Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher was born in 1792 or 1793 in Washington County, Georgia. Her mother was evidently the former Sarah Porter (named in Covington genealogies) and her father must have been (Unknown) Helms, a probable first husband of Sarah Porter. (Unknown) Helms probably died sometime between 1792 and 1803 and his widow, Mrs. Sarah (Porter) Helms then married Rev. John Covington, a Methodist preacher. Mrs. Sarah (Porter) Helms Covington died sometime between 1810-1824, possibly as late as 1820-1824. She may have been a member of one of the Porter families who were listed on the 1790 census of Mecklenburg Co., NC. (Rev. John Covington named "my daughter Mary and Charles Fisher her husband," as well as his other daughters, Charlotte [wife of John Webb], Harriett [wife of John Foster], Martha [wife of Samuel Webb], Sarah, Malinda, and Peggy Ann [Margaret Ann] in his 1824 Washington Co., GA Will. In his Will, Rev. Covington made it clear that Chloe, the wife named in his Will, was not the mother of any of his children. Chloe, whose obituary states that she died on Aug. 17, 1857 in Laurens Co., GA at the age of 76, placing her birth year at about 1781, resided in the household of her son-in-law, Hamilton Smith [husband of her step-daughter, Margaret Ann Covington], in 1850. The wife [possibly Sarah] in John Covington's 1820 Washington Co., GA household was shown on the 1820 census to have been born in 1775 or earlier.)
On Oct. 2, 1810, according to the Fisher Family Bible record as given in History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia, by N. K. Rogers, Mary Helms married Charles Fisher. The Charles Fisher family resided near the household of John Covington in Washington Co., GA in 1820. The 1825 Property Tax Digest shows that in that year Charles Fisher owned 872 acres in Washington Co., GA, 202 1/2 acres in Henry County, and 250 acres in Early County. In the 1827 Land Lottery of Georgia, Charles Fisher of Washington County drew land in the part of Muscogee County that soon became Talbot County. He moved to Talbot County shortly afterwards, built a Greek Revival home in Talbotton, and lived there until about 1848, when he moved to the part of Muscogee County that was to become Chattahoochee County in 1854. Rev. Fisher's Chattahoochee County home, which was in the Greek Revival style and had columns, was said to have been larger than his previous home in Talbot County. On the 1860 census of Chattahoochee County there were only two households listed between the households of Rev. Charles Fisher and his widowed sister, Elizabeth Helms. The 1862 Tax Digest for Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA shows that Charles Fisher owned 5,204 acres in Chattahoochee County and 202 1/2 acres in Dooly County. In that year, Rev. Charles Fisher of Chattahoochee County donated "a valuable plantation worth at least six thousand dollars" to LaGrange Female College. After the War ended, Rev. Charles Fisher, due to his wealth, was compelled to submit a Petition for Pardon to President Andrew Johnson. It is stated in the Petition of Charles Fisher that he "has always resided in North Carolina & Georgia, and for the last Seventeen years he has resided within a few miles of the City of Columbus, Georgia in what is now Chattahoochee County, where he now resides" and "The ocupation of your Petitioner has always been that of a Planter, though he has been for more than forty years a Licensed local preacher of the Methodist denomination."
Rev. Charles Fisher died on May 7, 1866, in or near Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA. In his Will, he committed his soul to God and stated that he was to be buried at the burial ground at Shiloh Church. He also willed that all of his property was to be sold and "money or proceeds be equally divided among my children - my wife taking a child's part." Chattahoochee County probate records prove that Rev. Fisher's plantation and personal property, including household furniture and accessories, cookware, dinnerware, a double barrel gun, gins, plantation tools, a sugar mill, 2 syrup kettles, bedding, books (some religious books or sets of religious books were sold by title), buggies, wagons, grains, fodder, cotton seed and farm animals, were sold in the Fall of 1866. The horses, mules and cows were listed by name. The furniture was sold either by individual piece, such as a "marble top bureau," or in sets, such as "6 cane bottom chairs." The accessories which were sold included a gilt mirror, an 8 Day Repeating Brass Clock, and a pair of china candlesticks, to name a few. Many of the plantation tools, such as hoes, plows, etc., were sold in lots. Some of the personal property was purchased by his widow, Mary, and some of her children and sons-in-law. The Inventory of Rev. Fisher's estate showed that he owned 4,800 acres of land in Chattahoochee County. Rev. Charles Fisher's plantation, advertised as "one of the largest and most valuable cotton plantations on the Chattahoochee River," which contained "a commodious dwelling house, fine barn, two gin houses, besides a water gin and all other necessary out-buildings," was sold in tracts. Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher, her son, Charles Fisher, and her daughter, Malinda Jane Fisher Adams, purchased "the River Place" for $23,300.00 and "the Residence Lot" (100 acres) for $1,680.00. Edwin Adams, husband of Sarah Fisher (daughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and Mary Helms) purchased "Piece Lot 176" (25 acres) for $200.00. N. J. Bussey, who was one of the witnesses to Rev. Fisher's Will, purchased the West Bonnell Place, the East Bonnell Place, the South Victory Place (in 2 parts), and the West Parmore Place. The other tracts of Rev. Fisher's land which were sold were the Forsyth Sapp Place, the Sims Place (sold in 2 parts), the East Parmore Place, the Branon Place, the Pollard Place, the Leroy Williams Place, and the East Half fraction Lot No. 11. Rev. Charles Fisher's "stately home on his plantation near the river 17 1-2 miles from Columbus, Ga., was burned in later years by order of county authorities after an epidemic of smallpox there" according to History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia.
