Woodward Trammell (1790 - 1823)

Born 1790 in Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Rebecca (Sessoms) Trammell — married 17 Mar 1813 in Wilkes Co. Georgia

Descendants

Died 16 May 1823 at about age 33 in Wilkes, Georgia, United States

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Woodward Trammell served in the War of 1812
Service started:
Unit(s): Georgia Militia
Service ended:

Biography

Woodward Trammell, son of Thomas Trammell and Sarah (Sally) Thompson, was born ca 1789-90 in SC / GA and he died on 16 Jun 1823 (Wilkes) GA. If he was not born in Georgia, he apparently moved there at an early age with his parents. When the 1810 census was taken in Wilkes County GA, Woodward would have been about 20 years old, but is unaccounted for as a head of household. Perhaps he was still living with his parents.

On 17 March 1813 in Wilkes County GA, Woodward Trammell married Rebecca Sessoms Smith, parents unknown, and only three children are known. His mother Sarah (Thompson) Trammell had died before this date, and Woodward's father Thomas Trammell married his 2nd wife on 25 April 1813 in Wilkes County, just one month after his son's marriage.

When America declared war on Britain in 1812, Woodward served in Booth's4th Regiment of the GA Militia. Also, in that same regiment were Daniel, William and Peter Trammell, relationship not confirmed, however they are more than likely cousins. Woodward's father had brothers with these names, and it is possible their sons would have carried on their fathers names.

After the war, the Trammells were living were living in Wilkes County with one small daughter. By 1816 Woodward and his wife Rebecca were witnesses on a will executed by a William Brown. The relationship is unknown at this time, but Woodward's father, Thomas, was also named in that will as being security for Brown's retarded son James Brown.

When the 1820 census was taken in Wilkes County GA, Woodward Trammell was now enumerated as head of his household in Family # 170.

Prior to 1821, Woodward's stepmother Elizabeth Furman Trammell died leaving Thomas Trammell with two young daughters. To complicate their lives, Thomas died by 4 June 1821. In his will, he left part of his estate and slaves to his young daughters, Susan and Elizabeth. Joseph Alexander, relationship unknown, is named guardian of the minor daughters.

His father's death and the resultant will were the impetus that began the serious situation Woodward later found himself in. In late June of 1821, the minor daughters of Thomas & Elizabeth Furman Trammell were poisoned. Susan died on 2 July and Elizabeth lingered until 27 July 1821 when she died. A "black man" named Isaac (probably the slave mentioned in Thomas's will), was arrested and tried for murder. During the trail, Woodward was implicated as the person who hired Isaac to kill the little girls.

On 12 Feb 1823, an affidavit of John Fraiser before Leonard Sims, J.P., Lincoln County, stated: "That he heard Nathaniel Bailey in the fall of 1821 say that there was no doubt but what Trammell was guilty of murder, or was instrumental in poisoning the two children for which the negro boy was then in jail condemned to hang, and that he thought said Trammell ought to be hung and would be if he could be got."

On 3 March 1823 in Wilkes County, Joseph Alexander, guardian of Susan and Elizabeth Trammell filed a receipt for services in bringing to justice the "negro" Isaac for the murder of the orphans and an inquiry in the case against [Woodward] Trammell for murder. On 5 March 1823 Woodward was tried and found guilty for his part in the poisoning death of his two half sisters. While in jail, he wrote his will: "I Woodward Trammell of state and county aforesaid now in the common jail of said country under sentence of death on the 16th, May next, but of sound and disposing mind...leave to my wife, Rebecca Sessoms Trammell all estate for life, final division to my lawful heirs, viz, Vicena Sessoms Trammell, Rebecca Ann Trammell, and Oncy Garner Trammell..." Signed 8 April 1823 Rebecca Trammell, John Johns, and John Favor - Executors John Dyson, Richard H. Long, Richard J. Willis, Witnesses

A codicil to this will appointed Woodward's brother-in-law Burch Darden executor in place of John Favor. The will was probated 7 July 1823.

Woodward Trammell was hung on 16 June 1823 (Wilkes) GA. His burial is unknown, but it was probably some where in Wilkes County. Nothing further is known about Rebecca Sessoms Smith Trammell after her husband died. By this time she had three small children under the age of 10, so her life could not have been easy, especially with the scandal involving her husband. By 1839, her youngest daughter married in Macon County AL, so perhaps she fled across the state line where she was not known to raise her daughters. Her death and burial is unknown.

Children from this marriage were: 1. Vicena Sessoms Trammell (After 1813 - ) 2. Oncy Garner Trammell (After 1813 - ) 3. Rebecca Ann Trammell (16 Jul 1821 - 1873)

Military

United States War of 1812 Index to Service Records, 1812-1815, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29K-1G1P : 11 March 2016), Woodward Tramell, 1812-1815; citing NARA microfilm publication M602 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); roll 211; FHL microfilm 882,729.

Notes

Woodward Trammill was hung for murdering his sisters in Wilkes Co. Georgia on May 16, 1823.

Sources

"Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXJF-7GF : accessed 2 July 2015), Woodard Tramel and Rebecah S. Smith, 17 Mar 1813; citing Marriage, Wilkes, Georgia, United States, county courthouses, Georgia; FHL microfilm .

"United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLX-B83 : accessed 2 July 2015), Woodard Trammell, Not Stated, Wilkes, Georgia; citing p. 170, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 9; FHL microfilm 175,768.

"United States Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications, 1800-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NSK3-X49 : 11 December 2014), Woodard Trammell, pension number R. 10672, service Ga. S.C.; from "Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files," database and images, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d); citing NARA microfilm publication M804 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1974); FHL microfilm 972,408.

Will

Page 135--TRAMMELL, WOODWARD. "I Woodward Trammell of state and county aforesaid now in the common jail of said county under sentence of death on the 16th, May next, but of sound and disposing mind" etc. To wife Rebecca Sessoms Trammell all estate for life, final division to my lawful heirs, viz, Vicena Sessoms Trammell, Rebecca Ann Trammell, and Oncy Garner Trammell. Wife, John Johns and John Favor, Excrs. Signed Apr. 8, 1823. Probated Jul. 7, 1823. John Dyson, Richard H. Long, Richard J. Willis, Test. Codicil. Appointing Burch Darden, Excr. instead of John Favor.

• The Early Records of Georgia, Volume II, Wilkes County abstracted and compiled by Grace Gillam Davidson, published in 1933 at Macon, GA