Week 32 #52Ancestors: Sister

Laura circa 1911, age 17

Laura Emiline Sutton was the first child to be born in Fannin County, Texas to my Tennessee great-grandparents, Noah and Alley (Epperson) Sutton.  At the time she was the baby sister to Malissa Jane and Lewis Henry (my grandfather).  I imagine it was a cold winter’s day when she arrived on January 20, 1894 as Fannin County lies on the border of Oklahoma in northeast Texas. She would finally gain a younger sister in 1901 named Jessie Lorn and in 1906 Alva Leonard "Jack".  I like to look at the evolution of Laura from a child to a young woman as she could be a bit of a fashionista.

Left to right: Laura, Noah, Lizzie, Alley, Lewis, and Jessie Sutton

Family photo of Pete Henderson, Lizzie Sutton Henderson, Noah Sutton, Alley Epperson Sutton, Laura Sutton, children (left to right) are probably Zola Mae Henderson, Ethyl Henderson, Don Henderson, Jessie Sutton, and Jack Sutton taken circa 1910

Laura Sutton circa 1910

Laura Sutton circa 1911

Laura and two unknown girls

Sisters: Jessie and Laura Sutton

Laura the fashionista

Laura Sutton circa 1911

Laura married Paul Jones "PJ" Helton in 1911 at the tender age of 17 and life appeared to be happy as reflected in these photos.

Laura Sutton and PJ Helton

Laura Sutton, PJ Helton and unknown woman

Playful Laura and PJ

There is a photo I discovered and found it intriguing for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I realized that the unknown woman is my grandmother Trentie Leonard Sutton and the second reason is Laura’s dress looks like it could be a maternity dress. The photo was most likely taken in Bonham, Texas in the early 1920’s or perhaps even as early as 1916.  Unfortunately, Laura was never blessed with her own children but enjoyed the company of her nieces and nephews.

Trentie Leonard Sutton and Laura Sutton Helton circa 1920

Laura Sutton Helton and unknown toddler circa 1920's

Laura and another unknown child circa 1920's

The 1930 census shows Laura Helton widowed and living in Ranger, Eastland, Texas.  She was a boarder in the household of J.L. Hadley and worked as a sales lady for dry goods.  However, she was not a widow as P.J. was alive and well in the town of Econtuchka, Seminole, OK classified as a single man.  He was also listed as a lodger and worked as a repairman for a gasoline plant.  This town was about 28 miles from Wolf, OK where my grandparents were residing. My father mentioned that he thought Laura had lived with them or perhaps it was near them in Wolf. There is a photo that leads me to believe Laura and her cousin Zola visited Wolf, OK before her move.

Unknown boy (could be my father), Zola Mae Henderson, and Laura Sutton Helton

Laura remarried in 1933 to William Ray Todd and with that marriage she would have five stepchildren.  They were married until his death in 1961.

Family outting with Chester Kelley, maybe some Todd children, Laura Sutton Todd, Noah Sutton, Lizzie Sutton Henderson, Pete Henderson, William Todd, and Ray Henderson

When chatting with my dad about Laura, he thought she was adventurous as young woman.  Dad enjoyed talking to his aunts and decided to take me and Mom to Ranger for a visit in the early 70's.  Laura was in her late 70's and not in the best of health.  Jessie would have been in her early 70's and Zola Mae Henderson (their niece and Dad's cousin) would be in her late 60's.    

Jessie Sutton Kelley, Laura Sutton Todd, Lois Watkins Sutton, Paula Rue Sutton and Zola Mae Henderson

Laura died at the age of 81 on February 7, 1975 in Ranger just a few months before I graduated from high school.  My sister pointed out that February 7^th is the same month and day of death of her mother, Alley, and sister, Lizzie.  Amazing!

