I32974: Mary Barr BROCKINGTON (1783

Notes

" I now come nearer to my own family, and take up for a few oberservations my own grandmother, Mary Barr Brockinton (1783-1849), Why she was given that name of "Barr", I do not know. There was a family of that name in Williamsburg, but they were in no way related to the Brockintons. She married John Pressley. Neither of them at the date of their marriage owned much property, indeed so little, that when my grandfather John Pressley died leaving a widow and five small children, it required close economy and prudent management on the part of my grandmother to maintain her family. She was not able to give her boys and girls much education. They had to content themselves with such knowledge of books as could be got in the schools taught in the neighborhood, and according to my fathers account of them, they were not of a high character. The two of the children, were possessed of intellectual capabilities, that made up for a lack of opportunity, and enabled them to acquire for themselves and education above that of the ordinary farmer. My grandmother and her husband settled on Turkey Creek. The house which they first lived in was gone before my day, and the place where it had stood was known as the "Old House Field" and was marked by a large mulberry tree of the white variety. The house which I remember so well, and in which I spent so many happy days, and some very unhappy nights, was then built of a better class than most of their neighbors. My grandmother's slaves increased, being well treated and taken care of, so that at my earliest recollection, she was considered as being what people called "well off". She was in very easy circumstances. In 1839 my father settled on the same plantation on the East side of Turkey Creek, and took charge of my grandmothers business. They united forces and farmed together dividing the crop in proportion to their slaves cultivating it. Their cattle which were also numerous were kept together, and the proceeds of the stock divided. It became my especial business to look after this stock as soon as I was old enough, and many a day have I spent in the saddle, as the western men would call a "Cowboy". I was very proud of it when the weather was not too hot, and water too scarce; then I suffered a great deal from the sun and thirst. I was very fond of visiting my grandmother in the day and time, and managed to dine there at least once a week. I have a feeling recollection even at this day of the nice chicken and toothsome bread which I was acquainted to eat at her house. I have in my mind as ineffaceable picture of the old lady sitting in her great arm chair, on her piazza in summer and by her fireside in the winter giving directions to Hester, the cook or Amy the house servant. As fond as I was of my old grandmother and as much as I liked to visit her in the day, I never stayed in her house at night if I could help it, unless I had other boys for company. Amy, the house girl, who was a great favorite with children, would fill our minds with Ghost Stories. My grandmother was in the habit of retiring almost as soon as the chickens, and when she sent me to bed, Amy's ghost stories could come so vividly to my mind, that I could almost see the Goblins which she had painted, in such horrible colors. I invariably covered my head for fear I would see them. Upon Amy's authority I was afraid of seeing John Cooper's ghost any night. He was one of my cousins who died in my grandmothers company room. Grandma was very fond of her grandchildren and they of her. We enjoyed meeting at her house and spending a day (or a night when two or three of us could sleep together and have Amy for a protector to exorcise the spirits which we almost believed she could call up). The children were too polite, and loved the old lady too much, to remind her that she was getting in the habit of telling the same story two or three times, we would affect intense interest in her story just as much as if we had never heard it, and when she came to the end, would exclaim, "Why, Grandma", and laughed heartily if the story was intended to amuse. I believe that after Mary and John Cooper whom she took charge of when they were almost infants, I was her favorite grandchild. She provided for my education entirely. She first offered to do so if I would study for the ministry. I entertained so high a respect for that calling that I felt my unfitness. Perhaps I may have to some extent been influenced by the thought that I would have to give up some worldly pleasures. At any rate, I declined to accept of her bounty on the proposed conditions, and asked her to send me to the S.C. Military Academy. After some hesitation and delay the good old lady acceded to my wishes, and I went to the institution at her expense on the 15th day of January 1848. My grandmother died before I completed my course of study, but charged the property devised to my father and Aunt Martha Mouzon with the expense of my education."

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Notes

2 Ida Florence DEVORE b: 20 MAR 1874 Cincinnati, Ohio; no other info. ^[S3128]

Notes

1. Henry De GREENE (Sir Chief Justice) (b. 1310 - d. 1369) (m. Catherine De Drayton) ABT 1317.

Children: Henry, Amabila, Thomas, Richard, Nicholas, and Margaret.

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Notes

Minnie L. Nettles, wife of W. K. Nettles, Nov. 21, 1899.

Notes

2 Mary MCGEHEE b: ABT 1698 + William DICKSON

Notes

2 Pemelia Jane Stallworth b: 18 JUN 1843 d: 17 APR 1919 + John Burns b: d:

Notes

Deeds of Amherst Co. VA Bk. O P 14, Oliver Tinsley and wife Sophia 25 Apr 1818 Etc.

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My Southern Family

Mary Barr BROCKINGTON

1783 - 1849

ID Number: I32974

Notes

Sources

Ida Florence DEVORE

20 Mar 1874 - ____

ID Number: I84274

Notes

Sources

Sir HENRY de GREENE

1311 - 1369

ID Number: I43208

Notes

Sources

Mary HOUSTON

ABT 1841 - ____

ID Number: I45578

Sources

Leslie KNOX

Minnie M. LENOIR

ABT 1865 - 21 Nov 1899

ID Number: I93557

Notes

Sources

Mary MCGEHEE (MACGEHEE)

ABT 1698 - ____

ID Number: I103544

Notes

Sources

MATILDA PERRY

ABT 1133 - ABT 1191

ID Number: I59070

Sources

Permelia Jane STALLWORTH

18 Jun 1843 - 17 Apr 1919

ID Number: I99812

Notes

Sources

Oliver TINSLEY

ABT 1780 - 10 Dec 1876

ID Number: I30604

Notes

Sources

Richard WEST

ABT 1548 - BET 1580 AND 1639

ID Number: I68353

Sources

Charles WRIGHT

ABT 1830 - ____

ID Number: I80953

Sources