The Booth Saga continues: Thomas Harper Booth, Sr.

Thomas Harper Booth was the brother of Dr. George Washington Booth and the first cousin of Dr. G.W's Booth's wife, Mariah Booth Winfield Moffett Booth. In her chancery suit of 1840, Mariah and her daughter Mary Ann Moffett jointly sue both Washington and Thomas Harper Booth. Mary Ann was just a child at the time, having been born between 1828 and 1830. Apparently, Mariah believed the brothers to be in 'cahoots' when it came to trying to 'rip her off', to put it in modern terms.

Thomas Harper Booth also had his say in the 1838 Civil Suit that resulted in the divorce of Dr. G. W. Booth and Mariah.  I write Thomas Harper Booth's name out completely in order to not have him confused with his father, Harper Booth or his brother-in-law, Thomas Harper. Thomas Harper (sans Booth) was likely a relative of the  Harper Booths mother, Elizabeth Harper Booth. The old landed gentry liked to 'keep it in the family', meaning wealth and property, and there are several instances of seeing several members of the same family intermarry with another family of equal ilk or for cousins or even nieces/uncles to marry.

The above picture is of Thomas Harper Booth and his third wife, Nancy Chilicoat Delaney Booth. Tom had a sizeable family of 18 children in all and three marriages. He was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, grew up in Granville County, North Carolina, removed to Lawrence County, Alabama, followed his father in to Franklin County, Alabama, where his mother, Nancy Harriett Jones Booth, would be buried, and then into Itawamba County, Mississippi, just across the state line from where the family resided in Alabama.

While his father and his brother ventured on over to Lee County, Thomas Harper Booth remained in Itawamba, where he would be buried in 1871 at the age of 63.

The following is the statement of Thomas Harper Booth, attached to the divorce papers of Dr. George Washington Booth and Maria(h) Booth Winfield Maffitt Booth.

The State of Alabama Lawrence County to wit }

in the sixth district of the Northern Chancery Division of the state of Alabama. The answer of Thomas H Booth responding to the bill of complaint of Maria B. Booth & Mary Ann Moffett complaining by their next friend Vinkler H Jones against this Respondent George W Booth, Wm A Booth and Wm H. Moffitt. 

This Respondent in answer to the same & to such parts as he is ordered it is important for him to answer unto answers  & says that he had one small negro girl named Louisa in his possession bound to him by the said George W. Booth, he said G. W. Booth retaining the privilege of retaking her at pleasure . This Respondent further states that the said negro girl was taken from his possession & without his knowledge or without his having aided and abetted in the matter in any  way or manner. This Respondent adds that this complainant, Maria B Booth, if  she was heard as set forth in her bill that this Respondent had any agency in the affair as charged in her amended bill was misinformed.
This Respondent alleges further that said complainant Maria B.  seems to possess in a high degree the faculty of believing  anything can deceive to her interest.

This Respondent having fully answered prays to be hence dissmissed with a desire for his costs in this.


Thomas Harper Booth in the U. S. Census

Name:	Thos Booth
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Franklin, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1
Persons Employed in Agriculture:	1
Free White Persons - Under 20:	3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	2
Total Free White Persons:	5
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:	5

ame:	Thomas H Booth
Age:	42
Birth Year:	abt 1808
Birthplace:	Virginia
Home in 1850:	District 5, Haywood, Tennessee
Gender:	Male
Family Number:	1207
Household Members:	Name Age Thomas H Booth 42 Mary Booth 32 Thomas Booth 14 Susan Booth 12 Henry Booth 10 John Booth 8 Wm Booth 6 James Booth 4

Thos H Boothe [Thos H Booth]
Age in 1860:	52
Birth Year:	abt 1808
Birthplace:	Virginia
Home in 1860:	Itawamba, Mississippi
Gender:	Male
Post Office:	Smithville
Value of real estate:	View image
Household Members:	Name Age Thos H Boothe 52 Nancy Boothe 26 Henry Boothe 19 John Boothe 17 Wm Boothe 16 Jas Boothe 14 Jane Boothe 10 Robert Boothe 6 Margaret Boothe 4 Harriet Boothe 2 Caroline Boothe 3 Frances Boothe 1 Thos Boothe 24 Mary Boothe 20 Marth Dulana 9

