Much genealogical research perspiration has been produced searching for and proving the parents of Isaac Abercrombie. Isaac's father was William James Abercrombie (A'Crumbia), Sr., b. 1765 Laurens Co., S.C., d. Abt. 1860 in Georgia (reportedly buried in Wahoo Baptist Church Cemetery, Lumpkin Co., GA). William James Abercrombie (A'Crombie) married Sarah Aracey Picard, his first wife and the mother of Isaac Abercrombie, about 1790 in Laurens Co., S.C. Sarah was born about 1765 in South Carolina.
Isaac's grandfather was John Joseph Abercrombie and his great grandfather was Sir James Alexander Abercrombie.
Isaac spelled his name "A'Crumbia" or just "Crumbie" with variations, during his lifetime which has led to some sources inserting an "A" as his middle initial, e.g. Isaac A'Crumbie. After his death his second wife, Nancy, started spelling it "Abercrombie".
Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie were wed on 02 Nov 1837 at Benton Co., AL. (See attached document, confirmed by Abercrombie Family Bible). This document incorrectly states they were married in Calhoun County. Benton County, which was established on December 18, 1832, no longer exists. It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a member of the United States Senate from Missouri. On January 29, 1858 Benton County was renamed Calhoun County in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina.
The 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of Isaac Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 29 Y/O). Also living in the household was one female. This was Isaac's wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 21). There were 2 male children under 5 Y/O living in the household. NOTE: Living in the household next door was John Dowdy (age range 20-30) and his family. I suspect he was a brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Also living closely-by was the household (family) of Michael Dowdy, age range 30-39 (actual age 36 Y/O), proven brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Robert Dowdy, age range 60-70, and his family were also enumerated in Benton Co., AL in 1840. He was the father of the above mentioned John, Michael, and Nancy Dowdy.
The 1850 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of 38 Y/O Isaac Crumby (Abercrombie), a farmer born in South Carolina, and his 31 Y/O wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, born in GA. Also living in the household were their children, all of whom were born in AL: 11 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie; 9 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie; 6 Y/O James Witt Abercrombie and 2 Y/O Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie. NOTE: Living three households away was the family of 46 Y/O Michal (Michael) Dowdy and his 48 Y/O wife, Hannah, and their children. He was Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie's older brother. Michal Dowdy married, as her second husband, Hannah (Abercrombie) Baxter, a widowed older sister by 8 years of Isaac Abercrombie, on 02 May 1834 at Carroll Co., GA. Michael was a grist mill operator (miller) and was enumerated in the 1840 and 1850 US and Alabama State Censuses of Benton Co., AL living near his sister, Nancy Abercrombie and her family.
Isaac Abercrombie was a farmer in Benton Co., AL when he got the gold fever. Gold had been discovered at Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne Co.), AL in 1832. Arbacoochee was named after the old Creek Indian village of "Abihkuchi", which translates to "a pile at the base." The local mines produced over $5,000,000 worth of gold. At its zenith, about 1845, Arbacoochee had a population of about 5000 with most of the residents living in either tents or shacks and was home to twenty general stores, five saloons including the largest one in Alabama, a school, two churches, two hotels, two mining supply stores, a fire department, race track, and over 100 permanent homes until 1849 when gold was discovered in California. Then most of the residents moved west with hopes of "striking it rich" in "more promising fields". Only a few residents remained until the out break of the War Between the States. Sometime between 1851-1854, Isaac, Nancy Jane and the children moved from Benton County to adjacent Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne County) to mine gold. Their youngest child, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, was born at Arbacoochee on 25 Sep 1854.
In the late summer of 1855, Isaac journeyed via wagon to St. Clair, County where he bought a farm on Wolf Creek Road about 5 miles south of Eden, AL. On his return home to Arbacoochee, he contracted pneumonia. After reaching home, he died on 23 Sep 1855 and was buried at Arbacoochee, AL. Before he died he gave Nancy the deed and location of the farm. She gathered her children and belongings and moved to their new home in St. Clair County. Nancy Jane and her children farmed at Wolf Creek from the fall of 1855 until sometime after the close of the Civil War.
Isaac's final resting place remains a mystery. Published family history speculates it is an unmarked grave in an old abandoned cemetery near Arbacoochee, Cleburne Co., AL. Hosmer Abercrombie (mentioned below), during the research for his book, "Abercrombie" enlisted the help of a knowledgeable local resident near Arbacoochee to help find the gravesite of Isaac Abercrombie. An extant 10 Nov 1955 letter from that resident, A. H. Glasgow of Heflin, AL, states "the graveyard has not been care [sic] for and has groan [sic] up. Probably a field stone for his tombstone."
