FAMILY OF CAMDEN

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THE FAMILY OF CAMDEN

A Genealogy (Written about 1939)
by Mrs. Leona Isabel Turner
and Luetta Camden

Transcribed and published by William R. Carr, 1987

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Beginning of Mrs. Turner's Text

Transcriber's Additions

Additions, Including Marble's Ancestors

THE "BATTLE OF CAMDEN"

First Earl of Camden
William Camden

 


RECORD OF RECENT ADDITIONS

March, 2001, Addition
Family Records Pages from Shelton W. Camden's family Bible

Camden Land Entries in Illinois

May 2005 Additions for Benjamin B. Camden
Submitted by Christine A. Camden
December 2007, Christina is starting a new web site at: 
http://benjamincamden.tribalpages.com
(password: amanda)

June 2007 Additions for Polina Camden
Submitted by Jeanne Ann Allison

Other June 2007 Additions
Native American Connections?
A Connection to George Washington?

September 2007 Additions for Shelton Columbus Camden
Submitted by Linda Goodwin Linda Goodwin

October 2007 Addition on Cynthia Camden
Submitted by Linda Goodwin Linda Goodwin

July 2008 Addition for Benjamin Columbus Camden
Submitted by Vern Paul 
The Bridgewater Register

April 2009 Addition for William Benjamin Camden
Submitted by Joyce Medlock 

July 2009 Addition on Polina Camden
Submitted by Jackie Croslin-Flake

December 2009 Conundrum
Second marriage of Olivia Frances Camden Wright...
Submitted by Linda Goodwin Linda Goodwin

October 2010:  Edythe May Stirlen, daughter of Plona Jane Camden.
Submitted by Suzanne Boyde

March 2011 Thomas Camden
Submitted by Danone Louise Camden Simpson

January 2012 Addition on Polina Camden descendents
Also a note on
Native American Connections
Submitted by
Elaine Nall Bay

Please send additional information on The Family of Camden to camden@heritech.com.


TRANSCRIBER'S (1987) INTRODUCTION
TO FAMILY OF CAMDEN

For many years prior to World War Two, the Camden and Hancock reunion was held at the old Stonefort Reunion grounds at Stonefort, Illinois. Camdens, Hancocks and relatives from all over the country congregated there, and according to some, its size rivaled the Old Stonefort Reunion (which is still held). Former Saline County Judge, Lynden Hancock, was the President of the Reunion, and Leona Isabel Turner was its Secretary. According to Mrs. Turner, "Aunt Sis's family (Martha L. Camden and her husband George B. Hancock), were responsible for the beginning of the gathering of the kin together for her birthday dinner some years ago, then it grew until it was made a Reunion for all known relatives."

Mrs. Turner, then living at Kankakee, Illinois, compiled the information for this genealogy and prepared it into a mimeographed publication for distribution at the annual reunion. Untold hours of labor and research went into its preparation. She must have written, and answered, hundreds of letters to far-flung relatives. Obviously we owe a great debt of gratitude to that devoted and unselfish lady possessed of such a sense of "family". She was also, I believe, the prime mover behind the reunion. I don't know how many copies of this genealogy where originally published, nor how many of those survive. My father has managed to preserve his copy from which I have transcribed the following pages. Perhaps no other copy exists. I don't know. Nor do I know why the Camden Hancock Reunion was never resumed after the war. Perhaps the organizers were by then too old, or had passed away, and nobody stepped forward to fill there shoes. Or, perhaps the family had simply become too scattered. Few Camden's remain in the area.

Whatever the case, Mrs. Turner left a great mark of accomplishment on behalf of the Family of Camden. The many descendants of our common great ancestor, Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden, will find this genealogy invaluable in piecing together their family histories. At least that is my hope and feeling, and it is my hope that this effort will inspire a renewal of interest in our family history - perhaps even an eventual resumption of the reunion itself. Will someone step forward and continue what was begun? I hope so.

It must be understood that I am not a genealogist. I've made no attempt to update, edit, or research. All the credit for what has been done in that line is solely Mrs. Turner's. I've merely transcribed. I must apologize if there are any typographical errors which I've failed to detect and correct. I've endeavored to make them as few as possible.

Hopefully, making this work available will prompt others to take on the task of completing (or continuing) the job on behalf of their own branches of the family. The numbers of descendants since the 1939 era must be astounding. This genealogical groundwork should serve as the starting point for a hundred other genealogies, as the tree grows.

In the very few places where I have taken the liberty of adding a word or two not in the original, I have indicated it by placing them in parenthesis.

It is regretted that I have no current information on any of the branches of the family other than my own very small branch. This project was undertaken exclusively on the assumption that there must be many who would be happy to have a copy of this genealogy. In short, I've just "up and did it". A shot from the hip, so to speak, without any by-your-leaves. Sometimes that's the best way for some of us. Otherwise, it might not be done at all. I trust that the descendants of Mrs. Turner will appreciate this and approve of this action.

I would be pleased to learn more about the descendants and various branches of the Family of Camden, and welcome correspondence with commentary, general information, updates and corrections to this document, as well as information about the old reunions at Stonefort. I have some sketchy information about the famous Camden - Lawrence fight mentioned on page 16, but would like more information. (It is alleged to have been the only Civil War action fought in Johnson County, Illinois.) I wonder if Mrs. Turner ever got the authentic information which she was seeking and wrote it as she had intended? (New information is included below.)

By way of introducing myself, and my own connection to the Family of Camden, let me state that Marble and Sally Camden were my great, great, great grandparents. I am descended from their fifth child, Olivia Frances "Leave" (Camden) Wright, my great, great grandmother. Her daughter, Tranquoline "Tran" (Wright) Gurley was my great grandmother, and her only daughter, Sybil, was my grandmother. Sybil's third child, James Robert Carr, is my father, who is still very much alive and well at 74 years of age, and well remembers the Camden and Hancock Reunion.

Lastly, I think it fitting and appropriate that I dedicate this small effort of mine to the memory of the author of the following pages - Mrs. Leona Isabel Turner - and to my father, who preserved her work for us.

Bill Carr, 12 April, 1987


NOTES ON THE 1998 (AND ONWARD) HTM EDITION

The years have flown since I transcribed and published this document. When the age of the Internet arrived, it was with pleasure that I was able to make this document available via the Web to all who are interested.

When this page was first published on the Web in 1998, it seemed to be the most significant – perhaps the only – Camden web-site on the Internet. Things have changed since then. One Camden site, by a Michael Bowen, documents an impressive 12 generations, from Thomas "Cambden" (born before 1669) onward, and there are others of significance too. But this site, featuring Mrs. Leona Turner's genealogy, along with her comments on our branch of the family, remains significant to the Camdens of Southern Illinois, and particularly the descendants of our patriarch, Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden.

In February of 2001 I learned that other copies of Mrs. Turner's document had survived. Jabran Soubeih, Marble and Sally's 4th Great Grandson, descended from McDowell Camden and Shelton Columbus Camden kindly provided some of the formerly missing words in my copy. Jabran's grandmother, Wanda Laverne Southwood Schuchardt, daughter of  Clyda Camden and Earl Schuchardt had preserved a copy of Mrs. Turner's work. Other copies have survived, sometimes under differing "authorship," as other family members had used it for the basis of continuing the genealogical record of their own branches of the family. In fact, I have found the work was probably a collaborative effort from the beginning, with Luetta Camden contributing much of  "Leona's" original text, and Luetta is the probable author of the poem "Great Grandad".

In May of 2005 I heard from Christine A. Camden, daughter of Eugene and Rose Camden of Missouri, who are descended from Marble's brother, Benjamin_B. Camden. Benjamin and his clam left Coffee County, Tennessee about the same time Marble and family left. Christine has given us some data, and put us unto the book her father wrote on the Camden's of Missouri. (See Other Recourses: Geneworks. below.)

In May of 2007 I heard from Roanna Erin Camden Cann, of those Camdens who remained in Virginia. Roanna is the webmaster of a large and wonderfully done genealogical web site at: http://bergerelmore.tribalpages.com. (password needed to get into Roanna's site is "marble")

I have made several additions within the text of Mrs. Turner's document below. They are all noted as "Transcriber's Notes," "updates," "additions,"  etc., and segregated from the main body of Leona's work in inserted text boxes and/or "additions and updates." The Leona/Luetta text appears on green background (some formatting, emphasis, and hypertext links, added).

One big mystery remains, and that is Marble's sister Cynthia. (Though that mystery is probably about to be solved.) She is not found anywhere except in Mrs. Turner's mention that Marble had gone to visit her in Missouri after the Civil War and died while there, apparently unexpectedly. Marble is said to be buried at West Plains, Missouri, but we still do not know where his grave is. 

Since I am not a genealogist, and do very little actual research, my only personal contribution, aside from adding my own family information, has been to include, or provide links, to the work of others and add information contributed to this site by others.

W. R. Carr
May, 2007
Email: camden@heritech.com 


(October 2007 update): Linda Goodwin, sent the information that, ..." I believe my Aunt Luetta was the author/possibly co-author of the (Leona Turner's) genealogy. My cousin Betty, daughter of Loren Camden, was born in 1928 and was at the 1939 Camden family reunion where the Family of Camden was distributed. She also read the poem 'Old Grandad' aloud to the crowd that day and attests that my Aunt Luetta was the author of both. I know my aunt wrote poetry, I have a small collection of them. The main clue I have taken from the genealogy itself, is the text about Benjamin Thomas Camden, 6th child of Marble and Sallie. The author says:
'He hadn't seen me for years.....(and recognized me by my resemblance to my father) and said 'Hello Sheltie'. My argument is why would Benjamin call Leona Sheltie? Leona's father was Charles Henshaw, while Luetta's father was Shelton."
     In light of this information, I have added Luetta Camden as co-author of the text and probable author of the "Great Grandad" poem. WRC Oct. 2007

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FAMILY OF CAMDEN
by Mrs. Leona Isabel Turner
and Luetta Camden (1939)

 1802-186?

his wife
Sallie L. Hopkins 1898 -1875

Their Children

Great Grandad (A Poem)

Index of Surnames 

This is a genealogy of the Camden family as far as we can find, written according to our own families and if you find names left out of your branch, remember we have written dozens of letters to all parts of the U.S. and even to England and we are not able to contact all of our relatives. Please fill in your families so that our children and grandchildren may find their lineage without trouble and we may write a fuller history later on.

I must offer my apologies for writing so fully of my own, but I think they are typical of the whole tribe for they all had the same qualities to a certain extent. All were honorable, self respecting, fighting, adventuresome pioneers in our U.S. We are to regret deeply that we didn't ask questions of our parents and grandparents who knew the history of their people so thoroughly. They were interested in the most distant relative and grandfather told us that they had never heard of a Camden who was not a relative. One characteristic that has helped us to trace relatives is their habit of naming their children for one another and for older relatives. Through the following pages you will find the same names appearing in every family. Bill, George, Ben, Mack, John, Mary, Martha, and Elizabeth were frequent as were Ann, Jane, Sarah, Frank, and Robert.

The numerous towns named Camden in America are said to be named after Lord Camden, the first Earl of Camden, who was so popular with the colonies because he championed their rights in the House of Lords before the Revolutionary War. At the tip of South America is a group of islands bearing the name. A group of historians in England are called the Camden Society in honor of  Wm. Camden who was the head of Westminster school and spent many years writing and recording ancient history in England, all written in Latin and later transcribed. His pictures show the long pointed nose and heavy brows such as many of the Camdens have. He also had fine curly hair, deep forelock, rather small rounded head, short neck with squared off cheek. Altogether the likeness is striking. His father was a painter of pictures. History records that when William was a sub-master at Westminster school, he became interested in a poor student named Ben Johnson and he supported him so that he could remain in school. Ben Johnson later became a famous author. This kindness seems typical of the family name.

The first Earl of Camden was given his name or title a century later than William lived. He was an attorney and married a rich London lady who owned the estates in London later known as Camden town. For his services to the crown, he was given the title which holds today.

Our records at Richmond and Washington, having been burned, we have letters saying that it is believed that the first American Camden who came to Va. was a younger brother or nephew of the First Earl of Camden, and that they may have come even earlier than the 1760's which was about the time the Earldom was created. The Camden society although concerned with history of England more than individual families, has printed evidence to show that all Camdens originated from one branch both in England and America.

Though the early southern colonies lacked schools and churches, they had the blood of gentlemen and as soon as possible gave their children as much education as could be had in their time. Their wives seemed to be mostly of Scotch-Irish extraction and to marry beneath them was a thing they could not condone in a member of the family. In the young there was an unusual gaiety and high spirits. The girls were apt to be tomboys and outdoor types, teasing and joking. They all loved horses and dogs. The girls were good cooks, clean and seldom lazy. When Aunt Sis was very small her family went on a trip to Ark and stopped to buy eggs from a colored woman, the first Sis had ever seen. She stared and stared and finally said with utmost disgust, "I think I'd wash!"

As they grew older the men seemed to become somewhat melancholy as members of their families passed on, and there was some tendency to brood with sadness on the past when they were no longer able to engage in active work. Most of them lived to the age of 75 or more. The boys in their youth were a little wild, but the wildness consisted mostly of riding fast horses and restlessness, a drink now and then, but this always disappeared as they married and settled down. It seemed to be their ambition to have a large family and be proud of it. There were few divorces and no scandals.

Our folks didn't speak of their southern ancestry to any great extent, this being due mostly to the feeling in the North after the war and as they had come north to live they meant to be good citizens. Most of their neighbors were from the south at sometime themselves but hot feeling ran riot during the war and some years after. Great grandad's desire for adventure and new country was never quite satisfied for late in life he went to Missouri and Ark. and died in West Plains, Mo. he had a brother John, who was killed in Tenn., and a sister Cynthia. We appreciated the cooperation of the living descendants of each branch of the family for without the letters and records from family Bibles we could not have had the accurate information which will be of benefit to any who may wish to trace family connections in the future. In many cases it was the widows of Camden men who had kept the old records. Farthest cousins who had never seen any of us eagerly wrote and expressed a wish to meet the relatives. The Camdens knew their women and picked loyal ones.

None of us need to be ashamed of those hardy American forefathers. As far as we go back to the British Isles, there is no record except of learning and statesmanship. One of the most unusual traits of this family was their gentle handling of their children. In a day when children were ruled with a rod of iron, the Camdens treated theirs as individuals and showed them love and trust without spoiling or pampering them. They were the best possible parents. The father ruled the household and was obeyed, yet he was not a tyrant nor a killjoy. The women they married were real mothers and built character and ambition into their children. Another characteristic marked in every Camden is a strong sense of humor, a ready wit and mild sarcasm. Will Rogers was the nearest their type both in character and expression, natural, witty, sincere, clean wholesome American. If there was anything our race despised, it was a snob. They were modest and reserved except among kin or familiar friends.

To Leona Henshaw Turner must go the credit for first beginning the idea for the Reunion of the Camdens and a family tree. Her mother, Jane Camden Henshaw, daughter of Mack and granddaughter of Marble, had instilled in her the deep love of family relations and interest in all its branches. To her untiring zeal in getting addresses and writing to every known member of the family we owe our heartiest thanks. Also to Sis Hancock, oldest living child of Mack, we owe many details and trace of distant cousins.

To Robert M. Camden of Creal Springs and his brother Irwin goes credit for many dates and much necessary data, especially knowledge of burial places and dates for the kin and great grandfather Marble, whom Robert remembers and whom he resembles in stature.

To Martha Nelson Camden, widow of John, we owe most of the statistics for Uncle Shelt's family. She graciously answered all our letters and copied records from Uncle Shelt's family Bible. She also knew the where abouts of every branch of the family and looked them up and wrote us all the necessary details. Her husband, John died Dec. 1936 and she cared for him in invalidism many years. Victoria, widow of Shelt's Mack also sent records for us.

Will Hancock kindly wrote for us the records of his grandfather and mother from his mother's Bible which we very much needed, as we were not sure of ages and dates.

Ruth Hutchinson, her sister, Wanda, and Belle Camden, widow of Uncle Chris's Mack, have furnished all we needed from the old family Bible which Mac's wife had. Ruth and Wanda are daughters of Monta and are chips off the old block in every sense. Brought up without their mother, who died in early childhood of theirs, they stuck together and combed the country for relatives and history of their families and their family is interested and interesting.

Oma Tidwell Weaver and her brothers have shown deepest interest from the start and have been present at each Reunion. Have preserved records, pictures, and mementoes of our great grandfather and never lost touch with the older members of our family.

Of Aunt Leave's family we have Tran Gurley and her children and grandchildren who have always been present to show the same loyalty and family love that made Uncle John Wright's house home to the whole tribe. We hope others can come of this family.

Of Uncle Ben's family we have contacted only Dolph, oldest son of Uncle Ben's Bob. He is a well respected man of Johnston City, Ill. and through him we are to hear news of this branch of the family. Some live near Anna, Ill. Many others have written us but we cannot mention all of them. Not a single letter was unanswered, but the eagerness to hear from their distant cousins brought a thrill to us who were working to complete a family accurate family genealogy for our enjoyment as well as for our children. Some of the families are better known to the writers and therefore we have the most history of them but some of the material reached us too late to be printed so if you do not find all members of your family in this book please record all names and ages so that your children and descendants may have a tree that will be authentic. We thank you one and all who helped make this history possible and hope it will have results in holding our families together in the future.

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MARBLE McPATRICK PETER HENRY CAMDEN

Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden was born near Richmond, Va. about 1802. He was married to Sallie L. Hopkins of South Carolina in 1827. They were married in a covered ox-wagon and emigrated at once to near Nashville, Tenn. where their eight children were born. With wife and eight children he came to Ill. in 1848 and settled on the farm in Johnson Co. near New Burnside. The only other relative of his family we have heard of is brother John, who was killed in Tenn., also a sister Cynthia, Mrs. Mock Grace of West Plains, Mo., She has daughters Mary and Martha Grace.

Marble, our pioneer great grandfather, was six feet three inches tall and had a fist that could "fell an ox". He was stern and yet kindhearted, as the hardships of those early days produced such men. Fighting, poverty, stony ground, living outdoors lives, seeking new country, building homes, rearing large families, left little time for polished manners and soft speaking, yet there was pride and truth, manliness and uprightness, love of justice and independence naturally inbred in his children. Some call his name Marvel. Granpa always said "Marble" but I never saw it spelled.

Marble's grandfather was a native of England and was in the Cavalry during the Revolutionary War. He named his son Patrick Henry after the great patriot of that time. We think one branch of Camdens came from Ireland but all we can find today of that name are in England and America. We are still investigating.

Eight years ago we found a George Camden of Wilmington, Ohio, who had brothers Ben and John, and sisters Elizabeth and Nellie. By pictures and names and from what he tells us, we are sure his father, who was born in Rockbridge, Va. near Lexington, was a son of Marble's brother. The father's name was George Washington Camden. Nellie Camden Woods, Ohio, and Mrs. Paul F. Landt, Anniston, Ala., also have sent me this information. Mrs. Luella Pelter of Buena Vista, Va., Box 545; is the daughter of Nellie Camden Vest, mentioned above, now dead. From pictures we exchanged and from likeness of names and origin of all from Virginia, we are sure of being the same family. We found a Lewis Camden in Los Angeles, Calif., whose father was Bruce Camden of Oklahoma, with whom we could find no connection.

