Winchester Roots of Southern Indiana

Winchester Beginnings in America

2011-10-24T01:56:00.004-05:00

Entry of Winchesters to the American Colonies in the early 1600’s was apparently through two ports: Jamestown, VA and Boston, MA where two different John Winchesters arrived in the 1630’s. Records show Winchesters continue arriving in Jamestown and New England throughout the 1700’s. Their descendants are extensively documented.

William Winchester arrived in 1729 in Baltimore,MD and some of his descendants went west, particularly Gen. James Winchester, an early settler of Tennessee.

In the mid 1700’s Willoughby Winchester was among the first settlers of the Craven (Ninety Six District) of SC upcountry and one or more Thomas Winchester is found in deeds and court records of Lunenburg & Halifax Co, Virginia as well as Orange Co, NC.

In the late 1700's John Winchester is listed in the 1768 NC Rowan Co Tax list among the Haw River settlement (now Guilford/Rockingham Co, NC). A William and Thomas Winchester are listed in the 1766 Mecklenburg Co, NC Militia. William and Daniel are listed in the Revolutionary War NC Militia of Mecklenburg, NC (later Union Co). Francis Winchester and several sons are listed in 1800 and later Burke Co, NC census. There is no documentation that connects the Guilford, Mecklenburg or Burke Winchester families together.

Winchesters are documented by the mid 1800’s settlements of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Some of these arrive from England and some from New England.

The connection of these Winchester groups with one another is unproven. We are fairly certain these three North Carolina groups did not come from Kent Island, MD, but possibly came from New England via Philadelphia or close-by ports. English, German, Scottish, Irish settlers used the Great Wagon Road in the1760’s through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to settle the Piedmont areas of North and South Carolina. Beginning in the early 1800’s all these eastern seaboard Winchester families supplied several generations of migrations into the deep south and westward across the Appalachian Mountains into western NC, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas and the Plains states.

source: Winchester Family DNA Project - Background
(accessed: 24 Oct 2011)

Y-DNA 12

2011-10-20T23:11:00.003-05:00

Will be receiving the DNA test soon to compare with members of the 3 NC groups of WINCHESTERS. Results will be forthcoming. This could certainly put a big hole in my brick wall.

The following is from the Winchester DNA Project at http://www.familytreedna.com/public/winchesterfamilyDNAproject/default.aspx

Background

Entry of Winchesters to the American Colonies in the early 1600’s was apparently through two ports: Jamestown, VA and Boston, MA where two different John Winchesters arrived in the 1630’s. Records show Winchesters continue arriving in Jamestown and New England throughout the 1700’s. Their descendants are extensively documented.

William Winchester arrived in 1729 in Baltimore,MD and some of his descendants went west, particularly Gen. James Winchester, an early settler of Tennessee.

In the mid 1700’s Willoughby Winchester was among the first settlers of the Craven=>Ninety Six District of SC upcountry and one or more Thomas Winchester is found in deeds and court records of Lunenburg & Halifax Co, Virginia as well as Orange Co, NC.

In the late 1700's John Winchester is listed in the 1768 NC Rowan Co Tax list among the Haw River settlement (now Guilford/Rockingham Co, NC). A William and Thomas Winchester are listed in the 1766 Mecklenburg Co, NC Militia. William and Daniel are listed in the Revolutionary War NC Militia of Mecklenburg, NC (later Union Co). Francis Winchester and several sons are listed in 1800 and later Burke Co, NC census. There is no documentation that connects the Guilford, Mecklenburg or Burke Winchester families together.

Winchesters are documented by the mid 1800’s settlements of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Some of these arrive from England and some from New England

The connection of these Winchester groups with one another is unproven. We are fairly certain these three North Carolina groups did not come from Kent Island, MD, but possibly came from New England via Philadelphia or close-by ports. English, German, Scottish, Irish settlers used the Great Wagon Road in the1760’s through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to settle the Piedmont areas of North and South Carolina. Beginning in the early 1800’s all these eastern seaboard Winchester families supplied several generations of migrations into the deep south and westward across the Appalachian Mountains into western NC,Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas and the Plains states.

