Norwood, Theophilus

Theophilus NORWOOD (1809 - aft. 1870) and Sally BROWN

possibly my 4g-grandparents

Matilda Caroline (NORWOOD) ALLEN was born about 1830 in AL, according to the 1850 thru 1900 US Censuses. The 1900 US Census pins it down to May 1830. The death certificate of her daughter says that Caroline NORWOOD and her husband, William ALLEN, were both born in Birmingham, AL. However, Birmingham was not formed until after the Civil War. So perhaps they were from the general area that became Birmingham. At any rate, they were both in Itawamba County, MS when they were married, in 1848.

The father of Matilda Caroline NORWOOD may have been Theophilus NORWOOD. He lived in Tuscaloosa County, AL in 1830 and 1840, and in Itawamba in 1850. The key piece of evidence is that the family of William and Caroline (NORWOOD) ALLEN was listed close to the family of Theophilus NORWOOD in the 1850 US Census for District 6, Itawamba County, MS. See below.

This Theophilus NORWOOD was born about 1809-10 in SC. His wife in 1850 and 1860 was Sarah, born about 1813 in TN.

It seems that there were several men named Theophilus NORWOOD, about the same age, living in the same area. So I will study the whole extended family, and see where she might fit in. The Theophilus described above will be called Theo1.

Theophilus NORWOOD marriages

One Theophilus NORWOOD married Sally BROWN on 10 Sep 1828 and one, possibly the same, married Sarah PITMAN on 1 Mar 1832, both in Tuscaloosa County. Theo1 was probably one or both of these. He does seem to have had a wife in the 1830 US Census (below), and his wife in 1850 and 1860 was called Sarah.

Since Matilda Caroline NORWOOD was born in May 1830 in AL, she could have been the daughter of Theophilus NORWOOD and Sally BROWN.

However, 2 of my close DNA matches trace their ancestries back to David James PITTMAN, possibly a brother of Sarah PITMAN. This makes it seem more likely that Sarah PITMAN was the mother of Matilda, my 3g-grandmother.

Theo1 may have married a third time, to a relative, Pansey L. NORWOOD, as they lived together, with a 1-month-old baby, when the 1870 US Census was taken on 26 Aug 1870.

So there is some evidence that Theo1 married all 3 of these women: Sally BROWN, Sarah PITMAN and Pansey L. NORWOOD. However, the wife of Theo4 was also named Sarah. Of course, the names Sally and Sarah were often interchanged.

NORWOODS in Early AL and MS

The 1820 US Census recorded 127,901 people in AL. These records for all but 8 counties (Baldwin, Conecuh, Dallas, Franklin, Limestone, St. Clair, Shelby, and Wilcox) have been lost [source], and none of the remaining ones contain any NORWOODs. Three NORWOOD households were in southern MS. I have not found a connection between these NORWOODs and ours.

The earliest records of NORWOODs in AL that I have found are two wills. The will of Washington NORWOOD was probated in 1825 in Greene County, AL. The associated documentation is extensive, but I did not see any mention of a Theophilus. The 1825 will of Francis D. SMITH does mention Theophilus NORWOOD, and is quoted below. It tells us that the father of Theophilus was Richard NORWOOD, deceased.

The 1830 US Census found 24 NORWOOD households in AL, including 2 headed by Theophilus NORWOODs.

Theophilus NORWOOD was head of a household of 6 in Shelby County, AL. However, this Theophilus was in the 30-39 age group, thus born 1791-1800, too old to be Theo1. Let's call him Theo2.

Another Theophilus NORWOOD had a household of 12, which included 3 slaves, in Morgan County, AL. He was 40-49, born 1781-1790, also too old to be Theo1. Let's call him Theo3.

There was one T. NORWOOD household in Tuscaloosa County, a family of 3. The only male was 20-29, which matches our Theophilus, who would have been about 20 or 21. Tuscaloosa County shares its border with Jefferson County, in which the city of Birmingham was founded in 1871. I believe this is Theo1.

[As always, comments in square brackets are my guesses. They are not part of the census.]

The 39.89 acre plot purchased by Theophilus NORWOOD on 16 Oct 1834 was about 1 mile north of the present site of Duncanville. It can be viewed at the Bureau of Land Management. It is about 1 mile east of Highway 82, and Poole Road runs through it.

On the same date, 16 Oct 1834, David NORWOOD purchased a 39.34 acre plot about 2 miles northeast of Duncanville.

The 1840 US Census has 4 NORWOOD households in Tuscaloosa County, AL, including the 5-member household of Theophilus NORWWOOD. This family matches up well with the family that appears in Choctaw County, MS in 1850, below. Other heads-of-household are D. M. and David, both in the 30-39 age group, same as Theophilus, and Wylie, 20-29. These may be 4 brothers.

Also in 1840, two NORWOOD households appeared in Choctaw County, MS. Theophilus NORWOOD was in the 20-29 age group, hence born between 1811 and 1820, too young to be one of the Theophilus NORWOODs previously mentioned, so I'm calling him Theo4. John M. NORWOOD was also 20-29. None of these NORWOOD families owned any slaves in 1840.

