Person:Lettice Holden (1)

A SHORT HISTORY: LETTICE (LETTY) HOLDEN

Letty Holden was the daughter of James H. Holden and Mary Polly Alexander of Pickens South Carolina. She married Tyre Nix in 1848 not long before their trip to Blount County, Alabama. Letty was not completely alone in this new country, several of her sisters married other travelers that also moved to Blount County. The following is a partial listing of the daughters that had moved West when their Father died in May 1854 intestate. This is from a document in the 68 EQUITY CLERK OF COURTS OFFICE, PICKENS, S.C. and was filed to divide 987 acres of land in Pickens owned by James H. Holden.

"-----Salina Alexander formerly Salina Holden who married James Alexander & now resides in Alabama. Jannetta (sp) Ray formerly Janetta Holden who married Emory Ray & resides in Georgia, Arvy or Anadoe Holden a minor who resides in Alabama, John Holden who resides in Alabama, Nancy Moody formerly Nancy Holden who married Abraham Moody and resides in Alabama. Letty Nix formerly Letty Holden who married Tyre Nix & resides in Alabama, Elizabeth Ann Nix Formerly Elizabeth Ann Holden who married Daniel Nix & resides in Alabama, Fanny Bynum formerly Fanny Holden who married Elijah Bynum & resides in Alabama....Filed April 12 1856. "

The 1960, and 1970 federal census indicates that the first two children, Thomas B. and John Henry were born in South Carolina. That would mean that the family arrived in Blount County Alabama after May of 1852.

I have not been able to find any land that the family purchased prior Tyre joining company �C� of the 28th Alabama Inf Regt as a Pvt in Feb of 1862. He died at the Gilmer Hospital in Chattanooga 19 April 1863, and Letty was left with five children, the last Texana was born about the time that Tyre died. I have not been able to trace a clear picture of where the family resided in Blount County, however a number of the family lived near Tyre's brother Daniel who survived the Civil War and purchased land in Warrior Valley, a part of Blount county that was transferred to Etowah County when it was formed in 1866.

Letty died at a fairly young age of 51, and her will was probated on 8 October 1877. I am not going to attempt to interpret this document at this time. Some additional research is called for. 1) a legal description of the land for sale, 2) details regarding the death of the first son Thomas B., 3) Why only one of the grandchildren of Thomas B. and Dicey Hopper was discussed, 4) Additional proceedings that may be recorded in the Etowah County Court house. I am sure that if other documents can be found it will clear up some of these questions, and perhaps raise others.

The State of Alabama, Etowah County

At a regular term of the Honorable, the Court of Probate, held in and for said county, and State, at the Court House of said County in the City of Gadsden, on the second Monday of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven, (1877) being the Eighth (8th) day of said month, the following proceedings were had, to-wit; The Hon Lemmel(?) E. Hamlin presiding Judge.

Lettice Nix dec'd Estate of Order Setting day

In Probate Court October 8th 1877.

John Nix and W.F. Thomas, Administrators of said estate, having this day filed their application, in writing and under oath, praying for an order, and proceedings to sell certain real estate in said petition described, of the property of said decedent at the time of her death, for division , and upon the grounds that the same cannot be equitably divided among the heirs of said estate; and appearing from an inspection of said petition----------cannot read part of the last line------, are her four children and one grandchild to-wit; the said John Nix and Frances A. Thomas wife of said W.F. Thomas, son and daughter of said decedent of full age and residing in Blount County; and Gurley T. Nix a son and Texana Nix a daughter, both between the ages of fourteen years and twenty one years and reside in Etowah County; and Zemerly Nix a grandchild and daughter of Thomas Nix deceased, who was a son of said decedent, which said Zemerly is a minor under the age of fourteen years residing with its mother, Dicy Nix in Etowah County; It is therefore, ordered, that the 19th (?) day of November 1877, be and it is hereby appointed a day for hearing the said application, and the proof which may be submitted in support of the same: It is further ordered, that said Frances A. Thomas, Gurley T., and Texana Nix have notice of this proceeding and of the day set for hearing the same, by citation to be personally served on them ten days before said day appointed for such hearing and that the said Zemerly Nix have the same notice by service of citation upon the said Dicy Nix, she having the custody of the said Zemerly Nix. It is further ordered by the court that William Harris, be and he is hereby appointed Guardian ad.litensa(?), in this proceeding for the said minor Gurley T., Texana and Zemerly Nix; the said Harris being considered by the court, as, in every respect, a fit and proper person to attend to, and to protect the interest of said minors in this proceeding. It is further ordered that said William Harris be forthwith notified of his said appointment, and of the said day set for the said hearings, that he may attend, and be prepared properly to contest the same in behalf of said minors.

