1830-1847 Will Index

FamilySearch has digitized the Works Progress Administration transcriptions of Shelby County Wills.  The images are available online, but below I have typed up the name index for easy reference.


ABBOT, Jane G.HENLY, T.B.RIVES, George
ABERNATHY, ThomasHERING, JoelROBB, James
ALEXANDER, JesseHORN, MossesROBERTSON, Z.T.
ALLEN, AlexanderHOWISTON, Wm.ROYSTER, David
ALLEN, WillieHYNES, WilliamSANDERS, Joel B.
ALLISON, Thos.IRBY, GeraldSANDERS, M.L.
BALCH, AmandaISH, JacobSANDERSON, Elizabeth
BALCH, John K.JAMES, Henry F.SCALES, Joseph
BANGUS, BryantJOHNSON, LucySCRUGGS, Joseph
BELL, AndrewJOHNSON, Wm. I.SHIELDS, E.J.
BELL, Reuben H.JONES, AchellesSHEPHERD, William
BENNETT, PollyJONES, A.G.SKINNER, Benjamin
BEST, JohnJONES, BerthaSMITH, Calvin W.
BIGGS, BenjaminJONES, Eldredge W.SMITH, Joseph
BLOUNT, ThomasJONES, LafayetteSMITH, Sarah I.
BOLTON, Chas.KENNEDY, W.H.SMITH, Susanna
BOSHER, LeonardKEON, M.J.SNOW, John
BOWEN, AbnerKIMBROUGH, Jas.SPICER, Winfred
BOWEN, JohnKIMBROUGH, LydiaSTANTON, Benjamin
BROOKS, JosephKIMBROUGH, Margaret (Mrs.)STEWART, Wm. P.
BROWN, ElizabethKIRK, JosephSUGGETT, Bing
BROWN, John L. LAWRENCE, Wm.SUGGS, Isaacs
BRUCE, Wm. WallaceLEWIS, Charles W.TATE, Jesse C.
CANNON, JohnLEWIS, John N.TAYLOR, James P.
CARR, Martha AnnMACKEY, SamuelTAYLOR, Thos. B.
CARR, JosephMASON, JamesTHOMPSON, Wm.
CHRISTIAN, FredMAY, BenjaminTHURMON, F.C.
CHRISTIAN, WyattMcGEHEE, FountainTINSLEY, Ann
CLARKE, ElishaMcKEON, NicholasTITUS, Robert E.
COBB, Wm. McLEAN, ArchibaldTOSER, Nancy
COCHRAN, LynchMcMAHAN, FrancisTREZVANT, James
COTTON, JosephMcMILLAN, MurdockTREZVANT, L.C. (M.D.)
COX, EdwardMICKLEBERRY, J.S.TRIGG, Lucy
CROP, ShedrickMILLER, Thos.TURNER, John
DAUGHTRY, JamesMOORE, NathVAUGHN, Edmond H.
DUNN, DavidMOORE, CharityWAGNON, John P.
DUNN, SamuelMOORE, William A.WARD, Edward (Col.)
EASON, Howell D.MURRAY, Margaret A.WARD, Elizabeth
EDMONDS, James L.NUTT, ThomasWARE, Robert
EMMEY, FrederickOLIVER, Thomas B.WASHBURN, Thos.
FARIS, JamesPARHAM, SionWENDELL, Wm.
FRASIER, Jas.PARKS, JohnWHEATLY, Leonard
GATEWOOD, JanePATILLO, R.H.WHERRY, Andrew
GOOLSBY, RichardPERSONS, Benj. E.WHITE, Joseph
GREENLAW, GabrielPERSONS, Richard I.WILLIAM, James
GREGORY, WilliamPIRKINSON, JohnWILLIAM, Lewillen
GRIFFIN, ElijahQUENICHET, VivantWILSON, Jane
GRIFFIN, PleasantRASH, Thomas A.WISE, Henry
HADNOT, Brice W.RAWLINGS, Miss JulietWORTHAM, Robert
HARDAWAY, James P. RAWLINGS, IsaacWOODS, John
HARRIS, WilliamREID, John R.YOUNG, Emanuel
HARKLEROAD, DanieREMBERT, Andrew
HATCH, DurantREMBERT, James
HAYNES, HenryRENNOLDS, Fielding
HERRON, Isaac

 

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SMITH, Victoria Francis Brooks (Biography)

