Descendants of Isaac Gray Woolsey

Descendants of Isaac Gray Woolsey (1828-1902)

REV ISAAC GRAY⁷Woolsey , JOHN II⁵ ,JOHN⁴ , GEORGE "JORIS"³ , GEORGE SR² , WILLIAM WOLSEY¹) was born October 14, 1828 in KY - Cumberland, Clinton, and died September 11, 1902 in GA - Woolsey, Fayette. He married (1) EMELINE CLEMANZA REAGAN, February 29, 1852 in TN - Fentress County, daughter of COL. CHARLES REAGAN. She was born in TN - Fentress County, and died February 01, 1862. He married (2) ARVANZENIA FRANCES HUTCHESON, daughter of ALFRED HUTCHESON and MATILDA SIEGLER. She was born August 01, 1834, and died June 23, 1915.

1998 May 15 Suzan Bird provided the following information:

CENSUS:
June 2, 1880, 528th Militia District Old 4th, Fayette County, GA, page 15, dwelling 102, household 103;
Isaac Woolsey - Physcian, age 51, living with wife Avezencia F, age 45, son Isaac Gray Jr., age 18, and niece Martha E Woolsey, age 22.

CENSUS:
June 16, 1900, 538th District Woolsey Village, Fayette County, GA, page 22, dwelling 362, household 365.
Isaac Woolsey - Physician, age 71, living with wife AF, age 65, and niece EM Mathewson, age 14, born 5-1886 in Texas, father and mother of EM were born in Illinois.

There is a great deal of info about Isaac Gray Woolsey in the book "Memoirs of Georgia" Vol. 1. by the Southern Historical Assoc. (1895). Also a great obit in the Atlanta Journal, Tuesday evening, Sept. 16, 1902 edition.

The town of Woolsey, GA. was named in his honour and over 2000 people attended his funeral. There is also a small one page article about Charles Reagan Woolsey in the book "History of Fayette County." Unfortunately, I don't have the books---- just the articles sent to me by a distant relative years ago.

OBIT: Isaac Gray Woolsey's obit was published in the Atlanta Journal on Tuesday evening, Sept. 16, 1902. It reads:

Rev. Dr. I.G. Woolsey's Death Causes Sorrow
(Special Dispatch to the Journal.)
BROOKS STATION,Ga., Sept. 16--- Rev. Dr. I.G. Woolsey, a prominent Baptist minister and physician of Woolsey, Ga., died Thursday night at 10 o'clock of heart failure. Dr. Woolsey was born in Clinton County, Kentucky, in 1828, being nearly 74 years old at the time of his death. He was reared in Tennessee and received his education in Franklin academy. After reaching the majority he was principal of Mount Cumberland academy, a noted institution of learning in Fentress county, Tennessee, for three years.

Dr. Woolsey graduated from the Cincinati College of Medicine and Surgery and practiced medicine in Fentress county, Tennessee, until 1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate service under Capt. W. S. Bledsloe, as quartermaster, and served in that capacity until August 1862, when he organized company C. 8th Tenessee Confederate cavalry, which company he served with as captain in Gen. N.B. Forrest's division until the battle of Chickamauga, where he was severely wounded, on which account he resigned his commission as captain. After the surrender he located in Locust Grove and resided there until 1875, when he removed to Fayette county, purchasing the old Gray homestead, where he resided at the time of his death.

The town of Woolsey was named in his honor. Dr. Woolsey was ordained a minister in the Baptist church in 1864, and for nearly thirty years was pastor of three or four churches, only resigning at last when forced to by failing health.

Dr., Woolsey was for a number of years clerk of the Flint River Baptist Association and was moderator of that body for about ten years. He was extensively and influentially useful along the lines of intellectual and religious advancement, and will be sadly missed.

Dr. Woolsey was a prominent Mason, having served as worshipful master of Davidson lodge, F. and A. M., for many years and was at the time of his death high priest of Woolsey chapter R.A.M., besides serving on various committees in the grand lodge of Georgia.

