Billington Family (book) by Lonnie Deaton, Limestone Co. TX & Washita Co OK Kiowa Co. OK Copyright 2000 by Lonnie Deaton TobysDad@aol.com ==================================================================== USGENWEB ARCHIVES 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 the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Lonnie Deaton TobysDad@aol.com ==================================================================== Billington Family THE FAMILIES OF ALEXANDER DEATON HAAS & ZACHARY DEATON HAAS THE BILLINGTON FAMILY JOHN BILLINGTON was a passenger on the "Mayflower" and thus landed in the Plymouth area in 1620. He was, undoubtedly, the first Billington to reach the New World but probably was not a direct line descendant of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas. He was, however, very likely an uncle or cousin of ADH & ZDH. Unfortunately, John was a rather uncommendable fellow and experienced trouble with his peers even from the time he first embarked on his journey to America. Almost everything we know of John Billington comes from Governor William Bradford's references to the Billington family and, for good reason or not, it is evident that Governor Bradford had a hardy disrespect for John and his clan. Bradford notes that John's troubles began very early during their journey across the big pond. While still on board ship in Provincetown Harbor, one of John's sons fired a gun near an open half-keg of gun powder posing a near disaster for the ship and passengers. Of this Bradford writes, "and yet by God's mercy, no harm was done." Shortly after landing in the New World, John was sentenced by the Governor to have his neck and heels tied together for "opprobrious speeches" against some of the of other settlers. "Craving pardon," he was eventually forgiven. On a more cheerful note, Francis Billington, John's son, shortly after the settlement of Plymouth, climbed to the top of a tree on a hilltop and discovered two lakes known from then until now as the "Billington Sea." Bradford's writings, however, continue to present John Billington as contentious, unmanageable, and undesirable. In a 1625 letter to Robert Cushman in England, dated 6-9-1625, Bradford writes, "Billington continues to rail against you and threatens to arrest you. I know not wherefore. He is a knave and so will live and die." Finally, in the only known eyewitness account of the incident, Bradford relates the story of John Billington's arrest for murder and eventual execution. John Evidently experienced a lot of difficulty with a neighbor, one John Newcomen. The two men apparently disagreed sharply over Billington's hunting rights. After warning Newcomen to "cease and desist" from interfering with his right to hunt on a certain piece of land, our John waited in ambush for his neighbor and shot him dead. Bradford writes, "John Billington, the elder, the one that came over with the first, was arraigned, and both by grand and petty jury found guilty of wilful murder, by plain and notorious evidence. And was for the same accordingly executed.....He and some of his had often been punished for miscarriages before, being one of the profanest families amongst them. They came from London and I know not what friends shuffled into their company. The fact was that he waylaid a young man, one John Newcomen, about a former quarrel and shot him with a gun, whereof he died." At his execution, John was allowed a "condemned man's last words." He argued that the community should spare his life by reason of the lack of able-bodied men to protect the village and to perform the necessary community chores. His judge and jury, not swayed by his eloquence, responded, "John, you should have thought of that before you slew your neighbor!" Thus, John Billington became America's first executed murderer. Undoubtedly many native Americans had been slain by the time John committed his treacherous act but, of course, killing an Indian in 1620 was not considered a crime. John Billington was born ca 1580 in Spaulding, Lincolnshire, England and married Eleanor Lockwood ca 1604. Eleanor is sometimes referred to as "Ellen" or "Helen," but her name was, in fact, Eleanor. After John was executed she married Gregory Armstrong who died in Plymouth 11-5-1650. John Billington Jr., died without heir ca 1627. CHILDREN OF JOHN BILLINGTON & ELEANOR LOCKWOOD: I. John Billington Jr., was born ca 1604 and died between 5-22-1627 & 9-1630. At one point John became lost in the woods, was cared for by the Indians, and eventually returned to his parents unharmed. The cause of his death is unknown. II. Francis Billington was born between 1606 & 1609. An English land survey, Lincolnshire, dated 1650, cites him as a secondary leasee, "aged about forty years or thereabouts." In 1674 on a legal document he reported his age as 68. He died in Middleboro on 12-3-1684 at age 80. He married in Plymouth on 7-1634 to Christian Penn Eaton, who had come to the New World in 1623 aboard the "Anne." She had first married ca 1624 a pilgrim named Francis Eaton. By whom she bore three children. CHILDREN OF FRANCIS BILLINGTON: A. Elizabeth Billington was born in Plymouth on 7-10-1635. She married in Rehoboth on 9-1660 to Richard Bullock. She was his 2nd wife. She 2nd married in Rehoboth Robert Beere on 6-25-1673. Robert was killed by the Indians in 1676. Elizabeth 3rd married Thomas Patey of Providence, RI, ca 1679. They had no children. B. Joseph Billington was born ca 1636 and died Block Island, RI, on 1-7-1784. He married "Grace" on 9-1-1672. She was still living in 1680 when she was brought before the local court a second time for theft. C. Martha Billington was born ca 1638 and died after 6-7-1704 as indicated by a deed of transfer bearing her name. She first married in Plymouth a Samuel Eaton (son of pilgrim Francis and Sarah Eaton) on 1-10-1660. She was Samuel's 2nd wife. Martha 2nd married Robert Crossman of Taunton, on 12-7-1687. She was his 2nd wife. Robert was born 10-21-1692. He was the son of John Crossman. John Crossman had 1st married 5-25-1652 in Dedham, to Sarah Kingbury. D. Mary Billington was born in Plymouth ca 1640 and died after 6-28-1717 when she is recorded as selling a piece of property belonging to her deceased husband. She had married Samuel Sabin on 1-20-1663 in Rehoboth. Samuel was born ca 1640 and died in Rehoboth 9-23-1699. He was the son of William Sabin. E. Isaac Billington was born ca 1644 in Plymouth and died in Middlboro on 12-11-179-09. He married Hannah Glass, the daughter of James and Mary (Pontus) Glass, on 12-24-1651. F. A child who died in infancy. G. Rebecca Billington who died very young. H. Dorcus Billington was born ca 1650 and died after 8-1-1707 when her name appears on a deed of conveyance. She married Edward May before 8-10-1691. She was Mr. Mays 2nd wife. Dorcus had an illegitimate son, name unknown, born ca 1672 while she was living at Middleboro. Court records show that she was whipped and fined for committing fornication on 6-7-1672. I. Mercy Billington was born 2-25-1651. She married John Martin of Devonshire England on 6-27-1681. John was the son of Richard Martin and Elizabeth Salter. Mercy died 9-28-1717. J. Francis Billington Jr., (date of birth uncertain) married Abigail Church. Abigail was the daughter of Eleazer Church. Francis and Abigail had seven children. Children of Francis Billington Jr.: 1. Sarah born ca 1702. 2. Sukey born ca 1704. 3. Francis born ca 1708. 4. Jemima born ca 1710. 5. Content born ca 1712 and married Francis Merrifield. 6. Abigail born ca 1716. 7. Joseph born ca 1718. All present day Billingtons, who claim to be direct descendants of John, can only be related to him through his son Francis and his grandsons Isaac, Joseph, or Francis Jr. It is worthy of note that another early Billington was "Luke," who was in Accomack Co., VA, in 1654 and Rappahannock Co., VA, in 1663. It is not known if Luke was related to John but it would certainly be a strong possibility. At least twelve Billingtons fought in the Revolutionary War, including our Ezekiel Billington. As of 1999, it was impossible to document positively our descendency from old John Billington, but it is quite logical to assume that Ezekiel's father, James Billington, was a relative of old John. The fact that some of us seemed to have inherited John's disposition would seem to be further evidence of this genetic connection. Interestingly enough, in 1642, according to the town records of the town of Plymouth, numerous children were "put out." By virtue of an act and order of the court several of Francis Billington's children were disposed of by being "put out" (forced into an apprenticeship). Part of the order reads as follows: "It is ordered and agreed upon that John Cooke the younger shall have Joseph until he shall be of the age of twenty and one years (being now about vi or vii years old) and shall find him meat, drink, and apparel during said term. One can imagine the psychological hurt of a young child being put out of his home, and it is noted in the records that as a child Joseph "repeatedly ran away from his master to return to his parents." In 1643 he and his parents were sternly admonished. This Joseph, who is later reported living at Block Island, was apparently considered lazy and shiftless. He is recorded in the town records as having been ordered to go to work and support his family. Also in the records of Block Island, Joseph's son, Elisha, is cited as having followed in his father's shiftless ways. Elizabeth, Francis's oldest daughter, was also "apprenticed out." Jewel Billington is the paternal great, great grandmother of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas. The direct bloodline is as follows: Jewel Billington I Amanda May Griffitts I Lonnie Dale Deaton I Amber Dawn Deaton I Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas THE MEANING OF THE NAME BILLINGTON: The name is, of course, English in origin. Elsdon C. Smith, author of "New Dictionary of American Family Names," reports that the name derives from the area (thus an "area" name) from which this family initially originated. He says,"One who comes from Billington (Bills's hill or ‘homestead,' the ridge of the Billangas), the names of villages in Bedfordshire, Lancashire, and Straffordshire." As mentioned above, John Billington was a passenger on the Mayflower. The origin of the Mayflower's journey to the New World is quite interesting. In 1620, James I (House of Tudor) (b. 1566, d. 1625), son of Mary Queen of Scots and cousin of Elizabeth I, was king of England. He ruled from 1603 until 1625 and was a most unpopular king. He believed kings were appointed by God to rule and derived their right to rule from the same (a doctrine known as the "divine right of kings"). His policies resulted in certain segments of English society, including the puritans, being persecuted, disinfranchised, and ultimately driven from their homeland. Under James, England and Scotland formed a "personal union," but taxes were raised, the wishes of parliament were ignored, and only the nobility and certain clergy had a voice in the government. While James was authorizing the translation of the Christian Bible in 1611, a book clearly advocating brotherly love and charity and cautioning against passing judgement on others, he was also strenuously persecuting the non-Anglican Puritans—a strange but frequently observed paradox and a most unfortunate form of hypocrisy. It was in this climate that one hundred Puritans (called "Roundheads" because of the cut of their hair), under the leadership of Elder William Brewster, in order to escape James' insistence that they conform to the dogmas of the Anglican Church, set sail for the New World on 9-16-1620 in a ninety foot, double decked, triple masted, wooden ship called "Mayflower." Sixty-four days later, Captain Christopher Jones, his crew, and his passengers dropped anchor off what is now Provincetown Harbor, MA. After a brief rest, they crossed the Cape Cod Bay and landed at Plymouth, MA, on 11-26-1620. It is difficult to understand and appreciate the hardships and horrors of their 3000 mile voyage. The almost magical belief in giant sea-serpents devouring helpless ships and the reaching and subsequently, falling off the end of the flat world were still very much in vogue. Sanitation and food preservation were almost non-existent. And, of course, the captain and crew did not subscribe to the peculiar faith of their passengers; hence, they were none too sympathetic with their plight. While still at Provincetown, forty-one adults signed the "Mayflower Compact," America's first effort at self-government. It is most revealing to note that the first freedom these founders of a new society, these people who fled the religious persecution of their homeland, denied their fellow pioneers was that self-same religious freedom—a sad commentary on the behavior of humankind. GENERATION FIVE: JEWEL BILLINGTON: Jewel Billington, the paternal great, great grandmother of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas, the second of eight (nine?) children of John Thomas Billington and Alpha Mae Jones, was born 3-19-1895 in Farmington, Grayson Co., OK. She married Miles Griffitts on 4-11-1915 in Eaklely, Caddo Co., OK, and died of a chronic illness (most likely asthma) at the age of 22. She had been sickly all her life. It is reported by her daughter (Amanda Mae Griffitts) that her mother sensed her approaching death as much as a year in advance and began directing her father as to the particulars of her funeral. She is buried next to Miles and her brother (Oscar Pettus Billington) in the Eakley Cemetery. Efforts to secure a birth or death certificate for Jewel have been fruitless. A copy of Jewel's marriage license is, however, included in this history. Jewel's mother, Alpha Mae Jones, died in 1911. From then until her marriage in 1915, being the oldest girl in the home, she, more or less, was required to do the housekeeping for her father and the mothering of her younger siblings. She was witness to the wedding of Beulah Mae Billington and Luther Thompson and their marriage license bears her signature. Jewel had only one child, Amanda Mae Griffitts (AMG) who was born 3-6-1916. Jewel had an exceedingly difficult delivery and eventually died one year, two months, and twelve days later. AMG has no memory of her mother but has been told by relatives that she was a tall, stout woman, a good cook, and an excellent organist, although she did not read music. Mary Griffitts Wilburn (aunt to AMG) reports that AMG reminds her very much of Jewel. It should be noted that Amanda, and her son, Lonnie, also suffer from numerous allergies and asthma; however, each succeeding generation seems to have a less serious problem with the malady. CHILDREN OF JEWEL BILLINGTON: Jewel had but one child, Amanda Mae Griffitts, who is the great grandmother of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas (see THE GRIFFITTS FAMILY). GENERATION SIX: JOHN THOMAS BILLINGTON: John Thomas Billington (JTB), the father of Jewel Billington and grandfather of Amanda Mae Griffitts, was the oldest son and first child of Eggleston Pettus Billington and Virginia Matilda Jackson. He was born 8-1-1873 in Maury Co., TN, and married Alpha Mae Jones on 8-28-1893 in McKinney, Collin Co., TX. Their marriage license reads "J.T. Billington and May Jones." The wedding ceremony was performed by the groom's father, "E.P. Billington, gospel preacher." Alpha Mae was born ca 1875 somewhere in Tennessee. The marriage was recorded by J.W. Waddill, court clerk on 9-3-1893. According to her death certificate, Alpha Mae died near Gotebo at 5am on 1-27-1911. Interestingly enough, her headstone records her death as 1910. She was only 36 years old. The cause of death was pneumonia. Attending physician was W.W. Miller. She is buried next to her husband in the Wyatt family Cemetery east of Gotebo. Her parents were John S. Jones and Sarah Jones, both born in KY. John Thomas and family appear in the 1910 census of Kiowa Co. They are living in HH 17. Hester is already out of the home; thus she must have married before 1910. JTB, a member of the "Woodsmen of the World," died at Mangrum, Greer Co., OK, and was buried in the Wyatt family cemetery located ten miles east of Gotebo, Washita Co., OK (not to be confused with the Wyatt Cemetery in Hobart, OK). His death certificate states that he died at 10:45pm, in Mangrum hospital on 9-24-1930, of "Illeus, acute dilation of the stomach." He had been attended for twenty days by George Borden, MD. The undertaker was E.W.