AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON was born December 31, 1818 in Feliciana Parish,
Orleans Territory. Gus was murdered on March 27, 1869 at Moro Bay, Bradley CO, AR and is
buried at New London Cemetery in Union County. He was the youngest son of WILLIAM
WITHERINGTON, JR. and SARAH 'SALLY' STANLEY. Both his mother and father were
born in Darlington District, SC and the family migrated to Feliciana Parish about 1809. In 1813,
William Witherington, Jr. received an Ensign's Commission in the 17th Regiment of the
Mississippi Territory Militia, during the War of 1812. Family tales indicate that both he and his
oldest son, Daniel, fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. Daniel had served
as a young Private in the Louisiana Militia. The family later moved to Conecuh County, AL
about 1819, while Gus was still a very young child.

About 1847, Gus and two of his older brothers, John and James migrated to Southern Arkansas
from Conecuh County, Alabama. Gus and James settled in Union County, living near the
communities of Champagnolle and Old Union quite near the Ouachita River. Gus later operated
the ferry crossing at Pigeon Hill in Union County, and also owned a small plantation of 365
Acres just across the Ouachita River in Bradley County. He called his plantation Mount Vernon.

Older brother John, and his wife, MARY ELLIS, settled a few miles north of the Ouachita
River near the early community of Artesian in Ouachita County (now a part of Calhoun County).
His brother James was killed in a hunting accident in 1849 there in Union County and is buried
at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, located five miles east of El Dorado near Old Union.

Gus Witherington's first marriage was to MARTHA K. LOVETT in February 1848 in Union
County, AR. Martha was the daughter of THOMAS LOVETT. Gus and Martha had six known
children: Mary (who married T.J. Smith); Sarah (who married Lucius A. Turner); Dick (who
died as a young boy at age 5); Arlina (No info available); and 'Willie' B. (No info available).

Following Martha's death on October 30, 1857 (immediately following the birth of 'Willie'), Gus
married MARY EMMA FINCH on January 13, 1859 in El Dorado, Union CO, AR. Mary
Emma was the daughter of JOSEPH FINCH and EMMA KRESS. Mary Emma was born in
1838 in Ontario, Canada. Mary Emma bore Gus four additional children: Henry Stuart (no
information available); Emma Evalyon (married Edmund Pendelton Harrison, Sr. in Union
County); Madeleine Augusta (married Dr. Thomas Clemens Hart in Pine Bluff); and Hattie
May (married Frank G. Price).

The following pages will provide the reader with many of the activities of 'Uncle Gus'
throughout his life in Conecuh County, Alabama and Union & Bradley Counties in Southern
Arkansas. His life was one of early hardship, but it is quite apparent that Gus Witherington was a
man of large size, great strength and capacity, and with an adventurous nature, a driving
ambition and a solid work ethic.

In June 1998, following the annual Witherington Family Reunion at Moro Bay State Park, my
wife and I visited the New London Cemetery in Union County, a few miles south of Moro Bay
where 'Uncle Gus' was murdered in 1869. We spent a few quiet and reflective moments at his
gravesite. I commented to my wife that I wished that I could have known 'Uncle Gus' personally
as I knew that I would have enjoyed sitting with him and hearing the many interesting stories of
his life experiences. "Uncle Gus was a very special man!”

Note: The following is an exact transcription of a letter dated 8 Jan. 1992 from W. C. Finch (former
Mayor of Crossett, Ark.) to Bill Witherington (researcher of Witherington Family of Southern
Arkansas - now deceased). This letter was discovered in research materials of Bill Witherington,
borrowed by Bill King (a Witherington Descendant) from Janis Hopper of Hot Springs Village, AR
(daughter of Bill Witherington). This letter has been transcribed by Bill King on July 15, 1998 (as it
was written) as a matter of 'family' and Civil War interest of those doing research of the
Witherington families and of Civil War times in Calhoun & Union Counties, AR.

Letter of W. C. Finch of Crossett, AR dated 8 January 1992 to his cousin, Bill Witherington.
Dear Bill,
Gus Witherington came to York, PA in 1858 on business and met Mary Emma Finch and married her there.
{BILL KING’S NOTE: They actually met in New Orleans, not York, PA, and were married in Union County,Arkansas/Source 1859 Union County Marriage Bond 'B', Page 206} Gus then persuaded her brother Wm. S. Finch, her sister Amelia Finch, and her father Joseph Henry Finch and her mother Emma Dean (nee Kress)Conkey Finch all to move to Arkansas with him. Mary Emma did not want to move without her family. They arrived at Gus' home at Pigeon Hill Arkansas in 1858 on the west bank of the Ouachita River. The 1860 census of Union CO shows them all in Gus' household.

