Message from the President, January 2003
With the coming of the New Year, new computers and stories shared at holiday get-to- gethers combine to create a renewed interest in genealogy, ultimately resulting in a surge of family history activity on the Internet during the month of January. Now is the time to make sure your message board posts and queries are up to date, and your computer and paper files are organized and ready for sharing, As you help other researchers, you will actually be helping yourself by encouraging proper genealogical practices and teaching others to love genealogy as much as you do. Best wishes to each of you for a safe, happy, healthy New Year packed with new-found ancestors, stories and even cousins. Jack Childers
Message from the Treasurer, February 2003
I thank those of you who have renewed your membership in CFA and we have a total of six new members. Three joined at the annual meeting and three more, since then. However, fifty-two members have not renewed and we would like to hear from you as soon as possible. Please notice your mailing label. If it says 02, then you do owe your dues for 03. Julia Childress
Message from the Newsletter Co-editors, February 2003
This is just a gentle reminder. Someone needs to step forward and take on this job for next year. We will not abandon you and will help you to continue the newsletter, BUT we cannot DO it after this year. Please consider giving it a try. You might like it! JoAnn Childers and Anne Ruggiero
22nd Annual Meeting, September 4-6, 2003
Conference Hotel:
Doubletree Hotel, Nashville TN
3 15 4th Avenue North
Phone: 615-244-8200
Rates: Single or Double: $79.00 + Tax
Suite: $109.00 +Tax
The hotel has agreed to honor this rate for the entire week of Sunday,
Phone: 615-244 8200 or 800 663 4230
August 31-Sunday September 7. You may come early to do research in the Nashville area and stay to go to the Grand Ole Opry. You will have a great time. The agenda of the 22nd Annual Meeting Will appear in the next issue of the Newsletter.
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Jan. 1, 2003 has arrived and we are on the Web! Here is the address for our Web Page. http://www.childers-childress.com Just click on this URL address or copy it into your search engine and it will take you to the Childers/Childress Family Association Home Page. It is hoped that the creation of a Childers-Childress website will generate more Interest in Childers-Childress genealogy. This will in turn mean more members and a larger turnout at our annual meeting.
For members who do not have computer access, you will receive this letter through our winter addition of the Newsletter. Members will be able to use their local library or friends with a computer to view the web page, send messages to the Bulletin Board, look at Family Histories and submit information to be entered on our Web Pages. To give you a brief overview of our pages, we start off with the home page, which is the one that opens up first.
Home Page: this page introduces you to the purpose of the Childers/Childress Family Association and gives my Email address so people can submit Childers/Childress information.
Association Information: from the Home Page you can click and go to Association Information, which states our bylaws and the present officers and trustees.
Membership Application: the next page is the Membership application and a picture of our coat of arms.
Family Events: this page is where we will list upcoming meetings and other events.
Family Histories: this important page will later be broken down into several subtitles as we accumulate additional information about the Childers/ Childress history. I am requesting that anyone who wants their family history included in this section to send me a file or Gedcom., as I expect that we will have a section of Gedcom. Files. We need family histories from everyone and this will be a place where there win be permanent records of your family. (Also, I feel that the more information I get out on Mosby Childers, my ancestor, the more people will see it and the chances of me getting through that brick wall will improve!)
Bulletin board: Anyone can submit a query about our family and hope that someone out there will have an answer for them. The bulletin board is automatic. People can send in their questions and the board does everything automatically. I will check the board frequently to make sure that only Childers/Childress information is entered and that nothing is being offered for sale or other commercial queries are not listed.
