Editors
John F. Howerton
Bryan R. Howerton
Volume One, Issue Four Fall 1996
"SEATON"
The Old Home of William Matthew "Matt"
Howerton and Descendants
Taken by Jean Howerton - May
1996
Quest For The Old Writing Desk
Philip Howerton - 31 Dec 1793 - 5 Sep 1879
Philip Howerton: A Man of Convictions
William Howerton: Revolutionary War Hero
Obediah Howerton: A Man With Wandering Feet
QUEST FOR THE OLD WRITING DESK
By Bryan R Howerton
NOTE: For the sake of clarity and to briefly relate the story of the old writing desk to its original owner and it's significance to the Howerton history in a coherent manner, the subject is separated into three parts, i.e., Quest of the Old Writing Desk, Philip Howerton, and Seaton. These parts are presented in an order which, hopefully, will enhance understanding of how it all fits together. Contents (and related materials) of the old desk provide a most unique opportunity to view our ancestors, their thoughts, values, ideals, and hopes in their own words.
In 1965, soon after circumstances presented the opportunity to seriously search for factual data on people bearing the surname, Howerton, we began to hear of The Old Writing Desk. None of the many people known to be actively searching for information on the family at that time had ever seen the desk; although, it seemed that all had heard of it. Some doubted it had ever existed. The desk was said to contain actual letters from members of a large Howerton family who had moved west from Virginia during the great migration following the War of 1812. Tantalizing reports of its existence demanded that we learn whether the reports were fact or fiction.
A continuing search finally led us to believe that the desk probably had existed in the 19th century. By 1968 all doubt regarding its existence was removed; however, its location was still unknown. It was determined that the desk had been owned by a prosperous Virginia planter, Philip Howerton, who was born 31 December 1793 in Essex County, Virginia, the son of William Howerton and Catherine "Caty" Edmundson. Philip died 5 September 1879 and evidence was found indicating the desk had passed into the possession of a daughter.
Further research revealed indications that the desk (or, at least its contents) had been relocated to either North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee or Texas. Over a period of years each of these leads were followed but the desk or contents were not located.
Finally, in 1976, it was reported that a large number of letters from the desk had been loaned several years previously to a Howerton researcher in Illinois. Additional search led to William Dayton Howerton (since deceased) of Carbondale, Illinois. Subsequent visits with Dayton confirmed that he did, indeed, have copies of a group of letters and documents from the old writing desk dating from 1817 to 1915. It should be stated that Dayton did not copy the letters directly from the originals - his copies were made from copies supplied by a Reverend Neathery of New York state. (Rev. Neathery was a descendant of Philip Howerton, the original owner of the desk.) Dayton generously permitted copies to be made of the material in his possession. NOTE: W. Dayton Howerton was a dedicated student of the Howerton family history. He freely exchanged new finds with others searching the same field. Unfortunately, despite his lifelong effort and that of co-searchers, a connection could not be proven between Dayton"s known line and the original Thomas or John Howerton.
The copies provided by Dayton were studied and integrated into the database of the family history. The content of those letters added detailed knowledge of many relatives of Philip. Finally, it was determined this significant find should be shared with others interested in the family history. Dayton enthusiastically agreed with that proposal. Mrs. Doris Walton, a longtime student and authority on the family history, volunteered to participate in a project to copy the material and arrange it in a pamphlet-type form for free distribution to interested Howertons. In fact, Doris accomplished this sizable task alone in 1981 and the stock of the booklet was swiftly exhausted.
At this point the search for the old desk was suspended. It was believed that it no longer existed or was in the possession of a non-descendant who was unaware of its importance to descendants of Philip and others interested in the family history. Now, there are erroneous assumptions which should not be confused with colossal mistakes. That assumption turned out to be a colossal mistake of the first order.
Early in 1995 a telephone call was received from Mr. Robert G.D. "Chip" Pottage III, a direct descendant of Philip Howerton. He was assisting a Howerton in tracing his ancestry and had some questions. In the course of the conversation he casually mentioned that he had the old writing desk and contents in his home and that he regularly slept on the bed used by Philip Howerton. This unexpected revelation was a real surprise and discussion of the old writing desk and related items followed. Tentative plans were made for an early visit; however, health problems delayed the visit for over a year.
PHILIP
HOWERTON
31 Dec 1793 - 5 Sep 1879
By Bryan R. Howerton
Philip Howerton
Philip Howerton was born 31 Dec 1793 in Essex County, Virginia; a son of William Howerton and Catherine "Caty" Edmundson. Catherine died on 14 January 1815 and on 31 October 1816, William married Mrs. Ann W. Covington (nee Kercheval). Philip was one of seventeen siblings from those two marriages: seven of whom died in infancy or childhood; two sisters died young and unmarried; one sister married and died in King & Queen County, Virginia; Philip established himself in Halifax County, Virginia and the others moved West. His siblings were:
John b 7 Mar 1783 - d 21 Jun 1786 Essex Co, VA
Nancy A Judy b 16 Dec 1784 - d ca 1850 Randolph Co, AR
William Roane b 18 Jan 1787- d 16 Sep 1859 Knox Co, MO
James H b 16 Feb 1789 - d 10 Sep 1868 Calhoun Co, TX
Catherine E b 25 Apr 1791 - d After 1841 - TN
Unnamed Daughter b 27 Dec 1792 - Stillborn Essex Co, VA
Winefred b 28 Dec 1795 - d 10 Jun 1833 Essex Co, VA
Thomas b 9 Feb 1798 - d 17 Feb 1854 Muhlenberg Co, KY
Eldred b 28 Mar 1800 - d 21 Jul 1855 Davidson Co, TN
Charlotte Hayes b 12 Nov 1802 - d ca 1842 St Louis Co, MO
Eleanor Augusta b 27 Jul 1817 - d 23 Jul 1863 King & Queen Co, VA
Roberta Perlexina b 3 Apr 1819 - d 12 Aug 1820 Essex Co, VA
Judson Stranghan b 3 May 1821 - d 16 Oct 1833 Essex Co, VA
Julia Ann b 23 May 1823 - d 4 Jul 1827 Essex Co, VA
Mary Agnes b 16 Apr 1825 - d 15 Oct 1833 Essex Co, VA
Benjamin Franklin b 1 Nov 1827 - d 27 Oct 1833 Essex Co, VA
Philip served as an Ensign in the War of 1812 and in 1817, moved to Halifax County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth C. Cabiness, of a prominent local family, on 14 November 1822. He has been described as "eminently useful and throughout his long life he was universally honored, respected and beloved for his integrity, kindness and benevolence. In all the relation of life he was the pattern of excellence."