To My Genealogy Friends: Genealogical Proof Standards

2011-05-02T16:11:00.001-05:00

Much has been made about President Obama, and his eligibility for the office. Though I recall seeing the first birth certificate that he made public during his campaign, I didn't really study it, and, like many others, accepted it at face value. In the meantime, others dismissed it as a "photoshop" modification, insisting that it was, for unknown reasons to me, NOT a "real" certificate. I've not done much research into this, but as a Genealogist myself, it has become an interesting topic.

As a genealogist, I tend to remain neutral on the subject of whether or not President Obama is a Natural Born Citizen, because frankly, I have just not spent enough research time on this. Yet the issue is becoming more and more interesting to me as time goes by.

Awhile back, the president released another certificate. I think it's called a "Certicifate of Live Birth". Though I haven't paid attention, I imagine theories still abound about its authenticity.

So, I wanted your views on the general acceptacnce of Birth Certificates as Genealogical Proof Standards.

An original birth certificate would be one which was made at the time of birth, and given to the parents. A record of this birth would be stored at the locality of birth, with a copy sent to the state.

It has always been my understanding, and experience as a researcher, that "Original" Birth Certificates DO NOT exist at the state or county levels of government. For someone to have an original, it would have to be in the custody of some interested individual. Mind you, I've not researched every state in the U.S., and I understand that all states have different rules, but isn't it a general practice for states and counties to keep records of birth only in bound books, and that when someone requests a certificate, the registrar will type out a new certificate? Or is it that original certificates are, in fact, still extant in some locales?

This latest Certificate of Live Birth of Barak Obama, located at the White House website looks like an original certificate, as the name of the doctor delivering the baby is shown in signature form (not typed in by a registrar, or clerk). The signature of the Parent, the Doctor, and the Local Registrar is included on this certificate, and dated 1961. How could this be? The parent signature is that of Obama's mother (I assume), and she has died.

What say you?

Orville Redenbacher: Proving a Surname

2010-06-23T03:29:00.000-05:00

The famous popcorn maker has made it into the family. Although I have no blood ties to him, his descendants and grandchildren are my 3rd cousins.

Orville was born, according to most sources, 16 July 1907 in the Clay County Indiana town of Brazil. His first wife, and mother of his three daughters, was Corinne Strate. His daughter, Sue, married my 3rd cousin once removed, Dewey Gourley (This is from my maternal grandmother's side of the family).

I'm currently attempting to locate information that Orville's grandson, Gary, did indeed share his surname, or if perhaps he was credited as such for advertising purposes. "Gary Redenbacher" appeared with his grandfather in later television commercials (in the 1980s). As yet, I've found no evidence that Mr. Redenbacher had a son, so the surname of this grandson is indeed interesting.

Of course, I've by no means done an extensive search on this family, so I'm going on the assumption (until otherwise proven false) that information does exist.

According to all reports that I've found for Mr. Redenbacher, he was a staunch supporter of his family, made vacation trips from California to Evansville every year, and loved his family dearly. As a young man, he grew up farming, and found the American Dream of success though honest, and hard work. I'm honored to be able to include this gentleman as an important part of my kinship.

Mr. Redenbacher died on September 19, 1995 in Coronado, California.

Suggestions for TSGS

2010-06-21T12:14:00.000-05:00

Here is a suggestion that I have for increasing membership, and retaining new members. The president should bring this idea to the Board of Directors ASAP.

The Society should take the primary lead in assisting new and potentially new members in genealogical education. This should be separate from the current practice of "lectures" or "classes". The lectures and classes are great, especially when there are several persons interested, and they should be continued, but one-on-one assistance should also prove beneficial in retaining new members. Advertising this service on the TSGS website would have the potential of bringing in new members.

The current practice of primarily relying on Willard Library's librarian in onsite research assistance should be discontinued. TSGS should have a few members appointed to this task so that members of TSGS can see a substantial benefit in membership. This idea does not replace Lyn Martin in her current role in helping new visitors. Rather, it works with her in providing extra time that she may not have to devote to members in a one-on-one personal capacity.

