2.  Many thanks, too, to cousins Sherri Foster, DSFoster@kscable.com, and Teresa Harris, tharris@oeccwildblue.com, and most recently, Linda Davis, LINDYLAP@aol.com, for sending additional information on Edwy's siblings and especially Hilda Tomme and her family!

3.  I started with the work I inherited from my uncle, my dad's brother, the late James Bassett Gwin II (1912-1984), which he began compiling in the year 1950.  James said he obtained some of the information from Memorial Record of Alabama.

4.  James McCall and Beverly Brown Hurt have sent in addenda related to their lines (see data below in their respective purple and green colors).

5. I've begun adding some data from the various censuses.

My hat is off to all these diligent researchers!

23.00--Morgan Vardeman,

24.00--Elizabeth Vardeman,

23.00--Amaziah Vardeman,

23.00--William Vardeman,

23.00--Rev. Jeremiah Vardaman, John's youngest son;

22.02--William Vardaman, Jr., ; moved into Wilkes Co., GA;

22.03--Peter Vardaman, ; moved into KY;

22.04--James Vardaman, b. unk.; d. 1797 (proven by estate papers); moved into SC with his parents in 1766; m1. Jack believes this first wife of James may have been Sabra Liles/Lyles for two reasons: (1) her married name is Vardaman, and from census records, she's the only possible person who could've been married to him; and (2) the name Liles is the middle name of Jack's and my gg-grandpa, Edwy Liles Vardaman (who would become Old William's g-grandson); Sabra was the mother of William's first two children and possibly the first three; (m2. Jane Johnson); seven children

23.01--William Vardaman (III?), b. 1775 in Newberry District, SC;

23.02--Thomas Vardaman, b. ca.1777 in Dutch Fork, Newberry District, SC; d. 1857; m. in 1801 at about age 24 in Jefferson Co., GA, to Annie Vining (b.; d.; d/o Shadrach Vining and Phereby Ratcliffe); they moved around in GA and SC, finally settling in Coosa Co., AL, in 1836; nine children, listed singly below and again in more detail immediately following:

24.01--Edwy Liles Vardaman, 24.02--Hilda J. Vardaman, 24.03--Edilda Vardaman,

24.04--Rachel Vardaman, 24.05--Elizabeth "Betsy" L. Vardaman, 24.06--Jane Frances Vardaman,

24.07--Thomas Jefferson Vardaman, 24.08--Ruth Ann Vardaman, 24.09--Peter Lafayette Vardaman

25.01--MiElda Vardaman, b. in Putnam Co., GA, 16 Sep 1826 (twin); d. 22 Jan 1884; bd. at Cumberland Concord Presbyterian Ch. cem. at Hazel Green, Madison Co., AL (this from cousin Marshel Roy Cunningham of Montevallo, AL, a descendant of MiElda); m.22 Nov 1842 in Meriwether Co., GA, to Israel Thomas Kilpatrick  (b. unk. date in Fayetteville, TN; d. unk.; bd. unk.); 11 children

25.02--MiEnda Vardaman, b. in Putnam Co., GA, 16 Sep 1826 (twin); died as infant--(data on MiEnda provided by M. R. Cunningham, above); of course, no children

25.03--Minerva Vardaman, b. in Putnam Co., GA, 18 Mar 1828; d. 17 Jul 1842, about age 14--smothered while playing in the cottonseed; bd. Meriwether Co., GA; no children

25.04--Cynthia M. Vardaman, b. 3 or 13 June or July 1829 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 24 Dec 1905, bd. at Rock Springs Bapt. Ch. Cem., Clay Co., AL; m. 5 Aug 1859 in Tallapoosa Co., AL, to Kenny M. Hannon (some say Hammond?) (b. unk.; d. unk.--killed in the Civil War);  no kn. children

25.05--Frances Cemyra Vardaman, b. 11 Jan 1831 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 13 Jun 1910, bd. at Hatchet Creek Presby. Ch. Cem., Brownsville, Clay Co., AL; m. 20 or 23 Feb 1854 in Tallapoosa Co., AL, to George Voulentine House (b. 29 Apr 1829; d. 11 Feb 1906); 3 children

25.06--Mary Bruce Vardaman, b. 18 Apr 1832 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 2 May 1909, bd. at Rock Springs Bapt. Ch. Cem., Clay Co., AL; m. 22 Aug 1852 to Edward Martin Adair (b.; d. 1897; EMA is bd. in hard-to-find Hammond plot near Shady Grove, AL); 8 children

26.01--Frances Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.02--George W. Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.03--Alfred Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.04--Sanford Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.05--Benjamin E. Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.06--James P. Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.07--John M. Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch. 26.08--Nora Adair, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

Name: Edward Adair Age in 1860: 33 Birth Year: abt 1827 Birthplace: Alabama Home in 1860: Western Div., Tallapoosa, AL Gender: Male Post Office: Pinkneyville Household Members: Name Age Edward Adair 33 Mary Adair 25 Francis Adair 7 George Adair 6 Alfred Adair 3 Sanford Adair 2 Benjamin Adair 8.12

Name: E M Adair Estimated Birth Year: abt 1830 Age in 1870: 40 Birthplace: South Carolina Home in 1870: Township 22 Range 6, Clay, Alabama Post Office: Pickneyville Household Members: Name Age E M Adair 40 Mary Adair 37 Frances Adair 15 G W Adair 14 Alfred Adair 12 Sanford Adair 11 B E Adair 10 James Adair 3

Name: Edward M. Adair Home in 1880: Wicker and Pinckneyville, Clay, Alabama Age: 53 Est'd. YOB: abt 1827 Birthplace: Alabama Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Mary B. Father's birthplace: South Carolina Mother's birthplace: South Carolina Occupation: Farming Marital Status: Married Household Members: Name Age Edward M. Adair 53 Mary B. Adair 48 James P. Adair 13 John M. Adair 6 Nora A. Adair 1 Judge A. Adair 23 Edward S. Adair 22

25.07--Nancy Ann Vardaman, b. 18 Jul 1833 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 17 Oct 1844, age 11;  bd. in Meriwether Co., GA; m. never; no children

25.08--John Forsythe Vardaman--b. 19 May 1835 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 17 Jul 1906 at home near Goodwater; bd. Smyrna Primitive Bapt. Ch. Cem., near Goodwater, Coosa Co., AL; m. Julia Ann Flynn; 4 children , 12 grandchildren; here's a delightful anecdote about their old wash stand; 26.01--Marshal Evart (Everett?) Vardaman, m. Clara Owens "Odie" Carlisle 26.02--John William "J. W." "W." "Dubby" Anderson Vardaman, never married 26.03--Maggie Mae Vardaman, m. Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Webb (photo, right) 26.04--Adrian Belle "Ada" Vardaman m. James Basset Gwin I 27.04--Adrian Sutton Gwin m. Dorothy Lee Keeney 28.01--John McDonald Gwin m. Sharon Lynn Hamrick 29.01--Jeremiah "Jeremy" Scott Gwin m. Kara Marie Douglas 29.02--Charity Elizabeth Gwin m. Beau Scott Pihlaja 30.01--Asher Samuel Neeraj Pihlaja

Jeff and Maggie Vardaman Webb, summer 1931, Alexander City, Coosa Co., AL

25.10--William Sanford Vardaman, b. 12 Jun 1840 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 5 May 1862 in Civil War, battle of Williamsburg, Va.; never married; enlisted in Co. A 14th Alabama Infantry--private; no known children

25.11--James Mathis Vardaman, b. 16 May 1842 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 30 Mar 1865 below Petersburg, Civil War; enlisted in Co. C 16th (or 60th?) Alabama Infantry--rank, private; bd. at Rock Springs Bapt. Ch. Cem., Clay Co., AL; m. never; no known children