If you have any comments, suggestions, improvements or corrections, please contact me at childers@dca.net
Jack Childers, President
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PETER CARTER CHILDRESS of WELL SPRING, CAMPBELL CO., TENNESSEE
Peter Carter Childress, born in the Bull Run Valley (now Heiskell) in North Knox County, was the first of his family to arrive in Campbell County where he settled in the Well Spring area. Peter was the grandson of Revolutionary War pensioner (S2423) John Childress (1759-1849) and Elizabeth Lindsay (c I 760-c 1840) of Albemarle and later Amherst Counties in Virginia. In c 1785 John and his family moved to North Carolina where they lived for a year in Burke County before moving to Wilkes County for about 7-8 years. They then moved over the mountain to Knox County in c1794 just prior to Tennessee's statehood. Peter Carter's father was John and Elizabeth's oldest son Robert Lindsay (1780-1869) who was born in Amherst Co., Virginia. Robert married in 1805 but by 1809 he was left a widower with two small children. In 1812 he traveled from Knox Co. back to Virginia where he met the daughter of Peter Carter (1776-?) and Elizabeth Sandidge (1770-?), Kesiah Carter. Kesiah and Robert were married in Amherst Co., Virginia on January 4, 1812, and their first child Peter Carter Childress was born in July the following year.
Peter Carter Childress was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of Joel and Edith Meadows of Anderson Co., Tennessee. 1837-38 found Peter on the tax roll of Campbell Co. as a payer of Poll tax. He was able to purchase land of his own in 1843 and built what has proven to be a sturdy home close to the foot of the mountain. This home was located just below a lower elevation of the mountain that is to this day noted on maps as Childress Gap. The home was sold c 1903 to George G. Hayse, and three years later, George's son Ed Hayes and his young wife moved into the dwelling. As late as 1971 the widowed Mrs. Hayes, at age 87, was still living in the home that Peter Childress had built. The main house has only recently, c 1995, been taken down with one -of the out buildings, a smokehouse, being moved to and displayed at John Rice Irwin's Museum of Appalachia at Norris, Tennessee.
Peter and Elizabeth were the parents of 12 children with 10 living to adulthood. He was reported to have been an excellent fanner and family oral history says that he was also skilled as a tanner and stonecutter. Peter's great granddaughter the late Gretna Ausmus Childress recounted that the stone foundation as well as the stone steps of the Well Spring Methodist Church were cut and laid by Peter. In the fall of 1993 at the celebration of the 150' anniversary of the Churches founding, the foundation was firm and the stone steps were still in use. Sadly the stone steps, have recently been replaced by steps made of concrete. If one looks today at the beautiful cut granite surrounding the graves of Peter and Elizabeth, his skill as a stone cutter is validated.
Peter's oldest child Robert Lindsay was married March 22, 1855 to Ellen Mozingo. R. L. and Ellen had seven children, and it was R. L. who built a new home c 1900 that is also located close to the base of the mountain and about one and one-half mile to the East of the old Peter Carter Childress farm. This structure, now located on the east end of Back Valley Road, on the 300 acre farm was the home for several successive generations of this Childress family. After R. Us passing, his son James M. and his family along with bachelor brother William P. lived in the "big" house. While Alvis Lindsay (Abb), the youngest of R. L's children, and his wife Callie built and raised their family in a smaller home on the farm. Alvis eventually bought the entire farm and his sons Roy and Harold lived and worked on the farm until their deaths. R.L. and Ellen along with their son James and his first wife Jessie are buried a short distance
Page 4
from the main house in a small family plot on this 2' Childress farm in Well Spring. R. L.'s son's William, Robert, and Alvis and spouses are buried in the Well Spring Cemetery while another son Peter Grant, a former Superintendent of Schools in Campbell Co., is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Knoxville.