Name:	Thomas Booth
Age in 1870:	61
Birth Year:	abt 1809
Birthplace:	Virginia
Home in 1870:	Township 8, Itawamba, Mississippi
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Post Office:	Fulton
Value of real estate:	View image
Household Members:	Name Age Thomas Booth 61 Nancy Booth 36 Jane Booth 18 Margaret Booth 14 Robert Booth 16 Harriet Booth 12 Emiline Booth 8 Alley Booth 6 Ollie Booth 4 Francis Booth 1

Thomas H Booth served as a Sergeant in the Confederate Army.

Name:	Thomas H Booth
Rank at enlistment:	Sergeant
State Served:	Mississippi
Service Record:	Enlisted in Company I, Mississippi 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
Sources:	Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records

Following is a Deposition Given by Susan, one of the two daughters Thomas Harper Booth had by his second wife, Mary Ann Farley:

• 1900 Susan Ann Booth Eaves deposition

• Farley - Grimes GrantWritten: 1900Depositions of Susan Ann Eaves taken in cause No 2312 in the District Court ofCoryell County, Texas styled Susan Ann Eaves vs J.W. Letson et al filed 16th dayJany 1900.Said Depositions show that S.A. Eaves is 61 years of age, resides in Johnson County, Texas, is plaintiff in said cause, that she was never personally acquainted with Henry Farley, that he was her grandfather, that he is dead, and do not know when he died, that her grandmother is also dead, that Henry Farley had two children surviving him, Elmira and Mary Ann Jane, that Mary Ann Jane washer mother, Elmira was her aunt, that her mother died in Miss in 1854 was married once only to Thom H. Booth, that her father died in 1874 that her mother had eight children, Thos Harper, Jr, Susan Ann, Henry,John Washington, Willie Archie, James Madison, Elmira Jane and Robert Fletcher. Henry, Elmira Jane,James Madison and Susan Ann are living, the others are dead.Thos Harpers Jr. died in Miss in 1888, John Washington died during the Civil War, William Archer died during the Civil War, after being captured and carried North and do not know exectly when or where. Robert Fletcher died in Johnson County in 1896. Thos Harper Jr. and Robert Fletcher have been married, the other two who are dead were never married and leave no children. Thos Harper,Jr and Robt Fletcher both left children.John W. Booth and William A. Booth were my brothers, they died unmarried. My mother died without a will. I was married Nov 10th 1853 to C.C. Eaves. I have been living with my husband ever since, and am still living with him. The conveyance from Frederick M. Grimes and Elmira S. Grimes to my father was simply to give my mother her part of the land. I have frequently heard my mother referto this as hers.George W. Booth and John F. Booth the parties named, were my Fathers Brother's.They were acquainted with my Mother in her life time. I knew about Thos H. Booth and Nancy Booth making the deed above mentioned, some time after the deed was made I learned they received a negro and some money for it, but I do not know how much. Geo W. Booth and John F. Booth subsequently took this consideration back. The consideration referred to was returned to Geo W. and John F. Booth because Thos H. Booth could not make title to the land. The intentions in returning it was to call the trade off. I do not know that Geo W and John F.Booth agreed to do in order to procure the return of the consideration. The land referred to was the separate property of my mother. This conveyance inquired about was by my father and his second wife, Nancy. After making the deed my father wanted me and my brother, Thos H. Jr to ratify the conveyance and offerme a small tract of land for so doing. My brother and myself refused to do this and thereupon the consideration was returned and the trade was declared off because of this defect in the Title attempted to be conveyed by my Father and Nancy Booth.My Father claimed no interest in the land. The conveyance from Frederic M.Grimes and Elmira S. Grimes to my father was simply to give my Mother her par tof the land. I have frequently heard my father refer to this land as my mothers and never heard him claim it as his own and the land was always represented and understood to be the separate property of my mother.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The following is from an 1899 with mention of Thomas Harper Booth:
  
