ANTECEDENTS DESCENDANTS OF HIRAM RAYBURN OF WILCOX COUNTY

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By Ernest David Rayburn

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Ernest David (Dave) Rayburn was born Nov. 10, 1929 in Roscoe,Texas (Nolan County), the son of Henry Franklin Rayburn and Claudia Mae Helms. He graduated from Roscoe High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from College of the Southwest. On July15, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Mabel Estalene Summers, in Roscoe TX. They have three children: David Roderick Rayburn, Estalene Cherie Rayburn and Raegan Keith Rayburn. Dave worked for Amoco Corp. for 40 years in various administrative and accounting positions, making 16 moves during his career. Early years of employment were spent at various locations in West Texas, New Mexico, Houston, TX, and Traverse City, Michigan.  Later assignments included moves to Australia (Hobart, Tasmania, Adelaide, South Australia and Sydney, New South Wales) and East Africa.  At time of retirement, Dave was working as Director of Finance and Administration for Amoco Kenya Petroleum Company in the Nairobi, Kenya office. At that time, the Nairobi office was responsible for accounting for oil and gas exploration in the countries of Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania and Somalia. Dave has served 32 years in the National Guard and Army Reserve where he attained the rank of Colonel during his tenure. Upon retirement, he moved to Fort Wort, TX where he now lives. He has been an active family history researcher since early 1980's and retirement has provided him the time necessary to travel and seriously pursue the fun hobby of genealogy.

Hiram Rayburn was born 1790-94 in Montgomery Co., Virginia and died between 1840-1850 in Wilcox Co., Alabama. He was the son of Henry Rayburn, grandson of John Rayburn and Jane “Jennie” McClaren, and the great-grandson of the immigrants Henry Rayburn and Jean Ross. 

The mother of Hiram Rayburn has not been identified. Hiram was apparently the first and only child born to Henry Rayburn and his first wife, and his mother died at the time of his birth or shortly thereafter. After his mother’s death, the infant Hiram was taken into the household of his grandparents, John Rayburn and Jane “Jenny” McClaren who raised him until he reached maturity. Although John and Jane (McClaren) Rayburn had several grandchildren, Hiram was apparently the only grandchild raised by the grandparents as he was the only grandchild mentioned in the Will of John Rayburn.

Henry Rayburn, the father of Hiram, married second 24 June 1794 [Bond] in Montgomery Co., Virginia to Sarah “Sallie” Shanklin, [daughter of Robert Shanklin and Sarah Rebecca Gordon] and they had 13 children. However, Hiram continued to live with his grandparents and apparently never returned to live in the household of his father.

Additional information regarding Hiram Rayburn, his spouse and descendants is provided later in this article. (Refer to individual #10)


Antecedents

The earliest American Rayburn ancestor of Hiram Rayburn was his great-grandfather Henry Rayburn born abt 1720 in North Ireland. Information regarding this Henry Rayburn is limited, but the following details are contained in the book “The Descendants of Henry Rayburn” published by Parke Jones and John T. Roberts (St. Paul) in 1947. A copy of this book is on file in the Library of Congress [48-16123 CS71.R269]. 

1. Henry1 Rayburn, born abt 1720 in N. Ireland; died 1792 in Montgomery, Virginia. He married abt 1740/45 in North Ireland to Jean Ross, born abt 1722 in N. Ireland. 

SOURCE: "The Descendants of Henry Rayburn" published by Parke Jones and John T. Roberts, referenced above:
Page 3 - Most of what we know about Henry Rayburn is gleaned from two letters addressed to Mr. W. A. B. Jones, written in 1890-91 by General Samuel King Rayburn of Guntersville, Alabama, Henry's great grandson; who at the time of writing was 78 years old. His interest in the history of his family seems to have been very keen, and he apparently went to considerable trouble to find out the details of the history of his ancestors:
In regard to Henry, his first American ancestor, he writes: "
"He was my great grandfather and from what I have learned from father, he was high strung, a farmer to some extent, but loved his horses and hounds perhaps better than his dear wife, Jean, by who he had only one son, my grandfather, John Rayburn, who married Miss Jean McClarin, a very noted woman in her day."
In another letter he writes:
"Henry Rayburn settled, I think, in Montgomery County, Virginia. He was a "country gentleman" of the old school. He had no negro slaves, but white ones. The white slaves were transported from England and other Old World countries for misdemeanors, and on arriving at our shores were sold to pay their passage. He would buy them and work them on his farm. Fox hunting was a great pastime of his. He kept fine horses and a pack of hounds. After living here for some years, he went back to the North of Ireland and married a lady by the name of Ross, and came back with his bride to his American home. They had but one son, John, who married Miss Jean MacLaren, a full blooded Scotch lady, and settled in Botetourt County, Virginia."
Page 3 - Our only other story regarding the first Henry comes from Mr. Vincent Rayburn of Baltimore, who writes:
"All the traditional information I have on the early Rayburn family was given me by my grandfather, William J. Rayburn, at various times prior to his death in 1935. He recalled it from an old family album belonging to his father, John Jackson Rayburn, before it was lost when the family home was burned during the Civil War. According to this album, two brothers came from North Ireland to America in 1745, landing in New York. They settled first in Pennsylvania, but two or three years later one of the brothers moved down into Virginia and settled in the "uplands" (the tidewater region being too thickly settled). This brother then went back to the old country and married a Miss Ross and brought her to his new home in America."
Page 4 - Henry's estate, recorded in Montgomery County on June 29, 1792 shows the following: (Henry was referred to as senior).
Two Cows £5, three do £8, 2 two year cattle £4 £17
One four year bull £3, One sorrel mare £10 13
Two sorrel horses £16, One sorrel mare 10 26
One roan horse £12, five head of sheep £2 14
One feather bed and furniture 6
One box Iron and heaters 7
2 pewter dishes, six plates, cup and coffee pot 16
One spinning wheel 10
One dutch oven, two pots, 3 pr hooks 18
One large pot 24
One axe and pewter basin 8
The witnesses were James Robertson, James Reaburn, James Barnett.
Page 5 - From the above we have:
Henry Rayburn, born about 1720 in North Ireland; marrying about 1749 Miss Ross, and dying in the spring of 1792. He lived near the forks of the Roanoke from 1745, and was moderately wealthy. He had one son, John, and an unknown number of daughters.
Page 5 - Many guesses have been made as to the identity of the brother of Henry but real proof is lacking. We do know that a rather large group of Rayburns were settled in and around Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1780 and that to date these people have not been traced back to the known Virginia lines.
The Samuel King narrative gives Henry but one son, but the John Jackson account says: The first or second generation following (the Marriage of Henry to Ross), a part of the family moved to East Tennessee, then some of the next generation moved on to the Cumberland Valley in Middle Tennessee. Some students have held that Henry had two sons, a Henry as well as a John. The above is too indefinite to prove any thing as is the reference to Henry Senior. There are a lot of unattributed Rayburns in Tennessee and there must have been an early branch off from one of the lines. At the present time this is all guessing and so unimportant.

Note Conflict: Above publication indicates date of marriage about 1749. I believe date of marriage was about 1740-1745 as their son John married in 1762. For their son to be of age to marry by 1762, I believe Henry and Jean Ross would have married about 1740-45. E. D. Rayburn

SOURCE: Lost Links by Elisabeth W. Francis & Ethel S. Moore, page 74: Henry Rayburn (or Raeburn-Scotch Irish) came to Virginia from Ireland before 1740; m. Jean Ross of Ireland. He was a Ranger in the French and Indian wars.


Children of Henry Rayburn and Jean Ross were as follows:

+ 2. John2 Rayburn born abt 1740/45 in Augusta, Virginia; died 17 Feb 1808 in Montgomery Co., Virginia. He married Jane "Jenny" McClaren. 

Generation 2

2. John2 Rayburn (Henry1), born abt 1740/45 in Augusta, Virginia; died 17 Feb 1808
[Parke Jones and John T. Roberts, The Descendants of Henry Rayburn (St. Paul,
Minnesota: privately printed, 1947), 5]. in Montgomery Co., Virginia. He married on 16
Feb 1762 [John Vogt and T. William Kethley, Jr., Augusta County Marriages: 1748-
1850 (Athens, Georgia: Iberian Publishing Company, 1986), 171]; in Botetourt Co.,
Virginia to Jane “Jenny” McClaren, born abt 1746 in Augusta Co., Virginia; died
btwn 6 Jan 1827/Jan 1828 in Montgomery Co., Virginia.

It is without question that John Rayburn’s spouse was named McClaren, as the will
of Jane Rayburn, probated in 1828 in Montgomery Co., Virginia, clearly identifies her
brother as James McClaren [Montgomery County, Virginia Circuit Court, Will Books,
Volume 4, Page 352]. The name of her brother as James McClaren is also confirmed in
deed dated 16 October 1830, recorded in White County, Tennessee Deed Records,
Volume “H,” Pages 139 & 140, from Jane Rayburn’s children and heirs.

John and Jane “Jenny” (McClaren) Rayburn were the grand-parents of our subject
Hiram Rayburn, and they played a key role in his early life. In fact, it appears that when
Hiram was an infant, his mother died and the baby Hiram was raised by his grandparents,
John and Jenny Rayburn. Although they had several grandchildren, Hiram was
the only grand-child mentioned in the Will of John Rayburn.

"The Descendants of Henry Rayburn", by Parke Jones and John T. Roberts also provides some details about the life of John Rayburn as follows:
Page 5 - John Rayburn (Henry) was born about 1750 in Montgomery County, Virginia, where he died February 17, 1808. He lived at the forks of the Roanoke and in the course of his life acquired 747 acres of land, most of it located on Bradshaw Creek to the northwest. In the French and Indian war he served in Capt. Hog's Company of Rangers. In 1776 he was the road overseer, was constable in 1778, and in 1781 was given a commission as Lt. in the Militia. He married Jean McLaren, [McClaren] and they had seven children, all born in Montgomery County area.

SOURCE: WILL OF JOHN RAYBURN, Montgomery County, Virginia County Court, Will Book 1 (1786-1809), Pages 335-338, microfilm number 32599, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah:

Transcribed as written, spelling and punctuation unchanged, some paragraphs added for better understanding.

“John Rayburn - his Will 

In the name of God, Amaen. I John Rayburn of the parish of Ronoke and County of Montgomery, being of present mind and of a sound memory and calling to mind the unsartenity of human life do make this my last will and Testament

first comit my soul unto the hands of the Almighty God trusting in mercies and merits of my Redeemer for the remishon of all my sines; my body I comit to Earth to be buried at the discreshon of my Executors hereafter named, and as to my temprol Estate I dispose of it in the fowling maner 

first I bequeth to my beloved wife Jenney Rayburn her bed and furetue [furniture] with a horse or mair and sadle and hir living of the Estate during her widowhood

nixt I bequith to my Daughter Pegy Donaghe fifty pounds or a equal part with sisters to hir and the hairs of hir body forever

nixt I bequeth to my sun Henry ten dollars to him and his hairs forever

nixt I bequith to Hiram Rayburn Henry's sun Sixty Dolars in a horse and Sadle and his close to ware forever 

and apoint Samuel Shanklin, William Peper and William W. Rayburn my lawful Exectors, and all my land and property to be sould and equaly divided amonge these hereafter named Mary Shanklin and the Hairs of hir body forever Jenny Pepper and the Hairs of her body forever John Rayburn my son and his hires forever Rachell Taylor and the hairs of hir body forever Rebecka Rayburn Williams wife to hir and the hairs of hir body forever

and I bequith that all the Lands my sun John Rayburn sold in Kentuckey in my name and made tittles for shall stand good as if I had made them myself

when this place is sold I live on, I bequith to the Grave yard be excepted and the spot where the meeting house stands that it be not sold while that house is there but may be sold afterwards but no grave yard but one on the place

disannulling all other wills by me made but this alone being my last will and Testament

In witness hereof I have sett my hand and seil the 18 of January 1807. NB I bequith that my Excetors have 6 years to sell and colect the debts befour called on by the Legettees for setlement 

and in presents of
Benjamin W. Morton /s/ John Rayburn /Seal/
David Barnett
A. H. Robertson
Roswell Johnson

This Land or place not to be sold for the space six years after my decease a then all the money to be divided equally among all the legatees except Henry Rayburn and Hyram Rayburn son of Henry Rayburn. In witness in hereof, I have hereunder set my hand and seal revoking all other wills or legacees heretofore mentioned by me.

Witness 
Benjamin W. Morton
David Barnett
A. H. Robertson
Roswell Johnson.

Fabuary 17th 1808
N.B. That whereas John Rayburn have thought fitt to make the following alteration to his last will and Testament that in place of the land as above stated should remain onsold for six years it is his will that it should be sold emediately after his death or as soon as the value could be had at the discretion of his exers. That would be most advantageous to the legatees as aforementioned and equally divided as is before stated certify before us this day and yeare as above

Present s/s John Rayburn /Seal/
James Rayburn
James Barnett, Jr.
Roswell Johnson

I bequith to my sun John Rayburn my sadle graet coat and Hatt.

