Elias David Waldron (pictured with wife Nancy) 6/11/1811 – 10/1/1894
Elias
David Waldron was born in Bryan County, Georgia. The date of his birth
is June 11, 1811. He is the son of Oliver Waldron and Ann Sylvester. He
moved to Ware County shortly after Ware was formed in 1824. He
married in Ware during 1831 to Nancy Banner Thomas, daughter of Banner
Thomas.
The couple had 10 children. The children are:
1. George W - b. April 19, 1832, m. Mary Ann Minchew on December 11, 1856, d. May 28, 1898. 2. Banner J - b. May 25, 1834, m. Samantha Wilkerson in 1860, d. April 1, 1899 3. Oliver - b. 1837, died single in the CSA May 15, 1862 4. Elias David - b. 1839, died single in the CSA July 9, 1864 5. Morgiana - b. April 16, 1842, m. Samuel Crews, son of Joseph d. September 22, 1909 6. Mary Ann - b. 1845, m. Benjamin F. Guest 7. Sarah Ann - b. 1847, m. Jesse Yelvington 8. Asbury - b. 1853, m. Caroline North January 20, 1875, d. December 3, 1899 9. Nancy - b. 1854, m. Simon Crews January 21, 1875, d. December 12, 1912 10. James Ransom - b. February 5, 1856, m. Mary Elizabeth Register 1877, d. February 24, 1928
Elias
was a 2nd Lieutenant of the 584th District, Ware County Militia from
1831 to 1833. He was also a private for three separate enlistments,
during the Second Seminole Indian War and serving in Captain J. A.
Sweat's militia company 6/9/1838 to 8/19/1838, 8/31/1838 to 12/31/1838,
& 8/14/1840 to 11/18/1840.
Elias
was enumerated in the Ware County Census of 1840, likely before his
final stint of the Indian War. 1850 finds Elias still residing in Ware
County. While in his forties, Elias made several land transactions.
These transactions are as follows:
Ware
County, January 1, 1851, Page 543: James Fulwood to Elias D. Waldron,
both of Ware County, for $300.00, 8th District, Land Lot #303, 490
acres. Signed by: James Fulwood. Witnessed by George Williamson and
James Jones, J. I. C. Ware
County, September 7, 1852, Pages 542-43; William Johnson, sheriff of
Ware County, auctioned off to Elias D. Waldron of Ware County, for
$1000.00 seized property of Joseph P. Sanitizer to satisfy a judgment
in favor of Elias D. Waldron, 8th District, Land Lot #296, 490 acres.
Signed by: William Johnson, Sheriff. Witnessed by: Daniel E. Knowles
and Geo. B. Williamson, Clk. S. C. Ware
County, March 22, 1856, Page 544-45: Elias D. Waldron, of Ware County,
to Francis J. Champion, attorney of, Chatham County, for $1500.00, 8th
District, Land Lot #303, 490 acres. Signed by: Elias D. Waldron.
Witnessed by: D. J. McDonald and C. W. Hilliard, J. I. C. Originally
recorded March 24, 1856, Geo. B. Williamson, Clk. S. C. He
moved about 1857 into Clinch County and settled in the 1141st
(Wiregrass) district near the present Ramah Church. Elias bought lots
238 and 239 in the 12th District from J.C. Nichols on 11/17/1866
(QQ-652). There were 980 acres of land.
The
1868 Clinch County Tax Digest shows Elias Waldron has 2 children
between the ages of 6 & 18, and employs 1 hired hand. He owns 490
acres of land valued at $800, has $50 in cash/solvent debt, and
personal property in the amount of $300 for a personal net worth of
$1150. This land is plot 239, in district 12, in GMD 1141 in Clinch
County. The
1869 Clinch County Tax Digest shows Elias Waldron has 3 children
between the ages of 6 & 18, owns 980 acres of land valued at $1800
and other property in the amount of $615 for a personal net worth of
$2415. These land plots are 238 and 239, in district 12, in GMD 1141 in
Clinch County. The
1870 Clinch County Tax Digest shows Elias Waldron has 3 children
between the ages of 6 & 18, owns 980 acres of land valued at $1500
and has $50 in cash/solvent debt. The land plots are 238 and 239, in
district 12, in GMD 1141 in Clinch County. The
1871 Clinch County Tax Digest shows Elias Waldron has 3 children
between the ages of 6 & 18, owns 980 acres of land valued at $1500.
The land plots are 238 and 239, in district 12, in GMD 1141 in Clinch
County
He
lost the place through foreclosure during 1872 back to Nichols, though
he and his family continued to live there as a tenant after the
foreclosure. Elias died there on 10/1/1894. Nancy passed away in 1892.
Wife
Nancy was one of the organizing members of the Ramah Primitive Baptist
church when it was established and she was baptized April 15, 1876.
Elias followed on 5/19/1881 and both died as members. They are interred
in Ramah Church Cemetery. The church and cemetery are located off
Highway 441, eleven miles south of Homerville, Georgia, near Crews
Island. Their graves are well marked.
Judge
Folks Huxford cited Elias D. Waldron in one of his many books, "The
History of Clinch County", as one of that county's earliest settlers.
Elias and Nancy’s Cemetery Markers, Ramah Church Cemetery, Clinch County, Georgia
References: 1840 census Ware County, GA, 1850 census Ware County, GA 1860 census Clinch County, GA 1870 census Clinch County, GA "History of Clinch County” by Folks Huxford Florida Confederate Pension Application Files Record Group 137, Series 587 A08007, WALDRON, Elias D., 4th Regt INF, Columbia Co, 1906. Huxford Genealogical Society Magazine Volume XXVIII, Number 1, March 2001 Pg 1-2 Ware County, GA, Superior Court Deeds and Mortgages, Volume A, 1874-1878 Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia Vol. IV Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia Vol. V Chinkypin I, II, and Addendum, 1999 Echols County Historical Society, Inc., Pages 192-193
