THE WOODRUFF FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, ALABAMA, AND MISSOURI,
AND THE RELATED FAMILIES OF
WALKER AND INMAN
Woodruff family
page 10
I wrote this 2 years
ago - Xmas gifts
for the family
TALL TREES IN
THE FOREST
|
THE WOODRUFF FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, ALABAMA, AND MISSOURI, AND THE RELATED FAMILIES OF WALKER AND INMAN Woodruff family |
Material Compiled And Edited By
AUDREY LEE WOODRUFF
( Mrs. Howard Walker Woodruff )
708 W. Maple Independence, Mo.
(The following article was located in the Oklahoma State Library and Museum in OKC.
There are hand-written corrections apparently made by the author. The original entries are
shown as strikeouts and the author's comments are shown in script. Jim Williams)
WOODRUFF FAMILY
OF VIRGINIA - ALABAMA - AND MISSOURI
AND RELATED FAMILIES OF WALKER AND INMAN
This brief history does not tell the complete story of the Woodruff family; but I want to set down in an orderly fashion the data that I have compiled thus far. Perhaps next year I will be able to add "Chapter I" to this most interesting story. But in order to reach the Woodruff family I must first start with the "oldest line" -- the Walkers.
WALKER FAMILY
In the Jackson County Library in Kansas City, Mo. there is a book entitled "Genealogy of Descendants of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland," written by Emma Siggins White of Kansas City. It was published in 1902 after ten or more years of intensive research; and is a massive volume of over 700 pages.
Joel Walker, great grandson of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland kept a record of the Walker Family. The record contains about 140 descendants of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland and covers a period of about 150 years. In 1856 Andrew Walker, another descendant, of McDonough Co. Illinois made a copy. Miss White uses this record to furnish the foundation for the opening chapters in her book.
The first John Walker of which we have any record lived and died in Wigton, Scotland. He married Jane McKnight and only two of his children are known: John and Alexander.
1. John Walker, son of the first John, married Katherine Rutherford on Jan. 2, 1702. He and family emigrated to Newry, in the Northern part of Ireland and then came to America. He had 11 children, born in Scotland, Ireland and America.
2. Alexander Walker, brother of John the emigrant, never left Scotland. The name of his wife is not known. Alexander had three sons that went to Newry, Ireland with their Uncle and then came with him to America. One of them was named John.
The two John Walkers -- Uncle and Nephew -- with their families arrived at Maryland in August 1726. They first settled in Chester County Pa. In 1734 they moved into the Valley of Virginia and was one of the earliest settlers in Rockridge County. The gallant Uncle and Nephew took up land on both sides of the rapid stream, which still bears their name, flowing parallel to the mountain range two miles distance from the natural bridge.
The Walkers were staunch Presbyterians and helped to build the first log church which they named New Providence in memory of Providence Church in Ireland from whence they had come. In 1900 some of the descendants were still living on the original land and were active elders in the New Providence Church.
The Uncle and Nephew, both named John, were distinguished as "Gunmaker John" and "Gunstocker John." Gunmaker John Walker made the locks and barrels on the anvil of his shop and Gunstocker John made the woodwork. The brave emigrants, buried in the wilderness, were dependant on themselves for everything, and arms were a necessity in the neighborhood of war like savages of the mountains.
Gunmaker John, the Uncle, and his wife Katherine Rutherford had 11 children: Elizabeth, John, James, Thomas, William, Jane, Samuel, Alexander, Esther, Joseph and Mary. Miss White takes each of these children and follows their descendants, but since Samuel is the one in our direct line I will confine this record to him.
Samuel Walker was the son of "Gunmaker John". He was born in Newry, Ireland on Dec. 25, 1714. He came with his father to America but remained in Chester County Pa. until about 1739. He then came to Virginia and took up residence near the other Walkers. Samuel married Jane Patterson Dec. 5, 1740 in Virginia. He died Feb. 1793 and Jane died Jan. 10, 1800 at the age of 80.
"Mrs. Jane A. Gray of Atlanta sends the following in regard to land granted Samuel Walker. 'Samuel Walker obtained a grant of land in Bedford County Va. July 20, 1768, also one Apr. 6, 1769 in Augusta Co. Va. Another in Botetourt County Va. on Mar. 1, 1773. These grants were given on account of service in the Colonial Wars, as Samuel Walker's name appears in a list of Colonial Malitia under Capt. John Buchanan. This Company was from Augusta County Va. and was in service in 1742.'"
Samuel Walker and his wife Jane Patterson Walker had 9 children: Barbara, Katherine, Jane, Samuel, Elizabeth, James, John, Joseph and Joel.
Joel, here mentioned, is the one who kept the Walker Family Record dating back to his great grandfather, John Walker of Wigton, Scotland. Joel is not in our direct family line but since he played such an important part in preserving this record I thought you might like to know something about him. He was born Mar. 1, 1764 in Virginia on a tract of land granted to his father, Samuel. He was taught by an older brother, General Samuel Walker who was a surveyor by profession. Joel studied Civil engineering in Richmond and surveyed for the Government. He served in the Revolutionary War with three of his brothers. He married Margaret Armstrong and moved into the Northwest Territory when it opened up. He located on Beaver Creek east of Springfield, Ohio; the town at that time only contained 50 inhabitants. Joel died in 1834.
Our direct ancestor is the above mentioned James Walker, the 6th child of Samuel and Jane Patterson Walker. James was born May 15, 1752. He married Jane Thompson in Sept. 1786. He died May 1791 aged 39 and 12 days. James and Jane had two daughters, Elizabeth and Jane.
Elizabeth Walker was born Mar. 17, 1789 and married a Mr. McSpadden. Jane Walker was born Mar. 17, 1791 and married John Ritchie Inman.
As to our direct line the Walker Family ends here, and it blends in with the INMAN family with the marriage of Jane Walker to John Ritchie Inman. I felt that this should be of interest to us because down through the years - by word of mouth - has come the record that there were Walker's and Inman's in the Woodruff family. There was no written proof, but it was remembered by John and Garrett Woodruff, who are great grandsons of Jane Walker and John Ritchie Inman. Then too, you will notice that in each ensuing generation there is the name of "Walker" handed down to one or more males.
In the following chapter I am going to insert a brief history of the Inman family. I hope that it does not interfere with the line of thought; but I have found these people so interesting that I feel a compulsion to share my findings. I will go back to the earliest beginning of this branch of the Inman's in America, and bring it up through the marriage of John Ritchie Inman to Jane Walker and their children; since three of their daughters married into the Woodruff family.
I have added a great deal to this
section.
