Check Out the Following:

 

·         James Tatum's Original Cabin Exists

·         Full Copy – Will of James Tatum

·         Possible James Tatum Gravesite Clue  

·         More on Kings Mountain 1780

 

·                     George, Hailey, and James Tatum on two 1801 Documents

·                     Letter by Amy Tatum Cluts in 1907

·                     Preaching by James Tatum, (“II”) in Fulton County, Illinois

·                     More Thoughts on a Revolutionary War Record

·                     Ashe County Homestead location for James Tatum, Sr?

 

James Tatum (Middle initial "P" reported, but believable source lacking)

Born about 1755, possibly Dinwiddie County, Virginia

Married to Amy Sharp, estimated about 1779   

Died summer of 1828 in Ashe County, North Carolina 

Burial Site: Reported buried in Ashe County, near a 1915 railroad station called "Riverside," now gone.  Riverside is now Brownwood.  Burial is from "History of Watauga County, North Carolina," by John P. Arthur, 1915.   

Parents: George Tatum (~1721 Prince George County, Virginia to 1801 Rowan County, North Carolina) and Lucretia ___(~1729)  

 

Amy (Amey) Sharp 

Born about 1758 in Virginia

Died 6 July 1853 in Ashe County, North Carolina

Maiden name of Sharp traditional but not confirmed - original source needed:  Possible Sheppard surname from Arthur’s 1915 book, but much of his early Tatum info inaccurate. 

Parents: not known;

 

2^nd Edition, Morphew/Murphy Story, by Jim Murphy, April 2001; previous revision 24 May 2010; this revision 16 October 2011

 

            This chapter is divided into the following sections:

 

(I).   James Tatum in the American Revolution – Fact or Fiction

            A.  What Has Been Written

            B.  Tradition

            C.  Another James Tatum – unrelated

            D. Was Our James Tatum at 1780 Battle of King's Mountain?                     

            E.  One Puzzling Record

            F.  Search for a Military Pension

 

(II).    Earliest Location for James Tatum – Dinwiddie County, Virginia

(III).   Brunswick County, Virginia 1758 – 1785

(IV).   Rowan County, North Carolina 1786 – 1789

(V).    Wilkes/Ashe County, North Carolina 1790+V

(VI).   James Tatum Cabin Moved to a Museum

(VII).  Where Was James Tatum's Homestead in Ashe County?

(VIII). Will of James Tatum

(IX).   Where is the Tatum Cemetery?

(X).    Children of James and Amey Tatum

(XI).   Selected Census Records.

 

 (Part I). James Tatum in the American Revolution – Fact and Fiction

 

(A.) What Has Been Written

    

“Father of George (Tatum) and Joseph was James, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.  James’s wife was a Miss Sheppard of Ashe.  James was born in Rowan County, from which he came to Ashe before the Revolutionary War when he was 14 years old.  His father had come to America from England.”  

Exerts are from a Tatum family sketch in “History of Watauga County, North Carolina” by John Preston Arthur, 1915.

            Arthur’s sketch seems to have a number of errors and forces us to take a hard look at all the reported “facts.”   

 

(B). Tradition

 

Tradition states James Tatum did serve in the American Revolution, but where?  There is a report that he had a sword from the Revolution which was handed down to descendants.  We don’t know where he was living at the time: Was it Virginia, northeastern Tennessee Territory, NW North Carolina, or in South Carolina?   To date, no records have been found listing him in the American Revolution.     

A so-called family tradition indicated James Tatum assisted with an uncle's farm prior, during and/or after the Revolution in the Watauga Settlement area in NW North Carolina or pre-Tennessee.   One website suggested this uncle's name to be the 1772 Watauga Settlement pioneer William Tatham (1752 England to 1819 Virginia), with the “Tatham” spelling being an English variation.  Another name surfacing is Joseph Tatum of Brunswick County, Virginia and Rowan County, North Carolina.  Gary Tharp cautions us that any "uncle" to James Tatum is most likely not this William Tatham and should be a brother of George Tatum (from 7 August 2004 e-mail).

 

(C). Another James Tatum – Wrong Person

 

Be aware that there is another James (no middle initial) Tatum born in Virginia and died 10 September 1821 Tennessee, son of Joshua Tatum and Amy Chappell.  This James served in North Carolina lines and is not ours: 

 

This James Tatum became an Ensign in Colonel John Williams' 9^th Regiment of North Carolina on 12 August, 1777, and 2^nd Lieutenant on 1^st January, 1778.  He transferred to 3^rd of North Carolina Continental Line on 1 June 1778.  He became 1^st Lieutenant on 14 December 1779 in Captain Rochel's Company of Colonel James Hogan's Regiment.  At some point he was in Colonel Thomas Clark's 1st North Carolina Regiment.   He possibly was promoted to Captain, but his pension papers do not confirm this.  At the Battle of Charleston, he commanded three eighteen pound canons, before being taken prisoner on 12 May 1780, and remained a prisoner at the close of war.  On 1 January 1783, he was listed "deranged."

 

His brother, Howell Tatum stated James was discharged from the military "about" 1782.  On 22 June 1789 (survey 12 August 1785), "James Tatum, a Lieutenant," was granted 4 square miles of Davidson County, Tennessee land, beginning on the banks of the Cumberland River.  On 10 September 1821, he died there.

