Sturkie Family 2018B - Person Sheet
Sturkie Family 2018B - Person Sheet
NameRIGDON, * Nancy Ann 
Birthca 1780, Washington CO., GA
Death1845, Okealoosa, CO, FL
BurialYellow River Baptist Church Cemetery
FatherRIGDON, Beaver * (1750-)
Spouses
Birth1783, Chatham, NC
Death6 Oct 1861, Yellow River, Okaloosa, FL
BurialOld Yellow River Cemetery, Crestview, FL
FatherHART, Isaac (1748-)
MotherKNOWLES, Catherine (1749-1842)
ChildrenReuben (1800-1877)
John (1802-1860)
William Henry (1804-1861)
Robert Joshua (1806-1863)
isaac (1808-1898)
Daniel (1810-~1870)
Allen Haze (1812-1891)
Mary Ann Polly (1814-1869)
Andrew Jackson (1816-1879)
Richard Jefferson (1819-)
Dennis Ervin (1821-1900)
FindAGrave notes for * Nancy Ann RIGDON
Find A Grave Memorial# 66995988
Census notes for Reuben (Spouse 1)
Also there was a HART family killed in the fort. We are descended from Reuben HART b. 1780 NC married to Nancy RIGDON. There was a Martin RIGDON who escaped from the fort. We think there might be a connection, Reuben HART was first known to be in west Conecuh Co Ala. in 1815 The HARTs in the fort could be his father and mother.
Rootsweb File - Ft. Mims Forum
Rootsweb File - Ft. Mims Forum
Notes for Reuben (Spouse 1)
Rueben Hart
by Dr. A. J. McCRARY
Ruben HART came to Conecuh County, Alabama about the same time that the state of Alabama was created from the territory of Mississippi (3 March 1817). His father was named Isaac, and he had at least three brothers:
Benjamin, Lewis, and Alexander. Hostile Indians, who were after revenge for their defeat at the "Battle of Horseshoe Bend", were still prowling the area at this time. The Treaty of Fort Jackson, signed 9 August 1814 gave the region to the United States Government, but much of it was still occupied by the Creek Indians. Rev. B. F. RILEY, in his "History of Conecuh, Alabama" states that Samuel BUCHANAN was the first white man to establish a residence in Conecuh County, Mississippi Territory, in the later part of 1815, and that Alexander AUTREY arrived a short time later. A quote from Mr. RILEYs book says, "Shortly after Mr. AUTREY moved to Conecuh there came from North Carolina three gentlemen whose names were Thomas MENDENHALL, Eli MENDENHALL, and Reubin HART. Mr. HART located near the present residence of Dr. J. L. SHAW". As each newcomer would arrive he would look around for the most favorable location to build his future home. Fixing title to the land selected was known as the "immigrants claim". As the early pioneers would select the tract or area best suited to their tastes, they would proceed to indicate their title to permanent tenure by griddling a few trees with impressions cut into the bark and by laying upon the ground four logs of a homesite. This was a monument of procession and was sacredly respected by the early settlers. The man who dared disregard this asserted claim was branded a rascal and incurred the loss of public confidence and respect. Mr. HART was born in North Carolina in 1783. He was living in Georgia in 1800 as his oldest son, Reuben, Jr. was born in that state on 8 September 1800. He arrived in Conecuh County either late in 1816 or early in 1817. His son, Andrew Jackson, was born 22 December 1816, during the family migration through the Creek Indian nation from north Georgia to south Alabama. A friendly Indian tribe that lived in a village near where he was born wanted to swap a papoose for him. Needless to say, the HART family never considered it an even swap.
Mr. HART settled near the famous Indian trail, then known as the "Old Wolf Trail". This trail ran from the present site of Claiborne on the Alabama River via Bellville to the Chattahoochee River. At this time, the nearest white residences, other than the ones mentioned above, were at Claiborne. The 1820 census of Conecuh County lists Reuben HART with his wife and ten children under twenty-one years of age, nine boys and one girl, along with six slaves. He stayed in Conecuh County approximately five years. By this time, the county had a population of 5,549, of which 1,934 were slaves. Mr. HART did not like many close neighbors, and notwithstanding the many difficulties, early in November, 1821, he, with his older sons and slaves, loaded the rest of his family and chattels on wagons, drawn by oxen, and moved into west Florida near the Yellow River just below the Alabama line. During the last few miles, there was not even a trail to follow and the road had to be cleared for the wagons to pass over. While moving he had his chickens in crates on the wagons and drove his cattle and sheep behind the wagons. After he picked out the location for his new residence in this wild uncivilized region (Florida became a territory 3 March 1822) he started his house by building a double-pen log house. This had been done twice before, first in Washington County, Georgia, and again in Conecuh County, Alabama. It was built with hewn logs which rested upon sills which in turn were supported by pillars of heart pine. The cooking area was behind the house, but later a kitchen was added about forty yards from the main house. The family camped out, using a large tent that was also used while moving, for the family to sleep in and for storage until the new house was completed enough for limited use. Getting building materials was not a problem as there were plenty of large pine trees nearby, and they were available for the taking. The chimneys were built with stick and mud, which lasted unusually well. During the last few days, as the family was moving to the Yellow River area, Mr. HART's youngest son, Dennis, was born in a wagon. The census states that he was born in Florida. This was his tenth son and eleventh child. He cleared a few acres of land for his cow pen and garden and fenced them with pine rails on the west side of Yellow River. The cattle and sheep were penned every eight to keep wolves and bears from killing the calves and lambs. Wolves could be heard howling almost every night. Later he cleared more land for his corn and other crops, which he also fenced with pine and cedar rails. He brought his seed corn, cotton seed, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, and vegetable seeds with him when he came from Bellville. He was never considered a big farmer, growing only enough grain and fiber for his own use and enough corn to feed his cattle and sheep during the winter months. He also had a vegetable garden, sugar cane and sweet potato patches. Keeping a wife, eleven children and six slaves was not a small task as all clothes and shoes were homemade. In his new environment, with plenty of open range, he engaged very extensively in cattle raising. The cattle were driven on foot to Pensacola by boys and men on horseback. The biggest hazard in driving the cattle was 'swimming across the Excambia River. The cattle were sold in Pensacola, Florida. There were still a few bands of roving Indians in the area at this time, but they caused very little trouble. It is not known when either he or his wife Nancy (Ann) RIGDON died. They both lived very near where they first settled on the Yellow River when they died. They are buried in the Old Yellow River Cemetery in unmarked graves. There was a wire fence around the two graves. [ Ed. Note: This is now known as the Stewart Cemetery. An old listing for this cemetery shows their names, but the graves have been cleared and no visible markings are found as to the exact location of the graves. It is thought that he died in the 1850's and she died about 1846.] The HART children were: 1. Reuben Jr., born 8 September 1800, married Nelly LAMB, died 7 March 1877 2. John, born 17 January 1802, married Milley____, died ? (Nancy Gartman 1st wife, Milly Gartman McCray 2nd wife) 3. William Henry, born 26 March 1804, married Sarah GRANBERIZY HERRINGTON, died 12 February 1861 4. Joshua, born 10 February 1806 5. Isaac, born 11 April 1808, married Mary McARTHUR 6. Daniel, born 5 February 1810, married Kate McCASKILL 7. Allen H., born 9 April 1812, married Elizabeth THOMAS CAWTHORN, died 14 March 1891 8. Polly (Mary), born 21 March 1814 9. Andrew Jackson, born 22 December 1816, married Elizabeth Ann SMITH 10. Richard, born 5 June 1819 11. Dennis, born 11 November 1821, married Margaret McCASKILL
_________________________________________________________
Anonymous says: “ The Spanish Census of Pensacola 1784 - 1820", which lists:Reubin [Reube n] Hard
40 years, married, United
States . Saly, his wife, 35
years, 9 children of 1 to 18
years and 6 Negroes.
If this census was taken in 1820, Reuben's 2nd child, John, would have been 18, and his 10th child, Richard, would have been 1, which would match with the "9 children of 1 to 18 years". That would make Reuben born around 1780 (not 1783 as reported). Now, the question is "Who is Saly?".
I also have a copy of a newspaper clipping titled " Records of 114-Year-Old Okaloosa Church Unfold Colorful Story of Bygone Period". The byline states "Crestview, Sept. 29" and the year was determined to be 1954. I don't have what paper it's from. There is a picture of the Yellow River Church with the article. Inside the article there is the following...