Captain Berryman Green built a house at Halifax, Virginia in the late 1770s. Following his death in 1825 the homestead and plantation were sold to Philip Howerton. Philip added a second floor and made extensive changes to the house and renamed the estate "Oakland," which became a local showplace. In fact, "the home was a mecca for the young for miles around.
"Green's Folly"
or "Oakland"
was opened to the public as a hall of history of the county
for the year 1941. The coach belonging to the Howerton Family for
a century is also there."
(NOTE: "Green's Folly" was
the name by which Oakland was known during the 1920s. The old
family coach was relocated to Seaton, but is now gone.)
Philip and Elizabeth were the parents of six children:
Susanna Cabiness b Wed. 21 Jan 1824 - d 10 Nov 1870 - unmarried
William Matthew b Wed. 26 Apr 1826 - d 8 Oct 1874
Judith Ann b Thu. 29 May 1828 - d 7 Aug 1874
Eliza Jane b Sat. 20 Nov 1830 - d 1915
Louisa Dresser b Sun. 26 May 1833 - d 2 Nov 1882 - unmarried
Charles Cabiness b Mon. 4 Jul 1836 - d 4 Mar 1837
Philip was active in local affairs from the time of his arrival in Halifax. He and his brother James alternately served as Sheriff of Halifax County during the period 1823-1835. Philip served as a Captain of militia and was active in church affairs. He belonged to the Baptist Church when he arrived in Halifax; however, the local Baptist Church later adopted a policy against members belonging to a secret organization. Philip, a member of the Masonic order, became a member of the Episcopal Church for the remainder of his life.
A vast migration to the west was occurring while Philip was in the prime of life. Apparently all his grown siblings were caught up in the fever of westward expansion. During the early 1830s, Philip and brothers James and Eldred together with William Howerton (a cousin who was married to their sister, Catherine Edmundson Howerton) traveled together to central Kentucky to look at available land and visit their brother, Thomas Howerton who had settled in that area around 1825. Apparently, the visiting party consisted only of those mentioned; at least, it is known that Philip's family did not accompany him. Thomas had been urging his siblings to join him in the new country. It is unclear whether the entire party temporarily returned to Virginia; however, we know that Philip returned and resided in Halifax County, Virginia for the remainder of his life. At about that time Philip became a sort of anchor for his widely separated siblings. All would write, encouraging him to join them, telling of their experiences and asking about the condition and location of other siblings. Philip filed these letters in his old writing desk and a great many, if not all, have survived. They were written by well educated people and clearly describe conditions of the time and offer insight into their attitude, values, hopes, etc. The letters indicate that he was well respected by his siblings and they recognized his capability. Many of the letters request Philip to take care of various personal matters in their behalf; however, most of them apply pressure for Philip to join them, wherever they were located, giving glowing, sometimes exaggerated, descriptions of the area in which they had relocated. As examples, the following extracts from places indicated are quoted from letters in file:
TENNESSEE: "You could make more in this country with your force in one year that you can there in four. The cotton crop is not half the trouble as in Virginia." Another letter: "I am becoming more and more pleased with this part of the country, for with tolerable diligence we can make enough to demand any and all the necessities and luxuries of this world. . . ."
KENTUCKY: "Advantages of the country calculated at least 3 to 1."
ARKANSAS: "I lost my three little daughters Molly, Kate and Lucy all died of pneumonia and because of the want of skillful treatment. We have an abundance of quacks and a great scarcity of physicians. I also lost three negroes: the woman I bought from Poindexter and two children, yet I trust I shall be able to surmount the loss in the course of time. I have some 800 to 1000 acres of good bottom land in Arkansas and 300 or 400 in Missouri. I have, if not the prettiest, one of the prettiest as well as the best farms in the county. My house, a large two-story, is on the banks of the beautiful river (Current) and we occasionally have boats up to our door nearly. We have good navigation all the year and the finest fish that swim. I just eat so much for my dinner it makes me sleepy and lazy."
