October Birthdays

Each  month you can learn about some of your ancestors on their special day.  Along with vital statistics, you can read the stories told through the years along and/or personal memories of my own. Please add your stories here too.  

03 Oct 1851 - FRANCIS BRISON AUSTIN, SR. - My great-grandfather was born on 03 Oct 1851 in Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina. He married Flora Ann (Annie) HUNSUCKER on 13 Mar 1880 in Raleigh, Wake, North Carolina. The family moved from North Carolina to Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, around 1888.  He died at the age of 61 on 25 May 1913 in Savannah and was buried on 26 May 1913 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia (Laurel Grove Cemetery, Lot 2903).

Austin family at home on

208 West Anderson Street, Savannah, GA about 1889

In photo:  Standing left to right - Katie, Lillian, Will, Daisy

Sitting:  Frank and Annie, and Georgia and Fred on the steps

(Photo owned by Frank's great-granddaughter Stephanie Irish)

05 Oct 1884 – LOUIS FALLIGANT THOMAS, SR. – Louis was born in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, to parents Adelaide Almira LAVIER and John Augustus THOMAS. He married Charlotte Melissa HORNE on 10 Feb 1910 in Savannah (St. Paul's Episcopal Church). He was employed as a Machinist. He died on 10 Mar 1920 in Savannah and was buried in Bonaventure Cemetery (Section A, Lot 136). The cause of death was Influenza/Pneumonia. Louis and Charlotte had one son, Louis Falligant THOMAS, Jr., who was killed in a streetcar accident at the age of six. Their marriage ended in divorce.

05 Oct 1824 – ANNE MATILDA ENGLISH TOWLES – Anne Matilda ENGLISH was the oldest sister of my 2^nd great-grandmother Sarah Jane ENGLISH. She was born in Bryan County, Georgia.  She married Daniel Freeman TOWLES on 17 May 1843. They had three sons: Henry G., Francis S., and Daniel F., Jr.  Anne died on 01 Sep 1854.

09 Oct 1821 – MANSON GRICE TOWNSEND - Manson was born on 09 Oct 1821 in Georgia.  He married Elizabeth JENKINS on 06 Jun 1847 in Henry, Georgia. They had three children: Susan T., Eliza, and Manson L.  Manson died on 09 Sep 1887 in Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia.

"**M. G. Townsend buried Rockdale Cemetery, b. 10/9/1821, d. 9/9/1887.  Served in Co. F 42nd Ga. Regt., wife Elizabeth Townsend also at Rockdale Cemetery b. 7/29/1827, d. -- not on these markers in 1933 when Franklin Garrett took down information on these markers in 1933.  Marker information extracted from Franklin Garrett's cemetery records found on file at the Atlanta Historical Society."

Source Information:  Georgia Confederate Soldier Obituaries, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties 1879-1943, Compiled by Rhoda Anne Bowen, Freda R. Turner, Editor, p. 380

"TOWNSEND, Manse G.   Co. F   42nd Ga., born October 9, 1821, died September 9, 1887 according to Franklin Garrett's Cemetery Records on file at the Atlanta Historical Society.  M. G. Townsend's obituary appears in The Conyers Weekly Banner of September 4, 1887 and reveals that he died of dropsy. He is buried at the Rockdale Cemetery in Conyers.  The Conyers Weekly Banner of June 9, 1905 reveals that his grave was not marked with a company or regiment.  Wife listed on pension records as Elizabeth Townsend, born on July 29, 1827, date of death not on her marker in the year when Franklin Garrett recorded marker information."

Source Information:  Georgia Confederate Soldier Obituaries, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties 1879-1943, Compiled by Rhoda Anne Bowen, Freda R. Turner, Editor, p. 423, 424



Fred Raleigh Austin



11 Oct 1895 – FREDRICK RALEIGH AUSTIN – Fred was born in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia. His parents were Annie HUNSUCKER and Francis Brison AUSTIN, Sr.  He married Hazel Lorain UNKNOWN about 1915.



