The Big Tree

By Bruce Tarver

Featuring the Tarver, Rollins, Cook, and Laird Families of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas; including their migration north, east, and west. Families migrated to and from the old South, settling in places from California, Virginia, Florida throughout these United States. Cultures and traditions were passed down, merged, and spread from generation to generation.

Throughout the history of this family, God is ever-present in the lives of all of them. They were God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing people whose lives centered on their family and their church. There are over eight hundred names of our family spanning the pre-Civil War and post-Civil War era agrarian society to the modern mechanized culture--farmers' families turned into pastors, factory workers, mechanics, philanthropists, businessmen, doctors, nurses, and soldiers. This family is particularly focused around "the Greatest Generation," the generation that provided the men and women needed to stop the spread of the dictators' empires of World War II.

Our family veterans fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the deserts of the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan. Families are documented in this genealogy history with the use of census, marriage, social security, birth, and death records. Obituaries of our ancestors, through their deaths, bring the families to life and bring them together. Military records honor those veterans who served our country in times of war and peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890611376

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Introduction

Generation 1

Generation 2

Generation 3

Generation 4

Generation 5

Generation 6

About the Author

cover.jpg

The Big Tree

Bruce Tarver

Copyright © 2024 Bruce Tarver

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2024

ISBN 979-8-89061-136-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89061-137-6 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To L'Iska, my deceased wife, and Polly, my deceased cousin. L'Iska Waller Tarver started this adventure so many years ago by writing a letter to my Great-Uncle William. In his response, they formed a bond that has been dear to me and encouraged the tenacity needed for me to press on with her adventure. My cousin Pauline Polly Tarver Scott spent years in the research and always shared a significant find. She lived and died childless, spending her life and last years in this endeavor.

Introduction

From this history, there are stories of happiness, sadness, and tragedy. There are stories of success and failure. In these reflections, it is important to remember you can't physically go back to a particularly comfortable place. The good part of that is you will never suffer the same pain twice. As good as something once was, events can only be remembered, not duplicated. As bad as something was, memory and time will soothe the pain, but you won't forget it.

Memories of a war that was not winnable haunt me. The political and social upheaval it caused puzzles me. I am not torn asunder by them as some are. Some of the memories are good, and some are bad. Fond memories of L'Iska are ever present around me. She lives on in our wonderful daughters, our family, and the people whose lives she touched in so many ways. I have let her go so she can rest with the Father. The only bad memories are the suffering she went through in her last days on this earth. We cannot have light without darkness. We won't realize happiness without tragedy. Adversity is a part of life while joy should be a way of life.

We walk through time mostly dormant. There are only brief interludes of fame and glory. I have had my share of both, possibly more than some have had and less than others. It is more exhilarating to march in a Pass in Review Ceremony than it is to watch it. It is more exhilarating to be in a color guard as a flag bearer in a parade than it is to watch it. It is more exhilarating to walk the walk in a college graduation than it is to watch it. It is more exhilarating to be in control of an M-60 in a machine-gun bunker than it is to read about it or watch it in a movie. Mark your success not with material things but with relationships and the love of others. Time marches on.

In the research involved in this history, there were many variations of names and dates. To simplify the process, primary names and dates were taken from the cemetery records and markers for each individual. Markers contain the names and dates of the people as the people who laid them to rest and knew them best. Variations in names and dates are due to information taken from census records.

Most all of the dates from the 1900s are fairly accurate. The 1800s dates are less concise; some are plus or minus five to ten years. Of the census takers and the people being counted, either the people could not read or write or the census taker could not interpret the information correctly. In some census entries, there are notes such as information taken from a neighbor. The abbreviations used in records were not consistent. In some cases, the people extrapolating information confused MS or Miss to be Missouri instead of Mississippi. Census takers were not the most educated people.

Some could not spell Missouri (Misuria, for example). Most people in those days used phonetics to spell. A lot of census takers had legible handwriting; some were not legible. The name Tarver was interpreted as Tovar or Tower. To make genealogy more user-friendly, in the mid-1900s, they created an index of all the census pages. Mistakes were made on the index, so if you couldn't find it on the census sheet, it was lost forever. Then, in the twenty-first century, artificial intelligence was incorporated into genealogy. Well, that worked in a lot of information. When it is wrong, it is grossly wrong.