The State of Alabama, Etowah County

At a regular term of the Honorable, the Court of Probate, held in and for said county, and State, at the Court House of said County in the City of Gadsden, on the second Monday of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven, (1877) being the Eighth (8th) day of said month, the following proceedings were had, to-wit; The Hon Lemmel(?) E. Hamlin presiding Judge.

Lettice Nix dec'd Estate of Order Setting day

In Probate Court October 8th 1877.

John Nix and W.F. Thomas, Administrators of said estate, having this day filed their application, in writing and under oath, praying for an order, and proceedings to sell certain real estate in said petition described, of the property of said decedent at the time of her death, for division , and upon the grounds that the same cannot be equitably divided among the heirs of said estate; and appearing from an inspection of said petition----------cannot read part of the last line------, are her four children and one grandchild to-wit; the said John Nix and Frances A. Thomas wife of said W.F. Thomas, son and daughter of said decedent of full age and residing in Blount County; and Gurley T. Nix a son and Texana Nix a daughter, both between the ages of fourteen years and twenty one years and reside in Etowah County; and Zemerly Nix a grandchild and daughter of Thomas Nix deceased, who was a son of said decedent, which said Zemerly is a minor under the age of fourteen years residing with its mother, Dicy Nix in Etowah County; It is therefore, ordered, that the 19th (?) day of November 1877, be and it is hereby appointed a day for hearing the said application, and the proof which may be submitted in support of the same: It is further ordered, that said Frances A. Thomas, Gurley T., and Texana Nix have notice of this proceeding and of the day set for hearing the same, by citation to be personally served on them ten days before said day appointed for such hearing and that the said Zemerly Nix have the same notice by service of citation upon the said Dicy Nix, she having the custody of the said Zemerly Nix. It is further ordered by the court that William Harris, be and he is hereby appointed Guardian ad.litensa(?), in this proceeding for the said minor Gurley T., Texana and Zemerly Nix; the said Harris being considered by the court, as, in every respect, a fit and proper person to attend to, and to protect the interest of said minors in this proceeding. It is further ordered that said William Harris be forthwith notified of his said appointment, and of the said day set for the said hearings, that he may attend, and be prepared properly to contest the same in behalf of said minors.

JAMES HOLDEN PACK, 68 EQUITY CLERK OF COURTS OFFICE, PICKENS, S.C.

Jacob Alexander & his wife Polly Alexander who was formerly Polly Holden states that James Holden her father died in May 1854 intestate. That he owned 585 acres of land on both sides of Big & Little Crow Creek, waters of Keowee River, adjoining lands of E. Alexander & others. Owned 250 acres on Big Crow Creek adjoining lands of Henry Grogan & the home tract & others & known as the Humphries Tract. Owned 152 acres on Little & Big crwo (sp) Creek adjoining lands of William Alexander & others. Subject to distribution among his children as follows, Joshua Holden who resides in Pickens District, Lucy Maloy who married Andrew Maloy & resides in Louisiana, the husband however has not been heard from for many years. The children & representatives of Malinda Roe formerly Malinda Holden viz her husband Watson Roe & and her children, David Roe, James Roe, Ruthy Roe names & numbers of the others not known now in Alabama...Salina Alexander formerly Salina Holden who married James Alexander & now resides in Alabama. Jannetta (sp) Ray formerly Janetta Holden who married Emory Ray & resides in Georgia, Arvy or Anadoe Holden a minor who resides in Alabama, John Holden who resides in Alabama, Nancy Moody formerly Nancy Holden who married Abraham Moody and resides in Alabama. Letty Nix formerly Letty Holden who married Tyre Nix & resides in Alabama, Elizabeth Ann Nix Formerly Elizabeth Ann Holden who married Daniel Nix & resides in Alabama, Fanny Bynum formerly Fanny Holden who married Elijah Bynum & resides in Alabama....Filed April 12 1856.

The above was typed, not hand written and published on pages 192 and 193 of some kind of document, and I have a copy of a copy of a copy of certain pages of that document. Typed as an exact duplicate of the copy of the original.