MISSISSIPPI: "Philip, this is a first rate country. The land is as rich as land can be, easy to clear and easy to cultivate and produce better than any land I have ever seen. And I believe as healthy as any country. If you could see this country you would no doubt forsake that old worn-out country. All I regret is that I stayed there so long. This country has advantages that no other country can have. There is no telling the trade that goes down the Mississippi. I am living on the bank and I can any day get anything you can get in any country and anything we can raise we get the cash at the door for turkeys in brisk sale at from $2 to $5 each, chickens 25 each large enough to fry, cabbage 12 per head, potatoes, peas, snaps and everything to eat in the same proportion. We keep a wood yard where steamboats call, pay us $2.50 to $3.00 per cord for wood and buy anything we can raise to eat." "Wages are high, land cheap and rich as the Lord can wish."
ILLINOIS: "In July (we) began to be sick (until) one could not help another. . . . lasted two months, but we have recovered. I believe there are now more ways and better ways to a fortune in this state than any state in the union. It is certainly the finest country for poor people in the world and not bad for the rich. It is the richest country I have ever seen. The soil in the prairies is from 2 to 4 feet deep."
Letters were written on large sheets of foolscap, which were folded and sealed, thereby eliminating need for an envelope. The package was addressed and then given to a traveler to deliver. The wife would usually add a message to the bottom of the page(s), which was difficult to reconcile with descriptions given by husbands. The message a wife in Illinois added is typical and is partially quoted as an example: "When I left you all I had no idea of the hardships I had to encounter or that we were coming to so sickly a country. It is true that the winter is healthy, but there were not enough well persons in the neighborhood last summer and fall to wait on the sick. My dear little Margaret's eyes were closed, she was apparently dead more than once, but to the astonishment of everyone that saw her, she is now in good health and quite plump. Sandy had a hard time and so did everyone of us. This is a hard country for females, I do assure you. It was like drawing of teeth first, but continues to get easier. We have no idea what we can do until we try. Candidly speaking, I would not persuade any relation or friend that I have in the world to come for fear they would be dissatisfied. I think the land is too rich for health."
Phillip's siblings who moved West maintained close contact with him throughout their lives. Brief sketches of their experience after leaving Virginia are included below:
Nancy Ann Howerton married Washington H. Perkins and they moved to Randolph County, Arkansas where he operated a large farm and maintained a prosperous mercantile business.
William Roane Howerton married Martha Patsy Nunn. They moved to Muhlenberg County, Kentucky between 1835 and 1840. About 1851 they relocated to Adams County, Illinois and their final move was to Knox County, Missouri.
James Howerton served on the staff of General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. He later married a cousin, Susan Independence Ragland (nee Howerton). They moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area about 1837 where he renewed his association with ex-President Jackson who requested James manage his extensive plantation holdings in Mississippi. He managed the plantations until the death of his wife in 1850 at which time he moved to Calhoun County, Texas. He remained in Texas for the balance of his life, serving as sheriff in Calhoun County until a few years before his death in 1868.
Catherine Edmundson Howerton married her cousin, William Howerton. They moved first to Kentucky and later to Shelby County, Tennessee where William operated a mercantile business; he and three of their children died of cholera in 1835.
Thomas Howerton went to Hardin County, Kentucky by 1825 and married Tena Roll. They moved to Muhlenberg County where Tena died and Thomas later married Elizabeth Benton. He was a prosperous farmer and raised a large family.
Eldred Howerton married a cousin, Nancy Ann Turner Howerton. They went first to Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and after a couple of years moved to Davidson County, Tennessee for the remainder of his life. He operated a mercantile business.
Charlotte Hayes Howerton married Thomas Cole. In the early 1830's they moved to Missouri where Charlotte died in St Louis County in late 1842 or early 1843.
Philip Howerton owned and operated a large plantation in addition to the civil duties he performed. In spite of his age, he again served his county as sheriff during the Civil War. His hospitable nature is illustrated by a letter written by him about three weeks after the end of the Civil War wherein he complains about the depredations of his property by a party of 16 or so soldiers. He asks the Union Provost Marshall for protection of his person and property. He also mentions the fact that he is providing medical attention and nursing to a very sick soldier from a New Jersey regiment.
Philip Howerton died 5 September 1879 at his home in Halifax County, Virginia. Obituaries were published in several Virginia newspapers, one of which is reproduced below:
OBITUARY
"On the 5th day of September 1879 departed this life at Oakland, his residence in Halifax County, Virginia, Capt Philip Howerton in the 85th year of his age.
The devoted father and friend, the true gentleman, the spotless citizen, the devout and venerated patriarch passed gently to his eternal rest.
Captain Howerton was born and reared in the County of Essex. He served with honor in the War of 1812. In early life he located in Halifax, where through many years he held important positions of public trust and won universal confidence and affection in every domestic, social and business relation. A man of high and stern integrity, always guided by the purest conviction of right and duty, yet was his daily life set off with such sweetness of temper, such simplicity and courtesy of manner and such genial and large-hearted hospitality that while all sincerely respected, no good man ever failed to love him.
He died in the conversion of the Episcopal Church of which through many years he was a faithful and devoted member. In the long course of a beautifully rounded life he did not fail to "add to his faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge and to knowledge, temperance, and to patience, Godliness and to Godliness, brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, charity.
A man of antique mold is withdrawn from life an example of primitive and rare excellence is lost to the living. But his memory will be cherished in many loving hearts and it's fragrance will endure to bless his descendants." /s/ Senex
"SEATON"
On 3 May 1996 Jean and I visited the old Howerton home built before the Civil War by William Matthew "Matt" Howerton and his wife, Adriana Elizabeth Tucker. The estate, Seaton, still stands in stately splendor in Halifax County, Virginia. If is now owned by two descendants, Robert G.D. "Chip" Pottage III and his brother, Frank Tod Pottage. When we arrived, the grounds and content of the house completely overwhelmed Jean and me. We expected to see an old desk stuffed with old letters tied in neat bundles. Entering the house was like stepping back into the early 19thcentury.
