Land title history along Gourdvine Creek is a mess but it’s at the heart of where I’d like to center a new map based study. I also hope more finds made this past week will close the story of Moses K. Hyams and his life along the Rocky River. It’s been a busy week.

I’ve hinted of my ancestor’s Uncle William Barnes’ legal troubles involving land and how they may connect with the story of Moses K. Hyams. Wiliam began selling off his lands along Gorudvine Creek in 1822:

Anson U-477, 22 Feb 1822, William Barnes to Polly Jenkins. Being 118 acres on the east side of Gourdvine Creek ajoining his own land. Wit: Solomon Mullis, Jacob Little.
ANSON V-153, 20 — 1825, Absolum Myers Shff. To Thomas Griffin. Being the following 3 tracts sold arising from an execution issuing from the Court of Please and Quarter Sessions for the sum of $328 recovered by William Mullis against William Barnes, John Rowe and others.
Anson V-296, 19 Jan 1826, William Barnes to Solomon Mullis. Land on the southwest side of Gourdvine joining Griffin lands.
Anson W-24, 28 Mar 1827, William Barnes to Ransom Baucom. Being 50 acres on Gourdvine adjoining Barnett lands. Wit: Daniel Smith.
Anson W-322, 12 Jul 1827, Absolum Myers Shff. to Robert Strange of Cumberland County. Being the 3 tracts sold arising from an execution issuing from the Court of Please and Quarter Sessions for the sum of $424 recovered by the Gove against John Rushing, Paul Rushing and William Barnes.
Anson Z-129, 24 Dec 1831, William Barnes to Berry Austin. Being 300 acres on Gourdvine adjoining Hyams lands.

Robert Strange

There’s likely issues with the above, though I’ve not had the time to confirm through platting. The lands sold by the Sheriff show that William may have been involved in a failed business. Gold mining? And of particular interest, in 1827, William’s lands were sold to Robert Strange, president of the Bank of Cape Fear. Strange was also a Senator and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

On 29 May 1851, Daniel M. Fesperman was issued a grant for 100 acres along the east side of Gourdvine Creek. The survey clearly takes in the 12 acres issued in the 1820’s to Moses K. Hyams. This land adjoined Ananias Thomas and Josiah Austin. A search of D. M. Fesperman netted the following article published 23 May 1911 in the Monroe Journal:

Affidavit by a Famous Person

Judah P. Benjamin

In the office of the clerk of the court of this county is a deposition made and signed in the yer 1855, by the famous Judah. P. Benjamin, who afterwards won so much renown as a member of the cabinet of President Jefferson of the Southern Confederacy. Benjamin was a Jew and thought by many writers and historians to have been the most able man in Mr. Davis’ cabinet. After the wr he settled in England and won high place in official circles, having become a member of the Queen’s privy council. The affidavit on file here was given on the date stated in a land suit brought in this county against D. M. Fesperman by the heirs of Moses K. Hyams, a well-known Jew who did business in the first part of the century where Olive Branch now is. He went to Louisiana and died having his brothers and sisters as his heirs. One of these sisters is the wife of Abram C. Labatte, who did business at the Tindle place, where the first county court was held. LaBatte had also gone to Louisiana. Hyams died in Louisiana, while still owning land in this county. D. M. Fesperman had acquired some shares in the land and after the death of Hyams, had come into possession of it. The Heirs of Hyams brought suit to recover it and it was necessary to establish kinship of these with Hyams. Judah P. Benjamin’s testimony was to the effect that he had known the parties to the suit and their kinship with the deceased man.

It is an interesting old document and Squire Simpson was as happy over its discovery as a boy with a new toy.

Judah P. Benjamin was raised in Wilmington; his mother’s maiden name is Levy. There’s a possibility Benjamin is related to Moses K. Hyams through their maternal grandmothers. And who was Abraham Labatte mentioned in the deposition? The following is abbreviated from Abraham’s obituary found on Find-a-Grave:

DEATH ENDS A MOST INTERESTING CAREER
Second Oldest Mason in America, Last Original Member of the Firemen’s Charitable Association, a Leader in Israel, He Took the First Steamship to Galveston.

