Garner Genealogy 1580-Present

Our Early Families : Garner Family History

by Anna Luesa Mullins Garner

To my dear sons Bradley Charles Garner and Erin Douglas Garner, both of whom were born in Northern California and grew up in the San Joaquin Delta of California

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My reason for compiling this genealogical information is to promote an understanding of our families of settlers of the colonies and states of North America in the region that became the United States of America. 

If ever a list of not-very-prominent  Americans could have been compiled, all our ancestors would have been included. Even when I started my search for the beginning of our grandparents’ family lines in the American Colonies, I never once entertained the thought that I would find a noble ancestor, a signer of the Declaration, or even a famous writer, doctor or teacher. And indeed, my research has borne out my original surmise that you, my sons, are descendants of long lines of totally undistinguished, unambitious, mainly unremarked and almost unrecorded Americans, though their European history reveals them to be, in the old phrasing, “persons of quality.” Not to mention the courage it took to venture across the Atlantic to a new life, and then to settle the wilderness areas of the United States.

For that reason, my narrative may not feed the pride of any descendant of these people I write about. Such people cannot be aggrandized or moralized about. In most cases, the motives for their unremarkable actions cannot be appraised, because they left no diaries or letters to explain them. The one thing they had in common--a thing which characterized their whole existence--is movement. They are the pioneers whose hard work and spirit of adventure made America. For three hundred years every generation has moved westward; and now, you two, the first generation born in California, have moved, first half-way round the world to various parts of Asia, and then back to the River Valley and the coast of California.

In spite of all the frantic movement to find workable land, the tax-collector, census-taker, land agents and church elders note the existence of your people and take their dues, often receipted with x-marked signatures, as readily as from the lettered gentry and aristocracy. And these are the records I have relied upon, apart from a few notes in family Bibles, oral history passed on to me by your grandparents, and a number of genealogies written by other people who are descendants of some of your own ancestors.

Of necessity, my narrative will consist mainly of giving the dates of westward moves; other than the bare statistics of birth, marriage and death, there are very few other facts known of any of these families. I will include the oral traditions of the family, but I pass them on as folklore and not as known fact, though they could of course be as true as any government record or personal diary. Where I have had to interpolate relationships from the available evidence, I offer my reasons for such interpolations. The reader can judge their validity for himself. I also include at certain points passages from diaries or family histories of those people whose experience parallel that of our own ancestors.

Your earliest American ancestor was Richard Garner who brought his young son, John Garner to Virginia from Shrewsbury, England in 1637. John had been baptized in St. Chad’s Church on September 2, 1633. The father and son first landed on Farrar’s Island in the James River (Early Virginia Families along the James River, Foley, Vol.1, p. 6). Richard Garner was unnoticed by me in my early research, and his ancestors were completely unknown to me. I wish to thank Mrs. Elaine Favre of Baton Rouge, Louisiana for supplying a great deal of missing information on our immigrant ancestor. Naturally, this adds two generations to our account, but I have decided that to go through and re-number every ancestor in this history would only cause more errors than may already be there. 

So I will simply add here in narrative form this genealogical data on the English family that became our American family:

Our English ancestor, John Garner, grandfather of the first John Garner in Virginia, was born ca. 1580 in England (possibly Shropshire District, died 24 July, 1628; m. Joan …….. d. before 1631, Shropshire, England. They had a son, Richard Garner who married Katharn …… d. 1636, Shropshire, England. Richard died in 1643 in Virginia. Family lore has it that Katharn was “tried by ordeal” with the dunking stool, and that she was acquitted because she obligingly died in witness to her innocence. Some kind of heresy was supposedly the charge. The following year, Richard Garner brought their four-year-old son to Farrar’s Island in Virginia.  Richard Garner came to Virginia as a “headright” of of William Farrar who owned Farrar’s Island.  Richard died shortly after arriving in Virginia.  

John Garner, after growing up in the care of William Farrar, had moved into the Northern Neck of Virginia by 1650. When our first Garners arrived, the Colony of Virginia was settled and administered by representatives of the Virginia Company of London. But in 1624 Charles I claimed most of Virginia as a Royal colony. The Northern Neck, the stretch of land between the Potomac and the Rappahannock Rivers extending toward the Chesapeake from the Blue Ridge Mountains, remained a proprietary of Lord Fairfax until much later. John Garner's quit-rent or outright payment for land would have been to this proprietor or his land agents in Virginia.

When John Garner arrived in Northumberland County, Virginia, it was still a densely forested landscape, cut through by waterways, ranging in importance from the Chesapeake Bay to the brackish streams in the Tidelands. Settlers had not penetrated to higher ground yet, though John Garner himself, and certainly his descendants, played a part in pushing the frontier of the English Colony westward. The settlements consisted of a few plantations, small in size when compared to twentieth century farms in the Midwest or California. The plantations were established along the waterways, the more prosperous having their own wharf with loading facilities and tobacco warehouses. These water routes were the colonists' safest method of transportation. Between plantations, there were no roads cleared and the forest rider faced the strong possibility of being ambushed by Indians. Along the main rivers, up from the Bay, at or near the most westerly English residence, the colonists would build and man a fort, and every male was expected to do his part in protecting the settlement from marauding Indians.

The English settlements expanded through the encouragement of the Crown and the Lord Proprietor. A planter who imported another person into the Colony was entitled to fifty acres. Anyone who came to the Colony on his own was also entitled to fifty acres. And of course, relatively large tracts of land were owned by former shareholders in the Virginia Company and by businessmen in England.

Many of your own ancestors came to Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas as "headrights," i. e., some business man (usually a Virginia tobacco planter, a boat captain, or a London merchant) had brought them into the Colony, paid their transportation and settled them onto land that the business man was entitled to as a result of this enterprise of importing labor for clearing land, planting and curing tobacco. Within a few years of the Garners’ arrival, Richard died and left young John Garner in the care of William Farrar, an “ancient planter of Virginia” for whom Farrar’s Island was named, and the man who had transported them from England to Virginia. For their first few years in the Colony, all your Virginia ancestors probably worked on the plantations of other people. But as the Colony grew and their terms of indenture ended, more westerly lands were offered for settlement and your people located their own plots on the frontier of that time. Within John Garner's own lifetime, this frontier region was pushed from a line only slightly west of Williamsburg, Virginia to a line about even with present-day Richmond, Virginia.

John Garner married the daughter of a family that had been in Virginia since 1635. Susanna Keene is said to have been born on Kent Island in the Potomac between Maryland and Virginia. Her father was Thomas Keene and her mother Mary (possibly Thorley?).; Thomas Keene was born about 1593 in England and died prior to January 1653 in Virginia. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Gosnold Keene. Thomas, Susanna’s father, was a cooper and merchant in Suffolk, England a planter of Kent Island, Pamunkey Neck in Virginia. Elizabeth Gosnold was the daughter of Robert and Ursula Naunton Gosnold of England. Robert Gosnold died prior to November 1, 1615, when his will was recorded, naming grandson Anthony Gosnold "now in Virginia" and also grandsons Henry and Thomas Keene (who would have still been in England - ed.). Ursula Naunton was the daughter of William K(n?)aunton.

