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There appears to have been several different Patterson family lines that have resided in Covington County, Ala., over the years. Various records indicate one such family was here by 1850.  While no family is listed in the 1850 federal census for the county, family records show an early family member being born here that year. From all accounts, it appears Joseph “Joe” Patterson was born in 1850 in Covington County; however, one record shows him born in 1852.

Also, the name Patterson has been spelled in a few different ways. In some instances, people would spell it Paterson or Patirson, but the Patterson form is most often used.

Although born in Covington County, Joseph Patterson, was in Macon County in 1860, Rutledge of Crenshaw County in 1870, but back in Covington in Andalusia in 1900. He died in Andalusia in 1926 or 1929 and was buried in the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in the Heath community. He was the son of Green B. Patterson (1801-1870) and Elizabeth Elliza Foscue (1806-1888). Green Patterson was born in Georgia as the son of Benjamin Patterson (1759-1830) and Patience Bailey (1759-1805). Benjamin was born in Loudoun, Va., and died in Steuben, N.Y. Green and Elizabeth Patterson died in Macon County, Ala., and were buried in the Bethlehem Cemetery.

Joseph Patterson was married circa 1874 to Martha Ann Raley (1848-1929), daughter of Abraham “Abe” Raley (1819-1899) and Elizabeth C. Jones (1824-1879). Both of their families were residents of Andalusia. They were the parents of the following children: John Lloyd, b. 1874, d. 1960, m. Mary Caroline Floyd (1869-1943); Elizabeth Lee, b. 1877, d. 1947, m. William Doss Finkley (1878-1955); Joseph Abraham, b. 1878, d. 1958, m. Pearl Hogg (b. 1886); Naomie, b. 1884, d. 1935, m. Grady Edwards; Malachie C., b. 1886, d. 1959, m Sallie Inez Odom (1896-1969); and Rebecca Ruth, b. 1890, d. 1967, m. Joseph S. “Ceph” Dunn (1880-1934).

Joseph’s oldest son, John Lloyd Patterson, was married in 1899 to Mary Caroline Floyd. They apparently resided in the Andalusia area as he died there in 1960. They were the parents of the following children: Walter Levi, b. 1900, d. 1979; J. Crawford, b. 1903, d. 1929; Ottis H., b. 1905; Eunice Estelle, b. 1907, d. 1988; Buna Mae, b. 1908, d. 1986; and Willie Carol “Bill,” b. 1911, d. 1988.

Joseph’s oldest daughter, Elizabeth Lee Patterson, was married in 1902 to William Doss Finkley. They resided in Covington and Crenshaw Counties, and Elizabeth died in 1947 in Dozier, Crenshaw County. They were the parents of the following two children: William Oliver, b. 1904, d. 1960; and Mirtle, b. 1908, d. 1971.

Joseph’s second son, Joseph Abraham Patterson, was married in 1904 to Pearl Hogg who was born in 1886. Joseph Abraham died in 1958 in Port St. Joe, Fla. They were the parents of the following two children: Victor, b. 1906; and Jessie, b. 1909.

Joseph’s second daughter, Naomie Patterson, was married in 1911 to Grady Edwards. They were the parents of three children whose names were not made available.

Joseph’s next son, Malachie C. “M.C.” Patterson, was married to Sallie Inez Odom, daughter of Joseph Riley Odom (1879-1941) and Viola Merrill (1867-1939) who were natives of Dozier, Ala.  Malachie was drafted for military service during World War I. He and Sallie later resided in Selma, Ala., where they died and were buried in the New Live Oak Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Ruby, b. 1914; William Joseph, b. 1916; Annie Ruth, b. 1918; Virginia, b. 1924; Mary Willie, b. 1925, d. 2002, m. Abner Saucer Jr. (1923-2007); Malcolm C., b. 1927, d. 1974, m. Eileen ?; and Feg Ira, b. 1931, d. 2011 in Maryland, m. Randy McCrory. One family tree listed three other children, but they were not identified if they actually exist.

Joseph’s youngest child and daughter, Rebecca Ruth Patterson, was married to Joseph S. “Ceph” Dunn. They appear to have lived in Andalusia as Rebecca died there in 1967. They were the parents of the following children: Annie Ruth, b. 1908, d. 1979; Kathaleen, b. 1910; Grover Cleveland, b. 1912, d. 1944; and Josephus T., b. 1917, d. 1995. One family tree lists an additional child, Don E., b. 1927, d. 2017.

There are some evidences of at least one if not more different Patterson family lines who at one time resided in and contributed to the Andalusia community. One group was the descendants of John Joseph Patterson (1896-1954) and Nanie Mabel Frazier (107-1992). Two of their sons were well know business men in Andalusia. They were Leon “Pat” Patterson who was manager of Danley’s Furniture Store located on East Three Notch Street and his brother, Ralph Levon Patterson (1938-1996) who was manager of the Firestone Tire Store located on River Falls Street. Leon was married to Lorene White and his Levon was married to Beadie Bass.  

Another Patterson family line is that of James Jackson Patterson (1819-1856) who was born in South Carolina and died in Alabama. His son, Ezekiel Patterson (1847-1918), was an early citizen of Andalusia and served in the Confederate Army during the War Between the States. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Raley (1846-1914)

The writer of this column would very much like to hear from anyone who might have more information or family history on the James Jackson Patterson family and as well as the John Joseph Patterson family. It is hoped that these families might be featured with more detailed history and genealogy in future columns.

The sources for today’s narrative were Ancestry.com and records of various descendants of this Patterson family line. Appreciation is expressed to those who made their records available.

Anyone who might discover an error in the able is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-804-1442; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.