Edmond Deens by Christopher Dean

Date: 1771 to 10 Aug 1831
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Deens Dean

This is an account/analysis of Edmond Deens' life by Christopher Dean.

Contents 1 The Edmond Enigma 2 The Early Years: 3 Georgia Bound: 4 Enter Edmond Deen 5 Sweet Home Alabama 6 Say Goodbye to Edmond

The Edmond Enigma

The Early Years:

It has been assumed that Edmond was born in Edgecombe/Nash County, North Carolina. As of yet, no evidence that I am aware of has been brought to life that places Edmond in North Carolina. In the 1880 census for Jasper County, Texas, Edmond’s son William Pridgeon Marion Dean lists his father and mother’s birthplace as North Carolina. It is known from Bible records that William’s mother, Sophia Waller Pridgeon, was in fact born in Nash County, North Carolina. William never knew his father since Edmond died when William was only 1 year old, so the accuracy of his information about his father’s birthplace has always been a question. He could have, very likely, been told stories about his father through Sophia or one of Edmond’s older children. We do know for a fact that Edmond had at least one other child before William, but that will be discussed later.

It is the common belief that Edmond was the son of Jeremiah and Molley Deens of Nash County, North Carolina. Jeremiah makes his debut into public record (the earliest that I am aware of anyway) in 1771 when he purchases 57 acres of land on the south side of Turkey Creek in Nash County from a gentleman named Cornelius Taylor. This deed is proved by the oath of a man named William Andrews. Both of these names will continue to surface in this story throughout Jeremiah’s life. The exact location of this land is not known, but it assumed to have been near Little Turkey Creek in Nash County.

April 1778; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Richard Deene appointed Overseer of the Road leading from the Rock on Peach Tree, to the cross roads near William Andrews, with following hands, Jas Griffin, William Lindsey, William Denton, Absalom Griffin, James Moore, Jeremiah Deane, Daniel Taylor, Sampson Powell, Charles Brown, James Bryant, and their hands.”

This is the next record where I have found a mention of the name Jeremiah Deens. The process of road building and road repair, during those days, fell upon the local courts. When a new road was needed, usually brought about by a petition from the inhabitants, the Court would decide whether or not the new road was actually warranted. If the petition was granted, then the Court would assign a responsible party to make sure that all of the work was completed satisfactorily and complied with local law. This person was called the Overseer. In almost every case, the Overseer was someone who owned property along the path that the new road would likely travel. A Jury would be selected by the Court to determine the “best and nearest” path that the road should take. Once the path was determined, then “hands” would be chosen to work under the appointed Overseer to begin the actual process of clearing and grating the road. After the work was complete, the Overseer, and selected hands, were responsible for keeping the road in good repair and making sure that signage was properly placed.

In the above entry from the 1788 Court Minutes, we see that Richard Deene has been appointed to the position of Overseer for the road leading from the “Rock on Peach Tree” to the crossroads near William Andrews. This tells us that Richard most likely lived, or at least owned property, along this path. William Andrews was the same man who proved the Deed entered into by Jeremiah and Cornelius Taylor. Also listed among the hands were; Jeremiah Deane and Daniel Taylor. Daniel is the son of Cornelius Taylor.

It is also interesting to note that in the above citation, the differed spelling of the last names between Richard and Jeremiah. The quote above is taken verbatim from the transcription of the court minutes. Richard has the spelling of Deene while Jeremiah has the spelling of Deane. It always makes me wonder when I see different spellings of the Dean (or variant) name within the same document or entry. It almost seems to me like they are intentionally trying to differentiate between different families. But, this could also simply be an error in the transcription or a mistake by the minute taker.

Oct 1779; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Ordered that the following Persons be a Jury to Lay of a road beginning at Sampson Sikes path then the nearest and best way to Peach Tree near Nathan Boddies. Then unto Micagah Thomas Road. (to wit) Willoby Manning, Wm Boddie, Richard Deans, Daniel Taylor, Jery Deans, Simon Williams, Wm Braswell, Wm Bass, Wm Linsey, Dorrel Davenport, Thos Morris, Stephen Young, Saml Bryant, Robt Young, Wm Harris. Willobe Manning is appt Overseer of the said road and the following hands work under him (to wit) Dorrel Davenport, Solomon Collins, Peter Ethridge, Thomas Richardson, Joseph Parrott, William Andrews, Henry Bains, Henry Deans, John Linsey, Benjamin Tucker, Wm Harris, Willoby Manning, Thos Tucker, Charles Britain and that he put the same in repair according to law.”

