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Sarah Bodine Will

Submitted By: Janet Fryar Rohlfs

The following handwritten information was sent to Janet Rohlfs by Jerry Barber.
She received it from Warford E. Baker, Springfield, IL


Sarah was the first of ten (at least) children born to William and Mary Mackey. Born about 1775 in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Probably in Tryon County, North Carolina.

Her father, William Mackey was, according to an inscription on his tombstone in the Mackey Burying ground, in Pleasant Cove near McMinnsville, Tennessee, "a Hero of the revolutionary War." William died in March 1814.

The 1790 census of District 96, South Carolina shows William Twitty and two females. They were Sarah (Mackey) Twitty and an infant girl.

William Mackey, Robert Baker, and Ann Twitty (John's wife - John was William's father) were also in this census. According to some property transactions about 1790, Wm. Mackey and John Twitty were land-owning neighbors on the Waters of the Keowee River.

In the latter part of the 1790's (prior to 1796), the William Mackey family, the Bakers and the Caseys crossed the mountains. The Mackeys to Kentucky and then to Tennessee. The Bakers to Tennessee and the Caseys to Georgia then up to Tennessee.

In 1800 Wm. D. Baker's parents were in White County Tennessee. The Mackeys were in Barren Co., Kentucky. In 1800 William Twitty was listed as head of household in Barren County, Kentucky. The Federal Census for KY that year was destroyed. The tax lists show only the head of household. No way to know how many in the family at that time.

"In Petition to Congress , dated October 1, 1808, by inhabitants of Randolph County, Territory of Indiana, requesting the right of preemption on land they now live on not exceeding a half section of land." Among those who signed the petition were; William Twitty, Levi Casey, and William Twittey. Levi Casey was a brother to Isaac Casey, who was married to Elizabeth Mackey, Sarah's sister. The Twittys were Sarah's husband and son.

Levi settled in what was later called Bloomfield Township, near Vienna, Johnson County in Southern Illinois. It is certain that the two William Twittys had squatted their home sites in that vicinity. But the name William Twitty does not appear in subsequent documents or records. Sarah's father William Mackey died in 1814 in Warren County Tennessee. His tombstone inscription reads "He was a hero of the revolutionary War." Between Mr. Mackey's death and the final settlement of his estate in 1836 Sarah Twitty signed any number of estate papers but none had William's signature, which would have been appropriate had he been alive. Since the William Twittys were not listed in the census of 1810 for Illinois, Kentucky, or Tennessee they died or were killed after October 1, 1808 and before the 1810 censuses. The only Twitty listed in the 1810 Federal Census for Tennessee and Kentucky was John Twitty in Barren County, Kentucky. No Twitty was shown in the Illinois Census of 1810. Sarah Twitty probably lived with someone who was shown as head of household. Sarah's daughter Melissa was born in Smith County Tennessee September 11, 1815 and Melissa's sister, Sarah Jane (Shuby) was born a year or two before that. Melissa and Shuby were fathered by a Cherokee Indian. The fact, but not the circumstances has been authentically handed down.

The 1820 census of Jackson County, Tennessee shows Sally Twitty age 40-50 and three females; one age 10-15, two age 16-26 as a family. Sarah's sister and brother-in-law are also shown in that census. We have no indication of what happened to one of three girls. Two of them Melissa and Shuby ended up in Illinois with their mother. In 1831 Sarah's daughter Melissa married William D. Baker of White County. On July 11, 1833 Sally bought 70 acres in the gum springs survey in White County from Jno Rasco. May 30, 1835 she received a partial settlement from her father's estate. By January 1837 she was loaning money to prominent businessmen in Jefferson County, Illinois. On November 22, 1837 she entered into 40 acres (McClellan Twp). On September 13, 1838 Sarah married James Bodine who lived in property next door. On February 11, 1839 Sarah entered another, adjacent, 40 acres. On October 9, 1840 George and Eliza Allen sold to Sarah Bowdine for $50.00 the E2 NWSW 13-3-2. On January 28, 1842 Sarah and James Bodine entered into a prenuptial agreement. Sarah became ill - extended illness during August 1846 (see estate papers). Sarah died December 25, 1846. She is buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery.

