VOLUME 5 November
December January
NUMBER 1
2000
A Quarterly Newsletter for the
Descendants of the Couts Family #18
WELCOME-
OCEANSIDE PIER
Oceanside's First Pier by Kristi S. Hawthorne
http://www.oceanside-historical.org/ohspier.html
Thousands of people enjoy Oceanside's
pier. Fishermen, tourists and families stroll
along the wooden planking and gaze
into the ocean, just as Oceanside's early
citizens did over 100 years ago. Oceanside's
pier is a tradition. A tradition that despite
weather, waves, politics and lack of
money, refuses to dies.
Remnants of that first pier are now buried.
An occasional storm or low tide uncovers
the rows of the old, honeycombed pilings.
Few people know they are there or realize
their significance.
The first pier, called a wharf, was located
at the end of what is now called Wisconsin
Street, first named Couts Street, after
Cave J. Couts, Jr., surveyor of the original
town site. Soundings were made in 1887,
with construction starting in 1888. Oceanside
was a boomtown then. Men with big ideas
and great plans for the city poured in.
A LETTER FROM JAMES ARMSTRONG
August 18, 2000 Dear Barbara, The stories
told me about great-great-grandfather Eli
Baggett and his friend Jackson Couts and
especially about Mr. John Couts, Sr. have
given me a deep appreciation and respect
for those pioneer men and women. It is
difficult to imagine the problems they faced.
But some records and physical evidence exist
today giving proof they overcame obstacles
to leave us a great nation. For the most part
the Indian scare was over by 1790, when Mr.
John and his brothers came to middle Tennessee,
then, a part of North Carolina. John remained
in Tennessee while his brothers moved further
on for other pursuits. I have mentioned it on
many occasions how a close friendship
developed between the Baggetts and Couts
families. From 1796-1830 Mr. John bought and
sold as many as eighteen farms. The opportunity
was good because of the population increase
and economic growth. Mr. John was very
active during those thirty-five years of county''
growth. When each son married he gave a
debt free farm and to each daughter a love
gift of money equal to each of the son's farm.
I mentioned in another letter that Mr. John
shortened the time and length of travel to
and from home to the courthouse in Springfield.
(Spent much time there.) By cutting a road
through his property and across Sulphur Fork
Creek to the main road linking Springfield
and White House Tennessee.
In 1812, Mr. John suggested my great-great-
grandfather lease the Hugh Henry Farm and
Distillery, a landmark still in the family today.
It was also his suggestion for Granberry to buy
the Simeon Walton Farm (Simon Adams Farm
today). One of Mr. John'' descendants, Dixie
Couts is also well known and a respected
realtor in Robertson County. [ I think Mr.
Armstrong might be right, brother Bo Couts
is a realtor in Auburn, California]. It seems
that Mendel's Law might have surfaced in
other Couts family members found world-
wide. With regards, James S. Armstrong
RESEARCH
William Couts Kindel 17 October 1876
Weatherford, Parker Co, TX 16 January 1877
Weatherford, Parker Co, TX,, Richard William
Kindel Sarah Francis Fanny Allison Josiah
Green Putman 10 May 1857 Lawrence Co,
AL 6 October 1934 Mexia, Limestone Co, TX,
24 December 1883, Martha Couts Anson
Putman Hester Royer; MISSING SOURCE
PICTURESQUE CLARKSVILLE, PAST AND
PRESENT - A HISTORY OF THE CITY OF HILLS -
TITUS
Pages 283 &284
John Franklin Couts, [son of William
Henry Couts and Nancy Johnson] furniture
dealer and undertaker, has the oldest
record connected with the present active
business interests of Clarksville. John F.
Couts was born in Robertson County,
October 21, 1818; was raised on a farm
and received a common country school
education. His father was William Couts,
a native of Robertson County and of
German descent. His mother's maiden
name was Miss Nancy Johnson, sister of
Hon. Cave Johnson, General W.B. and
Joseph N. Johnson, a sketch of whom
will be found elsewhere. Mr. Couts came
to Clarksville in April, 1838, and engaged
one year as copying clerk for Joseph
Johnson, Clerk and Master of the Chancery
Couts, and then took a clerkship in the
store of Mr. Isaac Dennison for a short
while, when he engaged with Galbraith,
Greenfield & Co. several years until the firm
was dissolved, and he then engaged with
Williams & Co., S.S. and L.G. Williams and
George Gray, continuing with this house till
September, 1843, when he opened a
grocery house on his own account,
occupying the corner store in the old
Poston block, southwest corner of the
Public Square, now know as Couts old
furniture building, just opposite the Tobacco
Exchange. Messrs. Beaumont, Payne & Co.
occupied the middle store, or next door to
Mr. Couts, and were also engaged in the
grocery business, A.B. Harrison occupying
the other corner as a clothing store. Mr.
Couts still remembers Rev. Henry F. Beaumont
with reverence and deepest admiration for his
noble nature, true manhood and neighborly
kindness. Mr. Couts remembers during the
time they were in the grocery business a great
storm swept over the coffee growing region,
almost totally destroying the crop, and causing
a heavy advance in coffee. Mr. Beaumont
was the first to receive the news, which he
communicated to his partners. As soon as
Mr. Beaumont had gone to his factory, Mr.
Payne called on Couts, inquiring how much
coffee he had. "Fifty sacks," answered Couts.
"What will you take for it?: "Nine and one-
half cents, " replied Couts. "I will take it all, "
said Payne, "weigh it and put it out on the front."
This was done, the coffee paid for, and soon
stacked up in the middle house. The
transaction was soon known over town,
and also the advance in coffee. The next
day Mr. Beaumont called, and addressing
Mr. Couts said: "My partner, Mr. Payne,
bought your coffee, and I understand that
you had not heard of the advance when
you sold, and I called to say you can have
the coffee back if you wish." Mr. Couts
thanked him very much for his generous
spirit, but did not take the coffee back,
as he was able to make another deal in
New Orleans that served him as swell.
