The Sisters Kernachan

"Sister" KERNACHAN born Mecklenburg Co., Va., Nov. 3, 1791; died March 1, 1847; moved to Tenn. in 1818; married Abram Kernachan (died March 12, 1833), 1820, and settled in Lauderdale Co., Ala. the same year; four daughters and one son. She married, as a widow, to Robert Kernachan, May 1834.

April 2, 1847
GENEALOGICAL ABSTRACTS FROM REPORTED DEATHS
THE NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE 1847-1849
By Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 2003

In the above obituary for Martha W. Booth Kernachan, it mentions that she was the mother of 4 daughters and one son. I've so far concentrated on her son, Robert T. Kernachan, Jr.  and his descendants, today, I will take a quick look at the 4 Kernachan sisters. They were ladies of good breeding, and married well, but not ones of luck. 

The 4 were: Mariah C b 1822, Eliza Ann 1823, Matilda Bloomfield 1826 and Mary Lucy 1829.

Mariah and her husband Isaac B. are buried in the Kernachan cemetery in Colbert County, Alabama. 

WILLIAMS, Isaac B.      5 Apr AD 1812 5 Mar AD 1853 aged 39 yrs 11 mos 10 das
WILLIAMS, Maria C.**       6 Apr 1822    1 Sep 1851 aged 29 yrs 4 mos 25 das
   **Consort of Isaac B. Williams & daughter of Abram & Martha Kernachan

ame:
Mariah Kernachan
Spouse:
Isaac B William
Marriage Date:
21 Nov 1838
County:
Lauderdale
State:
Alabama
Source information:
Hunting For Bears

They were married in 1838, and appear in the 1850 census of Lauderdale County, Alabama. 

Mariah Williams
Age:	28
Birth Year:	abt 1822
Birthplace:	Alabama
Home in 1850:	Florence, Lauderdale, Alabama
Gender:	Female
Family Number:	906
Household Members:	Name Age Isaac Williams 30 Mariah Williams 28

Sadly, both Mariah and her husband died within just a few years of this census, she in 1851 and he in 1853. There are no records or tombstones indicating that they ever had children, or what they died of. Mariah's death was reported in the Nashville Christian Advocate, a paper that was actually published by a relative. 

From the Nashville Christian Advocate: Oct 2, 1851

     Maria Williams, wife of James Williams, Daughter of Abram and Martha Kernachan, died September 1, 1851, in the 30th year of her age. 

Her husband was incorrectly named as "James". His tombstone and the marriage license both record his name as Isaac B. Williams. He was born in Kentucky and was the son of Daniel Williams, who also migrated to Alabama. 

The second daughter, Eliza Ann, also lived a very brief life. Born December 3, 1823, she died May 21, 1845, at the age of 21. She was the blushing young bride of her cousin, Frances Harwood Jones, who would remarry and have a family, and become a state representative. She may have died in childbirth, as many young women did in those days. 

From the Nashville Christian Advocate:

March 12, 1881

Colonel FRANCIS H. JONES born Mecklenburg Co., No. Carolina, June 1, 1809; died near Courtland, Ala., February 3, 1881; married (1) Frances Brown; (2) Ann Eliza Kernachan; (3) Antoinette A. Lile, six children; represented Lawrence Co., Ala. in state legislature several terms; had lived briefly years before in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The article mentions that Col Jones lived briefly in Cincinatti, Ohio. It was this time during his marriage to Eliza. The Kernachans had family in Cincinatti, and kept in touch for generations. They were the children of Andrew Kernachan, younger brother of Abraham and Robert, who had remained in Tennesee, after they had migrated there from Pennsylvania, where they first arrived after leaving Donegal, Ireland. The Kernachans kept in touch with and visited the Cincinatti family for generations. 

The third daughter was Matilda Bloomfield Kernachan. The first name "Matilda Bloomfield" was a name, like  "Minerva Tazwell" that was passed through the Jones, Booth and Simmons families that originated in Southside Virginia, for generations. They were likely the names of very early Matriarchs. Minerva Tazewell may have been a member of the Tazewell family for who Tazewell County was named, and had married into the Booth/Jones family. 

Matilda B was born May 16, 1826. She and her husband James Cary Jones, are both buried in the Kernachan cemetery as well. Not only was James C. Jones her cousin, he was also the brother of her sisters Eliza's husband Francis Harwood Jones. Although she was born in the Shoals, and buried there, she did not live there her entire life. 

