The Marbury Family

THE MARBURY FAMILY

My direct descendants are in bold type.

This is a work in progress. Much of my direct line is documented, but some may not be. If there is a question, I usually include words like "seems likely" or "possibly" in hopes that it may help someone else or eventually get me closer to documentation. Also, I do make errors when transferring info to my files or to the site. If you find errors that you can correct, please e-mail me and I'll gladly make the changes or if you have more information on anyone mentioned here and can share it, I would be really appreciative.

Francis Marbury was born around 1663 in Cheshire, England. His father was also named Francis and his grandfather was Euscbius. They were descendants of Alfred the Great as well as several of the kings and queens of England and Scotland. You can some of their lineage on the Haywood County Line blog.

Francis immigrated to Maryland from England about 1680 and by 1690 had settled in Prince George's County near Piscataway.

According to "The Invincible a Magazine of History," Piscataway was the headquarters or capital of the Piscataway Indians and the colonial people living in the area gave the chief the title of "Emperor of Piscataway." At some point, while Lord Baltimore was the royal governor, a committee was formed to determine if Francis Marbury was encroaching on the Indian emperor's land. Although he was, nothing was done to force him to leave.

U.S. Stamp commemorating the voyage of The Ark and The Dove, released in 1934.

Before 1698 Francis had married Mary Greene. She was born 1675 in Port Tobacco, Charles, Maryland and was the daughter of Leonard Green and Ann Clarke. Mary's paternal grandfather was Thomas Greene who was an early settler of the Maryland colony and second Provincial Governor from 1647 to 1648. He had come over from England on the Ark and Dove expedition in 1634. During his lifetime he was a successful planter and held over 14,000 acres of land in St. Mary's County. He was a descendant of the illegitimate child of Sir John Norton of Northwood, Sir Thomas Norton who took on the alias Greene; hence the descendants surname of Greene.
Thomas' godfather was Leonard Calvart, the first Governor of Maryland.

When the first government of Prince George's County was organized in 1696, Francis Marbury was appointed constable of the Piscataway Hundred (one of the six divisions of the original County.

Thomas Greene's godfather, Leonard Calvart, the first Governor of Maryland.

Then, a few years later, when the first justices of the county court were appointed, he was named to this highly respected position and served there for more than 25 years.

Mary died on Sept 11, 1713 after giving birth to her daughter, also named Mary.

A little over a year later, on Sept 14, 1714, he married Frances Heard at St. John's Episcopal Church which was established in 1692 as one of the first Churches in Maryland. George Washington attended services at the church.

Francis Marbury died Jan 11, 1734 in Marbury’s Chance, Prince George's Co, Maryland, USA. He and both wives are likely buried at St. John’s.

By the end of his life he had been a Tobacco Inspector for the Piscataway district, a Land Commissioner for Prince George’s County, and a judge if Survey in Charles County. He left many thousands of acres of land to his children. Source

Among the items left to his children by Francis Marbury were:

To Leonard, Negro Tom; 4yds of Broad Cloth; land in Akakeck.

To Susannah, Negro Kate.

To Barbarah (m. Joseph Frazer), nine barrels of Indian corn.

To Mary, Land called "School House," etc.

To Ann, Land called "Mistake."

To Elizabeth (m. Davidson), Dwelling and 99 acres of "Appledore."

To Luke, A copper kettle, etc.

To Lucy, (m. Joseph Hatton), 20 shillings for a ring.

To Tabitha (m. James Hoye), "Tewksbury" and 65 acres of "Applehill."

To his sons, Eusebius, Leonard, Eli, Luke, and William, the residue of "Applehill," also the remainder of his negroes.

"Also my will is what money I shall or now may have in England the same to be applied to my Quit Rents and to no other purpose."

Executors named were his sons, Leonard and Luke.

Source

By 1734, Frances’ son Colonel Luke Marbury owned the plantation originally called Appledore. Colonel Marbury is the presumed builder of the “southern Maryland tidewater” mansion that still sits on the property today. The name was changed to Wyoming in the early 1800s by Colonel Marbury’s granddaughter, Cora. Her brother Fendall, a lawyer from Alexandria inherited Wyoming and, in 1857, made it his home with his wife Katherine Taylor who was the great-niece of Chief Justice John Marshall. It passed from one Marbury to the next until 1973 when it was purchased by a man who planned to restore the home. Wyoming was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Source

The children of Francis and Mary Greene Marbury were:
Note: There is a lot of information on this family in books, online and other places and some of it is conflicting. Consider the dates here to be what I can determine at this time.

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	Elizabeth "Eliza"	1690s	Prince George's CO., MD	by 1746		John Davidson b. 1689 m. 5 Feb 1732 d. by 5 Jul 1746

John Davidson was a schoolmaster. Frances left part of the plantation Appledore to Elizabeth.

Marbury	Barbara	Late 1690s	Prince George's CO., MD	After 1734	Prince George's Co., MD	Daniel Fras(z)er b. before 1655 d. 2 May 1745
Marbury	Lucy	abt. 1694	Prince George's CO., MD	Aug 1750	Prince George's Co., MD	Joseph Hatton b. 1691 m. aby. 1741 4 Jan 1764
Marbury	Eleazer "Eli"	abt 1703	Prince George's CO., MD
Marbury	Eusebius	abt 1705	Prince George's CO., MD	1754		Catheine
Marbury	Leonard Sr.	31 Jan 1708	Prince George's CO., MD	29 Apr 1794 age: 86	Columbia Co., Kiokee, GA	Penelope ? b .abt 1711 d. after 1739
Marbury	Luke Sr.	10 Mar 1710	Prince George's CO., MD	Oct 1758	Prince George's CO., MD	Mary Beanes b. 1721 d. 1733

The children of Luke and Elizabeth Beanes Marbury were Elizabeth, Luke, Williams, and Henrietta.

