The best I can figure from census information and tax lists, the Blackard
family arrived in Arkansas between 1837 and 1841.For some reason, my brain comes
up with 1838. It may be from something in the notes from the Penn family. They
all stayed in Sumner Co., TN for a little while, and then in Missouri for a
while, and then in Carroll Co., and Newton Co., AR for a while. Each place they
stayed for a while, they left off some of the wagon train.
That whole saga of the migration (of the whole nation as well) is fascinating
to me.
Son Ephriam Penn stayed in Sumner Co., TN
Son George Penn stayed in St Clair Co., MO.
Son John Penn and daughter Elizabeth Penn Villines stayed on the Buffalo River
between Boxley and Ponca, Newton Co., AR.
Daddy John Penn, and son Absalom with wife Rebecca, daughter Martha Penn and
husband Toliver Blackard, and the Reverend Vincent Wallace family came on down
into Johnson Co., AR before 1845 but after 1842.
As you can see from the 1850 census, Irvin Hence
Blackard is living with Rebecca and Absalom Penn. My opinion is that Rebecca,
wife of John Penn, is somehow related to the Blackard orphans. I can't find
the evidence, though. I sure wish I could. Is she a Farmer or a Hargis or a
Blackard or a Moore or a Tapley? I can't figure it out. She has to be from that
neighborhood around the Person Courthouse like the rest. She married John Penn
at age 16 as Mrs. Rebecca Penn. No explanation for that oddity, either. There
is a mystery to be solved there that has something to do with the Blackard kids.
The youngest kid of Elizabeth Penn was born in Missouri in 1837.
Martha Penn married to Daniel Farmer had a kid in TN in 1839, but they came
separately. They came with the rest of the Wallace family and the Cazort family.
Mary Penn and Toliver Blackard had their first child in Arkansas in 1842.
Son John Penn, Jr had his first child in AR in 1843.
Anyway, as you start down through those notes about the land sales back and
forth, especially between William Penn and Thomas Hargis, you are going to
have more questions raised than answered. You have been perusing those deeds
and marriage records, so you might actually see something that explains a mystery
or two.
I can only give you verification for the arrival dates indirectly through the in-laws but that is fairly well documented through census records.
***************************************************************************************
This letter to Uncle Tol (Toliver Goldstone Blackard b.1861 d. 1944), is from Joe (Joseph Vann) Blackard, son of Will Blackard, and grandson of Tom (Thomas Henry) Blackard b.1851 d. 1941. This letter was sent from Wewoka, Oklahoma on July 3, 1940.
"Their father (Thomas Washington Blackard b. 1828 d. 1915) remembered when your father (William Merritt Blackard b. 1822 d. 1865) and his brothers, and some other families, left for Arkansas. When they got ready to leave, Tom hid behind a tree, and remembered seeing your Uncle Toliver (Toliver Goldstone Blackard b. 1819 d. 1898) crying when he bid the folks goodbye."
****************************************************************************************
This letter is our only verification that Toliver took William Merritt and/or maybe Irvin Hence with him when he left Person County, NC. I really don't think Toliver left Person Co., NC til after his Mother died in May 1835. In May 1835 Toliver was 15 years old, William Merritt was 13 yrs old, Thomas Washington was 6, Irvin Hence was only 2 almost 3 years old, and Laurence Hudgins was a newborn. I do, however, think that he was with parts of the Penn family, and Reverend Vincent Wallace.
You will find some of this family "dropping off" in Sumner Co., TN which will be of additional interest to you. The Penn family stopped in Sumner Co., TN about 1832 ish and then on to St Clair, Mo, about 1834 thru 1837 or so.
Then into Carroll Co., AR by about 1838.
They were in Newton County on the Buffalo River by 1840 or so near where Boxley is today. Toliver Goldstone Blackard was elected coroner in Newton Co., AR in 1842.
By 1845, Toliver was named a "keeper of a road" in an old courthouse document starting at Spadra Creek in Clarksville going east from there.
Vincent Wallace
John Penn
Elizabeth Penn m. Hezekiah Villines
Mary Penn m. Toliver Goldstone Blackard
William H. Villines
Hezekiah Villines m. Elizabeth Penn
Toliver Goldstone Blackard m. Mary Penn
John Vincent Blackard
Hezekiah Ki R Blackard
George Daniel Blackard
Sarah A. R. Blackard
Martha Caroline (Kitty) Blackard
Irving H Blackard
Vincent Wallace was part of this wagon train (and I saw him in that 1841 Carroll
Co., AR tax list. His first wife was Susan Farmer Phillips' daughter which made
Vincent's first wife a first cousin to Toliver Blackard through the Farmer family.
***********************************************************
1 Vincent Matthew Wallace, Rev b: May 06, 1815 in Person Co., NC d: December
31, 1863 in murdered, Civil War, Oakland Cem., Johnson Co., AR.
+Elizabeth Susan Phillips b: Abt. 1820 in Person Co., NC m: Abt. 1840 d: Abt.
1845
*2nd Wife of Vincent Matthew Wallace, Rev:
. +Ruth Carintha Sugg b: August 1825 in Al m: May 13, 1841 in Carroll Co., AR
d: May 24, 1914 in Oakland Cem., Clarksville, Ar
************************************************************
JOHN PENN was born 1777 in VA, and died October 1848 in Johnson Co., AR. He
married REBECCA 1799 in Person Co., NC. She was born
1785 in VA, and died 1865 in Johnson Co., AR.
Notes for JOHN PENN:
In the deed transcriptions of Person Co., NC is:
Notes for REBECCA:
CENSUS: 1850 Johnson County, Arkansas census
Rebecca Penn 65 (f) b. Virginia
Absolum Penn 23 (m) Farmer b. North Carolina
Irvin H. Blackard 18 (m) Farmer
MARRIAGE
Absalom W. PENN m. Susan M. SCALLION 29 Aug. 1858, Johnson Co., AR, Marriage
Book N p. 32. Source - "Johnson County Arkansas Marriages - 1850/1890 Books
N-O-P-Q," Johnson County Historical Society, P.O. Box 505, Clarksville, AR,
p. 66.
