THE JOHN POWELL FAMILY

 

1773 – 1970

 

By

 

JOE B. POWELL

 

Transcribed by David Powell Hendry, Sr.

 


NOTE BY TRANSCRIBER

 

I have attempted to scan the copies given to me by my mother Loula Powell Hendry and find the size of the files involved to be too great for general use and also limited in usefulness to excange information to other applications such as Genealogy Programs.  Those scanned documents are available on request.  This document is provided as a faithful transcription of the work done by Joe Powell  and has used hand entry as the pages were too old and marred to allow useful automatic translation. I have introduce limited reformatting of the originally text for clarity and ease of reading while not altering the content. The data has been proof read carefully for accuracy.  I am currently working on the Powell Family tree and have a GEDCOM file available of this information.  My particular interest is in the children John Powell Jr. and his wives Mary Harkins Powell and Mary Brim Powell.  The database was developed under the guidance of my mother Loula Powell Hendry in 1998-99 from this document and her knowledge.  This document will be added to the databse at Revision 2, after an adequate time for correction and verification.  I’m looking forward to adding my generation and their families to the database which is in progress (Jan. 2001).

 

Photos, medical histories, sound recordings and other items of interest may be submitted to me by U.S. mail to 1705 Minnie St., Cocoa, FL 32926-5516 or by electronic mail to dhendry@davidhendry.com, and are encouraged.

 

It is my hope to continue the work of Joe Powell and expand it as was his intention.  Electronic software and the use of the internet has greatly simplified this task.  As time and resources permit I intend to add to the work, create a designated web site for collection and sharing of information.  I am aware of some others who are doing similar and possibly overlapping work as well as discussion groups on the internet; I look forward to sharing with them as time permits. 

 

David Powell Hendry, Sr.

02/04/2001

Revision 1.00/original transcription

 

NOTE TO RESEARCHERS:

The document represented (the Joe Powell original) has become widely accepted among the members of the family residing in the old home location and over the period of 30 years from its origination and publication reviewed by many ‘old timers’.  While some questions of a particular day or discrepancy between a grave stone marking and a date recorded may exist, this information has become the standard.  This particular transcription may be corrected if found to be inaccurate in representation of the original work.


JOE POWELL

TAX COMMISSIONER, LANIER COUNTY

LAKELAND, GEDRGIA 31635

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The purpose or this booklet is to make availab1e to persons interested in the history of the Powell family, information I have been able to gather over a period of years.

 

            In the research I have been interested only in my ancestors, and the oldest information  I’ve been able to compile is on my great, great grandfather, John Powell Sr..  He was born 1773 in Virginia.

            I have not attempted, and time has not permitted me up until this time to name all of his decendants.  It may be impossible, but it is my desire and purpose to broaden my research at the earliest possible time.

            I hope the information that I have compiled will be worthwhile to all who are interested in our family tree.

            Copies of this booklet will be made available upon request.

            This January 1, 1970.

 

            Joe B. Powell

            Lakeland, Georgia


JOE POWELL

TAX COMMISSIONER, LANIER COUNTY

LAKELAND, GEDRGIA 31635

 

 

 

 

THE JOHN POWELL FAMILY OF VIRGINIA & GEORGIA

BY JOE B. POWELL

The  material for this booklet was obtained by studying the following books and records:  The census records of Jones, Clinch and Lanier Counties; the land Grant Records of Jones County; the Revolutionary & Confederate War Records; the Department of Archives & History; the History of Clinch County; the History of Jones County; the Will of John Powell, dated October 8, 1855; the Family Bible, and the testimony of senior citizens.

 

This January 1, 1970

 

Joe B. Powell

Lakeland, Georgia


JOE POWELL

TAX COMMISSIONER, LANIER COUNTY

LAKELAND, GEDRGIA 31635[1]

 

 

 

 

THE POWELL FAMILY

John Powell, born in Virgina in 1773.  In 1800 he married Sarah _____________maiden name unknown.  About 1812 this couple moved to Jones County, Georgia.  Up until this time I have been unable to procure any reliable information on any of our ancestors prior to John, but I expect to continue my research.

The following children were born to John & Sarah;

Ann, born in Virgina in 1802. She was married July 17, 1829 to John Byrd, a resident of Jones County, Georgia.

Caroline, born in Virgiinia in 1810.  She was married December 13, 1838 to Gilford Sikes, a resident of Jones County, Georgia.

