Georgia: Wilkes County: Biography of Rebecca Jarrett ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. 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 this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Rev. Dr. Cynthia Vold Forde revforde@comwerx.net ==================================================================== REBECCA JARRETT Rebecca Jarrett was born on December 11, 1765 at the beginning of the American Revolution in Sussex/Surry, County, Virginia. She was the sixth child born to Frederick "Fadda' Jarrett and his wife, Martha Ivey, out of a possible 11 children. Rebecca celebrated her twentieth birthday at her wedding to Richard Sappington, December 11, 1785. Richard was the son of the deceased John Sappington, Jr. and Ann Everett Ridgely, and the stepson of Nicholas Ridgely of Baltimore, Maryland. It is most likely that the wedding ceremony took place in Virginia before the Jarrett family moved to Wilkes County, GA. That move occurred between 1785 and December 1787 to Kettle Creek, Wilkes County. The family moved from Kettle Creek to Walton County and finally to Henry County, GA where they are both buried. Richard died in 1838 and Rebecca in August of 1848. What a fascinating woman she must have been. Pictures come to my mind of a woman of substance, having a no-nonsense approach to life. She serves alongside her husband as administrator and executrix of estates. She raised thirteen children who, amazingly, survive into adulthood. There can be little doubt that she was a healthy and strong woman to lived to be nearly eighty years old at a time when the average survival rate for a female was 33 years old. DOCUMENTATION FOR REBECCA'S MARRIAGE: EARLY RECORDS OF GEORGIA: WILKES COUNTY DEED BOOK KK - p. 261 - 23 September, 1793: Frederick Jarrett to SON-IN-LAW, Richard Sappington, Negro girl, Lucy, between 6 and 7 years of age...(then he leaves slaves to other sons-in-law that are husbands of his daughters.) (Mary Ellen Sappington Good, Sappingtons of America) LINKS II, book by Elizabeth Ramsey (now deceased) p. 271, Transfer of sale of personal estate of John Weaver, widower of Elizabeth Weaver (nee Jarrett). It states that, "RICHARD SAPPINGTON, BROTHER-IN- LAW, made a return on the the personal estate of John Weaver for $1,987.00 and three tracts of land." (from Gayle Sappington, descendant of Richard and Rebecca through William Jarrett Sappington and Martha Hardwick Starr) BOOK "H' , PAGE 532, EARLY RECORDS OF GEORGIA. WILLS AND DEEDS, GEORGIA, HENRY COUNTY : Attachment: Richard Sappington Estate Settlement: Know all men by these present that I, Rebecca Sappington, widow of Richard Sappington, late of the county and state aforesaid decd. and Caleb Sappington and Timothy Collins of the county of Walton, Henry Sappington of county of Monroe, William J. Sappington of the county of Troup, Thaddeus Sappington of county of Newton, William R. Williams of the county of Lumpkin, and Thomas Albert of the county of Henry and all of the state aforesaid being lawful legatees of the estate of said Richard Sappington, decd., for divers good causes and considerations we here unto moving have made ordained and appointed and by these presents do make ordain and appoint John Albert of the county of Henry and State of Georgia and Richard T. Sappington of the county of Newton and state aforesaid and legatees of said estate our true and lawful attorneys for us and in our names and for our own proper use and benefit to sell and dispose of absolutely and in fee simple all and singular the goods, chattels, lands and tenements both real and personal belonging or appertaining to the estate of said Richard Sappington dec'd. at public out cry on the premises of said dec'd. In the county of Henry and commencing on the 13th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, then continuing from day to day until all is sold to the highest bidder as may be agreed upon. Then to make equal distribution of the remaining balances among legatees of such notes as ten remain. In witness we here of the said, Rebecca Sappington, Caleb Sappington, Timothy