CENSUS 1860: Johnson County, Arkansas census,;
PENN, A. W. Age, 33. Male. Farmer. 300/1900 b. North Carolina.;
PENN, Susan M. Age, 18. Female. b. Tennessee.;
PENN, William. Age, 11/12. Male. b. Ark.;
PENN, Rebecca. Age, 76. Female. b. Virginai.
CENSUS: 1870 Census, Newton Co., AR, Village of Jasper, p. 160(LDS film #0545558).
DIAL, Samuel head 33 M W, dry goods merchant, b. KY;
Susan 29 F W, keeping house, b. TN;
William E. 4 M W, at home, b. AR;
Sarah E. 3 F W, at home, b. AR;
Susan C. 1 F W, at home, b. AR;
PENN, Thomas W. 11 M W, at home, b.AR;
John W. 6 M W, at home, b. AR.
Jim McDaniel - mcdaniel_james@hotmail.com
Notes for ELIZABETH PENN:
Elizabeth Penn was born 1803 in Person Co., NC, and died 1865 in Villines Cem.,
Newton Co., AR. Some speculate that she was the daughter of John Penn and Rebecca.
She married HEZEKIAH VILLINES 1825 in Person Co., NC, son of ABRAHAM VILLINES
and NANCY MCKISSACK. He was born 1800 in Caswell Co., NC, and died 1844 in Villines
Cem., Newton Co., AR.
Bill Smothers
Marriage 1 Hezekiah Villines b: 1800 or 1825
in Caswell Co., NC
Children
Addison Villines b: 23 Nov 1827 in Caswell Co., NC
John William Villines b: 1828 in Caswell Co., NC
Nancy Jane Villines b: 1 Mar 1829 in Caswell Co., NC
Jefferson Villines b: 1832 in Madison Co., AR
Joel K. Villines b: 1834 in MO
Robert Lee Villines b: 21 Apr 1837 in MO
Francis Marion Villines b: 1839 in MO
3. William H. Villines - Hezekiah's brother Copies of deed from Person County, North Carolina show:
Apparently, William Villines sold his holdings in North Carolina and moved
to Sumner County, Tennessee in 1827.
The exact year that the Abraham and Hezekiah Villines and John Penn families
began their migration to Arkansas has not been determined, probably 1832. Hezekiah
sold land which he obtained from the estate of William McKissack Sr., deceased.
Jan 4, 1826. He sold the land in 1832. Census records seem to indicate that
they stopped in Tennessee and Missouri for a while but nothing else has been
found to verify this. They were definitely established on the upper Buffalo
River of Carroll County by 1837. It seems logical that they stopped in Tennessee
for awhile before moving on. Early emigrants (1836 era) from Middle-Tennessee
usually ferried the Mississippi River at St. Genevieve, Missouri and followed
the Southwest Trail into Arkansas. The Southwest Trail crossed the White River
a few miles below Batesville. From there they followed a road up the north side
of the White River through Batesville, past the Izard County Courthouse and
on to a settlement near the Missouri border, Lubbots. Crossing the White River
they found a recently cleared road to Carrollton in Carroll County Arkansas.
This trip usually took seven weeks or could take a couple of years. From Carrollton,
they crossed over the mountain to the head-waters of the Buffalo. Hezekiah settled
on the south side of the river at the mouth of Running Creek, about half way
between the present site of Boxley and Ponca. John Penn settled nearby, on the
other side of the river. Abraham proceeded on down river, about five miles,
and settled under the high bluff near Center Point.
Hezekiah married Elizabeth Penn a few years before leaving North Carolina and
at least three children were born there. A search of the court house
records of both Person and Caswell Countys failed to reveal a marriage record
for Hezekiah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Penn .
Thomas L. House did extensive research on the Penn families of North Carolina,
trying to connect Elizabeth with John Penn, signer of the Declaration of Independence
from North Carolina. He was unable to establish an exact relationship, but feels
they were closely related, sin.
Notes for HEZEKIAH VILLINES:
3. William H. Villines - Hezekiah's brother Copies of deed from Person County,
North Carolina show:
November, 1827, William Villines of Person County sold Hezekiah Villines of
same county, one hundred and ninty four acres on the head-waters of Flat
River in Person County for $200.00.
On Feb 2, 1831, William Villines of Sumner County, Tennessee traded his interest
in thirteen acres in Person County that fell to the heirs of Nancy
Villines, deceased, for one rifle gun.
These deeds also show a John Penn owning adjacent land.
Apparently, William Villines sold his holdings in North Carolina and moved to
Sumner County, Tennessee in 1827.
i. ADDISON VILLINES, b. November 23, 1827, Caswell Co., NC; d. May 05, 1904,
Moore Cem., Berryville, Carroll Co., AR; m. (1)
LUCY REEVES, 1847, Berryville, Carroll Co., AR; b. 1830, TN; d. May 1852, Villines
Cem., Newton Co., AR; m. (2) AMANDA MANDY M BLACK, February 23, 1853, Newton
Co., AR; b. 1835, AL.
ii. JOHN WILLIAM BEAVER VILLINES, b. 1828, Caswell Co., NC; d. 1875, Beechwood
Cem., Boxley, Newton Co., AR; m. REBECCA CECIL, 1850,
Newton Co., AR; b. September 1826, TN; d. 1905, Beechwood Cem., Boxley, Newton
Co., AR.
Notes for JOHN WILLIAM BEAVER VILLINES:
William Villines built the log cabin that still stands near the low water bridge
at Ponca, Newton Co., AR and lived there all of his life. The cabin
is now historically preserved and is located on route 74 where it intersects
route 43 about a mile south of Ponca, AR.
iii. NANCY JANE VILLINES, b. March 01, 1829, Caswell Co., NC; d. May 13, 1900,
Beechwood Cem., Boxley, Newton Co., AR; m. (1) BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN CLARK; b. September 25, 1838, Pikesville, Bledsoe Co., TN; d. June
14, 1863, Civil War, Newton Co., AR; m. (2) SAMUEL EDGMON, Abt. 1853, Newton
Co., AR; b. March 23, 1831, Newton Co., AR; d. March 13, 1891, Newton Co., AR.
iv. JEFFERSON JASPER VILLINES, b. 1832, TN; d. 1887, Beechwoods Cem., Ponca,
Newton Co., AR; m. (1) MARGARET A KEETON, July 12,
1863, Newton Co., AR; b. May 11, 1839, AR; d. July 18, 1863, Beechwoods Cem.,
Ponca, Newton Co., AR; m. (2) MARY J KEETON, July 12, 1868; b. 1850, AR; d.
