The descendants of Moses Hart were introduced in last week’s column, and the family of his oldest son, Robert Fred Hart, was covered extensively. The Indians’ massacre of his second son, Josiah Hart, and family was also presented. Today’s column will begin with what is known about Josiah’s family before their tragic deaths.

Josiah was born circa 1800 in Kershaw County, South Carolina. He was listed as head of a household in 1820 in Beaufort County in a home located next door to his older brother, Robert. A few years later, he migrated to Dale County, and settled along the Pea River, which was close to the Covington County line. It was in this location in 1835 when his entire family, with the exception of one young daughter, was murdered by a band of marauding Creek Indians.

Their relatives and neighbors collected the bodies of seven family members, the parents and five children, and buried them in the Weeks Assembly of God Church Cemetery in lower Coffee County. The one young daughter who survived, even though she was left for dead, was rescued and doctored to good health by her aunt and uncle. She was Melinda Hart who was born in 1834 in an area that became New Samson, Geneva County.

Melinda was married in 1851 to George Washington Marlow. They reared the following children: Allin George Washington, b. 1852, d. 1934, m. 1878 Mary Russell Barker; Edward Jackson, b. 1863, d. 1916, m. Martha Virginia Crowder; John D., b. 1866, d. 1942, m. 1885 Ruth Chester Tanton; and Lucinda.

Moses’s next son, Carr Hart, and his wife, Nancy (Maxey), settled in Loango near his father-in-law, John Maxey’s, farm. In 1830, they were residing next door to John Maxey while his father, Moses Hart, was living in Chapel Hill in the southeastern area of the county. In 1840, Carr and family were still in the northwest corner of the county on a farm along Pigeon Creek. His place was next to the Conecuh County line and next door to his brother, Henry Hart. Their nephew, Josiah L. Hart, was living near them, but his place fell within Conecuh County. In 1850, Carr was still farming in the same area and next to Henry.

By 1860, the Carr Hart family had moved to Clarke County. Andrew Hart, a 24-year farmer, was living with the family, but he was enumerated as a separate household. In 1870, they were listed in the Bashi Beat of Clark County, but by 1880, they had moved to the Hoboken area of Marengo County.

Carr and Nancy (Maxey) Hart reared the following children: George Madison, b. 1831, m. Catherine Beck; James, b. 1832, m. Minerva ?; Arminda, b. 1832; Andrew, b. 1836; Susannah, b. 1839; Mary Ann, b. 1841; Patsy, b. 1842; Delaney, b. 1844; Nancy J., b. 1845; John W., b. 1848; Miles, b. 1854; and Eliza, b. 1860, m. (1) Simeon Peter Walker (2) John Stephens.

Moses’s next son, Henry Hart, was married to Mary Ann Maxey, sister to his brother, Carr’s, wife. They were residing in Conecuh County in 1831, and Henry purchased a tract of land near the current Town of Red Level. It was near Pigeon Creek and was the second piece of land to be sold in that immediate area. They were then living in Covington County for the next 20 or so years, and Henry was listed as a farmer and stockman. They were enumerated in Conecuh County in 1860, and Mary Ann was listed as a widow in 1870.

Henry and Mary Ann Hart reared the following 13 children: Elisha, b. 1831; Edwin, b. ca 1833; William, b. ca 1835; Moses, b. ca 1837; Mary, b. ca 1839; Sarah, b. ca 1841; John W., b. ca 1843; Lydia, b. ca 1845; Cenie, b. ca 1847; Zachariah, b. ca 1849; Jesse Pinkney, b. 1850; Delilah, b. 1856; and Fannie, b. 1863.

Moses’s next son, Jordan Hart, was first married to Elizabeth Maxey, sister to his brothers’ wives. They were enumerated as living in Butler County in 1840 and 1850. In 1843, Jordan purchased 240.27 acres from the State in the Red Level Township. Circa 1855, the family moved to Madison County, Texas. By 1885, he had returned to Walton County, Florida, and is living in the household of William and Caroline Henderson. He is 70 years old, and his wife, Pilsy, is 40 years old. At some point, Jordan was married second to Annie M. McBride.

Jordan and Elizabeth Hart had the following children: William, b. 1833; Julia, b. 1834; Susan, b. 1836; Henry, b. 1837; Nancy, b. 1838; Marion, b. 1840; Sarah, b. 1842; Mary, b. 1844; Laney, b. 1849; Harriet, b. 1849; Joseph, b. 1851; and Martha, b. 1853.

Moses’s next son, William Hart, was married to Sarah Gartman and they soon settled in Northern Florida. In 1850, they were in Walton County with William being 34, a farmer, and Sarah being 35. They were living next door to Sarah’s parents, David and Nancy Gartman. They were in Santa Rosa County in 1860 and 1870. In 1880, William had died, and Sarah was listed as head of the household. By 1900, Sarah was living in the household of her son, William G. Hart.

William and Sarah Hart reared the following children: Joel, b. 1840; Thomas J., b. 1842; Mary E., b. 1847; Caroline Sarah, b. 1849; William G., b. 1852; David, b. 1857; and John H., b. 1862. It appears that Thomas J. homesteaded 39.75 acres of land in the Rome Township.

Moses’s daughter, Jane Hart, was married to Emanuel Johnson. In 1850, they were residing in Covington County in the house next to her brother, Henry Hart. Jane’s widowed mother, Susannah Hart, 57 years old, was living with Jane and Emanuel. They had at least the following three children: William, b. 1844; James, b. 1846; and John, b. 1848.

The third installment of the coverage of this Hart family will occur as next week’s column. It will include about two more generations of this large family.

The source for today’s genealogy was again a book written by Hart Descendant Barbara (Carpenter) Martin. She published her work, My Hart Story-Featuring the Descendants of Moses Hart and His Sons, Robert and Josiah, in 2002.

Anyone who might have any corrections to the above or additional information on this family is requested to contact Curtis Thomasson at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-222-6467; or E-mail: cthomasson@centurytel.net.

HISTORIC CEMETERY WORKING: A date of November 28 at 9 a.m. has been scheduled for cleaning the Children’s Home Cemetery. All neighbors and relatives are urged to attend and help clean and repair the graves. The location is in the edge of Florida on Frost Lane, which leads off Hub Presley Road, which leads off County Hwy. 147 W. Families who have relatives buried there include Cawthon, Carter, Steele, Kimmons, Chestnut, Barlow, Mason, Batson, Cannon, Gautney and Sukow.