/s/ John Rayburn /Seal/
At Montgomery March Court 1808

This last will and Testament of John Rayburn deceased with the two several codicils thereto annexed was presented in Court and proven the said Will and first Codicil by the Oath of Alexander H. Robertson and Roswell Johnson. The second Codicil by the Oath of James Barnett Jun’r and Roswell Johnson witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded and on motion of Samuel Shanklin, William Pepper and William Rayburn the Executors therein named who made oath and entered into Bond with security according to Law Certificates granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste. /s/ Charles Taylor CMC
* * * * * * * * * * *

SOURCE: F. B. Kegley, Kegley’s Virginia Frontier: the Beginning of the Southwest (Roanoke, Virginia: Southwest Virginia Historical Society, 1938), 610:
“JOHN REABURN-John Reaburn lived at the Forks of Roanoke. He had land in 1770, 53 acres on the south side of North Fork; in 1782, 544 acres adjoining Isaac Taylor on North Fork and 85 acres adjoining John Yoakum of the south side of the river; 1789, 15 acres adjoining Isaac Taylor; 1790, with Andrew Miller, 70 and 90 acres on North Fork; 1794, 55 acres above Isaac Taylor’s. John Reaburn was commissioned Lieutenant 1781. He had been road overseer in place of Hugh Crockett in 1776, and constable in place of Wm. Neely and Moses Dunlap in 1778. In the French and Indian War he served in Capt. Hog’s Company of Rangers.” [Here follows an abstract of John Rayburn’s will.] The John Rayburn land was at the junction of the North Fork and South Fork of Roanoke at the present village of Lafayette. The house stood by the road up North Fork about a quarter of mile from the Forks.

* * * * * * * * * *

DEATH OF JANE (McCLAREN) RAYBURN: Death date based on date of her will, 6 January 1827 and date of deed from her heirs, 16 Oct 1830. See White County, Tennessee, Deed Book "H" Pages 139-140. See Joyce Martin Murray, "White County, Tennessee Deed Abstracts," Volume II: 1820-1834 (Volumes G and H), 72 for an abstract of that deed.

Children of John Rayburn and Jane "Jenny" McClaren were as follows:
+ 3 i Henry3 Rayburn, born 4 Jan 1768 in Augusta Co., Virginia; died 7 Mar 1852 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; buried in Rayburn Cem, Wayne Co., Tennessee. He married (1) unknown; (2) Sarah "Sally" Shanklin. 
4 ii Margaret "Peggy"3 Rayburn, born abt 1769 in Augusta Co., Virginia; died aft 14 Jul 1814. She married on 18 Feb 1785 in Botetourt, Virginia James Donahue. 
5 iii Mary "Polly"3 Rayburn, born abt 1771 in Botetourt Co., Virginia; died 1806/07 in Montgomery, Virginia. She married Samuel C Shanklin Capt.. 
6 iv Jane "Jennie"3 Rayburn, born 1773 in Fincastle Co., Virginia. She married William Pepper. 
7 v John3 Rayburn, born 7 May 1775 in Fincastle Co., Virginia; died in Oakland, Yalobusha, Mississippi. He married Elizabeth Sinclair Shanklin. 
8 vi Rachel3 Rayburn, born abt 1780 in Montgomery Co., Virginia. She married on 5 Aug 1800 in Botetourt Co., Virginia James Taylor. 
9 vii Rebecca3 Rayburn, born 19 Mar 1783 in Montgomery, Virginia; died 21 Dec 1824 in Montgomery, Co. Virginia. She married William Wallace Rayburn. 


Generation 3

3. Henry3 Rayburn (John2, Henry1), born 4 Jan 1768 in Augusta Co., Virginia; died 7 Mar 1852 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; buried in Rayburn Cem, Wayne Co., Tennessee. He married (1) unknown; (2) on 24 Jun 1794 [Bond] in Montgomery Co., Virginia to Sarah "Sally" Shanklin, born 30 Nov 1777 in Montgomery Co., Virginia; died 19 Feb 1848 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; buried in Rayburn Cem, Wayne Co., Tennessee, daughter of Robert Shanklin and Sarah Rebecca Gordon. 

SOURCE: "The Descendants of Henry Rayburn," by Parke Jones and John T. Roberts (St. Paul) 1947:
Page 5 - Henry Rayburn b. Jan 4, 1768, married Sarah Shanklin.
Page 7 - Henry Rayburn (John, Henry) born Jan 4, 1768, married Sarah Shanklin June 24, 1794 in Montgomery County (Virginia). They lived briefly in Barren County, Kentucky, in Warren County, Tennessee from 1798 to about 1818, and then moved to Wayne County, Tennessee where they spent the rest of their days. Henry died there at the home of his daughter, Nancy Hawk, on March 7, 1852. Sarah was born Nov. 30, 1777 in Montgomery County and died Feb 19. 1848

RESIDENCE: Extracted from "Southern Kinsmen" by Grace Morrow Bryan, Polyanthos, New Orleans 1977: Pg 107 (Extract from History of Wayne County, Tennessee, Goodspeeds Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 1885 -
"On Indian Creek, Henry and John Rayburn, Jesse and Baker Cypert, Benjamin and David Schull settled in 1818."

BIRTH:DEATH:BURIAL: Extracted by L. M. Rayburn 4 Jun 1991 at Wayne County Library, Waynesboro, Tennessee:
Historical Society, The Byler Press, Collinwood, Tennessee, 1987: Pg 83
#38 Rayburn Cemetery, Location: on Rayburn Creek near the confluence with Indian Creek, and near Mt. Hebron Cemetery. Copied by Edgar D. Byler and Carl R. Lindsey Jan 21, 1971:
Rayburn, Henry 4 Jan 1768 - 7 Mar 1852
Rayburn, Sally 30 Nov 1777 - 19 Feb 1848
Rayburn, Elihu Crisp 5 Mar 1823 - 3 Sep 1845
Stout, Elizabeth 29 Dec 1802 - 26 Aug 1835, wife of John S. Stout and dau of Henry
and Sarah Rayburn

BIRTH:DEATH:BURIAL: Grave marker located in apple orchard cemetery, on Rayburn creek in Wayne County TN: "Henry Rayburn born Jan. 1, 1768 departed this life Mar. 7, 1852." The stone has been crudely altered to make the date of birth Jan. 4, 1768. Grave markers for Sally Rayburn, Elizabeth Rayburn Stout, and Elihu Crisp Rayburn are located nearby.

Note Conflict: As noted above, date of birth on the tombstone for Henry Rayburn is shown as Jan 4, 1768 whereas the Henry Rayburn Family bible record shows Henry Rayburn was born January 4, 1776.

Know all men by these presents that we Henry Reyburn, Samuel Shanklin & William Pepper - are held and firmly bound unto his excellency the governor of Virginia for the time being & his Successors in the Just and Full sum of one Hundred & fifty dollars Current Money payment whereof will and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs, Executors & Administrators firmly by these presents sealed with our seals & dated this ____ day of ______.
Th Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound Henry Reyburn ---that he this day obtained a License for his Mariage with Sarah Shanklin daughter of Rob't Shanklin now if there should be no Legal Cause to obstruct said mariage then the obligation to be Void Else to remain in full force and Virtue. 
S/Henry Reburn (Seal)
S/Sam'l Shanklin (Seal)
Teste: S/Wm Pepper (Seal)
S/Charles Taylor

Teste:

S/Charles Taylor

Children of Henry Rayburn his first wife [name unknown] were as follows:
+ 10      i      Hiram4 Rayburn, born 1790-94 in Montgomery Co., Virginia; died btwn 1840-1850 in                WilcoxCo., Alabama. He married Pheriba "Ferry" (maiden name unknown). 

Children of Henry Rayburn and Sarah "Sally" Shanklin were as follows:
11     i      John King4 Rayburn, born 11 Oct 1795 in Forks of Roanoke, Montgomery, Virginia; died 10 Apr 1856     near Batesville, Panola Co., Mississippi; buried in Old Eureka Cem, near Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.    He married Elizabeth Graham. 
12 ii  Letitia4 Rayburn, born 13 May 1797 in Montgomery Co., Virginia; died 12 Jul 1863 in Savannah, Hardin Co., Tennessee. She married on 3 Oct 1828 to Temple Coleman Johnson, born abt 1785/1800. They live in Savannah, Hardin County, Tenn. where she died July 12, 1863 and where all their (5) children were born.
13 iii  Samuel Shanklin4 Rayburn Judge, born 22 Dec 1799 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; died Aug 1846 in Lafayette Co., Mississippi; buried in Harmontown Baptist Church Cem. He married Mahala Williamson Rutledge. 
14 iv Janett Rayburn, born 14 Apr 1801 in Warren Co., Tennessee; died in Texas. She married Charles Graham. They had eleven children, all living in Texas.
15 obert Sinclair4 Rayburn, born 6 Nov 1804 in Warren Co., Tennessee; died abt 1863 in Madison, Texas. He married (1) Levicia Brooks; (2) Sarah Unk. 
16 vi Margaret4 Rayburn, born 13 Oct 1806 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; died 14 Oct 1806 in Wayne Co., Tennessee. 
17 vii   Davidson McLaren4 Rayburn, born 3 Oct 1808 in Overton Co., Tennessee. He married Harriett Locket Buntin. 
18 viii Nancy4 Rayburn, born 12 Oct 1810 in Warren Co., Tennessee; died 21 Jan 1896 in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas. She married William HAWK. 
19 ix Elizabeth4 Rayburn, born 27 Dec 1812 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; died 26 Aug 1835 in Wayne Co., Tennessee. She married abt 1827/35 in Wayne Co., Tennessee to John Stout, born 1800/10. No issue. Grave marker in apple orchard cemetery on Rayburn Creek, near Houston, in Wayne Co. TN: "In memory of Elizabeth wife of John S. Stout & daughter of Henry and Sarah Rayburn. She was born 29th of December 1802 & died August the 26th 1835.
20 x James Madison4 Rayburn, born 29 Jan 1815 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; died unmarried 19 Jul 1840. 
21 Andrew Moore "Andy"4 Rayburn, born 25 Mar 1816 in Warren Co., Tennessee; died abt 1862 in Panola Co., Mississippi. He married Rebecca Beavers. 
22 Henry Newton4 Rayburn, born 17 Aug 1819; died 8 Apr 1862 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a commission merchant in New Orleans from 1851 to 1860. 

OBITUARY: New Orleans Daily Crescent, Wednesday Morning, April 9, 1862: Obituary - DIED: On Tuesday evening, the 8th instant, at 1-1/2 o'clock, of meningitis, HENRY N. RAYBURN, a native of Tennessee and a resident of this city for the past fifteen years. His friends are invited to attend his funeral This (Wednesday) Morning at 10-1/2 o'clock, from his late residence, No. 13 Carondelet street.

23 Elihu Crisp Rayburn, born 5 May 1823 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; died 3 Sep 1845 in Wayne Co., Tennessee; buried in Apple Orchard, Wayne Co., Tennessee. 

Generation 4

10. Hiram4 Rayburn (Henry3, John2, Henry1), born abt 1790-94 in Montgomery Co., Virginia; died btwn 1840-1850 in Wilcox Co., Alabama. He married abt 1825 in Mississippi/Alabama to Pheriba "Ferry" [maiden name unknown] born 1809/10 in Mississippi; died aft 1860. 

Hiram Rayburn of Montgomery County, Virginia, first appeared as a named individual in the 18 January 1807 will of his grandfather John Rayburn [Montgomery County, Virginia County Court, Will Book 1 (1786-1809), Pages 335-338, microfilm number 0032599, FHL, Salt Lake City, Utah]. The will, and a codicil of the same date, proved in March 1808, provided in part as follows 

“nixt I bequeth to my sun Henry ten dollars to him and his hairs forever nixt I bequith to Hiram Rayburn Henry's sun Sixty Dolars in a horse and Sadle and his close to ware forever.…..Land or place not to be sold for the space six years after my decease.….then all the money to be divided equally among all the legatees except Henry Rayburn and Hyram Rayburn son of Henry Rayburn….” 

The mother of Hiram Rayburn has not been identified. Apparently Hiram was the first and only child born to Henry Rayburn and his first wife, and Hiram’s mother apparently died at the time of his birth or shortly thereafter. After his mother’s death, the infant Hiram was taken into the household of his grandparents, John Rayburn and Jane “Jenny” McClaren who raised him until he reached maturity. Although John and Jane (McClaren) Rayburn had several grandchildren, Hiram was apparently the only grandchild raised by the grandparents as he was the only grandchild mentioned in the Will of John Rayburn.

