Information below used by permission of Cathy Gowdy author of Eastland Families in America
Ezekiah Eastland 5, Thomas 4, Thomas 3, William 2, Joseph 1, was born March 18, 1777 in Newberry District, South Carolina according to family records. He married Elizabeth Davis in 1798, again according to family records, who was born Sept. 22, 1776 in South Carolina, the daughter of John and Mary Davis. Ezekiah witnessed the will of John Atkinson Sr. dated June 19, 1799 and proved July 29, 1799. This is the earliest public record for him which I have discovered. In 1903, on application of Mary Davis, widow of the late John Davis deceased, to grant her letters of administration on the estate and effects of the said deceased, a bond of $5000 was posted with Hugh ONeall and Ezekiah Eastland, securities. He and Mary Davis were among the buyers of personal estate at the sale. He served as co-executor of the will of Howel Cobb of Newberry District, witnessed the will of Henry Butler of Newberry which was dated Dec. 16, 1806 and proved Jan. 5, 1807, served as an executor of the will of his uncle, Isaac Mitchell of Newberry, dated Oct 29, 1811, and witnessed the will of William Stripling which was dated Feb. 2, 1816 and proved Feb 15th. He was named in the will of his father, Thomas Eastland, which was dated June 7, 1815 and served as one of the executors. His name appears often in Newberry land records. In a deed dated Jan. 21, 1805 his wife Elizabeth and George Shackelford sold land to Mary McConnel; Elizabeth relinquished her dower right and "Hezakiah" signed. He witnessed the sale of land by his brother John in October, 1808. He sold land to his brother William in October, 1818. On Oct. 10, 1802 he was received by experience into the Bush River Baptist church; on April 9, 1803 his wife was received. Ezekiah was ordained a Deacon in the church on Jan. 11, 1817. On Sept. 12, 1818 Ezekiah and Elizabeth were dismissed by letter.
The 1800 census of Newberry Co., S.C. lists Hezekiah Eastlind: 2 males 16-26, 1 male under 10, 1 female 16-26
The 1810 census of Newberry Co., lists Ezekiah Eastland: 1 male 26-45, 1 female 26-45
(Alfred Eastland married) Eliza W. Petty in Madison Co., Alabama on June 2, 1825. In 1827 he moved to Lincoln Co., Tenn. where he appeared on the 1830 census: Alfred Eastland: 1 male 20-30, 3 males under 5, 1 female 20-30.
He farmed and raised stock, and also owned sulfer springs with a hotel for the accomodation of visitors. In 1835 he moved to Hinds Co., Mississippi and then to Hillsboro, Scott Co., Ms. where he kept a hotel, was postmaster and probate clerk. His wife, Eliza, was born Aug 28, 1808 in Marion Co., Ala, the daughter of William Petty and Elizabeth Wright, and died in 1839. The younger children were sent to live with their grandfather, Ezekiah, while the two older boys stayed with their father.1840 census Scott Co., Miss: Alfred Eastland: 1 male 30-40, 1 male 20-30, 2 males 10-15, No females
1840 census Lincoln Co., Tenn: Hezekiah Eastland: 1 male 60-70, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 5-10, 1 female 90-100, 1 female 50-60, 1 female 5-10, 2 females under 5.
In 1843 Alfred remarried to a widow Vanderhurst, maiden name of Soanes, by whom he had one child. She was apparently deceased by the time of the Scott Co., Miss. 1850 census: Alfred Eastland, 44, S.C. Tavern keeper, Orville, 15, Tenn., in school, Lucinda E., 13, Ms., in school, Eliza, 11, Ms., in school, Milton, 7, ms., in school, Wm Vanderhurst, 17, Ms., laborer, Michael M. Vanderhurst, 11, Ms., Mary E. Funo, 34, Conn., Marian G. Funo, 13, Conn. John W. Wofford, 29 S.C., teacher In 1860 Alfred and two of his sons were recorded in Scott Co., Ms.: A.B. Smith, 31, Ms., attorney at law, Lucy L., 27, Ky, Elizabeth, 8, Ms., Margaret, 6, Ms, Bina, 3, Ms., Charlotte Chemmett?, 43, N. C., Or(ville) 26, Tenn, merchants clerk, Alfred Eastland, 53, S. C. gentleman, Milton Eastland, 16 Ms., student.The man who is the subject of this sketch, Col. Hiram Eastland, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1829 and moved to Hinds county, Miss., in 1836 with his parents, where he remained one year. In 1837 he located in Hillsboro, where he grew to maturity. Col. Eastland's father, Capt. Alfred Eastland, was a native of Spartanburg, S.C., and was born in 1806. He removed to Madison County, Ala., where he married Miss Eliza Petty. About 1828, he located in Middle Tennessee, from there removed to Scott county, Miss., and died in Waco, Tex., where he was visiting a son in the year 1870. Col Hiram Eastland was married in Scott county, to Miss Bettie Smith, a daughter of John J. Smith, who was a native of North (?South) Caroline, and one of Scott county's pioneer settlers, being one of the very first to clear out a place for a home in the wilderness, and becoming one of its prominent men. He took a keen interest in the general welfare of the county. He was the first sheriff of Scott county and took an active part in the removal of the Indians from that part of the state of Mississippi. After the close of the war, the Colonel removed his business from Hillsboro, Scott county to Forest of the same county, and engaged in the mercantile business in partners with M. D. Graham, and he has been very successful in his venture up to the present time. He and his family are members of the Missionary Baptist Chursh. His family consists of six living children-three boys and three girls. One son is in business at Meridian, Miss.,and the other two sons are in Forest, the one a druggist and the other a practicing physician. Socially, Colonel Eastland is a Mason of long standing. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor. He is a man who ranks high in his county and there are none to whom more honor is due.