Upon Francis’ death, Luke Sr. inherited his father’s property on Piscataway Creek and built the plantation called Wyoming. Upon his death, it was given to his son, Luke II also known as Colonel Luke Marbury. Colonel Marbury’s wife, also his first cousin, was Elizabeth Beanes, a sister of Dr. William Beanes, and one of his best friends.

Colonel Luke Marbury commanded the “lower battalion of Prince George’s County Militia” at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. According to the book, "The Patriotic Marylander," his granddaughter, the late Mrs. Dr. Hanson Penn whose maiden name was Jane Contee Marbury, many years later, remembered that Dr. Beanes and Col. Marbury were devoted friends. They both engaged with the Maryland troops at the battle of Long Island and were among the few Maryland men who escaped after that disastrous day. They escaped by “swimming across Long Island.” You can read about Dr. Beanes and the part he played in the creation of The Star Spangled Banner on the Haywood County Line blog.

Colonel Luke Marbury was captured in the Battle of Germantown and imprisoned until 1781. He returned to his home in Prince George’s County where tradition says he was carried through the streets on the shoulders of the crowd.

In the census of 1790 he is listed as head of a family of eight with 25 slaves.

He was a member of the first constitutional convention of Maryland and served as a member of the State Legislature until his death.

Marbury

Mary

8 Feb 1713

Prince George's CO., MD

1760

Charles CO., MD

Matthew Smallwood
b. 1706
m. abt. 1741
d. 4 Jan 1764

The children of Mary and Matthew Smallwood were Beane, Philip, Priscilla, Francis Green, Martha, Benjamin and James.

Francis Marbury's cildren with his second wife Francis Heard included Martha Ann, Tabitha, Henry, Susanah and Anne.

More about Leonard and Penelope Marbury

Leonard was born in the early 1700s and was likely named after his mother’s father, Leonard Greene. He married Penelope around 1730 but her last name is unknown.

Leonard owned “Marbury’s Chance,” 200 acres that had originally been patented to his father.

On September 16, 1763 there was a court case involving damage of three thousand pounds of crop tobacco against Leonard Marbury. There was a warrant to have Leonard at the county court house to answer the charges but he had left the county.

In 1764 in Loudoun Co., VA, Leonard Marbury was "not found" by the Sheriff. It appears that his father Francis Marbury put up the security.

On September 9, 1766 Leonard Marbury served 20 days in prison in Loudoun Co. Virginia.

Leonard Marbury Sr. died on April 29, 1794 at the home of his son, Captain Horatio Marbury.

Obituary of Leonard Marbury
"Died, on the 29th April, at Capt. Horatio Marbury's home, on the Kiokas, Mr. Lenard Marbury, the elder. aged ninety-three years - He left three sons, three daughters and ninety-six grand, great grand and great great-grandchildren."
Augusta Chronicle, Saturday May 3, 1794, p. 2.

The children of Leonard and Penelope Marbury were:

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	Francis	1730	Prince George's CO., MD	abt. 1800	Rowan Co., NC	Tabitha b. abt. 1735 m. 1757 d. after 1810
Marbury	Colonel Leonard	1734	Prince George's CO., MD	1796	New Orleans, LA	Ann Sommerville m. 1757

Leonard served in the Revolutionary War for seven years as a Colonel. He fought in the Georgia Militia at the Siege of Savannah in September and October 1779.

He was present at the Battle of Brier Creek on March 3, 1779 and is mentioned on the Georgia Historic marker at the battlefield.

“On February 28, 1779, General Bryant, left in charge of the American forces, moved the camp up the creek, for security, to near this spot…He ordered Col. Leonard Marbury to take a position at Paris` Mill, 14 miles up the creek… Col. Prevost led the main force of the British army, about 1,500 men, up the west side of Brier Creek…he soon encountered Col. Marbury`s Dragoons, cutting them off from Ashe`s forces. He captured some, while others succeeded in getting safely across Burton`s Ferry.”

The special collections library at Duke University contains papers of Samuel Elbert, which include a letter from Leonard Marbury “discussing the British defeat at Bryan Creek Bridge, Ga.”
March 28 – May 12, 1780, Leonard Marbury led the Georgia Regiment of Horse Rangers as part of the Siege of Charleston.

In a collection in the library of Virginia called “The Mason Family Papers, 1756 – 1891, there are some receipts belonging to Leonard Marbury: “Marbury, Leonard, 1762. Box: 13 Folder: 32 Reel: Miscellaneous Reel 1242 Receipts.”

Marbury

Thomas

1762

Shelburne Parish, Loudoun Co., VA

1823

Edgefield, SC

Charity

Thomas served in the Revolutionary War as a private under Col. James McNeil. He and Charity had a daughter named Margaret.

Marbury

Horatio

1740

1820

Jefferson Co., GA

Horatio moved to Georgia in the early 1770s, was active in the Revolutionary War, and became a successful planter after the war. Marbury's public career began in 1796 working in the secretary of state's office. In 1799, the legislature elected Marbury as Georgia's second secretary of state -- a post he would hold for twelve years under six different governors. As secretary of state he and William H. Crawford were primarily responsible for producing Georgia's first official digest of laws.