Our folks always said, and from the oldest records we find, that the first Camdens coming to America were two young brothers from England or Ireland in 1769 and came to the new world to seek fortune as cotton planters in Virginia. Having no money, the estate going to the older brother, they found it hard to buy land and disliked having slaves. One died early and his three sons had to shift for themselves. His grandson, Marble, went to Carolina to become an overseer because he was too proud for his (friends in) Virginia to know that he was obliged to work for others. He was a kind master and the slaves always came to him to plead for them when the master was going to whip them. When he married and left for Tennessee the slaves cried and said "Who will befriend us now when you are gone?"

Marble was "much of a man" said Mack, his son. He always won in log rollings and house raisings of the day when contests of strength were held. Martha Camden, wife of Uncle Shelt's John, wrote me that Marble had a little dog he loved very dearly and that it was at Uncle John Wrights long after great grandfather died. Marble is buried at West Plains, Mo. His wife, Sarah L. Hopkins Camden died 5/2/1875 and is buried at Rich cemetery, Johnson County, with most of her children.

Marble's children were:

  • (1) Shelton W. Camden, "Shelt", born Aug. 7, 1829. He had 10 children. Married four times. Died December 12, 1902. His descendants live in Kansas and west.
  • (2) William M. Camden, "Bill", born 1831, died 1891. His descendants, Hancocks, live in Saline Co., Ill. and Oklahoma and Missouri.
  • (3) Christopher Columbus Camden, "Chris", born Sept. 6, 1833, died Nov. 17, 1910, Had 10 children. Grandsons live in Mo. & Calif. Granddaughters in Ky., Ill., Calif.
  • (4) McDowell Camden, born Oct. 17, 1836, died 1913. 7 children. Descendants Ill. & Mo.
  • (5) Olivia Frances Camden, "Leave", Wright, born 1838, died 1882. 7 children. Her descendants live near Stonefort, Harrisburg, and Marion (Ill.)
  • (6) Benjamin T. Camden, "Ben", born 1840, died 1901. 8 children. Des. in Ill., Shields at Cobden, Ill,. Bill at DuQuoin.
  • (7) George W. Camden, born March 15, 1842, died Aug 20, 1877. 4 children. His children live at Creal Springs, Ill. 2 sons living.
  • (8) Sarah Elizabeth Camden Tidwell, "Babe", born 1846, died 1909. 5 children, They live at Cairo, Ill., Memphis, Tenn. 4 living.

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1
SHELTON, ELDEST SON OF MARBLE AND SALLY

Shelton Camden's family Bible
Update, March, 2001, William Lewis Camden

Shelton W. Camden, oldest son of Marble and Sally, was born near Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 7, 1829 and came with his folks to Ill. in 1848. Shelt lived on the place in Pope Co. near Stonefort, Ill. known as the Geo. Howard place, now owned by John McSparin, until he traded places with Geo. Howard and moved to near Cherryvale, Kansas, where he became well to do growing wheat. He was the bad boy when a lad, always riding the calves, yoking up the animals, and getting a licking for his scrapes, but his energy seems to have turned to good use in later years. He was married four times. Delilah, his first wife died when John was born. (Delilah was) born Dec. 11, 1832, died 1858. Her children:

 

  • (1) Pelona (Plona) Jane Camden, born Feb 28, 1855, married Sam H. Elem, 1875, lived near Eddyville, & had 7 children: 1. Joh Samuel Elem, born ? -died 1938 has 2 sons 2 daughters living. 2. Jay Elem has 2 sons, Jack & Bill, 6802 Passaic, Huntington Park, Calif. 3. Wm. Shelton Elem, deceased. 4. Nela Elem Robins, Holly, Colo., has on son living one daughter deceased. 45. Ella, Mrs. C.V. Pierce, has one son, Paul E. Pierce. 6. Lila Belle Haas, Bethany, Mo. has two girls, Mary M. and Barbara. & 7. Edythe, Mrs Carl Stirlen, the Little Minister of the Air has three daughters, Josephine Ella (or Ella Josephine), Rosalie, and Wren.
  • (2) John A. Logan Camden, born Jan. 14, 1858 married Martha Nelson, daughter of Pryor Nelson, a Baptist minister of Marion, Ill. They had 8 children, 5 are deceased. The living: 1. Lona, Mrs. S.E. Barnett, 115 E. 15th St., St. Ada, Okla. has 3 children, 2 sons, 1 girl. 2. Paul Camden, 618 S. Sycamore St. Wichita, Kansas has one boy and one girl. 3. Delilah, Mrs. H.E. Smith, Beaumont, Texas, has one daughter, 19.

Martha Nelson Camden has sent these records from Uncle Shelt's Bible. John died at the age of 78 years in December, 1936. He was an invalid for 12 years. His wife, Martha, still survives and her interesting letters have helped greatly in getting these records. One daughter, Ethelyn, died 1935, leaving one daughter, age 13, and her husband. His name has not been given us. Shelt's second marriage was with Lucy Ann Jones in 1859. She died 1874. Her children:

  • (1) Elbert Gilbert Camden, born May 25, 1869. Deceased.
  • (2) Sarah Tranquoline Camden, born March 2, 1863, died 1872.
  • (3) Mary Frances Camden, born March 23, 1865. Deceased.
  • (4) Benjamin McDowell Camden, born Dec. 12, 1867, died 1927, Dec. 6. He married Victoria Mortimer, born July 1, 1871, in May. Their children are: 1. Lucy E. Camden, born Dec. 5. 1891 married Lawrence Dare Woodward, San Diego, Calif. 2. Lewis E. Camden, born Jan. 11,1894 married Elva Todd, their children are Faye Loraine, born May 17th 1924 and Bonnie Esther, born Oct. 3. 1925. 3. Mary Margaret Camden, born Feb. 14, 1897, died Oct. 15, 1922, buried beside her father Mack at Colorado Springs. 4. Leona A. Camden, born Sept. 17, 1899 married Eddie M. Cunningham, born Feb. 1, 1896. Their children are Virgil Lee, Victor Lou, and Virginia Lois.
  • (5) William Lewis Camden, born April 21, 1873 in Illinois. (Information on this fifth child was contributed by Mr. & Mrs. Leon Green, and added here 16 March, 2001)

The data for this family was sent me by Victoria, widow of Mack, above and by Martha, widow of John. We learn that Uncle Shelt's descendants hold a reunion each year at Colorado Springs, Colo.

Shelt's third wife was Eliza Parks. They separated. She had no children.

Shelt's fourth wife was Tennessee Cole. Their children: Dora Camden Nelson m. Will Nelson, brother of Martha Nelson Camden, is deceased . 2. Ora, Mrs. Floyd Huff. 3. Ollie. d 4. Jim, deceased. The girls live in Idaho. We hope to hear from them.



EXTENTION ON PELONA CAMDEN

Contributed by Suzanne Boyde (Oct., 2010)

In October of 2010, Suzanne Boyde, contacted us with regard to her grandmother, Edythe May Stirlen daughter of Plona Jane Camden, daughter of Shelton Camden. She wrote:

"...I thought you might be interested in some of the information I have from my Grandmother Edythe May Stirlen, who is mentioned in your history as the daughter of Pelona Camden whose mother was Delilah married (first marriage) to Shelton, son of Marble Camden.

"I was fortunate to edit a book about her childhood that Grandma self-published. It was called From the Land of the Tumbleweed. She was born and lived her early life near Cimarron, Kansas. Included are many stories of her parents, siblings and grandparents. She presented this book to the town library over 20 years, and maybe they still have a copy. I don't know for sure. The town is Shenandoah, Iowa.


"My Grandmother was an ordained minister, and had a radio ministry for over 50 years. She sold hundreds of copies of that book and another she wrote through her radio program. The University of Iowa's Women's History Collection has four linear feet in her archive (the largest of any in their collections). Grandma Stirlen was a beautiful woman in almost any level you can mention, and it was a blessing to have known her. Even 25 years after her death she is well remembered by many people who somehow know I am her granddaughter. She was born March 31, 1895 and died on September 17, 1987, at the age of 92. Until the age of 91 she was still very active, and often called upon to perform a wedding or conduct a funeral service.

"One thing I know is that may be of interest to you is that Grandma (the youngest child of her family) always referred to her mother as Plona Jane Camden Elem, not Pelona, as it is spelled in your geneology. Another is that your genealogy lists one of Grandma's daughters as Wren. My mother was Rosalee (not Rosalie) Jane Swartz Stirlen. Her younger sister was Wren. Aunt Wren's first name was actually Delilah. Wren was her middle name. Delilah was the name of my grandmother's Camden grandmother, the first wife of Sheldon. Grandma Stirlen's parents were Samuel Hezekiah Elem and Plona Jane Camden Elem, whose children were Nela, Ella, Shelton, Johnnie, Leila Belle, Jerry and Edythe.

"Here is an excerpt from Grandma Stirlen's book (page 69) that might be of interest to those reading the Sheldon Camden page of your genealogy. It concerns her grandfather, Sheldon Camden. It happened when my grandmother was five years of age.

"About two or three weeks after Mother's death my father decided to share his grief with Mother's father and other relatives. He took Little Sammie and me with him on the train to Cherryvale, Kansas. I remember the red plush covered seats that would sit up or lie down, whichever we wished. It was the strangest feeling when the train started to move. The train moved so smoothly that I thought surely the depot and the houses were moving and the train was standing still.

My grandfather was a Civil War veteran who fought on the northern side. My brother, Shelton, was named for him. I don't know how we got to Grandpa Camden's house, but I remember standing beside his sickbed. He had a long white beard and hair and very large blue eyes. We have often said to some of our relatives, "You have the Camden eyes." Father told Grandpa that he was sorry he hadn't been able to bring Plona, my mother, back to see her father in all their married years, but they were so hard up they couldn't afford to. Grandpa patted my head and said, "She looks just like her mother!" Then he and Father had to cry.

My great-aunt Mary lived in Grandpa's home. She gave me a black haired small china doll with pierced ears. I had never seen a doll with pierced ears. I treasured her above all possessions. But sad to say, when I arrived back home, she soon disappeared. I never knew what became of her. The finger of suspicion always pointed at my brother Jerry, for he had broken one of Leila Belle's dolls when he tried to drive nails into its face."

"About her mother (Plona's) death she wrote (page 5-6)

"A great heartache came to me early in life. It was when a badger crawled under the house and killed my pet chicken when it was asleep. My chicken's name was Buster. She would follow me around and eat out of my hand. She "roosted" under the house. One night I was awakened by the dog barking, clubs pounding, lanterns flashing and voices shouting, "Sick 'em!" When the tumult died down I heard my father say,"The badger got Buster before we killed him." My grief was bitter and it took a lot of comforting to reconcile me to my great loss. To this day, my heart aches as I think of the tragic death of my dear Buster.

The next great sorrow that befell me was so great the wound in my heart has never healed. My mother was very ill with pneumonia and had been for several weeks.

Although I but faintly remember my mother, I do recall one spring day she called me to her bedside, and I climbed up on the bed with her. When I got up on the bed, she pointed out names on a "crazy" quilt. Many names and symbols adorned the quilt.

I recall seeing the names of my brothers and sisters, and many other relatives. There were birthdates, flowers, and hands clasped as if shaking hands and all "blocks" were set together with briar stitching and other fancy needlework. It was a velvet, silk and wool quilt tied with yarn. My mother pointed out my own name and my birthdate. Then she asked if I would always try to be a good girl if she should die. I was brokenhearted. I began to weep. To cheer me up, Mother tickled the soles of my feet and soon my tears were forgotten, or were they?

A week later I was awakened from my nap by my sister Ella, who carried me in great haste to the big front room or parlor where my mother's bed had been moved during her illness. No one explained anything to me. But I vaguely understood a great tragedy was taking place. There lay my sweet mother, her soft brown hair parted in the center on her white forehead.

All the family stood silently and sorrowfully watching our mother draw her last painful breaths. My mother turned and smiled at us individually as we put in our appearances. My oldest sister was married and living at Cherryvale, Kansas, and my youngest brother, "Little Jerry" was herding the cattle. But all the rest of us were present. Mother managed to whisper, "Take good care of my baby." Then her brave heart stood still. Unless you have heard two grown men mourning aloud, you have never heard a sorrowful sound! It is an experience never to be forgotten. Father, stunned with grief, put his forearm to his forehead, turned to the wall and wept aloud while the doctor said, "She is gone!" Then Doctor Hollenbeak put his forearm to his brow and wept aloud at the other wall because he was unable to save our mother. Oh, if they had only known about penicillin then.

A mixed quartet sang "Whispering Hope" at the funeral, and strange as it may seem the same quartet sang at my father's services years later. Mrs. F.M. Luther, a lyric soprano, was a member of that quartet. Just a few neighbors and close friends went with us to the cemetery. The sound of clods falling in my mother's grave will ring in my ears to the end of time. I never conduct a small funeral that I do not remember that tragic day when we buried my dear mother."

Suzanne Boyde. Email: isuz@aol.com


 


William Lewis Camden, Fifth Child of Shelton and Lucy Ann Jones

(15 March, 2001 Update)

Betty and Leon Green, (wergreen@sopris.net), of Carbondale, Colorado sent the following information and followed up with two photos, (1) William and Mamie, and (2) this family group including Opal; Maxine; Mamie; Maude; William; Leon's mother, (Amanda) Irene; and James.

Leon's Mother was Amanda Irene Camden Green aka Irene. Her father was William Lewis Camden. He was the son of Shelton W. Camden, the fifth child of Shelton and Lucy Ann Jones.

Barbara Tidwell, whose mother was Maxine Elizabeth Camden, provided this information from Shelton Camden's family Bible.

William Lewis Camden was born Monday, April 21,1873 in Illinois.

William married Mamie Huddleston on Feb 4,1906. At the time of their marriage William was living in Nowata, Indian Territory, and Mamie was living in Moody, Missouri. William and Mamie (Click for photo) had ten children:

1. Shelton Tilman born Nov. 1906 and died while going from Missouri to Kansas in a covered wagon

2. Ora Mintie Camden b.Nov. 19, 1907 in Kansas. She married Claud Deem in 1926 they had no children. Ora died Jan 9, 1985 in Glenwood Springs Colo.

3.Mary Etta Camden b Jan. 1, 1910 in Alluwe, Oklahoma. She married Robert Curnutte Mary died Dec. 25, 1992 in Texas. They had 5 children.

4.Lillie Maude Camden b. Jan 23, 1912 on Alluwe, OK. She married Alfred Blomgren in 1945 They had no children but raised one of her brothers sons. Maud died Nov. 14, 1995 in Glenwood Springs Colo.

5 Edith Pauline Camden b. Jan 23, 1914 in Alluwe, OK. She married George Tucker they had one daughter Reva Mae. Pauline died Oct 30, 1995

6. Lewis McDowel Camden b Oct. 26, 1915 died 1981

7. Amanda Irene Camden b May 7, 1919 in Alluwe, OK. She married Cloyd [Bud] Green. They had 3 children, She lives in Glenwood Springs, Colo

8. Opal Cordelia Camden b. Dec. 19, 1921 in Alluwe, OK. Her first husband Bishop Kline .Sec. husband Kenneth Herrick. They now (2001) live in Colville, Washington. She had 2 children by her first husband.

9. James Benjamin Camden b March 14, 1924 in Alluwe, OK. He died Dec 26, 1938

10. Maxine Elizabeth Camden b. Jan. 21, 1927 in Alluwe, OK. She married Howard Bellamy they had 4 children. Maxine died May of 1985 [Maxine's daughter, Barbara Tidwell, got the information about Shelton Camden and William from Shelton Camden's family Bible.

 

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2
WILLIAM McARTHUR CAMDEN, SECOND SON OF MARBLE AND SALLY

William McArthur Camden, second son of Marble and Sally, born June 20, 1831 died March 7, 1891, married Martha Duncan. His sons, Marvel, George, and John, all lived to be grown up, all deceased without descendants. His daughter, Isabel Camden, born April 27, 1856, died Jan. 15, 1894, married Jeff Hancock, a merchant at Stonefort, Ill.

Isabelle's children are Martha, Will, Simon, and Ed. Both the latter died without children. Martha married Ira Blackman. They have one daughter, Mrs. Genevieve Montigue, wife of Dr. Charles Montigue, of Sarasota, Fla. Genevieve has a son, Jean Montigue. These folks have attended the family reunions and are well known to all our local folks.

Will Hancock married Della Craig and they have Lynden, Glen, and Alice Isabel. Lynden M. Hancock married Ann Hetherington, their children are Mary Alice, Martha Ann, and Cynthia Jane. Lynden and family reside at Harrisburg, where he was formerly County Judge. He is president of our Reunion at the time of this writing, 1939. Glen Hancock married Clara Trammel and is a successful dentist at St. Louis, Mo. They have William Thomas and Olen Craig Hancock, Jr. Alice Isabel married George Barnes, has one daughter, Lynda Ann.

William Camden's second marriage was to Fannie Rushing, who was the mother of Benjamin C(olumbus) Camden, born Aug. 12, 1874 in Williamson Co., lives at Drumwright, Oklahoma. He was married to Bessie Bridgewater, has William Benjamin in U.S. Navy at San Pedro, Calif. Raymond Edward at home in school, Thomas Calvin, Long Beach, Calif., and Virginia Nadene at home in school. Bennie kindly wrote me this information. Thanks Irishman!

William Camden's third marriage was also to Martha, but we do not have her last name. Her daughter, Mary Camden Parton, was born August 12, 1888, at Lead Hill, Ark. She resides at Enid, Okla., has a daughter, Mollie Parton, born July 31, 1915.

Bennie says the names Mack, Mike, Patrick, Mc, are all Irish and not English but in the beginning the name was first known in England and they all married Scotch-Irish women who named the children, but the Bills and Georges won out in the long run.

Uncle Bill was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War and suffered from exposure and had poor health, for several years was almost an invalid. He died at the age of sixty. Of his family we have little record except of the daughter, Isabel, who was married to S. J. Hancock and resided in Stonefort, Ill., where all who knew her lover her for the saintly character she was. Of her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren we have the record. If any who read have further information, we will be glad to have it.

As far as we know none of Uncle Bill's children survive except Bennie and his half sister Mary. Uncle Bill was true to type in naming his children. The first son, Marvel, after his father, John for his uncle. Then in his descendants we see all with the family names William, Martha, Mary, Ann, Cynthia, Jane, and Isabelle.

Uncle Bill was living in Missouri or Arkansas, but when he became ill he came with his family back to Stonefort, where he died at the home of his daughter, Isabelle. Mary is remembered as a beautiful child, and her mother was well liked among the kin. She lived to a ripe old age with her daughter in Oklahoma. After Uncle Bill's death they returned to their home.

EXTENSION FOR BENJAMIN COLUMBUS CAMDEN

(July, 2008 addition)
Contributed by Vern Paul 
The Bridgewater Register (http://www.vernpaul.com)
 

BENJAMIN COLUMBUS CAMDEN 1874 IL -

BESSIE BELLE BRIDGEWATER c1893 MO – c1924/30

Benjamin Columbus Camden was born on 12 August 1874 in Williamson Co., Illinois, son of William Camden and Fannie Rushing. He was married on 11 July 1917 [Date conflicts with birth record of first child] in Creek Co., Oklahoma, to Bessie Belle Bridgewater.[1] In the following year, they were in Francis, Pontotoc Co., Oklahoma, where Benjamin was engaged in farming.[2]

In 1920, they were living in Guthrie, Logan Co., Oklahoma, where Benjamin was employed repairing cars.[3] Bessie died sometime between 1924 and 1930.

