Military Monday posts are made to honor those in my family tree who have served in the United States military.
Charles Lewis Lynn
b 05 Feb 1945
d 05 Jul 1991
DC3, U.S. Navy, Vietnam
Charles was my 4th cousin. Our common ancestors are Zachariah William Claxton and Lincelia 'Lincely' Bush Claxton.
When my grandfather, Lusion K Tapley died in 1935, my grandmother, Nealie Drake Tapley, was only 40 years old. She had six children to support, ranging in age from 7 years old (my father, Gilbert, the youngest) to 20 years old (my Uncle Lamar, the oldest). She worked various jobs over the years, from telephone operator to sharecropping. The oldest boys all worked on local farms to help out. No matter how hard the labor she had to do to make a living, I am sure that raising 5 boys and a girl was harder, especially in their teenage years. There are so many stories in our family of how the boys would try to get away with something and Grandma's creative kind of discipline to deal with their mischief. To say that Grandma Nealie had her hands full is an understatement. She had to work hard to keep up with those children, especially the boys.
Uncle Hugh was the 3rd oldest. He was 15 years old when their father died. He was wild as a buck the next few years. It seemed that every time his older brother, Russ, would get into trouble, Hugh would catch the blame and part of the punishment, even when he didn't deserve it. There is no way of knowing exactly how losing his father at a young age, trying to stay out of trouble with his very religious and tough mother, trying to keep up with his two older brothers, the hard work of farm life, the endless poverty and struggle to have food to eat... how all of that combined in him to form the man he became.
Uncle Hugh was a complicated man. Was he a black sheep? Maybe not, but he was definitely borderline scoundrel.
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| Arrow points to Hugh Tapley circa 1942-1944 |
There were some signs. He dated a local girl, Annie Lois Gladin, who ended up marrying his oldest brother, Lamar. He also dated a girl named Blanche Dixon, and because of the events in the story I'm about to share with you, they broke up and she married Hugh's brother, Dempsey. As soon as he could, Hugh got a good, civilian job at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, probably so he wouldn't have to worry about money so much again. Uncle Hugh was very tight with his money; however, he and my father always seemed to be in some kind of contest of who had the nicer car. If Uncle Hugh went and bought a new car, my father followed suit... and vice versa. Hugh liked nice cars, especially Lincolns. Uncle Hugh could be abusive to his wife and four children. He had money for nice cars, but didn't always share that money for food or clothes for the kids.
Like most everyone, Hugh was not all bad. He was a scoundrel, but loveable. He could do something bad and then turn around and do something good. The following story is an example of this. I am going to share this story almost exactly as my father always told it, so I am sure there are some discrepancies included.
Sometime around 1938, when Hugh would have been about 19-20 years old, he borrowed a mule and a buggy from his friend's, James Burnett, employer (on a local farm), and he and James went out to the local honkytonk called the Beeline right at the city limits of Kite, on the road to Swainsboro. After a night of drinking and good times, the two went outside to get the mule and buggy to head home. They got into an argument over where the mule was tied, and James Burnett called Hugh a "SOB." Hugh quickly told him to take that back or he would cut James's throat. James refused to take it back. So as any 19-20 year old Southern boy defending his honor would do, Hugh pulled out his pocket knife. But then he cut James's throat... literally from ear to ear. Maybe the act sobered him up. Maybe he just realized what he had done, and he wanted to fix it. Either way, he proceeded to carry James Burnett to the doctor's house to have him sewn up, and thus saved his life.
Then self-preservation kicked in. He left James, at the doctor's supposedly, and returned to the bar to get the mule and buggy. He went to the home of his older (half) brother, James (or Fella as the family called him), and told him what happened. I think all of the kids went to Uncle James at one point or another for help or advice. He was the type to give you the shirt off his back. Anyway, Fella must have told Hugh to go to Wrightsville and see their Uncle Jim (James L "Jim" Tapley [1868-1941]), who was a long-time Johnson County Sheriff's Deputy.
