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Absalom B. Jett

Male 1812 - Aft 1880  (69 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Absalom B. Jett was born in 1812 in Plaquemine Burlee Settlement, St.Landry Prish, Louisiana (son of Stephen Jett and Sarah Cole); died after 1880 in Adams Bayou, Orange Co, Texas.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Census: 1880, Orange Co, Texas

    Notes:

    Census:
    1880 Orange Co, Texas
    John Jett 43
    Adaline Jett 24
    Susan Jett 3
    Absolem Jett 66

    Absalom married Mary Ann Arthur on 15 Apr 1838 in Orange Co, Texas. Mary (daughter of Barnabas C. Arthur and Lucinda Bond) was born in 1819 in Pike Co, Mississippi; died after 1860 in Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. John Jett was born in 1836 in Texas; died after 1875 in of, Orange Co, Texas.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Stephen Jett was born in 1782 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi; died on 17 May 1837 in Orange Co, Texas; was buried in Jett Cem, Orange Co, Texas.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Residence: 26 Apr 1783, Natchez District, Mississippi; gave deposition

    Notes:

    From "Lingering Shadows" Vol II by Jack Curtis:
    Sarah Cole, dau of James Cole, III & Jemimah Curtis, m. ca 1802 to Stephen Jett, son of Stephen Jett, Sr. & Phoebe Crawford; Stephen & Sara moved with James & Jemima in 1804 to St. Landry Par. LA. In 1830 they moved to Texas & received an original land grant on18 Feb 1835 on Adams Bayou, Jefferson Co. TX. They were entitled to a league (4,428 acres) and a labor (177 acres) given by the Mexican Government to a married man with a family. Stephen died at their homestead 1 May 1837. Sarah died 29 Dec 1851.
    http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:3088994&id=I0782

    Residence:
    Nachez, Stephen Minor presents a list of the property old to John Wood and it totals $500. // Natchez, 26 Apr 783, Memorandum of what he had spen on the plantation, $37 for a well, etc., $74 fences made by his negroes, total $988. This by Woods. // Deposition by Stephen Jett that he heard Woods say that he had offered Minor all sorts of propositions to keep him from foreclosing.
    Natchez Court Records 1767-1806 by May Wilson McBee;

    Natchez, This is to certify that I heard John Wood say that a certain negro woman named "Rebecca" was the property of his wife, Margaret, that he gave her to his wife at the time of their marriage. 4 Oct 1784
    Signed Stephen Jett.

    The Commandant of the Post called those making depositions to appear. John Pickens ack. his statement and changed it in no way; Archibld Rea the same; the affidavit of Stephen Jett could not be taken, Jett being absent from the District.

    Natchez Court Records 1767-1806 by May Wilson McBee;
    Page 167

    Stephen married Sarah Cole about 1803. Sarah (daughter of James Cole (Coale) and Jemimah Curtis) was born on 17 Jan 1786 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi; died on 29 Dec 1851 in Adams Bayou, Orange Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Sarah Cole was born on 17 Jan 1786 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi (daughter of James Cole (Coale) and Jemimah Curtis); died on 29 Dec 1851 in Adams Bayou, Orange Co, Texas.
    Children:
    1. Elizabeth Jett was born about 1806 in Louisiana; died after 1810.
    2. James Jett was born on 12 Feb 1807 in Plaquemine Brulee, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died on 07 Dec 1864 in Tarkington Prairie, Liberty Co, Texas.
    3. Jemima Jett was born about 1808 in Plaquemine Brulee, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died after 1849 in Jefferson Co, Texas.
    4. John Jett was born on 03 Nov 1811 in Plaquemine Brulee, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died on 18 May 1849 in Orange Co, Texas.
    5. Susannah Jett was born in 1815 in Plaquemine Brulee, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died after 1870 in of, Houston, Harris Co, Texas.
    6. 1. Absalom B. Jett was born in 1812 in Plaquemine Burlee Settlement, St.Landry Prish, Louisiana; died after 1880 in Adams Bayou, Orange Co, Texas.


Generation: 3

  1. 6.  James Cole (Coale) was born in 1762 in Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina (son of James* Cole and Mary* Rentfroe); died in Feb 1838 in Cow Bayou, Orange Co, Texas.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Possessions: Abt 1790, Coles Creek, Natchez, Mississippi

    Notes:

    1810 Opelousas Census
    132 COLE, James ?-1765 1762 NC
    female 1766-84 Jemima CURTIS 1764? SC
    male 1785-94 Richard 1795 MS
    male 1795-1800 James Rentfroe 1797 MS
    male 1795-1800 Jacob Stampley 1799 MS
    male 1801-10 Stephen 1802 MS
    male 1801-10 Jonathan 1805 LA
    male 1801-10 William 1808 LA

    Fought in the Battle of San Jacinto.

