Individual Notes
Note for: Alfred Paul Presnell, 5 AUG 1854 - 8 NOV 1940
Index
Burial: Place: Oak Hill, WV
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
Circuit Court Criminal Minutes Vol. A March 15 1884 page 401, The following evidence was heard in open court on the question of paying guards for guarding the Johnson County jail under section 5401 and 5401b in the case of the State vs Alfred and John Presnell on a charge of murder. D W. Wills being duly sworn deposed as follows: I think it was necessary to have guards because I think the jail was insufficient to hold the prisoners and because I think there was danger that they would be taken out of the jail and lynched from what I had heard. I heard a near relative of Shupe the deceased say that they would be taken out of the jail and lynched. I think I have heard others say that they were liable to be taken out and lynched. The deceased had a large relationship and some of them influential.
Testimony by J.M Blankenbeckler: I am one of the commissioners appointed to look after the jail and conditions For the prisoners. I think a guard was necessary on the account of the Insecurity of the jail and the danger that one of the defendants at least might be rescued. I had heard of the Pressnells ought to be and would be lynched. Shupe the deceased had been quite a prominent man. He had been Justice of the Peace and chairman of the County Court of Johnson County for several years. Mr Shupe the deceased had a very large connection in this (Johnson) County, some of whom are influential. page 402. March 19, 1884 - M L Morland being duly sworn deposes as follows- I am sheriff of Johnson County I think that a guard was absolutely necessary while John and Alfred Presnell have been in Johnson County Jail 1st I regard the jail unsafe. 2nd from threats that I had heard made previous to the arrest of the defendants and the excitement consequence upon their arrest I think there was considerable danger of their being taken out and lynched. I think there was some danger of Thier being rescued by Thier friends. I heard a nephew of the deceased Shupe say before Defendants were arrested that if they were arrested and put in jail that they would never get out alive. Whey were arrested on the 10th day of last January and our next circuit court convened on the 3 week of March. I was informed that there was no secure jail nearer than Greenville, TN a distance of 75 or 80 miles and I regarded it a saving of Expense to the state to employ a guard. ML Morland Sheriff.
We certify that we have examined the forgoing account for guarding jail of Johnson County and are satisfied that a guard was necessary. March 19, 1884.
page 429 Tuesday November 18, 1884 State VS Alfred Presnell and John Presnell alias Alfred Presley and John Presley. Murder. enters a plea of not guilty, defendants was remanded to jail.
Page 436 Murder, Came again the Atty General to prosecute for the state and the prisoners is brought to the box in custody of the sheriff and the same jury respited from rendering their verdict to wit John Cook, J.M Arnold, H .M Bently, John A Brook, Hoston Watson, David Bumgardner, W Wilson, JB Stout, W M. Simcox, GW Eggers, John Shepard, Alexander Snider and in charge of J N Jenkins an officer as afore said returned into court to resume the consideration of the cause on trial and further progress having been made in the cause and their not being time to finish the consideration of the same today the Jury was again respited from rendering their verdict until tomorrow and was again placed in charge of J N Jenkins officer who was sworn to keep them according to law and the defendants was remanded to jail. Discharge of Witnesses. In this cause on motion of the attorney general the following names witnesses for the state are discharged from further attendance this term of the court to wit Tho. Lewis, J. R. Bergie, Hamilton Smith, Jas Rainbolt, Abner Shipwash, James Vaught.
437 November 20, 1884 Murder Jury returned to court to resume consideration of the cause on trial and further progress having been made in the cause and there not being time to finish the consideration the same day the jury was again respited making their verdict until tomorrow. The defendants were remanded to jail.
441 Murder. Came again the Atty General to prosecute on behalf of the state and the prisoners are again brought to the bar in custody of the sheriff. The jury find the defendants Alfred Presnell and John Presnell alias Alfred Presley and John Presley guilty of Murder in the 2nd degree as charged against them in the Bill of Indictment. Confinement in the Penitentiary of the state for a period of fourteen years from this date. November 21, 1884. Remanded to jail.