In 1930, widower Benjamin was living in Drumright, Creek Co., Oklahoma, where he was employed as an air brakeman in a local refinery.[4]

Benjamin and Bessie’s three sons all served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Their youngest son, Raymond, died aboard the U.S.S. Arizona when it was hit on 7 December 1941; awarded Purple Heart.

Benjamin and Bessie had the following known children:[5]

1. William Benjamin Camden [21 Jun 1917-13 Mar 2000][6] [7] in U.S. Navy at San Pedro, California [1939][8] 

[The following contributed by Joyce Medlock:]
William Benjamin Camden m. (1) ?  one child, Billie Louis, m. (2) Stella Frances Moore, b. 1924, Erwin, NC, d. 1981. William Benjamin spent 23 years in the Navy, and then went civil service. Their children:

(1) William Raymond [born August 1948 in NC], he passed away in 1995. Raymond was also in the Navy and fought in Vietnam. He had three children 1. Cari, 2. Tamara, and 3. Ryan. They are all in or around the Charleston, SC area. [Their mother's name is Diane.]

(2) Duane Lyn Camden [born May 1953, in Virginia]. He lives in upstate SC. He is a RN and works in emergency medicine at a hospital near Clemson, SC. He has a daughter 1. Teresa Dawn, in Alabama, and a son 2. Edward, also living in upstate SC. Teresa Dawn has two children 1. Timothy and 2. Mikki.

(3) Joyce Ann Camden, now Medlock, born in October of 1954 in Charleston, SC. -- married Joe Medlock in Dec. of 1977. We have three children Courtney, Kristen and Adam. They were all born here. 1. Courtney Lauren Medlock, born November 30, 1983 now married to Christopher Cutlip. 2. Kristen Nicole Medlock, born March 4, 1986. 3. Adam Tyler Medlock, Born August 8, 1989.

(4) James Paul Camden. Currently living in Summerville, SC

     We all live in Ladson, SC near Summerville. Joe works with the local fire dept. as the fire marshall for our area and assistant chief. I work with 4 year olds in our school district. I have not heard anything from Aunt Virginia or Uncle Tommy for a very long time if you have any info that would be great.
     My grand parents were Benjamin Camden and Bessie Bridgewater. My dad was born in on June 21,1917, My dad was William Benjamin after his father and grandfather I think.
    His brothers were Thomas and Raymond and a sister Virginia. They lived in Oklahoma, we visited them them there many years ago. Raymond died, I 
believe, at Pearl Harbor in 1941, before I was born.
[Contibuted by Joyce Medlock: jam5454@gmail.com]

2. Thomas Calvin Camden [23 Jan 1920-15 Jun 1994][9] [10]Long Beach, CA [1939]

3. Raymond Edward Camden [1922-7 Dec 1941] Purple Heart, WWII [11]

4. Virginia Nadene Camden [c1924-] at home in school [1939]


Source Notes

[1] Creek Co., Oklahoma, Marriage Records, Book 8, p. 88
[2] World War I Draft Registration; Benjamin Columbus Camden, rel Bessie Belle Camden
[3] 1920 Census, 4th Ward Precinct, Guthrie, Logan Co., Oklahoma, e. d. 55, sheet 7B, p. 129, 7 January 1920, 601 W Mansur

161-162
63. Camden Benjaim C, Head, M W 45, b. Illinois; parents b. Tennessee
64. ----- Bessie B, Wife, F W 27, b. Missouri; father b. MO; mother b. AR
65. ----- William B, Son, M W 2, b. Oklahoma; father b. IL; mother b. MO

[4] 1930 Census, 2rd Ward, Drumright, Tiger Twp., Creek Co., OK, e. d. 19-14, sheet 10A, p. 42
[5] Internet search results, 21 September 2002: THE FAMILY OF CAMDEN, A Genealogy, by Mrs. Leona Isabel Turner (1939), Transcribed and published by William R. Carr, 1987, HTML Version, with Additions, (June 2001)
[6] Social Security Death Index, William B. Camden, SSN issued OK; res Coats, Harnett Co., NC
[7] North Carolina Death [Records] Collection – Ancestry.com
[8] ICC US NAVY, World War II; bur Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Clayton, NC
[9] Social Security Death Index, Thomas C. Camden, SSN issued CA; res Muskogee, Muskogee Co., OK
[10] Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Muskogee Co., OK, Thomas C. Camden, Plot 15, 0, 322
[11] World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945: Oklahoma, p. 3: CAMDEN, Raymond Edward, Seaman 2c, USN. Father, Mr. Benjamin C. Camden, 408 E. 1st St., Drumright [Oklahoma] Note, Raymond died aboard the U.S.S. Arizona when it was hit on 7 December 1941; awarded Purple Heart

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3
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CAMDEN, THIRD SON OF MARBLE AND SALLY

"Camden "Christopher Columbus Camden, "Chris", third son of Marble and Sally, born Sept. 6, 1833, died Nov. 17, 1910, married Elizabeth A. Chapman, born June 15, 1839, died July 22, 1892. They were married April 2, 1857. Buried at Rich cemetery. Their children:

 

  • (1) Francis Marion Camden - born Jan 1, 1858, died Aug 24, 1901. Unmarried

  • (2) (George Washington Camden - born June 16, 1860, died Sept 13, 1861

  • (3) (Mack Henry Camden - twin - born June 16, 1860, died March 18, 1915. married Belle Snyder

  • (4) William Allen Camden - born Nov. 13, 1862, died Sept 30, 1867.

  • (5) Sara Frances Camden - born Aug. 20, 1865, died Sept 19, 1867.

  • (6) Mary L. Camden - born May 6, 1868, died Nov. 12, 1890 married J.K. Brown, 9/10/90

  • (7) Columbus Franklin (Frank) Camden - born Dec. 8, 1870, died Dec. 8, 1892.

  • (8) Cynthia A. Camden - born Oct. 18, 1873, died Nov. 7, 1898 married Frank McGee.

  • (9) Monta Eudora Camden - born Feb. 15, 1876, died March 8, 1906 married Joseph H. Lawrence, Fairfield, Ill.

  • (10) Ota Jane Camden - born Sept. 10, 1881, died Oct. 10, 1892. Mack Henry Camden married Belle Snyder, November 28, 1894. Their children:

(1) Wm. Franklin - born Oct. 3, 1895 married Pecola Browning, 1920, 1 girl.
(2) Chas. Elvin - born Feb. 4, 1897 married Faye Wills, 1917, 1 girl, 1 boy, Chas. was killed in an oil field accident July 16, 1920.
(3) James Milo - born Oct. 10, 1898 married Ruth Howard, 1925, 1 girl.
(4) Lawrence Allen - born Nov. 13, 1900 married Irene Bartlett, 1922, 1 boy.
(5) George Warren - born April 24, 1903 married Bessie Cupp, 1925.
(6) Mack Donald - born Feb. 23, 1906 married Mary Tatum, 1931.
(7) Wayland Victor born July 25, 1908 married Opal Clem, 1931.
(8) Robert Newell, born June 24, 1912 married Viola Jetter 1931, 1 girl.

Cynthia A. Camden married Frank McGee from Mortens, Tex. She died leaving twins, Roscoe and Ruth McGee. Ruth died, Roscoe survives.

Monta Eudora Camden married Joseph Henry Lawrence. She is buried at Fairfield. Her children:

  • (1) Wanda, born March 13, 1897, married W. G. Tate, lives at Frankfort, Ky. One daughter, Joellyn Tate, born 1921.

  • (2) Ruth Lee, born June 28, 1900, married Hutchinson, lives 1725 Magnolia Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

  • (3) Eulala Maye Lawrence, born May 20, 1903, lives at Chicago, Ill. Her permanent address is Fairfield, Ill.

  • (4) Joseph Franklin Lawrence, born Sept. 9, 1905, lives in Detroit, Mich. Has two daughters, Suzanne Lee and Gail Joan.

Those living of Uncle Chris's family are seven sons of Mack at Witchita, Kan., their mother, Belle Snyder, lives in Los Angeles, Calif. One child of Cynthia's lives in Ennis, Texas, Roscoe McGee. Four children of Monta, as named above. Monta's children are all lovable and true to the Camden type, independent and active. Her children are much interested in their mother's family and ancestors. All of Uncle Chris's children died before him except Mack.

Chris married Cass Hogg in March, 1894 and she survived him. Uncle Chris was well respected and loved by his neighbors and family. The newspaper notice of his death states that he came with his parents to Illinois in 1848 and settled with them on the old farm, he later homesteaded an adjoining farm, where he lived for the rest of his life. He sold it and moved into Burnside shortly before his death.

Uncle Chris was a good boy but he was funny and the other boys liked to tease him to hear his comical remarks. His own boys were full of mischief and liked to tease him too. Once shortly after he had joined the church, the hogs got out and Uncle Chris ran calling the dog and the boys to come and help get them back. As he ran he stumbled and fell and, looking back, saw Mack and Marion rolling on the ground laughing. They laughed twice as hard when he yelled in his high pitched voice, "It ain't so damn funny!".

The newspaper notice says that he was very honest, hardworking and kind to the poor and needy and had a habit of attending strictly to his own business. He was "Uncle Chris" to the whole countryside and made a very good living raising berries and other fruit. He was one of the oldest pioneers of Burnside township and his funeral was attended by an unusually large number of old families in that community. All his children had passed away at the time of his death except his son, Mack, then living in Oklahoma, who followed him four years later. All his brothers and sisters preceded him except his brother Mack, who died July, 1913. His sister, Babe Tidwell, died just one year before him.

Notice the names, George, William, Mack, Henry, Mary, Sara, Jane, and Elizabeth as they occur over and over again in our family, also Marble, Ben, Ann, Martha, John, Robert, Frank, and others.

Uncle Chris's son Mack, who passed away at the age of 54 of double pneumonia, was very much the good type of Christian citizen that his father had been. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church, respected and loved by his family and all who knew him. The author remembers Mack as "Uncle Chris's Mack" - handsome and much loved, with a lovable family of wife and eight sons.

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4
MAC DOWELL CAMDEN, FOURTH SON OF MARBLE AND SALLY

Mac Dowell Camden, fourth son of Marble and Sally, was born Oct. 27, 1836, died July 3, 1913. He is buried at Rich Cemetery where also are his mother, wife, and brothers. "Mack" was married four times, first Nancy Parks, who lived one year. His second wife was Tranquoline Shelton, born Oct. 6, 1840, died March, 1870, daughter of Hubbard Shelton of Kentucky. Children of Mack and Tran Camden, married 1859.

 

  • (1) Robert William, died twenty days after birth.

  • (2) Shelton_Columbus, "Shelt", born Dec. 19, 1861, died March 15, 1926. Buried at Bolton, Stonefort. Has 6 children living, 19 grand children, 15 gr.gr.children.

  • (3) Martha "Sis", married Geo. Hancock. She was born 1863. Has 8 living children, 21 grandchildren.

  • (4) Sarah Jane, born 1864, died 1935, married Charles Irvin Henshaw. 4 children, 14 grandchildren.

  • (5) Julia Isabel, born 1866, died 1886, married Jim Mason of Crab Orchard. One son, one daughter deceased. 3 living grandchildren.

  • (6) Elvis Ethelbert Camden, born 1869, died 1920, buried McKenzie Cemetery, Taft, Mo. 4 daughters living, 4 grandchildren.

Third marriage of Mack was to Puss Kelton, who was a kind mother to his children but lived only two years and passed on with her baby, Mary, age 1.

Fourth marriage, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, of Iowa, died Feb. 18, 1899. Their children:

(1) Leona I. Camden, born 1880 married Jesse Stout, 1898. Four children living and six grandchildren.
(2) George M. Camden, born 1882, married Clara Worley.

George and Leona live at Poplar Bluff, Mo. and have always been very dear to the older brother and sisters and their families have always kept in touch even though they have lived so long apart. John took care of his father in his old age and deserves much credit for the faithful way he discharged his responsibility.

Grampa Mack Camden, although married four times, was never separated or divorced and had a wife only 34 years in all. He died age 76. He was a widower the last 14 years of his life. Grandmother Tranquoline Shelton had brothers Malcolm and Ethelbert and a sister Georgiann. These names lead us to believe that her mother whose name was Brizandine, was old Scotch or Norman blood. "Thel" Shelton was a Baptist minister in Missouri, had four sons and two daughters, lived to about 80 and died at San Antonio, Tex. He often visited his Camden nephews and nieces in Ill. and kept up correspondence.

Mack was the smallest of his brothers, square shoulders, full chest, deep blue eyes, soft silky, curly dark hair, long slender nose, which greatly resembles the noses of the Camdens pictured in histories and encyclopedias. He had a round head short neck, pointed chin on a rather small face. His teeth were good and not very large. He had a high, sweet, tenor voice and was often asked to sing the old ballads. Neighbors said on a clear morning he could be heard singing ten miles away. He was full of funny stories and was very gay and friendly and had many friends. He was a good dancer in his youth and welcome at parties and merrymaking, log rollings, house raisings, quiltings, corn huskings, and dances, which constituted their good times. Everyone went to church for social contacts.

In the South, Virginia, and Tenn. there were very few schools and little opportunity for learning. Grandmother Tran was very well educated as samples of her writing show. She taught Mack to write after they were married but he wrote a clear hand and correctly spelled each word. He could count and calculate very quickly. He greatly desired education for his children and was willing to sacrifice so that their children could have a better chance than they had. They knew the names of all the families for miles around and could tell you who each one married and where they came from. Mack was honest and taught his children that there was only one way to live so as to be respected and to have self respect. His family meant everything to him.

Shelton_Columbus Camden, oldest son of Mack and Tran, was born Dec. 19. 1861, died March 15, 1926, married Alveretta Jones, March 19, 1885, who survives with six children. Shelt was named for Uncle Shelt and also for his mother, who was Tranquoline Shelton. Columbus was for Uncle Chris. His children are:

  • (1) Lucetta Camden Edwards married Wm. T. Edwards, Kankakee, Ill. Her children are Kenneth Camden Edwards married Kathryn; Ann L. married Leslie E. Rutledge, has 2 children, Leslie, Jr. and Kenneth Jack; Wilma A. Edwards.

  • (2) Lula Mary Camden married Clarence Minor, son Arley. She died Jan 6, 1913.

  • (3) Orpha Jan Camden married Pleas Barnwell. Children, Mrs. Leota Little, 2 children, Shirley and Raymond Little. Mrs. Pauline Stalker, San Diego, Cal. Raymond Barnwell, Creal Springs. Orpha died 1918.

  • (4) Julia Isabel, died 1920, married Rob't Rose. Children, Mrs. Hazel Mitchell, four children; Wayne Rose; Mrs. Mildred Reynolds, 5 children; Shelton J. Rose.

  • (5) Harry C. Camden, died age 21.

  • (6) Luther E. Camden, unmarried.

  • (7) Loren L. Camden married Elizabeth Loless; children, Dorothey Lee, Alice Louise, Betty Ruth, Harold Leslie, only Camden grandchild of Shelt is that boy.

  • (8) Clyda Beth Camden married Earl Schuhardt, 2 children, Wanda, Delilah.

  • (9) Minnie Acynthia Camden married J.O. Brown, 2 children, James O., Gerald A.

  • (10) Aubrey Eugene Camden married Ruth Kilhefner, Stirling, Ill.

Shelt did not greatly resemble the Camdens except in size and his hair, soft, brown, fine, and curly, grew high off from the temples, making a deep forelock, otherwise he resembled his mother's people. He had gray eyes and a long Lincoln-like face, sandy beard and mustache. He had much the same characteristics of the older ones, was rather strict and stern, yet reasonable and of good judgment and could read character at a glance. If he felt uneasy at meeting a new acquaintance he would be very slow to become friends and there usually proved to be a dishonesty of some sort in the newcomer.

He was the friendliest person on earth. Every young lad or old person would stop to chat with him because he was so interested in everyone. His ambitions for his children were unbounded. He always wanted them to have a chance as his mother died when he was eight years old and his schooling was very sketchy, yet he read constantly and never made a mistake in public speaking. His discipline of his children was near perfection. He seldom punished, yet a look was usually enough to stop the noisiest action. He was the head of the family and was respected and loved but was no tyrant or overbearing. He could tell of an incident he had seen and react it so clearly that you could see it. That was natural to his father also and must have been a characteristic of the family. They loved to sit by the fireside on winter evening and tell stories and some thrillers and hair raising tales were poured out as we children listened without moving. There was a strain of Irish and old settler belief in the spiritual and dreams that came true that was common among people of their day.

To them a man must first be honest, a good citizen, good neighbor, and of course decent and loyal to his family. The simple goodness of their lives was foundation for a nation like this. Somehow they dug a living out of their soil and managed to feed, shelter, and clothe the large families and set an example of Godliness and uprightness that brings a lump to our throats today.

Shelt was an invalid the last year of his life and died of Bright's Disease at the age of 64. His father and brother Elvis also succumbed to the same disease. Many of his friends came long distances to visit him while he was ill. Those who lived with him during his shut in days said it was like living in the house with an angel because he never complained, and could not be upset. He remained sweet and kind and planned the work and management as long as he lived. Everyone who knew him pays tribute to his very real, sincere Christian life. His family worshiped him.

 

Extention for Shelton Columbus Camden

(September 2007 Update)

This information was contributed by Linda (Camden) Goodwin, one of Shelton Columbus's granddaughters. "...a bit different than the original in that the children that died young are included and it is more updated. I have not kept up with all of the lines however... If you don't see complete information, it is to protect the privacy of living persons. There are also more recent generations that are not shown."

1, 2, 3. etc., are Shelton's children
A, B, C, etc. are his grandchildren
1], 2], 3], etc. are his great grandchild

Shelton Columbus Camden born 19 Dec1861 in TN, died 15Mar1926 married 19 Mar1885 in Pope County, Il to Alveretta Jones born 03 Mar1867 in White County IL died 02 Jul1953. Both are buried at Bolton-Trammell Cemetery.

Shelton and Alveretta's Children:

1. Luetta Camden born 01 Sep1886 in Williamson County Il, died 27 Feb1964 Kankakee, Il married 22 Mar1911 in Indiana to William T Edwards born 22 Mar1886 in Il, died July1968 both are buried at Memorial Gardens in Kankakee, Il. Children

A. Kenneth Camden Edwards born 01 Sep1912 died 03 Jun1993 Eaton, MI, married 31 Aug1935 to Katherine Harvey born 14 Mar 1915, deceased. No children

B. Anne Laura born 26 Nov1913 died April 1986 in El Paso TX married 29 Dec1933 to Leslie Edward Rutledge, divorced. Their Children:

1] Leslie Edward Jr (living?)
2] Kenneth Jack (living?)
3] David Allen (living)

C. Wilma born 23 Oct1917 deceased married 02 Oct1945 Kenneth Edward Chipman

1] William Edward (living?)

