THE WEAKS FAMILY - TNGenWeb

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THE WEAKS FAMILY

The surname Weaks is believed to have originated in the vicinity of Hastings, England.

However, the precise locality from which it was derived is unknown. Guaterus Diaconus, the

ancestor of the family of De Hastings, Lord of the Barony of Hastings, held a knights fee in

Wikes at the making of the Doomsday Book. He was believed to have been instrumental in the

origin of the Weaks name. Several of the variations of the name were Weeks, Weekes, Wick,

Wikes, Wykes and, Wix. Wike was a Saxon term used from 350-1000 AD for a farm or a

group of huts. The Doomsday Book was commissioned by King William (the Conqueror) in

1066. This book was a feudal statement giving the identities of the tenants-in-chief (landholders)

who held their lands directly under the crown and of their tenants and under tenants. There was

no single hide nor a yard of land, nor indeed one ox nor one cow nor one pig which was there left

out. However, no records have been uncovered that document the Weaks, Weeks, Wick, etc.

families or provide information about their immigration to the New World. This lack of

information has confined the writing of this series of biographies to the descendents of William

C. Weaks, Sr., who was born in North Carolina, lived for a time in Virginia, and eventually

moved on to Tennessee during the late eighteenth century.

William C. Weaks, Sr., is believed to have been born between 1760 and 1770 in Hertford

County, North Carolina, and died in 1838. The range of births of William’s children (over a

period of 50 years) plus their birth patterns suggest that he had at least two and possibly three

wives. His first wife, Sarah Ferguson, was a daughter of Elizabeth Davis Standifer and John

Aaron Sr. Ferguson (1). Sarah was born between 1760 and 1770 in Franklin County (formerly

Henry County), Virginia, and died sometime before 1830 in Stewart County, Tennessee (Dawn

Morrill, Elko, NV). She is thought to have been the mother of the first eight of William’s

eleven children.

William and Sarah lived for a time in Franklin County, Virginia (near the Appalachian

Mountains), where their first son, Henry, was born in 1785 (1850 U.S. Census Report; Franklin

County 1786 Tax List). The 1786 Franklin County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List

(Transcribed by Jeffrey C. Weaver, July 26, 1998) lists William Weeks (Weaks) as owning six

head of cattle, two horses and one slave who was over sixteen years of age. After several years,

the Weaks family moved roughly 200 miles back east to Hertford County, North Carolina

(1790 United States Federal Census Report). After living there for approximately one year, they

moved to Halifax County, North Carolina, where their daughter Rebecca was born. In the year

1796, the family had returned to Hertford County, North Carolina. Halifax County is located

approximately 60 miles northeast of Raleigh, and Hertford County is located about 30 miles east

of Halifax County. Both counties border on the North Carolina-Virginia state line. The frequent

moves that this family made over a period of several years suggests that whatever they were

searching for in life they never managed to find in either Virginia or North Carolina. Perhaps

they were stricken with the wanderlust that was commonplace in the young and restless of their

day. In any case, they eventually made a bold decision to move beyond the mountains and closer

to the excitement of the frontier. But they were unlike many of the land-hungry whites who

pressed the frontier and waited for an opportunity to encroach on Indian land. William and

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Sarah evidently had greater respect, or perhaps fear, of the Cherokee nation and were more

interested in relocating to a relatively safe area that had been legally opened to settlement.

Having heard glowing reports about the new state of Tennessee that had only recently been

declared reasonably safe from hostile Indians, William and Sarah were obviously determined to

relocate to this uncrowded, fertile land. The Cherokee nation had previously claimed possession

of all of Tennessee except for that part west of the Tennessee River. The Chickasaws claimed

that portion of the state which lay between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers. Around the

year 1798, William and Sarah along with their children made the long trip to middle Tennessee.

The route that the Weaks family traveled as pioneers to the new land to the west can be

established with reasonable certainty. They likely traveled the same route that most other

settlers bound for middle Tennessee took through Cumberland Gap and Kentucky or over the

newly built wagon roads across the Cumberland Plateau. It is highly likely that the group

traveled at least part of their journey on toll roads that had been recently constructed through

middle Tennessee. Many early settlers with destinations in eastern and southern parts of the

state came by flatboat or keelboat down the Tennessee River.

The earliest pioneers who chose the water route faced death and destruction at the hands of

the treacherous and determined Cherokee Indians who vigorously attacked them along much of

their way. After the defeat in 1794 of Dragging Canoe, Cherokee chief of the Lower Towns

(Chickamauga), by 550 mounted men under Major James Ore, the trip down the Tennessee River

was somewhat safer. However, it was far too long and difficult for settlers like William and

Sarah who were going to Middle Tennessee. This excessively long water route was largely

abandoned years earlier following the voyage by Colonel John Donelson’s party that left east

Tennessee in December 1779 and floated for four months over a thousand miles before reaching

their destination at French Lick (Nashville).

An unsupported family legend has persisted for many years that the William C. Weaks, Sr.

family, while living in Virginia, was attacked by Indians from the Overhill Cherokee Towns that

were located nearby in the mountainous south-west section of the state. According to this story,

their barn and store of corn was burned, and the family was taken captive. About six months

later, a body of Virginia militia was organized in the area. The Indians were tracked down and

attacked, and around thirty were killed. The family was rescued. Assuming that this scenario

actually occurred, it is speculated that the terror that the family experienced may have been a

factor in William and Sarah’s decision to leave Virginia for a new life in eastern North Carolina

(Halifax and Hertford Counties).

A move of approximately 200 miles back east to the comforts and security of civilization

was definitely out of character for adventurous pioneers like William and Sarah who by their

record of frequent relocations undoubtedly yearned for the excitement of the frontier. But using

only the faint paper trail that they left behind for genealogical researchers to follow, what

actually happened to this family while living in Virginia is obviously poorly understood. This

translates into an admission that the authenticity of Indian capture of William and Sarah

Weaks has not been confirmed. In conclusion, it is readily apparent that most of the details

during this period in the lives of this family are lacking and should be researched in greater depth

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before the account of an Indian attack should be accepted as truth. What is known with certainty

is that William and Sarah Weaks left the frontier in western Virginia, moved to more civilized

locations in eastern North Carolina, and came to Montgomery County, Tennessee, between 1796

and 1798. William Weaks, Sr., was listed on the 1800 Montgomery County tax list but was not

included on an assigned Justice List, which suggests that he was a new person in the county.

