MILDRED SNEAD AND RICHARD SORRELLS 

114        CHARLES LEE ⁴ SORRELLS (Richard W. ^3, Charles ^2, Richard) was born 26 June 1826, Madison Co. Georgia; died 5 October 1888, Madison County, and is buried Danielsville City Cemetery with a marked tombstone. He married SARAH A. COLBERT (b. 27 Oct. 1834; d. 31 Dec. 1881), on 30 Nov. 1848. Sarah is said to have been the daughter of Sarah Garr and Philip Colbert, and the sister of Lindsay, Peyton, and Sanders Colbert [Our Kin:1252].

The will of Charles Lee Sorrells was written 24 August. 1888, and recorded 10 November 1888 [Madison Co. Will Bk A-B:394]. His son, Robert Patton G. Sorrells, was his Administrator. His children are named in the records of the estate, and in the many deeds necessary to dispose of the land he owned at his death. He was a wealthy man.

The compiler believes, after studying some of these deeds, that Charles Lee was the descendant of the 4th generation through which the land of the progenitor, Richard Sorrells, passed. Some of these deeds are abstracted in Appendix I of Our Southern Ancestors, Thelma F. Prince, 1985

The ruins of two old homeplaces believed to have belonged to Charles Lee, and his father, Richard W. Sorrells (15), lie within walking distance of the grave of Richard W. Sorrells, near Scull Shoal Creek, Madison County. A third old homeplace, now gone, was there in the past. Richard W. Sorrells got Scull Shoal Creek land from Charles, his father. Charles, in turn, got it from Richard, his father. For further details, see deed index, Madison County, Georgia Archives, which shows all deeds pertaining to this, not only those included in my book.

The issue of Charles Lee and Sarah Colbert Sorrells are listed in Our Kin:1338-1339. This has been supplemented with additional data[Appendices, A, G., Our Southern Ancestors].

270        RICHARD H. ^5, b. Dec. 1849, Ga; m. LULA ______ (b. June 1875, Ga.). See 1900 Oconee Co., S.C. census. He was a cotton mill worker, listed with wife, children other relatives in household.

271        SARAH E., b. 25 Nov. 1850; d: 15 Apr. 1885.

272        WILLIAM C., b. 1851

273         DR. ROBERT PATTON G., b. 1853; d. 1915. Admr. of Charles Lee Sorrells' estate; wife's name unk; bur. Danielsville City Cem. Graduated Medical College of Ga. in 1875; practiced medicine in Colbert, in Athens, in Madison Co. and vicinity.

274        JAMES M., b. 1855

275        SAMUEL H., b. 1857; m. MARY ______ (b. 1861). Owned land where Richard W. Sorrells (15) is buried.

+276        HOWELL PARKS, b. 9 Jan. 1859; d. 24 Feb. 1932, Madison Co; m. SUSAN U. PAYNE. Owned land adjoining where Richard W. Sorrells (15) is buried.

277        BRITTON S., b. 1861.

278        HUGH B. L. b. 25 May 1862; d. 31 Dec. 1862.

279        CHARLES LEE, Jr., b. 1863.

280        SUSAN CARRIE, b. 1865; m. _____ MATHEWS.

281        SARAH ELIZABETH, b. 1870.

282        CORA A., b. 13 May 1871; d. 25 Sept. 1873.

283        MARY B.L., b. 1873.

172      WILLIAM RICHARD  ⁴ AUSTIN ( Mary ^3, Charles ^2, Richard), born 24 Jan 1841, Walton Co. Ga., son of James Austin and Mary Sorrells (#23, daughter of Charles Sorrells); died between 1910 and 1919 in Lincoln Parish, La. He married MARTHA ANN ⁴ SORRELLS, daughter of James Nathaniel Sorrells and Lucy Ann Haynes (#7).  Martha Ann was born 26 Sept. 1841 and died 22 June 1919.

Thus William Richard and Martha Ann were cousins, and their children were descended from both Charles and William Alexander Sorrells. Also they were related on the Austin side, because Edy Austin who was the mother of Lucy Ann Haynes, was a sister to James Austin. The family moved to Lincoln Co. LA about 1880.