Old Graves
In the Stewart Cemetery, near the old Parker farm home, there are many of the old grave-markers still in evidence. At the entrance to the Stewart Cemetery there are two graves covered with a wooden shed, constructed from cedar. The top, covered with cypress shingles, is still in fair condition. The fence and the border around the top, which is hand carved, with chiseled etchings, in in perfect condition. Will Parker said the graves were there when he and his family moved to their place more than 50 years ago. "The mounds to the graves look as though they were made only a few weeks ago. No grass grows inside that fence," Parker said.
One marker, a white stone, carries the name of William Hart , "Member of the Indian War of 1836." Another monument, recently broken when a large red oak tree fell on it, has this inscription " Littleton Hart , born March 31, 1833, died Dec. 23, 1887 -- Margaret Moore Hart , born July 5, 1833, died August 3, 1870." The stone bears a Masonic emblem. Hart was the father of the late R. J. Hart Sr., who was the first agricultural agent in Okaloosa County.
Rebuttal by Roger Hart author of "Hart of My Heart"
We have the old Spanish Census and are scratching our heads over it as well. That is obviously Reuben , but Saly must be a second wife.
I have spent many hours in Stewart Cemetery on several visits. My first visit was over 30 years ago when I had been told that Reuben and Nancy were buried in unmarked graves surrounded by a wire fence. Sure enough, there was a wire fence, enclosing enough ground to contain two graves. No evidence of who. In a more recent visit, there is the house you describe covering a couple of graves. It is about 10 feet from where I remember the wire fence to have been, but I would swear that house was not there on my first visit.
Any graves within that enclosure are not Hart graves. William Hart's grave, along with that of Littleton, Margaret Moore , and other Harts , are all within the cemetery but are not near the building. I have inventoried each of the Hart headstones and photographed them in case they are destroyed.I just checked out the website you indicated in your last message. This is the same information that has floated around the internet for years. It lists John Hart , from the Bucks County, Pennsylvania Harts , as Reuben's father. We are about 90% sure this is not correct. We believe that Reuben comes from the Henry Hart family from Surry County, Virginia, but have yet to find the link that ties him to any family. I would love to do it in my lifetime. The information on that website needs to be credited to Dennis Hart who first posted it through Deena Canals several years ago. I have tried to reach Dennis but have been told that he has retired from genealogy and does not wish to be disturbed. I will never be able to ask him why he felt that Reuben was the son of John. Pity.
Benjamin, Lewis, and Alexander. Hostile Indians, who were after revenge for their defeat at the "Battle of Horseshoe Bend", were still prowling the area at this time. The Treaty of Fort Jackson, signed 9 August 1814 gave the region to the United States Government, but much of it was still occupied by the Creek Indians. Rev. B. F. RILEY, in his "History of Conecuh, Alabama" states that Samuel BUCHANAN was the first white man to establish a residence in Conecuh County, Mississippi Territory, in the later part of 1815, and that Alexander AUTREY arrived a short time later. A quote from Mr. RILEYs book says, "Shortly after Mr. AUTREY moved to Conecuh there came from North Carolina three gentlemen whose names were Thomas MENDENHALL, Eli MENDENHALL, and Reubin HART. Mr. HART located near the present residence of Dr. J. L. SHAW". As each newcomer would arrive he would look around for the most favorable location to build his future home. Fixing title to the land selected was known as the "immigrants claim". As the early pioneers would select the tract or area best suited to their tastes, they would proceed to indicate their title to permanent tenure by griddling a few trees with impressions cut into the bark and by laying upon the ground four logs of a homesite. This was a monument of procession and was sacredly respected by the early settlers. The man who dared disregard this asserted claim was branded a rascal and incurred the loss of public confidence and respect. Mr. HART was born in North Carolina in 1783. He was living in Georgia in 1800 as his oldest son, Reuben, Jr. was born in that state on 8 September 1800. He arrived in Conecuh County either late in 1816 or early in 1817. His son, Andrew Jackson, was born 22 December 1816, during the family migration through the Creek Indian nation from north Georgia to south Alabama. A friendly Indian tribe that lived in a village near where he was born wanted to swap a papoose for him. Needless to say, the HART family never considered it an even swap.
Mr. HART settled near the famous Indian trail, then known as the "Old Wolf Trail". This trail ran from the present site of Claiborne on the Alabama River via Bellville to the Chattahoochee River. At this time, the nearest white residences, other than the ones mentioned above, were at Claiborne. The 1820 census of Conecuh County lists Reuben HART with his wife and ten children under twenty-one years of age, nine boys and one girl, along with six slaves. He stayed in Conecuh County approximately five years. By this time, the county had a population of 5,549, of which 1,934 were slaves. Mr. HART did not like many close neighbors, and notwithstanding the many difficulties, early in November, 1821, he, with his older sons and slaves, loaded the rest of his family and chattels on wagons, drawn by oxen, and moved into west Florida near the Yellow River just below the Alabama line. During the last few miles, there was not even a trail to follow and the road had to be cleared for the wagons to pass over. While moving he had his chickens in crates on the wagons and drove his cattle and sheep behind the wagons. After he picked out the location for his new residence in this wild uncivilized region (Florida became a territory 3 March 1822) he started his house by building a double-pen log house. This had been done twice before, first in Washington County, Georgia, and again in Conecuh County, Alabama. It was built with hewn logs which rested upon sills which in turn were supported by pillars of heart pine. The cooking area was behind the house, but later a kitchen was added about forty yards from the main house. The family camped out, using a large tent that was also used while moving, for the family to sleep in and for storage until the new house was completed enough for limited use. Getting building materials was not a problem as there were plenty of large pine trees nearby, and they were available for the taking. The chimneys were built with stick and mud, which lasted unusually well. During the last few days, as the family was moving to the Yellow River area, Mr. HART's youngest son, Dennis, was born in a wagon. The census states that he was born in Florida. This was his tenth son and eleventh child. He cleared a few acres of land for his cow pen and garden and fenced them with pine rails on the west side of Yellow River. The cattle and sheep were penned every eight to keep wolves and bears from killing the calves and lambs. Wolves could be heard howling almost every night. Later he cleared more land for his corn and other crops, which he also fenced with pine and cedar rails. He brought his seed corn, cotton seed, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, and vegetable seeds with him when he came from Bellville. He was never considered a big farmer, growing only enough grain and fiber for his own use and enough corn to feed his cattle and sheep during the winter months. He also had a vegetable garden, sugar cane and sweet potato patches. Keeping a wife, eleven children and six slaves was not a small task as all clothes and shoes were homemade. In his new environment, with plenty of open range, he engaged very extensively in cattle raising. The cattle were driven on foot to Pensacola by boys and men on horseback. The biggest hazard in driving the cattle was 'swimming across the Excambia River. The cattle were sold in Pensacola, Florida. There were still a few bands of roving Indians in the area at this time, but they caused very little trouble. It is not known when either he or his wife Nancy (Ann) RIGDON died. They both lived very near where they first settled on the Yellow River when they died. They are buried in the Old Yellow River Cemetery in unmarked graves. There was a wire fence around the two graves. [ Ed. Note: This is now known as the Stewart Cemetery. An old listing for this cemetery shows their names, but the graves have been cleared and no visible markings are found as to the exact location of the graves. It is thought that he died in the 1850's and she died about 1846.] The HART children were: 1. Reuben Jr., born 8 September 1800, married Nelly LAMB, died 7 March 1877 2. John, born 17 January 1802, married Milley____, died ? (Nancy Gartman 1st wife, Milly Gartman McCray 2nd wife) 3. William Henry, born 26 March 1804, married Sarah GRANBERIZY HERRINGTON, died 12 February 1861 4. Joshua, born 10 February 1806 5. Isaac, born 11 April 1808, married Mary McARTHUR 6. Daniel, born 5 February 1810, married Kate McCASKILL 7. Allen H., born 9 April 1812, married Elizabeth THOMAS CAWTHORN, died 14 March 1891 8. Polly (Mary), born 21 March 1814 9. Andrew Jackson, born 22 December 1816, married Elizabeth Ann SMITH 10. Richard, born 5 June 1819 11. Dennis, born 11 November 1821, married Margaret McCASKILL
_________________________________________________________
Anonymous says: “ The Spanish Census of Pensacola 1784 - 1820", which lists:Reubin [Reube n] Hard
40 years, married, United
States . Saly, his wife, 35
years, 9 children of 1 to 18
years and 6 Negroes.