________ and the informant was Jim Billington, JTB's seventh child. The death certificate was registered by Paul Hughes. Because JTB died intestate a "Petition for Letters of Administration" was made by his heirs. The document reads as follows: "In the matter of the estate of J.T. Billington, deceased: To the Honorable S. Carpenter, Judge of the County Court of Kiowa, Oklahoma: The petition of J.C. Billington, Hobart, Oklahoma, respectfully shows and presents that J.T. Billington, late of Hobart, Oklahoma, died intestate at Kiowa Co., Oklahoma, on the 24th day of September, 1930, at which county he was a resident at the time of his death. That the deceased left an estate of personal property in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, the general nature and probable value of which is as follows: Money on deposit in the Home State Bank of Hobart, Oklahoma, $404.26; One 1928 two door sedan Whippet six cylinder automobile, $100.00. That the whole estate and effects for and in respect of which letters of administration are hereby applied will not exceed the probable value of $500.00. That the names, ages, and residences of the heirs at law of the deceased, so far as known to the petitioner are as follows: Hester Killion, age 35, daughter, Whittenburg, TX., Box 454; Sallie Waller, age 33, daughter, Ft. Cobb, Okla.; Beulah Thompson, age 31, daughter, Carnegie, Okla.; W..R. Billington, age 28, son, Whittenburg, TX.; J.C. Billington, age 26, son, Hobart, Okla.; Louie Billington, age 23, son, Oklahoma City, Okla., R.F.D. 3, Box 421; Amanda Griffith (note the incorrect spelling) age 14, granddaughter, Carnegie, Okla. That due search and inquiry had been made to ascertain whether or not the deceased left any last will and testament, but none has been found and your petitioner is advised, and therefore alleges the facts to be that the deceased died without leaving a last will and testament. That your petitioner is a son of the deceased, whose petition is accompanied by all persons with prior and equal right thereto, and is entitled to letters of administration. Wherefore, your petitioner prays for the appointment of himself as Administrator of the Estate of J.T. Billington, deceased, without further notice. Signed, J.C. Billington. Subscribed and sworn before me on this 26th day of September, 1930. Signed_________ County Judge (the judge failed to sign the petition). Request for appointment of Administrator comes now the undersigned who represent themselves to be the sole surviving children of J.T. Billington, deceased, who was not survived by a wife, with the exception of the petitioner, and respectfully petition the court to appoint J.C. Billington, as administrator without notice. Signed, Hester Killion, Sallie Waller, Beulah Thompson, W.R. Billington, Louie Billington. This petition is a curious document. One must wonder what happened to JTB's house and land. Does the fact that the judge failed to sign the petition make it invalid? Could it be that the judge refused to sign the document because he believed something was improper? CHILDREN OF JOHN THOMAS BILLINGTON: I. Hester Billington was born 9-29-1894 in Collin Co., TX. She 1st married Harvey Phy (b. ca 1891 OK) (alleged to have been an alcoholic and to have died of tuberculosis), 2nd married Charles J. Ware after 1920. Charles was born in 1895 in MO. In 1920 he was still living with his mother "Mary," age 72 in Hobart, OK, on S. Mourse St.(?) In HH 607. Hester 3rd married Eugene Killion. Hester and Harvey Phy appear in the 1910 census of Kiowa Co., Ok. Hester is only 15 years of age. Harvey is farming. They are living in HH 52 in Harrison (Gotebo). Next door to them is a certain John T. Billington age 19 and his wife "Clara," age 18. As of the year 2000, these folks had not been identified. In HH 58 is E.P. Billington and family. In HH 59 is a Charlie Phy age 29. This is evidently Harvey's brother. By 1910, Hester and Harvey are living in Hobart, Ok, on South Eastern Avenue in HH 218. Harvey is employed as a barber in a barber shop (see 1920 census of Kiowa Co.). In 1979, AMG described Hester to LDD as having "had a hard life raising children with an old fashioned rub board, took in washing, operated a laundry, and later did housework in private homes." Hester's death certificate, with information being provided by Mrs. Bertha Mason, daughter of the deceased and signed by DR.__________ Bennett(?), states she died 10-1-1979 in Marshall Manor, Marshall, Harrison Co., TX. The cause of death was "acute pulmonary edema...arteriosclerotic heart disease...cerebral arteriosclerosis...fractured hip." She was attended by Dr. Bennett from 9-7-1979 until 10-1-1979 (she was in a coma during this period). The deceased's usual residence was Jefferson, Marshal Co., TX. She was a housewife and "domestic." Her social security number was 455-22-2791. Hester is buried in Oakwood Cemetery with the funeral being handled by C.J. Satterwhite, director of G.E. Haggard and Son Funeral Home Inc. Her death was duly recorded on 10-16-1979 by Donald Duncan, registrar. The following obituary appeared in the Marshall News Messenger, Tuesday, 10-2-1979: "Jefferson: Funeral services for Hester B. Killion, 85, of Jefferson, will be held at 2pm Wednesday in the Haggard Funeral Home Chapel with Jack Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson. Mrs. Killion died Monday in a Marshall Nursing Home. Born 9-29-1894 in Colin Co., she moved to Jefferson three years ago from Mesa, Arizona. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, Edwin G. Phy of Snyder and Bob G. Killion of Dallas; two daughters, Mrs. Fred Tinsley of Pampa and Mrs. Mike P. Mason of Jefferson; one brother, W.R. Billington of Lancaster, Calif.; one sister, Beulah Thompson of San Diego, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild." CHILDREN OF HESTER BILLINGTON PHY KILLION: A. Velma Phy was born ca 1911 in OK, and married O.B. Sullivan. This couple lived in Borger, TX, until Velma died of cancer. They had two children. B. Travis Phy was born ca 1914 in OK, and married "Leatice." Travis was a welder. He died of heart failure and was buried in Sappington Cemetery, Alfalfa, OK. C. Edwin Gale Phy was born 5-12-1918 in Gotebo, OK, and married Mary Elizabeth Brown on 11-30-1942 in Dallas, TX. Mary, the daughter of Erkind Earl Brown and Mary Elizabeth Moore, was born 7-15-1917 in Snyder, TX. Edwin's address as of 1979 was 2314 42nd St., Snyder, TX. 79549. Children of Edwin Gale Phy: 1. Edwin Gale Phy Jr., was born 5-14-1944 in San Angelo, Tom Green Co., TX. He married Rebecca Charlene Durham on 9-26-1965 in San Angelo, TX. Charlene, the daughter of Durham Kennedy and Doris Crawford, was born 3-13-1946 in San Angelo, TX. Children of Edwin Gale Phy Jr.: a. Timothy Sean Phy was born 5-21-1966 in Snyder, Scurry Co., TX. b. Michael Pierre Phy was born 1-23-1970 in Snyder, TX. D. Juanita Phy who married Fred Tinsley. As of 1979, Juanita and Fred were living at 112 E. 26th St, Pampa , TX 70965. (The father of these four children, Harvey Phy, is buried without headstone in Wyatt's Cemetery near Gotebo, OK. II. Jewell Billington is the direct blood line of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas (see above). III. Sallie Augusta Billington was born 5-15-1897, married Arch Waller after 1910, and died of cancer near Oklahoma City, OK. Arch Waller was born ca 1885 in TX. He was the son of W.S. Waller (b. ca 1862 TN) and "Florence" (b. ca 1867 TX). Arch and family appear in the 1910 census of Washita Co., OK. They are living in HH 153 in the township of Rainey. CHILDREN OF SALLIE A. BILLINGTON WALLER: A. Gladys Waller who married Ernest Hardisty. B. Wilburn Waller was born in 1915, died in 1940, and is buried at the Ft. Cobb Cemetery, Caddo Co., OK. C. Kenneth Waller. D. Ross Waller. E. Emogine Waller. IV. Beulah Mae Billington was born 2-6-1899 in Gotebo, OK. She married Luther Thompson on 11-16-1912 in Cordell, Washita Co., OK. Evidently the couple was most eager to wed for they seemed to have conspired together to prevaricate about their ages. Beulah was only 13 but reported her age as 15 and Luther, who was only 17, reported has age as 19. Jewell Billington was witness to this marriage. "Sook," as her husband called her, is remembered as being somewhat insensitive to the needs of others. Those "others" called her "Pet" because it was alleged that she had to be "petted." She was found of saying "make haste" and "children should be seen and not heard." Luther ("Uncle Pete" as he was called) is remembered as a good man and was LDD's favorite member of the Thompson family. Beulah died 7-7-1985 in San Diego, CA. She was a patient in the Alverado Community Hospital at the time of her death. Cause of death was acute Leukemia and arteriosclerotic heart disease. She was attended by Dr. David S. Richmond. Beulah's place of residence was 8827, La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA. (La Mesa is a suburb of San Diego). Entombment was at Greenwood Mausoleum, San Diego. Beulah's Social Security Number was 527-22-4381. Death certificate informate was her daughter, Ruth Gilchrist. The coroner was David J. Stark. Luther Thompson was born in 1896 in what is now Washita Co., Ok. At the time of his birth, however, it was still Oklahoma Indian territory. Luther was a twin but his sibling died in infancy. Luther's parents were Nancy Rebecca Hollis Colvin and James Franklin "Frank" M. Thompson. Nancy had previously been married to William Henry Colvin who died ca 1892. Nancy and Frank both participated in the 7-1893 Oklahoma Land Rush and settled on acreage that made them neighbors. Nancy claimed 160 acres and Frank 80 acres. They paid approximately $1.00 per acre for their land and had to borrow the money to pay for the same. They very likely met at a local "brush-arbor" church meeting and may or may not have been married at the time of Luther's birth. In 1898, Nancy became pregnant again but Frank evidently died before the child, Alta Mae Thompson, was born. Frank had been born in Alabama ca 1855-1860. Upon Frank's death, Nancy evidently journeyed back to Texas to give birth. She had family in Texas. We know she shortly returned to Oklahoma because she is recorded in the 1900 census of the Oklahoma Indian Territory. She then married William L. Baker and is recorded as living with him in the 1910 census of Washita Co., Ok. Present in the home, HH 200, is Luther, Alta, and three of Mr. Baker's children by a former marriage. In the 1920 census of Washita Co., Nancy (calling herself "Mittie") appears living with her son "Lon" Colvin in HH 167 in the Oakdale Community. Mr. Baker had died, Lon's wife had died, and evidently Nancy was caring for Lon's children. For many years the identities of Mr. Baker and Frank Thompson were unknown; but in 1999 Dana Gard, granddaughter of David Owen Deaton related to LDD that Alta Thompson had remained close to the Deatons in California and shared with them information about her father. She reported that her father was, indeed, Frank Thompson and that he had been born in Alabama (this is substantiated by the 1910 census record of Washita Co.). Alta married William Irvin Hollis in 1915 and died 11-23-1964 in Martinez, CA. William Hollis was born 10-12-1892 in Oklahoma Indian territory and died 12-19-1978 in El Reno, OK. He was the son of William Thomas Hollis and Rose Ellen Wheeler. Luther and Beulah appear in the 1920 census of Washita Co., Ok. They are living in HH 6 in the Oakdale Community. Living with them are their son, Harley, age 6, and AMG, age 3. This census was taken on 1-2-1920; thus Ruth Thompson does not appear. This would be the only census in which Harley would appear and the first census in which "Mandy Griffitts" (AMG) would appear. VIGNETTE NO. 1: BEULAH MAE "AUNTIE" THOMPSON By LDD "Beulah Mae Billington married Luther Thompson when she was but 13 years of age (see marriage license). She had a son before she was 14. Luther Thompson died in 1965 and Beulah remarried shortly thereafter but the marriage lasted only a few weeks. I spent a few months with Mr. And Mrs. Thompson on South McDonald, Mesa, AZ, when I was about five or six years of age. This was occasioned by my mother's marital difficulties. It was a most unhappy time for me. I can remember feeling very neglected by "Aunt Beulah." I have often talked of asking for a "jelly sandwich" and being told, "Hush, I'll get it for you dreckly (directly)." I am still waiting for that jelly sandwich. "Aunt Beulah," of course, denied this until her death. It would have been about 1940 or 1941 when I stayed with the Thompsons. I recall they had an outdoor toilet and a "slop jar" for use at night. I also remember that they had a goat. Further, there was a kerosine cooking stove and, although they had running water, they purchased their drinking water in ten gallon bottles from a local vender. This bottle was placed in a water dispenser similar to those found in some business establishments today. It has always been difficult for me to forgive my mother for placing me with "Aunt Beulah." When my mother finally did retrieve me, she had a new husband." CHILDREN OF BEULAH MAE BILLINGTON THOMPSON: A. Harley Evert Thompson was born 9-25-1913 and died 8-17-1930 in the township of South Lathram, Caddo Co., OK. Harley, according to his death certificate (Registered No. 855) died of alcohol poisoning at 4:40 am. He apparently had been out "drinking with the boys" and ingested some bad "moonshine." He was attended by a Dr. Cantrell. He was buried in Sappington Cemetery, Alfalfa, OK. "Pete" Thompson was the informant for the death certificate. Harley's occupation is recorded as "farmer." The undertaker was C. A. Pitcher of Carnegie. The Registrar was F.W. Rogers. B. Bertie Maxine Thompson was born 2-5-1919 in Mountainview, OK., and died 4-1919 also in Mountainview. C. Ruth