Kelly 
Elizabeth Cheek b. August 20, d. (?) 

(A-3-b) Steven Mallory 
Cheek b. March 19, 1985 d. (?)
(A-3-c) Patrick Willie 
Cheek b. March 23, 199 d. (?)
+PEARL JEFFRIES (Married December 11, 1896) b. 
About 1876 d. (?)

As far as I know Thomas never returned to the Jasper/Newton County area, even though his mother was still living for about 25 years after he left the prison camp. He 
never forgot his family and friends back there though. His oldest Telfair County son was named John Harris Jeffries for his brother, and called Johnny for his first wife. His oldest Telfair County daughter was named Lemma for his Uncle James P. Jeffries? daughter, Lemma. One of his sons was named Plez for his half brother, Plez Doster. His youngest son was named Thomas Daniel Jeffries for his great uncle and called "Bud" for Grady Jeffries. T. J. Jeffries was living in Lumber City, 
Georgia, with Bernice (Jeffries) and Lenis Cheek, when he died in the Goldman Hospital of Hazlehurst on October 10, 1953, at 93 years old. 

PART 2 DESCENDENTS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON JEFFRIES AND HIS WIFE, 
JOHNNIE C. AIKEN:


(A) JOE BELL JEFFRIES- Joe was born in Jasper County as the second child of Johnnie C. (Aiken) and Thomas Jefferson Jeffries on February 22, 1892.
His uncle James T. Aiken placed him in the DeKalb County Methodist Orphanage, while he was still young and he was living there for the 1900 census. While in the orphanage Joe had been placed in the home of Dr. Hice and he had never learned much about how to farm. When he was old enough, during 
World War I, he joined the navy. After serving in the navy he moved to Telfair County, where his father was living at the time. Thomas gave him a farm, 
when Joe arrived in Telfair County, but he didn't have the patience, or know how to teach anyone how to farm and Joe lost it. There he met Maggie Ermi Maloy, who had been born on October 28, 1900. Maggie's parents were Mary Elizabeth Catherine (Williamson) and Hugh Bain Maloy. Maggie's father 
taught Joe how to farm. On January 14, 1928 Joe bought a farm from the John Hancock Insurance Company for $1,500. He lacked $550 in 1933 in paying 
it all off and it was agreed to set up payments of $50 per year until October 1937. At that time he would pay off the balance of $350. 

Joe also served as the Justice of the Peace in the Temperance Community of Telfair County. While in the orphanage, Joe had been well educated, while most of the farmers in the Temperance Community did not have that type of an education. Joe also drove a school bus for years. He was very active and served as a deacon in nearby Sharon 
Baptist Church. He lived only a couple of miles from the Ocmulgee River where there were many fine fish, and the area around it had much wild game. Joe's favorite sport was in hunting wild turkeys, and he was very good at doing it. He often worked on his turkey calling box at night. Maggie (Maloy) and Joe Bell Jeffries had one child, a daughter who was named for both of his sisters, Bernice Elizabeth Jeffries. Bernice was born on September 14, 1921 in Telfair County. After she graduated from Ocmulgee High School, Bernice attended Georgia Normal Business School in Douglas, Georgia. During World War II she was employed in government office work 
in Washington, D.C.On June 16, 1946, soon after Willie Lenis Cheek was discharged from the army, they were married. Lenis had been born in Temperance Community on April 11, 1918 and died on May 26, 1974. His parents were L. L. (Peterson) and Willie Lee Cheek. Bernice died on October 14, 1987 . Bernice taught piano 
lessons throughout Telfair County for years and was very good pianist. 