After Susanna Keene's father died, Mary, his wife, moved with her children to Northumberland County, March 10, 1652. Soon thereafter Mary Keene married Henry Raynor and then, in 1659 Thomas Broughton. Some time between 1659, when Susanna Keene was given her share of her father's cattle and in 1662, when her mother's will names her as Susanna Garner, John Garner and Susanna Keene were already married and had a daughter; therefore, 1660 or '61 would be a close estimate for their marriage date. John and Susanna lived near the present village of Lewisetta on a neck of land called Cherry Point, nowadays known as Cowart's Point.

Before the marriage, in 1658, John Garner had been named the assignee of Francis Roberts who in 1657 had bought 500 acres in the area that later became Stafford County. The assignment was shared by Joseph Fielding. In 1663 these two men transferred their rights, titles and interest in this same land to John Garner, Jr. who would have been the infant son of John Garner I and to John Bailes, Jr., the soon-to-be step-son of Joseph Fielding. In 1663 John Garner was sworn as Constable for Cherry Point Neck. The Colony was building a fort on the Yeocomico River in 1667, and the Association of Northumberland, Westmoreland and Stafford Counties ordered that a house be built for the workmen "by John Garner and other assistants whom he shall select."

Around 1672 John and his family moved farther north and west on the Northern Neck to Westmoreland County near the present village of Kinsale. In October, 1672, John and Susanna bought 100 acres on the Yeocomico River from Nicholas Jenkins. John Garner's business associates and friends in Northumberland and Westmoreland Counties included Robert Francis, Joseph Fielding, Thomas Watson, Henry and Elizabeth Moseley and Robert Middleton.

January 15, 1694/95 John Jenkins of Cople Parish sold toJohn and Vincent Garner 100 acres in Horne Point on Yeocomico River.6 It may be upon this very tract of land (between Kinsale and Hague) that a descendant of Vincent Garner built "China Hall" in the 1700's, still standing today. Its modern name is "Kirnan."  Following is the will of John Garner, dated January 22, 1702 and proved May 26, 1702:

• ***In the name of God, Amen! I, John Garner being sick and weak of body, but of perfect memory and understanding do give and bequeath my Soul unto God that gave it, and my body to be decently interred. As to my worldly Estate, I give and bequeath as followeth; Item-I do give and bequeath unto my well beloved son John Garner and to his heirs forever one moiety of eight hundred and odd acres of land , also I give unto my well beloved son Henry Garner and to his heirs forever the moiety of the aforesaid eight hundred and odd acres of land to be equally divided between my said sons John and Henry Garner the said eight hundred and odd acres of land being the sand my said sons John and Henry Garner are now seated upon. Item- I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Henry Garner my chest together with my wearing apparel. Item-I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Vincent Garner and heirs forever the whole plantation and land I now live on together with the lands adjoining. Also I give unto my said son Vincent and to his heirs a parcel of land lying in Horn Point. Item- I give and bequeath unto my said son Vincent Garner my long gun and my hanger and a yoke of oxen. Also my will is that my said son Vincent Garner hath the one half of what is got of the money of the sloop which is called the Outcry.

Item-I do will and appoint and order my said son Vincent Garner, his heirs, Exors and Amrs to pay unto my son Thomas Garner his heirs or assigns the sum of two thousand pounds of good tobacco in cask. I do will and appoint my said son Vincent Garner his heirs or assigns to pay unto my son Parish Garner his heirs or assigns the sum of two thousand pounds of good tobacco in cask. Item-I do will and appoint my said son Vincent Garner his heirs or assigns to pay unto my son Benjamin Garner his heirs or assigns the sum of two thousand pounds of good tobacco in cask, to be paid unto my said son Benjamin Garner when he shall be one and twenty years old. Item-I will and appoint my said son Vincent Garner his heirs or assigns to pay unto my son James Garner his heirs of assigns the sum of two thousand pounds of good tobacco in cask to be paid unto my son James Garner when he shall come to the age of one and twenty. Item-I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughters Mary Susan and Martha each of them a thomb ring and also my will is that my well beloved wife to see them paid. Item-I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Susan all the rest of my Estate as Goods and Chattels moveables and unmoveables and do make my said loving wife Susan the sole Executor of this my last will and testament, willing all my due debts to be paid, revoking all other wills and testimonies, this my last will and testament, also my will is that my well beloved wife Susan her heirs of Executors pay the one half of the tobacco which is given to my said sons being four thousand, the 22nd day of Jan: 1702.
John Garner (Seal)
Signed, sealed in the presence of us: Wlliam Gardner
Jno. Williams Wm. Moore
Westmoreland Co. At a Court held for the said county the
26th day of May. The last will and testament of John Garner
dec'd, the within subscriber was proved by the oath of Wm.
Gardner, and a probate thereof granted to Susan Gardner,
Executrix, therein named.Testl I. A. Westcomb C.C. Com. Rd.
Recordity. Prime Die Jany. 1703***

At his death, John Garner owned more than 800 acres in one tract of land, a second plantation and more lands adjoining it, a separate parcel of land in Horn Point, at least 4000 pounds of good tobacco in cask, at least half interest in a sloop named "Outcry", a valuable chest, a yoke of oxen, jewelry and other personal property.

Susanna's estate was inventoried March 28, 1716 by James
Carr, James, Thomas and William Garner.

John1 and Susanna (Keene) Garner had children:

• 1. John Garner2 (John1)
2. Henry Garner2 (John1)
3. Vincent Garner2 (John1)
4. Thomas Garner2 (John1): this family history follows this line
5. Parish Garner2 (John1)
6. Benjamin Garner2 (John1)

7. James Garner2 (John1)
8. Mary Garner2 (John1)
9. Susan Garner2 (John1)
10. Martha Garner2 (John1)

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Next in the line of descent toward Bradley and Erin Garner is Thomas Garner2, one of the sons of John Garner1 of Northumberland and Westmoreland Counties in Virginia. He was probably born about 1670 and lived until 1726. His first home away from his father's house was in Stafford County, Virginia, which had been formed from Westmoreland County, the seat of his parents' home. He had moved a considerable distance west of the family, but still lived in the Northern Neck, that area between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. He probably moved to that area around 1700; he was a witness to a will in Stafford County on September 10, 1700. Robert Bennett Bean in The Peopling of Virginia (Boston, 1938), pp. 74-92, states that a Garner was among the earliest settlers of Fauquier County, divided off from Stafford-Prince William Counties in 1759. By 1715 Thomas Garner owned around 2000 acres in the area of Tinpot and Licking Runs, he being the original grantee of certain parcels of land received from Lady Fairfax, sole proprietor of the Northern Neck. (Northern Neck Land Grant Book A, p. 137; p. 144, p. 138) Thomas Garner married Mary Bushnell, daughter of Charles Bushnell. Thomas died in the Summer of 1726, his will being dated June 8, 1726. A copy of the will is stored with some litigation papers in the basement of the Fauquier County Courthouse:

• ***To my eldest son John Garner 400 acres of land. lying on Tinpot Run in Rappahannock where my plantation is,.... between my son Thomas and my son John and to his heirs, wanting heirs to son Parish if he has no heirs to son Charles, if he has no heirs to son James Garner. To son John ... 3 cows 3 young cattle, a feather bed, a bolster, rugg, 2 blankets, 6 hogs of 2 years, also 6 hogs of 3 years, one iron pot, but not to have possession until he becomes of age of twenty-one, without his mother's consent. To my son Thomas 400 acres lying below my son John's... 3 cows, 3 calves, 3 barrows of 3 years, 3 brooding sows, an iron pot, one feather bed, one bolster, a rugg 2 blankets, when 21 years of age. To my son Vincent a tract of about 400 acres of land beginning at the corner of Mr. James Withers, at Livking Run, running west to Thomas Welch, ... a feather bed, a bolster, a Rugg, 2 blankets, 3 cows and calves, 3 young cattle, 3 barrows of 3 years, 3 brooding sows and one iron pot. To my son Parish Garner 400 acres lying on Licking Run running west to Tinpot Run in Rappahannock, joining the land of my son John, ... 3 cows 3 calves, 3 young cattle 3 barrows 3 sows and one iron pot. To son Charles 400 acres of land on Licking Run over the Rappa- hannock River west to my son John's, ...
(also a stock of household things like his brothers). To my son James 400 acres of land running to the Rappa-hannock River and joining my son John's, ... (other things like his brothers). To my daughter Susanna Garner 2 cows, 3 calves ... (etc.) To my loving wife Mary all of the remaining part of my estate movable and unmovable, the dwelling plantation she how lives on for her life then to my son James...
(signed)Thomas Garner***

Thomas2 (John1)  and Mary Bushnell Garner had children:

• 1. John Garner3 (Thomas2, John1)
2. Thomas Garner3 (Thomas2, John1)
3. Vincent Garner3 (Thomas2, John1)
4. Parish Garner3: (Thomas2, John1) this family history follows this line
5. Charles Garner3 (Thomas2, John1)
6. James Garner3 (Thomas2, John1)
7. Susanna Garner3 (Thomas2, John1)

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Parish Garner3 (Thomas2 John1)

Parish Garner3 was born in Stafford County, Virginia in an area that later became Fauquier County. He married Margaret Sturdy, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Sturdy, on January 2, 1742, according to the Overwharton Parish Register. It seems that for many years, Parish and Charles shared the land they inherited from their father without heed to boundaries, but on March 20, 175?, they requested a survey and subdivision into two 400-acre plots. In May of 1764, Parish and Margaret Garner sold their 400 acres to Thomas Helm and moved to Orange County, North Carolina, to a site about 18 miles from Hillsboro, the county seat. It is possible that they lived for a while in Southside Virginia, probably in Prince Edward County, because Parish's son, Sturdy Garner4, claims in his application for a Revolutionary War pension that he "went home " to join the army his third term of service, mustering at Prince Edward Courthouse. There was a Garner family living in nearby Pittsylvania County in l767; a Thomas and a James were listed as tithables in that year. During Parish and Margaret's residence near Hillsboro, they owned around 400 acres on "Reedy Fork of Haw River." It is assumed that Parish Garner died some time between 1790 and 1800, since he is enumerated in the 1790 census but not in 1800.
It is claimed that Parish Garner was one of the Regulators, a radical group of North Carolina Colonists who rebelled against England"s oppressive trade and taxation policies as early as 1770 in the Battle of Alamance. Parish and Margaret (Sturdy) Garner had children:

• 1. James Garner4 (Parish3, Thomas2, John1)  b. November 25, 1742 Overwharton Parish, Va.; this family history follows this line.
2. Thomas Garner4 (Thomas2, John1)  b. August 25, 1744 Stafford County, Va.; m. Susannah _____; lived on Reedy Fork of Haw River in Orange County, N. C. "on line of Parish Garner" as of July 10, 1788; held land in Guilford County, N. C. until 1789.
3. Lewis Garner4 (Thomas2, John1) probably accompanied James and Sturdy, his brothers, to the Carolinas.
3. Enoch Garner4 is also listed on Pendleton District, S. C. Census 1790-1800.
4. Sturdy Garner4 b. 1762, Fauquier County, Va; d. 1844, Madison County, Alabama; m. Sarah Smith ca. 1787; this family history also includes a fuller account of Sturdy and some of his descendants here: 

A Piece of our Garner Family History not in our direct line of descent: 

Here I digress in order to give an account of your great-uncle Sturdy Garner4, because many of his descendants went to the same area of Arkansas as did your ancestors.

Sturdy Garner4 (Parish3, Thomas2, John1)

Sturdy Garner4 is apparently the progenitor of hundreds of Garners in the Western United States. Sturdy himself must have been a restless type. He was born in Fauquier County, Virginia in 1762. In 1779, at the age of 17, Sturdy entered the service of the Revolution, in his own words, when his "brother Lewis Garner4 was called out to go after the Tories, (my) brother being a man of family, (I) entered as a substitute in his place, in a company commanded by Captain William Gwinn." According to further testimony in his application for a pension,5 Sturdy was living in Orange County, N. C. when this company of Revolutionary soldiers was raised. In three short-term enlistments during the Revolution, Sturdy Garner saw ten months active duty and was granted a pension of $38.33 per year, beginning March 4, 1831. Sturdy's third enlistment was under General Robert Lawson. After Sturdy's company was raised, they rendezvoused at Prince Edward Courthouse in Virginia, 135 miles north of Sturdy's family home in Orange County, N. C.

Sturdy Garner married Sarah Smith about 1787 and moved to Pendleton County, S. C. along with his brother James. Sturdy's family did not stay long. Some time between 1800 and 1808, Sturdy took his family to the Tenessee- Alabama border area (then Mississippi Territory). Sturdy died in Madison County, Alabama in 1844. Sturdy and Sarah (Smith) Garner had children:

1. Samuel Garner5, b. Ca. 1788, 5. Ce; died 1846 Jackson Co., Arkansas; m. Rachel Pugh. Moved from Tenn.-Ala. border area some time around 1820-25. Rachel (Pugh) Garner died in N. E. Arkansas 1838. Samuel then married Myrel Williams December 24, 1840 in Independence Co., Arkansas.' Samuel and Rachel (Pugh) Garner had children:

• 1.  William Wakefield Garner6 b. April 17, 1826, Boone Co., Missouri; m. Henrietta Humphry in Arkansas; died December 7, 1874.
2. Robert Craig Garner6 , m. Alice Josephs 1868; died
British Columbia 1912
3. Elvira Garner 6, b. Madison County, Ala. ; m. Isaac
Chauncey Garner6 first and second William Ellington.
4. Sarah Garner , m. Thomas White.
5. Willoughby Sturdy Garner6,i m. Mary Peppers
6. Narcissi Garner6, m. (1) Noah Billings and (2) Dr. Lqkins
7. Samuel S. Garner 6
8. Timmandria Garner , b. 1809 Ala.; m. (1) Nathan
Barns and (2) William H. Mo rris
9. Griselda (Zarelda?) Garner, b. 1823, m. Marlie
Towns Wilkerson
10. Elizabeth Garner 6, m. (1) Archibald Oliver and
(2) Calvin Jackson

 Samuel5 and Myrel (Williams) Garner (second wife) had one child:
1. Mary M.6; died young

2. Robert Garner5
3. William Garner5
4. Elizabeth Garner5
5. Archibald Garner5
6. Sarah Garner5 m. Dr. Chenault, lived Jackson Ark. ca. 1862
7. Milton Garner5
8. John Garner5
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James Garner4 is one of the brothers of the very interesting 

Sturdy Garner4 -- this James4 being the direct ancestor of our family line.