Dr. Woolsey was married in 1852 to Miss Clemanza Reagan of Fentress County, Tennessee, who died in 1862, leaving five children. His second wife was Mrs. Arvazena Hutchinson Wood, of Virginia, who still survives him. His surviving children are: Col. C.R. Woolsey, county school commissioner of Fayette county; Mr. I.G. Woolsey, Jr., Mrs. J.T. Lewis of Woodbury, Ga., and Mrs. J.J. Wilson of Locust Grove, Ga.

The funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church at 11 o'clock this morning. Rev. E.M. Hooten officiating. Fully 2,000 people were present showing by their presence the great esteem in which he was held by the entire community. The interment was in Woolsey cemetery. The grave services were conducted by the Masons in a beautiful and impressive manner. Dr. N.W. Gable, of Brooks Station, worshipful master of Sharon Grove lodge, presided over these services by request of the family and the lodge at Woolsey. Quite a large procession of Masons took part in the services there being visitors from Fayetteville, Brooks Station, Hampton, Inman and Vaughn.

Fayette county never had a funeral so largely attended before. Dr. Woolsey was an ideal Mason, a kind and indulgent father and a loving and tender husband. His influence, for good was felt far and wide.

The following is an extract from the book "Memoirs of Georgia" vol. 1... Atlanta, GA... The Southern Historical Association, 1895, Pages 657-659:

ISAAC GRAY WOOLSEY, physician and surgeon, Woolsey, Fayette Co., Ga., son of Zephaniah and Anna (Crouch) Woolsey, was born in Cumberland (now Clinton) County, Ky., Oct. 14, 1828. His paternal grandparents were of English-Scotch lineage, direct descendants of Cardinal Woolsey. His father was born in Greene County, Tenn., Nov. 11, 1783, was a private soldier in Capt. Cross' company and served under Gen. William Henry Harrison in the last war with Great Britain. He died Dec. 16, 1854. His mother was born in Washington County, Tenn., Nov. 24, 1793, and died Dec. 31, 1845.

Dr. Woolsey remained at home and attended the common schools of the locality until he was eighteen years old, when he entered Franklin academy, remaining a year. For about four years after this he was in the mercantile business, and then went to Fentress county, Tenn., as principal of Mount Cumberland academy, serving three years. Having studied medicine during this period under Dr. W.H. Owens, he next attended lectures at the Cincinnati, Ohio, College of Medicine and Surgery. Returning to Fentress county he entered upon the practice of medicine under a certificate from the college until 1861.

That year he enlisted under Capt. W.S. Bledsoe, as quartermaster, and served in that capacity until Aug. 10, 1862. He then organized Company C, Eighth Tennessee Confederate cavalry, Col. G.G. Dibrell, at Cookville, Putnam Co., Tenn. The regiment was assigned to Gen. N.B. Forrest's division, then at F Tenn. With his command he participated in all the battles in which this brilliant commander was engaged down to the battle of Chickamauga, when, Sept. 19, 1863, he was wounded in his right arm while repelling an advance of the Union army in an attempt to make a right flank on Gen. Cheatham;s division. During all this time he promptly and gallantly discharged every duty assigned him, acting by detail as surgeon and assistant surgeon of the regiment a part of the time during his connection with it.

Resigning his commission as captain on account of his wound, he refugeed to Locust Grove, Henry Co. After the surrender he located at Locust Grove, where he practiced until the fall of 1872, when (1872 - 73) he took a second course of lectures in the Cincinnati college of medicine and surgery, from which he was graduated in March, 1873. After his graduation he resumed his practice at Locust Grove, but remained there only until 1875, when he moved to Fayette county, where, in addition to attending to an extensive practice, he has conducted large farming and mercantile interests.

In 1864 he was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination at Liberty church, Gordon County, Ga. From about that time until 1891 he served three or four churches, but his health failing him the, he resigned all except his home church at Woolsey. During many years of this period he has officiated as clerk of Flint River association, and for five years past has been, and is now, its moderator. He is fully alive to the intellectual and religious advancement of the society and is extensively and influentially useful along these lines.

Dr. Woolsey was happily married Feb. 29, 1852, to Miss Emeline Clemanza, daughter of Col. Charles Reagan, of Fentress County, Tenn., who together with his wife, was a native of Tennessee. He was a colonel of militia, and for many years was clerk of the superior court of the county. The following named children blessed this union: Charles Reagan, born Dec. 6, 1852, farmer, Fayette county; Adela Ann, born Jan. 4, 1854, wife of J.J. Wilson, Butts County, Ga.; Clemanza Isabella, born Dec. 10, 1855, wife of J.T. Lewis, Woolsey; James Zephaniah, deceased, born July 31, 1857, and Isaac Gray, Jr., born Aug. 3, 1861, farmer, Fayette county.

