The Hale Family - Daughters of Mahala Hale

Sarah Nancy Elizabeth Jane Hale was born on September 30, 1852 in Randolph County, Alabama, the oldest daughter of Mahala. Sarah, known as Sis, lived her whole life in Randolph County, Alabama, and like her mother and aunts, she had several children without marrying. Sis became the mother of one son and five daughters: W. Charles, Mary, Elizabeth, Ida, Julia L. and Josie. Sis died on October 19, 1923 in Randolph County, Alabama. Sis is buried in Prospect Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama.
W. Charles Hale was born on February 11, 1871 in Randolph County, Alabama. In 1892, he married Nancy Ellen and had the following children: Bertha, Hattie, Millard M., Ethel, Annie, Stella, William G., Harvey and Leonard Howard. Charles died on November 5. 1914 in Randolph County, Alabama and is buried with his wife in Prospect Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama.

Julia L. Hale was born in February 1882. She married Charles Monroe Hale, son of Rachel Lurania Melvina Hale, her grandmother's sister. Charles and Julia were the parents of the following children: William Oscar, Grady Monroe, Ida B., Edna M. and Charley L. The picture to the left was taken before Charley was born. Charles died when his youngest son was 5 months old, on December 26, 1906. Julia died a few years later on September 7, 1910. The couple is buried at Prospect Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama.
Little is known about the other daughters of Sis. Josie and Elizabeth appeared to have died without marrying. Josie is buried at Prospect Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama. I do not know anything about Mary.

Mary J. Hale, pictured left, was born in February 1862 in Randolph County, Alabama, the second daughter of Mahala. I do not know if Mary married or had children, or even when she died. I know she was alive in 1880, as she was living with her mother in Coweta County, Georgia. There is a marriage record in Coweta County, Georgia for a Mollie Hale and a Richard Thrower. They were married in May of 1884. I do not know if this is Mary. More documents are needed to know one way or another.

Frances Rebecca Hale was the third daughter of Mahala, born in 1863 in Randolph County, Alabama. Frances married Silas Olin Garrett on June 16, 1881 in Coweta County, Georgia. They had the following children: Fred Hill, William Homer, Andrew Levi, Reuben Jackson, Mirty Lou, Brillie Jane, Cora Levy, Johnny Herman, Grady Monroe and Edna Pinkney. I have not yet researched this family, so more details will be provided once I do. Frances died on January 16, 1926 in Roanoke, Alabama.

Georgia Ann Hale, pictured left, was the fourth daughter of Mahala, born in October 1865 in Randolph County, Alabama. On December 24, 1882 in Coweta County, Georgia, Georgia married Elijah W. Hammond. They became the parents of the following chilren: Homer Jackson, Noda Bell, Mary Ad, William Irvin, Milton, Georgia Brillie, Robert L., Lula M., Linnie A., Benjamin, Levi L., Charner M., Arnold W. and Exey. Georgia died in 1956 in DeKalb County, Alabama.

Lue E. Hale was the youngest daughter of Mahala. She was born in February 1875 in Alabama. Nothing further is known about Lue.





Sources
Census Records – 1860-1910 Randolph County, Alabama
Census Records – 1880 Coweta County, Georgia
Marriage Records – S. O. Garrett and Fannie Hale; E. W. Hammond and Georgia Hale
Research of Tim J. Hammond

The Hale Family - John Aron Hale

John Aron Hale was born on March 22, 1857 in Randolph County, Alabama. Elvie was born on May 5, 1871 in Randolph County, Alabama. The couple became the parents of seven children: Howard Glover, Garland R., Ella R., Bessie Lou, James W., Byron J. and Charlie Brewer. Elvie died on August 8, 1940 in Troup County, Georgia. John died on October 28, 1941 in Hogansville, Troup, Georgia. John was buried next to his wife at Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange, Georgia.
In Coweta County, Georgia, there is a J. A. Hale who married a Carena Tennant and had the following children, G. W. A., Callie, Luther, Evie L., Parker L., Robert A., and Hattie M. Several researchers believe that J. A. is also John Aron and that he and Carena were divorce sometime between 1898 and 1904 and John then married Elvie Henson. It is entirely possible that this is the case, but more evidence is needed. In 1900, Carena is living alone with her children and is listed as a widow instead of divorced and John is in Randolph County listed as single. I need more records to know for sure, but I have not found anything conflicting with John being the husband of Carena, just no proof that he was the same John as the one Carena married.