13 Oct 1888 – EDDIE CALHOUN AUSTIN – Eddie was born in Wilson, Wilson, North Carolina, to parents Ann HUNSUCKER and Francis Brison AUSTIN, Sr.  He died on 26 Aug 1891 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia.

14 Oct 1831 – ELIZABETH REBECCA MONTOGOMERY GEIGER – Elizabeth (my 2^nd great-grandmother) was born in Jasper County, Georgia. She married James Michael GEIGER on 29 Apr 1852. They had four children: Benjamin Franklin, Charles Jenkins, Mary Jane, and Emma L. She died on 17 Oct 1866 at the age of 35. 

14 Oct 1899 – IOLENE HARPER – Iolene (my 2^nd cousin 2x removed) was born to parents Carrie UNKNOWN and Edward A. HARPER in Rockdale County, Georgia. She died on 15 Nov 1969 in Conyers, Rockdale, Georgia, at the age of 70.

15 Oct 1786 – ROSANNAH SHORT SWANN – Rosannah, my 3^rd great-grandmother, was born on 15 Oct 1786 in Rowan County, North Carolina. In 1804, she married Thomas SWAN in Rowan County. After the death of Thomas, she moved to Newton County, Georgia where she was enumerated on the 1850 US Federal Census. She died at the age of 71 on 08 Jun 1858 in Rockdale County, Georgia. She was buried in Conyers, Rockdale, Georgia, in the Smyrna Presbyterian Church Cemetery.



William "Bill" Thomas

 
15 Oct 1914 – WILLIAM BURRINGTON THOMAS – Uncle Bill was born in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia. His parents were Kathryne “Katie” Elizabeth AUSTIN and Raymond Mitchell THOMAS, Sr.  He lived in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia until he moved to Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia, in the 1960’s. His first marriage was to Sue UNKNOWN, which ended in divorce. They had a daughter, Sharon Kathryne. His second marriage was to Margie UNKNOWN. This marriage produced a son, John Robert. Uncle Bill died on 08 Dec 1992 in Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia, and was buried in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park Cemetery (Lot J152) in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia.

16 Oct 1857 – WILLIAM CLIFFORD THOMAS – William, the youngest son of Sarah Jane ENGLISH and Joseph H. THOMAS, was born in Chatham County, Georgia. He was listed on the 1860 and 1870 US Federal Census sheets living in Chatham County, Georgia. In 1880, he was living in Bryan County. The 1900 US Federal Census lists him in Bulloch County, Georgia, where he resided until his death. He was married to Gabriella BOWIE and they had a daughter, Ruby. After Gabriella’s death, he married Elizabeth JOHNSON (about 1909). Their marriage produced three children: Jewell June, Pearl E., and William Clifford, Jr.  In his early years, he worked in a sawmill, and later as a farmer. He died on 10 Jan 1922 in Statesboro, Bulloch, Georgia. The Georgia Death Certificate (Bulloch County) is signed by his wife, Mrs. W. C. Thomas. He is listed as “Willy” in the Thomas Family Bible.

18 Oct 1874 – VIRGIL MACK LEFTWICH – Virgil (2^nd cousin 2x removed) was born to parents Clementine Green PARKER and James Mack LEFTWICH. He died on 23 Aug 1876 and was buried in Rockdale, Georgia, in the Smyrna Campground - Presbyterian Church Cemetery.




Will Austin

 

19 Oct 1882 – WILLIAM PALMER AUSTIN – Will (my grand uncle) was born on 19 Oct 1882 in Wilson, Wilson, North Carolina, to parents Annie HUNSUCKER and Francis Brison AUSTIN, Sr.  Will was married to Margaret ROBERTSON on 26 May 1902 in Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina. He lived in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, in 1910. He married Callie WARD on 07 Jul 1913 in Raleigh, Wake, North Carolina. He married Helen O. BROWN in Nov 1928 in Raleigh, Wake, North Carolina. The 1930 US Federal Census shows Helen and Raleigh lived in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico. He died on 03 Nov 1954 in El Paso, Texas. He was also known as Willie. Will was the oldest brother of my great-grandmother, Kathryne Elizabeth AUSTIN (THOMAS).

