Daniel Ayers
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Dec 16, 1792
Death: After 1866 - Tennessee
Burial:
Spouses and Children
1. *Mary McFadden
Marriage:
Children:
1. Merene Ayers
2. Elizabeth Caroline Ayers
3. Martha Ayers
4. Mary Jane Ayers
5. Warren Franklin Ayers
6. Thomas Jefferson Ayers
7. Amanda M. Ayers
8. James Ayers
Notes
General:
All these notes taken from Pat Childress Web site.
VALIDATION OF FAMILY TREE
Daniel Ayres (or, Ayers, as he spells it) is one of those rare individuals in the 19th century who took the time to document his family history for those of us in the future. He did so in a letter dated June 22, 1866 addressed to his grandnephew, Daniel Ayres, Jr., grandson of Daniel, Sr.'s brother, Jacob. I suppose even more rare is the fact that the letter (although transcribed) survived for nearly 150 years before it arrived at my home via the Internet. Perhaps the letter is made all the more remarkable due to the poignancy with which it was written. Daniel was in his 74th year of life, no mean feat at that time. He had just lost his wife of 53 years earlier in the month, and he speaks eloquently of their time together, while at the same time passing along some valuable genealogical information.
The transcription begins: "This was given by father's uncle from his family records while I was in Knox College." (Signed, Daniel Ayers, Jr.)
"This is to certify that I, Sidney Ayers, the son of J.G. Ayers, residing at Chillicothe, Texas, has made a true and correct copy of the original letter handed me by uncle Daniel Ayers of Los Angeles, California, September 24, 1909, the brother of my own father." (Signed, Sidney Ayers, Fort Worth, Texas, February 24, 1910)
This is a true copy of the original letter that was written Friday, June 22, 1866."
Mr. Daniel Ayers, Junior
My Dear Nephew:
Yours bearing date 22nd May is now before me. I receive it about ten day since, but was sick when I received it. I put it up with several other letters I just received and the other day looking over them found yours which I again reread with pleasure, and now undertake to answer it.
But before I say more, let me tell you that my wife who is your father's aunt, was first afflicted with a cancer wart about the first of June last. Every effort that could be resorted to was done by the most eminent physicians, but all of no purpose. We lived together 53 years, and at 10 minutes before II on the night of Thursday the 14th of June (inst), she was wafted by the angels into Abraham's bossom (sic) where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. This world was not good enough for her to stay in any longer. She was a strict, pious Methodist for thirty years previous to her death. The members of the Baptist Church used to say she was too good a woman to be a member of the Methodist Church (and) that she ought to quit them and join the Baptist. Her reply was that if she was lucky enough to get to Heaven, she never would be inquired of there what church she belonged to on earth. She was willing to die and she said she was not afraid to die, but was sorry to leave me behind.
I have one son living. I have given him my home, my plantation of about 80 acres of cleared land, orchards, garden and mansion house. I have broken up house keeping entirely. I have taken my effects to Montezema (sic) in McNairy County, Tennessee and there will make my home with my oldest daughter Merene E. Wade, who is a widow and owns a large portion of land adjoining the town of Montezema. About 10 or 12 days before my wife died, I was taken sick and a great portion of that time knew nothing that passed. I was unable to go and see my dear wife buried. You can better guess than I can transcribe the scene. I feel lonely and desolate. I have little or no consolation left, only I always knew death would part us sometime. As Christians we ought to bear it Christian like - Lord help me to do so.
I am weak and feeble; the physician says I have the erysipelus (sic) in the knee, but I think not. I believe that I have only hurt it. I had it lanced and I think it is getting well fast. As soon as I can go to my school in safety, I shall go. I had forgotten to tell you Mrs. Wade live just 12 miles from the place I left.
In answering your inquiry about Andaline Gragg and family I would state that she is now at Duval's Bluff. I am told is employed to oversee a boarding house. Has nothing to do, but see to the table being the right condition, etc., etc. I learned she is getting 25 or 30 dollars per month, but I forgot which. She has some fine land in Prairy (sic) County, Arkansas. Her son Wesley is, I suppose, not far from her working at 40 dollars the month (so $$$ reports say).
