June 14, 2002

In a much earlier column, the Cauley family was introduced with the presentation of their earlier days in the county. Bartholomew Cauley and his wife, Winneford (Taylor), were the first ancestors to arrive in the area. During the early 1820s he moved his young family to the Rose Hill Community from Conecuh County. He became an active community leader and participated in the county government.

In the earlier column, the family and life of Bartholomew's oldest son, David Cauley who was a county leader also, was outlined. Today, the history and genealogy of the youngest son, John Richard Cauley, will be reviewed.

John Richard was born in 1827 after the family settled in Covington County. He grew up helping his father with the farm. He was married to Elizabeth Marie Dannelley, daughter of William H. and Celia (Bryan) Dannelley of a nearby community.

By 1859 John and Elizabeth had four young children when his father died in Arkansas. He rode out there to claim his portion of the estate. His wife told him not to return without a female slave to help her with the children. When the children drew straws for the slaves, he won a male field hand whom he traded for a young mulatto girl. He brought her with him when he returned home.

John was back when he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private in Co. A, 18th Ala. Inf. Reg't. He served his time in the State of Alabama helping build winter quarters and probably never saw any combat. He became ill and was granted a medical discharge in 1863.

John and Elizabeth reared the following children: William Thomas "Tom," b. 1852, d. 1930, m. Martha Louisa King; Jesse J., b. 1855, d. 1868, single; Jason Bartley "Dock," b. 1858, d. 1920, m. (1) Belle Harrison (2) Elzada Cook King; Ava Anna, b. 1859, d. 1932, m. George Calvin Prescott; Bolton Stark, b. 1862, d. 1962, m. Millie Ann Morris; Dulceney, b. 1864, d. 1941, m. John L. Foley; Vianna, b. 1867, d. 1960, m. Daniel C. Taylor; General V., b. 1869, d. 1938, m. Julia Elizabeth Jones; Tea Anna "Teet," b. 1871, d. 1943, m. Jesse H. Lindsey; Mallard "Mal" C., b. 1873, d. 1930, m. Mattie Lindsey; and Celia R. Lena "Sweet," b. 1876, d. 1953, m. Jacob Benton.

Tom maintained a close relationship with his father and lived much of his life near him. He homesteaded land in the Valley Grove District near the county line and his father's farm. He worked as a farmer, storekeeper and gin owner. In later years he and his wife moved to Opp where he had developed property. They were active members of the Primitive Baptist Faith.

Tom and Martha reared the following children: William H. "Billy," b. 1875, d. 1934, m. (1) Hattie ? (2) Cora Hudson; Jason Bartley "Dock," b. 1876, d. 1952, m. Sallie Belle Moulton; John Henry "Johnny," b. 1880, d. 1948, m. (1) Lucy Ann Jones (2) Erie Armistead; Arlevey, b. 1882, d. 1957, m. A.A. "Lon" Hudson; Oscar, b. 1886, d. 1916, m. Viola "Ola" Hudson; Mary Elizabeth "Mollie," b. 1887, d. 1977, m. Thomas P. Griffin; Nettie, b. 1889, d. 1972, m. John C. Griffin; and Alma Louisa "Pinkie," b. 1890, d. 1957, m. John Haden Smith.

Jason B. "Dock" was a farmer and lived in the edge of Coffee County. He and Belle had the following children: Minnie Belle, b. 1887, d. 1973, m. Paul Franklin Aughtman; Leila, b. 1888, d. 1967, m. Langford Spivey; and Lura "Lurie," b. 1889, d. 1976, m. Charles Mallory. Dock and his second wife, Elzada, had the following children: John Dalton, b. 1896, d. 1981, m. Matilda "Tillie" Clark; Edlow, b. 1899, d. 1931, m. Willdora King; Jessie, b. 1904, d. 1992, m. Albert A. Foley; Effie Lee, b. 1906, d. 1992, m. Dewey Dawkins; Bessie, b. 1908, m. Bud Carnley; Elsie, b. 1911, d. 1937, m. Eugene Cleo Griffin; Ada, b. 1912, d. 1956, m. (1) Herman Dorrough (2) Daniel C. "Coot" Rhodes; Willie Jason, b. 1915, m. Frances Elizabeth Ainsworth; and Cleo, b. 1918, m. Luke Linton.

Bolton Stark homesteaded a 160-acre tract of land near his boyhood home in the Friendship Community along the east border of Covington County. He resided there until he died at an age just four months shy of 100 years. (He and his daughter, Epsie who lived to be 103 years of age, hold the record for longevity in the Cauley family.) Even though he was blind from birth in one eye, he became a successful farmer and joiner. He has been remembered for building coffins for many of the people buried in the Dannelley Crossroads Cemetery. During his later years he lost sight in his other eye, but he continued to live a remarkable life.

At age 18 years, Bolton chose Millie Ann Morris, daughter of Confederate Veteran William Thomas Morris and wife, Elizabeth Strickland, of the Curtis Community, to be his wife. The two of them walked over 30 miles on their wedding day to be married by a favorite Primitive Baptist minister. The next day the new couple walked home to begin a life characteristic of those living in the rural South in the late 1800s.

Bolton and Millie reared the following children: Annie Elizabeth, b. 1881, d. early 1930s, m. Andrew D. "Dump" Tanner; Louvenia "Venier," b. 1884, d. 1956, m. John H. Bane; Della, b. 1887, d. 1974, m. (1) Earl R.L. McCart (2) ? Braswell; Avie Samantha, b. 1889, d. 1974, m. Alonzo "Lon" E. McCart; Epsie Ophelia, b. 1892, d. 1995, single; Lona Mae, b. 1894, d. 1978, m. George F. Willicombe; William Noah, b. 1896, d. 1978, m. Jettie Pearl Lackey; Pleas Dewey, b. 1899, d. 1971, m. Norah Lee Hudson; Eva Una Vae, b. 1901, d. 1934, m. Claud King; and Pearl, b. 1905, d. 2002, m. (1) Perry E. Kendrick (2) Albert Patillo. In addition to these 10 children, they reared the two sons of their next to youngest daughter, Exa Una Vae, when she died at an early age. Bolton was remembered very fondly by his many descendants.

This writing covers the lineage of John Richard Cauley through four of his 11 children. The additional children will be presented in next week's column. Appreciation is expressed to two Cauley descendants, Marcel Bane for sharing his family data and Scott R. Smith for his valuable publication, "Cauley Chronicles."

Anyone who might have corrections or additions to the above is requested to contact Curtis Thomasson at Route 9, Box 97, Andalusia, AL 36420 or Email: chthom@alaweb.com

FAMILY REUNIONS:

Palmer reunion will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16, at the FOP Lodge in Gantt. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.