This line of Alexanders is hard to label, for they were some of the first to flourish in the new South Carolina settlement of the old Sumter District, in and around what is now Bishopville, South Carolina in Lee County, incorporated in 1888.  They start with widow Mrs. Frances Alexander a widow out of North Carolina who entered the Camden District of South Carolina in the 1790s with her adult issue in tow.  Her home in the Camden District was just a few miles down the road from the borderline of the old Cheraws District.
    Included in this section are the are the oldest Alexanders whom I have traced.  They include Frances, her son John, her daughter Mary Margaret, and John’s issue.

Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
Old Sumter District, South Carolina

    Mrs. Frances Alexander, reported by another researcher to have been a widow, is the oldest Alexander in this research line with somewhat of a “paper trail”.  Frances is believed to have been born around 1753, and died in old Sumter District, South Carolina in 1820.  Her marriage is a mystery to this research.  Her husband may have been a casualty of the Revolutionary War, but that's just a guess.  She did received some sort of land grant, and that land was surveyed in 1786.  As far as her burial is concerned, It’s also a guess that Frances’ grave is now land that is used for farming outside of Bishopville, Lee County, South Carolina.  It was called the "Woodham Family Cemetery".  I don't know exactly how, but Frances was tied in to the Woodhams from back in old Dobbs County in North Carolina.  It's my theory that she would have been buried there because she was related to them through her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Mary Woodham Alexander, John's wife.  The cemetery site is located about two miles south of Hebron United Methodist Church in Lee County’s rural Stokes Bridge community northeast of Bishopville.  Frances' husband was probably buried back in North Carolina, or if he were a Revolutionary War soldier, near where he was killed or died.

ISSUE:

• Mary Margaret "Polly" Alexander was born circa 1774, probably in North Carolina, and died sometime during the first half of the 1800s.  She married Paris Hickman, who lived in the same general area as the Alexanders of old Sumter District.  Polly's reportedly buried in or near the old Choctaw Nation in eastern central Mississippi.
  
• John Alexander was born around 1775, probably in North Carolina.
  

NOTES:

• As far as I’ve been able to tell, Frances might have been born in Virginia, possibly Surry County, yet that is based on scant evidence.  In this research, the lineage of this Alexander clan can currently be traced back only to her, except for one possibility.  Although Frances’ father’s name is not known, a family baby book, in the possession of a descendant of Rev. Abner M. Alexander’s had some names on a page that included Frances Alexander’s name.  A “William”, and a “Samuel Welch of Virginia” were written in no particular order, and did not seem to explain much of anything, so they are actually only names on a page, with nothing more to back them up.  The page named a “William” beside Frances’ name, listing him as born in 1726 and died in 1783.  Samuel Welch of Virginia might have been Frances’ father.  Who knows?  There was a Samuel Welch who was born around 1730 in Surry County, Virginia.  He reportedly served in the American Revolution.  The dates are in the right position to be a possible parent of Frances.  A cousin, Mary Alexander Jensen of South Carolina made the baby book contact, and passed the information to me a few years ago.  The page was reportedly in a baby book of Kathryn Alexander "Kay" Wagener, a descendant of Frances’ through her son John, through his son Edward, through his daughter Katie, and on.  According to the same evidence, whatever John’s name was listed on that page, the John Alexander’s middle name was suggested to have been “Dewitt”.  In addition to the name Welch, as a maiden name for Frances Alexander, the name Wiggins was suggested to me by another source, suggesting that Frances might have been a Wiggins, related to Daniel A. Wiggins or his mother.  Mary Wiggins was formerly a Woodham, and a sister to Edward Woodham, Jr., making her an aunt to John’s wife, Mary "Polly" Woodham Alexander.
• Frances, before entering into South Carolina, came from somewhere in the eastern to central North Carolina area, maybe old Dobbs County, with son John Alexander, daughter Mary Margaret "Polly" Alexander, Daniel A. Wiggins, a first cousin of John’s wife’s, Mary Woodham Alexander.  With them was Daniel’s mother, Mary Woodham Wiggins, sister to Mary Woodham Alexander’s father Edward Woodham, Jr.  Mary Wiggins died in 1822 in what is now Bishopville, South Carolina, incorporated in 1888.  Some of that information was sketched in a book by Mrs. Marvin Scott called “Henry County Heritage”.  The section on the Alexander family in the book was assigned to an Alexander descendant, the late Col. Albert Lisenby of Panama City, Florida.  I wrote Mr. Lisenby when he was in his 90s, and he wrote back, strongly stating that he had not intentionally written a family research, but was doing it as a project for Mrs. Scott’s book, and that was it.  
• Frances’ 1786 land survey was taken in what is now Bishopville, Lee County, South Carolina.  It is assumed that she was already a widow, because the land was surveyed in her name.  Because of the era in which Frances Alexander migrated, a guess to her husband's fate is that he lost his life somehow during the Revolutionary War.  The dates coincide with the dates of events in her life. Frances’ land was located at the town limit of modern-day northwest Bishopville.  The 130-acre estate was located near the southeastern corner of the intersection of today’s West Church Street and Denny’s Pond Road, just a few blocks from downtown Bishopville.  Son John and son-in-law Paris Hickman sold Frances' land after her death. Properties surrounding Frances' land were owned by: Jacob Chambers; Dennis McLendon; William Mixon; Samuel Ratliff; Ann Dixon; and Samuel Chandler.
• Census-wise there a female “Frances”, with an “e”, the feminine gender, shown in Newbern District, North Carolina in 1790, later being mostly associated with Dobbs County, North Carolina.  That was the only Frances listed as “Head of Household” in the entire state of North Carolina in that year’s U.S. Census. 
  
• I’ve seen other information that suggests when she was heading toward her new home in South Carolina, she may have also migrated through Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 1794 before entering into what is now Bishopville.  Keep in mind that Mecklenburg County in that day was loaded with Alexanders.  An author of a history on Mecklenburg once wrote, “The Alexanders were as numerous as the sands.”  Back in those days the line between North Carolina and South Carolina was very opaque, and Mecklenburg was barely inside of the somewhat transparent North Carolina line.

TRANSACTION: In the following transcription, Frances’ land was surveyed.  The date was December 5, 1786.  She was probably still living in North Carolina during the time of the survey.  There’s no telling how Frances ended up with her 130 acres, but there were land lotteries, Revolutionary War pensions, and free land offers, once Indian treaties and the like were made in different parts of what was then the United States.  The plat survey for Frances’ South Carolina land was accompanied by the following:
    “I have caused to be (writing illegible) and laid out unto Frances Alexander, a tract of land containing one hundred and thirty acres situate in the District of Camden in Spring Branch waters of Lynches Creek and both such marks, buttings, and boundings as above plot represents.  Certified for the 5th of December, 1786. - Ephraim Mitchell”

    John Alexander was born about 1775 in North Carolina, and died in 1846 in South Carolina at about age 71.  He was married in old Cheraws District to the former Mary "Polly" Woodham, born about 1777 in North Carolina, and died in Darlington County, South Carolina around 1856 at about 79 years of age.  The Darlington District was formed within Cheraws District.  No one seems to know for sure where John and Mary Alexander are buried, but the most popular belief is that John and Polly were buried in a long-gone Woodham family graveyard that sits on rural land that I’ve been told still belongs to a member of the Woodham family in what is now Lee County, South Carolina near Bishopville.  As an alternative, it’s also possible that they were buried in the DuBose family graveyard, not far away on the Bishopville side of Lynches River (formerly Lynches Creek).  As a side note, my cousin Mary Alexander Jensen and our aunt, Mildred Alexander Powers went to see the old Woodham Cemetery site in the Stokes Bridge Community of Lee County on the Darlington side of Lynches River, but they said there was nothing to see or restore.  It was a cornfield at the time.

JOHN'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Mother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander

MARY WOODHAM ALEXANDER’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE:

• Cornelia Caroline Alexander was born about 1793, and died after 1855.  She married W. James "Jim" Hall.
• Rev. Abner M. Alexander was born January 25, 1796 in Darlington District, South Carolina, and died on June 13, 1871 in Sumter County, South Carolina at age 75.  He married in 1819 to Massey Ella Belk, born April 4, 1804 in South Carolina, and died September 19, 1870 in Sumter County, South Carolina at age 66.
• Mary Alexander was born around 1798, probably in Darlington District, South Carolina, and died in 1868 in Dale County, Alabama.  She married an R. McGee, born in 1798, and died 1868.  Mary's buried at Mount Olive Cemetery, Rocky Head community, Dale County, Alabama near Ariton, Alabama, and near the Coffee County line.  I saw some McGee graves in that cemetery, but not one that represented her husband.
  
• Ann Alexander was born about 1806 in Sumter District, South Carolina, and died 1870 at about age 64 in Washington County, Florida.  She married before 1846 to William Tiller, Jr., born 1799 in Sumter District, South Carolina, and died in Newville, Henry County, Alabama on April 3, 1840 at about 41 years of age.  She married again on February 26, 1853 to Needham Riley.
• James Alexander was born June 17, 1812 in Sumter District, South Carolina, and died August 22, 1892 in Henry County, Alabama at age 80.  He was married on January 10, 1833 to Elizabeth Jane Stokes, born March 7, 1817 in Kershaw County, South Carolina, and died in Henry County, Alabama on November 21, 1899 at age 82.  Both are buried at Old Center United Methodist Church, Newville, Henry County, Alabama near the Dale County line.
• Aris Alexander was born about 1815 in Darlington District, South Carolina, and reportedly died on September 7, 1860 in Mississippi.  He was married around 1840 to Nicy Jane Skinner, born about 1822 in Darlington District, South Carolina.
• Rev. John William Reese Alexander was born on January 24, 1819 in South Carolina, and died February 9, 1899 in Darlington County, South Carolina at age 80.  He was first married in 1837 to Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea, born about 1821, and died in either 1850 or 1851 at around 29 or 30 years of age. William married next on December 16, 1852 to Martha Anne E. Parnell, born May 21, 1833, and died February 28, 1891 at age 57.  William is buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.  I've seen neither Delilah or Anne's grave in my research.
  
• Ervin M. Alexander was born about 1822 in Sumter District, South Carolina, and died after 1855.
• Elizabeth J. Alexander died in January of 1855.
• Jane Alexander died after 1854.  She married before 1846 to Samuel Davis.
• Susannah "Susan" Alexander was born December 28, 1809, and died July 4, 1847 at age 37.  She married on October 14, 1829 to John Wesley Stuckey, born April 23, 1810, and died March 15, 1896 at age 85.  Both are buried at Bethlehem Cemetery, Bishopville, Lee County, South Carolina though separately.  She died relatively young, and John Wesley lived until he was 85.
  

NOTES:

• John's son James listed his parents in the 1880 U.S. Census survey for Henry County, Alabama, Cureton Post Office, Beat 7, as both having been born in North Carolina.
• John was a well-respected member of his community, and one of the founding fathers of what is now the still-active Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
• John and Mary Woodham Alexander (Polly) were parents of a large family.   Among the children were Abner M. Alexander, James Alexander , John William Reese Alexander (William), and Aris Alexander, the ancestors of the four largest present-day lines descending from John, still maintaining the Alexander surname.
• According to U.S. Census records, John Alexander was termed a “planter”.  Historians say that the word “planter” was used in place of “farmer” when the person owned a certain number of acres of land and slaves.  The person who owned a plantation was known as a planter, as he or she was the supervisor of the planting, but had many people such as slaves, and sometimes his own children to do most of the work.
• All that is really known about our John Alexander’s residence is that he lived near the crossing at Lynches River, formerly Lynches Creek and U.S. Highway 15, now called the DesChamps Bridge, reportedly on the Darlington District side, across the creek from Capt. Peter DuBose, who lived on the Sumter District side.  A pre-bridge ferry was known McCallum’s Ferry, and before that it was DuBose’s Ferry, owned and operated by the Captain’s family.
• John and his brother-in-law, Paris Hickman, the husband of Mary Margaret Alexander (Mary/Polly) sold mother Frances Alexander's property following her death.  The transaction took place on January 5, 1821 (Sumter District Deed Book FF, page 74).
• Darlington County historian Horace Fraser Rudisill once told me that he thought John lived on both sides of Lynches River (then Lynches Creek) at different times during his life. Records point to his living on both sides, but most of those records are land sales, which might have just been handled by John for whatever or whomever.
• Following the death of one of his neighbors, Micah Mixon, John purchased a few pieces of Mr. Mixon's estate.  He bought the following items: pine chest, $7.05; safe, $9.05; iron chain, $1.00; sitting chair, 52 cents; and 3 barrels, $3.00.
• In the March 10, 1949 edition of the “Lee County Messenger”, the late Bishopville historian, Joseph Freeman Stuckey (Joe) wrote an article called “Early History of Bishopville and Vicinity”.  In it, he told of what he knew of John and his family.  Mr. Stuckey's niece, Mary Lucia Stuckey (Mary), who I visited years ago was living in Bishopville, and had possession of many of his research pieces, plus her own.  Copies of some of Mr. Stuckey's manuscripts are available in the Manuscript Room of the Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.  It is listed under the heading “Lee County Families”.  John’s Last Will and Testament was signed April 22, 1845 and was filed September 5, 1846 in Sumter County (bundle 128, package 4).  John stipulated in his will that in the event of his death, (slave)“Rainey”, one of his slaves, was to be rented to pay any debts owed.  According to some of the records I’ve seen, son William Alexander ended up with Rainey.  Six other slaves listed in the will are: Jacob; Solomon; Chloe; George (a youth); Dick; and Charlotte.  Those slaves and their “increase” were willed by John to be divided between his six daughters after his and his wife's deaths.
• When his will was drawn, John Alexander owned: 12 horses; 1 colt; 17 stock hogs; 10 meat hogs; 12 head of cattle; and crops.  Prices were sure lower back then. John's coffin cost $9.  It seems he died at home.
• John and Mary Woodham Alexander’s burial site is said to be the old Woodham Family Cemetery, which is now a field of crops.  It is also said that the cemetery was damaged and desecrated during the 1950s under the ownership of a Woodham family member.  A restoration effort was reportedly in the planning stage, according to Robert Earl Woodham of Columbus, Georgia, President of the Woodham Family Association.  In past years, the Association improved another Woodham Cemetery near Newton in southeast Alabama.  I’m guessing that John’s mother, Frances, his wife Polly, Polly’s parents, the Woodhams, and more of his family are buried in the old Stokes Bridge Woodham cemetery.  We may never know.
• Some of the friends, neighbors, and contemporaries named in John's probate papers were:  John Mixon; Jeremiah Belk; Middleton DuBose; M. Filing; M. Belk; Beasley; J. Fields; and James Heron.  Witnesses to John Alexander's will were: Capt. Peter DuBose; A.C.L.D. Belk; and Harriet Stokes.  In 1854, probate accounting records stated that money was paid to sons: Abner Alexander (Rev. Abner M. Alexander); James Alexander; and William Alexander (John William Reese Alexander).  Other recipients of money were: Jane Alexander Davis; Caroline Alexander Hall (Cornelia Caroline Alexander); Susan Alexander Stuckey's children (her widower, Capt. John Wesley Stuckey was administrator for the children) (Susannah Alexander); Mary Alexander (McGee); Anna Alexander Riley.  In an 1855 accounting, each of the following sons received $71.75: Abner Alexander (Rev. Abner M. Alexander); James Alexander; William Alexander (John William Reese Alexander); Aris Alexander; and Ervin M. Alexander.  Buyers at a sale of John's estate on August 16, 1852 (Sumter County, South Carolina, Bundle 133, package 17) represented the “cream of the crop” in Bishopville area citizens back then.  Many of the names listed are mentioned in historical documents that chronicle the development of that entire area.  They were: Abijah Alexander (Abijah Elijah Alexander); Abner Alexander (Rev. Abner M. Alexander); John William Reese Alexander; John Denacy; John C. Dennis; Abel Dixon; D.A. Dixon; Ezekiel Dixon; John H. Dixon; E. DuBose (maybe Elias DuBose?); M. DuBose (probably Middleton DuBose, son of Capt. Peter DuBose, and executor of John Alexander’s will); Dorcas Elmore; John Folsom; T.J. Green; James Hall (possibly Cornelia Caroline Alexander’s husband, William James Hall); William Hall (this could be Cornelia Caroline Alexander’s father in-law); William H. Holleyman; Thomas Kelly; J.A. McGee; John McGee; T.M. Muldrow; B.A.J. Scarborough; J.W. Stuckey (probably John Wesley Stuckey, husband/widower of Susan Alexander Stuckey).  Dick, one of the family’s slaves, was sold, and moneys were disposed of to the following people: Jeremiah Belk; Willis Josey; J.W. Stuckey (John Wesley Stuckey); William Rogers; George Kelly; J.A. (last name illegible – possibly McGee); Richard Jenkins; Stephen Woodham; John H. Dixon; James Rembert; and Ezekiel Dixon.
• Don’t be confused with all of the “Pollys” connected with John.  Polly was once a standard nickname for just about anyone named Mary.  John’s sister, wife, and mother-in-law were all nicknamed Polly, as well as others who were related.
• Over thirty years after John's death, his former neighborhood was the site of one of the more famous duels in the South, the “Cash-Shannon Duel”.  A historical marker which is erected on U.S. Highway 15 near Lynches River reads: “This was the site of the last fatal duel fought in South Carolina, in which Col. E.B.C. Cash of Cash's Depot killed a William M. Shannon of Camden on July 5, 1880. This tragedy influenced the South Carolina Legislature to enact a law in December 1880, making dueling a crime and requiring public officials, until 1854, to swear that they had not been in a duel.”
• Mary's father, Edward Woodham, Jr., was born in 1746 in Surry County, Virginia and died in 1820 in Sumter County, South Carolina in a part that is now Lee County.  John Alexander was the administrator of his will and estate.  Mary’s mother, who was also named Mary, born about 1755, North Carolina, and died in Darlington County, South Carolina.  Edward and Mary Woodham were married about 1764 in old Dobbs County, North Carolina.  Edward’s father was Edward Woodham, Sr., born between 1700 and 1720, Charles City County, Virginia, and died 1785 in Dobbs County, North Carolina in a part that is now Lenoir County.  Edward Woodham, Sr. was married around 1737 to Eleanor Dupree in Virginia.  Edward and Eleanor had other children, too: Frederick Woodham, born about 1750 in Surry County, Virginia; Etheldred Woodham, born 1748 in Surry County, Virginia; Mary Woodham, born May 2, 1741 in Surry County, Virginia; and Edward Sr.’s father was Thomas Woodham.
• The Capt. Peter DuBose family was near neighbors with the John Alexander family, seemingly only having Lynches Creek (now Lynches River) separating their properties.  Back before there was a bridge, crossing Lynch’s Creek was accomplished by crossing at DuBose’s Ferry, which possibly connected the Captain’s property and John’s.  Historian Horace Rudisill once told me that he thought that John had possibly lived on both sides of the creek at one time or another.  Capt. DuBose was senior to John, and John was senior to the Captain’s son, Middleton.  They are both listed in the following will.  It was the DuBose Cemetery that was mentioned as an alternative possible site of John and Mary Alexander’s burial, and possibly others in the family.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of John Alexander (capitalization, spelling, punctuation are all as written in either the original document or by an earlier transcriber):

“Estate of John Alexander decd. Last Will and Testament
JUDGE OF PROBATE'S OFFICE, SUMTER County, SOUTH CAROLINA
State of South Carolina
Sumter District

In the name of God amen.  I John Alexander of the State and district aforesaid planter being old and infirm but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be to God for his mercies call into mind the mortality of my body do make and ordain this instrument to be my last will and testament in manner and form as follows (Viz.) Principally and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to be buried in a decent Christian like manner and as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose of in the following (Viz.) First I desire all my lawful debts to be paid I desire if lawful for one or more of my slaves to be hired out until my debts are paid if this cannot be approved of according to law I wish my Executors to sell one Negro and pay the debts.  Secondly I lend to my beloved wife Mary Alexander, all my slaves (Viz.) (slave) Raner (slave) Jacob (slave) Solomon (slave) Cloe (slave) George (slave) Dick and (slave) Charlotte and their increase during her natural life and after her death to be equally divided between my six daughters to wit Ann Tiller, Mary Magee, Susanna Stuckey, Elizabeth Alexander, Cornelia Carolina Alexander, and Jane Davis in trust of my indubitable friends Asa Woodham and Middleton DuBose for their use and benefit and their children prohibiting at same their husbands or any other person or persons of any power to sell or dispose of said Negro slaves in any manner shape or form but for their sole use and benefit I also give my daughters Elizabeth and Cornelia C. Alexander each one horse bridle and saddle each one cow and calf each one feather bed and furniture I further lend my wife Mary Alexander the lands and tenements thereon I now live with one other tract called the Barnes or mill tract to have and to hold all and singular the above lands during her natural life together with all my stock hogs cattle the crop that may be growing on the premises or gathered and also all the horses that I have not otherwise disposed of and my house hold and kitchen furniture and plantation tools declare the above land and stock and other things named to be sold and equally divided between my five sons (Viz.) Abner Alexander James Alexander Aris Alexander John W. Alexander Ervin M. Alexander I now give one other tract or parcel of land adjoining Peter DuBose land formerly a part of the land formerly a tract of the ++ to be equally divided between my two sons Aris Alexander and Ervin M. Alexander Aris Alexander part to go to the use and benefit of his children I do hereby constitute make and ordain my trusty friends Asa Woodham and Middleton DuBose my sole executors of this my last will and testament.  I hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul every other former will and testament by me made.  Ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this twenty second April one thousand eight hundred and forty five.  And in the sixty ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

John Alexander - Signed sealed and acknowledged John Alexander (seal) in the presence of day and above written Peter DuBose, A.C.L.D. Belk, Harriet Stokes
Interlined before signed by the testator.”

