James J. Ruffin was born November 14, 1814, in Bertie Co., NC, the son of James and Margaret Veale Ruffin. He came with his parents and three brothers to Jones Co, GA around 1818. In Bertie Co. the family had been tobacco planters (as the Ruffins before them). Moving to Georgia meant engaging in growing cotton. Unfortunately, 1819 found the United States in a financial banking crisis, and James Ruffin (like many of his neighbors) had their land seized and sold by the Sheriff to pay debts. Soon after this, James died.
The orphans, (James J and his brother, Whitmel) partipated in the Georgia Land Lottery and received some land. The family then moved to Talbot Co.
In 1836 James J. participated in the military against the Creek Indians and his pension application at age 78, describes him as being 5 ft 6" tall, dark complexion, dark eyes and hair, weight 150 lbs, occupation farming. He served in Capt Alexander Russell's Company - Col. Robert V. Hardeman.
James J. married Sarah Averett on Sunday, Oct 1, 1837 and they raised their family in Talbot, later to be called Taylor and Marion Counties. They had 10 children, although 4 died in childhood. One of their sons, Henry J., served in the Confederate Army; and James J. was in the state militia during these years.
Taylor County Because of my interest in finding out more about my g-grandparents, I have adopted Taylor County on the USGenWeb. I hope you'll take the time to visit, and find out even more about the area.
After the War, James J. began a successful merchandising business in Butler. His wife, Sarah, died in 1888, and the following year he married a widow, Carrie Shines Lucas. At the time of his death at age 90, James J. was survived by two sons, George T. who had remained in Reynolds, GA; Henry J. who had moved to Ellis Co, TX; two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Parker, in Navarro Co, TX, and Mrs. Margaret Layfield, who had moved to Hart, Oklahoma (Indian Territory).
JAMES JOHNSON RUFFIN b: 14 Nov 1814 Bertie Co, NC d: 21 Feb 1905 Reynolds, Taylor Co, GA bur: New Hope Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Reynolds, Taylor Co. GA marr: Sarah AVERETT 1 Oct 1837 Talbot Co, GA marr: Carrie Shines Lucas 1 Aug 1889 FATHER:JAMES RUFFIN MOTHER: MARGARET VEALE RUFFIN SARAH AVERETT b: 16 Jun 1816 Hancock Co, GA More on her family d: 1 Feb 1888 Taylor Co, GA bur: New Hope Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Reynolds, Taylor Co, GA FATHER: Drury AVERETT MOTHER: Elizabeth SMITH CHILDREN: (Recorded in Family Bible) 1. MARY ANN b. 21 Sept 1838 d: 20 Jun 1841 (2 yrs 7 months, 17 days) 2. LUCINDA M b. 30 Dec 1839 d: 12 Sep 1871 bur: Simon Salter Cem, Sumpter, GA marr: Jesse SALTER 28 Aug 1859 Sumpter, GA 3. JAMES MONROE b. 17 Mar 1841 d: 14 oct 1849 (7 yrs 7 months 3 days) Killed by a falling tree Marion, GA 4. WILLIAM ANN b. 26 May 1843 Talbot Co d: 30 Dec 1852 Marion Co. (8 yrs 7 months 4 days) 5. HENRY JAMES b. 23 Apr 1845 Talbot Co, GA d. 10 Jul 1916 Alma, Ellis Co, TX bur: Rice Cemetery, Ellis Co, TX spouse: Winnie Virginia JINKS marr: 31 Dec 1868 Taylor Co, GA 6. MARGARET ELIZABETH b. 20 Sept 1847 Talbot Co, GA d: 7 Dec 1935 Houston, TX (living with daughter, Sally Griffin) bur:Hollywood Cemetery, Houston, TX marr: 12 Dec 1869 John T. LAYFIELD Taylor Co (John died 1 Oct 1926, also buried in Hollywood Cemetery) 7. SARAH JANE b: 30 Oct 1849 Talbot Co, GA d. 27 May 1918 Roane, Navarro Co, TX bur: Oakwood Cem, Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX marr: 27 Dec 1868 John F. PARKER Taylor Co, GA 8. GEORGE T. b: 3 Dec 1851 Marion Co, GA d: 25 Dec 1913 Reynolds, Taylor Co, GA bur: Reynolds, Taylor Co, GA marr: 4 Dec 1879 MaryElla Whittington McDANIEL Taylor Co, GA 9. EMMA R b:23 Sep 1854 d: 8 Jul 1856 (1 yr 9mon 15 days) 10. SUSAN FANNIE b: 31 Mar 1858 Sumpter Co, GA d: May 1890 marr: 1) 2 Jan 1876 Dubose HUMPHRIES (divorced) marr: 2) 20 Feb 1889 Alex N. COOPER (to live in Cordele-Crisp Co)
DRURY AVERETT (?1790- (SC)(?Washington Co. GA) ??1869 - Taylor Co GA )
Married 23 Aug 1808 in Hancock Co to ELIZABETH SMITH.
