SECTION C
KENNEDYS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
NORTH CAROLINA
KENNEDYS IN MONROE COUNTY,
ALABAMA
622C & 622D
KENNEDYS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Early 1800's
My great grandfather Neal/Neill Kennedy was born in Cumberland County, North Carolina, according to his obituary (see attached).
There is a will of William Kennedy, dated 1804, Cumberland County, which names his sons John and Daniel, and his grandsons, Neill and William. Unfortunately, my great grandfather Neal was not born until 1816, but it is assumed that there is a connection with the people named in William Kennedy's will (see attached).
The 1800 Census of Cumberland County, NC lists two Kennedys: John and William.
The 1810 Census of Cumberland County lists one William, two Johns and two Daniels.
The 1820 Census lists Daniel, Sr., Daniel, Jr. and John. The William Kennedy in the 1810 Census has either died or moved on to another county or another state.
In the fall of 1990, my husband and I went to Cumberland County, North Carolina, trying to determine the parents of my Neal Kennedy, born there in 1816. We had no success, but did determine that "Canaday", "Cannaday", and all variations of this spelling are used interchangeably with "Kennedy".
My grandmother addressed my grandfather as "Mr." and the way she pronounced his name always sounded like "Mr. Cannaday".
From Cumberland County we went to the Archives in Raleigh, where we were told that there are many gaps in the Cumberland County records.
In Patent Book 3 there is a record of Cornelius Kennedy receiving 278 acres in Carteret County on the west side of North River, joining the woods and the said river. The date is February 18, 1738, and seemed significant to me since my great grandfather's name was Neal, spelled Neil by some family members.
We found two Kennedy marriage records which would fit the birthdate of my great grandfather Neal Kennedy, born in 1816. One was for John Kennedy and Isabella White, March 20, 1804. The other one was for William Kennedy and Margaret Dobbins,
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July 25, 1809.
Incidentally, my Neal Kennedy named one of his daughters Margaret Isabella Kennedy.
You will note in William Kennedy's will of 1804 that he owned property on Jones's Creek. You will also see by the attached copy of a document of Benjamin Williams, Governor, to Daniel Cannaday, Cumberland County, North Carolina, that Daniel was granted 200 acres of land on Jones's Creek. The date of the latter document was two years before the date of William's will, but again, surely there is some connection between Daniel and William.
I regret that I have been unable to go back further in the Kennedy line that my great grandfather, especially since research with the Davis and Hicks lines has been so successful (I had a lot of help!), but I cannot spend the rest of my life looking for Kennedy ancestors. Someone coming along after me can complete the job.
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WILL OF WILLIAM KENNEDY
In the name of God, Amen, I William Kennedy of the County of Cumberland and State of North Carolina, being sick and weak in body, though of perfect mind and memory, thank God for the same, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, particularly and first of all, I give and recommend my Soul to Almighty God that gave it, my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors.
And as touching such worldly estate, as it hath pleased God to bless me with with in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:
That is to say, first of all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my Estate by my Executors.
Secondly I give and bequeath to my son John Kennedy two hundred and forty acres of land lying on Cedar Creek, also one hundred acres whereon he now lives and eighteen acres adjoining the same.
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my son Daniel Kennedy, three hundred acres of land whereon I now live, one hundred acres on Jones's Creek, and fifty acres on Barbeque, and two Negroes, Viz: Lucy and Dick.
Fourthly I give and bequeath to my grandson William Kennedy, one hundred and fifty acres of land lying on Jones's Creek.
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my grandson Neill Kennedy, one hundred acres of land lying on Jones's Creek.
Sixthly my desire is and I do hereby give and bequeath to my son Daniel Kennedy and my step-daughter, Jenny Ferguson, all my stock of different kinds - household furniture and farming utensils to equally divide between them. The said Daniel Kennedy and Jenny Ferguson to pay and and settle all debts or demands that may come against the said Estate out of the last mentioned property, Viz. Stock, household furniture, et cetera.
And I do hereby constitute, make and ordain my beloved son Daniel Kennedy and Nick McKay joint Exectors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills and testaments by me made and I do ratify and confirm this to be my last will and testament.
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In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of July, AD 1804.
William (his mark X) Kennedy In presence of us:
John (his mark X) Clark
Alexander Clark
Admitted to record October term, 1804.
Testament: Robinson Munford, CC
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KENNEDYS IN MONROE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Early 1800's
The 1830 Census of Monroe County lists a Kennedy family headed by Margaret Kennedy, born between 1770 and 1780. In the home with her are two males born between 1810 and 1815, along with three females under the age of 20.
Since my Neal/Neill Kennedy was born after 1815, it is assumed that Margaret Kennedy is not his mother.
In the same 1830 Census of Monroe County, there is a Rebecca Kennedy with three sons and five daughters living in her home.
Thomas P. Kennedy, born between 1800 and 1810, and his wife, born about the same time, are in another household. They have two sons under five years of age and one daughter under five.
Baldy M.Kennedy is head of another household. He was born between 1790 and 1800, and his wife born between 1800 and 1810. They had one son born between 1815 and 1820, and five daughters born between 1820 and 1830.
John Thomas Odon, Mena, Arkansas, has done extensive research on the Kennedy family. It is his belief that Rebecca Kennedy was the mother of Baldy M., Stephen R., Thomas R. and also Neal/Neill Kennedy. He believes that Baldy was the oldest, since he was head of his own household in 1830 and the others were the three males shown in the household with Rebecca in 1830.
The name of Rebecca Kennedy's husband is not known at this time. There were several male Kennedys who were in Monroe and Clarke Counties in the early 1800's. one Thomas Kennedy had a letter addressed to him at the St. Stephens Post office and it had not been claimed by him as of December 31, 1818.
In the 1830 Monroe County Census there was a Thomas P.Kennedy and his wife(both born between 1800 and 1810)with their three children: two boys and one girl, all under five.
John Thomas Odom thinks Thomas P.Kennedy may have been a cousin, but does not believe he was a one of Rebecca's sons.
One other note on Thomas P. Kennedy: The Old Cahaba Land Office Records state that on February 19, 1836, Thomas P. and Neill Kennedy both obtained land in Monroe County, Township 9, Range 6.