    Mary was born before 1774 possibly in North Carolina.  She reportedly died on June 21, 1838 in Mississippi.  She married Paris Hickman, who reportedly died and was buried in Mississippi.  As far as I know, she was patriarch John Alexander's only sister, Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander's only daughter, and migrated along with Frances and John into what's now Lee County, South Carolina.

MARY'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Mother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander

PARIS’ ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: William and Mary McPherson Hickman
• Paternal grandparents: Isaac and Elizabeth (nee?) Hickman

NOTES:

• As far as I can tell, mainly from some old maps, husband Paris’ parents lived near the present day Kershaw County/Lee County, South Carolina line near Bishopville.
• In difference to Polly’s reported death on June 21, 1838, another Hickman researcher, Jane Hickman Hearon thinks that Mary died later, around 1850.
• “Polly”, once a popular nickname for “Mary”, may have the catalyst for nephew Aris Alexander’s move to Mississippi, and possibly for nephew Ervin M. Alexander, who is believed to have also moved there, as well.  It is believed that Polly and Paris lived in the same area of Mississippi as Aris, likely what is now Winston County.  Although hard to find, there are many descendants of Aris and Nicy in Mississippi today.
• Paris Hickman, and father-in-law John Alexander, were administrators of Mary’s mother,  Frances Alexander’s will.  Paris and John sold her land following her death.
• Paris and Polly moved to Alabama before 1830, probably in Henry County, where nephew James Alexander and his wife Jane Stokes Alexander settled in the 1830s, as well as many others from the old Sumter District of South Carolina.  Then they migrated to Mississippi by 1835, in the same general area that nephew, Aris Alexander and his family, were to move around 1850.  The Hickmans settled near the Choctaw reservation east of Pearl River.  Most of Paris and Mary’s children settled in and around the Choctaw Nation.  The Choctaw reservation is located adjacent to Philadelphia, Mississippi, and today casinos and adjoining hotels are run by the Choctaws.  The location is called “Pearl River Resort”, with a smaller version of the Las Vegas look.

   I Paris Hickman Neshoba County of the state and County of the state and Country aforesaid and being presently in my right mind and proper senses but weak in body and calling to mind the mortality of the human body and that is appointed to all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament as follows.
First of all I commend my soul to God who gave it and my body to be buried with a Christian burial at the decisions of my executors as for the worldly goods that God has been pleased to bless me with it is my will to dispose of them in the following manner.
    In the first place I will that all my just debts be paid and the next place I bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Hickman all my goods and chattels to have and to hold during her life and at her death to be divided amongst my children as follows and in the next place I give to my son Samuel Hickman one Negro boy named Carolina and to my sons Joshua and Robert Hickman one Negro boy named Titus, and to my daughter Lettice Ann a Negro girl named Matilda and to my two sons Ladson L. and Elias E. F. one Negro woman with her increase from and after this date to be divided equally and to my daughter Tabitha Donald I give the sum of fifty dollars and to my daughter Jane Ellis’ heirs I leave the like sum of fifty dollars and to my son John Hickman and my granddaughter I leave one Negro girl Raney to be equally divided and for the purpose of executing and attending to and to transact this business of my last will I appoint my sons William A. and Samuel Hickman my executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other wills or deeds by me made previous to this date.

Signed sealed and acknowledged 12 December 1837.
Paris Hickman
In presence of
John Morris
John G. West
Will recorded May 28, 1838
by Wm R.B._______, Clerk”

ALEXANDER BIOGRAPHIES
Descendants of Rev. John William Reese Alexander
in Darlington and Florence Counties of South Carolina

    These are sons, daughters, and descendants of John William Reese Alexander (William), who left South Carolina and lived in Alabama near his brother James and his wife, and his sister Ann.  After less than a decade he moved back to live out his days as a local preacher in Darlington County, South Carolina, and reportedly attended the church that his older brother Abner was pastoring, New Hope Methodist in Darlington County.  William was a son of John Alexander, a grandson of Mrs. Frances Alexander.

    Abner was born around 1843 in Alabama and died on December 4, 1863 at around 20 years of age.  He apparently died from wounds received about a month earlier in the Civil War, when he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga at Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.

ABNER'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander (Delilah/Liley)
• Paternal grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal great-grandparents: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Maternal great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NOTES:

• Abner’s birth location is somewhat unclear because it’s not clear exactly when Abner’s parents moved into old Henry County, Alabama from Sumter District, South Carolina.  I’m guessing Alabama.  Younger brother, John Wesley Alexander was born there, too in 1846.  John Wesley and Abner’s parents seemingly moved into Henry during the early 1840s.  James Alexander, who was Abner and John’s uncle, had moved there in the latter 1830s from the old Sumter District.
• Around 1850, Abner’s parents moved back to the same general area of South Carolina in which they had lived before.  His mother was seemingly ill around that time, and either died in Alabama, or made the trip back to South Carolina and died.  Another guess is that she may even have died along the way back to South Carolina.  Her grave has yet to be located.
• Abner was a Private in Company F, 8th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, C.S.A.  He was wounded and captured at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, November 8, 1863.  The battles that took place around that time are memorialized by the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.  In those battles, 43,000 Confederate troops took on 60,000 Union troops to save Chattanooga.  In the end, Chattanooga fell.  The fighting there was some of the hardest of the Civil War.
• Abner died, as his muster roll stated “in the hands of the enemy”.  Although he had a girlfriend at the time of his death, the era of the war was upon him, and he never really had a chance to marry.  In brother John Wesley’s “reminiscence” contained within this book, John Alexander, told of a meeting with Abner during the Civil War.  Their companies were near each other, and with permission they visited with each other for the last time.  In the reminiscence, brother John stated that he sensed that their meeting would be the last.  The reminiscence also tells of how Abner's girlfriend refused to part with his jewelry following his death.

    Addie was born August 31, 1883 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died February 8, 1911 at age 27.  She married John Limuel Hill, born September 8, 1873 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died on August 4, 1910 at age 36.  Both are buried at Byrd Cemetery, Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.

ADDIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE:

• Luther Carlisle Hill, born April 7, 1906, died Oct 25, 1935 at age 29.  He was buried at Byrd Cemetery, Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.
• Gary Hill, reportedly died in 1978, and was buried at Ardmore, Oklahoma.
• Sallie Mae Hill, was born January 22, 1911 in Florence County, and died March 30, 1916 at age 5.  The child was buried at Byrd Cemetery, Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.

NOTES:

• The children's aunt, Maggie Alexander, raised the three following their mother's death.  Maggie was engaged at the time she took in the children, but decided against the marriage.  She never married.
• Addie and Limuel are said to have died during an elongated flu epidemic.  He died about six months after her.
• Young daughter Sallie Mae Hill reportedly died as a result of second and third-degree burns.

    Arnold Alexander was born February 14, 1912, and died December 28, 1983 in Florence, Florence County, South Carolina at age 71.  He was married on June 20, 1932 to Maggie Mae Rogers, born May 22, 1917, and died February 15, 2002 at age 84.  Both Arnold and Maggie are buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.

ARNOLD'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. and Nettie Hatchell Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: James Larry and Julia O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather:  James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Alexander
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

MAGGIE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: William Everette and Eunice Vista Folsom Rogers

ISSUE:

• Grace Elizabeth Alexander, born September 20, 1933
• Eldridge Lee Alexander, born April 18, 1940
• John Luther Alexander, born June 20, 1944
• Arnold Ceil Alexander, Jr., born November 4, 1947

NOTES:

• Arnold is said to have lived at “Alexander’s Crossroads” all of his life.
• A somewhat interesting note: Arnold's grandfather was John Luther Alexander, Sr., who had a son named John Luther Alexander, Jr., who died as an infant.  Arnold and Maggie named one of their sons John Luther Alexander, and that John Luther and his wife named a son John Luther Alexander.
• Maggie’s father was William Everett Rogers, born November 23, 1885, and died September 15, 1929 at age 43.  He married Eunice Vista Folsom, born December 31, 1882, and died March 11, 1960 at age 77.  The couple's buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County.

Barney Kirby Alexander
"Barney" and "B.K."
Darlington County, South Carolina

    B.K. was born May 12, 1925 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died April 9, 1945, Belgium during World War II’s infamous “Battle of the Bulge” at age 19.  He's buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, Plot E Row 34 Grave 35, St. Avold, France.

B.K.'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NOTES:

• I’m guessing that B.K.’s uncle, Barney Ward could have been his namesake.  Barney Ward was married to mother Fannie Hancock Alexander’s sister, the former Laura Hancock.
• During World War II, B.K. was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army, 255th Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division.  His serial number was 34966578.  More than one million men fought along with B.K. in The Battle of the Bulge, 19,000 were killed, and 60,000 were injured.  It was the largest land battle of World War II, and extremely rough on the men, mostly due to the intense cold and lack of supplies.  In scope and number of participants, no American engagement in history was more costly or massive.  Winston Churchill called it “the greatest American battle of the war”, and it is considered to be the breaking point in the war against Hitler… and for good reason… Germany surrendered a few weeks later in May.  B.K. posthumously earned the Purple Heart, and is on the World War II Honor Roll.
• B.K.’s name, along with three other local soldiers who died in World War II, is engraved on a monument gatepost at Philadelphia United Methodist Church, Darlington County  One of the three is Olin Clyde Folsom, who B.K.'s sister, Gladys M. Alexander, married during the war.

LETTER from B.K.’s Commander, Lt. Col. James E. Hatcher:

“Mrs. Fannie H. Alexander
Route 2
Timmonsville, South Carolina

My dear Mrs. Alexander:
    Please accept my deepest and heartfelt sympathies in the loss of your son, Barney K. Alexander, 34966578, Company B, 255th Infantry, who gave his life in battle on 9 April 1945 for his country.  He was buried in the United States Military Cemetery in Western Germany and services were conducted by the Protestant Chaplain, who officiated.
    There is little one can do or say at such time to help ease the burden that is yours.  While I did not know your son personally, I do know that he enjoyed the high respect and admiration of the officers and men with whom he was associated.  The sacrifice he has made, his devotion to duty, and his courage will not be forgotten; they us to greater efforts will serve to inspire.

Sincerely yours,

James E. Hatcher
Lt. Col., Infantry
Commanding”

LETTER to B.K.’s parents from one of his teachers, Theron Anderson:

“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Alexander:

    I am writing to let you know that I feel very deeply for you in the loss of your son, ‘B.K.’  As you know he was in my classroom in Lamar for a number of months.  In fact I had known him as a little boy but had not been with him for a number of years.  I don't know that I have every told you just what I thought of B.K. I have remarked to my parents at home something of my appreciation for him.  I can say to you now that B.K. was one of the finest boys I have ever had the privilege of teaching.  He was courteous, quiet and orderly.  He never did one thing in the classroom that made it necessary for me to have to ask for his attention.  He did a fair grade of work but you always had the feeling that he knew more than his paper showed because he was always attentive.  I know that such comments about him will not bring him to you but I know it will mean something to you to know that one who knew him admired him.  I know nothing of his record as a soldier but I believe he was every inch a true American soldier who did well what he was asked to do.
    I wish to express my sincere sympathy for you and the other members of the family.  You know that I can feel for you in that I lost a very dear brother in the same horrible conflict.  I wonder if there is anything we can do to atone for what those boys have done for us.  If in anyway I can be of service to you please don't hesitate to call on me.

Your sincere friend
Theron J. Anderson”

LETTER postmarked “Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, September 2, 1944, 1 p.m.”  It was return addressed “Company B, 255 Infantry, A.P.O. 410, Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi":

“Sept. 1, 1944
Camp Van Dorn

Dear Lee,

    Received your letter today and sure was glad to hear from you.  I hope this finds you all well.  As it leaves me just fine.  Or at least I think I'm O.K.
I sure would like to see you and the family now.  It seems like ages.  I'm figuring on being home very shortly.  This pen I got won't hardly write.  It's one I borrowed.  Someone borrowed one out of my locker p.m.  So now I haven't any.  I hope the tobacco continues to sell good.  As it has in the past.  It sure does rain a lot out here.  For the last few days I have got soaking wet every afternoon.  Tell Edith and Mary “hello” for me.  I'll close now will write more next time.

Love,
B.K.

P.S. Got a letter from Belvin a few days ago.”

LETTER that was copied on some sort of early copying machine, and was seemingly censored.  It was written by B.K. just a little over two months before his death.

“France
March 2, 1945

Dear Lee,

This leaves me fine and hope you are the same.  How is Mary and Edith?  Tell them hello for me.  I haven't time but to write a line or two but will try to pick a time to write more next time.  I guess you have your crop well under way by this time.
I'll close for now.  Answer soon.

Love,
B.K.”

ARTICLE from a newspaper not recognized by this research:

“Killed in Action

    Darlington. May 4 - Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Alexander, of the Philadelphia section of Darlington County, have been notified by the War Department that their son, Private B.K. Alexander, of the U.S. Army, had been killed in action somewhere in Germany.
    Private Alexander had been overseas for the past several months.  He entered the armed forces sometime ago.  He had served in France, Holland, Belgium and in Germany recently.”

POEM written by a niece to honor her Uncle B.K.: The late Ruth Alexander, daughter of B.K.'s brother, Clifton Alexander, got her poem published in the May 19, 1945 edition of Florence Morning News.  At the end of the poem was the credit, “Written by Ruth Alexander of Center School (Timmonsville), 5th grade.”

“A Hero Who Went Away
In honor of Barney K. Alexander
Special to Morning News:
Timmonsville, May 19, 1945

He was a hero of this war
A hero so brave and true,
We needed him here on earth
But God needed him too.

I wish this war would have ended
Before he was called away
The news reached our shore on Saturday.
And oh, what a price to pay.

There were many tears shed
On that sad, sad, day
I prayed that we would meet him
After he had passed away.

I'm sure he has been fighting
And doing what he could
So this cruel war would end
In peace like it should.

He fought in lots of countries, states
And also towns.
I guess he tried to kill every enemy
He saw who was around.

We know there's a vacant chair ready,
For a soldier who we all knew
He was fighting for a country of freedom
And for the red, white and blue.

I'm sure his name was written
On the roll book God has above,
A name of a brave hero,
A hero we all loved.

 I'm sure he said a prayer to God
To guide and save us all.
And I guess he was proud to go
When God had called.”

Belvin Ryan Alexander
"Belvin" and "Bill"
Florence County, South Carolina

    Belvin was born on April 15, 1913 in Florence County, South Carolina, and died February 3, 1989 in Florence, Florence County, South Carolina at age 75.  He was married on March 17, 1946 to Jennie Lee Caddell of Berkley County, South Carolina near Moncks Corner.  She was born April 11, 1915 in Berkeley County, South Carolina.  Belvin is entombed in an indoor section of the mausoleum at Florence Memorial Gardens, Old Timmonsville Highway, Cashua Drive in Florence, Florence County, South Carolina.

BELVIN'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

JENNIE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Sam and Nettie Caddell

ISSUE:

• Barbara Lynn "Bobbie" Alexander, born January 23, 1947
• Patricia Kay "Pat" Alexander, born May 11, 1949

NOTES:

• Rev. John L. Jernigan performed the wedding vows for the Jennie and Belvin union.
• Belvin was manager of Fruit Growers Express at Florence, South Carolina for many years.  Preceding his retirement, and following the close of the Florence branch of Fruit Growers Express, a company that iced trains, he worked for a relatively short period of time in southern Florida with the same corporation.  Refrigeration train cars eventually phased out the need for ice.  Belvin was at retirement age by that time.
• He was a member of the Breakfast Optimist Club and the Amity Masonic Lodge #340 in Florence, and the Brotherhood of Retired Railroad Men.  He was also a member and Steward of St. Paul United Methodist Church on West Palmetto Street in Florence, Florence County, South Carolina.
• His name is inscribed in his parents’ family bible as Belvin “Rhyne” Alexander, but he spelled it “Ryan”.

TRIBUTE - DAUGHTER PATRICIA REMEMBERS

    “Belvin Ryan Alexander was a special man.  His family, his church, and his friends were the most important things in his life.
     He loved his family.  He and Jennie were married for 43 years before his death.  He was the kind of father every child should have.  He had an abundance of patience and a great sense of humor.  Even though he worked long, hard hours at the ice plant, he always had time for his children and their friends.  He spent hours in the yard surrounded by neighborhood children.  He had the Alexander knack for telling an outrageous tale with such a straight face you weren't sure if he was teasing you or not.  He drank ‘tea’ from dainty china teacups, had his fortune told by 5-year-old gypsies, bought gallons of Kool-Aid from card-table stands, and drove carpools with a gentle, steady humor.  He didn't endure these activities, but enjoyed them.
     Belvin and his brother Lee were especially close.  Belvin lived with Lee and his wife, Edith, some before he got married.  Over the years they shared many family activities and celebrations.  They planted a garden together on Lee's farm each summer.  Others enjoyed being around Belvin and Lee because they enjoyed each other's company so much.
    Belvin had two daughters and two granddaughters.  He passed his love of growing things on to his older grandchild, Susie.  She frequently stayed with her grandparents on weekends and during summer vacations.  Emily, his younger grandchild, was especially lucky because she lived in the same town as "Granddaddy".  He had retired before she was born so they were playmates.  Granddaddy would be hanging out of the door waiting when he knew his “buddy” was coming.  They spent hours swinging in the backyard and playing “I Spy”.
    Belvin loved to watch ball games on television and to fish - winter or summer.  He was very active at his church, St. Paul United Methodist Church  He visited shut-ins weekly and delivered “Meals on Wheels” to the elderly when he was in his seventies.  He didn't seem to realize the “old people” he was helping were often younger than him!
     Belvin died on Friday, February 3, 1989 while working in his yard.  It was a quick, peaceful death like his father before him.  Hundreds of people filled the church at his funeral.  It was a tribute to a loving, funny, precious man who liked just about everyone he met and accepted each person for the good he found in them.  I don't believe he realized he always saw the good in people because he brought out the best in them.
     Belvin Ryan Alexander was a special man.”

    Marie was born on August 27, 1903.  She married David Fields.  She is buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina.

MARIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. and Nettie Hatchell Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: James Larry and Julio O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE:

• Dorothy Fields
• Marian Fields

    Carl was born, lived, died, and is buried in the Greenville, South Carolina area.  He married Dorothy S. "Dot" Douglas.

CARL'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Henry Lee "Harry" and Laura M. Raines Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NOTE:

• Carl was a professional baseball player in the minor leagues.

    Charlie was born on September 29, 1871 in South Carolina, and died at his home in the Oates community of Darlington County, South Carolina on January 9, 1949 at age 77.  He first married Frances Olivia Jernigan, born in May of 1881, and died in August of 1907 at age 26.  He later married Ida Eula Jeffords, born December 15, 1881, died August 15, 1949 at age 67.  Charlie and Ida are buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.  Olivia is buried at John Wesley Alexander’s old “Lone Tree Farm” property on Sally Hill Road at the Florence-Darlington county line near the creek, in rural Timmonsville.

CHARLIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE from marriage #1 Olivia Jernigan Alexander:

• Asa Junius Alexander (a teenager)
• William Frank Alexander, Sr.
  
• Mildred Olivia Alexander (an infant)

ISSUE from marriage #2 Ida Jeffords Alexander:

• Hamilton Earl Alexander
  
• James Ervin Alexander
• Eula Myrtle Alexander (a child)
• Woodrow Wilson Alexander
• John Wesley "Johnny" Alexander (a child)
• Daniel Allen Alexander (a child)
• Charles Ira Alexander
• Margaret Leola Alexander
• Sally Louise Alexander

NOTE:

• According to the 1900 U.S. Federal Census records, Charlie and his family once lived in the High Hill Township of Darlington County, South Carolina next to, or on the same property with brother Luther’s family and father John Wesley Alexander’s family.  In that survey, Charlie was 28, had been married to Olivia for 2 years (she was 19 at the time of the survey), and they had one son, Asa J. who was a year old.

OBITUARY dated January 12, 1949, but datelined January 11:

    “DARLINGTON, January 11 – Charles E. Alexander, 77, planter died last night (his grave marker says he died on January 9th) at his residence at Oates.  He had been in declining health for some time.
     Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at the Pine Grove Methodist Church, conducted by the pastor, J.P. Raquemore, pastor of the Southern Methodist of Philadelphia.  Nephews of the deceased will serve as pallbearers, and grand-nieces will be in charge of the flowers.
     Mr. Alexander was born in Darlington County.  He was a member of the Methodist Church, and farmed extensively.
     He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ida Jeffords Alexander; five sons, Frank Alexander, Earl Alexander, Woodrow Alexander, Ira Alexander, all of Oates; and James Alexander of Hartsville; two daughters, Mrs. Howard Watford of Lamar and Mrs. Harley Newsome of Hartsville; two brothers, Luther Alexander and Joe Alexander, both of Timmonsville; two sisters, Miss Maggie Alexander and Mrs. George Hatchell, both of Timmonsville.  Six grandchildren survive also.”