  
  

  • Booth-Farley 1899 deed

  • Farley - Grimes GrantWritten: 1899Affidavit of Jane B. WiggleDated March 13th, 1890Filed for record June 23, 1899Recorded in Vol 23 page 267 in office of the County Clerk Coryell County, TexasState of MississippiCounty of ItawambaPersonally appeared before the undersigned authority Mrs. Jane B. Wiggle whobeing duly sworn on oath says: I am the daughter of Mary J. Booth and my motherwas a daughter of Henry Farley to whom was granted a survey of land in CoryellCounty, Texas, Mary J. Booth who was the wife of T.H. Booth.Mary J. Booth died without leaving a will about the 1st day of Feby 1854 inCounty of Itawamba State of Mississippi, T.H. Booth her hsuband died withoutleaving any will about the 29th day of Jany 1874, in the county of ItawambaState of Mississippi, affiant further says that Mary J. and T.H. Booth had onlyeight children who are as follows to wit:1st Susan Ann Booth who married C.C. Eaves and who now resides in the County ofJohnson, State of Texas2nd T.H. Booth who died about the ---- day of Dec 1888 in the County of Lee,State of Miss and left surviving 4 children.3rd Henry Farley Booth now living in Itawamba Co MIS4th John W. Booth who died in the Civil War in 1863-4 and who was never married.5th Wm. P. Booth who died in 1863 in the Civil War and was never married.6th James M. Booth who now resides in Johnson Co, Texas7th Jane B. Booth this affiant who married C.C. Wiggle and resides in ItawambaCounty, MS8th Robert F. Booth who died 5 or 6 years ago and who left surviving children. Affiant says tht the above named children are the sole and only heirs of Mary J.Booth.Jane B. WiggleSworn to and subscribed before me this the 13th day of March A.D. 1899.J.S. Davis, clerkAdditional Comments:Henry Farley was father of Mary Ann Jane Farley who married Thomas Harper Booth around 1833 (probably in Lawrence Co. AL) and Elmira Susan who married F.M. Grimes (Washington Co TX). Henry and wife, Nancy White, and daughter, Elmira Susan Farley left for Texas in 1831.Henry applied for a Texas Land Grant, but died in 1834 before he could receive the title.Daughter, Elmira S. married Frederick M. Grimes. He was administrator on Henry Farley estate and applied for the title to one league and one labor of land Henry Farley had been granted. This application was approved Aug 2, 1828 in San Felipe de Austin.Nancy Ellen White Farley remarried in 1834 to Henry Hudson. She died in 1838.This deed is confusing because Thomas Harper Booth whose 3rd wife was named Nancy, also had a son, Thomas Harper Booth, Jr. . However, Thomas H. Booth, Jr. married Dec 12, 1854 (after this deed of Sept 1854) to Mary Virginia Priddy.The land was located on the Leon River in what is now Coryell County, Texas. These deeds are recorded in Coryell County.Thomas H. and Mary Booth has these children as proven by deeds in Itawaba County and Coryell County pertaining to this inherited Farley Land GrantThomas H. Booth, Jr.Henry Farley BoothJohn W. Booth (deceased by 1867 deeds - may have died in Civil War)William Archie Booth (deceased by 1867 deeds - died in Civil War)Pvt Co H 1st M Inf captured Feb 16, 1862 Ft. Donelson. Died Mar 4, 1862 CampMorton IN. Remived to lot 285 section 32 Crown Hill Cem Confed reintered on Oct27, 1931.James Madison BoothJohn F. BoothGeorge W. Booth

    
    

    
    

    The following is an account of the Booths in Texas, how Thomas eloped with his second wife and how she became depressed in Texas. 