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BALDY M. KENNEDY
Baldy M. Kennedy was listed in the 1830 Census of Monroe County, AL, born between 1790 and 1800. His wife was born between 1800 and 1810. There was one son in the home, born between 1815 and 1820. The five daughters in the household were born between 1820 and 1830.
It is possible that Baldy M. Kennedy was the oldest son of Rebecca Kennedy, as John Thomas Odom believes.
Monroe County Marriage Records show that Mary J. Kennedy was married to Alexander B. Lowery on November 18, 1847. This may have been the daughter of Baldy, as the bond was made by him.
STEPHEN M. KENNEDY
Stephen M. Kennedy may have been one of the sons of Rebecca Kennedy that were listed in her household in 1830.
Monroe County Marriage records show that on February 18, 1839, Stephen M. Kennedy married Mary Ann Caldwell. Bond was made by George Coker.
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KENNEDYS OF MONROE COUNTY, ALABAMA
The following information on a Kennedy family in the early days of Monroe County was sent to me by Dr. Robert Allen Kennedy, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida. The information was sent to his mother, Estelle Boyd Kennedy, in a letter from Cora W. Boyd, Rt. 1, Box 402, Van Nuys, California. The postmark on the envelope was June 20, 1927.
John M. Kennedy and wife Rebecca and family. He was born September 8, 1776 and died December 25, 1823, age 47 years, 3 mos, 17 days. Rebecca K. was born June 13, 1784. Five children:
1. Thomas Peter Kennedy, born Monday, Septembere 13, 1802, 10 o'clock. His wife was a Thompson and there were nine children. NOTE: The Old Cahaba Land Office Records have Thomas P. Kennedy obtaining land in Monroe County, AL in Township 9, Range 6.
A. Elizabeth Kennedy; married George W. Lowery and had seven children. Elizabeth died May 2, 1883.
B. Bartley Kennedy; seven children. Died in 1862. Could this be "Baldy" in the Monroe County, AL 1830 Census, born between 1790 and 1800; wife born between 1800 1800 and 1810; one son born between 1815 and 1820; and five daughters born between 1820 and 1830.
C. John Kennedy; lives in Rankin Co. MS. P. 0. Sandhill, Old P. 0. Goshen Springs.
D. Mary Kennedy, born April 15, 1831. Married Alex Lowery who was born November 24, 1824. Had nine children. Three of the children died in 1862 of diptheria and all three were young. Two died after growing up. Four of the children were living in 1927.
Note: The marriage of Mary Kennedy and Alexander Lowery took place on November 18, 1847 (see previous page).
E. Mary Missouri Kennedy; married a Coxwell. The date April 15, 1849, was written in the margin. Was this the date of her birth or the date of her marriage? It was very likely her marriage date. Mary and her hushad seven children.
F. Robert Kennedy; four children. Again, the year 1859 was written by his name. Cannot be his date of birth so must be his marriage date.
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G. Mattie Kennedy; February 8, 1865. Probably her date of death. She lived in Pritchard and had seven children.
The writer said "3 grown". Does that mean that four died early in life?
H. Bettie Kennedy; June 2, 1868. She also lived in Pritchard. Had seven children; now grown in 1927.
I. Ella Kennedy; June 20, 1871; died September 22, 1900. one child living; five years old in 1927.
2. Lemuel Vincent Kennedy, born Sunday, August 5, 1805, nine oiclock. Died as a child.
3. Sabre Ann Kennedy; born Monday, September 15, 1807, ten o’clock. Married Matt Cannon. Raised and helped to raise young members of family. She and husband went to long before the Civil War. Had four children at that time. The oldest was Missouri.
4. John Lorenzo Kennedy; born Sunday February 12, 1810, ten oiclock P. M. Died in South Carolina without a family.
5. Sterling Milton Kennedy; born Friday September 15, 1812 Married a Marion in Alabama and moved to Mississippi near Carthage, Leake Co. He had two sons when he moved - William and Robert.
6. Mildred Parmelia Kennedy, born Friday July 16, 1814, ten o'clock P. M. Married first, James Coleman; second, a Snowden.
Mildred had seven children by Coleman and seven by Snowden. In 1927 three Colemans were living and four Snowdens.
7. Charlotte (?) Temple Kennedy, born Saturday, October 14, 1816, 10:30 P. M. Died the same day as her mother and was buried in the same grave.
Do we assume that Rebecca Kennedy died at the time of Charlotte's birth? There were four more children born after 1816, so John M. Kennedy must have married immediately!
8. Steven Decatur Kennedy, born Saturday, October 20, 1818, 7:10. Steven married Mary Colwell in Alabama. They had four children and then moved to Miss. Three boys died young without families.
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A. Fannie Kennedy; married William Evers. Had five children........... (illegible) family except two little girls died in 1878 in Lake, Miss. with yellow fever.
NOTE: Monroe County Marriage Records show that on February 18, 1839, Stephen M. Kennedy married Mary Ann Caldwell. Bond was made by George Coker.
9. Elizabeth Matilda Kennedy; born Thursday September 21, 1820 at 3 P. M. Married Jim Snowden and had 8 or 9 children.
A. Callie Ford - 2 children
B. Mary Malone - 6 children
C. Lou Jernigan - 5 or 6 children
D. Jim S. - no children
E. Ella Penn - 4 children
F. "Dug" S. - died as a child
G. Stephen S. - 6 children.
10. Sidney Mourol and Caroline Amelia Kennedy, born between one and two o'clock Tuesday, August 5, 1823.
Written across the bottom of the last sheet was "June 14, 1902, Perdue Hill, ALa, 2 miles from Claiborn." It was signed, S. G. Boyd
Note: Boyd was the maiden name of Robert Allen Kennedy's wife.
The above data was received from Dr. Robert Allen Kennedy, Jr., long after the previous pages on Monroe County Kennedys were recorded. There are some discrepancies, lots of gaps, so will leave these problems with someone else to solve. MKR
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SOURCES FOR EARLY KENNEDYS
Research of John Thomas Odom, Mena, Arkansas
Papers of Dr. Robert Allen Kennedy, Jr.
Cumberland County, North Carolina Records
Records in the Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina
Monroe County, Alabama Census Records
634A
NEAL KENNEDY
634B
NEAL KENNEDY
Neal Kennedy was born in Cumberland County, North Carolina on April 9, 1816. The date of his arrival in Alabama is unknown, but he may have been in Monroe County, AL as early as 1830. The name of Neal Kennedy's parents is unknown. Perhaps someone in the years to come will be able to find the answer to this puzzle. I wish I could have solved the mystery.