Will and estate papers follow.

This information was transcribed by someone from records at the Jefferson Co., IL courthouse. Typed copies were sent to me by Jerry Barber.

JEFFERSON COUNTY RECORDERS OFFICE.

Deed record B - page 40

"Sarah Bodine and James Bodine enter into a marriage contract to the effect that neither shall exercise any control over the possessions of the other now or in the future. Witnessed by Noah Johnson and James Bowman - signed January 28, 1842."

Deed record B - page 4

"Sarah Bodine being of sound mind executes her will, appointing Thomas M. Casey as executor, and sets forth the following items:

1. That all my just debts be paid.

2. I hereby decree and bequeath unto my two granddaughters MARGARET BAKER and SARA JANE TWITTY the three 40 acre tracts of land which is situated the farm on which myself and my husband now live,
SE SE 13-3-2
NE NE 13-3-2
SW SW 13-3 -2

3. It is my will that at my death my bed and bedding, my saddle, my table, my chest, my shelfware, and my wearing apparel shall become and be the property of the aforesaid Margaret Baker and Sarah Jane Twitty.

4. If --- (Margaret and Sarah and their heirs should precede me in death) --- in that case the property hereby bequeathed to them shall be equally divided between my grand children; James Baker, Thomas Baker, John Baker, William Baker, Elizabeth Maccah Twitty, And Nancy Hamilton Twitty.

5. It is my will that my horses, my waggon, my stock and all the balance of my property not enumerated above, shall be sold and all my money collected and put out at interest for the use and benefit of and to be equally and fairly divided between all my said grandchildren whose names are mentioned in this will to wit; Margaret Baker, Sarah Jane Twitty, James Baker, Thomas Baker, John Baker, William Baker, Elizabeth Maccah Twitty, and Nancy Hamilton Twitty, or their survivors.

In the presence of Noah Johnson and James Bowman.
Dated January 28, 1842. Sarah X Bodine.

Marriage Records - Old Book page 32

"Married by Jonathon Wells, Esq on the 19th day of September 1838
James Bodine to Sarah Twitty."

JEFFERSON COUNTY PROBATE RECORD 1 - 1842 TO 3 - 1849
SPECIAL TERM OF COURT - MT. VERNON

Page 1. January 18, 1847.
Ordered Elzah Piper to collect personal property of the estate of Sarah Bodine. Elzah Piper and John C. Gray posted $1,000 bond for Elizah Piper.

Page 6. January 18, 1847.
Ordered Elizah Piper to seize the personal property of Sarah Bodine estate. Petition signed "Sarah Jane Twitty by her next friend George D. Darnell"

Page 9.
Elizah Piper Adms. VS John Darnell - "For having in his possession or concealing goods and chattels, monies and notes - January 28, 1847"

Summons issued to Joseph Keller returnable 2-9-1847.

Also subpoenas for Thomas Holland, Armilda Holland, George Darnell, Sarah J. Twitty, Denny A. Robinson.

Parties appeared and from evidence it is considered that said plaintiff recovers from said defendant $91.00 and Costs.
(Justice fee $1.25 - Constable $3.75)

March 1, 1847 - Defendant applied for copy of above to appeal.

Page 45. Probate Court Held Mt. Vernon 3-27-1847.

Thomas M. Casey having presented the Will of Sarah Bodine --- dated 1-28-1842 - Noah Johnston and James Bowman swore to will.

Page 96. Probate June 16, 1847.

Thomas M. Casey executor of will --- Sarah Bodine died 12-25-1846.
Elizah Piper appointed administrator.

Page 81. May 15, 1847.