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Children of John Aron and Elvie Henson

Howard Glover Hale was born on January 15, 1905 in Lamar, Randolph, Alabama. He died on January 15, 1975.

Garland R. Hale was born on July 14, 1906 in Lamar, Randolph County, Alabama. He died on December 7, 1967. He is buried in the Shadowlawn Cemetery in Lagrange, Georgia.




Ella R. Hale was born in 1909 in Alabama, most likely Lamar, Alabama.

Bessie Lou Hale was born on May 7, 1910 in Lamar, Randolph, Alabama. She died on January 4, 1988 in Hogansville, Troup, Georgia.

James W. Hale was born in 1912 in Alabama, most likely Lamar, Alabama.

Byron J. Hale was born in 1915 in Alabama, most likely Lamar, Alabama.

Charlie Brewer Hale was born on May 6, 1918 in Lamar, Randolph, Alabama. He died on May 29, 1977 in Hogansville, Troup County, Georgia. He is buried in the Shadowlawn Cemetery in Lagrange, Georgia.



Sources
Census Records – 1860-1870, 1900-1920 Randolph County, Alabama
Census Records – 1880-1900 Coweta County, Georgia
Census Records – 1930 Carroll County, Georgia
Grave Stone Photos
Marriage Record – J. A. Hale and Carena Tennant

The Hale Family - Andrew Jackson Hale Family

Andrew Jackson Hale was born on November 25, 1856 to Mahala Jane Hale in Randolph County, Alabama. Jack, as he was called, lived in Randolph County until his mother moved the family to Coweta County, Georgia. His family was in Coweta by 1880. On September 2, 1883, Jack married Lucy Permelia Vinna Norris in Coweta County. Lucy was born on May 12, 1864 in Georgia. They became the parents of eight children: John William, Della Modenna, Lena Bea Jackson, Pearlie Lugenia, Lucy Alvania, Lola Lee, Sally Vina Maybelle and George Belton. Andrew died on June 19, 1937 in Lagrange, Georgia. Lucy died on February 25, 1952 in Troup County, Georgia. They are buried in Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange, Troup, Georgia.

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Children of Andrew Jackson and Lucy Norris Hale

John William Hale was born on June 14, 1885 in Randolph County, Alabama. He married Betsie Ann Henson on December 21, 1902 in Carroll County, Georgia. Betsie was born in February 1884 to Amos Henson and Joeanna Hale. Betsie's mother and John William's father were cousins. They became parents to the following children: Gleamer L., William J., Grady, Freeman J., Lelah O., and Johnnie L. He died on September 30, 1912 in Randolph County, Alabama.


Della Modena Hale was born on January 9, 1888 in Randolph County, Alabama. On May 7, 1905, Della married Josephus S. Henson in Carroll County, Georgia. Josephus was born in 1881. The couple had two children: Omaha E. and Leonard H. Della died on June 16, 1912 in Randolph County, Alabama.

Lena Bea Jackson Hale was born on June 18, 1890 in Randolph County, Alabama. On June 7, 1908, she married Alfred S. Henson in Randolph County, Alabama. The couple became the parents of the following children: Beryl, Bessie L., Alma, Leona, Beatrice, Tommi Lon, Edith, Helen, Audie and an infant daughter. By 1930, the family had left Randolph County and moved to Troup County, Georgia. Lena died on June 22, 1978 in Fulton County, Georgia.

Pearlie Lugenia Hale was born on May 27, 1892 in Randolph County, Alabama. She married George Henson on October 4, 1911 in Randolph County, Alabama. She died on March 27, 1985 in Fayette County, Georgia.

Lucy D. Hale was born on December 31, 1898 in Randolph County, Alabama. She married William Rufus Bowen on January 29, 1916 in Randolph County, Alabama. They became the parents of the following children: Ulyes, Birdie Mae, Zollie L., Adell, Grace Maybelle, Dorothy, Jeanette and Buford. She died on August 10, 1997 in Troup County, Georgia.

Lola Lee was born on August 20 1902 in Randolph County, Alabama. She married a Charles Sanford Williams. She died on August 4, 1965 in Troup County, Georgia.