JAMES GARNER 4 (PARISH3, THOMAS2, JOHN1 )

James Garner4 was born in Overwharton Parish, Prince William

County, Virginia, November 25, 1742. In Maryland, he 

married ca 1764-66 Elizabeth Straumit, born 1750, died 1814.

The couple lived in Maryland through Revolutionary times;

Charles County Census of 1775-78 lists James garner in Durham

Parish. James and Elizabeth moved to Ninety-six District, S. C.

before February 17, 1787, the date when James has surveyed a

tract of 12 1/2 acres of land "situate...on waters of Bush River.

James Garner died in Pendleton District, S. C. in 1794. By that

time, there were many related Garner families in the same district.

The census records and land records of the period 1790-1 800

show that Sturdy, Lewis and Enoch, other sons of Parish3, had

also come to South Carolina. James' wife, Elizabeth, was the

administrator of his estate; the account of his moveable property

was returned January 18, 1795:
One Still & sum Vessels
One Barrshare plow
One Jackplow
Two Cows & Calves
Two Heifers
One Cow and Calf
Two Cows and uearlings
One horse call'd Satin
Tow old horses
Three Hogs
Bed, Bedquilt & Bedstead
Bed & Bedstead
One glass & towel
One gun Barrel
Three Sickles
One Linen wheel
One D (ditto, i. e., "linen wheel")
One woolen D
Two axes, a matlock & Drawing knife
Tow pots, oven & Skillet & pot Rack
One Iron Bound Hhd
A Parcel of Pewter
Sum Delphware
One Coffee pot
a Stone Jugg
One 7 gallon Cagg
A Table, Churn & Slay
One pot & Hooks
Two Sows & Nine Shotes

The amount of the Estate &86.19.5. Thomas Garner5, James and Elizabeth' s fourth child, was named a co-administrator of the estate, with his mother, Larkin Nash and David Stringer.

James and Elizabeth (Straumit) Garner had children:

1. Bradley Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2 John1) b.1768, Md. As a young man, he moved to Louisiana Territory then to Texas. Had at least one son:

1. Thomas Jefferson Garner 6, fought in Texas Revolution, received bounty land in 1847.

2. Lucy Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1771, prob. Md; m. William      Hillhouse in S. C. ; moved to Arkansas; known children: (1) Mason Hillhouse6, m. Dr. Vaughn, a Frenchman, and lived in Natchitoches Louisiana. (2) John Hillhouse6  (3) Margaret Hillhouse6 m. John Bauman, lived in Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, later moved to Shelby County, Texas. Margaret (Hilihouse) Bauman died in 1830, leaving two minor daughters:  Margaret Bauman and another daughter, not identified. 

3. James Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. in Md. 1773/74, was sent to      school in Baltimore by his Uncle ________ Straumit. James accompanied his parents to Pendleton /Ninety-Six District, S. C. ca. 1787 where he married Jane Nelson, b. 1777,. born to Dr. Robert and Rebecca ( Barrett) Nelson. Dr. Robert Nelson was born in Virginia before 1745, died in Greenville, S. C., 1808. Rebecca (Barrett) Nelson lived until 1824. Jane (Nelson)  Garner died in Lawrence County, Arkansas 1818. James Garner5 is supposed to have been murdered by a man named Tattman who was accused of killing James' 

son-in-law, Dr. Adam Ritchie, husband of James' daughter Rebecca. Tattman escaped custody of the law and James Garner started in pursuit of the accused killer and never returned. James and Jane (Nelson) Garner had children:

1. Rebecca Garner6, (James Garner5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1797, m. Dr. Adam Ritchie 1818, a postmaster in Davidsonville, Lawrence County, arkansas. Dr. Ritchie was supposedly robbed and murdered by a man named Tattman in 1821. Rebecca married Andrew Chaffin within a few months after Ritchie's death. Chaffin also disappeared on his way to Texas. The next year, 1824, Rebecca (Garner) Ritchie Chaffin married Nathaniel Bateman, who died after 1833. Rebecca had children from all three husbands:

  1. William Mason Romaine Ritchie7, (Rebecca Garner6, James Garner5,   James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1)  b. March 19, 1819; 

               2. Margaret Jane Ritchie7 (Rebecca Garner6, James Garner5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. April 27, 1820, m. _____Riley 

              3. Columbus Ritchie7, (Rebecca Garner6, James Garner5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) died in infancy; 

             4. Ann Chaffin7, (Rebecca Garner6, James Garner5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1822; 

             5. Nathaniel Garner Bateman7, (Rebecca Garner6, James Garner5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. December 24, 1830; 

             6. John Bateman7, (Rebecca Garner6, James Garner5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. February, 1833.

2. Mary (Polly) Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), m. Abner Askew who died 1824. In 1826 Mary (Garner) Askew married Asram Tidwell, who died 1836. In 1837 Mary married William Moran. Mary had children from all three husbands:

  1. Field Askew7 (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1817,d. 1835; 

2. John Askew7, (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. March 24, 1819; 

3. Nelson Askew7 (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1821; 

4. Elizabeth Askew7 (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1822 

5. Jane Askew7, (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1824, died soon after; 

6. Roland Tidwell7 (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), died in infancy; 

7. Eliza Tidwell7 , (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) m. ______Kiser; 

8. Cynthia Tidwell 7, (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) died in infancy; 

9. William Moran7, (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) died in infancy; 

10. Josephine Moran 7, (Mary (Polly) Garner6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) m. _______Smith.

3. Nancy Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1801, possibly died in infancy.
4. Jane Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1802, S. C. ; d. 1817.
5. David Bushnell Garner6 , (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1805; was killed by Indians near Denison Texas in 1838.

6. Thomas Jefferson Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. 1806-7, died ca. 1846; m. Nancy Kellog ca. 1832. They had children:

1. Elizabeth (Betsy) Garner7 (Thomas J.6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. ca. 1834, brought up by her father's brother, Isaac Chauncey Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) and Elvira Garner Garner6 (Samuel5, Sturdy4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) m. Jackson Hicks. Elizabeth Betsy Garner7 and Jackson Hicks had children in the 8th generation of Garners: 
               (1) William Hicks8  (2) Alice Hicks8 (3) Anna Hicks8 (4) Arabelle Hicks8 (5) Charles Hicks8 (6) John Hicks8 (7) Jackson Hicks8 (8) Mary Hicks8 (9) Sallie Hicks8 (j10 Anderson Hicks8 (k11 Chauncey Hicks8 (12) Franklin Hicks8

2. William Romaine Garner7 (Thomas J.6, James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1, also brought up by Isaac Chauncey Garner6 and Elvira Garner6, left three unknown children in Santa Cruz, California.

