Person Page - 123

     PVT Gibson Martin Winslett was born in 1797 at Georgia. He was the son of CPT John Carson Winslett I and Unknown Martin ? PVT Gibson Martin Winslett married Susannah Coleman on 4 Nov 1823 at Henry Co, Alabama.

      Gibson Martin Winslett was noted as born in 1792 on the 1850 VanZandt Co, GA census although the county of that name was not organized until 1812 when it was partitioned from Baldwin County.

Gibson was granted a passport to the Creek Nation from Warren Co, GA in 1809 under the name Martin Wunslett. He moved from Warren Co, GA to Henry Co, AL in 1809 where he married and began his family of a son and eight daughters born between 1824 and 1840 in Alabama. Martin served during the 1836 Creek War as a private in Captain Beauchamp's Company, 42nd Regiment Alabama Militia.

In 1837 Gibson prchased 39 acres and 40 acres on 5 Apr, 80 acres on 15 Apr, and 80 acres on 1 Aug 1838, 80 acres on 10 Dec 1841 -- all in Barbour Co, AL.

By 1850 Gibson and his wife were living in Van Zandt Co, TX with their nine children. He registered to vote 26 Nov 1869 in Bosque Co, TX.

     Susannah Coleman was born c 1795 at Henry Co, Alabama. She married PVT Gibson Martin Winslett, son of CPT John Carson Winslett I and Unknown Martin ?, on 4 Nov 1823 at Henry Co, Alabama.

     LT Joel A. Winslett was born on 19 Dec 1802 at Georgia. He was the son of CPT John Carson Winslett I and Unknown Martin ? LT Joel A. Winslett married Mary 'Polly' McLeod, daughter of (Unknown) McLeod and Margaret (Unknown), on 1 Dec 1833 at Pike Co, Alabama. LT Joel A. Winslett died on 8 Apr 1860 at Pike Co, Alabama, at age 57. He was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

      Joel Winslett built the first Clayton, AL jail and served on the first grand jury. He was a farmer and miller.

In the 1836 Creek Indian War Joel served as a first lieutenant in Captain Beauchamp's Company, 42nd Regiment Alabama Militia; for his service Joel received 80 acres land in Sparta, AL.

In 1850 Joel, a farmer age 47, was enumerated in the Barbour Co, AL census living with his wife Mary age 36, their children and Neill Gillis, a 20 year old farmer born in South Carolina.

Joel was a devout member of the Methodist Church for thirty-one years. He is buried in the Beulah Cemetery or the Little Oak Cemetery in Pike Co, AL. Joel's full name may be Joel Andrew Winslett if his son was named after him.

     Mary 'Polly' McLeod was born on 15 Oct 1815 at South Carolina. She was the daughter of (Unknown) McLeod and Margaret (Unknown). Mary 'Polly' McLeod married LT Joel A. Winslett, son of CPT John Carson Winslett I and Unknown Martin ?, on 1 Dec 1833 at Pike Co, Alabama. Mary 'Polly' McLeod died on 8 Feb 1902 at Dadeville, Tallapoosa Co, Alabama, at age 86. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

      Mary McLeod is also reported to have died in Pike Co, AL and to have married Joel Winslett in Barbour Co, AL.

     (Unknown) Peters was born a 1831. He married Ann (Unknown) a 1856.

     Hardy Wheless was born in 1756 at Halifax Co, North Carolina. He was the son of Joseph Wheeless II and Mary "Molley" (Unknown). Hardy Wheless married Lydia Drake a 1775 at Halifax Co, North Carolina. Hardy Wheless died a 27 Mar 1823. He was buried in 1823 at Old Wheelus Cemetery, Talbot Co, Georgia. His estate was probated on 7 Jul 1823 at Jones Co, Georgia.

      Hardy Wheless, noted as Wheeles in the records, provided patriotic service to North Carolina during the Revolutionary War for which he was paid and his wife received a widow's pension. What service he provided is not known.

In 1783 Hardy Whelus was noted living in District 10 on the Halifax Co, NC tax list: Sion Whelus; Ambrose Daniell £80, near Edwards, Parker, Shuffield [sic] Morris, Ives, Whelus; Peter Daniell £106, near Read, Bradley, Branch, Cox, Joseph Whelus, Morris, Butt; Israel West £805, before are Drake, Bruce, Hardy Whelus.

Hardy Wheless was included in the 1786 Halifax Co, NC Tax List. He was enumerated on the District 10, Halifax Co, NC census with 1 male age 21-60, 2 males under age 21 or over 60, and 3 females. On the same 1786 census was Joseph Whelas, Trustram Drake and Peter Bird; Hardy's wife's maiden name is thought to be Drake and Hardy's daughter married a Bird.

