Thomas Gibson CARSON (c. 1710 – 1790) was Alex’s 7th Great Grandfather, one of 256 in this generation of the Miner line.  Several of our ancestors were Scot-Irish Presbyterians who immigrated from Ireland to South Carolina in the 1770’s.  Our branch of the family followed their minister Alex. Porter to Preble Ohio around 1800, it is said because of their opposition to slavery.

Descendants of this branch stayed in the South, moving to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.  Many become large plantation owners with dozens of slaves, officials in the Confederacy and Officers in the CSA.  Only 90 years after their arrival the two branches squared off in the Civil War with many casualties on both sides.  It’s interesting how the split in world view happened in just a couple generations.

Thomas Gibson Carson born 11 May 1710 Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. His parents were William Calvin CARSON and Sarah Ann FERGUSON. Thomas married Margaret McDOWELL 12 Aug 1734 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. Thomas died 18 Nov 1790 Greensboro, Greene, Georgia.

Margaret McDowell was born 12 Jun 1713 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. Her parents weer Ephraim McDOWELL and Margaret IRVINE. Margaret died 16 Dec 1784 in Greene, Georgia.

Here’s a mystery. Thomas Gibson Carson and Margaret McDowell were married on August 12, 1734, so William’s and Mary’s birth dates seem about right. However, the next child, wasn’t born for more than twenty years, when their mother was 46 years old. It’s unlikely that Thomas Gibson Carson and Margaret McDowell were the natural parents of the younger children. Some have suggested that William was their father, not their brother. Perhaps all children other than William were grandchildren from another son who died young, and who had been adopted by Thomas G. and Margaret. In his will, Thomas G. plainly lists all of these as his children. However, they could be children of other families entirely.   So the true parentage of these children is a mystery which may never be solved.

Children of Thomas and Margaret:

	Name	Born	Married	Departed
1.	William A Carson	15 Oct 1735 in, County Down, Ulster, Ireland	Margaret Mills Ulster, Ireland	14 Nov 1801 Winnsboro, Abbeville, South Carolina
2.	Mary CARSON	abt. 1737 Newry, County Down, Ireland	Samuel Senton PATTERSON Sr. abt. 1755  in Newry, County Down, Ireland	1820 in Abbeville District, SC, at 90 years of age
3.	Thomas Carson	1759 Tyrone or 23 May 1763 in County Down, Ireland	Jane “Jennie” [__?__] 24 Jun 1782 Blount, Alabama	1807 Washington, Alabama
4.	John Wesley Carson	24 May 1760 in Newry, County Down, Ireland	Isabella McGough 24 Jun 1782 Mecklenburg, North Carolina	1823 Crawford Jones, Georgia
5.	David Carson	1762 in  Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland	Nancy Brantley 24 Jun 1807 Selma, Dallas, Alabama	1826 Selma, Dallas, Alabama
6.	Adam Carson	11 Jun 1764 Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland	Sarah McGough 8 Jun 1785 in Round Oak, Jones, Georgia,	8 Oct 1842 Round Oak, Jones, Georgia
7.	Joseph Carson	11 Jan 1766 Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland	Mary McGough 1790 in Wilkes, Georgia	12 Nov 1798 Jones, Georgia
8.	Elizabeth Carson	1768 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland	James McDowell 9 Dec 1790 Greene, Georgia . James Cowan	23 Apr 1847 Dallas, Alabama

Many thanks to the authors of the  The Saga of the Carson Family of Brazos County, Texas for much of the narrative about this family.

Ancestors

Thomas’s grandfather Alexander Harvey CARSON was born in 1652 in Scotland. about 1736. He was thought to be a Presbyterian clergyman. He married M. Wilson McCLINTON. There is a strong probability Christopher Houston “Kit” Carson, the American frontiersman, was Alexander’s descendent.

Thomas’s grandmother M. Wilson McCLINTON was born in 1652. Her parents were William J. McCLINTON and Janet McDUFF. M. Wilson died in 1717.

Children of Alexander and M. Wilson:

1. William CALVIN CARSON
2. John Carson
3. Samuel Carson
4. James Carson
5. Alexander Carson

Thomas’ father William Calvin CARSON was born 27 Jun 1682 in Londonderry, Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland.   He married Sarah Ann FERGUSON 7 Jun 1704 in Londonberry, Ireland. William died 11 Nov 1748 Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland.

Thomas’s mother Sarah Ann FERGUSON was born 18 May 1687 in Londonderry, Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. Sarah Ann died 16 Jan 1746 in  Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland.

Margaret’s father Ephraim McDOWELL was born in 1673. His father was Thomas McDOWELL (1628-1682). Ephraim died in 1763.

Margaret’s mother Margaret IRVINE was born in 1674. She died in 1728.

It’s possible that Sarah Matilda Carson (b. ca, 1729) was Thomas Gibson Carson’s sister. She married Robert McGough (b. 1725 Ireland. He was a bluestocking Presbyterian. H

Their children were:
Robert McGough, Jr.
John McGough (possibly John McGaw who married Mary CARSON’s daughter Sarah Patterson)
Isabella McGough (m. John Wesley Carson)
William McGough (possibly William McGaw who married Mary CARSON’s daughter Mary Patterson)
Sarah McGough (m. Adam Carson)
Mary McGough. (m. Joseph Carson)

The Carsons and the McGoughs were good friends. On June 19 or June 30, 1773, they sailed from Newry, Ireland, bound for a new life in America. I think the ship was the Elliott, under the command of John Waring. The Elliott arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, on Aug 18, 1773.

Some genealogies show William Calvin Carson’s father to be William Carson, born about 1650.  This William married Eleanor Jane McDuff a. Eleanor was born 17 May 1652 Wilmarnock, Scotland  and died 18 May 1712 Londonderry, Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. William Carson died in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1775 or 1776. After his death, Eleanor married John Scruggs (1712-1792), a farmer and miller who lived on Third Creek about three miles from Statesville, North Carolina. John Scruggs’ first wife was Sarah Carter.

The children of William Carson and Eleanor McDuff were:
1. Andrew Carson
2. Lindsey Carson
3. Robert Carson
4. Sarah Carson
5. Eleanor Carson
6. Alexander Carson

1. As a youngster, Andrew Carson was “bound out”, or apprenticed, to Christopher Houston (1744-1837), Andrew served in the Revolutionary War under General Francis Marion, and also with Baron Jean (Johann) DeKalb. DeKalb was shot while crossing a stream near Camden, South Carolina, on Aug16, 1780, and taken prisoner by the British. Andrew carried him ashore and stayed with him until he died three days later. DeKalb was buried at Camden, South Carolina. Andrew Carson died June 20, 1799, and is buried at Old Pisgah A. R. P. Church Cemetery in Gaston County, North Carolina.

2. Lindsey Carson, son of William Carson and Eleanor McDuff, was born August 1, 1754, in Rowan County, North Carolina. About 1785, he married Lucy Bradley in North Carolina, and their children were Moses Carson, William Carson, Andrew Carson, and two girls. Lindsey Carson settled at Boon’s Lick, Missouri, about 1811. Lindsey and his two sons, Andrew and Moses, rendered militia service at Fort Kinkead during the War of 1812. William Carson married a daughter of Daniel Boone.

In 1796, Lindsey Carson married second Rebecca Robinson in Kentucky. She was born in Green County, Virginia, on Sep 16, 1778. One of Lindsey and Rebecca’s sons was the famous frontiersman, Kit Carson. 1818 found Lindsey Carson in Missouri. One day during August of that year, he attempted to cut down a tree. A limb from the tree fell on him and killed him. His widow married Joseph Martin on October 12, 1821, in Howard County, Missouri.

6. Alexander Carson, was the father of another Alexander Carson (1775-1836) n, who was a member of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. He went by E. Cann and had lived among the French for so long that others thought of him as also being French. Carson hired on with the expedition as a boatman and probably returned to St. Louis with Corporal Warfington.

Thomas Gibson CARSON

The middle name Gibson only appears in  Ancestry.Com’s  World Family Tree, not other source documents, so it should be considered as a “possible”.  Thomas was born in 1710 in County Down, Ireland. It was said to be in a small town, now deserted, at the foot of some mountains, not far from Newry, County Down, Ireland.  Newry lies in the most south-eastern part of both Ulster and Northern Ireland on the road between Belfast and Dublin. About half of the city (the east) lies in the traditional county of Down and the other half (the west) in the traditional county of Armagh.

Thomas immigrated in 1773 to Charleston, SC from Newry, Ulster, Ireland, sailing in the ship “Elliott” on June 30 and arriving on Aug 20, 1773.  It was a hard trip, and storms added sailing time. It is said it took four months to cross from Ireland to America. There were about 40 people in the group, including Carsons, McGoughs  (McGaw’s?) and McDowells, who were all friends and neighbors.

