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Marion Hargrove's Reasonable Ancestor Approach
Jernigan Special Events....Births, Marriages, Deaths
Kay Stone's Information Discoveries
Written by: Your 2001 Committee Chairman, Jacque (Clonts) Holladay
What a great time we had at the JERNIGAN REUNION 2001! The reunion was held in Flagstaff, Arizona on July 4-7. We had 72 people attend the reunion; 55 adults and 17 children under age 12. There were family members from 9 different states: California, Arizona, Utah, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. This group represented at least 5 generations of Jernigans! This was the first time our reunion was held outside of Checotah, Oklahoma and was a new and refreshing experience. The weather in Flagstaff was absolutely fabulous. Temperatures during the day were in the mid-70s and we got to experience some of the Arizona monsoon rainstorms. When it finally rains in Arizona, it really rains...several commented they had never seen such huge raindrops. Larry Dixson and his sons learned it can be a poor decision to drive an open-air Jeep to the Grand Canyon during Arizona's monsoon season - they got pelted by hail on their 1 1/2 hour drive back to Flagstaff, with only a plastic tarp to offer any protection! A great story to tell for many years to come.
Family started gathering at the EconoLodge on Tuesday, July 3, with most arriving on Wednesday the 4th. There was a nice big "living room", complete with fireplace, tv and kids play area where a lot of the family gathered over the next several days. Flagstaff received a big rain storm that evening, so most of us stayed in the "living room" and hoped to see fireworks from the large picture windows, but no such luck. Oh well, it's always nice to sit and catch up. On Thursday about 35 of us piled into our vehicles (or someone else's that would give us a ride) and drove to the IMAX theater at the Grand Canyon. What an incredible movie! There's no better way to get an up-close-and-personal view of the canyon, as well as hear the history of the Indians that lived along the canyon and early explorers and their attempts to travel the canyon. After we came out of the movie, a light rain fell as we found our way into the canyon. Different groups took different routes to view the canyon itself, but it was great to be able to ride the free shuttles from point to point, or get out and hike part of the canyon rim. What a beautiful day to be sightseeing; cool temperatures, but not cold enough to really need a jacket and a breeze that turned to strong gusts at times. Even those that had been hesitant to make the trek at first found it to be a wonderful experience.
On Friday morning, 6 brave souls made their way to the Eldon Hills Golf Course for an early morning game of golf. Rumor has it that they may have seen more of the course than most golfers (was that because they were searching for their golf balls?). Only 2 of the group were even brave enough to keep score, but everyone managed to survive the full 18 holes and were still smiling when it was over. Just as the game finished and everyone climbed into their vehicles, the monsoons started up again and their clubs got washed on the trip back to the hotel. Several other groups spent the day in Sedona, visiting the many arts and crafts venues, the outlet mall, Slide Rock, or searching for the Cliff Castle Casino.
Friday evening a surprise reception was held in the EconoLodge Fireplace Room to honor Mary Jo Jernigan Dixson, the oldest child of Ben and Lou Jernigan. However, the surprise was on the attendees, instead! Mary Jo wasn't feeling well and had already gone to bed before they broke the news that the gathering was in her honor. Unfortunately, she didn't feel well enough to join us, so we continued in her absence. Dixie Clonts, daughter of Mary Jo, gave her life history and then a video presentation, prepared by several of Mary Jo's descendant's, was enjoyed by all. Jacque Holladay, then presented a beautiful, quilt she had made for her grandmother, with heart appliqués featured in the quilt blocks to remind Mary Jo when she finds herself alone that there are many lives that she has touched and many people love her. The evening ended with treats of homemade vanilla and banana/chocolate/nut ice cream, prepared by Jim Clonts and Rob Holladay. Mmmmm was it good!
We awoke to a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and met in the Fireplace Room once again for a business meeting. After being volunteered by his son, Ben, Larry Dixson was elected chairman of the Reunion 2003. Following comments and discussion, it was decided to hold the next reunion in Checotah, Oklahoma once again, depending on Fountainhead Lodge remodeling being completed in time for it to be an acceptable location. It was suggested that the "hat" be passed at the afternoon picnic, so that the next committee would have "startup funds". Family members were generous and $162 was collected, although $50 was given to the Kinkade's to help offset some of the cost of the air jump that was enjoyed by all, leaving $112 for the Reunion 2003 committee for startup funds. After the business meeting, Don Jernigan and Dixie Clonts shared some insight into our family's ancestors. Since our previous Jernigan Reunion of 1999, Samuel's father had been identified with links to the main Jernigan line back into and through the Immigrant Thomas Jernigan. Nearly one thousand years of family history was presented in a chart produced by Family Tree Maker. We have Marion Hargrove to thank for the discovery.