Exactly when the 1786 Halifax Co census was taken is important to help establish among Hardy's family members. The index was transcribed as taken in 1786; of the 16 census districts in the county only Hardy's District 10 was not enumerated during late Dec through Feb 1786 and was transcribed as taken on 22 May 178_ [possibly 1787] by resident Samuel Crowell. If Hardy's wife was pregnant when the family was enumerated in what was likely May 1787 with four children, they could potentially have had eight children by the time of the 1790 census if one birth was twins. Given the possibility of any infant deaths, there may be other relatives among the eight youth living in the household by 1790.

A Hardy Wheeless was reportedly on the 1786-87 Warrenton, Warren Co, GA tax list and on the 1788-90 Wilkes Co, GA tax list; there were other Wheless families in Warren Co.

In the 1790 federal census Hardy was apparently the "Nordy" Wheales noted living in Edgecombe, Halifax Co, NC with 5 males under 14 and 4 females; living nearby is Joseph Whealles with four total at home. Peter Bird is still living in the same county as Hardy but further from his home.

On 11 Nov 1791 "Handy" Wheels of Halifax Co, NC sold Tristram Drake Sr. of Halifax Co 65 acres adjoining the land of said Drake in Rocky Swamp.

In Nov 1798 in Halifax Co, NC Hardy, Joseph Wheless and James Judge were listed as having a guardian account for orphan Lemuel Wheless.

The Halifax Co, NC Estate Book 1759-1805 showed Hardy Wheless and Tristan Drake listed as insolvent for 1799.

By the time of the 1800 census three new youth had appeared in the Hardy Wheless household, thus establishing the possibility of Hardy and Lydia having up to 11 children by 1800. In 1800 Hardy, listed as age 26-44, was living in Hillsborough, Chatham Co, NC with his wife age over 44 and 1 male under 10, 2 males age 16-25, 2 females under 10, and 1 female age 16-25. Noted in 1800 on the Halifax Co census was a Trustham Drake and on the Nash Co census was Tristram Drake. Also key is that Peter Bird has now moved to this area. Eleven houses from Hardy Wheless' home was the home of this researcher's fifth great granduncle Jesse Rowland junior.

According to the 1 Sep 1803 will of Edmund Drake, Tristram's wife was Elizabeth Valum Drake. A John H. Drake was a witness on many 1771-1786 Halifax Co deeds. Note that a Lydia Drake, daughter to James Drake was still named Lydia Hadley in 1791 when his will was signed in Richmond, VA; not probated in Nash Co, GA. (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/drake/1998-05/0895206345.)

In 1810 Hardy Wheelis and Abner Wheelis were on the Greene Co, GA tax list.

At age 56 in 1812 Hardy likely did not actively serve during the War of 1812 which lasted until 1815 but likely provided material support; his wife received a widow's pension, apparently from his Revolutionary War service. Other men with the same name could have served. On 12 Jun 1806 a Hardy Wheelas married Hannah Rimes in Greene Co, GA, but Hardy did not list a namesake son in his will. A Hardy Whealis served as a private in the 3rd Regiment, Winberly's, Georgia Militia during the War of 1812.

Hardy was likely living in Jones Co, GA before 1813 because his daughter Temperance married Hiram Bird in Jones Co, GA in 1813. By 1820 Hardy was listed on the census as Hardy Wheles Senior in Jones Co, GA living with his wife and a male age 26 to 44 and a female under age 10. By then Lydia was over age 64, so it is highly unlikely the female child under age 10 in the household was born to her. Thus, caution must be taken in aligning children to Hardy on the basis of his surname and also because he had a namesake living separately with children noted on the Jones Co 1820 census.

The Wheless and Bird families and the Carson and Stubbs families intermarried in earlier years in the Winslett line. Living nearby Hardy Wheless in Jones Co in 1820 were another man named Hardy Wheelas with a family of 8 males and 3 females total; Mathew Whealass and his wife both age 26-44 with 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 3 females under 10, and 1 female 10-15; Syon Wheless; William Stubbs; and John Carson. John Carson was likely the son of our 6th great grandparents John Carson and Esther Stubbs who died in Jones Co, GA in 1823. William Stubbs was likely a descendant of our 6th great grandmother Esther Stubbs who died before 1790. Thus the Wheeles, Bird, Carson and Stubbs families all lived in Jones Co, GA about 1813-1820. Of note, there were no Bird families in the county census by 1820.

Hardy's surname Wheless was also spelled, among other possibilites, as Wheelas, Whelas, Whelass, Whealass, Wheales, Whealis, Wheeles, Wheeless, Whelis, Wheelis, Whellous, Whelous, Whelus, Wheelus, Wheels, Whellr and Wheeler.