Rev. Charles Fisher, of Talbot Co., GA and Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA, has been proven to have been a son of William Fisher and his wife, Nancy Phillips (daughter of William Phillips, of Mecklenburg Co., NC, whose wife was Lucy), and a brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher Helms, wife of Pamly Uriah Helms. Rev. Fisher was born in either Greene Co., GA (per the 1850 Muscogee Co., GA census), or in Mecklenburg Co., NC (per his cemetery monument). Deed records indicate that Rev. Fisher's father, William Fisher, uncle, Paul Fisher, and some of their Phillips in-laws, who had all been residents of Mecklenburg Co., NC, may have been in Greene Co., GA at one time. The 1835 Wilcox Co., AL Will of William Fisher named his wife, Nancy, and children, "Milly Walker wife of Andrew Walker...Sarah Belk, Charles Fisher, Elizabeth Helmes wife of Uriah Helmes, Polly Higginbotham, John Fisher, Green A. Fisher, James R. Fisher & George D. Fisher." One of the papers of Mrs. Lauretta Russell, a Fisher descendant, that is located in the Alabama Archives and is listed under Fisher Family in the Card Catalog at Ancestry.com, is a letter written by Dr. George Doughty Fisher's daughter, Mrs. Louisa Leomi (Fisher) Cushman Blake, to a nephew. In that letter, dated 1902, she states, in referring to her father, "...his brothers were rather prominent men..." and that one of their sisters was Polly, "who married a Higginbotham..." Mrs. Blake went on to state, "My father was a graduate of Lexington Medical College..." and, "Your grandfather had 2 brothers, Green and Jim Fisher...both lived in Texas. Charles Fisher was a Methodist Minister. Moved to Talbot County, Ga., and from there to Jamestown, where he afterwards died." Another brother of Rev. Charles Fisher was Col. William Phillips Fisher (See The Gulf States Historical Magazine, Volume 1 [1902], Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, Volume 17 [1855], and other sources).
In addition, the unknown Helms father of Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher was probably closely related to Pamly Uriah Helms who was the husband of Rev. Charles Fisher's sister, Elizabeth Fisher. Perhaps he was an unknown brother of Uriah's father, George Helms, Jr., who was a son of George Helms, Sr. and his wife, Mary Margaret Falkenburg (or variant spelling).
From the Columbus Sunday Enquirer (Columbus, GA), Dec. 23, 1877, page 3:
Methodism lost an ardent lover and devoted helper when good Sister Mary Fisher left our world, on June 10th, 1877. Born in Washington county, Georgia, married Rev. Charles Fisher October 2d, 1810, embraced religion early in life - a patient worker for Jesus during three score years and ten, and thus, after a pilgrimage of eighty-four years, she rested from her labors; yes, rested in Jesus. Children, grand-children, and great-grand-children - all observed her quiet walk with God; the impression was deep, permanent, and now most of them are members of the Methodist Church, and are striving to meet the mother and grand-mother in Heaven. The Lord peculiarly blessed Sister Fisher temporally and spiritually; she walked in pleasant places during a long, useful life. Prudence, fortitude, patience, energy, economy, a discriminating mind of business and religion gave the husband and wife much wealth and comfortable position. Truly the Lord is good to His people. The sky was cloudless when the aged spirit triumphantly departed with angel bands to become young in the City of Our God. Was it death? No! she was just beginning to live; live on, live forever! "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Children, friends - all, press for the prize. The good leave us for a brief season, but their godly walk and earnest zeal cannot depart, cannot die. Remember these, spurn them not. Let us try to grasp the hands of happy parents in eternity. Death cannot part us up there. It can be well with us in the judgment. Look to Jesus ever. R. J. WALKER.
Although a marker for Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher has not been found, she is believed to have been buried next to her husband, Rev. Charles Fisher, in the Shiloh Methodist Church/Jamestown Cemetery (Fort Benning Cemetery #16).