Most people in those days did not know exactly where or when they were born. They scratched a meager existence from the land they lived on and didn't worry about nonessential unimportant things we dwell on too much. They worried about essential things like food and where the next dollar will come from to pay the rent or note on the land. Before 1900, nearly everyone in our families were farmers. They woke up still tired from the day before, praying that God would see them through another day. They were God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing people. They loved their families, their church, and their community.

After the turn of the twentieth century, all the families started spreading out. Some went to the auto industry in local repair shops, some went to the retail sales business in groceries and dry goods, some went to the military, and some went to manufacturing. Cotton and textile mills were predominant in the South.

Some Explanations

There are numerous sources for research of family history. In my research, I used Ancestry.com, Find a Grave, Newspapers.com, and Fold3, just to name a few. In the use of these sites, they took me to other sites such as the US Census Schedules, Social Security records, military records, phone books, and travel records. These records are referenced throughout this family history. It takes this family from the Southern cotton fields of Mississippi and Louisiana to the lands from sea to shining sea. The information has been compiled, combined, and corrected to give an accurate presentation of these families. There were a lot of things that seemed incorrect. The necessary corrections have been made through comparisons of census information, Military information, marriage information, family Bibles, and social security information.

The Census Index and Census Schedule often have a plus or minus one year in the data. The Census Index was created many years ago by individuals working in Census Schedules that used very poor handwriting by the enumerator that did the actual census and recorded the information. Information was often not known by the individual being interviewed. For example, in those days, babies were sometimes not named until a couple of years after birth. There was an instance of a Census Schedule with two children that were aged nine and ten that had no name. If a wife was being interviewed, she may not have known where her spouse was born or the date of birth. Many people in the 1800s could not read or write. So the name spelling was left to the enumerator.

The individual that transcribed the information from the actual Census Schedule either did not know the state abbreviations or could not interpret the abbreviations correctly. Hence, sometimes MS would be interpreted as Missouri or Massachusetts. Sometimes the enumerator did not know the abbreviations for states. At the time, there was no official accurate list for state abbreviations. Actually, MS is the abbreviation for Mississippi. In the digital information and artificial intelligence day, we now have the errors continued. However, it has greatly enhanced searching accuracy and speed. The typical accepted method of identification of the index and schedules is to bracket the corrected information. For example, the error Vitold was corrected by [Harold].

In viewing the census schedules, it should be noted that the government used the census to build the government. Information gathered was used to determine representation in the government.

In the abbreviated form, the information became this:

1870 United States Federal Census—Name Isaac H Tower [Tarver], born about 1829, age in 1870: 41, born in Mississippi, home in 1870: Township 6, Lincoln County, Mississippi, White male, Post Office: Bogue Chitto, Census Place Township 6, Lincoln County, Mississippi; Roll M593_737; page 39; image 78. Enumerated in this household; Isaac H. Tower born about 1829 Mississippi, White male, J. C. Tower, born about 1855, Mississippi, White male; J. T. Tower, born about 1857, Mississippi, White male; James M. Tower, born about 1858, Mississippi, White male; Licergus H. Tower, born about 1867, Mississippi, White male; Wm R. Tower, born about 1869 Mississippi, White male; Isaac Tarver listed as a farmer in this 1870 census at Bogue Chitto. He had about $200 worth of real estate and $200 of personal estate. The census also lists his ability to read and write.

And this:

August 11, 1870, Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi, p 37 [37 of 50], ln 26 258/258, $200/$200.

There is no 1890 Census records as they were all destroyed by a fire in January 1921 at the US Department of Commerce.

1900 US Census—Record details; Name Cicero: Tarber [Tarver], age: forty-five, Birth Date: February 1855, Birthplace: Missouri [Mississippi], home in 1900: Franklin, Mississippi, House Number 273, Sheet Number: 13, Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 231, Family Number: 238, Race: White, Gender: Male, Relation to Head of House Head, Marital Status: Married, Spouse's Name: Lorena Tarver, Marriage Year: 1875, Years Married: twenty-five, Father's Birthplace: Mississippi, USA; Mother's Birthplace: Mississippi, USA; Occupation: Laborer Farm; Months Not Employed: 0; Attended School: 0; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Can Speak English: Yes; Farm or House: Household members, Names/ages; Cicero Tarver, forty-five; Lorena Tarver, forty-four; Jim Tarver, nineteen; Loney Tarver, seventeen; Isaac Tarver, fourteen; Cicero Tarver Jr., twelve.