Terry Winchester
Evansville

Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Society

2010-04-03T04:30:00.000-05:00

Benton, the County Seat of Marshall County, KY is a lovely old town. Perhaps so, partly because I'm used to a city of 130,000+, and it was a pleasant novelty from the same-ole-same-ole rituals of Hometownsville, but this old town was alive and bustling with folks out and about the main streets of town. On the way in, there was a Festival running that is part of their annual Tater Day Celebration.

Ed Whitfield, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st District, submitted the following description of this seemingly unique festivity:

The Library of Congress, Kentucky, Local Legacies: Tater Day Festival http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/KY/200003055.html, (retrieved: 2 April 2010)

Possibly the only celebration of the humble sweet potato, this three- day festival is held in Benton, Kentucky on the weekend before the first Monday in April. One of the oldest indigenous festivals in the state, it grew out of the county court day first held in 1843, when farmers would take advantage of the opportunity to sell or trade their livestock, produce -- including their extra sweet potatoes--and farm equipment in the town square. Today's festival is highlighted by a large parade with floats, marching bands, and a beauty queen. The event has a long and colorful history that is documented in 14 pages of text, two videotapes, photographs, news clippings, and a collection of handbills.

The Courthouse is at 1101 Main Street, and the Marshall County Genealogical Society is located in the basement. There, the volunteer staff maintains the Archives of the County Clerk's historical, as well as current, records.

The security, and care, with which these records are maintained is very formal and strict. The area in which the Archives are housed is in immaculate condition. Every record location is filed in either cardboard filing boxes, or metal filing cabinets. The original marriage records, with consents, where applicable, are enclosed in plastic sheets, keeping them in as pristine shape as is possible. The staff, this day consisting of Clara Creason and Evelyn (Pfingston) Dismore, demands that only they physically obtain the original records for the researcher.
Of course, there are published records and indexes galore, in book form.

Marshall County is but one of 8 counties making up the Jackson Purchase Area of Kentucky, and the Genealogical Society has the published books, and microfilm on each of these counties.

The material in this county is abundant. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and extremely knowledgeable of the material available. I would recommend membership in this society to anyone who has research interest in any of the counties in the Jackson Purchase Area, in general, and Marshall County, in particular.

You can contact the Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Society by
email at: marcoky@ky.gov, or
by phone at 270-527-4749, or
by mail at: MCGHS
P. O. Box 373
Benton, KY 42025

Their hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-3pm. If you plan a trip for a Thursday, you should call first, as they sometimes aren't able to open on that day.

Journey of the Unaware

2010-04-02T18:56:00.000-05:00

What a trip!

Debbie and I took a drive down to one of the Kentucky Jackson Purchase counties yesterday, and it was an experience; heading back, that is.

We started out from Evansville at 8:30 Thursday morning for Marshall County, Ky., which is in the south-west portion of the state. We arrived, as planned, at about 10:30am.

We spent the next 4 hours at the Benton courthouse, and the Marshall County Genealogical Society archives, digging through vital records, court records, etc., and at about 2:30, we left, and took a sight seeing tour around Benton, and the now Ky. Lake watered-over town of Birmingham; more about that later.

After some extra time shopping in antiques stores, we finally headed out of town, in route home, at about 5:30.

We had such a wonderful time researching my side of the family, and shopping, and the nice trip down there, that, on the way back home, we chatted on endlessly about what all we had seen, and done, and accomplished; so much so, that either we were simply distracted and missed our exit off the Western Kentucky (W. K.) Parkway East, onto the Pennyrile North, or else the exit simply wasn't there.

At one point, I had noticed a sign that said Louisville was just 75 miles. I wondered, aloud, about how we could be just 75 miles from Louisville. After a few moments, I had decided that it was simply a shorter trip from W. K. Parkway than from Evansville to Louisville. No more was thought about it.

After several, PLUS, hours of driving on the W. K. Pkwy (when it should have been only about 1 hr), we realized that we had missed our turn. No problem, we can’t be that far out of the way, I thought. I can turn around, and head back west.

Well, when we seen the sign that stated we were just 38 miles to Louisville, we realized we were definitely clueless, and unaware.

