My mother’s Irish connection stands out very proudly and clearly. Not as clear to my family is our Irish connection on my father’s family tree. There are many links to Germany & Switzerland. Although our Irish ancestors have not as yet been closely researched, they do exist. One Irish connection is through the Dillon family that moved from Virginia to the Carolinas and into Mississippi came from Ireland. Richard Dillon, son of James Theopilous Dillon and my 5th great grandfather, served in the Revolutionary War.
Luke Ward Conerly, SOURCE RECORDS FROM PIKE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI 1798-1910; South Carolina, Southern Historical Press, 1989.
Richard Dillon enlisted in the patriot militia near Edenton, N.C., under Captain Faulk. In 1781 Richard "again saw service as an enlistee on the vessel 'Greyhound,' a privateers man commanded by Samuel Butler. With the capture of that vessel, he was made a prisoner on the English frigate 'Baloosa' which carried 36 guns and was commanded by a Captain Kennedy, a Scotsman. After a nine-month imprisonment, he again returned to Bertie County." After the war he and “his wife came to Mississippi and settled on Bogue Chitto, at what is known as Dillon's Bridge, or Dillontown.”
I recently searched family trees on ancestry.com to look for connections to this family, hoping to learn more about the Irish roots. I found trees that claimed the father of James Theopilous Dillon was James Dillon, b. 1697 in Cork, Ireland and d. 1798 in Virginia, married to Martha Parsons. However, there are no sources connected with these trees. I would love to claim James & Martha as my own but I’d like to find some documentation to support their link to our family. There are many times when this happens with the family trees on ancestry.com. I usually email the people who post the trees to discover more. The response is often that they have no sources; they just saw it on someone else’s tree and copied it onto theirs. I do not want to follow their lead. Hopefully further research will bring James & Martha firmly into our family.
Descendants of James Theopilous Dillon
..... 1 James Theopilous Dillon b: Abt. 1719 in Ireland
..... + Mary Dillon
........... 2 Richard Dillon b: 07 Oct 1745 in Norfolk, Virginia, d: 07 Oct 1833 in MS
........... + Anne Lawrence b: c. 1762 in Bertie, NC, m: Abt. 1776, d: c. 1830 in MS
................. 3 Lawrence Dillon b: Unknown in NC, d: Unknown
................. 3 Joanna Dillon b: 1778 in Bertie, NC, d: Aft. 1821 in Pike, MS
................. + Jeremiah Smith b: 23 Dec 1773 in SC, m: 1798 in SC, d: 1843 MS
....................... 4 Hollander Smith b: 08 July 1800 in Pike, MS, d: Unknown
....................... + Benjamin Morris Jr. b: Abt. 1792 in SC, d: Aft. 1870
............................. 5 James Morris b: 26 Nov 1824 in Pike,MS, d: Abt. 1888, LA
............................. + Valinda b: 10 June 1819 in Pike, MS, d: 28 Aug 1883
............................. + Theodosia Easley b: 09 May 1865, d: 19 Jan 1942
............................. 5 Hollander Elizabeth Morris b: 1829 in MS, d: 1868 in LA
............................. + Benjamin Blades b: LA, d: Aft. 1900
............................. 5 Salina Theresa Morris b: Abt. 1838 in MS, d: 29 July 1899
............................. + Henry Lewis b: 24 Oct 1824 in Pike, MS, m:1849, d:1888
............................. 5 Ben Morris Jr. b: Abt. 1842, d: Abt. 1863
............................. 5 William Morris b: Abt. 1843, d: Abt. 1963
............................. 5 Eli Morris b: Abt. 1844, d: Abt. 1863
....................... 4 Martha P. Smith b: 25 March 1802 in SC, d: 08 August 1861 MS
....................... + Edwin B. Alford b:Nov 1792 in NC, m: 1818 MS, d: 1878, MS
............................. 5 Rev. Warren J. Alford b: 12 Sept 1819 MS, d: 1899 in MS
............................. + Celia A. Lewis m: 08 June 1841 MS, d: 30 Jan 1900