1917, Newton Co., AR.
v. JOEL K JOE VILLINES, b. 1834, St Clair Co., MO; m. SARAH ANN EDGMON; b. February
18, 1833, TN; d. April 15, 1860, Newton Co.,
AR.
vi. FRANCIS FRANK VILLINES, b. Abt. 1835, St Clair Co., Mo; m. JOSIE BASHAM;
b. 1839, Mo.
vii. ROBERT LEE VILLINES, b. April 21, 1837, St Clair Co., MO; d. March 31,
1881, Walnut Grove Cem., Boxley, Newton Co., AR; m. MATILDA
CATHERINE WHITELEY, 1856, Newton Co., AR; b. March 30, 1841, Boxley, Newton
Co., AR; d. November 25, 1917, Walnut Grove Cem., Boxley, Newton Co., AR.
3. GEORGE D10 PENN (JOHN, WILLIAM, MOSES, JOHN, WILLIAM, GEORGE, WILLIAM,
WILLIAM, JOHN) was born Abt. 1805 in Person Co., NC. He married SARAH BELLA
CHAMBERS May 13, 1832 in St Louis, MO. She was born Abt. 1815.
Child of GEORGE PENN and SARAH CHAMBERS is:
i. GEORGE WASHINGTON11 PENN, b. Abt. 1837; m. MARTHA BARNETT, Abt. 1857, St
Louis, MO; b. Abt. 1837.
4. EPHRAIM10 PENN (JOHN, WILLIAM, MOSES, JOHN, WILLIAM, GEORGE, WILLIAM,
WILLIAM, JOHN) was born 1808 in VA, and died December 21, 1871 in Sumner Co.,
Tenn. He married ELMYRA ANN VILLINES February 23, 1830 in Person Co., NC, daughter
of ABRAHAM VILLINES and NANCY MCKISSACK. She was born 1814 in Person Co., NC.
Notes for EPHRAIM PENN:
Notes for ELMYRA ANN VILLINES:
James Penn & Nancy Wright, Submitted by Theda Pond Womack 1425 Wrights Lane,Gallatin,
TN 37066
James William "Bill" PENN (son of Ephraim PENN b. 1808 in VA and Elmira b. 1814
in NC) he was born August 4, 1851, died July 9, 1928. He married on
September 19, 1872 in Sumner Co. TN to Nancy Catherine "Kate" WRIGHT (daughter
of Gideon V. WRIGHT and Mary Catherine DOBBINS) she was born July 13, 1849 in
Sumner Co. TN, died June 30, 1884.
Children of James PENN and Nancy "Kate" WRIGHT are:
Mary Ann "Mamie" Penn born 28 Aug 1874 Sumner Co. TN, died 18 Jan 1941 Sumner
Co. Cem. Buried at Gallatin Cemetery. Married 28 Jan 1875 in Sumner
Co. TN to Walter L. BRADLEY. They had 10 children: Richard Lee b. 1896 m. Sadie
Mai LOWERY. Mary Katherine b. 1898 m. Reno W. LEWIS. Will Thompson (female)
b. 1901, unmarried. Tryphenia b. 1903 m. Stokley S. HILTON. Nell b. 1904 m.
O. W. LOWERY. Elizabeth Ann b. 1906, d. 1939 unmarried. Sue Priscilla b. 1909
m Harold KETERING. Walter Lee b. 1911 m. Beulah SANKEY. James Penn b. 1915 m
Dolores Juanita BAXMAN, m. 2nd to Bertha BRAND. David Saunders b. 1917 m. Novella
CASTEEL.
Maude Lillian Penn born 3 Oct 1876 Sumner Co. TN, died 4 Mar 1940 Sumner Co.
TN. Buried at Gallatin Cemetery. Married to Charles O. WALLACE. Their children:
Billy b. 1907. Mary Frances b. 1910 m. Julius Carmack Simpson. Nancy b. 1912
m. Carroll CARR. Janie m. Gil DOBBS. See more information on the Children of
Charles Owen Wallace and Maude Lillian Penn.
Stella Penn born 4 Feb 1879 Sumner Co. TN, died 12 Aug 1848. Buried at Gallatin
Cem. Unmarried. Lived with her brother Walter and helped rear his
children.
James Walter Penn born 23 July 1881 Sumner Co. TN, died 20 Nov 1847. Married
in 1881 to Lucy Emma NEEL. Lucy died in a fire on 7 Aug 1918. Their
children: Kate b. 1907 m. Horace ADAMS. Zela Ann b. 1909 unmarried. Dorothy
b. 1911 unmarried. James b. 1917 m. Virginia Key WEMYSS.
Lizzie Penn born 19 Aug 1883 Sumner Co. TN, died 21 Apr 1961. Reared by her
Penn grandmother, later lived with her brother Walter.
Children of EPHRAIM PENN and ELMYRA VILLINES are:
i. ELIZABETH11 PENN, b. 1830, NC.
ii. SARAH PENN, b. 1837, TN.
iii. CAROLINE PENN, b. 1841.
iv. MARTHA PENN, b. 1843.
v. THOMAS PENN, b. 1845.
vi. MARY PENN, b. 1848.
vii. SUSAN PENN, b. 1848.
viii. GEORGE PENN, b. 1849.
5. MARTHA10 PENN (JOHN, WILLIAM, MOSES, JOHN,
WILLIAM, GEORGE, WILLIAM, WILLIAM, JOHN) was born Abt. 1810 in Person Co.,
NC, and died Bef. 1847 in Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR. She married DANIEL FARMER,
JR September 21, 1830 in Person Co., NC, son of DANIEL FARMER and SARAH TAPLEY.
He was born 1807 in Person Co., NC, and died January 29, 1865 in Knoxville Bend,
AR shot by Union soldiers.
