Edited by
Wally Howerton
Contributing Editors
John F. Howerton
Bryan R. Howerton
Volume Five, Issue 1 Winter 2001
FROM THE EDITOR
Greeting Cousins:
As I look out my office window, the snow keeps falling and I'm getting cabin-fever! I can't wait until Spring when my local golf course is back in "full-swing." It seems to me that there have been more illnesses going around this year than in the past. Maybe not! The worst illness or I should say "sickness" that has been going around is the one that is intentionally imposed on unsuspecting people.
Our cousin, Bryan Howerton, was ill for several weeks! It wasn't bad enough that the ice storms of Arkansas took him out of action for days at a time but then he was unfortunate enough to "catch" a virus. Of course by now you probably have guessed that I'm talking about a computer virus. It seems that someone or some machine send Bryan an e-mail from ha! ha! ha! This occurred around Christmas time and like most of us would think, Bryan thought some Christmas humor was coming his way. He didn't laugh!
After weeks of frustration, countless phone calls, and probably the most extensive self-taught period in his life, Bryan, is back in action. To most of us this would just be an inconvenience but I know personally how much an inconvenience this could be. It seems that we become enslaved to our computers putting all sorts of data on them and if they freeze up then the data is almost untouchable. Thank goodness that Brian had backups on all his files or the Howerton Heritage Master Database might have been severely damaged. Imagine over 35 years and over 16,000 Howerton records being lost. I'm over- dramatizing it of course because Bryan's house looks like the National Archives from what I've been told. Everything is in order, cross referenced, etc. The computer files just make data keeping convenient.
I'm sure that all of us who are in contact with Bryan have learned some important lessons at his expense. Our only advise is the next time someone sends you a ha! ha! ha! you better know who's doing the laughing!
(If you have been plagued by any of the recent viruses then perhaps you should contact Bryan Howerton as I'm sure he is working for Norton Anti-Virus by now and could give you some tips.)
Name Controversy: Dorothy Covington
Letters From the Old Writing Desk
PFC John Howerton completes Army Airborne Training
Walter S. Howerton IV weds Melissa Lea Cunningham
Annual Claiborne County, Tennessee Howerton Family Reunion
NAME CONTROVERSY: DOROTHY
COVINGTON
By Bryan R Howerton
A Covington living in Virginia published a book on the Covington family a few years back. He stated in the book that Dorothy, wife of the original William Covington of (old) Rappahannock County, VA was a daughter of Thomas Howerton (i.e., the first Thomas Howerton to arrive in Virginia Colony). That simply does not fit the facts. To our knowledge, no one had ever even suggested a family relationship between Thomas Howerton and the wife of William Covington until that book appeared. We have visited the courthouse at Tappahannock, VA numerous times and studied the records of (old) Rappahannock and Essex Counties. A deed was found which was executed 10 Oct 1670 in Old Rappahannock County, signed by William Covington, Dorothy Covington, and Thomas Howerton – this is apparently the document that led the deceased Mr. Covington to assume Dorothy was the daughter of Thomas Howerton.
Thomas Howerton was not old enough to have a daughter married in 1670 and only two children (Thomas b abt 1670 and William b abt 1672) have been positively identified. Further, the author indicated that William Covington was a very wealthy man at that time. Extant records indicate that both William Covington and Thomas Howerton arrived in Virginia in indentured status in 1663 or a little earlier. Both are named as headrights of John and George Mott who were awarded a land patent on 17 Oct 1670 for their transport to Virginia. Obviously neither was likely to have been "very wealthy" in 1670.
Thomas Howerton and William Covington had entered into a partnership and held a large tract of land in (old) Rappahannock County (land located in what is now Essex and King & Queen Counties). That partnership continued for many years and there was a close association between the descendants of each. Indications are that Covington and Howerton were about the same age and records indicate that Thomas Howerton served as executor of William Covington's will in 1697 - Thomas apparently died in 1699-1700.
Getting back to that deed of 1670 -
William Covington and Thomas Howerton signed the deed because
they were joint owners of the property and Dorothy Covington
signed to release her dower rights, as required by colonial
Virginia. This document is reportedly the basis for the erroneous
assumption that Dorothy was a daughter of Thomas Howerton.
