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Sign Me Up For Dead Files, My Ancestor Is Still Here!

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Susie • 0 comment

I’m serious. No, really. I am.

I have recently secured top secret information that my 4th Great-Grandfather is haunting the residents of Jackson County, Florida, and is known as “The Ghost of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church”.

Ok, it’s not really top secret, any google search for Francis Tyler Allen, aged 76, who died at the Battle of Marianna, in Jackson Co., Florida on the 27th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1864, will tell you that he was burned alive in a church by Union soldiers and that he still haunts the area.

I wrote a while back about my unusual attachment to the dead, I never dreamed when I wrote that a couple of years ago that I would actually, maybe, not really, but I should, call in some people to send gramps to the other side.

I mean, really, how can I leave him out there floating around in despair?

I’m sure you would really like some clarification of the actual events, and I will do my best to relay what I have found. First, here is my link to Frank Allen.

Lineage from Susie to Frank Allen

First, I had this bible record, of my 3rd great-grandfather, John James Triggs. He was married to Nancy Allen, my 3rd great-grandmother and the daughter of Frank Allen. In this bible record, recording the date of his wife’s birth, John Triggs writes, “Nancy Allen was born in Columbia County, Georgia September 21, 1821. She was the daughter of Francis T. Allen and Jane Allen”

Then I found Frank’s headstone on Find A Grave.

Frank Allen Headstone

So I thought, ‘Battle of Marianna? Let me just see what I can find out about that.’ Which led me to the website of “The West Florida War” by Dale A. Cox. He states the following regarding Frank Allen:

Allen, Francis “Frank.” A senior deacon and Sunday School leader at the Greenwood Baptist Church, the 76-year-old Allen was the oldest man killed in the Battle of Marianna. His body was burned beyond recognition in St. Luke’s Church.

NO WAY!!!!! I’m not going to lie, I cried. What a horrible way to go. My gramps must have suffered something horrible. To further my pain in this situation, I ordered Dale’s book, “The Battle of Marianna, Florida” to which I found this account by Armstrong Purdee, an eight year old boy who watched the scene from horseback.

All of the soldiers were off their horses. Orders were given to fire the church. Three men, two with long poles, and one with what seemed to me to be a can, threw something up on the church and the other two having something on the end of their poles, seemed to rub it high as the poles would reach, after which something like twisted paper was lighted and placed to whatever was put on the church and it blazed up. Men were shot down as they came out of the building.

Only Frank Allen didn’t run out of the building, he stayed inside. Along with three other men, John Carter, Littleton Myrick, and Woodbury Nickels.

According to the West Florida News, on October 3, 1864, Frank and John Carter were “only recognized by articles on their persons, or the parts of their bodies not entirely consumed.”

How horrific!!! There is greater detail of this battle and of the firing of the church inside Dale Cox’s book. It’s an interesting read, but tragic for me. My poor gramps. What a hero! The sacrifice he made that day, is the reason I am here today, and I will forever be grateful for that. I’ve reached out to Dale Cox, and I hope I hear back from him. I would love to know if Mr. Cox can shed more light on this whole situation for me, and give me more information on Frank.

Now let’s get to the root of this blog post, according to another one of Dale Cox’s books, “The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge“, Frank is still hanging around as the “Ghost of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church”. Here’s a small clip from Dale’s very interesting book:

According to accounts given by several elderly members of the church in the 1980’s, St. Luke’s was said to be haunted by the shadowy figure of a Confederate soldier. He supposedly frequented the lower levels of the church and could be seen there at night, drifting along and apparently oblivious to those who witnessed him. The figure was invariably described as an “old man, with a long beard.” He carried a musket and never spoke or otherwise recognized that he was appearing to the people in a time other than his own.

Of the two men found inside the ruins of the church (after the burning in 1864, John Carter age 22 and Frank Allen age 76), only Francis Allen would match the description of the elderly ghost. At age 76, he was one of the oldest men to fight in the battle. Since the ghost is described as an elderly man with a long beard, it seems likely that it represents Mr. Allen, although no photograph or portrait of him is known to survive.

Nooooooo. Say it isn’t so. Now I’m going to have to find Steve Di Schiavi and Amy Allen (Wait, what? What if Frank is her ancestor too??) and see if they can put gramps to rest. I don’t know how much I believe in all that ghost stuff for real, but if there is any chance my gramps is hanging around reliving the most horrible day of his life, and his death, that’s got to stop.

If this doesn’t work, who you gonna call? Ghost Busters!! Sorry, I had too. I’m an 80’s girl and with the recent remake of the movie, which I LOVED, I just had to go there.

Either way, maybe next summer I’ll have an opportunity to take a road trip down to Jackson County, Florida and see if I can get gramps put to rest. I would say after 152 years, it’s time he got a well deserved break.

