Possible Relatives in Weakley County

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Abel Jones

12 Oct 1813: Abel was born in NC.

4 Aug 1816: Mary Frances Ward was born in Rutherford County, TN, the daughter of Henry J. and Penelope Ward and therefore sister of James Jordan Ward of Weakley County.[1]

1840 Census, Weakley County,  TN: 1 male 20-30; 1 female 5-10, 1 20-30.[2]

1842 Weakley County Tax List (District 9): Abel was listed with 1 poll, 220 acres valued at $425.

19 Jan 1843: He purchased 220 acres and 158 poles in District 13, R2 S5, Weakley County adjoining Gilbert Patterson from N. K. and D. E. Jones for $525.[3] 

28 Dec 1848: Samuel Baker bought 50 acres for $56.50 from N. K. and D. E. Jones.  The land is described as adjoining Able Jones, John Jenkins, William Hays, and Sam's own land.[4]  In 1880, Henry Jones had ward Mintie Jenkins, age 18, residing in his household.

10 Feb 1849: Abel sold 12 acres to George W. Ward for $36 with the stipulation that Penelope Ward was to have title and claim until her death.  This parcel was described as adjoining Gilbert Patterson, Joseph Abner, and Abel's own line.[5]

1850 Census, Weakley Co, TN: Farmer A. Jones 37, born NC, with real estate valued at $1,000; Mary 34, born TN; Elizabeth 23; Robert 13.  According to Frances Michaelcheck, Abel and Mary had no children of their own, but raised Mary, Elizabeth, Robert, and Scrap (or Dick) Lowery.  Mary Lowery (1 May 1833 - 9 May 1880) shares a tombstone with Abel and Mary in Patterson Cemetery.  Who were their parents?  Robert Lowery had married Mary Miller c. 1800, but surely they would have been an earlier generation?  A James Lowery, age 36. died 1 Sep 1834 in Rutherford County, TN.  Although no names are mentioned in his obituary, it does state that James was a father.  A Mary Lowry signed her will in 1845 in Rutherford County.[6] 

1860 Census, Weakley County, TN: Farmer A. Jones 47, born NC, with real and personal property worth $2,000 and $3,000 respectively; Mary 43, born TN.

1880 Census, Weakley County, TN  (District 9): Farmer 68, NC NC NC; Mary H. age 65, TN NC NC; mulatto John Wilburn 12; Peter Seates 76, a black servant.[7]  Abel is listed as a Mulatto.  This was not the case; he was never so identified on any other occasion.

21 Jul 1879: Abel signed his will.  In it, he bequeathed all his property to wife Mary Frances.  Witnesses: J. T. Hamilton and W. R. Connell.[8]

Monday, 24 Jan 1881: Abel died in his home in Weakley County and was buried in Patterson Cemetery, Greenfield, TN.   In the death notice printed in the Dresden Democrat he was described him as "an old and respected citizen of the 9th civil district".[9]

23 Oct 1897: Mary Ward Jones died.  She was buried alongside her husband in Patterson Cemetery.         

William "Buck" Orr

22 Sep 1865: William M. Orr, called "Buck", was born in TN.[10]  His parents are unknown, so either parent could be related to Darling or Margaret Miller Jones.  He was made a ward of Darling Jones between 1870 and 1880.  According to Mary Alice Liggett, his granddaughter, the family always referred to Darling as "Uncle".

20 Oct 1868: Mary Margaret Lawless was born in KY, the daughter of James and Anne Bradberry Lawless.[11]

7 Jun 1880 Census, Weakley County, TN (District 9): Age 64 with no occupation listed, born NC as were both parents; Margaret E. age 64, born TN with parents born SC; Andrew M. age 25, who attended school within the year; domestic servant Amanda Parker age 48; and "ward" William Orr age 13.[11a]  What relationship was William to either Darling or Margaret?  He always referred to them as "Uncle" and "Aunt".  If William, later known as "Buck", was his ward, why was Darling not indexed in the Weakley Guardian's Bonds 1868-1893?  Was the guardianship obtained in another county or state?

1 Oct 1890: Buck and  Mary Margaret were married in Weakley County by J. M. Baxter, Minister.  They had obtained the license the previous day.

14 Apr 1896: William Orr of Greenfield purchased 17 acres and 28 poles in District 9 adjoining Mrs. H. B. Hatcher and Lot #5 of Hiram Hatcher for $700 from J. B. and Virginia A. Jones.[12]

 1900 Census, District 9, Weakley County, TN: Farmer Buck M. Orr 34, KY KY KY; Maggie 31, born KY; Maud 7; "father-in-law" and "retired farmer" Darling Jones age 84, NC NC NC; and two farm laborers.[13]  That Darling was Buck's father-in-law was a mistake.

