Elijah K. Flowers (1825 - bef. 1870)

Born 4 Apr 1825 in North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Watson — married before May 1848 in Anson Co., North Carolina [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 1870 before age 44 in Mississippi

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Deborah Kueter [send private message]

Biography

Elijah was born in April 4, 1825 according to papers left us by his son, John.

Elijah married Elizabeth Watson in Anson Co., NC sometime before May 1848. This is an estimation based on the birth date of their first child born February 1849. Anson County comes from various family trees. No sources found for marriage.

Historical Information: State confusion comes into play because Anson County NC lies along the state line between North and South Carolina as does adjoining Chesterfield County SC; which appears to be the area where the family was when son John was born in 1849. It is thought that a majority of the Chesterfield County families lived in Anson County, North Carolina, prior to relocation. Depending upon the landmarks used for separating North and South Carolina, it probably was confusing to determine exactly where one was living at this time in history. (Just an observation of this writer.)

The 1850 US Census has Elijah K (25), Elizabeth (26) and one child, John (1). They are farming in the Lanesboro, Anson Co., NC area. Since John states he was born in South Carolina, one would suspect the family moved often. Especially if the second child is truly born in SC. in 1851.

John left family papers with his daughter Tennessee Flowers that state the following:

"The writer of this was born in South Carolina, Chesterfield County near Cheran on February 20, 1949. My father E.K. Flowers was born April 4, 1825 and lived in South Carolina and North Carolina. My grandfather Mike Flowers died when I was very small. I know nothing of his ancestors. My father came to Tennessee late in the year of 1852, settling in Decatur County. My mother was Elizabeth Watson born January 2, 1824. My father and mother had several children born unto them as follows:

John C. Flowers, born Feb. 20, 1849 in South Carolina

Sarena Ann, born March 14, 1851 in South Carolina

Mary Francis, born Oct. 5, 1853 in Decatur Co, TN

Miles William, born Nov. 9, 1855 in Henderson Co., TN

Hallon Wilson, born June 9, 1857 in Decatur Co., TN

Ludy Winfield, born Jan. 15, 1859 in Decatur Co., TN **

Nancy Jane, born July 13, 1861 in Mississippi"

From this information, we know that the family moved to Tennessee in late 1852. It appears that four more children are born to the family while they live in Tennessee. The family moves to Itawamba County, MS prior to 1859. (**Death information found for Ludy indicates he was born in Mississippi NOT Tennessee as John writes above.) The 1860 Census shows them farming there in the Ryans Well Post Office area with six children. Daughter Nancy is born there in 1861.

Sometime after Nancy's birth and the 1870 Census, Elizabeth moved the family back to Decatur Co., TN as she can be found on the US Census living in District 6. We do not know if she is a widow as this census does not ask that question.

Some family trees assume Elijah died between 1860 and 1870, but no sources have been found. The Mortality Schedule listing Elizabeth's death in 1880 indicates she is "married" at time of her death. If true, this would mean that Elizabeth left Elijah for some reason and moved back to Tennessee with her children. Her parents were still living in the Decatur area.

It is unclear what ever happened to Elijah K. Flowers. A family story says that Elijah was killed in Tishominga Co. in a hunting accident - either fell from a tree or tree fell on him in 1868. Buried in unmarked grave near Iuka, MS.^[1]

Sources

US Census 1850 and 1860

Mississippi, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1805-1890, Ancestry.com

Mississippi, State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866, Ancestry.com

Personal Family Papers left by John C. Flowers

Footnotes

1. ↑ Entered by Deborah Kueter, Tuesday, September 17, 2013.

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Acknowledgments

Thank you to Deborah Kueter for creating Flowers-771 on 17 Sep 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Deborah and others.