Headstone: Mason

Samuel was a son of Dr. Seaborn Randolph/Randolf Hodges and Elizabeth Ann Hendrix, both buried in the Anderson Baptist Church Cemetery, Collins, Tattnall Co., GA; sect. C1C.

Samuel married Lurania Agnes "Luraney" WILLIAMS 29 Mar 1888 in Tattnall Co., GA. All of their children are listed on her memorial.

From 'Tales of Old Tattnall & Evans" by Nancy Hodges Crosby 2012.
Seaborn R. Hodges
Early Tattnall Physician and his Descendants

Seaborn R. Hodges, son of William and Hannah, was born in Tattnall on April 26, 1816. Seaborn fought with Elmore Callaway in the Seminole Indian Wars with General Charles Floyd's Brigade of Georgia Volunteers in the Okefenokee Swamp in 1837. Elmore returned home with Seaborn, met and married Seaborn's sister, Samantha. The couple settled on Cedar Creek lands north of Manassas. Seaborn married Elisabeth Hendrix born in Bulloch on February 18, 1840 and settled on Cedar Creek northwest of Claxton.

'Betsy' was the daughter of John Hendrix and Jemina Brewton. Jemina Brewton was the daughter of Nathan Brewton and Nancy Fontaine. Nancy Fontaine daughter of Francis Fontaine descended from a long line of French Huguenot ministers who left the Catholic Church in the 1500's and Europe for England migrating to Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In 1792 Nathan Brewton of North Carolina moved with his wife Nancy to a site on the Canoochee River near Hendrix Bridge. He founded Brewton Church and Cemetery in Hagan in 1835.

Seaborn and Betsy had eleven children; George Washington (b.1843, m. Levina Collins), Susan Jemima (b. 1844, m. Gideon T. Burdett, Sr.), James J. (b. 1846 unmarried), Nancy Jane (b. 1848, m. John Wesley Tippins), John Hendrix (b. 1849, m. Mary Jane Tippins) Seaborn Layfaette (b.1852, m.1st Susan Brewton, 2nd Liza Collins) , Berry Hyram (b. 1854, m. Laura Frances Brewton) , Samuel Eli (b. 1857, m. Lurania Williams), Daniel Alexander (b. 1859, m. Utah Morgan), Phillip Bartow (b. 1861, m. 1st Mary Frances Rogers, 2nd Emma Clanton) and Elias
(b. 1865, m. Edna Elizabeth Coleman).

Seaborn was one of the first physicians in Tattnall, a Mason and farmer. He purchased land two miles east of Claxton. The 1880 Tattnall Census places them in the 401st Militia District, the same where son, Sam, lived at the time his estate was settled. The family was photographed at their log home in 1897.

The Morning News of Savannah; "Tattnall Loses One of Its Best Residents" Reidsville, October 12, 1899- Dr. S.R. Hodges, one of Tattnall's oldest citizens, died at his home after an illness of about two weeks. He was 84, one of Tattnall's best citizens. His remains will be interred at Anderson's Church, Oct. 13.

Samuel Eli Hodges born July 13, 1857 was the son of Seaborn and Betsy. Sam married Lurania Williams born May 12, 1868 daughter of Altamond Williams of Collins. He built a now restored home on Rogers Bridge Road two miles east of Claxton. The well had a "sweep" to draw water. He had mules and buggies and used horse drawn plows and planters. Sam's mule drawn "cole" cotton planter, an early 1900's "Planet Jr." garden plow, Seaborn's scythe with grain cradle from the late 1800's and rope bed of Seaborn's were donated to the Glennville-Tattnall Museum.

Children of Samuel Eli Hodges and his wife Lurania Williams; Linton Hendrix (b. 1889 m. Stella Jones: Harold, Marilyn), B. Terrell (b. 1890 m. Gussie Dyess: Sadie, Chester, Miriam, Franklin, Jack, Wade), S. Roach (b. 1892 m. Louise Mitchell: no children), George Brinson (b.1894 m. Ida Bell Kennedy: George Brinson, Jr. and Holmes Wallace), Pearl Elizabeth (b. 1896 m. Thomas W. Smith: Watson, Edith, Melba), Daisy (b. 1898 m. R. Cecil Rogers: Floreine, Alton, Reginald), Edgar (b. 1901 m. Katie Hendley: James, Betty, Ouida), Mattie (b.1903 m. Leroy Sutton: Marjorie), Doll A.(b.1905 m. Gordon Hendley: Charles, Virgil, Gloria), Sally Kate (b. 1907 m. Homer Clay Jackson: Henry), Ottis Altamond ( b. 1909 m. Helen "Bud" Durrence: Neil, Jane, Dan), Samuel Eli "S.E.", Jr. (b. 1911 m. Jewel Branch: John, Sarah, Harry, Jerry), Ida Mae (b. 1916 m. Merrill Devine: Jack, Diane).

