James Henry Proctor (abt. 1868 - 1911)

Born about 3 Sep 1868 in Robertson, Tennessee, United States

Husband of Mary Ann (Fentress) Proctor — married 6 Oct 1887 in Robertson, Tennessee, United States

Died 15 Jun 1911 at about age 42 in Joelton, Davidson, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

James Henry Proctor was born on 3 Sep 1868 (see research note regarding date of birth) in Robertson County, Tennessee^{[1][2][3][4][5]} to Ervin J. and C. E. Proctor^[2][3] (see the research note regarding birth family). He was a farmer^[4][5].
James Henry married Mary Ann Fentress on 6 Oct 1887 in Robertson County, Tennessee^[6]. The couple had at least five children^{[4][5][7][8][9][10][11][12]}, Andrew Jackson, Lee Wesley, Leatha, Laura Josephine and Edward Erving. See research note regarding a possible child born 1881.
James Henry died on 15 Jun 1911^[1][13] in Joelton, Davidson County, Tennessee^[1][14] and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cheatham County, Tennessee^[13].

Research Notes

• James Henry may have had a second middle name 'David' but this is completely unsourced.
• The birth date on the gravestone (3 Sep 1868)^[13] does not match the date recorded in the 1900 census (Sep 1870). The gravestone image could be interpreted as birth year 1888 but that would be improbable. The handwriting in the 1900 census could possibly be interpreted as birth year 1878 but that would not match the age (29). The truth MAY lie in the 1910 census^[5] which gives his age as 48 (= birth year 1861 or 1862). Searching the 1880 census for a birth family for James Proctor, born Tennessee between 1855 and 1871 throws up a number of interesting possibilities (see next research note) but nothing in the 1855-1862 birth year range. The birth date 3 Sep 1868 as per the gravestone has been used.
• Caution needs to be observed when identifying the birth family of James Henry in the 1880 census records. There are 3 likely Proctor families, two in Robertson County and one in Davidson county (Cheatham, Davidson and Robertson are neighboring counties). The "James" in Davidson County (father = Tom) is age 14, so about 3 years too old and is the least likely choice. The "James" in Robertson County, Civil District 4 (father = John who was born in North Carolina) is age 11 so just right for the 1868 presumed birth date. There is no mother in this family in 1880. However, the 1900 census^[4] states that James Henry's parents were born in Tennessee so John's family becomes the second least likely. The "James H." in Robertson County, Civil District 6 (father = Irvin J. who was born in Tennessee) is age 11 so just right for the 1868 presumed birth date. There is no mother in this family in 1880. The fact that James Henry's middle initial is listed in the census gives this family additional credence and this family^[3] is thought to be the birth family of James Henry Proctor. However the choice is not a perfect match as the 1900 census states that James Henry's parents were born in Tennessee whereas the mother of James H. in this 1880 census is shown as being born in North Carolina.
• Note that the family in the 1870 census^[2] and the family in the 1880 census^[3] compare well as long as one makes a few assumptions and allows a bit of slack in the ages. C. E. was the mother who died by 1880, John W. age 14 in 1870 had left home by 1880, Nancy C. age 14 got married sometime in the 1870s and by 1880 is back again, a widow at age 22, Elizabeth age 8 in 1870 tuns out to be Mary E. age 17 in 1880, Joseph E. at age 6 in 1870 is Josephene age 14 in 1880. Mary Crutcher must have been the mother of C. E. and had died by 1880. The head of household is E. J. at age 47 in 1870 and Irvin J. at age 54 in 1880. Note that James Henry named one of his younger sons Erving^[5]. Note further that the marriage record for John Henry's parents names the groom as "E. J.". The E. in the 1870 census was probably correct and the Irving in the 1880 census was misspelled.
• The FindAGrave source^[13] shows a link to the memorial for a son born 1881. This does not compare well with the 1868 birth date for James Henry (who would have been 11¾ in 1880 when that child was conceived). See a more detailed discussion of this in the research notes for James Elisiah Proctor (1881-1977). While it is most unlikely that James Henry was the biological father of James E., he was certainly the de facto father. It is unknown if there was any formal adoption but James E. used the Proctor name his whole life and the children of James Henry and Mary Ann referred to James E. as their brother.
• The obituary for James Henry^[14] does not name the children that survived him, saying only that he left "a wife, two daughters and three sons". This may (or may not) be further evidence that James E. Proctor was not a biological son of James Henry and that the "three sons" mentioned were Andrew Jackson, Lee Wesley and Edward Erving. See discussion in the research notes for James Elisiah Proctor (1881-1977).
• No 1860 census record could be found in Tennessee for the Irving or Erving Proctor family.

