237

Descendants of Abraham Twyman Source: Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky October 19, 1917

Dear Friend (Mrs. Paul A. Klayder):

I w i l l now try to answer your let t e r . When I received i t we had just been burned out of a home, and with getting i t back, have been so busy that I have not had time to write, but w i l l try to give you a l l the information I can. A cousin, John H. Twyman, had the family Bible of our grandfather, and the last we heard from him he was in New Orleans, Louisiana, so I can give only what my aunt (M. T. A. L u c y j . Twyman (Chastain)) and I can remember, as we are the two eldest members of this family.

Abraham Twyman's wife was Sarah Neville. T c them were born four sons and two daughters. (1) Milly Twyman who married a Mr. Griggs, and (2) Polly Twyman who married a Mr. Gatewood. The sons were (3) Alvin Twyman, and (4) William Twyman—-farmers; (5) Kirtley Twyman who was my grandfather. He was born August IV 1802. He married, September 26, 1827, Miss Elizabeth A. Phaup. He

S e l U m b e T 2 7 • 1 8?5. She was born April 13, 1811 and died January 15, 1092. To them were given seven c h i l d r e n — 3 boys and 4 g i r l s .

John A. Twyman was born Au,<mst 12, 1828 and died January 22, 1904 He was married to Mahalia F. Clark, October, I858. She died November 22^ I887 To them were born two boys, ( l ) William L. Twyman, born October 25, I854, and died at the age of 22; (2) John H. Twyman, married a Miss Ada Crim. To them were born 1 boy who died in infancy, and two g i r l s . Katie Twyman married a Mr. Wilson, and A l l i e Twyman.

Sarah E. Twyman was born June 1, 1830 and died February 11, 1874. She married John W. Powell, January 4, 1849. John W. Powell was born March 4. 1824 There were no children.

James A. Twyman, born Apr i l 8, 1832, married Lucy A. price, June 16, I853 She was bom on March 6, 1835. James A. Twyman died on April 26, 1914 His'wife died on October 13, 1908. To them were born 8 c h i l d r e n — 5 boys and 3 g i r l s Lizzie W. Twyman was born May 13, I854. She married T. J. Harry on May 21, I l i 6 d ° n J u l v

T

2 1 ' WIO. Issue, 3 g i r l s : Emma P. Harry, born April d, 1075. She married J. Hampten Fox on December 1, I892. To them was born 1 g i r l , Ruth Fox, born June 1, 1911. Cora T. Harry was born September 8, 1877 She married W. H. Hester on June 15, 1899. Will H. Hester was born on January 22, I879. To them were born 5 children, 3 boys and 2 g i r l s . The f i r s t child was born and died on A p r i l 2, 1900. Richard T. Hester was born May 31 1902 Elizabeth E. Hester was born May 15, 1905. J. W. Hester was born on ' July 1, 1909. Pattie Louise Hester was born on May 25, 1912.

Georgia W. Harry, born on September 20, 1879, married Walter R. Stewart on

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238

(Letter—"Descendants of Abraham Twyman—Source: Mr?. Lizzie W, Harry, Honkinsville, Kentucky"—dated October 19, 1917, to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder.)

July 16, 1899. To them were born 2 boys and 1 g i r l : ( l ) Raymond B. Stewart was born July 27, 1902; (2) Roy G. Stewart was born August 10, 1905; (3) Sarah B. Stewart was born April 8, 1908.

Emma P. Twyman, born on August 2, I856, married Harry J. Walker on February 12, 1873— no children. She died on May 5, 1874.

Joseph K. Twyman was born on October 16, I858. He married Naomi C. Morris on December 17, 1881. To them were born 8 children: ( l ) Carrie L. Twyman was born on December 13, 1883; (2) Morris A, Twyman was born on August 27, 1885; (3) Ora fey Twyman was born on April 6, 1888; (4) Claud K. Twyman was born on March 22, 1895; (5) Derwood B. Twyman was born on June 17, 1901; (6) Thelma Twyman was born on February 23, 1905; (7) Fannie J. Twyman was born on October 21, 1909; (8) Ruth E. Twyman was born on July 10, 1912.

Richard W. Twyman was born on February 11, 1861. He married Mrs. L i l l i e J. Buckner on May 10, 1893. He died on January 19, 1908—no children.

John W. Twyman was born on January 7, I869. He married Emma B. Fox on August 20, 1890. They had one son, Paul E. Twyman, born October 15, 1894.

Fannie J. Twyman, born on February 24, 1872, died on August 17, 1883.

Harry A. Twyman, born October 5, 1873, died on August 19, 1875-

G. Leslie Twyman, born on September 6, 1877, married Mary Fannie Clark on December 26, I898. To them were born six children: ( l ) an infant, born May 15, 1900; (2) Nora L. Twyman was born on March 9, 1902; (j) Bertha Twyman, born November 27, 1905; (4) Robert C. Twyman, born June 14, I9O85 (5) Alvin J. Twyman, born April 7, 1914; (6) William R. Twyman, born on January 19, 1916. The mother of these children was born on September 15, 1880.

William W. Twyman, born November 7, 1833, married Amanda Hughes on January 15, 1857. He died in Hooker, Oklahoma, on March 30, 1907. She died March 8, 1910 i n Hooker, Oklahoma. To them were given seven children: ( l ) Clarence Twyman, died when two years old; (2) Nellie Twyman, who married Will Goodwin; (3) Lizzie Twyman, who married Dr. Whitfield. He died. She married again a Mr. Curtis. He is dead, and she lives in Raton, New Mexico; (4) Robert K. Twyman, died in his teens; (5) Maggie Twyman, who married a Mr. Sam Eaton. They liv e in Los Angeles, California; (6) J. Logan Twyman, married—they live in Oklahoma; (7) Willie May Twyman, married—they li v e i n California.

Emily J. Twyman, born February 9, 1837, died on June 16, I852.

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239

(Letter ("Descendants of Abraham Twyman—Source: Mrs, Lizzie W. Harry, Hopkinsville, Kentucky"), dated October 19, 1917, to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder.)

Annie E. Twyman, born March 30, 1840, married Joseph L. Owen on June 1, I858. She died on January 22, I867. T 0 them were born three children: ( l ) Joseph T. Owen, born July 27, 1859? (2) Emma T. Owen, born February, 1861: (3) Carrie L. Owen, born May 2, 1864.

Lucy J. Twyman, born April 29, 1350, married Albert J. Baker on February 11, 1866. He died on February 2, I875. To them were born two children: ( l ) R. Edward Baker, born October 25, 1871: (2) Annie J. Baker, born Auril 26, 1873. Lucy J. Baker (Twyman) married, secondly, Samuel E. Chastain, on May 17, 1877. They are both l i v i n g . Samuel E. Chastain was born on June 23, 1838,

I hope you w i l l be able to read i t a l l , and that i t w i l l offer you as much pleasure as i t has me in copying i t for you. Your friend,

(signed)

Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

240

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. L izz ie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1917

1. George Twyman 1, the immigrant from England to Virginia, married Catherine Montague, a native of Virginia. Catherine Montague belonged to the ancient, powerful Montague family of England.

2. George Twyman I I , married Agatha Beauford (Buford), daughter of Thomas Beauford, of Virginia.

3. George Twyman I I I , married Mary Walker, daughter of Sir Edward Walker, B aronet, of England.

4. ABRAHAM TWYMAN. married Sarah Neville. He was the eighth child. He was born November 24, 1770. He settled i n Barren County, Kentucky, with Daniel Boone and Joel Neville before the War of 1812. They moved to Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, when Kirtley Twyman's son, James Alvin Twyman, was one year old. (Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was called "Elizabethtown" before 1799.) Issue:

4-1. Simeon Twyman, died in Clark County, Kentucky. He married, f i r s t l y , Amelia ("Millie") Haggard, daughter of Elizabeth Watts (daughter of Ruth Twyman, daughter of George Twyman I I I ) , born February 23, 1805, and died in Clark County, Kentucky. Simeon Twyman married, secondly, Lizzie Brunner.

4-1-1. Pleasant Twyman, married Josie Parrish. 4-1-1-1, Dillard Twyman, married, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. 4-1-1-2. Barnett Twyman, married; also lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. 4-1-1-3. Julia Twyman, married, f i r s t l y , Smith Tipton; married, secondly,

Jake Ogden. Children by Smith Tipton: 4-1-1-3-1. Cora Tipton, married Will Rucker, of Clark County, Kentucky. 4-1-1-3-2. Maude Tipton, married Jesse Denny, of Winchester, Kentucky. 4-1-1-3-2-1. One child.

4-2. Alvin Twyman, unmarried. He was a farmer. 4-3. William Twyman.

(continued on following pages)

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241

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsv^lle^fe^tucky, 1917

4-4. Dr. James Neville Twyman, married Martha Hobson about 1833. He lived in Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky, and Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He died in 1855 probably in Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky.

4-4-1. John William Twyman, born 1835 or 1836, died July 19, 1874 in Bee County, Texas. He was married to Sarah Benham in Goliad, Texas, December 27, 1865. Sarah Benham was born on June 10, 1843. (Sarah Benham's father, Colonel S. A. Benham, was born in Connecticut November 4, 1792, and d^ed i n Texas March 4, 1877. Col. Benham married Martha Ann Lander in Winchester, Kentucky. Martha Ann Lander's mother was Elizabeth Haggard, daughter of David Haggard. The Benhams later lived near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where Sarah Benham was born. They had moved to Texas when Sarah was a young g i r l , and there she met John William Twyman, of Hopkinsville, Ken­tucky. He was a f i r s t lieutenant in the Confederate Army, a handsome man and a v i o l i n i s t . Widowed by John William Twyman, Sarah (Benham) Twyman married, secondly, Reverend A. J. Bush, minister of the Christian Church at Goliad, Texas. They had four children: ( l ) Beulah Bush; (2) Anna (Bush) Tarkington, of Taylor Texas; (3) A. J. Bush, Jr., of Waco, Texas; (4) Martha (Bush) Pittman, of Donna, Texas.) John William Twyman and his wife, Sarah Benham, had one child:

4-4-1-1. William Gilbert Twyman, born January 21, 1866. He married Adeline May Meeks on April 11, 1895. Issue:

4 4-1-1-1. Dora B. Twyman, born December 3, I898. 4-4-1-1-2.' Anna May Twyman, born November 23, 1900, married F. G. Shultz

on January 31, 1920. 4-4-2. Elizabeth Cornelia Twyman, married Mr. "Monk" Bybee. She died about

1903. 4-4-3. George A. Twyman, born I85I, married Fannie Brown. He was born in

Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky, and died i n Greenwood, Indiana, 1909. Orphaned at four years of age, he was reared by his aunt, Mildred (Twyman) Grigrs, and her husband, "Square" (or "Squire") Griggs. Issue:

/Mf_3_l, Theodore Twyman. 4-4-3-2. James Twyman. 4-4-3-3. Maud Twyman. 4_if«3-4. May Twyman. If_4-3_5. Joseph Twyman. 4_4_3_6, Walter Twyman. 4-4-3-7. Ruby 1wyman. 4-4-3-8. Rachel Twyman.