In 1862, Wm S. Finch married Rebecca Rogers Terrell at New London, Arkansas which is about a 1 1/2 miles south of Pigeon Hill. Also Joseph Henry Finch died in 1862 and was buried at the New London Cemetery, near the New London Baptist Church on Winchester Road. The Terrells were members of this church and possibly Gus Witherington was also. (The church secretary is checking the old records for me now).

Amelia Finch met and married a steamboat captain named Robert L. Withers from Longview, Arkansas on
the Saline River. They met when the whole family was making a trip to New Orleans. Capt. Bob owned an
interest in this steamboat 'Morgan Nelson' at the time. Gus Witherington organized a company for the Confederate Army of men from the New London, Pigeon Hill and Longview areas; Union and Ashley counties on the two rivers. Gus was the Captain, Wm S. Finch and Bob Withers were Lt.'s. In May 1863 the 3 brothers-in-law bought out all the shares of the 'Morgan Nelson' steamboat as partners. (All this sounds to me as if Gus was well fixed enough to outfit a Co. of soldiers and to buy a 1/3 interest in a steamboat, as well as to move all his in-laws from Pennsylvania to Arkansas.)

They loaded the company on the steamboat and went to New Orleans to volunteer. The General told Gus he
would accept his company with thanks but he would not accept Gus because he'd be the first one killed. Gus was 6' 6 1/2" tall. The General then said he could also use the steamboat, so they struck a deal. Gus, W. S.Finch and Capt Bob were given commissions each of Captain in the Confederate Army. The boat was to be operated by them to haul supplies up river for the CSA Army to various points on the Mississippi, Black,
Red, Ouachita and Saline Rivers. They were allowed to haul cotton and other products south to New Orleans for civilians and could keep the money for non-military hauls. They also carried two flags, USA and CSA as well as uniforms for both sides to aid them in running the 'Yankee' blockades. (They could have been shot as spies if caught.) However, they were not caught and they operated the boat for the Confederacy, Major Latimer's Quartermaster's Corps, HDQ Camden, Arkansas, from May 1862 to June 1865 when they took the Oath of Allegiance to the USA. They all 3 ended up 'rich' with each a chest full of Confederate bills. Their only real assets left were their lands and the boat 'Morgan Nelson' which they sold in New Orleans.

Captain Bob Withers used his share to buy another steamboat 'Carrie Poole' which he operated for several
years. He also operated a ferry on the Saline River near Longview at Cavaness Landing. Wm S. Finch went
into partnership with his other brother-in-law William Simon Terrell. They built and operated a store at
Pigeon Hill until 1882 when Rebecca, his wife, died. She is buried at New London Cemetery near her fatherin-law, J. H. Finch. (stone still readable.
Email from Ed Sanders, Arkansas Historical Society:
Bill, the officer in New Orleans was right in rejecting Gus for military service. He WOULD have been the
first one shot because a man that size cannot shrink and hide. I did the genealogy of a fellow in northwest
several years ago for his great granddaughter, and pointed out to her that his recruiting officer had
effectively murdered the man. He was 6' 5" tall and the recruiter put him in the CAVALRY!!! A man
that size would have to have a tall horse to keep his feet from dragging the ground, so you've got an 8 foot
tall target trying to slip through the woods, or charge across a field. Sure enough, the fellow was killed in
his very first engagement! Thanks for a heck of a story!
Best wishes, ‘Ed’

Proven Data - Augustus Levan Witherington
Augustus Levan was born December 31, 1818 in Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. 'Gus' was child # 12
of William Witherington, Jr. & Sarah 'Salley' Stanley. He spent his youth growing up with his
family, who then lived in north east Conecuh County, AL at an early community known as Fork
Sepulga. He later migrated (about 1848) to the river town of Champagnolle in early Union County,
AR.

Gus' father, William Witherington, Jr., had received a Commission as ‘ENSIGN’ in the 17th
Regiment, Mississippi Territory on 7 July 1813. The Commission was signed at Washington, MS by
David Holmes, Governor of the Mississippi Territory. It is said by some that 'Ensign Witherington'
was in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, but this has not been proven as fact. At
the time, the family was living in Feliciana Parish, Orleans Territory, near current day Clinton,
Louisiana.

