Bullitt County Sheriff Joseph HEDGES, Jr. (1775-1824), was the son of Captain Joseph HEDGES, Sr. & Elizabeth RAWLINGS, of Berkeley and Frederick Counties in old Virginia.
His exact birth and death dates have yet to be discovered, but if his father's will lists his children in birth order (which it seems to), then he would have to have been born in 1775. If he and his siblings are listed in random order in his father's Will, then the more commonly encountered birth year of 1777 may be true. His death date can reasonably be narrowed to probably October or early November of 1824---he died intestate, but a Court document in his Estate inventory dated 18 Nov 1824 is the very first time he is referred to as deceased, and it implies it is recent.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. married Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE (1774-1837) on 24 Nov 1798 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., VA (now WV). She seems to have been the daughter of George Cole BRISCOE, II (c.1753-1810), and Sarah MASON (1751-____); and perhaps the granddaughter of George Cole BRISCOE, I (1733-1805), & Frances McMILLIAN (1730-____), and of Thomas MASON (1707-1779) & Mary Elizabeth NEWTON (1720-1777). The BRISCOE family in this time and place does not seem to be as clear as seen in the featured article on them in Vol. III of "Colonial Families of the United States of America", which has Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE ("m. _____ HEDGES") the daughter of George BRISCOE and Frances McMILLAN, and granddaughter of Dr. John BRISCOE, III, and
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Sheriff Joseph and Elizabeth (BRISCOE) HEDGES's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. (c.1775-1824); m: 24 Nov 1798, in Berkeley Co., WV, to Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE (1774-1837); moved to Bullitt Co., KY, circa 1800, where he became Sheriff of Bullitt County in 1820, serving through 1822, and died in 1824, perhaps from one of the many fevers that burned through that region around that time. They had at least 3 daughters and 8 sons:
1) Eleanor "Nelly" HEDGES (c.1799-Nov 1869), m: Joseph "Bigfoot" SWEARINGEN (1791-aft. 1850). (More to be added here.)
2) George Cole Briscoe HEDGES (c.1800-____); George may have attended some kind of academy or even law school, as he became a lawyer and local justice, was Sheriff of Bullitt County sometime in the 1821-22 period, which is interesting, considering his father was Sheriff just before that. More research is needed to make sure the Sheriff identification is not a mix-up with his dad, or if they both served as Sheriff. Also, a George HEDGES, of an age fitting this George, was married in Bardstown, Nelson County, to one Rebekah WISE, on 3 Sep 1818, by Rev. Isaac TAYLOR, of the Cox's Creek Baptist Church, son of old Rev. William TAYLOR, the founding pastor of that Church and a Kentucky Baptist pioneer. Cox's Creek was the nearest Baptist church to where the HEDGES lived, on the south branch of the Wilderness Trail in Bullitt Co., between Cox's Creek and Cedar Creek of Salt River, in S/E Bullitt Co.
. . . However, there is another HEDGES family who lived in Nelson Co., and especially in Spencer County, who were distant kin to our Bullitt County HEDGES, apparently pioneered by Revolutionary War veteran Robert HEDGES, who shows up on a Bullitt County tax list in 1799, but is in Nelson Co. territory thereafter. This clan also had a George HEDGES, born c.1796 in Prince William Co., VA, who enlisted on 4 July 1814 at Bardstown into the U. S. Rifles [Infantry], and who was on a recruitment roster dated 10 July 1814 at Lexington, KY (he was 5' 9" tall). So far, neither of these George HEDGES have been thoroughly researched or sorted out, and the one who served in the U. S. Army regulars may not have even come home. The George C. B. HEDGES who shows up as an independent householder in the annual Bullitt County tax records is clearly our George, and the significance of being his own homeowner could imply he had gotten married.
3) William HEDGES (c.1801-aft. 1850).
[NOTE: This is NOT the William G. HEDGES (1807-____) of Bourbon Co., KY, who m: Lucinda COX, also of Bourbon Co. THAT William was the son of Joseph HEDGES Jr. (1778-1829) and Margaret GOULDEN (1780-1872); grandson of Ensign Joseph HEDGES (1743-1804) and Sarah BIGGS (c.1750-1822); and great-grandson of Charles HEDGES (1712-1795) and Mary STILLE (1715-1765). Charles HEDGES was the older half-brother of Jonas HEDGES (1716-1804), both sons of old Joseph HEDGES of Monocacy (c.1670-1732). That would make 3rd-cousins of THIS William HEDGES of Bullitt Co., KY, and the William G. HEDGES of Bourbon Co., KY.]
4) Fannie M. (probably Frances McMillian) HEDGES (c.1803-aft. 1850); m: James WRIGHT; James is listed in the [20 July] 1850 Census as a "Hotell Keeper" with property valued at $11,000.00; this was known to be in Mt. Washington, though the Census itself does not give the exact location; Fannie was born in Virginia, and they had a young lady (clearly a niece), Fannie HEDGES age 13 living with them, as well as a 15-year-old girl named M. E. ROBINSON, both born in KY. Fannie HEDGES may have been an orphaned daughter of one of the HEDGES brothers whose history hasn't been tracked down yet; or maybe she wasn't orphaned but merely learning work at her Aunt's hotel. James and Fanny WRIGHT had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph Hedges WRIGHT (1828-1871); m: c.1854 to Ellen BRISCOE (), doubtless a cousin of some relation. In the 1850 Census, Joseph is 23 and living at home, but is listed as "Constable" for his occupation. Joseph H. WRIGHT died in 1871 in Louisville, but had become known as a prominent merchant and distiller, operating the Sugar Valley Distillery in Bullitt County---it is mentioned in the "Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky" 1897 biography of his son-in-law Joseph Thomas O'NEAL, Esq., who m: Lydia E. WRIGHT. Joseph & Ellen (BRISCOE) WRIGHT had at least 1 son and 2 daus.: James Douglass WRIGHT, Frances "Fanny" Emma WRIGHT, & Lydia Elizabeth WRIGHT.
....b) John Cole WRIGHT (3 Mar 1833-28 Aug 1851).
....c) James Chidsey WRIGHT (23 Jul 1843-11 Nov 1922); m: Orleana Adelaide SCHEFFEL (1860-1918); they had at least 1 son & 2 daus.: John August Scheffel WRIGHT, Orleana Frances "Fannie" WRIGHT, & Anna Louise WRIGHT.
5) Wesley HEDGES (c.1806-aft. 1831).
6) Samuel HEDGES (1808-aft. 1860); m: Elizabeth TRUNNELL (1810-____); had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph HEDGES (1830-____); m:1) 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858), a cousin, daughter of Rev. John Riley HEDGES and Mary Lucinda STALLINGS. They had 2 daus.: Eliza J. HEDGES, & Lucinda B. HEDGES. Joseph m:2) 17 Aug 1860, in Daviess Co., KY, to Lavinia A. DAVIS (1840-____).
....b) William Chidsey HEDGES (24 Dec 1842-9 Sep 1912); m: 1870 to Gramalda BURNETT (21 Oct 1850-25 Mar 1915), and had 5 daus. & 1 son: Elizabeth "Lizzie" HEDGES, Amy HEDGES, Susan Frances "Sue" HEDGES, Lettie HEDGES, Oma Lee HEDGES, & Houston H. HEDGES. This William Chidsey HEDGES served as a Corporal in Co. "B", 4th Kentucky Infantry, CSA (part of the "Orphans Brigade").
....c) Briscoe HEDGES.
7) Elizabeth HEDGES (c.1809-____). No further data on this daughter Elizabeth. [*Some erroneous data was previously attached to this Elizabeth HEDGES, which is now seen to be clearly inaccurate. It was relayed here that she married William CHIDSEY and had several children by him, but the William and Elizabeth CHIDSEY with those children all lived and died in New England. The William CHIDSEY of Mt. Washington, KY, who is connected with this Joseph HEDGES family was a good friend who ended up marrying Joseph's widow Elizabeth in 1827, and therefore became the stepfather to all these HEDGES children. See further details in this article. Sincere apologies for the confusion.]
