Monday, January 16, 2012

Michael Summerow 1756-1848 (100000)

Michael was born 23 Aug 1756, in York County PA, where his parents had recently immigrated from Germany. We believe that Michael was the eldest son of Heinrich "Henry" and Mary Summerauer. He is connected to his parents by proximity, since Heinrich is the only Summerour old enough to be his father living in the county. There is a deed in which Henry Summerour sells Michael the greater portion of his remaining estate before retiring. This deed does not explicitly spell out a familial relationship; however, it does confirm a connection between the two men that implies a familial relationship.

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Deed between Henry Summerour and Michael:

This Indenture Made this fourteenth day of January and in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty seven. Between Henry Sumrow living in the county of Lincoln & state of North Carolina of this one part & Michael Sumrow living in the said county of state aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of ten pounds current money of the state of North Carolina in hand by the said Michael Sumrow unto the said Henry Sumrow before consenting & delivery of this thy present receipt and payment is hereby fully acknowledged hath bargained & sold aliened, enscossed [ensconced], conveyed & confirmed of by these presents doth grant, bargain doth alien enscossency [ensconcency?] And confirm unto the aforesaid Michael Sumrow his heirs & assigns forever a part of two tracts or parcels of land lying and being in the county of Lincoln & state aforesaid, and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a stone, Jacob Carpenters corner on the waters of Clarke Creek arriving thence west 90 poles to a post oak then No. [North] 150 poles to a black oak sapling, then West  88 poles to a line of the old tract, then crossing the sd line the same course 120 poles to a post oak sapling on Anoveri Heady line, then running with said line, Et. [East] 78 poles to a red oak, then running with another of Hedicks line So. 9 Et. [East] 58 poles to three small white oak saplings, then So. 80 Et. 100 poles to a white oak, thence No. [North] 22 E [East] 180 poles to the Beginning, containing by estimation Two Hundred & sixty three acres be the same more or less as may more fully appear by his majesties patent granted to Peter Summy bearing date the 29th day of April and in the year 1763, and the other bearing date the 28th day of April and in ye year 1768, then conveyed from the said Peter Summy to Henry Sumrow as may appear by the records with all the appurtenances whatsoever situate lying and being as aforesaid with their rights members & appurtenances as whatsoever and the revision & revisions hereditaments , promises hereby granted or intended to be granted & every part and parcel thereof and all rents, issues,  increases & profits to them or any of them residing, belonging or appertaining [unto the land?] and convey the estate and estates, rights, titles, claims and demands whatsoever of him the said Henry Sumrow of or unto the said lands, tenements, hereditaments, & premises hereby granted or intended to be granted with all this appertaining to the sd. Michael Sumrow his heirs and assigns and to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Michael Sumrow his heirs and assigns forever and to hereby to hold the said lands, tenements, hereditaments & premises with all their appurtenances to the said Michael Sumrow his heirs and assigns, and the said Henry Sumrow for himself his heirs exc [executors] doth hereby promise, covenant and agree that he the same Henry Sumrow for himself his heirs exor. [executors] Adminr. [administrators] doth hereby promise, covenant and agree that he shall and will at all times warrant & forever defend the said promises to the said Michael Sumrow his heirs and assigns against all lawful claims & demands whatsoever whereby the above mentioned promises might be affected or encumbered contrary to the true intent and meaning of these presents. In Witness whereof the said Henry Sumrow has hereunto set his hand & seal the day and year first above written.

Singed, Sealed & Delivered      Henry Summerour {Seal}
In the presence of
Robt Blackburn     }       Lincoln County Jany. Sessions 1788
Wm Maclean         }                                                  The within
John McGaughey  }      deed was acknowledged in open court and ordered to be registered            
Witness  Jo Dickson C. C. [County Clerk]

[Lincoln County [NC] land entries, 1783-1795,1798-1853; Land entries 1783-1795 FHL US/CAN Film 19241 Item 1;  Lincoln County NC, Deed Book 3, p. 291]

Deed from Henry Summerour to Michael Summerour (page 1)
Deed from Henry Summerour to Michael Summerour (Page 2)



Michael's family migrated to North Carolina when he was still a child, to what was then Tryon County, now Lincoln County. His family settled in the Catawba River Valley, where the land was selling at bargain prices. They settled in the midst of many German immigrants. It must have been a great comfort to them to have others who spoke their language, and worshipped after their manner, as neighbors. They moved into what was wilderness, and had to build civilization from scratch.

Michael and his brother must have been a great help to their parents, and their hardships made them a close-knit family. Michael lived near his parents until their deaths, and stayed on the land that they had developed, and near the church where they were buried, for the rest of his life.

The earliest record I have found for Michael lists him as a signer of a petition to have a portion of Burke County annexed to Lincoln County, signed 25 Dec 1778. He was 22 years old.

It is highly likely that Michael served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. Several pieces of evidence point in this direction. The first evidence is that he lived as a neighbor to Derick Ramsour, upon whose property a major battle was fought. It does not seem likely that he would have sat at home while a major battle was waging next door.