6. MARY10 PENN (JOHN, WILLIAM, MOSES, JOHN, WILLIAM, GEORGE, WILLIAM, WILLIAM, JOHN) was born 1818 in Person Co., NC, and died Bef. 1855 in Johnson Co., AR. She married TOLIVER GOLDSTONE BLACKARD, SR Abt. 1840 in probaby St Clair Co., MO, son of WILLIAM BLACKARD and SARAH FARMER. He was born November 1819 in Person Co., NC, and died 1898 in Oakland Cem, Clarksville, AR.
7. JOHN C10 PENN (JOHN, WILLIAM, MOSES, JOHN, WILLIAM, GEORGE, WILLIAM, WILLIAM,
JOHN) was born September 22, 1822 in Rockingham, Person Co., NC. He married
ROSA REEVES Abt. 1843, daughter of JOHN REEVES and ELIZABETH TERRELL. She was
born March 13, 1825 in IN, and died November 06, 1909 in Salem, Marion Co.,
OR.
Notes for JOHN C PENN:
PENN JOHN H Boone 7 18N 20W 0 1882/12/15
PENN JOHN H Boone 7 18N 20W 0 1882/12/15
PENN JOHN H Boone 8 18N 20W 160 1882/12/15
PENN GEORGE W Carroll 10 20N 26W 80 1883/01/15
PENN JAMES T Newton 7 13N 21W 40 1888/08/30
Note: 1850 Census, Van Buren Twp., Newton Co., AR
House Last Name First Name Age Sex Occupation State of Birth
PENN, JOHN 28 M Farmer North Carolina
Rosa 25 F Indiana
Elizabeth 8 F Arkansas
Martha N. 6 F Arkansas
John L. 5 F Arkansas
Mary 2 F Arkansas
1860 Census, Richland Twp., Newton Co., AR
House Last Name First Name Age Sex Occupation State of Birth
PENN, JOHN 37 M Farmer Tennessee (NC)
Rosa 35 F Tennessee (IN)
J. H. (John) 13 M Arkansas
Mary 11 F Arkansas
George 8 M Arkansas
J. T. (James) 6 M Arkansas
E. R. 3 F Arkansas
J. M. (Jasper) 2 M Arkansas
MURPHY, John 21 M Missouri
(PENN) Elizabeth 17 F Arkansas
John Penn was one of the pioneers of Arkansas, coming from Tennessee. He followed
the occupation of agriculture, and prior to the war succeeded in
accumulating a considerable amount of worldy goods, but the most of it was swept
away during the great stuggle between the North and South. He was a
Whig in politics, a stanch Union man during the war, and supported men and measures
of the Republican party. He retired from the active duties of life,
became a Methodist Espicopal Church preacher giving a large part of his life
to religious work.
James T. Penn born in Newton County, Arkansas 8/27/1854, a son of John Penn
was a resident of Boone County Arkansas. James grew up on his father's farm,
and due to the fact of the war the early education which he received was not
the best. In 1891 James was made postmaster of Harrison by President
Harrison, but resigned in 1893 going to other occupations. He was the proprietor
of the Arcade hotel since 1891 and owner of other desirable
property in Harrison. Active member of the honorable order of Masons.
Children of JOHN PENN and ROSA REEVES are:
i. ELIZABETH11 PENN, b. 1843, AR; m. JOHN MURPHY; b. 1839, Montgomery Co., A:.
ii. MARTHA PENN, b. 1844; m. SAMUEL CASEY EDGMON, Abt. 1860, Boxley, Newton
Co., AR; b. February 04, 1842, Boxley, Newton Co., AR;
d. February 06, 1863, Civil War.
iii. JOHN L PENN, b. 1847; m. MARGARET A HENDERSON; b. 1849, AR.
Notes for JOHN L PENN:
CO D , 2nd REGIMENT, ARKANSAS UNION CAVALRY
PENN, JOHN H. PVT - age 18 - 6 Oct 1863 - Jasper, AR
iv. MARY PENN, b. May 04, 1849, Newton Co., AR; d. November 12, 1926, Devitt,
Benton Co., OR; m. JOHN MILLER; b. Abt. 1849.
v. ABSALOM PENN, b. 1850, Jasper, Newton Co., AR.
vi. GEORGE PENN, b. 1852.
vii. JAMES TOLIVER PENN, b. 1854, Newton Co., AR.
Notes for JAMES TOLIVER PENN:
James T. PENN Among the prominent men of Harrison, Ark., and among its most
worthy and esteemed citizens, may be mentioned James T.Penn. He is a man
interested in the public welfare and, while he pays strict attention to his
private affairs, he shirks no duties as a loyal citizen. He was born in Newton
County, Ark., August 27,1854, a son of John Penn, who was one of the pioneers
of this State from Tennessee, first residing in Johnson County, then Newton
County and is now a resident of Boone county. He was born in Virginia September
22, 1822, and his wife was also born there March 13, 1825. Of the ten children
given to them, seven are living: Elizabeth, wife of John Murphy; Martha, widow
of John T. Wilson, of Texas; John H., who is a resident of Dale, Okla. Ter.;
Mary, wife of John Miller, of Oklahoma Territory; Absalom, who died in infancy;
George W., who is in the postoffice at Harrison; James T.; Louisa A., deceased,
Jasper N.,
deceased, and Alexander L., a resident of Oklahoma. John
Penn has always followed the occupation of agriculture, and prior to the war
succeeded in accumulating a considerable amount of worldly goods, but the
most of it was swept away during the great struggle between the North and South.
Long ago he was a Whig in politics, was a stanch Union man during the
war, and since that time has supported the men and measures of the Republican
party, but has never been an office seeker. He is now living
retired from the active duties of life, is a local preacher of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and is a man who has given a large part of his life to
religious work, and has many warm friends in this section of the country. James
T. Penn grew up on his father's farm in
this section, and owing to the fact that the war came up at about the time when
he should have been in school, the early education which he received
was not of the best. He started out to make his own way in the world in 1873,
and engaged in contracting and building, but in 1875, with his brother
George, started on foot for the then Territory of Washington, but after reaching
his destination he remained but a few months. In 1876 he came to
Harrison, Ark., and entered the land office as clerk, but in 1880 embarked in
the mercantile business, and continued to follow this line of human
endeavor until 1887. He has also given considerable attention to mining, and
has now a large tract of mining land in Boone and Marion Counties which is
very valuable. In 1891 he was made postmaster of Harrison by President.Harrison,
but resigned in 1893, and has since given his attention
to other occupations. He has been the proprietor of the Arcade Hotel since 1891,
and is also the owner of other desirable property in Harrison. He is
an active member of the honorable order of Masons, is a member of the chapter
and was commander of the commandery in 1893. He was united in
marriage with Miss Fannie M., daughter of A. S. and Lucinda Reeder, both of
whom died in Illinois, in which State she was born. She and her husband have
four living
children, and three that are deceased: Lulu, Blanche 0. (deceased), Lida F.
