Pickens District - CSA

These details are transcribed from the
Old Pendleton District Newsletter
Volume 19, No. 2, February 2005
Pages 16 -18

Benjamin G. Massey was born about 1844, a son of Thomas Massey (b. ca 1825) and Susan Massey (b. ca 1825). He served as a private in Co. C, 4th S. C. Infantry (Sloan's Regt.), and survived the U.S. Civil War.

Ezekiel Massey was born about 1840 in Greenville District, S. C. He was a son of James Massey, Sr. (1807-1880) and Sarah Hamby Massey (1800-1883). Ezekiel Massey served as a private in Co. G (Bonham's Rifles), 12th S. C. Infantry. This soldier was a brother of Stephen Massey, James Massey, Samuel Vardry Massey, and John Massey, all of whom also served in the Confederate States Army. Ezekiel Massey enlisted in the C.S.A. in 1862, and on August 13, 1862, he was detailed as a teamster by the Medical Examining Board. He remained in that position until December 31, 1864. He married Margaret Carolyn Maldin (Mauldin?), and the couple had at least three children. After the war, this Civil War veteran and his family moved to the Fork section of Hall County, Georgia.

James Massey, Jr. (1838-1928) and his father, James Massey, Sr., both served in the C.S.A., and they were members of Co. E, 1st S. C. Rifles (Orr's Reg.). They were residents of the western division of Pickens District. S. C. (now Oconee County). The younger Massey married Mary Fricks. After the war, this Civil War veteran moved to Georgia. In August 1916, he attended the *4th reunion of Orr's Reqiment at Seneca, S. C., and was then a resident of Tocoa,
Georgia. He died in 1928 and was buried at Tugaloo Baptist Church in Stephens Coung', Georgia.

James Massey, Sr. (1807 1880) enlisted with his son, James N,lassey', Jr., in Co. E, 1st S. C. rifles (Orr's Regr). He was fifty-five years of age at the time of enlistrnent and was discharged from t}te C. S. A. during the Civil War. Several of his sons also served in the C. S. A. James Massey, Sr. married Sarah Hamby (1800 1883),
and the couple had the fbilowing children: Hannah (b. ca 1824), who married J. Newt Hyde; Stephen (b. 1830); .James, Jr. (183I-1928), who married Mary Fricks; ]ohn William (b. ca 1832), who married Mahalda Duncan; David Massey (b. ca 1837); Warren Massey (b. ca 1838); Ezekiel Massey (b. ca 1840); Robert Massey; and Samuel Vardry Massey (30 Jun 1844 - Jul 1894). who married Jane (Duncan) Todd, widow of William Carlyle Todd, who died during the Civil War.

John Massey (1828 - d. ca 1864) died during the Civil War. He enlisted as a private January 13, 1862, and served in Co. H, 2nd S. C. Rifles (Moore's Regt.). He was a son of James Massey, Sr. (see above) who also served in the C. S. A. This soldier's wife was Mahulda Caroline (Duncan) Massey. John Massey was admitted to Episcopal Church Hospltal in Williamsburg, Virginia, with "contusion of cheek" September 8, 1863, and furloughed on the following September 22nd. He returned to Pickens District, S. C., and died there sometime before February 8, 1864, when his last pay ciaim was filed by his widow. John Massey was survlved by his widow and two children, James M. Massey (b. July 1857) and John William Massey (b. 5 Oct 1865). His widow moved to Franklin County, Georgia, after the Civil War.

Samuel Vardry M. Massey (1844-1894) was born June 30, 1844, a son of James Massey, Sr. (see above). He served in Co. l, 2nd S.C. Infantry and was paroled at Greensboro, N.C. on May 2, 1865. He married Jane (Duncan) Todd (17 Feb 1841-4 Mar 1906), widow of William Carlyle Todd who died during the Civil War. The wedding ceremony took place near Walhalia, S. C., October 25. 1866. The bride was a daughter of David Duncan (1809-1887) and Nancy (Trotter) Duncan (b. ca 1813 This Confederate soldier and his wif'e had eight children, including a son from the wife's first marriage. Samuel Vardry M. Massey died in 1894 and was buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church in northern Oconee County, S.C.

