Friday's Photo: Eliza Catherine Wimberly Davis - From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark

Maggie Martin Cook and Alice Mae Davis Regan

This photograph of Eliza Catherine Wimberly Davis was identified by Maggie Martin Cook as Eliza Davis on the back. Maggie’s handwriting was later identified by her granddaughter.

Eliza Catherine Wimberly was born 20 July 1856 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, the daughter of William Wimberly and Mary Angelina Pittman Wimberly. She was the fifth child of William and Mary, and the fourteenth child of William. Eliza died 29 February 1928 in Bienville Parish and was buried in Wimberly Cemetery, where her grave is marked.

On 23 April 1874, Eliza married Henry Jefferson Davis, son of William Martin Davis and Emily Smith or Smythe Davis. Henry was born on 22 June 1852 in Bienville Parish and died there on 20 December 1884. He is also buried in Wimberly Cemetery.

Eliza and Henry had five children: Mary Louella, Emily Alberta, Willie Jane, Henry “Bud” Martin, and Alice Mae. According to the Wimberly book, as shared by Chester Regan Cummings, great-grandson of Eliza, Henry died of pneumonia just six months after Alice Mae’s birth. Eliza was left to raise five children without their father.

Although Eliza was not a descendant of any of my
Bienville Parish ancestors, two of her daughters
 married into my family. H. J. Giddens was a
descendant of my third-great-grandfather’s brother,
Jacob Giddens. J. B. Regan was a descendant of my
second-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Regan Bryan.

The same account describes Eliza as a determined and courageous mother who kept her family strong and secure. She maintained her home and raised her children until her son, Henry Martin Davis, married. Eliza then lived with Henry and his wife, Jeffer McGraw, until her death.

If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page, where I share each post along with other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Eliza Davis, photograph, no date; digital image, from the privately held photo collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Photos were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas, on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016. Used with permission. 

Maggie Martin Cook and Alice Mae Davis Regan, photograph, no date; digital image, from the privately held photo collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Photos were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016. Used with permission. 

The Times, March 3, 1928, Page 22. via Newspapers.com  (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-eliza-c-wimberly-davis-obit/196748333/: accessed May 2, 2026), clip page for Eliza C. Wimberly Davis - obituary by user dewquinn

Vera Meeks Wimberly, Wimberly Family History, Ancestors, Relatives, and Descendants of William Wimberly, Pioneer from Georgia to Louisiana 1837, print (Houston Texas: D. Anderson, 1979), pages 587-630.

Friday's Photo: Second-Great-Grandparents

William Moore Criswell and Mary Ann Evans Criswell

Second great-grandparents are ideal for genealogy research. Some vital records and census data usually exist for them. I have found marriage licenses, census records, a few birth records, directories, newspaper articles, and so much more! And even though they all were born between 1793 and 1850, I have photos of six of them.  

Julia Harvey Glynn and 
daughter, Carrie

Everyone has 16 second great-grandparents. Each generation back doubles the number of direct ancestors: 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents, and 16 second great-grandparents. Of my 16 second great-grandparents, I know the first and last names of eleven. 

Olive Caroline Davis

The names of three of my maternal second great-grandparents are unknown. The remaining are listed below:

Olive Caroline Davis

George Lullen Giddens and Luellen Bradshaw

Joseph Allen Glynn and Julia Harvey

My paternal second great-grandparents include the following, along with one unknown second great-grandmother:

Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Span Regan

William Moore Criswell and Mary Ann Evans

Peter Albritton and Hollon (last name unknown)

John L. Hairston  

 

Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Span Regan Bryan

Five of my second great-grandparents are still a mystery to me. But each blank spot on my tree is a reminder that the search is never really over. How many of your 16 can you name?

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2025

Carrie Glynn and Julia Harvey Glynn, photograph, ca. 1885; scanned image, held in the photo collection of Diana Quinn, Virginia Beach, VA, 2025. Location of the original photo is unknown. 

Mary Ann Evans, photograph, no date; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Diana Bryan Quinn, Virginia Beach, VA, 2025. 

Olive Caroline Davis, photograph, no date; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Brenda and Mike Parker, 2001.

Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth S. Regan, photograph, abt 1855; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Diana Bryan Quinn, Virginia Beach, VA, 2025. 