John Jr., born in Virgina 1810.  He married Mary Harkins, January 19, 1839.  He married the second time Februrary 26, 1852 to Mary Brim.

Sarah, waas born in Jones County in 1817.  She married George Byrd August 8, 1839, a resident of Jones County.

Pleasant, born in Jones County in 1819.  He married Emily ______________, maiden name and date of marriage unavailable. 

Mary, date of birth unknown, married Benjamin D. White March 18, 1832, and moved to Houston County, Georgia.

John Powell died in 1858 in Jones County.  His Will dated October 8, 1855 was probated January 10, 1859.

This December 1, 1965

Joe B. Powell


COPY OF THE WILL OF JOHN POWELL, SR.

Georgia, Jones County.

In the name of God, Amen.

I, John Powell, Senior of said County and State being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respects myself and family that I should make a disposition of the property  with which a kind providence has blessed me, do therefore make this my last will and testament hererby revoking all others heretofore made by me.

ITEM 1, I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian manner, suitable to my circumstances and condition in life.  My soul[2] I trust will return to God who gave it.

ITEM 2, I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by Executor hereinafter appointed.

ITEM3, I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Ann Bird my Negro woman named  Mahala who she has in possession, and the following named negores to-wit; My Negro woman Milly about 28 years old, Starlen eight years old, Martha six years old, Daniel three years old and their increase.

ITEM 4, I give and bequeath to my daughter Caroline Sikes three Negroes to-wit; Luch, Adeline and Abraham which she has in her possession, and also Hannah twenty years old, Stephen twelve years old, Edmund eight years old, Robbin five years old, Little Eliza five years old, Sindy three years old with their increase.


ITEM 5, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary White a Negro woman named Mary which she has now in her possession, also Big Eliza twenty years old, Jennie sixteen years old, Polly fourteen years old, Jack twelve years old with their increase.

ITEM 6, I give and bequeath to my son  John Powell Jr. three Negroes to-wit; George, (the writer remembers George, he moved to Clinch County with great grandfather about 1856) Jane and Mandy which he has in his possession, also[3] Frank a man about twenty two years old, Mariah a girl seventeen years old with their increase.

ITEM 7, I give and bequeath[4] to my son Pleasant Powell tow Negroes to-wit; Cody hire I to James Roquemore, Charles now in his possession, Sam a man about twenty years old, Viney about seventeen years old with their increase.

ITEM 8, I devise unto my son Pleasant lot of land number one hundred and eighty six in the eighth district originally Baldwin now Jones County in said State.  Containing two hundred two and a half acres more or less, also slip or fraction of a lot of land lying between said lot and the Ocmulgee River adjoining lands of Robert Lundy and James Roquemore suppose to contain thirty acres more of less, also two Iselands in the Ocmulgee River known as number Sixty and Sixty Two at the Wicked Shoals Fishery to him and his heire forever.

ITEM 9, I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Bird two Negroes to-wit; Hamet and Janny now in her possession, also Lem a man forty eight years old, also Mariah a woman forty eight years old, also Ellen ten years old, Adeline….[5]


ITEM 10, The rest of my property both real and personal wherever and whatever it may be, I wish it sold and the proceeds arising from the sale, I desire it to be equally divided between my children shear and shear alike.

ITEM 11, It is my wish if I should be called off during the spring of summer, say after May the fifteenth and before October fifteenth then in that case it is my wish that my Executor should employ a good and careful overseer and finish the crop and gather it before he delivers up the Negroes to my children, bit if it ** so happens that I sould depart this life at any other season of the year then my Executor has leave to make a division at the early day as possible.

ITEM 12, I hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend William Moreland my Executor of this my last will and testament. This 8th. Day of October 1855.

Signed Sealed and delivered and published by John Powell, Sr. as his last will and testament in presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our names here unto in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other at his request this 8th day of October 1855.

Witness

Stephen Renfroe                                              John Powell, senior (Seal)

William Paul

Samuel B. Finney

This June 4, 1963

Joe B. Powell


Sunday afternoon August 22, 1965 Luther R. Underwood and myself visited the old John & Sarah Powell family cemetery.  My first visit to the old land-mark, and so far as I know I’m the only member of the family from South Georgia that’s had any desire or made the effort to locate our ancestors.  To me I consider this trip quite an experience for it was the climax to several years of extensive research into the Powell family.  I had failed completely in all of my leads up until this time.  But quitters never win.