The children of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms, were William Fisher (1811-aft. 1850; md. Louise/Louisa Mathews), Nancy Fisher (1813-1871; md. 1st, John T. Covey & 2nd, Green Berry Allday), Sarah "Sallie" Fisher (1815-1897; md. Charles Edwin Adams), John C. Fisher (1817-bet. 1820-1830), Mary Ann Fisher (1819-aft. 1830), Harriet Fisher (1822-1879; md. Joseph P. Mathews), Malinda Jane Fisher (1825-1887; md. George Adams, a double first cousin of Charles Edwin Adams), Charles A. Fisher (1827-1878), George Washington Fisher (1830-1864; md. Frances A. Wimberly), and Martha "Mattie" S. Fisher (1832-1886; md. David Columbus Cody).
(I [FamilyFaith] am a great-great-great-granddaughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms. The length of this biography is due, in part, to the fact that I'm trying to correct some errors that have been widely circulated, both in print and online, concerning the ancestry of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms.)
On Oct. 2, 1810, according to the Fisher Family Bible record as given in History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia, by N. K. Rogers, Mary Helms married Charles Fisher. The Charles Fisher family resided near the household of John Covington in Washington Co., GA in 1820. The 1825 Property Tax Digest shows that in that year Charles Fisher owned 872 acres in Washington Co., GA, 202 1/2 acres in Henry County, and 250 acres in Early County. In the 1827 Land Lottery of Georgia, Charles Fisher of Washington County drew land in the part of Muscogee County that soon became Talbot County. He moved to Talbot County shortly afterwards, built a Greek Revival home in Talbotton, and lived there until about 1848, when he moved to the part of Muscogee County that was to become Chattahoochee County in 1854. Rev. Fisher's Chattahoochee County home, which was in the Greek Revival style and had columns, was said to have been larger than his previous home in Talbot County. On the 1860 census of Chattahoochee County there were only two households listed between the households of Rev. Charles Fisher and his widowed sister, Elizabeth Helms. The 1862 Tax Digest for Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA shows that Charles Fisher owned 5,204 acres in Chattahoochee County and 202 1/2 acres in Dooly County. In that year, Rev. Charles Fisher of Chattahoochee County donated "a valuable plantation worth at least six thousand dollars" to LaGrange Female College. After the War ended, Rev. Charles Fisher, due to his wealth, was compelled to submit a Petition for Pardon to President Andrew Johnson. It is stated in the Petition of Charles Fisher that he "has always resided in North Carolina & Georgia, and for the last Seventeen years he has resided within a few miles of the City of Columbus, Georgia in what is now Chattahoochee County, where he now resides" and "The ocupation of your Petitioner has always been that of a Planter, though he has been for more than forty years a Licensed local preacher of the Methodist denomination."
Rev. Charles Fisher died on May 7, 1866, in or near Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA. In his Will, he committed his soul to God and stated that he was to be buried at the burial ground at Shiloh Church. He also willed that all of his property was to be sold and "money or proceeds be equally divided among my children - my wife taking a child's part." Chattahoochee County probate records prove that Rev. Fisher's plantation and personal property, including household furniture and accessories, cookware, dinnerware, a double barrel gun, gins, plantation tools, a sugar mill, 2 syrup kettles, bedding, books (some religious books or sets of religious books were sold by title), buggies, wagons, grains, fodder, cotton seed and farm animals, were sold in the Fall of 1866. The horses, mules and cows were listed by name. The furniture was sold either by individual piece, such as a "marble top bureau," or in sets, such as "6 cane bottom chairs." The accessories which were sold included a gilt mirror, an 8 Day Repeating Brass Clock, and a pair of china candlesticks, to name a few. Many of the plantation tools, such as hoes, plows, etc., were sold in lots. Some of the personal property was purchased by his widow, Mary, and some of her children and sons-in-law. The Inventory of Rev. Fisher's estate showed that he owned 4,800 acres of land in Chattahoochee County. Rev. Charles Fisher's plantation, advertised as "one of the largest and most valuable cotton plantations on the Chattahoochee River," which contained "a commodious dwelling house, fine barn, two gin houses, besides a water gin and all other necessary out-buildings," was sold in tracts. Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher, her son, Charles Fisher, and her daughter, Malinda Jane Fisher Adams, purchased "the River Place" for $23,300.00 and "the Residence Lot" (100 acres) for $1,680.00. Edwin Adams, husband of Sarah Fisher (daughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and Mary Helms) purchased "Piece Lot 176" (25 acres) for $200.00. N. J. Bussey, who was one of the witnesses to Rev. Fisher's Will, purchased the West Bonnell Place, the East Bonnell Place, the South Victory Place (in 2 parts), and the West Parmore Place. The other tracts of Rev. Fisher's land which were sold were the Forsyth Sapp Place, the Sims Place (sold in 2 parts), the East Parmore Place, the Branon Place, the Pollard Place, the Leroy Williams Place, and the East Half fraction Lot No. 11. Rev. Charles Fisher's "stately home on his plantation near the river 17 1-2 miles from Columbus, Ga., was burned in later years by order of county authorities after an epidemic of smallpox there" according to History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia.
