MY RIVERSIDE CEMETERY TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS
SCRAPBOOK PART VI
by Jonathan K. T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1995

SNEED

(Page 22)

LOT 27, SNEED

Newspaper clippings about Miss Katharine Lanier Sneed, courtesy of Kenneth D. Sneed:

Miss Sneed         Graveside services for former Madison Countian, Miss Katharine Lanier Sneed, 87, of Valdosta, Ga., will be at 4 p. m. Thursday in Riverside Cemetery with Dr. Charles Matlock officiating Griffin Funeral Home is in charge.         Miss Sneed died Monday in Valdosta.         She was born in Madison County, daughter of the late Erasmus Darwin and Alice Lanier Sneed.         A talented musician, Miss Sneed graduated from M.C.F.I. (Lambuth College) and received the Master's Degree from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She also studied in France for two years and later founded the Valdosta College of Music.         She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Valdosta.         Miss Sneed was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and of the State Federation of Music.         Survivors include: two nephews, Kenneth Sneed of Claybrook, Tenn., and Junius J. Pulliam of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; a great niece, Mary Darwin Sneed of Claybrook; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. E. D. Sneed of Claybrook.         Pallbearers, requested to meet at the funeral home at 3:30 p. m., include: Felix Exum, Wadford Donnell, Norris Warlick, Polk Waynick, Fred Exum and Mayo Pearson.         The body will remain at the funeral home.

 

 

KATHERINE SNEED TO HAVE SCHOOL OF MUSIC HERE Announcement is Made of Enlarged Plans By Prominent Valdosta Teacher         Announcement was made yesterday of the opening in September of the Katherine Sneed Studios where students in music can get a full course of study at the completion of which they will get a certificate or diploma that will be accepted by leading conservatories of the country.         Miss Sneed is a graduate of the American Conservatory of Chicago and is well known here having taught here six years and the many good pupils she has turned out are ample advertisement for her.         She has helped to bring to Valdosta some famous musical organizations and is ever ready to do anything for the musical growth of this city. She is also interested in the State as she is Director of or President of the Eleventh District for the State Federation of Music Club.         An opening of a school especially for music is a new venture here but since Valdosta is a very musical city whose residents love good music it is sure to be a successful one.         The course of study will include theory, harmony, composition, musical history and harmonic analysis.         The Studios will be located in the Corbett building where Miss Sneed has three large rooms with double doors. In her Studio she has a lovely new Mathushek Ground and on the walls is an array of distinguished looking men from whom she has studied at different times.         Announcement will be made later of those assisting Miss Sneed.         She leaves Friday for a vacation of a few weeks at Indian Springs, Ga.

 

Center tombstone:

ERASMUS DARWIN SNEED
Aug. 8, 1849-Jan. 1, 1896

His Wife,
ALICE LANIER
May 17, 1856-Feb. 13, 1891

Their Children:

RICHARD L. SNEED
Feb. 20, 1878-Nov. 30, 1897

ALICE & FANNY SNEED
Dec. 7, 1879-May 24, 1880

EMMA D. SNEED
Mar. 24, 1886-Dec. 25, 1890

KATHARINE LANIER SNEED
no dates

footstones, south to north:
FANNY
ALICE
FATHER
MOTHER
RICHARD L.
EMMA D.
KATHARINE LANIER SNEED, Died Aug. 14, 1972

Kenneth D. Sneed of Claybrook, Tenn., the grandson of Erasmus D. and Alice L. Sneed has told the compiler that they are actually buried in a Ft. Sill, Oklahoma cemetery. He and Mrs. Lanier Exum Donnell, both of Madison Co., have told the compiler that Richard L. Sneed is actually buried in an unmarked grave in the Lebanon United Methodist Churchyard in NE Madison County. Emma D. may be buried in Okla. Actually buried in this lot, then, seem to be Alice and Fanny Sneed and Katharine Sneed (June 1885-Aug. 1972). The latter may simply have wanted one monument to represent almost her whole family.

Alice Lanier was a daughter of John H. Lanier and Cassandra (Barham) Lanier of Madison County, whose tombstones in the Lebanon United Methodist churchyard has their dates: J. H. Lanier, Dec. 31, 1811-Mar. 5, 1882. Cassandra Lanier, March 24, 1814-March 18, 1885.

Madison Co. Court Minute Book 16, pages 200-204: Cassandra Lanier vs J. H. Lanier, Jr. and others. October 3, 1882. J. H. Lanier had "lately departed this life intestate" in this county, leaving a widow, Cassandra, who applies to court for her homestead and dower out of his estate. Lanier left considerable real estate, divided into eleven parcels, including a town lot in Spring Creek and acreage in Henderson County as well as in Madison Co.