(deceased), James R. (deceased), Nellie R., Sallie L. and N. N. Mrs. Penn is
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also very much interested
in temperance work, being president of the W. C. T. U. at
Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. Penn stand high in society, and the their friends are
many and devoted. Mr. Penn has always been an earnest Republican, and in
1880 was elected as a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and has
served on the State Central Committee for the past ten years. In 1886 he
was nominated on the Republican State ticket for the position of chancery clerk,
and in 1888 was elected as one of the delegates on the State National
Committee. As a business man he is esteemed for his unimpeachable honor, and
as a citizen for the interest he takes in the welfare of the section in
which he makes his home.
viii. LOUISA A PENN, b. 1857.
ix. JASPER MARION PENN, b. 1858.
x. THOMAS N PENN, b. 1859.
xi. ALEXANDER L PENN, b. 1861, AR.
xii. JOHN W PENN, b. 1864.
8. ABSALOM W10 PENN, FIRST SGT (JOHN, WILLIAM, MOSES, JOHN, WILLIAM, GEORGE,
WILLIAM, WILLIAM, JOHN) was born 1827 in Person Co., NC, and died August
10, 1861 in Civil War, Wilsons Creek, MO. He married SUSAN M SCALLION August
29, 1858 in Johnson Co., AR, daughter of SCALLION. She was born 1842.
Notes for ABSALOM W PENN, FIRST SGT:
10th Regiment Arkansas Militia Company B
August 29, 1858
Children of ABSALOM PENN and SUSAN SCALLION are:
i. WILLIAM11 PENN, b. 1859, Newton Co., AR.
ii. JOHN PENN, b. Abt. 1861, Newton Co., AR.
Notes for DANIEL FARMER, JR:
FARMER DANIEL 3 9N 23W 40 1860/03/01
FARMER JAMES S 35 10N 23W 40 1875/02/05
FARMER JOHN C 35 10N 22W 40 1875/06/01
FARMER JOHN 3 9N 23W 80 1875/12/01
FARMER JOHN 4 11N 21W 40 1888/07/03
FARMER THOMAS N 23 12N 24W 40 1854/11/15
FARMER THOMAS N 23 12N 24W 40 1854/11/15
JETTON ISAAC J 15 9N 23W 0 1893/09/15
JETTON ISAAC J 15 9N 23W 0 1893/09/15
JETTON ISAAC J 15 9N 23W 160 1893/09/15
Copied from a 1962 article in the Johnson Co Graphic. Knoxville Bend Cemetary
also called South Bend Cemetary. The final scene to an historical
incident that took place 97 years ago was enacted in South Bend, near Knoxville,
a couple of weeks ago. As several members of the Jetton family
stood by, two government men carefully removed from a crude grave in the bottoms
all that remained of their great grandfather, Zebulon Jetton. The
old man, 85 at the time, was buried where he fell, when he was shot by Federal
soldiers on January 29, 1865. The relics, which included a small
piece of skull, a few bones, some buttons and the fatal bullet, were transferred
to a new grave in the South Bend Cemetery. The transfer was
made because the area, in which the original grave was located, will be under
water when the Dardanelle Dam is formed. According to accounts
handed down in the family, old Mr. Jetton, Daniel Farmer and Farmer's 15 year
old son were shot down ruthlessly as they endeavored to hide out from
the Yankee Jayhawkers. As R. J. Jetton tells it, his great grandfather brought
his family from Missouri to Clarksville and settled out on the Old
Wire Road shortly before the tragedy occurred. Great grandfather had two sons,
Robert and Tom, serving in the Confederate Army at the time. When the
Jayhawkers came to the area, Mr. Jetton and Mr. Farmer decided to scout around
in the Knoxville section, hoping to stay out of the way of the
marauders but was unsuccessful. Mrs. Dillon can remember her grandmother telling
about the burial. "When word of what had happened got back to
Clarksville," she said, "my great grandmother and Mrs. Farmer hitched up a team
of oxen to a wagon and went to South Bend. They took Mr. Farmer and
the boy back to Clarksville, but decided to wrap Old Mr. Jetton in a hand-made
quilt and lay him to rest where he fell. Later, the family put up
a gravestone bearing this inscription: "Innocently murdered by his political
enemies for claiming his southern principles." The stone was moved to South
Bend Cemetary last week.
i. WILLIAM W11 FARMER, b. 1832, Person Co., NC; m. HANNAH SUSAN JOHNSON, Abt.
1852; b. 1837.
Notes for WILLIAM W FARMER:
FARMER, WILLIAM Pvt - Enl 31 May 1862 at Clarksville, AR. Present through Feb
1864.CO D -Johnson Co, 4TH (GORDON'S) ARK CAV REG, CSA
Farmer, William-Private. 10th Regiment Arkansas Militia Company C
Farmer, William W-Private. 10th Reg Ark Mil Co C. This company mustered at Clarksville,
Arkansas, from February 27 to March 19, 1862, with 40 men
present. Captain Alfred F. Shropshire was in command during this muster. Most
of these men subsequently enlisted in regular Confederate regiments.
Later in Co. D, 4th Arkansas Cavalry.
ii. JOHN C FARMER, b. 1834, Person Co., NC; d. 1925, Lee Cem., Clarksville,
AR; m. MANESSA, 1852, Clarksville, AR; b. 1830, Ar.
Notes for JOHN C FARMER:
Farmer, John-Private.. 10th Regiment Arkansas Militia Company B;
then Co. H, 26th Ark Inf; then Co. B, 7th Arkansas Cav.