8) Rev. John Riley HEDGES, Sr. (c.1810-c.1869); m:1) 21 Jul 1831 in Shepherdsville, Bullitt Co., KY, to Mary Lucinda STALLINGS (12 Apr 1812-24 Feb 1857); had 5 daus. & 5 sons:
....a) Elizabeth HEDGES (1834-6 Sep 1889); m: 27 Oct 1855 in KY to Everett Mead MARTIN (25 Dec 1835-3 Apr 1891), and had 4 daus. & 5 sons: Lavassa L. MARTIN, William Henry MARTIN, John Mead MARTIN, Franklin Eugene MARTIN, Sarah Elizabeth MARTIN, George W. MARTIN, Charley Everett MARTIN, Mary J. MARTIN, & Georgia Ann MARTIN. Elizabeth & Everett moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR, where they died.
....b) Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858); m: 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Joseph HEDGES (1830-____), a cousin; and had 2 daughters [SEE ABOVE, under Joseph HEDGES, son of Samuel HEDGES and Elizabeth TRUNNELL].
....c) Wesley HEDGES (1836-c.1860); died in Owensboro, KY.
....d) Rev. William Chidsey HEDGES (17 Mar 1839-19 Apr 1917); m: 15 May 1858 in Daviess Co., KY, to Elizabeth Jane WITCHER (23 Jun 1840-20 Jan 1912), and had 7 sons and 5 daus.: Wesley Peter HEDGES, Rev. Daniel Key HEDGES, William Chidsey "Willie" HEDGES Jr., Cynthia Ann Emaline HEDGES, Martha Jane HEDGES, John Riley HEDGES Sr., Mary Ellen HEDGES, Rev. Frederick Freshet HEDGES, Delilah Jewell HEDGES, Lillie Ann HEDGES, Rev. George Washington HEDGES, Rev. Robert Fulton HEDGES, & Rhoda Elizabeth HEDGES. Rev. William C. HEDGES was an ordained Missionary Baptist minister, a farmer, and served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, being severely wounded in the Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
....e) Martha Jane HEDGES (22 Nov 1842-14 Feb 1917); m:1) 30 Jul 1861 in White Co., IL, to William Henry STROUGHMATT (c.1840-1864), and had 1 dau.: Mary STROUGHMATT. William died in the Civil War, and Martha m:2) on 26 Feb 1864, in Gallatin Co., IL, to Ephraim Q. "Leaf" ACKLEY (1 Mar 1839-9 Apr 1919); and had
6 daus. & 4 sons: Easter Emaline ACKLEY, Sarah Frances ACKLEY, William Henry ACKLEY, Ephraim Jewel ACKLEY, Martha Ann ACKLEY, Margaret E. ACKLEY, Virgil ACKLEY, Ophelia ACKLEY, Francis ACKLEY.
....f) John Riley HEDGES Jr. (Jun 1845-7 Dec 1863); m: c.1862, to Emiline _______. John served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry, and died at New Orleans of illness.
....g) Emaline HEDGES (Oct 1846-15 Mar 1924); m: 16 Jun 1861, in White Co., IL, to John William ACORD (23 Mar 1846-22 Nov 1919), and they had 7 daus. and 4 sons: Mary Elizabeth ACORD, Isabell ACORD, Greenup Juel ACORD, Martha Jane ACORD, Sarah ACORD, Annie ACORD, Ellen ACORD, John ACORD, Ira Patrick ACORD, William Riley ACORD, Letha Emma ACORD. John William ACORD had been m:1) 1859 to Becca RAMBO, and had 1 son: Valentine ACORD, after which Becca died.
....h) David Riley HEDGES (18 Jul 1848-1900); m: 20 Aug 1868, in White Co., IL, to Hannah Lavinia CATLIN (1850-Apr 1938); and had 6 sons & 4 daus.: Virgil HEDGES, Greenup Jewell HEDGES, Theodore HEDGES, Henrietta HEDGES, Cindy HEDGES, Ruben Franklin "Ruby" HEDGES, Lula HEDGES, Willis Pruitt HEDGES, Laura J. HEDGES, Arthur Reeves HEDGES. David & Hannah HEDGES moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR in the 1870's, and to the New Madrid, MO, area around 1889.
....i) 9) Sarah "Sallie" HEDGES (Mar 1850-c.May 1904); m: 14 Sep 1871, in White Co., IL, to Reeves C. NAPIER (30 Sep 1848-25 Feb 1932, son of Franklin Cook NAPIER & Lavina Dunn Reeves LOFTIN), and had 2 daus., 3 sons, & 3 other children who died as infants: Ellen NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Addie Isetta NAPIER, Frank NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Charles R. "Charlie" NAPIER, & William NAPIER. Reeves's name was also spelled "Rives". He served in Co. "F", of the 10th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War.
The name Reeves NAPIER, so it would seem, must appear in some document in a style of handwriting that has been misread as "Raleigh NAPTEURE"; until recently, this name has been erroneously listed as another husband of Sallie. There is a family researcher that suggested Sallie HEDGES was briefly married 1st to a John WITCHER, doubtless a nephew of Daniel Key and Mary Ellen (HARPER) WITCHER, but no record could be found as yet to substantiate this.
....j) Greenup Jewell HEDGES (1 Jan 1854-2 May 1948); m:1) 1 Jan 1875, in White Co., IL, to Hanna Elizabeth WHITACKER (1856-Apr 1886), and had 4 sons and 1 dau.: Jewell HEDGES, William Henry HEDGES, Carrie HEDGES, John Benson HEDGES Sr., & Virgil HEDGES. Greenup Jewell HEDGES m:2) 1888 in Carter Co., MO, to Henrietta V. JOHNSON (1852-1899), and had 3 daus. & 2 sons: Ella HEDGES, Della HEDGES, Davie HEDGES, Ota HEDGES [dau.], & Ova HEDGES [son].
Rev. John Riley HEDGES was perhaps only an ordained Baptist deacon, but around 1839 moved with his wife and young family to the southern section of Daviess Co., KY, and became a member of one of the Baptist churches there---apparently Green Brier Baptist Church---in the area now called Utica. In 1854, John Riley HEDGES and his teenage son William Chidsey HEDGES were founding members in the formation of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in the same neighborhood (long since called the Utica Baptist Church). John's wife Lucinda died of tuberculosis in 1857. A few years later, in 1860, John moved with several of his children and their families about 75 miles due west to Southern Illinois's White County, settling southwest of Carmi. There, John married again, and apparently died about 1869, near the tiny town of Herald.
John Riley HEDGES m:2) 6 Aug 1861 in White Co., IL, to Mrs. Mary "Polly" (WEISE) BROWN (1813-aft. 1870), widow of William BROWN (1806-c.1852).
9) Franklin HEDGES (c.1812-____).
10) Joseph HEDGES, III (c.1816-____).
11) Son HEDGES (c.1818-____).
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Sheriff Joseph HEDGES's widow Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE HEDGES remarried about 2-1/2 years after Joseph's death. She went by the name "Eliza", and she married an old family friend William CHIDSEY, on 16 Apr 1827, probably in Shepherdsville at the Courthouse. They apparently had a marriage bond dated 9 Apr 1827, but this author cannot find it at this time. They were married by Noah C. Simmons, who we believe was a Methodist pastor and also the County Clerk.
William CHIDSEY was apparently all that a family could hope for in a step-father---loving and kind to his wife, and very good to all of her children. He was admired to the point that more than one of Eliza's sons named their own sons after William CHIDSEY. He outlived Eliza by at least a few years, still leading the household in the 1840 census, 3 years after her death.