Hardy's 28 Mar 1823 will was written when he was ill. He bequeathed "... sorrel mare to my son Cion Wheless .... to my daughter Mary Ross my sorrel filly.... granddaughter Emily Williams one feather bed and stead and furniture ... in case she dies to my two granddaughters Sally Wheless and Sally Ross.... to son Eli Wheless all my bacon above a suffiency for the use of my famiy the present year.... And all the balance of my estate I lend to my beloved wife Lidda Wheless during her natural life unless she see fit to dispose of a part in her life time and at her death I give to my granddaughter Elizabeth Bird a feather bed and stead and furniture... What shall remain of my estate I give to my sons Eli Wheless and Mathew Wheless for them equally to divide ... and that the rest of my children have no part of my estate more than heretofore received .... appoint my son-in-law Roland Ross my lawful executor.... Witnesses: Peter Wyche, Noah Mercer Sr, Noah Mercer Jr."

Hardy and his wife were buried in the Old Wheelus Cemetery in Talbot Co, GA along with the following Wheeless family members: Joseph, Liddie, Mary (daughter of Levi), Missouri, Staci (1st wife of Levi.) Of note, The closest points between Talbot Co and Jones Co where Hardy lived and died is thirty miles.

Hardy's widow Lydia is said to have drawn land in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery as a "widow of a Revolutionary War Soldier" and resident of Jones County (History of Jones Co, GA, p. 955, 992) however, this researcher was unable to find a military record or widow's award for Hardy Wheless.

Other sources:

--"The Pieced Together Early Wheelus Family of VA, NC and GA," by Gerry Hill, Albany, GA; http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/wheelus/26/, 1 Apr 2005 with 9 detailed responses.
--Ancestry.com. North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
Original data: Register, Alvaretta K. State Census of North Carolina, 1784-1787. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co, 2001. (Hardy Whelus)
--Ancestry.com. North Carolina, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.
--1790; Census: Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 7; Page: 457; Image: 267; Family History Library Film: 0568147
--Halifax Co, NC Estate Book 1759-1805, http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/nchalifa/1999-09/0936800525, accessed in 2016. (Hardy Wheless and Tristan Drake insolvent in 1799)
--Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr, Deeds of Halifax Co, NC 1786-1796. copyright, 1996. Tristram, Sr., Deed Book 16, p. 943 (Handy Wheels to Tristham Drake Sr)
--1800 US Census ; Census Place: Hillsborough, Chatham, North Carolina; Series: M32; Roll: 31; Page: 210; Image: 230; Family History Library Film: 337907
--Nash Co, GA, Will of Edmund Drake, 1 Sep 1803, http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/drake/1998-05/0895206345. (Tristram and Elizabeth Valum Drake of Halifax CO)
1820 U S Census; Census Place: Capt Greshams District, Jones, Georgia; Page: 123; NARA Roll: M33_7; Image: 130
--Will Abstracts of Jones Co, GA, Book A 1808-1890, Hardy Wheless, 28 Mar 1823
--http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?hardy::wheless::34.html, accessed in 2015 & now removed from the internet. (will of Joseph Wheeless)
--Talbot Co, GA Cemetery Records, p. 39; Wheeless Family Cemetery, Talbot Co, GA, http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/talbot/cemeteries/wheeless.txt.
Names provided by Wylene Webster of Talbot Co, GA.
--David B. Gammon, Halifax Co, NC Tax Lists Vol. 1 1782-1783, p. 72-73 (Hardy Whelus)
--James Maloney; Maloney, Hendrick and Many Others; http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jhmjr&id=I57700, maloney@maloneylaw.com, accessed in 2016.
--War of 1812 Service Records, DAR Record: Hardy Wheeles (A084480/M844210) Jun 1873, Rev Pay Voucher, State Of North Carolina Halifax District for Services Rendered acting in capacity of Soldier/Patriot,
NC Rev Army Accts, Vol VII, P73, Folio 3, REEL 54.6, SEIMES,
http://services.dar.org/onlinerecordcopy/?R=R0040D000010B (record did not load online in 2016 for this researcher so unsure if it is the correct man)
--Cynthia Herrin, Nash Co, NC Vital Records Abstracts [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000; original data taken from Families of Early North Carolina, 1909. In 1909, a local genealogical group published a series of county histories for northeast NC in sections covering people and adventures of the county and biographical facts purchased through subscription with families providing the data. The vast majority of online family trees list Joseph Wheeles as Hardy's father but Families of Early North Carolina stated in the Nash Co, NC seciton William Wheless Sr was the father of Hardy Wheless; this is likely a different Hardy Wheless or incorrect data. Nash Co is east of Raliegh, NC whereas Halifax Co where Hardy was known to have lived is NE of Raleigh.