In the year 1803, William C. Weaks, Sr., bought 640 acres of land in Montgomery County

for $160 from Arthur Perce. This large track of river bottom property was located on the south

side of the Cumberland River and approximately two miles below Red River. In 1804 he

purchased 228 acres of hill land for $228 on the north side of the Cumberland River and two

miles below the mouth of Red River. The Weaks home was built on this second tract that now

lies within the town of New Providence (formerly Cumberland), Tennessee. The Weaks family

was living at this location when the 1820 United States Federal Census was taken. This census

listed William Weaks, Sr., as owning five slaves. Two of these were males of fourteen and

under twenty-six years of age. The other three were females, two under fourteen, and one

between twenty-six and under forty-five years of age. William Weaks, Jr., was listed as owning

one female slave under the age of fourteen.

After living in the Cumberland area for more than 20 years, William Weaks, Sr., sold all of

his property in Montgomery County. The Weaks family relocated to a tract of 388 acres on Cub

Creek that was approximately eight miles east of Dover and in Stewart County. This land was

purchased from James Atkins on February 27, 1821. An additional 50-acre tract was later

purchased that adjoined the original tract on the north-east boundary. This smaller tract

included Duck Spring. William constructed a home on the larger tract (near an un-named

feeder branch of Cub Creek and close to the Weaks Cemetery) and lived at that location for the

remainder of his life. The Weaks farm was located about three miles north of the Cumberland

River, which offered opportunities for the transport of farm products (corn, tobacco, hay, hogs,

cattle, etc.) to markets downstream in the Paducah, Kentucky, area. In addition, the tobacco

ports of Cumberland and Clarksville were within hauling distance. But it is not known if

William exploited these markets. However, it is known that some farmers in his area regularly

transported farm products by log raft to Paducah.

By farm standards of the year 2004, prime cropland is almost nonexistent in Stewart

County. Most of the farmland is too hilly and with such broken topography that row-crops are

rarely grown today. However, the reader should keep in mind that in the early nineteenth

century, the first settlers were looking for much more than good cropland. A dependable supply

of potable water; a stand of quality hardwood timber; easily worked building stone close at hand;

good hunting, fishing, and trapping; and desirable building sites on the property were all

probably considered by William Weaks, Sr., when the family made the decision to relocate to

Stewart County. But above all else, they searched for an area that offered a good and safe

environment for raising a family. William and Sarah had all of these things at their location on

Cub Creek and were undoubtedly very happy in their choice of this place to live out their lives.

Sarah is believed to have been buried along with William in the Weaks Cemetery near Cub

Creek in Stewart County, Tennessee. To locate this cemetery go to Dover and follow State

Route 76 north to Indian Mound Road (approx. 7 mi.). Go south on Indian Mound Road about

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one mile to Tracy Road. The Weaks Cemetery is approximately one-third mile south of the

junction of this road with Tracy Road. The cemetery is on a wooded, south-west facing slope,

approximately seventy-five yards from Indian Mound Road, and is marked with a metal sign

(Weaks Cemetery). Around twenty-three graves are in this cemetery. Only one is marked with

an engraved monument. Most of the other graves are marked with fieldstones. Following

Sarah’s death, William married Mary R. Weatherford who was born in 1796 in North Carolina.

Two and possibly three children were born to this union.

The children born to William C. and his two wives, Sarah Ferguson and Mary Weatherford

were:

1. Henry H. Weaks - born July 22, 1785 and died December 22, 1852. He married Anna

Smith in 1808. She was born April 25, 1790. After her death in 1835, he married Johanna

Weaks, widow of William C. Weaks, Jr., in 1837.

2. William C. Weaks, Jr. - born between 1786-1789 and died 1826. Married Johanna __?_.

Children were Eliza Ann and Mary Clemintine.

3. Charles Weaks- born before 1790. Married Elizabeth_?__

4. Rebecca Weaks- born December 23, 1791 in Halifax County, N.C. She married Abner

Pearce. Rebecca was buried at Morehouse Parish, La.. Her brother Charles and his wife

Elizabeth probably took her children at her death.

5. John F. Weaks- born December 25, 1796, in Hertford Co., N.C., and died March 18, 1838,

in Stewart County, TN. He married Delilah Gatlin. Children were Nancy Caroline,

William Carrol, Ephrian, James Henry, Eliza, Polly Jane.

6. George Milburn Weaks- born January 8, 1798 in TN and died on November 11, 1850. He

married Jane Cinthelia Caldwell in 1828 and was buried in Morehouse Parish, La.

7. Thomas E. Weaks.- born July 9, 1803 at Montgomery Co, TN. He had a son named

William.

8. Mary Weaks- born 1804-1824 in TN. Married William T. Barnes.

9. Washington Lee Weaks-born 1825. His father deeded the home place to him in 1830.

This farm was sold in 1849 or 1850. Washington married Dorcas Brunson.

10. Fanny Ann Weaks- born in 1828 in Stewart Co, TN. Married William T. Barnes who

was the widower of her sister Mary. They were married in Stewart County in 1845 and

moved to Fulton County, Ky.

11. Elmira Weaks- born Sept. 1835. Died after 1900.

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The first son, Henry, was born in Virginia (probably Henry County). When his parents

moved to Montgomery County, Tennessee, he came along with them. Following his marriage

to Anna H. Smith, the couple purchased a tract of land in Clarksville that included what later

became known as Riggins Hill.

The 1820 United States Federal Census listed Henry as owning one female slave that was

between the ages of fourteen and twenty-six years. On December 20, 1825, Henry purchased a

tract of farmland from his wife Anna’s parents (3). The couple sold their farm in Clarksville

and moved to this property that was located mostly in the Little Elk drainage area of Stewart

County. They established their home on this land where they were to reside the remainder of

their lives. This property was adjacent to the Francis Smith plantation, which surrounded the

Lowery (formerly Smith) Cemetery located in the Little Elk drainage. The sales transaction is

described as follows:

December 20, 1825—Francis Smith sold to Henry H. Weaks 222 ½ acres of land for

$1000. Beginning at Elliot’s Ferry, Wm. Bayliss upper corner, S 26 degrees W. 125 p. to Bird’s

corner S. 320 p., East 80 poles N. 26 degrees East 125 poles, thence down river to beginning.

