DeFries cont.
Generation No. 11
83. Moses11 Defrees (James10, Joseph9 Deforest, Johannes8,
Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1)
was born March 09, 1787 in Rockbridge, VA, and died Bef. April 1835 in Knox, TN.
He married Mary Ann Swadley Abt. 1809 in Knox, TN,
daughter of Marcus Swadley and Elizabeth Fouchee.
Notes for Moses Defrees:
JAMES DEFREES AND HIS DESCENDANTS, by Jeanne Brooks Gart
There is no evidence that James ever paid a tax for his son Moses, so
perhaps he, like David, left home at an early age. Moses was probably in
Knox County in the early 1800's, perhaps going with or following his older
half-brother Asher. Moses probably married Ann Swadley in Knox county about
1809, the year that he is first recorded as paying a poll tax in that
county. He was taxed again the following year, and in 1812.
On 20 sep 1814, Moses enlisted as a private in Capt Charles Conway's Co.
Chiles' Battalion of Mounted Gunmen, in which he served until 1 May 18145.
He thus joined the flood of volunteers for the War of 1812 which gave
Tennessee the name "Volunteer State." He was described as being 5'11", with
a dark complexion, and black hair and eyes.
A claim filed years later, in 1834, with the U.S. Congress, tells us
something of his service.
"He started from East Tennessee some time in the year 1814 and expected to
meet Genl. Andrew Jackson somewhere in Florida, but before that event, said
Battalion was ordered to or near Fort Mimms - There the government failed
to furnish forage for the horses and to prevent the horses from starving,
Major Chiles sent [Moses Defrees] and others near to Fort St. Stephens, to
procure forage, on which expedition the mare of [Defrees] died because she
had nothing to eat. . . . He was forced to leave his saddle, bridle and
blankets. . .[losses] of about $82. . . "
This claim was referred to the Claim Committee of the House. Moses filed
another claim in the next session of Congress, signed by him with an X,
adding that he was in West Tennessee when he heard that an office was
established to process such claims, but by the time he returned home to
East Tennessee the office had closed. This time Major Chiles verified that
the facts as Moses had stated them were correct. There is no evidence as to
whether he ever received compensation.
The first record of a land purc hase was 2 April 1821, when he bought, for
$400, 150 acres on the East Fork of Turkey Creek. This property, described
as adjoining the lines of David Campbell and James Montgomery, was the same
piece of property that his brother Asher had bought in 1806. In 1824 he
bought, for $600, 193 acres in an unspecified location, and the following
year sold the 150 acres on Turkey Creek for $500. Beginning in 1826, and
continuing through 1831, he was taxed for one poll and 193 acres of land.
In 1830 he was included in the Knox county census record, with a wife,
four boys, and three girls.
On 2 Jan 1832, he bought, for $12, another small parcel on Turkey Creek,
and, two years later, for $78.75, an additonal 26 acres in an unspecified
location.
Moses died intestate in Knox County before the first Monday of April,
1835, when the court appointed administrators for his estate. An inventory
of the property was made and a sale in the same year netted $642.41.
Included in the inventory were three bedsteads, two dozen plates, four sets
of cups and saucers, one sugar bowl, a coffee pot, a looking glass, three
spinning wheels, five horses, 15 head of cattle, one yoke of oxen, 59 sheed
and 64 hogs.
One of the administrators appointed was Durrett Everett, who had been a
close neighbor in 1830, and from whom Moses purchased a small parcel of
land on Turkey Creek. Everett was also appointed guardian of Moses two
youngest children, Joseph and Mark. The date of the guardianship is not
recorded, but the first court record refers to settlement beginning in
1838.
The oldest son in the family, John M. was appointed guardian for two of
the children, Lucinda Flora and James S., in March 1841. In September 1842,
William W. Nelson was appointed guardian for Thomas and Nancy Jane.
Beginning 13 April 1842, Moses' land was disposed of by his heirs. On that
date, Thomas acquired from his sister Nancy Jane and her husband Joseph O.
Greer, for $110, an unspecified amount of land, her share of the estate. On
the same date, also for $110, John sold his share to Thomas. On 23 April
1848, William and Lucinda Greer sold her share to Mark for $80. On 18 Dec
1851, Durrett Everett, guardian for Joseph, sold to Thomas, for $100, 18
acres and 11 poles. On 29 Sep 1852, Thomas sold to Nalthaniel Grigsby, for
$650, two parcels of land, one consisting of 18 acres and 11 poles, and the
other of 90 1/2 acres. On 13 Mar 1854, three of the brothers who had moved
to Independence County, Arkansas - James, Mark, and Joseph - sold their
shares of the land to N.B. Grigsby, for $150.