Mr. Couts continued in the grocer business
only two years, when he sold out to Albert
H. Judkins, who came here at that time
from Springfield. He then engaged in the
furniture business with William Rutherford
at the same stand, still know as Couts'
old furniture store. Mr. Rutherford was
a Scotchman, a superior business man
and fine mechanic, but his prejudice to
the slavery system, which then prevailed
in the South, drove him away, and Mr.
Couts bought his interest in the stock and
continued the business at the old stand
until 1872, when the desertion of that part
of town by the leading business interest,
forced him to change also, and he moved
to the splendid warerooms in the Hillman
block, which he now occupies, a cut of
which accompanies this sketch. At the
close of the war, his son, Poston Couts, on
his return from the army, was admitted as
partner under the firm name of John F.
Couts & Son, which relation continued
up to Poston's death, November 9th, 1877
[The book, "Red River Settlers, Records of
the Settlers of Northern Montgomery, Robertson,
and Sumner Counties, Tennessee" has this to say
on Couts: "John H. Poston married Nancy L.
Nelson. They were the parents of thirteen
children. Hugh Hammill Poston of Nashville
was one of their sons, and Benjamin F. Poston
of Clarksville was another. Richard and
William Poston, two other sons settled in
Memphis. They were lawyers. One of the
daughters [Adaline N. Poston] of Mr. and
Mrs. J. H. Poston married John F. Couts, as
his first wife. ......"]
Poston Couts was a model young man, strictly
upright and honest in all of his dealings,
and pure in character. He possessed a
bright and cultivated intellect, and his
influence was a great loss to society, and
especially to the large number of young
men and boys whom he drew around him.
His life was a living example of pure religion
to be seen and observed by all men in his
every day walk, Mr. Couts is still an active
business man, keeping abreast with the
progress of the age, and all late improvements
in furniture and undertaker's goods. His long
established reputation for liberality and correct
dealing has given him a trade with which
cannot be taken away, and which has
never been lessened but increased
EMAIL QUERIES ~ COUTSES OF MICHIGAN AND OHIO UNITE!!!!
Subj: Couts Clan from Ohio & Michigan
Dear Barbara - Been reading your web
page for over a year and have been
disappointed that very little reference
is made to the Couts name in Michigan
and Ohio. I did note a couple of items
early in your newsletters and several
listed in your guest book, which tried
to contact with no success. Would
you be so kind to publish a request for
any of the Couts' from our area to try
contacting me? Thank you for your
help. Jerry Couts
Subj: Re: Couts Clan from Ohio & Michigan
From:jac@up.net (Jerry Couts)
Thanks Barb for the info you do have. From my
grandfather, Earl Couts, from Bucyrus,
Ohio, born 1881; died 1966; I was told with
no reliable information that we were British
descent and indeed had fought in the Revolution
in Virginia. He never mentioned that our name
was spelled any different but we have been
called the "Koots" pronunciation. Thank you
again - perhaps a note in your next letter with
my email address. I will keep you updated if
and when I may receive or find any further
information. Jerry Couts
Subj: Mintons
From: paulab@pacific.net.sg (Paula Bennett)
I came across this site by chance
and was surprised to see so much
interest in my family name. I wonder
when these Mintons arrived in the States,
and if they are connected to me
somehow. My father's name was
Raymond Claude Minton, and his
father was Claude Vincent Minton,
they lived in a small village in Wales
around the 1920's, but I think they
originally came from the Midlands
in England. If anyone out there has
any ideas, please EMail me,
marionminton@yahoo.com Marion Minton
Subj: Couts Family from Kathy Hobbs
From: Kathy Angel 1955 Hi Barbara Thank you
for all you have sent me . I forwarded to my
sister in Virginia and she down loaded for
me the #17 WOW I had such a good time
reading it. Thank you Again. Now My
Grandmother was Aurine Nancy Couts
Her Father was Robert Lee Couts. there is
a little information for you. I have Cave
Johnson Couts Journal I found it in AZ in
a store called By The Book, L.C. 1045E.
Camelback Phoenix, Az 85014 (602) 222-8806
It cost 125.00 $ it was well worth it was very
happy to get it went all the way to Tucson
Az. looking for it. so if this is any help. let me
know. any way won't keep you Thank You
again. Hope to hear from you again. Kathy
Subj: genealogy From: dah@lor.net
(Doug Holly) Hi! I suppose we're some
WAY distant cousins as I'm a descendent
of Thomas Stark who I believe is our closest
common ancestor. I'm hoping you can help
me out a little. I'm finding some dissenting
information regarding our earliest Stark
ancestors. Do you have any sources for your
research? If you have any additional info on
this line I'd love to hear from you. If you want
any info from me, I'll be happy to give what
I can. Doug Holly [I'm wondering about
Susannah, born 1729, Stafford Co. VA, Barb]
Subj: Re: genealogy From:
DAH@lor.net (DAH) I have Susannah Stark
in my system but don't show any spouse for
her. I do have a John Couts on my tree
however who married a Leah Stark (daughter of
Thomas Stark and Ruth King; gdaughter of
James Stark adn Elizabeth Thornton..)
married abt. 1790 in Robertson City, TN.
Interested??? Doug
Subj: Re: Newsletters From:
pamdrake@bellsouth.net (Drake) I've
gotten both 16 & 17. THANKS! I printed
them off and have mailed them to Mr.
Armstrong. You do SO MUCH work on
our family line (as well as others I'm sure).
THANKS SO MUCH! I know how time consuming
it can be. I just wanted you to know you
much all your hard work is appreciated!
Pam [Thanks, Pam! I love it when you
guys get all warm and fuzzy. This newsletter
is only possible because of dedicated
researchers and historians, and family
members with good memories!! thanks!.]