     Lydia Drake was born a 1757. She married Hardy Wheless, son of Joseph Wheeless II and Mary "Molley" (Unknown), a 1775 at Halifax Co, North Carolina. Lydia Drake died in 1827 at Jones Co, Georgia. She was buried at Old Wheelus Cemetery, Talbot Co, Georgia.

      Although Hardy's Revolutionary War service record has not yet been located by this researcher, Lydia Wheelis of Jones Co, GA was noted as receiving land in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery in Capt Blount's District, # 189, district 5, Troup Co, GA (Reprint of Official Resigter of Land Lottery of Georgia 1827; 29th Day's Drawing, 9 Apr 1827, p. 89)

Lydia's parents have not been identified; she is believed to be Lydia Drake based on my grandfather Henry Dillard Winslett's bible stating that she was a Drake. Lydia is also noted in official records as Lidia and Lidda.

For no reason other than Lydia and her husband Hardy Wheeles were living near Trustham Drake in the 1786 Halifax Co, NC census, this researcher researched and found Trustham, Tristran, Truston and Trisram Drake who was noted as the son of Richard Drake (b.1684-96 - 1759 Southampton Co, VA and his wife Margaret [Bustin?].) Tristram was born about 1725, was reportedly married to married Zilpha Kirby (conversely William Drake is noted as marrying Zilpah Kirby in other reports and this could have been his namesake son instead), married after 1762 in Halifax Co Elizabeth Ely of Edgecombe Co, NC and died about 1810 - 1815 in Halifax Co, NC (death est 1810-1815 based on siblings' wills). Tristram reportedly had five children: Eli, Richard, Tristram junior, Herbert and Jessee Francis, which obviously does not include a Lydia unless Lydia could be the daughter of his son Tristram junior. Apparently it was his son Tristram junior who was b 1754 and married Elizabeth Volun/Valum from Halifax Co although she is sometimes mentioned as Tristram senior's wife. (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com).

In addition to these possibilities, a Lydia A. married Thomas Rawls Drake on 28 Jun 1819 in Gates Co, NC. A Lydia Drake born 1771 (daughter of James Drake of Richmond Co, VA who died 9 Jul 1791 likely in Nash Co, NC) married a Mr. Hadley. (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/drake/2002-06/1024426605)

Tristram witnessed a deeds on 16 May 1752. He also witnessed a deed 15 Nov 1765. (Abstracts of the Early Deeds of Granville Co, NC 1746-1765 by Zae Hargett Gwyn, Rocky Mounty, NC, Joseph W. Watson publisher, 1974: Deed Book B, page 133. (http://pamiller.net/genealogy/docs/danieledgehalifnashwilson/index.htm#sandyswift.)

Tristram Drake was in Edgecombe Co, NC in 1754; he witnessed a land deed 26 July 1760.


Halifax Co, NC Tax Lists Vol. 1 1782-1783 by David B. Gammon, N1, N2, N3 = 1st, 2nd, 3rd age class of negroes
p. 72-73 = 1783 Distr 10
Mary Daniel £300 near Nichols, Drummong, Perkins, Baker
skip residence #22
skip residence #21
Sion Whelus
skip residence #14
Ambrose Daniell £80, near Edwards, Parker, Shuffield [sic] Morris, Ives, Whelus
skip residence #7
Peter Daniell £106, near Read, Bradley, Branch, Cox, Joseph Whelus, Morris, Butt
skip residence #15
Israel West £805, before are Drake, Bruce, Hardy Whelus


The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina, 1786-1796. Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr. copyright, 1996. (DB is Deed Book; number is page in DB)
DB 16, Granville Grant to Francis Drake, 3 July 1760. Joiner, Tristram Drake.
DB 16, Tristram Drake, Rockey Swamp, Francis Drake's Granville Grant. 22 May 1792
The following are all in DB 16:
Tristram, 722, witness deed, made his mark, 18 Dec. 1790.
Tristram, 742, listed as joiner, 26 Nov. 1789.
Tristram, 962, (see Francis)
Tristram, 1158, joiner in Rocky Swamp.
Tristram, Sr., 943, Handy (Hardy?) Wheels (Wheeles?) of Halifax Co. to Tristram Drake Sr. of Halifax Co., 11 Nov. 1791, 65 acres jioning said Drake in Rocky Swamp.

In the 1786 Halifax Co census, Trustham senior's household included 4 white males over 16; 1 under, 2 females and 1 slave.

The 1800 NC census includes two Tristram Drakes in Nash Co (age ranges in household: 00010-4001000) and Halifax Co (in one transcription noted as Truistham; age ranges in household: 01010-4001000) respectively. Tristram was on the 1783 Halifax Co tax list.