If this census was taken in 1820, Reuben's 2nd child, John, would have been 18, and his 10th child, Richard, would have been 1, which would match with the "9 children of 1 to 18 years". That would make Reuben born around 1780 (not 1783 as reported). Now, the question is "Who is Saly?".
I also have a copy of a newspaper clipping titled " Records of 114-Year-Old Okaloosa Church Unfold Colorful Story of Bygone Period". The byline states "Crestview, Sept. 29" and the year was determined to be 1954. I don't have what paper it's from. There is a picture of the Yellow River Church with the article. Inside the article there is the following...
Old Graves
In the Stewart Cemetery, near the old Parker farm home, there are many of the old grave-markers still in evidence. At the entrance to the Stewart Cemetery there are two graves covered with a wooden shed, constructed from cedar. The top, covered with cypress shingles, is still in fair condition. The fence and the border around the top, which is hand carved, with chiseled etchings, in in perfect condition. Will Parker said the graves were there when he and his family moved to their place more than 50 years ago. "The mounds to the graves look as though they were made only a few weeks ago. No grass grows inside that fence," Parker said.
One marker, a white stone, carries the name of William Hart , "Member of the Indian War of 1836." Another monument, recently broken when a large red oak tree fell on it, has this inscription " Littleton Hart , born March 31, 1833, died Dec. 23, 1887 -- Margaret Moore Hart , born July 5, 1833, died August 3, 1870." The stone bears a Masonic emblem. Hart was the father of the late R. J. Hart Sr., who was the first agricultural agent in Okaloosa County.
Rebuttal by Roger Hart author of "Hart of My Heart"
We have the old Spanish Census and are scratching our heads over it as well. That is obviously Reuben , but Saly must be a second wife.
I have spent many hours in Stewart Cemetery on several visits. My first visit was over 30 years ago when I had been told that Reuben and Nancy were buried in unmarked graves surrounded by a wire fence. Sure enough, there was a wire fence, enclosing enough ground to contain two graves. No evidence of who. In a more recent visit, there is the house you describe covering a couple of graves. It is about 10 feet from where I remember the wire fence to have been, but I would swear that house was not there on my first visit.
Any graves within that enclosure are not Hart graves. William Hart's grave, along with that of Littleton, Margaret Moore , and other Harts , are all within the cemetery but are not near the building. I have inventoried each of the Hart headstones and photographed them in case they are destroyed.I just checked out the website you indicated in your last message. This is the same information that has floated around the internet for years. It lists John Hart , from the Bucks County, Pennsylvania Harts , as Reuben's father. We are about 90% sure this is not correct. We believe that Reuben comes from the Henry Hart family from Surry County, Virginia, but have yet to find the link that ties him to any family. I would love to do it in my lifetime. The information on that website needs to be credited to Dennis Hart who first posted it through Deena Canals several years ago. I have tried to reach Dennis but have been told that he has retired from genealogy and does not wish to be disturbed. I will never be able to ask him why he felt that Reuben was the son of John. Pity.
Notes for Reuben (Spouse 1)
This information is from a letter from W. J. Hart of Wichita, Kansas to Mrs. Fountain. Filed at Reuben 2001-4
Please check that letter as it has birth and marriage information.
This is a letter from Arlene Chilton dated 29 January 1998. Filed at: Reuben 1998-8.
It lists the children of John Hart as:
Reuben, b 1783. Married Nancy Ann Rigdon
John Hart
William Hart
There is a letter from Larry Johnson dated 23 May 1997 concerning information from Norm Sundheim. Filed at: Reuben 1997-10.
There is a discussion about Reuben's wife' name, filed at: Reuben 1998-10.
Sharon Marsh has a genealogical chart for Reuben which is filed at: Reuben 2001-6
The following information is from a letter from Nancy E. Grisham, dated 2 Feb 1997. Filed at: Reuben 1997-9.
From my Great Grandmother's (Sallie Eva Peaden Hart) family bible, I have as follows.
Reuben Hart Senior married Nancy Ann Rigdon.
Reuben Hart Junior, their son, married Nellie Lamb.
Littleton Hart, their son, married Margaret Moore.
Robert Joshua Hart married Sally Eva Peaden.
The following comes from a letter from David Millican, dated May 31, 1998. Filed at: Reuben 1998-4.
I am pretty convinced that Reuben's mother must have been an Ervin. Look at all the Ervins--Henry Ervin Hart, son of William Henry; Dennis Ervin Hart, son of Reuben; Robert Ervin Teel, son of Nancy Adeline Hart and Richard Teel. This is no accident, there is an Ervin in the woodpile somewhere. Of course it could be from the Rigdon side, but I do not have that instinct on this. I think looking for an Ervin connection as one of the best avenues we have.
See also the following letter from David, dated 21 March 1998, filed at: Reuben 1998-5
For some parentage prognostication, see David's letter dated March 7, 1998, filed at: Reuben 1998-7.
The following is from research of Bobbie Newham in the Alabama Archives. Filed at: 2002-1-8.
From the book; " Georgia Land Lottery, 1805", Wood, Greenwood Press, Cambridge, 1964, Pg 150. Ala. Dept of Archives and History.
Reuben Hart, Serial # 1995, received two draws in the lottery. Both were blank.
Reuben had serial # 1995 which was four numbers higher than Samuel Hart, Senior. This could indicate that he and Samuel were related. Samuel's son, Samuel Junior, had serial number 2049, which was over fifty names after Reuben and Samuel Senior. Not sure of the significance.
In 1805 Georgia Land Lottery, Reuben was living in Washington County. Rhonda Fleming Smith speculates that he moved to Washington Co., Ga., while still single, and married Nancy Ann at age 17 in about 1799. He received two draws, both blank. Requirements for two draws was : Free, White Male, married w/wife and/or child, (legitimate child/children under 21), 1 year residence in Ga., and a U.S. citizen.
In 1810, Reuben is listed with a head right or bounty grant of 200 acres in Washington Co., Ga., (Wyley Ward says 150 Acres).
The records of Washington County, Georgia lists the Bounty Grants as 200 Acres for taxpayer, + 50 Acres each for wife, each child, and each Slave. By 1810 he had 6 children plus a wife, so the total should be 550 Acres. 2001-1-3
According to the Covington Co., Al., history book in Montgomery Archives, Reuben moved his family from Washington Co., Ga., to Conecuh Co., Al., in 1816. Wyley Ward, in his book "The Folks from Pea Ridge", says that he left Georgia in December, 1816, and on 22 Dec, 1816, Andrew Jackson Hart was born en route while still in Georgia. He is supposed to have arrived in Conecuh County, Al., near Bellville on 3 March 1817. Wyley Ward also says that he moved to Escambia, now Okaloosa, near Blackman, in the winter of 1820. Wyley says the he filed an Emigrants Claim on 320 acres of land.
Wyley Ward answered my questions as to his source for the Nancy Rigdon information. It was on a copy of the genealogical section of a bible, supposedly that of Andrew Jackson Hart. Filed under Reuben 2001-5
In 1820, Reuben is listed in American State Papers, Vol. 4, Page 62, as taking land in Escambia County, West Florida, by "habitation and cultivation". He had 12 of 200 acres under cultivation from 1820 to 1824. See Reuben 2001-3.
Ward says that he moved back to near Pleasant Home community, Covington County, Al., in 1835. He indicates that Nancy Ann died about 1845, and Reuben about 1855. He agrees that both are supposed to be buried in Okaloosa Co, Fl.
The following information comes from an article in the Covington County News, dated Aug 8, 1998, filed at: 2001-2-6.
The family arrived in Conecuh County in 1817 after several months of travel. They settled near the Belleville community. After three years Reuben moved his large family, slaves, and stock to Escambia County, Florida where he located near the community of Blackmon. Around 1835 Reuben returned to Alabama and settled in Covington County near the Pleasant Home School community. Here he engaged in cattle and sheep farming primarily. By the time of his death, circa 1855, he had accumulated considerable land holdings and owned as many as 20 slaves.
In the 1820 Spanish Census of Escambia River, Reuben was listed as 40 years old, married, wife Saly, 35 years old, 9 Children of 1 to 18 years, and 6 Negroes. This census, if accurate, places his birth at about 1780, which is within the range that we speculate. His actual birth date has been suggested as about 1783, so this is close. In 1820, Reuben Jr., would have been 20 and likely out of the house. Dennis Ervin Hart was not born until 11 Nov 1821, so he was not counted in the children. At that time he was listed with 60 Cattle/Oxen, 25 Hogs, and cultivating 25 Arpents. which is about .85 Acre per Arpent, for a total of about 21 Acres.