Rev. Charles Fisher, of Talbot Co., GA and Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA, has been proven to have been a son of William Fisher and his wife, Nancy Phillips (daughter of William Phillips, of Mecklenburg Co., NC, whose wife was Lucy), and a brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher Helms, wife of Pamly Uriah Helms. Rev. Fisher was born in either Greene Co., GA (per the 1850 Muscogee Co., GA census), or in Mecklenburg Co., NC (per his cemetery monument). Deed records indicate that Rev. Fisher's father, William Fisher, uncle, Paul Fisher, and some of their Phillips in-laws, who had all been residents of Mecklenburg Co., NC, may have been in Greene Co., GA at one time. The 1835 Wilcox Co., AL Will of William Fisher named his wife, Nancy, and children, "Milly Walker wife of Andrew Walker...Sarah Belk, Charles Fisher, Elizabeth Helmes wife of Uriah Helmes, Polly Higginbotham, John Fisher, Green A. Fisher, James R. Fisher & George D. Fisher." One of the papers of Mrs. Lauretta Russell, a Fisher descendant, that is located in the Alabama Archives and is listed under Fisher Family in the Card Catalog at Ancestry.com, is a letter written by Dr. George Doughty Fisher's daughter, Mrs. Louisa Leomi (Fisher) Cushman Blake, to a nephew. In that letter, dated 1902, she states, in referring to her father, "...his brothers were rather prominent men..." and that one of their sisters was Polly, "who married a Higginbotham..." Mrs. Blake went on to state, "My father was a graduate of Lexington Medical College..." and, "Your grandfather had 2 brothers, Green and Jim Fisher...both lived in Texas. Charles Fisher was a Methodist Minister. Moved to Talbot County, Ga., and from there to Jamestown, where he afterwards died." Another brother of Rev. Charles Fisher was Col. William Phillips Fisher (See The Gulf States Historical Magazine, Volume 1 [1902], Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, Volume 17 [1855], and other sources).
In addition, the unknown Helms father of Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher was probably closely related to Pamly Uriah Helms who was the husband of Rev. Charles Fisher's sister, Elizabeth Fisher. Perhaps he was an unknown brother of Uriah's father, George Helms, Jr., who was a son of George Helms, Sr. and his wife, Mary Margaret Falkenburg (or variant spelling).
From the Columbus Sunday Enquirer (Columbus, GA), Dec. 23, 1877, page 3:
Methodism lost an ardent lover and devoted helper when good Sister Mary Fisher left our world, on June 10th, 1877. Born in Washington county, Georgia, married Rev. Charles Fisher October 2d, 1810, embraced religion early in life - a patient worker for Jesus during three score years and ten, and thus, after a pilgrimage of eighty-four years, she rested from her labors; yes, rested in Jesus. Children, grand-children, and great-grand-children - all observed her quiet walk with God; the impression was deep, permanent, and now most of them are members of the Methodist Church, and are striving to meet the mother and grand-mother in Heaven. The Lord peculiarly blessed Sister Fisher temporally and spiritually; she walked in pleasant places during a long, useful life. Prudence, fortitude, patience, energy, economy, a discriminating mind of business and religion gave the husband and wife much wealth and comfortable position. Truly the Lord is good to His people. The sky was cloudless when the aged spirit triumphantly departed with angel bands to become young in the City of Our God. Was it death? No! she was just beginning to live; live on, live forever! "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Children, friends - all, press for the prize. The good leave us for a brief season, but their godly walk and earnest zeal cannot depart, cannot die. Remember these, spurn them not. Let us try to grasp the hands of happy parents in eternity. Death cannot part us up there. It can be well with us in the judgment. Look to Jesus ever. R. J. WALKER.
Although a marker for Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher has not been found, she is believed to have been buried next to her husband, Rev. Charles Fisher, in the Shiloh Methodist Church/Jamestown Cemetery (Fort Benning Cemetery #16).
The children of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms, were William Fisher (1811-aft. 1850; md. Louise/Louisa Mathews), Nancy Fisher (1813-1871; md. 1st, John T. Covey & 2nd, Green Berry Allday), Sarah "Sallie" Fisher (1815-1897; md. Charles Edwin Adams), John C. Fisher (1817-bet. 1820-1830), Mary Ann Fisher (1819-aft. 1830), Harriet Fisher (1822-1879; md. Joseph P. Mathews), Malinda Jane Fisher (1825-1887; md. George Adams, a double first cousin of Charles Edwin Adams), Charles A. Fisher (1827-1878), George Washington Fisher (1830-1864; md. Frances A. Wimberly), and Martha "Mattie" S. Fisher (1832-1886; md. David Columbus Cody).
(I [FamilyFaith] am a great-great-great-granddaughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms. The length of this biography is due, in part, to the fact that I'm trying to correct some errors that have been widely circulated, both in print and online, concerning the ancestry of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms.)
Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher was born in 1792 or 1793 in Washington County, Georgia. Her mother was evidently the former Sarah Porter (named in Covington genealogies) and her father must have been (Unknown) Helms, a probable first husband of Sarah Porter. (Unknown) Helms probably died sometime between 1792 and 1803 and his widow, Mrs. Sarah (Porter) Helms then married Rev. John Covington, a Methodist preacher. Mrs. Sarah (Porter) Helms Covington died sometime between 1810-1824, possibly as late as 1820-1824. She may have been a member of one of the Porter families who were listed on the 1790 census of Mecklenburg Co., NC. (Rev. John Covington named "my daughter Mary and Charles Fisher her husband," as well as his other daughters, Charlotte [wife of John Webb], Harriett [wife of John Foster], Martha [wife of Samuel Webb], Sarah, Malinda, and Peggy Ann [Margaret Ann] in his 1824 Washington Co., GA Will. In his Will, Rev. Covington made it clear that Chloe, the wife named in his Will, was not the mother of any of his children. Chloe, whose obituary states that she died on Aug. 17, 1857 in Laurens Co., GA at the age of 76, placing her birth year at about 1781, resided in the household of her son-in-law, Hamilton Smith [husband of her step-daughter, Margaret Ann Covington], in 1850. The wife [possibly Sarah] in John Covington's 1820 Washington Co., GA household was shown on the 1820 census to have been born in 1775 or earlier.)
On Oct. 2, 1810, according to the Fisher Family Bible record as given in History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia, by N. K. Rogers, Mary Helms married Charles Fisher. The Charles Fisher family resided near the household of John Covington in Washington Co., GA in 1820. The 1825 Property Tax Digest shows that in that year Charles Fisher owned 872 acres in Washington Co., GA, 202 1/2 acres in Henry County, and 250 acres in Early County. In the 1827 Land Lottery of Georgia, Charles Fisher of Washington County drew land in the part of Muscogee County that soon became Talbot County. He moved to Talbot County shortly afterwards, built a Greek Revival home in Talbotton, and lived there until about 1848, when he moved to the part of Muscogee County that was to become Chattahoochee County in 1854. Rev. Fisher's Chattahoochee County home, which was in the Greek Revival style and had columns, was said to have been larger than his previous home in Talbot County. On the 1860 census of Chattahoochee County there were only two households listed between the households of Rev. Charles Fisher and his widowed sister, Elizabeth Helms. The 1862 Tax Digest for Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA shows that Charles Fisher owned 5,204 acres in Chattahoochee County and 202 1/2 acres in Dooly County. In that year, Rev. Charles Fisher of Chattahoochee County donated "a valuable plantation worth at least six thousand dollars" to LaGrange Female College. After the War ended, Rev. Charles Fisher, due to his wealth, was compelled to submit a Petition for Pardon to President Andrew Johnson. It is stated in the Petition of Charles Fisher that he "has always resided in North Carolina & Georgia, and for the last Seventeen years he has resided within a few miles of the City of Columbus, Georgia in what is now Chattahoochee County, where he now resides" and "The ocupation of your Petitioner has always been that of a Planter, though he has been for more than forty years a Licensed local preacher of the Methodist denomination."
Rev. Charles Fisher died on May 7, 1866, in or near Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA. In his Will, he committed his soul to God and stated that he was to be buried at the burial ground at Shiloh Church. He also willed that all of his property was to be sold and "money or proceeds be equally divided among my children - my wife taking a child's part." Chattahoochee County probate records prove that Rev. Fisher's plantation and personal property, including household furniture and accessories, cookware, dinnerware, a double barrel gun, gins, plantation tools, a sugar mill, 2 syrup kettles, bedding, books (some religious books or sets of religious books were sold by title), buggies, wagons, grains, fodder, cotton seed and farm animals, were sold in the Fall of 1866. The horses, mules and cows were listed by name. The furniture was sold either by individual piece, such as a "marble top bureau," or in sets, such as "6 cane bottom chairs." The accessories which were sold included a gilt mirror, an 8 Day Repeating Brass Clock, and a pair of china candlesticks, to name a few. Many of the plantation tools, such as hoes, plows, etc., were sold in lots. Some of the personal property was purchased by his widow, Mary, and some of her children and sons-in-law. The Inventory of Rev. Fisher's estate showed that he owned 4,800 acres of land in Chattahoochee County. Rev. Charles Fisher's plantation, advertised as "one of the largest and most valuable cotton plantations on the Chattahoochee River," which contained "a commodious dwelling house, fine barn, two gin houses, besides a water gin and all other necessary out-buildings," was sold in tracts. Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher, her son, Charles Fisher, and her daughter, Malinda Jane Fisher Adams, purchased "the River Place" for $23,300.00 and "the Residence Lot" (100 acres) for $1,680.00. Edwin Adams, husband of Sarah Fisher (daughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and Mary Helms) purchased "Piece Lot 176" (25 acres) for $200.00. N. J. Bussey, who was one of the witnesses to Rev. Fisher's Will, purchased the West Bonnell Place, the East Bonnell Place, the South Victory Place (in 2 parts), and the West Parmore Place. The other tracts of Rev. Fisher's land which were sold were the Forsyth Sapp Place, the Sims Place (sold in 2 parts), the East Parmore Place, the Branon Place, the Pollard Place, the Leroy Williams Place, and the East Half fraction Lot No. 11. Rev. Charles Fisher's "stately home on his plantation near the river 17 1-2 miles from Columbus, Ga., was burned in later years by order of county authorities after an epidemic of smallpox there" according to History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia.
