The McFalls / Rudd Families in McMinn Tennessee

 

McFalls

 

Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr. was the son of Edward McFalls of Haywood, North Carolina. The Edward McFalls family is shown in the 1830 and 1840 census for Haywood. These censuses indicate that Edward had 5 sons and 3 daughters. The names of the daughters are not shown. However, there are indications that they were Margaret, Avaline and Mary. The names of the sons were: Nicholas, born 1820; Auther, born about 1828; William, born about 1829; Daniel, born about 1833; and Samuel P. Carson McFalls, born in March 1835.

 

Samuel came to McMinn County where he married Emily Texana Rudd in about 1861. Emily was the daughter of Herrod Rudd and Margaret Reatherford. She was born July 15, 1845 in McMinn County. The Emily Rudd and Samuel P. Carson McFalls family appears in the McMinn County census in the years 1870, 1880 and 1900 and the reconstructed McMinn census for 1890. Family members also appear in the Hamilton County Tennessee census in 1920, the Knoxville Tennessee census of 1930 and the Tarrant County Texas census for 1930. In addition, the family has been researched by Thomas Parker in Rootsweb’s “A Tree of the South” and Lee Minnis in Rootsweb World Family Tree number 2979. The McFalls surname and given names vary in each of the censuses. As do their ages. An analysis of the Parker – Minnis tree and the various censuses indicate the family was made up of:

 

The family of Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr. and Emily Texana Rudd:

1. Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr., born March 1835 in North Carolina – died November 22, 1901 in McMinn County Tennessee. Married Emily (Emma) Texana Rudd in about 1861 in McMinn County.

2. Emily (Emma) Texana Rudd McFalls, born March, 1845 in McMinn – died December 22, 1916 in Hamilton County Tennessee.

3. Margaret Magdalene McFalls, born about 1862 in McMinn – died about 1932 in Hamilton County TN. Married William Newton Stuart on August 21, 1893 in Nonuburt, Tennessee.

4. Matilda Elizabeth McFalls, born September 20, 1866 in McMinn – died September 6, 1945 in La Junta Otero County, Colorado. Married William L. Slaten on January 15, 1888 in McMinn.

5. Lillie Avaline McFalls, born 1868 in McMinn. Married Brock.

6. Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr., born December 1869 in McMinn – died after 1930 in the State Hospital for the Insane in Knoxville, Tennessee. Married Harriett Rue February 24, 1896 in McMinn.

The marriage bonds for Carson McFalls and Harriett Rue in McMinn on February 24, 1896 are recorded in Mormon Family History marriage record #830185. Since Carson is one of the names of Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr. and Hattie is a contraction for Harriett and their known addresses are McMinn, it is assumed that Samuel P. Carson McFalls Jr. married Harriett Rue.

According to her Social Security Application, Nellie Grayson McFalls was born April 3, 1902 in Riceville, McMinn, Tennessee. She identified her father as S.P.C. McFall. She listed her mother’s name as Hattie. From this, it is assumed that Nellie is the daughter of Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr. and Harriett Rue McFalls.

It is known that in 1920, Harriett and her daughter, Nellie, were in McMinn. In 1921, they were in Fort Worth, Texas, where Nellie’s son, Robert, was born.

In the 1920 Hamilton County Tennessee census, Harriett’s husband, Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr., was living in Hamilton County Tennessee with his sister, Margaret Magdalene McFalls Stuart at the home of her daughter, Jessie. Margaret’s occupation is school teacher and Samuel’s is house carpenter. Jessie is married to Helmuth David Adam Eggert. In this census, Margaret is widowed and Samuel‘s marital status is married.

Nellie married Lucien Stultz in 1926 in Fort Worth Texas and is the mother of the children of Lucien Stultz.

In the 1930 census for Fort Worth Texas, Hattie Arnold, a widow, is living on a farm that she owns. Living with her are her daughter, Nellie, her son in law, Lucien, and her grandchildren: Robert, Henry and Joe.

