Family Group Record - Norvell Slay & Martha Sandifer

Norvell Slay, son of Alexander Slay Sr. and Elizabeth McLean, is my 1st Cousin, 3 times removed. He was the bondsman for his cousin Catherine Cornelia Slay and William Garrison Hennington marrige on August 10, 1860 in Copiah County, Mississippi. Catherine and William Hennington were my great-grandparents.


Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, Norvell Slay enlisted on May 26, 1861, at age 24. He had a dark complexion, dark hair, dark eyes, and was five feet, seven inches tall. He was detailed as a Musician on November 28, 1861, and served in the 16th MS, Co. F & G. He was captured on April 3, 1865 at Bermuda Hundred Defenses, Virginia and sent to New York Harbor as a prisoner-of-war.

After the war he returned to Crystal Springs, Mississippi. The next year he married Mattie Sandifer. He remained in Crystal Springs until his death July 9, 1907 Norvell is buried in the Harmony Cemetery in Crystal Springs.

Husband: Norvell Slay
Born: 20 Nov 1836 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Died: 9 Jul 1907 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Buried: - Harmony Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Father: Alexander (Sr.) Slay (1806-1878)
Mother: Elizabeth McLean (1806-1872)
Marriage: 8 Mar 1866 Place: Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi

Wife: Martha (Mattie) Rebecca Sandifer
Born: 23 Oct 1849 - Mississippi
Died: After 1930 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Buried: - Poss. Harmony Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Father: Joseph Sandifer (1800 - )
Mother: Marthena Unknown (1820 -)

Children of Norvell Slay and Rebecca Sandifer
1
M John Clarence Slay
Born: 11 Jun 1867 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 1927 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Hopewell Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Rosa Harrell
Spouse: Dora J. Barlow (1875-1917)
Marr. Date: 15 Dec 1890 - Copiah County, Mississippi

2
Lenora Slay
Born: 8 Sep 1868 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 2 Nov 1870 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Buried: - Hopewell Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi

3
M George Elmore Slay
Born: 15 Apr 1870 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 1952 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Harmony Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Maggie May Cooper (1871-1933)
Marr. Date: 5 Dec 1890 - Copiah County, Mississippi

4
F Mary Catherine Slay
Born: 14 Feb 1873 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 30 Sep 1874 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Buried: - Hopewell Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi

5
F Florence Ella Slay
Born: 2 Feb 1874 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 2 Aug 1940
Spouse: J.L. Bridges

6
M Joseph Russell Slay
Born: 22 Aug 1875 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 1938 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Harmony Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Lelia Young (1880 - )
Marr. Date: 1901 - Mississippi

7
M Webster Alexander Slay
Born: 11 Jan 1877 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 21 Nov 1964 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Harmony Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi

8
M Judson Jefferson (Sr.) Slay
Born: 16 May 1878 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 24 Dec 1963 - McComb, Pike County, Mississippi
Spouse: Evelyn Unknown
Marr. Date: Bef 1900 - Mississippi
Spouse: Emma May Catching (1889 - )
Marr. Date: 22 Aug 1910 - Mississippi

9
M Troy Theophilius Slay
Born: 20 Nov 1880 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 15 Jan 1953 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - Crystal Springs Cemetery, Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Anna Lee Baecher (1886-1953)
Marr. Date: Mississippi

10
F Carrie Belle Slay
Born: Jul 1881 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Spouse: R.S. Alford
Marr. Date: Copiah County, Mississippi

11
M Silas Sheldon Oscar Slay
Born: 26 Mar 1883 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 12 Nov 1962 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County Mississippi
Buried: - Harmony Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
Spouse: Eva Davis (1895-1984)
Marr. Date: 1922 - Copiah County, Mississippi

12
M William Miller Slay
Born: 2 Dec 1887 - Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Misissippi
Died: 21 Jul 1974 - Copiah County, Mississippi
Buried: - County Line Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi
(photo 16th MS battle flag)

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