Following the Civil War, Gus and Mary Emma (Finch) lived in Bradley County across the
Ouachita River from Pigeon Hill, Union County. Gus had named his new Plantation in Bradley
County 'Mount Vernon'.

Gus was murdered March 27, 1869 at Moro Bay, Bradley County, Arkansas. He is buried in the
New London Cemetery, Union County, AR in the Finch Family Plot. Martha Lovett (wife #1) died
1857 in Union County and is buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery located on Ark Hwy # 15 east of El
Dorado. After Gus' death, Mary Emma Finch (wife # 2) married William D. Harrison. Mary
Emma Finch and Wm D. Harrison are both buried at Pine Bluff, ARK.

Early Land Records in Union County, AR (1856 & 1859)

for Augustus Levan Witherington.  120 Acres

WITHERINGTON    AUGUSTUS      L      7       17S     12W        0      1859/07/01
WITHERINGTON    AUGUSTUS      L      8       17S     12W        80     1859/07/01
WITHERINGTON    AUGUSTUS      L      29      17S     14W        40     1856/09/01


Arkansas Census Records Union County - 1850 - Franklin Township
A. L. Witherington 30 m Farmer LA
Martha 21 f AL [1st wife - Martha Lovett, b. 1827]
Mary E. 2 F AL
Sarah 4 mos. F AL

Union County - 1860 - Pigeon Hill Township 3 Aug. 1860
A. L. Witherington 37 r/e $10k/ per $25k LA
Mary 22 Canada [2nd wife - Mary Emma Finch, b. 1838-Canada]
Joseph Finch 55 N.Y. [f-i-l]
Emma Finch 50 N.Y. [m-i-l]
W. S. Finch 26 N.Y. [b-i-l]
Amelia Finch 19 Mich. [s-i-l]
Mary Witherington 11 AL
Sarah Witherington 9 ARK
Chayler (sic) Witherington 5 m ARK
Orlena Witherington 7 f ARK
Willie Witherington 3 m ARK
Henry Witherington 3 mos. ARK [1st child of Mary Emma Finch Witherington]
Notes: Gus was married to Mary E. Finch on 13 January 1859 in El Dorado, Union County.
Family moved from AL to ARK before 1850, as 1850 census shows child-Sarah (4 mos) was shown born
in AL. First wife, Martha K. Lovett, died 1857 (their son, Willie, was born about 1857, could Martha
have died in childbirth??).

1858-59-60 Tax Records - Bradley County, Arkansas
A. L. Witherington
ENSW Sec. 25 Twn. 16 Range 12 84 Acres
ENE 33 16 12 80 Acres
SNW 34 16 12 80 Acres
SWSW 27 16 12 29.83 Acres
SESW 28 16 12 39.89 Acres
NWNW 34 16 12 40 Acres
Total 364.16 Acres

Bill King's Note: The above land would have been located immediately north and east of the Ouachita River, and lying SE of the community of Moro Bay and east across the river from the Pigeon Hill landing. The Ouachita River makes a large loop to the north (toward Moro Bay) just a bit west of the above land owned by Gus. This is likely the land referred to in family stories as the 'Mount Vernon Plantation' of Gus Witherington.

Letters of Administration -Estate of Augustus L. Witherington Value of Estate - about $1500.
ELIAS D. KING, here applying for Letters of Administration on the Estate of AUGUSTUS L.
WITHERINGTON late of said County, being that AUGUSTUS L. WITHERINGTON departed this life
in Bradley County on or about the 27th day of March 1869.

Heirs: Henry S. Witherington, E. Evalyon Witherington, Madaline A. Witherington, Hattie May
Witherington of Bradley County, Ark. Mrs. Mary E. Smith, Union County, Ark. Sallie K. Witherington
and Orlina M. Witherington of Texas.

Bond: Dated: May 28, 1869, $3000 - Elias D. King, Mary E. Witherington, B.C. Weir and James H.
Averyt (Avant)

GUS WITHERINGTON, Union County - Pigeon Hill, Arkansas Assets
Inventory of Store June 4, 1869
53 Pairs of Shoes, 15 Pocket Knives, 3 Whet Rocks, 20 Hand Saw Files, 4 Sets of knives & forks, 1
Gross of Coffee, Shoe Brushes, Slates, Boots, Shoes, Spurs, Trunk, Tin Pans, Lamps, Pitchers,
Bowls, Stone Dishes, Cups & Saucers, Plates, Tumblers, Goblets, Tin Buckets, Horse Collars, 1
Bolts of Alpaca, Prints, Cotton, Worsted, Flannel. 15 Goats, 2 Milk Cows
Inventory Total: $ 1016.16

