Arwelder

 

Stumbling across Arwelder Morton in my search of descendants of Ezekial Morton and wife, Elizabeth Brumbalow Morton, was a discovery plagued with munificent questions concerning her name. Morton was her married name and there seemed to be no consensus concerning what her maiden name was, even among the various legal records that documented her life. Added to that conundrum, there's the situation of her first name "Arwelder".  What even is that? Was it a phonetic spelling of an actual name that was fangled and fractured by a countrified southern accent? Who was this mysterious lady?

First things first, the name Arwelder. I discovered that this was a surname associated with a small, but existing group of people found in Union and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina, near and neighboring counties to Arwelder's home county of Stanly. In other forms, this same surname was seen and spelled as Arwilder and Arwalter, possibly a deviation of Attwater. Had she descended from this family?

Arwelder remained dutifully hidden until adulthood. Born June 20, 1864, she should have appeared somewhere in the 1870 census yet has managed to evade me. The first record of her existence was her marriage license, which occurred at a mortifyingly young age. 

On April 24, 1880, Adam A. Morton, 21, applied for the marriage license between himself and "Welder" Chrisco, 14. He was the son of A. G. and Elizabeth Morton, both parents living. She was daughter of father unknown and a living Nancy Hinson. It was also noted as unknown as to whether her father was living or not. As I would discover later, her father was not unknown, just unnamed. This could have been because her mother was now married, herself. The consent to the marriage, as Arwelder was underage, was given by Henry Hinson and Nancy Hinson, with it being noted beside Nancy's name that she was "the mother". Henry Hinson was Nancy's husband and Arwelder's stepfather. 

The wedding was performed the next day by Justice of the Peace, F. G. Turner, at his place in Big Lick, home or office, and witnesses were E. W. Morton, A. G. Morton and A. M. Hinson. I presume these were probably Adam's brother, Enoch Willis Morton, and either his father, Allen Green Morton, or his younger brother, A. G. Morton, Jr, and A. M. Hinson were perhaps a neighbor, or relative of Henry's.

Name	Welder Morton
Age	15
Birth Date	Abt 1865
Birthplace	North Carolina
Home in 1880	Big Lick, Stanly, North Carolina, USA
Dwelling Number	85
Race	White
Gender	Female
Relation to Head of House	Daughter-in-law
Marital Status	Married
Spouse's Name	Adam Morton
Father's Birthplace	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace	North Carolina
Occupation	Homeworker
Neighbors	View others on page

Household members

Name	Age
A. G. Morton	52
Elisabeth Morton	52
John Morton	22
Lizzie Morton	22
Adam Morton	20
Welder Morton	15
A. G. Morton	15
James F. Morton	12
Levey Morton	10
Lucy Morton	7

The 1880 census came so quickly after the wedding, that the young couple had not yet time to establish themselves on their own. They were found living with Adam's parents and siblings in Big Lick and 'Welder', as she was called, was noted as a daughter-in-law. Adam's brother, John Calvin Morton, had also recently became a bridegroom in March of the same year, and had his wife, Eliza "Lizzie" Cable Morton, in their parents' home, too. Adding to the family were younger siblings, A. G Jr., James F., Levi and Lucy Morton.

Arwelder Magdalena and Adam A. Morton

Adam and Arwelder seemed to have had a long, happy marriage of a turn-of -the century farm family and begin building a large collective of children.

1) Their firstborn son, Ellam, born around 1881, came around a year after the marriage and is only shown as a 19-year-old young man in the 1900 census. He didn't live to make the 1910 and was buried at the Little-Morton Family Cemetery near Oakboro, NC, with his name mis transcribed as "Ellan". The cause of his early demise remains unknown. It was not noted in the newspapers to my knowledge.

2) Dahlia Eugenia, the second born, would step in as leader of the pack. Born August 15, 1884, she would marry Everette A. Anderson and would remain in Big Lick for life, passing on January 26, 1954, at the age of 69. They had a son and daughter who lived until adulthood and a son and a daughter that passed as infants. Everette was the grandson of the infamous "Big Lick Witch", Melinda "Lynn" Pless Coble Byrd via her daughter, Hester, despite their marriage license naming his father as William B. Anderson (correct) and his mother as Melinda Byrd (incorrect). Dahlia's marriage license gave her mother's surname as her married name, Morton, while her death certificate gave her mother's maiden name as 'Hinson'.

3) Cornelia Nancy, aka "Nellie Ann" was born on August 22, 1886. She married Philas Jerome "PJ" Smith on January 22, 1905, and they became the parents of 10 children: Ethel, Taft, Jolie Bell, Vaughn, Mary, Willard, Newton, Fannie, Harding and Glenn. She died on November 26, 1958, having spent the first part of her marriage in Big Lick, Stanly County and the latter years in Cabarrus County, where they farmed. She was returned to her home in Stanly County for burial. Her mother was named as "Felder Morton" on her marriage document.