Upon retirement, Marbury returned to his plantation in Jefferson County, where he died in 1820.
Source

More about Francis and Tabitha Marbury

Francis was the first born son of his parents Leonard and Penelope. He was born in Prince George's Co., MD, and was named after his paternal grandfather. About 1750, when he was 20, he married Tabitha. He last name or parentage is unknown.

Like his father and grandfather before him, he held public office and in 1759, Francis Marbury served as constable in Loudoun Co. VA.

On September 23, 1765, the records show Francis Marbury has to pay John Glassford the sum of five pounds, five shillings and eleven pence half penny current money to settle a debt because it appears this is when he moved to North Carolina. It could possibly have been to settle of debt of Leonard Marbury's.

In 1775 he shows up listed on a work crew in Anson Co., NC.

While his brothers Leonard, Thomas and Horatio all served in the Revolutionary War, the records do not reflect any military service for him.

Many years after the war, Francis’ son Leonard testified that he was living with his father in Georgia in 1777 when Leonard participated in several battles so it is known that, at some point, Francs returned to NC.

According to the book “Georgia Land Surveying History and Law” by Faris Cadle, in the early 1780s approximately twelve former officers of the American Revolution forged vouchers to twenty or more made up men, whom they alleged had served in the war and were entitled to bounty grants of land. Accompanying the vouchers were petitions – all in the same handwriting - alleging that these same men had sold their vouchers to the officers. Among the worst culprits who obtained thousands of acres of land illegally were Frances’ brothers Horatio and Leonard Marbury. It appears not to have hurt their careers as Horatio would go on to become secretary of state and assist in producing Georgia's first official digest of laws and Leonard a well-respected "war hero."

Frances Marbury and his wife Tabitha sold lands in Richmond Co., GA in 1786 witnessed by his aunt and uncle, Leonard and Ann Marbury. Source

In the 1790 federal census in Rowan Co., NC a Francis Marbury has a household of 15 which consists of three white males under 16, two white males 16 and over, two free white females and six slaves.

Frances died in 1800 in Rowan Co., NC.

In 1800 Tabitha was head of household age 45 & over and had one male 16 – 26 living in the house with her.

In 1810 she's age 45 & over with 5 slaves. No more records exist on Tabitha so she likely died that decade.

The Likely Children of Francis and Tabitha Marbury Were:
Some information for this chart and the information above was found or confirmed on the Web site of Aletha Summerhill Rogers.

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	Leonard	4 Apr 1759	Prince George's CO., MD	24 Jan 1839 age: 80	Sevier Co., AR	Mary Rounseval b. 8 Mar 1760 m. 5 Dec 1780 d. 26 Oct 1843 age: 83
Marbury	Eleanor	4 Apr 1759	Prince George's CO., MD	9 Dec 1851 age: 88	Bedford, TN burried: Moriah Cemetery	John Moore b. 5 Sep 1761 m. 5 Oct 1786

Eleanor participated in the Revolutionary War patriot by carrying ammunition for coloniel Soldiers. John and Elenor named their son Green.

Marbury	Tabitha	1765		aft 1840	Stanley Co., NC	Thomas Biles m. 1786
Marbury	Luke	5 Oct 1767		28 Dec 1793	Bedford, TN	Elizabeth Bullen m. 28 Dec 1793

The children of Luke and Elizabeth were Nancy, John, Isaac, Elizabeth, Frances, Jefferson, Sarah, Mary, Leonard, Martha Jane and Lucas.
Luke testified on behalf of his brother Leonard to support Leonard’s claim to a Revolutionary War pension.
After his wife died, Luke traveled with his children to Bedford Co., TN which is 186 miles from Haywood Co., TN, south of Nashville.

Marbury	John	1769		bfr 1800		Saphira Nelson b. abt 1784 m. 1790-1800 d. bfr 1817 Tabitha Forrest d. abt 1836 Ann E. Green b. abt 1784 m. j Jun 1838 d. aft 1860
Marbury	Isaac	1774		aft 1820		Rebecca Biles d. bfr 24 Oct 1797 Priscilla Moore m. 24 Oct 1897 d. 1830 - 40
Marbury	Frances Jr.	7 My 1781	NC	bef 1813		Nancy
Marbury	Jacob	1775		1846	Henry Co., TN	Nancy Forrest

More about Leonard and Mary Rounsavall Marbury

Leonard Marbury was born on December 17, 1763 and was the oldest son of his parents Frances and Tabitha Marbury.

He married Mary Rounseval on December 5, 1780 when he was 17 and she was 20. Mary was likely the daughter of Josiah and Sarah Conger Rounsaval. Josiah, who was a sheriff and tax collector, served in the Revolutionary War and was captured on June 21, 1780 at Camden, SC He died later that year in captivity.

According to his pension application and the testimony of his brother Luke and sister Eleanor, Leonard was living with his father in Georgia in 1777 when he enlisted for an 18-month term in The Revolutionary War under his uncle, Colonel Leonard Marbury. One battle Leonard fought in was at The Savannah River at Middleton Ferry when the British came to destroy the property of the Whigs. This was one of the names of the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control. Leonard’s father, along with many others had fled across the river. Leonard was nearly captured by several of the British buy was rescued by his uncle who showed up with his troop of soldiers on horses. This was witnessed by Leonard’s brother Luke who was about 12 at the time and his sister Eleanor who was 16. She remembered carrying ammunition to the colonial soldiers during the battle.