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242

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 191? (continued)

4-5. Kirtley Twyman, born August 14, 1802, died September 27, 1895. He married Elizabeth A. Phaup, September 26, 1827. She was born April 13 1811 and died January 15, 1892. She was a Baptist. The was the daughter of John and Sarah Phaup. The Kirtley Twymans lived i n Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where a l l of their children were born except James Alvin Twyman who was born i n Cadiz, Kentucky. Both Elizabeth and Kirtley Twyman died and were buried at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Issue:

4-5-1. John Abraham Twyman, born August 12, 1828 and died January 22, 1904; married Mahalia Clark on October 3, I858. She died November 22, 1887. (Mahalia Clark was the daughter of Thomas Clark by his f i r s t marriage. His children by his second marriage were (l) Yate Clark; (2) Mary Fannie Clark; (3) John H. Clark.)

4-5-1-1. William Luther Twyman, born October 25, 1854 and died at 22 years of age.

4-5-1-2. John Henry Twyman, a dentist, moved from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Los Angeles, California. He married Ada Crim. Issue:

4-5-1-2-1. Infant boy who died. 4-5-1-2-2. A l l i e Twyman. 4-5-1-2-3. Katie Twyman, married Mr. Wilson. 4-5-2. Sarah Elizabeth Twyman, born June 1, 1830 and died February 11, 1874.

She married John W. Powell on January 4, 1849. He was born March 4, 1824. No issue.

4-5-3. James Alvin Twyman, bom April 8, 1832, died Ap r i l 26, 1914. He married Lucy Ann Price on June 16, I853. She was born March 6, 1835, and

- jiied October 13, 1908 i n Hopkinsville, Kentucky. (Lucy Ann Price was the daughter of Joseph Price and Jerusha Shelton. Joseph Price married a second time and had one child by the second marriage. He died in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.) Lucy Ann (Price) Twyman was a Methodist. Issue:

4-5-3-1. Elizabeth W. Twyman, born May 13, 1854 i n Hopkinsville, Kentucky, married Thomas J. Harry May 21, 1874. He died July 21, 1910. Issue:

4-5-3-1-1. Emma P. Harry, bom April 2, 1875. She married Professor J. Hampton Fox December 1, I892. She died Ap r i l 8, 1922. Issue:

4-5-3-1-1-1. Ruth Fox, bom June 1, 1911. 4-5-3-1-2. Cora T. Harry, bom September 8, 1877, married William H. Hester

June 15, I899. He was born January 22, 1879. Issue: 4-5-3-1-2-1. An infant, bom and died April 2, 1900.

4-5-3-1-2-2. Richard T. Hester, born May 31, 1902, married Frances Miles at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, December 21, 1921. They li v e in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

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243

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1917 (continued)

4-5-3-1-2-3. Elizabeth E. Hester, born May 15, 1905, married Robert Lee Waldrop, November 15, 1923, at Birmingham, Alabama.

4-5-3-1-2-4. J. W. Hester, born July 1, 1909 4-5-3-1-2-5. Pattie Louise Hester, born May 25, 1912. 4-5-3-1-3. Georgia W. Harry, born September 20, 1879, married Walter R.

Steward, June 16, 1899. They li v e at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Issue:

4-5-3-1-3-1. Raymond B. Stewart, born July 27, 1902. 4-5-3-1-3-2. Roy G. Stewart, born August 10, 1905. 4-5-3-I-3-3. Sarah E. Stewart, born April 8, 1908. 4-5-3-2. Emma Price Twyman, born August 2, I856, married Harry J. Walker,

February 12, 1873. she died May 5, 1874. No issue. 4-5-3-3. Joseph Kirtley Twyman, born October 16, I858, died August 11, 1919,

at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, married Naomi C. Morris, December 17, 1881. She lived in Covington, Tennessee. The Twymans live in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Issue:

4-5-3-3-1. Carrie L. Twyman, born December 13, 1883, married Joseph R. Furgenson, December 25, 1899, Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

4-5-3-3-2. Morris A. Twyman, born August 27, I885. 4-5-3-3-3. Ora May Twyman, born April 6, 1888. 4-5-3-3-4. Claud K. Twyman, born March 22, 1895. 4-5-3-3-5. Derwood B. Twyman, born June 17, 1901. 4-5-3-3-6. Thelma Twyman, born February 23, 1905. 4-5-3-3-7. Fannie J. Twyman, born October 21, 1909. 4-5-3-3-8. Ruth E. Twyman, born July 10, 1912. 4-5-3-4. Richard Wood Twyman, born February 11, 1861, married Mrs. L i l l i e J.

Buckner, May 10, 1893. She lived in Blythevine, Arkansas. He died January 19, 1908. No issue.

4-5-3-5. John W. Twyman, born January 7, I869. married Emma Belle Fox, of Earlington, Kentucky, August 20, I89O. They were married at Madisonville, Hopkins County, Kentucky. Issue:

4-5-3-5-1. Paul E. Twyman, born October 15, 1894, Earlington, Kentucky. He was employed at the Bureau of Printing, Washington, D.C. He married, f i r s t l y , Mary Virginia Hughes, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, on June 10, 1914. She was born July 25, 1895. Issue:

4-5-3-5-1-1. Louise Twyman, born April 24, 1915. Paul E. Twyman married, secondly, Eva Katherine (Minerd) Allen,

of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Issue: 4-5-3-5-1-2. Emma Jane Twyman, born October 25, 1919. 4-5-3-5-1-3. Pearl Alice Twyman, born February 23, 1921. 4_5»3_6. Fannie Jamison Twyman, born February 24, 1872, died August 17, 1883. 4-5-3-7. Harry Alvin Twyman, born October 5, 1873, died August 19, 1875.

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244

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1917 (continued)

4-5-3-8. George Leslie Twyman, born September 6, 1877, married Mary Fannie Clark, December 26, I898, i n Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She was born September 15, 1880. She was the sister of Mahalia Clark -who married John Abraham Twyman. They lived in Nashville, Tennessee. Issue:

4-5-3-8-1. Infant, born May 15, 1900. 4-5-3-8-2. Nora Lee Twyman, born March 9, 1902, married Woodruff DuMont of

Nashville, Tennessee. 4-5-3-8-3. Bertha Twyman, born November 27, 1905. 4-5-3-8-4. Robert C. Twyman, born June 14, 1908. 4-5-3-8-5. Alvin J. Twyman, born April 7, 1914. 4-5-3-8-6. William R. Twyman, born January 19, 1916. 4-5-4. William Walker Twyman, born November 7, 1833, died March 30, 1907

in Hooker, Oklahoma. Married Amanda Hughes January 15, I857. She died March 8, 1910 in Hooker, Oklahoma. Issue:

4-5-4-1. Clarence Twyman, died at two years of age. 4-5-4-2. Nellie E. Twyman, married William A. Goodwin. Issue: 4-5-4-2-1. Lolah Goodwin, married, f i r s t l y , James A. Connelly. They were

divorced. She married, secondly, William Hervey, Los Angeles, California. Issue:

4-5-4-2-1-1. Elna Hervey (twin), born 1909. 4-5-4-2-1-2. Edra Hervey (twin), born 1909. ^5-4-3. Annie Elizabeth Twyman, died August 18, 1924. She married, f i r s t l y .

Dr. George Neville Whitfield. They lived in Raton, New Mexico. Issue:

4-5-4-3-1. George Neville Whitfield, a machinist, Denver, Colorado. 4-5-4-3-2. Flora Whitfield.

Annie (Twyman) Whitfield, widowed by Dr. Whitfield, married, secondly, John Bartley Curtis. He died. She lives in Raton, few Mexico. Issue:

4-5-4-3-3. Nellie Marie Curtis. 4-5-4-4. Robert K. Twyman, died i n his teens. 4-5-4-5. Margaret Alice Twyman, married Samuel E. I. Eaton. They live in

Los Angeles, California. Issue: 4-5-4-5-1. Iola Eaton, married Newton Cook. They live in Los Angeles,

California. Issue: 4-5-4-5-1-1. Julia Cook. 4-5-4-5-1-2. Edward Cook. 4-5-4-5-1-3. Iola Cook. 4-5-4-6. John Logan Twyman, married Etta Mason. Divorced. No issue. They

lived in Hooker, Oklahoma.

/

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245

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1917 (continued)

4-5-4-7. Willie May Twyman, married, f i r s t l y , William McAbee. They lived i n California. Issue:

4-5-4-7-1. Margaret McAbee, married Joseph K i m b l e T h e y lived in Portland, Oregon.

4_5_4_7-2. Bessie McAbee, married Ellner Andrews. They lived in Los Angeles, California. Issue:

4-5-4-7-2-1. Beulah Andrews, unmarried. Willie May (Twyman) McAbee, married, secondly, August Kibble, Color­ado Springs, Colorado. Mrs. Kibble married, thirdly, Robert LaRue.

4-5-5. Emily Francis Twyman, born February 9» 1837, died June 16, 1852, never married.

4-5-6. Annie Eliza Twyman (or Eliza Annie Twyman), born March 30, 1840, died January 22, I867. She married Joseph L. Owen (or Owens), June 1, I858. Issue:

4-5-6-1. Joseph T. Owen, born July 27, 1859. 4-5-6-2. Emma T. Owen, born February 2, 1861. 4-5-6-3. Carrie Lee Owen, born May 2, 1864. She married Joseph Chastain,

of 30th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee. 4-5-7. Lucy Jones Twyman, born A p r i l 29, 1850, married Albert J. Baker,

February 11, 1866. Albert J. Baker died February 2, 1875• Issue: 4-5-7-1. Robert Edward Baker, born October 25, 1871• married Teresa Morris,

September 27, 1899. She was born February 8, 1881 and died January 30, 1924. Issue:

4-5-7-1-1. Albert Baker, born August 16, 1900, died September 27, 1918. (He lived with his mother at Hopkinsville, Kentucky.)

4-5-7-1-2. Carl E. Baker, born and died 1902. 4-5-7-2. Annie Jamison Baker, born Apr i l 26, 1873, and died November 8,

1915 at Fort Worth, Texas; married Frank Merriman, born at Tarry-town, New York. Issue:

4-5-7-2-1. Lauretta Merriman, born January 8, I895, married William Tucker April 2, 1919 at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. William Tucker was born Apr i l 27, 1888. Issue:

4_5_7_2-l-l. Annie Virginia Tucker, born July 20, 1920. Lucy Jones (Twyman) Baker, married, secondly, Samuel E. Chastain, May 17, 1877. Samuel E. Chastain was born June 22, I838. They are both l i v i n g in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. No issue. Robert E. Baker was l i v i n g in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1925. (Samuel E. Chastain died January 9, 1919.)