 

(Page 23)

IBID., pages 226-228. November 14, 1882. Out of her husband's estate, Cassandra Lanier was allotted the residence (homestead) and 40 acres therewith and an adjoining 212 acres dower. On May 23, 1882 previously a year's support from the estate was apportioned to her. (IBID., page 106)

The John H. and Cassandra Lanier family appeared in the 1860 U.S. Census of Madison Co., page 157, Civil District 12; by name, age, gender, his vocation, value of real estate, value of personal estate and places of birth:

Larger image available.

Copy of original will-testament of Cassandra Lanier, beginning with "Here is my will and dying testament."

Madison Co. Court Minute Book 17, page 1, June 2, 1885. E. D. Sneed, husband of Alice "who is a daughter of the testatrix" /Cassandra Lanier/ appointed administrator of Cassandra Lanier's estate. IBID., Book 20, pages 290-291, April 5, 1897: Dr. J. H. Lanier, uncle of the minor heirs of E. D. Sneed, i.e. Richard L., aged 19; Lavinia, aged 16; Kate, aged 13; E. D., aged 9. They had land in Madison Co. and an interest in a judgment in the Indian Territory. Dr. Lanier was appointed their guardian.

Madison Co. Deed Bk. 49, page 285. Chancery ruled May 1889 in N. R. Warlick and wife, Kate vs J. H. Lanier, Jr., E. D. and Alice Sneed, C. C. and Cassandra Williams, J. R. and Elizabeth Atkinson, Chas. Waynick, Ed. S. Waynick, Ross parish, Mary Parish, Howard Parish; confirming 66 acs to the Warlicks out of J. H. Lanier, Sr estate.

 

(Page 24)

GOODSPEED'S HISTORY OF TENNESSEE (Madison Co.), 1887, pp. 880-881:

J. H. Lanier, M. D., was born in this State in 1840, and is the son of J. H. and Cassandra (Barham) Lanier. The parents came to Tennessee when quite young, from Virginia and North Carolina respectively. The father was a life-long farmer, living on the farm on which our subject now resides for fifty years, having died here in 1882, his widow following him in death in 1885. The grandfather of our subject commanded a company in the war of 1812, his name being J. M. Lanier. The Lanier family are descendants of the Huguenots, two brothers having been expelled from France in 1685, on account of their religion, and came to Virginia and settled in the town of Maniken, and from them sprang the Lanier family in the United States. Our subject was reared on a farm, and is living on a portion of the farm of his birth. He received his literary education at the Southwestern Baptist University in Jackson, Tenn. In 1860 he began reading medicine, and attended the sessions of 1860-61 of the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia; and in May, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Confederate service, and remained until May, 1865. He received a flesh wound in the arm while engaged in the battle at Franklin. After returning from the army he resumed the study of medicine, attending the University of Nashville in 1865-66, graduating in the latter year. He has since been engaged in the practice of medicine, conducting his farm at the same time. December 20, 1866, he married Miss Mary E. Christian; of Carroll County, and daughter of A. B. and Eliza O. Christian. She was born in this State in 1848, and is the mother of ten children-three daughters and seven sons. The wife died October 20, 1885. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic order, and politically a Democrat. He was married the second time to Miss E. J. Moffitt, of Lexington, Tenn., December 8, 1886. Miss Moffitt is the daughter of J. M. and Harriet Moffitt, of Henderson.

 

IBID., p. 905

Erasmus D. Sneed, a good citizen of this county, was born in Madison County, Miss., August 8, 1849. The father, Albert Sneed, was born in North Carolina, and went to Mississippi in 1832. He was a life-long farmer, and supported a family of thirteen children-four daughters, and nine sons-five of whom are living. The mother, Maria F. Bullock, was born in North Carolina. The parents were members of the Episcopal Church. The father died in 1874, his wife preceding him about one year. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm, then railroaded a while, after which he engaged in the mercantile business at Canton, Miss., and in 1873 came to Claybrook, this county, and after doing business there for three years, moved to Jackson, where he has continued business up to the present time. He has moved on his farm, and directs his attention to it exclusively, his mercantile business being run by partner. In 1877 he married Miss Alice R. Lanier, daughter of J. H. and Casander (Barham) Lanier. She was born in 1856, and is the mother of six children; three daughters and one son are living; twins died in infancy. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and his wife a member of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the K. of H., and in politics he is Democratic.