FARMER, JOHN 2Lt - Enl 31 Jan 1863 at Clarksville, AR. Captured 30 Oct 1864
at Harrisburg, MO and sent to Johnson's Island, OH 12 Nov 1864. Released on
oath 16 Jun 1865, age 38, ht 5' 11", eyes hazel, hair drk, complx drk, residence:
Clarksville, AR
iii. THOMAS J FARMER, 1ST LIEUTENANT CSA, b. 1836, TN.
Notes for THOMAS J FARMER, 1ST LIEUTENANT CSA:
COMPANY A 16TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA
FARMER, THOMAS J. 1Lt - Pvt Enl 12 Sep 1861 at Clarksville, AR. Age 24. Resigned
30 May 1862.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CO D -Johnson Co, 4TH (GORDON'S) ARK CAV REG, CSA
FARMER, T.J. Pvt - Enl 31 May 1862 at Clarksville, AR.
FARMER, WILLIAM Pvt - Enl 31 May 1862 at Clarksville, AR. Present through Feb
1864.
iv. BARSHEBA B FARMER, b. 1839, TN; d. Bef. 1855.
v. SARAH ANN FARMER, b. 1845, AR; m. WILLIAM JOHNSON; b. 1851.
Mary Penn was born 1818 in Person Co., NC, and died Bef. 1855 in Johnson Co.,
AR. She married TOLIVER GOLDSTONE BLACKARD, SR Abt. 1840 in probaby St Clair
Co., MO, son of WILLIAM BLACKARD and SARAH FARMER. He was born November 1819
in Person Co., NC, and died 1898 in Oakland Cem, Clarksville, AR.
Notes for TOLIVER GOLDSTONE BLACKARD, SR:
BLACKARD TOLIVER G Johnson 33 10N 23W 40 1860/05/01
Arrived in AR in 1838 from Person Co., NC - served as coroner in Newton Co.,
AR 1842-1844
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blackard, Toliver G-Private. Appointed judge-advocate of regiment 10th Militia,
Co. B. This company mustered at Clarksville, Arkansas, from
February 22 to March 19, 1862, with 99 men present. Captain John W. King was
in command during this muster. Most of these men later enlisted in regular
Confederate regiments.
BLACKARD, T.G. Sgt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR. . Co L-7TH ARK CAV REG, CSA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tolliver G. Blackard served in the 10th Arkansas Militia Infantry and later
as Sergeant of Company L, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (a unit raised in
Johnson County).
BLACKARD, T.G. Sgt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR.
BLACKARD, W.M. Pvt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR.
7TH ARK CAV REG-CSA
This regiment was formed by increasing Hill's Cav Bn to a regiment 25Jul 1863.
NOTE: The Thompson's Regt referred to at times was later redesignated as Gordon's
Regt of Cav
BATTLES:
Devil's Backbone 1Sep1863
Camden Expedition Mar-May 1864
Poison Springs 18 Apr 1864
Marks Mill 25 Apr 1864
Price's MO Raid Sep-Pct 1864
Marais des Cygnes 25 Oct 1864
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Posted by Mary Jo Blackard Dowd
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Posted by Kathe McKennon Beck
i. JOHN VINCENT BLACKARD, b. 1842, AR; d. August 10, 1861, Battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo in Civil War. Company "C" 1st Mounted Rifles, C.S.A., 1st Arkansas Cavalry, Clarksville, Arkansas, Capt. Olinver Basham, organizer (source John E. King, Sr.) 3rd Inf St. Troops, King's Co., Lt. official records
ii. HEZEKIAH KI R BLACKARD, LT, b. February 09, 1843,
Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR; d. January 30, 1913, Oakland Cem.,
Clarksville, AR; m. ISABELLA WILSON, January 30, 1867, Johnson Co., AR; b. December
09, 1844, Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR; d. January 30, 1893,
Oakland Cem., Clarksville, AR.
iii. GEORGE DANIEL BLACKARD, b. November 14, 1845,
AR; d. March 17, 1875, Oakland Cem, Clarksville, AR; m. MARY STOVALL, January
18,
1872, Johnson Co., AR; b. April 01, 1850, MO; d. September 24, 1932, Kendall
Cem., Hunt, Johnson Co., AR.
iv. SARAH A R BLACKARD, b. January 15, 1847, AR; d. May 19, 1859, Oakland Cem., Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR.
v. MARTHA CAROLINE KITTY BLACKARD, b. March 12, 1850,
Clarksville Johnson Co., AR; d. January 10, 1891, Washington, DC; m. WILLIAM
JEFFERSON WATTS, June 06, 1866, Johnson Co., AR; b. April 14, 1840, Sumner Co.,
TN; d. December 07, 1904, Muldrow, Sequoyah Co., OK.
HEZEKIAH KI R BLACKARD, LT, b. February 09, 1843, Clarksville, Johnson Co.,
AR; d. January 30, 1913, Oakland Cem.,
Clarksville, AR; m. ISABELLA WILSON, January 30, 1867, Johnson Co., AR; b. December
09, 1844, Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR; d. January 30, 1893,
Oakland Cem., Clarksville, AR.
"The Paylor Boys and "Ki" Blackard, afterward referred to as "a soldier who
never flinched", were enduring the hardest siege of the war at Port Hudson".
(Taken from a series of articles written by Ex-Senator G.T.Cazort of Lamar in
1905, submitted by Lillian Mickel-Johnson Co., Historical Society
Journal, April 1977)
*********************************************************************************
AR, 16th Inf, Co A, 2nd Lt CSA. COMPANY A 16TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CONFEDERATE
STATES OF AMERICA
BLACKARD, HEZEKIAH 2Lt - Enl 27 Feb 1862 at Boston Mountain, AR. Age 19, born
in AR. Elected 27 Jun 1862.
*********************************************************************************
This is a GOOD STORY and it has Lt KI BLACKARD
Story to be found in its entirety at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcivwar/BAILEY.htm
The fall of Vicksburg, MS - July 1863.
"Our hope of relief at the beginning of the seige was not strong and grew less as the days passed by. Still we hoped and that helped us to bear
cheerfully our hardships. With the surrender of Vicksburg, July the 4th all hope of success vanished. On the 8th of June terms of our surrender were
agreed upon. Privates and noncommissioned officers to be parolled, and allowed to go home. All commissioned officers to be held as prisoners. Early
on the morning of the 9th, the Confederate forces, ragged and dirty, were drawn up in line near the river bank, just south of the village of Port
Hudson.