    Possessions:
    Natchez Records 1767-1805 by May Wilson McBee
    Page 357 (no preview available)
    William Ferguson to Thos Marston Green, 348 acres on Cole's Creek, b. by lands of John Smith, James Cole, Ben Stanley, and Benj. Roberts, for $350. ...no preview available for this page

    page 80
    1790. William Ferguson to Thomas Marston Green, 348 arpents b. by John Smith, James Cole, Benj. Stampley, Benj. Roberts, for $350 paid. Wit: Eben Rees. ...no preview available for this page

    James married Jemimah Curtis in 1785 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi. Jemimah (daughter of Richard Curtis, Sr. and Phoebe Courtney) was born in 1764 in Craven Co, South Carolina; died in 1837 in Orange Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 7.  Jemimah Curtis was born in 1764 in Craven Co, South Carolina (daughter of Richard Curtis, Sr. and Phoebe Courtney); died in 1837 in Orange Co, Texas.
    Children:
    1. 3. Sarah Cole was born on 17 Jan 1786 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi; died on 29 Dec 1851 in Adams Bayou, Orange Co, Texas.
    2. Absalom Benjamin Cole was born on 26 Nov 1787 in Coles Creek, Natchez District, Amite Co, Mississippi; died on 22 Aug 1859 in Hickory Flats, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
    3. Susanne Cole was born on 16 Dec 1789 in Natchez District, Mississippi; died in 1881.
    4. Mary Ann Cole was born on 16 Jan 1792 in Natchez District, Mississippi; died in 1826 in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
    5. Richard Cole was born on 12 Jul 1795 in Mississippi; died in 1865.
    6. James Rentfroe Cole was born in 1797 in Mississippi; died after 1830 in of, Bayou D'arbonne, St Landry Parish, Louisiana.
    7. Jacob Stampley Cole was born on 1 Sep 1799 in Mississippi; died in 1838.
    8. Stephen Cole was born on 5 Apr 1802 in Coles Creek, Natchez Co, Mississippi; died in 1869 in Hickory Flats, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
    9. John (Jonathan) Cole (Coale) was born on 24 Mar 1805 in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died on 20 Apr 1875 in Orange Co, Texas.
    10. William Cole was born on 22 Apr 1808 in Louisiana; died on 14 May 1880.
    11. Phoebe Cole was born on 20 Mar 1811 in Louisiana; died after 1880 in of Jasper Co, Texas.


Generation: 4

  1. 12.  James* Cole was born about 1720 in New Castle Co, Delaware (son of James* Cole, Sr. (Immigrant) and Susannah* Rentfroe (or Renfro)); died on 19 May 1794 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Residence: Bef 1737, Orange and Frederick Co, Virginia
    • Residence: 1747, Black Water River, Bedford Co, Virginia
    • Residence: 1748, Mecklenburg Co, North Carolina
    • Residence: 1758, Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina
    • Residence: Abt 1765, PeeDee River area, Craven Co, South Carolina
    • Residence: Mar 1772, Natchez District, Mississippi; arrived in MS
    • Residence: Oct 1772, Natchez District, Mississippi; arrived
    • Possessions: 10 Sep 1784, Natchez, Mississippi and Province of Lousiana
    • Residence: Abt 1790, Coles Creek, Natchez, Mississippi
    • Possessions: 19 May 1794, Coles Creek, Natchez District, Mississippi; Inventory

    Notes:

    As a child, James moved to the counties of Orange and Frederick, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley between 1732-1737. In 1747, he moved to Lunenburg County (called Bedford County after 1754). In 1747, Janes Jr and his brother Stephen are found with their Uncle Mark Cole and the Rentfroes on the branches of the Black Water and Pigg Rivers in Virginia. On April 16, 1747, James Jr has 400 acres on both sides of Little Creek, a branch of the Black Water River. On March 28, 1748, he has 215 acres on both sides of Little Creek. On December 15, 1753, he has 400 acres on both sides of Story Creek, a branch of the Pigg River. James Jr, Mark Cole, James Sr Cole and Stephen Cole all lived on adjoining land at this time.

    In 1757/58, James and his brother Stephen moved to Bladen County, North Carolina. They lived there about 7 years and then moved to Craven County, South Carolina. On March 26, 1765, James Cole of Craven County in the Government of South Carolina, sells to William Rentfroe of Bedford County, Virginia, for 30 lbs,. a tract of land containing 215 acres in Bedford County, on Little Creek, a branch of Black Water River. This land was surveyed for James Cole Jr on March 28, 1748. The grant was issued on August 16, 1756. It was acknowledged by James Rentfroe Jr who was the attorney for James Cole.

    On October 10, 1757, James applied for land in Bladen County. One hundred acres on south side of Ashpole Swamp adjoining Richard Barfield. The land grant was issued on April 10, 1761. James conveyed this land to Thomas Robeson in 1765.

    On February 18, 1765, James Cole of Craven County in the Province of South Carolina appoints James Rentfroe Jr of the County of Halifax, Colony of Virginia, Power of Attorney to transact all business for him.


    James and his family arrived in Mississippi in March 1772. On moving to the Natchez District he is known as James Cole Sr. He and his family lived on Boyds Creek which was changed to Coles Creek in 1777. In 1799, the Natchez District was divided. The Coles Creek area on the north was named Pickering which changed to Jefferson County in 1802. His British Land petition says that James "arrived in this country with a wife and nine children."