Sarah Jane Twitty a minor over 14 years of age chooses Stinson H. Anderson for her guardian - He is ordered appointed guardian for said Sarah Jane Twitty and Elizabeth Maccah Twitty and Nancy Hamilton Twitty two of the minors under the age of 14 years - daughters of Shabey Darnell person and property until they become of lawful age.

JEFFERSON COUNTY ORDER BOOK 1847 TO 1849

Page 69. June 13, 1848

Partial settlement of Sarah Bodine estate.


Receipts $242.42 
1st class claims -	Jno W. Greathouse	$10.55

2nd class claims - 	probate fee	 	 13.16                
			E. Piper Comm. 		 12.34 
			W. Dodds Prob fee 	  5.75 
			J. A. Keller, Appr 	   .75 
			Jas. Kirk,    " 	   .75 
			T. Osborn,    " 	   .75 
			D. A. Robinson, Clerk 	  1.00 
			E.  Piper 		  1.00
			______________________________
						$35.50 

4th class claims - 	W. Baker        	$86.05 
			J. Darnell 		 36.00 
			G. W. Allen 		  1.10 
			J. C. Gray 		 53.50 
			N. Goodrich Scott 	 36.71 
			_______________________________   	
           				       $213.36 


ORDER BOOK "B"  1850 to 1860. 

Page 3.  1850  

Partial settlement and distribution of Sarah Bodine estate. 

Receipts  $100.00 

2nd class claims - 	E. Piper Comm 		$6.00 
			E.  Piper taxes 	13.88 
   			for '46 & '47
			E. Piper 		 3.00 
			Clerks fee 	          .80
			______________________________
          					$23.68 

4th class claims 8 heirs share equally - $11.66 3/8:
	Margaret J. Baker 
	Sarah J. Twitty 
	Thomas Baker 
	John Baker 
	James Baker 
	Wm. Baker, Jr. 
	Elizabeth M. Twitty 
	Nancy H. Twitty 


Page 45.  Final settlement.   December term 1850. 

To amount of sale bill. 		$104.68


Collected from - 
	Jesse Green 			$250.40 
	Goodrich & Scott 	    	  74.93 
	Baker & Ballard 		  41.50 
	Darnell, Ballard & Piper 	  51.96 
	Robinson & Keller 		  21.80 
	Thomas M. Casey 		  50.00 
	Noah Johnston 			  20.00 
	Ballard & Robinson 		  10.38 


Mrs. Sarah Bodine to J. C. Gray dr 

1846
Aug 7  	to visits & med prescriptions 	 $4.00
"      	" one box tonic pills 		  1.00
"      	" 1 box soda powders 		   .25
"   8   " 1 visit & medicine 		  3.50
"   9   " 1 do & do 			  3.50
"  10   " 1 do & do 			  3.50
"  12   " 1 do & do   			  3.50
"   " 	" detention & attention all night 3.00
"   " 	" box tonic pills 		  1.00
"  14 	" 2 visits & medicine 		  7.00
"   " 	" 1 box tonic pills 		  1.00
"   " 	" 1 vial comft ? Sept lavender 	   .25
"  15 	" visit & medicine 		  3.50
"  16 	" do & do 			  3.50
"  17 	" do & do 			  3.50
"  18 	" do & do 			  3.50
"  20 	" do & do 			  3.50
"  21 	" do & do 			  3.50
"  31 	" Boo azure pills 		  1.00
_______________________________________________
         				$53.50 

Proven and filed May 10, 1847

SALE BILL
A list of the sales of the goods and chattels belonging 
to the estate of Sarah Bowdine late of Jefferson County.  
De creed sold at public Venue by the undersigned administrator 
of said estate on the 13th day of February 1847. 