2, Lula Mary Camden born 25 Feb1888 died 05 Jan1913 (buried at Zion Cemetery) married 04 May1910 to Clarence Merwin Minor

A. Arley Melvin born 25 Jul 1911 died Oct 1975 Harris TX

3. Orpha Jane Camden born 24 Jan1890, died 18 Apr1918 (buried Reynoldsburg Cemetery Johnson County IL) married 09 Aug1910 to Pleasant Barnwell born 27 May1886 Children

A. Leota Irene born 28 Mar1911 died 07 Dec1998 Williamson County IL married 19 Dec1931 Ulysses Sidney Little born 20 Mar1907 divorced 03 Oct 1938

1] Shirley Darlene (living?)
2] Raymon Deneen (living?)

Second marriage: 18 Jun1941 to George Bradshaw Campbell born 15 Nov 1911

3] Joseph Colin (living?)

B. Pauline Monette born 14 Jul 1912 married Carl Ezra Gabel divorced. Second marriage Warren Jack Stalker divorced child

1] Warren Camden (living?)
Third marriage to Hubert Cook 

C. Raymond Lindell Barnwell born 26 Nov1914 died May 1986 in Fort Smith AR married Bertha May Kilhefner 16 Jul1939, she was born 11 May1915 died Dec 1989.

1} Larry Ray (living?)
2} Michelle Lynne (living?)

4. Julia Isabel Camden born 31 Oct 1891 died 16 Feb1920 married 05 Dec1909 (buried at Zion Cemetery) to Robert Raleigh Rose born 18 Nov1886 died June 1968.

A. Raleigh Wayne Rose born 10 Jan1911 died May 1973 Whiteside County IL married 27 Jan1934 to Mary Mildred Wright born 10 Jul 1910

1] Violet June (living)

B. Lula Hazel born 19 Aug 1912 died 05 Aug1989 Saline IL married 25 Feb1928 to Arzey Franklin Mitchell born 22 Sep1906 died 25 Nov 1994 Saline IL 

1] Julia Irene married to John Lydel Redwine (living?)
2] Violet Luetta married Edward Malkowski (living)
3] Betty Lou married Virgil Lee Parks divorced.

Second marriage Eugene Hoadley (living)
4] Hazel Imogene married Estel Leon Dunning divorced. Second marriage Jack Pyle (living)
5] Robert Henry married Helen Vanwie (living)

C. Mildred Alveretta born 15 Jan1914 died Dec 1983 Saline IL married Jack Duffison Reynolds born 15 Jul1911 died 06 Dec1996 Saline IL

1] Robert Jackson
2] Lula Isabel married William Joseph Duvall divorced
3] Wanda Mae born Jackie Oral Wasson
4] Willie Wayne
5] Arlie Floyd
6] Jack Duffison Jr

D. Shelton Jackson born 29 Feb1916 died 03 Nov1987 in Whiteside IL married 19 Jun 1948 to Anna Marie Vanden-Brock born 11 May 1925

1] Mary Ellen
2] Robert John
3] Kathy Ann
4] Fay Elizabeth
5] Thomas William

E. Mary Edna died young

5. Harry Columbus Camden born 22 Jul1894 died 20 May1916 buried at Bolton-Trammell Cemetery

6. Luther Elvis Camden born 18 Feb1896 died 01 Oct 1960 buried at Bolton-Trammell Cemetery.

7. Loren Lee Camden born 21 Sep1898 died 12 Jun1991 married 20 Apr1919 to Mary Elizabeth Loless born 30 Jan1899 died 23 Jun1994, both are buried at Zion Cemetery.

A. Dorothy Lee married to Frederick Chester Armstrong.
B. Alice Louise married to Alva Landrum.
C. Betty Ruth married to Michael Paul Preston.
D. Harold Leslie married to Oveta.

8. Edward MacDowell Camden born 07 Oct1900 died 15 Apr1907 buried at Bolton-Trammell Cemetery.

9. Clyda Elizabeth Camden born 19 Feb1903 died Sept 1989 in Indiana married 29 Nov 1922 to Earl Farris Schuchardt born 18 Aug1900 deceased.

A. Wanda Laverne married George James Southwood.
B. Delilah Lavonne born 26 Mar1947 deceased.

10. Ernest James Camden born 13 Jul 1905 died 11 Nov 1905 at 3 months buried at Bolton-Trammell Cemetery.

11. Minnie Acynthia Camden born 10 Feb1907 died 30 Oct 2005 buried at Spring Hill Cemetery Vermilion County IL married 16 Jun 1928 to James Oliver Brown born 16Aug1893 died 23Apr1950.

A. Gerald Alvin born 25 Jan 1934 died about 1991.
B. James Olen born 25 Oct 1936 died 31 Jan1958 in Vermilion County IL.

Second marriage to George C Junkerman 16 Aug 1954 in Smithfield IL. George was born 30 Jul 1898 and died May 1982.

12. Aubrey Eugene Camden born 04 May1910 died 26 Mar1999 married 16 Mar1934 to Ruth Naomi Kilhefner born 17 Jan1913 divorced 23 Feb1945, no children.

Second marriage 17 Apr 1945 to Helen Ruth Hertig born 13 Mar1920 died 24 Mar1998.

Buried at Riverside Cemetery Whiteside County IL.

A. Sandra Lu Camden married to Leonard Robert Burall
B. Linda Lee Camden (Goodwin) married to Robert Eugene Hemminger divorced. Second marriage to Richard Ralph Goodwin divorced.
C. Melvin Eugene Camden married to Patricia Ann Beck.

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Martha "Sis" L. Hancock, oldest daughter of Mack and Tran Camden, born Aug 23, 1863 married Geo. B. Hancock, lived many years on the farm east of Stonefort near Delwood, Ill. Geo. owned a large farm and machinery, threshed all wheat for miles around and in winter ran a sawmill. Aunt Sis is 76 years old at this writing (1939). Their children are:

  • (1) Luella, born March 14, 1884 married Rayburn Morse, dec., 2nd marriage to Rev. David Morse.

  • (2) Pearl, born Jan. 28, 1887 married John Barker. Her children, Leo at Carbondale, Ervin, died age 4. James B. married Virginia Shock. Bert Barker.

  • (3) Tranquoline married Arthur Hill. She was born Sept. 3, 1889, Her children: 1. Leota married Carl Murphy, one son, Billy Jo. 2. Ada married Claude Morse, one son, Claude M. Morse. 3. Guy married Louise Hausser. Guy is a teacher and our program director. 4. Martha. 5. G.B. 6. Lonny. 7. David. 8. Robert. 9. Betty Jean.

  • (4) Barnett Hancock, born August 27, 1891, his wife Adeline, 1 son, Wayne Dwight.

  • (5) Belle, born March 6, 1894, married Curt Riggs, one son, Carl Riggs, Second marriage, Dixon, has one son, Elza Dixon.

  • (6) Icy, born 1897, married Riley Gee, deceased. She has four boys, Norman, Noval, George, and Jack, one daughter, Lauretta.

  • (7) Ina, twin to Icy, married Joe Pyles, They have Herbert, Maxine, Marguerite, Second marriage to Frank Vineyard. Has one son, Frank Vineyard.

  • (8) William Hancock, born Aug. 7, 1901 married Nellie McClusky, 1 son, Jacky Dean.

Aunt Sis is the oldest descendant of Mack's branch and is both in looks and disposition a typical Camden. She was always a very energetic worker and had no time for lazy people. Very clean and neat down to the present day after all her years of hard work and loss, yet her spirit is ready to do and dare and she never gives up nor thinks of herself. She was always quick, active, and aggressive, quick of speech and of temper, yet reasonable and humorous. She seemed tireless, always busy. She has always been in touch with all her relatives and no where could we find a gladder welcome than at Aunt Sis's house.

Memories of fun and romping with Luella, Pearl, Tran, and Barnett, and had dozens cousins of the clan will live forever. We climbed trees, rode saplings, waded creeks, told big tales, some of our own imaginings, went on errands to the store, fell and broke the eggs, milked cows, and rode horses. Aunt Sis had time for consecration too, when her health permitted was found often in the house of worship and set an example in truth. She has the pointed face and nose and eyes of the Camdens and the quick temper, ruled by good sense however. Uncle George worked hard but left her a widow to raise the younger children alone, a hard task at which she did her best. Aunt Sis's family were responsible for the beginning of the gathering of the kin together for her birthday dinner some years ago, then it grew until it was made a Reunion for all known relatives.

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Sarah Jane, daughter of Mack and Tran Camden, granddaughter of Marble, was born December 23, 1864, died April 13, 1935, buried at Little Saline Cemetery, Stonefort, Ill. She married Charles Irvin Henshaw September 3, 1884. Her children:

  • (1) Mrs. Leona Isabel Turner, Kankakee, Ill, Secretary of Reunion.

  • (2) Nora Elizabeth, born Jan. 29, 1888, married Charles Otto Dunn, Carrier Mills. Her children: 1. John Charles (J.C.) married Maude Blanche Stanley, 2 sons, Jerome Dunn, born Dec. 21, 1932 in Carrier Mills, Ill. - died Nov. 16, 2002, Burbank, CA, and Steven Earl Dunn, born Feb. 26, 1940 in Hollywood, CA. Steven is is married to Ann R. Bayliff. They have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. 2. Clyde married Merle Dallas. 3. Kenneth died 1932, age 20. 4. William died age 4. 5. Velma married Loren Dallas, one daughter, Ellen Colleen.

  • (3) Mack D. married Katie Campbell. He was born May 24, 1890. Children 1. Mary Jeannette married Harry Brayfield, one son, Harry, Jr. 2. Gilbert Webb married Nellie Glen Mabry, children, Shirley Ann, Virginia Lee. 3. Geneva, at home. 4. Jenell, at home.

  • (4) George, died age 4.

  • (5) Arthur, born 1894 married Winnie Buckner, Carrier Mills. Children: 1. George. 2. Evelyn, married Ellis Harris, one daughter, Phyllis. 3. Lena Mae. 4. Charlene. 5. Mary Alice. 6. Patsy Jean.

  • (6) William, born 1897, died Apr. 30, 1938, married Magdalene Pyles. No children.

(Transcriber's Note: Nora Elizabeth's family info., above, was updated here on 14 March, 2003 thanks to Steven E. Dunn who emailed the information)

Aunt Jane was rather petted by her father and brothers, was a cute, brave, little ambitious person in a frail body, yet she lived 71 years. As a child she was cunning and would follow her folks about and tell them tales of her fanciful imagination.

Once her brother Shelt, age 9, was chopping stovewood and she, little 5 year old, ran out telling him the following tale, "I was walking along and I heard a noise out in the bushes, I looked to see what it was and it was the moon trying to change. I threw in a quarter and she changed." About that time she stuck her foot on the chopping block and Shelt's axe came down and off came a toe, but her stepmother stuck it back on and it grew, rather crookedly however, and she always cut a hole in her everyday shoe to give her toe relief. Shelt was frantic with remorse and talked of it all his life.

She named her children for her folks too. I recall her brother, Elvis, once said, "The next one she names will probably be Elvis and I'll go over and kill it." The children were the joy of her life and she watched with a smile every little action. Very seldom did I ever see her show anger. She had affection for all. Jane married young and her health was never the best, but she had the courage and grit enough for an army. Living on a large farm with garden, cattle, and chickens, she worked early and late, cared for her children, washed, fed, and clothed and managed them so that they gave the least amount of trouble. Charles acquired lands and cattle and prospered but she never stopped working and planning as long as she was able to do so. When failing eyesight and aging limbs no longer allowed her active endeavour she was obliged for a few years to be waited upon and cared for by her children. Her husband preceded her in death, 1932. She named Leona for her half sister, Leona, and cousin, Isabel Hancock. Nora Elizabeth for her stepmother. Mack for her father. George for both uncle and brother. Chas Arthur for his father. William for his uncle.

To illustrate character of Jane Camden Henshaw and a typical kid stunt of their times, once Shelt and Jane were visiting at Uncle John Wright's, the children were playing in the barn lot and dared Jane to ride a mule which was known to run away at the least provocation. Shelt told Jane that it was a very contrary mule, that she must yell "get up" when she wished it to stop and whip it very hard until it stopped. She must say "whoa" to make it go faster. They put her on bareback and gave her a hickory gad and the mule started around and around the lot, he went frightening her to death. She clung for dear life and never stopped whipping the mule until the boys finally got scared and managed to catch him and release her. They got the proper chastising for their mischief and Jane ate standing for a few days, but she was as game as that all her life and was always outspoken for what was right, setting an example for her children.

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Julia I. Camden, fourth child of Mack and Tran, born 1866, died 1886, married Jim Mason, who was born December 4, 1858 and died Sept. 11, 1934. Julia's children:

  • (1) John Francis Mason married Frances Lenora George, Dec. 11, 1904. They have one daughter, Julia Louise Mason, born Sept. 12, 1924.

  • (2) Mary Mason, born July 31, 1885, died Nov. 10, 1911, married Jim Fairless. Two sons, Mason Fairless and Alvin Fairless. One of these boys lives with his father near Poplar Bluff, Mo. The other in Chicago, Ill.

Julia died at the age of twenty with tuberculosis. She fed her baby, Mary, and went to bed at her father's house and died in a few hours while her husband was gone for the doctor. She told her father she could see heaven and her mother who had died before her and smiled happily as she seemed to fall asleep.

John Mason's daughter, Julia Louise Mason, who lives with her mother at Pin Bluff, Ark. charmingly wrote and gave us these records from Grandpa Mason's Bible. She is a sophmore in highschool, age 14, and we hope to meet her sometime for her intelligent letter tells us she will be another cousin to be proud of. John Mason was born Jan. 26, 1884 in Marion, Ill. and died Feb. 26, 1939.

Elvis Ethelbert Camden, son of Mack and Tran Camden, born Dec. 2, 1869, died June 20, 1920, married Jane Finley. Their children:

  • (1) Cora, married Lewis Saunders of Doniphan, Mo. later moved to Washington, D.C. Has one son, James Lewis Saunders, Jr., age 17.

  • (2) Juanita, married Reuben Midkiff, lives at Deepwater, Mo. Has one son, Wallace, one daughter, Betty Jean.

  • (3) Ruby, married Ernest Mattkee of Detroit, Moved to Amhertberg, Canada.

  • (4) Faye, married S.W. Sturtevant, Montgomery, Ala. 1 daughter, Shirley Ann, (age) 5.

Uncle Elvis was one month old when his mother died of dropsy. He spent his youth near Stonefort, Ill. and lived much of the time at the home of my father, his oldest brother. We loved Elvis because he was so fond of we children. He attended the Old Crab Orchard Academy under Jas. Turner. My father paid for his education which he duly repaid. He clerked for a time in Bernie, Mo. and traveled for the same firm but most of his life was spent in teaching.

Notice of his death as it was printed in the paper. "Butler County Teacher dies Tuesday at Taft, Mo. June 20, 1920. E.E. Camden, 50 years of age, veteran school teacher in Butler Co., passed away Tues. at his home at Taft, Mo., from an illness with Bright's Disease, from which he had been suffering for some time. The funeral was held Thursday from the home and internment was made at the McKenzie Cemetery near Taft. The deceased is survived by his wife and four daughters. He was a schoolmate of county superintendent of schools, S. O Holloway and during the school year end in May he was principal of the Ball's mill School where he was popular among his students and highy respected by the entire community. His death will come as a great loss to the teaching staff of the county's schools.

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5
OLIVIA FRANCES CAMDEN, FIFTH CHILD OF MARBLE AND SALLY

Olivia Frances "Leave" Camden, fifth child of Marble and Sally, born 1838, died May 14, 1880, married John Wright. Her children:

  • (1) Sarah Ann (b. Dec. 17, 1858), married Tom Hutchinson (Hutchison [b. Dec. 17, 1854], m. July 5, 1877), Hardin Co., their children. 1. Lizzie, married Robert Jenkins. 2. Julia, married Homer Pate, died: 2nd marriage Reve Edgar Slavens. Julia had 2 children. All of this family are dead except Julia's 2 children. Sarah Ann was named for her grandmother and named her children old family names. They were lovely girls.
    (Transcriber's note: Family Bible indicates 1. Mary A. (b. 1878 d. 1879), 2. Lula B. (b. 1879 d. 1880), 3. Liza M. (b. 1883), 4. Juby E. (b. 1884), 4. W. T. (b. 1888), 5. John (b. 1890), 6. Auda (b. 1894) 

  • (2) Martha, married Levi Groves. We have no record of birth date or children.

  • (3) Jane, married Rev. Pryor Nelson, lives in Marion, Ill. Her children: 1. Flora, deceased, married Bert Griggs. 2. Paralee married Raymond Bruce, one daughter, Elizabeth. 3. Stella, first married Milton Fletcher, 2nd Robert Ford. Jane was always friendly and quiet, her children handsome.

  • (4) Willie Wright, died in early youth. Named for her brother.

  • (5) (Virginia) Tranquoline, "Tran", married Green Gurley, Harrisburg. Her Children: 1. Sybil Otterpohl, sons George, and James Carr, daughter Flora. 2. Willie (Uncle Bill Gurley). Sybil is a beautiful woman and her children have the beautiful eyes and heavy brows of their mother and grandmother, Tran. They are typical brows of the old family pictures of the old Camdens.

  • (6) Elbert married Sarah Potts, deceased. Their children: one son, deceased, Mrs. Artie Potter, Harrisburg, Chloe Dorris, Belvia Grace, Harrisburg. (The son, Otis, who died at age 24, had one son, Otis, Jr. – see Transcriber's Update on Elbert and Sarah below)

  • (7) Alice Wright, died age 16.

I was of the opinion that they had a son John also, as the old folks always used to speak of "Little John Wright". We are sorry not to have full information as to ages and whereabouts of all this family. Tran says that her mother's Bible was burned when Elbert's house burned and so we lack full dates here.

Aunt Leave and Uncle John Wright were beloved by the whole countryside as benevolent, kind, Christian, folk, whose home was open and seemed to be a meeting place for all. Orphan children were given a place to call home and shown kindness and consideration. The old folks came to stay when they could no longer work and care for themselves. The young folks gathered at Uncle John's to have company and good times with their children, and cousins loved them as much as their own brothers and sisters. Yet neither Aunt Leave nor Uncle John had good health and both died in their forties and two of their children died in youth. No grandson lives bearing the name of Wright (see Transcriber's Update on Elbert and Sarah below), but the name will live in the hearts of all who knew them.

In their grandchildren and great grandchildren, we see the handsome countenances and the personality passed down, while goodness and kindness of heart is still doing duty in their descendants. Jane, Tran, and Elbert, of Olivia's children are living not far from their childhood home. Tran and her grandchildren have attended the Reunions and have great interest in meeting the kinfolks. Aunt Leave is buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery on the Harrisburg, Marion road.

 

TRANSCRIBER'S UPDATE

OLIVIA FRANCES CAMDEN WRIGHT - SECOND MARRIAGE?
Contributed by
Linda Goodwin, December 19th, 2009

My great, great-grandmother, Olivia Frances Camden Wright, supposedly died at the age of 42 in 1880. (Though I notice the year of death is given as1882 in the initial listing of Marble Camden's children.) However, evidence has surfaced that she wasn't dead after all, and got married again in 1883! How did that happen? Leona Turner's and Luetta Camden's source was my great-grandmother Tranquoline (Wright) Gurley. Perhaps Tran disapproved of her mother's second marriage and decided it wouldn't be recorded in the family record. Linda Goodwin has provided the following verified information:

My cousin Betty discovered that there is a marriage record for Olivia (Camden) Wright and Absolom Nichols, dated 11 Mar 1883 in Johnson County. She listed her parents as Marble M P P Camden and Sallie Hopkins. Absolom's residence was Stonefort. I was able to verify the information in the Illinois Marriage Index:

NICHOLS, ABSOLEN WRIGHT, OLIVY F (CAMDEN) 1883-03-11 00D/0058 00000753 JOHNSON

This conflicts with the information that is contained in 'The Family of Camden', which says she died 14 May1880 and is buried at walnut Grove Cemetery on the Harrisburg-Marion Road.