His exact birth and death dates have yet to be discovered, but if his father's will lists his children in birth order (which it seems to), then he would have to have been born in 1775. If he and his siblings are listed in random order in his father's Will, then the more commonly encountered birth year of 1777 may be true. His death date can reasonably be narrowed to probably October or early November of 1824---he died intestate, but a Court document in his Estate inventory dated 18 Nov 1824 is the very first time he is referred to as deceased, and it implies it is recent.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. married Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE (1774-1837) on 24 Nov 1798 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., VA (now WV). She seems to have been the daughter of George Cole BRISCOE, II (c.1753-1810), and Sarah MASON (1751-____); and perhaps the granddaughter of George Cole BRISCOE, I (1733-1805), & Frances McMILLIAN (1730-____), and of Thomas MASON (1707-1779) & Mary Elizabeth NEWTON (1720-1777). The BRISCOE family in this time and place does not seem to be as clear as seen in the featured article on them in Vol. III of "Colonial Families of the United States of America", which has Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE ("m. _____ HEDGES") the daughter of George BRISCOE and Frances McMILLAN, and granddaughter of Dr. John BRISCOE, III, and
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Sheriff Joseph and Elizabeth (BRISCOE) HEDGES's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. (c.1775-1824); m: 24 Nov 1798, in Berkeley Co., WV, to Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE (1774-1837); moved to Bullitt Co., KY, circa 1800, where he became Sheriff of Bullitt County in 1820, serving through 1822, and died in 1824, perhaps from one of the many fevers that burned through that region around that time. They had at least 3 daughters and 8 sons:
1) Eleanor "Nelly" HEDGES (c.1799-Nov 1869), m: Joseph "Bigfoot" SWEARINGEN (1791-aft. 1850). (More to be added here.)
2) George Cole Briscoe HEDGES (c.1800-____); George may have attended some kind of academy or even law school, as he became a lawyer and local justice, was Sheriff of Bullitt County sometime in the 1821-22 period, which is interesting, considering his father was Sheriff just before that. More research is needed to make sure the Sheriff identification is not a mix-up with his dad, or if they both served as Sheriff. Also, a George HEDGES, of an age fitting this George, was married in Bardstown, Nelson County, to one Rebekah WISE, on 3 Sep 1818, by Rev. Isaac TAYLOR, of the Cox's Creek Baptist Church, son of old Rev. William TAYLOR, the founding pastor of that Church and a Kentucky Baptist pioneer. Cox's Creek was the nearest Baptist church to where the HEDGES lived, on the south branch of the Wilderness Trail in Bullitt Co., between Cox's Creek and Cedar Creek of Salt River, in S/E Bullitt Co.
. . . However, there is another HEDGES family who lived in Nelson Co., and especially in Spencer County, who were distant kin to our Bullitt County HEDGES, apparently pioneered by Revolutionary War veteran Robert HEDGES, who shows up on a Bullitt County tax list in 1799, but is in Nelson Co. territory thereafter. This clan also had a George HEDGES, born c.1796 in Prince William Co., VA, who enlisted on 4 July 1814 at Bardstown into the U. S. Rifles [Infantry], and who was on a recruitment roster dated 10 July 1814 at Lexington, KY (he was 5' 9" tall). So far, neither of these George HEDGES have been thoroughly researched or sorted out, and the one who served in the U. S. Army regulars may not have even come home. The George C. B. HEDGES who shows up as an independent householder in the annual Bullitt County tax records is clearly our George, and the significance of being his own homeowner could imply he had gotten married.
3) William HEDGES (c.1801-aft. 1850).
[NOTE: This is NOT the William G. HEDGES (1807-____) of Bourbon Co., KY, who m: Lucinda COX, also of Bourbon Co. THAT William was the son of Joseph HEDGES Jr. (1778-1829) and Margaret GOULDEN (1780-1872); grandson of Ensign Joseph HEDGES (1743-1804) and Sarah BIGGS (c.1750-1822); and great-grandson of Charles HEDGES (1712-1795) and Mary STILLE (1715-1765). Charles HEDGES was the older half-brother of Jonas HEDGES (1716-1804), both sons of old Joseph HEDGES of Monocacy (c.1670-1732). That would make 3rd-cousins of THIS William HEDGES of Bullitt Co., KY, and the William G. HEDGES of Bourbon Co., KY.]
4) Fannie M. (probably Frances McMillian) HEDGES (c.1803-aft. 1850); m: James WRIGHT; James is listed in the [20 July] 1850 Census as a "Hotell Keeper" with property valued at $11,000.00; this was known to be in Mt. Washington, though the Census itself does not give the exact location; Fannie was born in Virginia, and they had a young lady (clearly a niece), Fannie HEDGES age 13 living with them, as well as a 15-year-old girl named M. E. ROBINSON, both born in KY. Fannie HEDGES may have been an orphaned daughter of one of the HEDGES brothers whose history hasn't been tracked down yet; or maybe she wasn't orphaned but merely learning work at her Aunt's hotel. James and Fanny WRIGHT had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph Hedges WRIGHT (1828-1871); m: c.1854 to Ellen BRISCOE (), doubtless a cousin of some relation. In the 1850 Census, Joseph is 23 and living at home, but is listed as "Constable" for his occupation. Joseph H. WRIGHT died in 1871 in Louisville, but had become known as a prominent merchant and distiller, operating the Sugar Valley Distillery in Bullitt County---it is mentioned in the "Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky" 1897 biography of his son-in-law Joseph Thomas O'NEAL, Esq., who m: Lydia E. WRIGHT. Joseph & Ellen (BRISCOE) WRIGHT had at least 1 son and 2 daus.: James Douglass WRIGHT, Frances "Fanny" Emma WRIGHT, & Lydia Elizabeth WRIGHT.
....b) John Cole WRIGHT (3 Mar 1833-28 Aug 1851).
....c) James Chidsey WRIGHT (23 Jul 1843-11 Nov 1922); m: Orleana Adelaide SCHEFFEL (1860-1918); they had at least 1 son & 2 daus.: John August Scheffel WRIGHT, Orleana Frances "Fannie" WRIGHT, & Anna Louise WRIGHT.
5) Wesley HEDGES (c.1806-aft. 1831).
6) Samuel HEDGES (1808-aft. 1860); m: Elizabeth TRUNNELL (1810-____); had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph HEDGES (1830-____); m:1) 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858), a cousin, daughter of Rev. John Riley HEDGES and Mary Lucinda STALLINGS. They had 2 daus.: Eliza J. HEDGES, & Lucinda B. HEDGES. Joseph m:2) 17 Aug 1860, in Daviess Co., KY, to Lavinia A. DAVIS (1840-____).
....b) William Chidsey HEDGES (24 Dec 1842-9 Sep 1912); m: 1870 to Gramalda BURNETT (21 Oct 1850-25 Mar 1915), and had 5 daus. & 1 son: Elizabeth "Lizzie" HEDGES, Amy HEDGES, Susan Frances "Sue" HEDGES, Lettie HEDGES, Oma Lee HEDGES, & Houston H. HEDGES. This William Chidsey HEDGES served as a Corporal in Co. "B", 4th Kentucky Infantry, CSA (part of the "Orphans Brigade").
....c) Briscoe HEDGES.
7) Elizabeth HEDGES (c.1809-____). No further data on this daughter Elizabeth. [*Some erroneous data was previously attached to this Elizabeth HEDGES, which is now seen to be clearly inaccurate. It was relayed here that she married William CHIDSEY and had several children by him, but the William and Elizabeth CHIDSEY with those children all lived and died in New England. The William CHIDSEY of Mt. Washington, KY, who is connected with this Joseph HEDGES family was a good friend who ended up marrying Joseph's widow Elizabeth in 1827, and therefore became the stepfather to all these HEDGES children. See further details in this article. Sincere apologies for the confusion.]