In 1836 Neal/Neill Kennedy obtained land in Monroe Co. Old Cahaba Land Office Records give the date as February 19, 1836 and state that the property was in Township 9. Range 6.
Thomas P. Kennedy obtained land on the same date and in the same Township and Range. It is believed that Thomas P. Kennedy and Neal Kennedy were probably not brothers, but they were surely related - they married sisters.
on June 26, 1941, Neal Kennedy and Martha Ann Hicks were married, according to Clarke County Marriage Records (see attached copy of Marriage Certificate. Martha Ann Hicks was born in North Carolina on September 17, 1822, the daughter of Willis Bishop Hicks and his first wife, Dorothy Nance. The wedding took place in Lower Peach Tree, Wilcox County, Alabama.
For those people who are not familiar with southwestern Alabama, Clarke, Monroe and Wilcox Counties join, with the the Alabama River meandering along on a part of Clarke County's eastern border and on a part of Monroe County's western border, on its way to Mobile Bay. I was born in Chance, Clarke County near where the three counties join.
As far as I know, Neal Kennedy and Martha Ann Hicks lived all of their married life in Scyrene, Clarke County, which is also near where the three counties join. They attended Salem Baptist Church, where Neal was a deacon for 38 years.
As stated above, Neal and Martha were married June 26, 1841. Nine years later, the 1850 Census of Clarke County listed the family as follows:
Neal Kennedy age 34 born in North Carolina
Martha Kennedy 28 "
Mary 6 in Alabama
Angeline 3 "
Caroline 1 "
In 1854 or 1864 (writing is not clear), Neal Kennedy and his wife, Martha Ann, sold 35 acres of land to William L. Garrick.
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During the next ten years Neal and Martha had two sons and three more daughters. The 1860 Census of Clarke County listed the family as follows:
Neal Kennedy 44 born in North Carolina
Martha Kennedy 37 "
Mary E. Kennedy 16 in Alabama
Catherine A. Kennedy 13 "
Nancy C. 11 "
William B. 9 "
Margaret I. 7 "
Fabius N. 5 "
Martha J. 3 "
Lettie A. 1 "
In 1864 Neal Kennedy enlisted in the Confederate States Army, serving as a Pvt. in Co. J., 38th Regiment. His length of service is unknown.
By the time of the 1870 Census in Clarke County, Martha Ann Kennedy had given birth to three more children - another daughter and two more sons. Also by that time, the two oldest girls were married and out of the home.
The family was listed as follows in 1870, in Household No.109.
Neal Kennedy, farmer, 54 RE -$600 PP - $800 B.NC
Martha A. 48 "
Caroline N. 22 B.Al
William B. 20 "
Margaret I. 17 "
Fabius 16 "
Martha J. 14 "
Lettie 12 "
Henrietta 9 "
Thomas J. 7 "
Robert L. 4 "
Martha Ann's sister, Julia Ann Hicks and husband James J. Haskew, resided in Household No. 107. Angeline Kennedy and John L. Larrimore (Neal and Martha's daughter and husband) lived in the next household.
The Clarke County, Alabama "Gazeteer of 1884-5" stated that N. Kennedy was a farmer in Nettlesborough. This rural community was described thus: "Nettlesborough, Clarke Co. it is a pleasantly situated village of 426 inhabitants on Silver and Bassett's Creeks, 13 miles northwest of Grove Hill, the county seat. The surrounding country is rich and fertile, producing heavy crops of cotton, corn and sugar cane. Good long leaf yellow pine timber is abundant." That number of 426 included all those whose mailing address
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was Nettlesborough. Today, November 28, 1990, the population is less than 50.
In 1886 Neal and Martha gave two acres of land to Salem BapChurch, apparently to enlarge the cemetery which was near the churCh.Neal made this gift "for and in consideration of our love to Almighty God, and the advancement of His Kingdom, and our respect and love for the dead buried near Salem Church".
In 1890, Neal and Martha Kennedy sold 22 acres of land to W.J. Garrick. Also in that year they sold 160 acres to D.W.Garrick. I do not know how much land he owned originally.
Martha Ann Hicks Kennedy died February 18, 1896. Neal Kennedy applied for a military pension three years later, giving as a reason, Hold age". His address was given as Lower Peach Tree, Alabama. He died June 29, 1899, age 83, probably before he ever received any compensation.
Neal and Martha are buried in old Salem Cemetery, near Scyrene, Clarke County, Alabama. After almost a hundred years their tombstones are still standing (see attached copy of his obituary as well as pictures of their tombstones).
Following is a list of the children of Neal Kennedy and Martha Ann Hicks, giving their full names:
1. Mary Elizabeth Kennedy
2. Catherine Angeline Kennedy
3. Nancy Caroline Kennedy
4. William Bishop Kennedy
5. Margaret Isabelle Kennedy
6. Fabius Neal Kennedy
7. Martha Jane Kennedy
8. Lettie Ann Kennedy
9. Henrietta Amanda Kennedy
10. Thomas Jefferson Kennedy
11. Robert Lee Kennedy
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SOURCES FOR NEAL KENNEDY
Old Cahaba Land Office Records, Marilyn Davis Barefield
Clarke County, AL Marriage Records
Clarke County, AL Census Records
Probate Records, Clarke County, AL Court House
Military Records
Clarke County, Alabama Records, 1814-1885, Marilyn Davis Barefield
Cemetery records and tombstones
Newspaper clippings
641A
MARY ELIZABETH KENNEDY
Mary Elizabeth Kennedy, oldest child of Neal Kennedy and Martha Ann Hicks, was born August 29, 1843. On January 18, 1870, she was married to John Winfield Wilson (see attached copy of their Marriage certificate). The wedding took place at the home of the bride's parents.
John Winfield Wilson was a brother to Thomas R. Wilson who married Martha Jane Kennedy, sister to Mary Elizabeth Kennedy. John and Thomas were sons of Robert T. Wilson and Rebecca Eliza Primm.
