In Memory of Peggy Brown Chapman
1928-2002

For comments, additions or questions on any of these families
write to me - Kay Martin at Sunimaze@earthlink.net

Personal site: http://home.earthlink.net/~sunimaze/
Martin DNA: http://www.martindna.com
Goodman DNA: http://www.bcpl.net/~dmg/DNA.html
White DNA: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/white/

 Generation No. 1

1.  PETER¹ HELTON¹ was born Abt. 1790 in NC¹.  He married SARAH ELIZABETH COURTNEY¹¹.   

Notes for PETER HELTON:

Rutherford Co., TN. Court record March 1850 establishes Sarah Helton as  Peter's widow. Peter Helton dies before 8 Aug 1849, leaves no will, William Helton granted administration of Peter's estate. Rutherford Co., TN court record. (believe William son of Peter.) Peter Helton sells to William Helton in 1842 160 acres of the 180 acres he   bought from Archibald Tennison in 1834, In Rutherford Co., TN.. Joshua D. Helton signs deed as witness of transaction. Joshua Helton marries Nancy Williams a few months later in 1843. From: Nyla Potter and Jean Helton.

Notes for SARAH ELIZABETH COURTNEY:
Sarah's maiden name not proven.       

Children of PETER HELTON and SARAH COURTNEY:

2.                     i.    JOSHUA D.² HELTON.
ii.    JAMES HELTON¹.
       Notes for JAMES HELTON: Not proven that James is a part of this family... He may have been a brother to Peter Helton instead of a son. He married Sarah Tennison who married second, Andrew Carnahan. William Helton was the admin. of her estate before his own death. The will of Abraham Tennison, dated 1826, Rutherford Co., TN., names his daughter, Mrs. James Helton, and gives her a share of his estate. Children of James and Sarah Helton:

        SAMUEL P. (PETER?) HELTON
        SARAH HELTON - MARRIED ______ PYLAND  
        ELIZA HELTON - MARRIED ______ BROWN ELIZABETH HELTON 

                 iii.    MARY HELTON¹. 
Notes for MARY HELTON: Married Augustus Iron, May 1836 in Rutherford County, TN. Augustus Iron was a witness at the wedding of William Helton and Nancy Shipp... William Helton was a witness at the wedding of Augustus Iron and Mary Helton... 

                 iv.    SUSANNA HELTON¹.
Notes for SUSANNA HELTON: Susanna married James E. Daniel on 14 Jan 1845 in Rutherford Co., TN. Info on this couple from Joyce Woodruff-Terrana: Have made definite connection to this couple on the Daniel line. Strongly suspect Susanna Helton to be a daughter of Peter Helton due to closeness of birth date and place. This couple lived in McCracken Dist..  

3.               v.    WILLIAM HELTON, b. Abt. 1815, Rutherford Co, Tennessee; d. 17 October 1864, Johnson Island, Ohio.

4.              vi.    ABRAHAM HELTON, b. 1818, Rutherford Co, Tennessee; d. Bet. 1880 - 1900, Bedford Co, Tennessee. 

Generation No. 2

2.  JOSHUA D.² HELTON (PETER¹)¹.  He married NANCY WILLIAMS¹ 15 February 1843 in Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹.   

Children of JOSHUA HELTON and NANCY WILLIAMS are:

                        i.    ALEXANDER P.³ HELTON¹.
ii.    NEWTON J. HELTON¹.
iii.    SARAH HELTON¹.
iv.    JANE HELTON¹.
v.    NANCY HELTON¹.
vi.    TENNIE HELTON¹.
vii.    ROBERT HELTON¹.
viii.    JOHN HELTON¹, b. 1847¹; d. 1915¹.
ix.    JOSEPH MARION 'JOE' HELTON¹, b. February 1856, Tennessee¹; d. 06 February 1923, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹;
         m. (1) TENNESSEE 'TENNIE' BILLINGSLEY¹, 26 January 1878, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; b. 1860, Arkansas¹; d. Bet. 1898 - 1900, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; m. (2) ELLA NIPPER¹, Aft. 1900, Tennessee¹. 

Notes for JOSEPH MARION 'JOE' HELTON:
Information on this Helton family from the Helton Family Reunion - 1989 -  Jean Helton Young.
On the 1900 census soundex, Joe Helton was living in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He was not
married at that time, and the child, Alfred, was not listed. Joseph died of pneumonia after coming down with the flu.