 

The 1785 Census of Halifax County, North Carolina listed both Howell Tatum and James Tatum, both in Robert Freear's census district.  Both show only 1 white male 21-60, no children and no white females.

 

In his pension papers, there is a 1858 letter from a niece, Nancy Nash of Dyersburgh, Tennessee, stating he NEVER married, never had children, had a brother Howell Tatum, who also an officer in the war. 

  

 (D). Was Our James Tatum at 1780 King's Mountain?

 

"James Tatum" is named at the Battle of King’s Mountain – "James Tatum was in the battle and was pensioned in Watauga County, North Carolina." *

* “Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution,” published by the North Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution, 1932.  Their reference was: "King's Mountain Men," Katherine Keogh White, 1924, reprint 1985, page 228.

 

The mention of Watauga County is curious, since it was not established until 1849-1850, but could the Revolutionary War pension be for his wife?    

 

The book, "The Patriots at Kings Mountain," by Bobby Gilmer Moss, 1990, lists the following men who were “possibly” on the King's Mountain Campaign or were possibly the in Battle, but lacks an official source:  (includes) William Tatham, James Tatum.

 

1780 October 7 – South Carolina: A fifty minute Battle of King’s Mountain South Carolina took place where 800 seasoned British troops of Colonel Patrick Ferguson at the top of King’s Mountain faced 1000 “mountain patriots” from western North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee Territory, and other locations.  The best asset for the Americans was their excellent sharp-shooting skills.  James Tatum may have been with the Watauga Tennessee volunteers or the Colonel Benjamin Cleveland troops of Wilkes and Surry Counties, North Carolina, both groups making rapid assaults to the mountain top.  The Patriots were totally victorious, with the almost all the British being killed, wounded, or captured.  The year 1780 had been a year of British victories and control.  In an otherwise gloomy atmosphere for the Americans, the Battle on King’s Mountain rallied new hope for liberty and the coming year of victories in 1781.

 

(E). A Puzzling Record

 

There is one record that is most puzzling and its source is "The Colonial and State Records of North Carolina," by Stephan B. Weeks:

 

1787 January 4 – North Carolina State House: The House met according to (organize) troops for defense of Western County (Tennessee Territory).  Major Commandants (will be) Tillman Dixon, Thomas Evans....Captains (will be) Walter Carruth, James Tatom, John Ford, Richard Fenner, James Scurlock, Charles Crawford, Joshua Hadley, Henry Hyland." 

The Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, by Stephan B. Weeks, Volume 20, page 450.

 

Comment: Your guess is as good as mine.  However, I speculate this best fits the bachelor Lieutenant James Tatum.  

 

(F). Search for a Military Pension

 

            If any pension paper exists, it might be a widow's pension for his wife, Amy.  So far, nothing has been found.  These are usually entered with at the county court system, such as a circuit court.  The Courthouse at Watauga County, North Carolina, established 1850 from Ashe County, burned twice and their records were lost.  Federal Revolutionary War records were lost when the British burned Washington, D.C. in 1814.  Their subsequent collections are secondary records collected from counties and states.  NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) was visited by this writer and found only records referring to the bachelor, James Tatum.   Ashe County court records have been turned over to the North Carolina State Archives and Library.  These have not yet been reviewed, and are thought to be minimally indexed.

       

(Part II). Earliest Locations for the Tatums

Possibly Dinwiddie County, Virginia

 

1755-1761:  James Tatum and Amy Sharp were born in Virginia, according to their grandson, James Tatum (Jr.) in his 1880 U.S. Census of Salt Creek, Mitchell County, Kansas.

 

(Part III). Brunswick County, Virginia to 1785

 

1782 Brunswick County, Virginia tax records: (include) James Tatum, George Tatum, Jesse Tatum, Joseph Tatum, Nathaniel Tatum, and Paul Tatum. 

"Virginia Tax Payers 1782-1787," by Augusta B. Folthergill and John Mack Naugle, 1966) 

           

1785 February 28 - Brunswick County, Virginia:  George Tatum and wife Lucretia of Brunswick County, Virginia sold to Lewis Lanier of same, for 140 pounds Virginia (money) 131 acres beginning at the fish hole on Crablouse Creek, Grassy Branch, Buckner Lanier, John Birdsong, the great path from George Tatum's to James Tatum's, Isaac House, Avery, Nat Gregory.  Witnesses:  Buckner Lanier, Anistotle Eddridge, Buckner Daniel.  Proved 28 February 1785.  

     

(Part IV). Rowan County, North Carolina 1786 to 1789

 

1786 August 12 – Rowan County, North Carolina: "James Tatum" was assigned to a Rowan County Court jury.  Later on 7 November 1786, the court noted he was excused.  

"Abstracts of the Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions – Rowan County, North Carolina 1775-1789," Volume III, by Jo White Linn, 1982, with original court reference Volume 5, page 12 and 18. 

 

1789 Rowan County Tax List of Captain Pearson: James Tatem, 123 acres, 1 white poll, and John Buckner, 1 white poll.   This was the part that later became Davie County.  Two years previously in 1787, Captain Pearson noted another Tatum in his tax records – Joseph Tatum.   