In the abbreviated form: Franklin County, Mississippi; ed. 53, p. 13A [25 of 46], line 17, 231/238/25; farm laborer.

The dist. (district), ed. (enumeration district), page number, dwelling number, and family number are place and location information. In those early days, there were no house numbers or street names in rural areas. They were basically voting precincts much the same as we have in use today. District lines were created for use in government representation.

For James Monroe Tarver, the 1880 Census information line items include information as described in this example:

1880 Census—East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana; ed. 109, page 33 [33 of 46], line 24, family 283/265, Railroad Laborer.

The census schedule lists the town, county, and state; the enumeration district; the page number of the census schedule; the page number of the microfilm in brackets; and the line number the information is listed on. The 283/265 is the house number or family number and the dwelling number. Railroad laborer is his occupation.

The 1900 Census information line items include information as described in this example:

1900 Census—Jackson, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana; ed. 49, page 5A [9 of 14], line 25, 99/104/22, Asylum Employee, R.

The census schedule lists the town, county, and state; the enumeration district; the page number of the census schedule; the page number of the microfilm in brackets; and the line number the information is listed on. The 99/101/22 is the house number or family number, 99; the dwelling number, 101; and years married, 22. Asylum employee is his occupation, and R means he was renting his house or farm.

His wife's information, Angaline Angie Rebecake Hertzler, also lists the number of children born and the number of children still living (if it was available).

1900 Census—Jackson, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana; ed. 49, page 5A [9 of 14], line 26, 99/104/22/6/4; married twenty-two years; six children born; four children still alive.

The 1910 Census information line items include information as described in this example:

1910 Census—Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; ed. 19, page 11B [22 of 36], line 63, 200/200, Farmer.

The census schedule lists the town, county, and state; the district and the enumeration district; the page number of the census schedule; the page number of the microfilm in brackets; and the line number the information is listed on. The 200/200 is the dwelling number and the family number. Farmer is his occupation. It may also list the years married and whether it was rented or owned, if available. The wife's census information may also list the years married, the number of children born, and the number of children living.

The 1930 Census information line items include information as described in this example:

1930 Census—Slaughter, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana; dist. 8, ed. 19–1, page 4A [7 of 7], line 27, 85/88/R/$15/17.

The census schedule lists the town, county, and state; the district; the enumeration district; the page number of the census schedule; the page number of the microfilm in brackets; and the line number the information is listed on. The 85/88 is the dwelling number and the family number. The R/$15 means it is rented for $15 a month, and the 17 is the age at first marriage.

In later census schedules, information included if the house was owned or rented with dollar values, number of children born and living, veteran status, weeks worked during the year, income for the year and other interesting tidbits of information.

In the 1940 Census information on property values and income, values are indicated with this example:

1940 Census—April 20, Copiah County, Mississippi; dist. 8, ed. 15–11, page 3B, line 51, 51/rent/$5, Deason Road, farmer, 52/$127.

The property was rented for $5 a month. He was a farmer with the family living on Deason Road. He worked 52 weeks in the previous year, 1939, with a total income of $127. Here's another example:

1940 Census—Pike County, Mississippi; ed. 57–8, page 7B, line 42, 119/owned/$250; widow, cotton mill smasher, 46/$749.

Mollie Tarver was head of the household with the family living in Pike County, Mississippi, with the family information on page 7B of the census schedule. She was listed on line 42, with the census visitation number 119. She was the owner of the property valued at $250. She worked at a cotton mill and worked 46 weeks in the year 1939 with an income of $749.

The Modified Henry numbering system is utilized for generation ancestor and descendant numbering. The generations are labeled on each descendant with the ancestors in italics with the generation number in superscript. For example, the beginning of generation 2 is 11. John T. ² Tarver (Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹). The 11. is the first descendant of the first generation. The "John T.² Tarver is signified by the superscript 2 and is the second generation. (Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹)" is the first generation.

Jennings* Cicero²Tarver (Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹) is the second descendant of Isaac Hamilton Tarver.