Victoria Frances “Vickie” Brooks  (6 Mar 1855 Fisherville, Shelby, TN – Oct 23, 1938 Memphis) was the youngest daughter of James Monroe Brooks and Mary Ann Kingston. She attended St. Agnes Academy and the State Female College while living in downtown Memphis. She later taught with her sister, Mollie, at their private school in Eads, TN near Hickory Withe, Morning Sun and the Brooks’ plantation home in Fisherville.  (See Brooks) 

 

Victoria married, ca. 1881, Joel “Joe” Henry Smith (1843-1844 Tippah Co., MS – Sep 9, 1928 Memphis) and they lived in Hickory Withe, Fayette, TN during the 1880s. Joel and his father were from the Corinth, Tippah, MS area and had come to work on the home at the Brooks’ plantation when he met Victoria. Joel served the Confederacy in the Civil War with Co. F 26th Mississippi Infantry as a Bugler and was taken prisoner several times, including the Battles of Vicksburg and Shiloh. Joel’s parents were probably John M. Smith (b. ca. 1812 GA) and Florenthia Nabors (b. ca. 1816 SC). Joel is buried in Confederate Soldier’s Rest, Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis. Victoria is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in the Hinson Lot with her sister, Mary Elizabeth Brooks Fletcher.

 

Issue of Victoria Brooks and Joel Smith 

Martha “Mattie” Pearl Smith  (Sep 25, 1883 Hickory Withe, Fayette Co., TN – April 29, 1965 Memphis) married Calvin Bruce Powell, comptroller at Mississippi A & M, Starkville, Oktibbeha, MS.  He was born ca. 1889 in Virginia and died bef. 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri. Mattie Pearl graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, MS and taught at Macon-Andrew Business and Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges in Starkville. She is buried in Forest Hill. 

Issue: Patricia Powell (b. 1909) joined the Marines during WWII. She became a meteorologist, was appointed Fish and Game Librarian for the State of California, and was sent to Uganda to set up that country’s Fish and Game Library.  Issue: Michael (b. 1945).  

Frances Brooks Powell (25 Oct 1916 Starkville, MS – 17 Nov 2001 Memphis, TN) married (1) Francis Aloysius Corley (1909-1947) of Cleveland, Ohio. He died after WWII as a result of illness contracted during his service in the Army as a communications specialist.  Issue: Patricia Dayle Corley (b. 1944)   Issue: Darian Cristine Corley (b. 1973).  Frances married (2) Colley Burnett of Geneva, NY.  IssuePeter Bruce Burnett (b. 6 Jan 1950)  IssueTonya Denise Burnett. Frances Powell received her B.S. from Memphis State University and her Physical Therapist’s Degree from Duke University. She was Chief of Therapy at Les Passes Developmental Center in Memphis for over 30 years.

 Joel Victor Smith (1886-1978) married Addie H. Atkins and was a Yard Inspector for the IC Railroad. He is buried in Forest Hill, Memphis. No issue.  

Vivian Brooks Smith (31 Dec 1887 Hickory Withe, TN – 21 Feb 1970 Memphis) married Vessie Aline Anthony (21 Sep 1889 Collierville – 1 Mar 1932 Memphis), daughter of William Anthony and Molly Bickers. Vivian worked for the railroad, as a Cotton Classer, and as a Salesman. He is buried in Fisherville Cemetery (Baptist Church). Vessie is buried in Memorial Park. Vessie came from a long line of early Virginia families who were instrumental in the development of our young county: Michie, Pleasant, Randolph, Tarlton, Winston, and Woodson.

 Maj. William Walter Smith  “Willie” (1889–1974) was in the National Guard in WWI and was a Major in WWII, stationed in Alaska.  He was a Shelby County Trustee Officer. He married Emma Miller. No issue. 

Kingston Wyatt Smith   “Wyart” (b. aft. 1890) He was a carpenter and worked as a foreman at a door and window framing company in South Memphis until his retirement. He did not marry. 