Sally Vina Maybelle Hale was born on May 5, 1906 in Randolph County, Alabama. She married a Cotis C. Buchanan. She died on November 14, 1997 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

George Belton Hale was born on May 10, 1910 in Randolph County, Alabama. On December 7, 1930, he married Lillian Odessa Askew in Troup County, Georgia. Lillie was born in 1911. They were the parents of 2 children: Nathan and Eris Rebecca. He died on December 3, 1990 in Troup County, Georgia. Lillie died in 2002.

Sources
Census Records: 1860-1870, 1910-1920 Randolph County, Alabama
Census Records: 1880 Coweta County, Georgia
Census Records: 1930 Troup County, Georgia
Death Records: J. W. Hale, Della Henson, Tommi Lon Henson,
Grave Stone Photos
Marriage Record - A. J. Hale and Lucy P. V. Norris
SSDI: Pearl Henson

The Hale Family – William Joseph Hale and His Children

William Joseph Hale is the oldest son of Mahala and oldest grandchild for William and Mary. He was born on January 19, 1850 in Randolph County, Alabama. On his death certificate, a father is recorded for him, but the name is not completely readable. It seems to read “La---d Hale.” There is never a father figure type person ever living with Mahala and her family in any census record. He lived his entire life in Randolph County, Alabama.
William married Zilpha Francis Dalrymple before 1879, most likely in Randolph County, Alabama. Zilpha was born on October 18, 1859 in Randolph County, Alabama. They became the parents of 11 children: Emily, Jackson Cicero, Alice, Arry Cathryn, Cornelia, Levada, Pink Malone, Nancy Rebecca, George Dewey, Joseph Leon and James Henry. He died on January 8, 1930 in Omaha, Randolph, Alabama. Zilpha died on February 24, 1949 in Randolph County, Alabama. Both are buried at East Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama.

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Emily Hale was born in 1879 in Randolph County, Alabama. Nothing more is known about Emily at this time. (Further information found on March 25, 2013 -- I found the death certificate for Lou Ella Simpkins, that states her parents as W. J. Hale and Zilpha Dalrymple.  See further info on Emily Lou Ella here.)

Jackson Cicero Hale was born on June 14, 1882 in Randolph County, Alabama. He married Lizzie Ettie Daniels before 1903. He and Lizzie were the parents of 10 children: Loy D., Geneva V., Matthew Weldon, Eva Gladys, Howard, Lewis Denson, Irene, Otis Lee, Omie and Jackson Cicero Jr. Jackson moved his family from Randolph County to Troup County, Georgia some time before 1920. Jackson died on June 18, 1957 most likely in Troup County, Georgia. Lizzie died on January 29, 1986 probably in Troup County, Georgia. The couple is buried in Shadowlawn Cemetery in Lagrange, Georgia along with one son, Otis.

Alice Hale was born in February 1885 in Randolph County, Alabama. Nothing more is know about Alice.

Arrie Cathryn Hale was born on May 3, 1889 in Randolph County, Alabama. Arrie never married. She died on January 8, 1971 in Randolph County, Alabama. She is buried at Bethel East Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama.



Cornelia Hale was born in March 1890 in Randolph County, Alabama. There is nothing more known about Cornelia.

Levada Hale was born in March 1893 in Randolph County, Alabama. She died on November 27, 1965 in Troup County, Georgia. It is unknown if she married or not.

Pink Malone Hale was born on March 18, 1896 in Randolph County, Alabama. He married Annie Eva Heard on October 29, 1922 in Troup County, Georgia. By 1930, Pink and his wife had moved back to Randolph County, Alabama and later moved again to Troup County, Georgia where Pink died on May 27, 1978. Annie died on July 12, 1989 in Georgia, most likely in Troup County. They were both buried in Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange, Georgia. Pink and Annie had no children.

Nancy Rebecca Hale was born on November 1, 1898 in Randolph County, Alabama. She married Elmer J. Buchanan before 1930. Elmer was born in 1888 in Georgia. In 1930, she and her husband were living in Troup County, Georgia as boarders in the home of her brother, Jackson Cicero Hale. Nancy died on September 1, 1936 in Graham, Randolph County, Alabama. It is unknown whether Elmer and Nancy had any children.