The following notes concerning Drake families from Edgecombe and Nash Co, NC official records may assist in finding her parents some day. However, although she and her husband were living near Trustram Drake in 1786, Trustram (or other name variations) is not noted in the deeds or wills.

Most comprehensive are the 1778-1868 will book abstracts of Drakes from Nash Co, NC including the families of Augustin, Edmund, Richard son of Tristram and Elizabeth Valum Drake, Edwin, Francis, Harriet Adeline, Hartwell, Hines, James who has a daughter Lyda [Drake] Hadley in 1791, Jonas, Mathew, Mourning, Nathaniel and William.

Drakes noted in Edgecombe Co, NC deed from 1743 until 1798 included James ( who lived along Swift Creek where the Wheeles famiy settled), Nathaniel, Martha, Matthew (Nash Co sherrif), William, Hines, Silas, James, John, John H. (Nash Co justice), Benjamin, Edmund, Augustin, Henry, Matthew junior, Mourning, Mary/Polly (dau of Matthew senior), Edwin, Milbrae, Jacky, Frances, Milbrey, Temperance daughter of Matthew senior, Brittain, Harty, Richard, Fanny, Oroondates/Orrendates, Nathaniel, William junior. Also mentioned was a William Wheless junior on Swift Creek where the Wheless family is said to have settled when they moved to NC. Additional Drakes noted beginning in 1815 until 1875 included Nancy, Lucinda, Selah, Temperance wife of James Drake, Margaret, Allen, Delilah, Benjamin F., John Q. A., Henrietta Y., Hartwell, Selah, Martha and Edwin (and his 5 children Temperance, Robert S., Patience, Sally, and William J.)



Sources:

--Drakes in NC Deed Book, http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/drake/2002-06/1024426268
--Drakes in NC Deed Book, http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/drake/1998-05/0895206345 transcribed from Abstracts of Nash Co, NC 1778-1868 Will Book I,
Ruth Smith Williams & Margarette Glen Griffin, Joseph W. Watson Pub,
Rocky Mount, NC, Marshall .

     Eli Wheless was born in 1776 at North Carolina. He was the son of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake. Eli Wheless married Elizabeth Jackson a 1799. Eli Wheless died a 1850.

     PVT Sion Wheless was born in 1791 at Halifax, Halifax Co, North Carolina. He was the son of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake. PVT Sion Wheless married Elizabeth Sturdivant c 1822. PVT Sion Wheless married Lucy Vaughan on 28 Jun 1835 at Stewart Co, Georgia. PVT Sion Wheless married Nancy Jane Odom on 28 Oct 1847 at Russell Co, Alabama. PVT Sion Wheless died a 1858 at Greenwood, Leflore, Mississippi.

      Sion Wheless was noted as Lyon Wheeless age 26 - 44, a laborer who was unable to read or write, in the 1820 Jones Co, VA census living with his wife age 16 - 25 and a male and female under age 10. By 1830 he was noted as age 40 - 49 in Morgan Co, GA with 1 female under 5, 1 female age 5 - 9, and his wife age 20 - 29.

The Stewart Co, GA 1840 census found a Sion listed as Sion Wheeley age 40 -49 with 1 male under 5, 1 male age 10 - 14, 1 male age 15 - 19, 2 females under 5, 1 female age 10 - 14, and his wife age 30 -39.

Sion apparently acquired a new partiner in 1847 before the death of his second wife Lucy Vaughan. By the 1850 census, Lucy was deceased and Lucy's daughters Emaline, Adaline and Temperance -- were living with their grandparents Howell Vaughan age 60 and his wife Elizabeth age 62 in Fayette Co, GA and were noted as using the surname Vaughan on the census. Lucy's sons Howell and Jasper continued to live with their father.

By 1850 this Sion was enumerated as Siron Wehlas age 51 born about 1799 in South Carolina living in Russell Co, AL with his wife Nancy age 38 and children Howell age 14, Whitfield age 12, Nathan age 10, Jasper age 8, John age 6 and Jacob age 4. The children's birth dates draw into question the 1850 census reporting of the children's ages in that Whitfield's age greatly varies and Jasper and Jacob's ages vary somewhat; the latter two reported ages could possibly vary because their step-mother was uncertain of their ages.

In 1850 a different Sion Wheeless, a farmer age 60 [born in 1790] with 1000 in real estate was living in Meriwether Co, GA in household #131 close to a woman who would be his sister, Temperance Wheless Bird, if he is the correct Sion. He was noted living with his wife Sarah age 48 (neither of their birth places were stated and neither could read or write) and the following children all born in Georgia: daughters R. C. age 21, A. A. age 12, E. J. age 8 and N. E. age 6 and sons C. P age 18, L. M. age 16, S. age 14, A. C. age 10; also liveing in the household was a female L. Tew age 17.