Rev. Charles Fisher, of Talbot Co., GA and Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA, has been proven to have been a son of William Fisher and his wife, Nancy Phillips (daughter of William Phillips, of Mecklenburg Co., NC, whose wife was Lucy), and a brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher Helms, wife of Pamly Uriah Helms. Rev. Fisher was born in either Greene Co., GA (per the 1850 Muscogee Co., GA census), or in Mecklenburg Co., NC (per his cemetery monument). Deed records indicate that Rev. Fisher's father, William Fisher, uncle, Paul Fisher, and some of their Phillips in-laws, who had all been residents of Mecklenburg Co., NC, may have been in Greene Co., GA at one time. The 1835 Wilcox Co., AL Will of William Fisher named his wife, Nancy, and children, "Milly Walker wife of Andrew Walker...Sarah Belk, Charles Fisher, Elizabeth Helmes wife of Uriah Helmes, Polly Higginbotham, John Fisher, Green A. Fisher, James R. Fisher & George D. Fisher." One of the papers of Mrs. Lauretta Russell, a Fisher descendant, that is located in the Alabama Archives and is listed under Fisher Family in the Card Catalog at Ancestry.com, is a letter written by Dr. George Doughty Fisher's daughter, Mrs. Louisa Leomi (Fisher) Cushman Blake, to a nephew. In that letter, dated 1902, she states, in referring to her father, "...his brothers were rather prominent men..." and that one of their sisters was Polly, "who married a Higginbotham..." Mrs. Blake went on to state, "My father was a graduate of Lexington Medical College..." and, "Your grandfather had 2 brothers, Green and Jim Fisher...both lived in Texas. Charles Fisher was a Methodist Minister. Moved to Talbot County, Ga., and from there to Jamestown, where he afterwards died." Another brother of Rev. Charles Fisher was Col. William Phillips Fisher (See The Gulf States Historical Magazine, Volume 1 [1902], Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, Volume 17 [1855], and other sources).
In addition, the unknown Helms father of Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher was probably closely related to Pamly Uriah Helms who was the husband of Rev. Charles Fisher's sister, Elizabeth Fisher. Perhaps he was an unknown brother of Uriah's father, George Helms, Jr., who was a son of George Helms, Sr. and his wife, Mary Margaret Falkenburg (or variant spelling).
From the Columbus Sunday Enquirer (Columbus, GA), Dec. 23, 1877, page 3:
Methodism lost an ardent lover and devoted helper when good Sister Mary Fisher left our world, on June 10th, 1877. Born in Washington county, Georgia, married Rev. Charles Fisher October 2d, 1810, embraced religion early in life - a patient worker for Jesus during three score years and ten, and thus, after a pilgrimage of eighty-four years, she rested from her labors; yes, rested in Jesus. Children, grand-children, and great-grand-children - all observed her quiet walk with God; the impression was deep, permanent, and now most of them are members of the Methodist Church, and are striving to meet the mother and grand-mother in Heaven. The Lord peculiarly blessed Sister Fisher temporally and spiritually; she walked in pleasant places during a long, useful life. Prudence, fortitude, patience, energy, economy, a discriminating mind of business and religion gave the husband and wife much wealth and comfortable position. Truly the Lord is good to His people. The sky was cloudless when the aged spirit triumphantly departed with angel bands to become young in the City of Our God. Was it death? No! she was just beginning to live; live on, live forever! "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Children, friends - all, press for the prize. The good leave us for a brief season, but their godly walk and earnest zeal cannot depart, cannot die. Remember these, spurn them not. Let us try to grasp the hands of happy parents in eternity. Death cannot part us up there. It can be well with us in the judgment. Look to Jesus ever. R. J. WALKER.
Although a marker for Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher has not been found, she is believed to have been buried next to her husband, Rev. Charles Fisher, in the Shiloh Methodist Church/Jamestown Cemetery (Fort Benning Cemetery #16).
The children of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms, were William Fisher (1811-aft. 1850; md. Louise/Louisa Mathews), Nancy Fisher (1813-1871; md. 1st, John T. Covey & 2nd, Green Berry Allday), Sarah "Sallie" Fisher (1815-1897; md. Charles Edwin Adams), John C. Fisher (1817-bet. 1820-1830), Mary Ann Fisher (1819-aft. 1830), Harriet Fisher (1822-1879; md. Joseph P. Mathews), Malinda Jane Fisher (1825-1887; md. George Adams, a double first cousin of Charles Edwin Adams), Charles A. Fisher (1827-1878), George Washington Fisher (1830-1864; md. Frances A. Wimberly), and Martha "Mattie" S. Fisher (1832-1886; md. David Columbus Cody).