Leona (t) Thompson was born 9-21-1920 in Mountainview, OK. She first married John Riddle on 2-20-1937. LDD recalls staying in their home in Agua Fria, AZ, for about two weeks in 1941(?) John, at the time, was working for the Southern Railroad. It was at this time that LDD recalls developing a strong aversion to orange juice. "Aunt Ruth" believed that a child must have a dose of castor oil every day. She daily administered this ghastly concoction of castor oil and orange juice to her young second cousin. For ever after LDD reported, "I still can taste the castor oil when I try to drink orange juice." AMG reported, after his divorce from Ruth, Mr. Riddle moved to Yuma, AZ, remarried, and had several children. On 3-30-1947, Ruth married Carl Gilchrist in Baltimore, MD. In 1953, LDD spent the summer in their home in San Diego, CA. They are remembered as being very kind but, to a young teenager, they seemed a bit inflexible. "Ruth and Carl" had no children. D. An unnamed twin of Ruth Leona who died in infancy. E. Ruby Neoma Thompson who died in infancy. F. Harold Barton Thompson was born 9-1-1926 in Mountainview, OK, and married Edna Ruth Esau on 8-24-1947 in Mr. Huron, MI. Harold became a gospel preacher (Church of God) and experienced quite a lot of success in his church, having held a number of prominent administrative positions. In 1980, one of the church's institutions of higher learning bestowed upon him an honorary doctor's degree. On 12-20-1979, LDD received the following letter from him (he was Overseer of the Churches of God of North Carolina at the time). "Dear Lonnie: Your letter was a most welcome surprise. I was very delighted to hear of the interest you have in genealogy and more especially our family tree. I am enclosing the names and birth dates of my children as well as the names of the persons they married. I trust this will be helpful. Any information you turn up on the Thompson and Billington side, I would be very interested in knowing. We are going to be at our daughter Carla's for the Christmas holidays. And would be very happy to have you and your family drop by to visit. Also, I would like very much to have you visit us here in Charlotte. We should not allow ourselves to get out of touch with each other the way we have in the past few years. Let's do something to correct it, O.K.? Thank you for your nice letter. Your cousin, Harold B. Thompson VIGNETTE NO. II: RECOLLECTIONS OF HAROLD B. THOMPSON, SR. (as told to LDD on 8-1-2000) The Thompson Family participated in the famous "Grapes of Wrath" western migration....."I remember that I had finished the 1nd grade...I think I started the 2nd grade in Mesa, AZ... This would have been about 1933. I must have been six or seven years old...I remember Dad loaded up everything that we had in a two wheeled trailer. This included all the belongings that we had...we put them all in that trailer. We had a 1928 black Chevrolet. It took us about a week to go from Mountainview, OK, to Mesa AZ (ca 528 miles). We stopped at night and stayed in motels such as they were. Motels then were nothing to compare with what they are now. We did have the money to stay in motels. Mama had packed a lot of groceries...canned things...all kinds of vegetables...canning was a way of life then...As I remember, she was able to get to the food...she had packed things that way...Anyway when we got to Arizona, Dad decided to take the southern route that would take us through Benson and Tucson....that way we could avoid any bad weather...winter weather...when we got a little bit outside of Bensen the car twisted out an axle...we were quite a ways out in the county. Dad jacked the car up...took the wheel off & pulled the axle out and then had to hitch hike into town. He left Ruth and Mama and me there in the car...It just so happened that across the road and a ways back up the hill was a ranch house and we were there at the car most of the day and then late in the afternoon this rancher came over to see what was going on. My mama told him what had happened....that Dad had gone into Bensen to get parts for the car. He said that he (Dad) would not likely get back tonight. So he said, ‘You folks come on over to my house and my wife will fix you some supper. We have a big house and a dog.' So we went over there and she had a marvelous meal...and I will never forget. They said that they had homesteaded that place years before...This was in Arizona. The woman said they had come there when it was still wild county...She said she still thought about the times they had to hide out from the Indians...They had built the house themselves. They had a huge living room with a rock fireplace. It had a big bear rug on the floor...I'll never forget it...She told us the story of how her husband killed the bear and made the rug. I laid on that rug and I thought that was the softest thing I had ever laid on.... She said then that she was going to pop some popcorn. They popped it over that open fireplace....It was real good popcorn...I don't remember their name...I sure wish I could remember...Then the wife said that they had plenty of room and that we would have to stay with them through the night. My mama said that we could stay in the car but the woman said ‘No'.... You will have to spend the night with us. So they took us upstairs and prepared the beds...Mama talked about it for years. Mama slept on a feather bed and a feather mattress. The next morning they fixed us a nice breakfast and then we went back to the car. Close to noon, Dad got back. He was able to get the parts. So he put the car back together...and then we went on our way. Went to Mesa first....then we moved to Chandler...that is where we lived in the tents for a while....Dad got this job irrigating for a farmer...and the farmer furnished two big Army tents with wooden floors and we lived in them...not to long...I don't know how long...three or four months, I don't know. So I went to school in Chandler for a short time. Then Dad got a job closer to Mesa. They were able to rent a house right on the corner of Broadway and South MacDonald. We lived there for two or three years...I don't know how long...then they got this bigger house further down South MacDonald. Several of our kinfolks had moved out to Arizona by then...and they would come stay with us and then get mad and aggravated with us...Then the next move was Dad built the house that you (LDD) lived in when you lived with us. He bought this little house...he paid $500 for the house. He paid $10 dollars down and $10 dollars a month until it was paid for. It was only a small clapboard house. It had three rooms...no inside plumbing..and we lived there until I went into the service...As time went on Dad went to work for some of those government projects and the government threw away good lumber. Dad asked for it and they gave it to him. The boss man said ‘All the lumber that is on that scrap pile you can have.' So he was able to bring enough lumber home to add two more rooms to that little house...another bed room and a nice bathroom...he and I dug the septic tank..and that is where you (LDD) lived when you came out here..." "Then there was the goat....We had a pet goat...Well, there on South MacDonald where we lived I was always trying to raise something. Dad encouraged me..I raised rabbits. I sold them for money. We raised chickens. I raised pigeons...Mama had some kind of stomach trouble. She had stomach trouble all her life...as long as I can remember...Somebody told Mama that if she drank goats milk it would help her stomach. So Dad found this milk goat and I learned to milk it. Dad built a rack and a ramp for the goat to climb up...that way I did not have to squat down to milk it...I could stand up and milk the goat...the goat's name was Maggie...I don't remember the rocking horse you talk about but I did make a bunch of toys but Mama gave them away while I was in the Navy...I had visions of giving them to my kids but Mama gave them away." "Then there was the time I found two wheels on an axle...The wheels were probably 18 inches high...I was always trying to make something....I thought those wheels would work good on a chair..So I hooked the wheels to the chair. Then I thought if I had a small set of wheels and hooked them on I could ride the chair...I fixed a board on the bottom of it....They had not yet paved the sidewalks up and down South Macdonald. They later paved the sidewalks and the street but at this time it was gravel....So I got out there on the gravel sidewalk and was riding that chair...There was this crazy old guy next door and he saw me out that in the chair and he thought I was crippled so he came out there and said, ‘Here I'll push you.' So he pushed me a little ways until the wheels bogged down in the gravel and broke the foot piece off...So I jumped up and said, ‘I got to go fix this." So this guy looked at me and said, ‘Your not crippled?' And I said, ‘No, I'm not crippled!' And he yelled, ‘I could have you put in jail for pulling a stunt like that!' He scared the fool out of me. I went in the house and said to Mama, ‘Mama, can he have me put in jail?' He thought I had tried to deceive him...I guess." "Let me tell you how I met Edna Esau...I met her in Bible School..old BTS in Sevierville...We met and we got to writing to one another. Actually I was first going with her girl friend...At Christmas time I went up there (Michigan) and stayed with the pastor and went over to Edna's folks and had supper one night and we became good friends. And then I went into the Navy...I was drafted...While I was in the Navy I wrote to Edna and she started writing back and over that two year period we got serious about one another...And when I got out of the Navy...the ship I was on went through the Panama Canal...We had been in the South Pacific and we came through the Panama Canal and wound up in Norfolk, VA....That is where I got discharged.. I persuaded the executive officer to let me be discharged there rather than have to catch one of those troop trains all the way back across the county to Sand Diego where I enlisted. He agreed to do that, they paid me the travel money... It was not a whole lot but it seemed a lot to me...maybe $168...something...a pretty good amount...I bought an airplane ticket and went to Port Huron...We already had everything planned to get married....and six days after I got there...there was a waiting period to get your marriage license...I flew into Port Huron from Detroit. That was quite an interesting thing. They had two airports in Detroit but I did not know anything about Detroit. They had me going into Willow Run Airport and Edna was waiting for me down at the other airport...so when I got in, there was no Edna there...after awhile I figured out what had happened. So I called the other airport and had her paged...She was crying, ‘Where are you?' I told her that I would catch a taxi and meet her at the airport..I did not know how far it was to the other airport...Then I told her to meet me at Cadillac square...It cost me twenty dollars to go from the airport to Cadillac Square....back then that was a lot of money...it was a lot of miles...Detroit is a big place. Willow Run Airport was clear out west of town. The other airport was down in town...It must have taken an hour or more...but when we got there, they were already there. She was across the street...I saw her and took out running across the street and she come a running. We stopped traffic in the middle of the street in Cadillac Square. I was in my uniform. People thought that was really something...a sailor meeting his girl friend...So we got married in Edna's home town....My parents were not there. They said they could not afford to come. Ruth was not there. None of my family was there. But her family turned out in force and they took me in...and we had a wonderful wedding...a formal wedding. There were over 200 guests. Her people were Church of God too. Mr Esau was one of the board members of the Port Huron Church...That is how we met at old BTS...Sevierville was just a village...a burg...then. There was a court house and the post office and a few stores...there was a department store on the corner (Herb Lawson's Corner Store)...There was a café in the block with the post office." "A while back we went back to Mesa and old South MacDonald. Of course everything has changed. A Mexican bought the old house my Dad built and had it covered with Stucco. You can't recognize it now. And the old Mesa church has been sold and turned into apartments. I took a lot of pictures of all those places...the high school, etc...when we got to California I discovered we did not have any film in our camera...Chandler is now the fastest growing city in the United States but Chandler was nothing back in the days when I lived in Mesa. Old Rev. Dowdle hired me to be his music director when he was in Chandler after I got out of the service. He paid me $25 a week." Children of Harold B. Thompson: 1. Harold Barton Thompson Jr., was born 8-24-1947 in Port Huron, MI, and married Grace E. Walker in Sawyer, ND, on 6-2-1967. Harold Jr., was also a minister. Grace was born 5-4-1947 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her parents were Peter Walker and Doris Edna Faulkner. Peter was born 11-12-1909 in North Sunderland, England. Doris was born 6-3-1913 in Saskatoon, Canada. They were married 12-17-1943. Children of Harold B. Thompson Jr.: a. Brent Anthony "Tony" Thompson born 10-17- 1971 in Ft. Worth, TX. He married Jennifer Jill Schanie. Jennifer was born 2-4-1972. Children of Brent Anthony "Tony" Thompson. (1) Austin Bradley Thompson born 4-28-1993 in Cincinnati, OH. (2) Sierra Grace Thompson born 7-29-1996 in Fresno. CA. b. Lenae Dawn Thompson born 8-29-1978 in Alliance, OH. c. Shawna DeLynn Thompson born 3-26-1979 in Centralia, IL. d. Kyle Walker Thompson was born 12-31-1884 in Cincinnati, OH. 2. Kathy Sue Thompson was born 5-21-1951 in Porterville, CA. She married Alton Brent Anderson in Boise, ID, on 8-26-1972. Alton was born 11-6-1947 in Hot Springs, AR, They had Brian Stephen Anderson on 6-1-1974 in Boise, ID. 3. Carla Jane Thompson was born 1-12-1953 in Porterville, CA, and married Barry C. Meyers on 5-26-1973 in Cleveland, TN. Carla was named for Carl Gilchrist. Barry was born 8-15-1948 in Bonny Blue, VA. Children of Carla Jane Thompson Meyers: a. Kristen Michelle Meyers was born 8-14-1980 in Cleveland, TN. b. Dustin Scott Meyers was born 6-29-1984 in Cleveland, TN. 4. James Roland Thompson was born 10-6-1956 in Denver, CO. He married Theresa Ruth Sprague on 4-30-1982 in Cleveland, TN. Theresa was born 4-24-1962 in Cleveland, TN. Children of James Roland Thompson: a. Jason Ross Thompson was born 1-15-1985 in Ventura, CA. b. Michael James Thompson was born 8-20-1989 in Cleveland, TN. 5. Michael Wayne Thompson was born 9-13-1959 in Arcata, CA. He married Dianne Lynn Peterson on 8-4-1979 in Akron, OH. Dianne was born 12-4-1956 in Akron, OH. Children of Michael Wayne Thompson: a. Nathaniel Michael Thompson was born 6-17-1982 in Bloomington, MN. b. Caleb James Thompson was born 10-6-1984 in Bloomington, MN. c. Lauren Nicole Thompson was born 1-16-1986 in Bloomington, MN. V. Oscar Pettus Billington was born ca 1900, died in 1915 in Eakley, OK, and is buried in Eakley Cemetery next to Jewel and Miles Griffitts. VI. William Reuben Billington was born 11-2-1902 in Blue Ridge, TX. According to "Uncle Bill," he first married Juanita Starr ca 1920 in Oklahoma City, OK (the court clerk has no record of this marriage). Bill 2nd married "Tullie" Adams on 11-3-1929. "Tullie" was born 1-4-1924 in Comanche, OK. They had no children. Please note the place of Bill's birth. John Thomas and Alpha Mae must have temporarily journeyed back to TX.?? VII. James Clarence Billington was born 5-27-1905 and married Ada Coulter on 11-5-1924. CHILDREN OF JAMES CLARENCE BILLINGTON: A. Betty Mae Billington was born 1-3-1925 and married Hugh McLaurin. Hugh was born 7-25-1924 in Wadesboro, NC, and died 5-24-1957 in Ft. Lewis, WA. Betty is buried in Mesa, AZ. Children of Betty Mae Billington McLaurin: 1. Jimmy McLaurin. As of 1979, Jimmie was unmarried and living at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. 