THE INMAN FAMILY
ABEDNEGO INMAN was born in York County England on July 1, 1752 (American Compendium of Genealogy, Vo1. 3, p.668 & DAR #144440). He died at Dandridge, Tennessee on Feb. 2, 1831 at the age of 79 years. He is buried in the Revolutionary War Graveyard at the site of the original Hopewell Presbyterian Church in the center of Dandridge, Tenn. (Revolutionary War Monument) He was the son of John Inman and Henrietta (Hardin) Inman. (Mrs. Merle North, genealogist)
Abednego Inman married Mary Ritchie in the area of North Carolina or Virginia, the place is not known. However, the family Bible record of Abednego Inman states that they were married in 1775 (DAR #144440). I will give a brief one page account of the Ritchie family at the close of this Inman record.
Mary Ritchie was born in Prince Edward Co. Virginia on Nov. 16, 1757 (Vital Records, Prince Edward Co.) She died in Dandridge, Tenn, on June 23, 1836 at the age of 79 years and is buried beside her husband. (VR Final Settlement, Jefferson Co.) She was the daughter of John and Jane (Davis) Ritchie, Botetourt Co. (VR)
Abednego came to America about 1765-67 when he was about 15 years of age. He was the youngest of three brothers: Shadrack (1747-1830) Meshack (about 1749-1768) and Abednego Inman (1752-1831). Tradition has it that the three brothers came to America because of a step-mother. (North) The Inman's first settled at Limestone, Va. in Rockridge Co.(Am. Comp. V. 3. p.668) I have more material on Shadrack, his marriage, will, children etc. and will be glad to share it with anyone interested.
One of the first references we have to Abednego is found in the Missouri Historical Review Magazine, Vol. 6, p. 138-40, 1912. After many years of research this account was compiled by Mrs. May Inman Gray and Augusta Bradford. Quote:
"About the year 1767, a party of explorers left their homes in North Carolina to visit the vast and almost wholly unknown region lying west of the Cumberland mountains. This party was led by Daniel Boone, who, when at that early period had established a well deserved reputation for daring, and a consummate knowledge of woodcraft. In this company were three brothers who bore the scriptural names of Shadrack Inman, Meshack Inman and Abednego Inman, the first of whom was the great grandfather of the writer hereof (Gray and Bradford). In due season they crossed the mountain ranges lying in their path of travel, and winter soon swept down upon them. For days they pushed forward through deep snows. They had little or no food during this time, for that which they had brought with them had been exhausted. They were therefore compelled to depend upon such game for their subsistence as they could bring down with their rifles, and killing game at that season of the year was not always easily accomplished. When they arrived near the central part of the present state of Tennessee, and were encamped near a cave, probably the famous Nick-a-Jack cave, they were surprised and attacked one night by Indians. Being asleep at the time of the attack, and not having taken the precaution to post sentinels, nearly all the little band of adventurers were either killed or wounded. Among the slain was Meshack Inman. Among the woundedwere Shadrack Inman and his brother, Abednego. The former received a wound in the side from a spear, which weapon is still in existence and in the possession of one of his descendants. Abednego Inman received a wound in the forehead from an Indian tomahawk, leaving a scar which he carried for the remainder of his life; but surviving his wound, he placed himself in hiding in a large hollow tree, where he remained for nine days without food and with but little water, at the end of which period he was so far recovered as to be able to leave his strange habitation, and eventually and with extreme difficulty, he made his way back to his home in North Carolina. (At this time Abednego could not have been over 16 years of age). The company was thus broken up and dispersed, and the expedition abandoned. Among the number of those who escaped were Boone and Shadrack Inman. Boone on account of his superior skill and woodcraft and knowledge of the Indian wiles, escaped unharmed and returned home. The Indians pursued him keenly through the dense forest, but like a fleeting shadow he eluded them, and led the few survivors of his little company safely back to their homes.
Notwithstanding these misfortunes, our brave adventurers were not to be diverted from their purpose of exploring and taking possession of a portion of the soil of Tennessee, for some of them returned to the locality at a later date, and established homes there, while Boone with other kindred spirits, established themselves in the wilds of Kentucky, at Booneborough and Bryant's Station." (end of quote)
This is a story that you will want to read for yourself in its entirety and you will find the Missouri Historical Review Magazine in most large libraries.
Soon after his marriage Abednego took an active part in the Revolutionary War, serving with the Georgia troops. He was one of the famous "King's Mountain Men" serving under Col. Valentine Sevier. His record has been accepted by the Daughters of the American Revolution #144440 and obtainable from DAR Headquarter for the sum of $2.00. You will find references to this brave soldier in the following books:
In Ramsey's "Annals of Tennessee" (218 - 219) there is an interesting story of the heroic death of a Captain Shadrack Inman that died in the battle of Musgrove Mill in 1780. His relationship to the others has not been clearly established. Some claim him to be the son of Shadrack (1747 - 1830) but a man of 33 would not have a son old enough to take an active part in the war and who would be given the responsibility of a Captain. Others are of the opinion that he was a cousin; but all feel that there is a definite relationship due to the unusual name.
Following the War, in 1786, Abednego took out land grants in Greene County Tennessee, later to become Jefferson County. He had 450 acres on the south side of the Holston river. The following year his brother Shadrack took out a grant for 200 acres in Greene County on the North side of Nollichucky River (North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee, p. 34, 35, 37).
Ray in his book, "Tennessee Cousins" speaks of these early settlers in East Tennessee "they had no neighbors west of them and obtained their supplies from Greenville North Carolina many miles to the east." (p. 99)
For many years following the Revolutionary War there were still disturbances between the settlers and the Indians. In the "Annals of Tennessee" by Ramsey (p. 415) it tells of one such Indian uprising when Col. Tipton ordered all the men of the area to gather in an appointed place well equipped, with arms and ammunition and six days provision. It states, "Col. Tipton, with a number of troops, were on the 16 of March 1788 collected at Abednego Inman's".
Abednego was listed among the Early Tax Payers of Jefferson Co. Tenn. in 1801. He owned 457 acres of land and was taxed 121/2 cents per 100 acres. He owned three town lots that likewise cost 121/2 cents each in taxes. He paid tax on 4 black poll (slaves) at the rate of 25 cents each. Since he was 50 years of age he missed paying the poll tax for himself of 121/2 cents. His brother Shadrack was listed as having 300 acres of land and 3 black poll. (Early East Tenn. Taxpayers. Pub. no. 27, 1955. East Tennessee Historical Society Magazine, p. 10)
After Governor Sevier established the State Government in 1796 he commissioned all civil and military officers in the counties of the state. Among those commissioned "justices" was Abednego Inman.. (Ramsey's Annals of Tenn. 669) In the Greene and Jefferson County records Abednego Inman's name is found in literally hundreds of instances in the minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions, Chancery and Circuit Court from the years 1790 - 1831. (Vital Records of Counties)
The Inman Family were members of the original Hopewell Presbyterian Church founded in 1785, eight years before the town of Dandridge was located. It is the oldest church in Jefferson Co. Listed among the early trustees and elders before 1810 is the name of Abednego Inman. (Tennessee Cousins by Ray)
I have a copy of the Will of Abednego Inman. He lists only 6 of his 11 children. I will first give a brief account of his children and then the main portion of his Will. The data is taken from DAR Record and from research made by various members of the Inman family, Vital records of counties, tombstone inscriptions etc.