PERCHARY-NAME  		PROPERTY 			PRICES 
John Darnell 		one yoke of oxen       		$43.00
Mathew Kirksen  	one white & speckled bull  	  6.00
William Baker 		one brown heifer 		  9.00
John Darnell 		1 lot 4 head hogs 		  9.00
John Darnell 		2 lot 5 head hogs 		  4.12 ½
Mathew Kirksen  	one brown bull w/ white back      4.62 ½
John Dare 		one bay mare 			 15.00
Rotent Osborn 		one claim of hogs 	    	  4.25
James A. Hamilton  	one cary plow 			  2.06 ¼
Patterson Hodge  	one pair gears 			  1.75
Mathew Kirk 		one plow 			   .50
John Darnell 		one hoe 			   .50
John Darnell 		one axe			     	  2.25
John Darnell 		one hoe 			   .37 ½
Wm. Baker 		one hoe 			   .13
Rotent Osborn 		one lot old irons 		  1.30
John Darnell 		one log chain 			   .82
_________________________________________________________________

total amount of sale              			$104.68 

Elijah Piper Crier
Denny A. Robinson Clerk 
Elijah Piper Admnistrator

Examined and approved and filed March 1st 1847  
D. Baugh PJ 


ATTEST OF NOTES DUE THE ESTATE OF SARAH BODINE

One note on James Bowman, Noah Johnston, & 
B.Y. Lettelle due November 8th 1837 at 12% -
Cr by $44.00 11th of September 1839 			$200.00 

One note on George Bullock Esq drawn payable to 
Noah Johnston due 24th January 1837.  
Cr by order from Bullock July 1837  $49.00
Cr by amount pd G. Swiser Sept 5 1839  $3.50 	    	  92.75 

One note on B. E. Wells due 8th of 
May 1838 at six percent  				  28.21 

One note on George Baxter due 12th of
May 1838 at 12 percent 				 	   8.17

One note on Jesse Green due April 8th1842 
at 12 percent.  Cr by $40.00 Sept 6 1843 		 150.00 

One note on James Bowman and Noah Johnston
due Sept 12 1839 int at 12 percent 			  64.00 

One note on William B. Hays due January 7th
1838 int at 12 percent.  January 25 1838 cr by $9.81.
March 20, 1838 cr by $5.50  				  20.98
(settled by Hays having receipts) 

One note on John Webber, Noah Johnston,
and Downing Baugh due 7th day of November
1837 at 12 percent till pd.  March 7th1839 cr by $15.00.  
Received on the within note the full amount of interest 
up to the 8th of April 1846 				  100.00 

One note on George W. Allen and Rhodam Allen
due December 25, 1841 at 12%			          150.00 

One note on Nathan Goodrich and Henry Scott
in current bank notes due Nov 5 1837 at 12%
November 8th 1841 cr by $16.00				   40.00 

One note on John Darnell & G.W. Allen
due January 23 1839 at 12 %  Cr by $22.25 		   26.75 

One note on Ely Scott due Jan 23 1838 at 12% 	           15.00 

One note on Robert M Foster which may be
discharged in salt at $1.00 per bushel
due Oct 2nd 1842  					    4.53 

One note on William Baker, Matthew Ballard
and Nathan Ballard due October 26th 1847 	           40.00 

One note on John Darnell, Nathan Ballard,	
Elijah Piper and D.A. Robinson due October 16th 1847       50.00 
	
One note on Nathan Ballard and D.A. Robinson 
due Oct 15th 1847  					   10.00 

One note on D.A. Robinson and Joseph Pellen
due 19 Oct 1847  				           20.00 

Inventory Examined and approved Jany 18th 1847 - D. Baugh P.J.


Sarah Bodine to G. W. Allen Dr 

Oct 20, 1841 		to 1 barrel salt		$6.75
Nov 29/41 		to 1 barrel flour 		 6.00
March 2/42 		to 1 barrel flour 		 6.00
April 19/42 		to coffee & sugar		 2.00
Feb 2/42 		to sugar & coffee 		 5.00
"     "   " 		to cash 		 	 5.00
June 15/42 		to cash for taxes 		 3.00
Nov 29/42 		to 1 sack salt 			 3.75