25.12--Adeline Elizabeth Vardaman, b. 14 Nov 1843 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 25 Mar 1923, bd. at Rock Springs Bapt. Ch. Cem., Clay Co., AL;  unmarried; no children

24.03--Edilda Vardaman,  b. ca. 1809 in Morgan Co., GA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. 14 Dec 1826 in Putnam Co., GA, to John H. Smith; (b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.); unk. ch.;

Dear John I am searching for information on Henry HARWELL and Elizabeth "Betsy" L. VARDAMAN Harwell, who are my gg-grandparents. Their daughter, Malissa T. HARWELL Welch is my g-grandmother. Do you have information regarding them that you could share?  I would greatly appreciate it.  I have been to their alleged gravesites with no tombstones just in September.  I do not know how much information you may have, but I have info that I would share with you. I am working on a family history book for the WELCH family which includes a reference to Henry HARWELL and Elizabeth L. VARDAMAN Harwell as being parents of Malissa T. HARWELL Welch and their pertinent dates of birth, marriage, and death.  Also I am working on a family history book for the HARWELL family.  And I have information regarding some land they owned as well. Thank you so much in advance.  Beverly Brown Hurt

24.07--Thomas Jefferson Vardaman, b. 4 Apr. 1823 in Putnam Co., GA [listed as T. J., age 37 in the 4 Jun 1860 census of res. #2, 2nd subdivision,, Mt. Olive P.O., Coosa Co., AL (mistranscribed by Ancestry.com as "Vandaman")]; d. 16 July 1864; bd. in Mt. Olive Baptist Ch. Cem., Mt. Olive, Coosa Co., AL;  [Uncle James' Note: inscribed on this grave marker is CSA, which indicates that TJV served in the Confederate States Army; from the date of death, he was likely killed in action.  Jack adds: I do not believe that TJV was killed in action in the War, although there is no doubt that he died while serving in the CSA.  At the time of his death he was stationed in Talladega Co., AL, on detail to, I believe, a munitions manufacturer. He probably died of an illness and was close enough to home that his body was able to be returned to his home for burial.]; m. 22 Nov 1853 in Coosa Co., AL, to Nancy Ann Benton Newman; (b. 27 Feb 1833 in GA [listed as Nancy A., age 27 in the 4 Jun 1860 census of res. #2, 2nd subdivision,, Mt. Olive P.O., Coosa Co., AL (mistranscribed by Ancestry.com as "Nancy H. Vandaman")]; [listed as A. B., age 37, in the 16 Jul 1870 census of res. 73, Hanover Beat, Coosa Co., AL]; [listed as Nancy, age 47, in the 23 Jun 1880 census of res. 33, Mt. Olive Beat #5, Coosa Co., AL], d. 19 Feb 1900; bd. in Mt. Olive Bapt. Ch. Cem.); 5 ch. (4 dau., 1 son);  [MOBC is located about 6 miles ne of Hanover on Co. Rd. 49, Coosa Co., AL., w. of Goodwater, AL] [Jack's note: TJV was definitely born in 1823 (not 1828, as some sources may suggest).  I have copies of the 1850 and 1860 census records for him which show that he was 27 in 1850 and 37 in 1860.  This agrees exactly with his grave stone which shows his birth date as 4 Apr 1823.]

25.01--M. M. Vardaman, daughter (twin?), b. ca. 1855 in AL [listed as M. M., age 5, in the 4 Jun 1860 census of res. #2, 2nd subdivision, Mt. Olive P.O., Coosa Co., AL (mistranscribed by Ancestry.com as "Vandaman")]; [listed as M. M., age 15, in the 16 Jul 1870 census of res. 73, Hanover Beat, Coosa Co., AL]; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

25.02--A. A. Vardaman, daughter (twin?), b. ca. 1855 in AL [listed as A. A., age 5, in the 4 Jun 1860 census of res. #2, 2nd subdivision, Mt. Olive P.O., Coosa Co., AL (mistranscribed by Ancestry.com as "Vandaman")]; [listed as A. A., age 15, in the 16 Jul 1870 census of res. 73, Hanover Beat, Coosa Co., AL]; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

25.03--Fanny F. Vardaman, daughter, b. ca. 1858 in AL [listed as Fanny F., age 2, in the 4 Jun 1860 census of res. #2, 2nd subdivision, Mt. Olive P.O., Coosa Co., AL (mistranscribed by Ancestry.com as "Vandaman")]; [listed as F. F., age 12, in the 16 Jul 1870 census of res. 73, Hanover Beat, Coosa Co., AL]; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

25.04--Susan J. Vardaman, daughter, b. ca. 1860 in AL [listed as S. J., age 10, in the 16 Jul 1870 census of res. 73, Hanover Beat, Coosa Co., AL]; [listed as Susan J., age 10, in the 23 Jun 1880 census of res. 33, Mt. Olive Beat #5, Coosa Co., AL]; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

25.05--J. U. L. Vardaman, son, b. ca. 1862 in AL [listed as J. U. L., age 8, in the 16 Jul 1870 census of res. 73, Hanover Beat, Coosa Co., AL]; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

[John M. Gwin Note: In the 26 Jun 1900 census, a John B. Vardaman (b. Aug 1862 and whom I highly suspect of being our J. U. L., above), wife Lucy P. (b. Jan 1869), and daughters Annie M. and Ila J. (b. Dec 1896 and Jun 1899, respectively) are living in residence 223, Mt. Olive Pct. #5, Coosa Co., AL.]

24.08--Ruth Ann Vardaman, b. ca. 1828 in GA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. 22 Oct 1846 in Coosa Co., AL, to William P. Styres; (b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.;); unk. ch.;

24.09--Peter Lafayette Vardaman, b. 1 or 11 Feb 1830 in Meriwether Co., GA; d. 9 or 10 Sep 1903; bd. in MOBC; m. 14 Mar 1854 in Harris Co., GA., to Susan Matilda Durham; (b. 8 May 1831; d. 24 Mar 1913; bd. Mt. Olive Bapt. Cem.); 5 ch., all sons, one of whom died young; [John Gwin NOTE: the following eulogy was published in an unknown newspaper and pasted in my grandmother's (Adrian "Ada" Belle Vardaman Gwin's) album beside her penned caption, "A brother to my Grandfather Vardaman":]

A MASONIC TRIBUTE--To the W. M., Wardens and Brethen of Hillabee Lodge No. 197, A.F. and A.M.: We, your committee, submit the following report: As God has seen fit in His infinite wisdom to call from labor to refreshment our beloved brother, Peter L. Vardaman, we offer the following tribute of respect and love: Brother Vardaman was born February 1, 1830, was made an E.A. November 12, 1870; F.C. March 1, 1871, in Bradford Lodge No. 138, died September 10, 1903. Brother Vardaman was a good man and a true Mason. We shall miss him in the lodge and the walks of men. We offer the following resolutions: 1. In the death of Brother Vardaman the lodge has lost a worthy member, a man who, as a true Mason, had his faith fixed on God, and walked with him. 2. That the community has lost in him a good citizen and neighbor, a man true to his family and friends. 3. That we extend to his family our sympathy and condolence in their great bereavement. 4. That these resolutions be spread on the minutes of the lodge, and that a copy be sent the family of the deceased and to the papers of Coosa County with request for publication. Respectfully submitted, J.C. Francis, J. J. Evans, J. R. Gilbert, Committee. Adopted by lodge Sept. 12, 1903. Geo. W. McElhiney, Secy.