Guest book Record 148 Name: Sally Stark
Torchik Referred by: Net Search From: Ohio
Comments: I came in searching to see if
maybe some of my names would appear.
Enjoyed your site and sure you have helped
many people with it being here. I'm looking
for my ggrandfather Adam Stark, father of
Samuel, my grandfather, and his brothers,
Fred and Robert. Thank-you for the tour.
msstorch@eohio.net
"Mary Ruth Barton" MaryRBarton@email.msn.com
Subject: Thanks
Barbara, I had a dream last night that you
have 1850/1860 census info on JOHN HUGH
BARTON, seemingly the first born son of
BAVESTER BARTON and wife ELIZABETH (unknown).
JOHN H. (HUGH) BARTON, as you know
married NANCY COUTS. I have them on
the 1830 and 1840 censuses in Graves Co.,
KY along with his younger brothers WADE
and BERRY (my husband's gggf). I note that
on the above censuses that JOHN H. BARTON
is listed only as HUGH BRATTIN and in 1840 as
HUGH BARTON. In both the parents have only
female children. This could explain why it is
difficult to follow their progeny and why I
have not found them in a later census. On
the 1820 census in Stewart Co., TN, JOHN
HUGH BARTON may be the extra male farming
in WADE BARTON's household. Moving west
to locate land in Henry Co., TN, where both m
en later got small acreage grants or purchases?..
Where was NANCY COUTS BARTON in 1820 - still in
Warren Co., KY? I deeply appreciate your
newsletters on the net. Lucy Leon kindly mails
those I miss. At times I have difficulty finding
your spot.
Barbara, thanks so much for the BARTON info
that you sent. Our Bavester Barton line is precious
to me. And with four Couts marriages in our line
it is really interesting for both of us. No doubt it
is as true for your Couts, as it is for my Barton's -
that even close living people of the same name
may be of a different descent. So it is with two
Barton lines of early 1800's in Warren Co. and of
Allen and Barren Co's, KY. I believe the latter
came from the Irish (originally Quaker) line of
Isaac Barton and of Jane DuBart.
Would you please enter a query for me concerning
the finding of JOHN HUGH BARTON's family.
Simply put, it could read:
Does anyone have a lead on
BAVESTER BARTON's first born son
JOHN HUGH BARTON, born circa
1785 in SC, married NANCY COUTS,
dau of CHRISLEY COUTS, Sr. and
SARAH WRIGHT,1808 in Warren
Co., KY. This couple had a brief
residence in Henry Co., TN, which
may have been same area of later
Graves Co., KY They were in Graves
Co., KY for 1830 and the 1840 census
readings. On the 1830 census they
had no sons, but did have four daughters
under ten years old. On the 1840 census,
I believe they had two more daughters
(files not all here with me on vacation).
I need to know where this family moved
to for certain. I have tried census search
in MO and IN with no luck. Thanks for any
help given. e-mail: MaryRBarton@msn.com
From: "Mary Ruth Barton" MaryRBarton@email
.msn.com Subject: Fw: Genealogy Barbara,
Does any of this make sense to you? Do you
think this should be addressed in the newsletter?
I was certainly "winging it" without all my
records with me in summer. What is the
LDS source for Elizabeth Couts as wife/md
1783 in SC to Bavester Barton??? Thanks,
Mary Ruth Barton
From: Mary Ruth Barton MaryRBarton@email.msn.com
To: Caroleing@aol.com
Date: Sunday, August 20, 2000 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: Genealogy Carole, Very
interesting, but is surely news to many
of us who have researched together
since 1975. If this is true, we must have
proof. Even LDS people require proof
and warn us not to accept their records
without proof. I, personally, think someone
has confused Bavester's wife who is called
Elizabeth (unknown) with, perhaps
Elizabeth Barton, their daughter who md
2x, in Warren Co. KY, it appears. First to
Lacy Meadows (Meaders?) and 2nd to
Aaron Couts, bro of Chrisley Couts, Jr.
My dec'd husband's line is: ROGER WESLEY
BARTON (6) [JOHN WESTWOOD BARTON (5);
LEROY JACKSON BARTON (4); GREENBERRY B.
BARTON (3); BERRY BARTON (2); BAVESTER
BARTON (1)] And we are not sure that
Bavester Barton was the immigrant! We
have a possible Thomas and Mary as his
possible parents - NOT PROVED. If Bavester
and Elizabeth's first son was JOHN HUGH
BARTON, which is possible -( if not then
there was a son that died after the 1790
census in SC!) - then perhaps Bavester's
Father might have been named JOHN
HUGH BARTON. That, at least, sounds Welsh
as they claimed to be. We must do more
WORK/WORK/WORK! Computers help so
much - and also hurt so much. Experts are
being very cautious today in the best
genealogical societies! Thanks for listening.
MRB (Mary Ruth Barton)
From: "Mary Ruth Barton"
To:Cc:"WayneM..
Sampson",<
JERRYNILL@aol.com, ,
"Philip C. Dobson" ,
"Webb" cwebb@proaxis.com
Subject: Re: Check out http://searches.
rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/data/ky+index+3644
Thanks, Carole, this, of Wayne Sampson's
is just great. Now I want others of our
Graves Co. lines to see it. Did you notice
the WEBB name in Wade Barton's daughter
Bathsheba Dobson, son Benjamin WEBB
Dobson? (The WEBB names in our BARTON
FAMILY CEMETERY on the old farm there,
must be connected somehow.) Woops!
That was not in Sampson's 1850/60 census
names - but was in info sent just now from
Philip C. Dobson who comes from
Bathsheba's line. So, I am trying to send
copies of this letter of yours to others of
Wade and Berry Barton's lines from Graves
County, KY. Wish me luck, for I am no
computer nerd, unfortunately! One thing,
I do know, is that the "information" revolution
is drowning out my brain!!!