4-6. Mildred Twyman, m arried "Squire" (or "Square") Griggs. They lived in Glasgow, Kentucky. No issue. They reared George Washington Twyman,

1/ I t cannot be dertermined from the handwriting whether Kimble or Kibble is correct.

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246

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM TWYMAN Prepared by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1917 (continued)

orphan of Mildred's brother, Dr. James Neville Twyman.

4-7, Mary ("Polly'') Twyman, married James Gatewood. They lived near Glasgow, Kentucky. Issue*

4-7-1, Boone Gatewood.

4-8. Cynthia Twyman, married Thomas Jones. They had children but the names are not known.

2M-7

Ancestry of Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry (born 185*0 of Hopkinsville. Kentucky

I Simeon Twyman mar­ried (1) Amelia Hag­gard (2) Lizzie Brunner

4 . 3 Abraham Twyman (George III j George II 5 George I , the immigrant) married Sarah Neville

Mary Twyman married James Gatewood

i Alvin Twyman unmarried

1 William Twyman

Dr. James Neville Twyman married Martha Hobson

1 Kirtley Twyman married Elizabeth A. Phaup

1 Cynthia Twyman married Thomas Jones

Mildred Twyman married Squire (or "Square") Griggs

John A. Twyman married Mahalia Clark

F.

f

Sarah E. Twyman married John W. Powe]1

] James A, Twyman married Lucy Price

i Lizzie W. Twyman mar­ried T. J. Harry

William W. Twyman mar­ried Amanda Hughes

— r Emily Twyman, unmarried

I Annie Eliza Twyman married Joseph L. Owen

Lucy Jones Twyman mar­ried Albert J. Baker

Source: Letter, dated October 19, 1917, sent by Mrs. Lizzie W. Harry to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder.

248

Mrs. T. to*. Harry 401 South Main Street Hopkinsville, Kentucky

June 10, 1923

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder

Dear Cousin:

I received your letter sometime ago and should have answered i t sooner, but I have not been well so you w i l l have to excuse me.

You spoke of receiving a letter from one of George Twyman's sons. Now I have seen his father, as he lived a short time in Hopkinsville. He went from here to Texas, and Aunt Lutie says she was thinking he was Simeon Twyman's son, but as to who reared the other two children, she doesn't remember.

Mr. James Gatewood was the name of Aunt Polly's husband. I don't know whether Aunt Cynthia Jones had any children. Aunt Polly Gatewood had one son, Boone Gatewood.

Since writing to you I have lost my eldest brother, J. K. Twyman. He died August 11, 1919, and also Mr. S. E. Chastain, Aunt Lucy's husband. He died January 9» 1919> also my eldest daughter's husband, Professor Hampton Fox. He died April 8, 1922.

I believe that i s about a l l I know to t e l l this time, but I shall now ask When you think that you w i l l get your book finished and what i t w i l l cost. If I am l i v i n g , I would love to have one. I f I can be of any more help, c a l l on me and I w i l l gladly help you out a l l I can.

Yours with love,

(signed)

Mrs. T. W. Harry

249

Mrs. L. W. Harry (nee Elizabeth W. Twyman)

311 Twyman Street Hopkinsville, Kentucky

February 16, 1925

Dear Mrs. Klayder1

I received these pa tiers sometime ago. I should have attended to them sooner but had company and could not, but w i l l do the best for you that I can.

Write to Raton, New Mexico, to Mrs. Lizzie Curtis or Miss Flora Whitfield. Mrs, Curtis i s the second daughter of my father's brother, William Walker Twyman, and she could give you a l l the dates of their family — also a l l their addresses.

My youngest brother lives i n Nashville. He i s George Leslie Twyman, and he told me of a Mrs. Twyman who was 80 years old, and she said she knew she must be related. However, as he -never took much interest in the kinship, he could not t e l l her much. You could get in touch with her. She might be able to help you.

No I don't know where my grandfather or brothers or sisters were reared. They did l i v e , some of them, near Glasgow, Kentucky—two of my grandfather's sisters, Mrs. Griggs and Mrs. Gatewood. I don't know where Mrs. Jones l i v e s .

John Abraham Twyman, son of Kirtley Twyman, died at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, as did his wife.

John H. Twyman was a dentist, and the last I heard of him he lived in Los Angeles, California.

Mahalia Twyman's father was Thomas Clark. He died at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. I don't know the date. I don't know her mother's name, as her father married a second time and had three children by the last wife: Yate Clark, Mary Fannie Clark and John H. Clark. Thomas Clark was the father of George Leslie Twyman's wife, and her name was Mary Fannie Clark. Their eldest daughter, Nora Lee Twyman, married Mr. Woodruff DuMont of Byrum Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee.

The parents of Lucy Ann Price were Joseph Price and Jerusha Shelton. He died in Hopkinsville; she died in Woodford County, Kentucky.

Joseph Twyman was twice married. There was one child by the last wife, but I don't have the relevant dates. Joseph Twyman died August 11, 1919 at Hopkins­v i l l e , Kentucky. His eldest daughter married Joseph E. Furgenson at Hopkins­v i l l e , December 25, I899. Write'to Mrs. Gry G r i f f i n , East 18+h Street, Hopkins­v i l l e , for a l l dates as I do not have them.

250

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(Letter, dated February 16, 1925, from Mrs. L. W. Harry, Hopkinsville, Ken­tucky, to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder.)

Write to Mrs. Joseph Chastain, 30 Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee, for a l l dates of Eliza Annie Owen, daughter of Kirtley Twyman. Lucy Chastain s t i l l lives in Hopkinsville. Her son, Robert Edward Baker, lives with her. The rest w i l l answer and give you the information about their families.

With best wishes for success, I remain your friend,

Mrs. L. W. Harry

P.S. Thomas R. Hester was married to Frances Miles, December 12, 1921, at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. I don't know the date of her birth. Elizabeth E. Hester was married November 15, 1023 to Robert Lee Waldrop. I don't know his age. There were married at Birmingham, Alabama. They are my grandchildren, the son and daughter of W. H. Hester and Cora T. (Harry) Hester.

Ruth Pienshaw

Madison, Virginia June 25, 1930

Dear Aunt Annie:

I didn't know much about those questions you asked concerning Dr. Twyman's family, so I thought the best way to get i t straight would be to ask him. So he wrote out quite a few names that I am enclosing. I sincerely hope that you w i l l be able to read them and understand what he is driving at. Anyway, since I have heard i t discussed, maybe I can help you.

The Addie Twyman you spoke of is dead. She married Charlie Morris, and she and Dr. Twyman were f i r s t cousins. Dr. Twyman had no sisters.

I hone you w i l l pardon my writing out some of his abbreviations on his paper. He wrote i t hurriedly, and I was afraid you couldn't make i t out.

I haven't seen Aunt Maud since I came home. I don't th'nk she i s feeling very well. I have seen the other folks from UP there often.

I am enclosing a few clippings. I couldn't find much in the last paper.

Love,

(signed)

Ruth

From Ruth Henshaw—granddaughter of Edwin Henshaw, of Madison County, V i r g i n i a . He died a number of years ago. He was my mother's s tepfather . His grandmother was a daughter of Thomas Davis.

252

Genealogy of Dr. Edwin W. Twyman Twyman's M i l l , Virginia

1930*

I, Dr. Edwin W. Twyman, had two brothers—- James "William Twyman and Charles D. Twyman. My father's name was James W. Twyman. He married Sallie W i l l i s . Grandfather Anthony Twyman married Sallie Davis. My great-grandfather, William Twyman, married Betsy G arnett; great-great-grandfather, William Twyman, married Winnie Cowherd; great-great-great-grandfather, George Twyman, married Catherine Montague. (Compiler's note: Dr. Twyman's great-great-great-grand­father, George Twyman I I , married Agatha Beauford, not Catherine Montague, who was the wife of George Twyman I.)

Addie Twyman, deceased, married C. M. Morris. Her father, Isaac S, Twyman, married Eliza Anne H i l l whose family are dead. He was a brother of my father.

Edwin Henshaw's grandmother, Miss Davis, daughter of Tom Davis, was a sister of my grandmother, Sallie Davis. Addie Twyman, deceased, who married Morris, was my f i r s t cousin. My great-great-great-grandfather (George Twyman II) married Agatha Beauford.

With sincere r e g a r d s — I hope you can read this scribble. Best Wishes.

Sincerely yours,

(signed)

Dr. E. W. Twyman

(P.S.) Glad you are l i v i n g . A l l my old friends mostly are gone.

Prepared at the written request, dated c. June, 1930, of Ruth Henshaw (of Madison, Virginia), a cousin of Dr. Twyman.

253

The writer of th i s l e t t e r i s believed to be:

Ruth Henshaw Madison, V i r g i n i a

Madison, V i r g i n i a June 27, 1930

My dear Annie:

I just received your l e t t e r of the 23rd and w i l l answer i t at once i n order to give to you the desired information.

Blanche has returned to Raleigh, and when she returns I w i l l ask i f she knows the g i r l s you ask about. You know she l i v e s with Rebecca. She taught one year and w i l l teach i n l o c a l (?) school the coming term.

Yes, Mrs. William Twyman WP.S my mother's cousin, S a l l y Dean, of Augusta County, educated at Miss Baldwin's school, Staunton, V i r g i n i a . She met William Twyman when on a v i s i t to my mother.

Davis Twyman and William Twyman: Father, Anthony Twyman; grandfather, Smith Twyman; brothers, James Twyman (fid's 1 father); Dr. Horace Twyman and Smith Twyman who was the father of Travis Twyman and Anthony Twyman.

Madison Episcopal Church belongs i n Broomfield Parish, and was named a f t e r Broomfield Stran ( s i c ) .

Addie Twyman was the daughter of Smith Twyman.

I have not been to Hoover Camp but up i n the mountains near there, i n (*) opening up the highway, and Hoover Camp and the Park w i l l be of great help to (*). A l o t of the people do not think so now. Later on they w i l l see the good.

Addie Twyman married a Mr. Morris of this county. Both are dead. She was a cousin of Ed 1 Twyman. He had two brothers, Charles Twyman and James Twyman. Dr. Ed. W, Twyman married Ada Fray. His father was James Twyman, cousin of said William Twyman. Mrs. Early was a Twyman and s i s t e r of Davis Twyman. She was a daughter of Anthony Twyman. Tom Lewis married a Richmond g i r l . He died l a s t year. Barbara (?) Lewis i s v i s i t i n g here now. I am taking her to Cul­peper tomorrow to v i s i t Luela Grimsly Wider (?). You know that she married one of Mr. Joe M.'s sons who i s a successful lawyer i n Culpeper. Her daughter i s on a tour of Europe this summer—also one of Dr. Clare's daughters.

I wish you and Agnes could come to V i r g i n i a , maybe soon. (*) how nice to come during our Fair time. You see a l l the old and new faces.