It appears that Harriett Rue McFalls left her husband, Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr. and took her daughter to Texas where Nellie had a son and Harriett remarried.

In the 1930 census for Knoxville Tennessee, Samuel P. McFalls, Jr. is identified as living in the State Hospital for the Insane in Knoxville Tennessee. He is shown to be married in this census.

Hattie died in about 1932 in Fort Worth Texas.

Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr. died after 1930 and before 1937.

Lucien died August 10, 1948 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Nellie died in on June 29, 1972 in Dallas Texas.

7. Samantha McFalls, born March 29, 1872 in McMinn – died January 27, 1946 Athens, Tennessee. Married Charles Edward Woods.

8. Nicholas Haywood McFalls, born about 1875 in McMinn. Married Matilda Geralds.

9. Mary I. McFalls, born 1877 in McMinn – died September 3, 1906. Married Hugh Ramsey Griffin.

10. William Edward McFalls, born November 12, 1879 in McMinn. Died of gun shot.

11. Liddie Armintie McFalls, born March 30, 1882 in McMinn – died November 1957 in McMinn. Married Joseph Frederick Cobble December 28, 1902 in McMinn.

12. Lula Grace McFalls, born July 15, 1886 in McMinn – died August 2, 1932 in Hamilton County. Married Samuel Moses on October 15, 1904 in Athens, McMinn, Tennessee.

 

In the 1880 McMinn census, all of the children of Samuel P. Carson McFalls and Emily Texana Rudd who are of school age are in school. All of the family at school age or above can read and write in all of the censuses. Samuel Sr. lists his occupation as carpenter in the 1870, 1880 and 1900 census. All of the children who are still home are working as weavers in the woolen mill in the 1900 census.

 

The families of the children of Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr. and Emily Texana Rudd:

 

The family of Margaret Magdalene McFalls and William Newton Stuart

1. William Newton Stuart, born about 1862 – died before 1920.

2. Margaret Magdalene McFalls Stuart, born about 1862 in McMinn – died about 1932 in Hamilton County Tennessee. Married William Newton Stuart on August 21, 1893 in Nonuburt, Tennessee.

3. Minnie Lee Stuart, born about 1889

4. Delia Myrtle Stuart, born about 1891

5. Ruth Stuart, born March, 23 1892 – died January 12, 1979 in Fort Oglethorpe GA. Married William Ezekiel Oswalt about 1915.

6. Beaulah Pearl Stuart, born November 8, 1896. Married William Carl Williams.

7. Robert Samuel Stuart, born October 1, 1900 – died September 1976 in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Married Willie Cantral, born August 5, 1901 – died March 1896 in Rossville Georgia.

One of the children of Margaret Magdalene McFalls and William Newton Stuart is Robert Samuel Stuart, born October 1, 1900 in Athens Tennessee. Margaret is the brother of Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr.

Nellie’s first son, Robert, was born on June 3, 1921 in Fort Worth, Texas. On his Social Security Application, Robert lists his father as Bob Stewart.

In the 1930 census for Hamilton Tennessee, Robert Stuart and his wife, Willie Cantral, are listed along with their children: James L age 7, Barbara age 3 7/12 and Billie age 2 1/2.

In the 1930 census for Fort Worth, Tarrant, TX, Nellie and her son Robert are living in the home of Hattie (Harriett Rue McFalls) Arnold.

Nellie died in on June 29, 1972 in Dallas Texas.

Robert Stuart died in September 1976 in Hamilton County Tennessee.

Robert, Nellie’s son, died in September, 1995 in Dallas Texas.

8. Jessie Stuart, born January 20, 1899 – died November 20, 1987 in Rossville Georgia. Married Helmuth David Adam Eggert.

