Descendants of William Parsons


Generation No. 1

	1.  William1 Parsons  (ParsonsA) was born 1770 in Surry Co., N. C., and died Aft. 1850.  He married Mildred Darnold July 18, 1817 in Wilkes Co, NC.  She was born Abt. 1775 in Wilkes Co., N.C..

Notes for William Parsons:
1840 Wilkes:  William Parsons age 60-70; 3 sons, 3 daughters

Feb 1844 William Parsons on a coroner's inquest (signed with an X)

William Parsons 1-1-1813 130 acres on Little Elkin.  Chain carriers were Alfred Parkes and Merideth Parkes

William Parsons 1-5-1814 150 acres on Little Elkin, adjoins James Darnals & Jacob Walls.  Chain carriers were M. Gentry and J. Wall

**Note: THIS LINK (WILLIAM PARSONS) IS NOT PROVEN TO MY SATISFACTION!!  It is included in hopes that someone can provide additional information to prove or disprove it.

Notes for Mildred Darnold:
Bluff Springs, p. 112, Talladega Co 1860 AL census next door to Meredith & living with Benjamin Parsons - Mildred Parsons age 85

No solid proof for this, but this letter from an internet contact (Charles Shirah,  cshirah @juno.com, and distant relation through John Parsons' line,  does support the Darnold/Darnell connection.  see letter under "Felix Parsons" notes.

William & Milly , Polly, Betsy, and who appears to be a grandchild, Ann Handy, age 18 are found in the Wilkes Co, NC 1850 census, actually listed twice.  William gives his occupation as Miller.


	
Children of William Parsons and Mildred Darnold are:
+	2	i.	Benjamin2 Parsons, born Abt. 1812 in North Carolina.
	3	ii.	Polly Parsons, born 1814.
+	4	iii.	John Parsons, born May 10, 1818 in North Carolina.
+	5	iv.	Meredith Parsons, born February 04, 1826 in North Carolina; died November 28, 1904 in Clay Co., Al..
	6	v.	Elizabeth "Betsey" Parsons, born 1829.


Generation No. 2

	2.  Benjamin2 Parsons (William1, ParsonsA) was born Abt. 1812 in North Carolina.  He married Nancy Lakey, daughter of Mark Lakey and Charlotte Williamson.  She was born 1839 in North Carolina (Source: funeral home records give Nancy's maiden name).

Notes for Benjamin Parsons:
1860 Talledega, p. 112, Bluff Springs, with 85 year old mother
	
Children of Benjamin Parsons and Nancy Lakey are:
	7	i.	Millie Caroline3 Parsons, born October 14, 1860; died February 03, 1945.
	8	ii.	Merideth P. Parsons, born July 1862 in Alabama.  He married (1) Ann Turner August 12, 1877 in Clay Co., AL; died February 06, 1891 in Tallapoosa Co., AL (Source: Darian Cemetery).  He married (2) Charley Aft. 1891.

Marriage Notes for Merideth Parsons and Ann Turner:
#254  Meredith PARSONS to Anna Eliza TURNER on August 17, 1879, by S.M. McKay, MG, at the residence of Mr. Turner. Bond: M. Parsons, W.T. Phillips and D.N.McCain UNSIGNED.



	9	iii.	Benjamin Marion Parsons, born April 11, 1865 in Clay Co., AL (Source: Katie, Margie, Winnie Parsons buried at Macedonia Primitive Baptist CemeteryLineville, Clay Co., AL); died March 27, 1935 in Ashland, AL.  He married Martha Ann Powell; born 1865; died 1938.

	4.  John2 Parsons (William1, ParsonsA) was born May 10, 1818 in North Carolina.  He married Susannah Cleo Lakey 1844, daughter of Mark Lakey and Charlotte Williamson.  She was born February 1823 in North Carolina, and died Aft. 1900 (Source: 1900 Clay Co, AL census, age 77).
	
Children of John Parsons and Susannah Lakey are:
	10	i.	Columbus Henderson3 Parsons, born July 06, 1844 in North Carolina; died September 14, 1896 in Providence, Coosa Co., Alabama.  He married Sarah Elizabeth Guy February 07, 1868 in Coosa Co., Alabama; died in Autauga Co, AL.