    • THOMAS HARPER BOOTH AND MARY ANN JANE FARLEY "ELOPED"

    • Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Farley, Henry   F. 1790 - 1834File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:Virginia Crilley http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000642 September 21, 2007, 11:56 amAuthor: Virginia Crilley

      Mary Ann Jane Farley  "eloped" with  Thomas Harper Booth around 1833 (probablyin Lawrence Co. AL). Thomas had previously been married to This couple moved around quite a bit, living in Itawamba County, MS (about 60miles west of Lawrence, AL), and even in Texas, Austin Co. for short periods oftime.Family story, "Mary Ann cried for a whole year because they had no slaves to dothe work in Texas."Mary Ann and Thomas Harper had six sons and  two daughters.Elmira Susan married Frederick Miller Grimes of Washington Co. Tx on Jan 29,1838, probably at the home of her mother, Nancy living in nearby Austin County.They settled on their farm on the county line of Washington/Austin.Nancy Ellen White Farley, remarried around 1838 to Henry ? /Obadiah?/JoshHudson.  The court records show that Nancy appointed Isaac M. Pennington topursue her husband's Texas Land Grant.  The courts ruled in favor of thedaughters, and Frederick M. Grimes proceeded with the land claim.Family story: When Nancy Ellen died (aft 1838) her daughter Elmira Susancouldn't attend the funeral because of the high creeks due to heavy rains.As "heirs of Henry Farley" the daughters received land in what is now CoryellCounty  In 1850 when Fort Gates (later Gatesville) was set-up with soldiers toprotect the settlers, Elmira and Frederick moved there.In 1852 they sold this land to their son, Samuel, and moved to land in thesoutheast corner of Coryell County.Several deeds are made with the joint signatures of Elmira and Mary Jane andtheir respective husbands.http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/austin/austoc.htm

      
      

      
      

      
      

      
      

A Closer Look at George Washington Booth: The Players Part 7

A Concise History of Itawamba County, Mississippi from the Itawamba County Historical Society.


By 1850 Fulton had developed to become the center of commerce in Itawamba County. Fulton boasted several businesses during 1850 including: Francis Jones Carriage Maker, Abel Warren Merchantile, B.J. Morris Saddlemaker, Zachariah Phillips Blacksmith Shop, Tannahill Merchantile, Garrett Christopher Grocery, Joseph & Andrew Brown Grocery, James C. Wright Tailor, John G. Kohlheim Merchantile, Joshua Barnard Brick Mason, James Basham Shoemaker, Mayburn Allen Carpentry, Josiah Harrison Merchantile, Thomas Rhea Merchant and Gaither Merchantile, James Duggar Shoemaker, and The Fulton Hearald Newspaper owned by John Massinger. The bustling village also included five attorneys: Arthur B. Bullard, Jeptha Robins, Robert O. Maupin, John W. Downs, and Benjamin Owen. The village was served by four physicians inlcuding John Fletcher Booth, Samuel Vernon, John Moore, and George W. Booth. Fulton boasted two private schools, the Fulton Female Academy run by Louisa Maupin (located at present-day corner of Beene and North Cummings St.) and the Fulton Male Academy (located on the present-day Fulton Cemetery lot). Fulton was served by two inns run by Reubin Wiygul (present-day corner of Wiygul and Clifton streets) and Albert James. The mayor of Fulton during 1850 was William Beachum who served the village's 200 citizens. 

The above excerpt from an Itawamba County Historical Society Journal menitons that Dr. George Washington Booth and his brother, Dr. John Fletcher Booth, had practiced medicine in the young village of Fulton in Itawamba County, Mississippi. 

In the 19 page Chancery Suit of Lawrence County, Alabama, Mariah Booth, wife and cousin of Dr. G. W. Booth accuses him of having 'ran off', to avoid being served a summons in the suit. Some of the pages are written in a blurred scrawl with certain words hard to read, however, enough words can be pulled out of it to gather what Mariah was accusing her husband of. 