The Abercrombie Bible confirms the birth date, death date and marriage date of Isaac Abercrombie.
Nancy Jane Dowdy Abercrombie, wife of Isaac Abercrombie, was born 30 Nov 1818 in Georgia, probably Hall County, GA where her father, Robert Dowdy, was enumerated in the 1820 and 1830 US Censuses. The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 US Censuses of Alabama confirm her birthplace as Georgia. According to Hosmer Abercrombie (1905-1991), a 3rd great nephew of Isaac's and the biographer of Nancy Jane Dowdy, she could speak several hundred words of Indian dialect due to her close relationship to them while growing up and she often related the embalming procedure the Indians used on their dead. Nancy's domestic skills included spinning the thread on her spinning wheel and weaving it on her loom for cloth to make clothes for her family. Her father, Robert Dowdy (1780 N.C.-1849 AL), was a land owner (land deed extant) in Cleburne Co., AL in 1837 and was enumerated in the 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL where he died on 14 Aug 1849.
Nancy Jane was a plucky, adventurous, independent woman demonstrated by her traveling alone by wagon from her farm at Wolf Creek, St Clair Co., AL to Montgomery, AL, a distance of over a hundred miles, and return to clear up some papers concerning her farm. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin and his wife, Mollie, moved to southern Tennessee to continue farming and were enumerated in the 1900 US Census of McNairy Co., TN. Again, traveling alone via wagon before 1900, Nancy Jane visited her youngest son, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, and grand-kids in McNairy Co., TN, a distance of over 200 miles each way.
The 1860 US Census of Cropwell Post Office, Townships 16, 17 and 18 St. Clair Co., AL enumerated the household of the 41 Y/O widow, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, a farmer born in Georgia. Living in the household were her children, all of whom were born in AL: 19 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie, a farmer; 16 Y/O James William Abercrombie; 12 Y/O Mary E. Abercrombie; 9 Y/O John P. Abercrombie, and 5 Y/O Isaac Franklin Abercrombie. NOTE: Living in the household next door was 21 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie, a farmer born in AL, and his wife, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie, born in AL. Also living in their household was their 7 months old son, John Henry Thomas Abercrombie. William Robert Abercrombie was the son of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie.
In 1870, the widowed Nancy Jane was still living on her farm on Wolf Creek Road, St. Clair Co., AL. Her youngest son, Isaac Franklin, who was living with her, married in 1871 and bought a farm of his own in St. Clair County. By 1880, 60 Y/O Nancy Jane was living in his household. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie moved to NcNairy Co., TN. His mother, Nancy Jane, didn't go with him. 81 Y/O Nancy is recorded in 1900 living in Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL in the household of her 61 Y/0 daughter-in-law, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie (1839-1913), widow of William Robert Abercrombie (1838-1885). In 1910, 91 Y/0 Nancy Jane was living in the household of her 67 Y/O son, James Witt Abercrombie, in Moody, St. Clair. AL.
The children of Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie according to the Family Bible and various US Censuses were:
1) William Robert Abercrombie (See below).
2) Henry Monroe Abercrombie, b. 20 Feb 1841 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), d. 10 Nov 1893 New London, St. Clair Co., AL, bur. Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, New London, St. Clair Co., AL, m. Sarah Ann Elizabeth Kendrick.
3) James Witt Abercrombie, b. 09 Jul 1843 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 01 Apr 1929 St. Clair Co., Al, m. Augusta Caroline Foote.
4) Harris Newton Abercrombie, b. 27 Apr 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 02 Sep 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
5) Baby Abercrombie, b. 29 Jun 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 06 Jul 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
6) Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie, b. 27 May 1848 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Aug 1925 Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL, m. 1) 15 Dec 1866 John Bert Dycus, 2) 22 Oct 1871 Lee Andrew Ragland.
7) Dr. John Patterson Abercrombie, b. 22 Mar 1850 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Jun 1902 St. Clair Co., AL. at 4:55pm, m. Docia Elizabeth Adkins 13 Jan 1869 in Shelby Co., AL.
8) Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, b. 25 Sep 1854 Arbacoochee, Randolph Co., AL (now Cleburne County), d. 17 Mar 1929 at Michie, McNairy Co., TN, m. 1871 Molly Funderburg, St. Clair Co., AL.
Sources:
1) "Abercrombie" by Hosmer Branscomb Abercrombie (1905-1991), Undated, Self published.