2. Vickie McLaurin. As of 1979, Vickie was divorced and living in Hawaii. VIII. Louis Jacob Billington was born 3-13-1907 in Gotebo, OK, and died 2-28-1965 in Lancaster, CA. He married Geneva E. Watson on 7-19-1928. Geneva was born 3-23-1912 in Coalgate, OK, and died 5-23-1976 in Lancaster, CA. CHILDREN OF LOUIS JACOB BILLINGTON: A. Billie Louise Billington was born 6-7-1929 in Oklahoma City, OK, married Ray Tallman in 1947, and took her own life (according to AMG) on 6-3-1959 in Norwalk, CA. Children of Billie Louise Billington Tallman: 1. Michael James Tallman was born 10-1948. 2. Bobbie Louise Tallman was born 6-17-1950. She married Robert Murphy Fargo on 8-1-1954 in Lancaster, CA. They had Jason Leslie Fargo who was born 4-30-1971 in Corona Park, CA. B. Bobbie Jean Billington was born 3-31-1931 in Oklahoma City, OK, and married Ernest German in 1948 in Hawthorne, CA. They had Louis Douglas German who was born 2-19-1954 in Manhattan Beach, CA. C. Carolyn Sue Billington was born 7-26-1939 in Oklahoma City, OK, and married Joseph Stello on 8-8-1959. GENERATION SEVEN: EGGLESTON PETTUS BILLINGTON: Eggleston Pettus Billington(EPB)(the grandfather of Jewel Billington was the third child and third son of John Billington and Caroline Virginia Gilliam. He was born 12-2-1845 in Lewisburg, Marshall Co., TN. He first married Virginia Matilda Jackson on 3–4-1868 in Maury Co., TN (Maury Co., is adjacent to Marshall Co., and is the home of President James K. Polk). EPB 2nd married Nancy Florentine Tankersley (NFT), the daughter of David Tankersley and Eliza Hardison. Their marriage application is dated 7-15-1876. Apparently, the officiating minister failed to return the marriage document to the court clerk; hence their marriage was never properly recorded. Nancy was born 5-14-1847 in Marshall Co., TN, and died 11-20-1926 in Kiowa Co., OK. She is buried in Wyatt Cemetery, Hobart, OK. Both EPB & NFT died in the home of Margaret McNutt Taylor. Mrs Taylor, before her death, had considerable information and memorabilia concerning her grandparents. She shared this information with LDD. Among her information were letters that established that EPB served in the Civil War. As in the case of many Civil War veterans, there are no official records of his service, but NFT was granted a Civil War Widow's pension indicating th at the War Department did accept her letters as proof of his service. These letters indicate that EPB enlisted in Maury Co., TN, in 1863, served two years in Captain Neal's Company (CSA), and was honorably discharged in 1865. There is some indication that he was temporarily classified as a deserter during 3-1865. Supposedly, he forsook his unit and returned home for some purpose—perhaps to tend to his crops. Civil War soldiers frequently returned home for some purpose without authorization, often for the reason stated above. At any rate, his commanding officer must have accepted his explanation for leaving because he was granted an honorable discharge. Mrs. Taylor's letter, dated, 7-22-1979 sheds considerable light on EPB the man, his life, and his behavior. "According to my mother, E.P.. was not one to ‘stay put.' If that Civil War record of ‘deserter' is correct----maybe that is why. But it was common for men to just go home and return later....After Virginia Matilda died, E.P. goes to Nancy Tankersley's home and tells her she is going to marry him...she agreed. We know they were married in Tennessee...spent about a year in Illinois. He stopped there to visit (a long visit) a cousin when on their way to Texas. From there to Oklahoma. There was about one year in Oregon...I don't know when or what year. From Oklahoma to Arkansas. While in Arkansas his health got worse and they wanted Mama and family to move to Arkansas to take care of them. She did not want to but had them come live with us. And that is why both died at our home. My older sisters—Carolyn and Thelyne—remember his preaching at the Martin School House. This was one and a half miles from where we lived....although we were living in Surprise School District #105—known as ‘Dick School.' The land had been owned by Mr. Dick. This was a non-denominational type congregation. However, E.P. was aligned with the Church of Christ's beliefs. My father was a Presbyterian (the Ireland type). When they built the Christian Church in Gotebo—there was no Church of Christ there then—Mama and Daddy joined the Christian Church and that is where we all grew up. Back to E.P, when Anna (Billington) and John MacAbee died, their six children were placed in an orphanage home in Texas. I don't know where. After a while Grandpa (E.P.) and Grandma decided they could not leave them there so they brought them to their home and raised them. After those five (?) were older—I don't know just when—they took another boy from the orphan's home and raised him—his name was Jasper Mason." EPB appears in the 1850,60,70, & 80 census records of Tennessee. In 1870 he is in Williamson Co., Tn., and is married to Virginia Jackson. In 1850 & 60 he is in Marshall Co., living with his father, John Billington. In 1880 he is in Marshall Co., and is married to Nancy Tankersley. They are living in HH 99. EPB died 3-29-1924 in Gotebo, OK. His death certificate lists his address as Hobart, OK, but has him dying in the township of Harrison (Gotebo). Attending physician, Barton H. Watkins, records the cause of his death as "apoplexy." Apparently EPB also suffered from some sort of epilepsy during his last six months of life. The undertaker was R.W. Calhoun. William McNutt ( father of Margaret McNutt Taylor, son-in-law of the deceased) and Margaret were the informants. This document list his occupation as farmer. He was also a lay preacher. The following obituary appeared in the Gotebo Gazette on 4-3-1924: "E.M. (paper misprinted his initials) Billington died at the home of his son-in-law, Mr McNutt, who lives a few miles west of Gotebo, last Sunday evening. He was buried at Hobart, Sunday afternoon. Mr. Billington was well known in this section, having lived here quite a while a number of years ago. Several years ago he left here and went to Florida. After living there several years, he moved to Arkansas, where he remained until a few weeks ago; when he returned to Oklahoma to spend the rest of his days. He was 78 years old at the time of his death." Nancy F. Tankersley's death certificate records her death as occurring 11-18-1926 at 5:15am. She also died in the township of Harrison (Gotebo). The same Dr. Watkins listed her cause of death as "fractured femur...stroke...myocarditis." R.W. Calhoun handled the funeral and once again the informant was William McNutt. NFT was buried next to EPB in Wyatt's cemetery, Hobart, OK. CHILDREN OF EGGLESTON PETTUS BILLINGTON (by Virginia M. Jackson): I. Levnidas "Lee" Polk Billington was born 11-13-1869 in Maury Co., TN, and died 5–5-1909 in Hobart, OK. He married Morris Elizabeth Hurst on 9-8-1889. II. Wesley Eugene Billington was born 7-12-1871 in Maury Co., TN, and died 11-28-1924 in Ponca City, OK. He married Emma Lucinda Sparks on 8-30-1891. Wesley and family appear in the 1920 census of Kiowas Co., OK. They are living in HH 619. Also in the house are two borders, Joleta(?) Shelby age 16, and Everett Shelby age 15. When Wesley and Emma died the following obituaries appeared in the local newspapers: STROKE IS FATAL TO LOCAL CITIZEN: W.E. Billington of 335 Washington St., age 54, died this morning after an apoplectic stroke which he suffered at the Empire Refinery where he was employed. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Billington went to work this morning in good health. He was working in the yard of the company's plant here when he was seen to fall. Gill ambulance was called to take him to the hospital where he died an hour later. He was a member of the Christian Church here. He is survived by his wife and five children. Frankie Joe and Floyd live at home. Jessie Billington teaches school at Fairfax. Marens Billington lives at Altus and Mrs. Julia Knox at Fort Worth, TX (morning edition, Saturday 11-29-1924). Funeral Services Announced: Funeral Services for W.E. Billington of 335 Washington St., who died Friday from an apoplectic stroke will be held 2:30pm today at the Christian Church, it was announced Saturday by Gill Funeral Home. Rev. E.C. Whitaker is to preach the funeral sermon (Sunday Edition, 11-30-1924). Funeral here Monday for Mrs. Billington: Burial Services for Mrs. Emma Lou Billington, age 64, former Poncan who died Saturday at her home in Wichita, were conducted Monday morning at 9:45am at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, with the Rev. O.L. Shelton officiating. The Downay Funeral Home was in charge. Funeral Services for Mrs. Billington were held Sunday afternoon at the Downay mortuary in Wichita, conducted by the Rev. Stuckenback, pastor of the Wichita Christian Church. Mrs. Billington died after an illness of about six weeks. She left Ponca City about five years ago to make her home in Wichita. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Frankie Gilbert of Ponca City, Eunice Knox of Wichita, and Jesse Bell Cristwell of Fresno, California; two sons Floyd of Ponca City and J.M. of Anadarko; two sisters and four brothers (dated Monday 10-12-1936). CHILDREN OF WESLEY EUGENE BILLINGTON: A. J.M. "Frankie Joe" Billington. B. Floyd Billington. C. Jesse Bell Billington who married Mr. Cristwell. D. Marens Billington who married Frank Gilbert. III. John Thomas Billington. This is the direct bloodline of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas(see above). IV. Laura Josephine Billington who was born 4-13-1876 in Maury Co., TN, and died 8-9-1876 in Marshall Co., TN. In August of 1979, ADH, ASD, AMG, & LDD visited and photographed Laura's grave. Virginia M. Jackson and Laura share the same headstone which reads, "Jennie M., wife of E.P. Billington, b. 6-15-1844, d. 8-13-1876; Laura, daughter of E.P., and Jennie Billington, b. 4-13-1876, d. 8-9-1876. V. Carrie Billington was born ca 1878. CHILDREN OF EGGLESTON PETTUS BILLINGTON (by Nancy Tankersley): VI. Elizabeth Caroline Billington was born 5-24-1878 and died 12-9-1884. VII. Anna Alice Billington was born 7-24-1878 and died 3-1-1910 in Hobart, OK. She married John Miles MacAbee on 12-6-1898. Mr. MacAbee died the same day as his wife . Oral family history has them dying in a house fire but this is not substantiated. They had six children who were temporarily placed in an orphanage in Texas but were promptly retrieved by their grandparents (EPB and Nancy). CHILDREN OF ANNA ALICE BILLINGTON MacABEE: A. Flora MacAbee born ca 1900 in TX. B. Ruth MacAbee born ca 1905 in TX. C. Theophilis MacAbee born ca 1906 in TX. D. Augustus MacAbee (t) born ca 1907 in TX. E. Audrey MacAbee (t) born ca 1907 in TX. F. Paul MacAbee born ca 1908 in TX. The MacAbee children appear in the 1910 census of Kiowa Co., OK. They are living with their grandparents in HH 58. Also in the home is Jasper Mason, age 15, an orphan. VIII. Charles Abbot Billington who was born on 5-12-1886 and died the same day. IX. Virginia Etta Billington who was born 2-14-1889 in Colin Co., TX, and died 5-28-1958 in Hobart, OK. She married William McNutt on 12-23-1908. CHILDREN OF VIRGINIA ETTA BILLINGTON McNUTT: A. Carolyn McNutt who married Walter Montgomery. B. Thelyne McNutt. C. Margaret McNutt who married Mr. Taylor. Margaret was an outstanding genealogist and was of great assistance in researching the Billington family. Margaret died 2-26-1981. On 4-30-1981, LDD received the following letter from Carolyn Montgomery: "Dear Lonnie: I see Margaret called you Lonnie so I will too. I am Margaret Taylor's sister, Carolyn. I want to tell you that Margaret died 2-2-1981. She had been sick with cancer for over a year. She was getting along fine and had gone back to work last June, then in September she came up with cancer in the esophagus. After this she fed herself via a tube inserted in her small intestine. In February, the cancer went to the bone morrow and just exploded. She had not retired but was on sick leave all the time (showing she was a pretty healthy person). She would have retired in June and planned to devote her spare time to genealogy. You know the saying, ‘The best laid plans of mice and men.' Her husband has given me all the literature, letters, and etc., and I will continue to work when I get it all straight in my mind. There is so much and it looks like a mountainous job. But I'll try to put it all together what she has not, at least you might send me anything you find that you would have sent her. Margaret appreciated your help so much. She was always telling us of hearing from you and the info you had sent her. Sincerely, Carolyn Montgomery (Mrs. Walter) 730 N. 32nd. Lawton, OK 73505 On 5-12-1981, AMG received the following letter which she passed on to LDD: "I appreciate you and Lonnie writing in answer to my letter. I was surprised who you were. If Margaret had told me I had forgotten. Some of Uncle Tom's children I knew, others I didn't. I think Mama used to see Sallie and Beulah in Gotebo when they went to town. I couldn't remember Aunt May at all, but I see by the records that she died before I was born. Uncle Tom, Bill and Louie used to help with the cotton picking. They were carpenters but building around Hobart was probably slow and they could make more picking cotton. One morning we were going to school and the pony we were riding was bucking. Mama was trying to get her to go and Louie came in the front gate and yelled, ‘Get your feet out of his flanks!' There were three of us on the poor little thing and I was on the back and had my feet in her flanks. Mama took the blame because I was riding with my feet stuck out and she thought I should pull them in. Don't we remember the silliest things? Hester, after she moved to Hobart would come out to the farm and for weekends or maybe a week when Travis and Velma were not in school. This was after Harve died. We saw Jim in the grocery stores where he worked in the butcher shops. I can just remember that there was a Jewel but Oscar Pettus I don't remember hearing of at all. I am wondering why he was buried in Eakley instead of the Wyatt