Category: Genealogy, Stories | Tags: Allen

52 Ancestors – #10 Nancy (Allen) Triggs

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Susie • 1 comment

I have decided to accept the challenge of Amy Johnson Crow over at No Story Too Small blog. Amy challenges us: 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks. I think this is an excellent challenge as I tend to focus on my brick walls, and this will force me to fan out in my tree and focus on other ancestors.

Nancy (Allen) Triggs is my 3rd great-grandmother. This is week ten, and my tenth post in the challenge.

I don’t have a photo of Nancy. I don’t have any personal stories of Nancy, but I have put together pieces of her life from documents left, and knowing the history for the time period, I have a pretty good idea of what her life must have been like.

Her husband, and my 3rd great-grandfather, Rev. John James Triggs, left a very well documented bible.

In this bible, he lists her birth.

Nancy Allen birth from Triggs Bible

It reads: “Nancy Allen was born in Columbia Cty Geo. Sep, 21, 1821. She was the daughter of Francis T Allen and Jane Allen. Thank you for this information I would have probably never found any where else.

He also documented their marriage:

John and Nancy Triggs Marriage Record in Triggs Bible

It reads: “John J. Triggs and Nancy Allen were married in Columbia County by Rev. Wm H. Evans, September 16, 1845.”

I confirmed this date by finding the marriage record in Columbia County.

John J Triggs to Nancy Allen Marriage Records

I found Rev. Triggs and wife Nancy leaving in Waynesboro, Burke Co., Georgia at the time of the 1850 Census. I know from research that Rev. Triggs was not land poor at all. He had homesteaded, and also been granted land for his service during the war of 1812. So, when it says that he had real estate worth $3,000 on the 1850 census, I was not surprised. That would have been about $81,570 in 2012 according to an inflation calculator. They are shown as living with my 2nd great-grandmother, Jane Matilda (Triggs) Parks, and my great grand-uncle, Francis A Triggs.

1850 Census Triggs Family

I know from the bible that she had three children with Rev. Triggs.

Jane Matilda Triggs Parks (1845 – 1913)
Francis Allen Triggs (1850 – 1876)
George Persons Triggs (1853 – 1855)

Now, between the 1850 census and the 1860 census, Rev. Triggs died on the 20th of December 1856. This is a transcription of the part of his will that pertains to Nancy.

Item fourth – The rest of my property consisting of lots of land in the twenty third district of originally Lee now Stewart County ____ number one hundred and eighteen (118) and one hundred and thirty nine (139) also two acres from one hundred (107) adjoining the aforesaid lot one hundred eighteen also my negro man Tom my negro man Toney, my negro boy Ned – my negro woman Hagas, Lucy, Leah and her child Cranford and Frances, together with any children that may hereafter be born of any of the aforesaid negro women – also my horses, mules, cattle and hogs: – Also the household and kitchen furniture and plantation tools: – and everything that is mine not previously disposed of whatever or whereas it is shall belong to my dear wife Nancy and her two children, ___ Jane Matilda and Francis Allen and any other child or children that may hereafter be born to me – the above property to be kept together for the maintenance of my wife and children and for the education of the children, until my wife or one of the children marry or one of the children arrives at the age of twenty one years – then if required a division shall be made as nearly equal as possible, between my wife and the children – the party requiring the division shall receive his or her part – the rest of the property shall be kept together for the maintenance and education of the next until another division is required or contemplated above – provided always that the division mentioned above shall not be so continued or to divide the land so long as my wife lives and remains a widow.

So, this explains why on the 1860 census she is living in Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia by herself with her two children, and an overseer and his son.

1860 Census Triggs Family

Who knows what she had to go through while taking care of all that, with the war between the states going on. She had $4,000 worth of real estate property and $7,300 worth of personal property. I have no way of knowing, but I bet men were lined up wanting to marry her and take over her plantation, and Rev. Triggs took care of that in the will. Had she remarried, it would have gone to her children. She was after all only 38 years old in 1860. I imagine he assumed she would remarry and his son would come of age and take over.

She didn’t have long to think about any of this. She died of Paralysis on September 6, 1863 according to the Triggs Bible.

Nancy Triggs death in Triggs Bible

Her estate was divided up between my 2nd great-grandmother, Jane Parks, and my great-grand uncle Francis Triggs. He died in 1876 and I don’t know what became of anything after his death.

I don’t know where Nancy is buried, who knows what happened with the war going on, but I hope to maybe find this out if I can ever make a research trip to Georgia!

Thank you to cousin Robert Mann, for sharing the bible records with me!

This is how I descend from Nancy.

Category: 52 Ancestors | Tags: 52 Ancestors, Allen, Johns, Parks, Triggs

Last Will and Testament of Rev. John J. Triggs

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Susie • 0 comment

Finally! Familysearch.org has added probate records!

Do you hear the angels singing?

Just kidding, but really I was SO excited when I found out a couple of days ago. How did I not know this when they have been added since September? Oh well, all that matters is they are there, I have found them and now for the next couple of weeks I guess nothing else will matter. Forget the christmas season, all the parties and the shopping. I’ll be here at the computer all bugged eyed!

