52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #25 Vinson Hairston

My current theory is that the Hugh Brown Hairston family moved from Butts County, Georgia to Meriwether County, Georgia by 1840. Hugh Brown Hairston might have died in the 1840s and his wife and children may have moved to Hinds County, Mississippi where possible older son, John L. Hairston was living. Or maybe Hugh Brown died in Hinds County. By 1850 some of the family moved back to Alabama and mother, Sarah McElhaney Hairston, remained there until her death between 1870 and 1880. 

Note that this is just a theory and not entirely factual.  However, the key to this theory is #25 of my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, Vinson Hairston. He was said to be the son of Hugh Brown Hairston and Sarah McElhaney and is consistently found with said to be Hugh Brown Hairston family members. 

No Story Too Small

Vinson Hairston has been found as Vince, Vincent, Vinceton, and V. This less than common Hairston family name has been extremely helpful in the sea of John, Robert, and Mary Hairstons.

A Vincient Herston was living in Meriwether County with six other family members in 1840. At 16, he would have been the oldest male child living at home. There was one male over 50 living in the household. Was that his father? Other family members also lived in Meriwether County.  I know that John L., my great-great-grandfather, sold land to his brother James M. in Meriwether County. And, a John and a James M. were living in that same county in 1840.

1848 Tax Rolls - Hinds County, MS

In 1847, John L. Hirston, Robert Hirston, V Hirston, and Alexander M. Hirston paid county taxes in Hinds County, Mississippi. The only Hairstons listed on the 1848 tax rolls of Hinds County were John L., Vincent, and Robert. 

John L. Hairston lived in Hinds County with his wife and children in 1850 while Robert, Vinson, Sarah (their mother), and sister Mary's family lived in Macon, Alabama. A Vince Hairston, along with a Robert Hairston, were farmers, living together in Macon County in 1860. 

In 1870, a V. Hairston was living with three Stallings children (probably the children of sister Mary) and his mother, Sarah, in Lee County, Alabama. 

A 60 year old Vince Hurston was living with Tim and Amy Roberts and daughter, Amanda on the 1880 census of  Tallapoosa, Alabama. Also in that household were Jane Cook (sister to Vinson) and Henry Stallings (his nephew).

That 1880 census is the last mention that I find of Vinson Hairston. However, according to census records, he and/or other family members owned land. I will be researching the land records in July so I am sure that this is not the last that you will see of Vinson Hairston. 

  

Diana

© 2014

Sources "Mississippi, State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-21745-68357-35?cc=1919687&wc=MMYG-KNQ:n1410068766 : accessed 24 Dec 2013), Hinds > County tax rolls 1831-1848, Box 3655 > image 286 of 319.

Year: 1850; Census Place: District 21, Macon, Alabama; Roll: M432_9; Page: 276B; Image: 173.

Year: 1860; Census Place: Northern Division, Macon, Alabama; Roll: M653_14; Page: 842; Image: 361; Family History Library Film: 803014.

Year: 1870; Census Place: Loachapoka, Lee, Alabama; Roll: M593_23; Page: 305A; Image: 184; Family History Library Film: 545522.

Year: 1880; Census Place: Kinderhook, Tallapoosa, Alabama; Roll: 33; Family History Film: 1254033; Page: 419A; Enumeration District: 146; Image: 0445.