By: James Carter Ayers Jr.
Latranquil Massey Ayers
Picture circa 1900
Latranquil was not originally from the northeast Georgia area where she died at the age of 30 with seven young children. The following represents what I have been able to put together thanks to information from Marcia Ayers Bray, (grand daughter of Latranquil) and Dorothy "Dot" Latranquil Ayers Martin, (also a grand daughter), and from census data and other published records.
Abnery (Abner) Massey was Latranquil's paternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Abner (born: abt. 1814, SC, died: after 1880) married Sarah Ragsdale (born: abt. 1813 GA, died: after 1880). Abner was believed to be the son of Seaborn Massey Jr. (born: abt. 1775, Wake County , NC ) and Prudence Unknown. Sarah was the daughter of Michael Ragsdale (born: 14 Apr 1782, VA, died: 25 Oct 1859, GA) and Emilia "Mealy" Bond (born: abt. 1786 SC, died: abt. 1867) who were living in Banks County , GA at the time of their death.
According to the 1867 Banks County voter registration, Abner had lived in Georgia for 45 years, and in Banks County for 9 years (since its formation), which places his settling into Georgia from SC at 1822. Abner first shows up in the 1840 Franklin County, GA census as head of household with a wife and a similar aged male, most likely a brother. According to Banks County Deed Books, Abner bought a lot of land along the Middle Fork Broad River and an additional 600 acres from the Ragsdale estate in 1867. Abner was a member of the Confederate Army, Co. A 24th Regiment.from 1861 until his discharge after the war. Abner and Sarah's children, based on the 1860 and 1880 Banks County GA census (Middle Fork Broad River district) and LDS data, are listed as follows:
Mary E. Massey (born: abt. 1841, GA)
France s A. Massey (born: abt. 1843)
Franci s Marion Massey (born 18 Nov 1845, GA)
James F. Massey (born: 28 June 1849, GA, died: unkown) [Latranquil's father]
Mildre d A. Massey (born: abt. 1851, GA)
Ellen E. Massey (born: abt. 1853, GA)
Payton C. Massey (born: abt. 1857, GA)
Judy F. Massey (born: abt. 1863, GA)
Seaborn Wilder Collins was Latranquil's maternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Seaborn (born: abt. 1830, AL ) was the son of Andrew Collins (born: 1801 in Wake Co. NC) and Rutha Unknown (born: 1801 in GA). He married Tabitha West Johnson (born: abt. 1827, MS) on 30 Jan 1853. Tabitha's father was Gadi West (born: abt. 1798, MS) her mother was Mary Bivins (born: abt. 1802, MS). Gadi and Mary were married c. 1821 according to family tree information published by numerous sources. Seaborn and Tabitha Collins appear in the 1855 tax records and 1860 census records for Newton County TX (on the Louisiana border). Seaborn is listed as the captain of the State Troupers in the 2nd Brigade CSA by General W. M. Neyland. Seaborn and Tabitha's family included five children from Tabitha's first marriage to Morris Johnson:
Amanda E. Johnson (born: abt. 1845, LA)
Mary Ann Johnson (born: abt. 1846, LA)
Calvin V. Johnson (born: abt. 1848, LA)
Sophronia A. Johnson (born: abt. 1849, LA)
Richard Johnson (born: abt. 1850, LA)
Theodosia Collins (born: 8 Mar. 1853, TX, died: 27 Apr 1883) [Latranquil's mother]
Andrew Jeptha Collins (born: 15 May 1855, TX, died: 22 Jan 1924, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery )
Seaborn Wilder Collins Jr. (born: 29 Feb 1856, TX, died: 6 Jul 1951, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
R. Matilda Collins (born: abt. 1859, TX, died: before 1924)
John Austin Collins (born: 20 Apr 1861, TX, died: 4 Oct 1939, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
Cealy Susan Collins (born: 22 Jun 1863, TX, died: 31 Oct 1926, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery)
No record can be found for either Seaborn or Tabitha Collins in 1870. Their children are found orphaned into other households so it is assumed that they died prior to 1870. Theodosia, Seaborn Jr., and Matilda are found living in the household their half-sister and her husband, Mary Ann Johnson and R. Miller in the 1870 Leon County TX census. Andrew Jeptha was located in the household of James and Melissa Mears in 1880 in Milam County TX . He was living in precinct 5 same as Theodosia and James Massey were in 1880. Andrew became a very successful Texas businessman. In his last will and testament, probated in March of 1924, he bequeathed one fourth of his estate to the children and grand children of his deceased sister Dosie.