Now, one would think that we'd simply follow our directions down there, backward, or in reverse. After all, for the mechanically inclined (as which, I like to think of myself), it's a well known fact that "installation is the reverse of removal".

No, No, No! ALWAYS print out directions from MapQuest, or your favorite map site, for the return trip, Debbie informed me, in a panic induced state of demeanor. You see, apparently, the Exit numbers going back aren't going to be the same as they were going down. argh!

"BUT, I exclaimed, in vain, shouldn't there have been a sign that indicated an exit for the Pennyrile Pkwy?"

"ALWAYS print out directions from MapQuest, [or your favorite map site], for the return trip", Debbie informed me, once again, this time, in a more pronounced and determined tone of voice.

Instead of an actual driving time of about 4 hours, it turned into about 8 hours; we got back in Evansville a bit before 10pm.

We stopped at Denny’s, and had a nice, late, breakfast, and calmed our nerves quite a bit. While eating, and comparing everything that happened, we’d decided it had still been a good trip. We had a nice time digging through old records, and seeing a lovely, old, small, but very active town, and doing a bit of antique shopping. Sure, we got off the beaten track a bit, but, there was a lesson learned:

"ALWAYS PRINT OUT THE BLEEPIN DIRECTIONS FROM MAPQUEST, [or your favorite map site], FOR THE RETURN TRIP HOME"

1870 Marshall County, Kentucky ~Winchester Families

2010-03-26T14:12:00.028-05:00

Thomas Winchester:

1880 U.S. Census, Garland County, ARK., Mill Township, Series: T9 Roll: 45 Page: 157
Thos. Winchester W M 54 TN, not known, NC
Julia A Winchester W F 23 IL, not known, not known
Ida May Winchester W F 1 IL, not known, not known
1870 U.S. Census, Marshall County KY, BRIENSBURG DIST, Series: M593 Roll: 485 Page: 224
Thos. Winchester, 45
Aritha (?) Winchester, 25
Chamberlain Winchester, 18
Alex T. Winchester,
13 Mary L Winchester, 7/12
Enos Boswell, 3
1860 U.S. Census, Marshall County, KY, BIRMINGHAM P O, Series: M653 Roll: 385 Page: 895
T.T. Winchester, 30
S. Winchester, 23f
M.A. Winchester, 3f

James or Jasper Winchester:

Enumerated in the 1870 US census for Marshall County, Ky as "Jas Winchester". If this is meant to be Jasper, there is a marriage record for Jasper Winchester to Mrs. Mary F Lindsey [nee Estes], 24 Sep 1871, according to Ancestry World Tree: William Haston Estes by Glenda E Estes scbuckeye@earthlink.net page updated Sat Aug 25, 2001, (accessed 16 July 2007). This Mary would not be the mother of the children enumerated in 1870, but could be a second marriage for James/Jasper Winchester.
1870 US Census: Marshall County: Briensburg
Jas Winchester 32
Mary Winchester 30
Newton Winchester 12
Hesie W Winchester 5
Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900 about MARY F. [Mrs] LINDSEY
Name: JASPER WINCHESTER
Spouse: MARY F. [Mrs] LINDSEY
Marriage Date: 24 Sep 1871
County: Marshall
State: KY
source: ancestry.com
Winchester, Jasper - wid, d/p
23 Sept 1871,
Lindsey, Mary F - div/wid,
By James Burnham at Colom Estes on 24 Sept 1871 in Marshall,
wit Haston Smith, William Culp,
Bk#2 M/D

Src. Marshall County Genealogical Society, Compiler, "Marshall County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Volume 2, 1864-1877", page 70, at Willard Library, Evansville, Indiana.