RECEIPT
Received of Elias D. King, Administrator of the Estate of Augustus L. Witherington, Deceased, Two
Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars and 54 cents, As a part of my Dower Interest in the proceeds of sale of
the personal property belonging to the Estate of the said Augustus L. Witherington, Deceased.
Dated: February 1st, 1870
Signed: M. E. Witherington
(Widow of A. L. Witherington, Deceased)
~~~~~~~~~~
Bill King Question: Could J. F. H. Harmon have been serving as a 'merchant-banker' in Union County and in possession of funds belonging to the credit of Augustus Levan Witherington?

Final Accounting Current
Estate of Augustus L. Witherington (Deceased), Elias D. King, Administrator
July Term 1883 Confirmed and Ordered of Record
July Term 1884    A. A. Turner, Judge

HARRISON CONVEYOR CO.
4010 Bluebonnet # 115 Houston, Texas 77025 (713) 661-3405

February 26, 1981
Dear Virginia, (Witherington)
Your information on the Finch's strikes a warm part of my soul. We are now discussing our greatgrandfather, Augustus Levan Witherington, a most colorful and interesting free spirit.
To digress a moment; I am not a family buff. Leonard Green's wife, Bettye, is the person who has traced
the staid Harrison family at the Clayton Library in Houston. Mildred White O'Quin also is a family nut.
She has an "Ensign Certificate" of James Witherington, member of the MISSISSIPPI DRAGOONS,
dated 1813. I believe this James Witherington is the father of A.L.
My father was a pet of his mother. I suspect they were conspirators in meanness to your mother. My
father has many family stories he got from Evelyn Emma Witherington Harrison. My father exaggerates,
and imagines events that never happened, so take my further comments with this aberration of Gordon's
in mind.

James Witherington appears in 1830 census, Conecuh County, Alabama; A.L. Witherington is not shown.
A. L. first appears in Union County, Arkansas marriages 1829-1870, by Spencer. (1) A. L. Witherington
21 to Martha K. Lovett 18, February 1848. (2) A. L. Witherington 35 to Miss M. E. Finch 21, at Dr.
Nance's on 13th Jan 1859.

According to Gordon, Mary Emma Finch left Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to take a position as a music teacher at
Madeline Brevard's School for Young Ladies in New Orleans. A. L. evidently met our great-grandmother
in New Orleans, and married her in Arkansas. Mary Emma got her brother William S. Finch, Sister
Amelia, and mother Emma Dean Finch to live in Arkansas with her. Amelia married Robert Withers.
William S. married Rebecca Terrell, sister to Simon Terrell. Both of these men were business associates
of A.L. A.L. was very good to the Finch Family.

A.L. was evidently a prosperous businessman, got "Billy-Goats" drunk on Sunday, had many fist fights,
and took an active part in the breeding of his female slaves. He was smart enough to be in the Quarter
Master Corp in Texas, nearly caught by the Yankees when he was visiting Mary Emma in 1864 at
Champagnolle.

As a boy in Warren, I was shown a Warren newspaper dated 1869 headlined: 'MR. DAVIS SHOOTS
'BULLY' GUS WITHERINGTON IN SELF-DEFENSE'.

According to Gordon, A.L. whipped Davis before 1861 (?), and Davis carried a grudge against A.L.
Gordon claims A.L. and his son, Henry Stuart, got off of A. L.'s steamboat a Moro Bay, Davis was lying
in the bushes and rifle-shot A.L. in the back of the head. (Note: Newspaper story reported he was killed
with a shot gun.)

Now for another 'juicy' scandal: The Widow Mary Emma married William D. Harrison, son of William
Kennon Harrison, brother of Edmund Reid Harrison. Will and our grandfather, Edmund Pendleton
Harrison, were first cousins, one married to the mother, the other to the daughter. The Widow Mary
Emma must have acquired a loving disposition from A.L. Will D. (Harrison) and Mary Emma had Versa
Burton (Aunt Burt) and Pearl Eugenia (Aunt Lolly). They lived in Pine Bluff when E.P. and Evelyn
Emma were first married.
August Levan Witherington is my favorite relative. He was the main-stay of the Finch's when they first
came to Arkansas. When he died, Mary Emma did not know too much about his business affairs. Gordon
claims the poor widow was cheated out of her property. Remember that William S. Finch, Robert Withers
and Simon Terrell were his associates and probably advised her about A. L.'s property.
William D. Harrison was a traveling "Daguerreotype" picture-taker. E. P. supposedly held him in
contempt. I imagine Will D. (Harrison) helped the Widow Mary Emma dispose of her property.
Best Regards,

Don

