Merry Christmas

Wishing you all to have a wonderful day with loved ones as you celebrate the birth of our Savior. Here is a famous picture taken by a Knoxvillian, Joseph Knaffl. This picture is called Knaffl Madonna. The woman in the picture is the wife of my cousin, William G. Price. Her maiden name was Emma Fanz.

Crawford Lane

Today I wanted to post about my great-great-great-grandfather, Crawford Lane. My Lane family is from Marion County, South Carolina. I plan to share more about my Lane family from Marion in the coming weeks.

Generation No. 1

1. CRAWFORD³ LANE (JAMES C.², OSBORNE¹) was born 22 Sep 1812, and died 10 Jun 1884. He married ANNA PERRITT, daughter of DAVID PERRITT and SARAH SMITH. She was born 22 Jul 1818, and died 21 Jul 1896.

More About CRAWFORD LANE:

Burial: Lane Cemetery, Marion County, South Carolina

More About ANNA PERRITT:

Burial: Lane Cemetery, Marion County, South Carolina

Children of CRAWFORD LANE and ANNA PERRITT are:

i. SARAH⁴ LANE, b. Abt. 1838.

ii. DANIEL FRANKLIN LANE, b. Nov 1839, Marion County, South Carolina. m. CHARLOTTE M. GASQUE on 01 Nov 1866 in Marion County, South Carolina

iii. GEORGE W. LANE, b. Abt. 1842.

iv. ADDISON L. LANE, b. 06 Oct 1844; d. 31 Dec 1923. m. CHERRY BRYANT on 11 Jan 1867

v. ELIZABETH LANE, b. Abt. 1846.

vi. JAMES DUNCAN LANE, b. 04 Mar 1850; d. 06 Oct 1920. m. IRENE CAMPBELL

vii. MARY LANE, b. 12 Mar 1851; d. 24 May 1927. burial: Lane Cemetery, Marion County, South Carolina

viii. NANCY ANN LANE, b. 14 Sep 1853; d. 31 Mar 1926. burial: Lane Cemetery, Marion County, South Carolina

ix. HAPSY LANE, b. Bet. 1854 - 1857.

x. VIRGINIA JANE LANE, b. Abt. 1858.

xi. CATHARINE LANE, b. 30 Oct 1862; d. 13 Feb 1939. m. JOSEPH ROGERS

Digital Photography

I forgot to add Digital Photography to my Researcher for Hire post. I go to cemeteries in the Knoxville and surrounding areas. I currently have pictures from cemeteries in Knox, Blount, Sevier, Monroe and Roane County, Tennessee; Marion and Dillion County, South Carolina; Montgomery County, Virginia. I can also take pictures of buildings (i.e. Churches).

I had someone ask me to accompany them to a cemetery in Anderson County so that I could take pictures for them. We walked around the cemetery finding all the different relatives and came across a headstone that was large and held a lot of information. The only problem was we could barely read it! The sun was behind the stone and the front had some wear. We sat for a while to write out all the information before heading on to find more relatives. A little while later we came back by that stone and what we saw was amazing. Oh the difference of the position of the sun! This is the picture I took after the sun rose directly overhead.


I have also taken many pictures of Churches, entrances to cemeteries, homes, and historic markers to name a few. This is a picture of St. John's Lutheran Church in Knoxville. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1913. This is across the street from Old Gray Cemetery. I remember the pastor at my great-uncle's funeral waiting for the church bell to chime thirty minutes after the hour before starting the service.

Bruce Bill Williams

I have had trouble gathering information about this man. I know that he is the second husband of my great-grandmother, Mary Price (her first husband was Benjamin F. Orr). I do not know when Mary and Bruce were married, but I know it was in the 1940's. I am also unsure about his name. My father said it was Bill, but on his death record it is Bruce. This picture of him is the only one I have ever seen of him.

Bruce "Bill" Williams was born in South Carolina on August 5, 1886. He was working in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the 1940's when he was married to Mary. On the death certificate he is listed as a Store Keeper for the Atomic Energy Commission. Not sure what that means exactly. He died on August 10, 1953 of a brain hemorrhage. He was buried in Old Gray Cemetery in the family plot of his father-in-law, Thomas Rees Price.