Quoted from Barbara Martin, 2001-1-10. Also see Reuben 2001-4
In the 1820 Conecuh census, Reuben had these neighbors.
Absolum BARROW, George Ard, William Ellis, John BARROW, Radford L. Cotton, Reuben HART, Martholomew Cauley, Solomon Siler, Andrew Siler.....
According to the Barrow Family Quarterly and posted at Sharon Marsh's website, Absalom and John (from above) were sons of Reuben Barrow, and they were born in Pitt County, NC, home of the old Moses Hart. Their uncle was Benjamin Barrow, b. in Pitt Co. in 1733. The 1775 Pitt County census showed him to be a neighbor of old Moses Hart.
Hmm-m. Now isn't it interesting that your Reuben was near neighbors in 1820 to cousins of near neighbors to my Moses' probable father in 1775? John Barrow made the move to Florida also, because he established the Barrow Ferry across the Yellow River, and the Barrow grist mill in Oak Grove, Florida.
The following information is from Rev. B. F. Riley's book "History of Conecuh County, Ala.", Columbus, Georgia, 1881. 2001-1-15.
Pg. 20-48, and 64. Benjamin and Reuben Hart were mentioned as early settlers.
Census 1. 1790 Dobbs County, North Carolina Census. One of these is probably the family of our Reuben. The one spelled Robin Hort is a good possibility. Supplied by Barbara Martin. Filed at: 2001-7-7.
Male 16/up Male 16/down Females Other Free Slaves
Hort, Robin 1 4 4 0 18
Hart, John 1 0 3 0 0
Hart, Lucretia 2 2 3 0 1
Hart, Moses 1 1 2 0 2
Hart, William 1 1 5 0 0
Hart, Zachariah 1 1 2 0 5
Census 2. 1820 Conecuh County, Alabama Census as filed at: Census 2001-12
Reuben Hart
WM, over 21 years 1
WM, under 21 years 9
WF, over 21 years 1
WF, under 21 years 1
Slaves 6
Census 3. 1820 Spanish census of Escambia River, Florida, provided by Sharon Marsh. Filed at: Florida Census 2001-5
Reuben (Hard) Hart Age 40 Years Married
Saly Hart Age 35 years Wife
Children, age 1-18 9
Slaves 6
Census 4. 1830 Escambia County, Florida census, as filed at: Census 2001-4
Reuben Hart
WM, 10-15 2
WM, 15-20 2
WM, 30-40 1
WF, 10-15 1
WF, 40-50 1
M Slave, Under 10 1
M Slave, 10-24 2
F Slave, 10-24 3
F Slave, 24-36 1
Census 5. 1840 Covington County, Alabama Census. as filed at: Census 2001-3
Reuben Hart
WM, 15-20 1
WM, 20-30 1
WM, 50-60 1
WF, 0-5 1
WF, 5-10 1
WF, 10-15 1
WF, 15-20 1
WF, 50-60 1
Slaves 14 (Wyley Ward)
Census 6. 1850 Covington County, Alabama census, contained in the Hart Family biography, Reuben 2001-2.
Filed also in Census book. Dwelling #35, Family #35. Pg. 164.
Hart, Reuben 67M Farmer P/B N. C.
Hart, Dennis 25M Fla
Hart, Margaret 28F Fla
Hart, Isaac 1M Ala
Slaves 21 4 Escaped (Wyley Ward)
Census 7. 1850 Covington County Agricultural census. Filed under Census 2001-1.
Reuben would have been almost 70 at this time, living with Dennis. Reuben, Jr., was in Walton County, Fl.
In 1850 Reuben, Senior had:
Value of Farming Implements and Machinery $100.00
Horses 4
Milk Cows 65
Working Oxen 2
Other Cattle 30
Sheep 24
Swine (Hogs) 30
Value of Livestock $900.00
Indian Corn 200 Bushels
Wool 40 Pounds
Sweet Potatoes 300 Bushels
Butter 50 Pounds
Value of Home Made Manufactures $50.00
Value of Animals Slaughtered $100.00
Census 8. 1860 Covington County, Alabama census. Dwelling #666, Family #666, Pg 85. Filed in census book.
Hart, Dennis E. 39M Farmer P/B Fla. R/E Value $600
Hart, Margaret 40F S. C.
Hart, Isaac J. 12M Ala.
Hart, Nancy C. 10F Ala.
Hart, Sarah E. 8F Ala.
Hart, Margaret 5F Ala.
Hart, James A. 3M Ala.
Hart, Reuben, Sr. 80M Farmer N. C.
Slaves 6 (Wyley Ward)
The following information is from a report of claims to land in West Florida, founded on habitation and cultivation between Feb 22, 1819, and July 17, 1821. Filed at: Reuben 2001-8.
Reuben is shown next to John Barrow, over age 21, cultivating 12 acres of land in Escambia County, from 1820-1824. John, James and Elijah Ward are nearby, as is Thomas Baggot. This establishes his time of arrival in Florida as 1820.
The following is from an article written for the Okaloosa County Genealogical Society, Winter 1984, titled "Early History of Okaloosa County", by Martha Rogers. It is filed at: Reuben 1997-14.
Below are voter lists for the first elections held in the North Florida area. This was the Yellow Water District of Walton County, Florida.
1828. Election held at the home of Findlay McCaskill on August 4, 1828.
Reuben Hart, Senior; Reuben Hart, Junior; and John Hart.
1829 Election held May 4, 1829, Yellow Water Precinct, No address given. Walton County, Florida.
John Hart
1831 Almirante Precinct, Territory of Florida, Walton County. November 7, 1831. A complete list of voters is filed at: 2001-10-5.
Reuben Hart, Senior; Reuben Hart, Junior; John Hart; & Isaac Hart.
1832 Election for a representative to the Legislative Council from Walton County, Territory of Florida, was held at the home of Mr. Saville, first Monday in November, 1832. A complete list of voters is filed at: 2001-10-5.
Reuben Hart, Junior.
The following is a letter from Barbara Martin dated 7 June 1997. It is filed at: Reuben 1997-14.
Voting records show that Reuben, Sr., and/or various sons voted in Yellow River Precinct, Walton County (now Okaloosa) elections in 1828, 1829, 1831, & 1832. Some of them signed petitions in 1832, 1839, and 1842. Reuben Hart voted in 1845 in Florida's first State election. (Must have been Reuben Junior).
The following is from an article by Mayme Tyner, filed at Family Stories-1.
January 24, 1832. Petition of Walton County residents to re-appoint Judge Henry M. Breckinridge to the Superior Court was signed by these Laurel Hill or Almarante residents of Walton County.
The petition and all the signers is filed at: 2001-10-5.
Hart, Reuben, Sr., Reuben, Jr., John & Daniel. Gaskins, Wright.
McCaskill, Alexander. Campbell, Daniel D., John, & Donald.
Senterfitt, Stephen Stokes, Absalom
Baggett, Thomas & Edmund Barrow, Reuben N., & John.
Ward, William.
Jan 21, 1839. A petition to Congress by citizens of West Florida for removal of driftwood and logs from Yellow River, which would make it navigable for 50 miles. The cost was estimated at $6,000.00. This complete petition with the signers is located at: 2001-10-4.
Campbell, John, Alexander, & Peter. Wilkinson, Daniel A.
Clary, James D. Hart, Reuben & Daniel.
Baggett, Nicholas, Edmund, Lewis, Alexander, & Henry. Ward, William
Steele, Robert Senterfitt, Stephen & Jesse
Barrow, Richmond, & John. Gaskins, Wright, William, and John
Stokes, Wright A., John, and Absalom Fountain, Alexander
McDuffie, Daniel
June 4, 1842. A second petition to David Levy, Delegate to Congress to clear obstructions of logs & rafts from Yellow River, for navigation and development of the area. The price went up. This time they asked for $15,000.00. This was dated at Almarante, Walton County, Florida, June 4, 1842. A complete copy of the petition with all the signers is filed at: 2001-10-3
Hart, Reuben, Sr., Reuben, Jr., Allen, Dennis, & Daniel. Ward, William
Campbell, Peter & Alex. Morrison, Norman
Stokes, John & Josiah Steele, Robert & J.