 

The family of Matilda Elizabeth McFalls and William L. Slaten:

1. William L. Slaten, born June 12, 1863 in McMinn – died January 6, 1957 in Otero County CO.

2. Matilda Elizabeth McFalls Slaten, born September 20, 1866 in McMinn – died September 8, 1946. Married William L. Slaten January 15,1888 in McMinn.

3. Jessie Meriduth Slaten, born January 26, 1889 – died June 29, 1981. Married Eunice Glover. Married Grace Purdy-Harris.

4. Ernest Grover Slaten, born October 10, 1890 – died October 7, 1942. Married Effie. b. Dedember 14, 1893 – died January 1982 in California or b. April 11, 1890 – died May, 1972 in Riverside California.

5. Carrie Mae Slaten, born October 2, 1892 – died October 23, 1966. Married Ed Boser.

6. Harvey Edward Slaten, born October 5, 1894 – died February 1984 in Pueblo CO. Married Florence Thorpe.

7. Mattie Sylvester Slaten, born March 3, 1896 – died October 6, 1976. Married Phillip Heirgood in 1920.

8. James Samuel Slaten, born November 2, 1897, in McMinn – died May 1, 1986 in Virginia. Married Mary Bradit Boulton.

9. Fannie Willie Slaten, born February 7, 1902 – died April 19, 1911.

10. Dura Dell Slaten, born October 14, 1904 – died October 9, 1970 in Pueblo, Colorado. Married Eugene Hall, b. July 22, 1900 – died December 16, 1991 in Colorado.

11. Millard Dewey Slaten, born November 6, 1899 – died September 27, 1986 in Virginia. Married Beaulah (?).

 

The family of Lillie Avaline McFalls and Brock

1. Brock

2. Lillie Avaline McFalls Brock, born about 1868 in McMinn.

 

The family of Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr. and Harriett Rue:

1. Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Jr., born December 1869 in McMinn – died after 1930 in Knoxville TN. Married Harriette Rue in on February 24, 1896 in McMinn.

2. Harriett Rue McFalls Arnold, born 1871 in Tennessee – died about 1932 in Fort Worth TX.

3. Nellie Grayson McFalls, born April 3, 1902 in Riceville, McMinn County, Tennessee – died June 29, 1972 in Dallas Texas. Married Lucien Henry Stultz December 26, 1926 in Fort Worth Texas.

4. Son Unknown Name McFalls, born about 1899.

 

The family of Samantha McFalls and Charles Edward Woods:

1. Charles Edward Woods, born 20 November, 1861 in McMinn – died January 16, 1916 in McMinn.

2. Samantha McFalls Woods, born March 29, 1872 in McMinn – died January 27, 1946 in McMinn. Married Charles Edward Woods about 1894 in McMinn..

3. Bill Woods, born July 24, 1895. Married Naomi (?). Married Faye (?).

4. Hattie Woods, Born January 30, 1900 – Died September 1977 in Rossville, Walker, Georgia. Married Dutch Dewald.

5. Pete Woods, Married Vesta. Married Julia Brickley.

6. Malissa Woods, Married Ernest Waldrop.

7. Eugene Woods

 

The family of Nicholas Haywood McFalls and Matilda Geralds:

1. Nicholas Haywood McFalls, born about 1875 in McMinn. Married Matilda Geralds.

2. Matilda Geralds, born March 1872 in Tennessee

3. Lillie McFalls, born July 1894.

4. Pearl McFalls, born July 1896.

5. Holt McFalls, born April 8, 1900 – died January 1972 in Dallas Texas. Married Alice Lawson.

6. Cora McFalls, born September 4, 1897 – died June 1980 in Cosby, Cooke County Tennessee.

7. Acy Levine McFalls, born October 22, 1909 – died November 5, 1988 in Hamilton County Tennessee. Married Pearl (?).

8. Nicholas McFalls, born about 1911.

 

The family of Mary I. McFalls and Hugh Ramsey Griffin:

1. Hugh Ramsey Griffin, born about 1875 – died April 17, 1942.

2. Mary I. McFalls, born 1877 in McMinn – died September 3, 1906. Married Hugh Ramsey Griffin about 1895.

3. Bill Griffin, born November 23, 1897 – died April 1982 in Houston Georgia.

4. Grace Griffin

 

The family of Liddie Armintie McFalls and Joseph Frederick Cobble:

1. Joseph Frederick Cobble, born February 19, 1882 in McMinn – died March 19, 1957 in McMinn.

2. Liddie Armintie McFalls, born March 30, 1882 in McMinn – died November 14, 1957 in McMinn. Married Joseph Frederick Cobble on December 28,1902 in McMinn.

3. Samuel Cobble, born December 12, about 1904 in McMinn – died December 14.

4. James Murdith Cobble, born June 2, 1906 – died August 10, 1982

5. Fredie Sue Cobble, born July 27, 1917 – died July 3, 1923.

6. Living Cobble

7. Living Cobble

8. Living Cobble

 

The family of Lula Gracen McFalls and Samuel Moses:

1. Samuel Moses, born May 8, 1882 – died May 6, 1953.

2. Lula Grace McFalls Moses, born July 15, 1886 in McMinn – died August 2, 1932 in Hamilton TN. Married Samuel Moses October 15, 1904 in McMinn.

3. Clyde Moses, born July 29, 1906 in Cleveland Bradley County Tennessee – died July 3, 1941 in Hamilton TN. Married Lucile Marie Horner.

4. Henry Verlin Moses, born May 18, 1909 – died April 20, 1990. Married Frances Zenobia Buffington.

5. Charles Esten Moses, born January 24, 1912 – died November 6, 1913.

6. Mildred Lorenzia Moses, born November 11, 1913 in Hamilton TN – died April 10, 1934 in Hamilton TN.

7. Herbert Frederick Moses, born October 19, 1916 – died September 2, 1918.

8. Emily Moses, born December 1919.

9. Mary Ellen Moses, born May 7, 1923 – died May 7, 1923.

10.Living Moses,

11. Living Moses,

12. Living Moses,

 

Rudd

 

The information on the family of Herrod Rudd and Margaret Reatherford is taken from the Rootsweb World Family Tree number 2979 developed by Lee Minnis and Rootsweb’s “A Tree of the South” developed by Thomas Parker. This Tree was updated in May 12, 2003. The author states that the site is under construction and is not necessarily complete.

 

The Rudd family traces their ancestry back to Capt. John Rudd in 1645 in England. Captain John was a mariner who sailed between England and America carrying passengers and transporting cargo between the two countries. He bought and sold much of the cargo that he carried. He amassed great wealth doing this and used his wealth to acquire a 1400 acre plantation in Virginia. He owned slaves, as did his descendants until the Civil War. All of the Rudd’s had large families and their land was divided among the children at the death of a father. This diluted their individual land holdings until it had dropped down to Harwood owning 140 acres.

 

The ancestry of Emily Texana Rudd, born 1845, was: parents, Herrod Rudd born about 1817 in Tennessee and Margaret Reatherford; grandparents, Harwood Rudd born about 1750 in Virginia and Sarah Hayes; great grandparents, Joseph Rudd born about 1712 in Virginia and Elizabeth Wilmouth; 2nd great grandparents, John Rudd born about 1678 in Virginia and Avis Whittaker; 3rd great grandparent, Captain John Rudd born about 1645 in England.

 

The first record of the Rudd family in McMinn was in 1829 with the death of Harwood Rudd and the death of Harwood‘s wife, Sarah Hayes Rudd, before May 1845.

 

The family of Harwood Rudd and Sarah Hayes:

1. Harwood Rudd, born about 1750 in Mecklenburg, Virginia – died 1829 in McMinn, Tennessee. Married Sarah Hayes about 1788.