3.  WILLIAM² HELTON (PETER¹)¹ was born Abt. 1815 in Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹, and died 17 October 1864 in Johnson Island, Ohio¹.  He married NANCY YEARWOOD SHIPP¹ 26 October 1836 in Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹, daughter of L.D. SHIPP.  She was born Abt. 1818 in Tennessee¹.

Notes for WILLIAM HELTON:
From 'marriages of Rutherford County, TN.' by Whitley the 1860 Tennessee census. 1988 Tennessee IGI numbers: 8604412-15 and 8621905-62 William Helton, a confederate soldier, died in a Yankee prison camp. He made  his will in 1864, leaving 160 acres of land to his wife, Nancy, and appointed  his older daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Helton, guardian of his younger children. William was captured 26 jan 1863 in Rutherford County, tn., and shipped to a military prison at Louisville, Ky.. He was moved 22 July 1863 to Johnson Island prison camp near Sandusky, Ohio, where he died. He had written a letter to his wife, Nancy, on 9 oct 1864, and knew that he was dying at that time. William was a conscript officer. It was his job to draft men into the service of the confederate army. Info from:

Ron Helton, Little Rock, AR.

It is not proven that William was a son of Peter Helton and Sarah Elizabeth Courtney. 

More About WILLIAM HELTON: Burial: Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹ 

Notes for NANCY YEARWOOD SHIPP:
INFORMATION FROM:   NYLA POTTER
The 1840 Rutherford Co., TN census lists a John YEARWOOD that I find very interesting. In his home were one male
30-40, one male 15-20, one 10-15, and one 5-10, the females listed were 1 20-30, 1 10-15, and 1 5-10. Nancy's name being Nancy Yearwood SHIPP makes me believe she was in some way related to this John YEARWOOD.       

Children of WILLIAM HELTON and NANCY SHIPP are:

                  i.    MARTHA³ HELTON¹, b. 24 February 1840, Kittrel, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; d. 13 April 1919¹.

                  ii.    SARAH ELIZABETH HELTON¹, b. 16 June 1842, Kittrel, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹.

                 iii.    ELIZA BELEFIELD HELTON¹, b. 09 December 1844, Kittrel, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; d. 06 February 1913¹.

                 iv.    ANDREW PETER HELTON¹, b. 06 February 1845, Kittrel, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; d. 18 October 1910, Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; m. (1) NANCY LIZA JAMISON¹, 06 February 1866, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; b. Abt. 1847, Tennessee¹; m. (2) MARGARET BURNETT¹, 08 September 1877, Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; b. 23 October 1855, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; d. 03 August 1939, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹.
Notes for ANDREW PETER HELTON: From 'Marriages of Rutherford County, TN. 1804 - 1872' by Whitley
The 1880, 1900 and 1910 Rutherford County, TN. census LDS Tennessee IGI numbers: 8621905-62, 8604412-15, 8621905-59, 8621905-60. Nyla Potter has that Andrew Peter Helton died 12 Oct 1910. Andrew made his will 9 June 1904, and it was proven 26 Nov 1910. 

                 v.    MARGARET J. HELTON¹, b. 1847, Kittrel, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹.

                 vi.    MARY E. HELTON¹, b. 1848, Kittrel, Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹; d. July 1932¹. 

4.  ABRAHAM² HELTON (PETER¹)¹ was born 1818 in Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹, and died Bet. 1880 - 1900 in Bedford Co, Tennessee¹.  He married REBECCA L. WILLIAMS¹ in Rutherford Co, Tennessee¹.  She was born November 1820¹.Notes for ABRAHAM HELTON: From Joyce Terrana <SALTERR@aol.com>, in an e-mail message:

ABRAHAM HELTON and wife, Rebecca L. Williams: (Abraham being a son of Peter Helton b ca 1791 and wife Sarah Eliz (?Courtney)