Cemetery Survey of Lincoln Parish, La. shows marker in Oak Grove Cemetery:
William R. Austin Mus. Co. C Inf C.S.A.  No dates were listed.  (The "Mus" is for musician.)  Martha Ann is buried there also.

William Richard Austin applied for a Soldier's Pension on February 12, 1910 in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.  (Copy of Application on file.)  Statement from the War Department, The Adjutant General's Office, Washington, April 28, 1910 stated "The records show that William R. Austin, private, Company C, and musician of the field, staff and band, 9th Regiment Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted June 13, 1861, and that he was surrendered by General Lee to General Grant, and paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865."  He enlisted in Walton County, Georgia.

He moved to Louisiana in 1880, living in Bienville and Lincoln Parishes.  He was a farmer, living in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, near Arcadia, at the time of his death.  He and his wife had eight children, two males and six females.  On his pension application in 1910, he stated their ages ranged from 49 years to 28 years, the youngest female living at home with her parents.

On November 11, 1912, Martha Sorrells Austin applied for a Widow's Pension in Bienville Parish, Lousiana.  (Application on file.)

After Martha's death on June 22, 1919, her heirs applied to the Board of Pension Commissioners, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, requesting that check be payable to J.R. Austin for the amount due their mother on the date of her death.  All children signed this request (only used initials for first two given names) as follows:
J. R. Austin (x his mark)
E. E. Jones
L. A. Camichael
W. L. Moore
M. D. Collins
E. F. Shelby
J. C. Austin
J. B. Austin

The Parishes of Bienville and Lincoln are adjoining.  The town of Arcadia is however in the Parish of Bienville, and is listed on the Bienville Parish census. To date the only members of this family Peggy has located on Bienville Parish or Lincoln Parish censuses were son James R. Austin and his family located on census of Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

284        W. L. AUSTIN ^5, died as infant

285        JAMES R. AUSTIN, born 25 Sept. 1861, Walton Co. Ga, married 6 Nov 1887 to MARTHA  CALLAHAN in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.  He  d. August 27, 1943.

James R. Austin, wife Martha and children are on census for 1910 and 1920, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  His occupation was listed as farmer.  Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.

286        EMMET E. AUSTIN (female), born 29 Oct 1864, Walton Co, Ga, married 6 Nov 1887 to J. S. JONES in Lincoln Parish, LA..  No date of death have been established.  However, according to obituary of sister, Mattie Dollie Austin Collins, Emmet was alive in June, 1940, and residing in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  From marriage dates of Emmet Austin and brother James R. it appears they had a double wedding.

287        LUCY ANN AUSTIN, born ca 1866, Walton Co, Ga, married 28 Nov 1886 to TIM C. CARMICHEAL, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana; m. (2) ROBERT TAYLOR, Aft. 1919.  Information has been given Lucy died in Oklahoma, although I have no documentation of this or date of death.  In 1940 she was residing in Pioneer, West Carroll Parish, Louisiana, as Mrs. Robert Taylor.

According to obituary of sister Mattie Dollie Austin Collins, Lucy was still living in June 1940 and had married Robert Taylor sometime after 1919 when her name appeared on pension application form as L.A. Camichael (notice spelling not Carmichael).  A sister was listed as Mrs. Robert Taylor and since she is the only sister with a different marriage, I had to assume this was in fact Lucy Austin  [The Shreveport Times, Wednesday, June 5, 1940].

288        MARGARET AUSTIN, born ca 1869, Walton Co. Ga, died as child.

289        WILLIE LOU AUSTIN, born 17 Oct 1874, Walton Co., Ga., married 16 Feb 1898 to JOHN ADAMS MOORE, died 23 Jul 1959, Lincoln Parish, La. Ancestor of Reba Lee.
Information on cemetery records shows Willie Austin Moore 10/17/1873 - 07/24/1959.
(Note that dates are different than previously reported.)  Willie is buried in Antioch Cemetery, Jackson Parish, Louisiana.