William M. Criswell, photograph, no date; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Lena Stone Criswell, NM, 2001.

Friday's Photo: Forgotten Faces Found in the Marguerite Cook Clark Collection - Part 2 Families, with Insights from AI

"Judging by their clothing, the photograph likely dates from the late 19th century to
the early 20th century, likely between 1890 and 1910."

I discovered long ago that the best way to identify old photos is to keep sharing them, hoping someone with the same image will recognize them. Over the next few Fridays, I will post unidentified photos from the Marguerite Cook Clark collection. 

Marguerite Cook Clark grew up surrounded by family in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, and was my third cousin. She descends from Joseph B. Bryan, the son of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan, and Sarah Margaret Wimberly, the daughter of William Wimberly and Lucy Smith Lawson. As the family genealogist, she was the keeper of her family’s photos, documents, and letters, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to view and scan her collection.

This post contains five unidentified photos of families found in Marguerite's collection. Under each photo is a quote generated by ChatGPT about the approximate time the photo was taken. I used Steve Little's genealogy bot, Genealogy Eyes, to learn more about the images. 

Please email me if you can identify any pictures or have the same or similar images. 

Click to send 

 "Based on the clothing and the setting, this photo likely dates from the early 1900s,
possibly between 1900 and 1915."

"The clothing and architectural details suggest it was taken in the late 19th century or
very early 20th century." 

"Based on the clothing and overall style of the portrait, this photo was
likely taken between 1890 and 1910. The high collars, puffed sleeves,
and formal attire are all characteristic of the turn of the century."

"This is a lovely and intimate family portrait, likely from the early 1900s based on the
style of clothing and the oval framing."

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2024 

ChatGPT, "What can you tell me about this image," 10 October 2024, OpenAI (https://chatgpt.com : accessed 8 October 2024). 

"Genealogy Bots: Revolutionizing Research," AI Genealogy Insights (https://aigenealogyinsights.com/genealogy-bots/ : accessed 10 October 2024).

Unidentified photographs, n.d.; digital images, from the privately held photo collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Photos were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas, on 28 April 2014, 14 September 2014, and 9-11 November 2016.

An Update of the Church Meeting Held at Liberty Chapel, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, on April 11, 1875 Tells More about the Miles Bryan Family

I wrote the following post at the beginning of this year. Recently, I have been trying to find the family connection between Reddick Bryan and Miles Bryan. While researching the Miles Bryan family and others, I found some previously unknown identities on this list. See my updates in red throughout this list. 

The following description of the Liberty Chapel was found on a paper titled "Brief Statement of the History of the Grand Bayou Church. It appears to have been written by Marguerite Cook Clark. She sent this to E. Ragan Pruitt in 1982. He passed this on to me in 2003.

"Liberty Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church South, Bienville Parish was located some 6 or 7 miles SE of Ringgold on what was the Reddick Bryan place, near the Bryan cemetery was the founder of Methodism in this area.  As early as Oct. 1845 they were having Camp Meetings. Elizabeth S. Bryan reported there were only 4 tents, but they had a fine time. That had a good many hearers, and there were 13 who joined the church."

Along with this description, Ragan sent me a copy of this information about the Liberty Chapel and its members. However, when I visited Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter, Palma, I saw the actual document and scanned it along with the back of the document, which contained some notes and a few more names.

I have identified the individuals named in this document below. At least thirty-one of those named are connected to my Bryan/Regan family. There may be errors, and I would appreciate any corrections or additional information about the persons listed.

Mrs. Mary Manning 

Mary have been the mother of Mildred Manning Prothro Bryan, wife of Tillman C. Bryan. In 1870, Mary Manning was living with the Tillman C. Bryan family. 

Mrs. Eliza S. Bryan 

Born Elizabeth S. Regan in 1798, she was the daughter of Joseph and Dorothea Regan of Robeson County, NC. In 1875, she was the widow of Reddick Bryan.

Mrs. Sarah Bryan

"Absent" was written next to her name. This is probably Sarah Lawson Bryan, widow of Miles Bryan, who died in 1863. Miles is thought to be closely related to Reddick Bryan. The Miles Bryan family land was adjacent to Reddick Bryan's family's land in both Bienville Parish and Houston County, Georgia. 