Senterfitt, Jesse & Stephen Barrow, Richmond, John, & Reuben
Fountain, Alex Wilkinson, D. A.
Gaskins, Wright, John & William McCaskill, Daniel
Baggett, Lewis, Edmund, Thomas, Choice, Joshua,
Henry, Alex, Nicholas, Andrew, & Michael.
The following is from a National Archives report of the BLM records of land ownership in Covington County, Alabama. Filed in Land Records.
14 April 1857. Reuben Hart purchased the following land under Document # 24414. It is a total of 121.86 acres, for which he paid
12 1/2 cents per acre. The total was $15.23. Reuben signed the land documents with an X indicating that he was illiterate. The
Patent was issued 3 January 1860.
E1/2NE Sec 5/ Twp 1-N Range 15-E St. Stephens Meridian Covington County, Alabama.
SWNE Sec 5/ Twp 1-N Range 15-E St. Stephens Meridian Covington County, Alabama.
14 Nov 1893 In the above package of land records was a handwritten letter signed with an X by Dennis E. Hart, also indicating illiteracy. In the letter he claims to be the beneficial owner of the above land, and that the original land document, 24414 had been lost. The letter was written to "The State of Alabama, Covington County", by Notary Malachi Riley, and witnessed by someone whose signature is not legible to me. The purpose of the letter was to obtain the Patent issued to his father, Reuben. On a separate paper, about the size of a cash register tape, is recorded the following information. Document # 24414, Elba, Alabama, Patented 8 Jan 1860,recorded book 40, page 236. Patent trans to Malachi Riley, Andalusia, Alabama, 10 January 1894. Followed by the initials M. I. G. I do not understand the significence of this. Did Malachi Riley find a way to cheat Dennis out of
this property?
The following is quoted from a "History of Okaloosa County", by Fran Roberts, filed at: Reuben 2001-8.
"Most of the Conecuh County families were living in the vicinity of Fort Crawford in 1818 and all of the Florida lists show families settled in the vicinity of what is now Oak Grove and Laurel Hill on or near the Yellow River, which was previously named the "Yellow Water River", and originally named Rio Del Almirante (River of the Admiral) by the Spanish. As evidence of this, one can still find tombstones of some of these pioneers in that area in such places as the old "Lost" Yellow River Church cemetery in the woods 900 paces behind the present day Yellow River Church and Cemetery at Oak Grove and the Clary Cemetery, Magnolia Cemetery, and the old Almirante Cemetery across the Yellow River nearer present day Laurel Hill, Florida". (Barbara Martin says that she has been told that the tombstones from the "Lost" cemetery were removed and thrown into a gully nearby).
Marriage 1 Saly ???? HART b: ABT 1785
• Married: ABT 1799 11
Children
1. Reuben (JR) HART b: 8 SEP 1800 in Washington County, Georgia
2. John HART b: 17 JAN 1802 in Wash. Co., Ga. Moved to Texas
3. William Henry HART b: 26 MAR 1804 in Washington County, Georgia. Moved to Texas
4. Robert Joshua HART b: 10 FEB 1806 in Washington County, Georgia
5. Isaac HART b: 11 APR 1808 in Washington Co., Georgia
6. Daniel HART b: 5 FEB 1810 in Washington Co. Georgia
7. Allen Haze HART b: 9 APR 1812 in Washington Co., Georgia
8. Mary Ann HART b: 21 MAR 1814 in Washington Co., Ga. Moved to Tyler Co, Texas.
9. Andrew Jackson HART b: 22 DEC 1816 in Creek Indian Territory, Alabama or Georgia
10. Richard Jefferson HART b: 5 JUN 1819 in Belleville, Conecuh Co., Al
11. Dennis Ervin HART b: 11 NOV 1821 in Walton, (Okaloosa) Co., Fl.
Marriage 2 Nancy Ann RIGDON b: ABT 1783 in North Carolina.
• Married: ABT 1799 in Washington County, Georgia 12
Sources:
1. Title: Jeff Jones jjones1776@aol.com. 7120 NW 18th, Bethany, OK. 73008 Note: 1860 Walton Co., Fl., census Sherry Nicolas 1850 Covington County, Al., census
2. Title: Brian Cushing blcushing@mindspring.com 2000-11-3
3. Title: Hart Family Biography Myrtle Mead. 2001-2
4. Title: David Millican Reuben 1997-8
5. Title: Nancy Grisham Letter dated 1997. Reuben 1997-9
6. Title: Arlene Chilton letter. Reuben 1998-8
7. Title: howard Sorensen. hasoren@earthlink.net. Filed at: 2002-11-8.
8. Title: Hart Family Biography Myrtle Mead. 2001-2 Note: Sherry Nicolas
9. Title: Roger Hart
10. Title: Dr. A. J. McCreary
11. Sherry Nicolas
12. Title: Wyley Ward wardppe@alaweb.com. 2001-1-19
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Please check that letter as it has birth and marriage information.
This is a letter from Arlene Chilton dated 29 January 1998. Filed at: Reuben 1998-8.
It lists the children of John Hart as:
Reuben, b 1783. Married Nancy Ann Rigdon
John Hart
William Hart
There is a letter from Larry Johnson dated 23 May 1997 concerning information from Norm Sundheim. Filed at: Reuben 1997-10.
There is a discussion about Reuben's wife' name, filed at: Reuben 1998-10.
Sharon Marsh has a genealogical chart for Reuben which is filed at: Reuben 2001-6
The following information is from a letter from Nancy E. Grisham, dated 2 Feb 1997. Filed at: Reuben 1997-9.
From my Great Grandmother's (Sallie Eva Peaden Hart) family bible, I have as follows.
Reuben Hart Senior married Nancy Ann Rigdon.
Reuben Hart Junior, their son, married Nellie Lamb.
Littleton Hart, their son, married Margaret Moore.
Robert Joshua Hart married Sally Eva Peaden.
The following comes from a letter from David Millican, dated May 31, 1998. Filed at: Reuben 1998-4.
I am pretty convinced that Reuben's mother must have been an Ervin. Look at all the Ervins--Henry Ervin Hart, son of William Henry; Dennis Ervin Hart, son of Reuben; Robert Ervin Teel, son of Nancy Adeline Hart and Richard Teel. This is no accident, there is an Ervin in the woodpile somewhere. Of course it could be from the Rigdon side, but I do not have that instinct on this. I think looking for an Ervin connection as one of the best avenues we have.
See also the following letter from David, dated 21 March 1998, filed at: Reuben 1998-5
For some parentage prognostication, see David's letter dated March 7, 1998, filed at: Reuben 1998-7.
The following is from research of Bobbie Newham in the Alabama Archives. Filed at: 2002-1-8.
From the book; " Georgia Land Lottery, 1805", Wood, Greenwood Press, Cambridge, 1964, Pg 150. Ala. Dept of Archives and History.
Reuben Hart, Serial # 1995, received two draws in the lottery. Both were blank.
Reuben had serial # 1995 which was four numbers higher than Samuel Hart, Senior. This could indicate that he and Samuel were related. Samuel's son, Samuel Junior, had serial number 2049, which was over fifty names after Reuben and Samuel Senior. Not sure of the significance.
In 1805 Georgia Land Lottery, Reuben was living in Washington County. Rhonda Fleming Smith speculates that he moved to Washington Co., Ga., while still single, and married Nancy Ann at age 17 in about 1799. He received two draws, both blank. Requirements for two draws was : Free, White Male, married w/wife and/or child, (legitimate child/children under 21), 1 year residence in Ga., and a U.S. citizen.
In 1810, Reuben is listed with a head right or bounty grant of 200 acres in Washington Co., Ga., (Wyley Ward says 150 Acres).
The records of Washington County, Georgia lists the Bounty Grants as 200 Acres for taxpayer, + 50 Acres each for wife, each child, and each Slave. By 1810 he had 6 children plus a wife, so the total should be 550 Acres. 2001-1-3
According to the Covington Co., Al., history book in Montgomery Archives, Reuben moved his family from Washington Co., Ga., to Conecuh Co., Al., in 1816. Wyley Ward, in his book "The Folks from Pea Ridge", says that he left Georgia in December, 1816, and on 22 Dec, 1816, Andrew Jackson Hart was born en route while still in Georgia. He is supposed to have arrived in Conecuh County, Al., near Bellville on 3 March 1817. Wyley Ward also says that he moved to Escambia, now Okaloosa, near Blackman, in the winter of 1820. Wyley says the he filed an Emigrants Claim on 320 acres of land.