The second and third pieces of evidence are Michael's own words. In a pension record for Caspar Bolick, Michael testifies that he served in the Revolutionary War with Caspar, under General Rutherford and Colonel McDonell for an unstated period through December of 1781. Michael also published a letter on July 4, 1844 in the Weekly Standard, as a character witness for one of his neighbors who had been accused of being a Tory. Michael wrote:
"I have this day been shown a publication in the Carolina Watchman, where it is stated that the late Michael Quickel is charged as a Troy in the Revolutionary war; was at the battle of Ramsour's Mills, and was then taken prisoner and put in what they called the "bull pen." In justice to the memory of the deceased I feel it my duty to state what I know of the deceased and his father. The father of the said Michael Quickel deceased, whose name was  Michael Quickel, was a citizen of the county of York, Pennsylvania, and was a Captain of a company in the service of the United States against the British and under the command of Col. Swope, and stationed at newark, in the Sate of new Jersey. As to his son Michael Quickel, deceased, I was not acquainted with him until I removed to this country of Tryon, now Lincoln, where I located about five miles from said Quickel, and was acquainted with him until his death; and with regard to the trying times of the Revolutionary war, and particularly the part taken by the said Quickel at Ramsour's Mills, I can say with pleasure that I never heard that the said Quickel took any part with the Tories in that battle, nor in any other. But I saw him on the following day on the battle ground while the whigs had uninterrupted possession of the field, assisting in burying the dead, all the tories who were taken prisoners being under guard.
Michael (his mark) X Summerow, Witness M. Reinhardt



No corroborative evidence has yet been found of Michael's service, but since Michael never applied for a pension himself, it would seem that he had nothing to gain by lying for his neighbors. So, it is likely that he served.

In the late 1780s, Michael began to collect land of his own to develop. On 4 Jan 1786 Michael bought 100 acres of land on the waters of Clark's Creek, joining Jacob Carpenter, John Sigman & Peter Lear [Lair]. On 6 May 1786 Michael bought another 100 acres of land joining David Ramsour's old tract, and next to Henry Grifemore [or Crismore] and James Wilson. A year later, he initiated purchase on an adjoining tract of 86 acres, but the grant was discontinued.

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Lincoln County NC Deed Records

p. 263 granted. Michael Sumrow claims 100 ac in Lincoln Co on waters of Clarks Cr; border: Jacob Carpenter, John Sigyean, & Peter Lear; entered 4 Jan 1786; L10.

p. 329 granted. Michael Sumrow claims 100 ac in Lincoln Co; border: David Ramsour's old tract, Henry Grissmore, & James Wilson; entered 6 May 1786; L10.

p. 485 discontinued. Michael Sumrow claims 86 ac in Lincoln Co; border: David Ramsour desc, Henry Crismore, & his own land; entered 14 Apr 1787; L8.12.
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Clarks Creek, where Michael Summerow lived, marks the western border of the town of Lincolnton in Lincoln County NC. Here is a map to show its location. Michael's land was actually further downstream, north of Lincolnton. 
The red pin is at the mouth of Clarks Creek, which flows down from the north-east of Lincolnton.

And this map shows where Lincolnton is located in North Carolina:
Lincolnton is in the south western region of North Carolina, just to the right of the red pin.

One of the neighboring families who had relocated to the Catawba River Valley with the Summerows were the Kleins. Michael fell in love with their daughter Katherine Klein, and they were married in Lincoln County, NC. A marriage record has yet to be found, but we know that they must have married before the Federal Census was taken in 1790, because they appear in that census in Lincoln County NC as a couple without any children.


Michael and Katherine had the following children:
1) John Summerow b. 1791 Lincoln, NC, d. 1857 Iredell, NC; m. Nancy MNU
2) John Henry Summerow b. 1794 Lincoln, NC, d. 5 Nov 1854 Lauderdale, TN; m. Minerva T. Day 9 Sep 1820 Rutherford, TN
3) Michael Summerow b. abt 1795 Lincoln, NC, d. 5 May 1870 Travis, TX; m. Electra MNU MO
4)Jacob Summerow b. 15 Jul 1797 Lincoln, NC, d. 2 Nov 1889 Mitchell, NC; m. Rachel Zelpha Turner 25 Sep 1830 Tyron, Polk, NC
5) Andrew Summerow b. 1800 Lincoln, NC, d. 1831 Iredell, NC; m. Charlotte MNU bef 1822
6) Elizabeth Summerow b. 3 Aug 1801 Lincoln, NC, d. 13 Jul 1861 Lincoln, NC; never married
7) David Summerow b. 16 Sep 1804 Lincoln, NC, d. 23 Jun 1879 Lincoln, NC; m. Susan Rudisill 7 Jun 1828 NC
8) Peter Summerow b. 11 Dec 1808 Lincoln, NC, d. 2 Nov 1841 Lincoln, NC; m. Elmyra R. Ramsauer 16 Mar 1840 Lincoln, NC
9) Sarah "Sally" Summerow b. 12 Jan 1814 Lincoln, NC, d. 22 Oct 1841 Lincoln, NC; never married

Michael's name has been recorded many ways, as is evident census records in which he appears.