Abraham (Abram) was born ca 1818 in Tenn, probably Bedford Co.  His parents left Bedford for Rutherford County ca 1830 when he would have been about 12. He married 31 July 1840 to Rebecca L. Williams in Rutherford Co. She was born Nov 1820 Tn. When Abraham had been married some 20 years, he and his family, along with at least 1 brother (Joshua D.) and his family, returned to Bedford Co. It is presumed that Abraham  died there bet 1881-1899 and Rebecca after 1900 census. It is known that my Thurston and Hetty Gilliam Daniel were Baptist in the 1850s and 1860s. They attended the Wilson Hill Baptist Church, located in dist 19 at Readyville, Rutherford Co, Tn. It was established 1850 at foot of hill, west of Pilot Knob, originally called Wilson Hill Baptist Church of Christ. Church records of 1854 list these names: Thurston Daniel and his son, Jesse Daniel (George A.)., also James Daniel (brother of Thurston and father of Judith B. Daniel),  Rebecca Helton (perhaps the wife of Abraham Helton?, if so, she was daughter-in-law of Peter Helton and wife Sarah?) In 1850, 1860 Rutherford Co census: Abraham and Rebecca lived Rutherford Co dist 19, Readyville/McCracken dist near Cannon Co line. By 1870, they were in Bedford Co, 18th dist, Palmetto....not far from Austin Helton b 1810 N. C. (unknown who Austin Helton was, how/if he fits our particular line).  In dist 21 Shelbyville, the family of Abraham’s brother, Joshua D. Helton can be found that year. Joshua had married in 1843 to  Nancy Williams b ca 1822 (probably Rebecca’s sister).  In 1880, Abram 63 and Rebecca 60 still lived in Bedford, 18th Dist with 3 boys still at home (Small error, it said Abram was born Tn and his parents too..actually his parents born N. C.). Can’t find his brother Joshua D. and family in 1880. In 1900 soundex, Rebecca Helton age 80, b Nov 1820 Tn lived with daughter, Mary C. Waters (Watters) in 7th dist, Bedford Co. They had 13 children, likely all b Rutherford Co, Tn, (some data added from files of Col T. K. Speelman)  

1.  Sarah Eliz. Helton (Lizzie) b. 1841 Rutherford Co,  d 19 Dec 1917 Bedford Co, Tn, age 9/1850, age 19/1860 m J. W. Cunningham . See 1910 Bedford Co-7th dst, Sarah E. b 1841and spouse J. W. CUNNINGHAM had their married daughter in their home, Mattie and husband Samuel Helton b 1874 (married ca 1894) and their 6 kids.  Perhaps cousins married? Who was Sam Helton? In 1900 Samuel and Mattie and 2 kids lived Marshall Co, dist 15/Lewisburg near John Helton b 1852/Julia. 

2. William N. Helton b. 1843  (not to be confused with another Wm. N., about same age,  s/o D. D. and Malinda Helton)   age 6/1850, age 19/1860   

3.  Samuel Helton (Samuel H.?) b. 1845 d aft 1920. age 4/1850, age 15/1860, married Mary E.? Probably same as Samuel H. Helton b 1846 wife Mary E. 21 b ca 1849, son Hughey 1, living 1870 21st dist Bedford, near Joshua D. Helton b 1820? In 1880 Bedford, dist 21, Sam H. Helton b 1846 wife M. E., son Huey, Nancy E. 9, Robert 6, Annie C. 4, Sarah D. 1....near a John Helton b 1848, wife Hettie and fam. Where was Sam in 1900/1910 In 1900 Giles Co, Tn: there was a Sam Helton b Dec 1843 wife Alice b Jane 1855 kids Maggie b 1877, Jesse b 1884, Henry b 1891, Ruby b 1893.In 1920 Marshall Co: Sam Helton b 1846 Tn/wife Alice, father-in-law of S. L. Craig.  

4.  John Helton (?John B.) b. 1847, d. 1915 age 2/1850, age 13/1860 (is this John B. Helton b 1850, m 1879 Rutherford Co to Hetty Sheppard, lived 1900 Bedford Co near widow, Rebecca Helton, his mother? Lived 1910 Bedford with their son Soloman and fam.) 

5. Sophronia Helton b. 1849  age 10 mos/1850, age 11/1860, age 19/1870 still home  

6.  Thomas Helton b. 1851, age 9 1860, age 17/1870 still home  (Is this 'A. T. Helton 27', not far from Abram/Rebecca, in 1880?)  

7. James H. Helton b. 1852, d. 1853 (notice they reused the name James- child #11 below)  

8. Joshua Burton Helton b. 1853-5, age 7/1860, age 15/1870 still home. In 1910, he lived in Shelbyville on Britton St South listed as Josh B., age 55 b ca 1855 wife Julia A. In their home was family of their married girl and son- in-law: Egbert Clark wife Lizzie and 3 girls (5, 3, 1). Caution, don't confuse this Joshua B. with Joshua D. b 1820, s/o Peter/Sarah Helton. 