On Oct 24, 1773, Robert McGough bought 150 acres of land in the Providence Presbyterian Church Community along McCalpanes Creek in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, from tavern keeper Patrick Jack for 60 pounds proclamation money. Considering the difficulties of travel in the Carolinas at that time, Robert McGough must have been in a real hurry to travel from Charleston to Mecklenburg County (modern-day Charlotte) and find a place to live in just two months. Apparently, Thomas Gibson Carson and his family tagged along.

What was proclamation money? The British Parliement had passed a law against bringing English silver money into the colonies. As a result, there was insufficient English money to sustain commerce in circulation in the colonies, so the colonists turned to other monies, particularly Spanish gold coins. The exchange rate was established by a proclamation issued by Queen Anne in 1704. So proclamation money was foreign money accepted at the exchange rate established by Queen Anne

The Carson family originally settled in the Abbeville district of South Carolina, which was heavily Scotch-Irish. Thomas was in the military in 1780 and 1781 in Georgia and Tennessee, serving as a horseman in Captain Joseph Carson’s Company of the South Carolina Militia, and participated in the battles of Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock under Colonel William Bratton. He was certified as a Revolutionary War Soldier by Colonel Elijah Clarke and received bounty land in Washington County for his services. Georgia sources show he served in the Battalion of Minute Men. He applied for an invalid soldier’s pension. His home was burned by the Tories during the Revolutionary War.

After the Revolution, Thomas Gibson Carson and his family went to Jones County, Georgia, where he became sheriff and justice of the peace. He also owned a prosperous plantation there called Round Oak. Margaret McDowell died in Greene County, Georgia, on Dec 16, 1784, and Thomas Gibson Carson died in Greene County on July 10 or November 18, 1790, and lies buried in the family cemetery at Round Oak.

Thomas was in Wilkes County GA in 1785. He signed a will on 1 Sept., 1789 In Wilkes Co., GA.

“Will of THOMAS CARSON of Wilkes Co. and State of Georgia, being sick and weake of body..to my son WILLIAM who lives in South Carolina a Negro woman to be given him after my deceased of my beloved wife MARGET(sic) CARSON. The half of the survey or tract of land whereon I now live I give to my son THOMAS (that is the lower part lying down on the river)..my son JOHN shall have at his mothers death the half of all my stock of every kind…to my son DAVID the plantation whereon I now live (i.e.) the upper half including the plantation and mansion together with 2 negroes..at decease of my wife…to my son ADAM the other half of my stock and the child of my Negro pat who appears to be pregnant…to my dau. ELIZABETH my Negro boy and a Negro which is due me from Edmond Daniell and George Reid together with black mare now in his possession, and ½ of my house furn…at decease of my wife…the other half of house furn. To belong to my son DAVID…to my son JOSEPH a tract of land cont. 200 acres lying on Richland Creek in Greene County…Appt’s my two sons JOHN CARSON and DAVID CARSON to be Exors…Signed: THO. CARSON. Wit: bef. Wm. Phillips. Rachel Dunn and JEAN CARSON. Rec. 10 July 1791. He died on 10 July, 1799 in Wilkes Co., GA.

Children

1. William A. Carson

William’s wife Margaret Mills was born in 1732 in  Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. Margaret died in 1799 in  Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland

William immigrated to America with his family in 1773, and joined Captain William Fullwood’s company of volunteer militia on September 30, 1775, in South Carolina. The company took part in the Snow Campaign Dec. 23-30, 1775.

He appeared on the census in 1779 in 96^th District, South Carolina. He resided in Long Cane, Abbeville County, SC in 1779, south of the Patterson bridge. “The old Carson place where Mr. Patterson is supposed to have found his mate is about two and a half miles southeast of Patterson bridge, near the old Fisher and Gibson places”. He resided in Mecklenberg County, NC in 1782. On Sep 1, 1789, he was in Wilkes County, GA. William’s father, Thomas Carson Sr., willed him a Negro woman. William at that time was living in SC. The condition was that he would receive this slave after the death of Thomas’s wife (William’s mother), Margaret. Thomas Sr. died in 1790.

He appeared on the census in 1790 in Long Cane, Abbeville Co., SC. The census shows 3 males over 16, 2 females, and 1 slave. He was a member of Cedar Springs Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He signed a will on 16 Oct 1801 in Long Cane. This will was proved on 3 Apr 1802. Executors were sons Robert and William Carson. Witnesses were Thomas Lindsay, James Patterson, and Sarah Howard. Wife; Margaret. Children; William, Robert, Jean, Martha Hearst, Margaret Patterson, Elizabeth McGough, Mary Patterson. Grandson; William Carson, son to Robert Carson. Inventory made 24 Aug 1802 by John Robins, W. McBride, and Andrew Caughran.

Children of William and Margaret

i. Martha Carson b. 1754 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; d. 7 Oct 1818 Abbeville County South Carolina; m. 1775 in Abbeville, South Carolina to John Hearst Jr. (b. 1750 in Ireland a – d.1808 in Abbeville, South Carolina) His parents were John Hearst Sr. (b. 1715 Ireland – d. 1782 Long Cane, Abbeville, South Carolina) and Elizabeth Knox (b. 1723 in North Carolina) After Martha died, he married second Phoebe Stark, no children.

John’s grandson George F Hearst struck Silver in the Comstock Lode and became enormously rich. (Plus the bad guy in Season 3 of Deadwood).

John Hearse (Hearst) and John Hearse, Jr. were both immigrants. Both were granted lands near the Long Canes. John got 400 acres and John, Jr. got 100 acres. Jr. would have been over 16 years to get a grant and Sr. had younger children so he got a larger tract.

The distribution of the children between Martha and Phoebe is not known.  John’s will was administered on 6 Feb 1808 by Robert Hearst and Josiah Patterson Esq.  The estate was administered again on 9 Jan 1807 by Phoebe Hearst, Andrew Gray, and John Gray.   The sum of $1200.05 was paid to the each of the following: Lewis Hearst, John Hearst, Robert Hearst, George Hearst, Jane McMillian, John Gallaugher, James Cochran,   and Jacob Clark. John McMillian received $3346.91.

John was identified as a major in his will and is presumed to have served in the Continental Army.

Two generations later members of all three families had gone to Missouri settling in Frankin and Washington Counties.

According to “Greenwood County Sketches” by Margaret Watson, Attic Press, Greenwood, SC, 1982. John Hearst’s will named 11 children. Of these, it was his son William G. Hearst who moved first to TN and then to MO and was the grandfather of William Randolph Hearst. William G. Hearst’s brother, Joseph, married first Anna (or Annie) Frazier and second (?) Armstead.

Children of John and Martha

1.Margaret Hearst b 6 Sep 1772

2. Robert Hearst b 22 Aug 1774

3. Mary Hearst b 4 Oct 1778

4. Jane Hearst b 12 Oct 1780 m unknown Holiday

5. John Hearst b 21 Feb 1783 Abbeville District, South Carolina

6. George Hearst b 18 Nov 1786

7. Martha Hearst b 8 Nov 1788 m James Cochran

8. Lewis Hearst b 11 Feb 1790 Abbeville District, South Carolina

9. Sarah Hearst b 22 Jun 1792 m John Gallaugher

John’s son William G Hearst ( b. 1776 Woodvine, Abbeville, South Carolina – d. Nov 1844 Franklin, Missouri) m. 1817 in Biglow, Franklin, Missouri to Elizabeth Collins (b. 1780)

John’s grandson George F Hearst (3 Sep 1820 Anaconda, Franklin, Missouri – d. 28 Feb 1891 California; m. 15 Jun 1862 in Steelville, Crawford, Missouri to Phoebe Elizabeth Apperson (b. 3 Dec 1842 in Whitmire Settlem, Franklin, Missouri – d. 1919 in Colma, California) I attended Phoebe Heart Elementary School in San Diego, named because Phoebe helped found the California PTA.

I found Phoebe Apperson Hearst’s portrait in the school auditorium a little scary. This isn’t it, but its close

George F Hearst’s only son William Randolph Hearst (b. 29 Apr 1863 San Francisco, California – d. 14 Aug 1951 Beverly Hills, California) m. Millicent Veronica Willson (1882–1974) Marion Davies, mistress built a newspaper empire and Hearst Castle of course.

ii. Jean Carson b. 7 Jul 1756 in  Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; d. 1 Sep 1789, in Abbeville, South Carolina or 1802

iii. Sarah “Seara” Carson b. 1759 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; d. 1806; m. Malcom Rafferty (b. 1755 in Woodvine, Abbeville, South Carolina – d. Aft, 1825)

Malcolm received two lots in the Wilkes County Georgia Lottery of 1803. The land given out in this lottery was obtained from the Creek Indians in a treaty at Fort Wilkinson, June 16, 1802, and included “the Territory south of the Oconee and Altamaha rivers”. This land was divided into three counties, Wayne, Wilkinson and Baldwin. The lots in Wayne consisted of 490 acres each, those in Baldwin and Wilkinson 202 1/2 acres each, three thousand two hundred and forty acres reserved for a town to be called Milledgeville.