Collins, Henry Sappington, William J. Sappington, Thaddeus Sappington, William R. Williams, Thomas Albert, have hereunto set our hands and seals this the 12th day of February 1838. Witness; Wiley E. Wood Signed: Widow: Rebecca Jarrett Sappington Caleb Sappington (married Martha Bankston) Timothy Collins (m. Rebecca Sappington) Henry Thomas Sappington (m. Sarah Owens) William Jarrett Sappington (m. Martha Hardwick Starr) Thaddeus Sappington (m. Jerely Turner William R, Williams (m. Elizabeth Sappington) Thomas Albert (m. Sarah Sappington) EARLY RECORDS OF GA VOL. 1and 2 - Wilkes County Will Book 1818 - 1819 p.86 Notes for William Partridge: Execus., signed 31 Jan 1814. Probated 7 July 1817, Richard Sappington, Rebecca Sappington, James Rutledge, Tes., listed as Test. to the will of William Partridge. (Rebecca Jarrett Sappington's sister, Sarah, was married to Jesse Partridge; Sarah died young. Her husband also died early. ) From the same book, page 249, comes the following: Wilkes County, Georgia, Book XX - page 190: 2 October., 1815 - Richard Sappington and Thos. Talbot, admrs. and Atha Jarrett, Adms. of the Estate of Fadda Jarrett, deceased to Calvin Coats, 117 acres on Beaverdam. Sold by the Exors. & Extx at auction, recorded 22 July 1816. CHILDREN OF REBECCA AND RICHARD SAPPINGTON CALEB Sappington b. 12/18/1787 Wilkes Co. - d. 4/18/45 Walton Co. m. Martha Bankston 1809 "There is plenty of information on both Richard and Rebecca's son, Caleb in GA. There are good records in Walton County (Monroe) on Caleb, your ancestor. He was a surveyor and once owned what is now Social Circle. There is a famous buffet restaurant in one of the old colonial homes there." (Source: Porter Gilliland) MARGARET 'PEGGY' Sappington b. 1786 - apparently did not marry; but lived in Thaddeus' home. She is found in the census of Carroll County, GA 1830. d. before 1840. ) Source: Barbara Smallwood Stock, Genealogist NANCY J. Sappington b. 10/10/1790 Wilkes Co. - d. 4/2/1877 (Albertville) m. John 'Johnny' Albert ELIZABETH Sappington b. 7/22/1792 Wilkes Co. - d. ? m. William R. Williams JAMES T. Sappington b. 12/15/1793 Wilkes Co. - d. early NICHOLAS Sappington b. 8/30/1795 Wilkes Co. - d. ? REBECCA Sappington b. 2/14/1797 Wilkes Co. - d. ? m. Timothy Collins JOHN Sappington b. 6/11/1798 Wilkes Co. d.? WILLIAM Jarrett Sappington b. 9/27/1800 Wilkes County - d/ 1/30/1882 m. Martha Hardwick Starr on 12/6/1821 Wm. J. Sappington cemetery at Gray hill between La Grange and Columbus has been razed and a school built over it. William J.and many of his descendants were buried there." THADDEUS Sappington b. 2/21/1802 Wilkes County - d. 1848 Lumpkin Co. m. Cornelia Jerely Turner. Thaddeus' nickname was Fadda Sappington. "The book, Links II, by Elizabeth Ramsey states, "Fadda's namesake, Fadda Sappington, Wilkes County, GA 4 December 1824, sells 53 1/2 acres on Dry Fork. Signed: John Weaver, Jerely Sappington" " One of Rebecca and Richard's children, FADDA SAPPINGTON, was in Carroll County, GA. I found deeds in Deed b. JJJ, page 152, Dec. 4, 1824, between Fadda Sappington and John Albert for 200$ paid by Albert, Land on Ivey Creek, 53 1/2 acres joining with William J. Sappington and Geo. W. Johnson. Believe this is after he moved to Carroll County and Wm. J. moved to Troup County. 1821 - Land Lottery, William J. Sappington, Fadda Sappington, in 18-168 Dist. of Capt. Beriah's B. Reeves Dis. Land Lottery 1821, Land Lottery, Wm. J. Sappington and Fadda Sappington, 1 draw each: 164 Dist. of Capt. David P. Hillhouses' Co. in Major Gordon Battalion in Wilkes County. "Rebecca and Richard had a son, Thaddeus Sappington, whose son was Capt. J. A. T. Sappington. He was my great grandfather. I will send you copies of all of the wills, including the will of Jesse Jarrett, Rebecca's brother, and the ancestors of Martha Ivey, Rebecca's mother. (Source: Porter Gilliland). HENRY THOMAS Sappington b. 12/2/1803 Wilkes County - d. 8/10/53 m. Sarah Smith Owens (Oglethorpe Co) RICHARD T. Sappington b. 6/6/1805 Wilkes County - d. 11/1862 - m. Jane Finley "Mrs. Forrest (Nell) Lovell of McDonough, GA. is