Mr. John Regan and Mrs. John Regan

"Moved" was found next to their names. John Regan was the son of Elizabeth Regan and her first husband, Joseph Regan. He married Martha Davis. All surviving children of John Regan and Martha Davis were on this list.  Three of the Regan's four sons were killed during the Civil War.

Mr. James Bryan

James Bryan, first son of Reddick Bryan and his first wife. James Bryan married Alice Mary Wimberly.

Mrs. A. M. Bryan

Alice Mary Bryan, daughter of William Wimberly and wife of James Bryan.

Mr. Kineth Wardsworth and Ann Wardsworth

"Died" is written next to "Kineth Wardsworth." No other information can be found about Kineth or Ann Wardsworth. Records indicate that the surname of Kineth and Ann is actually Wadsworth. Kinneth married Ann, the daughter of Miles and Sarah Lawson Bryan, on 24 August 1854 in Marion County, Georgia. Ann Bryan is seen in records as A. E. and Ann Eliza. Kineth is seen spelled as Kennith, Kenneth and Kinith. In one land record, his name is written as Kennith McKiver Wadsworth. The last record I found naming this Wadsworth family was a land record dated 9 November 1871. They were living in Red River Parish. 

Mrs. Amanda Watts

Catharine Amanda Bryan, sometimes called "Manda."  She was the daughter of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan and the widow of James C. Watts.

Mr. T. C. Bryan and Wife

Tillman C. Bryan, son of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan, was married to  Mildred Manning Prothro Bryan.

Mrs. Sarah M. Bryan 

Sarah Margaret Wimberly was married to Joseph B. Bryan. She was the daughter of William Wimberly.

Mrs. Laura F. Martin 

Laura Frances Bryan, the first child of Joseph B. Bryan and Sarah Margaret Wimberly. She was married to Thomas Jefferson Martin.

Mrs. Fannie Thomas 

This may be Frances Louisa Wimberly, daughter of William Wimberly, who married Benjamin Franklin Thomas.

Mr. J. L. Wimberly

John Lawson Wimberly, son of William Wimberly.

Mrs. Fannie Wimberly

Georgia Ann Frances Bryan was the daughter of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan.  She was first married to James S. Pittman, who was killed in the Civil War, and later to Ezekiel Wimberly.

Mrs. Lucy Thomas

This might be Lucy T. Wimberly, daughter of John Lawson Wimberly and Sophanny A. Nix.  She was a granddaughter of William Wimberly. Lucy married Newport L. "Port" Thomas.

Mrs. Martha Caldwell

Currently unknown; however, I did find a Martha Susan Lawson, who married Isaac Caldwell in Bienville Parish in 1850, and a Martha Rebecca Leatherman, who was married to Alexander Hamilton Caldwell. Martha Caldwell was Martha Susan Lawson who married Dr. Isaac Caldwell. She was the sister of Lucy Lawson who was married to William Wimberly. Martha's death on 31 July 1875 was found in James Bryan's Bible. 

Mr. Terrell Bryan

"Withdrawn" is written by his name but not his wife, Harriet's. Terrell Bryan was my great-grandfather and the son of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Span Regan. It is said that he was in Texas by 1876 and lived in Eastland County. By 1878, he and his family were living in Erath County, Texas. 

Mrs. Harriet Bryan 

Harriet Louisa Albritton, my great-grandmother, was the daughter of Peter and Hollon Albritton. She married Terrell Bryan in 1855 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. 

Mrs. Lou M. Brice

Louise Marian Regan was the daughter of John Regan and Martha Davis. She was first married to John Gregg. After his death, she married Columbus Brice. "Dropped" was written next to her name. 

Mrs. Fannie Davis 

"Absent by letter" was written by her name. Nothing was found regarding Fannie Davis. Fannie was Mary Frances Bryan, daughter of Miles Bryan and Sarah Lawson Bryan. She married A. W. Davis (also seen as Robert A. and Archie Wesley) on 15 December 1870. Mary Frances died in 1940 in Columbia, Arkansas where she resided for at least 40 years. 

Mrs. Lizzie Watts 

Martha Elizabeth Wimberly was married to Edmund B. Watts. "Lizzie" was the daughter of John Lawson Wimberly and Sophanny A. Nix.