On 27 Feb 1841, Theophilus NORWOOD (probably the one I call Theo4) purchased 40.22 acres in Choctaw County, Township 21 N, Rage 8 E, Section 28, the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4. This land was about 9 miles west of Bellefontaine, so it is now in Webster County.

The MS State Census Index in 1841 and 1845 has Theophilis NORWOOD, John M. NORWOOD, and Frederick A. ALLEN in Choctaw County, This Theophilus was probably Theo4, since he was already in Choctaw in 1840.

Between 1844 and 1847, Theo1 and his family removed from Tuscaloosa County, AL to Itawamba County, MS, where he resumed farming. They had a large family, but I suspect that not all of the 8 children listed are children of Sarah, as 2 of them are named Sarah. Matilda Caroline NORWOOD had married William ALLEN in 1848, and they were also in Itawamba County in 1850. See the William ALLEN page.

The 1850 US Census had 4 families of interest in Itawamba County, MS. I will argue, below, that Matilda ALLEN (family 310) and Mary Ann BELL (family 313) were daughters of Theophilus NORWOOD (family 338) and his first wife. Also, John ALLEN (316) is possibly a brother or William ALLEN (310).

As mentioned above, the proximity of Matilda (NORWOOD) ALLEN and Mary Ann (NORWOOD) BELL in this census suggests that they may be sisters, and not far away, Theophilus NORWOOD could be their father. Also, the family seems to fit the data from the 1830 and 1840 US Censuses, above. Finally, the ages and birth places show that the family was in AL from 1829 to 1844, and removed to MS by 1847. This Theophilus NORWOOD is the one I call Theo1.

It seems strange that family 338 has children Sarah F and Sarah S. In the original record, the 9-year-old looks more like Sarena, and later records indicate that she was Serena J.

Another T. NORWOOD family is found in the 1850 US Census, in Choctaw County, MS. Probably related. I am tempted to think that Theophilus and Sarah moved from Itawamba to Choctaw between 18 Sep 1850 and 12 Nov 1850, and were recorded in both censuses, but the birthdates and places and the names of the children are all different. However, our Theophilus and family are found in Choctaw County in 1860.

The T. NORWOOD above was born about 1814 in AL, which was very early in AL history. This is probably Theo4, who was already in Choctaw in 1840. His wife was also named Sarah, like the wife of Theo1. However, Sarah the wife of Theo4 was born about 1811 in NC, and Sarah the wife of Theo1 was born about 1813 in TN. I would be tempted to think they were the same couple, listed twice, except that they appear with different children.

Based on birth dates and places, Theo4 and family removed from AL to Choctaw, MS between 1835 and 1837.

In the 1850 US Census, the William and Matilda Caroline (NORWOOD) ALLEN family appeared in Itawamba County, MS. Between 1854 and 1856, the family moved again, to Six Mile, Franklin, AR. See the William ALLEN page.

The 1860 US Census has several NORWOOD families in Township 21, Choctaw County, MS, including 2 Theophilus NORWOODs. They were listed close together, so their farms were probably close together as well. All had good-sized farms, so they were not poor, at the start of the Civil War.

Family 1599 was headed by Theo1. His wife Sarah and 6 children were at home.

Family 1609 was headed by John M. NORWOOD, born about 1784 in SC, the oldest member of the family found so far. He was probably the father or uncle of Theo1, Theo4, and David. Since he was not found earlier in MS, perhaps he came from SC to join his sons in the 1850s. His wife Sarena J is said to have been his cousin Sarena/Serena J. NORWOOD, daughter of Theo1, who appeared in the 1850 US Census, above. More discussion of this will appear in the section below, covering Serena.

Family 1611 was headed by David NORWOOD, born about 1809 in SC, so he could be a twin of Theo1. I have not found him in the 1850 US Census, but in the 1840 US Census he could be the David NORWOOD or D. M. NORWOOD in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Family 1638 was headed by Sarah, wife of Theo4. For some reason her husband appears in family 1610, headed by John L. NORWOOD, probably a son of Theo4. If so, John was recorded as 13 in 1850 and 28 in 1860, so there is some mistake.

Three of these NORWOOD families owned a single slave each, in 1860.

In 1870 there were 3 NORWOOD families in Choctaw County, MS.

Family #25 is unknown. Frances M. NORWOOD, born about 1833 in GA, was probably a widow. She lived with 3 young NORWOOD children and 3 other children.

Family # 26 is headed by John L. NORWOOD, born about 1832 in AL, probably a son of Theo4, as they lived in the same household in 1860. Also in the household is Elizabeth, born about 1790 in NC. She could be John L. NORWOOD's mother or other relative. She wasn't in MS in 1860, unless she is the same Elizabeth who lived with John M. NORWOOD, but she was 10 years too young.

Family #28 is headed by Theo1. His son John M. NORWOOD was with him in 1860 and 1870. Somehow Pansey L. NORWOOD, born about 1837 in AL, is in the household. In 1860 she was in the David NORWOOD household, so she was probably his daughter. In 1870 she had a 1-month-old baby and lived with Theo1. Perhaps Theo1 married his relative Pansey L. NORWOOD as his third wife?

Theo4 died in Mar 1870, in Choctaw County, MS. The death record has his birthplace wrong. Unless this is yet another Theophilus.