Sources

^{[2] [3] [6] [4] [5] [1] [14] [13] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Tennessee Deaths and Burials, 1874-1955 database, FamilySearch (27 January 2020), Jim Proctor, 1911. This says that "Jim Proctor" (age 42, born in Robertson County, Tennessee, married, farmer) died on 15 Jun 1911 in Joelton, Davidson County, Tennessee. Cause of death typhoid fever.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} United States Census, 1870 database with images, FamilySearch (19 March 2020), James Henry Proctor in entry for E J Proctor, 1870. This was enumerated on 15 Jul 1870 in Civil District 1, Cheatham County, Tennessee (Post Office Ashland City) and shows :

   "E J Proctor" (Male, age 47, born Tennessee)

   "C E Proctor" (Female, age 31, born Tennessee)

   "John W Proctor" (Male, age 14, born Tennessee)

   "Nancy C Proctor" (Female, age 10, born Tennessee)

   "Elisabeth Proctor" (Female, age 8, born Tennessee)

   "Joseph E Proctor" (Female, age 6, born Tennessee)

   "James Henry Proctor" (Male, age 1, born Tennessee)

   "Mary Crutcher" (Female, age 70, born North Carolina).

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} United States Census, 1880 database with images, FamilySearch (14 November 2020), James H. Proctor in household of Irvin J. Proctor, Robertson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district ED 181, sheet 80B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,277. This was enumerated in Civil District 6 of Robertson County on 23 Jun 1880 and shows :

   "Irvin J. Proctor" (Self, Male, age 54, widowed, born Tennessee, father born Tennessee, mother born North Carolina, occupation farm labor)

   "Nancy Harrison" (Daughter, age 22, widowed, born Tennessee, father born Tennessee, mother born North Carolina)

   "Mary E. Proctor" (Daughter, age 17, born Tennessee, father born Tennessee, mother born North Carolina, occupation domestic servant)

   "Josephene Proctor" (Daughter, age 14, single, born Tennessee, father born Tennessee, mother born North Carolina, occupation works on farm)

   "James H. Proctor" (Son, age 11, born Tennessee, father born in Tennessee, mother born in North Carolina).

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} United States Census, 1900 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 23 December 2020), Mary Proctor in household of James Proctor, Civil District 24, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 139, sheet 11B, family 221, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,566. This was enumerated on 12 Jun 1900 and shows:

   "James Proctor" (Head, Male, age 30, married 12 years in current marriage, born Sep 1870 in Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, occupation farmer)

   "Mary Proctor" (Wife, age 38, married 12 years in current marriage, mother of 7 children of which 5 are still alive, born May 1862 in Tennessee, parents born Tennessee)

   "Andrew Proctor" (Son, age 12, born Sep 1888 in Tennessee)

   "Lee W Proctor" (Son, age 8, born Jan 1892 in Tennessee)

   "Lethie Proctor" (Daughter, age 4, born Feb 1896 in Tennessee)

   "Laura J Proctor" (Daughter, age 2, born Feb 1898 in Tennessee).

5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} United States Census, 1910 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 23 December 2020), Mary Proctor in household of J H Proctor, Civil District 14, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 114, sheet 16A, family 411, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1497; FHL microfilm 1,375,510. This was enumerated on 2 May 1910 and shows :

   "J H Proctor" (Head, Male, age 48, married 21 years in current marriage, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, occupation farmer, cannot read or write)

   "Mary Proctor" (Wife, age 47, married 21 years in current marriage, mother of 9 children of which 6 are still alive, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, occupation farm labor, cannot read or write)

   "Lee W Proctor" (Son, age 15, born Tennessee)

   "Letha Proctor" (Daughter, age 14, born Tennessee)

   "Josephine Proctor" (Daughter, age 12, born Tennessee)

   "Erving Proctor" (Son, age 7, born Tennessee).

