From the 1910 and 1920 census records, I knew my great-grandfather, James Michael Byerley was employed in the Coke Ovens in Eastern Tennessee. To bring context to his life, I wanted to know more about his time spent working in the Coke Ovens. With his timeline outlined by census entries I grounded the timeline for my research.
Year
Location
Occupation
1900
Rhea, Tennessee
Farmer
1910
Rhea, Tennessee
Coke Ovens – Foreman
1920
Campbell, Tennessee
Coke Ovens
1930
Rhea, Tennessee
Farmer
Research Methods Over Time
Prior to the internet, such research would have required me to explore libraries and court records searching for information about the industry, the impact of the industry to the local communities and the communities themselves. There was no online catalog or digital copies of information so travel to the locations with the information would have been necessary.
With the internet came online search capabilities that could be used to find information that was available online and pinpoint where non digital content could be found. With search engines, the process would be anchored in selecting the combination of words followed by looking through possibly thousands of results for information. Even my simple search in Google of “coke ovens in Campbell County TN in 1920” returned over 250,000 results.
A lot of folks, myself included struggle with the effective use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, Co-pilot, etc. Could these tools actually help me by facilitating the research and combining information found in multiple sources?
Was AI able to assist me? Let’s try this!
I used Google Gemini and entered a simply stated prompt of what I was looking to understand.
My ancestor, James Michael Byerley, worked in the Coke Ovens near Lafollette, Tennessee circa 1920. What can you tell me about the life there and how the work in the coke ovens could have impacted the family?
The response to that prompt provided me context around the life of coal miners working in the area in 1920. It also pointed me to his possibly employer, LaFollette Coal, Iron and Railway Company. Overall, a good summary of information with sources provided limiting to those that were relevant to providing context to my prompt.
Gemini also asked me if I wanted to undertake deeper research. Seeing results that were relevant to my question – my reply was yes, go for it! Gemini then created a research plan for me to review, before it started the research. After the research it presented me with the findings. In the output was also a list of further research opportunities along with the list of sources that were used with the research.
I then decided to give more context with a new prompt –
James Michael Byerley was originally from Rhea County, Tennessee and listed the Coke Ovens as his occupation on 21 April 1910 when the census was taken. Would the working conditions had been similar? Any thoughts on what prompted his move to Lafollette?
While it could not possibly know the exact reason for the move from Rhea to Campbell County it replied with historical context that no doubt played into the move.
Therefore, the most logical and compelling reason for James Michael Byerley’s relocation to LaFollette was the cessation of operations at his workplace in Rhea County in 1913, coupled with the abundant and growing employment opportunities in the coal and coke industry in LaFollette during the 1910s. He likely moved in search of continued work in the industry he knew, drawn by the promise of a thriving industrial center.
My conclusion – Yes Gemini was able to assist me with this search! It was able to search for and interrogate information and provide me with its findings, including sources, in less than 10 minutes – information I will be able to expand on and use to place my great-grandfather in historical context framed by his occupation.
My paternal great-grandfather, James Michael Barley, was born October 22, 1870, in Rhea County, Tennessee, and died there on February 27, 1941. My Great-Aunt Altha Ann Barley, his daughter, and my Grandmother Delia, married to his son, shared his name with me. James and his wife, Mary Myrtle Roddy Barley, rest in Spence Cemetery alongside relatives, including his siblings Thomas Henry Barley (1880–1965), Melissia Tennessee (Tennie) Barley Roddy (1869–1948), and Mary Barley Ottinger (born ~1865).
But who were James’s his parents? Altha claimed her grandmother was Malissa Ann Barley, her namesake, and believed her grandfather was Jasper Barley. Family stories need verification through solid genealogical research to confirm the truth. That doesn’t imply a lack of trust in what I was told, just that sound genealogical practice requires exhaustive research to eliminate any other potential truth. How do I verify the information? What records should I consult?
Records
Why?
Where?
Census Records (1850-1900)
Federal population censuses list household members, relationships, ages, and birthplaces. These records will also include siblings allowing the family unit to be restructured to support further research.
Check the 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1900 U.S. Federal Censuses focusing first on Rhea County, Tennessee.
Marriage Records
A marriage record for Malissa Ann and Jasper Barley (or Byerly) before 1870 would establish their union in support of being the parents of James.
Search Rhea County marriage records (1808–1900). If no record is found, expand research to surrounding counties in eastern Tennessee.
Birth Records
Birth records may list parents’ names, confirming Malissa Ann and Jasper as James’s parents
Tennessee birth records before 1914 are sparse, but may exist. Delayed birth certificates may be available for those still alive after 1935 or so.
Death Records
Death records for James or those of his siblings may list parents’ names.
Tennessee death records between 1875-1865 have been digitized and are available online. They are also available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville.
Newspapers and Obituaries
Obituaries or notices may mention family relationships.
Consult local newspapers of Rhea County, Tennessee in addition to Chattanooga newspapers which also list notices from the Rhea County area.
