© Kathy Duncan, 2014
William A. Barber, son of Joseph and Arsenia Barber, was born in July of 1838. On later census records William consistently reports his place of birth as Georgia. He married Minerva (Manurva) SHELBY on 19 Dec 1867 in Bullock Co., AL. She was born in Oct of 1840 in South Carolina. They did not have any children of record.
Bullock Co., AL was formed from Barbour, Pike, Macon, and Montgomery counties in 1867 just months before William Barber married Minerva Shelby.
William A. Barber first applied for a Civil War pension in 1904. The notations in his pension state that he owned no land. His pension states that he was a private in Co. C of the 2nd GA Volunteers. He enlisted on 24 July 1861 in Columbus, GA and was discharged on 2 Apr 1865. He stated that he was wounded in the left arm at the Battle of Richmond Seven Days Fight. He was living in Dale Co., AL when he received his pension. His file included depositions from Wm. Redd Jr. and W.S. Shepherd dated 29 Apr 1904. Both were officers in his company. W.P. Windham also gave a deposition on 5 July 1911 that he had known William Barber for 20 years and that Barber was over 70 years of age. Significantly, William A. Barber stated that he was born in “Simpter Co., GA.” There is no Simpter Co., but phonetically this sounds like Sumter Co., GA. The last date found in W.A. Barber’s file is 7 Aug 1911, presumably William was still living on that date.
[Source: William A. Barber’s Georgia Confederate Pension file #13551]
The service record for William A. Barbour/Barber of Co. C, 2nd Regt. GA Vol Infantry contains additional information. They mustered in Muscogee Co., GA and were called the “Semmes Guards.” Both Redd and Shepherd were officers in the Semmes Guards. William A. Barbour was a 3d Corporal on July 24, 1861. He was captured at Deep Bottom, VA on 25 Sept 1864 and paroled from Pt. Lookout, Maryland and transferred to Aiken’s Landing, VA for exchange on 17 Mar 1865. Received, Bulwark’s & Cox’s Wharves, James River, VA on 19 Mar 1865.
[Source: Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861 - 1865, vol. 1 by Lillian Henderson]
Despite rendering service and residing in Dale County, William A. Barber does not appear on the 1907 Confederate Veteran’s census of Dale County, Alabama.
Census records for William A. Barber:
13 Aug 1870 Twp 12, Range 25, Barbour Co., AL, P.O. Eufaula page 423:
1992-2033
Barber, Robert 21 M Farm Hand b. AL
----- William 32 M Farmer $800 - $200 b. AL
----- Minerva 28 F Keeping House b. SC
27 June 1880, 6-PCT, Pike Co., AL, p. 104A:
224-237
Barber, Wm. A. W M 42 Farmer b. GA fb. GA mb. GA
---M.A.H. W F 39 Keeps house b. SC fb. SC mb. SC
[Notation: W. A. and Minerva Barber were living in Dale Co., AL by 22 June 1892 when the Southern Star of Dale Co. reported that Miss Della Campbell of Troy was visiting them.--kdd]
5 June 1900, Barnes Cross Roads, Dale Co., AL, p. 285:
38-38
Barber, William A. Head W M Jul 1838 61 M-33 b. GA f. NC mb. GA
---Minerva Wife W F Oc t 1840 59 M-33 0-0 b. SC fb. SC mb. SC
25 Apr 1910, 8-PCT, Midland City Village, Dale Co., AL, p. 143:
20-22
Barber, William A. Head M W 71 M-43 b. GA fb. NCmb. SC
-----Minerva Wife F W 69 M-43 b. SC fb. SC mb. SC
Sunday, March 2, 2014
JOSEPH BARBER
© Kathy Duncan, 2014
Joseph Barber was born about 1810 in North Carolina and died after 1870. He married Arsenia [Moore?] by 1835. Arsenia was born about 1812 in North Carolina and died after 1870. They resided in Sumter Co., Georgia, then in Russell County, Alabama and Barbour County, Alabama. Later Joseph Barber evidently removed to Cass Co., TX and lived near his daughter Sarah Blakey.
Joseph Barber appeared on the first membership list for Friendship Baptist Church in Sumter Co., GA on October 1842. Friendship Baptist Church is located on Hwy 30 (Friendship Road) thirteen miles from Americus, GA. Built in the mid-1800s, it is the oldest church building in Sumter County. The current building was built on the original church site where services started in 1839. There were no other Barbers or Moores on the membership list.
[Source: History of Sumter County, Georgia by Jack F. Cox]
There are no Barbers buried in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery; however, there are the following Mashburns:
Daniel Mashburn 6 Apr 1819 - 4 Apr 1873
Mary P. Mashburn (wife of Daniel) 2 July 1822 -25 Nov 1897
J.R. Mashburn 1856 - 1942 (d. 25 June)
Ella Hayne Mashburn (wife of J.R.) 1857 - 1939 (d. 4 May)
Samuel Robert Moore 1861 - 15 May 1945
[Source: web page. Notation: Among the heirs of Thomas Mashburn of Onslow Co., NC is a Daniel Mashburn and a grandson, Joseph Barber. At this time, there is no primary evidence to link Thomas Mashburn's grandson Joseph Barber with Joseph Barber of Barbour Co., AL, but the search continues.--kdd]
A Samuel W. Barber married Sarah Ann Harvey on 20 Dec 1849 in Sumter County, GA. As of yet, no relationship has been established between Samuel and Joseph Barber.
[Source: History of Sumter County, Georgia by Jack F. Cox]
In 1850, Samuel W. Barber’s Sumter County household contained the following individuals, all born in Georgia: Samuel W. age 36, Sarah age 26, Susan age 7, Henry age 5, and Sarah age 3. Obviously, none of these children belonged to Sarah. Samuel’s previous wife died between 1847 and 1850.
[Source: 1850 Sumter Co., GA census]
Known children of Joseph and Arsenia Barber:
1. Rebecca Barber born about 1835 - 1837 in Georgia
2. William A. Barber born about 1838 in Sumter Co., Georgia
3. Samuel Barber born about 1841 in Georgia or Alabama
4. Sarah E. Barber born 13 Jan 1843 in Alabama
5. George W. Barber born
6. Mary Emma Barber born
7. Robert J. Barber born
8. Edward Barber born about 1849 in Alabama - a twin to Robert J. Barber?
The Creel Church Cemetery of Barbour Co., Alabama contains the grave of Bama Barber 23 Aug 1879 - May 1955. Bama was a name that Sarah E. (Barber) Blakey used in naming one of her daughters. [Source: web page. Connection?--kdd]
Census Records For Joseph and Arsenia Barber:
1840 Sumter Co, Georgia census:
Joseph Barber 1 0 0 0 1 - 0 1 0 0 1
In 1840 William A. Barber is the male under five years of age while his elder sister Rebecca is a female between five and ten years old. Joseph Barber is between 20 and 30 years of age and Arcenia also between 20 and 30 years of age. Joseph Barber was no longer a resident of Sumter Co., GA by 1850 although Samuel W. Barber was still in residence.
