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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