NANCY'S DEAD RELATIVES

Ashford: Generation 6

Some Children of Thomas Harrison Ashford & Jane Elgin

Thomas Harrison Ashford & Caroline Tate

8 Sep 1819: Thomas Harrison Ashford Junior was born in Lawrence County, AL.[1] 

15 Dec 1824: Caroline G. Tate was born in Alabama, the daughter of Enos and Nancy McAllister Tate.[2]  Enos was reputed to be the first settler of Huntsville.

16 Jul 1850: Thomas and Caroline were married by [Thomas' brother-in-law] Rev. David Breidenthal in Courtland, Lawrence County, AL.[3] 

The couple resided in the home built c. 1830 by Enos Tate.  It was in turn owned by son Thomas Tate Ashford, who named it "The Plantation".  Susan Munger Ragland, who'd inherited the house, attempted to save it by donating it to Historic Nashville, but to no avail.  It was later demolished.

A Thomas Ashford patented several parcels at the Huntsville Land Office: 1) 40 acres, NW 1/4 NW 1/4 S15 T5 R8W on 15 Nov 1852; 40 acres, SW 1/4 NW 1/4 S35 T5 R7W on 15 Jun 1854; 3) 320 acres, SE 1/4 and E 1/2 of SW 1/4 and SE 1/4 NW 1/4 of S35 T5 R7W on 1 Mar 1858.  The question is: Was this Thomas Harrison Ashford Junior or Senior?

The copy was extremely faint, but I think it read . . . 1860 Census, Limestone County, AL: Farmer Thomas Ashford 40 with real and personal property valued at $21,000 and $40,330; Caroline, Thomas H. and a male named ______ Spain, aged 60.[4]   There was a John S. Ashford (22 Sep 1817 - 17 Sep 1852) who had resided in Limestone County.  He was the son of George and Mary Chapell Ashford of SC.

9 Sep 1863: Thomas died in Lawrence County.

1 Sep 1870: Caroline T. Ashford versus William M. and Emma C. High [formerly Tate] of Ellis County, TX, and William and Ada Matkin of Madison County, AL.  Edward Ashford of Lawrence County, AL testified to the truth of Caroline's petition.[5]

9 Jun 1880 Census, Limestone County, AL (District 193, T5R3): Farmer Carrie T. Ashford 54, a widow; Thomas 23, a farmer; Fred E. 17, a farmer; Elizabeth Grey, black servant age 18.[6]

20 Mar 1899: Caroline Tate Ashford died in Birmingham, AL.[7]

Children of Thomas Harrison and Caroline Tate Ashford:

Augustus Ashford (19 Dec 1852 - 10 Feb 1859)

Caroline Tate Ashford (30 Nov 1855 -     )

Thomas Tate Ashford (27 Sep 1857 - 9 Feb 1930; m. Susan Swope 31 Dec 1885)

In a 1887 biography:

Thomas Tate Ashford, business man, was born in Limestone [sic] County, Alabama, September 27, 1857; son of Thomas H. and Caroline (Tate) Ashford, natives of Alabama; grandson of Thomas and Jane (Elgin) Ashford, early settlers of Lawrence County, and of Enos Tate, the first settler of Huntsville, who came to Alabama from Elbert County, Ga; great grandson of Hezekiah and Sinai Elgin of Jessamine County, Ky. He attended private schools until the age of seventeen; was graduated from East Tennessee University, Knoxville, Tenn. in 1877, and took the diplomatic course in the commercial college at Lexington, Ky. He became bookkeeper for the firm Hendricks & Ables, Little Rock, Ark. for four years; traveling salesman for Cole Manufacturing Company of Memphis, Tenn. for eight months; entered partnership with H. H. Mayberry at Birmingham* in the paint, oil, glass, and wallpaper business from 1885-1936; formed a stock company, the Birmingham Paint & Glass company, and was elected president.  Married: December 31, 1885, Susie Swope of Wheeler, daughter of Captain Charles C. Swope.  Residence: Birmingham.[8]

*The partnership with Mayberry dissolved after only one year.