An OBITUARY for Charlie’s second wife, Ida Jeffords Alexander:

    “DARLINGTON – Mrs. Charlie E. Alexander, 67, of the Oates section of Darlington County, died Friday night at 9:30 o’clock.
    Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock at the Pine Grove Methodist Church conducted by the Reverend F.L. Frazier, assisted by the Reverend L.A. Houneycutt and the Reverend J.P. Raquemore.  Interment will take place in the Thornell Cemetery (Thornal is correct).
    Mrs. Alexander was born in Darlington County and she had lived here all of her life.  She made home with a son, Woodrow Alexander.
    Her husband died in January of this year.
    Surviving are five sons, Frank Alexander, Earl Alexander, Woodrow Alexander, Ira Alexander all of Oates, James Alexander of Hartsville; two daughters, Mrs. Howard Watford of Lamar, Mrs. H. Newson (Newsome is correct) of Hartsville; two brothers, Bunyan Jeffords of Dovesville, Morgan Jeffords of the Pine Grove community.”

    Ira was born on December 20, 1920 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died September 9, 1979 at age 58.  He married on April 28, 1957 in Darlington County to Alline Odom, born March 1, 1922, and reportedly died in Darlington County.  Burial was at Darlington County Memory Gardens, Darlington, Darlington County, South Carolina.

IRA'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Charles Engram "Charlie" and Ida Eula Jeffords Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NOTE:

• Ira served in World War II as a Corporal in the U.S. Army

    Lizzie was born November 5, 1843 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died November 13, 1904 at age 61.  She married in 1865 to Robert Nelson Parnell, born January 3, 1841, and died April 2, 1917 in Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina at age 76.  Both are buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.

LIZZIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Maternal great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ROBERT’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Israel C. Parnell, born December 28, 1805, died August 24, 1874 at age 31 and Frances Scot "Fannie" Saverance Parnell
• Maternal grandparents: Paul and Hannah Huggins Saverance
• Maternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Susannah Murrell Saverance
• Maternal great-grandparents: John and Elizabeth White Simmons Huggins

ISSUE:

• John William Parnell, born February 6, 1866 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died May 2, 1893 Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.  He married in 1893 to Mary Jane Rogers, born September 25, 1875 in the Lisbon community of Darlington County, South Carolina, and died October 21, 1944 in Timmonsville, Florence County.  They reportedly had 9 children:
• Veto Lissette Parnell, born December 4, 1894 in Darlington County, South Carolina
  
• Vivian Onita Parnell, born March 16, 1896 in Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina
• Alvin Eugene Parnell, born November 1, 1897 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Minnie Edna Parnell, born December 7, 1900 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Susannah Delphine Parnell, born November 4, 1903 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Hester Annis Parnell, born June 29, 1907 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Esther Eunice Parnell, born September 17, 1908 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Mary Louise Parnell, born May 2, 1911 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Nina Elizabeth Parnell, born March 16, 1915 in Darlington County, South Carolina
• Joshua Hamer Parnell, born about 1868 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died in September of 1946 at around 78 years old.  He married Elizabeth (nee?), born about 1872 in Darlington County, South Carolina.  The union reportedly produced these children:
• Lucille P. Parnell, born September 19, 1902 Darlington County, South Carolina, died April 16, 1940 at age 37.  She married on January 17, 1926 in Darlington County, South Carolina to Lawton Dudley Parnell, born May 29, 1892 in Darlington County, and died October 14, 1961 at age 69 in Darlington County, South Carolina.  They are reportedly buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Sarah Estelle Parnell, born about 1907 in Darlington County, South Carolina, died October 30, 1979 Darlington County, South Carolina at approximately 72 years old.  She married on April 1, 1924 to Ernest N. Andrews, born 1901 in Darlington County, died about 1977 in Darlington County at about 76 years of age.  Ernest was a son of Thomas Asbury Andrews, born April 22, 1877 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died on April 30, 1934 in the Lydia community of Darlington County, South Carolina.  Thomas Asbury and married Sallie Gray on Christmas in 1900 in Darlington County, South Carolina.  Sallie was born about 1880 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died July 1947 in the Lydia community of Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Gettis Laverne Parnell (male), born September 12, 1910 in Darlington County, South Carolina, died December 18, 1990 in Darlington County at age  80.  He married Frances I. Huggins, born March 8, 1910 in Darlington County, South Carolina, died April 1, 1971 in Darlington County, South Carolina at age 61.  Frances was a daughter of Emery Rhett Huggins, born May 31, 1860 in Darlington County, South Carolina, died January 19, 1931 at age 70.
  
• Annie Fields, born either December 12, 1880 or December 15, 1881 in Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina, and died March 19, 1943 in Darlington County, South Carolina.  Annie was a daughter of Alexander Sylkirk and Frances Gamewell Alexander Fields.  Annie is buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina
• Annie Laura Parnell, born about 1913 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died October 25, 1980 at about 67 years old.  In 1928 she married  Theron Howard Fields in Darlington County, South Carolina.  Theron Howard was born August 27, 1909, and died October 28, 1980 at age 71.  He's said to buried at Black River Cemetery, Mayesville, South Carolina.  Theron Howard Fields was a son of Alexander Sylkirk "Sandy" and Frances Gamewell Alexander Fields.
• Paul Alexander Parnell, born September 20, 1873 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died August 21, 1924 in Darlington County at age 50.  He married in September of 1896 in Darlington County, South Carolina to Annie P. Turner, born June 2, 1870 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died December 21, 1908 at age 38.  He married in Darlington County, South Carolina again in 1910 to Alice "Fannie" Knotts, born March 23, 1875 in the Lydia community of Darlington County, and died November 6, 1926 at age 51.  Paul is reportedly buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Cora Dale Parnell, born June 22, 1888 in Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Alonzo Homer Parnell, born February 21, 1878 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died December 20, 1947.  He is buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church Cemetery, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.  His grave marker inscription reads: At rest.
• Raymond Parnell, born October 1, 1880 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died February 23, 1904 at age 23, he is buried beside his parents.
  

ISSUE of the union between Robert Nelson and Mary McLendon Parnell:

• Julia Parnell, born 1860 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died about 1920 at about 60 years of age

NOTES:

• Robert, and Lizzie's father's (Rev. John William Reese Alexander) second wife, Anne Parnell Alexander, were siblings.
• An 1880 U.S. Census record found them in the Lisbon Township of Darlington County, South Carolina.  They were listed as a farming family with these household inhabitants: Robert N. Parnell, (Head of Household), 37; Elizabeth C. Parnell, wife, 37; John A. Parnell, son, 14; Joshua Parnell, son, 12; Paul Parnell, son, 6; and Alonzo Parnell, son, 2.
• From the records I’ve seen, it seems that Robert was married to Mary McLendon about 1859 in Darlington County, South Carolina.  She was born about 1842 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and had died by 1865.   Robert and Mary’s daughter Julia Parnell married Colin Murchinson Huggins.

    Ella was born March 18, 1869 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died July 6, 1902 in Darlington County, South Carolina at age 33.  She married on June 28, 1896 in Darlington County, South Carolina to James Buckner Hatchell, born about 1869 in Darlington County, South Carolina.

ELLA'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

JAMES’ ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Julius Walker "Buddy" and Nita Cornelia Hewitt Hatchell

NOTES:

• In a July 1, 1896 article taken from an unidentified area newspaper, a section describing the latest news from Wilson's Crossroads in Darlington County: “Mr. James Buckner Hatchell and Miss Ella Alexander were married last Sunday.”
• Old church records indicate Ella was baptized by Cypress Church in then Darlington County, South Carolina, August 22, 1875.  County lines changed, and that area is now in Lee County in the Cypress Community.
• Family lore has it that Ella was somewhat of a hypochondriac.  She actually was ill for several years, and died fairly young, just six years after her marriage.
• A researcher friend on the Internet, Jeff Hawkins found a 1900 U.S. Census survey for Darlington County that might have Ella and her family listed, but the “Head of Household” was a “John” Hatchell, instead of a “James”, but the wife was an “Ella”, and the dates do match.  Mistakes were often made in census surveys, but who knows about this particular one.  Mr. Hatchell’s name has also been seen as James Larry Hatchell as well as James Buckner Hatchell.  Back then some people had four names, i.e. John William Reese Alexander, so his name may have been James Larry Buckner Hatchell.  Just a guess.  The census also had two daughters and one son listed: Leila Hatchell, born April 1883; Traxler Hatchell (son), born April 1885; and Ila Hatchell, born May 1892.  If we’re talking about the same man, he was born in 1847, making him about 23 years older than Ella.  If he was the same man, he was married previously to the former Julia O. Anderson, born around 1858, and had 4 children listed in the 1880 U.S. Census for Darlington County, 3 daughters and 1 son.  They were: Josephine Hatchell age 5; Elliott L. Hatchell (son) age 4; Lula Hatchell age 2, and Nettie Hatchell age 2 months, who was the first wife of John Luther Alexander, Sr. of Darlington County  Nettie was born April 1, 1880.
• I believe Ella Hatchell to be the writer of a dramatic greiving obituary for her grandfather, Rev. John William Reese Alexander, who died in 1899.
  

        Eugene lived, died, and was buried in the Greenville, South Carolina area.

CARL'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Henry Lee "Harry" and Laura M. Raines Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

    Gamewell was born on February 17, 1864 in South Carolina, and died March 5, 1926 in the Mt. Pleasant community of Lee County, South Carolina at age 62.  She married Alexander Sylkirk "Sandy" Fields, born September 20, 1856, and died March 20,1914 at age 57.  Burial was at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Their “Woodmen of the World” grave marker is inscribed:  Forever with the Lord.

GAMEWELL'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Rev. John William Reese and Martha Anne E. Parnell Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Israel and Frances Saverance Parnell
• Paternal great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Paul and Hannah Huggins Saverance
• Paternal great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Maternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Susannah Murrell Saverance
• Maternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Elizabeth White Simmons Huggins
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodhamlexander Sylkirk "Sandy" Fields
  

SANDY’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Ira Bright and Nan Maria Parnell Fields

ISSUE of Gamewell and Sandy:

• Annie Fields was born on December 12, 1881 in South Carolina, and died March 19, 1943 at age 61.  She married Emery Rhett Huggins.  She's buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Mary Elizabeth "Mayme" Fields was born April 28, 1883 in South Carolina, and died November 1931 at age 48.  Mayme married George Franklin Sutton.  She's buried at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Lee County, South Carolina.  According to a grandson, Mayme’s death certificate lists her as “Mary Elizabeth”, but her grave marker has her as Mayme.
• Ida Gertrude Fields was born November 12, 1885 in South Carolina, She died November 9, 1949, just three days short of her 64th birthday.  Ida married Columbus Arthur Parnell.  She's buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• William Henry Fields was born November 9, 1887 in South Carolina, and died September 1, 1965.  He married Meta Virginia Jeffords.  Mrs. Fields reportedly kept records on William Henry Fields’ family history.  She's buried at Mt. Elon Baptist Church, Lee County, South Carolina.
• Ephraim Duncan Fields was born December 9, 1889 in South Carolina, and died March 28, 1974 at age 84.  He's reportedly buried at Society Hill Presbyterian Church, Society Hill, Darlington County, South Carolina.  He was married to Susan Margaret Hay, and had at least one child, Reuben Elbert Fields, born about 1916, and died November 18, 1999.  Reuben married the former Lucile Courtenay “Lucy” Stark.  They had (at the time of R.E. Field’s death) three offspring living: Lucy Fields (Harris) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sara Fields (Paris) of Grandview, Texas; and Julia Fields (Pendery) of Farmers Branch, Texas.  Reuben and Lucy were both active in the Alexander history until Reuben's death in 1999.
  
• Sidney Webber Fields was born March 28, 1892 in South Carolina, and died March 28, 1968.  He married on October 7, 1915 to Catherine Sarah “Kate” Griggs, born September 17, 1891, and died July 15, 1944 at age 52 (also have seen her as “Sara Katherine Griggs”).  She was a daughter of George W. and C. Victoria Byrd Griggs.  Sidney and Kate had, at least, seven children.  As a widower, Sidney married Katherine Hurley in December 1955 burial Society Hill Presbyterian Church, Society Hill, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Lewis Hamer Fields was born May 23, 1894 in South Carolina, and died October 31, 1959 at age 65.  He was buried at Lamar Cemetery, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.  He married Bertha Bell, who was born October 4, 1906, and died February 10, 1998.  Mr. Alexander served in World War I as a Private in Company F, 166 Infantry.
• John Newton Fields was born on August 18, 1895 in South Carolina, and died May 12, 1959.  He was buried at Washington, Pennsylvania where he resided for years.  He married Mildred Mary Jones, who was last known to have lived in a Pennsylvania nursing home.
• Roxie Fields, an infant, was born September 27, 1897, and died June 30, 1898 at 8 months.  Roxie reportedly was buried at New Hope Cemetery, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Samuel Carlisle "Carl" Fields was born on March 7, 1902 in South Carolina, died December 7, 1968 at age 66.  He's buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.  His marker states that he was a Sergeant in World War II with the 2114 Base Unit A.A.F.
• Clifton Wallace Fields was born on November 12, 1903 in Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina, and died on July 23, 1973 in Lamar at age 69.  He married on March 18, 1924 to Bessie Pearl Edwards, born October 9, 1900, and died February 10, 1976.  They had at least 2 children: Carolyn Wallace Fields; and Clarence Edwards Fields, born March 9, 1926, died February 13, 2007 at age 80.  He married on September 8, 1948 to Doris Jean Copeland, born March 23, 1928.  Clarence Edwards Fields is buried at Lamar Cemetery, Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Clarence Edwards served in the United States Navy in World War II.  He and Doris Jean had two children listed on their grave marker, Martha Jean Fields, and Clarence Edwards “Eddie” Fields, Jr., born August 21, 1952, died February 13, 2008.  Eddie (Jr.) married Linda McCray.
  
• Mae Kathleen Fields was born February 22, 1907 in Lamar, Darlington County, South Carolina, and died February 24, 1982, two days past her 75th birthday.  Mae Kathleen married William Melvin Riley.  She's buried at Black River Cemetery, Mayesville, Sumter County, South Carolina.
• Theron Howard Fields, born August 27, 1909, died October 28, 1980 at age 71.  He married Annie Laura Parnell daughter of Hamer Parnell, born 1913, died October 25, 1980, and had at least 6 children: Hamer Alexander Fields; Mary Frances Fields; Annie Fields; Ava Fields; Rebecca Fields; and Louise Fields.  He's buried at Black River Cemetery near Mayesville, Sumter County, South Carolina.

ISSUE from Sandy Fields' previous marriage to Lizzie Harris, who died about 1880:

• Norman Lucinda Fields was born January 8, 1877 in South Carolina, and died May 11, 1938 in South Carolina at age 61.  She married on March 8, 1896 to W. Ervin M. Brown, born April 19, 1864, and died January 14, 1940 at age 75.  They are buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Lamar.
• Esca Harmon Fields was born September 16, 1878 in South Carolina, and died July 9, 1966 in South Carolina.  He married Lida Gertrue Parnell (copied spelling).

NOTES:

• Although two researchers I know insist she was called “Gamewell”, her household’s survey in the 1900 Cypress Township, Darlington County, South Carolina U.S. Census lists her as only “Frances”.  She was 36 at the time of that census.
• Information from the 1880 U.S. Census for Cypress Township, Darlington County, South Carolina suggests that Gamewell may have been the only child of the union between Rev. William Alexander and the former Martha Anne E. Parnell, William’s second wife.  Gamewell was the only child listed in that census, and was 16 years old at that time.
• According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Cypress Township, Darlington County, South Carolina, Sandy and Gamewell had been married for about 24 years.  If so, and if both that figure and her birthday are correct, Gamewell would have only been around thirteen years old at the time of her marriage.  During the 1880 census, she was sixteen years of age and still living at home.  I’ve said it before... census takers made a lot of mistakes.
• One of Gamewell's half sisters, Elizabeth C. Alexander, married Gamewell's uncle, Robert Nelson Parnell.
• The obituary within this biography says that Gamewell was born in 1863, which is incorrect, according to her grave marker, which says 1864.  The obituary states that Gamewell died on March 6th, yet she actually died March 5th.  It goes on to say that she was 68 years old when she died, although she would have actually been 62.
• In the 1880 U.S. Census, Cypress, Darlington County, Sandy was shown as head of household, but with no wife.  Also listed were: Nan Maria Parnell Fields (Mary) (Sandy’s mother), who was listed as “Keeping House”; Sandy’s father had evidently died before this survey.  Both parents were born in South Carolina; Harmon E.B. Fields, age 5 (son); and Lusinda N. Fields, age 3 (daughter).  Also listed is Simon Capers, born about 1868.  Simon was an African-American hired laborer, age 12 at the time of the survey.
• The Alexanders farmed for a living.

OBITUARY written in newspaper style, but some of the content leaves one to believe the writer was close to the family.  Judging by the heading on the obituary, it’s also possible that the writer may have been an acquaintance of son Carl Fields.  It probably comes from a Bishopville newspaper, where Carl was a resident.

“Mrs. A.S. Fields
Mother of Carl Fields Passed Away in Mt. Pleasant Community

    Mrs. Gamewell Fields, wife of the late Alexander S. Fields, died at her home in the Mt. Pleasant community of Lee County, Friday morning, March 6 (March 5 is correct).  Her death was not unexpected as she had been in bad health for several years, but was only confined to her bed about three weeks.
    Mrs. Fields was the daughter of Rev. William and Mrs. Anne Alexander, and had lived all her life in the same community. She was a woman of Christian character and endeared herself to many friends.  She had been since early childhood a member of Newman Swamp Methodist Church and was always a faithful helper in God's work.
    She was 68 (62 is correct) years old in February, having been born in 1863 (1864 is correct).  The funeral was held at Newman Swamp Methodist Church Saturday morning at 11 o'clock, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Peeler.  Interment was in the church cemetery.  Her sons acted as pallbearers.
    She is survived by one half-brother, John Alexander of Timmonsville, two step-children, Mrs. Newman Brown and Esca Fields of Lee County, and four daughters and eight sons, as follows: Mrs. E.R. Huggins, Lynchburg; Mrs. G.F. Sutton, Winnsboro; Mrs. C.O. Parnell, Lamar; Mrs. Melvin Riley, Lynchburg; Henry, Lamar, Sidney and Duncan, Society Hill; J. Newton, Hollidaysburg, Pa.; Carl, Bishopville; Clifton, Mullins; Louis and Howard, who lived with her at the family home, and a number of grandchildren.  All of her children were at her bedside during her last illness.  Many friends sympathize with her family in her death.  The grave was completely covered with beautiful floral designs, which bespoke of the esteem in which she was held.”

    Gladys was born on March 8, 1921 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died April 22, 1969 in a Charleston, South Carolina hospital at age 48.  She first married to Olin Clyde Folsom of Darlington County, South Carolina, born May 6, 1916, died May 18, 1943 at age 27.  He was buried at the Honolulu Memorial Cemetery, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Plot Q Row 0 Grave 76.  A grave marker type of monument to him is located in his family's grave plot at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Gladys later married Wilbur Frank "Pat" McGinness of Higginsville, Lafayette County, Missouri, born June 11, 1922, died March 29, 1976 at age 53.  He died at a Veterans Administration Hospital at Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee.  He was buried at Madison National Cemetery, Madison, Tennessee adjacent to Nashville.  She married again in the early 1950s to Jacob Augustine "Jake" Ruther of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, born May 27, 1914 in Glouster, Athens County, Ohio, and died March 5, 1977 in Florence, Florence County, South Carolina.  Gladys and Jake are buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.

GLADYS' ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

OLIN’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Alvin S. and Cassandra B. (Nee?) "Cassie" Folsom of the Philadelphia Community of Darlington County, South Carolina.

PAT’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: James Leonard, born September 27, 1877, died in November of 1946 at age 69, and Sophia Leas "Sophie" McGinness, born in July of 1897 in Freedom Township, Lafayette County, Missouri, died February 4, 1971 at age 74
  
• Paternal grandparents: William L., born December 4, 1831, died July 4, 1911 at age 80, and Jane Matthews McGinness, born August 20, 1839 in County Antriam, Ireland, died January 1, 1907 at age 67 (William was originally married to Jane’s sister Eliza L. Matthews, born September 1834, died January 26, 1857 at age 23.  She is buried in McGinness Cemetery, Lafayette County, Missouri.  William and Jane are buried at Marvin Chapel Church Cemetery in Lafayette County, Missouri.
  
• Maternal grandparents: Casper, born August 4, 1865 in Preussen (Prussia, the old name for the area of Germany), died on August 2, 1940 in Missouri., and Ellen Delane (nee?) Leas, born 1874 in Missouri.  They married February 13, 1893 Marshall, Saline County, Missouri.
• Maternal great-grandparents: Henry, born about 1825 Preussen, and died in Missouri, and Kate (nee?) Leas, born about 1827 in Preussen.Alexander Ruther and Jake Ruther

JAKE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph and Caroline Ruther.  Joseph was from Austria, and Caroline was from Poland.  They immigrated to the U.S. in either late 1913 or early 1914.  Jake’s mother was pregnant with him on the way to America.