"inter???? Ardent Spirits from time to time his cruelty towards your Orator Maria increased and ?????
 proportion increase his love for liquor til at ????? became sottish.......your Orator with savage cruelty laying violent hands.......and threatening to kill her often and your orator......(several lines smeared)..ought to have children......further upon......humiliation.....Orator Mary Ann with great unkindness.....further states that they have left the home of said defendant, George W Booth......believes that he will be as good as his word for he seems to be restrained  l???  P????ly of religion or morality....of that property which she  ??? of former husband and father provided per this???....times exhibit...original deed...to South Carolina for...."



After pulling some damaging words from this document, I wanted to see if I could find out more about Dr. George Washington Booth. It was clear where he had "ran off" to...Mississippi. I discovered the below information on his brother Dr. John Fletcher Booth, and the family of Harper Booth in a book with the arduous title "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi Volume One: Embracing and Authentic and Comprehensive account of the Chief events in the History of the State and a record of the lives of many of the most Worthy and Illustrious Families and Indivduals".

The above pages from the book give a brief account of the Booth family. A fortunate piece of information was the fact that Dr. George Washington Booth was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and that he had a strong influence on his younger brother.  Dr. G. W. Booth was 17 years older than his baby brother Fletcher. He must have taken the young man under his wing. He also must have been a beloved brother, as Fletcher Booth named his oldest son "George Washington", undoubtedly for his uncle. 

So who was the real Dr. George Washington Booth? The besotted, abusive, drunken husband of Mariah? The educated, influential, and beloved brother of Dr. John Fletcher Booth? Or the country doctor, who made his way around in the vitual wilderness of mid-nineteenth century Mississippi, helping and aiding the folks of Lee, Itawamba, Tishamungo and Pontotoc  counties?

Dr. Booth was a man who got around and left some footprints in the dirt. I'm sure I will be able to discover more information on him as the records arrive. 

The Players Continued: William H Moffett

Old Wagon in Fayetteville, North Carolina

I have been fortunate in my Family Search to find the most delectable bits of information concerning certain individuals in my family tree. The entire family that contributed to my DNA did not leave as deep of footprints as the Davis and Winfield lines and associated families did. Job Davis and his in-laws were movers and shakers. The more I search, the more I discover. Most of what I know of Dr. William H Moffatt, or Moffett, or Moffitt, or Maffett, as whomever at the time spelled it, I have discovered from the journals of his nephew, John Newland Maffett, a naval officer during the Civil War, of some renown, whom the good doctor adopted.  
The Doctor Maffett was so beloved and trusted, that Mariah Booth Winfield, when marrying his brother, Dr. James Maffett, wished William to be the trustee of her substantial estate, and to safeguard her interests, as she lost all rights when she married.
http://www.jobschildren.com/2013/03/imagining-mariah.html


John Newland Maffett revealed that his Uncle, Dr. William H. Maffett lived at Ellerslie. Dr. Maffett's daughter, Eliza, would marry Thomas L Hybart, from Canada. Roads named for the estates that were there show the approximate location of where the Maffet's and the Hybarts resided.

Ellerslie, Cumberland County, North Carolina , Photos of Ellerslie Courtesy of North Carolina State University

Interior Fireplace, Ellerslie

The Fayetteville Observer gave small glimpses into this small Fayetteville family.

October 14, 1824

Died on Tuesday last, at the summer residence of Dr. William Maffet near this town, Mrs. Janet Mumford

August 9, 1826

In this vicinity, on Monday last, John Adam Maffitt, infant of Dr. William H Maffitt.

Thursday 16 Aug 1827

At the residence of Dr. William H Maffitt, in the vicinity of this place, on Tuesday morning last, Jane Henrietta Goodwin, aged 14 months infant daughter of  Robert T. Goodwin. (Robert T Goodwin was a relative of John Goodwin whom Dr. James Maffitt and Mariah hired to build their home. The individuals dying at Dr. William H. Maffitt's home were likely patients). 

March 29, 1828

Died in this vicinity on Monday, Mrs. Margaret Maffitt, wife of Dr. William H. Maffitt.