So Hugh rode to Wrightsville, a distance of about 10 miles, in the middle of the night by mule and buggy. He told Uncle Jim what happened, and Jim's first question was "Do you have a gun?" Hugh said he did not. Uncle Jim's advice? Get a gun and watch his back as far as Burnett goes. So it was then that Uncle Hugh left town and went to Jacksonville, Florida in order to give James Burnett some time to calm down.
I don't know how long he was gone, but eventually Hugh came back home. The funny thing? He and James Burnett ended up working side by side at the farm again.
Several years later, my father, Gilbert, moved to Jacksonville, and he was working at the shipyard. A new guy came in and kept staring at him. Gilbert finally had enough and asked the guy what his problem was. The guy asked him, "Are you Hugh Tapley?" My dad replied, "No. That's my brother." It was none other than James Burnett. He showed my father his scar, and Gilbert knew exactly who he was. They got along just fine from that point on.
Scoundrel, I said. But Uncle Hugh seemed to always get away with it.
He was my favorite uncle. We were close right up until he passed away. We could make each other laugh. And he loved cats. No one who loves cats is all bad.
From Randy (my cousin) over at Genea-Musings:
* George W. Schwalls, Sr. (1837-1908), also from Georgia, was a farmer and then a day laborer in his later years. Of course, he is missing on two censuses!.jpg)
* Comfort Ranney (1838-1920) was a farm laborer before he became a lumberman and ran a mill with his brother-in-law in Ohio. Then during the last 30 years of his life, he was a farmer, first in Ohio and then in Michigan.In 19th-century South and Middle Georgia, the terms "farm laborer," "farm hand," and "farmer" had distinct meanings, reflecting social and economic differences:
A farmer was typically the owner or manager of a farm.
They usually owned the land and resources and made decisions about planting, harvesting, and managing livestock.
Farmers could range from small subsistence farmers to large plantation owners.
They often had a higher social standing compared to laborers and hands, especially if they were successful landowners.
A farm hand was an employee who worked on a farm.
They were typically hired laborers who lived either on the farm or nearby.
Farm hands were usually paid wages or received room and board in exchange for their work.
Their tasks were diverse, from plowing and planting to feeding livestock and performing general maintenance.
Unlike laborers, farm hands were often semi-permanent workers and might work on the same farm for many years.
A farm laborer was generally a temporary or seasonal worker.
They often performed manual, unskilled labor, such as picking cotton, harvesting crops, or clearing fields.
Farm laborers could be tenant farmers, sharecroppers, freedmen, or migratory workers (especially after the Civil War).
Laborers were typically paid by the day or task, and their employment was more unstable compared to farm hands.
Socially, farm laborers were considered at the bottom of the rural economic ladder.
Ownership and Control: Farmers owned or managed the farm; farm hands were hired workers; laborers were often temporary or hired by the day.
Stability: Farm hands had more stable and possibly longer-term employment than laborers.
Social Status: Farmers held the highest status, followed by farm hands, then farm laborers.
Economic Relationship: Farmers profited from production; farm hands earned steady wages; laborers were often paid per job or task.
In summary, the distinctions reflected both employment stability and social hierarchy, shaped by economic realities of the region, especially in the context of agricultural practices and labor systems of the time."
So I definitely learned some things about the social hierarchy of farming and my 2nd great-grandfathers doing this exercise!
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August 27, 1955 ~ March 21, 2025 (age 69)
Mrs. Barber Sawyer Claxton, 69, of Kite, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, at her residence following an extended illness. She was born August 27, 1955, in Albany to Donald Jack Sawyer, Sr. and Sara Barber Sawyer. She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Claxton of Kite; son, Jimmy Claxton, Jr. (Kim) of Danville; daughters, Karen Claxton Barry (Chris) of Eleville, Sandy Claxton Clayton (Anthony) of Cordele; brother, Donald Sawyer, Jr. of Atlanta; sister, Lynne Sawyer Travis (David) of Atlanta; grandchildren, Ben Barry, Will Barry, Brooke Glover, Cade Glover; great-grandson, Zayne Glover; nieces, Stephanie Patterson (Robert), Claire Kahn (Yaamer); great niece, Lucy Patterson; special people, Gina Copeland (Nate), Maibree, Mack, Brianna Heuett (Noah Way), Aria, Michael, Megan Wood, Alison, McKenzie, Skylar, Michael, Jr.