Abraham Cohen Labatt, one of the oldest citizens of Texas. Born in Charleston, S. C. on 2 July 1802, he went to North Carolina as a young man. He married Caroline Hyams of Charleston in 1825, and in 1830 he removed to New Orleans. He remained there til 1849, when he went to California. After the war he came to Texas and settled, first in Waco. There he lived till 1879, when his wife died, and he came to Galveston.

In 1836 he brought the steamship Columbia to Galveston, which was the first steam vessel to enter this port. There was no pilots here then, and a man had to be sent to Houston by rowing up Buffalo Bayou to notify the people that the Columbia had arrived here. Gen. H. B. Bee was a passenger on that occasion.
Mr. Labatt was intimately acquainted with all the old Texans, and entertained Crockett and Sam Houston at his home many times. Mr. Labatt was made a Mason in May, 1823, at Cheraw, S. C. He was postmaster of David Crockett Lodge, San Francisco, and was the second oldest Mason in the United States.

Though there’s likely more to this that remains unsolved and of interest, it’s time to turn the page. For those interested in Jewish history for the area of Union County NC, take a look at a follow-up article written on 19 Sep 1911 in the Monroe Journal. It outlines the family of Vangal Simons, the Moses family, the Labatt’s and Moses Hyams.

Having just completed my last post on David Thomas’s brief encounter with Moses K. Hyams, I’ve more to share including the wonderful life story of Moses’ aunt Kitty. Remember that in the 1820’s, Moses purchased a small 12 acre tract in Anson NC adjoining the lands of both David Thomas and his wife’s uncle William Barnes. Moses didn’t remain in Anson very long as by 1830 he was living with his family who had moved from Charleston SC to Louisiana. I’ve learned that William Barnes removed to Arkansas as a result of legal concern related to gold. Family lore from Arkansas leads us to believe William fled in the middle of the night.

It’s known the road from gold rich Cabarrus to Charleston SC passed the lands of David Thomas. It’s also known that gold was found near David’s home in Anson County. Speculation and the flow of money during this time led to dishonest land deals. The US Geological Survey of the day reported that folks were falsely claiming gold discovery in order to sell their land at jacked up prices.

Why did Moses come to Anson County? Was he drawn in by gold? Was he involved in a fraudulent land deal involving his neighbor William Barnes? Is that why William Barnes quickly left North Carolina for Arkansas? Did he sell land to Moses Hyams before leaving the state?
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Marie Antionette

Moses’s aunt Catherine “Kitty” Hyams was schooled in Ireland before being adopted by Lord Hyde of England. Taking the name Hyde, she moved to Paris where she served as Maid of Honor in the royal house. Kitty was there in the darkest of times. She performed many secret missions for Marie Antionette and Princess De Lamballe. During a visit to family in America, Kitty (Catherine Hyde Marquise de Govion Broglio Solari) told of writing two books. Her first was titled “Venice under the Yoke of France and Austria.” From a perspective like none other, her second book titled “The Secret Memories of Princess Lamballe,” documented the final days of Marie Antionette.

Moses Hyams’ life surely connected with the lives of my family in early Anson County NC. His was a unique family with a story worth telling. A little gold, a little cake, his family’s story adds to our understanding of life along the Rocky River. By the way, from Google, it appears there’s no evidence that Marie Antionette ever declared “Let them eat cake.”

While browsing David McCorkle’s North Carolina Land Grants for holdings along Gourdvine Creek, I came across a person who didn’t seem to fit the neighborhood. Being the day after the New Year, it was a good and quiet time to explore this person at my favorite place …North Carolina State Archives.