January 11/43 		to County orders 		 4.73
"       "  " 		to sugar & coffee        	 4.60
April 16/43 		to flour 			 6.93
Nov 7/43 		to 2 bushels salt 		 2.00
January 17/44 		to sugar & coffee 		 3.00
"        " " 		to 1 bunch cotton 		 1.45
Oct 21/44 		to cash 			 2.00
Nov 20/45 		to sugar & coffee 		 3.00
Nov 20/45 		to cash  			10.00
"       " " 		to 1 pair shoes 		 1.10
March 24/46 		lbs coffee 			 3.25
"       "  " 		to 134 1/2 lbs sugar 		 1.35
"       "  " 		to 100 lbs flour 		 2.50
"       "  " 		to 3 trips to JOHN WEBBERS
     			in Wayne County             	15.00
Spring/43 		2 bunches cotton 		 2.50

FOLLOWING IS A TYPED TRANSCRIPT OF SARAH BODINE PAPERS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, MT. VERNON, IL.

Box 7 S. Bodine Papers
S. Bodine Papers 1847

Box No. 6 PROBATE COURT ESTATE OF SARAH BODINE Elijah Piper, Administrator

Heirs of Sarah Boudine are
Margaret J. Baker
Sarah J. Twitty
Thos. Baker
John Baker
Jas. Baker
Wm. Baker, Jr.
Elizabeth M. Twitty
Nancy H. Twitty

[Why aren’t her daughters Melissa Baker & Sarah Darnall mentioned?
This list must be based on her will.]


State of Illinois,  				Jan. 12, 1847
Jefferson County           THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS, To Denny A. Robinson 
(crossed out) J A Keller, Philip Osborn and James Kirk of the County of 
Jefferson and State of Illinois, GREETING: 
This is to authorize you jointly to appraise the goods and chattels and 
personal estate of Sarah Bodine late of the County of Jefferson and State 
of Illinois, deceased, so far as the same shall come to your sight and 
knowledge, each of you having first taken the oath hereunto annexed to 
an appraisement bill of goods and chattels and personal estate by you 
appraised, in dollars and cents, and in the said bill of appraisement you 
are to set down in a column or columns opposite to each article appraised 
the value thereof. 
Witness, D. Baugh Probate Justice of the Peace, of the County of Jefferson 
at his office in Mt. Vernon this 12th day of January A.D. 1847.  D Baugh PJP 

You and each of you do solemnly swear that you will well and truly without 
partiality or prejudice value and appraise the goods and chattels and personal 
estate of    (left blank)    deceased, so far as the same shall come to your 
sight and knowledge, and that you will in all respects perform your duty as 
appraisers to the best of your skill and judgment.  

STATE OF ILLINOIS 
Jefferson County
Personally appeared before me J A Keller, P Osborn,  J Kirk the three persons 
named in the written warrant and were severally qualified according to law. 
Given under my hand this 16th January day of (left blank)  A.D. 1847  E. Wilson JP  


Sworn before me 
this 12th day of Jany 1847   D Baugh PJP  

Know all men by their presents that we Elijah Piper and John C. Gray of 
the County of Jefferson and state of Illinois are held and firmly bound unto 
the people of the state of Illinois in the penal sum of one thousand dollars 
current money of the United States for the payment of which well and truly to 
be made we bind ourselves our heirs executors administrators and assigns jointly 
severally and firmly by these presents.  Witness our hands and seals this 12th 
day of Jany 1847.  The condition of the above obligation is such that if the 
above bound Elijah Piper shall well and honestly discharge the duties appertaining 
to his appointment as administrator to collect of the estate of Sarah Bodine late 
of the County of Jefferson and state of Illinois, deceased, and shall make or 
cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels debts 
and credits of the said deceased as shall come to his possession or knowledge and 
the same in due time return to this office of the Probate Justice of the Peace of 
the propper county: and shall also deliver?? to the person or persons authorized
by the said court of probate as executors or administrators to swear?? the same 
all such goods, chattels, and financial estate as shall come to his possession 
as aforesaid, and shall in general perform such other duties as shall be required 
of him by law then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full 
force and virtue.                                         
Elijah Piper Seal    
Jno. Gray Seal 
signed sealed and 
delivered in presence 
of D Baugh PJP  