James F. Massey left his home in Banks Co. GA sometime before 1870 headed for Texas . He is found in the 1870 Milam Co. TX census, age 20, and living in the household of Stephen and Jane Davidson. He lived there while he worked as a farm hand. James married Theodosia "Dosie" Collins on January 6, 1871, in Stephens County, TX. The ceremony was performed by Parson John H. Rister, according to their family bible. The Massey household, with five children at that time, show up in the 1880 Milam County, TX census, James is listed as farmer and Theodosia as the housekeeper:. Theodosia died on the day her seventh child, Theodore Mosely, was born in 1883. It is believed that James F. Massey returned to Georgia shortly after the death of his wife. With the lack of 1890 census data, it is difficult to pin down exactly when James returned with the children. By the time the 1900 census was taken, the children were already adults and living in other households. No trace of James F. could be found in any census records but it is rumored that he remarried but had no additional children. [It is interesting to note that both James and Dosie had grandfathers who were born in Wake Co., NC. It is possible that these two families were previously acquainted,]
Photo from the Massey family bible, believed to be James and Dosie Massey
Latranquil Massey (born: 26 Dec 1871, died: 22 Jul 1902, buried: Lamar Christian Church cemetery, Banks Co. GA). [Note: Latranquil is referred to as Tranquilla in her family bible and census data] Latranquil was married to James T. Ayers (born: 19 May, 1866) on 24 Dec.1891 by A. J. Cash and they had seven children: Della L. (born: Nov. 1892), Elbert Juddson (born: 8 Nov.1893), Plumer Duckett (born: 3 May 1894), Seaborn Allen (born: May 1896), Gresham Fulton (born: 15 Feb. 1897), Roy Milton (born: Feb 1899), and Alice Lorena (born: 1 Feb1901). Latranquil and James lived near Lamar Christian Church where James served as an elder. Latranquil reportedly lived at one time in the household of Clark M. Cash (with daughter Mary and son "Cap"). Since Mary Cash was not born until abt. 1892, it is possible that Latranquil, James, and some of the older children lived in the Cash household until they built their own home. The Ayers household was only three houses down from the Cash household in the 1900 Banks county census. According to family tradition, Latranquil died from blood poisoning. After Latranquil's death, James T. Ayers married Mary Brady Ward and they had one son together, Theo Dewey Ayers (born: 24 Apr 1905). [Note: there is some conflicting census/tombstone data regarding the birth dates of various children. With the death of Latranquil, and a fire which destroyed the family bible, the confusion seems reasonable]
Abner Riley Massey (born:1 Mar 1873, died: abt. 1939) married Minnie Payton (born: abt. 1883, GA) on 27 Jan 1899 according to the Massey family bible. Though I can find no evidence of Abner Riley living in NE GA in 1900, a Payton family was living in Golden Hill District of Banks County with a correctly aged daughter, Minnie. She was 16 at that time and listed as single, so she is either the wrong Minnie Payton or the marriage date listed is off by a year. Abner Riley lived in Perry , FL according to the information provided by his nephew, Harry Hayes. Abner shows up in the Taylor County Florida 1917-1918 civilian draft registration, and then appeared in the 1920 census as follows:
Abner Massey head 47 TX GA TX saw mill laborer
Min nie Massey wife 37 GA GA GA
Jam es " son 18 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Pet er " son 16 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Emm a L . " daughter. 14 GA TX GA
Eff ie L. " daughter 11 GA TX GA
Tyr ee(?) " son 8 GA TX GA
Rut h " daughter 5 FL TX GA
Cla ra " daughter 2 FL TX GA
[Note: two other daughters were born after 1920, Doris and Dorothy]
Abner named his first two sons after his father and brother, respectively. As evidenced by the Florida census, Abner lived in Georgia for at least through 1912 and started his family there. He later moved to Florida , probably to work in the saw mill industry there. No census records of Abner's stay in Georgia could be located, though it is expected that he was living in northeast Georgian same as his siblings. [Note: Abner's year of death was taken from the Latter Day Saints (LDS) ancestral files]
Peter Martin Massey (born: 4 Dec 1875) was from an unidentified household in Mt. Airy, Habersham, Georgia according to the 1900 U.S. Military census. Peter was, at that time, unmarried and a private in the United States Infantry, Company "E" of the 29th Regiment. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands at the time. No additional information could be located on Peter.
Mary Columbia Massey (born: 28 Jan 1877, died: 29 Mar 1960, buried: Clarke Cemetery , Lexington GA ) lived in various households in northeast Georgia in the years before she married. In the 1900 census, she is listed as a boarder at the home of Thomas E. and Tina E. Anderson in Banks County . In the 1910 census, she is listed as a servant, but at the home of William S. and Elaine Ohenney in Habersham County . Mary married William Moore Hayes when she was 38 years old. William had four children from a previous marriage, and he and Mary had one son together (Zachariah L. Harrison "Harry", born: 26 May.1916). Mary lived in Arnoldsville, Oglethorpe County , GA for the last 47 years of her life where she was a member of the Cherokee Corner Methodist Church . According to her son Harry Hayes, Mary made occasional trips to Tyler , TX to visit relatives on the Collins side of her family.
James Eugenia Massey (born: 16 Jan. 1879, died: 2 Nov 1943, Toccoa , GA ) was listed as "Jimmy" in the Massey family bible and as James, Jimmie E., and Genia in various other censuses. "Genia" was a popular shortened version of "Eugenia" so I have concluded that it was her middle name since she gave her middle initial of "E" in the 1910 census. Genia had one son, Luther R. Massey, who was born 10 Jan. 1899. Genia was married to John B. Ragsdale (born: Jan. 1884) in 1910. Genia, John, and Luther, were living in Fulton county, GA during the 1910 census. They later relocated to Stephens County GA prior to 1920, where John was an inspector for Southern Railroad. Luther was listed as John's stepson in all of the censuses where they appeared in the same household. The LDS ancestral files contained information about the date and location of Genia's death
Johnie Massey (born: 1 Apr, 1881, died: unknown) and Theodore Mosely Massey (born: 27 Apr, 1883, died: unknown) were the last two children of James F. and Theodosia. I can find no information on these two children. Because of their young age at the time of Theodosia's death, they could have been given up for adoption in Texas and taken different last names.
James T. & Latranquil Ayers & siblings Picture
front row: (l-r) Seaborn, Plumer, Gresham, Latranquil (holding Lorena) James T. (holding Roy )
back row: (l-r) Juddson, Mary, Genia (holding Luther), Della
Please feel free to submit comments or corrections to:
James Ayers
208 South Old Belair Rd.
Grovet own, GA 30813
Home phone: (706) 863-3081
email: [email protected]
Latranquil Massey Ayers
Picture circa 1900
Latranquil was not originally from the northeast Georgia area where she died at the age of 30 with seven young children. The following represents what I have been able to put together thanks to information from Marcia Ayers Bray, (grand daughter of Latranquil) and Dorothy "Dot" Latranquil Ayers Martin, (also a grand daughter), and from census data and other published records.