(I [FamilyFaith] am a great-great-great-granddaughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms. The length of this biography is due, in part, to the fact that I'm trying to correct some errors that have been widely circulated, both in print and online, concerning the ancestry of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms.)
On Oct. 2, 1810, according to the Fisher Family Bible record as given in History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia, by N. K. Rogers, Mary Helms married Charles Fisher. The Charles Fisher family resided near the household of John Covington in Washington Co., GA in 1820. The 1825 Property Tax Digest shows that in that year Charles Fisher owned 872 acres in Washington Co., GA, 202 1/2 acres in Henry County, and 250 acres in Early County. In the 1827 Land Lottery of Georgia, Charles Fisher of Washington County drew land in the part of Muscogee County that soon became Talbot County. He moved to Talbot County shortly afterwards, built a Greek Revival home in Talbotton, and lived there until about 1848, when he moved to the part of Muscogee County that was to become Chattahoochee County in 1854. Rev. Fisher's Chattahoochee County home, which was in the Greek Revival style and had columns, was said to have been larger than his previous home in Talbot County. On the 1860 census of Chattahoochee County there were only two households listed between the households of Rev. Charles Fisher and his widowed sister, Elizabeth Helms. The 1862 Tax Digest for Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA shows that Charles Fisher owned 5,204 acres in Chattahoochee County and 202 1/2 acres in Dooly County. In that year, Rev. Charles Fisher of Chattahoochee County donated "a valuable plantation worth at least six thousand dollars" to LaGrange Female College. After the War ended, Rev. Charles Fisher, due to his wealth, was compelled to submit a Petition for Pardon to President Andrew Johnson. It is stated in the Petition of Charles Fisher that he "has always resided in North Carolina & Georgia, and for the last Seventeen years he has resided within a few miles of the City of Columbus, Georgia in what is now Chattahoochee County, where he now resides" and "The ocupation of your Petitioner has always been that of a Planter, though he has been for more than forty years a Licensed local preacher of the Methodist denomination."
Rev. Charles Fisher died on May 7, 1866, in or near Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA. In his Will, he committed his soul to God and stated that he was to be buried at the burial ground at Shiloh Church. He also willed that all of his property was to be sold and "money or proceeds be equally divided among my children - my wife taking a child's part." Chattahoochee County probate records prove that Rev. Fisher's plantation and personal property, including household furniture and accessories, cookware, dinnerware, a double barrel gun, gins, plantation tools, a sugar mill, 2 syrup kettles, bedding, books (some religious books or sets of religious books were sold by title), buggies, wagons, grains, fodder, cotton seed and farm animals, were sold in the Fall of 1866. The horses, mules and cows were listed by name. The furniture was sold either by individual piece, such as a "marble top bureau," or in sets, such as "6 cane bottom chairs." The accessories which were sold included a gilt mirror, an 8 Day Repeating Brass Clock, and a pair of china candlesticks, to name a few. Many of the plantation tools, such as hoes, plows, etc., were sold in lots. Some of the personal property was purchased by his widow, Mary, and some of her children and sons-in-law. The Inventory of Rev. Fisher's estate showed that he owned 4,800 acres of land in Chattahoochee County. Rev. Charles Fisher's plantation, advertised as "one of the largest and most valuable cotton plantations on the Chattahoochee River," which contained "a commodious dwelling house, fine barn, two gin houses, besides a water gin and all other necessary out-buildings," was sold in tracts. Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher, her son, Charles Fisher, and her daughter, Malinda Jane Fisher Adams, purchased "the River Place" for $23,300.00 and "the Residence Lot" (100 acres) for $1,680.00. Edwin Adams, husband of Sarah Fisher (daughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and Mary Helms) purchased "Piece Lot 176" (25 acres) for $200.00. N. J. Bussey, who was one of the witnesses to Rev. Fisher's Will, purchased the West Bonnell Place, the East Bonnell Place, the South Victory Place (in 2 parts), and the West Parmore Place. The other tracts of Rev. Fisher's land which were sold were the Forsyth Sapp Place, the Sims Place (sold in 2 parts), the East Parmore Place, the Branon Place, the Pollard Place, the Leroy Williams Place, and the East Half fraction Lot No. 11. Rev. Charles Fisher's "stately home on his plantation near the river 17 1-2 miles from Columbus, Ga., was burned in later years by order of county authorities after an epidemic of smallpox there" according to History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia.