1790 Census Lincoln County, NC
"Mich'l Sumrow" 1 male over 16, 0 males under 16, 1 female over 16

No Sumrow/Summerow/Summerour family have been found in the 1800 Census, in spite of searching the census page by page for all of Lincoln County. It must have been an enumerator oversight.

1810 Census Lincoln County, NC
"Mich'l Sumro" 2 m under 10 (b. 1800-1810), 3 m 10-15 (b. 1795-1800), 2 m 16-25 (b. 1785-1794), 1 m 45 and over, 1 f 10-15 (b. 1795-1800), 1 f 45 and over

1820 Census Lincoln County, NC
"Michael Sumrow"
2 m 10-16 (b. 1804-1810) David, Peter
1 m 16-26 (b. 1794-1804) Jacob [Andrew may already be deceased at this time]
1 m over 45 (b. bef. 1775)Michael Sr.
1 f 10-16 (b. 1804-1810) Sally
1 f 16-26 (b. 1794-1804) Elizabeth
[Katherine is deceased]

1830 Census Lincoln County, NC
"Michael Summerow"
1 m 20-30 (b. 1800-1810)
1 m 70-80 (b. 1750-1760)
1 f 15-20 (b. 1810-1815)
1 f 20-30 (b. 1800-1810)


In the 1840 Census, he is living with his son "Peter Summerow" in Upper Regiment, Lincoln, NC. Listed as one male 80-90 years old.


Testimony of Michael Summerow for Caspar Bolick's
Revolutionary War Pension Application

Two of their children, Michael Summerrow Jr. and John Henry Sumerow, followed in their grandparents footsteps, migrating to the ends of civilization to continue pioneering the west. Most of the children stayed near their parents. Katherine died in 1820, leaving Michael a widower for nearly thirty years  before he joined her. When he grew feeble, toward the end of his life, his son Peter moved in with him and took over the labor on the farm.

The following is a faithful transcription of the Will of Michael Summerour Sr. from 1831, as well as the codicil of 1835.

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In the name of God, amen.
I, Michael Summerour Sr., of the county of Lincoln, and the State of North Carolina, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die. Being weak, and frail in body, but of a sound and disposing mind, and memory, and wishing to dispose of the property which it has pleased God to bless me with in this world.

In the first place, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Summerour $25 in cash, all the cattle she owns, and a good cow out of my stock, two good beds, and furniture, my house clock, my loom and tackle, a bureau which she claims, her side saddle, a large wash kettle, a cook pot, dutch oven, frying pan and skillet, half my dresser] furniture, and a spinning wheel and cards.

To my daughter Sally Summerour, I give $25 in cash, a good cow and a heifer, a good bed and furniture, a spinning wheel and cards, a cook pot, a dutch oven, frying pan and skillet, and half the dresser furniture.

To my son, Peter Summerour, I give $25 in cash, in place of a colt, which I gave the other boys that did not learn trades.

To my son, Jacob Summerour, I also give $25 in money, because I gave him no colt.

To my grandson, Franklin Summerour, son of Andrew Summerour, deceased, I give $100 in cash, which is to be placed in the hands of my son John Summerour, by my executor who is to hold this saying as a guardian for my said grandson, and should it be necessary, he is to appropriate so much thereof as will be sufficient to give him a good common English education, and the balance (if there should be any left) to be paid over to him when he arrives at the age of 21 years, but should he die before he arrives at the age the money is to be refunded to my estate and equally divided among my children. My said grandson, is to have no more of my estate, because I have paid a debt of $161 for my son Andrew since his decease, which he had contracted in his lifetime, for which I was his security.

I give my son Henry Summerour, (who lives in Tennessee) a power of attorney to sell a tract of land, about 276 acres, which lies in Sumner county Tennessee. He was to have half the proceeds of the sale, as his legacy, but I understand that he has made a very bad sale of it. He is to keep the whole of the proceeds of said sale of land as his share of my estate, and he is to have [the word "no" is probably missing] more out of my estate.

My son, Michael Summerour, left a note with me for some better than $12 which I collected, my executors are to pay him $14 in place thereof (if I do not pay him before I die).

I have given my son, David Summerour, a deed of conveyance for [blank] acres of land, a part of the tract whereon I now live, he agreed to allow me at the rate of five dollars per acre. He has advanced me one hundred dollars in cash. I was owing him some small debts, and after settlements he still owes me about twenty-five dollars which he agreed to pay me. The balance of the price of said tract of land which is at the rate of three dollars & fifty cents per acre. He is to account for at the division of my Estate among it and my children & should each ones share of the general divide not amount to that much, he must pay up: such a part as will make his hsare equal with the others. Should there be more than that amount coming to each one, he is to have an equitable share.

The balance of my property not heretofore disposed of, or bequeathed, is to be sold at publick sale (both real & personal) on a reasonable credit, and after all my first debts; funeral expences &c are paid: The balance then remaining of my estate is to be equally divided among my children. John Summerour, Michael Summerour, Jacob Summerour, David Summerour, Peter Summerour, Elizabeth Summerour & Sally Summerour.

I hereby nominate and appoint my son David Summerour & my friend John Coulter as my Executors to execute this my last will & testament.