CHILDREN OF ABEDNEGO AND MARY (RITCHIE) INMAN:
1. William Hardin Inman b. Sept. 28, 1779, d. Jan. 18, 1817, m. Elinor Wilson on July 17, 1748 at Jeff. Co. Tenn. Hardin was the maiden name of Abednego's mother back in England.
2. Hannah R. Inman b. May 2, 1782. m. Daniel Wilson Feb. 13, 1800, m. 2nd. Jacob Schorn.
3. Jean "Fannie" Ritchie Inman b. April 5, 1784, d. Mar. 4, 1807. m. Leroy Taylor. Jean is the name of Mary's grandmother, Jean (Caldwell) Ritchie.
4. Ezekiel Inman born May 19, 1786, d. May 27, 1825, m. Matilda. Taylor on Dec. 28, 1805.
5. John Ritchie Inman b. July 5, 1788, d. Mar. 5, 1837 at Madison C. Ala. m. Jane Walker b. Mar. 17, 1791 at Rockridge Co. Va. d. Madison Co. Ala. in 1832. Ritchie is mother's maiden n.
6. Benjamin Hardin Inman b. Washington Co. Tenn. Aug. 25, 17 90. d. 1837. m. 1st. Jane Alexander, 2nd. Dorcas Dohorty on July 23, 1813.
7. Shadrack Inman b. Jefferson Co. Tenn, Feb. 16, 1793. d. Aug.31, 1852, m. Sarah Keyes Henderson 1819 at Jeff. Co. Tenn. Sarah b. May 29, 1798 and d. Mar. 14, 1841.
9. Annis Inman b. Jefferson Co. Tenn. Aug. 7, 1797, d. 1880. m. Joel Cowan b. in Jeff. Co. 1794 and d. 1850. Joel Cowan is the son of Andrew Cowan and his wife Jane (Thompson) Walker. They were married following the death of Jane's first husband James Walker. Thus Joel Cowan is a half-brother to Jane Walker who married John Ritchie Inman. Annis is the name of Mary's sister.
10. Susannah Inman b. Jeff. Co. Tenn. July 13, 1800. m. Lazarus Inman (Their son, Isaac m. Hannah Inman -- third marriage -- in 1871, and Hannah is a dau. of John Ritchie Inman -- 1st cousins)
11. Margaret "Peggy" Harriet Inman b. Jeff. Co. Tenn. Mar. 9, 1805, married
Jonathan Woods at Dandridge Tenn. Jan. 23, 1827.
(Lest it be thought a matter of poor typing, this is
the exact wording of the Will of Abednego Inman.)
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ABEDNEGO INMAN
In the presence of thes witnes present I acknoleg this my last will and testament. This land I now live on I give to my three suns Shedrack Inman, Benjamin Inman and John Inman at my wifes decease, I will my twe oldest slaives Edekiakiah and Winne to go free and think myself in duty to do so. My thre dayters Aannes Cowan, Polly Bair and Peggy Harriet Wood the remaind of my estat after my lawful detes is payd. I do not alow enything to be desttrebuted in during my wifes netuel lifetime but what will pay my gest dets. Benjamin Inman and Shedrack Inman I leeve sole executors of this my last will and desire it to be recevd the sem I do not alou the land to be sold, or devded into eny smauler porcels but the executors to do what tha think is rite and gersth the entry includ as land.
Witness by hand this twelvth day May one thousand eight hundred and thirty.
Witnes
s/ Bed Inman
Nicholas Bragg
Mary Bragg X her mark
Archiband T. McSpadden
RITCHIE FAMILY
Alexander Ritchie came from North Ireland in 1727 to Lancaster Co. Pa. (Mrs. North) and later in 1737 he came to Amelia Co. Virginia. He died and left a will dated 1749. (VR Amelia Co. Va.)
Alexander married Jeane Caldwell, the daughter of John Caldwell and sister to Capt. John Caldwell. Capt. John Caldwell married Margaret Phillips in Ireland and also came to Lancaster Co. Pa. in 1727 and later moved to Virginia. (North)
Alexander's will names his beloved wife, Jeane and the following children: John, James, Alexander and Samuel; and daughters, Agnes, Catrin, Mary and Susanna. He gave his son John the land adjoining that of George David. (VR Amelia Co. Va.)
John Ritchie, the son of Alexander, was probably born in Lancaster Co. Pa. around 1730 - 35. After the family moved to Virginia he married Jane Davis -- the girl next door -- on May 5, 1757. The marriage record lists George Davis, bondsman. (VR Prince Edward County)
John died in Botetourt Co. Va. in 1780. He left a will that mentions his daughters Mary and Annis. (VR Botetourt Co.) Mary was born Nov. 16, 1757 in Prince Edward County Var. She died in Dandridge Tenn. on June 23, 1836 at age of 79 years. (Final Settlement, Jeff. C. Tenn.)
Mary Ritchie married Abednego Inman somewhere in the area of North Carolina or Virginia, the place is not exactly known. However, the Bible record of Abednego Inman family gives the date of 1775.
Mary named one of her sons John Ritchie Inman.
RECORD OF JOHN RITCHIE AND JANE (WALKER) INMAN.
John Ritchie Inman was born on July 5, 1788 in Greene Co. Tenn. (later renamed Jefferson Co.) on the Inman Plantation, well known in East Tennessee for its fertile and fine location in the Valley of the French Broad River. He died in Madison County Ala. March 4, 1837 and is buried in the Inman Cemetery at Possum Hollow, in Madison County, (gravestone) near New Hope.
As stated on page 4, John Ritchie Inman married Jane Walker in Jefferson County Tenn. on July 22, 1807 (Vital Record Jeff. Co.)
Jane was born March 17, 1791. She was the daughter of James and Jane (Thompson) Walker. In the land grants of East Tenn. we find that James Walker took out land in the same area - Greene County on the French Broad River -- in 1786, the same year in which he was married. This put the family in the same neighborhood as the Inman's. James died when Jane was only 2 months old. Within a couple of years her mother, Jane (Thompson) Walker married Andrew Cowan of that same general community.
I do not know when John Ritchie Inman and wife Jane Walker moved to Alabama but it was prior to 1815 (known birthplace of daughter Jane). The Inman family settled in the southern part of Madison County near the Tennessee River, between Owens Cross Road and New Hope. (Mrs. Gandrud,genealogist). On Dec. 24, 1811 John's home burned to the ground and his three oldest children lost their lives. Mrs. Merle S. North of Tuscon, Arizona says that she had always known this story, told by her grandmother, in regard to her grandparents.