Perhaps this quote is fitting for Laura:

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough – Mae West

Week 31 #52Ancestors: Brother

Pryor Barnard provided by Randy Layell

Born to Anderson Barnard and Nancy Carpenter in 1838 and brother to my 2^ndgreat-grandmother, Martha Barnard Epperson.  Pryor’s early years of marriage to Mary Winkler were turbulent as the American Civil War was in progress.  He became a Confederate soldier in December 1861 in Company G, 5^th Regiment of the Tennessee Cavalry under Col. McKenzie and Capt. John Graham.  In 1902 his military pension application reveals many health problems such as lumbago, liver disease, stomach trouble, kidney disease, blind in the left eye and weak vision in the right eye.  He also states that he was not discharged from the war and went home as he was not feeling well. The surgeon that attended him was Dr. Day.

When asked what battles he fought in and the injuries he sustained, his reply was, “in the battle at Wallis Cross Roads Tenn and a round Cumberland Gap Tenn and at Knoxville Tenn and at Hopewell Church I think it was in the state of GA.  I was in several battles in KY.”  He also stated, “I never was wounded but my horse was killed from under me at Wallis Cross Roads Tenn.”  Pryor’s said he left the army “in the winter of 1865 while engaged in a skirmish in GA or Ala myself and some other comrades got separated from our command and never was able to return to them got down with rheumatism and never was with my command after that.”  When asked if he had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, his answer was yes and the circumstances were, “in the Spring of 1865 – the Yankies was threatening me and I was forced to take the oath at Tazwell Tennessee.”

Apparently, Pryor’s pension application had problems because the man to whom he paid, Richard W. Wolfe of Treadway, Tennessee, was a notary and did not communicate with him about its progress.  In fact, Mr. Wolfe charged him much more than the one-dollar fee to be charged to applicants.  In the end, it appears his efforts were denied.

Pryor B. Barnard's pension application

Even church was not a safe harbor as an article published in “The People’s History of Hancock County” mentions a division that occurred in the Providence Church as a result of the aftermath of the Civil War.  Several members of the church decided to leave Providence church in 1892 and created the Chinquepin Missionary Baptist Church.  The members who requested letters of dismission were Sam Davis, T. J. Lovin, Prior Barnard, James Jarnagan, Martha Wolfe (later McCoy), Emmalene Tate, and Cenna Jarnagan.  Then five members of the churches of Big Creek and Cedar Springs also joined: Robert Hensley, Elizabeth Carr, Jane Mayes, Rosa Mayes, and Laverna Hatfield.  William Lovin became the pastor and T. J. Lovin was church clerk.  At another meeting elders William Lovin, Jerry Green, John Elrod and Alexander Jarnagan with McHenry Bray as clerk formed the Presbytery. Isn’t it amazing that church could not be a place of unification for the veterans after the Civil War?  

By the 1910 census Pryor was still living in Tennessee at age 72 and listed as a blind Confederate veteran of the Civil War.  His household consisted of his wife, Mary; son, Wiley; granddaughter, Lizzie; and servant (farm labor), Walter Long.  This is where my research ended with Pryor for a few years. 

Wylie Barnard photo provided by Randy Layell

A woman named Sandy reached out to me on Ancestry who had recently discovered her husband, James, was a descendent of Pryor’s line through his son, Landon Barnard.  Landon had married Clara Trent and moved to Polk County, Oregon by 1910 and he was her husband’s grandfather.  Sandy and Jim were living on the farm.

Landon Barnard photo provided by Randy Layell

Apparently Pryor and Mary moved to Oregon and lived with Landon after 1910.   I was so amazed that they moved there so late in life!  Mary died in 1913 followed by Pryor in 1918. They are buried on the family farm in Dalles, Oregon and new markers (wooden crosses) had been erected to mark their graves.  May they rest in peace and know they have not been forgotten.

Pryor Barnard and Mary Winkler Barnard

Week 30 #52Ancestors: Easy

Nothing is really easy about genealogy research but there are some ancestors that aren’t very difficult to find.  In fact, when Thomas Sutton descendants began to research their roots in the 1990’s, my father was given a story about this ancestor.  I have mentioned him in Week 5 and 6 but I want to expand his story.  This would be Henley Sutton.  He is the son of Nathan Sutton and Nancy Virginia Dodson and my 1^stcousin 3x removed. 