Rev. Charles Fisher, of Talbot Co., GA and Jamestown, Chattahoochee Co., GA, has been proven to have been a son of William Fisher and his wife, Nancy Phillips (daughter of William Phillips, of Mecklenburg Co., NC, whose wife was Lucy), and a brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher Helms, wife of Pamly Uriah Helms. Rev. Fisher was born in either Greene Co., GA (per the 1850 Muscogee Co., GA census), or in Mecklenburg Co., NC (per his cemetery monument). Deed records indicate that Rev. Fisher's father, William Fisher, uncle, Paul Fisher, and some of their Phillips in-laws, who had all been residents of Mecklenburg Co., NC, may have been in Greene Co., GA at one time. The 1835 Wilcox Co., AL Will of William Fisher named his wife, Nancy, and children, "Milly Walker wife of Andrew Walker...Sarah Belk, Charles Fisher, Elizabeth Helmes wife of Uriah Helmes, Polly Higginbotham, John Fisher, Green A. Fisher, James R. Fisher & George D. Fisher." One of the papers of Mrs. Lauretta Russell, a Fisher descendant, that is located in the Alabama Archives and is listed under Fisher Family in the Card Catalog at Ancestry.com, is a letter written by Dr. George Doughty Fisher's daughter, Mrs. Louisa Leomi (Fisher) Cushman Blake, to a nephew. In that letter, dated 1902, she states, in referring to her father, "...his brothers were rather prominent men..." and that one of their sisters was Polly, "who married a Higginbotham..." Mrs. Blake went on to state, "My father was a graduate of Lexington Medical College..." and, "Your grandfather had 2 brothers, Green and Jim Fisher...both lived in Texas. Charles Fisher was a Methodist Minister. Moved to Talbot County, Ga., and from there to Jamestown, where he afterwards died." Another brother of Rev. Charles Fisher was Col. William Phillips Fisher (See The Gulf States Historical Magazine, Volume 1 [1902], Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, Volume 17 [1855], and other sources).
In addition, the unknown Helms father of Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher was probably closely related to Pamly Uriah Helms who was the husband of Rev. Charles Fisher's sister, Elizabeth Fisher. Perhaps he was an unknown brother of Uriah's father, George Helms, Jr., who was a son of George Helms, Sr. and his wife, Mary Margaret Falkenburg (or variant spelling).
From the Columbus Sunday Enquirer (Columbus, GA), Dec. 23, 1877, page 3:
Methodism lost an ardent lover and devoted helper when good Sister Mary Fisher left our world, on June 10th, 1877. Born in Washington county, Georgia, married Rev. Charles Fisher October 2d, 1810, embraced religion early in life - a patient worker for Jesus during three score years and ten, and thus, after a pilgrimage of eighty-four years, she rested from her labors; yes, rested in Jesus. Children, grand-children, and great-grand-children - all observed her quiet walk with God; the impression was deep, permanent, and now most of them are members of the Methodist Church, and are striving to meet the mother and grand-mother in Heaven. The Lord peculiarly blessed Sister Fisher temporally and spiritually; she walked in pleasant places during a long, useful life. Prudence, fortitude, patience, energy, economy, a discriminating mind of business and religion gave the husband and wife much wealth and comfortable position. Truly the Lord is good to His people. The sky was cloudless when the aged spirit triumphantly departed with angel bands to become young in the City of Our God. Was it death? No! she was just beginning to live; live on, live forever! "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Children, friends - all, press for the prize. The good leave us for a brief season, but their godly walk and earnest zeal cannot depart, cannot die. Remember these, spurn them not. Let us try to grasp the hands of happy parents in eternity. Death cannot part us up there. It can be well with us in the judgment. Look to Jesus ever. R. J. WALKER.
Although a marker for Mrs. Mary Helms Fisher has not been found, she is believed to have been buried next to her husband, Rev. Charles Fisher, in the Shiloh Methodist Church/Jamestown Cemetery (Fort Benning Cemetery #16).
The children of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms, were William Fisher (1811-aft. 1850; md. Louise/Louisa Mathews), Nancy Fisher (1813-1871; md. 1st, John T. Covey & 2nd, Green Berry Allday), Sarah "Sallie" Fisher (1815-1897; md. Charles Edwin Adams), John C. Fisher (1817-bet. 1820-1830), Mary Ann Fisher (1819-aft. 1830), Harriet Fisher (1822-1879; md. Joseph P. Mathews), Malinda Jane Fisher (1825-1887; md. George Adams, a double first cousin of Charles Edwin Adams), Charles A. Fisher (1827-1878), George Washington Fisher (1830-1864; md. Frances A. Wimberly), and Martha "Mattie" S. Fisher (1832-1886; md. David Columbus Cody).
(I [FamilyFaith] am a great-great-great-granddaughter of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms. The length of this biography is due, in part, to the fact that I'm trying to correct some errors that have been widely circulated, both in print and online, concerning the ancestry of Rev. Charles Fisher and his wife, Mary Helms.)
Family Members
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
