our kennett family

OUR

KENNETT

FAMILY

Compiled by Jill Shoemaker

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

COMPILED BY JILL SHOEMAKER

I would like to thank the Kennett/Lockridge Family

Organization for allowing me to research our family and learn more about them. I have come to love our Kennett family and to have tender feelings towards them. They have become very real to me as I have watched this family go through the migration to better land and better places, suffer through the Civil War and reconstruction, enjoy the births, marriages, and good times, and sorrow through the deaths and bad times. I now feel a great sense of closeness and shared feelings with our Kennett family.

I would also like to thank all those who have helped in contributing information to this history. There are so many who have gathered information about the Kennett family, and so many who have gathered family names on the descendants of Joshua Kennett and Nancy Josephine Lockridge Kennett. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Jill Shoemaker 10059 South Shetland Circle South Jordan, Utah 84095 (801) 280-3039

13 May 1996

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: The Virginia Years -------------------------------------------1

Chapter 2: The South Carolina Years ---------------------------------7

Chapter 3: The Move To Cherokee County------------------------17 Chapter 4: Cherokee County In The Civil War --------------------23

Chapter 5: Births, Taxes, Deaths -------------------------------------33

Chapter 6: Divorce, Old Age, And A Pension----------------------45

Appendix 1--Family Group Records

Appendix 2--Descendancy Chart

The Virginia Years--Page 1

OUR KENNETT FAMILY CHAPTER 1 THE VIRGINIA YEARS

This is the story of our Kennett family. The name "Kennett" has been spelled in

official records in a variety of ways. It has been seen as Kennett, Kinnett, Kenett, Kennet,

Kinett, Kinnet, Kennette, Kennot, and even Cunnot. It really doesn't matter how it is

spelled--the people of our Kennett ancestry remain the same. For ease in writing this

history, the spelling "Kennett" is used throughout.

The time and place from which our original immigrant Kennett ancestor comes from

has not yet been discovered. In a letter written in 1934 to Nannie Kennett Sheffield from

Sarah Pauline Kennett, Sarah said there was an old family story telling of two brothers

ILLUSTRATION 1: 1934 Letter from Sarah Pauline Kennett to

Nannie Lyle Kennett Sheffield.


coming to America from France, one spelling their name Kinnett and the other spelling it

Kennett.1 So far no documentation has been found to substantiate this family tradition.

The Kennett name appears early in the New England area of English origin and there is

also an early Kennett family in Maryland of German origin. Hopefully, the future will bring

the answer to our Kennett family origin.

This is the history of three generations of our Kennett family. The first generation is

about George Kennett, who will be designated as Senior to avoid confusion with the

second generation George, who will be designated as Junior. The first generation George

was possibly born in Virginia and as a young married man moved to Spartanburg County,

South Carolina. The second generation George was born in Spartanburg County, South

Carolina, and took his family to Cherokee County, Georgia. The third generation tells

about Joshua Kennett who married Nancy Josephine Lockridge. Joshua and Nancy lived

in Bartow County, Georgia. (See Illustration #2: Map of Virginia, South Carolina and

Georgia.)

According to various census records George Kennett (Senior) was born about 1762

and his wife who, according to family tradition, is a Miss Sparks, was born sometime

between 1760 and 1770. When the 1880 Federal census was taken, George Kennett

(Junior) stated that his father and mother were both born in Virginia.2

The earliest official record which names our George Kennett (Senior) is the 1784 tax

list of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. In this tax list George Kennett is listed as a white

tithable (taxable) male over the age of twenty-one with no slaves, horses, or cattle. George

is enumerated next to Jacob Norton, Nehemiah Norton, John Norton, and Thomas Norton.

Also living close by was a Thomas Sparks.3 The Nehemiah Norton family emigrated to

Spartanburg County, South Carolina, before the George Kennett family did. George would

later be a witness to a land purchase of Nehemiah Norton's in Spartanburg County. An

interesting side note about Nehemiah Norton is that he married a woman named Elizabeth

Kennett in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in 1765.4


The 1785 tax list of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, lists George Kennett (Senior) as

the owner of two horses and two cows. George is enumerated next to Nehemiah Norton,

Thomas Norton, and Jacob Norton. Thomas Sparks is also enumerated in the same

vicinity. The 1786 tax list of Pittsylvania County shows George "Kennet" with three horses

and three cows and living next to Thomas Norton, Nehemiah Norton, and Thomas Sparks.

Nehemiah Norton does not appear again in the Pittsylvania County, Virginia tax lists. The

ILLUSTRATION 2: Pittsylvania County, Virginia; Spartanburg County,

South Carolina; and Cherokee and Bartow Counties, Georgia.


1787 tax list of Pittsylvania County is organized alphabetically, which makes it difficult to

determine who was living next to whom. George "Kinnit" is taxed for two horses and four

cows in the 1787 tax list on the same day as John Norton, Elinor Sparks, and Josiah

Sparks. The 1788 tax list of Pittsylvania County is the last tax list for that county in which

George "Kenett" appears and again is taxed the same day as John Norton, Thomas

Sparks, Jr., Josiah Sparks, and Ellenor Sparks. (This indicates they were living in the

same vicinity.) George is taxed for two horses on March 28, 1788.5

After the Revolutionary War ended in 1786, settlers poured into the what is called

the piedmont up country of South Carolina, or the area at the base of the Appalachian

Mountains in South Carolina. George Kennett (Senior) and family moved to Spartanburg

County, South Carolina, sometime after March 28, 1788 when George last appeared in

Pittsylvania County, Virginia. George (Senior) and his family lived in Spartanburg County

for about sixty years.


OUR KENNET FAMILY ENDNOTES--THE VIRGINIA YEARS

1. A letter dated 18 March 1934, addressed to Mrs. Nannie Kennett Sheffield from Sarah Pauline Kennett of Cherokee County, Georgia. Sarah Pauline Kennett was the daughter of Joshua Kennett's brother, Adolphus. Letter in possession of Jill Shoemaker. 2. 1880 Census, Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, FHL Film # 1254139, Page 131 B, ED 20, Sheet 44, 21 June 1880. 3. Virginia, Commissioner of the Revenue (Pittsylvania County) Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1850, FHL Film # 1870197. 4. Marriage Licenses issued by Governors Ogle and Sharpe to All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, from the years 1738 to 1768 to the Rev. William Bragden, Rector. Originals in the Diocesan Library, Baltimore, Maryland. Copied July, 1904 by L. H. Kerrison, FHL Film # 13148. 5. Virginia, Commissioner of the Revenue.

OUR KENNET FAMILY ILLUSTRATIONS--THE VIRGINIA YEARS

ILLUSTRATION #1: Letter dated 18 March 1934, addressed to Mrs. Nannie Kennett Sheffield from Sarah Pauline Kennett of Cherokee County, Georgia. ILLUSTRATION #2: Business Control Atlas of the United States (Including Alaska and Hawaii) and Canada, (New York, N.Y.: American Map Company, Inc., 1974).

The South Carolina Years--Page 7

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

CHAPTER 2

THE SOUTH CAROLINA YEARS

The 1790 census is the earliest official record naming George Kennett (Senior) in

Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The 1790 census enumerates George "Kenit" with

three free white females. This would be George's wife and two daughters.1 The

assumption can be made that George and his wife, Miss Sparks, were married

approximately 1784 or 1785 (which would give them time to have two daughters by 1790)

probably in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, as that is where George is first found on the tax

lists.

The next record which names George "Kenit" (Senior), in Spartanburg County,

South Carolina, is a deed between Nehemiah Norton and William Reed, dated 6 May

1794. In this deed, Nehemiah Norton, who is now residing in neighboring Union County,

South Carolina, sold to William Reed of Spartanburg County 110 acres on Mill Creek. Mill

Creek was located both in Union and Spartanburg Counties. The witnesses to this deed

were John Hodge and George "Kenit". George "Kenit" signed an oath testifying to the

signing of the deed on 14 July 1798 and the deed was recorded 14 July 1798.2

No deed has yet been found showing George Kennett's (Senior) original land

purchase in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, nor has a land grant been located.

However, there is no doubt George Kennett, Sr. owned land in Spartanburg County as he

is named numerous times in various land transactions of other individuals. By studying

these transactions, a rough calculation can be made of George's location in Spartanburg

County. For example, a deed dated 19 October 1799 states John Gossett sold to John

Tolleson, both of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, 255 acres of land located on the

waters of the Pacolet River and Fair Forest Creek. Several individuals were named as

bordering on this 255 acres of land, including George "Kinnett". This deed was recorded

25 April 1800.3 Other deeds narrow the picture by adding details such as Harris Creek and

the Charleston Road. (See Illustration #1.) It is interesting to note in most of the

Spartanburg County deed transactions where George Kennett (Senior) is named as


bordering certain lands that the names of Gossett and Tolleson almost always appear. It

may be there was a family tie such as nephew, uncle, etc. or a marriage relationship

between the Kennett and Tolleson or Gossett families.