2) Abercrombie Family Bible
3) "The Heritage of Calhoun County, Alabama", 1998, p55.
Bio by Gresham Farrar.
Isaac's grandfather was John Joseph Abercrombie and his great grandfather was Sir James Alexander Abercrombie.
Isaac spelled his name "A'Crumbia" or just "Crumbie" with variations, during his lifetime which has led to some sources inserting an "A" as his middle initial, e.g. Isaac A'Crumbie. After his death his second wife, Nancy, started spelling it "Abercrombie".
Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie were wed on 02 Nov 1837 at Benton Co., AL. (See attached document, confirmed by Abercrombie Family Bible). This document incorrectly states they were married in Calhoun County. Benton County, which was established on December 18, 1832, no longer exists. It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a member of the United States Senate from Missouri. On January 29, 1858 Benton County was renamed Calhoun County in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina.
The 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of Isaac Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 29 Y/O). Also living in the household was one female. This was Isaac's wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 21). There were 2 male children under 5 Y/O living in the household. NOTE: Living in the household next door was John Dowdy (age range 20-30) and his family. I suspect he was a brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Also living closely-by was the household (family) of Michael Dowdy, age range 30-39 (actual age 36 Y/O), proven brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Robert Dowdy, age range 60-70, and his family were also enumerated in Benton Co., AL in 1840. He was the father of the above mentioned John, Michael, and Nancy Dowdy.
The 1850 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of 38 Y/O Isaac Crumby (Abercrombie), a farmer born in South Carolina, and his 31 Y/O wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, born in GA. Also living in the household were their children, all of whom were born in AL: 11 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie; 9 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie; 6 Y/O James Witt Abercrombie and 2 Y/O Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie. NOTE: Living three households away was the family of 46 Y/O Michal (Michael) Dowdy and his 48 Y/O wife, Hannah, and their children. He was Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie's older brother. Michal Dowdy married, as her second husband, Hannah (Abercrombie) Baxter, a widowed older sister by 8 years of Isaac Abercrombie, on 02 May 1834 at Carroll Co., GA. Michael was a grist mill operator (miller) and was enumerated in the 1840 and 1850 US and Alabama State Censuses of Benton Co., AL living near his sister, Nancy Abercrombie and her family.
Isaac Abercrombie was a farmer in Benton Co., AL when he got the gold fever. Gold had been discovered at Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne Co.), AL in 1832. Arbacoochee was named after the old Creek Indian village of "Abihkuchi", which translates to "a pile at the base." The local mines produced over $5,000,000 worth of gold. At its zenith, about 1845, Arbacoochee had a population of about 5000 with most of the residents living in either tents or shacks and was home to twenty general stores, five saloons including the largest one in Alabama, a school, two churches, two hotels, two mining supply stores, a fire department, race track, and over 100 permanent homes until 1849 when gold was discovered in California. Then most of the residents moved west with hopes of "striking it rich" in "more promising fields". Only a few residents remained until the out break of the War Between the States. Sometime between 1851-1854, Isaac, Nancy Jane and the children moved from Benton County to adjacent Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne County) to mine gold. Their youngest child, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, was born at Arbacoochee on 25 Sep 1854.
In the late summer of 1855, Isaac journeyed via wagon to St. Clair, County where he bought a farm on Wolf Creek Road about 5 miles south of Eden, AL. On his return home to Arbacoochee, he contracted pneumonia. After reaching home, he died on 23 Sep 1855 and was buried at Arbacoochee, AL. Before he died he gave Nancy the deed and location of the farm. She gathered her children and belongings and moved to their new home in St. Clair County. Nancy Jane and her children farmed at Wolf Creek from the fall of 1855 until sometime after the close of the Civil War.
Isaac's final resting place remains a mystery. Published family history speculates it is an unmarked grave in an old abandoned cemetery near Arbacoochee, Cleburne Co., AL. Hosmer Abercrombie (mentioned below), during the research for his book, "Abercrombie" enlisted the help of a knowledgeable local resident near Arbacoochee to help find the gravesite of Isaac Abercrombie. An extant 10 Nov 1955 letter from that resident, A. H. Glasgow of Heflin, AL, states "the graveyard has not been care [sic] for and has groan [sic] up. Probably a field stone for his tombstone."
The Abercrombie Bible confirms the birth date, death date and marriage date of Isaac Abercrombie.
