R.A. Dennis Records of Cannon County, Tennessee (Part 1)
Rufas A. Dennis b. 18 June 1868 Cannon Co.,TN d. 12 Jan 1958 Cannon Co.,TN
This is a family history manuscript written by R.A. Dennis. (I am not sure if anyone really knows the exact time frame for when this began or when the last notes were made. There are events or dates mentioned in the manuscript that indicate 1940 – 1959) Keep in mind as you read this that the language and terms used were normal for that time period. There are known errors in the manuscript along with improper spelling of many words and names. The handwritten manuscript has been typed as written, errors and all. This is being provided as a research tool for you. If you find a link you should pursue it through further research and obtain documentation to substantiate the research. Notes have been added to my copy of the manuscript that I have included in brackets.
(signed) R. A. Dennis
I regret that I am deprived of any and all news or true history of Great Grandfather ROBERT KING. His father and mother are blank to me. If any one know who Robert’s people are, please let me hear and receive free good will thanks.
(signed) R. A. Dennis
To write a correct manuscript of the KING family one has to begin way back in Virginia. The KINGS sprang from the Adams and Keaton people on their mothers’ side. Great Grandfather ROBERT KING’S history is as far back as I can go on the first father’s side. ROBERT KING, Born 1785, Died 1863.
The first JACOB ADAMS was born in Virginia 1735. His wife’s name is blotted out but her first name was Mary. This Jacob and Mary had a family of four sons and five girls. The boys were Jacob, Jr., Peter, Isaac, and William. The Daughter: Mary (married Richard Hancock), Barb Lydia (married Dr. Sam Tittle), Rebecca (married James Hollandsworth), Sally (married Cornelious Keaton), and Susan Elizabeth (married Jack Keaton).
JACK KEATON and his wife’s issue was two sons and three girls. William Jackson (married a Miss Holland), and Neal (married Miss Harris). The daughters were as follows: Morning (married Bill Kelly), Jeannie (married P. A. Keaton), and Lydia (married Great Grandfather ROBERT KING in Virginia in 1808. Kelley and his wife, Morning Keaton, married in Virginia. [Wilson Co Tn] Lydia and Morning were married when their sister, Jeannie was born in 1810. The Adams, Keatons, Hancocks, Kelleys, and King a branch of the Tittles, Higgins, and others here in Tennessee are all one family of intellectual people.
James Hollandsworth and Cornelious Keaton and their Adams wives never did come to Tenn. [see Tn Cousins for Cornelouis Keaton] Neither did any of the boys but Jacob, Jr. Robert Kings home was on Sycamore Creek upon a branch, or small creek, called the King Branch. His farm included all the land on the entire branch around the meanders of the ridges on either side of the branch. Nine hundred acres was the size of his farm. It was in Wilson and Smith Counties until [after]1835 when Cannon County was created.
I will be unable to list all names of the KING family and I will leave blank spaces for others to list names in that are left out; not written down. I can trace the first and second KING generations very well. I am a little blank on the younger KING people.
ROBERT KING and his wife, Lydia Keaton, brought up a family of six sons and five daughters.
The first son of Robert and Lydia King was born in 1810. They called him WILLIAM (Bill). He was my wife’s grandfather. He married Nancy Kelley. They brought up five boys and six girls. Liz, Bill’s oldest daughter married Harvey Dodd. I now only three sons of Liz and Harvey’s family: William, Milton, and Dave Dodd.
Lydia King married Joe Knight. Ulysses and Richard, two sons, are all I know.
[Robert King to Lydia Keaton Mar 2, 1812 Wilson Co Tn , William Kelley to Morning Keaton Oct 5, 1812 Wilson Co Tn. We must remember that we have greater helps with our ___ than this great Historian Mr. R.A. Dennis had. I wish I had met him____]
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NOTE ADDED BY W. S. KING. AUGUST 1959.
Lydia King and Joe Knight raised five sons and four daughters. The sons were -Bill, Ulysses, Richard, Oliver, and Jodie. The daughters were: Mannie, Lucy, Mai, and Mollie. Ulysses married Ella Byars.
[Mollie Knight to Brown Spurlock]
Mary Ann King married Mon Haley. Hardy, Lige, Albert, and Sampson were the boys. Monroe went away and I lost sight of them.