Deposition in Haywood Co., TN from Luke Marbury
"...a considerable Troop of the British & Tory's came through the country up to Savannah River destroying the property of the Whigs as they came on where his father (Leonard's) had fled across the river with many others for safety. It is at this place I next saw my brother Leonard engaged in fight with the British & Tory's & shooting across the river at them. There he saw his brother Leonard shoot at what he supposed to be a British officer & saw after the gun fired several of the British run to him (the officer) & take him off of his horse. It was afterwards said the officers they was broken. At this place Col. Marbury comes up with his Troop of horse & took prisoners..."

Deposition in Haywood Co., TN from Eleanor G. Marbury
"...says she does well recollect seeing Leonard Marbury engaged in fighting the British & Tory's at Savannah River & distinctly recollects carrying ammunition to Leonard Marbury where they were engaged in shooting across the Savannah River at the British & Tory's. Whilst the bulets was flying & whising plentifully among the Americans across the river from the enemy - at this place she said Col. L. Marbury took the British & Tory's prisoners...that she knows he (Leonard) was considered a faithful soldier who was applauded for such after his return at the end of the war & well received by the Whigs of that county and also recollects his return home from the war to North Carolina with military clothing on so as to impress her with the belief he had bore some office."
Source: Aletha Summerhill Rogers

Leonard also claimed to have volunteered in Rowan County, NC under General Rutherford to fight against Tories at Ramseur’s Mill. However, by the time they arrived, the Tories had already been defeated.

Another term of service was marching as a guard to take British prisoners taken in Camden, SC to where they would be kept in prison.

It seems their father Francis grew tired of the fighting in Georgia and moved his wife and younger children back to North Carolina in 1779.

Eventually, Leonard joined his family in North Carolina first in Rowan County then in Montgomery County and finally in Buncome Co. After about 20 years he moved his family to Warren Co., TN then, in 1829, to Haywood Co., TN. About seven years later, Leonard and Mary moved to Sevier Co., AR along with their son Benjamin and many others.

On December 13, 1832 Leonard Marbury, at age 73, went to a Haywood County, TN courtroom to apply for a pension for his Revolutionary War service. He had creditable witnesses in his brother and sister but was denied pension for failure to furnish proof of service as required by pension laws.

Leonard died Jan. 24, 1839 at age 80. It is thought his wife returned to Tennessee where she died soon after.

The Likely Children of Leonard and Mary Rounsavall Marbury Were:

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	John	1783		aft 1850		Sarah Greene b. 1790 d. aft 1850
Marbury	Nancy	1784	NC			David Clingan
Marbury	Benjamin	24 Dec 1784	Rowan Co., NC	30 Sept 1838	Sevier, AR	Mary "Polly" Hoodenphyl

According to the Richardson Family Tree, Benjamin’s son Phillip Marbury served with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 and became a close, personal friend of the future president. Benjamin died of smallpox. He and Mary had 14 children.

Marbury	Leonard W.	1792		1863	TN	Sarah Sheppard Mary "Polly" Kidd
Marbury	Josiah	1804		1850	TN	Jane Nichols

More about John and Sarah Greene Marbury

In the early 1800s, John and Sarah moved first to Middle Tennessee and in the 1810s to Haywood County where their family was part of the original settlers of the county.

In July of 1833, John Marbury deeded 300 acres on Lick Creek and on Clifty Creek to James L. Green.

In 1835, Benjamin Marbury purchased 81 acres from Heil S. Allen. Also in 1835, John Marbury gave Benjamin Marbury 234 acres. James L. Green and Robert Marbury were witnesses.

The names Benjamin Marberry and Marbury along with John Marbury and Marberry and Andrew Jackson Marberry continue to show up in legal documents for land transactions through the 1830s in Haywood County.

John Marbery is referred to as Andrew J. Marbery’s lawful attorney in one document dated October 17, 1837 so it is possible that John Marberry was a lawyer in Haywood County.

On August 30 1837, A.J. (Andrew Jackson) Marbury authorized John Marbury to “dispose, vend or make sale of any of my lands with anything appertaining thee unto.” It was witnessed by Leonard Marbury. Leonard was John’s brother.

The Children of John and Sarah Green Marbury/Marberry Were:

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	Robert Green	2 Dec 1809	Haywood Co., TN	May23 (27) 1904	Haywood Co., TN	Katherine Stewart b. 27 Sept 1877 m. 14 Aug 1833 d. 24 Feb 1856 Harriet D. Sullivan b. 14 Nov 1826 m. 5 Feb 1857 d.9 Oct 1907
Marbury	Andrew Jackson Sr.	12 Nov 1814	Haywood Co., TN	1 May 1879	Lonoke, Arkansas
Marbury	Sarah Lily	12 Nov 1818	Haywood Co., TN	18 Nov 1875	Wayne, MO
Marbury	Louisa Jane	17 Mar 1823	Haywood Co., TN	Nov 1862	Wayne, MO
Marbury	Benjamin	1825	Haywood Co., TN	1854	MO
Marbury	William C.	1833	Haywood Co., TN

The people in these tintype photos, from the collection of Janet Marbury Lewis, are unidentified but are thought to have been passed down from Robert Green Marbury to his son Rush Marbury to his son Andrew Frances Marbury to his daughter Alice Marbury Cobb. Tintypes were produced in the USA from the mid 1850s and became popular through the early 1900s. Could one of these be Robert Marbury himself? Perhaps one is Benjamin Franklin Marbury. Are the older ladies Robert's sisters? The young man in the fifth photo looks very similar to photo that is of Andrew Francis Marbury but could it be his father, Rush, just a few years before? While we will never know for sure who these people are, we do know the Marburys in Haywood County, TN around this time were highly-educated and influential within their community and likely dressed like those in these photos.