I do solemnly swear that I will well and honestly discharge ???on me as collector 
or administrator to collect of the estate of Sarah Bodine deceased according to 
the term and effect of the letters granted to me by the court of probate of the 
said County of Jefferson to the best of my knowledge and ability so help me God                        				Elijah Piper   
Sworn to before me this 12th day 
Jan’y 1847
D. Baugh PJP

1-16-1847
Know all men by these presents that we Elijah Piper and John C. Gray of the 
County of Jefferson and state of Illinois are held and firmly bound unto the 
people of the state of Illinois in the penal sum of two thousand dollars current 
money of the United States which payment well and truly to be made and performed 
we and each of us hereby bind ourselves our heirs executors administrators and 
assigns jointly severally and firmly by these presents.  Witness our hands and 
seals this 16th day of Jany 1847.  The condition of the above obligation is such 
that if the above bound Elijah Piper administrator with the will annexed of Sarah 
Bodine deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all 
and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits, lands tenements and ??ments 
and the rents and profits issuing out of the same of the said deceased which have 
or may come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said Elijah Piper or into 
the possession of any other person for him and the same so made do exhibit in the 
court of Probate for the said County of Jefferson as required by law; and also make 
and render a fair and just account of his actings and doings as such administrator 
to said court when thereto required by law; and well and truly fulfill the duties 
enjoined? on him in and by the said will, and shall more overpay and deliver to 
the persons entitled thereto all the legacies and bequests contained in said will 
so far as the issue of the said testament? will thereto extend according to the 
value thereof and as the law shall charge him; and shall in general do all other 
acts which may from time to time be required of him by law then this obligation to 
be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.                                            
 							Elijah Piper Seal                                           
 Jn Gray Seal 
signed sealed 
and delivered in presence 
of D Baugh PJP  

1-28-1847
State of Illinois 
Jefferson County      The People of the state of Illinois to 
Denny Robinson Greeting: 
You are hereby commanded to personally be and appear before me at my office 
in Mt. Vernon on the 9th day of February next at 11 o’clock AM then and there 
to testify the truth in a certain matter wherein Elijah Piper admstr of 
Sarah Bodine is Plaintiff and John Darnell is defendant. Herein fail not. 
Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of Jany 1847.   D Baugh PJP  


(1-28-1847)
State of Illinois 
Jefferson County      The People of the state of Illinois to Thomas Holland, 
Amilda Holland, George Darnell and Sarah Jane Twitty Greeting: You are hereby 
commanded to appear before me at my office in Mt. Vernon the 9th day of 
February next at 11 o’clock AM then and there to testify the truth in a 
certain matter wherein Elijah Piper administrator of Sarah Bodine is plaintiff, 
and John Darnell is defendant.  Herein fail not under the penalty of the law.   
Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of January 1847                          
D Baugh PJP Seal  


E. Piper
Admtr. &c
         vs
J Darnell

Subpoena
Thos. Holland
Amilda Holland
George Darnell
Sarah J. Twitty

Feb. 6th 1847
Them served by reading.
4 subpoenas served		$5.00
32 miles travell		$1.60
		Jos. Keller CLC

To D Baugh Probate Justice 
Sir?  I hereby resign the office & trust of Executor of Sary Bodine deceased 
March 24th 1847   					Thos. M. Casey             


Mt. Vernon, Illinois Sept 15 1847 
Mr. Elijah Piper admr. of Sarah Bodine decd 
Sir Please pay Walter B. Scates surviving partner of R. Castles & Co 
Twenty Eight dollars and eighteen cents and this shall be your receipt 
for so much on amount due me from the estate (for medical services)	 		    
							Jno. C. Gray  

Jany 19 1848 rec'd payment Walter B. Scates surviving partner R. Castles & Co.  