In 1940 she was residing in Quitman, Jackson Parish, Louisiana.  No listing in documented marriage records found.

 290        MATTIE DOLLIE AUSTIN, b. February 24, 1876, Walton County, Georgia; d. June 04, 1940, Shreveport Caddo Parish, Louisiana; m. 2 December 1894 to JOSEPH LEE COLLINS, JR. December 02, 1894, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana; b. April 11, 1874, Texas; d. December 20, 1950, Shreveport Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

More About JOSEPH LEE (JR) COLLINS:
Burial: December 22, 1950, Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Occupation: Oil compounder-Ark Fuel Oil Co
Religion: Mangum Memorial United Methodist Church
Residence: 1950, 2901 Catherine Street, Shreveport La
Residence: June 04, 1940, 2901 Catherine Street, Shreveport La
Native of Bowie County, Tx
Have copy of obituary (pwh).
Funeral Direction Wellman Funeral Home

More about MATTIE DOLLIE AUSTIN:
Have copy of obituary-[The Shreveport Times, Wednesday, June 5, 1940].
Funeral Direction Wellman Funeral Home
Note that Mattie Austin's great- grandfathers, Charles Sorrells and William Alexander Sorrells, were brothers. .
Residence: June 04, 1940, 2901 Catherine Street, Shreveport La
Burial: June 05, 1940, Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Religion: Mangum Memorial United Methodist Church

291        EADY FLORENCE AUSTIN, born 8 Jul 1878, Walton Co.Ga, m. OTHAR SHELBY, November 03, 1895, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.   According to the obituary of sister Mattie Dollie Austin Collins, Eady was still living in June, 1940 and residing in Haughton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana  [The Shreveport Times, Wednesday, June 5, 1940].

292        JOHNIE BENJAMIN AUSTIN (female), born 8 Mar 1881, Lincoln Parish, La.  According to information provided by her father, William Richard Austin, on his application for war pension, his youngest daughter, age 28, was unmarried and living at home.  All other children were married.  In February of 1910, when the application was made Johnie, born March 8, 1881, would have been 28 years old.  According to obituary of sister Mattie Dollie Austin Collins, Johnie was deceased by June, 1940 [The Shreveport Times, Wednesday, June 5, 1940].

293        CHARLIE J. AUSTIN, born 4 May 1883, in Arkansas, married STELLA BRIDWELL  (Information provided by Reba Lee from the Austin Family Bible).   Or it may be J.C. AUSTIN, d. Aft. 1919.  Peggy Hayes believes the information given regarding the birth and death of J.C. Austin has been in fact for a C.J. Austin, born May 4, 1883, died March 7, 1923, and buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.  J.C. Austin may have been called "Charlie" but she believes his initials to be J.C.  Further, his birth place had been given as in Arkansas.  Unless unusual circumstances it seems unreasonable to assume he was the only child born in Arkansas.

According to the obituary of sister Mattie Dollie Austin Collins, J. C. was deceased before June 1940.   According to statement of his father, William Richard Austin, in his application for war pension, J.C. Austin and all other children except youngest daughter (Johnie) were married.  To date no information regarding the marriage of J.C. has been located.  (Compiler's note: marriage above was given by Reba Lee from copy of an Austin Bible.  If anyone knows further about this, please contact me.)

i.   ERA THELMA⁶ b. 22 Nov. 1901, Walton Co; d. Aug. 1976, Columbus, Ga; m. (1) ELTON B. NIX (2) GEORGE HAMILTON LEE.

ii. BEULAH E., b. 29 April 1903, Walton Co; d. 17 July 1970, Atlanta, Ga; m. WILLIAM STALLINGS.

iii. WILLIAM HAROLD, b. 3 January 1905, Walton Co; d. Nov. 1974, Jacksonville, FL; m. (1) LOUELLE MARTIN (2) RONNNIE WELLS.

iv. BART HARLIN, b. 23 July 1906, Walton Co;  m. WILMA KELLEY.