Mrs. Lizzie Carr 

Elizabeth Frances Regan, daughter of John Regan was married John Carr. His name was crossed out on the list.  

Mrs. Cate Cabones 

Mary Catherine Regan married Andrew Cabiness.  "Cate" was the daughter of John Regan and Martha Davis. 

Mrs. Lucy Lawson 

Lucy Miranda Regan married Roger Lawson.  Lucy was the daughter of John Regan and Martha Davis.

Mrs. Josie Cook 

Joseph Sarah Catherine Bryan was the daughter of Joseph B. Bryan and Sarah Margaret Wimberly.  Josie was adopted by her Aunt Alice Mary Wimberly Bryan and Uncle James Bryan, a childless couple. Josie was married to Joseph W. Cook. 

Mrs. Alice Huckaby 

Alice E. Watts was the daughter of James C. Watts and Catherine Amanda Bryan. Alice was married to Green H. Huckaby.

Mr. E. B. Watts 

Edmund B. Watts was the son of Catherine Amanda Bryan and James C. Watts. He was married to Martha Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wimberly. 

 Mr. Thomas Wimberly

This may be Thomas Henry Wimberly, who died in 1871. Thomas Henry Wimberly was the son of William Wimberly and Lucy Wimberly. He was married to Josephine A. Davis.

Mrs. Sophronie Cutter 

This name was difficult to read and may not be correct. No information was found about Mrs. Sophronie Cutter. This is may be Sophronie Cotter. She was the wife of William H. Cotter who owned land very near Reddick Bryan family members. Her parents were George Washington Nix and Telitha Garrett. 

Mr. Ezekiel Wimberly 

Ezekiel S. Wimberly was the second husband of Georgia Ann Frances Bryan Pitman. He was the son of David Wimberly.  This family's relationship to the William Wimberly family is unknown.

Mr. John Bryan 

This may be John Terrell Bryan son of Joseph B. Bryan and Sarah Margaret Wimberly.  John was adopted by his Aunt Alice Mary Wimberly Bryan and Uncle James Bryan, a childless couple. 

Mr. R. Bryan Regan 

Reddick Bryan Regan was the son of John Regan and Martha Davis. He was married to Sarah Elizabeth “Sallie” Gardner.

Mr. Edward H. Prothro 

Son of Mildred R. Manning Prothro Bryan and her first husband, E. Hartwell Prothro.

Mr. Andrew Shepherd 

Husband of Delphia R. Bryan, daughter of Miles Bryan and Sarah Lawson Bryan. "Dropped" is written next to his name. Delphia, also seen as Adelphia R. Bryan, died sometime between late 1870 and 1874. After his wife's death, Andrew Sheppard moved to Texas with his four young boys and married Sarah Hatfield Gayle/Gale, a young widow with two daughters. 

Mr. Roger Lawson 

Husband of Lucy Miranda Regan

Mr. George Pior  

George Pior was the first husband of Dorthy Emily Regan. "Died" followed his name in the minutes. 

Mrs. Dorrathy Rogers 

Dorthy Emily Regan was the daughter of John Regan and Martha Davis. She was first married to George Pior, and after his death, she married David A. Rogers. "Dropped" was written next to her name.

Mrs. Amanda Pior

I found no information about Amanda Pior. "Dropped" was written next to her name. 

Mrs. A. G. Davis

I found no information about Mrs. A. G. Davis. She was also dropped. 

On the back are some notes about the meeting as well as a few more names. The names are as follows:

Mr. Frances Alums

This name was followed by "joined Babtist," leading me to believe that he joined a Baptist church. Nothing more was found about this person. 

Miss Alice S. M. Wimberly

The most likely match for this person, as found in the Wimberly book, is Alice Martha Smith Wimberly. Born in 1857, she was the daughter of Charles Perry Wimberly and Lucy Adeline Thomas. 

Mr. Andrew L. Wimberly

Andrew Lawson Wimberly, born in 1855, was the son of John Lawson Wimberly and Sarah Ann Frances (Sophanny) Nix.

Mr. J. W. Cook

Joseph W. Cook was married to Joseph "Josie" Sarah Catherine Bryan, the daughter of Joseph B. Bryan and Sarah Margaret Wimberly.  