I do hereby revoke, disannul & disallow all other or former wills by me made & constitute & ordain this to be my last will & testament. Executed, signed & sealed this 16th day of July 1831, in the presence of
David Carpenter
Jacob Summerow  Jurat

Michael Summerour [Could be Summerow, it is difficult to read, because obscured by Seal ring.]

I, Michael Summerour Sr. who executed the foregoing will, having made some alteration in my property, since the execution of the same think proper to make some alteration in the same, by annexing this codicil. To my daughter Elizabeth and my daughter Sally, I have given the cattle that they were to have. To my son Peter, I have willed $25 in cash. I have since given him my part of a threshing machine (which was built in Co. Jonas Hediah [?] D. Carpenter and others), he is therefore not to have the aforesaid $25.

The whole of my estate, after the special bequests are made, is to be equally divided between my sons, John, Jacob, David and Michael, and my two daughters, Elizabeth and Sally. My son Peter, is not to have any of my estate, except such as particularly devised to him. I do hereby constitute this codicil as a part of the foregoing will and wish is to be considered as a part thereof, in witness whereof I Michael Summerour Sr. have hereunto set my hands and affixed my seal the 14th day of December 1835, in presence of John Hedick, Jurat and Catherine Coulter.
           his
Michael Summerour
          mark

[Note: The Will is filed under the name Michael Summerow, though he signed it Summerour]
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Michael Summerour Will Page 1
Michael Summerour's Will Page 2
Michael Summerour's Will Page 3
Codicil to Michael Summerour's Will

Michael's tombstone has worn over the years, so that the dates can no longer be read. Most researchers had given Michael's Will Codicil date as his date of death (1835). However, an estate sale record shows that his estate was not probated until 1848.



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The Return of the Sale of Property of Michael Summerow, Dec’d, David Summerow [son], Executor; list of buyers: Elmira Summerow [widow of Peter Summerow, Michael’s son], Solomon Finger [son of Susannah, his niece], David Summerow [son], John Summerow [son], John Coulter, B. F. Summerow [Benjamin Franklin Summerow, son of Michael's deceased son Andrew], Elizabeth Summerow [daughter], Jacob Killian, and Jacob Summerow [son].
[Lincoln County, North Carolina, probate records, 1831-1964; Inventories and accounts of estates 1831-1868 FHL US/CAN Film 422257]
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There are four pieces of evidence to show that this estate sale was for Michael Sr. and not for his son (as had been falsely reported by early researchers). The first discovery was learning of the location of Michael Jr. at the time of his father's death. Michael Jr. was still alive as late as 1880, and was living in Arkansas in the 1840s. The second piece of evidence was the1840 US Federal Census, that shows that Michael Sr. was living with his son Peter Summerow. The third piece of evidence is the most decisive of all. It is a note in the estate settlement records of 1848, which indicate that Michael had extended credit to Daniel Ramasour on 12 January 1848. So, he was still alive as of that date.



The final discovery was of Michael Summerow's obituary, published in the Lincoln Courier on January 20th, 1848. It reads as follows:
"Obituary.
Another Revolutionary gone! --Died, in Lincoln county, on the 11th instant, Michael Summerour, aged 91 years, 4 months and 19 days. he was born and raised in the State of Pennsylvania, but migrated to this State about the commencement of the Revolutionary war, in which he took an active part on the side of liberty. He has always been a Patriot, and a consistent friend of the rights of man. Peace to his ashes!"



Michael was buried near his parents in Old White Church Cemetery, beside the church that he had helped build and had attended throughout most of his life. His name can still be read on the grave marker.

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Survey for Old White Church Cemetery lists:
Summerour, Henry No Dates
Summerour, Elizabeth 63 years October 21, 1827
*Summerour, Michael No Dates
Summerour, Catherine 51 years June 10, 1820
Summerour, Henry 70 years December 1, 1722
Summerour, Mary 72 years October 25, 1722
[Old White Church Cemetery - Lincoln County, NC - Cemeteries Submitted to the USGenWeb Project by W.D. Floyd (wdfloyd@rfci.net) Copyright, 1997 W.D. Floyd]
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Sunday, January 15, 2012

John Henry Sumerow 1794-1854 (10000)


Born John Henry Sumerow, he was commonly called by his middle name "Henry" after the German fashion, though he also appears as John or John H. in some records. He was born near Lincolnton in Lincoln County NC, to Michael Summerow and Catherine Klein, in 1794. He was the second of nine children. This connection is established through his father's will.



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The will of Michael Summerour, written July 16, 1831 states, in part: "my son Henry Summerour, who lives in Tennessee, a power of attorney to sell 275 acres in Sumner Co., Tnn.; he was to have half the proceeds of the sale as his legacy but I understand that he has made a very bad sale of it. he is to keep the whole of the proceeds of said sale of land as his share of my estate and he is to have (no) more out of my estate."

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Henry's family had pioneered the area of Lincoln County NC along the Catawba River valley. They creating roads, churches and schools where there had been nothing but wilderness. So, Henry was not intimidated by the prospect of settling a new land when he took the opportunity to move to the westernmost reaches of civilization, in the partially settled middle section of the new state of Tennessee.

