Thomas Young Brown and Peggy Morrow
Thomas Young Brown was a son of Andrew Brown and his wife Ruth and was born around 1793 in South Carolina. Andrew Brown won land in Baldwin county in the 1807 Georgia land lottery. In 1808 the family settled there, in an area that had become part of Morgan county. Andrew died in 1811, and his widow married Joseph Morrow in Morgan county on December 20, 1812.

On December 24, 1816 in Morgan county, Thomas Brown married Margaret "Peggy" Morrow, who was probably the daughter of Thomas' step-father. In 1821, Thomas won land lots in Walton county in the Land Lottery. In 1833 he sold his land and moved to Heard Co., where his brothers and step-father were living. Thomas Brown died on July 10, 1836 and was buried in the Brown-Morrow cemetery near Corinth. His wife, Peggy, died almost 50 years later near Handy, Coweta Co., on June 1, 1884 and was buried beside him.

Thomas Young Brown and Peggy Morrow had the following children:

• Andrew Berry Brown, born January 17, 1818 in Walton Co, GA. Married Martha Elizabeth Henderson. Died August 27, 1889.
• Elizabeth Gillom Brown, born January 15, 1820 in Walton Co., GA. Married James Millians on January 16, 1844 in Coweta Co., GA. Died April 5, 1891 in Newnan, Coweta Co., GA. Buried in Newnan.
• Joseph Morrow Brown, born May 24, 1822. Married Mary Elizabeth Rowland. Died September 1, 1865.
• Ruth Young Brown, born June 25, 1824. Married Travis Grimes on October 8, 1846 in Coweta Co., GA. Died December 5, 1892.
• Frances Jane Brown, born December 18, 1825. Married Leroy C. Henderson. Died May 28, 1906.
• Thomas Young Brown, born November 28, 1827. Died September 24, 1861 in Rich Mountain, VA.
• Christopher Black Brown, born February 28, 1829. Married Julia Pullen. Died October 2, 1914.
• Peter James Brown, born April 29, 1831. Died September 29, 1863 in Staunton, VA.
• Sarah Ann Brown, born May 31, 1833. Married Harbert Grimes of Coweta Co. Died June 1, 1872.
• Margaret Thomas Brown, born September 20, 1836. Died August 20, 1839.

The following obituary appeared in the Newnan Herald on June 3, 1884:

Gathered Home

Mrs. Brown, mother of Mr. A. B. Brown, of the Fourth District, and Mr. C. B. Brown, of our city, died Sunday at the residence of her son in the Fourth at the ripe age of ninety-one years.  She had been very low for several weeks, and her death was daily expected. She was a mother in Israel indeed, a good and useful woman in her day and generation.

Mr. C. B. Brown and his family went out yesterday to be present at the burial services.

A week later, on June 10, 1884, the following obituary appeared in the Newnan Herald:

Editor Herald: It becomes my duty to chronicle the death of the oldest person in our district, that of Mrs. Margaret Brown, widow of Thos. Y. Brown, which occurred on the evening of the 1st of June at 11 o'clock, at the residence of her son, Mr. A. B. Brown, in the 91st year of her age.  She united with the Baptist church when 16 years of age and lived an exemplary member for the long period of 75 years.  An old acquaintance of hers informed the writer that he never knew her to speak a harmful word of any one.  She was left a widow when her children were small, but raised them an honor to herself and a blessing to the community where they lived, and some of them have filled offices of honor and trust in this county.  Her remains were laid beside her husband in the family burying ground near the residence of the late C. B. Brown, of Heard county, after funeral services at the grave by Rev. R. H. Jackson.  She leaves five children, A. B. and C. B. Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth Millions, Mrs. Franc[e]s Henderson and Mrs. Ruth Grimes, all except the last mentioned were by her bedside in her last hours. We extend sympathy to the bereaved in the loss of their dear relative who has fallen asleep in Jesus.

Elizabeth Gillom Brown

Elizabeth Gillom Brown was born January 15, 1820. On January 16, 1844, she married James Millians in Coweta Co., GA. For years they lived in the Handy community of Coweta Co., before moving to the city of Newnan.  For more information on their family, see the material for James Millians.  She died on April 5, 1891 in Newnan, Coweta Co., GA.

The following article appeared in the Newnan Herald on August 5, 1890:

A Remarkable Case.