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950 database with images, FamilySearch (4 November 2017), J H Proctor and M A Ventress, 06 Oct 1887; citing Robertson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 2,223,508. This shows that "J H Proctor" married "M A Ventress" on 6 Oct 1887 in Robertson County, Tennessee. Celebrant was J W Featherston.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 database with images, FamilySearch (13 December 2020), Mary Ann Fentress in entry for Edward E. Proctor, 12 Jul 1932; Death, Joelton, Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville. This shows that "Edward E. Proctor" (age 30, born 8 Dec 1901 in Joelton, Davidson County, married, last residence in Joelton, Davidson County, Tennessee, occupation farmer, father="J. H. Proctor" born Tennessee, mother="Mary Ann Fentress" born Tennessee, spouse="Mamie Demumbrenn Proctor") died on 12 Jul 1932 in Joelton, Civil District 14, Davidson County, Tennessee. Informant "Lee Proctor" of Joelton. Burial on 13 Jul 1932 in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Joelton, Tennessee.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954 database with images, FamilySearch (29 November 2018), Mary Ventress in entry for George Halt and Josephine Proctor, 15 May 1935; citing Marriage, Franklin, Simpson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 1,843,082. This shows that George Halt (age 63, divorced, born Davidson County, Tennessee, occupation tineman(?), father="Peter Halt", mother="Cynthia Richardson") married "Josephine Proctor" (age 36, single, born Davidson County, Tennessee, father="James Proctor", mother="Mary Ventress") on 15 May 1935 in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 database with images, FamilySearch (13 December 2020), Mary Fentress in entry for Leatha Proctor, 25 Mar 1939; Death, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville. This shows that "Leatha Proctor" (age 42, born 23 Nov 1896, residence Joelton, Tennessee, father="Jim H Proctor", mother="Mary Fentress", spouse="Sam Demonbreum") died on 25 Mar 1939 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. Burial in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Informant "Sam Demonbreum".
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954 database with images, FamilySearch (29 November 2018), Mary Fentress in entry for S B Demumbaum and Josephine Proctor Halt, 06 Nov 1939; citing Marriage, Franklin, Simpson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 1,843,086. This shows that "S B Demumbaum" (age 49, father="General Demumbaum", mother="Lula Angram") married "Josephine Proctor Halt" (age 40, father="James Proctor", mother="Mary Fentress") on 6 Nov 1939 in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 database with images, FamilySearch (13 December 2020), Mary Ventress in entry for Lee Wesley Procter, 2 Nov 1958; Death, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville. This shows that "Lee Wesley Procter" (age 66, Born 25 Feb 1892 in Tennessee, last residence in Joelton, Civil District 14, Davidson County, Tennessee, married, occupation carpenter, father="James Procter", mother="Mary Ventress", spouse="Lizzie Bolton Procter") died on 2 Nov 1958 in Baptist Hospital, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. Informant Mrs. Lizzie Procter of Joelton. Cause of death myocardial infarction. Burial on 4 Nov 1958 in Greenville Cemetery, Joelton, Tennessee.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 database with images, FamilySearch (13 December 2020), Mary Fentress in entry for Andrew Jackson Proctor, 26 Feb 1963; Death, Joelton, Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville. This shows that "Andrew Jackson Proctor" (age 73, born 10 Sep 1889 in Tennessee, married, occupation farmer, father="W H Proctor", mother="Mary Fentress", spouse="Maggie Bennett Proctor") died on 26 Feb 1963 in Joelton, Davidson County, Tennessee. Informant Mrs. Ola Chamblis of 1008 Mansfield Avenue. Cause of death coronary infarct. Burial on 1 Mar 1963 in Greenville Cemetery, Joelton, Tennessee.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4} Find A Grave: Memorial #106301420 for James Henry David Proctor (accessed 28 Dec 2020).
    The gravestone is depicted and reads "J. H. PROCTOR, BORN, SEP. 3, 1868, DIED, JUNE 15, 1911".
    The entry says "James Henry David Proctor, Birth 3 Sep 1868, Tennessee, Death 15 Jun 1911 (aged 42), Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, Burial Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cheatham County, Tennessee, USA".
    Links to memorials for spouse and 6 children are provided.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2} Obituary from The Tennessean newspaper (Nashville, Tennessee) 18 Jun 1911, Sun, Page 34. This states "Joelton, Tenn., June 17 (Special) James Proctor died here Friday night at 11:30 o'clock. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon. Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Mr. Proctor, who was a prosperous farmer, leaves a wife, two daughters and three sons."

Acknowledgement

This profile owes a great deal to research done by Virginia Ackerson.