The mother of these children died Feb. 1, 1862, from physical exhaustion consequent upon ministering to the relief of Gen. Zollicoffer's troops while encamped near her father's farm after their retreat from the battle of Somerset, Ky.

For his second wife he married Mrs. Arvazenia Frances (nee Hutcheson) Wood, daughter of Alfred and Matilda (Siegler) Hutcheson, descendants of early settlers of Virginia. He was a wealthy planter before the war and was nearly ruined by it. Dr. Woolsey has had no children by his last marriage, but he feels thankful to the Giver of all Good that his wife has been to him an affectionate and devoted companion, and a tender and loving stepmother to his orphaned children. he realizes that in his marital relation he has been doubly blessed.

In The History of Fayette County 1821 - 1971, published by the Fayette County Historical Society, Inc. about 1971, there is a section on Woolsey by Lucile Gable Lunceford (p. 706 ff). On page 718 there is a picture of students of Woolsey School, and on page 724 there is a picture of Dr. and Mrs. I. G. Woolsey in the 1880´s in front of their large southern home, as well as a picture of the same home in 1977, which was then owned by the H. D. Bell family.
The Woolsey family used their home to accommodate travelers. At that time, drummers (another name for salesmen) would come in their buggies and stay at the hotel until they had worked all the surrounding countryside. They would ride all day and come in to a supper of beans, corn, tomatoes, fried chicken, ham, pie, cake and pitchers of butter milk and sweet milk cooled in a cooler down the well.

Dr. I. G. Woolsey studied medicine when he was teaching school in Fentress County, Tennessee. He studied under Dr. H. H. Owens and attended lectures at the college of Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati, Ohio. He returned to Fentress County and practiced medicine under a certificate from the college until 1861. During his (Confederate) service in the War Between the States he promptly and gallantly discharged every duty assigned him, including surgery. On 19 Sep 1863 he was wounded in his right arm. On account of the wound, he refugeed to Locust Grove, Henry County, Georgia. Here he practiced until 1875 when he moved to Fayette County, and began an extensive practice (from Memoirs of Georgia).

Dr. I. G. Woolsey gave the land for the first school house. . . . He gave it on condition that it be used as a school and meeting place for the Masons and Woodmen. . A new brick building was built in 1929. Mr. Jim Woolsey (son James Isaac Woolsey) of Brooks, Georgia, was the contractor. C. T. Woolsey was Secretary and Treasurer.

Land was purchased for the cemetery in Apr 1893. Applied in March 1894 to Dr. Woolsey for deed. Harmony Grove Church of 1888 was changed to Woolsey Baptist Church 2 Oct 1904. Dr. I. G. Woolsey served 8 years as pastor.

In 1864 Dr. I. G. Woolsey was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination at Liberty Church, Gordon County, Georgia. From about that time until 1891, he served three or four churches. His health was failing him then and he resigned all except his home church at Woolsey. For many years he served as clerk and moderator of the Flint River Association.

This building is still in use, having been improved and enlarged several times. On 2 Oct 1904 its name was changed from Harmony Grove to Woolsey Baptist.
Butts Co. GA - News from the Indian Spring Echo, May 27, 1875 Transcribed from a newspaper in my possession on 6/10/2001. by Linda Blum-Barton. I will only be transcribing articles that appear to have local names or any genealogical value. SUPPOSED TO ASK PERMISSION TO COPY THIS http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ *********************************************************************** PROCEEDINGS AND REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION APPOINTED
BY THE FLINT RIVER ASSOCIATION.
GRIFFIN, GA. DEC. 2, 1874

Pursuant to appointment the committee select by Flint River Association, at its last session, to investigateand adjust reported difficulties existing between Macedonia and Indian Creek churches, met at the Baptist Church in Griffin, at 1 � o'clock, P M. In accordance with previous arrangement the committees appointed by Macedonia and Indian Creek Churches were also present.