William Matthew "Matt" Howerton was a son of Philip Howerton and Elizabeth C. Cabiness. He entered public service, following in the footsteps of his father. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates, as sheriff of Halifax County and he served as a captain on the staff of General Wise, both in South Carolina and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Matt was at Petersburg, Virginia during the final siege and was with the army when it moved from Petersburg to Appomattox in the final days of the Civil War.
The house cannot be seen from the road since it is obscured by heavy foliage. Jean and I had passed the estate several times during previous visits in Halifax County, but never had seen the house. The estate adjoins what was previously part of Oakland, a much larger estate. A part of the old estate had been sold and converted into a country club. We had played golf at the club on previous trips to Virginia and were unaware of its connection to an old Howerton estate. Two private roads lead from the main road back into the trees where they meet at the house. We parked and were met by Lucy a beautiful Black Labrador Retriever who was still nursing eleven pups that looked just like her.
The house is two stories high. It was built it in the ornate style of the ante bellum South. The grounds surrounding the house are beautiful. As we left our car we heard loud, simultaneous calls from several directions, which we later learned were made by peacocks. Chip later said the peacocks are descended from those originally brought from the Howerton home at Oakland before 1852. The "Howerton Peacocks" have had another strain introduced into the original line because they were becoming too inbred.
Chip greeted us and escorted us into the house. We were already awestruck from the spectacular, historical appearance of things and were overwhelmed upon entering the house. Chip and Tod are dedicated to the preservation of the house, estate, and content. We had stepped back in time to the pre-Civil Wars day of the 1850s. All I could think of was Twilight Zone, an old TV series and found myself wondering when Rod Serling would suddenly appear. The house has been preserved exactly as it was when William Matthew Howerton built and occupied the house with his wife and children.
The walls in every room, except the bath, have large portraits of family members. Most are descendants through Howerton daughters. Ornate molding and woodwork are prominent in the house. The original furniture is massive, has been in place since before the Civil War and is beautifully maintained. Even the drapes and carpets are the originals. The parlor is so filled with furniture that, while comfortable, did not offer a suitable place to work and review the contents of the writing desk. Chip suggested we use the table in the dining room. What a table! It is about 12 to 15 feet long with chairs all around. Chip said that when the family entertained, the table length was more than doubled by the addition of extension sections. I was looking for a place to sit as I could not imagine sitting on one of those fragile appearing, ancient, ornate chairs. Chip said the house was where he and Tod lived and everything in it was used. All sorts of cabinets and presses are filled with china, crystal and silver pieces. Chips' housekeeper annually brings her entire family to the house and they work for three days, cleaning, dusting and polishing the impressive collection.
He showed us a shirt that he removed from its normal storage place. The shirt was kept in a clothing bureau used by Philip Howerton (born 1793). The shirt was one of Philip's and had been numbered "10 of 12" by Philip or whoever numbered his clothing. The shirt was pure white, although it was more than 150 years old. The shirt was made of linen from flax grown on the plantation. It was made by hand and the stitching and needlework impressed Jean. The house is full of such articles which are still stored where the original owners kept them.
The Old Writing Desk requires another story. It looked as I had anticipated, although the wood was richer and better preserved. There are a few pictures, tastefully arranged, on top of the desk. One picture is of young William Matthew Howerton in his Confederate Army uniform. The contents of the desk which included papers, records, letters, and documents are impressive in volume, but they are dwarfed by the number of boxes of memorabilia stored in other rooms. In some rooms the boxes containing such material are stacked two or three rows deep to a height of about six feet. The statement may sound like an exaggeration, but it is true. Two people working together every day for over a year would probably be unable to copy, tape, and transcribe all the material. Jean and I worked all day and could copy only selected material from one large envelope. We barely scratched the surface. Chip said that a large amount of the same type material was stored in the estate carriage house. We had previously seen copies of some of the letters that had been obtained by the late Dayton Howerton of Carbondale, Illinois. I recognized some of the original letters that are still in the old desk.
The range and depth of written material preserved through the years can be illustrated by one incident. A woman, descended from slaves, who resides in New York where she teaches in a college, was tracing her lineage. Somehow, she learned of the old writing desk. She was permitted to review the old plantation records which extend her lineage through several generations of former slaves who lived there.
Although Chip and Tod bought out the interest of the other heirs in the settlement of the estate several years ago, he describes himself more as a custodian. That is a role he fills to perfection since his primary concern is protection and preservation of the estate. He welcomes Howertons and their descendants to the place. Chip is generous with his time and treats Howertons with great courtesy. He says "it is part of the Howerton descendant's heritage." He does not want publicity as that would attract too many people. He has purposely let the surrounding area grow up in trees and shrubs to shield the estate from the view of the passing public.
I was glad to learn that he does not want to use any of the material for profit, nor does he want any others to do so. The editors of HOWERTON HERITAGE advocate the same policy regarding data we have compiled and recorded. I was pleased that Chip shared our views. He related the story of a young woman who had heard about the old writing desk and came to search through the material. He welcomed and helped her. She returned home, printed a book, and put it on the market. Chip feels the young woman violated his trust and took advantage of his generosity. I would imagine that a few more incidents of that type would result in his restricting access to the material and the estate.
