This post goes from Virginia to Kentucky and ranges from 1783 past 1870. He served in the War of 1812, the forgotten war.
Here is our direct line, from one generation to the next, at a glance:
William – John – JAMES – Eliza Ann m. James Thomas Vickers – Hannah Jane m. William Ryland – Floyd (Frank) Ryland
Frank is our grandfather.
Let’s look at James and Frances’s life together.
James
He was born about 1783-1790, probably in Lincoln County, Kentucky, where his (probable) father John resided at the time. His enlistment record shows he was born 1793. James married Frances Greer on April 22, 1819, Barren County, Kentucky. He died after 1870, probably in Warren County, Kentucky.
More about him:
James Manksfield may have married Nellie LeMaster December 27, 1808, Logan County, Kentucky. They may have had a daughter named Elizabeth who married Samuel Pendleton in 1834 (so says Rev. Mansfield’s letter).
The 1850 says he’s 67 years old, so his birth year is 1783. But the 1860 Census says he’s 70 years old, so his birth year is 1790. After Frances his second wife died in 1854, he married Rebecca Scott on June 9, 1855.
Their early family name was also Manksfield. It was smoothed out to Mansfield soon enough, by just dropping the awkward “k” in the middle.
Here are his possible ancestors in the Cumberland Co. VA Marriage Bonds (p. 283)
http://whitlockfamilyassociation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/sources/references/R1650.pdf (p. 1 of the PDF file)
James was recently approved by the Daughters of 1812.
Go here for their webpage:
The next webpage looks into the Vickers, with a short write-up on the Mansfields:
http://kvickers.tfc.edu/Samuel_Vickers_NC_KY.htm
Frances (Franky) Greer
She was born about 1798-1805, in Kentucky (or Georgia). She died October 25, 1854 in Sinking Creek, Warren County, Kentucky.
More about her:
Frances’s nickname was Franky. Her marriage certificate says she took an oath and that she was 21 in 1819, so her year of birth is 1798. However, her 1850 Census says she’s 45, so her birth year is 1805. The census also says she’s from Kentucky, but her 1860 Census says she’s from Georgia. Frances died of Typhoid fever at her home, in Warren County.
We’re not Greer family researchers. We don’t know much about Frances’s ancestry. We depend on others.
C. S. Greer signed Frances’s marriage certificate, so he is probably her father, yet other family researchers say her father was George. Her mother was Nancy, and she appears in the 1840 census as the head of household, which means George or C. S. had died. “Mrs. Nancy Greer” is in the 50-59 column, so she was born 1781-1790. She was born close to 1781, if her daughter Frances was born in 1798. In the census, one free white female is 20-29, and one is 10-14. One male is 15-19. One works in agriculture, presumably the young man. Like most Americans at her time in history, they owned no slaves.
Nancy Greer appears in the 1860 Census living with Nathan Gray (44) and Henrietta (18). A girl named Sally is 1. Joshua Vickers is 40 and a farm laborer. Ann is 25; M. E. is 5; I. L. is 3; and W. P. (or S) is 1. Nancy is 79 and from Georgia. So her birth year is 1781. Nancy outlived her daughter Frances, who is the subject of this post.
Frankey’s and James’s marriage record is available at ancestry.com
If anyone out there has more information on this Greer line, email us.
Discussion of James’s Ancestry
Here is a summary from Rev. Marrietta Mansfield, who lived in Barren County, Kentucky. She researched the records in his home and neighboring counties for a long time. She wrote this information in three letters (1976-1977) to Allan and Jeanette Cox, who in the 1980s researched the some of the early Vickers line. She seems to have original documentation, and so did they. Our comments are in brackets.
Transcription Begins:
James Mansfield was the oldest son and child of John Mansfield and Rebecca Simmons, m. 15 Apr. 1789 in Lincoln Co., KY. He [John] d. 1825 (will probated in Logan Co., KY).
The Mansfield brothers named their children for each other & called them Jr. i. e. James (bro of John) had a Wm. Jr.; bro Wm had a James Jr.
Brothers and Sisters of James [or offspring of John and Rebecca in addition to James]:
Nancy: m. David Simpson 1813
Mary: called Polly m. Richard Johnson 1823
Jane: m. John Allison 1818
Rachel: m. Wm Wright 1824
Abigail: unm.