About 1820, Henry Summerow moved from just north-east of Lincolnton, North Carolina
to Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Henry moved to Tennessee shortly before 1820, to sell the tract of land that his father owned in Sumner County, Tennessee. He sold the land in Sumner County, Tennessee which is two counties north of Rutherford County where he settled down and married. Michael mentions this transaction in his will, saying that he understood that Henry had not made as good a bargain for the land as had been hoped, and that Michael wanted Henry to have the proceeds from that sale for his inheritance.

Henry must have liked what he saw in Tennessee, because he decided to stay. One probable reason for this decision was the fact that, while staying in Rutherford County, he met his wife, Minerva T. Day. They were married in Rutherford County on 9 Sep 1820.

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There is a Rutherford County, TN Marriage Record that confirms this marriage:

Summerraw, Henry    &   Day, Minerva        Sept 9, 1820

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Their growing family can be found in census records for several decades, first in Rutherford and then in Lauderdale County Tennessee.
This shows a stand of cypress trees in a park along the Mississippi River.
Henry's original land grant would have been dense
with old growth cypress forest.

1830 Census Rutherford, TN
"Henry Sumrow" 3 m under 5, 1 m 5-9, 1 m 30-39, 1 f 5-9, 1 f 20-29; Slaves 1 f under 10, 2 f 10-23, 1 f 55-99
Henry Sumerow in the 1830 Federal Census, Lauderdale County, Tennessee.
The 1830 Census also shows that Henry owned slaves. It lists in the household one female slave over 55, two female slaves 10 to 26 years of age, and one female under 10. Though it is possible that the females 10 to 26 years old may have been employed in helping to farm the land, but with his eldest son being only eight years old, it is certain that Henry would have been doing the bulk of the farm labor to feed the family. Yet, somehow they managed.


Over the years Henry and Minerva had the following children:

1) James H. Sumerow b. 1822 Rutherford, TN, d. 27 Dec 1852 Lauderdale, TN m. Sarah E. Wright 26 Nov 1852 Lauderdale TN

2) Mary E. Sumerow b. 13 Jul 1824 Rutherford, TN, d. 8 Jun 1895 Lauderdale, TN m. James C. Alsobrook 12 Sep 1848 Lauderdale, TN

3) Jesse M. Sumerow b. 1826 Rutherford, TN, d. 2 Nov 1875 Lauderdale, TN m. Sarah E. Wright Sumerow (widow of deceased brother James) abt 1853 Lauderdale, TN

4) Henry Thomas Sumerow b. 1829 Rutherford, TN, d. 9 Sep 1884 Lauderdale TN, m. 1st Ellen Smith, 2nd Missouri Jackson both in Lauderdale TN

5) George Henry Sumerow b. 28 Jul 1830 Rutherford, d. 4 Mar 1913 Merit, Hunt, TX m. Elvira Jane Smith 23 Nov 1854 Lauderdale TN

6) William C. Sumerow b. 1833 Rutherford TN, d. aft 1860 Lauderdale, TN m. Matilda Rucker abt 1857 Haywood, TN

7) Benjamin Franklin Sumerow b. 1837 Lauderdale, TN, d. bet Apr and May of 1870, m. Minerva T. Day 9 Sep 1854 Rutherford, TN

8) Martha Emma Sumerow b. 1838 Lauderdale, TN, d. aft 1870 Lauderdale, TN m. 1st John Rucker 16 Mar 1857, 2nd Benjamin M. Hall bef 1863 census, 3rd W. H. Flippin 17 Jun 1864 all in Lauderdale, TN

9) Robert W. Sumerow b. 1848 Lauderdale, TN, d. aft 1910 Hunt, Texas m. Nancy Warren 7 Jan 1867 Dyer, TN

10) Eleanor C. Sumerow b. unknown, d. bef 1854

11) Robert P. Sumerow b. unknown, d. bef 1854

12) Predonia Sumerow b. unknown, d. bef 1854

13) Virginia Sumerow b. unknown, d. bef 1854

14) Eugenia Sumerow b. unknown, d. bef 1854

The last five children's names appear on the back of Henry's grave marker as having predeceased him. This tells a sad tale of the loss that John and Minerva suffered in their life together.  But they also succeeded in raising nine children to adulthood.

In the mid-1830s, Henry obtained a grant of over fifteen hundred acres of land in the westernmost reaches of Lauderdale County, Tennessee, along the Mississippi River. He purchased this land using the money his father had given him as an early inheritance. From this wilderness of thick cypress forest, they created a large plantation in the newly opened territory where they raised farm crops to feed their family and cotton as a cash crop.