The 1825 will of Francis D. SMITH, of Tuscaloosa County, AL names his nephew, Theophilus NORWOOD, son of Richard NORWOOD, deceased. Apparently, Francis D. SMITH had a sister who married Richard NORWOOD, and they had a son named Theophilus NORWOOD. This Theophilus must have been a minor in 1825, because $100 was entrusted to Daniel GRIZZLE, to buy land for Theophilus NORWOOD. In the 1860 US Census for Township 21, Choctaw, MS, the families of Theo1 and Daniel GRIZZLE are listed consecutively. So I think the will above refers to Theo1.

There was a James Richard NORWOOD who married Mary SMITH. They had a child, Richard Smith NORWOOD, on 7 Jun 1811 in Greeneville, Green, TN. Richard S. NORWOOD later appeared in Tuscaloosa County, AL where he married Mary RUSSELL on 27 Jun 1834. I'll start a new page on this.

Summary of Theo1, Theo2, Theo3, Theo4

There were 4 men named Theophilus NORWOOD in northern AL and MS.

Theo1 was born about 1809-10 in SC. He is probably the one who married Sally BROWN in 1828 and Sarah PITMAN in 1832, both in Tuscaloosa County, MS. Sarah was born about 1813 in TN. Theo1 and family lived in Tuscaloosa County from 1830 to 1844. Between 1845 and 1847 they moved to Itawamba County, MS, and by 1860 they were in Choctaw County, MS. He was still living in 1870, with a 3rd wife, Pansey. It seems likely that Theo1 and Sally BROWN were the parents of Matilda Caroline (NORWOOD) ALLEN. I suspect that Theo1 is a son of James Richard NORWOOD and Mary SMITH.

Theo2 was born between 1790 and 1800. In 1830 he was head of a household of 6 in Shelby County, AL.

Theo3 was born about 1788 in SC. He married Wilmouth OWEN on 24 Apr 1808 in Barren, KY. Wilmouth was born about 1787 in SC. In 1830 he had a household of 12, which included 3 slaves, in Morgan County, AL. In 1840 he was in Regiment 39, Morgan, AL with a household of 12, including 8 slaves. In 1850 he had a family of 3, plus 8 slaves, in Division 10, Morgan, AL. They were in the Northwest Division, Morgan, AL in 1860, called Thomas and Wellmouth.

Theo4 was born about 1812-4 in AL. His wife was Sarah, born about 1811-5 in NC. They lived in Choctaw County, MS in 1840, 1850 and 1860. He is probably the one who died in 1870, in Choctaw County. I think this page on WikiTree refers to Theo4.

Descendants of Theophilus NORWOOD

The northern AL-MS region has a shortage of birth and death records. We can often infer birth dates and places from the census records, and death can be assumed to be after the last appearance in a census.

I'm still not certain that the same Theophilus NORWOOD married both Sally BROWN and Sarah PITMAN. Below are my best guesses, based on a lot of research.

Some researchers have Jefferson Davis NORWOOD (1844 - 1921) as a son of Theophilus. However, he does not appear with the family in the 1850 or 1860 US Census. Instead, he appears to be a son of David NORWOOD, a possible brother of Theo1.

For brevity: Bellefontaine is a village in Choctaw County, MS until 1874, when it was included in newly formed Webster County.

1 Theophilus NORWOOD b: 1809 in SC, d: aft. 26 Aug 1870 (appeared in Bellefontaine in 1870 US Census)

+ Sally Caroline BROWN b: 1810 in TN, m: 10 Sep 1828 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: 1832 in MS

......2 Mary Ann NORWOOD b: 1829 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: aft. 1860

...... + Richard Franklin BELL b: 1828 in GA, m: 12 Dec 1847 in Itawamba, MS, d: aft. 1860

......2 Matilda Caroline NORWOOD b: May 1830 in AL, d: aft. 1900 in AR

...... + William ALLEN b: 30 Jun 1822 in AL, m: 11 Nov 1848 in Itawamba, MS, d: 25 Jun 1891 in Logan, AR

+ Sarah PITMAN b: Jan 1813 in TN, m: 01 Mar 1832 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: Sep 1860 in Bellefontaine

......2 Elizabeth Isabel NORWOOD b: 1833 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: between 1870 and 1880 probably in Choctaw, MS

...... + Azariah Edmund ELLISON b: 1825 in NC, m: 20 Dec 1852 in Itawamba, MS, d: aft. 1880 probably in Choctaw, MS

......2 Sarah Frances NORWOOD b: 1835 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: aft. 1860 in Itawamba, MS

...... + Samuel Lewis YEAGER b: 1820 in TN, m: 07 Jul 1852 in Itawamba, MS, d: aft. 1880 in Itawamba, MS

......2 Richard S. NORWOOD b: 1837 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: aft. 1860

......2 George B. NORWOOD b: 1839 in Tuscaloosa, AL, d: aft. 1860

......2 Serena Judson NORWOOD b: 07 Jan 1841 in AL, d: 26 Apr 1910 in Bellefontaine

....... + John Middleton NORWOOD b: 1823 in AL, m: 1859, d: 21 Feb 1865 in Chicago, Cook, IL (possibly a cousin)

....... + William Littleberry STOVALL b: 09 Dec 1825 in Henrico, VA, m: 17 Mar 1867 in Pulaski, AR, d: 29 Jan 1908 in Bellefontaine