Services will be planned for a later date.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Barber Sawyer Claxton, 69, of Kite.
Barb was the wife of my 2nd cousin, Jimmy Claxton. Our common ancestors are James Madison "Jim" Tapley (1847-1912) and Elizabeth Rebecca "Becky" Page (1844-1924).
Please join me in offering condolences to Barb's family and holding them in the light.
Some of my readers may have noticed this photo on the sidebar of the blog for the past couple of weeks. This is yet another photo from my Grandma Nealie's (Nealie Drake Tapley (1895-1970) collection that I have no idea who the person is. I have had several people try to help me with this, especially in trying to figure out what type of uniform the man is wearing.
With the rise in the use of AI in genealogical pursuits, I decided to ask ChatGPT about the man in the photo.
I asked, "Please define the year of the photograph and describe the man and his clothing in this photograph of an American living in probably Adrian, Georgia. How old do you think he was in the photo? What occupation might he have?"
ChatGPT answered:
Those that helped me in the past had brought up firefighter, since it appears the man is wearing a uniform, and it didn't have any insignias indicating a military uniform. But AI mentioned an occupation I had not even thought of - railroad worker. Unfortunately, so far, I have been unable to locate any railroad workers among her immediate family members.
In looking at my grandmother's relatives, I found the following:
Her father, William John Drake (1857-1927) would have been in his 30s and 40s between 1887-1907. However, he was a preacher and thus would not have been wearing a uniform.
Her uncle, Francis Richard Drake (1859-1933) would have been in his 30s and 40s between 1889 - 1909. Unfortunately, I have no occupation information for him, but he was probably a farmer.
Grandma's uncle, James Thomas Drake (1861-1959) would have been in his 30s from 1891-1901. Possibly during this period of time, he was the postmaster for Odomville, Emanuel County, Georgia. At this time, though, postmasters were not wearing uniforms yet. Later, around 1910, he was the Warden at the Macon County Work Camp. And after that, he was a police officer in Adrian for 25 years. However neither of those time frames line up with the predicted date of the photo.
Her other two uncles on the Drake side were younger and therefore would not have been in their 30s or 40s prior to 1900.
Grandma had one uncle on her maternal side and he, too, was too young to be in his 30s or 40s before 1900.
So I still have no idea who the man in the picture could be. However, ChatGPT gave me some insights and things to investigate.
Do any of my readers have any suggestions on how to identify this man? I would be most appreciative of any and all feedback.
On Friday morning, February 19, 1958, at about 7:45 a.m., Penton Wilson Allen, Sr., a truck driver from Savannah, was driving through Augusta. Penton was driving a giant tractor-trailer gasoline truck. He came up to the railroad tracks on Tobacco Road - directly in front of the entrance to the airport. He kept driving - apparently at a high rate of speed - and hit the second locomotive of a Central of Georgia Railroad freight train. Penton's truck immediately burst into flame. Penton was pinned in the cab of the truck and was unable to escape. He was burned to death at the scene.
On the morning of the accident, it was a record 16 degrees in Augusta. This was part of a cold spell that had brought 10 degrees and 12 degrees the previous two mornings. Witnesses stated that Penton had his windows rolled up probably due to the cold. So even though the engineer on the train sounded the locomotive's warning bell and had given the standard whistle signal, Penton evidently heard none of it. (This train crossing had stop signs, but no flashing lights or bells.)
Penton hit the second locomotive on the train, which was unmanned. This locomotive and 13 cars behind it were derailed. Flames from the burning oil truck ignited at lease seven of the train cars which had jackknifed and turned over.
Several fire departments responded and fought the blaze, but their efforts were hampered by lack of water supply.
There were no fatalities and only one injury on the train.
It took hours to put out the fire, and a Central of Georgia Railroad wrecking crew had to work through the night clearing the scene. One of the train cars, containing a load of plywood, was still smoldering more than 12 hours after the accident. So the scene also had to be monitored for any additional fires that might develop. The railroad said they hoped to have the train track back in service by noon the day after the accident.