Dr. E. W. Twyman, of Twyman's M i l l , Madison County, V i r g i n i a (*) One or more i l l e g i b l e words

25^

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(Letter, dated June 27, 1930, probably from Ruth Henshaw, to Annie Letter was sent from Madison, Virginia.)

Mrs. Early's flower garden is in lawn. It looks clean and is nicely kept. Owned by a widow. She was l e f t when the children were small. She had a l l she could do to rear and educate them and hold the home.

Dr. Ernest Thrift (whose mother was a McGue—another of my mother's cousins) died three years ago.

I am so glad that you have your garden to occupy your time and enjoy. There nothing more pleasant. Horse races in Culpener next week. I love horses. Will go.

(Compiler's note: It is not known whether there was more to this letter; there was no signature.)

255

G. K. H i l l P. 0. Box 226

Harriman, Tennessee February 2, 192?

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder Neodesha, Indiana

My dear Mrs. Klayder:

Your name has been given me as an authority in records of the Hill-Twyman and a l l i e d families, as you are writing a history of these families, so I am taking the liberty of writing to you to know i f you can and w i l l give me some assist­ance with a question in the a l l i e d family of Powell.

Let me say in the beginning that I am willing to pay you for authentic records proving what I wish, i f you make a charge for your records and proof, provided, of course, that your charge i s not too high.

I am seeking data proving names of the parents of John Powell who died in Culpeper County, Virginia, and his estate was settled there in 1766. I have a cony of a deed from William Rucker, of St. Mark's Parish, Orange County, to John Powell, Sr., of St. Mary's Parish, Caroline County, Virginia, i n 1739, which shows John Powell was l i v i n g in Caroline in 1739* As you know, Cul­peper County was formed from Orange County in 17^9. This i s , undoubtedly, one and the same John Powell who died in Culpeper County in 1766.

John Powell was the father of Captain Ambrose Powell, of Culpeper County, Virginia, whose daughter, Anne Powell, married Henry H i l l , and they were the parents of Ambrose Powell H i l l , who married Frances Twyman, February 10, 1807.

Since you are writing a history of the H i l l and Twyman families, I am sure you know this and much more of the history of these two families.

I t i s the ascending line of John Powell that I am seeking proof of, and w i l l be so glad to hear from you as to what records and data you have, and what your charges for your records w i l l be. I have quite a bit of data of Captain Ambrose Powell which I should think you would want for your history, so i t may be that we can be of mutual help and benefit to each other. You may already have a l l data of Captain Ambrose Powell that I have, and, perhaps, more, so what I have may not interest you.

I have proof from Culpeper County records that John Powell was the father of Captain Ambrose Powell, which may also be of interest to you.

I w i l l very greatly appreciate hearing from you as to what proof of the ascend­ing Powell line you have, and hope we may be of help to each other. Let me say now that I am not a descendant of this H i l l family, nor am I a descendant

256

- 2 -

(Letter, dated February 2, 1927, from Mr. C. K. H i l l , to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder, Neodosha, Indiana)

of Captain Ambrose Powell, but I have a friend who is a descendant of John Powell.

Thanking you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter I am with kind regards and best wishes for the success of your history,

Cordially yours,

(signed)

Mr. C. K. H i l l

257

Edwin W. H i l l Box 1621

Charleston, West Virginia

June 5, 1923

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder Neodesha, Kansas

My dear Mrs. Klayder:

Your name was given to me by Dr. Edward (Edwin) Twyman of Madison County, Virginia, and Mr. Samuel Rodgers (Rogers) Twyman of Wingina, Virginia.

I am eager to get some information on the early Twyman family, and especially the two Georges and two Williams. I would like to have their dates of birth, death and marriage as well as the names and dates of their wives i f this i s obtainable. Also, I am eager to get some information on the Revolutionary War service of William Twyman whose daughter, Frances, was my great-grandmother,

I am enclosing a copy of a paner written by George Twyman, February 12, 1811, which was furnished to me by Mr. Samuel R. Twyman within the last few days.

I am writing a history of the H i l l s , Garnetts and their connecting families and shall appreciate any information you can give to me. If at any time I am able to help you, I shall be only too glad to furnish any information that I have.

Thanking you in advance, and with kindest regards, I am

Yours very truly,

(signed)

Edwin F. H i l l

EFH-ET ENCL.

258

EDWIN F. HILL BOX 1621

Charleston, West Virginia

July 7, 1923

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder 617 Indiana Avenue Neodesha, Kansas

My dear Mrs. Klayder:

In answer to your letter of the 18th concerning Frances Twyman. She was the mother of the Edwin H i l l to whom you refer. Her husband was Ambrose Powell H i l l (Captain, War of 1812), born on March 13, 1785? died February 26, I858. Frances Twyman, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Garnett) Twyman, his wife, was born April 20, 1789. Died September 19, 1820. Married February 10, 1807.

At her death my grandfather, Edwin Francis H i l l , was adopted by his aunt, Elizabeth Twyman, who married f i r s t , Alexander W i l l i s , and second, Joshua Fry. They lived at Indian Trace near Locust Dale, Madison County, Virginia. This was later my grandfather's home, and i t i s now the home of my uncle, Lucio W. H i l l .

Captain Ambrose Powell H i l l referred to above, husband of Frances Twyman, was a member of the General Assembly of Virginia for the terms of 1818 to 1820, inclusive; 1823 to 1830, inclusive; and 1835 to I838, inclusive. His estate was "Millwood" near Culpeper Courthouse.

You asked about Anne Twyman who married William W i l l i s . I am not able at this time to give you any information on this subject, but I hope to get the information for you later.

The paper I sent to you on the George Twyman letter had one or two errors in i t , and I am sending you a corrected copy. Please destroy the other. I shall appreciate any information you can give to me regarding William Twyman and his ancestors. Also, I am anxious to know i f Elizabeth Garnett, the wife of William Twyman, was the daughter of Anthony or James Garnett. That question has been under discussion in our family for many years, and there does not seem to be any definite authority on the subject. I f I can furnish you any further information or help you in any way, I hore you w i l l not hesitate to l e t me know.

Very truly,

(signed)

EFH:FJ Edwin F. H i l l

MRS. JAMES CAMPBELL CANTRILL STATE LIBRARIAN

STAFF: 2-59 MISS LINNIE LEWIS FRANK K. KAVANAUGH

MRS. S. TWYMAN HUBBARD

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES DIVISION OF LEGISLATIVE AND LAW LIBRARY

FRANKFORT, KY.

July 29, 19^1

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder Neodesha, Kansas

Dear Cousins

You, no doubt, K i l l be surprised to hear from me and more than l i k e l y do not know who I am, but I remember years ago you and mother exchanging letters in regard to the Twyman family, and as father had passed on, mother always said she f e l t that she could give you so l i t t l e information.

My father was Iverson William Twyman, lawyer at Hodgenville, Larue County, Kentucky, and married Louise Enlow. Issue: Willie and Sadie, and I am Sadie, married Charles J. Hubbard, and we have one daughter, Mary Louise Hubbard, married Rodes K. Myers, Bowling Green, Kentucky, who i s now Lieutenant Gover- ' nor of Kentucky. Willie, my sister, married Charles A. Humphrey, a Methodist minister, Louisville, Kentucky, and they have one son, Twyman Humphrey, who married Bessie Dover, and they have one daughter, Betty, a l l of Louisville.

My husband passed away about seven years ago. We had a lovely home in Hodgen­v i l l e right next door to mother—, had everything one could wish for when the 1929 crash got us. Charlie died and I am now in the State Library a t Frankfort, and my daughter has a c i v i l service job at Bowmanfield. Mary Lou and Mr. Myers have long separated. I am very proud of Mary Lou. She is very smart and capable and a joy to me; but enough about my family.

I am sure you know who I am by now, and what I wanted to ask you i s this. I have been corresponding with Mrs. Morgan from Washington, D. C. You, of course, know of her and I have sent her from time to time a good deal of data, and she has told me a lo t about my family. But she now writes that you are about to f i n i s h your Twyman book. I am just wondering i f you have my line and a l l my father's family? I would l i k e for you to have, and, of course, the more you have the better sale you w i l l have for your book. I do not know, but I am wondering how soon Mrs. Morgan w i l l be getting out her book, I wish you two could get together on i t and really have one book.

I am a descendant of Samuel Twyman. I have i t a l l down in black and white but I can't remember enough to t e l l anyone; my mind just doesn't run that way. I have been so eager to know more of Samuel, for I can't prove, so far, that he

260

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Letter from Mrs. S. Twyman Hubbard to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder, dated July 29, 1941

fought in the Revolution. Gould you t e l l me that much? Your D. A. R. Kansas History book was presented to this library the other day from Mary Lou Harris Rust (Mrs. Marshall Rust), of P i l o t Grove and St. Louis, Missouri, with the desire to honor her Kentucky ancestors. It's a lovely book and I have enjoyed looking at i t very much. I saw your picture and l i n e .

I asked Mrs. Morgan i f she had Uncle Henry Twyman's family data and she did not. I think since Bell Chowning's daughter married. Bell is getting interested. You, of course, know Bell and Lucy do you not? A l l of this i s as clear as mud to me but I am interested and would so much like to see our Twyman family in book, form— one that the family could be proud of, for I do know we were a mighty fine old family, and I love the name Twyman. Mrs. Morgan has sent me some wonderful papers that I must return. I do wish you a l l could get together, for I have seen enough of what she has to know that she has some valuable papers. She certainly has been very untiring in her search, I think, but i t must be another thing to compile a book. I am quite sure that I would never try i t .

I don't want to t i r e you with this long let t e r . I just wanted to ask you this, and to l e t you know I am interested in the Register of Historical Society, and i t gives quite a l o t about the Twymans— written ut> by Ruth Beall, of Winchester, Kentucky. I am sure you have a l l of that data.

Out near Hodgenville, my home, about three miles from town, i s our old Twyman and Read burying ground. I want to go back to i t when I go out home, for i t has been so many years since I was there; and since Mrs, Morgan has been writing to me I find so many things I had forgotten.

I would li k e so much to hear from you sometime, and i f I can be of any service to you I shal l be glad to help in my l i t t l e way. For, as I said in the be­ginning, my mind just doesn't work when i t comes to family history.

With best wishes for you and your work, I am

Cordially,

(signed)

Sadie Twyman Hubbard 421 Shelby St.

Frankfort, Kentucky

261

Mrs. L. C. D. Pond 712 Delaware

Shreveport, Louisiana

March 5, 19^1

Mr. B i l l Twyman Pateau, Oklahoma

Dear Mr. Twyman:

For some years i t has been my desire to learn more of the genealogy of the Twyman family.

It has not been possible through my immediate relatives, inasmuch r.s the older ones have passed on and my father being the youngest member of his family, doesn't seem to know much about his ancestors.

They were the branch of the family who came from Virginia and settled in Hardin County, Kentucky. My great-grandfather was Thomas Twyman.

Mr. Earl Twyman, of this c i t y , who was.formerly of Texas, t e l l s me that you are related to a lady in Missouri who has the history of the family.