5 December 1850, No Twp L, Russell County, Alabama, page 54:
138-138
Joseph Barber 40 M Farmer - $100 b. NC
Arsenia 38 F b. NC
Rebecca 13 F b. NC
William 12 M b. NC
Samuel 9 M b. AL
Sarah 7 F b. AL
George 5 M b. AL
Mary 3 F b. AL
Robert 1 M b. AL
Edward 1 M b. AL
13 July 1860, Eastern Div., Barbour County, Alabama, P.O. Eufaula, page 340:
498-499
Joseph Barber 49 M Farmer - $500 b. NC
Arcena 47 F b. NC
Rebecca 24 F b. GA
William 21 M Farm hand b. GA
Samuel 18 M b. GA
Sarah 17 F b. AL
George 15 M b. AL
Emma 13 F b. AL
Robert 11 M b. AL
Edward 11 M b. AL
[notation--This census seems to be the most accurate in terms of the children's birthplaces. A later census reports Rebecca's birthplace as Georgia. William A. Barber consistently reports his birthplace as Georgia, and Sarah (Barber) Blakey consistently reports her birthplace as Alabama. This places the Barber family in George from at least 1836 to 1842. Need to check both North Carolina and Georgia for the marriage record of Joseph and Arcena (Moore?) Barber c. 1833. --kdd]
12 Aug 1870, Twp 10, Range 26, Barbour Co., AL, page 449:
1227-1310
Barber, Joseph 60 M W Farmer b. NC
----- Arbthenia 60 F W Keeps house b. NC
Walls, Rebecca 35 F W At home b. GA
13 Aug 1870 Twp 12, Range 25, Barbour Co., AL, P.O. Eufaula page 423:
1992-2033
Barber, Robert 21 M Farm Hand b. AL
----- William 32 M Farmer $800 - $200 b. AL
----- Minerva 28 F Keeping House b. SC
Arcenia Barber, wife of Joseph died between the 1870 census and the 1880 census. The date and place of her death are unknown.
1880, Prec. 7, Cass Co., TX, p. 222A:
Barber, Joseph 69 b. Self employed b. NC fb. NC mb. NC
----- Rebecca 50 b. Keeps house b. TN fb. TN mb. TN
Joseph Barber married Mrs. Rebecca Murphy on 22 Dec 1874 in Cass Co., TX. Their marriage is recorded in Bk 4, p. 39. They were married by J.E. Jones, L.E.; no witness’s names appear on their marriage license.
Joseph Barber's date and place of death are unknown. There is no tombstone next to his last wife Rebecca.
Joseph Barber was born about 1810 in North Carolina and died after 1870. He married Arsenia [Moore?] by 1835. Arsenia was born about 1812 in North Carolina and died after 1870. They resided in Sumter Co., Georgia, then in Russell County, Alabama and Barbour County, Alabama. Later Joseph Barber evidently removed to Cass Co., TX and lived near his daughter Sarah Blakey.
Joseph Barber appeared on the first membership list for Friendship Baptist Church in Sumter Co., GA on October 1842. Friendship Baptist Church is located on Hwy 30 (Friendship Road) thirteen miles from Americus, GA. Built in the mid-1800s, it is the oldest church building in Sumter County. The current building was built on the original church site where services started in 1839. There were no other Barbers or Moores on the membership list.
[Source: History of Sumter County, Georgia by Jack F. Cox]
There are no Barbers buried in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery; however, there are the following Mashburns:
Daniel Mashburn 6 Apr 1819 - 4 Apr 1873
Mary P. Mashburn (wife of Daniel) 2 July 1822 -25 Nov 1897
J.R. Mashburn 1856 - 1942 (d. 25 June)
Ella Hayne Mashburn (wife of J.R.) 1857 - 1939 (d. 4 May)
Samuel Robert Moore 1861 - 15 May 1945
[Source: web page. Notation: Among the heirs of Thomas Mashburn of Onslow Co., NC is a Daniel Mashburn and a grandson, Joseph Barber. At this time, there is no primary evidence to link Thomas Mashburn's grandson Joseph Barber with Joseph Barber of Barbour Co., AL, but the search continues.--kdd]
A Samuel W. Barber married Sarah Ann Harvey on 20 Dec 1849 in Sumter County, GA. As of yet, no relationship has been established between Samuel and Joseph Barber.
[Source: History of Sumter County, Georgia by Jack F. Cox]
In 1850, Samuel W. Barber’s Sumter County household contained the following individuals, all born in Georgia: Samuel W. age 36, Sarah age 26, Susan age 7, Henry age 5, and Sarah age 3. Obviously, none of these children belonged to Sarah. Samuel’s previous wife died between 1847 and 1850.
[Source: 1850 Sumter Co., GA census]
Known children of Joseph and Arsenia Barber:
1. Rebecca Barber born about 1835 - 1837 in Georgia
2. William A. Barber born about 1838 in Sumter Co., Georgia
3. Samuel Barber born about 1841 in Georgia or Alabama
4. Sarah E. Barber born 13 Jan 1843 in Alabama
5. George W. Barber born
6. Mary Emma Barber born
7. Robert J. Barber born
8. Edward Barber born about 1849 in Alabama - a twin to Robert J. Barber?
The Creel Church Cemetery of Barbour Co., Alabama contains the grave of Bama Barber 23 Aug 1879 - May 1955. Bama was a name that Sarah E. (Barber) Blakey used in naming one of her daughters. [Source: web page. Connection?--kdd]
Census Records For Joseph and Arsenia Barber:
1840 Sumter Co, Georgia census:
Joseph Barber 1 0 0 0 1 - 0 1 0 0 1
In 1840 William A. Barber is the male under five years of age while his elder sister Rebecca is a female between five and ten years old. Joseph Barber is between 20 and 30 years of age and Arcenia also between 20 and 30 years of age. Joseph Barber was no longer a resident of Sumter Co., GA by 1850 although Samuel W. Barber was still in residence.
5 December 1850, No Twp L, Russell County, Alabama, page 54:
138-138
Joseph Barber 40 M Farmer - $100 b. NC
Arsenia 38 F b. NC
Rebecca 13 F b. NC
William 12 M b. NC
Samuel 9 M b. AL
Sarah 7 F b. AL
George 5 M b. AL
Mary 3 F b. AL
Robert 1 M b. AL
Edward 1 M b. AL
13 July 1860, Eastern Div., Barbour County, Alabama, P.O. Eufaula, page 340:
498-499
Joseph Barber 49 M Farmer - $500 b. NC
Arcena 47 F b. NC
Rebecca 24 F b. GA
William 21 M Farm hand b. GA
Samuel 18 M b. GA
Sarah 17 F b. AL
George 15 M b. AL
Emma 13 F b. AL
Robert 11 M b. AL
Edward 11 M b. AL
[notation--This census seems to be the most accurate in terms of the children's birthplaces. A later census reports Rebecca's birthplace as Georgia. William A. Barber consistently reports his birthplace as Georgia, and Sarah (Barber) Blakey consistently reports her birthplace as Alabama. This places the Barber family in George from at least 1836 to 1842. Need to check both North Carolina and Georgia for the marriage record of Joseph and Arcena (Moore?) Barber c. 1833. --kdd]
12 Aug 1870, Twp 10, Range 26, Barbour Co., AL, page 449:
1227-1310
Barber, Joseph 60 M W Farmer b. NC
----- Arbthenia 60 F W Keeps house b. NC
Walls, Rebecca 35 F W At home b. GA
13 Aug 1870 Twp 12, Range 25, Barbour Co., AL, P.O. Eufaula page 423:
1992-2033
Barber, Robert 21 M Farm Hand b. AL
----- William 32 M Farmer $800 - $200 b. AL
----- Minerva 28 F Keeping House b. SC
Arcenia Barber, wife of Joseph died between the 1870 census and the 1880 census. The date and place of her death are unknown.