 

 

Issue of Vessie Anthony and Vivian Smith 

Mary Victoria Smith (15 Dec 1908 Eads, TN – 27 Jul 1998 Raleigh, NC) married Verble Raymond Peeler (24 Aug 1903 Covington, Tipton Co., TN – 5 May 1964 Alexandria, VA) on 31 Dec 1931 in Memphis. Verble was the son of William Wesley Peeler (17 Mar 1870 – 4 Aug 1937) and Minnie Bell Francis (3 Nov 1873 – 30 Mar 1949) who married 14 Aug 1890 at Bride, TN. William and Minnie are buried in Covington, TN. Verble apprenticed at S.C. Toof and Co. and worked there until the beginning of WW II.  He then trained to be a helicopter mechanic. The family moved to Mobile, AL where they remained throughout the War. He returned to the engraving business and the family lived in Salt Lake City, Utah and Washington, DC.  Issue: Three daughters and one son. 

Henry Wyatt Smith (14 May 1911 – 11 Feb 1979) married Emma Johnson and was in the Army in WWII.  No issue.

Elsie Ray Smith (b. 8 May 1913) married Orville Chester Vann, Jr. (30 Oct 1912 Shelby, TN – 4 Nov 1987 Shelby, TN) on 7 Apr 1934 in Marion, AR. He worked for Memphis Transit Co. Orville Chester VannSr., born in Pleasant View, Cheatham Co., TN, marriedEdna Shaw, born in Big Creek, outside of Lucy/Millington. Edna was the child of Malcolm M. Shaw and Annie Elizabeth Wynn of Big Creek. Annie was the child of Allen S. Wynne, brother of Peter Wynne of Big Creek. The Wynns and the Shaws are buried in Big Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  Issue of Elsie and Orville:  One daughter and one son. 

Eugene Smith (31 Dec 1915 – 21 Sep 1940)

William Clarence Smith “W.C.” (4 Jul 1918 – 20 Oct 2003) married Eunav Lillian Alsbrook.  Issue: One son and one daughter.

Vivian Brooks Smith (13 Dec 1922 – October 1994) was presented a Bronze Star for service in the Army WW II in Korea. He married Tommy Tyler. No issue.

Patton in Europe.

 

Submitted by Brenda B. Watson

FLETCHER, Payton (Biography)

Peyton Fletcher (ca. 1800 – ca. 1855 Fisherville, Shelby, TN), a former soldier of one of the Indian Wars, arrived in Shelby County by 1836 (Tax List) after marrying in 1830 in Davidson Co., TN. He became a highly successful planter in eastern Shelby County with large land holdings. Reported to have been born in Kentucky, Tennessee was listed as his state of birth on the 1850 Census, and Georgia, in his daughter’s 1880 Census. He married Sarah W. Graves (ca. 1795 Virginia – 1853 Fisherville, Shelby, TN) on 26 Jan 1830 in Davidson County, TN. Because he was listed in the Davidson County Census in that same year (1830) with 6 children under the age of 20, Peyton and/or Sarah probably had been previously married and widowed. (Graves may not have been Sarah’s maiden name.) Peyton and Sarah lived in Fisherville May 1836 through 1850. Peyton was appointed to several positions of public service: determined term of court elected officials, made a list of taxable property, and held elections.

Issue of Sarah Graves and Peyton Fletcher

Mary Jane Fletcher (7 Feb 1831 – 27 Feb 1907) married (1) James M. Rodgers (ca. 1830-1853) on 22 Jun 1850.  Issue: Sallie Peyton Rodgers (b. 12 Aug 1851) married Mr. Brittingham. Mary Jane married (2) William George Hooker (1822 Amherst Co., VA – 1861 Fayette Co., TN) on 7 Jan 1855, brother of Frederick Augustus Hooker (ca. 1816 Henrico Co., VA – 1877 Fisherville).  IssueJohn Hooker (b. ca. 1849), William Hooker (b. ca. 1852)Alice Hooker (b. ca. 1859) and Andrew T. Hooker (b. 1860). Alice married John A. Nolley (b. 5 Mar 1850 TN).  Issue: William T. P. Nolley (b. ca. 1879 TN), Nannie Lou, Georgia, Arrie Virginia, and Alice Alabama. John A. Nolley was the son of William Norris Nolley and Sarah G. Smith of Virginia.

