By: Sharon Marks, Feb. 17, 2018
For updated research be sure to read the Blog,
I found your daddy, William Buck Marks
Before I go into my main story, I would like to give a little
background on what led my husband David and I down this road. His family had
barely any family stories handed down. There were a few comments about his
grandpa Marks that seemed to be polar opposites from each other. His grandma
Marks would never talk about the old days. In fact, David’s father didn’t even
know his father’s correct name! Finding out the whole story was of great interest
to him.
His aunt Emma
knew a name of a cousin she visited in Virginia when she was a teen but had no
contact since. It was an unusual name, so I googled it and came up with one
name, so I called. It paid off. I had several phone conversations with the man
and we ended up visiting him one afternoon back in 1999. That led us to another
cousin in the area and led us to the family homestead in Buies Creek, North
Carolina.
We had no
contacts in North Carolina. We planned to visit the town hall and library in Lillington.
We found a cemetery in Buies Creek, which had the grave of McDonald Marks, so
went there. It looked well cared for and evidence of recent visits. David
suggested that we leave a note in a zip lock baggie with our contact
information. Then a strange thing happened when we left the cemetery. Another
car was coming in and for some reason; we both slowed down and rolled down our
windows. We had a short conversation about our search for family members in the
area. Unfortunately, she didn’t know of any and we left.
This encounter occurred at the Buies Creek Cemetery within the
town of the same name. Mrs. Perry Langston was a longtime resident and we
explained our presence. She was kindly but didn't have immediate
information. After a pleasant exchange we went on our way to stay
overnight in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
The next week we
received a letter in the mail from Mrs. Langston. She had visited the grave of
her friend, Stacy Johnson and noticed our note on the grave next to hers. She
then remembered Stacy’s maiden name was Marks and McDonald was her father. In
her note, she provided the contact information for Stacy’s daughter, June
Lackey. June was astonished to hear of long-lost relatives and was
determined to meet with us. However, she was checking hotels in Dunn rather
than Fuquay-Varina.
We arranged to
meet with June (a gt gt grand daughter of Zacheus) and this branch of the
family a few months later. When we first met June the first words out of June’s
mouth was that David looked like her Uncle Buck. The tall lanky build with a
high forehead and widows peak.
Dorothy Marks and her sister Donnie Belle came
up to spend the afternoon with us. When her great nephew first met Dorothy, he
thought it was like looking at his grandmother Stacey. So the Marks genes are
strong.
The relatives
shared their stories and photos and made us feel like part of the family. Many
of the people we met, have since past, but their warm welcome of us has stayed
with us and helped to build the Marks story.
Zacheus Marks of Chatham County, NC
The search for our Marks roots has been a long
slow process. For many years our research couldn’t go back any further than
Zacheus and Emeline Marks. But, recently I uncovered a document that named many
of Zacheus’ siblings, nephews and nieces. He appears to be the youngest of nine
children. His father, James Marks appears to have died while he was still a
child, leaving his mother Mary to raise the children.
The following are pages out of her estate
file.
Louisa’s mother is never mentioned by name,
but it was Lucinda. When I first found them, I thought maybe Lucinda married
into the Marks family, but the estate files call her sister to the other
siblings. So, the question is, did she revert back to her maiden name? Married
another Marks? Was never married? Maybe we will figure it out down the line.
Louisa Marks full estate file can be found at Family
Search.
James Marks (b. 1777–
d. abt 1834 Chatham Co, NC) married Mary Gunter (b. 1778 Chatham Co, NC
– d. 1860/65).
Mary was the daughter of Isham Gunter and
Hester Pilkinton.
We have now firmly found a path to James
Marks, but only a few records exist pertaining to him.