Here we see a few new names surface. Most notably the Braswell and Bass families. They will both be discussed in more detail later. There are also some more familiar names on this list: Richard Deans, Daniel Taylor, Jery (Jeremiah) Deans, William Andrews and now we find a Henry Deans to add to the mix. I have not found a Deed for Henry Deens that pre-dates Oct 1779, so that leads me to believe that he was not a land owner on the path of the new road. Since he was not a landowner, then he must have been the son of someone who was. Because Henry would have been older than Sherrod (evidence supports that he is Jeremiah’s eldest son), he must have been the son of Richard.

Apr 1780; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Jeremiah Deans is appt Overseer in the room of Richard Deens and that the following hands work under him to wit: Daniel Taylor, James Moore, William Linsey, David Ballard, Drury Savage, Kinchin Savage, Solomon Joyner, Charles Brown, Jethro Bass, Willis Deens, James Griffin, Joseph Parrott and Phillip Sikes and that he keep the same in repair according to law.”

In this record we see that the title of Overseer is being passed from Richard to Jeremiah. From the different records that I have seen, this usually done for a couple of reasons. Either the present Overseer is not performing the job to the satisfaction of the sundry inhabitants or the present Overseer is no longer able to perform the duties due to age or illness. Usually if the former is the case it is noted in the court documents, but that was obviously not the case here. It is my opinion that Richard’s health may be failing or he is simply “getting too old for this”, so to speak. In this record, we once again see the names of Daniel Taylor and the Bass family. We also see the name of Willis Deens. For the same reasons described in the previous record, I believe Willis to be the son of Richard Deens.

Jul 1780; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

Jeremiah Deens (among others) is selected to be a Juror during the next court session.

Apr 1782; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Grand Jury qualified. Wilson Taylor Foreman, John Dew, Rowland Williams, Wm Sandiford, John Eatman, Thomas Warren, Jerry Deans, Wm Whiddon, Benja Bunn Sr., Wm Boddie, Willoby Manning, Lewis Hines, John Sellars, Thomas Deans, Benja Boon.”

It is interesting to note that the Foreman of this Grand Jury is Wilson Taylor. We have seen the Taylor family appear in quite a few documents so far that are associated with Jeremiah. Cornelius Taylor, father of Daniel Taylor, was the man who sold Jeremiah land back in 1771. Cornelius had a brother (at least he is believed to be a brother) named Arthur Taylor. Arthur died in the summer of 1766 and left a Will in Edgecombe County in which he named the following children as heirs: Martha Dew, James Taylor, Wilson Taylor, Drury Taylor, Prissilla Taylor, Ann Taylor, Kitt Taylor, Sally Taylor, Molly Taylor and John Taylor.

Oct. 1766; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Wilson TAYLOR, orphan of Arthur TAYLOR came into Court and chose John TAYLOR, his brother, as Guardian who was approved. He accordingly entered into Bond of 500 with Duncan LAMON & Edward MOORE, Securities.”

“John TAYLOR appointed Guardian to Celia, Drury, Molly, Kit TAYOR, orphans of Arthur TAYLOR, and entered into bond of 500 each child.”

The Molly Taylor listed in the previous documents I believe to be the wife of Jeremiah Deens. This will be discussed in more detail later.

Oct 25, 1782: Grant from the State of North Carolina:

“State of North Carolina grants to Jeremiah Deens by Gov. Alex. Martin a tract of 242 acres on Little Turkey Creek adjoining Wm Braswell, Jacob Carter, Simon Williams, Daniel Taylor, Edward Pursell.”

1782; Nash County, North Carolina Tax Rolls:

“Jeremiah Deans, 555 acres of land, 2 horses and mules, 5 cattle, 70/10 value”

Jeremiah is listed here in the 1782 tax rolls as having 555 acres of land. The combined total of his purchase from Cornelius Taylor and the Grant by the State of North Carolina total about 300 acres. This still leaves about 250 acres unaccounted for. It is possible that this 250 acres was land that was owned by Molly Taylor before her marriage to Jeremiah. It is also possible that Jeremiah received this land in a Will from his father (who is presently unknown). I feel that locating the source of this 250 acres of land will do much in identifying who Jeremiah’s father was.