Robert: m. Mary Stone 1828
Ambrose: m. Hannah Newcomb 1832
James, b. 1790, m. Frances Greer – without a doubt this was his 2nd m. – Frances Greer was b. in GA, the dtr of George and Nancy Greer (info from Vital Statistics of KY); she d. of typhoid 25 Oct. 1854 in Sinking Creek, Warren Co., KY
After Frances d., James m. Rebecca Scott 9 June 1855. They were living next to Alex [his son] in Warren Co., KY at the time of the 1860 federal census. He stated his age as 70.
[Rev. Mansfield repeats some claims by David Mansfield, James’ grandson and Alex’s son. Then Rev. Mansfield continues:]
Now by the process of elimination this James was the James Jr. who m. Frances Greer in Barren Co., Ky. To complicate the record he married Nellie Le Master [?] in Logan Co. Ky. 1808 (I believe). There is an Elizabeth Mansfield that m. Samuel Pendleton 1834 by D. L. Mansfield! I believe this Elizabeth was a dau of James & Nellie. Also by the process of elimination this James had to be the eldest son of John & Rebecca (Simmons) Mansfield who m. in Lincoln Co, Ky. & settled in Logan Co.
James Mansfield was in the War of 1812; I have his papers . . . .
Transcription Ends.
So why is John James’s father?
James is called Jr. in his marriage license. So there has to be a Sr.
Who?
Recall what Rev. Mansfield writes, above: “The Mansfield brothers named their children for each other & called them Jr. i.e. James (bro of John) had a Wm. Jr.; bro Wm had a James Jr.”
So maybe it is John.
Or a certain James Mansfield witnessed a 1789 marriage, in Lincoln County. Maybe this James qualifies to be James Jr.’s father, and not John.
Those are the two options to be James Jr.’s father: James or John.
We know who John’s father was, by his connection to Elijah.
In Logan County, Kentucky, John Manksfield (sic) draws up a will that was probated December 5, 1825. Rebeckah (also spelled Rebeks in the will) is named as his wife. Their children are unnamed children. Elijah Mansfield is named as John’s brother and executor. Source: Abstracts of Wills and Settlements, Logan County: 1795-1838, Logan County Genealogical Society.
Rev. Mansfield says this John is James’s father – the James who is the subject of this post. Note that Elijah is explicitly named as John’s brother. This may provide a hint as to who their father is and also who James’s grandfather is.
William is the surety for Elijah’s marriage, January 3, 1795, Lincoln County, to Susannah Pierce.
The linkage between William and Elijah Mansfield is now secure. Surely they are father and son. Since Elijah and John are legally proven brothers (per John’s will, above), William is both of their father. William is probably James’s father too – the James who witnessed the 1789 marriage. Source: Lincoln County Kentucky Records, compiled by Michael L. Cook and Betty Cummings, Evansville, IN: Cook Publications, 1987.
Bottom line:
William (pioneer to Kentucky)
Sons: Probably Elijah, John, and James (see William’s post for more sons)
Grandson: our James Jr. (the subject of this post, who could be the son of John or James.
Note: James Jr. is not Elijah’s son because Elijah has a lot of census records, and the list of children and the dates are off. See William’s post for more information.
Please see The Mansfields of Early Virginia for the uninterpreted data.
Marriage Certificate
April 22, 1819
The (X) between the first and last names indicates that James Mansfield signed with his mark.
James is cited as Jr., but his father was possibly John. Recall what Rev. Mansfield writes, above: “The Mansfield brothers named their children for each other & called them Jr. i.e. James (bro of John) had a Wm. Jr.; bro Wm had a James Jr.”
So it appears that in the early Mansfield family, Jr. can refer to nephew-uncle relations.
On the other hand, recall that there is a James who witnessed a 1789 marriage. Maybe he is qualified to be James Jr.’s father.
The large middle row is a preprinted form, with the blanks filled in by hand. This is indicated by italics font. The third row is modern, and the handwritten, filled-in blanks are also indicated by italics font. The (X) between the first and last names indicates that James Mansfield signed with his mark.
James is cited as Jr., but his father was John. Recall what Rev. Mansfield writes, above:
The Mansfield brothers named their children for each other & called them Jr. i. e. James (bro of John) had a Wm. Jr.; bro Wm had a James Jr.
So it appears that in the early Mansfield family, Jr. can refer to nephew-uncle relations.