Morn married Jackson King. One daughter graced their home. By way of fondness they called her Kandace. She married Lee Vickers. All deceased.
Emaline King married John Campbell. They died childless. [John Campbell married 1st Any Elizabeth Haley-seceral dau & sons]
Grandfather Bill’s son, and grandson of ROBERT KING, Robert, Jr. married Frances Mahaffa. They reared a family of four sons and four daughters. Will (Bud) was feeble minded. He lived to an old age and died. Jasper married Malenda Hayes and then removed to Texas. They are dead.
Manny King married Luanie Williams Two daughters were born to them. One of them married Raymond Beckton. The other one married a Mr. Smith Manny’s first wife died and he married Rachel Pistole. They live at Liberty, Tenn.
Oscar King, son of Robert King, Jr.. and grandson of Bill King, married Loucinda Adamson. They went to Texas early in life and died in Texas.
Robert King’s daughters, granddaughters of Bill King, and Great grand -daughters of Robert and Lydia King, Sr: Jenny married Andy Hayes. Their children Bob, Many, Adda.
Sara King married John Keaton. Their Issue:
Robert Jr.’s Daughter, Martha, married Dyer Rich. They removed to Texas and died there years ago.
Nora married Martin Stanley. He died and she married Wilson Bery. I can’t write up their issue.
Tip King, son of Bill King and grandson of Robert King, Sr., married John Mathis’s daughter. They had one heir,
Janny. Tip died a prisoner of war in Illinois, 1863. Taylor, a son of the same King family, died in prison also.
JAKE KING, son of Bill King, and grandson of Robert King, Sr., married Tabitha Bratcher. They reared two sons: Allen (Dock) King, and William (Pete)King, Jake and Talitha had one daughter, Ardelia. She married R. A. Dennis, author of this script. She died the 19th of September 1904. Her son, Jake, resides in Woodbury, Tennessee and Sam Dennis lives in Chicago, Ill. Jake Dennis married Kathlyn Bell Barrnett. Their children-three boys and six girls; five daughters and two son living.
JOHN KING, son of Bill King and grandson of Robert King, SR. married Lucy Barrett. Their sons were Bill, Eb, Taylor, Amber, and Hatton; The daughters were Allie and Lula; Allie married George Taylor or Bill married Jeannie Hale, Eb married —–,. Taylor died single, Hatton married Kiney Keaton, Amber , ___________, Lula married Lonnie Denton (name added by W. S. King Aug 1959)
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JAMES KING, second son of ROBERT KING, SR., born 1817, married Agnes Stricklin (B. 1809; D. Oct. 31, 1884) James and Agnes raised five sons and three girls.
CIDNEY ALEXANDER was the first son (b. 1831). Alex, as he was called by all people, married Sarah Ann Bogle. Their issue was as follows: Edna married Bill Moss: Their issue William B. Moss ————- Swan ————–,
Sallie married Charlie Hale.
ISSUE OF EDNA AND BILL MOSS ADDED BY W. S. KING AUG 1959.
Samatha married Henry Keaton. Their children were-Lillie married Ben St. John; Helen married Albert Hoody (He died and she married John Robertson, who was killed by a car driven by Nel Hale Jan 17, 1952). Minnie married Roy Grizzle (She died in her 63rd year. Apr 23, 1952). Walter married Lula Williams (Walter is dead).
Amanda Jayne married Jim Scott. They had no heirs, One or two girls died very young.
Martha married Luther _____________. She died April 15, 1952 Cidney Alex and Sarah Ann had four sons.
James Daniel married Darthula Raikes. Their children are as follows:
Sterling King married a Miss Morris. Frank King married Alice Davenport daughter of William B. Davenport. Frank and Alice brought up two girls; Gracie married Lee Powell, Grada married Caris Kennedy ADDED AUG 1959
Pharris King married Media Melton. Their children are as follows: ______________?
JAMES KING, son of James King and grandson of ROBERT KING, SR., married Nancy Ann Partan. Jeames and wife reared a family of three sons and three daughters. Four are dead; two living.