7. James Madison Garner6 , (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) b. in S. C. 1808/9, left no family.

8. Elizabeth Straumit Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. in S. C. April 1, 1811, died September 20, 1880. She lived for a while in Natchitoches, Louisiana with her cousin Mason (Hillhouse) Vaughn. In 1828 she married Charles Brome Humphry from Isle Abbotts, near Taunton, Somersetshire, England, b. May 10, 1798, died March 14, 1877; immigrated to America 1815. They moved to Scott County, Arkansas where Charles Humphry served in several public offices. Elizabeth Humphry Straumit (Garner)6 and Charles Brome Humphry had children in the seventh generation of the Garner line: (1) Mary Jane Humphry7 b. 1829, d. 1879 (2) William Humphry,7 b. 1831, died unmarried (3) Henrietta Humphry7, b. 1834, died 1888, m. 1853 William Wakefield Garner6 (Samuel5, Sturdy,4 Parish3, Thomas2, John1), (4) Joanna Cauthron Humphry7, b. 1836 (5) Henry C. Humphry7, b. 1838, died 1882, m. 1860 Belle Oldham (6) James Humphry7, b. 1841, died 1922, m. 1866 Agnes Shelton (7) Charles B. Humphry Jr.7, b. 1843, died 1916, m. 1870 Isabel Foote (8) Thomas Chauncy Humphry7, b. 1846, m. Anna Eliza McLeod of S C. (9) John Westley Humphry7,b. 1849, m. Sarah Winston (10) Elizabeth V. Humphry7, b. 1853, m. Jesse Pearson 1875

9. Theresa Caroline Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1)
10. J. Isaac Chauncey Garner6 (James5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1813, died 1855, m. 1836, Sarah Williams in Lawrence County, Arkansas; m. again 1839 Elvira Garner6 (Samuel5, Sturdy4, Parish3; Thomas2, John1) b. Madison Co, Ala. , m. after Isaac's death William Ellington.

[An editorial reminder: All descendants listed in the section above belong to James Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1)]

Below is the continuation of our descent from James4, our direct ancestor and the father of John Garner5 : 

4. Thomas Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1775 (perhaps as early as 1770), Virginia, m. Elizabeth Thompson (dtr. of Joseph and Molly Thompson of Pendleton District, S. C.), was co-administrator of father's estate in 1794, still living in Pendleton District, S. C. 1815, when father's estate was finally settled after death of Elizabeth (Straumit) Garner, his mother.
5. Mary Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1778.
6. Elizabeth Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1782.
7. Nancy Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1786, m. 1838 Clark M. Harris, Gwinnett County, GA, d. before 1850, buried Sardis Church, Gwinnett Co., GA (much of the information on Nancy Garner and her parents came via personal communication from David Bunton, Russellville, AR).

8. John Garner 5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1788. Our branch of the Garner family descends from this ancestor. John Garner, 5th generation from John Garner1.

9.William Garner 5 ( James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. 1791, just three years before his father died.

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John Garner5 (James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1)

John Garner5 was born in 1788, probably in Pendleton District, S. C. He married Sally Cochran ca. 1807 in or near Williamson County, Tennessee. By 1818, John and Sally (Cochran) Garner had left Tennessee, gone to Illinois and then finally settled in Arkansas Territory in a portion that became in 1836 Lawrence County, State of Arkansas. John Garner and his older brother James were enumerated on the 1820 Census of taxables in Lawrence County, Arkansas.

John Garner 5 died by drowning in Spring River in Lawrence County, Arkansas about 1820. Sally (Cochran) Garner lived until 1860.

John and Sally (Cochran) Garner had six children:

• 1. John C. Garner 6 (John5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1) born December 4, 1808, Williamson County, Tennessee; this family history follows this line.
2. a daughter who married ________ Baker , living in or near Sharp County, Arkansas 1889.
3.a daughter who married _______ Wilkins, living in or near Sharp County, Arkansas 1889.
4. name unknown; died before 1889
5. name unknown; died before 1889
6. name unknown; died before 1889

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John C. Garner 6 (John5, James4, Parish,3 Thomas2, John1)

John C. Garner6 was born December 4, 1808 in Williamson County, Tennessee. He grew up in Lawrence County, Arkansas. He never saw a school-house until he was 20 years old, never went to school at all, by his own witness. John C. Garner farmed the land that he helped to clear as a young man, later operated a corn mill, and finally, in 1876, was postmaster of the post office at Martin's Creek in Sharp County, Arkansas, after it was established in his residence. In 1828, John C. Garner married Airena Gray in or near New Madrid, Missouri or Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. In 1830, they had their first child. In 1840, according to the Census Records, they were living in Lawrence County, Union Township with 1 son 10-15 years old, 1 son 5-10 years old, 1 son under 5, 1 daughter 5-10, and 1 daughter under 5. On the 1850 Census of Lawrence County, Union Township, these children are identified and three more children have been added. (See list of names below.) From the same record, we learn that Airena Gray was born in Kentucky, but later her husband told a biographer that she was born in Boone County, Missouri. Airena was born in 1811, probably the daughter of John Gray who is listed as a taxable of Lawrence County in 1820. Airena died in 1854, after bearing 10 children. John C. remarried in 1857, Mrs. Mary (Farris) Rice, who died in Sharp County, 1887.

John C. was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and a member of the Christian Church. On the 1880 Census, John C. is listed in Sharp County, Union Township, as being "worker at the mill" and his wife is listed as Mary, b. 1805, Tennessee. John C. is 72 years old at the time. From a contemporary newspaper biographic sketch, we learn that John operated his own corn mill. John's death date has not been established yet, but it was after 1889, when he was interviewed for Goodspeed's Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. John C. and Airena (Gray) Garner had children:

         1.John Milton Garner 7 b. 1830, Lawrence County, Arkansas; m. January 29, 1850 Lawrence County, Arkansas Zariah June McKenzie (McKinzey) b. 1830, Georgia; Milton died October 7, 1867 (probably should be 1877, because Milton was still alive in 1870, according to the Federal Census of Fulton County that year). This family history follows this line. 

