The Ancestry of R. Neil Mabry

Robert Smith Mabry, Jr.: War, Marriage and Children in Fayette County (1851-1884)

2006-03-10T02:55:00.000-08:00

Robert Smith Mabry, Jr. grew up in Marion County, Illinois. After the death of his father in the mid-1840s, Robert moved south to live with his brother Joel in Pulaski County. He didn't live there long. By 1851 he had joined his brother Dudley in Fayette County.Marriage to Susannah SmithOn December 14, 1851, Robert Smith Mabry, Jr. married Susannah J. Smith, daughter of William and Anna Smith, in

When and where did Barbara (Weiser) Holben die?

2006-03-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

According to family legend, the widowed Barbara (Weiser) Holben left Edinburg in Christian County, Illinois with her two youngest daughters, Gertie and Ora, in September of 1893. She supposedly joined the tens of thousands of other potential settlers making a "run for the land" in Oklahoma. The only land run in Oklahoma in 1893 was the so-called Cherokee Outlet, on September 16th of that year.

Joel Braxton Mabry beat Lewis & Clark to Puget Sound?

2006-02-07T00:55:00.000-08:00

As genealogists, we've all gone through county histories hoping to find a biography of one of our more respectable ancestors. Many such books, usually with a title along the lines of "Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion County", were published in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They include a history of the county, its towns and townships, and brief biographies of the more prominent locals

Civil War Soldiers of Fayette County, Illinois: Mabry, Bayles, and Shaffer (and Weiser too)

2006-02-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Illinois State Archives (a wonderful genealogy resource) has put the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls online. These not only give the unit that the soldier served in, but also gives a physical description at the time of enlistment. Unfortunately, I can't link to the entries themselves. Anyone wanthing to look at the records will have to do their own search. Instead, I've

Robert Smith Mabry, Jr.: Growing up in Marion County, Illinois (1825-1850)

2006-01-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

As I posted previously, Robert Smith Mabry, Sr. and his family moved from Pittsylvania County, Virginia to the Logan County, Kentucky/Robertson County, Tennessee area in about 1812. Robert Smith Mabry, Jr., youngest son of Robert and his wife, Rebecca Adams, was born in Logan County, Kentucky on December 27, 1825. In about 1827, when young Robert was only two, the Mabry family moved west again,

Mini Bio: Philip Weiser & Mary Grümber

2005-11-28T19:04:00.000-08:00

This is a brief biography of Neil's great grandparents, Philip Weiser (1782-1854) and Mary Grümber (1802-1886). See their position on the family tree.Johann "Philip" WeiserParents: Johann Jacob Weiser & Anna Barbara EmtBirth: March 12, 1782 in Oberwisen, Hessen (present-day Germany)Known Residences:--- 1838 Rauentaler Hof, Gemeinde Bornheim, Hessen (emigration)--- 1838 Pennsylvania (immigration)-

Mini Bio: Jonathan Holben & Ulrike Wichtermann

2005-11-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

Finally, I'm getting around to completing the mini-biographies of Neil Mabry's ancestors. The completed bios are listed in the sidebar for easy navigation. This is a brief biography of Neil's great great grandparents, Jonathan Holben (1802-1886) and his wife, Ulrike Jacobina Wichtermann (1797-1887). See their position on the family tree here.Jonathan HolbenParents: Christian Holben and Anna "

World War I Draft Registration

2005-11-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

In 1917 and 1918, all males born between 1872 and 1900 were required to register for the draft. The draft registration cards are a great source of genealogical information, with registrant's home address, occupation and physical description.Neil Mabry, born in 1902, was not required to register. Neil's dad, Isaac Paris "Pete" Mabry, did have to register.This is the information he gave: Name:

Mabrys of Vandalia in print

2005-11-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

Today was the official launch of Google Print. Working with the University of Michigan, Harvard University, Stanford University, The New York Public Library, and Oxford University, Google has scanned and made searchable at least ten thousand books, with many more to follow.As a test, I did a search for Mabry Vandalia.The only hit was a good one: A page showing the Mabry Court Motel in Vandalia,

Web Site Update: Web Family Cards

2005-10-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

To make navigating through Neil Mabry's ancestors even easier, I've used my genealogy program, Reunion, to generate web cards. You can start with Lee and work your way back to his earliest known ancestor. I've put a handy link in the sidebar, so you can access the webcards page even after this post has been archived.Give the web cards a try, and let me know if you have any problem viewing or

What is the ancestry of Thomas Bayles (1825-1901)?