They were sent to Coal Creek Prison then to Nashville's State Penitentiary
Convicted of second degree murder Alfred served from November 1884 to July 1991. Pardoned by the Govenor on the condition he leave the state.
John Presnell was Pardoned from Nashville Penitentiary in May 31, 1888.
Alfred's Death Certificate # 17788B Fayette County, WV says date of birth: August 7, 1848 in Fish Springs, TN
1920 Census: Lochgelly, West Virginia -- Alfred, Lizzie, Albert H age 22, Edward M. age 17, Letha B 16, Ruby, Mary, Alma 4
1930 Census: Fayetteville, Fayette, WV Alfred Presnell age 79 (born TN, mother born TN, father born Kentucky), Elizabeth (wife)KY KY TN 64, Alma (daughter) WV, TN KY 18
Individual Notes
Note for: Amanda Pierce, 11 MAY 1854 - 5 SEP 1923
Index
Baptism: Date: 21 MAY 1905
Burial: Place: Pierce Cemetery, Butler, TN
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
Alfred and his brother John Presnell were sentenced to second degree murder for 14 years.
They were sentenced from Johnson County Circuit Court.
Alfred's Nashville Main Prison Records: 5 ft 11 inch tall, 155 pounds grey eyes, brown hair, fair complexion. Alfred and his brother John were sentenced to 14 years for 2nd degree murder.
They went to prison on November 21, 1884. Alfred was pardoned for parole in 1890. Alfred had a scar on his left calf. Prison Record in Tn State Archives Book C page 232
John Presnell was pardoned May 31, 1888 by Gov. Taylor. John had a scar on right shin, on top of hand, and right hip. He was 5'9 1/2 " tall 137 pounds and had brown hair, blue eyes.
Rumor is: The men had been drinking and playing cards, and there was an argument about Amanda. Shupe pulled out a knife and Alfred and John took it away. They killed Shupe. John and Afred hid for about 4 months and returned home. The police were waiting with guns when Alfred and John got home and took them to jail.
John H. Shupe (Nov 18, 1836-Sept 15, 1883) John Shupe was married to Fannie E Shoun . (July 28, 1838- March 2, 1895) Both are buried at Butler Memorial Cemetery.
After his release from Prison, Alfred never returned to Butler. He went to West Virginia and married Elizabeth. Elizabeth was of dutch descent. He had a large family there.
When his children with Elizabeth grew up, they found out about his family in Butler. They came to visit Cora and Haze several times. Cora went to West Virginia for Alfred's funeral.
Amanda had a lot of boyfriends and the children have different fathers. Henry Haze and Cora Presnell are Alfred's children.
Cecil Sam and Frank Glen Pierce were twins.
William James Barry is said to be the Twins father.
John E. Pierce told his daughter Hazel that he had the same father as the twins.
1880 Carter County Census: Alfred Presnell age 22, his parents were born in North Carolina, Amanda E. age 26 (wife) Her father was born in Tennessee and her mother was from NC. Henry H. age 1, Samuel Pierce age 4 (stepson) his father was from NC
1900 Carter County Census: Mandy Presnell born May 1854 age 46 widowed living with William R. Pierce born 1873, Henry H. born 1879, Cora L. born 1883, John E. born 1884, Frank born 1894, Cecil S. born 1894
1910 Carter County Census: Amanda 56 (9 children and 7 living) Frank 16 son, Cecil 16 son, William R. 34 (married 4 years to Alice, William and Alice were married before) Alice 35, Allen ( grandson) 14 Ettie (neice) (1 child and 1 child living) 27, Hue G. (nephew) 7, John E. Pierce 20 (son)
* Noah's daughter Mary E. Pierce was the correct age. Noah's grandchildren remember an Ettie but not the relationship. All of Noah's family pictures were destroyed in a fire.