25.01--Vardaman, b. ca.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
25.02--Vardaman, b. ca.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
25.03--Vardaman, b. ca.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
25.04--Vardaman, b. ca.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
25.05--Vardaman, b. ca.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

James Vardaman m2. to Jane Johnson

23.04--Nancy Vardaman, b. after 1781 in Newberry District, SC; m. Mr. Martin;

23.05--[prob. daughter] Vardaman,

23.06--Rachel Vardaman, b. after 1781 in Newberry District, SC; m. Jacob Soutar;

23.07--(Sally?) Vardaman, data unk.

From:  Jackvardaman@aol.com
To:  Sooze262@aol.com, 4bourkes@cox.net, GoneToAla@aol.com, jmcdgwin@zianet.com,  Weefuddled@aol.com, vghurd@rangeweb.net, wandaslack@earthlink.net, littletippecanoe21@hotmail.com, bvardeman@sc.rr.com, dvardima@oldcolo.com, nenick@ellijay.com, briarwdess@surry.net, tatum@quadnet.net
Date:  30 Apr 2002, 09:20:30 PM
Subject: Fwd: Ferdinand Vardaman

Hey gang,
I am forwarding to you a response that I have just furnished to a Rob Gilchrist who had asked if we could enlighten him on where one of his ancestors, Ferdinand Vardaman Gilchrist, may have gotten his Vardaman name.   I, of course, had no direct info to assist him but thought that a brief "nutshell" rundown of early Vardaman/Vardeman/Vardiman ancestry might help him in his search.

Please read my brief (?) synopsis of the first three generations of Vardamans (however spelled) and let me know of any flaws that you may detect.  You may  find this interesting -- especially regarding the Senexons about whom little  has been said up to now.

 I am a computer novice and realize that I probably should have written this first as a word document and then sent it as an attachment.  However, tyro that I am, I did not do that.  I hope that it gets through to everybody in intelligible form.

Jack

From:  Jackvardaman@aol.comaaaaaa
To: gilchrist@mail.datasys.net
Date: 30 Apr 2002, 08:56:59 PM
Subject: Ferdinand Vardaman

Rob,
I have finally managed to get a little time off from yard work and visitors and will attempt to give you a little background info on early Vardaman family history.  As I mentioned in an earlier message, I have no information that would help in identifying where the name emanated from in the Gilchrist family but knowing the early history of the Vardaman family might help you at some time in the future.

First: The name may be spelled Vardaman, Vardeman or Vardiman in today's world but, regardless of the spelling, it is all one family. In early colonial days it was sometimes spelled Werdeman or Wardiman, and I suspect that this may be the original European spelling. I have not seen this latter spelling in any record after about 1800. Our best information is that the Vardaman family emigrated to America from Sweden ca 1700, settling in what is now New Castle County, Delaware. However, the name does not appear to be of Swedish origin but of German (or, just possibly, Danish) origin instead. Nevertheless, even though it might be German or Danish rather than Swedish, this would not preclude the family from having emigrated to America from Sweden. During the 16th and 17th centuries many Germans emigrated across the Baltic Sea to Sweden where their industrial and commercial skills were much in demand.

The original emigrant to America was a John Vardaman who died and left his will in New Castle County, Delaware, in 1714. At that time the three counties of present day Delaware (New Castle, Kent and Sussex) were nominally part of the Province of Pennsylvania although they had their own legislature. They were known as New Castle (or Kent, or Sussex) on the Delaware. They did not exist as an entity of their own until the American Revolution.

The above John Vardaman left a wife, Margaret, an adult son, Johannes, and three minor children: sons Christopher and William and daughter Jane Margarita. The first three of these children were in all probability born before 1700 and prior to the family's arrival in America. The last child could also have been born prior to the family's arrival in America.

JOHANNES, son of John: married a woman named Sarah (maiden name unknown) and inherited his fathers New Castle County lands. The date of his marriage is not known but it was prior to the date of a New Castle County deed of 9 February 1718 in which his wife's name is mentioned. He died in New Castle County between 1733 and 1735 leaving at least three sons: William, Cristopher and Jacob, probably born in that order. We do not know of any daughters. It appears that all three sons were minors (not yet 21 years old) at the time Johannes wrote his will, 1 May 1733, and further appear to have been minors still, on 16 May 1735, when their mother and her new husband sold certain of Johannes' property that had been left to his three sons.

William, son of Johannes: This William was probably born after 1714 (he was not yet 21 on 1 May 1733 -- see above) and before 16 May 1727 (see below); married a woman named Elinor (maiden name unknown) and died prior to 17 January 1752 when his widow requested a survey on 100 acres of land in New Castle County. We know that William probably was of age by 16 May 1748 when he purchased land in New Castle County and that he was married by 13 February 1749 when his wife is mentioned in another deed. Based on the fact that we know that he had to be at least 21 years old prior to 16 May 1848, his birth had to be prior to 16 May 1727. Yet another New Castle County deed dated 15 June 1786, states that this William had left two children both of whom died in their minority without issue. While the sex of these two children is not specified, another report states that one of them was a son also named William.

Christopher, son of Johannes: This Christopher was also born after 1714 (see above) but before 13 February 1749 (see below). It is presumed that he married but no information regarding a marriage has ever been found. He sold his share in the lands left to him by his father to his brother, William, on 13 February 1749. We know that Christopher had to be at least 21 years of age by the date of this deed and can state then that he was born prior to 13 February 1728. This Christopher later lived in Sussex County, Delaware, where he died intestate ca 1799 when an Administrator was appointed to handle the affairs of his estate.

While it has not been proven that this Christopher in Sussex County was Christopher son of Johannes, logic leads us to this conclusion. We are confident that the Christopher in Sussex County was not Christopher son of the original John (who would have had to have been over 100 years at the time that an administrator was appointed for the estate of the Christopher in Sussex County in 1799) and we know of no other Christopher Vardaman in existence during the 18th century.

While we have no proven information concerning any children that Christopher may have had, a Henry Verdiman appears on a 1782 Sussex County tax list living in the same area (Baltimore Hundred) and close to Christopher Verdiman. It seems logical to conjecture that this Henry is a son of Christopher. A Henry Vardeman is later reported to have paid taxes in Norfolk County, VA, in 1787 and it is assumed that this is the same Henry who was with Christopher in Sussex County, DL, earlier. We know that Henry was at least 21 years of age at the time of the 1782 Sussex County tax list and, therefore, that he was born prior to 1761.

Jacob, son of Johannes: Jacob was born after 1714 (see above) and died after 24 May 1783 when, as a resident of St. David's Parrish, South Carolina, he sold a grant of land in Chathan County, NC, that he had received in the previous year. Again, there is no proof that the Jacob in South Carolina in 1783 was Jacob the son of Johannes. But, also again, we know of no other Jacob Vardaman who could have been in this area at this time. We know nothing further regarding this Jacob although much could be conjectured (which I will not do in this message).

In 1783 the area comprising St. David's Parrish, SC, was congruent with the administrative area of Cheraws District. In 1785 the Cheraws District was divided into Chesterfield, Darlington, and Marlboro Counties. Since the 1783 deed specifies only the Parrish name, we do not know in which county he may have lived. This is not far from the Chester/York County area of SC where James Gilchrist is found.