Jul 1783; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“The petition of Sundry inhabitants for a road out of the New Road that leads into Andrews Road near Sampson Sikes pat thence the nearest and best way to Turkey Creek meeting house and from thence into the road to Williams Ferry. Granted. The following persons are appt to Lay of the above road agreeable to petition (to wit): Jerey Deans, Henry Deans, Daniel Taylor, Edward Pursel, Wm Braswell, Simon Williams, Richard Deans, Solomon Collins, Thomas Richard, Peter Ethridge, Willoughby Manning, Charles Brown, Dorrel Davenport, William Harris, James Moore, Jacob Carter.”

“Ordered that Jerry Deans be Overseer of the Road leading to Solomon Williams Ferry.”

Oct 1783; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Ordered that Francis Gross, John Melton, Solomon Joyner and Thomas King be added to the hands under Jerry Deens. Ordered & C.”

In this entry in the court minutes, we once again see a familiar set of names. The Deans, Taylor, Pursel (Pussell), Braswell, Williams and Manning families were all clearly living within close proximity of each other.

Apr 5, 1784; Nash County, North Carolina Deed Book:

“Jeremiah Deans of Nash County to William Andrews of Franklin County, in the behalf of the society for regular baptists, for 50 pnds. a parcel of 2 acres, it being part of a tract granted to William McGee in 1761. Wit. Henry Deans, James Culpepper and Christopher Culpepper.”

In this Deed, Jeremiah sells land to William Andrews, who is now of Franklin County, for the purpose of building a meeting house. William Andrews was the same man (assuming that this is the same William) who witnessed the Deed from Cornelius Taylor to Jeremiah Deens back in 1771. He also appeared alongside Jeremiah in court documents in 1778 and 1779. I have read that the meeting house that was built burned down and was re-built three times during its lifespan. The current incarnation of the building is what is known today as the Peachtree Missionary Baptist Church located in Nash County, North Carolina. I have not been able to conclusively verify this however.

Jun 21, 1787; Nash County North Carolina Deed Book:

“Daniel Taylor to Jeremiah Stephens of Franklin Co. for 50 pnds 57 acres on W. side of Turkey Creek. Wit. Jeremiah Deens, Joseph Stephens”

Nov 1787; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes: “Ordered that Thomas and Benjamin Tucker be added to the Road whereon Daniel Taylor is appd overseer in the room of Jerry Deans and the hands of Jeremiah Deans and his Son should work under the said Taylor.”

This is an entry that I find to be of particular interest to the researchers of Jeremiah Deens. Jeremiah now passes the title of Overseer to Daniel Taylor. In addition, Jeremiah also names himself and his son as hands to work under said Taylor. The key of this last sentence was son, in the singular. In my opinion, if Jeremiah were to have multiple sons then he would have called out which son by name. Although, it is also possible that he only had one son who was of age, making it apparent which son he would have been referring to.

Feb 19, 1788; Nash County, North Carolina Will Book:

“Wife Molley Deans. Lend her all my property. Son: Sherod Deens-land lent to wife after her marriage or death. Daughter Temperance Deens-1 bed and furniture lent to wife. Rest of the property to be divided among all my children. Ex. Wife Molley Deens, (much beloved friend) Cornelius Taylor; Wit: Cornelius Taylor, Richard (x) Deens”

Nov 1788; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“An inventory of the Estate of Jeremiah Deens exhibited on Oath by the Executors. Ordered & C.”

“The Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Deens exhibited in Court by the Executors therein named and proved by the Oaths of Cornelius Taylor and Richard Deens who swore they saw Daniel Taylor sign the same as a witness at the same time the Executors qualified according to law.”

During the Spring of the year of our Lord 1788, Jeremiah Deens fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. The left the Will, abstracted above, which names his wife as Molley Deens and children as Sherod Deens, Temperance Deens and others. It has often struck me as strange that Jeremiah only named Sherrod and Temperance as children and left the rest as “others”. I am a believer that Molley was not the first wife of Jeremiah. I think that he had an earlier wife who was the mother of Sherrod and Tempy. One possibility for the reason that Jeremiah does not call any of his other children by name is that the child was not yet born and Molley was pregnant at the time of the writing of the Will. This is however purely speculation. He could have not named the other children simply because they were minors at the time and could not rightly inherit. Given the time frame of when the Will was recorded and when it was proved, it is very likely that Jeremiah wrote his Will on his death bed. In which case, it may have been hastily written or possibly not written by his hand at all. In his Will, we once again see the names of Cornelius Taylor, Daniel Taylor and Richard Deens. Jeremiah singles out Cornelius as being his “much beloved friend” so clearly there was a very good relationship between the two of them. His son, Daniel, also gave witness to the Will. The other witness was Richard Deens. I believe this Richard to be the same who has appeared thus far in the records with Jeremiah.