Tobacco Road, the main artery out of the airport, was not cleared for automobile traffic until nearly 8 p.m. - 12 hours after the accident occurred.
Penton's body was identified by his employers at Walker Hauling Company of Savannah and then sent to Swainsboro for burial. He was 38 years old and left behind his wife and four children.
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| Published in the Augusta Chronicle Augusta, Georgia February 20, 1958, page 22 courtesy of Newspapers.com |
"Driver dies in collision
Crew works through night to clear wreckage of train
A Central of Georgia Railroad wrecking crew worked through the night last night clearing the wreckage of a spectacular truck-train collision near the Municipal Airport here. Officials at the scene said they hoped to have the single-track mainline from Macon back in service by noon today.
The driver of a giant tractor-trailer gasoline truck was pinned in the cab of the vehicle and burned to death after he drove, apparently at high speed, into the second locomotive of the freight train at a Tobacco Road crossing directly in front of the entrance of the airport.
Sheriff’s deputies Ervin Clack Jr. and J. E. Pearson identified the truck driver as Penton W. Allen, 37, of 1117 E. Anderson St., Savannah. Allen was the first traffic fatality in Richmond County for 1958.
The deputies said Allen’s truck struck Central of Georgia freight No. 47 at about 7:45 a.m. yesterday and immediately burst into flames. The unmanned second locomotive of the train and 13 cars behind it were derailed. Flames from the burning oil truck ignited at least seven of the cars, which had jackknifed and turned over.
Fire apparatus from the Suburban Fire Dept., the Richmond County Forestry unit, Ft. Gordon, and the Georgia Training School at Gracewood rushed to the scene and fought the blaze, but were greatly hampered by lack of water supply.
One car, containing a load of plywood, was still smoldering more than 12 hours after the accident, and Forest Ranger T. M. Strickland said he would stand by with a crew throughout the night to help put down any additional fires that might develop.
Central of Georgia officials said last night it would be impossible to make a reasonable estimate of damage for several days. However, they said an early estimate of $500,000 was "way out of line."
"Damage won’t amount to nearly that much," one official declared.
Tobacco Road, the main artery out of the airport, was not cleared for automobile traffic until nearly 8 p.m.
The deputies said Allen apparently was using a detour to New Savannah Road at the time of the accident. The rail crossing is unprotected by flashing lights or bells, but the train’s engineer, Carl C. Coleman of Rocky Ford, Ga., said he was sounding the locomotive’s warning bell and had given the standard whistle signal as he approached the crossing.
Observers said Allen had the windows to the big truck’s cab closed against the cold weather and probably had not heard the whistle until too late. The crossing is equipped with "stop" signs, required by Georgia law.
G. C. Williams, conductor of the train, suffered a laceration of the head when he was thrown against the door of a caboose by the impact of the crash. None of the others in the train crew was hurt.
Allen’s charred body was identified by officials of the Walker Hauling Co. of Savannah, by whom he was employed. Elliott’s Sons said his body would be sent home to Swainsboro, where he was to be buried.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lois Lively Allen of Savannah; two daughters, Miss Ann Allen of Swainsboro and Miss Sherry Allen of Savannah; two sons, Peyton W. Allen and John Allen, both of Swainsboro; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Allen; a brother, Edward Allen and a sister, Mrs. J. W. Bishop, all of Swainsboro." Transcription by ChatGPT.
Penton Wilson Allen, Sr. (1920-1958) was the husband of my 2nd cousin, Lois Louise Lively Allen (1924-2006). Our common ancestors are James Madison "Jim" Tapley and Elizabeth Rebecca "Becky" Page Tapley.
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| Published in the Fayette County Leader Fayette, Iowa Thursday, October 28, 1937, Page 1 Courtesy of newspapers.com |
and
Clair Lewis Campbell (1912-1993)
joined in holy matrimony
October 20, 1937
Nashua, Chickasaw, Iowa, USA
Jeanette and Clair were married 56 years upon his death in 1993. They had two children. They farmed in rural Hawkeye, Iowa until 1969. Jeanette later assisted her husband with his insurance agency until 1992.