Those entitled to draw were every free white male twenty-one years and upwards, and an inhabitant of the state twelve months immediately preceding the passage of this act, who had paid tax, one draw; every free white male having a wife and one or more legitimate children, two draws; all widows having legitimate child or children, two draws; all families of orphans having no parents living, two draws. No mention is made of military service in this act, and no provision is made for soldiers of any war.

iv. Margaret Carson b. 1761 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; d. 7 Oct 1819 in Abbeville District, South Carolina; m. 23 Dec 1779 in Abbeville Distr, South Carolina to Josiah C Patterson (b. 1751 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland – d. 5 Dec 1835 in Abbeville Distr, South Carolina) According to the History of Poinsett County Book, Josiah Patterson came from Ulster to South Carolina around 1766. Josiah Patterson was a Revolutionary War soldier.

v. Elizabeth Carson b. 25 Jun 1764 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; d. 23 Apr 1847 Greene, Georgia; m. 1782 in Abbeville, South Carolina to John McGough (Also McGaw)  (b. 21 Aug 1761 in County Down, Ireland – d. 17 Oct 1847 in Greene, Georgia) His parents were John McGough and Sarah Matilda Carson.

vi. Mary Carson b. 1766 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; died 29 May 1824 at 59 years of age. Her body was interred 1824 in Hopewell Cem, Preble Co, OH ; m. John Patterson (b. Jan 1763 County Down, Ireland 1763 – d. 11 Nov 1837  Preble Co, OH Interred Hopewell Cemetery) His parents were our ancestors Samuel Senton PATTERSON Sr. and Mary CARSON.

John and wife removed from Abbeville District, S.C. to Preble County, OH in 1807. Apparently had no children as none mentioned in estate papers – estate sold 13 Apr 1838 in Preble County, OH. Administrator of his estate was Thomas Pinkerton, bond signed by Pinkerton, Alexander Porter and William McGaw.

John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving as a substitute for his father in August 1778 when he was just 15 1/2 years old; he saw service in the Carolinas in 1778, 1780 and 1781 and was discharged March 1781. He was in both the infantry and cavalry.

John applied for a Revolutionary War Pension on Sep 18, 1832. We know a lot about his service from his application letter See Samuel PATTERSON’s page for details

vii. Robert S Carson b. 14 Jan 1769 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; d. 1839; m. 20 Dec 1793 Rowan, North Carolina to Elizabeth Jane Patterson (b. 14 Jul 1772 in Rowan, North Carolina – d. 1829 in Jones, Georgia); m2. 1829 Age: 60 to Sabra Porter (b. 1809 South Carolina) After Robert died, Sabra married 10 Aug 1841 in Dallas, Alabama to Jacob Summerlin. In the 1850 census, Sebra A and Jacob Summerland were living in Independence, Autauga, Alabama with three Carson children and three Summerlin kids. By the 1860 census, Jacob was married to Maria (Marina) Taunton (b. 1811 South Carolina) and living in Dublin, Perry, Alabama.

viii. William Rowan Carson b. 1772 in Winnsboro, Abbeville, South Carolina; d. 1837; m. Nancy Howard (b. 1779 in Winnsboro, Abbeville, South Carolina – d. 1837) (Received a Land Grant at Long Cane in 1808)

2. Mary CARSON (See Samuel PATTERSON Sr’s page)

Altogether, there were about 40 friends and relatives named Carson, McGough (McGaw?), McDowell, and Patterson crowded among the other passengers on the Elliot in 1773, and I’m sure they were very glad when they disembarked in Charleston.

Mary is not listed in William’s will, so it is not certain she is his daughter.  She was born in Newry, the same town in County Down, immigrated around 1773 with the same group of people and lived in the same community around Abbeville, South Carolina, so if she was not his daughter, it is very likely she was a close relative.

Mary’s daughters Mary and Sarah Patterson married brothers William and John McGaw.  McGaw can also be written McGough, a family  close to the Carson family, with several intermarriages including Mary’s brothers Adam and Joseph. The Carsons and McGoughs sailed on the same ship to America.  Adam Carson served in Capt. John McGaw’s company during the Revolution.  Also Mary’s son John Patterson married her brother William Carson’s daughter Mary.

3. Thomas Carson

Thomas’ wife Jane “Jennie” [__?__] was born in Greene County, Georgia. Jennie owned deeded property in 1791 in Franklin Co., GA, and along with her husband Thomas Carson Jr., deeded property in the same county.

A Mrs. Carson (and it is very possible that this was Jenny)  claimed on 25 Oct 1815 in the Mississippi Territory, Baldwin County (next to Washington County and Mobile, Alabama)

“Jane Carson of the county of Baldwin in the Mississippi Territory maketh oath that she verily believes on the best information, that the Negro woman named Miley belonging to the estate of her late husband Thomas Carson, of the value of four hundred and fifty dolls. Was taken by the hostile Indians, that she has never recovered her, and is persuaded from such accounts as she fully relies upon, that she was killed on her attempt to escape from the Creek (Indian) nation. Signed, Jane Carson. Sworn before me one of the judges of the Mississippi Territy, this 25^th octr., 1815, Harry Toulmin.

Also, a map from 1813, which appears in the book on the History of Washington County, Alabama, shows that a “Mrs. Carson” had a home on the Tombigbee River, a very few miles  from the confluence with the Alabama River, and the date marked by her name was “1813”.

Thomas born on 23 May 1763 in County Down, Ireland, said to be a small town, now deserted, at the foot of mountains, not far from Newry, County Down, Ireland. He emigrated from Newry on 30 June, 1773 in the ship “Elliott“, and landed at Charleston, South Carolina on 20 Aug., 1773.

He served in the military between 1780 and 1781 in Georgia and Tennessee. He served in a “Refugee” regiment. At the first siege of Augusta, GA, in 1780, Colonel William Candler raised a volunteer regiment known as the Refugee Regiment of Richmond county. Thomas was enlisted at the direction of Colonel Elijah Clarke, commander, on Sep 15, 1780, to serve “till the British are totally expelled from this state.” The regiment moved to Tennessee in Sept., 1780, marching to the Nolichucky settlements, fighting battles at King’s Mountain on Oct 7, 1780, Fishdam Ford on Nov 9,  1780, Blackstock’s Farm on Nov 20, 1780, and Long Cane (South Carolina) on Dec 11, 1780. The regiment was disbanded on Jun 5, 1781. According to the book “Roster of South Carolina patriots of the American Revolution”, he served as a horseman in the militia under Captain Joseph Carson (not believed to be his brother, Joseph, who would have been 15 in 1781), during 1780 and 1781. At the battles of Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock, he was under Colonel Bratton.

Thomas’s brothers  John Wesley (1760-1823), David  (1762-1826)  and Adam (1764-1842) were also privates in  Joseph Carson’s company.  His niece Margaret’s husband Josiah Patterson (1751-1835) was the Lieutenant.

He was in Wilkes Co., Georgia on Sep 1, 1789. Thomas Carson Sr. willed to Thomas Carson Jr. the lower part of his property, “the part by the river”. Thomas Carson Sr. died in 1790. Thomas Jr. was in Franklin County, Georgia, on May 10, 1791. Thomas and wife Jenny sold 862.5 acres of land in Wilkes County, Georgia to Joseph Scott of Wilkes County, for 60 pounds. Land on the north fork of Beaverdam Creek was originally granted to Thomas Carson, Feb 7, 1788. He was in McIntosh Bluff, Washington County, Alabama in 1802. He was in Washington County, AL on Mar 25, 1802, and sold to David Johnston of the same county a Negro woman named Rose, aged 23 years, and her child aged about 18 months, for $500. He was in Washington County Alabama (then Mississippi Territory), in the vicinity of what is now know as the town of “Carson” on Jul 31, 1805. The 1805 tax roll shows that he owned 640 acres of the first quality on the west side of the Tombigbee river opposite the mouth of the cut-off, 1 house of 37 feet by 18 feet, three outhouses, 25 acres developed, $3 per acre, total assessed value $1920. He resided in the Tombigbee River area of Alabama in 1806.

He purchased land from John Jacob Abner, whose original claim was in 1797, on Mar 16, 1804 in West Tombigbee, AL. Nearby neighbors were Thomas Bates and Joseph Bates, near the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. Thomas Bates was probably father of Sarah Bates, wife John S. Carson, the son of Thomas Carson, Jr (See below). He died in 1807 in Washington County, Alabama.