2005-09-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

Thomas Bayles, the father of Esther (Bayles) Mabry was born in 1825 in Virginia. We know that by 1849 he was living in Muskingum County, Ohio.Who were his parents and how did he get to Ohio? The answers are mostly speculation at this point.What we know: • Thomas M. Bayles was born in February 1826 in either "Virginia" (most census listings) or "West Virginia" (death certificate).It is possible

Philip Shaffer, Early Settler of Muskingum County, Ohio

2005-09-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

Philip Shaffer, father of Louisa (Shaffer) Bayles, was born in either Pennsylvania or New Jersey in about 1789. According to some genealogies, he married Suzanna Drake in 1810. The Shaffers lived in Pennsylvania, where their two oldest children, Stephen Drake and William H. Shaffer were born. At some time between 1814 and 1817 the Shaffers headed west, to Ohio.Note that Shaffer (and its variants

Mini bio: Robert Neil Mabry

2005-09-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

A brief Biography of R. Neil Mabry, to whom this blog is dedicated. This is intentionally very sketchy - I hope to fill in the details in future posts.Neil was born on May 24, 1902 in St. Elmo in Fayette County, Illinois, to Isaac Paris "Pete" Mabry and Gertie Holben. When he was a young boy, the Mabry family moved to Pana in nearby Christian County. This is where he grew to adulthood.In 1921 he

Braxton Mabry IV: Illinois and Missouri

2005-09-06T23:59:00.000-07:00

Braxton Mabry and family did not settle in one place for long. The Mabrys and their three grown children left Tennessee for the west in about 1826, when Braxton was 76 . Their first stop was Chariton County, Missouri.Chariton County, Missouri (1826-1829?)According to Braxton Mabry's declaration in his Revolutionary War pension file, the first place the family settled after leaving Tennessee was

Braxton Mabry III: Eighteen years along the Tennessee-Kentucky Border

2005-08-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

Braxton and Nancy Mabry and their three children left Pittsylvania County, Virginia in about 1808, when Braxton was 58 years old. The Mabrys headed west, settling near the Kentucy-Tennessee border. According to Braxton's declaration in his pension application he was "in Tennessee eighteen years". The four children who accompanied Braxton and Nancy were James (born between 1790 and 1800, Sarah or

Braxton Mabry II: Life in Pittsylvania County, Virginia

2005-08-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

From Braxton Mabry's Revolutionary War pension application we learn that he moved from Brunswick County, Virginia to Pittsylvania County, Virginia between 1776 and 1779. It was about this time that Braxton married the daughter of Jeremiah White, who moved from Dinwiddie County to Pittsylvania County in 1778.Braxton's oldest son, Robert Smith Mabry, was born on October 27, 1777, but it's unknown

Braxton Mabry I: The Revolutionary War

2005-08-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

Braxton Mabry was born on May 22, 1750 in Brunswick County, Virginia, the son of Joel and Winnifred (Smith) Mabry. We know little of his youth. However, we have his own words as to his service during the Revolutionary War. In 1838, at the age of 86, Braxton appeared before a judge in order to obtain a pension for his military service. At the time he was infirm and blind, so his words were taken

Home Sweet Home: Life in 19th Century Ohio

2005-07-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in a previous post, Thomas and Louisa (Shaffer) Bayles came to Illinois from Ohio. Thomas Bayles was born in (West) Virginia, and moved to Muskingum County at some time before 1849, when he married Louisa Shaffer. The Shaffer family settled in Jackson Township in Muskingum County in the 1820s, and Louisa was born and grew up there. Thomas, Louisa and their children moved west to

Neil Mabry: Chief Mechanic at Lambert Field for TAT and TWA

2005-07-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

Neil Mabry had learned to repair airplanes while serving in the U. S. Army Air Service (1921-1923). After his discharge, he continued to work on aiplanes from the garage he opened a few miles west of Decatur, Illinois, which was situated across a highway from the Macon County Fairgrounds, where flyers landed their planes. On May 28, 1929, the day his daughter Nadine was born, he was hired by a