Witnessed by J. Land Rufus MCD Smith

On October 9, 1837, Henry Weaks bought from Lewis and Richard Boyd 50 acres of Little

Elk Creek bottomland for $50. This property started at a sweet gum tree on Weaks Spring and

running west to Little Elk Creek, down it to Big Elk Creek and down it to the boundary line of

the Old Fawn Survey. Thence east to Weaks NW corner. Thence south to the beginning.

The properties owned by Henry Weaks, Francis Smith, and Joseph Gray were formerly

portions of a land grant issued to Captain William Fawn of North Carolina, for his services in the

Revolutionary War. During the lives of Smith, Weaks, and Gray, a heavy majority of all

agriculturists owned their land. Already the North, gulled by journalists, politicians, and

crusading clergymen, was quite wrongly dividing all people of the South, and with it the people

of the Tennessee country, into three tight classes: planter aristocrat, poor white, and Negro slave.

If this was a valid classification, Henry Weaks was classed as a planter aristocrat simply because

he owned several hundred acres of land. However, as he produced little that could be sold

beyond his immediate community, he could probably more accurately be classed as a subsistence

farmer. The 1850 United States Federal Census reported Henry as owning real estate with a

value of $1200.

Henry, like most farmers in middle Tennessee, adopted highly diversified agricultural

practices. Cattle, hogs, tobacco, and corn were the principle farm products in Stewart County

for many years. Livestock was not confined but was allowed to roam free to browse and root the

fields and woods of any farmer who didn’t have his property fenced. Tennessee had what was

known as a ―no fence law‖ until sometime in the early twentieth century. This made it

necessary for the farmer to surround his crops with rail fences to keep out the hungry livestock

that could be counted on to lay waste to the entire crop once they worked their way through the

enclosure.

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Henry probably never grew more than a few acres of corn each year, in major part, because

of the high labor input that was required for clearing new-ground, building rail fences, and

raising a crop with hoe and mule-drawn equipment. An equally important problem that could not

be overcome was the lack of a good market for farm products. His land was located down river

from Clarksville and Nashville, which made transportation of farm products to those cities costly

in both time and effort. Although the demand was high for corn and hay in those two cities

where many people owned horses, cows, and hogs, Henry probably never seriously considered

those markets.

In addition to corn, most farmers in the area also grew several acres of wheat each year

mainly for their own use. Water powered mills in the area did custom grinding of corn into

meal, and some had the more costly equipment for grinding and bolting wheat into flour. Just

about everyone, including the women, either chewed, smoked or dipped, so many farmers also

grew a small crop of dark-fired tobacco for home use. A very good market for dark-fired tobacco

was eventually established in Clarksville that some farmers in Stewart County took advantage of

even before the advent of river packets and the railroad. Unlike corn, tobacco leaf was not

bulky to transport by wagon. A few farmers tried growing cotton, but the lack of a nearby market

and a too short growing season quickly discouraged them in this area of Tennessee. Wild game

was also considered a farm product and was largely used to fill a family’s need for meat.

Most early settlers during Henry’s time were passionately fond of hunting, and there were

still low populations of several species of big game to hunt (i.e., bear, deer, turkey). When the

big game disappeared because of over-hunting and habitat destruction, small game (i.e., ground

hogs, opossum, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels) kept tables well supplied with fresh meat. Trapping

also ranked high among the pleasurable activities available to farm families of Henry’s time. The

selling of furs and herbs dug from the woods were two of the several ways that the children of a

farm family could earn a little spending money.

The children of Henry and Anna Weaks were:

1. Francis S. Weaks- born February 27, 1811, died December 23, 1842, and was buried in the

Lowery Cemetery.

2. Mary E. Weaks- born September 18, 1815. Died July 21, 1836, and was buried in the

Lowery Cemetery. She married Mitchell Slade Allen.

3. William Barney Weaks- born August, 12, 1813, and died February 5, 1897. He married

Nancy Emily Gray. William was buried in the Weaks Cemetery on Elk Creek.

4. Henry H. Weaks, Jr.- born on September 1, 1818, and died June 6, 1886, in Groves County,

Kentucky. He married Margaret E. Marshall (b. August 8, 1818, and died July 27, 1890). Henry

went to Arkansas and brought the children of Finis home with him to raise (information

contributed by Carolyn Milner of Bardwell, KY). Henry was a merchant at Cumberland City in

1860.

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5. Finis E. Weaks- born November 8, 1827. Married Belle Morris. Both died in Arkansas.

They had a daughter, Sarah Ada Weaks, who married a Mathis. This couple had a son named

James Morgan Mathis who had a son named Herbert Mathis ([email protected]). A

nephew of Herbert’s, Phil Mathis ([email protected]), is currently (2005) employed at Middle

Tennessee State University.

6. George Dodd Weaks- born September 26, 1822, and died August 7, 1878. He married

Margaret Jane Hunter on July 16, 1846.

7. John Samuel Weaks- born April 29, 1820, and died in Arkansas. He was a bachelor.

8. Tabitha Ann Weaks- born June 7, 1825, and died in childbirth on August 13, 1842.

She married Peter F. Gray.

9. Frances Jane Weaks- born in 1830. She married a Cross and lived in Nashville.

10. E.R. Weaks- born August 1, 1832, and died October 21, 1832

Anna died on July 22, 1835, and was buried in the Lowery (formerly Smith) Cemetery.

Henry then married Johanna Weaks, widow of his brother, William C. Weaks, Jr., in 1837.

The date of Johanna’s death is not known. Henry Weaks died on December 22, 1852, and was

also buried in the Lowery Cemetery. Two of his sons, William B. Weaks and John S. Weaks,

were the administrators of his estate (Dec. 19, 1854, Stewart County Court records).