If you have no objection to doing so, I should appreciate, very much, your giving me her name and address, in order that I might write her regarding any information she might be willing to disclose.

Thanking you for any attention you might give, in this connection, I am,

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth T. Pond (Mrs. L. C. D. Pond) 712 Delaware, Shreveport, Louisiana

262

Mrs. L. C. D. Pond 712 Delaware

Shrevenort, Louisiana

March 25, l°Al

Mrs. P. A. Klayder Neodesha, Kansas

Dear Mrs. Klayder:

At my request, Mr. W. G. Twyman, of Pateau, Oklahoma, has very kindly favored me with your name and address that I might write you regarding the genealogy of the Twyman family.

It has been my desire for several years to know something of the earlier lineage, but due to the passing of older ones who might have helped me, and possibly a lack of experience on my part, I haven't been able to obtain much information.

My great-grandfather was Thomas Twyman who married Belinda Read. They had three sons and one daughter. Their son, Lewis Thomas Twyman, was my grand­father.

Our branch of the family came to Hardin County, Kentucky, from somewhere in Virginia.

Since this i s an unusual name, I feel that nrobably we might be from the same family several generations back.

Having married a Virginian and having lived in the Deep South a l l of my married l i f e , I am sure that you can appreciate my need for information along this line

Thanking you for any information or attention you might give in this connection I am

Gratefully yours .

(signed)

El izabeth T. Pond

263

Edwin D. Shenherd 3301 North Sixteenth Street

Philadelphia, Pa.

September 25, 1919

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder Armstrong, Missouri

My dear Mrs. Klayder:

Your letter of Aug. 16th, 1918, addressed to Dr. Hillary T. W i l l i s , Hyatts­v i l l e , Maryland, has been handed to me to answer. I find the following information on the reverse side of the papers submitted with your letter which, I take i t , should be passed on to you:

Eliza Ann H i l l Twyman, born 1822, died April 22, 1901; Hillary Thomas Wi l l i s , born June 11, 1873, married Annie Elizabeth

Willis October 12, 1904, daughter of Absolem Graves Willis and Sarah Lee Gordon; one child, Virginia Churchill Willis, born April 26th, 1910. (Annie Elizabeth Willis was born July 10, 1872.)

You are correct about Doctor Willis's mother, Virginia Thomas Twyman Willis, who married James'S. Willis whose names and addresses are as follows: James S. W i l l i s , Rapidan, Virginia. Children:

Dr. Harry S. Wi l l i s , Gordonsville, Virginia Rev. Herbert W i l l i s , Blackstone, Virginia. I can't recall middle i n i t i a l . He is a Baptist minister.

Dr. Hillary T. Will i s , Hyattsville, Maryland, born June 11, 1873, married October 12, 1904.

Miss Hassie Virginia W i l l i s , Rapidan, Virginia Mr. Heber Willis Mr. Howe D. Willis

My mother, Sarah Davis Twyman Shepherd, and Dr. Willis's mother were sisters. Dr. Twyman has possibly given you the data concerning Isaac Smith Twyman and Eliza Ann H i l l Twyman—my grandparents on my mother's side. My father was:

Walton Shenherd of Orange, Virginia. Four children: (1) Lisa Madison Shepherd Whittington (Mrs. J. B. Whittington,

Winston-Salem, North Carolina) (2) Dr. Walton Smith Shenherd, 207 Buffner Avenue, Charleston, West

Virginia. He had three children. (3) Horace Shepherd died when two years old. (4) Edwin Davis Shepherd (your humble servant) married Florence

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264

(Letter, dated September 25, 1919, from Edwin D. Shepherd to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder)

Mary Martin Shepherd, Boston, Massachusetts, April 1.6, 1912. No children to date.

Now, of course, I can give you the dates and other data concerning my own , family, i f desired, but in view of the fact that the matter has just been brought to my attention, i t might prove useless.

I regret that I am unable to furnish war record of my grandfather, Isaac Smith Twyman, or to give you much data on the H i l l branch; as a starter: General A. P. H i l l was my grandmother's f i r s t cousin. Mr. Roland H i l l , Locust Dale, Virginia, might help you out on that. If you could procure the following, you would find therein many items that would help to make the proper connections;

Virginia County Records, by Crozier •Virginia Historical & Biograohy Magazine: Try the Bell Book

& Stationery Company, Richmond, Virginia, or address the Virginia Historical S o c i e t y , Richmond, Virginia

J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, published last year a book covering Virginia from 1600 to 1800 entitled, I think, Colonial Virginia & Colonial Times by Mrs. Mary Stanard of Richmond, Virginia. However, that would not give much family history.

I want to say this to you, any questions that I can answer I will be glad to. You are doing a noble work, but you w i l l not receive much encouragement. It's a thing everybody is much interested in but "just a matter of record." Just now and then one comes in contact with a person interested in the past. We are a l l in a hurry to get seemingly through l i f e without knowing just what l i f e really consists of. I f they would only stop and take stock of the fact that "we may not pass this way again." We don't know where we are going but we are on our way. Am I right or am I wrong? (Please pardon spelling, etc.; I can never spell when I think, nor can I think when I spell.) So, I just jot down these things as they come to my mind's eye.

I learned the other day that one, Edward H i l l , came to Virginia from Ireland, so you w i l l appreciate my mixture of English on the Shepherd side, Irish on the H i l l side, Scotch on the Twyman side and I think English on the Madison side. It's possible that I may be able as time goes on to find my correct balance wheel from some French source. You see, as i t reads above, I am only three-sided, whereas I should prefer to be like a plank, 50/50. But I presume there are two sides to every question.

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265

(Letter, dated September 25, 1919, from Edwin D. Shepherd to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder)

I was named after Doctor Edwin W. Twyman, the gentleman you sreak of, but I failed to inherit with the name his wonderful brain. The Bible says something about not "hiding your light under a bushel." I greatly prefer giving to receiving, but, not withstanding the fact that humanity is the same the world over, we are a l l more or less selfish creatures on this earth without the realization that we are entirely dependent one upon another.

Please don't think that I am sore on the world, for I am not, the world owes me a l i v i n g and I am collecting. I am f u l l of sympathy for the fellow that seemingly shows so l i t t l e appreciation toward his fellow man, for I know that i t ' s not from a lack of feeling, but rather from a lack of understanding.

I wish you success i n your undertaking. Just one more thought—during 1861 to I865 many of the old records were destroyed, so in looking over the d i f ­ferent books, et cetera,I have mentioned, you w i l l have to make the necessary allowances.

Most respectfully

(signed)

E. D. Shepherd Virginia Historical Society,

707 Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia

266

Ancestry of Edwin Davis Shepherd of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania

J. Thompson Shepherd married Frances Madison (niece of Pres. James Madison)

Sarah Davis Twyman married Walton Frances Shepherd

Lisa Madison Shepherd married Dr. J. Benbow Whittington

Dr. Harry S. W i l l i s

Dr. Walton Smith Shepherd married L i l l i a n Banks

Rev. Herbert W i l l i s

Isaac Smith Twyman (b. 1816) married E l i z a Ann H i l l (1822-1901)

( F i r s t cousin of General A. P. H i l l ) Issue among others:

Anthony Twyman Vi r g i n i a Thomas Twyman married James S. W i l l i s

Horace Thompson Shepherd (died as i n ­fant)

Hassie V i r g i n i a W i l l i s

"1 Edwin Davjs Shepherd married Florence Mary Martin

He bar W i l l i s

"T Howe D. W i l l i s

Absolem Graves W i l l i s married Sarah Lee Gordon

" I I Dr. H i l l a r y Thomas W i l l i s i married Annie Elizabeth ; W i l l i s

V i r g i n i a Churchill W i l l i s

Source: Letters, dated September 25 and December 14, 1919, respectively, sent by Edwin D. Shenherd to Mrs. Mary (Twyman) Klayder. Edwin D. Shepherd was named for Dr. Edwin W. Twyman, of Twyman's M i l l , V i r g i n i a .

26?

EDWIN D. SHEPHERD 3301 NORTH SIXTEENTH STREET

PHILADELPHIA, FA.

December l k , 1Q19

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder Armstrong, Missouri

My dear Mrs. Klayder:

Your very kind letter of October 12 was received promptly, and greatly appreciated. I fear I cannot give you the correct data; yes, I believe I have i t :

Isaac Smith Twyman, born March 11, 1816 Eliza Ann H i l l Twyman, born July 7, 1822

( i f you write to Mrs. G. M. Morris, Locust-Dale, Virginia, for death dates she w i l l give you the correct data.) Isaac Smith Twyman married Eliza Ann H i l l , March 16, I8k0, at James City, Madison County, Virginia, at the home of her parents, Colonel Henry H i l l and Matilda Payne H i l l , who was daughter of John Payne, of Orange County, Virginia.

Walton Francis Shepherd, son of J. Thompson Shepherd and Frances Madison, died March 20, I891, at Locust Grove, Madison M i l l s , Madison County, Virginia, in the same room and house in which he was born, which was the home of his grandfather, Francis Madison, brother of President James Madison. He resided on a part of the original tract which was known as "Tranquilla," in Madison County, Virginia—.four miles from Orange, Virginia.

Sarah Davis Twyman Shepherd, wife of Walton Francis Shepherd, died July k, I895, at Staunton, Virginia.

Neither my father nor grandfather ever used his middle name. That's not quite correct. My father never used "Francis," nor my grandfather the " J . "

Four children:

Lisa Madison Shepherd, born August l k , 1871 Walton Smith Shepherd, born August 8, 1873 Horace Thompson Shepherd, born February 21, 1875, and

died July 5, I875 Edwin Davis Shepherd, born June 7, 1877

Lisa Madison Shepherd, married Dr. J. Benbow Whittington, April 2k, 1913, Roanoke, Virginia. Dr. Walton Smith Shepherd, married L i l l i a n Banks, of Madison, Virginia, December l k , 190k, Madison, Virginia. Edwin Davis Shepherd, married Florence Mary Martin, of Boston, at Boston, Massachusetts, April 16, 1912.

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(Letter, dated December 3A. 1919, from Edwin D. Shepherd, to Firs. Paul A. Klayder, Armstrong, Missouri)

Dr. Shepherd has three children, as follows:

Walton Smith Shepherd, Jr., born September 14, 1905 James Banks Shepherd, born January 29, 1908 Edwin McRae Shepherd, born January 31, 1911

The only thing I could learn with reference to my grandfather Twyman's War record was that he reported to Richmond for duty, but was excused from service in order that he might carry on his farm and look after those l e f t at home.

My grandmother, Eliza Ann H i l l Twyman, was a f i r s t cousin of General Ambrose Powell H i l l , of the Confederate Army.