Probate and Estate Records
Wills or estate records for Malissa or Jasper may name children, including James, or mention property transfers.
Consult probate records of Rhea County, Tennessee, many of which are digitized and available online.
Land and Tax Records
Land deeds or tax lists can place Malissa and Jasper in Rhea County and indicate family connections.
Consult Rhea County Register of Deeds for land records between 1808-1900 for information for Jasper and Malissa and any of their children.
Church Records
Church records (baptisms, marriages, burials) often include family details.
Church records available for Rhea County, Tennessee.
Marriage Record of Jasper and Malissa Byerly
I researched potential marriage records for James’s parents, Jasper and Malissia Barley, in Rhea County, Tennessee. My search for Jasper and Malissa Barley yielded no results, but I did find a record for Jasper and Malissa Byerly, married on June 21, 1857. This discovery raised questions, as Byerly differs from Barley. My grandmother explained that the family name was originally Byerly, but James Michael was asked by the postmaster in Campbell County, Tennessee to spell it as Barley while he lived there. Not one to complain and in order to obtain mail from home, James complied with the request and the Byerly family became Barleys! Given this, I hypothesized that the 1857 marriage record pertains to the Jasper and Malissa Barley I was searching for.
Census Records for Jasper and Malissa Byerly and their Children
James Michael Byerley was born after the 1870 census had been taken so the first census he would have been present in would be the 1880 census, more than likely in Rhea County, Tennessee. But since the Jasper and Malissa Byerly marriage record showed a marriage date of 1857, I decided to start with the 1860 census and bring the family forward starting with that year to create a consolidated view of Jasper and Malissa Byerly with their children based on the census information.
First stop, the 1860 Census – The 1860 census in Rhea County, Tennessee was taken on 30 June 1860. In District 5, page 497 I found the family of Jasper Barely with Malissa a young female Sarah J.
The next stop is the 1870 Census. That census was taken on 23 June 1870 in Rhea County, Tennessee. Residing in the 5th Civil District on page 272B, I find Jasper with Malissa along with 5 other individuals ranging in age from 1 to 13. These are more than likely their children but as relationships are not given that cannot be gleaned from the census information.
The 1880 census is next. That census was taken on 15 June 1880 in Rhea County, Tennessee. James Michael Barley would have been included in this census – so a key validation point is whether he is included as a son in this family. Another connection point would be the two siblings that I am aware of, Mary and Melissa Tennessee. Residing in the 7th District on page 273c, I find Jasper, his wife Malissa and his nine children. This is the first census were relationships are given. The son listed as Jas M. Byrely fits the age of James Michael Barley based on him being born in October 1870. The daughter represented with initials M.A. fits the age of Mary Barley Ottinger and the daughter represented as Tenn fits the age of Melissia Tennessee Barley Roddy. This looks to be the census record with James Michael Barley included in the household of his parents, Jasper and Malissa Byerly, but more research is needed to solidify the relationships.
The 1890 census was burned so the next available census is 1900. A search of those census records did not find a household containing Jasper and Malissia Byerley.
From the census records encompassing the years 1860 to 1880, the following table contains the assumed children of Jasper and Malissa Byerley. Any children born after the 1880 census was taken would not be included. The absence of the 1890 census presents a problem for identifying all of them though I should be able to use the 1990 census to uncover some of them. Of note also is that by 1880, Malissa was nearing the age where her childbearing days were coming to a close.
Person
1860 Census
1870 Census
1880 Census
Jasper Byerly
Age 34
Age 47
Age 54
Malissa Byerly
Age 25
Age 40
Age 47
Sarah Jane Byerly
Age 2
Age 13
Age 22
Margarette A. Byerly
Age 8
Age 19
Jacob F. Byerly
Age 6
Age 16
Mary A. Byerly
Age 5
Age 15
Melissa T. Byerly
Age 1
Age 11
Jas M. Byerly
Age 9
Martha Byerly
Age 7
Emma Byerly
Age 5
Hannah Byerly
Age 3
Given the 20-year timeframe between the 1880 and 1900 census and the ages of the children, most may have been married by the time the 1900 census was taken. Research of the marriage records of Rhea County, Tennessee uncovered the following marriages that may align with the children of Jasper and Malissa Byerly.
Alex Clingan married Allice Byrley on 6 December 1884 in Rhea County, Tennessee. This could be Margarette A. Byerly.
Sarah J. Byerley married Marley Yates on 27 Dec 1899 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
J.C. Ottinger married Mary A. Byrley on 14 Oct 1884 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
Will Roddy married Tennie Byerley on 20 Aug 1899 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
Emma Byerley married James Webb on 24 March 1900 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
J.M. Byerley married Mamie Roddy on 2 October 1896 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
Jacob Byerley married Ella Webb on 2 Jan 1896 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
Hannah Byerley married Will Hall on 3 March 1901 in Rhea County, Tennessee.
No marriage found for Martha Byerley.