Cemetery. Did Uncle Tom live there at the time or maybe he lived with Jewel? After reading a letter from Lonnie to Margaret about the Wyatt Cemetery, we took our mower and clipped and cleared Uncle Tom's lot. We could not do the whole cemetery. Their lot is so covered in iris that there was not a lot to do. But Walter mowed a large area including the entry. It will look better for a while. If I was the owner of that farm I'd mow the plot occasionally. There aren't many graves to mow around. Another incident about Louie comes to mind. He was nearer our ages so we remember him better. I think he had been in Oklahoma City and come down to Uncle Jones' then to our house. Mama wanted him to stay for supper at least and he declined. They sat there awhile and a frying size chicken went in front of the kitchen door and he said to Aunt Virgie, ‘See that chicken, if I can catch him and you'll cook him, I'll stay for supper.' He did and she did. I'm sorry we are not going to be home in August this year. We would really like to get acquainted with you all. We are going to Canada in July and August (missing the Oklahoma heat). We have a travel trailer and really enjoy it. If we had to live in motels and eat out for two months we couldn't do it. If gasoline keeps getting more expensive we can't go either. But we are going one more summer. Love, Caroline X. Clara Augusta Billington was born 8-13-1890 in TX, and died 11-2-1909 in Hobart, OK. Clara was never married. GENERATION EIGHT: JOHN BILLINGTON: John Billington, the great grandfather of Jewel Billington, was the oldest son and first of eight children of James B illington and Sarah Walker. He was born 9-16-1816 in Marshall Co., TN, and married Caroline Virginia Gilliam on 6-11-1842 also in Marshall Co. He died between 2-1-1892 and 2-8-1892, and is buried in Wallace Cemetery, Marshall Co., TN. John Billington prepared his Last Will and Testament on 2-1-1892 and it was proved 2-8-1892 indicating that he died in the week's interim. It should be noted that John mentions only four children in his LWT, but the 1850 & 1860 census records of Marshall Co., clearly indicate that he fathered six children. Evidently, his two oldest children—Sarah Elizabeth and Ezekiel—preceded their father in death. Little is known of John Billington's life and circumstances. Supposedly, he was a farmer and life long resident of Marshall Co. A John Billington was Justice of the Peace in Marshall Co., in 1861. It is assumed that this is our John Billington. In 8-1979, ADH, AMC, ASD, & LDD visited Wallace Cemetery and attempted to photograph the headstones of John and Caroline. They were almost illegible and, for all practical purposes beyond recognition; however, Marshall County, TN, Tombstone Inscriptions, Vol.1," compiled by Ralph D. Whitsall, does record that John and Caroline are, indeed, buried in this cemetery. John and family appear in the 1850 &1860 census of Marshall Co. In 1850 he is in HH 70 and in 1860 HH 16. Recorded below is the LWT of John Billington: STATE OF TENNESSEE, MARSHALL CO.: Know all men by these presents that this is my Last Will and Testament, and that by this act I appoint D.L. Johnson my executor to settle up all my indebtedness and wind up my estate, and for these services of the said D.L. Johnson I do by this act direct that he have one hundred dollars. I do decree that the said D.L. Johnson do sell my personal affects at public auction to the highest bidder on a credit of twelve months with interest from the day of the sale. I do further decree that my children, E.P. Billington, Dallie Hurt, Emma Johnson, and Mary Doyle be made equal heirs in my estate to the amount of $1.500 (fifteen hundred dollars). I also direct that means to be used out of my or belonging to my estate for the purpose of erecting a tombstone at my grave by the same man or firm that furnished the tomb of my wife's grave. In witness thereof I set my hand and seal this day the first of Feb. A.D. 1892. John Billington W.L. Wallace, Clerk Witnesses: W.R. Winn P.H. Moses State of Tennessee: County Court February term, 1892. CHILDREN OF JOHN BILLINGTON: I. Sarah Elizabeth Billington was born ca 1843 in Marshall Co., TN, and died before 1891. Elizabeth does appear in the 1850 & 1860 census records of Marshall Co. II. Ezekiel Billington was born ca 1844 in Marshall Co., TN, and died before 1892. Ezekiel appears in the 1850 census of Marshall Co. III. Eggleston Pettus Billington. This is the direct bloodline of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas. See Above. IV. Anson Dallie Billington was born 6-1846 in Marshall Co., TN, and married Elijah A. Hurt. Dallie and Elijah are recorded in the 1880 and 1900 census of Marshall Co. Evidently, they had no children. For several months LDD believed that Anson and Dallie were two different people; however the census records clearly indicate that this is not the case. Could Anson have been named for her great grandmother, Anson Swearingin Walker?? V. Permelia Billington was born 4-7-1849 in Marshall Co., TN. She married David L. Johnson on 11-19-1868 and died 11-19-1901 in Marshall Co. In 1880, "Emma" (as she is called in her father's LWT) and David lived next door to John Billington. David was the executor of his father-in-law's estate. "Emma" and David also appear in the 1870 census of Marshall Co. They were in HH 127. CHILDREN OF PERMELIA BILLINGTON JOHNSON: A. Caroline Johnson was born ca 1869 in Marshall Co., TN. B. Pinky (Pinkney?) Johnson (female) was born ca 1873 in Marshall Co., TN. By 1900, Pinky seems to have been married and out of the home. C. John E. Johnson was born 12-1876 in Marshall Co., TN. D. George L. Johnson was born 8-1881 in Marshall Co., TN. E. Jimmy D. Johnson was born ca 10-1888 in Marshall Co., TN. In 1900, an "Esteller" born ca 1880 and recorded as daughter-in-law to David was living with the family. Could this have been John E.'s wife? VI. Mary M. Billington was born 2-27-1857 in Marshall Co., TN, and married a Mr. Doyle. She died 4-28-1927 in Marshall Co. This family does not appear in the Marshall Co., TN, census records. GENERATION NINE: JAMES BILLINGTON: James Billington, the fifth son and fifth of twelve children of Ezekiel Billington SR., and Elizabeth Penny, was born ca 1792 in Johnston Co., NC. He married Sarah Walker. He served in the War of 1812 and died in Marshall Co., TN, in 8-1866. Sarah was born ca 1793 in Johnston Co., NC. This family appears in the 1850 census of Marshall Co. Their daughter, Mary Hogg, age 35 and her daughter Martia Hogg, age 11, is living with them in HH 71. James' family also appears in the 1860 census of Marshall Co., TN. Living with them at the time was Anson Swearengin, age 93. Anson was born in NC, and is the mother of Sarah Walker. James and family also appear in the 1820 census of Bedford Co., TN. On 3-13-1832, James Billington was witness to the land transaction between Charles Lavender, John Lavender, Bird(?) Lavender, and Howard Carlton. The land under consideration was 78 acres in Marshall Co. CHILDREN OF JAMES BILLINGTON: I. John Billington. This is the direct bloodline of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas. See above. II. Jessee Penny Billington was born ca 1819 in Bedford Co., TN, and married Wilmouth Hogg on 9-24-1839. This family appears in both the 1850 and 1860 census of Marshall Co., TN. (Chappell Hill P.O.). CHILDREN OF JESSEE BILLINGTON: A. Susan Billington was born ca 1841 in Marshall Co., TN. B. James Penny Billington was born ca 1843 in Marshall Co., TN. This seems to be the James Billington who served in the Civil War in McLemore;s 4th Cavalry, Company "A." James' war record states that he enlisted 11-29-1861 as a private under Captain Haynes for a 12 month period. He enlisted at a place called "Cheatham." As of 5-26-1862, he is recorded as "absent, left on sick leave at Chattanooga and not heard from since." He is present again at Cheatham on 5-6-1863. He was captured 9-16-1863 near Chattanooga and is listed as "deserter" having taken the oath of allegiance to the GAR and was shown as discharged (from the CSA) 9-30-1863. His release was ordered by Brig. General Boyle and he left Louisville, KY, 1-14-1864 and was apparently transferred to Rock Island, IL. He evidently had spend some time as a prisoner at Kemper Barracks, Cincinnati, OH, under Capt C.R. West. He was finally released to a Lt. Col. Boone on 1-17-1864 at Camp Chase, OH, having expressed the "wish to go home." On 10-13-1864, he seems to have enlisted in the Union Army for "frontier service." A copy of his military record may be found in the appendix of this family history. C. Sarah Billington was born ca 1845 in Marshall Co., TN. D. David Billington was born ca 1847 in Marshall Co., TN. E. John Harvey Billington was born in 1852 in Marshall Co., TN. He married Rebecca Margaret Burton. They had Walter Lloyd Billington. F. William H. Billington was born ca 1855 in Marshall Co., TN. G. Lorenza Billington (female) was born ca 1857 in Marshall Co., TN. III. Mary Billington was born ca 1825 in TN, and married Harvey Hogg. Mary was living with her father in 1850 along with her eleven year old daughter "Martia." There is a Harvey Hogg enumerated in the 1850 census of McNairy Co., TN, but his wife is "Nancy." The circumstances that brought Mary back to her father's home are unknown. IV. Elizabeth Billington was born in TN, and married Hiram Hogg. There was a Hiram Hog living in Marshall Co., TN, in 1840. The parents of Harvey and Hiram are unidentified as of 2000. There were several Hogg families living in Maury Co., TN, in the early 1800's. V. Ezekiel Billington who was born in TN. VI. Reuben Billington was born 3-23-1823 in Marshall Co., TN, and married Matilda Wallace on 9-18-1845. Reuben died 4-20-1899 in Marshall Co., TN. He is buried in Wallace Cemetery. Matilda was born 2-2-1825 in TN, and died 11-3-1904 in Marshall Co. She is also buried in Wallace Cemetery. She was the daughter of Joseph P. Wallace (b. 1795, d. 1849) and "Malissa" )b. Ca 1801). Malissa Wallace and her children appear in the 1850 census of Maury Co., TN. In the 1900 census of Marshall Co., Matilda, age 75, is recorded as living with her brother James Wallace, age 72, his daughter Eva, age 41, and his granddaughter Vancy, age 26. Reuben Billington served in the Civil Wear. He was a private and is listed as age 39 in the 4th Tennessee Cavalry, "A" Co. (McLemore's Cavalry) as of 5-26-1862. He apparently enlisted 12-78-1861 at Whippsville for a period of 12 months. The only remaining documentation of his military service may be found in the appendix of this family history. Unfortunately said record does not contain any specific details of his military activities. Goodspeed's "History of Tennessee" makes note of Reuben Billington: "Reuben Billington, son of James Billington and Sarah Walker Billington was born 3-23-1823, in what is now Marshall Co., and while receiving a common education worked on a farm. Like a dutiful son, he remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age, and a year later began the duties of a farmer, and he has followed the calling up to the present time. In 1845 he married Matilda Wallace who was born 2-2-1825, and four children were the results of that union; Malissa (wife of Charles Jones), William K., Manda M.(wife of C. J. Faris), and Thomas J. Mr. Billington is a staunch Democrat, and after a year's faithful service in the late war in Col Haynes Company, he was discharged because of failing health. He owns a farm of 190 acres, and gives considerable attention to breeding stock. His parents were both born in North Carolina, the father in 1792, and the mother in 1793. They came to Marshall Co., Tn., when young, and after their marriage always followed agricultural pursuits. Of their nine children, seven lived to be grown, and five are still living. James Billington (Reuben's father) served for some time in the War of 1812, was a magistrate and a Democrat. Mr. Billington died in 1862 and his wife two years later. Both our subjects grandparents were Revolutionary War soldiers. CHILDREN OF REUBEN BILLINGTON: A. Melissa Billington was born ca 1846 and married Charles Jones. B. William K. Billington was born ca 1848, married "Matie S."(b. ca 1855). and died in 1926. He is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Williamson Co., TN. This family is enumerated in the 1880 census of Maury Co., TN. William K. eventually moved to Willliamson Co., TN. There is a Billington cemetery plot in Mt. Hope Cemetery, located about two miles outside of Franklin, TN. It contains several graves and headstone inscriptions, e.g., Anna E. Billington b. 1874, d. 1901; Della Billington d. 6-9-1938, age 83 (wife of John M., not to be confused with "Della," daughter of W.K. Billington); Martha Sue Billington b. 1854, d. 1938; R.Wallace Billington (Major med corp.) b. 12-7-1880, d 4-6-1962; W.E. Billington b. 1848, d. 1926; Iva Billington Cameron b. 1876, d 1961, age 85. Children of William K. Billington: 1. Anne E.(?) Billington (looks like "Annie" in the 1880 census) was born ca 1874. 2. Kelsey ("Little Kelsey") Billington was born 4-9-1877, died 7-24- 1879, and is buried in the Wallace Cemetery, Marshall Co., TN. 3. Lula ("Little Lula") Billington was born 7-12-1884, and died 5-3-1885, and was buried in Wallace Cemetery. 4. Della Billington was born 7-1887. Della attended Tennessee Female Academy, was an honor student, and graduated in 1904 with a degree in music. C. Amanda (Armenda) Billington was born ca 1850 and married Charles .J. Farris. Charles was born ca 1845 in TN. This family appears in the 1870 census of Marshall Co., TN, HH 98. At that time they had one son, William, born 1-1870 in TN. Living with the family was a Jane Woodall, age 9, recorded as a "domestic servant." D. Thomas J. Billington was born ca 1861 in TN, and married "Lottie L." (b. 7-1866 in AL). Children of Thomas J. Billington: 1. Reuben C. Billington b. 7-1886 TN. 2. Thomas J. Billington b. 1-1888 TN. 3. William H. Billington b. 7-1891 TN. 4. Robert L. Billington b. 4-1893 TN. 5. James W.(t) Billington b. 7-1896 TN. 6. John F.