Bios: Richard Allen Hargis, Claiborne Parish, LA Submitted by: Quincy Lee Hargis, 2601 W. Magna Carta Place, Baton Rouge, LA 70815-5523 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ************************************************ RICHARD ALLEN HARGIS OF CLAIBORNE PARISH, LOUISIANA HIS TIME by Quincy Lee Hargis Richard Allen Hargis spent his early years in Tennessee, where according to family tradition, he was born to John and Sarah Douglass Hargis. John and Sarah who were married in Caswell County, North Carolina, 4 February 1795, moved to Smith County, Tennessee, within the next five or six years. County records verify this by listing him and his wife among a group of pioneer residents from 1801. Land transactions were made by John and recorded along with other legal documents. These are on file in the Smith County Court House. There are two documents that would be helpful to unravel the mystery surrounding this family. These are the last will and testament of John Hargis and the probate of his estate. Neither has been located after many years of searching. Even though written evidence is lacking, research by several genealogists supports a claim that John and Sarah Douglass Hargis were the parents of Richard Allen Hargis. Upon reaching the age of eighteen or nineteen, Richard Allen Hargis moved to Lawrence County, in the state of Mississippi. We do not know why he left Tennessee at such a young age, leaving the home of his mother and father. However, living near him in this southern Mississippi county was Aaron Hargis, an uncle, who also migrated, and probably provided the influence that Richard Allen needed to make such a decision. Evidence of these two Hargis men living in Lawrence County is provided by the 1820 Census. Marriage Book I, Page 149, State of Mississippi, Lawrence County, reads as follows: "Know all men by these presents that we Richard Hargis and Aaron Hargis are here and firmly bound unto Walter Leak, Governor of the State Aforesaid for the time being and his successor in office in the sum of $200.00 and for which payment will and truly to be paid. We bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and signers firmly by these presents 5 June 1823. The conditions of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Richard Hargis does bound in marriage Pennicia Mitchell provided there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, then the above obligation is to be void of no effect or otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. R.A. Hargis (Seal) A. Hargis (Seal)" Richard A. Hargis and Pennicia Mitchell were married, 8 June 1823. At the present time Pennicia Mitchell's parents are not known. Two Mitchell families lived in Lawrence County and one of these is most likely to be her parents. Edward and Wright Mitchell are listed in the 1820 U.S. Census. Wright Mitchell is in the correct age group to be the father of Pennicia, while Edward fits the category of being her grandfather. From the "History Of Mississippi" by Lowry, we find that Richard A. Hargis served as Senator. Also, the Mississippi Senate Journal of the Called Session of 1835 shows Richard A. Hargis, "Senator from the Senatorial District, composed of the Counties of Lawrence, Simpson and Covington". This book being 95 pages in length, mentions his name many times. He also served as Justice of the Peace for Lawrence County. Born to Richard and Pennicia Mitchell Hargis were two sons and three daughters. The eldest child, a daughter, Launcey Ann was born in 1824 followed by a son Quincy Anson, born 16 October 1825; daughter Angelina Dilra was born about 1827; daughter Sarah Delzira about 1830; and son John D. about 1831. Sometime after the birth of John, Richard's wife Pennicia died leaving him with five small children. On 20 February 1834 Richard took as his second wife Susannah Neyland. After the birth of their first child, a son, Alphons O. P. (Alfins) Hargis, Richard and Susannah moved to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, as evidenced by the 1840 U.S. Census for that Parish. Family tradition indicates they moved first to Arkansas before settling in Louisiana. This may be an accurate assumption since one daughter, Fary Vensina, is listed in the 1860 U.S. Census of Claiborne Parish, as having been born in Arkansas. In any case their home in Louisiana was located near the Arkansas line. Determining an accurate boundary between the two states, may have posed a problem during the early days in the year of 1840. The remaining children of Richard and Susannah Neyland Hargis were all born in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana as shown in census records. Following behind Alphons O.P. and Fary Vensina (born abt. 1834 and 1840 respectively) comes Susan H., born about 1842; Richard D. about 1844; Franklin Courtney, 1 January 1848; and Balus S., about 1849. Eleven children, lacking in questionable identity, were produced by Richard Allen Hargis and his two wives. They had husbands and/or wives with names such as Havard, Moore, Wroten, McFarland, Pratt, Nolan, Hargis and Rogers. Quincy Anson Hargis married Clementine Havard, 4 October 1849, in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana. To this union fourteen children were born resulting in many grandchildren and great grandchildren, one of whom is this writer. Launcey Ann's husband was William T. Moore, Angelina Dilra married Joel H. Wroten, Sarah Delzira married Joseph Friend McFarland, and son John D. was killed in the Civil War without marrying. This completes the children from his first marriage to Pennicia Mitchell. Children by Susannah Neyland include Alphons O.P. who married Elizabeth Pratt. He died at Law Hospital, La Grange, Georgia, 13 December 1863, as a result of wounds received in the Civil War while enlisted in Co. C, 19th La. Infantry. His widow and children lived in the household with Richard and Susannah for a while. The next child after Alphons is Far Vensina who first married John Nolan and later took as her second husband Frank M. Hargis, a war veteran from the State of Missouri. The third child is Susan H., who remained single and lived with her parents until they were deceased. She may have died in 1900 while living in the home of a Williams family located near Junction City, Arkansas/Louisiana. Richard D., another son, was killed in the Civil War without marrying. Franklin Courtney married Millie Rogers and their daughter Carrie married