1840 Federal Census Lauderdale, TN
"Henry Somero" 1 m under 5, 2 m 5-9, 2 m 10-14, 1 m 15-19, 1 m 40-49, 1 f under 5, 1 f 15-19, 1 f 30-39; Slaves 1 m under 10, 2 f under 10, 1 f 10-23

"Henry Somero" in the 1840 Census in Lauderdale County, Tennessee.
The 1840 Census also lists slaves in Henry's household. However, they were a female 10-26 years of age, along with one male under 10 and two females under 10. One of the questions asked on this census was "How many people are engaged in agriculture?" The answer listed for Henry was 2 people. Since the eldest son, James, was 18 years old in 1840, those two people would have been Henry and James. The one adult female slave would have been employed in domestic labor. With so many mouths to feed, it would have been quite a struggle to maintain the family.

In 1850, the three eldest children had managed to move out on their own. The family is still found in Lauderdale County, Tennessee.
"John H. Sumrow" in the 1850 Census, Lauderdale County, Tennessee.
1850 Census District 6, Lauderdale, TN
"John H. Sumrow" 56, Farmer, land valued at $3500, born NC
Manerva T. Sumrow 44, born VA
Henry T. 21 TN
George 18 TN
William 17 TN
Franklin 13 TN
Martha 10 TN
Robert 2 TN
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The following deed records indicate the extent of Henry's land purchases:

Lauderdale County TN Deeds

Grantee
Grantor
Type
Acres
Bk
Pg
Sumerow, Henry      
G. L. Rutherford et al
Deed
86 1/3a
 A
143
Sumerow, Henry
J. Rutherford
Deed
99a
A
145
Sumerow, John H.
Thomas Hewitt
Deed
79a
B
62
Sumerow, John H.
G. L. Rutherford
Deed
200a
B
391
Sumerow, J. H.
M. Alsobrook
Deed
1080a
C
549
Sumerow, Jno H.
G. L. Rutherford
Deed
135 1/2a
D
120


Grantor
Grantee
Type
Acres
Bk
Pg
Sumerow, Henry
Margarett Hafford
Deed
74a
F
145
Sumerow, Henry
Chancery Court
Partition Deed

F
438







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Sumrow Creek at Halls, TN late August, 2011
The land that he acquired was rich soil, and densely forested. It must have taken a great deal of work to clear enough land to create a prosperous farm, but Henry set to work and he succeeded. Henry's land contained three springs which fed a year-round creek. This creek is still known today as Sumrow Creek, and it flows through the nearby town of Halls. Henry farmed large crops of cotton on his land, and enough produce to feed his growing family. He also kept a mill on his land and made money on the proceeds of milling for his neighbors. The nearby Mississippi River meant that his crops could be conveyed easily to market. It was a prime location. 

Most farmers, in those days, relied on the Mississippi River to transport their goods to market. The common practice was to build a raft from native timber, then float the crops down river to New Orleans to sell. Then the farmer either bought a horse to ride, or walked the major thoroughfare back up to the north. This road followed the Mississippi  all the way from New Orleans in the south, up to St. Louis in the north, and it conveniently passed through one end of Henry's land.

Part of original land grant of John Henry Sumerow
in Lauderdale County TN, still in possession
of one of his ancestors (in 2011), and still under
cultivation with a crop of cotton.
Since Henry was among those who created this thoroughfare, it is no wonder that the road was conveniently placed. He participated in the decision making process to determine where the roads in the area would be laid, and he participated by working on the crews who created and maintained the roads. Once this roadway was in place, and began to draw traffic, it would have not only made it easier to get back home after selling his crops, but also meant that Henry could trade other goods with the travelers. It is little wonder that Henry began to prosper in his new home.

Henry lived a full life for his time, and died 5 Nov 1854 at his home near Double Bridges, Lauderdale County, Tennessee. He was buried on his own land, in a plot that now has a large tree growing in the middle of it. Just in front of his grave, his daughter Mary Alsobrook and her husband are buried near the foot of his grave. The tiny cemetery that formed around his grave is now known as Sumerow/Abernathy cemetery, since the land was later sold to the Abernathy family, who were also buried there.

His grave marker reads "Henry J. Sumerrow died Nov 5, 1854 Aged 62 years." Then it has the following verse:

"Farewell my wife and children all
From you a father Christ doth call
Mourn not for me it is for him
To call me to your sight again"

On the back of the tombstone, it lists the children who died before Henry had passed away:
Eleanor C. Sumerrow
Robert P. Sumerrow
Predonia Sumerrow
Virginia Sumerrow
Eugenia Sumerrow
Children of H. J. & M. T. Sumerrow

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The following is a faithful transcription of Henry Sumerow's Will:

The Last Will and Testament of Henry Sumerow of Lauderdale County in the State of Tennessee:-

     I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife, Minerva T. Sumerow for and during her natural life or widowhood all my two tracts of land, containing jointly about 850 acres, being the same which I purchased form L. M. Campbell and from Robert Rutherford, Commissioner * c, except those parts or portions hereinafter otherwise disposed of. Also all my household and kitchen furniture. Also my buggy. Also my horses. Also all my cows, except the young oxen, the old odd ox, and two cows and calves, also all my hogs, except 5 gilt sows with pigs and 4000 lbs of pork out of the same when fattened. Also all my farming utensils and implements of every description, including my Fan Mill and wagon and etc. I also give and bequeath to her absolutely all my present cotton crop, all my crop of corn and fodder on the land above devised to her. Also all my wheat, also so much of my corn crop at the place where I now reside as maybe necessary to maintain her family plentifully, including all her stock and the fattening of her pork, until the house on the land above devised to her is finished and completed, ready for her to move into the same.