v. BIRDIE RUTH, b. 27 June 1908, Walton Co; b. 11 Nov. 1962, Athens, Ga; m. JOSEPH A. CARLYLE.
Buried Cedar Creek Churchyard, Winder, Barrow Co. Ga.

vi. CHARLES C., b. 14 Feb. 1910, Walton Co; d. 22 July 1910, Walton Co. Infant death, buried Bethel Baptist Churchyard, Winder, Barrow Co. Ga.

vii. LUCY CLEO, b. 8 Sept. 1911, Walton Co. Ga; m. (1) MARVIN BROWN (2) JOHN RICHARDSON.

viii. LIZZIE KATE, b. 22 February 1913, Gwinnett Co. Ga; m. WATSON LEWIS HOLDER.

ix.  JAMES HARTWELL, Jr., b. 1 Dec. 1914, Gwinnett Co; m. (1) BESSIE L. HILL.  Issue: JIMMIE LEE, b. 23 Oct. 1943; and JANICE , b. 2 June 1948.    He m. (2) JENNIFER LEE  O"SHANNON LEBLANC (b. 7 July 1921, Waterbury, CT) a widow, on 7 May 1968, Juarez, Mex.  Issue: CANDACE HARTWELL SORRELLS  and MARIE LENA SORRELLS, AMANDA LYNN.

x.  HUGH DORSEY, b. 6 April 1916, Gwinnett Co. Ga. m. (1) MABEL KELLEY (2) EVELYN MARIE LARSEN.

xi.  BRODUS JACKSON, b. 22 Oct. 1917, Gwinnett Co. Ga.; d. 4 May 1919.  Buried Bethel Baptist Churchyard, Winder, Barrow Co. Ga.

xii.  REUBEN JACKSON, b. 9 April 1919, Gwinnett Co. Ga; d. 28 Sept. 1982, Jacksonville, FL; m. (1)LOUISE TREDWELL (b. 3 Apr 1919; d. 26 Jan 1981, Jacksonville, FL) on  4 April 1939, Covington, Ga (2) BARNETT (O'NEAL) GROGAN.  His wife, Barnett, had 3 children from her first marriage: Everett Dwight, Elkin Wade, and Myra Nann Grogan, all b. Colquitt Co. Ga.

xiv.  OPAL VIRGINIA, b. 6 June 1924, Barrow Co. Ga; m. (1) RICHARD CAPE (2) CARL VANEK III.

xv.  RAYMOND C. , b. 20 Sept. 1926, Jennings, FL; d. 7 Feb. 1927, Hahira, Ga;  buried at Bethel.

240 THOMAS WILEY⁵ SORRELLS (William Benjamin 4, Wiley J.³William² Richard¹) was born 25 November 1871, Walton Co. and lived much of his early life In what was later named Bethlehem, Ga. about 1889.  He died 9 October 1925, near Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Co. Ga.

He married LUCY ANN VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, born 7 June 1875, Walton County, Ga. and died 17 August 1961, Atlanta, Fulton Co., Ga. She was the daughter of Cynthia Adazoe (Hughes) Bullock Williams and Middleton Mix Williams of Walton Co, Ga. See Our Southern Ancestors for more on Hughes and Williams families.  My grandparents were buried at Bethesda Meth. Church.   Also see Williams family by clicking here and for Hughes, click http://www.oursouthernancestors.com/index.html My grandparents were married 1 April 1894, Walton Co., by Benjamin Franklin Moore, J.P., an uncle of Thomas W. Sorrells, at Benjamin's home. Their original marriage license is at the Georgia Archives. Please see JOHN AND KEZIAH MOORE FAMILY for more on the Moores.   Also please see http://userpages.aug.com/charlie6/mca-001.htm for the McAshan Family, ancestors of Thomas Wiley Sorrells.

After they married, my grandparents lived a few years in Walton Co. They settled in 1897 in the Bethesda Community, Gwinnett Co., near Laurenceville where they bought a 40 acres farm at what is now 260 Hammitt Road, just off Hamilton Road, near Bethesda United Methodist Church. At that time the place had a log cabin with wooden shutters known as the Paden Place. Five of their children were born in the log cabin: BUSH LADELLE, MARGIE PEARL, VERDA ESTELLE, RALPH STALKER SORRELLS, and THOMAS COURTLAND SORRELLS.

