James M. Wooten (1829 - 1900)

Born 27 Mar 1829 in Buncombe, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Aug 1900 at age 71 in Blount, Alabama, United States

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Biography

James M. Wooten was born on 27 Mar 1829 in Buncombe Co., North Carolina. ^[1] Among some of his descendants, the middle name "Mitchell" is sometimes given, but no documentation exists to support anything more than the middle initial "M."

According to his journal, at one time in the possession of one of his descendants by his daughter Gypsy but whose location is now uncertain, he was the illegitimate child of a union with a member of the Candler family of Buncombe Co., NC. However, he did not name which Candler, though he named one of his sons Charles Candler Wooten.

His birthdate and location come from his family bible, photocopies of which are maintained by a number of his descendants who have researched this family. Which member of the family currently holds the bible is uncertain.

DNA tests on his descendants have indicated a relationship with members of the Candler and Boone families which, combined with his birthdate and the age of his mother, supports that he is a probable grandson of Zachariah and Mary (Boone) Candler of Buncombe County. However, which of Zachariah's sons was his father is unknown.

He was a postmaster for many years in Blount and surrounding counties in Alabama, as well as a merchant. He died 6 Aug 1900 in Blount County, Alabama and is buried in Old Liberty Cemetery in Blountsville. ^[2]

James acted as a spy and a supporter of the Union army in northern Alabama during the Civil War, including assisting "outliers" - those evading the Confederate draft and deserters from the Confederate army. ^{[3] [4]}

James married Lucy McPherson, daughter of Daniel McPherson. Together they had the following children: Alice Gertrude, Mary Ann, James Richard, Frank Asbury, Minerva Carolina, Charles Candler, Lucy Cole, Lewis Monroe, Lillie Belle, Sallie Bet, and Gypsy Lee. According to family tradition, there was also a Leah, who died shortly after birth, but no record has been found to support this.

The following is a transcript of his obituary from the "Southern Democrat" "James M. Wooten Dead

In the death of the above named gentleman Blount County has lost one of its oldest and most respected citizens. In politics he was a Republican because he honestly believed in the principles of the party. He had repeatedly held positions of honor and trust, such as postmaster at Blountsville and also at Oneonta to the entire satisfaction of those whom he served. In religion he was a Baptist in belief and in early life was a member of that church but in later years he had not been an active member, but before his death he told those around him that he was at perfect peace with his God, that death ha d not terrors whatever for him and that he was ready at any moment to go.

He leaves a large family to mourn his departure, consisting of a widow and a number of children, all of whom have reached the years of manhood and womanhood and compose a highly respected and intelligent family. He died from the effect of cancer of the face and while the disease was of such malignant form as to cause him untold misery, he was the most patient and uncomplaining person the write has ever known.

The latter days of his life was the most beautiful example of Christian fortitude and patience and one which was thoroughly impressed upon all who came in contact with him and to his immediate family it should and will prove a perfect halo of light, ever penetrating the dark cloud of grief now hanging over them and we hope that his departed spirit, so recently released from its defective tenement of clay, has ere this put on immortal bloom and beauty in a better land where disease and cancer are unknown and where it may prove a magnet around which an unbroken family may one day cluster."

Name

Name: James M. Wooten^[5]

Residence

Residence:

Date: 1880

Place: Blountsville, Blount, Alabama, United States^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ "Mildred Wooten Bolding Collection," 1810-1910, Wooten Family Files, Wooten Family Bible photocopies, Anneliese L. Kennedy Family Archive, Lincoln, NE, photocopies and transcriptions of various documents relating to the Wooten family.
2. ↑ Old Liberty Cemetery (Blount Co., Alabama; Old Liberty is located in the northernmost section of the area and is bisected by 1st Avenue East.. The cemetery is bounded by Greenbriar Lane to the North.), James M. Wooten; Alabama State Archives, Transcripts of Headstones in Old Liberty Cemetery, Blount Co., Alabama, n.d.
3. ↑ Robin Sterling (Blount County, Alabama), "Confederates: Lewis Bn Cavalry," report dated 2006, Robin Sterling's Blount County Alabama Website (http://home.hiwaay.net/~bobwonda/files/civilwarcompanies/cwframset.html : accessed 2006), Official Records, XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Correspondence-Confederate, page 681.
4. ↑ "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," digital images, Ancestry.com, entry for James M. Wooten and Lucy T. Wooten; The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Title: General Index to Civil War and Later Pension Files, ca. 1949 - ca. 1949; NAI Number: 563268; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007; Record Group Number: 15; Series Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; Series Number: T288; Roll: 535.
5. ↑ Source: #S2350437679 Page: Year: 1880; Census Place: Blountsville, Blount, Alabama; Roll: 2; Family History Film: 1254002; Page: 427D; Enumeration District: 6; Image: 0587. Note: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1880usfedcen&h=5713191&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Note: Data: Text: Birth date: abt 1829Birth place: North CarolinaResidence date: 1880Residence place: Blountsville, Blount, Alabama, United States
6. ↑ Source: #S2350437679 Page: Year: 1880; Census Place: Blountsville, Blount, Alabama; Roll: 2; Family History Film: 1254002; Page: 427D; Enumeration District: 6; Image: 0587. Note: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1880usfedcen&h=5713191&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Note: Data: Text: Birth date: abt 1829Birth place: North CarolinaResidence date: 1880Residence place: Blountsville, Blount, Alabama, United States