Among other things, he left Jenny a ferry on the Tombigbee River. This ferry has an important place in history. As you may recall, Aaron Burr had been Vice-President of the United States, and had killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. . On Feb 19, 1807, the sheriff of Washington County, Alabama, captured Aaron Burr, who was fleeing federal authority in relationship to his attempt to establish an independent nation in Texas and what had been part of the Louisiana Purchase.  One of the sheriff’s posse had borrowed a canoe from Joseph Bates, Sr., at Nannahubba Bluff in Washington County during the pursuit.  Bates is believed to be the grandfather of Sarah Bates, wife of John S. Carson, father of Nathan Franklin Carson. While escorting Burr to Pensacola, Florida, the sheriff and captive crossed the Tombigbee River on Mrs. Carson’s ferry.

Children of Thomas and Jennie:

i. Adam B Carson  b. Jones, Georgia

ii. Elizabeth Carson

iii. Sallie Carson Some sources say Sallie married Alexandre Hollinger, but I think he married a different Sally Carson. Alexandre was born 27 Jan 1793, Mobile, AL, Married 1st-Sally Carson, ” the Belle Of the Bigbee” and daughter of Col. Joseph Carson. Their children were: Gilbert Russell Hollinger (m. Shannon Bates), and Margaret Hollinger (m. James Foster), According to an article in the Baldwin County Historical Society Quarterly, Sally died while the children were infants and the children were taken in, and raised by Rubena Hollinger, wife of Alexandre’s brother Adam). Alexandre married second Tabitha Moore of Claiborne, Monroe Co., Alabama. Alexandre fought in the War of 1812 and was wounded in the The Battle of Burnt Corn.

iv. Thomas S Carson

v. Joseph Carson b. 1785; d. 1817; m. 16 May 1814 to Caroline Charlotte Green (b. 1794; d. after her 7 July 1831 will in Adams Co., MS. which named James Green Carson MD as an only child, whose daughter, Katherine (Carson) Breckenridge married Clifton Rhmodes Breckenridge, son of Vice President under John Buchanan and 1860 Presidential candidate, John C Breckenridge and member of Congress and Ambassador to Russia in his own right.

Joseph Carson probably had an illegitimate child by Patsy Brewer, who later married a Mr. Johnson and lived in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Joseph Carson’s will mentions “my natural daughter,” but does not name her.

In Georgia on May 4, 1801, Captain Joseph Carson received a pass to Mobile, AL from the Governor of Georgia. On Nov 11, 1802, Major Joseph Carson was issued a pass by the Governor of Georgia to pass through the Creek Nation. On Jun 18, 1806, he was commissioned as an Attorney at Law in Washington County, Mississippi Territory (now Alabama). On Apr 5, 1808 he was issued a pass by the Governor of Georgia to pass through the Creek Nation, having been recommended by Elijah Clarke. On May 8, 1809 he was commissioned a Captain in the 6th regiment, Militia of Washington County.

He was Trustee of a lottery before 1811 in Washington Co., AL. The lottery of $5000 was to benefit the establishment of Washington Academy, located at St. Stephens. He was a militia colonel in the First Mississippi Regiment, United States Volunteers. He forced the evacuation of the Spanish post on the Perdido River, Apr 27, 1813. He was military commander of the territory between the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers, where was located Fort Glass and Fort Madison. He fought the Creek Indians at their “Holy City” in 1812. He served under General F.L. Claiborne from Dec 27, 1812 as a Lieutenant Colonel until Apr 30, 1813, when he was promoted to Colonel.  He served then until Feb 28, 1814. He received a salary of $75 per month plus $12 per month for forage.  He also had two private servants paid by the government. Serving under him was a Private Joseph Carson – whose kinship is not proven.

On Oct 15, 1815, in Mobile AL, he made this claim: “I certify that about the first of November last I was ordered by General Jackson with a detachment of mounted gunmen under my command to form a junction with Major Woodruff of the Third Regiment of U.S. Infantry near the ferry on the Perdido River between Mobile and Pensacola and did form the junction with him as soon as possible he had under his command about three hundred men of the Third Regiment and upward of one hundred Choctaw Indian warriors. We were ordered to drive off all the cattle found near the Perdido River to prevent the British and hostile Indians (then in Pensacola) from getting them. I was informed by Major Woodruff that he had previous to my arrival destroyed a large said boat at the Perdido ferry with belongings of Francisco Suarez, a Spaniard by birth who then resided on the American side of the Perdido River, and that he had orders from General Jackson to destroy all the boats on that river. I afterwards destroyed conformably to said orders a small canoe belonging to said Suarez worth about ten dollars, the Choctaw Indians took of a number of small horses from that neighborhood. Some of which were said to belong to the hostile Creek Indians and some to the said Suarez, the said Francisco Suarez then and on several former occasions when I was at his house professed to be much attached to the American government, and submitted cheerfully to his losses as they were said to be necessary, but expressed his hopes at the same time that he would be remunerated for his losses by the American government —Joseph Carson.

He was appointed Attorney General for counties west of the Pearl River on Apr 1, 1813, but resigned on Sep 28 1817 due to declining health. He appeared on the census in 1816 in Washington County, AL (Mississippi Territory Census of 1816). He died in 1817 in Washington Co., AL, and was buried in the Old St. Stephens cemetery, Washington Co., AL. Caroline C. CARSON, wife of Col. Joseph Carson, was executor of his estate. Professor William Waller Carson, who laid out Carson Station (a town on the Southern Railway) in honor of his grandfather, Col. Joseph Carson, visited his gravesite a couple of miles south of Old St. Stephens, and about four or five miles northwest of Carson Station. He visited in 1870 or 1873, and found it to be a desecrated and vandalized grave, located in a heavily wooded area. The vault next to Joseph’s is supposed to be that of his nephew, who had come back from Texas.

His home was described as follows: “… a tract of good level land about two miles out (of Old Saint Stephens).  There is a large commodious house and all convenient out buildings, something over 100 acres clear, good part fresh land.  The land is thin but level and kindly, well adapted to cotton.  … it was occupied by Col. Carson an attorney near Baldwin’s …”.

In 1817, he had been appointed as one of the three councilors of the new State of Alabama, but when the first Council met on Feb 7, 1818, Joseph Carson had died. He signed a will on Apr 18 1817 in Washington County, Mississippi Territory. The bulk of his estate went to his wife, Caroline Charlotte (Green) Carson. Their only child was James Green Carson, who became a doctor. Executors were brother-in-law James Green and wife Caroline. Witnesses were Wm, Baldwin, Robert Catter, and B. George Buchanan.

vi. John S Carson b. 15 Mar 1786 in South Carolina; d. Betw. 1874 and 1875 in Kendall County, Texas; m. 16 May 1810 in Baldwin, Alabama to Sarah Bates (b. 1790 in Alabama – d. abt. 1817 in Alabama) Her father was Thomas Bates (See above). After Sarah died, he married again before 1819 in Madison County, Mississippi to Nelly [__?__] (b.  ABT 1790 in South Carolina – d. Aug 1832 in  Madison County, Mississippi. Finally, 27 Sep 1869 in Kendall County, Texas at the age of 83 he married to Lucy Elizabeth Davis (19 Sep 1840 in Christian County, Kentucky – d. 05 Aug 1927 in Kendall County, Texas)

John S Carson (1786 – 1875)

John S Carson Timeline

Between 1810 and 1819 Residence Baldwin County, Alabama

1824 Age: 38 Residence Lawrence County, Mississippi

10 Nov 1827 Age: 41 Land Title Choctaw District, MS – 79 acres

1827 Age: 41 Residence Yazoo County, Mississippi

1 Apr 1829 Age: 43 Land Title Madison County, MS 80.09 acres

1830 Census Age: 44 Residence Madison County, Mississippi

1834 Age: 48 Residence San Augustine County, Texas

1836 Age: 50 Military Service Data San Augustine County, Texas Texas Volunteers, Thomas S. McFarland’s Company

1839 Age: 53 Residence Tyler County, Texas

11 Nov 1858 Age: 72 Land Title Comal County, Texas 360 acres

1860 Census Age: 74 Residence Comal County, Texas

1870 Census John and Elizabeth were living in Precinct 3 (Smithsons Valley), Comal County, Texas.

There was another John Carson born in South Carolina around the same time who also moved to Texas.  This Thomas moved to Brazos County near Fort Worth, while our John moved to Comal County near San Antonio.

John C. CARSON was born in 1786 in Abbeville Co., SC.  He married ) Elizabeth  Henderson who it is believed was born in South Carolina, and died in 1846, either in Alabama or Mississippi.  ..

John C Carson appeared on the census of Franklin Co., AL in 1820. The census shows 2 males over 21, 3 males under 21, 1 female over 21, 1 female under 21, and 6 slaves. He appeared on the census of 1830, also in Franklin Co., AL.  John S. Carson appeared on the census in 1840 in Franklin Co., AL, and was in Harrison Co., MS in the census of 1850. According to the census, his grandson, Nathan F. Pickens, age 5, born in AL, was living with John S. (It is assumed that NFP’s parents had died, probably in an epidemic).