8) Rev. John Riley HEDGES, Sr. (c.1810-c.1869); m:1) 21 Jul 1831 in Shepherdsville, Bullitt Co., KY, to Mary Lucinda STALLINGS (12 Apr 1812-24 Feb 1857); had 5 daus. & 5 sons:
....a) Elizabeth HEDGES (1834-6 Sep 1889); m: 27 Oct 1855 in KY to Everett Mead MARTIN (25 Dec 1835-3 Apr 1891), and had 4 daus. & 5 sons: Lavassa L. MARTIN, William Henry MARTIN, John Mead MARTIN, Franklin Eugene MARTIN, Sarah Elizabeth MARTIN, George W. MARTIN, Charley Everett MARTIN, Mary J. MARTIN, & Georgia Ann MARTIN. Elizabeth & Everett moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR, where they died.
....b) Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858); m: 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Joseph HEDGES (1830-____), a cousin; and had 2 daughters [SEE ABOVE, under Joseph HEDGES, son of Samuel HEDGES and Elizabeth TRUNNELL].
....c) Wesley HEDGES (1836-c.1860); died in Owensboro, KY.
....d) Rev. William Chidsey HEDGES (17 Mar 1839-19 Apr 1917); m: 15 May 1858 in Daviess Co., KY, to Elizabeth Jane WITCHER (23 Jun 1840-20 Jan 1912), and had 7 sons and 5 daus.: Wesley Peter HEDGES, Rev. Daniel Key HEDGES, William Chidsey "Willie" HEDGES Jr., Cynthia Ann Emaline HEDGES, Martha Jane HEDGES, John Riley HEDGES Sr., Mary Ellen HEDGES, Rev. Frederick Freshet HEDGES, Delilah Jewell HEDGES, Lillie Ann HEDGES, Rev. George Washington HEDGES, Rev. Robert Fulton HEDGES, & Rhoda Elizabeth HEDGES. Rev. William C. HEDGES was an ordained Missionary Baptist minister, a farmer, and served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, being severely wounded in the Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
....e) Martha Jane HEDGES (22 Nov 1842-14 Feb 1917); m:1) 30 Jul 1861 in White Co., IL, to William Henry STROUGHMATT (c.1840-1864), and had 1 dau.: Mary STROUGHMATT. William died in the Civil War, and Martha m:2) on 26 Feb 1864, in Gallatin Co., IL, to Ephraim Q. "Leaf" ACKLEY (1 Mar 1839-9 Apr 1919); and had
6 daus. & 4 sons: Easter Emaline ACKLEY, Sarah Frances ACKLEY, William Henry ACKLEY, Ephraim Jewel ACKLEY, Martha Ann ACKLEY, Margaret E. ACKLEY, Virgil ACKLEY, Ophelia ACKLEY, Francis ACKLEY.
....f) John Riley HEDGES Jr. (Jun 1845-7 Dec 1863); m: c.1862, to Emiline _______. John served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry, and died at New Orleans of illness.
....g) Emaline HEDGES (Oct 1846-15 Mar 1924); m: 16 Jun 1861, in White Co., IL, to John William ACORD (23 Mar 1846-22 Nov 1919), and they had 7 daus. and 4 sons: Mary Elizabeth ACORD, Isabell ACORD, Greenup Juel ACORD, Martha Jane ACORD, Sarah ACORD, Annie ACORD, Ellen ACORD, John ACORD, Ira Patrick ACORD, William Riley ACORD, Letha Emma ACORD. John William ACORD had been m:1) 1859 to Becca RAMBO, and had 1 son: Valentine ACORD, after which Becca died.
....h) David Riley HEDGES (18 Jul 1848-1900); m: 20 Aug 1868, in White Co., IL, to Hannah Lavinia CATLIN (1850-Apr 1938); and had 6 sons & 4 daus.: Virgil HEDGES, Greenup Jewell HEDGES, Theodore HEDGES, Henrietta HEDGES, Cindy HEDGES, Ruben Franklin "Ruby" HEDGES, Lula HEDGES, Willis Pruitt HEDGES, Laura J. HEDGES, Arthur Reeves HEDGES. David & Hannah HEDGES moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR in the 1870's, and to the New Madrid, MO, area around 1889.
....i) 9) Sarah "Sallie" HEDGES (Mar 1850-c.May 1904); m: 14 Sep 1871, in White Co., IL, to Reeves C. NAPIER (30 Sep 1848-25 Feb 1932, son of Franklin Cook NAPIER & Lavina Dunn Reeves LOFTIN), and had 2 daus., 3 sons, & 3 other children who died as infants: Ellen NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Addie Isetta NAPIER, Frank NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Charles R. "Charlie" NAPIER, & William NAPIER. Reeves's name was also spelled "Rives". He served in Co. "F", of the 10th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War.
The name Reeves NAPIER, so it would seem, must appear in some document in a style of handwriting that has been misread as "Raleigh NAPTEURE"; until recently, this name has been erroneously listed as another husband of Sallie. There is a family researcher that suggested Sallie HEDGES was briefly married 1st to a John WITCHER, doubtless a nephew of Daniel Key and Mary Ellen (HARPER) WITCHER, but no record could be found as yet to substantiate this.
....j) Greenup Jewell HEDGES (1 Jan 1854-2 May 1948); m:1) 1 Jan 1875, in White Co., IL, to Hanna Elizabeth WHITACKER (1856-Apr 1886), and had 4 sons and 1 dau.: Jewell HEDGES, William Henry HEDGES, Carrie HEDGES, John Benson HEDGES Sr., & Virgil HEDGES. Greenup Jewell HEDGES m:2) 1888 in Carter Co., MO, to Henrietta V. JOHNSON (1852-1899), and had 3 daus. & 2 sons: Ella HEDGES, Della HEDGES, Davie HEDGES, Ota HEDGES [dau.], & Ova HEDGES [son].
Rev. John Riley HEDGES was perhaps only an ordained Baptist deacon, but around 1839 moved with his wife and young family to the southern section of Daviess Co., KY, and became a member of one of the Baptist churches there---apparently Green Brier Baptist Church---in the area now called Utica. In 1854, John Riley HEDGES and his teenage son William Chidsey HEDGES were founding members in the formation of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in the same neighborhood (long since called the Utica Baptist Church). John's wife Lucinda died of tuberculosis in 1857. A few years later, in 1860, John moved with several of his children and their families about 75 miles due west to Southern Illinois's White County, settling southwest of Carmi. There, John married again, and apparently died about 1869, near the tiny town of Herald.
John Riley HEDGES m:2) 6 Aug 1861 in White Co., IL, to Mrs. Mary "Polly" (WEISE) BROWN (1813-aft. 1870), widow of William BROWN (1806-c.1852).
9) Franklin HEDGES (c.1812-____).
10) Joseph HEDGES, III (c.1816-____).
11) Son HEDGES (c.1818-____).
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Sheriff Joseph HEDGES's widow Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE HEDGES remarried about 2-1/2 years after Joseph's death. She went by the name "Eliza", and she married an old family friend William CHIDSEY, on 16 Apr 1827, probably in Shepherdsville at the Courthouse. They apparently had a marriage bond dated 9 Apr 1827, but this author cannot find it at this time. They were married by Noah C. Simmons, who we believe was a Methodist pastor and also the County Clerk.
William CHIDSEY was apparently all that a family could hope for in a step-father---loving and kind to his wife, and very good to all of her children. He was admired to the point that more than one of Eliza's sons named their own sons after William CHIDSEY. He outlived Eliza by at least a few years, still leading the household in the 1840 census, 3 years after her death.
Bullitt County Sheriff Joseph HEDGES, Jr. (1775-1824), was the son of Captain Joseph HEDGES, Sr. & Elizabeth RAWLINGS, of Berkeley and Frederick Counties in old Virginia.