The best 1 can do for you on the Blankenbaker i s his address, and so far as I know, the children of Aunt Lizzie live or reside at home:

"Lonnie" Blankenbaker Oak Park, Madison County, Virginia

I f you w i l l address a letter to the following address, you w i l l be able to procure the history of Uncle Anthony Twyman's family:

Mrs. Sallie Twyman c/o Mr. E. R. Hodges 873 Stuyvesant Avenue, Irvington, New Jersey

Aunt S a l l i e , I am sure, w i l l give you a complete record of her children and her grandchildren—the Hodges family. Her married son, C. M. Twyman, Haywood, Madison County, Virginia, could do so, I presume. I fear I cannot help you out on the Gordon, Willis and Garnett history. They a l l want to have these things recorded, but they don't seem to care to take the time for the sake of posterity. Just why, I am sure, I cannot say. However, on the Gordon side, i f you w i l l address a letter to the Hon. A. C, Gordon, Staunton, Virginia, and the Hon. James L. Gordon, Louisa, Virginia, you may be able to get the data. I am not sure, but I am of the opinion that A. C. Gordon has the data. The Gordon, Wi l l i s and Garnett families are a l l "mixed." Dr. Edwin W. Twyman's mother was a W i l l i s .

The address of my sister i s : Mrs. J. B. Whittington, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Walton S. Shepherd, 207 Kuffner Avenue, Charleston, West Virginia.

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(Letter, dated December 14, 1919, from Edwin D. Shepherd, to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder, Armstrong, Missouri)

I think I have given you the best in the shop so far as ray data are concerned, but I w i l l be glad to answer any other questions that may help to complete your records. Sometimes one thought leads to another, as the brain is in real i t y a storage battery i f the spark plugs work correctly.

I beg to remain,with best wishes for your success and for your happiness during the coming holiday season, and the New Year,

Most respectfully,

(signed)

E. D. Shepherd

P. S. My father and James S. W i l l i s , as well as Uncle Anthony Twyman, a l l served i n the Confederate Army. My father was taken prisoner at Gettysburg.

Flora Whitfield Raton, New Mexico

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September 22, 1925

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder

Dear Mrs. Klayder:

Your letter to my mother, Mrs. Lizzie Curtis, has just been received. I am sending i t to Mrs. Sam Eaton, 2037 East 74th Street, Los Angeles, California. I think she can furnish you with the information you may need.

Mama died last August 18, 1924. We miss her so much. We can't realize that i t i s a year.

I am sending you the names I know, and when the book is finished, I would lik e to have one.

Respectfully,

Flora Whitfield

P. S, I do not know the address of William L. Twyman, unless he was Uncle John Twyman's son and he died. John Twyman, who is the son of Uncle John Twyman, Grandpa's brother, lives in Los Angeles, California. Aunt Mag can give you his address, and the dates I don't remember.

Enclosure

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(Enclosure to letter, dated September 22, 1025, from Flora Whitfield, to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder)

Nellie E. Twyman, dead, married William A. Goodwin. Lizzie (Elizabeth) Twyman, dead. She married, f i r s t l y , George

Whitfield, and, secondly, John Barkley Curtis. Maggie (Margaret Alice) Twyman, married Samuel E. Eaton. John Logan Twyman, Raton, New Mexico, married Etta Nason. Willie May Twyman, Los Angeles, California, married, f i r s t l y , Walter McAbee, and, secondly, August Kimble, and thirdly, Robert La Rue.

Nellie Twyman Goodwin had one child, Lolah Goodwin, who married James A. Connelly; divorced, and married William Harvey, now dead. She has twin g i r l s about 16 years old—Elna Harvey and Edra Harvey. They live in Los Angeles, California.

Elizabeth Twyman Curtis had Flora 'Whitfield and George Neville Whitfield by her f i r s t husband, George Whitfield. George Neville Whitfield was a physician—Dr. George Neville Whitfield. Elizabeth Twyman Curtis had one child by John Barkley Cu r t i s — N e l l i e Marie Curtis. Flora Whitfield did not marry. Dr. George Neville Whitfield married Lizzie Campbell. They have eight children: William Whit­f i e l d , Jack Whitfield, Neville Whitfield, Harold Whitfield, Robert Whitfield, Dorothy Whitfield, James Whitfield and Marie Whitfield. They li v e at 339 Franklin, Denver, Colorado.

Nellie Marie Curtis married William Livingston. They live in Lamar, Colorado.

Maggie (Margaret Alice Twyman Eaton) had one child, Iola Coral Eaton. Iola Coral Eaton married Newton Cook. They have three children: Julia Cook, Edward Cook and Iola Cook. They also live in Los Angeles, California.

John Logan Twyman had no children. He is now divorced.

Willie May McAbee Kimble La Rue had three g i r l s by her f i r s t mar­riage: Margaret McAbee, Bessie McAbee and Buelah McAbee. Margaret McAbee married Joe Kimble. Bessie McAbee married Elmer Andrews, of Los Angeles, California; and Buelah McAbee i s not married.

Kimble or Kibble. From the handwrit'ng i t cannot be determined which is correct.

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Mrs. Eva G. Wood Earlysville, Virginia

No date—probably 1920

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder

Dear Mrs. Klayder:

Parents: Father, Travis J. Twyman, born, reared and died in Greene County, Virginia, near Ruckersville. Born 1840, married December 18, 1870; died February 3, 1903. His wife, Katherine Ann Douglas, was born September 27, 1841, reared in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died in Greene County, Virginia, May 31, 1910

Oldest brother: Lovick Pierce Twyman, born November 26, 1876 and reared in Greene County, Virginia. He now lives in Schenectady, New York. He married Willie Durrett,. of Albemarle County, Virginia, in August 1903.

Second siste r : Mattie Louise Twyman, born December 15, 1878, and reared i n Greene County, Virginia; married Charlie Peregoy, December 18, I896, of Orange County, Virginia. She now lives in Los Angeles, California.

Third g i r l : Temple Twyman, born 1881 and reared in Greene County, Virginia; now l i v i n g in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Fourth g i r l : Ollie Twyman, born May 7, 1884, in Greene County, Virginia, married Willie T. Norris, of Albemarle County, Virginia; now l i v i n g in Farmington, West Virginia.

Second brother: Wilbur Edwin Twyman, born April 21, 1880, reared in Greene County, Virginia; now l i v i n g i n Los Angeles, California.

Brother: Colby Franklin Twyman, born December 22, 1887, Greene County, Virginia; now l i v i n g in Los Angeles, California,

There are seven of us children, I being the eldest. Two died—a twin to Mattie (a l i t t l e g i r l ) , and a l i t t l e boy, next to me. I, Eva C. (Twyman) Wood, was born January 24, 1874, reared in Greene County, Virginia; married Samuel A. Wood, of Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1900

Grand-parents: Alfred J. Twyman, born November 14, 1877, died in Greene County, Virginia; buried near Ruckersville, Virginia, in old family graveyard on his land. My mother and father were buried at same place. (Grandmother was Louisa Carpenter according to Frank Twyman ©ilbert, grandson} but according to M. D. Cowherd, his father's f i r s t cousin, Alfred J. Twyman, married the daughter of Thornal Twyman.)

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Myrtle Wood Earlysville, Virginia

February 7, 1920

Mrs. Paul A. Klayder Armstrong, Missouri

My dear Mrs. Klayder:

I, Myrtle Wood, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Eva C. Wood, am writing for her as she is i l l at present. I don't know whether you have gotten the comnlete l i s t of the Twyman family about which we know, but I w i l l try to t e l l you again and make i t as plain as I can.

Yes, Alfred J. Twyman is my mother's grandfather. Our Bible doesn't show his birth date, but he died November 14, 1877. He had only one brother, William Twyman, that I have record of. We haven't his birth or death dates. He was an old bachelor.

Alfred Twyman had two sons, Travis J. Twyman and Frank Twyman, and two daughters, Sarah J. Twyman and Martha A. Twyman. Travis J. Twvman, born August 2, 1842, died February 3. 1903. His children were Eva C, Twyman (ill e g i b l e words) and Mattie Lou Twyman (twins), born April 11, 1878; and Elizabeth Alma Twyman died August 6, I878; Lovick Pierce Twyman, born November 20, 18?9; Mary Temple Twyman, born September 12, 1881; Ollie Katherine Twyman, born May 7, 1884; Travis Wilbur Twyman, born April 21, 1886; Frank Colby Twyman, born December 22, 1887. Their mother, Kate Ann Douglas, was born September 27, 1847, and died May 31, 1910

Eva C. Twyman, the eldest child, and Samuel A. Wood were married September 26, 1900 by the Reverend C. L. Bane. Their children are: One boy, Claude Abra­ham Wood, born June 28, 1901; and four g i r l s , Myrtle Irene Wood, born September 16, 1902; Lorena Alma Wood, born February 3, 1904; Gracie Eva Wood, born December 17, 1905; Dorothy Elizabeth Wood, born November 15, 1916. Five ( i l l e g i b l e words) were: Alwyn Peregoy, L i l a Peregoy and Irene Peregoy. We haven't the dates of their births, but a l l of them are s t i l l l i v i n g in C a l i ­fornia .

Lovick Pierce Twyman, the third child, l i v i n g , married the daughter of Mr. Jimmy Durrett, Miss Willie 0. Durrett. They haven't any children.

Mary Temple Twyman, the fourth child, married Mr. Harvey Ward, July 27, 1919— no children.

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(Letter, dated February 7, 1920, from Myrtle Wood, Earlysville, Virginia, to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder, Armstrong, Missouri)

Ollie Katherine Twyman, the f i f t h child, married Mr. Willie Thomas Norris, November 24, 1915. They have two l i t t l e children, one boy about four years old, and one g i r l about two years old. The boy's name is Twyman Norris, and the g i r l ' s name i s Milbah Norris.

Travis Wilbur Twyman is not married. He lives in Los Angeles, California, with his sister, Mattie Lou, who married Charlie Edwin Peregoy.

Colby Twyman married ( i l l e g i b l e words) the date of his birth or death. He was married twice, but I do not know the name of his f i r s t wife, but his last wife was named Kassa Cowherd. He had, by his f i r s t wife, a son, the only child, Tinsly Twyman, but I do not know his birth or death dates. Colby Twyman had two children by his second wife. The eldest, Etta May Twyman, died when she was about twenty-two years old. Ola Twyman married Jack Fulcher, of Gordonsville, Virginia, but I do not know the date of their marriage. The last I heard of them they had two children. She moved to the South a few years ago. Tinsly Twyman married at Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, but I do not know whom he married or how many children he has.

Sarah J. Twyman, sister of Travis Twyman and Frank Twyman, was born May 15, 1834, but I do not know the date of her death. She married ( i l l e g i b l e words).