Nancy Jane Dowdy Abercrombie, wife of Isaac Abercrombie, was born 30 Nov 1818 in Georgia, probably Hall County, GA where her father, Robert Dowdy, was enumerated in the 1820 and 1830 US Censuses. The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 US Censuses of Alabama confirm her birthplace as Georgia. According to Hosmer Abercrombie (1905-1991), a 3rd great nephew of Isaac's and the biographer of Nancy Jane Dowdy, she could speak several hundred words of Indian dialect due to her close relationship to them while growing up and she often related the embalming procedure the Indians used on their dead. Nancy's domestic skills included spinning the thread on her spinning wheel and weaving it on her loom for cloth to make clothes for her family. Her father, Robert Dowdy (1780 N.C.-1849 AL), was a land owner (land deed extant) in Cleburne Co., AL in 1837 and was enumerated in the 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL where he died on 14 Aug 1849.
Nancy Jane was a plucky, adventurous, independent woman demonstrated by her traveling alone by wagon from her farm at Wolf Creek, St Clair Co., AL to Montgomery, AL, a distance of over a hundred miles, and return to clear up some papers concerning her farm. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin and his wife, Mollie, moved to southern Tennessee to continue farming and were enumerated in the 1900 US Census of McNairy Co., TN. Again, traveling alone via wagon before 1900, Nancy Jane visited her youngest son, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, and grand-kids in McNairy Co., TN, a distance of over 200 miles each way.
The 1860 US Census of Cropwell Post Office, Townships 16, 17 and 18 St. Clair Co., AL enumerated the household of the 41 Y/O widow, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, a farmer born in Georgia. Living in the household were her children, all of whom were born in AL: 19 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie, a farmer; 16 Y/O James William Abercrombie; 12 Y/O Mary E. Abercrombie; 9 Y/O John P. Abercrombie, and 5 Y/O Isaac Franklin Abercrombie. NOTE: Living in the household next door was 21 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie, a farmer born in AL, and his wife, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie, born in AL. Also living in their household was their 7 months old son, John Henry Thomas Abercrombie. William Robert Abercrombie was the son of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie.
In 1870, the widowed Nancy Jane was still living on her farm on Wolf Creek Road, St. Clair Co., AL. Her youngest son, Isaac Franklin, who was living with her, married in 1871 and bought a farm of his own in St. Clair County. By 1880, 60 Y/O Nancy Jane was living in his household. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie moved to NcNairy Co., TN. His mother, Nancy Jane, didn't go with him. 81 Y/O Nancy is recorded in 1900 living in Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL in the household of her 61 Y/0 daughter-in-law, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie (1839-1913), widow of William Robert Abercrombie (1838-1885). In 1910, 91 Y/0 Nancy Jane was living in the household of her 67 Y/O son, James Witt Abercrombie, in Moody, St. Clair. AL.
The children of Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie according to the Family Bible and various US Censuses were:
1) William Robert Abercrombie (See below).
2) Henry Monroe Abercrombie, b. 20 Feb 1841 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), d. 10 Nov 1893 New London, St. Clair Co., AL, bur. Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, New London, St. Clair Co., AL, m. Sarah Ann Elizabeth Kendrick.
3) James Witt Abercrombie, b. 09 Jul 1843 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 01 Apr 1929 St. Clair Co., Al, m. Augusta Caroline Foote.
4) Harris Newton Abercrombie, b. 27 Apr 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 02 Sep 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
5) Baby Abercrombie, b. 29 Jun 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 06 Jul 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
6) Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie, b. 27 May 1848 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Aug 1925 Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL, m. 1) 15 Dec 1866 John Bert Dycus, 2) 22 Oct 1871 Lee Andrew Ragland.
7) Dr. John Patterson Abercrombie, b. 22 Mar 1850 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Jun 1902 St. Clair Co., AL. at 4:55pm, m. Docia Elizabeth Adkins 13 Jan 1869 in Shelby Co., AL.
8) Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, b. 25 Sep 1854 Arbacoochee, Randolph Co., AL (now Cleburne County), d. 17 Mar 1929 at Michie, McNairy Co., TN, m. 1871 Molly Funderburg, St. Clair Co., AL.
Sources:
1) "Abercrombie" by Hosmer Branscomb Abercrombie (1905-1991), Undated, Self published.
2) Abercrombie Family Bible
3) "The Heritage of Calhoun County, Alabama", 1998, p55.
Bio by Gresham Farrar.
Much genealogical research perspiration has been produced searching for and proving the parents of Isaac Abercrombie. Isaac's father was William James Abercrombie (A'Crumbia), Sr., b. 1765 Laurens Co., S.C., d. Abt. 1860 in Georgia (reportedly buried in Wahoo Baptist Church Cemetery, Lumpkin Co., GA). William James Abercrombie (A'Crombie) married Sarah Aracey Picard, his first wife and the mother of Isaac Abercrombie, about 1790 in Laurens Co., S.C. Sarah was born about 1765 in South Carolina.