Henry Rayburn, the father of Hiram, married second 24 June 1794 [Bond] in Montgomery Co., Virginia to Sarah “Sallie” Shanklin, [daughter of Robert Shanklin and Sarah Rebecca Gordon] and they had 13 children. However, Hiram continued to live with his grandparents and apparently never returned to live in the household of his father. Henry Rayburn, left Montgomery County, Virginia about 1798 and moved to Warren County, Tennessee [Jones and Roberts, Descendants of Henry Rayburn, op. cit., 20], where he remained until 1818. He then moved to Wayne County, Tennessee where he died [The Goodspeed Histories of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties, Tennessee (1886; reprint, Columbia, Tennessee: Woodward & Stinson, 1975), 764]. There is no evidence that Hiram Rayburn ever lived in either of those counties.

In fact, there is compelling evidence that he was living in Montgomery County, Virginia as late as February, 1815, when he served in the 75th Regiment of Virginia Militia (War of 1812). His service record indicates he served in Capt William Currin's Montgomery County Company of Infantry from 13 February to 28 February 1815, as a substitute for Alexander Price, Sr., and was paid $4.00 [Hiram Rayburn, compiled military service record, War of 1812, National Archives, Washington]. 

The military file for Alexander Price Sr. also confirms the substitute military service by Hiram Rayburn. It shows Alexander Price, Sr., with the rank of Private, on a Muster Roll of Capt William Currin’s Company of Infantry Virginia Militia, 75th Regiment, Montgomery County from 13 February 1815, and the name Hiram Rayburn appears as “Substitute” in the “Present” column [Alexander Price, Sr., compiled service record, War of 1812, National Archives, Washington].

The first documented appearance of Hiram Rayburn in Wilcox County, Alabama was on the 1830 federal census [1830 U. S. Census, Wilcox County, Alabama, Hiram Rayburn household, Page 176, M19, Roll 3]. He was head of a household that included a young male child and female child, both under 5, a female aged 20/30, surely his wife, and himself along with two other unidentified males, aged 20/30, thus indicating a year of birth between 1800/1810. Based on further information it seems highly unlikely that he was that young.

It is entirely possible and almost a certainty that he was in Alabama by 1823 when the name of Hiram Rayburn appeared in the Mobile Commercial Appeal, issue of 11 September 1823, on a list of residents of the city of Mobile, Alabama who had not paid their taxes for that year [Deep South Genealogical Quarterly, Volume 16, Page 110 and Volume 28, Page 29].

Hiram Rayburn was married about 1825 to a woman named Pheriba, nickname “Ferry,” maiden name unknown, born 1809/1810; and they were the parents of four children who reached maturity - William R. Rayburn, born abt 1826; Margaret Adline Rayburn, born May 1830; Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn, born 4 October 1833 and DeKalb Rayburn, born 1 December 1836. 

The strongest piece of evidence supporting the view that Hiram of Wilcox County came from Montgomery County, Virginia is the fact that he named a daughter “Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn,” following a common naming pattern of honoring ones mother by giving her maiden name to a daughter - however, in this case it was Hiram’s grandmother, Jane “Jennie” McClaren, who must have reared him rather than his own Mother, and was thus remembered in his daughter’s middle name. In all likelihood, she was the only “mother” he ever knew. The compelling force of the name of his daughter being “McClaren”, for his grandmother’s maiden name, cannot be overstated.

It appears likely that Hiram Rayburn married Pheriba in Mississippi. The 1850 census cited hereafter shows Pheriba’s state of birth as Mississippi; on that same 1850 census, in his own household, William R. Rayburn’s state of birth is shown as Mississippi. Similarly, on the 1880 census and the 1900 census, the state of birth for the mother of DeKalb Rayburn and Margaret A. Rayburn - Pheriba - is shown as Mississippi.

At the time of Pheriba’s birth Alabama was still a part of the Mississippi Territory, but by the time of William R. Rayburn’s birth Alabama had been separated from Mississippi so that was not the case. Therefore, even if Pheriba had been born in that part of the Mississippi Territory that later became Alabama, that would not explain why William R. Rayburn was shown to have been born in Mississippi unless his parents were living there at the time.

It is clear that Hiram Rayburn was a carpenter. On 27 September 1832 he entered into a construction contract with James T. Howell [Wilcox County Alabama County Court, Deed Records, Volume B, Pages 325 & 326, microfilm number 1673822, FHL, Salt Lake City, Utah], pursuant to which he was to 

“….. put up a house for the said James T. Howell on his (the said Howell's) lot in the Town of Dale forty seven feet long and seventeen feet wide and also to cover the same with shingles to be furnished by the said James T. Howell for all of which the said Howell promises to pay him, the said Raibourn, one hundred and sixty five dollars. And the said Raibourn does further promise to lay two floors in said house thirty feet long and the full width of the house, each floor having one side dressed, that is to say the upper side of the lower floor and the lower side of the upper floor. He further promises to seal said room thirty feet long by seventeen wide all round and to weatherboard two sides and one end of the entire house to make four doors and two windows; the doors to have shutters and the windows shutters and sash. The said Raibourn further promises to put up a counter and shelves on one side and end of the said room of thirty feet, for all of which the said Howell promises to furnish the necessary plank and lumber, nails, locks and hinges …. “

On 6 November 1835, Hiram Rayburn, of Wilcox County, Alabama, for the sum of $175, sold his interest [essentially a quit-claim deed] in a one-acre tract of land in Barbourville, Alabama to William Raus Lenoir. Apparently he was purchasing the land on a contract from Thomas Dunn, but had not yet obtained a deed to the property. The deed to Lenoir authorized “… Thomas Dunn to make the title which he was to have made to me to the aforesaid Lot to the said … Lenoir so soon as the said Lenoir shall have completed the payments for the same …” [Wilcox County, Alabama Deed Records, Volume 2, Page 233]. 

The deed further identified the tract as 

“… bounded as follows to wit; On the North by a lot belonging to C. C. Sellers, on the West by land belonging to the Said Lenoir on the South by a Lot belonging to John H. Daniel and on the East by the Canton road or main Street …” 

All of the communities named in the Deed and contract above were located in Wilcox County, Alabama. Barbour[s]ville was an early name for Camden, county seat of Wilcox County from 1832; Canton was properly known as Canton’s Bluff and was the county seat of Wilcox County from its creation in 1819 until 1832. Dale Town was the original name for the community later known as Prairie Bluff.

In 1840 Hiram Rayburn was still living in Wilcox County, more than likely in the very same area of the county. He appeared on the 1840 federal census [1840 U. S. Census, Wilcox County, Alabama, Hiram Rayborn household, Page 306, M604, Roll 16] as head of household consisting of one male child under 5, two female children aged 5/10, 1 male child aged 10/15, an adult female aged 30/40, and an adult male, obviously Hiram himself, aged 40/50. It is of special significance that the census schedule listed him as employed in Manufactures and Trades, as opposed to Agriculture - consistent with his occupation as a Carpenter.

Rayburn was enumerated immediately before the household of C. C. Sellers, named as an adjoining landowner in the 1835 deed cited above. Additionally, the households of Jno. W. Daniel and Wm. R. Lenoir were enumerated very close to that of Rayburn’s. 

Pheriba remarried, and appeared on the 1850 census as Pheriba Holley, age 41, born Mississippi [1850 U. S. Census, Wilcox County, Alabama, Lewis Holley household, population schedule, Page 365, Dwelling and Family 298, M432, Roll 16]. In the same household were children Margaret, age 20, born Alabama; Elizabeth, age 17, born Alabama and DeKalb, age 12, born Alabama. The census enumerator did not indicate that the surname of the children was “Rayburn” - rather the method of presentation would lead one to believe that the surname was “Holley.” It is of special significance that no other person of the name DeKalb appeared on the 1850 federal census in Wilcox County, Alabama other than this child. In 1860 Dekalb Rayborn, aged 21, born Alabama, was the only person of that given name on the census in Wilcox County. He occupation was that of “Sash & Blind Maker.” They were obviously the same person.

William R. Rayburn, the other child of Hiram, was married and living in his own household in 1850 in Wilcox County, very near the household of his stepfather, mother and siblings [1850 U. S. Census, Wilcox County, Alabama, Wm. R. Raiburn household, population schedule, Page 366, Dwelling and Family 311, M432, Roll 16], and was enumerated as a “Rayburn.” 

In that Lewis Holley household Margaret was shown to be aged 20, thus born in 1830 and Elizabeth was shown to be age 17 thus born 1833. Margaret appeared as a Rayburn on the 1900 census in Wilcox County, apparently never having married, enumerated only 12 households away from DeKalb Rayburn - that return showed that she was born May 1830, perfectly consistent with her being the oldest female child in the Hiram Rayburn household in 1830 and 1840. The other daughter, Elizabeth, was shown to be age 17, perfectly consistent with her being the younger of the two female children in the Hiram Rayburn household in 1840. 
Those facts and circumstances all support the conclusion that these four individuals were, in fact, the children of Hiram Rayburn and his wife 

The given name of Pheriba or Feriba is not a name commonly used today. However, a search of the origin of names provides some interesting facts about the name.

SOURCE: Downloaded 4/5/2005 from web site: <http://www.moonzstuff.com/ncnames-op.html>
Female Names in the Upper New River Valley of North Carolina, 1700’s to about 1850.
PHERIBA, PHERABY, FARIBA, FERABY - apparently a Southern U.S. invention. The name first appears in the mid-1700's in Virginia and North Carolina. It could be a variation of Phoebe, although it is also curiously similar to the Arabic name "Fariba." 
FERABY, FERIBA, FARIBA - see Pheraby.

CENSUS: U.S. 1850 Census, Wilcox County, Alabama, 14 Oct 1850, Pg 134; Fam 298 Lewis Holley 33 M Farmer 100 Georgia
Pheriba 4l F Mississippi
Margaret 20 F Alabama
Elizabeth 17 F Alabama
DeKalb 12 M Alabama
Note: Pheriba, the widow of Hiram Rayburn and her children Margaret, Elizabeth, and DeKalb are enumerated in the household of Lewis Holley. 

It also appears that Hiram’s wife was widowed again by 1860 and appeared on the 1860 census as follows:

CENSUS: 1860 Wilcox Co., Alabama; P. O. Rehoboth, Alabama; 11 June 1860; Pg 1015A; (Ancestry.com Image 1 of 98); Dwlg 6 - Fam 7 -
Ferry Holly 50 F Farming 40 100 Alabama
Adeline 25 F Alabama [Margaret Adline Rayburn]
El 23 F Alabama [Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn]

Based on all the evidence set out above, it is concluded that Hiram Rayburn was married once, to a woman named Pheriba, about 1825, that he died shortly after 1840, that they were parents of four children who grew to maturity: William R. Rayburn, born 1826/1827; Margaret Adline Rayburn, born May 1830; Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn, born 4 October 1833 and DeKalb Rayburn, born 1 December 1836.

Children of Hiram Rayburn and Pheriba "Ferry" _______ were as follows:
+ 24   i   William R5 Rayburn, born 1826/27 in Mississippi; died 9 Dec 1863 in Cassville, Bartow Co., Georgia; buried in Cassville Confederate Cem. He married Frances Ann Henderson. 
25   ii   Margaret Adline5 Rayburn, born May 1830 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died aft 1900; apparently never married.

CENSUS: U.S. 1900 Wilcox County, Alabama, ED 141, pg 122, Dwlg 99, Family 109:
Rayburn, Margaret A Head W F May 1830 70 S Alabama Tennessee Missippi Farmer
Blackmond, Catherine Servant B F - 1889 11 S Alabama Alabama Alabama
Note: Apparently never married.

+ 26    iii    Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn, born 4 Oct 1833 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 17 Nov 1919 in Suwannee, Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married James Greenberry Smith.

+ 27   iv   DeKalb5 Rayburn, born 1 Dec 1836 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 31 Jan 1901 in Wilcox, Alabama; buried in Capell Cemetery, Wilcox Co, Alabama. He married (1) Sarah ElizaVaughn, (2) Mary Jane Warren. 

Generation 5

24. William R5 Rayburn (Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 1826/27 in Mississippi; died 9 Dec 1863 in Cassville, Bartow Co., Georgia; buried in Confederate Cem. at Cassville. He married abt 1846 probably in Wilcox Co., Alabama to Frances Ann Henderson, born 15 May 1829 in Camden, Wilcox, Alabama; died 1894 in Hamilton Co., Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton Co., Texas. She was daughter of Robert Henderson and Elizabeth McCowan. 

William R. Rayburn served in the war between the United States and Mexico. H received land warrants for his service. The land acquired by William R. Rayburn was located in the Grampian Hills of Wilcox County, Alabama; about 4-1/2 miles south of Camden and about 2-1/2 miles northeast from Fatama. Therefore, the birthplace of the children is being shown as born "Near Fatama, Wilcox Co., Alabama.