First up, the last will and testament of Rev. John J. Triggs. There was nothing new or surprising in this will. Ok, scratch that. I was a little surprised to see that he made no bones about his daughter Maria having complete control over her inheritance and her husband Thomas A. Golding having none whatsoever. Period. End of story.

I knew that he owned a plantation and that he had slaves because of the 1850 Slave Schedules, but the names of the slaves were listed in his will, so maybe that can help someone looking for slave ancestors in that area. You never know.

So here goes, I will post the picture and then my transcription underneath.

From Familysearch.org:
Georgia Probate Records 1742-1975
Stewart County Wills 1837-1944 Vol A-C
Volume B page 75 and 76 located on page 181 of 532 pages

Georgia Stewart County: In the name of God! I John J. Triggs being weak in body but of a sound mind knowing that I must die sooner or later desire it right and proper to dispose of property with which a kind providence has blessed me. Therefore I make and ordain this my last will and testament revoking all others by me heretofore made.

Item first – I desire all my just debts to be paid soon as possible after my decease.

Item second – I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Ann Allday my negro man Seaborn about thirty six years of age – also my negro boy Arch, in his sixth year to her and her children forever.

Item third – I give and bequeath unto my daughter Maria Golding and to her children free from the debts liabilities or control of her present husband or any other husband she may have, all that plantation or parcel of land situated lying and being in the twenty first district of originally Lee now Stewart County where she now resides, consisting of the Northern half of lot number five (5) and a part of lot number four (4) which parcel of land is further described by a deed made by Green B. Allday to myself bearing date August eighteen hundred and forty nine (1849) – I also give and bequeath to my daughter Maria and her children aforesaid my negro woman Penny about twenty five years of age also Peggy’s three younger children, ___ Moses – Rachel and Henry – also all children borne hereafter by Peggy – also my mare crickete – cattle and hogs – steers and calf which my daughter Maria has now in her possession – and I appoint my worthy friend James L. Wimberly trustee for the property devised and bequeathed unto my daughter Maria and her children providing also that the property above devised and bequeathed in this third item to my daughter Maria and her children shall not be divided among Maria’s children, until after the decease of both my daughter Maria and her present husband Thomas A. Golding.

Item fourth – The rest of my property consisting of lots of land in the twenty third district of originally Lee now Stewart County ___ number one hundred and eighteen (118) and one hundred and thirty nine (139) also two acres from one hundred (107) adjoining the aforesaid lot one hundred eighteen also my negro man Tom my negro man Toney, my negro boy Ned – my negro woman Hagas, Lucy, Leah and her child Cranford and Frances, together with any children that may hereafter be born of any of the aforesaid negro women – also my horses, mules, cattle and hogs: – Also the household and kitchen furniture and plantation tools: – and everything that is mine not previously disposed of whatever or whereas it is shall belong to my dear wife Nancy and her two children, ___ Jane Matilda and Francis Allen and any other child or children that may hereafter be born to me – the above property to be kept together for the maintenance of my wife and children and for the education of the children, until my wife or one of the children marry or one of the children arrives at the age of twenty one years – then if required a division shall be made as nearly equal as possible, between my wife and the children – the party requiring the division shall receive his or her part – the rest of the property shall be kept together for the maintenance and education of the next until another division is required or contemplated above – provided always that the division mentioned above shall not be so continued or to divide the land so long as my wife lives and remains a widow.

Item fifth – It is my will and desire that should either my wife or one or both of

her children die before the property expressed in item fourth is divided among them that the survivor or survivors shall inherit the property.

Item sixth – It is my will and desire that if my executors hereafter to be named should judge it to the interest of the estate to see or otherwise dispose of my property they shall have power to do so with the consent of the court of ordinary.

Item seventh – I appoint my wife Nancy Triggs executrix and my worthy friend Loverd Bryan executor of this my last will and testament this fourth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty six.

John J. Triggs

Signed sealed declared and published by John J. Triggs as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribing witnesses who subscribed our names in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other at the expected instance and request of said testator.

Willard Boyseton
J.E. Carter
C. M. Lowe

I John J. Triggs make ordain declare & publish the following as a codicil to this my last will & testament to wit,

I will & desire that my esteemed friend Loverd Bryan act as the guardian of the persons & property of my minor children at the death of my wife (their mother) should said children or either of them be minors or a minor at the time of the death of my said wife.

John J. Triggs

Signed sealed declared and published as a codicil to the last will & testament of John J. Triggs by the said John J. Triggs in presence of us the subscribers who subscribed the same as witnesses in the presence of each other & of the said John J. Triggs & at his special instance & request November 29th 1856.

J.L. Wimberly
C.M. Lowe
E.P. Chamberlin

Admitted to probate & record in common form at the January Term 1857 of Stewart Court of Ordinary.
Recorded 20 January 1857

J.L. Wimberly Ordinary

And there you have it folks, the last will and testament of Rev. John J. Triggs.

A big THANK YOU to Kookie for helping me figure out some words that I could not read!