Benjamin F. Winchester:

1850 US Federal Census; Hardin County TN @ CD #2
Ruth Winchester, 60 b ca 1790 NC
Ben Winchester, 21 b ca. 1829 TN
Keziah Winchester, 15 b ca. 1835 TN
1860 US Federal Census; Henderson County, TN @ CD #13
BF Winchester, 32 b ca 1828 TN
Jane Winchester, 27 b ca. 1833 TN
Martha Winchester, 3 b ca. 1857 TN
31 Jan 1867, Marshall Co, KY, Benjamin is witness to marriage of John Frizzell and Emily C. Winchester (relationship unknown)
1870 US Federal Census; Marshall County Kentucky @ Briensburg enumerates:
Benj F Winchester, 43 b. ca. 1827 Tenn
Marcia (?) Winchester, 30 b. ca. 1840 Tenn
Mary A Winchester, 9 b. ca. 1861 Tenn
Wm J Winchester, 6 b ca. 1864 Tenn
Thos J Winchester, 3 b.ca. 1867 KY
Benjamin F. Huse, 13 b. ca. 1857 Tenn
12 Mar 1873, Marshall Co., KY, Marriage record for
B F Winchester to Nancy Lovel
Tax Assessment Book 1868-1875, Marshall County, Kentucky (microform) FHL #0008138.
Benjamin F is eneumerated from 1868-1874. Not listed in 1875.
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System Online Database:
Benj. F. Winchester
Rank: Pvt
Age: 35
Enlisted: 18 Sept 1862
Mustered: 12 Nov 1862
Remarks: Deserted 1 May 1863 at Bolivar, TN
Tennessee 6th Cavalry, Company C
Height: 5'10", Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Black, Hair: Black, Where Born: Giles Co., TN, Occupation: Farmer
(compiled Military Service Record, NARA)

Miscelleaneous:

Dec 1975, Benton, KY, Death: Margaret Hamby, SSN issued NJ 1967-1968; src: SSDI
15 June 1871, Marshall Co, KY, John Frizzell appointed guardian of Marg^t Winchester, a minor. (unknown relationship to Marg^t Winchester)
15 June 1871, Marshall Co., KY, Marriage: George Hamby to Margaret Winchester; src. KY Marriages, 1851-1900 Marshall County

Research completed by Cathy Gowdy at Salt Lake City, UT

From: cylgowdy@aol.com
Subject: Re: [WINCHESTER] Marshall Co., KY
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:41:20 -0500
Film #8138 Marshall Co., KY Tax Records

1868
Benjamin F. Winchester
1 white male over 21 yrs of age
1 white male enrolled in the militia
3 children between 6-20 yrs of age
1 hog over 6 months of age

Shamus Winchester
2 horses valued @$50
3 cattle
1 m 21+
1 m in militia
2 ch 6-20
5 hogs

1869
Thomas Winchester
1 horse @$30
3 cattle
1 m 21+
1 m enrolled militia
3 ch 6-20
2 hogs

1870
Thomas Winchester
4 cattle
1 m 21+
1 m in militia

Benjamin F. Winchester
1 cow
1 m 21+
1 m in militia
1 ch 6-20
450 bushels corn

Jasper Winchester
1 m 21+
1 m enrolled militia
1 ch 6-20
75 bushels corn

1871
Benj F. Winchester
3 cattle
1 m 21+
1 m in militia
3 ch 6-20
1500 lbs tobacco
25 bushels corn

Thomas Winchester
1 horse valued @$30
2 cattle
1 m 21+
2 ch 6-20
6 hogs
800 lbs tobacco
100 bushels corn

Albert Winchester
4 acres on Ten. R. valued @$40
3 town lots @$300
1 m 21+
2 ch 6-20
6 hogs

1872
Chamberlain Winchester
1 m enrolled in militia

Benj F Winchester
1 cow
1 m 21+,
1 m enrolled militia
4 ch 6-20

Thomas Winchester
92.5 acres @$475
1 horse @$50
3 cattle @$35
1 m 21+
1 ch 6-20
14 hogs
200 bushels corn

1873
Jasper Winchester
m 21+
1 qualified voter
1 ch 6-20
1 hog

400 bushels corn
Thomas Winchester
3 horses @$125
3 cattle @$30
1 m 21+
1 qualilfied voter
1 enrolled in militia
2 ch 6-20

1874
Benj. F. Winchester
election precinct #2
2 cattle
1 m 21+
1 legal voter
nearest neighborn: S. P. Williams

Thomas Winchester
election precinct 2
2 mules valued @$200
2 cattle
1 m 21+
1 legal voter
1 ch 6-20
4 hogs
nearest neighbor, W. O. Pelway

