Marion Co TOC

        We at Bramble Bush are - well - Thrilled! Amazed! Excited! Speechless!
        In January 1996 the first issue of Bramble Bush was printed and mailed to over 500 people all over the country. The object was to let as many people as possible know the Historic Genealogical Society of Marion County Arkansas not only exists but also is growing - growing - growing. We also wanted to spread the word that the Society now publishes a quarterly newsletter, that reunions and fairs and celebrations are happening everywhere, that all sorts of research goods and services are available, and that there are members everywhere eager to help, to exchange information. From the wonderful response I'd say it's been an overwhelming success! And far greater than I'd anticipated. I can't thank you all enough for your enthusiastic letters, your praise, and, of course, your checks.
        The plans for future issues include all sorts of information on Marion County, it's residents, it's settlers, it's towns and cities and communities, it's marriages, it's taxes. There will, of course, also be special articles and stories, mostly contributed by our members but sometimes taken from the writings of the past. Your requests and suggestions will make this task much easier for us. There's not much point in printing something of little or no interest to you members.
        Vicki Roberts, Editor
       Bramble Bush

Condensed from an article by W. B. Flippin writing in the Mountain Echo in 1898
By F. Gene Garr

        The following is a version of how Marion County became a county in the last session of the Arkansas Territorial Council before Arkansas Territory became a state. The actual records for this session were lost.
        Before the territory became a state, Izard County was being represented in the Territorial Council by Major Jacob Wolf. Both Searcy and Marion Counties were made from territory belonging to Izard County. Major Wolf was elected to the Council and Brown C. Roberts to the Legislature. Roberts presented a petition signed by a majority of the citizens of the district desiring to be stricken from Izard County to become a new county called Marion. Wolf was opposed and stated to the members that he believed the petition had a majority of names forged on it. Wolf was very popular and a resolution was proposed to expel Roberts upon the statement of Wolf. Before a vote could be taken, Roberts prevailed upon the House to stop the proceedings until he could write home for proof of the genuineness of the petition.
        When Roberts received a favorable report from the petitioners, the bill came up for a final vote. C. F. M. Nolan, Representative from Lawrence County, made a motion to change the name from Marion to Searcy, which was adopted in the final vote. Roberts, to retaliate, introduced a resolution to change the name of Independence County. When the House adjourned, Nolan drew his "buie" knife, caught Roberts by the ear, and told him he would cut it off if he did not withdraw his resolution. Roberts, knowing Nolan would do what he said, withdrew the resolution in less time than it takes to write it. The members felt sorry for Roberts and proposed a compromise to divide Searcy County and call the north part Marion, which was agreed to.
        Because of his success in forming Marion County, Roberts was returned several times to the Legislature after the adoption of the Territory as a state.
        - - it appears these events occurred about 1834 or 1835.

        At 10:00 Saturday morning 11 May 1996, Mayor Altus "Shorty" Doshier will proclaim Yellville to be Shawnee Town for the next week. This Second Annual Celebration is a two-day event honoring the Shawnee Indians who first settled here, befriended and shared with the newcomer white man, and then quietly slipped away to the west. Dancers and drummers from more than 15 tribes; displays of locally-found Native American artifacts; the Trail of Artisans featuring flint knappers, wood carvers, tipi builders, bow-and-arrow makers, and more; together with area residents and visitors from countless nations and tribes create an unforgettable experience. Don't miss it! (See "Families and Fairs" column.)

        The 1950 Federal Census for Marion County Arkansas reflects that the residents with the most dollar value in real estate were JACOB NAVE with $5000, NANCY TUTT with $3500, MICHAEL YOKUM with $3000, and WILLIAM COKER with $3000.

THE
HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF MARION COUNTY ARKANSAS
PROUDLY ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF
M A R I O N
C O U N T Y
F A M I L I E S
1811 - 1900

Includes over 400 families with birth dates and places, marriage dates and places, death dates and places, burial places, date of emigration, where they came from, where they went, where they settled.
Hard Smythe-sewn binding, 8.5 x 11, 680 pages, 93-page cross-reference index, sources for each family, bibliography, contributors with their addresses. $60 including shipping and handling.
        Order from HGSMCA, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687.