LESTER KING, Jeames’ eldest son, married Nan Keaton. Their issue one son and three girls. Robert married John D. Campbell’s daughter. She died and he married a Miss Mitchell. Callie married Chalmus Vance. Eva married Oscar Davis. They parted and she married Carl Cunnings. Ola married Ray Vance. Ray and Chalmus Vance are brothers. Both are dead.
MARVIN KING, Jeames’s son, married Jim Derting’s girl. Herschel married away from here. Jeames King’s girls-Florence married John Banks. Callie, Sr. married Mr. Curtis. Nola died years ago, 1880. Lester King is a high toned type of humanity. He is easy to approach pleasant to be with. He is discreet in his talk, polished in his manners and one of the refinest conversationalists and silver-tongued entertainers one ever had the pleasure to be with.
JACKSON KING, James’ third son, is written up in Bill King’s family report.
JORDAN KING, son of James, Sr., married Martha Bogle. Martha died and Jordan married Martha Haley. Sampson King is their only heir. Martha Haley died and Jordan married Cynthia Fuston Allen. They died at Gath, Tenn.
FOLLOWING ADDED AUG 1959
Sampson (son of Jordan and Martha Haley) B. Oct 24, 1879, married Nora Belle McGregor (B. Jan. 20, 1879) Their issue 3 sons, 1 daughter.: Garland (B. 9-9-1906) M. Hazel Crawford (B. 5-6-1944) Newell James (B. 10-21-1911 D. Oct 5, 1914) Fana Belle (B. 7-21-1915) m. James S. Goodlet, Kermit Stokley (B. 9 -24-1920) Unmarried.
HENRY KING, son of James King, Sr., and grandson of ROBERT KING, SR., married Amanda Keaton. Rece, Matthew, and Malley were the boys. Rece married Nancy Rich. She died Jan 1942, Rece King, 79, died Jan 24, 1954.
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Matilda and Hattie were the girls. Matilda married Lester Young. Hattie died unmarried. They are all gone to the Great Beyond.
James King’s daughters: Lyda married James Knight. Eliza, Betty and Jiny their heirs. Knight died and Lydia married Daniel Bryson. Bob and Nancy their heirs. Nancy married Jim Scott. She died in 1902.
James King’s daughter Synthia married Sam Keaton. Lawrence, Sam and Synthia’s son, is an ordained minister. Synthia died and Sam married another daughter of James King. They had no heirs. Jayn King was Sam’s last wife’s name.
ABE KING, son of ROBERT, SR:, married Sally Keaton. They removed to Atwood Carroll County, Tenn. John Halley married Abe’s girl, Mary King. Nelson and Larkin are the only ones I ever knew.
ALEX (BILL) KING married Nancy Jones. Lee, their only son, died in Wilson County years ago. Josie died in Texas. Molly married Bedford (Dick) Gann. She died in 1902.
JOHN KING, SR., son of Robert, Sr., married Mary Caroline Hancock. They died childless.
JAKE KING, SR., son of Robert King, Sr., married Louanie Williams. Their issue was three sons and two daughters. Bob T. R. King married Maggie Jaynuay in West Tenn. S. A. King, Jake’s second son, married Tennessee
Keaton. Their heirs, Claud, Alton, Charley, Anna.
S. A. and TEN’S heirs. ???????
BILL KING, Jake Sr.’s son and grandson of Robert Sr., married Alice Groom. {W. L. King married Alice Groom December 2, 1884 in Cannon County, TN} Their children: Jessee married Burvey King, Oral married Mahala Vance, Blvis married Bobie Stoner, Robert married Adrien Cooper; Daughters were: Lela married Shelah Ashford. He died and she married Joe B. Milligan. Nezzie married Morgan Stoner, Margoria married Shela Higgins. I think one married Grover Davenport.
Jake’s daughters, granddaughters of Robert King: Mary married Neal Bogle. {M. E. King married N. S. Bogle, October 19, 1873 in Cannon County, TN} Their heirs – Beny, ___________, Joe, Lougnie, Netty, and Etna Bogle.
Martha King, Dau of Jake, Sr., married Jim Womac. {Martha A. King married James M. Womack, January 26, 1879 in Cannon County, TN} Their children are Ora, Jinen, Nancy, and two other girls. Dauphin and Irvin were the boys.