This news is quite surprising, to say the least. We hope that Ms. Goodwin and her cousin Betty will discover the answers to the obvious questions that arise from their discovery.

 

TRANSCRIBER'S UPDATE

UPDATE ON ELBERT AND SARAH POTTS WRIGHT
Contributed by Evelyn Wright Field
With additions contributed by Tami Light

In June of 2007 I heard from Evelyn Wright Field, a great, great granddaughter of John Wright and Leave Camden. She is the third daughter of Otis Wright, Jr. who recently passed away... Elbert and Sarah, had a son, Otis Wright Sr. who died young, but not before he produced a son, Otis Wright, Jr., Evelyn's father.

Correction to Camden Family History (See Olivia above)

Sixth child under Leave Camden and John Wright:

(6) Elbert Wright married Sarah Potts. Sarah is said to have been a full blooded Cherokee Indian.

Their Children:

1. One Son, OTIS (died at age 24)
2. Mrs. Artie Wright, Harrisburg, Illinois (married Charlie Potter)
3. Chloe (Wright) Dorris,
4. Belva (Wright) Steapleton, Harrisburg
5. Grace (Wright) Vinson, Harrisburg. Grace married Charles Vinson and they had three sons and a daughter, Jerry, Darrel, and John (d. 6/2008), and Carolyn. (This information was contributed [2/17/2009] by Tami (Vinson) Light, daughter of John Vinson. Tami welcomes contact from family members, and can be contacted at: tlight86@wowway.com )

Elbert and Sarah, along with other Wrights, are buried at Ingram Hill Cemetery, south of Harrisburg near Pankeyville.

  Evelyn's Additions:

  Before Otis Wright, Sr. Died at 24, he married Blanche Potter, and they had two children:

1. Mildred Wright of Harrisburg,
2. Otis Wright, Jr. of Harrisburg (deceased)

  Mildred Wright married Leonard Brown (deceased)  and had one son

1. Steven (deceased)

Note: Otis Sr's sister, Artie, was married to Blanche's brother, Charlie. Bro and sis married sis and bro. I know, it's confusing.

  Otis Wright, Jr. married Lily Dixon from Muddy (both deceased). Their children:

1.Linda Wright married Dewan Harner (deceased) and had:
   a.  Daniel who married Belinda Colson

2. Sherryl Wright married John D. Tucker and had:
    a.  David who married Julie Fleck (since div. and remarried to Lana) and had:
         1.  Jacob who recently married

3. Otis Wright III died at 2 days old

4. Evelyn Wright married Jerry Field of Stonefort and had:
    a. Sheri who married Alfredo Dominguez of Ayotlan, Mexico and had daughters:
        1. Sydney
        2. Eva

    b. Jenny married Jarret Deaton of Creal Springs (divorced) and had daughters:
        1. Ryen
        2. Lacey

5. Charles Wright married Karen Wells of Glendale and had:
    a. Matthew who married Chantelle Partain of Harrisburg.
        They have no children at this time.

Transcriber/webmaster comment: Matthew is the last male Wright of this branch of the family. Hopefully, he and Chantelle will produce a male child or two before long. Come on Matthew, there's a lot riding on your shoulders. You're the last hope! 

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TRANSCRIBER'S UPDATE

VIRGINIA TRANQUOLINE "TRAN" (WRIGHT) GURLEY
FIFTH CHILD OF OLIVIA FRANCES CAMDEN AND JOHN WRIGHT

TRANSCRIBER'S UPDATE: The above section is my branch of the family. Tran was my paternal great grandmother. She, and her children and grandchildren have since passed away as of this date (May 2005).

(5) Tranquoline "Tran" Wright (b. 1871, d. 1954) married Green Gurley, (b. 1860, d. Dec. 20, 1938) of Harrisburg. their Children:

 

(1.) Sybil Gurley [Potts, Carr, Gerard, Huse, Otterpol... Erwin (possibly eight husbands in all)], (b. 1890, d. 1975) Sybil married several times, but had only three children, all by her first husband Joseph Potts of Stonefort. They were later adopted by her second husband, George Carr, in 1918 and took his name. Her last husband was Rosco Erwin, of Stonefort. They lived last on a farm near Raliegh, Illinois, and were the last of our family who made their living exclusively from the land. Sybil's children were:
  1. Flora Carr, (b. April 22, 1907, d. Feb. 24, 1984) "Flo" later changed her name from "Flora" to "Florine" but she was always Flo to friends and family. She married Frank Stienmarch and they ran an upholstery shop in Harrisburg. After Frank died, she married Walter "Walt" Skeels, (b. June 12, 1899, d. May 4, 1967). She had no children by either marriage. Walt was the Superintendent of Alcoa Mines at Rosiclare, Illinois, where they lived in grand style in a company provided home, until Walt passed away. Flo then moved to another home in Rosiclare overlooking the Ohio River. After suffering a heart attack, she moved to an apartment on East Church Street in Harrisburg to be near her brother George. One of their childhood homes, at 503 E. Church Street, was almost directly across the street from her apartment building.
  2. George William Carr, (b. Oct. 24, 1909, d. June 21, 1991). George married Ruth Bartlett before WWII and was divorced after returning from the front in France. He later married Gertrude Fulkerson. They had no live children, (one still-born, buried at Sunset Lawn cemetery, Harrisburg). George Carr was a very talented artist. He taught industrial arts at Harrisburg Junior High , where Gertrude also taught, for many years. They lived at the house George built near the "old home place" a mile south of Rudement. Later they moved to a nice home on South Main Street in Harrisburg.
  3. James Robert Carr, (b. Oct. 30, 1912, d. 10 August, 2004) Married Mildred Inez Goodman, of Harrisburg, (daughter of Albert and Ruth (Grace) Goodman) by whom he had one child, William Roy "Bill" Carr. Later he married Jewell Baker of Energy, Illinois, but was soon divorced, (1945-6?) and never remarried. James was also a highly talented artist and a master craftsman, and he has passed his talents to his son and grandson. His son, Bill, married Luong Thi Doi "Chi" in 1968 in Saigon. They have two children, James Roy "Jim" Carr, and Lilia Thi Carr. (Both were born in Saigon, Vietnam – 1969 and 1974 respectively) Jim married Tracy Sunshine Robinson in 1994 (later divorced). They have had one daughter, Chloerisa (Chloe) James Carr. 
(2.) William Gurley. "Uncle Bill" Gurley. (b. Nov. 14, 1892, d. Mar. 21, 1961) married Gladys Ozment and they had one daughter, Joan. Joan married Richard F. Dickerson, and they live in Southern Illinois. Uncle Bill's first marriage ended in divorce and he remarried Olive Smith, (daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Smith, of Rudement) recently deceased, and they lived a mile south of Rudement, Illinois. The old "homestead" (built in about 1932 from the logs of an older house which had been about half a mile from the new highway -- Illinois Route 34) burned in the mid 1990's.

The males of Sybil's offspring were blessed with artistic talent and craft ability. Flo was of a poetic bent and used to correspond with her father in poetry.

The Gurley's, Sybil Erwin, and James Robert Carr, are buried at the Bolton-Trammel cemetery at Stonefort, Illinois, along with several other members of the family as well as several Camdens. George and wife, Gertrude, and Flo, are buried at Sunset Lawn cemetery in Harrisburg, Illinois.

See: Gurleys of Southern Illinois..

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6

(Photo Credits)

BENJAMIN THOMAS CAMDEN, SIXTH CHILD OF MARBLE AND SALLY

Benjamin Thomas Camden, sixth child of Marble and Sally, born Aug. 2, 1840, died March 20, 1901 married Louis Cross, born April 1, 1842, died June 15, 1915. Their children:

  • (1) Robert Levi Camden, born Dec. 6, 1860, called Uncle Ben's Bob.

  • (2) Shelton Mike Camden, born April 2, 1863, died March, 1932, Called "Mike".

  • (3) Elizah Shields Camden, born Nov. 14, 1865, lives at Cobden, Ill.

  • (4) Sarah Frances Camden, born March 25, 1868, married Odel, lives at Anna, Ill.

  • (5) William Carol Camden, born Dec. 2, 1871, lives at DuQuoin, Ill.

  • (6) Mary Marina Camden, born May 5, 1874, died 1911

  • (7) Louisa Jane Camden, born Nov. 20, 1876, Married Phillips, lives at Anna, Ill.

  • (8) Ellen Isabel Camden, born Feb. 3, 1881, died July 7, 1903.

The author remembers Great Uncle Ben, and saw him at Aunt Babe Tidwell's shortly before his death. He hadn't seen me for several years, but I'll never forget his kind smile as he sat along on the porch (and recognized me by my resemblance to my father) and said "Hello Sheltie". I always thought he looked so much like my grandpa. Their eyes always made me think of an eagle. Uncle Ben married very young, had a large family, worked very hard and had plenty of hard luck, but he never lost that look of alertness and friendliness. He was a favorite among the brothers, as can be seen by the many Ben's named for him. Ben must have been an old name in the family, for the Camden's in Virginia and Ohio all had brothers and uncles and great grands named Ben, George, and Bill.

We thank "Bob" Camden of Anna, Ill., who is 78 years old, and his niece Mike's daughter, who wrote us the above dates. From some of our other kin we learned of Dolph Camden of Johnston City, who was born 1879 and has one son, Earnest, deceased leaving a son, Everret Eugene Camden, Jr. also Dolph's second son, Of Johnston City, named Leburn. Glen has a son, Donald Glen Camden.

We have not learned the names of any others of Uncle Ben's grandchildren. Bill Camden, his youngest son, married Minnie McNew, and we remember a girl and a boy or more, but have learned only one name, that of his son Claude Camden. Ben's folks have promised to meet with us this year. We hope to see them and learn more of them.

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7
GEORGE W. CAMDEN, SEVENTH CHILD OF MARBLE AND SALLY

George W. Camden, seventh child of Marble and Sally Camden, was born March 15, 1842, died August 20, 1877, married Matilda Mounce, May, 1866. He is buried in Rich Cemetery. Aunt Mary Matilda Camden was a tall, slender, good looking, fair complexioned woman with a beautiful smile and quiet dignity. Left a widow very young, she managed well and her boys all learned to work and to manage too. Their children:

  • (1) Robert M. Camden, born 1867 married Lulu Craig, died July 19, 1939. Their children, 1. Carl married Elia Brockett, Creal Springs. 2. William married Ruth Holloway, Detroit, Mich. 3. Vivian married Capt. John Copeland, her children, Minnie Lou, James Robert Copeland.

  • (2) William W., born 1870 married Alice Lasley, deceased, no children. William was killed in an accident with a team. He was a large, handsome, friendly, much-liked fellow, and his wife was also a favorite.

  • (3) Thomas Irvin Camden, born April 23, 1873, married Maggie Anderson, born June 7, 1872. Children: 1. James Clyde Camden, born Dec. 25, 1895 married Estelle Edmonson. 2. George Washington Camden, born Sept. 25, 1897 married Lora Tanner. 3. Robert Franklin Camden, born Feb. 12, 1899 married Zella Deaton. 4. Elsie Camden, born March 14, 1900, first married Frank Tanner,s Elsie is now Mrs. Greer. 5. Ralph Arvel Camden, born July 21, 1908 married Fern Arnold. George's children are: 1. Helen Edith, born Aug. 14 1918. 2. Kenneth Neal, born Aug. 8, 1920. 3. Cletus Allen, born Dec 14, 1926. 4. Ruth Loudene, born Nov. 1929. 5. Irvin Anderson, born June 2, 1932. 6. Frances Christina, born June 4, 1936. Clyde's children are: 1. Luie Eldred, born July 27, 1914. 2. Sybil Louis, born Sept. 20, 1918. 3. James Dewey, born March 8, 1924. Elsie's children: 1. Frankie Elvis Tanner, born July 24, 1918. Frank's children are: 1. Irene, born August 15, 1922. 2. Juanita, born August 26, 1925. 3. Anamary, born June 3, 1931. Ralph's children are: Polly Anna, born July 21, 1925. 2. Coleen, born December 10, 1926. (4) Ora, youngest child of George and Mary Matilda, died age 10.

Thanks to Maggie, wife of Irvin, for this complete record of their fine family of children and grandchildren, all good and handsome. Irvin is the fair type of Camden, has the nose and eyes and large size of may of the older men. Some of them were smaller but all were lithe and active and loved the country and outdoor life.

Uncle George seems to have been a great favorite with the family considering how many namesakes he has, and the memories of him are so often retold. He was in the Union Army during the Civil War and his picture taken at the age of 19, shows him to be very handsome. He was the first of the family to go, dying at the early age of 35. He seems to have had all the best qualities of the family and none of the bad.

Robert is about the nearest in size to his grandfather, Marble of any living descendant we know. Irvin has the Camden look in many ways. His family is typical as the old families always had more boys than girls, so the name will be carried on, in the vicinity of the old Camden homestead. Robert also has two boys and one girl and they bear the size and looks of the Camdens to a great extent.

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8
SARAH ELIZABETH CAMDEN, EIGHTH CHILD OF MARBLE AND SALLY

Sarah Elizabeth Camden, born 1845, died Nov. 19, 1909, "Babe", eighth child of Marble and Sally, married Johnathon Tidwell. She was always called Babe". She was born near Nashville, Tenn. Her children:

  • (1) George Tidwell, born Sept. 26, 1872, died Feb. 19, 1949 married Flora Hood, born May 11, 1881, died July 22, 1932. Her children: (1.) Carl, died 1919, age 19. (2.) Chloe, married Harmon Baker, her children: (a) Roger C. Martinell married Geraldine Walker. Their child, son, Roger. (b) Betty Jane. (3.) Edna Lincoln, Angola, Indiana

  • (2) Andrew Tidwell, born Aug 18, 1875, died July 8, 1948, first married Maude Tripp, child: Helen, deceased Jan., 1935. Second marriage, Genoa Wallace. Andrew lives at Memphis, Tenn.

  • (3) John Tidwell, born August 13, 1880. Died Jan 4, 1967. Twice married.

  • (4) Frosa, born 1882, died 1899, Apr. 4, unmarried.

  • (5) Oma Tidwell , born February, 1885, married Don Weaver, Cairo, Ill.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: The surviving copy of Mrs. Turner's genealogy had a page with a corner torn off and missing. So information was thus lost. On February 14th, 2001 I heard from Jabran Soubeih, Marble and Sally's 4th Great Grandson, descended from McDowell Camden and Shelton Columbus Camden. His grandmother, Wanda Laverne Southwood Schuchardt, daughter of  Clyda Camden and Earl Schuchardt had preserved a copy of Mrs. Turner's work. Jabran provided me with the few long-missing words, plus some other data added later. The formerly missing data is in italics above, and data added later is italics and underlined.

Aunt Babe is remembered by many old pioneers of our community for her courage in firing the deciding shot in the famous fight. Aunt Babe was known to the writer personally and I have often spent a night in her home as a child. She was tall and large without a bit of fat. She had heavy black brows, black hair and a wide forehead. She had the strength of character typical of her family, no use for dishonesty or laziness or dirt of any kind. She led a life of hard work and raised her family alone, a thing few women of her day would have had the courage to do. She seemed to be rather stern and quick tempered but she loved children and I knew she took interest in us and we all loved her. She lived on a farm near Uncle Chris for a long while, then moved to Pope Co. where she lived on the farm with her children until she moved to Cairo and lived there ten years until her death in 1909.

Aunt Babe was one who kept pictures and keepsakes for the family. Her daughter, Oma, still cherishes clothing of Marble and Sally and antique china of Sally's. She has pictures of old tintype pattern much to be desired by those who wish to keep family history and preserve memories and ties. All of Aunt Babe's children have been present for family reunions except George, who was on a job that required all his time, but he sent information and helped with names and dates.

When the author can get authentic information the story of the Camden-Lawrence fight will be printed, but as one of our Camdens married one of the nephews of the said Lawrence, we have their version of the story also and the difference is truly laughable, as the daughters said, "What fights my mother and father could have had if they'd let the old stories of their kinfolks come up for discussion". But everyone knows that Aunt Babe's part in it ended the fight and probably saved her father's life. For a fourteen year old girl, she showed a real pioneer spirit and the thing that makes our family, the willingness to fight for it against all odds.

Anyone who ever knew Aunt Babe would never doubt her courage nor her true family inheritance of its rugged independence as well as the deep love of family and children which made her a good mother and a beloved relative to us all. Her grandchildren mention her with such loving remembrance as to leave no doubt as to the depth of real love and kindness combined with traits of firmness and dignity which made her loved and respected by all who knew her. Her children have many resemblances to the older Camdens. The long straight nose, pointing downward, heavy brows, and high cheek bones are present in several of her descendants. Aunt Babe's life was harder than a lot, as she had to rear her five children alone, but she fought poverty as hard as other enemies and kept her self respect and her children by hard work and integrity.

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GREAT GRANDAD
(Luetta Camden)

Great Grandad was a man of might,
Strict and stern and he loved a fight.
Six feet three stood in his sox,
And with his fist could fell an ox,
Rough and gruff but full of pride,
With a tender heart which he tried to hide,
Always helping the underdog,
He deeply hated the selfish hog.

Marvel Mack Patrick Peter Henry,
First saw light in old Virginny.
His Scotch Irish mother named him so,
To please his patriot father though
She added something of her own,
Long names, the fashion then 'tis known
And Camden was a proud old name,
So he must add links to its chain.

Great grandad he married a wife,
And then he kept her all his life.
Little Sally Hopkins full of charm,
Could easily stand beneath his arm.
In a covered oxwagon they were wed,
From Carolina westward sped.
To make their home in Tennessee,
Near Nashville started a family tree.

Came six big boys and two fine lasses,
Twenty years thus quickly passes.
All were lively and full of fun,
None were sickly, none were dumb.
But Marvel heard of a country fine,
North of the Mason Dixon line.
So Sally packed and the boys were happy,
To drive the team and follow Pappy.

To Illinois at last they came,
And built on their Johnson County claim.
The year of eighteen forty-eight,
They cleared and planted both early & late.
While Granny looked on the old fireplace,
And made each laddie was his face.
And to this day I've never seen,
A descendant of hers that wasn't clean.

But they worked that the children might have enough.
All loved Granny and feared Grandad,
And had no time for what was bad.
Two followed the flag to set slaves free,
But they hated war the same as we.
All loved children and cherished kin,
And stuck together thru thick & thin.

And they married mates of equal pride,
Honest and worthy to walk beside.
Scotch-Irish mostly, upright and strong,
Who raised the standards and righted wrong.
Ruled communities, founded schools,
Churches, homes and reared no fools.
Each kept contact with the rest,
And homes were open to every guest.

And then their children followed thru,
Loved lands and children and horses too.
They too married and children came,
And now it's we who bear their name.
Sixty five grandchildren in all he had,
You'll get up early to beat Grandad.