    On September 10, 1784, James Cole signed an agreement with Osborn Sprigg of the District of Natchez and the Providence of Opelousas, Louisiana. The agreement reads, "James Cole Sr to take in his posession all the stock of mares and colts belonging to the said, Sprigg. To take such care of them as to increase and benefit the stock...for two years; at the end of which, James Cole to take one-fourth of the increase as his own." signed Osborn Sprigg and James Cole.

    Documents dating May 7, 1785, show James as an honorable, trustworthy citizen of the Coles Creek Community.

    From the Spanish Archives of the Indies, we have a census taken in Natchez District in 1792 showing the names: James Cole Sr, James Cole Jr, John Cole, Stephen Cole, Solomon Cole, Mark Cole and William Cole.

    In 1794, an inventory of the estate of the late James Cole, deceased as declared upon oath of Mary Cole, the widow, reads, "John Cole, the eldest son; Jacob Stampley and Captain Richard King, all of this District, Appraisers.
    450 acres of land...more or less (not a large estate)
    One negro man, supposed to be 35 years of age
    One grey horse, about 12 years old
    One cow and calf, One yearling heifer
    One two year old steer, 12 head of hogs
    One saddle One feather bed, sheets, furniture
    One large and one small iron pot and one bake oven
    Five wooden, common chairs; three pewter basins, 6 pewter plates
    Two pewter dishes - 3 earthen dishes
    Four knifes and forks
    One plough - two falling axes - one broad axe and three weeding hoes
    One old drawing knife, one foot adze - one frowe
    A small looking glass
    This inventory was taken on May 19, 1794.

    When the United State asserted its claim on the British Colony in the Natchez District, it ordered the land free and independent of Spanish rule. Winthrope Sargeant was named the first Misssissippi Territorial Governor in 1798. The Land Commission proceeded to confirm all land grants held by the settlers of early British and Spansih titles. A tithable-list was taken of all heads of households. From the list we can account for the surviving members of the Coles in the Coles Creek settlement in 1798. Living in Coles Creek, Natchez District in 1798: Mary Cole, widow; James Cole Jr; John Cole; Stephen Cole; Solomon Cole; Mark Cole. Living in the Homochitto River, Natchez District in 1798, William Cole.

    On June 5, 1806, Mary Cole, widow of James, sold to Moses Higgins, "title to that part of land on which I now live, 120 acres for $150.00. All my stock of horses, hogs, horned cattle and household furniture."

    Mary Rentfroe Cole's probate of her will was held on March 17, 1810.

    http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0003.html


    Residence:
    Per "Sunlight on the Southside" pg 84, (from Steve Matthews via email) shown in Deloney's List, Meckenburg, NC titheables were:
    Timothy Johnson
    James Johnson .........4
    Aquilla Gilbert ....... 1
    Walter Mathews ........ 1
    James Rentfro ......... 1
    Joseph Rentfro ........ 2
    Peter Vanbeber and
    Isaac Vanbeber ...... 2
    James Cole, Junr. ..... 1
    Robt. Jones and
    Thos. Jones ......... 2
    William Rentfro ....... 1


    Residence:
    James and his family arrived in Mississippi in March 1772. On moving to the Natchez District he is known as James Cole Sr. He and his family lived on Boyds Creek which was changed to Coles Creek in 1777. In 1799, the Natchez District was divided. The Coles Creek area on the north was named Pickering which changed to Jefferson County in 1802. His British Land petition says that James "arrived in this country with a wife and nine children."

    http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0003.html

    ---
    http://www.libertychapelcemetery.org/files/family/travel.html.
    .
    Early Migration Trails.
    From the Pee Dee River Valley, NC
    to Cole's Creek and Curtis Landing The pioneers to the new "Natchez Country" would leave the Pee Dee River area of SC/NC and travel about 200 miles using pack-horses to the Holston RIver in northeastern Tennessee. They traveled via the South Carolina State Road (North) on the Warriors Path. They continued on the Catawba Trail to the Wilderness Road Fort near Kingsport, Tennessee. (Some of the present day towns and cities they would pass through were: Cheraws, SC; Wadesboro, NC; New Salem, NC; Lenoir, NC; Blowing Rock, NC; Boone, NC; Hampton, TN; Johnson City, TN; and Kingsport, TN. The automobile driving distance today would be over 250 miles.).
    At the Wilderness Road Fort they secured/built flat boats. The flat boats were sturdy with one end enclosed for protection from the elements. The flat boat had to be designed to allow for the women, children, food, bedding and household items. They had to transport a milk cow, chickens, horses, hunting dogs and farm implements. Once aboard the flat boats they followed the Holston River to the Tennessee River which they entered near Knoxville, TN. (They traveled near present day towns of Surgoinsville, TN; Chalk Level, TN: Cherokee Lake; Buffalo Springs, TN; and Mascot, TN).
    Indian attacks were a frequent occurrence. The pioneers always had to be prepared. The women often steered the boats while the men fought the Indians. Some used chairs as shields, holding against their chests as protection from the Indian arrows. Following the Tennessee River they reached the Ohio River near Paducah, KY. (On this leg they traveled near present day towns of Dayton, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Scottsboro, AL; Guntersville, AL; Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah,TN; Perryville, TN; Sycamore Landing, TN; Eva, TN; Aurora, KY; and Lake City, KY) From Paducah the flat boats floated down the Ohio River where they entered the Mississippi near Cairo, IL. (This is near present day Metropolis, IL; and about 30 miles south of Cape Girardeau, MO)..
    At Cairo, IL the flat boats embarked on the "mercy" of the mighty Mississippi River for the rest of the journey to the "Natchez Country." (They traveled near present day towns like Hayti, MO; Cathursville, MO; Heloise, TN; Osceloa, AR; Memphis, TN; Helena, AR; Rosedale, MS; Greenville, MS; Lake Providence, LA; and Vicksburg, MS) South of Rodney one group of pioneers steered the flat boats into Boyd's Creek (now Cole's Creek) for the 15 mile trip to Curtis Landing on the South Fork of Cole's Creek. Other pioneers continued on to Natchez or Wilkinson County steering their flat boats up St. Catherine's Creek, the Homochitto River or Buffalo River..
    These pioneers had made a trip of approximately 1400 miles by flat boat on water. The total miles traveled by horse-pack and flat boat would be about 1650-1700 miles..
    Upon arrival it was necessary to fell trees and build log houses quickly. Fields needed to be cleared and cultivated. The survival for the first year was dependent on the family's ability to fish and hunt. Squirrel, deer, ducks, and wild turkey were the family's fresh meat..
    One of the pioneer families who had a British land grant in Jefferson County included James Cole who arrived October, 1772 with the paperwork finalized in 1776. Richard Curtis who arrived in 1780..