The 1900 census in Rhea County, Tennessee took place in June of 1900. The households of the children of Jasper and Malissia Byerley were recorded between June 12th through June 20th. Of the 9 previously identified children, 6 have been found in the census. Additionally, a brother, Thomas was found in the household of one of his siblings. He was born in 1880 after that census was taken. The three children that were not found, Melissa Tennessee, Emma and Hannah were living as indicated by their presences in the 1910 census and/or by their appearance in other records in 1901 or later.
Based on the census research, the children of Jasper and Malissa Byerley included the following:
Child
Birth Year
Spouse
Marriage Year
Sarah Jane Byerly
1858
Marley Yates
1884
Margarette Alice Byerly
1861
Alex Clingan
1899
Jacob F. Byerly
1863
Ella Webb
1896
Mary Ann Byerly
1865
J.C. Ottinger
1884
Melissia Tennessee Byerly
1869
Will Roddy
1899
James Michael Barley
1870
Mamie Roddy
1896
Martha Byerly
1873
Emma Byerly
1875
James Webb
1900
Hannah Byerly
1877
Will Hall
1901
Thomas Byerly
1880
Never Married
The next step is to validate any birth or death related records available for the children to determine if those records list parent information. This will be correlated with the census information to identify and resolve any conflicts.
Birth and Death Records
All of the children were born before birth records were recorded in the state so the presence of any official birth records would not be expected. There could however be delayed birth records if any child lived long enough to request one after 1935. Birth dates may also be included on death certificates or inscribed on tombstones or be derivable from death records.
Let’s look at each child individually to determine what records may be available and whether any of those records identify the parents. The two tables below summarize the information around parents and siblings from death certificates and obituaries for each child. Information was found for only 8 of the 10 children. It is likely, but not proven, that the 2 children not found died before death certificates were generally created at the state level.
Child
Death Date
Informant
Father
Mother
Sarah Jane Byerly Yates
10 July 1924
M.L. Yates – husband
Jasper Barley
Lizey Barley
Margarette Alice Byerly Clingan
22 March 1943
Mrs. O.B. Glenn – Daughter
Jasper Byrley
No Record
Jacob F. Byerly
29 June 1934
Hester Byerly – Daughter
Jasper Byerly
Melissie Byerly
Mary Ann Byerly Ottinger
28 May 1959
Mrs. Tom Boyd – Daughter
Jasper Beyrley
Don’t know
Melissa Tennessee Byerly Roddy
29 Aug 1948
Wm. C. Roddy – Husband
Jasper Byerly
Malisa Byerly
James Michael Barley
27 Feb 1941
Glade Dyer – son in law
Jasper Barley
Elizabeth Ann Barley
Martha Byerly
Unknown
Emma Byerly Henderson
11 June1940
Mrs. Roddy – Sister
Jasper Barley
Malissa Barley
Hannah Byerly Hall
1910
Thomas Henry Barley
9 Sept 1965
Rev. Billy Millsaps – Nephew
Jasper Barley
Malisie Barley
Child
Death Date
Obituary Notes
Sarah Jane Byerly Yates
10 July 1924
No obit has been found
Margarette Alice Byerly Clingan
22 March 1943
References 2 sisters, Mrs. Will Roddy and Mrs. Mary Ottinger and 1 brother Tom Byrley
Jacob F. Byerly
29 June 1934
References two brothers, Tom and Jim and four sisters, Mary Ottinger, Emma Henderson, Alice Clingan, Tennie Roddy
Mary Ann Byerly Ottinger
28 May 1959
References 1 brother, Tom Byerley
Melissa Tennessee Byerly Roddy
29 Aug 1948
References 1 sister, Mary Ottinger and 1 brother Thomas Byerley
James Michael Barley
27 Feb 1941
No obit has been found
Martha Byerly
Unknown
No obit has been found
Emma Byerly Henderson
11 June1940
References two brothers (not named) and one sister, Mrs. Will Roddy
Hannah Byerly Hall
1910
No obit has been found
Thomas Henry Barley
9 Sept 1965
References his parents as Jasper and Malissa Barley
From the summary the conclusion is –
The parents were Jasper Byerly and Malissia Ann Barley.
Lissy (Lizey) is a nickname for Malissia. It is also a nickname for Elizabeth which would explain the references to Elizabeth Ann.
Of consideration also, is that Altha Barley, daughter of James Michael Barley, had communicated to me that her grandmother’s name was Malissia Ann.
The references to surviving siblings align to who would have been alive at the time of the death.
DNA Testing Validation:
The historical research provided supports the hypothesis that Jasper Byerly and Malissa Byerly are my second great grandparents and parents of James Michael Barley. But is the relationship also genetic? Prior to DNA testing being readily available, the “paper” connection was all that could be proven – but now with DNA it is sometimes possible to answer the genetic relationship question.
Descendants of the children of Jasper and Malissia Byerley must be utilized to validate the genetic relationship for myself. But first the connections must be proven between myself and each generation back. There are four generations between me and my second great grandparents. This requires either testing of those individuals or also connections to relatives at each generation level. None of my direct ancestors have tested so proof will be through other relatives that have tested.