NOTE: With increasing use of internet, genealogical data is spread farther and wider at a rate not previously possible. Unfortunately, this useful tool does not distinguish between erroneous information and legitimate data. Erroneous data not only misinforms, but ultimately causes a great loss of valuable research time. In the interest of accuracy and to hopefully inhibit the spread of erroneous data, notices such as this will be included in the newsletter from time to time. Bryan
Letters From the Old Writing
Desk
compiled
by Wally Howerton
In an earlier issue of Howerton Heritage I wrote, "One of the small pleasures as editor affords me the opportunity to read documents from years gone by. I'd like to quote the old cliche, 'the good old days' as they certainly seem more romantic, more personal, and the written word very often just sounded melodious."
I find myself returning time and again to "The Old Writing Desk" to browse and let the words of my kin, and the flavor of those words, envelope me. . . . . . . .
To: Philip
Howerton
Halifax Courthouse, VA
Dear Philip,
In your last letter
to me you said that you would write to me again soon. I
waited for the fulfillment of that promise as long as I remained
in Tennessee, but after I moved to this state it was unreasonable
to expect you to write not knowing where I had removed to. Hence,
it became my duty to write you and I should have done so some
time before now if it had been in my power to have said anything
satisfactory to those, my friends in Virginia, but now I can see
some chance if God will bless me with health a few years to be
able to rise above the grounds of poverty after discharging every
just debt against me in any country. I have heretofore been doing
a small business hardly sufficient to pay expenses in consequence
of my bad health. The first year I received for my services $2750.00.
It took the whole of it to pay my doctor's bills and other
unavoidable expenses. This year I am to get ???, $600.00 out of
which I have to pay Eldred the money advanced for me, a part of
which was sent to Virginia to me and which I should be glad to
know how it was applied. For the next year I shall make at
least $800.00 probably it may be $1000.00. I am overseeing
for Andrew Jackson, the adopted son of General Andrew
Jackson, and if I can enjoy my health as well as I have this
year it will be but a few years before I shall be able to live
more at my ease. I came down here the 24th of July with 24 hands,
cleaned and got in cultivation about 100 acres - 45 in cotton and
about 55 in corn. I have harvested 140 barrels of corn and about
80,000 lbs of cotton which will net 20,000 picked ready for
market which is nearly 2,000 lbs to the acre which is said to be
a first rate crop for this country. Jackson is one of the
best men I have ever met with in my life. I am at no
expense whatever. I have as many as I choose to cook and do house
business. He finds me and my family in everything we need
except wearing clothes. In fact, I do just as if ever on the
plantation was my own. He comes down and stays with us from
one to three weeks at a time. He has just left us but I
expect him down in a few months. When he is here he
is like one of the children. He says the old man, the
general, says I must stay on the plantation for he would not
exchange me for any man. Enough of this subject.
Philip, the little
legacy coming to me from the death of little Benjamin Howerton, I
wish you would collect for me and pay James S Easley and Co the
little note he holds of mine; Dr Everett for his visit to
me when I was sick the year before I left there and the balance
placed to your credit and send me a statement of all the business
done for me.
Philip, Mr Jackson
requested me to write to you for a draft of Bang's Wheat Threshing
Machine with some directions how to make and put it to work.
He wants it for his father. I was telling him of the pattern.
He was pleased with my description and wishes to try it, if you
should send the draft as requested, send it to General
Andrew Jackson, Nashville, Tennessee.
Let me know how
Jonathan McCargo comes on in settling the old store account.
Ask him to write to me. I requested him to pay that
debt of J S Easley out of the money Eldred sent me and
which he received after I left, but understood by W Michie he did
not and I gave him an order for what remained in McCargo's hands
to be applied to the debt due Capt Easley's estate. Give
all these things some attention and let me know how they stand.
I wrote to Thomas J Howerton last spring, informing him of his
mother's death. I have never received a line from him so I don't
know whether he received my letter or not. 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. Chills and fever are the prevalent disease in this
country and I believe there would be but little of that if the
people would act with prudence. My family has enjoyed as
good health here as in any country. James,
Charles and Andrew had a small touch of chills and fevers but the
balance have enjoyed good health. In fact, I am heavier
than I ever was in my life. There is a great deal of first
rate land which has not yet come in market I have made (or at
least I have made Philip make) an improvement on a ridge of land
about 3 miles from the river which I intend to
try and own whenever it comes on the market. It has never
been surveyed and it is likely I may secure a pre-emption. James
has also made a settlement on the same ridge. 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 that
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 $2.00 to $5.00
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 and pay us $2.50 to $3.00 per cord for wood
and buy anything we can raise to eat.