1800 Census for Hillsborough, Chatham Co, NC
James Marks Family
|
Male 26-44
|
1
|
Male 16-26
|
1
|
Female 10-16
|
1
|
Female under10
|
1
|
18010 Census for
Chatham Co, NC
James Marks Family
|
Male 26-44
|
1
|
Male under 10
|
2
|
Female 26-45
|
1
|
Female under10
|
2
|
1815 Tax List
for Captain Brantly's District in Chatham County. James Marks is listed only,
as a 'white poll', indicating that he is at least 21, but has no land and
possibly, still living at home.
1820 Census for
Chatham Co, NC
James Marks Family
|
Male 45+
|
1
|
Male 10-15
|
1
|
Male under 10
|
3
|
Female 26-44
|
1
|
Female 10-15
|
1
|
Female under10
|
1
|
Children
(based on Louisa’s estate file):
- Seloma “Loma” Marks (1799-1865) m. George W Thomas (1790-1850)
- William “Buck” Marks (1800-1876) m. Leah Caroline Fesperman (1823-1900)
Reading through
the estate file, it states William moved to Montgomery of Stanley County, NC
- Willis Marks (1810-1853) m. ? ( - bef. 1850)
- Susan Marks (1812-1888) m. Micajah “Cager” Burns (1801-1853)
- Mary Marks (1812-1889) m. Wesley Pendergrass (1512-1887)
The last few
years of her life, Louisa Marks was living with Mary and Wesley, when she died
in 1865 and he had to bring a case against her estate on May 18, 1870 to be
reimbursed for expenses of $216.28 for board, the physician for her and two
coffins (for Louisa and her mother). At the time, the administrator, John A
Womack had not collected enough from the sale of her estate and still had a
tract of land to sell.
- Lucinda H Marks (1815-1865) m. ?
Daughter: Louisa A Marks (1837-1865) Her estate (personal
and property) totaled to $476.82
- Rebecca “Becky” Marks (1818-1850) m. Aleouesous Asbury Brewer (1815-1881)
- Edward Ewell Marks (1820-) m. Harriet M Shelton (1828- )
The document s states that he went to Mississippi and was never
heard from again. Actually, he settled in James Bayou, Mississippi County,
Missouri.
- Zacheus Marks – b. 1824 Chatham Co., NC / d. Aug. 22, 1864 Richmond,
Independent Cities, VA / m. Emeline Burns, Dec. 10, 1842 Chatham Co., NC
(b. Mar. 1819 NC / d. Feb. 17, 1902 Dunn, Harnett, NC)
Children:
1.
William Harris Marks
– b. Feb. 1844 Lower Regiment, Chatham, NC / d. May 5, 1924 Spiceland, Henry,
IN / m. Prudence Elizabeth Burns, Jan. 2, 1873 Henry Co., IN
2.
Lucian H Marks
– b. Apr. 28, 1845 Chatham Co., NC / d. 1904 Buies Creek, Harnett, NC / m.
Clementine Gattis, Jan. 28, 1866 Wake Co., NC
3.
Simeon Gattis Marks
– Feb. 16, 1857 Chatham Co., NC / d. Apr. 24, 1929 Erwin, Harnett, NC / never
married
·
Four more children that died young
Dorothy Marks (Zacheus gt gt granddaughter)
told us that many of the stories that have been passed on, are all started as
part of the family storytelling at the dinner table. Some of them were so
vividly recollected that you believed them to be first hand stories. The family
was originally from Chatham County; she believes around the Moncure area south
of Pittsboro.
Dorothy has been very interested in the Marks
family history, especially what traits seem to pop up in each generation.
Falling back on our visit with Minnie Marks, Rudolph Ayers and our own family
we tried to list these traits. A high forehead, widows peak with no history of
baldness, protruding ears, more of a small rounded type nose, long feet, the
striking blue eyes go back to Clemintine, the women tend to have long fingers
and narrow hands.
Although they say a tall lanky frame runs in the family, many
members, particularly the women run average to short in height. Some members on
both sides have had the problem of a turned in or out ankle that has required
anything from corrective shoes or braces and even surgery to correct. There was
mention that a sixth finger would sometimes be present and sometimes webbed
toes, but since this has not come up in other sections of the family, I believe
it to be a Reardon trait.