The connections can be proven by triangulation either at the individual chromosome level or via triangulation of shared matches. Triangulation of shared message involves finding descendants from different children that all match each other and match me.
I have Autosomal DNA test results available at all of the major testing sites and as such have options. At this time, as Ancestry does not provide a chromosome browser and I do not have the combination of matches at the sites that do, I will be using the triangulation of shared matches as the approach to prove the connection to Jasper and Malissa Byerly. With that approach what are the steps to secure and document proof of a biological connection:
Identify matches that prove the connection point at each generation. This will be siblings of the ancestor in question or their descendants. Ideally there will be matches from three siblings provided three siblings with children existed.
Validate the connection between the match and Jasper and Malissa Byerley via traditional research, eliminating any other possible connection that may exist.
Validate the parent alignment in Ancestry. The matches should be classified at paternal.
Validate that the shared matches share DNA with each other.
Use of the Banyan tool to statistically compare the shared DNA between all testers and ensure all relationships are statistically valid.
The testing group:
Fourteen testers were included in the analysis. All are matches to me at Ancestry.
Ancestry indicated that all the connections were on my paternal side.
The relationships to me ranged from siblings through 3C1R.
The relationship to Jasper and Malissia Byerly ranged from Great Grandchild through 3rd Great Grandchild.
One Great Grandchild
Eight Second Great Grandchildren
Five Third Great Grandchildren.
The testing group includes the following shared matches triangulation groups:
Descendants of James, Emma, Jacob, Mary Ann and Margaret Byerly to support the connection to Jasper and Malissa Byerly.
Descendants of two or James Barleys children, Descendants of 3 of the children of my Grandfather, son of James Barley to support the connection to James Barley
Results:
The Banyan Tool was utilized to validate the amount of shared DNA between me and each member of the test group to the anticipated relationship.
11 of the matches were within 0.5 standard deviations or less than the average shared DNA for the relationship with all being within the shared range.
The other 2 matches were within 1.3 and 1.8 standard deviations from the average shared AND for the relationship. The shared DNA for both was greater than the higher point of the expected range, possibly indicating that there could be an additional connection further back in time.
The Banyan Tool was utilized to validate the amount of shared DNA between each of the testers and their anticipated relationship to each other.
Of the 182 combinations, 32 did not have shared DNA information in Ancestry. The cut off for Shared Matches information is 20, so this implies that the shared DNA for those 32 could be from 0 to 19 cM shared.
All 32 were in the relationship range where the probability of sharing DNA is lower (fourth cousin or equivalent).
The other 150 combinations were all within an acceptable standard deviation range for the expected relationship.
DNA conclusion – It is highly likely, that my relationship to Jasper and Malissa Byerly is biological and the DNA comparison within this group of 14 testers supports them being my second great-grandparents.
The loose ends for further research:
I know that Melissa Tennessee, Emma and Hannah all were still alive when the 1900 census was taken but did not find them on my first search through the records. While their information is not required to support my conclusion, it would help with ensuring I have completed the family of Jasper and Malissa Byerley.
While I have performed exhaustive research for Martha and Hannah and feel confident with the conclusions, revalidating those research steps as more records become available may provide additional information about the family.
Expanded research on the testers where the quality of the DNA relationship was not “excellent” to determine or eliminate connections at the 3rd or later great grandparent level.
Sources List:
The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: District 5, Rhea, Tennessee; Roll: M653_1268; Page: 497; Family History Library Film: 805268
Year: 1870; Census Place: District 5, Rhea, Tennessee; Roll: M593_1554; Page: 272B
Year: 1880; Census Place: District 7, Rhea, Tennessee; Roll: 1275; Page: 273c; Enumeration District: 111
Year: 1900; Census Place: Civil District 6, Rhea, Tennessee; Roll: 1593; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0084
Year: 1900; Census Place: Civil District 5, Rhea, Tennessee; Roll: 1593; Page: 8; Enumeration District: 0083
Find A Grave, especially when there is a photo of the tombstone, is a valuable source for genealogical research. While a high percentage of the dates on the tombstones may be accurate, there is always the possibility that the dates are not accurate.
The individual that communicated the dates, especially the birth date, may have not had the accurate information.
While the death date should be well established and less prone to error, especially if the tombstone is created close to when the death occurred, it can also be inaccurate.
In the case of my great-grandfather, James Michael Barley, the birth date does match other records, but there is a discrepancy with the death date – in particular the death year. Did he die in 1940 or 1941? What records will help resolve the discrepancy?
Was a death certificate created?
Was there an obit published in a local newspaper?
Where there any funeral records maintained?
Is there a family Bible that has the date?
Let’s start with the tombstone – below is an image of the tombstone that clearly has the death date as Feb. 27, 1940.
Does that match the other records?