Luraney died July 24, 1927 of a heart attack at age 59. Sam's obituary in the Savannah Morning News Friday, July 27, 1928 read: Claxton, July 26-Samuel E Hodges died suddenly at his home in Evans County (July 25, 1928) after celebrating his 71st birthday with a large gathering of family and friends. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge over 30 years. He was one of Evans County's most successful farmers, having accumulated a good estate. His genial qualities endeared him to his many friends, having been widely known and admired for his sterling honesty and liberal charity towards his fellow man. Funeral services today in Brewton's cemetery. Rev. J. J. Winburn, pastor of Claxton Baptist Church conducted services.

Benjamin Terrell Hodges (1890-1964) son of Sam and Lurania, married Gussie Dyess (1892-1978). Children: Sadie Bell Hodges Presson (1915-2008), Fleming Chester Hodges (1917-1988), Miriam Hodges Kicklighter (1921-1977), Benjamin Franklin Hodges (1923), Jack Thomas Hodges (1927-2002) and Wade Terrell Hodges (1930-) Terrell's four sons served in different branches of the American Armed Forces. Terrell farmed until his land was taken by Fort Stewart with 90 days to relocate. Each board was marked as their home was torn down and rebuilt on River Street in Claxton. Gussie was a good wife and mother and a mid-wife delivering babies in the community. Grandchildren added great joy for the couple. Children: Sadie: none, Chester: Larry, Len, Nelson, Amy. Miriam: Tommy, Gail. Franklin: Mona Rae, Ben. Jack: Jackie, Sandra, Becky. Wade: Ken, Bob. Gussie and Terrell are buried at Bull Creek.

Daisy Agnes Hodges born October 28, 1898 to Sam and Lurania, married November 1915 to Richard Cecil Rogers born 1894. Children were; Floreine b 1916, (m Judson Churchill, Julian Creel), Wilbert b 1918 died an infant, Alton b 1919 killed WWII in Italy September 7, 1944, James Reginald b 1921, (m Mary Ellen Mahoney born 1917) and Doris b1923 (m Elton Deloach b1921). Daisy grew up in Evans County and completed eight years of school. She attended Dale Carnegie and was a member of the Martha Washington Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and a past Worthy Matron. She was a member of the Order of the Amaranth and a past Royal Matron. Daisy loved flowers. Gardening was therapy after son, Alton, died. She was an officer of the Claxton Garden Club and State and National Flower show judge. Daisy wrote Antioch News for the Claxton Enterprise. A member of Bull Creek Baptist she served her Lord faithfully, teaching Sunday School and Training Union and was honored September 12, 1982. Family was very important and she was a good neighbor and friend. When Cecil died June 12, 1972 were married 56 years. Daisy died September 20th, 1989. They are buried at Bull Creek. Descendants of Daisy and Cecil; Reginald and Mary's children: James Robert Rogers b1950 d 1997, Patricia Rogers b 1952 d1995 and John Charles Rogers b1956, d 2007. Doris and Elton Deloach's children; Sharon Deloach b 1944 (m David C. Mitchell b 1940), Dennis E. Deloach b 1947 (m to Kay Sims b 1949), Richard F. Deloach b 1949 (m Donna Wood b 1951) and J. Wendell Deloach b1951 (m Linda Smith b1954, Cathy Rushing b 1963).

Ottis Hodges born 1909, son of Sam and Lurania, married Helen Elizabeth "Bud" born 1911, daughter of Thomas Gordon and Lannie Easterling Durrence. Thomas and Lannie lived near Beard's Creek Church and lost their farm to Fort Stewart. Bud's sister, Anne, married Virgil Strickland. Ottis and Bud's children were; J. Neil born in 1930 (m Jeannie Proutt, children; Steve, Diane, Connie, Lori ) , Jane 1931 ( m Duane Green, children; Janet, Alan, and Teresa. Alan two sons; Dustin and Hunter ) and Dan 1932 (m Carolyn Threatt; children Randy and Danette ). They attended Antioch School until old enough to go to Claxton. Ottis and Bud traveled in a one mule wagon to clear their homeplace. They sawed the trees down, peeled the bark, fitted the logs and built a barn. During the depression in the 1930's they built their home adding on as they could afford it. Bud sold whipping cream, butter and eggs in Claxton. Later, they raised poultry for many years. In the 1960's Bud was a member of the Evans County Home Demonstration Club. They made two quilts every winter for the Bethany Home for Christmas. When she died at 93 on March 27, 2005 she was the oldest living member of Bull Creek Baptist where they are buried. Bud was loved by everyone who knew her.

George "Brinson" Hodges, Sr. born February 28, 1894, son of Sam and Lurania, grew up working on the family farm. He joined the forces in World War I, was injured when he fell off a horse in France and returned home October 25, 1918. Brinson married Ida Bell, daughter of Levi Holmes and Miranda Deloach Kennedy on December 23, 1921. Son "G. B." was born January 7,1923 and Holmes Wallace, May 2, 1926. Brinson was a farmer until Holmes built a three story home on Highway 301 South of Claxton in 1946. Brinson purchased it for the Traveler's Inn and built Traveler's Inn Restaurant next door. Then he added G. B. Hodges Motel which he ran until his death in 1982. Granddaddy always teased that he was born on leap year and divided his age by four! He and his sons loved to tell humorous stories. He owned farm land, lots and rental properties. He is buried east of the Tabernacle at Brewton Cemetery.