21 Oct 1874 – WILLIAM COLLIER HARPER – William (1^st cousin 2x removed) was born in Georgia. His parents were Mary Frances HENDERSON and James Edward HARPER. He married Della Bell MIZELL around 1900.


Ras Swann



22 Oct 1889 – RAS AUGUSTUS SWANN – Ras (my grand uncle), was born in Georgia, the eighth son of Matilda Green HARPER and William Wilson SWANN. He married Nellie Margaret THOMPSON about 1909. They had a daughter, Margaret SWANN. Ras died on 16 Apr 1972 in Fulton County, Georgia. 

23 Oct 1849 – ALPHA BIBB POSEY (MADDOX) - Alpha (1^st cousin 3x removed) was born in Georgia. She married James Elisha MADDOX. They had six children, Lawson, Lee, Eva, Augusta, Julian E., and Theo O. She died on 21 July 1926 in Fulton County, Georgia, and was buried in Old Conyers Cemetery in Conyers, Rockdale, Georgia.

Portrait of Adelaide Thomas Warner owned by
Joseph Patrick Warner (grandson)

23 Oct 1881 – ADELAIDE THOMAS (SALTER, WARNER) – Adelaide was born in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia.  She married Edwin Wilbert SALTER on 23 Oct 1899 in Savannah (Christ Church, St. Michael's Chapel). She is enumerated in both the Savannah, Chatham, Georgia 1900 US Federal Census (living in parents household) as well as in the Lacey, Ocean, New Jersey 1900 census (living in mother-in-law’s household). They had four children: Augustus Wilbert, Burrington (Burton) Wilbert, Madeleine Wilbert, and John Thomas. Their marriage ended in divorce on 27 Oct 1913.  She married John Joseph WARNER on 12 Apr 1916 in Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Virginia. They had one son, Wilfred Digges. She married William G. GUTERMAN about 1920. She married Eldridge FORD about 1937. She died on 09 Feb 1953 and was buried on 13 Feb 1953 in Suitland, Prince George's, Maryland (Washington National Cemetery - Section N, Lot 520, Site 2).

          Adelaide’s granddaughter, Alice SALTER told me that Edwin believed his middle name “Wilbert” was the surname of his natural parents. He is shown on the 1900 US Federal Census as the adopted son of Margaret SALTER.  He named his first three children with the middle name of "Wilbert."

26 Oct 1820 – MARGARET ANN HARPER PARKER – Margaret (2^nd great-grand-aunt) was born in Georgia to parents Rhoda GREEN and Henry Austin HARPER. She married David Mack PARKER. They had ten children: infant daughter, Palastine M., Clementine Green, Sarah M, William, Henry Austin, John W., Lemuel D., Martha, and Hager/Hagen: She died on 19 Nov 1877 in Rockdale, Georgia, USA.  She was buried in Rockdale, Georgia, USA (Family Cemetery, Highway 212). 

          Her husband, David, married my great-grandparents in a ceremony that was held at the home of Nancy and Edward Harper.

26 Oct 1878 – THEODOSIA THOMAS – The infant daughter of Adelaide Almira LAVIER and John Augustus THOMAS, Theodosia, was born and died on 26 Oct 1878 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia. She was buried in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia (Lot 796, Laurel Grove Cemetery).




Gussie Mahone Hammock

 27 Oct 1913 – GUSSIE MAHONE HAMMOCK – Gussie was born to parents Julia B. SWANN and James Fletcher MAHONE, Sr., on 27 Oct 1913 in Henry County, Georgia.  Gussie married Orestus (Russ) C. HAMMOCK. They had one son, Otis Franklin HAMMOCK (named after his mother’s favorite uncle and my grandfather, Otis Franklin SWANN). She died on 16 Jun 1974 in Henry County, Georgia, and was buried in Locust Grove, Henry, Georgia.

