A Short Sketch of the Life of Archibald Skelton and His Family, by JM Skelton

Date: 1777 to 1925
Location: Tennessee, United States
Surname/tag: Skelton, Brown, Vick, Walker, Biffle, Bartee, Cunningham, Allen, Leech, Hickerson

Memories of James Morris Skelton (1834-1927) written at age 90 (about 1925)

A Short Sketch of the Life of Archibald Skelton and His Family (By JM Skelton)

He married a woman in South Carolina by the name of Sarah Brown, and came to Tennessee and settled on a farm one mile below Cumb[erland] Furnace in Dickson County on Bartons Creek, where they lived the balance of life and was buried in grave-yard on top of the hill. To this union was born two sons and three daughters, A.B. and Alfred, Eliza, Malissa and Maria. Both sons were forgemen. A.B. Skelton and Susan L. Vick were united in marriage in 1830. To this union was born seven sons and four daughters, James M., Joseph, Jesse who died in infancy, Alfred B., Leonard L., William and Robt W., who are all passed to the great beyond. JM the oldest and Robt W now living. AB Skelton bought the Ben Young Farm and moved to it in 1836. This place Mattie Skelton is now living. My Mother died in 1868 and my father in 1890, both devout Christians, belonging to the Cumb Presbyterian Church, and tried to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Next comes Alfred his brother who was a forgeman. He married his own cousin Malrissa Walker. To this union was born Sarah E. He had not been married more than two years till he was working at the hammer when it fell off and mashed one of his feet. He was taken with lock jaw and died and it was (not) long until his wife died, and their daughter married Adla Biffle and she has only been dead a few years.

My father’s sister married a man by the name of Bartee. To this union was born two boys Hartwell and Jasper. She died and Archie Skelton took them, raised and gave them a good education. They went to Texas to live. His other sister, Malissa married Nat Cunningham. To this union was born one son and three daughters. All have passed away.

His other sister Mariah married old uncle Billy Allen of Shilo Church, both being advanced in age had no children. They have long since passed to the great beyond.

Now comes my mother’s side of the house, Susan L. Vick, daughter of Betsy Vick. She had two sisters Patsy Leech and Sally Hickerson. Patsy Vick Leech had 5 boys and four girls. The last one of them Pat died in Sept 1923. Sally Hickerson had 4 boys and 5 girls. I think they are all gone to their reward.

This was written by JM Skelton in his 90th year.
I have left out a great many things I did not write being very feeble.