George Dewey Hale was born on June 5, 1899 in Randolph County, Alabama. He married Jessie Heard after 1920. Jessie was born on November 12, 1910. George died on August 2, 1973 in LaGrange, Troup, Georgia. Jessie died on August 22, 1992. They are both buried in the Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange, Troup, Georgia. It is unknown whether they had children.

Joseph Leon Hale was born in 1901 in Randolph County, Alabama. He married Eveline Cater after 1930. Eveline was born on January 28, 1908. Joseph died in 1973. Eveline died on July 20, 1988 in Troup County, Georgia. They are both buried in Shadowlawn Cemetery in LaGrange, Georgia.

James Henry Hale was born in 1905 in Randolph County, Alabama. Nothing more is know about James.

Sources
Census Records – 1850-1920 Randolph County, Alabama
Census Records - 1920-1930 Troup County, Georgia.
Photo of Grave Stones
Death Record – W. J. Hale, Nancy Rebecca Buchanan

The Hale Family - Rachel Lurania Melvina Hale Family

Rachel Lurania Melvina Hale was born on November 19, 1936 in Alabama or Georgia. In her later life, she was known as Melvina. She, like her two older sisters never married but had children. She was the mother of 5 children: Amos Pinkney "Pink", Nancy Josephine "Josie", Stephen T., Charles Monroe and Union Elizabeth "Lizzie." Melvina lived at home with her parents until after 1870. After her father died, she, her children and her mother moved to Carroll County, Georgia. Melvina died after 1900, probably in Carroll County, Georgia. The photo to the right is of Melvin with two of her great-grandchildren. The one in her lap is Ruge. I do not know the name of the one standing.

Nancy Josephine “Josie” Hale was born in 1859 in Alabama. Nothing more is known about Josie. Her younger sister, Union Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hale was born in January 1873 in Georgia. Lizzie married John C. Moore before 1893. There are 4 known children to the union of Lizzie and John: James A., Cicero Hampton, Stephen W. and Mary Rebecca. By 1920, John and Lizzie moved their family to Marshall County, Alabama. Lizzie died after 1930, probably in Marshall County.

Charles Monroe Hale was born in February 1868 in Georgia. He married his cousin, Julia L. Hale, a daughter of Sarah Nancy Elizabeth Jane 'Sis' Hale. Julia was born in February 1882 in Alabama. Five children were born in this marriage: William Oscar, Grady Monroe, Ida B., Edna M. and Charley L. Charles died on December 26, 1906, just 5 months after his youngest child was born. Julia died when her youngest child was just 4 years old on September 7, 1910 in Randolph County, Alabama. They are both buried at Prospect Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery in Randolph County, Alabama.

Further details into the lives and families of Amos Pinkney and Stephen T. Hale will be in a later post.

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Sources:
Census Records – 1850-1870,1900 in Randolph County, Alabama.
Census Records – 1880 in Carroll County, Georgia

The Hale Family – Mary Rebecca Nancy Hale Family

Mary Rebecca Nancy Hale was born in 1835 in Alabama or Georgia. She is most often recorded as Rebecca in the census records so that is how I will refer to her in this post to avoid confusion with her daughter. She, like her sisters did not marry, but had children. There are 3 know children for Rebecca: Susan, Mary and Joeanna. Not a lot is known about Rebecca's life or even when she died. I know she passed away after 1910, as that was the last year I have found her on the census records.

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Susan is the oldest known child of Rebecca. She was born in 1852 in Alabama. Mary is the second daughter of Rebecca. She was born in 1854 in Alabama. Nothing more is known about these two daughters. I know that at least one of them had children. In 1880, there are three grandchildren living in the home of Rebecca. The three boys are named William Thomas (age 10), John H. (age 6) and John (age 1). I know that Joeanna is probably John H.'s mother.

Joeanna was born in 1859 in Alabama. Joeanna was the mother of 2 children, John Joseph and Betsie Ann. Their father was named Amos M. Henson. I am not sure that Amos and Joeanna were married since Joeanna was living with her mother in 1880 and John was born in 1875. Amos was living with Joeanna's cousin, William Joseph Hale, in 1880. Amos M. Henson was born in March 1859 in Randolph County, Alabama. Amos was married to Octava Watkins and had the following children: Elizabeth, Minnie, Walter B., Ida M., Verna, Claude, Joseph, Lillie Mae and Clyde J. I know Betsie was born after Amos married Octava. A granddaughter of Amos and Octava sent me the picture of Betsie, below, with a note saying that she was her mother's half-sister. Joeanna died on July 6, 1927 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Betsie Ann Henson was born in February 1884 in Alabama. She married John William Hale on December 21, 1902 in Carroll County, Georgia. John born on June 14, 1885 in Randolph County, Alabama to Andrew Jackson Hale and Lucy Permelia Vinna Norris. Further details on John's life will be in a later post when I discuss his family.