Rec'd of Elijah Piper admst of Sarah Bodine dec'd Twenty Two and 32/100 dollars 
on my claim against Sd Estate Jan'y 4th 1848    	Jno. C Gray  

Mt. Vernon March 13th 1848 
Recd of John Darnal thirty six dollars in full of his claim against 
the estate of Sarah Boudine      	
							Elijah Piper Adm 
6-13-1848
Elijah Piper Executor of Sarah Bodine dec made the following report to 
Elijah Piper Executor of Sarah Boudine in arrears with said estate up 
to this date          $242.40 
June 13th 1848      	       				Elijah Piper ExR  


Estate of Sarah Boudine Dr (Debtor) to John Darnell  

services rendered by plough boy  	$18.00 
taking care of stock                     15.00 
to six gallons honey                      3.00 
______________________________________________                        
				paid    $36.00  

2-7-1850
Elijah Piper, Executor of Sarah Bodine deceased reports one hundred 
dollars for distribution on partial settlement of said estate and 
sixteen dollars and 99 cents unappropriated at last settlement. 
February 7th 1850  Elijah Piper Executor of Sarah Bodine deceased  


Estate of Sarah Bodine Dr to John W. Lee 
for five bushel oats                   $1.25
_____________________________________________________

The following information is from Betty Mead:

Sarah Mackey 1775 – 1846

Sarah was born ca. 1775 in Tryon Co., North Carolina to William and Mary Welsh Mackey. William was in the Revolutionary War on the side of the Americans. Sarah Mackey married William Twitty ca. 1789, their son William Twitty, Jr. was born ca. 1790. In 1790 William Mackey, John Twitty, Randolph Casey, William and Dicey Baker wee neighbors in District 96, South Carolina. District 96 included the headwaters of the Keowee River and adjacent to the tribal lands of the Cherokee Nation. In 1790 the census for District 96 lists William Mackey, Randolph Casey, Robert Baker, and Ann Twitty (her husband John died shortly before the 1790 census – later Ann and her son William were named administrators of John Twitty’s estate). William Twitty was listed as the head of household consisting of himself, and adult female and an infant son. Sarah Mackey had married William Twitty in time to have an infant son for the 1790 census. He was William, Jr. who disappeared in Southern Illinois about 1808-1809.

About 1796 the Bakers, the Caseys, the Mackeys, including John, Sarah and William, Jr., crossed the Cumberland Gap. The Mackeys went to Barren Co., Kentucky.

The Caseys went to Smith Co., Tennessee. The Bakers went to White Co., Tennessee. In 1800 tax records William Twitty was listed as head of a household in Barren County, Kentucky. Sarah’s siblings:

  1. Elizabeth – Isaac Casey
  2. Rachel – John Green
  3. Nancy – Michael Robinson
  4. John –
  5. Mary (Polly) – Joe (big) Neville
  6. Ann – Joe (little) Neville
  7. Jemima – Sherod Bybee
  8. William, Jr. –
  9. Thomas – Peg McKay (killed) 1805 [JER note – could this also be Mackey?]

The Mackeys all moved to Barron Co. KY with their father prior to 1800.

In 1807 Randolph County, across Southern Illinois, was a part of the Indiana Territory. That year a census of the Indiana Territory was made and did not list any Caseys, Bakers, Mackeys, or Twittys.

On October 1, 1808 Levi Casey, son of Randolph Casey; William Twitty, husband of Sarah; and William Twitty, Jr. son of William and Sarah Twitty were “squatting,” “settling,” or “homesteading” in what is now Bloomfield Township, near Vienna, Johnson County, Illinois.

On October 1, 1808 a petition was sent to Congress from the inhabitants of “Randolph County, in the territory of Indiana, requesting the right of pre-emption on land we now live on, not exceeding a half section of land.” Among those who signed the petition were William Twitty, Levi Casey (brother to Isaac who was married to Elizabeth Mackey), and William Twitty, Jr. After that the names of William Twitty and his son William are not found in any documents or records.