        Permission was granted August 1994 by Earl Berry for the Society to revise, correct, expand, update, and publish the genealogical data found in his book History of Marion County published in 1976. Vicki A. Roberts was appointed Project Editor and Mysty McPherson, co-Editor. Nineteen months of intensive research have resulted in the discovery of about 420 families, each of which will be presented in this book. Designed as a genealogical record and research aid rather than as an historical saga, very few stories about members of these families will be included. There will be no pictures. Included for each person will be the full name and nickname, birth date and place, marriage date and place, death date and place, burial date and place. Where possible, families will be extended to dates and places before emigration to Marion County. Also where possible, the state to which they went will be included for those family members who moved away from Marion County. Fully indexed and computerized, with sources of data for each family, cross-references to spouses' families, pertinent maps, a bibliography, names and addresses of contributors, this book will be the consummate genealogical story for at least a century of thousands of Marion County residents.

        Shortly after 1860 a wagon train of settlers from Cherokee Co. GA , including the James Henry and Matilda (Bruce) Pascoe family, came to northern Arkansas seeking land and a new life. James Henry and Matilda found 160 acres of land on Promise Land Ridge in Marion Co. and applied for a Patent for it in 1862 under the Homestead Act. When the Civil War broke out, James Henry went back to Georgia, enlisted in the Confederate Army, and fought for the South.
        James Henry Pascoe , the son of Samuel and Mary (Jackson) Pascoe, was a short stocky-built man whose ancestors lived in Cornwall, England, and were of Celtic origin. They were farmers and miners and owned shares in the tin mines in Cornwall. Samuel and his brothers, James and John, came to America in 1826. Their brother, Jeremiah, and sisters, Anne, Grace, and Catherine came later.
        Samuel Pascoe became the mining superintendent for the Briar Patch Gold Mines at Dahlonega GA and his brother, John, owned and operated the Pascoe Gold Mines on the banks of the Etowah River in Cherokee Co. GA. (These were later incorporated into the Creighton Mines and operated until 1909 when the river bed caved in.) John was using mercury to refine the gold and died of mercury poisoning in 1853. He was engaged to marry an English girl, building a large plantation house with a basement and a breezeway separating the two sections of the house for his new bride.
        Samuel was appointed executor of his brother's estate and moved his family to Cherokee Co. after his brother died. He made the mistake of letting his sister, Catherine (Pascoe) Herlick, look over John's papers. She removed the papers, stuffed newspaper back into the envelopes, sealed them with the family seal, and made off with the real papers. The Pascoe Mines and the plantation house remained under Samuel's jurisdiction, but the gold bars and the gold certificates left in the night with Catherine in a hired coach on her way to meet her husband. They later bought a large number of shares in the Georgia Marble Co. at Tate GA. Catherine sent her daughter, Susan Herlick, to a fashionable finishing school in France. When Susan returned to America, she bought a city block townhouse in Philadelphia PA. When she died, she bequeathed all of the fortune to her pet charity.
        The plantation house, willed to Samuel, was occupied by him and his family until his death. He made trips to England to bring over sugar plum and apple trees, grape sprouts, and the best blooded sheep and geese. Half of the house was torn away after his death, but the main house and the commissary still remain. The slave cabins, barns, ferry, and mines have all disappeared.
        John was buried in the graveyard of the Hightower Baptist Church, but rumors were spread that gold bars were buried with him. Grave Robbers dug into his grave so often that his coffin had to be removed to a secret hiding place in the woods on the plantation.
        James Henry Pascoe returned to Marion Co. after the war to raise his family. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a farmer. His wife, Matilda, died 15 March 1901. He married second 14 Nov 1901 Mary Frances (Birch) McCarver who died 31 Oct 1907.
        James Henry was a hardy pioneer. When he was 81 years old, he decided to visit his son, Alfred Pascoe, who lived near Ralph at the Pascoe Mill on Mill Creek. He walked the 10 or 12 miles from his home on Promise Land Ridge to Cotter in time to catch the noon train to Yellville, arriving at about 1:00 He then walked another 5 miles to Alfred's house, arriving just in time for supper.