***End of Mrs. Leona Turner and Luetta Camden's Book*** 


Index FAMILY OF NAMES

Disregard the page numbers in this index. Use your browser's "find"
function to locate names in the text.

Anderson.............15   Gurley.............3,13    Pate.................13 
Arnold...............15   Haas..................5    Pelter................3
Baker................15   Hancock....2,4,5,6,8,10    Phillips.............14
Barnes................6   Harris...............11    Pierce................5
Barnett...............5   Hausser..............10    Potter...............13
Barnwell..............9   Henshaw.......2,8,11,12    Potts................13
Bartlett..............7   Hetherington..........6    Pyles.............10,11
Blackman..............5   Hill.................10    Reynolds..............9
Brayfield............11   Hogg..................7    Riggs................10
Bridgewater...........6   Holloway.............14    Robins................5
Brockett.............14   Hopkins..........3,4,17    Rogers................2
Brown...............6,9   Howard..............4,7    Rose..................9
Browning..............7   Huff..................5    Rushing...............6
Bruce................13   Hutchinson.......2,7,13    Rutledge..............9
Buckner..............11   Jenkins..............13    Saunders.............12
Camden........1 thru 17   Jetter................7    Schuhardt.............9
Campbell.............11   Jones...............5,9    Shelton.............8,9
Carr.................13   Kelton................8    Shock................10
Chapman...............6   Kilhefner.............9    Slavens..............13
Clem..................7   Landt.................3    Smith.................5
Copeland.............14   Lasley...............14    Snyder..............6,7
Craig..............6,14   Lawrence..............7    Stalker...............9
Cross................14   Little................9    Stirlen...............5
Cunningham............5   Loless................9    Stout.................8
Cupp..................7   Mabry................11    Sturtevant...........12
Dallas...............11   Mason..............8,12    Tanner...............15
Deaton...............15   Mattkee..............12    Tate..................7
Dixon................10   McClusky.............10    Tatum.................7
Duncan................5   McGee.................7    Tidwell..3,4,8,14,15,16
Dunn.................11   McNew................14    Todd..................5
Edmonson.............15   McSparin..............4    Trammel...............6
Edwards...............9   Midkiff..............12    Turner........1,2,11,13
Elem................4,5   Minor.................9    Vest..................3
Fairless.............12   Mitchell..............9    Vinyard..............10
Finley...............12   Montigue..............5    Wallace..............15
Fletcher.............13   Morse................10    Weaver.............3,16
Gee..................10   Mortermer.............5    Wills.................7
George...............12   Mounce...............14    Wilson................8
Grace.................3   Murphy...............10    Woods.................3
Greer................15   Nelson.............5,13    Woodward..............5
Griggs...............13   Odel.................14    Worley................8
Groves...............13   Parks...............5,8    Wright................3
Parton................6  

Names added with updates
Bellamy..............
Blomgren.............
Dent.................
Green................
Herrick..............
Huddleston...........
Kline................
Mary.................
Robinson.............
Schuchardt...........
Southwood............
Soubeih..............
Tilman...............
Threet...............
Tucker...............
Vinsin
White................
NOTE: Many names have been added in various "additions" both in the above text as well as below, that do not appear in the above Indexes. Please use your browser's "find" function to look up names.

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ADDITIONS

CAMDEN ROOTS
MARBLE'S ANCESTORS

Mrs. Turner's book included almost no information on Marble's parents and ancestors except, "The only other relative of his family we have heard of is brother John, who was killed in Tenn., also a sister Cynthia, Mrs. Mock Grace of West Plains, Mo., She has daughters Mary and Martha Grace..." Here is the barest outline of what we have since learned of Marble's antecedents, according to, and compliments of, Roanna Erin Camden Cann, of Virginia, who is the webmaster of a large genealogical web site which includes the Camdens of Virginia. (http://bergerelmore.tribalpages.com – password needed to get into Roanna's site is "marble"). Roanna has taken the lineage almost back to the Middle Ages, including six generations of English "Cambdens" prior to the first to settle in the New World. She ventures this English lineage based on her research thus far, but it is still ongoing – no absolute guarantees as yet.

(1) Thomas "Cambden" (b in 1400s data unknown)

(2) William Cambden (b1500), (name of spouse unknown)

(3) Sampson Cambden (b. 1525), married Elizabeth Giles Curwen (1526-1565)

(4) Humphery Cambden (b. 1556), married Cecily Pettus (1560-1588)

(5) John Cambden (b. 1582, d. 1658), married Sarah ----? (b. 1582)

(6) John "Jonah" Cambden (b. 1634), married Hannah Harris (b. 1630)

(1) Thomas "Cambden" (b 1654), married Maria Steinrode (First American Generation) Thomas was transported to Baltimore, MD in 1669, his transportation paid by David Fry of Anne Arundel County, VA.

(2) John Henry Camden (1695-1738), born in Maryland. He married Esther Wood (1700-1724)

(3) John Camden (born Mar. 30,1721. Died prior to Sept. 28th,1808 in Amherst County, Virginia, who married Mary Ann (or Elizabeth) Cash (1721-1790). Mary Ann and Elizabeth were sisters. John may have married the second after the death of the first, (or the names may have been confused). One of John's children was William Camden, who left a will disposing of considerable estate. (reproduced below)

(4) Benjamin Camden (born 1750, in Maryland. Died in 1820), married Elizabeth Wright. Benjamin and Elizabeth were Marble's parents (though there is reason to suspect that Benjamin and Elizabeth may be Marble's grand parents rather than parents).

Roanna Erin Camden Cann makes some interesting connections that pivot around Elizabeth Wright whose ancestors may include Pocahantas and George Washington.  No absolute guarantees of this as yet, but Mrs. Cann is working on it. See The Washington connect and Native American Connections below.

Many additional web sources have become available since this page was first published. In addition to Roanna's site, the most comprehensive that I have found to date is:

Descendants of Thomas Cambden Camden - 12 Generations
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/o/w/MICHAEL--BOWEN/GENE4-0001.html


THE BATTLE OF CAMDEN
(Civil War)

Students of history might recall the Revolutionary War "Battle of Camden," but few are aware of the Civil War battle of the same name that took place near the small town of New Burnside in Southern Illinois.

AUNT BABE AND THE BATTLE OF CAMDEN
The Only Civil War Action Fought in Johnson County Illinois
by William R. Carr

Despite being reputed "Copperheads" five of Marble's boys to "volunteer" to serve the Union, including the one who was wounded by Lt. Lawrence in the "Battle of Camden." The following information was provided by Bill Finley:

Shelton W. Camden: Civil War, Union, Company B, 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment.

Benjamin Thomas Camden: Civil War, Union, Company F, 128th Illinois Infantry Volunteers.

George W. Camden: Civil War, Union, Company F, 128th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Companies A and G, 9th Illinois Infantry Volunteers.

Marbell McDowell Camden: Civil War, Union, Company C, 128th Illinois Infantry Volunteers.

William McArthur Camden: Civil War, Union, Company F, 128th Illinois Infantry Volunteers.

Not bad for a family accused of being Copperheads.

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Last Will and Testament of William Camden
(Marble's Uncle)

Last Will and Testament of William Camden.
Amherst County, Virginia Will Book 5, Page 214.

At a Court held for Amherst County the 17th day of May 1813 this account was
returned into Court and ordered to be recorded.

In the name of God, Amen. I William Camden of the county of Amherst do make this my last will and testament utterly revoking all former wills made by me and declaring this to be my last will and testament.

First my will and desire is that all my just debts be fully paid and satisfied.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry Camden two Negroe slaves, that is Ben and Lucy his wife, to him and his heirs forever.

Item the second. I give and bequeath to my grandson William H. Camden one
negro boy named Ralph to him and his heirs forever.

Item the third. I give and bequeath to my son Jabez Camden one negro man named Nelson and one hundred dollars cash to him and his heirs forever.

Item the fourth. I give and bequeath to my grandson Jordan P. Camden the tract of land known by the name of the old cove to him and his heirs forever.

Item the fifth. I give and bequeath to my son Micajah Camden two negro slaves this is Gilbert and Caleb to him and his heirs forever.

Item the sixth. I give and bequeath to my son Leroy Camden two negro slaves to wit Isado and Sophie to him and his heirs forever.

Item the seventh. I lend to my wife Sybell Camden one negro woman named Milly during her life, with the desk, two feather beds and furniture, one folding table, the cubbord, one sorrel mare, one cow and calf and twelve Winsor chairs. I also give her two hundred dollars annually and the property lent her except Milly which I _________ her to Leroy Camden at her death and the balance to be equally divided amongst my nine living children.

Item the eighth. I give and bequest to my granddaughter nancy D. Goodwin one negro girl named Susanna to her and her heirs forever.

Item the ninth. My will and desire is that Rose and her children be sold and the money arising from said sale of Negroes to be equally divided amongst my five daughters, this is Nancy Whitehead, Pency Whitehead, Sally Lee Dent, Esther Goodwin and Susan H. Duncan, to them and their heirs forever.


My will and desire is to have my household furniture that is not lent to my wife and my stock and cows of al kind to be sold and the money divided amongst my nine living children.

I give and bequeath to my son Leroy Camden all that tract of land whereon I now live upon his paying his sisters five hundred pounds, that is Nancy Whitehead one hundred pounds, Pency Whitehead one hundred pounds, Sally Lee Dent one hundred pounds, and Susan H. Duncan one hundred pounds to be paid in five annual payments.

I give and bequeath to Peter J______ Camden and Polly Ware Camden that tract of land known by the name of poplar cove, it being the tract of land intended for their father, to be them and their heirs forever.

It's my will and desire that my Greenway estate with all its appendages thereto belonging, be rented out by my executors until my grandson Jno. Bell Camden attains the age of twenty one years at which time the said estate is to be equally divided between Nancy T. Camden, John B. Camden and Marbelle Camden, except the rent that shall arise from the same until that time. It is my will and desire that my executor pay out of the rent of my Greenway estate the following sums, to wit -- First two hundred dollars to my wife annually so long as she lives, also to Peter Camden three hundred and fifth dollars, also my grandson John whitehead, also Floyed Lee Whitehead one hundred dollars, also James Whitehead son of Richard Whitehead one hundred dollars, to them and their heirs forever.

I also lend to my daughter-in-law Sally T. Camden, the widow of Marble Camden, three negro slaves, this is Daniel, Rose and Bob, to maintain her and her children until John B______ Camden, her son, attains the age of twenty one years and then to be equally divided between Nancy T. Camden, John B. Camden and Marbell Camden as before mentioned.

I constitute and appoint Micajah Camden, Leroy Camden and John Whitehead my executors to this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 14th day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirteen.

William Camden {Seal}
Witness:
Robert L. Cobbs
Lucy Camden
Sally Duncan

At a Court held for Amherst County the 21st day of June 1813, the last will and testament of Wm. Camden, Deceased, was this day produced into Court and proven by the oath of Robert L. Cobbs and Sally Duncan, two of the subscribing witnesses to said will and the same is ordered to be recorded. And Micajah Camden and Leroy Camden, two of the Executors named in said will personally came into Court and qualified as Exors to said will and entered into several and distinct bonds, the said Micajah Camden with James Garland and Jno. Camden, his securities, in the penalty of $10,000 conditioned as the law directs, the said Leroy Camden with Wm. Duncan, Jabez Camden and Wm. _____met, his subscribers, in the penalty of $10,000 conditioned as the law directs, testificate is granted them for obtaining thereof in due form. Liberty is issued the other Executor to obtain a probate whenever he may think it proper.

 

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PARENTS AND SIBLINGS
OF MARBLE McPATRICK PETER HENRY CAMDEN

The following information was obtained from the Ancestry.com Camden Family Forum Web-site and had been Contributed by Rick Camden (3/16/01).

Rick was responding to the following query from another Forum member.

"In March 1827 Benjamin Camden Sr. was in jail in Rockbridge County, VA. He had been jailed for debts and all property turned over to the Sheriff for sale to pay debts.
     In June 1827 Benjamin Camden Jr. to Benjamin Camden Sr. a deed of trust against horses to secure debts.
     I believe Benjamin Camden Sr. is the husband of Elizabeth Wright; and Benjamin Camden Jr. the husband of Rachel Biddlecomb. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks,

Sylvia"

Sylvia, here is a little of what I have on Benjamin, Sr. from lots of sources. No guarantees here. I am looking for my gggrandfather Greenville Camden, b 1827 in Rockbridge Co., VA

As Rick says, "No guarantees here."
Marble's sister, Cynthia, was not listed. Webmaster has added her name in red below.

1 Benjamin Camden (3), b. 1750, m. Elizabeth Wright. Their Children:

  1. Bartley W. Camden, b. at Rockbridge, VA, m. Sallie Jones, 6 April 1825, d. ca. 1860
  2. David H. Camden, m. Mary Ann Watts
  3. Elizabeth Camden, m. Hyram (Hiram) Bryan (Byass or Bias), 9 October 1806 at Rockbridge, VA
  4. Jesse Camden, m. Jane Jones, 5 November 1813
  5. John W. Camden, m. Frances Phillips, 19 March 1796 at Amherst, VA, d. ca. 1847 at Coffey County, TN
  6. Leonard Camden
  7. Nancy Camden (3), m. Franklin Walker
  8. Washington Camden, b. 15 October 1772, m. Nancy Duncan, 4 November 1807, d. 12 May 1851
  9. Benjamin_B. Camden, b. 1790 at VA, m. Rachel Biddlecomb, 29 November 1806, div. ca. 1856, m. Frances Elizabeth Tubbs, ca. 1856 at Missouri, d. 1873 at Dent County, MO
  10. Leroy A. Camden, b. 29 April 1793 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Alethia (Odelia) Payne, d. 20 July 1878 at Lawrence County, MO
  11. William F. Camden, b. ca. 1794 at VA, m. Mary A. Walker, bef. 1830 at Rockbridge County, VA
  12. Polina Camden, b. ca. 1800, m. Richard Glass, 23 January 1817 at Rockbridge County, VA
  13. Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden, b. ca. 1802 at Richmond, VA, d. at West Plains, MO
  14. Cynthia Camden, b. Virginia; m. Mock Grace; two children, Mary and Martha (lived in Missouri).

Here's the list from another source (http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/o/w/MICHAEL--BOWEN/GENE4-0001.html). Though the order is a little different, and two more children listed. Still no Cynthia (the entry in red added by transcriber). 

BENJAMIN4 CAMDEN (JOHN3, JOHN2, THOMAS CAMBDEN1) was born Abt. 1750 in Maryland, and died Abt. 1820 in Virginia. He married ELIZABETH WRIGHT, daughter of BENJAMIN WRIGHT and ELIZABETH (UNKNOWN).

Children of BENJAMIN CAMDEN and ELIZABETH WRIGHT are:

i.     ELIZABETH5 CAMDEN, m. HYRAM BYERS, 1806, Rockbridge County, Virginia.
ii.   
POLINA CAMDEN, m. RICHARD GLASS, 1817, Rockbridge County, Virginia.
iii.   WASHINGTON CAMDEN, b. October 15, 1772; d. May 12, 1851.
iv.  
BENJAMIN_B. CAMDEN, b. 1790, Amherst County, Virginia; d. 1873, Salem, Dent County, Missouri.
v.    LEROY A. CAMDEN, b. April 29, 1799, Virginia; d. July 20, 1878, Missouri.
vi.   BARTLEY W. CAMDEN.
vii.  JOHN W. CAMDEN, d. September 25, 1808, Amherst County, Virginia.
viii. JESSE CAMDEN.
ix.   WILLIAM F. CAMDEN, b. Abt. 1794, Virginia.
x.    DAVID H. CAMDEN.
xi.   LEONARD CAMDEN.
xii.  ELIZABETH CAMDEN, m. WASHINGTON CHILDRESS.
xiii. NANCY CAMDEN, m. FRANKLIN WALKER.
xiv. BETSY CAMDEN, m. THOMAS SMITH.
xv.  MARBLE MCPATRICK PETER CAMDEN, b. 1802, Richmond, Virginia; d. West Plains, Howell County, Missouri.
xvi. Cynthia Camden, b. Virginia; m. Mock Grace; two children, Mary and Martha (lived in Missouri).

 

BUT! Maybe Marble, Elizabeth, Polina, and Leroy (not to mention Cynthia), don't belong here. The Leroy listed above may be the son of Benjamin's brother, William, whose Last Will and Testimony (mentioning his son Leroy), is featured above. It seems we are getting entangled in more "puzzlements" as time goes by. Sooner or later, somebody will make the breakthroughs required to get everything straight.

Linda Camden Goodwin says she suspects that Marble's father was John W. Camden listed as a brother above. In the "Extensions For Benjamin and Elizabeth's children" below, John W. had sons named John L. and Marble J., as well as a daughter named Cynthia (spelled "Synthia"). This would pair up the three "known" names of Marble's family. In their text, Leona Turner and Luetta Camden said  "The only other relative of his family we have heard of is brother John, who was killed in Tenn., also a sister Cynthia..." Linda says:

"There are several of the 'children' listed as Benjamin's that are actually sons and daughters of some of his sons, making them his grandchildren. One of them is Elizabeth who is actually Bartley's daughter, I contacted some people researching her and they have her marriage document that says Bartley was her father. Several years ago, a lot of researchers were using information from World Family Tree CD's made by Family Tree maker and accepted the information as gospel when it was badly flawed. The Bowen Family Tree is a prime example of the flaws, but it is still a fairly good general guide...
     "What would really help is some DNA testing on our line, but the cost is pretty steep, I think almost $200 for a good one. One of Washington's descendants has had one done, so there would be a for sure descendant of Benjamin to compare ours with. It is Polina, married to Richard Glass, who is for sure Bartley's daughter.
     "According to what I saw in the census, I tend to believe that Marble's birth year is either 1805 or 1808, they had his age as 52 in the 1860 census and 65 in the 1870 census, take your pick.
I have seen David, Jesse, and Leroy listed as John W's children, but with them naming their kids the same names generation after generation, it is hard to keep them all straight, I know I think there are too many Marbles (Marbels, Marbells, Marvels) rolling around loose. 
Linda" (October 2007)

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EXTENSIONS FOR BENJAMIN AND ELIZABETH'S CHILDREN
(Marble's Parents)

(NOTE: Some hypothetical questions are added in red, due to questions raised and new information found that may finally prove that Benjamin and Elizabeth are actually Marble's grandparents)

1. Bartley W. Camden, b. at Rockbridge, VA, m. Sallie Jones, 7 April 1825, d. ca. 1860

          1 Betsy Camden (2), b. aft. 1825, m. Thomas T. Smith, 6 October 1856 at Rockbridge, VA

          2 Elizabeth Camden (7), b. aft. 1825, m. Washington Childress, 1 February 1849 at Rockbridge, VA

          3 Lane Camden, b. aft. 1825 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Polly (2), m. Mary (4), d. 28 July 1854 at Rockbridge, VA

              1 William Camden (4), b. 1840 at Rockbridge, VA, d. May 1862 at Rockbridge, VA ...

              2 Joseph NMI Camden, b. 1857 at Rockbridge, VA, d. 6 August 1861 at Rockbridge, VA ...

          4 Polly Camden, b. aft. 1825

          5 William Camden, b. aft. 1825 at Rockbridge, VA

          6 Jane Camden (5), b. 2 August 1826, m. Newell Saint Andrew, 21 May 1857 at Henry County, VA, d. 12 May 1859 at
            Rockbridge, VA

          7 James Bailey Camden, b. 16 April 1845, m. Mary Martha Bunch, 25 July 1866, d. 14 March 1903

              1 Mamelia Lee Camden

          8 Mary G. Camden, b. ca. 1848, m. Isaiah E. S. Montgomery, 9 May 1867

2. David H. Camden, m. Mary Ann Watts

          1 Amelia Camden

          2 Elizabeth Camden (4)

          3 James William Camden

          4 John N. Camden

          5 Lucy Camden

          6 Virginia Florence Camden

          7 Susan A. Camden, b. 1825 at Amherst, VA

          8 Amanda Jane Camden, b. ca. 1854 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Lewellin Coleman, 30 December 1874

          9 Mary Camden (3), b. ca. 1857

         10 Martha Jane Camden, b. ca. 1861 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Joseph Lilly, ca. 1884 at Rockbridge, VA

3. Elizabeth Camden, m. Hyrom Bryan, 9 October 1806 at Rockbridge, VA

4. Jesse Camden,
m. Jane Jones, 5 November 1813


          1 David Camden, d. aft. 1855

          2 John Camden (3), b. ca. May 1827 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Sarah Barger, d. 27 February 1855 at Rockbridge, VA

              1 Elizabeth R. Camden (2)

          3 Zechariah Camden, b. 1828 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Mary J. Barger, 18 September 1851 at Rockbridge, VA,
            m. Angeline Barger, 1857 at Rockbridge, VA

              1 Hannah Camden, b. 1852

              2 Dorman Camden, b. 1857, m. Georgiana ...

              3 Adaline Camden, b. 1861

              4 Hiram H. Camden, b. ca. 1868, m. Minnie I ...

5. John W. Camden, m. Frances Phillips, 19 March 1796 at Amherst, VA, d. ca. 1847 at Coffey County, TN (Could this actually be Marble M. H. P. Camden's father? The dates don't jive, but other things haven't jelled well either.)