Abnery (Abner) Massey was Latranquil's paternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Abner (born: abt. 1814, SC, died: after 1880) married Sarah Ragsdale (born: abt. 1813 GA, died: after 1880). Abner was believed to be the son of Seaborn Massey Jr. (born: abt. 1775, Wake County , NC ) and Prudence Unknown. Sarah was the daughter of Michael Ragsdale (born: 14 Apr 1782, VA, died: 25 Oct 1859, GA) and Emilia "Mealy" Bond (born: abt. 1786 SC, died: abt. 1867) who were living in Banks County , GA at the time of their death.
According to the 1867 Banks County voter registration, Abner had lived in Georgia for 45 years, and in Banks County for 9 years (since its formation), which places his settling into Georgia from SC at 1822. Abner first shows up in the 1840 Franklin County, GA census as head of household with a wife and a similar aged male, most likely a brother. According to Banks County Deed Books, Abner bought a lot of land along the Middle Fork Broad River and an additional 600 acres from the Ragsdale estate in 1867. Abner was a member of the Confederate Army, Co. A 24th Regiment.from 1861 until his discharge after the war. Abner and Sarah's children, based on the 1860 and 1880 Banks County GA census (Middle Fork Broad River district) and LDS data, are listed as follows:
Mary E. Massey (born: abt. 1841, GA)
France s A. Massey (born: abt. 1843)
Franci s Marion Massey (born 18 Nov 1845, GA)
James F. Massey (born: 28 June 1849, GA, died: unkown) [Latranquil's father]
Mildre d A. Massey (born: abt. 1851, GA)
Ellen E. Massey (born: abt. 1853, GA)
Payton C. Massey (born: abt. 1857, GA)
Judy F. Massey (born: abt. 1863, GA)
Seaborn Wilder Collins was Latranquil's maternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Seaborn (born: abt. 1830, AL ) was the son of Andrew Collins (born: 1801 in Wake Co. NC) and Rutha Unknown (born: 1801 in GA). He married Tabitha West Johnson (born: abt. 1827, MS) on 30 Jan 1853. Tabitha's father was Gadi West (born: abt. 1798, MS) her mother was Mary Bivins (born: abt. 1802, MS). Gadi and Mary were married c. 1821 according to family tree information published by numerous sources. Seaborn and Tabitha Collins appear in the 1855 tax records and 1860 census records for Newton County TX (on the Louisiana border). Seaborn is listed as the captain of the State Troupers in the 2nd Brigade CSA by General W. M. Neyland. Seaborn and Tabitha's family included five children from Tabitha's first marriage to Morris Johnson:
Amanda E. Johnson (born: abt. 1845, LA)
Mary Ann Johnson (born: abt. 1846, LA)
Calvin V. Johnson (born: abt. 1848, LA)
Sophronia A. Johnson (born: abt. 1849, LA)
Richard Johnson (born: abt. 1850, LA)
Theodosia Collins (born: 8 Mar. 1853, TX, died: 27 Apr 1883) [Latranquil's mother]
Andrew Jeptha Collins (born: 15 May 1855, TX, died: 22 Jan 1924, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery )
Seaborn Wilder Collins Jr. (born: 29 Feb 1856, TX, died: 6 Jul 1951, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
R. Matilda Collins (born: abt. 1859, TX, died: before 1924)
John Austin Collins (born: 20 Apr 1861, TX, died: 4 Oct 1939, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
Cealy Susan Collins (born: 22 Jun 1863, TX, died: 31 Oct 1926, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery)
No record can be found for either Seaborn or Tabitha Collins in 1870. Their children are found orphaned into other households so it is assumed that they died prior to 1870. Theodosia, Seaborn Jr., and Matilda are found living in the household their half-sister and her husband, Mary Ann Johnson and R. Miller in the 1870 Leon County TX census. Andrew Jeptha was located in the household of James and Melissa Mears in 1880 in Milam County TX . He was living in precinct 5 same as Theodosia and James Massey were in 1880. Andrew became a very successful Texas businessman. In his last will and testament, probated in March of 1924, he bequeathed one fourth of his estate to the children and grand children of his deceased sister Dosie.