  2. Edman (or Redman) Garner7 b. 1831, Lawrence County, Arkansas; died before 1889.
3. Sally Garner7, b. 1834, Lawrence County, Arkansas; died before 1889.
4. Hiram J. Garner7, b. 1837, Lawrence County, Arkansas;
m. (1) 1859 Lawrence County, Arkansas Martha Rice, b. 1837 Tennessee, died 1881; m. (2) October, 1882 Sharp County, Arkansas Mrs. Melinda (Mc Camy) Brown.
5. Elizabeth Garner7, b. 1839 Lawrence County, Arkansas;
m. William Ratcliff, died before 1889.
6. Lewis Garner7, b. 1842 Lawrence County, Arkansas; died before 1889.
7. Hardin Garner7, b. 1844 Lawrence County, Arkansas.
8. Calvin Garner7,
9. Nancy L. Garner7 b. 1849 Lawrence County, Arkansas;
m. Ldijah Ratcliff
10. Helena Garner ,b.1851, d. 1948, m. Dr. James Alonza M. Groves. Three children:

◦ 10.A. David H. Groves
10.B. William A. Groves
10.C. Myrtle Groves

Note: Vital statistics for John Milton Garner6 were supplied in part by Modie (Garner) Woods, daughter of Thomas David Garner and a very elderly double cousin of Thomas Watson Garner, in part by Mrs. Gladys Garner of Violet Hill, Arkansas, and the rest from sources as listed at the end of this chapter.

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John Milton Garner7 (John C.6., John5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1)

John Milton Garner7 was born in 1830 in Lawrence County, Union Township, Arkansas. He grew up there and on January 29, 1850 married Zariah June McKenzie (McKinzey), born 1831 in Georgia. John Milton Garner7 lived next door to his father, John C. Garner for several years, then moved to the area of Neosho, Missouri for a short time. His oldest son, Azariah Lewis Garner was born in Neosho, Missouri in 1859. When the Milton Garner family moved back to Arkansas some time before 1870, they located in Myatt Township, Fulton County, Arkansas, with the post office at Pilot Hill. Milton was a farmer who owned real estate woth $35O and personal property worth $465 at census time in 1870. Milton died in Fulton County, October 7, 1877?. Milton and Zariah June (McKenzie) Garner had children:

1. Martha Dixie (Dicie) Sarah Garner8, b. March 5, 1856, m. ______ Rogers.
2. Azariah Lewis Garner8, b. April 28, 1859 in Neosho, Missouri; m. 1886 b. Martha Goff. This family history follows this line.
3. Milton Price? Patrick? Garner8, b. March 25, 1863, Lawrence County? Arkansas.
4. Thomas David Garner8, b. February 2, 1866; m. Mary Adline Wheatley, b. January 27, 1864, d. January 30, 1891, a half-sister to Martha (Goff) Garner, wife of Azariah Lewis Garner. Mary Adline was the daughter of Mary (Sarah) Jane (Hendon) Wheatley. Mary Jane's 3 children by first marriage were (1) Mary Adline (2) Dick (3) Riley Wheatley. Thomas David and Mary Adline (Wheatley) Garner had one daughter; Modie Garner9, b. ca. 1888, m. ______ Woods; died 1979, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. 5. Francis Garner8, b. 1869, Arkansas. Francis did not survive to 1880.

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Azariah Lewis Garner 8 (Milton7, John C.6, John5, James4, Parish 3; Thomas2, John1)

Azariah Lewis Garner8 was born April 28, 1859 in Neosho, Missouri. When he was still young, he was brought back to Fulton County, Arkansas, near where his parents had grown up and married, and where all his brothers and sisters, both older and younger, were born. In 1887, Azariah Lewis Garner married Martha Goff, daughter of Henry and Sarah "Mary Jane" (Hendon) Wheatley Goff. (On Martha's death certificate, her mother's maiden is incorrectly written "Hayden", but according to Modie Garner Woods, her name was "Hendon". ) Martha (Goff) Garner was born some time between 1865-1873; the dates for her birth vary, according to what official document is consulted. According to her death certificate, she was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1873. However, Martha told the census-taker in 1900 that whe was born in 1865. A. Lewis Garner, Martha and their children lived in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas from the time of their marriage until April, 1908. Lewis owned a farm, with no mortgage attached. He could read and write, according to the 1900 census information. In April, 1908, the family moved from Arkansas to Henryetta, Oklahoma. At 17th and Regan Streets in Henryetta, some time in 1928, Azariah Lewis Garner died. Martha (Goff) Garner survived until August 1946. She died and was buried in Pacific Grove Cemetery, Pacific Grove, California. She had accompanied her children in their Okie migration to California during the Depression years, following her husband's death.
Azariah Lewis Garner8 and Martha (Goff) Garner had children:

1. Meta (Media) Prisilla Garner9, b. June 22, 1890,Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; m. William Flem Jones(b. July 3,1885, Izard County, Arkansas; d. November 6, 1967, HenryettaOklahoma). Meta (Garner) Jones died June 3, 1941. They m. Feb. 14, _________ Children:

  1. Effie Viola Jones10, b. February 21, 1910, Salem,Oklahoma; m. 1926, John R. McAfee in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Children: 

(1) Dorothy Mae McAfee11, b. March 17, 1928, Stratford,Oklahoma; m. 1944, Gerald G. Blackwood who died February 26, 1978. Two children: (1) Larry G. Blackwood ,b.March 18, 1946, Stratford, Oklahoma. Died in infancy.
(2) Janet Gaylon Blackwood 12, b. February 5,1950, Stratford, Oklahoma; m.1970 Ronald Cook, separated 1975.

2.  Evola T. Jones10, b. March 7, 1913; m. (1) Troy Douglas  (2) Russel Zeeck

2. Clarence Herbert Garner9, b. April 6, 1891, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; m. Martha Portain 1920, Schulter, Oklahoma; died December 19, 1954, Watsonville, California. Clarence and Martha (Portain) Garner had children:

1. Mary L. Garner10 , b. November 5, 1921, Henryetta, Oklahoma; died          December 10, 1921, Henryetta, Oklahoma.
2. Evelyn Lee Garner10, b. August 4, 1923, Henryetta, Oklahoma; unmarried.               3.  Billy Joe Garner10, b. March 28, 1932, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. Dorothy James on March 27, 1960. Children:  (1) Billy Joe Garner, Jr. 11, b. Decemer 1 0, 1964, Hollister, California(2) Clarence Robert Garner11, b. Nov.21, 1965; died young (3) Donald Leroy Garner , b. December 25, 1968, Hollister, California.

  4. Aubrey Della Garner10, b. July 15, 1937, Bakersfield, California; m. Albert Leroy Dalton, Jr. on August 6, 1956, Seaside, California. Children: (1) Nancy L. Dalton11, b. May 2011,1957, Monterey, California (2) Albert Leroy Dalton III , b. August 23, 1958, Los Angeles, California (3) Fritz John Dalton ,b. July 21,1961, Houston, Texas (4) Eva Marie Dalton , b. March 25, 1963, Germany (5) Herbert Ray Dalton11, b. February 20, 1967, Hollister, California.