John and Jane had sixteen children and I think their names are of such great significance that they should be placed in this record, along with the limited information I have concerning them. All taken from Mrs. White's book unless otherwise stated.
1. James Inman b. about 1808, d. Dec. 24, 1811 in the fire. James was no doubt named for Jane's father, James Walker.
2. Abednego (twin) Inman b. about 1810, d. Dec. 24, 1811. Named for John's father, Abednego Inman.
3. Mary (twin) Inman b. about 1810, and died 1811. Named for John's mother, Mary Ritchie Inman.
4. Shadrack Walker Inman b. in Tennessee Sept. 17, 1811. Named for his uncle. This is the first "Walker" in the Inman line, his mother's maiden name. Both names will be found repeatedly in the Woodruff family in ensuing generations.
Shadrack m. three times -- Jane Hamilton, Catherine Wilson Bradford and Catherine Lea. He had ten children. One of his sons was Samuel Martin Inman, b. Dec. 19, 1843 in Dandridge, Tenn. and was listed in the book, "America's Successful Men", 1896.
"Samuel Martin Inman, a prosperous planter of the early days who taught his children to speak the truth and fear God, and whose life was regulated by that principal. Samuel was brought up on the Inman plantation, well known in the east Tenn. for its fertile and fine location in the Valley of the French Broad River. During his boyhood he attended public schools and was then sent to Princeton College, where he is remembered for his ability and popularity. In 1861 Mr. Inman enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company K. 1st. Tenn. Cavalry. He rose to the Lieutenancy and served until the end of the War. In 1867 he moved to Atlanta, Ga, and engaged in the cotton buying with his father of the S. W. Inman and Co. (Shadrack Walker Inman) It became the leading firm in the south - and in fact in the world in the purchase and compressing of cotton. He became the owner of the extensive real estate holdings and a director of the Atlantic Home Insurance Co. In memory of his wife he established the Jennie D. Inman Orphanage (Jane Dick) in Atlanta, Ga."
5. James M. Inman was named for his grandfather, James Walker. Quite often when a child died in infancy another in the family was later given the favorite family name. James married Louisa Worley. They had10 children.
6. John Washington Inman married Susan Jane Neal, and second, Eleanor Harrison. They had 7 children. John was named for his father which continued a popular Woodruff name.
7. William Hardin Inman was given a very old family name coming down on the Ritchie side, Abednego's mother's maiden name back in England. He married Franc J. J. Curry. 4 children.
8. Joel C. Inman was named for the Joel Walker, his mother's uncle who had kept the family record. Joel married first Sophia J. Hinton; 2nd. Harrietta Gore. 12 children.
9. Walker Patterson Inman was given a combination name of his mother's maiden name and his great grandmother's maiden name. Samuel Walker (Jane's grandfather) had married Jane Patterson. Walker Patterson Inman was also listed in "America's Successful Men" and given recognition in the field of cotton, Industry, Mercantile, Business and Banking. He was a millionaire.
10. Elizabeth Inman was born in Alabama in 1815. She married 1st. Joseph P. Woodruff, and 2nd. William Heathcock. She had 9 children, all by first marriage. I will give a more complete record of Elizabeth in the Woodruff record.
11. Jane Inman was born in Madison County Ala. in 1817. She m. 1st. Thomas Ferguson and 2nd. George B. Woodruff. She had 4 ch. by her 1st. m., six by her 2nd. Complete record later.
12. Susan Inman was m. six times and in each case her husband died. They were, James Roach, Duncan Buford, Byrd Herrin, Joseph Clarkston, Asbury Hunt, and William McBroom. She had 7 children. Susan is favorite Woodruff name.
13. Hannah Inman m. Job Hinton, 2nd. Daniel Smith; and 3rd. her cousin Isaac Inman (son of John's sister Susannah) She had total of 9 children. Hannah also a favorite Woodruff name.
14. Caroline Matilda Inman was b. in Mad. Co. Ala. in 1820. She m. 1st. Benjamin A. Woodruff in Mad. Co. on Dec. 20, 1836. 2nd. John Jump. She had 7 children, all by 1st. marriage. A complete record given later.
15. Sarah Inman m. John Jump. After her death he married her sister Caroline Matilda Woodruff, a widow. She had 5 children. Sarah appears often in the Woodruff line.
16. Mary Inman, another presistant name, after the first daughter died in the fire. She married Robert A. Caldwell; 2nd. Robert Warren. She had a total of 10 children.
As you have perhaps guessed the connection between the Inman and Woodruff families is no small matter and it is little wonder that there was some confusion as to the exact relationship of their descendants. But before I leave the Inman's I would like to give the closing chapter on the life of John Ritchie Inman and his wife Jane Walker Inman. They are buried in what is known as the Inman Cemetery in Possum Hollow located in the southern part of Madison County Alabama between Owen Cross Road and New Hope. Mrs. G. W. Gandrud states that in 1955 W. A. True visited the cemetery and said that there were about 200 graves but only a few of the inscriptions were legible. Among them were:
Many references are found in the quotations of Miss White that testify to the fact that
the Inman's were God fearing, industrious folk of sterling character whose lives bore
evidence of a strong Christian faith and a deep devotion to the family.
THE WOODRUFF FAMILY OF VIRGINIA
The name Woodruff-ruffe-roof-roofe-rove means a person who looks after the woodland. It is of English origin, and the "Virginia Woodruff's" are believed to have come from the city of London.
Our first known ancestor is George A. Woodruff, born in Brunswick Co. Virginia in 1780 (7). It is believed that he was
born in Brunswick, Buckingham or Greenville Counties . It is known that he had
two brothers.
George B. Woodruff married in Brunswick Co.
Virginia to a girl whose last name is believed to be Phipps Sally Manning on Mar. 30, 1808 (Mar. Rec. Brunswick Co.
by Knorr). It is very probable that she was the daughter of Benjamin
Phipps of Buckingham Co. Va. who later moved to Madison County Alabama Joel Manning & X Phipps, the granddau. of Joseph
Phipps (decd & will). I hope by this time next year to be able to state
this with a certainty. Sally was born
about 1788 & d. in 1842 & is buried in Inman Cemetery "Possum Hollow"
Madison Co. Al. near New Hope.
George B. Woodruff and his wife had two sons: Joseph Phipps Woodruff was born in Virginia on April 4, 1809. The second son, Benjamin A. Woodruff was also born in Brunswick Co. Virginia in 1813.
THE WOODRUFF FAMILY - ALABAMA
Some time after 1813 the George B. Woodruff family, along with other closely related families of Virginia, moved to Madison County Alabama. They settled in the southern part Madison County near the Tennessee River, between Owen Cross Road and New Hope, and became neighbors to the John Ritchie Inman family.
The first reference we have of them is found in the 1830 Census of Madison County, Alabama, on page 85.
Woodruff, George B.