The Marks family is credited with being a
strong stable lot, although there have been episodes of depression appearing,
but a strong faith and determination seems pull them through it all. There
seems to be a tendency toward alcoholism with some family members that have
left the area. Dorothy felt we should look at the culture of the area in which
they grew up. Many members of the family live in the Bible belt, which has
served to keep them on the straight and narrow. Also, a tendency toward
depression has cropped up in the family. There is a strong stubborn streak that
can turn into a temper. All sections of the family agree there is a strong love
of animals, evident with all the cat, dog and horse owners.
Nevertheless, some family members who have
left the area had a propensity for alcoholism. Nonetheless, a strong stubborn
streak is manifest in the family character which can turn into a temper. The
Markses are predisposed to emotional extremes. The known sections of the family
concur. Additionally, Dorothy explained
that we should examine the post-Civil War regional culture particularly the
writings of playwright Paul Green to provide insight on these emotional
structures.
The earliest mention I have found of Zacheus
was his marriage bond.
Zacheus’ brother-in-law Micajah Burns (husband of his sister Susan Marks) acted as bondsman on December 10, 1842 for Zacheus marriage to Emeline Burns that same day. N.A. Stedman acted as witness either a relative or clerk). To date, the parents of Emeline are unknown. We are also unsure of any relationship between her and Micajah. Usually the bond was taken out in bride’s county of residence. (Bond#000020216; record 01025 Chatham Co., NC) There is a family story that Emeline Burns Marks is related to John Burns. The story goes that three brothers, John, James and Enoch (Bobby) went to England from Scotland and then came over to America, settling in Chatham County as farmers. Their parents were Micajah & Shebiah (Thomason) Burns. John and James left for Alabama and Texas and our line goes through Bobby Burns who remained (This will need further investigation).
A note on marriage bonds: Typically, one or more bondsmen signed, as security for the forfeiture of a sum, in this case 500 pounds, should the marriage not occur of prove to be illegal. Nineteenth century monetary systems were based on coins and the precious metals. Therefore, 500 English pounds is equivalent to $2,175 today.
On March 26, 1849 Zacheus Marks acted bondsman for the marriage of Harriet Harmon (daughter of Hezikiah Harmon and Nancy Burns) to William Hardie Pierce (son of Hardy and Jane Pierce) in Cumberland County North Carolina. But, to date his relationship to the couple has mot been established.
Zacheus and Emeline’s first son, William Harris Marks was born in February of 1844 and Lucian H soon followed on April 28, 1845. The 1900 census says that Emeline had seven children in all; four did not survive. Most likely they were born between 1846 and 1855. Their last son Simeon Gattis Marks was born on February 16, 1857
The 1850 census for Chatham North Carolina divided the county into two districts; Upper and Lower Regiment. Our Marks relatives resided in Lower Regiment. When the census taker visited the Marks family on August 27th, Zacheus listed himself, as a farmer by trade and his real estate is valued at $50. Compared to his neighbors, the young family was struggling to make ends met. Most farmers in the region worked small pieces of land, raising grains, vegetables, and animals to feed their family, and bartered with neighbors for most of the goods they could not produce themselves. Zacheus lived next door to his brother Willis, who was now a widower with five children at home. His mother Mary and sister Lucinda were also close by.
Not surprisingly, on August 3rd we find Zacheus family residing in Fayetteville in Cumberland County on. Here he is listed as a laborer and has no real estate. We can assume that in order for this young family to make ends meet, it was necessary for him to temporarily go to a larger town to find work.
By the 1860 census, Chatham County is divided into the Eastern, Western and Middle divisions. Our Marks family residing in the Middle Division and Zacheus list his profession as a shoemaker. His personal estate is valued at $100 and he probably still had his farm. His oldest son, William is listed as ‘farm labor’.
I wonder if Zacheus learn the trade from his oldest brother, William (who was born in 1800) was also a shoemaker. In fact it makes one wonder if he learned the art from their father James.