Letha Ann³Tarver (John T.², Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹). Letha Ann is the firstborn descendant of John T. Tarver. She is the third generation; hence, the superscript 3. John T. Tarver is the firstborn of Isaac Hamilton Tarver. John T. Tarver is the second generation; hence, the superscript 2. Isaac Hamilton Tarver is the first generation; hence, the superscript 1. Isaac Hamilton Tarver is 1, John T. Tarver is 11, and Letha Ann Tarver is 111.

Thomas T.³Tarver Sr. (John T.², Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹) is the second descendant of John T. Tarver; hence, the number 112.

This Modified Henry numbering system is used throughout this genealogy. If there are more than nine descendants, the ninth number will be 119, and the tenth number will be 11(10). The parentheses are used to clarify the descendant is part of the third generation. For example, 11(10). Frank³ Tarver (John T.², Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹) is the tenth descendant of John T. Tarver. The superscript 3 denotes the third generation.

Names, birth dates, and death dates were derived from Find a Grave markers and information. The information is sometimes a little different from the census records and other information but, overall, is very accurate. The people close to the deceased knew them a lot better than anyone else. So their version of their loved one is more accurate. Newspapers.com provided obituaries, marriages, and some very interesting stories of tragedy and success.

Descendants of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman

Generation 1

Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹ Tarver was born in 1830 in Franklin County, Mississippi. He died on December 06, 1901, interment at Hickory Grove Cemetery Holloway Baptist Church, Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. He married (1) Celia AnnNewman (daughter of Benjamin* Newman and Katherine* Price) on August 07, 1853 in Lawrence County, Mississippi; Franklin County; book 3, page 100. She was born in 1837 in Mississippi. She died about 1903, interment at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery, McCall's Creek, Franklin County, Mississippi. He married (2) Palome Crooks Tarver on November 11, 1880, in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. She was born in January 1845 in Louisiana.

More about Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver

1860 Census—Monticello Post Office Lawrence County, Mississippi; page 111 [111 of 121] line 29 722/723/$700, Farmer

Military Service: Bet. 1861-1865 CSA, Company D, 33rd Mississippi Regiment, Hurst's Regiment Mississippi, Infantry; Pvt. Ogden's Cavalry, Louisiana

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 37 [37 of 50] line 26 258/258, Farmer, $200/$200

1880 Census—Pineville Rapides Parish, Louisiana ed. 41 page 27 line 34 family 222, Farmer

Find A Grave Memorial #28296088

—1860 US Census—Name: J. [I.] H. Tarver; age in 1860: twenty-nine; Birth Year: about 1831 in Mississippi; home in 1860 Lawrence County, Mississippi; White male; Post Office: Monticello; Household Members, Name, age: J. H. Tarver twenty-nine; Celia Tarver, twenty-four; Jennie Tarver, 5 [Jennings listed as Gender: Female; but I'm sure this is Jennings as everything else fits in place, and they didn't do sex change operations back then]; John Tarver, two; James Tarver, eight months old.

Isaac enlisted as private in the Confederate Army April 28, 1862, for three years at Grenada. He was from Franklin County, Mississippi. In May and June of 1862, he was AWOL. The Company D of Regiment Mississippi, 33rd, was called Franklin Guards and was organized at Grenada, Mississippi, April 1, 1862. He was captured July 4, 1863, and paroled at Vicksburg according to the terms of capitulation entered into by the commanding generals of the armies. Microfiche dated July 10, 1863, in the Mississippi archives in Jackson. See also Military History of Mississippi. In the Louisiana Confederate Soldiers, he is also listed as serving as Pvt., Ogden's Cav. Federal Rolls of Prisoners of War. Captured November 16, 1864, Jackson Parish, Louisiana. Sent to New Orleans November 23, 1864. Forwarded to Ship Island, Mississippi, December 12, 1864. Transferred to Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 1, 1865. Paroled Camp Townsend, May 6, 1865. Those who have seen war never stop seeing it. It is but by the grace of God that we are here.