Arlanzo Jackson Gates. Mrs. W.T. Hayes of Mer Rouge, Louisiana, a granddaughter of Franklin Courtney and Millie, was most helpful by allowing access to the family bible. Much of the information on this family came from this bible. Another child and son of Richard Allen and Susannah Hargis, Balus S., appeared on the 1850 census record of Claiborne Parish as one year of age. On the 1860 census he is not listed. Two other children enumerated on the 1860 census as living in the household are: Jas. S., whose age was recorded as nine years and Elizabeth G., a female at the age of six years. Nothing more is known about these children. The 1860 census also shows the age of Richard Allen as fifty eight and Susannah as fifty one, not too old to have children but questionable. Following Richard and family to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, was a sister, Lucinda N. Hargis. Using the 1830 census of Lawrence County, Mississippi, it is believed she resided in his household and is enumerated along with his wife Pennicia, in the 15 to 20 age category. Later that same year Richard gave written permission for her to marry Josiah Wilson. Eight children were produced by this couple with all but the youngest born in Lawrence County, Mississippi. The residence of Josiah and Lucinda while living in Claiborne Parish, was near the community of Summerfield where they were members of Hebron Baptist Church. The church cemetery has headstones for them along with some of their children. A great great granddaughter, Iva Allgood Almond, who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a fellow genealogy researcher and helps in gathering family information. Being busy and productive was important to the everyday life of Richard Allen Hargis. From Senator and Justice of the Peace in Mississippi, he broadened his scope to include Baptist Minister and Medical Doctor as well as farming and merchandising after he moved to Arkansas/Louisiana. In Deed Book "A" page 217 for the records of Union County, Arkansas, Circuit Clerk's Office we find: "To all whome it may concern these are to certify that the bearer herof R.A. Hargis was at Call of Holly Grove Baptist Church, solemnly set apart this day by the imposition of hands and ordained by us to the Gospel Ministry. And he is fully Authorized to minister as an evangelist in the Vineyards of the Lord wherever divine Providence may direct his course and to administer the Special as well as more common ordinances of the Gospel on every proper occasion and we do hereby Recommend him to the affectionate regards, confidence and respect of all Christian People but more especially of those who pertain to the Baptist denomination and Recorded in Office Decm. 23rd, 1842. Given under our hands this second day of November A.D. 1842. Signed, Elder John Meeks, Elder Sam'l J. Larkins, J.W.R. Moore, Clerk and Exofficio Recorder, Union County, Arkansas." Many Baptist churches in the area of Arkansas and Louisiana owe their beginnings to Richard A. Hargis. In each state you will find records showing the establishment of churches and records of many marriages performed by this Baptist Minister. From a book, "History of the Missionary Baptist Church in Claiborne Parish", by N.S. Copeland, page 134, comes the following: "Friendship Church was constituted December 26, 1847, in the dwelling house of James Wise, about one mile north of present residence of Hon. W.F. Moreland, with three male and five female members. Elder R.A. Hargis was the first pastor and served the church acceptably". On page 137 is found: "In 1848 Elder R.A. Hargis and deacon Richard Young constituted Hebron Church near Summerfield. Elder R.A. Hargis was the first pastor of the church. Hebron has since been served by a number of pastors." And on page 168: "Elder R.A. Hargis a man of more than ordinary ability, of genial disposition, and popular manners, and for a number of years was an acceptable and useful minister, and honored with the confidence and esteem of the denomination. In the later years of his life he engaged in farming and merchandising, and preached only an occasional sermon. He died a few years ago (23 May 1883, QLH) at Athens, La., after an eventful life". The foregoing examples are just a few of the churches Rev. R.A. Hargis established. He also served as first minister at many of these churches. Richard Allen Hargis was born on Saturday, 2 May 1801 and died Wednesday, 23 May 1883, 21 days past his 82nd birthday. He is buried in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Old Athens, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. A new marker was placed on his grave by great great grandson Quincy Lee Hargis after a visit to the cemetery revealed an old crumbling white marble tombstone that had broken into two pieces. Repairing this marker was out of the question so a replacement was made using a more durable material. The inscription on the old marker read, Dr. R.A. Hargis, but a decision was made to use his full name, Dr. Richard Allen Hargis with the hope that future generations may recognize the person interred here with greater accuracy. During Richard's time in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, there also lived tow other Hargis families. William Napoleon Bonaparte Hargis and Joseph Felix Grundy Hargis resided and owned land in the same general area of Richard Allen Hargis. No official relationship has been established, however speculation supports the idea they may very well have been brothers. Too many coincidental points exist to overlook this possibility. Richard Allen Hargis can be considered a pioneer to the Claiborne Parish area of North Louisiana. He also represents the entry of my branch of the Hargis family into Louisiana. ADDENDUM Since writing this short biography of Richard Allen Hargis, I have found that John, the youngest child of Richard Allen and Pennicia Mitchell Hargis, did marry a Mary Deville and lived in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, before enlisting in the war. Evidence is found in the 1860 U.S. Census for Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Also, sufficient information has been received to state that the father of Pennicia Mitchell was Wright Mitchell. At the time of the marriage between Richard and Pennicia, the Mitchell family lived in Lawrence County, Mississippi. At a later time Wright Mitchell moved to Caldwell Parish, Louisiana. Quincy Lee Hargis October, 1998