That afternoon, we gathered at Thorpe Park about 4:00pm for a steak and chicken cookout. What fun! Patti Kinkade had arranged for an air jump which turned out to be so much fun, none of the kids could be dragged away to eat! The chefs (Jim Clonts, Scott Kinkade and Rob Holladay) did a fantastic job and no one left hungry. The full menu consisted of veggies & dip, chips, grilled steak or chicken, baked beans, Caesar salad, dinner rolls and ASU All American chocolate cake. Debi Lane acted as our family photographer and gathered families together for photos among the pine trees. Hopefully, we will be able to post a few on the Jernigan website for all to enjoy.
A HUGE thank you to all who helped make this reunion a success (I'm almost afraid to name names in case I forget someone, but here goes) Debi Lane, Patti Kinkade, Jenni Kinkade, Jim Clonts, Dixie Clonts, Rand Harris, and last but definitely not least, my husband, Rob Holladay. We had a great time and really enjoyed spending time with our extended family and renewing friendships with those we don't get to see often enough. If you were at the reunion, I hope you had as much fun as we did and if you weren't there, plan now to attend in Oklahoma over July 4, 2003!
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Pictures above (left to right): 1. Ann (Jernigan) & John Humphrey; 2. Betty, Ashly, Brenan, and Joe Jernigan; 3.Bob & Vernice Miller, Bissa & Art Bettencourt; 4. Clyde Jernigan; 5. Felicia & Lloyd Jernigan, Donna Sue (Jernigan) Johnson; 6. Marcus, Sallee, Ben, & Larry Dixson; 7. Amy, Debbi, Justin, Jessica Chandler.
Pictures Below (left to right): 1. General Meeting by Jacque Holladay; 2. Mary Jo (Jernigan) Dixson; 3. Margaret (Jernigan), OT, & Linda Dee Dixon; 4. Marice & Gretchen Payne; 5. Ruby Jernigan, Art & Bissa Bettencourt, Jerry Jernigan (on floor), Clyde Jernigan, Lloyd & Felicia Jernigan; 6. Wes, Windy, Betty (Jernigan), & Jim Sanders; 7. First rwo: Betty (Jernigan) Sanders, Clyde Jernigan, Mary Jo (Jernigan) Dixson. Second row: Ann (Jernigan) Humphrey, Lloyd Jernigan and Margaret (Jernigan) Dixon.(and we don't know who was taking a break in the background)
Editor's note: This is the fifth and last part of Marion Hargrove's letters. It continues with the tribe of Henry Jernigan,Jr.
Having spent a ridiculously long time watching these old Jernigans, I sometimes feel as is I almost know them -- which of course I don't -- and I have my favorites. I feel particularly drawn to Henry Sr. of Bertie, with his wondrous clutter -- his china punchbowl, his carpenter's adzes and cooper's planes, tailor's shears and remnants of fine linen, shoemaker's tools, six wigs and two pairs of spectacles, and nine books. (in a world where only one person out of 30 could even sign his name). I suspect that Henry Jr. was very much like his father, but even more easy-going. I sense a lot of these traits running through the whole tribe, and it was probably characteristic of the time and place they lived in. I don't get any great sense of this in Henry Jr's son, my fourth-great-grandfather Lewis Jernigan of Mill Creek, who may have been the most loving husband and father since the Dawn of Time, but who always manages to shine forth from the record as, shall we say, somewhat devious. If it were not for the fierce streak of family loyalty, I would probably use the words crafty, litigious and greedy.
By all accounts, Lewis was the eldest son of Henry and Ann. He first appears as a witness to a deed (Tr. 1:18, January term 1763), indicating he was born no later than 1742. In Oct 1764 (D-1:180) he was deeded by his father 200 acres on Mill Creek, witnessed by his brother-in-law Jacob Stevens and by Joseph Boon (jurat). I have always suspected that this was occasioned by Lewis's marriage, and that the bride was Boon's daughter Winnie. (Compare will of William Jernigan Sr., 1784, witnesses including Winnie x Jernigan; and gift deed of 1794, T1:317, Joseph Boon Senr to daughter Winney Jernigan.) It appears to me that the wills of his maternal grandparents Wm. Sr. and Elizabeth are both in the handwriting of Lewis, and that the will of his mother Ann was dictated to her son-in-law Tom Bizzell by his close crony Lewis; all three wills named Lewis as executor.