1870 US Census—Name: Isaac H. Tower [Tarver]; born: about 1829; age in 1870: forty-one; born in Mississippi, home in 1870 Township 6, Lincoln County, Mississippi; White male; Post Office: Bogue Chitto; Census Place: Township 6, Lincoln County, Mississippi; Roll M593_737, page 39, image 78. Enumerated in this household; Isaac H. Tower, born about 1829 in Mississippi, White male; J. C. Tower, born about 1855 in Mississippi, White male; J. T. Tower, born about 1857 in Mississippi, White male; James M. Tower, born about 1858 in Mississippi, White male; Licergus H. Tower, born about 1867 in Mississippi, White male; Wm R. Tower, born about 1869 in Mississippi, White male.

Isaac Tarver was listed as a farmer in this 1870 census at Bogue Chitto. He had about $200 worth of real estate and $200 of personal estate. The census also lists his ability to read and write.

1880 US Census—Name: Hamilton Farror [this should be Hamilton Tarver; it looks like Tarver on the census schedule; how they got Farror we'll never know]; home in 1880 Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; age: 50; born about 1830; born in Mississippi, head of household; Father and Mother born in Mississippi; Farmer, Widower; White male; Household Members Names/ages: Hamilton Tarver, fifty; Mary Tarver, eighteen; James Tarver, sixteen; Census Place: Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; Roll T9_466; Family History Film 1254466, page 699.1000, Enumeration District 41, image 0401.

Isaac H. Tarver in the US General Land Office Records, 1796–1907: (1) Issue Date: August 30, 1894, 120.06 Acres, Meridian: Louisiana, State: Louisiana, County: Rapides, T5NR3E (Township 5 North, Range 3 East), Section 10, Accession Number LA0410.203, Land Office: New Orleans; Authority May 20, 1862, Homestead Entry Original (12 Stat. 392), Document Number 4907. This is a couple of miles northeast of Holloway, Buckeye and Deville, just south of Highway 28 on Highway 115: (2) Issue Date: February 1, 1859, 161.9 Acres, Meridian: Washington, State: Mississippi, County: Franklin, T6NR5E, Section 35, Accession Number MS0560.426, Land Office: Washington; Authority: April 24, 1820, Document Number 12127. This is located in the Meadville area: (3) Issue Date 1 June 1859, 160 Acres, Meridian: Washington, State: Mississippi, County: Lincoln, T6NR7E, Section 15, Accession Number MS0570.474, Land Office: Washington; Authority: April 24, 1820, Document Number 12722. There are 640 acres in a section.

More about Celia Ann Newman

1850 Census—1850 in Not found on the census anywhere.

1860 Census—Monticello Post Office Lawrence County, Mississippi; page 111 [111 of 121], line 30, 722/723.

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 37 [37 of 50], line 27 258/258.

1880 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi, ed. 34, page 12 [12 of 39], line 14; family: 93.

Find A Grave Memorial #5738931

According to the family story, in about 1877, Isaac Hamilton (Ham) left his family, Celia and some of the younger children, and moved to Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Celia was lame in one leg. She walked all the way from Lincoln County, Mississippi, over to Rapides Parish, Louisiana, for a visit with Ham. She was living next to her sister-in-law, Martha Smith, and mother-in-law, Rachel Tarver, in the 1880 census. Celia was listed as paralyzed on the 1880 census, so at least that part of the story checks out. Isaac and Celia were both listed as Widow and Widower in 1880.

1880 US Census about Celia Tarver, Name: Celia Tarver; home in 1880 Lincoln County, Mississippi; age: forty-one; born about 1839 in Mississippi, head of household; father and mother born in Mississippi; farming, widowed, White female; household members' names/ages: Celia Tarver, forty-one; Adalizer Tarver, three; Roll T9_655; Family History Film 1254655; page 104.1000; Enumeration District 34; image 0207.

There was a Mary Newman, age twelve, with a family of Redd, living next to Levi Redd on the 1850 census schedule in Lawrence County, Mississippi. Maybe a connection.

Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman had the following children:

John T.² Tarver (son of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born on January 20, 1854, in Lawrence County, Mississippi. He died about 1925, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. He married Matilda Burt (daughter of William* Burt and Mary* Lofton) at about 1882 in probably Lincoln County, Mississippi. She was born in 1861 in Franklin County, Mississippi. She died on February 6, 1918, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi.