John C Carson first appeared on the tax rolls of Leon County, Texas in 1853, with no land owned but having 12 slaves, a horse, and 8 cows, for a total taxable value of $6750 (a substantial sum in those days).  He was on the tax rolls in 1857, owning 11 slaves, 4 horses, 11 cows, and having a total value of $6750.  He was in Brazos Co., TX in the 1860 slave census, and had 14 slaves. He was in the 1860 census in Brazos Co., TX, and had 15 acres of improved land, 1271 acres not improved. According to the tax rolls of 1860, his cash value was $6430, with property worth $12,223 based on 14 slaves, 6 horses, and 41 cows. He owned a total of 1456 acres.

John C Carson’s will was probated on 16 March, 1865 (he had died on 11 March, 1865, Conditions of the will were as follows: to Nathan F. Carson, $730 and two slaves, Anthony and Eda, valued at $1880; to Thomas H. Carson, $300 and three slaves, Julia, Jerry and Isaac, valued at $1600; to James R. Carson, the 412 acre homestead and slaves Henry and Mary, valued at $1830, to Sarah Ann. S. McDonald (of MS), two slaves, John and Jane, valued at $1700;to Emily D. Thetford, two slaves Mahala and Silva, valued at $1600.to Margaret W. Thetford, three slaves, Eda, Aaron, and Ella, valued at $1700; to Amelia W. Barbee, a slave and her child, Matilda and Charles, and a woman named Charlotte; all valued at $1700; to Nathan F. Pickens, $400. The remainder of the estate is to be sold and divided equally among all the children.

vii. Ann Carson b. 14 Feb 1788 South Carolina; d. 1860 Alabama; m1. 12 Feb 1814 Baldwin, Alabama. to William Bates (b. 19 Nov 1788 in Marengo County, Alabama – d. 1823 in Greene County, Alabama); His parents were Thomas Bates and Patricia [__?__].

Thomas Bilbo, James Ware and William Bates lived in Jackson County, Mississippi Territory in 1812 and were involved as members of the Justices of the Quorum of Jackson County. Pascagoula, M.T. became the seat of justice for Jackson County following that area’s removal from control by the government of Mobile County in 1812. William Bates was the first Clerk of Court. Each of these men later became officers in the 17th Regiment, Mississippi Territory Militia during the War of 1812, likely serving against the Creek Indians over in Alabama (then Mississippi Territory)

The 17th Regiment, when its organization was completed late in 1812 or early 1813, had the following officers:Lt. Col. William Bates; Maj. Thomas Bilbo; Capt James Ware, John Dease, and Benjamin Gresham; Lt. LARD WARE, Benjamin Williamson, and William Mills. The Unit fought in the 1813-14 Creek War and served with Andrew Jackson at New Orleans

m2. 1834 – Alabama to Joseph Boyd Chambers (b. 11 Sep 1777 in Rowan, NC – d. 24 Nov 1854 in Uniontown, Perry, Alabama) His parents were Robert Chambers and Lettice Boyd. He first married Sarah Bishop (1780 – 1823) In the 1830 census, Joseph was living in Greene, Alabama with a household of 9 free white persons and 5 slaves.

4. John Wesley Carson

It is interesting that he was named after Anglican priest John Wesley, whose work initiated the Methodist Church, considering that the Carsons were undoubtedly Presbyterian.  It is possible that John Wesley’s mother had heard John Wesley speak during one of his visits to Ulster, and was highly impressed.

John’s wife Isabella McGough was born 13 May 1764 in Newry, County Down, Ireland.  She immigrated to South Carolina with her family (McGough) and the Carson family on the same ship.  Isabella’s sister Sarah married John’s brother Adam and her sister Mary married John’s brother Joseph. Her parents were Robert McGough (b. 1725 County Down, Ireland – d. 1778 Mecklenburg, North Carolina) and Sarah Matilda Carson, possibly John’s step-sister (b. 1729 in Ireland).  She drew land in the lottery of 1827 as the widow of a revolutionary soldier.  Isabella died 12 Dec 1838 in Crawford, Jones, Georgia and lies buried at the Carsonville Cemetery, at the site of the old Methodist Church in Carsonville, Taylor Couty, Georgia.

John served in the military between 1777 and 1783 in Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. He served in both the “Minute Men” and Refugee” units.

On Jun 3, 1777, the Georgia House of Assembly authorized two minute men battalions, the period of service was to be 2 years. The 1^st Battalion was commanded by Colonel John Stewart, with Lt. Col. Elijah Clark as Second-in- command. The 2^nd Battalion was commanded by Colonel Samuel Jack, with Lt. Col. William Farrell as second-in- command. These two battalions were augmented by two companies of light horse. The minute man battalions suffered heavily on the Florida Expedition in May-June 1778. The minute men were disbanded Mar 1, 1778. Colonel Jack’s battalion consisted of some 500 men and 5 field pieces. Colonel Stewart’s battalion then consisted of some 200 men.

At the first Siege of Augusta, 1780, Colonel William Candler raised a volunteer regiment of “Refugees” (known as the Refugee Regiment of Richmond County), which was enlisted at the direction of Colonel Elijah Clarke, commander, ond 15 Sept., 1780, to serve “till the British are totally expelled from this state”. The regiment moved to Tennessee in Sept., 1780, marching to the Nolichucky settlements, fighting battles at King’s Mountain on Oct 7., 1780, Fishdam Ford on Nov 9, 1780, Blackstock’s Farm on  Nov 20, 1780, and Long Cane on Dec 11, 1780. The regiment was disbanded on Jun 5, 1781.

John also served in the South Carolina Militia under Captain Joseph Carson (not believed to be his brother, Joseph Carson, as Joseph would have been 17 years old in 1783), according to the “Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution.” He was in Wilkes County, Georgia in 1785 and 1791. Thomas Carson, Sr. willed to John Carson half of all the stock he owned, of every kind, contingent on the death of Thomas’s wife (John’s mother), Margaret Carson. Thomas Carson Sr. died in 1790 in Wilkes Co., GA. John was an executor of his father’s will.

John was in Warren Co., GA on Feb 20, 1799, where he sold 228 acres on Carson’s Creek to George Parham, both of Warren Co. He appeared on the census in 1820 in Jones Co., GA. He signed a will on 23 Feb., 1823 in Jones Co., GA. The will was probated on 5 May, 1823 in Jones Co., GA, Will Book A, 1809-1864. The will did not name sons Thomas or William. He died on 5 May 1825 in Crawford Co., or Jones Co., GA.

Children of John and Isabella:

i. Thomas G Carson b. 13 May 1785 in Edgefield, Abbeville Dist, South Carolina; d. bef. 1850 Dallas County, Alabama; m. 1 Jan 1820 in Dallas, Alabama to Aritta “Arritah” Denson (b. 1804 South Carolina). Her parents were James IV Denson and Nancy Sutliff. After Thomas died, she married John Adams.

ii. Jane Carson b. 17 Sep 1789 in Edgefield, Abbeville Dist, South Carolina; m. 24 Dec 1811 in Greenwood, South Carolina, to Captain George Marshall (b. 28 May 1779 in Tyrone, Ireland – d. 7 Jan 1852 in Greenwood, South Carolina) His parents were Samuel Marshall and Mary Steen. He first married Mary Miles (b. 17 Aug 1780).

In the 1850 census, George and Jane were living in Saluda Regiment, Abbeville, South Carolina. Nancy McDowell (b. 1819 SC) and her four children were living with the family.

FROM MARSHALL FAMILY BIBLE

I – WM MARSHALL, born 1652 in Pembroke, England.
II – JAMES MARSHALL, born 1691 1n Pembroke, England. Died in Boston 1766.
III – SAMUEL MARSHALL, married Mary Crawford in Ireland. Born in Ireland, landed in Boston, 1791.
IV – SAMUEL MARSHALL 3rd, married Mary Steen, landed in Charleston, 1792, born County Tyrone 1745. Their ten children (1st eight born in Ireland):

1. Wm (a Preacher) born in Ireland, lived in Miss.
2. George, 1st married Mary Miles. 2nd wife Jane Carson, lived 1n Abbeville District.
3. Nancy, married William Aikin of Abbeville District.
4. Samuel, married Eliza Clopton Foster of Abbeville .
5. Mary, married John Major of Anderson, S.C.
6. Isabella, married John Marshall of KY. (her 1st cousin)
7. Joseph, unmarried, lived in Abbeville District.
8. Jane, married James McWilliams of Abbeville District.
9. Hugh, born in Charleston, S.C. Unmarried.
10. John, married Mary Ann Grey, lived in Mississippi. Born in Newberry, S.C.

iii. Phoebe Isabella “Abby” Carson b. 3 Jun 1793 in Edgefield, Abbeville Dist, South Carolina; m. Luke Mathews (Mathis) (b. 1789)

iv. Mary “Polly” Carson b. 5 Jul 1796 in Edgefield, Abbeville Dist, South Carolina; d. 18 Nov 1880 in Stewart, Georgia; m. 16 Aug 1821 Jones County, Georgia to James Rowan Cox (b. 08 May 1799 in Jones County, Georgia – d. 31 Jan 1867 in Stewart County, Georgia) In the 1860 census, James and Mary were farming near Lumpkin, District 32, Stewart, Georgia with five children ages 12 to 27 at home.