Matilda B Jones [Matilda B Noel]
Age:	25
Birth Year:	abt 1825
Birthplace:	Alabama
Home in 1850:	Athens, Limestone, Alabama
Gender:	Female
Family Number:	644
Household Members:	Name Age James C Jones 31 Matilda B Jones 25 Eliza A Jones 4 Mary L S Jones 0 Sarah noll Jones 67 Rebecca Sammond 39 Ellen Sammond 21 Rebecca M Sammond 17 Amanda Harriet 36

In 1850, they had moved to Limestone County and daughters Eliza Ann and Mary "LuLu" had been born. Also in the household were great-aunt Sarah "Sallie" Booth Noel, (transcriber mistakenly named her 'Noll Jones' when it fact, it actually just says "Noel".) and sister-in-law Rebecca Ann Charlotte Jones Simmons with her two daughters, Ellen, who would marry Robert T. Kernachan Jr, Matilda's brother and Rebecca Minerva Simmons. I believe Amanda Harriett was a member of the Jones or Simmons family, but have not yet placed her.

By 1860, they had moved to Caddo Parrish, Louisiana with other members of the family, including Vinkler Harwood Jones.

M B Jones
Age in 1860:	34
Birth Year:	abt 1826
Birthplace:	Alabama
Home in 1860:	Ward 1, Caddo, Louisiana
Gender:	Female
Post Office:	Shreveport
Value of real estate:	View Image
Household Members:	Name Age J C Jones 40 M B Jones 34 A E Jones 13 M L Jones 10 S B Jones 8

Daughter Sarah Bloomfield Jones had joined the family.

By 1870, the family had moved to Gavelston, Texas. By then, daughter Eliza Ann (or Ann Eliza as she is sometimes seen, has married William B Norris (transcription error in census again), and the young couple are living with her parents, along with younger children William and Sally and a sister of William Norris, an employee and an unknown young girl named Louisa Oakley.

Name:	Matilda B Jones
Age in 1870:	44
Birth Year:	abt 1826
Birthplace:	Alabama
Home in 1870:	Galveston Ward 2, Galveston, Texas
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Post Office:	Galveston
Value of real estate:	View Image
Household Members:	Name Age James O Jones 54 Matilda B Jones 44 Lula Jones 30 William E Jones 9 Sally Jones 1 Wm B Morris 22 E amra Morris 32 Jane C Morris 13 M Littleford 48 Louisa Oakley 13

By 1880, the family has returned to Louisiana, to the Lake Charles area. Both James and his son-in-law W. B. Norris became sucessful lumbermen. 

Name:	Matilda B. Jones
Age:	52
Birth Year:	abt 1828
Birthplace:	Alabama
Home in 1880:	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Wife
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	James C. Jones
Father's Birthplace:	Ireland
Mother's Birthplace:	Virginia
Neighbors:	View others on page
Occupation:	Keeps House
Cannot read/write: Blind: Deaf and dumb: Otherwise disabled: Idiotic or insane:	View Image
Household Members:	Name Age James C. Jones 60 Matilda B. Jones 52 Wm. E. Jones 19 Sarah B. Jones 12

James Cary Jones and Matilda B. Jones are both buried in the Kernachan cemetery, along with a number of their children, some who died as infants. 

JONES, Martha Tazewell     7 Apr 1845   15 Jun 1846 aged 1 yr 2 mos 8 das
JONES, Infant             22 Sep 1843    1 Oct 1843 
     inf son of James C. & Martha B. Jones
JONES, William Edward      2 Aug 1860   15 Oct 1882 
     son of James Carey & Matilda Bloomfield Jones
JONES, Sallie Bloomfield  11 Aug 1868   29 Mar 1883 
     dau of James C. & Matilda B. Jones
JONES, James Carey        30 Jul 1819   12 May 1885 father
       Matilda Bloomfield 16 May 1826   11 Oct 1885 mother; nee Kernachan

Many people have mistaken the fact, that since Matilda's middle name was Bloomfield, that her mother's maiden name must have been Bloomfield, but it was not, neither was it Tazewell. It was Booth, as her ties with her siblings and named in their wills, have proven.

The 1880 census shows Eliza and her husband living next door to her parents and siblings. But where is Lulu (Mary L. S. Jones)?

