| Description |
: |
Jacob Absher was the son of John Lewis Absher aka John Absher Sr. & Eleanor Brown aka M. Leanner Brown. Jacob was born in the year of 1809 in Wilkes, NC. His name first appears on record in his marriage bond in the year 1831. Jacob Abshear & Walter Brown are the signers on the petition for the License of Marriage in the sum of five hundred pounds. Walter Brown was Jacob Abshers' grandfather.
(Transcribed 1841 Land Record)
{North Carolina, Wilkes County}
By virtue of a Grant No. 4710 Entry No. 6856 Book No. 149 Pg....
Read More
|
Jacob Absher was the son of John Lewis Absher aka John Absher Sr. & Eleanor Brown aka M. Leanner Brown. Jacob was born in the year of 1809 in Wilkes, NC. His name first appears on record in his marriage bond in the year 1831. Jacob Abshear & Walter Brown are the signers on the petition for the License of Marriage in the sum of five hundred pounds. Walter Brown was Jacob Abshers' grandfather.
(Transcribed 1841 Land Record)
{North Carolina, Wilkes County}
By virtue of a Grant No. 4710 Entry No. 6856 Book No. 149 Pg. No. 294 Entered the 10th of December 1840 surveyed for Jacob Absher fifty acres of land in County on the waters of Halls Creek. Beginning at a white oak in Wm. Abshers line near the top of a hill running west ninety six poles to a large white oak then north four poles to his maple corner then west with his old line sixty six poles to the corner a white oak then south fifty two poles to a stake then east one hundred and sixty two poles to a stake then north forty eight poles to the Beginning. Observing the directions of the Acts of Assembly in that case made and provided, for running out Lands, two just and fair plans of such survey, with a proper certificate annexed to each, together with this warrant, you are to transmit to the Secretary's office without delay. Given under my hand at Office the 30th day of March 1841.
Jacob Absher paid for the 50 Acres of Land.
NC Comptroller's Office, Dated: 23 Nov 1844
It appears from a receipt of the Public Treasurer, filed in this office, that Jacob Absher has paid the purchase money for an Entry of Land, containing 50 Acres, in the county of Wilkes; which Entry is No. 6856.
The next document where Jacob appears is in the 1840 census record. Enumeration date not given. "Jacob" is recorded to be 20 thru 29. He lives with his wife "Sarah" recorded to be 20 thru 29 and 2 male children under 5 and 1 male child 5 thru 9. The male children were "Benjamin" "Owen" & "Alfred". The family lives in the Spicer District, Wilkes, NC. The 1840 Census records that there were a total of 5 people in the household; (Total All Persons-Free White, Free Colored, Slaves). Jacob had no slaves in the 1840 census.
(Transcribed 1848 Land Record)
{State of North Carolina}
(Grant No 5049) (file No 4908)
Know ye that we have granted unto Jacob Absher twenty seven acres of land in Wilkes County, on the waters of Mulberry. Beginning at a white Oak near Isaiah McGrady's East-line running South sixty six poles to a chestnut, thence East sixty poles to a poplar, thence South forty four to a pine, thence East-forty poles to a black gum, thence North sixty poles to a maple thence West-twenty two poles to a poplar, thence North fifty six degrees west, ninety five poles to the Beginning. Entered the 19th day September 1848. To Hold to the said Jacob Absher his heirs and assigns forever. Dated the 22nd day of November 1848.
Recorded land entries have Jacob Absher's land at 77 acres. If anyone has further documentation or information regarding land owned by Jacob Absher; please let me know so I can add to his total acreage.
In 1850 the census record states Jacob's age to be 35. He lives with his wife "Sarah Hall Absher" and seven children, "Alfred or Alford" age 16, "Benjamin" age 17, "Owen" age 14, "Caroline" age 12, "Evaline" which is '"Charity Emaline or Evaline Absher" age 10, Her name appears differently on records but is the same person. "Jane" or Virginia age 8 as her name appears in different records but is the same person, "Leams" age 2, which is Linny or Leanis as her name appears in different records but is the same person. The birthplace of each member of the family is recorded in this record; all are born in Wilkes, NC. The family lives as (indicated by the record) Wilkes, NC. Jacob's occupation is listed as Farmer.
The 1850 census also records whether anyone in the household is: deaf-mute, blind, insane, or "idiotic"; no one in the Absher home suffers from these conditions. The 1850 census also ask whether anyone is a convict or pauper: No one in Absher household is a convict or pauper.