    In 1779, an expedition under Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana Territory, captured the British Fort in Natchez. After the fall of the British at Baton Rouge, General Galvez negotiated the surrender of the English Fort Panmure in Natchez on September 21, 1779. The Spanish, with generous land grants, gave the residents opportunity to move to Opelousas Post in early 1780.

    Residence:
    Residence Oct 1772 Natchez District, Mississippi
    "Family tradition says, that 'James Cole with neighbors and kin came to the Natchez Country,' Mississippi on flat boats, by floating down the Holston, Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.'
    "From the records of the West Florida Land Petition, we know that James Cole arrived October 1772, with a wife and nine children."
    Cole Foot Prints, p 29

    Possessions:
    p 6 Agreement. 10 Sep 1784 Osborn Sprigg, of District of Natches and Province of Louisiana, and James Cole, Jr., of same, agree that James Cole take into his possession all the stock of mares and colts that said Sprigg may have and take such care of them as to increase and benefit said stock, ... for two years, at the end of which James Cole to take one-fourth of the increase as his own. James (X) Cole, Osborn Sprigg, ack before Trevino.

    The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805 by May Wilson McBee
    pg 135
    http://books.google.com/books?id=yvJw1hHgSLMC&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=green,+province+of+west+florida&source=bl&ots=-PhXvwnRzr&sig=UyLpAOAD_6BqmGrQBlpgUxY2Cfc&hl=en&ei=tAIUTYznK8K88gbewKy7Dw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCA#v=snippet&q=hayes&f=false


    Residence:
    Natchez Records 1767-1805 by May Wilson McBee
    Page 357 (no preview available)
    William Ferguson to Thos Marston Green, 348 acres on Cole's Creek, b. by lands of John Smith, James Cole, Ben Stanley, and Benj. Roberts, for $350. ...no preview available for this page

    page 80
    1790. William Ferguson to Thomas Marston Green, 348 arpents b. by John Smith, James Cole, Benj. Stampley, Benj. Roberts, for $350 paid. Wit: Eben Rees. ...no preview available for this page

    Possessions:
    In 1794, an inventory of the estate of the late James Cole, deceased as declared upon oath of Mary Cole, the widow, reads, "John Cole, the eldest son; Jacob Stampley and Captain Richard King, all of this District, Appraisers.
    450 acres of land...more or less (not a large estate)
    One negro man, supposed to be 35 years of age
    One grey horse, about 12 years old
    One cow and calf, One yearling heifer
    One two year old steer, 12 head of hogs
    One saddle One feather bed, sheets, furniture
    One large and one small iron pot and one bake oven
    Five wooden, common chairs; three pewter basins, 6 pewter plates
    Two pewter dishes - 3 earthen dishes
    Four knifes and forks
    One plough - two falling axes - one broad axe and three weeding hoes
    One old drawing knife, one foot adze - one frowe
    A small looking glass
    This inventory was taken on May 19, 1794.

    http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0003.html

    James* married Mary* Rentfroe about 1754 in Black Water River, Bedford Co, Virginia. Mary* (daughter of James* Rentfroe, Sr and Esther* Van Bibber) was born in 1736 in Crooked Run, on the Shenandoah, Orange Co, Virginia; died in 1810 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez District, Jefferson Co, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 13.  Mary* Rentfroe was born in 1736 in Crooked Run, on the Shenandoah, Orange Co, Virginia (daughter of James* Rentfroe, Sr and Esther* Van Bibber); died in 1810 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez District, Jefferson Co, Mississippi.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Possessions: 05 Jun 1806, Coles Creek, Natchez, Jefferson Co, Texas; sold to Moses Higgins
    • Will: 17 Mar 1810, Coles Creek, Natchez, Jefferson Co, Mississippi

    Notes:

    1737 William Rentfroe, living in old Orange Co, VA, signed a petition:
    "The inhabitants of Opeckon and Shenanadore humbly beg, that your Court give permission that two meeting places might be erected. One on the land of Rev William Williams near his home and another near the home of Morgan Bryan. Rev William of Presbyterian faith has promised to supply us the ministry of his office. " (Bk 3. p 101, Orange Co, VA)
    23 May 1737: Wm Rentfroe "request that Peter Woolf or Solomon Froman be appointed Constable in my stead" (Deed Bk 2 Orange Co.)
    24 May 1740 WmRentfroe buys from Robert McKay 828 acres on West side of Shenandoah River, on both side of Crooked Run (Bk 4, pg 191)

    Possessions:
    On June 5, 1806, Mary Cole, widow of James, sold to Moses Higgins, "title to that part of land on which I now live, 120 acres for $150.00. All my stock of horses, hogs, horned cattle and household furniture."

    Children:
    1. Elizabeth* Cole was born about 1755 in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania; South Carolina; died after 1810.
    2. John Cole was born about 1758 in Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina; died in 1812 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi.
    3. Stephen Cole was born about 1760 in Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina; died about 1798 in Claiborne Co, Mississippi.
    4. 6. James Cole (Coale) was born in 1762 in Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina; died in Feb 1838 in Cow Bayou, Orange Co, Texas.
    5. Solomon Cole was born about 1765 in Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina; died in 1825 in Prairie Soileau, St.Landry Parish, Louisiana.
    6. Mark Cole, Sr. was born about 1768 in PeeDee River area, Craven Co, South Carolina; died in 1830 in Pike Co, Mississippi.
    7. Mary Cole was born in 1770 in PeeDee River area, Craven Co, South Carolina; died on 18 Mar 1815 in Stampley Station, Jefferson Co, Mississippi.
    8. Sarah Cole was born about 1772 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi; died after 1791 in Adams Co, Mississippi.
    9. William S. Cole was born on 13 Jun 1775 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez, Mississippi; died on 10 Jul 1839 in Tensas Parish, Louisiana.
    10. Susannah Cole was born about 1777 in Coles Creek, Natchez, Mississippi; died after 1810.

  3. 14.  Richard Curtis, Sr. was born about 1734; died on 10 Nov 1784 in Cole's Creek, Natchez, Jefferson Co, Mississippi.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Residence: 1775, Great PeeDee River, mouth of Black River, South Carolina
    • Residence: 1780, Natchez, Mississippi

    Notes:

    Richard Curtis, Jr.
    First Baptist Minister in Mississippi
    Richard Curtis, Jr. was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, on May 20, 1756; son of Richard Curtis, Sr. and Phoebe, widow of William Jones.
    Richard Curtis, Sr., and family (there was a stepson, John Jones, who married Anna, daughter of William Brown on 28 Jun 1768, and five sons and three daughters) resided in 1775 on the Great Pee Dee River, near the mouth of Black River, South Carolina, but came to the Natchez Country in 1780, where Richard Curtis, Sr. died near Cole's Creek on November 10, 1784.
    Accompanying Richard Curtis, Sr. to the Natchez Country were 3 sons, a stepson (John Jones) and 2 sons-in-law, three of whom later became pioneer citizens of Amite County: (1) son Richard, Jr. and his wife Pattie; (2) Son William Curtis and his wife; (3) and daughter Hannah Curtis, wife of John Courtney.
    Richard Curtis, Jr., who had been licensed as a Baptist Minister in South Carolina in 1778, began to preach throughout the Natchez Country but especially in the Salem Community near Cole's Creek. In 1795 he ran afoul of the Spanish authorities for preaching and officiating at the marriage of his niece, Phoebe Jones to David Greenleaf, and he was forced to return to South Carolina, where he was ordained in 1796. He returned to the Mississippi Territory in 1798, and as Moderator helped to organize in due and ancient form Salem Baptist Church on Cole's Creek in Jefferson County as a regular Baptist Church, the first in Mississippi.
    On May 9, 1806, Rev. Richard Curtis, Jr., assisted by Rev. Thomas Mercer, Rev. James Courtney from South Carolina, Rev. Isaac Jackson from New Providence Baptist Church and Rev. Jonathan Curtis from Salem Baptist Church, constituted the Ebenezer Baptist Church on Beaver Creek in Amite County and was the first Pastor.
    Among the charter members were Mary Curtis, and his brother-in-law, John Courtney, both with letters from Salem Baptist Church on Cole's Creek.
    Mary Curtis (wife or daughter?) dismissed by letter on October 1, 1808.
    Rev. Richard Curtis, Jr., was Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Adams County, Mississippi (organized in 1800 and was the second Baptist Church in Mississippi), and a messenger to the Mississippi Baptist Association in 1808-1811.
    Rev. Richard Curtis, Jr., was disallowed a claim of settlement on Beaver Creek in Amite County in 1802, because the land was not improved, but was granted 320 acres there in 1808. He is listed as a citizen of Amite County in the Census of 1805 and 1810. (A relative also named Richard Curtis is listed in the Census of 1810 and 1816.)
    Rev. Richard Curtis, Jr. died of cancer on Beaver Creek in Amite County, Mississippi on October 28, 1811, and is buried in the yard of what was years later the residence of Dr. W. b. Kinnabrew, about 1/2 mile from Ebenezer Baptist Church, and there is a marble obelisk in the churchyard.
    John Courtney, brother-in-law of Richard Curtis, Sr., was appointed delegate from Ebenezer Baptist Church of Amite County, Mississippi on January 31, 1807, to attend the organization meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Association at Cole's Creek Church.
    He settled with his wife, Hannah Curtis, and 7 children on 666 acres on Beaver Creek, Section 30, Township 1 north, range 3 east in November, 1802.
    Brother Benjamin Curtis, brother-in-law John Stampley, a Baptist Minister, and half brother John Jones and their families settled in the Cole's Creek area of the Mississippi Territory.
    (The author of the above, who remains anonymous, inserted following note. jtd)
    The second Baptist Church organized in Mississippi was located at the confluence of Big Bayou Pierre and Little Bayou Pierre in Claiborne County, Mississippi. This area is not in the city limits of Port Gibson, Mississippi.
    The second Baptist Church in Mississippi was organized in 1798, in Claiborne County, Mississippi and was know as Bayou Pierre Baptist Church. It ceased to exist in 1825
    .....Author is anonymous.
    Submitted by Jeanne Truly Davis, January 2002.