More about Robert and Katherine Stewart Marbury

Robert Green Marbury was born in North Carolina, Dec. 2, 1809. As an infant, his family moved first to Middle Tennessee and in the 1810s to Haywood County where they were some of the original settlers of the area.

Early in his life he joined the Primitive Baptist Church.

In January of 1833 R.G. was the witness when John H. Brown deeded to John Marbury one tract of land of 111 acres and another tract that was 123 acres and another contained 300 acres that were part of the “Big Hatchie Annexation.”

On April 17, 1833, Robert Green Marbury deeded land to W. B. Brantley. He was possibly preparing to move.

Headstone of Robert G. Marbury located in the “Marbury Family Cemetery” in Haywood Co. off Poplar Corner Rd. on the farm of Edward Earl Marbury (Squirrel) and Janet Marbury Lewis.

R.G. married Katherine Stewart on August 14, 1833 when she was 15 and he was 24. She was the daughter of J.W. Stewart. Soon after their marriage, Katherine was granted a 20-year-old slave named Violet by her father.

Robert and Katherine moved to Missouri, likely near the Wayne County area which is in the Ozark Foothills Region of Southeast, Missouri and about 200 miles from Haywood County. Later, they moved to Arkansas and Robert was employed by the government as an agent for the Creek Indians.

Their first child William died at 16 months old and their second child, a daughter named Mary Jane, died at the age of three.

In the census of 1850, Robert is 40, Katherine is 35 and living with them in their home in district five of Haywood County is James (age 12), John (age 10), Pleasant (age 6), Robert (age 5), Ben (age 2), and J. H. White who is 35 and a carpenter who was born in North Carolina. R.G. owns 1,000 acres of land.

Katherine died on Feb. 24, 1856 at age 38. Her youngest child, Rush was three and her oldest, John was 15.

A little over a year later in 1857, R.G. married Katherine Stewart.

In a court document from November 5, 1860, R. G. Marbury, who was 51, became the sole guardian of John L. (19) Robert (15), Ben F. (11), Joseph (9) and Rush W. Marbury (6).

For some reason, Thomas J. Castellaw became the guardian of Pleasant H. Marbury (17) who was the brother of the other children.

Also in 1860 there was a petition to sell slaves with a heading “Thomas J. Castellaw vs. John L. Marbury “In this cause it appearing to the court upon affidavit find that said John L. Marbury is a non resident of the state. It is therefore ordered by the court that publication be made in the “Independent American” paper published in Brownsville for four weeks notifying the said John L. Marbury to appear before the court at its next term, and then and there, answer, please or demur to said petition, or for confessed against him and set for hearing exparte as to him.”

In the 1870 census, R.G. “Marberry” is listed as being age 60 (born in NC) and living with Harriett Marberry (born in Virginia), age 43, Joseph Marberry, age 19 and R.W., age 16 (both born in Tennessee).

Letters to Robert Green Marbury from his son, James W., in 1887 and from his brother, William in 1889 offer a glimpse at life for them during this time.

Mississippi Co MO
June 30th 1887

Dear father and mother,
It is with much pleasure that I set myself to drop you a few lines to tell you that I am well at this time truly hoping when this reaches you it may find you and the rest of the family enjoying the same great blessings. No news of much importance only crops are looking fine at present. I have 10 acres of as fine corn as ever grew out of the earth and 7 of cotton which looks as fine as I ever see in my life and one acre of late potatoes that are looking fine and are sure to make a big yield. We have been very dry here for three weeks which has injured very early corn. With these few remarks I will close by saying remember my love to all and secure a large portion yourself and tell all the boys to write to me so no more at present only I remain your affectionate son until death.
Jas W Marbury

Letter to Robert Green from his brother, William C. Marbury in 1889. From collection of Janet Marbury Lewis

Mr. R. G. Marbury
Brownsville
Haywood County, TN
South Chicago
APR 14th 1889

My Ever Dear and only brother I now write in reply to your kind letter of some months since. This leaves us tolerably well. I truly hope this letter will find you and yours in good health and doing well. Have no news of much interest to write. I want to see you and yours worse and more than I can express but see no chance to come. Money is so scarce and times are so close that I can hardly venture to make the trip down there. I would gladly come to see you if I could. I do hope and constantly pray God that I may yet live to see you but if never we do meet on this earth let us work and pray God that we may meet in heaven where parting will be no more forever and where we shall sing praise to God for ever and forever more.

I see Rush is married again. Well I hope he and his dear companion will live a long and peaceful and happy life and he be prosperous and kind to each other.

I was very glad to know you are keeping in pretty good health and spirit and I hope and pray God you will continue so. Yes, I was truly sad over Cleveland’s defeat. Cleveland got more popular votes than Harrison by nearly 100,000. The Republicans bought up the bosses of big companies such as foundries, big machine shops, mills factories and these bosses and head men after getting immense pay turned their men over to the Republican Ring to vote the republican ticket there never was as much money spent by the republican party before. They paid from 1 to 500 dollars a piece for votes and that is the way they swung NY in to their line.

The winter has been lighter and milder here than has been known in a great many years. I hope Rush will stay with you to help and take care of you dear brother. Take good care of your self and remember me in your prayers as I do you in my prayers every night. Please write soon all ___ _____. I will try and write you once a month from this out. You please do the same with out fail.

W.C. Marbury

In the 1900 census, Robert is 90 and has been married to his second wife Harriett, age 73, for 41 years. He is listed as the head of the household and the household includes Herbert L., Rush, and Andrew.