Lucy A. Wimberly

Lucy Adeline Thomas was married to Charles Perry Wimberly. 

~~~~~~~

 If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2024 

A Church Meeting Held at Liberty Chapel, Bienville Parish, Louisiana - April 11, 1875, digital image of the original found in the privately held collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), 2023. Documents were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas, on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

Betty Crain,"Moore Family Tree 1," public tree, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/33905764/person/18574936306/facts: accessed 7 May 2024).

Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Conveyance Book G:97-98, Keneth McKiver Wadsworth to Floyd Allums, Deed, 10 October 1861; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/008650577? : accessed 7 May 2024).

Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Conveyance Book J:245, K Wadsworth to Floyd Allums, Deed, 9 November 1871; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/008650577? : accessed 7 May 2024).

Billie Jean Poland, The History of Bienville Parish Vol. I (Bossier City, Louisiana: Everett Companies, 1984).

Copy of the Bible of John Regan - typed manuscript, digital image of the original found in the privately held collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), 2023. Documents were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas, on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

Diana Bryan Quinn "Catharine Amanda Bryan Watts of Bienville Parish, Louisiana" blog entry, 18 January 2020, Moments in Time: A Genealogy Blog (https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2020/01/catharine-amanda-bryan-watts-of.html: accessed 4 December 2023).

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115913588/mary_f-davis: accessed May 9, 2024), memorial page for Mary F. Bryan Davis (18 Jul 1851–12 Oct 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 115913588, citing Sharman Cemetery, Sharman, Columbia County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by gaynell bandy (contributor 48087910).

"Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978," index, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/20646801:4766?: 1 April 2024), Ann Eliza Bryan to Kinneth Wadsworth, 24 Aug 1854, Marion, Georgia. 

Gregory A. Boyd JD, Family Maps of Bienville Parish, Louisiana Arphax Publishing (Cross Roads TX : 2010).  

J. Dennis Bryant, Copy of land lot map with families written on purchased lots by Dennis Bryant, map sent to Diana Quinn, 1998. 

James Bryan's Bible, 1869; scanned images, from the privately held collection of the Frye Family, San Francisco, 2019. Used with permission. 

"Louisiana, U.S., Compiled Marriage Records, 1851-1900," index, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/15338:5228?: 1 April 2024), A. W. Davis to M. F. Bryan, 15 Dec 1870, Bienville, Louisiana. 

Miles Bryan's Probate Papers, 1863, digital image of the original found in the privately held collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), 2023. Documents were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas, on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

Nolan County Historical Commission,"Sheppards," First 100 Years Nolan County, Texas (Sweetwater, TX, 1985).

Sherrod, Ricky L. "Strong Southern Women: Female Leadership on the Northwest Louisiana Frontier." Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 52, no. 1 (2011): 5-34. Accessed January 16, 2021. 

Vera Meeks Wimberly, Wimberly Family History, Ancestors, Relatives, and Descendants of William Wimberly, Pioneer from Georgia to Louisiana 1837 (Houston Texas: D. Anderson, 1979).

A Church Meeting Held at Liberty Chapel, Bienville Parish, Louisiana - April 11, 1875

The following description of the Liberty Chapel was found on a paper titled "Brief Statement of the History of the Grand Bayou Church. It appears to have been written by Marguerite Cook Clark. She sent this to E. Ragan Pruitt in 1982. He passed this on to me in 2003.

"Liberty Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church South, Bienville Parish was located some 6 or 7 miles SE of Ringgold on what was the Reddick Bryan place, near the Bryan cemetery was the founder of Methodism in this area.  As early as Oct. 1845 they were having Camp Meetings. Elizabeth S. Bryan reported there were only 4 tents, but they had a fine time. That had a good many hearers, and there were 13 who joined the church."