David J. Price

I have received some newspaper articles that tell more about David Price and I wanted to share some of this information.

David fought in the Civil War (or for the Southerners, The War of Northern Aggression ;) ). First he enlisted on April 22, 1861 for the 6th Infantry Regiment, mustering out on July 27, 1861. He then enlisted in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry on September 28, 1861 and was promoted to a Full 2nd Lieutenant on July 26, 1863. In the battle of Stone River David was injured with a pistol shot wound to the head. On December 19, 1864 he resigned his commission.

After the war he worked for five years as a Superintendent of a coal mine in St. Clair, Pennsylvania, one year as a Superintendent York, Pennsylvania, 6 months working in a rolling mill in Elmira, New York. In 1871, David and family moved to Bay View, Wisconsin, where he took a job in the rolling mills. On January 1, 1873 David became the Postmaster in Bay View, WI. Two years latter he opened a general merchandise store. In 1880, he was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature from the 11th Milwaukee Assembly District.

Descendants of David J. Price

Generation No. 1

1. DAVID J.³ PRICE (JONATHAN², REES¹) was born 25 Sep 1838 in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and died 16 Apr 1882 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He married AMELIA M. DAVIES. She was born Oct 1840 in Wales.

More About DAVID J. PRICE:

Burial: 17 Apr 1882, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Lot 7, Block 16, Section 4

More About AMELIA M. DAVIES:

Burial: 19 Jan 1923, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Lot 7, Block 16, Section 4

Children of DAVID PRICE and AMELIA DAVIES are:

i. RACHEL MAY⁴ PRICE, b. Oct 1865, Pennsylvania.

More About RACHEL MAY PRICE:

Burial: 01 Feb 1958, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Lot 7, Block 16, Section 4

ii. WILLIAM ALBERT PRICE, b. 27 Jan 1868, St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; d. 27 Jun 1896.

More About WILLIAM ALBERT PRICE:

Burial: 29 Jun 1896, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Lot 7, Block 16, Section 4

iii. CLARA CADDIE ADA PRICE, b. Abt. Apr 1871; d. 17 Oct 1872.

More About CLARA CADDIE ADA PRICE:

Burial: 19 Oct 1872, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Lot 7, Block 16, Section 4

iv. MARY E. PRICE, b. Abt. 1875, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

v. AMELIA D. PRICE, b. Sep 1877, Wisconsin; d. 11 May 1882, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

More About AMELIA D. PRICE

Burial: 13 May 1882, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Lot 7, Block 16, Section 4

Update on Mary E. Price Family

I have been learning more about the family of Mary Price and thought I would share what I have learned. Here is the updated family tree of Mary Price and John Williams. I also learned a little about John Williams. His parents were J.(Joseph?) George Williams and Sarah Smith. George was born about 1836 in Indiana, Mary was born about 1838 in Missouri. There was also another son, Albert, who was born about 1863 in Illinois. I found the family in 1870 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL. In 1880 I found Sarah, Albert, and John still in Pekin. Sarah was listed as divorced. I am not sure what happens after that to Sarah or Albert.

Descendants of John H. Williams

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN H.² WILLIAMS (J. GEORGE¹) was born Abt. 1865 in Pekin, Illinois. He married MARY E. PRICE 25 Sep 1900 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, daughter of DAVID PRICE and AMELIA DAVIES. She was born Abt. 1875 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Children of JOHN WILLIAMS and MARY PRICE are:

i. FRANK PRICE³ WILLIAMS, b. 30 Jun 1901, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; d. 25 Nov 1996, Victorville, San Bernardino County, California.

ii. MARY E. WILLIAMS, b. 30 Sep 1902, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

iii. JOHN H. WILLIAMS, b. 30 Oct 1903, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; d. 29 Nov 1995, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

iv. RACHEL D. WILLIAMS, b. 12 Feb 1905, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

v. GRACE ESTER WILLIAMS, b. 17 Jul 1906, Missouri; d. 30 Mar 1996, Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; m. CHAPMAN.

vi. MARGARET L. WILLIAMS, b. 14 Dec 1907, Missouri; d. 16 Mar 2002, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona; m. NEAS.

vii. ALICE WILLIAMS, b. Abt. 1910, Missouri; m. DAVIDSON.