 

Rowan County, N.C. Deeds

 

1790 Rowan County:  James Tatum, of Rowan County, purchased, for 60 pounds money, 118 acres on the waters of Duckman’s Creek (Dutchman’s Creek) in this county.  On 23 August 1804, James Tatum, of Ash County, sold this land to John Linwell, of Rowan County, for 125 pounds and was entered in the August session 1812.

 

1793 Rowan County Petition – request of citizens living too far from Salisbury.  To grant us a separate election in the 3rd battalion to be held at the dwelling house of Andrew Mocks:  (Names include) Haly Tatum, James Tatem, and John Buckner.

 

1795:  Rowan County Delinquents:  James Tatom, 112 A, 1 poll.

 

1801 May – Rowan County Pleas and Quarter Session:  Hailey Tatum is listed Guardian for Frankey Tatum, Orphan of George Tatum, bound with James Tatum and Rudolph Leut (or Liat), 100 pounds.  Adm(instration) and on the estate of George Tatum granted to Hailey Tatum qualified and gave bond with James Tatum and Rudof Liat (or Siat), 100 pounds.

Rowan County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Tuesday, May 1801, page 80      

 

(Part V). Wilkes and Ashe Counties, North Carolina

Wilkes County

 

1790 Wilkes County, North Carolina: James Tatom is listed in the 1790 U.S. Census of Wilkes County, North Carolina.  In 1799, Ashe County was established from Wilkes. 

           

Ashe County, North Carolina 1799+

 

1802 December 16 - Ashe County, North Carolina: Roland Judd of Wilkes County, North Carolina deeded to James Tatum of Ashe County, N.C. 100 acres for $200, land bounded by the North Fork of New River.  The deed was witnessed by Wm. McNeal, John Nalk(?), and Philip (x) Church and entered May term 1803.  (DB C/336)

 

1804 January 7 - Ashe County:  Elizabeth Blackburn deeded to James Tatum, both of Ashe County, for 80 pounds, 100 acres in Ashe County on New River, formerly a land grant dated 3 August 1778.  Signed: Elizabeth Blackburn.  Witnesses: Philip (x) Church, Squire Wilcoxan.  Registered August term 1804. (DB B/164)

 

1806 November 11 – Ashe County:    State of North Carolina Land Grant #703 to James Tatum, 35 acres in Ashe County on the South Fork of the New River with a boundary on William Norris line.  (DB D/32)

 

1810 U.S. Census of Ashe County, North Carolina: Taytim, J: 1 male 0-<10, 1 male and 1 female 10-<16, 1 male 16-<26, 1 female 26-<45, 1 male 45+.   (Same page as Eggers and Joseph Morphew)

 

1810 September 24 – Ashe County: Lewis Sheppard deeded to James Tatum, both of Ashe County, for $386, 200 acres situated in Ashe County on both sides of the South Fork of New River, from a warrant dated 22 January 1795, Number 1330 containing 100 acres unto James Tatum.  Signed: Lewis Shepperd.  Test: William Green, Squire Wilcockson, John Blackburn.  Registered May term 1811 Ashe County.  (DB D/291)

 

1812 June 27 –Ashe County: James Tatum, Sr. of Ashe County, North Carolina deeded to James Tatum, Jr. of Ashe County, North Carolina 150 acres for $263 in Ashe County on the north side of the South Fork of New River below the mouth of Mill Creek.  From a warrant dated 22 January 22, 1795, No. 1330.  Witnessed by William Horton, George Tatum.  Signed and sealed and delivered, James Tatum (seal).  November term 1813.  (DB M/123)

 

1812 June 27 - Ashe County: James Tatum, Sr. of Ashe County deeded to George Tatum of Ashe County, 50 acres for $200...South Fork of New River, beginning on James Tatum's south line on the river bank, then north to the river on the line between James and George Tatum.   Witnesses: William Tatum, James Tatum, and Mathias (probably Mathew) Tatum.  Signed – James Tatum, his seal.  November term 1813.  (DB M/121)

 

            Comment: "Below" means the direction which the South Fork flowed and that is north.  This above information is recorded in Ashe County Deed Books.  The State of North Carolina should have the original Land Grant information with surveys which might better define the location of his lands. 

 

Notice the name of William Tatum who is a witness to the 27 June 1812 deed.   Who is William Tatum?  He is found on another deed: 1813 December 20 – Ashe County:  "William Tatum" witnessed an Ashe County, N.C. deed from Samuel Wilcox (Wilcoxson) to his son, Esquire Wilcox (Squire Wilcoxson) with the land in the Old Field Creek area.  Why doesn't he appear in other Ashe County records?

 

1815 Ashe County Tax List: James Tatom, Sr.

 

1820 U.S. Census of Ashe County:  James Tatum – 1 male 16-<18, 1 male 16-<26, 1 male and 1 female 45+.

 

(Part VI). James Tatum's Cabin Moved to a Museum

 

The Southern Appalachian Historical Society has moved and restored the James Tatum cabin, now on their grounds of “Horn in the West,” and part of the Hickory Ridge Homestead Living History Museum.  This is located near the southern edge of Boone, Watauga County, North Carolina on the grounds of the Horn of the West.  Most of the children of James and Amy Tatum are thought to be born in this cabin, and some of Buckner Tatum’s children.  The cabin, built about 1785, is said to come from near the landmark of Todd on the border of Watauga and Ashe Counties, which is near his Mill Creek/South Fork land.