Jasper Winchester
election precinct 2
1 m 21+
1 legal voter
1 enrolled in militia
2 ch 6-20
2 hogs
1000 lbs tobacco
150 bushels corn
nearest neighbor, W. O. Pelway

1875 - no Winchesters
film #8312 item #1 1870 - no Winchesters

Historical Obits ~Mrs. J.R. Winchester

2010-03-25T17:57:00.004-05:00

Mrs. J. R. Winchester Dead

On Her Seventy-Fifth Birthday Moth-
er of Dr. F.M. Winchester
of This City Passed Away - Death
Due to a Fall Two Weeks Ago -
Funeral This Afternoon.

After rounding out three-quarters

of a century of a useful, consecrated

Christian life, Mrs. J. R. Winchester

of this city fell peacefully asleep

last night at St. Peter's hospital at

8:37 o'clock. It was her 75th birth-

day. Sunday night, October 15, she

had fallen to the floor while attempt-

ing to rise from her bed and frac-

tured her hip. From the first, fears

were entertained for her recovery,

owing to her advanced years, and

her condition steadily grew worse.

She was removed at once to the hos-

pital and tenderly ministered to, but

the injury was too severe.

The funeral service will be con-

ducted this afternoon at 4 o'clock

from the residence by her pastor,

Rev. A. W. Pister of Trinity Metho-

dist church.

Mrs. Winchester was born on the

old Wolfe place three miles east of

Charlotte and the early years of her

life were spent in that neighborhood.

[F]or about twenty years she was a

member of Sharon Presbysterian

church, in which she was brought up.

In 1856 she was married to Mr. J. R.

Winchester who, with eight children,

survives. She then went with her

husband to the Methodist Church at

Monroe. For about fifteen years

they had been living in Charlotte.

With Mrs. Winchester at the last

were all of the eight children, Dr.

F. M. Winchester and Mrs. Minnie

Benton of Charlotte, Mrs. W. C.

Reeves of Raleigh, Mr Henry Win-

chester of Dallas, Tex., Mrs. S. W.

Porter of Charlotte, Mr. Benjamin

Winchester of Clifton Forge, Va.,

Howard Winchester of Columbia, S.

C., Mr. J. R. Winchester, Jr of this

city. In addition, there are two

brothers, Mr. C. H. Wolfe of this

county and Mr. W. L. Wolfe of Hick-

ory and one sister, Mrs. Mattie Alli-

son of Linwood.

Only four years ago Mr. and Mrs.

Winchester celebrated their golden

wedding, in honor of their fiftieth

anniversary of their marriage, the

celebration being at the home of

their eldest son.

For about twenty-seven years Mrs.

Winchester had suffered from neu-

ralgia, but had borne the pain, and

also that of her last illness, with re-

markable courage, patience and forti-

tude. Her life was an exempli-

fication of the Christian faith, which

won the love and respect of all who

knew her.

Source: Newsbank Inc. (available online from Willard Library,
Evansville, IN; Genealogy Bank Database : accessed 24 March 2010)
citing Charlotte [N.C.] Observer dated 29 Oct. 1910.

Authors note: I believe this to be the wife of John Robinson Winchester, Julia Wolfe.

According to my records, John Robinson was the son of William Daniel Winchester and Mary Winchester(maiden name?), of Union County, North Carolina.

Comments and corrections welcome.

Research Facts

2010-01-09T17:20:00.009-06:00

**Benjamin F Winchester enumerated from 1868-1874. Not listed in 1875. source: Tax Assessment Book 1868-1875, Marshall County, Kentucky (microform) FHL #0008138.

**12 Mar 1873, Marshall Co., KY, Marriage record for B F Winchester to Nancy Lovel source: ancestry.com; Dodd, Jordon, compiler, Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900, (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001, [database on-line], ancestry.com), B. F. Winchester & Nancy J. Lovel, 12 Mar 1873, Marshall KY.