December 11, 1839

Died in this vicinity yesterday morning, Dr. William H. Maffitt.

February 22, 1843

Married in this town, Thursday last, Thomas L. Hybart, Attorney-at-law, to Eliza Maffitt, only daughter of the late Dr. William H. Maffitt

January 5, 1847

In this vicinity, Friday last, Thomas L. Hybart, more than 20 Years a member of the Bar of this place, recently County Solicitor, former member of the legislature.

Wed., August 18, 1852 

Married: In Charleston on the 3rd August at St. Paul's Church by Dr. Hanckell, Lieut. John N. Maffit, of the US Navy to Mrs. Caroline Laurens Read. 

Mon. March 21, 1859

Died on March 3rd, Caroline Laurens, wife of Lieut. John N Maffit, of the US Navy, and daughter of the late Hon. John Laurens, of Charleston, SC. 

This family suffered a great deal of loss and short marriages due to death. 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com December 7, 2007, 9:41 am

Wed. May  2 ,   1827 North Carolina Journal April 11, 1827
                       TRUST SALE
   By virtue, and in pursuance of a Deed of Trust, to us executed by DR. 
WILLIAM H. MAFFITT, dated 3rd March, 1827, and Registered in the Registrar's 
office of the County of Cumberland, we shall upon the 4th day of May next, at 
the Town House, in Fayetteville, proceed to sell the interest which the said 
WILLIAM H. MAFFITT had, and has for certain purposes conveyed in the following 
property, to wit:
   The life estate of the said WILLIAM MAFFITT, in that parcel or tract of 
land, known as the "Beaver Creek Mills" situate about five miles from Town, 
and containing 179 acres adjoining, for and during the above, with the 
privilege of cutting saw-mill timber on three other tracts. Also adjoining, 
for and during the natural life of the said WILLIAM H. MAFFITT -- also his 
life estate in a tract or parcel of land containing 187-1/2 acres being that 
tracy of land upon which he now lives -- also, the like interest in two other 
lots adjoining the last mentioned, the one containing 120-1/2, the other 54-
1/2, known by the name of WILLIAMS Tract. Also, his life estate on three 
tenements or stores on the North side of Hay-street, now in the occupancy of 
C. & P. MALLETT, JOSEPH AREY, C. P. & S. W. TILLINGHAST, subject, however, to 
an unexpired lease in the aforesaid tenants, for the term of one year from the 
1st day of Sept. 1826 -- also his interest, being an absolute estate, in a 
negro man named DUBLIN, about 30 years of age, one wagon and team, and all the 
stock and farming utensils on the sand hill plantation, which are too numerous 
to particularize. Terms made known on day of sale.
                          ROBERT T. GOODWIN
                          WM. F. STRANGE, Trustees
                          L. FITZHARRIS, Auctioneer
Fayetteville, April 11, 1827

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/cumberland/newspapers/trustsal391nw.txt

Old Bluff Presbyterian Church, Cumberland County, North Carolina

The Maffits were from Scotland and were Presbyterians. 

The following excerpts are from: 

Collection Number: 01761 

Collection Title: John Newland Maffitt Papers, 1833-1911, 1976

John Newland Maffitt (1819-1886) was a United States Navy officer, Confederate Navy officer, blockade runner, and author. Maffitt was born in Connecticut; grew up in Fayetteville, N.C.; and retired to Wilmington, N.C. The collection includes family, personal, business and official correspondence of John Newland Maffitt concerning his early career in the U.S. Navy; his Confederate service (for which there is also a journal) on both combat and blockade running vessels, particularly the C.S.S. Florida; service as captain of a British vessel after the war; retirement to Wilmington, N.C., and literary activities; and the controversy over the alleged negligence of Commander George Henry Preble, U.S.N., for allowing the C.S.S. Florida to enter Mobile Bay in 1862. Also included are papers of Maffitt's daughter, Florie, and his third wife, Emma Martin Maffitt, who published a book on her husband in 1906; scrapbooks; genealogical materials; photographs, including a snapshot of Amelia Earhart; and a manuscript novel and speeches by Maffitt.