Transcriptions provided by ChatGPT:
"IOWA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
RETURN OF MARRIAGE TO CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT
Full name of GROOM – Clair L. Campbell
Place of residence – Hawkeye, Iowa
Occupation – Farming
Age next birthday – 26 years | Color – White | Nationality – Amer.
Place of birth – Hawkeye, Iowa
Father’s name – L. R. Campbell
Mother’s maiden name – Fannie Knox
Number of Groom’s Marriage – First
Full name of BRIDE – Jeanette M. Vroman
Maiden name, if a widow – (left blank)
Place of residence – Hawkeye, Iowa
Age next birthday – 21 years | Color – White | Nationality – Amer.
Place of birth – Austin, Minn.
Father’s name – Harry R. Vroman
Mother’s maiden name – Harriet Jones
Number of Bride’s Marriage – First
Witnesses to Marriage – Harry Vroman Jr., Amber Knox
Date of Marriage: October 20, 1937
WE HEREBY CERTIFY, That the information given is correct, to the best of our knowledge and belief.
Signatures:
Clair L. Campbell, Groom
Jeanette M. Vroman, Bride
I hereby certify that the above is a correct return of a Marriage solemnized by me, on this 20th day of October, 1937,
at Nashua, Iowa
Minister: William Kent"
"VROMAN-CAMPBELL
In the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua at 2 p. m. yesterday occurred the single ring marriage ceremony of Jeanette Vroman to Clair Campbell, both of Hawkeye. The pastor, Rev. Kent, read the nuptials which united this popular young couple as man and wife before a small group of friends and immediate relatives. Harry Vroman Jr. and Amber Knox attended them. Following their marriage at the historic church the happy newlyweds left on a honeymoon trip to Chicago and Gary, Ind.
The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Vroman. She was educated in the schools here and was a member of the high school graduating class of 1934. Her husband is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Campbell. He also was educated in the Hawkeye schools and is a graduate of the class of 1930. Since graduation he attended Upper Iowa University for a while and since then has assisted his father in the management of their farm south of town.
— Hawkeye Beacon, Oct. 21
Jeanette was my 4th cousin, 1x removed. Our common ancestors are Abraham Ozmun and Sarah Jordan.
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| picture taken September 9, 2022 |
Augustus Swain "A. S." Norris
b 23 Apr 1873 in Johnson County, Georgia, USA
d 30 Nov 1945 in Dublin, Laurens, Georgia, USA
laid to rest at
Gumlog Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery
Kite, Johnson County, Georgia, USA
Son of
Swain Madison Norris (1850-1918)
and Susan Isabella Tapley (1852-1928)
A.S. was my 2nd cousin, 2x removed.
Our common ancestors are
Canneth Swain and Sarah Tapley
buried beside A.S. is his wife,
Sarah Lavonia Garrette Norris
Military Monday posts are made to honor those in my family tree who have served in the United States military.
Jack Lowery 'Larry' Ray
U.S. Army Air Corps, World War II
August 5, 1942 - aft. September 7, 1944
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| Published in the The Dadeville Record Dadeville, Alabama Thursday, January 13, 1944, Page 1 Image courtesy of Newspapers.com |
S/Sgt. Jack L. Ray and his two-year-old daughter, Julia, the photograph being made up his visit home last July, first visit during eleven months service.
His training days date from August 5, 1942, when he took boot training in the U. S. Army Air Corps at Miami Beach, Fla., then on to Madison, Wis., Roswell, New Mexico, and is now stationed at Midland, Texas, with the Third Commanding Squadron as chief control tower and radio operator.
His wife, the former Miss Ruby Florence Tapley, resides at Alexander City, an employee of Comer Mills.
S/Sgt. Ray writes: "I receive the Dadeville Record regularly and enjoy every line of it. Be sure to keep it coming. I enjoy the boy’s letters and read lots of them from some of my schoolmates with whom I would be out of touch if it were not for Boy’s column. I would like to see all my friends and especially Dowdle Willis. Please pass my address on: Serv. Det. 5th Ferrying Gp., Midland Air Port No. 2, Midland, Texas." Transcription by ChatGPT.