Since George B. was born in 1780 (7) he would be 50 (43), his wife somewhere near that age. Joseph P. would still be at home,
aged 21, Benjamin A. would be 17. Three daughters are listed: One is Susannah who married
Burrell Lee Oct, 22, 1836. The other is Frances E. Woodruff that married Duncastle S.
Buford on Oct. 14, 1838. An older dau. in 1830
census is missing. The third is Sarah who was living at home when the 1850
Census was taken. (Sarah is step-dau.)
I feel safe in saying that George B. Woodruff was a farmer. I do not know the extent of his holdings. Garrett Woodruff has said that they were large land-owners; and that the story had come down within his family that they owned slaves. There is no direct reference in any of my material to this; but in Deed Book L. page 222 in Madison Co. there is the entry; "10 August, 1827, Robert W. Woodruff to Wm. Brandon as trustee to secure debt to James Brown, for slaves." If you recall, Robert W. Woodruff was a brother to George B. We do know that the Inman's had a large plantation back in Tennessee, and John R. Inman was a buyer for cotton. We know too that his sons were well educated; but in the 1850 Census however, the "check" was made indicating that the Inman girls could neither read nor write. That was not uncommon in the early 1800's and they all married very young,
On May 5, 1831 Joseph P. Woodruff (spelled Woodrough) was married to Elizabeth Inman. The marriage was solemnized by John C. Grayson, J. P. Elizabeth Inman Woodruff was the daughter of John Ritchie Inman and his wife, Jane Walker Woodruff. She was born in Alabama in 1815. You will note that she was only 16 years of age at the time of her marriage.
A few months after his marriage, Joseph Phipps Woodruff took out a Land Patent in Madison County on Oct. 17, 1831. The location was near that of his father's in Township 5 Range 1 East W SW Sec. 26.
Joseph P. Woodruff and his wife Elizabeth had nine children, six of them born in Alabama. They are: Benjamin Walker, John Mammon (Manning), Sarah J., Frances B., James A, and Albert H. I will list them separately under the heading "The Children of Joseph P. Woodruff and his wife Elizabeth Inman Woodruff," along with the later ones born in Missouri.
On December 20, 1836 Benjamin A. Woodruff was married to Caroline Matilda Inman by Edward H. Vann, Minister of the Gospel. Caroline Matilda Inman was born in 1820, according to Mrs. White's record, which would give her age as 16 when she married. But in the 1850 Census Caroline Matilda gives her age as 26 and in the 1860 Census she gives it again as 37. There is at times a variance of one year due to the month in which the Census taker called; and one gave their age closest to their last birthday. I don't think the same mistake would be made twice so I feel that Caroline Matilda was extremely young -- I'd say 131/2 years of age at the time of her marriage.
Benjamin A. Woodruff and his wife Caroline Matilda Inman Woodruff had 7 children and possibly eight, three of them known to have been born in Alabama: Martha C., George W., and a girl that is listed in the 1840 Census but not recorded in the 1850 Census so one can assume that she died very young. I will give a complete list of the family under the heading, "The Children of Benjamin A. Woodruff and his wife Caroline Matilda Inman Woodruff."
In the 1840 Census of Madison County Alabama we find the Woodruff's in separate households, but still a close knit group. George B. Woodruff and his wife are between the ages of 50 - 60 with only one daughter at home between the age 10 - 15. It is possible that this is Sarah. Next door we find Benjamin A. Woodruff and his wife between the ages of 20 - 30. They have three children: a girl between 5 - 10; agirl and boy under 5. On the following page of the Census book we find Joseph P. Woodruff between the ages of 30 - 40 and his wife between 20 - 30. They have the following children: two boys and a girl between 5 - 10; a boy and a girl under 5. Within a year or so another boy was born in Alabama. These all coincide perfectly with the ages given in the 1850 Census in Missouri.
Sometime during the period between 1841 - 2 George B. Woodruff 's wife (Sarah Manning Woodruff) died. I do not have a
record of her death but she was around 60 (54) years of age. I do have an account of George B.'s second marriage to
Jane Ferguson on June 12, 1843 by Edward H. Vann, J. P. I also have the account of an
earlier marriage of Thomas Ferguson and Jane T. Inman on Oct.9, 1834. Mrs. White writes
that Jane's first husband died about 1840 and they had four children. They are:
1. Sally Ann Ferguson, This is Sarah of 1850 Census born 1836, m. 1851 to Joseph Rowland, farmer in Gasconade Co. Mo. She died in 1874, 11 children.
2. Thomas H. Ferguson (twin) born 1840 m. Sarah A. Tremmel about 1843. Sarah d. 1882, 8 children. Thomas m. Rhoda Foun about 1865, 4 children.
3. William Ferguson (twin) 1840, m. 1865 Julia Enloe. d. 1892. 8 children.
4. Nancy Ferguson b. about 1837, d. 1862.
Jane T. Inman Ferguson Woodruff was the daughter of John Ritchie Inman and his wife Jane Walker Inman. She was born in 1817 in Alabama; and was 37 years younger than George B. Woodruff, her second husband. Jane T. is also the "middle" sister between Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph P.; and Caroline Matilda, the wife of Benjamin A. Thus we have the three Woodruff men -- father and two sons -- married to three of the daughters of John Ritchie Inman.
So when the three families started out to Missouri in 1843, it was not just a case of a father and two sons, but all the children were half bros or double cousins to all the other offspring! So if you have heard it said, and no doubt you have, "I can always tell a Woodruff no matter where I see one," the person is no doubt speaking the truth. It is not unusual for perfect strangers to inquire, "Is your name Woodruff by any chance?" Within a little over 100 years there are three generations of double cousins in my husband's lineage.
George B. Woodruff and his second wife, Jane Inman Woodruff , raised a second family in Missouriand I will give you their record under the heading "The Children of George B. Woodruff and his second wife, Jane Inman Woodruff."
Next comes the event that will probably forever remain a mystery. Between the last half of 1843 and 1844 the three Woodruff families "picked up" and moved to Missouri. In the 1850 Census of Franklin County it gives the names, ages and birthplace of all three households and a straight line can be drawn through 1843 with all children before that date born in Alabama, and all born after 1844 in Missouri.
There are two possibilities that could have happened: One, John Ritchie Inman died in March 1837 and Duncastel S. Buford (husband of Frances B. Woodruff, dau. of George B.) was trustee of the estate. In Deed Book T. page 620 on May 1843 there is a record, "Joseph P. Woodruff to Duncastel S. Buford as trustee to secure debt to William H. Inman (son of John R. Inman) land bought of heirs of John R. Inman, deceased." So as late as 1843 the estate of John R. Inman was still in settlement. So it is just possible that the Inman girls came into an inheritance. It is not unusual for a family to chose such a time to establish themselves in a new place. Even though Frances B. Woodruff had died, Duncastle S. Buford and his new wife moved to Missouri also. However they returned to Alabama before 1848.