ROBERT KING SR. and Lydia Keaton Kings’ daughters were as follows: Alamenta King married Alex Vandygriff. They had one son, Will Vandygriff. Will married Rhoda Campbell. Their heirs were John, Jim, Marion, Joe, and Henry the boys. The girls were – Delia, who married Andy Hamilton, and Betty, who married Rube George.
Nancy, Robert King’s daughter, married Jesse McGee. Monroe, born 1842, Bob, Sam, Jesse, Jr.; and Henry the sons. Monroe married Nancy Owen, widow of John Marcum. Edna, Idella, and Fountain King were Monroe’s heirs. Bob McGee, Jesse and Nancy’s son, married Anthem Marcum. Otha, A. J., Marlin, and Ferbin were Bob and Anthem McGee’s children. Sam McGee married Margaret Ripp, daughter of ______ Hipp. They went to Texas early in life and died there. Jesse Lafayette went to Texas and he died there. Henry McGee, the baby of the family, was a doctor and he married Mark Bethell’s dau. He located at Milton and practiced his profession there for years. He is dead.
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Jesse McGee and Nancys girls were Sis, she married Bill Jetton. Julia An died single, America married Martin Scott. They are all dead.
LUCINDA, daughter of Robert King, Sr., married William Kelly. Sam, the first son,married a Miss Archer in Macon County. Their children were as follows: _____?? Bethel Kelly the second son of Lucinda & and William Kelly married Lucy Ward. Their heirs were: Walter, Arther, Clyde, Motie, Nattie.
FOLLOWING FROM W. S. KING AUG 1959 HEIRS OF BETHEL KELLY AND LUCY WARD KELLY;
WALTER MARRIED SALLIE HOLLANDSWORTH, ARTHUR (UNKNOWN), CLYDE DIED SINGLE,
MOTIE MARRIED MARCUS RICH. THEY HAD 4 SONS: MARGEL, PAUL, AND OBIE KELLY
AND A. D. DIED IN WORLD WAR II, METTIE MARRIED CLEVE DENTON, BESSIE MARRIED
JOAN CRAWFORD, FLORA MARRIED ROBERT HALE, VERDA MAE MARRIED ALTON WOMACK.
Almenta Kelley married Jonathan Summar. Their children were as follows:
Willey married Penina Bryson, Hatton married Effie Martin, Andrew married John Scotts girl, Bob married Sutton Tasseys girl, Ethel married Joe Bogle, Alta married Smith Bogle.
Elizabeth King, a daughter of Robert King, Sr., married Bobby Craddock. Uncle Bobby and Aunt Betseys son. Simon married Allen Wilsons dau. She died and he, Simon, married Harrett Frazier. Harrison Craddock married Jayn Braswell. John married Betty Braswell. Bill Craddock died single. Simon reared two sons. John went to Texas in 1882. Robert died several years ago. Rev. Gradey, his son, is a minister of great promise.
Elizabeth and Bobby Craddocks girls: Mary married Wel Vandygriff. Parle married B. Rich. B. died and she married Tom Pugh. Loucinda married Lige Adamson. Their heirs were-Harrison; the doctor, Robert, Loney, and Les.
Candace married Charley Barrett.
Doll Braswell married Bobby and Betsys girl. They went many years ago and we never heard anything of them.
Mary A., daughter of Robert King, Sr., married Gabriel Keaton. Their children died in infancy. They died long ago. Gabriel Keaton was born June 19, 1837; died December 13, 1909, Mary _______ Keaton was born Sept. 14, 1831 ; date of death unknown.
MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL CLOSELY RELATED TO THE KING FAMILY:
Robert King Keaton, son of Billy Keaton, and grandson of Jack Keaton was a Baptist preacher for many years. He lived and died in Warren county near Dibrell, Tenn.
M. A. Cathcart was a Baptist Minister of great promise. Like many others, he died in the prime of life and was sadly missed.
John T. Hancock was a fine preacher of great promise. He died in youthful manhood. He was pastor of the Baptist Church on Sycamore when he died.
W. J. Watson is a fine preacher. He resides near Lebanon, Tenn.
H. L. Keaton lives in DeKalb County. He has been in the ministerial work some time.