Several deeds of Record mention property owned by the Marks family bordering Stinking Creek (highlighted in blue) in the 1860s. (The map displayed is a portion of the 1870 Chatham County, NC map)
North Carolina Seceded From The United States On May 20, 1861.
Many southerners, probably most, did not have a stake in slavery but fought to protect their families and homeland. It was thought it would be a short war of probably a few months. The infant government of the confederacy was floundering by 1863. Millions of notes were printed with no gold to back them. The war effort was costly and more money was needed. The government passed an act allowing the army to seize crops and livestock from farmers to be paid with script that inflation was making almost worthless. Small farmers were left with virtually nothing to live on. Prices increased dramatically and families had to make do with what they could. Schools closed and women often found themselves in trouble over the methods they used to provide for their families; looting and begging, to name a few.
Zacheus and his son Lucian both enlisted on July 8, 1862 in Pittsboro, Chatham County, NC as Privates and were mustered into Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment North Carolina. Almost a year later on April 3, 1863, William enlisted into the same company and regiment.
Zack’s record describes him as being 5’ 10”. He was listed as having a horse valued at $150.00. On June 30, 1863 it’s commented that he had no horse and was detailed as Wagoner. The lowly private received $11.00 and was paid every two months, when they were paid at all. In addition, they received a small clothing allowance. If they re-enlisted, they received a bounty of $50.00.
Battle Of Gettysburg
Dorothy Marks (Zacheus gt gt granddaughter) had heard family stories that Zacheus had died in the Battle at Gettysburg and that the bodies were taken to Richmond for burial. This led me to investigate further.
Indeed, the 63rd Regiment NC Troops, 5th Regiment NC Cavalry was at Gettysburg. I spoke with a gentleman at Gettysburg National Park who said that the 63rd was pulling picket duty and was called into the fight on the third day, July 3, 1863. They were half way to the battle when a courier stopped them at 2:00 telling them that things where going badly and they where ordered to turn back.
The division’s history says this was right about the time the Federals withdrew during the night to attack the Staunton River Bridgeon the Richmond & Danville Railroad. Here reserve forces held them off until Barringer’s Brigade arrived to drive them off. The raiders now tried to return to their lines with General Lee’s troops behind them and General Hampton’s Division waiting for them in front.
Action at Brandy Station, November 8, 1863
The Union advance across the Rappahannock River in Virginia continued with fighting at Warrenton, Jeffersonton, Rixeyville, Brandy Station, Stevensburg and Muddy Creek near Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia. None of the fighting was heavy but it indicated that Mede and Lee were not entirely idle. They were both maneuvering and probing for proper opportunities to attack.
Zacheus Regiment history indicates they were at Brandy Station at this time. His military record contains a receipt roll for clothing at General Hospital No. 1 in Lynchburg, Virginia, dated November 23, 1863
Skirmish At Staunton Bridge, June 24, 1864
The Confederate forces were dependent on the flow of supplies from the south and west along the South Side and Richmond and Danville Railroad lines. On June 22, Grant dispatched Union cavalry to raid the rail lines and destroy them and cut Lee off from his supplies. Without these supplies the Confederates would be forced to abandon Petersburg. During the next three days, despite pursuit and harassment from Confederate cavalry, the Union cavalry succeeded in destroying 60 miles of railway.
It’s reported 24 Confederates were wounded. Perhaps Zacheus was among them since he was hospitalized for a second time on June 25, 1864 for a wounded in the leg, at General Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia.
The Wounded
When a soldier was wounded, medical personnel on the battlefield bandaged the soldier as fast they could, and gave him whiskey and morphine, if necessary, for pain. If his wounds demanded more attention, he was evacuated via Letterman’s ambulance and stretcher system to a nearby field hospital.
Treatment was to dissect away dead tissue and inject the wound margins with bromine under anesthesia. The wound was then packed with a bromine-soaked dressing and the patients isolated in separate tents with a separate bandage supply.