Isaac's grandfather was John Joseph Abercrombie and his great grandfather was Sir James Alexander Abercrombie.
Isaac spelled his name "A'Crumbia" or just "Crumbie" with variations, during his lifetime which has led to some sources inserting an "A" as his middle initial, e.g. Isaac A'Crumbie. After his death his second wife, Nancy, started spelling it "Abercrombie".
Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie were wed on 02 Nov 1837 at Benton Co., AL. (See attached document, confirmed by Abercrombie Family Bible). This document incorrectly states they were married in Calhoun County. Benton County, which was established on December 18, 1832, no longer exists. It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a member of the United States Senate from Missouri. On January 29, 1858 Benton County was renamed Calhoun County in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina.
The 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of Isaac Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 29 Y/O). Also living in the household was one female. This was Isaac's wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 21). There were 2 male children under 5 Y/O living in the household. NOTE: Living in the household next door was John Dowdy (age range 20-30) and his family. I suspect he was a brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Also living closely-by was the household (family) of Michael Dowdy, age range 30-39 (actual age 36 Y/O), proven brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Robert Dowdy, age range 60-70, and his family were also enumerated in Benton Co., AL in 1840. He was the father of the above mentioned John, Michael, and Nancy Dowdy.
The 1850 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of 38 Y/O Isaac Crumby (Abercrombie), a farmer born in South Carolina, and his 31 Y/O wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, born in GA. Also living in the household were their children, all of whom were born in AL: 11 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie; 9 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie; 6 Y/O James Witt Abercrombie and 2 Y/O Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie. NOTE: Living three households away was the family of 46 Y/O Michal (Michael) Dowdy and his 48 Y/O wife, Hannah, and their children. He was Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie's older brother. Michal Dowdy married, as her second husband, Hannah (Abercrombie) Baxter, a widowed older sister by 8 years of Isaac Abercrombie, on 02 May 1834 at Carroll Co., GA. Michael was a grist mill operator (miller) and was enumerated in the 1840 and 1850 US and Alabama State Censuses of Benton Co., AL living near his sister, Nancy Abercrombie and her family.
Isaac Abercrombie was a farmer in Benton Co., AL when he got the gold fever. Gold had been discovered at Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne Co.), AL in 1832. Arbacoochee was named after the old Creek Indian village of "Abihkuchi", which translates to "a pile at the base." The local mines produced over $5,000,000 worth of gold. At its zenith, about 1845, Arbacoochee had a population of about 5000 with most of the residents living in either tents or shacks and was home to twenty general stores, five saloons including the largest one in Alabama, a school, two churches, two hotels, two mining supply stores, a fire department, race track, and over 100 permanent homes until 1849 when gold was discovered in California. Then most of the residents moved west with hopes of "striking it rich" in "more promising fields". Only a few residents remained until the out break of the War Between the States. Sometime between 1851-1854, Isaac, Nancy Jane and the children moved from Benton County to adjacent Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne County) to mine gold. Their youngest child, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, was born at Arbacoochee on 25 Sep 1854.
In the late summer of 1855, Isaac journeyed via wagon to St. Clair, County where he bought a farm on Wolf Creek Road about 5 miles south of Eden, AL. On his return home to Arbacoochee, he contracted pneumonia. After reaching home, he died on 23 Sep 1855 and was buried at Arbacoochee, AL. Before he died he gave Nancy the deed and location of the farm. She gathered her children and belongings and moved to their new home in St. Clair County. Nancy Jane and her children farmed at Wolf Creek from the fall of 1855 until sometime after the close of the Civil War.
Isaac's final resting place remains a mystery. Published family history speculates it is an unmarked grave in an old abandoned cemetery near Arbacoochee, Cleburne Co., AL. Hosmer Abercrombie (mentioned below), during the research for his book, "Abercrombie" enlisted the help of a knowledgeable local resident near Arbacoochee to help find the gravesite of Isaac Abercrombie. An extant 10 Nov 1955 letter from that resident, A. H. Glasgow of Heflin, AL, states "the graveyard has not been care [sic] for and has groan [sic] up. Probably a field stone for his tombstone."
The Abercrombie Bible confirms the birth date, death date and marriage date of Isaac Abercrombie.