......2 Benjamin Holland "Holly" NORWOOD b: 15 Jan 1843 in Madison, Al., d: 25 Jan 1927 in Brownwood, Brown, TX

...... + Evelyne B. "Eve" MANN b: 06 Apr 1843 in Graysport, Yalobusha, MS, m: 1866, d: 18 Jan 1924 in Medina, Bandera, TX

......2 Martha Jane "Mattie" NORWOOD b: 1847 in Bellefontaine, d: 13 Mar 1929 in Winslow, Washington, AR

...... + Thomas Terry MEEK b: Jan 1846 in Deasonville, Yazoo, MS, m: 1867, d: 11 Jul 1928 in Winslow, Washington, AR

......2 Rachel Samanthia NORWOOD b: 1850 in Itawamba, MS, d: 19 Feb 1904 in Memphis, Shelby, TN

...... + John Monroe BIRMINHAM b: 28 Oct 1845 in Bellefontaine, m: 1867, d: 13 Jul 1917 in Memphis, Shelby, TN

......2 John M. NORWOOD b: 1855 in Bellefontaine

Mary Ann NORWOOD was born about 1829 in Tuscaloosa, AL, and died about 1866 in Franklin, AR. She married on 12 Dec 1847 in Itawamba, MS, to Richard G. BELL, born 1828 in GA, died 15 Oct 1863 in Franklin, AR.

The BELL family appeared in the 1850 US Census, very near Mary Ann's probable father, Theophilus NORWOOD (Theo1), and her sister, Matilda (NORWOOD) ALLEN, as shown above. They all lived in District 6, Itawamba County, MS in 1850. The BELL family of 3 had Richard G. BELL (22, born in GA), Mary Ann BELL (21, born in AL) and one child, William L. BELL (9 months, born in MS).

About 1855, the family moved to Franklin County, AR. Mary Ann's sister, Matilda Caroline (NORWOOD) ALLEN and her family also moved from Itawamba, MS to Franklin, AR at about the same time, but the two families lived in different townships in 1860.

In 1860 Richard BELL was a poor farmer, with no land of his own, and a small personal estate. Richard and Mary Ann had 6 children in 11 years.

Some researchers have identified Richard with Richard Franklin BELL, who was killed in the Civil War, 15 Oct 1863. I don't know if this is true, but I have not found Richard or Mary Ann after 1860.

The name Canzada is an unusual one, so she is easy to find. In 1870 she was still in Franklin County, living with her older sister, Nancy, who had married Hyram CLARK. Other farmers listed on the same page had real estate and personal estates, valued at a few hundred dollars, but these were left blank for Hyram, probably indicating that he was very poor. The fact that Canzada lived with her sister probably means that her parents, Richard and Mary Ann, were deceased.

Hyram CLARK was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company H, 1st Arkansas Infantry, Union Army.

1 Mary Ann NORWOOD b: 1829 in Tuscaloosa, AL

+ Richard G. BELL b: 1828 in GA, m: 12 Dec 1847 in Itawamba, MS

......2 William M. BELL b: Dec 1849 in MS

...... + Catherine BROWN b: 1866

......2 Nancy C. BELL b: 1852 in MS

...... + Hyram CLARK b: 1846 in Madison, AR, d: 04 Mar 1880 in Chismville, Logan, AR

......2 John F. BELL b: 1853 in MS

......2 H. F. BELL b: 1854 in MS

......2 Sarah Jane BELL b: 1857 in AR

......2 Canzada BELL b: 11 Mar 1860 in AR, d: 01 Mar 1916 in Logan, AR

...... + Anthony PUGH b: 1855 in TX

...... + John Wiley JOHNSON b: 15 May 1861 in Franklin, AR, m: 03 Feb 1889 in Logan, AR, d: 08 Jan 1933 in Logan, AR

Matilda Caroline NORWOOD was born May 1830 in Birmingham, Jefferson, AL, and was still living in 1900 in AR. She married on 11 Nov 1848 in Itawamba, MS, to William ALLEN, born 30 Jun 1822 in Birmingham, Jefferson, AL, died 25 Jun 1891 in Logan, AR.

In the 1850 US Census, the William and Matilda Caroline (NORWOOD) ALLEN family appeared in Itawamba County, MS. Between 1854 and 1856, the family moved again, to Six Mile, Franklin, AR.

See the William ALLEN page.

Matilda and William were my 3g-grandparents. The nature of the connection between Matilda and the other NORWOODs is the main mystery I have researched on this page.

Elizabeth Isabel NORWOOD was born about 1833 in Tuscaloosa, AL, and died about 1875 in Bellefontaine, Choctaw (now Webster), MS. She married on 20 Dec 1852 in Itawamba, MS, to Azariah Edmund ELLISON, born about 1825 in NC, died 1890 in Bellefontaine.

At age 17, Elizabeth appeared with her parents in the 1850 US Census, above. She was 19 and Azariah was 27 when they married.

In 1860 Azariah and Elizabeth had 3 children. Azariah was a poor farmer, with no land of his own. They are listed among several NORWOOD families, including Elizabeth's parents, in Choctaw County, so Azariah probably worked on the NORWOOD farms. The census was taken on 27 Sep 1860. The nearest post office was in Bellefontaine, which is now in Webster County, formed from Choctaw and other counties in 1874.