The 1800 census of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, lists George "Keentt" with his

wife, two daughters, (who were now in the ten-to-sixteen-year-old age bracket), and four sons

all under the age of ten. The names of three of George's (Senior) boys are known. They are

George Kennett (Junior), Zachariah Kennett, and Joshua Kennett.4

George Kennett's name is found in some court minutes of Spartanburg County. In the

minutes of the Court of General Sessions of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, dated 10

ILLUSTRATION 1: Early Spartanburg County, South Carolina, with

major rivers and creeks.


Nov 1806, "the Court ordered that the names of Twenty four persons should be drawn from

the division of the Jury Box numbered one (#1) to serve as Grand Jurors at the next Term and

the following persons were accordingly drawn. . . George Kennett." Some days later, "the

Court then ordered the panel of the Grand Jurors to be summoned to appear at this Court to

be called over and the following persons appeared, to wit. . . George Kennett."5 Illustration

number two is a sketch of the courthouse where George would have gone to fulfill his jury duty

obligations.

George Kennett (Senior) is again mentioned in a deed in Spartanburg County, South

Carolina, dated 2 May 1807, between John Tolleson and Major Gossett, both of Spartanburg

County. George is mentioned as having land bordering that of John Tolleson, George

McCarter, and the Charleston Road. This land was located on the waters of Fair Forest

Creek.6

The 1810 Census lists George "Kennet" (Senior) with his wife and two sons between

the ages of ten and sixteen and one son between the age of sixteen and twenty-six. George

(Senior) is listed as being over forty-five years of age, but his wife is in the twenty-six to forty-

five year old category.7 No daughters were left in the household and it is likely they had

ILLUSTRATION 2: Sketch of the Spartanburg County

Courthouse which was erected 1787.


married and were living in their own households. Since the state of South Carolina did not

keep marriage records in this time period, it is not known who the two daughters of George

Kennett (Senior) married. One son is also missing in this census and it is possible that he died

at a young age from an accident or disease common for that time period, as he does not

appear in the census as an older child or adult.

A deed dated 27 March 1817 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, between Major

Gossett and John Tolleson involved sixty-four acres on the south side of the Charleston Road

which bordered land belonging to Tolleson and "Kinnett".8

A deed found in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, dated 2 September 1818, was a

settlement for a suit between Muse Tolleson and Major Gossett. The one hundred acres

which were sold bordered Major John Tolleson, James McCarter, and George Kennett.9

For some reason the George Kennett, Senior, family could not be found in the 1820

census of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The 1820 census in possession of the

Federal government is a copy sent in by the Spartanburg County enumerator. It is possible

that in making the copy to send to the Federal government, the enumerator missed writing in

the name of George Kennett.

George Kennett, Senior, was mentioned in a deed of Spartanburg County, South

Carolina, dated 2 March 1824. The deed was issued by the sheriff of Spartanburg County and

was settling a dispute between John Cannon and Muse Tolleson. The land in question was on

the waters of Fair Forest Creek and bordered land of James McCarter, George "Kennet", and

the estate of John Tolleson, deceased. James Tolleson purchased the disputed land.10

A will of Richard Lamaster (Lemaster) dated 5 December 1824 and found in Will Book

B of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, appointed Richard Lemaster's "friends" as

executors of his will. Richard listed his friends as John Gossett, Esquire, William Reed,

Esquire, and Zachariah "Kinnett". Zachariah was a son of George Kennett (Senior).11 It is not

known exactly how Zachariah Kennett fits into the Lemaster family. One genealogist of the

Lemaster family speculates the wife of Richard Lemaster to be either Elizabeth Tolleson or

Elizabeth Kennett, a sister or aunt of Zachariah's.12 Or, it is also possible Zachariah was a

son-in-law of Richard Lemaster.

A deed dated 5 December 1825 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina documented

the sale of 72 acres on "Harris' Creek of Story's Creek, otherwise called Mill Creek of Fair


Forest Creek". This land bordered land belonging to James McCarter, George Kennett, David

R. Burns, and William Hardy. The deed was between Elijah and Sidney Gossett and William

Black.13

Two deeds, one dated 12 May 1826, and the other 2 February 1826 appeared next to

each other in Deed Book T of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Each deed involved 184

acres on the water of the Pacolet River and bordered land of Richard Kirby, Richard Lemaster,

George Kennett, and Joseph Tolleson. Each deed was the settlement of a separate suit, one

between Muse Bryant and John Tolleson, and one between Leonard Hill/John Clark and

Birdsong Tolleson.14

In the 1830 census of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, George Kennett is actually

called "senior". George Kennett, Senior, is between sixty and seventy and his wife is also

between sixty and seventy years of age. George Kennett, Junior, is listed as between thirty to

forty years of age with his wife, Mary Norton Kennett, between the age of twenty and thirty.

Living with George, Junior, and Mary are two sons, who would be Joshua and Nicholas.

Enumerated next door to George Kennett, Junior, in Spartanburg County is his brother,

Zachariah Kennett who is also between the age of thirty and forty, with a wife between twenty

ILLUSTRATION

3: George

Kennett (Junior)


and thirty, a son and daughter both under the age of five and an unknown female living with

the family between the age of fifteen and twenty.15 George (Junior) and Zachariah's brother,

Joshua, had moved to Gwinnett County, Georgia, where he stayed for several years before

settling in Newton County, Georgia.16

Only one deed has been found that involved George Kennett (Senior) directly as a

seller of some property. The following deed, dated 31 August 1835, describes this land on

Harris Creek in detail:

State of South Carolina: Know all men by these presents that I George Kennett of Spartanburgh District and State Aforesaid for and in consideration of Two hundred dollars to me in hand paid by John N. Murray of said state and district, have bargained, sold, and released and by these presents do bargain, sell, and release unto the said John N. Murray a certain tract of Land in Spartanburgh District on the Head Waters of Harris's Creek Bound North by Elizabeth Lamaster, south by said John N. Murray, East by Jerry Kirby and West Zechariah Kennett's land. Beginning on a stone in McCarters line and running N 31 E.29.80 to a stake then N 87 1/2 E.22.80 to a stake, then South 21.80 to a stake in the road then S 32 E along the road, 6.60 to a stake then S 52 W.10.50 to a Stake, then N 92 W.10.00 to an Old Chestnut, then S 35 W.6.86 to a stake then N 68 W.20.00 to the beginning containing 100 acres more or less together with all and singular the rights, hereditaments and appurtenances to the premises belonging or in anywise pertaining thereto, to have and to hold all and singular the premises conveyed herein, to the said John, his heirs and assigns forever, and I do hereby bind myself, my heirs and assigns to warrant and forever defend all and Singular the premises hereby conveyed, to the said John, his heirs and assigns and against all and any person or persons, claiming the whole or any part thereof witness my hand and seal this 31st day of August 1835. George {his x mark} Kennett, Senr. In presence of A.W.T. McBride and D.R. Burns. Recorded 28 March 1840.

This deed could have provided the first name of George's (Senior) wife, as it was customary

for the wife to release her right of dower, but in this case no dower release was recorded in the

deed book and her name was not given.17

In the 1840 census of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, George Kennett, Senior

and Junior, are living next door to each other. Zachariah Kennett is residing nearby. George

"Kinnett" (Senior) and his wife are listed as being between the age of eighty and ninety.

According to the previous census they should have been listed as being between seventy and

eighty. Although George Kennett (Junior) was listed in the 1830 census as being between

thirty and forty, he is listed the same age in this census with his wife, Mary Norton Kennett.

Mary was listed as ten years younger than George (Junior) in the 1830 census, but "caught


up" with him in the 1840 census, being listed in the same age category. These types of errors

are common in census enumerations. Living with George and Mary are their children; Joshua,

in the ten to fifteen age category; Nicholas, Nancy Elizabeth, and Minerva in the five to ten

category; and Ralph, Zachariah, and Louisa in the under five category. That's quite a

household of children! Also enumerated in the 1840 census of Spartanburg County was

George's (Senior) other son, Zachariah Kennett. Zachariah was in the forty to fifty age bracket

and his wife was in the thirty to forty age bracket. Zachariah also had several children, two

boys under five, one boy and one girl in the five to ten age bracket, and one boy and two girls

in the ten to fifteen age bracket.17

No written record can be found naming the Kennett family of Spartanburg County for

the ten year period between 1840 and 1850. The Kennett family is next found in the 1850

Census of Spartanburg County. South Carolina. They were enumerated on 18 Oct 1850. This

particular enumerator was a very creative speller. George Kennett (Junior) and his family were

spelled "Cunnet" as follows:

G. Cunnet 52 M Farm SC $200 Real Prop. Mary 46 F SC Joshua 22 M Farm SC Nicholas 19 M Farm SC Minerva 18 F SC Ralph 16 M Farm SC Louisa 14 F SC Zachariah 12 M SC Martha 10 F SC Adolphus 7 M SC John 5 M SC Mary 4 F SC Jane 2 F SC

Living right next door to George (Junior) and Mary was their married daughter, Nancy, who had

married John Puckett Kennett. It is believed that John Puckett Kennett was Nancy Elizabeth's

first cousin, the oldest son of Joshua Kennett of Gwinnett and Newton Counties, Georgia.