(t) Billington b. 7-1896 TN. 7. Louisa M. Billington b. 12-1898 TN. In 1850, Matilda Wallace Billington's sister, Amanda, age 20, was living with the family and in 1880 Walter Wallace, age 9 (a nephew) was living with Reuben and Matilda. VII. James Marshall Billington was born 9-5-1827 in TN. He married Emily Hardison (b. ca 1834 in TN), and died 8-30-1885 in Maury Co., TN. James and family appear in the 1870 census of Maury Co. James was a captain in the 24th Tennessee Infantry, "G" Co. He did serve in the Civil War and was present for the Battle of Shiloh. His military record shows him on the muster rolls of his unit 8-24-1861 at Camp Truesdale. He was also at Rolly Hill on 10-31-1861. In November and December of 1862, he is recorded as "sick in the hospital at Bowling Green." He was elected captain of his unit by his men on 7-24-1861. The soldiers in his unit were made up of men from the eastern part of Maury Co., and the western part of Marshall Co. The company was organized at the old Napier Hole on Flat Creek, just north of Bear Creek Pike. They became known as the Duck River Riflemen, Co. "G," Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. They fought at the Battle of Shiloh and lost nine men. Sixteen men were wounded. It should be recalled that 24,000 men died at the Battle of Shiloh, both GAR & CSA.. Eventually they moved forward and took the Federal encampment. Captain Billington resigned 4-22-1862 at Tupelo, Mississippi, because of "failing health." On 4-5-1862, he was paid $511.33 minus $7.21 "forage" for his service of three months and 28 days. LDD was unable to determine the meaning of "forage." A copy of James' military record is contained in the appendix of this family history. CHILDREN OF JAMES MARSHALL BILLINGTON: A. John M. Billington was born in Maury Co., TN, and married "Della." He died 6-9-1938 and is buried in New Hope Cemetery. Children of James M. Billington: 1. Andrew Billington was born 3-1869 TN. 2. Annie M. Billington was born 2-1870 TN. 3. James Billington was born 2-1880 TN. 4. Marshall Billington was born 8-1896 TN. B. Sallie Billington was born ca 1856 in Maury Co., TN. C. Robert L. Billington was born ca 1870 in Maury Co. Robert became a physician and member of the Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN. He married "S.E." who was born 2-1871 in TN. CHILDREN OF ROBERT L. BILLINGTON: 1. Bessie L. Billington was born 1-1893 in TN. 2. Mary M. Billington was born 11-1893 in TN. D. Lulerbine(?) Billington (f) was born ca 1872 in Maury Co., TN. VIII. Joseph A. Billington was born ca 1833 in TN, and married Martha Jane Taylor on 12-1852. He died in 1889 in Ft. Worth, TX. Joseph was a Sargent in "C" Co., of the 11th Cavalry. He enlisted 9-30-1862 at Chapel Hill, TN, for a period of three years. He brought with him a horse valued at $170.00 and equipment valued at $15.00. He was eventually paid $85.20 for the use of his horse. He was captured at Middleton, Tn., on 1-31-1863. He was sent to Camp Chase 2-25-1863. He was "exchanged" on 2-26-1863 from Louisville, KY. He was last paid by Major N.C. Jones on 12-31-1863 in the amount of $72.80. He was 5 feet 11 inches in height, had a fair complexion and light hair. He is recorded as having deserted 12-1-1864. Joseph's military record may be found in the appendix of this family history. It is suspected that James and Emily had several more children. In 1900, Emily Hardison Billington, age 66, was living with a John C. Smith (possibly her grandson?) . Some records suggest that James M. Billington had nine Children but only eight have been clearly identified. VIGNETTE NO. 2: THE OLD WALLACE CEMETERY, MARSHALL CO, TN: "Marshall Co., TN., Tombstone Inscriptions, VOL.1," compiled by Ralph D. Whitesall, 1968, records the following as a partial list of the graves in this cemetery (quotations marks indicate inscriptions of headstones): "Reuben Billington b. 3-23-1823, d. 4-20-1899." ( Reuben is the son of James B., and brother of John B.) "Matilda Billington b. 2-2-1825, d. 11-3-1904." (This is Matilda Wallace, wife of Reuben); "Jennie M., wife of E.P. Billington, b. 6-15-1844, d. 8-13-1876." (This is Virginia Matilda Jackson, mother of JTB); "Caroline V. Billington, wife of John Billington, b._ 23-1819, d. 2-29-1888." (This is Caroline Virginia Gilliam); "Little Kelsey, son of W.K. & M.S. Billington, b. 7-12-1884, d. 5-3-1885). (W.K., son of Reuben); "John Billington b. 9-16-1885 & d. 7-12-1892"; "Laura, daughter of E.P. & Jennie b. 4-13-1876 & d. 8-9-1876." (Jennie died four days after Laura died. Laura is sister to JTB..) "Permelia Emaline Billington, wife of D.L. Johnson, b. 4-7-1849 & d. 11-19-1901" (This is the daughter of John and sister to EPB). This cemetery is on Highway #99 which is the road from Caney Springs to Pottsville. The property in 1979 was owned by the Osteen family. On 8-3-1979, ADH, ASD, AMG, and LDD visited the cemetery and met Mr. Osteen and a very elderly "Mrs. Ring."(age 90+) who remembered some of the Billingtons. The cemetery is actually two small plots setting several hundred yards offs the highway and in 1979 was part of a cow pasture. It is totally unkept. In the past a barbed-wire fence had been erected to prevent the cattle from grazing among the graves, but in 1797 the fences were broken and the cattle were free to tread upon the graves and dislodge the headstones. Many of the graves were "sunken-in" and only a few headstones were legible. Efforts were made to photograph some of the headstones, but unfortunately even photography failed to make many headstones identifiable. Both Mr. Osteen and Mrs. Ring stated that no family member remained in the area and, hence the graves were unkept. As a result of this excursion, AMG did get a grand case of "chigger bites." GENERATION TEN: EZEKIEL BILLINGTON SR.: Ezekiel Billington (EBSR) was born 3-22-1759 in Newark Township, Essex Co., NJ, and died 9-29-1848 in Marshall Co., TN. Ezekiel first married Elizabeth Penny on 12-8-1784 in Johnston Co., NC. Their marriage license was signed by the groom, the bride's father, Edward Penny, a William Ward, and bears the signature of Alexander Martin, governor of the State of North Carolina and first governor under the Constitution (as opposed to the Articles of Confederation). Elizabeth Penny's mother was Elizabeth Ballentine. Edward Penny was the son of Bryan Penny. Elizabeth Ballentine's parents were William Ballentine and "Judith." EBSR second married Esther Sargent on 11-5-1829 in Bedford Co., TN. Elizabeth had died in 1828 in Marshall Co. Esther was born ca 1787. As the widow of a Revolutionary War Veteran, she applied for a Revolutionary War Widow's pension in 1853. Her application for pension is contained in the appendix of this document. Ezekiel did fight in the Revolutionary War and a detailed account of his service is contained in his pension application which will also be found in the appendix of this document. He was a private under a Captain Thomas Seglar and a Lieutenant Abram Garrabrant. He participated in the last major conflict in South Carolina known as the Battle of Eutaw Springs. A detailed account of this battle can also be found in the appendix. After the War, Ezekiel did not return to New Jersey. He found work in Johnston Co., NC, where he met Elizabeth Penny and sired a large family. About 1810 Ezekiel and family moved to Bedford Co., TN. This county was later divided, thus putting Ezekiel in Marshall Co., TN. When he came to Tennessee, he settled on 375 acres in what is now Marshall Co., and this land stayed in the family many years. Today this area of Tennessee is famous for Tennessee walking horses. There were no permanent settlements in Marshall/Bedord Co., before 1806, but the earliest settlers, including the Billingtons, arrived shortly after that date. The 1840 census of Marshall Co., records EBSR's family living near Caney Springs. He had been granted his Tennessee land as a result of being a Revolutionary War veteran. Ezekiel is buried somewhere in Marshall Co., in an unmarked grave. Mrs. Jane W. Alford, author of "Revolutionary War Patriots of Marshall Co., TN," explains how so many North Carolinians came to inhabit Middle Tennessee: "Shortly after the War, North Carolina designated a ‘military reservation' in Middle Tennessee and began granting land to its officers and soldiers of the Continental line. North Carolinians were the only Revolutionary War veterans who received land in Tennessee. Land that is now Marshal County was not included in this military reservation (Marshall Co., was formed out of Bedford Co.). Only a small percentage of the land granted in Tennessee was ‘free land' and this was given to individuals who had performed some services to the North Carolina Continental line, the commissioners, guards, surveyors, and chain carriers who laid off the military reservation, and the Cumberland settlers.." (It is not known if Ezekiel had to pay a token price for this land.) Goodspeed's "History of Tennessee," records the names of those early settlers in Bedford Co., TN.: "The names of the early settlers who came to Marshall (Bedford) County shortly after 1806...were James, Andrew, and Alexander Neil...John Reed, John Dysart, James and Allen Leeper, Rev. Thomas J. Hall, and John Shaw at Farmington; Benjamin Simmons, Joseph and John Blackwell, and John and Robin Orr on Rock Creek near Farmington; Asa Fonville, James Patterson, Squire Atkinson, James Kellams, the Allens, the Wallaces, the Becks, Samuel Ramsey, the Billingtons...By 1810 there were many clearings, and crops were being planted, and the hardy pioneers began to call this land home. Others followed and by 1836, they were petitioning for the formation of Marshall Co." The "Marshall County, Tennessee, Historical Quarterly, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 38-40, records Ezekiel's land grant as No. 1341. His pension application was identified as "W8365." His application was granted and on 12-3-1832 and he began drawing a pension of $53.33 annually as the result of his military service. Ezekiel was illiterate and thus he dictated his application to court/federal clerk and verified his statements with his " X" mark. He did, however, attempt to scribble his name under his mark and the same can be seen on his application. On 11-3-1825, Ezekiel was witness to a land transaction between Anderson Ivie and James Ivie. This was 50 acres of land on the west side of Rock Creek. This was a transaction between father and son. It should be noted that Pollie Ann Ivie married Ezekiel Billington Jr. Ezekiel's 2nd wife was also granted a pension. After his death she returned to Bedford Co., to be near her family. She is recorded in that county in the 1870 census. She died before 1880. In Mrs. Alford's "Revolutionary War Patriots of Marshall Co., Tn," she makes note of Ezekiel's Revolutionary War service and early life: " While a resident of Newark, NJ, Ezekiel Billington enlisted in the service of his country in the spring of 1776 (he was seventeen years old), and served as a private at various times in Captain Thomas Seglar's company and in Colonel Joseph Allen's New Jersey Regiment. Later he enlisted in Captain Camp's Company and was in a skirmish with the British near Newark. He was taken prisoner and held in the Old Sugar House in New York until sometime in 1777, when he was removed to a British prison ship in New York harbor. Rather than remain in prison, the soldier enlisted in the British Army during June and July and was stationed on Staten Island. He was afterwards put on the man-of-war ‘Experiment,' removed in two months to the 'Badger' and transferred to the transport ‘William.' Still with the Tories, he marched to Augusta, Ga., and from there to Ninety-six, South Carolina, where he deserted from the British Army. He joined General Greene's army, served 12 months in Captain Field's company and was in the battle of Eutaw Springs. General Greene gave him a discharge and a recommendation explaining his imprisonment. He was 21 years of age at the time. As he started homeward, he stopped in Cumberland Co., North Carolina, ‘in order to work to get clothing.' He became attached to the people of his acquaintance and pursued the business of an overseer. He later lived in Wake Co., North Carolina, and when he was 26 years of age married in Johnston Co. He married Elizabeth Penny. After living in Johnston County for twenty years, he sold his land and other property and moved to Bedford Co., Tn., in 1810." EBSR was recorded in Johnston Co., as early as 6-1790. On that date he purchased land from a Samuel Smith. There is no indication that he was in the county much before that time. Later that year, in September and November, he served on a county jury. By 1806 (four years earlier than Mrs. Alford reckons), Ezekiel and family were in Bedford Co., TN. Thus, they did not stay in North Caroline twenty-one years as Mrs. Alford reports. CHILDREN OF EZEKIEL BILLINGTON: I. Elias Billington was born ca 1785 in Johnston Co., NC, and died in 1839 in Marshall Co., TN. He married Tracy Moore ca 1816 in Bedford Co., TN. Elias first appears in the Beford Co., records 6-26-1817 when he sells a tract of land to James Walker (Deed Book H, Bedford Co., TN, pp. 23-24). Elias is shown in the 1820 census of Bedford Co., TN, along with Ezekiel, Pennuel, John, James, and Samuel Billington. Elias also appears on the 1836 & 1839 tax lists of Bedford Co. Elias died intestate in 1839 and his brother, James Billington, was appointed administrator of his estate. Provisions were made for his widow, " Trecy" (Tracy). See Marshall co., TN, Court Minutes, Book A, p. 310. When Elias died, several of his children were still minors; consequently a George May was made their legal guardian. CHILDREN OF ELIAS BILLINGTON: A. Polly Billington. B. Patsy Billington. C. Elias Billington born ca 1834. D. Tracy (Trecy?) Billington born 11-4-1836 in Marshall Co., TN, died 8-29-1891. She married Eleazer J. Stewart. Eleazer was born in 1816 in TN. He was a farmer. This family appears in the 1860 census of Beford Co., TN, HH 201. Living with the family in 1870 was a Bettie Birchfield, age 56, born in VA. Children of Tracy Billington Stewart: 1. Haywood(?) Stewart born ca 1855 in TN. 2. Mary C. Stewart born ca 1860 in TN. 3. William D. Stewart born ca 1862 in TN. 4. Samuel Stewart born ca 1864 in TN. 5. Garrett Stewart born ca 1868 in TN. 6. Robert L. Stewart born ca 1870 in TN. E. Hettie Billington born 1-2-1829 in Bedford Co., TN, and died 2-20-1887 in Calloway Co., KY. She is buried in the Ivie Cemetery in Calloway Co. She married Balaam Cain Hay on 10-23-1847 in Marshall Co., TN. Balaam was born ca 1824 in Williamson Co., TN. He was the son of Richard Hay. He died in 1879 and is also buried in the Ivie Cemetery. He had 2nd married Lucinda Frances Wells Owen, widow of Robert William Owen. Hettie and family moved to Calloway Co., KY, between 1868-1871. Children of Hettie Billington Hay: 1. William Pettus Hay was born in 10-20-1850 in Williamson Co., TN, and died 7-17-1904. He 2nd married a Miss Boyd. 2. Martha Loutresy Hay was born 10-11-1852 in Marshall Co., TN, married Robert Bruce Holland on 1-1-1885, and died 8-27-1937. 3. James Balaam Hay was born 1-1-1855 in Marshall Co., TN, married Susan Frances Browne, and died 10-112-1921 4. Margaret Hay was born in 1857 in Marshall Co., TN, married Daniel W. Morris, and died in 1904. Daniel was born 10-1-1848, died 12-31-1915, and is buried in the Murray City Cemetery, Murray, KY. Children of Margaret Hay Morris: a. Thomas Morris was born in 1873,died in 1941 and is buried in the Murray City Cemetery, Murray, KY. b. Hardin Morris was born in 1875, died in 1937, and is buried in the Murray City Cemetery. He married Mavis Utterback. 5. Jeremiah Hay was born in 1860 in Marshall Co., TN. 6. John Thomas Hay was born in 1861 in Marshall Co., TN, remained single, and died in Rockwell, TX, in 1900. 7. Elias Richard Hay was born 2-10-1862 in Marshall Co., TN, and died in Calloway KY, 1-20-1871 at the age of ten. 8. Ruth Clementine Hay was born 4-7-1865 in Marshall Co., TN, married Reuben Owen on 1-12-1888, and died 10-15-1889. Reuben was born 6-14-1860 and died 1-2-1943. 9. Alexander Irvan Hay was born in 1868 in Marshall Co., TN, and married Alice Chambers. 