Azariah was granted 80.24 acres in Twp 21, Range 9, Section 3, on 1 Jul 1861.

Azariah served as a Private in Company I, 11th (Perrin's) Regiment, Mississippi Cavalry, Confederate Army. He enlisted on 1 Sep 1863, in Greensboro, MS.

The family was still in Choctaw County in 1870, among many NORWOOD and ALLEN families. Azariah was still a poor farmer, with no land. He must have lost his land during the war. They had 5 children.

The 1880 US Census finds Azariah in Calhoun County, MS. He had a new wife, Mary A. There are inconsistencies in Azariah's birth date and place, from one census to the next, but the names of the children match up, so these census records are all for the same family. Also, the children's mother was Elizabeth Isabel (NORWOOD) ELLISON, born in AL, not NC.

Elizabeth Isabel (NORWOOD) ELLISON probably died between 1870 and 1880, based on the census records. Azariah married again, to a Mary A, born about 1825 in NC, if we can believe the 1880 Census. I don't know whether the youngest child, Bassell M. ELLISON, was the son of Elizabeth or Mary.

1 Azariah Edmund ELLISON b: 1825 in NC, d: 1890 in Bellefontaine, Choctaw, MS

+ Elizabeth Isabel NORWOOD b: 1833 in Tuscaloosa, AL, m: 20 Dec 1852 in Itawamba, MS, d: bet. 1870-1880 in Choctaw, MS

......2 Emily Josephine ELLISON b: Sep 1853 in MS, d: Aft. 1880 in MS

...... + William F. BROWN b: Aug 1845 in AL, d: 04 Jun 1922 in MS

......2 William T. ELLISON b: 10 Oct 1855 in MS, d: 01 Jun 1934 in Sunflower, MS

...... + Martha J b: 24 Jul 1855 in MS, m: 1878, d: 30 Jun 1897

......2 Elias James ELLISON b: Oct 1857 in MS, d: 1932 in TX

...... + Mary Jane STURDIVANT b: Feb 1863 in MS, m: 1881

......2 Sarah Jane ELLISON b: 07 Jun 1867 in MS, d: 29 Jun 1925

...... + William Frank EIDSON b: 02 Sep 1858 in MS, d: 20 Aug 1920

......2 Amanda C. ELLISON b: 1862 in MS, d: Aft. 1880

+ Mary A b: 1825 in NC

......2 Bassell M. ELLISON b: 1871 in MS

Sarah Frances NORWOOD was born about 1835 in Tuscaloosa, AL, and was still living in 1860 in Itawamba, MS. She married on 7 Jul 1852 in Itawamba, MS, to Samuel Lewis YEAGER, born about 1820 in TN, still living in 1880 in Itawamba, MS.

Sarah appeared with her parents in the 1850 US Census for District 6, Itawamba County, MS. It is strange that the family had 2 children named Sarah in 1850, but the younger one may have become known as Sarena.

The 1860 US Census has the YEAGER in Itawamba County, MS. (The transcriber at Ancestry spelled the name GERGER.) No township was stated, but the nearest post office was in Richmond. Samuel was a very poor farmer, with no land and a personal estate valued at $143. Family 645 was headed by Elanson YEAGER, age 35, also a farmer. He might have been Samuel's younger brother, although he was much wealthier, with real estate valued at $1,350 and personal estate $2,070.

Richard S. NORWOOD was born about 1837 in AL, probably Tuscaloosa County. He lived with his parents in 1850, Itawamba County, MS and also in 1860, Choctaw County, MS. May have died in the Civil War.

George B. NORWOOD was born about 1839 in AL, probably Tuscaloosa County. He lived with his parents in 1850, Itawamba County, MS and also in 1860, Choctaw County, MS. May have died in the Civil War.

Serena Judson NORWOOD b: 07 Jun 1841 in Birmingham, Jefferson, AL, d: 25 Apr 1918 in Bellefontaine, Choctaw, MS. These dates appear on her gravestone in North Union Cemetery, Bellefontaine.

Serena appeared with her parents and siblings in the 1850 US Census, Itawamba, MS. The record says Sarena, and the middle initial is hard to read, but the transcriber for ancestry has Sarah S.

She married twice. The article [WCK, p. 3] contains valuable information. Her first husband was a probable cousin, John Middleton NORWOOD. The exact relationship is not known, but they had the same last name. John was born about 1823, in Tuscaloosa County, AL. They probably married about 1859, when Serena was about 18 and John about 36. The 1860 US Census has them in Choctaw County, MS, listed among several NORWOOD families, above. Serena and John had 3 sons in a little less than 3 years. John enlisted as a Private in Company D, the 43rd Regiment, and later Company F, 1st Regiment, Mississippi Infantry, Confederate Army. He was taken prisoner at Nashville, TN, on 15 Dec 1864, and died 21 Feb 1865 in the Union Army's Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL.

Serena's second husband was Dr. William Littleberry STOVALL, born 9 Dec 1822 in Richmond, Henrico, VA, died 29 Jan 1908 Bellefontaine, Webster, MS. They married in Pulaski County, AR on 17 Mar 1867, when she was 25 and he was 44. William also had 3 children from a previous marriage. They lived in Bellefontaine, where they had 4 more children. One of Serena's STOVALL children married a NORWOOD - I have not yet sorted out the relationships in this extended family.