          1 Charles Camden (3)

          2 Jesse W (Wyatt?) Camden

          3 John L. Camden (Could this actually be Marble M. P. H. Camden's brother who was "killed in Tennessee"?)

          4 Leroy S. Camden (2)

          5 Marbel J. Camden (Could this actually be Marble M. H. P. Camden
listed as 13 below?)

          6 Mary Camden (7), m. John Thompson

          7 Susan W. Camden, m. Joseph B. Boyd

          8 Synthia W. Camden, m. Unknown McQueen (Could this be the "Cynthia" hypothetically listed as 14 below)

              1 John Francis McQueen

              2 Mary Jane McQueen

              3 Susan W. McQueen

6. Leonard Camden

7. Nancy Camden (3), m. Franklin Walker

8. Washington Camden,
b. 15 October 1772, m. Nancy Duncan, 4 November 1807, d. 12 May 1851

9. Benjamin B. Camden,
b. 1790 at VA, m. Rachel Biddlecomb, 29 November 1806, div. ca. 1856, m. Frances Elizabeth Tubbs, ca. 1856 at Missouri, d. 1873 at Dent County, MO


          1 Wyatt Camden (2), b. ca. 1815 at VA, m. Mary Emeline

          2 Margaret Camden, b. ca. 1821 at Tennessee, m. William J. Messer at Tennessee

          3 William Preston Camden, b. 1822 at Kentucky, m. Rhoda Collins, 9 August 1846, d. 1 January 1885 at Missouri.
                x. James Camden, married (1) Mary "Polly" Mead, (2) Amanda Goforth, (3) Polly Hall
                      x. Francis Lee Camden, married Martha Ann Foster
                            x. Eugene Camden, married Rosemarie "Rose" Haukap (author of Camden Genealogy [Missouri]).
                                   x. Christine A. Camden (Living, 2005, in Kansas, who has submitted this information)
                                       (Christine would like to hear from other Family of Camden relatives. Email: ladyc5777@yahoo.com
                                       Christina's web site: http://benjamincamden.tribalpages.com (password: amanda)


          4 Sarah Camden (3), b. 25 October 1823 at Tennessee

          5 Benjamin Harrison Camden, b. ca. 1832 at Tennessee

          6 James Kinsey Polk Camden, b. ca. 1858

          7 Fred Otis Peter Camden, b. ca. 1861 at Missouri

          8 Sarah Jane Camden, b. ca. 1864 at Missouri

          9 Maryline Camden, b. ca. June 1867 at Missouri

         10 Elizabeth J. Camden, b. 14 May 1869 at Missouri

10. Leroy A. Camden, b. 29 April 1793 at Rockbridge, VA, m. Alethia (Odelia) Payne, d. 20 July 1878 at Lawrence County, MO (Leroy may not belong here. This may be the son of William Camden, Benjamin's bother -- whose Last Will and Testament is featured above.)

          1 Harriet E. Camden

          2 James N. Camden

          3 Jesse Wright Camden

          4 Leroy B. Camden, m. Derinda Bennett

          5 Martha H. Camden

          6 Mary Ann Camden (2)

          7 Mason Jackson Camden

          8 Mildred Frances Camden

          9 Susan Boyd Camden

11. William F. Camden, b. ca. 1794 at VA, m. Mary A. Walker, bef. 1830 at Rockbridge, VA

          1 Lewis Camden, b. ca. 1830 at Kentucky

          2 Lucy Camden (3), b. ca. 1837 at Kentucky

12. Polina Camden, b. ca. 1800, m. Richard Glass, 23 January 1817 at Rockbridge, VA (The following information on Polina's branch contributed by Jeanne Ann Allison jaaking@home.com)
(According to Linda Goodwin: "It is Polina, married to Richard Glass, who is for sure Bartley's daughter." Bartley is number 1 on this list.) (Also see entry below submitted by
Jackie Croslin-Flak)

1 Martha "Patsy" Glass married James "Richard" GRAHAM in 1836 in Coffee County, Tennessee.
   They had the following children:

1 AMANDA GRAHAM Born 4-17-1845 married David Oliver Brown on November 16, 1863 in Coffee County, Tennessee. NOTE: David was in the Civil War.
They had the following children:

1 January 2012 Addition, submitted by Elaine Nall Bay

(Amanda Graham & David Oliver Brown)  Both are buried in Collinsville Cemetery, Grayson County, Texas.

My grandmother was their youngest child - Jessie Dee Brown. m. General Robertson Pilcher (1882, Winston Co, MS - 1948) on 11 July 1900 in Grayson Co., TX

b 19 Dec 1883 Ellis Co. TX
d 21 Aug 1965 Gainesville, Cooke Co., TX

buried Collinsville Cem, Collinsville, Grayson Co. TX

My grandparents had 10 children, with all living to adulthood.  My mother, Jessie Darlene Nall, was the youngest of the 10.

You can check out the family on ancestry.com - Pilcher Family Tree

Elaine Nall Bay

1 Martha "Paralee" Brown Born 4-13-1866 Born in Chattanoga, Tennessee Died  March 11, 1940 in Dallas, Texas. MARTHA  married Jefferson Davis Gilmore in 1883 and had the following children:


 1 Rollie Gilmore 1885 (Died at 13 of an accidental gun shot)
 2 William F. Gilmore 1886
 3 Burl B Gilmore 1889 (Married and had one son and one daughter)
 4 Otis O Gilmore 1890 (Died at the age of three from an accident)
 5 Emil Rodgers 1892 (Married and had 6 sons)
 6 R. E. Gilmore 1894 (Married Lucille Price and had one son and one daughter)
 7 Naomi J. Gilmore 1896 (Crib death)
 8 Beaverly Gilmore 1898 (Crib Death)
 9 Lillian Belle Gilmore 1899 (Married and had one son, Jack Hamilton)
10 Addie May Gilmore 1901-1932
11 ESSIE LEE GILMORE Born in Scurry County, Texas 7-1-1903 Died 5-25-1999 in Dallas County, Texas
Essie married Uel Lawrence Livingston on June 10, 1922 in Sherman, Texas. They had children:

1 Betty Jean Livingston born 6-20-1927 in Whitesboro, Texas (Living) married: Lt. Joseph R. Allison, Jr. November 14, 1947. He had served in WWII in Germany. Then, he served in Korea where he was killed in action on 10-6-1951.

Daughter: Jeanne Ann Allison jaaking@home.com 10-13-1948 Beaumont, Texas (Living--Twin sons and two daughters)

2 Wanda Jo Livingston born 11-8-1931 Died of cancer 6-8-1931. Married James Maurice Pollan. Sons: Mike, David, Rick.

12 Jessie Gilmore 1906 (Married Clifforn Teague and had one son, Pat Teague)

NOTE: They were farmers. Cowboy star Gene Autry and his family had the next closest farm.
Essie was my grandmother and she outlived her brothers and sister and one of her own daughters. She was a strong and spiritual woman. She was a Reader in the Christian Scientist Church and a Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star.

2 Fannie Tennessee Brown Born in Tennessee Died in Electra, Texas
3 Julia Ann Brown Born in Giles County, Tennessee Died in Collinsville, Texas
W. J. "Johnny" Brown
4 Jessie Dee Brown Born in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas Died in Collinsville, Texas (see note above, submitted by Elaine Nall Bay)
5 William Seymour Brown

2 Mary E Graham
3 William Robert Graham
4 Lucinda Graham
5 James Calhoun Graham
6 Charles M. Graham
7 Richard B Graham
8 John Holland Graham
9 Josephine Graham

2 Betsy Glass

3 Nancy Glass

4 William Glass

5 Francis Glass

13. Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden, b. ca. 1802 at Richmond, VA, d. at West Plains, MO (May not belong here. Who's going to straighten this out?)

14. Cynthia Camden, b. Virginia (or Tennessee?), m. Mock Groce (or Grose). (Lived in West Plains, Missouri). Children Mary and Martha. No confirmation on Cynthia. She was added by the webmaster, based on Leona Turner's information (see addition below).


October 2007 Update

The Quest for Marble Camden's elusive sister, "Cynthia"
(Submitted by Linda Goodwin)

I just found out the following while searching the web, I have not done any of my own research except for finding Pleasant and Synthis Groce (Grose) in the Howell County (MO) census, the children Mary and Martha added up, but any other information I have found had her maiden name as Green.

# ID: I972
# Name: Synthis Camden Green
# Surname: Green
# Given Name: Synthis Camden
# Sex: F
# _UID: D87FBC653443CC4293361DAA32FD6ADC0276
# Note: widow of Thomas J. Green
# Change Date: 28 Feb 2002 at 20:48:00

Marriage 1 Pleasant Groce b: May 1818 in Kentucky

* Married: in In Illinois

Children

1. Mary J. Groce b: 18 Jan 1870 (Has No Children)
2. Martha Williene Groce b: 18 Jan 1870 (Has No Children)

     I am still trying to find more of her puzzle pieces, I am guessing that the state of Illinois could not clearly read the writing on her marriage document is why it said Synthis. On one of MacDowell's marriages they had his last name as Camblin, the only reason I was sure it was him is because the wife's name was Mary Parks and the date was right.
      I had guessed that she was Pleasant's wife before, but could never explain why her surname had come up as Green. So I already had some census info on them from 1880, where the name was spelled Grose by the census taker. They spelled her name as Cintha and she was 52, which would make the year of birth about 1828, causing another puzzle. That is much younger than we figure that Marble is. I am guessing too young to be a child of Benjamin Camden and Elizabeth Wright, unless Benjamin had a second marriage to a much younger wife. Also Pleasant was from Kentucky where all of his children from the first marriage except the youngest were born, the youngest was born in Illinois. The twins with Cynthia, Mary and Martha were born in Illinois, I am guessing Williamson County. Cintha was listed as being born in Tennessee, wow, she would be about the age of a daughter, I wonder if she was a niece? I can't find them in the 1870 Census, they should have been in Illinois. I would also like to get her marriage record to see if it names her parents.
I still have not found Thomas J Green, I am guessing that he may have been a Civil War casualty. And I can't figure out why her last name was listed as Martin in the her marriage to Pleasant, perhaps another marriage? This what what I found in the marriage database.

GROSS, PLEASANT MARTIN, CYNTHIA 10/04/1868 B /327 WILLIAMSON 

On a message board someone wrote that one of Pleasant's son's from His first marriage married a daughter from Cynthia's marriage to Green.
    My guess about why only the twins were mentioned is that both Leona and Luetta were born in 1886, and only knew what older people had told them about the past when they were children. Some things may have been forgotten, there are also times when it seems to be assumed that the reader of the genealogy already knows the people being written about. It is possible that Leona and Luetta may have met the Groce twins.
I would not say at this point that I am absolutely sure that Cynthia is his sister, I am sure that she is closely related and this is the Cynthia Groce he was visiting when he died. Pleasant Groce and his offspring are the only Groce's in Howell County... (I was) told me that one of Pleasant's son's name was Willis "Modecia" Green and that his nickname was Mock, it could be how that name got into the picture...
     Both Pleasant and Cynthia's oldest children would have been grown or nearly grown by the time the parents were married. I am going to see what I can find out about that too... Linda

More info from Linda...

SOURCE: "Plats, First Land Owners, Howell County, Missouri" by SCMGS.

Plats showing the first settles of the lands of Howell County. U. S. Land Office, Ironton, Missouri, 24 July 1905. Groce Names: Page 18 of the book

Pleasant Groce, land located in Township 25, Range 7, SE 1/4, Section 34
F.C. 3984, 13 October 1890

Willis M. Groce, land located in Township 25, Range 7, SE1/4, Section 34
F.C. 3985, 13 October 1890

(Note: Willis Modecia Green, whose nickname was 'Mock', married Sarah Margaret 'Mollie' Green 4 May1871 in Williamson County.)

"Mock" and Cynthia Groce in the 1880 Census for Howell County. It was under the "Grose" spelling.

Grose, Pleasant, w, m, age 62, married, Farmer, cannot write, born KY; father and mother birthplaces not given.

Grose, Cintha, w, f, age 52, wife, married, Keeping house, cannot write, born TN, VA, VA

  1. Grose, Heeber, w, m, age 23, son, single, at home, born KY, KY, TN
  2. Grose, Vie, w, f, age 21, daughter, single, at home, born KY, KY, TN
  3. Grose, John, w, m, age 14, son, single, at home, can read and write, born ILL, KY, TN
  4. Grose, Martha, w, f, age 10, daughter, single, at home, can read and write, born ILL, KY, TN
  5. Grose, Mary, w, f, age 10, daughter, single, at home, can read and write, born ILL, KY, TN
  6. Lee, James, w, m, age 14, Servant, farm laborer, can read and write, born ILL, KY, KY

Sarah M was Sarah Margaret nicknamed Mollie, I have been finding a lot of the Green and Groce children in 1900 and later censuses in mostly Howell County and nearby Oregon County. Alton in Oregon County is where at least part of the Green children were born. The censuses say that the father, Thomas J Green was from Ireland.
     In the 1910 census, Pleasant was dead and Cynthia was living with the twin, Mary, and her family in Sisson, Township Howell County. Mary had married August 'Gus' Roche. Cynthia had put her birth date as April 1828. 
Linda 

It is possible that the Cynthia that was married to McQueen might belong to another branch of the Camdens. (Thus) This is all completely theoretical, but being theoretical is what got me past several brick walls. I am absolutely sure the children's last name was Green. There were several of the Green grown-up children living near the Groce's in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses in Howell County. By the way Willis 'Mock' Groce that married Sarah Margaret 'Mollie' Green was a horse doctor according to the census.
     The Illinois Marriage Index says Cynthia's last name was Martin when she married Pleasant, Betty has a Williamson County marriage book that confirms the same thing.


Webmaster's comments: The name and children seem to confirm that this is Marble's mysterious and allusive "sister" mentioned in Leona Turner's text, though there is no confirmation that Cynthia was, indeed, his sister. As Linda Goodman says, the varied spellings of the name is probably the result of misspellings, misunderstandings, or the poor penmanship of the various census takers and recorders.

 "...The only other relative of his family we have heard of is brother John, who was killed in Tenn., also a sister Cynthia, Mrs. Mock Groce of West Plains, Mo., She has daughters Mary and Martha Grace." (from Leona Turner's text)

      Linda and Roanna Camden Cann have found that there was a Cynthia Green living next door to Marble Camden and family near New Burnside, IL, as shown on the 1860 census. She was 32 years old at that time, making her birth year 1828 (as Linda found above), and she was listed as being born in Tennessee. This age corresponds with the age of "Cintha Grose" in the 1880 census as well. The following children were listed in her household:

Nancy I., 10 years old
Thomas, 11 years old
Sarah M., 9 years old
Charles, 2 years old.

All of these children are listed as born in Missouri. If this Cynthia is one and the same with "Synthis" above (and the age is incorrect in the 1860 census), these must have been her children by Thomas J. Green. She and Pleasant Grose must have moved to Missouri, then back to Illinois, and Missouri again, making for a great deal of confusion.

The Missouri clans confuse us (or at least me), considerably. Marble's brother (or was he a cousin?), Benjamin B. Camden, went to Missouri when the Camden families left Tennessee. The Benjamin B. clan was very fruitful and multiplied. They multiplied into a whole raft of closely related Camden's who populated that state as well as neighboring Arkansas.
     Strangely, Leona Turner seemed largely unaware of this large contingent of Missouri uncles and cousins, and, with the exception of Cynthia of West Plains (Howell County), mentions no Camden relatives in Missouri.
     Benjamin B. Camden's family was well chronicled by the late Eugene Camden, of Winchester (Now Ballwin), Missouri, in his book, the "Camden Family, Benjamin B. Camden & Forefathers & Descendants, Includes other Camdens from Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland plus others."
     Eugene's book covers a lot of territory and provides a lot of information, but the organization of the work leaves a lot to be desired. It mentions Marble Camden's family leaving Tennessee with Benjamin's family, and stopping in Illinois, while Benjamin continued to Missouri. But there is no information about Marble's family. On the other hand, the work has a lot of Camden information in what must be considered the "loose ends" category. But while there are some Cynthias in Benjamin B.'s line, there is no mention of a sister named Cynthia.
     Eugene's text is sometimes a little difficult to follow. For example, his mention of the Camden move from Tennessee, and only mention of "our" Marble Camden, goes:

"Between 1845 & 1850 Benjamin B. Camden with two of John W. Camden sons, John S., & Leroy S. Camden, William Camden, Marble Camden, Robert Messer and William Messer left Tennessee coming north. Marble and family stopped in southern Illinois..."

     Presumably John S. and Leroy S. Camden are John W. Camden's sons, but William and Marble's relationship to Benjamin is not made clear. We assume they were his brothers, but "we" may be wrong. There is no further mention of the Illinois branch of the family. 
     An interesting mention of "Cynthia" appears somewhere along this family line. But, Eugene says, "I put this information in the Elsie Count file. I don't know what the relationship (is). I received a letter from Edith (or Elsie A. Camden) Count some years ago."

"Edith Counts' Ancestors chart lists, Brothers were Benjamin, Wyatt, William & John... Sisters were Cynthia who Married a Green...(and) Magdlene" (Magdlene remained in Virginia)

Cynthia who married a Green then, doesn't seem to be Marble's sister (unless Marble's father was actually the erstwhile brother, John W. Camden – but in that case there are other problems or omissions). But this Cynthia Green (previously married to a Martin), may be the Cynthia who lived next door to Marble in 1860 in Illinois, and who later married Pleasant Groce and moved to Missouri, where Marble went to visit (and died).
     Other mentions of the name in Eugene's book are Cynthia S. Camden (no info.), and Cynthia A. Camden (b. 1863 in Missouri – parents from Tennessee) come into the genealogy. Thus the name Cynthia was fairly common to the Missouri Camdens, and much less so with in the Illinois branch of the family.

