William Washington ABNEY

     William Washington ABNEY, son of Robert Rutherford ABNEY and Mary Ann ROBERTS, was born on 2 June 1842 in Penantly, Jasper County, Mississippi.^1,2 He was also known as . He was a farmer and merchant. Owner, with his son-in-law, of the Abney-Travis Stores in Heidelberg and Laurel, MS. He was educated in Jasper county, Mississippi and in August 1862 enlisted in Boyle's battalion, Co. F 12th Mississippi Cavalry. After the war he returned to Mississippi and resided in Jasper county until 1884 when he moved to Heidelburg, Mississippi. He began farming with 80 undeveloped acres which he developed into one of the largest farms in the county with 3,700 acres.

William married Julia A. RISHER on 30 November 1865 in Jasper County, Mississippi.¹

William Washington ABNEY died on 21 May 1922 in Jasper County, Mississippi, at age 79.² He was buried in Heidelberg Cemetery, Heidelberg, Jasper County, Mississippi.

His obituary appeared about 23 May 1922 in an unknown source. Obit:…..” W.W. Abney, of Heidelberg, Miss., was born in Jasper county, Miss. June 2, 1842, a son of Robert Rutherford and Mary Ann (Roberts)Abney. He was educated in Jasper county, Miss., and in August, 1862, he enlisted in the Boyle’s Battalion, known as Company C, and later they were transferred to Company F, of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war. In May, 1865, he returned to Jasper county, Miss., and on the 30th of the following November he married Julia Ann Risher, a daughter of William and Mary E.(Ratcliff)Risher. Mrs. Abney was born in Jasper county, Miss., November 25, 1846. Soon after his marriage Mr. Abney located to Claiborne until 1884, when he removed to Heidelberg and has since been a resident of that town. He began his business career in this county after the war, opening up eighty acres of land, surrounded by and almost covered with woods. It required a great amount of perseverance and hard work to clear it and improve it and convert it into a profitable plantation. This he accomplished, and not only this, but he added to his landed possessions until he owns now about 3,700 acres, of which he cultivates about 900 acres, he being one of the most extensive planters and stock raisers in the county. He is now turning his attention more to stock raising in general, and is farming more on the “extensive” plan, with the best and most modern implements. He also owns a saw mill and grist mill with his brother Foster Abney. Mr. and Mrs. Abney are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; and they have had ten children born to them named as follows: Samuel W., born September 15, 1866, now a merchant in Heidelberg ; Catherine E., February 23, 1868, who married E.D. Travis, a merchant of Heidelberg, Miss; Walter R., born December 22, 1868, now a medical student at Louisville, Ky; John H., born February 12, 1872; Mary E., born January 30, 1874; Robert R., born April 5, 1876; Homer C., born October 28, 1778, who died April 2, 1879; Marvin G., born November 26, 1880; Anna E., born January 6, 1883; Carrie, born August 3, 1885. Personally speaking, Mr. Abney is a gentleman of many estimable qualities of heart and mind. He is one who wins the respect and esteem of the community in which he lives, and retains that respect. He is naturally proud of his family, and finds there his best friends and in his home the happiest place on earth.”.²