2. viii. ROBERT EDWARD WILLIAMS, b. 22 Dec 1912, Marion, Marion County, Kansas; d. 31 Dec 2003. m. (1) ELIZABETH DAVIS Abt. 1942. He married (2) HELEN CRONEMEYER 1984.

Mary E. Price

I recently have learned more about my Price family. I have been looking for more information on the David J. Price family. Well, thanks to a great lady I have learned more! She had found information for me and I am eager to learn more of what she finds for me. I will post more later once I receive the information she collects for me. This information is what I have learned so far about David's daughter, Mary E., and her family.

Descendants of John H. Williams

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN H.² WILLIAMS (J. GEORGE¹) was born Abt. 1865 in Pekin, Illinois. He married MARY E. PRICE 25 Sep 1900 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, daughter of DAVID PRICE and AMELIA DAVIES. She was born Abt. 1875 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Children of JOHN WILLIAMS and MARY PRICE are:

i. FRANK P.³ WILLIAMS, b. 30 Jun 1901, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

ii. MARY E. WILLIAMS, b. 30 Sep 1902, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

iii. JOHN H. WILLIAMS, b. 30 Oct 1903, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

iv. RACHEL D. WILLIAMS, b. 12 Feb 1905, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

v. GRACE E. WILLIAMS, b. Abt. 1906, Missouri.

vi. MARGARET WILLIAMS, b. Abt. 1908, Missouri.

vii. ALICE WILLIAMS, b. Abt. 1910, Missouri.

viii. ROBERT E. WILLIAMS, b. Abt. 1913.

Bivens family

This is a rare picture that my mother found. This is a picture of my grandmother, Eula Gourley Bivens, along with seven children. At this time my grandmother had already lost one of her daughters, Gracie, in 1929. This picture was taken in probably the summer of 1937. This picture is one of only two (that I know of) that has my aunt, Ellen Caroline, who died at three years of age. This picture has Eula holding a newborn Ellen, Tina in the hat, Della in back holding on to Daisy, and sitting in front is Dorothy, Allen and Phillip.

Rhodees Lane

I thought that since I have often mentioned my grandmother for my unknown pictures postings that I might add her picture. This is my grandmother, Amelia Rhodees Lane. She was born in 1917 in Moody, Marion County, South Carolina to Sampson and Roma Lane. She was the tenth out of their twelve children. She married my grandfather, R. Price Orr, in Columbia, South Carolina in 1940. Her life was short and I was not blessed with the opportunity to meet her, but she was always special to me. Her memory lives on through stories told to me through family and friends. If you knew my grandmother and wish to tell me a story about her please feel free to contact me or leave a comment.

Loss Of A Cousin

Two days ago I received an e-mail from a distant relative about the death of my cousin (she was my 2nd cousin twice removed and my 3rd cousin twice removed). I was saddened to learn that the cousin that I met for the first time last summer was no longer with us. She was a sweet lady who seemed to gladly welcome me into her family and her life. I enjoyed the visits I had with her where I learned more about our mutual family. She was able to share information and pictures with me that I thought I would never know about. I feel that I am blessed in the time I spent with her and in her friendship, though it was short. I was sad also because, due to our move and our new addition to the family, I had not seen her since earlier this year. I know that she was excited about the baby and I was hoping to see her soon so she could meet our baby. Instead I place these roses in tribute to my cousin Elizabeth.