Her daughter Tennessee is somewhere there. My daughter Martha Reed is also a widow. She is in Hemsted (sic) County, Arkansas. She is own her own land at home doing well and has six children. My daughter Betsy Caroline Holyfield is also a widow. She is living in Prairy County, Arkansas. The greatest part of her children is married off. I know not how she is doing and making out. My next daughter, Mary Jane Thompson is living in Prairy County, Arkansas. She has bought a tract of land where she lives and also owns a fine and valuable tract of land in Dunklin County, Missouri. Her children are all grown up and scattered. She has been a widow for 10 years. My youngest daughter and the sixth one is now in Ray County, Missouri. She writes to me. She thinks her husband, Wm. G. Fulps, is killed by the Indians, having not heard from him for six months. He was hired to drive a wagon through the Couch (?) Nation. I recon he is dead. If so all my daughters are widows.
Having told all about my daughters, I will now tell you my first and oldest son died at 4 years old. My youngest son and babe died at 20 years, and I think 4 months old. He died in 1858. He was a pious ornament to his sex of his age. He was a fine scholar and teaching a free school at his death. My son Warren Franklin Ayers was captured and sent North and died in Alton the 27th of last March 2 years ago. His wife and 3 children - 2 sons and a daughter - are on the same place he left them, all will soon be grown. Franklin was an honorable, upright man and beloved and respected by all who knew him, and had the confidence of all who knew him. His family is doing well. Your cousin Allen Ayers was at my house about 4 weeks since. He reported that he had 2 sons killed in the army. His brother John was somewhere in Louisiana. Ely Ayers is also in Texas (sick). Thomas M. Bibb, his brother-in-law is also in Texas. Geo. W. Gray that married my sister is dead. She is living with her children. The Grays are all merchants and lawyers. They live in Titus County, Texas and I recon among the most prominent men of the State. But before I close let me tell you that if the trip is not too great, I wish you to go to Helena and cross the river and go and see a Mr. Madison J. Ozment, who married my granddaughter Martha Thompson. I have two other granddaughters there living with Mr. Ozment. He is truly an interesting man. But at first sight you would think him not worth a jackleg knife. But on further acquaintance, you will soon find him to be qualified to represent his country in any assembly. He lives only 4 miles from Helen, near Moon Lake.
After a year or thereabouts, when my mind becomes better composed and (I) wind up my business, I contemplate traveling and seeing all my children and near relations. If I should be spared to live though my dear boy, I see not a thing in this world worth living for. I have long since received your father's letter and wrote him at Marion. I come now to treat the subject of ancestry.
The very name Ayers is of French. Our original ancestors are French. They came to the State of New Jersey at an early date. This I learned from my father over half a century ago. He was no scholar yet an honest and upright man as religion and law called for. All who spell their names Ayers are our relations. This I learned from oldest Brother Moses {III}. Your father's mother's name was McFadden. Her brothers were Elisha and Jesse. Your grandmother, who was my brother Jacob's wife had a sister Hanna who married John Long, also had a sister married to John Gragg (a poor chance). Your grandmother's sister married Joshua Grymes. Rachel McFadden married my oldest brother Moses. Your grandmother Polly married my brother, Jacob. I give on another piece of paper the ages of my own father's family and grandfather's family. Write me and send to Boliva (sic) Hardeman County, Tennessee.
God bless you. Farewell.
Signed: Daniel Ayers
Daniel then recites the family tree of his immediate family, including his mother, father and brothers and sisters, along with dates of birth and marriages. He also cites the names and birth dates of his father's brothers and sisters, as well as their marriages. All of this data is included in this family tree file. In addition, the parts of this letter that pertain to other family members have been excerpted and entered into their respective note sections.
Interestingly, Daniel makes no mention of the death of his mother and the probable remarriage of his father to a woman whose surname likely was "Keziah." Nor does Daniel make mention of his half-brother, John Thoret Ayres, to whom his father awarded his estate in a will probated upon Moses, Sr.'s death. More than one researcher shows Daniel himself marrying a Polly Keziah (or "Kisiah") born August 14, 1794, after the death of his first wife.