Rev. George Joseph Wichtermann

2005-07-19T02:03:00.000-07:00

George Joseph Wichtermann was the grandfather of Edward Holben and the great great grandfather of Neil Mabry. He was born in about 1858 in Germany, the son of George Michael Wichtermann. When he was about 32 years old, George Joseph sailed for America from Amsterdam on the Brig Mary, arriving in Philadelphia on October 10, 1790.George was a Lutheran minister, and supposedly was sent to America by

The Bayles Family: Migration Along the National Road

2005-07-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

In about 1859, Thomas and Louisa (Shaffer) Bayles uprooted themselves from their home in Muskingum County, Ohio and migrated 400 miles with their children to a new home in Fayette County, Illinois. (Map). It is probably no coincidence that the major overland route from the east to the western states, the so-called "National Road", passed through Muskingum County, crossed Indiana, finally

Emigrants from Rauenthaler Hof near Bornheim, Hessen-Darmstadt: the Weiser family

2005-03-23T23:15:00.000-08:00

Johann "Phillip" Weiser was born in 1782 in Oberwiesen near Alzey, Hessen-Darmstadt. He married Maria Magdalena "Mary" Grumber in 1819 in Weinheim. Phillip and Mary and their children eventually settled in Rauenthaler Hof,near Bornheim, where he was a farmer. Today this town is located in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.The Weisers, along with Mary's mother Elisabetha Margaretha Lahr

Mabry Mill along the Blue Ridge Parkway

2005-01-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

Question for the new year: Photos of the Mabry Mill are often used in calendars. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Virginia. How are we related to the mill's owner? Mabry Mill along the Blue Ridge Parkway Originally uploaded by arlyn1. According to the Mabry/Maybury Family Ancestry Page, the mill was built by Edwin Boston Mabry in 1903. The land was near a land grant to Ed's great

Neil's grandmother joins the Oklahoma Land Rush

2004-10-31T13:50:00.000-08:00

In the most recent draft of Neil Mabry's history and ancestry, is included a heart-wrenching tale of Barbara Weiser Holben's quest for a new life in Oklahoma as noted in a letter from Neil's sister, Loretta Mabry Barker. After Edward Holben died in November 1892, his widow, Barbara, made a “run for the land” in Oklahoma on September 16, 1893. She had a number of relatives living there at the

Robert Smith Mabry, Sr.: Last residence in Marion County, Illinois (1827-1842/5)

2004-10-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

In about 1827, Robert Smith and Rebeccah (Adams) Mabry and their children headed west again, eventually settling in Marion County, Illinois . Their son (and our ancestor) Robert Smith Mabry, Jr. would have only been about 2 years old when the family moved.The Mabry family had lived about 15 years along the Kentucky-Tennessee border, before moving. It is likely that the oldest Mabry daughters,

Robert Smith Mabry, Sr.: Life in Kentucky and Tennessee (1812-1827)

2004-10-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Robert Smith and Rebeccah (Adams) Mabry and their children headed west from Pittsylvania County, Virginia in about 1812, settling on the border between Logan County, Kentucky and Robertson County, Tennessee. They did not travel alone. At least three of Rebeccah's siblings settled in the same area: Nathan and Sally (Murphy) Adams, William and Fanny (Meachum) Adams,and Dudley and Mary "Polly" (

Robert Smith Mabry, Sr.: Life in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (1777-1812)

2004-09-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

Robert Smith Mabry was born on October 27, 1777 in Virginia, the oldest child of Braxton Mabry. Robert's mother died before 1790, before Robert was 13 years old. Apparently Braxton was unable (or unwilling) to take care of his three pre-teen children.The first record we have found that names our Robert Mabry is a Pittsylvania County, Virginia court order dated December 19th, 1791. At that time

How to use this site

2004-09-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome! I just wanted to share a few tips for using this site. What information can I find here? The purpose of this site is to share information about the ancestors of Robert Neil Mabry, and their families. The surnames covered here include: Adams, Bayles, Holben, Mabry, Shaffer, Weiser and White. In the right-hand sidebar are a series of "mini-biographies". This lists the basic facts for a

Updated Mabry Family Tree

2004-09-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

The Mabry family tree has been updated. It now includes family photos. A big thank to you Loretta (Mabry) Barker and Melva Kaye Rowe for sharing their old photos. If you feel that different photos should be used, please feel free to comment.