1880, Prec. 7, Cass Co., TX, p. 222A:
Barber, Joseph 69 b. Self employed b. NC fb. NC mb. NC
----- Rebecca 50 b. Keeps house b. TN fb. TN mb. TN
Joseph Barber married Mrs. Rebecca Murphy on 22 Dec 1874 in Cass Co., TX. Their marriage is recorded in Bk 4, p. 39. They were married by J.E. Jones, L.E.; no witness’s names appear on their marriage license.
Joseph Barber's date and place of death are unknown. There is no tombstone next to his last wife Rebecca.
Rebecca (Barber) Walls Temple
© Kathy Duncan, 2014
Rebecca Barber, daughter of Joseph and Arsenia Barber, was born about 1836. She married Sidney Walls on 2 June 1861 in Barbour County, Alabama. They were married only a few months before Sidney J. Wall enlisted in the First Alabama Infantry. By 1870 Rebecca (Barber) Walls was living with her parents Joseph and Arsenia Barber. There are no additional marriages for Rebecca (Barber) Walls in Barbour County, Alabama.
12 Aug 1870, Twp 10, Range 26, Barbour Co., AL, page 449:
1227-1310
Barber, Joseph 60 M W Farmer NC
Arbthenia 60 F W Keeps house NC
Walls, Rebecca 35 F W At home GA
A Sidney J. Wall enlisted into the First Alabama Infantry Co., F. He may have been captured during the surrender of Island 10. Soldiers from the First Alabama were taken to Camp Randall, Camp Douglas, and Camp Butler. Sidney J. Wall does not appear among the names of the dead at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin where most of the CSA dead were from Alabama. There is, however an S.J. Wall, private, of Co. F, 1st Alabama Infantry, who died at Camp Douglass on 13 Aug 1962 and is buried in the “Confederate Mound” at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IL.
[Source: Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Civilians who Died as Prisoners of War at Camp Douglass, Chicago, IL 1862 -1865.]
This is most likely Sidney J. Wall, suggesting that Rebecca Barber and Sidney J. Wall married shortly before his enlistment and that they had no surviving children.
Rebecca (Barber) Wall married William Temples on 11 Feb 1872 in Lafayette Co., AR. She was about 37 years old, and he was about 62.
14 June 1880, Pct 7, Dist. 16, Cass Co., TX:
62-63
Temples, William W M 70 Shoemaker b. NC fb. NC mb. NC
----Rebecca W F 45 Wife Keeps house b. GA fb. GA mb. GA
Brown, Arthena W F 10 Niece b. TX fb. NC mb. SC
[Notation--Arthena Brown is Rebecca (Barber) Walls Temples’ niece Emma Arcenia Brown, daughter of John C. and Mary Emma (Barber) Brown. By 1880 Arcenia’s mother Mary Emma Brown was widowed. The location of the rest of the Brown family in 1880 is, as of yet, unknown.--kdd]
In 1890 the "heirs of Wm. Temple" appear in the Cass Co., TX tax list.
No obituaries for William and Rebecca (Barber) Temple were found in the Cass Co., TX area. No dates of death or place of death have been found for them as yet.
Rebecca Barber, daughter of Joseph and Arsenia Barber, was born about 1836. She married Sidney Walls on 2 June 1861 in Barbour County, Alabama. They were married only a few months before Sidney J. Wall enlisted in the First Alabama Infantry. By 1870 Rebecca (Barber) Walls was living with her parents Joseph and Arsenia Barber. There are no additional marriages for Rebecca (Barber) Walls in Barbour County, Alabama.
12 Aug 1870, Twp 10, Range 26, Barbour Co., AL, page 449:
1227-1310
Barber, Joseph 60 M W Farmer NC
Arbthenia 60 F W Keeps house NC
Walls, Rebecca 35 F W At home GA
A Sidney J. Wall enlisted into the First Alabama Infantry Co., F. He may have been captured during the surrender of Island 10. Soldiers from the First Alabama were taken to Camp Randall, Camp Douglas, and Camp Butler. Sidney J. Wall does not appear among the names of the dead at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin where most of the CSA dead were from Alabama. There is, however an S.J. Wall, private, of Co. F, 1st Alabama Infantry, who died at Camp Douglass on 13 Aug 1962 and is buried in the “Confederate Mound” at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IL.
[Source: Confederate Soldiers, Sailors, and Civilians who Died as Prisoners of War at Camp Douglass, Chicago, IL 1862 -1865.]
This is most likely Sidney J. Wall, suggesting that Rebecca Barber and Sidney J. Wall married shortly before his enlistment and that they had no surviving children.
Rebecca (Barber) Wall married William Temples on 11 Feb 1872 in Lafayette Co., AR. She was about 37 years old, and he was about 62.
14 June 1880, Pct 7, Dist. 16, Cass Co., TX:
62-63
Temples, William W M 70 Shoemaker b. NC fb. NC mb. NC
----Rebecca W F 45 Wife Keeps house b. GA fb. GA mb. GA
Brown, Arthena W F 10 Niece b. TX fb. NC mb. SC
[Notation--Arthena Brown is Rebecca (Barber) Walls Temples’ niece Emma Arcenia Brown, daughter of John C. and Mary Emma (Barber) Brown. By 1880 Arcenia’s mother Mary Emma Brown was widowed. The location of the rest of the Brown family in 1880 is, as of yet, unknown.--kdd]
In 1890 the "heirs of Wm. Temple" appear in the Cass Co., TX tax list.
No obituaries for William and Rebecca (Barber) Temple were found in the Cass Co., TX area. No dates of death or place of death have been found for them as yet.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Mary Belle (Duncan) and Joe H. Holder
© Kathy Duncan, 2014
Back in 2012, I posted a photograph of Richard E. Duncan and family. Their daughter Mary Belle Duncan, who was simply called Belle by the Duncan family, was not in the photo because she had left home and was married to Joe H. Holder. Since she died young, I did not have much hope of ever seeing a photograph of her. However, cousin Gerald Holder had not one, but two pictures of her with her family. All of these pictures were taken before her death in 1922.
The first picture is one of Mary Belle (Duncan) Holder with her son Enos Melvin "Gid' Holder taken c. 1920/1921:
Back in 2012, I posted a photograph of Richard E. Duncan and family. Their daughter Mary Belle Duncan, who was simply called Belle by the Duncan family, was not in the photo because she had left home and was married to Joe H. Holder. Since she died young, I did not have much hope of ever seeing a photograph of her. However, cousin Gerald Holder had not one, but two pictures of her with her family. All of these pictures were taken before her death in 1922.
The first picture is one of Mary Belle (Duncan) Holder with her son Enos Melvin "Gid' Holder taken c. 1920/1921:
 |
| Enos Melvin "Gid" Holder and mother Mary Belle (Duncan) Holder cd. 1920/1921 |
The second picture is of the entire Holder family posed in their new John Deere wagon. From left to right: Enos Wayne "Gid" Holder, Henry Holder, Gladys Holder, Joe H. Holder, Mary Belle (Duncan) Holder, Susie Holder.
 |
| Left to right: Gid Holder, Henry Holder, Gladys Holder, Joe H. Holder [father in wagon seat], Mary Belle (Duncan) Holder [mother in wagon seat], Susie Holder, c. 1919/1920 |
The last picture is of Enos Melvin "Gid" Holder and family. This photograph features from left to right: Enos Melvin "Gid" Holder, Wayne Holder, Gerald Holder, and Sharlene (Foster) Holder.
 |
| Left to right: Enos Melvin "Gid" Holder, Wayne Holder, Gerald Holder, Sharlene (Foster) Holder, 1947 |
Thank you, Gerald Holder for sharing these photographs.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Buford Dendy and Louise (Davis) Dendy
© Kathy Duncan, 2014
The photograph below is of my great-grandparents: Buford W. and Louise (Davis) Dendy. This photograph was taken in the early part of 1910.