After prayer by Rev. J M Wood, the joint committees organized by choosing Rev E M Hooton, chairman and Rev. N N Edge, Sec'y.

On motion, the secretary was requested to record the names of the members of the several committees in attendance, and the following brethren were present:
Committee from Flint River Association � E M Hooton, N N Edge, J M Wood, D L Duffie, J H Devotte,and J J Buffington.
From Macedonia Church � Brethren Thos Meredith and Joseph Jolly,
From Indian Creek Church � Brethren A Brown, R F Smith, W M Combes, W L Kimbell and C H Smith.

On motion of the secretary read the original letter directed to the Association by Macedonia Church, when upon inquiry, it was ascertained that brethren H T Dicken and I G Woolsey�differences between whom originated the grievances complained of � consented to submit a final settlement of their personal difficulties to the decision of the Committee appointed by the Association � the Church Committees agreeing to the same.

December 2, 7 o'clock, PM: Committees met pursuant to recess and resumed the work of investigation. At 10 o'clock PM adjourned until 8 � o'clock, Dec. 3.

Dec. 3, 8 � AM
Committees met pursuant to adjournment � the investigation was continued and evidence heard and read until 2 o'clock PM, when it was announced that the testimony was all submitted. Whereupon the general investigation closed, the Church Committees were dismissed, and the committee of the Association took a recess of three quarters of an hour. They reassembled at 2 � o'clock, and after considering the evidence submitted agreed upon and signed the following report �

The parties at issue�Dr. I G Woolsey and Rev H T Dicken, together with the Committees from Macedonia and Indian Creek Churches,--have agreed to submit all the matters of difficulty to the Brethren appointed by the Association, and to abide their decision as final, the Committee proceeded to hear the allegations against Dr. Woolsey, in which the results of a business arbitration came before us, as well as denunciations of Dr. Woolsey as being a Bush Whacker, horse thief and OUTLAW during the late war, and as being an imposter as a Doctor. After a full hearing of the case from H T Dicken, Dr. Woolsey, and a number of brethren present, together with reading a large number of certificates, the Committee unanimously agreed to the following decisions:

We think that the arbitrators acted faithfully in their decisions, and that Dr. Woolsey has, with Christian fidelity, kept his sworn obligations to abide it.

We think, also that he has triumphantly defended him against the charges involving his war record, and showed by undoubted testimony, not only an honorable war record, but also of unblemished character from boyhood. The testimony offered to the contrary appeared to us to be of a negative and doubtful character. We feel that we can take him to our hearts as a Christian brother and Minister of the gospel, and commend him to the public as such. According to the testimony he has acted throughout strictly in self-defense, and never as an aggressor.

We think that H T Dicken failed to keep his sworn pledge to abide the decision of the arbitrators of a settlement of the difficulty as understood at the time. The testimony shows that he has been the aggressor, denouncing Dr. Woolsey as an imposter, Bush Whacker, horse thief, a perjured man, &C; and in order to sustain these denunciations resorted to unchristian measures to procure certificates by applying to men who were themselves (according to testimony)Bush Whackers, and opposed to the regular Confederate Army , with which Dr. Woolsey was connected. It occurs to us that it would have been more Christian like, when hearing evil reports against his brother, for him, (H.T.D.) to have informed Brother Woolsey, and have heard his defense instead of publishing them abroad and sending and writing to another State to procure certificates from Dr. Woolsey's enemies.

We find, also, that H T Dicken denounced Dr. Woolsey as being an imposter in the Ministry. This denunciation was proved by documentary and verbal testimony; and yet he (H. T. D.) denied having thus denounced him in contradiction of six or eight reliable witnesses.

Under all the circumstances, and with the testimony before us, the very least we can conscientiously advise H. T. Dicken is
1st. That he should be reconciled to Bro. Woolsey, and cease denouncing him.
2nd. That he should make a full acknowledgment to Macedonia Church for the wrong which he has done for denouncing a brother with taking gospel steps in the premises, and without hearing his defense; and should make acknowledgements for the injury to the cause on account of his unchristian course.

In relation to the difficulties between the churches, we think, after a full hearing, that the brethren of both churches have been sincere in what they have done, and have shown a desire to be right, and where in they erred it has been in the absence of intentional wrong. We therefore advise them to bury, forever, the difficulties in the case.

