Tennessee Genealogy Research by Debbie W. Spero

My latest family sleuthing has been centered on Silas James Lankford/Langford and his wife Nancy Susan McKinnis Lankford/Langford and Silas James’ father, Henry Lankford.

In my last entry I was pondering whether Silas James was still married to my great-great-great grandmother when he married for the second and third time in Dickson County, Tennessee, in 1879 and 1881.

After searching the county court, circuit court and chancery court records of Smith Co. TN, from about 1865 through 1887 when Susan McKinnis Lankford died, I found NO record of a divorce between Susan and Silas James Lankford.  So, it appears that yes, Silas James married again without divorce while his first wife was still living.

I also decided to see if I could learn more about Silas James by researching Smith Co. TN probate records for Henry Lankford, Silas James’ father.  Henry died in 1891.

After searching the Smith Co. TN Chancery Court Records Index (loose records collection), I found two entries for both Henry and “S” Lankford and Henry and James Lankford.

In folder 2909 of the loose Chancery Records of Smith Co. TN I found a suit in 1896 involving O.S. Lankford et al vs James Lankford et al.    This suit was full of gems…. stating that all the Lankfords named were of Smith County, TN  “except James Lankford who resides in Dickson County, TN”…and including naming “their father” Henry Lankford and said father…died intestate in Smith Co. TN on the 1st day of Sept. 1891. 

Another page had Dickson Co. written at the top and was a subpoena for James Lankford to be summoned and  to answer in chancery court in Smith Co. TN .   

My last gem of the day was found in Smith Co. , TN Deed Books 6-11 1883-1899 by Partlow, 1996.   On page 167 James Lankford and wife E.T. of Dickson Co. TN sold to L.O. Lankford their interest in land of their father, Henry Lankford, 23 Oct 1896.

Although I have not been able to find too many records in Dickson Co. that name James Lankford, it’s been thrilling to find the Smith Co. TN records that place James and wife in Dickson Co. TN.

I love a mystery-especially when the possible answer is just waiting in the records for me to “dig it out”!

I ordered the Civil War pension application for Silas James Langford.   I had the application date, the application number and the certificate number AND I had the application date and application number of the pension application filed by his wife Emma Langford.    Hopefully this will make the search easier and faster at the National Archives.

Meanwhile I had yet another interesting comment/email from another distant Langford “cousin”.      His email directed me to a link on rootsweb that gave the following information on Silas James Langford/Lankford:     Silas James Lankford was born 15 Jan 1839, Smith Co. TN and died 17 May 1905, Bellsburg, Dickson Co., TN.   He married Nancy Susan McKinnis 1857 (This is my direct line.)    Nancy Susan  McKinnis was born 1834, Smith Co. TN, and died 1887 in Smith Co., TN.   Silas James married Zilpha Catherine Dunn about 1879.   He married Emma Brown Hunter 15 Dec 1881 in Dickson Co. TN.

One of my next moves is to find out if there was a divorce between Silas James Langford and Nancy Susan McKinnis Langford.      The family tradition that I was told was that Silas left his family in Smith Co after the Civil War and “may have started another family” in Dickson Co.       So, it looks like he did “start another family”, but did he do it legally?     Unless, Silas James and Susan were divorced, Silas married not once, but twice, before NancySusan died in 1887.

In addition to the information on Silas James Langford and his immediate family I also received a link to research on the Langford and associated lines that went back several generations.   Besides being very informative and adding many names to my family chart, I learned that both the great grandfather and the great-great grandparents (Parrish Lankford and Henry and Catherine Lankford) all died in Dickson County, TN.   Thus, Silas’ “escape” to Dickson Co. after the Civil War to begin his life anew was not a random choice.–he had family there!    In my previous study of Dickson Co. TN census records I had found several Lankford/Langford families and now I know these Langfords/Lankfords were related to “my” Silas James Lankford.

The plot thickens and the hunt continues….

I recently had an email that started…I may be able to help you in your quest of Silas James Langford.     He was my wife’s third great grandfather.  Silas was in the 24th Tennessee Infantry as you have stated.   When it is stated (on his soldier record) that he was absent…Silas was captured and taken prisoner by the Union.  He was a Union prisoner for almost 2 years.   If you explore the Civil War records even further, you will find that Silas J. Langford mustered into Company A 1st Reg’t Tennessee Mounted Infantry for the Union Army.

