Baldwin County AlArchives Biographies.....Francis Earle February 1818 - 0000
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 11, 2004, 7:31 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
   FRANCIS EARLE, a retired agriculturist of Baldwin county, Ala., of which he
is a native, was born in February, 1818, received a three years' course of
schooling in one of the best institutions of learning in the state, and then
took charge of his father's plantation and stock farm, spending much time in
western Alabama, looking after the vast flocks of sheep and herds of cattle
belonging to the estate. He lost his father in 1836, when the charge of the
entire property, including the homestead, devolved upon his young shoulders. His
parents were Jones and Elizabeth (Tarvin) Earle, the former of whom was born in
South Carolina in 1766, and in 1792, came to Alabama, settled in Baldwin county,
near Fort Mims, and at once engaged in stock raising. He built a dwelling near
where his son Francis now lives, married Miss Elizabeth Tarvin, and led a life
of quiet usefulness until February 12, 1813, when he was warned of a threatened
outbreak among the Indians and advised to seek safety at the fort. He
accordingly destroyed such of his household effects, that he knew would be
either stolen or burned, and sought refuge in the fort seven miles away. That
night his negro herdman reported that he had seen numerous squads of red men in
the vicinity, but the report was discredited by the inmates of the fort, with
the exception of Mr. Earle, who, with his wife and three children, stole away
from the defenses and made his way to Blakely, sixty miles distant, and thence
to Mottville. His caution and foresight proved of service, for the next day
February 13, 1813, at 12 o'clock, noon, the fort was attacked by the savages and
one of the bloodiest massacres recorded in the annals of Alabama was
perpetrated. In a few days Mr. Earle returned to his plantation and stock range,
proceeded at once to rebuild his home; cleared up more land and began planting
on a large scale. When Gen. Jackson arrived in the territory he went into camp
near Mr. Earle's plantation and received his needed supplies therefrom for a
number of years. The death of Mr. Earle took place in 1836. He was a member of
the Primitive Baptist church and a sincere christian. The old house built after
the fall of Fort Mims is still standing in good condition. Mrs. Elizabeth Earle
was a native of Baldwin county and a daughter of one of its earliest pioneers,
John Tarvin. She was married in her nineteenth year and was the mother of nine
children - six boys and three girls - of whom Francis, whose name heads this
sketch, was the seventh in the order of birth. After his father's death, Francis
continued the live stock business, became a large owner and dealer in negro
property, and set free over 100 slaves at the close of the Civil war. Before the
war he had lived like a prince, had servants to respond to every call - operated
extensive plantations, and was one of the wealthiest planters of Baldwin county,
having the handsomest residence for miles around. It was erected by Col.
Slaughter at a cost of $20,000. When the war came on in 1861, everything was
changed. His beautiful mansion was burned, his negroes set free, and his herds
scattered to the four winds of heaven; his fences were torn down and burned and
his fields laid waste, and he was, in fact, absolutely impoverished.
Notwithstanding his heavy losses, Mr. Earle, when matters had quieted down,
re-engaged in stock raising, having sold a few bales of cotton he had managed to
save at $200 per bale, the proceeds giving him a fair start, and once more began
planting, the result being that he is once more a wealthy man. The marriage of
Mr. Earle took place, in 1850, to Miss Mary McDonald, daughter of John McDonald,
a lumber manufacturer on a large scale in Baldwin county. This lady was born in
Baldwin county, was highly educated, was a society belle, and was married in her
twenty-sixth year. She has two children, viz.: Frank, who is married to Mamie
Daniels and has one child, also named Frank; and Mary, the wife of Thomas
Bradley, a young planter of Baldwin county, and also the mother of one child - 
Ulmer. Mrs. Bradley is a member of the Methodist church. Francis Earle, the
elder, has been lavish in his support of church and school, and is generous to a
fault, as well as public spirited.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama"


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