 

The 1850 U.S. Census, Madison Co., C. D. 12, page 534:
John H. Lanier, age 38, born Va.;
Cassandra Lanier, age 34, born N.C.
Mary J. Lanier, age 12, born Tenn.;
John Lanier, age 9, born Tenn.;
Sarah Lanier, age 6, born Tenn.;
Lucy Lanier, age 4, born Tenn.;
Elizabeth Lanier, age 3, born Tenn.

Madison Co., Tenn. Marriages:
Bettie Lanier = Dr. John R. Atkinson, December 8, 1869
Lucy V. Lanier = James N. Parish, December 16, 1868
Sarah A. Lanier = Newett N. May, November 3, 1858
C. A. Lanier = C. C. Williams, December 17, 1878
Alice R. Lanier = Erasmus D. Sneed, May 1, 1877
Mollie J. Lanier = A. R. Waynick, October 30, 1856

Madison Co., Tenn. Chancery Minute Book 12, pages 316-320. Sept. 12, 1883.
John H. Lanier, Jr. et al. vs Chas. Waynick, et al. Portions from estate of J. H. Lanier, Sr. personalty advanced from their father:
Bettie Atkisson, $1775
Alice Sneed, $915
J. H. Lanier, Jr., $200
Cattie Williams, over $200
Lucy Parish, $250
Mary J. Waynick, $2090
Sarah J. May, $1895
Real Estate advanced by their father:
J. H. Lanier, Jr., $3500; Lucy Parish, $3150; Alice Sneed, $1200; Cattie Williams, $1000.

IBID., pages 362-368. Sept. 17, 1883. Twelve parcels of land of late J. H. Lanier, Sr. ordered sold at public auction.

IBID., page 525. Jan. 19, 1884. Lands sold Nov. 24, 1883. Several of the heirs bought some of the tracts sold out of the real estate.

Buried in Lavinia, Tennessee Cemetery: J. H. Lanier, 1839 /1840/-1917; M. E., wife of J. H. Lanier, June 24, 1849-Oct. 20, 1885; Eliza Jane Moffitt Lanier, 1860-1908; John, son of J. H. and M. E. Lanier, Aug. 30, 1868-Sept. 1, 1868; Robley D., son of same couple, Dec. 9, 1878-Oct. 14, 1879; among others.

1900 U.S. Census, Madison Co., Tenn., Civil District 12:
John H. Lanier, born Jan. 1840, born Tenn.
Christian Lanier, son, born Feb. 1877, born Tenn.
Lucien Lanier, son, born Aug. 1880, born Tenn.
Alice E. Lanier, daughter, born Dec. 1884, born Tenn.
Corrine Lanier, daughter, born Dec. 1887, born Tenn.
Kate Lanier, daughter, born Feb. 1889, born Tenn.
E. D. Sneed, boarder, born Dec. 1889, born Indian Territory

 

WEST TENN. WHIG Dec. 11, 1886:
Dr. J. H. Lanier, a prominent physician of the Spring Creek vicinity and Miss Eliza Moffitt, a charming young lady of Henderson county, were married at the residence of the bride’s father Mr. James Moffitt last Wednesday, the 8th inst. The Whig extends congratulations and wishes bon voyage to the happy pair.

 

(Page 25)

A NOTE

Regarding the birth year of Dr. John Hicks Lanier. His death certificate, No. 694, Madison County, Tennessee shows that John Hicks Lanier was born in Madison County, Tennessee, January 21, 1839, the son of Jack Lanier and Casander Barham. Father born Virginia; mother S.C. He died Dec. 31, 1917 in Civil District 12 of Madison County. Buried at Lavenia, Tennessee. Informant was W. H. Gowan, Juno, Tennessee.

The biographical sketch of Dr. John H. Lanier in Goodspeed's Madison Co. History, states that he was born in 1840 as does the 1900 U.S. census. His tombstone gives the birth year as 1839.

In his father's household, J. H. Lanier, U.S. Census, 1840, page 95, there is an apparently only son, aged under five years. In the U.S. Census, 1850, Madison County, C.D. 12, page 327, Oct. 12, his age is given as 9 years. In the U.S. Census, 1860, Madison Co., C.D. 12, page 212, Aug. 21, his age is given, as 20 years. In the U.S. Census, 1870, Madison Co., C.D. 12, page 275, July 8, his age is given as 28 years. In the U.S. Census, 1880, Madison Co., C.D. 12, enumeration district 97, page 33, June 17, his age is given as 41 years.

 

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