4) Cannon Fetzer Morton was born on July 27, 1888. He married Bertha Williams on December 7, 1917. His death certificate named his mother as "Arwelder Hinson Morton". They raised 7 children, 6 daughters and one son, moving from Big Lick to New London to Albemarle.

5) Maude Minnie Morton was born on October 10, 1890, and died on April 3, 1976. She married Adam Brigham Helms on April 21, 1907, and had 8 children, they raised in Big Lick. Her mother is referred to as "Wilder Morton" on her marriage license. 

6) Willie Adam Morton was born on March 13, 1893, and died on August 26, 1963. He married Nellie Hatley on December 21, 1915, and they lived in Big Lick, and later Albemarle, and raised 9 children. His mother was referred to as "Arwelder Crisco" on his death certificate.

7) Walter Haywood Morton was born on May 30, 1895, and died on March 19, 1951. He married Mary Lucy Huneycutt on September 8, 1919. Together, they raised a family of 10 children in Big Lick: Virginia, Naomi, Seneca Bernice, Mary Inez, Ezra, Alfred Hoover, Stella, Patricia Arwelda, Shirley J., and Delmar "Dale" Morton. His mother was named as "Arwelda Morton" in his marriage certificate.

8) Oliver Morton was born in July of 1896. He passed away as a child between June 8, 1900, when he was shown as a 3-year-old in the 1900 census, and the 9th of May 1910, when his family was shown living on the Monroe Road in Big Lick, without him. He was buried in the Little-Morton cemetery south of Oakboro.

9) Watson Lowe Morton aka "Watt Lowe" Morton was born October 18, 1901, and passed away on August 1, 1976, in Mecklenburg County, NC. He married Nannie Poplin June 24, 1930, in Chesterfield County, NC and raised their daughters in Oakboro and Big Lick, NC. His mother was named as "Arwelder Huneycutt" on his documents.

Five Generations, Colorized, beginning with Nancy Crisco Hinson, sitting, right, with daughter,  Arwelder

, on the left. Standing behind Nancy is Arwelders' daughter "Dallie" Dahia Morton Anderson and behind Arwelder is Dallie's daughter, Annie Bell Anderson Griffin. Nancy Hinson is holding Annie's baby. 

It's not unusual for a woman to have had a number of different surnames. Life happens. She's usually born with one surname, gained from her parents, then acquires another as she marries. She may marry numerous times, and add on another, due to death or divorce, or even annulment.

Arwelder had one married name, Morton, with that there is no argument, but what was her maiden name? She's shown as Crisco, Hinson, and Huneycutt. The answer cannot be gleaned from looking at just Arwelder. We must back up another generation and look at the life of another lady. 

Nancy

Nancy, the oldest mother in this five-generation shot was born as Nancy Crisco, or Chrisco, 

Below is Arwelder's Death Certificate.

Her name is given as Arwelder Magdalene Morton. Her age as 66 years, 2 months and 9 days. She was a housewife and her husband; A. A. Morton has outlived her. The informant was A. F. Hinson, who reported that she was born in Stanly County, NC, and that her father's name was J. S. Huneycutt, and her mother's name was Nancy Crisco. So that is where the Crisco and the Huneycutt came from! She died of paralysis on August 28, 1930, and no reason was given for the paralysis. I believe A. F. Hinson was Finley Adam Hinson, Nancy's youngest son, who would have been Arwelder's half-brother.

Adam and Arwelder's children seemed at odds with what her maiden name was. Youngest son, Walter "Watt" Lowe Morton's death certificate named her as Arwelder  Huneycutt.

Maude Morton Helms's death certificate named her mother as Arwelder Hinson. 

Now was the time to look at the life of Nancy Crisco and answer a new question, who was J. S. Huneycutt?

Nancy Crisco first shows up as an 11-year-old in the home of her father, Jacob Crisco.

She was the youngest child in the family. Also in the home were brothers Conrad, 20 and Jacob Jr., 14. Above them lived Henry and Margaret Carver. Margaret was Nancy's older sister, and daughter of Jacob. His daughter Lydia had married a Carver as well, Margeret marrying Henry and Lydia marrying his brother, John Butler Carver. 

Jacob Crisco, Sr. had been born in the Browers Community of Randolph County, the son of George William Crisco (1765-1830) and Susannah Maness Kennedy, (1762-1860). There would be a long-standing relationship with the Kennedy family, who originated in neighboring Davidson County, and also had settled in Stanly County about the same time, in the same area. The probability of a familial relation between the two groups was high. 

ame	Jacob Criscow
Residence Date	1840
Home in 1840 (City, County, State)	North Catawba River, Burke, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5	1 Jacob
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14	2 Conrad & Gooden
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29	1 John Thomas
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49	1 Jacob Sr.
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5	1 Nancy
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14	1 Lydia
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19	2 Margaret
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29	1 Unknown
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49	1 Polly
Persons Employed in Agriculture	4
Free White Persons - Under 20	7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49	4
Total Free White Persons	11
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves	11

Jacob would be found in Burke County, North Carolina in the 1840 census, living on the North Catawba River.