John F. Weaks, the fifth child of William and Sarah Ferguson Weaks was born on Christmas

Day 1796 in Hertford Co., NC, located in the heart of the Albemarle region of North Carolina.

He was the youngest of the children when his parents made their decision to move their family

to Montgomery Co., TN. In Tennessee, John grew up on the Weaks farm and soon followed in

the family tradition of farming. It was in Stewart Co., TN, that John met and married his wife

Delila Gatlin, a native of the county. At the time of their marriage on December 15, 1825, John

was farming and in the mercantile business in Dover. Stewart County Tax Records for the year

1837 indicate that John Weaks owned 561 acres of land valued at $1,216.

Delila Gatlin was born January 1, 1806, in Stewart Co., TN. She was the daughter of Rev.

Ephraim Gatlin (b. March 4, 1785 in NC, d. Aug 23, 1837 in Stewart Co. TN) and Elizabeth

Bruton Gatlin (b. Apr 13, 1786 in NC, d. after 1850 in Stewart Co. TN). The Gatlin and Bruton

families were early settlers of Stewart County, both arriving in the area from North Carolina

around the year 1800. Ephraim Gatlin was a farmer and early Free Will preacher of the Liberty

Baptist Church, a democrat in politics who was sent as a delegate from Tennessee to consider the

Missouri compromise, and a veteran of the War of 1812. Ephraim and Elizabeth Gatlin were

married June 20, 1805, in Stewart County, TN, and both are buried at the Gatlin Cemetery in

Stewart Co., TN.

The children of John and Delila Weaks were:

1. William Carroll Weaks

mailto:[email protected]


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2. Ephraim Parsons Weaks – Born Jan 10, 1829, Stewart Co., TN. Died Nov 29, 1906,

McCracken Co., KY. Married Mary Jane Elizabeth Acree Jan 27, 1853. Their children

were Elizabeth, John Plennie, William Bringham, Caroline Lee and Sarah Alma.

3. Nancy Caroline Weaks – Born Feb 6, 1831, Stewart Co., TN. Died Feb 20, 1897.

Married Christopher Brandon Jr. Jul 30, 1849, Stewart Co., TN.

4. Elizabeth Parisade Weaks – Born Sep 16, 1832, Stewart Co., TN. Died Sep 1, 1903.

Married William C. Stubblefield Nov 16, 1852, Stewart Co., TN.

5. James Henry Weaks – Born Dec 12, 1835 Stewart Co., TN. Died 1913 Stewart Co., TN.

Married Martha Woods Robertson Feb 21, 1861, Stewart Co., TN. Their children were

Lillie, Charles Henry, Bessie and Lulu Sara.

6. Polly Jane Weaks - Born Dec 5, 1837, Stewart Co., TN. Died 1846 Stewart Co., TN.

Sadly, the children lost both parents at a young age. John F. Weaks died March 18, 1838 (the

same year that his father William Weaks, Sr., died), and Delila Gatlin Weaks died just three

years later on August 6, 1841. At the time of John F. Weaks’ death, he was farming on a large

scale and owned nine slaves (Weaks Martin, Stewart County Heritage, Dover TN, Vol. One,

1980, pg.466). The will of John F. Weaks was proved April 1838, leaving his estate to his wife

and six children (Stewart County Settlement Bonds Vol. D June 1836-June 1840). The three

sons were to become active leaders in business and the Stewart County Community; all three

starting their careers in the mercantile business suggests that the father was a great influence in

the beginning of his children’s lives and also future generations of this Weaks line. Goodspeed

History of Stewart County has recorded Biographies for the three sons of John F. Weaks.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnstewar/gsbio5.htm

William Carroll Weaks, the oldest son, was born Sep 17, 1826, in Dover, Stewart Co., TN.

William started his career as a clerk in a store and later entered into merchandising on his own.

He married three times: (1) Emily Helbon Wall on Nov 27, 1855, in Stewart Co., TN; (2) Harriet

Louisa A.Tucker on Nov 10, 1859, in Stewart Co., TN; and (3) Martha F. Brandon in 1882 in

Stewart Co., TN. The second wife, known as Louisa, was the mother to William’s children. It

is believed that there were ten children, although only eight are known at this time, and only five

known living to adulthood.

Harriet Louisa A. Tucker was born Nov 3, 1843, in Rockingham Co., NC. She was the

daughter of Pascal G. Tucker and Rebecca W. Ellington Tucker. It is unclear how William and

Louisa met, but it is believed that after Louisa’s father died in 1848, her mother remarried and

the family moved to TN and later Calloway Co., KY.

At the time William and Louisa were first married, they were living in Dover and William

was working as a dry goods merchant. In late 1860-1861, just before the outbreak of the Civil

War, William and Louisa made the decision to move to New Concord, Calloway Co., KY,

located just 25 miles west of Stewart Co., TN. The couple settled in this area for several years

and started their family. William continued in his line of work as a dry goods merchant.

Between 1870-1872, William decided to move his family back to his hometown of Dover,

Stewart County, TN. William also made another decision to change careers, running for the

office of Stewart County Registrar. He was elected to this office in 1874 and served several

terms. Harriet Louisa A. Tucker Weaks died May 21, 1880, in Dover, Stewart Co., TN.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnstewar/gsbio5.htm

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William married again in 1882. According to the 1900 US Census for Dover, Stewart Co., TN,

William C. Weaks was a widower again and living in the home of his daughter May Weaks

Brandon. William Carroll Weaks died Jun 23, 1908, in Dover, Stewart Co., TN. Both William

and Louisa Weaks are buried in the Community Cemetery in Dover, Stewart Co., TN.

The Children of William and Louisa Weaks were:

1. Emmett Ephraim Weaks

2. John Pascal Weaks – Born Aug 29, 1863, Calloway Co., KY. Died Nov 9, 1899. Married

Mary Phippen Jun 6, 1889, Stewart Co., TN. Their Children were James P. and Allie

Bristol.

3. Adilia Delila Weaks – Born Mar 7, 1867 Calloway Co., KY. Died Jun 7, 1954 Stewart Co.,

TN. Married (1) Thomas T. Sensney Feb 12, 1893 Stewart Co., TN (2) Dr. C. R. Acree.