Ettie Hamby is listed as single living beside Amanda in 1920 and there is no children living with Ettie. John F. Pierce is possibly Ettie Hamby's father.
Amanda is buried beside her father and mother but she has no tombstone.
Individual Notes
Note for: Isaac Shoun, 1724 -
Index
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
lived in Fauquier County VA 1780-87
Individual Notes
Note for: Anna Margaret Sponseller, 17 MAY 1743 - 1780
Index
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
birth records from St. John's Church in Littletown PA
Individual Notes
Note for: Georg Simon Von Schlemp, 1690 - 1773
Index
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
Georg Simon Schlemp married 3 times:
1st wife- Anna Margaretha Zangmeister married circa 1727
2nd - Anna Margaretha (surname not known) born July 2, 1706 in Kandel,Germersheim, Rheinland-Pfalz. died April 11, 1746, married circa 1743
3rd - Eva Elisabetha (surname not known) born Oct. 26, 1703 in Kandel, Germersheim, Rheinland-Pfalz. died Dec. 29, 1773, married circa 1747.
Individual Notes
Note for: Robert Lee Puckett, 14 MAY 1864 - 6 JAN 1938
Index
Burial: Place: Elk Valley Church Cemetery, Banner Elk, NC
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
Robert Lee moved to Banner Elk, NC with his parents when he was around 8 years old. Robert owned and operated several saw mills in the Banner Elk area. The land he owned included the entire mountain that is now known as Elk River Country Club. He built the house on Edgar Tufts Road that is now owned by Billie Jo Puckett Frontz and was living there when he died in 1938. Vannie died Nov. 21, 1937. After she died Robert Lee stayed with Jesse and Leona for a few days at a time. He would have Leona and Jesse to take him to the cemetery to visit Vannie's grave. Robert Lee died from valvular insufficiency. Both He and Vannie are buried in the Old Elk Valley Cemetery in Elk Valley, NC.
Burial: Elk Valley Church Cemetery, Banner Elk, NC
Vannie was an illegitimate child, her father's name is unknown. Her mother was Ellen Brewer from Valle Crucis, NC.
Vannie died from a Cerebral Hemorrhage.
1920 Banner Elk Census: Robert Puckett 50, Elizabeth 50, Mostella 15, james 12, Iva (sister) 62
Individual Notes
Note for: William Walter Elliott, 1897 - 1925
Index
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
Walter Elliott reported the death of Nancy E. Elliott born 10-10- 1848, widow "intestinal nephritis" buried Burnsville, NC died 12-20-1916 Johnson County death record number 144
Walter died 9 months after Nell was born.
Nell Elliott said Walter's mother was Florence and he had a brother Claude and sister Minnie
1930 Johnson County Census: Ela May Elliott 27, Fred 11, Warren 8, Nell 5
Individual Notes
Note for: Nelson Pierce, 14 FEB 1865 - 24 JUN 1912
Index
Burial: Place: Robinson Cemetery, Doe Valley
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
1900 Johnson County Census: Nelson 35, Mary C 31 ( 5 children, 4 living) , Vina 9, George 7, Cellie 4, Joseph W 1/12
Individual Notes
Note for: Phoebe Jane Crowe, 20 DEC 1838 - 15 JUN 1891
Index
Burial: Place: Robinson Cemetery, Doe Valley
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
In the early 1880's there were no churches in the Doe Valley community. In 1885 several citizens met and organized the Doe Valley United Methodist Church with the following charter members: Jeff and Rebecca Walker, Tennessee and Sophia Loyd, Caleb and Rachel Shoun, William H. and Eliza Shoun, Henry and Pheba Pierce.
Individual Notes
Note for: Griffin Pierce, 22 FEB 1797 - 1854
Index
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
January 5, 1826: A land entry for 50 acres; Blue Springs Branch, Carter County
February 4, 1829: a land survey for 50 acres; Blue Springs Branch
October 9, 1830: State land grant for 50 acres, Blue Springs Branch
November 3, 1831: Deed Book D page 339, Griffin sold land (formally belonging to Arthur Pierce) to William Allen for $150.
