The Elusive Elise D.A

Unidentified young lady,
taken by H.Y. Darnell 
Dyersburg & Ripley TN
Maybe Elise Deberry Arnold?

In a previous blog entry dated Nov 10, 2014, title The "Hoops" Letter from Elise to Brud Moran, January 1898, I talked about an elusive letter writer who signed herself as "Elise D.A." I ended that entry with the hope of someday discovering who Elise had been. 

Today, while looking at an article about the wedding of Ida Moran to William Gilmer Timberlake in the Nov. 27 1902 Memphis Commercial Appeal, the name Elise Arnold of Dyersburg popped out at me. Elise was one of Ida's bridesmaids.  My spidey senses started tingling.  Even though it's been 9 years since I had thought about Elise and her letters, I felt this was the day Elise had revealed herself to me.

The Commercial Appeal June 14 1902 detailed the "Grisham-Gentry Wedding" in which Elise appeared as a bridesmaid again. This bride and groom were Benjamin F. Grisham and Martha Blaine Gentry of Newbern, TN.  Martha Gentry was the daughter of Joseph Collins Gentry and Belle Shumate.  Belle Shumate was an aunt of Virginia Shumate who, in 1911, would marry James H Moran III.  After the death of Virginia's parents, she and her sisters moved to Newbern from Kentucky to live with their uncle Quincy Shumate and his wife Louise McLean.

Elise Deberry Arnold was born Aug 21 1880 in Jackson TN to Dr. Willis Johns Arnold and Susan Rebecca Meriwether. Elise married Henry Adam Klyce in 1904. They had five children: Henry Arnold Klyce, Walter Brigham Klyce, Willis Rice Klyce, John Meriweather Klyce and David Jere Klyce.

Here is another chatty letter from Elise to Brud dated Dec 30 1898.

Dear Brud, Don't I get terribly mixed up about my presents from you? You see the trouble is that as I never hear from you in between times I naturally conclude you have forgotten all about me and tis such a pleasant surprise to find that you haven't. 

The stationary is as dainty and sweet and pretty as it can be and I can't wait to tell you how much I appreciate it.  Please accept my sincere thanks.  I am so glad that you instead of Ide (this would be Ida Moran who married Will Timberlake and is Brud's sister), who sent it because I know she thinks of me often and you--well if it were not for your sweet Christmas remembrance, I might doubt that you ever do.

Every Christmas is always my happiest, and this one is no exception to the rule. We had our house full of company and all enjoyed the fine weather and numerous entertainments we have attended.  D.B. (Dyersburg) has certainly been gay and I have been so naughty.  I danced until four o'clock (Wednesday morning and until two last night.  I mean this morning. Tell Ide I met Mr. Roy Martin Tuesday night. Please don't think I'm so perfectly terrible because that is the first ball I ever went to and I suppose will be my last.  There is another entertainment tonight which I suppose will wind up one holiday amusement (?) anyway for my mother has laid down the law that this is the last week I shall go out more than twice and I'm going to settle down and be good ever afterwards.

I was so sorry I couldn't spend the holidays with Ide, but I'm looking forward to a visit to her soon. I'd rather see her than any  body else on earth and I think its awful we can't be together more.  Why don't you all come to D.B. to live? Wouldn't that be lots of fun? Well I must thank you again for your nice present and say Goodbye.With many wishes for a happy New Year.

Sincerely your friend

Elise D.A.

Dec. 30th 98

From Hattie, January 27 1897

The back of the photograph is annotated "From Hattie, January 27, 1897."  We don't know anymore about Hattie than that but we do know the photo was taken in Union City Tennessee by H.E. Wallace. A quick search of period newspapers shows that H.E. Wallace purchased a gallery in South Carolina and was leaving Union City on August 15, 1908.  The newspaper snippet said "Parties desiring him to make photographs call at once." Source: The Hickman Courier, July 30 1908. Another source said he was the older brother of D.B. Wallace of Warsaw, Kentucky.  D.B. was born in 1857 in Ohio according to Census records.  

Post-Civil War Roster Co. I 31st Tenn Reg C.S.A. by 1st Lieutenant J.W. Moran

Yesterday was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, a battle in which John W. Moran participated and was wounded.  We think the photo taken by Theodore Schleier of Nashville is the earliest that we have of the Moran patriach. Schleier had his own studio in Nashville about 1863 and had completely removed to Knoxville by 1867. Based on that information we believe the photo dates from about 1866.