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My Great-Great Grandfather is David Thomas who married Alice Newsome, the daughter of Christian Barnes and Joseph Newsome originally from Wayne County NC. David and Joseph lived near the mouth of Gourdvine Creek in present day Union County. I remember well the day I found William Barnes also living on Gourdvine Creek. Joseph’s brother-in-law William is Alice Newsome Thomas’ uncle. This was one of those discoveries that reminded me that people have the same needs, they’re bound by family and they’re forever building community.

My ancestor, David Thomas served as chain carrier in the 1829 survey (see above) for 12 acres issued to Moses K. Hyams. The survey indicates the land adjoined that of Thomas and Barnes. Looking for more on Moses, I found nothing. So who was Moses? Where did he come from?

Born in Charleston SC, Moses Kosciusko Hyams is the son of Samuel Myers Sr and Meriam Levy Hyams. In 1823, Moses K. is listed as Justice of Peace in Charleston. Being a well-documented Jewish family, information on Samuel can be found in Malcolm H. Stern’s First American Jewish Families. From that source we learn that Samuel was the son of Moses and Judith Isaacks Hyams. This Moses was born in Gdansk Poland and had removed to Dublin Ireland and then on to London where he died. The family came to America around 1765. Arriving in Charleston, Samuel is later honored as being the first Jew to settle in Natchitoches Louisiana. It’s there, on 18 Aug 1836, the Thomas’ brief neighbor died in Pointe Coupee Parish.

One of Moses K. Hyams’ brothers studied engineering and during his life is credited as surveying much land in Louisiana. The family was involved in building community and as leaders of government. Moses’ brother Henry Michael Hyams also served the State of Louisiana as Lieutenant Governor during the American Civil War. This family established the historic Jewish Cemetery of Rapides Parish and is prominent in the Natchitoches American Cemetery.

How cool is all this! My ancestor walked the rudes of Carolina with this family. They must have shared times, beliefs, and their thoughts on life. We’re all connected much more than by birth and death alone. Never knowing where tomorrow will lead, it’s important that we acknowledge each moment. Moments like this remind me of my father’s favorite poem:

Let me live in a house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner’s seat, Or hurl the cynic’s ban;-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man.
Sam Walter Foss (1858-1911)

The phone call was received while in a parking lot as my wife and I headed to our favorite Italian restaurant. Henry Thomas was calling to let me know that he was really busy on a job; it would probably be a month before we would be able to talk. Henry’s DNA matched mine and this curiously short call was his first response to my effort to reach him. Henry did call back as promised and we spoke in depth about Thomas history. You see, Henry is an actor and being on location, he was away from his research and unable to provide much information.

Henry Jackson Thomas Jr was born in San Antonio TX to hardworking parents who supported his childhood ambition of becoming an actor. At age 8, Henry’s first audition led to a role playing Sissy Spacek’s son in the movie “Raggedy Man.” He is also known for giving a coke to a football player in “The Steeler and the Pittsburg Kid.” And in 1982, Henry became every kid’s champion playing Elliott in Stephen Spielberg’s blockbuster “ET: The Extra Terrestrial.” In this role, Henry Thomas reached out to the stars only to remain with family and those he loved here on earth. Henry remains in the business of acting while chasing an equally strong love of music. He recently stared as Hank Williams in “The Last Ride” and performs in the band Farspeaker.
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Now grown and seeking to learn about the fabric of his own existence, Henry’s searching has carried him to Montgomery County Alabama where his namesake ancestor Henry Jackson Thomas was born in 1854 to Andrew and Jane Thomas. Jane was born in 1823 and married first Thomas P. Dailey on 21 Feb 1838 in Lowndes County Alabama. From her mother’s last will and testament, we know Jane is the daughter of James and Mary Wood:

Will of Mary Wood dated 8 June 1841, probated 2 Dec 1844.
Heirs of James Wood deceased, daughter Nancy D Wood and George W. Wood.
Allen Davis be allowed exclusive of his portion or his wife’s portion.
daughters Jane V Dailey and Nancy D. Wood and son George W. Wood .
…and grandchildren Mary Jane Blake, Martha Ann Blake, and Elizabeth Jackson Blake.
Executor: son-in-law Allen Davis.
Witnesses: B. W. Mangum, Joseph Cobb, A. D. Chapman, David Davenport.