The old cemetery is located across and about 8 miles up the Ocmulgee River from Macon in Jones County.  The last few miles of the trip had to be made on foot.  That entire part of the county is /now owned by Timber Corporations.  No farms, no building, no roads, and no marked evidence of anyone bing at the old cemetery in may years.  It covers about one acre and situated on a knoll.  About 100 graves and no markers or identification.  The old couple are buried in the center of the cemetery and their graves are enclosed by a heavy iron picket fence, 12 by 16 feet, mounted on a solid granite foundation.  Appearing on and being a part of the gate is a Plakue obout 8X24 inches engraved “JOHN POWELL, 1859”.  He died in 1858.

The Underwoods live at 1880 Upper River Road, Macon, Ga.  He is a retired Lt. Col. Air Force, she is a great grand-daughter of Sarah Powell and George Byrd.

This September 1, 1965

Joe B. Powell


JOHN POWELL, JR., MARY HARKINS POWELL & MARY BRIM POWELL

John Jr. born in 1810 in the State of Virginia.  He was the oldest son of John & Sarah powell.  In 1812 the family moved from Virginia to Jones County, Georgia. 

January 29th 1839, John married Mary Harkins, they had three children; John W., Caroline and William C.

February 26th 1852 he married Mary Brim, they had three children; Nancy, Lula & Dorinda.

At the age of 46 he decided to leave Jones County in search of a more desireable location for he and his family.  In the spring of 1856 he headed in a southerly direction.  In that day a considerable abount of time and effort was required in this adventure.  About the middle of August he stoped in the upper part of Clinch County, a new county, just created in 1850.  That northwest corner of the new county was generally know as the Mudcreek District, and now 112 years later, and being a part of Lanier County, annexed in 1920, it is still commonly known as the Mudcreek District.  Mudcreek was quite a trading center in that day, a general store, water mill and a Post Office.

John was favorable impressed with this section of South Georgia, and began at once searching for a location, this he found in lot of land #350 about 3 miles South of Mudcreek and about 8 miles northeast of Milltown (now Lakeland) on the east side of the Alapaha River.

He lost no time in contacting the owner, and on the 8th day of September 1856 he procured a deed to said lot of


Land form Aaron Tomlinson.  The deed was drawn by Newsome Corbitt, Notary Public, and witnessed by William Wright.  He paid Mr. Tomlinson for this lot of land, 490 acres, the sum of $900.00.  Immediately after the deal was consummated he returned to his home in Jones County.  Upon his arrival, promptly and without any delay, plans were underway to move, and in just a few days they were on their way South.  Forming the party was John Jr. his wife Mary, and the 3 children by his first marriage, Caroline, John W. & William C., and two slaves, George Powell and Henry Tomlin. The distance was about 200 miles and it took quite somtime to make it with a team.  They arrived at their new place just before Christmas, and ther was no time lost in trying to make the place livable.  Immediately a log house was under construction.  In just a few days and before it was finished the family moved in and for many years they occupied it on a floor of clay with a clay chimney.  Eventualy he floored the cabin and built a brick chimney.

There John and Mry reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives.  He died September 3, 1880, she died January 14, 1903.  Both are buried in the old family cemetery situated just a short distance out in front of the old home.

The old farm still remains in possession of the family.  Carlie Powell Sirmans, the oly living grandson of John and Mary owns and occupies the old home-place.  The old house is till in fari condition.


After the war that freed the slaves, George Powell asked permission to remain with the family.  At work on the farm in 1904 he died in a fire.

Henry Tomlin, the other slave that came with the family from middle Georgia wondered away after the war.

This August 10, 1961

Joe B. Powell


 

JOHN W. POWELL AND MATILDA SIRMANS POWELL

 

John W. the oldest son of John Powell, Jr. and Mary Harkins Powell, was born November 12, 1839 in Jones County, Georgia.  In 1856 the family moved to Clinch County, now Lanier County, in the Mudcreek [6] District.  August 1, 1861 John W. enlisted in Company “G”, 29th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, this company was inducted into sevice at Stockton, Georgia.  He served throughout the war.  He was wounded in December 1964, and granted a leave of absence, and due to the seroustness of the wound the leave was extended.  He was still at home unable to return for active duty when the surrender came.  He as paroled at Thomasville, Georgia, May 25, 1865. [7]

At the age of 18, and on the 1 day of January 1858, he bought for $50.00 lot of land #344 from William B. Wall.  This lot is now owned by Mrs. Joseph Powell and Ike Brogdon.