Sources:
Census Records – 1850-1910 in Randolph County, Alabama.
Death Record – Joe Ann Henson

The Hale Family – Mahala Jane Hale

Mahala Jane Hale was born in 1833 in Alabama or Georgia. The Hale family did not seem to care about reporting correct ages on the census records. The census records suggest a birth range of 1820-1835, though the 1870 census is the only record to place her birth date so early. In 1850 and 1860 Mahala stayed with her parents with her young children. It wasn't until around 1870 that she moved into her own home. She became the mother of 8 children: William Joseph, Sarah Nancy Elizabeth Jane, Andrew Jackson, John Aron, Mary J., Frances Rebecca, Georgia Ann and Lue E.

In 1880, Mahala had moved her family to Coweta County, Georgia. I have not been able to locate Mahala on the 1900 census record. Where was she? By 1910, Mahala had moved in with her son, John, who had moved back to Randolph County, Alabama. Mahala Hale died on November 11, 1913 in an unknown location, possibly Randolph County, Alabama. A cousin sent me a photo of her grave marker, but never told me which cemetery it was located in.

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Sources
Census Records – 1850-1880 Randolph County, Alabama, 1880 Carroll County, Georgia.
Photo of Grave Stone

The Hale Family – William Walker Hale

The Hale family has been an interesting and somewhat difficult family to research. When I initially began my search on the Hale family, all I knew was what my father had written on his Family Bible. He had written that his grandmother, my great-grandmother was named Inez Hale and her father's name was Pink. It wasn't until after I began corresponding with other descendants of Pink that I was able to find his full name: Amos Pinkney Hale. This post and the next few will endeavor to display the research that has been done on this family. I will start at the earliest known Hale ancestor: William Walker Hale.

William Walker Hale was born between 1795 and 1806 in Alabama or Georgia. His exact birth date and birth town are not known at this time. Sometime before 1833, he married Mary. Some researchers believe that her maiden name was Parmer, but they do not offer any documents that prove this. Mary was born between 1789 and 1795 in Alabama or Georgia. William and Mary were the parents of three daughters, Mahala Jane, Mary Rebecca Nancy, and Rachel Lurania Melvina. By 1850, the family was living in Randolph County, Alabama in the town of Lamar. Do to lack of records, I do not know exactly when William or Mary passed away. William died after the 1870 census, probably in Randolph County, Alabama. After her husband's death, Mary lived with her daughter, Melvina, who had moved to Georgia. Mary died after 1880, possibly in Carroll County, Georgia or Randolph County, Alabama.

William and Mary, as well as their daughters, are often recorded as 'MU' or mulatto on the census records. It is not known whether they were recorded as mulatto for an African background or for a Native American background. From early photographs I have seen, it seems more plausible for the family to have Native American ancestry, since they are not as dark skinned as Africans and their hair seems to suggest more Native American. One researcher believes that William was a free African who married a white woman and therefore the family is recorded as mulatto. She has not found the proof yet of his ancestry, and it is entirely possible that there is African and Native American ancestry in this family. I know with 100% accuracy that some of William's grandchildren have Native American fathers, I just don't know their names.

Our William Walker Hale should not be confused with William Martsen Hale who married Sally Sterling. Yes, William and Sally had daughters named Mahala, Nancy and Melvina, but it is so clear from census records that they are not the same family. William and Sally lived in Blount County, Alabama while our William and Mary lived in Randolph County, Alabama. William and Sally had many more children, whereas we only know of three children for William and Mary. Some researches have merged these two Williams, and I want to make clear they are NOT the same.

One interesting fact about the three daughters of William is that none of them ever married. Each daughter had children, with various men, but never married to any of them. I do not know the names of any of the children's fathers, but I do know that some of their fathers were Indians, but from which tribes I do not know. I will focus on each daughter in her own section.