Elizabeth the daughter of Nehemiah Smith and Luraney (unknown)
1860 Tax Digest - Taylor Co. 11 slaves = $16,849 no acres
Census 1830 Talbot County
Averett, Drury
2 males 5-10 (1820-1825)
1 male 40-50 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1780-1790)
1 female under 5 0 (1825-1830)
2 females 10-15 0 0 0 (1815-1820) Sarah,
1 female 40-50 0 0 0 0 0 (1780-1790)
(Daughter Mary [1816] already married Aug 1829 to Thomas Dupree)
16 Jun 1816 Sarah born
Census 1840 Talbot Co. Druory Avent (mispelled)
next door to James J. Ruffin
Census 1850 Talbot County
AVERET, Drewry 60 SC [1790]
Drury 18 laborer [1832]
Henry 16 laborer [1834]
Allen 24 laborer [1826]
MORRIS, Nancy 30 [1820]
John 8
James 7
William 5 (1055)
Married 23 Aug 1808
Children:
1. MARY AVERETT (1816-1862) married 29 Aug 1829 Talbot County -Rev. Thomas A. Dupree. More on Dupree
Rev Thomas R. Dupree was a Baptist Minister. He was born 27 May 1807- died 29 Aug 1889. Buried in Silver Run Creek Baptist Cemetery - Taylor County.
Will of Thomas R. Dupree 11/4/1882 probate 10/29/1883. Exec: daughter, Mary Cook Wit: O.H. Halley, Herod J. Dupree, A.J. Williams
2. SARAH Averett(born married James J. Ruffin(see above)
3. NANCY married Elisha Morris 21 May 1839 2) Dennis Downs
They are in Talbot 1840 Census living next to James Morris. I believe Elisha died before the 1850 census.
Living with father, Drury, as widow in 1860 census with 1 yr old daughter, Lavinia
4. JOHN married Emily K Adams 18 Apr 1847 W. Barry, MG pg B210 (Talbot County) (1860 Talbot Co Census)
5. LOURANEY (7-15-1826 - 7-28-1874) married William D. Grace 9-12-1844 Talbot Co. (1860 Talbot)
William D. Grace listed as the son of Silas Grace from Talbot County. Silas' family was from Hancock County.
6. DRURY W. (?1831 - 1862 CSA casualty) married Mary A. Jinks (d/o Willis & Nicey Jinks)
This line connects to me through the Jinks family
7. W. ALLEN AVERETT b: 1827
8. HENRY JAMES AVERETT (10-14-1840 - Jan 18, 1882 m. Permelia Ann Layfield (d/o George Layfield)
1. Eugene James 1860 - May 29, 1948 Sumter County, Georgia, USA. married Mattie Yates Feb 10, 1909 2. Henry J. 1860 -1937 Jefferson Co. Terrel Cemetery OK 3. Georgia Ann b. Jan 18, 1866 - d. Jan 20, 1869 (Simon Salter Cem) 4. Mary Alma b. Mar 1868 - Aug 21, 1927 (Oak Grove Cemetery, Americus) married: William Ethington Mitchell Dec 23, 1885 5. Fannie d. Sept 12, 1871 (Simon Salter Cem) died at birth with Mother
Copied from the family Bible of J.S. Parker 11-17-55 (I assume 1855) by Vera Lee (Parker) Neale: James J. Ruffin - born 14 November 1814. Sarah Averett, his wife was born 16 June 1816. Mary An Ruffin - born 21 September 1838. Died 30 June 1841. Lucindy M. Ruffin - born 30 December 1839. James M. Ruffin - born 17 March 1841. Died 14 Oct. 1849. William A. Ruffin - born 26 May 1843. Died 30 Dec. 1852. Henry J. Ruffin - born 23 April 1845. Margrett E. Ruffin - born 20 Sept. 1847. Sarah Jane Ruffin - born 30 Oct. 1849. George T. Ruffin - born 8 Dec. 1851. Emer. R. Ruffin - born 23 Sept. 1854. Died 8 July 1856. Susan F. Ruffin - born 31 March 1858. James J. Ruffin and Sarah Averett were married 1 Oct. 1837. Jessie Salter and Loucindy were married 28 August, 1859. John Parker and Sarah Jane Ruffin were married 27 Dec. 1868. H.J. Ruffin and Winna Jinks were married 31 Dec 1868. (Children John Parker & Sarah Ruffin) William A. Parker - born 10 Oct. 1869. [Note: female - married Thomas Isaac Gowan 5 Sept 1889- Navarro Co TX] James Solomon - born 7 Sept 1871. [Note: married Mary Ella Stephenson 12 Nov 1893 - Navarro Co TX] John Henry Parker - born 9 July 1873. [Note: married Margaret Welch] Lokey Parker - born 29 April 1876. [NOTE: married C. Eugene Douglas 23 Oct 1892, Ellis Co TX] Fannie Delona Parker - born 1 Aug. 1878. (Note: married Edward D. Holmes, 20 Jun 1896 Navarro Co TX] (There were other children not listed in this Bible) John Clinton Stephenson - born 22 Nov. 1847. Died 8 Aug 1905. Tymox Sena (Dyer) his wife was born 20 Oct. 1852. Died 1939. Children: Marthay Ellis Stephenson - born 19 April 1872. Mary Ella Stephenson - born 4 April 1874. John Scott Stephenson - born 6 Jan 1876. Died 1938. Ida Bertha Stephenson - born 23 Nov 1879. Esteller Stephenson - born 13 April 1883. Died 18 July 1900. Arthur Stephenson - born 23 Nov 1886. Vera Lee Stephenson - born 22 Sept. 1888. *Died Oct 1977. Leona Stephenson - born 24 July 1892. *Died 3 Nov 1981. Infant son of Z.L. Dyer - born 6 Oct. 1824. Age 6 days. Joel Dyer - born 7 Nov 1824. Died 23 Oct. 1852. Martha Louise Cobb McCormick - born 8 Feb 1828. (wife of Joel Dyer) Zacariah L. Dyer - born 9 Oct. 1846. Jeroame Dyer - born 5 Feb. 1849. Thomas Benton Phelps - born 7 Sept 1837. G.L. Wells - born 11 May 1861. Mary E. Phelps died 7 Sept. 1888. Note: James S. Parker (son of John and Sarah Ruffin Parker) married Mary Ella Stephenson 12 Nov 1893 in Navarro Co TX. I do not know how the Dyer family came to be in this Bible, but it must have been connected to the Parker side in some manner. (Maybe John Parker's mother??)