MILITARY WARRANTS: Old Cahaba Land Office Records & Military Warrants 1817-1853 by Marilyn D. Hahn -
Page 185 - Cahaba Land Office Military Warrants Book 317
Date of Warrant In Whose Favor TSP RNG Date Location Located By Remarks
6/12/1853 Wm Raybourn 11 3/4/1854 Alen McIntosh Wilcox Co.
Awarded for Mexican War Service

BOUNTY LAND CLAIM: 
State of Alabama )
County of Wilcox )
On this 23rd day of May AD 1853 before, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared William Raybourn aged 30 years a resident of Camden County of Wilcox and state of Alabama who, being first duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William Raybourn who was a late private in the Company commanded by Captain Drurn P. Baldwin in the First Regiment of Alabama Volunteers, in the War between the United States and Mexico.
That he volunteered into the United States service at Camden County of Wilcox and State of Alabama on or about the 15th day of May 1846 to serve for the term of Six months, continued in actual service at Mobile during said war, for the term of one month received from the U. S. Paymaster $7.50 pay, and was on or about the 15th day of June 1846 at Mobile honorably discharged by being with the entire Company to which he was attached, mustered out of the service...... the Certificate of discharge being lost.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the Bounty Land Act of Feb 11th 1847....
S/William Raybourn

BOUNTY LAND CLAIM: Form for Declaration For Surviving Officer Or Soldier
State of Alabama }
County of Wilcox }
On this 25 day of April AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace, duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, William R. Rayburn aged 28 years, a resident of the County of Wilcox in the State of Alabama, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William R. Rayburn who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain D. P. Baldwin in the Regiment of Alabama Volunteers commanded by Col Sullis in the war U. States & Mexico and that he volunteered at Camden, Alabama on or about the 30 May AD 1846 for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of one month and was honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama on the ___? of June AD 1846 on account of order of Governor as will appear by the muster rolls of said Company. 
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act granting additional bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States approved March 3, 1855. And refers to his former declaration made under act of September 1850 upon which he obtained a Land Warrant No. _________ for Forty acres, which he having legally transferred and disposed of, is not within his powers now to return....
S/William R. Rayburn
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said William R. Rayburn who signed and executed the above declaration and is now present, to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is of the above above stated and that I have no interest in said claim. 
S/E. U. Buford, Jr.
Witnessed: Elias Williamson
D. A. W. Patterson

William R. Rayburn also served in the Confederate States Army during the War Between the States. 

SOURCE: Records of Wilcox County Alabama by Marilyn Davis Barefield (1988), pg 159: William R. RAYBURN, Private, County H, 38 Regt., Ala Vol. 
Widow: Frances A. RAYBURN applied for pension 5/1/1891. 


DEATH:MILITARY: National Archives, Washington, D.C. - Military Service Records (NNCC) - William R. Rayburn – Served in Company “H” 38th Regmt Alabama Inf CSA. Place of death: Flewellen Hospital Cassville, Georgia, wife ANN next of kin. Died 9 Dec 1863 (Confederate - Civil War)

CENSUS: Alabama Special Census, 1866, Wilcox County, Alabama, Schedule 1 Pg 19 - Frances Ann Rayburn enumeration indicates her husband-- "Soldier died of Sickness." 

Frances Ann (Henderson Rayburn) moved to Texas with her youngest son, William DeKalb Rayburn. At the time of her death, the family was living on the Jenkens place on the Lampassas River in Hamilton County, Texas. She was buried with members of the Luke J. Brooks family in the Hurst Ranch Cemetery, Hamilton Co. Texas. Her grave is marked with a tombstone—Frances A. Rayburn 1829-1894.

William R. Rayburn Family ca 1862	Frances Ann Henderson Rayburn ca 1855

Children of William R Rayburn and Frances Ann Henderson were as follows:
i Elizabeth Demaris6 Rayburn, born 21 Feb 1847 near Fatama, Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 24 Jan 1927 in Point Clear, Baldwin, Alabama; buried 26 Jan 1927 in Point Clear Cem, Point Clear, Baldwin, Alabama. She married James Henry Sharp. 
29 ii Sarah Isabella "Belle"6 Rayburn, born 17 Dec 1849 near Fatama, Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 19 Dec 1887 in Wilcox, Alabama; buried in Enon Cemetery, Wilcox, Alabama. She married Luke J Brooks. 
iii Hiram Greenberry "Green"6 [Rayburn] Henderson, born 4 Mar 1852 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 13 Nov 1922 in Boothe Town, Mobile, Alabama; buried in Frazier Cemetery, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. He married Annie Julie Sheffield. 
31 iv Amanda C6 Rayburn, born 23 May 1853 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 7 Jul 1925 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; buried 8 Jul 1925 in Oak Grove Cem, Mauvilla, Mobile, Alabama. She married (1) ________ Gregg; (2) Isaac Lorenzo Lewis. 
32 v Mary Sedonia "Donie"6 Rayburn, born May 1857 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 23 Aug 1925 in Alabama; buried 25 Aug 1925 in Pine Crest Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. She married (1) G W Gartman Jr; (2) John “Jack” Robertson; (3) James C Anderson. 
33 vi Willie Ella6 Rayburn, born 1859 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 1860/70 in Wilcox Co., Alabama. Listed on 1860 census but not on 1870 census - assumed died.
34 vii William DeKalb6 Rayburn, born 14 May 1861 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 4 Feb 1939 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; buried 5 Feb 1939 in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas. He married (1) Lillie Edna Finklea; (2) Virginia Irene “Jennie” Boren. 

26. Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn (Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 4 Oct 1833 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 17 Nov 1919 in Suwannee Co., Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married on 14 Dec 1865 in Wilcox Co., Alabama to James Greenberry Smith, born 10 Jan 1833 in Monroe Co., Georgia; died 13 Oct 1924 in Suwannee Co., Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 

SOURCE: Family records of Cher Ezell, a descendant of Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn & James Greenberry Smith, received 4/7/2005 -
Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn was born 4 Oct 1833; died 17 Nov 1919. She married James Greenberry Smith. Their children were Rosa, Mary Olivia, James Robert, Margaret Rebecca & Daniel A. Smith

Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn married James Greenberry Smith 14 January1865 in Wilcox Co., Alabama [Wilcox County, Alabama Marriage Records: 1861-1866, Page 189]. The marriage license identified her as Elizabeth McC. Rayburn, and indicated that ceremony took place at the residence of Mrs. Holly. Of even greater significance is the fact that Louis G. Henderson, brother of William R. Rayburn’s wife Frances Ann Henderson, was surety for this marriage. Thus it is without question that the Elizabeth shown as a Holley in 1850 and 1860 was, in fact, Elizabeth Rayburn.

In 1870 Elizabeth Smith and her husband were living near the families of DeKalb Rayburn and William R. Rayburn’s widow and children on Mims Beat, Wilcox County. 

The family tradition that her given name was Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn is corroborated by Elizabeth’s marriage record on file in Wilcox County, Alabama. The license, dated 9 December 1865, refers to Miss Elizabeth McC. Rayburn, and the bond given to secure the license names the prospective bride as Miss Elizabeth McC. Rayborn. She married James Greenberry Smith 14 December 1865 in Wilcox County, Alabama [Wilcox County, Alabama Judge of Probate, Marriage Records: 1861-1866, Page 189]. The existence of this official document, clearly evidencing that Elizabeth Rayburn had a middle name that began with the letters “McC”, coupled with the familys traditional knowledge provides incontrovertible evidence that her name was Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn.

CENSUS: 1900 Suwannee Co., Florida; O’Brien Twp 5 Pct #14; 9 June 1900; ED 114 Sht 8A/106A; (Ancestry.com Image 15 of 16); Dwlg 180 - Fam 180 -
Smith, James G. -   W M   Jan 1833 67 M 35      Georgia Georgia Georgia
E. M. wife W F  Oct 1833 66 M 35 5-5 Alabama Virginia Mississippi

Comments:
1. This census indicates the father of Elizabeth M. (Rayburn) was born Virginia and her mother was b. in Mississippi. This supports the conclusion that her father was Hiram Rayburn b. Montgomery Co., Virginia. 
2. Marriage years shown as 35 is in agreement with marriage license in Wilcox Co., Alabama dated 1865.

James Greenberry Smith was a veteran of the War Between the States and he filed a Confederate Pension Application, which was approved. Some applicable excerpts are as follows
:
Page 3. SOLDIER’S PENSION CLAIM

State of Florida
County of Suwannee
On this 22 day of July A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the county and State aforesaid James G. Smith who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 76 years of age, having been born on the 10 day of January 1833 in the county of Monroe, in the State of Georgia. That he is a bona fide citizen of the county of Suwannee, State of Florida. That he has resided in the State of Florida continuously since the 1st day of January 1883.
That he is the identical person who enlisted at Spring Hill Ala under the name of James G. Smith about the 15 day of September 1861 in Company “E” Regiment Jeff Davis Legion of the State of Alabama in the service of the Confederate States and who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Point Lookout, Md…….. about the 1 day of July or a little earlier 1865 on account of war had ended……….

His pension application file also included an affidavit signed by Oliver Spencer Henderson, brother of Frances Ann (Henderson) Rayburn. 

Page 19. Affidavit by O. S. Henderson [Oliver Spencer Henderson]

The State of Alabama )
Wilcox County ) Personally appeared before J. N. Stanford a Judge of Probate in and for said County and State, O. S. Henderson who being by me first duly sworn on oath says that he knows James Greenberry Smith now a resident of O’Brien Station Florida and said James Greenberry Smith was a resident of Wilcox County, Alabama at the beginning of the Civil War and that affiant knows that said James Greenberry Smith was in the war, that he met him in Virginia while affiant was in the Infantry service and that said James Greenberry Smith was in the Cavalry service and that he returned to Wilcox County Alabama at the close of the war.
Subscribed and sworn to before ) O. S. Henderson
me this 24th day of August 1907 )
J. N. Stanford )
Judge of Probate )

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Children of Elizabeth McClaren Rayburn and James Greenberry Smith were as follows:
+ 35 i Rosa L6 Smith, born 15 Nov 1866 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 14 Sep 1939 nr. O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married Warren Lafayette "Fate" McInnis. 
+ 36 ii James Robert6 Smith, born 11 Mar 1869 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 15 Jun 1914 in , Suwannee, Florida; buried in Grant/Parker Cem, Suwannee, Florida. He married Ollivet Virginia "Ollie" Grant. 
37 iii Green6 Smith, born abt 1867 in Wilcox, Alabama. 
+ 38 iv Mary Olivia "Molly"6 Smith, born 9 Nov 1868 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 5 Aug 1934 in Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married William John Peterson. 
+ 39 v Margaret Rebecca "Maggie"6 Smith, born 11 Oct 1871 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 18 Dec 1968; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married (1) unknown; (2) James Walter Thomas. 
+ 40 vi Daniel A "Dan"6 Smith, born 27 Jul 1874 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 23 Jan 1942. He married Mary Frances "Fannie" Stephens. 


27. DeKalb5 Rayburn (Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 1 Dec 1836 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 31 Jan 1901 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; buried in Capell Cemetery, Wilcox Co. He married (1) on 9 Nov 1868 in Wilcox County, Alabama to Sarah Eliza Vaughn, born 3 Feb 1850 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 24 Jan 1888 in Wilcox Co. She was daughter of Joseph Madison Vaughn Jr. and Martha Elizabeth Dunn; (2) married on 18 Feb 1892 in Wilcox County to Mary Jane Warren, born 16 Dec 1830 in O’Lea, Wilcox, Alabama; died 6 Jan 1920 in Repton, Conecuh, Alabama; buried 7 Jan 1920 in Limestone Faulk Cem, Monroe Co., Alabama. She was daughter of Edmund W. Warren and Mary “Polly” Eldridge. 

MARRIAGE: DeKalb Rayburn mar. Sarah Elizabeth Vaughan, 9 Nov 1868, Wilcox County Alabama.[ Marriage Rec. Vol 8, p70, Wilcox County Alabama] 

MARRIAGE: Marriage Record, Wilcox County Alabama Vol 11, Pg 104 m. 2) Mary Jane WEAVING 18 Feb 1892.
Note: Mary Jane Warren, 2nd wife of DeKalb Rayburn, had previously married a Weaving.

DeKalb Rayburn was a veteran of the War Between the States. He enlisted October 1861 at Montgomery, Alabama and served with Company "A" 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment CSA. [Ref: Miss Sallie Jones Scrapbook, p. 78 - State of Alabama Dept of Archives, Montgomery, Alabama]

Mary J. RAYBURN, the second wife of DeKalb Rayburn, filed an Application for Widow's Pension Confederate Service. Her application indicates DeKalb Rayburn died 31 Jan 1901.

On my trip to Wilcox County in November 1981, I visited with Winston Nettles who took me to the Capell Cemetery and pointed out the grave of DeKalb Rayburn. His grave is covered with a concrete slab but had no inscription at that time. Winston Nettles stated that his mother Ruby (Henderson) Nettles was the source of his information.