We advise Macedonia Church to require of H. T. Dicken a full acknowledgement of wrong perpetrated against Dr. Woolsey, by denouncing him without hearing his defense; and to require of him a promise to cease such denunciation. If he (H. T. D.) refuses to do this, we advise the Church to withdraw fellowship from him.

The allegation from Indian Creek Church, presented to us, against the character of H. T. Dicken, are of such a grave character that we advise Indian Creek to put Macedonia in possession of the facts, if the proof is abundant and fully reliable; otherwise we advise the church to withdraw them.

We close this document by saying that the committee is in entire agreement, in every particular in this report, and humbly pray that the Lord may bless our labors, to the good of all concerned, and to the glory of His name.

E. M. Hooten, Chairman; N. N. Edge, Clerk; J H De Votie; J Buffington; D L Duffie; J M Wood; -- Com. Of Association

On motion it was agreed to turn over to the chairman all the papers presented to the committee as evidence,under seal, and to retain the same, unless there is a failure on the part of I G Woolsey or H T Dicken to regard the recommendation of the committee, or for legal purposes.The committee then adjourned.
E M HOOTEN, CHAIRMAN
N N EDGE, SEC'Y

The following are in the Woolsey Baptist Church Cemetery:

Woolsey, Annie Fendley 26 May 1889 - 26 May 1966
Woolsey, Charles Thomas 6 Mar 1888 - 8 Apr 1939 (Woodmen of World)
Woolsey, Jimmie Gay 18 Mar 1864 - 12 Nov 1956
Woolsey, Isaac Gray 3 Aug 1861 - 15 Apr 1959
Woolsey, Infant of M. & M. I. G. Woolsey - no dates
Woolsey, A. F (wife of I. G. Woolsey 1 Aug 1834 - ________
Woolsey, Rev. I. G., MD 14 Aug 1828 - 11 Sep 1902

(Flat markers in front of marker just listed: "Rev. I. G. Woolsey MD 14 Oct 1828 - 11 Sep 1902. Arva F. w/o J. G. Reah, 1834 - 23 Jun 1915" - OBVIOUSLY, Arva was first married to Woolsey, then to Reah, and at her death was buried next to her first husband.)

Woolsey, Jonie no dates
Woolsey, Zeph no dates
Woolsey, Charles Reagan 1852 - 1944
Woolsey, Stella Gay 1862 - 1923

Other area cemeteries include the following Woolseys:
Brooks Memorial Gardens

Woolsey, Charles R. 18 Feb 1908 - 18 Oct 1949
Woolsey, Marcus L. 27 Oct 1938 - 21 Jun 1964

County Line Christian Church Cemetery

Woolsey, James B. 7 Feb 1905 - 26 May 1961
Woolsey, James Isaac 1879 - 1955
Woolsey, Idahlia Gable 1883 - 1956

More About Rev. Isaac Gray Woolsey:
Burial: GA - Woolsey, Fayette - Woolsey Baptist Church Cemetery
Family Reseacher: 1998, Suzan Bird
Military: Civil War - Confedercy, he organized CO. C. 8th TN Cavalry
Occupation: Rev - Baptist, Greene Co., TN & Woolsey, Fayette, GA

More About ISAAC WOOLSEY and EMELINE REAGAN, :
Marriage: February 29, 1852, TN - Fentress County

Children of ISAAC WOOLSEY and EMELINE REAGAN are:

	i.	CHARLES REGAN WOOLSEY, b. December 06, 1853, TN; d. 1944, GA - Fayette County; m. STELLA GAY, Abt. 1876, GA - Fayette County; b. June 1856, GA.,
	ii.	ADELA ANN WOOLSEY, b. January 04, 1854; d. 1923.
	iii.	CLEMANZA ISABELLA WOOLSEY, b. December 10, 1855.
	iv.	JAMES ZEPHANIAH WOOLSEY, b. July 31, 1857.
	v.	ISAAC GRAY JR WOOLSEY, b. August 03, 1861, TN; d. April 15, 1959; m. JIMMIE GAY, May 04, 1884, GA - Fayette County; b. March 18, 1864, GA; d. November 12, 1956, GA.

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