v. John William Carson b. 14 Feb 1799 in Edgefield, Abbeville Dist, South Carolina;d. bef. 1850 census; m. 19 Dec 1819 in Centreville, Alabama, to Nancy Ann Shaw (b. 14 Apr 1802 in Winnsboro, Abbeville, South Carolina – d. 14 Dec 1870 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama) In the 1850 census, Nancy was a widow with five teenage children at home in Southern District, Pickens, Alabama.

vi. Joseph Jefferson Carson b. 16 Aug 1802 in Macon, Georgia; d. 24 Apr 1875 Carson Family Cemetery, Hicks, Macon County, Georgia; m. 29 Oct 1823 in Macon, Georgia exactly one month before her fifteenth birthday to Martha Goodwin Raines (b. 29 Nov 1808 in Macon, Georgia – d. 21 Jun 1862 in Macon, Bibb, Georgia) The Reverend Henry Hooten performed the ceremony. Her parents were Thomas Raines and Sarah Abercrombie. Martha Goodwin Raines died of epilepsy on June 21, 1862. Joseph Jefferson married 21 Oct 1862 in Houston County, Georgia to Mrs. Mary Laura Lamar Slappey. Mary Laura Lamar (b. 1825 GA) was the widow of William Frederick Slappey (b. 9 Oct 1819 – d. 29 Sep 1852)

The young couple lived in Pike County, Georgia, for a few years, and sold land there to Robert Wood on January 9, 1830. Sometime between 1830 and 1835 they moved to Knoxville in Crawford County, Georgia, where they operated a stagecoach inn.

The stagecoach usually stopped at the Carsons’ for breakfast, and the driver blew a horn as he neared the inn so the Carsons would know he was approaching. When the Carsons heard the horn, they immediately set to work preparing breakfast. By 1850, the Carsons had accumulated 23 slaves, and among them was an old Negro man whose only job was to pick chickens for breakfast.

Several times, Joseph Jefferson Carson was appointed as a road commissioner in Crawford County to build various roads and bridges, and on March 3, 1845, he was appointed commissioner of the Poor School in Crawford County. The Carson’s inn was near the courthouse, and the Carsons billed the county for meals for jurors on several occasions.

Joseph Jefferson Carson and Martha Goodwin Raines joined Antioch Church in Talbot County, Georgia, on January 18, 1834, but were dismissed by letter on January 17, 1835. They subsequently joined Elam Baptist Church in Crawford County in 1835, and two of their slaves, Daniel and Nelson, also joined Elam Church in 1835.

In 1854, Joseph Jefferson Carson and Martha Goodwin Raines bought the plantation known as Wilburville on the River Road in the Hicks District in Northern Macon County, Georgia. The previous owners, the Wilburs, were from the North, and in the face of growing resentment against Northerners, the Wilburs sold out and went back North. All of Joseph’s and Martha’s ten children were already born by that time.

When Joseph Jefferson Carson came to Macon County prospecting for a farm, he was thrown from his horse and taken to the home of Mr. Jones Hicks where he recovered from his injuries. Now, Mr. Hicks sometimes drank too much of his own fine wine, and such was the case when Joseph Jefferson Carson was ready to leave. Mr. Hicks intended to say, “I’m sorry you were hurt, sir, but I’m d— glad you were at my house.” However, what came out was, “I’m glad you were hurt, sir, but I’m d— sorry you were at my house!” Both men got a good laugh over that. They became neighbors and good friends, and one of Mr. Carson’s daughters later married one of Mr. Hicks’ sons.

In 1859, the Carsons sold the Wilbur place (Wilburville) and purchased the Troutman place from Hiram B. Hicks. The Troutman place, which became known as the Carson place, was approximately 2000 acres on the west bank of the Flint River in northern Macon county. the house, known as the Carson house, was already built at that time.

In 1861, Joseph Jefferson Carson was a delegate to the State Convention in Milledgeville, Georgia. Milledgeville was the state capital at that time, and South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi had already ceceded. On Jan 19, 1861, J. J. Carson reluctantly voted for cession from the Union, and the Ordinance of Secession passed by a vote of 208 to 99.

Near the end of the Civil War, Union soldiers from Sherman’s army rode up to the porch where elderly Joseph Jefferson Carson and his daughter, Mary Jane Carson Hicks, were sitting. The soldiers threatened the life of Mr. Carson, who replied, “You will not rob me of many years.” The soldiers left them unharmed, taking only his favorite horse. These Union soldiers were probably men from Wilson’s Raiders, a calvary branch of Sherman’s army. They captured Columbus, Georgia, and then headed for Macon.

All four of Joseph’s sons served the Confederacy in the War between the States, and only one came home alive. The bodies of the other three were brought home in wagons by faithful servants, and buried in the family cemetery

John Thomas Carson (1825-1864) was appointed a first lieutenant in Company C, 12th Georgia Regiment, in the Confederate Army. This Company was known as the Davis Rifles. He was promoted to Captain on May 8, 1862, and to Major on June 9, 1863. He was captured at Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 12, 1864, held prisoner at Fort Delaware, and released (exchanged) in July, 1864. He was wounded three times at Winchester, Virginia, on Sep 19, 1864, and died in a hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Sep 30, 1864.

James Alston Carson, (1832-1862) enlisted as a private in Company C of the Georgia 12th Regiment on May 1, 1862, was promoted to third sergeant June 15, 1862, and to second sergeant July 8, 1862. He was wounded, date and place unknown, and he died of billious fever in a hospital in Lynchburg, VA, on August 27, 1862. When northern troops came through Macon County, Melissa Bryan, wife of James Alston Carson, sat up all night by a window with a gun to protect her family. Melissa Bryan died December 24, 1912.

Joseph Perryman Carson (1839 – 1889)was the seventh child of Joseph efferson Carson and Martha Goodwin Raines. He graduated from Mercer University in 1860 with an AB degree and was a member of Reynolds Masonic Lodge #255. He enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private on April 29, 1861. After
12 months, he was elected Junior 2nd Lieutenant. Soon he was promoted to 1st lieutenant, and in March, 1863 he became captain. He was wounded at Sharpsburg, MD, the Wilderness, Winchester, VA., and twice during the siege of Petersburg.

During the War, Major John Thomas Carson became concerned about the education of his children, so he hired a tutor, a Miss Charlotte Keith Briggs of Greene County,Virginia, who was seeking employment as a governess. Major Carson arranged for his younger brother, Lt. Joseph Perryman Carson, to get a furlough for the purpose of escorting Miss Briggs from Richmond to the Carson home in Georgia.

Lt. Joseph Perryman Carson did not want to escort a school teacher to Georgia. He obeyed orders, but he did not care how he looked, and he did not bother to change clothes or shave when he went to meet her. Imagine his surprise when the school teacher turned out to be a beautiful 25-year-old. Miss Briggs took one look at the dirty soldier and made up her mind not to go anywhere with such a man. Joseph Perryman Carson told her to think it over, and he’d come back later.

That evening, the calling card of “Lieut. Joseph Perryman Carson” was delivered to her room, and when she came downstairs, a handsome young officer in a new uniform and new boots was waiting for her. She could hardly believe it was the same man she had seen that morning. She changed her mind and went to Georgia with Lt. Carson. As one might guess, Joseph Perryman Carson and Charlotte Keith Briggs were married on Jan 15, 1864 in Macon County, GA.

Captain Joseph Perryman Carson, CSA, was wounded in the abdomen at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, and in the left arm at the Battle of Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864.

The Battle of Fort Stedman – The attack was the last serious attempt by Confederate troops to break the Siege of Petersburg. Serving as a captain of Company I, 4th Regiment of Georgia Infantry under General John B. Gordon, Joseph Perryman Carson had a hundred sharpshooters under his command. On the night of March 24-25, 1865, Captain Carson and his men charged Fort Stedman. Fort Stedman was situated on a little hill, and surrounded by three rings of obstructions. The first ring was composed of skinned pine logs about eight inches in diameter. Holes had been bored in these, and sharpened spikes inserted. These logs, about 25 feet long, had been crossed and recrossed and fastened with wire.

About 40 steps outside the first ring was the second ring, composed of tangled brush piled up.

The third ring was composed of fence rails stuck in the ground with their sharpened ends slanted outward.

The fort itself was surrounded by a moat four feet deep and half full of water. The dirt from the moat had been piled up on the inside edge of the moat, so that from the bottom of the moat to the top of the dirt pile was thirteen feet. The fort was manned by 500 Yankee soldiers, armed with eight cannons and numerous rifles.

1865 photograph at Fort Stedman by Timothy H. O’Sullivan.