Sutton Hollow in Sneedville, Tennessee taken on my 2013 trip

Henley was born in Hancock County, Tennessee in 1848 and lived there until his death.  He married Dorcas Williams around 1867 at the relatively young age of 19 years and they had five children: Tilman, Lydia, Matilda, John, and Minerva.   Henley’s death is intriguing to many researchers and is obviously still written about today.  What else can we learn about this cousin before his death that occurred in January 1889? 

Henley Sutton's home taken on my 2013 trip to Tennessee

The Morristown Gazette (Morristown, Tennessee) published an article on Wednesday, May 28, 1879, page 2, “Circuit Court at Sneedville. Letter from Clinch”, second paragraph:

“Henly Sutton, James Wilburn, Robt. Barnett and Larkin Carroll, who were charged with bushwhacking a Revenue posse recently, came into Sneedville on Monday and submitted to a trial before U.S. Commissioner, Joe Baker, and were all acquitted. Capt. Thos. Barnett and Henry Jackson, U.S. Deputy Marshals, represented the U.S., and made the impression on people here that they knew their business, and also knew how to conduct themselves as gentlemen, as well as Revenue officers, which, it seems, is a rare accomplishment.” 

This was a surprising discovery given that Henley found himself on the opposite side of the law.  However, I was curious about the other three men mentioned in the bushwhacking charge.  All four men lived in district 7, Hancock County, Tennessee in either 1870 and 1880 (source: District 7, Hancock County, TN census). There are also family ties to two of these men  - Robert Barnett and James Wilburn.  Robert Barnett is most likely a Barnard and son of Anderson Barnard and Nancy Carpenter.  I believe James Wilburn is the brother of Sarah Wilburn.  She married McHenry Sutton.  The Wilburn name has some variations such as Welborne  and Whalebone and this is of interest given that Smith Sutton (possible father or uncle to Thomas Sutton) was the bondsman to a Sina Whaleborn who married a James Canaday in Caswell County, North Carolina in 1804. Thanks to this article, I have another avenue to pursue in North Carolina.

According to an article I found in Knoxville Daily Chronicle (Knoxville, Tennessee) on Wednesday, June 29, 1881, Henley was a deputy marshal and at least this person had something good to say about him. A letter to the editor by someone with the initials of J.E.H. wrote:

 “I have just returned from Hancock county, where I started last Monday to look after some crooked work. To my surprise I found five illicit distilleries, which I demolished. Notwithstanding I was surprised to find so many, yet I must say for Hancock it has wonderfully reformed. No resistance whatever was offered.  I was accompanied by G. C. Mays of Greene; G. W. Ray, of Grainger and Henley Sutton of Hancock counties.  The last two named are deputy marshals and at efficient ones as I have every met.  Mr. Ray secured most of the information that led to the discovery of the distilleries.  The moonshiners of Hancocke respect Mr. Sutton, and never offer any resistance when he goes to serve a process on any of them.  They know that he means to discharge his official duties regardless of what they may say or do.  The citizens of Hancocke who formerly were engaged in the moonshining business are turning their attention to farming and say they have learned that there is no money to be made in the violation of the law.  The distilleries I found were operated by boys and women of a very irresponsible character.  I was down the famous Blackwater, and found everybody quiet.  The men were at home attending to their farming business.  I am of the opinion that a genuine reformation is going on in the county.”

While researching some deeds in Hancock County, I discovered a land sale recorded on February 8, 1886. Henley and Dorcus sold 100 acres in the 7^thcivil district for $100 to Joseph Leedy.  