Pete & Gertie Mabry: Life in Pana, Illinois

2004-08-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Isaac Paris "Pete" Mabry and Gertie Holben were married in 1899. The newlyweds initially lived in Vandalia, Illinois in Fayette County, where Pete was a "farmer" (according to the 1900 census). It seems that Pete was not interested in following in his father's footsteps as a farmer, despite the fact he inherited 160 acres of land from his father in 1884 (held in trust until he was "of age"). The

Family Trees Added

2004-08-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

I've added family trees for Esther Kraus and Neil Mabry to the sidebar. These don't appear to display correctly in non-Explorer browsers, so I'll be modifying them. The URLs will stay the same after modification. Note that the Kraus family blog has been moved to a separate site.

The Mabry Website

2004-08-05T01:42:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that the Mabry web site run by Don Collins has a wealth of information. It was last updated in May 2004. We are descended from Francis Maybury, who emigrated from England to Virginia before 1679. Our ancestry is as follows: 1. Francis Maybury & Elizabeth Gilliam. More Information about Francis and Elizabeth. 2. Hinchia Maybury & Frances Parham 3. Joel Mabry & Winnifred Smith (

Mini bio: John & Margery (Henshaw?) Gilliam

2004-08-03T23:40:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of John Gilliam (1614-~1673) and his wife, Margery Henshaw (abt 1617-1688). John Gilliam Birth: 1614 in England Parents: Capt. Lieut. John Gilliam and Amy[?] Ffountayne Known residences: --- 1635 Immigrated to Virginia aboard the ship "George" --- owned land in Henrico County and Charles City County, Virginia --- home "near the mouth of the Appomattox River" (Virginia) named "

Mini bio: Francis & Elizabeth (Gilliam) Maybury

2004-08-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Francis Maybury (about 1650/60 - about 1712) and his wife Frances Parham (about 1697 - about 1747). Francis Maybury Birth: between 1650 and 1660 in England Parents: unknown Known residences: --- before October 1679 arrived in Virginia Colony --- 1685 in Henrico County, Virginia --- briefly in Charles City County, Virginia --- 1701 in Surry County, Virginia Occupation: farmer

Mini bio: Ephraim & Frances (Green) Parham

2004-08-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Ephraim Parham (abt. 1660-1726) and his wife, Frances Green (abt 1665-abt 1740). Ephraim Parham Birth: about 1660 in Virginia Parents: son of Matthew Parham or James Parham (son of Matthew Parham) Known residences: --- Surrey County, Virginia Occupation: farmer Death: 1726, in Surrey County, Virginia Frances Green Birth: about 1665 in Virginia Parents: Lewis Green, Sr. Death:

Mini bio: Hinchia & Frances (Parham) Mabry

2004-08-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Hinchia Mabry (about 1697 - about 1761) and his wife Frances Parham (about 1697 - about 1747). Their position on the family tree. Hinchia Mabry Birth: about 1697 in Henrico County, Virginia Parents: Francis Maybury & Elizabeth Gilliam Known residences: --- 1712 in Surry County, Virginia --- 1726 in Surry County, Virginia --- 1732 the part of Surry County occupied by Hinchia

William & Elizabeth Smith

2004-08-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of William Smith (? - 1788) and his wife, Elizabeth (? - after 1788). William Smith Birth: unknown, probably in Virginia Parents: unknown Known residences: --- Greensville County, Virginia (probably the portion taken from Brunswick County in 1781) Occupation: farmer/planter Death: about 1788 in Greensville County, Virginia Note: there are several William Smiths living in the area

Mini bio: Joel & Winnifred (Smith) Mabry

2004-08-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Joel Mabry (abt 1732 - abt 1784) and his wife Winnifred Smith (abt 1729 - abt 1804). Their position on the family tree. Joel Mabry Birth: about 1732 in Brunswick County, Virginia Parents: Hinchia Mabry & Frances Parham Known residences: --- 1755 in Parish of St. Andrew, Brunswick County, Virginia --- 1781 the part of Brunswick County occupied by Joel Mabry became Greensville