CHRISTOPHER, son of John: We have only one single piece of information that appears to relate to this Christopher and that is that he witnessed the will of a William Boon, Yeoman, Boon's Island, Philadelphia, PA, on 27 December 1714. While it is not proven that the Christopher who witnessed the Boon will was the son of John Vardaman, he certainly was not the son of Johnannes and we know of no other Vardaman family in America at this time. While we know that Christopher was still a minor at the time his father's will was written on 17 March 1714, it was legal for a minor to witness a will and, of course, it is possible that Christopher became an adult (reached 21) sometime between March 17 and December 27, 1714 -- a not improbable circumstance. It is the opinion of Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, a professional genealogical researcher and historian of the early Swedish settlements in the Delaware River valley and author of several books on this subject, that, due to the lack of the appearance of any documents bearing this Christopher's name, it is likely that he died young, having never married and leaving no issue.

JANE MARGARITA, daughter of John: Margarita (her name appears in church records variously as Margareta, Margaret, Margaretha, Margret and Marget Werdeman) married James Senexon on January 30, 1730 at Holy Trinity Church in Wilmington, DL. Her surname in the Holy Trinity Church records is consistently shown as Werdeman. His surname is variously spelled in church and deed records as Senecce, Seneck, Senecks, Senneckson, Senneke, Senexon, Sinnick, Sinnicksson and Synexxon. He was of Finnish descent, the son of James Sinnexson and Dorcas Harmonson; grandson of Broer and Sophia Sinnickson; and great-grandson of Sinnick Broer, a Finn who emigrated to this area of America with his family during the period of Dutch rule, 1655-64. James' family belonged to the Swedish Church (Holy Trinity).

James and Margareta (or Margaret, et al) Senexon/Sinnickson had 10 children with the last (a child whose first name was not recorded) on 13 April 1752. The other children's names were James, Henry, John, another James, Susanna, Sara, Isaac, Margret and Morina. While naming a second child James when a previous child already had been given that name may seem somewhat unusual is not unheard of. This is often associated with the death of the first child of that name prior to the naming of the second child. Also, the name "Morina" is somewhat unusual and I would not be surprised if this name should turn out to actually be Maria. A New Castle County deed dated 7 May 1757 seems to imply that there was a child named Ingaber (a daughter?) who was a minor in 1757. It is possible that this is the last unnamed child mentioned in the church records, born April 13, 1752. Nothing further is known about this family. I, personally, have never researched this family other than to peruse the early records of New Castle County, DL, which produced the above information.

WILLIAM, son of John:  You will note that I have left this son until the last.  That is because all of the contacts that I have had over the past many years and most of the records that I am aware of (other than a few from the very early years) pertain to this son and his descendants.  We generally refer to this ancestor as "old" William Vardaman.

William was born, as near as we can currently determine, ca 1698 probably in Sweden. He was brought to America by his parents at about the age of seven and was raised in New Castle County, DL. He married Magdalena Petersson, daughter of Peter and Karin Petersson, at Holy Trinity Church in New Castle County, DL, on April 21, 1720. The Peterssons were a Swedish family. The last record of the William Vardaman family in Delaware is the baptism of a daughter in 1724. William next appears in the Rockfish Gap area on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in what is now Albemarle County, VA, but was then in Goochland County in 1734. By 1744 he has moved a little further south to the Peaks of Otter area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in what is now Bedford County, VA. In 1744 this area was in Brunswick County and later, in 1746, in Lunenburg County. Bedford County was created out of Lunenburg in 1754. In 1766 "old" William with his second (or possibly third) wife and youngest son, James, relocated to the Dutch Fork area of what is now Newberry County, South Carolina, but was then in Craven County and later included in the judicial division known as Ninety Six District. "Old" William died ca 1789 in Newberry County naming his wife Bridgit and four sons John, William, Jr., Peter and James, in order in his will. The first three, as best we can determine, were from his first wife, Magdalena Petersson, while the last son, James, was with his last wife, Bridgit Tinkler. Based on details included in the various biographies of his grandson, Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman of Kentucky and Missouri, "old" William raised a very large family. Since there were only 4 sons, we believe that there were several daughters. Unfortunately, we know the names of only two: Maria and Jemima. While it can't be proven, we feel certain that there was another daughter named Frances who married Peter Bennett. Beyond this we are unable to conjecture with any degree of confidence on the names of any additional daughters.

However, marriage records of additional Vardaman women in Virginia and the presence of additional families in mid-18th century Virginia with children bearing the first or middle name of Vardaman leads us to believe that there were probably several more daughters. We have the record of the marriage of a Susannah Vardiman to a James Shelton who was born in Essex County, VA, in 1734 but cannot place her in the family. In addition we have a DAR record of the marriage of a Mary Vardiman to an Adam Epting probably in Craven Co., SC, prior to 1775 and cannot place her in the family. There is also a Vardiman Clements in Pittsylvania County, VA, in 1767 and we can make no connection of the Vardaman family with the Clements family..

John II, son of "old" William: This John Vardeman is thought to have been born ca 1725-1730 and was in Bedford County, VA, with his father as late as 1750. He married Elizabeth Morgan ca 1750, probably in Bedford Co., notwithstanding statements in the Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman biographies that John and Elizabeth married in South Carolina. This family left Bedford County ca 1767 to begin a steady trek westward through the New River and Clinch River areas of what is now southwestern Virginia. In 1775 he joined the company of men recruited by Daniel Boone to blaze a road through the Cumbertland Gap into Kentucky for the Transylvania Company of Col. Richard Henderson. Boone's mission was accomplished with the founding of Fort Boonesborough on the Kentucky River. John Vardeman then moved his family into Kentucky ca 1776 settling on Cedar Creek near Whitley's Station in a community that would come to be called Crab Orchard some 35 miles south of Fort Boonesborough.

The Jeremiah Vardeman biographies state that John and Elizabeth (Morgan) Vardeman had 12 children. The names of most of these children are known to us and are without question; however, the lists of names passed down in family lore do not entirely agree and a couple of the names have been disproved. Nevertheless, most of the names confirmed from various official records are considered to be valid. The birth date of the oldest of the children, daughter Mary Magdalene who married Simon Cockrell, is not known for sure but is considered to be ca 1750. The oldest son, William, is reported to have acturally settled in Kentucky prior to the arrival of his father with the rest of the family. This William later relocated, ca 1790, to the Natchez area in what is now the bayou country of southern Mississippi. To our knowledge all of John and Elizabeth's children married either in Kentucky or western Virginia. Some of these families moved south to Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas while others moved westward to Missouri. Some, of course, remained in Kentucky. To our knowledge none moved eastward or southeastward.

William, Jr., son of "old" William: This William remained in the Bedford/Campbell County area of Virginia until ca 1784 when, with his wife Jane (maiden name unknown but has been conjectured to be Bennett) and children, he relocated to Wilkes County, GA. At this time we know that he had a son, William who married Rachel Walker, and at least two daughters, Hannah who married Jesse Evans, Jr. and Roda who married Lewis McLean. We believe that they probably had a third daughter, Elizabeth who married Reuben Bennett but this has not been proven. It is not unlikely that William and Jane could have had additional daughters but we know nothing of them. While it is possible, it seems unlikely, that they would have had any daughters who married and remained in Virginia. It is unlikely that William and Jane had any son other than William. The families of these children of William and Jane remained in Georgia although we know that the children of their sonWilliam moved on to Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. William, Jr. died ca 1796 in Wilkes Co., GA.

Peter, son of "old" William: This Peter married Prudence (maiden name unknown although it is conjectured that it might be Snow) ca 1760-65. He stayed in the Bedford-Pittsylvania-Henry County area of Virginia until ca 1780 when he, too, moved to Kentucky where he lived out his life, dying ca 1808-11. We are reasonably sure that we have the names of all of his children who reached maturity and whom they married.