1 Serena Judson NORWOOD b: 07 Jun 1841 in AL, d: 25 Apr 1918 in Bellefontaine

+ John Middleton NORWOOD b: 1823 in AL, m: 1859, d: 21 Feb 1865 in Chicago, Cook, IL (possibly a cousin)

......2 Columbus "Lum" NORWOOD b: 21 Apr 1860 in Bellefontaine, d: 02 Oct 1929 in Bellefontaine

...... + Sarah Frances "Sallie: NIXON b: 24 Apr 1859 in Bellefontaine, m: 11 Jan 1886 in MS, d: 15 Apr 1945 in Bellefontaine

......2 Jefferson Davis NORWOOD b: Nov 1861 in MS, d: 01 Apr 1928 in Shelby, TN

...... + Sarah Elizabeth "Sally" VANCE b: 20 Nov 1869 in Calhoun, MS, m: 1888, d: 26 Mar 1950 in Bartlett, Shelby, TN

......2 Hollis Andrew "Holly" NORWOOD b: 08 Apr 1863 in Bellefontaine, d: 10 Jan 1945 in San Bernadino, CA

...... + Sarah Francis "Sallie" WALDREP b: 12 Nov 1865 in AL, m: 1884, d: 13 Jan 1913 in Poteet, Atascosa, TX

...... + Florence WILLIAMS b: 1877 in Wyandotte, KS, m: 13 May 1931 in Los Angeles, CA, d: 1959 in Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA

+ William Littleberry STOVALL b: 09 Dec 1825 in Henrico, VA, m: 17 Mar 1867 in Pulaski, AR, d: 29 Jan 1908 in Bellefontaine

......2 Emma Apolona STOVALL b: 14 Mar 1869 in Bellefontaine, d: 16 Nov 1948 in Bellefontaine

...... + Andrew Jackson NORWOOD b: 1869 in MS, m: 19 Dec 1888 in Webster, MS, d: Jul 1928 in Tallahatchie, MS (possibly a cousin)

...... + W. Bennie VINSON b: Jan 1873 in MS, m: 1898 in Webster, MS

......2 John Albert STOVALL b: 1872 in Bellefontaine, d: 1934 in Memphis, Shelby, TN

...... + Tennessee Lou "Tennie" LAMB b: Oct 1870 in Bellefontaine, m: 1896 in DeSota, MS, d: 1950 in Helena, Phillips, AR

......2 Alice La Dorabelle STOVALL b: 27 Mar 1876 in Bellefontaine, d: 28 Apr 1928 in Bellefontaine

...... + James Thomas POUNDS b: 30 Sep 1872 in Sumner, MS, m: 18 Oct 1894 in Webster, MS, d: 12 Aug 1954 in Birmingham, Jefferson, AL

......2 Coralie Elmirah "Cora" STOVALL b: 14 Jul 1879 in Bellefontaine, d: 25 Aug 1960 in Los Angeles, CA

...... + James Henderson JOHNSON b: 26 Apr 1874 in Calhoun, IL, m: 1903, d: 29 Sep 1922 in Los Angeles, CA

Benjamin Holland "Holly" NORWOOD was born 15 Jan 1843 in Madison, AL, and died 25 Jan 1927 in Brownwood, Brown, TX. He married about 1866 to Evelyne B. "Eve" MANN, born 6 Apr 1843 in Graysport, Yalobusha, MS, died 18 Jan 1924 in Medina, Bandera, TX. They had 5 children, of whom 2 died in childhood. They moved several times in AR, MS and TX.

Evelyne's father was John MANN, according to her death certificate, but nothing else seems to be known.

Benjamin appeared with his parents and siblings in 1850 US Census, Itawamba County, MS, and in the 1860 US Census, Choctaw County, MS. In the Spring of 1862, at age 19, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, 41st Mississippi Infantry, Company E, and served as a Private until the end of the war. In the same unit was Private Samuel Jackson NORWOOD, who I think was Benjamin's cousin.

Benjamin and Eveline probably married shortly after the end of the war, as their first child, Sallie, was born 11 Dec 1867. Sallie's death record, and most census records say that Sallie was born in AR, but the 1870 US Census says AL, and others are inconsistent, so it's hard to say where the family lived in 1867. However, by 1870 they were in Choctaw County, MS, listed immediately after the other NORWOOD families. Benjamin was a very poor farmer.

The 1880 US Census, taken 15 Jun 1880, has the family in Center Point, Kerr County, TX, about 40 miles NW of San Antonio. Benjamin was sick with bronchitis. Judging by the birthplaces, the move took place between 1870 and 1874.