Jacob Absher was not in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules for Wilkes, NC; which indicates he did not own slaves within the 1850 census year.
The 1850 Census is the first census in Wilkes, NC, that records education (attended school in the record). The history of public education in Wilkes County really began shortly after the state passed its first common school law in 1839. The state was then divided into several school districts (ref. Wikipedia - Wilkes County Schools, NC).
It does not show in the record whether or not Jacob or Sarah could read or write. Jacob signed his marriage bond with his mark, an X indicating he did not know how.
(Excerpt from The History of Education in North Carolina) The only education that the farmers had was gained from meeting people and from dealing with the problems of their daily work."
Leaders over the years took political risks for North Carolina children from 1839 when the first common school law was enacted, providing the basis for combining state and local funds for school support. Despite these efforts, however, for the majority of North Carolina children, educational opportunities were almost nonexistent.
This was particularly true in the more rural areas, where sparse population, bad roads, poverty, and prevailing illiteracy often combined to create a self-perpetuating cycle of illiteracy and economic depression. Even as late as 1840, one out of every four white men and women, and practically all Negroes, could not read and write. North Carolina had one of the highest rates of illiteracy of any state in the Union." Inadequate funding was only a part of the problem. Widespread apathy toward education was prevalent in the early 19th Century and strong support for public education was slow to develop in North Carolina. (This may explain why John Absher Sr.s grave is not marked, probably just a simple stone unmarked was placed at the site of his grave).
Finally, in 1852, the legislature created the Office of Superintendent of Common Schools and appointed Calvin H. Wiley. Superintendent Wiley was a reformer at heart, and he devoted all of his considerable energy and talent to improving North Carolina schools.Under his leadership, great progress was made. By the time the Civil War erupted in 1861, it was generally recognized that North Carolina had one of the best school systems in the South.
The 1850 Census shows that Benjamin, Alfred & Owen attended school within the 1850 census year. The female children (Charity, Caroline, Virginia, Linny) did not. Many children in Wilkes also attended school in the 1850 Census.
(Value of Real Estate Owned) is called for in the 1850 census. The Value of Jacob Absher's Real Estate Owned was listed as 300. (Using the Inflation Calculator) $300 in 1850 → $9,031.13 in 2017. Jacob wasn't wealthy or poor, but similar in comparison to other families in the area.
The census of 1860 records Jacob as age 51 "respectively". One of his sons "Alfred Absher" has married . He lives with his wife "Sarah Durham Absher" & his baby daughter "America" age 8 months, a short distance from his parents. Jacob & Sarah age 46 "respectively", have 9 children living at home; "Benjamin" age 23 "respectively" "Owen" age 22 "respectively" "Charity" age 18 "respectively" "Caroline" age 16 "respectively" "Jenny" age 13 "respectively" "Lina" age 11 "respectively". The new additions to the family are "William" age 9 "Candis" age 6 and my great grandfather "Lewis Mcdaniel "Dan" Absher, age 3. The 1860 census does record that Jacob & Sarah cannot read or write and that Benjamin, Owen & Caroline attended school within the census year. Jacob's Occupation is listed as Farmer; his birthplace is listed as Wilkes, NC.
The 1860 census also records whether anyone in the household is: deaf-mute, blind, insane, or "idiotic"; no one in the Absher home suffers from these conditions. The 1860 census also ask whether anyone is a convict or pauper: No one in the Absher household is a convict or pauper.
The Value of Jacob Absher's (Real Estate Owned) was listed as 600 in the 1860 census. His Real Estate Owned doubled in the decade following the 1850 census. (Using the Inflation Calculator) $600 in 1860 → $16,884.30 in 2017. His wealth increased similarly to other families in Wilkes.
Personal Estate was also recorded in the 1860 census. The value of Jacob's personal estate was 500. (Using the Inflation Calculator) $500 in 1860 → $14,070.25 in 2017.
Jacob Absher was not in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules for Wilkes, NC; which indicates he did not own slaves within the 1860 census year. The 1860 census records the family living in the Lower Division of Wilkes, NC. Post Office (Mulberry).
In the proceeding years the Civil War occurred and Jacob & Sarah saw their 3 oldest sons go off to fight for the Confederate Cause. The brothers were conscripts and enlisted on 22 Sept 1862 near Petersburg, Virginia at "Camp French" by M.A. Parks; first name (Marcus). Benjamin, Owen & Alfred were privates in the confederate army in the 52nd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry (Company F - better known as the Confederate Grays) along with other men in the area (such as John Toliver Handy and his brother Marcus who were also soldiers in the 52nd Regiment Company F. It is an estimated 278.2 miles between where the Absher family lived and Petersburg, VA. Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. The 52nd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry was organized in March, 1862, at Garysburg, North Carolina. It surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865.