The photograph below is of my great-grandparents: Buford W. and Louise (Davis) Dendy. This photograph was taken in the early part of 1910.
.jpg) |
| Left to right: Burl Cason Dendy, Buford Watts Dendy [father], Louise (Davis) Dendy [mother], Arlene (Dendy) Deaton [baby], Orval Van Buren Dendy |
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
~ AZARIAH AND CHRISTINA (SHEPHARD) HOLCOMB ~
© Kathy Duncan, 2014
Azariah Holcomb, the Revolutionary War Soldier, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut.
He was married to Christina Shephard on 21 May 1789 in Greenbush, New York.
In his 1832 application for a pension, he stated that he enlisted in April 1777 at Granville, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. After the Revolutionary War, he lived for three years in Vermont, and then he moved to Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, New York where he had lived for 40 years. That would have placed him continuously in Rensselaer County until 1820. His statement does not provide any indication that he ever resided in Missouri. He would have had to have been in the Missouri or Louisiana Territories around 1800 in order for Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County, Missouri to have been born there along with the births of Azariah's several Missouri born siblings. This would have required an extended period of time in Missouri.
Azariah Holcomb and Christina Shepperd's family bible is part of his pension application and is readily available on HeritageQuest. Their bible provides the following information about their children:
Melita Holcomb b. 13 May 1793
Lunia Holcomb b. 13 April 195
Michal Holcomb b. 5 Sept 1796
Lunia Holcomb b. Mar 1800
Azariah Holcomb b. 8 May 1802
Marianne Holcomb b. 17 Aug 1805
Aretus Lyman Holcomb b, 16 Mar 1807
Christina Holcomb b. 25 April 1809
Gilson Holcomb b. 2Sept 1811
John S. Holcomb b. Jan 1814
Lamira Holcomb b. July 1816
Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb did have a son named Azariah, who was close to the same age as Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County Missouri. The difference in their ages is two years.
It should be noted that Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County, Missouri did not use any of the names of Azariah and Christina (Shepherd) Holcomb's children in naming his children. Instead, he used the names Nathaniel, Hannah, and Phebe, which can be found among the siblings of Enoch Holcomb.
Azariah Holcomb of Warren County, Pennsylvania is a better candidate for son of Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb than is Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County, Missouri.
Azariah Holcomb of Warren County, Pennsylvania is approximately the same age as Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb's son. Like their son, he was born in New York. On the 1880 census, he reported that his father was born in Connecticut and his mother in New York, thus, strengthening the possibility that he was their son.
Warren Co., PA, 31 July 1850:
Azariah Holcomb 50 NY
Marian ----- 38 NY
Sylvester ------ 18 PA
Philander ------ 16 PA
Sherman ------ 14 PA
Almira ------ 10 F PA
Russelburgh, Warren Co., PA, 20 July 1860:
Ezeriah Holcomb 64 NY
Mary ----- 54 NY
Sherman ----- 25 PA
Norman ------ 3 PA
Warren Co., PA 25 July 1870:
Holcomb, Azariah 68 NY
-----, Mary 58 NY
-----, Norman 14 PA
Warren Co., PA 16&17 June 1880:
Holcomb, Azariah 78 NY fb. CT mb. NY
-----Mary A. 68 NY fb. NY mb. NY
The Two Azariah Holcombs
Azariah Holcomb, the Revolutionary War Soldier, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut.
He was married to Christina Shephard on 21 May 1789 in Greenbush, New York.
In his 1832 application for a pension, he stated that he enlisted in April 1777 at Granville, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. After the Revolutionary War, he lived for three years in Vermont, and then he moved to Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, New York where he had lived for 40 years. That would have placed him continuously in Rensselaer County until 1820. His statement does not provide any indication that he ever resided in Missouri. He would have had to have been in the Missouri or Louisiana Territories around 1800 in order for Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County, Missouri to have been born there along with the births of Azariah's several Missouri born siblings. This would have required an extended period of time in Missouri.
Azariah Holcomb and Christina Shepperd's family bible is part of his pension application and is readily available on HeritageQuest. Their bible provides the following information about their children:
Melita Holcomb b. 13 May 1793
Lunia Holcomb b. 13 April 195
Michal Holcomb b. 5 Sept 1796
Lunia Holcomb b. Mar 1800
Azariah Holcomb b. 8 May 1802
Marianne Holcomb b. 17 Aug 1805
Aretus Lyman Holcomb b, 16 Mar 1807
Christina Holcomb b. 25 April 1809
Gilson Holcomb b. 2Sept 1811
John S. Holcomb b. Jan 1814
Lamira Holcomb b. July 1816
Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb did have a son named Azariah, who was close to the same age as Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County Missouri. The difference in their ages is two years.
It should be noted that Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County, Missouri did not use any of the names of Azariah and Christina (Shepherd) Holcomb's children in naming his children. Instead, he used the names Nathaniel, Hannah, and Phebe, which can be found among the siblings of Enoch Holcomb.
Azariah Holcomb of Warren County, Pennsylvania is a better candidate for son of Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb than is Azariah Holcomb of McDonald County, Missouri.
Azariah Holcomb of Warren County, Pennsylvania is approximately the same age as Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb's son. Like their son, he was born in New York. On the 1880 census, he reported that his father was born in Connecticut and his mother in New York, thus, strengthening the possibility that he was their son.
Warren Co., PA, 31 July 1850:
Azariah Holcomb 50 NY
Marian ----- 38 NY
Sylvester ------ 18 PA
Philander ------ 16 PA
Sherman ------ 14 PA
Almira ------ 10 F PA
Russelburgh, Warren Co., PA, 20 July 1860:
Ezeriah Holcomb 64 NY
Mary ----- 54 NY
Sherman ----- 25 PA
Norman ------ 3 PA
Warren Co., PA 25 July 1870:
Holcomb, Azariah 68 NY
-----, Mary 58 NY
-----, Norman 14 PA
Warren Co., PA 16&17 June 1880:
Holcomb, Azariah 78 NY fb. CT mb. NY
-----Mary A. 68 NY fb. NY mb. NY
The Two Azariah Holcombs
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
AZARIAH HOLCOMB
© Kathy Duncan, 2013
Contrary to popular and persistent belief, Azariah Holcomb was not the son of Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb. Evidence suggests that he was the eldest son in a group of siblings whose parents have not been identified, but who lived in the area now known as Missouri by Azariah's birth in 1800. Azariah Holcomb's bible does not contain his birth date.
According to Azariah's own bible record, he married Susan on April 20, 1819. Please note that the Bible record does not contain Susan's maiden name, which tradition holds was Stafford. This will be discussed later in this post. Various online family trees and web pages place their marriage in either El Paso County, Colorado or Newton County, Missouri. Neither of these is very likely. Probably, Azariah and Susan married in southeastern Missouri near Ste. Genevieve or St. Louis. Perhaps they married in another state. The possibilities include Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. However, to date, no civil or church record of their marriage has been discovered.
The 1820 census for the Missouri Territory suffered a district wide loss, so Azariah's whereabouts in 1820 are unknown. However, by 1826 he was residing in Jefferson County, Missouri.
Azariah and Susan's first child, Nathaniel Holcomb, was born on January 13, 1820. He died on October 22, 1821.