A third Sion Wheless age 39 and born in Georgia, a farmer with 2000 in real estate also was living in Meriwether Co, GA in 1850 with his wife L. age 38 born in SC and illiterate and 2 daughters born in Georgia: E. age 2 and M. J. age 4 months.

Sion was noted in official records as Cion, Lyon, Lion, Wheeless, Whelep and Whellis.

     Mathew Wheless was born in 1786 at North Carolina. He was the son of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake. Mathew Wheless married Nancy (Unknown) a 1804. Mathew Wheless died in 1849 at Monroe Co, Georgia.

      In 1820 Mathew Whealass was living by his father in Jones Co, GA with 9 people total in his household. By 1830 Mathew was enumerated in Monroe Co, GA as Mathew Wheeley with eight total in his household. Matthew Whelles was on the Property Tax Digest in Monroe Co, VA in 1834, and in 1844 and 1847 as Wheelis. In 1840 he was listed as Mathew Wheeler in Monroe Co, GA with 5 people total at home.

     Mary Frances Wheless was born c 1797 at North Carolina. She was the daughter of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake. Mary Frances Wheless married Roland Thomas Ross I on 19 Jan 1817 at Jones Co, Georgia. Mary Frances Wheless died in Jul 1880 at Jones Co, Georgia. She was buried at Willcoxon Ross Farm Cemetery, Jasper Co, Georgia.

      Roland Ross was and early settler of the Union Hill community in Jones Co, GA. He donated land for the Union Hill Baptist Church, church cemetery, and former school houses and church that once occupied the property. Roland was listed on the marriage bond as Robert Ross; it was corrected to Roland when he married Mary Wheelis. He was enumerated on the 1830 Jones Co, GA census as Nollens Ross age 40 - 49 with 1 male 10 - 14, 2 females under 5, 2 females age 5 - 9, 2 females 10 - 14, his wife age 30 - 39, a male slave age 36 - 54, and 1 female slave under 10 and 1 female slave 24 -35. By 1840 Rolland Ross' household had grown to 11 whites and 5 slaves in Jones Co. In 1850 Roland Ross age 64 and Mary Ross age 50 were listed with 7 of their children. In 1860 Roland age 74 and Mary age 60 were lising in Ethridge, Jones Co, GA with three of their children. By 1870 the family had moved to Spartanburg, Jones Co, GA and lived with 4 of their children and 2 of their Holsenback grandchildren.

     Roland Thomas Ross I was born on 15 Oct 1785 at North Carolina. He married Mary Frances Wheless, daughter of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake, on 19 Jan 1817 at Jones Co, Georgia. Roland Thomas Ross I died on 4 Jan 1872 at Jones Co, Georgia, at age 86. He was buried at Wilcoxon Ross Farm Cemetery, Jasper Co, Georgia.

     Sarah "Sally" Ross was born c 1818 at Jones Co, Georgia. She was the daughter of Roland Thomas Ross I and Mary Frances Wheless. Sarah "Sally" Ross died in 1878.

     Temperance "Tempy" A. Wheeles was born c 1794 at Halifax Co ?, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake. Temperance "Tempy" A. Wheeles married Hiram Bird, son of Unknown Bird / Byrd, on 5 Apr 1813 at Jones Co, Georgia. Temperance "Tempy" A. Wheeles died a 1850.

      Temperance Wheless is noted as both Temperance Wheeler and Wheeless in her 5 Apr 1813 Jones Co, GA marriage bond, but the marriage certificate states Wheeler. She was also found in official records as Tempa, Tempy and Timpy.

In 1850 Temerance was noted as Tempa Bird in Meriwether Co, GA census living in household #273 with three of her children -- Matilda, Robert and John, the latter two of whom were farming. Temperance was unable to read or write. Based on her stated age, she was born circa 1794.

Living next to Temperence in 1850 were the families of her son James Madison Bird, a farmer, and her daughter-in-law Priscilla Bird. Mrs. Priscilla Bird, age 33 born in SC and could not read or write, with real estate valued at 2400 was living next door with her children. Living next to James Bird was the family of Hezekiah H. Bussy age 32, a farmer born in Georgia with real estate valued at 550, and his wife Evaline M. Willhite age 37 born in North Carolina with their 5 children. Also nearby were the families of Brise Dollar age 25, John Dollar age 38, James Gates age 55, Benjamin W. Gates age 26, Benjamin Gates age 70, Samuel K. Gates age 51; two of Temperance's sons married into the Dollar family and one son married into the Gates family. Temperance's daughter Sarah Ann was living with her husband Simpson Gray and their children nearby in household #203 in Meriwether Co, GA in 1850. At a greater distance in the county in household #614 was the Marlin D. [likely Martin given the son named Martin] Wheeless family; he was age 45 born about 1805 in Georgia and was living with his wife Rebecca age 39 and 6 children all born in Georgia: Francis A. age 20, William P. age 18, John F. age 15, Sarah Ann age 13, Martin L. age 8 and George R. newborn 8 years after the previous child.