My wife’s father told me…Silas mustered into the Union Army in 1864.   Thus Silas fought for the South and the North…After the War, Silas returned to his family in Smith County ….and received…grief from his friends and neighbors.   He just disappeared, leaving (his wife, son and daughter) still with the Langfords in Smith Co.

Silas went to Dickson (County, TN) and according to (my father-in-law) no one knew where he was until one of his brothers found him in Dickson.   We think that perhaps Silas started another family in Dickson, but that is passed down word of mouth.    Silas died there (Dickson Co, TN) in 1905.

Wow, was I excited to read this!    I’ve been to the Tennessee State Library twice since this email, trying to “prove” this information with records.     Here’s what I’ve found so far:

I already had the Confederate service record of Silas J. Lankford who joined M Co of the 24th TN Infantry in 1861.   However, as stated in a previous blog, there were only two cards for Silas J. Lankford’s service in the 24th TN Inf and the second card said he was “left with baggage in Bowling Green, KY”. 

I looked and found the records for Silas J. Langford’s service as a Private in A Co of 1st Mounted Infantry.   This service record consisted of several cards showing Silas was present from Jan 1864 until Jan 31, 1865, when he “mustered out” of service.   Also a part of his service record was the Volunteer Enlistment card which gave great info:   Silas J. Lankford was born in Smith Co. TN and was age 26 years old and a farmer in Jan. 1864 when he enlisted.   This soldier had:  blue eyes, dark hair, dark complexion and six feet tall and was signed by Silas J. Lankford.

I also found on ancestry.com a record of Civil War Prisoner of War Records 1861-1865 that listed Silas J. Langford, stating he was captured Feb 22,1862 and released July 11, no year stated.   Finally, also found on ancestry.com Civil War Pension Index: Langford, Silas J. and Langford, Emma.    Silas filed for a pension in 1902 and was listed as an invalid and Emma Langford fliled in 1905 listed as widow.   Silas served in A Co of 1st TN Mtd Inf.  Unfortunately, this is not a pension that is posted on footnote.com, but will have to be ordered from the National Archives.

Back to the Tennessee records, I again found an entry for Silas James Lankford in the 1890 Civil War Veterans Census of Tennessee by Sistler and Sistler, 1978.   His entry read:  Lankford, Silas J. Di-36-1 (Dickson Co); Pvt H Company 24th TN Inf 6-24-61 to 1-14-65 Bellsburgh P.O.; CONF.   At the time Silas filled out this questionnaire he lived in Bellsburg, Dickson Co.    The “funny” part here is that he listed all of his service as a Confederate.     It’s funny because this is mainly a census of Union soldiers and he would have received the questionnaire because of his service to the Union.   I wonder, though, if because of all of the grief he’d received over his Union service that he decided to just claim his service to the Confederacy.

What I have still not learned is where Silas and “Emma” (who is not my direct line) were in 1900.    The 1900 census for Dickson Co. TN is printed and neither Silas nor Emma is there.   So, as always, some questions answered and some mysteries still to try to solve.   Next step?   Order the pension application for both Silas and Emma Lankford.

Till next time…..happy ancestor hunting!

Two more trips to the Tennessee State Library and Archives and I have found a little more information on Silas James Langford.    Although I cannot find a record of his marriage in either Smith Co. TN or the Early Middle TN Marriages book by Sistler, a Lankford Family Bible record states S.J. Lankford and N.S. Lankford were married 16 Oct 1859.     I had always wondered if N.S., who is Susan in the census records of 1860, 1870, and 1880, was also a Lankford, but the entry before S.J. and N.S.  in the Lankford Bible reads Henry Lankford and Margarett Lankford (Silas James’ parents) and I know that Margarett’s maiden name was Gregory.    I did find later in my research, however, that Susan’s maiden name may have been McKinnis.   As always, more questions and directions to pursue.