Their second child, Margaret Holcomb, was born July 20, 1822, and she died on November 10, 1822.
Their third child, Hannah Holcomb, was born on March 24, 1824. Hannah survived to adulthood.
On April 15, 1825, the Jefferson County, Missouri county court appointed Azariah Holcomb the constable of Plattin Township. The appointment was withheld pending approval of a $500 bond. On May 2, when the court met again, it was adjourned for a lack of a quorum. They met again on May 5, when Azariah's appointment was confirmed.
[Source: The Heritage News, Jefferson County Historical Society, issue 22, April 2000. Thank you, Karen Allman, for reminding me about this information.
On 19 July 1826, while residing in Jefferson County, Missouri, Azariah signed a petition to move the county seat from Herculaneum to Hillsboro along with brothers Nathaniel and Enoch Holcomb.
Azariah and Susan's fourth child, Agustus Holcomb, was born on April 5, 1826. He survived infancy, but died at the age of 18 on January 31, 1845.
Their fifth child, Phebe Holcomb, was born on December 19, 1828. She died after eight days on December 27, 1828.
Their sixth child, Mahalath Holcomb, was born on March 25, 1830, probably in Jackson County, Missouri. She survived to adulthood.
On November 26, 1830, Azariah Holcomb purchased Lots 41, 42, & 88 facing on Lexington St. in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri [Bk. A p. 39].
On December 17, 1830, Azariah Holcomb purchased Lots 95 on Kansas St. and Lots 98, 99, and 102 facing on Liberty St. in Independence, Jackson County Missouri [Bk. B p. 84].
On July 3, 1832, Azariah and Susan Holcomb sold Lots 41, 42, & 88 to James Poole in Jackson County, Missouri. [Bk. B p. 84].
Their seventh child, Manerva Holcomb, was born, probably in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, on November 11, 1832. She lived to adulthood.
On December 29, 1832, Azariah and Susan Holcomb sold lots 95, 98, 99, and 102 to W.W. Phelps & Co. [Phelps, Cowdry, and Whitmer] in Jackson County, Missouri [Bk. B p. 135].
According to Pearl Wilcox, this location later became famous as the Robert Weston Blacksmith shop.
[Source: Wilcox, Pearl. The Latter Day Saints on the Missouri Frontier, 1972. p. 45]
The property conveyed to W. W. Phelps & Co became the subject of a lawsuit in 1856.
On January 15, 1833, Azariah purchased 12 acres from Jones H. and Clara Flourney. Part SE 1/4 & W 1/2 SE 1/4 S3 T49 R32 - 6 acres [Bk. B p. 150] and Part S end SW SE cor SE S3 T49 R32 -a triangular spaced piece of land containing 6 acres [Bk. p. 563]
On August 15, 1833, Azariah sold the oddly shaped piece of land to Wm. E. McLelin SW & SE cor E 1/2 W & W 1/2 SE S3 T49 R32 - 6 acres [Bk. B - 328]
In 1833 Azariah Holcomb was hired as a carpenter for the Senecas of Sandusky at the Seneca Sub-Agency located in present-day Delaware County, Oklahoma. The land sale in August of 1833 seems to have been in preparation for removing to the Seneca Sub-Agency.
The following was written by Frank H. Harris:
"Acting on the recommendation of the Governor of Missouri, Commissioner Ellsworth on August 1, 1833, hired James Pool, from Independence, Missouri, to perform the duties of blacksmith for the Senecas of Sandusky. He also hired Azariah Holcomb, Mr. Pool's brother-in-law, as carpenter, to assist in the proposed erection of a grist mill for the Senecas. These two men did good service for the Senecas for several years. Cherokee West Agent, Vashon, complained in 1835, that Commissioner Ellsworth had no authority to hire the two men.
"Lieutenant Van Horne, while acting Seneca Sub-Agent in 1833, allowed Mr. Pool and his family to live at the Agency house. Van Horne state, 'As there seemed to me little probability that the Agency House would be required for the residence of a Sub-Agent: and as it was likely to go to ruin if not occupied: I have directed the blacksmith to occupy it at present.' Mr. Holcomb and his family were sick and were also allowed to live there, where they were cared for by the Pool family. Lieut. Van Horne, conscious of Mr. Holcoomb's illness, reported [on Dec. 31, 1833], 'I think it my duty to say that in my opinion, the man is unfit to be employed by the Department, either as a carpenter or miller.'
"The first blacksmith shop for the Senecas was built on the grounds near the Agency House, by Mr. Pool and Mr. Holcomb. It was built, 'of hewn logs, a naile on roof and cost together with the coal-house, only $15.80."
James Pool remained as blacksmith for the Seneca until 1841. Azariah Holcomb left earlier.
[Source: Harris, Frank H. "Seneca Sub-Agency, 1832-1838." The Chronicles of Oklahoma. p. 75 - 95.]
Azariah and Susan's eight child, Azariah Oliver Holcomb, was born on March 30, 1835. The Holcombs would have been living at the Seneca Sub-Agency in Delaware County, Oklahoma at this time.
On May 2, 1835, Azariah Holcomb, of Seneca Mills, wrote a plea to Major Armstrong, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, asking for clarification of his position with the Seneca Sub-Agency. He recounted that he had been hired in 1833 as a carpenter to build the Seneca Mills. When they were completed he was to be appointed miller if he was "capable of discharging the duties of the appointment." He considered this appointment legal and valid until about January 18, 1835, when Vashon informed him that he had been discharged from his duties as carpenter as of December 31, 1834, and that he would not be appointed miller. He requested reply through Mr. Pool, the bearer of the letter.
[Source: Texas Tech University, Bureau of Indian Affairs]
On January 1, 1835, Azariah Holcomb was appointed as a miller for the Shawnees, salary $600. His employment with them continued through 1839.
[Source: Report from the Secretary of War, transmitting, in obedience to the act of June 30, 1834, a statement of all persons employed in the service of the Indian Department during the year 1838. Date: Thursday, January 17, 1839. Publication: Serial Set vol no. 339 Report: S. Doc. 95]
Azariah and Susan's ninth child, Susan Holcomb, was born September 30, 1837, but died a few days later on October 9, 1837.
Azariah was employed in "Kansas" for all or part of 1838 for the Shawnees.
[Source: Kansas Historical Quarterly, volume XXIX, no. 1, Spring 1963]
On December 20, 1838, Azariah was to receive pay for nine months and eight days of work as miller for the Seneca from Lieut. J. Van Horne, but no dollar amount was noted.
[Source: Disbursing agents - Indians. Letter from the Second Auditor of the Treasury, transmitting the accounts of persons charged with the disbursement of moneys, goods, &c., for the benefit of the Indians, for the year ending September 30, 1830, together with the names of sub-agents, &c. April 9, 1840. Date: Thursday, April 9, 1840. Publication: Serial Set Vol. No. 366. Report: H. Doc. 173]
Azariah and Susan's tenth and last child, Hulda Ann Holcomb, was born on August 1839. She survived to adulthood.
1840 Elk River Twp, Newton County, Missouri, page 227:
Azanah Holcomb 0110101 - 11110011
On January 9, 1843, Azariah Holcomb was paid $147.12. for his work with the Choctaw Agency.