Robert Green Marbury died on May 27, 1904 and was burried in the family cemetery.

Obituary of Robert Green Marbury
The Brownsville States Graphic, 3 June 1904
"Elder R.G. Marbury died at his residence in this county on Saturday last, and the remains were interred in the family burying ground the following day. He was born in North Carolina, Dec. 2, 1809, and during infancy his family removed first to Middle Tennessee and in a few years to this county, being contemporary with the Taylors, Nixons, Connors, Jacocks, Bradford, and other pioneers. In the early 30's he went to Missouri, thence to Arkansas and was for some years in the employ of the government as an agent for the Creek Indians. Returning to this county he made it his home and lived here ever after, leading as useful and upright life as human nature allows to man. He resided here almost 30 years. He, early in life entered the ranks of the Primitive Baptists, became a ____ and at Brown's Creek church in 1875 was ordained an elder, filling that office to the day of his death. He was possibly the most widely known and loved member of this church in the state, and had great influence in it's counsels. Since 1875, he had united in matrimony between 325 - 335 couples, few of his church for near a generation being married by any other man. He was twice married and is survived by his second wife and four sons of the first marriage. Personally, Mr. Marbury was one of the most genial of men, and industrious farmer, and a first rate sportsman, fond of the hunt, a fisherman, fond of animals and birds and in love with all nature, and all the beautiful works of his Maker. Godly, sincere, loyal and honest, a host of friends, will long cherish his memory."

The Likely Children of John and Sarah Green Marbury/Marberry Were:

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	William H.	23 July 1835	Haywood Co., TN	26 Nov 1836 age: 1	Haywood Co., TN
Marbury	Mary Jane	28 March 1837	Haywood Co., TN	26 Nov 1840 age:3	Haywood Co., TN
Marbury	James W.	7 Feb 1839	Haywood Co., TN			Sarah b. 1848
Marbury	John F. (L?)	30 April 1841	Haywood Co., TN	30 Dec 1868 age: 27	Wayne, MO
Marbury	Pleasant H.	7 July 1843	Haywood Co., TN	1913		Martha B. Gregory m. 20 Sept 1868

Son of P.H. and Martha was Charlie Polk.

Marbury

Robert Green Jr.

9 Dec 1845

Haywood Co., TN

Sarah C. White
b. 1845

Martha M.
b.20 Sep 1835
d. 24 March 1917

Children of Robert Green Jr. and Sarah White Marbury were Minnie, Alice, Robert Earnest, Edward and Herbert Lee.
Robert’s second wife, Martha, was the daughter of John Bemberry White and his wife Penelope. According to her obituary she “believed in taking the Bible as her guide. She was a constant reader of the Bible and was ever ready to exchange ideas with anybody.” Toward the end of her life she went blind.

Marbury	Benjamin Frankin	16 Jun 1849	Haywood Co., TN	1884 age: 34	Haywood Co., TN burried: Zion Cemetery	Maggie "Mary" Yelverton b. 1853 m. 20 Sept 1868 d. 1884 age: 31 Mary Wilkins b. 1847 m. 1884 d.1918
Marbury	Joseph	29 March 1831	Haywood Co., TN			Eddie V.
Marbury	Rush W.	15 Dec 1853	Haywood Co., TN	15 Nov 1935 age: 82	Haywood Co., TN	Delilah J. Mann m. 7 Oct 1888 Emily "Emma" l. Smith b.1883 m. 2 Dec 1900 d. 1955 age: 82

Rush and Emma’s son was Andrew Frances Marbury (b. 5 May 1883, d. 5 July 1955) who married Frances Adian Cain (b. 16 Feb 1884, d. May 1972) in 1901.

More about Benjamin Franklin and Margaret Yelverton Marbury

By the time of his marriage in 1868 to 15-year-old Maggie, Ben was 19.

While it would seem Ben was too young to fight in the Civil War which had just ended four years before his marriage, there was a B.F. Marbury who fought in the 11th regiment and a Benjamin Marbury who fought in the 16th regiment and both were from Tennessee so it's certain possible Ben was in the war at a very young age.

Ben and Maggie's first baby died just a week or so after birth.

After that, their family grew quickly and they added a new child almost every year. Wylie was born in 1871, Hardy (who would be the father of my great grandmother, Allie Marbury Brantley) in 1872, Rush in 1874, Robert in 1876, John in 1877, and Robert in 1879.

The family finally added a girl with the birth of Frances Catherine “Rosa” Marbury in 1884.

Unfortunately, that same year, whether of complications from childbirth or from a disease of some kind, Maggie died. She was only 31 and had given birth to eight children.

Ben married Mary Wilkins on March 4, 1884. She was a 34-year-old woman who lived with her parents and a house full of brothers and sisters in Haywood County, TN.

The marriage would be short-lived however as Ben himself died at some point in 1884. According to family stories, he was killed by a train while walking down tracks between Jones Station and Allen’s Station in Haywood Co., TN after having too much to drink.

Photos from Janet Marbury Lewis

Benjamin Frankin Marbury's nephew and his wife, Andrew Frances Marbury and Frances Adian Cain pictured when young and then with their entire family later in their lives in 1954.
Pictured left to right: Alice Marbury Cobb, Jesse T. Cobb, May Anne Marbury, Owen Marbury, David Marbury, Juanita Marbury, Frances Janet Marbury, Mabel Ruth Holladay Marbury, May Ethel Marbury, Andrew Earl Marbury, Clarice Marbury Overton, Marcia Overton, Charles Horace Overton Jr., Andrew Frances Marbury, Frances Adien Cain Marbury, and Charles Phillip Overton.