Eubanks has buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery. See if I can confirm. I assume that would be the Altoona-Walnut Grove Cemetery?

JAMES HOLDEN PACK, 68 EQUITY CLERK OF COURTS OFFICE, PICKENS, S.C.

Jacob Alexander & his wife Polly Alexander who was formerly Polly Holden states that James Holden her father died in May 1854 intestate. That he owned 585 acres of land on both sides of Big & Little Crow Creek, waters of Keowee River, adjoining lands of E. Alexander & others. Owned 250 acres on Big Crow Creek adjoining lands of Henry Grogan & the home tract & others & known as the Humphries Tract. Owned 152 acres on Little & Big crwo (sp) Creek adjoining lands of William Alexander & others. Subject to distribution among his children as follows, Joshua Holden who resides in Pickens District, Lucy Maloy who married Andrew Maloy & resides in Louisiana, the husband however has not been heard from for many years. The children & representatives of Malinda Roe formerly Malinda Holden viz her husband Watson Roe & and her children, David Roe, James Roe, Ruthy Roe names & numbers of the others not known now in Alabama...Salina Alexander formerly Salina Holden who married James Alexander & now resides in Alabama. Jannetta (sp) Ray formerly Janetta Holden who married Emory Ray & resides in Georgia, Arvy or Anadoe Holden a minor who resides in Alabama, John Holden who resides in Alabama, Nancy Moody formerly Nancy Holden who married Abraham Moody and resides in Alabama. Letty Nix formerly Letty Holden who married Tyre Nix & resides in Alabama, Elizabeth Ann Nix Formerly Elizabeth Ann Holden who married Daniel Nix & resides in Alabama, Fanny Bynum formerly Fanny Holden who married Elijah Bynum & resides in Alabama....Filed April 12 1856.

1866 Blount County, Alabama State Census

This list represents a new transcription of the microfilmed originals which are located in the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama. The new transcription was prepared by Robin Sterling, during the month of April 2002. In some cases, a surname in the original document was spelled phonetically. For those names, a subjective interpretation was made of census taker's intent. As such, the original document is the ultimate authority. Additionally, when a name was not obvious, the author's best guess is indicated by brackets [ ]. Some households were apparently counted twice; this became apparent after the file was alphabetized. Duplicate entries were left in the file. Please notify me if you detect any errors.

The 1866 Blount County Alabama State Census was taken by H.A. Gillespie.

The layout of the 1866 Alabama State Census contains 10 columns for males, and 10 columns for females, plus some total columns. Additionally, six columns to the far right describe soldiers killed, soldiers died of sickness, soldiers disabled, insane, epileptics, and idiots. Specifically, the columns are:

In Blue Males: Column 1: Males under 10 years Column 2: Males 10 to 20 Column 3: Males 20 to 30 Column 4: Males 30 to 40 Column 5: Males 40 to 50 Column 6: Males 50 to 60 Column 7: Males 60 to 70 Column 8: Males 70 to 80 Column 9: Males 80 to 90 Column 10: Males 90 to 100

In Red Females: Column 11: Females under 10 years Column 12: Females 10 to 20 Column 13: Females 20 to 30 Column 14: Females 30 to 40 Column 15: Females 40 to 50 Column 16: Females 50 to 60 Column 17: Females 60 to 70 Column 18: Females 70 to 80 Column 19: Females 80 to 90 Column 20: Females 90 to 100

Column 21: Soldiers Killed Column 22: Soldiers Died of Sickness Column 23: Soldiers Disabled Column 24: Insane Column 25: Epileptics Column 26: Idiots

The last section describes the Township and Range where the family was living in 1866. An "F" preceding the "T" refers to "Fractional Township."

Here's an example:

Abbott, Nancy, 1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 � 1,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 � 0,1,0,0,0,0; T11R1W

Interpretation: Nancy Abbott was head of household in 1866; she had a son and a daughter under the age of 10. Another female between the ages of 20 and 30 is most probably Nancy herself. Her husband died of sickness during the Civil War. Nancy and her children were living in Township 11, Range 1 West, which includes the communities of Gum Springs, Mountain Grove, Chamblees Mill and parts of Blountsville.