Wm. B. Norris	Anna E.	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana	abt 1838	New Hampshire	Self(Head)
View Record	Anna E. Norris	Wm. B.	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana	abt 1847	Alabama	Wife
View Record	James C. Jones	Matilda B.	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana	abt 1820	North Carolina	Self(Head)
View Record	Matilda B. Jones	James C.	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana	abt 1828	Alabama	Wife
View Record	Wm. E. Jones	James C., Matilda B.	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana	abt 1861	Louisiana	Son
View Record	Sarah B. Jones	James C., Matilda B.	Lake Charles, Calcasieu, Louisiana	abt 1868	Texas	Daughter

According to records, James C. Jones and Matilda B Kernachan Jones had 6 children. 

An infant son born in 1843 lived 2 months. Martha Tazwell Jones lived one year 2 months and 8 days. 

Annie Eliza (or Eliza Ann) Jones lived a long life from 1856 to 1932. She married a Norris. 

Mary L. S. Jones, or "LuLu"  born abt 1850, at least made it to adulthood, then I've lost track of her. 

William Edward Jones lived to be 22 and his sister Sarah Bloomfield "Sallie" Jones only made it to 15. 


They youngest of the Kernachan Sisters, also married well, also married a distant relative, and also died young. 

She was the first wife of John N. Malone. John Nicholas Malone was the son of George Booth Malone, and the family had migrated to Alabama from the Dinwiddie County area of Virginia. Again, they were distant cousins through the Booth line. 

Mary Lucy and John Nicholas would have 3 children together, but only one who would make it to adulthood. 

Algernon Kennon Kernachan Malone was born in April of 1846 and died as a toddler in 1848. His tombstone in Athens, Limestone County, Alabama designates him as the son of J. N and Mary Lucy. 

Sister Sarah A "Sallie" Malone fared no better. She was born in February of 1848 and died in December of 1850, not quite 3 years old. 

The only child to grow up was Robert Booth Malone, the second child of these three, born March 31, 1847, he lived until April 1, 1933. He remained a citizen of Athens and married Betty Custus and had 9 children. This one son made Mary Lucy Kernachan Malone the sister with the most descendants. 

Her widower, John Nicholas Malone, went on to marry Rebecca Minerva Simmons, the sister of Ellen Simmons who married Mary Lucy's brother Robert and daugther of Rebecca Ann Charlotte Jones Simmons, who is shown in the census above, living with her brother James C. Jones and wife Matilda Kernachan Jones, making this family tie nearly too entwined to explain. 

John N. Malone is featured in Biographies of Limestone County. See below. He was a farmer and statesman of reknown. He and R. M. Simmons Malone would have 6 children of their own. 

MALONE, JOHN N., Attorney-at-law, Athens, Ala., was born in Sussex County, Va. His parents, George and Sallie (Moyler) Malone, natives of Virginia, and of Irish descent, came to Limestone county in 1823, and here spent the rest of their lives, the old gentleman dying in 1847, at the age of sixty-two years ; his wife having preceded him to the other world by about four years. They reared a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom John N., and a sister are the only ones living. One of the sons was a doctor, another a farmer.  The subject of this sketch graduated from La Grange College, Franklin County, Ala., as A. B., in 1830, and subsequently in due course received from the same institution the degree of A. M. He studied law with J. W. McLung, Huntsville: was admitted to the bar in 1841, and practiced law for ten years. Then for the next succeeding ten years, though maintaining his office at Athens, he devoted his time to planting. In 1881, he was elected to the State Senate and was kept there for six consecutive years. After the war, he resumed the practice of law, and farming, and in 1881, was appointed probate judge to fill out an unexpired term of five years, the office having been vacated by the death of John M. Townsend.  Judge Malone was one of the trustees of the Alabama University from 1851 to the outbreak of the war, and has been one of the trustees of the Agricultural and Mechanical School of Auburn since its organization in 1874. Thus we find that he has nearly all his life been interested in the cause of education. He was a delegate to the National Convention at Baltimore in 1852, and supported Franklin Pierce and William R. King. He took an active part in the memorable presidential campaign of 1860; supported Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency ; was opposed to secession because he feared it would be followed by coercion and war; but after Alabama seceded, he cast his fortunes and fate with her, and was intensely Southern in his sentiments and in full sympathy with the Southern Confederacy. 