McDonald County, Missouri census:
14 Nov 1850 McDonald Co., MO, 53rd Dist, p. 116:
341-351:
Azariah Holcomb 50 MO
Susan 54 KY
Minerva 18 MO
Azariah Oliver 15 MO
Hulda 11 MO
1850 McDonald Co., MO p. 112:
Sanders Wheeler 27 Farmer TN
Mahala 21 F MO
Henry 4 MO
Hulda 3 MO
George Jamison 21 M
1850 McDonald Co., MO p. 112:
John Walker 28 Farmer 500 TN
Hanah 26 MO
Louiz 6 MO
Azariah L. 4 MO
Julian 3 MO
Pleasant 8/12 MO
Minerva E. Pool 16 MO
Sarah A. Pool 14 MO
[Minerva E. and Sarah A. Pool were the daughters of James and Phebe (Holcomb) Pool.]
Azariah's brother Enoch Holcomb died in 1852. Enoch Holcomb's estate, case #03827B, was filed in St. Louis County, Missouri in 1852/3. His probate named his siblings: "Isaac Holcomb brother of decd who resides in St. Louis County and Nathaniel Holcomb brother of decd who resides in California and Azariah Holcomb and Hannah wife of James Scagg and the children of Esther Jameson who was a sister of decd who reside in the Southwestern part of the state of Missouri and the children of Phoebe Pool whose residence is unknown to me."
In 1857 "Smith Elkins was elected to fill the vacancy [created by the death of Representative Thomas Jones of McDonald County, Missouri], defeating Azariah Q. Holcomb, who walked to Jefferson City to contest the election.
[Source: Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, vol. 4]
Azariah Holcomb was appointed the postmaster at Rutledge, McDonald County, Missouri on May 13, 1859.
[Source: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept 30, 1971; Role#:72; Archive Publication #: M841.]
McDonald County, Missouri census:
1 June 1860 McDonald Co., MO, Rutledge Twp:
3-3
Azariah Holcomb 59 M Farmer $200-$20 b. MO
Susan Holcomb 63 F b. MO
A.O. Holcomb 25 M Miner b. Seneca Nation
Elizabeth Nelson 4 F b. MO
[Elizabeth Nelson was the daughter of Azariah and Susan Holcomb's daughter Minerva (Holcomb) Crook Nelson]
1860 McDonald Co., MO, Elk River Twp, p. 88:
Mahala Wheeler 30 F Farmer 500-400 MO
Wm H. 13 M MO
Hulda A. 12 F MO
James C. 5 M MO
Wm. H. Sutherland 24 M MO
The details of Azariah and Susan Holcomb's life after 1860 are filled in by their granddaughter Elizabeth Kerfoot, daughter of Minerva (Holcomb) and William Nelson, which was recorded by her daughter:
"[Elizabeth lived to be at least 95. Her daughter wrote this as Elizabeth (Betty) told it. I don’t know what age. It has a few discrepancies. Jean Werkheiser]
"Born in Rutledge, Missouri May 19, 1856. Her grandfather was Azariah Holcomb, called Squire Holcomb, was a judge in Rutledge. Her grandmother was Susan Stafford Holcomb. Her father William Nelson who had a sister Elizabeth. He enlisted in the Civil War and Betty saw him a few times when he visited her aunt. Her mother, Minerva Holcomb Nelson, died when Betty was 8 months old. The home of Azariah and Susan Holcomb was burned when the City of Rutledge was set afire during the war and they took Betty to their daughter’s, Mrs. Sanders Wheeler (formerly Mahala Holcomb). She had three children, Henry, Hulda and Jim.
"Minerva Holcomb had a daughter, Katherine Crook by an earlier marriage who was a half sister to Betty. Katherine went to live with their mother’s sister, Hulda Holcomb Carroll who had several children. Mary, Dick and ???, Stephen and Jefferson.
"Another sister of their mother was Hannah Walker. They had a large family, the oldest son William serving in the war. There were also Rebecca, Julia who was a musician. Three boys, one of them Hugh and another Finley, who died from a thorn infection.
"Two brothers of her mother were Jacob and Azariah Oliver (whom she called Uncle Oliver). Both came to California in the gold rush with Sanders Wheeler (their brother in law). They struck gold near Sacramento, but Sanders Wheeler died of a fever and his gold was sent home to his wife who bought a farm with the money. Jacob settled near San Bernardo, California but was not heard from after that.
"Oliver Holcomb went to Colorado and took up a ranch at Colorado City [Dirty Woman Creek Ranch, 1859]. He bought cattle in Indian Territory with his gold. He married Nancy Jackson [Smith?] in Colorado and they had three children. Phoebe, LaFayette and Eliza. Nancy died when Eliza was 8 months old. She was buried on the table land between the present Colorado Springs and old Colorado City. Before Nancy died, Oliver froze his feet trying to save his cattle during a hard winter but he finally lost the cattle.
"Oliver then took his three children and housekeeper and started for Missouri to get his father and mother to return to Colorado with him. He left the children at Nebraska City with a Dr. Young and wife, old schoolmates of his father [No. He left them in Colorado City]. Oliver went on to Neosha, Mo. to his sisters’ (Mrs. Mahala Wheeler) and found that his mother had died a month or more before. After visiting a few weeks, he started back for Colorado with his father Azariah, Katherine and Betty. At Nebraska City, he found that Dr. Young had died suddenly during Oliver’s absence. Oliver waited at Nebraska City two or
three months as the Young family wanted to go to Colorado but the boys had to dispose of their belongings. During this time Katherine and Betty had typhoid fever and Katherine died (13 yrs. of age). Then Oliver, his father, Betty, Mrs. Young and her two boys joined a large covered wagon train going to Colorado Springs.
"On the trip Oliver drove a big wagon with a team of four horses and his father Azariah had a light spring wagon with one horse. One day seven Indians in war paint rode up to Azariah and one pointed a gun at him. He told Betty to get down in the bottom of the wagon and finally the Indian dropped his gun and asked for tobacco which was given him and they rode off with no damage done. The train passed many places where Indians had run the wagons into the Platte, had stolen cattle, oxen and horses and murdered the immigrants. There was too large a party in the train for the Indians to tackle."
Susan Holcomb, wife of Azariah, died on 3 June 1862, age 66, according to Azariah Holcomb's bible. If Azariah and Susan removed to one of their children's homes after their house burned, then Susan may not have died in McDonald County, Missouri.
On January 21, 1865, A. Z. Holcomb of Colorado City, Colorado paid $3.33 in taxes. His profession is listed as lawyer.
[Source: Ancestry.com. U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862 - 1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.]
Azariah's death was recorded in his Bible: Az Holcomb died May 5th, 1866, age 66. His name appears on the pioneer memorial stone in Mesa Cemetery, El Paso County, Colorado.
A close look at Azariah Holcomb's bible is extremely revealing. The entries for his children's births and deaths appear to be in his handwriting; however, the fact that the children's birth dates are not in chronological order indicates that these events were not recorded as they occurred. Therefore, this bible is probably a later record and may have been a replacement for one lost in their house fire.
Azariah Holcomb's Siblings
Contrary to popular and persistent belief, Azariah Holcomb was not the son of Azariah and Christina (Shephard) Holcomb. Evidence suggests that he was the eldest son in a group of siblings whose parents have not been identified, but who lived in the area now known as Missouri by Azariah's birth in 1800. Azariah Holcomb's bible does not contain his birth date.
According to Azariah's own bible record, he married Susan on April 20, 1819. Please note that the Bible record does not contain Susan's maiden name, which tradition holds was Stafford. This will be discussed later in this post. Various online family trees and web pages place their marriage in either El Paso County, Colorado or Newton County, Missouri. Neither of these is very likely. Probably, Azariah and Susan married in southeastern Missouri near Ste. Genevieve or St. Louis. Perhaps they married in another state. The possibilities include Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. However, to date, no civil or church record of their marriage has been discovered.