Photo from Betsy S. Waddell

Thought to be a photo of Mary Wilkins Marbury.

Photo from Betsy S. Waddell

The children of Ben and Mary Marbury. l to r, top row: John W., Rosa. Robert, bottom row: Hardy Joyner Marbury and Wiley.

Headstone of B.F. and Mary Marbury in Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Haywood Co., TN.

The Children of Benjamin Franklin and Maggie "Mary" Yelverton Marbury Were:

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	Infant son	1869	Haywood Co., TN	1869	Haywood Co., TN
Marbury	Wiley	25 May 1872	Haywood Co., TN		Haywood Co., TN	Sally Ann Studdard b. Oct 1869 m. 1888

Children of Wiley and Sally Ann were Ethel Lee, Cora M, Clay H, and Marietta.

Marbury	Hardy Joyner	25 May 1872	Haywood Co., TN	2 March 1932 age: 60	Haywood Co., TN burried: Holly Grove Baptist Church Cemetery	Sarah Evelena "Lena" Booth b. 20 Jun 1869 m. 2 Mar 1803 d.7 Oct 1949 burried: Holly Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
Marbury	Robert Woodson	30 Jan 1876	Haywood Co., TN	10 July 1950 age: 74	Haywood Co., TN burried: Holly Grove Baptist Church Cemetery	Eddie Lou Carter b. 29 Jan 1886 m. 15 May 1904 d. 16 Jun 1858

Children of Robert and Eddie Lou were Flora Edna, Laura May, George Zeland, Margaret Hattie, Andrew Frances, Wylie Thomas, Mary Evelena.

Marbury

John M..

30 Jan 1876

Haywood Co., TN

7 Sept 1943 age: 67

Haywood Co., TN burried: Holly Grove Baptist Church Cemetery

Frankie Timberlake

Children of John and Frankie were Roberta, Lake, Ben and John M. who was a PFC in World War I.

Marbury

Frances Catherine "Rosa"

27 Dec 1884

Haywood Co., TN

22 May 1856 age: 71

Haywood Co., TN /td>

Marion Luthur Thomas
b. 16 Apr 1878
m. 27 Dec 1905
2 Mar 1953 age: 74

Children of Rosa and Luthur were Mary E., Harry F., Dorothy Jean

Photo from Betsy S. Wadell

Luthur and Rosa Marbury Thomas

Photo from Betsy Sullivan Waddell
Allie and Mabel Marbury

Photo from Betsy Sullivan Waddell
Louise and Hardy B. Marbury, the children of Herbert L. and Maggie Price Marbury.

More about Hardy Joyner and Lena Booth Marbury

Hardy Marbury was born on May 25, 1872 in Haywood County, TN. On August 26, 1893, he married Sarah Evelena “Lena” Booth. Lena was the daughter of William G. “Billy” Booth and Elishia White and she was born in North Carolina.

In 1895, at the age of 23, Hardy joined Holly Grove Baptist Church.

You can find a mention of Hardy in Sim Cobb’s diary from the book “Nicholas Cobb Descendants by Joe H. Cobb. March 21, 1890 Rained last night and through the day; rolled logs; Willie and J.E. Lott, Albert Cobb, W.T. Cobb, J.F. White, Hardy Marbury, Ed Mitchell, Will Raddle, and Mr. Hunter was the help. From Sim Cobb’s Diary, Nicholas Cobb Descendants

In the census of 1900, Hardy is 28 and Sarah E. is 31. Living in the home with them are their three children, Dennis who was 7, Maggie who was 4 and Allie who was 2. The family owns both their farm and their home and both Hardy and Sarah could read and write.

10 years later, in 1910, Sarah was going by the name of Lena and, shortly after the last census, they had added a daughter to the family. Mabel was age 9 in 1910. The family also had a 16-year-old boarder named John H. Mann.

Their son Dennis Love died in 1927 at the age of 34 of rectal cancer, leaving a wife, Mary Lorena Overton and two childen, Ruth Lee and Sybil Hortense.

In the 1930 census, Hardy is 57 and Lena is 60. Lena was called “Grandmammy” by her grandchildren.

Hardy died in 1932 at the age of 60 of a stroke and was buried at Holly Grove Baptist Church cemetery.

Dennis, Allie, Mabel and Price Marbury at Holly Grove School in 1907.

Hardy Marbury

Hardy Marbury Obituary
Brownsville States Graphic
March 1932
Mr. Hardy Marbury was born May 25th, 1872 and departed from this life March 2nd, 1932. He was married to Miss Lena Booth, August 26th, 1893.
He professed faith in Christ and united with Holly Grove Baptist church in 1905, later moving his membership to Allen’s Baptist church, living a committed Christian life.
He is survived by his wife and three children, Mrs. Herbert Lee Marbury, Mrs. Willie Brantley of Brownsville, Mrs. Erban Jackson of Jackson. One sister, two brothers and ten grandchildren.
He was a faithful, devoted husband and father. A man of pleasing, attractive personality and was loved and admired for his honest traits and character and his friendly disposition which attracted to him a legion of friends.
Though the inevitable hour has come to him and his soul has winged its flight from the threshold of his earthly home to that Celestial one where he will be forever blessed.
Yet we can always remember him for the life he lived and the sunshine he scattered and the love he possessed within his soul for others.