James, son of "old" William: This James (my 4th great-grandfather) came to what would become Newberry County, SC, with his father and mother in 1766. Except for a very brief interlude when he was in Wilkes Co., GA, James remained in Newberry County for the rest of his life. He died there in 1797 from Yellow Feve. We know that he was married to Jane Johnson, daughter of Daniel and Ann (Anderson) Johnson, prior to January, 1783. Some records, notably those of the Johnson family, state that she was his only wife and the mother of all of his 7 children. However, it is believed that he may have been previously married to Sabra Liles, daughter of Williamson Liles, and that she was possibly the mother of his two oldest, if not all 3, of his sons (William, Thomas and Joseph). We know positively that he had one daughter, Rachel, who married Jacob Souter. This family later moved to Mississippi. The Johnson records provide us with the names of two additional daughters -- Nancy and Sally. This identifies 6 of James' 7 children. We believe that the 7th child, whose name is unknown to us, was yet another daughter. Whether she lived to maturity and ever married is unknown to us. Nancy is reported (in Johnson family records) to have married a man named Martin. Whether Sally ever married or not is also unknown to us. All three sons moved to Georgia where they married 3 Vining sisters. The oldest son, William, then returned to South Carolina for several years before returning to Georgia to join his two brothers who had remained there. He then, almost immediately moved on to Alabama (ca 1820). His brother Thomas also moved to Alabama ca 1836. Both of these men died in Alabama, William ca 1835-40 and Thomas in 1857. The youngest son Joseph remained in Georgia dying in Harris County in 1850.

With the above, I have carried you through the first 3 generations of Vardamans in America. You did not furnish any information on the parents or other ancestors of James Gilchrist born 1774 in NC or his wife, Mary Roden, who was presumably born in the same generation. The inclusion of the name Vardaman for the first born of this couple would almost surely indicate a familial relationship of some sort -- possibly from one of the parents of James or Mary, more probably Mary, who would have been born in the era of 1754 or earlier.

A review of the data for "old" William's four sons indicates that it is highly unlikely that any of their children could have been a parent of either James or Mary (Roden) Gilchrist -- with the possible exception of William, Jr., whom it is possible could have had a daughter unknown to us who might have married in Virginia prior to the family's move to Georgia.

A more likely possibility is that one of the unknown daughters of "old" William could have married either a Gilchrist or Roden and become a parent of either James or Mary. An even better possibility might be the Jacob Vardaman whom we know was in both North and South Carolina in the late 1700s. Jacob who would have probably been born sometime in the 1720-1730 period could very well have had a child who could have become a parent of either James or Mary.

I hope that you will keep the above early Vardaman ancestry information in mind while pursueing the ancestry of James and Mary (Roden) Gilchrist. Needless to say, if you ever come across any information, even unconfirmed information, that might shed some light on where Ferdinand's name may have come from, please let us know. Several of us are, and have been, working very hard to establish all of the Vardaman lines.

Please let me know of any thoughts or ideas that this message may suggest to you. I will be glad to discuss them with you.

Jack Vardaman

In a message dated 4/30/2002 11:20:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Jackvardaman writes:

> William was born, as near as we can currently determine, ca 1698 probably in
> Sweden.  He was brought to America by his parents at about the age of seven
> and was raised in New Castle County, DL.  He married Magdalena Petersson,
> daughter of Peter and Karin Petersson, at Holy Trinity Church in New Castle
> County, DL, on April 21, 1720.  The Peterssons were a Swedish family...

Jack produced an admirable history of the early Vardemans. I do not disagree with any facts, but would like to point out that there was a second Hans Petersson on the 1671 census known as "Hans Petersson, the Swede."

Magdalena' s father was known as "Hans, the Holsteiner" and calling his family Swedish might be confusing.  However, his wife Karin was Swedish which would make their issue half-Swedish. See below:

Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig, 1671 Census of the Delaware, Page 39:

"Hans Petersson (#76), a Holsteiner born in 1631, was a soldier with the Dutch forces which vanquished New Sweden in September 1655.  He remained on the Delaware and was married to Anna, Swedish. On 14 November 1668, Governor Nicolls confirmed to him the other half of Wild Hook. He also was the operator of a gristmill on Skilpot Kill, patented 18 May 1662 by Governor Stuyvestant to Johan Stalcop (#80), Lucas Petersson (#132) and Hans Block (#135). In 1671 Hans Petersson's household included his wife Anna and sons Carl, Peter and Paul. Hans Petersson died in 1720, survived by sons Peter and Israel Petersson and daughters Magdalena and Engelkie."

Best regards to you all,
Susie Bartlett in Michigan

From: Sooze262@aol.com
Date: Wed Sep 07, 2005  10:16:46 AM US/Mountain
To: jmcdgwin@zianet.com
Cc: Jackvardaman@aol.com
Subject: John Gwin--1820 Census

Dear John:
We are Vardeman cousins. My line is John I > William I > John II > Morgan > Elizabeth.

Recently I have been following Amaziah and William Vardeman, sons of John II, and their issue into MS and LA.  My focus has been on early census data. I found nothing in 1800 or 1810, but 1820 had a few Vardemans. 

Do you have info on the following John Gwin?

1820 Federal Census - Louisiana, St. Tammany Parish, page 28, Line 18, <www.ancestry.com> , (NARA M33_31:

John Gwin
1 Free white male      26 to under 45
2 Free white females  Under 10 years
1 Free white female    10 to under 16
1 Free white female    26 to under 45

 3 Engaged in agriculture
1 Male slave under 14

This John Gwin is listed directly after William Vardeman, born abt 1754 VA, son of John II, and John Gustavus who married this William's daughter Rhoda.

I have enjoyed visiting your website and reading of your Vardaman connection.

Best regards,  Susie Bartlett in MI
 

From: James Keller <james_keller@mac.com>
Date: Sun Nov 26, 2006  08:31:26 PM US/Mountain
To: John Gwin <jmcdgwin@zianet.com>
Subject: Re: How are we related?

James Callow Keller (13 May 1960 - ) m. Dianna Denise Vardaman (15 Dec 1961) on 16 Oct 1982

Dianna is daughter of Melvin Eugene "Gene" Vardaman and Marilyn Diann Adams,

gdaughter of Delbert Porter Vardaman and Nina Blanche Jackson,

g-gdaughter of Earl Thomas Vardaman and Ethel Siebert,

gg-gdaughter of Charles Vardman and Sarah Ann Wilkins,

ggg-gdaughter of Morgan T. Vardaman and Lucinda Walker,

gggg-gdaughter of William George Vardaman and Mary "Polly" Reed,

ggggg-gdaughter of John S./Morgan "John Jr." Vardaman III and Mary Spaulding,

gggggg-gdaughter of John Vardaman Jr. and Elizabeth Taylor Morgan,

ggggggg-gdaughter of William Vardaman and Magdalena Peterson,

gggggggg-gdaughter of Johannes Welhelm "John" Vardamon and Margaret Evans

---

 

1.00--Johannes Welhelm "John" Vardamon and Margaret Evans

2.00--William Vardaman and Magdalena Peterson,

3.00--John Vardaman Jr. and Elizabeth Taylor Morgan,

4.00--John S./Morgan "John Jr." Vardaman III and Mary Spaulding,

5.00--William George Vardaman and Mary "Polly" Reed,

6.00--Morgan T. Vardaman and Lucinda Walker,

7.00--Charles Vardman and Sarah Ann Wilkins,

8.00--Earl Thomas Vardaman and Ethel Siebert,

9.00--Delbert Porter Vardaman and Nina Blanche Jackson,

10.00--Melvin Eugene "Gene" Vardaman and Marilyn Diann Adams,

11.00--Dianna Denise Vardaman (15 Dec 1961) m. James Callow Keller (13 May 1960 - ) on 16 Oct 1982