Jennings* Cicero Tarver (son of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born on June 15, 1855, in Franklin County, Mississippi. He died on December 15, 1901, interment at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery, McCall's Creek, Franklin County, Mississippi. He married Serena* Rena Burt (daughter of William* Burt and Mary* Lofton) in 1875 in Mississippi. She was born in October 1852 in Franklin County, Mississippi. She died on September 30, 1927, interment at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery, McCall's Creek, Franklin County, Mississippi.

James Monroe Tarver (son of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born on March 13, 1859, in Mississippi. He died on January 22, 1941, interment at Redwood Baptist Church Cemetery, Slaughter, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. He married Angaline Angie Rebecake Hertzler on December 18, 1878. She was born on January 23, 1858, in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. She died on May 04, 1937, interment at Redwood Baptist Church Cemetery, Slaughter, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.

Frances L. Tarver (daughter of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born in 1863 in Lawrence County, Mississippi. She died on February 12, 1917, interment at Liddieville, Franklin Parish, Louisiana. She married Jesse E. Rollins on December 27, 1876. He was born in 1865 in Mississippi. He died on December 18, 1902, interment at Redwood Baptist Church Cemetery, Slaughter, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.

Martha Ann Tarver (daughter of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born in 1866 in Mississippi. Died: date unknown; interment: unknown. She married Tobe James Cook on February 24, 1883, in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. He died on April 1, 1936. Died in Fellowship, Texas; from Logansport, Louisiana; buried in Sardis Cemetery location unknown.

Licingus Tarver (son of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born in 1867 in Mississippi. Died: date unknown; interment: unknown.

More about Licingus Tarver

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 37 [37 of 50], line 33, 258/258.

William R. Tarver (son of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born in 1869. Died: date unknown; interment: unknown.

More about William R. Tarver

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 37 [37 of 50], line 34, 258/258.

Isaac Ishmael Tarver (son of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born on April 15, 1872, in Mississippi. He died on April 27, 1956, interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. He married Alice Gertrude Bradford in 1891 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. She was born on August 11, 1874, in Louisiana. She died on July 28, 1927, interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

Adalizer Tarver (daughter of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Celia Ann Newman) was born on April 2, 1877, in Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died in July 1965, interment at Laird Cemetery, Lincoln County, Mississippi. She married Ira Monroe Laird on February 1, 1896, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He was born in 1875 in Mississippi. He died in 1947, interment at Laird Cemetery, Lincoln County, Mississippi.

More about Palome Crooks Tarver

1900 Census—in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, ed. 137, page 15A, line 38, 264/268.

1900 US Census—Name: Pauline Tarver; home in 1900, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; age: fifty-five; born about 1845 in Louisiana; head of household; Race: White; Pauline Tarver, fifty-five; Mary Tarver, seventeen. Roll T623 578; page 15A; Enumeration District 137.

On this census schedule, she is listed as divorced. I'm pretty sure this is the second wife of Ham that Polly talked about. Also on the 1900 census, in the same household/different family, there is name Wesley Crooks; home in 1900, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; age: twenty-seven; born in 1873 in Louisiana; race: White; head of household. Where was Isaac Hamilton?

Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Palome Crooks Tarver had the following child:

1(10). Mary² Tarver (daughter of Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton Tarver and Palome Crooks Tarver) was born in January 1882 in Louisiana.

More about Mary Tarver

1900 Census—in Rapides Parish, Louisiana; ed. 137, page 15A, line 39, 264/268.

Generation 2

John T.² Tarver (Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹) was born on January 20, 1854, in Lawrence County, Mississippi. He died about 1925, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. He married Matilda Burt (daughter of William* Burt and Mary* Lofton), about 1882 in probably Lincoln County, Mississippi. She was born in 1861 in Franklin County, Mississippi. She died on February 6, 1918, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi.

More about John T. Tarver

1860 Census—Monticello Post Office Lawrence County, Mississippi; page 111 [111 of 121], line 32, 722/723.

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 37 [37 of 50], line 29, 258/258.