His exact birth and death dates have yet to be discovered, but if his father's will lists his children in birth order (which it seems to), then he would have to have been born in 1775. If he and his siblings are listed in random order in his father's Will, then the more commonly encountered birth year of 1777 may be true. His death date can reasonably be narrowed to probably October or early November of 1824---he died intestate, but a Court document in his Estate inventory dated 18 Nov 1824 is the very first time he is referred to as deceased, and it implies it is recent.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. married Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE (1774-1837) on 24 Nov 1798 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., VA (now WV). She seems to have been the daughter of George Cole BRISCOE, II (c.1753-1810), and Sarah MASON (1751-____); and perhaps the granddaughter of George Cole BRISCOE, I (1733-1805), & Frances McMILLIAN (1730-____), and of Thomas MASON (1707-1779) & Mary Elizabeth NEWTON (1720-1777). The BRISCOE family in this time and place does not seem to be as clear as seen in the featured article on them in Vol. III of "Colonial Families of the United States of America", which has Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE ("m. _____ HEDGES") the daughter of George BRISCOE and Frances McMILLAN, and granddaughter of Dr. John BRISCOE, III, and
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Sheriff Joseph and Elizabeth (BRISCOE) HEDGES's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. (c.1775-1824); m: 24 Nov 1798, in Berkeley Co., WV, to Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE (1774-1837); moved to Bullitt Co., KY, circa 1800, where he became Sheriff of Bullitt County in 1820, serving through 1822, and died in 1824, perhaps from one of the many fevers that burned through that region around that time. They had at least 3 daughters and 8 sons:
1) Eleanor "Nelly" HEDGES (c.1799-Nov 1869), m: Joseph "Bigfoot" SWEARINGEN (1791-aft. 1850). (More to be added here.)
2) George Cole Briscoe HEDGES (c.1800-____); George may have attended some kind of academy or even law school, as he became a lawyer and local justice, was Sheriff of Bullitt County sometime in the 1821-22 period, which is interesting, considering his father was Sheriff just before that. More research is needed to make sure the Sheriff identification is not a mix-up with his dad, or if they both served as Sheriff. Also, a George HEDGES, of an age fitting this George, was married in Bardstown, Nelson County, to one Rebekah WISE, on 3 Sep 1818, by Rev. Isaac TAYLOR, of the Cox's Creek Baptist Church, son of old Rev. William TAYLOR, the founding pastor of that Church and a Kentucky Baptist pioneer. Cox's Creek was the nearest Baptist church to where the HEDGES lived, on the south branch of the Wilderness Trail in Bullitt Co., between Cox's Creek and Cedar Creek of Salt River, in S/E Bullitt Co.
. . . However, there is another HEDGES family who lived in Nelson Co., and especially in Spencer County, who were distant kin to our Bullitt County HEDGES, apparently pioneered by Revolutionary War veteran Robert HEDGES, who shows up on a Bullitt County tax list in 1799, but is in Nelson Co. territory thereafter. This clan also had a George HEDGES, born c.1796 in Prince William Co., VA, who enlisted on 4 July 1814 at Bardstown into the U. S. Rifles [Infantry], and who was on a recruitment roster dated 10 July 1814 at Lexington, KY (he was 5' 9" tall). So far, neither of these George HEDGES have been thoroughly researched or sorted out, and the one who served in the U. S. Army regulars may not have even come home. The George C. B. HEDGES who shows up as an independent householder in the annual Bullitt County tax records is clearly our George, and the significance of being his own homeowner could imply he had gotten married.
3) William HEDGES (c.1801-aft. 1850).
[NOTE: This is NOT the William G. HEDGES (1807-____) of Bourbon Co., KY, who m: Lucinda COX, also of Bourbon Co. THAT William was the son of Joseph HEDGES Jr. (1778-1829) and Margaret GOULDEN (1780-1872); grandson of Ensign Joseph HEDGES (1743-1804) and Sarah BIGGS (c.1750-1822); and great-grandson of Charles HEDGES (1712-1795) and Mary STILLE (1715-1765). Charles HEDGES was the older half-brother of Jonas HEDGES (1716-1804), both sons of old Joseph HEDGES of Monocacy (c.1670-1732). That would make 3rd-cousins of THIS William HEDGES of Bullitt Co., KY, and the William G. HEDGES of Bourbon Co., KY.]
4) Fannie M. (probably Frances McMillian) HEDGES (c.1803-aft. 1850); m: James WRIGHT; James is listed in the [20 July] 1850 Census as a "Hotell Keeper" with property valued at $11,000.00; this was known to be in Mt. Washington, though the Census itself does not give the exact location; Fannie was born in Virginia, and they had a young lady (clearly a niece), Fannie HEDGES age 13 living with them, as well as a 15-year-old girl named M. E. ROBINSON, both born in KY. Fannie HEDGES may have been an orphaned daughter of one of the HEDGES brothers whose history hasn't been tracked down yet; or maybe she wasn't orphaned but merely learning work at her Aunt's hotel. James and Fanny WRIGHT had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph Hedges WRIGHT (1828-1871); m: c.1854 to Ellen BRISCOE (), doubtless a cousin of some relation. In the 1850 Census, Joseph is 23 and living at home, but is listed as "Constable" for his occupation. Joseph H. WRIGHT died in 1871 in Louisville, but had become known as a prominent merchant and distiller, operating the Sugar Valley Distillery in Bullitt County---it is mentioned in the "Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky" 1897 biography of his son-in-law Joseph Thomas O'NEAL, Esq., who m: Lydia E. WRIGHT. Joseph & Ellen (BRISCOE) WRIGHT had at least 1 son and 2 daus.: James Douglass WRIGHT, Frances "Fanny" Emma WRIGHT, & Lydia Elizabeth WRIGHT.
....b) John Cole WRIGHT (3 Mar 1833-28 Aug 1851).
....c) James Chidsey WRIGHT (23 Jul 1843-11 Nov 1922); m: Orleana Adelaide SCHEFFEL (1860-1918); they had at least 1 son & 2 daus.: John August Scheffel WRIGHT, Orleana Frances "Fannie" WRIGHT, & Anna Louise WRIGHT.
5) Wesley HEDGES (c.1806-aft. 1831).
6) Samuel HEDGES (1808-aft. 1860); m: Elizabeth TRUNNELL (1810-____); had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph HEDGES (1830-____); m:1) 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858), a cousin, daughter of Rev. John Riley HEDGES and Mary Lucinda STALLINGS. They had 2 daus.: Eliza J. HEDGES, & Lucinda B. HEDGES. Joseph m:2) 17 Aug 1860, in Daviess Co., KY, to Lavinia A. DAVIS (1840-____).
....b) William Chidsey HEDGES (24 Dec 1842-9 Sep 1912); m: 1870 to Gramalda BURNETT (21 Oct 1850-25 Mar 1915), and had 5 daus. & 1 son: Elizabeth "Lizzie" HEDGES, Amy HEDGES, Susan Frances "Sue" HEDGES, Lettie HEDGES, Oma Lee HEDGES, & Houston H. HEDGES. This William Chidsey HEDGES served as a Corporal in Co. "B", 4th Kentucky Infantry, CSA (part of the "Orphans Brigade").
....c) Briscoe HEDGES.
7) Elizabeth HEDGES (c.1809-____). No further data on this daughter Elizabeth. [*Some erroneous data was previously attached to this Elizabeth HEDGES, which is now seen to be clearly inaccurate. It was relayed here that she married William CHIDSEY and had several children by him, but the William and Elizabeth CHIDSEY with those children all lived and died in New England. The William CHIDSEY of Mt. Washington, KY, who is connected with this Joseph HEDGES family was a good friend who ended up marrying Joseph's widow Elizabeth in 1827, and therefore became the stepfather to all these HEDGES children. See further details in this article. Sincere apologies for the confusion.]