1790 Federal Census; Nash County, North Carolina:

FWM 16+ = Free White Male over the age of 16 FWM <16 = Free White Male under the age of 16 FWF = Free White Female

Sherrod Deans: (1) FWM 16+, (4) FWM <16, (3) FWF = 8 total persons Mary Deans: (1) FWM 16+, (4) FWM <16, (4) FWF = 9 total persons

Jeremiah, having passed away in 1788, left Molley as the head of the household in the 1790 census. She is listed in the census as Mary, which Molley is a common nickname for a female named Mary. Much in the same way that Sally is a common nickname for Sarah, or Bob for Robert, or Dick for Richard. In looking at the head count for the census, notice the striking similarities between the households for Mary and Sherrod. It is believed by some, and I am one of those believers, that the census takers counted the same family twice. Perhaps the family was visiting their mother during the morning when the census takers came by and returned home that afternoon and were counted again in their own home. What ever the circumstances may have been, it certainly appears that they were duplicated. Here is how I believe the household looked on that day, 1790:

FWM 16+ = Sherrod Deens FWM <16 = Richard Deens (not the same Richard, obviously, that has appeared in previous records. I do believe this Richard to be a Sr., but we’ll get to that later) FWM <16 = Edmond Deens (also believe him to be a Sr.) FWM <16 = Jeremiah Deens Jr. FWM <16 = Drury Deens FWF = Lucretia Deens FWF = Unknown Female FWF = Unknown Female

And lastly, the difference between the two census entries:

FWF = Mary/Molley Deens

By 1790, Temperance had married a man by the name of Hardy Hinton. She is erroneously listed on many online family trees as being married to a Hardy Hinyard. While there was a Temperance Deens who married a Hardy Hinyard in Nash County, she was born in 1808 which would have been 20 years after Jeremiah’s death. Hardy and Temperance Hinton are living in Johnston County, North Carolina during the 1790 census.

1791; Nash County, North Carolina Deed Book:

“William Hammond, of Nash to William Pritchett of Edgecombe Co. for 50 pnds. 300 acres on Sapony Creek. Adjoining Wm Vester and Jeremiah Etheridge. Wit. John Pritchett, Lemuel L., Sherod Deens”

Feb 1792; Edgecombe County, North Carolina Court Minutes:

“Admr is on Motion granted by Joseph Parrott on the Estate of John Parrott who was a contenental soldier and died who entered into bond of 100 pnds with Sherrod Deans and Joab Tucker.”

May 6, 1794; Nash County, North Carolina Deed Book:

“Sherod Deans and Molley Deans of Nash to Elizabeth Pussel of same. For 5 pnds 25 acres on E. side of Turkey Creek adjoining Pussel. Wit. Daniel Taylor, Patience Taylor”

In this entry, we see that Sherrod and Molley, jointly, are beginning to sell some of the land that Jeremiah left to them in his Will. Elizabeth Pussel is the wife of Edward, who we know to be the neighbor of Jeremiah’s land. As witness to this Deed we have Daniel and Patience Taylor. Daniel, the same that has appeared in many records with Jeremiah, was also known to be a neighbor of Jeremiah’s land. Patience Taylor, however, may have been Daniel’s wife.

May 13, 1794; Nash County, North Carolina Deed Book:

“Wm Braswell of Nash to Orren Braswell, son of Benj Braswell, 176 acres on N. side of Tarr River. Wit. Wilson Vick, Sherod Deans”

1795, in Montgomery County, Georgia, the names of Sherrod Deans and his brother Richard Deens (again with different spellings on the same document) appear on a petition in protest of the “Yazoo Land Act” of 1794.