        William "Buck" Coker and his large family were among the first white settlers in the area which became Marion Co. AR. "Buck" was born in Virginia in 1769 and died in Marion Co. AR in 1855. The name of his wife is unknown; she died in Marion Co. about 1820. There were nine children - some of whom were already married - who came to Arkansas The family migrated from Virginia through North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.
        The 1790 census lists five Coker families in Morgan District, Burke Co. NC: Charles Sr., Charles Jr., William, Leonard, and Joseph. Researchers believe this William to be the William "Buck" Coker who settled on White River; and this Joseph Coker to be the father of George Washington Coker b NC 1814, married 1839 Nancy A. King, and raised a large family in Prairie Township, Marion Co. AR.
        S. C. Turnbo wrote Edward Coker, son of "Buck" Coker, stated his family landed on White River "on the day Jackson fought the Battle of New Orleans" (i.e., 8 January 1815). "Buck" Coker built his cabin just below Jake Nave Bend of White River.
        Joseph Dempsey Coker, eldest son of "Buck" Coker, reportedly came into the area in 1814 and settled at the mouth of West Sugar Loaf Creek. This settlement was later called Dubuque. The English explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft wrote of visiting with Joseph Coker on Sugar Loaf Prairie 9-10 December 1818. At that time the settlement consisted of four families located within a distance of eight miles.
        Turnbo recorded that Charles Coker, son of "Buck" Coker, came into the White River country in 1813, with his brother Joe's children from his first marriage and his slaves. This is the earliest report found of the Coker Family in Marion Co.
        1. William "Buck" Coker (1769-1855) m ___ who died ca 1820.
        2. Joseph Dempsey Coker (1787-1862) m/1 ___ Brown (white woman); m/2 Ainey ___ (Cherokee Indian woman); m/2 Cynthia Rogers (Indian woman).
        3. Katie Coker (1791-?) m ca 1810 Gerard Leiper Brown.
        4. Sarah/Sallie Coker (1794-?) m/1 William Trimble; m/2 Mike Yocum.
        5. Leonard Coker (1795-?) m ___.
        6. William Coker (1798-?) m ___.
        7. Charles Coker (1800-?) m/1 Elizabeth Trimble or Friend; m/2 Betsey Friend.
        8. Edward "Ned" Coker (1801-?) m ca 1823 Winnie Yocum.
        9. Mary Jane Coker (1806-1878) m 1824 Charley Sneed.
        10. Nancy Coker m George Wood.
        SOURCES: The writings of S. C. Turnbo; Journal of a Tour into the Interior of Missouri and Arkansas in 1818 and 1819 by Henry Schoolcraft; The Trimble Trail compiled by Wanda June Trimble Hutcheson; The White River Chronicles of S. C. Turnbo edited by James F. Keefe & Lynn Morrow

       Queries is published in Bramble Bush as a service to researchers who may wish to exchange information of mutual historic and/or genealogical interests. The charge per query is $3 for 50 words or less, plus 10 cents for each additional word. Please count dates (1 Jan 1996=one word) and abbreviations, but not your name and address. Queries from both members and non-members are accepted, and are published in order of receipt, as space permits. If you respond to a query, kindly send a copy of your answer to Bramble Bush. Responsibility for accuracy of data in queries rests with the submitter.

BLYTHE. Need info JOHN BLYTHE b 1780/90 according to 1830 Izard Co., AR Territory, census. Commissioned Izard Co. Coroner 1832. Member Crooked Creek Baptist Church. Son JACKSON BLYTHE b KY ca 1816, daughter MISSOURI BLYTHE b KY ca 1818 m JOHN WOOD. Served as Postmaster of Blythe's P.O, Carroll Co. AR 1836. Blythe Townships in Marion and Boone Cos. AR named for this family. Frances Hook Jernigan, 52 Colony Rd., Little Rock AR 72227.