James F. Massey left his home in Banks Co. GA sometime before 1870 headed for Texas . He is found in the 1870 Milam Co. TX census, age 20, and living in the household of Stephen and Jane Davidson. He lived there while he worked as a farm hand. James married Theodosia "Dosie" Collins on January 6, 1871, in Stephens County, TX. The ceremony was performed by Parson John H. Rister, according to their family bible. The Massey household, with five children at that time, show up in the 1880 Milam County, TX census, James is listed as farmer and Theodosia as the housekeeper:. Theodosia died on the day her seventh child, Theodore Mosely, was born in 1883. It is believed that James F. Massey returned to Georgia shortly after the death of his wife. With the lack of 1890 census data, it is difficult to pin down exactly when James returned with the children. By the time the 1900 census was taken, the children were already adults and living in other households. No trace of James F. could be found in any census records but it is rumored that he remarried but had no additional children. [It is interesting to note that both James and Dosie had grandfathers who were born in Wake Co., NC. It is possible that these two families were previously acquainted,]
Photo from the Massey family bible, believed to be James and Dosie Massey
Latranquil Massey (born: 26 Dec 1871, died: 22 Jul 1902, buried: Lamar Christian Church cemetery, Banks Co. GA). [Note: Latranquil is referred to as Tranquilla in her family bible and census data] Latranquil was married to James T. Ayers (born: 19 May, 1866) on 24 Dec.1891 by A. J. Cash and they had seven children: Della L. (born: Nov. 1892), Elbert Juddson (born: 8 Nov.1893), Plumer Duckett (born: 3 May 1894), Seaborn Allen (born: May 1896), Gresham Fulton (born: 15 Feb. 1897), Roy Milton (born: Feb 1899), and Alice Lorena (born: 1 Feb1901). Latranquil and James lived near Lamar Christian Church where James served as an elder. Latranquil reportedly lived at one time in the household of Clark M. Cash (with daughter Mary and son "Cap"). Since Mary Cash was not born until abt. 1892, it is possible that Latranquil, James, and some of the older children lived in the Cash household until they built their own home. The Ayers household was only three houses down from the Cash household in the 1900 Banks county census. According to family tradition, Latranquil died from blood poisoning. After Latranquil's death, James T. Ayers married Mary Brady Ward and they had one son together, Theo Dewey Ayers (born: 24 Apr 1905). [Note: there is some conflicting census/tombstone data regarding the birth dates of various children. With the death of Latranquil, and a fire which destroyed the family bible, the confusion seems reasonable]
Abner Riley Massey (born:1 Mar 1873, died: abt. 1939) married Minnie Payton (born: abt. 1883, GA) on 27 Jan 1899 according to the Massey family bible. Though I can find no evidence of Abner Riley living in NE GA in 1900, a Payton family was living in Golden Hill District of Banks County with a correctly aged daughter, Minnie. She was 16 at that time and listed as single, so she is either the wrong Minnie Payton or the marriage date listed is off by a year. Abner Riley lived in Perry , FL according to the information provided by his nephew, Harry Hayes. Abner shows up in the Taylor County Florida 1917-1918 civilian draft registration, and then appeared in the 1920 census as follows:
Abner Massey head 47 TX GA TX saw mill laborer
Min nie Massey wife 37 GA GA GA
Jam es " son 18 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Pet er " son 16 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Emm a L . " daughter. 14 GA TX GA
Eff ie L. " daughter 11 GA TX GA
Tyr ee(?) " son 8 GA TX GA
Rut h " daughter 5 FL TX GA
Cla ra " daughter 2 FL TX GA
[Note: two other daughters were born after 1920, Doris and Dorothy]
Abner named his first two sons after his father and brother, respectively. As evidenced by the Florida census, Abner lived in Georgia for at least through 1912 and started his family there. He later moved to Florida , probably to work in the saw mill industry there. No census records of Abner's stay in Georgia could be located, though it is expected that he was living in northeast Georgian same as his siblings. [Note: Abner's year of death was taken from the Latter Day Saints (LDS) ancestral files]
Peter Martin Massey (born: 4 Dec 1875) was from an unidentified household in Mt. Airy, Habersham, Georgia according to the 1900 U.S. Military census. Peter was, at that time, unmarried and a private in the United States Infantry, Company "E" of the 29th Regiment. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands at the time. No additional information could be located on Peter.
Mary Columbia Massey (born: 28 Jan 1877, died: 29 Mar 1960, buried: Clarke Cemetery , Lexington GA ) lived in various households in northeast Georgia in the years before she married. In the 1900 census, she is listed as a boarder at the home of Thomas E. and Tina E. Anderson in Banks County . In the 1910 census, she is listed as a servant, but at the home of William S. and Elaine Ohenney in Habersham County . Mary married William Moore Hayes when she was 38 years old. William had four children from a previous marriage, and he and Mary had one son together (Zachariah L. Harrison "Harry", born: 26 May.1916). Mary lived in Arnoldsville, Oglethorpe County , GA for the last 47 years of her life where she was a member of the Cherokee Corner Methodist Church . According to her son Harry Hayes, Mary made occasional trips to Tyler , TX to visit relatives on the Collins side of her family.
James Eugenia Massey (born: 16 Jan. 1879, died: 2 Nov 1943, Toccoa , GA ) was listed as "Jimmy" in the Massey family bible and as James, Jimmie E., and Genia in various other censuses. "Genia" was a popular shortened version of "Eugenia" so I have concluded that it was her middle name since she gave her middle initial of "E" in the 1910 census. Genia had one son, Luther R. Massey, who was born 10 Jan. 1899. Genia was married to John B. Ragsdale (born: Jan. 1884) in 1910. Genia, John, and Luther, were living in Fulton county, GA during the 1910 census. They later relocated to Stephens County GA prior to 1920, where John was an inspector for Southern Railroad. Luther was listed as John's stepson in all of the censuses where they appeared in the same household. The LDS ancestral files contained information about the date and location of Genia's death
Johnie Massey (born: 1 Apr, 1881, died: unknown) and Theodore Mosely Massey (born: 27 Apr, 1883, died: unknown) were the last two children of James F. and Theodosia. I can find no information on these two children. Because of their young age at the time of Theodosia's death, they could have been given up for adoption in Texas and taken different last names.
James T. & Latranquil Ayers & siblings Picture
front row: (l-r) Seaborn, Plumer, Gresham, Latranquil (holding Lorena) James T. (holding Roy )
back row: (l-r) Juddson, Mary, Genia (holding Luther), Della
Please feel free to submit comments or corrections to:
James Ayers
208 South Old Belair Rd.
Grovet own, GA 30813
Home phone: (706) 863-3081
email: [email protected]
By: James Carter Ayers Jr.