Those who survived their wounds and surgeries still had another hurdle, however: the high risk of infection. While most surgeons were aware of a relationship between cleanliness and low infection rates, they did not know how to sterilize their equipment. Due to a frequent shortage of water, surgeons often went days without washing their hands or instruments, thereby passing germs from one patient to another as he treated them. The appearance of pus draining from the wound was believed to be part of the healing process and was considered a good sign.
Zacheus was later furloughed on June 29th. died of his wounds August 22, 1864 at Richmond Hospital. His record shows Distinguished Service.
He was buried in the Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia in the Confederate Soldier's Section under the name: Zachariah Marks, in plot: V; Lot 239.
Monument to the Confederate War Dead. This famed 90-foot pyramid stands as a monument to the 18,000 Confederate soldiers buried in Hollywood Cemetery. For a complete list of the 5th NC Cavalry engagements visit Civil War In The East.
1870? Emeline, William and Simeon seem to have dropped off the census records in 1870. Lucian had married Clementine Gattis on January 28, 1866 in Wake County and settled in Cape Fear, Chatham County. Later on they moved to the farm in Buies Creek, Harnett County.
I should say that Emeline had her hands full at this time. In 1860, the family lived next door to James Burns. His daughter Prudence Harrington was widowed in 1859 and moved back home. William and Prudence became close over the next few years. Apparently too close for 1st cousins, for on December 6, 1870 they had a daughter they named May Milford Marks. This would have been scandalous and most likely explains why we can’t locate them.
In July 1870, Prudence was living in Center with two of her daughters, Lizzie and Nancy. Presumably, this is where May was born. It’s possible that William was already in Spiceland, Indiana looking for work and setting up a home. William and Prudence finally married on January 2, 1873 in Henry County, Indiana and went on to raise three more children. It’s also interesting to note that William listed his occupation in 1880 as shoemaker.
The 1880 census for Center Township, Chatham, North Carolina shows that Emeline is keeping house for John Y Webster and her son, Simeon is with her working as a farmer.
Lavinia F Harmon is listed as a niece. The question is, to John Webster or Emeline Marks? Personally, I lean toward Emeline. On her son Simeon’s death certificate, May mistakenly listed Emeline’s maiden name as Harmon and various relatives have indicated there are Harmon ties.
Emeline’s Pension
There seemed to have been many variations to his name, Zachariah, Zac, Zacius, Zacheus, Zackees, Zack, Zachius, Zaceheus, Zaccheius and just Z. No wonder Emeline had problems with the pension!
Emeline seems to have tried to apply for the widow’s pension when it became available in 1885, but ran into complications. The muster roll lists a Zachariah Marks, which in fact was Zacheus Marks. Various people had to come in for her to testify that she was indeed entitled to the pension. Among them was John H Thomas, a soldier who served in the same company.
The following are some of the documents to support her claim:
“For the Auditor of the State of North Carolina. We certify that we have carefully examined the application of Emeline Marks, the widow of the late Zucius Marks who enlisted in Company G 5 Regiment Cavalry North Carolina State Troops for a pension under the provision of an act entitled An Act for the relief of certain Soldiers in the late War between the States certified the 11th day of March 1885 and the proofs filed in support there of that we are satisfied that the said Emeline is the widow of the late Zucius Marks who enlisted in Company G 5th Regiment Cavalry NC troops (State) on or about the 15th day of September 1862 and who lost his life in consequence of a wound received in a battle on or about the 2nd day of September 1864 that she is now a Bona Fide resident of the County of Harnett in the State that she dose not own either in her own right or in the right of her late husband property of the appraised value of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.) that she is not in receipt of a salary or fees arising from an officer un the County State or nation to the amounts of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.) annually and that she has never remarried and therefore her application is under the act.”