Other members of the Childress clan from the Bull Run Valley in Knox. Co. came into Campbell County but did not seem to put down firm roots. First, William Childress (1793 to after 1850) a son of John (1759), brother of Robert Lindsay (1780), and uncle of Peter, was living in Campbell County in 1837. He married his 2nd wife Nancy Langley(sp) on January 9' 1839 and they were enumerated in the 1840 census of Campbell County. Based on Knox County Court records regarding the settlement of his father John's estate, William was still living in Campbell Co. in 1849. However he moved during this year as he is enumerated in the Scott Co. census of 1850. His son Arthur Lindsay was in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Other members of this family who spent time in Campbell Co. include Peter's brothers William Carter (1815-1894) who married Jane Meadows and Elisha (I 823-c 1922) who married Lucy Meadows. Jane and Lucy were sisters of Peter Carter's wife Elizabeth. William Carter had moved from Knox to Campbell County by 1850 as he is so listed in the Federal Census. However by the time of the 1860 census he is found back in Knox County. He can not be found in the 1870 count but is again in Campbell County for the 1880 census. It can be assumed that he relocated back to Knoxville prior to his death as he and Jane are buried in the Mt. Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery near the graves of his father Robert and grandfather John. Elisha and Lucy were living in Knox County at the time of the 1850 census but are found in Campbell County in the census of 1860. They are back in Knox County by the 1870 census and again in the 1880 census.. It almost seems that William and Elisha may have swapped locations from time to time.
It certainly appears that Peter Carter Childress was the family member who was determined to make his home in Campbell County as once he arrived he never relocated to other areas. Peter's uncle William, his brother William Carter, and his brother Elisha came and went but none were living in the Campbell County at the time of their death. Peter and Elizabeth are buried in the Bowman Cemetery located in Well Spring at the comer of Hayse Lane and Back Valley Road. Although there may be descendants of William Carter Childress in Campbell County, it would seem that Peter Carter Childress would be the most logical candidate to be considered the progenitor of most of 'the Childresses of Campbell County.
Peter Carter Childress (II Jul 1813 to 22 Sep 1868) and Elizabeth Meadows (17 Sep 1842 to I Mar 1889) were parents of 12 children:
1. Robert Lindsay CHILDRESS b. 1835 d. 1913 m. m. Ellen MOZINGO b 1836 d 1920
2. Edith (Edy) Kesiah CHILDRESS b 1837 d 1906 m. John Stiner SPANGLER
b 1842 d 1894. Buried in Union Co.
3. Joel Carter CHILDRESS b 183 8 d ? M.. Sarah (Sally) LAMBDIN b 1842 d ?
4. William Lindsay CHILDRESS b 1839 d 1884 m.. Ann COPWFHTE b 1845 ' d 1888
5 Lydia Elizabeth CIMDRESS b 1840 d 1906 m.. William W. HENEAGAR
6. James Monroe CHILDRESS b 1841 d 1907 m.. Martha A. BOWMAN b 1940 d ?
7. Mary Louisa CHILDRESS b 1842 d 1925 m.. Evan Lambdin
Page 5
8.Lucy Jane CHILDRESS b 1845 d 1923 m.. Andrew HENAGAR b 1844 d ?
9. Sarah Helen CHILDRESS b 1846 d
10. Infant b/d 1847
11. Peter Madison CHILDRESS b 1848 d 1927 m. Mary Alice LITTLE b 1850 d 189.3
12. Infant b/d 1849
Robert (R. L.) Childress (5 Sep 183 5 to 15 Sep 1915) and Ellen Mozingo(I 7 Sep 1842 to I Mar
1889) were parents of 7 children:
1. Elizabeth CHILDRESS b 1856 d 1906 m.. William Maupin
2. James M. CHILDRESS b 1861 d 1922 m.. Jessie d 1906, M.. Emma ROGERS b
1878 d 1950
3. Peter Grant CHILDRESS b 1864 d 1939 m.. L. Ella DAVIS b 1875 d 1959
4. Alice Helen CHILDRESS b 1867 d 1936 m.. H. D. Wilder