A second possibility is that in about 1843 or 44 there was a big Bank failure and farmers are known to have lost everything they owned. If such were the case circumstances would necessitate a fresh start.
In the 1850 Census there was not a single Woodruff listed in Madison County Alabama. So the Woodruff sojourn in Alabama covered only a brief span of years from approximately 1815 - or later - to 1843. Jesse Woodruff, aged 72 of Belle, Mo., writing of his Grandfather John Mammon Woodruff, the son of Joseph P., said, "My Grandfather had a southern drawl and accent that stayed with him all his life." "Mammon" really Manning. Influence of southern drawl.
A few years ago an Uncle-in-law of Ada Mae Woodruff Clough who lives in Alabama asked
Ada Mae if she was related to the "Alabama Woodruff's" -- that there were many
by that name within the state. At that time she did not know of the connection and so her
answer was in the negative. Earlier I made mention of a Robert W. Woodruff and Allen
Woodruff, brothers of George B. who were named as security for a land purchase. So no
doubt some of the other Woodruff's living in Alabama today are distantly related.
THE WOODRUFF FAMILY - MISSOURI
The three Woodruff families settled in Franklin County Missouri in Boon Township. All three households are listed in the 1850 Census; and while I will not endeavor to record all the Census reports that I have on file, I think it would be of interest to have this first one as it is given.
1850 Census FRANKLIN COUNTY MISSOURI Boon Township
no. Head of Household Age Sex Occupation Birthplace
421 WOODRUFF, GEORGE B. 60 M Farmer Virginia
Jane 33 F -| Children Alabama
Sarah 16 F | of Alabama
Thomas 10 M -| Jane Alabama
William 10 M Alabama
Susan 4 F Missouri
Margaret 3 F Missouri
George 1 M Missouri
There are several things worthy of note. The first obvious one is George B,'s age. Born
in 1780 (7) he would be 70
(63), but due to his young wife he has
dropped ten a couple years.
Sarah, is no doubt a daughter of his first wife. Thomas and William,
listed under the Woodruff name, are twin - sons children of Jane by her first marriage and
therefore named Ferguson. The youngest three are the beginning of his "second
family."
1850 Census FRANKLIN COUNTY MISSOURI Boon Township
No. Head of Household Age Sex Occupation Birthplace
426 WOODRUFF, JOSEPH P. 41 M Farmer Virginia
Elizabeth 35 F Alabama
Benjamin 18 M Alabama
John 16 M Alabama
Sarah 14 F Alabama
Frances 12 F Alabama
James 10 M Alabama
Albert 8 M Alabama
Julia 6 F Missouri
Amanda 3 F Missouri
1850 Census FRANKLIN CO. MISSOURI Boon Township
No. Head of Household Age Sex Occupation Birthplace
382 WOODRUFF, BENJAMIN 37 M Farmer Virginia
Caroline 26 F Alabama
Martha 12 F Alabama
George 11 M Alabama
Shadrick 8 M Alabama
Joseph 6 M Missouri
Hannah 5 F Missouri
William P. 1 M Missouri
Items of interest: If you recall in the 1840 Census of Madison County Al. there were listed a boy and 2 girls born in Alabama. It appears that a girl must have died between George and Shadrick. Shadrick, nicknamed "Shade", is no doubt named for his Uncle, Shadrack Walker Inman who at one time owned the largest cotton purchasing and processing business in the world.
The 1860 Census of Franklin Co. brings about a few changes. George B.'s age is given as
85, which is exaggerated by five years. It could be 83, very poorly written. There are three more children added
to his family, John A. born in 1851; James born in 1853 and Francis born 1851; William and
Thomas, twin sons of Jane by her first marriage are now 20 years of age and living in a
separate residence, but still going under the name of Woodruff.
I did not find Joseph P. Woodruff listed in the 1860 Census but I did find some of his children established in their own homes. Mrs. White's record shows that the family moved to Arkansas.
In the Benjamin A. household, Caroline Matilda Woodruff is listed as M. Woodruff and is living alone with the children. Sometimes in the records she is listed as Caroline M., Caroline, Matilda, or Matilda Caroline. Benjamin Franklin Woodruff, son born in 1850, has been added to the list of children. It states
that she owns 600 in Real Estate and 300 in Personal Property, which is a sizable estate in those days. The oldest son, George Walker is "out on his own" and we find him up in Gasconade Co, the only Woodruff listed there in 1860.
We do not know what became of Benjamin A. Woodruff. There is a presistant rumor that has come down within the family that "Grandfather Woodruff went to the gold fields and was never heard from". John and Garrett Woodruff insist that this is true and there must be some reason for the story. Mrs. White states that Benjamin A. died in 1852 but if such was the case there would be no basis for such a story. Caroline Matilda Woodruff married a second time to John Jump who had been the husband of her deceased sister, Sarah Inman. There were no children by this marriage. (1880 Census)
In answer to some of my inquiries, Jesse Woodruff of Belle, Mo. writes, "When I was a boy down around Sullivan, Mo. the Woodruff's were as thick as fiddlers in Hades and I think they were all related. When the first ones started to pass away the people hated to see them go -- or was glad they did go -- for they started a Cemetery and named it the Woodruff Cemetery. It is between Owensville and Bourbon, Mo.and there are a lot of good Woodruff's buried there. I think you have started your record 50 or 60 years too late."
I was beginning to feel the same way until I discovered the Woodruff line within the
John Walker family record. I feel deeply indebted to Emma Siggins White who started
compiling her material back in 1890 and unless otherwise stated the genealogies of the
three Woodruff families are taken from her work.
THE CHILDREN OF GEORGE B. WOODRUFF
and his second wife
JANE T. INMAN FERGUSON WOODRUFF
George B. Woodruff b, 1780 (7)
in Virginia m. _____ Phipps Sally
Manning. Five children: Joseph Phipps Woodruff, Benjamin A. Woodruff, Susannah
Woodruff Lee, Francis B. Woodruff Buford, and Sarah. George B's wife died around 1842, m.
(2) Jane T. Inman Ferguson b. 1817 widow with 4 children. They had 6 children whose names
are listed below. George B. d. 1863.
1. Susan J. Woodruff Jane's dau. b. 1843 m. 1864 Zachariah F. Bacon b. 1840. 8 children.
2. George Walker Woodruff b. 1848 m. 1867 Susan A. Rowland b. 1850. Farmer, Bourbon, Mo. 6 children: John T. 1867, William H. 1870, Lester 1875, Ferdinand 1884, twins that died in infancy.
3. Margaret Woodruff b. 1847 d. 1860.
4. John A. Woodruff b. 1851 m. 1876 Julia M. Harmon 4 children: Minnie 1877, Margaret 1878, Susan 1880, John B. 1881, m. (2) Hattie L. Crow 5 children: Bertha 1884, Ruth B. 1885, Ethelyn B. 1886, Ross A. 1889, Gilbert M. 1891. Bourbon, Mo.