Larry is the ex-husband of my 5th cousin, 1x removed, Ruby Florence Tapley (1923-2014). Our common ancestors are Joel Tapley and Mary Avent.
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| Published in The Macon Telegraph Macon, Georgia, USA Thursday, May 27, 1993, Page 9 |
"Joann Bellflower
Edge
BLOOMINGDALE — Joann
Bellflower Edge, 59, of 8 Poplar St., died Wednesday in a Pooler nursing home
after an extended illness. Born in Treutlen County, he [sic] lived in
Bloomingdale since 1952. Survivors: husband, Floyd Edge; sons, Ronald K.
Edge of Statesboro and Randall C. Edge and Mark W. Edge, both of Savannah;
parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bellflower Sr. of Vidalia; sister and brother,
Alberta Hutcheson of Garden City and C. A. Bellflower Jr. of Mount Vernon; and
five grandchildren.
Services: 3 p.m. Friday in Sammons Funeral Home, Soperton. Burial: Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery near Soperton. The Rev. Kenneth Wren will officiate. Visitation: The family will receive friends tonight in the funeral home." Transcription courtesy of ChatGPT.
Joann Bellflower(s) Edge
b 10 Nov 1933 in Treutlen County, Georgia, USA
d 26 May 1993 in Pooler, Chatham, Georgia, USA
Joann was my 3rd cousin, 1x removed.
Canneth Swain and Sarah Tapley
Today, I asked ChatGPT, "Can you share the origins of the surname "Barwick" in the southeast of the United States, including Georgia?"
It did not disappoint.
"The surname "Barwick" in the southeastern United States, including Georgia, traces its origins to the early settlers William B. Barwick Sr. [should be Jr] (1755–1807) and his wife, Elizabeth Phillips (1760–1820). Originally from North Carolina, they relocated to the Cheraw District (later Darlington County), South Carolina, around 1785. William Sr. [should be Jr] was a Revolutionary War soldier, serving in the Dobbs County, NC Militia during the late 1770s and early 1780s. Find a Grave, Freepages
The couple had fifteen children, nine of whom were sons who carried on the Barwick name. Following Elizabeth's death in 1820, disputes over the family estate led several of their sons to migrate southward:
William B. Barwick Jr. (1795–1855): He moved to Thomas County, Georgia, where he became one of the first settlers in the area now known as Barwick, Georgia. The town was named in honor of the Barwick family. Find a Grave
Nathan, Benjamin, and Redden Barwick: These brothers also relocated to South Georgia, contributing to the spread of the Barwick surname in the region.
The town of Barwick, Georgia, established in the early 1890s with the extension of the railroad, is divided by the county line between Brooks and Thomas Counties, and it was named after R.H. Barwick, a Primitive Baptist leader, further cementing the Barwick legacy in the area. Wikipedia
Today, many individuals bearing the Barwick surname in Georgia and Florida can trace their ancestry back to these early settlers, reflecting a rich family history intertwined with the development of the southeastern United States."
My further research this afternoon indicates that this information is true and (mostly) correct.
In following the sources that ChatGPT used, I found the Surname DB (The Internet Surname Database) which gives some information on the origins of the name Barwick. According to the site, the name Barwick is an English locational name from Barwick in Norfolk and Somerset. Its place name variations include: Bereuuica (Norfolk), "Berewyk" (Somerset), Berrick, Berwick, and Borwick. All of these derive from the Olde English pre-7th century "berewic," a corn farm, composed of "bere," barley, corn, and "wic," an outlying farm; as in "granary lying some distance away from the main village." Names based on location were originally given as a means of identification to those who left their village or place of origin to settle elsewhere. Barwick is first recorded in the 13th century. Of course, surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England, this was known as the Poll Tax. Surnames have continued to "develop" over the centuries, often leading to surprising variants of the original spelling.
William B. Barwick Jr.'s son, Nathan Barwick (1782-1868), moved to Emanuel County shortly after marrying his wife, Elizabeth Whiddon (1782-1880), in 1810. Their son, William Whiddon Barwick (1819-1869) married my 4th grand-aunt, Winnford 'Winny' Odom (1821-1864).
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| Logo of the City of Barwick courtesy of cityofbarwick.org |