Their child is Bessie Sensney.

4. Mary (May) William Weaks – Born May 1, 1868, Calloway Co., KY. Died Sep 9, 1926,

Stewart Co., TN. Married William Wesley Brandon Aug 29, 1889, Stewart Co., TN.

Their children were Earl W., Russell N. and Ethel M.

5. Caroline J. Weaks – Born Feb 2, 1870, Calloway Co., KY. Died Feb 6, 1875, Stewart Co.,

TN.

6. William H. Weaks – Born Apr 27, 1872, Stewart Co., TN. Died Apr 19, 1875, Stewart Co.,

TN.

7. Rebecca E. Weaks – Born Sep 25, 1874, Stewart Co., TN. Died Feb 9, 1875, Stewart Co.,

TN.

8. Carrie Tharpe Weaks – Born Oct 5, 1879, Stewart Co., TN. Died Aug 31, 1969, Stewart

Co., TN. Married Thomas James Martin Nov 2, 1899, Stewart Co., TN. Their seven sons

were Carl, Weaks, Joseph, Fred W., Thomas R., Harold and Frank.

Emmett Ephraim Weaks was born Dec 8, 1861, the year the American Civil War broke out.

He was born in New Concord, Calloway Co., KY. Emmett was about age ten when the family

moved back to Dover, and by age eighteen he was working as a clerk in a store in Dover and

later traveling as a salesman. Between 1888-1890 he was living and working in Evansville,

Vanderburgh Co., IN, when he met Kathryn (Kate) C. Henson.

Kate was born Aug 16, 1867, in Stringtown, Vanderburgh Co., IN. She was the daughter of

George Washington Henson and Lydia Frances Hopkins Henson. Emmett and Kate married on

Oct 1, 1892. To this marriage was born one child, a son Carroll Francis Weaks, born Apr 20,

1894, in Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., IN.

On June 10, 1898, Emmett enlisted with the First Regiment of Tennessee Infantry Volunteers,

a Private of Company H. of Dover, TN, to serve in the Spanish American War. His company

was mustered out Nov 23, 1899.

The Emmett Weaks family settled and lived for several years in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. In

1927 Emmett and Kate retired and moved to Tujunga, Los Angeles Co., CA., seeking a drier

climate for Emmett’s health. Emmett died Nov 27, 1940, in Tujunga, Los Angeles Co., CA.

He is buried at Sawtelle Soldiers National Cemetery, Los Angeles Co., CA. Kate died Jan 11,

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1948, in Burbank, Los Angeles Co., CA, and is buried at Valhalla Mem. Park, No. Hollywood,

CA.

Carroll Francis Weaks married on Dec 16, 1922, in Du Page Co., IL to Marjory Ruth

Cleveland (b. Sep 5, 1897, Cook Co., IL. d. Jul 9, 1950, Los Angeles Co., CA), the daughter of

Willard Reuben Cleveland and Clara Duckham Cleveland. The children of Carroll and Marjory

were Kent Cleveland, Marjory Carol and Rowland Henson. Carroll Francis Weaks died Jul 8,

1971, in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., CA. Carroll and Marjory Weaks are both buried at

Valhalla Mem. Park No. Hollywood, CA.

Washington Leee Weaks was the youngest son of William C. Weaks. He was born in 1825.1

W.L. Weaks is listed in the 1860 census of Fulton Co, Ky

With a son listed as Wm. F. Weaks. His wife is listed

as Dorcas in that census.

The 1870 census of Fulton Co, Ky list the family as follows:

W.L. Weaks, head of house, age 45

Dorcas, wife, age 41

Fannie A. Weaks, daughter, age 15

Geo. W. Weaks, son, age 14

Mary J. Weaks, daughter, age 16

Tabitha, daughter, age 12

Lizzie Bell, daughter, age 8

Thomas, son, age 2

The next family in the census listing is the Hampton Family

with a daughter, Sarah P. Hampton, age 20.

RESEARCHER'S NOTES:

It should be noted that the death certificate for William Finis WEAKS

shows his father was George Washington WEAKS. I suspect this is

in error. Both Finis' brother and father were named Washington WEAKS

and I suspect the family, over the years confused the names or actually

though Washington Lee WEAKS' correct name was George Washington

WEAKS and his son by that name was a Junior. There is much speculation

on this. I have decided to accept the evidence provided in the census

as proof of parentage.

He married Dorcas Brunson, married 22 Oct 1845 in Stewart Co, Tn.,2 b. ___ 1829.3

Children:

3. i William Finis Weaks b. 25 Nov 1848.

1 _ Fulton Co, Ky, 1870 census.

2 Stewart Co Tn marriage records. via Cynthia Fulcher < [email protected] >.

3 Stewart Co Tn marriage records. and the Fulton Co, Ky census of 1870.

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ii Mary J. Weaks, b. ___ 1854.4

iii Fannie A Weaks, b. ___ 1855,5 census 1870 in Fulton Co,

Ky, census 1880 in Obion Co, Tn in house with brother William F.

iv George Washington Weaks, b. ___ 1856.6

v Tabitha Weaks, b. ___ 1858.7

4. vi Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bell Weaks b. ___ 1862.

vii Thomas Weaks, b. ___ 1868.8

Third Generation

3. William Finis Weaks, (2.Washington2, 1.William1) b. 25 Nov 1848 in Ky,9 d. 27 Jan 1938

in Hornbeak, Obion Co, Tn,10 buried Jan 1938 in Hornbeak Cem., Obion

Co, Tn, occupation Blacksmith, census 1880 in Obion Co, Tn, page 192b,

Enum. Dist. 113.

1880 census, Obion Co, Tn house 321/341, page 192B, District 113

W.S. Weeks, age 31, Blacksmith, Tn, Tn, Tn

Sarah WF 30. House Keeping, Tn,Tn,Tn

J.L. Weeks, WM 7, son,

W.H. Weeks, WM5, son

J.W. Weeks, WM1, son

Fannice Weeks, WF31, sister

_______________________

1900 Census Obion Co, Tn

Finnis Weaks WM, NOV 1858, 7 years this marriage, Tn, Tn, Tn, Farmer

Maggie E., wife, MAR (?) 1868, 7,4,3, Tn, Tn, Tn

James, son, WM, 1878, single

Alva R, daughter, AUG 1881, single

Alta , WF , daughter, SEP 1886,

Samuel C. , son, NOV (?) 1895

Mona M, daughter, OCT 1897,

Zill, daughter, FEB 1900

_______________________

Dates of death and birth for William Finis Weaks confirmed with a copy

of Tennessee Death Certificate # 1373 for the year 1938.

