Bienville Families: Sutton Family of Bear Creek, Bienville Parish Louisiana Submitted by Donna Sutton ladyhawke1214@hotmail.com ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ This is the Sutton family of the Bear Creek, LA, area (south of Arcadia), numbered by generation: 1. Thomas Sutton of Jefferson County, Mississippi, born about 1790 – 1800. 2. John Sutton (born 1824) of Jefferson County, MS, later of Caldwell and Jackson Parishes, LA. Children: Henry Fletcher, Emily Jane, Senica M., Jackson Whitfield, Stephen McKinley, George Washington, Charles B. “Doc”, and John Irvin. 3. George Washington Sutton of Bienville Parish, LA 4. George Cecil Sutton, Sr., of Bienville Parish, LA 5. George Cecil Sutton, Jr., of Bienville Parish, LA 6. Jerry Sutton of Bienville Parish, LA (my father) Family Legends Let’s get this out of the way first…. 1. According to “History of Bienville Parish”, we have an ancestor named John Sutton who taught at (1) Cambridge, (2) Columbia University in New York, and (3) University of Philadelphia. A professional genealogist in Salt Lake City (the LDS / Family History Library) proved these stories to be untrue. John is also said to have donated land to establish a school in Jackson Parish, LA. BUT: In “Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Missouri”, I found Seneca Sutton of Columbia, Missouri, who “donated money for construction of a university in Columbia”. The college (University of Missouri) was founded in 1839 and was the first publicly supported institution of higher education established in the Louisiana Territory. In “Who’s Who in America, Vol. 14, 1926-1927”, I found William Seneca Sutton, university professor, born in Fayetteville, AR, who was acting president of the University of Texas in 1923. Our ancestor, John, had a son named Seneca M. Sutton. BUT: John’s wife, Mary Carroll, was the daughter of John Carroll and Susannah Martin. These Martins had a Seneca in their family, too. Maybe Seneca M. Sutton was Seneca Martin Sutton. Or, maybe the Seneca Sutton’s of Missouri and Arkansas are our cousins. They have researched their family back to Kentucky around 1810 and haven’t been able to find info earlier than that. 2. According to family legend, John Sutton was born in England. It turns out that he was born in Mississippi in 1824, son of Thomas Sutton. 3. According to an interview with Doris Cummings Amidore (the daughter of Dixie Sutton Cummings, who was the sister of George Washington Sutton, #3 in my generation list), conducted by Henry Butler in 1986, “The Sutton family came from England and eventually settled in a southern state, probably South Carolina. The family had a sugar plantation that was inherited by the progenitor. The younger son, John, came to Mississippi and Louisiana. John’s uncle was the Earl of Sutterly in Sheffield, England. John’s family was well-educated.” 1. My grandfather said his grandfather was named George Washington Sutton because the family is kin to the first President. It turns out that, back in England in the 1600’s, the Suttons and Washingtons were related, and there are Suttons in George Washington’s pedigree. What we have documented about the Thomas Sutton family: Between 1790 and 1800 – Thomas Sutton was born. According to a tick mark in a box the 1830 MS census, he was “foreign born, not naturalized”. I’ve learned that tick marks in boxes are sometimes correct and sometimes not. The only other Sutton I’ve been able to find so far during this time period who is also “foreign born, not naturalized” is John Sutton, about the same age as Thomas, in the 1830 South Carolina census in Charleston Neck. He is not in SC in the 1840 census. 1806 – Phebe Humphreys / Humphries (Thomas’ wife) was born in Mississippi. 1820 - The MS State Census (not the Federal census) shows Thomas Sutton in Franklin Co., living alone. According to the U.S. GenWeb site for Franklin County: “Franklin County, Mississippi was formed from the eastern part of Jefferson County and parts of Amite, Wilkinson and Adams Counties on December 21, 1809.. It was named for Benjamin Franklin, distinguished American patriot. Over the year numerous minor boundary changes create a nightmare for genealogists.” 