It appears we'll continue scratching our heads over Cynthia – and other things – for some time to come. At this point, we have a Cynthia Camden who married, a Martin, Green, and Groce and had children by all three husbands, and brothers and sisters who, except for John, do not correspond with her brother Marble's brothers and sisters. And we're now scratching our heads a little over Marble and Cynthia's parentage as well. WRC 

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OTHER CONNECTIONS

THOMAS CAMDEN

Submitted by Danone Louise Camden Simpson

We received this message on the 15th of March, 2011

My name is Danone Louise Camden Simpson born 6/20/1955 in
wichita, Kansas.  My brother is Fred Camden III born on 9/21/1957 in Wichita, Kansas.  He has one son Jonathon Fred Camden born on 6/12/1997 in Dallas, Texas.  Our father is Fred Camden Jr. born on 1/8/1925, born in Missouri  His oldest sister is Helen Camden 10/22/1920 born in Poper Bluff (possibly the city) Missouri. Helen Louise Camden was married to Fletcher Mayo Hamilton.  Aunt Evelyn (Babe) was born on 12/31/1928, Marilyn Fern was born on 10/24/1930.  She and Evelyn (Babe)) were born in Wilmot, Arkansas.  Aunt Babe Had five children: Sandy, Jimmy, Rita, twins, Sharon and Karen.  Their father was Fred Camden Sr, born on 1/27/1890.  His wife was Zelma Fern Tilbury born on 8/13/1899.  Fred Camden Sr had three brothers: Roy, William and Eilli Camden. Zelma Tilbury was a twin to Zetta.  She also had twin brothers Floyd and Lloyd and two other brothers Henry and Denny Tilbury.  Fred Camden Sr.`s father was George Washington Camden, born on 8/20/1855 in Missouri.  His mother was named Mollie Shifflett born in Missouri.  We are unsure of her age.  George Washington Camden brothers and sisters were: Thomas, Ann Marie, Mary, Joseph, Benjamin, (per the census we have) and Charles (nickname Chas possibly).  His father was Thomas Camden and his Mother was America. America was born in Kentucky we do not know her maiden name. Thomas Camden we believe was born in England.

Blessings,

Danone Camden Simpson

On April 3 and 11, 1992, I heard from Mrs. Hazel M. White, Family Historian, of 1100 N. Noland Rd. Apt. F, Independence, Missouri, 64050. She wrote:

"...Because of the name Marble (Marbel), we feel that your family fits into ours. William Camden (1740- ca 1813) had a son Marbell who died in VA. His son Marbell went to St. Louis. You see the connection...."

"...I feel your Marble is grandson of William and Sybil (Dent) Camden. Now, this William is the one that we three have had a hard time tying into the others. If Mrs. Turner is right about his coming from England, it would shed some light. My own particular Camdens were here in the 1600s.

"...There are some Camdens in Arkansas who are grandchildren of George W. Camden and great grandchildren of William (C. acc/to them) Camden. George had a brother John (as Mrs. Turner's George had). Their grandfather (George, I mean) talked of a Ben Camden.

"Mrs. Turner's William married three times. Great grandfather William of the Arkansas bunch married "three or four times". Mrs. Turner said William married third to Martha ___? . This could be Martha Threet who married the Arkansas Camden's William. The Threets were, as you know, in your area of IL. George also married a Threet, niece of Martha.

"I have traced William on the censuses as far as possible (difficult because his families keep changing). These indicate that he was born ca 1830. I found George (the AR George) in Boone County, AR, 1900. He was born in Illinois, his father in Tennessee and his mother in Illinois.

"Even though George was born 1862, I've not been able to find him as a child in IL, MO or AR.

"...Marble may have had a brother Leroy who moved to Lawrence County, MO. Died there; wife and children to AR.

"...Leroy named a son Marbel (marriage record) /Gerald (family history)/ Mason (on one census)."

Webmaster's note: As shown above, this connection has been confirmed in that the William Camden (1740-1813), has been shown to be the brother of Benjamin Camden, Sr., "our" Marble's father (or grandfather [???]).

 

NATIVE AMERICAN CAMDENS

In February of 2001 we received the following email from Joan (Stutsman?)

"... My mystery is a Polina Camden. She was the sister of Marble. She married a Richard Glass in Rockbridge, Va Jan. 23, 1817. The mystery is a young girl who was about four years old when they married. Her name was Martha (Patsy). She had Cherokee blood and I am not sure if she was the daughter of Polina or of Richard or someone else. Polina's parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth Wright Camden... If you have information about Polina would you let me know?

Thanks, Joan" JMstutsman@aol.com


In June of 2001 we received the following email from Jeanne King who is a descendent of Polina's branch of the family, and who provided her family information above:

"...There has been some discussion among my cousins about this. There is a good possibility that Polina and her husband "inherited" three little girls instead of the girls being theirs. The girls are on the Census with Polina and her husband. There are some that say the children belong to Polina's husband's brother and his wife, who were killed in the Trail of Tears. The girls are 1/2 Cherokee Indian. After seeing your tree and passing it on, there are no Cherokee in Camden's line, so it is more probably her nieces that they raised. The girls were very young when their parents died. So, they aren't really Camden's, just raised by Camden/Glass. In all of our charts on family tree, we use Camden and Glass because that is A. all we know for sure B. They raised them. In records to the Indian Affairs Board to prove what percentage of Cherokee the girls have, they named Polina as their mother and Camden as her last name, HOWEVER, it is also stated that their Indian name was CAMBERLEN. Is there anyone else that you know of that knows more about Polina Camden? In later census, she and her husband live alone with one daughter,  Francis (I think) who was older and listed as "idiotic" – The other girls were off and married by that time. There is another web site that goes into in detail about the relationship with Camden family. Going from 6 different people, doing independent research, we all keep ending up there. Indian records are scarce and hard to get, with more accurate records that explain the exact parentage of the three little girls. We have copies of letters about Polina and Bible entries and census that tie them all together, but a little link may still be still missing.

Jeannie King jaaking@home.com, June 03, 2001 10:34 AM


On July 11, 2009, we heard from Jackie Croslin-Flake. Jackie tells us:

I was reading on your website regarding Polina Camden (Camlin according to Richard Glass’ war pension and death benefit records and statements from her children) and the relationship to Martha Glass (Who is my GGGGrandmother). It is my understanding via family “stories” that Martha’s father was Richard Glass’ brother. Her parents were killed floating on a cataract that capsized on the Shenandoah river, and her Uncle Richard and his wife Polina raised the three girls and one boy as their own, they were Jackson, Nancy, Martha and Betsy. The family was part of the Cherokee relocation “trail of tears” of the tribe located in the Rock Bridge area of Georgia. I also read that the children were ½ blood Cherokee, and although this is possible as I have no proof to the contrary and conflicting comments from two of the children one says ½ blood the other say 1/4 blood, the photocopy of a painting I have of Martha Glass she leaned heavily towards the native American traits. She was born in Rockbridge Virginia in 1812 and died in 1901 in Collinsville Texas , she was buried at that Patton Cemetery.

She (Martha Glass) and James Graham had 11 children according to what I can find.

James
Lucinda “Cindy”
Dardley
Richard
John
Josephine
Mary
William
Martha
Amanda
Charles

NOTE: Dardley Graham it is my understanding that he used the nickname “Dee” and Charles and he might be one and the same person, but I have no proof of this only other people's guess.

When she (Martha) died in 1901 she was living with James C. Crosslin and Lucinda “Cindy” Graham, who are my GGGrandparents. From there I have some continued history on the Crosslin / Croslin line of the family. The name changed with James and Lucinda’s son Robert…he dropped an “s” out of the name as he felt it was too long. So one branch of cousins and their generations are Croslin and the rest are Crosslin. If you or anyone else is interested in any of my information or documentation please by all means email me.

Jackie Croslin-Flake jflake@npgcable.com

JAN. 2012 NOTE FROM ELAINE NALL BAY:

My grandmother, Jessie Dee Brown Pilcher used to tell us as kids about her 1/2 Cherokee grandmother (Martha "Patsy" Glass) going outside to sit under a tree to smoke a pipe.

I read on the website that Polina Camden who m Richard Glass is Bartley Camden's dau and Benjamin Sr's granddaughter.  And this has been proved by DNA testing?

I had always heard the story in my family that Martha "Patsy" Glass was raised by her aunt & uncle after her parents' were killed in a boating accident.  So my questions are:
Martha's surname is actually Camden? probably took her uncle's surname?

Polinda Camden, Martha's aunt, raised her and her siblings and was sister to Martha's father, Bartley?

Is it possible to have "We have copies of letters about Polina and Bible entries and census that tie them all together, but a little link may still be still missing."

Just trying to get this all straightened out and verified before I put in on the Pilcher Family Tree on ancestry.com.


In June of 2007, Roanna Erin Camden Cann told us she has made a viable connection between the famous "Native Virginian" Indian Princess Pocahontas and Marble Camden's mother Elizabeth Wright. Here's the lineage as she sees it so far:

  1. Pocahontas "Rebecca" (1595-1617) married John Rolfe who had one child...

  2. Thomas Rolfe, (1615-       ), married Jane Poythress. They had a daughter...

  3. Jane Rolfe (1650-1676), married Col. Robert Bolling. They had a son...

  4. Col. John Bolling (1675-1729), married Mary Kennon. They had a son...

  5. Maj. John Bolling (1700-1757), married Elizabeth Blair. They had a daughter...

  6. Elizabeth Bolling (1731-1776), married Benjamin Wright. They had a daughter...

  7. Elizabeth Wright (1766-      ), married Benjamin Camden, Sr.

  8. And from this union came Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden (or his parents)

See Roanna's web site at: http://bergerelmore.tribalpages.com (password needed to get into Roanna's site is "marble")


In March of 2008, Patti Voelker sent us the following email.

My grandmother's name was Goldia Camden Branstetter Elfering. Her mother was Anna Frances Camden born October 4, 1870. Anna died January 27, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA. Her parents were Mason Jackson Camden (also called Marble Jack) born January 18, 1841 and died March 18, 1884 in Stott City, Lawrence Co (Missouri, I presume). He was married to Eliza Elizabeth Scott.

I have Mason Jackson Camden's parents listed as Leroy Camden and Alethia or Odelia Payne, and Leroy's parents as Benjamen Camden and Elizabeth Wright. But it is really fuzzy and my facts don't fit with your information. I do know that Anna Frances Camden was 1/8 Cherokee, and I am pretty sure it is from the Camden side.

Do you have any information that can help me?

I appreciate any help you may have. Thank you.

Patricia Elfering Voelker (jer1patti1@hotmail.com

"...Leroy S. Camden, wife Odelia and family, appear on the Dawes Rolls as belonging to the Choctaw nation. This information can be found at Rootsweb within the Native American database. Interesting! Family legend always held that the Camden`s were Cherokee, but I could find only one Camden on the Cherokee final roster. This was an "A. B. Camden" without reference to full name or gender. - DJ Camden -- Leroy S. Camden Birth: Apr. 29, 1799 Death: Jul. 20, 1876 Note: Husband of Odelia Burial: Colley Cemetery Lawrence County Missouri, USA Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?] Record added: Oct 5 2007 By: Pat Sproat" (From Roanna Camden Cann's web site at: http://bergerelmore.tribalpages.com (password needed to get into Roanna's site is "marble")


An interesting Indian Ancestry Research Site: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/ 

 

GEORGE WASHINGTON CONNECTION?

Roanna Camden Cann tells us that Elizabeth Wright, whose ancestry appears to directly connect to Pocahontas, probably also connects, more indirectly, to George Washington, "Father of the nation." It goes like this:

3.  George Washington (1731-1799) [working backward]
2.  Augustine Washington (1694-1743), father
1.  Lawrence Washington (1659-1698), grandfather
2.  John Washington, (George's great grandfather), who had a daughter... [now going forward]
3.  Anne Washington, who had a son...
4.  Maj. John Wright (b. 1685), who had a daughter...
5.  Francis Wright (b. 1710), who had a son...
6.  Benjamin Wright (b. 1730), who had a daughter
7.  Elizabeth Wright (1766-     ), married Benjamin Camden, Sr.
8.  And from this union came Marble McPatrick Peter Henry Camden (maybe)...

As I understand it, the link between Anne Washington and Maj. John Wright has not yet been absolutely proven, but here's hoping Roanna's research will make that confirmation.

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Leona Turner speculated that the Camden name, and the family in America, were probably somehow connected to the English First Earl of Camden (whose actual name, however, was Charles Pratt), and/or the famous William Camden, namesake of the English Camden Society. No confirmed connections have at yet come to light in this respect – nor have any such connections been disproved. I have included the following as a matter of historical interest with regard to the Camden name.

FIRST EARL OF CAMDEN

Camden, Charles Pratt, 1st Earl,
VISCOUNT BAYHAM OF BAYHAM ABBEY, BARON CAMDEN OF CAMDEN PLACE

(baptized March 21, 1714, London, Eng.--d. April 18, 1794, London), English jurist who, as chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas (1761-66), refused to enforce general warrants (naming no particular person to be arrested). As lord chancellor of Great Britain (1766-70), he opposed the government's North American colonial policy of taxation without parliamentary representation.

Pratt (created Baron Camden in 1765 and Earl Camden in 1786) was a school friend and political ally of the statesman William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham. In 1763, as chief justice, he granted a writ of habeas corpus to the radical politician John Wilkes, who, in the periodical North Briton, had referred to a speech by King George III as a lie and had been arrested for sedition on a general warrant. In the cases of Wilkes v. Wood (1763) and Entick v. Carrington (1764-65), he firmly declared general warrants unlawful.

In his first speech in the House of Lords (1765), Camden attacked the Stamp Act, one of the colonists' grievances that led to the American Revolution. His continued opposition to the colonial taxation policy resulted in his dismissal as lord chancellor.

Encyclopaedia Britannica CD97. Copyright (c) 1996 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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William Camden

(b. May 2, 1551, London, Eng.--d. Nov. 9, 1623, Chislehurst, Kent), English antiquary, a pioneer of historical method, and author of Britannia, the first comprehensive topographical survey of England.

Educated at Christ's Hospital and St. Paul's School, Camden was admitted to Magdalen College, Oxford, but moved to Broadgates Hall (later Pembroke College) and then to Christ Church, becoming B.A. in 1573. In 1571 he had moved to London, and in 1575 he was appointed second master of Westminster School and in 1593 headmaster. In 1595 he published a Greek grammar. In 1589 Camden was granted the prebend of Ilfracombe and in 1597 was appointed Clarenceux king-of-arms. He was thereby relieved of a schoolmaster's chores and given more time for writing.

From the time he left Oxford, Camden devoted his leisure to antiquarian studies and spent his vacations traveling the country, collecting material for his Britannia (1586), a topographical survey of England in Latin. He planned to write a general history of England but published only a number of medieval chronicles and some of his commonplace collections (Remaines; 1605). In 1607 he began his Annales Rerum Anglicarum et Hibernicarum Regnante Elizabetha ("Annals of the Affairs of England and Ireland During the Reign of Elizabeth"). The first volume, which took the story down to 1588, was published in 1615. The second, completed in 1617, was not published until two years after his death. Camden's work has been the basis of most later accounts of Elizabeth I's reign. Criticism has been leveled at his treatment of the Mary, Queen of Scots, episode, and it was alleged that he altered his account to please James I.

Camden suffered from poor health, and in 1618 he retired to Chislehurst, Kent. Before his death he founded a chair of history at the University of Oxford. The Camden Society, founded in 1838, published many historical documents and was merged with the Royal Historical Society in 1897.

Camden was an active member of the Society of Antiquaries, founded about 1585, which laid the foundations for the school of 17th-century historians. Camden was the first to recognize the importance of ancient languages in the study of place-names and to make known the existence of Romano-British coins.

Encyclopaedia Britannica CD97. Copyright (c) 1996 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Please send additional information on The Family of Camden to camden@heritech.com

A CAMDEN LOGO

Not to politicize this genealogical Web-page, but merely as possible point of interest to Camdens and others who have chanced to see this symbol on some of this domain's political commentary pages, this will explain the logo's genesis and meaning. 
    This logo, of course, is not an historic Camden Crest or Coat of Arms, but the personal logo of the webmaster, William R. Carr, who sometimes uses the name "Camden" as a pseudonym. He adopted this "pen-name," and devised the logo, in about 1958, while still in high school. Perhaps it was the egocentric lark of a child who fancied he might someday become an artist and writer. Unfortunately, those early ambitions were never realized, and he became a merchant mariner instead.
    The symbolism of the logo is political and sociological as well as personal. The rattlesnake (in this case a timber-rattler, common to his home in Southern Illinois), carries the "Don't Tread on Me" connotation of some of our Republic's earliest flags. The "C" of course stands for Carr, Camden, and the Constitution.
    The Bishop symbolizes the (governing) "establishment" and social and religious "orthodoxy" – generally necessary to a stable and orderly society, but also a perennial threat to freedom and liberty. The dagger, perpetually cutting into the Bishop, symbolizes the sword of Truth and Justice, necessary to keep tyranny of governing powers in check. It symbolizes the power of a Free People and their spirit of resistance to Tyranny.
    In the latter decades of the twentieth century, and onward, the logo also came to symbolize the owner's personal stand against the corrosive forces of "Political Correctness" and globalism (i.e., the New World Order).
    Lamentably, in this context, it increasingly appears that this logo is just another symbol of a lost cause.

 

Send email to: camden@heritech.com

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Photo Credits: The copies of tin type photos of Marble Camden and Benjamin T. Camden were contributed to this site by Linda Goodwin who, in turn, had received them from Patrick Mc Donald, a descendant of Benjamin T. Camden.   

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Roanna Erin Camden, of Virginia, is the webmaster of a large
genealogical web site which includes the Camdens of Virginia
 – and more as time goes by.
See: http://bergerelmore.tribalpages.com
(password needed to get into Roanna's site is "marble")

Roanna has a newer and more regularly updated genealogical data base at http://trees.ancestry.com    
Her site is at: http://trees.ancestry.com/fhs/home.aspx?tid=5024063  

Here's another valuable resource:

Descendants of Thomas Cambden Camden - 12 Generations
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/o/w/MICHAEL--BOWEN/GENE4-0001.html

 

CAMDEN FAMILY, by the late Eugene Camden of Winchester, Missouri
Being the family of "Benjamin B. Camden & Forefathers & Descendants
Includes other Camdens from Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland plus Others
"
Available from Rose Camden, Widow of Eugene Camden

GENE WORKS
(Sorry, No longer available)

NOTE: In August of 2007, Rose's daughter, Christine A. Camden, informed us that, due to failing health, her mother is no longer able to fill orders. You may be able to find out how to obtain copies of Eugene Camden's books by writing to Christine (Email: ladyc5777@yahoo.com ).
December 2007): Christina has just begun a Camden web site to post her genealogical information on her branches of the family.

Christina's web site: http://benjamincamden.tribalpages.com (password: amanda)

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