Notes for Columbus Henderson Parsons:
The ancestor of Charles Shirah (St. Petersburg, FL 1997), who furnished the Felix Parsons letter and of Vernie, the person Felix wrote (Felix's niece)
See Felix Parsons note for letter

Columbus Henderson Parsons was called by his middle name.  He was a soldier in the 1st Alabama Infantry, Company D. (Meredith, his uncle also served in this unit.)  The 1st Alabama participated in approximately 30 engagements and at the end of the war the entire regiment consisted of less than 200 men.  These engagements include those on the west side of the Mississippi River and at  Port Hudson, Louisianna; Mobile, Alabama; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; gattles at Franklin and Columbis, Tennessee and Bentonville, North Carolina.

Henderson Parsons probably did not participate in battles later than the Battle of Atlanta, Georgia.  He was seriously wounded during the Atlanta Campaign and as a result had a steel plate in his head.  He died in 1896 and was buried at Providence Baptist Church in COosa County, Alabama.

Notes for Sarah Elizabeth Guy:
buried at Liberty Church in Autauga County, AL by her daughter and son-in-law, S. E. and Susie Clark

	11	ii.	Felix Parsons, born March 12, 1861; died November 24, 1938 in Ashland, AL.  He married (1) Emily Saleta Williams; born February 12, 1860.  He married (2) Eliza Pruitt January 15, 1879 in Clay Co., AL.

Notes for Felix Parsons:
"Ashland, Alabama--(postmarked Feb 23, 1923 - to Vernie Alma Guy, his 19 year old great-neice)
Dear Vernie,
	As per your request, I give the following answer.
	My great great grand father Parsons came from Maryland to
Virginia in the year 1780 or about that time, then my grand father after
he married he moved to Wilks County, N.C. and settled in the fork of Big and Little Yadkins Rivers (he married a Darnold) and my father was born in 1818, May the 10th (or 1st, I can't make it out) and in 1844 he married Susan Lakey and in 1850 on the 10th day of March landed at Hillabee, Clay County Alabama which is now Millerville.
	My brother which is your grand father went to Coosa County
sometime about 1866 or 7. On my mothers side my great, great grand father Lakey came from England to N.C. I dont know when, and dont know who he married, but my grandfather Lakey married Charlotte Williamson who was raised in Charlott, N.C.- and was named for the town. Grand father Lakey was a ditcher by trade and died at the age of about 52 years from the effect of gas he struck cutting a canal. My grand mother Lakey came to Alabama and lived to be 93 years old.
	My grand father Parsons was a hatter by trade. He made mens hats out of wool and fur. I have the large pot he used to boil the dye in which he dyed his hats.
	Our ancestors on the Parsons side was of a high Dutch desent and on the Darnolds was also Dutch desent.
	The Lakeys were Scotch-Irish desent. The Williamsons were Irish desent. Listen sweet, if you are an off spring of the Indian or "Dukes mixture" I dont know it. I have given you the history of our ancestors as near as I can just off the reel, however if I had a little more time to get my mind together I could make you a nicer paper.
                Yes Sweet, I was glad to hear from you all again, don't think that I have forgotten any of you, I can see Vernie & Irene standing around with there fingers in their mouths smiling on the other side.
	Tell Lillian to keep her salt dry and take care of kin folks.
	Mary Jane you are 8 lbs heavyer than I am.  So you must hold up till I can pick up some.
				Your Uncle,
				Felix Parsons

PS   I have a book that was brought from Maryland to N.C. and then to Alabama. The book is about 400 years old.
				F.P."

Obituary published in Ashland, AL newspaper in 1938
"Prominent Citizen Called To Rest
Felix Parsons, age 77, died at his home here on November 24, after an illness of several years.  For the past three years he has been confined to his room, most of the time to his bed.
Mr. Parsons moved with his family from Millerville to Ashlalnd about 30 years ago and since that time has been one of Ashland's most outstanding citizens.  For a number of years he served the county as commissioner of the Ashland district and was at one time road supervisor of the county.  He was a member of the Ashland Baptist Church, serving gas a deacon from the time he came here.
The deceased is survied by the widiow, two sons, Thridge of Birmingham, and Austin of El Paso, Texas, three daughters, Mrs. P. T. Orr of Boaz, Alabama, Mrs. W. F. Potts of Birmingham, and MRs. D. B. Luker of Ashland.
Funeral services were held at the Ashland Baptist Church on Friday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Reev. J. E. Franks, assisted by Rev. P. C. Oliver, Rev. F. J. Ingram, and Judge E. J. Garrison.  Interment was in the Ashland Cemetery, Blair in charge.
Pallbearers were C. M. Pruett, K. J. White, M. L. Hardegree, E. R. Rozelle, J. W. Parsons, and M. W. Morgan."


