Sons of Benjamin, Rebecca Chastain Became State Representatives, Senators, Hall, Georgia http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/hall/newspapers/chastain3.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. GAGenWeb Archives File Manager, Hall County Carolyn Golowka, ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by Bill Stephenson, February 2001 Transcription by William L. Stephenson, Jr. Reprinted by permission granted to William L. Stephenson, Jr. by Sybil McRay to be placed in the ALGenWeb Archives, part of the USGenWeb Project. [Note - for additional information on the Chastain family, contact the Pierre Chastain Family Association - http://www.kopower.com/~jimchstn/#home ] The genealogist of the Chastain Family Association has noted that there are some errors in this article based upon the most recently availaable information. When updated information is received it will be added to this file. Sons of Benjamin, Rebecca Chastain became state representatives, senators The Times of Gainesville, March 15, 1981 - Sybil McRay, Hall County Genealogist According to family tradition, three Chastain brothers left France to come to America. One brother became ill and died on board the ship on the lengthy voyage and was buried at sea. Peter Chastain, one of the brothers, first settled in Virginia and then moved to South Carolina. Descendants of Peter Chastain moved to North Georgia and numerous descendants of this Frenchman abound in this area. John "Ten Shilling Bell" Chastain, a Baptist preacher and son of Peter Chastain, was the father of Benjamin Chastain who was born 1780 and died 1845. Benjamin was married to Rebecca Denton and then moved info Georgia where he became a state representative from Habersham County. Benjamin and Rebecca Chastain were parents of 10 children. Five sons became representatives of senators from North Georgia counties. Two daughters were married to West brothers, another pioneer family of North Georgia. The children were: Mary Chastain; the Rev. Jonathan Davis Chastain; Jerimiah S. Chastain; John Bunyan Chastain; Benjamin Franklin Chastain; Nancy Chastain who married Samuel B. West; Elijah Webb Chastain; Rebecca Chastain. Jemimiah Chastain, born June 16, 1819 in Ga., was married Jan. 8, 1835 to Enoch West. Jemimiah and Enoch West moved from Gilmer County to White County sometime after 1850. Numerous descendants of this couple live in White, Habersham, Hall, and other counties in this area. Enoch West, son of the Rev. James West and Eunice West, was born Dec. 25, 1814, South Carolina. He died in 1858 in White County, Ga. and is believed to have been buried in a small burial plot near Cleveland; however, his grave has not been located. Jemimiah Chastain West died June 14, 1907, and was buried in the Cleveland Cemetery White County. Children of Jemimiah Chastain West and Enoch West were: 1. Hiram Warner Benton West, born March 3, 1836; he married Oct. 18, 1860 in White County to Lydia C. Grindle. 2. Martha Caroline West was born in Sept. 1837. She was married Oct. 2, 1859 in White County to William Shelby Vickery. William was born about 1835 in Ga., and died between 1870 and 1880. 3. James F. West was born May 30, 1839 in Fannin County, Ga. He was married to Edith Nix Sept. 22, 1859 in White County, Ga. James Franklin West was named for his grandfather and like his grandfather he became a Baptist preacher. The namesake was active in churches in this area up until he was in his 80s. James F. West died July 27, 1929, in Cornelia; Edith M. Nix West died Feb. 15, 1911. Both are buried in the Cleveland Cemetery. James F. and Edith West were parents of 15 children. They were: John Benton, Enoch, Willie C., Hoag, Webb, Fred, James, Pairno, Manton, Georgia, Alice, Docia, Hettie, Daisy Mae, and Cora. Some of the children moved to Alabama where their descendants still live. 4. William Bowen West was born in February of 1841 and married Narcisa McMillian. 5. Burton Dicky West was born about 1843. 6. Benjamin Chastain West was born about 1845. He married ---- Simmons and is believed to have settled in Florida. 7. Rebecca Jane West was born about 1847 and married John Cantrell. 8. Enoch West was born about 1849 and died before the 1860 census was taken. 9. Perry Brazelton Richard "Dick" West was born about 1851. He was married Feb. 4, 1872, to Armanda Winters. 10. Elijah Webb West was born 1853 and was married March 9, 1873, to Ellen Merritt. 11. Sarah Eunice "Nicy" West was born about 1855. She was married to Dock Helton. 12. Thomas Jefferson West was born about 1856 and died in infancy. 13. Edward Perry West was born Aug. 12, 1857. He was married first to Myra Powell Nix in White County. After her death Edward married Mary Jane Beck, daughter of John and Annie Beck of Lumpkin County, Ga. Martha Denton Chastain, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Denton Chastain and sister to Jemimiah Chastain West, was born in 1821, and died in 1905. She was married to Rev. James Kincaid.