From: Caroleing@aol.com To:
MaryRBarton@email.msn.com
Subject: Check out
http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/
ifetch2?/u1/data/ky+index+3644
Thanks, Carole. This is an example of
Wayne Sampson's expertise. He told
me he "collects" names and data. Also
that, as I recall, this is his mother's line.
I must ask him if he can find Bavester's
son, John Hugh Barton on the 1850 and
1860 censuses in Howard Co., MO. I have
searched it but do not find him there. I
marked this as a favorite - so glad you
found it and let me know! Mary Ruth Barton From:
Subject: Check out http://searches.rootsweb.
com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/data/ky+index+3644
Subj: John H.(Hugh) Barton
From: MaryRBarton@email.msn.com
(Mary Ruth Barton)
Barbara, Thanks so much for that thoughtful
mailing of all your Barton content in your
Couts newsletters. I know you are very
busy. And I know you are amazing!
Ahh, shucks!
It is possible that my dau, Laura Barton
Williams, and I could meet you as we
drive California from north to south. I
think you gave me your address and
Phone number, but it helps to have it
again. We leave Lake Superior in
Lutsen/Tofte area MN in two week. We
may go through Canada to see Banff
and so south to Weiser, ID maybe
(where our Bartons lived in last century).
I cannot find the correct census reading
for JOHN HUGH BARTON's many female
children on the 1840 census, Graves
County, KY. Drives me crazy. But I have
it in one of Don Simmons 81/2 X 11
publications in my La Jolla study at home.
When I get there, I'll send that! Must be accurate!
The John H. Barton on the Boone Co.,
MO 1840 census reads: John H. Baton
(no "r") 0111201 - 01011001. He had three
slaves: 2 males 20/30 yrs and one female
under 10? - hard to read her age.
Total 13 people.
On page 75, were Allen Couts: 000020001 -
000010001 total 5 people.
On page 72, Jonathan Barton:
001110010 - 001100010 total 13
(slaves:males 1 un 10; 3, 20/30
females:: 1, 10/20 & 1, 10/20)
On page 71, Jackson Barton 0001 - 000000
As I recall, our researchers have thought this
John H. Ba(r?)ton was Bavester's son who md
Nancy Couts. And that this son was not since
found? Is that correct? In any case, he does
not match the 1840 "HUGH BARTON" who, as I
recall had only eight daughters
no sons, in Graves Co., KY.
Next question: Who is this Jonathan Barton, age
betw 50/60 and Jackson Barton, age betw 20/30
prob a son of Jonathan Barton in Boone Co. 1840,
given above? Does anyone know for sure?
Howard Co., MO is often stated for John H. and
Nancy Couts Barton at an early date after their
1808 wedding in Warren Co., KY. But, in fact, at
that time in 1820 I believe he was counted in
Stewart Co., TN with brother Wade Barton and
minus his own wife and family (where were they?)
Those brothers got land in Henry Co., TN eight?
Years later.(I have the two land grants) in Henry
Co., TN near/on Obion River near Graves Co., KY.
And Graves Co., KY is where they were on 1830/40
censuses with other brother, my own Berry Barton.
Mary Ruth Barton
Subj: Genealogy From:JKnese6507@aol.com
To:bevans@coutsfamily.com I was trying to find my
great grandfather, Benjamin Dobson, via the
Internet and got sent to your site. I believe
his mother's name was Bathsheba and the
family was all born in Warren County,
Kentucky. But I never found a Dobson
in the group, do you know anything
about Dobsons being in your family?
There are a bunch of us. Janie Dobson
Knese From: JKnese6507
Thanks so much for your answer.
Alex and Bathsheba Dobson were
the parents of my great grandfather,
Benjamin who married a woman
named Nancy. Ben and Nancy are
buried in the Dobson graveyard in
Graves County, Kentucky. I believe
that Alex and Bathsheba are also.
If you are interested, I can send you
that lineage, I have a brother who has
done a lot of work on this. I'm so mad
at myself because I couldn't find your site
again, can you help me with that? I called
my brother last night and he was
pretty excited about it.
Subject: Couts / Moon Reply "tricia pempin"
tpempin@hotmail.com Barbara ,Thank you
so much for the information. I have just recently
taken up genealogy but I will be glad to share
what little I have. I am doing this for my children ,
I got some of this information by sending a
form letter to the Death Index File at Social
Security. Hiram Ward Moon and Catherine
Couts had a son William Henry Moon , born
in Buie Texas on 6 July buried at the Mustang
Cemetery , in Mustang Oklahoma. William
Henry Moon married Mamy Williams , date
unknown but I will work on that . The had
(6) girls , Stella , Opal , Minnie , Flora , Mary
Alice and Joyce, and a son William Henry Jr.
They lived around the Tuttle Oklahoma area
and later moved to Okla. City, Okla William
Jr. and Stella lived for many years in Calif. ,
Stella and her husband Jay returned to Okla.
when they retired. I'm not sure if William Jr.
had children , I know that Stella didn't. Stella
is living in the Okla City , Ok. area the last I heard.
Opal married Oscar Johnson, they lived in Mustang Ok. ,
I believe and had (4) Children , three boys and one girl.
She is living in Oklahoma , Her son Ellis Johnson is
listed in the White pages on the Internet in Okla.
City. Minnie married a Roland Orvatz , they also
lived in Okla. City. Minnie was born Feb. 18 1916
and died in Okla. City , Ok. Jan 1979. They either
had two or three boys and one girl. Roland was
born Aug. 26 1912. I know one son George he is
married to Sue, They are also listed in the Okla.
City white pages on the Internet. Flora is living
but has been in a nursing home in Okla. City for
years. She was married to a Harris and a Tuttle,
she had two sons and a daughter. I knew one
some Bob Harris , he died a few years ago, and
I will get this information as my sister was married
to him, and we married cousins. Flora had daughter
Betty whose husband was a police chief in Anaheim
Calif. The other son Lived in Calif. also and I don't
know his name. Mary Alice was born on Jan 10 1910 ,
in Tuttle , Grady County Ok. she died Jan 1988 in
Okla. City and was buried at Mustang Cemetery .