From the certificate of death for J.M. Barley, we find a death date of Feb. 27, 1941. The birth date of Oct. 22, 1870 matches the tombstone date and the interment in Spence Cemetery aligns with the location of the tombstone in question. The identification of his wife as “Mamie” aligns with the known wife of James Michael Barley – thus we have evidence that this certificate of death aligns with the person who is buried at Spence Cemetery with this tombstone.
Funerals often have memory books that capture information about the service, friends that call, flowers received, etc. J.M. Barley had a funeral book that was in the possession of his daughters, my Great Aunts, Altha and Viola Barley. It was passed along to me with the death of Viola. This memory page, filled out at the time of his death has his death date as February 27, 1941, which matches the death certificate.
On March 6, 1941, page 3 of the “The Dayton Herald”, a local newspaper in Dayton, Tennessee the below “Card of Thanks” message appeared indicating that Jim Barley had recently died in 1941.
Finally, if J. M. Barley died in 1940, that would have been before the 1940 census was taken in April of 1940. Was he included? Research in the 1940 census indicated that James Barley was alive and well on April 25, 1940.
The evidence is clear, J.M. Barley did not die in 1940 as the tombstone shows but died in 1941. Was this an error by the person who engraved the tombstone or a typo on the information provided. We will never know – all we know is that it is not correct!
We all have ancestors – we have parents, our parents have parents and so forth. The number doubles with each generation back in time. During our lifetime, we will get to meet a limited number of them. If we are fortunate, we get to hug our parents, our grandparents and maybe a great grandparent or two. But those 5 generation opportunities where a person is in the same photo as their 2nd great-grandparent is very rare.
When I started my family history journey, I was 16 and in high school. It was an assignment in my history class to fill out a pedigree chart as far as I could. For many in my class, I dare say their research never went further than that class – but for me it spurred a passion to find out what and who I did not know!
The Beginning
The beginning of any journey to connect present generations to the past begins with what you know and what those close to you can share. I knew my parents are, and I knew who my four grandparents were. I had meet all of them – and they had all been a part of my life, some more than others. With their help and family documents, I was able to quickly fill out that original pedigree chart with names, dates and places and identify my 8 great-grandparents. The next step would be the identification of the parents of those 8 ancestors.
Initially, I knew little about the records available and how to research and analyze them. That first assignment relied on family Bibles, preserved birth and death certificates and the memories of older relatives in my family – relatives that were aligned with my grandparents who would have remembered their parents. I believe those early conversations with my older relatives is what fueled my interest as they shared not just names and dates but also glimpses into the lives behind the names.
The sources for my first 15 ancestors, including me were records found easily at home and where I lived –
My birth certificate that named my parents.
My Paternal Grandmother’s family Bible.
A marriage certificate from my maternal Grandmother.
Discussions with my Grandparents and Grand Aunts.
A walk through the cemetery where some of them were buried.
I accepted these sources at face value, unaware of how to assess their reliability or verify biological accuracy. I had no knowledge of census records, deeds, court documents, or other resources, nor did I realize that names, dates, and places could be inaccurate. Nonetheless, I completed the assignment, learned some ancestral stories, and felt ready to explore the next generation!
My 16 Second Great Grandparents
Through traditional research and DNA results I have identified my 16 second great grandparents, who are listed in the table below. Over the coming weeks, for each of these ancestors I will be sharing my journey to find them along with introducing you to what I know about each of them. Finding them was my introduction to records outside the home and how to use them to piece together the clues to connect me to each one of them.
Family stories passed down from generation to generation are always subject to change! When using those stories to support genealogical conclusions, one must tread lightly – looking for something to prove or disprove the story. Such is the case for a death of one of my female Byerley ancestors.
Altie Barley, my great aunt, conveyed the story that either her grandmother or possibly her great-grandmother died as a result of being hit by a man on a bicycle. She did not remember which one or when as she was either young when the accident happened or it happened before she was born. Years later, the wife of a cousin from the same family, told me she had heard that the death occurred during a robbery attempt.
Looking at what I knew about the Byerley family, the potential “grandmother” was one of the following:
Ancestor
Relationship (Altie)
Birth
Death
Malissia Byerley
Grandmother
1837
Between 1880 – 1900
Sarah Brown Byerley
Great-Grandmother
1803
Before 1880
Sarah Smith Byerley
Great-Grandmother
1808
Before 1870
Because there was not clear context of when and Altie was not sure it wasn’t one of the Sarah’s, but she thought it was Malissia, I did not eliminate the Sarah’s from my research.
I exhausted all the typical records – census, death records, cemeteries – to attempt to determine death dates for the three women. That lead me the specifics above.
I felt if there was a robbery / death involved, there should have been information in court records and reporting of the incident in the local newspaper. I found nothing in the available court records. The surviving local newspapers are not available for the entire search period and in those that remained I found no mention of the death of a Byerly woman. I was stuck with a family story that has two very different versions of what happened passed down by two different siblings.
That initial research was before the digitization of older newspapers and their ultimate emergence online. And it was before the availability of tools that could automatically read those digital images and create indexes to assist with searching. I knew at some point as more newspapers came online that I might just find what I was looking for!