(B) SARAH ELIZABETH JEFFRIES- Sarah Elizabeth Jeffries was the youngest daughter of Johnnie C. (Aiken) and Thomas Jefferson Jeffries. She was born on October 5, 1894. Her uncle James T. Aiken placed her in the DeKalb County Methodist Orphanage on July 1, 1897 at the same time as her brother and sister. 
After serving as a nurse during World War I, she moved to Pasenda, Texas, a suburb of Houston. There she met and married Bruce Anderson, Sr. 
Elizabeth and Bruce had the following children: (1) Marian Elizabeth Anderson, who was born on March 16, 2933 and died on December 19, 1995 , (2) Robert Bruce Anderson, Jr. who was born in Pasenda, Texas and married first Betty Arthur and second Sue Jenkins. Bruce Anderson, Jr. died on June 1, 1964. 
Bruce and Betty (Arthur) Anderson, Jr. were the parents of the following children: (a) Mickey Anderson, (b) Cindy Anderson, and (c) Dorothy Anderson who was born in Pasenda, Texas and married first Doctor Eugene Shrader and second Buck McGowan. The children of Dorothy (Anderson) and Dr. Eugene Shrader 
were: (a) Jeff Shrader who married Marsha Charles and their children were: Elizabeth Shrader, Katherine Shrader and Jeffery Shrader. (b) Mark Shrader who married Ariene (?) and their children were Jacqueline Shrader, and Kathleen Shrader. (c) Karen Shrader who married Steve Spain and their children 
were Allison Spain and Nicholas Spain. (d) Greg Shrader who married Laura Thomas and their children were: Travis Shrader, Virginia Shrader, Scott Eugene Shrader who married Carey Sibley and their children were: Joel Shrader, Joni Shrader, and Jenna Ann Shrader. Elizabeth (Jeffries) Anderson died in 
June 1961 and Bruce Anderson, Sr. died in March 1963. (C) BERNICE JEFFRIES- Bernice Jeffries, daughter of Johnnie C. (Aiken) and Thomas Jefferson Jeffries, was born on October 5, 1890, in Farrar Community of Jasper County. Her uncle, James T. Aiken, placed her in the DeKalb County Methodist rphanage while she was still young and she was listed in the orphanage for the 1900 census. During World War I she served as a nurse. She then married Roy James Harris, Sr. in Atlanta, 
on August 7, 1919. Bernice died on November 1, 1958 in Metter, Georgia.

Roy had been born on February 12, 1896 in Liberty Hill of Pike County, as the son of J.C. Harris. Roy and Bernice operated a grocery store in Collins, Georgia for years. Roy died on March 16, 1972 in Collins and is buried in the Collins Baptist Church Cemetery. The children of Bernice (Jeffries) and Roy Harris were (1) 
Emily Elliott Harris, who was born on May 14, 1920 in Benton, Kansas. She married L.S. Peterson on April 6, 1957. He had been born on April 13, 1925 in Live Oak, Florida. Emily Elliott (Harris) and L.S. Peterson have one child, Margaret (Peterson) Campbell, who was born on April 13, 1958 and 
married Tom Campbell. (2) James C. Harris, who was born on September 15, 1922 near Collins, Georgia and married Joanne Boyd. They were the parents of Kenneth Richard Harris, who was born on November 27, 1956 in Collins and James Ronnie Harris, who was born on January 9, 1958 in Collins. James Calvin 
Harris married Joanna Boyd and died on August 20, 1974 in Collins and was buried in Collins Baptist Church Cemetery. (3) Roy James Harris, Jr., who was born on July 22, 1926 in Collins, Georgia. He married first Jolene Stokes and second Monice Branson. Roy and Jolene had the following children: Roy 
James Harris III who was born in Collins on August 1, 1949, Vance Stokes Harris who was born in Collins on August 21, 1954, and Lisa Bernice Harris who was born in Collins on April 29, 1959. (4) Joe Burtchaell Harris who was born in Collins on May 1, 1930 and married first, on September 18, 1955 Patricia 
Boyette, who was born on August 24, 1937. Joe married second Karen Thompson in 1973 and third Jane Tanner in 1987. The children of Patricia (Boyette) and Joe Burchaell Harris were: Sonia Lee Harris who was born in Collins on September 29, 1956, David Jeffries Harris, who was born in Collins on July 
18, 1954, and Dustin Randall Harris who was born in Reidsville, Georgia on December 22, 1967.

A poem by John Harris Jeffries, Jr., my brother 
is as follows:

JEFFRIES '96' REUNION

It was late October, out at the Park,
The Jeffries clan did meet,
We sure enjoyed just seeing each other,
And had lots of groceries to eat.

There were some that had been before,
This time that just couldn't be,
But some did come, that hadn't been,
That we all were glad to meet.

Everyone of Johnny's boys showed up,
We do, when theres plenty to eat,
We were sorry Beth couldnt make it, too,
She had some appointment to keep.

Each of Uncle Plas kids made it this year,
We sure were glad to see them all,
We hadn't really seen Sandra and Pat,
Since when I don't recall.
Uncle Bud's daughter, Doris, was there, 
As always seeing her was just great,
I'm sorry that Joe Tom could not attend,
But, heck, now, it's just too late.

Aunt Lemma's oldest daughter came, too,
It was great to see Permelia that day,
We'd love to see Francis and Juanita, too,
Next year, if they can find the way.

Uncle Joe was well represented by Janice,
A grand-daughter that's loved by all,
If Jeff and Bill can come next year, 
I'll guarantee them they'll have a ball.

Aunt Bernice's son, Roy Harris, came up,
It was sure great to see him, too,
Joe had told me on E-Mail, he'd be here,
But must'a had other things to do.

There were kid, grands and spouses, too,
Must have been 'bout fifty-leben,
I'd like to say, make plans right now,
"ATTEND THE JEFFRIES REUNION IN "97"