John N. Malone was married in Lauderdale County in 1844, to Mary Lucy Kernachan, who died in 1848, leaving one son, Robert, now a planter in Limestone County. His second marriage took place in the same county in 1854, to Miss Rebecca Simmons, and to this union have been born two sons and three daughters. The youngest son, Henry, is a farmer: George is a merchant; two of the daughters are married to merchants in Arkansas, and the third one is at home. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and Judge Malone is a Mason. Source: Northern Alabama - Historical and Biographical by Smith & De Land, Birmingham, Ala 1888

Rebecca Elliotts Will

Rebecca Booth Elliott is not mentioned in the 19 page document that is the divorce of Mariah Booth Winfield Moffatt Booth and Dr. George Washington Booth, but her will and the execution of it is very important in the deciphering of the characters who played a part in this drama.

In the Will of Thomas Booth of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Thomas mentions his daughter, Rebecca Booth.

Wil l of Thomas Booth 

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Booth of Mecklenburg County and State ofVirginia being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament in manner and form as following-  Imprimis? my desire is that all the perishable part of my estate shall besold by my Executors in discharge of my Just Debts (except whats hereafter divised) 

Item-I give and bequeath unto my loving Daughter, Mary M Winkfield the following Negroes she has now possission, to wit, Hannah, Daniel, Henry,Evelina, Jacob, Junney, also two beds and furniture and one Set of China &Silver Tea Spoons which she has now in her possession to her and her heirsforever. 

Item-I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Rebecca Booth the following Negroes, to wit, one Negro woman by the name of Milly and Girl the name of Mariah, also one by the name of Clary, and one boy by the name of Joshua,also two boys by the name of Heartwell & Woodlief, also two beds and furniture, one set of China and half Dozen Silver Tea Spoons to her and her heirs forever. 

Item- I give and bequeath to my son, Harper Booth the land & plantation whereon he now lives, also three Negroes, to wit, Jack, Lissie and Tom, one Sorrell mare, four head of Cattle, one bed and furniture which he has now in possession to him and his heirs forever. 

Item-I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Booth three negroes to wit, Joe,Stephen and Betty, one bed and furniture, four head of Cattle, one dark baymare which property he has now is possession except Negro Betty to him and his heirs forever.

  Item  I give and bequeath to my daughter, Judith Booth, six Negroes to wit,Pattey, a woman, also Wilson and Nelson her Children, Edy , Gooding and Billy, two beds and furniture, one Set of China ware, 1/2 dozen Silver teaSpoons to her and her heirs forever. 

Item-  I give and bequeath to my son Reuben Booth three Negroes to wit, Sam,Allen and Nancy black one sorrell horse, also the lands and plantation wheron he now lives to take possession of the land at the death of my beloved wife, Saving and reserving one half of my dwelling House to my threedaughters, Rebecca, Judith and Salley Booth until they shall marry, also one bed and furniture, two Cows &Calves two Sows and pigs, pott & Oven, one set Caininau? Cups & Saucers, one set Knives & forks, one Set Caininau? TableSpoons to him and his heirs forever. 

Item-I give and bequeath to my daughter, Massey? Jones six Negroes to wit,Amy, Cressy, Bob, Jinsey, Emmanuel, Metilda, two beds and furniture, yoke of Steers, one Set China ware, half dozen Silver Tea Spoons which she has now in possession to her and her heirs forever. 

Item-  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Salley Booth six Negroes, towit, Celar, Jane, Ned, Edmund, Peterson, and Amy, two beds and furniture,one Set China ware, half dozen Silver tea Spoons to her and her hiers forever. 

Item-  I lend to my beloved wife the land & plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and all the rest of my estate both real and personal not before devised, and at her death, my desire is that my twogranddaughters, Betsy W Harper and Judith Gilliam Harper shall divideequally with my legatees of all the Negroes and other perishable estateabove lent.  

I do Constitute and appoint my son Reuben Booth and Harper Booth and Charles Cordle my lawfull Executors to this my last will andTestament.  In Witness  whereof I have hereto for set my hand and affixed my seal this twelveth day of April one thousand eight hundred and three.   

Thomas Booth Senr  (LS)Signed, 

  sealed in the presence of Martha Jones Malone Isaac WilliamsThomas C Singleton 

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 12th day of September 1803 This will was proved by the Oaths of Isaac Williams and Thomas C Singleton,Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and On the motion of Reuben Booth one of the executors therein named who made oath there and together with Joshua Winckfield, Thomas C Singleton and William Darnwright his securities entered into and acknowledged their hand in the penalty of fifty thousand dollars Conditioned as the law directs.  Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form-liberty being reserved for the other executors therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit.                            TesteWilliam Baskerville CC  Submitted by Gayle Austin   

Rebecca Booth married William Elliott in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in 1809. Shortly afterwards, the Booth siblings would migrate south, many of them to Alabama.