 

Because I can't yet bring myself to dispose of this old stuff, not yet having gone through it all, I've stuck it here. Please don't use anything from it, as it may not be true. --John Gwin

 

James Vardaman Compiled in the year 1950 (and following) by the late James Bassett Gwin II and in 1999 and following by his nephew John McDonald Gwin. James said he obtained some of the information from Memorial Record of Alabama. I'd love to document all of this, but I cannot; therefore, I present it in good faith, and if you have documentation to add to or correct any of it, please contact me. Thanks! Also, there are some interesting notes located at the bottom of this page; you might wish to check them out before you leave--thanks again. New info, June 15, 2000:  For some time, I'd been hearing about a Vardaman genealogist named J. H. "Jack" Vardaman of Alpharetta, Georgia, who "knows more about the Vardaman family than anyone else" but was not "on line".   I even wrote a snailmail letter to him but never mailed it, thinking he was probably too busy to send me anything, and besides, someone else had already sent me an online version of much of his work.  To make a long story short, Jack and I are second cousins, and we've been in contact by telephone and snailmail several times now.    He'd been trying unsuccessfully to make contact with the Gwin side of his family for some time.  He is a son of Jesse H. Vardaman, who was a son of Marshall E. and Clara "Odie" Vardaman, my paternal grandmother's brother and sister-in-law.  Much of the material below will be updated sometime soon based on his contributions.  John M. Gwin jmcdgwin@zianet.com * * * * * * * * Three Vardaman brothers came to America in the early part of the 18th century. Peter Vardaman settled in Virginia; William Vardaman in New York, and James Vardaman in South Carolina in the fork of the Broad and Ennoree Rivers known as Dutch Fork in what was then the Newberry District of SC. (The area is now in Union County, in the Sumter National Forest about two miles northwest of the community of Blair, SC, and about 35 mi. nw of Columbia.). This was a colony of Germans, and it is believed the Vardamans were either from Germany or the Netherlands. 1.1--Peter Vardaman 1.2--William Vardaman 1.3--James Vardaman (b.; d.); at least one child 2.--Thomas Vardaman, b. ca. 1777 in Dutch Fork, SC; m. in 1801 at about age 24 in Jefferson Co., GA, to Annie Vining (b.; d.; d/o Shadrach Vining and Phereby Ratcliffe); they moved around in GA and SC, finally settling in Coosa Co., AL, in 1836; d. 1857; four known children of many 3.1--Edwy Liles Vardaman, b. 2 Feb 1804 in GA; d. 25 Jul 1879; bd. with wife at Smyrna, Coosa Co., AL; m. 6 Jan 1824 to Lucinda K. Mauk (b.; d. Mar 1862 ; d/o Mathias Jackson Mauk, Jr., and Frances Lea); 13 children 4.1--Mielda Vardaman, b. 16 Sep 1826; d. Jan 1884; buried in Fayetteville, TN; m. I. T. Kilpatrick (b. in Fayetteville, TN; d.); many children 5._--Bose Kilpatrick 4.2--Minerva Vardaman, b. 18 Mar 1828; d. 1842, about age 14--smothered while playing in the cottonseed; no children 4.3--Cynthia M. Vardaman, b.3 July 1829; d. 24 Dec 1905, buried at Rock Springs; m. Kenny Hannon (b.; d.--killed in the Civil War); unk. children 4.4--Frances Cemyra Vardaman, b. 11 Jan 1831; d. 13 Jun 1910, buried at Brownsville; m. George House (b.; d.); 3 children 5.1--Bud House 5.2--Willie House; m. Jessie Carter 6.1--Otis House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. Ms. Gaston; _children; 7.__--James House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. ; _children; 6.2--Frank House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. Louverne Allen; _children; 6.3--Fred (Robert?) House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. Alma Mitchell; _children; 7.1?--Benny House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. ; _children; 7.2?--Fred House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. ; _children; 7.3?--Nan House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. ; _children; 6.4--Sarah House, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. ; _children; 5.3--Mary Jane House; m. M. Robinson 4.5--Mary Bruce Vardaman, b. 18 Apr 1832; d. 2 May 1901, buried at Brownsville; m. Edward M. Adair (b.; d.); 5 children 5.1--Ben Adair, b.; d.; m.(b.; d.); children 5.2--Alford Adair, b.; d.; m.(b.; d.); children 5.3--Jim Adair, b.; d.; m.(b.; d.); children 5.4--Fanny Adair; , b.; d.; m. Mr. Hardaman (b.; d.); children 5.5--John Adair, b.; d.; m.(b.; d.); children 4.6--Nancy Ann Vardaman, b. 18 Jul 1833; d. 17 Oct 1844, age 11; no children 4.7--John Forsythe Vardaman, b.; d.; m. Julia Ann Flynn (b.; d.); 4 children , 12 grandchildren 5.1--Marshall Evart Vardaman, b. 27 Sep 1866 (or 1868?); d. Sunday, 20 Feb 1927; m. 2 Oct 1887 to Clara Owens Carlisle (b.; d.); 8 children; 6.1--Myrtle Vardaman, b. ; d. ; m. XX (b. ; d. );children; 6.2--Willie Vardaman, b. ; d. ; m. XX (b. ; d. );children; 6.3--Jesse Vardaman, b. ; d. ; m. XX (b. ; d. );children; 6.4--Louie Vardaman, b. ; d. 18 Apr 1965; m. XX (b. ; d. ); children; 7._--Emily Vardaman, b. ; d. 18 Apr 1965; m. XX (b. ; d. ); children; 6.5--Eugene Vardaman, b. ; d. ; m. XX (b. ; d. );children; 6.6--Maggie Vardaman, b. ; d. ; m. Mr. McCraney (b. ; d. ) settled in Atlanta, GA;children; 6.7--Carlisle Vardaman, b. ; d. ; m. XX (b. ; d. );children; 5.2--John William ("J. W." or "Dubby") Anderson Vardaman, b. 19 Oct 1868; d. 3 May 1911 at Lafayette, Ala., buried at Smyrna; never married, but was engaged to marry Diamond Grimmett when he had his untimely and fatal heart attack; no children 5.3--Maggie May Vardaman, b.Weds., 28 Sep 1870; d. 1952; m. 15 Dec 1885 to Thomas Jefferson Webb (b.; d.); lived in Kelleyton and settled in Alexander City, Ala. no children 5.4--Adrian ("Ada") Bell (Belle?) Vardaman, b. 3 Feb 1877; d. 26 Feb 1954 in New Orleans, LA; m. 22 Feb 1909 to James Bassett Gwin, Sr. (b. 21 Apr 1872; d. 21 Oct 1921 ); 4 children 4.8--Zylpha Thommie Hollaway Vardaman (called Puss), b. 1 Nov 1836; d. 24 May 1922, buried at Brownsville; m. J. M. L. McPhail (b.; d.); no children (but became stepmother to her husband's two sons by his first wife; stepsons: Dodridge McPhail and Mack McPhail--m. Zadie Gamble) 4.9--William Sanford Vardaman, b. 12 Jun 1840; d. 5 May 1862 in Civil War, battle of Williamsburg, Va.; never married; enlisted in Co. A 14th Alabama Infantry--private; no children 4.10--James Mathis Vardaman, b. May 1842; d. 30 Mar 1865 below Petersburg Civil War; enlisted in Co. C 16th Alabama Infantry--private; no children 4.11--Adaline Elizabeth Vardaman, b. 14 Nov 1843; d. 25 Mar 1923, buried at Rock Springs; unmarried; no children 4.12--Annie Lovedia Vardaman, b.25 Oct 1845; d. 31 Aug 1922, buried at Rock Springs; m. B. Frank Luker (b.; d.); 6 children; (I have quite a bit of Uncle James' information from the Luker family of 50 years ago that I plan to post here sometime soon). 5.1--M 5.2--M 5.3--M 5.4--M 5.5--M 5.6--M 3.2--Hilda Vardaman, b. 18__ in GA; d.  ; bd. ; m. Mr. Tomme; children; 3.3--Edilda Vardaman, b. 18__in GA; d.  ; bd. ; m. xx; children; 3.4--Rachel Vardaman, b. 18__ in GA; d.  ; bd. ; m. xx; children; 3.5--Elizabeth "Betty" Vardaman, b. 18 in GA; d.  ; bd. ; m. Mr. Harwell; children; 3.6--Jane Frances Vardaman, b. 22 Mar 1821 in GA; d.  ; bd. ; m. John Howell; children; 3.7--Thomas Jefferson Vardaman, b. 4 Apr. 1823 or 1828, d. 16 July 1864 B. in MOBC (Note: inscribed on this grave marker is CSA, which indicates that TJV served in the Confederate military service.  From the date of death, he was likely killed in action.) m. xx; unk. children; 3.8--Ruth Ann Vardaman, b. 18 in GA; d.  ; bd. ; m. Mr. Steiners; children 3.9--Peter Lafayette Vardaman, b. 1 Feb 1830 in GA; d. 10 Sep 1903; bd. in MOBC;  the following eulogy was published in an unknown newspaper and pasted in my grandmother's album beside her penned caption, "A brother to my Grandfather Vardaman": A MASONIC TRIBUTE--To the W.M., Wardens and Brethen of Hillabee Lodge No. 197, A.F. and A.M.: We, your committee, submit the following report: As God has seen fit in His infinite wisdom to call from labor to refreshment our beloved brother, Peter L. Vardaman, we offer the following tribute of respect and love: Brother Vardaman was born February 1, 1830, was made an E.A. November 12, 1870; F.C. March 1, 1871, in Bradford Lodge No. 138, died September 10, 1903. Brother Vardaman was a good man and a true Mason. We shall miss him in the lodge and the walks of men. We offer the following resolutions: 1. In the death of Brother Vardaman the lodge has lost a worthy member, a man who, as a true Mason, had his faith fixed on God, and walked with him. 2. That the community has lost in him a good citizen and neighbor, a man true to his family and friends. 