On the following day, the work of making our paroles for the privates and noncommissioned officers was begun, and by the 13th all of them were on
their way home except the sick and wounded in the hospital. The Arkansas troops were furnished transportation by boat to points up the river.
After the departure of the paroled men, the officers were confined to about two or three acres of ground on the river bank, embracing a few old
business houses, with a double line of guards, to prevent any possible chance of escape. On the morning of the 14th we were notified that the next
day we would be put aboard steamers and started north for imprisonment on Johnson's Island.
Eight other officers of my regiment succeeded in getting away before reaching prison, most of them by jumping overboard while going up the
Mississippi River and swimming ashore, I recall now, the following: LIEUTENANT KIGH BLACKARD, Captain Dan Boone of Company II, Lieutenant Billy Lawson, Company I. There were others whose names I cannot now remember. A Lieutenant Meadows of the 14th Arkansas lost his life by drowning in the attempt. After reaching a point of safety, some twenty five miles from Port Hudson, we turned our steps in the direction of home, some five or six hundred miles distant." (excerpt from "Joseph M. Bailey Memoirs of the Civil War", THIS STORY WAS WRITTEN OVER FORTY YEARS AFTER THE WAR ENDED, by Joseph M. Bailey)
December 18, 1863 - Civil War Johnson Co., AR
KI (HEZEKIAH) BLACKARD fought at the only Civil War battle in Johnson Co., AR at Dick's Branch just north of Ludwig, AR. He was enlisted in Company "H", 16th Regimental Infantry, Clarksville, Arkansas. C.S.A. -- "One battle that was not recorded in the history of the Civil War was on the 18th of December, 1863. Captain John C Hill, with 32 men whom he had gathered up for the purpose of going south, were in Clarksville, Arkansas. They were riding west on Main street and saw the Federals coming into town from the north, so he, with his men, galloped out of town and halted to see if the Federals were following. They waited a few minutes and they did not follow them, so they went about a quarter of a mile further and dismounted, hitched their horses back and formed a line near the road. Captain Hill asked for volunteers to go back and see what the Federals were doing and try to decoy them out, so Captain Bill Cravens and Mort Hardwick volunteered to go. They went into town on the west side and saw the Federals going out on the east, so when they returned and reported, Captain Hill and the others held a consultation and decided to follow them. They took their trail and the first place they came to, to get any information, was three miles out. Federals had just passed. So they followed them out to the WILEY TAYLOR
PLACE AT THE FOOT OF RED LICK MOUNTAIN, and overtook them as they had stopped to camp. MISS JENNIE WATTS (who was later to become Mrs. Jonathan James Taylor) , was one of the women that gave them the information about where they were camping. Two were killed, one wounded, captured one and several horses, and then they returned to Clarksville where they camped for the night and in a few days went south to the Army." (source: Johnson Co., AR Historical Society)
February, 1865 Civil War Camp Life in Minden, Louisiana. (Memoirs of Joseph
Bailey)
About this time Captain Cloud was detailed for court martial duty, leaving me
in command of the company with LIEUTENANT BLACKARD second in command. Sometime
in February, 1865, we were ordered to camp near Minden, Louisiana. (excerpt
from "Joseph M. Bailey Memoirs of the Civil War", THIS STORY WAS WRITTEN OVER
FORTY YEARS AFTER THE WAR ENDED, by Joseph M. Bailey)
Spring 1865 - Surrender!!! and then home.
(Memoirs of Joseph Bailey)
The infantry forces, of the Trans-Mississippi Department were in a high state of efficiency at the time of General Lee's surrender. In looking over
the record (official) of the war, I find reports of Federal spies, in which they comment at length on the discipline and behavior of the Confederates. A
few weeks were spent in camp at Minden, Louisiana, where we were ordered to Shreveport, and later to Marshall, Texas, where we received the news of
General Lee's surrender. I will not attempt to depict the gloom that prevaded our camps when the news was fully confirmed. General Johnson's
surrender later convinced us of the utter hopelessness of further resistance. Many favored the disabandonment of the regular army and the
organization of independent commands and a resort to guerilla warfare. But wiser and more conservative council prevailed. "
About a month previous to this time, while stationed at Shreveport I had loaned a horse to a friend, LIEUTENANT McCONNELL of my regiment who
obtained leave of absence with the view of getting his wife and baby from CLARKSVILLE, ARKANSAS out of the Federal lines, to some place of safety
inside the confederate lines. After a couple of days ride homeward, I met some friends who told me that McConnell and family had passed there a few
days previous on his way to Clarksville, Texas. Being anxious to get my horse, I concluded to follow. A ride of three days took me to Clarksville,
TX to find that my horse had been stolen, while passing through southern Arkansas about a week previous. Feeling somewhat disappointed I turned my
step homeward again. After a ride of two days alone, I over took three mounted exconfederate soldiers, two of whom I knew, and who lived not far
from my home. Meeting with these men was a great pleasure as many miles of our route lay through sparsely settled section of country, noted for its
outlawry. We found most of the people on our way, in very destitute circumstances, but ready to divide cheerfully anything they had of provisions, with hungry Confederates. We arrived at the ARKANSAS RIVER to find it nearly about full, and looking ugly to a landsman. There being no ferry, our only chance of crossing was by means of an ordinary skiff which the owner preferred to loan us, but he would not undertake to row us over. I was the only one of the party who had ever used oars, and my experience was limited to a few short pulls in still water. With some misgivings, we resolved to make the attempt. Taking the oars while the other parties looked after our horses, we pulled out. Two of the horses refused to swim which made it harder for the oarsman, but we effected a landing, after a hard pull nearly a mile below our place of entering. Not being accustomed to hard work during the war I found before we were half way across that blood was flowing freely from my hands.