Chip is a gracious host and went to a great deal of trouble to make himself available to us and to insure that we felt welcome and comfortable. He is very polite and his manner is reminiscent of genuine old Southern hospitality, grace, and chivalrous demeanor. He is in the antique business and knows the worth of the estate, however, he adamantly stated that nothing belonging to the estate is for sale. Quoting him: "It is dead money." Chips' primary concern is the preservation of the house and contents. The estate is listed as a historical site, which he is working to have preserved for all time under the watch of a private historical or genealogical society. He says he has a long way to go before reaching that objective.
NOTE: Anyone who may seek to visit the old estate is requested to fully cooperate with and assist Mr. Pottage in his efforts to protect and preserve this part of our heritage. (BRH)
In the article on Howerton Myths, page 4, column 2, in the Summer 1996 Issue of HOWERTON HERITAGE, the river running through the Howerton property is the Gasconade River and not the Missouri River. Note! We caught this error after the newsletter was printed. If a reader finds a factual error please write and we will printe a correction. Typos seem to be a way of life - we try. Each co-editor writes, edits and corrects his own articles. Untitled articles are by the co-editor in Glendale.
A HAPPY REUNION
By John F. Howerton
Jane Gengler wrote us a letter on 20 June 1996 to say, "I am adopted and am looking for my biological father. My birth name was Dorothy Jean Howerton. Jane knew she was born 27 May 1944 at the Saint Elizabeth hospital in Covington, Kentucky, to Edgar Jacob Howerton [Jacob Edgar Howerton] and Essie Lee Nave.
When Jane was nine months old, she was adopted and had lost all contact with her birth parents. She wrote, "If you have any information about Edgar Jacob Howerton, I would like to hear from you. I don't want to cause any problems for anyone. I had great parents, but they have passed away and I would just like to know. I never had any brothers or sisters and thought maybe I do have siblings somewhere out there."
It took us less than two minutes to locate her father in our files. We had the names of Jane's grandparents and her uncles and aunts. Our records gave the name of her aunt "Lela" Howerton Turner in Santa Fe, Texas. We replied to Jane and wrote "Lela." In the letter to "Lela" was a copy of Jane's letter.
On 19 July 1996 both Jane and "Lela" wrote us. "Lela" wrote, "Dear John - Rec'd your letter with the enclosed copy of a letter from Martha Jane (Rudd) Gengler requesting information about her biological father, Jacob Edgar Howerton. I phoned her and then called Mar-Lan French the daughter of Jacob. Mar-Lan called Martha and they had a lengthy conversation. They plan to meet at the Dayton Mall, both live near by. Yes, she is the daughter of my late brother and if and when I visit in Ohio I will meet her. Thank you so very much."
Jane also wrote on 19 July 1996 and said, "Dear John, I want to thank you for sending a copy of my letter to Lela Turner. She is a sister to my biological father. She called me the same day she received the letter and had contacted on of my half-sisters. One sister still lives in Middletown, Ohio. Middleton is about half an hour from Dayton. We are meeting for lunch next week. The sad part is my father died at the age of 48 but there is family. I am very grateful for your help. Thanks again. God bless you."
Mar-Lan Howerton French, the sister of Jane, wrote, "We are becoming fast friends as well as sisters. Since that July evening I spoke to her on the phone, we have been able to get together three times. I've had the pleasure of meeting not only Jane, but two of my new nieces and their children. So far Jane has met, my daughter, mother and my two grandsons. She also had the opportunity to meet my niece and her new baby. As you can imagine, this has been overwhelming at times. . . .my brothers are anxious to meet her and her family." Note! The above story is told with the written permission of those involve (JFH).
We are thrilled to be a small part of this happy ending.
(NOTE: If you need help in finding a lost loved one, please let us try to help find them. Our files now contain more than 14,000 names. We are pleased to be of assistance in helping Howertons find their kin.)
SCATTERING OF THE HOWERTONS
By John F. Howerton
After the American Revolution, the American people began to trickle across the mountains into Kentucky and Tennessee. Many of the people made their way to the Ohio River at Pittsburgh or Wheeling.
By 1792 enough people crossed into Kentucky for it to become a state and Tennessee was added in 1796 and Ohio in 1803. Following the War of 1812 a deluge of people moved west from the Atlantic seaboard states to form Louisiana in 1812, Indiana in 1816, Mississippi in 1817, and Illinois in 1818. Alabama joined the union a year later in 1819 and Missouri was added in 1821.
The Howertons moved into all of the states except Ohio. By 1850 when the U.S. Census first listed every member living in a household by name, age and state of birth Howertons were scattered throughout the south, southwest, midwest and north central areas. Families of Howertons lived in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The movement continue until the Civil War, paused for five years, and resumed. Based on the U.S. Census reports the number of Howertons located in the above states increased significantly between 1850 and 1860. In some states the number nearly doubled. No only did the number of Howertons increase in most of the states where they were living, but they also scattered within the state. As an example, in 1850 Howertons lived in six Illinois counties, but by 1860 they were in ten counties. This pattern of intrastate scattering was duplicated in Kentucky and Missouri.
In the forthcoming issues of HOWERTON HERITAGE the core families will be discussed and their children of the pre-Civil War period traced. Following the Civil War a new scattering occurred that lasted from 1865 to the early 20th century.
PHILIP HOWERTON: A MAN OF CONVICTIONS
By John F. Howerton
Philip Howerton was a man of deep personal convictions. Two incidents from his writings illustrate his sense of right and wrong; his sense of integrity.