John was born at Bells Landing, Monroe County, Alabama March 15, 1844. In 1852 John's parents moved to Clarke County, crossing the Alabama River at Claiborne. When he was 18 years old, John volunteered to take his father's place in the Confederate States Army. He enlisted April 2, 1862 and was a member of Company A, 38th Alabama Regiment. He was stationed at Flee Island, Fort Gaines; Tyners Station, Tennessee; a camp near Dalton, Georgia; and Camp Holt near Mobile. You will see in this chapter three letters written by John while in his country's service - one to his mother and two to his sister Mary.
John was home on furlough when the Confederates surrendered. He was discharged on May 20, 1865 and he and Mary Elizabeth married five years later.
The 1870 Census for Clarke County, Alabama listed the family as follows:
John W. Wilson age 40
Mary E. Wilson age 27
Mary Wilson age 72
It is obvious that John's age in the 1870 Census is incorrect. He was born in 1844 and his age should have been 26 in 1870. The Mary Wilson age 72, may have been his sister, and if so, her age is in error also.
John W. Wilson became the first postmaster in Dickinson, Alabama, which position he held until January 22, 1903. He and Elizabeth lived all of their married life in Dickinson, where their ten children were raised. He applied for a Civil War pension in in 1904.
John died September 15, 1910, and his widow applied for her pension on July 1, 1911, again on April 21, 1915, and again on January 4, 1923.
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Mary Elizabeth Kennedy lived 34 years after the death of her husband. She celebrated her one-hundreth birthday on August 29, 1943. She died one year later, on August 23, 1944, and was laid to rest in old Salem Cemetery, Scyrene, Clarke County, Alabama Beside her husband (see attached copy of her 100th birthday celebration and also her obituary).
I remember seeing "Aunt Lizabeth" only one time in my life, even though Dickinson and Chance are not that far apart. However, my parents did not own a car, which meant that we walked or rode with someone else when we went anywhere.
The ten children of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson are listed as follows:
1. Neil Eugene Wilson 6. Alice Wilson
2. Robert Vidmer Wilson 7. Martha Alma Wilson
3. John William Wilson 8. Carl Wilson
4. Thomas Augustus Wilson 9. Walter Primm Wilson
5. Ada Wilson 10. Fannie Wilson
Picture: Mary Elizabeth Kennedy,wife of John Winfield Wilson
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NEIL EUGENE WILSON
Neil Eugene Wilson, twin, first son of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson, was born October 9, 1870 and died December 18. 1957 (see attached copy of his Obituary). He was first married to Rebecca Allen, sister to Walter Allen who was married to Alice Wilson, Eugene's sister. Eugene and Rebecca had only one child, a little girl who died at the age of 3-1/2 years.
1. Kathleen Wyneema Wilson, born April 18, 1898 and died on October 30, 1901 (see attached copy of her Obituary)
Eugene Wilson married second, Leila Coate, on July 12, 1911, as recorded in Clarke County Marriage Records. They had one son.
2. Russell Eugene Wilson, born March 25, 1914; died on September 12, 1967. He married DeLoris Barrow and they had one son.
A. John Russell Wilson, born January 12, 1942, Jackson, Clarke Co. AL. Married Joanne Wright December 18, 1965.
John is the owner of Wilson Real Estate and Appraisal Service in Jackson, where he and Joanna live. They have two children, both adopted.
a. Jodie W. Wilson, born September 14, 1971.
b. Joshua L. Wilson, born May 19, 1974.
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ROBERT VIDMER WILSON
Robert Vidmer Wilson, twin, son of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson, was born October 9, 1870 and died November 3, 1938; buried at Lower Peach Tree. Vidmer married Mollie Welch, and they had one son:
1. Blanchard S. Wilson, born November 28, 1912, Clarke County, Alabama and died in October, 1989. The name of his first wife is unknown, but his second wife was Eloise Murphy, whom he married on March 8, 1946. Eloise was born October 10, 1917, the daughter of Woodford and Willie Lee Murphy.
Eloise and Blanchard had five children, all born in Mobile, Alabama.
A. Blanchard Vidmer Wilson, born Janury 20, 1948 and died May 19, 1985.
B. Thelma Jean Wilson, born March 19, 1950.
C. George Wesley Wilson, born October 8, 1951. He married on October 6, 1973, Debra L. Kemp, born October 6, 1950. George is in the US Army, stationed at the present (1989) in Germany.
a. Nicholas Ray Wilson, born in Junction City, Kansas on September 6, 1979.
D. Molly Estelle Wilson, born October 24, 1952. Married to Gerald: Wayne Hunn, born on January 15, 1950, the son of Corbett Woodrow and Winnie Barron Hunn. Molly and Gerald were married at Lucedale,Mississippi on March 8, 1943. They live in Mobile and have four children, all born in Mobile.
a. Lee Wesley Hunn, born May 15, 1971.
b. Kristopher Wayne Hunn, born February 12, 1978.
c. Jon Patrick Hunn, born April 9, 1979.
d. Jerri Robin Hunn, born April 13, 1983.
E. Eugene Adolph Wilson, youngest child of Blanchard S. and Eloise Murphy Wilson, was born October 21, 1956.
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JOHN WILLIAM WILSON
John William Wilson, third child of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson, was born April 27, 1872; died in 1932; buried in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery near Fulton.
John married on February 21, 1900, Charlotte Caroline "Carrie" Watkins, the daughter of Thomas B. and Nancy Ann Watkins. She was born May 18, 1872 and died in 1955. Carrie is buried beside her husband in Liberty Cemetery.
Their daughter, Elizabeth Kennedy Rowley, stated there were so many John Williams in the family that he reversed his name and went by "W. J. Wilson", which is the way his name was recorded at the time of his marriage to Carrie Watkins. Four children:
1. Nannye Ray Wilson, born in Grove Hill, AL December 17, 1900; died in April of 1976. Buried at Liberty also. Never married.
2. John Watkins Wilson, born in Dickinson, AL February 7, 1902; died November 13, 1931. He married Sadie Rae Griffin on March 14, 1925. John is buried at Liberty also.
A. John Watkins Wilson, Jr. Last address was in Salem, Oregon.
B. Hilda Rae Wilson married Downey. Last address was in Tuscon, Arizona.
3. Thomas Lackland Wilson, born March 2, 1904, Grove Hill; died November 3, 1984, US Navy Home, Gulport, Ms and was buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida. Thomas retired from the US Navy as a Chief Warrant Officer. He married on April 11, 1933, Doris Alma Morris, born September 10, 1907, Bermuda, Alabama. She died February 27, 1987 in the US Naval Hospital, Pensacola, FL and is buried beside her husband.