She married Lawrence Daniel Smith in Oct 21,
1939. They had four boys, Jackie Dee, Billy Joe ,
Lawrence Daniel Jr. born in Dinuba Calif. on ,
Terry Lee born in Dinuba Calif. . May 29 1955.
Joyce was married twice I believe , I don't know
the name of the first husband. She had two
daughters by him I believe, Susan Darlene and
Pamela. her second husband was Gene Arterbury
she had a son Michael and a daughter Angel .
Joyce is living in Okla. City . Hope this helps. If I
get more information I will sent it. Thanks , Tricia
Subject: Mamy Williams Moon "tricia pempin"
tpempin@hotmail.com Barbara , Mamy was
her name, no middle name . Her mother died
either giving birth to Mamy or due to difficulties
shortly after her birth. Mothers name was Susan
Easley , no middle name listed. Fathers name
Christopher Columbus Williams, at the time
of Mamy's birth they were living in Decatur
Texas. Mamy had the physical features of a
Native American, there has been some
conversation that she may have been Choctaw.
The name I got off of the social security
form she used to apply for a social
security card on 04-17-1972 .
From: floflama@swbell.net Subject:
Dyke family Hi, Thank you so very much
for the information on the Dyke family
in Ark. and Okla. It is very possible that
your Melvin was a brother to this family's
gg-grandfather. As soon as I can make
a connection I will let you know. I had
no names for siblings of this gg-grf, and
I hope now I can complete my list. The
children of this man settled, married and
had their children around Stigler. That's
why I think there may be a link. If I come
across any Skrimingers while I am searching
I will let you know. Again I thank you from
the bottom of my heart.
Good luck in your search. Karen
From: "James Benham"
To: nunall@oklahoma.net, bharris@csw.net,
bltkks@msn.com Subject: Bookout family
research Hello, I am also researching the
Bookout family. My Bookout family comes
from Pope County Arkansas to Indian territory,
Texas and Oklahoma. Connecting families are;
Benham, McCoy, Daniels, and Kincaid. My
Great Grand parents; John Bookout and
Malinda Jones My Grand parents; Robert
Benham (1844-1943) and Elmira Louise Bookout
(1859-1899) Would be glad to share
information. Jim Benham
From: "James Benham" benham521@hotmail.com
Subject: Bookout family research Hi, Thanks
for your response. Our Bookout families may
or may not be connected, maybe way
back somewhere. Here is what I have. Jim
THE BOOKOUT FAMILY
The BENHAM family is connected to the
BOOKOUT family by the marriage of
Robert Benham to Elmira Louise Bookout
in 1881
JOSEPH (1) BOOKOUT
JOSEPH (1) BOOKOUT is believed to be
the first BOOKOUT to come to America.
His wife's name is not known. His son
was CHARLES BOOKOUT. CHARLES
and NANCY ANN (CAGLE) BOOKOUT
CHARLES BOOKOUT, son of JOSEPH (1)
BOOKOUT, married NANCY ANN CAGLE.
Their son was JOSEPH (2) BOOKOUT.
JOSEPH (2) and POLLY (OVERSTREET)
BOOKOUT JOSEPH (2) BOOKOUT married
POLLY OVERSTREET. Their son was
JOHN BOOKOUT. JOHN and
MALINDA (JONES) BOOKOUT
JOHN BOOKOUT, son of JOSEPH and
POLLY (OVERSTREET) BOOKOUT, was
born about 1822, possibly in Alabama.
At about age 18, on 9 July 1840, he
married MALINDA JONES in DeKalb
County, Alabama. Justice of the Peace
James Hughes married them. MALINDA
was born about 1820. It is believed they
moved to Arkansas about 1845. During
the Civil War, John enlisted as a Private
with Company C, 4th Regiment Arkansas
Union Cavalry, on 27 November 1863 at
Dardanelle, Arkansas. He died 12 April
1865, at about age 43, in "General Hospital",
as the result of wounds received
during the War.
The children of JOHN and MALNDA
(JONES) BOOKOUT
1. MARY ELIZABETH BOOKOUT was born
about 1840 in Tennessee. She married
BARON DEKALB HICKEY on 13
November 1859 at Dover, Pope
County, Arkansas. MARY ELIZABETH
named one of her daughters after
her sister ELMIRA.
BARON DEKALB HICKEY married MATTIE
PEARSON on 18 August 1892 at Little
River County, Arkansas, after ELISABETH"S
death. His parents were JOHN and
NANCY (GIBSON) HICKEY. It is not known
what happened to MARY ELIZABETH.
2. JAMES HIRAM BOOKOUT was born about
1845 in Arkansas. He married SARA WEATHERS
on 19 December 1859.
3. LEVISA BOOKOUT, called "VICEY" was born
about 1849 in Arkansas. She married GEORGE
A. KINCAID or KINCADE on 26 August 1874
in Pope County, Arkansas.
4. JOSHUA BOOKOUT was born about
1850 in Arkansas.
5. LUCINDA BOOKOUT was born 25 December
1854 in Arkansas. She married JAMES MC COY
ON 20 March 1873 at Pope County, Arkansas.
JAMES MC COY and his brother in law BEN
BOOKOUT were involved in the murder of
WILLIAMMC ALISTER in Arkansas in 1874.
James escaped, and he and Lucinda hid
out in Texas under the names of MC ELROY,
maybe MC CAULY, and KINCAID. James
was captured in 1885 and returned to
Arkansas for trail. Lucinda died in route to
Arkansas in 1885. It is believed ROBERT and
ELMIRA BENHAM took in the MC COY's
daughter ELLEN to raise. James' death
sentence was reduced to 21 years in prison.