CENSUS: U.S. 1840 Wilcox County. Alabama Pg 306
Hiram Rayburn Males Age Under 5 - 1 (DeKalb Rayburn)
10-15 - 1 (William R. Rayburn)
40-50 - 1 (Hiram Rayburn)
Females 5-10 - 2 (Margaret Elizabeth)
30-40 - 1 (Pheriba wife of Hiram)

CENSUS: U.S. 1850 Census, Wilcox County, Alabama, 14 Oct 1850, Pg 134
Fam 298 
Lewis Holley 33 M Farmer 100 Georgia
Pheriba 4l F Mississippi (Widow of Hiram Rayburn mar. (2) Lewis Holley)
Margaret A 20 F Alabama (Rayburn)
Elizabeth McC 17 F Alabama (Rayburn)
DeKalb 12 M Alabama (Rayburn)
Note: Pheriba Rayburn, widow of Hiram Rayburn, married (2) to Lewis Holley and is listed with her three Rayburn children--Margaret, Elizabeth, and DeKalb in the household of Lewis Holley. William R. Rayburn had already married and his family is enumerated separately. 

CENSUS: 1860 Census, Wilcox County, Alabama; P. O. Prairie Bluff, Pg 1168/9
455-452 DeKalb Rayburn 21 M Alabama (Occupation - Sash Blind Maker)
Enumerated with W. W. Robinson 43 M NC wife Sarah M. 44 F SC
(Manufacturing)
Comment by EDR: Hiram Rayburn was a carpenter by trade. His son, DeKalb Rayburn is shown on the 1860 Census as a Sash and Blind Maker, a trade he no doubt learned from his father. 

LAND PATENT: Alabama Land Patents Register - BLM
Patentee Name: Rayburn, DeKalb
Authority: May 20, 1862: Homestead Entry (12 Stat. 392)
Signature Date: 3/20/1884
Land Office: Montgomery
E1/2 & NESE of Section 17, T-11-N, R-8-E St. Stephens Meridian Wilcox Co., Alabama - 120.795 acres.
Accession Number - AL4640__.203
Document No. 3275
Document No. 678

Children of DeKalb Rayburn and Sarah Elizabeth Vaughn were as follows:
+ 41 i William Franklin6 Rayburn, born 26 Dec 1869 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 6 Feb 1944 in Jay, Santa Rosa, Florida; buried 7 Feb 1944 in Burila, Jay, Santa Rosa, Florida. He married (1) Mary Elizabeth Geck; (2) Mary Warren. 
42 ii Joseph DeKalb "Dick"6 Rayburn, born 13 May 1873 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 16 Jul 1953 in Wilcox, Alabama. Never married. 

Joseph DeKalb "Dick" Rayburn

CENSUS: 1920 Census Soundex, Wilcox Co., Alabama 84-179-8-13 Rayburn, Samuel H Head Wht 31 Alabama
, Andrew P Brother 34 Alabama
, Joseph D Brother 46 Alabama
, Henry Brother 39 Alabama
43 iii George Washington6 Rayburn, born 5 May 1874 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 29 Dec 1874 in Wilcox, Alabama. 
44 iv Robert Lee6 Rayburn, born 18 May 1875 in Alabama; died 12 Sep 1900 in Wilcox, Alabama. 
+ 45 v David Hiram6 “Dave” Rayburn, born 26 Dec 1877 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 6 Sep 1935 in Wilcox, Alabama; buried in Reaves Chapel Cm, Wilcox, Alabama. He married on 18 Aug 1918 in Wilcox County to Sarah Martha "Mattie" Reaves. 
46 vi Henry S6 Rayburn, born 16 Jul 1880 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 6 Nov 1944 in Selma Baptist Hospital, Selma, Dallas Co., Alabama; buried 6 Nov 1944 in Capell Cem, Camden, Wilcox County, Alabama. 
47 vii Alice Olivia6 Rayburn, born 29 Apr 1883 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 31 Aug 1886 in Wilcox County. 
48 viii Andrew Platt6 Rayburn, born 20 Oct 1885 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 6 Feb 1937 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; buried 7 Feb 1937 in Gravel Creek (Capell) Cem, near Camden, Wilcox County.. 

BIRTH-RESIDENCE: National Archives, Southeast Region; Atlanta, Georgia: World War One Draft Registration Card - Andrew Platt Rayburn; Present address Camden, Wilcox, Alabama; Age is years 33; Date of birth Oct 20 1885; Race white; U.S. Citizen; Occupation farming; Height medium; Color of eyes gray; color of hair dark; Nearest relative W. C. Vaughan, Camden, Wilcox, Alabama. Date of registration - 9/12/1918. Local Board for the County of Wilcox, Camden, Alabama. Signed: Andrew Platt Rayburn 

49 ix Samuel Hunter6 Rayburn, born 23 Jan 1888 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 26 Mar 1971 in Montgomery VA Hosp, Montgomery, Alabama; buried in Barrancus Nat Cem, Warrington, Escambia, Florida. He was a veteran of WW I. Never married.


Generation 6

28. Elizabeth Demarius6 Rayburn (William R5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 21 Feb 1847 near Fatama, Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 24 Jan 1927 in Point Clear, Baldwin, Alabama; buried 26 Jan 1927 in Pt. Clear Cem, Point Clear, Baldwin, Alabama. She married on 16 Dec 1868 in Wilcox Co., Alabama to James Henry Sharp, born 20 Sep 1847 in Montgomery, Alabama; died 29 Jul 1907 in Coy, Wilcox, Alabama; buried 30 Jul 1907 in Black’s Bend Cemetery, Wilcox Co., Alabama. 

Elizabeth Demarius Rayburn

OBITUARY: Mrs. E. D. SHARP, Wilcox Progressive Era, Feb 3, 1927: 
"Mrs. E. D. SHARP died Monday night, January 24, 1927 at 11:50 o'clock at
the residence of her daughter, Mrs. J. P. SMILEY at Point Clear, Alabama. Elizabeth Demeris Sharp, aged 82 years.
The funeral took place this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence of her daughter Mrs. J. P. SMILEY, Point Clear. Interment took place in Point Clear Cemetery--Mobile Register."

MARRIAGE: Records of Wilcox County Alabama by Marilyn Davis Barefield (1988), pg 172: 12/22/1868. Married on the 17th at the residence of the bride's mother by William H. Huff, Esq., James H. Sharp and Elizabeth D. Rayburn all of Wilcox Co.

MARRIAGE: Marriage Record, Wilcox Co. AL, Vol 8, pg. 77- Marriage License for James H. Sharp and Miss Elizabeth Demarius Rayburn 16 Dec 1868. DeKalb Rayburn signed as surety.

James Henry Sharp served in War Between the States (Company E, 9th Aabama Infantry, CSA) was taken prisoner at Gettysburg 1863. Released 7 June 1865.

SOURCE: Unidentified newspaper clipping from trunk of Elizabeth Demaris RAYBURN SHARP: "Mr. James H. Sharp and two little boys were killed by a bolt of lightening at Packer's landing in Black's Bend Monday. Mr. Sharp had been at work in the field and was accompanied by his little grandson, about six years old, and a son of Mr. Peek, about the same age.
"Just about noon a storm came up and Mr. Sharpe with the two boys, took shelter in a large hollow tree, and when found, about an hour afterwards, he was in a sitting position, with the boys one on each knee and all three dead.
"Mr. Sharp was about sixty years of age and a man highly respected. He leaves an invalid wife and a large family of children and other relatives."

Also from same trunk: Extract from The Progressive Era, Camden, AL. Date uncertain. "In Memoriam: On Monday afternoon, July 29th, the shadow of death hung over our community and when the day passed away it took with it the spirit of our beloved friend, Mr. James Henry Sharp of Asahel, Ala., also two sweet little boys, Vernon Gray Peek and Henry Peyton Smyly. Mr. Sharp was in the pasture looking after his cattle, etc., when a shower came up, and he, with the two little boys sought shelter in an old hollow oak tree which for years had sheltered the ill-fated travelers, and it is supposed that they were standing in the tree when they were struck and killed by lightning. Shortly after the rain had ceased Messrs, Charley and Alex Sharpe, sons of the deceased, who were working near, found them in the place above named. Mr. Sharpe was lying on his face with the children one on each side of him.
"Mr. Sharpe was born in Montgomery Sept. 20th, 1847, he removed to this country while quite a small lad and has since resided here. He was a devoted husband and father besides being a true friend and neighbor and his death comes as a great blow to his relatives and many friends. He leaves an invalid wife, two daughters and three sons to mourn his loss, beside a host of relatives and friends. Mr. Sharpe is well-known throughout Wilcox Co. and he has many friends to whom the news of his death comes as a blow. At the time of the Revolutionary War he was 18 years old and was enlisted to fight for our country--"The Confeds" are fast passing away and soon none will be left to relate the horror of the "60's".
"Vernon Gray Peek was a bright little boy of seven summers. He was loved by all who knew him, but God knows best and he has plucked that sweet little bud about to blossom and shine out with all its beauty in that bright realm above. Henry Peyton Smyly was born July 15, 1902. He was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Smyly of Arlington, Ala., he was so intelligent and a sweeter better child has never entered our community. Besides being a pet of his home, he was the idol of his grandparents, uncles and aunt, and very much loved by all who chanced to see him with his sweet, many ways.
"Their remains were interred in the Black's Bend Cemetery, July 30th where many gathered to pay their last tribute of love and respect, to the ones who are forever gone from this world of sorrow and care their eyes are closed to earthly things. We know that they are now at rest. They are at Home with God That they who we so fondly loved Are lain beneath the sod And may we now each night, and day, Strive on to meet them there Where there will be no cloud or rain But all is bright and fair. One who loved them M.B.S."

Children of Elizabeth Demarius Rayburn and James Henry Sharp were as follows:
50 i Elizabeth Alice7 Sharp, born 8 Oct 1871 in Coy, Wilcox, Alabama; died 2 Mar 1960 in Fairhope, Baldwin, Alabama; buried 3 Mar 1960 in Point Clear Cemetery, Baldwin, Alabama. She married on 20 Sep 1900 in Wilcox, Alabama to James Peyton Smyly, born 1 Jan 1861 in Vineland, Marengo, Alabama; died 5 May 1920 Point Clear, Baldwin, Alabama; buried in Point Clear Cemetery, Baldwin, Alabama; son of Joseph Elias Smyly and Delia Ann Daniel.. 
51 ii William Robert "Bob"7 Sharp, born 9 Jun 1873 in Camden, Wilcox, Alabama; died 26 Dec 1954 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., Alabama; buried 28 Dec 1954 in Memorial Gardens, Montgomery, Alabama. He married abt 1906 to Georgiana C. McPherson, born 20 Aug 1887 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 15 Oct 1927 in Bay Minette, Baldwin, Alabama; buried 17 Oct 1927 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; daughter of David McPherson and Lula Douglas Pittman. 
52 iii Lillian Ann7 Sharp, born 1877 in Alabama; died bef 1900. Never married.
53 iv John Henry7 Sharp, born Jun 1879 near Blacks Bluff, Wilcox, Alabama.
54 v Charles Lenon7 Sharp, born 5 Nov 1881 in Blacks Bluff, Wilcox, Alabama; died 19 Oct 1947 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; buried in Old Whistler Cem, Pritchard, Mobile, Alabama. He married on 11 Nov 1913 in Mobile Co., Alabama to Helen Clara Wolfe born 1 Mar 1885; died 1 Nov 1968 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; buried in Old Whistler Cemetery, Pritchard, Mobile, Alabama. 
55 vi Alexander DeKalb7 Sharp, born Sep 1884 near Blacks Bluff, Wilcox, Alabama; died 24 Jan 1962 in Fairhope, Baldwin, Alabama; buried in Memory Gardens, Fairhope, Baldwin, Alabama. He married (1) on 15 Sep 1920 to Georgianna Dana, born abt 1896; (2) Emma Rush. . 
Grave marker, Memory Gardens Cemetery, Fairhope, Baldwin Co., Alabama: "SHARP [Left] Alex D. 1884-1962 [Right] Ema Rush 1893-1968."
56 vii Minnie Isabella7 Sharp, born 23 Sep 1890 near Blacks Bluff, Wilcox, Alabama; died 9 Jun 1984 in Charleston, Charleston Co., South Carolina; buried 11 Jun 1984 in Riverview Cem, Charleston, South Carolina. She married on 6 Nov 1907 in Camden, Wilcox, Alabama to William Moses Brooks Hayes, born 12 Apr 1886 in Alabama; died 9 Oct 1947 in Charleston, South Carolina; buried in Riverview Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina. 

SOURCE: Unidentified newspaper clipping in possession of Mrs. Marion Brooks HAYES: "HAYES--Entered into eternal rest on the morning of June 9, 1984, Minnie Sharpe Hayes, widow of Moses Brooks Hayes. Residence, 738 Longfellow Road, Charleston, SC. The relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral services at the graveside, Riverview Memorial Park, Monday, June 11, 1984, at 1 o'clock. Friends may call at Stuhr's Downtown Funeral Chapel, Sunday evening, after 6 o'clock. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Organ Fund, Pinecrest Baptist Church, 1285 Ashley Hall Road, Charleston, SC 29407."