Doris was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Jackson Morris. She and Thomas had two daughters.
A. Betty Claire Wilson, born March 28, 1934, Bermuda, Conecuh County, AL. Married August 2, 1958, Jimmy
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Richard Watson. Five children:
a. Eric Christopher Watson; married Victoria Dalan.
b. Michael Shawn Watson; married Vicky Lynn Hood.
c. James Richard Watson
d. Mark Joseph Watson
e. Angela Marie Watson
B. Mary Rebecca Wilson, born September 24, 1940, San Diego, California. She married Willie Brunell Presnall on February 27, 1959. Becky is Probate Clerk in The Clarke County Court House, Grove Hill.
a. David Lee Presnall, born September 12, 1966.
b. Sandra Marie Presnall, twin, born June 17, 1968.
c. Stephen Morris Presnall, twin, born June 17, 1968.
4. Anna Gayle Wilson, born June 6, 1906, Cobbville, Clarke Co, AL. Married June 6, 1928, Noel Day. One son:
A. John Day; lives in Mobile.
5. Elizabeth Kennedy Wilson, born October 22, 1908, in Grove Hill, AL. She married on April 6, 1944, Francis "Frank" Rowley, a US Naval Officer. Elizabeth taught school for the Civil Service in the Panama Canal Zone and returned there with her small daughter after her husband was killed in an automobile accident in California. Elizabeth continued to teach school for the Civil Service and retired to Dickinson, Alabama in 1970, after 28 years of service. She died on November 5, 1989 and was buried in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery near Fulton, AL.
A. Carolyn Rowley, born June 10,1945, Margarita, Canal
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Zone. She married there on September 11, 1964, Richard John Dillon, born October 8, 1942. Carolyn her husband have two sons, both born in Panama.
a. John Thomas Dillon, born April 19, 1965. He married on April 29, 1988, Mary Katherine Thebus of Scottsboro, Alabama, the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Thebus.
(1) Matthew Thomas Dillon, born June 2, 1991.
b. Robert Charles Dillon, born May 11, 1966.
2-B-Mobile Press Register Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1989"
METRO/REGION
Elizabeth Kennedy Wlison Rowley
GROVE HILL, Ala. – Retired school teacher Elizabeth Kennedy Wilson Rowley, 81 died Sunday at the Grove Hill Memorial Hospital. Rowley retired after 28 years of service with the Civil Service. She taught school in the in Panama Canal Zone for the Civil Service until her retirement in 1970.
She was a native of Clarke Countv, Ala, and a resident of Dickinson, Ala.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the chapel of Lathan Funeral Home in Grove Hill, with burial In the Liberty Baptist Church Cemeterv in Grove Hill. Rowley will lie in state from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
She is survived by a daughter, Carolyn R. Dillon of the Panama Canal Zone; two grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
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THOMAS AUGUSTUS WILSON
Thomas Augustus Wilson, fourth child of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson, was born April 7, 1874 and died May 30, 1947. Gus married Marie Antoinette Hall December of 1898. Nettie, as she was called, was born November 16, 1882 in Saraland, Mobile County, AL and died in Thomasville May 12, 1948. Gus and Nettie are buried in Choctaw Cemetery, Thomasvile. They had one son and three daughters, all born in Dickinson.
1. Thomas Graham Wilson, born October 4, 1899; died January 13, 1934 in Hattisburg, MS and is buried in Thomasville. Thomas married in Birmingham on May 4, 1921, Ada Echols, born in Bibb County on March 24, 1902, the daughter of Melville Harris Echols and Lou Ella Reynolds. Thomas and Ada had one child, a daughter.
After Thomas' death, Ada married John Blanton Hutto in 1943. He was born in 1896 and died in 1971.
A. Jimmie Anne Wilson, born May 3, 1923 in Birmingham. She married first on November 22, 1950, Walter Averitt Rossers. She married again on November 19, 1956, Clifford Lanier Middleton by whom she had the following three children, all born in Birmingham.
a. John Charles Middleton, born July 26, 1957.
b. Jane Lanier Middleton, born June 20, 1960. Married on October 31, 1979, James Allen Wallace.
(1) John Edward Wallace, born at Fairfield in Jefferson County, AL on September 2, 1983.
C. Susanne Middleton, born January 31, 1962.
2. Marie Antoinette Wilson, born December 19, 1902; married Arthur Walker in 1916 and they had one child. Marie and Arthur were divorced and she married second, C.L. Haynes. Marie died September 9, 1974.
A. Harris Walker; adopted by his grandparents, Gus and Nettie Wilson. His name was changed to Harris Wilson.
3. Bernice Aline Wilson, third child of Gus and Nettie Wilson, was born August 9, 1905. She married Joseph Milton Willcox in 1929, the son of John Thomas Willcox and Vashti Clarke. Bernice and Joseph have two children, both born in Thomasville.
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A. John Robert Willcox, born August 6, 1932. Married in 1951, Jeanette Etheridge.
B. Judith Bryan Willcox, born February 16, 1940. Married in August of 1962 to Rentz Lewis of Sweet Water, AL. They are now divorced.
4. Vivian Lucille Wilson, last child of Gus and Nettie Wilson, was born December 19, 1908. Married Harold Charles Middleton in 1932.
A. Don Middleton. Last address in Colorado.
MARGARET ADA WILSON
Margaret Ada Wilson, fifth child of Mary Elizabeth and John Wilson, was born October 16, 1875. Ada was a nurse; she never married. Ada died July 3, 1912 (see copy of Obituary below), and was buried in Old Salem Cemetery, Clarke Co. AL.
Obituary.
Miss Margaret Ada Wilson was born near Dickinson, Ala., and died at her home July 3rd after a prolonged illness. Such news of her death brings sadness to many hearts, for Miss Wilson bad many friends all over the State. Early in life she joined the Salem Baptist church.
She was a noble young lady, a ways ready to help the distressed and the church has lost a Christian worker. She bad won many friends by her, sweet loving disposition. To love her was only to know her. Everybody loved her; no picture of her life could be overdrawn. Her loss is felt almost as heavily by her friends as by her immediate family, and the tears shed at her open grave were not only those of her loved ones. How great is her reward!