Nancy Jane Dowdy Abercrombie, wife of Isaac Abercrombie, was born 30 Nov 1818 in Georgia, probably Hall County, GA where her father, Robert Dowdy, was enumerated in the 1820 and 1830 US Censuses. The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 US Censuses of Alabama confirm her birthplace as Georgia. According to Hosmer Abercrombie (1905-1991), a 3rd great nephew of Isaac's and the biographer of Nancy Jane Dowdy, she could speak several hundred words of Indian dialect due to her close relationship to them while growing up and she often related the embalming procedure the Indians used on their dead. Nancy's domestic skills included spinning the thread on her spinning wheel and weaving it on her loom for cloth to make clothes for her family. Her father, Robert Dowdy (1780 N.C.-1849 AL), was a land owner (land deed extant) in Cleburne Co., AL in 1837 and was enumerated in the 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL where he died on 14 Aug 1849.
Nancy Jane was a plucky, adventurous, independent woman demonstrated by her traveling alone by wagon from her farm at Wolf Creek, St Clair Co., AL to Montgomery, AL, a distance of over a hundred miles, and return to clear up some papers concerning her farm. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin and his wife, Mollie, moved to southern Tennessee to continue farming and were enumerated in the 1900 US Census of McNairy Co., TN. Again, traveling alone via wagon before 1900, Nancy Jane visited her youngest son, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, and grand-kids in McNairy Co., TN, a distance of over 200 miles each way.
The 1860 US Census of Cropwell Post Office, Townships 16, 17 and 18 St. Clair Co., AL enumerated the household of the 41 Y/O widow, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, a farmer born in Georgia. Living in the household were her children, all of whom were born in AL: 19 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie, a farmer; 16 Y/O James William Abercrombie; 12 Y/O Mary E. Abercrombie; 9 Y/O John P. Abercrombie, and 5 Y/O Isaac Franklin Abercrombie. NOTE: Living in the household next door was 21 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie, a farmer born in AL, and his wife, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie, born in AL. Also living in their household was their 7 months old son, John Henry Thomas Abercrombie. William Robert Abercrombie was the son of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie.
In 1870, the widowed Nancy Jane was still living on her farm on Wolf Creek Road, St. Clair Co., AL. Her youngest son, Isaac Franklin, who was living with her, married in 1871 and bought a farm of his own in St. Clair County. By 1880, 60 Y/O Nancy Jane was living in his household. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie moved to NcNairy Co., TN. His mother, Nancy Jane, didn't go with him. 81 Y/O Nancy is recorded in 1900 living in Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL in the household of her 61 Y/0 daughter-in-law, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie (1839-1913), widow of William Robert Abercrombie (1838-1885). In 1910, 91 Y/0 Nancy Jane was living in the household of her 67 Y/O son, James Witt Abercrombie, in Moody, St. Clair. AL.
The children of Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie according to the Family Bible and various US Censuses were:
1) William Robert Abercrombie (See below).
2) Henry Monroe Abercrombie, b. 20 Feb 1841 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), d. 10 Nov 1893 New London, St. Clair Co., AL, bur. Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, New London, St. Clair Co., AL, m. Sarah Ann Elizabeth Kendrick.
3) James Witt Abercrombie, b. 09 Jul 1843 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 01 Apr 1929 St. Clair Co., Al, m. Augusta Caroline Foote.
4) Harris Newton Abercrombie, b. 27 Apr 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 02 Sep 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
5) Baby Abercrombie, b. 29 Jun 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 06 Jul 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
6) Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie, b. 27 May 1848 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Aug 1925 Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL, m. 1) 15 Dec 1866 John Bert Dycus, 2) 22 Oct 1871 Lee Andrew Ragland.
7) Dr. John Patterson Abercrombie, b. 22 Mar 1850 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Jun 1902 St. Clair Co., AL. at 4:55pm, m. Docia Elizabeth Adkins 13 Jan 1869 in Shelby Co., AL.
8) Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, b. 25 Sep 1854 Arbacoochee, Randolph Co., AL (now Cleburne County), d. 17 Mar 1929 at Michie, McNairy Co., TN, m. 1871 Molly Funderburg, St. Clair Co., AL.
Sources:
1) "Abercrombie" by Hosmer Branscomb Abercrombie (1905-1991), Undated, Self published.
2) Abercrombie Family Bible
3) "The Heritage of Calhoun County, Alabama", 1998, p55.
Bio by Gresham Farrar.
Isaac's grandfather was John Joseph Abercrombie and his great grandfather was Sir James Alexander Abercrombie.