29. Sarah Isabella "Belle"6 Rayburn (William R5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 17 Dec 1849 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 19 Dec 1887 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; buried in Enon Cemetery, Wilcox, Alabama. She married on 16 Nov 1870 at residence of Wm Brooks, Wilcox, Alabama to Luke J Brooks, born Aug 1846 in Coffee Co., Alabama; died 1 Apr 1913 in Kings Daughter Hospital, Temple, Bell Co., Texas; buried 2 Apr 1913 in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton Co., Texas; son of William Calvin Brooks and Nancy King.. 

Comment by E. D. Rayburn: There is a conflict in the date of death for Sarah Isabella “Belle” (Rayburn) Brooks. The grave marker is weathered and difficult to read, particularly the last two digits of the year of death. However, I believe the date is 19 Dec 1887. The Brooks family has a memorial card that indicates she died 24 Aug 1891. However, since her husband Luke Brooks married second to Lula Vaughn on 28 Aug 1890, I believe the 19 Dec1887 death date for Sarah Isabella “Belle” Rayburn is most likely to be the correct date. 

After the death of Sarah Isabella “Belle” Rayburn, Luke Brooks married to (2) Lula “Sally” Vaughan [dau of Joseph Madison Vaughn Jr. & Martha Elizabeth Dunn] 28 Aug 1890- marriage record Vol II (1888-1898) pg 131, Wilcox County, AL. Two children b. of this marriage: l. Lula Belle b. Aug 1892, AL d. 27 Aug 1910, TX m. Allen Leonard. 2. Baby died at birth with mother's death.

SOURCE: Letter dated 30 Jan 1985 from Veona (Flatt) House to E. D. Rayburn. Veona was granddaughter of Luke J. Brooks.
Luke J. Brooks b. Aug 1846 in Coffee Co., Alabama; died 1 Apr 1913 at Kings Daughter Hospital in Temple, Bell Co., Texas. Luke J. Brooks was son of William Calvin Brooks & Nancy King. 
In late March, 1913, while working on his farm northwest of Evant in Hamilton Co., Texas; Luke J. Brooks was kicked in the head by a horse. His injury was so severe that he was taken to Kings Daughter Hospital at Temple, Texas for treatment. He survived only a few days. 
His body was placed on a train at Temple and shipped to Goldthwaite, Texas. There, his family and friends met the train and loaded his body onto a wagon. The wagon, pulled by a team of horses, lead the funeral procession to the Hurst Ranch Cemetery in Hamilton County where he was laid to rest among other members of the family. 

OBITUARY: The Hamilton Record, dated April 10, 1913 
Confederate Veteran Dead -- Friends in Evant send a message conveying the sad news of the death of Capt. Luke Brooks, a pioneer citizen of that community and a Confederate veteran. 
After only a week's illness the brave old soldier answered the summons April 1 at 4 o'clock p.m. his death occurring in a Temple sanitarium. The remains were brought home and buried in the Hurst Ranch cemetery on Wednesday April 2. Rev Mr. Hall of Evant conducting the funeral services. 
Captain Brooks was a native of Alabama and served four years in the Civil War, coming to Texas in 1893. He served for a number of years as mail carrier between Evant and Lampasas. He afterward settled on a farm in the southern portion of the county where he lived until the great Captain called him "across the river to rest under the shade of the trees."

Luke Brooks

Children of Sarah Isabella "Belle" Rayburn and Luke J Brooks were as follows:
57 i Martha Emily "Emma"7 Brooks, born 6 Mar 1879 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 8 Feb 1957 near Star, Mills Co., Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton, Texas. She married on 8 Aug 1896 in Hamilton Co., Texas to Jerry Washington Flatt, born 1 Jan 1872 in Montague Co., Texas; died 23 Mar 1946 in Purmela, Coryell, Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton Co., Texas; son of James Ervin Flatt and Cynthia Ladd. 
58 ii Burnay Bartinus "Bud"7 Brooks, born Feb 1882 in Alabama; died Jul 1972 in Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton Co, Texas. Notes: m. Mary _______. No children.
59 iii William Dase7 Brooks, born 26 Oct 1885 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 18 Jan 1935 in Brooks Home, Hamilton, Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton Co, Texas. He married on 15 Dec 1916 in Hamilton Co., Texas to Mina Belle Shave, born 2 Sep 1898 in Abbott, Hill Co., Texas; died 29 Dec 1987 in Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cem, Hamilton Co., Texas; daughter of E. J. Shave and Mary Ann Morton. 
60 iv Baby7 Brooks, born Dec 1887 in Alabama; died Dec 1887 in Alabama; buried in Enon Cem, Wilcox Co., Alabama. 
Note: Mother and baby died at birth of baby and they are buried in common grave. Grave marker installed

30. Hiram Greenberry "Green"6 [Rayburn] Henderson (William R5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 4 Mar 1852 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 13 Nov 1922 in Boothe Town, Mobile, Alabama; buried in Frazier Cemetery, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. He married on 22 Jun 1879 in Mobile, Mobile Co., Alabama to Annie Julie Sheffield, born Oct 1854/56 in Alabama; died Nov 1932 in Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama; buried in Frazier Cemetery. 

Hiram Greenberry Rayburn changed his surname to the maiden name of his mother, i.e. Henderson. This was done for personal reasons. Family tradition story is that because of the boll weevil problem, cotton and cottonseed had been quarantined. However, according to the family story, Hiram Greenberry sold some quarantined cottonseed and changed his name and moved to Mobile County to conceal his identity.

Hiram Greenberry "Green" Rayburn age16	Hiram Greenberry "Green" Rayburn

Children of Hiram Greenberry "Green" [Rayburn] Henderson and Annie Julie Sheffield were as follows:
61 i Hiram DeKalb7 Henderson, born Jun 1885 in Alabama; buried in Shubuta, Clarke Co., Mississippi. He married on 5 Aug 1909 in Chunchula, Mobile, Alabama to Frances Turner, born abt 1888 in Alabama.
62 ii Henry Edward7 Henderson, born 15 Sep 1890 in Mobile Co., Alabama; died 26 Jun 1962 in Chatom Hospital, Chatom, Washington, Alabama; buried in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. He married (1) 15 Feb 1911 to Lorah E. Lewis, born 3 Sep 1884; died 26 Jan 1915; buried in Turnerville Cemetery; (2) on 4 Nov 1918 to Annie E. Patrick, born 7 Jun 1897 in Mississippi; died 11 Apr 1976; buried in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. 
63 iii Wesley George7 Henderson, born 6 Apr 1896 in Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama; died 13 Aug 1940 in Citronelle R.F.D, Mobile, Alabama; buried 13 Aug 1940 in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. He married 5 Nov 1922 in Mobile Co., Alabama to Rosa Ellen Webb, born 17 Apr 1899; died 10 Nov 1953 in Alabama; buried in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama.
64 iv Oliver Spencer7 Henderson, born 3 Feb 1898 in Alabama; died 23 Nov 1970; buried in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama.
He married Winnie Marie Patrick, born 8 Mar 1901; died 28 Jan 1985; buried in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama..
65 v Fred7 Henderson, born 27 Oct 1899 in Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama; died 11 Oct 1955 in City Hospital, Mobile, Alabama; buried 15 Oct 1955 in Methodist Ch Cem, Mt. Vernon, Mobile Co., Alabama. He married on 22 Jan 1922 in Mobile Co., Alabama to Effie V. Webb, born 18 Jun 1901 in Alabama; died6 Sec 1992 in Alabama; buried in Methodist Church Cem, Mt. Vernon, Mobile Co., Alabama.
66 vi Jessie7 Henderson, born 1902 in Mobile Co., Alabama; died 1981; buried in Bretheren Ch Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. He married 18 Nov 1925 to Sadie Quimby, born 1907; died 1984. 

31. Amanda C6 Rayburn (William R5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 23 May 1853 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 7 Jul 1925 in Whistler, Mobile Co., Alabama; buried 8 Jul 1925 in Oak Grove Cem, Mauvilla, Mobile Co., Alabama. She married (1) to ______ Gregg and after his death she married (2) on 6 Aug 1879 in Mobile Co., Alabama to Isaac Lorenzo Lewis, born 7 Aug 1855 in Oak Grove, Mobile, Alabama; died 25 Feb 1934 in Mobile Hospital, Mobile, Alabama; buried in Oak Grove Cem, Mauvilla, Mobile, Alabama; son of Jordan Lewis and Marguerite Malone. Cause of death – suicide; died of self-administered strychnine. Reached hospital but died shortly following.

OBITUARY: Mobile Register, Wed Jul 8, 1925, pg 5: Mrs. Amanda C. Lewis - Mrs. Amanda C. Lewis, 72, native of Wilcox county, Alabama, resident of Whistler for ten years died at the latter place Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, after a long illness. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon and the burial will be in Oak Grove cemetery.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by her husband Isaac Lewis; three sons, Floyd L. of Mobile; W. J. Lewis of Prichard, and I. L. Lewis Jr., of Wheelerville; two daughters Mrs E. W. Miller, Mrs. L. C. Davis, both of Mobile, one brother DeKalb Rabern of Rosco, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Sharpe of Beaumont, Texas; 16 grandchildren and other relatives.

SOURCE: Mobile County AL Court House, Marriage Record, p. 202: I. L. Lewis married Amanda C Greg, widow. Marriage rites administered by Jas. E. Caball 6 AUG 1879.

DEATH:Certificate of Death, State of Alabama Bureau of Vital Statistics, File No 16811, Cert. #27: 
1. Place of death: Mobile Co., Alabama
2. Name: Amanda C. Lewis
Residence: Whistler, Alabama. Length of residence: 10 yrs.
3. Sex: Female 4. Race: White 5. Marital Status: Married
5a. Husband & wife: Isic L. Lewis
6. Date of Birth: May 23, 1953
7. Age: 72 yr 1 mo 14 da
8. Occupation: Home
9. Birthplace: Wilcox Co., Alabama
10. Father: William Rabern
11. Birthplace: Wilcox Co. Alabama
12. Mother: Ann Henderson
13. Birthplace: Wilcox Co. AL
14. Informant: Mr. Floyd Lewis, Whistler, Alabama
16. Date of Death: July 7, 1925
19. Burial: Oak Grove Date of Burial: 7/8/1925 

Amanda C. Rayburn Lewis Family

Children of Amanda C Rayburn and Isaac Lorenzo Lewis were as follows:
67 i Floyd L7 Lewis, born 20 Feb 1881 in Gulfcrest, Mobile, Alabama; died 10 Jan 1950 in Eight Mile, Mobile, Alabama; buried 12 Jan 1950 in Pine Crest Cem, Mobile Co., Alabama. He married on 9 Mar 1902 to Eva George.
68 ii William Jordan7 Lewis, born 21 Jul 1883 in Alabama; died 12 Feb 1949 in Mobile Co., Alabama. He married on 24 Dec 1906 in Mobile Co., Alabama to Lottie George.
69 iii Minnie Muriel7 Lewis, born 4 Oct 1886 in Mobile Co., Alabama; died 18 Nov 1957 in Mobile Co., Alabama; buried in Mauvilla Cem, , Mobile, Alabama. She married on 28 Sep 1905 in Mobile Co. Alabama to Eugene Winter Miller, born 22 Dec 1869; died 6 Mar 1958 in Mobile Co., Alabama; buried in Oak Grove Cem, Mauvilla, Mobile, Alabama.
70 iv Agnes Amanda7 Lewis, born 15 Mar 1892 in Alabama. She married on 6 Aug 1908 in Alabama to Lon C. Davis. 
71 v Isaac Lorenzo "Albert"7 Lewis, born 2 Apr 1894 in Alabama; died 1962 in Mobile Co., Alabama; buried in Oak Grove Cem, Mauvilla, Mobile, Alabama. He married on 18 Nov 1918 in Mobile Co., Alabama to Lucy Louvenia Dickerson, died 1957; buried in Oak Grove Cem, Mauvilla, Mobile, Alabama.
Grave marker, Oak Grove Cemetery, Mauvilla, Mobile Co., AL: "Albert Lorenzo LEWIS Sr. 1894-1962."
72 vi Garcausey7 Lewis, born abt 1894 in Alabama. 

32. Mary Sedonia "Donie"6 Rayburn (William R5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born May 1857 near Fatama, Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 23 Aug 1925 in Alabama; buried 25 Aug 1925 in Pine Crest Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. She married (1) on 23 Jun 1877 at Beaver Meadows, Mobile, Alabama to G W Gartman Jr, born abt 1850/65 in Alabama; died abt 1879 in Alabama; probably buried in Gulfcrest, Mobile, Alabama; (2) on 24 Dec 1882 in Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama to John “Jack” Robertson, born 4 Nov 1821 in Alabama; died 23 May 1901; buried in Pine Crest Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama; (3) on 3 Aug 1904 in Mobile, Mobile Co., Alabama to James C Anderson. 

The marriage record for Mary Sedonia “Donia” Rayburn’s marriage to G. W. Gartman, Jr. indicated her maiden name to be Henderson rather than Rayburn. This was probably due to influence of her brother Hiram Greenberry Rayburn who for personal reasons had changed his surname to Henderson.