............................. 5 Cynthia Ann Alford b: 11 December 1820 in Progress, MS
............................. + Jesse Ball b: 15 November 1808
............................. 5 Ira P. Alford b: 22 Jan 1822 in MS d: 15 Sept 1901 in LA
............................. + Elizabeth Hope b: 1826, m: 1843, d: 25 Dec 1871 in LA
............................. + Mary Hughes Parker
............................. 5 William Harmon Alford b: 03 August 1823 in MS
............................. 5 Harriet Jane Alford b: 22 March 1825 in MS
............................. + Tyra Jennings Tynes m: 05 October 1847 in Pike, MS
............................. 5 Lacey Alford b: 24 September 1828 in MS
............................. + James Michael Ball
............................. 5 Jeptha J. Alford MD b: 1830 in MS, d: 21 Nov 1914 MS
............................. + Fanny Roberts
............................. + Corinne Edwards
............................. 5 Julia Ann Alford b: 21 March 1832 in MS
............................. + John Ratliff McEleveen
............................. 5 Seaborn S. Alford MD b: 15 Aug 1834 in MS, d: 22 Feb 1906
............................. + Anice Ball
............................. 5 Elijah Hayden Alford b: 1836
............................. 5 Juluis Newton Alford b: 14 Nov 1838 in MS, d: 26 May 1916
............................. + Mary Marguerete Brumfield b: June 1846 in LA
............................. 5 Martha Elizabeth Alford b: 08 Aug 1846 in MS, d: Aft. 1910
............................. + Jessie Alexander Brumfield b:1838 LA, d: Aft. 1910
............................. 5 Julia Ann Alford b: 30 August 1856 in MS
....................... 4 Eli Smith b: 21 Jan 1804 SC, d: 2 Aug 1838 in Pike,MS
....................... + Orpha Roberts
....................... 4 Jane Smith b: 09 Oct 1805, d: 1846
....................... + Thomas Coulter Warner m: 25 Dec 1825
....................... 4 Edwin Smith b: 03 June 1807 in Pike, MS, d: Unknown
....................... 4 Wyatt Smith b: 31 Aug 1809 in LA, d: 16 Feb 1894 MS
....................... + Euseba Fortenberry b: 03 Dec 1809 in SC, d: 13 Oct1878 MS
............................. 5 Emmaline Smith b: 13 Sept 1831 Pike, MS, d:1920 MS
............................. + Allen Moses Brown b: 1836 MS, m: 1858, d: Aft. 1870
............................. 5 Saryntha A. Smith b: 31 Aug 1833 in MS, d:1905 MS
............................. + John Shaffer Ellzey Jr. b:1829 in MS, m:1851, d:1874
............................. 5 William J. M. Smith b: 14 June 1835, d: 04 June 1862
............................. + Rachel Ellzey Smith Schilling b:1840, m:1859, d:1896
............................. 5 Jasper R. Smith b: Abt. 1841
............................. 5 Newton Oscar Smith b: Abt. 1842, d: 04 May 1862
............................. 5 Rankin Smith b: Abt. 1844
............................. 5 Eliza Jane Smith b: 21 Jan 1846, d: 31 August 1919
............................. + David Jackson McClendon b: 10 March 1838, d: Texas
............................. + John Narvel Fortenberry b: 05 Oct 1851 MS, d: 1920 in MS
............................. 5 Adolphus Scott Smith b: 22 June 1848, d: 18 Oct 1921
............................. + Julia Jane Simmons b: 03 Sept 1853, d: 25 Nov 1916
............................. 5 Walter Lorraine Smith b: 13 Sept 1853 MS, d: 21 April 1930
............................. + Emma Julia Warren b: 27 Nov 1858 LA, d: 09 Oct 1932
....................... 4 Eliza Smith b: 14 Feb 1811 in Pike, MS, d: 06 April 1837
....................... 4 Calvin Smith b: 22 Sep 1812 in Pike, MS, d: 22 Jan 1843 in MS
....................... + Sarah Brumfield
............................. 5 Wyatt Rankin Smith b: Abt. 1845
............................. + Irene Bankston b: Abt. 1845
....................... + Sarah Brumfield b: 09 April 1824 LA, m: 1843
