By J. M. Blair

PREFACE

   About 1990 this writer was afflicted with an incurable disease….Someone in the family suggested that the family needed a written record of our youth, our ancestors and stories of our growing up years. Since this writer was computer literate and had some experience with writing, I was selected.
   A small booklet containing the names of our grandparents, great grandparents and others along with “fireside” stories passed down over the years by our parents was put together, printed and passed out to family members. By then, it was too late. This writer had a bad case of the virus known as “Genealogy”.
   A decade later, after nearly going blind trying to read census records that are hand written and some nearly 180 years old, it appears, as the only way to sort it all out is to publish another booklet. This one will include as many ancestors and kin as can be located. After years of researching I came to the conclusion that we are related to almost everyone in Pike County, Alabama. Read on and you will agree with me.
   I found that one of the most important items to understand is the migration pattern of pioneers from the coastal settlements of the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia to the inland areas of those states and into new territories such as Alabama as the land was opened up for settlement. Our ancestors came to the New World beginning at least as early as 1600’s, some perhaps earlier. They settled in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Several of them fought in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War and several died in Indian uprisings. Some of them migrated to Tennessee and perhaps Georgia before settling in Southeast Alabama in the area known as the Wiregrass region. There they became farmers, planters, plantation owners and businessmen.
   Another important factor to consider is spelling of names from one record to another.  The researcher needs to check all variations of spelling. Smythe could be Smith or Stephens might be Stevens on another record.
   So that the reader can understand some of the hardships our ancestors had to endure, an abbreviated history of the Southeastern states is included. These areas are what are now the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama.
   The Creek Indians are major players in the history of Southern Alabama. The exploits of their two great chiefs, Alexander McGillivary and his nephew, William Weatherford (Red Eagle), are included in this book.
   There are some interesting folks in our family background. It is my hope that you will enjoy this narrative. Research into this family is still “in progress” and some has not yet been proven. In those instances, notation will be made that such information is speculative.
   Many folks are researching these families. If I can be of help in your research, please contact me at jblair825@hughes.net

 

 

 

Chapter I………………..Early History of Virginia &Carolina

Chapter II……………….History of Alabama

Chapter III………………Pike County

Chapter IV………………Blair Family

Chapter V………………..Pugh & Sims Family

Chapter VI........................The Graves Connection

Chapter VII……………….Solomon & Rhody

Chapter VIII…………..….Register, Taylor, McLeod, et al

Chapter IX……….............Buford & Ida

Comments/Credits..…..….After Thoughts

Blair Reunion.....................Reunion

 

 

 Buford & Ida Blair 50^th Wedding Anniversary