3. That we extend to his family our sympathy and condolence in their great bereavement. 4. That these resolutions be spread on the minutes of the lodge, and that a copy be sent the family of the deceased and to the papers of Coosa county with request for publication. Respectfully submitted, J.C. Francis, J.J. Evans, J.R. Gilbert, Committee. Adopted by lodge Sept. 12 1903. Geo. W. McElhiney, Secy. Let me quote here a page from Uncle James B. Gwin's notes, as some if it near the end may be useful to you--I don't know. Here's what I have: ------------------------------------ Pages 31A and 32A: Vardaman Family History Compiled by James B. Gwin The following is a copy of a letter written to my mother [JOHN GWIN note: Mrs. Adrian Bell Vardaman Gwin, my grandmother] by Leon A. Nolen of 1609 12th Street, Birmingham, Alabama, on September 29, 1944. "Dear distant cousins; "As you know, I have been interested in my family line in order to know from whence thay came and what contributions they made in the times in which they lived. We have the Vining line in common. "About three or four years ago, I visited for a short while with Miss Annie Vardaman and her father, John T. Vardaman in Sylacauga, Alabama. At that time I knew very little of the Vining Family; since, however, I have found records which show our relationship. At that time Mr. John T. Vardaman told me that Mr. John Forsythe Vardaman (JOHN GWIN note: my great-grandfather], father of Mrs. Gwin and Mrs. Webb, along about 1870 or 1880 wrote down in a book--a buckskin or calfskin back, I remember he said--a history of the different family connections. The Vardaman and Vining, etc. Cousin Maggie [JOHN GWIN note: the aforementioned Mrs. Webb] tells me that there was such a book her father had, but she is unable to locate it. If that book could be found, it certainly would throw a lot of light on things that may be now forever lost. I should like very much to see it in reference to the Vining family. If possible it would be found, we are beginning to think more of our lineage now than formerly." (Note: this book has never turned up and is evidently lost forever--James B. Gwin) INFORMATION FURNISHED BY LEON A. NOLEN: VINING: aThe Vinings settled sometime around 1650 at Weymouth, Massachusetts. Some of the family moved to Johnston Co., NC, sometime around 1750; one of them, Jeptha Vining, was a noted Baptist preacher in SC and Georgia. JOHN VINING: Born probably about 1720 probably in the state of Mass., died in 1801 in Jefferson Co., GA, date of marriage and name of wife unknown. His will was probated in Jefferson Co. in 1801. He had moved from Johnston Co., NC, in 1788; children mentioned in his will: SARAH: CADAR: WILLIAM: SHADRACH [JOHN GWIN note: this is our line]: JOHN: JESSE: (THOMAS?): ANN: ABBEGILL (sic). SHADRACH VINING: m. 1778 in Johnston Co., NC, to Phereby Ratcliffe. He moved with his father 1788 from Johnston Co., NC, to what is now Jefferson Co., GA. His will probated Jan. 1806 in Jeffereson Co., GA, naming his wife Phereby and a son John "my estate be equally divided among all my children." (No mention here of how many children.) His widow, Phereby Vining, moved about 1806 or 1807 to what is now Putnam County, GA; she died in 1826 and her surviving 13 children signed a deed selling her land as follows: Rachel Vining married Joseph Vardaman Simeon Vining Reubin Vining Jefferson Vining Annie Vining married Thomas Vardaman Benjamin Vardaman Vining Shadrach Vining Ruth Vining married William Vardaman John Vining Jehu Vining, died in Bibb Co., Alabama Samuel Vining Phereby Vining Zilpha Vining married 1800 to Joseph Tomme, grandparents of Adolphus Ving Tomme who was grandfather of Leon A. Nolen. A tradition in the family that two of the Vining girls who married Vardaman boys were twins. This is believed to be Ruth and Rachel who married Joseph and William Vardaman. A reference states that Joseph Vardaman and Rachel Vining lived in Harries Co., GA. There is a reference to a Peter Vardaman in 1779 in Henry Co., VA. There is a reference to a William Vardaman in Newberry District, SC, who was a Revolutionary soldier. There is a reference to AMML Vardaman, John Vardaman, Sr., and a John Vardaman, Jr., listed in 1780 in Lin (?) Co., VA. Jehu Vining had a son Peter Vining, a grandson Peter Vining--his wife's first name was Sarah. ------------------------------------ pp.30A and 30BXX Vardaman Family History Supplement Compiled by Uncle James B. Gwin The following is taken from a letter written to my mother from a Leon A. Nolen dated October 11, 1944 address 1609 12th St. B'ham, AL He states that there were three Vardaman brothers who married three Vining sisters. This agrees with other records that we have. However, the names of the Vardaman brothers differ from our records. He states that the brothers were named Thomas, Joseph, and William. Our records show that they were Peter, James, and William. Thomas Vardaman who married Annie Vining was the son of James. However, our record does not show who the original three Vardaman brothers married, and it could be that they married the three sisters before Thomas their son married Annie. This letter states that the three sisters were named Annie, Rachal (sic), and Ruth; another sister to the above was Zilpha Vining who married Joseph Tomme around 1800 in Jefferson Co., GA, a second marriage in 1840 to Anthony Holloway in Troup County, GA. (note that a daughter of Edwy Vardaman, son of Thomas Vardaman, had a daughter named "Zylpha Thommie Hollaway Vardaman, evidently named for this Zilpha Vining.) Also some names are given which are not found in the other records that I have. Children of Thomas Vardaman and Annie Vining: Edwy L. Vardaman b. in Newberry District, SC, 1804; Jane E. Vardaman, b. 22 Mar 1821; Thomas Jefferson Vardaman, b. 4 Apr 1828; Peter Lafayette Vardaman, b. 11 Feb. 1830; and Ruth. This letter states that evidently there were a number of other children as the recods are missing from the time of their marriage until 1821. He states that Ruth was old enough to join the Crooked Creek Church in Putnam Co., GA, indicating that Ruth was born early in the marriage. This letter states that Annie Vining Vardaman is buried in an unmarked grave near Sylacauga AL, in Mount Olive Cem. A brother of Annie Vining, Jehu, who was born in 1790, is buried in the old Acker Cem. in Bibb Co. (it doesn't say if this is GA or AL.). The name of a Mr. Greer is given as a descendent of a Rev. Jeptha Vining. I have the name of a Mrs. Gladys J. Busby, (Mrs. Gearge M. Busby) of Rt. 1 Box 160, Chandler, Arizona, dated 1955, as being a relative of the marriage of Annie Vining and Thomas Vardaman, who has collected some genealogy on this family.   The following names are found in Coosa County Cemeteries Records, a copy of which is to be found in the Archives of Auburn University, and are believed to related to the Family of John Forsythe Vardaman. Information taken from cemetery headstones and from Vol. #1 pages 150, 151, and 131: Allie Eugene Vardaman, Born Jan 28, 1894, died Nov. 9, 1896, Son of JT and AT buried in Macedonia Baptist Cemetery, located in Sewartsville Community, about two miles off US Hwy 231 in northern part of Coosa Co., AL. Alexander L. Vardaman, b. 10 Nov. 1876, d. 7 Dec. 1876, bd. in Mount Olive Bapt. Cem. (MOBC is located about 3 miles northwest of Hanover on Co. Rd. 49, Coosa Co., AL.) Euleiah B. Vardaman b. 9 Feb 1878 d. Dec 7, 1876 d. 10 Aug 79 B. in MOB Cem. J.D. Vardaman b. 1861 c. 1879 B. in MOBCem Dollas (Dallas?) Vardaman b. 1861, d. 1879 B. in MOBCem John L. Vardaman b. 26 Aug 1862, d.1 July 1932, B. in MOBCem Lucy P. Vardaman, b. 22 Jan 1869, d. 24 Dec 1944, B. in MOBCem Peter L. Vardaman b. 11 Feb 30, d. 9 Sept 1903 B. in MOBCem Susan M. Vardaman, b. 8 may 1831, d. 24 mar 1913, B. in MOBC Rufus A. Vardaman, b. 22 Dec 1862, d. 24 Oct 1946, B. in MOBC T.J. (Thomas Jefferson?) Vardaman, b. 4 Apr. 1823, d. 16 July 1864 B. in MOBC (Note: inscribed on this grave marker is CSA, which indicates that TJV served in the Confederate military service.) Nancy B. Vardaman, 27 Feb 1833, d. 19 feb. 1900 B. in MOBC ------------------------------------