    3. Nora Garner9, whose only child died unmarried.
    4. Roxie Lettie Garner9, m. (1) Claud Freedle (d. 1918) in 1912; m. (2) Carrol Reynolds in 1920 (Reynolds died in 1936) m. (3) Albert Smith in 1948. Children:

  1. Basil Louis Freedle10, b. January 25, 1913, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. 1933, Hayworth, Oklahoma to Lois 0. Bloodworth, b. March 4, 1917. Children:

  1. Richard Freedle11, b. April 23, 1934, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. (1) Jean Lovelace 1952; m. (2) Hallie Stewart. Children:  (1) Vicki Freedle12 , b. October 28, 1953, Pittsburg, California; (2) Richard Freedle12 , b. October 18, 1956, Marysville, California; (3) Dickey Freedle12, (4) Sandy Freedle12, (5) Chris Freedle12

  2. Michael Louis Freedle11, b. March 13, 1953, Pittsburg, California; m. 1976, Marysville, California to Jerrie Louise Watters, b. November 11, 1957, Weaverville, California. Children: (1). Katie Louise Freedle b. March 5, 1977, Marysville, California. (2) Donald Freedle11, adopted.

  2. Ruth Fern Freedle10, b. April 25, 1915, Henryetta,Oklahoma; m. September 4, 1937; Santa Cruz, California to Nick Louis Bilicich, b. December 12, 1910, Watsonville,California. Children:

  1. Patricia Ann Bilicich11, b. October 24, 1941,Watsonville, California; m. 1963, Santa Cruz, California to Gary Creg Brown, b. July 12, 1938, SantaCruz, California. Children:

  1. Nicole Antoinette Brown12 b. March 12, 1972, Watsonville, California; (2) Lani Joy Brown , b. December 25, 1973, Watsonville, California.

        2. Judith Lynn Bilicich11, b. February 10, 1944, Watsonville, California; m.      (1) John Stephen Lintz of Watsonville, California on April 28, 1961, Reno, Nevada;  m. (2) Ernest F. Lowrey on August 24, 1967, Santa Cruz, California. Children: 

  (1) John Stephen Lintz 12, b. Dec. 18, 1961, Watsonville, California; (2). Anthony Mark Lintz12, b. December 18, 1962, Watsonville, California.

  3. Mary Louise Reynolds 10, b. July 18, 1921, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. Carl Anthony Prnjak (born August 25, 1914) May 15, 1937, Watsonville, California. Children:

  1. Gary Lee Prnjak11, b. February 2, 1938, Santa Cruz, California; m. Freda     Nufelt, 1958, Reedley, California. Children: (1). Allison Prnjak12, b. August 27, 1959, Reedley,California; (2) Roddy Prnjak12 b. October 11, 1961, Reedley, California; (3) Susan Prnjak12 , August 23, 1966, Watsonville, California.

  4. William Lee Reynolds10 , b. August 25, 1923,Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. Margie       Juanita Marrow (born Septernber 14, 1927) September 18, 1942, Monterey, California. Children:

               1. Teresa Irene Reynolds11, b. June 18, 1943, Pacific Grove, California; rn.             (1) Ralph Dean Packwood (born November 15, 1942; died December 23, 1976) July, 1960, Salinas, California; m. (2) William Hall, in 1977. Children: (1) Margie Lee Packwood12, b. February 16, 1962, Watsonville, California; (2) Randy Dean Packwood , b. November 17, 1964, Watsonville, California.

  2. Richard Wayne Reynolds11, b. December 5, 1946, Pacific Grove, California; rn. Marilyn Ayres (born February 9, 1949) 1970, Salinas, California. Children: (1)  Jo'ell Reynolds , b. August 23, 1973, Watsonville, California; (2)  Dennis Keith Reynolds , b. December 12, 1967 

    5. Thomas Watson Garner 9 (Azariah Lewis8, John Milton7, John C.6, John5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1), b. April 7, 1896, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; m. Beulah Dean Pinkston September 6, 1919. This family history follows this line.

    6. Bertie Garner 9
    7. Mackie Della Garner9 , b. May 17, 1899, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; m. December    25, 1915 Dave Crockett James, b. March 28, 1891. Henryetta, Oklahoma. Mackie died
December 1, 1978 at Davis Community Hospital, Davis, California. Children:

1. Virginia Mae James10, b. December 2, 1916, Henryetta,Oklahoma; m. James (Jack) Othel Ellis on January 6, 1933; divorced 1950; m. Louis Joe Preciado (no children).

Children by Ellis:

  1. Jack Dee Ellis11, b. October 30, 1933; m. Marilyn Jacobson, 1953.  
                Children: (1) Michelle Marie Ellis12, b. March 12, 1954; m. Steve Schultz 1974.

            (2) Terrri Lynn Ellis12, b. January 10, 1959 (3) Sandra Dee Ellis12, b.January 17, 1960  (4) Jani Ellis , b. May 17, 1961.

  2. Wanna Lee Ellis11, b. March 2, 1935; rn. Rudolph, b. Robles, 1953; divorced 1967; rn. Eugene Howard in 1968 (no children). Children by Robles:  (1) Sharon Sue Robles12 , b. August 26, 1954;  (2) David Christopher Robles12, b. January 28, 1956 (3) Alfred Louis Robles 12, b. October 30, 1957  (4)Randall Robles12 b. February 22, 1959.

2. Velma Irene James10, b. July 6, 1918, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. Russell          Warren Gearheart on June 26, 1937. Children: 

  1. Virginia Ann Gearheart11, b. September 17, 1938; m. Joe Stevens on January 17, 1959; divorced 1970; m. Michael Rants July 1976 (no children).
Children by Stevens : (1) Kevin Lee Stevens12 , b. August 17, 1961  (2) Marc Stuart Stevens12, b. August 12, 1964; (3). Kathy Lynn Stevens12 b. September 15, 1967.

   8. James Azariah Garner9, b. 1902, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; m. Tsianina Pinkston, 1924; died 194-, Brentwood, California. Children:

  1. Billie Coweta Garner 10, b. September 2, 1926; d. May 4, 1932.
  2.  Lewis Pinkston Garner10, b. December 21, 1929; m. Ada Marie Brown, 1962.          Children: (1) James Hendon Garner11, b. November 19, 1966.  (2) Laura Marie Garner11, b. February 27, 1968

  3. Lavedia Belle Garner 10, m. Wayne Lewis Zachary on April 28, 1961. Children: (1) David Ross Zachary 11, b. July 30, 1966.  (2) Todd Lewis Zachary11, b. June 29, 1969.