We commend the bereaved ones to look to God in this hour of sorrow.
Her cousin
MARY A. WILSON.
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ALICE WILSON
Alice Wilson, sixth child of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson, was born October 20, 1877, Dickinson, Clarke Co., Al. On November 5, 1902, she married Walter K. Allen, born in Grove Hill, AL on January 2, 1876. Walter, a machinist, was a brother to Rebecca Allen, wife of Neil Eugene Wilson, Alice's brother. Walter died in 1950 and Alice on January 3, 1971. They are buried at Brighton, AL.
Alice and Walter had three sons:
1. Cyrus Bryant Allen, born at Decatur, Morgan County, AL on December 3, 1904. He married Vivian Smith, who resides in Bessemer, AL. Cyrus died May 24, 1961.
Vivian was born June 9, 1910, Avondale, Jefferson County, AL, the daughter of William Henry Smith and Minnie Doris Ratliff.
Cyrus and Vivian had one son.
A. C B Allen, born February 29, 1936, Brighton, Jefferson County, AL. He says he is not a junior, nor is his name C. B. He married Sara Dean Brand December 26, 1959. She is the daughter of James Lee Brand.
CB and Sara had four children, all born in Fairfield, Jefferson County, AL, except the last one who was born in Baton Rough, LA.
a. James Bric Allen, born on November 16, 1960.
b. Stony Bryant Allen, twin, born February 17, 1963.
c. Tony Deann Allen, twin, born February 17, 1963; died December 3, 1963.
d. Tracy Lee Allen,, born,,November 16, 1971.
2. Gaines Walter Allen was born in Selma, Dallas County, AL on November 5, 1908. He married Helen L. _____
Gaines died January 23, l977;.; He and Helen had a daughter:
A. Jeri Allen. Married Joe W. Adams; they have a son.
3. David Wilson Allen, born in Jackson, AL on June 3, 1915. Married Nellie Estelle Parker; no issue.
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MARTHA ALMA WILSON
Martha Alma Wilson, seventh child of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy and John Winfield Wilson, was born May 15, 1879, Dickinson, AL and died May 4, 1964, Clarke County. She married on February 25, 1900, Thomas Marian Bradford, born September 28, 1873 and died November 25, 1949. Martha Alma and her husband are buried in Magnolia Lawn Cemetry, Grove Hill.
Thomas was the son of Marion DeCalb Bradford (called "Tap") and Harriet Elizabeth Smith (called "Dump"). Harriet was the daughter of Jesse Smith and Ellender Mariah Steele and granddaughter of James L. Goree Steele, my great grandfather.
Martha Alma Wilson Bradford is the author of the attached paper, "Recollections".
Our ancestors usually named their children for family members. Sometimes the name of a recently deceased relative was passed on to the next child born. on January 25, 1879, Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Wilson's brother, William Bishop Kennedy and his wife, Lou Emma Davis, lost little Alma, their two month old baby daughter. When the Wilson baby girl was born almost four months later, they gave her the name Martha Alma and she went by the name "Alma".
There were nine children born to Alma and Thomas Bradford:
1. Hubbard Belmont Bradford, born December 3, 1900; died March 9, 1966; buried in Magnolia Lawn Cemetary. Hubbard married Edna Larrimore, who died July 14, 1946. He married second, Annie Ott, on April 7, 1956; no issue.
Edna was the daughter of Robert Larrimore and Laura Haskew, Robert being a brother to John L. Larrimore who was married to Catherine Angeline Kennedy, the sister of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Wilson (see chapter on Mary Polly Hicks Allen in the Hicks Section of this book).
Hubbard and Edna had four children:
A. Hubbard Belmont Bradford, Jr., born August 8, 1926, in Dickinson. Married Ella Agnes Leonard on December 22, 1947. Ella was born February 4, 1929, the daughter of Fred Lee Leonard and Nettie Attlee Robinson. Hubbard and Ella had three children,all born in Grove Hill.
a. Diane Agnes Bradford, born June 4, 1951. Married first on December 17, 1975, Mark Fair; divorced.
married second, ? Streyer. Two children.
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(1) Andrew Bradford Streyer, born April 4, 1985.
(2) Elliot Alexander Streyer, born February 10, 1989.
b. Fred Leonard Bradford, born August 17, 1953. Married Jaimi Litkenhaus on December 11, 1983. They have a daughter, as well as her son by her previous marriage.
(1) Justin Nickleson, born September 23, 1980.
(2) Katie Rebekar Bradford, born August 1, 1985.
c. Laura Attlee Bradford, born October 8, 1961. She married Stanley Russell Dove on July 25, 1983; Divorced. One child by Stanley:
(1) Alexander Russell Dove, born in Mobile October 12, 1985.
Laura married second, Gary Neal Cunningham.
(2) Carly Neal Cunningham, born March 21,1991.
B. Clyde Donald Bradford, second child of Hubbard Belmont Bradford, Sr. and Edna Larrimore, was born in Dickinson on January 15, 1928. Married November 25, 1949, Nell Coleman, born October 25, 1930; died August 29, 1988. She was the daughter of Calhoun Coleman and Betty Tarleton.
Clyde and Nell had three children, all born in Grove Hill.
a. Donald Vernon Bradford, born December 25, 1950.
b. Phyllis Elaine Bradford, born October 12, 1953. Married on August 25, 1973, Jimmy W. Barnes. They have two children.
(1) Benjamin Bradford Barnes, born in Birmingham on December 4, 1976.
(2) Jessica Elizabeth Barnes, born in Grove Hill on September 26, 1980.
c. Lisa Coleman Bradford, born December 5, 1965.
C. Bill Stanley Bradford, third child of Hubbard Belmont Bradford, Jr. and Edna Larrimore, was born July 23,
665
1931; died June 28, 1985 and is buried at Pine Hill, Wilcox Co. AL. He married Mildred Gibbs on July 15, 1956. She was born January 31, 1936, the daughter of Dock Andrew and Octavia Gibbs. After Bill's death, Mildred married James Clayton Ratcliffe.
Bill and Mildred had two children, both born in Grove Hill, AL.
a. William Stanley Bradford, born June 29, 1958. Married first to Felicia Mason; divorced. Married second on March 18, 1989, to Pamela Kelly, October 29, 1960, the daughter of James Joseph Kelly and Annette Tarver.
b. Alice Bradford, born September 26, 1961. Married
May 24,, 1986, John Lee Shirah of Milton, FL, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nelson Shirah, Jr.