Along with this description, Ragan sent me a copy of this information about the Liberty Chapel and its members. However, when I visited Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter, Palma, I saw the actual document and scanned it along with the back of the document, which contained some notes and a few more names.

I have identified the individuals named in this document below. At least thirty-one of those named are connected to my Bryan/Regan family. There may be errors, and I would appreciate any corrections or additional information about the persons listed.

Mrs. Mary Manning 

May have been the mother of Mildred Manning Prothro Bryan, wife of Tillmon C. Bryan. In 1870, Mary Manning was living with the Tillmon C. Bryan family. 

Mrs. Eliza S. Bryan 

Born Elizabeth S. Regan in 1798, she was the daughter of Joseph and Dorothea Regan of Robeson County, NC. In 1875, she was the widow of Reddick Bryan.

Mrs. Sarah Bryan

"Absent" was written next to her name. Could this be Sarah Lawson Bryan, widow of Miles Bryan, who died in 1863? Miles is thought to be closely related to Reddick Bryan.

Mr. John Regan and Mrs. John Regan

"Moved" was found next to their names. John Regan was the son of Elizabeth Regan and her first husband, Joseph Regan. He married Martha Davis. All surviving children of John Regan and Martha Davis were on this list.  Three of the Regan's four sons were killed during the Civil War.

Mr. James Bryan

James Bryan, first son of Reddick Bryan and his first wife. James Bryan married Alice Mary Wimberly.

Mrs. A. M. Bryan

Alice Mary Bryan, daughter of William Wimberly and wife of James Bryan.

Mr. Kenneth Wardsworth and Ann Wardsworth

"Died" is written next to "Kenneth Wardsworth." No other information can be found about Kenneth or Ann Wardsworth. 

Mrs. Amanda Watts

Catharine Amanda Bryan, sometimes called "Manda."  She was the daughter of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan and the widow of James C. Watts.

Mr. T. C. Bryan and Wife

Tillman C. Bryan, son of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan, was married to  Mildred Manning Prothro Bryan.

Mrs. Sarah M. Bryan 

Sarah Margaret Wimberly was married to Joseph B. Bryan. She was the daughter of William Wimberly.

Mrs. Laura F. Martin 

Laura Frances Bryan, the first child of Joseph B. Bryan and Sarah Margaret Wimberly. She was married to Thomas Jefferson Martin.

Tutorship of the minor children of James C. Watts and Catharine A. Bryan of Bienville Parish, Louisiana

The Oath of Catharine A. Watts, Natural Tutrix - 21 August 1867

These documents were a part of the ten-page succession of James C. Watts.  The record was requested and received from the County Clerk's office in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. 

This transcription was added to my Rootsweb Freepages website in 2005. Ancestry, who now owns Rootsweb, is retiring the pages in 2024. When and if they are returned, the pages will be static and I will not be able to make changes or additions. I am adding them to this blog along with new information and photos. 

Tutorship

Similar to a guardian, a tutor is a person appointed or qualified by a court to act as guardian of a minor’s property. In every tutorship, there is an under-tutor who shall act when the tutor is unable or whenever the interest of the minor is in opposition to the interest of the tutor. These terms appear to be unique to the laws of Louisiana.

James C. Watts and Catharine A. Bryan

James C. Watts, the husband of Catharine Amanda Bryan, was the son of Richard I. Watts and his wife, Sarah. James served as a hospital nurse in the Bienville Blues - Company C of the 9th Louisiana Infantry during the Civil War. Although there were statements in his compiled service record telling that James was discharged in 1862 as he was over 35 years of age, his record clearly showed that he was serving in Virginia in 1863. And a Pierson family letter states that he was wounded in Virginia in 1864. James died in 1867. His burial place is unknown. 

Catharine Amanda Bryan, sometimes seen as "Manda," was the daughter of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan. Following the death of James C. Watts, Catharine Amanda married G. B. Thomas in 1873. It is assumed that this marriage was short-lived as by 1875, she appeared on documents as Mrs. Watts. Catharine Amanda was said to have died in 1903.

Note that Catharine spelled her name with an "a" following the "h." In many documents, her name was spelled as Catherine; however, Catharine's signature on the above document and also on her father's succession records indicate that she used the less common spelling Catharine. 

Tutorship of the Minor Children of James C. Watts

PART 1 - FRONT AND BACK

Transcribed by Diana Bryan Quinn, May 28, 2005.