Source of marriage certificate: Barren County Court records.
| The within named Franky Greer proved to be 21 years of age by the Oath of James Mansfield jr this 2. [?] |
| Know all men by these presents that we James Mansfield and Lewis Williams are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the sum of fifty pounds current money which payment well and truly made, we bind ourselves and our heirs firmly by these presents sealed and dated this 22nd day of April 1819
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a Marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the above bound James Mansfield jr and Franky Greer for which license has issued. If therefore there be no lawful cause to prevent the aforesaid Marriage, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Attest: M. Logan, clk James (X) Mansfield [seal] Lewis (X) Williams [seal] |
| STATE OF KENTUCKY
COUNTY OF BARREN I Wilmer L. Hodges, Clerk of the Barren County COURT, do certify that the foregoing instrument is a full, true and complete copy as the same appears of record in my office in File #3 Book, ____ page ____. Witness my hand and official seal this the 10th day of April, 1976 Wilmer Hodges, C. B. C. C. By Elaine McGivie D. C. |
Source: Barren County Court records; Mary Powell Reneau, Marriage Records of Barren County, Kentucky, 1799-1849: The First Fifty Years, self-published, 1984.
The War of 1812
August 17 to November 16, 1813. Here are James Mansfield’s records for the War of 1812.
James qualified to be honored by the Daughters of 1812.
We honor our veterans, no matter how far back in history they served!
The War at a glance:
The war did not affect most American lives, but battles were indeed fought around the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Chesapeake Bay, and the Gulf Coast.
June 1812: Congress declares war on Britain (hence the designation War of 1812)
August 1812: Battle near Detroit (British victory)
October 1812: Battle of Thames on Lake Erie (indecisive)
1813-1815 British blockade Eastern Seaboard
April 1813: York (Toronto) (American Victory)
July 1813: Stoney Creek (British Victory)
September 1813: Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie, after Commander Harrison marches from N. Kentucky through Indiana in 1813 (American Victory)
October 1813: Chateauguay (Montreal) (British Victory)
November 1813: Chrysler’s Farm (St. Lawrence R) (British Victory)
March 1814: Horseshoe Bend, Mississippi Territory (American victory)
July 1814: Chippewa (Lake Ontario) (American Victory)
July 1814: Lundy’s Lane on Lake Erie (indecisive)
August 1814: British occupy Washington, torch Capitol, and burn President’s mansion.
September 1814: Battle of Lake Champlain (American Victory)
September 1814: Battle near Baltimore (American Victory)
November 1814: Pensacola (American Victory)
December 1814: Peace Agreement signed in Ghent, Belgium
January 1815: Naval Battle near New Orleans; it takes a while for the news to travel across the Atlantic (American Victory)
The next three forms are preprinted, and the blanks are filled in by hand. The handwritten portions are indicated by Italics font.
Mtd. = Mounted (horses)
Vols. = Volunteers
Reg’t. = Regiment
Pvt. = Private
Pri. = Private
M = place in alphabet = Manksfield
Mil. = Military or Militia
Source: National Archives and Records Administration at www.archives.gov
| 303
Manksfield, James 10 Reg’t (Barbour’s), Mtd., Kentucky Volunteers. (War of 1812.) Private Private Card Numbers: 1. 38056782 2. 7061 Number of personal papers herein 0 |
| M | 10 Mounted (Barbour’s) | Ky. Vols.
Ja’s Manksfield Pvt, {Captain Wm. Whitsitt’s Company 10 Reg’t Kentucky Mtd. Vol. Mil. (War of 1812.) Appears on Company Muster Roll For Aug 17 to Nov 16, 1813. Role dated Limestone Ky Nov 3, 1813. Commencement of service, Aug 17, 1813. Expiration of service, Nov 16, 1813. Present or absent, Present. No. of horses, 1 Value of horses, ____ dollars. ____ cents. Remarks: |
| M | 10 Mounted (Barbour’s) | Ky. Vols.
Pri, {Captain Wm. Whitsitt’s Company 10 Reg’t Kentucky Mtd. Vol. Mil. (War of 1812.) Appears on Company Pay Roll For August 17 to Nov 16, 1813. Roll dated Not dated, 181 Commencement of Service Aug 17, 1813. Expiration of service, Nov 16, 1813. Time paid for, 3 months, ___ days. Pay per month, 8 dollars, ____ cents. Amount of pay, 24 dollars, 80 cents. Amount of allowance for use &c., of horse, at 40 cents per day, 36 dollars, 80 cents. Total amount, 60 dollars, 80 cents. Remarks: |
Another record says James Manksfield enlisted in the War of 1812, on August 1, 1814. He was recorded as 22 years old (b. 1793). He was a private in the US Rifles. He was 5 ft. 8 in. tall. His eyes were dark; his hair and complexion were fair. He was a farmer from Lincoln County, Kentucky. He was enlisted by Capt. Desha (sic), for a period of five years.