More: A quick check of the 1860 Federal Census for Blount County shows the family of Elias and Nancy Abbott and their children James and Rachel living with Elizabeth Dunn. They were all born in North Carolina. Blount County marriages records Elias Abbott married Nancy Dunn 12 Sep 1857. The 1850 Federal Census for Blount County reveals Elizabeth was formerly married to James Dunn who died before the 1860 census was taken. Nancy was listed as a daughter of James and Elizabeth. James and Elizabeth Dunn were buried in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery. James was born 1 Mar 1796 and died 20 Feb 1856; Elizabeth was born 20 Apr 1798 and died 13 Oct 1876. The widow Nancy's husband Elias Abbott was a private in Company H of the 43rd Regiment of Alabama Infantry, CSA.

The 1866 Blount County Alabama State Census is valuable for researchers because it adds one more puzzle piece to the mosiac which tells the story of our Blount County pioneers and ancestors. The brief family history written above was compiled in just a few minutes from information found on this site and one or two other sites on the internet.

Nix, Elizabeth, 1,2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 � 2,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0 � 1,0,0,0,0,0; T11R2W

Nix, John, 3,2,3,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 � 0,2,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0 � 0,1,0,0,0,0; T11R3E

Nix, Letta, 1,2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 � 1,1,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0 � 0,0,0,0,0,0; T12R3E

1860 Federal Census, Alabama, Blount County, Page 21, Eastern Division, County of Blount, enumerated on 15th day of June 1860, J. H. Skinner, Post Office Summitt, stamo #1053, image 41 of 106, Residence 290, Family 279.

Tyra Nix, 35, M, w, Farmer, 700, 100, S., Carolina Lettie ?. 30, F, S. Carolia, Thomas B. 11, M W, S. Carolina, John, 8, M, S. Carolina, F. A. 4, F, Alabama, Gerly, 1, M, Alabama,

ALSO:

275/276 James Moody and Dicy

276/275John Holden and Maary

277/276 Wiley Moody and Wife Susanna and

278/277 William D. Moody amd Wlizabeth

279/278 James Alexander and wife Salina Holden

280/279 Tyra Nix and wife Lettia plus children

1870 Census, Alabama, Etowah County, Unknown Townships, Image 10, Township 12S, Range # 3E, in the county of Etowah, enumerated on the 15 day of Aug 1870 by D.B. Boyd, family #80; He is listed on line 40 of this page as the last individual. He is shown as family #80 and his mother and sibblings are family #79.

1. 79, NIX, Sottie, 45, F, W, Keeping House, 300, 150, So. Ca.

(note, this looks like Sottie on the census, but it must be Letty, the widdow of Tyre and the mother of the listed children, including Thomas.)

               ,John, 17, M, W, At Home, So. Ca., 
                , Adaline, 15, F, W, At Home, Ala,
                , Gurley, 12, M, W, At Home, Ala,
                , Texas A. D. , 6, F, W, At Home, Ala,

1. 80. NIX, Thomas, 21, M, W, Farmer, 30, So. Ca.,

Image #11.

                  , Dica (also looks like Deca), 21, F, W, Keeping Home, Ala, 
                  
                  , Bern?  A.(clear, but not well written), age 1, F, W, born Ala, 

1870 Census, Alabama, Etowah County, page 243, line item 79. Letty Nix, age 45, Female, Keeping house . Cildren at home; John 17, Adaline 15, Gurley 12 and Texan A.D. (sp). The fact that she was shown alive, age 45 would bring into question her recorded death as 26 July 1866. Should investigate but consider 1877 to be a good guess, at age 52. See note on probate of her estate.

U.S. Census > 1850 United States Federal Census > South Carolina > Pickens > Eastern Division, image 33 of 157, line 10, 240/240

Nix, Daniel, 23, M, Farming, 150, SC, cannot read and write

    , Elizabeth A. 23, F, SC, Cannot read and write
    , Letittie M. 4, F, SC, 
    , Mary A. 2, F, 
    , Phoeba, 1/12, F, SC. (Actually Falby Jane)

241/241 Nix, Tyre, 25, M, Farming 150, SC, Cannot read and write.

    , Lettice, 25, F, SC, Cannot read and write
    , Tho. B. 1, M, SC, 

Image 32, 237/237 Holden, James, 58, M, Farming, NC,

         , Sarah, 55, F, SC, 
         , Jannetta, 19, F, SC, 
         , John, 17, Laborer, SC, 
         , Frances, 14, F,  SC,   
         , Ara, 10, F, SC,