5. Robert Madison CHILDRESS b 1872 d 1955 m.. Katie HAYES
6. William Patton CHILDRESS b 1875 d 1940 unmarried
7. Alvis Lindsay CHILDRESS b 1878 d 1959 m.. Mary Callie Eden b 1886 d 1962
Alvis (Abb) Childress (12 Oct 1878 to 9 Feb 1959) and Mary Callie Eden (18 Aug 1886 to 13 Feb 1962) were the parents of 6 children:
1. Earl Huber CHILDRESS b 1908 d 1960 m.. Una Christinia FOX b 1919 d
2. Gretna Ellen CHILDRESS b 1909 d 2000 m.. Harry Lee Ausmus b 1905 d 1971
3. James Roy CHILDRESS b1911 d1979 m.. Susan Beatrice (Bea) Moore b1919 d1967
4. Harold George Childress b 1915 d 1966 m.. Ruby Yoakum
5. Latha Ann CHILDRES S b 1917 d 2000 m.. Thomas A. F. Eagar b 1914
I6. mojean CHILDRESS b1922 m.. HyluardH. McCurry b1910-d1994
Earl Huber Childress (I I May 1908 to 16 Sep 1960) and Una Christinia Fox (27 Jan 1919 to) were the parents of 3 children:
1. Joseph (Jay) H. Childress b 1937 m.. Carolyn C. COGDELL b 1939
2. Robert E. CHILDRESS b 1943 m.. Gail Moses; 2' Belinda Fleenor
3. Mary Sharon CHILDRESS b 1949 m.. Larry Warren COOPER b1948
Dr. Joseph H. Childress
Knoxville, Tennessee
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Bible Record of the Peter Carter Family, an early settler of Campbell County who lived in the Well Spring Community.
My late Aunt, Gretna Childress Ausmus, passed the family bible of the R.L. Childress
Family to me in September of 1999,.Within, the pages of the Bible was found an ancient
piece of paper which was folded into thirds. On one side of the paper in the middle third
was written, "The Record of Our Years" and it was signed by. Peter C. Childress. The
double "s" in his surname appears to have been written using the old style of writing s
To. the modem- reader it would appear to be “y’s” rather than double
On the reverse side of the single sheet of paper is found an enumerating of the names and dates of birth of himself, his wife Elizabeth, and their twelve children. Through the first seven entries, the. writing appears to have been scribed. by the same, person, perhaps Peter. The next seven names appear to have been written by another individual. My Aunt
has written at the top of the list the relationship of Peter to her and to her father. Also she
wrote at the bottom of the page that Peter Childress himself recorded the information.
The fragile paper is now broken apart at the fold lines and I suspect will not be around much longer. The enclosed copy of both sides of the single page is copied on acid free paper and hopefully can be -maintained for many years. Refer to pages 8-9.
Records from the . Peter Carter Childress Family
The next two pages include records of births and deaths within.the family of Peter C. Childress as recorded by his son, R.L. Childress. Again, Gretna C. Ausmus wrote R.L. Childress,. father of Abb (Alvis Lindsey Childress), Gretna's father had recorded the names. Refer to pages 10- 11.
Bible Records from the R.L. Childress Family
R.L. (Robert, Lindsay) was the. oldest child of Peter Carter Childress. The seven children and a grandchild of R.L. and Elen are listed, and again, Gretna C. Ausmus adds a personal note.. Gretna was also a grandchild of R.L. and Elen. Of interest is that Elen J. is the. name listed for R.L.'s wife, but on the gravestone at the private Cemetery on the Childress Farm her initials are engraved M.E. Her surname. was Mozingo. Refer to pages 12-13.
Bible Records from the Family of Alvis Lindsay Childress (Abb)
Abb was the son of R. L. Childress and many of these records are written in his hand. I placed the final two entries as two of my Aunts passed away during 2000. Greta had given me these records about SiX months before her death. Refer to pages 14-15-16.
Dr. Joseph "Jay" Childress
383 1 south Lake Dr.