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Sources
Obituary of Amos Pinkney Hale
Census Records – 1850-1880 Randolph County, Alabama, 1880 Carroll County, Georgia.

The Powers Family - Esther Henrietta Powers Walsh

Esther Henrietta Powers was born on April 13, 1845 in Killucan, Westmeath County, Ireland. She was a younger sister to the brothers; Michael, James and John. She came to America after her brothers and did not know where they were. It is not know where she was before she married or exactly when she came to America. It is also not know if she traveled alone or with other family. In 1900, she claimed to have come to America in 1870. In 1910, she claimed to have come in 1872. In 1920, she claimed to come in 1850. In 1930, she claimed to have come in 1868. Through these records, we know she was in America before 1872. It is possible she came after she married with her husband's family, or she married shortly after she arrived. Her first child was born in 1873.
According to the 1900 census record, Ettie (as she was called by her family) married Michael Walsh in 1872. Michael was born on June 10, 1850 in Ireland. He was the son of James Walsh. They resided in Salisbury, Litchfield, Connecticut for most of their lives. Ettie and Michael became the parents of eight children: James N., John P., Mary J., Michael, Nora A., William B., Henrietta M. and Richard.
In 1911, Ettie traveled by train from Connecticut to Newnan, Georgia after finding out her older brothers were still alive. She met with them during the big Powers reunion that took place at that time. As the story goes, she had just left Newnan and had arrived in Atlanta at the train station to return home when she received word that her brother, James, had died. She immediately returned to Newnan to be with her family.

Michael died on December 24, 1915 in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut. Ettie died on January 2, 1941 Litchfield County, Connecticut. She and her husband are buried at St. Marys Cemetery in Salisbury, Connecticut.

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Sources:
Census Records - 1880-1930 Litchfield County, Connecticutt
Memories of Henrietta Tompkins Shaw, granddaughter of Ettie and Michael. As of this post, she is still living and is 106 years old.
Grave Stone Photos

The Powers Family - James M. Powers

The above Picture shows Michael Powers, James M. Powers and John Patrick Powers, the three brothers who came to the United States from Ireland.

James M. Powers was born on April 7, 1829 in Killucan, Westmeath County, Ireland. He was an older brother to Michael Powers. He came to America with his brothers and traveled with them as they came south to Coweta County, Georgia. He was the only one of his brothers to stay in Coweta County, settling in the town of Newnan.
On February 14, 1861, James married Sarah Jane Huggins. She was the daughter of Asa Huggins and Elizabeth Woody. Asa was an Inferior Court Judge in Coweta County, Georgia and also a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church in Coweta County. James and Sarah became the parents of eleven children: John H., Mary Isabelle, Marcella E., Sarah Luella, Ettie Dora, James Lawrence, Asa Thomas, William Patrick, Bridget Bessie, Infant Son and Jesse.

James fought in the Confederate Army with his brother, Michael. Shortly after his marriage, in May 1862, James enlisted in the Confederate Army in Newnan, Georgia. He claims he served until the war ended. On December 16, 1864, James was captured in Nashville, Tennessee and was a prisoner at Camp Chase in Ohio. After he returned home from the war, he added on two new rooms to the front of his home so he could give lodging to travelers. He wanted to provide a home for strangers who traveled because of his experience while he was traveling home from the war.

Sarah died on January 7, 1893. She was buried near her parents in their family cemetery. On September 13, 1906, James filed for his Indigent Pension Application. He claims, "For 10 yrs. have been so I could not labor; for the past 2 yrs. have been nearly blind in both eyes. Have rheumatism and kidney trouble. Generally broken down in health." James died on August 14, 1911 in Coweta County, Georgia, just months after his reunion with his brothers (detailed in the previous post). He was buried next to his wife in the Pike, Powers and Huggins Family Cemetery.

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Sources:
Census Records 1870-1910 Coweta County, Georgia
Indigent Pension Application
Grave Stone Photos - Thanks Barbara and Curtis Mealer!
Research of Earline Johnson Powers

The Powers Family - Michael Powers

This post is dedicated to Mrs. Earline Powers who spent many years devoted to researching the Powers family.  She had a dream of publishing a book on the family that included every known descendant of Michael and Nancy Powers.  Some of her closest relatives never wrote her back about their families.  I wish I could make this dream of Mrs. Earline a reality, but I do not have the resources that Mrs. Earline had.  Though I only knew her for a few weeks before she passed away, I know that she was a very sweet and kind lady who had  a passion for family history.