Gordon L Harrison, Jr.

NOTES: The above letter was found in family research papers of Virginia M. Witherington of
Arkadelphia, Arkansas and was transcribed by Bill King of Houston on August 1, 1999.

Below excerpts taken from articles appearing in Arkansas Gazette and were provided Jan 10, 1999 by Jann Woodard  of the Bradley County Historical Society, 12008 Ginger Lane, Benton, AR 72015.

Ark. Gazette April 3, 1869 (page 2, col. 5)
Killed: We are informed that Mr. Gus Witherington, late of Champagnolle, was, on Friday 26th ult., at
Moro Bay killed by a Mr. James Davis. He was shot three times. We have not heard the particulars of
the difficulty. (From the Camden News)

AR Gaz. Feb. 6 1872 (page 1 col 2)
The Warren Eagle says Jas. A. Davis, who shot and killed A.L. Wortherington (sic), a highly respected
citizen of Bradley county, about three years ago, and made his escape, created quite a sensation the other
day by reappearing and surrendering himself to the officers of the law with a view of standing trial.

April 6, 1869 (page 3 col. 2)
A.L. Witherington, formerly of Champagnolle, but more lately of Mt. Vernon, Bradley county, was brutally
murdered on the 27th of March, at Moro, Calhoun county, by a man named James A. Davis. He was in conversation at the store door of Bratton & Co., with Mr. Schaer of Little Rock, when Davis approaching from behind shot him without warning. The first shot passed through his head, the second through his body, when falling upon the floor he was shot a third time in the left shoulder. Mr. Witherington was conveyed to Pigeon Hill, where he died on the night of the 19th. Pigeon Hill Masonic Lodge No. 98, buried Mr. Witherington with the usual ceremonies. We will publish their resolutions next week. Mr. Witherington was an old and respected citizen of Union County.

AR Gaz. Oct. 26, 1869 (page 4 col 2)
The governor has offered a reward of $200 for the arrest and conviction of James Davis, charged with the murder of A.L. Witherington, at Moro Landing, Calhoun County.
Below article provided to Bill King by Jann Woodard of Bradley County Gen. Society

The Bradley County Eagle, Warren, Arkansas, Sat. Jan. 27th, 1872

Last Tuesday night our town was thrown into a fever of excitement by the arrival at the Warren House of
Mr. James A. Davis. Charged with murder and under an escort of armed men.
It appears that about four years ago a difficulty occurred in the village of Mount Vernon, in this county,
between two residents, named A.L. Wortherington (sic) and James A. Davis; the former being the
aggressor. Davis was beaten in a most shocking manner, his face being battered in a terrible way; his
eyes nearly put out; his jaw broken, and his spine injured beyond recovery. While being thus outraged and
unable to defend himself he said: "Wortherington (sic), you had better kill me now, while you have a
chance, for if I ever recover, I will kill you!"

At last the difficulty ceased and the parties separated. Time rolled on and about a year elapsed, when they
met again, in the village of Moro Bay, on the Ouachita River, about the 28th of March 1869. When Davis
saw Wortherington (sic), he said to a bystander: "Is that Wortherington (sic)?" And upon receiving an
affirmative reply, walked off, got a shotgun, and deliberately shot his victim dead.
Fearing mob law, James A. Davis took up his abode in Calhoun County where he remained until the time
of his arrest. In the meantime it appeared the Grand Jury of this county found a true bill against him for
murder in the first degree for which he was arrested.

When the officers presented the warrant, he surrendered cheerfully, and is now closely confined in the
county jail. He seems quite indifferent to his situation and thinks the law will justify his deed; and from
what we learn, public sympathy is with him, for Wortherington (sic) is represented as being very turbulent
and quarrelsome disposition, even to maltreat any person for the least imaginary cause and threatened the
life of Davis several times carrying guns to execute his threats. These are represented by the facts in the
case and we give them to the public without comment.

WITHERINGTON, Augustus L
Listed in Union County 1860, age 27, born in Louisiana, occupation merchant. No Arkansas service or
pension record.

WITHERS, Robert James
Born 15 Jun 1820 in South Carolina, Died 18 Jun 1901 in Arkansas. Buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery,
Drew County, Arkansas. C.S. Marine Service, Commander, Steamer Morgan Nelson.
Widow - Amelia Finch Withers filed Arkansas pension application #22346 from Bradley County, August