8) Rev. John Riley HEDGES, Sr. (c.1810-c.1869); m:1) 21 Jul 1831 in Shepherdsville, Bullitt Co., KY, to Mary Lucinda STALLINGS (12 Apr 1812-24 Feb 1857); had 5 daus. & 5 sons:
....a) Elizabeth HEDGES (1834-6 Sep 1889); m: 27 Oct 1855 in KY to Everett Mead MARTIN (25 Dec 1835-3 Apr 1891), and had 4 daus. & 5 sons: Lavassa L. MARTIN, William Henry MARTIN, John Mead MARTIN, Franklin Eugene MARTIN, Sarah Elizabeth MARTIN, George W. MARTIN, Charley Everett MARTIN, Mary J. MARTIN, & Georgia Ann MARTIN. Elizabeth & Everett moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR, where they died.
....b) Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858); m: 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Joseph HEDGES (1830-____), a cousin; and had 2 daughters [SEE ABOVE, under Joseph HEDGES, son of Samuel HEDGES and Elizabeth TRUNNELL].
....c) Wesley HEDGES (1836-c.1860); died in Owensboro, KY.
....d) Rev. William Chidsey HEDGES (17 Mar 1839-19 Apr 1917); m: 15 May 1858 in Daviess Co., KY, to Elizabeth Jane WITCHER (23 Jun 1840-20 Jan 1912), and had 7 sons and 5 daus.: Wesley Peter HEDGES, Rev. Daniel Key HEDGES, William Chidsey "Willie" HEDGES Jr., Cynthia Ann Emaline HEDGES, Martha Jane HEDGES, John Riley HEDGES Sr., Mary Ellen HEDGES, Rev. Frederick Freshet HEDGES, Delilah Jewell HEDGES, Lillie Ann HEDGES, Rev. George Washington HEDGES, Rev. Robert Fulton HEDGES, & Rhoda Elizabeth HEDGES. Rev. William C. HEDGES was an ordained Missionary Baptist minister, a farmer, and served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, being severely wounded in the Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
....e) Martha Jane HEDGES (22 Nov 1842-14 Feb 1917); m:1) 30 Jul 1861 in White Co., IL, to William Henry STROUGHMATT (c.1840-1864), and had 1 dau.: Mary STROUGHMATT. William died in the Civil War, and Martha m:2) on 26 Feb 1864, in Gallatin Co., IL, to Ephraim Q. "Leaf" ACKLEY (1 Mar 1839-9 Apr 1919); and had
6 daus. & 4 sons: Easter Emaline ACKLEY, Sarah Frances ACKLEY, William Henry ACKLEY, Ephraim Jewel ACKLEY, Martha Ann ACKLEY, Margaret E. ACKLEY, Virgil ACKLEY, Ophelia ACKLEY, Francis ACKLEY.
....f) John Riley HEDGES Jr. (Jun 1845-7 Dec 1863); m: c.1862, to Emiline _______. John served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry, and died at New Orleans of illness.
....g) Emaline HEDGES (Oct 1846-15 Mar 1924); m: 16 Jun 1861, in White Co., IL, to John William ACORD (23 Mar 1846-22 Nov 1919), and they had 7 daus. and 4 sons: Mary Elizabeth ACORD, Isabell ACORD, Greenup Juel ACORD, Martha Jane ACORD, Sarah ACORD, Annie ACORD, Ellen ACORD, John ACORD, Ira Patrick ACORD, William Riley ACORD, Letha Emma ACORD. John William ACORD had been m:1) 1859 to Becca RAMBO, and had 1 son: Valentine ACORD, after which Becca died.
....h) David Riley HEDGES (18 Jul 1848-1900); m: 20 Aug 1868, in White Co., IL, to Hannah Lavinia CATLIN (1850-Apr 1938); and had 6 sons & 4 daus.: Virgil HEDGES, Greenup Jewell HEDGES, Theodore HEDGES, Henrietta HEDGES, Cindy HEDGES, Ruben Franklin "Ruby" HEDGES, Lula HEDGES, Willis Pruitt HEDGES, Laura J. HEDGES, Arthur Reeves HEDGES. David & Hannah HEDGES moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR in the 1870's, and to the New Madrid, MO, area around 1889.
....i) 9) Sarah "Sallie" HEDGES (Mar 1850-c.May 1904); m: 14 Sep 1871, in White Co., IL, to Reeves C. NAPIER (30 Sep 1848-25 Feb 1932, son of Franklin Cook NAPIER & Lavina Dunn Reeves LOFTIN), and had 2 daus., 3 sons, & 3 other children who died as infants: Ellen NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Addie Isetta NAPIER, Frank NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Charles R. "Charlie" NAPIER, & William NAPIER. Reeves's name was also spelled "Rives". He served in Co. "F", of the 10th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War.
The name Reeves NAPIER, so it would seem, must appear in some document in a style of handwriting that has been misread as "Raleigh NAPTEURE"; until recently, this name has been erroneously listed as another husband of Sallie. There is a family researcher that suggested Sallie HEDGES was briefly married 1st to a John WITCHER, doubtless a nephew of Daniel Key and Mary Ellen (HARPER) WITCHER, but no record could be found as yet to substantiate this.
....j) Greenup Jewell HEDGES (1 Jan 1854-2 May 1948); m:1) 1 Jan 1875, in White Co., IL, to Hanna Elizabeth WHITACKER (1856-Apr 1886), and had 4 sons and 1 dau.: Jewell HEDGES, William Henry HEDGES, Carrie HEDGES, John Benson HEDGES Sr., & Virgil HEDGES. Greenup Jewell HEDGES m:2) 1888 in Carter Co., MO, to Henrietta V. JOHNSON (1852-1899), and had 3 daus. & 2 sons: Ella HEDGES, Della HEDGES, Davie HEDGES, Ota HEDGES [dau.], & Ova HEDGES [son].
Rev. John Riley HEDGES was perhaps only an ordained Baptist deacon, but around 1839 moved with his wife and young family to the southern section of Daviess Co., KY, and became a member of one of the Baptist churches there---apparently Green Brier Baptist Church---in the area now called Utica. In 1854, John Riley HEDGES and his teenage son William Chidsey HEDGES were founding members in the formation of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in the same neighborhood (long since called the Utica Baptist Church). John's wife Lucinda died of tuberculosis in 1857. A few years later, in 1860, John moved with several of his children and their families about 75 miles due west to Southern Illinois's White County, settling southwest of Carmi. There, John married again, and apparently died about 1869, near the tiny town of Herald.
John Riley HEDGES m:2) 6 Aug 1861 in White Co., IL, to Mrs. Mary "Polly" (WEISE) BROWN (1813-aft. 1870), widow of William BROWN (1806-c.1852).
9) Franklin HEDGES (c.1812-____).
10) Joseph HEDGES, III (c.1816-____).
11) Son HEDGES (c.1818-____).
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Sheriff Joseph HEDGES's widow Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE HEDGES remarried about 2-1/2 years after Joseph's death. She went by the name "Eliza", and she married an old family friend William CHIDSEY, on 16 Apr 1827, probably in Shepherdsville at the Courthouse. They apparently had a marriage bond dated 9 Apr 1827, but this author cannot find it at this time. They were married by Noah C. Simmons, who we believe was a Methodist pastor and also the County Clerk.
William CHIDSEY was apparently all that a family could hope for in a step-father---loving and kind to his wife, and very good to all of her children. He was admired to the point that more than one of Eliza's sons named their own sons after William CHIDSEY. He outlived Eliza by at least a few years, still leading the household in the 1840 census, 3 years after her death.