    http://jeffersoncountyms.org/bios.htm#curtis

    -------
    The Curtises, like the Willises, were originally from Virginia. Paxton wrote:

    "The Curtises were known to be Marion men, and when not in active service, they were not permitted to enjoy the society of their families, but they were hunted like wild beasts from their hiding places in the swamps of Pedee." They were a thorn in the side of the British and their Tory neighbors."
    Paxton continued,

    "They left South Carolina in the spring of 1780 traveling by land to the northeastern corner of Tennessee. There they built three flat boats and when the Holston River reached sufficient depth toward the end of that year, they set out for the Natchez country of Mississippi by way of the Holston, Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. Those mentioned above traveled on the first two boats; the names of those on the last boat are not known.
    Those in the last boat had contracted smallpox and were required to travel a few hundred yards behind the other two boats.
    Somewhere near the Clinch River, on a bend in the Tennessee River near the northwestern corner of Georgia, they were attacked by Cherokee Indians. The first two boats escaped, but the third boat was captured. The price paid for this attack was high, for the Indians contracted smallpox from them and many died."

    Those on the first two boats continued on their voyage and landed safely at the mouth of Cole's creek about 18 miles above Natchez by land. Here in this part of the state they lived. They called Richard Curtis, Jr., who was licensed to preach in S. Carolina, as their preacher. He would later organize the first Baptist Church in Mississippi, in 1791, called Sa1em. As time passed the population increased. Some were Baptists such as William Chaney from South Carolina and his son Bailey. A preacher from Georgia by the name of Harigail also arrived here and zealously denounced the ?corruptions of Romanism.? This, along with the conversion of a Spanish Catholic by the name of Stephen d'Alvoy, brought the wrath
    of the Spanish authorities. To make an example of d'Alvoy and Curtis, they decided to arrest them and send them to the silver mines in Mexico. Warned of this plan, d'Alvoy and Curtis and a man by the name of Bill Hamberlin fled to South Carolina, arriving in the fall of 1795. Harigail also escaped and fled this area."

    Paxton said that the country between Mississippi and South Carolina was "then infested by hostile Indians." It is for this reason and others, I believe, that Curtis brought Joseph Willis with him when he returned to Mississippi in 1798, and the fact that Joseph was a licensed Baptist
    preacher and Curtis was an ordained Baptist preacher. Curtis also knew well Joseph Willis? courage under fire since both were Marion men in the Revolutionary War.

    After the trip with Curtis to Mississippi in 1798, Joseph returned to South Carolina for his family and to sell his property. As mentioned before, he sold all of his real estate to William Thurston in August of 1799,
    indicating his preparation to depart South Carolina.
    http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/evangeline/bios/willis.txt