**15 June 1871, Marshall Co., KY, Marriage: George Hamby to Margaret Winchester; source: KY Marriages, 1851-1900 Marshall County

**15 June 1871, Marshall Co, KY, John Frizzell appointed guardian of Marg^t Winchester, a minor.

1870; Briensburg, Marshall, Kentucky; Roll M593_485; Page: 224B; Image: 456; Family History Library Film: 545984:
Benj F Winchester, 43 b. ca. 1827 Tenn
Marcia/Marian (?) Winchester, 30 b. ca. 1840 Tenn
Mary A Winchester, 9 b. ca. 1861 Tenn
Wm J Winchester, 6 b ca. 1864 Tenn
Thos J Winchester, 3 b.ca. 1867 KY
Benjamin F. Huse, 13 b. ca. 1857 Tenn

**Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System Online Database:
Benj. F. Winchester
Rank: Pvt
Age: 35
Enlisted: 18 Sept 1862
Mustered: 12 Nov 1862
Remarks: Deserted 1 May 1863 at Bolivar, TN (compiled Military Service Record, NARA)
Tennessee 6th Cavalry, Company C
from: (compiled Military Service Record, NARA)
Height: 5'10", Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Black, Hair: Black, Where Born: Giles Co., TN, Occupation: Farmer

1860; District 13, Henderson, Tennessee; Roll M653_1256; Page: 290; Image: 223; Family History Library Film: 805256.
BF Winchester, 32 b ca 1828 TN
Jane Winchester, 27 b ca. 1833 TN
Martha Winchester, 3 b ca. 1857 TN

1850; District 2, Hardin, Tennessee; Roll M432_882; Page: 257B; Image: 135.
Ruth Winchester, 60 b. ca. 1790 NC
Ben Winchester, 21 b. ca. 1829 TN
Keziah Winchester, 15 b. ca. 1835 TN

Introduction

2006-04-26T16:26:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the research blog of Terry Winchester, and the Winchester family from White County, IL, Posey, Vanderburgh and, Warrick counties in Indiana.

Thomas Winchester, my grandfather, is my earliest proven direct descendant on my father's side, said to have been born July 4, 1865 in Birmingham, AL. He listed his father's name as Ben, and his mother as Unknown Mathis. This is according to census and death records as well as descendants' memories of stories.

There is, of yet, no proof that Thomas was born in Alabama. My research of that area has not turned up any corroborating evidence of his birth or residence there. He did, however, consistently state in census records (1900-1920) that he was born in Alabama. On several of his childrens' birth certificates, as well as his marriage record to my grandmother, he listed his birthplace as Birmingham, Alabama.

Our family is assumed to have come from the Mecklenburgh County, North Carolina Winchester families. Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana were migration routes.

After arriving in Illinois, Thomas married a Mrs. Lou (TRAVELSTEAD) Gootz in 1894. There were no apparent children by this marriage.

In 1905, he married Mrs. Anna (PEERMAN) Walker, from whom I descend, and remained there until 1926, when he died in Golconda (Pope Co.), IL while being employed "on government work".

After Thomas' death, some of his descendants moved to Vanderburgh and Warrick counties in Indiana. Others moved to Belleville, IL and Minnestota.

If Thomas was, indeed, born in Alabama, the migration route to Ilinois would most likely have brought him through Calloway and Marshall counties, in Ky.

In the 1870 Marshall County census, there's listed a Winchester family headed by Benj F. Winchester and, along with others, a son, Thomas (est. birth 1867 in KY). I am currently theorizing that the Thomas Winchester of Marshall Co., Ky was my grandfather. On that census, Thomas was listed as having been born in Ky. But, I noted that there is a Birmingham in Marshall County, and Thomas may have been told by elders that he was born "in Birmingham", and he assumed Alabama. However, this is only my hypothesis, and it has not yet been proven. There is no sign of the 1870 Marshall Co. Winchesters after 1873, when Benj F Winchester married Nancy Lovel there in that year.

[Jan 1, 2006] Additional news has come to my attention that Thomas was raised by another family, as his parents were killed in a buggy accident. This was told by my uncle Tommy Winchester to his daughter, Marilyn (WINCHESTER) Obal.

Please contact me if you have any questions or advise. More info as it becomes available.