1 Benjamin Holland "Holly" NORWOOD b: 15 Jan 1843 in Madison, AL, d: 25 Jan 1927 in Brownwood, Brown, TX

+ Evelyne B. "Eve" MANN b: 06 Apr 1843 in Graysport, Yalobusha, MS, m: 1866, d: 18 Jan 1924 in Medina, Bandera, TX

......2 Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" NORWOOD b: 11 Dec 1867 in AR, d: 24 Aug 1941 in Brownwood, Brown, TX

...... + Leonard A. "Lynn" BERRY b: 20 Mar 1857 in Leon, TX, m: 30 Dec 1887 in Wilson, TX, d: 17 Jan 1923 in Snyder, Scurry, TX

...... + Thomas Jefferson COLEY b: 06 Dec 1861 in AL, m: 04 Sep 1926 in Brownwood, Brown, TX, d: 18 Jun 1955 in Brownwood, Brown, TX

......2 Alice L. NORWOOD b: 1869 in Bellefontaine, Choctaw, MS, d: 1875 in Center Point, Kerr, TX

......2 George Franklin NORWOOD b: 01 May 1875 in Center Point, Kerr, TX, d: 31 Oct 1950 in Medina, Bandera, TX

...... + Pernecy Antinett "Necy" "Annie" PARKER b: 06 Apr 1879 in McCulloch, TX, m: 1897 in Kerr, TX, d: 27 Nov 1950 in Kerr, TX

......2 William Augustus NORWOOD b: 01 Mar 1877 in Center Point, Kerr, TX, d: 16 Dec 1970 in Hondo, Medina, TX

...... + Julia Adella BAUERLEIN b: 11 Jan 1880 in Medina, Bandera, TX, m: 1899 in Kerr, TX, d: 02 May 1854 in Hondo, Medina, TX

......2 Laura M. "Molly" NORWOOD b: 19 Apr 1879 in Center Point, Kerr, TX, d: 23 Aug 1892 in Center Point, Kerr, TX

Martha Jane "Mattie" NORWOOD was born about 1847 in Bellefontaine, Choctaw, MS, and died 13 Mar 1929 in Winslow, Washington, AR She married on 1 Jul 1866 in Pulaski County, AR to Thomas Terry MEEK, born 3 Jan 1846, Deasonville, Yazoo, MS, died 11 Jul 1928 in Winslow, Washington, AR.

Martha appeared with her parents and siblings in 1850 US Census, Itawamba County, MS, and in the 1860 US Census, Choctaw County, MS. She was about 19 and Thomas was 20 when they married. They must have lived in AR for a brief time after the war, as they were married and had their 1st child there.

In 1870 Martha and her young family were back in Choctaw County, MS, although they were not listed near the other NORWOOD families. Thomas was a poor farmer. Malissa was 1 month old, although her birth month is also specified, and it looks more like April than August. Other records, including her birth certificate, indicate that Malissa was born 26 Apr 1873. I suspect that the first Malissa died, and they reused the name.

In the 1880 US Census, the MEEK family is found in Kerr County, TX, where Martha's brother Holly and his family had also moved. They had a daughter Melissa, who was 10, not 7. This census gives the birthplaces of parents. It is curious that Martha's parents were born in TN and OH. The Martha J. NORWOOD in the 1850 and 1860 Census, above, had parents born in SC and TN.

Mattie, Thomas and their three known children all lived past age 70.

1 Martha Jane "Mattie" NORWOOD b: 1847 in Bellefontaine, Choctaw, MS, d: 13 Mar 1929 in Winslow, Washington, AR, age 81

+ Thomas Terry MEEK b: 03 Jan 1846 in Deasonville, Yazoo, MS, m: 01 Jul 1866 in Pulaski, AR, d: 11 Jul 1928 in Winslow, Washington, AR, age 82

......2 James M. MEEK b: Jul 1870 in AR, d: 14 Mar 1942 in Merkel, Taylor, TX, age 71

...... + Beulah B. LAMB b: 24 Aug 1874 in Kerr, TX, m: 01 Jun 1892 in Kerr, TX, d: 14 Dec 1959 in Loraine, Mitchell, TX, age 85

......2 John William MEEK b: 14 Nov 1872 in MS, d: 27 Apr 1953, age 80

...... + Julia Charlotte "Lottie" LAMB b: 12 Jun 1877 in TX, m: 23 Dec 1895 in Coke, TX, d: 29 Nov 1937, age 60

......2 Mallisa C. MEEK b: 1870 or 26 Sep 1873 in Cabot, Lonoke, AR, d: 21 Oct 1943 in Sedro-Woolley, Skagit, WA, age 70

...... + Virgil D. HOUSTON b: 14 Feb 1860 in Dean Springs, AR, m: 01 Sep 1902 in Mitchell, TX, d: 16 Sep 1936 in Fayetteville, Washington, AR, age 76

Rachel Samanthia NORWOOD was born Apr 1850 in Itawamba, MS, and died 19 Feb 1904 in Memphis, Shelby, TN. She married about 1867 to John Monroe BIRMINHAM, born 28 Oct 1845 in AL, died 13 Jul 1917 in Memphis, Shelby, TN.

Rachel was 5 months old in the 1850 Census, Itawamba, MS, and 10 years old in the 1860 Census, Choctaw, MS. The marriage date of about 1867 comes from the 1900 US Census, which says they had been married 33 years, and from the fact that their 1st child was born about 1868. Proof that they were married comes from the death certificate of Will M. BIRMINGHAM, which names his parents as Jas. M. BIRMINGHAM, born in AL, and Rachel NORWOOD, born in MS.