Latranquil Massey Ayers
Picture circa 1900
Latranquil was not originally from the northeast Georgia area where she died at the age of 30 with seven young children. The following represents what I have been able to put together thanks to information from Marcia Ayers Bray, (grand daughter of Latranquil) and Dorothy "Dot" Latranquil Ayers Martin, (also a grand daughter), and from census data and other published records.
Abnery (Abner) Massey was Latranquil's paternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Abner (born: abt. 1814, SC, died: after 1880) married Sarah Ragsdale (born: abt. 1813 GA, died: after 1880). Abner was believed to be the son of Seaborn Massey Jr. (born: abt. 1775, Wake County , NC ) and Prudence Unknown. Sarah was the daughter of Michael Ragsdale (born: 14 Apr 1782, VA, died: 25 Oct 1859, GA) and Emilia "Mealy" Bond (born: abt. 1786 SC, died: abt. 1867) who were living in Banks County , GA at the time of their death.
According to the 1867 Banks County voter registration, Abner had lived in Georgia for 45 years, and in Banks County for 9 years (since its formation), which places his settling into Georgia from SC at 1822. Abner first shows up in the 1840 Franklin County, GA census as head of household with a wife and a similar aged male, most likely a brother. According to Banks County Deed Books, Abner bought a lot of land along the Middle Fork Broad River and an additional 600 acres from the Ragsdale estate in 1867. Abner was a member of the Confederate Army, Co. A 24th Regiment.from 1861 until his discharge after the war. Abner and Sarah's children, based on the 1860 and 1880 Banks County GA census (Middle Fork Broad River district) and LDS data, are listed as follows:
Mary E. Massey (born: abt. 1841, GA)
France s A. Massey (born: abt. 1843)
Franci s Marion Massey (born 18 Nov 1845, GA)
James F. Massey (born: 28 June 1849, GA, died: unkown) [Latranquil's father]
Mildre d A. Massey (born: abt. 1851, GA)
Ellen E. Massey (born: abt. 1853, GA)
Payton C. Massey (born: abt. 1857, GA)
Judy F. Massey (born: abt. 1863, GA)
Seaborn Wilder Collins was Latranquil's maternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Seaborn (born: abt. 1830, AL ) was the son of Andrew Collins (born: 1801 in Wake Co. NC) and Rutha Unknown (born: 1801 in GA). He married Tabitha West Johnson (born: abt. 1827, MS) on 30 Jan 1853. Tabitha's father was Gadi West (born: abt. 1798, MS) her mother was Mary Bivins (born: abt. 1802, MS). Gadi and Mary were married c. 1821 according to family tree information published by numerous sources. Seaborn and Tabitha Collins appear in the 1855 tax records and 1860 census records for Newton County TX (on the Louisiana border). Seaborn is listed as the captain of the State Troupers in the 2nd Brigade CSA by General W. M. Neyland. Seaborn and Tabitha's family included five children from Tabitha's first marriage to Morris Johnson:
Amanda E. Johnson (born: abt. 1845, LA)
Mary Ann Johnson (born: abt. 1846, LA)
Calvin V. Johnson (born: abt. 1848, LA)
Sophronia A. Johnson (born: abt. 1849, LA)
Richard Johnson (born: abt. 1850, LA)
Theodosia Collins (born: 8 Mar. 1853, TX, died: 27 Apr 1883) [Latranquil's mother]
Andrew Jeptha Collins (born: 15 May 1855, TX, died: 22 Jan 1924, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery )
Seaborn Wilder Collins Jr. (born: 29 Feb 1856, TX, died: 6 Jul 1951, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
R. Matilda Collins (born: abt. 1859, TX, died: before 1924)
John Austin Collins (born: 20 Apr 1861, TX, died: 4 Oct 1939, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
Cealy Susan Collins (born: 22 Jun 1863, TX, died: 31 Oct 1926, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery)
No record can be found for either Seaborn or Tabitha Collins in 1870. Their children are found orphaned into other households so it is assumed that they died prior to 1870. Theodosia, Seaborn Jr., and Matilda are found living in the household their half-sister and her husband, Mary Ann Johnson and R. Miller in the 1870 Leon County TX census. Andrew Jeptha was located in the household of James and Melissa Mears in 1880 in Milam County TX . He was living in precinct 5 same as Theodosia and James Massey were in 1880. Andrew became a very successful Texas businessman. In his last will and testament, probated in March of 1924, he bequeathed one fourth of his estate to the children and grand children of his deceased sister Dosie.