descended from another of Rebecca and Richard's children: Richard T. Sappington and Jane Finley. We have been by to see her several times when in that vicinity. Nell is connected closely to the Harris family. A friend of mine, Robert Harris,wrote the book, "The Harris Family Journey. By the way, the Harris family is also descended from our Clarke and Sledge families. Also a Harris married Howell Jarrett, Jr., grandson of Fadda." SARAH Sappington, b. 9/10/1806 Wilkes County, d. 3/20/95 "Albertville Alabama was named for Thomas Albert who married Sarah Sappington who was a daughter of Rebecca Jarrett and Richard Sappington. They owned the Albert Hotel and are buried in the old cemetery in downtown Albertville." RESPONSES TO QUERY REGARDING REBECCA JARRETT A question was raised as to Rebecca's identity because she was not named as a legatee in the disbursement of the estate of Fadda Jarrett and was not named in the book, Gist and Jarrett, author David Trimble. I spoke with the author in a phone conversation who reported," 1) "I did not have the information at the time of my book that I now have that Rebecca is Fadda's daughter. My next book will contain that information." 2) Mr. Porter M. Gilliland is an 82 year old researcher and a descendant of Richard and Rebecca. Mr. Gilliland was the source for the book, Looking Back II, by Ed Kuykendall.. Mr. Gilliland responded to my query about why Rebecca was not named in the estate settlement: "She was named indirectly. First, I will start out with Richard Sappington and wife, Rebecca Jarrett. I don't think there should be any doubt about Richard being Fadda Jarrett's son-in-law. In addition to the deed naming him as 'son-in-law' there is also plenty of evidence that Rebecca is Richard's wife in the Henry County settlement of Richard's estate: Record books 'H', p. 532 and 'J', p. 145-147. Richard was the administrator of Fadda Jarrett's estate and a legatee." He continues, "I am sending you the copies of John Sappington's will (Richard's father in MD, 3 October, 1763) as well. Two of John's sons, Richard Sappington and John Sappington, Jr. went to N. VA together. (John, JR. was a Rev. war soldier before going to VA.) We found property that listed John JR.'s wife, Rachel, Deed BRR p. 114, Wilkes County, Washington, GA. CF 9 pril 1798.John Sappington and wife, Rachel, and John Weaver, (husband of Elizabeth Jarrett above), 1 part and John Chaney of same county and the other part for $545.00 - 230 acres on Kettle Creek bounded by McNabb and Stroziers line and Weaver line. Signed, John Sappington, Jr., Rachel (X) Sappington, and John Weaver. John, Jr. lived mostly in Oglethorpe County until he moved to Henry County where he died.)" Mary Ellen Sappington Good, Historian of Sappingtons of America, and a highly regarded genealogist: "My records show that I obtained the December 11, 1765 birth date from Ethel Sappington Moye who is now deceased. Rebecca's father was Fadde Jarrett. In a book titled "Links II by Elizabeth Ramsey, page 244 comes the following: Wilkes County, Ga, Book KK-page 261, 23 September., 1793 - Fadde Jarrett to son-in-law Richard Sappington, Negro girl, Lucy, between six and seven years of age. Wit: Nicholas Jarrett William Mason (signed ) Fadde Jarrett Edward butler, JP Reg. 21 Nov., 1793 Fadde Jarrett meant 'husband of my daughter, ' for the other sons- in-law, exactly that, when he named Richard 'son-in-law' along with the rest of the sons-in-law. Note: On page 244 there other entries where Fadde is giving slaves to other children. from the same book, page 242 comes the following: Wilkes County, GA, Book II - page 82: 2 April 1790 - Fadde Jarrett and Marthey his wife, to Jesse Partridge for L100 Sterling, 150 acres on Little Kiokee Creek being land on which Partridge now lives and is part of 400 acres purchased from John Bouchanan. Rebecca's sister, Sarah, was married to Jesse Partridge. Sarah died leaving him a widower with two children. Richard and Rebecca were administrators of the will of William Partridge, Jesse's father. Early Georgia Records and Wills, Wilkes County,GA." Mary