Burwell sisters

I have been learning more and more about my Price family over the past six years. After slowly adding sibling after sibling to my great- great- grandfather, Thomas Rees Price, I have also learned about their descendants as well. Last year I met a second cousin of my grandfather's (from the Abraham Price family) and I saw a paper she had with information that did not seem like it went with our mutual family. So I investigated the names and found that this was another sibling of Thomas. Here I was believing that I had found all the living ones and I learn about another one, who also lived in the Knoxville area where Thomas and other siblings lived. This was his sister Mary Price Burwell. She had married William G. Burwell in the early to mid 1860's. They had five children: Elizabeth (1864-?), Ann(ie) B. (1868-?), Mary Harris (1871-1949), William (1874-1895), and John S. (1878-?). Mary Harris Burwell married Clay Brown Atkins in 1894 in Knox County, TN. Well, after I have been going through some old pictures I came across this picture and was shocked to see the name on the back - Mary Burwell (Mrs. C.B. Atkins) and sister! Now I knew who they were! I know I had no idea who they were before and my father probably did not either, but now I can tell you who they are. So this picture is of Mary Burwell and one of her two sisters, Elizabeth or Ann(ie). I would like to know which is Mary and also which sister it is.

Unknowns Part 4

I was told that this is from the Campbell side of the family.

Unknowns Part 3 (Updated!)

This is a picture from Rhodees Lane's photo album. I am not sure who the men are, but I think that the one on the far left is Rhodees' brother, Paul.

(Update 30 Jul 2012. My cousin, Barbara, told me that this was taken at her great-grandparents' house in Brooklyn, NY. From L-R: Paul Lane, Nils William Person, Mr William Mushlitt, Nils Person) 

Click image to see large picture

Andy and Gracie (Gourley) Pilkington

This is Gracie Gourley who is the sister of my grandmother, Eula. Gracie was born about 1909 in Monroe County, Tennessee. The family lived in the Rafter area. Gracie was the last of the eight children of Robert "Bob" Gourley and Ellen Caroline Butler. Bob died in January of 1909, so I believe that he had died before his daughter was even born. In 1924 Gracie married Andy Pilkington in Monroe County. Around the end of 1928 they had a daughter named Hazel. In the 1930 Census they are living on Spruce Street in Knoxville (last name as Pilky). I was told that around the 1960's Gracie lived in the Vestal area in Knoxville. So far this is all I know about Andy, Gracie and Hazel.

Unknowns Part 2

This picture might be from the Campbell family. The lady on the far right is my grandmother, Rhodees. The lady standing beside her looks like her cousin, Lois McKay Watson. Lois was the daughter of Rufus Z. McKay and Flora M. Campbell.


(Updated 7/30/2012 - My cousin, Barbara, said this is taken in Brooklyn, NY at her great-grandparents' house. From L-R: Dorothy Person, Frances Nushlitt, Nils Person Jr, Lois McKay, Rhodees Lane and in front is Edna Person)

Click image to see a larger image

Unknown Pictures

I have many pictures that I do not know who the people are and our possible relationship. I am thinking that I might post them here so that I can share them with others in the hopes that someone else might be able to tell me who they are. Since I am fresh from my Lane family reunion I have decided to post a picture from my grandmother's photo album. Her maiden name was Amelia Rhodees Lane. This album was probably family from Marion County, SC and surrounding areas. The main family names are Lane and Campbell. I would appreciate any help!

The lady on the far right is my
grandmother, Rhodees (born in 1917).
You can click on the image to enlarge it.

Research Help

I am offering my services to help those who need help with their genealogy research. I have been doing my own family research for seven years now. I do most of my research at the East Tennessee History Center, which holds the Knox County Archives and the McClung Historical Collection. I can do look ups with several resources. (I will have a more detailed list soon)

From The Archives:
Knox County Births 1881-early 1900's
Knox County Marriages mid 1800's- early 1900's
Knox County Death Records late 1800's- early 1900's
Knox County Wills

The McClung Collection:
Obituaries (Knoxville)

Mary Annie Pressley

This is a post especially for a new cousin I have received an e-mail from. I thought I would add a picture on here to show some common relatives. This picture has my great-grandmother, Ellen Caroline (Butler) Gourley, as well as my two aunts, Della and Gracie Bivens. There is also a daughter-in-law of Ellen's, Edith, who married Bill Gourley. The boy and girl in front of Edith are two of her and Bill's children, Junior and Pauline. The older girl is Ellen's granddaughter, Mary Annie Presley, who is the daughter of Lady and William M. Presley.