Martha A. Twyman was the sister of Travis J. Twyman, Frank Twyman and Sarah J. Twyman. I do not have the dates of her birth or death. She married Andrew J. Gilbert, but I do not hare the date of their marriage. She i s dead, but he i s s t i l l l i v i n g . They had five children, but we haven't the dates of their births. The eldest child, Frank Gilbert, married Lena Durrer. They had six children, but I do not know their names. The second child was Zebulon Gilbert, but I don't know to whom he was married or i f they have any children. The next child, L i l y Gilbert, married Charlie Hall. They have three children, but I do not know their names. The next child, Jennie Gilbert, married Alvah Durrer who has six children, but I do not know their names. She died March 26, 1918. Kemper Gilbert, the next child, who is married but ( i l l e g i b l e words). Odella Gilbert, who married Walter Garnett, is the oldest child instead of Frank Gilbert, but I do not know the date of their marriage. I think they have six children, but I do not know their names.

You asked i f any of my ancestors fought in any of the wars. Travis J. Twyman fought in the War of 1861, or the C i v i l War, but I do not know what company he was in. His brother, William Twyman, died before the War.

I have given you a l l the information I have and truly hope your book w i l l

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^M t e r'/ aw V t S m y ? ' 1 9 2 ° * t T O m M y r t l e W o o d ' Earlysville, Virginia to Mrs. Paul A. Klayder, Armstrong, Missouri) ^ g i m a

be a success and I certainly w i l l appreciate a copy of i t for assisting you If you haven't any information from the Twymans at Madison Courthouse V i J -

C W v ! ̂ r t 0 ^ y 0 U r * ° ° k a s u c c e s s ' " would nay you to v i s i t Madison County Courthouse as there are hundreds of Twymans (recorded) there. -An old man up in his 80 s can give good information of the Twyman family i f you can get him interested, as he knows a good many of the old and youn* Twymans.

to worry^ver i t a" h l s ^ r * 0 " * P ° " 1 M y Y ° U W O U l d taw t 0 ™ h i n S O f f l e t h i ^

i l l i L ^ t ^ r t r S i 0 ! * ^°v, 1 ^ t 0 M 7 0 U a r e ftrom t h e counties of Albemarle and Greene, of the State of Virginia. But Alfred Twyman came from Madison umnty, Virginia, when quite a young man and settled in Greene Gountv. Virginia \ A T / 1 ^ y ° U i n f o r i n a t i o n a s far back as I know, but I have not heard who Alfred Twyman s father w*s or how many brothers he had, or what their names were.

I thank you for your photo and appreciate i t very much. I would have replied to your letter before now, but I have been so very busy with my school work.

Are there many Twymans in Missouri? I think i t would be best for you to move your habitation to the State of Virginia, as I think i t i s the best state in the Union. Have you obtained the names of Twymans in the State of Kentucky?

Vn s t L ^ T ^ J 1 f e ! y e a r S a g ° f* 0 m a n 0 l d b a c h el°r by the name of Twyman, in the State of Kentucky, who had accumulated a vast fortune. Andrew J. Gilbert who married Martha A. Twyman, has papers that would help you to get this fortune but he is so old and childish that he doesn't care to bother with i t himself, and he i s afraid to trust others with his papers. Well, I w i l l close, hoping that you w i l l make your book a success and that my information (.illegible words). (The remainder of the letter i s missing )

CHAPTER IV

TWYMAN'S MILL.

VIRGINIA

Southern h a l f of Madison County, V i r g i n i a , showing the loca t ion of Twyman M i l l s (a lso Twyman's M i l l ) , ancestral home of the Twyman family

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Twyman's M i l l . Madison County. V i r g i n i a

Ancestral Homeland of the Twymans

Amidst beautiful green r o l l i n g h i l l s , traversed by a splendid stream, Beauti­f u l Run, Twyman's M i l l , located i n Madison County, had been i n the Twyman family for more than two hundred years—from 1732 to 1937. O r i g i n a l l y i n Spotsylvania County, Twyman's M i l l comnrised several thousand acres. In 1920 there were only three hundred and twenty-five acres remaining i n the nossession of Dr. Edwin W i l l i s Twyman, one of the l a s t , i f not the l a s t Twyman to own land at Twyman's M i l l . Doubtless i t was the same parcel which was sold i n 1937. The sale would have taken -place, i t i s believed, subsequent to the death of Dr. Twyman. The date of his death i s not known. Dr. Twyman was born i n 1853.

By the terms of his w i l l , George Twyman I I , of Twyman's M i l l , provided that his lands be divided equally between his children: William Twyman, George Twyman, Catherine Twyman and Mary Twyman. The w i l l also provided that his son, William Twyman, was to be given an additional one hundred acres located i n Essex County, V i r g i n i a . The w i l l was written i n 1733.

The w i l l of William Twyman I ( l 8 l l ) provided that William's son, William Twyman I I , and .William Twyman II's son, Anthony Twyman, were to i n h e r i t the lands upon which William Twyman I l i v e d .

The w i l l of William Twyman I I (l843) provided that the land upon which he li v e d was to be inherited by his sons, Anthony Twyman and Travis Jones Twyman, and that a l l his land i n Orange County was to become the property of his grandsons, Jonathan Twyman and Alfred Twyman.

Two Twyman physicians, cousins, figured prominently as owners of sections of Twyman's M i l l : Dr. William Horace Twyman ("Old Doc") who li v e d at Edgeworth (now Madison Farm), located at Locust Dale, three miles distant fr^m Twyman's M i l l ; and Dr. Edwin W i l l i s Twyman who probably l i v e d at Midway. an o l d d w e l l i n g located at Twyman's M i l l .

In his book, Genealogies of V i r g i n i a Families.Thomas L. Hollowak wrote:

The farm lands occupied so long by Mrs. Sarah Stockdell . . . lay along Beautiful Run, a fine stream which takes i t s r i s e near the town of Pratts i n the Blue Ridge Mountains and discharges into the Rapidan River above Madison M i l l s . Madison County was noted f o r the number of i t s fine m i l l streams of which Beautiful Run was one. The farm, consisting of more than seven hundred acres, was probably the s i t e of Scott's M i l l s frequently mentioned i n early records. This farm was sold to William H. Toyman. February 19, 1346. In 1868 a post o f f i c e was established at Twyman's. This may be the s i t e of the o r i g i n a l Scott's M i l l , though as Twyman possessed an estate of 8,787 acres (Yowell, His tory of Madison County. V i r g i n i a . 1926), i t might have been located i n another section of the same stream.

Hollowak, Thomas L.: Genealogies of V i r g i n i a Families. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1981, Vo 1. V. p. 3675 regarding the w i l l of John Stockdell offered for nrobate 1833.

2«U

Beautiful Run l i e s e n t i r e l y within Madison County.

In an undated l e t t e r believed to have been written i n 1Q20 to Mrs. Mary (Twyman) Klayder, Dr. E. W. Twyman, of Twyman's M i l l , stated:

My place i s only a part of the o r i g i n a l Twyman trac t of land. I t has only 325 acres i n I t . My father, James W. Twyman, was ruined by the C i v i l War. . . . I bought a piece of Twyman's M i l l at my father's sale, my two brothers, James William Twyman and Charles D. Twyman, each buying a portion of my father's land. Anthony Twyman l i v e d within one and one-half miles of William Twyman's house i n one of my f i e l d s .

In a l e t t e r dated August 26, 1918, written by Susan H i l l (Twyman) Claycomb to Mary (Twyman) Klayder, Mrs. Claycnmh ptstod that she was the granddaughter of Isaac Smith Twyman and E l i z a Ann ( H i l l ) Twyman who lived at Twyman's M i l l together with Mrs. Claycomb's great-grandmother, Matilda (Fayne) H i l l .

In a l e t t e r dated March 5, 1937, addressed to Mrs. Mary (Twyman) Klayder, Mr. William Crutcher Twyman wrote:

This week I received a l e t t e r from Charles J. Ross, County Clerk, Madison County, V i r g i n i a , stating that the o r i g i n a l Twyman house which had been i n the Twyman family for more than 200 years i s to be sold this week. Also, the personal property i s to be sold, including many h i s t o r i c a l antiques. Rather in t e r e s t i n g , i s n ' t i t ? Mr. Ross states that the Twyman family i s one of the landmarks of Culpener and Madison Counties. . . .

Twyman's M i l l was one of the f i r s t post offices i n V i r g i n i a . I t s t i l l i s . I t was established i n 1^68. . . .

Will iam Twyman and Anthony Twyman, together, owned 10,022 acres of land around Twyman's M i l l . The remainder of this i s what i s being sold this week.

In 1950 the late Charles Cornelius Lockett (1903-1974) wrote of his v i s i t to Twyman's M i l l , V i r g i n i a :

I went to Madison M i l l s where, I was t o l d , there was s t i l l an old corn m i l l , but I couldn't see i t — o n l y a post o f f i c e i n a structure housing a general store and a gas sta t i o n . I was directed to Twyman's M i l l , three miles distant.

There i s a lovely, large ra.mbling old house there, nicely painted, about twelve rooms and of informal design. Also there i s a post

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o f f i c e , a general store and a service s t a t i o n . The nresent owner o f Twyman's M i l l bought i t some twenty years ago.

The owner pointed out some of the old stone work (now under the bridge) of the old m i l l . An elderly negro had told him years ago that there was a big saw m i l l there, a f l o u r m i l l (wheat and corn), a "spool" m i l l — p r o b a b l y t e x t i l e — , and that he, when digging recently, had come across much scrap metal, so there was probably a foundry. He said that the Twymans around there were a l l r i c h and that the i r combined, holdings extended for several miles. He sent me to a Charles Twyman's place.

Charles Twyman wasn't there, but his wife told me there was an old Twyman cemetery on the place of Dr. Twyman who had died a few years ago. The place was sold, so I went about a half-mile, drove another half-mile, and then a hired man took me over the meadows another half-mile to the cemetery. The hired man said that "Old Doc" had "right much" land. He li v e d i n the doctor's old house, a frame structure about twice the size of ArJ ington (compiler's note: Arlington was the homeolace of th... Yanceys of Culpeper County, V i r g i n i a ) , and Pointed out on the neighboring h i l l another and much larger and much more beautiful old nlace which the doctor also owned.

The cemetery, surrounded by a stone wa l l , was t e r r i b l y overgrown with trees and boxwood about twenty feet high, and between the trees was a jungle of b r i a r and poison ivy. I crawled into the "jungle" and examined a l l the tombstones I could ( I was scratched a l l over, bruised and cut). The oldest tombstone I found was for

s- Twyman, died i n 1826 at 41 years of age. Another was that of Anthony Twyman, son of William Twyman, born i n 1780. He must have been a half brother of Captain Heuben Twyman. (Compiler's note: Incorrect: Anthony Twyman would have been the nephew of Captain Reuben Twyman.) One tombstone was that of ̂ usan Adelaide H i l l — " H i l l " i s a-very prominent name here. Another tombstone was that of Isaac Twyman, et cetera. There were several fragments of stones but absolutely nothing l e g i b l e l e f t . Old Doc seems to have been born upstream, one and one-half miles from the m i l l , at a house known as C l i f t o n .