ISSUE from her marriage to Wilbur "Pat" McGinness:

• Patrick Val`ere McGinness, Sr. "Val", born September 1, 1948 in Warrensburg, Missouri.

NOTES:

• Gladys attended and graduated from Lamar High School after completing eleven grades.  That’s as far as they went back then.
• First husband Olin Folsom from the Philadelphia Community of Darlington County, South Carolina, was reportedly shipped off to World War II almost immediately following his marriage to Gladys.  He apparently was wounded, then became seriously ill, and died a short time later, reportedly from some sort of liver infection.  Olin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.  His name and three others, including Barney K. Alexander, Gladys’ brother, are inscribed on a gatepost at Philadelphia United Methodist Church, memorializing the church members who died in World War II.  Another monument to Olin is located at his family’s grave plot at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.  Gladys and Olin are said to have been childhood sweethearts.
• Pat McGinness' parents were farmers in Higginsville, Lafayette County, in west central Missouri where he grew up.  Pat finished law school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, but never practiced law as a career.  He was “Wilbur” to his family, but “Pat” to most everyone else.  Mr. McGinness is buried at the Madison National Cemetery, Madison, Tennessee, adjacent to Nashville.  He was Corporal in the U. S. Army.
• Jake's parents immigrated to America in 1914 while his mother was pregnant with him.  He was the oldest child of the family and first to attend school, teaching his entire family how to speak English.  At that time they lived in the coal mining hills of Glouster, Athens County in the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio.  The Ruthers later moved upstate a little, and lived in Barberton, Ohio, adjacent to Akron, in a community surrounded by many others of Prussian descent.  Jake’s Joseph Ruther was born in Austria, and mother Caroline was born in Poland, but they considered themselves to be basically German.
• Although Jake started out working in coalmines, he later managed a Shell Oil Company service station in Columbus, Ohio on the once highly traveled U.S. Route 40 or Broad Street.  Several years later he worked in South Carolina with brother-in-law Belvin Alexander for City Products as night manager.  City Products was an ice plant that mainly iced Atlantic Coast Line railroad cars.  Atlantic Coast Line was the name of the railroad company then, but now it’s C.S.X.  With the advent of refrigerated boxcars, City Products eventually closed, and Jake became a crane operator at a steel company in Florence where he worked until the time of his death.  He’d tell me that it was dangerous and stressing work, always afraid that he could hurt someone with the crane.
• After Gladys' death, Jake Ruther married Pauline (nee?), BORN: April 10, 1921, Darlington County, DIED: February 20, 1995, Florence County.  Pauline is buried to the left of Jake and Gladys’ graves.

OBITUARY from the Florence, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News dated April 24, 1969 (Page 2-A):

    “TIMMONSVILLE - Mrs. Gladys Alexander Ruther, 48, wife of Jacob Ruther of Florence, died Tuesday in a Charleston hospital after an illness of several months.
    Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 3 p.m. at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church by Rev. Thomas Truluck and Rev. Clyde Kerley.  Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, directed by Layton-Perry Funeral Home.
    Surviving are a son, Patrick V. McGinness of Charleston; seven brothers, Lee Alexander, Willard Alexander, Clifton Alexander, Joe Alexander of Timmonsville, Kenneth Alexander of Effingham, Belvin and Marvin Alexander of Florence; a sister, Mrs. Edgar (Mildred) Powers of Timmonsville.”

ARTICLE on Gladys’ first husband, Olin Folsom from a newspaper unknown to this research.  It’s dated, May 24, 1942, during World War II:

“DARLINGTON COUPLE NOTIFIED OF DEATH OF SOLDIER SON

    DARLINGTON, May 24 - Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Folsom, of Darlington County were today notified by the War Department of the death of their son, Private Olin Folsom, with the U.S. Army somewhere in the Pacific.  Early last week the couple received news informing them of their son's serious illness, and news of his passing reached here today, the message stating that he died on May 18.  Some time ago Private Folsom was wounded in action in the Southwest Pacific, and later his parents were informed by the War Department that he had been returned to active duty.  He had been in the service for more than a year.
    Private Folsom is survived by his parents, his wife, who was formerly Miss Gladys Alexander, and several brothers and sisters, two of the brothers also being in the service.  Memorial services were being planned today to be held in the Philadelphia Methodist Church, South, near here, some time in June.
    To date, Darlington has lost four men dead in the present World War, five missing.  Two men have lost their legs, and others seriously wounded.  This is the heaviest casualty list in the entire state.”

ARTICLE on Olin Folsom from a newspaper unknown to this research, dated June 1, 1942:

“BURIED WHERE HE DIED

     DARLINGTON, June 1 - Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Folsom of Darlington County, whose son, Private Olin Folsom, died somewhere in the Southwest Pacific on May 18, have been notified by the War Department that the body of the young man has been buried in the locality in which his death occurred and may be claimed after the war is over.
    Private Folsom died after being seriously ill in a hospital overseas in the Pacific for several weeks. He was 26 years of age, and was serving with the U.S. Army. He had been in the service for more than a year, and has a brother, J.B. Folsom, also with armed forces in Europe.
    Memorial services for the young man will be held sometime this month at the Philadelphia Methodist Church, South.”
 

    Earl was born May 9, 1909, and died on April 5, 1983 at 73 years old.  He married on December 30, 1936 to Inez Sansbury, born November 1, 1914, died  November 27, 1998 at age 84.  Earl and Inex are buried at Elim United Methodist Church, Oates community, Darlington County, South Carolina.

EARL'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Charles Engram "Charlie" and Ida Eula Jeffords Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

INEZ’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Eugene and Elizabeth Sansbury

  NOTES:

• These Alexanders lived in the Oates community of Darlington County, South Carolina for many years, and attended Oates' Elim United Methodist Church.

    Helen was born February 4, 1921, and died October 10, 1986 at age 65.  She married Robert White, Jr., born August 3, 1915, and died February 23, 2008 at age 92.  Although Robert had remarried after Helen's death, he and Helen are buried side by side at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.

HELEN'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. and Bertha Rosalie Lechner Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Maternal 3-great-grandfather: Amos Thornal
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE:

• Bertha Ann "Bert" White, born 1939
• Carol Jeanette White, born November 30, 1941
• Robert Randall White, born 1947
• Marilyn White, born June 21, 1949, died March 27, 1952.  She's buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.
  
• John Alexander "Johnny" White, born January 26, 1955

NOTE:

• Helen's great-great-great-grandfather on Bertha Lechner Alexander's side of the family was Amos Thornal of Darlington County, South Carolina.  Amos lived in a log cabin on the same land that is now Pine Grove United Methodist Church and its cemetery.  Although there are several Thornals buried in Pine Grove’s cemetery, formerly known as “Thornal Cemetery” (and mispronounced by some as Thornhill Cemetery and Thornwell Cemetery) back when the original Pine Grove Methodist Church was in another location, I’ve not been able to find a marker bearing Amos’ name.  Not everyone used granite or marble for gravestones back then, and the wooden ones decomposed over the years, so his marker may have been one of those.  I’ve been told that granite was not readily available in that area of South Carolina until about 1850.

    Henry was born July 25, 1873 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died on March 7, 1948 in South Carolina at age 74.  He married on June 23, 1900, to the former Laura M. Raines of the High Hill Township, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Henry was born May 10, 1882, and died February 15, 1957 at age 75.  They are reportedly buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Greenville, South Carolina.

HENRY'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

LAURA’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines

ISSUE:

• Carl H. Alexander
• John Lee Alexander
• Leland S. Alexander
• James H. Alexander
• Lewis R. Alexander
• William Alexander
• Eugene E. Alexander

NOTES:

• It appears that Henry and Laura had only boys.  The family moved out of the Darlington County area to Greenville, South Carolina, and remained there.  Laura worked in what was known as a “sewing room” in Greenville.  In their day, Greenville was a giant in the textile industry.  It’s probable that Henry and Laura moved to Greenville specifically to work in the textile industry, but that’s just a supposition.  Henry is said to have operated a barbershop in the Poe Community of Greenville at one time in his life.
• Laura’s parents lived in the High Hill Township of Darlington County, not far from Timmonsville.  Edward Raines was born in August of 1848, and Sallie A. (nee?) Raines was born in August of 1849.  The couple is listed in the 1900 Darlington County, South Carolina U. S. Census.
• For whatever reason, Henry was listed as “Harry” on a couple of early U.S. Census surveys for Darlington County in his father's household.  I once asked Henry’s daughter-in-law, Carl Alexander’s wife, Dorothy S. (nee?) Alexander (Dot), told me in 1997 that she never knew of him being called "Harry".  It may have been that the census taker was one of those who would take a person’s name and enter the popular nickname for that name on the survey instead of the actual name, and Harry is a nickname for Henry.  It’s also possibly that Henry didn’t like the name Harry and dropped it.

    James was born November 24, 1910 in Florence County, South Carolina, and died November 5, 1996 at age 85.  He married on January 10, 1937 to Virginia Louise Mixon, born January 1, 1920 in Florence County, South Carolina, and died on January 25, 2000 at age 80.  The couple is buried at Westview Memorial Cemetery, Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina.  James was buried on November 7, 1996, and Virginia on January 27, 2000.

JAMES' ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Charles Engram "Charlie" and Ida Eula Jeffords Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

VIRGINIA’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Edward Leon "Eddie" and Docia "Docie" Windham Mixon

ISSUE:

• Ervin Alexander
• Louise Alexander

NOTES:

• According to the Social Security Death Index, James’ Social Security card was issued in North Carolina.
• These Alexanders were longtime residents of Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina.

OBITUARY from the newspaper Florence Morning News, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, dated November 7, 1996:

    “Hartsville - Funeral services for James Ervin Alexander, Sr., 85, who died Tuesday, November 5, 1996, will be today, November 7, at 4 p. m. from the Lakeview Baptist Church.  The Rev. Don Purvis will officiate.  Burial will be in the Westview Memorial Cemetery, directed by Norton Funeral Home.
    Mr. Alexander was born in Florence County, a son of the late Charlie I. (the letter “I” is incorrect) and Ida Jeffords Alexander.  He was retired from Hartsville Coffee County and was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church.
    Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Virginia Mixon Alexander of Hartsville; one son, Ervin Alexander of Hartsville; one daughter, Mrs. Louise Stephens of Prosperity; two sisters, Mrs. Sally Newsome of Hartsville and Mrs. Leola Watford of Lamar; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one 2-great-grandchild.”

OBITUARY for Virginia Mixon Alexander from the newspaper Florence Morning News, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, dated January 26, 2000:

    “Hartsville - Funeral services for Virginia Mixon Alexander, 80, who died Tuesday, January 25, 2000 will be at 3 p.m. Thursday from the Lakeview Baptist Church. Dr. Don Purvis will officiate.  Burial will be in Westview Memorial Cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home.
    Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
    Mrs. Alexander was born in Florence County, a daughter of the late Eddie and Docie Windham Mixon. She was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church and retired from the Hartsville Mill.
    Surviving are a son, Ervin Alexander of Hartsville; a daughter, Mrs. Louise Stephens of Prosperity; a sister, Mrs. Connie Rogers of Timmonsville; a brother, E.L. Mixon of Timmonsville; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a 2-great-grandchild.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, James Ervin Alexander.”
 

    James reportedly was born, lived, died, and was buried in the Greenville, South Carolina area.

JAMES' ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Henry Lee "Harry" and Laura M. Raines Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

    Clifton was born May 26, 1906 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died May 12, 1973 in Florence County, South Carolina at age 66.  He married Mavie Edna Jolly, born October 12, 1911, and died April 30, 1981 at age 69.  Clifton and Mavie are buried at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church, Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.

CLIFTON'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

MAVIE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Silas BORN: 1886 DIED: 1942 and Queenie (nee?) Jolly BORN: 1892 DIED: deceased, but death date was not engraved on her grave marker BURIAL: Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina

ISSUE:

• Alma Jean Alexander, born October of 1929
• Edna Ruth Alexander, born December 28, 1932, and died February 19, 1996
• Jessie Clifton  Alexander (Jr.), born November 19, 1934
• Laurie Silas Alexander, born February 3, 1937
• Frances Laura "Fran" Alexander, born March 27, 1939
• John Gee Alexander, born February 6, 1942
• Gerald Wesley "Jerry" Alexander, born December 21, 1943
• Jack Stanley Alexander, born July 15, 1946
• Russell Dale Alexander, born August 11, 1949
• Franklin Lee "Frank" Alexander, born May 24, 1951, and died April 8, 1978 at age 26.  He's buried at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church, Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.

NOTES:

• The eldest of his siblings, Clifton last lived in Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.
• In the obituary in this biography, Mrs. Duewell Spring was the former Ruth Alexander MARRIAGE: Duewell Spring BORN: July 11, 1929 DIED: April 28, 2005 at age 75
• Also, in the obituary, Jessie Clifton, Jr., who was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Alaska, is now semi-retired and living in Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina.  Jessie has an avid interest in the origins of our family.

TRIBUTE - DAUGHTER FRAN REMEMBERS

    “It is only human nature for children to think that they know more than their parents when they are young.  It takes becoming a parent yourself to really understand and appreciate your parents.  It is only then that you can realize the hopes, dreams, fears and sorrows that your parents experienced.
    We know that Clifton had many dreams that were never fulfilled.  Because of having very little money, there was no need to worry about it.  It was difficult for him to take care of his ten children but he always managed somehow.  Perhaps most of them remember the hard times and can somehow love him even more for trying.
    He tried hard to do his best by us.  He fed and clothed us and disciplined and loved us.  Times were hard but he always tried to spend the last dollar or fifty cents to make one of us happy - a candy bar, or soda or something that he knew we wanted.
    In his younger years he worked on the W.P.A., and had to give it up because of a crippling spinal disease that eventually made him totally disabled.  He was always a farmer, and even though he wasn't physically able to do a lot of work himself, he made sure his children did it.  Oh! How we hated it when he would get us started in the field to work and then he would take off and not come back until it was nearly dark.  Little did we know the pain he suffered but by now most of his children have been afflicted with the disease he had, some more severe than others and now we know a little of his suffering.
    Whenever someone would come along and pay a compliment on the garden or a tobacco or cotton field, he would strut like a peacock!  We suppose he was proud of what his children had done to receive such compliments.
    Clifton was a great fisherman.  It seems as though he always felt like fishing when he could not do anything else.  As children we never knew how many BC Headache Powders or Anacin he had to take just to feel like fishing.  He would always get us started digging bait, and as soon as we had enough to start he would take one of us to carry his tackle box, and he would go to the river bank leaving the rest of us behind to dig enough worms to fill the remaining cans.  We always got to fish later though.
    Another of his great loves was sports of any kind, but some form of ball was his favorite because he loved to watch his sons (all seven) play.  This brought him much pleasure.  He was proud of his children.  He also loved a radio because he would stay up late at night to hear a fight or wrestling or some sports show.  We believe it was in his blood.
    Clifton was a very generous man.  He would have given away everything we had if our mama would have let him.  Her concern was for her children.  There were times when he would have us load the back of our old car with turnips, collards, sweet potatoes or whatever was in season and go to town, park the car and go in the stores and tell people to go get whatever they wanted.  He loved ‘hog killing’ days when he could have relatives, neighbors and friends come and help and when we were finished he always seemed to have given away more than we kept.  We didn't know at the time but that was the Lord's way of returning our blessings - the more you give, the more you receive.
    He loved to laugh.  He would laugh so hard he would shake all over.  Hopefully laughing covered some of his pain.  Laughter comes from a merry heart and worketh like a good medicine.  There were many occasions where he would laugh until tears would run down his face.  One of these times came about on a hot summer day when Clifton was sitting under a Chinaberry tree and kept complaining about the heat and one of his sons-in-law decided to try to help him by cutting his pants leg off and making him some Bermudas.  As he cut the pants off up above the knees, the material began to rip and before he knew it, the entire crotch had ripped out leaving him in quite a predicament.  His son-in-law just walked away and left in laughing tears.  There were many moments such as this.
    Clifton sharecropped many years for G.K. Young, one of the finest and most honest men in the community.  He always treated Clifton and his family as if we were part of his own family.  We were blessed to have G.K. and his wife Mildred be such a vital part of our lives.”

OBITUARY that was probably from the Florence, Florence County, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News:

    “TIMMONSVILLE - Funeral services for Jessie Clifton Alexander will be conducted Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church by the Rev. Freddie Yound and the Rev. Thomas Terry.  Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Layton-Perry Funeral Home.
    Mr. Alexander, 66, died Saturday in a Florence hospital after a short illness.
    He was born in Darlington County, a son of the late Joseph and Fannie Hancock Alexander.
    Mr. Alexander was a retired farmer, and a member of the Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church and the Woodmen of the World.
    Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mavie Jolly Alexander of the home; seven sons, Jerry Alexander, Laurie Alexander, and Russell Alexander, all of Timmonsville, Frank and Jack Alexander, both of Rochester, New York, John Alexander of Cassett, and Jessie C. Alexander, Jr. of U.S. Air Force, Alaska; three daughters, Mrs. James William Brown of North Augusta, Mrs. Duewell Spring of Florence, and Mrs. Bill Lovelace of Fayetteville, N.C.; five brothers, Lee Alexander, Willard Alexander, and Joe Alexander, all of Timmonsville, Belvin Alexander of Florence and Kenneth Alexander of Effingham; a sister, Mrs. Edgar Powers of Timmonsville; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.”

    John Lee Alexander reportedly was born, lived, died, and was buried in the Greenville, South Carolina area.

JOHN LEE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Henry Lee "Harry" and Laura M. Raines Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

    Luther was born January 23, 1878 South Carolina, and died January 25, 1955 at age 77.  He first married in 1899 to Nettie Hatchell, born April 1, 1880, died June 25, 1916 at age 36.  He later married Bertha Rosalie Lechner, born October 17, 1876 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died April 6, 1969 at age 92.  Luther and Bertha are buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina, and Nettie is buried at Lake Swamp Baptist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Buried near Nettie are her daughter, Ruth, and son, John Luther, Jr.

LUTHER'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NETTIE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: James Larry and Julia O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell

BERTHA’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Frank C. and Martha Thornal Lechner
• 2-great-grandfather: Amos Thornal, reportedly buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Cemetery, Darlington County, South Carolina, which once was his land, and known then as Thornal Cemetery.  As far as I know his grave is not visible.

ISSUE from Nettie Hatchell Alexander:

• Mary Alexander
• Ruth Alexander (an infant)
• John Luther Alexander, Jr. (an infant)
• Sadie E. Alexander
• Lena Miriam Alexander
• Bertha Marie Alexander
• Arnold Ceil Alexander (Sr.)
• Julia Louise Alexander

ISSUE from Bertha Lechner Alexander:

• Carol Alexander (an infant)
• Helen Flora Alexander

NOTES:

• Luther and his family are found in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census for Darlington County, South Carolina, living in the High Hill Township of Darlington County, not far from Timmonsville, living either next to or on the same property with both his father and brother Charlie’s family.  Luther was 23 at the time, and had been married to Nettie for a year.  Nettie was 20 at the time of the survey.  The only child listed at that time was Sadie E., who was two months old.
• Nettie died from “Bright’s Disease”, as did her father, James Larry Hatchell.  Luther’s second wife, Bertha Lechner Alexander helped care for Nettie her fatal illness.
• Nettie’s father was born in 1846, and died in 1912 at about age 66, and her mother, Julia (nee?) Hatchell was born in 1858, and died during 1893 at about age 35.

ARTICLE from the Florence, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News, dated February 6, 1958:

“MRS. ALEXANDER, SENIOR CITIZEN, RECALLS HER LIFE
by Bess Truman

    Mrs. Bertha Lockner Alexander, 81, lives with her sister-in-law, Miss Maggie Alexander in the Lake Swamp community of Darlington County, just across the Florence County line.
    Her father was a Yankee and fought against her mother's first husband, who, through the irony of fate, was killed in jumping from a train in his hurry to get home quickly after the close of the Confederate War.  Her Yankee father liked the South so much that he drove a pack of horses down South after the war to sell, met Bertha's mother and married her.
    Her great-great grandfather, Amos Thornhill (Thornal is correct), helped organize the Lake Swamp Church, the first in Lake Swamp. He lived in a one-room log house, one of the oldest in Darlington County, was buried in the yard under a big oak tree, to which his son added another log room and hallway and moved it closer to the road. Their former home site was later converted into a cemetery, with Bertha's 2-great-grandfather's grave remaining in it.  Bertha says the big oak sheltering it only fell from age a few years ago.
    Bertha, her mother, and her grandmother were born in this log house, though Bertha says the outside had been all weather boarded when she first remembers it.  On his death, an uncle, who inherited it, deeded it to Pine Grove Baptist (Methodist is correct) Church, which still stands and can be seen from Bertha's home.
    “Well, I taught school for 13 years, ten before my marriage and three afterward.’ said Bertha.  ‘Yes, she is considered on of the best educated Senior Citizens in the Lake Swamp community.’ interrupted Maggie, her sister-in-law.
    ‘Well, I did go to college about five years,’ agreed Bertha, ‘though not all to the same college.  I started to Converse College first with my older sister; but entered the academic department, corresponding to high school the first year, as I had not yet finished night school before going with her sister.  In the middle of the second year, my sister died and the school burned, so I transferred to Columbia College (later changed to Queen's College and moved to Charlotte).  Then while visiting relatives in Georgia, they persuaded my mother to send me to National Park Seminary in Washington, where I received my B.S. degree.’
    ‘I was a county demonstrator agent for three years, conducting a course in this work with Miss Edith Parrott at Coker College, the first, I believe that was ever held.’
    ‘I married John Luther and had he lived until January 24 of this year, we would have been married 41 years.  He was a widower with six children, the youngest, Arnold, being only 4 ½ years old.  He now manages my farm for me.  The oldest, Sadie now deceased, married two weeks after I did; Julia married Herbert Jordan, who is now county manager of Darlington County.  Mary lives in Darlington and Lena married a Mr. Nivens of Charlotte.  In two weeks after my husband died, 20 years ago, Sadie married, and in two more weeks, Maggie, my husband's sister, who has devoted the best years of her life caring for her sister's children, then came to live with me and we have lived together ever since.’
    ‘Maggie has her own living quarters in the front of the house and we both spend every night at my own daughter's, Mrs. White whose home you can see at the cross roads, just a step away, across the street from the store.  We do our chores before leaving in the short winter days.  I live mostly on the young sprouts of corn and navy beans started in pure sand before their roots have hardly started.  I contribute my good health to this died, eating about 30 tiny young plants at a time, though I do use and infra...’” (Remainder of the article not available.)