....................... 4 Lidda Smith b: 06 April 1816 in Pike, MS, d: Unknown
....................... + Harris Harvey
....................... 4 Mehala Smith b: 15 July 1816 in Pike, MS, d: Unknown
....................... 4 Milevey Smith b: 13 April 1818 in Pike, MS, d: Unknown
....................... + Don Harvey
....................... 4 Joanna Smith b: 05 October 1819 in Pike, MS, d: Unknown
....................... 4 Jeremiah Smith b: 30 April 1821 in Pike, MS, d: 13 May 1894
....................... + Pernecia Smith b: 26 Sep t1820, m:1841, d: 04 April 1887
............................. 5 Jarratt Cylmon Smith d: Unknown
............................. + Eliza Jane Brock m: 03 October 1878
............................. 5 William George Smith b: 04 Dec 1842, d: 10 June 1862
............................. 5 Ancil Green Smith b: 14 March 1845, d: 18 June 1862
................. 3 Nancy Ann Dillon b: 26 October 1779 in NC, d: 28 May 1869
................. + John Stallings d: 23 September 1851
................. 3 Clarkston Dillon b: Abt. 1785 in NC, d: Unknown
................. + Sarah Dillon b: SC
................. 3 Willis D. Dillon b: 31 December 1787 in NC, d: Unknown
................. + Mary Dillon b: 1783 in South Carolina, USA
................. 3 Mary Dillon Morris b: 1793 in NC, d: 04 July 1876
................. + Salathial Morris
................. 3 Theophilous Dillon b: 26 May 1796 in NC, d: Unknown
................. + Peggy Pearson b: 1808, d: 05 September 1857
................. 3 Clara Dillon b: 1799 in NC, d: Unknown
................. + George Smith d: 1833
....................... 4 William Dorten Smith b: 1818 in Pike, MS, d: 1906
....................... + Lucretta Dykes
............................. 5 Cinderilla Smith b: 1856 in MS
............................. + Thomas Dolphus Bickham
....................... 4 Nancy Smith b: 1829 in Pike, MS
....................... + Densmore Winston Smith
............................. 5 Mardenie Smith
............................. + James Wince Simmons
Richard Dillon was born in Ireland as the only child of James Theophalus Dillon and Mary Smith. James was hard to get along with and the subject of several legal altercations. The family moved to SC, then NC where Richard became an apprentice to a blacksmith in Bertie Co. Richard's parents died young. After his second enlistment (he was a POW and held 9 months) he was compensated 400 acres on the MS/LA border. Two of his sons stayed back and the rest of the family moved South. And that is how we came about. Bevin Creel has a book that verifies the details and explains our story more clearly.
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDeleteI was very happy to see your comments. I love finding a new connection to the ancestors, especially if I can learn something new!
Let’s compare information. Richard Dillon, son of James Theoopilous & Mary. I found this: Luke Ward Conerly, SOURCE RECORDS FROM PIKE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI 1798-1910; 1798-1910; South Carolina, Southern Historical Press, 1989; ; Owned by Colleen G. Pasquale; Notes: Information on Alfords, Brumfields, Elzey and more. Pages 117-119. "Richard Dillon, according to his Revolutionary War Pension file, was born on October 7, 1745, in Norfolk Virginia. Family tradition claims that he was a native of Ireland. However, since Norfolk was a well established port town in the colonial era, it is possible that his family had just migrated there from the old country.(Ireland)." What is your source for his birth place? Do you know where, in Ireland, they came from? Tell me more about James & his problems there.
I’d love to hear more about the Dillons in the Civil war. But let’s start with Richard & his parents.
How are you related to the family? Glad you stopped by my blog! You should also read: Jeremiah & Joanna (Dillon) Smith, My Double 4th Great Grandparents, posted 11 February 2012.