John P. Cannet 25 M Farm SC Nancy 21 F SC

Living right next door to John and Nancy Kennett was George Kennett (Senior) as follows:

G. Kennet 88 M Farm SC


Orphey 10 F SC

George's age was given as eighty-eight years old, which gives him a birth date of 1762. Here

he was listed, as was everyone on this particular census page, as having been born in South

Carolina. But future census records do not agree with this information. Zachariah Kennett

was listed under the name of "Bennett". Zachariah's wife was Mary. Their children were listed

as Absolom, Missouri, Ophy, Addison, Sarah, Zachariah, George, Louisa, and Columbus. It is

possible the Orphey Kennett enumerated with George Kennett (Senior) is the same as "Ophy"

Kennett listed as Zachariah's daughter, although their was a ten year age difference between

the two girls.19

It is not known exactly when George Kennett (Senior) died, but he was not found in the

1860 census and since he was of such an advanced age in the 1850 census, it is assumed he

died between 1850 and 1860. Mrs. George Kennett (Senior) must have died sometime

between 1840 and 1850.


OUR KENNETT FAMILY ENDNOTES--THE SOUTH CAROLINA YEARS

1. 1790 Census, Ninety-Six District, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, page 87. 2. Albert Bruce Pruitt, Spartanburg County/District South Carolina: Deed Abstracts Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827), page 158 (Deed Book F, p. 207-209), (Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1988). FHL 975.7 R28p 3. Pruitt, page 158 (Deed Book F, p. 452-453). 4. 1800 Federal Census, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, page 172. FHL Film # 181425 5. Old Spartanburg District Genealogy, Volume 1, No. 1, page 17, and Volume 1. No. 3, page 103. FHL 975.729 B2o 6. Pruitt, page 347 (Deed Book L, pages 60-61). 7. 1810 Federal Census, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, pages 200-201 B. Film # 181420. 8. Pruitt, page 610 (Deed Book Q, page 400-401). 9. Pruitt, page 591 (Deed Book Q, pages 202-204). 10. Pruitt, page 714 (Deed Book S, pages 335-336). 11. Brent H. Holcomb, Spartanburg County South Carolina Will Abstracts 1787-1840, page 133 (Will Book B, page 65-66). FHL 975.729 P2h. 12. Old Spartanburg District Genealogy, Volume II, No. 3, page 94. FHL 975.729 B20 13. Pruitt, page 759 (Deed Book T, pages 197-198). 14. Pruitt, page 763 (Deed Book T, pages 226-228). 15. 1830 Federal Census, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Film #22505. 16. Joshua Kennett is found in the 1830, 1840, and 1850 censuses of Gwinnett County, Georgia and the 1870 census of Newton County, Georgia. Joshua Kennett died in Newton County, Georgia, 2 January 1872. Joshua's wife was Frances, and their children were: John Puckett Kennett, Margaret Kennett Arnold, Nancy Elizabeth Kennett, Hannah F. Kennett, Isaac N. Kennett, Joshua Daniel Kennett, Minerva M. Kennett, Stephen Valentine Kennett, George M. Kennett, and Zachariah D. Kennett. 17. Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Deed Book X, page 227, FHL Film # 1022824.


18. 1840 Federal Census, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Film # 22511. 19. 1850 Census, Spartanburg Co. South Carolina, 18 Oct 1850, page 218 B, Film # 444821.

OUR KENNETT FAMILY ILLUSTRATIONS--THE SOUTH CAROLINA YEARS

ILLUSTRATION #1: Albert Bruce Pruitt, Spartanburg County/District South Carolina: Deed Abstracts Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827), page 158 (Deed Book F, p. 207-209), (Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1988). FHL 975.7 R28p ILLUSTRATION #2: J.B.O. Landrum, History of Spartanburg County, (Atlanta, Georgia: The Franklin Prtg. and Pub. Co., 1900), FHL 975.729 H2l 1960. ILLUSTRATION #3: Copies of the original picture of George Kennett (Junior) are in the possession of many of his descendants. It is not known if the original picture still exists and in whose possession it is.

The Move To Cherokee County--Page 17

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

CHAPTER 3

THE MOVE TO CHEROKEE COUNTY

It is not known why George (Junior) and his family decided to relocate from

Spartanburg County, South Carolina, to Cherokee County, Georgia. There was a general

migration route at this time from up country South Carolina to various counties in the

vicinity of Cherokee County, Georgia, and the Kennett family was not alone in making this

move. But it is not known if our Kennett family traveled to Cherokee County with other

South Carolina neighbors, friends, or family, and exactly what drew them to Cherokee

County, Georgia. Nevertheless, Cherokee County was a good choice. The Etowah River

ran through the center of Cherokee County supplying ample water and water power.

Cherokee County also had a rich supply of minerals and timber and a productive soil.1

The exact date of the Kennett family migration from Spartanburg County, South

Carolina, to Cherokee County, Georgia, is not known, but several suggestions appear in

Confederate pension records. In a pension record of 1897, George's (Junior) son, Joshua

Kennett stated he had been a resident of Cherokee County, Georgia, for forty years,

putting the move in 1857. However, in Joshua's 1901 pension application (made when

Joshua was seventy-six years old) he stated he had been a resident of Cherokee County

since 1850. Joshua's brother, Adolphus, stated in a pension application dated 1889 he

(Adolphus) had been a resident of Cherokee County, Georgia ever since 24 December

1853.2 Since this last date was given in an earlier time period by a younger man, it

probably carries the most weight.

Whenever the move, Sarah Kennett, a daughter of Adolphus Kennett and

granddaughter of George (Junior) stated in a letter addressed to her cousin, Nannie

Kennett Sheffield: "I remember my father telling about them moving from Spartanburg,

South Carolina, in covered wagons and how long it took them to come. They settled a mile

from Canton."3 Of course the exact route the Kennett family took to reach Canton,


Cherokee County, Georgia, is not known, but the distance traveled was probably

somewhat less than 200 miles.

Canton, which was incorporated in 1833, was a small backwoods village for many

years. Its first industry was the silk industry. Buildings were made of logs or rude hand-

dressed lumber. The streets were dirt. The main street consisted of a post office and one

or two general stores. Residents from other settlements in the county went to Canton once

a week to get their mail, paying twenty-five cents for a single letter. A school was

ILLUSTRATION 1: Land and Militia Districts of Cherokee County, Georgia.

Dotted lines and large numbers show land districts (all in Section 2) of the

present Cherokee County. Solid lines represent the boundaries of the militia

districts named and numbered. George Kennett (Junior) lived in Military

District #1028 (Fair Play District) of Land District #21.


established in Canton as early as 1833. After 1838, Canton became more civilized due to

various industries developing in various parts of the county, such as grist, flour, and saw

mills, carding and spinning factories, and mining.4

The George Kennett family had been in Cherokee County, Georgia, long enough for

their son, Nicholas Kennett to have met and married Cassa Ann Brannon by 15 October

1857. George and Mary's daughter, Louisa Kennett, was next to marry on 14 October

1858. Louisa was married to James W. McCollum by J.H. Wood in Cherokee County,

Georgia. A month later, Ralph Kennett and Louisa Reinhardt were married 16 November

1858, also in Cherokee County.5

The 1860 census of Cherokee County, Georgia, listed the George and Mary Kennett

family as follows:

George Kinnett 63 SC Laborer $400 PP Mary 50 SC Zachariah 19 SC Laborer Minerva 21 SC Martha 16 SC Adolphus 14 SC John 12 SC

In the 1850 census George had $200 worth of real estate, but here in the 1860 census he

has no real estate, but $400 worth of personal property, perhaps because of a settlement

of his father's estate in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.6 George Kennett's (Junior)

two youngest daughters, Mary and Jane, do not appear in the 1860 census and it is

assumed they died young, either in Spartanburg County, on the road to Georgia, or in

Cherokee County, Georgia. Also listed in the 1860 census of Cherokee County are

George and Mary's married children as follows:

Ralph Kinnett 24 SC Laborer $165 PP Louisa 23 GA Jackson 1 GA

J.P. Kinnett 38 SC Farmer RE $300 PP $150 Mary 33 SC Martha 3 GA Nancy 1 GA


Nicholas Kinnett 28 SC Blacksmith RE $200 PP $ 50 Cassey A. 21 SC George A. 2 GA Andrew B. 1 GA

George and Mary's married daughter, Louisa Kennett McCollum, and son, Joshua

Kennett, could not be found in the 1860 census. It seems odd that the oldest son, Joshua

had not yet married, but that was to happen in the fall of 1860. Reva Killian explains how

Joshua and Nancy Josephine met:

When [Nancy Josephine Lockridge] was 16, young, handsome Joshua Kinnett came to Cartersville. He drove a beautiful team of horses and had a fine buggy. Because he had seen a lot of the world and had many worldly experiences, he was the "catch" of the town. Even though he was twenty years older than pretty and popular Jo Lockridge, it was natural that she should be attracted to him. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married November 22, 1860. [Nancy] was a handsome and strong willed woman and her husband adored her.