Source: Familysearch.org Hancock County, TN catalog

After his death involving the Barnards on January 12, 1889, the newspapers would soon follow the trials of the Barnards and one article published on Wednesday, November 6, 1889 in The Sun (New York, New York), page 10, “A Family on the Gallows. Five Condemned for a Wild Tragedy of the Tennessee Mountains. Here is an excerpt from the article:

“Henley Sutton who fell with Big John Barnard’s rifle bullet in his heart, was a man of violence, with a record of desperate deeds preeminent even in a country where every man gains more or less reputation as a shedder of blood. In all the Cumberland range south of Wils Howard’s domain, no man was more dangerous than Hen Sutton.  He was a splendidly made man, of giant stature, straight as his rifle barrel, quick and wiry as a cat.  No one ever got the drop on him, and he pulled his pistol on the slightest provocation.  As a marksman he had almost as great a reputation as Rube Burrow, the Alabama outlaw of deadly aim.

“But part your lips and I’ll send a bullet through your heart.”was his favorite threat when some trivial annoyance aroused him.

Hen’s first crime was a most despicable one.  When only 20 years old his father and mother separated.  In the division of property there was a dispute over a colt.  The father and a younger son claimed it and started away with it to an adjoining county.  Hen with a constable overtook them.  There was a fight, and finally the father started to run away.  Hen deliberately raised his rifle and shot the old man dead.  Then he took possession of the colt and returned home.  He was never even arrested for his crime.

The whole mountain region is naturally a stronghold of the moonshiners. The Government could make no progress in the war upon them, until a dozen years ago it was determined to pursue the with their own weapons.  Hen Sutton’s fame as a desperate man who knew no fear then extended throughout the mountains.  He was made a United States deputy marshal, and for eight years he was the terror of the illicit distillers of the district.  The moonshiners hated him, but they were awed by his desperate valor, and none dared oppose him.  He was removed early in Cleveland’s Administration, and for a while he acted as a deputy sheriff.  Then he began running a small still, and that was his employment until he was killed.

A mile or two from the still is the Barnard homestead.  There are two divisions of the Barnard family, the sons of two brothers.  In one family are Big John, Anderson, and Elijah; in the other are Little John and Clint.  These are the men now under sentence of death.  Big John is the leader of the Barnard faction, and splendidly proportioned, and strikingly handsome.  His good looks made him the favorite of all the mountain maidens, and this had something to do with the terrible scrape in which he now finds himself. Sutton, although a married man, with a family, was also very much a ladies’ man, and rivalry for the favor of a certain fair young woman intensified the bitterness between the two men.  The origin of the feud between the two families is not known.  It has long existed, and Sutton was by far the most violent in his enmity.  There was a boundary dispute between Sutton and Little John’s father some years ago, which was made a family matter.  Then came the dispute with Big John about the girl, and finally the immediate cause of the tragedy was a trick which some unknown person played on Sutton.  He found one morning that somebody had cut his hogs, and he charged Big John with doing it. Big John denied it, and to avoid trouble he sent a friend to Sutton to make explanations and peace. Sutton would listen to nothing, and sent word:

“I consider I have lived over half my years and I’m ready to die.  I am afraid of no man above ground, and the gun will have to settle this thing.”

The declaration of war was taken to Big John, and the Barnard family took its precautions.  They knew it meant shooting at sight, and that the man quickest with his gun would win.”

Headstone for Henley Sutton buried above the Drewery Lawson Cemetery

I know this article has some truth to it but I am sure the writer put his spin on it.  There are several theories as to why this feud occurred but this was the first time I saw that jealousy over a woman was involved.  As I mentioned in a previous blog about the Sutton-Barnard feud, the Barnards sentence was overturned but I want to know why there are drawings of the Barnards in the newspaper (and later we have the actual photos of Big John) but nothing of Henley.  I can’t help but think someone has a photo of this man and I would love to see it.  

Week 29 #52Ancestors: Challenging

Something caught my eye while researching my tree for this prompt.   I believe I found the perfect thing for “Challenging.”  Some days trying to focus on one ancestor just veers off into another direction, or as I say, chasing that bunny rabbit.  I actually have no idea how I started with my third great-grandfather, Anderson Barnard, and went down the path of the Webbs and the Brays. 