Marriage Notes for Felix Parsons and Eliza Pruitt:
#205-615  Felix PARSONS to Eliza PRUETT on January 16, 1879, by A.J. Sellers, MG, at residence of Lizzie Carn. Bond: Felix Parsons, Thomas J. Griffin (his mark) and H.T. Parsons (his mark).



	12	iii.	Lodimpsa Parsons, born 1864 (Source: 1870 Clay Co., census).
	13	iv.	Mary Parsons, born Abt. 1867.  She married Thomas W. Davidson December 25, 1879 in Clay Co., AL.

Marriage Notes for Mary Parsons and Thomas Davidson:
#328  Thomas W. DAVIDSON to Mary PARSONS on December 25, 1879, by A.R. Whited, JP, at John Parsons’. Bond: Thomas W. Davison, Felix Parsons and C.H. Parsons. NOTATION: “We, John Parsons and Susan Parsons, agree that the Judge of Probate of Clay County shall issue license for our daughter, Mary Parsons, to be joined in matrimony with Thomas W. Davidson. Dec 25, 1879.” Signed: John Parsons and Susannah Parsons.

	14	v.	Susannah Parsons, born April 1878 (Source: 1900 Clay Co AL census, listed as sister of Felix Parson  (Susannah Craig)).  She married Craig.

	5.  Meredith2 Parsons (William1, ParsonsA) was born February 04, 1826 in North Carolina, and died November 28, 1904 in Clay Co., Al..  He married Sarah "Sally" Lakey Abt. 1844, daughter of Mark Lakey and Charlotte Williamson.  She was born December 1826 in North Carolina, and died August 26, 1907 in Clay Co., AL.

Notes for Meredith Parsons:
1850 Talledega Co. AL census
p. 231  #1556  Parsons, Meredith  24  NC  Laborer
                                        Sarah      24  NC
                                        Susanna    3 NC
                                        Benjamin   2 NC
                        Lakey, James           12 NC

Land Grant to a Merideth Parsons by James Buchanan, President of the United States to Meredith Parsons of Talladega County, Alabama.  The NW quarter of the sousth east quarter of section 30, in the township twenty, Range seven, in the district now Centre, Alabama, containing thirty nine acres, and forty hundredths of a acre.  January 1, 1859

1860 Talladega Co., AL census
p 112 Bluff Springs
PARSONS, Merideth  35  NC
                  Sallie        34 NC
                  Susan       14  NC
                  Benjamin  12  NC
                  William     10 AL
                  John            8 AL
                  Eliz.             5 AL
                  Hutunis        2 AL

p. 112  Benjamin Parsons  48  NC
             Nancy                          25? NC
             Caroline                        2  AL
             Mildred                       85 NC
             

Co. D. 1st Alabama Regiment,  CSA (see note under Columbus Henderson Parsons, his nephew, 
who served in the same unit.)  Meredith enlisted Feb 13, 1862, at age 35, in Talledega.
widow: Sarah--pension application 1905 Talledega enlisted at Port Hudson, LA & Discharged May 19, 1865
Captured July 9 1863 Port Hudson
Jan 27, 1863  Lumbago at St Mary's Hospital; West Pt, MISS
April 1, 1864 hospital; Ft. Gaines, AL
May 17, 1864; hospital Shelby Springs, AL
May 19, 1865 paroled-Talledega

