Another family associated with the recent ones of Kilcrease, Smithart and Kirkland is the Starnes. Members of this family migrated from North Carolina to South Carolina and on to Covington County around the turn of the twentieth century.

The earliest ancestor known to neighboring descendants is Charles Starnes, a native of North Carolina. It is understood that his original name in German was Karl Starling or Stahring. It is believed he was born circa 1753 and lived until circa 1803 when he died in North Carolina. He was married to Catharine, a native of North Carolina where she was born circa 1780. She lived until 1820.

Charles and Catharine reared the following children: Elizabeth, b. ca 1793, m. (1) ? Thompson (2) 1813 Daniel Bost; Martin, b. ca 1795, m. ?; John, b. ca 1797, m. Jane Thompson; Paul P., b. ca 1798, d. 1864, m. (1) 1823 Hannah Carriker (2) Winnie "Winna" Aughtman/Altman; and Sarah "Sally," b. 1800, d. 1884, m. Vineyard Gunter.

The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, and her second husband, Daniel Bost, had the following children: Charles, b. 1814; Joseph, b. ca 1814; Barbara; Sarah "Susan," m. Henry Thomas; and Martin Wilson, m. Nellie Pickens in Mississippi.

The oldest son, Martin, and his wife had at least two sons: Henry Rowland, b. ca 1834, d. 1863, m. 1857 Mary Jane Earnhardt; and Samuel Rothrock, b. 1835, d. 1887, m. Rosa Lentz. Henry R. died at Gettysburg as a private in Company H, 5th Regiment, North Carolina. He had been a farmer and enlisted at the age of 29 years.

Sarah and her husband, Vineyard Gunter, had the following three children: Sarah J., b. 1858; Alfred G., b. 1859, d. 1943, m. Louvenia "Vinnie" Spires; and Govan, b.1866, d. 1929, m. Nancy "Annie" Williams.

It was Paul P. who had the largest family of children, two of whom eventually moved south and settled in this county in the Gantt community. As a young man Paul migrated to Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he was married to his second wife, Winnie Aughtman. They were enumerated there in 1850 and 1860.

Earlier in 1823, Paul was married to Hannah Carriker and they had the following four children: Sophia "Soffy" Catherine, b. 1824, d. 1859, m. 1842 Adam Pinkney Carriker, son of Solomon and Rachel (Yerton) Carriker; Sandy "Lundy," b. 1827, d. 1846; Daniel Monroe, b. 1828, d. 1899, m. 1853 Bettie Elizabeth Ludwick; and Charles W., b. 1831, m. (1) Ester M. White (2) 1866 Mary Ann Furr, daughter of Allison and Hessie McKinley Black Furr.

Paul was next married to Winnie, and they had the following children: Harriet, b. 1830, d. 1902, m. George Kirkland; James Wesley, b. 1834, m. Louvina or Lavicia (Gunter) Gantt; William L. b. 1835, m. Elizabeth Smith; Sarah "Sally," b. ca 1838, d. 1884, m. Vineyard Gunter; Joshua, b. 1839, m. Henrietta Smith; Ezekiel, b. ca 1839; Lorenzo David "Randy," b. 1840, d. 1911, m. Emmerlin "Dyke" Johnson; John, b. 1843, m. Margaret R. Johnson; Betsy Ann, b. ca 1845, d. 1927, m. Mitchell Gunter; and Emmaline, b. 1849, d. 1927, m. Jonathan Smithart.

The grandchildren of Paul P. and Winnie will

represent the next generation since two of their children, Lorenzo David and Emmerline (Starnes) Smithart, brought the family to Covington County. First, the children of Harriet and her husband, George W. Kirkland, son of Warren and Aliff Kirkland, included the following: Henry Wesley, b. 1853, d. 1929, m. Rosa ?; Henrietta "Etta," b. 1855; Louisa, b. 1857; Mary Ann, b. 1858; Maunselle W., b. 1859, d. 1918, m. Laura Cooper; Emanuel, b. 1861, m. (1) ? (2) Mamie Corley; Winnie Louvenia, b. 1864, d. 1927, m. Jackson Cooper; Jerome, b. 1868, m. (1) ? Allen (2) Emma Richardson; and Anna "Annie," b. 1869; Marcella, b. 1872; and Nola, b. 1875.

The children of James Wesley included a son by his first wife whose name is unknown. The son was Harley Vineyard, b. ca 1851, d. 1917, m. Willa Belle Threlkeld. The children of James Wesley and his second wife, Luvicia Gunter Gantt, daughter of Able and Mary (Cooper) Gunter, included the following: Francis, b. ca 1858; Paul, b. 1859, d. ca 1940, m. Sally Elizabeth Gunter; Lucy Ann, b. 1860, d. 1916, m. Preston B. Fulmer; James Wesley Jr., b. ca 1861, m. Ellen Smithart; Martin P., b. ca 1862, d. 1906, m. Frances Poole; Charles H., b. 1865, d. 1910, m. Elvira Ella "Sis" Poole (sister to Frances); and Able, b. ca 1867.

The children of William and his wife, Elizabeth Smith, included the following: William, b. 1863; Annie Margaret, b. 1866, d. 1931, m. John Thomas Bodie; Mary, b. 1867; and Tommy, b. 1869.

Joshua and his wife, Henrietta Smith, had only one daughter, Sophronia, b. 1870.

The children of Lorenzo David and his wife, Emmerlin "Dyke" Johnson, included the following: Almedia, b. 1867, d. 1914, m. Robert Lee Collum; William Edward, b. 1869, d. 1940, m. (1) Ida Poole (2) Catherine "Kate" Rushton; J. Norton or Nolton, b. 1873, d. 1948; m. Emma Gunter; Allen Malorey, b. 1976, d. 1935, m. (1) Fronnie Courtney (2) Nettie Garrett; Curtis Elma, m. Arlendo Bruch Newton; Simpson, b. 1882, d. 1931, m. Addie D.; Betsan; and Emmerlin, m. Pollard Hall. The oldest son, William Edward, returned to South Carolina due to his wife, Ida's, health.

The youngest daughter, Emmaline, and her husband, Johnathan Smithart, had the following children: Sam, d. 1919 in flu epidemic, single; Daniel Paul, b. 1867, d. 1918, m. Adeiannah Beatrice "Addie" Bodie; Jenette, b. 1868, d. 1931, m. John Warren Kirkland; Ollin, b. 1869, m. (1) Palestine Barton (2) Mary F. Wages; Texanna, b. 1875, m. Sterling Price Pou; Addison Felder, b. 1880, d. 1950, m. Lucy Aughtman; Rosa Belle, b. 1882, d. 1943, m. Isaac Durham Bodie; Cora Estelle, b. 1883, d. 1962, m. Monroe W. "Bose" Aughtman; and Mitchell D., b. 1886, m. Lilly Sedoma Peacock.

There are a number of descendants in this family who have lived in this area. One member whom many will recall is Uldeine (Skinner) Starnes, wife of Earley Starnes (1905-1963), who was an elementary teacher for many years in the Andalusia School System.

Once again, the genealogical records of Albert C. Blackwell were a major resource for today's writing. Also, the data of Delane Carter-Briggs were used as well.

Anyone who might have corrections to any of the above or additional information on this family is encouraged to contact Curtis Thomasson at 21361 Rabren Road, Andalusia, AL 36420 or Email: chthom@alaweb.com.

HISTORICAL MEETING:

The Covington Rifles Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will present a program honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee on the eve of his birthday, Monday, January 19, at 7 p.m. in the LBW Dixon Conference Center. Anyone interested in Southern history is encouraged to attend.