D. Martha Ann Bradford, last child of Hubbard Belmont Bradford, Sr. and Edna Larrimore. Married first to a Shamburger; married second to Bill Underwood.
Martha Ann and her first husband had four children.
a. Carolyn Shamburger
b. Betty Ann Shamburger
c. Judy Shamburger
d. Bradford Shamburger
2. John Gerald Bradford, born July 5, 1983. Married in July 1926, Gladys Zell Tucker, born December 21, 1908 in Akron AL, the daughter of John Bragg Tucker and Stella Megginson.
Gerald was a graduate of Birmingham Southern and taught school in Coffeeville, Jackson and Thomasville. He retired from the teaching profession and became a successful businessman. one of his greatest achievements was the two terms he served as State Senator. He sponsored the Bradford Act (better known as the Right-to-Work Act). The bill passed because of his efforts (see attached newspaper clippings).
Gerald died on March 12, 1973, and is buried in Grove Hill, AL. He and his wife Gladys had three children:
A. Jean Bradford, born in Birmingham on May 4, 1927. She married first on June 7, 1947, Fred Calvin Wal-
666
ters, by whom she had three children. Jean married second on June 7, 1972, Frank Eastman, born October 9, 1924 in Titusville, PA, son of Donald L. Eastman and Alice Holden.
a. John Edward Walters, born March 17, 1949, Grove Hill. He married first on June 12, 1970, Carol Norris. Two children by this first marriage:
(1) Jennifer Lynn Walters, born November, 1972, in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.
(2) Dan Edward Walters, born May, 1974, Mobile, Alabama.
John married second, Ruth Maritta Gunn. One child by this second marriage:
(3) Millie Drennan Walters, born in Mobile December, 1987.
b. David Morris Walters, born January 6, 1952, Grove Hill. He married Sheila Kay Brown on September 6 1970. She was born in Fulton, AL on April 9,1952 the daughter of Wilmer Kimbrough Brown and Rennie Baker.
(1) David Bryan Walters, born in Grove Hill on October 4, 1971.
(2) John Kimbrough Walters, born in Russellville AL on July 12, 1975.
c. Susan Walters, born February 19,1954, Grove Hill. She married James Lyle Patrick on August 25, 1973. He is the son of Lewis T. Patrick and Ruth Denmark.
(1) Susan Elizabeth Patrick, born on October 20, 1975 in Decatur, DeKalb CO. Georgia.
(2) John Denmark Patrick, born October 29, 1980, in Snellville, Gwinett Co. Georgia.
B. Peggy Jo Bradford, born in Jackson, AL September 2, 1936. Married Charnic Lane Strong on June 6, 1957. He was born at Sandflat, AL on January 1, 1932, the son of Sebra Lemuel Strong and Annie Mae Friddle. Peggy and Lane have two children, both born in Jackson, AL.
a. Jody Strong, born August 15, 1962; married Robert
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Lee Walters on December 30, 1985.
b. John Bragg Strong, born March 7, 1967.
C. John Gerald Bradford, Jr.,born March 8, 1941, Jackson. Married Betty Hamilton in 1962.
a. Carla Lynn Bradford; married on December 11,1988, David Henley Duffee of Dallas, Texas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jackson Duffee, Jr, Birmingham, AL.
3. Tom Coma Bradford, third son of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Marian Bradford, was born December 12, 1905 and died December 4, 1960. Never married.
4. Howard D. Bradford, fourth son of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Marian Bradford, was born October 23, 1907 and died December 5, 1907.
5. Madge Elizabeth Bradford, first daughter of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Bradford, was born in Jackson on December 25, 1910. She married on March 26, 1942, Bert Cornell Outlaw, born at Orme, Tennessee on July 9, 1910, the son of Bertie Jane Grimes and James Franklin Outlaw. Madge and Bert have two sons and a daughter.
A. Bert Gable Outlaw, born August 21, 1946 in Mobile. He married Vilai Kittecuncivat on July 24, 1971. They have two children, plus her two by a former marriage.
a. Kit Outlaw
b. Kuay Outlaw
c. Kristy Anne Outlaw, born July 27, 1972.
d. Kenneth Cornell Outlaw, born March 20, 1976.
B. Harold Bradford Outlaw, born in Grove Hill March 3, 1948. He married first, Veronica Chubbs in September of 1967, by whom he had two children. Brad and Veronica are now divorced.
a. Jason Alan Outlaw, born July 8, 1971.
b. Matthew Ryan Outlaw, born October 8, 1976.
Brad married second, Terry Beal, on January 9, 1988.
c. Harriet Elizabeth Outlaw, born November 23, 1949 in
670
Grove Hill. Married Michael Allen Blount on May 2, 1970 and has two daughters.
a. Meagan Elizabeth Blount, born November 28, 1978.
b. Molly Ruth Blount, born September 22, 1983.
6. Tommie Dee Bradford, sixth child and second daughter of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Marian Bradford, was born on November 18, 1913. She married Hannis Lee Kennedy on December 23, 1939. Hannis was born June 3, 1915, the son of Robert Lee Kennedy and Mollie Davis. Robert Lee was a brother of Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Wilson.
Tommie Dee was graduated from Livington and taught school in Clarke County for several years. one of schools was in Chance, where I attended from 1932 until we moved to Selma in 1939. She was one of my favorite teachers. In 1944, Tommie Dee began operating her father's store in Dickinson.
Hannis was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and has been a soloist for many years. He was scheduled to sing at my father's funeral service in 1970 but was unable to because of illness, so provided us with a lovely tape of him singing "Abide With Me".
Music is only one of Hannis' talents. He has done beautiful woodwork, as evidenced by the lovely mahogany dining room table in their home in Dickinson. He is also a ham radio operator (see attached newspaper clipping).
Tommie Dee and Hannis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 17, 1989 with a lovely reception in their home (see attached newspaper clipping).
7. Robert Wilson Bradford, fifth son of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Marian Bradford, was born September 13, 1916. He died on April 5, 1974 and was buried in Magnolia Lawn Cemetery in Grove Hill. Robert married Louise Barrow on December 20, 1942. She was born in Jackson, AL on May 29, 1916, the daughter of John Julian Barrow and Ruth Cleveland. Robert and Louise had a son and a daughter.