Hope to hear from you soon.
I am sorry to just find your page again. Since I posted I took a blind trip to Tylertown on my own, not knowing a soul. After quizzing random people in May's diner, some young men in a hunting camp and a man in a hayfield, I found my way to Preston Dillon. I went to the Dillon family reunion this summer and am going in October to the Washington Co. Free Fair in Franklinton, where Lucy Bickham King and Thomas Iverson King's (my 3rd great grandparents: Lucy>Rebecca King married John Theophalus Dillon> Ed Dillon> Arnold Dillon>me) dogtrot log cabin, along with other period buildings, are displayed. I am also Richard Dillon's 4th great granddaughter. Then Theophalus, Joel Pearson, John Theophalus, "Ed", Arnold, me. Civil War: Where would I start? The King cabin I mentioned: Three of their sons made our family proud. One, Thomas G.D. King was killed at Spotsylvania Courthouse in Virginia and is one of the first people buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In the Confederate section of course. William (I need to look again at that name) killed in Fredericksburg with Stonewall Jackson and John A. escaped his capture in Gettysburg, swam Delaware Bay and joined Mosley's Cavalry. They all three perished. Dillons: Theophalus Dillon (Richard's son) was in the War of 1812 along with two brothers Willis and Clarkston. Willis was a trumpeter, all in 13th MS Reg. Nixon's Brigade, and Clarkston was in the Battle of New Orleans. Then the Civil War came. Our Clarkston along with many other Dillons joined, some in the 33rd MS Reg. Co. E., Holmesville Guards,/ some in Brent's Rifles. I see where Clarkston was granted a pardon in Vicksburg by Pemberton to leave and come home b/c two sons had been killed. Willis Richard Dillon was killed in Corinth and I am researching to see if he was buried in a mass grave and if he was I am going to be pissed. Joel Pearson, my gggrandfather died from pneumonia he got (the record says exposure) at his home and his widow Harriet Lewis Dillon applied for his pension 12 times and was denied. She lived to be 98. What has me puzzled is 4 Dillons died : Joel Pearson (1866) Willis Richard Dillon as I mentioned, Clarkston is listed as died in 1862 and Chauncey Dillon., July 21, 1862. I have been trying to find my roots for many years, as my family moved to TX when I was 4. When I retired from teaching I began looking for my family. I am new to genealogy but I am afire with passion to find out as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have bought at least a dozen books from Lee Jackson, Owne Conerly's relative about the History of Pike Co.! I recently sent a copy to Dave Dillon, who is a descendant of Lawrence Dillon, who stayed back to take care of family bisuness when everyone came to MS. He has a webpage: Gibsonville, NC. I also have the Hill family stirred up. Alice Hill married John Ira McKenzie and he died the next year from a bolld infection. When she married Ed Dillon her marriage license asays Alice McKenzie married John Edgar Dillon and DAR says she isn't my grandmother! I told them my Daddy saw her burn to death when he was six, so we are 100% certain she is my grandmother. The Hills and Preston Dillon had almost-forgotten hints where Alice and Ed could be buried: Walt Brock's old place on Walt Brock Rd. Walt was married to Harriet Dillon, Ed's sister, so it made sense. We finally found her grave in a fenced in yard under a thick grove of trees next to a pond and it was buried under a mound of briars. Preston is going to have a road up to the graveyard cleared so my husband and others can clean it up in October! On facebook there is a Southwest MS Genealogy site and they let me come aboard! I am learning so much and have entered all of the pictures that I have. I am also on facebk: Sherry Dillon Maze. God has shown me great favor today! I have seen "Leaves and Branches" many times on my quest and forgot all about finding you before. Yay!
ReplyDeleteSherry, Please send me your email address so I can contact you directly. I'd love to learn more.
DeleteHi! smaze@swbell.net. I want to find Alice Hill's death certificate to see what is listed as the cause of her death. I wonder if they put burned to death?
ReplyDelete