On the 14th of September in 2022, I was performing a generic search for Byerly in the newspapers looking for tidbits associated with the family and Eureka – there it was – the proof to the story that my Great Aunt Altie had told me around 40 years earlier.
It was Malissia Byerly that died on the 1st of September in 1899 in Dayton, Tennessee. The article appeared in “The Weekly Sentinel” published in Knoxville, Tennessee, dated September 6, 1899, on page 5. The article did not state her name but referred to her as Mrs. Byerly. Her age and her daughter’s name were given and by that I knew it was Malissia. Following that lead, I was also able to find a report in “The Chattanooga Daily Times” published on the 2nd of September 1899.
It was not a robbery! As she was returning from the post office and crossed the steel bridge over Richland Creek, she was hit by a man on a bicycle who was riding at a high rate of speed.
The mystery had been solved! The family story had been proven! And I had found the death date of my 2nd great-grandmother Malissia Byerly.
United States Census records carry a wealth of information that can be utilized to understand the makeup of a family unit at a given point in time. Taken ever 10 years, the content will vary by year. Starting with the 1870 census relationships to the head of the household were given. This allows children to be identified.
Albert Pinkney was born on 19 September 1849 and died on 31 December 1908. During his lifetime, he married three times between 1871 and 1892.
Wife
Marriage Date
Marriage Place
Hasseltine Selvidge
17 September 1871
Roane County, Tennessee
Mary Clowers
7 January 1883
Roane County, Tennessee
Mary Fritz
25 September 1892
Meigs County, Tennessee
These marriage dates imply:
He would probably be included in the 1880 census with his wife Hasseltine Selvidge in Roane County or Meigs County, Tennessee.
Barring any birth before marriage, his first child would have probably been born in 1872 or later.
He would probably be included in the 1900 census with his wife Mary Fritz in Meigs County, Tennessee.
His wife Mary Clowers would not be included as his wife in any surviving census records as the 1890 census has been destroyed.
As he died in 1908, there could be children captured in the 1910 census.
Can I use the census records to glean a list of his potential children? Below are the 1880 and 1900 census records with Albert Leffew included and the 1910 census with his wife Mary that was taken after his death.
Year: 1880; Census Place: District 8, Meigs, Tennessee; Roll: 1272; Page: 494b; Enumeration District: 083Year: 1900; Census Place: Civil District 8, Meigs, Tennessee; Roll: 1589; Page: 14; Enumeration District: 0107Year: 1910; Census Place: Civil District 3, Rhea, Tennessee; Roll: T624_1516; Page: 15b; Enumeration District: 0103
From the three census records the following children are listed in the table below with their ages from the census records listed. Please note that by the time the 1900 Census was taken the two older children, Tranquilla and Delphia were no longer residing in the household with their father. And in the 1910 census, the only children in the household with Mary Fritz Leffew were her 5 children.
Name
Relationship
1880 Census
1900 Census
1910 Census
Memonanth T. Leffew
Daughter
Age 7
Delphia J. Leffew
Daughter
Age 5
Robert A. Leffew
Son
Age 3
Age 23
Joseph Leffew
Son
Age 3/12
Age 20
Charlotte E. Leffew
Daughter
Age 14
Sarah F. Leffew
Daughter
Age 6
Mattie E. Leffew
Daughter
Age 4
Age 15
Rosa L. Leffew
Daughter
Age 3
Age 12 (Soda)
Charles A. Leffew
Son
Age 1
Age 10
John H. Leffew
Son
Age 16
Wm T. Leffew
Son
Age 14
Nancy A. Leffew
Daughter
Age 12
Kirt (Curtis) Leffew
Son
Age 9
Lissie Leffew
Daughter
Age 6
Based only on the census information there is a conflict with the ages and births of two of the children. Both Charlotte F. Leffew and Wm T. Leffew are the same age. The birth months given in the census clearly indicates they were not twins. Additionally, there was not 9 months between their birth months. To resolve the question around these two children, more research is required to clearly identify which children were born to which of Albert Leffew’s wives. That will be discussed and resolved in a future blog.
For now, based on the relationships in the census records Albert P. Leffew was the father of at least 14 children, 8 daughters and 6 sons.
The Southerners who opposed the Civil War came from all social, economic and racial classes. In East Tennessee many voted strongly against secession with the area being a hot bed for Union activity throughout the war. The nature of the war presented issues for these Loyal Southerners on two grounds – their neighbors and from the union itself.
Loyal Southerners whose neighbors predominantly supported the war were in a very dangerous position. Many keep their views to themselves, some left, and many remained openly Unionist yet went unharmed. The Union invasion created still more problems for these Southerners – Union troops had little means or inclination to distinguish between pro-union and anti-union southerners. Much property was confiscated and destroyed by union soldiers more often with disregard as to whether the individual was loyal to the union or not.
