TAYLOR COUNTY, GA - BIOS HOBBS, James B. ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Larry Whittington Larry@whittingtonassociates.com The following article that appeared in the May 2005 issue of the Taylor County Tracer made reference to J. B. Hobbs and his family. I believe he was the son of Willis Hobbs (1817- 1896) and Elizabeth Woodall. Willis was the brother of my g- g-grandmother, Elizabeth A. Hobbs. Their parents were James Hobbs (1792-1878) and Rebecca Marchant. Elizabeth Hobbs married James Whittington in 1836. Thanks to John Adams for transcribing the old Butler Herald articles for the Taylor County Tracer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Butler Herald - March 9, 1909 Sad Death of Miss Mattie Hobbs Miss Mattie Hobbs died at the home of her father, Mr. J. B. Hobbs at 2333 Talbot Avenue at 7:25 o'clock, Thursday night after along illness. She was 22 years old, besides her father, is survived by two sisters, Clifford and Clinton Hobbs, this city, two half-sisters, Mrs. Ada Perkins, who resides in Cussetta, Ga., and Mrs. Fred Douglas, who lives near Butler, and two-half brothers, Mr. Ferney Hobbs, who lives near Salem, Ala., and Mr. Herschell Hobbs of Columbus. The death of this young lady causes extreme regret to her family and many friends. Before her death, realizing that the end was near, she bid her family a last farewell, and with a lovely smile on her sweet face, passed in to the arms of the Savior she loved, on the other shore. The remains were taken on the 11 o'clock train today to Howard and the funeral interment will be held at the Hays burying ground tomorrow morning, conducted by Rev. C. B. G. Johnson. (Columbus Ledger of Friday 5th inst.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harris, thanks for adding Emma Hunter as one of the wives of James B. Hobbs. With their marriage on 11/03/1864, it confirms the following children were probably hers: Ada - dau, abt. 1866 (married Mr. Perkins) Ida - dau, abt. 1868 (married Fred Douglas) Hardy - son, abt. 1869 Ferney - son, abt. 1872 Herschel - son, 24 Jan 1874 Marchant - son, May 1876 Carla, thanks for adding that Ellen was Ellen Watson, and that she married James B. Hobbs on 3/24/1878. Her children would be: Perry - son, Jun 1881 Clifford - dau, Aug 1884 Mattie - dau, May 1885 Zippa - dau, Jun 1890 Clinton - dau, Aug 1892 James married Alice D. about 1905 according to the 1910 census. He may have one more wife somewhere in there since the 1910 census entry seems to show 4 marriages (but it is smudged). The old newspaper article caused me to search for more information and I found James B. Hobbs in the 1880 US Census for Taylor County, GA. His children mentioned in the article also appear in the census: Ada, Ferney, and Herschell. And, Ida is likely the Mrs. Fred Perkins of the article. Since they are mentioned as half-siblings to Mattie Hobbs, Ellen was not the mother of the children in the census, with the possible exception of Marchant Hobbs (see below). Hobbs, James B. - M, 32, School Teacher and Farmer, GA GA GA Ellen - F, 22, GA SC GA Ada - F, 14, GA GA GA Ida - F, 12, GA GA GA Hardy - M, 11, GA GA GA Ferney - M, 8, GA GA GA Herschel - M, 6, GA GA GA Marchant -M, 4, GA GA GA James B. Hobbs and his family appear again in the 1900 US Census, but in Muscogee County, GA. Since it lists Ellen as having 5 living children, it appears Marchant was the son of an earlier wife. Mattie, Clifford, and Clinton are mentioned in the newspaper article. Hobbs, James B. - July 1847, 52, married 22 years, GA GA GA, Bookkeeper Ellen - Aug 1856, 43, married 22 years, 7 children, 5 alive, GA SC SC Marchant - son, May 1876, 24, GA GA GA, Beamer (Cotton) Perry - son, June 1881, 19, GA GA GA, Teamster Clifford - dau, Aug, 1884, 15, GA GA GA Mattie - dau, May 1885, 15, GA GA GA Zippa - dau, June 1890, 9, GA GA GA Clinton -dau, Aug, 1892, 7, GA GA GA James B. Hobbs appears in the 1910 US Census for Muscogee County, GA. He is listed as having been married to Alice for 5 years. Clifford and Clinton still live at home. The census record lists his number of marriages as what appears to be 4. Hobbs, James B. - M, 62, 4th? marriage, married 5 years, GA USA USA, Merchant, Near Beer Alice D. - F, 57, 2nd marriage, married 5 years, AK NC NC Clifford - F, 25, GA GA GA, Looper, Hosiery Mill Clinton - F, 17, GA GA GA =========== From Carla Miles Ellen Watson Hobbs was a sister of my great-great grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Watson Layfield. Ellen married James Hobbs in Taylor County on 3/24/1878 in Taylor County. As far as I know, James and Ellen had only one son, Perry Hobbs, who was named after Ellen's father, Perry Watson. I believe they had several daughters also. My research on this family is very limited. Ellen died on 1/19/1902 and is buried at Pine Level Cemetery. The obituaries for James and Perry Hobbs are listed below. Ellen was a sister of my great-great grandmother Mary Watson Layfield as well as Burrell Watson who married Appie Hill and Dora Watson who married Bunk Hill. I've looked at my notes and it appears Ellen's date of death should be 1902 instead of 1900. The 1902 date comes from the mention in her son's obituary that she died a few months before him. I would like to visit the Pine Level cemetery again to see what date is given on the gravestone - it may be incorrect as well. Her father, Perry Watson's gravestone at Pine Level is incorrect - I had to do some searching, but found proof that he died ten years earlier in 1884 instead of 1894. Perry's gravestone wasn't made until in 1912 - his