Thomas P Dailey died prior to 1850 as Jane was listed at that time as living at the home of James Henry Smith:

Andrew Thomas eludes the 1850 census and may or may not be in the area at that time. However, shortly afterward, on 29 Jan 1852, Andrew Thomas married Jane Dailey in Lowndes County Al. The marriage was performed by Rev Peyton S. Alexander, a Methodist preacher who later moved to Autauga County.

At the writing of this post, Andrew Thomas is Henry’s earliest known paternal ancestor; he is Henry’s brick wall. The only other clues come later in the 1860 Montgomery County census where Andrew is enumerated between Dr. Geo. Pollard and Sterling Harrison, a one-time Montgomery county sheriff. Note that Andrew identifies himself as being from North Carolina and that his wife Jane had given birth to their first child two years after recently being married:

This is all we know about Andrew and Jane Thomas as other valuable clues were likely destroyed during and immediately after the American Civil War. Landscapes were ravaged, courthouses were destroyed and county lines forever changed. Times were so bad that neighbor Col. Charles Gunter along with William Norris of Dallas County led groups of Confederados to safe haven in Brazil. Note that Charles was born in Chatham County NC while William’s family lived nearby in Wake. These families interacted with a Joseph and Micajah Thomas whose families moved to Georgia where they just may connect with ours (hopefully more later). And as for Andrew Thomas, did he serve and was he lost in war? Did he remove west? Did Jane die young or could she have remarried? Family lore has it her son George removed to Texas or Arkansas with family around Dallas. Was he possibly named for Dr. George Pollard who lived next door? There’s also mention of a stepbrother. Who might he be? And as for son Henry Thomas, born in 1854, he later surfaces in Elmore County just to the north of Montgomery Alabama.

No beans about it; this was hard times and a hard environment for families to prosper. People were on the move and we can only speculate as to the goings-on. Young Henry and the rest of the family elude the 1870 and 1880 census. However, an Andrew Thomas aged 2 is listed as living in the home of Hiram Norris in the 1880. Lore has it that Henry had a step brother. Who is this baby Andrew!

Henry Thomas married Mary Foreman, the daughter of James Monroe and Jane Booth Foreman in Elmore County Alabama where they lived out the remainder of their lives. The 1910 census show the Thomas and Foreman families living side-by-side in the community of Cold Springs Alabama:

Note that Henry identifies his father’s birthplace as South Carolina! Is this correct, or did Andrew get it right when he claimed North Carolina in the 1860 census?

Henry and Mary Thomas are buried at Coosa River (Shoal Creek) Primitive Baptist Church in Deatsville Alabama near graves of the Foreman family. There are many graves of babies and of those who suffered and died from disease. Older folk in Henry’s family speak of the disease and of bad air. Did Henry’s family move west to escape an unhealthy environment? And why was the family missing in the 1870 and 1880 census? Though our Henry’s line removed from the area, the family of his grandfather’ brother James Eugene Thomas remained where they own and have farmed land on nearby Thomas road through 2000.

Somehow Henry’s family relates to my Thomas family of Anson County NC as his DNA matches mine perfectly. And not far to the north of where his family lived in Deatsville, he also relates to John Pelham Thomas’s family who once resided in Coosa County AL. The paths nearly cross, but how! mmmm…hello, is there anyone out there whose lineage crosses Henry’s??? Anyone with an ancestor named George Thomas whose family lived around Dallas TX 1880-1910? We’re also looking for other THOMAS who’re trying to get their family back through NC.

Help us to knock down our family wall. There’s no magical touching of finger tips. No ouch, blood nor painful forms of testing required. All you need to do is provide a simple swab coated with a little of your very own saliva …help us and help yourself …get DNA tested!!!