James F. Massey left his home in Banks Co. GA sometime before 1870 headed for Texas . He is found in the 1870 Milam Co. TX census, age 20, and living in the household of Stephen and Jane Davidson. He lived there while he worked as a farm hand. James married Theodosia "Dosie" Collins on January 6, 1871, in Stephens County, TX. The ceremony was performed by Parson John H. Rister, according to their family bible. The Massey household, with five children at that time, show up in the 1880 Milam County, TX census, James is listed as farmer and Theodosia as the housekeeper:. Theodosia died on the day her seventh child, Theodore Mosely, was born in 1883. It is believed that James F. Massey returned to Georgia shortly after the death of his wife. With the lack of 1890 census data, it is difficult to pin down exactly when James returned with the children. By the time the 1900 census was taken, the children were already adults and living in other households. No trace of James F. could be found in any census records but it is rumored that he remarried but had no additional children. [It is interesting to note that both James and Dosie had grandfathers who were born in Wake Co., NC. It is possible that these two families were previously acquainted,]
Photo from the Massey family bible, believed to be James and Dosie Massey
Latranquil Massey (born: 26 Dec 1871, died: 22 Jul 1902, buried: Lamar Christian Church cemetery, Banks Co. GA). [Note: Latranquil is referred to as Tranquilla in her family bible and census data] Latranquil was married to James T. Ayers (born: 19 May, 1866) on 24 Dec.1891 by A. J. Cash and they had seven children: Della L. (born: Nov. 1892), Elbert Juddson (born: 8 Nov.1893), Plumer Duckett (born: 3 May 1894), Seaborn Allen (born: May 1896), Gresham Fulton (born: 15 Feb. 1897), Roy Milton (born: Feb 1899), and Alice Lorena (born: 1 Feb1901). Latranquil and James lived near Lamar Christian Church where James served as an elder. Latranquil reportedly lived at one time in the household of Clark M. Cash (with daughter Mary and son "Cap"). Since Mary Cash was not born until abt. 1892, it is possible that Latranquil, James, and some of the older children lived in the Cash household until they built their own home. The Ayers household was only three houses down from the Cash household in the 1900 Banks county census. According to family tradition, Latranquil died from blood poisoning. After Latranquil's death, James T. Ayers married Mary Brady Ward and they had one son together, Theo Dewey Ayers (born: 24 Apr 1905). [Note: there is some conflicting census/tombstone data regarding the birth dates of various children. With the death of Latranquil, and a fire which destroyed the family bible, the confusion seems reasonable]
Abner Riley Massey (born:1 Mar 1873, died: abt. 1939) married Minnie Payton (born: abt. 1883, GA) on 27 Jan 1899 according to the Massey family bible. Though I can find no evidence of Abner Riley living in NE GA in 1900, a Payton family was living in Golden Hill District of Banks County with a correctly aged daughter, Minnie. She was 16 at that time and listed as single, so she is either the wrong Minnie Payton or the marriage date listed is off by a year. Abner Riley lived in Perry , FL according to the information provided by his nephew, Harry Hayes. Abner shows up in the Taylor County Florida 1917-1918 civilian draft registration, and then appeared in the 1920 census as follows:
Abner Massey head 47 TX GA TX saw mill laborer
Min nie Massey wife 37 GA GA GA
Jam es " son 18 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Pet er " son 16 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Emm a L . " daughter. 14 GA TX GA
Eff ie L. " daughter 11 GA TX GA
Tyr ee(?) " son 8 GA TX GA
Rut h " daughter 5 FL TX GA
Cla ra " daughter 2 FL TX GA
[Note: two other daughters were born after 1920, Doris and Dorothy]
Abner named his first two sons after his father and brother, respectively. As evidenced by the Florida census, Abner lived in Georgia for at least through 1912 and started his family there. He later moved to Florida , probably to work in the saw mill industry there. No census records of Abner's stay in Georgia could be located, though it is expected that he was living in northeast Georgian same as his siblings. [Note: Abner's year of death was taken from the Latter Day Saints (LDS) ancestral files]
Peter Martin Massey (born: 4 Dec 1875) was from an unidentified household in Mt. Airy, Habersham, Georgia according to the 1900 U.S. Military census. Peter was, at that time, unmarried and a private in the United States Infantry, Company "E" of the 29th Regiment. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands at the time. No additional information could be located on Peter.
Mary Columbia Massey (born: 28 Jan 1877, died: 29 Mar 1960, buried: Clarke Cemetery , Lexington GA ) lived in various households in northeast Georgia in the years before she married. In the 1900 census, she is listed as a boarder at the home of Thomas E. and Tina E. Anderson in Banks County . In the 1910 census, she is listed as a servant, but at the home of William S. and Elaine Ohenney in Habersham County . Mary married William Moore Hayes when she was 38 years old. William had four children from a previous marriage, and he and Mary had one son together (Zachariah L. Harrison "Harry", born: 26 May.1916). Mary lived in Arnoldsville, Oglethorpe County , GA for the last 47 years of her life where she was a member of the Cherokee Corner Methodist Church . According to her son Harry Hayes, Mary made occasional trips to Tyler , TX to visit relatives on the Collins side of her family.
James Eugenia Massey (born: 16 Jan. 1879, died: 2 Nov 1943, Toccoa , GA ) was listed as "Jimmy" in the Massey family bible and as James, Jimmie E., and Genia in various other censuses. "Genia" was a popular shortened version of "Eugenia" so I have concluded that it was her middle name since she gave her middle initial of "E" in the 1910 census. Genia had one son, Luther R. Massey, who was born 10 Jan. 1899. Genia was married to John B. Ragsdale (born: Jan. 1884) in 1910. Genia, John, and Luther, were living in Fulton county, GA during the 1910 census. They later relocated to Stephens County GA prior to 1920, where John was an inspector for Southern Railroad. Luther was listed as John's stepson in all of the censuses where they appeared in the same household. The LDS ancestral files contained information about the date and location of Genia's death
Johnie Massey (born: 1 Apr, 1881, died: unknown) and Theodore Mosely Massey (born: 27 Apr, 1883, died: unknown) were the last two children of James F. and Theodosia. I can find no information on these two children. Because of their young age at the time of Theodosia's death, they could have been given up for adoption in Texas and taken different last names.
James T. & Latranquil Ayers & siblings Picture
front row: (l-r) Seaborn, Plumer, Gresham, Latranquil (holding Lorena) James T. (holding Roy )
back row: (l-r) Juddson, Mary, Genia (holding Luther), Della
Please feel free to submit comments or corrections to:
James Ayers
208 South Old Belair Rd.
Grovet own, GA 30813
Home phone: (706) 863-3081
email: [email protected]
Latranquil Massey Ayers
Picture circa 1900
Latranquil was not originally from the northeast Georgia area where she died at the age of 30 with seven young children. The following represents what I have been able to put together thanks to information from Marcia Ayers Bray, (grand daughter of Latranquil) and Dorothy "Dot" Latranquil Ayers Martin, (also a grand daughter), and from census data and other published records.