In order to understand the first incident one must know something about the Baptists. Every Baptist church is independent and operates as a democracy in which every church member has a voice and a vote. No outside authority can overturn the vote of a Baptist church. A Baptist church calls (hires) its own minister, replaces the minister, owns it's buildings, make its own rules of operation and sets it own standards of conduct for members. Most Baptist churches belong to a larger body of Baptist churches with whom they share a body of common ideas and practices. The participation of a Baptist church in a larger body is voluntary. The church can join the body or leave the body by their own free choice. If a member of a Baptist church changes his place of residence and moves his church membership, the new church is sent a letter of recommendation.
Baptist churches have different rules about who may participate in the Lord's Supper (Communion). Some churches have closed communion and permit only members of their local congregation to take communion; others have open communion and will permit local members and any visiting Baptists of "like faith and order" to take communion; some congregations have a form of open communion that permits all professing Christians present to take communion.
On 14 December 1817 the Piscataway Baptist Church of Christ (See the article, "Howertons: Village and Church," Howerton Heritage, Volume 1, Issue 1, Winter 1996, pages 2-4) in Essex County, Virginia, near the community of Howertons, Virginia, issued the following letter, "As my worthy brother, Philip Howerton, is about to leave us for a little time and as the privileges of a church are considered by him of great importance and requesting me to give him a letter of recommendation as the liberty of communion with those with whom he may reside, I do hereby certify that Brother Philip Howerton is a member among us and is in full fellowship. . . . By the order of the church" /s/ Philip Montague, Pastor.
Apparently, at the time, Philip did not know he was making a permanent move. An obituary printed at the time of his death said, "He came to Halifax County in 1817, being then in his 25th year . . . " He remained in Halifax County the remainder of his life. In "January 1822 - By the request of Brother Philip Howerton, the within named and as he resides at a distance from us, he is at liberty to join any other church of the same faith and order as within certified. . . .By order of the Church." /s/ Philip Montague (Note! This statement was written on the back of the original letter of recommendation in the paragraph above.) The entire letter was folded and across the outside was written "A Letter of Recommendation." Based on events that took place in June 1828, Philip had apparently joined the Black Walnut Baptist Church in Halifax County, Virginia.
On the "3rd Saturday in June 1828, the Black Walnut Baptist Church held a meeting of it's members and Philip Howerton was excommunicated from the church membership because he was a member of the Masonic Order. Many of the things that took place at the meeting disturbed Philip. After considering what had happened, he wrote a draft letter or memorandum outlining the events. It is unknown whether he delivered the letter to the church. Parts of his letter are quoted below.
Philip wrote, "I intended not to have made any comments on the proceedings of the members that composed the Church meeting held at Black Walnut on the 3rd Saturday in June 1828 but from some circumstances that took place on that day & the day following together with a sense of duty to the cause I have many years espoused (to wit) the religion taught by our Lord Jesus Christ in the time of his humiliation. I cannot forbear . . . [speaking] against such conduct as that body on that day was guilty of.
The leader of the group who had prompted the meeting of the church was a Mr. M. L. Holt. Philip wrote, " . . . after the usual form church meeting . . . the business of the church attended to in regular order till they came to a reference of record that had been frequently laid over for consideration (To Wit) the subject of Masonry. At that moment I was invited outside by M. L. Holt who wished as he had a private [interest] with me on that subject which we had, his object seemed to have been to inform me that I was to be dealt with at that time on account of my being a member of a Masonic lodge expressing at the same time he could not give me [?] that he could not vote against me but it was certain a majority would be against me, tho he did not know how members would vote. I told him I was a freeman and would not give up my privileges to any body of people whatever . . . I told him I could not retract from that which I knew was not rong [wrong] and so we returned to the church, at which time I expected the reference in form to have been considered but to my astonishment the church was unanimous except myself for throwing out the reference unnoticed which I opposed but which was done, propositions after propositions were then made to the church till no one could tell what was the question to be decided. Our proposal that they should say whether I should hold my seat with them or not. Another proposed that the church should say whether they would hold in fellowship a member who was a Mason & time given me to say at Augt [August] meeting whether I would be a Mason or a Baptist. I then proposed that the church should say whether they had any other charge against me besides that of my being a Mason which was decided unanimously that there was nothing else that any member could allege against me."
One of those present proposed that the meeting adjourn and the members go home for drink and food. The discussion appears to have dragged on and some of the members began to go home. After many of the people left the meeting, Philip wrote, " . . . a propounded question was put to the church by command of Mr. Holt by which Holt said I was excommunicated by the vote on the question & time given me till Augt meeting to say whether I would be a member [of] that church or a Mason. The majority of the church then present said they did not so understand it & no record of the proceedings [were] kept. Nor can anyone say what my standing is in the ch[urch]. Now I ask for a record of the proceedings of the ch[urch] on that day to be made all tho the whole of the proceedings cannot be [regular] in form yet the record could be made so as to [imprint] the most important business of that day."
In his draft letter/memo, Philip wrote a list of seventeen questions or statements about the church meeting and what was done. His list included the following:
1. Who composed the church meeting on that day before mentioned?
2. How was the church dismissed? [Some members left and other stayed and there was formal dismissal.]
3. Did the church understand what they had done?
4. Was there a fair understanding between the members of the church?
5. Did I not request the members then present to meet on the next morning to make up the records and have an understanding among themselves? [Apparently, a meeting was held the following day, but Philip was not present.]