9, 1915. Listed in Ashley County 1860 Census, occupation carpenter

FINCH, William Stuart
Born 11 Sep 1830 at Clarence, New York, Died 19 Jul 1907 at Warren, Arkansas. Buried in Oak Ridge
Cemetery, Bradley County, Arkansas

Listed in Union County, AR on 1860 census. Married Rebecca Rogers Terrell, 10 Jan 1861 in Union Co,
Arkansas. Later married Sarah Jane Everett, 30 Sep 1883, Union Co, Arkansas. Widow ‘Sallie J. Finch’
filed Arkansas pension application #15144 from Bradley County, 6 Aug 1913.
Cited service in Quartermaster's Department of Major Latimer's Ark. Division. <Unable to locate any
record of a Major Latimer.>

If these men served in the Confederate navy or marine service, their records would not be filed in
Arkansas. The C.S. Navy and Marine Corps (and I assume Marine Service) have their own Compiled
Service Records microfilm series, completely separate from the various State volunteers.
Likewise, if they served for example as a quartermaster, working directly for a department or army, their
CSRs would be filed with the regular Confederate Army microfilms (again, a separate microfilm series).
Hope this helps.          Bryan Howerton


'Morgan Nelson, CSA Marine Service'
Bill - found mentioned in a letter to General Buckner from General E. Kirby Smith. Will "snail mail" the letter toyou but will transcribe verbatim below. I think this letter answers the question as to the role of the Morgan Stanley in the Civil War and why I could not find Withers, Witherington, nor Finch in the Civil War books. Headquarters Trans-Mississippi Department.
Chuck
Shreveport, February 27, 1865.

To: Lieut. Gen. S. B. Buckner , Commanding, District of West Louisiana

GENERAL:
Major Buckner's communication from Monroe of 21st February with your endorsement is just received. The
steamer Barkman was burned in the Bartholomew. The Fletcher and Morgan Nelson have by telegraph to Camden been ordered to Monroe, where they will be at the disposition of Major Buckner for the purpose of procuring corn.

The Ouachita country above the Louisiana line is absolutely stripped of forage. To maintain that line the garrison at Camden is compelled to supply itself from the lower Ouachita and its tributaries. It is of vital importance for the protection of Northern Louisiana, as well as the planting interests in the Red River Valley, in the District of Arkansas, that Camden should be held by us. General Magruder estimates that 30,000 bushels of corn will meet his necessities and enable him to maintain the line of the Ouachita until the coming crop can be gathered. The boats will at the disposal of your officers, and I wish you would instruct them to use dispatch and energy in securing and removing the corn from the Boeuf. What is not needed for the District of Arkansas and your cavalry on the Ouachita can be transported up Little River to within sixteen miles of Alexandria, and be made available for the troops in the lower portion of your district.

As the wants of the garrison at Camden are pressing, I wish the first load of the Fletcher sent to that point. You can  afterward, as your necessities will allow, increase the amount of corn sent to Camden to 30,000 or even 50,000 bushels.

The boats will remain under your control, and General Magruder instructed that he can depend upon your officers forwarding to Camden the corn necessary for the support of that garrison.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. Kirby Smith, Commanding General, CSA

Bill, The set of books I researched looking for any sign that Withers, Witherington, and/or
Finch were in the Confederate Navy were: Official Records of the Union and Confederate
Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Published under the direction of: The Hon. Curtis D.
Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, by Dudley W. Knox, Captain, U. S. Navy, Retired Officer in
Charge, Office of Naval Records and Library by authority of an Act of Congress approved
July 31, 1894. United States Government Printing Office Washington – 1927.
Chuck Jackson

Robert, many thanks for the info on the Morgan Nelson and also for the info below. Believe that this was verylikely my relative, A.L. Witherington (not A.J.). His name was AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON. 'Gus' was said to have been a partner with Captain Robert Withers and William Finch as owners of the 'Morgan Nelson'. However, no proof has surfaced on this fact, and is only found in Witherington & Finch family tales handed down through the years. Again, I will greatly appreciate all info on any of the above.