About ten months ago a tumor appeared on Mrs. Jas. Milliams' breast and grew to such proportions as to cause grave apprehensions for her recovery.  Her health failed fast, and it seemed that death was inevitable. Dr. Thos. J. Jones was called to see her and after consultation it was decided to remove the tumor by the use of the knife.  A short time since Dr. Jones, assisted by Drs. T. B. Davis and J. T. Moore, performed the operation by removing the entire right breast and two affected cords extending past the arm-pit.  She being an old lady, near 70 years of age, no one thought she could stand the operation, yet she did, and the wounds healed nicely and rapidly.  She is now well and hearty, enjoying better health than for a year or more past  Her neighbors and friends think it a most remarkable case.  Words would not begin to express the gratitude of the family to Dr. Jones for the success of his operation, and to Drs. Davis and Moore for their skillful assistance.

Dr. Jones is ably sustaining his reputation as one of the best surgeons in the State.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth died within a year.  The following article appeared in the Newnan Herald on April 10, 1891:

Mrs. Jas. Millians, whose illness has been mentioned from time to time in these columns, passed peacefully away at her home in this city on Sunday night last. She had been a severe sufferer for several years prior to her death, but bore her afflictions with true Christian patience and fortitude, and was fully prepared to go when the final summons came.  She leaves an aged husband and several children to mourn her loss, who have the deep sympathies of the community in their bereavement.  The remains were interred in the city cemetery on Tuesday morning last, services at the grave being conducted by Dr. Hall.

The following obituary appeared in the Newnan Herald on May 15, 1891:

Obituary.

It is with a sad heart that we are called upon to write a few lines in memory of our loved and honored friend, Mrs. Jas. Millians, who departed this life April 5th, 1891, after a long and painful illness.

Mrs. Millians was born in Walton county, Ga., January 16, 1821, and removed to this county when quite young.  On January 16th, 1844, she was happily married to Jas. Millians.  This union was blessed with seven children, all of whom lived to see her happy spirit wend its way to the God who gave it.  She united with the Baptist church at the age of 15 and lived a consistent Christian life until death.  She was an earnest bible reader and practiced the lessons thus learned as few do.  She was ever faithful in her duties to the sick, and in ministering to the wants of those around her.  Punctual to attend church, scarcely missing a service until about two years ago, when her health failed.  In life she was a great sufferer from blood poison, terminating in a tumorous affection of the breast and stomach that medical skill failed to conquer.  All was done that could be by physicians, devoted children and kind friends.  Prostrate in bed as she was, yet she was never heard to murmur nor complain, saying "The Lord doeth all things well," bearing her sufferings with a patience and submission that only a true, devoted Christian could do.  She always expressed her herself as ready and willing to die.  The only thing she seemed anxious about was to know that her children would all meet her in heaven.  Several days before her death all her children were summoned around her bedside, and what a meeting!  It was one never to be forgotten, to see an aged mother take her children by the hand and to hear her parting blessings.  She described in beautiful language the place to which she was going and the crown that awaited her there.  Very affecting was the scene where the aged husband bowed down by the side of his loved one for the last time, to hear those words of farewell spoken.

"I am pushing through the waters,
But a blessed shore appears;
Kneel beside me, husband, dearest,
Let me kiss away thy tears.
Wrestle with thy grief, my husband,
Strive from midnight unto day;
It may leave an angel blessing
When it vanisheth away."

It seemed that now her mission on earth was finished.  At a token she was raised by loving hands from her pillow, and, raising her eyes heavenward, quietly fell asleep in Jesus.

After a funeral discourse by her pastor, Dr. Hall, her remains were laid to rest in the city cemetery.

She leaves a vacant chair around the fireside that can never be filled.  A faithful wife and loving mother gone! 'Tis hard to give her up, yet the Lord knowest best.  Weep not, children, for "I will be in heaven out of my sufferings.  Live right and meet me there."

Dearest mother, thou has left us.
  And the loss we deeply feel;
But 'tis God that has bereft us--
  He can all our sorrows heal.
Yet again we hope to meet thee
  When the day of life is fled,
When in heaven with joy to greet thee,
  Where no farewell tears are shed.

Newnan, Ga., May 12th.    A.E.H.

Hiram McDonald

On February 1, 1829 Hiram McDonald married Lovey Walden in Coweta Co., as documented in the Bethel Baptist Church records. Lovey was the daughter of James Walden (born around 1777) and Rebecca Mercer (born around 1786). One researcher (Marjorie Barron) has pieced together the following: Hiram McDonald and the Walden and Mercer families lived near each other for years in the early 1800s. In 1817 Hiram McDonald lived in Jasper Co., GA (as did the Waldens and Mercers) when the 1820 Land Lottery lists were made. By 1823 Hiram was living in Fayette Co., GA, as were the Waldens and Mercers. In the late 1820s they all left for Coweta Co., GA and attended Bethel Baptist Church.