“On the 9th day of June 1885 personally appeared before me JW Atkins clerk Superior Court in and for the State and County aforesaid Emeline Marks age 66 years and a resident at Buies Creek Post Office in said County and State and who being duly sworn makes the forthcoming declaration in order to obtain the Pension under the provisions of an act entitled.”
“An Act for the relief of certain Soldiers in the late War between the States ratified March 11,1885 that she is the widow of the late Zusius Marks who enlisted in Co. G 5th Regiment North Carolina Cavalry State Troops an or about the 15 day of September 1862 served in the armies of the late Confederate States and that while in performance of duty in said Company and Regiment in the State of North Carolina on or about the 20th day of September 1864 he received a wound or wounds which terminated his life. She further states that she holds no office in the United States or County from which she is receiving the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.) in fees or as a salary that she is not worth in her own right or the right of her late husband, property at its assessed value for taxation to the amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500), and that she has never re-married Sworn and Subscribed to before me this the 9th day of June 1885.”
“Also personally appeared before me John Gregory who resides at Lillington Post Office in said County and State. A person whom I know to be respectable and entitled to credit and being by me duly sworn says that he is aquatinted with Emeline Marks the widow of the late Zachius Marks of Company G 5 Regiment North Carolina Cavalry State Troops and that he believes her to be the individual person she represents herself to be and that the facts set forth in her affidavit are correct to the best of his knowledge and belief and that he has no interest direct or indirect in this claim. Sworn and subscribed to before me John Gregory this 9th day of June 1885.”
The Auditors department sent out a letter on Aug.12, 1885:
“I am directed by the said Board to inform you that final action has been postponed in order that further evidence may be furnished on the following facts: The Board must have further proof as to you husbands identity. His name does not appear on muster roll. Your attention is specially called to printed matter. I am further directed to say, that the testimony must be from persons having no interest in the pension; it must be in writing, verified by the oath of the applicant and accompanied by the affidavit of one or more credible witnesses.”
“Personally appeared before me James W. Atkins, Clerk of the Superior Court of said county. John H Thomas Lillington Post Office in said county and state. A person whom I know to be respectable and entitle to credit and by me duly sworn says that he is aquatinted with Emeline Marks the applicant for the pension that she is the widow of Zachariah Mark, who served in Company G 5 Regiment of NC Cavalry afterward the 63 Regiment. That the said Zachariah Marks, was wounded in the leg and died from said wound in the hospital and that the said John H Thomas was a private in the same company and his name should be Zachariah Marks. Sworn to and Subscribed before me. August 18th 1885.”
“On July 1, 1901, Emeline was living in Dunn, North Carolina, and submitted for a widow’s application for pension, stating that she is now old and disabled from doing any kind of manual labor, and is already on the pension roll.”
The 1880 census for Averasboro, Harnett, North Carolina shows that Simeon is a merchant, he owns his own home, free of mortgage. His nice May Marks lives with him and helps run his store. Emeline is now living with him.
Sim’s gt niece, Minnie Marks remembered visiting an Uncle Sim in Dunn, North Carolina, dealing in Heavy & Fancy Groceries located at 310 East Broad Street. He owned a general store. He was quite the salesman, making people feel they were getting a bargain. He would put a sale sign on things that were normal price and they would start selling. She also remembered someone would say they could get the eggs cheaper across the street, and he would say go ahead; knowing they didn’t have any across the street.
 |
| A view of Broad St in Dunn, 1899 |
At some point Sim went up to Spiceland, Indiana and brought his niece May back by wagon. She helped him run the store until he past in 1929. Since he had never married, Sim left her everything.
Emeline died on February 19, 1902 in Dunn and she was buried in the Marks family farm in Buies Creek, Harnett, North Carolina. Also, buried there are Lucian and Clemintine Marks along with their children; Wesley, Lucian Jr and two other unnamed sons and Simeon Marks. The cemetery is located beneath a crop of tree in a field. Unfortunately, at some point several of the markers were plowed under along with the names and dates.
Back in 2002, June Lackey and her brother Horace Johnson took my husband (David Marks) and I to the site.