Mar 11, 1796; Nash County, North Carolina Deed Book:

“Mary Deans and Sherod Deans of Nash to Wm Andrews Jr. of Franklin Co. for 25 pnds 10 sh Virginia money. 57 acres on S. side of Turkey Creek, it being part of a tract formerly granted to Wm McGee on Jan 10, 1756, excepting 2 acres where the meeting house stood reserved for the use of the Baptist Society. Wit. Fieldin Conditt, David Jackson”

Sherrod and Mary/Molly Deens continue to sell off the lands that Jeremiah left to them in his Will. This land was sold to William Andrews Jr., presumably the son of William Andrews who originally witnessed the Deed from Cornelius Taylor to Jeremiah Deens back in 1771. This appears to be the same piece of land from that earlier Deed.

It is also important to note that the land that Cornelius sold to Jeremiah was a plot of land originally granted to William McGee. This will be explained in detail later on.

Feb 3, 1797; Nash County, North Carolina Deed Book:

“Sherod Deans of Nash to Augustin Bass of same, for 30 pds. 219 acres on the west side of Turkey Creek adjoining Wm Braswell, Jacob Carter, Simon Williams, Jeremiah Stephens, and Elizabeth Pussel. Wit. Daniel Taylor, Willie Deans”

This Deed record has troubled me since the land that Jeremiah left in his Will was lent to Mary/Molly during her lifetime or until she remarried and only passed to Sherrod after that. In this Deed, unlike the others, Sherrod is listed as the sole owner of the land. Is it possible that Mary/Molly has remarried at this point? Has she passed away? Is this land not part of the same land that was included in the Will?

The Peachtree Missionary Baptist Church, mentioned previously, lies between the PEACHTREE and JAYBASS traverse points (survey markers used by the State of North Carolina) in Nash County. I have followed the records back and the land at JAYBASS is now owned by a Jimmie Ruth Nanney Bass. Her husband, James Cecil Bass was the son of Jessie H. Bass (b. 1873 NC) was the son of Jessie F. Bass (b. 1845 NC) was the son of William T. Bass (b. 1815 NC) was the son of Augustin Bass who purchased the land from Sherrod in 1797. She (Jimmie Ruth) however only owns 3.81 acres. The rest is still unaccounted for.

Georgia Bound:

As mentioned before, the earliest record that I have of the Deens migration into Georgia appears circa 1795 when Sherrod and Richard Deans sign a petition in protest of what later became known as the “Yazoo Land Scandal”. The petition was signed in Montgomery County, Georgia.

Sherrod shows up in the 1797 and 1798 tax rolls for Montgomery County, Georgia. It is not exactly clear to me exactly when they made the move since Sherrod showed up in Nash County, North Carolina in 1796 and 1797 to sell land. It is entirely possible that Sherrod and Richard, being the oldest two of Jeremiah’s sons, went to Georgia ahead of the rest in order to secure lands and scout for opportunity before the rest of the family followed. It could have been during the “scouting expedition” that Sherrod and Richard signed the petition.

Mar 1799; Washington County, Georgia Court Document:

“Grand Jurors, March Term, 1799: David Blackshear (Foreman), Amos Daniel, Laban Beckham, Reuben Williams, John Smith, Henry Slappy, Holiday Hatpley, William Norman, Charles Moorman, Phillip Dillard, James Bount, William Elliot, Richard Deens, Andrew Kennedy, Nimrod Burke, Othneil Weaver, Joseph Blackshear, William McGee”

In this list of selected Grand Jurors, Richard Deens is listed. Listed along with him is a William McGee. The land that Cornelius Taylor sold to Jeremiah Deens back in 1771 is listed as being part of a tract of land originally granted to William McGee in 1756. Could it be possible that this is the same William McGee?

Enter Edmond Deen

In the year of our Lord, 1800, the State of Georgia grants 200 acres in Montgomery County (Present day Laurens County), Georgia to one Edmond Deen. This was a Headright grant (Headright grants not abolished until 1803) and in doing some research into the Headright system in use at the time I have found that this would definitely not have been a Military service grant. The smallest grant of land given for military service was that of 287 ½ acres. The vast majority of the 200 acre grants that were given in Georgia were located in the Northern part of the state and were given to the families migrating to the state from North Carolina. The story goes, there was a mass migration to the state of Georgia during the late 1790’s and early 1800’s by people hoping to get some of the lands that were being ceded by the Indians in that state. There were two major sectors of people during that migration: those from North Carolina and those from South Carolina. The majority of the immigrants from South Carolina were the wealthy land owners who were looking to expand their estates in this vast open land. In contrast, the immigrants from North Carolina were poor farmers looking for a better chance. Most all of the South Carolina immigrants positioned themselves in the Southern part of Georgia. The government of Georgia was, supposedly, “encouraged” by the wealthy immigrants in the Southern part of the state to issue land grants to the “North Carolina riff-raff”in the Northern part of Georgia. This would give them a reason to stay out of the Southern part of the state. In reaction, the State of Georgia offered 200 acre tracts of land to anyone migrating from North Carolina. All they had to do was choose the land that they wanted, build a residence, and file the claim with the state. A surveyor would then be sent out to stake the land and legitimize the claim.