1820 - Phebe Humphreys married Thomas Sutton on November 18, 1820 in Jefferson Co., MS. “Given under my hand Nov. 18, 1820, William S. Allen”. Witnessed by J.C. Johnston. The following information came from Thomas’ probate records in Jefferson County, MS. 1825 – Thomas agrees to pay William S. Allen $74 (probate packet doesn’t state the reason). William S. Allen is also known as William Stephen Allen in other sources. 1826 – Thomas purchases a sawmill and land from Hiram Baldwin for $1,000 “by payment at different times”. 1827 - Thomas Sutton is found in Jefferson County, paying one poll, indicating he had reached age 21, and polls for two slaves. The Combination tax shows Thomas Sutton, no land, poll on 2 slaves, and 1 white poll. 1827 – William S. Allen, endorsed by Thomas Sutton, endorser of James Bennett, judgment for plaintiff for $47.55 debt, balance due: $31.55. 1830 - Thomas Sutton paid 1 poll, no land. MS 1830 Census - Thomas Sutton was in Jefferson Co. In his household were 3 males under 10, 1 male 20-40, 1 female 20-40. The 3 males under 10 are Stephen, John, and Thomas. 1830 – Mr. Thomas Sutton to Simon Guilminot (signed by H. Baldwin, Esq.) September 29 and October 3, 1830 – Thomas Sutton to John H. Duncan, Dr., $15.00. The doctor had prescribed quinine, which was the only known cure for malaria. 1830 – “The Estate of Thomas Sutton”, bill for inventory and appraisment. Jefferson County, Mississippi. According to the dates on the papers, Thomas died after October 27 and before November 1, 1830. November 22, 1830 – Hiram Baldwin becomes administrator of estate of Thomas Sutton, was also the children’s guardian. November 22, 1830 – Received sum of $21.63 in full for debt. A.B. Marshall (?), J.P. 1830 - Estate appraisers: Samuel Bolls, Archibald McPherson, and Duncan Currie, whose names appear throughout the probate packet. According to Jefferson County researcher Ann Brown, these 3 men lived within and died within 5 or 6 miles of each other. She also stated that throughout the packet are the same names from the Ebeneezer community. December 27, 1830 – inventory of estate, signed by John H. Duncan, J.P; Duncan Currie, Archibald McPherson, Samuel Bolls. December 27, 1830 - Thomas Sutton estate to J.W. Pipes, $22.20 (looks like a general store bill). January 5, 1831 – Amount of sale of part of personal estate of Thomas Sutton, $398. Hiram Baldwin, Adm. Purchasing items: Richard Humphrey, Samuel Shaw, Joseph Allen, John Airs (?), Phebe Sutton, Stephen Allen (note: he married Mariah Humphries in 1829), H. Baldwin, Daniel Osten (note: he married Margaret Humphries on August 4, 1828 in Jefferson County). January 28, 1831 – Hiram Baldwin paid $2 for publishing in “The Natchez” newspaper an ad three times “relative to the estate of Thomas Sutton, decd.” (NOTE: we found “The Natchez” on microfilm for this time period, but there were no obituaries in the newspapers.) February 28, 1831 – A.B. Ross received $25.90 for goods (looks like a general store bill). March 21, 1831 – Thomas Sutton debt to Hugh Montgomery in 1830 for smith work (repair work to sawmill and grist mill). May 23, 1831 – a list of debts due to the estate of Thomas Sutton, $177.49 (signed by Hiram Baldwin). One was John C. Johnston, $132.00. J.C. Johnston witnessed Thomas and Phebe’s marriage. December 19, 1831 – Daniel Cotton promises to pay $33.50 to the administrators of the Thomas Sutton estate. March 5, 1832 – Account of sale of Estate of Thomas Sutton, $332.87. Purchasers: mainly Mrs. Sutton. Also: William McArthur, Neill McNeill, Richard Humphries, Isac Clason, Stephen Allen, Duncan Currie, Jameson Little (purchased the mill and land). Signed by Hiram Baldwin. July 7, 1832 – Tuition of 2 wards, John and Stephen Sutton, one month, $2.00 each. Paid to Mr. Joel Selman (signed by H. Baldwin) October 25, 1832 - $2 from Hiram Baldwin to “The Natchez” October 26, 1832 – Hiram Baldwin advertised the Administrator’s Sale of the Estate of Thomas Sutton. Notice appeared in “The Natchez”, Vol. 3, no. 43. October 26, 1832 – Mrs. Phebe Sutton bought from J.W. Pipes dressmaking supplies, shoes, and a spelling book. Paid on January 26, 1833. September 24, 1834 – Mrs. Sutton to C.F. McLean, tuition of two scholars, each $2 per month. No date – Amount of debts due by the estate of Thomas Sutton, $591. 