The following information was documented, post-war, by John W. Moran, 1st Lieutenant, Co. I 31st Tenn Reg. C.S.A. and was transcribed by his great-grandson, Kent Moran, back in the 1990's. At that time Kent was cross-referencing information from the list with information found in Tennesseans in the Civil War Vol II.  Recently we took another look at the transcription and have started adding additional information from other sources such as Findagrave, Fold3, Ancestry.com etc.  The information here will be updated as we find information about the men in the unit.   We have the original document and will scan it once we find it in our ever growing collection of Moran files.  

In addition to the information about the unit, J.W.M. also documented the history of the Company's Battle flag which can be found here.

Key: The numbering was on the original document

X indicates listed in Tennesseans in the Civil War Vol. II
? indicates unknown in Tennesseans in the Civil War Vol. II

Other sources are noted in the body, i.e. Fold3, Ancestry.com, IOOF etc)

** indicates my own note regarding the individual

COMPANY I 31ST TENN REG C.S.A. 

J.W. Moran enlisted Sept 19, 1861

SOLDIER and HIS FATE

1. Captain Thomas L. Bell, Discharged (X) 

(Fold3- Age 29, enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine, Discharged May 20 1862. Roster dated Oct 6, 1863-Missionary Ridge, W.V. Sims was elected at the reorganization instead of Capt. Tom Bell. **Possibly the son of Pulaski Botts Bell and Sarah Lacey Nailing, distant cousin of J.W. Moran.)

2. 1st Lieutenant James C. Simmons, Resigned (X)

(Fold3- Age 36, enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine. Resigned March 24 1862, Simmons resigned "owing to disease of the bowels which produced Piles" which he believed made him unfit for further service.  **J.C. Simmons appears in the 1860 Census for Dresden Tn, age 34, occupation Constable, birthplace Kentucky.  Also in the household: Berilla (Browning) Simmons, age 35, South Carolina and Susan Simmons, age 8, Tennessee. Family trees on Ancestry.com indicate he died Dec. 2 1877 in Weakley County TN. Appears in IOOF Ledger Book, page 189.) 

3. 2nd Lieutenant William Sims, Killed at Franklin (X) (Same as #4 in the Reorganized section)

Reorganized

4. Captain William V. Sims, Killed at Franklin (X) (Findagrave Memorial.  (Fold3- enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine.)  **Pre-War he was the postmaster at District 10, Weakley county.

5. 1st Lieutenant John W. Moran, Wounded at Perryville and Franklin and served through the war (X)

6. 2nd Lieutenant John W. Montgomery, Discharged (X)

(Fold3- Enlisted September 17, 1861, Trenton Tenn, by Esqr Irvine. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant May 8 1862. Appears on Roster dated Oct 6 1862, Missionary Ridge.  Tendered his resignation citing health reasons Dec 21 1862 supported by W.T. Wills, Surgeon 31st Reg Tenn Vols.  Montgomery suffered from chronic disease of the large intestines/diarrhea.  Discharged Feb. 3 1863. Age 27 years on roll dated May 12 1863 near Shelbyville.)  **Believe this is possibly the John W. Montgomery that married Unity Emeline Phillips in Weakley County in 1863.  He died in 1914 and was interred at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Gleason. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and ordered to duty on April 1 1863.

7. 2nd Lieutenant James P. Thomason, Captured after New Hope 1864 (X)

(Fold3- Name variations Thommasson, Thomasson. Enlisted Oct 23 1861, Trenton Tenn by Capt. Johnstone and/or Esqr Irvine. Company Muster Roll for May/June 1862 says he was sent to the hospital at Jackson from Corinth. Company Muster Roll for Aug 31 to Dec 31 shows he mustered in as a private and on March 28 1862 was elected to 2nd Bvt. Lieutenant and relieved from duty Aug 25 1862. Age 21 years on a Company Muster Roll dated May 12 1863 near Shelbyville.  Appears on a Company Muster Roll for Oct 6 1863 Missionary Ridge. Captured near Kennesaw Mountain June 23 1864.  Name on Roll of Prisoners Jas. P. Thomason.  Appears as James Thompson as a Prisoner of War received at Louisville, Ky.  Discharged Johnson's Isle, July 15 1864. He was released on oath June 15 1865 from Louisville.  On his Oath of Allegiance he listed Paris Tenn as his place of residence, age 23, complexion light, hair dark, eyes grey, height 5'8".) **There is a James Thomason born in 1841, son of Richard Lee Thomason and Elizabeth Smith living in Paris, Henry County, Tennessee.  He appears in the 1850 and 1860 Census with his parents and siblings.