6. Who met the next day? [3rd Sunday of June 1828]
7. Who understood that my case would come before the church that day?
8. Was not the subject of Masonry refused to be taken up when proposed by me to be done?
9. Was not the subject taken up afterward when proposed by Mr. Holt in his propounded question?
10. Did not his influence plainly appear to all present that was disinterested?
11. What is the capacity & status of those he has influence over & what are their relation to him?
12. Did not his conduct & vote contradict what he espoused with his own lips to me?
13. How was I brought before the church?
14. What has been the practice of this church & others of the same order when they have a member to deal with on any matter of controversy?
15. Is it the practice of any church to deal with members and excommunicate them without a pacific [sic - specific] charge against them and were they not allowed to defend the charges or [?] practice of any church to take its members by surprise to excommunicate them?
16. Was it not ovious [obvious] why some members wanted me tryed [tried] for excommunication on that day?
17. Is it a common thing to have the members that compose the church meeting on that day at that church on church meeting days or any other day [?] at that place?
As Bryan has observed in his article, Philip joined the Episcopal Church. In an obituary, Death of Captain Howerton, it was reported, "For many years Capt. Howerton had been a devout member of the Episcopal Church, a Christian of Christians. . . ."
While a few Baptist churches may prohibit a member from being a Mason, such a practice is not common. Many leading Baptist laymen and ministers are members of the Masonic Order.
Four years later on Christmas Day 1932, Philip wrote a letter to Governor John Floyd of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Executor of the State. Philip was Captain of Rifle Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Regiment, Virginia Militia. Philip's letter outlined the facts and ask the governor to take appropriate action.
"In laying before you the enclosed appeal from the judgement of a court of inquiry therein mentioned, I will only state to you the ground upon which the appeal was taken together with the facts relating to the case. As the muster named in the appeal the companies of the regiment were paraded and before they were exercised by the colonel each captain called the roll of his respective company and notes were taken of delinquencies in my company by myself. I immediately placed my first and second sergeants in the rear of my company to prevent the ranks being broken. My company was on the extreme right of the regiment. I was taken from my company and placed near the left of the first battalion of the regiment. After a long parade by the colonel the officers were called to the front to be discharged. The colonel, at that time riding off, directed the adjutant to dismiss the regiment. The adjutant then directed the captains to dismiss their companies after calling the roll. I immediately repaired to my company which was at the right of the regiment, commenced calling my roll but seeing other companies dismissed and leaving the field, I called upon my sergeants whom I had put out in the rear as guards for my company and inquired of them whether any person had left the company or not, and they reported to me that not a person had left the company. I immediately dismissed my company and went directly to the colonel and informed him how I had acted, who seemed to think I had done exactly right as I had a guard over my company. Their report ought to be good. I then told the colonel and the adjutant that I thought the order from the adjutant to call the roll a second time was illegal, that the law laid down the time and place and who should call the roll of companies and report delinquents and had any of my company been absent I thought the officers commanding them while on duty ought to report them. I would report any who would break ranks from my command.
At the before mentioned court of inquiry after the business was nearly over the colonel in a jesting manner said to me that he had not reported me for not calling my roll twice on the day of the regiment muster. I told him that in my opinion the court had no cognizance of the case upon which that court decided immediately that they had cognizance of the case and that I had refused to obey the order of the colonel for which I should pay $5. Myself with others of the court being of a different opinion determined to lay the case before a higher tribunal, but strange to say that a majority of the court at that time refused to me the right of appeal and decided that I should not take an appeal in the case not knowing that the law put that point out of their power. The foregoing are substantially the facts of the case [copied as written in Philip's letter].
I appeal because that colonel had no cognizance of the case. (See revised Virginia code 1st C35. See 57). If I had disobeyed the order of the colonel he ought to have had me arrested and tried for it. The colonel did not think that I had disobeyed his command. Second, the adjutant had no right to give such an order verbally in the absence of the colonel. All orders to commissioned officers are required to be in writing unless the colonel is personally present and directs them. (See Revised Code C 35, see 45, Vol first). Same section directs to who shall call roll of companies and when. And same section requires a form of a return of delinquents. Your early reply to this will very much oblige. Your obedient servant, Phil Howerton."
On the bottom of the above letter, in different handwriting, appears an unsigned statement, whose origin is unknown: "All orders to commissioned officers are in my opinion to be in writing unless one of the field officers is personally present and directs them. The adjutant is only one of the staff officers and takes rank below the captains; hence, in this case he had no right to give any order except to dismiss the regiment which was the only order I heard given by the colonel before he left the field."
WILLIAM HOWERTON:
Revolutionary War
Veteran
By John F. Howerton
William Howerton, Sr. of Virginia was one of the first Howertons to move to Kentucky. William was born to Thomas Howerton and Gryssilah ? about 1759 in Essex County, Virginia. He participated in the Revolution War (See "Howertons in the American Revolution," HOWERTON HERITAGE, Volume 1, Issue 2, Spring 1996, pages 12-13). His family lived in Henrico, Chesterfield and Prince Edward counties, Virginia, during his childhood.
William married Nancy ? (Date unknown) and the couple has nine known children: Rebecca, 18 April 1784, William, Jr., 1789, Nathan, Abt. 1793 and John M., 1798 were all born in Montgomery County, Virginia. Five the children were born in Russell County, Virginia: James Monroe, 1796, Mary (Polly), 1800, Nancy, Abt 1805, Susan Rachel, 1808 and Jacob C., 1810. Each of the sons are known to have raised large families who have descendants throughout the United States.