Isaac spelled his name "A'Crumbia" or just "Crumbie" with variations, during his lifetime which has led to some sources inserting an "A" as his middle initial, e.g. Isaac A'Crumbie. After his death his second wife, Nancy, started spelling it "Abercrombie".
Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie were wed on 02 Nov 1837 at Benton Co., AL. (See attached document, confirmed by Abercrombie Family Bible). This document incorrectly states they were married in Calhoun County. Benton County, which was established on December 18, 1832, no longer exists. It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a member of the United States Senate from Missouri. On January 29, 1858 Benton County was renamed Calhoun County in honor of John C. Calhoun, famous member of the United States Senate from South Carolina.
The 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of Isaac Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 29 Y/O). Also living in the household was one female. This was Isaac's wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, age range 20-30 (actual age 21). There were 2 male children under 5 Y/O living in the household. NOTE: Living in the household next door was John Dowdy (age range 20-30) and his family. I suspect he was a brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Also living closely-by was the household (family) of Michael Dowdy, age range 30-39 (actual age 36 Y/O), proven brother of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie. Robert Dowdy, age range 60-70, and his family were also enumerated in Benton Co., AL in 1840. He was the father of the above mentioned John, Michael, and Nancy Dowdy.
The 1850 US Census of Benton Co., AL enumerated the household of 38 Y/O Isaac Crumby (Abercrombie), a farmer born in South Carolina, and his 31 Y/O wife, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, born in GA. Also living in the household were their children, all of whom were born in AL: 11 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie; 9 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie; 6 Y/O James Witt Abercrombie and 2 Y/O Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie. NOTE: Living three households away was the family of 46 Y/O Michal (Michael) Dowdy and his 48 Y/O wife, Hannah, and their children. He was Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie's older brother. Michal Dowdy married, as her second husband, Hannah (Abercrombie) Baxter, a widowed older sister by 8 years of Isaac Abercrombie, on 02 May 1834 at Carroll Co., GA. Michael was a grist mill operator (miller) and was enumerated in the 1840 and 1850 US and Alabama State Censuses of Benton Co., AL living near his sister, Nancy Abercrombie and her family.
Isaac Abercrombie was a farmer in Benton Co., AL when he got the gold fever. Gold had been discovered at Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne Co.), AL in 1832. Arbacoochee was named after the old Creek Indian village of "Abihkuchi", which translates to "a pile at the base." The local mines produced over $5,000,000 worth of gold. At its zenith, about 1845, Arbacoochee had a population of about 5000 with most of the residents living in either tents or shacks and was home to twenty general stores, five saloons including the largest one in Alabama, a school, two churches, two hotels, two mining supply stores, a fire department, race track, and over 100 permanent homes until 1849 when gold was discovered in California. Then most of the residents moved west with hopes of "striking it rich" in "more promising fields". Only a few residents remained until the out break of the War Between the States. Sometime between 1851-1854, Isaac, Nancy Jane and the children moved from Benton County to adjacent Arbacoochee, Randolph County (now Cleburne County) to mine gold. Their youngest child, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, was born at Arbacoochee on 25 Sep 1854.
In the late summer of 1855, Isaac journeyed via wagon to St. Clair, County where he bought a farm on Wolf Creek Road about 5 miles south of Eden, AL. On his return home to Arbacoochee, he contracted pneumonia. After reaching home, he died on 23 Sep 1855 and was buried at Arbacoochee, AL. Before he died he gave Nancy the deed and location of the farm. She gathered her children and belongings and moved to their new home in St. Clair County. Nancy Jane and her children farmed at Wolf Creek from the fall of 1855 until sometime after the close of the Civil War.
Isaac's final resting place remains a mystery. Published family history speculates it is an unmarked grave in an old abandoned cemetery near Arbacoochee, Cleburne Co., AL. Hosmer Abercrombie (mentioned below), during the research for his book, "Abercrombie" enlisted the help of a knowledgeable local resident near Arbacoochee to help find the gravesite of Isaac Abercrombie. An extant 10 Nov 1955 letter from that resident, A. H. Glasgow of Heflin, AL, states "the graveyard has not been care [sic] for and has groan [sic] up. Probably a field stone for his tombstone."
The Abercrombie Bible confirms the birth date, death date and marriage date of Isaac Abercrombie.