On 3 March 1871, six years after the hostilities ended, Congress created the Southern Claims Commission, an agency by which pro-union southerners could apply for reimbursement of some of their losses from the way. Claims were accepted from those who met the following criteria:
The requestor was an American Citizen
The requestor resided in a state that seceded from the Union
The requestor could document loyalty to the federal government throughout the conflict
The requestor must have suffered from official confiscation of goods they owned
Each claim was submitted to the three commissioners who reviewed the evidence. The commissioners would take additional testimony and reach an agreement on two items:
The loyalty of the claimant
The dollar amount associated to the damages that were warranted
At the start of each Congressional session, the commission filed a formal report with the House of Representatives with its findings for each case. The House would then approve or disapprove each claim and determine the amount that should be paid for approved cases.
Twenty two thousand two hundred and ninety eight (22,298) cases were filed for a total amount of alleged damages at $60,258,150. Only a third of the claims (7,092) were able to withstand the rigid investigation and qualify for some amount of payment. Virtually all claims were settled at a reduced amount. Total payout for the claims was $4,636,929.69.
These files are a wealth of knowledge offering insight into how those who lived in areas divided by the Civil War were impacted. We get a glimpse of what they lost, why they believed what they did and who in the community was with them and who was not.
One of those who filed a claim was my 3rd great grandfather, Jacob Byerley, of Rhea County, Tennessee. Several years ago, I had a researcher in Washington D.C. try to find the file for me, but she was not successful – so I had given up hope. When these files started to be updated online, I watched with anticipation, just in case the file was somehow found during the digitization process. My anticipation paid off as his file has been published online.
When most think about the American Revolution and what part their ancestor played in the war, most probably think of a patriot set on freeing America from the British. But that is a misconception. While, yes, there were many who were patriots, there were some who were not. Depending upon your viewpoint, those were either Loyalists to Britian or Tories against the Patriots. And the loyalty to Britian was not limited to the elite British who lived in the new world.
The back country in and around what is modern day Newberry County, South Carolina is one such area were the community was a mixture of those whose support was separated between the two causes. It is important to understand the life of those in the back country to understand why many of them did not necessarily support the Patriot Cause. These folks lived in the frontier and were more concerned with their own survival with many just wanting to be left alone.
The had to travel to Charleston for business and the roads to travel in the area were few.
Police protection was not available so they had to protect their own and the militia was relatively inactive in the area.
There was general distrust and tension between the elites in Charleston and the back country settlers, must of this the result of past conflicts between the regulators and the patriot leaders.
Basically the leaders along the coast in Charleston, had failed in recognizing and addressing their issues. Additionally recent immigrants still felt a loyalty to the British Crown due to the land grants they received when they arrived.
It was this backdrop that Casper Byerley and his eldest son Casper Byerley experienced when making their decision as to which side they should support. Records do seem to indicate that Casper (Jasper), the son, did serve in the Captain Waters Regiment as he was listed on the pay vouchers of Captain Houseal. But there is also a record of a Caspar Byerley being listed in British records as a refugee. Some researchers are of the belief that was because he was trying to get retribution from the British for the use of Bierley’s Ferry during the war. What is not clear as to what position both of these men took during the war and whether their position was based on their beliefs or based on what was best for them at a given moment in time.
The emergence of the Dayton Coal and Iron Company in then Smith’s Crossroads (later Dayton) in the early 1880’s influenced the life of my ancestors. They saw their small community explode from 250 to 5000 inhabitants within a short 5-year time span. Coal mining would become a way of life that many in the area would engage in over the course of their lives.
The company provided many opportunities, and many took advantage of that working in the mines – transitioning from a life of farming to a life of working in the mines. I’m sure they probably still farmed the land they lived on but working the mines became the livelihood for many.
From the census records published between 1910 and 1940 of Rhea County, Tennessee – I find the following men who were connected to my family – some are ancestors, some are cousins, uncles or married to cousins – the list is not meant to be exhaustive but to show that my family embraced the coal mining activities as their livelihood:
James Michael Byerley
Joseph Leffew
Rufus Couch
William C. Couch
Thomas Byerley
Clifford Rosel Leffew
Robert Hensley
James Hensley
Thomas Caraway
James M. Cox
Harvey B. Cox
John L. Henderson
Marler Yates
Future Spouses Meet
Working in the mines was critical in terms of allowing my paternal grandparents, Robert Roscoe Barley and Delia France Young to meet each other. When the mines at Dayton were in limbo my great-grandfather, James Michael Byerley moved his family to Campbell County, Tennessee. It was there that his family meet the Young and Lemarr families, which resulted with the marriage of Robert and Delia. Members of Deila’s family worked in the mines located just outside of LaFollette, Tennessee. These included Silas Lemar, Vachel Lemarr and Sam Young.
Mining Accidents
Accidents often occurred within the mines and due to the nature of the working conditions, some of those could result in many lost lives on the same day. Some accidents involved only one loss of life. Such was the case of my Great Grandfather Joseph Leffew.