"I certify that the .... named Merideth Parsons of Capt T. H. Patterson's company I (or J) of the 30th Regiment Alabama Volunteers, born in ....(blank).....county, in the state of North Carolina, age thirty eight years, five feet eight inches high dark complexion blue eyes dark hair and by occupation a farmer was enlisted by Col C. M. Shelley at Talledega in Alabama on the 7th day of April 1862 to serve three years or during the war, said is now entitled to discharge by reason of disability resulting from urinary ???colenlin???with difficult  ??mectucation is set forth in ....certificate.  The said Merideth Parsons has not been paid any thing for his monthly wages & his pay due from the date of his enlistment to the present date J. H. Patterson.  There is due to 
him..........dollars..traveling allowance from Beasis?? station the place of his discharge to Talladega Ala this place of his enlistment  transporation not being furnished... There is due him for his month computation of clothing $25.00.
Monthly pay this months, 17 days $27.28.
He is in..? to the.. ..to states five 35/100 dollar on account of clothing...  in duplicate July 24th, 1862.  J. H. Patterson  For pay from 7th day April 1862 to 4th day of July 1862, being 3 months, 17 days at $11 per month   $09.28
Balance on clothing account                $18.82,  total $48.... (can't read cents)"

1870 Clay Co, AL census
PARSONS, Marietta   44  m Farmer NC  $200/$375
                  Sarah       44  f               NC
                  M.S.          23 f               NC
                  B.F.          21 m              NC
                  W. D.        19 m              AL
                  J. N.          17 m              AL
                  C. E.          14 f                AL
                  H. T.          11 m              AL
                  L. E.           10 m             AL
                  Nancy         7 f                AL
                  J. T.            4 m               AL
                  Leonidus    1/12 m          AL

1880 Clay
PARSONS, Meredith  54  NC  NC  NC
                      Sarah        54  NC   NC  NC
                      Lewis E.   19  AL    NC  NC
                      Nancy        16  "
                      James T.   14  "
                      Lee             11  "

PARSONS, John       62  NC  NC  VA
                      Susannah   54  NC  NC  NC
                       Philip      17

Land Grant by President Chester A. Arthur to a Meredith Parsons for the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of secion 30 in township 10 south of range 7-east of Huntsville Meridian in Alabama containing 39.46 of a acre.  October 20, 1885

1900 Clay Co., AL census  Vol 57, ED 87; Sheet 21, Line 22
PARSONS, Merideth  Feb 1826  age 74 b NC  father NC  Mother VA
                  married 56 years, 10 children, 8 living
                  Sarah   Dec 1825  74  b NC  father NC  mother NC
                  Nancy  July 1863   36  AL
                  James D.  1891        9 AL

His marker in Pole Bridge Cemetery, Clay Co., AL reads:
To My Husband
M. Parsons
born Feb 4, 1826
died Nov 28, 1904
"Trusting in Jesus he crossed over the river."



Notes for Sarah "Sally" Lakey:
Old marker in Pole Bridge Cemetery, Clay Co., AL reads:
Our Mother
Sarah
d. Aug. 26, 1907
"A tender mother and a faithful friend."

This marker broke, and new marker reads:
Sarah Lakey Parsons
Dec. 1826
Aug 26, 1904  (the 04 should be 07)
	
Children of Meredith Parsons and Sarah Lakey are:
	15	i.	Mary Susanna3 Parsons, born August 20, 1846 in North Carolina; died November 20, 1911 in Ashland, Clay Co., AL.  She married William Pickney Webber; born July 06, 1851; died February 11, 1937 in Ashland, Clay Co., AL.
	16	ii.	Benjamin Franklin Parsons, born January 1848 in North Carolina; died May 29, 1904 in Muscogee Co., GA (Source: Benjamin Franklin Parsons info from:  Sue Gilbert  300 Lee Road 252  Salem, AL   36874).  He married Catherine Chloe Ledbetter November 06, 1870 in Talledega Co., AL; born September 1855 in Upson Co., GA; died February 27, 1915 in Lee Co., AL.
	17	iii.	William D. Parsons, born March 1853 in North? Carolina.  He married Katherine Dison December 25, 1892 in Clay Co., AL; born May 1868.
	18	iv.	John Newton Parsons, born July 23, 1853 in Ashland, Clay, AL; died March 03, 1933 in Clay Co., AL.  He married Rosa Emogene Williamson March 03, 1874 in Clay Co, AL; born October 25, 1853 in AL; died May 20, 1938 in Clay Co., AL.