NOTES:

• Another article about Maggie and Bertha is included with Maggie Louise Alexander's biography.
• The niece mentioned in the article, “Mrs. White”, was “Helen” Flora Alexander White.
• Although I made the effort to locate Nettie’s obituary in the Florence Morning News and “The State” (Columbia, South Carolina), she doesn’t seem to have had one published.

OBITUARY for Luther from the newspaper Florence Morning News, January 27, 1955:

    “Darlington, January 26 - J. Luther Alexander, 77, of the Pine Grove Community died last night at home after an illness lasting several months.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Pine Grove Methodist church. The pastor, the Rev. B.S. Hughes will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Luther Shealy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
    Mr. Alexander was born in Darlington County, son of the late John Wesley Alexander and Sally Stewart.  He was for 15 years a member of the Darlington County Board, and for 30 years he had been superintendent of the Sunday School at the Piney Grove Church.  He was chairman of the board of stewards at the church and was treasurer of the church building fund. He was one of the most outstanding leaders of his community.
    Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Bertha L. Alexander; one son, Arnold C. Alexander of Darlington County; five daughters, Mrs. E.T. Nivens of Charlotte, Mrs. David Fields of Hartsville, Mrs. Herbert l. Jordan and Mrs. Archie McKay, both of Timmonsville, and Mrs. Robert White Jr. of Darlington County; one brother, Joe K. Alexander of Timmonsville; one sister, Miss Maggie Alexander of Darlington; 24 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.”

OBITUARY for Bertha Lechner Alexander from the newspaper Florence Morning News, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, April 7, 1969:

    “Darlington - Mrs. Bertha Lechner Alexander, 92, of the Pine Grove Community of Darlington County, died early Sunday morning in a Darlington hospital after a brief illness.
    Funeral services will be Monday at 4 p.m. in the Pine Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. R.N. Wells officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Kistler Funeral Home.
    Mrs. Alexander was born in Darlington County, a daughter of the late Frank C. and Martha Thornell Lechner.  She was a lifelong resident of Darlington County and the widow of the late J. Luther Alexander who died in 1955.  She was a member of the Pine Grove United Methodist Church where she was a teacher of the Bertha Alexander Sunday School Class.  She was a member of the Pine Grove WSCS.
    Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Helen) White Jr. of Darlington; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Herbert I. (Julia) Jordan of Darlington; 25 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.
    Pallbearers will be Otto Davis, Olin DuBose, Henry Wallace, Charley Ham, Alvin DeWitt, and Earl Wallace.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Men's Bible Class of the Pine Grove United Methodist Church”

John Wesley Alexander
"John"
Florence County, South Carolina

    John was born August 26, 1846 in the area called Cureton’s Bridge Post Office, Henry County, Alabama, and died on February 13, 1934 at his home, “Lone Tree Farm”, located in the Lake Swamp Community of Florence County, South Carolina near Timmonsville, at the present-day Darlington County line at age 87.  He was married on February 1, 1866 to Sarah Ann M. "Sallie" Stewart, born February 16, 1840, died December 15, 1917 at age 77, leaving John a widower for 16 years.

JOHN'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Maternal great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

SALLIE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart

ISSUE:

• Mary A. Elizabeth Alexander
• Ella L. Alexander
• Charles Engram "Charlie" Alexander
• Henry Lee "Harry" Alexander
• Mattie Viola Alexander
• John Luther Alexander, Sr.
• Maggie Louise Alexander
• Addie Olivia Alexander
• Joseph Kirkland "Joe" Alexander, Sr.

NOTES:

• According to everyone who knew him, and his legacy on paper, John W. Alexander was a extremely well-liked, as well as influential, citizen in his community.  One of his grandsons, the late Willard Alexander, told me a family story about John Wesley went to the aid of a student who was about to be expelled by extremely disgruntled school officials.  Despite the low odds of that boy being vindicated, John's “good word” evidently caused the boy to stay in school.
• Some in the family have said that John Wesley Alexander wrote an article/s for “Florence Morning News”.
• John died at “Lone Tree Farm”, his residence in the Lake Swamp area of Florence County, South Carolina near Timmonsville, at the present-day Darlington County line.  A couple of decades ago, the farm turned into a golf course and a relatively a short time later it went out of business.  The land has been developed since then now there are several houses on the property, and a business or two including a horse stable.  A cemetery used in John Wesley Alexander’s day, located at the edge of his property, is not far from the road, North Sallie Hill Rd., and the creek crossing the road into Darlington County  A subdivision now makes that graveyard legally inaccessible.  Those buried there include Charlie Alexander’s first wife, Olivia, and some of their children.  I spoke to a man who lives in a house in front of the cemetery site, but he recommended that I come back and investigate the burying ground when colder weather comes around, so I wouldn’t run into snakes.
• Several of my elder Alexander aunts and uncles have told me that a holly bush, once located at the corner of North Sallie Hill Rd. and, ironically, Holly Bush Road was in a straight line with John’s house across the road.  The problem is that the holly bush was removed in the last few years, probably by county workers who had no idea of its purpose or signifigance to the older family members and others of that area.  It was also a landmark for people giving directions back then, and up until the time it was removed.
• In a list of baptisms on the Lynches Creek Circuit of the South Carolina Methodist Conference, John’s father, William Alexander, and stepmother, Anne Parnell Alexander had four of John’s children baptized.  The location was probably Cypress Church.  On the list were: Ella Alexander; Charlie Engall Alexander (Engram is correct); Henry Lee Alexander; and Mattie Viola Alexander.
• Listed as living in John’s High Hill Township home in the 1900 U.S. Census survey for Darlington County, South Carolina were (transcribed by an anonymous person from the censustaker’s handwritten survey): Sarah A. Alexander, 60 (wife); Hary L. Alexander, 26 (son); Maggie L. Alexander, 20 (daughter); Addie O. Alexander, 17 (daughter); and Joseph K. Alexander, 15 (son).  A couple of notes on the aforementioned survey of family members: “Harry” is a nickname for Henry, as he was formally named Henry Lee Alexander; and Addie was listed in the census as Addie G. in the transcription, but after I checked the handwritten census survey, it was the censustaker’s rendition of an “O” that was mistaken by the transcriptionist.  I asked Dorothy “Dot” Alexander, a daughter-in-law, if she had ever heard anybody call Henry “Harry”, and she said, “No”.  “Head of Household” John was 53 years old at the time of the 1900 survey, and he was listed as having been married for 34 years, a farmer, and as the renter of the farm he was working at the time.  All his listed children were single back then.  Also in that census, John’s family, and two of his son’s families lived next to each other in High Hill.  The 2 sons listed in that survey were: John Luther Alexander, who was married to the former Nettie Hatchell then; and Charles Engram Alexander (Charlie), who was then married to the former Frances Olivia Jernigan (Olivia), who died about 7 years later.  Each son had a child in his home that year, Luther had daughter Sadie E. Alexander, who was 2 months old at the time, and Charlie had Asa Junious Alexander (Junious) in the household, who was a 1-year-old.
• In the 1910 and 1920 census, John was found in the Ebenezer Township of Florence County, South Carolina.  John was 66 in the 1910 survey, and his wife, on the list as Sallie M. was also 66.  That was to be her last census survey.  Living close by was son Charlie Alexander in both the 1910 and 1920 surveys.  In 1900, John and Sallie’s youngest son, Joseph Kirkland Alexander (Joe) was still at his parents’ home, but he was not in the 1910 survey.  By 1920, Sallie Stewart Alexander had died, and daughter Maggie Alexander was erroneously listed as John’s wife.  That’s easy to understand, because Maggie was a take-charge sort of person, and the census taker probably thought she was John’s wife due to her assertiveness.  However, Maggie was only 38 years old at the time John was 73.  In the survey, daughter Addie’s sons, Luther Carlisle Hill and Gary Hill were living in the home at the time listed as “Nephew”’s.  Carlisle was 13, and Gary was 11.  They were Maggie’s nephews, but not “Head of Household” John’s.  It’s apparent that the census taker didn’t quite grasp the correct relationships within that household, and more evidence that census takers made plenty of mistakes.  I’ve seen mistakes in almost every census survey I’ve dealt with over the years.  Some census takers were more “on top of it” than others.  They seemed to have been more interested in numbers of people rather than correctness of details.
• In the 1930 survey, John was only living with daughter Maggie, and grandson Luther Carlisle Hill on Lone Tree Farm in the Lake Swamp Community of Florence County, just inside the Florence County line.  Darlington County was right across the creek.  That would be John’s last U.S. Census, as he died there just a few years later at the farm.  Carlisle Hill, who was 24 at the time of the survey died about five years later himself at age 29.  Since the boy’s parents died earlier in his life, Maggie was their guardian.  The boys’ birth parents were John Limuel and Addie Olivia Alexander Hill.  Limuel died in 1910, and Addie died in 1911.  Family members have said that they think the couple died from complications of a flu epidemic.  I haven’t researched that.

Newspaper ARTICLE on John’s last birthday party, possibly written by his daughter, Maggie Alexander:

“FAMILY REUNION HELD - HONOR 87TH BIRTHDAY

    On Saturday, August 26, J. W. Alexander reached the ripe age of eighty-seven, and members of his family gathered at his home, Lone Tree Farm, about four miles from Timmonsville for a pleasant reunion in honor of the occasion.
    Mr. Alexander is one of Florence County's honored Confederate Veterans.  He has six children living, and of these the following were present on this happy occasion: C.E. Alexander, J.L. Alexander, J.K. Alexander, Mrs. G.C. Hatchell and Miss Maggie Alexander.
    Forty-nine grand children and great grandchildren were in attendance, with other members of his family, totaling sixty-five, with about 25 other guests and relatives, making ninety in all.  Among them were two preachers, the Rev. L.W. Shealy of the Marlboro Circuit, and the Rev. J.F. Campbell, now pastor of Epworth.
    About one o'clock a bountiful picnic dinner was served in the shade of the trees about the home.  The aged honoree was feeling his best and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, the good fellowship and the good wishes of his many relatives and friends.  It was a happy day for all, and when leaving they expressed the hope that Mr. Alexander would see many more happy birthdays.”

OBITUARY from the Florence, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News.  Back years ago, family sometimes wrote obituaries for publication.  Maggie Alexander, John’s schoolteacher daughter is believed to have written this obituary, as well as for others in the family:

“Taps For Brave Soldier Sound
Funeral Services for John W. Alexander At Timmonsville Today

Special to Morning News:
    TIMMONSVILLE, February 14 - Funeral services for John W. Alexander, 87, gallant Confederate veteran who died Tuesday night at his home a few miles from Timmonsville, will be held Thursday morning 11 o'clock from the Pine Grove Methodist church conducted by his pastor, the Rev. J.F. Campbell.  Interment will follow in the Thornwell Cemetery beside the grave of his wife.
    Mr. Alexander enlisted in the Confederate army at the age of fifteen years and served throughout the war.  He was a member of Culpepper Camp, U.C.V. of Timmonsville.  For thirty years he had been superintendent of the Pine Grove Methodist Sunday School being assisted the last few years by his son Luther Alexander.
    Mr. Alexander was a splendid Christian gentleman and his influence for good has been far reaching.  His death, due to heart trouble from which he had been suffering for some time, brings sorrow to a host of friends.
    Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. George Hatchell and Miss Maggie Alexander and four sons; J.L., J.K., C.E. Alexander all of the Timmonsville section, and H.L. Alexander of Greenville.  He also leaves 32 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and four 2-great-grandchildren.  The pallbearers will be six grandsons: Gary Hill, Roy Hatchell, Lee, Arnold, James, and Earl Alexander.”

OBITUARY for John written by John's pastor, published in the March 15, 1934 issue of the Methodist periodical Southern Christian Advocate, page 12, column 2:

    “On February 13, 1934, death came into our midst and removed from the home, church and Sunday school one of the most faithful and beloved members, Bro. John Wesley Alexander, 87 years 5 months and 17 day of age.  He was the son of the late Rev. John William Alexander who died in the year 1903*.  His loving wife passed through the gate of death in 1917, leaving him a widower for the past 17 years.
    Brother Alexander gave his heart to God around 45 years ago and had a rich experience until the day came when he fell asleep.  He really did fall asleep.  On Friday night preceding his death, realizing that he was soon to pass out, he called all who were near to his bedside and talked and prayed with them closing with a benediction.  He then went into a state of coma and breathed his last on the following Tuesday night.  He served as steward of Pine Grove Methodist Church for quite a number of years and was superintendent of the Sunday school until the day of his death.  He died in harness for his Lord.
    He was a member of the league of Confederacy, having served all four years in the war between the States.  During this war his life was saved by a pocket Testament.  A bullet, which perhaps would have pierced his heart, struck the Testament in his pocket and his life was spared.
    He is survived by six children: Charlie Alexander, H.L. Alexander, J. Luther Alexander, Joseph Alexander, Mrs. G.C. Hatchell, and Miss Maggie Alexander; also 40 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.  He is gone but not forgotten.  His works do follow him.

FOOTNOTES:

* On the previous obituary: 1899 is correct.   ** Reverend J.F. Campbell.

TRIBUTE BY A FRIEND

    Handwritten by John Wigfall Ivy of Timmonsville, South Carolina.  It was dated February 27, 1934.  As a side note, John Ivy is buried at Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville:

“Deceased
JOHN WESLEY ALEXANDER
An Appreciation
By John W. lvy

    Having known Mr. John Wesley Alexander, intimately, for almost half a century, I am pleased to write the following lines in appreciation of his sterling worth as a man and Christian whose influence for good among men can scarcely be fully estimated.
 

 J  is for Justice, in thought, word, and deed,
O  is for Oneness, in purpose and in creed,
H  is for Honesty, until life shall end,
N  is for Nothing, but truth and honor defend.

W is for Worship of our Father above,
E is for Everyone embraced in His love,
S is for Strength of heart, mind, and soul,
L  is for Leader to our heavenly goal,
E  is for Earnestness in every effort made,
Y  is for Yield nothing until right is staid.

A is for All should walk in love's way,
L is for Loyalty, when justice holds sway,
E  is for Energy, to fight for the right,
X  is for X-ray, giving more light,
A  is for Almighty, in whom we should hide,
N  is for Never, desert our guide,
D  is for Doing, as The Master taught,
E  is for Eternal life, that He brought,
R  is for Remember, to live as we ought.”

OBITUARY for Sallie Stewart Alexander, believed to have been written by her daughter, Maggie Louise Alexander:

    “SARAH A.M. ALEXANDER - Was born February 16, 1840 and died December 15, 1917.  She was married to Mr. J.W. Alexander February 1, 1866.  In early life she united with the Methodist Church at Philadelphia, where she held her membership until after her marriage.  She remained a faithful member of the Methodist Church until after her death.
    In earlier life, she was identified with the Sunday School at Newman Swamp as teacher.  In her later years, she was a member of the Missionary Society at Pine Grove for several years, acting as treasurer and did what she could to make the work a success.  Though she was in failing health several months, yet she seldom missed a service from church.  She leaves a husband and six children.
    One brother, *C.W. Stewart and one sister, **Mrs. J.P. Mozingo, are still living.
    She realized fully that she was nearing the end of her days.  She was seriously ill only a few days.
    She expressed herself as ready to go when the call should come.”

FOOTNOTES:

* C.W. Stewart was born in March of 1848 in old Darlington District, South Carolina.  He was mentioned in Sallie’s obituary as one of the two remaining siblings.  He was Charles Willoby Stewart, who married Margaret Ellen Beasley, born September 7, 1853, and died July 16, 1911 at age 57.  They are reportedly buried at  Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.
** Mrs. J.P. Mozingo, born April 18, 1841, died August 24, 1929, was mentioned as one of the two surviving Stewart siblings in sister Sallie’s obituary.  She was Martha C. "Mattie" Stewart, who married on July 11, 1886 to James Pressley Mozingo, Sr., born September 23, 1845 in the Stokes Bridge community of old Darlington District, South Carolina.  He died on November 23, 1925 at age 80.  James was a son of Rev. McKenzie Mozingo and Anna "Annie" Skinner Mozingo.  His name is listed on a Newman Swamp Methodist Church record as being “local preacher” in the area, along with John William Reese Alexander, Joseph Hendrix, and Miles H. Joye.  James and Mattie are buried at Hebron United Methodist Church in the Stokes Bridge community of (now) Lee County, South Carolina, outside of Bishopville.

REMINISCENCE” OF JOHN WESLEY ALEXANDER

     This autobiographical story of veteran Confederate soldier Pvt. John Alexander’s life centers mostly on the War Between the States, which he entered by telling the Confederates that he was older than he really was.  The story was told to his schoolteacher daughter, Maggie Alexander, on December 12, 1932, not too many months before he died.  From all I've learned about Maggie, she knew that her father’s life, and what he had to say about it, was significant enough to have historical interest.  I'm sure she urged him to help her put on paper what his life was like living through some the Civil War's most horrific and famous battles, nearly dying several times during that era, but not from injury.
    Keep in mind as you read this that John was a fortunate man to have survived the Civil War.  The North and South combined lost an estimated 623,000 of its best men in that war.