BRYAN/TABOR/MAGNESS. Seek parents of SUSAN BRYAN, the (possible) 2nd wife of NIMROD TABOR b Marion Co. AR 1834, the son of JOHN HARVE TABOR b Rutherford Co. NC 11 Dec 1809 & ELIZABETH "Betsey" MAGNESS b Spartenburg SC Sep 1815. Mike Tabor, 4800 Renaissance Tower, Dallas TX 75270-2146, (214)-741-1001.

CORNSTALK. Seek parents, siblings, children of PETER CORNSTALK (prob son of Peter Cornstalk b ca 1760 d Cape Girardeau MO 1841/2) b prob OH ca 1790/1880 m Norfolk AR ca 1826 MARY ADAMS (daughter of Robert & Patience [Hall] Adams) b KY ca 1800. Moved to Indian Territory (AR of OK) 1832. Mysty McPherson, HCR 66 Box 159, Yellville AR 72687, (501)-449-5223.

CROWDER/WHITE. Seek info ROBERT CROWDER b TN 1850 m MARY ___ b TN 1849. Children, all b AR, surname CROWDER: WILLIAM, HENRY F., CATHERINE, MARTHA, ELIZA. Who were MARY's siblings? The will of WYLIE WHITE of Baxter Co. AR dated 1878 mentions "sister, MARY CROWDER" of Marion Co. AR. Bertha Ann Tucker, 4505 Stacey Drive, Oakwood GA 30566.

LAFFOON/PATTERSON/CUNNINGHAM. Seek info MARY E. LAFFOON b MO 8 March 1856 d 19 April 1905 bu Cedar Creek Cemetery, Marion Co. AR m CYRUS PATTERSON and ELLEN LAFFOON b ca 1860 d aft 24 March 1880 m ca 189 WILLIAM HUNTER PATTERSON - had ROSA ELLEN PATTERSON m SAMUEL BRADLEY CUNNINGHAM. Were MARY and ELLEN sisters or cousins? Were either or both daughters of EDWARD M. F. LAFFOON? Charles Taylor, 2210 Basket, Pasadena TX 7750-3854.

LOVELL/HAMPTON/CASEY/ESTES. Seek info ISSACHER/HEZEKIAH/ISHAKIAH B. LOVELL (son of Samuel & Sarah [___] Lovell) b ca 1858 m/1 ANNA ELIZA HAMPTON; m/2 RACHEL ELIZABETH CASEY. Children with first wife, Anna, surname LOVELL: JOHN WESLEY, ELLEN m 1898 C. C. ESTES. Children with second wife, Rachel, surname LOVELL: SAMUEL Jr., MINNIE, LUCINDA, LISSY, ETHEL, DOLLY, ROBERT, MAYBELL. After Sarah died, SAMUEL LOVELL m/2 NIECY ___ and had 12 children, surname LOVELL: JAMES, JOSEPH, JOHN, WILLIAM, GILBERT, MAYBELL, SAMUEL Jr., THOMAS, JEFF DAVIS, B. LINDA, TENNIE. Would love to communicate with any of these descendants. Dora Sue (Lovell) Holland, RT 1 Box 508, Glencoe OK 74032.

McCUBBIN. Wish to contact descendants of Dr. WILLIAM P. & NANCY (___) McCUBBIN. He d AR 1829. In Izard Co. by 1818. Nancy may have been an ADAMS or a BEST. Daughter AGNESS m Dr. JAMES M. COWDREY. Related names: WALKER, HUTCHERSON, GROUNDS, DIAL, SEGRAVES in Marion, Izard, Fulton, Logan Cos. AR. Norma Kay Walker Peterson, 813 Mann, Artesia NM 88210.

McKEEHAN/PANGLE. Seek info ELIZABETH McKEEHAN m 22 Feb 1844 JOHN H. PANGLE. She d Marion Co. 14 Feb 1913 bu Fairview Cemetery. Will exchange data. Donna Jenkins, 41900 Wild Horse Ct, Coarsegold CA 93614, E-mail djenkins@cybergate.com.