Silas N. Massey was born about 1827 and he served in Co. K, 1st S. C. Rifles (Orr's Regt.). In 1901 he resided in Central township of Pickens County, S.C. and was a recipient of a _________ pension. His age was recorded in _______ records as seventy-four years at that time.

Stephen Massey (b. ca 1834-d. 1864) was killed May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Civil War. He enlistcd in Co. I, 1st S.C. Rifles (Orr's Regt.) on March 19, 1864. He was a son of James Massey, Sr. (see above). Stephen Massey's last pay claim was filed by Sarah (Mauldin) Massey, his widow on August 16, 1864. Five of his brothers also serve in the Confederate States Army.

Warren Massey (b. ca 1832) served as a private in Co. E, 1st S.C. Rifles (Orr's Regt.). He resided in the western division of Pickens District S.C. (now Oconee County). He married Elizabeth Pilgrim (b. 1824 in Alabama), and the couple had the following offspring: Sarah A. (b. ca 1859), James S. (b. ca 1862), Mary and Martha (twins) (b. 1867), John S. (b. ca 1862) George W. S. (b. ca 1872), and William H. (b. ca 1877). Sometime between 1870 and 1880, this Confederate soldier moved to Hall County, Georga. He was a son of James Massey, Sr. (see above).

< Difficult to read from this point down. >

Major H. Massey was a son of Silas Massey (1776- 1876) and Nancy (Burris) Massey (1784-_____), and a brother of Thomas Massey who also served in the Confederate States Army. D.
Major H. Massey was a member of Co. C, 4th S. cavalry. In 1864 he was transferred to Fort _______r in Charleston harbor. This soldier Annie Luciada Hunt (b. 13 Nov 1844). Daughter of Jeremiah Jackson Hunt and Fran_______. < Can't be read. >
The couple never had children.

Massey Migration to Texas

Family legend states that Warren (Wahren) Massey came from South Carolina through Georgia and Alabama on his way to Texas.

Census records show that Warren, his wife Elizabeth, and both sets of their parents were all born in South Carolina.

It is not known when Elizabeth died or where Sallie E Osborn married Warren.

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1840 Census - location unknown
Warren would have been about age 3, but we can’t find him on a census record.

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1850 Census
Warren would have been about age 13, but we can’t find him on a census record. There are several Massy family members listed in the Greenville County census of South Carolina, but no one with the name Massey.

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1860 Census of Pickens County, South Carolina
It does show a Warren and Elizabeth Massey, but the ages are wrong to have been our branch of the family tree.

Page/line LAST First Age Birth Place
19b/25 MASSEY James 21 So Ca
30a/11 MASSEY Major 32 SC
30a/12 MASSEY Louisa 27 SC
30a/13 MASSEY Ruth J. 5 SC
30a/14 MASSEY Warren T. 2 SC
30a/15 MASSEY William J. 8/12 SC
40b/25 MASSEY James 53 SC
40b/26 MASSEY Sarah 56 SC
40b/27 MASSEY James 19 SC
40b/28 MASSEY David 23 SC
40b/29 MASSEY Vardry 16 SC
47a/29 MASSEY Ezekiel 22 NC
47a/30 MASSEY Margaret 20 NC
47a/31 MASSEY James 3 NC
50b/17 MASSEY John 28 SC
180b/27 MASSEY Warren 22 Greenville SC
180b/28 MASSEY Elizabeth 17 Pickens SC
180b/29 MASSEY Sarah A. 1 Pickens SC
182b/3 MASSEY Stephen 30 Greenville SC
182b/4 MASSEY Sarah 24 Pickens SC

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1870 - location unknown

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1880 Census of Hall County, Georgia:
Warren Massey - age 44 - Wood Hauler - born SC
Elizabeth Massey - age 35 - Keeping House - born SC
James F Massey - age 19 - Farm Hand - born SC
Martha E J Massey - age 12 - At Home - born SC
Mary H S Massey - age 12 - At Home - born SC
John S M C Massey - age 10 - Laborer - born SC
George W S Massey - age 8 - - born GA
William Ham Massey - age 3 - - born GA

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1890 Census of Collin County, Texas:
The records were destroyed by fire, but his children Edward (1890-1958) and Susie (1893-1976) were born in Collin County near the town of McKinney.