Susan together with
all the children wished to be remembered to you, Eliza and
children. Write to me as soon as you receive this.
Your brother and friend
/s/ James Howerton
NB Susan wishes you to do
her the favor to let her know what has become of and where is her
poor little motherless grandchildren. J.H.
NB Please tell my friend
Ransom Wiles if he intends overseeing he had better come here.
He can get from $800.00 to $1200.00 a year.
Your brother, J.H. (29)
Coahoma County, Miss
15th December 1839
CIVIL
WAR: MISSOURI HOWERTONS
By Bryan R Howerton
The American Civil War was a great
tragedy for the entire nation and the Howerton family also
suffered during that period of time. In addition to those
young Howertons injured, wounded or killed while serving either
the North or South during that war, those residing in the border
states experienced four years of pure torment. This was
particularly true of
those living in SW Missouri and NW Arkansas.
Much of the lawlessness which occurred in Missouri during the
Civil War was the result of prolonged disagreement from as early
as 1855 between inhabitants of Kansas Territory and Missouri.
A primary disagreement centered around whether Kansas should be
admitted to the Union as a "free" or "slave"
state. The early settlers included both pro-slavery and
anti-slavery adherents. Bands of pro-slavery Missourians
illegally voted
in elections in Kansas Territory. The fanatical agitation by
abolitionists in Kansas Territory led to attacks on individuals
in Missouri who opposed admission of Kansas as a free state,
including individuals whom the attackers suspected of such
opposition. Retaliation by individual and small groups of
Missourians were met with additional raids by Kansans, which
escalated to loose organization of quasi-military organizations
by
both sides. Those living in the border area of Missouri
were subjected to repeated atrocities - people were murdered,
homes looted, livestock stolen, anything of value taken, and
homes and farm buildings burned.
Such activity set the stage for lawlessness in rural Missouri,
particularly south of the Missouri River. With increasing
numbers of men away from home serving in either the Confederate
or Union armies, defenseless women and children were at the mercy
of roving bands of bushwhackers and renegades. It was common
practice for a band to approach a farm and determine which side
of the war was supported by the family. In a no-win
situation, the renegades would claim loyalty to the Union when
the family symphatized with
the South and vice versa if they supported the North. The
bands would often loot the farms to the extent that food stored
for the winter was also taken, if found. Individuals and
families were slaughtered. This was the conditions under
which a great number of Howertons lived in southwest
Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Three separate cases,
shown below, illustrate how some Howerton families were affected
by conditions in
Missouri during that period.
Grief Mann Howerton
was born 21 Jan 1833 in Rhea County, TN; the son of Edmund Howerton
and Mary "Polly"
Oliver. He accompanied his family when
they moved to Dallas County, MO in 1839. About 1856 he
married Matilda S Chitman
and they were the parents of seven children. One of his
granddaughters who well-remembered him was interviewed by the
writer and stated that Grief and his family were subjected to
threats and raids by marauding bands, most of which he believed
to be composed of southern symphatizers. An implied promise
was that his family would be "looked after" during his
absence if he joined the Confederate Army. Although he
privately supported the Union, Grief enlisted as a Private on 7
Jun 1862 and served in the 14th Battalion, Missouri Cavalry, CSA
until the end of the war. After his departure his family
continued to be harassed by roving bands, but they did survive.
His granddaughter said he often told her that he never killed
anyone that he knew of during his military service. He
stated further, that he was once selected to serve on a firing
squad formed to execute a soldier convicted by courts martial..
He said the squad consisted of seven men and he did not know
whose shot killed the convicted Confederate soldier.
Sterne White Howerton
was born 2 May 1837 in King William County, VA; the son of Robert Pollard Howerton
and Judith White.