7

Heber James Sheffield, Jr. explained Nancy Josephine Lockridge, daughter

of James Lockridge and Nancy Agnes Tumlin, "was finally wooed and won by an

honest, honorable, well-respected young man, a miller by trade.8

Now just what

Joshua was doing over in Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia, when all the

Kennett family was living in Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, remains a mystery.

But there must have been something very appealing about thirty-six year old

Joshua Kennett to attract Nancy Josephine Lockridge, who would not turn sixteen

until December of 1860, after their marriage. Joshua and Nancy were married in

Bartow County, Georgia, 22 November 1860.9


ILLUSTRATION 2: Marriage License of Joshua Kennett and Nancy

Josephine Lochridge, Bartow County, Georgia.


OUR KENNETT FAMILY ENDNOTES--THE MOVE TO CHEROKEE COUNTY

1. Lloyd G. Marlin, The History of Cherokee County, (Atlanta, Georgia: Walter W. Brown Publishing Co., 1932), page 102. 2. Confederate Pension Records of Cherokee County, Georgia, Adolphus Kennett and Joshua Kennett. FHL Film # 3

15772.

3. Sarah Kennett's letter. (See Chapter 1.) 4. Marlin, pages 103-107. 5. Cherokee County, Georgia, Marriage Records, pages 108, 153, and 154. FHL Film # 325922. 6. 1860 Federal Census, Canton District, Canton Post Office, Cherokee County, Georgia, pages 667, 670, 830, and 833. FHL Film # 803116. 7. Reva Killian. 8. Heber James Sheffield, Jr. 9. Bartow County, Georgia, Marriage Licenses, Book E., page 221, FHL Film # 283520.

OUR KENNETT FAMILY ILLUSTRATIONS--THE MOVE TO CHEROKEE COUNTY

ILLUSTRATION #1: Lloyd G. Marlin, The History of Cherokee County, (Atlanta, Georgia: Walter W. Brown Publishing Co., 1932), FHL 975.8253 H2m. ILLUSTRATION #2: Bartow County, Georgia, Marriage Licenses, Book E, page 221, FHL Film # 283520.

Cherokee County and the Civil War—Page 23

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

CHAPTER 4

CHEROKEE COUNTY AND THE CIVIL WAR

Before Joshua and Nancy Josephine had their first child, a daughter they named

Ada Cordelia, on 5 December 1861, the Civil War had begun.1 Joshua did not participate

in the war until it was almost half over. Of Joshua's five brothers, four would join the

Confederate Army to fight for the Southern cause. Over 1800 men joined the Confederate

Army from Cherokee County, which was more then an eighth of its population at the time.2

George and Mary's son, Zachariah, at the age of twenty, was the first to join.

Zachariah became a member of Company F, 2nd Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry,

Army Northern Virginia, Confederate States Army, in Cherokee County, Georgia, as a

private on 23 May 1861. This company was also known as the "Cherokee Brown

Riflemen". Zachariah died in the hospital in 1861, whether from disease or wounds is not

known.3

George and Mary's sons, Adolphus, Nicholas, Ralph, and Joshua joined Company B

of the 34th Regiment, Army of Tennessee, Confederate States Army. The 34th Infantry

Regiment was sent to Tennessee, then Mississippi. The 34th fought in the battle of

Champion's Hill during the siege of Vicksburg and was captured at Vicksburg on 4 July

1863. After the 34th was exchanged and reorganized, it was placed under General

Cummings. The 34th fought in many battles, including Chattanooga and Nashville, and

ended the war at Greensboro, North Carolina.4

Adolphus L. Kennett and Nicholas N. Kennett joined Company B, 34th Regiment on

12 May 1862 at Big Shanty, Georgia, as privates. Nicholas was captured at Vicksburg,

Mississippi, 4 July 1863. All the Confederate soldiers captured at Vicksburg that day were

paroled on 8 July 1863. They were provided with supplies and expected to go home and

stop fighting until they were exchanged. After being exchanged and returning to the war,

Nicholas died at a hospital in Concert Hall, Georgia, after 15 November 1864, whether from

wounds or disease is not known.5


Adolphus, as a part of Cummings' Brigade, was wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw

Mountain, Georgia, 22 or 27 June 1864. Adolphus applied for a pension for his service in

the Civil War and in the application stated he had received "a gunshot wound in the left

elbow joint, shivering the bone, stiffening joint and causing it to perish or shrink thereby

rendering it useless." Adolphus received a pension for the years of 1889 through 1907.

Adolphus died in 1911 and his widow, Sarah E. McClure Kennett, continued to receive a

pension until her death in 1929.6

ILLUSTRATION #1: Sketch of the Battle of Kennesaw

Mountain where Adolphus L. Kennett was injured.


ILLUSTRATION #2: Nicholas N. and Ralph L. Kennett signed their parole

papers 8 July 1863 after being captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on 4 July

1863.


Ralph L. Kennett joined Company B, 34th Regiment, the day after Adolphus and

Nicholas on 13 May 1862. Ralph began his service as a private, but was promoted to First

Corporal before he was captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi, 4 July 1863, along with

Nicholas. It is assumed Ralph joined his original Company after being exchanged and

continued fighting alongside his brothers, Adolphus, Nicholas, and Joshua.7

No official service record could be found naming the unit Joshua Kennett joined

during the Civil War, but according to his pension application he, too, was a member of

Company B, 34th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennessee, Confederate

States Army. Joshua enlisted at Dalton, Cherokee County, Georgia, in the fall of 1863.

Whether Joshua joined the army before or after his second child, a boy named James

Joshua Kennett, was born 9 November 1863, is unclear. Joshua stayed with the regiment

until the surrender of the Confederate Army in the spring of 1865 when he was discharged

from service near Greensboro, North Carolina.8 Joshua may never have seen his son,

James Joshua, as James died 9 August 1864.

While Joshua was gone to fight against the United States of America, his wife,

Nancy Josephine, was left at home with the two babies. Some of the battles fought in

Georgia during the Civil War were not many miles from Cartersville, Bartow County, or

Canton, Cherokee County. In fact, Canton was burned by Sherman's Army in May of

1864. About half the town was destroyed with at least twenty-five buildings left standing.9

Cartersville was almost completely demolished by fire set by the Federal soldiers in 1864.10

What an effect the Civil War had on the George Kennett and Joshua Kennett families!

Reva Killian explains the role Nancy Josephine Lockridge Kennett played during the

war:

[Nancy Jo] told us that during this time they had difficulty keeping their meager supply of food hidden. The best place she found was to put her home cured hams and bacon under the blankets that her babies lay on. The soldiers would play with and fondle the babies but not find the food as they 'marched through Georgia'.

11

Heber J. Sheffield, Jr. has this to say about Nancy Josephine's experiences:

She passed through many hardships and heart-rendering experiences during the course of the war, and carried scars to her grave that were brought upon her by hard work and through boils which came upon her through improper


food. The cradle which rocked her daughter Ada also secreted hams which would have been confiscated by the Northern soldiers had they known their whereabouts.

12

Ernest C. Owen has this humanitarian note to add:

Only those that have taken part in conflicts of this kind can realize the heartaches of war, especially when it is at one's very door. Mother, home with only the baby, overloaded with cares of life, besides the worry of her husband's safety, and wondering if he would be home when she would soon be a mother again. Father, in the battle field worrying about the safety of his companion and offspring for fear that the enemy might come destroying and pilfering.

13

ILLUSTRATION #3: Nancy Josephine Lochridge Kennett


With the Civil War over at last, it was necessary for our Kennett family to put the

grief behind for the deaths of young Zachariah and Nicholas and the sorrow for the

maiming of Adolphus's left arm, and to look forward to reconstructing, to rebuilding, to

putting lives back together, to finding normal patterns again in a shattered world.