    Residence:
    http://www.libertychapelcemetery.org/files/family/travel.html.
    .
    Early Migration Trails.
    From the Pee Dee River Valley, NC
    to Cole's Creek and Curtis Landing The pioneers to the new "Natchez Country" would leave the Pee Dee River area of SC/NC and travel about 200 miles using pack-horses to the Holston RIver in northeastern Tennessee. They traveled via the South Carolina State Road (North) on the Warriors Path. They continued on the Catawba Trail to the Wilderness Road Fort near Kingsport, Tennessee. (Some of the present day towns and cities they would pass through were: Cheraws, SC; Wadesboro, NC; New Salem, NC; Lenoir, NC; Blowing Rock, NC; Boone, NC; Hampton, TN; Johnson City, TN; and Kingsport, TN. The automobile driving distance today would be over 250 miles.).
    At the Wilderness Road Fort they secured/built flat boats. The flat boats were sturdy with one end enclosed for protection from the elements. The flat boat had to be designed to allow for the women, children, food, bedding and household items. They had to transport a milk cow, chickens, horses, hunting dogs and farm implements. Once aboard the flat boats they followed the Holston River to the Tennessee River which they entered near Knoxville, TN. (They traveled near present day towns of Surgoinsville, TN; Chalk Level, TN: Cherokee Lake; Buffalo Springs, TN; and Mascot, TN).
    Indian attacks were a frequent occurrence. The pioneers always had to be prepared. The women often steered the boats while the men fought the Indians. Some used chairs as shields, holding against their chests as protection from the Indian arrows. Following the Tennessee River they reached the Ohio River near Paducah, KY. (On this leg they traveled near present day towns of Dayton, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Scottsboro, AL; Guntersville, AL; Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah,TN; Perryville, TN; Sycamore Landing, TN; Eva, TN; Aurora, KY; and Lake City, KY) From Paducah the flat boats floated down the Ohio River where they entered the Mississippi near Cairo, IL. (This is near present day Metropolis, IL; and about 30 miles south of Cape Girardeau, MO)..
    At Cairo, IL the flat boats embarked on the "mercy" of the mighty Mississippi River for the rest of the journey to the "Natchez Country." (They traveled near present day towns like Hayti, MO; Cathursville, MO; Heloise, TN; Osceloa, AR; Memphis, TN; Helena, AR; Rosedale, MS; Greenville, MS; Lake Providence, LA; and Vicksburg, MS) South of Rodney one group of pioneers steered the flat boats into Boyd's Creek (now Cole's Creek) for the 15 mile trip to Curtis Landing on the South Fork of Cole's Creek. Other pioneers continued on to Natchez or Wilkinson County steering their flat boats up St. Catherine's Creek, the Homochitto River or Buffalo River..
    These pioneers had made a trip of approximately 1400 miles by flat boat on water. The total miles traveled by horse-pack and flat boat would be about 1650-1700 miles..
    Upon arrival it was necessary to fell trees and build log houses quickly. Fields needed to be cleared and cultivated. The survival for the first year was dependent on the family's ability to fish and hunt. Squirrel, deer, ducks, and wild turkey were the family's fresh meat..
    One of the pioneer families who had a British land grant in Jefferson County included James Cole who arrived October, 1772 with the paperwork finalized in 1776. Richard Curtis who arrived in 1780..

    In 1779, an expedition under Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana Territory, captured the British Fort in Natchez. After the fall of the British at Baton Rouge, General Galvez negotiated the surrender of the English Fort Panmure in Natchez on September 21, 1779. The Spanish, with generous land grants, gave the residents opportunity to move to Opelousas Post in early 1780.

    Residence:
    http://www.libertychapelcemetery.org/files/family/travel.html.
    .
    Early Migration Trails.
    From the Pee Dee River Valley, NC
    to Cole's Creek and Curtis Landing The pioneers to the new "Natchez Country" would leave the Pee Dee River area of SC/NC and travel about 200 miles using pack-horses to the Holston RIver in northeastern Tennessee. They traveled via the South Carolina State Road (North) on the Warriors Path. They continued on the Catawba Trail to the Wilderness Road Fort near Kingsport, Tennessee. (Some of the present day towns and cities they would pass through were: Cheraws, SC; Wadesboro, NC; New Salem, NC; Lenoir, NC; Blowing Rock, NC; Boone, NC; Hampton, TN; Johnson City, TN; and Kingsport, TN. The automobile driving distance today would be over 250 miles.).
    At the Wilderness Road Fort they secured/built flat boats. The flat boats were sturdy with one end enclosed for protection from the elements. The flat boat had to be designed to allow for the women, children, food, bedding and household items. They had to transport a milk cow, chickens, horses, hunting dogs and farm implements. Once aboard the flat boats they followed the Holston River to the Tennessee River which they entered near Knoxville, TN. (They traveled near present day towns of Surgoinsville, TN; Chalk Level, TN: Cherokee Lake; Buffalo Springs, TN; and Mascot, TN).
    Indian attacks were a frequent occurrence. The pioneers always had to be prepared. The women often steered the boats while the men fought the Indians. Some used chairs as shields, holding against their chests as protection from the Indian arrows. Following the Tennessee River they reached the Ohio River near Paducah, KY. (On this leg they traveled near present day towns of Dayton, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Scottsboro, AL; Guntersville, AL; Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah,TN; Perryville, TN; Sycamore Landing, TN; Eva, TN; Aurora, KY; and Lake City, KY) From Paducah the flat boats floated down the Ohio River where they entered the Mississippi near Cairo, IL. (This is near present day Metropolis, IL; and about 30 miles south of Cape Girardeau, MO)..
    At Cairo, IL the flat boats embarked on the "mercy" of the mighty Mississippi River for the rest of the journey to the "Natchez Country." (They traveled near present day towns like Hayti, MO; Cathursville, MO; Heloise, TN; Osceloa, AR; Memphis, TN; Helena, AR; Rosedale, MS; Greenville, MS; Lake Providence, LA; and Vicksburg, MS) South of Rodney one group of pioneers steered the flat boats into Boyd's Creek (now Cole's Creek) for the 15 mile trip to Curtis Landing on the South Fork of Cole's Creek. Other pioneers continued on to Natchez or Wilkinson County steering their flat boats up St. Catherine's Creek, the Homochitto River or Buffalo River..
    These pioneers had made a trip of approximately 1400 miles by flat boat on water. The total miles traveled by horse-pack and flat boat would be about 1650-1700 miles..
    Upon arrival it was necessary to fell trees and build log houses quickly. Fields needed to be cleared and cultivated. The survival for the first year was dependent on the family's ability to fish and hunt. Squirrel, deer, ducks, and wild turkey were the family's fresh meat..
    One of the pioneer families who had a British land grant in Jefferson County included James Cole who arrived October, 1772 with the paperwork finalized in 1776. Richard Curtis who arrived in 1780..