9. George B. Helton b. 1856, d. 1857  

10. Mary Caroline Helton b 6 May 1858 Rutherford Co, d 28 Apr 1918 Bedford Co, listed age 5 in 1860, age 12/1870...married by 1900 to William Robert WATERS (Bob, Warn). This is ancestor of Lisa Rippy of St. Paul, Minn., email address: JDEMARS@msn.com Described in a death index at courthouse as: Caroline Helton Watters, #99, 7th District, Sylvan Mills,  birth: 5-6-1858 Rutherford Co.,  death: 4-28-1918 Bedford Co. Father: Abe Helton, born in Rutherford Co. Mother: Rebecca Williams, born in Rutherford Co. informant: Bettie Helton An Obit in the May 2, 1918 Shelbyville Gazette had this:  Mrs. Caroline Waters died of pneumonia at her home at Sylvan Mills Sunday night after an illness of only days. Deceased was a widow with several children. She was a member of the Christian Church and was iin her sixtieth  year at the time of her death. The remains were carried to Bedford Community  for burial.  

11. James B. Helton (J. B.) b 22 Oct 1856 (?1860), d 25 Oct 1932 Bedford Co, listed age 1 in 1860, age 10/1870, age 19/1880 still home. From Hoover Funeral and Burial Records of Bedford County, TN complied by Helen C. and Timothy R. Marsh: J. B. Helton, age 76 years and 23 days, widowed, born in Bedford County, died October 25, 1932 home of nephritis, funeral at home at 1:00 P.M., buried Head Springs Cemetery (Marshall Co, Tennessee). Father Abron Helton who was born in Rutherford Co, Tn. Mother Rebecca Williams who was born in Rutherford Co, Tn. Dr. Morton, Ordered by daughter. Clergy Creasman. Casket $140.00, metal $6.00, robe $4.00, and flowers $8.50.  

12. Benjamin F. Helton (Benjamin Franklin Helton called 'Pap') b 3 Nov 1864 Rutherfod Co, Tn, d 28 June 1924 Bedford Co on W. Lane St in Shelbyville next to Moores Mkt, m ca 1887 to Matilda / Malinda (Lindie) SNELLER   b June 1861 Tn.  Benjamin: age 8/1870 Bedford Co, age 16/1880 still home Bedford Co, age 36/1900 Marshall Co, 1910 Bedford Co, age 52? Last, in 1920 Bedford, Ben (age 55) and Malinda lived alone as all their kids grown or elsewhere. HAVE MORE ON THIS ONE, BELOW.

13. Joseph Helton (J. R., Joseph R.?) b 20 June 1866 d 26 Aug 1923 Bedford Co,  age 4/1870, age 14/1880 still home. Married ca 1892 to Bettie (?) b Apr 1857, lived 1900 5th dist Marshall Co, 1910 and 1920 Bedford Co.  Surely same as: 1900 Dist 5 Marshall Co: Joseph Helton b Jan 1865 Tn wife Bettie b Apr 1857 (Benjamin F. also there) 1910 Bedford Co-7th dst: Joseph R. 44 b ca 1866 m ca 1892 wife Bettie 52 no kids in home (she said had 4 kids3 alive in    1910) 1920 Bedford Co: JoeHelton b 1867, wife Bettie 57-not far from Benjamin F. (above) Not sure who this 'A. Helton' was, in Bedford Co, 1851, 1857: 20 Jan 1851, Bedford Co deed bk SS p 298. James Davis, John Davis and Daniel Davis, Newsom Thompson 3rd (wife formerly Catharine Davis) sold 320 acres in Bedford Co, Dist 19 to Nelson Gabbart, bounded by A. Helton. Another tract bounded by Francis Smith and J. H. Smith sold to James and Zachariah Davis. Note: John Davis mentioned in pension app of 1833 by our Abraham Helton. 1857 Nov term, County Court of Bedford Co, p 27: William Armstrong and A. Helton were securities for estate of John Revis of this county, who had died intestate, James R. Revis, admr BENMAJIN FRANKLIN HELTON (son of above Abraham Helton and Rebecca L. Williams): (most of data from census, some from files of Col Thomas Speelman) Benjamin was b 3 Nov 1864 Rutherford Co Tn d 28 June 1924 Bedford Co, m in Bedford Co, 15 July 1886 to Malinda (Lindie) Schneller b June 1861 Tn (birthdate form 1900 census) or was she born 25 May 1869? She d 19 Jan 1925 Bedford Co, d/o Joseph Schneller b 1827 France and Elizabeth (Bettie) b 1852 Tn. Benjamin lived 1870 and 1880 with his parents in District 18 of  Bedford Co. In 1900, Benjamin, Malinda and their 2 children lived at  Lewisburg Dist 15, in Marshall Co, Tn. By 1910 they were back in Bedford Co, Dist 18, where he was renting a farm. They had 8 children living at that time. In 1920, Ben and Malinda lived in 7th Dist of Bedford, Fishing Ford Rd,  Shelbyville. Their married son Thomas (and fam) lived in Dist 2, on High or Main St, Wartrace. Benjamin originally buried rear of present Bedford Co Baptist Church near Shelbyville on Lewisburg Hwy, but later reinterred elsewhere. Re: death/burial of Ben and Malinda Both Ben Helton and Malinda Schneller are believed to be buried in the New Bethel Cemetery in Bedford, TN.  According to a story told by Thomas Wiley Helton, their oldest son, to his daughter Margaret Helton Dearing in the 1960s, they were both buried in what was then called the Bedford Cemetery (currently New Bethel Cemetery).  However, some time later he (Thomas Helton) received a call that said his parents were buried in the wrong plot and would have to be moved.  According to Tom Helton, they were reinterred in the same cemetery, but none in the family went to the reinterment, so it is not known certain precisely where they are buried.  A living niece of Tom Helton (daughter of Alford Helton) claims to know the exact location of the burial. However, we've not been able to get her to the cemetery to show us so far.  