Somehow I started relooking at the 1840 Hawkins County, Tennessee census and am truly amazed at how many family connections there are on page 115 and wanted to share this.  

Census of 1840 Hawkins Co., TN from Ancestry.com

The first household is Walter Allen and his wife is Mary “Polly” Bray (source for her maiden name: death certificate of daughter Malissa Allen Shaver).  It is my opinion that Mary Bray was the daughter of Henry Bray and Margaret McDaniel.

The second household is Peter Wolf(e) who marries Margaret McDaniel Bray soon after Henry Bray’s death.  His pension application for service in the War of 1812 states that he married Margaret McDaniel in 1841 but I believe he was off by several years given he didn’t apply for the pension until shortly before his death so his memory may have been failing.  Peter Wolfe was Malissa Wolfe Sutton’s stepfather as his will makes it clear that she is not a lawful child.  I have found a document stating that her mother’s name was Margaret McDaniel; however, it also states that her father’s name was Peter Wolfe.  I have no idea why her biological father's name was not even mentioned in some of the family notes.  It is so frustrating!

Household number three is James McDaniel who is the son of John McDaniel and Margaret Watkins. He is also aforementioned Margaret McDaniel’s brother.

Hezekiah Mills is household number six.  He married Rosa Wolfe.  Rosa is the daughter of my 3x’s step-grandfather, Peter Wolfe and his first wife who is unknown.

The seventh household is Benjamin B. Bray who married Avarilla Hutchinson.  He is most likely the son of Henry Bray and Margaret McDaniel.  Benjamin and his family moved to Ozark Co., Missouri by 1860 and he died in January 1862 while serving in Missouri for the Confederate Cavalry, Company A.

James Jackson is enumerated as the eighth household.  His wife was Nancy McDaniel.  She is the daughter of John McDaniel and Margaret Watkins and sister to aforementioned James McDaniel.  After Nancy died James married Nancy Webb.

The ninth household is George Barnett or possibly Barnard.  This could be the son of John Barnard and Mary “Polly” Grissom a grandson of Jonathan Barnard and Biddy Barnett who are my 4^thgreat-grandparents.

Another Benjamin Bray appears as the 10^thentry.  He is most likely the son of Benjamin Bray Sr. who lived in Claiborne Co., Tennessee.  I can document Benjamin Sr. from 1815 until 1833 in Claiborne County. The last entry I found for him is a Deed of Gift (land) to Benjamin Bray, Jr., D/Love 1833.  Benjamin Jr. married a Catherine Wolfe. 

Then we have Peter Ogan in the 11^thhousehold.   He was the brother of my 3x’s great-grandmother Pharma/Phanny Ogan, wife of John Epperson.  Peter’s wife was Hannah Wolfe and she is probably the sister of the aforementioned Catherine Wolfe.  I don’t know how these two women are related to Peter Wolfe.

Entry #12 belongs to a surname of interest – Webb.  The head of household is Larkin Webb and he may be the son of James Webb and Rachel Certain or Sartain.  Rachel was widowed in 1815 and living on or near property in Claiborne County that was purchased by Benjamin Bray, Sr..  Her daughter, Mary “Polly” Webb married Abijah Bray.  He was probably a son of Stogner Bray (b: 1785, NC and d: 1881, Sullivan Co., MO).  I believe Stogner may have been a son or nephew of Benjamin Sr..

Marshall Webb is head of the 16^thhousehold on this list and many believe he is the brother of Larkin Webb.  His wife is speculated to be Nancy Mills.

No. 23 is Shadrack Epperson (spelled Eppison on the census) whose line is most likely related through a collateral line to my Epperson family.

I tried to illustrate the family ties and that was very complicated to do but if you are related and have been following some of my stories then it will be easier for you to follow than it was for my husband.  I am truly in awe of finding all these family connections so it just drills home the advice to research other families found on these early census pages.  The brickwall just might come tumbling down if a researcher is up for the challenge.  My hope is to study this chart and continue to chase those bunny rabbits because I am going to snag one!!