    In 1779, an expedition under Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana Territory, captured the British Fort in Natchez. After the fall of the British at Baton Rouge, General Galvez negotiated the surrender of the English Fort Panmure in Natchez on September 21, 1779. The Spanish, with generous land grants, gave the residents opportunity to move to Opelousas Post in early 1780.

    Richard married Phoebe Courtney about 1750 in of, Craven Co, South Carolina. Phoebe (daughter of John Courtney and Hannah (..) Courtney) was born in 1700 in Prince Georges Co, Virginia; died in 1780 in Natchez District, Mississippi; was buried in 1780 in "Forty Hills," Natchez, Mississippi Territory. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 15.  Phoebe Courtney was born in 1700 in Prince Georges Co, Virginia (daughter of John Courtney and Hannah (..) Courtney); died in 1780 in Natchez District, Mississippi; was buried in 1780 in "Forty Hills," Natchez, Mississippi Territory.

    Notes:

    JERSEY SETTLERS: Vol. II, page 401:
    Entire Genealogy of Jones Family.

    William Jones, son of Lane Jones and Anne Barber Jones, m. Phoebe Brown, daughter of Zachariah Brown.

    note: Phoebe Brown disputed - looks like she was Phoebe Courtney.
    (see webpage: My Curtis and Courtney Families:
    http://www.old-new-orleans.com/Curtis_and_Courtney.html

    This site is tracking Phoebe and her 2nd marriage to Curtis, which the Jersey Settlers, stated that wife of William Jones remarried Curtis.

    Curtis:
    My 5-g-grandparents, were Richard and Phoebe COURTNEY CURTIS, Sr. Richard Curtis was of Welsh descent. H. Married (1) Martha "Phoebe" Courtney in about 1747, in Half Moon Swamp, Onslow County, NC; (2) Hannah SWAYZE, 1782, Cole's Creek, Jefferson County, MS.
    He was born 2/6/1727/28; at age 11, Baltimore, MD,1738, orphan; bound until age 21 to William and Hannah Curtis Courtney; William Cook died before 1739 Hannah married Robert Courtney on 10/2/1739; Richard was bound to Robert and Hannah Courtney until age 21. He was in Onslow County, NC by 1747; 1754-1766, moved to Pee Dee, SC, to a Welsh community near the mouth of the Black River, about 60 miles north of Charleston, SC.
    He fought in the American Revolution in SC; in 1780, fled his Tory neighbors. He and family went by wagon to Holston River, TN. They went by flatboats to the Natchez District of the Mississippi Territory, then under Spanish rule. There were 3 boats in the party. In boats 1 & 2: Richard Curtis, Sr., wife, two brothers, William and Benjamin Curtis, and their wives, Richard Curtis, Jr. and his wife, John Courtney and John Stampley and their wives, John Jones and his wife and others. In the 3rd boat were travelers who had joined the Curtis party. They were attacked by Cherokee, all of the people in the 3rd boat were either killed or captured.
    They landed at Boyd's Creek (later renamed Cole's Creek) on March 1, 1781. Richard Curtis, Sr., died on 11 20/1784, Cole's Creek, in what would later become Jefferson County, MS.

    also see:
    The Olney Connection
    http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=olney&id=I131534

    Richard Curtis, Sr. was born in 1728 but the place of birth is unknown. Richard was bonded to Robert Courtney in Baltimore Co., Md. in 1739.Robert moved his family to Onslow Co., NC in 1744 where he died in 1751. Meanwhile, Richard married Robert's daughter, Phoebe, after the death of her first husband, William Jones. William and Phoebe had one son, John Jones.

    Children:
    1. William Curtis was born about 1751 in Onslow, North Carolina; died after 1780.
    2. Benjamin Curtis was born about 1753 in Onslow, North Carolina; died after 1790 in Cole's Creek, Natchez, Jefferson Co, Mississippi.
    3. Rev Richard Curtis, Jr. was born on 20 May 1756 in Dinwiddie Co, Virginia; died on 28 Oct 1811 in Beaver Creek, Amite Co, Mississippi.
    4. Hannah Curtis was born about 1760 in Onslow, North Carolina; died before 1820 in Amite Co, Mississippi.
    5. Martha Curtis was born in 1757 in Half Moon Swamp, Onslow Co, North Carolina; died after 1837 in Amite Co, Mississippi.
    6. 7. Jemimah Curtis was born in 1764 in Craven Co, South Carolina; died in 1837 in Orange Co, Texas.
    7. Jonathan Curtis was born about 1767 in Craven Co, South Carolina; died after 1800 in Jefferson Co, Mississippi.