April 8, 1865, while still of leave, he married Matilda Sirmans daughter of Joseph Sirmans and Rebecca Smith.  Februrary 3, 1871, for $300.00 he bought from David H. Thrasher lot of land #347.  Shortly thereafter plans were underway for the erection of a tow story log dwelling.  This property is still in the Powell family, the present owner is their grandson, Joe B. Powell.  The old dwelling is still in good condition.  The location is 8 miles northeast from Lakeland where the Dupont-Mudcreek Public Rad crosses U.S. #221.  John W. was considered one of the top farmers of the community at that time, and was noted for the fine mules and horses he always possessed.


John w. died April 18, 1918, Matilda died June 11, 1927, both are buried at Fender Cemetery.  To them were born 13 children, viz:

Maryann,                   b. January 8, 1866,            m. Frank Moore

Alice,                          b. March 7, 1867,            m. W.M. Pierce

Joseph,                                 b. Sept. 20, 1868,            m. Elizabeth Smith

Lucretia,                     b. Jan. 29, 1870,            m. Lee Byrd

Matilda,                     b. April 28, 1871,            m. w.J. Lee

Jefferson,                   b. Jan. 25, 1873            Died infant

Nancy,                                    b. May 18, 1874,            m. Jesse P. Lee

Thomas,                     b. August 19, 1875            m. Lillian Anderson

Harris,                         b. May 17, 1877            m. Lilla Meeks

Issac,                          b. Jan. 22, 1879            m. Savilathy Moore

Sally,                           b. May 30, 1880            m. George Bryant

Louis,                          b. June 11, 1882            m. Lillie Smith

John W. Jr.              b. May 1, 1884            m. Eva May Curry

 

This January 10, 1961

Joe B. Powell


WILLIAM C. & KATIE POWELL

William C. (Bill) the second son of John Jr. and Mary Harkins Powell was born 1844 in Jones County , Georgia.  He had one brother, John W. one siter, Caroline and three half sisters, Nancy, Lula and Dorinda.  Bill moved with the family to Clinch County in 1856.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company “G:, 29th Georgia Infantry Regiment, and he served throught the Confederate War.  In June 1868 he married Katie, the daughter of J. Hamp and Mary Curry Gutherie of Berrien County.  They immediately settled on a frm, lot of land 250, situated in the extreme northwest corner of Clinch, now Lanier County, on the East side of the Alapaha River.  There Bill and Katie reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives.  He died Februrary 19, 1906, she died August 1, 1923.  They are buried in the Liveoak Cemetery.  They had the following children:

Mary Ann,                            Married                      John Meeks

Martha,                                                                      John Haskins

Caroline,                                                                  Sam Register

Rhoda                                                 (3)                   Bill Lankford

                                                                                    George Ray

                                                                                    Edward Kemp

Emma                                                                        Jim Herndon

Ruby                                                                          Arthur Herndon

Catherine                                                                  John Mainor

Fannie                                                                                   Willie Sirmans

William C. Jr.                                                                   Rhoda Haskins


CAROLINE POWELL WHITEHURST

Caroline, the oldest child of John Jr. & Mary Harkins Powell was born in Jones County, Georgia.  In 1856 the family moved to Clinch County, now Lanier County. 

She married Andrew Jackson Whitehurst.  They immediately set-up housekeeping in the Mudcreek District, on lot of land #303, now generally known as the [8] Courson Place, situated on the West side of Stockton-Mudcreek Public Road.  It the year _____ they moved to a farm near Sparks, Georgia.  Jack died April 23, 1911, Caroline died October 9, 1921.  They are buried in the Sparks Cemetery.  To them were born the following children;

Nancy,                                    Married                         Tom Hilliard

Emily,                                    married                        Jack Green

Manny,                        married                        Tom Sharp

Daniel,                                    married                        Effie Sharp

Gordon,                        never married

Ben,                                    married                        Exie Southerland

Jack J.                                    married                        Mamie Hay

James Anna                        married                        Thad Bridges

John B.                        never married

Gus.                                    Married                        Stella Roundtree

Sarah                                    married                        Math Pafford

 

This June 1, 1961

Joe B. Powell

P.S.  None of the above children are living.