2. Sarah Hayes, born about 1768 – died before 5 May 1845 in McMinn, Tennessee.

3. John Rudd, born about 1790.

4. William Rudd, born about 1792 – died before June 5, 1865 in McMinn, Tennnessee.

5. Joseph Rudd, born about 1793. Married Susanana Harwood about 1813.

6. Nealy Rudd, born about 1815.

7. Mina Rudd, born about 1816.

8. Herrod Rudd, born about 1817 in North Carolina which later became Tennessee. Married Margaret Reatherford February 16, 1842 in McMinn.

9. Thomas Rudd, born about 1817 – died before December 19, 1840 in McMinn, Tennessee.

10. Sally Rudd, born about 1819.

 

The following direct document transcriptions are from the Rootsweb World Family Tree number 2979 developed by Lee Minnis and Rootsweb’s “A Tree of the South” developed by Thomas Parker. The first set pertains to Harwood Rudd:

 

“10th day of December 1778, Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

“Lengthy indenture between John Hayes and Harwood Rudd whereby John Hayes and his Wife Elizabeth Hayes sell 150 acres of land where they lived to Harwood Rudd. His name is also spelled Harrod Rudd in this document. (Document on file.)”

“13th day of January, 1784, Mecklenburg County, Virginia.
”Lengthy indenture between Harwood Rudd and John Hayes whereby Harwood sells 160 acres of land to John Hayes. In this document, Harwood's name is spelled Harrod near the end of the document. This is the first recorded instance of his name being changed. With one stroke of the pen he became Harrod. The document is signed by his mark as Harwood Rudd. His wife is identified as Sarah Rudd. (Document on file.)”

 

Harwood Rudd married Sarah Hayes in about 1788.

From the above it appears that Harwood had wealth from the sale of the property in Virginia when he came to McMinn sometime after 1817.

 

Harwood Rudd died in McMinn in 1829.

 

The families of the children of Harwood Rudd and Sarah Hayes are:

 

The family of John Rudd and Unknown Wife:

1. John Rudd, born about 1790 in Virginia. Married unknown wife about 1822.

2. Unknown Wife

3. Parker Rudd, born about 1824.

 

The family of Joseph Rudd and Susanana Harwood:

1. Joseph Rudd, born about 1793. Married Susanana Harwood about 1813.

2. Susanana Harwood, born about 1793.

 

The family of Herrod Rudd and Margaret Reatherford:

1. Herrod Rudd, born about 1817 in a part of North Carolina that later became Tennessee. Married Margaret Reatherford February 16, 1842 in McMinn.

2. Margaret Reatherford Rudd, born 1816 in McMinn.

3. Elizabeth E. Rudd, born about 1844.

4. Emily (Emma) Texana Rudd, born July 15, 1845 in McMinn – died December 22, 1916, in Hamilton County TN and married Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr. about 1861 in McMinn.

5. May J. Rudd, born about 1847.

6. Mahala H. Rudd, born about 1848.

7. Louise P. Rudd, born 1850.

8. Sarah Penelope Rudd, born January 5, 1852 in McMinn – died April 10, 1922 in Kilgore, Clark County, Idaho. Married George Donald Nelson on February 22, 1869 in Bloomfield, Stoddard County, Missouri.

9. Nancy P. Rudd, born about 1854.

10. David F. Rudd, born about 1856.

 

Quotes are from the Minnis Family Tree regarding Herrod Rudd.

“Herrod H. Rudd (b.c1817) was a Tennessee farmer with no realty and only $100 in personal property as the war began. 1860 Census, Tenn., McMinn, 5th Dist., 69.”

 “By the eve of the war, (1863) Margaret Rudd (b.c1816), who married Herod in 1842, was the mother of eight children, the two youngest being Nancy P. (b.c1854) and David F. (b.c1856). It is not clear where her other daughters, now ages thirteen thru twenty-one, were at this time. Ibid.; Reba Bayless Boyer, Marriage Records of McMinn County, Tennessee, 1820-1870 (Athens, Tenn., 1964), 253.”