 

(Part VII). Where was James Tatum's Homestead in Ashe County?

 

 James Tatum probably lived in multiple locations based on all his Ashe County deeds.  The earliest and some later deeds were non-specific where on the South Fork of New River, which runs all over Ashe County from south to north.   There is even one James Tatum deed on the North Fork. 

 

The following are clues to a later homestead:  James Tatum, Sr.'s 1812 deed to James Tatum, Jr. stated this particular land to be on the South Fork of New River, below the mouth of Mill Creek.  In 1844, George Tatum sold land below the mouth of Mill Creek.   The mouth of Mill Creek is one mile north of Brownwood in Ashe County.   

 

While the exact location cannot be certain, I propose his homestead was on either bank of the South Fork of New River, north of the mouth of Mill Creek.  One would expect the Tatum homestead to be located on some of better farm land.  This could be very close to an up-scale house (2006) which stands out on an eastward protrusion of land on the west bank of South Fork.  This house stands on the best land in the area on today's Railroad Grade Road which leads to Brownwood.   This location would be about a 1 1/4 miles north of Brownwood and the Watauga County line. 

 

(Part VIII). Will of James Tatum

 

 

1850:  Amy Tatum, age 92 was listed living with her son George as noted in the 1850 U.S. Census of Ashe County, North Carolina.

 

(Part IX). Where is the Tatum Cemetery?

 

            James Tatum, Senior was reported buried near the 1815 train station of Riverside, according to the historian, John P. Arthur.   This station was found with the help of a railroad buff, who had a copy of the railroad's schedule: 7 am Elkland (now Todd), 7:30 am Riverside, 8 am Bowie (now Fleetwood).  The buff had added the names of Todd and Fleetwood.  An old map he had showed Riverside to be on the Ashe and Watauga line between Todd and Fleetwood at the river.    My conclusion is that old Riverside was the northwest corner or slightly northwest of today's Brownwood.   This also makes sense in that two Tatum deeds described the land on the South Fork north of the mouth of Mill Creek, which is about 1 mile from Brownwood. 

 

            In addition, there is a Tatum Cemetery recorded with 5 or so gravestones.  Russell Hamilton in his book, "Ashe County, N.C. Cemetery Records," volume two noted this cemetery as S-34, Tatum Family, Old Fields Township, map coordinate G-10, off of the South Fork of New River Road, SR-1106, close to the swinging bridge away from the River, five graves, including Joseph Tatum (1830 to 18??), Sallie Pearson (183? – 18??).      SR-1106 is Railroad Grade Road.   A 36x36 inch map purchased at the court house did not show cemeteries.  A helpful website comment stated the cemetery was up a 0.5 mile dirt road close to a swinging bridge.  Unfortunately, the swinging bridge was not found on a 2006 trip and the cemetery could not be identified.

 

(Part X). CHILDREN OF JAMES AND AMEY TATUM

 

            Grandchildren noted with (1), (2), (3), etc

            Great grandchildren with (i), (ii), (iii), etc.

            Great-great grandchildren with (a), (b), (c), etc.

            Great-great-great grandchildren with (aa), (bb), (cc)

 

 

 

 

 

            He is on the following U.S. Census records of Ashe County:

 

1812 June 27 - Ashe County, North Carolina: James Tatum, Sr. of Ashe County deeded to George Tatum of Ashe County, 50 acres for $200...South Fork of New River, beginning on James Tatum's south line on the river bank, then north to the river on the line between James and George Tatum.   In the presence of William Tatum, James Tatum, and Mathias (probably Mathew) Tatum.  Signed – James Tatum, his seal.  November term 1813.  (DB M/131)

1826 June 17 – Ashe County: Matthew Tatum deeded to George Tatum, both of Ashe County, North Carolina 100 acres for $100 on New river (South Fork).  Signed: Matthew Tatum.  Witnesses: George Tatum, Buckner Tatum, August 1827 term. (DB C/70)

1830 – 1860 – U.S. Census of Ashe County, North Carolina (Gap Creek, Old Fields District in 1860)

1832 April 8 – Ashe County: James Lawrence of Ashe County, NC deeded to George Tatum, of Ashe County 30 acres of land for $30…on Gap Creek, to Cooper’s old corner, from a warrant #1709 dated 30 March 1829.  Signed: James Lawrence.  Witnesses: Thomas Carter, Buchner Tatum. (DB S/245)   November term 1853.  Handwriting of subscribing witnesses by the oath of Elijah Tatum to be registered 14 February 1856.

1844 June 27 – Ashe County: George Tatum deeded to George Tatum 150 acres in Ashe County to Elisha Tatum on the bank of said river and south to the river below the mouth of Mill Creek.  From a warrant #1330 dated 22 January 1795.  Signed: George Tatum.  Witnesses: Dhary? Tatum, Amil Tatum.  November term 1844, registered 22 December 1844.