(Excerpt from Confederate Draft) The first general American military draft was enacted by the Confederate government on April 16, 1862, more than a year before the federal government did the same. The Confederacy took this step because it had to; its territory was being assailed on every front by overwhelming numbers, and the defending armies needed men to fill the ranks. The compulsory-service law was very unpopular in the South because it was viewed as a usurpation of the rights of individuals by the central government, one of the reasons the South went to war in the first place.
Under the Conscription Act, all healthy white men between the ages of 18 and 35 were liable for a three year term of service. The act also extended the terms of enlistment for all one-year soldiers to three years. A September 1862 amendment raised the age limit to 45.
Jacob would have been exempt from service as he would have been around age 53. William would have been around 12 years of age.
With Benjamin, Owen & Alfred gone to War; the Absher family lost a great deal; leaving the labor intensive work on the farm to Jacob, Sarah, Charity, Caroline, Jenny & Linny & the younger children. The brothers recruited in Sept. (hopefully after the crops were in). It is not known if Jacob sold any crops during the Civil War or if they were confiscated by the opposing forces.
Jacob & his family were able to maintain the farm of 77 acres during and after the Civil War. The family did not depend on slave labor; relying only on themselves with the knowledge they possessed of their environment, land, flora & fauna; using the resources available they were above all else survivors of the Civil War.
By the end of the war only Benjamin returns home. His brothers Owen & Alfred died in Goldsboro and are interred there in a mass grave in Willow Dale Cemetery. It is unknown how the Absher family learned of their deaths.
There was no formal way to inform families by the "Confederacy or the Union" of the fate of loved ones fighting in the Civil War.
At some point before 1870 Alfred's wife "Sarah Durham Absher" has died as well. Jacob & Sarah are now raising their grandchildren "America" & "Henry Absher". Jacob & Sarah have also lost their young son "William" in September of 1863. He appears in no further records. The family within a decade have lost 3 sons and their daughter-in-law "Sarah". No further records or family stories have been found that would indicate the cause of death for William & Sarah.
They had enough land to grow and sell a money crop; using the proceeds to pay the taxes on the land and buy whatever was needed to grow another crop the following year; with the remainder of the money going for other essentials. Jacob and his family may have had other means and skills for earning money. Jacob more than likely was a shoe cobbler (one who mends shoes) as this information was passed down from his children to the present generation. The people in the South were primarily farmers; with the South having a limited number of factories; there were serious shortage of shoes during the Civil War. Jacob would have mended his families shoes and probably made shoes out of other material that were available. This was a valuable skill from which he could have been paid or bartered and traded for things his family needed.
Having a small farm meant their tax debt would also be a manageable sum. (During the Civil War the Confederate government lacked the means to levy or collect internal taxes.)
The Absher family more than likely bartered and traded with family and neighbors for the things they needed; only buying from merchants if it could not be obtained any other way; reducing any debt drastically that they might have otherwise incurred. Jacob & his family grew enough food for their own consumption. They may have had a winter crop. They preserved & harvested animals & foodstuffs that were in the wild. During the Civil War food was probably hidden, due to Confederate and Union confiscation as well as looting marauding bands; ensuring their survival. These practices would last them throughout the year, until the following spring, starting the cycle all over again.
By 1870 the Absher household consist of 13 people. Jacob & Sarah Absher ages 58 "respectively". "Benjamin Absher" listed as age 30,who has survived the Civil War; married Nancy Brown 19 Jan 1862 shortly before his enlistment. Their marriage did not endure and they parted ways. They have 2 children "Daniel Alexander" age 8 & "Sarah Linda" age 2; Their children live with Benjamin in his parents household. "Lewis Mcdaniel Absher" listed as age 12 "Charity Evaline" listed as age 25 "Virginia" listed as age 20 "Caroline" listed as age 18; is also listed in a separate houshold with Jacob Hays her husband & her child James Hays. This discrepancy was researched and determined this is the same Caroline in the Absher household. She is listed in two households but is the same person; & "Candis" listed as age 14; all living at home with their parents Sarah & Jacob. Sarah & Jacobs grandchildren "America" listed as age 12 & "Henry" listed as age 8, are there with them since their parents death. "Bryant Baugus" age 18 is living is the household as well; listed as a farmhand. It is unclear what relationship he is to the family if any. The family is recorded to be living in Union, Wilkes, NC (Post Office - Wilbar). "Linny" is missing from the household in 1870.) It has not been determined where Linny might be in 1870 or whether her name was simply left out of the 1870 census (The name of Caroline in the household might be Linny and mistakenly put as Caroline). Jacob's Occupation is listed as Farmer; his birthplace is listed as North Carolina. The 1870 census also records (Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age and upwards which were Jacob & Benjamin.)