Mary Sedonia "Donia" Rayburn

Children of Mary Sedonia "Donie" Rayburn and G W Gartman Jr were as follows:
73 i William Robert7 Gartman, born 28 Jun 1879 in Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama; died 23 Dec 1933 in Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama; buried 23 Dec 1933 in Pine Crest Cem, Citronelle, Mobile, Alabama. Old Ledger Book of Pine Crest Cemetery, Citronelle, AL, shows Will Gartman buried next to his mother in Lot #5, Block G, (Northwest Corner). No grave marker erected. Never married. 

34. William DeKalb  Rayburn (William R5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 14 May 1861 near Fatama, Wilcox, Alabama; died 4 Feb 1939 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; buried 5 Feb 1939 in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas. He married (1) on 4 Aug 1887 at home of the bride’s father in Wilcox Co., Alabama to Lillie Edna Finklea, born abt 1871 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 8 Feb 1895 near Star, Hamilton, Texas; buried in Hurst Ranch Cemetary, Hamilton Co., Texas; daughter of John Ebenezer Finklea and Caroline Virginia “Jennie” Farish; (2) on 20 Jan 1904 in Mills Co., Texas to Virginia Irene “Jennie” (Boren) Conner, born 20 Dec 1872 in Hillsboro, Hill Co., Texas; died 19 Aug 1959 in Baptist Memorial Hosp, San Angelo, Tom Green Co., Texas; buried 20 Aug 1959 in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Texas; daughter of James Boren and Sarah Jane “Susan” Whitley. 

In late 1893 or early 1894, William DeKalb Rayburn moved his family to Texas. His mother, Frances Ann (Henderson) Rayburn also moved with the family. Frances Ann Rayburn died in 1904 and is buried in the Hurst Ranch Cemetery, Hamilton, Co., Texas. In February 1895 his wife, Lillie Edna (Finklea) Rayburn died due to childbirth complications when her son Henry Franklin Rayburn was born. Lillie Edna is also buried in the Hurst Ranch Cemetery.

In May 1904, the William DeKalb Rayburn family was living at the point of Star Mountain in Hamilton Co., Texas when their home was totally destroyed by a storm. The following is a newspaper report of the storm’s destruction.

SOURCE: The Granbury News, Vol XVIII No. 47, dated May 12, 1904, Page 2:
DEATH RIDES THE STORM
THREE ARE KILLED IN CYCLONE IN MILLS COUNTY

Hamilton, Texas May 7 - Night before last a cyclone struck the section of the county about Star Mountain located about twenty five miles southwest of this place in Mills County and blew away five houses, killing George Mason and blowing away one of his children. The child was not found until next morning. The child is still alive but one of his thighs broken, and also is otherwise injured. It is not expected to live.
Cebe Hooker and his house were blown away. One child was killed, and other members of his family were slightly injured.
The house of Mr. Rayburne was also destroyed, injuring four of the family, but none seriously.
John Mason was also slightly injured, but to what extent was not reported 

OBITUARY - Funeral Held for W. D. Rayburn 77 - Pioneer Roscoe Man Dies Feb 4; Services Held Sunday P.M. - Funeral services for W. D. Rayburn, 77, pioneer Nolan county citizen and long-time resident of Roscoe were held Sunday afternoon from the First Baptist Church, Roscoe, with the Rev. G. W. Parks officiating. Burial was made in the Roscoe cemetery. Mr. Rayburn died Saturday, Feb. 4. He had been in failing health for the past several years and suffered an attack of influenza during December from which he never fully recovered.
Survivors include nine children, 26 grandchildren. His children are W. E. Rayburn, Big Spring; Henry Rayburn, Roscoe, Mrs. Henry Leonard, Roscoe; Mrs. Guy Davis, Roscoe; Ted, Fred and Clarence Rayburn, all of Midland; Mrs. H. C. Taylor, Loraine; and Mrs. Stanley Noah, San Antonio.
Mr. Rayburn was born near Glasgow, Scotland, May 14, 1861, and moved to Nolan county in 1907.

Comment by E. D. Rayburn: The birthplace of William DeKalb Rayburn as shown in the above obituary is in error. He was born in Wilcox County, Alabama. 

Virginia Irene Boren was first married to Frank Conner and they had one son - William Walter Conner b 26 Feb 1896 d. 31 Mar 1956. He was a veteran of World War I where he was wounded from German machinegun fire. He survived and later served for many years on the Dallas, Texas Police force. Funeral services for William Walter Conner were conducted at the Roscoe, Texas Presbyterian Church at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. Norman Dow of Austin officiating. Interment in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas at 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 2, 1956.

	William DeKalb Rayburn	William DeKalb Rayburn with wife Lillie Edna Finklea Rayburn

Children of William DeKalb Rayburn and Lillie Edna Finklea were as follows:
74 i Lillian Virginia7 Rayburn, born 16 Jun 1888 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; died 27 Sep 1962 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; buried 29 Sep 1962 in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas. She married on 7 Sep 1913 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas to Henry Houston Leonard, born 9 Jul 1895 in Mansfield, Tarrant, Texas; died 4 Nov 1976 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; buried 6 Nov 1976 in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; son of Mike L. Leonard and Tempie Ann Spence. 

75 ii William Ebenezer7 Rayburn, born 13 Jul 1889 at Ellis Bluff, Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 1 Apr 1970 in Big Spring, Howard, Texas; buried 3 Apr 1970 in Trinity Memorial Park Cem, Big Spring, Howard, Texas. He married 1) 30 Nov 1909 in Nolan County, Texas to Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hopper born 2 Aug 1891 in Tennessee; died 1 Dec 1970; buried in Roscoe Cem, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; mar. 2) Jewell Effie ______ born 2 Oct 1908, died 13 Jan 1967; 3) Gladys ______ ; 4) Wynell "Sally" Jones died 20 Jun 1998 in Howard Co., Texas. 

OBITUARY: - Rites Pending for W. E. RAYBURN, 80. Funeral services were pending at Big Spring Thursday for William E. Rayburn 80, father of Gene Rayburn of Roscoe, who died at his home there at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after a long illness. Born July 13, 1889, in Alabama, he had been a resident of Big Spring since 1933. Before retirement he was a conductor for the Texas and Pacific Railroad. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Survivors include his wife, Wynell of Big Spring; four sons, Russell of Big Spring, Gene of Roscoe, Douglas of Atwater, Calif, and Wade of Waco; four brothers, Henry of Sweetwater, and Ted, Fred, and Clarence, all of San Antonio; two sisters, Mrs. Stanley Noah of Snyder and Mrs. Belle Davis of Roscoe, and six grandchildren.

76 iii Mary Belle7 Rayburn, born 24 Jan 1891 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; died 10 Jan 1977 in Sweetwater, Nolan, Texas; buried in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas. She married on 29 Jan 1915 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas to Guy Davis, born 11 May 1897 in Hico, Hamilton, Texas; died 29 Mar 1946 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; buried in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; son of R D Davis and Eva M Lehman.

OBITUARY-Sweetwater Reporter, Sweetwater, Texas [clipping does not include date]: Roscoe--Mrs. Guy Davis, 85, of Roscoe died at 12:15 p. m. Monday at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital. Services were at 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church. The Rev. Charles Bush, pastor, officiated. Burial was in Roscoe Cemetery, directed by McCoy Funeral Home. Born Mary Belle Rayburn Jan. 24, 1891, in Whistler, Ala., she married Guy Davis Jan 3, 1915, in Roscoe. He died March 29, 1946. She had lived in Roscoe 46 years. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. H. A. Crumpley of El Paso and Mrs. Oliver Young of Roscoe; two sons, R.G. Davis of Monahans and Jack D. Davis of Sweetwater; and a half sister, Mrs. Stanley Noah of Snyder; four brothers, Henry Rayburn of Sweetwater and Clarence, Ted and Fred, all of San Antonio; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

77 iv Young Finklea7 Rayburn, born 7 Mar 1892 in Whistler, Mobile, Alabama; died 8 Oct 1918 in Newport News, Warwick, Virginia; buried 11 Oct 1918 in Greenlawn Cem, Newport News, Warwick, Virginia. Never married.
78 v Henry Franklin7 Rayburn, born 1 Feb 1895 near Evant, Hamilton, Texas; died 20 May 1990 in Sweetwater, Nolan Co., Texas; buried 23 May 1990 in Roscoe Cem, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas. He married on 31 Aug 1915 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas to Claudia Mae Helms, born 6 Oct 1898 in Lipan, Hood, Texas; died 23 Jan 1996 in residence of her daughter Mary E. Blair at Lubbock, Lubbock Co., Texas; buried 25 Jan 1996 in Roscoe Cem, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; daughter of Wiley Clark Helms and Adah Isabell Martin. 

The mother of Henry Franklin Rayburn (Lillie Edna Finklea Rayburn) died when he was 8 days old. Henry Franklin was kept by several relatives until about three years of age. A primary substitute mother was Miss Polly Brooks, an unmarried sister-in-law of his paternal aunt Sarah Isabella (Rayburn) Brooks. Moved with his father from the Barrow Place at Paynes Gap in Mills County, Texas to Nolan County, Texas in 1907, and later farmed land in the Blackland community northeast of Roscoe, Texas. 

OBITUARY: Sweetwater Reporter Monday May 21, 1990, pg 3: Henry Franklin Rayburn - Henry Franklin Rayburn, 95 and a Nolan County pioneer, died Sunday May 20, 1990, at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at Broadway Baptist Church. Burial will be at Roscoe Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater. 
Mr Rayburn was born Feb l, 1895, near Evant to William DeKalb and Lillie E. Finklea Rayburn. His mother died seven days after his birth. The rest of the family moved to a farm near Roscoe in 1907. He married Claudia Mae Helms on Aug 31, 1915, in Roscoe and the couple farmed in the Blackland Community until 1954, when they moved to Sweetwater.
He was an active member of Broadway Baptist Church and had served in capacities as trustee and Sunday School Teacher for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Claudia, of Sweetwater; three daughters, Inez Howe of Corpus Christi, Juanita Blanton of Beeville and Mary Blair of Lubbock; three sons, Monroe (Larry) Rayburn of Vienna, Va., Joseph (Joe) Rayburn of Sweetwater and David Rayburn of Aledo; a half-sister, Clara Mae Noah of Snyder; a half-brother, Clarence Rayburn of Lavernia; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Children of William DeKalb Rayburn and Virginia Irene Boren were as follows:
79 i Randolph Theodore7 Rayburn, born 15 Apr 1905 in Star, Hamilton, Texas; died of heart attack 16 Mar 1988 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas; buried in Roselawn Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas. He married on 20 Apr 1926 in Roscoe, Nolan, Texas to Lydia Harp, born 2 Nov 1907 in Grandview, Johnson, Texas; died 2 Aug 1999 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas; buried 5 Aug 1999 in Roselawn Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas; daughter of Lee Henry Harp and Mattie Rebecca Rhea. 
80 ii James Frederick7 Rayburn, born 18 May 1907 in Star, Hamilton, Texas; died 19 Nov 1980 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; buried 21 Nov 1980 in Mission Burial Park Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas. He married abt 1928/30 to Bessie Faye Allgood, born 24 Apr 1906 in Ellis Co., Texas; died 20 Apr 1967 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas; buried in Mission Burial Park Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas; daugher of William Ernest Allgood and Millie Ann McCormack..

OBITUARY: The Roscoe Times, Friday, November 28, 1980 - James Fred Rayburn, 73 of San Antonio and formerly of Roscoe died November 19 in San Antonio. Interment was in Mission Burial Park there. Rayburn was born May 18, 1907 in Mills County, Star, Texas. He was a member of Texas Lodge No. 8, AF&AM. He retired from Kelly Air Force Base in 1967 after 25 years of service. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, June and Joe Carter, Dallas; grandsons: Randy Carter, Houston and David and Douglas Carter of Dallas; brothers, Ted Rayburn, San Antonio, Clarence of Lavernia, Henry of Roscoe and a sister, Mrs. Clara Mae Noah, Snyder. Services were at 9 a.m. Friday Nov 21 at Roy Akers Funeral Chapel.

81 iii Mabel Irene7 Rayburn, born 27 Jun 1909 on Mark Dawson Place, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; died 11 Apr 1936 in hospital at Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; buried 12 Apr 1936 in Roscoe Cemetery, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas. She married 22 Dec 1934 to Henry C. “Buck” Taylor. 

SOURCE: Certificate of Death, Mitchell County Vol 5, p 408 of Death Records: Mable Irene Taylor d 11 Apr 1936 at Loraine, Texas. DoB June 27 1909, PoB Nolan Co. TX, fa W. D. Rayburn b. AL mo Virginia Irene Boren, b Austin Co TX, husband H. C. Taylor of Roscoe, TX

82 iv Clara Mae7 Rayburn, born 25 Oct 1911 in Blackland community, Roscoe, Nolan, Texas; died 10 Jun 1990 in Snyder, Scurry, Texas; buried 12 Jun 1990 in Hillside Mem Gdn, Snyder, Scurry, Texas. She married 10 Nov 1933 in Plainview, Hale Co., Texas to Stanley Bell Noah, born 8 Dec 1911 in Fannin Co., Texas; died 18 May at home in Snyder, Scurry, Texas; buried 21 May 1999 in Hillside Memorial Gardens, Snyder, Scurry, Texas; son of Joseph Irving Noah and Mary Myrtle Staley.. 