For all that the master does,
Is done for the best,
For his life has been chosen
Here from all the rest
His work here is o’er,
His battle is won,
The task he attempted here,
Has been done.
His soul has taken refuge,
To that bright shining shore;
Where he will join with
The happy throng forever more.

A FRIEND

Photos from Betsy Sullivan Waddell
Mabel Marbury with her new car / Vernon Booth who delivered mail around Haywood County on a bike and was a cousin of the Marbury children / Allie Marbury holding daughter Virginia Brantley Lovelace while visiting her aunt, Catherine Rosa Marbury Thomas.

Photo 1:Virginia Brantley Lovelace with her son, Bobby, Allie Marbury Brantley and Lena Marbury / Photo 2: Allie Marbury, Lena Marbury and Mabel Marbury

Hardy and Lena’s daughter Price or “Aunt Pricey” as she was called by her many nieces and nephews, died of cancer in 1933.

Obituary of Maggie “Price” Marbury

The Brownsville States Graphic, 1933
Mrs. H.L. Marbury (Maggie “Price”)
Dies at Centerville Home Tues. Afternoon
Mrs. H.L. Marbury died at the family home near Centerville Tuesday afternoon following a five weeks illness.
Mrs. Marbury was a lifelong resident of this community. She was a member of Allen’s Church and a splendid Christian woman whose passing is a source of sorrow to all who know her. She is survived by her husband to whom she was married in 1911, three sons, Hardy B., Curtis, Billie Both, two daughters, Mrs. Louise Lovelace and Mrs. Lena Florence Marbury and her mother, Mrs. H.J. Marbury.
Funeral services were held at Holly Grove Wednesday afternoon. Internment in Holly Grove Cemetery. Funeral arrangements in charge J. M. Cox & Sons.

Another daughter of Hardy and Lena’s, Mabel, also died of cancer in 1942.

Obituary of Mabel Clara Marbury Jackson

The Brownsville States Graphic, 1942
Former Holly Grove Lady Dies in Jackson Monday
Mrs. Mable Clara Jackson, 41, formerly of the Holly Grove community, this county, died at the Fitz-White Clinic in Jackson Monday following a long illness.
Prior to her illness Mrs. Jackson was for several years connected with Nathan’s ladies’ wear establishment in Jackson. In an effort to regain her health she underwent treatment in Mayo Bros. Clinic in Rochester, N.Y.
She was a native of the Holly Grove community and a member of the Baptist Church at that place. The possesser of a bright and happy disposition, throughout her illness she bore her suffering with Christian fortitude and patience. She was widely known and much beloved.
She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Willie Brantley and a number of nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock at Holly Grove conducted by Dr. Leonard A. Stephens of Brownsville. Interment was in Holly Grove Cemetery. Funeral arrangements in charge of J.M. Cox & Son.

Their daughter Allie and her husband Willie lived with Lena until her death in 1949 at age 81.

Obituary of Lena Marbury

Mrs. Lena Marbury
Services to be held today for Holly Grove Resident
Brownsville, Tenn., Oct 7
Services will be held Saturday morning at Holly Grove Baptist Church for Mrs. Lena Booth Marbury, who died Friday morning at her residence in the Holly Grove community. Mrs. MArbury was 81.
Burial will be in Holly Grove Cemetery, with American Funeral Home in charge.
She had spent her entire life in the Holly Grove community. She was the daughter of the late Billy and Lena White Booth. She was a member of Allen Baptist Church.
She leaves a daughter, Mrs. Willie Brantley of Holly Grove, 10 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren.

She was also buried at Holly Grove Baptist Church cemetery.

The memory book from Lena’s funeral service offers a glimpse into funerals of the rural south in the 1940s. Her funeral was at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 9, 1949 at Holly Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. R. E. Presley officiated and Mrs. Ovid Lovelace played the organ. The hymns at her funeral were “Old Rugged Cross,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Nearer my God to Thee.” Her pallbearers were Albert Booth, Bryant Booth, Doris Booth, John Marbury, Lake Marbury and Martin Thomas.

Headstones of Hardy Joyner Marbury and Lena Booth Marbury at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Bells, Haywood Co., TN

The Children of Hardy Joyner and Lena Booth Marbury Were:

Last	First	Born	Location Born	Died	Location Died	Spouse
Marbury	Dennis Love	25 Jun 1892	Haywood Co., TN	April 1972 age: 35	Haywood Co., TN burried: Holly Grove Bap Church Cem	Mary Lorena Overton b. July 1891 d. 8 May 1959

The children of Dennis and Mary Overton Marbury were Ruth Lee and Sybil Hortense.

Marbury

Maggie Price

1895

Haywood Co., TN

1933 age: 38

Haywood Co., TN burried: Holly Grove Bap Church Cem

Herbert Lee Marbury
b. 19 Mar 1889
m. 21 Jan 1911
d. 19 April 1951

The children of Price and Herbert Lee Marbury were an Infant daughter who died in 1927, Louise M, Hardy Bedford, James Curtis., Billie B. & Lena Florence.
Maggie Price and Herbert L were second cousins. Herbert’s parents were Robert G. and Sarah Marbury.

Marbury	Allie Ern	16 Mar 1898	Haywood Co., TN	30 Nov 1995 age: 97	Haywood Co., TN burried: Zion Bap Church Cem	William Day Brantley b. 5 Aug 1897 m. 21 Dec 1916 d. May 1969 age: 72
Marbury	Mable Clara	1901	Haywood Co., TN	1942 age: 41		Urban Jackson

Urban and Mabel Clara had no children.

For more about Allie Marbury and William Day Brantley go to the Brantley page on HaywoodCountyLine.com