NANCY POWELL

Nancy Powell, born in 1858, was the oldest child of John & Mary Brim Powell.  She had two sisters, Lula & Dorinda.  Lula married Rowan Sirmans, Dorinda married Kiler Giddens.  She had on half sister, Caroline, who married Jack Whitehurst.  She had two half brothers, John W. and William C., John married Matilda Sirmansl, Bill married Kate Gutherie.

Nancy never married, and continued to occupy the Old Home.  She died in 1928 at the age of  70, and was buried in the family cemetery.

 

This October 1, 1962

Joe Powell


Lula Powell, the second child of John & Mary Brim Powell.  I have absolutely failed in my research to procure the date of her birth, but it appears to be 1865.  She had two sisters, Nancy who never married , and Dorinda, who married Kiler Giddens.  She had one half sister, Caroline, who married Jack Whitehurst.  She had tow half Brothers, John W. and William C.

John married Matilda Sirmans and William (Bill) *** married Katie Gutherie.

Llula married Rowan Sirmans, but they were divorced shortly thereafter.  They had one child, Carlie Powell Sirmans.  She was in possession and living on the old Powell farm at the time of her death.  She  died November 11th 1943, and is buried in the old family cemetery situated in front of the old home.

Carlie Powell Sirmans, her son and only child is the last surviving grandson of John and Mary Brim Powell.  From his mother he inherited the Old Powell farm.  He is still in possession and lives there at the present time

 

This June 20, 1969

Joe B. Powell


DORINDA POWELL

Dorinda, was born March 26, 1870 at the Old Powell Plantation.  She was the youngest child of John & Mary Powell.  January 13, 1891 she married Kiler Giddens, and they had the following children;

Lonie                        b. 1896            married            D.E. Crews

Renvie                        b. 1898            married            Charlie Craven

Macella,            b. 1900            married            Jim Howell

John                        b. 1902            married            Georgia Grover

Mary                        b. 1904            married            W.L. “Dock” Strickland

Kiler died in 1940, Dorinda died in 1944.  They are buried at Fender Cemetery.

 

This Novermber 1, 1967

Joe B. Powell


MARY ANN POWELL

Mary Ann, the oldest daughter of John & Matilda Powell was born in Clinch County  January 8, 1866.  She married Frank Moore, date not available, from Berrien County and for a number of years they operated a farm in the Powell neighborhood.  From there they moved to Berried County and spent the remainder of their lives on the farm.  They were the parents of 11 children as follows;

Minnie

Bell

Rhoda

John

Bertha

James

Lillie

Joe

Etna

Ella Mae

Leonard

Uncle Frannk Died in 1932, Aunt Mary Ann died in 1945.  They are buried at the Cross Roads Church Cemetery in Cook County.

 

This Fevruary 29, 1968

Joe B. Powell


ALICE POWELL

Alice the second daughter of John W. & Matilda Powell was born in in the Mudcreek District of Clinch County.  She married William M. Pierce of the same neighborhood.  They acquired a portion of the John Powell (her grandfather) lot (350) land.  There they build a home, raised their family, and spent their entire married life.  Uncle Billy was considered on of the outstanding farmers in his time.  They had 10 children, and all of them lived to be grown and settled.  As the children married he made each one the present of a farm.  The old home is till in the family.  The widow of the youngest son, R. M. occupies it.

Uncle Billy and Aunt Allie had the following children;

Chandler

Joe

Sam

Nancy

Matilda

Bell

Charlie

William

Lilla

R.M.

Billy was born 1864, died 1938.Allied was born 1867, died 1939, both are buried at Fender Cemetery.

 

This March 1, 1968.

Joe  B. Powell


LUCRETIA (DUMP) POWELL

Lucretia, the third daughter of John & Matilda Powell as born in Clinch County, the 29th of January 1870.  In 1891 she married Lee G. Byrd, a distant relative, from Jones County.  Farming being his profession, they settled on a farm midway between Lakeland and Valdosta.  In that neighborhood they raised their family and spent their entire married life.  To them were born 6 children 3 boys and 3 girls, as follows;

William (Bill)

Annie

Carrie

John

Mike

Sally

Uncle Lee was born in 1859, died 1937 as the result of an automobile accident.  Aunt Dump died 1949.  They are buried at Good Hope, 2 miles North of Maylor.