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1900 Census of Montgomery County, Texas
Warren Massey is listed in “Conroe Town” as a widower with his children:
•Elizabeth Massey
•Mcfarland Massey
•Edward L Massey
•Susie Massey

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Warren’s headstone shows that he died on August 08, 1900. His grandson Leveritt said that Warren lived near Caney Creek in Grangerland, Montgomery County, Texas.

Wahren Massey 1837-1900

Little is known of Wahren or where he came from. There is also some debate as to how many children he had, how many wives he had, and even on the spelling of his name. Although there are conflicting theories from a few of the family branch, Leveritt was told that his Grandfather Wahren lived near the Caney Creek, east of the current Massey Farm and that Wahren died from eating "green peaches."


It is believed that Wahren's first/second wife was Elizabeth O'Share, that she was part Cherokee, and that she died in Carolina from pneumonia. (Not sure why a Cherokee would have been in the Carolina area).


Wahren's last wife was Salie Osburn and she had three daughters from her marriage to Mr. Culhbertson; he died of pneumonia. Salie died near a river in the area of Waco, Texas and was buried next to a tree by or near the river.


Was said to have never shaved his beard by Coon Massey's wife Annie Mae. Per Maggie Massey Yocham (15Apr2000 interview), it is believed that Wahren had seven brothers and that they left Europe due to the Potato famine.


Since his son Edward Larls Massey was born in Collin County as the family entered Texas, we assume that they traveled south on the Shawnee and Preston Trails. These trails come through east Oklahoma from Illinois and Missouri, down through the present day Texas cities of Dallas, and Waco. With Wahren settling in Grangerland, he may have traveled toward Houston from Waco, crossing back over the Brazos river. Leveritt Massey's bible (25Dec1974) states "Edward was born near Ray's Mills, 12 miles west of McKinney, county seat of Collin County. Susie was born in Sherman." We believe that he was referring to Rhea Mills, Texas.
Family legend has it that Wahren's wife Salie Oakley died while they were near a river in the Waco area. The actual site has been lost over time but she was buried by a tree at the river and it is most likely to have been the Brazos river. If it was the Brazos, we still don't even know the general area since they would have crossed north of Waco and then again east of Waco on the way to Montgomery County.
Wahren's body is buried at the Dry Creek Cemetery north of Grangerland, Texas in Montgomery County.


“Warren Massey was born on 26 Dec 1835 in Greenville County, SC and he married Elizabeth Molly O'Shields - b 22 Sep 1844 in Pickens County, SC. "I show that she died in 1926. I do not have any other information on them. I do have their children if you need them. Warren and Elizabeth are my gggrandparents." "I am not even sure if Elizabeth's name is correct - I have not been able to find any information on her at all,” wrote Bonnie Baker. smyles200us@yahoo.com


“Warren Massey is on the 1870 Census, Pickens Co., SC. and is listed as being 35 years old. His wife, Elizabeth (M.V. O'Shields), is listed at 26 and his children, James S. (8), Mary (3), Martha (3), and John (4/12) were also listed. Warren is on the 1880 Census Hall Co., Georgia and "Elizabeth Georginia Massey" was John Terrell's Grandmother and Warren was his G Grandfather. John Terrell also noted that Warrens 1st wife was "Elizabeth Mary Victoria O'Shields" while his 2nd wife was a Miss Culbertson.. Warren "moved from SC to GA, then Louisiana (Leesville Area) then to Texas,” John Terrell. bcet@att.net

There is much debate over the list of children, so we will cover that in future blog postings.

Source:
• Family tree information collected by Raymond Leveritt Massey.
• 15Apr2000 interview with Maggie Massey Yocham
• 21Apr2000 interview with Annie Mae Collier Massey, wife of "Coon" Massey
• Joanna Wiggins has the Massey Family Bible