Looking down the Rabbit Hole - Illustrated by Millicent Sowerby

Week 28 #52Ancestors: Reunion

1880 to 1900 is the dead zone for genealogy.  Why?  The majority of the 1890 U.S. Census was destroyed in a basement fire of the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. in 1921. This leaves a 20-year void when documenting ancestors.  A lot can happen in that time span.  Reading through court documents might help fill the void and I discovered a lawsuit between siblings that makes me wonder if it drove a permanent wedge between three brothers and a sister.  

E.S. Johnson & Wife Vs I.W. Campbell et all 1892 - Land Dispute

The Hancock County Chancery court records contain many disputes and as I looked at images of the file folders, I saw a name that sounded familiar --E. S. Johnson & Wife.  I decided to read through  a few pages that began in 1892.  Who was this party of four siblings?  McHenry, James, Noah and Margaret Sutton.  

There are about 259 scanned images in this file and the documents were not transcribed so I took a stab at trying to transcribe a few pages and try to discern why the lawsuit occurred (if you see a line then that means I couldn't figure out the word and I may be incorrect in some of what I tried to transcribe so forgive me).  

James Sutton vs E. S. Johnson} In the Chancery Court, Hancock County, Tenn.

On the first day of October, 1889 a promise to pay James Sutton fifty dollars for value received of him this June the 2^nd1888. E. S. Johnson {seal} this note given for land.  Attest: Jerry Forguson.  James Sutton a citizen of Fannin County, state of Texas humbling complaining shares to the Court that on the 21^stday of June 1888 one E. S. Johnson executed and delivered to him his promising note for the sum of $50.00 due and payable Oct. 1^st1888, which note with intent and minus payment.  This note is again his part consideration of a tract of land sold to said Johnson by your Orator, and his two brothers, McHenry Sutton and Noah Sutton, all the purchases may has been paid except the $50.00 note held by your orator.  The tract of land sold to said Johnson lies in the 7^thdistrict of Hancock County adjoining the lands of Noah Mills and others on continuous 50 acres.

A deed with covenants of general warranty has been executed and duly acknowledged and is on file & in this cause before find hearing due your orator is advised that he has the right to cancel unto this amount and enforce his vendor lien in said land and have the property sold in satisfaction of the note given for the promissory.  The note is herewith file marked exhibit “A” and made part of this bill (not to be _____).

The persons considered the payer of Complt is that process may issue and that E. S. Johnson a citizen of Hancock County be made a defendant to this bill and respond to the same the said but an answer under with is provided under the statement and on final being Complt prays that the land for which the note was executed as afor enscribed and as now fully described in the deed which will be filed may be sold on a credit of not less than six months and in Sum of the equity of vs less if time to satisfy the note of $50.00 and the intent that being is due hereon at the time of entering the final decree and the court of the cause amt if your orator has his way they presentation his  money he prays for all sent on the fourth and general relief to which he says  be entitled and will see payment. 

The Title

We Noah Sutton and wife Aley Sutton, James Sutton and wife Martelia Sutton, McH. Sutton and wife Sarah Sutton have this day bargained and sold and do hereby transfer and convay to Elijah S. Johnson and his heirs and assigns forever for the consideration of Two hundred dollars to us in hand pade a sertan Track or Parsel of Land in the State of Tennessee Hancock County District No. 7 containing By Estimation Fifty Acres be the same more or less said land being all of our intrest in our fathers Land James Sutton Decd and Bounded as follows Beginning on a black oak Dogwood Sarais Bush near the top of the Cane Rige on the North side thence notherdly with the mark line to a hicerry corner near the Branch on the East side of the Branch thence westerdly to a marked willow on the west side of said the Branch thence Easterdly to a marked Persimon on the East side of said Branch thence Northwardly with the marked line to the Branch thence with the Branch to a Poplar corner on the East side of said Branch Thence North Eastwerdly to a chestnut and maple corner near the top of the Spur on the South side of the Caney Rige thence Southwerdly with the marked line made between Isham Sutton and James Sutton to the furth class road to the old bridge thence with the cross fence up the Cane Rige to a Sarvis and Dogwood corner near the top of said Rige thence westwerdly with the marked line under the top of the Rige to the beginning corner we do herby Bind ourselves our hears and Representatives to warnt and Forever defend the title to said land and ever part these of to said Elijah S. Johnson his hears and assigned forever against the Lawful claims of all persons whosoever.