Rebecca Boothe
Gender:	Female
Spouse Name:	William Elliott
Spouse Gender:	Male
Marriage Date:	20 Dec 1809
County:	Mecklenburg
State:	Virginia

The Elliotts were in Franklin County, Alabama by the mid - 1820's and in Lawrence County, Alabama for the 1830 census. William and Rebecca apparently did not have any children together, as none are mentioned in her will. William may have had some by a prior marriage. There is a James Elliott showing up in records about the same time as William. They may have been brothers.

By 1840, William has passed away and so has Rebecca. I am still waiting on the original will as it was drawn while she was alive. However, the probated copy will work just fine for now.



Beautiful old Planters House like the ones the Booths favored.

The State of Alabama
Lawrence County

County Court in Vacations debate
Term 1837  Present the Honorable James Gallagher  Judge of said Court

This day being the 22 day of February in the year of our Lord  one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven..... an instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Rebecca Elliott late of said County deceased and It appearing  to the satisfaction of the Court that legal notice has been given to Harper Jones   Judith Jones    and Sarah Noel who are near of kin to said Rebecca Elliott deceased of the application  for the probate of said instrument....( The Name Harper Jones appears to be an error. According to excerpts from the original will, the name mentioned was that of her brother, Harper Booth. Judith Jones was her sister Judith Booth Jones and Sarah Noel was her sister, Sarah Booth Norvel Noel.)

....here to the court shown to be her last will and testament in his presence and at her request and in her presence he this deponent further deposeth that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of  Turner Sanders and Lyle B Fawcett the other subscribing witnesses to said instrument......deponent further desposeth and saith that said Rebecca Elliott at the time of the execution and  attestation of said Instrument of writing was of sound mind and desposing memory..... And thereupon came Francis H. Jones the person named in the said Last Will and Testament of Rebecca Elliott deceased as executor thereof and he having entered into bond with Francis Jones and Rebecca A C Simmons as his securities.....In the name of God Amen, I , Rebecca Elliott of the County of Lawrence and State of Alabama do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit:
Item 1st: It is my will that my Exec. pay all my just debts. 
Item 2nd: I give and bequeath unto my nephew William Elliott Jones the sum of five hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever. 
Item 3: In consideration of my affection for him and in further consideration of his services as Exec. to  my estate and as trustee for his sister Rebecca, I give unto my nephew Francis Harwood  Jones the sum of five hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever. 
Item 4: All the rest and residue of my estate of every kind including my land my personal estate and whatever I may be entitled to receive from  Hills estate of Virginia I put into the hands of Francis Harwood Jones (above named) as Trustee for the use and benefit of my niece Rebecca Ann Charlotte Simmons during her natural life and then I give it to be equally divided among all her children, to them & their heirs forever. And I do hereby invest the above , s, d, Trustee Francis H Jones with power to manage the above said Legacy in any way that his own discretion may suggest for the use and benefit of my aforesaid niece Rebecca that is to say he may loan her the land and negroes and suffer them to remain (the word remain is repeated here, I have omitted the second remain) in her possession as long as he may thing the property safe and judiciously managed) and no longer. And in the event of his resuming it, to rent out the land and hire out the  negroes, to humane persons, at private hire, taking bond and good security. the proceeds of which are the be applied to the use and support of my sd niece Rebecca, in whatever way my said Trustee .......and the money which may arise from the perishable part of my estate and whatever cash may be obtained from Hills estate in Virginia in virtue of my title to be loaned out at Interest into safe hands with good and sufficient security......

Item 5: In case Rebecca's children should all die before they become of age or marry in that case I give to my nephew Thomas B Jones & William E Jones five hundred dollars each to be taken ofet (sic) of said Legacy- The residue thereof I bive to be equally divided among the children of Martha Kernachan, Manerva Harris & Maria Susan Booth to them and their heirs forever. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my aforesaid nephew Francis H Jones the Exec.  to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others. In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 16th February 1832 signed sealed and presence of

 Tm Sanders
John J McMahon
Lyle B Fawcett


Rebecca Elliott (seal)