Thus by 1854, after a series of land sales and transfers, Moses land, said
in one record to have consisted of about 200 acres, had all been sold to a
neighbor, Nathaniel Grigsby."
Children of Moses Defrees and Mary Swadley are:
89 i. Mary M.12 Defrees, born June 13, 1810 in Knox, TN;
died Bef. 1848.
90 ii. Elizabeth Defrees, born June 13, 1813 in Knox, TN;
died Bef. 1848.
91 iii. John McNeil Defrees, born June 06, 1816 in Knox, TN;
died Bef. October 11, 1858 in Independence, Ar.
92 iv. Thomas R. Defrees, born January 05, 1818 in Knox, TN;
died Bef. 1875.
93 v. Nancy Jane Defrees, born May 24, 1821 in Knox, TN.
+ 94 vi. James S Defries, born October 08, 1823 in Knox, TN;
died Bef. May 02, 1884 in Independence, AR.
95 vii. Lucinda Flora Defrees, born January 23, 1826 in Knox, TN.
96 viii. Mark Defrees, born April 20, 1828 in Knox, TN.
97 ix. Joseph Defrees, born December 23, 1830 in Knox, TN.
87. Joseph11 Defrees (James10, Joseph9 Deforest, Johannes8, Isaac7, Isaac6,
Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1) was born Abt. 1801 in Surry, NC,
and died Bet. 1832 - 1840.
He married Mary Ann Day May 03, 1821 in Sumner Co., TN.
Notes for Joseph Defrees:
JAMES DEFREES AND HIS DESCENDANTS, by Jeanne Brooks Gart, C.G.
>
>Joseph Defrees, the son of James and sophina Defrees, born in Surry county,
>North Carolina, about 1801, married in Sumner county, Tennessee, 3 May
>1821, Maryann Day. It is not known where or when he died, although it
>probably occurred between 1832 and 1840. The three sons below are believe
>to be the children ofJoseph and Maryann Defrees, for the following reasons:
>they were all bornin Tennessee in the period 1823-1829; census records,
>which will be quoted later, strongly indicate that these three men were
>brothers; it was reported on the death certificate of the youngest of
>these, Moses, that his father was Joseph and his mother Mary. All three
>lived in Missouri later, but whether their father went there with them is
>not known.
>
> the following are thought to be the children of Joseph and Maryann Day
>Defrees:
> James Defrees, born May 1823
> Philip R. Defrees, born ca. 1828
> Moses Defrees, born 14 Feb 1829
>
> Joseph is mentioned in only three known records other than that of his
>marriage: he was named in his father's will, by which he inherited, along
>with Ricely, the family farm; in 1832 he posted bond for a brother-in-law
>in Sumner County; he was probably the person mentioned as the father of
>Moses Defrees when the latter died in 1914 in Fremont county, Iowa.
>
Children of Joseph Defrees and Mary Day are:
98 i. James12 Defrees, born May 1823.
99 ii. Phillip R. Defrees, born Abt. 1828.
100 iii. Moses Defrees, born February 14, 1829.
Generation No. 12
94. James S12 Defries (Moses11 Defrees, James10, Joseph9 Deforest,
Johannes8, Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1)1
was born October 08, 1823 in Knox, TN1, and died Bef. May 02, 1884
in Independence, AR.
He married Martha J. Ross1 September 23, 1847 in Knox Co. Tennesse1.
Notes for James S Defries:
JAMES DEFREES AND HIS DESCENDANTS, by Jeanne Brooks Gart
page 64-67
"The couple has not been located in the 1850 census, but at least by 1854
James was in Independence County, Arkansas, when he sold his share of his
father's property, as well as his share of his mother's dower, to N.A. Grigsby
of Knox County.
In 1860, James and Martha were enumerated in
Independence with real estate worth $1500 and personal property of $300.
Ten years later, in the same location, he had real estate worth $1400 and
personal property of $800. He said that he was unable to read or write.
He was probably the James S. Defree who served a 30-day enlistment in 1861
in Co. C., 1 Ark volunteers.