Abnery (Abner) Massey was Latranquil's paternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Abner (born: abt. 1814, SC, died: after 1880) married Sarah Ragsdale (born: abt. 1813 GA, died: after 1880). Abner was believed to be the son of Seaborn Massey Jr. (born: abt. 1775, Wake County , NC ) and Prudence Unknown. Sarah was the daughter of Michael Ragsdale (born: 14 Apr 1782, VA, died: 25 Oct 1859, GA) and Emilia "Mealy" Bond (born: abt. 1786 SC, died: abt. 1867) who were living in Banks County , GA at the time of their death.
According to the 1867 Banks County voter registration, Abner had lived in Georgia for 45 years, and in Banks County for 9 years (since its formation), which places his settling into Georgia from SC at 1822. Abner first shows up in the 1840 Franklin County, GA census as head of household with a wife and a similar aged male, most likely a brother. According to Banks County Deed Books, Abner bought a lot of land along the Middle Fork Broad River and an additional 600 acres from the Ragsdale estate in 1867. Abner was a member of the Confederate Army, Co. A 24th Regiment.from 1861 until his discharge after the war. Abner and Sarah's children, based on the 1860 and 1880 Banks County GA census (Middle Fork Broad River district) and LDS data, are listed as follows:
Mary E. Massey (born: abt. 1841, GA)
France s A. Massey (born: abt. 1843)
Franci s Marion Massey (born 18 Nov 1845, GA)
James F. Massey (born: 28 June 1849, GA, died: unkown) [Latranquil's father]
Mildre d A. Massey (born: abt. 1851, GA)
Ellen E. Massey (born: abt. 1853, GA)
Payton C. Massey (born: abt. 1857, GA)
Judy F. Massey (born: abt. 1863, GA)
Seaborn Wilder Collins was Latranquil's maternal grandfather according to the Massey family bible. Seaborn (born: abt. 1830, AL ) was the son of Andrew Collins (born: 1801 in Wake Co. NC) and Rutha Unknown (born: 1801 in GA). He married Tabitha West Johnson (born: abt. 1827, MS) on 30 Jan 1853. Tabitha's father was Gadi West (born: abt. 1798, MS) her mother was Mary Bivins (born: abt. 1802, MS). Gadi and Mary were married c. 1821 according to family tree information published by numerous sources. Seaborn and Tabitha Collins appear in the 1855 tax records and 1860 census records for Newton County TX (on the Louisiana border). Seaborn is listed as the captain of the State Troupers in the 2nd Brigade CSA by General W. M. Neyland. Seaborn and Tabitha's family included five children from Tabitha's first marriage to Morris Johnson:
Amanda E. Johnson (born: abt. 1845, LA)
Mary Ann Johnson (born: abt. 1846, LA)
Calvin V. Johnson (born: abt. 1848, LA)
Sophronia A. Johnson (born: abt. 1849, LA)
Richard Johnson (born: abt. 1850, LA)
Theodosia Collins (born: 8 Mar. 1853, TX, died: 27 Apr 1883) [Latranquil's mother]
Andrew Jeptha Collins (born: 15 May 1855, TX, died: 22 Jan 1924, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery )
Seaborn Wilder Collins Jr. (born: 29 Feb 1856, TX, died: 6 Jul 1951, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
R. Matilda Collins (born: abt. 1859, TX, died: before 1924)
John Austin Collins (born: 20 Apr 1861, TX, died: 4 Oct 1939, Newton Co. TX, buried: Quicksand Cemetery )
Cealy Susan Collins (born: 22 Jun 1863, TX, died: 31 Oct 1926, Stephens Co, TX, buried: Necessity Cemetery)
No record can be found for either Seaborn or Tabitha Collins in 1870. Their children are found orphaned into other households so it is assumed that they died prior to 1870. Theodosia, Seaborn Jr., and Matilda are found living in the household their half-sister and her husband, Mary Ann Johnson and R. Miller in the 1870 Leon County TX census. Andrew Jeptha was located in the household of James and Melissa Mears in 1880 in Milam County TX . He was living in precinct 5 same as Theodosia and James Massey were in 1880. Andrew became a very successful Texas businessman. In his last will and testament, probated in March of 1924, he bequeathed one fourth of his estate to the children and grand children of his deceased sister Dosie.