Virginia Adeline Fletcher (1834 Shelby, TN – bef. 1870 AR) married James A. Brown. “James A. Brown of Saline County, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1829, and is the son of John and Nancy Brown, born in NC in 1807 and in TN in 1825, respectively. The parents were married in Lincoln County, and a few years after their union, moved to Fayette County, West Tenn., where they resided until the year 1853, then coming to Arkansas. His wife died in 1853, and he followed her two years later (1855). He was a son of James Brown, of North Carolina. In 1851 he was married in Shelby County, Tenn., to Virginia, a daughter of Payton and Sarah Fletcher of Kentucky, who settled in Tennessee after their marriage, the father becoming one of the largest planters in Shelby County. Mr. Fletcher was also a soldier in one of the Indian wars. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of seven children” (continued in Biography from Goodspeed’s “History of Saline County, Arkansas”)   

Caroline Fletcher (1837 Shelby, TN – aft.  1850)

Andrew Jackson Fletcher “A. J. Fletcher” (18 Sep 1842 Shelby, TN – 30 Dec 1881 Shelby, TN) was a farmer in Eads and a Mason in nearby Morning Sun. A.J. married (1) Nancy Annie Payne Hooker (ca. 1848 Fisherville, Shelby, TN – ca. 1869 Collierville, Shelby, TN) on 11 Sep 1863. She was the daughter of Frederick Augustus Hooker and Sarah Ann Payne (ca. 1817 Hopkinsville, KY – aft. 1870 in Shelby Co., TN), early settlers of eastern Shelby County.  Issue of A.J. and Nancy:  Andrew Peyton “Major” Fletcher (8 Jun 1866 – 10 Jan 1907 Fisherville, Shelby, TN) married Nancy Hooker (b. 1870), daughter of Joseph Stanton Hooker (1845 Fisherville, Shelby Co., TN – 1927 Fisherville, Shelby Co., TN) and Malissa Ann Pride (1849 Wilson Co., TN – 1917 Fisherville, Shelby Co., TN). Joseph was a son of Frederick A. Hooker.  Issue of Major and Nancy:  Llano Duette Fletcher (1904-1992) married John Bert Hooker. Andrew “Major” is buried in Bethany Christian Church Cemetery, Shelby, TN.  Occupation???

A.J. married (2) Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” Brooks (6 Mar 1851
Fisherville, TN – 1 Sep 1920 Memphis)
 on 17 Dec 1873. She was the daughter of James M. Brooks and Mary Ann Kingston. Their children were born on the Fletcher farm in Eads, eastern Shelby County. After Mollie was widowed at an early age with 5 children, she lived in their home and built and taught at her own private school (ca. 1880-1900) behind their home in Eads. Mollie moved to Memphis, ca. 1900, and lived with her daughter Maggie. Mollie was a founding member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Memphis, organized in 1902.  She is buried in Forest Hill.  (See Brooks)

 

Issue of Mary Elizabeth Brooks and “A.J.” Fletcher

Kingston Fletcher (22 Nov 1874 – 24 Sep 1875)

Mattie Daisy Fletcher (13 Dec 1875 – 8 Jul 1925 Memphis) married Shelton Hinson, Jr. on 29 Aug 1893.  Issue: Mary Ardenne, Henry Riner, Margaret Fleda, James Shelton, and Arlene. The family is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.  (See Hinson and Wright).  Insert picture!

 

Maggie Coralline/Cecil Fletcher (12 Mar 1877 – 9 Apr 1950 Memphis) married (1) Henry Riner “H.R.” Eslinger (1841 Preble, OH – 1913 Memphis) in 1902. He
 was the first Superintendent of Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis. 
Henry fought for Ohio in the Civil War (Private, Ohio Inf., Co. D, 184th Reg.).
 Maggie was Henry’s 3rd wife. They lived in the home-mortuary on the
 Cemetery grounds. The family is buried in the Hinson lot.  Issue: Henry
Riner Eslinger Jr.
 (1905–1930). Maggie married (2) George William Campbell (1875 PA – 1932 Memphis) ca. 1915.  IssueHelen Jackie Campbell (1917-2000) who married J.C. Harrison from KY.

Patrick Earl Fletcher (30 Apr 1878 – 14 Nov 1910 Paducah, KY), railroad worker, married Mamie E. Issue: Earl Cleburn, Clarence, and Dorothy who moved to Texas with their mother after Earl’s death on the railroad.

Andrew Jay Fletcher (27 Nov 1880 Eads, Shelby Co., TN – 7 Aug 1943 Memphis), engine foreman with the IC Railroad, married Florence Marie Scarce (19 May 1908 Cayce, KY – 11 Jun 1989 Paris, TN).  Issue: Riner Jay (b. 1936).

Submitted by Brenda B. Watson