His exact birth and death dates have yet to be discovered, but if his father's will lists his children in birth order (which it seems to), then he would have to have been born in 1775. If he and his siblings are listed in random order in his father's Will, then the more commonly encountered birth year of 1777 may be true. His death date can reasonably be narrowed to probably October or early November of 1824---he died intestate, but a Court document in his Estate inventory dated 18 Nov 1824 is the very first time he is referred to as deceased, and it implies it is recent.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. married Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE (1774-1837) on 24 Nov 1798 in Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., VA (now WV). She seems to have been the daughter of George Cole BRISCOE, II (c.1753-1810), and Sarah MASON (1751-____); and perhaps the granddaughter of George Cole BRISCOE, I (1733-1805), & Frances McMILLIAN (1730-____), and of Thomas MASON (1707-1779) & Mary Elizabeth NEWTON (1720-1777). The BRISCOE family in this time and place does not seem to be as clear as seen in the featured article on them in Vol. III of "Colonial Families of the United States of America", which has Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE ("m. _____ HEDGES") the daughter of George BRISCOE and Frances McMILLAN, and granddaughter of Dr. John BRISCOE, III, and
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Sheriff Joseph and Elizabeth (BRISCOE) HEDGES's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joseph HEDGES, Jr. (c.1775-1824); m: 24 Nov 1798, in Berkeley Co., WV, to Elizabeth McMillan BRISCOE (1774-1837); moved to Bullitt Co., KY, circa 1800, where he became Sheriff of Bullitt County in 1820, serving through 1822, and died in 1824, perhaps from one of the many fevers that burned through that region around that time. They had at least 3 daughters and 8 sons:
1) Eleanor "Nelly" HEDGES (c.1799-Nov 1869), m: Joseph "Bigfoot" SWEARINGEN (1791-aft. 1850). (More to be added here.)
2) George Cole Briscoe HEDGES (c.1800-____); George may have attended some kind of academy or even law school, as he became a lawyer and local justice, was Sheriff of Bullitt County sometime in the 1821-22 period, which is interesting, considering his father was Sheriff just before that. More research is needed to make sure the Sheriff identification is not a mix-up with his dad, or if they both served as Sheriff. Also, a George HEDGES, of an age fitting this George, was married in Bardstown, Nelson County, to one Rebekah WISE, on 3 Sep 1818, by Rev. Isaac TAYLOR, of the Cox's Creek Baptist Church, son of old Rev. William TAYLOR, the founding pastor of that Church and a Kentucky Baptist pioneer. Cox's Creek was the nearest Baptist church to where the HEDGES lived, on the south branch of the Wilderness Trail in Bullitt Co., between Cox's Creek and Cedar Creek of Salt River, in S/E Bullitt Co.
. . . However, there is another HEDGES family who lived in Nelson Co., and especially in Spencer County, who were distant kin to our Bullitt County HEDGES, apparently pioneered by Revolutionary War veteran Robert HEDGES, who shows up on a Bullitt County tax list in 1799, but is in Nelson Co. territory thereafter. This clan also had a George HEDGES, born c.1796 in Prince William Co., VA, who enlisted on 4 July 1814 at Bardstown into the U. S. Rifles [Infantry], and who was on a recruitment roster dated 10 July 1814 at Lexington, KY (he was 5' 9" tall). So far, neither of these George HEDGES have been thoroughly researched or sorted out, and the one who served in the U. S. Army regulars may not have even come home. The George C. B. HEDGES who shows up as an independent householder in the annual Bullitt County tax records is clearly our George, and the significance of being his own homeowner could imply he had gotten married.
3) William HEDGES (c.1801-aft. 1850).
[NOTE: This is NOT the William G. HEDGES (1807-____) of Bourbon Co., KY, who m: Lucinda COX, also of Bourbon Co. THAT William was the son of Joseph HEDGES Jr. (1778-1829) and Margaret GOULDEN (1780-1872); grandson of Ensign Joseph HEDGES (1743-1804) and Sarah BIGGS (c.1750-1822); and great-grandson of Charles HEDGES (1712-1795) and Mary STILLE (1715-1765). Charles HEDGES was the older half-brother of Jonas HEDGES (1716-1804), both sons of old Joseph HEDGES of Monocacy (c.1670-1732). That would make 3rd-cousins of THIS William HEDGES of Bullitt Co., KY, and the William G. HEDGES of Bourbon Co., KY.]
4) Fannie M. (probably Frances McMillian) HEDGES (c.1803-aft. 1850); m: James WRIGHT; James is listed in the [20 July] 1850 Census as a "Hotell Keeper" with property valued at $11,000.00; this was known to be in Mt. Washington, though the Census itself does not give the exact location; Fannie was born in Virginia, and they had a young lady (clearly a niece), Fannie HEDGES age 13 living with them, as well as a 15-year-old girl named M. E. ROBINSON, both born in KY. Fannie HEDGES may have been an orphaned daughter of one of the HEDGES brothers whose history hasn't been tracked down yet; or maybe she wasn't orphaned but merely learning work at her Aunt's hotel. James and Fanny WRIGHT had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph Hedges WRIGHT (1828-1871); m: c.1854 to Ellen BRISCOE (), doubtless a cousin of some relation. In the 1850 Census, Joseph is 23 and living at home, but is listed as "Constable" for his occupation. Joseph H. WRIGHT died in 1871 in Louisville, but had become known as a prominent merchant and distiller, operating the Sugar Valley Distillery in Bullitt County---it is mentioned in the "Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky" 1897 biography of his son-in-law Joseph Thomas O'NEAL, Esq., who m: Lydia E. WRIGHT. Joseph & Ellen (BRISCOE) WRIGHT had at least 1 son and 2 daus.: James Douglass WRIGHT, Frances "Fanny" Emma WRIGHT, & Lydia Elizabeth WRIGHT.
....b) John Cole WRIGHT (3 Mar 1833-28 Aug 1851).
....c) James Chidsey WRIGHT (23 Jul 1843-11 Nov 1922); m: Orleana Adelaide SCHEFFEL (1860-1918); they had at least 1 son & 2 daus.: John August Scheffel WRIGHT, Orleana Frances "Fannie" WRIGHT, & Anna Louise WRIGHT.
5) Wesley HEDGES (c.1806-aft. 1831).
6) Samuel HEDGES (1808-aft. 1860); m: Elizabeth TRUNNELL (1810-____); had at least 3 sons:
....a) Joseph HEDGES (1830-____); m:1) 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858), a cousin, daughter of Rev. John Riley HEDGES and Mary Lucinda STALLINGS. They had 2 daus.: Eliza J. HEDGES, & Lucinda B. HEDGES. Joseph m:2) 17 Aug 1860, in Daviess Co., KY, to Lavinia A. DAVIS (1840-____).
....b) William Chidsey HEDGES (24 Dec 1842-9 Sep 1912); m: 1870 to Gramalda BURNETT (21 Oct 1850-25 Mar 1915), and had 5 daus. & 1 son: Elizabeth "Lizzie" HEDGES, Amy HEDGES, Susan Frances "Sue" HEDGES, Lettie HEDGES, Oma Lee HEDGES, & Houston H. HEDGES. This William Chidsey HEDGES served as a Corporal in Co. "B", 4th Kentucky Infantry, CSA (part of the "Orphans Brigade").
....c) Briscoe HEDGES.
7) Elizabeth HEDGES (c.1809-____). No further data on this daughter Elizabeth. [*Some erroneous data was previously attached to this Elizabeth HEDGES, which is now seen to be clearly inaccurate. It was relayed here that she married William CHIDSEY and had several children by him, but the William and Elizabeth CHIDSEY with those children all lived and died in New England. The William CHIDSEY of Mt. Washington, KY, who is connected with this Joseph HEDGES family was a good friend who ended up marrying Joseph's widow Elizabeth in 1827, and therefore became the stepfather to all these HEDGES children. See further details in this article. Sincere apologies for the confusion.]