 

This November 30, 1968

Joe B. Powell


JOE AND LIZZIE POWELL

Joseph Powell, born September 20, 1868, in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County, now Lanier County.  He was the first boy of 13 children by John & Matilda Powell. 

Elizabeth, born August 31, 1876, in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County, now Lanider county.  She was the first of 10 children by Benjamin & Mary Smith.

Joe and Lizzie married Feb 15, 1893, and for several years they farmed for her father.  In 1900, and for $100.00, they bought 60 acres of woodland from his father, situated mid-way between the Powell’s and the Smith’s.  At once plans were underway for a new home and the clearing of farm land.  They operated this farm until 1906 and sold it to Louis & Lille Powell.  Joe and Louis were brothers and Lizzie and Lillie were sisters.  That same year, and for $1350.00, Joe and Lizzie bought and moved to the Gus Bridges place, a 300 acre farm located in the same community and near the Bridges Chapel Methodist Church.

On this farm they raised their family and spent the remainder of their lives.  In 1919 they boutht the John W. Powell estate.  This place joined their present farm on the South and consisted of 400 acres.

In 1900 Joe was elected Justice of the Peace, Mudcreek District, and he held this Judgeship continuously until 1920.  The creation of Lanier County annexed the district. 


The old Courthouse that he opccupied for 20 years as Judge still numbers among the out buildings on the old Powell farm, and is in good state of repair.  In 1920 he was elected the first Tax Collector in Lanier County.  He retired at the expiration of his second term, December 31, 1928.

Joe and Lizzie lived together 63 years.  He died July 5th 1956, she died January 13, 1965.  They are buried at Fender Cemetery.

To them were born the following children:

Effie                        b. January 4, 1895                        d. October 2, 1918

Joe B.                        b. September 30, 1899

Warren                        b. December 10, 1903

Willie                        b. September 28, 1906

 

This March 10, 1965

Joe B. Powell


MATILDA POWELL

Matilda, was the fourth daughter in a family of 13 children by John W. & Matilda Powell, 6 girls and 7 boys, she was named for her mother.  Matilda was born in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County.  January 2, 1896 she marrid W. J. (Jack) Lee, the son of W.J. (Bill) & Rhoda Lee.  The Powell and Lee families were of the same community.

Tilda and Jack settled on lot of land 345, raised their family nad spent their entire married life together there.  The old home is till in the estate. 

They were the parent of 9 children.  As follows;

Will

Mose

John

Ola

Tommie

Sherman & Herman

Miney

Edna

Aunt Tilda was born April 28, 1871 and died Aug. 10, 1939.

Uncle Jack was born Oct. 2, 1866, died April 28, 1950.

 

This September 1, 1968

Joe B. Powell


NANCY POWELL

Nancy, the fourth daughter of John W. & Matilda Powell was born in the  Mudcreek District, clinch County.  She married Jesse Lee, the son of Mr. & Mrs. W. J. Lee of the same community.  They settled in the community and were lifelong farmers.  Jesse was also a writer, and was the author of one book “A YOUNG MANS GUIDE”.

They had 8 children;

Rhoda

Joe

Carrie

Lillian

Anabel

Thelma

Felton

Edward

Aunt Nancy was born in 1874, died 1953.

Uncle Jesse was born 1869, died 1927.

Both are buried at the Fender Cemetery.

This January 31, 1968

Joe B. Powell


THOMAS POWELL

Tom, the third son of John W. & Matilda Powell was born in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County. (Now Lanier County)  He was the 8th child in a family of 13 children, 6 girls and 7 boys.

He attended the local schools in the community, and as a young man he enrolled in Mercer Law School, Macon, from which he graduated.  In 1906 he moved to Brunswick and began practicing Law.  He was a member of the Bar Association, and served 15 years as Solicitor of the City Court of Brunswidk.  He was still active in the practice oflaw when he died at the age of 77.

December 21, 1909 he married Lillian Anderson, to them were born the following children;

Gray

Lillian

Thomas

Victoria

Henry

Uncle Tom was born August 19, 1875, died March 25, 1953.

Aunt Lillian was born September 18, 1889, died July 9, 1962.

