Norvell Slay & Martha Rebecca Sandifer

Norvell Slay, born 20 November 1836, son of Alexander Slay and Elizabeth McLean, is my first cousin, three times removed. He grew up and lived in Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi, until his death. His description was one of dark hair, dark eyes and five feet seven inches. He had twelve siblings including; Martha, Nathan, Alexander Jr., Mary, Elizabeth, Elijah, Corydon, Cincinatus, Leonidas, Alonzo and twin sisters Cornelia and Ophelia. His family was of the Baptist faith. His parents and a few siblings are buried in the County Line Baptist Church Cemetery in Copiah County, very near Crystal Springs.

On 10 August, 1860, he served as a Bondsman, when his first cousin Catherine Cornelia ("Kate") Slay, (daughter of William Sidney Slay and Honor Futch) married William Garrison Hennington in Crystal Springs.

On 26 May, 1861, slightly over a month after the Civil War began, he enlisted in the 16th Mississippi Infantry, Co. C. He was 24 years old. On 28 November, 1861, he was detailed as a Musician. He served in this regiment with his brothers Pvt. Corydon Slay (also a Musician) and Capt. Elijah Slay.

Norvell was captured on 03 April 1865 at Bermuda Hundred Defenses, Virginia and sent to the New York Harbour as a prisoner-of-war. The war would close in less than two weeks.

After the war, he returned to Crystal Springs to resume his place as a Farmer, and lived near his parents. On 08 March 1866, he married Martha ("Mattie") Rebecca Sandifer in Crystal Springs. She was born 23 October 1849 in Mississippi, possibly Copiah County. Her parents were Joseph Sandifer and Martha Unknown. She had seven known siblings including; Margaret, Arlina, John, Acadis, Josalean, Jefferson and Emily.

Norvell and Mattie, had the following twelve children, all born in Crystal Springs:
John Clarence, b. 11 June 1867, d. 1927, m. Rosa Harrell
Lenora, b. 08 Sept. 1868, d. 02 Nov. 1870
George Elmore, b. 15 Apr 1870, d. 1952 m. Maggie May Cooper
Mary Catherine, b. 14 Feb 1873, d. 30 Sept 1874
Florence Ella, b. 02 Feb 1874, d. 02 Aug 1940 m. J.L. Bridges
Joseph Russell, b. 22 Aug 1875, d. 1938 m. Lelia Young
Webster Alexander, b. 11 Jan 1877, d. 21 Nov 1964
Judson Jefferson, b. 16 May 1878, d. 24 Dec. 1963 m. Evelyn Unknown
Troy Theophilius, b. 20 Nov. 1880, d. 15 Jan 1953 m. Anna Lee Baecher
Carrie Belle, b. July 1881 d. (unknown) m. R.S. Alford
Silas Sheldon, b. 16 May 1883, d. 12 Nov 1962 m. Eva Davis
William Miller, b. 02 Dec. 1887, d. 21 July 1974 m. Fannie Ava Henry

Norvell Slay died 09 July 1907 in Crystal Springs. He is buried in the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Copiah County. In 1930, Norvell's widow Mattie was living with her son Joe and family, as listed on the census. It is unknown what date she died after 1930. It is likely she is buried near her husband. Several of their children are also buried in the Harmony Cemetery.

Any Slay reseachers, or descendents of Norvell Slay are welcomed to contact me at the above email address.
Gayle

Samuel Thomas Hennington & Mary Elizabeth Cook

Samuel Thomas Hennington, born 25 December 1841, is my second cousin, two times removed. He was the son of Rev.Joseph Edward Hennington and Jane Flowers.

During the Civil War he served in the 37th MS Infanty, Co. G. He enlisted when he was 18 years old to replace his father who served in the same regiment, and had become disabled. Among the many battles he was active in, he saw action at Vicksburg, where his unit was posted in the trench-lines, near the 36th MS posiiton.
Along with all the Confederate regiments, he was captured on July 4, 1863.

After the war, he returned to his home in Crystal Springs, in Copiah County, Mississippi. He married Mary Elizabeth Cook, known as "Molly" in Copiah County on 10 January 1871. Molly was the daughter of Daniel Brown Cook and Adah (Addy) Lee. She was born in Crystal Springs on 22 November 1846. She died in 1918.

Samuel was a Farmer, and stayed in Crystal Springs with his family until his death.

Samuel and Molly had the following children, all born in Crystal Springs:
Lenora Hyland b.1871 m. James William Joiner
Joseph Issac (Dr.Joe) b. 12 Nov 1874 d. 24 June 1942 m. Jeannie Irene Coogler
Morris Cook b. 04 July 1876, d. 1964 m. Ada Daisy Mullins
Levi, b. 1878, d. 1878
Luther Fitchue, b. 1880, d. 1924 m. Lula Mae McNeal
Samuel Leitch (Sr.) b. 08 Jan 1883, d.20 Mar 1961 m. Dixie Elizabeth Ball
Lemuel Oscar, b. 03 Apr 1886, d. 22 Oct 1961 m. Julia Augusta (Gussie) Maxwell
Judge Duncan (Dr.) b. 08 Jul 1889, d. 18 Apr 1955 m. Sarah Unknown

Samuel died 27 April 1918, and is buried in the Old Crystal Springs Cemetery. His wife is also buried there. The cemetery, was at one time known as the Samuel T. Hennington Cemetery, for his donation of the land.

Any Hennington researchers, or any of Samuel's descendant's are welcomed to contact me at the above email address.

Gayle Hennington-Van Horn

Alexander Slay Jr.

Alexander Slay Jr., known as 'Sandy', was the third child of Alexander Slay and Elizabeth McLean. Sandy was born 09 October 1831, in Copiah County, Mississippi. His father was a prominent land owner and Planter before the Civil War.