5. James Woodruff b. 1853 d. 1860.
6. Francis Woodruff b. 1855 d. 1860.
You will note that three of the Woodruff children died in 1860. There was probably a
contagious disease that swept through the community.
THE CHILDREN OF JOSEPH P. WOODRUFF
and his wife
ELIZABETH INMAN WOODRUFF
Joseph P. Woodruff, oldest son of George B. Woodruff was born in Virginia April 4, 1809. m. Elizabeth J. Inman May 5, 1831. Elizabeth b. 1815 Alabama. d. 1875. Joseph P. d. 1863. Elizabeth m. William Heathcock in 1867. 9 children by first marriage, none by second.
1. Benjamin Walker Woodruff b. Jun. 20, 1832 in Alabama, d. 1883-4. m. 1854 Catherine M. Enloe. 7 children.
2. John Mammon (Manning) Woodruff b. Oct. 8,1833 in Alabama, m. Sarah E. Armstrong Oct. 12, 1854. Sarah b. Mar. 15, 1832 Franklin Co. Mo.
Almost all of the above material was taken from the Woodruff Family Bible that contains the record of Joseph P. Woodruff children and then continues with the family of John Mammon Woodruff, his son. It is owned by Claud P. Woodruff of St. James, Missouri. I have a photostatic copy.
3. Sarah J. Woodruff b. July 26, 1835 in Alabama m. 1852 John T. Williams b. 1831 son of Joseph Williams. farmer, 10 children.
4. Frances B. Woodruff b. April 19, 1838 in Alabama d. Jun 26, 1859. m. 1858 Lewis Warren, 1 child.
5. James A. Woodruff b. May 17, 1840 Alabama m. 1867 to Kate Renick b. 1840 dau. of Wm. and Julia Enloe Renick. Lived at Sullivan, Mo. 4 children: Clara 1869, Julia A. 1872, Benjamin T. 1876, Ella M. 1878.
6. Albert H. Woodruff b. Jan. 26, 1843 Alabama m. 1867 Matilda Carter dau. George C. and Margaret Ann Noblet Carter, 11 children: J. Edward 1868, William 1870, Martha Anne 1873, Samuel Alex 1575, Harry 1878, Walter Smith 1880, Georgia Henrietta 1882, Sophia 1886, Maud 1888, Susia 1890 and "Criss" 1892.
7. Julia Ann Woodruff b. Feb. 12, 1845 Missouri d. 1863.
8, Amanda Woodruff b. April 2, 1848 Missouri. m. 1866 John L. McCune. 4 children.
9. Mary Henrietta Woodruff b. Sept 16, 1851 Mo. m. 1869 William Wyatt b. 1846 son of Gideon P. and Matilda Weir Wyatt, Wenton, Ks. 2 children.
Some of these names and dates ate taken from the Woodruff Bible.
THE CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN A. WOODRUFF
and his wife
CAROLINE MATILDA INMAN WOODRUFF
Benjamin A. Woodruff, the second son of George B. Woodruff and _____ Phipps
Sally Manning was born in Brunswick Co. Virginia in 1813. m. Caroline
Matilda Inman on Dec. 20, 1836. Caroline Matilda was the dau. of John Ritchie Inman and
his wife Jane Walker Inman. She was born in Alabama in 1820. 7 children. m. (2) John Jump.
no ch (1880 Census)
1. Martha C. Woodruff b. 1837 m. 1854 Wm. C. Jones b. 1833 son of John R. and Martha Reed Jones. Farmer, 10 children.
2. George W. b. 1839 Alabama. m. 1666 Augusta Henneman b.1845 dau. George H. and Gertrude Vieman Henneman. Farmer, Oak Hill, Mo. 1 child, Henry Woodruff b. 1866. m, Clemma Underwood, 2 children.
3. Shadrach Walker Woodruff born 1841 m. 1862 Mary B. Howard b. 1841 dau. Dr. J. D. and Helen Means Howard, Swinton, Ark. 9 children:
5. Hannah Woodruff b. 1847 m. 1870 to Wiley Luster, physician, son of Edward and Nancy Jones Luster. He d. 1848, she 1886. 5 children: Fanny, Rosa, Walter, Wade and Nellie.
4. Joseph M. Woodruff b. 1844 m. 1868 Mollie Harris, b.1842 dau. Samuel and Ann A. Braly Harris. Farmer, Wetmore, Colorado. 5 children:
6. William Pinkerton Woodruff b. 1847 m. 1872 Martha Emeline Melton dau. Jesse B. Melton and Nancy Clementine Erskine Melton. Farmer d. 1889 8 or more children. Martha Emeline d. 1893. Children: Josephine 1874, Kenneth Arthur 1876, William Pierce 1877, John Jackson 1878, Jesse Garrett 1880, Cora Esther 1885, Benjamin Walker 1883, Strawd 1888.
I gave this very briefly in order to put it in its proper setting but I will have a more complete record of William Pinkerton Woodruff who is in our direct line.
7. Benjamin Franklin Woodruff b. 1851 m. 1869 Fannie Stone. b. 1852. d. 1875. m.(2) Minirva King 1878. 10 children.
For the sake of record I want to give a few items of interest that I found in the Goodspeed's History of Crawford, Franklin and Gasconade Counties.
"The first Hotel in Bourbon, Mo. was started in 1881 by G. M. Woodruff" p. 299.
"Professional men of Bourbon, Mo. are J. C. Kline, M.D.; L. D. Rennaux, M.D.; and J. I. Woodruff, Attorney-at-law and real estate." p.299.
"In 1856 Joseph P. Woodruff served on a jury when a man was tried and found guilty of murder and was hanged." p. 279.
In the Clay County Historical Atlas 1877, Praterville, Missouri, George W. Woodruff is the proprietor of a Steam flour and Grist Mill.
"Second Lieut. M. S. Woodruff, of Company F., Second Cavalry was Franklin County.
He was commissioned Feb. 1, 1864, promoted 1st, Lieut, Co. D, Nov. 17, 1864, transferred
to field and staff as adjutant same day, and mustered out Sept. 19, 1865." p. 254
WILLIAM PINKERTON AND MARTHA EMELINE MELTON WOODRUFF
William Pinkerton Woodruff was born May 7, 1849 in Franklin County Missouri. We know practically nothing concerning his childhood. His father, Benjamin A, Woodruff died (or went to the Gold Fields) when he was eleven years of age. In 1870 we find William, aged 21, listed in the Gasconade County Census living in the home of his brother, Shadrick.
On May 25, 1873 William P. married Martha Emeline Melton, b. Apr. 9, 1851 d. Feb. 22, 1893 the daughter of Jesse H. Melton and Nancy Clementine Erskine. Jesse H. Melton was born in Tennessee Warren Co. in April 1824. Nancy was born in South Caroline in 1825. The Melton farm was east of Rosebud, Mo. on what was then Springfield Road, now Highway 50. The old Melton home is still standing. Thomas Perriman "Byrd" Woodruff, a second cousin of William P.'s married Tilitha Melton, a sister of Martha Emeline -- thus another set of double cousins in the Woodruff line. I have a brief history of the Melton family in my file.