Bill King

Morgan Nelson: Sternwheel, packet, wooden hull, built at Middletown, Pa. 1859. 109 tons. 120' x 21'.8" x 4'.4". She appeared at New Orleans Jan. 24, 1861, owned by Josiah and James Dillon of Wheeling, Va., with Capt. Joseph Richardson, also of Wheeling, in charge. She had seven changes of ownership at New Orleans 1861-1868, when dismantled.
Carrie Poole: Sternwheel, packet, wooden hull, built at Evansville, Ind., 1865. 118'.7" x 21' x 3'.7". Advertised August 1866 running New Orleans-Red River, Capt. J.F. Muse, "draws only 12 inches light." Had four or five owners including Red River Packet Co., and Capt. Noah Scovell. When she burned at Algiers, La., was owned by James M. Kane, New Orleans, with Capt. W.H. King, master. This on July 27, 1870.
Dr. Buffington: Sidewheel packet, wooden hull, built at Cincinnati, Oh. 1857. 157'x32'x5'. Ran New Orleans-Grand Encore (Camden), owned by A.J. Buffington, New Orleans. Capt. L.T. Moore was master in 1858. In 1861 owned by A.L. Witherington, Carrollton (New Orleans), who also was master. Made trips up White River, and was lost there, December 1862.

The above steamboats were mentioned in a paper called The County Explorer. It says: Captain Robert J. Withers, a well-known and respected leader of the community, operated two of several boats that plied the Marie Saline, the Carrie Poole and the Morgan Nelson. This at Longview, Saline River, Arkansas.
The other information was obtained from Way's Packet Directory.        Robert Owens

From the Web Pages: (1) "Riverboats" and (2) "Riverboat Captains"

1. Name: DR. BUFFINGTON
Type: Sidewheeler, Wooden hull packet Size: 175 X 32 X 5
Launched: 1857, Cincinnati, Oh Destroyed: 1862, Dec. lost on White R. (See ** below)
Area: 1857-61, New Orleans - Grand Ecore; 1861, N. O. - White River, Arkansas
Owner: 1857, Buffington, A. J.
*1860, Avant, Nathan T. of Union, Ark.
*1860, Dec. 4, Buffington, Capt. A.J.
1861. Witherington, A.L. of Carrollton, La.
Captain: 1858, Moore, L.T.

*1860, March 28 - 1861 Avant, Nathan T.

The following was copied from the pages of the Journals of the House of Representatives, 2nd Congress of the Confederate States of America. Volume 7, page 13 of the Journals of the Confederate Congress, 1861-1865.

Web Page: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ammemhome.html

Date: Second Day, Tuesday, May 3, 1864 page 13 (in part)
Mr. A. H. Garland (Augustus H. Garland, Representative of the State of Arkansas) introduced: A bill "to provide for the redemption of the old issue of Treasury notes held by certain Indian tribes;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, a bill: "for the relief of A. L. WITHERINGTON, of Union County, in the State of Arkansas;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Claims.
Early Alabama (Conecuh County) Land Records for Augustus L. Witherington
Aug. 18, 1837 40 Acres SW/SW, Sec. 15, Township 7 N, Range 11 E. (Located near Lyeffion, NE of Witherington Family Cemetery)
July 1, 1845 39.375 A. NE/SW, Sec. 1, Township 6 N, Range 10 E. (located near China and Witherington Cem.)
Early Arkansas (Union County) Land Records for Augustus L. Witherington
Sept 1, 1856 40 Acres SW/NE, Sec 29, Township 17 S, Range 14 W. (Located South of Hwy 15, near Wesley Cemetery)

July 1, 1859 80 Acres SE/NE, Sec 7 Township 17 S, Range 12 W.

NW/SW, Sec 8, Township 17 S, Range 12 W. (Located So. of Pigeon Hill and So. of the Ouachita River)

Family Interview with James Sidney King c. 1936

Copied from the family records of Betty Sue Griffin Mitcham of El Dorado; daug
hter of Abbie Coral King Griffin and great granddaughter of John Coleman King of Union County.

James Sidney King was the son of John Coleman King. He was the Grandson of James King, Sr. &
Catherine Coleman King (Catherine is buried at Wesley Cemetery in Union County, AR).

James Sidney King of Union County, son of John Coleman King, in a 1936 family history interview,
told a story of his father and Gus Witherington crossing the Mississippi River on rafts and riding
horseback when they came to Arkansas. They passed several plantations in the rich Mississippi Valley
where the owner’s house, known as the 'big house', was set far back from the road and a big gate and a
lawn were out in front of the 'big house'. King and Witherington made their headquarters at Norris
Springs in Union County and went out each day with a spade looking for rich land, but decided to go to
Texas where Dallas now is. They later decided to come back to Union County where the transportation on