 

Judge John W. A. Vardaman (1868-1911)   maryameyer     (View posts) Posted: 20 Dec 2003 6:44AM GMT Classification: Obituary Surnames: VARDAMAN, WEBB, WOODDY, McNEIL, DRIVER, BLEDSOE, DENSON, SIMPSON, SCHUESSLER, GRIFFIN, LOWE, WATKINS, DICKSON, ANDREWS, GWIN "JUDGE VARDAMAN SERIOUSLY ILL. The many friends of Hon. J. W. A. Vardaman, Judge of Probate, will regret to learn of his serious illness. He went to Antioch church last Wednesday morning to attend the funeral of Mr. J. S. Wooddy, and was taken sick during the funeral services and had to leave the church. Friends carried him to the home of Mr. John Wooddy, who lived near the church, and summoned a physician. He was brought to his home here Wednesday afternoon. His mother, Mrs. Vardaman, and sister, Mrs. Webb, of Alexander City, are at his bedside" (p. 269). "DEATH CLAIMS JUDGE JOHN W. A. VARDAMAN. John W. A. Vardaman, Probate Judge of Chambers county, died at his home here last Wednesday evening at 7:50 o'clock, after an illness of one week. Mr. Vardaman was born in Tallapoosa county, Ala., Oct. 19th, 1868. He came to LaFayette in 1893, and entered LaFayette College, studying one year under Dr. McNeil. He then read law and shortly afterwards became Clerk of the Probate Court under the administration of Judge A. J. Driver, Jr.  On Jan. 29th, 1910, he announced his candidacy for the office of Judge of Probate, and was nominated by a handsome majority in the May primary and elected without opposition in the general election in November. He assumed the duties of his office on January 16th, 1911, and had served only three and one half months of his six years' term. As a man Judge Vardaman was held in the highest esteem; as an official he was fast taking a position as a just and upright Judge; as a friend he was true and loyal, a great-hearted man whose sympathy and help went out to the poor and needy, the distressed and suffering. A man of lofty ideals, he was ambitious to meet all of life's obligations in the spirit of true manliness. His integrity was unimpeachable, his patriotism unquestioned. As a son and brother, no man could have been more devoted. On last Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, a great congregation made up of his fellow citizens from every section of the county, assembled in the auditorium of the Baptist church in this city to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory, and to give their silent, though eloquent sympathy to the deeply bereaved family. The funeral sermon preached by Dr. W. C. Bledsoe was solemn and deeply impressive, and received the profound attention of the large assembly. The music rendered by a selected choir was beautiful and appropriate. It was a sad, sad occasion to our people. The remains were carried to Goodwater Thursday afternoon and the interment made in the family burying ground near that place Friday mroning. The services at the grave were in charge of the Masonic fraternity, of which the deceased was a faithful member. A number of Masons and other friends from this place accompanied the remains to the grave. Mr. Vardaman leaves to mourn his sad death, his mother, two sisters and one brother, a number of relatives and a host of friends" (p. 270). *** A resolution by Solomon Lodge #74, A. F. & A. M., LaFayette, Ala. was dated June 3, 1911, signed by N. D. Denson, Jr., R. G. Simpson, H. M. Schuessler, and published (p. 270). A resolution adopted by the Baptist Sunday School was signed by C. W. Griffin, R. G. Simpson, and C. W. Lowe, and published (pp. 270-271). "...Brother Vardaman was a good and loyal Elk, and exemplified in his daily life and conduct toward his fellow men, the noble tenets of our order...Therefore, be it resolved by Opelika Lodge 910 B. P. O. E., That, while we deplore the death of our Brother, yet we bow our heads in humble submission to the Will of Him who doeth all things for the best...That this lodge room be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days in respect to the memory of our beloved Brother...Fraternally Submitted, John K. Watkins, L. F. Dickson, W. T. Andrews, Committee" ( p. 271). "CARD OF THANKS, We desire to express our sincere gratitude to the loyal friends of our dearly loved son and brother, for their unsurpassed kindness and faithfulness during his last severe illness and death. May God's richest blessings be upon them all. --Mrs. Julia Vardaman, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gwin" These quotes are all from ALLIE ABERNATHY'S SCRAPBOOKS 1893-1923: Marriages, Deaths and Other Items from Chambers County, Alabama Newspapers, compiled by Laura Alabama Floretta Abernathy. Mary on the other side