1 Jun 1900 Census, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL (Precinct 37): Thomas Ashford 40, born Sep 1857, AL AL AL, a merchant in paints and oil; Susie 34, born May 1866, AL AL KY; Etolie V. 13, born Oct 1886, AL AL AL; black servant William Williams 26, born Sep 1873, GA GA GA; black servant Cilectra 23, born 1877, GA GA GA, working as the cook.[9]

12 Jan 1920 Census, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL: Tom T. Ashford 60, AL AL AL, president of paint and glass store; Susie 51, AL AL AL; daughter Etoile Caldwell 32, divorced; grandson Robert M. Caldwell 10.[10]

Thomas is buried in the Tate Cemetery, located in the NW 1/4 of S14 T5 R3, Limestone County.[11] 

Children of Thomas Tate and Susan Swope Ashford:

Etoile Virginia Ashford (4 Oct 1886 -     ; m. 1st ______ Caldwell, m. 2nd  Robley C. Munger)

Nancy Jane Ashford (4 Dec 1860 - 23 Oct 1864)

Frederick Elgin Ashford (21 Jun 1863 - 30 Dec 1896; m. Lucie Lee Byrd 27 Sep 1882)

Lucie, who was born 8 Dec 1862 in Lawrence County, was the daughter of Bolling Byrd and Grizelle Torian.  Lucie died on 30 Dec 1937.

1 Jun 1900 Census, Courtland, Lawrence County, AL: Widow Lucie B. Ashford 37, born Dec 1862, AL VA VA, mother of 7 children, 5 living; Thomas B. 16, born Jul 1883, AL AL AL, employed as a "compositor"; Mattie B. 12, born Oct 1887; Annie B. 10, born Aug 1889; Frederick E. 9, born May 1891; Nannie T. 7, born Feb 1893; sister Jeff E. Byrd 35, born Dec 1864, AL VA VA; boarder Helen B. Torian 18, born 18 Jun 1881, AL VA VA.[12]

Fred was shot and killed in Courtland by Felix T. Brown.  His horse reportedly went home, arriving there with Fred dead in the saddle.[13]  He is buried in Courtland Cemetery.

21 Apr 1910 Census, Courtland, Lawrence County, AL (Precinct 2): Lucie B. Ashford 47, AL VA VA, a widow, mother of 7 children, 5 living; Annia B. 22, AL AL AL, a schoolteacher; Fred E. 18; Nanna Y. 17; sister Jeff Byrd 45, AL VA VA, a widow.[14]

Children of Fred Elgin and Lucie Byrd Ashford:

Thomas Bolling Ashford (25 Jul 1883 - 14 Nov 1954)

Jeff Ella Ashford (5 Apr 1885 - 5 Aug 1885)

Edward Clinton Ashford (25 Mar 1886 - 28 Sep 1888)

Mattie Byrd Ashford (11 Oct 1887 - 27 Feb 1959; m. Oscar Brothers Locke)

Annie Bynum Ashford (27 Aug 1889 - 6 Apr 1974; m. Carl Thomas Hopper)

Frederick Elgin Ashford (31 May 1891 - 25 Apr 1961; m. Marguerite Locke 18 Feb 1926)

Nannie Tate Ashford (14 Feb 1893 - 12 Jun 1976; m. Joseph Faulkner Hollenbeck)

Catherine Lucella Ashford & David Breidenthal »

Frederick Augustus Ashford

19 Apr 1830: "Fred" Ashford was born in Lawrence County, AL.

1850 Census, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, TN:  Frederick Ashford, age 19, born AL, was residing (along with Edward and Alva Ashford) in the household of Mary Mitchell.  The brothers were attending Union University.[15]

1 Mar 1858: Fred bought 159.6 acres from the Huntsville Land Office.

1860 Agricultural Census, Lawrence County, AL: F. A. Ashford was listed in the Northern Division, yet without any acreage.[16]  On the Slave Schedule, he was listed as the owner of 23 slaves.