It is believed he died in prison some years later.
6. BENJAMIN BOOKOUT was born 8 March
1856 in Arkansas. Ben Bookout and James
McCoy killed William McAlister and wounded
Mrs. McAlister in Dover, Pope County, Arkansas
in 1874. The murder was so famous in Dover
that a play was made up about it. What
prompted the killing is not known. Two other
men were involved, one was Sam Osborne,
and someone else who never came in the
house but handed in loaded guns. Both Kincaids
and the Mc Coys were witnesses at the trial.
Baron Hickey and his wife Mary Elizabeth
(Bookout) Hickey both testified at the Mc Coy
Trial. Before he could be sentenced, Ben
Bookout fled from Arkansas. Soon after,
most of the Bookouts, Kincaids and Mc Coys
leave Arkansas. Some of them appeared in
Indian Territory and Texas near where Robert
and Elmira (Bookout) Benham were living.
ELMIRA LOUISE BOOKOUT was born 10 January
1859 in Arkansas. MYRA was 6 years old when
her father, JOHN BOOKOUT, died. She married
Thomas J.E.B. DANIELS on 29 March 1880 in
Johnson County, Arkansas. It is not known
what happened to THOMAS DANIELS. He
partitioned the court on 29 March 1880 for
an appointment of a guardian, as a minor
over age 14. William N. King was appointed
his guardian. His mother resided in Newton
County, Arkansas, but totally unable to
assume guardianship. His father's location
was not known. On 22 May 1881, Elmira
married ROBERT BENHAM in Denison, Grayson
County, Texas. Myra died 22
April 1899 from measles that turned
into pneumonia. She is buried near
Kingston, Oklahoma. Her son, George
William Benham, is buried next to her.
8. MALINDA BOOKOUT was born about 1864.
Notes:
1. Census, Pope County, Arkansas Census,
1860 Liberty Township: JOHN BOOKOUT age
37, MALINDA age 39, JAMES H. age 15,
LEVISA age 11, JOSHUA age 10, LUCINDA
age 6, BENJAMIN age 4, and LOUISA age 1.
Note: Louisa was Elmira's middle name.
2. The Bookout family, like so many other
families of the time, became disrupted by
the Civil War. Elmira's father, John Bookout,
died as a result of his military service with
the Arkansas Cavalry in 1865 when she
was only 6 years old. Emira's mother
Malinda was left to provide for and
raise the children on her own. In 1874,
Elmira's brother Ben Bookout and her
brother -in-law James McCoy were involved
in the murder of William McAlister in Arkansas.
The murder trial and the escape of Ben and
James sent the family on the lam to the Indian
Nations and Texas. Her brother Ben Bookout is
believed to have been killed in California in
1878. She married Tom Daniels in 1880, and
they joined Malinda Bookout and the McCoy
family in hiding in Texas. In 1881 she married
Robert Benham in Texas. What happened to
her first husband Daniels is not known. . Robert
and Elmira lost a baby in 1881. In 1885 James
McCoy is captured in Texas and returned to
Arkansas to stand trial for the murder. Elmira's
sister, Lucinda (Bookout) McCoy, suddenly
died on the way to Arkansas in 1885. Robert
and Elmira took in Lucinda's daughter Ellen
McCoy to raise, but Ellen died about 1892.
Robert and Elmira moved around in Indian
Territory and Texas before settling in Pickens
County, Indian Territory about 1893. Robert
and Elmira lost another baby in 1895. Robert
and Elmira took in several children to raise
along with their own. In April 1899 at the age
of 40, Elmira died from pneumonia brought
on by the measles.
3. 1880 census, Hopkins County, Texas;
Kincaid, J. H. age 28, born in Ark. M & f
born in Alabama (DOB sometime in 1852)
Lue 25, wife ,Ark M & f born in Ky
(DOB sometime in 1855)
Bin 4, son, Ark M & F born in Ark
(DOB sometime in 1876)
Elec 1, son, Mo M & F born in Ark
( DOB sometime in 1879)
Daniels Tom 19, brother in law, Ark
M & f born in Ark, Elmira's first
husband. (DOB sometime in 1861)
Elmira 21, Sister, Ark M born in Ky F
born in Ala (DOB sometime in 1859)
Bookout Melinda 69 (Mother in law)
born in Alabama, mother and father
born in Alabama. (DOB sometime in 1811)
Note: This is James and Lucinda
McCoy living under the name of
Kincaid. Malinda Bookout, and
Elmira and her first husband Tom
Daniels are staying with them.
Civil War Pensions (from National Archives)
Bookout, John Born: At least
circa 1822 (based on date of marriage)
Died: 12 Apr 1865 DeVall's Bluff, AR
(Died at General Hospital while in
service)Married: 9 July 1840 DeKalb
Co., AL By James Hughes,
Justice of the Peace
Wife: Malinda Jones, Born
circa 1819-20 (affidavit dtd
18 Jun 1867, age 48
years)Children: (Living and
under 16 years of age)
Lucinda Bookout b. Dec 25, 1854
Benjamin Bookout b. Mar 8, 1856
Elmira Bookout b. Jan 10, 1859
Malinda Bookout b. 1864
Enlisted: 27 November 1863
Dardanelle, Arkansas , Pvt.,
Co. C. 4th Regiment, Arkansas
Calvery. Resident: Dover P.O.
Pope County, Arkansas
(18 Jun 1867), Little Rock,
Pulaski Co. Arkansas (9 May 1865)
Pope, AR 1850 Federal Census
File 5 of 5;This Census was
transcribed by Don Brigance
(drbnc@aol.com) and proofread
by Charlie Ward (cccharlie1@aol.com),
Veda Mendoza (vedamen@idt.net)
and Laurie Simmons Smith
(anteeks@alltel.net) for the US Gen
Web Archives Census Project,
http://www.rootsweb.com/~
usgenweb/census/.