8) Rev. John Riley HEDGES, Sr. (c.1810-c.1869); m:1) 21 Jul 1831 in Shepherdsville, Bullitt Co., KY, to Mary Lucinda STALLINGS (12 Apr 1812-24 Feb 1857); had 5 daus. & 5 sons:
....a) Elizabeth HEDGES (1834-6 Sep 1889); m: 27 Oct 1855 in KY to Everett Mead MARTIN (25 Dec 1835-3 Apr 1891), and had 4 daus. & 5 sons: Lavassa L. MARTIN, William Henry MARTIN, John Mead MARTIN, Franklin Eugene MARTIN, Sarah Elizabeth MARTIN, George W. MARTIN, Charley Everett MARTIN, Mary J. MARTIN, & Georgia Ann MARTIN. Elizabeth & Everett moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR, where they died.
....b) Cynthia HEDGES (1835-c.1858); m: 23 Oct 1853, in Daviess Co., KY, to Joseph HEDGES (1830-____), a cousin; and had 2 daughters [SEE ABOVE, under Joseph HEDGES, son of Samuel HEDGES and Elizabeth TRUNNELL].
....c) Wesley HEDGES (1836-c.1860); died in Owensboro, KY.
....d) Rev. William Chidsey HEDGES (17 Mar 1839-19 Apr 1917); m: 15 May 1858 in Daviess Co., KY, to Elizabeth Jane WITCHER (23 Jun 1840-20 Jan 1912), and had 7 sons and 5 daus.: Wesley Peter HEDGES, Rev. Daniel Key HEDGES, William Chidsey "Willie" HEDGES Jr., Cynthia Ann Emaline HEDGES, Martha Jane HEDGES, John Riley HEDGES Sr., Mary Ellen HEDGES, Rev. Frederick Freshet HEDGES, Delilah Jewell HEDGES, Lillie Ann HEDGES, Rev. George Washington HEDGES, Rev. Robert Fulton HEDGES, & Rhoda Elizabeth HEDGES. Rev. William C. HEDGES was an ordained Missionary Baptist minister, a farmer, and served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, being severely wounded in the Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
....e) Martha Jane HEDGES (22 Nov 1842-14 Feb 1917); m:1) 30 Jul 1861 in White Co., IL, to William Henry STROUGHMATT (c.1840-1864), and had 1 dau.: Mary STROUGHMATT. William died in the Civil War, and Martha m:2) on 26 Feb 1864, in Gallatin Co., IL, to Ephraim Q. "Leaf" ACKLEY (1 Mar 1839-9 Apr 1919); and had
6 daus. & 4 sons: Easter Emaline ACKLEY, Sarah Frances ACKLEY, William Henry ACKLEY, Ephraim Jewel ACKLEY, Martha Ann ACKLEY, Margaret E. ACKLEY, Virgil ACKLEY, Ophelia ACKLEY, Francis ACKLEY.
....f) John Riley HEDGES Jr. (Jun 1845-7 Dec 1863); m: c.1862, to Emiline _______. John served as a Private in Co. "G", 87th Illinois Infantry, and died at New Orleans of illness.
....g) Emaline HEDGES (Oct 1846-15 Mar 1924); m: 16 Jun 1861, in White Co., IL, to John William ACORD (23 Mar 1846-22 Nov 1919), and they had 7 daus. and 4 sons: Mary Elizabeth ACORD, Isabell ACORD, Greenup Juel ACORD, Martha Jane ACORD, Sarah ACORD, Annie ACORD, Ellen ACORD, John ACORD, Ira Patrick ACORD, William Riley ACORD, Letha Emma ACORD. John William ACORD had been m:1) 1859 to Becca RAMBO, and had 1 son: Valentine ACORD, after which Becca died.
....h) David Riley HEDGES (18 Jul 1848-1900); m: 20 Aug 1868, in White Co., IL, to Hannah Lavinia CATLIN (1850-Apr 1938); and had 6 sons & 4 daus.: Virgil HEDGES, Greenup Jewell HEDGES, Theodore HEDGES, Henrietta HEDGES, Cindy HEDGES, Ruben Franklin "Ruby" HEDGES, Lula HEDGES, Willis Pruitt HEDGES, Laura J. HEDGES, Arthur Reeves HEDGES. David & Hannah HEDGES moved to Paragould, Greene Co., AR in the 1870's, and to the New Madrid, MO, area around 1889.
....i) 9) Sarah "Sallie" HEDGES (Mar 1850-c.May 1904); m: 14 Sep 1871, in White Co., IL, to Reeves C. NAPIER (30 Sep 1848-25 Feb 1932, son of Franklin Cook NAPIER & Lavina Dunn Reeves LOFTIN), and had 2 daus., 3 sons, & 3 other children who died as infants: Ellen NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Addie Isetta NAPIER, Frank NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Child NAPIER, Charles R. "Charlie" NAPIER, & William NAPIER. Reeves's name was also spelled "Rives". He served in Co. "F", of the 10th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War.
The name Reeves NAPIER, so it would seem, must appear in some document in a style of handwriting that has been misread as "Raleigh NAPTEURE"; until recently, this name has been erroneously listed as another husband of Sallie. There is a family researcher that suggested Sallie HEDGES was briefly married 1st to a John WITCHER, doubtless a nephew of Daniel Key and Mary Ellen (HARPER) WITCHER, but no record could be found as yet to substantiate this.
....j) Greenup Jewell HEDGES (1 Jan 1854-2 May 1948); m:1) 1 Jan 1875, in White Co., IL, to Hanna Elizabeth WHITACKER (1856-Apr 1886), and had 4 sons and 1 dau.: Jewell HEDGES, William Henry HEDGES, Carrie HEDGES, John Benson HEDGES Sr., & Virgil HEDGES. Greenup Jewell HEDGES m:2) 1888 in Carter Co., MO, to Henrietta V. JOHNSON (1852-1899), and had 3 daus. & 2 sons: Ella HEDGES, Della HEDGES, Davie HEDGES, Ota HEDGES [dau.], & Ova HEDGES [son].
Rev. John Riley HEDGES was perhaps only an ordained Baptist deacon, but around 1839 moved with his wife and young family to the southern section of Daviess Co., KY, and became a member of one of the Baptist churches there---apparently Green Brier Baptist Church---in the area now called Utica. In 1854, John Riley HEDGES and his teenage son William Chidsey HEDGES were founding members in the formation of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in the same neighborhood (long since called the Utica Baptist Church). John's wife Lucinda died of tuberculosis in 1857. A few years later, in 1860, John moved with several of his children and their families about 75 miles due west to Southern Illinois's White County, settling southwest of Carmi. There, John married again, and apparently died about 1869, near the tiny town of Herald.
John Riley HEDGES m:2) 6 Aug 1861 in White Co., IL, to Mrs. Mary "Polly" (WEISE) BROWN (1813-aft. 1870), widow of William BROWN (1806-c.1852).
9) Franklin HEDGES (c.1812-____).
10) Joseph HEDGES, III (c.1816-____).
11) Son HEDGES (c.1818-____).
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Sheriff Joseph HEDGES's widow Elizabeth McMillian BRISCOE HEDGES remarried about 2-1/2 years after Joseph's death. She went by the name "Eliza", and she married an old family friend William CHIDSEY, on 16 Apr 1827, probably in Shepherdsville at the Courthouse. They apparently had a marriage bond dated 9 Apr 1827, but this author cannot find it at this time. They were married by Noah C. Simmons, who we believe was a Methodist pastor and also the County Clerk.
William CHIDSEY was apparently all that a family could hope for in a step-father---loving and kind to his wife, and very good to all of her children. He was admired to the point that more than one of Eliza's sons named their own sons after William CHIDSEY. He outlived Eliza by at least a few years, still leading the household in the 1840 census, 3 years after her death.
Gravesite Details
Original Hall Cemetery, with stone walls and at least 16 remaining legible tombstones, was bulldozed by the owner in the late 1960's. Elizabeth Hedges was believed to be buried next to Joseph, and this site is known to be HER burial site.
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