21 Jan 1901: D. (x) Jones sold the following properties in District 22 to W. M. Orr for $5,000: 1) 100 acres adjoining Joseph Liddle; 2) 86 1/2 acres adjoining D. Jones' northwest corner.  The purchase price consisted of $1,000 cash, one tract of land valued at $1,000, 1 note for $1,000 due 25 Dec 1902 without interest, one note for $1,000 due 25 Dec 1903 with interest, and the balance of $1,000 to be paid in "services in taking care of, providing for and waiting on D. Jones [for] the balance of his life".   The terms further stated that "in case of D. Jones visiting his children at any time this obligation remains in full force and affect as it would be if the said D. Jones remained with the said W. M. Orr all the time".   Any failure on Orr's part to fulfill the contract would result in payment up to that date, with arbitration to settle any disagreements.  Witnessed by J. R. Barton and J. L. McAdams, Notary.[14]

23 Jan 1901: W. M. and M. M. Orr sold 33 acres to D. Jones for $1,000 to be paid in exchange of land.  The parcel was located in District 22, about 1 mile northwest of Greenfield adjoining A. J. Barton, C. C. Reese, John W. Jones, and O. Ellsbury.[15]   Who is J. W. Jones - our John Miller, or another family entirely?

21 Mar 1905: W. M. and M. M. Orr sold 2/3 interest in 26 acres adjoining Hiram Hatcher and Mrs. H. B. Hatcher, in District 9 to J. W. Dudley and G. J. Brasfield for $1,800.  This tract was described as that conveyed to the Orrs by J. B. Jones and wife on 14 Apr 1896, along with parcel conveyed by J. C. Davidson and wife in October 1890 in Deed Book 13, p. 703.[16]   And who is J. B. Jones?

After Darling's death, the Orr family lived in the farmhouse built by Darling Jones.  Originally a log dog trot, Buck filled in the open space, built a second story, and covered the logs with clapboards.  The house still exists.

15 Feb 1908: Buck was among those attending the funeral of John Miller Jones in Newport, AR.

9 Jan 1909: "Shad Cochram" (surname almost illegible) age 2 yrs and 2 mos died on the "D. Jones farm".  Darling had died in 1907.    The child was interred in Brock Cemetery, casket paid by William Orr, order for burial given by William Orr and John Rochell.  Who was this Shad? 

19 Apr 1910 Census, Weakley County, TN (Dist 148): General farmer William Orr age 44, TN KY KY, married for 19 years; wife Mary age 42, KY KY KY, mother of one child, still living; daughter Maude age 17, TN TN KY.[17]

Was he the William C. Orr who briefly served as Mayor of Greenfield, resigning in 1917?  According to granddaughter Mary Alice Liggett, he was not.  She does believe, however, that he served on the Board of Aldermen.

1920 Census, Weakley County, TN (Dist 22): Farmer W. M. Orr age 51, TN TN TN; wife Maggie age 45, TN TN TN;; son-in-law Henry Brasfield 28, TN TN TN, with  profession left blank; daughter Maud Brasfield 27, TN TN TN; granddaughter Mary Alice Brasfield 7, TN TN TN.[18]

20 May 1929: Buck died of  "pulmonary tuberculosis".  He was buried next to Darling and Margaret Miller Jones in Highland Cemetery.[19]

1930 Census, Weakley County, TN: Maggie Orr age 62, a widow married at age 22, KY KY KY; daughter Maud Orr 37, a widow married at age 19, TN TN KY, employed as bank bookkeeper; granddaughter Mary Brasfield 17, TN TN TN.[20]

21 Mar 1951: Mary Margaret Lawless Orr died and was buried in the family plot in Highland Cemetery.

23 Mar 1951, the Greenfield Gazette:

Death Steals into Prominent Family Here this Week, Takes Mrs. W. M. Orr at Midday on Wednesday . . . Funeral rites were conducted yesterday, Thursday afternoon, March 22 at 2:30 o'clock for Mrs.  W. M. Orr, who died at her home here Wednesday, March 21, at 12 noon, at the Presbyterian Church with S. O. Payne, her pastor, officiating.  Mrs. Orr, a very active and devout member of the Presbyterian Church, was 83 years old.  She was born in Graves County, Kentucky and in later years came to Greenfield to make her home.  Mrs. Orr had been in ill health for about 15 months before she passed away.  Her husband preceeded her in death 22 years.  Burial was in Highland Cemetery with Greenfield Undertaking Co. in charge of arrangements.  Pallbearers were Phil Harris, Snooks Smith, W. R. Barton, Conyer Rawls, Harold Moseley, and Maurice Belew.  Among the survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Maude Brasfield, one granddaughter, Mrs. W. B. Liggett, two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Tucker of McKenzie and Mrs. Pinkie Cantrell, two half brothers, Bela Liggett and Will Liggett. 

Children of William and Mary Lawless Orr:

Maud Orr (Nov 1892 -     ; m. Harry Brasfield)