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Thomas Watson Garner9 (Azariah Lewis8, John Milton7, John C.6, John5, James4, Parish3, Thomas2, John1)

Thomas Watson Garner9 was born April 7, 1896, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. He attended school through the third grade, learning to read and do arithmetic. His Family lived in the woodsy countryside of the Mammoth Spring area. When Watson had just turned twelve, he moved with his mother, father, brothers and sisters to Henryetta, Oklahoma. As a young man, Watson found work in the coal mines and earned good enough wages to buy a fine buggy and team of horses. Watson served in the Army in WWI and has been a member of the American Legion for many years. Thomas Watson Garner married Beulah Dean Pinkston on September 6, 1919. Watson and Beulah lived in Henryetta and Watson continued to work in the mines, when he was not working on the pipelines of the South and Southwest. In 1936, Watson and Beulah moved to California, and from this time, they considered the Central Valley towns of California their home and only went back to Henryetta for visits to family or when agricultural jobs such as picking and pruning in the orchards of California were not available. Around 1945, Watson and Beulah settled permanently in Brentwood, California in the San Joaquin River delta area. Watson worked as construction laborer and orchard hand while Beulah packed fruit in the local industries. They both retired around 1965, and now live on Garner Lane off Lone Oak Road in Brentwood, California. They have both been active in community affairs for thirty years. Beulah is a member of the Brentwood Baptist Church, and has held many offices in the Church and the community. Watson and Beulah were well- known in the 1960's for their prize garden produce and handicrafts taking ribbons at the Contra Costa County Fair. This couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September, 1979. For the occasion, Beulah provided a biography of the marriage. (See appendix.) Thomas Watson Garner died December 28, 1980; he is buried in Brentwood, California.
Beulah Dean Pinkston Garner died in 1986. She is buried beside her husband in the Union Cemetery in Brentwood, California. Thomas Watson Garner9 and Beulah Dean (Pinkston) Garner had children:

    1. Charles Barkley Garner10 , b. October 12, 1924, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. Pauline (Baker) Dacus . Children:

  1. Karen June Dacus , b. April 20, 1942, Antioch, California; m. Robert Lee Jones      (b. June 9, 1936, Dover, Arkansas), 1964, Brentwood, California. Children:

  1. Timothy Lee Jones12, b. April 26, 1966, Bellflower, California;
      2. Julianne Jones 12 , b. June 29, 1968, Pittsburg, California;
      3. Janet Lynn Jones12, b. March 8, 1970, Wasco, California;
      4.Kimberly Suzanne Jones 12 , b. June 9, 1973, Warren, Arkansas.

  2. Richard Lynn Dacus 11, b. ; m. 1965, Brentwood, Calif., Patricia Ann Caves, b.March 10, 1941, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Children:

  1. Andrew Paul Dacus12, b. February 3, 1968, Pittsburg, California;
      2. Shelley Noel Dacus12, b. September 5, 1971, Antioch, California.

3. Michael Allen Dacus11, b. July 29, 1945, Antioch, California.
4. Brenda Dean Garner11, b. October 17, 1952, Antioch, California; rn. John Mark Perrit, 1972. Children:

  1. Kelly Leigh Perritt, b. May 5, 1973, Oklahoma.

5. Linda Jean Garner11, b. October 17, 1952, Antioch, California;
m. (1) Albert Perry Paschal, 1971, divorced 1976; m. (2) James Jeffery Ferguson (b. August 17, 1954, 5. C.), 1977, Brentwood, California. Children:

  1. Christopher Matthew Paschall12, b. February 13, 1974, California;
2. Steven Charles Ferguson12, b. October 19, 1978, Atlanta, Georgia.
3. daughter Ferguson12

2. Rolland Glenn Garner10, b. August 24, 1933, Henryetta, Oklahoma; m. Anna Luesa Mullins (b. November 13, 1935, Vian, Oklahoma).
This family history follows this line. 

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Rolland Glenn Garner10 (Thomas Watson 9, Azariah Lewis 8, John Milton7, John C.6, John5, James4, Parrish3, Thomas2 John 1 )

Rolland Garner10 was born August 24, 1933 in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Rolland "Ronnie" Garner came with his parents to the Central Valley of California in 1936. Rolland married Anna Luesa Mullins, 1953. He graduated from University of California at Berkeley in 1963. In 1969, he joined the U. S. Foreign Service and was posted in Ankara, Turkey; Kabul, Afghanistan; Karachi, Pakistan; Amman, Jordan; and Yaounde, Cameroon. He worked for many years as a traveling auditor throughout the Middle East. Rolland Glenn Garner10 and Anna L. (Mullins) Garner had two sons:

1. Bradley Charles Garner11 b. October 2, 1954, Pleasanton, Calif.
2. Erin Douglas Garner 11 b. December 21, 1958, Pittsburg, California;
m. (1)Cynthia Ann Mykkanen in San Jose, California, 1982; m. (2) Susan Wilheit,      Monterrey, CA, ca. 1998.          

          Erin and Cynthia Mickanen had a son:

1. Ryan Richard Garner12, b. January 2, 1984, San Jose, CA.

Erin and Susan Wilheit had a son:

2. Lucas Azariah Garner12, b. June 21, 2000, San Jose, CA.

CONCLUSION:

Garner "land lying situate along the waters of..." The early patents and grants of land owned by your ancestors always described the tract or parcel of land by its orientation to the nearest water course. Thus John Garner of Northumberland County settled first near the mouth of the Coan River as it empties into the Potomac. His later plantations in Westmoreland County, near Kinsale, Virginia backed onto the waters of West Yecomeco River. A descendant built "China Hall" on these lands in the 1700's.
Thomas Garner, in his moves west, settled near the Rappahannock River on a plantation situated between Licking Run and Tinpot Run. In his turn, Parrish Garner inherited this land, but sold it and moved to the Haw River area of North Carolina. Parrish's son, James Garner, is located "near to...waters of Saluda River" in Pendleton County, South Carolina by 1799.
From 1800-1820, there is a rush westward by the Garner descendants of John Garner of Northern Neck, Virginia. The Clinch, Holston, and Elk Rivers of Tennessee; the Mammoth Springs and Spring River of Arkansas make their lands fertile.
A hundred years later, some of the Garners made their home between the Canadian River and the Arkansas River in Oklahoma. But they were no longer farmers. Azariah and Martha (Goff) Garner sold the waters of a spring in Henryetta, Oklahoma, and their sons had become coal-miners.
Finally, the delta of the San Joaquin River in California provided a stopping place for the Garners before your parents took you, Brad and Erin, eastward again--to the Near East and South Asia.


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SOURCES FOR GARNER FAMILY HISTORY
1.For an account of the descendants of all these Garner families, see Ruth Ritchie, The Garner-Keene Families of Northern Neck, Virginia, who is the source of this information on the Garners unless other sources are mentioned.
2.Bean, R. Bennett. The Peopling of Virginia. Boston, 1938, p. 74.
3 Withers, George Edward III, personal communication from Richmond, Va.
4._______________ History of Pittsylvania County, p. 285.
5.Application for pension by Sturdy Garner. National Archives.
6.Morgan, James Logan. Personal communication based on his
compilation of marriage records of Lawrence County, Arkansas.
7.Goodspeed Publishing Company. Biograpnical History of Northeast Arkansas. 1889, pp. 742-43.
8.ibid.
9.Morgan, James Logan. Personal communication based on his
compilation of abstracts from newspapers of Northeast Arkansas
in the 1820's.

Here let me acknowledge my debt to:
(1)John Casper Branner, Casper Branner of Virginia and His Descendants. Privately printed, Stanford University, Calif. 1913. (2)J. D. Warfield, The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Md. Baltimore, 1973. (3)Ruth Ritchie, The Garner-Keene Families of Northern Neck Virginia.

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