Under cover of darkness, Captain Carson and his men took this fort, killing many of the defenders and capturing the rest. The other two storming parties also captured Batteries X, XI, and XII and captured General McLaughlin, but the next three storming parties became separated from their guides in the confusion and darkness and failed to reach their objectives. It was not until the battle was over that Captain Carson learned that his younger brother, Robert Hall Carson, had been killed in the battle.

The next morning, the Yankees advanced with superior forces, and Captain Carson was forced to withdraw. He carried the body of his brother back to the Confederate line on his shoulders. Captain Carson’s horse was shot through the nose, but survived, and served Captain Carson for many years after the war.

Captain Carson was forced to bury Robert Hall Carson near the scene of the battle, but reburied him in the Carson Cemetery in Macon County, Georgia, probably in the Fall of 1867.

Captain Joseph Perryman Carson was wounded again, this time at Petersburg, VA on April 3, 1865. He was taken to Receiving and Wayside Hospital Number 9 in Richmond, where he was captured on April 3, 1865. He was transferred to Stuart Hospital in Richmond on April 19, 1865, and was paroled on April 20, 1865.

Robert Hall “Bob” Carson, (1846-1865) was the tenth child of Joseph Jefferson Carson and Martha Goodwin Raines. He enlisted as a private in Company E, 12th Georgia Regiment on April 1, 1864. He was wounded at The Wilderness May 6, 1864. He was transferred to Company I, 4th Georgia Regiment, and served as a courier for Generals Dole and Cook. He was killed in the charge on Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865. Not quite 21 years of age at the time of his death, he never married.

In the 1860 census, Joseph J and Martha G. were farming in Georgia Militia District 1002, Macon, Georgia. His son Joseph P. Carson (1 May 1839 – 25 Mar 1889) was a Captain in GA 4th Infantry.

vii. Robert S. Carson b. 2 May 1806 in Edgefield, Abbeville Dist, South Carolina; d. 27 Nov 1876 in Weatherford, Parker, Texas; m. 22 Apr 1830 in Baldwin, Georgia to Sarah H Stanford (b. abt. 1810 in Georgia – d. 11 Jul 1845 in Georgia). Her parents were James Stanford and Mary “Polly” McGee. After Sarah died, he married 10 Mar 1846 Talbot, Georgia to Elizabeth G Patrick (b. abt 1807 in South Carolina) In the 1860 census, R and E G were living in Weatherford, Beat 1, Parker, Texas where Robert was a merchant. In 1869, age: 63 in Weatherford, Parker, Texas, he married to Harriet Hale (b. 17 Jul 1828 in Madison County, Tennessee – d. 22 May 1910 in Parker, Texas)

5. David Carson

David’s wife Nancy Brantley was born in Jones County, Georgia. Her father was Thomas Brantley. After David died, Nancy married John Tipton who was then appointed as guardian of the estate and of David’s and Nancy’s two sons.

David served in the military in 1780 and 1781 in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee (see military comments for Thomas Carson).

He was in Wilkes Co., GA in 1785 and on Sep 1, 1789. his father willed David the plantation which Thomas lived, the upper half including the mansion, Together with two slaves, and half of the household furnishings. This was contingent on the death of David’s mother.   His father died in 1790. David was executor of his will. On Apr 26, 1795, John and David received a Negro woman named “Sall” valued at 60 pounds sterling, from Edmond Daniell, who had received Sall from Thomas Carson Sr. Sall had been willed to Elizabeth Carson, sister of John and David.

David served with Adam Carson in 1794 in the “Trans-Oconee Republic”, in GA. General Elijah Clark (1733 – 1799) attempted to establish a republic in Georgia, on the southwest side of the Oconee River. Adam Carson was a captain in the militia commanded by General Clark, and David served also. On Apr 13, 1808, he was in Georgia and was issued a passport by the Governor of Georgia to pass through the Creek (Indian) Nation.

He signed a will on 27 Jul 1822 in Dallas Co., Alabama. He was executor of the will of Thomas Brantley, father-in-law of his daughter, Nancy, Will book A, page 2, dated 27 july, 1822. he died in 1826 in Selma, Dallas Co., AL. He signed a will on 25 May, 1826 in Dallas Co., AL., to his wife Nancy; “My lawful heirs of her body” Thomas Brantley Carson, Joseph Matthews Carson, signed 25 May, 1826. Witness: John Kirk. Test: John Kirk, John A. Cowan, Thomas Jefferson Carson (Sr.), Executors: my brother, Adam Carson, Sr., Harris Brantley, and Carter Cleveland. Dallas Co., AL records show that DAVID’s brother, ADAM CARSON, Sr., refused to act as executor.

Child of David and Nancy:

i. Thomas Brantley Carson b. 1 Sep 1818 Jones, Georgia; d. 5 Mar 1850. (Killed on the Steamboat, Orline St. John, along with his son George on the Alabama River; m. 26 Mar 1840 in Dallas, Alabama to Eliza Frances Goldsby (b. 29 Apr 1821 in Oglethorpe, Georgia – d. 12 Jul 1872 in Summerfield, Alabama) Her parents were Thornton Boykin Goldsby and Sarah Warren Smith.

The Sinking of the Orline St John

The Orline St. John was a side-wheel steamboat built in 1847 at Louisville, Kentucky. The packet boat ended its short life in 1850 on the banks of the Alabama River. The Orline St. John set out from Mobile to Montgomery when fire broke out about 20 miles above Camden. The boat burned and sank with some forty lives lost, including all the women and children on board. Some of the bodies were found downstream as far as seventy miles. Here is an account of the disaster from a maritime newspaper of the time.

The wreck of the steamboat was found by two fishermen in 1955. They brought in diving gear and explored the wreck. The list of artifacts recovered is very impressive and sheds a bit of light on the lives of the people of that time. Though it is thought that millions in gold may have gone down with the steamer, more than one salvage operation has failed to produce many valuables.

Silver Coins from the Wreck of the Orline St. John

Thomas Brantley Carson was a student at the University of Alabama in 1835, 1836 and 1837. He graduated with a Bachelors of Law from Harvard in 1840.

6. Adam Carson

Adam’s wife Sarah McGough was born 1768 in County Down, Ulster, Ireland. Sarah’s sister Isabella married Adam’s brother John and her sister Mary married Adam’s brother Joseph. Her parents were Robert McGough (b. 1725 County Down, Ireland – d. 1778 Mecklenburg, North Carolina) and Sarah Matilda Carson, possibly Adam’s step-sister (b. 1729 in Ireland). She was Quaker and was reluctant to unite with any church. There are indications that the McGoughs had been greatly influenced by the Quaker faith.  Sarah died 1823 in Crawford, Georgia.

Adam served in the military between 1777 and 1783 in Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, serving in the Minute Men Battalion (see notes for Thomas Carson, preceding). He enlisted at age of 11 or 12, in the same company during 1780 and 1791 as his brothers under Captain John McGaw son-in-law of his sister Mary Carson PATTERSON ( McGaw was actually McGough, a family close to the Carson family  with several intermarriages. The Carsons and McGoughs sailed on the same ship to America..) and Joseph Carson during 1780 and 1791.   (note that this Joseph was not believed to be his brother, Joseph, who was four years younger than Adam.) Adam was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and served 2-1/2 years until the end of the war. His company was mainly expelling Indians, Tories, and English from GA. He was in both sieges of Augusta, GA, and the battle of Long Cane. He commanded militia in Greene Co., GA, resigning on 31 March, 1791.

On Sep 1 1789 he was in Wilkes Co., GA. Thomas Carson Sr. willed Adam Carson one half of his stock and the child of Pat, a Negro, who appeared to be pregnant. Thomas Carson Sr. died in 1790.

Adam served in the military in 1794 in the “Trans-Oconee Republic” of Georgia, a short-lived attempt by early settlers to establish a new republic, and which could have resulted in severe penalties by the US Government for treason, if they had not dissolved this “republic” without further incident. Adam and David Carson served in the militia of General Elijah Clark, with Adam being a captain.

In 1791, General Elijah Clarke led a force of land-hungry Georgians across the Oconee River against the Creek Indians. Clarke and his men, including Adam Carson, laid out a few towns and erected some forts along a 120-mile stretch along the west side of the Oconee, including Forts Defiance, Advance, and Winston.  However, Georgia Troops blockaded the Oconee River, most of Clarke’s troops deserted, and on September 28, 1794, Clarke surrendered the State of Trans-Oconee.  Adam Carson, one of Clarke’s captains, was arrested, but he escaped and was not prosecuted further.

Adam owned animals, provisions, and household articles on 30 Jan., 1809 in Jones Co., GA. He purchased articles for $275 from John McDowell Witnesses were Robert McGough and William McGough.