the Ouachita River was good and they could get their cotton to market at New Orleans and where the land
was rich."

Marc Parrish's Witherington Ancestry
Descended from Augustus Levan Witherington

1 Augustus Levan WITHERINGTON 1818 - 1869
  +Mary Emma FINCH 1838 - 1886
    2 Madeleine Augusta WITHERINGTON 1865 - 1941
       +Dr. Thomas Clemens HART Unknown - Unknown
          3 Ida Madeleine HART 1893 - 1985
             +Thomas Preston WILLIAMS 1891 - 1945
                 4 Marion WILLIAMS (1. Parrish, 2. Hall) 1917 - 2004
                   +Wallace Reid PARRISH Unknown - Unknown
                      5 Marc Reid PARRISH 1940 - <living>

Madeleine Augusta7 Witherington was born Abt. 1865 in Union CO, AR (Source: 1870 Union
County AR Census.), and died Abt. 1941 in Dallas, Texas (Source: Marc Parrish Info (Jan. 2001).). She
married (1) (Unknown) Sharp. She married (2) Dr. Thomas Clemens Hart November 10, 1891 in Pine
Bluff, Arkansas (Source: Marion Williams Hall-Marc Parish Info (Jan 2001).), son of Rev. Marion Hart and
Margaret Clemens.

Notes for Dr. Thomas Clemens Hart: Physician. Practiced in Texas.

Children of Madeleine Witherington and Dr. Hart are:



5 iv. Ida Madeleine Hart, born June 1893 in Oklahoma (Source: Marion
Williams Hall/Marc Parish Info (Jan 2001).); died August 1985 in
Decatur, Wise County, TX (Source: Marion Williams Hall/Marc Parish
Info (Jan 2001).). She married Thomas Preston Williams May 01, 1916 in
Dallas, Texas (Source: Marion Williams Hall/Marc Parish Info (Jan
2001).); born June 1891 in Oklahoma; died August 1945 in ?.
Notes for Thomas Preston Williams: THOMAS PRESTON WILLIAMS
was born June 1891 in Oklahoma. When PRESS (as he was called by
his family) was in his early teens, he wanted to see the world beyond the
lonesome wilds of Oklahoma. He crawled under a freight car at a near
railroad track and road there until he was discovered on a hot and dusty
stretch of land. There he was forced off the underpinnings of the train.
He told the story many times. Miles from civilization and water, he
walked the tracks. The sun was hot and finally he became so thirsty and
hot that he knew he could not live much longer in this waterless,
unshaded land. He remembered what his mother had taught him. She
was a praying mother who spent much time on her knees praying for her
family. Press got on his knees and prayed. He got up and walked. About
a few yards, there was a lump of ice, This was strange because it had
been many hours since the train had passed. Press sucked on the ice.
When it was gone, there was another piece of ice. Because of the ice, he
survived. When he got to a small town about sunset, a man took him in.
The man would only give Press a few drops of water at a time, He told
the boy that if it had been a jug of water instead of ice he had found on
the track, he would likely have drunk it all and not lived to tell his story.
The man let Press stay with him until he was strong enough to go on.
There were many tales of his adventurous youth that THOMAS
PRESTON WILLIAMS told. He served briefly in the U.S. Navy, was
stranded without funds on a job in California and later came to Dallas
where he got a job at the Otis Elevator Co. He met and Married IDA
MADELEINE HART, May 1, 1916. He died Aug 1945. <Story from
Marion Williams Parish

6 v. Emma Bell Hart, born May 08, 1904 in Dallas, Texas (Source:
Marion Williams Hall-Marc Parish Info (Jan 2001).); died March 13, 1979
in Dallas, Texas (Source: Marion Williams Hall-Marc Parish Info (Jan
2001).). She married Ben Amos.



Researcher's Notes:
This information on the life of AUGUSTUS LEVAN WITHERINGTON has been developed over the
past two years with the help of many researchers ..........far too many to list here. It is being provided in
hopes that some of the information provided of "Uncle Gus" and his life and death will be of interest to
Union, Calhoun & Bradley County historians and genealogists.

I visited the New London Cemetery grave of Gus Witherington on June 13, 1999, and I felt very pleased
"to have visited with Uncle Gus".

Gus Witherington was my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.

William Witherington, Jr. (the father of Gus, John & James Witherington) was my 4th Great
Grandfather. These three sons came to Southern Arkansas from Conecuh County, AL about 1846.

John Witherington was my 3rd Great Grandfather.

I descend from John Witherington (the older brother of Gus & James), who was born 1801 in Darlington
District, SC and who died 1855 in Calhoun County, Arkansas.