8. 3rd Lieutenant L.B. Edwards (sgt), Served through War, Resident, Gainesville Texas 1900 (X) 
(Fold3- Enlisted Sept 17 1861, Trenton Tenn by Esqr Irvine.  Mustered in as Sergeant mustered out as 2nd Lieutenant.  Appears on a note in the record of John W. Montgomery, 2nd Lt. L.B. Edwards elected to fill vacancy left by resignation of John W. Montgomery Feb 1863.  On a May 12 1863 Muster Roll his age is listed as 18.  On an undated card he was relieved of duty by "the illegal consolidation of the 31 & 33 Regt Tenn vol" and ordered to report to Brigadier General Pillow.  In Sept/Oct 1863 he was on detached service and again in Jan-April 1864.  He resigned May 10, 1864 because he was a supernumerary officer and wanted to enlist "in a company of supernumerary officers as scouts in Genl. Forrest's command,")  **Records are ambiguous, seems there was more than one Berry Edwards, but believe this may be the Little Berry Edwards tha married Kate H. Caurthers on March 17 1875 in Weakley County TN.  Appears in the 1880 Census for Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas at the age of 35, occupation banker.  His wife Kate is 23.  Others in the household: Maggie Rice, age 10 niece; H.G. Edwards age 28 brother and a merchant; G Edwards age 20 brother also a merchant.  An L.B. Edwards was listed as a stockholder in the Dresden Bank.

9. 1st Sergeant Thomas Brown (pvt), Died in Hospital August 1862 (X)

10. Pvt. William W. Bookout, Wounded twice at Perryville (X)

11. Pvt. John B. Bookout, Wounded twice at Perryville (X)

12. Cpl. James F. Blakemore, Killed at Perryville (X)

13. John Brannon (Pvt J.H. Brandon), Unknown. Possibly killed at Perryville (X)

14. Pvt C. Bullock, Killed at Perryville (X)

15. Pvt. Sterling G. Biles, Served through war (X)

16. Jesse (Pvt Jesse Burrus), Died in Hospital (X) (?)

17. Pvt. James L. Castleman, Joined the scouts and killed (X)

18. Pvt. Car E. Callison, Wounded at Perryville and Deserted (X), (A Co. Bradfords Cav. Pvt.)

19. Sgt. Field and Staff William M. Crawford, Wounded at Perryville and served throuh war (X)

20. Pvt. William R. Clark (D Co.), Deserted (X)

21. James Covington, Discharged (?)

22. Pvt. William E. Deason, Unknown (X)

23. Pvt. Edward R. Frazier, Died at Columbus KY Feb 1862 (X)

24. Pvt. William R. Fifer, Wounded at Perryville (X)

25. Pvt. John F. Featherstone, Served throughout war (X)

26. John Eastridge, Deserted (13th Cav E. Co.) (X) (?)

27. Pvt. Milton G. Grimes, Died at Tupelo Miss (X)

28. Pvt. W. Haden Grimes, Wounded at Perryville (dead or deserted) (X)

29. Cpl. J.P. Grooms, Unknown (X)

30. Pvt. Coon E. Grooms, Died at Tupelo Miss (X)

31. Thomas Grissom, Died in Hospital at Tupelo Miss, (Possible name variations-

      Pvt. W.T. Grisham or Pvt. R.C. Grisham) (X)