Fred Rowe claims that he was a physician. He was also a Baptist and a Democrat.[17]

18 Jul 1861: After raising Company B, Frederick A. Ashford officially enlisted as its Captain.  It saw action at Fishing Creek, KY, Shiloh, Perryville, KY, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, GA, Nashville, and Franklin, TN.  He was promoted to Major of the 16th Regiment, Alabama Infantry on 17 Jun 1863, Lieutenant Colonel on 7 Oct 1863; and Colonel on 26 Mar 1864.  He appeared on an inspection report of Lowery's Brigade, Cleburne's Division, the Army of TN, in Atlanta, GA on 25 Aug 1864 and a second inspection report in Jonesboro, GA on 14 Sep 1864.  "He was distinguished for bravery at Murfreesboro, Lookout Mountain, Dalton, Kennesaw, and Atlanta."[18]

30 Nov 1864: Frederick died leading a charge at the Battle of Franklin, TN.  "Frederick A. Ashford was Captain of Company B, in the Sixteenth, which he raised and organized.  When McGaughey was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel he became Major of the regiment in his stead, and when Colonel McGaughey was killed he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel.  Colonel Ashford was an officer of very fine person and polished manners, was a splendid officer, and was always at the post of danger.  His gallantry on many occasions will be recorded as we proceed with the history of the regiment.  His brilliant career was closed at the bloody battle of Franklin, where he fell leading a charge of his regiment."[19]  It was said of him that "the noble and true Fred Ashford, who never ordered his men to go forward, but to follow him . . ."[20]

Appearing in the Christian Herald: "Tribute of respect to the Memory of Col. Fred Ashford, late of Courtland, Alabama . . . four long years . . . upon the open field . . . yet on the last day of Autumn 1864, before the little town of Franklin, Tenn . . . he died."  Signed H. Russellville, Feb 1, 1865"

"The Masonic Fraternity of Courtland, Ala., will pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of Col. F. A. Ashford, on the second Sabbath, 14 January next, at 11 o'clock a.m.  Services in the Baptist - Sermon by Rev. Joseph Shackelford, etc.  J. C. Baker, M. E. H. P. Courtland Chapter, No. 47, Dec. 22, 1866."[21]

The Confederate veterans camp at Town Creek was named for him.

Edward Clinton Ashford

24 Sep 1822: Edward was born in Lawrence County, AL.[22]

1850 Census, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, TN: Alva Ashford, age 16, born AL, was residing (along with Frederick and Edward Ashford) in the household of Mary Mitchell.  The brothers were attending Union University.[23]

Edward became a physician, attending medical school in Philadelphia.  He first practiced in Madison County, AL, returning to Courtland in 1870.[24] 

August 1870 Census, Lawrence County, KY (Township 4, Range 7, Courtland P.O.): Retail merchant Alva E. Ashford 36, born AL, with real and personal property estimated at $17,000 and $6,000; farmer Edward C. 38, born AL, with real and personal property worth $6,000 and $4,000; domestic servant James McGee, age 24, born NC.[25] 

1 Sep 1870: Caroline T. Ashford versus William M. and Emma C. High [formerly Tate] of Ellis County, TX, and William and Ada Matkin of Madison County, AL.  Edward C. Ashford of Lawrence County, AL testified to the truth of Caroline's petition.[26]

17 Jun 1880 Census, Leighton Township, Lawrence County, AL (Beat 4): Farmer and physician E. C. Ashford 47, AL VA MD; black laborer Giles Swope 58, AL GA GA; black laborer Frank Sherrod 14, AL AL AL.[27]

E.C. Ashford was listed among taxpayers in Courtland, Beat 2, for 1895.  The tax assessed was $2.64.[28]

"A genial companion, and a man of the kindest heart, but he is not yet married".[29]

17 Nov 1896: Edward died.[30]

Alva Elgin Ashford & Caroline T. Fletcher

10 Jul 1834: Alva was born in Lawrence County, AL.

27 Dec 1847: Caroline T. Fletcher was born, the daughter of Dr. Nathan Fletcher and Sarah Smith.

1850 Census, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, TN: Alva Ashford, age 16, born AL, was residing (along with Frederick and Edward Ashford) in the household of Mary Mitchell.  The brothers were attending Union University.[31]

He later attended Emory and Henry College, then the University of Virginia[32], but returned to Alabama to attend to the family plantation and tannery.