It was likely this is where Nancy was born. Her mother was a Mary "Polly" Yow, and it is unknown exactly when they were married or when Polly died, however, Jacob would marry in Randolph County on February 27, 1846, to an Eliza Burrow, daughter of a John Burrow. Eliza would pass away before Jacob was shown as a widower again in the 1850 census of Stanly County. He had settled around Stillwater Creek. 

1850

Several of Nancy's siblings would find themselves among those who migrated south and west in search of greener pastures, as that area opened up for settlement. Her brother, Gooden or Goodwin, would settle first in Alabama, marrying there in 1849 to Nancy Ann Watson, in St. Clair County. Later, they would push further west into Lawrence County, Arkansas, where Gooden died in 1867, probably from wounds or debilitation he incurred during his service in the Civil War. He left one son, Jacob L. Crisco.

Another brother, John, chose to raise his large family in Shannon County, Missouri.

1860

Nancy Crisco was not to be found in the 1860 census. She would have been around 16, and still single and completely orphaned. The youngest child, both parents had passed on and Jacob Crisco left no Will. 

It is my belief that Nancy was most likely mistakenly omitted but would have been living somewhere in the above listed neighborhood. As in the prior 1850 listing, the Henry Carver family, which was headed by her brother-in-law, Henry and her sister, Margaret, is residing near her brother, Conrad Crisco, who has started his own family. They are surrounded by Honeycutt's, and Nancy would end up in a relationship with a "J. S. Honeycutt" within the next few years. A James W. Honeycutt family is listed right under the Carvers, headed by 24-year-old James and his 34-year-old wife, Rebecca. Further up the page are the Lewis and George H. Honeycutt families. Were they closely related to each other? Did they have an age-appropriate J. S. among their ranks?

Nancy would marry Henry Hinson on June 23, 1865, in Union County, NC, at the close of the War. As J. S. Huneycutt is so elusive, many have ruminated and declared that he must have met his maker during the War years. But was J S really a J. S. ? Could he have been a J W? 

James W. Huneycutt married Rebecca A. Austin on January 3, 1858, in Stanly County by H. Carver, JP. Henry Carver, husband of Nancy's sister Margaret, was living next to the couple two years later in 1860. An 8-year-old boy named Riley is living with them and was enumerated as a Huneycutt, but he may not have been a Honeycutt. By 1868, it appears that Rachel may have died, as James W. remarried to Martha Jane Griffin. Unknown when Rachel, who was a decade older than James, passed on, there is certainly available a window of time in there, where Arwelder could have appeared in the world within. 

Henry Hinson was a widower. The son of Charles Sampson Hinson and Milea Clark Hinson, he had married Mary Ann Speights, one of the "Dying Speights", on November 27, 1861. Most of her family had died off from various diseases within a brief time of each other, strangely. This tale deserves a post of its own. Henry and Mary Ann had five children together between 1851 and 1860, Anne Henrietta, John Calvin, Eli H., James Samuel, and Marion Hinson. In the 1870 census, shown above, three of Henry's sons by his previous marriage are living with Nancy and himself, and their first child together, William Henry, is shown as a 4-year-old.  He and Nancy will also have five children together, as William Henry was followed by Martha Margaret, Nancy Jane, Robert Lafayette and Finley Adam, bringing up the rear in 1882. Arwelder also escaped this census. It is unknown where she could have been, but one bit of evidence suggests she may have lived with her mother and stepfather at one point, the fact that she was seen as a "Hinson" at times. 

In 1870 the Crisco's, her youngest two brothers, are living near each other, protensively in the place their father had lived and left them. Arwelder was not among them, either.  

So, her first appearance in records remains as a newlywed in her inlaws home in 1880, and simultaneously on her April 25th, 1880 marriage license at a cringeworthy 14 year old, that declares her only as "Welder Crisco", the fatherless daughter of Nancy Hinson.

She was called Crisco, because that was her mother's maiden name and there is no indication that her parents were married.

She was called Hinson, because her mother married a Hinson, and it appears she had been raised, for the most part at any rate, in the Hinson family. 

She was called Morton, because she married a Morton.

She was called Honeycutt, because her father was a known Honeycutt, the mysterious J. S. Huneycutt, who may have been the J. S. Honeycutt who served in the Civil War, and died shortly after her birth, or possibly even before.

Rest in peace, Arwelder Magdalene, the girl with many names.