son John requested in his will when he died that his parents should have a tombstone. By that time, I guess there was room for error. :) Perry Hobb's obit is below. Hope this helps. Carla Miles The Butler Herald Tuesday, November 4, 1902 Local Paragraphs We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Perry Hobbs, which occurred at the home of Mr. Perry Watson, on Monday night the 28th of Oct., after an illness of several months. Mr. Hobbs was about 21 years of age, and a most promising young man. He was the son of Mr. James B. Hobbs, of Columbus, who for many years resided in this county. He leaves a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. Rabbit Items by Tina Our community was made to feel sad Tuesday morning, last by the sad announcement of the death of Mr. Perry Hobbs, which sad event occurred at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Perry Watson, on last Monday night. He was the son of Mr. Jim Hobbs, of Columbus, and was in the prime of his life, just twenty two years old, a bright and promising young man. His death though sad, was not unexpected as he had been very low for sometime with consumption. He leaves a devoted father, four loving sisters besides many relatives and friends to mourn his loss. His mother having preceded him to a home beyond the skies just a few short months ago. His remains were tenderly laid in the Pine Level cemetery on Wednesday morning, witnessed by a large number of sorrowing friends and relatives. The bereaved family and other relatives have the sympathy of the people in this community, in their sad bereavement. A more lengthy piece will appear in the near future of our departed friend, as too much cannot be said of one so bright and promising. The Butler Herald Thursday, March 15, 1917 Page One J.B. Hobbs Struck By Automobile Feb. 23 - Dies Struck by a rapidly moving automobile at the intersection of Second Avenue and Railroad Street late in the evening of February 23, J.B. Hobbs, well known throughout Muscogee County, succumbed to wounds sustained at that time at 7 o'clock yesterday at the city hospital, where he was rushed directly after the incident. Mr. Hobbs, a veteran of the Civil war and enjoying the advanced age of 70 years, was enroute to his home on the evening of February 23, and at the intersection of Second and Railroad, as he crossed that intersection an automobile dashed by, struck the aged man and bowed him to the ground. The force of the shock broke the left arm, and there were several concussions on the head and face of Mr. Hobbs when he was carried to the hospital. His condition has always been regarded as very grave by attendants and physicians and the end was not unexpected. At the time of the accident, the street crossing where it occurred, was in darkness, according to witnesses and directly afterwards a Negro chauffeur, Robert Conley, was arrested on a charge of disorderly driving, the statement having been made that it was the car Conley was driving that struck Hobbs. Conley has been in the city barracks since the accident, pending the outcome of the wounds; a preliminary hearing will be granted him today. Mr. Hobbs was a veteran and a member of Company A, 27th Georgia Regiment in the civil war; he was a member of Camp Benning U.C.V. and of the Baptist church. Surviving him are four daughters: Mrs. Ada Perkins, of Box Springs; Mrs. Ida Douglas, of near Butler; Misses Clinton and Clifford Hobbs, of this city; two sons, Messrs. Ferny and Hershell Hobbs of this city. - Columbus Enquirer-Sun ======== From Harris Hill Hobbs, Ellen 24 Aug 1856 - 19 Jan 1900 Unless I am badly mistaken, Ellen Hobbs' death date here is incorrect. I just found her on the 1900 census in Muscogee Co., alive and well. It was taken 4 June 1900. Do you suppose the stone said 19 June 1900? It's not a transcription error. Its the same in the cemetery book. I think this is one of Carla's families, maybe she knows. 1900 Muscogee Co census, Bozeman's Dist., 4 June 1900, Sheet 4 b 67/82 Hobbs, James B. head W M July 1847 52 M 22 Ga (all) bookeeper Ellen wife W F Aug 1856 43 M 22 7/5 Marchant(?) son W M May 1876 24 S Be??mer Cotton mill NOTE:Marchant was his father's grandmother's maiden name. And, the "Be??mer" is "Beamer", a term used in textile mills even today. Perry son W M June 1881 (smudge) s TEAMSTER clifford dau W F 1884 15 S Mattie dau W F May 1885 15 S Jippa dau W F June 1890 9 S Clinton dau W F Aug 1892 7 S ============ Richard Hobbs This is the family of James and Rebecca as I have it. I have done alot of research on this family and its decendants. My tree is published on the World Family Tree via Ancestory.com. Your sites on Genweb have been very helpfull to me, and I thank you. If I can be of further help, please let me know. Richard Hobbs 1.. Willis HOBBS b: 29 Jun 1817 in Warren County, Georgia 2.. Elizabeth A. HOBBS b: 1819 in North Carolina 3.. John M. HOBBS b: 5 May 1821 in Warren County, Georgia 4.. Seaborn R. HOBBS b: 1826 in Georgia 5.. Andrew J. HOBBS b: 20 Feb 1833 in Crawford County, Georgia 6.. Adaline Amanda HOBBS b: 30 Mar 1835 in Georgia 7.. Mary Emiline HOBBS b: 1838 in Georgia ========= ID: I11791 Name: Willis Hobbs Sex: M Birth: 29 JUN 1821 in Warren County, GA Death: 9 MAR 1896 in Taylor County, GA Father: James Hobbs b: 1793 in Wake County, NC Mother: Rebecca Merchant b: 1795 Marriage 1 Elizabeth Woodall b: ABT. 1825 Married: NOV 1843 in GA Children James B. Hobbs b: ABT. 1847 Sarah E. Hobbs b: ABT. 1850 Jonathon C. Hobbs b: ABT. 1856 Mary A. Hobbs b: ABT. 1859 Emma Hobbs b: ABT. 1862 Eugene Hobbs b: ABT. 1867