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY:
AR COUNTY: Pope REEL NO: M432-29
PAGE NO: 289B REFERENCE: Andrew Scott
LN HN FN LAST NAME FIRST NAME AGE SEX RACE OCCUP. VAL.
BIRTHPLACE MRD. SCH. R/W DDB
16 683 683 BOOKOUT John 30 M Farmer TN
17 683 683 BOOKOUT Eliza 28 F TN
18 683 683 BOOKOUT Elizabeth 10 F TN
19 683 683 BOOKOUT Mary 8 F AR
20 683 683 BOOKOUT Hiram 5 M AR
23 693 693 McALISTER Geo C. 26 M Farmer 7
24 693 693 McALISTER Mary E. 20 F
Credits The BOOKOUT Family
Association and Debra Blackard
for information on the BOOKOUT family.
Compiled by: JAMES ROBERT BENHAM,
updated: 04/28/2000
Subj: Jacob Couch From: turp@uswest.net
(Howard Turpin Family) We have been
researching Jacob Couch and his
descendents and came across a land
grant dated 5 Oct 1774. Here is what
we found on the Gen Forum (this would
be the transcribed version.)5 oct 1774
Jacob Couch of Craven Co. Province
of South Carolina, Planter, to Joel
McLemore of said county and province,
planter... by a grant dated 10 feb 1749
to Jacob Shneider, a tract of 200 acres
opposite to the lower part of Saxe Gotha
Township in the lower grounds of the
Congaree River on Raifords Creek,
bounded on the north on vacant land,
to the east by land laid out to Casper
Kentz, to the south by land laid out to
Anthony Cuplar and to the west by
land laid out to George Haig, esquire;
said Jacob Shneider by indenture of
lease and release 28 & 29 jan 1752 did
grant and release to Casper Kentz
(alis Couch), and whereas the said Casper
Couch died intestate and the right of
inheritance of the land developed on
Jacop Couch, eldest son of the said
Casper Kentz Deceased... now for 484
pounds lawful money of the province
doth sell to Joel McLemore... all that
part of the tract containing 88 acres
(being the northern most part of the
tract granted to Jacob Shneider) adj.
Thomas Jeffreys, John Hopkins, Thomas
Taylor... Jacob Couch (JK), Wit: Joseph
Rees, John Hopkins. Proved 5 oct 1774..
A Memorial herreof entered in the Auditor
Generals Offices in Book N 13 page 507
24 June 1775. Are you familiar with a
Casper Kentz (whoever transcribed
this might have misspelled the surname)
with a son Jacob from Craven County?
We have been trying to find the father
of Jacob Couch who died in 1797 in
Green Co, Tennessee. We've wondered
if this could be him. Some of the family
Bibles passed along are in German.
What do you think??? Thanks. -Kathy Turpin
THE BARTON QUESTIONS A Letter
Submitted by Mary Ruth Barton
This letter is in reply to Joan Johnson,
Gainesville, Floriday, From Mary Ruth Barton .
Thanks for the copies of CHARITY BARTON's
line with her husband WILLOUGHBY ROSE.
I note that they were two pages handwritten
on 10 Feb. 19-(date cut off in copying).
No one named as the author.
Also, I enjoyed the one page (part,
no source or date given) that gave
eight generations of CHARITY BARTON
ROSE's son ABIJAH ROSE through his
dau MARTHA ROSE TALBOTT. I note an
early error or two in the writer (who?)
assessment of these lines.
1. He or she lists CHARITY BARTON
ROSE AS #1, and as dau of FRANCIS
BARTON. I presume this is FRANCES
BARTON COUTS? They were sisters
and daughters of BAVESTER BARTON
and his wife ELIZABETH (UNKNOWN).
2. The included statement about "FRANCIS
BARTON being "1/2, I think of Indian
blood." Has in other statements given
by this family in varying measurements
from 1/16th to 1/8 to ¼ to this ½.
As, I believe I told you, this family's claim
to the Dawes Commission for Oklahoma
land was denied for lack of proof. The
Talbott claim was appealed and again
denied for no proof shown. Mr. own
research in the Indian office at the
National Archives with the head of
that office was also negative. I then
hired an Indian researcher/genealogist
in Columbia, SC, who fund nothing,
saying the records are good and final
and that therefore there is no proof
of the claim.
Now, my best southern Barton
GENEALOGISTS, LIKE Ruth Coleman
of Austin, Texas, tell me that despite
proof it is very common to have had
Indian ancestry in southern lines.
This brings me in my lateral thinking,
to your remark of learning that
BAVESTER BARTON'S WIFE ELIZABETH
(UNKNOWN) was found to be
ELIZABETH COUTS. This is an easily
made mistake, perhaps from the
wife of BAVESTER'S son JOHN HUGH
BARTON's wife NANCY COUTS?
As you know, the COUTS family probably
arrived in Philadelphia ca 1750
(see Couts Newsletters online),
who then wandered down to
Virginia, lastly NC before TN. The
Dawes Commission clearly negated
Indian claims made from Virginia
("no Cherokees there"). So, if, by any chance
ELIZABETH (UNKNOWN) was a Couts, there
would be little chance of her being the
½ (1/4, 1/8 or 1/16th) Indian!
Now as to the same claim of
Indian/French descent of ELIZABETH
(UNKNOWN), there is yet not a trace.
The only documented family claim
of early ancestry is for BAVESTER
BARTON. Two of his grandson's in
my husband's line have published
that they were Welsh. So far no
proof of that. In fact we are not
at al sure how to construct our
BARTON line before the dates
of their 1765 land grants in SC.
Brent Holcomb worked for me
suggesting the THOMAS and
Mary Barton OF A 1770 land
grant on 25 mile Creek west
of Camden, SC were likely the
parents. THOMAS BARTON died
and MARY, given the grant did
not take it up. The proof is slim,
but interesting. (We do have a
possible MARY, but, not, I would
say a THOMAS BARTON among
BAVESTER'S children's names.)