Shortly after 1908, Grandfather built a new house with the help of his very good friend, Alvin Lee Thompson of kland community, Gwinnett Co., owner of a saw mill and oxen. The sawmill was used to saw lumber from trees cut down on his property, and the oxen were used to move the logs. Shingles were split by hand. the children would hold the kerosene lamp for Grandfather to see as he put up the ceilings at night. The house still stands today. This was related to me by Bush Hamilton, my aunt, who remembers how proud the family was of their completed new house.

Grandfather was described by his children as a very loving father, a strict disciplinarian, but always compassionate and fair, who expected and got respect from his children. He was a honest, Christian family man, well respected in the community and often called on by others in times of need. Grandmother was a loving mother, supportive wife, and active in the church and community.

Their home was one of love, consideration, honesty, high moral values, Christian values: love of God, home, and family. This compiler has often wished I could have known my grandfather.

Grandfather held a local preacher's license, granted by North Atlanta District of the North Georgia Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He did, not have a regular church but preached where he was asked. He and his family were members of the Bethesda Methodist Church. He held the office of Superintendent of Sunday School and was a Sunday School teacher. He loved to be the song leader and had a very good singing voice.

The children were all active in the church as they grew up. The compiler's mother, Verda Estelle Cain, was a member of this church from the time she was about seven years old until she died at the age of 93 in October 1996. She kept in touch with the people there and supported the church financially although she did not get to go very often because she was living in New Jersey with me.

The main occupation of Grandfather was farming, but he also completed a veterinarian course by mail. This was useful in tending his own sick animals on the farm and any in the community when he was called upon to do so. Grandfather was an artist and did a portrait of my Grandmother which is very prized by the family. Grandfather had a high school education; he attended the schools of Bethlehem. In his younger days, he went to church at Bethlehem Methodist, and was very fond of his uncle, Judson Lewis Moore, who was a musician. See John and Keziah Moore Family. Grandfather was called "Tom" and Grandmother was known as "Ginny" in those days.

After the death of Grandfather in 1925, Grandmother moved from Gwinnett County to Atlanta with her children, Thomas Courtland, Celia Adazoe, and William Benjamin. They bought a home in West End. Ralph Stalker Sorrells was already in Atlanta, working as a streetcar conductor. Her daughters, Lollie Grace Hamilton, Bush Ladelle Hamilton, and Margie Pearl Wofford, had already moved to Atlanta. Then in 1937, Verda Estelle and her husband, John Rufus Cain, my parents, moved to Atlanta from Gwinnett County.

After 1936, and during the following years, Grandmother took turns living with each of her children for a period of time. I remember her living with us several times, and we were very close because of the constant contact. I loved her very much.

During her last years, Grandmother went completely blind, due to inoperable cataracts, and had a severe tremor of her hands and head. She knew her way around Grace's house, where I last visited her, so well you would forget she was blind.  Below is a picture of a Sorrells reunion in Grant Park in 1947.
 

She had snow white pretty hair wore a cameo brooch at her neck, wore well fashioned dresses and was meticulous about her appearance. Even when she could not see and was quite elderly, she was always well-groomed, and took the utmost care of herself. More important, she had a quite, calm, sweet disposition. She used to sit in a favorite rocker and listen to the soap operas on radio. When television came out, she listened to them on television.

In May 1960, I stayed with her a few days, and took my son, William Jeffrey Prince, 4 years old then, for a visit. That was the only time he ever saw her.

Grandmother died of pneumonia at St.. Joseph's Infirmary, Atlanta, 17 August 1961. Her funeral was held 19 August at Bethesda Methodist Church, Gwinnett County, with many friends and relatives in attendance.

Below are photographs of Thomas W. Sorrells and wife, Virginia, and of Grandma Sorrells with Tommy Sorrells, her grandson.   Click here for the  black and white portraits hand drawn by a grandson David Williford, son of Celia Adazoe and Cecil  Williford.
 