James F. Massey left his home in Banks Co. GA sometime before 1870 headed for Texas . He is found in the 1870 Milam Co. TX census, age 20, and living in the household of Stephen and Jane Davidson. He lived there while he worked as a farm hand. James married Theodosia "Dosie" Collins on January 6, 1871, in Stephens County, TX. The ceremony was performed by Parson John H. Rister, according to their family bible. The Massey household, with five children at that time, show up in the 1880 Milam County, TX census, James is listed as farmer and Theodosia as the housekeeper:. Theodosia died on the day her seventh child, Theodore Mosely, was born in 1883. It is believed that James F. Massey returned to Georgia shortly after the death of his wife. With the lack of 1890 census data, it is difficult to pin down exactly when James returned with the children. By the time the 1900 census was taken, the children were already adults and living in other households. No trace of James F. could be found in any census records but it is rumored that he remarried but had no additional children. [It is interesting to note that both James and Dosie had grandfathers who were born in Wake Co., NC. It is possible that these two families were previously acquainted,]
Photo from the Massey family bible, believed to be James and Dosie Massey
Latranquil Massey (born: 26 Dec 1871, died: 22 Jul 1902, buried: Lamar Christian Church cemetery, Banks Co. GA). [Note: Latranquil is referred to as Tranquilla in her family bible and census data] Latranquil was married to James T. Ayers (born: 19 May, 1866) on 24 Dec.1891 by A. J. Cash and they had seven children: Della L. (born: Nov. 1892), Elbert Juddson (born: 8 Nov.1893), Plumer Duckett (born: 3 May 1894), Seaborn Allen (born: May 1896), Gresham Fulton (born: 15 Feb. 1897), Roy Milton (born: Feb 1899), and Alice Lorena (born: 1 Feb1901). Latranquil and James lived near Lamar Christian Church where James served as an elder. Latranquil reportedly lived at one time in the household of Clark M. Cash (with daughter Mary and son "Cap"). Since Mary Cash was not born until abt. 1892, it is possible that Latranquil, James, and some of the older children lived in the Cash household until they built their own home. The Ayers household was only three houses down from the Cash household in the 1900 Banks county census. According to family tradition, Latranquil died from blood poisoning. After Latranquil's death, James T. Ayers married Mary Brady Ward and they had one son together, Theo Dewey Ayers (born: 24 Apr 1905). [Note: there is some conflicting census/tombstone data regarding the birth dates of various children. With the death of Latranquil, and a fire which destroyed the family bible, the confusion seems reasonable]
Abner Riley Massey (born:1 Mar 1873, died: abt. 1939) married Minnie Payton (born: abt. 1883, GA) on 27 Jan 1899 according to the Massey family bible. Though I can find no evidence of Abner Riley living in NE GA in 1900, a Payton family was living in Golden Hill District of Banks County with a correctly aged daughter, Minnie. She was 16 at that time and listed as single, so she is either the wrong Minnie Payton or the marriage date listed is off by a year. Abner Riley lived in Perry , FL according to the information provided by his nephew, Harry Hayes. Abner shows up in the Taylor County Florida 1917-1918 civilian draft registration, and then appeared in the 1920 census as follows:
Abner Massey head 47 TX GA TX saw mill laborer
Min nie Massey wife 37 GA GA GA
Jam es " son 18 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Pet er " son 16 GA TX GA saw mill laborer
Emm a L . " daughter. 14 GA TX GA
Eff ie L. " daughter 11 GA TX GA
Tyr ee(?) " son 8 GA TX GA
Rut h " daughter 5 FL TX GA
Cla ra " daughter 2 FL TX GA
[Note: two other daughters were born after 1920, Doris and Dorothy]
Abner named his first two sons after his father and brother, respectively. As evidenced by the Florida census, Abner lived in Georgia for at least through 1912 and started his family there. He later moved to Florida , probably to work in the saw mill industry there. No census records of Abner's stay in Georgia could be located, though it is expected that he was living in northeast Georgian same as his siblings. [Note: Abner's year of death was taken from the Latter Day Saints (LDS) ancestral files]
Peter Martin Massey (born: 4 Dec 1875) was from an unidentified household in Mt. Airy, Habersham, Georgia according to the 1900 U.S. Military census. Peter was, at that time, unmarried and a private in the United States Infantry, Company "E" of the 29th Regiment. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands at the time. No additional information could be located on Peter.
Mary Columbia Massey (born: 28 Jan 1877, died: 29 Mar 1960, buried: Clarke Cemetery , Lexington GA ) lived in various households in northeast Georgia in the years before she married. In the 1900 census, she is listed as a boarder at the home of Thomas E. and Tina E. Anderson in Banks County . In the 1910 census, she is listed as a servant, but at the home of William S. and Elaine Ohenney in Habersham County . Mary married William Moore Hayes when she was 38 years old. William had four children from a previous marriage, and he and Mary had one son together (Zachariah L. Harrison "Harry", born: 26 May.1916). Mary lived in Arnoldsville, Oglethorpe County , GA for the last 47 years of her life where she was a member of the Cherokee Corner Methodist Church . According to her son Harry Hayes, Mary made occasional trips to Tyler , TX to visit relatives on the Collins side of her family.
James Eugenia Massey (born: 16 Jan. 1879, died: 2 Nov 1943, Toccoa , GA ) was listed as "Jimmy" in the Massey family bible and as James, Jimmie E., and Genia in various other censuses. "Genia" was a popular shortened version of "Eugenia" so I have concluded that it was her middle name since she gave her middle initial of "E" in the 1910 census. Genia had one son, Luther R. Massey, who was born 10 Jan. 1899. Genia was married to John B. Ragsdale (born: Jan. 1884) in 1910. Genia, John, and Luther, were living in Fulton county, GA during the 1910 census. They later relocated to Stephens County GA prior to 1920, where John was an inspector for Southern Railroad. Luther was listed as John's stepson in all of the censuses where they appeared in the same household. The LDS ancestral files contained information about the date and location of Genia's death
Johnie Massey (born: 1 Apr, 1881, died: unknown) and Theodore Mosely Massey (born: 27 Apr, 1883, died: unknown) were the last two children of James F. and Theodosia. I can find no information on these two children. Because of their young age at the time of Theodosia's death, they could have been given up for adoption in Texas and taken different last names.
James T. & Latranquil Ayers & siblings Picture
front row: (l-r) Seaborn, Plumer, Gresham, Latranquil (holding Lorena) James T. (holding Roy )
back row: (l-r) Juddson, Mary, Genia (holding Luther), Della
Please feel free to submit comments or corrections to:
James Ayers
208 South Old Belair Rd.
Grovet own, GA 30813
Home phone: (706) 863-3081
email: [email protected]
Family Members
Siblings