7 May 1859: Jonathan Gray wrote in his journal that he had "settled with Alva Ashford for all of our accounts for the year 1858 and up to this date & he falls a little in my debt.  I got a small side of harness leather and my boots half soled.  All included in our settlement this date above."[33]  On 3 Jan 1860 "A. Ashford's mules runaway with the waggon and broke Negro Henry's arm.  Dr. Coons is here doctoring him."  On 14 Jan Milton "went to Ashford's tanyard and got Mary and Caroline shoes and himself a pair."   On 9 May he "seny $10 to A. Ashford by Hendricks."  On 3 November: "I have sent A. Ashford 43 lbs. of dry hide and 44 lbs. of green hide and I sent for my account."   On 11 Dec: I went and settled with A. E. Ashford up to this date and he falls in my debt $5.60."  On 20 Feb 1861: "I sent a dry hide to Ashford, weight 12 lbs. and a piece of ragged harness leather."   On 17 Feb: "I went to Jones Mill and met A. Ashford.  He give me his account all wrong."  The next day Gray "went to Courtland and give A. Ashford back his account to correct.  I got a letter from Capt. Ashford with $18 in it and a subscription list to buy a horse for F. Oliver." On 20 Aug "Ashford's company and 3 others left Courtland for the wars."  On 1 Sep: "Milton and Billy has gone to Ashford tanyard to get him a pair of shoes."[34] Was the tannery only Ava's enterprise?

In Early Settlers of Alabama:

Alva E. Ashford, a prominent farmer of Courtland, Ala., was born in Lawrence county, that state, July 10, 1834.  He is the youngest of five children born to Thomas and Jane (Elgin) Ashford, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Maryland.  The father of Thomas Ashford was John Ashford, of Virginia, and the father of Mrs. Jane Ashford was Hezekiah Elgin of Maryland.  Alva E. Ashford was reared and educated in Alabama.  He is a farmer by occupation and owns 1,300 acres of land, 400 acres of which is under cultivation.  He is a very successful farmer and a good, substantial citizen.  He was married , in 1871, to Miss Carrie Fletcher of Alabama.  Mr. and Mrs. Ashford have no children, but they have adopted two daughters who bear the name of Ashford.  Mr. Ashford in 1861 enlisted in Company B, Sixteenth Alabama Infantry, and served about a year, when he was wounded and disabled for service for some time.  When he had sufficiently recovered he raised and equipped a company at his own expense, which became Company C, Thirty-fifth Alabama Infantry, and he was made its captain.  After serving in this capacity for eighteen months he was promoted to be major, and a few months later was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel, which position he held till the close of the war.  He commanded the regiment in several battles and was, in fact, the colonel of the regiment.  He was always a brave soldier, and on the field of Corinth he was complimented by General Albert Russ, and his bravery was mentioned in the record of that battle.  He was in the battles around Jackson, Miss., Port Hudson, and at Champion Hill, his division being the only one that escaped the enemy from this battleground, the others going into Vicksburg, and being ultimately captured.  He was in the Georgia campaign including the battles around Atlanta.  He was at Franklin and Nashville.  He had charge of the skirmishes at Columbia, followed the Union men into town, drove them out and took charge of the place.  He was in the short and sharp fight at Spring Hill, Tenn., and at the battle of Nashville he was wounded in the right ankle while trying to rally his men, who were retreating.  As he was a valiant soldier on the battlefield, so since then he has been a leader in the ranks of the democracy, and he has been quite prominent in the politics of his county.  He was elected to the state legislature, in 1866, by the largest majority given any man in the county.  He has always contributed liberally toward all worthy public enterprises and takes great interest in all things pertaining to the general welfare.  He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. 