The 1810 census list Levi Casey but neither of the Twittys. The 2 Twittys were killed by Indians or somehow died between October 1808 and July 1810. The only Twitty listed in the 1810 federal census for Tennessee and Kentucky was John Twitty (William’s brother) in Barren Co., KY. Sarah must have been included in someone’s household, but whose? Possibly with one of her sisters in Smith County, TN. Sarah gave birth to three daughters [JER – were there 2 plus 1 from Wm. Twitty?] in Smith Co. around 1815. They were fathered by a Cherokee Indian. The fact but not the circumstances has been authentically handed down. [JER – why would she be in Smith Co., TN when they had been in southern Illinois several years before this (1808)? Did she return to live with other family there after he son & husband disappeared?]

Melissa, who married William D. Baker, was born in Smith County on September 11, 1815.

Sarah Jane was born in Smith County.

The third sister disappeared from the records after 1820.

The 1820 census of Jackson County, Tennessee shows Sally Twitty age 40 – 50; 1 daughter 0 – 10; 2 daughters 10 – 16. Joe (big) Neville and wife Mary Polly Mackey were in Jackson Co. in 1820). By the time of the 1830 census for White County the census shows Sarah Twitty – 1 f. age 10 – 15; 1 f. age 15 – 20; 1 f. age 50 – 60. A note at the bottom of the census page reads “Sarah Twitty – Clundeth Baker without benefit of the Bible.”[Who is this – could it be the Indian??] Melissa married William D. Baker in White Co., Tennessee in 1831 and their daughter Margaret was born there November 1, 1831. [JER – I have 1830 as the year for both] Melissa had three more children in White County before moving to Illinois. [JER – I have 1st 4 being born in TN]

Sarah Jane (Shuby) Twitty had three daughters born out of wedlock before moving to Illinois with her mother. They were – Sarah Jane Twitty (m. Bob Ballard), Elizabeth Mackey Twitty (m. Ridgeway), and Nancy Hamilton Twitty (blind).

After moving to Illinois Sarah Jane married George Darnall [JER – is this John or George?] and they had Lucinda Darnall (m. John Holloway), Persida Darnall (m. Perry), and Elizabeth Darnall (m. Lamply). When Sarah Mackey Twitty Bodine died in 1846, the 3 Twitty [JER -does she mean Darnall?] girls were placed under the guardianship of Stinson Anderson.

On July 11, 1833 “Sally” Sarah Jane Mackey Twitty bought 70 acres in the Gum Springs survey in White County, Tennessee from John Rasco. On May 30, 1835 Sarah received a partial settlement of the estate of her father who had died in 1824. Her mother, Mary Polly Welsh Mackey died in 1826. She also shared in the estate of her brother Tom, who was killed by Indians somewhere between Barren Co., Kentucky and Tennessee ca. 1812.

Sarah, Shuby and Shuby’s children moved to Illinois (Elk Prairie township) in 1837, entering 40 acres in McClellan township at the Shawneetown land office on November 22, 1837. [JER – she must have come at about the same time as daughter Melissa and her husband William Baker]

Sarah’s brother-in-law, Isaac Casey had explored and entered land in the Jefferson Co., Illinois area. One of the first roads from Shawneetown to St. Louis passed through Jefferson County. The old Goshen Road ran 4 miles east of Mt. Vernon. The Brownsville or Pinckneyville Road (1837) went past the J. Bodine place.

During the panic of 1837 Sarah lent money to a number of the prominent people in Jefferson County.

On September 13, 1838 Sarah married James Bodine who lived on property next door.

On February 1, 1839 Sarah entered another 40 acres adjacent to her original entry.

On October 9, 1840 George and Eliza Allen sold to Sarah Bowdine for $50.00 the E2 NW SE 13 – 3 – 2.

On January 28, 1842 Sarah and James Bodine entered into a marriage contract witnessed by Noah Johnson and James Bowman. Sarah became ill during August 1846. She died December 25, 1846. She is buried in Hickory Hill.


For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer

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