In the 1830 federal census in Coweta Co., Hiram McDonald's family had:

• under 5 male 1
• 5-10 male 1
• 20-30 male 1
• 20-30 female 1

In the 1840 federal census in Heard Co. (district 78), Hiram McDonald's family had:

• 5-10 male 2
• 10-15 male 1
• 15-20 male 1
• 30-40 male 1
• under 5 female 3
• 30-40 female 1

From 1840 to 1844, Hiram McDonald was the sheriff of Heard Co., GA.

The following are the known children of Hiram McDonald and Lovey Walden:

• Ferril C. McDonald. Born about 1831.
• James M. McDonald. Born about 1833 in Heard Co., GA.
• Sarah A. McDonald. Born about 1836 in Heard Co., GA. Didn't marry. Died October 1909.
• Louisa Jane McDonald. Born October 22, 1837 in Heard Co., GA. Married James F. Bevis on October 21, 1860 in Heard Co., GA. Died July 13, 1897.
• Martha "Fannie" Frances McDonald. Born June 8, 1839. Married first Asberry Copeland. Married second John J. Millians. Died September 16, 1921 in Coweta Co., GA.
• Mary Callie McDonald. Born June 6, 1842. Married Thomas Miller. Died May 8, 1902.
• Hiram W. McDonald. Born about 1846. Served in Company K, 56^th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, the same regiment in which Asberry Copeland, his brother-in-law, served. Substitute for J. F. Bevis. Wounded May 16, 1863 at Baker's Creek, MS.

Green B. McDonald, who was born about 1825 and who lived in Coweta Co., may also be a son.  It is also very likely that Hiram had an illegitimate son, Seaborn Walden, who was born about 1829.  Recent y-DNA test results indicate that a descendent of Seaborn Walden has the same DNA line as this branch of the McDonalds.  It is possible that he is a son born before Hiram and Lovey married. The same DNA test indicates that Hiram McDonald is probably a son of Samuel McDonald.

By the time of the 1850 federal census, Hiram McDonald was married to Keziah Smith, who was born in Alabama (although an oral source states that she was from Louisiana): he was listed as 49, and she was 28. His first wife, Lovey, died between 1840 and 1850.

The following are the known children of Hiram McDonald and Keziah Smith:

• Thomas S. McDonald. Born about 1848, possibly in AL.
• Charles J. McDonald. Born about 1850, possibly in AL. Married first to Elizabeth J. Was a Baptist minister. Moved to Stephens Co., TX. Died after 1930 census.
• Samuel R. McDonald. Born about 1852. Married Sallie Nothern on December 30, 1882 in Independence Co, AR. Moved to Independence Co., AR. Died after 1920.
• Eliza Valinda McDonald. Born February 23, 1855 in Franklin, Heard Co., GA. Married John W. Nothern on December 20, 1882 in Independence Co., AR. Died April 12, 1930 in Batesville, Independence Co., AR.
• Luella McDonald. Born about 1857.
• Edward McDonald. Born about 1859 in Heard Co. Moved to Independence Co., AR.

In the 1850 federal census in Heard Co., the household is as follows:

• Hiram McDonald, 49.
• Kesiah McDonald, 28.
• Ferril C. McDonald, 19.
• James M. McDonald, 17. 
• Sarah A. McDonald, 14.
• John Chapman, born about 1828. (a Chapman family lived nearby)
• Louisa Jane McDonald, 13.
• Martha F. McDonald, 11.
• Mary McDonald, 9.
• Hiram McDonald, 6.
• Thomas McDonald, 2.
• Charles McDonald, 1.

• Hiram McDonald, 60, farmer.
• Kesiah McDonald, 37.
• James M. McDonald, 27, farmer.
• Sarah A. McDonald, 24.
• Louisa J. McDonald, 22.
• Mary C. McDonald, 18.
• Hiram W. McDonald, 14.
• Thomas McDonald, 12.
• Charles McDonald, 10.
• Samuel McDonald, 8.
• Eliza McDonald, 5.
• Luella McDonald, 3. 
• Edward McDonald, 1.

• Hiram McDonald, 80, farming.
• Keziah McDonald, 49, keeping house.
• Thomas S. McDonald, 20, farm laborer.
• Samuel R. McDonald, 15, farm laborer.
• Eliza V. McDonald, 15, at home.
• Luella E. McDonald, 12, at home.
• Edward E. McDonald, 11, farm laborer.

His daughter Martha F. Copeland and her son Augustus M. Copeland, 8, were living with them as was Sarah A. McDonald, 35.

Hiram and Keziah McDonald apparently died before the 1880 federal census.  By 1880, several of their children had moved to Gainsboro, Independence Co., AR--Samuel R. McDonald, Eliza V. McDonald, and Edward E. McDonald.  Another son, Charles J. McDonald, was living in Texas by 1880.  It is possible that either Hiram and Kesiah or both moved west with their children.