1835 – 1838 – List of items paid for, and dates paid. Signed by Hiram Baldwin. Examples: Paid Lewis for schooling, paid cash for sack of salt, etc. April 22, 1835 – Stephen Allen and Phebe Sutton to John B. Thrasher, “hath bargained, sold, leased out to farm…for ninety-nine years renewable forever on the same condition of Rent as herein….” The land was in Claiborne County, MS, lot number one nine eight and sixteen section no. 26 township no. 13 of range no. one east containing 160 and 40/100 acres. Perhaps Phebe is related to the Humphries / Humphreys of Claiborne County. · J.B. Thrasher was a prominent lawyer who owned land in Claiborne County and a plantation in Tensas Parish called “Yucatan”. · J. B. Thrasher came to Natchez, MS, from Falmouth, KY, in 1824. He settled in Briscoe Settlement, about 8 miles south of Port Gibson in Claiborne Co., MS. He taught school for 2 years, then became a civil lawyer. He and his nephew Stephen Thrasher had a law partnership, J. B. & S. Thrasher. · William Thrasher was J. B. Thrasher’s brother. He settled in Hartsville, Bartholomew Co., Indiana. He was in the milling business. June 22, July 5, July 28, October 3, 1837 - Doctor’s Bill: (1) June 22, 1837, 1 visit 6 miles to residence for children and these medications: prescriptions, emitic powders and drops, sudorific powders (cause sweating to reduce fever), and composition powders, (2) July 5, another visit and medications: composition powder and preparation of Lobelia (dilates the bronchiole tubes, good for asthma, pneumonia, fever, coughs, sore throat, clears congestion, (3) July 28 medications: composition powder and preparation of Lobelia, and (4) Oct. 23 medications: composition powder. Total: $24.50. December 24, 1840 – Final administration account of Hiram Baldwin. February 26, 1840 – Phebe Sutton paid $27 to Hiram Baldwin upon settlement of his final administration account. 1840 – Mississippi Census, Jefferson Co: 1. Mrs. P. Sutton, 1 male age 10-15, 2 males ages 15-20, 2 females ages 5-10, and 1 female age 30-40. (Note: the boys are: Stephen, John, and Thomas, the girls are Margaret and an unknown daughter, we still don’t know her name). On next page of census is - 2. Jonathan E. Humphries, 1 male age 20-30, 1 female age 20-30, 1 female under 5. Next door to him is - 3. Uriah Humphries, 1 male age 5-10, 1 male age 10-15, 2 males age 15-20, 1 male age 40-50, 1 female age 10-15, 1 female age 40-50. November 11, 1843 - Phebe married Nutter Murphy in Jefferson County. 1848 - Book: 1819-1849 Abstradex of Annual Returns, Mississippi Free and Accepted Masons by Jeanne Hand Henry. Book lists members of Thomas Hinds Lodge #58, Jefferson Co., Fayette, MS. Member: Stephen S. Sutton died in 1848 (page 216). No probate or land records were found for him in Jefferson County. No masonic records have been located for Stephen or the other Suttons in this family (assuming this Stephen is ours). December 22, 1848 – John Sutton of Jackson Parish, LA, married Mary S. Carroll of Caldwell Parish. Witnesses: John Carroll, John H. Williams, and John Williams. Filed in Caldwell Parish. 1850 Louisiana Census: 1. Tensas Parish (town of Waterproof): Knuckle Murphy age 44 VA, Phebe age 44 MS, Margaret Sutton age 15 MS. Where’s Margaret’s sister (shown in the 1840 MS census)? 