August the 7th 1890                                 Noah Sutton {Seal}

                                                                Aley J. X her mark Sutton {Seal}

Attest                                                      James Sutton {Seal}

G H Seal                                    Martelia Sutton {Seal}

Joseph M. Seal                          McH Sutton {Seal}

                                                              Sarah X her mark Sutton {Seal}

Mapped location of Caney Valley

Notice to Elijah Johnson:

To Elijah S. Johnson

Take notice that on the 7^thday of August 1893, I will sell to the highest bidder at the courthouse door in Sneedville, Tenn the tract of land you purchased from James Sutton, Noah Sutton & McH Sutton being their interest in the land of their father James Sutton dec’d lying in the 7^thdistrict of Hancock County, Tennessee.

Said sale will be make pursuant to a decree entered in the cause of James Sutton against E. S. Johnson in the Chancery Court for Hancock County unless the decree of $60.50 with interest and one-third of the costs of said cause are sooner paid and satisfied.  Given under my hand this 26^thday of June 1893.

H. Tyler C&M

Report Sale

Pursuant to a decree entered in above cause at the April Term 1892.  I advertised the land as directed and sold the same at the courthouse in Sneedville on Monday the 7^thday of August 1893.  James Purkey being the highest last and best bidder came forward and executed his note for the amount of his bid being the sum of $66.70 the amount decreed against the land due six months after date and bearing interest and gave John Burchett and Thomas B. Givens as his sureties.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Aug. 9 1893                                                            H. Tyler C&M

James Sutton vs ES Johnson} Order

Be it remembered that on the 25^thOct 1893, came on for consideration the application to set aside the sale of the lands mentioned in the pleadings and decree of the court at the last term made to James Purkey, and the proposition of I.W. Campbell to raise the bid of said Purkey being the sum of $66.70 to the sum of $91.00 being and advance of more than 25% of which advance bid the said Purkey wants notice in open court, it is ordered by the court that said sale be sit aside and the biddings reopened for said tract of land so sold under the decree of this court in this cause, and kept open until 10 o’clock P.M. on the 27^thday of Oct 1893, until which time he will secure bids at his office for said land agreeable to the terms of sale by said decree of the last term of this court, beginning with the bid offered by said Mr. Campbell in his proposition filed Oct. 24, 1893 at which time before mentioned the Clerk & Master will close the biddings and at the present term report the highest bidder and his actions in the premises.

James Sutton vs E. S. Johnson} In the Chancery Court, Hancock County, Tenn.

By order of the Court entered on yesterday I opened the biddings on the land sold in this cause to James Purkey upon the proposition of I.W. Campbell that he would given $91.00.  I. W. Campbell informed me that said bid was intended for the firm of I. W. Campbell & Son composed of himself and I. W. Campbell Jr. and kept the biddings opened as directed in said order.  No person came and offered me more.  After the time had expired to close the biddings, I. W. Campbell Sr. came forward and executed said firm note due at 6 months bearing interest from date for the $91.00 and gave J. F. McNiel as their security. All of which is respectfully submitted.

Oct. 27^th1893                                                            H. Tyler C&M

Non-resident Notice to Noah and James Sutton to appear in Chancery Court April 4, 1897

The Final Decree after 9 years of litigation:

 E.S. Johnson & wife Margaret vs I. W. Campbell et al} Decree

This cause came on to be heard before the Hon. Hugh T. Kyle Chancellor on this the 26^thday of Apr 1898 upon the record at large from all of which the Court is of the opinion that the Complt Margaret Johnson is entitled as owner in full of one half undivided interest in the land mentioned and described in the bill and it is so ordered adjudged and decreed.