MEARS/TICER. Searching for anyone who may have or knows anyone who may have a picture of JAMES "Jim" MEARS eldest son of M. A. and NAN MEARS of Flippin. He was born and raised there in the early 1900's and married NORA TICER before moving to Colorado. Please, anyone. Sue McBee. 904 Park Avenue, Mukilteo WA 98275.

MORELAND/DOBBS. Seek info ELIZABETH MORELAND b Carter Co. TN 6 Oct 1832 d TX 1883 m poss MCAR 24 Feb 1854 RUBERRY DOBBS b 13 Feb 1821 d TX ca 1875. Her brother was WILLIAM LAFAYETTE MORELAND b Carter Co. TN Sep 1841 d MCAR 1919. Eldon Edgin, 14908 Woodbriar Drive, Dallas TX 752485441.

PATTERSON. Seek info CYRUS OVERTON "Ove" PATTERSON b Marion Co. AR Jan 1884, son of CYRUS & MARY (LAFFOON} PATTERSON. Believed to live at Calico Rock AR. Possibly had a son LELAND PATTERSON. Charles Taylor, 2210 Basket, Pasadena TX 77501-3854.

PATTERSON/LAFFOON. Seek info CYRUS PATTERSON b 25 Aug 1849 d Marion Co. AR bu Cedar Creek Cemetery m ca 1872 MARY E. LAFFOON and WILLIAM HUNTER PATTERSON b 18 Oct 1853 d OK 6 May 1921 bu possibly Black Rock Cemetery m ELLEN LAFFOON, possibly sons of M. SYLVANUS & MARY (___) PATTERSON of Craighead Co. AR. Did Cyrus and William have a brother JOSH PATTERSON and a sister HELEN PATTERSON? Charles Taylor, 2210 Basket, Pasadena TX 77502-3854.

PATTERSON/TOMLIN. Seek descendants JOSIE BELL PATTERSON b Feb 1894, youngest daughter of CYRUS & MARY E. (LAFFOON) PATTERSON, m Rush AR 6 April 1913 THEODORE TOMLIN. Had at least one child. She lived at Morning Star Hotel at Rush. Were they divorced? Where did she go when Rush faded? Any help greatly appreciated. Charles Taylor, 2210 Basket, Pasadena TX 77502-3854.

PATTERSON/WHEELER/BURRIS. Seek info ELLEN PATTERSON m 17 Oct 1897 T.N."Nick" WHEELER. Children, surname WHEELER: DELLIE b 1897 m 26 Dec 1915 CHARLIE WHITEKER, MARY b 1901 m 30 June 1918 JOE WOOD, NOAH, IDA, AUDIE. Did ELLEN PATTERSON marry first J. E. BURRIS? Charles Taylor, 2210 Basket, Pasadena TX 77502-3854.

TABOR. Research shows many Tabors in Marion Co. and Pyatt AR. I have many relatives buried in Patton Cemetery. My line includes: ELIJAH TABOR b NC 1790, SARAH (GREEN) TABOR b SC 1794, JOHN H. TABOR b NC 1809, JOHN HARVE TABOR b Marion Co. AR 1866, GEORGE THURMAN TABOR b Pyatt AR 1907, ROSCOE PIERCE TABOR b Pyatt AR 1895. If anyone can help me, please write. Bill Tabor, 6667 Sunnyhill Rd., Joshua Tree CA 92252.

TABOR/GREEN. Seek parents of ELIJAH TABOR and SARAH GREEN who were the parents of JOHN HARVE TABOR b Rutherford Co. NC 11 Dec 1809 d Marion Co. AR May 1902. Mike Tabor, 4800 Renaissance Tower, Dallas TX 75270-2146, (214) 741-1001.

UNDERWOOD. Seek info JAMES ERVIN or DOLPHUS ERVIN UNDERWOOD b AL 1842 m MARTHA ___ b AL 1845. Children: JAMES b AR 1870, MINNIE b AR 1872, EDNA b AR 1875, ZACK b AL (?) 1879, JAMES LONNIE, MORGAN. Mysty McPherson, HCR 66 Box 159, Yellville AR 72687, (501)-449-5223.