ILLUSTRATION #3:Map showing battles of the Civil War. Some of the battles

in Georgia (Cassville, Allatoona, Kennesaw, Marietta, and Atlanta) were not

far from Canton, Cherokee County, and Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia.


OUR KENNETT FAMILY

ENDNOTES--CHEROKEE COUNTY AND THE CIVIL WAR 1. Family Group Record in possession of Jill Shoemaker. 2. Marlin, page 66. 3. Lillian Henderson, Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865, page 408. 4. Joseph H. Crute, Jr., Units of the Confederate States Army, (Midlothian, Virginia: Derwent Books, 1987), page 105. 5. Confederate Service Records, FHL Film # 1499476. 6. Confederate Pension Records of Cherokee County, Georgia, Adolphus Kennett, FHL Film # 315772. 7. Confederate Service Records, FHL Film # 1499476. 8. Confederate Pensions Records of Cherokee County, Georgia, Joshua Kennett, FHL Film # 315772. 9. Marlin, page 77-78. 10. Lucy J. Cunyus, The History of Bartow County, Formerly Cass, (Bartow County, Georgia: Tribune Publishing Co., Inc., 1933) page 24. FHL 975.8365 H2c 11. Reva Killian. 12. Heber James Sheffield, Jr. 13. Ernest C. Owen


OUR KENNETT FAMILY ILLUSTRATIONS--CHEROKEE COUNTY AND THE CIVIL WAR

ILLUSTRATION #1: The Century War Book, The Famous History of the Civil War by the People Who Actually Fought It, (New York: Arno Press, 1978). ILLUSTRATION #2: Confederate Service Records, FHL Film #1499476. ILLUSTRATION #3: This original picture of Nancy Josephine Lockridge Kennett is in the possession of Tom and Janet Dawson. ILLUSTRATION #4: The Century War Book, The Famous History of the Civil War by the People Who Actually Fought It, (New York: Arno Press, 1978).

BIRTH, TAXES, DEATHS--Page 33

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

CHAPTER 5

BIRTHS, TAXES, DEATHS

After the Civil War, our Kennett family, with the rest of the South, tried to return to

normal living. Joshua and Nancy Josephine had their third child, Mary Agnes Kennett, 29

July 1866 in Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia.1 On 28 Nov 1867, George and Mary

Kennett's daughter, Minerva married Logan Field in Cherokee County, Georgia.2 On 6

August 1868 Joshua and Nancy Josephine had another son, William Samuel Kennett, who

would only live for two years.3

The 1870 Census of Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, lists the members of the

George and Mary Norton Kennett family as follows:4

Kinnett, Ralph L. 35 SC Farmer $200 $100

Frances L. 34 GA Jackson F. 10 GA Farm Laborer Hilliard A. 9 GA John P. 7 GA Braxton K. 4 GA Allis 2 GA

Kinnett, Hesse Ann 31 SC Keeping House George A. 11 GA Farm Laborer Andrew 9 GA Mary 8 GA

(Fair Play District, Cherokee Mills Post Office)

Kinnett, George 73 SC Farmer $200 $150 Mary 60 SC Keeping House Dolphus L. 24 SC Farm Labor John 22 SC Farm Labor Martha 26 SC

Hawks, William 14 GA Farm Labor Kinnett, John P. 45 SC Farmer $400 $400

Nancy E. 40 SC Keeping House Minerva E. 13 GA At Home Martha Q. 10 GA


Georgia A.H. 6 GA Ida M. 5 GA Laura P. 2 GA

McCollum, James W. 28 GA Farm Labor $250

Louisa 27 GA Keeping House

Field, Logan 34 SC Farmer $400 $250 Minerva 34 SC Keeping House Mary L. 8 GA Charles H. 1 GA Mattie E. 2/12 GA

Hesse Ann (Cassa Ann) was the widow of Nicholas Kennett, and of course, Zachariah was

not enumerated because he had died during of the Civil War. Joshua Kennett was living in

Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia, in 1870 as follows:5

Kinnett, Joshua 44 SC Miller $100 Nancy J. 26 GA House Keeping Ada 9 GA Mary 5 GA William S. 2 GA

George and Mary Kennett's son, Adolphus S., married Sarah E. McClure 28

December 1871. They were married by P.H. Brewster, Minister of the Gospel, in Cherokee

County, Georgia. Elias F. White married George and Mary's daughter, Martha M. Kinnett,

10 October 1875. They were also married by P.H. Brewster, Minister of the Gospel, in

Cherokee County, Georgia. George and Mary's son, John V. Kinnett was married the

same day as his sister, Martha, 10 October 1875 to M. Aveline Wheeler. They were

married by W.G. Hanson, Minister of the Gospel, in Cherokee County, Georgia.6

Few tax records exist for Cherokee County, Georgia. However, the 1871 tax digest

for Cherokee County listed Ralph, Adolphus, John V., and George Kennett. George is

taxed for forty acres of land in Section 2, District 21, Number 46, with a value of $200. All

other property had a value of $150, making a total of $350. It was also mentioned that

George was a guardian for a child between the ages of six and eighteen. This would be

William Hawks who appeared in the 1870 census with the George Kennett family. It is not

known why George was made William's guardian or whether there was a family connection


between George and William. No land records could be found showing the purchase of

the forty acres for which George was taxed. He probably received it through a land lottery,

which was a method the state of Georgia used to sell land to qualified participants.7

Joshua and Nancy Josephine had their last son, Lewis Tumlin Kennett on 30 June

1871. Lewis would live about 2 1/2 years.8 This same year, the tax digests of Bartow

County, Georgia, listed Joshua "Kinnett" living in Cartersville and being charged with $1

poll tax. He was not taxed for any property. The 1872 tax digests again showed Joshua

charged with $1 poll tax and no property, but also mentioned he had a child between the

ages of six and eighteen (Ada). The 1874 tax digest showed Joshua being taxed for one

poll, with two children between six and eighteen (Ada and Mary Agnes), with $35 worth of

household furniture, $40 worth of all other personal property, with a total of $75 worth of

ILLUSTRATION #1: Map showing Cartersville, Bartow County;

Canton, Cherokee County; and surrounding cities and counties.


possessions. For some reason the 1875 tax digest of Bartow County showed Joshua with

only one child between six and eighteen when both Ada and Mary Agnes would have fit in

this category. Joshua was in much better financial position in 1875 with a total value of

$200 worth of personal property. The 1876 tax digest again showed Joshua with $200

worth of personal property broken down in the categories of $35 for household furniture,

$125 for livestock, $10 for tools, and $30 for other property.9

Joshua and Nancy Josephine's daughter, Josephine (called Josie May) was born 15

January 1876 in Cartersville.10 It was about this time period when missionaries from the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were proselyting in the area. Nancy was very

interested in what they had to say, but whether Joshua ever cared to hear what the LDS

missionaries had to say is not known. Nancy Josephine Lockridge Kennett was baptized in

Polk County, Georgia, October 3, 1877 by A.R. Smith and confirmed by H.C. Rich.11 At the

time of her baptism, Nancy Josephine was about eight months pregnant with her last

daughter, Nancy Carlile (called Nanny Lyle), who was born 29 October 1877.12

According to Reva Killian, Joshua Kennett "adored" his wife, Nancy Josephine, and

Joshua and Nancy "were loving and strict parents with their beautiful daughters". Reva

Killian goes on to say:

[Nannie Lyle Kinnett] was her father's pet and she told me many times how he catered to her wishes and it was her delight to get in his bed with him for a little while before she went to her own bed. Her parents were religious and encouraged their children to join a church.

13

The 1877 tax digest of Bartow County, Georgia, showed Joshua again living in

Cartersville. This is the first time Joshua is listed as having land, forty acres in number

219, district 4, section 3, worth $100. Joshua also had $50 worth of household furniture

giving him a total value in 1877 of $150. No land records could be found showing Joshua

purchasing land and it may be that he was trying to buy land on time, and was never able

to finish the transaction, so it was never recorded in the deed books. Perhaps he was

leasing or renting the land. The 1878 tax digest did not list Joshua with any land, only $50

worth of household furniture and $15 worth of livestock. The 1879 tax digest again listed

Joshua with 40 acres of land, number 219, district 4, section 3, worth $150. Joshua also


had household furniture valued at $25, stock valued at $100, and tools valued at $5, giving

him a total value of $280.14

Meanwhile, the 1880 Census of Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, dated 21 June

1880, was the last census listing George and Mary Norton Kennett. George and Mary

were living with their son, Adolphus, and other grown and married children were living

nearby as follows:

Kinneth, Adolph L. 35 Farmer SC SC SC Sarah E. 30 Keep House GA SC SC Mary E. 7 GA SC GA Alma (F) 4 GA SC GA Charles 0 GA SC GA George 80 At Home SC VA VA

ILLUSTRATION #2: Nannie Lyle Kennett Sheffield

with son, Kenneth Heber Sheffield, about 1903.