There were many large, two-story Twyman houses around, a l l much larger than Arlington except the old frame house where Charles Twyman l i v e s (over 100 years old) which i s abrut the size of Arlington. The most charming place, i n my opinion, was what may have been the o r i g i n a l , temporary home situated about 200 yards upstream. A lovely, old—one could s a y — p r i m i t i v e two-story house

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of square-cut logs with clay between, and. . . . (The remainder of this tract is missing.)

. . . I then drove down to Madison, the small county seat. I looked very carefully and found a William Twyman w i l l nroved to 1811, and a William Twyman, Jr. w i l l nroved some twenty years later. These were probably father and brother of Reuben Twyman (of Woodford County, Kentucky),

William Twyman, Sr. had a second wife, Anne. Willi-m Twyman leaves things pretty much in the care of his son, William Twyman, Jr. and his grandson, Anthony Twyman. William Twyman received everything upon the death of his stepmother, Anne Twyman. William Twyman, Sr. provides that a certain slave is to have his clothes, an old bed, and that the slave is not to be sold into slavery, and is to be taken care of out of family funds. 1/

There were many deeds of property to William Twyman, Sr.—one from the Stringfellows—but no deeds out (sic) so he must have given properties to various children at different times. He must have been 83 years old when he died.

. . . I l e f t for Charlottesville. I had nlanned to go to the Episcopal Church and try to find the grave of William Twyman, Sr. .. . I was then going to run over to Orange, in Orange County, only one-half hour away, as Twyman's M i l l is on the border line. By consulting a telephone directory I learned that there was a Dr. Twyman there, as well as large Yancey business firms. However, as the rain and hail intensified, I proceeded to Charlottesville.

(The Huntington Library (San Marino, California) has the greatest single collection of Virginia documents. I was told this at the Virginia Historical Society. It seems that someone collected and stole from the county records many documents and sold them to Henry Huntington. The documents have not been edited yet, but nrobably hold the secrets of several of our missing links. Many years ago a clerk at the Culperer County courthouse was given permission to burn a lot of records which, at that time, were designated "useless," and that is why many of the old marriage records are extinct.)

In the spring of 1952, I, William Twyman Lockett, younger brother of Charles Cornelius lockett, visited Twyman's M i l l . At that time there were several Twyman and H i l l families s t i l l l i v i n g in the v i c i n i t y of Twyman's M i l l , Indian Trace and Locust Dale. The new owner of Twyman's M i l l accompanied me to the general store—which houses the nost o f f i c e — where half of an old millstone served as a doorstep. At a short distance

U I n an undated letter (probably written in 1Q20) sent to Mary Twyman Klayder, Dr. S. W. Twyman stated, "They (Anthony Twyman and his wife, Sarah Davis Twyman) lived within one-half mile of William Twyman's house (referring to William Twyman the second, father of Anthony Twyman) in one of my field s . "

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from the store was a small barn-like structure. My host, the owner of Twyman's M i l l , i . e . the acreage and any buildings or residences that may have been irc^uded i n the li q u i d a t i o n sale of 1937, called my attention to a r i f l e hanging on an inside w a l l , l/ He expressed the opinion that i t had been used i n the Revolutionary War.

My host then led me to a narrow d i r t road lined on both sides with old, un­inhabited log cabins where the slaves had been quartered. We entered one of the cabins. We climbed up to the l o f t . I t was f u l l of cobwebs. Scarcely any l i g h t could penetrate a small window, the only window, which was caked with d i r t . A sense of dread came over me. I r e c a l l being able to make out one side chair and a table laden with dust. The foc a l point of interest, how­ever, was a dimly seen trunk with a curved ton. When the ton was l i f t e d , the hinges f e l l o ff. Inside the trunk was an assortment of old papers and l e t t e r s . Many of the l e t t e r s had been written by a Mr. Rose. Before leaving the cabin, my host presented me with an old pepper m i l l and a book he had discovered on the table i n the loft—momentos of my v i s i t to Twyman's M i l l . I f my memory serves me corr e c t l y , the book dealt with medicinal herbs, and the inside cover was inscribed with the name of a Dr. Twyman. I t was with a f e e l i n g of deep r e l i e f that I l e f t the cabin. My host's wife called out from t h e i r handsome residence situated nearby, admonishing us not to remove any a r t i f a c t s . Accord­ingly, my host returned the pepper m i l l to the cabin. However, he in s i s t e d that I keep the book. Some years ago I gave the book to a r e l a t i v e .

I learned from a woman who l i v e d i n the v i c i n i t y of Twyman's M i l l that Susan Adelaide H i l l was born i n 1873 and died i n 1917: that Isaac Twyman was born i n 1816; that Col. James W. Twyman, a son of Anthony Twyman, whose residence at Twyman's M i l l was C l i f t o n , d r i l l e d his troops every Saturday afternoon. Colonel Twyman belonged to the V i r g i n i a State M i l i t i a .

Mrs. Mary M. Twyman, wife of Horace Twyman, l i v e d near Gordonsville, V i r g i n i a . She told me that Anthony Twyman's place was known as Windsor; that the other two Toyman residences located at Twyman's M i l l were C l i f t o n , b u i l t i n 1842 or 1843, and Midway. Mrs. Twyman snoke of Edgeworth, a mansion of some twenty rooms located i n Locust Dale. I t was here, she explained, that William Horace Twyman ("Old Doc") made his home. The mansion was renamed Madison Farm a f t e r being purchased, for his own use, by Mr. Edward R. S t e t t i n i u s , J r . , U.S. Secretary of State i n ia^4 and 1945. Mrs. Twyman said that Dr. William Horace Twyman was the son of Anthony Twyman; that Dr. Twyman had a brother, James Twyman, and a son, Travis Barton Twyman, who had a son Horace Twyman.

Mrs. Twyman was of the opinion that the oldest house in the area, owned by Col. Twyman, was a four-room frame house. In 1952 i t was owned by a Mr. Jenkins. Mrs. Twyman remarked that houses which had belonged to members of the Cowherd family, located i n Louisa and Orange Counties, included Oak H i l l . Monteith and Windsor. She said that jiindsor r made of brick and consisting of ten or twelve rooms, was the nicest. She said that Oak H i l l was located opposite the a i r p o r t at Gordonsville.

l/ In 1952 Charlie Twyman was l i v i n g at his residence, Windsor, at Twyman's m i l l .

6 -

^ n ^ n t T l ^ W a l k 6 r ' S C h U r C H ' ° C C ^ i n g a S i t S ° f acres .

o ^ l n f l e v ' M ' ? - * ̂ . ^ n " i l l s , I c a l l ed upon a gentleman by the name n, J r i l l . J l n t h e h a n d s o m e two-story house, at Twyman M i l l s , named C l i f t o n . Mr. Tinsley stated that he was not a Twyman but that he had been adopted by the Twymans. I admired a beau t i fu l antique side S b l e maJe of s o l i d mahogany. The table ton was supported by a splendidly carved eagle with wings spread. He said that the table had belonged to the Tinsleys of Maryland He said that he would s e l l i t f o r one hundred d o l l a r s . Ever since then, I have regretted that I d id not buy i t .

^ 7 ? ,

M

l q 8 ? , a t e l e ? h o n e c a H "as made to Mr. Lee Twyman of Locust Dale, V i r g i n i a Mr. Twyman stated that there were no Tvymans now l i v i n g at Twyman I 1 ! 1 ' ' f e ™ r e s s f the opinion that the oldest house extant at Twyman M i l l s

n ^ r ^ ^ ™ ° U g h t t h a t r ' E * V ' T W y m a n ( d i e d a ° ° u t 1937 had l i v e d K f \ u y m a n c o n t i ™ e d , had been purchased by Mrs. V i r g i n i a (Newsome^ Uurand who had had the two-story antebellum house—built i n 1842 or 1842— completely restored and renamed C l i f t o n Farm. Mr. Twyman said that there was no longer a post o f f i c e or general store at Twyman M i l l s .

In a telephone conversation held on July 17, 1989, Mrs. V i r g i n i a Durand spoke en thus ia s t i ca l ly about the res tora t ion of C l i f t o n Farm which she had purchased and which had been occupied by members of the Tinsley fami ly . Mrs Durand had made an addi t ion to the house measuring sixteen feet by f o r t y - s i x fee t she had been led to believe that the house had been b u i l t i n 8̂'+o ~ There ' were eight large rooms, she noted, each with a f i r e p l a c e . The bedrooms measured approximately twenty-two feet by twenty-three fee t The large

Engl i sh" stone basement, f o r which the house was renowned, had been nut i n excel lent condi t ion .

Mrs. Durand remarked that both the post o f f i c e and the general store had ceased to e x i s t . No longer i s mail addressed to Twyman M i l l s , but to r u r a l route mail boxes at Radiant, V i r g i n i a . Mrs. Durand"counted sixteen Twymans l i s t e d i n the telephone d i rec tory which encompassed Culpeper, Madison and Orange Counties, V i r g i n i a .

285

Descendants of Anthony Twyman of Twyman's M i l l . Va.

Anthony Twyman (1779-1854) (of Windsor and other residences of Madison County)

son of William Twyman the second and Betsy Garnett, married Sarah Davis. Issue:

Isaac Smith Twyman married E l i z a Ann H i l l . They l i v e d at Twyman's M i l l . Name of r e s i ­dence unknown. Issue, among others:

Col. James Wm. Twyman married Sarah W i l l i s . Their residence was C l i f t o n .

Robert Davis Twyman married E l i z a Walker Booton. Issue: Bettie (Fry) Twyman; Sarah Frances Twy­man married Fitzhugh Taliaferro; Horace D. Twyman; William Twy­man .

Sarah E. Twyman married William Leyton Early. They had Wm. Milner Early, Mary Lou Early and Sarah Antoinette Early.

I William Horace Twyman ("Old Doc") married Frances

I Anthony Twyman

1 Addie Twyman married Morris.

Travis Jones Twyman married Emma S. W i l l i s .

Charles Davis Twyman of Windsor married Sue Marshall, grand­daughter of Chief Justice John Marshall.

\ Dr. Edwin W i l l i s Twyman married Ada Fray. No issue. His residence at Twyman's M i l l , Va., probably was Midway

f James Winston Twyman Horace Twyman married

Mary Marshal l .

1 Charles E. Twyman of Windsor married Amy Mahanes.

James William Twyman, J r . married Mildred Alberta Tinsley and acquired C l i f t o n in 1888. in 1915 Doswell Twyman Tinsley, nephew of Mrs. James W. Twyman, J r . ,

inherited C l i f t o n . In 1971 Cl i f t o n became the property of Firs. V i r g i n i a C. Durand of South Carolina.

Sources: Madison County Homes ( V i r g i n i a ) , "A Collection of P r e - C i v i l War Homes and Family Heritages," by Vee Dove, published privately by the author: Kingsnort Press, Kingsport, Tennessee, 1975; the Mary (Twyman) Klayder l e t t e r s .

286

Twyman's M i l l , Madison County, V i r g i n i a

( c i r c a 1935)

287