William P. was a farmer and in the early years of their marriage they lived in Gasconade Co. near the small community of Charlotte, Mo. They lived on the Lamenberg farm located on Springfield Road. Two of their children, Josephina "Josie" and Kenneth Arthur were born there. Kenneth Arthur was born Feb. 16, 1876. The family then moved to the Helkebraumer farm some of the children were born there. Again they moved to a farm near Owensville that became known as the Woodruff Farm. The remaining children were born there.
William Pinkerton Woodruff died in April 29, 1890 at the age of 41 (11 mos, 29 da.) according tohis stone in the New Salem Cemetaty. Three years later on Feb. 22, 1893 his wife, Martha Emeline Woodruff died at the age of 42, and is buried at New Salem. She left eight orphan children between the ages of 2 and 19 years of age. The wonder is that the children ever kept in contact with one another because they were raised by farm families throughout the community; yet there has always been close family ties.
CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF WILLIAM P. WOODRUFF
1. JOSEPHINA WOODRUFF was born in 1874 the oldest child of William P. and Mratha Emeline Woodruff. Josie was 19 years of age when both of her parents died. She lived with her grandmother Melton who died the following year. Josie married Alonzo Aytes and they lived in Henrietta, Mo. until around 1908. They returned to Owensville and lived on the Woodruff farm. They had 14 children:
2. KENNETH ARTHUR WOODRUFF was born Feb. 16, 1876 near the community of Charlotte , Mo. on the Lamenberg farm. He was 17 years of age when his parents died and went to live with a farmer by the name of Linberg. Kenneth Arthur m. Carrie Breeheisen and had three children:
Kenneth Arthur died June 17, 1958 and is buried at Vassar, Kans.
3 WILLIAM PIERCE WOODRUFF was born April 9, 1877 near Owensvill Misscuri. He was 16 years of age when his parents died and he lived with a farmer in the community by the name of Lafe Grote. Lafe was famous for his fox hunting. Pierce m. Emma Richardson of Henrietta, Mo. She died October 26, 1946 and buried at Overbrook, Kans. They had four children:
JOHN JACKSON WOODRUFF was born May 22, 1878 on a farm near Owensville, Mo. He was 12 years of age at the time of his parents death. Along with Garrett and Cora, he went to live in the home of John Boston, a farmer nearby. In a letter from David Melton to his cousin Walker Woodruff he makes reference to our "Boston cousins." Garrett does not believe they are actually relatives. John m. Laura Walker Corder on Feb. 6, 1907 and lived most of their lives on a farm near Lexington, Mo. They had 2 daughters:
5. JESSE GARRETT WOODRUFF was born April 29, 1880 near Owensville, Mo. He was named Jesse after his grandfather Jesse H. Melton. He was named Garrett after the 1880 Census taker named Gerhard. As a result, brother John aged two, received a pair of red shoes from Mr. Gerhard. Garrett was 13 when he was left an orphan. Along with John and Cora he was taken into the home of an Owensville farmer by the name of John Boston. On Feb. 9, 1909 he m. Ada Johns, a sister of Myrtle Johns who had married Benjamin Walker Woodruff. They had three children who were double-cousins to the children of Walker and Myrtle. They are as follows:
6. CORA ESTHER WOODRUFF was born on a farm near Owensville, Mo., on July 15, 1885. She wasleft an orphan at the age of 8 and lived in the home of an Owensville farmer by the name of John Boston. On June 27, 1906 she married William Joseph Chapman, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Chapman. William Joseph was born July 22, 1879. Cora D. Mar. 10, 1926 and buried at Mesa, Arizona. She had six children:
7. BENJAMIN WALKER WOODRUFF was born Sept. 11, 1883 at Owensville, Missouri He was left an orphan at the age of 10 and lived with an elderly Doctor by the name of Johnson. Walker drove the horse and buggy for the doctor as he went about making his calls. He m.Myrtle Johns on July 30, 1907. Myrtle was born Oct. 26, 1885 south of Leipsic, Ohio. dau. of William Harrison Johns and Ella May Woodruff Johns. Walker worked in the office of the Portland Cement Co. near Independence. In 1916 Walker wrote a description of himself in a pocket reference book. He gave his height as five foot six and his weight as 120 pounds. Hair-auburn; eyes-brown. Walker d. Feb. 13, 1919 during the flu epidemic of World War I. Buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Independence. They had 2 sons:
8. STRAWD FRASTON WOODRUFF was born on a farm near Owensville Missouri about 1888. Strawd was about two years of age when his father died and five when his mother passed away. A farmer in the community by the name of John Weisnan raised him. He attended Hills Business College at Sedalia, Mo. In Nov. 1905 he wrote a letter to his brother Garrett telling him about the school, his plans, and anxiously looking forward to the family getting together at Johns in Lexington on Christmas Day. Strawd came home for the holidays and became ill with what they called "quick consumption" and died Jan. 1906. He is buried in New Salem Cemetery near Owensville, Mo.
9. and 10. There are two infants that died at birth that are also buried in New Salem. I do not know the order of their birth.
SCOURCES OF MATERIAL
1. "The Genealogy of Descendants of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland," by Emna Siggins White. 1902. K. C. Mo.
2. Mrs. B. W. Gandrud, genealogist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama did research in Madison County, Alabama and sent notarized data concerning the Woodruff family.
3. Woodruff Family Bible owned by Claud P. Woodruff, St. James, Missouri.
4. 1830 - 1840 Census of Madison County, Alabama.
5. 1850 - 60 - 70 - 80 Census of Franklin, Crawford and Gasconade Counties Missouri.
6. Gravestones in New Salem and Owensville Cemeteries.
RESOURCE PERSONS
1. Garrett Woodruff of Richmond, Mo. and John Woodruff of Lexington, Mo. grandsons of Benjamin A. Woodruff, and their children.
2. Jesse Mammon Woodruff of Belle, Mo. great Grandson of Joseph P. Woodruff.
3. Mrs. Lula Garrison of Rosebud, Mo. grand daughter of Jesse H. Melton who married into the Woodruff family when they came to Missouri.
4. Melva Chapman McCabe of Englewood Colorado, great granddaughter of Benjamin A. Woodruff.
5. Clifford and Mary Woodruff, son of William Pierce Woodruff, of Los Angeles, Calif.
6. Claud T. Woodruff of St. James, Mo. great grandson of Joseph P. Woodruff.
7. Mrs. Arva Lee Vineyard, genealogist of Independence, who helped me chart my course of action.
8. Myrtle Johns, wife of Benjamin Walker Woodruff and Ada Johns, wife of Garrett Woodruff.