Mary 76 At Home SC NC NC Hawks, William 23 Laborer GA GA GA

Kinnett, John V. 34 Farmer SC SC SC Aveline 27 Keep House GA GA GA Dara 3 GA SC GA Amos 6/12 GA SC GA

White, Elias 38 Farmer SC SC SC

Martha 28 Keep House SC SC SC George 15 Farm Lab. IN SC GA Sarah 13 Farm Lab. GA SC GA Pinkney 12 Farm Lab. GA SC GA

Kinnett, Nancy E. 52 Keep House SC SC SC Minerva 23 At Home SC SC SC Georgia 16 At Home GA SC SC Ida 14 At Home GA SC SC Laura 12 At Home GA SC SC John 8 GA SC SC Andrew 20 (Nephew) GA SC SC

It is important to note that in this census, besides each individual's place of birth being

listed, the parent's place of birth is also listed. George stated his father and mother's place

of birth to be Virginia and Mary stated her father and mother's place of birth to be North

Carolina. Note that William Hawks was still living with the Kennett family15

George and Mary Kennett were religious people. Lucille Brock, a great, great

granddaughter of George and Mary Norton Kennett, went on a trip to Canton, Cherokee

County, Georgia, in 1972 and was able to talk to Sarah Pauline Kennett, daughter of

Adolphus and granddaughter of George and Mary. Lucille explains:

Sarah has a chair and secretary which belonged to her Great Grandfather (my Great, Great Grandfather) George Kennett. The chair has his initials carved in it. He (George Kennett) carried it to Shilo Methodist Camp each week.

16


In the 1880 census Joshua Kennett was again living in neighboring Cartersville,

Bartow County, Georgia, rather than in Cherokee County where Joshua Kennett's parents

resided. Joshua's family was enumerated as follows:17

Kinnett, Joshua 55 Head SC VA NC Farmer Kinnett, Nancy J. 35 Wife GA SC GA Keeps House Kinnett, Mollie 13 Daug GA SC GA At home Kinnett, Josephine 6 Daug GA SC GA Kinnett, Nannie 3 Daug GA SC GA

Ada Cordelia had married Melvel Turner Owen 5 May 1880 and they were living in their

own household at the time the census was taken.18

ILLUSTRATION #3: Joshua and Nancy Josephine

Kennett’s oldest daughter, Ada Cordelia Kennett Owen.


The 1880 tax digest of Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia listed Joshua "Kinnett"

with the same forty acres of land as in 1879 which was worth $150, household furniture

worth $15, stock worth $96 and tools worth $10, for a total of $271. This was the last year

Joshua would be listed with any land. During this time period Joshua and Nancy

Josephine's marriage was struggling. Nancy Josephine was a strong willed woman. There

was contention over her being a member of the LDS Church. Perhaps the large age

difference of twenty-one years between Joshua and Nancy Josephine was a factor, also.

The problems in their marriage became bad enough by August of 1881 that Nancy

Josephine left Joshua.19 This apparently affected Joshua's financial status because the

1881 tax digest showed Joshua "Kennette" with $30 worth of household furniture, $5 worth

ILLUSTRATION #3: Mary Agnes (Monnie) Kennett

Owen, second oldest daughter of Joshua and

Nancy Josephine Kennett.


of stock, and $10 worth of tools, for a total of $45 personal property. The 1882 and 1883

tax digests showed Joshua with no real or personal property of any kind.20 1883 is the last

time that Joshua appeared in the Cartersville, Bartow County, tax digests.

About the same time Joshua was having marital problems, his mother, Mary Norton

Kennett, passed away. In 1972, Lucille Brock was able to find the burial spot of George

and Mary Kennett. Lucille found the graves of George and Mary and other Kennett

headstones at the Shilo Methodist Church and Cemetery. The headstones inscriptions

read as follows:21

George Kennett Mary Kennett Died March 1887 Died May 1883 Age 99 years Age 84 years

The inscription on Mary's headstone said she died at eighty-four years of age in

1883 which would give her a birth year of 1799. The 1880 census gave Mary an

approximate birth year of 1804; the 1870 census gave an approximate birth year of 1810;

the 1860 census gave a birth year of 1810; and the 1850 census, a birth year of 1804.

This gives a total discrepancy of eleven years, from 1799 to 1810! George's birth year is

just as confusing. From his headstone, George would have been born in 1788. The 1880

census gave George a birth year of 1800; the 1870 census, a birth year of 1797; the 1860

census, a birth year of 1797; and the 1850 census, a birth year of 1798. The census

records are most consistent with only a three year difference, but the widest difference

between the headstone and census records is twelve years. It is unlikely George was born

before 1790 as his father, George Kennett (Senior) did not have any male children living

with him until the 1800 census.

Lucille explained about the rest of the cemetery:

There are several stones within the family area that are what we call field stones; being just flat stones or rocks taken from the field and stood up end wise with no inscription of any kind written on them but indication that someone of the family is buried there. This cemetery is located in Canton, Georgia (Cherokee County) but at one time may have been known as "Shilo" Town.

22

No obituary has been found for Mary Norton Kennett, but the 11 March 1887 issue

of the Cherokee Advance gave the following notice about George Kennett:


Old Father Kinnett died at the residence of his son, A.L. Kinnett, last Sunday. His remains were interred at Shiloh. He was a Christian Methodist, and one of Cherokee's oldest citizens, being at the time of his death near 100 years of age. He leaves several children and a host of relatives and friends to lament his death.

23

The name of George's children are all accounted for, but it would be fascinating to

learn the names of the "host of relatives" mentioned in the obituary. The phrase indicates

brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws of all types who

may have been living in the area. Hopefully, future research will find the names of these

relatives.


OUR KENNETT FAMILY ENDNOTES--BIRTHS, TAXES, DEATHS

1. Family Group Record. 2. Southern Historical Association, Memoirs of Georgia, volume 1. FHL 975.8 H2m. 3. Family Group Record. 4. 1870 Federal Census, Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia. FHL Film # 325943. 5. 1870 Federal Census, The Fourth District, Subdivision No. 5, Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia, page 360 B. FHL Film # 545634. 6. Cherokee County, Georgia, Marriage Records. FHL Film # 325923. 7. 1871 Tax Digest, Cherokee County, Georgia. FHL Film # 159196. 8. Family Group Record. 9. Bartow County, George, Tax Digests. FHL Films # 159075 and #159076. 10. Family Group Record. 11. Lucille Brock researched the LDS records. 12. Family Group Record. 13. Reva Killian. 14. Bartow County, Georgia, Tax Digests. FHL Film #159076. 15. 1880 Federal Census, Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, ED 20, Sheet 44, page 131 B. FHL Film #1254139. 16. Lucille Brock, concerning 1972 trip to Canton, Georgia. 17. 1880 Federal Census, Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia, ED 2, page 406 B. FHL Film # 1254133. 18. Bartow County, Georgia, Marriage Records. FHL Film # 325923. 19. Lucille Brock did research on the divorce of Joshua and Nancy Josephine. 20. Bartow County, Georgia, Tax Digests. FHL Film # 159077.


21. Lucille Brock, concerning 1972 trip to Canton, Georgia. 22. Lucille Brock, 1972 trip. 23. A copy of the 1887 obituary found in the Cherokee Advance of George Kennett is in possession of Jill Shoemaker.

OUR KENNETT FAMILY ILLUSTRATIONS--BIRTHS, TAXES, DEATHS

ILLUSTRATION #1: Rand McNally, Road Atlas: United States , Canada, Mexico, 1991, (Boston, Chicago, Costa Mesa, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco: Rand McNally & Company, 1991) page 23. ILLUSTRATION #2: This picture of Nannie Lyle Kennett is in the possession of Joyce Kunz. ILLUSTRATION #3: A copy of this picture of Ada Cordelia Kennett Owen is in possession of Jill Shoemaker. ILLUSTRATION #4: This picture of Mary Agnes Kennett is in the possession of Tom and Janet Dawson.