     I also give and bequeath to said beloved wife for and during her natural life or widowhood the following negroes, to wit: Stephen, Delpha, Emma, Jenny, Susan and Jasper.

     2nd: I give and bequeath all the above described personal property left to my wife for life or during her widowhood to my sons Jesse M. Sumerow, Henry T. Sumerow, George H. Sumerow, William C. Sumerow, Benjamin F. Sumerow and Robert Sumerow and my daughters Mary Alsobrook and Martha E. Sumerow and to my grandson Josephus Sumerow, son of my deceased son, James Sumerow on the death or marriage of my wife which ever event shall first happen to share and share a like.

     3rd: I give, bequeath and devise to my son Jesse M. Sumerow the tract or parcel of land he now lives on containing or to contain one hundred and twenty two and one half acres, to be charged to him at $400.00, which with $200.00, I have already advanced to him makes $600.00.

     I also give bequeath and devise to my said son, Jesse M. Sumerow another 122 1/2 acres of land out of the South East corner of my above mentioned tract of land, Said tract of land to be so run out as not to injure my new farm herein before devised to my wife for life or during her widowhood.

     4th: To my son, Henry T. Sumerow, I give and bequeath and devise the tract of land on which he now lives, containing or to contain 122 1/2 acres, also one cow and calf to be charged to him at $400.00, which with $200.00 I have already advanced him makes $600.00.

     5th: I give and bequeath to my son, George Henry Sumerow one cow and calf with together with the tract of land devised to Jesse M. Sumerow at $400.00, which I gave to the said George H. and which he sold to the said Jesse and $200.00 in property advanced by me to the said Geo. H. makes the sum of $600.00.

     6th: To my son, William C. Sumerow, I give, bequeath and devise 122 1/2 acres of land in the South West corner of the above named tract of land in an oblong square, also five gilt sows with pigs and fifty dollars in money to be charged to him at $600.00.

     7th: To my two youngest sons, Benjamin F. Sumerow and Robert Sumerow, I give bequeath and devise the tract of land devised to my wife for life or during her widowhood to receive the same on the death or marriage of my wife. Whichever event shall first happen to be equally divided between them, to be charged to them at $400.00, each. I also bequeath to each of them $200.00, making to each the sum of $600.00.

     8th: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Alsobrook my negro girl slave named, Amanda, now in her possession and One Hundred Dollars in money, making together with other property advanced by me to her the sum of $600.00.

     9th: I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha E. Sumerow my negro girl slave, Clarissa, to be charged to her at $250.00 and $350, in money making in all the some of $600.00.

     10th: I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Josephus Sumerow, son of James H. Sumerow, my deceased son, Four Hundred Dollars in money which with Two Hundred advanced by me to this father, James H. Sumerow, makes $600.00.

     11th: I give and bequeath to my wife a sum of money sufficient to complete the house on the land devised to her to be expended under the direction of my Executors hereinafter appointed.

     12th: I direct my Executors hereinafter appointed to sell at public auction and convey the same, all the rest and residue of my property real and personal and to collect all debts due me an dafter paying all debts due by me and the necessary expenses and all the above legacies to distribute the residue, if any there be, share and share alike between my above named children and grand child.

     13th: I hereby appoint Isaac M. Steel and Jesse M. Sumerow, Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. I revoke and make null and void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made.

     In Testimony of all which I have on this 30th day of October, 1853, hereto set my hand and Seal and publised and declared this to be my Last Will and Testament.

                                                       Henry Sumerow, SEAL

Signed, Sealed Published and declared in the presence and at the request of the Testator.

James A. Hackey

G. H. Hooper

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Benjamin Franklin Sumerow 1837-1870 (1000)


Sumrow Creek (late August 2011)




Benjamin Franklin Sumerow was born about 1837 in Double Bridges Township, Lauderdale County, Tennessee. He was the seventh child of John Henry Sumerow and Matilda T. Day. After the Germanic fashion, he was called by his middle name, Franklin. Franklin undoubtedly looked every bit the Germanic stock that he had come from. He was short in stature, but muscular in build, with cool blue eyes and very fair blond hair. We know this, because the Sumerow men for many generations have continued to exhibit these traits. It is in their genetic heritage, as it was in Franklin's.







Franklin can be found in the 1850 Census in District 6, Lauderdale County, TN living with his parents. He was 17 years old at the time. This connects him to his parents and gives us an approximate birth date of 1837. He is also listed in his father's will as Benjamin F. Sumerow. He appears as "Frank" in the Dyer County Tennessee Chancery Court case between his wife, Nancy, and her Brandon siblings. So, it is believed that this is what he was commonly called.


"Franklin Sumrow" appears in the 1850 Federal Census in the household of his father "John H. Sumrow."



A cotton field on the land where Frank lived, in Lauderdale
County TN. This is part of the property owned by his father,
and which Frank would have helped wor

Franklin married Nancy Elizabeth Brandon, whose family lived in Dyer County, just across the county border from Lauderdale County.  Other researchers have stated that they were married 23 Dec 1857, though I have yet to find a marriage record.