        SERVICE DIRECTORY is published in Bramble Bush as a service to those who may wish to advertise some of the many books, products, and services available that relate to historic and/or genealogical research. The charge per ad per year is $12 for 30 words or less, plus 10 cents for each additional word. Please count prices and abbreviations; name and address count as 3 words, phone number as 1 word. Ads from both members and non-members are accepted. The name and address of a contact person must accompany each ad.

Marion Co. AR and surrounding areas. Experienced researcher. $10 per hour plus copy costs and postage. Vicki Roberts, HCR 66 Box 399, Yellville AR 72687; (501)-449-6195 aft 6:00 pm CST.

Marion Co. AR area. $10 per hour plus copy costs and postage. Experienced researcher. Mysty McPherson, HCR 66 Box 159, Yellville AR 72687; (501)-449-5223.

"MARION COUNTY CEMETERIES" Marion S. Burnes. Hardbound $25. Softbound $20. Marion S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

"MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1888-1896" Marion S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $12. Marion S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

"MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1897-1906" Marion S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $15. Marion S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

"MARION COUNTY 1890 CENSUS." Reconstructed from 1880 & 1900 census; land, tax records, etc. Hardbound. $40. Helen McMindes, 626 West South Avenue, Harrison AR 72601.

        Families & Fairs is designed to announce dates and places of reunions, ancestor fairs, and historical commemorations wherever they may be held. The information must reach us no later than March 15, June 15, September 15, and/or December 15 to be included in the next issue of Bramble Bush. The name and address of a contact person must be included. This feature is free of charge.

The 2nd Annual SHAWNEE TOWN CELEBRATION will be held at City Park, Yellville AR, 10 and 11 May 1996. Contact Shawneetown, PO Box 252, Summit AR 72677-0252 or call Irene Wang (501)-449-6040 after 6 pm CST.

The 7th Annual NORTH ARKANSAS ANCESTOR FAIR will be held at the Leslie Public School, Leslie AR 31 May and 1 June 1996. Contact James J. Johnston, 2333 East Oaks Drive, Fayetteville AR 72703, (501)-442-3691.

The 8th Annual HOLLON/HOLLAND FAMILY REUNION will be held at Antlers OK May 31 and June 1. Contact Eva M. (Holland) Butler, PO Box 284, Antlers OK, (405)-298-2258.

The 1st Annual OZARK CULTURAL CELEBRATION will be held at the Ozark Mountain Cultural Center, Mountain View AR 13 and 14 September 1996. Contact Bill McNeil, PO Box 500, Mountain View AR 72560 (501)-269-3851.

PHILLIPS FAMILIES GENEALOGICAL SWAP MEET will be held at Best Western Inn, 2101 S. 4th St, Chickasha OK 15, 16, and 17 August 1996. Contact Dale F. Phillips, 1927 S 7th Street, Chickasha OK 73018 (405)-224-6927.

Please add my name to your membership list so that I may continue to receive Bramble Bush.

Enclosed is my check for $12 payable to HGSMCA for 1996.

SEND TO HGSMCA, PO BOX 554, YELLVILLE AR 72687

Bramble Bush is published quarterly by the Historic Genealogical Society of Marion County Arkansas, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687. Subscription is $12 per year. EDITORIAL STAFF: Editor, Vicki Roberts; Design/Production, Mysty McPherson; Art Work, Bonnie Sanders; Queries, Mary Birrer; Subscriptions, Barbara Holland; Printing, ABC Printing Co., 721 Hwy 5 N, Mountain Home AR 72653; Contributing writers, Mary Birrer, F. Gene Garr, Ramona Lee. HGSMCA OFFICERS: Chair, L. Don Ott; Vice-Chair, Vicki Roberts; Secretary, Mary Birrer; Treasurer, Barbara Holland; Grants/Purchasing, Mysty McPherson.