 

1846 March 7 – Ashe County: Buckner Tatom deeded to George Tatom, both of Ashe County, NC, 125 acres for $300.  First tract of 100 acres is on Riddly Fork of Meat Camp Creek, north side of the gap between Willy Knob and Riddles Knob.  2^nd tract of 25 acres beginning on William Miller’s corner on the top of a ridge.  (Signed) Buckner Tatom.  Witnesses: Elijah Tatom, James Tatom.  May Term 1846, registered 23 June 1846. (DB O/04)

 

            The Ashe County "General Assembly set up a special commission to lay off a road from John Harden's to the Ashe County Court House.  This commission was composed of...(included) George Tatum. (undated, from Ashe County – A History," by Arthur L. Fletcher, 1963, page 120)

 

            Children of George Tatum and Delphia Jennings are: (1). Sarah Tatum (~1813), (2). Elijah Tatum (16 April 1815), (3). James Tatum (1817), (4). Mary Tatum (1819), (5).  Amy Tatum (1821), (6). Senter Tatum (1825), (7). Martha Tatum (1828), (8). Delphia Tatum 1832, (9). Emiline Tatum (6 September 1836). 

 

 

            Lydia was the widow of Benoni Eggers and had 6 children with this first marriage – see Daniel Eggers chapter.  She was born 4 July 1805 and died 2 November 1872.   Lydia became a member of the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Fulton County, Illinois in 1825 and church records record her born in 1803.

 

1817 Franklin County, Indiana:  Matthew Tatum is noted on the Franklin County, Indiana list of taxpayers.  In 1821, Union County was established in part from Franklin. 

 

1822 October 18 – Union County, Indiana: Mathew Tatum of Union County, Indiana purchased 34 acres of land from James Eggers northwest of Goodwin’s Corner, Center Township, Union County, Indiana, and had other land to the north in Harrison Township in joint ownership with his brother James Tatum.  During the years 1824 to 1826, the lands are sold off and no wife signs as a grantor. 

 

1825 Fulton County, Illinois: The Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Fulton County, Illinois noted he had joined their membership. 

 

1826 June 17 - Ashe County, North Carolina: On this date, Mathew Tatum deeded to Joseph Tatum, both of "Ashe County."   This land was on New River, and was formerly land granted to "Greer" by the State, dated 3 August 1778.  The deed is signed Matthew Tatum, and witnessed by George and Buckner Tatum and entered August term 1827.  

 

1827 October 31 – Fulton County, Illinois: Mathew Tatum of Fulton County, Illinois purchased 160 acres of land appropriated for military bounties, and is where the Shield Cemetery lies in Buckheart Township, about 4 miles southwest of the city center of Canton, Illinois. 

 

1830 – 1860 U.S. Census records of Fulton County:   Matthew Tatum is listed continuously from 1830-1860.

 

“In 1825, Mathew Tatum, then unmarried, with two companions, Squire Wilcoxen and Landrine Eggers, left Indiana for Illinois.  When the little party reached Fulton County, they found a wild country with but few white settlers.  But Eggers and Wilcoxen after exploring the county, found suitable locations, erected cabins and became pioneers in the wilderness.  Game then was the principal food and the red men had not left the country.  Young Tatum, inspired by an ambition to see more of the Prairie State, pushed on to Galena, where he spent two or three years at the lead mines, returning to Fulton County in 1827 or 1828.   In the spring of 1830, Mathew Tatum built a round-log, one-room cabin on the northeast quarter of section seven, Buckheart Township, near the source of the Eveland Branch, and on the first day of August 1830, was married to Mrs. Lydia Eggers, whose maiden name was Dollar.  After living till fall on the T. J. Shepley place, they moved into this cabin.” 

From John G. Tatum in the Weekly Register, Canton, Illinois, 3 January 1907

 

Children of Matthew Tatum and Lydia Dollar are: (1). George W. Tatum (25 March 1832-1864), (2). John Goforth Tatum (13 December 1837-1922) who never married, (3). Amy Tatum (29 March 1840 to 18 March 1924 Canton, Fulton County, Illinois), married on 22 January 1857 Fulton County, Illinois (county record) to William Henry Cluts (3 March 1836 Pa. to 4 August 1893 Canton, Fulton County, Illinois)*, (4). Sarah June Tatum (13 October 1847), who married James A. Shields.

 

*Courtesy of Gary Tharp, email 30 November 2007

 

 

 

1812 Ashe County, North Carolina: James Tatum Jr. was a soldier on the muster roll for the War of 1812, Eighth Regiment, 5^th Company, Ashe County, North Carolina. 

 

1823 August 2 – Estill County, Kentucky:  James Tatum, of Estill County, Kentucky, purchased 46 acres from Daniel Eggers, Sr. and other land near Goodwin’s Corner, Center and Harrison Townships, Union County, Indiana. 

 

1825 Estill County: The Bethel Primitive Church in Fulton County, Illinois noted both James Tatum and his wife, and that “Rebecca Chambers Tatum" had joined in 1825.  

 

1826 Union County, Indiana: James Tatum sold his last lands in Union County and is listed “late of Union County on the deed and he and his wife Rebecca (“x”) with Mathew Tatum signing the deed in the presence of William Eggers.

 

1832 to 1842 - Buckheart Township, Fulton County, Illinois:  Five deeds are recorded in Buckheart Township about 1832 to 1842, and although the lands are in different areas, two deeds list section 20, which may indicate a home site.   James Tatum became a Baptist minister, and was ordained and probably was pastor at the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church west of Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. 