Adam Carson served on grand juries in 1808 and 1810, and he also served as a Justice of the Inferior Court. He was elected sheriff of Baldwin County, Georgia, on July 14, 1806, and served in that capacity for six years. He drew land in the Cherokee Land Lotteries of 1832 and 1838. Adam Carson died inJones County, Georgia, in 1842 or 1843, and lies buried at Round Oak Plantation. During the War between the States, Adam Carson’s house was burned by General Sherman during his march to the sea.

Adam appeared on the census in 1820, 1830, and 1840 in Jones Co., GA. He died on either 10 Aug. 1842, or 8 Oct., 1842 in Jones Co., GA. He was buried in August of 1842 in the Adam Carson Cemetery, Jones Co., GA, which is at the family farm “Round Oak”. He had seen his father’s house burned by Tories, then his own home was burned by Sherman in the “March to the Sea.”.

Children of Adam and Sarah

i. Malinda Carson b. abt 1800 in Abbeville, South Carolina; d. Jun 1841 in GA m. James Brantley (b. abt 1795 in GA – d. 17 Dec 1843

ii. Thomas Jefferson Carson b. 27 Mar 1803 Georgia; d. 09 Mar 1892 in Butts Co., GA Buried Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cem. in Flovilla; m. Mary “Polly” E. Ramsey (b. 31 Jul 1808 in Abbeville, South Carolina – d. 11 Apr 1877 in Butts Co., GA.   Thomas drew land in the lottery of 1821. In the 1860 census, Thomas and Mary were farming in Indian Spring, Butts, Georgia.

iii. Adam Carson b. 1807 in Georgia; d. 20 Apr 1862 in Manassas, Prince William, Virginia ; m. 4 Jan 1827 Jones, Georgia to Sarah McGough (b. 24 May 1806 in South Carolina- d. 23 Oct 1883 in Indian Spring, Butts, Georgia)

In the 1860 census, Adam was a merchant in Tazewell, Marion, Georgia.

Adam enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant on 29 June 1861. Commission in Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment Georgia on 29 Jun 1861. Died Company A, 27th Infantry Regiment Georgia on 20 Apr 1862. Company A Georgia Drillers from Marion and Schley Counties, Capt. Perry C. Carr, Capt. William E. Dougherty, and Capt. Robert Patton. Colonel Levi B. Smith served as the first commander of the Twenty-seventh Georgia Infantry, which was organized at Camp Stephens, near Griffin, in September 1861. The next month the unit was sent to Richmond and then to an encampment near Manassas. Adam was admitted to hospital in Manassas Apr 13, 1862 and died a week later. The regiment’s first engagement was the next day, April 14, 1862 – Yorktown, Virginia.

iv. Isabella Carson b. 21 Dec 1808 in Georgia; m. 12 Dec 1828 in Jones, Georgia to John Hendrick Thomas (b. 14 Jun 1809 in Jones Co., GA – d. 18 Jun 1858 in Monroe Co., GA) On 2 Nov 1837 in Monroe, Georgia, Thomas married Nancy Hogan (b. 1812 Georgia – d. Aft 1880 census Forsyth, Monroe, Georgia) In the 1850 census, John H and Nancy were farming in Division 60, Monroe, Georgia.

v. William P Carson b. 1811 in Abbeville, South Carolina; d. 1829

William was killed by a runaway horse (or a team of runaway horses) while still a young man, and his orphan children drew land in the lottery of 1821 and again in the lottery of 1832.

It seems unlikely that two twins would marry women with the same name, differentiated only by an extra middle name, but that’s what I found.

vi. David Porter Carson b. 13 Nov 1814 in Georgia; d. 05 Sep 1885 in Butts Co., GA Buried Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cem. in Flovilla; m1. Mary Ann Finney (b. 08 Aug 1822 in GA – d. 13 Jul 1869 in Butts Co., GA Buried Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cem. in Flovilla) In the 1860 census, David and Mary were farming in Iron Spring, Butts, Georgia. m2. Mary Janie Webb (b. abt 1837 Georgia – d. 14 Dec 1924 Atlanta Georgia) In the 1880 census, David P and Mary J were farming in District 609, Butts, Georgia.

vii. John Perry Carson b. 13 Nov 1814 in Georgia d. 1894 in Monroe County, Georgia; m. 15 Nov 1842 in Jones, Georgia to Mary Rebecca Finney (b. 1825 Georgia- d. 1884 in Monroe County, Georgia) In the 1880 census, J. P. and Mary were farming in District 467, Monroe, Georgia.

viii. James J Carson b. 1819 in Jones, Georgia James was a Latin scholar, entered Harvard but did not finish, always enjoyed drinking, and died penniless.

ix. Joseph J Carson Many genealogies say Joseph was born 1821 in Abbeville, South Carolina; m. Jane Thompson (b. 23 Mar 1822 – d. 22 Jun 1856), but Sarah would have been 53 years old in 1821. My understanding is Sarah died 1823 in Crawford, Georgia. Perhaps Joseph was born a bit later to a second wife. The only Joseph and Jane Carson I can find in the 1850 census lived in District 70, Putnam, Georgia. This Joseph was born about 1812 in Georgia and this Jane about 1818 They had a son Thomas born in 1843.

7. Joseph Carson

Joseph’s wife Mary McGough was born 1768 in County Down, Ireland.  Mary’s sister Sarah married Joseph’s brother Adam and her sister Isabella married Joseph’s brother John. Her parents were Robert McGough (b. 1725 County Down, Ireland – d. 1778 Mecklenburg, North Carolina) and Sarah Matilda Carson, possibly Joseph’s step-sister (b. 1729 in Ireland). Mary died 1778 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina.

Joseph served in the military between 1777 and 1781 in GA and TN. He served in the Minute Men Battalion and in the Refugee Battalion. (See John Carson above for more information on military service.) He served in Picken’s brigade as a private from 17 August 1781 to 15 Nov., 1781. On April 7, 1784, General Elijah Clarke certified that Joseph Carson was a refugee soldier entitled to a bounty of land.

About 1790, Joseph Carson served as a captain under General John Clark, raiding the Creek Indian Village of Cheehaw Town.

There was a Joseph Carson who served in the SC Militia. Thomas Carson Sr. and his sons served under that Joseph Carson, who had been a Captain under Colonel Anderson. Considering that “our” Joseph was born in 1766, it is doubtful that this officer was “our” Joseph. Also, consider that there was a Joseph Carson in the 1779 census of SC, at which time “our” Joseph would have been 13 years old, and would have been living with his parents, and would not have been listed as head of household. There was a Joseph Carson in the Long Canes (near Abbeville, SC) in 1763, when Joseph Carson was not yet born, who bought goods on credit.

Thomas Carson Sr. willed to Joseph Carson 200 acres lying on Richland Creek in Greene Co. Joseph was in Wilkes or Warren Co., GA on 2 Jan., 1796, when he sold a slave to John Giborn of Warren Co. On 23 Feb., 1799, in Warren Co., GA, he sold 100 acres on Middle Creek to William Hill of Warren Co. On 23 Feb., 1801, he was in Jackson Co. GA, where he owed Samuel Gardner $171.87 and a half cent. Gardner filed a petition in the Superior Court of Jackson Co., GA, and Joseph agreed to pay Gardner $81.87..

Child of Joseph and Mary

i. Martha Carson b. 21 Dec 1791 in Wilkes, Georgia ; d. 3 Dec., 1872 at her residence near Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia.  She was the widow of James Beckham, Sr.(b. 5 Nov 1788 in Washington, Georgia – d. 20 Aug 1862 in Pike, Zebulon, Georgia)  They were married 27 Jun 1811 at the home of her uncle, David Carson, in Baldwin County.  In the 1850 census James and Martha were living in District 68, Pike, Georgia.

8. Elizabeth Carson

Elizabeth’s first husband James McDowell was born 1768 in County Tyrone, Ulster Ireland. James died 31 Jul 1800 in Wilkes, Georgia.  Elizabeth’s brothers David and Adam Carson were appointed guardians of the children of Elizabeth McDowell in Wilkes Co., GA,  Jul 31, 1800.

Elizabeth’s second husband James Cowan was born 1767 in Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. In 1820 Elizabeth and James were residing in Dallas Co., Alabama.  Elizabeth and James had no known children. James died 1849.

Children of Elizabeth and James

i. Joseph McDowell

ii. Margaret McDowell

iii. Thomas Carson McDowell b. 1793 in Georgia; d. 5 Apr 1857 in Eufoula, Barbour, Alabama; m. 1819 – Jones, Georgia to Eliza Daniel Williams (b. 1795 in North Carolina – d. 22 May 1865) Her parents were James Williams and Sarah Flewellen. In the 1850 census, Thomas and Eliza were living in Division 23, Barbour, Alabama.

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=43395451

http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~scroots/sc04759.htm

http://www.amcolan.info/Hearst/hearst.php

http://markcarson.com/Family/Genealogy/Carson/Tom_Sr_Family.htm

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/29244043/person/12150663540

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/25614622/person/1725589683/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum

http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/taylor/bios/carson.txt