1880 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; ed. 34, page 8, line, 12, 60; Farmer

1900 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; ed. 95, page 5A, line 7, 78/82/21; Farmer

1910 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; dist. 8, ed. 85, page 17a, line 24, 270/275; Farmer

Find A Grave Memorial #5711453

1880 US Census—Name: John Tarver; home in 1880 Lincoln County, Mississippi; age: twenty-two; born about 1858 in Mississippi; head of household; spouse's name: Matilda; father and mother born in Mississippi; farmer, married, White male; household members' names/ages: John Tarver, twenty-two; Matilda Tarver, nineteen; Delila Martin, seventeen; Roll T9_655; Family history film 1254655; page 102.1000; Enumeration District 34; image 0203.

1900 US Census—Name: John Tarver (the census index calls it Teiber, but it's clearly Tarver on the schedule sheet); home in 1900, Lincoln County, Mississippi; age: forty-two; born about 1858 in Mississippi; head of household; spouse's name: Golda (somewhat illegible but clearly Tilda); race: White; household members' names/ages: John Tarver, forty-two; Golda Tarver, thirty-five; Letha Tarver, twenty; Tom Tarver, seventeen; Maria Tarver, sixteen; Mollie Tarver, thirteen; Annie Tarver, ten; Annie (Jannie) Tarver, five; Willie Tarver, four. Roll T623 817; page 5A; Enumeration District 95. The only children's names that are clear enough to read are Tom, Annie, Jannie.

1910 US Census—Name: J. T. Tarver; age in 1910: sixty; born about 1850 in Mississippi; head of household; father and mother born in Mississippi; spouse's name: Matilda; home in 1910: Lincoln County, Mississippi; married, White male; household members' names/ages: J. T. Tarver, sixty; Matilda Tarver, fifty-five; Annie Tarver, eighteen; Jannie Tarver, sixteen; John Tarver, fourteen; Alice Tarver, thirteen; Will Tarver, ten; Frank Tarver, eight. Roll T624_749; page 17A; Enumeration District 85; image 868.

More about Matilda Burt

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 38 [38 of 50], line 24, 264/264.

1880 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; ed. 34, page 8, line 13, 60

1900 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; ed. 95, page 5A, line 8, 78/82/21/9/9; married twenty-one years, nine children born, nine children still living.

1910 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; dist. 8, ed. 85, page 17a, line, 25 270/275.

The 1900 US Census indicated she was married in 1879, had born nine children, and nine children were still alive. The 1910 US Census indicated she had been married for forty years, had born fourteen children, and ten children were still alive.

Texas, death certificates, 1903–1982; name: Matilda Burt Tarver, White female; death age: fifty-nine; birth date: May 1859; birthplace: Mississippi; death date: February 26, 1918; death place: McKinney, Collin County, Texas; father: William Burt; cause of death: malignant throat disease.

John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt had the following children:

LethaAnn³Tarver (daughter of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on April 05, 1882, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died after April 26, 1910, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. She married Hugh M. Craft in April 1901 in Marriage, The Leader (Brookhaven, Mississippi), April 24, 1901. He was born in 1830 in Mississippi. He died in March 1912, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi.

ThomasT.Tarversr. (son of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on September 10, 1884, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He died on March 04, 1947, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. He married (1) ClydiaLeeEslerBurgess. She was born on October 22, 1883, in Texas. She died on February 17, 1925, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. He married (2) BessieMcCloud. She was born on January 25, 1909, in Copiah County, Mississippi. She died on November 06, 1993, interment at Glenwood Cemetery, Yazoo City, Yazoo County, Mississippi.

ElmyraTarver (daughter of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on February 10, 1886, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died on August 09, 1951, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. She married CharlesColumbusHamilton. He was born on October 26, 1886. He died on November 21, 1965, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi.

MollieTarver (daughter of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on April 07, 1888, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died on May 19, 1956, interment at Magnolia Cemetery, Pike County, Mississippi. She married JosephEdgarBallew. He was born on March 30, 1887, in Mississippi. He died on October 21, 1934, interment at Magnolia Cemetery, Pike County, Mississippi.

AnnieTarver (daughter of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on September 17, 1890, in Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died on October 5, 1970, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. She married Jack Hamilton about 1919 in Copiah County, Mississippi. He was born on April 29, 1885, in Wesson, Copiah County, Mississippi. He died on February 21, 1974, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi.

JennieTarver (daughter of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on May 22, 1892, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died on February 17, 1970, interment at Magnolia Cemetery, Pike County, Mississippi. She married Robert Franklin Lucas on April 12, 1913, in Mississippi, US, Compiled Marriage Index, 1776–1935, Lincoln County. He was born on October 19, 1892, in Mississippi. He died on July 1, 1944, interment at Magnolia Cemetery, Pike County, Mississippi.