We met several squads of Yankee soldiers, after crossing the river, but we were not molested. We spent a day and a night with my friends, Sergeant
Clark and LIEUTENANT BLACKARD, who lived near CLARKSVILLE, and then resumed our journey across the Boston Mountains to our homes in Carroll County, arriving there two days later. (excerpt from "Joseph M. Bailey Memoirs of the Civil War", THIS STORY WAS WRITTEN OVER FORTY YEARS AFTER THE WAR ENDED,
by Joseph M. Bailey)
iii. GEORGE DANIEL BLACKARD, b. November 14, 1845, AR; d. March 17, 1875, Oakland
Cem, Clarksville, AR; m. MARY STOVALL, January 18,
1872, Johnson Co., AR; b. April 01, 1850, MO; d. September 24, 1932, Kendall
Cem., Hunt, Johnson Co., AR.
Notes for GEORGE DANIEL BLACKARD:
BLACKARD, GEORGE Pvt - Enl 31 May 1862 at Clarksville, AR. Absent sick 23 Jun
1863. Transferred to Engineer Troops 13 Jan 1864. CO D -Johnson Co,4TH (GORDON'S)
ARK CAV REG, CSA
George went to the store to buy some groceries. Next to the store was a group
playing cards. George played for a while but soon got up to leave.
As he was leaving, one of the group shot George in the back, thus murdering
him. There was a trial and a conviction. Witnesses claimed absolutely no
provocation for this dastardly deed on George's part. Even years later, witnesses
told there was no provocation.
This article is copied from the Wednesday, March 24, 1875 edition of the Arkansas
Gazette.
MURDERED FOR ONE DOLLAR
A Game of Cards Costs a Man His Life
Terrible Crime at Clarksville
The Murderer Captured by Mr. Nelson
The Sheriff Shoots the Wrong Man
The following exciting report of the murder at Clarksville, Monday, is from the pen of a responsible and able gentleman:
Clarksville, March 22, 1875
Editors Gazette:
The pleasant little town of Clarksville has been thrown into a fever of excitement by a fatal tragedy which was enacted here this afternoon, just
before sundown. John McFadden shot and instantly killed George D. Blackard, watchman at the Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad depot. The facts, as far as we are able to learn them, are as follows, as given by eye witnesses: Blackard and a man named Martin were playing cards in the rear room of Chas. Eison's saloon, when John McFadden came in and said, "George, I'll bet you a dollar that Martin wins the game." Blackard accepted the bet, receiving a two dollar bill from McFadden and giving him a dollar in change. Martin lost the game, and Blackard pocketed the money; whereupon, McFadden demanded a dollar, which Blackard refused to give up as he had won it fairly. Both parties then stepped outside the saloon into the alley adjoining, when McFadden said, "George, I am going to have that dollar," drew his navy revolver and commenced firing. He fired three shots, only one of which took effect, the ball entering the heart and passing completely through the body. Blackard died without a groan. McFadden ran through the alley, passing the bleeding body of his victim, and attempted to make his way to the brush, but was fortunately intercepted by Olney Nelson, who jumped upon a horse and, seizing a double-barreled shot gun, captured the murderer before he crossed the railroad track. Sheriff Armstrong and fully two hundred citizens were on the dead run after McFadden, but, without a doubt, the community are indebted to the pluck of young Nelson for the satisfaction of knowing justice will have an opportunity to work its legitimate end. I had a conversation with the prisoner to-night, and his story differs very little from the above facts. The dead man, who was about thirty-five years of age, leaves a wife and two little children to mourn his untimely loss. Wm. Bodkin, of Little Rock, was arrested as an accessory to the murder and put in irons.
During the excitement Sheriff Armstrong, not having seen who did the shooting, discerned a man running like unto the wind in the same direction
as the fugitive, for whom the sheriff mistook him, and thinking to do his duty, fired at the distance of one hundred yards and "bagged his game," and
Mr. Procter Kesterson felt a navy ball plow its way through the fleshy part of his leg. Terribly excited but not much hurt. Armstrong has apologized.
Everything is perfectly quiet to-night, and a stranger passing through the streets at this hour, would hardly believe a murder had been committed so
short a time ago, and this is as it should be. 'Squire Crampton, and a jury composed of the following named gentlemen held an inquest: John F. Hill,
W.R. Harley, W.B. Russell, William H. Hinson, Sam Winstead, W. Kitchen, J.C. Hill, E.J. Woolum, C.A. Davis, John Hunt and C. Hardgrove, who returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts.
/s/ Looker On.
Notes: Later editions (March 27) report that Wm. Bodkin was released, and that McFadden was sent to prison, convicted of manslaughter.
v. MARTHA CAROLINE KITTY BLACKARD, b. March 12, 1850, Clarksville Johnson
Co., AR; d. January 10, 1891, Washington, DC; m. WILLIAM JEFFERSON WATTS, June
06, 1866, Johnson Co., AR; b. April 14, 1840, Sumner Co., TN; d. December 07,
1904, Muldrow, Sequoyah Co., OK.
Notes for MARTHA CAROLINE KITTY BLACKARD:
http://www.wattsline.org/gen/watts/newsletter30pt2.htm viii. WILLIAM JEFFERSON
WATTS, b. 14 April 1840, TN; d. 07 December 1904; m. MARTHA
CATHRINE KITTY BLACKARD.
Notes for WILLIAM JEFFERSON WATTS:
1ST ARK MOUNTED RIFLES, CO C ,"JOHNSON RIFLES" FROM JOHNSON CO, Arkansas, CSA
Capt. Olinver Basham, organizer
In October 1864, Dr Lowther fell in with Capt James Garrett and Capt James Yearwood and Lieutenant Davis with a small squad of men consisting of Abe Miller, W S Jett, Robert Jackson, John McClinnic and a few others. While riding along the party was fired upon from ambush by a party of scouting Federals. Captain Yearwood and Lieutenant Davis were killed and Dr Lowther's hat was hit by a bullet.
Lt. Jeff Watts took command of the squad charged the enemy and put them to flight. Returning to the spot where they had been fired upon, he, with Dr.
Lowther, Abe Miller, John McClinnic and Robert Jackson and other young comrades, took the bodies of Lt. Davis and Capt. Yearwood on their saddles and carried them 10 miles to Clarksville for burial. They dug the grave of Capt Yearwood secretly, at the risk of being captured or shot in the enemy's lines (as Federal soldiers were in possession of Clarksville) and the body of the other soldier was left with a few neighbor women, who offered to assist in the ceremony of burial.
Founder of Muldrow, Sequoyah Co., OK