Silas James was not present in the 1870 TN census, but wife Susan was with son Marion age 12 and daughter Martha age 6.    In the 1870 Smith Co. TN census Susan Lankford was living near her father in law Henry Lankford and three other Lankford households in dist 2, so I believe this is the same Susan that was living with James Lankford in the 1860 Smith Co. TN census dist 2.   

I made a thorough search of Smith Co. TN probate records for Silas James Lankford, but, so far, nothing turned up.   However, there were surviving tax lists for 1860, 1866, 1867, and 1868 for Smith Co., TN.    In 1860 S.J. Lanckford is present in dist 2 with Henry and Sidney Lanckford.   The next surviving tax list is 1866.    S.J. is not present in dist 2, although both Henry and Sidney were present, along with a Jessey Lankford.

With that in mind, and the birth of daughter Martha in Jan 1865, it looks like Silas died ca 1865-1866.    Though all of my questions about Silas James and his family are not answered, there is enough information and “proof” to apply for membership in the Civil War Families of Tennessee.   And, with the “new” lead on Silas’ wife, Susan McKinnis, there is another line to explore and research!

On my Williams family side my eight great-great-great grandfathers are all born within 23 years of each other, from Johw W. Williams born 1820 to Elijah Hampton Russell born 1843.     During this year I have submitted and received membership into the Confederate Families of Tennessee on four of my great-great-great grandfathers.     Although I felt John W. Williams, born 1820, was probably “too old” to have enlisted in the Civil War, it seemed possible that any or all of the other three great-great-great grandfathers could have enlisted and served in the war.

Looking in Tennesseans in the Civil War, I first searched for David Colby Sutton, born 1839, but did not find a listing for him.   Next, I looked for Elijah Hampton Russell, but again, no listing.    Finally, I looked for Silas James Lankford and believe I have found another Civil War ancestor.    A Silas J. Langford enlisted as a Private in Company M of the 24th TN Inf.      Silas was from Smith Co. TN.   Company M of the 24th TN Infantry was a Smith Co. company.  

Going next to the 1860 Census of Smith Co. TN by Partlow I looked for Silas James Langford/Lankford.   I wanted to see if there were more than one Silas James Langford/Lankford in the county in that year.    In the 1860 of Smith Silas James is listed as James Lankford age 23.    There was a “J” Lankford in a nearby household age 14, but a female.  

Ten years back to the 1850 Census of Smith Co. TN by Partlow Silas J.Langford, age 12,  is listed in the household of father Henry Langford.    In this census there was another James Langford, but he was in his sixties.     

The service record for Silas J. Langford has only 2 cards.   The first card listed his rank, Private, and the company and regiment, Co. M 24th (Tennessee) Reg’t Inf.    The second card was dated Jan and Feb 1862.   This card stated he had enlisted June 27, 1861 in Nashville, TN by Jo. G. Puckett for 12 months.  Silas had been paid by W.P. Davis to Jan 1, 1862.    This card listed him as “absent” with remarks:   Detailed with baggage and left at Bowling Green, KY.     With no further cards on Silas J. Langford I wondered about the remarks.     An archivist at the Tennessee State Library and Archives explained that the remarks meant that Silas J. Langford had been “put on detail”.   He was given the baggage (of the company?), put on a wagon and given orders to drive to headquarters.

Next, comes the exciting part of adding the detail to the life of Silas James Langford and those that came after him!

It had been years since I had looked at the service record of George W. Tomberlain, my great-great-great grandfather on my mother’s side.   I remembered that the surname Tomberlain had been misspelled or maybe “creatively” spelled a number of ways in census and other records–Tomlin, Tomberlin, Tomblin.    So, when I started looking for the service record of George W. Tomberlain, I was at first confused.    Though I found more than one George Tomberlain, it seemed none of them “fit”.    But after looking at the infantry information and where the men were from who served in each company, I realized George H. Tomberlin, who served in Co K of the 28th Tennessee Infantry (2 Mountain Reg’t Tenn Vols) with other men from White County, had to be “my” George W. Tomberlain.

His service record consists of several card entries and in this service record his name is spelled:  George H. Tomberlin, George H. Tomblin, G.H. Tomberlin and G.W. Tomblin.    On one of his first card entries his age is given, 37 years old.   This card also stated that George mustered in on 6 August 1861 and was mustered into service on 3 September 1861 for a period of 12 months.   

