James "Jimmy" Eubanks was born 8 May 1800 South Carolina. According to family tradition, he was a plantation foreman on the Massey farm and eloped with the plantation owner's daughter, Frances Massey. Frances was born about 1810 South Carolina to Andrew and Mary (McManus) Massey. Family memories of the elopement were told in "The Family Histories of Breckinridge, Smelser, Morrow, Hall, Eubanks and Clark" by Denele G. Campbell. "Frances was born to a wealthy plantation family, and had decided at the tender age of thirteen to turn her back on her family and inheritance, to give up her education and the culture of the time, in the name of love. The object of her affection, Jimmy Eubanks, was the plantation overseer, a respected position, but beneath her socially. He was nearly ten years her senior, and probably more aware of the long-range ramifications of their relationship, although it has been said that he was a kind and gentle person. "On the day of their planned elopement, Frances was outside with her mother, having spread certain household linens out on the grass to bleach in the sun. As Jimmy gave her the signal from the edge of the woods, she grabbed the white linen tablecloth that belonged with her hope chest and ran towards Jimmy. "Her mother, seeing the sudden truth of the situation, called for the Negroes nearby to chase after Frances. Jimmy stepped forward brandishing his pistol, saying he'd kill the first one to lay a hand on her." By 1830 James and Frances were living in Fayette Co., Georgia. Their first two sons were William Pinkney, born about 1825, and Drewry Alvin born about 1827. According to Campbell, "William P. had a head size that would fit into a teacup and that a silver dollar would cover his face. Frances, age fourteen at the time of his birth, would tie him up in her apron as she went about her work. Yet, as an adult, William was a robust man of over 190 lbs. and six feet in height." 1830 GA, Fayette Co., Page 189 James Eubanks 1 male under 5 1 male of 5 under 10 1 male of 20 under 30 1 female of 20 under 30 By 1840, the Eubanks moved to Murray Co., Georgia. By now, their family had grown to include John Buck born 19 August 1830, Amanda Arantha "Allye R." born 12 February 1832, Frances born 1836 and Talitha born 1839. 1840 GA, Murray Co., District 782, Page 7, Line 16 James Eubanks 012001 - 21001 1 male 5-10 2 males 10-15 1 male 30-40 2 females -5 1 female 5-10 1 female 20-30 Still living in Murray Co., Georgia in 1850, James and Frances had added their last three children: E. Johnson born about 1842, Charles Posey born 4 March 1844, and Arminia Lavonia born 11 September 1846.
1850 GA, Murray Co., Dated 23 Nov 1850, Page 281b, Dwelling 1859, Family 1859 Eubanks, James 49 M Farmer SC Frances 39 F SC John B. 20 M GA Ally R. 17 F GA Frances 14 F GA Talitha 13 F GA Posey 9 M GA Johnson 6 M GA Arminta 3 F GACampbell wrote:"Frances was heard on occasion to speak out against elopement in general citing the loss of family contact as a terrible price to pay. She had left her wealthy and comfortable way of life with only a linen tablecloth, and even her love with Jimmy was a strong and abiding love, she and he struggled for the merest daily necessities." By 1860 James had moved his family to Cache Township in Greene Co., Arkansas. Only three of their children were still living at home. 1860 AR, Greene Co., Cache Twp., Crowley, dated 20 Jul 1860, Page 555b, Dwelling 256, Family 251 Eubanks, James 60 M Farmer SC Frances 50 F SC Charles P. 19 M GA Armina L. 13 F GA J.J. 16 M GA Frances died during the early 1860s and is buried in Greene County. Campbell wrote: "The onset of the Civil War and the increasingly ill health of her mother, Frances, preoccupied the adolescent Vonie (Arminia Lavonia). Frances had been fairly horrified at the idea of travelling so far west into uncivilized lands, struggling even in Georgia with diminishing health. She had continued to weaken after their arrival in Arkansas and although the exact date of her death is not known, traditional family information says that she was buried along Jones Ridge in Greene County. Jimmy had been often heard to say, 'My wife is my fortune,' and he felt a great loss." About 1865, James married Anne Rowe Pitts in Greene County. [She was first married to N.W. Pitts.] James and Anne had one child, Alexander Stephen Eubanks born 28 February 1866. Anne apparently died soon after his birth as James remarried 1869. James moved his family to Randolph County. It is unknown if Anne is buried in Greene County or Randolph County. James married Cynthia A. Compton in Raldolph Co., Arkansas on 16 March 1869. (Marriage performed by A.W. James, Minister of the Gospel [Randolph Co., AR Marriage Records]). No further information has been found on Cynthia, only that she brought five children into the Eubanks household, S.A born 1857, Amelia J. born 1855, John born 1857, James born 1860, Lewis born 1862. 1870 AR, Randolph Co., Demun Twp., Pocahontas, Page 447a, dated 9 June 1870, Dwelling 167, Family 172 Eubanks, Jas 71 M Farmer SC Synthia A. 47 F Keeping House NC Compton, S. A. 17 F AR Amelia J. 15 F AR John 13 M AR James 11 M AR Lewis 8 M AR Eubanks, Ellie 5 F AR James died about 29 February 1879 in Randolph Co., Arkansas according to the probate of his estate. Greene County, Arkansas Probate Court Record - before the Clerk in vacation Estate of James Eubanks, Dec'd C C Eubanks, Admr (note:Charles C.) Application - Bond - Letters- On this 8th day of October 1879 comes C C Eubanks and files herein his application properly verified showing that he is an heir of James Eubanks deceased, that said deceased died on or about the 29th day of February 1879 without a Will; that the names of the heirs of said deceased and their places of residence are as follows to-wit: the heirs of William P Eubanks deceased who reside in Greene County, Ark; the heirs of Alvin Eubanks deceased who reside in Greene County Ark except Jackson N. Eubanks who resides in Camanchee (sic) County Texas; Amanda Futrell who resides in Comanchee County Texas; C P Eubanks who resides in Gordon County Georgia; the heirs of Johnson Eubanks deceased who reside in Camancha (sic) County Texas; John B Eubanks who resides in Polk County Arkansas; A L Hall who resides in Greene County Ark, and the heirs of Tulitha (sic) Hall who reside in Camanchee (sic) County Texas: that the value of the Estate of said deceased is about three hundred dollars; that he will make a perfect inventory of and faithfully Administer all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of said deceased and pay his debts as far as the assets which may come to his hand will extend and the law direct and that he will account for and pay over according to law all assets which shall come to his hand will extend and the law direct and that he will account for and pay over according to law all assets which shall come to his hands or possession; and praying that letters of Administration be granted to him on said estate; And it appearing to the Clerk that he is a proper person to be appointed Administrator of said estate, he was ordered to enter into bond as such in the sum of Six hundred dollars; Whereupon Comes the said C C Eubanks and files herein his bond as such Administrator in the said sum of Six hundred Dollars Conditioned as the law directs with W G Bohaning and R H Gardner as his sureties which bond is approved by the Clerk and Letters of Administration granted to the said C C Eubanks as Administrator of the estate of the said James Eubanks deceased. Filed 8 Oct 1879 Greene County, Arkansas Will Book 2, p 304
Children of James and Frances (Massey) Eubanks
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