Nancy Jane Dowdy Abercrombie, wife of Isaac Abercrombie, was born 30 Nov 1818 in Georgia, probably Hall County, GA where her father, Robert Dowdy, was enumerated in the 1820 and 1830 US Censuses. The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 US Censuses of Alabama confirm her birthplace as Georgia. According to Hosmer Abercrombie (1905-1991), a 3rd great nephew of Isaac's and the biographer of Nancy Jane Dowdy, she could speak several hundred words of Indian dialect due to her close relationship to them while growing up and she often related the embalming procedure the Indians used on their dead. Nancy's domestic skills included spinning the thread on her spinning wheel and weaving it on her loom for cloth to make clothes for her family. Her father, Robert Dowdy (1780 N.C.-1849 AL), was a land owner (land deed extant) in Cleburne Co., AL in 1837 and was enumerated in the 1840 US Census of Benton Co., AL where he died on 14 Aug 1849.
Nancy Jane was a plucky, adventurous, independent woman demonstrated by her traveling alone by wagon from her farm at Wolf Creek, St Clair Co., AL to Montgomery, AL, a distance of over a hundred miles, and return to clear up some papers concerning her farm. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin and his wife, Mollie, moved to southern Tennessee to continue farming and were enumerated in the 1900 US Census of McNairy Co., TN. Again, traveling alone via wagon before 1900, Nancy Jane visited her youngest son, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, and grand-kids in McNairy Co., TN, a distance of over 200 miles each way.
The 1860 US Census of Cropwell Post Office, Townships 16, 17 and 18 St. Clair Co., AL enumerated the household of the 41 Y/O widow, Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie, a farmer born in Georgia. Living in the household were her children, all of whom were born in AL: 19 Y/O Henry Monroe Abercrombie, a farmer; 16 Y/O James William Abercrombie; 12 Y/O Mary E. Abercrombie; 9 Y/O John P. Abercrombie, and 5 Y/O Isaac Franklin Abercrombie. NOTE: Living in the household next door was 21 Y/O William Robert Abercrombie, a farmer born in AL, and his wife, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie, born in AL. Also living in their household was their 7 months old son, John Henry Thomas Abercrombie. William Robert Abercrombie was the son of Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie.
In 1870, the widowed Nancy Jane was still living on her farm on Wolf Creek Road, St. Clair Co., AL. Her youngest son, Isaac Franklin, who was living with her, married in 1871 and bought a farm of his own in St. Clair County. By 1880, 60 Y/O Nancy Jane was living in his household. Between 1888 and 1896, Isaac Franklin Abercrombie moved to NcNairy Co., TN. His mother, Nancy Jane, didn't go with him. 81 Y/O Nancy is recorded in 1900 living in Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL in the household of her 61 Y/0 daughter-in-law, Martha Adline (Robertson) Abercrombie (1839-1913), widow of William Robert Abercrombie (1838-1885). In 1910, 91 Y/0 Nancy Jane was living in the household of her 67 Y/O son, James Witt Abercrombie, in Moody, St. Clair. AL.
The children of Isaac and Nancy Jane (Dowdy) Abercrombie according to the Family Bible and various US Censuses were:
1) William Robert Abercrombie (See below).
2) Henry Monroe Abercrombie, b. 20 Feb 1841 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), d. 10 Nov 1893 New London, St. Clair Co., AL, bur. Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, New London, St. Clair Co., AL, m. Sarah Ann Elizabeth Kendrick.
3) James Witt Abercrombie, b. 09 Jul 1843 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 01 Apr 1929 St. Clair Co., Al, m. Augusta Caroline Foote.
4) Harris Newton Abercrombie, b. 27 Apr 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 02 Sep 1845 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
5) Baby Abercrombie, b. 29 Jun 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 06 Jul 1847 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL.
6) Mary Elizabeth Abercrombie, b. 27 May 1848 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Aug 1925 Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL, m. 1) 15 Dec 1866 John Bert Dycus, 2) 22 Oct 1871 Lee Andrew Ragland.
7) Dr. John Patterson Abercrombie, b. 22 Mar 1850 Benton Co. (Calhoun Co.), AL, d. 25 Jun 1902 St. Clair Co., AL. at 4:55pm, m. Docia Elizabeth Adkins 13 Jan 1869 in Shelby Co., AL.
8) Isaac Franklin Abercrombie, b. 25 Sep 1854 Arbacoochee, Randolph Co., AL (now Cleburne County), d. 17 Mar 1929 at Michie, McNairy Co., TN, m. 1871 Molly Funderburg, St. Clair Co., AL.
Sources:
1) "Abercrombie" by Hosmer Branscomb Abercrombie (1905-1991), Undated, Self published.
2) Abercrombie Family Bible
3) "The Heritage of Calhoun County, Alabama", 1998, p55.
Bio by Gresham Farrar.
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