Wyley Ward answered my questions as to his source for the Nancy Rigdon information. It was on a copy of the genealogical section of a bible, supposedly that of Andrew Jackson Hart. Filed under Reuben 2001-5
In 1820, Reuben is listed in American State Papers, Vol. 4, Page 62, as taking land in Escambia County, West Florida, by "habitation and cultivation". He had 12 of 200 acres under cultivation from 1820 to 1824. See Reuben 2001-3.
Ward says that he moved back to near Pleasant Home community, Covington County, Al., in 1835. He indicates that Nancy Ann died about 1845, and Reuben about 1855. He agrees that both are supposed to be buried in Okaloosa Co, Fl.
The following information comes from an article in the Covington County News, dated Aug 8, 1998, filed at: 2001-2-6.
The family arrived in Conecuh County in 1817 after several months of travel. They settled near the Belleville community. After three years Reuben moved his large family, slaves, and stock to Escambia County, Florida where he located near the community of Blackmon. Around 1835 Reuben returned to Alabama and settled in Covington County near the Pleasant Home School community. Here he engaged in cattle and sheep farming primarily. By the time of his death, circa 1855, he had accumulated considerable land holdings and owned as many as 20 slaves.
In the 1820 Spanish Census of Escambia River, Reuben was listed as 40 years old, married, wife Saly, 35 years old, 9 Children of 1 to 18 years, and 6 Negroes. This census, if accurate, places his birth at about 1780, which is within the range that we speculate. His actual birth date has been suggested as about 1783, so this is close. In 1820, Reuben Jr., would have been 20 and likely out of the house. Dennis Ervin Hart was not born until 11 Nov 1821, so he was not counted in the children. At that time he was listed with 60 Cattle/Oxen, 25 Hogs, and cultivating 25 Arpents. which is about .85 Acre per Arpent, for a total of about 21 Acres.
Quoted from Barbara Martin, 2001-1-10. Also see Reuben 2001-4
In the 1820 Conecuh census, Reuben had these neighbors.
Absolum BARROW, George Ard, William Ellis, John BARROW, Radford L. Cotton, Reuben HART, Martholomew Cauley, Solomon Siler, Andrew Siler.....
According to the Barrow Family Quarterly and posted at Sharon Marsh's website, Absalom and John (from above) were sons of Reuben Barrow, and they were born in Pitt County, NC, home of the old Moses Hart. Their uncle was Benjamin Barrow, b. in Pitt Co. in 1733. The 1775 Pitt County census showed him to be a neighbor of old Moses Hart.
Hmm-m. Now isn't it interesting that your Reuben was near neighbors in 1820 to cousins of near neighbors to my Moses' probable father in 1775? John Barrow made the move to Florida also, because he established the Barrow Ferry across the Yellow River, and the Barrow grist mill in Oak Grove, Florida.
The following information is from Rev. B. F. Riley's book "History of Conecuh County, Ala.", Columbus, Georgia, 1881. 2001-1-15.
Pg. 20-48, and 64. Benjamin and Reuben Hart were mentioned as early settlers.
Census 1. 1790 Dobbs County, North Carolina Census. One of these is probably the family of our Reuben. The one spelled Robin Hort is a good possibility. Supplied by Barbara Martin. Filed at: 2001-7-7.
Male 16/up Male 16/down Females Other Free Slaves
Hort, Robin 1 4 4 0 18
Hart, John 1 0 3 0 0
Hart, Lucretia 2 2 3 0 1
Hart, Moses 1 1 2 0 2
Hart, William 1 1 5 0 0
Hart, Zachariah 1 1 2 0 5
Census 2. 1820 Conecuh County, Alabama Census as filed at: Census 2001-12
Reuben Hart
WM, over 21 years 1
WM, under 21 years 9
WF, over 21 years 1
WF, under 21 years 1
Slaves 6
Census 3. 1820 Spanish census of Escambia River, Florida, provided by Sharon Marsh. Filed at: Florida Census 2001-5
Reuben (Hard) Hart Age 40 Years Married
Saly Hart Age 35 years Wife
Children, age 1-18 9
Slaves 6
Census 4. 1830 Escambia County, Florida census, as filed at: Census 2001-4
Reuben Hart
WM, 10-15 2
WM, 15-20 2
WM, 30-40 1
WF, 10-15 1
WF, 40-50 1
M Slave, Under 10 1
M Slave, 10-24 2
F Slave, 10-24 3
F Slave, 24-36 1
Census 5. 1840 Covington County, Alabama Census. as filed at: Census 2001-3
Reuben Hart
WM, 15-20 1
WM, 20-30 1
WM, 50-60 1
WF, 0-5 1
WF, 5-10 1
WF, 10-15 1
WF, 15-20 1
WF, 50-60 1
Slaves 14 (Wyley Ward)
Census 6. 1850 Covington County, Alabama census, contained in the Hart Family biography, Reuben 2001-2.
Filed also in Census book. Dwelling #35, Family #35. Pg. 164.
Hart, Reuben 67M Farmer P/B N. C.
Hart, Dennis 25M Fla
Hart, Margaret 28F Fla
Hart, Isaac 1M Ala
Slaves 21 4 Escaped (Wyley Ward)
Census 7. 1850 Covington County Agricultural census. Filed under Census 2001-1.
Reuben would have been almost 70 at this time, living with Dennis. Reuben, Jr., was in Walton County, Fl.
In 1850 Reuben, Senior had:
Value of Farming Implements and Machinery $100.00
Horses 4
Milk Cows 65
Working Oxen 2
Other Cattle 30
Sheep 24
Swine (Hogs) 30
Value of Livestock $900.00
Indian Corn 200 Bushels
Wool 40 Pounds
Sweet Potatoes 300 Bushels
Butter 50 Pounds
Value of Home Made Manufactures $50.00
Value of Animals Slaughtered $100.00
Census 8. 1860 Covington County, Alabama census. Dwelling #666, Family #666, Pg 85. Filed in census book.
Hart, Dennis E. 39M Farmer P/B Fla. R/E Value $600
Hart, Margaret 40F S. C.
Hart, Isaac J. 12M Ala.
Hart, Nancy C. 10F Ala.
Hart, Sarah E. 8F Ala.
Hart, Margaret 5F Ala.
Hart, James A. 3M Ala.
Hart, Reuben, Sr. 80M Farmer N. C.
Slaves 6 (Wyley Ward)
The following information is from a report of claims to land in West Florida, founded on habitation and cultivation between Feb 22, 1819, and July 17, 1821. Filed at: Reuben 2001-8.
Reuben is shown next to John Barrow, over age 21, cultivating 12 acres of land in Escambia County, from 1820-1824. John, James and Elijah Ward are nearby, as is Thomas Baggot. This establishes his time of arrival in Florida as 1820.
The following is from an article written for the Okaloosa County Genealogical Society, Winter 1984, titled "Early History of Okaloosa County", by Martha Rogers. It is filed at: Reuben 1997-14.
Below are voter lists for the first elections held in the North Florida area. This was the Yellow Water District of Walton County, Florida.
1828. Election held at the home of Findlay McCaskill on August 4, 1828.
Reuben Hart, Senior; Reuben Hart, Junior; and John Hart.
1829 Election held May 4, 1829, Yellow Water Precinct, No address given. Walton County, Florida.
John Hart
1831 Almirante Precinct, Territory of Florida, Walton County. November 7, 1831. A complete list of voters is filed at: 2001-10-5.
Reuben Hart, Senior; Reuben Hart, Junior; John Hart; & Isaac Hart.
1832 Election for a representative to the Legislative Council from Walton County, Territory of Florida, was held at the home of Mr. Saville, first Monday in November, 1832. A complete list of voters is filed at: 2001-10-5.
Reuben Hart, Junior.
The following is a letter from Barbara Martin dated 7 June 1997. It is filed at: Reuben 1997-14.
Voting records show that Reuben, Sr., and/or various sons voted in Yellow River Precinct, Walton County (now Okaloosa) elections in 1828, 1829, 1831, & 1832. Some of them signed petitions in 1832, 1839, and 1842. Reuben Hart voted in 1845 in Florida's first State election. (Must have been Reuben Junior).
The following is from an article by Mayme Tyner, filed at Family Stories-1.