 

 

1848 - 1870 Floyd County, Iowa: James and Rebecca Tatum moved to Iowa in 1848, and somewhat later in Floyd County, they became members of the Little Cedar Church.  They are recorded on the 1870 U.S. Census of Rock Grove Township, Floyd County, Iowa, with most his children living in the county. 

 

1880 Salt Creek Township, Mitchell County, Kansas: In 1880, he was living here with his grandson, Thomas Tatum, born 1847/48.  On this census, he is listed as born in North Carolina, with parents born in Virginia. 

 

Children of James Tatum and Rebecca Chambers are (some dates based on 1870 Census):

 

 

(1). Mary (Polly) Tatum (20 February 1815 or 1817 in Wayne County, Indiana)

 

(2). James Tatum (1819)

 

(3). Henry Chambers Tatum (6 December 1824 in Fulton County, Illinois) married Rebecca Jane Borooks (12 November 1828 Fulton County, Ill to 6 December 1900)

 

(4). Jessie Tatum (1823/24)

 

(5). Landrine Tatum (8 September 1827 in Fulton County, Illinois and died 23 November 1923 Lincoln, Kansas and buried in Osceola County, Iowa) married on 19 March 1846 Fulton County, Illinois to Hester Hogan (August 1821 Estill County Kentucky and died after June 1920).  Hester (Ester) is also recorded in chapter of William Hogan, born 1777.   They lived in the following locations:

 

1850 Locust Grove, Jefferson County, Iowa.  Nearby are Landrine + Hester Tatum, James + Rebecca Tatum, David Allen, and James + Martha Tatum.

1860 Paris Township, Linn County, Kansas. 

1862 "Hester Hogan Tatum" member of the Bethel Baptist Church, Fulton County, Illinois.

1870 Webster Township, Floyd County, Iowa

1880, 1885 Ocheyden Township, Osceola County, Iowa

1900 Eastern Precinct, Knox County, Nebraska

1913 Barnard, Lincoln County, Kansas

1920 Town of Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas.  Landrine with Hester in the family of Clinton A. and Julia Tatum.

 

Children of Landrine Tatum + Hester (Ester) Hogan have some names and dates compiled from census records and should be considered suspect.  In 1900, Ester stated on her census record that she had 10 children, seven of which were still living.  Thanks go to Gary Tharp and to Paulette and Ron Tatum (emails of 26 and 27 January 2007) for all their assistance with this line.

  

(i). James W. Tatum 1846/47 Iowa

 

(ii). Tabitha Ellen Tatum (1849) Iowa. 

 

(iii). Nancy Rebecca Tatum 1849/50, born Iowa

 

(iv). Clinton Asbury Tatum (12 December 1851 or 1852 Iowa) married on about 23-25 March 1872 at Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa to Julia Louise Baumgardner.   Julia was born  7 July 1851 Gallia County, Ohio and died 1928 Tacoma with both buried at Mountain View Memorial Park, Tacoma, Washington.  Julia's parents were Andrew Jackson "Dick" Baumgardner and Harriet Ripley of Gallia County, Ohio.  Information is courtesy of Ron and Paulette Tatum, e-mails of 25, 26 January, 19 February 2007 and Census records from Gary Tharp, e-mail of 27 January 2007.     They lived in some of the following locations: 

 

1880, 1885, 1900, 1910 Osceyedan Township, Osceola County Iowa.  Census of 1910 and 1920 notes father Landrine living with them.

1920 town of Palacios, Precinct 3, Matagorda County, Texas and father Landrine

 

Only child of Clinton Asbury Tatum + Julia Louise Baumgardner

 

(a) Andrew Jackson Tatum (11 December 1872 Clear Lake - probably Cerro Gordo County, Iowa to 27 May 1936 Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon) married 25 March 1894 in Ocheyedan, Osceola, Iowa to Arminta "Mintie" Jane Hanna Tatum (8 June 1876 Ontario, Canada to 1 February 1961 and both buried at Mountain View Memorial Park, Tacoma, Washington).  Andrew Jackson Tatum and his wife Mintie lived in the following locations:

 

1900 and 1910 Ocheyedan Township, Osceola County, Iowa

1920 Town of Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas.  This Census notes Arminta immigrated to the US. In 1879 and was naturalized in 1887.

1921 reported in Tacoma, Washington

1930 Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington 

 

Andrew and Mintie Tatum's children were (aa) Raymond A. Tatum (February 1895), (bb) Vivian A. Tatum (February 1897), (cc) Fernley A. Tatum (son, March 1898), and (dd) Gordon Edward Tatum (8 March 1906 Sibley, Osceola County, Iowa to 24 July 1997 in California) married in Tacoma, Washington to Vivian Geraldine Edwards (18 November 1909 Tacoma, Washington to 3 December 1994 Portland, Oregon).  Both went to Stadium High School.    

 

(v) Rosetta or Susannah Tatum (1852/55 Iowa)

 

(vi) Lydia Tatum (1852/55 Iowa)

 

(vii) Margaret Tatum Hayes (1856/57 Iowa) who married a Hayes.