Tutorship of the minor children of James C. WATTS desc

Letters 

Original

Filed August 21st 1867

J. G. NOLES  Clerk DC 

The State of Louisiana

Parish of Bienville               11th District Court

 Whereas, Catharine A. WATTS has been appointed and confirmed by the District Court, in and for said parish, Natural Tutrix of the minor children of James C. WATTS late of said parish and State, deceased; and taken oath as described by law.

 Now, therefore, the said Catharine A. WATTS is hereby fully authorised and empowered to do and perform all and singular the duties incumbent on him by law in said capacity.

 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, this 21st day of August A.D. 1867.

           [signed] John G. NOLES     Clerk, DC

 

PART 2 - FRONT AND BACK

Tutorship of the minor children Jas C. WATTS 

Oath of Catharine A. WATTS

Natural Tutrix 

Filed August 21st 1867

J. G. NOLES  Clerk DC 

The State of Louisiana

Parish of Bienville 

I , the undersigned, Catharine A. WATTS, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me by law as  Natural Tutrix of Edmund Bryan, Alice Elizabeth, Sarah Catharine and Martha Caldwell WATTS minor children of James C. WATTS late of said state and parish deceased according to the best of my knowledge and ability - SO HELP ME GOD. 

                Sworn to and subscribed on this the 21st day of August A.D. 1867

before me, [signed] John G. NOLES Clerk Dist Court        [signed] Catharine A. WATTS

 

PART 3 - FRONT AND BACK

James Bryan was a half-brother
to Catharine Amanda Bryan Watts.
Born in North Carolina, he was the
oldest son of Reddick Bryan
 and his first wife.  James was
married to Alice Mary Wimberly.

Tutorship of the minor children of Jas C. WATTS

Oath of James BRYAN

Under Tutor

Filed August 21st 1867

J. G. NOLES  Clerk DC 

The State of Louisiana

Parish of Bienville 

I , the undersigned, James BRYAN, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me by law as under tutor of Edmund Bryan, Alice Elizabeth, Sarah Catharine and Martha Caldwell WATTS minor children of James C. WATTS late of the aforesaid state and parish deceas

according to the best of my knowledge and ability - SO HELP ME GOD 

                Sworn to and subscribed on this the 21st day of August A.D. 1867

before me, [signed] John G. NOLES Clerk  Dist Court     [signed] James BRYAN

                        

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The Children of James C. Watts and Catharine A. Bryan

Edmund B. Watts, also seen spelled Edmond, was the son of James C. Watts and Catharine Amanda Bryan. He was born on 7 February 1853 and, in 1870, married Martha Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wimberly, daughter of John Lawson Wimberly and Sophanny Ann Frances Nix. It was said that Edmund died of pneumonia at the age of thirty-three, leaving six children and one not yet born: Frances Amanda Watts, James C. Watts, Sarah Catherine Watts, Lucy Watts, John Lawson Watts, Harriet E. Watts, and Eddie Bryan Watts. Edmund and Martha Elizabeth are buried in the Wimberly Cemetery in Bienville Parish. 

Martha Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wimberly, wife of Edmund Watts and their 
three youngest children: Harriet Elizabeth Watts, John Lawson Watts, and 
Eddie Bryan Watts. 

Alice Elizabeth Watts was born in about 1859.  The first daughter of James C. Watts and Catharine Amanda Bryan, she married Green H. Huckabay Jr and remained in Northwest Louisiana.  They are known to have children Amanda D., Joe, Denson, Fannie, John L., Lizzie, and Bryant. Alice Elizabeth and her husband are buried in Old Castor Cemetery in Bienville Parish. 

Sarah Catherine Watts was the daughter of James C. Watts and Catharine Amanda Bryan. I am not certain about the spelling of her name as I have seen it as Sarah spelled also as Sara and her middle name spelled as Catharine, Catherine and Katherine. In a letter dated 1914, written by her cousin, Sallie Hammett, Sarah was referred to as "Kate Stewart." On the 1870 census, she was Sara Watts, age 10, living with the family of her Aunt, Georgia Ann Frances Bryan Pitman Wimberly, in Bienville Parish. Also listed nearby were her future husband, Elastus Stewart, and his family.  Children of Sarah and Elastus were James Pitman, Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie," Thomas E., Alice Corinne, John Hiser, Martha "Mattie Lou," and Mary Lou. Sarah died in Arcadia, Bienville Parish, in 1932 and is buried in the Arcadia Cemetery. 

