David and Marsha Grady Family
Our HODGES FamilyMarsha's second great-grandmother was Mary Frances HODGES, daughter of Wiley Franklin HODGES and Margaret Jane SMITH. Here is the story of Mary Frances HODGES' family.
Mary Frances' grandfather was Jordan HODGES. He was born 8 June 1796 in Beaufort County, North Carolina. He was in Georgia sometime between 1810-1820, and married Mary MILLER, daughter of Lewis MILLER and Mary GROOME, on 22 March 1821 in Washington County, Georgia. He can be found in the 1830 and 1840 Federal Censuses for Washington County. His will, recorded 14 May 1849, lists his minor children, but does not include his two oldest sons.
Jordan HODGES is believed to be the son of Henry HODGES, Jr., born about 1750 in Beaufort County, North Carolina, and died after 1830 in Washington County, Georgia. Henry HODGES, Jr., appears in the 1790 Federal Census for Beaufort County, North Carolina, and had migrated to Georgia sometime prior to 1820, when he appeared in the Federal Census for Washington County.
Henry HODGES, Jr., is reported to have served in the Revolutionary War in Captain John HODGES' Company of Pitt County Volunteers, Company H, Seawell's Regiment of the North Carolina Militia. He is reported to have four sons: John HODGES (ca 1784-ca 1846), Redding Othaniel Augustus HODGES (ca 1790-1858); Jordan HODGES (see above); and Wiley T. HODGES (ca 1810-ca 1843). Marsha has no primary documentation that Jordan HODGES is Henry HODGES, Jr.'s son - however, there is a strong likelihood given research done by other researchers, geographic proximities in the 1830 and 1840 censuses, and similarities in family names.
Henry HODGES, Jr.'s line is reported to be:
- Robert HODGES, Sr. (born 1638; died 1687 in New Port Parish, Isle of Wight County, Virginia)
- - Robert HODGES, Jr. (born ca 1664 in Virginia; died 1742 in Bertie County, North Carolina)
- - - Richard HODGES (born 1692; died before 16 April 1752 in Beaufort County, North Carolina)
- - - - Henry HODGES, Sr. (born ca 1720 in Beaufort County, North Carolina; died 1802 Beaufort County, North Carolina)Marsha would love to have better documentation supporting Jordan HODGES ancestry!
Jordan HODGES and Mary MILLER had eleven children: Wiley Franklin HODGES (see additional information below); John L. HODGES (1824-?); Sarah Emeline HODGES (1826-?); Henry Hubbard HODGES (1828-?); Elizabeth Swift HODGES (1833-?); Bright Groom HODGES (1835-1853); Mary Ann HODGES SMITH (1837-1907); Redding Key HODGES (1839-1903); Semarimous Angeline Isabel HODGES ADAMS (1842-1921); Anouso Lavonshier C. HODGES (1844-?), Josephine Ceres HODGES STANFORD (1847-1934).
The HODGES were apparently an influential family in Washington County, Georgia, throughout the early part of the 1800's.
Wiley Franklin HODGES was the oldest known son of Jordan and Mary HODGES. He was born 1822 in Washington County, Georgia, and married Margaret Jane SMITH, daughter of English SMITH and Margaret DEAN, on 19 April 1844 in Stewart County, Georgia. After their marriage, they lived in Stewart County. In the late 1850's, they moved from Stewart County to Dale County, Alabama, then to Thomas County, Georgia in the early 1860's, where Wiley's occupation is listed as "manager". By about 1862/1863, the family had moved back to Washington County, Georgia.
Wiley and Margaret had eleven known children: John E. HODGES (1847-1895); James J. HODGES (1848-1849); Margaret V. E. HODGES (1849-1856); Mary Frances HODGES RAWLS (1851-1926); Eugenia S. HODGES (1852-?); William Arthur HODGES (1853-1856); Wilda Torrance HODGES ROBINSON (1855-1945); Henry Key HODGES (1857-1934); Alexander Lavor HODGES (1859-1937); Thomas J. HODGES (1861-?); and Wiley Jefferson HODGES (1863-1952).
Wiley Franklin HODGES was a Mason, a member of Center Lodge No. 187, and was baptized in 1843 at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Washington County, Georgia.
On 15 August 1863, Wiley enlisted as a Private, 66th Georgia Infantry Regiment of the Confederate States Army, assigned to the Army of Tennessee. He was later promoted to Sergeant. He was shot during a skirmish or by sharpshooters in the right side of the head on 11 March 1865 in an area south of Raleigh, North Carolina, and died 13 March 1865 in the Pettegrew Hospital in Raleigh. He is buried at Wake County Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
Wiley's son, James English HODGES, was a member of the same regiment. He was wounded 24 October 1864 at Decatur, Alabama, and had his right leg amputated above the knee. Wiley and John's regiment fought in battles beginning with Missionary Ridge in November 1863, and fought at the battle for Atlanta.
(All information on Wiley and John English HODGES' military service was provided by Marsha's distant cousin, Donahue HALL. Special thanks for his willingness to research and share this information).
There is a family story that goes like this: During Sherman's march to the sea through Georgia at the end of the Civil War, the Union army passed near the HODGES homestead. Because Margaret HODGES had attached Wiley's Masonic apron to the front porch, the troops left their home unmolested. This story is unsubstantiated, and Marsha has seen similar stories attributed to other families in Georgia during the time.
Between 1871-1880, Margaret HODGES moved with her family from Washington County, Georgia, to Covington County, Alabama, along with several of her grown children and their families. She died in 1907, while living with her daughter and son-in-law, and is buried in Urbana Cemetery, Brewton, Escambia County, Alabama.
Mary Frances HODGES was born to Wiley and Margaret HODGES on 6 February 1851 in Stewart County, Georgia, and married William Arthur RAWLS on 24 October 1872 in Washington County, Georgia. William and Mary Frances moved along with Margaret HODGES to Covington County. Additional information on their family can be found on Marsha's Rawls Page.
Reports:
Photographs:
Photo of grave of Wiley Franklin Hodges.
Hodges family photosRelated Families:
Marsha's RAWLS Page
Marsha's SMITH Page (coming soon)
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