Transcription Begins:
Remarks
R.R. Kentucky, Oct. 1/14 DR Capt. John O’Fallons, IR Feb’y 16 IR Apr 30 & Aug 31/15 Present
S.A.M.R. Capt. W. Morgan’s Co. Dec. 31/15 IR S.A.M.R. June 30 IR Aug 31 & S.A.M.R Dec.
31/16 IR Feb’y 28, Apr 30, Jun 30, Aug 31 IR Capt. Jas. S. McIntosh’s Co. Oct 31 IR S.A.M.R.
Dec 31, 1817, IR Feb’y 28, Apr 30, Jun 30, IR Capt. Jon Selden’s Co. Oct 31 Dec 31/18 present
IR & Mo. Ret. Fort Armstrong Feb’y 28/19 Discharged Feb’y 10, 1819 fur [sic] a Sub.
Transcription Ends.
He married his wife Frances Greer April 22, 1819, so the dates sequence out well. He must have known her before he enlisted and somehow kept in touch with her during his service.
This book lists James Manksfield (sic) in the War of 1812:
When you get to the webpage, search Manksfield
Their Children
Here they are at a glance:
- ALEXANDER (1823- ?)
- FRANCES (1825- ?)
- ELIZA ANN (1828-1916)
She is our direct line, so see her post here:
Eliza Ann Mansfield and James Thomas Vickers
- JAMES (1833- ?)
- DAVID (1838- ?)
Now we can fill in the picture a little more, as much as the records allow us.
- ALEXANDER
He was born in October 1823, in Kentucky, and married Ludenia Vickers October 31, 1844, the date according to Rev. Mansfield’s letter.
In the 1850 Census, township not stated, Edmonson County, Kentucky, Alexander Mansfield is 26 and a laborer. Ludena P (?) is also 26. Her occupation is not stated. William H. is 4; Thomas P (?) is 2; Diana Lowe is 28; and Zarilda Lowe is a few months old. Everyone’s from Kentucky.
In the 1860 Census, District No. 1, Post Office Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky, Alex Mansfield, 37 (b. 1823) and Ludenia Mansfield, 38, have these offspring: son Wm H., 15; son Thos. B., 13; daughter Mary J (?) 11; son Jas. M 9; daughter Matilda 7; and Geo 2. Alex is a farmer and has $485.00 worth of personal and real property. Hannah Vickers, 68, lives next door. All are said to be from Kentucky, except little George, who’s from North Carolina (!). This mark should be for Hannah (page 149; Alex’s dwelling no. in order of visitation: 1065; family no. in order of visitation: 1065. Hannah’s dwelling no. is 1066 and family no. is 1066).
James Mansfield, 70 (b. 1790), and Rebecca, 43, (b. 1817) also live next door. He is a farmer from Kentucky, and has a meager $25.00 worth of personal and real property. Rebecca is also from Kentucky.
Here are the family relationships in this census:
* Alex Mansfield is the son of James Mansfield.
* Ludenia is the daughter of Samuel (deceased) and Hannah Vickers.
In the 1900 Census, Alexander Mansfield, 76, is a widower and still farming. He was born in October 1823. He’s from Kentucky, as were his parents. He cannot read or write. He lives with his daughter Sarah Mansfield who’s 38 and born in October 1861, in Kentucky. Her parents are from Kentucky. She’s single. She can read and write. They own their farm free of mortgage.
- FRANCES
She was born 1825. We don’t know whom she married, so we have lost track of her.
- ELIZA ANN
She is our direct line. See her own post here:
Eliza Ann Mansfield and James Thomas Vickers
- JAMES
He was born 1833. We don’t know whom he married, and his name is common, so we can’t be sure we have the right one in the censuses. He’s hiding in plain sight.
- DAVID
He was born 1838 (fought in Civil War).
There is a David and Eliza Mansfield, in the 1880 (Smith’s Grove, Warren Co.) Census, and he born about 1833, but we don’t know whom he married. There are several David Mansfields who fought in the Civil War from Kentucky, but which one is the right one?
James and Franky’s Census Records
1820 Census
Warren County, Kentucky
James Manksfield is the head of household. One male is 26-44 (b. 1776-1794). One female is 16-25 (1795-1804); and one female is under 10.