Ellen Dickerson, descendant of Rebecca and Richard's son, Caleb Sappington, surveyor of Wilkes County, GA: "My info shows that Rebecca Jarrett, born ca. 1765, is the daughter of Fadda Jarrett and Martha Ivey. Is this different than yours? This info came to me back in the late 70's, when I first started researching. At that time, I was subscribing to a periodical, "Family Puzzlers" that was published in Georgia. In 1987, I had a wealth of information to be lost (or stolen) and among that data were countless letters where people had answered my queries. Therefore, I am unable to document this information; however, I can tell you it has been in my family files for over many years." Gayle Sappington: From: Gayle L. Sappington Date: Sunday, March 19, 2000 1:17 PM I don't know if Mary Ellen told you but I ended up with a book on the Jarrett family by David Trimble but he had not listed Rebecca as a daughter of Fadda. When he asked what documentation I had I sent him a copy of the deed where Fadda gave his son-in-law Richard Sappington a negro girl named Lucy in 1793. He wrote back that he didn't know how he had missed that and would include the information in his next book. I have always listed Rebecca as Fadda's daughter, partly because of the above deed, but mostly because of information from my great-aunt Annah Sappington. She had already traced our family back to Richard and Rebecca and according to her, Rebecca Jarrett was born Dec. 11, 1765. My great-aunt had seen this information many years ago in an old family bible. Part of this information came from my great-aunt Annah (see page 194B of Ed Kuykendall's book "Looking Back Vol 2") and part from my own research. While Ed Kuykendall was obviously interested in his own line, he also included mine in his book. I haven't done any research on any of the other children of Richard and Rebecca (just researching my bunch was hard enough!) but hopefully with the internet and email more information will come to light. In my research I did find a number of Thaddeus Sappingtons so apparently that line flourished. Also Nicholas was a common name in the Jarrett line. I vaguely recall finding a Thaddeus Jarrett and wondered if Fadda was a nickname for Thaddeus. When I was doing my research, I was also struck by the fact that Richard's father John died at such a young age and that his mother had remarried the very wealthy Nicholas Ridgely of Baltimore, Maryland before the will had been to probate court. I would love to know the story behind that! Mary Ellen and I spent a few days at the Maryland archives about 15 years ago doing research but I was unable to find any evidence of Richard's participation in the Revolutionary War. While I did find several Richards who had signed oaths of allegiance, I couldn't prove that any of them were my Richard. I also found a passing reference to a Richard and John Sappington in northern Virginia after the Revolution. In conclusion, while I have put a lot of faith in the information that my great-aunt gave me, I feel it has been justified because so far none of it has been proven wrong. If my great-aunt had access to the resources available today I'm sure she would have had the whole family traced back to England and beyond. Rebecca is the daughter of Fadda. He was born about 1730 in Surry (now Sussex) Co. Virginia and moved to Wilkes Co. Georgia about 1785 (according to Dave Trimble's book "Gist and Jarrett of Southside Virginia") so the proof of Rebecca must be in Surry/Sussex Co., Virginia. I will dig out some of my old research and see if I can find anything else. I emailed Brad to thank him for all the information and he sent a note back saying that David had also made a mistake in the book about his (Brad's) GGGG grandfather. I'm really beginning to wonder about the accuracy of the whole book!! When Ed was putting Looking Back together he was very meticulous and verified everything (he was a retired FBI agent!). I haven't heard from him in several years (we exchange Christmas cards) so I'm not sure if he is still alive or not, but I really enjoyed working with him