Back Row: Mary Annie Presley, Ellen Caroline (Butler) Gourley, Edith (Williams) Gourley holding Gracie Bivens
Front Row: Della Bivens, Junior and Pauline Gourley

James Wesley Orr

I am going to go back to the Orr side of the family in this post. Earlier you were introduced to my grandfather, Price Orr. I had mentioned that Price and his twin brother, James, were both named after their grandfathers (Price-mother's, James-father's). Here is the man that great-uncle James was named after.

James Wesley Orr was born on July 19, 1841 in Lee County, Virginia. He was the tenth child (of thirteen) born to David and Rhoda (Ely) Orr. James served in the Civil War and was a First Lieutenant in the 37th Virginia Infantry Regiment Co. E. During the war he suffered an injury to his shoulder, which resulted in the loss of his arm. That did not slow James down after the war was over. He served one term as a sheriff in Lee County, was county clerk in 1871, became a county judge in 1889, served as a representative of Lee County in the Virginia Assembly for eight years, (by special appointment) a county judge of Scott County, Virginia for two years, and also representing Lee County in the Constitutional Convention for Virginia in 1901. In the article written on the event of his death it was said of James, "He was one of the best known and highly respected men in Southwest Virginia, and his span of life reached across almost a century of progress for Lee County." James also wrote Recollections of the War between the States, which all proceeds were to go to a fund to erect a memorial to the men who fought and died as Confederates from Lee County.

James was married twice. First to Martha Pattie Vermillion on November 9, 1865. After living as a widower for three years he married again to Olivia "Ollie" (Johnson) Morison in 1910. The picture to the left is of James and Ollie.

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES WESLEY² ORR (DAVID¹) was born 19 Jul 1841 in Sugar Run, Lee County, Virginia, and died 08 May 1931 in Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. He married (1) MARTHA PATTIE VERMILLION 09 Nov 1865, daughter of WILSON VERMILLION and SALLY MATLOCK. She was born 14 May 1840 in Virginia, and died 26 Feb 1907 in Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. He married (2) OLIVIA OLLIE JOHNSON 10 Jun 1910 in Bristol, Virginia.

Children of JAMES ORR and MARTHA VERMILLION are:

i. (daughter) ORR³, born and died 26 Aug 1866.

ii. WILLIAM EMMET ORR, b. 15 Jun 1868; d. 15 May 1946; m. (1) ANNA LOUISE CROWELL; b. 1874; d. 1907; m. (2) MARY VIRGINIA SHELBURNE; b. 1878; d. 1939.

iii. ELIZABETH VERMILLION ORR, b. 14 Aug 1870; d. Mar 1948; m. BENJAMIN HOUSTON SEWELL.

iv. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ORR, b. 23 Jan 1873, Sugar Run, Lee County, Virginia; d. 05 Dec 1959, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; m. (1) MARY PRICE, 17 Oct 1905, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; b. 20 Sep 1885, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; d. 26 Sep 1965, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; m. (2) CAROLYN FRENCH, Aft. 1940; b. 27 Dec 1889; d. 13 Jul 1969, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.

More About BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ORR:

Burial: 09 Dec 1959, Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Prince George County, Maryland

More About MARY PRICE:

Burial: 28 Sep 1965, Old Grey Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee

More About CAROLYN FRENCH:

Burial: Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Prince George County, Maryland

v. GEORGE W. ORR, b. 01 Aug 1875; d. 21 Nov 1955; m. (1) GOLDEN BARTON; m. (2) MAUD PET MORGAN, 14 Jun 1905; b. 16 Jun 1882; d. 04 Nov 1912.

vi. HENRY ORR, b. 15 Jan 1878; d. Abt. 1888.

The Sons of Joseph Richards

This is a picture of the four Richards sons.
Standing are David (on left) and Joseph (on right).
Seated are John (on left) and William (on right).