Franklin and Nancy Sumerow had the following children:
1) Emma Tennessee Sumerow b. 23 Jan 1859 Lauderdale TN m. Samuel A. Anthony 2 Nov 1874 Lauderdale, TN

2) James Lee Sumerow b. 8 Sep 1860 Lauderdale, TN, d. 6 Oct 1947 Altus, Jackson, OK, m. Mary Alice Woods abt 1900

3) George Franklin Sumerow b. 14 Sep 1862 Lauderdale, TN, d. 3 Jun 1933 TX, m. Lou Cates 31 Aug 1884 Denton TX

4) John Robert Sumerow b. 4 Oct 1864 Lauderdale TN, d. 31 Oct 1884, m. Jane Agnes Christopher

5) William Eugene Sumerow b. 4 Jul 1869 Lauderdale, TN, d. 23 Sep 1949, m. Ida Ophelia Gilley 3 May 1903 Ardmore, Carter, OK

"B. F. Sumro" and family in the 1860 Federal Census.

In the 1860 Federal Census he appears with his new family, with wife Nancy and little Emma just two years old. He began his new life working hard to follow in his father's footsteps as a prosperous plantation owner. He began to acquire property on a small scale, as can be seen from the deed records.

Lauderdale County TN Deeds:
Grantor
Grantee
Type
Acres
Bk
Pg
Sumerow, B. F.
J. C. Alsobrook
Deed

I
523
Sumerow, B. F.
J. D. Hafford
Deed
47a
J
164
Sumerow, B. F.
W. C. Sumerow
Deed
45a
J
605

1860 Slave Schedule shows "B.F. Sumro" had one female slave 15 years of age. The checkmark is in the column labeled "Fugitive of the State" meaning this slave had run away. This was the only slave listed for him.
Franklin owned one slave, a fifteen year old female. However, the 1860 Slave Schedule documents that this slave had run away. This means that at the time that the Civil War began, Franklin had no slaves. Since his children were still very young at the time, that would leave him to have worked the land by himself to support his family.

Shortly after Franklin had begun to purchase new property to expand his land holdings, the Civil War began. He lived too near the Union border to avoid becoming involved in the fighting. In spite of local militia efforts to keep them at bay, the Union forces invaded the Mississippi River Basin where Franklin and his family lived. The following dispatch gives some idea of what was happening at the time:

War Department, Washington, November 16, 1862.
Major-General Grant, La Grange, Tenn.:
The Secretary of War directs that you employ the refugee negroes as teamsters, laborers, &c., so far as you have use for them, in the quartermaster’s department on forts, railroads, &c.; also in picking and removing cotton, on account of the Government. So far as possible, subsist them and your army on the rebel inhabitants of Mississippi.
H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief.

"Subsist them and your army" means that they were to steal whatever crops and animals they could find to feed and provision the army, as well as the slaves that they had "liberated" but were still using as free labor. Franklin resented not only the invasion, but the drain that these forces put on his family and neighbors. The militia took a stand just two days after the above dispatch. There was a skirmish at Double Bridges, right in Franklin's neighborhood. As part of the county militia, Franklin undoubtedly participated.

More research needs to be done to discover the particulars of his service during the war. However, we know that he served in the local militia, and when the militia was chased out of the county, he went down into Alabama and signed up for service with the 15th Confederate Calvary. 

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Confirmation of his service in the 15th Confederate Calvary from Mobile Alabama, appeared in the following historical newsletter:

Lauderdale County Historical & Genealogical Society Newsletter September 1991, "Some Lauderdale Countians in the Civil War", Compiled by Michael O. Sanders

"B. F. Sumro F & S-15th Con. Cav."

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The war devastated the economy of Lauderdale County, and set back Franklin so far that he was never able to recover. He ended up selling much of the land that he had inherited from his parents in order to try to survive. He turned over a mortgage to his mother, as a last resort. She, in turn, sold it to her son George. There was a bitter court dispute over this land, after Franklin died, when his widow tried to reclaim the land that had been mortgaged.

Double Bridges, Lauderdale County, Tennessee is indicated here with a red pin. Franklin lived just west of this, between Double Bridges and the Mississippi River. The Mississippi constitutes the western border of Tennessee.

In April of 1870, Franklin had made a payment to his brother George to try to redeem his property. His widow appeared in court on 4 May 1870 to beg the court for relief for her family. It must have been quite a struggle for Nancy, since she had five young children at home, her youngest being less than a year old at that time.

The Widows Pension from the County of Lauderdale TN, states that Nancy E. Sumerow had been approved for a widow's pension for one year after her husband's death. The letter, signed by three commissioners, was dated 4 May 1870; so, Benjamin must have died prior to this date. He had made a payment on a deed 25 Apr 1870 to his brother George. This means he died between 25 Apr and 4 May 1870. He would have been just thirty-two years of age.

He was probably buried on family property, like his father before him, but his grave has yet to be located. It's likely that his widow was too poor to be able to afford a grave marker.