Ben Helton's obituary from Shelbyville Gazette - July 3, 1924 'The angel of death visited in our neighborhood Saturday night and took for its victim, Mr. Ben Helton, who had been sick for some time. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his loss.  Funeral services were held at the home by Rev. White and his remains were carried to Bedford and laid to rest.'

Malinda Schneller Helton's obituary from Shelbyville Times-Gazette - January 29, 1925. 'Mrs. B. F. Helton died suddenly at the home of her son at Sylvan Mills Monday night, aged 56 years.  Deceased was the widow of Mr. Ben Helton who died last June.  Funeral services were held at the residence of her son conducted by Rev. S. P. White and the remains were conveyed to Bedford where they were laid to rest. We regret to learn of the sad occurence and tender sympathy to the bereaved relatives in their sorrow.' 

Children of Benj. F. Helton and Malinda Schneller:

1. Thomas Wiley Helton b 20 May 1887 Bedford Co d 3 Mar 1968 Shelbyville, Bedford  m 2 Nov 1912 Shelbyville by Rev Lokey to Bervia Ola FOSTER  b 1894 Coffee Co. (had 3 children). Bervia was d/o W. Tom Foster and Winnie Eliza Keller. In 1920 Thomas and Bervia and dtr Margaret lived 2nd Dist, Wartrace, on High or Main Street.  He worked on Nashville/Chattanooga and St Louis RR. (He often talked about a Capt Rich)   Thomas was the grandfather of researcher, Col Thomas Speelman 

2. Bettie Helton b Sept 1890 Bedford Co d 29 Jan 1915 Bedford Co, died single 

3. Mary b 1891 died 1901-1909  

4. Hughey Helton b 1893 

5. Alford Helton (Offord/Alfred?) b 1895 lived during WWII on Earnhart St, just off W. Land St in Shelbyville.  

6. Robby Helton b 1897 (There was a Robert Helton b 1884 lived Marshall Co with Thomas Collin. There was a Robert b 1880 lived 1910 Marshall Co with mother Martha b 1846 and other siblings)  

7. Roy Helton b 1900 d 1987 Cilacago, (county?) Al.  

8. Annie Helton b 1903 m Allen SIPSEY and had several sons and other daughters (Violet, Bo, Ben, Dink and Tommy). Notice 1920 census where Ada Helton b 1891 was step-dtr of William Sipsy-on same page with  Joe Helton b 1867  

9.. Stella Helton b 1905 bur probably at New Bethel cem.  

Children of ABRAHAM HELTON and REBECCA WILLIAMS are:

                  i.    SARAH ELIZABETH³ HELTON¹, b. 1841¹.

                  ii.    WILLIAM N. HELTON¹, b. 1843¹.

                 iii.    SAMUEL HELTON¹, b. 1845¹.

                 iv.    JOHN HELTON¹, b. 1847¹; d. 1915¹.

                 v.    SOPHRONIA HELTON¹, b. 1849¹.

                 vi.    THOMAS HELTON¹, b. 1851¹.

                vii.    JAMES H. HELTON¹, b. 1852¹; d. 1853¹.

               viii.    JOSHUA BURTON HELTON¹, b. 1855¹.

                 ix.    GEORGE B. HELTON¹, b. 1856¹; d. 1857¹.

                 x.    MARY CAROLINE HELTON¹, b. 1858¹; d. 1918¹.

                 xi.    JAMES B. HELTON¹, b. 1860¹.

                xii.    BENJAMIN F. HELTON¹, b. 1862¹.

                xiii.    JOSEPH HELTON¹, b. 1866¹.

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