The place of birth on the death certificate shows to be Ky. His father

was listed as George W. Weaks, born in Ky. His mother's name is shown

4 Fulton Co, Ky, 1870 census.





9 Tn Death Certificate #1373 from 1938 for William F WEAKS.

10 Obion County Library Cemetery records.

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as "Do Not Know". The person providing and signing as the informant

on the death certificate was S.C. Weaks of Hornbeak, Tn. Finis Weaks' occupation

was listed as Blacksmith in Hornbeak, Tn. His wife was listed as Maggie Clemmons.

It should be noted that the cemetary records on file in the Obion Co Library

show his date of birth was 25 NOV 1849 (this is from his headstone) but

the official death certificate shows his date of birth was 25 NOV 1848.

The following is a transcribed copy (including misspellings) of the obituary

notice published on January 28, 1938 in the Union City Daily Messenger.

W.F. WEEKS

DIES AT AGE OF

EIGHTY NINE

Aged Resident Of Hornbeak

Will Be Buried Tomorrow

HORNBEAK -- William Finis Weeks, age 89 years, died at eleven o'clock

Wednesday morning at his home in Hornbeak. He has been a resident

of Hornbeak for thirty-five years and was next to the oldest person in Hornbeak.

Mr. Weeks had been ill since Thanksgiving when he injured himself in a fall.

He was a member of the Hornbeak Methodist church.

He leaves his wife and the following children: Lee Weeks of Flint, Mich., Henry

Weeks of Arkansas, Jim Weeks of Marston, Mo., Mrs. I. W. Kimball of Clinton,

Ky., Calvin Weeks of Hornbeak, Mrs. Mabel Griffin of Mayfield, Ky., Mrs. Mora Egbert of

Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Vella Johnson of Hornbeak, Mrs. Lelia Heavener of Detroit, Mich., Mrs.

Bess Cartwright of Tiptonville, also several grandchildren and a number of great

grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed pending arrival of some of the

children, however services will be held sometime tomorrow at Hornbeak.

He married (1) Sarah P. Hampton, married 9 Feb 1871 in Fulton Co, Ky,11 b. ___ 1850.12

Children:

i Jerry Lee Weaks, b. 7 Jan 1872.13,14

ii James "Jim" Weaks, b. ___ 1878 in Tn.15

11

FULTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY Marriages, April, 1870 - January, 1874 as indexed on RootsWeb by

Kim Mitchell [email protected]. 12

Fulton Co, Ky, 1870 census. 13

Obit Notice for Maggie Clemmons and W F Weaks. 14

1900 census for Obion Co, Tn.

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iii Alva Rilla Weaks, b. Aug 1881 in Tn.16

She married Richard Washington "Washey" Kimbell, married Nov

1901,17 b. Dec 1878 in Hickman Co, KY,18 (son of James Benjamin Kimbell and Elizabeth

"Lizzie" Bell Weaks).

iv Alta Weaks, b. Sep 1886.19

Alta is listed in the 1900 census.

v Henry Weaks.20

15

Bernhard, Joyce < [email protected] >. 16





Obit Notice for Maggie Clemmons and W F Weaks.

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He married (2) Margaret "Maggie" Etter Clemmons,21 married ABT 1893 in Obion Co, Tn

(?),22 b. 2 Mar 1868 in Wilson Co, Tn,23 (daughter of John Houston Clemmons and Matilda

Jane Nokes) d. 17 Oct 1954.24

Margaret: Maggie Clemmons Weaks is listed on Social Security application of Mona Weaks

as her mother.

The following is a transcribed copy (including misspellings) of the

obituary notice published on October 18, 1954 in the Union City

Daily Messenger.

Mrs. Weaks

Succumbs

Rites Tuesday At

Hornbeak Church

Mrs. Maggie Weaks, resident of the Hornbeak community for

many years, died at 9 o'clock Sunday night at the home of her

daughter, Mrs. Mable Griffin in Mayfield, Ky.

Services will be at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon at Hornbeak Methodist

church. Officiating will be the Rev. D.W. Anderson, Tiptonville

Methodist minister, assisted by the Rev. F.R. Bell of Hornbeak.

Interment will be in Hornbeak cemetery under the direction of King

Funeral home of Obion.

Mrs. Weaks was the widow of William Finis Weaks, who died

in 1938. Daughter of John H. and Matilda Clemmons, she was born

in Middle Tennessee but had spent most of her life at Hornbeak.

She had resided with Mrs. Griffin in Mayfield since March.

Mrs. Weaks was a member of the Hornbeak Methodist church.

She leaves four other daughters, Mrs. Mora Egbert of Detroit,

Mrs. Vella Johnson of Plymouth, Mich., Mrs. Lelia Schmaus of

Detroit and Mrs. Bessie Cartwright of Tiptonville; one step-

daughter, Mrs. Alvie Kimball of Clinton, Ky.; two stepsons, Jim Weaks

of Sikeston, Mo and Henry Weaks, also of Missouri; one sister,

Mrs. Lou Patterson of Nashville; two brothers, Bomar Clemmons

and Joe Clemmons of Hornbeak.

A son, Calvin Weaks, died several years ago in Nashville.

.

Children:

vi Mora Weaks, d. in Fern Park, Fl.

21

Social Security application of Mona Weaks. 22

1900 census. 23

Obion County Library Cemetery records. 24

Obion County Library Cemetery records.

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She married Marion Price Egbert, d. in Fern Park, Fl.

vii Lelia Weaks.25

Lived in Detriot, Mich for most of her adult life then

moved to near Orlando, Fla.