Marriage Notes for John Parsons and Rosa Williamson:
#181  PARSONS, John N. to WILLIAMSON, R. E. on March 3, 1874 by A.J. Sellers, MG at W.T. Williamson’s.



	19	v.	C. Elizabeth Parsons, born 1855.
	20	vi.	Hugh Tunis Parsons, born January 04, 1858 in Talledega Co., Alabama; died August 17, 1917 in Pine Level, Autauga, AL.  He married Mary Jane Gravette February 16, 1879 in Clay Co., Alabama; born October 23, 1858 in Alabama; died November 26, 1944 in Montgomery, Montgomery, AL.

Notes for Hugh Tunis Parsons:
1800 Clay Co., AL census Ashland, Beat 6 (Vol 6,ED36,Sh36,Ln42)
Parsons, Toon  white male 22 AL                
                Mary  wife  20 AL
                Exa A.  daughter  5/12  AL

1882 - briefly lived in Iuka, Tishamingo Co. MS where daughter Sarah Ella was born April 19, 1882. (one of Mary Jane's Gravette uncle lived there)

"August 22, 1916

Dear Ella and family - We are all very well and are doing well.  Ella I writin you last Sat no and ans yet.  I gave you an aroer? and Mr Tatum for all of Ethel's things but... you did not get the letter.  Go I send you another letter an him you or Louis ... I want Exa to have Ethels trunk and I want her watch yet. and I want you to have her bible and picture be sure and go see them send what was hers.  I don't look for Exa she hasn't writin in some time.  
I sure would love to see you all.  We are all verry ... with our lot and if it if it granted more still I am at .... contentment for all things. I write down -- from your father
H T P

I am sending the little and a present
Watch and Pray lest you inter in temptation is our command"

{note:  this letter written a few weeks after the death of Lee Tatum, and one year after the death of Ethel Tatum.  Must be referring to asking Lee's father, Mr. Tatum, for Ethel's things]

Hugh Tunis' religion was said to have been that of a "Russellite," what Jehovah's Witnesses were called before 1931.

Notes for Mary Jane Gravette:
Obit:
11-28-44 Montgomery Advertiser
PARSONS, Mary J.--Funeral for Mrs. Parsons, 86, who died Sunday at her home, 406 Boylston,was hold at Pine Level Church near Deatsville this afternoon.  The Rev. J. R. Wilkerson officiated.  Interment was in the churchyard cemetery, White Chapel in charge.  Pallbearers were Carlie L. Tatum, Winfred Monfee, James Cook, William Cook, Elmore Prickett, Joe Prickett, Howard Mosley and Leo Latiker.

Marriage Notes for Hugh Parsons and Mary Gravette:
#235-645  Hugh T. PARSONS to Mary J. GRAVETT on February 16, 1879, by M.M. Driver, MG, at the residence of the bride’s mother. Bond: H.T. Parsons, Meredith Parsons and Felix Parsons.



	21	vii.	Lewis E. "Lude" Parsons, born July 1860 in Talledega Co, AL; died July 26, 1926.  He married Victoria Viola Massey November 26, 1889 in Clay Co., AL; born December 23, 1872; died February 1931.

Notes for Lewis E. "Lude" Parsons:
Ella Parsons Tatum's first cousin (V.V.Massey) through Sarah Gravette

In Myrtis Woods' article in the Clay County Heritage Book, she describes the family's move in 1922 to Sylacauga.  The moved their household furnishings in three wagons.  She saw her first inside bathroom, sink with running water,  and electric lightbulbs at her brother's house in Sylacauga.  They returned in 1925 to Clay County.

	22	viii.	Nancy Warren Parsons, born July 1863 in Ashland, Clay, AL.  She married Jim Shores.

Notes for Nancy Warren Parsons:
Said to have been named for lady who nursed Meredith back to health in the Civil War.

	23	ix.	James T. Parsons, born 1866 in Ashland, Clay, AL.
	24	x.	Leonidus "Lee" Parsons, born April 1870 in Ashland, Clay, AL.  He married Missie Martin.

Notes for Missie Martin:
I was told (in July, 1999 by Mrytis Woods) that Missy's maiden name was "Martin" and that Lee lived in Birmingham.