It would be easier, I think, to
find help in the early BARTONs
of SC. One of them, THOMAS or
JOHN? was the Indian agent in
Charleston, early 1700's/1711?
Later, after him, the Indian agent
lived west near the Indians. Also,
about 1733? (I'm flying loose here
without my sources) JOHN BARTON
was the translator on an expedition
to the Creek Indians. We know from
repeated history of Indian traders
that they often took Indian wives
or companions. Naturally, I wonder
if this might be the source of our family's
Indian rumor. As for the French part,
you probably know that the Huguenots
took refuge in SC at that early time,
in large numbers. So much for conjecture!
I am certain that you will want to copy
Barbara Evans' collection of COUTS
NEWSLETTER on the internet. Ask a friend
to do this for you. DESCENDANTS OF
CHISTOPHER "CHRISLEY" COUTS is found
on: http://www.six.com/bevans/barbara/chris.htm
Page 1 has an immediate error: "
Nancy Couts 1784-1813 and + John Barton 1782 - 1814".
To begin with this puzzle, it looks
like two death dates, and we know
that they did not die then. Only lately
I have tried to do a census chart to follow
them. I have them in Graves Co. KY in
1830 and 1840. He then was variously
named Hugh Brattin and next Hugh Barton
and each with only wife (and daughters
to the numbers of four and eight in the two
censuses.) The wonder is that for years I did
not notice these entries as a unit and only
wondered who the 1840 HUGH BARTON could
possibly be. When I did, slow learner that I
am, put them together with the following
two land records found years back in the
TN Archives, we do indeed seem to have a fit.
1. JOHN H. BARTON, grant of 18
acres, 12 Sept. 1824, 12th Dist.,
Henry Co. TN, 5th Range, 7th
section, lying on the dividing
ridge between sandy and Obion Rivers.
2. WADE BARTON, assignee of
James D. Eidson, 20 acres, 31 Sept. 1824,
12th Dist. Henry Co., TN, 4th
Range on N. Fork of Obion River.
3. And on the 1820 census, in
Stewart Co., TN which was
counted actually on 21 January 1821,
WADE BARTON W was counted
as 10002 -2001, with note "2 in agriculture".
If these two are WADE and
JOHN HUGH BARTON, when did
"HUGH' BARTON leave his family?
Has anyone copied the 1850 census for
JOHN HUGH BARTON in any nearby state?
He was not then in Graves Co., KY with
his brothers WADE AND BERRY BARTON.
As you may know this area abuts
Graves Co. KY directly south of their
habitation in the Jackson Purchase.
Or is it the same place, then, Henry Co. TN/
later Graves Co. KY? This needs more work
using the Purchase records and the Graves
Co., KY land records. At present, here in the
North woods for the summer, and with
partial files, it is the best I can do. BUT
FOR OUR PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING THE
NAME OF PROBABLY THE FIRST BORN SON
OF BAVESTER BARTON - AND PERHAPS THE
FIRST OF THE FOUR BARTON/COUTS MARRIAGES,
this is enough (?Did the 1st born son die young?)
The name HUGH is really a new clue to me - and
to our search for the name and heritage of
BAVESTER BARTON's father. As a first born son's
name, it sounds more Scot then Welsh, but it
may be Welsh.. As I think all this over just now,
I have looked at my indexed SC early state
records and have noticed some promising
leads before the date 1765, when our own
records begin. They seem to link, for example,
an ISAAC BARTON and a WILIAM LESLEY TO THE
LATER TURN OF THE 18TH CENTURY, LAND OF
BAVESTER BARTON NEXT TO WILLIAM LESLEY
IN ANDERSON CO. SC (then was Pendleton Dist.)
The earlier link of name ISAAC BARTON
AND WILLIAM LESLEY IN 1755 including
the name DANIEL WRIGHT. WM. LESLEY'S
original land was on part Royal Island
in 1738. (Savannah area) The other index
lead to follow up is a 173 Judgement Roll
case #0151 002 136A 0069A 00 and 1788 #
same ending 0071A. The names are WILLIAM
& JOHN BARTON AKA WILLIAM BRUMELL,
BARTON & COMPANY versus JOHN AITKEN
and in 1788, five yrs later, JOHN JOSEPH
BARTON &company. This item is of interest:
1. Because of our familiar Barton names, and
2. Because the partner BRUMELL may well be
the well known Welsh name of BRUNEL.
Might they also have been related and a
clue for us? (Gerald Barton has it that
Bavester Barton was born in Wales. Son
WADE BARTON said on the 1880 census
that both parents were born in SC. I
realize that the BARTONs are of secondary
interest to the COUTS family, but as Barbara
Evans says, "We are all one family" [true]
While I think and review and type all at
the same time, I have the idea that we
BARTONs have neglected the rich field
of early SC BARTONs. Probably because
of trying to connect with those who
came from the north after the Rev. War
to settle near our pre Rev War BARTON
families! And I realize we need to do
an in depth study of all those early SC
BARTON records, - or hire it done. After
all, at 83, I need to link with someone
younger, hopefully in South Carolina!
Thanks Joan,. I also realize I have tired your
patience - and used you as a listening post,
poor girl! So I Must send copies to Barbara
Couts Evans, Barbara Pemberton, Jerald
Barton, Susan Couts Springstead, Lucy
Couts Leon, and Ruth Barton Coleman,
who are all working on this research.
Comments on any of the above remakes
are very welcome and encouraged. MRB
FOUND OF MR. JAMES ARMSTRONG,
HIS PROPERTY (FORMER HOME OF THE COUTS
FAMILY IN TENNESSEE) IS LOCATED
ON THE PICTURE ALBUM PAGE
Please click for e-mail.
Please click to go back to the main page.