She married (1) _____ Heavener.26

She married (2) _____ Schmaus.27

viii Samuel Calvin Weaks, b. Nov 1895 in Hornbeak, Tn,28 d. 4

Sep 1951 in Nashville, Tn,29 buried in Tiptonville, Tn.30

He married Lottie Mae Kimbell, b. 22 Jul 1896 in

Fulton, Ky,31 (daughter of James Benjamin Kimbell and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bell

Weaks) d. 5 Mar 1979 in Austell, Ga.32

ix Mona Maple Weaks, b. 28 Oct 1897 in Hornbeak, Tn,33 d. 3 Apr 1995 in

Mayfield, Ky, buried in Mayfield, Graves Co, Ky,

Highland Park Cem, occupation Telephone Company.

Mona worked for phone company in Clinton, Ky where

she met Marvin.

SSN/ 403-90-8358.

She married Marvin Griffin, b. 4 Jan 1887 in Hickman Co, KY,34 (son of Robert Britton Griffin

and Sophia Carter) d. 24 Jan 1973 in Mayfield, Ky, buried in Mayfield, Graves Co, Ky, Highland

Park Cem, occupation Railroad Clerk.

Marvin: SSN# 709-05-4149

Marvin owned or worked in a restaurant in Clinton, Ky , then moved to

Covington, Tn when he went to work for the Railroad. He moved his family

to Mayfield about 1923 and continued to work for the railroad until

retirement.

25

Obit notice for Maggie Clemmons. 26



1900 census. 29





Interview with Robert F. Griffin, Sr. 34

Interview with Robert F. Griffin, Sr.

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x Vella Weaks.

She married _____ Johnson.35

xi Bess Weaks.

She married _____ Cartwright.36

xii Allibell Weaks,37 d. ABT 1926.

Thought to have committed suicide while she was a

teenager, circa 1926.

4. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bell Weaks, (2.Washington2, 1.William1) b. ___ 1862,38 d. 1917.

She married39 James Benjamin Kimbell.40

Children:

i Richard Washington "Washey" Kimbell, b. Dec 1878 in Hickman Co,

KY.41

He married Alva Rilla Weaks, married Nov 1901,42 b. Aug 1881 in

Tn,43 (daughter of William Finis Weaks and Sarah P. Hampton).

ii Lottie Mae Kimbell, b. 22 Jul 1896 in Fulton, Ky,44 d. 5 Mar 1979 in Austell,

Ga.45

35











Bernhard, Joyce < [email protected] >.

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She married Samuel Calvin Weaks, b. Nov 1895 in Hornbeak, Tn,46 (son of

William Finis Weaks and Margaret "Maggie" Etter Clemmons) d. 4 Sep 1951

in Nashville, Tn,47 buried in Tiptonville, Tn.48

46

1900 census. 47


Bernhard, Joyce < [email protected] >.

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NOTES

(l) John Ferguson married Elizabeth (Davis) Standifer. Elizabeth was b. in 1730 at Pigg River,

Chesterfield County, Virginia. The children of John and Elizabeth Ferguson were:

1. William Ferguson, b. 1749, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.), Virginia;

d. Jan. 1824, Franklin County, Virginia; m. Sarah (---) abt. 1772, Franklin County, Virginia.

2. James Ferguson, b. 1750, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.), Virginia; d.

1837; m. Elizabeth Smith.

3. John Aaron Ferguson, Jr., b. 1753, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.)

Virginia; d. 1823, Franklin County, Virginia; m. Mary Hill, Jan. 21, 1790, Franklin County,

Virginia.

4. Thomas Ferguson, b. 1754, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.), Virginia;

m. Mary Salisbury (or Solsbury), Apr 28, 1802.

5. George Ferguson, b. 1756, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.), Virginia;

d. Apr. 1836, Franklin County, Virginia; m. Mary (Polly) Crump, Oct. 25, 1797.

6. Mere (Mary) Carrie Ferguson, b. 1759, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania

Co.), Virginia; m. Tomas McCarrel.

7. Frances (Fanny) Ferguson, b. Abt. 1760, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania

Co.) Virginia; d. bef. Nov. 1822, Franklin County, Virginia; m. Moses Wade (or Waid), Sept. 29,

1779, Henry County, Virginia.

8. Caroline Ferguson, b. 1763, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.),

Virginia.

9. Sarah Ferguson, b. 1765, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.), Virginia; d.

bef. 1830, Stewart County, Tennessee; m. William C. Weaks, Sr., abt. 1785, Virginia; d. Nov.

1838, Stewart County, Tennessee.

10. Charles Ferguson, b. 1766, Franklin County (formerly Henry and Pittsylvania Co.), Virginia;

d. Nov. 1797.

Source: Various Trees at http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi

The 1786 Franklin County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List (Transcribed by Jeffrey C.

Weaver, July 26, 1998) listed John Ferguson, Sr., as owning forty head of cattle, ten horses, five

slaves under 16, and seven slaves over sixteen years of age. John Ferguson, Jr., was listed as

owning three head of cattle and one horse. William Ferguson was listed as owning ten head of

cattle and one horse.

For a copy of John Ferguson’s will (dated 1789) contact Bushy Hartman

[email protected] or go to: (For a transcribed or original copies of the Will)

http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/franklin/wills/frgsn3.txt

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mcguirecuz/documents/john_ferguson_will_17891.gi

f

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mcguirecuz/documents/john_ferguson_will_17892.gi

f

(2) Following the death of William Weaks, Sr., in November 1838, Mary Weatherford Weaks

and her daughter, Elmira Weaks moved to Fulton County, Kentucky. There they lived with

http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi


http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/franklin/wills/frgsn3.txt

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mcguirecuz/documents/john_ferguson_will_17891.gif




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Mary’s daughter, Mary, who was married to William J. Barnes (1850 United States Federal

Census Report). Following the death of Mary Weaks Barnes, William Barnes married her

sister, Fanny Weaks. The 1870 United States Federal Census Report lists William and Fanny as

living in Hickman County, Kentucky.

Mary Weatherford Weaks received three tracts of land from the estate of William Weaks

((Book 11 #304 Sept 25, 1835) and sold them to William H. Cherry (Book 15 #204 Nov. 10,

1843). Mary Weatherford Weaks is believed to have died sometime between 1860 and 1870.