Hancock Court 4th January 1813
Page 525-526. On application It is ordered that Thomas DIXON, Samuel SMITH, Jacob RACHELS, Jarred Carter or any three of them be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to divide and lay off the estate of Nehemiah Smith dec'd between the heirs of said Smith and the widow by alloting to LURANY SMITH the widow of Said Nehemiah dec'd one third part of the real estate and one twelfth part of the personal estate, and to each of said heirs one twelfth part of the personal estate and to divide the ballence of the Land equally between the eleven children of Said dec'd and make return to this court --
The court adjourned to 1st Monday February next --
Hancock Inferior Court sitting for Ordinary Purposes 6th March 1815.
Page 627. SAMUEL SMITH & CALVIN SMITH being of lawful age to choose their guardian having appeared in Court and made choice of John Cheley as their guardian. Ordered that letters of guardianship issue to John Chealey accordingly. ("1.50 listed in margin)
Ordered that BRITTON SMITH be appointed guardian of SALLY WALTON SMITH and ARCHIBALD P. SMITH orphans under the age of fourteen YEARS - ("1.50" LISTED IN MARGIN)
Ordered that LURANY SMITH be appoint guardian for LURANY A. SMITH an orphan under the age of fourteen years -- ("1.50" listed in margin)
GIDEON SMITH being of lawful age to choose a guardian, having appeared in Court made choice of DAVIS SMITH as his guardian. Ordered that letters of guardianship issue to said Davis Smith accordingly. ("1.50" listed in margin)
Tuesday 2nd January 1816 - The court met pursuant to adjournment.
Pages 677-678. John Cheeley guardian of CALVIN SMITH orphan, returned an account against said orphan amounting to nine dollars and seventy-five cents - also an acct. of the amt. rec'd for said orphan amounting to three hundred and twelve dollars ninety-four & one half cents --
John Cheeley guardian of SAMUEL SMITH orphan of NEHEMIAH SMITH dec'd returned a receipt infull from his said ward which was ordered to be recorded.
Book: Hancock County Georgia Court of Ordinary Minutes 1799-1817, by J. Kenneth Brantley.
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Book: Hancock County Georgia Court of Ordinary Minutes 1817-1837, by J. Kenneth Brantley.
Hancock Inferior Court sitting for Ordinary Purposes 3rd April 1820.
Page 149. William Cureton Security to this Court for the performance of the securities of LURANA SMITH as Guardian of LURANA A. SMITH wishing to be released from his said obligation, and LEMUEL SMITH now here appearing in Court and expressing his assent to being substituted as security for the s'd LURANA SMITH - It is ordered that the Bond of the said Wililalm Cureton for this purpose be canceled on the execution of a Bond in the usual form by the said LURANA SMITH and the aforesaid LEMUEL SMITH -
In 1830, the census index lists 20 Dupree families in GA, In Talbot County are: Herod Dupree John Dupree Thomas R. Dupree William N. Dupree In 1840, there are 21 Dupree families in GA, none in Talbot, Jefferson, or Ogelthorpe. In Sumter County, GA are: Harrod J. Dupree John Dupree Thomas R. Dupree William N. Dupree Arthur J. Dupree Hilliard J. Dupree James Dupree The first four appear to be the same families who were in Talbot in 1830. In 1850, there are 33 Dupree families in GA. Thomas R. went back to Talbot where there's also a Nancy Dupree. William N. is in Houston Co. In Sumter are: Benjamin H. Dupree H.J. Dupree Hirod J. Dupree James Dupree John Dupree Simeon Dupree