As documented in Jonathan Gray's journal above, Capt. Alva Ashford's Company had left Courtland to join their regiment on 20 Aug 1861.  Alva  was promoted from Captain to Major (of Buford's Brigade, Loring's Division) on 12 Nov 1862, and from Major to Lieutenant Colonel by 31 Dec 1863 when he signed a requisition as such in Canton, MS.[35]   Other requisitions were signed by him in that rank through 31 Mar 1864.

According to Thomas Owen, Alva was a Democrat and a Mason.[36]

August 1870 Census, Lawrence County, AL (Township 4 Range 7, Courtland P.O.): Retail merchant Alva E. Ashford 36, born AL, with real and personal property estimated at $17,000 and $6,000; farmer Edward C. 38, born AL, with real and personal property worth $6,000 and $4,000; domestic servant James McGee, age 24, born NC.[37] 

16 Feb 1871: Alva and "Carrie" were married "near Mooresville".[38]

3 Mar 1871: He was listed as an owner of  "Tweedy and Ashford's Grocery and Dry Goods.[39]  R. E. Tweedy was the other partner.

17 Jun 1880 Census, Leighton Township, Lawrence County, AL (Beat 4): Farmer A. E. Ashford 45, AL VA MD; Carrie 22, AL VA AL; adopted daughter Clara 6, MS AL AL; adopted daughter Josie 3, MS AL AL; boarder J. N. Smith 67, SC Ireland Ireland; black servant/cook Tubia Canten 24, VA VA VA; "cook's daughter" Sallie Canton 6, AL AL AL; black laborer Lawrence Sharpest 34, AL NC MD.[40]

1895: Mrs. C. T. Ashford was listed among the taxpayers in Courtland, Beat 2, in 1895.  Also on the same page were Mrs. E. C., L. B., H. E. ["Admr"], Miss Josie, F. C. Ashford, and Ashford and Rebman.[41]  

5 Mar 1897: Caroline Fletcher Ashford died.  She is buried in Ashford Cemetery.[42]

In 1899 Alva was still residing in "the old mansion".

According to Jane A. Rowe, Alva owned 1,300 acres.[43]

1900 Census, Mountain Home, Lawrence County, AL (Precinct 4): Cattle dealer Robert G. Coatner 28, born Feb 1872, TN TN TN, married for 7 years; Clara A. 26, born Dec 1873, MS AL AL, mother of 3 children all living; Carrie b. 6, born May 1894, TN TN MS; Josie 4, born Sep 1895, AL TN MS; Robert M. 2, born Oct 1897, AL TN MS;  father-in-law Alva Ashford 66, born July 1834, AL VA MD, employed as a cotton buyer; Jane B. Foster 35, black servant; Jackson Murphy, 45, born Jun 1854, married for 23 years; Mariah Murphy 59, born 1841, married for 23 years, mother of 3 children, 2 living.[44]

7 Jul 1904: Alva died in  and was buried in was buried in Ashford Cemetery.   According to Fred Rowe, the cemetery is located in NE 1/4 S23 T4 R8W, in a private field about 1 1/2 miles west of Courtland on Hwy 20/72.  It's about 1/2 mile north of Rock Pond and the bride on Hwy 20/72W, where the old 20/72 merges into the new Courtland bypass.

Alva and Carrie had no children but adopted her two nieces, the daughters of Oliver Perry and Josephine Fletcher Sanders, who had died of yellow fever in Granada, MS.

1. Clara Saunders/Ashford (born 12 Dec 1873, married Robert George Cortner/Coatner)

2. Josephine "Josie" Saunders/Ashford (born 1877, married Bradley Bibb)