William Barrett Monument in the Old Bean Cemetery West of English Creek

One of the old secluded cemeteries of Itawamba County is known as the Bean Cemetery located in southwestern Itawamba County just west of English Creek about three miles west of Enon Church and north of the Carolina community. It has been said that this old cemetery is the site of the original Enon Church, one of Itawamba County’s first organized churches, established during the 1830’s.

The photograph to the left is of the monument of William Barrett, an early Itawamba settler from that area. The 1850 US Federal Census for Itawamba County shows the farmer, William Barrett (age 84), as being born in Virginia. In his household are his children Sam. W. (age 42), Joseph W. (age 39) and Eliza E. (age 36). All his children were born in South Carolina, as were many of the residents of the Carolina community area of Itawamba County. William’s wife Milly had died before the 1850 census was taken. According to her tombstone in the old cemetery, she was born January 21, 1784 and died April 26, 1850. The above listed child, Joseph W. (born November 6, 1810), according to his monument in the cemetery, died on October 3, 1856.

Other early pioneer families of Itawamba County buried in this old cemetery include the surnames English, Bean, Black, Thorn, Thompson, Harkness, Parker, Wardlaw and Estes.

Barrett Monument Photograph by Bob Franks

A New Year's Greeting

Fulton's Historic Aeolian Grove

Aeolian Grove, located in Fulton's historic district near the town square, was built ca. 1842 by the Eckford family from Aberdeen in neighboring Monroe County. During the 1840's the home was sold to the Tannehill family who were recent immigrants from Scotland. The Tannehill family operated a store in partnership with Joshua Toomer at the corner of Main and South Gaither streets. During the 1800's Aeolian Grove was also home to the Cates, Baldridge and Orr families of Fulton.

Photograph by Bob Franks

Society's 2007 Surname Index for Itawamba Settlers Magazine Now Online

The 2007 annual surname index of Itawamba Settlers magazine has been published online today by the Itawamba Historical Society. This 56-page quarterly publication is the membership magazine of the Itawamba Historical Society. Each issue contains articles relating to Itawamba County history and genealogy as well as abstracts and transcripts of Itawamba County Mississippi historical records. To view the 2007 index in PDF format or to view indices of prior year volumes, visit the society’s website. Simply click on the quarterly magazine link and select the index you wish to view. The quarterly magazine area of the society's website has also been updated to include a new topical index book for all issues from 1981 through 2007 and a new contents index covering the same period, both in PDF format.

The print version of the 2007 surname index will be included with the Winter 2007 issue of the quarterly which should be mailed to the membership during January.

Mississippi Genealogical Society Seminar is January 19 in Rankin County

The Mississippi Genealogical Society and Mississippi Department of Archives and History present the annual Genealogical Seminar on Saturday, January 19, 2008, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Rankin County campus of Hinds Community College, 3805 Highway 80 East, Pearl, Mississippi. Doors will open at Wynn Hall at 8 a.m. for early registration. The speaker will be George G. Morgan, who has written several books and many articles on genealogical research.

Morgan is a prolific writer whose works include The Genealogy Forum on America Online: the Official User's Guide and Your Family Reunion: How to Plan It, Organize It and Enjoy It. His most recent book is How to Do Everything with Your Genealogy.

Morgan will present four topics in four separate sessions. The morning sessions are "Climbing Your Family Tree: Effective Genealogical Research" and "Bringing Your Ancestor to Life: Developing an Ancestor Profile." The afternoon sessions are titled "Genealogical Research on the Internet" and "Researching U.S. Land Records."

The seminar cost is $45 and includes lunch. A $2 discount is offered to Mississippi Genealogical Society members. To register send your name, address and phone number along with check made payable to Mississippi Genealogical Society to MGS, Box 5301, Jackson MS 39296-5301. No refunds will be available after Jan 10.

Dr. Christopher Hussey Monument in Southwestern Itawamba County

Dr. Christopher Hussey is considered one of Itawamba County’s largest planters during antebellum times owning a considerable plantation in southwestern Itawamba County. The portion of the 3,880-acre plantation where the old cemetery is located was purchased by Hussey during November of 1845 shortly after his marriage, from Swepson and Elizabeth Marsh Taylor. It is believed that this was the home of the Taylors, as Elizabeth Marsh, wife of Swepson Taylor was buried in the old cemetery during 1847, two years after the sale to Hussey.

Dr. Christopher Hussey was born on February 28, 1825 in Madison County, Alabama, the son of Elijah (born July 11, 1778 Cane Creek, Orange County, North Carolina) and Elizabeth Baker (born 1783 in North Carolina) Hussey. On October 15, 1845 he married Mary Elizabeth Holt Marsh (born August 4, 1829 in Burke County, Georgia) in Itawamba County. Mary Elizabeth Holt Marsh was the daughter of Elihue and Elizabeth Holt Marsh.

The old Hussey plantation graveyard is located near the site of the old Hussey home west of the Evergreen and Greenwood communities.

Photograph by Bob Franks

Evergreen's First Automobile

The above picture postcard has the penned words “Evergreen’s First Automobile” and “Ask Miss Belle.” The photograph belonged to the James M. and Rhoda Beachum family of the Carolina/New Chapel Community in Itawamba County. Miss Belle was the daughter of James M. and Rhoda. It has been said that this photograph was taken by the old Conwill Store in the Carolina community. Evergreen is a community just west of Carolina in southwestern Itawamba County. Click photograph for a more detailed view.