Michael Powers is one of the men who interest me the most in my genealogy.  I have done a lot of research on this immigrate ancestor of mine.  He was born in Killicun Parish in Westmeath County in Ireland on September 29, 1830 to John Powers and Margaret Marcella Cole.  As the story is told by Michael's descendants, three brothers, Michael, John and James, came to America from Ireland. They left from a port in Ashburton in Liverpool, England on June 26, 1848.  They landed in, probably, New York and from there the three brothers came to Georgia.  Initially, the three brothers were together in Coweta County, Georgia.  One brother, John, decided that the climate of Georgia was much too hot and he moved to Evanston, Illinois.  Michael settled in nearby Carroll County, Georgia and James stayed Coweta County.  Some relatives believe only two brothers and a sister came from Ireland, but from the research of Ms. Earline, it appears the sister came later and did not know where her brothers were.
Little is known about Michael's early days in America.  We know in 1860 he was living with W. G. Huckabee in Carroll County.  He states in his Pension Application he had lived in Carroll County since 1860.  His obituary states he lived in the north for “about a year” after he came from Ireland and then moved to Georgia.  According to an article about his brother, John, the brothers were in Georgia before 1855, since that is when John left Georgia for Illinois. We do not know where he was between New York and Georgia or exactly when he actually arrived there.

Just a short time after coming to Carroll County, Michael met Nancy Louisa Michael, a daughter of Peter Michael and Rebecca Martin.  They were married on November 27, 1860 by Henry Asberry, J.P.  Together, Michael and Nancy had 9 children.  They were: John Peter, Rebecca Marcia, Mary E. C., James Wilburn, Loretta, Patrick C., Michael Sylvester, Joseph Lawrence and Sally Lee.  Loretta is my great-great-grandmother.  She was named after her father's sister, Ettie.
When the Civil War broke out, both Michael and his brother James signed up and fought for the confederacy.  John, not wanting to fight against his brothers on the battle field, hired a man for $300 to fight in his place.   Michael entered the confederate army in the Spring of 1862 in Carrollton, Georgia.  He served in Co. F in the 19th GA Infantry.  He was wounded in April of 1865 at Bentonville, North Carolina.   He was sent to a hospital in Augusta, Georgia where he was given a 30 day leave.  The war ended before his leave was up.
In 1911, John P. Powers Jr of Evanston, Illinois set out on a quest to locate his father's brothers.  His father, John, left Georgia in 1855 and had not seen his brothers since.  John Jr. sent letters of inquiry to Georgia where he knew the brothers had last lived.  The sheriff in Newnan, Georgia and a daughter of James responded to the letters and set up a reunion in Newnan for the brothers to see each other.  The articles about the reunion made it to national newspapers.  Though the articles state that Michael was living in Albermarle, North Carolina, this is incorrect.  He never moved from Carroll County once he settled there.  It is possible that between 1855 and 1860 he had been in North Carolina, since we do not know where he was, but he did not stay there if he did.  Through the newspaper articles, their sister, Ettie, found out about the reunion.  She at the time was living in Connecticut.  She made the journey by train to met her brothers she had not seen since they left Ireland.  

Michael was a devout catholic and refused to step foot into a church that was not catholic.  His descendants recall stories of Michael playing his fiddle on the front porch of his home.  Michael was a farmer, like his parents in Ireland were before him.  Michael died on April 4, 1912 in Carroll County, Georgia.  He had been sick for sometime. A catholic priest came from Atlanta to preform the last rites since there were no catholic churches in Carrollton.  Michael refused to have his funeral at the Methodist church his children attended, so the ceremony was performed at his home.  Michael was buried in the Lee's Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Carroll County, Georgia.  All of his children, except one, are buried at Lee's Chapel.

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Sources:
1860-1910 Census Records: Carroll County, Georgia.
Obituary of Michael Powers - 1912
Atlanta Journal and Newnan Newspaper Articles – March 18, 1911 and April 18, 1911
Research of Mrs. Earline Johnson Powers – received June 2010.
Civil War Pension Application – filed August 23, 1910