Author: William D. Lindsey

I'm a retired academic, with a Ph.D. and M.A. in theology from Toronto School of Theology, an M.A. in english from Tulane University, and a B.A. in English from Loyola University, New Orleans. Published work includes Fiat Flux: The Writings of Wilson R. Bachelor, Nineteenth-Century Country Doctor and Philosopher (Fayetteville: Univ. of Arkansas Press, 2013), and (with William L. Russell and Mary Ryan) A Family Practice: The Russell Doctors and the Evolving Business of Medicine, 1799–1989 (Fayetteville: Univ. of Arkansas Press, 2020).

Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Proven and Possible Children by His First Wife

October 22, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God” In my last posting, I brought the story of Moses Birdwell (1769-1849) up to his death in 1849 in Hopkins County, Texas. That posting notes that the family journal compiled by several members of the Cunningham family, which connects to the Birdwells through … More Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Proven and Possible Children by His First Wife

Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Final Years in Hopkins County, Texas, 1846-9

October 20, 2024

As the previous posting notes, after having been declared bankrupt in Marshall County, Alabama, in November 1842, Moses Birdwell left Alabama in January or February 1846 with his daughter Ritha and her husband George Madison Connally to join Ritha’s brothers George Washington Birdwell, Abraham Marshall Birdwell, and Zachariah Birdwell in Texas. George and Zachariah appear … More Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Final Years in Hopkins County, Texas, 1846-9

New Information re: the Family of Mary Brooks (d. 1787) of Frederick County, Virginia – & New Wrinkle

October 13, 2024

“The Last Will and Testament of James Brooks Deceas’d was … Ordered to be for further proof” There’s a Murphy’s law in genealogical research that I’ve found proven true over and over – at least in my own research. Maybe your research hasn’t yet encountered this law. I hope that’s the case.

Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Years in Limestone, Jackson, and Marshall County, Alabama, 1818-1846

October 2, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “Land sales were in Feb. 1818 after treaties with the Chickasaws in 1816 and Cherokees in 1817” In my previous two postings about Moses Birdwell, I follow his story from his early years (1769-1811/2) in Botetourt County, Virginia, Sullivan County, North Carolina (later Tennessee), and Franklin County, Georgia, to his years (1811/2 – … More Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Years in Limestone, Jackson, and Marshall County, Alabama, 1818-1846

Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Madison County, Mississippi Territory Years, 1811/2 – 1818

September 18, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “Opend a door for the reception of members and receivd Brother Moſes Birdwell by Experience” In the previous posting, I trace the life of Moses Birdwell, son of George and Mary Birdwell, from his birth in 1769 in Augusta (later Botetourt County), Virginia, through his years in Sullivan County, North Carolina (later Tennessee) … More Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Madison County, Mississippi Territory Years, 1811/2 – 1818

Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Virginia, North Carolina/Tennessee, and Georgia Years to 1811/2

September 13, 2024

Or, Subtitled: Family Bibles and Handwriting Conundrums Moses’ Birth in Augusta (Later Botetourt) County, Virginia, 15 October 1769: Notes on Birdwell Bible The date of birth of Moses Birdwell, father of James G. Birdwell – 15 October 1769 – is recorded in the register of a bible that is thought to have belonged to his … More Moses Birdwell (1769-1849): Virginia, North Carolina/Tennessee, and Georgia Years to 1811/2

Children of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard of Alabama and Louisiana – Frances, Sophronia, and Mary Ann Birdwell

September 5, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “Methodist; farmer, ginner, plantation owner in Louisiana and Texas” 7. Frances C. Birdwell, the seventh child of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard, was born about 1836-1837 in Jackson County, Alabama. This date of birth is suggested by the 1850 and 1860 federal censuses. As a previous posting notes, the 1850 federal census … More Children of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard of Alabama and Louisiana – Frances, Sophronia, and Mary Ann Birdwell

Children of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard of Alabama and Louisiana – DeWitt Clinton, Thomas, and Camilla Birdwell

September 1, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “Steem” Mills and Malignant Fevers 4. DeWitt Clinton Birdwell, the fourth child of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard, was born about 1831 in Limestone or Jackson County, Alabama. I have very little information about this son of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard who is named as their child in Hardin Harville’s … More Children of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard of Alabama and Louisiana – DeWitt Clinton, Thomas, and Camilla Birdwell

Children of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard of Alabama and Louisiana – Elvira, Hannah, John B. Birdwell

August 26, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “Died at the ripe old age of 85 years at the residence of her son, J. C. Harville” As the previous posting states, the combined succession documents of James G. Birdwell and his wife Aletha Leonard give us the names of the six youngest children of James and Aletha: Dewitt Clinton, Thomas, Camilla, … More Children of James G. Birdwell and Aletha Leonard of Alabama and Louisiana – Elvira, Hannah, John B. Birdwell

James G. Birdwell (1795-1849): Louisiana Years

August 18, 2024

Or, Subtitled: “The cholera has reappeared at several plantations on Red River” As the previous posting notes, after James G. Birdwell and wife Aletha R. Leonard sold their land in Marshall County, Alabama, on 30 November 1839, they moved their family to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. The linked posting states that the 1883 family history written … More James G. Birdwell (1795-1849): Louisiana Years