32. Pvt. W.S. Greer, Unknown (X)

33. Sgt Benjamin F. Howard, Served thoughout war (X)

34. Pvt. John Harper, Unknown (X)

35. C.C. Hucker or Haden, Killed at Perryville (?)

36. Pvt. Archibald M. Hughes, Deserted (1st Cav K Co) or (19 Cav G Co.) (X)

37. Pvt. Dock E. Harmon, Died.  (Actually deserted (X))

38. James Jones (James Jones Pvt co.), Lost in the Cumberland Mountains (Possibly JJM Pvt G Co 31st Inf)

39. Pvt James S. Lynch, Deserted or Lost (X)

40. Harry Mulligan, Unknown (?)

41. James Mulligan, Killed at Perryville (?)

42. Sgt. Horrace B. Morgan, Killed at Perrville (X)

43. Cpl. T.R. Mangrum, Wounded at Perryville (X)

44. Pvt. W.N. McDuffie, Took the oath in Prison (X)

45. J.W. McCallister?, Killed at Perryville (?)

46. Cpl James T. Marcus, Unknown (X)

47. Pvt. M.L. Mayo, Discharged (X)

48. Pvt. James T. Marshall, Discharged (X)

49. Cpl. John E. Nunly, Killed at Perryville (X)

50. Sgt. Peyton B. Northcott, Died

51. Pvt. John Parks, Served through war (X)

52. Pvt G.W. Parks, Served through war (X)

53. Pvt. James C. Priest, Lost (X)

54. Drew M. Parsley (F Co.), Served through war (X)

55. Pvt. John W. Porter, Died at Columbus Kentucky

56.  Pvt James Phelps, Unknown (X)

57. Pvt Chris M. Rodgers, Died in Miss 62 (X)

58. Pvt. Mat. W. Rodgers, Killed at Murfreesboro (X)

59. Pvt. J.W. Rambo (Possibly I.W. Rambo), Captured at Chickamauga (X)

60. Pvt. H.W. Rambo, Served through war (X)

61. Pvt. William R. Redick, Killed at Perryville (X)

62. Wiley Redick, Killed at Perryville (?)

63. John Richie, Unknown (?) (Possibly J.P. Richie 13 Cav Sgt)

64. Jack Sullivan (Possibly T.J. Sullivan Co. F. Pvt, Died at Trenton, (X)

65. William Sullivan, Discharged (?)

66.  Pvt. John F. Sims, Wounded and discharged (X)

67. Erskin T. Somers (Sgt B.E.), Wounded at Perryville, Killed in East Tenn (X)

68. Pvt. J.W. B. Taylor, Died in Miss (X)

69. Pvt. H.A. Vaughn, Died at Trenton (X)

70. Pvt. E.C. Wright, Served though war (X)

71. Pvt. H. William Williams, Died in Miss 62 (X)

72. Pvt. John F. Watts, Wounded and died near Atlanta or Athens '64 (X)

73.  Pvt. Huey J. Williams, Discharged (X)

74.  W.C. Williams, Deserted (X)

75.  Pvt. Tip B. Walker, Unknown (X)

76. Doc Welch F.E. Pvt, Deserted (Francis E. K Co. 6th Cav)

77. Pvt. Rufus H. Welden, Discharged (X)

78. William Yeargin (W.B. Yergan Pvt I Co), Deserted (?)

79. Pvt. E. Dock Harmon, Deserted, Actually he was killed (X)

The following names did not appear on J.W.'s roster but are listed in Tennesseans in the Civil War vol. II

Pvt. Joseph W. Hammond, I Co. 31st

Pvt. W.H. Hammond I Co. 31st

Sgt. Quarter Master J.T. Hancock 31st

W.T. Harbert 31st Inf

E. Harmon Pvt. I Co. 31st

W.J. Sedberry, West TN Photographer

Moran Place was home to many things including a lot of photographs.  Most of the people in the photographs will probably remain unknown to us.  Truth be told, it's usually easier to find out who the photographer's were, when there's a photographers mark, than to find out the subject of the photo.  That's the case with this charming picture.

On the back someone penciled in "Sydney and her faithful friend Mack."  I don't know who Sydney might be.  So far the only Sidney in the Moran tree is John Sidney Irvine and this is not him!

We have a few other photographs by Sedberry so I decided to see what I might dig up about him.  A brief line appears in the Dresden Enterprise dated April 14, 1893, "W.J. Sedberry, the photographer, invites you to call."

William J. Sedberry was born November 13, 1860 in Lyon County Kentucky.  His parents were James Sedberry of North Carolina or Virginia depending on the source and Mary Parmenter.   Census sources indicate his wife's name was Nora Belle.  When I found the death certificate for "Nora" her name was listed as Clara Belle Scates.  Was Nora a nickname or is the death certificate incorrect which happened a lot more than one might think!  Her parents were listed as W.F. Scates and Ray Scates, both of Tennessee.  I have seen the mother's name listed several ways:  Martha Ann Wray, Monica Ann Ray, Mariah Ann Ray, Ann Roy.

In the 1900 Census William and Nora were living in McKenzie, Carroll County TN. It also indicated that Nora had given birth to six children, three were living:
Eric E. b. Oct 1887, 12 years old
Fred C. b. Aug. 1896, 3 years old
Ray (daughter), b. Feb 1900, 3 months old.

And that wraps up what I know at this time about William James Sedberry.