 

This July 31, 1968

Joe B. Powell


HARRIS POWELL

Harris was the fourth son of John W. & Matilda Powell.  He was born in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County.  He married Lilla Meeks, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Simpson Meeks, of Coffee County.  They settled on a portion of the Old Powell Farm.  He was also a carpenter, and in the twenties he retired from farming, moved to Cocoa florida and followed the carpenters trade.

In 1936 he died on a visit at the home of one of his sisters, Maryanne Moore, near Adel.

Harris and Lilla only had one child Verna Mae, she married a Clark.  About 1936 Verna lost her mental health, and for may years she has been a patient at the G. PIERCE WOOD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, a florida Insitituion, Arcadia, Florida.

Harris was born 1877, died 1936, buried at the Fender Cemetery, near the old home.

Lilla born 1881, died 1952 in coco Florida, the body laid to rest at Antioch Cemetery, Atkinson county, and near her old home.

 

This May 1, 1968

Joe B. Powell


ISSAC POWELL

Ike, the fifth son of John & Matilda Powell was born in Clinch, now Lanier County, January 22, 1879.  He married Savilthy Moore, date not available.  For a number of years they owned and operated a farm in the Powell neighborhood.  Ike was a Blacksmith by trade.  In 1929 he sold his farm and moved to Texas.  They were dissatisfied in Texas and moved by to Nashville.  Ike and & Babe had 4 children, as follows;

John W.

Jimmie

Jennie

Jessie

Uncle Ike died 1935, Aunt Babe died 1960.  They are buried at Fender Cemetery.

 

This January 5, 1968

Joe B. Powell


SALLY POWELL

Sally the youngest daughter of John and Matilda Powell was born in Clinch County May 30, 1883.  In 1911 she married George Bryant, and for a number of years they owned and operated a fram in the Powell neighborhood.  In 1928 they sold this farm to I.B. Kirkland and moved to Cook County and bought another farm about 4 miles northeast of Hahira and near Fellowship Church..  There they spent the remainder of their lives.

Sallie died 1959, George died 1963, both are buried in Fellowship Cememtery.

They only had one child, Clarence, he occupies the old home, just West and in the sight of the Church.

 

This February 25, 1968.

Joe B. Powell


LOUIS POWELL

Louis the sixth son of John & Matilda Powell was born in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County.  He married Lillie Smith, daughter of Benjamin & Mary Smith.  For many years they owned and operated a farm in the neighborhood.  In 1918 he lost his health, had major surgery, eventually had to give up farming.  Later they moved to Florida.  He died in Miami in 1961, at the age of 78.  His body was brought back and laid to rest near the old home, at the Fender Cemetery.

Aunt Lillie still makes her home in Mimai.  They had the following children;

Prince Smith

Rita Pearl

Josephine

Uncle Louis was generally and favorably known for his wit and good humor, and so noted until the very last, even on his deathbed.

 

This February 15,1968

Joe B. Powell


JOHN W. POWELL, JR.

John, was the baby in a family of 13 children by John W. & Matilda Powell, 6 girls and 7 boys.

He was born in the Mudcreek District, Clinch County.(now Lanier County).  He attended local schools in the community, and later graduated from the Georgia Norman College, Abbeville, Geordia.  Teaching school was his profession.

In 1918 he married Eva Mae Curry.  She died just a few months after they married, she is buried at the Fender cemetery, they had no children.

In the Twenties he moved to Texas and became affiliated with an Oil Company, and served as Mayor of the City of Longview.

During this time he married a widow, her name was Molene _____________ she had a daughte name Beth.  John and Molene had no children.  They moved to Conroe, Texas, and went into the Builders Supply Business, which he was operating at the time of his sudden death from a heart attack in 1950.

Uncle Jonnie was born May 1, 1884.  He was buried at Conroe, Texas.  In 1952 Neta May, Jerry and myself visited Aunt Moline, she was still operating the business.

This May 1, 1966

Joe B. Powell

 



[1] The first three pages of Joe Powell’s documet were on letterhead from his position as Tax Collector.

[2] “sould” in original

[3] “aldo” in original

[4] “be*queath” in original

[5] Original text continues, my copy however is clipped off – transcriber note

[6] The original has”Mudcreek-Sirmans’  but is blacked out.

[7] <transcribers note: a posthumous ceremony was held in abt. 1990 in honor of his service; document to be attached as appendix in later revision2.

[8] Handwritten addition “Old” =Old Courson Place.