10. Patricia Alice Hay was born in 1871 in Calloway Co., KY, remained single, and died 5-12-1925. This is the family of Mary Holland Lancaster of 616 West Lelia St., P.O. Box 2068, Florence AL 35630. Mary reported the following in 1988: "I remember my grandmother, Martha Loutresy Hay Holland, telling of the trip in a wagon from Marshall Co., Tenn., to Calloway Co., Ky. Hettie Billington Hay died of cancer 2-20-1887 and is buried in Ivie Cemetery, Calloway Co., Ky. Elias Richard Hay (Richard Jay was Balaam C. Hay's father) born 2-10-1862; died 1-20-1875, is buried in Ivie Cemetery, next to Hettie Billington Hay. This year, 1988, a tombstone was placed in Ivie Cemetery for Balaam Cain Hay, next to Hettie Billington Hay. Balaam Cain Hay married second, Lucinda Wells Owen, daughter of Reuben Martin Wells and Nancy Thomas Wells, and widow of Robert William Owen. Balaam Cain died 1897, and Lucinda Frances Wells Owen Hay died 3-17-1900. Lucinda Hay is also buried in Ivie Cemetery, Calloway Co., Ky. For a continuation of the Billington family, see the Hay family genealogy which continues through Martha Loutresy Hay, daughter of Hettie Billington Hay, who married Robert Bruce Holland of Calloway Co., Ky., and are my grandparents." F. Jane Billington who married George W. Burns and died in 1845. II. Jared Billington was born ca 1789 in Johnston Co., NC, and married Tracy Phoebe (Farraby?) Wadsworth, daughter of Jason Wadsworth. He moved to Bedford Co., TN, along with his father. He appears in the 1830 & 1840 census records of McCracken Co., KY. He died in McCracken Co., Ky, and his LWT was probated in 1850. He is mentioned in the "Histories & Biographies of Ballard County, Kentucky, and Other Counties," by J.H. Battle, & published by W.H. Perrin & C.G. Kniffin in 1885. CHILDREN OF JARED BILLINGTON: A. J.A. Billington was born ca 1822 in Bedford Co., TN. Along with his siblings and mother, he appears in the 1850 census of McCracken Co., KY. They are in HH 42. His mother, "Phoebe" is recorded as age 52. She is a widow. He married "C.J" after 1850 and moved to Limestone Co., TX, before 1855. "C.J." was born in KY, ca 1836. He appears in the 1860 census of Limestone Co., TX, in HH 594. Children of J. A. Billington: 1. D.S. Billington(m) born 1855 in TX. 2. R.E. Billington(f) was born 1857 in TX. 3. Q.S. Billington(m) was born 1859 in TX. B. Sylvia Billington was born 3-18-1824 in Bedford Co., TN, and died 11-12-1912 in Colquille, OR. Sylvia married John Lindley on 12-3-1841. Children of Sylvia Billington Lindley: 1. Theodocia Delana Lindley was born 1-2-1839. She was John's daughter by his first wife. 2. Charlotte Elizabeth Lindley was born 9-7- 1842. 3. Hugh Lawson Lindley was born 3-15-1844. 4. Mary Ann Lindley was born 4-10-1846, C. David Billington was born 3-2-1826 in Bedford Co., TN. D. Jason H. Billington was born 1829 in Bedford Co., TN. E. Arabia Wilburn Billington(f) was born 3-2-1935 in Marshall Co., TN, and died 10-8-1902 in Pope Co., IL. She married Alfred Lee Unsell on 3-8-1855 in McCracken Co., KY. F. R.G. Billington was born ca 1836 in Marshall Co., TN. G. Ransom Lee Billington was born 8-1-1840 in Marshall Co., TN, and died 7-11-1865 in McCracken Co., KY. He married Caroline Crawford on 7-11-1865. Children of Ransom Lee Billington: 1. Ella Lee Billington. 2. Emma A. Billington. 3. Bedford C.R.L. Billington. III. Pennuel (Penuel?)Billington was born 12-24-1790 in Johnston Co., NC. He married Nancy Wadsworth ca 1815. Nancy was also born 2-19-1794 in NC. Pennuel appears in the 1820 census of Bedford Co., TN, but did not remain long in Tennessee. Pennuel appears in the 1830 & 1840 census of McCracken Co., KY. He also appears in the 1850 census of Ballard Co., Ky. He is in HH 531. He died in Limestone Co., TX on 4-20-1857. He is buried in Mt. Calm Cemetery, Limestone Co., TX.. On 10-11-1854, Pennuel appointed Reuben F. Billington his power of attorney in order to receive his part of his father's estate (Ezekiel had died 9-28-1848). Nancy died 8-9-1868 in Limestone Co., TX. She was the daughter of James Wadsworth. She is buried in Mt. Calm Cemetery. CHILDREN OF PENNUEL BILLINGTON: A. Mirian Ann Billington was born 7-17-1817 in Bedford Co., TN. She died 12-10-1870 in Limestone Co., TX. She is buried in Mt. Antioch Cemetery, Mt. Calm, Limestone Co., TX. She first married Daniel Christ. She 2nd married W.R. Kirkpatrick. She 3rd married Haughton Hughes on 2-27-1840 in McCracken Co., KY. B. M.J. Billington. C. Ezekiel Jackson Billington who was born 1-1-1826 in Bedford Co., TN, moved to Ballard Co., KY, before 1847, and died 8-5-1895 in Limestone Co., TX. He is buried in the Billington Cemetery in Limestone Co. He first married Catherine Ann "Kitty" Rasco on 6-10-1847 in Wickliffe, Ballard Co., KY. Catherine Rasco was born 11-30-1827 in Christian Co., KY, but resided thereafter in Ballard Co. She died 3-30-1864 in Limestone Co., TX. She as buried 3-30-1864 in Mt. Antiock Cemetery, Prairie Hill, TX. He 2nd married Amanda Holloway Stokes on 6-4-1865 in Billington, TX. He 3rd married Louisa Jane Polk in Billington , TX. She was the daughter of Cumberland Polk and Nancy Cox. Louisa was born 5-2-1839 and died in 1898. Louisa is buried in the Billington Cemetery in Limestone Co. Catherine Rasco was the daughter of John Rasco and Lucy Taylor. "E.J." and family appear in the 1850 census of Ballard Co., KY. They are living in HH 535. Ezekiel migrated to Limestone Co., TX, between 1850-1852. The town of Billington, TX, is named for Ezekiel Jackson Billington. He was a Baptist minister, a farmer, and a prominent member of the community. Ezekiel and "Kitty" appear in the 1860 census of Limestone Co., TX. They are in HH 651. Living next door in HH 652 is Ezekiel's mother, Nancy Wadsworth Billington, age 66. Children of Ezekiel Jackson Billington: 1. Adloury Udora Billington was born 2-10-1848 in Ballard Co., KY. She was a premature baby and died shortly after her birth. 2. Vahita Samuel Billington(f) was born 2-14-1849 in Ballard Co., KY, and died 6-2-1887 in Limestone Co., TX. She married C.W. Holloway 6-21-1865 in Limestone Co. 3. John Harrington Billington was born 8-31-1850 in Ballard Co., KY, and died in 1898 in Falls Co., TX. He married Mary Lipscomb on 11-2-1870. 4. Penuel Jason Billington was born 8-8-1852 in Limestone Co., TX, and died 7-20-1862 also in Limestone Co.,TX. 5. Lucy Taylor Billington was born 5-13-1854 in Limestone Co., TX. She died in 1942 in Limestone Co., and is buried in the Billington Cemetery in Limestone Co. She first married Tom Watson & 2nd married J.W. Coker. Children of Lucy Taylor Billington Watson Coker: a. Ellis Grover Coker who married Rose Motley. Ellis died 1-3-1940. He had been a private in the U.S. Army,. b. Myrtle Coker. c. Ada Coker who married John Davis. d. Mollie Coker who first married "Bud" Pickens and 2nd married "Cug" Roscoe. e. Eula Coker who married John Griffin. f. Will Coker who married Tisha Pickins. g. Sam Coker who married Dilla King. 6. Kittie Ann Billington was born 2-13-1859 in Limestone Co., TX. She first married Tom Whiddon in 1879 & 2nd married Bob Ferguson. Children of Kittie Ann Billington Whiddon: a. Cicero Whiddon. b. Zeke Whiddon. c. R.C. Whiddon. d. George Whiddon. e. Ella Whiddon. 7. Medora Adloury Billington was born 8-20-1863 in Limestone Co.,TX, and died 12-5-1933 in Donley Co., TX She married John Ruffin Leathers on 8-20-1880 In Limestone Co. 8. Sarah Lavonia Billington was born 1-15-1861 in Limestone Co., TX, and died 2-19-1951 in Billington, TX. She first married James Polk Wylie and 2nd married Robert Weempe. Robert was born 3-4-1853 and died 5-2-1944. He is buried in the Billington Cemetery in Limestone Co. Children of Sallie Sarah Billington Wylie Weempe: a. Critton Boyd Wylie was born 4-7-1888 in Billington, TX, and died in 1961 in Axtell, TX. He first married Myrtis Miller on 7-4-1909 in Billington, TX, and 2nd married Iva Farmer. b. Arthur Wylie who married Cora Whidden. c. Nora Wylie who married Lee Lyon. d. Addie Wylie who married Edgar Good. e. Robert A. Weempe who died in 1918 and is buried in the Billington Cemetery. f. Tom Weempe. g. Sam Weempe. h. Ethel Weempe. 9. Nancy Wadsworth Billington was born 4-16-1856 in Limestone Co., TX. She first married Jim Dunn, 2nd married W.H. Billington. 10. Joshua Bertie Billington was born 12-1-1857 in Limestone Co., TX, and died 1-17-1858 in Limestone Co., TX, (these ten children were of Catherine Ann Rasco ). 11. Julia Billington who married Bob Warwick in Limestone Co., TX. 12. Bertis Billington who married Daisy Starnada in Limestone Co., TX. 13. Mary Lucritia Billington was born 12-9-1875 in Limestone Co., TX, (these three children were by Louisa Jane Polk). Mary married Zephaniah Moore. Children of Mary Billington Moore: a. Martha Lillian Moore was born 2-2-1901. b. Emmett Jackson Moore was born 6-4-1903. c. Robert Calvin Moore was born 6-30-1906. d. Bertha Lou Moore was born 3-24-1909. e. Thomas Travis Moore was born 5-9-1912. f. Birtie Zeph Moore was born 5-9-1915 14. An unidentified son born ca 1876 to Ezekiel and Amanda Stokes. D. Burton Frank Billington who was born 9-18-1823 in Bedford Co., TN, and died 1-15-1901 in Lovelaceville, Ballard Co., KY. He is buried in Lovelaceville Cemetery in Ballard Co. He married Angeline W. Hudgens in 1854. Angeline was born 1-10-1829 and died 1-3-1897 in Lovelaceville and is buried in the Lovelaceville Cemetery. E. Jason H. Billington born ca 1830 in TN. F. Mansell (Marshall?) Billington born ca 1836 in McCracken Co., KY. IV. Samuel Billington was born ca 1791 in Johnston Co., NC. He married Tabitha Moore 1-2-1810 in Cumberland Co., NC. Tabitha was the daughter of Aaron Moore. Samuel and family moved to Bedford Co., Tn (he appears in the 1820 census of Bedford) and then on to Ballard Co., KY, where he died in 1849. Tabitha is shown as the head of her household in the 1850 census of Ballard Co., KY. CHILDREN OF SAMUEL BILLINGTON: A. Martha Billington born 3-10-1818. B. E.J. Billington was born ca 1821. C. Hardy Billington was born ca 1823 in TN, and died in TX. Hardy died in TX. He married Elizabeth Burrow in 1847 in KY. Elizabeth was born ca 1831 in TN. Hardy and family were in Smith Co., TX, in 1850. In 1850, a "Sarah Wolf," age 15 is living with the family. They appear in HH 416 in the 1850 census. In 1860, they are in Robertson Co., TX, HH 125, and a 19 year old man, William Holder, identified as a "farm laborer" is living with them. Children of Hardy Billington: 1. Ellison (Emerson?)W. Billington was born ca 1849 in TX. 2. James. S. Billington was born ca 1852 in TX. 3. Tennessee Billington(f) was born ca 1855 in TX. 4. William T. Billington. D. David J. Billington was born ca 1825 in Bedford Co., TN, and died before 1880 in TX. David married Jane Sweetman. Jane was born ca 1829 in KY. This family appears in the 1860 census of Robertson Co.,. TX, HH 120. They also appear in the 1870 census of Limestone Co., TX, HH 278. Children of David J. Billington: 1. William Billington was born in 1849 in KY. 2. Permelia Billington ca 1850 in KY, and married before 1870. 3. Jerome Billington was born in 1853 in KY. 4. Mary Billington was born in 1856 in TX. 5. Victoria Billington was born in 1858 in TX. 6. Paralee Billington was born in 1859 in TX. 7. David Billington was born in 1863 in TX. 8. Margaret J. "Mollie" Billington was born in 1872 in TX. 9. Becky Billington was born in 1876 in TX. 10. Susan Emma Billington was born in 1868 in Robertson Co., TX, and died 10-19-1948 in Erick, OK. She married Jefferson Davis Downs on 12-8-1883 in Limestone Co., TX. Jefferson was the son of Absalom Downs. Jefferson was born ca 1860 in TX. His family appears in the 1870 census of Limestone Co., HH 284. Absalom, age 50, is a widower by 1870. Children of Susan Emma Billington Downs: a. Mattie Paralee Downs born 5-31-1887. b. Susan Veshtie Downs born 1884. c. Rebecca Mary Downs born 1889. d. Jerome Ira Downs born 1891. e. James Dodeel Downs born 1892. f. Donna Calie Downs born 1895. g. Jefferson A. Downs born 1896. h. David Absolam Downs born 1899. i. Fannie Jane Downs born 1901. j. Theodosia E. Downs born 1904. k. Oscar Owen Downs born 1905. l. Harvey Carl Downs born 1907. m. Lillie Gertrude Downs born 1910. E. John Levi Billington was born 10-26-1830 TN. "Levi" migrated to Texas before the Civil War and served in Co. "K," 12th Texas Cavalry under Capt. J.P. Brown. F. M. Billington was born ca 1832. V. James Billington is the direct bloodline of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas. See above. VI. Allison Billington (male) was born ca 1807 in Johnston Co., NC. He married "Elizabeth." Allison and family appear in the 1830,40, & 50 census of Ballard Co., KY. Allison was one of the heirs of his father's estate and said inheritance fell to him on 10-24-1850. See "Marshall Co., Tenn., Historical Quarterly," Vol. 13, No. 2, 1982, p. 39. Between 1850-1860 Allison and family moved to Limestone Co., TX. He appears in the 1860 census of Limestone Co. He is in HH 441. CHILDREN OF ALLISON BILLINGTON: A. William Billington born ca 1834 in Ballard Co., KY. B. Mary Billington born ca 1836 Ballard Co., KY. C. Martha Billington was born ca 1839 in Ballard Co., KY. D. Allison Billington was born ca 1841 in Ballard Co., Ky. E. Theophilus Billington was born ca 1846 in Ballard Co., KY. VII. Martha Billington was born ca 1795 in Johnston Co., NC. VIII. Elisa Billington was born ca 1798 in Johnston Co., NC. IX. Ezekiel Billington Jr., was born 5-29-1799 in Johnston Co., NC. He married Polly Ann Ivie on 12-9-1830 and joined the Mormon Church in 1836. He was a victim of all the persecutions that led to the Mormons moving West (Missouri). In the process he lost all he had including being forced to trade away 80 acres of land in order to support himself and his family during the migration West. He appears in the 1850 census of Adair Co., MO. He is in HH 118. Ezekiel died 11-18-1857 in Kirksville, Adair Co., MO. He is buried in Kirksville. Pollie Ann Ivie was born 4-7-1801 in Franklin, GA, and died 12-15, 1887 in Spring City, Sanpete Co., Utah. She is buried in Spring City. CHILDREN OF EZEKIEL BILLINGTON JR:. A. Sarah Diane Billington was born 7-12-1820 in Sullivan Co., TN, and died 7-1861 in Adair Co., MO. She married Eli Ward Alger. Eli was born 3-11-1809 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. They married ca 1841 in Kirksville. Eli died 7-1890 in Kirksville. Children of Sarah Diane Billington Alger: 1. Polly Ann Alger. 2. Alva Alger. 3. Clarissa Alger. 4. James A Alger was born ca 1849 in MO. He married "Laura A.," who was born ca 1849 in Illinois. This family appears in the 1870 census of Adair Co., in HH 6. James was a farmer and owned property worth $3000 in 1870. Living with James and Laura is Eli Alger, age 59 (he was actually 61), James father, and Martha J. Alger, age 9. Martha would appear to be Sarah and Eli's youngest child and it would appear that Sarah died in childbirth. 5. Sarah Alger. 