The 1820 census for the Missouri Territory suffered a district wide loss, so Azariah's whereabouts in 1820 are unknown. However, by 1826 he was residing in Jefferson County, Missouri.
Azariah and Susan's first child, Nathaniel Holcomb, was born on January 13, 1820. He died on October 22, 1821.
Their second child, Margaret Holcomb, was born July 20, 1822, and she died on November 10, 1822.
Their third child, Hannah Holcomb, was born on March 24, 1824. Hannah survived to adulthood.
On April 15, 1825, the Jefferson County, Missouri county court appointed Azariah Holcomb the constable of Plattin Township. The appointment was withheld pending approval of a $500 bond. On May 2, when the court met again, it was adjourned for a lack of a quorum. They met again on May 5, when Azariah's appointment was confirmed.
[Source: The Heritage News, Jefferson County Historical Society, issue 22, April 2000. Thank you, Karen Allman, for reminding me about this information.
On 19 July 1826, while residing in Jefferson County, Missouri, Azariah signed a petition to move the county seat from Herculaneum to Hillsboro along with brothers Nathaniel and Enoch Holcomb.
Azariah and Susan's fourth child, Agustus Holcomb, was born on April 5, 1826. He survived infancy, but died at the age of 18 on January 31, 1845.
Their fifth child, Phebe Holcomb, was born on December 19, 1828. She died after eight days on December 27, 1828.
Their sixth child, Mahalath Holcomb, was born on March 25, 1830, probably in Jackson County, Missouri. She survived to adulthood.
On November 26, 1830, Azariah Holcomb purchased Lots 41, 42, & 88 facing on Lexington St. in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri [Bk. A p. 39].
On December 17, 1830, Azariah Holcomb purchased Lots 95 on Kansas St. and Lots 98, 99, and 102 facing on Liberty St. in Independence, Jackson County Missouri [Bk. B p. 84].
On July 3, 1832, Azariah and Susan Holcomb sold Lots 41, 42, & 88 to James Poole in Jackson County, Missouri. [Bk. B p. 84].
Their seventh child, Manerva Holcomb, was born, probably in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, on November 11, 1832. She lived to adulthood.
On December 29, 1832, Azariah and Susan Holcomb sold lots 95, 98, 99, and 102 to W.W. Phelps & Co. [Phelps, Cowdry, and Whitmer] in Jackson County, Missouri [Bk. B p. 135].
According to Pearl Wilcox, this location later became famous as the Robert Weston Blacksmith shop.
[Source: Wilcox, Pearl. The Latter Day Saints on the Missouri Frontier, 1972. p. 45]
The property conveyed to W. W. Phelps & Co became the subject of a lawsuit in 1856.
On January 15, 1833, Azariah purchased 12 acres from Jones H. and Clara Flourney. Part SE 1/4 & W 1/2 SE 1/4 S3 T49 R32 - 6 acres [Bk. B p. 150] and Part S end SW SE cor SE S3 T49 R32 -a triangular spaced piece of land containing 6 acres [Bk. p. 563]
On August 15, 1833, Azariah sold the oddly shaped piece of land to Wm. E. McLelin SW & SE cor E 1/2 W & W 1/2 SE S3 T49 R32 - 6 acres [Bk. B - 328]
 |
| Properties in yellow belonged to Azariah Holcomb. Properities in green belonged to James Pool. Later James Pool purchased some yellow property from Azariah Holcomb. Click on image to enlarge. |
In 1833 Azariah Holcomb was hired as a carpenter for the Senecas of Sandusky at the Seneca Sub-Agency located in present-day Delaware County, Oklahoma. The land sale in August of 1833 seems to have been in preparation for removing to the Seneca Sub-Agency.
The following was written by Frank H. Harris:
"Acting on the recommendation of the Governor of Missouri, Commissioner Ellsworth on August 1, 1833, hired James Pool, from Independence, Missouri, to perform the duties of blacksmith for the Senecas of Sandusky. He also hired Azariah Holcomb, Mr. Pool's brother-in-law, as carpenter, to assist in the proposed erection of a grist mill for the Senecas. These two men did good service for the Senecas for several years. Cherokee West Agent, Vashon, complained in 1835, that Commissioner Ellsworth had no authority to hire the two men.
"Lieutenant Van Horne, while acting Seneca Sub-Agent in 1833, allowed Mr. Pool and his family to live at the Agency house. Van Horne state, 'As there seemed to me little probability that the Agency House would be required for the residence of a Sub-Agent: and as it was likely to go to ruin if not occupied: I have directed the blacksmith to occupy it at present.' Mr. Holcomb and his family were sick and were also allowed to live there, where they were cared for by the Pool family. Lieut. Van Horne, conscious of Mr. Holcoomb's illness, reported [on Dec. 31, 1833], 'I think it my duty to say that in my opinion, the man is unfit to be employed by the Department, either as a carpenter or miller.'
"The first blacksmith shop for the Senecas was built on the grounds near the Agency House, by Mr. Pool and Mr. Holcomb. It was built, 'of hewn logs, a naile on roof and cost together with the coal-house, only $15.80."
James Pool remained as blacksmith for the Seneca until 1841. Azariah Holcomb left earlier.
[Source: Harris, Frank H. "Seneca Sub-Agency, 1832-1838." The Chronicles of Oklahoma. p. 75 - 95.]
Azariah and Susan's eight child, Azariah Oliver Holcomb, was born on March 30, 1835. The Holcombs would have been living at the Seneca Sub-Agency in Delaware County, Oklahoma at this time.
On May 2, 1835, Azariah Holcomb, of Seneca Mills, wrote a plea to Major Armstrong, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, asking for clarification of his position with the Seneca Sub-Agency. He recounted that he had been hired in 1833 as a carpenter to build the Seneca Mills. When they were completed he was to be appointed miller if he was "capable of discharging the duties of the appointment." He considered this appointment legal and valid until about January 18, 1835, when Vashon informed him that he had been discharged from his duties as carpenter as of December 31, 1834, and that he would not be appointed miller. He requested reply through Mr. Pool, the bearer of the letter.
[Source: Texas Tech University, Bureau of Indian Affairs]
On January 1, 1835, Azariah Holcomb was appointed as a miller for the Shawnees, salary $600. His employment with them continued through 1839.
[Source: Report from the Secretary of War, transmitting, in obedience to the act of June 30, 1834, a statement of all persons employed in the service of the Indian Department during the year 1838. Date: Thursday, January 17, 1839. Publication: Serial Set vol no. 339 Report: S. Doc. 95]
Azariah and Susan's ninth child, Susan Holcomb, was born September 30, 1837, but died a few days later on October 9, 1837.
Azariah was employed in "Kansas" for all or part of 1838 for the Shawnees.
[Source: Kansas Historical Quarterly, volume XXIX, no. 1, Spring 1963]
On December 20, 1838, Azariah was to receive pay for nine months and eight days of work as miller for the Seneca from Lieut. J. Van Horne, but no dollar amount was noted.
[Source: Disbursing agents - Indians. Letter from the Second Auditor of the Treasury, transmitting the accounts of persons charged with the disbursement of moneys, goods, &c., for the benefit of the Indians, for the year ending September 30, 1830, together with the names of sub-agents, &c. April 9, 1840. Date: Thursday, April 9, 1840. Publication: Serial Set Vol. No. 366. Report: H. Doc. 173]
Azariah and Susan's tenth and last child, Hulda Ann Holcomb, was born on August 1839. She survived to adulthood.