A. Thomas Marion Bradford, II, born in Jackson, AL on January 3, 1947. He married first, Mildred Shields, by whom he had a son. Divorced.
a. Thomas Marion Bradford, III, born in Tuscaloosa, AL on October 12, 1969.
Thomas married second, in 1976, Mara Lynn Saunders,
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by whom he had a son. Divorced.
b. Robert Saunders Bradford, born in Atmore, Escambia County, AL on March 10, 1978.
Thomas married for the third time December 3, 1985, Julia Fredrica Foy. They had no issue and are now divorced.
B. Victoria Ruth Bradford; married William Young Burge. See chapter on Barbara Elizabeth Hicks and Archibald Lee Fendley in the Hicks Section of this book.
8. Neil Watkins Bradford, sixth son of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Marian Braford, was born July 25, 1919. He served in the US Army during World War II. He died on October 25, 1989, in the Hillhaven Convalescent Center in Mobile (see attached copy of his obituary). Neil was never married.
9. Kenneth A. Bradford, last child of Martha Alma Wilson and Thomas Marian Bradford, was born February 17, 1924 and died February 12, 1962. Never married.
BRADFORD
Neil Watkins Bradford, 70, of Dickinson, died at Hillhaven Convalescent Center in Mobile Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1989.
He was born in Clarke Co., the son of the late Thomas Marion and Alma Wilson Bradford. He was a member of the Dickinson Baptist Church and a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. He had been employed as a hospital surgical technician.
Survivors are two sisters, Mrs. Madge Outlaw of Jackson, Mrs. Tommie Dee Kennedy of Dickinson, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
The service was held at Dickinson Baptist Church Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. with the Rev. William Ponder and the Rev. Don White officiating. Burial was in Magnolia Lawn Cemetery in Grove Hill, O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Pallbearers were Stan Bradford, Clyde Bradford, H. B. Bradford, John Bradford, Bert outlaw, and Fred Bradford.
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More Know How (Hannis Kennedy)
developed to compensate has led to a full and busy life that makes an interesting story. He was born in Tennessee, the son of Goldie Ratcliff and R. M. Kennedy. The family moved to Alabama and he grew up in the Thomasville area where he graduated from high school in 1934. He says that classroom work was a real challenge because he was self conscious about his eyesight and worked hard to conceal its' seriousness from the other students.
Music has played an important role in his life, first as a member of the THS Band where he played the Trombone and Sousaphone. He also has a beautiful tenor voice and has often sung solos at church and weddings. He used to direct his church choir but the poor eyesight prevents that today. He was a part of the Clarke Baptist Men's Ensemble and for several years was a member of a quartet at Thomasville Baptist Church along with Jim Forehand, Jack Cleary and the late Dave Megginson.
Hannis Kennedy is married to the former Tommie Dee Bradford who is a native of Dickinson. They met, fell in love and were married after a long courtship. As courtships go today it would be considered long, nine years. Mrs. Kennedy graduated from Grove Hill School (CCHS) and Livingston University. She taught school for some time but gave it up to help her father, Mr. Thomas Bradford, in his store.
After his death she operated the business for many years and a few years ago sold it to Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gates: who renamed it Gates Mini Mart.
Both the Kennedys are active in their church, Dickinson Baptist. She is Treasurer and Teacher and he, a deacon. Mrs. Kennedy has long been involved in WMU Work on the Associational level and is well known for her talented presentations on various WMU programs. She is active in the DAR. The Elizabeth Bradford Chapter was named for an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution.
The many interests and hobbies of this couple are reflected throughout their attractive home. The most obvious one is Mr. Kennedy's Amateur radio station, its twin antennas tower over the house. As one enters the front. door. Mrs. Kennedy's homemaking and decorating skills are seen in the tastefully furnished living room with its oriental rug, antique and traditional furniture and softly blending colors. She does all the painting of walls and said once when Hannis wanted to help because he felt sorry for her, she had to ask him to please stop because he just couldn't see what he was doing. But he built a beautiful dining table from mahogany, perfect in every detail. Incidently it cost only $21.00 for the material back when it was built.
The house has other innovative features; indirect lighting in the kitchen, revolving lazy-susan cabinet shelves to utilize space, a beautifully-remodeled bath and a stereo sound system in every room.
Mr. Kennedy operated a cabinet shop, working with wood for 20 years and was also employed at McGwier's Furniture plant for several years. He retired early because cataracts were making the eye condition worse -but the State Rehabilitation Service asked him to operate a canteen at Allied Paper, Inc. in Jackson. He took a short course at Talladega and worked for eight more years before retiring for good. Now there's plenty of time for recreation and hobbies.
The "Ham Radio" Station has been his main interest since he built it in the mid-fifties. Although naturally talented with electronics he was not familiar with the involved process of getting a license. In 1958 he met Rev. Wilburn Hoglen who had a ham license but no equipment. They teamed up and in 10 months Kennedy had both his novice and general class license.
He has been able to keep up with his old friend through this medium. Rev. Hoglen went to Venezuela as a missionary and the ham radio has been their means of communication. It is also a means of making other friends in many areas of the country.
A special service is relaying messages all over the world. Another aspect of the operation is called phone patching. This involves connecting telephones to ham stations and allows people to talk over great distances. Mr. Kennedy uses this service to help missionaries and servicemen to keep in touch with home.
A home computer has been added to the equipment center located just off the Kennedy's living room. It is used for family financial records, Mrs. Kennedy's church Treasury records and even communications with the Veterans Administration concerning Mrs. Kennedy's brother, a disabled veteran of World War II, whom she looks after. The computer is also used to print out information to be relayed through the radio and many other practical uses.
The equipment for the radio receiving and sending, the stereo for records or cassettes, the computer and reading machine are all arranged in a compact group so they are easily within arms reach and us much of the world is at his fingertips. An easy chair in the cozy room, where Mrs. Kennedy sits with her reading, denotes a warm and pleasant companionship that is rare in the hurried world of today.
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SOURCES FOR MARY ELIZABETH KENNEDY
Family Group Sheets compiled by family members
Personal knowledge
Conversations with family members
Newspaper clippings
Cemetery records and tombstones
Old Family letters and papers
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