6. Martha Jane Alger who was born ca 1861 in MO. B. Elias Billington was born 10-28-1821 in Sullivan Co., TN, and married Elizabeth Crow (b. 1825) and died 9-7-1846, C. James Anderson Billington was born 11-24-1822 in Sullivan Co., TN, married Pamela Jane Long (b. 1825) and died 1-11-1866. James appears in the 1850 census of Adair Co., Mo. He was living with the Thomas Allred family in HH 39. He also appears in the 1860 census of Adair Co., living in HH 379. The 1860 record shows his wife as "Permelia"(?). James was a farmer and owned land valued at $700. Children of James Anderson Billington: 1. James A. Billington was born ca 1855 in MO. 2. Emily Billington was born ca 1859 in MO. D. Elizabeth Billington was born 2-15-1826 in Sullivan Co., TN, married George Rice 12-9-1841. and died 10-17-1857. George was born ca 1820. In 1860 Adair Co., MO, George, now a widower, appears with his children in HH 129. He is a recorded as a farmer owning property worth $10,000. George was born ca 1822 in PA. Living with the family in 1860 is an African American man, Jeptha Sevopshire(?), age 51, and his son Levi, age ten. Living in HH 1014 is Columbus Rice age 33, born in NY, and in HH 378 (living next door to James A. Billington) is John Rice, age 37, born in PA. In 1870, George and his son Ezekiel are recorded as living in a boarding house (HH 153) and George is recorded as "lawyer" owning property valued at $1000. CHILDREN OF ELIZABETH BILLINGTON RICE: 1. Ezekiel Billington Rice born ca 1850 in MO. In 1870, Ezekiel was living in a boarding house with his father and is recorded as "without occupation." 2. N.T. Billington Rice (m) born ca 1857 in MO. Could it be that Elizabeth died in childbirth? E. Mary Ann Billington was born 7-1-1828 in Sullivan Co., TN, married William Capps, and died 11-16-1856. William was born ca 1825. In 1870 in Adair Co., HH 95 lived Lucretia Capps, age 38; in HH ; in HH 63 is George W. Capps, age 34; and in HH 66 is Isaac Capps, age 33. These folks would appear to be William's siblings. F. William Gordon Billington was born 12-9-1830 in Monroe, MO, and died 1-14-1914 in Spring City, Sanpete Co., Utah. He first married Permelia Gilliam and 2nd married Catherine Jane Morelock on 3-13-1853 in Adair Co., MO. One family genealogist ( Sharon Martin) reports that William Gordon was born 1822 & died 1897. William and Catherine appear in the 1870 census of Adair Co., MO. They are living in HH 135. William is recorded as a "farmer" owning land valued at $1000. Children of William Gordon Billington: 1. Ezekiel Billington was born ca 1856 in MO. 2. Sallie A. Billington was born ca 1861 in MO. G. John Billington was born 3-17-1833 in Monroe Co., MO. He married Sally Darrow. H. Rufus Arrapes Billington was born 4-29-1835 in Monroe Co., MO, and died 1-31-1865 in St. Louis, MO. He married Elizabeth Elvira Ledford on 2-5-1854. Rufus and family appear in the 1860 census of Adair Co., HH 1409, and are living next door to Nathaniel Billington. Rufus was a farm laborer. Elizabeth was born ca 1834 in TN. CHILDREN OF RUFUS ARRAPES BILLINGTON: 1. Z. A. Billington (m) was born ca 1855 in MO. 2. J. L. Billington (m) was born ca 1857 in MO. 3. Thomas Billington was born ca 1859 in MO. I. Nathaniel Billington was born 9-12-1837 in Caldwell, MO, and died 12-29-1922 in Spring City, Sanpete Co., Utah. He first married Hula Voss and 2nd married Oretta Louisa Brownell on 3-3-1859 in Adair Co., MO. Nathaniel was a farmer and by 1870 owned land valued at $600. Nathaniel and family appear in the 1860 &1870 census of Adair Co. In 1860 they are living in HH 1410 and in 1870 HH 58. "Louisa" was born ca 1842 in MO. In 1870, living in HH 57 was a certain Peter Brownell, age 65, born in New York. This would appear to be Louisa's father. Her mother, "Margaret," is deceased. Peter and Margaret are also appear in the 1860 census living in HH 1407. Nathaniel and Louisa appear in the 1880 census of Adair Co. They are living in HH 208 next door to James Billington. Nathaniel is farming. CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL BILLINGTON: 1. Mary R. Billington was born ca 1862 in MO. 2. Henry Billington was born ca 1864 in MO. 3. George W. Billington was born ca 1869 in MO. 4. Vincent Billington was born 1877 in MO. J. Henry Thomas Billington was born 5-23-1840 in Kirksville, Adair Co., MO, and also died in Kirksville, MO. He married Susan Sharp on 6-29-1865 in Kirksville, MO. Susan was born ca 1845. Henry and family appear in the 1870 census of Adair Co., living in HH 125. Susan was born ca 1846 in KY. Henry was a farmer and in 1870 owned land valued at $125. Henry and family appear in the 1880 census of Adair Co. They are living in HH 163. Henry is farming. CHILDREN OF HENRY THOMAS BILLINGTON: 1. Martha A. Billington was born ca 1867 in MO. 2. William H. Billington was born ca 1869 in MO. 3. Nathaniel Billington born ca 1872 in MO. 4. Marion Billington born ca 1874 in MO. 5. Lona Billington born ca 1876 in MO. 6. Jessie Billington born ca 1878 in MO. 7. Baby Billington ( an unnamed son born three months prior to the census being taken) born in MO. K. Patsy Billington was born 1-11-1842 in Shebbis Point, Monroe Co., MO. She died 1-29-1842. L. Ezekiel Alexander Billington was born 5-18-1843 in Adair Co., MO. He died 5-16-1867. He married "Jane" who was born ca 1834 in KY. Jane and children appear in the 1870 census of Adair Co., MO. They are living in HH 18 and Jane owns property valued at $800. Children of Ezekiel Alexander Billington: 1. James Billington born ca 1855 in MO. James and family appear in the 1880 census of Adair Co. He is married to "Celia" who was born ca 1854 in Ohio. They have an unnamed female daughter born one month prior to the census being taken. They are living in HH 207. James is farming. 2. Alice Billington born ca 1859 in MO. X. Alice Billington was born ca 1801 in Johnston Co., NC. XI. Jane Billington was born ca 1802 in Johnston Co., NC. XII. America Ann "Annie" Billington was born ca 1809 in Johnston Co., NC. She married William Ashley. William was born ca 1782 in NC. He was a farmer. "Annie" and family are recorded in the 1850 census of Ballard Co., KY, HH 418. Living with the family is an Edward Ashley, age 20, born in TN. "Annie" was one of the heirs of her father's estate with said inheritance falling to her on 10-24-1850. See "Marshall Co., Tenn., Historical Quarterly," Vol. 13, No. 2, 1982, pp. 38-39. CHILDREN OF ANN AMERICA BILLINGTON ASHLEY: A. Ezekiel Ashley born ca 1835 in Ballard Co., KY. B. James Ashley born ca 1837 in Ballard Co., KY. C. John Ashley born ca 1840 in Ballard Co., KY. D. Augustina Ashley born ca 1842 in Ballard Co., KY E. Jaratt Ashley was born ca 1845 in Ballard Co., KY. GENERATION ELEVEN: JAMES BILLINGTON : All of the old records from Newark, NJ, strongly indicate that Ezekiel Billington's father was a certain James Billington who was born in England in 1723 and died in Newark before 1764. He appears to have been literate, a school teacher, and a member of the "Dutch Church." He arrived in New Jersey as early as 1740 and married Anna America Garner 5-1-1742 in the "Dutch Church" in Acquackanock Township, Essex Co., NJ. The ceremony was performed by a Rev. Vaugh of Elizabethtown, NJ. (Note that Ezekiel's youngest girl was named "America Ann"). Because he could read and write he was called on frequently to witness various legal documents. The earliest record of James Billington in New Jersey occurs on 4-13-1742 when he went to court with a certain Charles Osborn. In 1745, James was witness to the LWT of a Jacob Van Winkle of Acquachanock. In 3-28 1750, he was witness to the LWT of Francis Van Dyke of Essex Co., and on 8-18-1750 witness to the LWT of Michael Freeland, also of Acquachanock. The following note appears in the New Jersey Archives, 1st Series, 12:346 (newspaper abstracts, 1740-1750): "Neither of these men used the English language much or readily in keeping accounts or in their business writings. This suggests this possibility—this able communication was penned by the schoolmaster of the neighborhood, James Billington, who would be more apt to be familiar with the history of Oliver Cromwell than a plain Jersey Dutch farmer." James was only about 41 years of age when he died; hence he did not have the opportunity to teach his son, Ezekiel, to read and write (Ezekiel would have been five years old when his father died). In 1764, his widow, Anna Garner Billington is recorded in Barbados Neck, Essex Co., NJ. She 2nd married, in the "Second River Dutch Church," a James Rolsen on 1-22-1764. James was born in England. A witness to the wedding was a certain James Bottler. Anna 3rd married a John Roskrow on 1-8-1767. John was from Cornwall, England. CHILDREN OF JAMES BILLINGTON: I. James Billington was born ca 1742. On 3-16-1759, he enlisted in the New York Militia to participate in the French and Indian War. He gave his age as seventeen and his place of birth as New Jersey. II. Samuel Billington was born ca 1745. On 12-30-1766, he witnessed the LWT of a certain Daniel Dod of Newark, NJ. He would have had to be over 21 years of age to serve as a witness. III. Ezekiel Billington is in the direct bloodline of Alexander Deaton Haas & Zachary Deaton Haas. See above. EPILOGUE: Because of the dedication and commitment of Mrs. Margaret McNut Taylor, researching the Billington family was relatively simple. By the time I became acquainted with her, she had worked for many years tracing the family's history back to old Ezekiel Billington; hence my job was made infinitely easier. By the time of her death we had become "pen pals" and good friends. Future generations of Billingtons will forever be in her debt. I regret that it was not possible to trace our Billington line back to John Billington of Mayflower fame. It would have been great fun to tell future generations that we are direct descendants of that rascal and "murderer." It is not at all difficult to believe that James Billington of Newark, New Jersey, could be a relative (nephew, cousin, etc.) of John Billington of Mayflower fame; but if such is the case, and I think it very likely is, their genetic connection was in England before they arrived her. At any rate, I plan to continue telling future family members that one of my relatives was aboard the Mayflower and was America's first documented murderer. The reasons for the Billingtons leaving North Carolina is quite clear—free (or very cheap) land in Tennessee. It is not known why they pulled up stakes and left Middle Tennessee. Neither is it known why they chose Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma as their new home land. I would very much like to know what their reasoning was when they chose to abandon Tennessee. One might speculate that conditions after the Civil War were so unbearable that "going West" made great sense to them. At any rate, tracing the Billington family line has been great fun. I truly hope some future Billington will continue the process. LDD APPENDIX a1. Picture of E.P. Billington & Nancy Tankersley. a2. " " John Thomas Billington. a3. " " Jewel Billington & Miles Griffitts. a4. " " Luther Thompson & Beulah Mae Billington. a5. " " "Pete," Beulah, & Harley Thompson. a6. " " Harold & Edna Thompson. a7. " " Carl & Ruth Gilchrist. a8. " " Harold & Ruth Thompson. a9. 1850 census of Marshall Co., TN, Trecy Billington. a10. " " " " " " William Billington. a11. " " " " " " Reuben Billington. a12. " " " " " " James Billington. a13. " " " " " " John Billington. a14. 1860 " " " " " Jessie Billington. a15. " " " " " " Reuben Billington. a16. " " " " " " John Billington. a17. 1870 " " " " " David Johnson. a18. " " " " " " Charles Farris. a19. 1880 " " " " " E.P. Billington. a20. " " " " " " Reuben Billington. a21. 1870 census of Bedford Co, TN, Eleazer J. Stewart. a22. " " " Williamson Co., TN, E.P. "Pettus" Billington. a23. " " " Maury Co., TN, James M. Billington. a25. " " " " " " Penuel Billington. a26. " " " " " " Ezekiel J. Billington. a27. 1850 census of Ballard Co., KY, William Ashley. a28. " " " " " " Anna Ashley. a29. 1850 " " McCracken Co., KY, J.A.W. Billington. a29. " " " " " " Phoebe Billington. a30. " " " " " " Ransom Billington. a31. 1870 census of Graves Co., KY, Elizabeth Billington. a32 " " " Calloway Co., KY, William Billington. a33. 1850 census of Adair Co., MO, James A. Billington. a34. " " " " " " Thomas Allred.. a35. " " " " " " Ezekiel Billington. a36. 1860 " " " " " George Rice. a37. " " " " " " Columbus Rice. a38. " " " " " " Rufus Billington. a38. " " " " " " Nathaniel Billington. a39. 1870 " " " " " Nathaniel Billington. a40. " " " " " " George W. Capps. a40. " " " " " " Isaac Capps. a41. " " " " " " George & Ezekiel Rice. a42. " " " " " " Columbus Rice. a43. " " " " " " William C. Billington. a44. " " " " " " Jane Billington. a45. 1870 census of Adair Co., MO, James A. Alger. a46. " " " " " " Henry Billington. a47. " " " " " " Lucretia Capps. a48. 1880 " " " " " Martha Billington. a49. " " " " " " Nathaniel Billington. a50. " " " " " " Henry Billington. a51. 1860 census of Limestone Co., TX, Allison Billington. a52. " " " " " " J.A. Billington. a53. " " " " " " E.J. Billington. a53. " " " " " " Nancy Billington. a54. 1870 " " " " " David Y. Billington. a55. " " " " " " Absalom Downs. a56. 1860 census of Robertson Co., TX, David Billington. a57. " " " " " " Hardy Billington. a58. 1850 census of Smith Co., TX, Hardy Billington. a59. 1910 census of Washita Co., OK, William L. Baker (Nancy, Luther, & Alta). a60. " " " " " " J. S. Thompson. a61. 1910 census of Kiowa Co., OK, James A. Jones. a62. " " " " " " Eugene W. Billington. a63. " " " " " " Eggleston P. Billington. a64. " " " " " " John Thomas Billington. a65. 1910 census of Washita Co., OK, Arch Waller. a66. 1920 census of Washita Co., OK. Lon Colvin (& "Mittie"). a67 " " " " " " Luther Thompson (& Mandy Griffitts). a68. " " " " " " Harvy Phy (& Hester). a69. 1920 census of Kiowa Co., OK, Charles J. Ware. a70. " " " " " " Wesley Billington. a71. " " " " " " Jim A. Jones. a74-75. William Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation. a76. Signers of the Mayflower Compact. a77-78. List of Passengers in the Mayflower. a79-81. LWT of John Billington. a82. 1893 Oklahoma Land Rush, Nancy R. Colvin. a83. " " " " James. F. M. Thompson. a84-85. Request for Appointment of Administrator. a86-87. LWT of Edward Penny. a88. LWT of John Gilliam. a89-90. LWT of Allen Gilliam. a91. Obituary of Nancy Tankersley Billington. a92. Death Certificate of Harley Everett Thompson. a93. " " " John Thomas Billington. a94. " " " E.P. Billington. a95. " " " Hester B. Killion. a96. " " " Louie Jacob Billington. a97. " " " Beulah Mae Thompson. a98. " " " Alpha Mae Billington. a99. Death Certificate of Nancy Billington. a100. Wyatt Cemetery. a101-102. Billington Cemetery, Limestone Co., TX.. a103. Marriage License of Ezekiel Billington. a104. Marriage record of E.P. Billington. a105. Marriage License of J.T. Billington. a106. " " " Luther Thompson & Beulah Mae Billington. a107. Duck River Riflemen, Capt. James M. Billington. a108-117. Military Record of James M. Billington. a118-126. " " " James P. Billington. a127. " " " Ruben Billington. a128-133. " " " Joseph A. Billington. a134-146. The Gilliam Family (Caroline Virginia Gilliam married John Billington). a147-148. Revolutionary War Record of Ezekiel Billington. a149-156. Battle of Eutaw Springs, SC. a157-176. Revolutionary War Pension Application of Ezekiel Billington. a170. Signature of Ezekiel Billington. a177-218. Widow's Pension Application of Esther Billington.