The 1870 census also records whether anyone in the household is: deaf-mute, blind, insane, or "idiotic. No one in the household was and the box checked as in the family was checked for these disorders.
No one in the household is able to read or write and none of the children have attended school within the 1870 census year. The ones that had attended school in previous census records apparently never learned these skills in this record.
(Abstract from The History of Education in North Carolina) Unfortunately, but predictably, the War brought this progressive period in education to an abrupt halt. The system deteriorated rapidly, and by the end of the War, only a handful of schools remained open. The State Literary Fund was all but wiped out, and in 1866 the Office of Superintendent of Common Schools was abolished. Education in North Carolina was at a very low ebb, and the future looked bleak indeed.
Education in rural areas did not recover from setbacks during the war years until the end of the century.
The Value of Jacob Absher's (Real Estate Owned) was listed as 250 in the 1870 census. His Real Estate Owned decreased by more than half after the Civil War. By the time of the 1870 census Jacobs Real Estate Owned was worth (Using the Inflation Calculator) $250 in 1870 → $4,494.66 in 2017.
The Value of Jacobs Personal Estate was also recorded in the 1870 census. Jacobs personal estate in 1860 was 500 reduced to {300 by 1870} (Using the Inflation Calculator) $300 in 1870 → $5,393.59 in 2017.
Jacob age 65 & Sarah age 64 "respectively" in the 1880 census. They are living in the Mulberry Township, Wilkes, NC. Only Virginia or Jenny age 28 & Linny age 25 and their grandchildren "America" age 18 & "Henry" age 16 remain in their household. "America" & "Henry" have not attended school within the 1880 census year. None can read or write. The other children live nearby and have married and formed their own families. The 1880 census ask (Is the person [on the day of the Enumerator's visit] sick or temporarily disabled, so as to be unable to attend to ordinary business or duties? If so, what is the sickness or disability? No one in the family is listed as such.) The 1880 census also records whether anyone in the household is: deaf-mute, blind, insane, idiotic, maimed, crippled or bedridden; no one in the Absher home suffers from these conditions. Jacob's Occupation is listed as Farmer; his birthplace is listed as Wilkes, NC. Both of Jacob's parents are listed to be born in North Carolina.
Jacob Absher dies 24 Jul 1888 at age 79. It is unknown who is in the household at the time of his death. Sarah dies 11 years later 25 Aug 1899 at age 83. Jacob Absher's headstone was made of local stone; carved and engraved by his children. They had some knowledge of the written word and were able to carve the letters in the stone where you can recognize the name. The dates are clear. The Absher families literacy level is comparable to other families in the area. What they may have lacked in reading and writing they knew their math & money, as it would have applied to daily life from buying and selling of crops and other goods from the farm and perhaps payment for work they did for others.
I personally love my gr gr grandfather's stone. It shows the love of his children for their father; so he would be remembered and not lost to time. It is also One of Two official recorded dates of his death. The Levi Absher Ledger also records the date of Jacob's death as (24 Jul 1888) which is a discrepancy on the date. Jacob Absher was Levi Absher's uncle.
Five of Jacob & Sarah Hall Absher's children as well as "Jacob & Sarah" appear in "The Levi Absher Ledger".
Levi Absher Ledger; published by the Wilkes Genealogical Society. This book can be ordered from the Wilkes Genealogical Society.
Without Jacob Absher's families efforts to record the event of his death, we would only be estimating the date.
If anyone has further information on Jacob Absher, please let me know; so I can add to his biography.
By Debbie Absher - Great Great Granddaughter of Jacob Absher. (2017)
(Debbie Absher daug of Jimmy Ray Absher son of Raymond Council Absher son of "Dan" Absher son of Jacob Absher son of John Lewis Absher aka John Absher Sr.)
I have a tree on Ancestry.com "On The Waters Of Halls & Mulberry Creek". |