March 8, 1843: hosted a meeting of the Stoney Creek Baptist Church, Carter County
May 24 , 1845: land entry for 1,000 acres along with William Peters; Iron Mountain, Stoney Creek
November 27, 1845: land survey for 1,000 acres along with William Peters, Iron Mountain
November 28, 1845: signatory to a note with J.H. Hyder; Carter County, TN
March 10, 1846: state land grant of 1,000 acres along with William Peters; Iron Mountain, Stoney Creek, Carter County
April 25, 1846: Deed Book K page 327, Griffin Pierce gave Bond of $1,100 to Benjamin and Sally Brewer.
November 18, 1848: land entry for 20.25 acres along with William Pierce, Stoney Creek
January 23, 1850: land survey for 20.25 acres along with William Pierce, Stoney Creek
April 15, 1851: Deed Book M page 45 Griffin Pierce bought land from Sally Brewer for $553
December 16, 1852: Signatory to a note to Pleasant Williams due on the date indicated; Carter County
August 19, 1854: sickness, unknown reasons but evidenced by visit of doctor (C. Myers)
August 28, 1854: sickness - required catheterization as evidenced by visit of doctor
August 29, 1854: illness- required catheterization as evidenced by visit of doctor
1854: buried in a coffin provided by C C Myers for $4, Carter County
November 25, 1854: Estate - 6 head of cattle, 3 sows and pigs, 150 bushels corn, "120 dozen" oats
June 14, 1856: Carter county Deed book O page 185 , Tennessee Pearce, William A. Pearce, David B. Pearce, Tennessee Buckles and Margaret Pierce Buckles are listed at heirs of Griffin Pearce of Carter County. They sold the land known as the "Griffin Pearce Tract" to Pleasant Williams for two hundred dollars. The tract adjoined the land of James Berry, Thomas Crow and Reuben Brooks.
Carter County Estate Records show that In 1855, minor heirs of Mary Crawley, Widow of Griffin Pierce, were Henry, Nathaniel, Eliza, Samuel and Rueben.
Name spelled: Griffin, Griffen, and G.C. , Pearce, Pierce on records
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1830 Carter County Census: Griffin Pierce between age 30 and 40, Wife between age 20 - 30, 2 sons under age 5, 2 sons age 5-10, 1 son age 10-15, 1 daughter under age 5, 1 daughter between age 5-10
1840 Carter County Census: Griffin Pierce between age 40-50, wife between age 30-40, 3 sons under age 5, 2 sons age 5-10, 2 sons age 10-15, 2 daughters under 5, 1 daughter between age 10-15,
1850 Carter County Census: Griffin Pierce 53, Mary 45, Daniel 27, Armstrong 21, Henry 16, Nathaniel 12, Reuben 10, Eliza 7, Samuel 5
1860 Census: Mary 60, Rubin Pierce 20, Eliza 17, Samuel D 15
Individual Notes
Note for: Aaron Stanley Mullins, 12 MAY 1842 - 27 FEB 1907
Index
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
Military file: Aaron S. Mullins age 21, born in Johnson County, TN , State of Tennessee Town of Taylorsville, occupation: farmer. Enlisted in the army of the United States on August 12, 1862. Dark eyes, light hair, fair complexion, 5 Feet 6 inches tall
Individual Notes
Note for: Elizabeth Deliah "Dillie" Robinson, 17 JUL 1847 - 4 JUL 1937
Index
Burial: Place: Robinson Cemetery
Individual Note: [family tree.FTW]
had 9 children
Delia told about her experience in the Civil War. She said her family dealt with bushwackers from both sides who would come through the Little Doe community. Each one in the family had a job to do whenever there was a rumor of soldiers or homeguard riding through. Delia's job was to take the horses into the woods and hide out until it was clear. Others hid the food under the floor or elsewhere, etc.