He was living in Washington County, Virginia on 1 September 1776 at the time of his first enlistment into the Army during the American Revolutionary War. His application for a pension indicated he moved to Montgomery County, Virginia in 1778 and was living there at the time of his enlistment in May 1779. After the war his presence in Montgomery is attested to by his appearance on the Tax List of 1787, issuance of a legal document on 15 August 1787, the 1792 Tithable Book of 1792, and Land Tax Records for 1792.
His first appearance in Russell County, Virginia, was 22 September 1795 when he purchased land. On 24 August 1799 William Howerton of Russell County purchased thirty acres of land. His name appears on a variety of land records from 1799 to 1814 when on 1 April William Howerton, Sr., of Russell County sold land to his sons, William Howerton, Jr. and Nathan Howerton
There is a land record dated 16 February 1802 that says, "William Howerton of Lee County, Virginia, sold land to John Wood of Russell County. Whether old William lived in Lee County is uncertain.
In 1814 a large group of men living in Washington, Russell, and Lee counties petitioned the General Assembly of Virginia to form a new county. Those who signed the petition included William, Sr., William, Jr., John, Nathan, and James Howerton. Scott County, Virginia, was subsequently formed.
Around 1815 William and most of his children moved to Floyd County, Kentucky. The land sales to his sons probably occurred just before the move. In 1817 the Montgomery County, Virginia tax records listed William Howerton with 100 acres of land and the notation that his residence and location was unknown.
He sold land on 27 November 1819 in Floyd County, Kentucky. In 1820 his name appears on the U.S. Census report for both Floyd and Morgan counties in Kentucky, as does that of three of his sons. The families of James, John and William, Sr., were listed and totaled twenty-two individuals. On 17 July 1822 he made a land purchase in Floyd County. Later that year, 12 November 1822, his name appears on a marriage bond.
William probably did not move but the area where he lived in Floyd County became Morgan county when it was formed in 1822. He remained in Morgan County and in 1830 he was listed in the U.S. Census as between 70-80 and living alone. His sons Jacob, John, and James, were living in the same county with their families. In 1840 he was still in the county and lived with his son, Jacob.
He applied for a Revolutionary War Pension and a certificate was issued 7 February 1834 at the rate of $60.00 per annum and commenced 4 March 1834 under a Congressional Act of 7 June 1832. He died 18 August 1841 in Morgan County. His son, James, was appointed administrator of the estate. William's pension papers show he was owed pension funds for 4 March 1841 to 18 August 1841 which were paid.
(Note! Future issues of HOWERTON HERITAGE will trace the lives of his four sons who produced extensive lines of their own. JFH)
OBEDIAH
HOWERTON:
A Man With Wandering
Feet
By John F. Howerton
Obediah Howerton was born about 1772 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, to Thomas Howerton and Sophia Horn. He married a woman name Ruth ? in the 1790s.
The had four known children in Rockingham County, North Carolina: Nancy, about 1790, Patsy, about 1792, James, about 1794, and John, about 1796. Their last known child, William was born 1806 in Kentucky.
They were a wandering family. In 1790 Obediah was living in the Salisbury District of Rockingham County, North Carolina. According to the U.S. Census report he was over 16 years and age and was living with a female whose age was not shown. Ten years later they were still living in the same place and the household listed Obediah (age 26-45), a female (age 26-45), three males (ages 0-10) and one female (age 0-10).
Apparently, Obediah and Ruth stopped in Lee County, Virginia for a time. They were listed on the "Church Roll of Thompson Settlement Baptist Church 1800-1822," in Lee County.
People who were intending to cross into Kentucky via the Cumberland Gap would often pause in their journey until enough people were assembled to make a large party. Travel along the wilderness trails was much safer when the group was large enough to afford protection from the lawless who preyed on individuals and small groups
The family moved to Kentucky before 1806 when their son, William was born. In 1810 the U.S. Census report listed in Grayson county, Obediah Howerton (age 26-45), one female (age 45-up), one female (age 10-16), two females (ages 0-10), one male (age 0-10), and two males (ages 10-16). They have not been located in the 1820 Census report, but Bryan R. Howerton said they were probably in Logan County, Kentucky, for a while.
The family surfaces again in 1829 in the Special Sheriff's Census of Arkansas living in Ruddell Township, Independence County. The special census listed Obediah Howerton and five white family members. The following year when the regular U.S. Census was taken the family was still in the Ruddell Township and listed Obediah (age 56-60), one female (age 30-40), one male (age 15-20), and two females (ages 10-15).
Obediah moved again between 1830 and 1840. When the Census was taken in 1840, Obediah was living in Scott County, Missouri. The household listed Obediah (age 70-80), one female (age 50-60), one female (age 10-15) and two females (ages 5-10).
If one reads the above they will notice in 1810 a female (age 45-up) in the household. It appears Obediah's first wife, Ruth died before 1830 when a female (age 34-40) was in the household. Apparently, Obediah remarried and between 1830-1840 he had at least two more daughters.
The line of Obediah's son, James can be traced until about 1850 when it dead-ended. The youngest known son, William who married Elizabeth Skaggs about 1830 in Hardin County, Kentucky, is the head of a large family whose members can be traced to the present. William and Elizabeth had nine known children. He and Elizabeth had children in Grayson County, Kentucky, Hardin County, Kentucky, Hart County, Kentucky, and Macoupin County, Illinois, where William died between 1850-1860.
On 7 August 1860 Elizabeth was a widow living in Carrollton, Greene County, Illinois, with her nine children.
The travels of Obediah and his son, William, illustrate how often families moved in the 1800s and the extent of their travels.
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