on the Sappington research. I'm sure it would be fine to contact Mr. Gilliland, otherwise I don't think Brad would have sent his address. Let me know if you find out anything interesting. As you can see, Brad spells his name Jarratt and I have also seen the Jarrot(t) spelling. Some of the variations of Sappington include Saperton or Sapperton. The only book on the Sappingtons that I know about is the one that Ed Kuykendall put together. When I first started doing research back in 1985 even Mary Ellen didn't have much information on the Georgia branch so I did all of the research tying them in to the Maryland Sappingtons. It got a bit confusing at times trying to sort out all of the John Sappingtons! I have also done a little bit of research in England to try to figure out where Nathaniel Sappington emigrated from and while I did find references to some Sapertons as far back as the 1300's I haven't been able to connect them with Nathaniel and it would seem that I'm the only one looking for the connection." Brad Jarratt: ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 9:51 PM Subject: Re: Fadda Jarrett I have Rebecca daughter of Frederick b 11 Dec 1765 Surry Co.,VA d 1838 Henry Co.,GA--m Richard Sappington ca 1786- he was b. 25 Apr 1763 Anne Arundel co.,MD d 13 Feb 1837 Henry Co.,GA.- The go between was: David Forsythe, 207 Canyon Wren, Buda, TX 78610 I will give you a couple of people I got info from.: Mrs. H.J. McCluskey 7128 Milhouse Rd. R3 Indianaplois, IN 46241 Patricia Durham can not find her address P.M. Gilliland--- RR 8 Box 152 Fort Payne, AL 35967 Barbara Smallwood Stock, (CGRS): I'm also sure Rebecca is Fadda Jarrett's daughter. I think you have enough already to make a pretty convincing case, but the primary documents will carry more weight than the abstracts and may clarify some issues. An abstractor who is not familiar with the family can make erroneous assumptions and misinterpret data sometimes. With the primary documents you can look at them yourself and draw your own conclusions, based on your more intimate knowledge of the family. . There are a number of reasons why a legacy was not found for Rebecca. There may be an annual return or voucher that has not been found by other researchers. I'm going to keep my eyes open for that possibility. In GA at that time, the husband usually received his wife's legacy "in the right of his wife." So anything received by Richard would be of interest, whether it mentions his wife or not. The administrator usually received a small fee, also, for his services. That will have to be taken into account. Rebecca may have owed her father money and that deducted from what she was due, leaving her nothing. However, that is usually spelled out in the returns. We need to compare the total amounts received by each person, then add those up and compare the total of all heirs with the size of the total estate to see if there is an unaccounted for sum. I really love working with intestate settlements. Barbara Smallwood Stock, CGRS *Certified Genealogical Records Specialist (CGRS) is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists(r), used under license by board-certified associates who meet genealogical competency standards prescribed for those programs. Rebecca's identity was confused for a time because her brother's widow, Rebeckah Bell Jarrett, had a similar name. The identity was resolved when a descendant of Rebeckah Bell Jarrett and her husband's only child, James Bell Jarrett, wrote to tell me that Rebeckah Bell Jarrett remarried John Crew Robinson in Virginia. Rebeckah Bell Jarrett was deceased before Rebecca Jarrett married Richard Sappington. James Bell Jarrett was raised by John Crew Robinson and his second wife in Virginia. One interesting note on naming patterns: Martha Ivey m. Fadda Jarrett Rebecca Jarrett m. Richard Sappington Martha Bankston m. Caleb Sappington Rebecca Jarrett Isabella Sappington m. Jacob Rutledge Brooks Martha Bankston Brooks m. Elijah McDonald Rebecca Jarrett McDonald m. William A. Miller Reatha (combination of Rebecca and Martha) m. Judge James Looney. . 9