 

(viii) Landrine J. Tatum (9 March 1859 at Marysville, Marshall County, Kansas to 11 October 1913 Knox County, Nebraska) married on 8 December 1878 at Marble Rock, Floyd County, Iowa to Polly A. Halstead.   From 1891 to 1912, they lived in Crofton, Knox County, Nebraska, finally moving to Bloomfield, Knox County.   An obit posted on the Tatum Archives at http://www.rootsquest.com/~ranlewis/ per Valerie Wood is the source of this information.  Landrine Tatum (1859) was survived (in 1913) by an aged father Landrine Tatum of Barnard (Lincoln County), Kansas, and the following brothers and sisters;  Mrs. Margaret Hayes of Crofton, Henry C. Tatum of Blessing, Texas, C.A. Tatum of Palacios, Texas, Orville M. Tatum, Nancy Tatum, and Tabitha Tatum of Barnard, Kansas.      

  

(ix) Mary Tatum (1860/61 Kansas)

 

(x). Henry C. Tatum (February 1866 Iowa).    

 

(6). Moses J. Tatum (6 January 1833 in Fulton County, Illinois to 23 June 1909) married on 28 October 1852 to Ruth Ann Morphew (13 November 1834 Putnam County, Indiana to 26 June 1912 at Nora Springs, Floyd County, Iowa).  Both buried at the Spring Grove Cemetery at Rock Grove, Floyd County, Iowa.  Moses and Ruth Ann Tatum lived in the following locations:

 

1850 – Ruth Ann Morphew, District 13, Wapello County, Iowa

1860, 1870, 1880, and 1900 - Moses J. and Ruth A. Tatum: Rock Grove Township, Floyd County, Iowa.  The 1880 census indicates the town of Nora Springs

 

            Children of Moses J. Tatum and Ruth Ann Morphew are: (i) James Riley Tatum (25 May 1858), (ii) Moses A. Tatum (24 October 1861), (iii) Osker J. Tatum (27 January 1865), (iv) Rebecca Ellen Tatum (2 October 1868), (v) Joseph Edwin Tatum (25 April 1873), (vi) James Tatum (30 June 1875), (vii) William Frederick Tatum (29 September 1876), (viii) Gertrude Tatum (6 November 1879)..

 

(7). Wesley W. Tatum (1842/43).

 

 

            They lived in the following locations: 

 

<1819 Ashe County, N.C.  

1820 to 1824 Franklin County/Union County, Indiana

1825 to 1840 – U.S. Census of  Fulton County, Illinois

1850 U.S. Census of Buckheart Township, Fulton County: Tabitha Eggers, without any husband living with her son Mathew Eggers.

1860 U.S Census of Buckheart Township, Fulton County: Tabitha Eggers living with her son William Eggers.

 

            The Bethel Primitive Church of Fulton County notes “Tabitha Tatum Eggers was a member.  See chapter on Daniel Eggers for more detail.  Children names are in question and may include:  (1). William Eggers (20 August 1815), (2). Mary Eggers, (3). Matthew Eggers (1814/15), (4). James Eggers 1811/1812.

 

 

 

            Joseph Tatum is on the following records, with only two deeds reported here:

 

1820-1840 U.S. Census of Ashe County, N.C.

1822 December 5 – Ashe County:  James Tatum deeded to Joseph Tatum, both of Ashe County 35 acres on the waters of South Fork of New River…boundary to William Morrinez line.  Signed: James Tatom.  Witnesses: George Parrom, Buckner Tatum.  May term 1823.

1822 December 6 – Ashe County: James Tatum deeded to Joseph Tatum, both of Ashe County, for $200, 40 acres on South Fork of New River…to a conditional line made by said James and Joseph Tatum…on east bank and meanders said River.   Signed: James Tatum (seal), Witness: Buckner Tatum.  Dec. Term 1823. (DB #/131)

1860-1880 U.S. Census of Ashe County:  In 1860, this family is at Gap Creek, Old Fields District, Ashe County.     

 

            Children of Joseph Tatum and Sarah Pearson are: (1). Myra Elvira Tatum (27 November 1820), (2). Emaline Tatum, (3). Sarah Elizabeth Tatum (30 March 1830), (4). Syrena G. Tatum.

 

 

            William Eggers and Mary Tatum lived in the following locations:

 

Before 1820: Ashe County, North Carolina

1820 U.S. Census of Fayette County, Indiana

1828+  Putnam County, Indiana, various townships

 

See chapter on Daniel Eggers for more detail.  Children are:  (1). William Eggers Jr. (~1816),(2). Jesse Eggers (11 January 1818, (3). Joseph T. Eggers (1820), (4). Daniel B. Eggers (1830), (5). Tabitha Eggers (1832), (6). Enoch Eggers (1835), (7). Squire F. Eggers (1838).

 

 

            The U.S. Census shows Buckner living:

 

1830 - 1840 U.S. Census of Ashe County, North Carolina 

1860 – 1880 U.S. Census of Gilmer County, Georgia  

 

            Children of Buckner Tatum and Behethlen Sheriff are:  (1). Landrine Jehu Tatum (22 February 1832), (2). Aaron S. Tatum (16 December 1834), (3). Mary L. Tatum (25 March 1836), (4). Elizabeth D. Tatum (12 July 1839), (5). Thomas W. Tatum (1841), (6). Peter M. Tatum (1843), (7) Merkerson P. Tatum (4 January 1846), (8). Rebecca S. Tatum (22 March 1853), (9). Cicero Mercer Tatum (1 July 1855), (10). James Penfield Tatum (1 July 1855), (11). Victoria Ellen Tatum 28 March 1858).   