January 24, 1832. Petition of Walton County residents to re-appoint Judge Henry M. Breckinridge to the Superior Court was signed by these Laurel Hill or Almarante residents of Walton County.
The petition and all the signers is filed at: 2001-10-5.
Hart, Reuben, Sr., Reuben, Jr., John & Daniel. Gaskins, Wright.
McCaskill, Alexander. Campbell, Daniel D., John, & Donald.
Senterfitt, Stephen Stokes, Absalom
Baggett, Thomas & Edmund Barrow, Reuben N., & John.
Ward, William.
Jan 21, 1839. A petition to Congress by citizens of West Florida for removal of driftwood and logs from Yellow River, which would make it navigable for 50 miles. The cost was estimated at $6,000.00. This complete petition with the signers is located at: 2001-10-4.
Campbell, John, Alexander, & Peter. Wilkinson, Daniel A.
Clary, James D. Hart, Reuben & Daniel.
Baggett, Nicholas, Edmund, Lewis, Alexander, & Henry. Ward, William
Steele, Robert Senterfitt, Stephen & Jesse
Barrow, Richmond, & John. Gaskins, Wright, William, and John
Stokes, Wright A., John, and Absalom Fountain, Alexander
McDuffie, Daniel
June 4, 1842. A second petition to David Levy, Delegate to Congress to clear obstructions of logs & rafts from Yellow River, for navigation and development of the area. The price went up. This time they asked for $15,000.00. This was dated at Almarante, Walton County, Florida, June 4, 1842. A complete copy of the petition with all the signers is filed at: 2001-10-3
Hart, Reuben, Sr., Reuben, Jr., Allen, Dennis, & Daniel. Ward, William
Campbell, Peter & Alex. Morrison, Norman
Stokes, John & Josiah Steele, Robert & J.
Senterfitt, Jesse & Stephen Barrow, Richmond, John, & Reuben
Fountain, Alex Wilkinson, D. A.
Gaskins, Wright, John & William McCaskill, Daniel
Baggett, Lewis, Edmund, Thomas, Choice, Joshua,
Henry, Alex, Nicholas, Andrew, & Michael.
The following is from a National Archives report of the BLM records of land ownership in Covington County, Alabama. Filed in Land Records.
14 April 1857. Reuben Hart purchased the following land under Document # 24414. It is a total of 121.86 acres, for which he paid
12 1/2 cents per acre. The total was $15.23. Reuben signed the land documents with an X indicating that he was illiterate. The
Patent was issued 3 January 1860.
E1/2NE Sec 5/ Twp 1-N Range 15-E St. Stephens Meridian Covington County, Alabama.
SWNE Sec 5/ Twp 1-N Range 15-E St. Stephens Meridian Covington County, Alabama.
14 Nov 1893 In the above package of land records was a handwritten letter signed with an X by Dennis E. Hart, also indicating illiteracy. In the letter he claims to be the beneficial owner of the above land, and that the original land document, 24414 had been lost. The letter was written to "The State of Alabama, Covington County", by Notary Malachi Riley, and witnessed by someone whose signature is not legible to me. The purpose of the letter was to obtain the Patent issued to his father, Reuben. On a separate paper, about the size of a cash register tape, is recorded the following information. Document # 24414, Elba, Alabama, Patented 8 Jan 1860,recorded book 40, page 236. Patent trans to Malachi Riley, Andalusia, Alabama, 10 January 1894. Followed by the initials M. I. G. I do not understand the significence of this. Did Malachi Riley find a way to cheat Dennis out of
this property?
The following is quoted from a "History of Okaloosa County", by Fran Roberts, filed at: Reuben 2001-8.
"Most of the Conecuh County families were living in the vicinity of Fort Crawford in 1818 and all of the Florida lists show families settled in the vicinity of what is now Oak Grove and Laurel Hill on or near the Yellow River, which was previously named the "Yellow Water River", and originally named Rio Del Almirante (River of the Admiral) by the Spanish. As evidence of this, one can still find tombstones of some of these pioneers in that area in such places as the old "Lost" Yellow River Church cemetery in the woods 900 paces behind the present day Yellow River Church and Cemetery at Oak Grove and the Clary Cemetery, Magnolia Cemetery, and the old Almirante Cemetery across the Yellow River nearer present day Laurel Hill, Florida". (Barbara Martin says that she has been told that the tombstones from the "Lost" cemetery were removed and thrown into a gully nearby).
Marriage 1 Saly ???? HART b: ABT 1785
• Married: ABT 1799 11
Children
1. Reuben (JR) HART b: 8 SEP 1800 in Washington County, Georgia
2. John HART b: 17 JAN 1802 in Wash. Co., Ga. Moved to Texas
3. William Henry HART b: 26 MAR 1804 in Washington County, Georgia. Moved to Texas
4. Robert Joshua HART b: 10 FEB 1806 in Washington County, Georgia
5. Isaac HART b: 11 APR 1808 in Washington Co., Georgia
6. Daniel HART b: 5 FEB 1810 in Washington Co. Georgia
7. Allen Haze HART b: 9 APR 1812 in Washington Co., Georgia
8. Mary Ann HART b: 21 MAR 1814 in Washington Co., Ga. Moved to Tyler Co, Texas.
9. Andrew Jackson HART b: 22 DEC 1816 in Creek Indian Territory, Alabama or Georgia
10. Richard Jefferson HART b: 5 JUN 1819 in Belleville, Conecuh Co., Al
11. Dennis Ervin HART b: 11 NOV 1821 in Walton, (Okaloosa) Co., Fl.
Marriage 2 Nancy Ann RIGDON b: ABT 1783 in North Carolina.
• Married: ABT 1799 in Washington County, Georgia 12
Sources:
1. Title: Jeff Jones jjones1776@aol.com. 7120 NW 18th, Bethany, OK. 73008 Note: 1860 Walton Co., Fl., census Sherry Nicolas 1850 Covington County, Al., census
2. Title: Brian Cushing blcushing@mindspring.com 2000-11-3
3. Title: Hart Family Biography Myrtle Mead. 2001-2
4. Title: David Millican Reuben 1997-8
5. Title: Nancy Grisham Letter dated 1997. Reuben 1997-9
6. Title: Arlene Chilton letter. Reuben 1998-8
7. Title: howard Sorensen. hasoren@earthlink.net. Filed at: 2002-11-8.
8. Title: Hart Family Biography Myrtle Mead. 2001-2 Note: Sherry Nicolas
9. Title: Roger Hart
10. Title: Dr. A. J. McCreary
11. Sherry Nicolas
12. Title: Wyley Ward wardppe@alaweb.com. 2001-1-19
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Notes for Reuben (Spouse 1)
HART FAMILY
By David Millican
Reuben Hart was born in North Carolina about 1780. The names of his parents are
unknown, but it is probable that he is either descended from a group of Harts from
Chatham County, North Carolina, or another group from Dobbs and Greene Counties,
North Carolina. By 1800, he was in Washington County Georgia, his first child being
born there in that year. The opening of new land in Alabama prompted a move to there
from Georgia. He is mentioned by Riley in his 3History of Conecuh County Alabamaý as
arriving in the area about 1817. His residence in Conecuh county was near Bellville. He
did not remain in Conecuh County long, because by late 1820, he was in West Florida.
Until the mid 18301s, Reuben lived on the West side of the Yellow River in a part of
Escambia County Florida that later became Walton County. Sometime between 1830
and 1840, Reuben moved to Covington County, Alabama. By 1840 He and his sons
Allen H., Dennis, Daniel, Isaac, Andrew Jackson, John and William were all living there.
The area in which they settled was in the Western part of the county along the Conecuh
River, near the Conecuh County line. Their Post Office was known as William1s Mills.
No proof exists as to the identity of Reuben1s wife. Some have said that her name was
Nancy Rigdon, however, the 1820 Spanish census of West Florida lists her name as
3Salyý (Sarah). Consequently, the identity of his wife remains an open question.
Reuben and his wife had the following children :
All children until Andrew Jackson were born in Washington County, Georgia.
1. Reuben jr. was born September 8, 1800. He married Nellie Lamb in Walton County
Florida. Reuben and Nellie had eight children. They remained in Walton county.
Reuben jr. died March 7, 1877 and is buried in the Yellow River cemetery in Oak
Grove.