John Newland Maffitt (1819-1886) was the son of Ann Carnic and the Reverend John Newland Maffitt, a Methodist minister. Young Maffitt lived in Connecticut until, at age five, he was adopted by his uncle, Dr. William Maffitt of Ellerslie near Fayetteville, N.C. In 1832, at the age of 13, Maffitt was commissioned a midshipman in the United States Navy. Following a cruise on the sloop-of-war St. Louis, he spent three years in the Mediterranean aboard the Constitution, a frigate, about which he later wrote a novel, Nautilus; or, Cruising under Canvas (1871). In 1838, Maffitt was promoted to passed midshipman, and, three years later, he became acting master of the frigate Macedonian.

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar Statue

The Reverend John Newland Maffitt was another brother of James and William H. Dr. James Maffett is recorded as providing the escort for the Marquis Du Lafayette on his 1825 tour of the South from his namesake town of Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Cheraw, in South Carolina, where he attended a ball. . James would marry Mariah the next year in 1826. Perhaps it was at this ball that the young  Physician would meet the beguiling Mariah Booth Winfield, and begin a courtship that would lead to marriage and a daughter.





Link to Information on William Newland Moffett/Maffitt, father of the Maffett brothers


The following excerpt from "Naval Officers, Their heredity and development" by  Charles Benedict Davenport, mentions William H. Maffett and a few of his siblings, nieces and nephews. 

Maffitt was highly intelligent, as evinced by his employment on the coast 
survey. In blockade-running he was full of resources, devices, and deceptions to 
escape capture. He came of intellectual stock, especially on the paternal side. 
His father, Rev. John Newland Maffitt (born at Dublin in 1794; died at Mobile, 
Alabama, in 1850), was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, of wealthy parents, 
and a "born preacher"; he traveled in Ireland as a missionary, and occupied the 
highest place in popular esteem. Coming to New England, he was an itinerant 
Methodist preacher there (1822-1830); he then went to Nashville, Tennessee, 
and issued there the first number of the Western Methodist, now the Christian 
Advocate. In 1841 he was elected chaplain to the lower house of Congress. 

His father's sister Emily had a mind that sparkled with wit and intelligence; 
she married into the nobility of England. """Her brother William was a physician, 
who also came to the United States. """"

Of Maffitt's sibs, Eliza was celebrated for her intellectuality as well as for her 
beauty; living in Texas, she was called the "Belle of the Brazos." Another sister, 
Matilda, married a Texas judge and is reputed to have written some of her hus- 
band's speeches. A third sister, Henrietta, married General Mirabeau Lamar, 
the second president of Texas. 
FAMILY HISTORY OF JOHN N. MAFFITT. 
Dr. William Maffitt, who came to Fayetteville, North Carolina. 

Mary Florence Maffitt Wright

Mary Florence, shown above was the daughter of Lieut. John N. Maffitt and niece of Dr. William H. Maffitt and Dr. James Maffitt, husband of Mariah.


The following is from "Dressed in Sunlight" Eleanor Wright Beane as told to Susan Taylor Brock.


Mary Florence Maffitt Wright, Eleanor Beane's grandmother, was born in 1842. She was the daughter of Confederate Naval Captain John Newland Maffitt. Florie, who ran the blockade with her father, in 1862, was “reckoned among the rare beauties of her day. I saw her for the last time in Wilmington, in March 1883,” wrote author Henry E. Shepherd. She died in September 1883, at the age of 41. (Wright-Beane Collection)

Lieut. John Newland Maffitt, Jr. 

Henrietta Maffit Lamar


The above is the Burgwin-Wright House and Henrietta Maffit Lamar.

The daughters and sisters of the Maffitt brothers were known for their charm and natural beauty.











John N Maffitt in later days.

There are so many interesting things to discover concerning this family, that I am sure my research and fascination will continue a long time.