He accompanied his family on their move to Osage County, MO in
1841. On 29 Aug 1855 he married Paralee
A Lambeth (b 1836 TN - d 24 Mar 1865 or
1868 Osage County, Mo; daughter of Joseph
Lambeth) in Osage Co, MO. Their
children were:
Martha J b 30 Aug 1856
John C b 31 Jul
1858
Catharine Alla b 23
Oct 1860
Thirza E b 14 Jul
1864.
His loyalty was with the Union, although he and other members of his family owned a few slaves. He joined the local Home Guard in Osage County, MO, and soon after, an entire regiment was formed from Osage County, which he joined. The regiment became the 26th Missouri Infantry and he served until disabled. Upon return to Osage County he again entered the Osage County Home Guard in which he served with his brother, John Thomas Howerton, until killed on 4 Oct 1864 near Pointer's Creek in Osage County by Confederate troops participating in Price's 1864 Raid Through Missouri. He and his brother, John Thomas Howerton were captured by the rebel forces on 4 Oct 1864; Sterne White Howerton was summarily executed by gunfire (descendants say because he was wearing Union Army trousers kept from his active duty with the Union Army) - his brother, John Thomas, was conscripted into the Confederate Army.
The following affidavit was found in the
War Department Archives in Washington, DC:
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Missouri
County of Osage
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Clerk of the Circuit Court for Osage County, Missouri - J W Carwile and Joseph M Lambeth of Linwood P.O., County of Osage, State of Missouri, who, being duly sworn upon his oath declares as follows:
Mr Joseph M Lambeth states upon his oath in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:
I was well acquainted with S W Howerton
in his life time. I was present and saw S W Howerton shot
by some of the troops under command of General Price of the
Confederate Army. He was shot by said troops on October 4th,
1864 about 50 yards to the right of the road from Pointers Creek
to Chamois in Osage County, Mo. He was killed outright and
never spoke or moved after he was shot. He was shot right
below the left eye.
Mr J W Carwile states upon his oath in relation to the said case as follows:
I knew S W Howerton well and intimately
in his life time. I was with the deceased on Sunday after
he was shot. I was out in the woods with a searching party
looking for the dead body of S W Howerton and we found him out in
the woods about 50 yards to the right of the Chamois Road and
about two miles from the farm of John L Clark. He was dead
when we found him. He was shot in the face and the ball
having entered a little below
the left eye. We removed him some distance, got a coffin
and buried him
next day.....
And we further say that our knowledge of the
above facts is obtained from the following sources, viz:
from personal observation and being present at the time.
And that they have no interest or concern in the matter.
/s/ J M Lambeth
/s/ J W Carwile
Subscribed and sworn before me, this 19th day of August 1889, and
I certify that the parties whose names appear signed to the
foregoing affidavit are the persons they represent themselves to
be and they are good and credible witnesses, and that the
contents of the foregoing affidavit were duly read and fully
known to affiants before making oath to same, and that I have no
interest in the matter.
/s/ E F Bautzer
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Osage County, Missouri
A second affidavit, confirming the one above was also found:
AFFIDAVIT
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of Probate in and for Osage County in the State of Missouri - John C Dessieux and Adam Miller, both residents of Linn and who have resided in Osage County, Mo for 35 years each and being duly sworn upon their oaths say in relation to above claim as follows:
Stern W Howerton was killed in 1864; we
were well and personally acquainted with him; he was in the
Federal Army; he left a widow,
Paralee Howerton; said children were
named as follows: John C Howerton born 1 July 1858, still
living and claimant herein; Martha J Howerton born 6 August
1856; Catherine A Howerton born 9 November 1860; and Thursie E
Howerton born 14 July 1864 - all being now deceased except John C
Howerton who is
also afflicted with consumnption. Paralee Howerton, the
mother of said children and wife of Stern W Howerton died 24 Dec
1868 (....barely legible...date
could be "1865".....),
Catherine A Howerton died 20 April 1868, Martha J Howerton died
20 May 1875, Thursie E Howerton died 17 January 1887.
We believe the foregoing statements to be
true and correct; our belief is founded upon the family record of
births and deaths of the children of deceased soldier and partly
on our own personal knowledge.
/s/ J C Dessieux
/s/ Adam Miller
SEAL - Signed by Probate Judge
Osage Co, Mo 29 Jul 1891
William W Howerton
was born in 1836 in Pike County, IL; the son of William Howerton
and Susannah Whitt.