1850 Census
First Division, Barren County, Kentucky
James Mansfield is 67 (b. 1783) and a farmer from Kentucky. Frances is 45 (b. 1805) and also from Kentucky. Neither can read or write. Their son James is a 17-year old farmer, also from Kentucky. David is 15, a farmer, and from Kentucky. James and Frances’s daughter Eliza Ann (our direct line) was married December 25, 1846, so she is not in this census. The 1850 Census says, quite legibly, that James is 67 years old, so he was (supposedly) born in 1783. However, the 1860 Census, next, says he’s 70, so his birth year is 1790 (dwelling no. in order of visitation 337; family no. in order of visitation 367; enumerated August 5, 1850).
As usual, the censuses have discrepant data. The 1850 Census says, quite legibly, that James is 67 years old, so he was (supposedly) born in 1783. However, his father and mother, John and Rebecca, were married in 1789, so James’ birth year does not work. The 1860 Census is better. It says he’s 70, so his birth year is 1790, and that fits his parents’ year of marriage one year earlier.
|
1850 Census of the United States First Division, Barren County, Kentucky |
||||||||
| Names | Age | Sex | Color | Occupation | Value: Real, Personal | POB | Person over 20 who cannot read or write | |
| James Mansfield | 67 | M | Farmer | KY | Y | |||
| Frances “ | 45 | F | “ | Y | ||||
| James | 17 | M | “ | “ | ||||
| David | 15 | M | “ | “ | ||||
| Dwelling no. in order of visitation 337; family no. in order of visitation 367; enumerated Aug. 5th, 1850. Eliza Ann married on Dec. 23, 1846, so she is not in this census with her mother and father. | ||||||||
1860 Census
District 1, Post Office Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky
It looks like we have parents (James Mansfield and Hannah Vickers) and offspring (Alex Mansfield and Ludenia Vickers Mansfield) living next to each other. James’ wife Frances (Greer) Mansfield died in 1854, so she is not in the 1860 Census. He remarried a certain Rebecca. So it seems he opted for a youthful companion.
Here are the family relationships in this census:
- Alex Mansfield is the son of James Mansfield.
- Ludenia is the daughter of Samuel (deceased) and Hannah Vickers.
Maybe the son Alex and daughter Ludenia took care of their elderly parent and in-law in some way, though James had his wife to care for him. I’m sure the grandkids loved to visit and a visit from Grandma Vickers and Grandpa Mansfield.
Oddly, the census says all Alex’s family is from KY, except little two-year-old George, who’s (supposedly) from NC! That designation should go to Hannah Vickers, according to her 1850 Census, since her name is just below George’s. Censuses often have errors like that.
James Mansfield, 70 (b. 1790), and Rebecca, 43, (b. 1817) live next door to his son Alex and his family (see above). James is a farmer from Kentucky, and has a meager $25.00 worth of personal and real property. He had married to Rebecca Scott. His previous wife was Frances (Franky) Greer, but she had died in 1854 (dwelling no. is 1068 and family no. is 1068).
|
1860 Census of the United States District No. 1, Warren County, Kentucky Post Office: Bowling Green |
||||||||
| Names | Age | Sex | Color | Occupation | Value: Real, Personal | POB | ||
| Alex Mansfield | 37 | M | Farmer | 485 | KY | |||
| Ludenia “ | 38 | F | “ | |||||
| Wm H | 15 | M | “ | |||||
| Thos. B | 13 | M | “ | |||||
| Mary J? | 11 | F | “ | |||||
| Jas. M | 9 | M | “ | |||||
| Matilda | 7 | F | “ | |||||
| Geo | 2 | F | NC [sic] | |||||
| Hannah Vickers | 68 | F | KY | |||||
| Another family | ||||||||
| Jas Mansfield | 70 | M | Farmer | 25 | KY | |||
| Rebecca | 43 | F | “ | |||||
| Page 149; Alex’s dwelling no. in order of visitation: 1065; family no. in order of visitation: 1065. Hannah’s dwelling no. is 1066 and family no. is 1066; James’ dwelling no. is 1068 and family no. is 1068. | ||||||||
James and Franky’s Passing
We don’t know when he died. He appears in the 1870 Census, living next door to his son Alex. So far, no will has been found. If it does not exist, then surely everything went to his wife Rebecca. Maybe his son Alex got some things too.
Related:
Mansfields of Early Virginia (a list of the main data)
Live as Free People 