On 1 July 1793 Lewis gave his eldest son Kedar "500 acres and two plantations" on Falling Creek, which was nearly in Wayne County. One the same day, as "heir-at-law of Henry Jernigan, deceased", to John Atkinson, despite the fact that Henry had left it as a life estate to Anne, with reversion on her death to their youngest son Jasper. Jasper died there in 1787, leaving it to his small son, Martin Jernigan, with reversion to Belinda's son Henry Stevens. It occurred to Lewis, possibly as he was standing grief-stricken at his dear mother's deathbed in June 1793, that Jasper had never actually owned the place and therefore could not have legally left it to anybody at all, and guess who was now the Rightful King to France?
The case was settled out of court. It didn't matter to Jasper's little orphan boy at all, since he died the next spring anyway -- the court naming as administrators his two loving uncles Thomas Bizzell and Lewis Jernigan -- and young Henry Stevens was able to buy the place back from John Atkinson, and they all lived happily ever after (watching each other like hawks).
The issue of Lewis and Whoever include:
Which brings us finally to the most unforgettable of the issue of Lewis Jernigan, the Miller of Mill Creek, the one on whom more time and postage has been spent than on all the others combined. He is, in the words of his fierce and tireless champion, the late Lillian Jernigan Worley: LEWIS JERNIGAN (6-3), SON OF LEWIS (5-4) or more simply, Lewis Jr. son of Lewis. He was, she said, a result of Lewis's marriage to a daughter of his Uncle Jacob. That's fine, except it never happened. There were at least five Lewis Jernigan Jr.'s in the neighborhood of Lewis Sr., but none of them was his own. They were his cousin Lewis son of William Jr ... his cousin Lewis of Wayne, son of Jacob ... his nephew Lewis son of Cary ... his grandson Lewis son of Kedar ... and, almost next door, Uncle Jacob's grandson, Josiah son of Joseph. (Josiah's mother was a Jernigan too, the daughter of Lame David and sister of Josiah Esq. of Wayne.) Young Josiah's middle name was probably Lewis, but he always called himself Josiah Jernigan Jr. -- except in matters pertaining to a Certain Piece of Paper.
You're going to hate me for this, but (again) thereby hangs a tale. If I may go back (briefly) to 1736 or so, when Lewis's father Henry settled on Mill Creek, he had hoped to be joined there shortly by his brother Jacob. But Jacob's son Joseph settled there instead, and died there ca 1784, leaving two minor children, Josiah and Cynthia, and 1340 acres of land. The latter may or may not have included 150 acres sold (or given) by Henry to Jacob in 1745. At some point, when he was a very old man, Jacob recollected Henry's grandsons, Henry and Edward Stevens of Mill Creek, he had a deed of gift drawn up in Josiah's favor, for the Stevens boys to witness and take back to Johnston County with them. However, Jacob's memory was somewhat selective by that time , and the deed was made out to "my Loving grand Son Lewis Jernigan of the County of Johnston. And that's the way Josiah presented it -- and himself -- to the county court at Smithfield in 1794. That was three months after he had already sold that land to Joseph Hearn.
Josiah's memory was somewhat selective to -- he was quite young but apparently precocious in ways -- and he may have sold the same piece of land more than once. At any rate, he was constantly sued, always as Lewis Jernigan Jr, and usually by the said Hearn. He died ca 1800, as Josiah Jernigan Jr., leaving a widow (his cousin Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah Sr.) and a small son Arthur.
Bill Worley still held her ground, or what was left of it, for Lewis son of Lewis. There was still, she pointed out, one acre of land in Wayne County, south bank of Mill Creek, on the public road leading from Cox's Mill towards Fayetteville, sold 13 September 1817 (Wayne 11:254) to Enoch Cobb & Co. for $50. The deed was signed by Wiley Jernigan and Lewis (his X mark) Jernigan. That had to be Lewis Jr., she said, because Lewis Sr. always signed his name. I couldn't figure out how two brothers came to share one acre of land. I was a bit slow, but then it hit me. The land wasn't Wiley's to sell, either, until his father died, which he obviously had not. Lewis may have grown too feeble to sign his name any more, but he still knew a good deal ($50) when he saw one. And, sure enough:
Lewis Jernigan died in the early spring of 1818.