And the court is of the further opinion that the Complt Margaret Johnson is entitled to have the deed made by Noah Sutton, Allie J. Sutton, James Sutton, Martelia Sutton, McH Sutton, and Sarah Sutton to the Complainant E. S. Johnson on the 1^stday of August 1890 to said land so referenced as to show her interest therein.  It is therefore is hereby accordingly referenced & is further decreed that the Deft I. W. Campbell be and he is hereby perpetually enjoined from prosecuting his suit of forceable entry and detainer now pending in the Circuit Court of this County to obtain full possession of said land and that the said Campbells pay the costs of this Court so far accrued which will be obtained and paid by the Clerk out of his share of the proceeds of the sale of the land herein after ordered.  It is agreed by the parties in open court that said land is so situated and located with referenced to water and timber and other conveniences that the same can not be partitioned in kind between the owners Margaret Johnson and the Deft I. W. Campbell without manifest injury to them.  It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that the same be sold for partition and that the master after giving notice as required in cases of Chancery sales will proceed to sell said land at the courthouse over in Sneedville at public auction to the highest bidder or a credit of six and twelve months equal payments taking notes and approved security and retaining a line this response is further security for the purchase money. The master will report said sale to the next term of this court.

Upon motion of Coleman & Coleman Sals for Complts claim is hereby declared on the recovery in this cause for a reasonable fee for their services herein.  

Statement Exhibit "A" to answer of I.W. Campbell in case of E.S. Johnson & wife

The few transcribed pages are the highlights from this case.  The documents are hard difficult to follow given that they jump back and forth between years.  I believe the man named I.W. Campbell thought he was purchasing the property Margaret Sutton Johnson inherited plus the 25 acres that was owned by Noah, James, and McHenry Sutton.  What was learned from the case?  James and Martelia Sutton lived in Fannin County, Texas at one time and were there before Noah and Alley Sutton.  I did not know this as I have always thought James and Martelia first settled in Arkansas and then moved to Oklahoma.  While that isn't important, it does fill a void in that deadzone and explain why Noah and Alley may have decided to settled in Fannin County, Texas.  Back to Margaret Sutton Johnson and her husband Elijah Johnson, I wonder if the dispute with her brothers caused a permanent rift after going through years of litigation. Another interesting takeaway from this case is that McHenry Sutton is the only one of these four siblings that stayed in Hancock County, Tennessee along with his brothers Peter and Thomas. Another sister, Hannah Sutton Seal lived nearby in Hawkins County and eventually moved to Grainger County. Margaret and Elijah move to Knox County, Tennessee by 1910 and after his death, Margaret lived in Oklahoma City but moved back Knox County and also lived in Claiborne County.  James and Martelia Sutton are enumerated in Washington County, Arkansas in 1900 and moved to Cherokee County, Oklahoma by 1920.  Noah and Alley Sutton are enumerated in Fannin County, Texas in 1900 and stayed in that county until their deaths.

I like to think of this story as a reunion of sorts as I do know that Noah and Alley stayed in contact with many of their relatives after moving to Texas.   My father thought the photo below was taken during a reunion between Noah and James and stated that it had been about 40 years since the they had seen each other.

Noah and James "Jim" Sutton

The location of the photo is unknown but I suspect it was taken on Noah's farm and this was probably taken a few years before their deaths (Jim died in 1953 and Noah in 1954).  Their homes were 200 or so miles apart and I would think it wasn't an easy task to make the drive back then and I am unsure the train ran from northeastern Oklahoma to Fannin County, Texas.  I like to think that in death whatever grudges could have occurred between the other siblings were resolved.  

“We can’t be sure of how it’s going to be when we walk into the light across the bar. But I’ll know you and you’ll know me, out there beyond the stars.”  --Will You Meet Me in Heaven? by Johnny Cash