1840 Elk River Twp, Newton County, Missouri, page 227:
Azanah Holcomb 0110101 - 11110011
On January 9, 1843, Azariah Holcomb was paid $147.12. for his work with the Choctaw Agency.
McDonald County, Missouri census:
14 Nov 1850 McDonald Co., MO, 53rd Dist, p. 116:
341-351:
Azariah Holcomb 50 MO
Susan 54 KY
Minerva 18 MO
Azariah Oliver 15 MO
Hulda 11 MO
1850 McDonald Co., MO p. 112:
Sanders Wheeler 27 Farmer TN
Mahala 21 F MO
Henry 4 MO
Hulda 3 MO
George Jamison 21 M
1850 McDonald Co., MO p. 112:
John Walker 28 Farmer 500 TN
Hanah 26 MO
Louiz 6 MO
Azariah L. 4 MO
Julian 3 MO
Pleasant 8/12 MO
Minerva E. Pool 16 MO
Sarah A. Pool 14 MO
[Minerva E. and Sarah A. Pool were the daughters of James and Phebe (Holcomb) Pool.]
Azariah's brother Enoch Holcomb died in 1852. Enoch Holcomb's estate, case #03827B, was filed in St. Louis County, Missouri in 1852/3. His probate named his siblings: "Isaac Holcomb brother of decd who resides in St. Louis County and Nathaniel Holcomb brother of decd who resides in California and Azariah Holcomb and Hannah wife of James Scagg and the children of Esther Jameson who was a sister of decd who reside in the Southwestern part of the state of Missouri and the children of Phoebe Pool whose residence is unknown to me."
In 1857 "Smith Elkins was elected to fill the vacancy [created by the death of Representative Thomas Jones of McDonald County, Missouri], defeating Azariah Q. Holcomb, who walked to Jefferson City to contest the election.
[Source: Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, vol. 4]
Azariah Holcomb was appointed the postmaster at Rutledge, McDonald County, Missouri on May 13, 1859.
[Source: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept 30, 1971; Role#:72; Archive Publication #: M841.]
McDonald County, Missouri census:
1 June 1860 McDonald Co., MO, Rutledge Twp:
3-3
Azariah Holcomb 59 M Farmer $200-$20 b. MO
Susan Holcomb 63 F b. MO
A.O. Holcomb 25 M Miner b. Seneca Nation
Elizabeth Nelson 4 F b. MO
[Elizabeth Nelson was the daughter of Azariah and Susan Holcomb's daughter Minerva (Holcomb) Crook Nelson]
1860 McDonald Co., MO, Elk River Twp, p. 88:
Mahala Wheeler 30 F Farmer 500-400 MO
Wm H. 13 M MO
Hulda A. 12 F MO
James C. 5 M MO
Wm. H. Sutherland 24 M MO
The details of Azariah and Susan Holcomb's life after 1860 are filled in by their granddaughter Elizabeth Kerfoot, daughter of Minerva (Holcomb) and William Nelson, which was recorded by her daughter:
"Elizabeth Kerfoot"
"[Elizabeth lived to be at least 95. Her daughter wrote this as Elizabeth (Betty) told it. I don’t know what age. It has a few discrepancies. Jean Werkheiser]
"Born in Rutledge, Missouri May 19, 1856. Her grandfather was Azariah Holcomb, called Squire Holcomb, was a judge in Rutledge. Her grandmother was Susan Stafford Holcomb. Her father William Nelson who had a sister Elizabeth. He enlisted in the Civil War and Betty saw him a few times when he visited her aunt. Her mother, Minerva Holcomb Nelson, died when Betty was 8 months old. The home of Azariah and Susan Holcomb was burned when the City of Rutledge was set afire during the war and they took Betty to their daughter’s, Mrs. Sanders Wheeler (formerly Mahala Holcomb). She had three children, Henry, Hulda and Jim.
"Minerva Holcomb had a daughter, Katherine Crook by an earlier marriage who was a half sister to Betty. Katherine went to live with their mother’s sister, Hulda Holcomb Carroll who had several children. Mary, Dick and ???, Stephen and Jefferson.
"Another sister of their mother was Hannah Walker. They had a large family, the oldest son William serving in the war. There were also Rebecca, Julia who was a musician. Three boys, one of them Hugh and another Finley, who died from a thorn infection.
"Two brothers of her mother were Jacob and Azariah Oliver (whom she called Uncle Oliver). Both came to California in the gold rush with Sanders Wheeler (their brother in law). They struck gold near Sacramento, but Sanders Wheeler died of a fever and his gold was sent home to his wife who bought a farm with the money. Jacob settled near San Bernardo, California but was not heard from after that.
"Oliver Holcomb went to Colorado and took up a ranch at Colorado City [Dirty Woman Creek Ranch, 1859]. He bought cattle in Indian Territory with his gold. He married Nancy Jackson [Smith?] in Colorado and they had three children. Phoebe, LaFayette and Eliza. Nancy died when Eliza was 8 months old. She was buried on the table land between the present Colorado Springs and old Colorado City. Before Nancy died, Oliver froze his feet trying to save his cattle during a hard winter but he finally lost the cattle.
"Oliver then took his three children and housekeeper and started for Missouri to get his father and mother to return to Colorado with him. He left the children at Nebraska City with a Dr. Young and wife, old schoolmates of his father [No. He left them in Colorado City]. Oliver went on to Neosha, Mo. to his sisters’ (Mrs. Mahala Wheeler) and found that his mother had died a month or more before. After visiting a few weeks, he started back for Colorado with his father Azariah, Katherine and Betty. At Nebraska City, he found that Dr. Young had died suddenly during Oliver’s absence. Oliver waited at Nebraska City two or
three months as the Young family wanted to go to Colorado but the boys had to dispose of their belongings. During this time Katherine and Betty had typhoid fever and Katherine died (13 yrs. of age). Then Oliver, his father, Betty, Mrs. Young and her two boys joined a large covered wagon train going to Colorado Springs.
"On the trip Oliver drove a big wagon with a team of four horses and his father Azariah had a light spring wagon with one horse. One day seven Indians in war paint rode up to Azariah and one pointed a gun at him. He told Betty to get down in the bottom of the wagon and finally the Indian dropped his gun and asked for tobacco which was given him and they rode off with no damage done. The train passed many places where Indians had run the wagons into the Platte, had stolen cattle, oxen and horses and murdered the immigrants. There was too large a party in the train for the Indians to tackle."
Susan Holcomb, wife of Azariah, died on 3 June 1862, age 66, according to Azariah Holcomb's bible. If Azariah and Susan removed to one of their children's homes after their house burned, then Susan may not have died in McDonald County, Missouri.
On January 21, 1865, A. Z. Holcomb of Colorado City, Colorado paid $3.33 in taxes. His profession is listed as lawyer.
[Source: Ancestry.com. U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862 - 1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.]
Azariah's death was recorded in his Bible: Az Holcomb died May 5th, 1866, age 66. His name appears on the pioneer memorial stone in Mesa Cemetery, El Paso County, Colorado.
A close look at Azariah Holcomb's bible is extremely revealing. The entries for his children's births and deaths appear to be in his handwriting; however, the fact that the children's birth dates are not in chronological order indicates that these events were not recorded as they occurred. Therefore, this bible is probably a later record and may have been a replacement for one lost in their house fire.
 |
| Azariah Holcomb bible click to enlarge |
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| Azariah Holcomb bible click to enlarge |
Azariah Holcomb's Siblings
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