Near the end of October in 1935, Joseph Leffew was injured by falling slate in the Cumberland mines. News of the accident was captured in “The Dayton Herald” published on 30 October 1935.
On 23 December 1943, eight years after the first accident, Joseph Leffew, age 63, once again had slate fall on him. This time he did not survive the accident.
Almost two years later, Rosel Leffew, Joseph’s son, would also lose his life in a coal mining related accident. That accident happened on the 13th of September in 1945.
My ancestor, Caspar Byerley arrived in Charleston South Carolina in October of 1752 aboard the ship Caledonia. From the research of L. W. Folmar, I found that the Caledonia was ” a three masted ship about 85 feet in length, square rigged on all three masts”. It had the following dimensions – overall length of 80 to 85 feet, breadth of about 23 feet, length of keel about 70 feet, depth of hold about 10 1/2 feet with possible draught of 6 feet forward and 12 feet aft.
A record found in London lists the departure date of the ship from Charleston back to London on the 30th day of December in 1752, where it would stop on its way back to Rotterdam.
Time of sailing: December 30
Vessel’s Name: Caledonia
Master’s Name: Alex Harvey
Kind Built, Pink Ship (refers to hull shape)
Tons: 200
Men: 12
Where and when built: Britan 1736
Where and when registered: Aberdeen on 9 May
Owner’s Name: Alex Livingston of Aberdeen
Cargo: None
Where bound: Rotterdam
Other news taken from the South Carolina Gazette:
Arrived in Savannah from a local news article dated 9th October 1752
Arrived in Charleston shortly after a hurricane hit the area.
Entered in from Rotterdam and Portsmoth, Customs House Notice dated 23rd October 1752
Departed to London, General Advertisment on three dates, December 11, 18 and 25 of 1752
Caledonia, cleared for departure to Rotterdam, Customs House Notice dated 1 Jan 1753
Departed to Rotterdam, local news on 15th Jan 1753
While I have not found where my ancestor immigrated from, perhaps the passengers aboard the Caledonia hold a clue. The following are the passengers that are known to have arrived on the Caledonia. Note that this is not meant to be an exclusive list. Others could have been aboard, and some may have been lost at sea.
Passenger
Arrival Details
Everad Volmer
His wife and four children arrived with him. His children were Catherine 20, John 18, Mary 6, and Jacob 9.
John Keiselhat
His wife and three children arrived with him. His children were Maria Anne, 14, Mary Barbara 7 and Mary 2.
John Studinmyer
His wife and child arrived with him. His daughter was Mestafia (Anastasia) age 10.
John Shely
His wife and six children arrived with him. His children were Barbara 14, Elizabeth 12, Ursula 9, John 7, Margaret 6 and Mary Ann 3.
Barnard Mantz
His wife and two children arrived with him. His children were Michael 7 and George 12.
Benjamin Epele
He arrived alone.
Johannes Dononick
His wife and son, Michael 3, arrived with him.
Catherine Thyre
Her husband died on the voyage. Her two children, Andreas 15 and Ursula 20, arrived with her.
George Joisesel
He arrived alone.
Andreas Pitts
He arrived alone.
John Herman
His wife arrived with him.
George Wideman
His wife and two children arrived with him. His daughters were Maria 12, and Anna Maria 7.
Magdalane Stoudenmeyer
She arrived alone and was a native of county of Wittenberg.
Hans Martin Jetter
He arrived alone.
John Casper Beyrle
He arrived alone.
Andreas Meyer
His wife and six children arrived with him. His children were Ursula age 17, Worley age 16, Johanna age 14, Jacob age 12, Barbara age 6, and Andreas age 4.
Mary Eliz. Hoos (?)
She arrived alone.
Margaret Michen
She arrived with her child, Christian Harry, 6 weeks old.
Andreas (Andrew) Domeny
He arrived with his wife Barbara.
Christiana Jeserel
She arrived alone.
John Keyger
He arrived with his wife.
John Smitzer
He arrived with his wife.
Hans Jacob Nonemaker
He arrived with his wife.
Michael Pilebag
He arrived with his wife.
Gaspar Mantz
He arrived with his wife and child, Ursula age 3 years.
Michael Hynes
He arrived with his wife.
Elizabeth Mantz
She arrived with one child, Anna Maria age 4 years.
Anna Maria Mantz
She arrived with one child, Catherine age 13 years.
Sebastian Huber
He arrived with his wife and two children, Margaret age 28 and Anna Maria age 6.
Jacob Long
He arrived with his wife.
John George Neysheller
He arrived with his wife.
Michael Meyer
He arrived with his wife.
Anna Sheymeysin
She arrived alone.
Conrade Meyer
He arrived with his wife.
John Reynard
He arrived with his wife and two children, Elizabeth age 9 years and Mathias age 4.
Hans George Shihaaw
He arrived with his wife and two children, Philip Jacob age 21 and Catherina age 20.
Philip Minsiney
He arrived with his wife.
Jacob Kuhn
He arrived with his wife and one child, Mary Ann age 15.