 

The following is a letter that Herrod Rudd wrote to the Vice President of the United States in 1865 and the endorsement put on the letter by the Vice President’s office.

“Cincinnatti, Ohio March 28th 1865 Hon A Johnston (vice-president of United States)
Dear Sir About three weeks ago I wrote you and at the Same time Enclosed a note written by W G Brownlow.(2) If you got my letter and Can do nothing for me please Return Me Brownlows letter as it may serv me some purpose in getting Bask to East Ten--- I Cannot Support my Family here and there they can Kind of live if I can man(a)ge to get them there(.) . . .
What is to become of Wife and two little children(?) . . . I am almost crazy(.) lost all I had for my Government and now must see my children Perish(.) I have not been (sic) one cent tax to govermet our (or) any one Else(.) now my means all gone that I Brot with me and cant get Back to where I have a little left(.) if I only had transportation for my wife and children to Athens E Ten I give half that I have there(.)

The endorsement reads "to be ans'd that no letter rec'd."

 

The above indicates that Herrod was destitute and that his family had scattered by 1865. His second daughter married in 1861 when she was 15 in McMinn. His sixth daughter married in 1869 when she was 17 in Bloomfield Missouri. There is no information available on the remaining five children. Neither is there any information available as to when Herrod or his wife, Margaret died or left the county.

 

The family of Thomas Rudd and Unknown wife:

1. Thomas Rudd, born about 1817 in Virginia – died before December 19, 1840.

2. Unknown Wife Rudd

3. Isah Rudd, Married Martha Olson August 27, 1839 in McMinn.

4. Elizabeth Rudd, born about 1820.

5. Henry Rudd

 

The families of the children of Herrod Rudd and Margaret Reatherford:

 

The family of Emily (Emma) Texana Rudd and Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr.:

For the members of this family and their descendants, see Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr., above:

 

The family of Sarah Penelope Rudd and George Donald Nelson:

1. George Donald Nelson, born July 30, 1844 in Auburn, Oaklawn, Michigan – died August 13, 1924.

2. Sarah Penelope Rudd Nelson, born January 5, 1852 in McMinn – died April 10, 1922 in Kilgore, Clark County, Idaho. Married George Donald Nelson on February 22, 1869 in Bloomfield, Stoddard County, Missouri.

3. Arta Mae Nelson, born November 8, 1876 in Arkansas – died May 15, 1950. Married Frank Sickenburger.

4. Donald Ruben Nelson, born May 24, 1878 in Fountain, El Paso County, Colorado – died September 19, 1908. Married Lula Ann Shepherd December 25, 1900.

5. George Lee Nelson, born March 10, 1880 in Fountain, El Paso County, Colorado – died February 8, 1952. Married Florence Steel.

6. Alvin Nelson, born August 20, 1883 in Fountain, El Paso County, Colorado – died November 23, 1951. Married Bessie Murray.

7. Margaret Elizabeth Nelson, born July 12, 1887 in Fountain, El Paso, Colorado – died March 29, 1945 in Concrete, Skagit, Washington. Married Walter G. Emmerman June 15, 1902 in Winfield, Cowley, Kansas. He was born March 14, 1883 in Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa – died March 22, 1957 in Chicago, Clark, Illinois.

8. David Milton Nelson, born May 21, 1889 in Fountain, El Paso County, Colorado – died March, 1894.

 

The families of the other children of the Herrod Rudd and Margaret Reatherford family are not known.

 

From the available information, it appears that the McFalls line was active in McMinn County from 1860 when Samuel P. Carson McFalls, Sr. arrived until about 1957 when his daughter, Liddie Armintie McFalls Cobble, died. The Rudd’s were active from the time that Harwood Rudd arrived after 1820 until Emily died in about 1916.

 

 

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