    “I was born August 26, 1846, in Henry County, Alabama.  My parents emigrated from Alabama when I was about three years old.  My mother died when I was about four years old, so I have never known the love of a mother.
    In writing this, I wish to relate some of the most impressive experiences of my life as a soldier during my four years of service in the War Between the States as best I can remember them now.
    I was too young to realize what I was getting into when I entered the war.  I had a pal, John W. DuBose, who was older than I.  He had enlisted for service, and as I loved him dearly, I could not bear for him to leave me.  It was because of his influence that I volunteered to go to the army, as I was not quite fifteen years of age.  My pal and I were in all the conflicts.
    I entered the war in 1861.  W.I. Carter of Cartersville was my captain, his company A, 14th South Carolina Regiment.  We were trained for service at a place called Lightwood Knot Springs, near Columbia, South Carolina.  I was in training about three months, served on the coast about Beaufort Island until the second day of May, 1862.
    The Northern troops were encamped on Beaufort Island.  We had several skirmishes around and near Port Royal and Beaufort Island.  In these skirmishes, very few lives were lost.  On the twenty-second day of May, 1862, we got orders to go to the Northern Army at Richmond, Virginia.
    A short while after this we went into hostilities.  The comptroller of the Northern Army was General McClellan.  Among those in my company were my pal, John W. DuBose, Sewell W. DuBose, Henry DuBose, George Scarborough, Marion Large, Charlie and Alexander Stuckey.
    Alexander Stuckey was an orderly sergeant.  He was wounded at The Battle of the Wilderness.  A minnie ball struck him on one side of the head going through it and came out on the other side.  I reported him as dead.  He was taken to some hospital and recovered.  Sewell DuBose was a brave soldier.  After the war, he married Elizabeth Gwynn Jenkins, and reared a large and intelligent family of children.  Marion Large married a daughter of Sewell DuBose.
    At the beginning of the war, my only brother, Abner Alexander, enlisted for service for six months.  He fought in the first Battle of Bull Run, Virginia.  Six months he came home and found that I had entered the army.  He regretted, very much, that I had taken this step.  I went away while he was at home.  My brother re-enlisted and went back to the same company.  Just a few days before they went to Tennessee, I heard that my brother's command was about a mile from me.  I got permission to go to him, and this was the last time I ever saw him.  He came a part of the way back with me.  We sat on a chestnut log and he told me that he felt like that we would never see each other again, and told me, also, where I would find his trunk and other belongings.  He was killed at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.  I found his things, as he told me, his trunk and picture, but his girlfriend refused to part with his jewelry.
    The first battle I engaged in was The Battle of Seven Pines.  This battle took place along the Chickahominy River, and was as complete a victory as the Southern Army ever had.  We drove twenty-seven miles down the river until we were under the shelter of their gunboats that lay in the James River.  At this time our brigadier general was Maxcy Gregg of Florence, South Carolina, who was one of the bravest men I ever knew.  Later I saw him, after he was killed, being carried on a stretcher at The Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  I do not know how old General Gregg was at the time of his death, but he looked to be about forty years old.  From this time the battles were too numerous for me to remember the dates.
     I fought in the following divisions:  I fought under General A.P. Hill, General Maxcy Gregg, Abner Perrin.  I was never wounded bad enough to leave the battlefield, but was knocked down by a ball at Vine Run, Virginia.  I had a small camp Testament in my pocket which I think saved my life.  The ball hit me in the region of my heart, doubling the Testament in the center.  I was knocked down, was stunned, but soon got up and took my place in the battle.
    At The Battle of Cold Harbor we fought all afternoon until dark.  When the battle ceased, I was detailed to go to the rear and get water for the company.  Taking as many canteens as I could carry, I went to a little ravine to get water.  A Union soldier was lying near the ravine.  His teeth had been shot out and his jawbone was broken.  He made me understand that he wanted water.  I held the canteen to his lips and he drank all he wanted.  After this, he made me understand that he wanted me to carry him to the rear, as we were still in danger.  I carried him about three hundred yards and left him.  When I returned to my company, I was sent to help bring the dead.  We worked all night until up into the next day.
    I was in the Battle of Gettysburg, which lasted four days and nights.  This was the most cruel of all the battles.  It was a slaughter pen.  I was a drummer boy at this time, and after three or four rounds of fighting, the bass drummer and I were detailed to care for the wounded.  The Battle of the Wilderness was a thick forest of junipers which were hewn down by balls like a field of grain.  It did not seem that a person could come out the battle alive.
    Twice during the war I was dangerously ill.  I had typhoid fever, also typhoid pneumonia.  One day I was sent to Richmond, Virginia, a distance of about twelve miles, to drive cattle for beef for the army.  On my way back to camp, a thundercloud arose, and I lay in a wet blanket that night in mud and water.  When I awoke the next morning I was very sick.  Two days later, my commander was sent to Fredericksburg, Virginia and I was sent to a hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia.  I had developed typhoid fever.  One Sunday morning while convalescing, two of us decided to ask permission of the doctor to let us take a walk.  He agreed, on the condition that we would not eat anything on the trip.  We promised.  On our trip we saw a garden of beautiful green collards and asked a colored woman to cook some of them for us.  This she did, and we ate all we wanted with no bad results.
    At Malvern Hill I was captured prisoner.  From there was sent to Point Lookout, and from there was sent to Elmira, New York.
    This was a very bitter experience.  As it was very cold, the prisoners suffered severely from cold and hunger.  Here, I contracted typhoid pneumonia and again, was dangerously ill.  When I had about recovered, I got an exchange payroll.  When I left prison they gave me a piece of pickled pork and hard tacks to eat.  I would have died from hunger, but got up with some officers, who shared what they had with me.
    I left Elmira, New York the 14th of March 1865, and reached my home on the 27th of March.  I came home by way of Richmond, and came by railroad to Blackstock, South Carolina.  The Union Army had torn up the railroad, and I had to walk the rest of the way, a distance of one hundred and ten miles.  When my partner and I reached the Wateree River, we made an attempt to cross over without the help of the ferryman, and had a narrow escape from drowning.  But the ferryman arrived and carried us safely over.
    The first night after reaching Camden, I spent the night with a cousin who sent us a part of the way home the next morning.  Sherman's Raid had passed through this country and had destroyed everything.  "Life preserver peas" were about the only thing that could be had, and the people said that they had the right name.
    On arriving home, I heard that my cousin, Edward Alexander, who served in the Western armies, who had been reported and lamented as dead for three years, had returned home two weeks previous.  His funeral had been planned, and a preacher engaged to preach his funeral on the Sunday following his arrival on Friday night.  On this Sunday, this soldier went to the service and told the preacher he need not bother about preaching his funeral.
    I was in a company of one hundred and twelve men, and as far as I know, am the only living one at the present time.  I was never wounded in the war, but soon after, I had the misfortune to get my leg broken twice in the same place.  From this accident I have never recovered, but the results have followed me until the present time.
    I am now in my 87th year.  I have six children living, thirty-nine grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  I am also the only one of my family of the older Alexanders living now.

FOOTNOTES ON THE “REMINISCENCE”

• In John’s “Reminiscence”, Port Royal and Beaufort are mentioned.  They are both located in coastal southeastern South Carolina, a.k.a. “The Low Country”, south of Charleston, and north of Savannah, Georgia.
• Elmira Prison in New York State, historically known to many as “The Death Camp of the North”.
• General Maxcy Gregg, one of the most famous of the Civil War’s South Carolina generals, is mentioned in the reminiscence for having been carried off the battlefield at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Gregg was shot through the spine on December 11, 1862 and died the next day.  It is said that the general’s deafness may have contributed to his demise.
• Point Lookout is in the state of Maryland.
• Blackstock, South Carolina, mentioned in the reminiscence is located about a hundred miles northwest of the Darlington County area.
• The site of John Wesley's boot camp, or “camp of instruction”, Camp Johnson, a.k.a. Lightwood Knot Springs, is located near I-20 and I-77 on Parklane Road in Columbia, near Two Notch Road, just a hop, skip, and jump east of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History location.  Part of the location, where the historical sign is placed is now a community tennis center that has been in operation for the past few years.
• John Alexander states in his “Reminiscence”, “I volunteered to go to the army, as I was not quite fifteen years of age.”  He was actually 15 years and 6 months old at the time of his enlistment.  His birth date was August 26, 1846, and his enlistment date was March 12, 1862.   According to The War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 27, Part 2, Report number 556, Abner Perrin was a Colonel during, at least part of, the Civil War.

  Sallie Stewart Alexander’s parents were Abel S. Stewart BORN: March 7, 1799 DIED: October 19, 1888 at 89 years of age, and Lydia Kirkley Stewart, reportedly from Kershaw County, South Carolina BORN: 1811 DIED: November 24, 1878.  The couple married on Christmas Eve in 1833.
  As I understand it, Kershaw County has a sizeable Kirkley population, yet I haven’t anything on Lydia or Abel’s earlier lives.  The are known to have lived and raised their large family in the Philadelphia Community of Darlington County, South Carolina.
  There are two Stewart offspring from Abel and Lydia’s union that I’m aware of, who have connections with this line of Alexanders.  They are Sarah M. “Sallie” Stewart’s marriage to John Wesley Alexander (John), and the 2nd marriage of Sallie’s brother, Lucius Stewart (Luche), a twin, to one of John Wesley’s Amanda Alexander’s cousins BORN: May 11, 1871.  Amanda lived in the Bishopville, Lee County area of South Carolina, probably in the Stokes Bridge Community, being that they were buried at Hebron United Methodist Church in Stokes Bridge.
Lydia Kirkley Stewart is buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in rural Darlington County, South Carolina, which is also a former graveyard for the congregation of Philadelphia Methodist Church, South (now Philadelphia Southern Methodist Church) in the Philadelphia section of Darlington County, where she attended.  Philadelphia now has its own cemetery, but it has only used since about the middle of the 20th century.  If Abel Stewart is buried at Wesley Chapel, believed to be the oldest church in Darlington County, a marker for him is not present.  There is, however, ample room for a grave on either side of Lydia’s grave and very small marker.  Abel died almost a decade after Lydia.
The following two obituaries, one for Lydia, one for Abel, who died a decade later, conflict as to how many children they actually had.  Lydia’s said she had eleven, and that she had lived to see all of them grown, but Abel’s says they had 14.  I have found names of eleven.

OBITUARY for Lydia Kirkley Stewart in 1878 (publication not known):

    “LYDIA KIRKLEY STEWART - Born in Kershaw County, 1811 and was married to Abel Stewart 24th December, 1833, and soon after moved to Darlington County, where she lived until her death 24th November, 1878.  She was the mother of eleven children, and lived to see them all grown.  She joined the Methodist Church, in Darlington County, in 1842, and was a consistent and faithful member.  She was rather feeble for the two last years of her life, but testified that Divine grace was sufficient to enable her to submit patiently to the will of God.  A short time before her departure she told those around her bedside that the Master had come and called for her.  Her Christian example will be remembered by those among whom she lived.  She died in peace.”

OBITUARY for Abel S. Stewart from the Methodist periodical Southern Christian Advocate from 1888, written by J.W. Murray:

  “STEWART - Abel Stewart was born in Darlington County March 7, 1799, and died October 19, 1888.  He perhaps was among the oldest men in this section.  Brother Stewart belonged to the Methodists of the early day.  He was a consistent member of the Church for fifty-two years, and during those years enjoyed the life and power of a well-defined religious experience.  He served as class leader of Philadelphia Church for forty-two years, and his devotion to the cause of Christ was such that no one, saint or sinner, ever doubted his piety.  It is wonderful to record that he never was seriously sick a day in his long life, and never took a dose of medicine from a physician until two days before his death, when one dose was given to quiet his nerves.  He was entirely free from pain in his last illness, although conscious to the end.  Our dear old brother was the father of fourteen children, ten of which survive him and are members of the Church.  The veteran of this obituary notice lived to see seventy-five grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.  May his children who are still alive remember his long and faithful life, his sweet and peaceful death, and strive by God's grace to meeting him where parting is unknown.”

ISSUE from Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart:

• William Franklin Stewart, born April 23, 1835, died August 6, 1906 at age 71, and married Sena A. Melissa Galloway, born September 23, 1839.  She was a daughter of Enoch Galloway.  W.F. had a son, William M. Stewart, who married Oletha (nee?).
• Sarah Ann M. “Sallie” Stewart, born February 16, 1840, died December 15, 1917 at age 77.  She married John Wesley Alexander, son of Rev. John William Reese Alexander and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander.  John and Sallie are buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Martha C. "Mattie" Stewart, born April 18, 1841, died August 24, 1929 in Darlington County, South Carolina at age 88.  According to Darlington News, Darlington, Darlington County, South Carolina, dated July 22, 1886: “Stokes Bridge - Mr. J.P. Mozingo was married on Sunday, 11th July, to Miss Mattie Stewart.”  James Pressley Mozingo, Sr.was a son of McKenzie Mozingo.  Mattie is buried at Hebron United Methodist Church, Stokes Bridge community, Lee County, South Carolina.  James remarried to a Lenora (nee?), born 1849, died 1888 at about 39 year old.  Her grave marker is inscribed: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.
  
• Mary J. Stewart, born June 19, 1846, died September 13, 1913, and married George C. Kelley, born November 30, 1835, died November 2, 1897.  Both are reportedly buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina.
• Lucius “Lushe” Stewart, born April 5, 1849.  He married Mary Susan Oates, then Amanda Alexander, born May 11, 1871, died September 1, 1895.  Lucius was a twin to Israel Pinckney "Pink" Stewart.  Lushe and Amanda are buried at Hebron United Methodist Church, Stokes Bridge community, Lee County, South Carolina.  Amanda was in our Alexander clan.  She was a daughter of Wilson Warren Alexander, a descendant of Mrs. Frances Alexander, and Hannah C. Mozingo, both of the Stokes Bridge community, Lee County, South Carolina near Bishopville.
• Israel Pinckney “Pink” Stewart, born April 5, 1849, died March 17, 1897 at age 47.  He married Jane (nee?), born April 11, 1846, died September 17, 1910 at age 64.  Pink was a twin to Lucius Stewart.
• Charles Willoby Stewart, born March 1848, Darlington County, South Carolina.  He married Margaret Ellen Beasley, born September 7, 1853, died July 16, 1911.  Both are reportedly buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina.
  
• Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Stewart, who married Washington “Wash” Reddick.
• Perniece “Neesie” Stewart, who married Ira Pinckney “Pink” Register.
• Alexander Stewart
• Samuel Stewart

    William was born January 24, 1819 in South Carolina, and died February 9, 1899 in Darlington County, South Carolina at 80 years of age.  In 1837 he married  Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea, born about 1821.  Her death date is not clear.  It was about 1850 or 1851 at around 29 or 30 years of age.  On December 16, 1852, he married Martha Anne E. Parnell, born May 21, 1833, and died February 28, 1891 at age 57.  William is buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church where William attended, and preached at times.  William’s barely readable grave inscription reads: “Rejoice for a brother deceased…our loss is his infinite gain.  A soul out of prison released and freed from his bodily chain.  With songs let us follow his flight and mount with his spirit above.”  Another inscription on the marker states: “Age 80 yrs 15 days.”  It's not known by this research where William's first or second wives are buried.  William died only eight years after Anne, his last wife, but as far as anybody knows, he did not remarry.  Might she be in an unmarked grave next to him?  There is space.  Delilah died almost 50 years earlier than William.  Delilah might be interred in whichever cemetery her parents are buried in the Stokes Bridge Community vicinity of rural Bishopville, Lee County.  It is also possible that she was buried at New Hope Methodist Church Cemetery in now Darlington County, where William attended right after his return to South Carolina from Alabama, and around the time Delilah died.  Cypress Methodist is another possibility, but I’ve looked through that cemetery several times, and have never found her grave.  She also could have died before returning to South Carolina.

WILLIAM'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John and Mary "Polly" Woodham Alexander
• Paternal grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Maternal great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Maternal 2-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

DELILAH’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Thomas and Lenore Johnson Kea (Lanie)

ANNE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Israel C. and Frances Saverance Parnell (Fannie)

ISSUE from his marriage to Delilah Alexandra Kea:

• Mary Alexander
• Elizabeth C. Alexander
• Abner Alexander
• John Wesley Alexander

ISSUE from his marriage to Anne Parnell:

• Frances Gamewell Alexander

ISSUE from Thomas Kea’s second marriage to Lanie (nee?):

• John W. Kea
• William Kea
• Margaret E. Kea
• Thomas Kea

NOTES:

• At some period following the 1840 U. S. Census, and possibly after or during the starting of their new family, William and family moved to the area in southeastern Alabama where his older brother James, and sister Ann had settled.  He seemingly stayed for less than a decade moving back to the same general region that he lived in before in South Carolina.  Judging by Liley's death, estimated at around 1850, the family seems to have moved back due to whatever malady she endured.  It’s not quite clear whether she died in Alabama or South Carolina, but I’m guessing South Carolina.  No one I’ve contacted has been able to find her grave.  When a church she used to attend, Cypress Methodist ceased its operation, parishioners were moved to Newman Swamp Methodist.
• I’ve never quite completely understood William’s status in the clergy.  An article which was written years ago by the late Darlington County Historical Commission Historian, Horace F. Rudisill, stated that he was ordained, but research facts have so far been inconclusive.  The Historian at the South Carolina Methodist Archives at the Sandor-Tezler Library at Wofford College in Spartanburg once told me that he thought William was a “Local Preacher”, and could find no validation that he was ever ordained.  I talked to Mr. Rudisill about William’s ordination years after he wrote the article, and got the impression that he may have changed his mind about Uncle William’s status as time went on.   Local preachers were ones who filled in for pastors for whatever reason, and became interim pastors when churches were without a permanent one.  William eventually drifted into the nearby old version of Darlington County that now teeters between Lee County and the newer version of Darlington County.  Many of his descendants live in Darlington County to this day, and several descendant families, such as mine, settled in the not-far-away Florence County area.  Pretty much all of that territory, from Bishopville to parts of Florence County was called Sumter District back in the earlier part of the 1800s.  Rev. Alexander is listed as a Local Preacher in 1875 Cypress Church records along with McKenzie Mozingo, Joseph Hendrix, and Miles H. Joy.  In that year, William W. Williams and Lewis M. Hamer are listed as pastors.  In 1876, William Alexander is again listed as a local preacher along with McKenzie Mozingo and Miles H. Joy.  Lewis M. Hamer was listed as the pastor.
• Although William Alexander worked on his father’s plantation as an “overseer” of slaves, he had at least one slave named Rainey who was willed to him by his father as sort of a “loaner”.  He possibly owned slaves previous to the War Between the States.
• Delilah’s name has been seen spelled “Delila”, “Delilah”, and “Delia”, but mostly Delila and Delilah.  She was from the Stokes Bridge Community of Darlington District (now Lee County), South Carolina.  Most of the information on the Kea family was gathered by Larry Kea of West Columbia, South Carolina, and I have shared my information with him over the past few years.
• Liley’s father, Thomas BORN: around 1792, Sampson County, North Carolina DIED: October 20, 1835 MARRIAGE: January 14, 1812 Lenore (nee?) (Lanie) BORN: 1794, Dobbs County, North Carolina.  ? Thomas Kea was apprenticed to become a sailor, but gave it up to farm.  He is thought to have entered the Darlington District around 1811.
• William and Delilah Alexander’s daughter, Elizabeth C. Alexander married her step-uncle, Robert Nelson Parnell, a brother of William’s wife, Anne Parnell and a son of Israel (b December 28, 1805 DIED: August 24, 1874 at age 68) and Fannie Parnell.  The couple is buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Lamar.

OBITUARY published in the periodical Southern Christian Advocate, March 9, 1899, a month following William Alexander's death, and written by George M. Boyd.  The obituary's listing of Rev. Alexander's birthday is incorrect:

    “ALEXANDER - Reverend John William Reese Alexander was born in Darlington County, South Carolina on January 25, 1819, and died in the same county February 9, 1899.  His name will appear familiar to many of our brethren of the South Carolina Conference.  ‘Uncle William’ never forgot the pastors who served this country.  For nearly half a century he served the church as a local preacher.  He was always ready to render aid to his pastors.  Loyal, zealous, faithful, was he to the seed of his life.  In his last affliction he seemed to be ‘filled with all the fullness of God’ and rejoiced that ‘deliverance had come.’  As the beautiful snow covered the cemetery the day he was buried, I could not but think it emblematic of his pure, spotless spirit that had gone to God who gave it.  The church on Lamar Circuit has been made poorer by his death, but heaven richer.  We will miss ‘Uncle William’ much.”

OBITUARY written for a publication unknown to this research.  Officially unknown is the author, but unofficially I think it was J.W.R. Alexander's granddaughter, Ella Alexander Hatchell who wrote it.  Ella was a daughter of John Wesley Alexander, who died in her early 30s from ill health:

    “Rev. J.W.R. Alexander departed this life February 9, 1899, aged 80 years and 15 days.
    He was a consistent member of Newman Swamp Church, and a devoted Christian.  Grandfather in Heaven.  On the 11th of Feb, while the beautiful snow was falling, they laid dear grandfather in his cold grave to sleep the blessed sleep at Newman Swamp Cemetery till Jesus comes to reward His servants.  And as these now came and covered his grave, I thought of his white robe washed in the blood of Jesus as it fled to its heavenly home where Jesus welcomed him in as he said: ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of the Lord.’
    I think of him, how he praised God as he met many loved ones waiting and watching at the beautiful gate.
    Farewell, dear grandfather.  By the grace of God I hope to meet you there to part no more.  Sometimes it seems like it will not be long before I meet you there as I have suffered so long here.  I know I would enjoy that heavenly greeting.  As I have not had the pleasure of hearing the blessed Gospel preached for a long time, it was so much comfort to me for him to come, but I have to comfort myself the best I can now.  I have no grandfather to come and comfort me.  How we miss him in our home!
    Only last June I had lost all hopes of life here, and I thought if I could see him, how it would help me.  I wanted to be propped up, and while sitting there I heard someone come in. I looked up, and to my surprise it was the dear old soul that I thought I would never see again, for he had been sick for some time.  How he cheered me with loving words of prayer I never shall forget.  On last October, our last meeting, he told me where to meet him, and by the help of my Savior, I hope to meet him in the sweet by and by.” 

    Joe was born on March 5, 1885 in Darlington County, South Carolina, in a part that is now Lee County, South Carolina, and died May 4, 1962 in rural Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.  He married on October 30, 1904 to Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock, born January 9, 1887 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died on November 20, 1961 in Florence County, South Carolina.  Joe and Fannie are buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Lake Swamp community, Darlington County, South Carolina.

JOE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parent: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

FANNIE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal grandmother: Sarah E. Jordan Bryant, born in February of 1834 in Virginia

ISSUE:

• Jessie Clifton Alexander, Sr. (Clifton)
• Joseph Lee Alexander (Lee)
• Wilton Kenneth Alexander (Kenneth)
• Belvin Ryan Alexander (Belvin/Bill)
• Loren Vivian Alexander (Loren)
• Willard Terry (Dewey) Alexander, Sr. (Willard)
• Gladys Myrtis Alexander (Gladys)
• William Elbert Alexander (William, an infant)
• Barney Kirby Alexander (Barney/B.K.)
• Frances Mildred Alexander (Mildred)
• Marvin Esker Alexander (Marvin)
• Joseph Kirkland Alexander, Jr. (Joe)

NOTES:

• This “side” of the Alexander family basically started out in Darlington County, South Carolina, and later moved into nearby Timmonsville in Florence County, South Carolina.  Joe and Fannie last resided in the Sardis Community outside of Timmonsville, and attended Sardis Baptist Church.
• One of Joe's nephews, the late Frank Alexander, once said that he and others used to refer to his Uncle Joe as “Josephus” (pronounced jo-'see-fus).
• Earlier in life, Joe attended the original Pine Grove Methodist Church, located less than a mile from the newer location that was built in the early 1950s at the site of the Thornal Cemetery, where the church buried its parishioners for years.  Joe’s father, John was Superintendent of the Sunday School there.
• While raising his own family, Joe and his family started attending a Baptist church in their community because of its closer proximity to where they lived.
• Fannie Alexander suffered a broken hip, just days before her passing.  Joe Alexander was living with granddaughter Mary Alexander Jensen and husband Dale Jensen's home when he too died just a few months later.
• One of Joe's obituaries states that he was born in Lee County, South Carolina in 1888.  Lee County did not officially become a county until around 1901, having been formed from parts of three other counties, Darlington, Kershaw, and Sumter.  I’m thinking that he was born in that part of old Darlington County that became Lee County.