George is present through 31 August 1862, but the card for his company’s muster roll dated Sept and Oct 1862 stated that he had “deserted on 10 Sept 1862″.   However, unless he “re enlisted”, his 12 months period of enlistment was fulfilled in August 1861.    

The next card states he was on a roll of prisoners of war captured by forces under General Sherman and that George Tomblin had been captured near Sparta, TN 28 June 1864!      George was forwarded from Military Prison, Louisville, KY to Camp Chase, Ohio 31 July 1864 and appeared on a roll of prisoners of war there.   He was received at Camp Chase, Ohio on 2 Aug 1864.      He died at Camp Chase 27 Jan 1865 of diarrhea chr (chronic?) and was buried in a cemetery 1/2 mile south of Camp Chase in grave 909.

Again, my thoughts go to his widow and family that survived him.   In the 1860 census of White Co. TN, George and wife Rhoda had 4 sons at home:  Darius B. and Selah W. age 16, Geroge W. age 14,and Gale W. age 13.    In this census George was age 36 and Rhoda was age 40?   So, as always, you find answers to some of the questions, leaving more questions for another day.

Since I began this project of submitting applications to the Civil War Families of Tennessee, I have now received approval for 4 ancestors–Capt Claibourne Wright West,  Pvt Bailey P. Mundy,  Pvt James H. Williams and Pvt Peter Hackett, all men of Smith Co. Tennessee and all ancestors on my dad’s side of the family.

After I received approval for Capt Claibourne W. West and Pvt Bailey P. Mundy, I decided to submit applications in honor of my dad and my children.     My dad was pleasantly surprised and I hope my kids will be too, to learn that they have been accepted into the Civil War Families of Tennessee.

My next application will be on my mom’s side of the family for George W. Tomberlain of White Co. TN.    When I first began this project I knew that George W. Tomberlain was a Civil War soldier for the Confederacy and that he had died during the Civil War.  He was a prisoner of war and died at Camp Chase, Ohio.     I have thought often of him and wondered about the long reaching effects on his family due to his death during the Civil War.    I know, from previous research, that George left behind his son, my great-great grandfather, Gale W. Tomberlain, born 1847 and George’s wife Rhoda.    I also know that George W. Tomberlain’s father, Gale Tomberlain, and his mother, Sarah, lived until 1875 and 1883 respectively.   I wonder if Gale and Sarah Tomberlain helped their son’s family.    At this point in my research I don’t think that George W. Tomberlain’s widow, Rhoda, remarried.     I would imagine the family struggled after George’s death.

I’m looking forward to rediscovering the information on George W. Tomberlain’s service and life  and putting together the information needed to file for approval on this line into the Civil War Families of Tennessee.

I received approval and a certificate from the Civil War Families of Tennessee for Private Bailey P. Mundy of Smith Co. TN.    

My next application is for Peter Hackett of Smith Co., TN who served as a private in the 23rd Tennessee Infantry, Company G, CSA.  Peter was my great-great-great grandfather on my dad’s side.

Peter Hackett was born 1821-1823 in Buckinham Co. VA.   A Hackett Family Bible record says 1823 and Peter answered 1821 on his application for a pension for his service in the Civil War.   Peter died in Smith Co. Tennessee in 1908!

Peter Hackett served about 6 months and was honorably discharged because he had contracted typhoid fever.    In his application for a soldier’s pension, filed in 1903, Peter wrote that…I was not wounded in any battle…was discharged with typhoid fever and am now unable to earn a living on account of old age and general disability.   He further stated that he was discharged…at Murfreesboro, Tenn in Feb 1862.    However, J.P. Bowman, known to be a reputable person, made the following statement relative to claim of Peter Hackett;   I was in same company with said Hackett and was with him at Bowling Green, KY when he was discharged.   I do not know what his disabilities was, but he was sick a good while.  I know he was discharged.  

In 1903, Peter Hackett had already outlived 2 wives.    When asked if some of his 7 children were not able to support him, Peter answered that…they are not able, but would not let me suffer if they could help it.     He also stated that he had lived with one of his 6 sons for the past 18 years, but as for “his estate”, he had…nothing but a little personal property valued at $25.  Peter further stated that he had been a resident of the state of Tennessee for 72 years.  