     Hiram Bird was born a 1786. He was the son of Unknown Bird / Byrd. Hiram Bird married Temperance "Tempy" A. Wheeles, daughter of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake, on 5 Apr 1813 at Jones Co, Georgia. Hiram Bird died in 1842. His estate was probated on 4 Mar 1842 at Meriwether Co, Georgia.

      Hiram Bird served in Freeman's Squadron, Cavalry, Georgia Militia as a private in the War of 1812. Maj Frederick Freeman was likely the squadron leader. At least three different captains served under Freeman: Capt William Varner's Troop of Dragoons; Capt William Patterson's Troop of Light Dragoons; and Capt Samuel S. Steele, 1st Lieut. Goodwin Myrick, 2d Lieut. Harris Allen, Cornett John Allen. Hiram's discharge record has not been located.

Hiram was married in 1813 by D. Melson, justice of the peace. He and Harris Harn paid his marriage bond on 3 Apr 1813.

In 1820 Hiram was included in the Putnam Co, GA property tax list but the land was listed as being in Twigs Co, GA (south of Jones Co) on the Ockmulgee (Ocmulgee) River. The original grantee is not known. The land was planted in pine, appears to be 101.24 acres or maybe twice that area and was taxed at 31.25 cents. His acreage adjoins the land of Streetmon and other neighbors are Bass and Buckner.

Hiram Byrd was included on the Monticello, Jasper Co, GA census in 1820; not on the Irwin Co, GA 1820 census as often reported online. Jasper Co borders Putnam and Jones counties. Living with Hiram, a farmer who was age 26-44, was his wife age 26-44 and 3 males and 1 female under age 10 for a total of 6. Of note at that time there were four Bird families, including 2 William Birds, in neighboring Putnam Co and a Richard Bai__ family in Jones Co, GA.

Not knowing where Hiram was born makes tracing his ancestry difficult. In 1820 he was about 30 years old -- still a young man perhaps living with his birth family nearby in Jasper Co and the surrounds. Examining Hiram's land and residence in Putnam and Jasper counties respectively, it is important to note those counties are close to Hall Co, GA and Abbyville Co, SC where two Thomas Bird families resided; a Thomas Bird is ONE of the potential fathers of Hiram. Many online trees state Hiram's parents were Thomas or John Bird and Judith May with differing children for each couple, but no proof has been seen; most trees copy other trees and offer the same census records which do not tie Hiram to either parent. However, there were many other Bird families living throughout Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina which may include Hiram's father.

In 1830 Hiram was living in Meriwether Co, GA seven homes away from Samuel Winslett. Hiram's daughter Elizabeth Tempy Bird married Samuel Winslett's son John M. C. Winslett that year. Living with Hiram who was age 40-50 was his wife age 30-40 and 1 male under age 5, 1 male age 5-10, 2 males 10-15 and 2 females age 5-10 for a total of 8. Also living nearby was Abner Whelus; Hiram married Hardy Wheless' daughter and Hardy had a brother named Abner Wheless.

Hiram conveyed 33.3 acres in lot 189, fifth district, Troup Co, GA in 1832; he could not write his name. In a Troup Co history, Hiram was noted as one of the ten early settlers of the county, although he was on the Meriwether Co census, so he may have lived along the border of the two counties.

By 1840 Hiram was age 40-49 and his family had expanded in Meriwether Co, GA to include his wife age 40-49 and 1 male under age 5, 1 male age 5-10, 1 male 10-14, 1 male 15-19, 1 male 20-29 and 1 female 5-9, 2 females age 10-14, and 1 female slave age 10-23, for a total of 11. Living next door was his son William A. Bird age 20-30 with his wife age 15-20 and a daughter under age 5. The Whelus family was no longer living nearby.

Hiram's will dated 5 Jan 1842 in Meriwether Co, GA gave his estate to his wife Tempy Bird including his lands, stock, furniture and cash. Hiram provided the estate would be equally divided among his children at his wife's death and $200 would be given the children of Elizabeth Winslett, his deceased daughter. His executors were his wife Tempy Bird and son James Madison Bird. Witnesses: James Seay, Edward Blank and David M. Lerrell. Tempy Bird was still alive in 1850. When Hiram's estate was finally divided among his children, including the Winslett grandchildren, $50 payments went to John Winslett and to M. C. Winslett respectively.