OBITUARY from the Florence Morning News:

    “TIMMONSVILLE - Funeral services for Joe K. Alexander, 77, who died Friday will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Sardis Baptist Church by Rev. Clyde Fox.  Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery.
    Pallbearers will be Glenn Hatchell, Frank Alexander, Ira Alexander, James Alexander, Arnold Alexander, Douglas Ward, Jim Ward, and Otto Ward.
    Honorary pallbearers will be members of Baracca Sunday School Class of Sardis Baptist Church.”

OBITUARY from The State newspaper out of Columbia, South Carolina.  In this one, the writer erroneously names what should be Rev. Clyde Fox as “Rev. Clyde Sparks”:

    “TIMMONSVILLE - Funeral services for Joe K. Alexander, Sr., 77, who died of a heart attack Friday, will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon from Sardis Baptist Church by the Rev. Clyde Sparks.  Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery.
    Mr. Alexander was born in Lee County, March 5, 1885, the son of John Wesley and Sallie Stewart Alexander.  His wife, Fannie Hancock Alexander, died in November, 1961.
    Surviving are seven sons, Clifton, Lee, Joe Jr., and Willard Alexander, all of Timmonsville, Belvin and Marvin Alexander of Florence, and Kenneth Alexander of Effingham; two daughters, Mrs. Edgar (Mildred) Powers of Timmonsville, and Mrs. Jacob (Gladys) Ruther of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Miss Maggie Alexander of Timmonsville; 34 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.”

OBITUARY from The State newspaper out of Columbia, South Carolina:

    “TIMMONSVILLE - Mrs. Fannie Hancock Alexander, 74, wife of Joseph K. Alexander, Sr., Route 3, Timmonsville, died Monday night.
    She was born in Darlington County, the daughter of the late William E. and Olivia Bryant Hancock.  She was member of Sardis Baptist Church.
    Surviving are her husband, seven sons, Jesse Clifton Alexander, Joseph Lee, Willard T. and Joe K., Jr., of Timmonsville, Belvin R., and Marvin E. of Florence and Kenneth Alexander of Effingham; two daughters, Mrs. Edgar Powers of Timmonsville and Mrs. Jacob Ruther of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Mrs. Laura Ward of Timmonsville; 34 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday from Sardis Baptist Church, with burial in the Pine Grove Cemetery near Timmonsville.”

ARTICLE / OBITUARY from a church-related publication:

    “It is with cherished memories and deep appreciation for a devoted Christian life that the members of Sardis Baptist Church, Florence Association, pay tribute to Mrs. Fannie Hancock Alexander, who passed away in November at the age of 74.
    Her going has left a sadness in the hearts of those who knew her and a vacancy in her home, church, and community.
    Her personal faith and trust in God made her an inspiration to her friends and loved ones.  She worked with untiring efforts to help others.
    She always had a warm welcome for those who visited her, giving them inspiration and encouragement.  Her many acts of kindness and love and her friendly spirit will ever be remembered.
    We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband and children and pray they may find the love of God sufficient for their every need.

FANNIE’S FATHER’S FAMILY - THE HANCOCKS

    Fannie Hancock Alexander was a daughter of William Eli Hancock, born April 18, 1852, and died March 8, 1917.  He's buried at Sardis Baptist Church in the Sardis community of Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.  According to the 1880 U.S. Census for Sumter County, South Carolina, William’s occupation was listed as a “miller”.  He was married to the former Olivia Bryant.
    A researcher, Mary McPherron is also a descendant of the Hancocks in this line.  She has said that William's father, Felix, and Felix’ wife, the former Nancy Langston, are found in the Onslow, North Carolina U.S. Census for 1830, 1840, and 1850.  He is also found in the 1860 U.S. Census living in Darlington County, South Carolina, and later in 1880 is found in Shiloh, Sumter County, South Carolina.  They were Mary’s great-grandparents through Felix’ son, James.  After finding that last information on Felix, she could no longer find anything else on him, although she added that he was a “cooper” who built barrels to hold turpentine.  According to Mary, she found Felix in 1861 as a Confederate Private in Regiment 3 (Palmetto) Battalion, South Carolina Light Artillery a.k.a. “Palmetto Battalion”.     Felix had at least three sons, James H. Hancock, William Eli Hancock, and Stephen James Hancock.
    From other information I had obtained previously, Felix’ artillery unit was also known as “Culpepper’s Battery” named after a well-known commander, and possibly the namesake of Culpepper Camp, United Confederate Veterans of Timmonsville, South Carolina in which my great-grandfather, John Wesley Alexander was a member.  In fact it’s likely that John was the last surviving member of that particular branch since he stated in his “Reminiscence” in 1932 that he was the last surviving member of his Civil War unit, Company A, 14th Regiment, C.S.A.
    As a side note of consideration, my aunt, Mildred Alexander Powers remembers someone in her past saying that the way-back-then Hancocks lived in the Society Hill area of Darlington County, South Carolina.
    Felix Hancock, and his father may have been Felix Hancock, as well, was born about 1833.  He served the Confederacy during the War Between the States, and reportedly served in an artillery unit known informally as “Culpepper’s Battery”.  Felix enlisted when he was 28 years old at Camp Butler at Aiken, South Carolina on September 10, 1861 in Culpepper’s company.  He was placed on “detached service” in February of 1862.  Many of Culpepper’s men were detached at various times to work in the Ordinance Department or Commissary Department, and some were even detached to the Confederate Navy.
    A grave that is said to be that of Felix is located at Sardis Baptist Church in the Sardis Community of rural Timmonsville, South Carolina.  I, nor two others in the family who sighted the grave in the church’s cemetery, noticed a grave for his wife, Nancy Langston Hancock.
    Two of Felix’s granddaughters were sisters Laura Hancock, born October 16, 1833, and died on June 26, 1962 South Carolina and Fannie Hancock.  Laura became Mrs. Barney Ward and Fannie became Mrs. Joe Alexander.  The two were close all of their lives, and because of that relationship, the Ward family as a whole was also close.  The families continue to share an Alexander-Ward reunion in the Timmonsville area of Florence County, South Carolina each Fall.  Laura is buried alongside her husband, William Barney Ward, born January 7, 1883, South Carolina, died November 21, 1934.  Laura and Barney are buried at Lake Swamp Baptist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.

FANNIE’S MOTHER’S FAMILY - THE BRYANTS

    Our connection to the Bryants comes from Fannie Hancock Alexander, a descendant of this Bryant family on her mother’s side.  Her mother was the former Olivia Bryant, and her father was William Eli Hancock (William).  Olivia Bryant’s mother was Sarah E. Jordan Bryant BORN: February 1834 Virginia.
    The 1900 U. S. Census for Darlington County shows the former Laura Hancock (Fannie’s sister) and husband Barney Ward, Fannie Handcock (note census-taker’s spelling), and Fannie’s grandmother Sarah Bryant living with their uncle, William M. Bryant BORN: December 1862 South Carolina and aunt, Mary L. (nee?) Bryant (William’s wife) BORN: May 1868 South Carolina, Philadelphia Township, Darlington County during the survey.  Laura and Fannie’s grandmother, Sarah Bryant was also living there, as was another uncle of Fannie and Laura’s, Isam L. Bryant BORN: August 1859.  Sarah was 66 at the time was listed as a widow, and Isam Bryant was 40.  The Bryant home was surveyed June 25th, 1900.  Fannie was 13 years of age at the time, Barney 18, and Laura 16.

ISSUE of William M. and Mary L. Bryant:

• Willie O. Bryant, born May 1887 in South Carolina
• Pearl E. Bryant, born June 1889 in South Carolina
• Duncan C. Bryant, born December 1893 in South Carolina
• Junious L. Bryant, born April 1897 in South Carolina
  

    Lee was born November 4, 1908 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died February 21, 1987 in Florence County, South Carolina.  He married on September 3, 1932 in Florence County, South Carolina to Edith Elizabeth Langston, born May 5, 1905 in Florence County, South Carolina, and died October 18, 1991 in Florence County, South Carolina.  Both are buried at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church, Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.

LEE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

EDITH’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Ervin and Mary Adeline Anderson "Addie" Langston

ISSUE:  Mary Frances Alexander, born August 11, 1934

NOTES:

• Lee and Edith grew tobacco, cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, hot peppers, sweet potatoes, and peanuts.  Late in the 1960s, they began raising chickens for the makers of Campbell’s Soup. In 1972, Lee was named “Campbell Soup Broiler Grower of the Year”.
• Lee was a Master Mason at Benton Lodge #26 and Woodmen of the World member.
• Following deteriorating health, Lee passed away at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, Florence County, and Edith died at a Florence hospital.
• Daughter Mary Frances married Dale Jensen.

TRIBUTE – DAUGHTER MARY REMEMBERS

    “Lee and Edith Langston married in 1932 at a time when the farm community was still in economic depression. They lived with Ellison and Emma Joyner the first few months of marriage, later moving to a house on John Carraway's farm. There, Lee's brother Belvin and Lilly Bell Washington lived with them.  It also was there that their only child, Mary Frances, was born. In 1937 the family moved to the Old Charlie Langston Place on Hill Road near Sansbury Crossroads. Lee bought the farm and they lived there for the rest of their lives. Remember when chickens were turned loose in the yard and gardens were fenced in? That's the way it was. Farm families were self-sufficient. Corn was ground for grits and cornmeal; wheat was ground for flour (stored at a Darlington mill); sugar cane was made into syrup at a cane mill that John Carraway and Lee owned.  Going to mill was a fun trip taken often.  Every family had a milk cow.  Animals were grown for food and men hunted and families ate the game. Everyone worked hard on a small farm.  During tobacco season, families swapped help with neighbors.  Enough vegetables were canned, potatoes banked, onions dried, and wood cut to last until the next spring.  It was a good life!  Time and progress brought about mechanized farming, chickens in 380-foot enclosed chicken houses, freezers, gas and electric heat, clothes dryers, television, microwaves and a whole different way of life.  The progressive changes were good as well. Lee and Edith celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary plus four more together.
    Lee was a dedicated and faithful member of Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church.  He was elected Deacon in 1934 and served as Sunday School Superintendent, Training Union Director, Sunday School teacher, and on all the church committees at one time or another.  He was honored with the title Lifetime Deacon and Ex-officio Member by the Congregation. This meant that he could represent the church anytime anywhere and attend any meeting.  He served as Worshipful Master of Oak Grove Masonic Lodge 378; was chosen as Mr. Woodmen at Cedar, Woodmen of the World Camp 245 at Sardis.  Lee was a people person and loved to attend meetings.  He loved people and people loved him.  He, never in his life, met a stranger.  Family and friends were drawn to him for advice, counseling, encouragement, spiritual guidance, or just to talk.
    Lee died on February 21, 1987 following a long struggle with progressive renal failure.  His funeral was truly a ‘home-going’ under umbrellas in the chilly wind and rain.  His pastor, Pat Childress, a much-loved former pastor, Richard Moyers, family, and scores of caring friends paid tribute to a dedicated Christian man.”

OBITUARY for Lee from the newspaper Florence Morning News of February 22, 1987:

    “TIMMONSVILLE - J. Lee Alexander, 78, died Saturday.
    Born in Darlington County, he was a son of the late Joseph Kirkland and Fannie Hancock Alexander.  He was a retired farmer, was a member of Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church and the adult men's Sunday school class, and was a deacon.  He was past master of the Oak Grove Masonic Lodge, A.F.M., and a member of Woodmen of the World Camp No. 245.
    Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Edith Langston Alexander; a daughter, Mrs. Dale (Mary) Jensen of Timmonsville; brothers, Willard and Joe Alexander of Timmonsville and Belvin Alexander of Florence; a sister, Mrs. Edgar (Mildred) Powers of Timmonsville; and grandchildren.
    Services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church.
    Memorials may be made to Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church or the Timmonsville Rescue Squad.
    Layton-Perry Funeral Home is in charge.”

OBITUARY for Edith from the newspaper Florence Morning News for October 20, 1991:

    “TIMMONSVILLE - Mrs. Edith Langston Alexander, 86, died Friday, October 18, 1991 in a Florence Hospital.
    She was born in Florence County, a daughter of the late Joseph Ervin and Mary Adeline Anderson Langston.  She was the widow of Lee Alexander.  She was a member of Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church and the adult ladies' Sunday School class.  She was a member of the Sunshine Club, the Elim Joy Club and the Home and Garden Club.
    Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Dale (Mary) Jensen of Timmonsville; a brother, Herbert Langston of Timmonsville; two sisters, Miss Nellie Langston and Mrs. Ellie Mae Wiggins, both of Timmonsville; a grandson, Michael A. Jensen of Timmonsville; a granddaughter, Mrs. Karen Jensen Kirby of North Augusta; and three grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be 4 p.m. today, October 20, 1991, in Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Layton-Perry Funeral Home.”

    Julia was born August 5, 1906, and died June 27, 1973 at age 66.  She married Herbert L. Jordan, born April 7, 1901, and died January 19, 1986 at age 84, 22 years after Julia’s death.  Burial for both was at Lake Swamp Baptist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina, near their infant son.

JULIA'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. and Nettie Hatchell Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: James Larry and Julio O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE:

• An infant son, born and died on October 15, 1940
  

    Lena was born August 29, 1901 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and married John Quincy Jernigan, born 1893, died 1965.  She then married Eldridge Nivens from the Charlotte, North Carolina area.  Eldridge was reportedly born about 1900.

LENA'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. (Luther) and Nettie Hatchell Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: James Larry and Julio O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra Kea Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE from John Jernigan:

• Mamie Edell Jernigan BORN: September 21, 1918
• Thomas Frederick Jernigan BORN: August 3, 1920
• Melvin Jernigan BORN: July 4, 1922
• Kathleen Jernigan BORN: February 3, 1923

ISSUE from Eldridge Nivens:

• Geraldine Nivens
  

    Lewis Alexander reportedly lived, died, and was buried in the Greenville, South Carolina area.

LEWIS' ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Henry Lee "Harry" and Laura M. Raines Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

    Loren Alexander BORN: September 18, 1915, South Carolina DIED: January 7, 1954, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina MARRIAGE: September 29, 1934, Timmonsville, South Carolina to the former Eunice Lee BORN: October 1, 1914 DIED: November 18, 1978 BURIAL: Loren, Eunice, and the two infants at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church, Timmonsville.

LOREN'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

EUNICE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: James Madison and Estelle Thigpen Lee of Sumter, South Carolina

ISSUE:

• Lurie Allen Alexander BORN: August 16, 1935 DIED: February 5, 1936
• Evelyn Gayle Alexander BORN: January 15, 1938 DIED: March 5, 1938
• James David Alexander BORN: August 6, 1939

NOTES:

• At my last contact with Loren and Eunice’s son David Alexander in the middle 90s, he was married and had a family.
• Eunice’s folks, the Lees, lived in Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina.
  

    Maggie Alexander BORN: November 25, 1879 DIED: August 7, 1965 at age 85 BURIAL: Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.

MAGGIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NOTES:

• For years, Maggie served as the family historian.  She wanted to make sure that Alexander family information, photos, and documents that she had access to made their way into the Darlington County Historical Commission for perpetual care.
• The article about Maggie and Bertha Alexander states that Maggie's father was 16 when he went into the Confederate Army.  Her father, John Wesley Alexander, stated in his reminiscence (within his biography) that he was 15.  One of his Civil War muster roll cards lists him as 23 years of age.
• In the same article, an error has Miss Sallie Stewart as a son of Abel S. Stewart.
• The niece, Mrs. White, mentioned in the article was Helen Flora Alexander White.
• Although Maggie was engaged at one time, she never married, and lived in her father’s home most of her life, foregoing marriage to take care of a relative’s children.  According to Mary Alexander Jensen, the article's mention of leaving four children, three is correct.  It also mentions that the John Wesley Alexanders reared four boys and four girls.  Mary says that five girls is correct.
• Maggie Alexander wrote a typescript entitled “History of Pine Grove Church”.  According to a bibliography at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, entitled “Local and Family History in South Carolina” by Cote (page 122), the typescript was reportedly in the possession of the Darlington County Historical Commission.
• Miss Alexander, a schoolteacher, presumably with intention of preserving and safekeeping family papers, pictures, and collectibles, Miss Alexander donated the items to the commission via their historian, Horace Fraser Rudisill.  Miss Alexander was the person to whom her father dictated his, mostly, Civil War “Reminiscence”.  She probably wrote a few of the items included within her father's biography.

ARTICLE from the Florence, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News dated March 17, 1958:

“BERTHA AND MAGGIE ALEXANDER HAVE LIVED TOGETHER 20 YEARS
by Bess Truman

    They have lived together in harmony for 20 years.
    Perhaps it is because there is no husband to complicate matters. Mrs. Bertha Alexander lost her husband three years ago; Miss Maggie Alexander never had one - but the reason comes later.
    Anyway, I got somewhat confused when I was sent to (I thought) Mrs. Alexander's to get her ‘This is my life,’ only to be met at the door by Miss Alexander, who told me there was a Miss and Mrs. Alexander living there.  Which did I want to see?  Well, I knew the one I wanted to see was 81 years old and Miss Alexander not looking that old, I decided, it must be Mrs. Alexander - only to find out later it was Miss Alexander I had been sent to see.
    So, although I have written a little about Mrs. Bertha Alexander in a previous article, the situation is so unusual, I thought I would write them up together.
    Their fathers fought on opposing sides in the civil war.  Miss Maggie's father, John Wesley Alexander, joined the Confederate Army at 16 and served four years, being taken prisoner twice.
    Bertha's father was a Yankee, who liked the South so much, and he married the girl he met while driving a group of horses from the North to sell.  Bertha's mother's first husband was killed by jumping off the train in his anxiety to get home quickly, little knowing his wife would marry a Yankee after his death.
Maggie's father came home penniless, as so many others, having lost all his Confederate money and his slaves. He would have starved if an officer, who was not quite so unfortunate, had not fed him until he got on his feet.
    Evidently it did not take long for this, as he married a Miss Sallie Stewart a year later, *son of Abel S. Stewart.  They reared four boys and four girls.  John W. Alexander lived near Newman Swamp Church two miles north of Lamar.
    He stayed there 12 years later moving to the Lake Swamp Community near the Pine Grove Church in which community Maggie has lived and taught Sunday School for 62 years.
    Now comes the most important and self-sacrificing part of Maggie's life.
    Due to the death of her sister, Mrs. Limuel Hill of near Timmonsville, leaving four children, the oldest four, the youngest a tiny baby, Maggie gave up all thought of marrying - even turning down her fiancé, and devoted her life to rearing these four children of her sisters, all of them turning out fine, being very devoted to their aunt and foster mother.
    Well, all of her nieces and nephews (seeming like her own children to her and to them), Bertha's husband having just died and her last daughter having married, she invited Maggie to come live with her, after being alone for only two weeks.
    And live together in love and harmony, they have for twenty years.  Maggie’s apartment is in the front, Bertha's in the back.  They even cook separately as if you remember my telling you, Bertha lives mostly on the sprouts of young vegetables, while Maggie eats normally.
    And I think they are wise, as it is a well known fact there is no kitchen big enough for two women.  But evidently this is the exception that proves the rule.
Each prepares her own supper - in the winter before dark, as they both stay at night with Miss Alexander's niece, Mrs. White, whose home is a short distance away.”

FOOTNOTE: * “daughter” is correct, not “son”.

OBITUARY for Maggie:

    “DARLINGTON – Miss Maggie Louise Alexander, 85, of the Pine Grove Community died Saturday morning at the residence after an illness of several months.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday in Pine Grove Methodist Church by Rev. Kenneth Bobo.  Burial, directed by Kistler’s Funeral Home, will be in the church cemetery.
    Pallbearers will be Howard Lee Jordan, Otto Davis, Charles Ham, Olin DuBose, Henry Wallace and Earl Wallace.
    Miss Alexander was born in Darlington County, a daughter of the late John Wesley Alexander and Sallie Stewart Alexander.  She had made her home with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Bertha Alexander of the Pine Grove Community, for the past 28 years.
    She was a member of the Pine Grove Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for 64 years, 45 of them in the primary children’s classes.
    Several nieces and nephews survive.
    It was Miss Alexander’(s) request that all former Sunday School pupils attending the funeral wear a flower.
    The body will be at the funeral home until one hour before services.  Friends may call at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Robert White Jr. of the Pine Grove Community.”

    Marvin Alexander, born December 8, 1929, and died December 9, 1971 at age 42.  He married Lynette Pigate of Florence County, South Carolina.  She was born May 17, 1934 in Florence County, South Carolina.  Marvin is buried at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery, Florence County, South Carolina.

MARVIN'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

LYNETTE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Hoyt and Leonlun Vause Pigate.  Leonlun died January 21, 2002 at age 89.  Both are buried at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church’s cemetery, separate from the church, and located on U.S. Hwy. 301 South, Florence County, South Carolina.