4th Annual West TN Strawberry Festival 1937

Beauty Revue--Mammoth Pageant--Baby and Junior Parade--Revue for Junior King and Queen--Music--Floats Parade--Horse Show--Queen's Ball--Free Acts--Fireworks--Balloon Ascensions

F O U R T H    A N N U A L
WEST TENNESSEE

STRAWBERRY
FESTIVAL
MAY 5-6-8, 1937
Humboldt, TENN.
--------
Educational     -    Entertaining

THREE  DAYS  AND  NIGHTS.
    BRIM-FULL   OF
FUN   -   BEAUTY  -   MIRTH
    EXCITEMENT.
_________
MORE  THAN $1,500.00 CASH
PREMIUMS  AND  AWARDS  IN
STRAWBERRY  SHOW  AND
MANY  OTHER  INTERESTING
FEATURES.
__________
Keep This Card for Reference.
SEE THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL
MAGAZINE
For Full Details of All Programs,
Premium Lists, Stories, Pictures,
Information
(OVER)









AMONG  THE  MANY  FEATURES  OF  FESTIVAL:

Football game=  (Penciled in by Nathan H. Moran)
STRAWBERRY  SHOW -- All Varieties Daily.
STRAWBERRY PLANT AND PRODUCTS
SHOW --DAILY.
STRAWBERRY FIELD CONTEST.
Annual Festival Horse Show--Tennessee's Finest.
       First Night.
MAMMOTH FLOATS PARADE--Third Day
BABY AND JUNIOR PARADE--South's Best--
Second Day.
PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND MARKETING
PROGRAM --Second Day
STUPENDOUS PAGEANT--250 People--Second Night.
DAYLIGHT FIREWORKS--First Morning.
FIREWORKS Second and Third Nights.
STATE AND FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM--
Third Day.
BALLOON ASCENSION DAILY--By Prof. Chas. Swartz.
COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY BOOTHS.
EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS.
FREE CIRCUS AND VAUDEVILLE ACTS--Twice Daily.
------------------------------------------------------------
ONE OF THE COUNTRY's LARGEST CARNIVALS ON
FESTIVAL MIDWAY---Day & Night During Festival Week.
------------------------------------------------------------
MUSIC--BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, BUGLE CORPS, ETC.
NOTED VISITORS AND SPEAKERS.
------------------------------------------------------------
TENNESSEE's FINEST AND GREATEST BEAUTY REVUE
--CONTESTANTS FROM 40 TOWNS--CORONATION OF
QUEEN--QUEEN's BALL--MUSIC BY NATIONALLY
FAMOUS ORCHESTRA--Third NIght.
------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PRE-FESTIVAL GOLF TOURNAMENT May 4th
--Humboldt Golf and Country Club--Festival Loving
Cup Awarded Winner.
MANY OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS.
(OVER)

Ladies Club, Dresden TN, ca. 1890's

Socializing with friends and family was an important part of Victorian life.  One form of socializing was the club.  Clubs were formed around things such as books, music and philanthropy.  People with common interests came together to talk about and share information as well as to see and be seen.  Clubs and churches were good places to find like minded people and sometimes even life partners.

Here is a group photo of one of the local ladies clubs in Dresden Tennessee.  Most likely it was taken sometime in the mid-late 1890's.  I haven't been able to make out the name of the club even though it is written on the back of the photo, along with the names of the people in the photograph.  Ida Moran is listed as a member and many of the other names that are listed were her relatives or later they became her relatives through marriages such as Mrs. George Jeter, Mrs. James Irvine and Miss Mary Gray Little.

I've done some research and have included the maiden names and other information of the women listed if available. The names in red are relatives of the Morans, either blood or by marriage.

"??" Club

Mrs George Jeter (Maud Little)- President

Miss Lula Jeter (Maud's sister-in-law)- Vice

Mrs. Joseph E. Jones (Ella Hill) - Her husband wrote an article for the Dresden Enterprise on the death of John Williamson Moran, they were nextdoor neighbors

Mrs. Shobe Smith (Mattie D. Wooldridge)

Mrs. Frank Hall

Mrs James Irvine (Marie Rogers)

Mrs R.E. Maiden 

Miss Nannie Drewry

Mrs Ida Basta (SP?)

Mrs. L.E. Holliday

Mrs Lula Woods (Lula Reavis married a Woods. After he died she married Thomas M. Little who was the brother of Maud and Mary Gray Little)

Mrs R.T. Lewis

Miss Mary Gray Little 

Mrs Charles Ferguson (Sophia A. Irvine)

Ida Moran

The House Where Time Stood Still

We spent the better part of today in Moran Place rescuing items from the past to be preserved for the future.  I realize even more the daunting task before us of trying to preserve what we have, catalogue it, and share it with those who have an interest in West Tennessee history.

Stained Glass in the formal dining room.