 

294        LAFAYETTE PENCE ^6, b. 3 Jan. 1895, Walton Co; d. 9 Feb. 1895, Walton Co; bur. Williams family cem., Walton Co. by grandfather, Middleton Mix Williams.

+295        LOLLIE GRACE, b. 4 March 1896, Walton Co; d. 22 Nov. 1963, Atlanta; m. ANDREW VINSON HAMILTON (b. 23 May 1897, Cobb Co; d. 21 Jan. 1977, Atlanta), son of Jane Boatner and John Milton Hamilton, on 2 Apr. 1916, Gwinnett Co; buried Bethesda Methodist Ch. Cem.

+296        BUSH LADELLE, b. 9 July 1898; d. 24 October 1987, Gwinnett Co; m. WILLIAM HOWARD HAMILTON (b. 1 Aug. 1894, Cobb Co; d 4 May 1953, Atlanta), brother of Andrew above, on 4 July 1915, Gwinnett Co. They are buried Bethesda Meth. Ch. Cem. Gwinnett Co.

+297        MARGIE PEARL, b. 13 Dec. 1900, Gwinnett Co;d. 11 October 1994; m. (1) ERNEST DEWITT WOFFORD (b. 26 Sept. 1899, Forsyth Co Ga; d. 26 Sept. 1965, Atlanta), son of Dixie Blackstock and Truman J. Wofford, on 25 Sept,. 1921, Gwinnett Co. DeWitt is bur. West View Cem. Atlanta. Pearl m. (2) HARTWELL YOUNG ALLGOOD (b. 22 Mar. 1889: d. 8 Nov. 1985), on 24 Apr. 1970.

+298        VERDA ESTELLE, b. 9 July 1903, Gwinnett Co; d. 8 October 1996; m. JOHN RUFUS CAIN (b. 21 Jan. 1896, Gwinnett Co; d. 23 Apr. 1957, Gwinnett Co.), son of Mary Jane Cash and Luke Ervin Cain. John buried Luxomni Bapt. Ch. Cem. Gwinnett Co. Verda buried Bethesda United Methodist Church, Gwinnett Co. See Our Southern Ancestors.

299         RALPH STALKER, b. 3 Dec. 1905, Gwinnett Co; never married; d. 24 March 1929, Cape Haitien, Haiti; buried Bethesda Meth Ch. Cem. Gwinnett Co. After attending Bethesda School, Ralph was a streetcar conductor in Atlanta, and joined the U.S. Marines in 1926. He died in Haiti after contracting Black Swamp Fever (Malaria) in Nicaragua where his unit had been working. He was a vibrant, intelligent young man who lost his life much too soon.

Ralph Stalker Sorrells William Benjamin Sorrells, 1928 Celia, Grandmother, Verda, Pearl  1947

+300        THOMAS COURTLAND, b. 15 Apr. 1908, Gwinnett Co; d. 5 April 1991, Atlanta: m. SARA ELIZABETH ADKINS (b. 2 Oct. 1911: d. 4 Sept. 1989), daughter of Sara Elizabeth Saye and Robert Chaffin Adkins, on 12 June 1934, Atlanta.  Both buried in West View Cemetery, Atlanta, Ga.

301        MIDDLETON MIX, b. 16 July 1910, Gwinnett Co; d. 16 July 1910; bur. by his grandmother, Cynthia Adazoe Hughes Bullock Williams, Oakland Cem. Lawrenceville.

+302        WILLIAM BENJAMIN, b. 24 Aug. 1912, Gwinnett Co; d. 18 Sept. 1999; m. (1) GLORIA ELEANOR WIRTZ (b. 6 Oct.1915, Wabun, MI; d. Jan. 1939, Long Beach Calif) on 3 Sept. 1932, Long Beach, Ca; m. (2) NAOMI ELIZABETH DIEHL (b. 11 Nov. 1906), Twin Falls Id; d. 10 Nov. 1962, Orange Co., Calif.) on 8 June 1941, Orange Co. Ca.