2. John was born January 17, 1802. He married (1) Nancy Gartman on September 25,
1823 in Escambia County Florida. (2) Milly Gartman in 1837 in Walton County
Florida. Milly and Nancy were daughters of David Gartman and Drucilla Horn. John
had six children with Nancy, and four with Milly. About 1858, John, Milly and the
younger children moved to Hardin County, Texas, near his younger brother William
Henry. He died sometime between 1860 and 1870. His place of death and burial in
Texas are unknown.
3. William Henry was born March 25, 1804. He married Sarah Granberry Herrington
January 17, 1825 in Escambia County, Florida. She was the daughter of Harvey
Herrington and Elizabeth Granberry. William and Sarah had nine children. Prior to
1830, William moved to Covington County from Florida. He was in Covington
County until 1842, when he moved to DeSoto Parish Louisiana with Samuel
Buchanan, who was married to Sarah1s sister Nancy (Samuel was mentioned by
Riley as the first settler in the Conecuh/Covington area). About 1851, William Henry
had moved on to Jefferson County, Texas (In 1858, the area in which he lived was
split off to form Hardin County). He died there on February 12, 1861, and is buried
in the Hart Cemetery, Village Mills, Texas.
4. Joshua Robert was born February 10, 1806. He married Narcissa Pridgen in
Escambia County, Florida. They had seven children. Prior to 1840, he moved to
Henry County, Alabama. He died sometime between 1860 and 1870 in Henry
County.
5. Isaac was born April 11, 1808. He married Mary MacArthur in Escambia County,
Florida. They had eleven children. Sometime prior to 1840 he moved to Covington
County. He died July 3, 1881 in Walton County, Florida.
6. Daniel was born February 5, 1810. He married Catherine McCaskill in 1829 in
Escambia County, Florida. They had eight children. He moved to Covington County
before 1840. Prior to 1850, he then moved back to Santa Rosa County, Florida until
sometime before 1870, when he moved back to Covington County.
7. Allen H. was born April 9, 1812. He married Elizabeth Cawthorne in Escambia
County, Florida. They had six children. He moved to Covington County before 1840.
Sometime prior to 1860 he moved back to Walton County, Florida. He then moved
back to Covington County. He died March 14, 1891 in Covington County, Alabama
8. Mary was born March 21, 1814. She married Daniel Jones in 1844 in Covington
County, Alabama. He was the son of Josiah Jones and Isabella Nicholson. Josiah
was a prominent early settler and pioneer office holder in Covington County. Daniel
and Mary had seven children In 1858, Mary and Daniel moved to Tyler County,
Texas, probably with her brother John. The Country and Western singer George
Jones is a descendant of Daniel and Mary. She died between 1860 and 1870 in Tyler
County.
9. Andrew Jackson was born December 22, 1816 on the trail between Georgia and
Conecuh County, Alabama. He married Elizabeth Ann Smith in Escambia County,
Florida. They had five children. He died on June 22, 1879 in Covington County,
Alabama.
10. Richard Jefferson was born on June 25, 1819 in Conecuh County, Alabama. It is not
known to whom he was married. He supposedly moved to Falls County Texas at an
early date, but this is not proven.
11. Dennis Ervin was born on November 11, 1821 in Escambia County, Florida. He was
married in Escambia County, Florida to Margaret McCaskill. They had five
children. He was in Covington County before 1840. He died in 1910 in Walton
County, Florida.
Many of the descendants of this pioneer Covington County family are still living in
South Alabama and West Florida.
By David Millican
Reuben Hart was born in North Carolina about 1780. The names of his parents are
unknown, but it is probable that he is either descended from a group of Harts from
Chatham County, North Carolina, or another group from Dobbs and Greene Counties,
North Carolina. By 1800, he was in Washington County Georgia, his first child being
born there in that year. The opening of new land in Alabama prompted a move to there
from Georgia. He is mentioned by Riley in his 3History of Conecuh County Alabamaý as
arriving in the area about 1817. His residence in Conecuh county was near Bellville. He
did not remain in Conecuh County long, because by late 1820, he was in West Florida.
Until the mid 18301s, Reuben lived on the West side of the Yellow River in a part of
Escambia County Florida that later became Walton County. Sometime between 1830
and 1840, Reuben moved to Covington County, Alabama. By 1840 He and his sons
Allen H., Dennis, Daniel, Isaac, Andrew Jackson, John and William were all living there.
The area in which they settled was in the Western part of the county along the Conecuh
River, near the Conecuh County line. Their Post Office was known as William1s Mills.
No proof exists as to the identity of Reuben1s wife. Some have said that her name was
Nancy Rigdon, however, the 1820 Spanish census of West Florida lists her name as
3Salyý (Sarah). Consequently, the identity of his wife remains an open question.
Reuben and his wife had the following children :
All children until Andrew Jackson were born in Washington County, Georgia.
1. Reuben jr. was born September 8, 1800. He married Nellie Lamb in Walton County
Florida. Reuben and Nellie had eight children. They remained in Walton county.
Reuben jr. died March 7, 1877 and is buried in the Yellow River cemetery in Oak
Grove.
2. John was born January 17, 1802. He married (1) Nancy Gartman on September 25,
1823 in Escambia County Florida. (2) Milly Gartman in 1837 in Walton County
Florida. Milly and Nancy were daughters of David Gartman and Drucilla Horn. John
had six children with Nancy, and four with Milly. About 1858, John, Milly and the
younger children moved to Hardin County, Texas, near his younger brother William
Henry. He died sometime between 1860 and 1870. His place of death and burial in
Texas are unknown.
3. William Henry was born March 25, 1804. He married Sarah Granberry Herrington
January 17, 1825 in Escambia County, Florida. She was the daughter of Harvey
Herrington and Elizabeth Granberry. William and Sarah had nine children. Prior to
1830, William moved to Covington County from Florida. He was in Covington
County until 1842, when he moved to DeSoto Parish Louisiana with Samuel
Buchanan, who was married to Sarah1s sister Nancy (Samuel was mentioned by
Riley as the first settler in the Conecuh/Covington area). About 1851, William Henry
had moved on to Jefferson County, Texas (In 1858, the area in which he lived was
split off to form Hardin County). He died there on February 12, 1861, and is buried
in the Hart Cemetery, Village Mills, Texas.
4. Joshua Robert was born February 10, 1806. He married Narcissa Pridgen in
Escambia County, Florida. They had seven children. Prior to 1840, he moved to
Henry County, Alabama. He died sometime between 1860 and 1870 in Henry
County.
5. Isaac was born April 11, 1808. He married Mary MacArthur in Escambia County,
Florida. They had eleven children. Sometime prior to 1840 he moved to Covington
County. He died July 3, 1881 in Walton County, Florida.
6. Daniel was born February 5, 1810. He married Catherine McCaskill in 1829 in
Escambia County, Florida. They had eight children. He moved to Covington County
before 1840. Prior to 1850, he then moved back to Santa Rosa County, Florida until
sometime before 1870, when he moved back to Covington County.
7. Allen H. was born April 9, 1812. He married Elizabeth Cawthorne in Escambia
County, Florida. They had six children. He moved to Covington County before 1840.
Sometime prior to 1860 he moved back to Walton County, Florida. He then moved
back to Covington County. He died March 14, 1891 in Covington County, Alabama
8. Mary was born March 21, 1814. She married Daniel Jones in 1844 in Covington
County, Alabama. He was the son of Josiah Jones and Isabella Nicholson. Josiah
was a prominent early settler and pioneer office holder in Covington County. Daniel
and Mary had seven children In 1858, Mary and Daniel moved to Tyler County,
Texas, probably with her brother John. The Country and Western singer George
Jones is a descendant of Daniel and Mary. She died between 1860 and 1870 in Tyler
County.
9. Andrew Jackson was born December 22, 1816 on the trail between Georgia and
Conecuh County, Alabama. He married Elizabeth Ann Smith in Escambia County,
Florida. They had five children. He died on June 22, 1879 in Covington County,
Alabama.
10. Richard Jefferson was born on June 25, 1819 in Conecuh County, Alabama. It is not
known to whom he was married. He supposedly moved to Falls County Texas at an
early date, but this is not proven.
11. Dennis Ervin was born on November 11, 1821 in Escambia County, Florida. He was
married in Escambia County, Florida to Margaret McCaskill. They had five
children. He was in Covington County before 1840. He died in 1910 in Walton
County, Florida.
Many of the descendants of this pioneer Covington County family are still living in
South Alabama and West Florida.
FindAGrave notes for Reuben (Spouse 1)
Find A Grave Memorial# 66995970