Editors comment: This is where the letter and information ended. We hope our readers have enjoyed Marion Hargrove's Reasonable Ancestor Approach. Again, we want to thank Mr. Hargrove for allowing us to use his two letters, one to Frank Jernigan and another to Laona Hagenstad. Frank Jernigan wrote an article, "Lewis Jernigan and My Theories" for the Jernigan Connection which was published in Issue Ten, dated April 1995. Laona Hagenstad has written several articles for our Jernigan Connection; " Laona Hagenstad's Dream Vacation" in Issue Four, dated December 1991; "Early Anson County, NC" , "The Regulators and War of Regulation", and "Early Jernigans in Anson County, NC" all in Issue Six, dated April 1993; "Samuel and Rachel Hand Jernigan" in Issue Seven, dated October 1993; "Family of Samuel and Rachel Hand Jernigan" in Issue Eight, dated April 1994; "Samuel Jernigan Jr." and "David M. Jernigan" both in Issue Thirteen, dated October 1996; and "Three Daughters of Samuel and Rachel (Hand) Jernigan" in Issue Eighteen, dated April 1999.
Reported in the Dunn, North Carolina...The Daily Record: George Julius Jernigan, 94, died July 31, 2001, at the Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital. He was a member and former deacon of Long Branch FWB Church. Mr. Jernigan was born April 26, 1907, and was the last surviving child and youngest son of the late Budd Hawkins Jernigan and Joanna Elizabeth Jernigan. He was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Dr. Nancy E. Jernigan of Raleigh; sons, George J. Jernigan Jr. and Dr. Jerry O. Jernigan, both of Wilmington; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Barna Jernagan, who was convicted about a year since of a capital offence in Wayne County, passed through this town (Fayetteville, NC) last week in custody of doctor Coor Pender, for Raleigh. It will be recollected, that this notorious villain broke goal in Wayne county, and that a large reward was offered for his apprehension. Dr. Coor Pender has with great zeal and perseverance followed him though the western country, and at last apprehended him in Florida, and has conducted him in safety to Raleigh, where he will remain till the next superior court, when he will probably receive sentence of death. From the Fayetteville Observer (14th Inst.)
Providence, March 17. Melancholy Shipwreck! Capt. H___, of the Janus, has politely furnished us with the following circumstantial account of the Melancholy loss of the schr. Quaker, Capt. Leonard Journagan, on her passage from Boston for the Chesapeake, in lat. 37, 35, long. 73, 40:
The Quaker sailed from Boston, February __ with cables and cordage for the Columbus, fitting for sea in the Chesapeake waters. She had on board 39 men which had been ___ for the Columbus, 3 naval officers and 6 marines including Captain Journagan -48 persons in all. On the morning of the 6th of March, the schooner was struck by a squall, and in spite of every effort to prevent it, capsized, and the passengers and crew were washed overboard by the surge. William Miller, the mate, succeeded in hauling himself into the main crosstrees, where he found four others - the topmast and crosstrees being for the most part out of water - Captain Journagan, when last seen, was holding on to the main chains, and Lieut. Samuel P. Macomber, of the United States Navy, was clinging to the weather quarter. The mate and his four companions remained in their perilous situation till Tuesday, the 7th, when three of them ___ of cold and fatigue, and were washed away by the surge which was continually breaking over the mate and his surviving companion, who expected momentarily, to share the fate of those who were lost. They remained without a prospect of escape from death, until the forenoon of Wednesday, March 8, when they discovered a vessel standing towards them; they contrived to hoist a signal of distress - the vessel approached within hailing distance, sent her boat, and ___ from the wreck the two sufferers, who, after the lapse of 36 hours were nearly exhausted by hunger and fatigue. This vessel proved to be brig Janus, Capt. Har_don, from Turks Island, __ and for this port, where she arrived yesterday. The feelings of the mate and his companion, on the prospect of their deliverance, may be more easily conceived than described. They had previously been passed by four vessels, who did not observe their signals. The preceding particulars of this melancholy shipwreck, by which 46 human beings unfortunately perished, are derived from a very minute statement, drawn up by the mate, and communicated to Capt. Karadon. The name of the mate's companion, who was saved, is Samuel S. Pierce, of New Jersey, a seaman of the Columbus. We subjoin the mate's list of the persons who perished: - Leonard Journagan, Captain of the schr.; Lieut. S. Macomber, late acting Captain of the Navy ___ at Boston going on to Washington City, for preferment. ___ Bordain, Master's Mate on board the Independence 74, going to Washington City, for preferment; and elderly gentleman, a lieutenant on board the Independence, 74, going to Washington City, for preferment; and Seamen- in all forty six. Lieut. Macomber was the eldest son of Col. Ebenezer Macomber, late of this town, and sustained the reputation of an active intelligent, and intrepid officer.
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