2. Caldwell Parish John Sutton, age 26 farmer, born in MS, wife Mary (Carroll) age 20, born in LA, child Henry age 4 months born in LA, and 2 adults Charles W. Carroll age 19 born in LA and Elizabeth Carroll, couldn’t read the age, born in LA (all in same household). They lived next door to: John Carroll (Mary’s father), age 53 born in MS, wife Jane agae 43 born in KY, and Henry age 22 LA, Susan age 12 LA, and George age 6 LA. 3. Thomas and Stephen Sutton are not in this census March 21, 1851 - The Succession of Phebe Murphy was filed in Tensas Parish in May 1851. According to the probate packet, she died “leaving within this parish two children viz John Sutton and Thomas Sutton” (the words “and Minors” were marked through). Also marked out: “the tutorship of said Thomas Sutton, minor by law”. Nutter Murphey was administrator of her estate. October 4, 1851 – Margaret Sutton to Henry McDonald, sold 77 and 94/100 acres of land in Jefferson County, MS. Margaret’s guardian was William Johnson, who lived next door to her father in the 1830 MS census. No sign of Margaret’s sister. Is this the land that was in Claiborne County in 1835, and the county line changed? July 10, 1852 – Thomas J. Sutton to Henry McDonald, sold 77 and 93/100 acres of land in Jefferson County, MS. By reading the land record, it is discovered that Thomas J. Sutton was actually Thomas and John Sutton, living in Caldwell Parish, LA, selling their MS land. No sign of their brother Stephen. July 10, 1853 - Margaret Sutton married Julius Sieferth at residence of N. Murphy, Waterproof, LA (Tensas Parish). September 1855 - Succession of Julius Seiferth, Tensas Parish. His “stock of leather, boots, shoes, and tools together with one show case” were sold at public auction in Waterproof. October 9, 1856 - Margaret married Joseph Reiser on October 9 in Tensas Parish. March 4, 1857 - “Margaret Riser and husband,” Special Mortgage, Tensas Parish. States that “Mistress Margaret Sutton and her husband Joseph Riser, citizens of this Parish” mortgaged property at lot number one in square number twenty-six with all the buildings and improvements thereon. Will pay Christian Bellsinger on January 1, 1858, $218 with interest. 1860 Louisiana Census: 1. Tensas Parish: Nutter Murphey age 54 VA, wife Elizabeth (his neighbor in the last census) age 38 MS, Mary I. Harper age 14 LA, Josaphine age 13 LA, Rachaille Murphy age 7 LA, Margaret A. Murphy age 5 LA, Sam age 2 months LA, Catherine Raife age 75 Germany, mother-in-law. 2. Living near the Nutter Murphey household: Joseph Reiser, age 39, a shoemaker from Bavaria, wife Margaret age 25, child Willhelmina Seiforth age 5, and William (?) Reiser age 3. Both children born in LA. 3. Caldwell Parish: Thomas Sutton age 30 MS, wife Mary E. age 20 AL, Stephen age 3 LA, and Sarah age 1 LA. Next door is Henry Carroll (he was in the John Carroll household in 1850) age 31 LA, wife Malinda age 25 AL, children Rosulia age 2 LA and Mary E. age 8 months LA. Thomas died in the Civil War in 1864 at the Battle of Mansfield. His family disappears from the census records. His widow did not apply for a pension. 4. John Sutton is in Jackson Parish. Seems like I couldn’t find him in the actual census records due to an incorrect page number in the census index. Died in 1870 in Jackson Parish, buried in Hickory Springs Church Cemetery. John served in the Civil War (Private, Infantry, 28th Regiment, Company F, Jackson Volunteers, participated in Battle of Mansfield and Battle of Pleasant Hill. Federal Prisoner of War, captured at Bayou Teche, LA, April 14, 1863). Neither he nor his wife applied for a pension. 1864 – Thomas is said to have died in the Civil War at the Battle of Mansfield. His wife does not apply for a pension. Am looking for Mary and her children. July 26, 1870 – Caldwell Census John Sutton age 47 MS, wife Mary age 40 LA, Henry F. age 20 LA, Emily age 18 LA, Jackson W. age 15 LA, Stephen age 13 LA, George W. age 8 LA, Charles age 2 LA. 1870 – John Sutton dies in Jackson Parish, buried in Hickory Springs Church Cemetery. 1880 Louisiana Census: 1. Bienville Parish, LA: Mary Sutton, children Emma, Jackson, Charlie, and Irvin. 2. On same page: Henry Sutton, wife Louella, children Irvin, Buela, and John. 3. Caldwell Parish: Joseph Reizer, bootmaker, widower, parents born in Hoenzollern. Am looking for his children.