James was the son of Hudson and Mary BIRMINGHAM. He may have been the same James M. BIRMINGHAM who enlisted in the Confederate Army in Lamar, TX on 31 Aug 1861, but he reported his age as 18, and our James was not yet 16.

I have not found the family in the 1870 US Census, or in any census between 1880 and 1900. Judging by the birth dates and places, the family was in MS until Jul 1888.

The 1900 US has the family in a rented home at 25 Third Street, Memphis, TN. This looks like the same family as the one in Lee County, MS in 1880, as 3 of the grown children are still at home, although it looks like Alfred has become Effie. James and Semantha had been married 33 years, and Semantha had 13 children, with 8 still living in 1900. All were able to read and write.

This census tells us that Samantha's parents were both born in MS. If she is Rachel S. NORWOOD, the 1850 and 1860 US Censuses both say they were born in SC and TN. Is it possible that James reported to the census taker, and didn't know where his wife's parents were born?

Rachel was still living in 1900, but had died by 1910, as James was then a widower, living in Memphis.

The death certificate of James Monroe BIRMINGHAM says he was born 28 Oct 1845, and died 13 Jul 1917 in Memphis, age 72. However, the 1900 US Census says he was born in Oct 1842, and his military records says he was 18 when he enlisted on 31 Aug 1861.

1 Rachel Samanthia NORWOOD b: Apr 1849 in Itawamba, MS, d: Bet. 1900–1910

+ John Monroe BIRMINGHAM b: Oct 1842 or 28 Oct 1845 in AL or MS, m: 1867, d: 13 Jul 1917 in Memphis, Shelby, TN

......2 Ibera BIRMINGHAM b: 1868 in MS

......2 Ella L. BIRMINGHAM b: 1870 or Nov 1872 or 18 Nov 1875 in MS, d: 02 Jul 1948 in Los Angeles, CA

...... + Littleton Hamilton "Lou" RUSSELL b: 15 Jun 1868 in MS, d: 03 Sep 1955 in Delhi, Richland, LA (possible husband)

......2 William M. BIRMINGHAM b: 10 Jan 1875 in MS, d: 10 Oct 1920 in Memphis, Shelby, TN

......2 Albert Sidney BIRMINGHAM b: 22 Nov 1875 in MS, d: 26 Feb 1962 in Okolona, Chickasaw, MS

...... + Josephine HARRIS b: 09 Aug 1873 in MS, m: 22 Aug 1895 in Chickasaw, MS, d: 17 Aug 1949 in Houston, Chickasaw, MS

......2 Hutson BIRMINGHAM b: 1877 in MS

......2 Alfred Hix BIRMINGHAM b: 28 Nov 1878 in Tupelo, Lee, MS, d: 04 Mar 1949

...... + Lula HUFFMAN b: 14 Dec 1879 in Pelahatchie, Rankin, MS, m: 22 Oct 1923 in St Francis, Lee, AR, d: 06 Feb 1966 in Monroe, Ouachita, LA

...... + Gertrude Helen WOOLSEY b: 1880 in IL, d: 18 Feb 1920 in Memphis, Shelby, TN

......2 Effie Judson BIRMINGHAM b: 25 Apr 1881 in MS, d: 25 Dec 1967 in Capistrano Beach, Orange, CA

...... + William W. SCHAUB b: 31 Dec 1873 in Nashville, Davidson, TN, d: 30 Dec 1946 in Chicago, Cook, IL

......2 Basil Clinton BIRMINGHAM b: 28 Jul 1884 in MS, d: 22 Jul 1937 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

...... + Dixie Belle ELLIOTT b: 12 Nov 1884 in KY, d: 16 Mar 1959 in FL

......2 Ninah BIRMINGHAM b: 04 Jul 1888 in MS, d: 12 Nov 1978 in Orange, CA

...... + Sten HOLMSWAY b: 1895 in MN, m: 1939

...... + Johnnie RYAN

There are some discrepancies in the data above. The birthdates in 1875 can't all be right, for one thing. William and Albert were born about 10 and 1/2 months apart, but their birth dates seem reliable.

Ella BIRMINGHAM was 10 in 1880, but 27 and single in 1900, born in Nov 1872. But the death record below must be her, since her parents' surnames were BIRMINGHAM and NORWOOD. There her birthdate is 18 Nov 1875, and she had married a RUSSELL, and died on 2 Jul 1948 in Los Angeles, CA. There was a Littleton Hamilton "Lou" RUSSELL whose wife's name was Ella L. RUSSELL. She was 36 in 1910, Lincoln County, MS, born in MS, and 45 in 1920, Lawrence County, MS, born in MS, so it is possible. However, their children in 1910 were 17, 14 and 12 in 1910, so where were they in 1900? Ella BIRMINGHAM was single, living with her parents in 1910.

John M. NORWOOD was born about 1855 in MS, probably Bellefontaine, Choctaw County. He married on 29 May 1884 in Kerr County, TX to Nancy A. BURKS.

Sources

[AM] Alabama Maps

[BLM] General Land Office Records at the Bureau of Land Management

[ONFT] Theophilus Norwood on the Old Norwood Family Tree (requires Ancestry license)

[WCK] Webster County Kin from the Webster Progress by Louis Taunton (requires Ancestry license)

Last updated on 14 Mar 2021 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.