 

            Children of Buckner Tatum and Nancy Greer are: (1) Temperance Tatum. 

 

(Part XI). Selected Census Records

 

1850 U.S. Census of Fulton County, Illinois

 

Matthew Tatum, age 62, farmer, born North Carolina: Lydia Tatum, age 45, born South Carolina; George Tatum age 18, farmer, Illinois; John Tatum 13, Illinois; Anna Tatum, 11, Illinois; Sarah 3, Illinois.  Next door is Peter Allumbaugh, age 25, blacksmith, and next to him is his father Garret Allumbaugh, age 62, farmer.

 

1850 U.S. Census of Ashe County, North Carolina:  Geo. Tatum 63, North Carolina; Rebecca Tatum 73, North Carolina; Jacob Winkleter 12 North Carolina;

Amy Tatum, 92, Virginia.  

 

1860 U.S. Census of Buckheart Township, Fulton County, Illinois:

 

Mathew Tatum 73, farmer, born North Carolina; Liddie Tatum 57, South Carolina; John Tatum 22 farmer, Illinois; Sarah Tatum 13, Illinois.

 

Jordon Willcoxen 52, farmer, born North Carolina; Sarah (Tatum) Willcoxen 80, Virginia; also living with them: Sarah Carney 55, Virginia; William Bolin 16, farmhand, Ohio.  

 

1860 U.S. Census of Gilmer County, Ga;

 

Aaron S. Tatum, 25, school teacher, N.C; Jane E. Tatum 28, S.C.; ?Bunyan G. Tatum 2, Ga; Judson H. Tatum 1, Ga.  (page 151)

 

Buckner, Tatum, 56, farmer, N.C.; Bethlun Tatum 44, N.C.; Elizabeth D. Tatum, 21 N.C. Schoolteacher; Thoams M. Tatum, 18 farm hand, N.C; Merkerson P. Tatum 14, N.C.; Martha J. Tatum, 11, Ga; Rebecca S. Tatum 7, Ga; James P. Tatum 5 Ga; Cicero M. Tatum 5, Ga; Victoriah C. Tatum 2, Ga; in same house: Mary J. Thompson, 17, Ga.  

 

1870 U.S. Census of Webster Township, Floyd County, Iowa

 

James Tatum 79, farmer, born North Carolina; Rebecca Tatum 74, North Carolina; Jesse Tatum 46, farmer Kentucky; Wesley Tatum 27, farmer, Illinois; Ida Tatum 4, Iowa.

 

1870 U.S. Census of Gilmer County, Ga., Page 71.

 

Buckner Tatum, 67, farming, N.C; Healtha(?) Tatum 24 (should be 54+) S.C.; Martha Tatum, Ga; Rebecca Tatum17 Ga; James P. Tatum, 15, Ga; Cicero M. Tatum 15, Ga; Victoria E. Tatum 13 Ga.

 

1870 U.S. Census of Oldfields, Ashe County, North Carolina:

 

Joseph Tatum 75, farmer, born N.C; Sarah Tatum 65, N.C; Sarah Tatum 46, N.C; Elizabeth Tatum 9 N.C; Josiah Tatum 6, N.C; George Tatum 3 N.C; Adaline 14, domestic servant. N.C.

 

1880 U.S. Census of Mountain Township, Gilmer County, Georgia, Page 540D:

 

James A. Rodgers, 28, Ga., N.C. Ga, farmer; Ellen V. Rodgers, 20, wife, Ga, N.C. N.C; Ida J. Rodgers, 5 Ga; Oca E. Rodgers, 3, Ga; William J. Rodgers, 1, Ga.  Two entries away on same page is:

 

Cisero Tatum, 24, farmer, Ga. N.C. S.C; Lilly Tatum, 23, wife, N.C. N.C. N.C; William C Tatum 5, Ga; Martha M. 4, Ga.

 

Buckner Tatum 70, farmer, born North Carolina, parents both born Virginia; Behelthum Tatum, wife, 68, born S.C., parents both born South Carolina.

 

1900 U.S. Census of Sharon Township, Barber County, Kansas, taken 5 June 1900.

 

James A. Rogers, head, April 1851, 49, married 23 years, farmer, born Georgia, father born N.C., mother born Georgia; Vicktora E. Rogers, wife, Mar(?) 1858, 41?, married 23 years, number of children born and living – unreadable, born Georgia, both parents born N.C.; Oca E. Rogers, daughter, Feb. 1878, single, Ga.; Jasper W. Rogers, Feb. 1878, 21 single, Ga.; Dora. E. Rogers, July 1873, 16, Ga,; Leillio R Rogers, daughter, May 1885, 15, Ga.; Myrtle M. Rogers, August 1889, 10, Kansas; Arron? A__ross? (unreadable), April 1891, 9, Kansas; Clara V. Rogers, June 1894, 5, Kansas; Daisy G(?) Rogers, July 1896, Kansas; Letha(?) M. Rogers, July 1896, 3, Kansas (twin); Ruby _ Rogers, May 1898, 2, Kansas.