Matilda (Carr) DeFoor (abt. 1820 - aft. 1880)

Born about 1820 in North Carolina, USA

Wife of John DeFoor — married 17 Oct 1833 in Bibb County, Alabama, USA

Descendants

Died after 1880 after about age 60 in Marion County, Alabama, USA [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: L Adcox [send private message]

Biography

BIRTH / DEATH

Matilda Carr

Birth estimated about 1820, in North Carolina, based on the following:

1) born 1820 NC, per census in 1850, age 30

2) born 1820 GA, per census in 1860, age 40

3) born 1815 SC, per census in 1880, age 65

Death: cannot locate after 1880

Last known location: Marion Co. AL

MARRIAGE

FamilySearch.com, Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950

Name: Matilda Carr

Spouse: John Defir

Bond Date: 16 Oct 1833

Bondsman: Samuel DeFir

Marriage Date: 17 Oct 1833

Officiated by: Walter C Duff J.P.

Marriage Place: Bibb County, Alabama

HUSBAND

John Defir

Alternate spellings: DeFoor, Defur, DeFere

Birth estimated about 1801, in South Carolina, based on the following:

1) born 1800 SC, per census in 1850, age 50

2) born 1817 GA, per census in 1860, age 43

3) born 1801 SC, per census in 1880, age 79

Death: cannot locate after 1880

Last known location: Marion Co. AL

SIBLINGS

Matilda's siblings assumed to be Abraham, Mary, and Temperance, based on:

1) Matilda, Mary, Abraham, Temperance, all married Bibb Co. AL in the 1830's.

2) Matilda living next to Abraham Carr (brother) in 1860.

3) Mary (sister) living 2 doors away from Abraham Carr (brother) in 1850.

4) The marriage bondsman for Matilda Carr was Samuel Defir.

5) The marriage bondsman for Abraham (brother) was Samuel DeFir.

Note: Matilda and Abraham both married into DeFir/DeFoor family.

Another assumed sibling is Charles W Carr, based on:

1) Charles had land purchase in 1839 Bibb Co. AL

2) Charles was the bondsman for 1839 marriage of Temperance Carr (sister)

3) Charles' residence was in Marion Co. AL. on census 1860, 1870, 1880

4) Charles Carr's 1850 census includes a Martha Carr b.1774 VA (mother)

5) Abraham Carr's 1860 census includes a Martha Carr b.1775 VA (mother)

An UNLIKELY possible sibling is Samuel W Carr (b.1823), based on:

1) Samuel moved his family from GA, to Marion Co. AL between 1850-1860

2) Samuel's marriage location & residence of GA, makes him an unlikely sibling

PARENTAGE

Father: unknown

Mother: assumed Martha, based on 1850/60 census of Abraham & Charles

Clues about Matilda's father, from Matilda and her sibling's census:

1) In 1880, Charles says father born in France, and mother born in Virginia

2) In 1880, Matilda says father born North Carolina, and mother born Georgia

3) In 1880, Temperance says both parents were born in Virginia

4) In 1900, Samuel say both parents were born in North Carolina

Note: Abraham and Mary did not live to the 1880 census.

The birthplaces of the 5 siblings would indicate they were probably living in North Carolina from around 1805 thru 1816. However, this is not conclusive, as the siblings are inconstant on their birthplace.

Considering that 4 siblings married in Bibb Co. AL in the 1830's, then I would expect to see their parents in/around Bibb Co. AL on the 1830 census. The 1830 census, whether in AL or elsewhere, should have children the ages of the 4 siblings (5 siblings if including Charles). I cannot find an 1830 census to fit this criteria.

It is possible that parents were living in Mississippi on 1840 census.

1) Abraham (assumed brother) has a child born 1840 in Mississippi.

2) Martha (mother) is in 1850 Mississippi, with Charles (brother).

Some genealogies hypothesize that Felix Carr is the most probable father.

I assume this is based on Felix's 1820 census in Charleston, South Carolina.

This 1820 census has 5 children the ages of "our" assumed 5 siblings.

Felix appears to have NO connection, other than children the same age.

CENSUS / TIMELINE

1833: marriage of Matilda Carr and John DeFir, in Bibb Co. AL

1840 Census: Bibb, Alabama, p.23

Name: John Dennis [transcription error; says DeFir]

1 - Males - 30 thru 39: ....... [John]

1 - Females - 20 thru 29: ... [Matilda]

Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1

No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 2

Total Free White Persons: 2

Note: same page as Samuel DeFir (brother of John) age 20/29

1850 Census: District 7, Itawamba, Mississippi, #159

John Defer ............... 50 ... SC

Matilda Defer .......... 30 ... NC

Note: Itawamba MS and Marion AL, are bordering counties.

Also note Matilda's brother Charles W Carr also living in Itawamba.

1860 Census: Chalk Bluff, Eastern District, Marion, Alabama, #705

John Defurr ............. 43 ... GA ... farmer, real estate $50, personal $25

Matilda Defurr ........ 40 ... GA

Lemuel Defurr ........ 10 ... AL

1860 census notes:

Living next to Matilda's brother: A A Carr 53 NC, w/wife Isabella 44 SS

1870 ???

1880 Census: Beat 11, Marion, Alabama, #150

Lemuel Defur ...... 30 ... AL,SC,SC ... farmer

Elin Defur ............. 25 ... GA,NC,SC

Anderson Defur .... 6 ... AL,AL,GA

Isaac Defur ............ 4 ... AL,AL,GA

Alexandre Defur ... 2 ... AL,AL,GA

John Defur ........... 79 ... SC,SC,SC ... father

Matilda Defur ...... 65 ... SC,NC,GA ... mother

1880 census notes:

Living in same residence as Fanny Self age 55 AL,NC,TN

CHILDREN

Notes by Charles W Beavers:

Lemuel is possibly not biological son of John and Matilda, as he was born 19 years after their marriage and they had no other children.

LEMUEL:

1874 marriage estimated per census in 1900 (married 26 years)

1880 Census: Marion, Alabama, Lemuel Defur 30 AL, Elin Defur 25 GA

........ household includes Lemuel's parents

1900 census: Prentiss, MS, Lemuel Defer 47 MS, Rebecca Defer 47 GA

1910 census: Prentiss, MS, Lemuel F Defer 57 MS, Rebecca E Defer 57 GA

Sources