This writing is a continuation of the review of the Teel family. Following the War Between the States, most of the Teel families moved to Walton County, Fla. along with that of Bennett Bass who was a large cattle farmer at the time. James Teel was probably working for Bass. The two families were very close, especially since three of Bennett B. and Elizabeth Bass’s children were married to three children of John and Anna Teel.

In fact, a story appeared in the Charleston Mercury on December 19, 1959, entitled “Matrimony by Wholesale.” It was found in the Southwestern Alabama Baptist with the following statement: “About eight miles southeast from Andalusia, on Thursday, October 16,were married at the residence of B.B. Bass, by G.A. Snowden, Judge of Probate, James Teel to Nancy Bass, William Teel to Mary Bass and Wilson Bass to Jane Teel. James, William and Jane are all sons and daughter of John and Anna Teel. Wilson, Nancy and Mary Bass are all daughters and son of B.B. and Elizabeth Bass, all of Covington County, Ala. The above connubial attachments were all formed one ceremony delivered—a nuptial phenomenon perhaps unequaled in this state or the South.”

Another Teel son, John Jr., had previously rendered service in the Confederate States of America. He was a private in Company I, 57th Alabama Infantry Regiment, which was located at Pollard, Ala. He appeared only once on the Muster Roll on October 30, 1863. By 1864, he and his younger brother, Henry Teel, enlisted in Company B., 1st Florida Union Cavalry in Pensacola. John was listed as a “Refugee from a Rebel state, which meant he was a deserter from the Confederate Army. Both men enlisted for a term of three years.

While serving in the Union Cavalry, John Teel Jr. was admitted to the Union General Hospital in Pensacola in March 1965. He died on April 19, 1865, of chronic diarrhea and was buried in the military cemetery at Fort Barancas, Fla. Many factors had led to these Southerners serving in the Union Army. Specifically, John and Anna Teel’s family had suffered many tragedies during the years of the war.

John and Anna (Paget) Teel were both born in South Carolina in 1792 and 1805 respectively. John died in 1862, and Anna lived until 1880 and died in Texas. They reared the following children: John Jr., b. 1829, d. 1865, m. Mary Mason (ca 1825-bef. 1870; James S., b. 1830, d. 1904, m. Nancy Bass (1840-196); Richard, b. 1833, d. 1918, m. Nancy Adaline Hart (1842-1900); Elizabeth, b. 1837, m 1964 ?; Jane, b. 1839, d. 1864, m. Wilson Bennett Bass (1840-1864); William, b. 1840, d. 1863, m. Mary Etta Bass (1838-1915); Henry V., b. 1844, d. 1924, m. Susan A. Hudgins (1853-1928); and Martha Ann, b. 1846, d. 1934, single.

Between 1850 and 1860, John Teel Jr. was married to Mary Mason, daughter of Coleman and Florida Mason. In the 1850 census, he was listed as a 21-year-old farmer still residing with his parents. In the 1860 census, he and Mary had a daughter, Mary Ann or Mary Jane, and were living near both sets of parents. During that year, they had a son, Richard James Teel. When he enlisted for service in the Union Army, he was described as being five feet and seven inches tall with blue eyes, light hair and light complexion. John Jr. died in 1865, and Mary apparently died before 1860. In the 1870 census, the two children are living with their uncle, Henry V. Teel, and family in Covington County. This family moved and had settled in Hardin County, Tex., by 1880.

The second son, James S. Teel, was enumerated in his father’s household as a farmer at 20 years old when the 1850 federal census was taken. He began to acquire land in 1854 when he purchased 77.95 acres and 38.99 acres in the Conecuh River Township. The next year he bought 116.96 and 38.99 acres in same area. In 1881, he filed a homestead claim on 155.94 acres in same township.

Around 1859, James was married to Nancy Bass, daughter of Bennett Bridges and Mary Elizabeth (Hogg) Bass. They were enumerated in 1860 with his brother William Bass, and wife, Mary, residing in their household. James and Nancy may have moved to Walton County, Fla., with relatives, but it would have been for a short time before moving back to Covington County where all their children were born. Also, in 1871, James was elected to serve as Covington County Coroner. James died in 1904 and was buried with father and son at the original Conecuh River Baptist Church Cemetery, which was later, called Teel. Nancy died in 1914 and was buried beside James.

James and Nancy Teel reared the following children: Bennett B., b. 1860, d. 1884, single; Melvine Lavina “Sis,” b. 1862, d. 1940, m. James Floyd (1860-1936); Annie, b. 1864, d. 1941, single; Elizabeth, b. 1866, d. 1949, m. James W. Davis (1870-1939); John, b. 1872, d. 1958, m. Margaret Josephine Hart (1875-1950); Nancy Viola, b. 1874, d. 1949, m. Robert Lee Hart (1874-1924); William Riley, b. 1877, d. 1924, m. Addie Augustus Stokes (1883-1962); Henry Vauceous, b. 1881, d. 1937, m. Ella Padgett (1882-1964; Martha “Mat,” b. 1884, d. 1947, m. John Kirkland (1888-1979); and possibly 2-3 other children who died before 1900.

The next child of John and Anna (Paget) Teel was Richard Teel, born in 1833. He was living in his father’s household in 1850. He was married in 1858 to Nancy Adaline Hart, daughter of William Henry and Sarah Granberry (Herrington) Hart. In 1860, the couple moved to Hardin County, Tex., following their relatives. In 1862, Richard enlisted in the 25th Texas Cavalry, in Liberty, Tex., and served as a private and corporal. In 1863, Richard received a patent for 160 acres in Jefferson (later Hardin) County, Tex. In 1888, he purchased 616.33 acres and another tract of 640 acres in the Jefferson Township.

Richard and Nancy Adaline Teel reared the following children: James Richard, b. 1860, d. 1935, m. Sarah Jordan (1864-1925); John William, b. 1863, d. 1949, m. Meta Pickney Jordan; Henry Jefferson, b. 1865, d. 1898, m. Mattie Brackin (1873-1898); Daniel J., b. 1867, d. 1893; Wiley Padgett, b. 1870, d. 1939, m. (1) Martha ? (2) Anna Nicholson; Sarah Ann, b.&d. 1872; Martha Josephine, b. 1874, d. 1958, m. (1) John Heeler (2) John Pounders; Thomas Florida, b. 1876, d. 1959, m. (1) Cora R. Daniel (2) Lula Walston Tucker (3) Viola St. Clair; Mittie Adeline, b. 1879, d. 1973, m. Byron L. Jordan; Robert Erwin, b. 1883, d. 1976, m. Mary C. Garrison (1890-1968); and Clara Catherine, b. 1887, d. 1952, m. (1) Carl A. Corbett (2) W.R. Brazeal (1884-1963).

The additional children of John and Anna (Paget) Teel will be featured in next week’s column along with additional notes related to this large influential family. The source for this writing was the family records and story by Linda Kaple. Appreciation is expressed to her for sharing her research with others.

Anyone who might have any correction to the above is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-222-6467; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.