The next time that Edmond appears in public record (as far as I know) is for the registration for the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery. Registration for the lottery took place between May of 1803 and June 1, 1804. The registrars granted Edmond two draws in the lottery which, by the rules set out by the State of Georgia, tell us that Edmond was over 21 years of age (he would have been 22), he had been a resident of Georgia for at least one year (Headright grant in 1800), and he was married with at least one child under the age of 21 (Sermon Pearce Dean was born in 1802). His place of residence at the time of the registration was listed as Montgomery County. Also listed in the registrants was a Nathan Sirmon from Montgomery County. Nathan married a young lady named Lucretia Deans in Jackson County, Georgia in 1806. I believe that Lucretia was Edmond’s younger sister. I also believe that Edmond was married to Nathan’s older sister, Elizabeth Sirman. Elizabeth was the administrator of her father’s (Levi Sirman) estate back in 1799 in Montgomery County. This will be discussed in more detail later.

Also appearing in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery registrants was Sherrod Deens and Mary Deens. Sherrod and Mary were both listed as residents of Clarke County, Georgia during the registration period. Mary was granted two draws which indicates that she was a qualified widow, over the age of 21 and had lived in Georgia for at least one year. Sherrod was only granted one draw which tells us that he was not married with a minor child, he was over 21 and had lived in Georgia for at least one year.

Nov 11, 1804; Laurens County, Georgia Deed Book:

“Edmun Deens, of Clarke County, sold to Benjamin Faircloth of Montgomery County. 200 acres of pine lands adjoining lands of Robert Faircloth. $50.00. Wit: Allen Belsher and Samuel Carter”

There are two things of interest in this Deed entry. First, Edmond is now a resident of Clarke County, Georgia. Clarke County is the residence listed by Mary and Sherrod during the land lottery registration. Second, Edmond has now sold off the land that he was granted 4 years earlier.

I have a theory as to why Edmond is still in Laurens County when the rest of the family has moved on to Clarke. As stated before, I believe that Edmond was married to Elizabeth Sirman. Also, as stated before, she was the admx of her father Levi’s estate. Since she was the admx, they had to stay in Laurens County until all of her father’s affairs had been tended to. Now that the estate had been completely settled, she (and Edmond) were free to move with the rest of the family. Why the family moved to Clarke county is still a mystery to me however. Edmond’s older brother, Richard, did not relocate with the rest. He remained in Laurens County and raised a family.

Edmond next appears in the 1806 tax rolls for Clarke County, Georgia. Sherrod and Mary, however, do not appear in the tax rolls. Could this mean that they moved to Clarke to live with someone else? If they owned land, they would have certainly been taxed.

During the year of 1814, Edmond was recruited into military service for the War of 1812. He served in Wooton’s Detachment which was mustered into service in Jasper County, Georgia on August 10, 1814. The detachment was disbanded on Feb 7, 1815 at Fort Hawkins, Georgia. Also serving with Edmond, in the same detachment, was Nathan Sirman. I believe him to be Edmond’s “Double Brother-In-Law” with Edmond marrying Nathan’s sister Elizabeth and Nathan marrying Edmond’s sister Lucretia.

Mary Dean, in the 1807 Georgia Land Lottery, was a fortunate drawer and received land in Baldwin (soon to become Jasper) County, Georgia. On August 2, 1814, Mary Dean files a Will in which she leaves half of her land to her son Edmond and half to her son Drury. She states in the Will that her sons cannot sell the land until after she dies or with her consent only. It is not known when Mary/Molly passed away, but it is known that on Oct 6, 1816 Edmond sells his half of the property to Anderson Watson. The grantor on the Deed is listed as “Edmond & M Dean”. It is assumed that Mary agreed to allow Edmond to sell his land before her passing. Drury, in turn, sells his half of the property to Elijah Miles four years later.