Mini bio: Jeremiah & Jane White

2004-08-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Jeremiah White (? - 1788) and his wife, Jane (? - after 1788).Jeremiah WhiteBirth: unknown, possibly in Spotsylvania County, VirginiaParents: unknownKnown residences:--- by 1754 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia--- 1778 moved to Pittsylvania County, VirginiaOccupation: farmer/planterDeath: 1788 in Pittsylvania County, VirginiaJane ?Birth: probably in VirginiaParents: unknown. Her

Mini bio: Braxton Mabry & ? White

2004-08-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Braxton Mabry (1750->1840) and his wife, the daughter of Jeremiah White (?-<1790).family tree.Braxton MabryBirth: May 22, 1750 in Brunswick County, VirginiaParents: Joel Mabry & Winnifred SmithKnown residences:--- 1782-1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia--- 1808 in Tennessee--- 1820 in Paoli, Cumberland County, Kentucky--- 1830 in Macoupin County, Illinois--- 1833 in Greene

Mini bio: Nathan & Anna Adams

2004-08-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Nathan Adams (1736-1802) and his wife, Anna.Nathan AdamsBirth: May 16, 1736, probably in Fairfax County, VirginiaParents: William & Sarah AdamsKnown residences:--- by 1754 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia--- 1778 moved to Pittsylvania County, VirginiaOccupation: farmer?Death: 1802 in Pittsylvania County, VirginiaAnna ?Birth: probably in VirginiaParents: unknown. Her maiden name

Mini bio: Robert Smith Mabry, Sr. & Rebecca Adams

2004-08-03T22:29:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Robert Smith Mabry, Sr. (1777-1842/5) and his wife Rebecca Adams (1783-1828). Their position in the family tree.Robert Smith Mabry, Sr.Birth: October 27, 1777 in Virginia (probably Pittsylvania County)Parents: Braxton Mabry & ? WhiteKnown residences:--- 1796-1810 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia--- 1812 in Robertson County, Tennessee--- 1820 in Springfield Township, Robertson

Mini bio: Thomas M. & Louisa (Shaffer) Bayles

2004-08-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Thomas M. Bayles (1826-1901) and his wife Leatha "Louisa" Shaffer 1832-1864). Their position on the family tree.Thomas M. BaylesBirth: February 1826 in what is now West VirginiaParents: unknownKnown residences:--- 1850 living in Jefferson Township, Muskingum County, Ohio--- 1860 living in Cumberland (Otego Township), Fayette County, Illinois, near Hickory Creek P.O.--- 1865

Mini bio: Robert Smith Mabry, Jr. & Esther Jane Bayles

2004-08-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Robert Smith Mabry, Jr. (1825-1884) and his wife Esther Jane Bayles (1850-1892). Their position in the family tree.Robert Smith Mabry, Jr.Birth: December 27, 1825, Logan County, KentuckyParents: Robert Smith Mabry, Sr. & Rebecca AdamsKnown residences:--- 1830-1840 in Marion County, Illinois--- 1850 in Pulaski County, Illinois (living with brother Joel Mabry)--- 1860 in Sefton

Mini bio: Edward & Barbara (Weiser) Holben

2004-08-03T21:53:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Edward Holben (1837-1892) and his wife Barbara Weiser (1842-1893). Their position on the family tree.Edward HolbenBirth: August 8, 1837, in Ohio (probably Medina County)Parents: Jonathan Holben and Ulrike Jacobena WichtermanKnown residences:--- 1850 in Harrisville Township, Medina County, Ohio--- 1860 in Lodi area, Harrisville Township, Medina County, Ohio--- 1862 moved to

Mini bio: Isaac Paris "Pete" & Gertie (Holben) Mabry

2004-08-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

Brief biography of Isaac Paris "Pete" Mabry(1879-1949) and his wife Gertrude Susanna Philinia "Gertie" Holben (1881-1963). Their position in the family tree.Isaac Paris MabryBirth: May 28, 1879 in Sefton Township, Fayette County, IllinoisParents: Robert Smith Mabry, Jr. & Esther Jane BaylesKnown residences:--- 1880 in Sefton, Sefton Township, Fayette County, Illinois--- 1900 in Vandalia Township,

Welcome to my new family history blog.

2004-08-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome family! I've started this blog at Brian's suggestion. I'm going to use it to publish new information and thoughts about our family history. This will let me easily share the information with you, as well as create an archive of the information. At the moment, the blog won't be catalogued by Google, so keep the link handy. Peg