Martha (Ross) Defrees died before 1880, when James, a widower, was livng
with two children, James and Elvena, and a grandson, Jordon K, next door to
his son Moses and Moses's wife. James S. Defrees died before 2 May 1884,
when John A. defries, administrator, petitioned the court to arrange for a
public auction of all personal property, including cattle, hogs, sheep,
mules, and farming tools at the home of the late James S. Defries. On 2 May
1893 there was an entry in Probate Court referring to the estate of James
Defreise, dec., by J. Defreise, administrator, that it "will lie over until
the next term of court for further ac tion." No further record has been
found."
Children of James Defries and Martha Ross are:
+ 101 i. John Henry13 Defries, born August 06, 1848 in Tennesse;
died January 06, 1925 in Batesville Arkansas.
102 ii. Mary Elizabeth DeFries1, born January 08, 1850 in Independence, AR1;
died September 04, 1930 in Bethesda, Independence, Arkansas.
She married Thomas Anderson McSpadden.
Notes for Thomas Anderson McSpadden:
Thomas McSpadden and his first wife had twelve children; Thomas and Mary
>Elizabeth had nine. Nearly all of Thomas' more than 135 grandchildren grew
>up in the Batesville (Arkansas) area.
+ 103 iii. Mark R Defries, born Abt. 1851 in Independence, AR.
+ 104 iv. Moses Defries, born Abt. 1853 in Independence, AR;
died November 01, 1890 in Bethesda, Independence, AR.
+ 105 v. Nancy J. Defries, born August 26, 1855 in Independence County, Arkansas;
died June 13, 1916 in Independence County, Arkansas.
+ 106 vi. Susann Defries, born December 05, 1858 in Independence County, Arkansas;
died November 27, 1920 in Independence County, Arkansas.
107 vii. Cynetha A Defries1, born January 1860 in Independence, AR1;
died Bef. 1870 in Independence, AR.
108 viii. James Defries1, born February 1862 in Independence, AR1;
died 1927 in Big Springs, Garland, Rockwall, Texas.
He married Sopha Katherine Shufler.
109 ix. William L. Defries1, born Abt. 1865 in Independence County, Arkansas1;
died July 1879 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
110 x. Elvina Defries1, born November 1869 in Independence, AR1.
Notes for Elvina Defries:
Nothing further is known of Elvena after her guardianship was terminated on
>4 Feb 1892.
Generation No. 13
101. John Henry13 Defries (James S12, Moses11 Defrees, James10,
Joseph9 Deforest, Johannes8, Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3,
Melchior2, Gilles1)1 was born August 06, 1848 in Tennesse1,
and died January 06, 1925 in Batesville Arkansas1.
He married (1) Mary F. Snow1.
He married (2) Eliza E. Russell1 November 14, 1886 in Independence County, Arkansas1,
daughter of William Russell and Cynthia ?.
Notes for Eliza E. Russell:
In 1900 Eliza said she had seven children, four of whom were living.
Children of John Defries and Mary Snow are:
+ 111 i. Theodore14 Defries, born November 03, 1874 in Arkansas;
died November 13, 1953 in Arkansas.
112 ii. Ader b. Defries1, born Abt. 18771.
+ 113 iii. Charles F. Defries, born Abt. 1883;
died April 10, 1929 in Swifton, Jackson County, Arkansas.
+ 114 iv. Lytle Defries, born August 1884 in Independence County, Arkansas.
+ 115 v. Monroe Spear DeFries, born February 12, 1873 in Batesville, AR;
died in Sweetwater, OK.
Children of John Defries and Eliza Russell are:
116 i. Esta V.14 Defries1, born August 1887 in Independence County, Arkansas1;
died January 27, 1925 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
She married Henry W. Holt1.
117 ii. Christina Defries1, born February 18911.
She married George Huntsinger1.
103. Mark R13 Defries (James S12, Moses11 Defrees, James10, Joseph9 Deforest,
Johannes8, Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1)1
was born Abt. 1851 in Independence, AR1.
Child of Mark R Defries is:
+ 118 i. Jordon Kansas14 Defries, born November 22, 1879 in Independence County, Arkansas;
died October 12, 1939 in Independence County, Arkansas.
104. Moses13 Defries (James S12, Moses11 Defrees, James10, Joseph9 Deforest, Johannes8,
Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1)1 was born Abt. 1853
in Independence, AR1, and died November 01, 1890 in Bethesda, Independence, AR.
He married Matilda Ann C. Stewert1 August 06, 1879 in Independence County, Arkansas1,
daughter of Samuel Stewert and Ann Hancock.