Sweet Home Alabama

By the year 1816, Edmond is listed on the Mississippi Territory, Monroe County (Alabama) census records. In this census, he is listed with the following family:

WM 21+ = White Male over 21 WM <21 = White Male under 21 WF 21+ = White Female over 21 WF <21 = White Female under 21

(1) WM 21+, (5) WM <21, (2) WF 21+, (2) WF <21

From all of my research, here are the names of the people that I believe are listed in this census:

WM 21+ = Edmond Dean WM <21 = Sermon Pearce Dean WM <21 = Hilliard J. Dean WM <21 = Garrison P. Dean WM <21 = Nathaniel P. Dean WM <21 = Zachariah Doles (Sophia’s son by first marriage) WF 21+ = Elizabeth Sirman WF 21+ = Unknown Female WF <21 = Sophia Waller Pridgeon Doles WF <21 = Unknown Female

Sep 30, 1816; Milledgeville Newspaper, Jasper County Georgia:

Drury Dean’s name appears in a list of individuals with letters still unclaimed at the Milledgeville post office. It is possible that Drury has not claimed his letter because he has already left for Alabama. However, there was obviously someone who thought that he was still living in Milledgeville.

From 1820 to 1823 Edmond appears on the tax rolls for Conecuh County, Alabama. Conecuh was formed from Monroe County in the year 1818. Drury Dean, who I believe to be Edmond’s little brother, began purchasing land in Conecuh County around 1823 and he accumulated quite a bit of land in Monroe and Conecuh during his lifetime. Edmond, however, doesn’t seem to have owned land in Alabama.

Also appearing in Conecuh County, Alabama in 1821 was Nathan Sirman when he applied for a land patent. During his lifetime, Nathan also accumulated quite a bit of land in Conecuh County.

During Edmond’s last years in Alabama, it appears that he lost his first wife. He remarries to Sophia Waller Pridgeon Doles, who I believe came with Edmond from Georgia.

Say Goodbye to Edmond

Some time between 1824 and 1830 Edmond had decided to move on from Alabama and relocate to Mississippi. He appears in the 1830 census for Warren County, Mississippi. February 2nd of that same year, Sophia gave birth to a son, William Pridgeon Marion Dean. In the 1830 census, Edmond is listed with the following large household:

FWM 40-50 = Free White Male between 40 and 50 FWM 20-30 = Free White Male between 20 and 30 FWM 15-20 = Free White Male between 15 and 20 FWM 10-15 = Free White Male between 10 and 15 FWM 5-10 = Free White Male between 5 and 10 FWM <5 = Free White Male less that 5 years old FWF 20-30 = Free White Female between 20 and 30

(1) FWM 40-50; (8) FWM 20-30; (1) FWM 15-20; (1) FWM 10-15; (1) FWM 5-10; (1) FWM <5; (1) FWF 20-30

Based on my research, here are the members of the family that I believe are in this census:

FWM 40-50 = Edmond Dean FWM 20-30 = Sermon Pearce Dean FWM 20-30 = Hilliard J. Dean FWM 20-30 = Unknown Male FWM 20-30 = Unknown Male FWM 20-30 = Unknown Male FWM 20-30 = Unknown Male FWM 20-30 = Unknown Male FWM 20-30 = Unknown Male FWM 15-20 = Zachariah Doles FWM 10-15 = Nathaniel P. Dean FWM 5-10 = Edmond Dean Jr. (actually was 11 years old) FWM <5 = William Pridgeon Marion Dean FWF 20-30 = Sophia Waller Pridgeon Doles Dean

As you can see from the list above, there seems to be a huge hole in my records. I do not believe that all of the men listed in this census were children of Edmond’s, but I also do not know who they were. Edmond’s son Garrison Dean was the only one of his sons who was already married by the time that he decided to move to Mississippi. He remained behind in Alabama where he raised a family, thus was not included in this census. He was listed in the 1830 census for Conecuh County, Alabama.

Just one year later after this census was taken, Edmond passes away. According to Sophia’s Bible, his date of death was August 10, 1831 and he died in Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi.

Just a few years after Edmond’s death, Sophia, along with her sons William P. M. and Zachariah Doles, relocate even farther West. They settle in the Bevilport Settlement in present day Jasper County, Texas. Sophia marries for the third time to a man named Samuel Ralph.