JohnTarverJr. (son of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on August 15, 1895, in Franklin/Lincoln County, Mississippi. He died on March 25, 1947, interment at Clear Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi. He married LeronaElizabeth Nations. She was born on February 1, 1885, in Mississippi. She died on August 12, 1966, interment at Clear Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi.

AliceTarver (daughter of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on April 8, 1897, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She died on July 28, 1958, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. She married Ben McCray in January 1918 in Collin County, Texas. He died in 1947, interment at Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Wesson, Copiah County, Mississippi; Memorial ID: 106262499.

More about Alice Tarver

1910 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; dist. 8, ed. 85, page 17a, line 29, 270/275.

WilliamThomastarVerSr. (son of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on April 29, 1899, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He died on May 29, 1973, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi. He married Georgia A. McCloud in about 1921 in Mississippi. She was born on June 15, 1900, in Lawrence/Copiah County, Mississippi. She died on February 22, 1939, interment at Wesson Cemetery, Copiah County, Mississippi.

11(10). Frank Tarver (son of John T. Tarver and Matilda Burt) was born on August 10, 1902, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He died on May 22, 1972, interment at Pike County, Mississippi. He married Addie B. McCloud. She was born on February 26, 1904, in Mississippi. She died on May 20, 2000, interment at Pike County, Mississippi.

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Jennings* Cicero²Tarver (Hamilton Ham Isaac Hamilton¹) was born on June 15, 1855, in Franklin County, Mississippi. He died on December 15, 1901, interment at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery, McCall's Creek, Franklin County, Mississippi. He married Serena* Rena Burt (daughter of William* Burt and Mary* Lofton) in 1875 in Mississippi. She was born in October 1852 in Franklin County, Mississippi. She died on September 30, 1927, interment at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery, McCall's Creek, Franklin County, Mississippi.

More about Jennings* Cicero Tarver

1860 Census—Monticello Post Office Lawrence County, Mississippi; page 111 [111 of 121], line 31, 722/723.

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; page 37 [37 of 50], line 28, 258/258.

1880 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi; ed. 34, page 39, line 42, family 294, Farmer.

1900 Census—Franklin County, Mississippi; ed. 53, page 13A [25 of 46], line 17, 231/238/25, Farm laborer.

Find A Grave 38840980

1880 US Census—Cicero Tarver; age: thirty; birth year: about 1850, in Mississippi; home in 1880: Lincoln County, Mississippi; White male, head of household, married; spouse's name: Emily Tarver; father and mother born in Mississippi, farmer; household members' names/ages: Cicero Tarver, thirty; Emily Tarver, twenty-eight; John Tarver, six; Susie Tarver, four; Sammie Tarver, two.

1900 US Census—Cicero Tarver (the Census index calls it Tarber, but it's clearly Tarver on the schedule sheet); age: forty-five; birth date: February 1855; born in Missouri [Mississippi]; home in 1900 Franklin County, Mississippi; White male, head of household, married; spouse's name: Lorena Tarver; marriage year: 1875; years married: twenty-five; father and mother born in Mississippi; Household members' names/ages: Cicero Tarver, forty-five; Lorena Tarver, forty-four; Jim Tarver, nineteen; Loney Tarver, seventeen; Isaac Tarver, fourteen; Cicero Tarver, twelve.

More about Serena* Rena Burt

1860 Census—September 25, Friendship Post Office, Franklin County, Mississippi; page 59/295 [59 of 92], line, 12, 415/406.

1870 Census—Bogue Chitto Post Office, Lincoln County Township 6, Mississippi; p. 38 [38 of 50], line 21, 264/264.

1880 Census—Lincoln County, Mississippi, ed. 34, page 39, line 43, family 294.

1900 Census—Franklin County, Mississippi, ed. 53, page 13A [25 of 46], line 18, 231/238/25; married twenty-five years; five children born; five children still alive.

Find A Grave Memorial #5738929

Jennings* Cicero Tarver and Serena* Rena Burt had the following children:

John³Tarver (son of Jennings* Cicero Tarver and Serena* Rena