ISSUE:

• Ronald Marvin "Ron" Alexander, born November 2, 1952
• Vivian Sally "Vicki" Alexander, born December 29, 1953
• Judy Elaine Alexander, born June 22, 1955
• Larry Hoyt Alexander, born February 19, 1968
  

NOTES:

• When he was an infant, Larry was called “Tater” by his father.
• The Pigates lived in rural Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina. Mr. Pigate died previous to Mrs. Pigate.

OBITUARY, possibly published by the Florence, Florence County, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News:

    “Funeral services for Marvin Esker Alexander, 42, of 515 Carroll St., Florence, will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Sardis Baptist Church, near Timmonsville, by the Rev. Clyde Fox and the Rev. Paul M. Door.  Burial, directed by Waters Funeral Home of Florence, will be in Bethany Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.
    Pallbearers will be Terry Welch, Jerry Alexander, Jimmy Alexander, Terry Alexander, Joey Alexander, and Wayne Alexander.
    Mr. Alexander, a foreman for Fruit Growers' Express, was accidentally shot Thursday morning at a rest stop near Newberry, while en route to Nashville, Tennessee.”

    Mary was born February 27, 1867, and died August 28, 1886 at age 19.  She married Eliphus Gary Rogers, born July 28, 1861, and died June 2, 1916 at age 54.  All of the Rogerses mentioned in this biography are buried at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church in Darlington County, South Carolina.  Gary Rogers is not buried beside Mary, yet close by.  Gary is buried next to Minnie S. (nee?) Rogers.

MARY'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

NOTES:

• Eliphus Gary Rogers married Minnie S. (nee?).
• Gary and Minnie had at least one child, Garris A. Rogers, born February 20, 1899, died May 7, 1943 at age 44.  He married Annie Mae Harlee.
• One of Garris and Annie Mae’s children was Garris Clifton Rogers, born December 29, 1942, died November 11, 1945 at age 2.
  

    Mary was born about 1838.  I’ve seen information that suggests she moved to Coweta County, Georgia, the Newnan area, just below Atlanta.

MARY'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Maternal great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal great-grandparents: Edward Woodham, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward Woodham, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham
  

    Mary was born August 14, 1907, and died April 26, 1961 at age 54.  She married Archie Jacob McKay, who was born March 29, 1898, and died January 23, 1959 at age 60.  They're buried at Peniel Baptist Church, rural Timmonsville, Florence County, South Carolina.

MARY'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. and Nettie Hatchell Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: James Larry and Julio O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

ISSUE:

• Archie Gerald McKay, born April 6, 1933 in Florence County, South Carolina
• Evelyn Ramona McKay, born February 6, 1931
• An infant who was born and died in 1938

NOTES:

• Daughter Evelyn married Loyd Emery Wall who died in 1977
• Son Gerald is a retired Baptist minister.
  

    Mattie was born November 4, 1874 in the Lisbon community of Darlington County, South Carolina, and died April 3, 1951 at age 76.  She married on December 31, 1896 to George Chappel Hatchell, who was born May 22, 1875, and died April 20, 1961 at 85 years of age.  Both are buried at Lake Swamp Baptist Church in the Lake Swamp community of Darlington County, South Carolina near the Florence County line outside of Timmonsville.

MATTIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 2-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

GEORGE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Theodore C. and Eliza Kelley Hatchell
• Paternal grandparents: William and Mary Jordan Hatchell

ISSUE:

• Roy Hatchell, born June 17, 1899 in Darlington County, South Carolina, died May 27, 1973 in Darlington County, South Carolina at age 73
  
• Glenn Carl Hatchell, born December 29, 1913, and died September 18, 1976.  His grave marker inscription reads: ASLEEP IN JESUS.  Glenn is buried at Lake Swamp Baptist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville and the Florence County line.
  
• Roger Hatchell
• Maude Hatchell
• Susie Lou Hatchell
  
• Ruff Hatchell

NOTES:

• I’ve seen Mattie referred to as “Mollie” in another research.
• Ruff Hatchell is said to have been residing in the Columbia, South Carolina area.
• Roger Hatchell was last known to be residing in North Carolina.
• George and Mattie were first cousins.

OBITUARY, published the day of Mattie’s burial:

    “TIMMONSVILLE – Funeral services for Mrs. G.C. Hatchell, 76, of the Lake Swamp community in Darlington County will be held at Lake Swamp Baptist Church at 3:30 this afternoon.
    Rites will be conducted by her pastor, the Reverend Ray Halson, assisted by the Reverend Robert E. Clyde, pastor of High Hill and Central Baptist Churches of Darlington.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
    Mrs. Hatchell died suddenly at her residence after returning from a missionary meeting late Tuesday afternoon.  She was very active in all religious work in her community.
    Survivors besides her husband, include two daughters, Mrs. R.A. Blackman of Darlington and Mrs. E. Ellisor of West Columbia; four sons, Roy D. of Darlington, Glenn C. of Timmonsville; Ruff T. of Marion and Roger J. of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; one sister, Miss Maggie Alexander of Timmonsville; and two brothers, Luther Alexander of Timmonsville and Joe Alexander of Elim; 25 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
    Grandsons will serve as pallbearers and granddaughters will be in charge of the flowers.
    The body will remain in the chapel of Ham and Perry in Timmonsville until 2 o’clock Thursday when it will be moved to the church.”  

    Sadie was born March 22, 1900, and died at age 42 on August 9, 1942.  She married on January 31, 1919 in Darlington County, South Carolina to Raleigh G. Galloway, born about 1890 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died about 1925 at around 35 years of age in Darlington County, South Carolina.  In 1927 she married Roy Dudley Hatchell in Darlington County, South Carolina.  Roy was born June 17, 1899 in Darlington County, died at age 73 on May 27, 1973.  He was buried at Darlington Memory Gardens, Darlington, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Sadie was buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.  Raleigh Galloway is reportedly buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina.

SADIE'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: John Luther, Sr. and Nettie Hatchell Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: James Larry and Julio O. Anderson Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Maternal great-grandparents: Elias W. and Margaret (nee?) Hatchell
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John Alexander (John) and Mary Woodham (Mary/Polly)
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

RALEIGH’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Mother:  Leonora F. "Nora" Galloway

ROY’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: George Chappell and Mattie Viola Alexander Hatchell

ISSUE from Raleigh Galloway:

• Morrell Galloway, born about 1918, and died about 1938 (one research I’ve seen has her as Merril G. Galloway), Darlington County, South Carolina.  She was buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina
• Mary Gladys Galloway, born about 1919, and died age 9 months in Darlington County, South Carolina.  She was buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Lydia community, Darlington County, South Carolina
• Eunice Galloway, born 1921
• Alvin Galloway, born 1923, deceased, and reportedly buried in Maryland

ISSUE from Roy Hatchell:

• Marvin Roy Hatchell, born October 17, 1928
• Faye Hatchell, born January 8, 1931, and married a Mr. Adams
• June Hatchell, born January 1, 1933, and married Herbert Martin
• William Glenba "Billy" Hatchell, born October 31, 1935, and died September 19, 1989.  Billy was buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina near Timmonsville.

ISSUE from Roy Hatchell’s marriage to Ruth Norwood (Lowery):

• Judy Diane Hatchell (Judy) MARRIAGE: an Andrews.  Mr. Andrews’ daughter, Ruth Marie, married Johnny White, a son of Robert, Jr. and Helen Flora Alexander White (Helen).
• Ronald Allen "Ronnie" Hatchell
• Ruth Marie Hatchell
• John Lowery (a step-son from Ruth Norwood’s previous marriage)

NOTES:

• Sadie died due to childbirth difficulties.
• Second husband Roy Hatchell later married Ruth Norwood Lowery.

OBITUARY from June of 1973 for Roy Hatchell (publication not known by this research):

    “DARLINGTON - Roy Dudley Hatchell, 73, of Rt. 4, died late Tuesday evening in a Darlington Hospital after a short illness.
    Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 3 p.m. in Pine Grove Methodist Church by the Rev. Guy Mayor, and the Rev. R.N. Wells.  Burial, directed by Belk-King Funeral Home, will be in Darlington Memory Gardens.
    Pallbearers will be Otto Davis, Olin DuBose, Richard Brown, Bernice Brown, and Alvin Dewitt.
    Mr. Hatchell was born in Darlington County, a son of the late George and Mattie Alexander Hatchell.  A veteran of WW I, Mr. Hatchell was employed as a carpenter and a farmer before his retirement.
    Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Ruth Norwood Hatchell; five sons, William Hatchell of Florence, Marvin Hatchell of Charlotte, N.C., Alvin Galloway of Perryville, Md., Ronald Allen Hatchell, and John Lowery both of Darlington.  Five daughters, Mrs. Judy Andrews of Lamar, Mrs. Eunice Nivens of Nashville, Tenn., Mrs. June Martin, Mrs. Faye Adams, and Miss Marie Hatchell all of Darlington, a sister, Mrs. Maude Jordan of Darlington; three brothers, Ruff Hatchell of Columbia, Roger Hatchell of Roanoke, N.C., and Glen Hatchell of Timmonsville; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.”

    Sally was born May 5, 1928 and died March 9, 1999 in Florence, Florence County, South Carolina.  She was married to Harley Newsome, who died previous to her.  Both are interred at Magnolia Cemetery, Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina.

SALLY'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Charles Engram "Charlie" and Ida Eula Jeffords Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

HARLEY NEWSOME’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Carl Wellington, Sr. and Mattie King Newsome

NOTE:

• Sally’s name has also been seen spelled “Sallie”, like her grandmother, Sallie Alexander.  Her named was spelled “Sallie” in early census records, but census takers often misspelled names.

OBITUARY for Sally from Florence Morning News, March 10, 1999:

    “Hartsville - Sally Louise Alexander Newsome, 70, died Tuesday evening in a Florence hospital after an illness.  Funeral Services will be 3 p.m. Thursday in the Lamar Chapel of Belk Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery Hartsville.
    Mrs. Newsome, wife of the late Harley A. Newsom, was born in Florence County the daughter of the late Charlie Ingram (Engram is correct) and Ida Eula Jeffords Alexander.  She was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and Ladies Bible Class of the church.
    Surviving are a sister, Leola A. Watford of Lamar; and several nieces and nephews.
    Mrs. Newsome was preceded in death by five brothers, Charles Ira Alexander, Woodrow Wilson Alexander, James Ervin Alexander, Hamilton Earl Alexander, and Frank William Alexander.
    The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.” 

    Kenneth was born November 22, 1910 in Darlington County, South Carolina, and died May 22, 1986 in Effingham community, Florence County, South Carolina at age 75.  He married Beatrice Lloyd "Bea", born September 19, 1913 and died December 7, 1990.  Although Beatrice remarried following Kenneth’s death, she is buried beside Kenneth in a newer section of the cemetery at Elim Baptist Church (established 1786) on U.S. Highway 301 in Effingham, Florence County, South Carolina.

KENNETH’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Joseph Kirkland "Joe", Sr. and Frances Leitha "Fannie" Hancock Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: William Eli and Olivia Bryant Hancock
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Maternal great-grandparents: Felix and Nancy Langston Hancock
• Maternal great grandmother: Mrs. Sarah Jordan Bryant
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: Mrs. Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

BEATRICE’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Rosier and Annie Mims Lloyd

ISSUE:

• Albert Dewey Alexander, born July 17, 1932, and died at age 73 on August 30, 2005
• Joyce Virginia Alexander, born September 23, 1934, and was married for 46 years to Harry Lee Dennis who died February 11, 2008, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina at age 76
• Hoyt Allen Alexander, born December 27, 1935
• Carolyn Beatrice Alexander, born October 29, 1939
• Lois Patricia Alexander, born October 1, 1943
• Betty Evelyn Alexander, born January 10, 1946
• James Carl "Jimmy" Alexander, born November 14, 1948

BEATRICE’S GROWN STEPCHILDREN from her marriage to Earl Ward:

• Arnold Ward
• Billy Ward
• Don Ward
• Shirley Ward, who married a Mr. Holliday

NOTES:

• Kenneth once worked for the Worker's Progress Administration (W.P.A.), part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's “New Deal”.
• Beatrice remarried after Kenneth’s death to Earl H. Ward of Timmonsville, and then Earl died previous to her.
• Beatrice once told me that her parents use to spell their name “Loyd”.  She said that the family changed the spelling to eliminate confusion with another Loyd family on the same mail route.  One of her daughters told me a few years back that was not so.
• Daughter Virginia’s late husband, Harry Lee Dennis was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict.  Harry’s parents were the late Horace Wendell and Maude McKnight Dennis.  He and Virginia’s children (listed in his obituary) are Dale Dennis and Sherry Dennis.

TRIBUTE - DAUGHTER CAROLYN REMEMBERS

    “He was a very generous man with a heart so big, very few people could match it, and a sense of humor that never failed to leave his family and friends laughing for hours.
    His role as a husband and father was commendable, and as a grandfather, his job was unlimited.  From the first grandchild to the last, their highlight of the week was the visit to granddaddy's house.  They began by visiting the ‘clay hole’, a place described by the children as a ‘great big hole in the woods’.
    Another talent was his ability to capture his grandchildren, and all other children in the neighborhood with his humorous stories he would tell as they all gathered under ‘the big oak tree’.
    In working, his first love was farming, although he was forced to do public work, he never lost his love for growing things.  After his retirement, his garden was his haven.  Each year his ‘little small garden’ grew to be a very big one.  This is where he spent his last day, his last moment.  He died in his garden May 22, 1986.”

OBITUARY from the Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina newspaper The State, May 24, 1986:

    “W. Kenneth Alexander, 75, died Thursday.
    Born in Darlington County, he was a son of the late Joe K. and Fannie Hancock Alexander.
    He was a retired employee of La-Z-Boy East of Florence and a member of Elim Baptist Church.
    Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Beatrice Lloyd Alexander; Dewey Alexander of Effingham, Hoyt Alexander of Charleston, and Jimmy Alexander of Florence; daughters, Mrs. Virginia Dennis and Mrs. Evelyn McCutcheon of Effingham, Mrs. Carolyn Welch of Florence, and Mrs. Lois DeWitt of Pamplico; brothers, Lee, Willard, and Joe Alexander of Timmonsville, and Belvin Alexander of Florence; a sister, Mrs. Mildred Powers of Timmonsville; and grandchildren.
    Services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Elim Baptist Church.
    Memorials may be made to Elim Baptist Church.
    Layton-Perry Funeral Home of Timmonsville is in charge.”

OBITUARY from the Florence, Florence County, South Carolina newspaper Florence Morning News:

    “Effingham - Funeral services for Kenneth Alexander will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Elim Baptist Church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Layton-Perry Funeral Home.
    Mr. Alexander died Thursday.
    He was born in Darlington County, a son of the late Joe K. and Fannie Hancock Alexander.  He was retired from La-Z-Boy East and a member of Elim Baptist Church.
    Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Lloyd Alexander of the home; three sons, Dewey Alexander of Effingham, Hoyt Alexander of Charleston, and Jimmy Alexander of Florence; four daughters, Mrs. Harry (Virginia) Dennis of Effingham, Mrs. Joe (Evelyn) McCutcheon of Florence, and Mrs. Jennings (Carolyn) DeWitt of Pamplico; four brothers, Lee Alexander, Willard Alexander, and Joe Alexander of Timmonsville, and Belvin Alexander of Florence; a sister, Mrs. Edgar (Mildred) Powers of Timmonsville; and 13 grandchildren.
    Memorials may be made to the church building fund.”

OBITUARY for Beatrice from the December 8, 1990 issue of Florence Morning News, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina:

     “Timmonsville - Services for Beatrice Lloyd Alexander Ward will be 2:00 pm Sunday in Elim Baptist Church in Effingham.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery, directed by Layton-Perry Funeral Home.
    Mrs. Ward, 77, died Friday, December 7, 1990, in a Florence hospital after an illness.
    She was born in Florence County, a daughter of the late Rosier and Annie Mims Lloyd.  She was first married to the late Kenneth Alexander and later to the late Earl H. Ward.  She was a member of Elim Baptist Church.  She retired from Florence Manufacturing Company.
       Survivors include three sons, Dewey Alexander of Effingham, Hoyt Alexander of Charleston and Jimmy Alexander of Florence; three step-sons Arnold Ward, Billy Ward, and Don Ward, all of Timmonsville; four daughters, Virginia Dennis and Evelyn McCutcheon, both of Effingham, Carolyn Welch of Florence and Lois Dewitt of Pamplico; a step-daughter Shirley W. Holliday of Florence; a brother, Thomas E. Lloyd of Florence; two sisters, Grace Taylor and Mildred Bell, both of Florence; 13 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
     The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm today in the funeral home and at other times in the home of Harry Dennis of Effingham.”

    William resided in the Greenville, South Carolina area, and is reportedly buried there.

WILLIAM'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Henry Lee "Harry" and Laura M. Raines Alexander
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Maternal grandparents: Edward and Sallie A. Raines
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

    Frank was born May 30, 1903 and died September 18, 1990 at age 87.  He married Grace Andrews, who was born July 14, 1921, and died previous to September 19, 2004 (the date of her funeral).  Their burial was at Elim United Methodist Church, Oates community, Darlington County, South Carolina.  Frank was buried on September 19, 1990, and Grace was interred on September 19, 2004, exactly 14 years later to the date that Frank was buried.  Inscribed on their grave marker is THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE.

FRANK'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Charles Engram "Charlie" and Frances Olivia Jernigan Alexander
  
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea
• Paternal 3-great-grandmother: (Mrs.) Frances (nee?) Alexander
• Paternal 3-great-grandfather: James Johnson
• Paternal 3-great-grandparents: Edward, Jr. and Mary (nee?) Woodham
• Paternal 4-great-grandparents: Edward, Sr. and Eleanor Dupree Woodham
• Paternal 5-great-grandfather: Thomas Woodham

GRACE ANDREWS ALEXANDER’S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Clyde and Ollie Mae Thomas Andrews

ISSUE:

• Ann Alexander
  
• William Frank Alexander (Jr.)
  

NOTE:

• At the time of his death, Frank was the oldest living Alexander in our immediate “clan”, covering Darlington and Florence counties.  I had the privilege of meeting with him at an Alexander-Ward reunion not long before he passed, and got some family information from him.  I remember several of the senior Alexanders in the gathering treating him as a celebrity.  As I talked with Mr. Alexander at that get-together, I asked him about his father’s middle name.  Some have written it as “Ingram”, but he stated emphatically that Charlie's middle name was indeed Engram with an “E”.  He also stated that it was not “Engle”, as some have labeled Charlie.  In addition, he said his father's first name was Charles, not officially Charlie as some have said.
  

OBITUARY for Frank Alexander out of the Florence Morning News, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, dated September 19, 1990:

    “Hartsville - Services for William Frank Alexander Sr. will be 5:20 p.m. today in Elim Methodist Church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Norton Funeral Home.
    Mr. Alexander, 87, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1990, in a Hartsville hospital after an illness.
    He was born in Florence County, a son of the Late Charles I. and Francis Olivia Jernigan Alexander.  He was a retired farmer and a member of Elim Baptist Church.
    Survivors include his wife, Grace Andrews Alexander of Hartsville; a daughter Ann Rhodes of Hartsville; a son, William Alexander, Jr of Hartsville; two brothers, James Alexander of Hartsville and Woodrow Alexander of Lamar; two sisters, Sally Newsom of Hartsville and Leola Watford of Lamar.
    Memorials may be made to the Elim Methodist Church, c/o Jimmy Freeman, Route 1, Lamar.”

OBITUARY for Grace Andrews Alexander from Florence Morning News, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina:

    “Hartsville - Funeral Services for Grace Andrews Alexander, 83, widow of William Frank Alexander Sr., will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept 19, 2004 from Elim Methodist Church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
    Mrs. Alexander was born in Darlington County the daughter of the late Clyde and Ollie Mae Thomas Andrews.  She was a member of Elim Methodist Church and the DeEtte Oates W.M.U. Group.
    Surviving are daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Andy Rhodes of Hartsville; son and daughter-in-law, William and Mitzie Alexander of Hartsville; a grandson and his wife Drew and Amy Rhodes of Savannah, Ga.; and three great-grandsons Jack, Alden, and Gavin of Savannah, Ga.
    She was predeceased by two brothers, Marvin and Francis Andrews, and two sisters, Cora Truett Watford and Vera Parnell.
    Memorials may be made to the Elim Methodist Church, in care of Muryl J. Gardner, 3596 Oates Highway, Lamar, S.C. 29069.”

Woodrow Wilson Alexander
"Woodrow"
Darlington County, South Carolina

    Woodrow was born September 1, 1914 and died September 25, 1990 at age 76.  He was married to Dorothy W. (nee?) Alexander, who was born November 14, 1931.  Woodrow is buried at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Darlington County, South Carolina.

WOODROW'S ANCESTRY COMPOSITE:

• Parents: Charles Engram "Charlie" and Ida Eula Jeffords Alexander (Ida)
• Paternal grandparents: John Wesley and Sarah A.M. "Sallie" Stewart Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Rev. John William Reese and Delilah Alexandra "Liley" Kea Alexander
• Paternal great-grandparents: Abel S. and Lydia Kirkley Stewart
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: John and Mary Woodham Alexander
• Paternal 2-great-grandparents: Thomas and Leonore Johnson Kea