Divorce, Old Age, and a Pension--45

OUR KENNETT FAMILY

CHAPTER 6

DIVORCE, OLD AGE, AND A PENSION

There was no reconciliation between Joshua Kennett and his wife of twenty-five

years, Nancy Josephine Lockridge Kennett. Joshua filed for divorce from Nancy Josephine

in Bartow County, Georgia, on October 20, 1884.1 The 28 July 1885 minutes of the

Superior Court of Bartow County, Georgia, listed the following entry:

Joshua Kinnett vs. Nancy J. Kinnett: Libel for Divorce No. 10, Jany Term 1885: We the Jury find that sufficient evidence has been produced to authorize a total divorce. July 28, 1885. H. T. Culpeper, Foreman.

ILLUSTRATION #1: Minutes of the Superior Court of Bartow County, Georgia,

showing the divorce of Joshua and Nancy Josephine Kennett.


Another entry in the Superior Court minute books of Bartow County, dated 18 and

21 January 1886 gave more detail:

Joshua Kinnette vs. Nancy J. Kinnette: Libel for Divorce No. 10, Jany Term 1885: We the jury find that sufficient evidence has been [blank space] to authorize a total Divorce. That is to say a vincula matrimonii, that the parties be allowed to contract marriage. And we further find that defendants disability to contract marriage be removed. Jany 18, 1886. J. K. Rowan, Foreman, & others. Whereupon it is ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court that the said Joshua Kinnette be and he is totally divorced from his said wife Nancy J. Kinnette. And it is further ordered and decreed that said Nancy J. Kinnette be & is hereby allowed to contract marriage. Done in open court Jany 21st 1886. A.W. Fite Plff atty.

What evidence was presented to the jury is unknown. The whole proceeding was

probably painful and uncomfortable for both Joshua and Nancy Josephine.2

It is not known what Joshua and Nancy Josephine did after the divorce as far as

residence was concerned. Did they live with their adult siblings or alone? Did Nancy

Josephine live with her married daughter, Ada? How did the four girls, Ada Cordelia, Mary

Agnes, Josephine, and Nannie Lyle, feel about the divorce? Joshua and Nancy

ILLUSTRATION #2: Marriage License of Joshua Kennett and

Mrs. Elizabeth M. Byrd.


Josephine's daughter, Mary Agnes (who was called Monnie) was married to John Chappell

Owen, Jr. on 14 December 1887 in Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia.3 How did Nancy

Josephine and Joshua handle this marriage? It was probably a difficult situation for them

both.

On 25 November 1889, Joshua Kennett married his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth M.

Byrd in Bartow County, Georgia.4 Joshua remained a resident of Georgia the rest of his

life.

ILLUSTRATION #3: A family gathering in Georgia in 1892: On steps, left to right: John

Chappell Owen, Jr., Myrtle Owen (Dibble), Bessie Owen (Witbeck) sitting on step, and

Pauline Owen (Ware). On porch, left to right: Nannie Lyle Kennett (Sheffield), Mary Agnes

(Monnie) Kennett (Owen) holding Nellie Owen (died as a child), Josephine (Josie) May

Kennett (Hyde), Ada Cordelia Kennett (Owen) holding Freddie Owen (died as a child),

Sarah Ann Evaline Reinhardt Owen (in shadows), Nancy Josephine Lockridge Kennett,

Ernest C. Owen, and Melvel Turner Owen holding Royal C. Owen.


In the early 1890's Nancy Josephine Kennett traveled to Utah and lived there for a

short time. Ernest C. Owen explains:

After living with them for some time, [Nancy Josephine] was directed by the spirit to go back to her home and bring her children to Utah. [Nancy Josephine] returned to Georgia for her children which was no little task. The Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. About the time of [Nancy Josephine's] arrival home, [Ada's] doctor recommended a change of climate which assisted [Nancy Josephine] in her mission.

5

ILLUSTRATION #4: Josie May Kennett, Nancy

Josephine Lockridge Kennett, and Nannie Lyle

Kennett.


Nancy Josephine was able to persuade her two married daughters, Ada and Monnie with

their husbands and children, to join her, 17-year-old Josie, and 14-year-old Nannie Lyle to

migrate to Utah in 1892. Reva Killian states:

This was a particularly hard time for these two young girls as they loved their father very much, they loved the South land - they had dear friends whom they hated to leave also.

6

In Utah, Joshua and Nancy Josephine's daughter, Nannie Lyle, married Heber

James Sheffield 7 September 1898 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their daughter, Josie May,

married John Simmons Hyde 25 April 1900 in Salt Lake City.7 Joshua was not in

attendance at his daughter's weddings.

Meanwhile, the 1900 Census of the Woodstock District of Cherokee County,

Georgia, dated 19 June 1900, listed Joshua Kennett with his second wife as follows:

Kinnett, Joshua Feb 1825 75 SC SC SC Elizabeth M. Mar 1849 51 VA VA VA

ILLUSTRATION #5:

Josephine (Josie May)

Kennett Hyde.


The census indicated Joshua and Elizabeth had been married ten years. Joshua was

listed as a farmer. Joshua was renting a farm at the time the census was taken. It is

interesting to note that Joshua had again married a woman much younger than himself.

Elizabeth was twenty-four years younger than Joshua and before marrying Joshua had

given birth to four children, three of whom were still living. It is not known whether

Elizabeth was widowed or divorced at the time she married Joshua.8

Because of his service in the Civil War, Joshua Kennett was eligible for a pension.

Joshua applied for a Civil War pension in Cherokee County, Georgia, starting in 1897. The

pension continued through January 2, 1901. On the Questions for Applicant form, dated 2

August 1897, Joshua was asked and answered the following questions:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? Kalpin?, Ga., Joshua Kinnett, Cherokee County, Ga.

2. Where did you reside on January 1st, 1894 and how long have you been a resident of this State? in Cherokee County, Ga., have been in Ga. 40 years.

3. When and where were you born? was Borned Feby. 20, 1825 State, S.C.

4. When and where and in what company and regiment did you enlist or serve? in fall of 1863 at Dalton, Ga. I enlisted in Company B of the 34 Ga. Regt.

5. How long did you remain in such company and regiment? tell Surrender of the Army in 1865.

6. For how long a period did you discharge regular military duty? about 18 months.

7. When, where and under what circumstances were you discharged from service? in the Spring of 1865 at or near Greensburrough [Greensboro] N.C. at surrender of the army I was discharged.

8. What is your present occupation? Farming. 9. How much can you earn (gross) per annum by your own exertions

or labor? $20 or 25 dollars. 10. What has been your occupation since 1865? Farming. 11. Upon which . . . grounds do you base your application? Age

& Poverty. 12. How long have you been in such condition that you could not earn

your support? Have been for two years not able to earn my support. 13. What property, effects or income do you possess and its gross

value? Have a small amount of HouseHold Furniture & one car value $30.00.


14. What property, effects or income did you possess in 1894, 1895 and 1896 and what disposition, if any, did you make of same? I owned in the aforesaid years about the same property as described in question 14 [sic].

15. In what County did you reside during those years and what property did you then return for taxation? in Cherokee County, Returned as stated above.

16. How were you supported during the years 1895 and 1896? By my Labor.

17. How much did your support cost for each of those years, and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income? Myself & wife Labored & lived off my own Labor.

18. What was your employment during 1895 and 1896? What pay

did you receive in each year? Farming did what I could on Farm & received my part of the crops.

19. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they a homestead? Have wife & 3 Daughters my daughters are neither in this county & I receive no aid from them.

20. Are you receiving any pensions? I am not. Signed--Joshua Kinnett, 2 August 1897.

ILLUSTRATION #6: Mary Agnes Kennett Owen

and Nannie Lyle Kennett Sheffield--two of the

daughters of Joshua Kennett.


In question thirteen, Joshua states he is an owner of a car. Because of the time period, it

is expected he meant a carriage.

In 1899, a witness was required to fill out a questionnaire stating the reasons

why Joshua should be receiving a pension. Apparently Joshua was renting from W.S.

Howard and Howard is the one who explained Joshua's circumstances on August 1899 as

follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? W.S. Howard. Reside in Cherokee, County, Ga.

2. Are you acquainted with Joshua Kinnett, the applicant, and how long have you known him? I am. Have known him since 1865.

3. Where does he reside, and how long has be been a resident of this State? In Cherokee Co., GA. I have known him in this State since 1863.

4. Do you know of his having served in the Confederate army or the Georgia militia? How do you know this? I know he served in Confederate army. I served with him.

5. When, where, and in what company and regiment did he enlist? In the Fall of 1863 he enlisted in Comp. B 34 GA Regt.

6. Were you a member of the same company and regiment? I was. 7. How long did he perform regular military duty, and what do you

know of his service as a Confederate soldier, and the time and circumstances of his discharge from the service? I was with him in the service 8 or 9 months. He was a good soldier. W.S. Howard

8. What property, effects or income has the applicant? Has small amount of household furniture & one car [carriage]. He lives on my land.