Knoxville Tennessee 37920
Page 8
Great Grandfather of Gretna’s and A. L. Childress grandfather
Peter Childress was born July the 11, 1813
Elizabeth Childress was born September 11, 1812
Robert L. Childress was born September 5, 1835
Edey Childress was born September 7, 1937
Joel Childress was born March the 31, 1838
William L. Childress was born July 27, 1839
Lydia Childress was born September 12, 1840
James M. Childress was born Nov, 4, 1841
Mary Louisa Childress was born Nov. 15, 1842
Lucy J. Childress was born May 9, 1845
Sarah H. Childress was born May 8, 1846
One Son Childress was born June 10, 1747 & died the same day
Peter M. Childress was born June 11, 1848
One Son Childress was born September 5, 1849 and died the 6.
By Peter Childress
Page 9
The records our ages
By Peter Childress
Page 10
Written by R. L. Childress father of Abb or A. L.
Marriages
R. L. Childress & Elen J Childress was married March 22, 1855.
Births
R. L. Childress eas born 5 Sep 1835
Elen J. R. L. Childress was born 19 Aug 1836
Edy Elizabeth Childress was born 4 jun 1856
James M. Childress was born 13 Apr 1861
Peter G. Childress was born 23 Jul 1864
Alice H. Childress was born 19 Jul 1867
Page 11
Births
Written by R. L. Childress father of Abb or A. L.
Robert M. Childress was born 22 Mar 1872
William Patty Childress was born 27 Sep 1875
Aluis Childress was born 12 Oct 1878
Stella Grace Childress was born 21 Aug 1885
Deaths
Peter C. Childress departed this life 22 Sep 1868
Elizabeth Childress departed this life 1 March 1889
Eaedy Childress departed this life 4 Oct 1906
Jesse Childress departed this life 4 Nov 1906
R. L. Childress departed this life 15 Sep 1915
Elen J. Childress departed this life 11 Mar 1920
James m. Childress departed this life 2 mar 1922
Page 12 Taken from bible Pages
Marriages
R. L. Childress and Elen J. Childress was married 22 Mar 1855.
Page 13 Taken from bible Pages
Births These are the children of R. L and Elen J. Childress by Gretna (I knew of them all )
R. L. Childress was born 5 Sep 1835
Elen J. Childress was born 17 Aug 1836
James M. Childress was born18 Apr 1861
Eady E. Childress was born 4 Jun 1856
Peter G. Childress was born23 Jul 1864
Alice H. Childress was born19 Jul 1867
Robert M. Childress was born22 Mar 1872
William S. Childress was born27 Sep 1875
Aluis L. Childress was born 12 Oct 1878
Stella Grace Childress was born 21 Aug 1885 (a grandchild)
Page 14 Births Taken from bible records
Aluis L. Childress was born 12 Oct 1878
Callie Childress was born 18 Aug 1886
Earllie H. Childress was born 11 May 1908 died 16 Sep 1960
Gretna E, Childress was born 26 Nov 1909
James R. Childress was born7 Sep 1911 died 30 Dec 1979
Harold G. Childress was born27 Aug 1915 died 28 Mar 1966
Latha A Childress was born 27 Feb 1917
Page 15 Marriages Taken from bible records
Latha A Childress was born 27 Feb 1917 and Thomas A. F. Eagar 24 Dec 1949
Harry L. Ausmus b. 2 Jan 1905 & Gretna C. Childress 30 Dec 1928
Harold b. Childress and Ruby H Yaakum 22 Jan 1938
Earl H. Childress and Una Fox
James Ray Childress and Beatrice Moore b. 17 Dec 1919 d. 16 Oct 1960
Imogene Childress b. 23 Sep 1922 and Hylard H McCurry
Page 16 Deaths Taken from bible records
Aluis L. Childress Taken 9 Feb 1959
Callie Ednes 13 Feb 1962
Earl H. 16 Sep 1960
Alvis L. Childress 13 Feb 1962
Harold G. Childress28 Mar 1966
Ray Childress 30 Dec 1974
Gretna C. Ausmus 22 Sep 2000
Latha C. Eagar 18 Mar 2000
Imogene Childress ?