His parents had moved to Illinois from Montgomery County, VA
about a year earlier. The family moved to Livingston County, MO
about 1842 and to Pettis County, MO shortly thereafter. At age 18
he settled permanently in Saline County, MO; where on 28 Jan 1864
he married Elizabeth Smith,
daughter of Thomas Smith. William is reported to have been a
strong Union supporter. His residence was in Grand Pass Township,
Saline County when General Price made his 1864 Raid Through
Missouri. William was captured by local southern sympathizers
during Price's Raid; charged with being responsible for the death
of one Harris, accused of having had reported Harris to the local
Union militia.
William was shot 18 Oct 1864 by local residents Pete Frazier, Bill - - -, H D Evans, Sid Martin, and one Masterson. William lived for eight or ten days following the shooting and was able to name those who shot him in retaliation for the death of Harris.
William and Elizabeth had one child, William, born in May 1865.
PFC John
Thomas Howerton
attends
Army
Airborne School
at
Fort
Benning, Georgia
John Thomas Howerton was born 8 Oct 1978
in Enterprise, AL; the son of Donald R Howerton and Cynthia Fohn
Nobles. He was named in honor of his GGG-Grandfather John Thomas
Howerton, who served in both the Union and Confederate Armies
during the Civil War.
John graduated from high school in San Antonio, TX in 1997;
following which he was employed as assistant manager of a welding
firm in San Antonio. On 8 May 1999 he was married to Tonya
Nicole Roberds in San Antonio. They are the parents of a
daughter, Michelle Lee Howerton who was born 28 Feb 2000 in San
Antonio, TX.
In July 2000, John enlisted in the U S Army in San Antonio, TX .
He was permitted to choose the branch of the Army in which he
would serve and his preference was combat arms and the branch
chosen was Infantry. He was sent to Fort Benning, GA for
basic infantry training, which was followed by advanced infantry
tactics, from which he was an outstanding graduate, after having
served as a squad leader during the final phase of that training.
Next, he attended the Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, from
which he
graduated on 2 Dec 2000, qualified as an airborne infantry
rifleman (MOS 11B).
Following graduation, he was selected to assist the Army
Recruiting Office in San Antonio, TX for 30 days by speaking to
prospective recruits at schools in that area. He then
reported to Fort Bragg, NC where he was assigned to Company B, 1st
Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne
Division.
John, his wife, and daughter are presently settling in at
Fayetteville, NC. He is career oriented and is tentatively
scheduled to enter Airborne Ranger training in the near future.
The 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry Regiment is given the responsibility to conduct the U.S. Army Airborne School. The Airborne School has U.S. Army Blackhat cadre and instructors from the USMC, USN and USAF to train students in the use of the static line deployed parachute. The battalion is organized into six companies: Headquarters and Headquarters Company for administrative actions and command and control; four Line Companies (A, B, C, and D) execute the BAC Program of Instruction (POI) and Company E provides parachute rigger support. The same Platoon Sergeants, Section Sergeants, and Squad Leaders train their students during each training phase (Ground, Tower, and Jump). The execution of this teaching philosophy strengthens unit cohesion, discipline, and supervision while providing quality paratroopers throughout the force.
"Three Generations"
Bryan R. Howerton, John Howerton, Don Howerton
"The Proud Grandparents"
Bryan, John, and Jean Howerton
Walter Scott Howerton IV
Weds
Melissa Lea Cunningham
Missi & Scott Howerton
Walter "Scott" Howerton IV and Melissa "Missi" Lea Cunningham exchanged vows on December 16, 2000. The couple were married in the brides church, Mannington Church of Christ in Mannington, WV. Scott is the son of Wally & Karen Howerton of Richwood, WV and Missi is the daughter of Ric and Anita Cunningham of Mannington, WV.
After a honeymoon in Jamaica, the couple returned to Kernersville, NC where Scott is a 3rd grade elementary school teacher at Piney Grove Elementary School and Missi is a Speech Pathologist for Forsythe County Schools.
Submit
any newsworthy clips/articles to the editor.
Howerton Heritage has scanning capabilities and will return
original documents or photos if needed.
Mail to:
Howerton
Heritage
P. O. Box
85
Richwood, WV 26261-0085
or e-mail the Editor
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