OBITUARY: The Snyder (Tex) Daily News, Mon., June ll, 1990, pg 8: Mrs. Stanley NOAH 1911-1990. Services for long-time Snyder resident Mrs. Stanley (Clara Mae) Noah, 78, of 2801 33rd will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Colonial Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Miller Robinson, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Memorial Gardens under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.
Mrs. Noah died at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday at her residence. She was born Oct 25, 19ll, in Roscoe and married Stanley B. Noah Nov. 10, 1933, in Plainview. She moved to Snyder in 1950, and she and her husband owned and operated Central Tire for 30 years. She taught Sunday school for many years; was a charter member of both Colonial Hill Baptist Church and American Business Women's Association; and a member of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her husband Stanley of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Chris (Judy) Schmoker of Burleson; a son, Stanley Morris Noah of Dallas; a brother, Clarence Rayburn of Lavernia; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

83 v Clarence Evert7 Rayburn, born 31 Jan 1914, on Carlile/Daugherty Place, Roscoe, Nolan Co., Texas. (Still living in December 2005). He married on 11 Jan 1936 in Snyder, Scurry Co., Texas to Elector “Jackie” Lewis born 16 Aug 1914 in Hermleigh, Scurry, Texas; died 18 Sep 1999 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; buried 21 Sep 1999 in Concrete Cem, LaVernia, Wilson Co., Texas.

35. Rosa L6 Smith (Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 15 Nov 1866 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 14 Sep 1939 nr. O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married on 11 Mar 1886 to Warren Lafayette "Fate" McInnis, born 12 Feb 1857 in Florida; died 25 Feb 1940; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 

Children of Rosa L Smith and Warren Lafayette "Fate" McInnis were as follows:
+ 84 i Mary Elizabeth "Lil" "Lizzie"7 McInnis, born 6 Feb 1887 in Florida; died 2 Jan 1969; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married (1) Barney ________ (2) on15 Jul 1914 to William Henry Wolfgong Sr., born 15 Jul 1873; died 1966; buried O’Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O’Brien, Suwannee Co., Florida. 
+ 85 ii Viola Virginia "Vida"7 McInnis, born 10 Jan 1889 in Florida; died 25 Jan 1933; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married in 1905 to Gus Whitfield, born 5 Mar 1889; died 6 Jun 1961; buried O’Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O’Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 
+ 86 iii Samuel Warren "Sam"7 McInnis, born 25 Jan 1891 in Florida; died 15 Nov 1978. He married 6 Aug 1924 to Eula Zittouer, born 29 Sep 1903; daughter of Daniel Zittouer and Dora Lettner. 
+ 87 iv Elizabeth Pearl7 McInnis, born 18 Mar 1893 in O’Brien, Suwannee, Florida; died 9 Dec 1973 in Jacksonville, Duvall, Florida; buried 12 Dec 1973 in O’Brien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married 4 Aug 1917 in Live Oak, Suwannee Co. Florida to Ernest Eugene Johnson born 28 Feb 1892; died 26 Feb 1963. 
88 v Stella7 McInnis, born 14 Mar 1898 in Florida; died 22 Jun 1992 in Jacksonville, Duvall, Florida; buried 24 Jun 1992 in O’Brien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married in 1925, [divorced] Lloyd Hodge. 


36. James Robert6 Smith (Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 11 Mar 1869 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 15 Jun 1914 in Suwannee Co., Florida; buried in Grant/Parker Cem, Suwannee, Florida. He married on 12 May 1892 in Suwannee, Florida to Ollivet Virginia "Ollie" Grant, born 30 Jun 1875; died 13 Feb 1972 in Suwannee Co., Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida, daughter of John Grant and Nancy Parker. 

Children of James Robert Smith and Ollivet Virginia "Ollie" Grant were as follows:
89   i    Jesse William7 Smith, born 18 Mar 1893; died 15 May 1980 in Live Oak, Suwannee, Florida; buried in O’Brien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 
+    90   ii Leve Jefferson7 Smith, born 4 Oct 1897; died 20 Jul 1977 in Folkston, Charlton, Georgia; buried 22 Jul 1977 in O’Brien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. He married 22 Aug 1924 in Georgia to Lula Belle Blitch, born 7 Nov 1907;died 4 Apr 1994 in O’Brien, Suwannee, Florida; buried 6 Apr 1994 in O’Brien Baptist Church Cem, O’Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 
91     iii   Ruby Eleanor7 Smith, born 7 Oct 1899; died 7 Jan 1987 in O’Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married on 29 Dec 1927 Abraham Lincoln "Brownie" Brown. 
92    iv   Myrtle Ivilla7 Smith, born 29 Mar 1905; died 20 Dec 1979 in Naval Hospital; Jacksonville, Florida. She married on 28 Sep 1928 Samuel Owen Rousseau Jr. 
+ 93   v   Bernard Grant7 Smith, born 28 Jan 1908; died 27 Dec 1996 in Suwannee Co., Florida; buried 30 Dec 1996 in O”Brien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. He married 29 Jaqn 1931 to Carrie Vera Strickland. 
+ 94   vi   John Robert7 Smith, born 4 Mar 1911; died 9 Sep 1975. He married on 6 Oct 1932 to Ada Mae Strickland, died 24 Feb 1992. 

38. Mary Olivia "Molly"6 Smith (Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 9 Nov 1868 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 5 Aug 1934 in Florida; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married on 17 Jan 1900 in Florida to William John Peterson, born 9 Jan 1849 in Florida; died 21 Sep 1900 in Suwannee Co., Florida; buried in Oak Grove Cem, Branford, Suwannee, Florida. 

Children of Mary Olivia "Molly" Smith and William John Peterson were as follows:
95 i Lorena "Pete"7 Peterson, born 25 Oct 1900 in Suwannee Co., Florida; died Nov 1978 in Jacksonville, Duval Co., Florida. She married (1), divorced (---) Gaston; (2) Robert "Bob" Richie. 


39. Margaret Rebecca "Maggie"6 Smith (Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 11 Oct 1871 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 18 Dec 1968; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married (1) unknown; (2) James Walter Thomas, born 9 Nov 1876; died 14 Jun 1952; buried in O'Brien Baptist Ch Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 

Children of Margaret Rebecca "Maggie" Smith were as follows:
96 i Eva7 _________ 

Children of Margaret Rebecca "Maggie" Smith and James Walter Thomas were as follows:
+ 97 i Carrie7 Thomas. She married in Hopewell, Virginia to (---) Peggry. 
98 ii James7 Thomas, born 1901. 
99 iii Vera7 Thomas, born 24 Dec 1901; died 30 Jun 1964 in Virginia. She married Ottis Whitfield, born 23 Apr 1898; died 23 Mar 1969; buried in O’Brien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 
+ 100 iv Herbert Craft7 Thomas Sr, born 31 Mar 1904; died 1 Sep 1993; buried in Obrien Baptist Church Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. He married 9 Aug 1935 to Vera O Richardson born 24 Feb 1911; died 11 Jul 1969 in Jacksonville, Duvall, Florida; buried in O’Brien Baptist Baptist Church Cem, O’Brien, Suwannee, Florida. 
101 v Charlie7 Thomas, born 1906. 


40. Daniel A "Dan"6 Smith (Elizabeth McClaren5 Rayburn, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 27 Jul 1874 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 23 Jan 1942. He married on 29 Dec 1897 Mary Frances "Fannie" Stephens, born 20 May 1878 in Mitchell Co., Georgia; died 18 Sep 1971, daughter of Richard Stephens and Henrietta Adams. 

Children of Daniel A "Dan" Smith and Mary Frances "Fannie" Stephens were as follows:
+ 102 i Myrtle Ruth7 Smith. She married Thomas P Harvard.
+ 103 ii Dora Henrietta7 Smith. She married Tenneth G Palmer.
+ 104 iii Mary Elizabeth7 Smith, born 1887 in Florida; died 1969 in Florida; buried in O'Brien Cem, O'Brien, Suwannee, Florida. She married Byron B Maples. 
+ 105 iv Roma Lucile7 Smith. She married James E Lewis.
+ 106 v Frances Ann7 Smith. She married Douglas C Harris.
+ 107 vi Bertha Renee'7 Smith. She married James E Robertson.
+ 108 vii Dorothy Eleanor7 Smith, died 2001. She married Coke L Barr.
+ 109 viii James Robert "Jim"7 Smith. He married Mary Godwin.

41. William Franklin Rayburn (DeKalb5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 26 Dec 1869 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 6 Feb 1944 in Jay, Santa Rosa Co., Florida; buried 7 Feb 1944 in Burila, Jay, Santa Rosa, Florida. . He married (1) on 8 Jan 1893 in Wilcox Co., Alabama to Mary Elizabeth Geck, born 2 Feb 1870 in Monroe Co., Alabama; died 5 Nov 1893 in Wilcox, Alabama; buried in Reaves Chapel Cem Wilcox County; dau of George Washington Geck and Martha Caroline Martin; (2) abt 1902 to Mary Warren, born 15 Oct 1869 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 24 Jul 1967 in Jay, Santa Rosa, Florida; buried in Burila, Jay, Santa Rosa County, Florida. 

William Franklin Rayburn

Children of William Franklin Rayburn and Mary Elizabeth Geck were as follows:
110 i Mary Elizabeth7 Rayburn, born 5 Nov 1893 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 18 Feb 1975 in Marengo Co., Alabama; buried in Reaves Chapel Cem, Wilcox County. Her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Geck) Rayburn died when she was born. Mary Elizabeth was apparently taken and raised by her grandmother (mother's mother), Martha Caroline (Martin) Geck.
Mary Elizabeth Rayburn married 28 May 1908 in Clarke County,
Alabama to James Ambus McKinley, born 10 May 1886 in Monroe
Co., Alabama; died 6 Jul 1954 in Camden, Wilcox Co., Alabama;
buried in Reaves Chapel Cem, Wilcox County; son of Jerre C.
McKinley and Lucy Thompson.

Children of William Franklin Rayburn and Mary Warren were as follows:
111 i Clara E7 Rayburn, born 6 Dec 1904 in Wilcox, Alabama; died 6 Jun 1987 in Jay, Santa Rosa, Florida. She married 11 Jan 1936 in Florida to W. Palmer Godwin born 4 Jun 1887; died 29 Dec 1963.
112 ii Emma O7 Rayburn, born 16 Jul 1906, in Wilcox Co., Alabama. She married 26 May 1944 to J. M. Grant.
113 iii Beulah I7 Rayburn, born 23 Feb 1910, in Wilcox Co., Alabama. She married 10 Oct 1935 to Herman Edeker born 31 Jul 1909. Both were living in Jay, Florida in 1989.
114 iv Mamie Lou7 Rayburn, born 21 Sep 1911 in Alabama; died Sep 1975 in Milton, Florida. She married 28 January 1939 in Florida to Frank Wells.
115 v Billee7 Rayburn, born 1926 in Florida; died 31 Oct 1944 “Killed in Action” in WWII. Billie was an adopted son.

45. David Hiram6 Rayburn (DeKalb5, Hiram4, Henry3, John2, Henry1), born 26 Dec 1877 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 6 Sep 1935 in Wilcox, Alabama; buried in Reaves Chapel Cem, Wilcox, Alabama. He married on 18 Aug 1918 in Wilcox, Alabama to Sarah Martha "Mattie" Reaves, born 21 Jan 1892 on Camden Rt 2, Wilcox, Alabama; died 1929 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama; buried in Reaves Chapel Cm, Wilcox, Alabama. She was dau of William McDaniel Reeves and Harriet Frances Kennedy.

David Hiram Rayburn	Sarah Martha "Matt" Reaves Rayburn

Children of David Hiram Rayburn and Sarah Martha "Mattie" Reaves were as follows:
116 i Carrie Lucille7 Rayburn, born 27 Aug 1919, in Camden, Wilcox Co., Alabama. She married on 30 Jul 1941 in Prattville, Autauga, Alabama to Edward Macon Meeker, born 28 May 1918 in Clarkesville, Montgomery, Tennessee; died 17 Oct 1993. 
117 ii Princeton French7 Rayburn, born 11 Nov 1922 in Wilcox Co., Alabama; died 13 Jun 2000 in Florida; buried in Barracus National Cem, Warrington, Florida. He married on 8 Apr 1950 in Monroe Co., Alabama to Edna Louise Boan, born 8 Sep 1932 in Crenshaw Co., Alabama. 


Compiled by: Ernest D. Rayburn, 4240 Lost Creek Blvd, Aledo, TX 76008, U.S.A., 817-560-0542
Date: 20 December 2005