By 1850 Hiram was deceased and there was a Burrel Byrd, a carpenter age 48 born in South Carolina, living in Meriwether Co, GA in household #140 with his wife Cintha A. age 48 and 6 children. All were born in South Carolina.

Hiram's name was usually spelled Bird but was listed as Byrd in the 1820 census so other records may also have the alternate spelling.


Other sources:

--Ancestry.com. North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
Original data: Register, Alvaretta K. State Census of North Carolina, 1784-1787. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co, 2001. (Peter Bird)
--Children of Hiram and Temperance Wheeless Bird GA, Sherry Douglas, sdouglas@lcc.net, 1 Sep 2000, http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/BIRD/2000-09/0967839564
--Abstracts of Jones Co, GA Marriages, Book A, p. 26.
--Abstracts of Jones Co, GA Marriage Bonds 1811-1813, p. 35.
--Jones Co, GA History, Carolyn White Williams, p. 834-836.
--Mountville, Troup County, Georgia History, https://georgiagenealogy.org/troup/mountville_history.htm.

     Mildred Wheless was born c 1778 at North Carolina. She was the daughter of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake. Mildred Wheless married William Williams c 1812 at North Carolina. Mildred Wheless died in 1821 at Georgia.

      William Williams was on the 1820 Jones Co, GA census with both he and his wife age 26 - 44, 2 males under age 10, 3 males age 10 - 16, 2 males age 16 - 25, 1 female under 10 and 1 female age 16 - 25.

     William Williams was born a 1790. He married Mildred Wheless, daughter of Hardy Wheless and Lydia Drake, c 1812 at North Carolina.

     Emily Williams was born in 1814. She was the daughter of William Williams and Mildred Wheless. Emily Williams married John Mcghee on 19 Jul 1830 at Jones Co, Georgia.

     Unknown Sayers married Patricia Campbell, daughter of Unknown Campbell and Rita Gertrude McCabe, a 1964.

     John Gibson Winslett was born on 23 Jun 1835 at Barbour Co, Alabama. He was the son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. John Gibson Winslett married Eugenia A. BoyerPorter on 19 Mar 1861 at Barbour Co, Alabama. John Gibson Winslett died on 23 Sep 1907 at Pike Co, Alabama, at age 72. He was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

      John Gibson Winslett's grandson stated that the family origniated in Slocomb, Geneva Co, AL. John is also reported to have died on 3 Feb 1907.

     Eugenia A. BoyerPorter was born on 31 May 1834. She married John Gibson Winslett, son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod, on 19 Mar 1861 at Barbour Co, Alabama. Eugenia A. BoyerPorter died on 2 Sep 1897 at age 63. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     Sarah Jane Winslett was born on 15 Sep 1837 at Barbour Co, Alabama. She was the daughter of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Sarah Jane Winslett died on 7 Apr 1922 at age 84. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     William N. Winslett was born in 1840 at Barbour Co, Alabama. He was the son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. William N. Winslett died on 1 Sep 1863 at Farmville, Virginia.

     Francis Asberry Winslett was born in 1842 at Barbour Co, Alabama. He was the son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Francis Asberry Winslett died on 27 May 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana.

     Mary C. Winslett was born on 21 May 1844 at Barbour Co, Alabama. She was the daughter of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Mary C. Winslett died on 17 Feb 1908 at age 63. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     Joel Andrew Winslett was born on 14 Aug 1845 at Barbour Co, Alabama. He was the son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Joel Andrew Winslett died on 13 Dec 1907 at age 62. He was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     Rev Wesley Alexander Winslett was born on 27 Apr 1847 at Alabama. He was the son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Rev Wesley Alexander Winslett married Louisa Elmira Lewis on 5 Oct 1875 at Alabama. Rev Wesley Alexander Winslett died on 3 Dec 1928 at age 81. He was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     Louisa Elmira Lewis was born on 23 Dec 1846. She married Rev Wesley Alexander Winslett, son of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod, on 5 Oct 1875 at Alabama. Louisa Elmira Lewis died on 27 Feb 1929 at age 82. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     Nancy A. Winslett was born on 18 Apr 1849 at Barbour Co, Alabama. She was the daughter of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Nancy A. Winslett died on 25 Jun 1922 at age 73. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

     Margaret Alice Winslett was born on 25 Aug 1851 at Pike Co, Alabama. She was the daughter of LT Joel A. Winslett and Mary 'Polly' McLeod. Margaret Alice Winslett died on 1 Dec 1915 at age 64. She was buried at Little Oak Cemetery, Troy, Pike Co, Alabama.

      Margaret Alice Winslett may have been born in 1857.