Fanny died in 1871, and Elmira lived until sometime after 1900. In the 1880 United States

Federal Census Report, Elmira was listed as a sister-in-law housekeeper living in the home of

William and Rebecca Barnes located in Hickman County, Kentucky.

(3) When and where Henry Weaks and Anna H. Smith first became acquainted is not known. It

may have been while their families lived in North Carolina, or it could have been after their

families moved to Montgomery County, Tennessee. Anna, who was born in South Carolina,

came with her family to Tennessee (Montgomery County) around 1802 from Halifax County,

North Carolina. The following Montgomery County court record describes in part the property

that the Smiths purchased near William and Sarah Weaks along the Cumberland River:

―William Gilmore of County of Halifax, North Carolina, conveyed to Francis Smith of same

county and state 640 acres of land for $640 located 6 miles below mouth of Red River on north

side of the Cumberland River. This land was conveyed to John Gilmore from Andrew

Armstrong (granted to Armstrong by State of North Carolina) #8331 from John Gilmore to John

Tilbery, from John Tilbery to William Gilmore‖. (Proven and survey by oath of Elisha Willis

1803 p. 633).

The Smith family lived on this property for several years before selling out and moving to

Dover, Tennessee. This practice of buying and selling was employed by many of the early

settlers who came to the Clarksville area. Land was bought, lived on for a few years, and then

sold to newcomers at a profit. They then took their money and moved on to Stewart County

where larger tracts could be purchased at lower prices.

While living in Dover, Francis established a business as a blacksmith and wood-worker.

The family moved sometime before 1814 to a 1650-acre plantation located on the Cumberland

River between Elk and Wells Creeks. The following Stewart County court record describes in

part the property that the Smiths purchased: Aug. 3, 1818- ―Francis Smith bought from Samuel

Curtiss. Begin above Wells Island down river to Elk Creek up creek to Fawn North Boundary

line, thence East with line to point below Crow Field in edge of river bottom there South 666 r.

to stake in Thomas Smith line, East 302 r. to red oak thence north 285 p. to poplar, thence East

84 p. to beginning 1650 acres more or less. $500 Balance Fawn tract (plus)‖.

While Francis and Elizabeth Smith had a total of ten children, information has been located

for only five of them. Those children were:

1. Anna H. Smith- b April 25, 1790; d. July 22, 1835

Married Henry H. Weaks.

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2. Rev. John L. Smith

(a) Married I.S. --- b. Mar. 10, 1800; d. Feb. 6, 1862

(b) Married Hanna Drake-

Children: Elizabeth who married a Grizzard who was born in 1832.

I.K. who was born Oct. 11, 1833.

Dr. John. L. who was born Sept 9, 1835 and died June

14, 1870.

3. Capt Rufus Smith– born 1801 and died May 17, 1852

A son Joel R. Smith was the executor for his estate.

4. Kingher (or Kincher) Smith- b. 1804 and died July 2, 1862

5. Uriah Smith- a Presbyterian minister- b. 1806

Married Caroline and had a child named Elizabeth

Francis Smith died on August 18, 1835, and Elizabeth died on April 26, 1835. They were

both buried in the Lowery Cemetery, located approximately three miles west of Cumberland City

and off a portion of the Old Dover Road. The following tribute to Francis was published in the

Cumberland Presbyterian, a periodic publication of that church:

SMITH, Mr. Francis

Died at his residence in Stewart County Tenn., on the 18th of last August Mr. Francis

Smith, aged 75 years.

He made a profession of religion in the year 1812, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian

Church. From that period until his bodily strength failed he uniformly manifested strong

confidence in his God accompanied with the joys of salvation.

He possessed an unusual measure of Christian Charity. Sectarian prejudice had no predominance

in his soul. As a father and friend he was very affectionate. With emotions of pleasure the writer

remembers that when in the early days of his ministry, when distant from his father's house, he

found a welcome in the dwelling of his father in Israel, and his holy conversation was precious as

the dew of Hermon. Frequent ministrations of the gospel were the ardent desires of his soul and

he seemed to say Lord send by whom thou wilt only let me hear thy word. In supporting the

gospel he was remarkably liberal, and such was his zeal for the cause of his divine master, that

although he lived in ordinary circumstances, at different times he removed with his family to the

ground of encampment to support the worshiping assembly for days and nights in succession

when there was none to assist him. His labor of love was not in vain. Notwithstanding when he

embraced religion, his children ten in number were all on the road to ruin, seven have since upon

profession become members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and one of them is a

distinguished minister of the gospel. Is there not ground to hope moreover, that his prayers which

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have arisen to God's throne will yet be answered in the salvation of the rest, and will not the sight

of whole families in heaven excite the admiration of saints and angels to all eternity?

[Source: Cumberland Presbyterian, April 8, 1835, page 3]

The following individuals have made major contributions to the content and/or writing of the

above Weaks family history.

Martha Ann Griffin Hughes

9315 E. Shelby Dr

Collierville, Tn 38017

[email protected]

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/v/bvh

Descending line:

William C. Weaks

Washington Lee Weaks

William Finis Weaks

Mona Maple Weaks

Martha Ann Griffin Hughes

Dawn Weaks Morrill

601 Pinecone Circle

Elko, Nevada 89801

E-mail: [email protected]

Descending line:

William C. Weaks, Sr.

John F. Weaks

William Carroll Weaks

Emmett Ephriam Weaks

Carroll Francis Weaks

Rowland Henson Weaks

Marjory Dawn Weaks Morrill

Hazel Weaks Vaughn (deceased)

Cumberland City, Tennessee 37050

Descending line:


Henry H. Weaks

William Barney Weaks

Joseph Henry Weaks

Henry Clinton Weaks

Hazel Arteny Weaks Vaughn


http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/v/bvh


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Thomas E. Weaks, Jr.

P.O. Box 141

Cumberland City, Tennessee 37050

E-mail: [email protected]

Descending line:


Henry H. Weaks

William Barney Weaks

Andrew Jackson Weaks

Thomas Elton Weaks, Sr.

Thomas Elton Weaks, Jr.


Documents

THE WEAKS FAMILY - TNGenWeb