On June 20, 1855, he married Mary Amanda Martin in Copiah County. All four of their children were born in the same county, and included:

Maltida Theodicia "Tillie", b. 1857, d. 1927, Terry, Hinds County, Mississippi. She is buried in the Terry Cemetery in Hinds County, Mississippi. She married Warner Charles Bishop.

Elizabeth "Bettie" b. 1860

Daniel Alexander b. May 1864, d. 27 August 1922 in Copiah County. He is buried in the New Hazlehurst Cemetery in Copiah County, Mississippi. He married Rosa Elizabeth Russell February 4, 1892 in Copiah County. They had seven children.

Mary Ophelia b. 1866.

During the Civil War, Sandy served as a Pvt. in the 6th MS Infantry Co. K, as part of the Army of Tennessee. He returned home suffering from war injuries and died August 1, 1866 in Hazlehurst, Copiah County. His widow died before 1880, and the children lived with relatives.

Alexander Slay Jr. 'Sandy' is buried in the Damascus Baptist Cemetery in Copiah County. His tombstone sits near other Slay tombstones.

Nollie Fletcher Hennington & Aseneth E. Evans

Nollie Fletcher Hennington, was the second son of Rev. John Hennington and Anna Clement. He was born in 1840 in CopiahCounty, Mississippi, and died in 1874 in Crystal Springs, in Copiah County, Missisippi.

In 1860, Nollie married Asenath Elizabeth (Betty) Evans in Copiah County. It has also been reported they married in Delhi, Richland Parish, Louisiana, and either needs confirmation. Betty was the daughter of Robert P. Evans and Aseneth Unknown, possibly Willis. Betty was born in 1845 in Mississippi, and died in 1929 in Crystal Springs.

During the Civil War, Nollie served as a Pvt. in Powers Regiment MS Calvary Co. A, as part of the Trans Mississippi Department.

Nollie and Betty's children were all born in Copiah County, and included:

Lillian (Lily) b. 1861

Nollie Emmett b. 1864

William Robert b. 1 Aug 1866
Oscar W. b. 7 Aug 1869

Anna L. b. 1 Aug 1872

Jeanna A. b. 1 Aug 1872

Nollie died in 1874 in Crystal Springs, and is reported to be buried in the County Line Cemetery in Copiah County, though his tombstone was not located. His widow, married James Terry, possibly in Copiah County. Betty and James Terry had a daughter Fannie in 1879.

Betty' and Nollie's twin daughters Anna and Jeanna died on Sept. 22, and Sept 25,1877. Both girls are buried in the County Line Cemetery in Copiah County, as is their brother Oscar. Only daughter Jeanna and son Oscar's tombstone's were located. There were several illegible tombstones, as well as sunken ground areas nearby, and their father may be there. Betty is likely buried in the Terry section near the church. Above is a photograph of the County Line Cemetery, next to the County Line Baptist Church.

James Hennington family of Polk County, Texas

Looking for information on the James Hennington family, that is present on the Livingston, Polk County, Texas, 1880 Census. He is listed in the next dwelling, next to what may be his older brother Charles A. Hennington. As with Charles, I am especially interested in who is James' father. It is possible it "might" be a William or Benjamin Hennington. James and his family are also listed on the 1900 Census for Polk County, texas, as listed below. Do any of our blog readers have a clue about James Hennington, (or Charles A.) or info on any of the following listed children? Replies (or directions!) are always welcome at our above email address.
Thanks very much.
Gayle

05 June 1880; Livingston, Polk County, Texas
Hennington, James WM age 30 Head of Household Farmer AL SC AL
" Belle WF 30 wife AL AL AL
" Cora W. WF 3 dau AL AL AL
" Alice WF 1 dau AL AL AL

08 June 1900; Justice Prec # 1, eastern part of Livingston, Polk County, Texas
Hennington, James WM b. Nov 1849 age 50 married 24 yrs AL AL AL Farmer
" Belle WF b. June 1859 age 40 married 24 yrs/9children-7living AL AL AL
" Jennie dau WF b. May 1881 TX AL AL
" Lottie dau WF b. Aug 1885 TX AL AL
" Ikie dau WF b. Dec. 1888 TX AL AL
" Joe son WM b. June 1893 TX AL AL
" Gladis dau WF b. Dec 1895 TX AL AL

Charles A. Hennington family of Polk County, Texas

Looking for information on the Charles A. Hennington family that is present on the Livingston, Polk County, Texas, 1880 Census. Charles was born in between 1838-1839 in Alabama, and married Mary Catherine Victory Andress 20 Jan. 1869. She was the daughter of Isaac Francis Andress and Charlotte Elizabeth Whisenhunt.

I am especially interested in who is Charles' father. It is possible it "might" be a William or Benjamin Hennington. There is also a James Hennington listed in the next dwelling, that could be a younger brother. I will post info on James in a future blog post.

Do any of our blog readers have a clue about Charles A. Hennington, or info on any of the following listed children? If so, please send your email to our above address.
Thanks very much.
Gayle

05 June 1880; Livingston, Polk County, Texas
Hennington, Chas. WM age 42 Head of Household Farmer AL AL AL
" Katie WF 30 wife AL AL AL
" Lulu J. WF 9 dau AL AL AL
" Martha C. WF dau 6 AL AL AL
" Francis WM 4 Son AL AL AL
" Katie D. WF 2 dau AL AL AL
" Olivia G. WF 1mon dau AL AL AL
above son Francis, is Francis Monroe Hennington, listed as Head of Household
1900 Livingston, Polk County, Texas, as Frank Hennington, livings with
three sisters in household.