9. What property, effects or income did the applicant possess in 1895 and 1896, and what disposition, if any, did he make of same? About the same property that he has now. Hasn't disposed of any property.

10. What is the applicant's occupation and physical condition? He is farming. He is old & infirm & not able to do a full day's work.

11. Is the applicant unable to support himself by labor of any sort, if so why? He is old & infirm. Not able to work.

12. How was he supported during the years 1897 and 1898? In the years 1897 & 1898 applicant & wife lived in house with me & I support them.

13. What portion of his support for these two years was derived from his own labor or income? He earned some $10 a year.

14. Give a full and complete statement of the applicant's physical condition that entitles him to a pension under the Act of December 15th, 1894? He is old & infirm.

15. What interest have you in the recovery of a pension by the applicant? None.


Also on this date of 2 August 1899 an Affidavit of Physicians was required which

stated:

He is now 74 years old and his general health is broken down and by reason of age is not able to do but very little manual labor, not sufficient to earn a living by work.

The affidavit was signed by two doctors, W. L. Coleman and J. M. Bates. The Ordinary's

Certificate for 1899 explained the tax digests of Cherokee County showed Joshua had

returned $31 of property tax in 1898 and $33 of property tax in 1899.

In 1900 less paperwork was required. The form For Applicants Heretofore Allowed

Pensions stated Joshua Kinnett of Cherokee County resided in said State continuously

ever since 1852, that he was 75 years old and by occupation a farmer. He had served for

the term of 15 or 16 months in Company B of the 34th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers.

He was under a general breakdown from age and infirmity. His household and kitchen

Figure 7: Joshua Kennett


furniture had a value of $30. His claim had previously been approved in 1899. This form

was signed 8 January 1900.

The 1901 For Applicants Heretofore Allowed Pensions form stated Joshua Kinnett

of Cherokee County, Georgia, had resided in said State continuously ever since 1850.

Joshua was 76 years old and by occupation a farmer. Joshua had served for the term of

"near 2 years" in Company B of 34th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers. Joshua's health was

"broke down from age--able to do but very little work." Joshua's property consisted of

household furniture and one old horse valued at $60.9

Joshua Kennett died 16 August 1901. The 23 August 1901 issue of the Cherokee

Advance mentioned his death:

Joshua Kinnett, died last Friday at his home near Bascomb and was buried here last Saturday. He was a brother of A.L. Kinnett. To the bereaved family and sorrowing relatives we extend our sympathies.

10

In writing to Mrs. Nannie Kennett Sheffield on 18 March 1934, cousin Sarah Kennett

had this to say about Joshua:

I remember your father real well. We were always so happy when he came in the home. He was so jolly, and kept up that happy jolly disposition until his death.

11

ILLUSTRATION #8: Joshua Kennett's signature from his

various Confederate Pension applications.


In 1972 when Lucille Brock visited with cousin Sarah Kennett, Sarah gave further

details about Joshua. Lucille explained:

She called him Uncle Josh. She said he was a jolly fellow and was happy with Aunt Betty, his second wife. They used to come and see her. Unlike her father, Adolphus, who wore a heavy beard, "Uncle Josh was clean shaven. He was poor but he was a good man.

12

Lucille Brock found Joshua Kennett's grave site in a trip to Canton, Cherokee

County, Georgia, in 1972. She stated that Joshua was buried in Canton, Cherokee

County, Georgia in the Canton First United Methodist Church. However, it has since been

discovered that the Canton First United Methodist Church actually had nothing to do with

the cemetery and is not housed in that building any longer. The name of the cemetery is

the Riverview Cemetery and it is located on Church Street and North Street. Lucille

explained that:

Joshua’s grave is located on the left or north side of the [building] towards the left center top of the cemetery. His grave is in a plot large enough for six burials. His grave was the only one there that we could find. His inscription reads:

Joshuwa Kennett Husband of E.M. Kennett Born Feb. 24, 1824 Died Aug. 16, 1901 Born [Gone?] but not forgotten

It took much cleaning of the headstone to be able to read the inscription and more time for the sun to come out from the clouds to get photographs. Down a little way from Great Grandfather's grave is his brother, Adolphus Kennett, and his family.

13

Adolphus L. Kennett Sarah McClure Kennett--His wife Born Aug. 30, 1844 Born Oct. 17, 1849 Died Oct. 6, 1911 Died June 28, 1929

Charles Walter Kennett--Son Alma Kennett--Daughter Born March 28, 1878 Born Feb. 10, 1876 Died May 21, 1948 Died Oct. 13, 1939


Ott Kennett--Son (He had a wonderful bass voice Born 1880 and sang in the Methodist Died 1964 choir for 60 years.)

After both Joshua and Nancy Josephine had died, Joshua was sealed to Nancy

Josephine Lockridge Kennett on October 11, 1934 LDS Salt Lake Temple. In 1966 this

sealing was reviewed and ratified by Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve

who later became President of the LDS Church for a year before his death.14

Reva Killian explains about the time Nannie Lyle returned to Cartersville in 1935 and the memories this visit aroused:

Father [Heber J. Sheffield, Jr.] promised her [Nannie Lyle] from the time they were married that he would take her back to Cartersville. The dream was realized in October 1935. Dad was so proud of her because she knew right where the old home stood, the church she used to attend, the mill her father owned and operated. She had the privilege of seeing all her relatives and many of her friends. The Lockridge and Kennett names were held in high regard wherever they travelled.

15

ILLUSTRATION

#9:

Nannie Lyle

Kennett

Sheffield.


By 1996 the descendants of Joshua Kennett and Nancy Josephine Lockridge

Kennett have numbered over 630 direct-line individuals. Although not one of these

individuals carries the surname of Kennett, most are interested and care about their

Kennett roots from the southern United States. The number of descendants is increasing

rapidly as children are being born seven generations away from Joshua Kennett. It is a

posterity Joshua must feel honored to have. The story of OUR KENNETT FAMILY has

been one of American history, migration, land purchases, war, reconstruction, births,

marriages, deaths, hardships, good times, laughter, love and tears. And the story

continues. . . .

ILLUSTRATION #10: The Riverview Cemetery is behind

this building, which used to be the Canton First United

Methodist Church. It is located at Church and North

Streets in Canton, Georgia.


ILLUSTRATION #11: Letter ratifying the sealing of

Joshua and Nancy Josephine Lochridge Kennett by

Howard W. Hunter.


OUR KENNETT FAMILY

ENDNOTES--DIVORCE, OLD AGE, AND A PENSION 1. Lucille Brock did research on the divorce of Joshua and Nancy Josephine Kennett. 2. Minutes of the Superior Court, Bartow County, Georgia, Book G, pages 211 and 328. FHL Film # 283509. 3. Family Group Record. 4. Bartow County, Georgia, Marriage Certificates, Book I, 1889-1899, page 25, FHL Film # 283523. 5. Ernest C. Owen. 6. Reva Killian. 7. Family Group Record. 8. 1900 Federal Census, Woodstock District, Cherokee County, Georgia, page 31 B, FHL Film # 1240187, page 31-B. 9. Cherokee County, Georgia, Confederate Pension Applications, Joshua Kennett. FHL Film # 315772. 10. A copy of Joshua Kennett's obituary found in the 1901 issue of the Cherokee Advance is in the possession of Jill Shoemaker. 11. Miss Sarah Kennett letter. 12. Lucille Brock, 1972 trip. 13. Lucille Brock, 1972 trip. 14. Correspondence between Genealogical Society of Utah and Lucille Brock. 15. Reva Killian.


OUR KENNETT FAMILY ILLUSTRATIONS--DIVORCE, OLD AGE, AND A PENSION

ILLUSTRATION #1: Minutes of the Superior Court, Bartow County, Georgia, Book G, page 328. FHL Film # 283509. ILLUSTRATION #2: Bartow County, Georgia, Marriage Licenses, Book I, 1889-1899, page 25. FHL Film #283523. ILLUSTRATION #3: A copy of this picture is in possession of Jill Shoemaker and also the Kennett/Lockridge Family Organization. ILLUSTRATION #4: The original of this picture is in the possession of Joyce Kunz. ILLUSTRATION #5: The original of this picture is in the possession of Milton Hyde. ILLUSTRATION #6: The original of this picture is in the possession of Joyce Kunz. ILLUSTRATION #7: Copies of this picture are in the possession of several Joshua Kennett descendants. ILLUSTRATION #8: Cherokee County, Georgia, Confederate Pension Applications, Joshua Kennett. FHL Film #315772. ILLUSTRATION #9: The original of this picture is in possession of Wayne K. Sheffield. ILLUSTRATION #10: Original picture in possession of Lucille Brock. ILLUSTRATION #11: Original letter in possession of Jill Shoemaker.

our kennett family

Documents