Martha Caldwell Watts, also seen as "Mattie" was the youngest child of James C. Watts and Catharine Amanda Bryan. She was born 18 February 1866. Martha married Jeffrey Tolbert and they are known to have children Mary Alice, Marian, Joseph Earl "Dodie," Leon H., Hugh Leroy, Burdette, Earnest, Irene, and Allen Watts. Martha died on 8 December 1934 and is buried with her husband in the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in Natchitoches Parish. 

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Diana

© 2023 

Diana Quinn, #1 Diana's Bryan-Quinn Family, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/45260559?cfpid=6334928766: accessed 6 November 2023). 

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11775574/alice-elizabeth-huckabay: accessed 06 November 2023), memorial page for Alice Elizabeth Watts Huckabay (May 1859–17 Feb 1942), Find a Grave Memorial ID 11775574, citing Old Castor Cemetery, Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, USA; Maintained by Roy Bates (contributor 46805299).

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115012781/martha-caldwell-tolbert: accessed 06 November 2023), memorial page for Martha Caldwell “Mattie” Watts Tolbert (18 Feb 1866–8 Dec 1934), Find a Grave Memorial ID 115012781, citing Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, Fairview Alpha, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, USA; Maintained by A Footstep In Time (contributor 47345816).

James Bryan photograph, n.d.; digital image, from the privately held photo collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Photos were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

"Kinship Navigator - Tutorship," Department of Children & Family Services (https://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/690 : accessed 3 November 2023). 

"Louisiana, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1718-1925," database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/528550:7837?: 4 November 2023), Amanda C. Watts to G. B. Thomas, 7 Jan 1873, Red River, Louisiana.

Martha Elizabeth Wimberly Watts and three children, photograph, n.d., scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Betty Crain, 2003.

"Obituary for Sarah Katherlne STEWART (Aged 73)" Newspapers.com. The Times, March 13, 1932. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-obituary-for-sarah-katherlne-s/42367689/.

pamnorth1996, Pam Huckaby North Family Tree 2, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/14340025?cfpid=92757394&dtid=100: accessed 6 November 2023). 

"Researching Bryan, Hairston, Criswell, Davis, Glynn, Giddens, Murray, Driscoll, Staubach, and Quinn," Membership List for the Liberty Chapel 1875 and a Letter from Marguerite Cook Clark to Eugene Ragan Pruitt.

(https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~bryanquinn/genealogy/Bryan-WillsdeedsobitLA-LibertyChapel.htm : accessed 2 November 2023).

"Researching Bryan, Hairston, Criswell, Davis, Glynn, Giddens, Murray, Driscoll, Staubach, and Quinn," Tutorship of the Minor Children of James C. Watts

(https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~bryanquinn/genealogy/Bryan-WillsdeedsobitLA-Watts-Tutorship.htm : accessed 2 October 2023).

Richard McCutcheon, McCutcheon Family Tree,  Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/117093337/person/332083572057/facts: accessed 6 November 2023).

Signatures found on the "Partition of  Slaves" in the Succession of Reddick Bryan, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, 1 August 1864; digital image, copied from the privately held collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Photos and documents were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

Thomas W. Cutrer and T. Michael Parish, Brothers in Gray, The Civil War Letters of the Pierson Family (Louisiana State University Press, 1997), p. 240.

Tutorship of the minor children of Jas C. WATTS found in the Succession of James C. Watts, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, 21 August 1867, copies received from the Bienville Parish clerk's office in 2005, now in the private collection of Diana Quinn, 2023. 

"UNDER-TUTOR Definition & Legal Meaning," The Law Dictionary (https://thelawdictionary.org/under-tutor/ : accessed 3 November 2023). 

"United States Census, 1870", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8Q5-61P : Tue Oct 03 17:45:24 UTC 2023), Entry for E F Wimberly and Georgia Wimberly, 1870.

"US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Louisiana, 1861-1865," database with images, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/71619205: 4 November 2023), James C. Watts, images 1 to 12.

Vera Meeks Wimberly, Wimberly Family History, Ancestors, Relatives, and Descendants of William Wimberly, Pioneer from Georgia to Louisiana 1837 (Houston Texas: D. Anderson, 1979), 132-133.