 A witness, Thomas Hackett, (relationship not stated) made oath…that he (Peter Hackett) was a good solider and was always at his post and Thomas Hackett further stated under oath that I know he (Peter Hackett) was honorably discharged and I carried his discharge to him.    I guess that even though two different places were given for his discharge, that fact that he “was honorably discharged” was proven.   His application for a soldier’s pension was accepted.

I have now filed applications to the Civil War Families of Tennessee on all of the known Civil War soldiers on my dad’s side of the family, BUT there are a few more names I want to research a little more to see if they, too, didn’t serve in the Civil War–Silas James Lankford, Elijah H. Russell and David Colby Sutton, all of Smith Co. TN

I had a few loose ends remaining before filing the application for James H. Williams, Union Soldier, to the Civil War Families of Tennessee.     I did find James H. and wife Amanda  in the 1860 census of Putnam Co. TN and I learned that James H. was buried in Dekalb Co, TN at the Mt Zion Baptist Church in Temperance Hall.

I also received a copy of the Widow’s Pension Application and papers for Amanda, widow of James H. Williams, filed in Aug 1890.    In addition to information given by Amanda, there were affidavits by neighbors and friends of James H. and Amanda concerning James H.’s service, James and Amanda’s marriage and the births of their children.

 In one affadavit, given by W.A. Washer, Washer stated that he was intimately acquainted with J.H. Williams at the time he enlisted in the United States Army and saw him on his return home from said Army after his discharge and also lived a near neighbor to him most all the time from his discharge to his death and was present at this bedside when he died, which was in the summer of 1889.  

 W.A. Washer also said that J.H. Williams, at the time he returned home after his discharge  complained of an injury to his left hip that he said he received while in the army.   He was lame in his left hip all the time up to his death.   It seemed…the misery would start in his hip and run in to small of his back and then in to his bowells… at various times…he had to take his bed…and said Williams was not able at any time from his discharge to do manual labor to do himself  justice.    W.A. Washer further stated that…at the death of soldier he helped wash and dress him for burial and on his left hip there was a black spot as large as his hand and seemed to be almost rotten…Though the details are sad–with several friends and neighbors giving affadavits concerning the injuries and pain of James H. Williams, again, it helps to bring James H. and Amanda “to life”.   Amanda Williams did receive a widow’s pension for James H. Williams’ service until her death in 1912.

I did receive approval on my first application to the Civil War Families of Tennessee for Capt Claiborne Wright West and was sent a certificate.

My next adventure will be research on Peter Hackett of Smith Co. TN, who served in the 23rd Tenn Reg’t, Haynie’s Company.    He also received a pension for his service.

I am continuing the search for my Civil War ancestors.   My latest solider is on my dad’s side of the family–2nd Lt James H. Williams of Smith and Dekalb Counties, Tennessee.     The most interesting fact about his service is that he was a Union soldier!   The story goes that his wife and widow, Amanda, filed  a Civil War Pension Application and cut a page from the Family Bible as proof of two of James H. and Amanda’s children.

 He first served in Co K 5th Tennessee Cavalry as a Private and a Trumpeter(also written as “bugler” in his records).    His service records with the 5th Cavalry showed that when he enlisted in July 1863 he was 25 years old.   His height was 6 feet 1 inch, fair complexion with gray eyes.  His birthplace was Smith County and he was a farmer.    I love finding the physical descriptions of my ancestors–it really brings them to life!   

Later James was commissioned with the 4th Mounted Infantry as 2nd Lieutenant.   He was mustered out of service August 14, 1865 in Pulaski, TN.    In the 1870 census of Tennessee he had returned home and lived next door to his parents, Andrew and Mercilla Williams, in Dekalb County.

With notes in hand, I  searched records and made copies I will need to file an application to Civil War Families of Tennessee.     I found all I needed, except the 1860 census record of James H. Williams.    I have a copy of the Bible record showing his marriage to Amanda P. Cathcart in 1856 (probably Smith Co where both James and Amanda were living in the 1850 census) but could not find the couple in the 1860 TN census.   I will have to save that search for another day.