          Gussie and my mom (Frances SWANN (THOMAS)) were great “cousin” friends! The families visited each other often when they were children and the visits continued the rest of their lives. Gussie loved to crochet and was always making things for family members. She loved to tease and there was never a dull moment when she was around. I always enjoyed our visits to her home and her visits to see us in Savannah.

Frank Austin, Jr.

28 Oct 1904 – FRANCIS “FRANK” BRISON AUSTIN, JR. – Uncle Frank was my grandmother’s youngest brother. He was born in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia to parents Annie HUNSUCKER and Francis Brison AUSTIN, Sr.  On 20 Oct 1921, he married Robbie DICKS in Macon, Bibb, Georgia. This marriage ended in divorce. He married Eva F MALPHUS on 23 Apr 1928. They had an infant son who died and a daughter, Merle Ann. He died on 16 Jun 1986 in Savannah and is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery.

          My great-grandmother (Annie) lived with Uncle Frank and Aunt Eva as far back as I can remember. Most Sunday afternoons my family visited my maternal grandparents (Eddye Mae and Otis Swann).  At some point during those afternoons, we walked around the corner to Uncle Frank’s house to visit them and Grandmother Austin. Many times when I was playing in Mama Swann’s backyard, I heard Uncle Frank typing in his office located in the back of the house. I always enjoyed going to their house and usually saw Aunt Georgia, Aunt Daisy, and Uncle Fred there.  Aunt Eva always had cookies for us.  

29 Oct 1876 – EDWARD HOLLOWAY – Edward HOLLOWAY, Jr., was born to parents Jessey THOMAS and Edward HOLLOWAY on 29 Oct 1876 in New Jersey. He married Grace E UNKNOWN in 1898. They had two sons: Paul E. and Robert L.  Edward died in Mar 1966 in Clementon, Camden, New Jersey.



James Edward Harper



30 Oct 1843 – JAMES EDWARD HARPER – James Edward was born in Georgia to parents Nancy TOWNSEND and Edward HARPER. He married Mary Frances HENDERSON about 1865. They had nine children: Hattie, Nancy, Robert Lee, Edward Cole, William Collier, Gordon, Solomon Graves, James Longstreet, and Franklin Euell. He died on 15 Jan 1912 in Orange County, Florida. He was buried in Orlando, Orange, Florida (East Conway Cemetery).

          (NOTE:  Most of the information I have on the James Edward HARPER family came from Shirley HARPER (SWISHER), great-granddaughter. Shirley died 07 Apr 2007. I never personally met Shirley, but we talked over the phone several times and exchanged many emails and family photos.)

Kathryne Thomas Brunson
Photo owned by Lindsey A. Brunson (grandson)

31 Oct 1910 – KATHRYNE AUSTIN THOMAS BRUNSON – Aunt Kathryne was my dad’s sister. She was born in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, to parents Kathryne “Katie” Elizabeth AUSTIN and Raymond Mitchell THOMAS, Sr. She married John Alexander BRUNSON and they had two children. She died on 19 Apr 1970 in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, and was buried on 21 Apr 1970 in the Elwood Cemetery in Columbia.

              Aunt Kathryne was a beautiful lady. All three of her brothers loved her dearly and would do anything she told them to do. Her mother died when she was eight years old and the welfare of her brothers (ages six, four, and two) was her concern.

My earliest memory of Aunt Kathryne was when she walked in one day while my dad was playing on the floor with my brother and me. She looked down at him and said “Get up from there and give me a hug.” Before Daddy come move she fell down on the floor with him. This upset me and I wondered, “WHO was this beautiful woman that was kissing and hugging MY Dad?” and I ran to get my Mom.

          When I was in my late teens and she was sick with cancer, we found we could knit on each other’s projects and no one could tell where one of us stopped and the other began. I have never had that happen with any person other than her. She was bedridden and knitting an afghan the last time I visited her. She made me promise I would finish it for her if she weren’t able to do so. Sadly, I finished it for her. It was a beautiful afghan with lovely cables.  I kept the cable hook she used on the afghan and I treasure it to this day. She was always energetic and fun, but she ran a tight ship.