Notes for Moses Defries:
JAMES DEFREES AND HIS DESCENDANTS, by Jeanne Brooks Gart
>page 66
>
> "On 6 Sep 1884, he became guardian of his sister, Elvena M. Defrees and
>his nephew Jordan K. Defrees; he posted a $300 bond in connection with the
>guardianship of Jordan,signing his name Moses Defries.
> He may be the Moses Defries who debated "democratic principles" at
>Washington Academy in Bethesda, Arkansas, with the Rev. Rufus L. sherrill,
>pastor of the Pilgrims Rest Baptist church, in March 1890.
> Moses died 1 Nov 1890, and onthe 27 th of that month the court vested the
>rights to his personal property, valued at less than $300, in his widow and
>four children. Two years later, in another paper, his widow listed five
>children, one apparently born after his fathers death. Moses widow also
>took over guardianship of his sister, Elvena, which was terminated 4 Feb.
>1892, when Elvena reached legal age and received $103.38, apparently from
>her fathers estate. Later in the year the guardianship of Jordan Defrees
>was also ended, and he received a settlement from Matilda Defrees, acting
>for her late husband who had been his guardian, also. (Jordan was possible
>the son of Moses brother, Mark.) By 1897, Matilda had apparently died as
>Samuel Stewart was in court asking for the "rents for 1897, except such sum
>as may be necessary to pay the taxes," on the property left by their
>parents, as support for his grandchildren.. At this time four children were
>named"
Children of Moses Defries and Matilda Stewert are:
+ 119 i. James Samuel14 Defries, born March 03, 1880 in Bethesda, Independence Co., Arkansas;
died May 07, 1938 in Jackson County, Arkansas.
120 ii. Martha (Mattie) Ann Defries1, born October 12, 1881 in Oliphant, Arkansas1;
died June 11, 1963 in Haringen, Cameron County, Texas1.
She married John Abraham Morgan1 March 04, 1904 in Mc Hue, Independence County, Arkansas1.
121 iii. Moses Edward Defries1, born March 1886 in Arkansas1;
died November 11, 1918 in Jackson County, Arkansas1.
122 iv. David Oliver Defries1, born February 13, 1889 in Bethesda, Arkansas1;
died March 05, 1941 in Olyphan, Jackson County, Arkansas1.
He married Ona Blevins1.
123 v. Moses Oyler Defries1, born June 22, 1891 in Arkansas1;
died August 07, 1924 in Jackson County, Arkansas1.
105. Nancy J.13 Defries (James S12, Moses11 Defrees, James10, Joseph9 Deforest,
Johannes8, Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1)1
was born August 26, 1855 in Independence County, Arkansas1,
and died June 13, 1916 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
She married John Blevins1 July 03, 1873 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
Notes for Nancy J. Defries:
They owned a farm in Washington Township;; Nancy , in 1900, said she had 12
>children, nine of whom were living.
Children of Nancy Defries and John Blevins are:
124 i. Isaac A.14 Blevins1, born February 18801.
125 ii. Robert T. Blevins1, born October 06, 1881 in Independence County, Arkansas1;
died February 25, 1963 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
He married Ethel1.
126 iii. Sarah E. Blevins1, born June 18861.
127 iv. Lula E. Blevins1, born January 18871.
128 v. Willie E Blevins1, born September 18881.
129 vi. Martha C Blevins1, born October 18921.
130 vii. John Roy Blevins1, born October 18931.
131 viii. Moses R. Blevins1, born August 18941.
132 ix. Paralea E. Blevins1, born September 18981.
106. Susann13 Defries (James S12, Moses11 Defrees, James10, Joseph9 Deforest,
Johannes8, Isaac7, Isaac6, Jesse5, Jean4, Melchior3, Melchior2, Gilles1)1
was born December 05, 1858 in Independence County, Arkansas1,
and died November 27, 1920 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
She married Jacob F. Collom1 November 26, 1879 in Stone Co. Arkansas1.
Child of Susann Defries and Jacob Collom is:
133 i. Sterling E.14 Collom1, born July 28, 1895 in Independence County, Arkansas1;
died February 06, 1918 in Independence County, Arkansas1.
Notes for Sterling E. Collom:
[Defriesged.GED]
On Headstone, WOW/Woodmen of the World, (Co. F 350yh Inf., 180th Brigade, 90th Div. , Camp Travis, Texas.
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