The Karnes Crowbar

One of the joys of tracking genealogy is finding that long lost picture in a trunk or locating a picture of your ancestor in an old book in the library. Not only do you feel like you have located the booty of that dread pirate, Jean Lafitte, but you also get a glimpse into your own biological past. I have found myself comparing chins, noses, eyes and all of the other little bits that make me look like, well, me. Is this the line which gave me my snooty-looking nose? Have I gotten my streaks of red hair from that person? Of course, I always have to remind myself that finding my exact duplicate in a 200 year-old photograph is nigh impossible, but fun nevertheless.

However, aside from the joy of seeing what your ancestors looked like, there is also a more practical side to locating photographs and pictures. Family Tree Maker has this to say bout the importance of photographs in genealogical research: "One of the important aspects of using older photographs in your research is that they may help you pinpoint family members at a specific place in time. For example, family gatherings have always been a time to take photographs. A family photograph taken in the mid-1800's may show a great-grandparent of the nuclear family of that time. That would place in time a person born in the mid-to-late 1700's and is a pearl of great price whenever found. Such photographs may also help to confirm the death of certain individuals and the presence of others that had not been previously known to exist."

One of the greatest finds that I had was actually by accident. I was in the gift shop outside of the IMAX theatre in San Antonio and I was flipping through their multitude of Texas history books. I picked up one book that discussed Texas history in works of art. (I am not sure of the title, but I believe that it might be called Painting Texas History to 1900 by Sam Deshong Ratcliffe.) Half-heartedly, I turned to the index to see if Henry was listed, though I didn't expect him to be. Low and behold, there he was. I quickly flipped to the page and saw the painting which, at the time, was a hanging a mere mile from apartment! It went on to talk about how McArdle included many historical figures in the painting such as Captain Henry Wax Karnes and General Cós fighting over a flag. I was thrilled! Unfortunately, I was also poor and could not afford to buy the book. I sure wish that I had! In my research of the past few years, I have managed to find four pieces of artwork that picture Henry Wax Karnes. Two of these pieces have been used in previous newsletters, but I am including them below.

Sketch by Henry A. McArdle
Located in Texas History and
The Sixteenth Decisive Battle
both by Wharton

Artist Unknown
Located in
The History and Geography of Texas
by Fulmore

Oil painting by
Charlotte Nichols of Kenedy
Located in the Karnes County Courthouse

Battle of San Jacinto by Henry A. McArdle
Located in the Senate Chamber, State Capitol, Austin, Texas. Henry Karnes is located in the bottom righthand corner. He is fighting over the Mexican flag with Antonio Trevino.

A close-up of the Battle of San Jacinto's lower, righthand corner which shows Henry and Trevino. Henry is holding a gun which is lying on the arm holding the flag and aimed at Trevinowho is holding a saber. Henry is wearing a coonskin hat. I highly recommend going to the state capitol and looking at the original. There is, of course, much better detail than what is show here.

"Here's how I see it: Michael and George Karnes of Augusta County - step-sons of Matthew Shaup - moved to Bedford County about 1760. I have the idea that Michael was older, something about a record in Augusta County saying he qualified as an administrator or something, which meant he was 21 or older. There is also a mention Michael Karnes of Bedford Co. in Augusta Co. records so that ties Michael of Bedford as the same Michael of Aug-usta. Michael bought land in Bedford in 1760; George bought land in Bed-ford in 1764. George's property was on Otter River - Stony Fork and Jones Fork; Michael was a neighbor. George died in 1765 - an inventory of his estate in Bedford Co. records is dated 22 Oct 1765. Michael was adminis-trator of George's estate. This Michael could have been a son of George but also could be his brother. George probably was not very old when he died - maybe he didn't have a son aged 21 or older. In 1722 Henry Yochum and wife Elizabeth sold their interest in the land of George Karnes deceased to Michael Karnes - evidently the Yochums were heirs. Henry Yochum could have been son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-in-law or cousin.

There are several records pertaining to Michael Karnes in Bedford and Botetourt Counties. I have wondered if it is all the same Michael. He had several sons, including one named George. This George could not be ours because he was still living in Botetourt after ours moved to Tennessee. I believe the other is also the one who married Elizabeth Persinger. George, son of Michael, lived in the northern Part of Botetourt - the area may now be in the next county north.

There is a George Karnes who bought land in Botetourt on Loony Creek, close to the Bedford County line and not far from the Bedford Property of George and Michael - this was in 1792. On 20 March 1797, this same prop-erty was sold by George Karnes and wife Betty to John Beale. For some reason Betty Karnes "could not conveniently come to court" to sign the deed so the commissioners had to go out to their home. Andrew, youngest son of George, was born in Dec. 1796/1797. Maybe this is why Betty Karnes could not travel. In December of 1797, our George Karnes first bought land in Hawkins County, Tennessee. He died there in 1816.

Could our George, Senior have been the son of George who died in Bed-ford in 1765, and could this George be the 'son-in-law' of Matthew Shaup of Augusta? Was the Michael who was administrator of George Karnes' estate in Bedford, George's brother or son? We will Probably never know for sure. Our George Sr's oldest known child, Jacob, was born in 1772. Probably George Sr. was in his early 20s when Jacob was born, so he could not have been over 21 in 1765. Since Jacob and Andrew were 27 Years apart in age, it seems likely that George Sr. was married twice. If Jacob and Andrew had the same mother, she would have had to be a young teenager when Jacob was born and Past 40 when Andrew was born - that prob-ably wouldn't have been too unusual for, that period.

No records are available to establish who was appointed guardian for Hannah Wax when her father died - she was only 11 when he died. One theory is that she moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee with her sister Catherine who married Henry Price; they seemed to be the only part of the Wax family who moved there. He built a home and returned to Virginia, but died before he could return to Tennessee. Some of the others moved later. According to Creekmore's "Early East Tennessee Taxpayers" Henry Price had died by 1809 because the tax list shows "Henry Price's Estate." It is possible that George Jr. may have known Hannah Wax in Botetourt. According to Susan Corley, they married in 1801 and the Karnes' moved to Hawkins County by December of 1797, so it is logical that the marriage took place in Tennessee.

Henry Wax's second wife, Catherine Carnes Keyser was first married to the Carnes who had been married to Catherine Hutsinpillar of Frederick County. It could have been Henry Kerns/Karnes. She married Martin Kaysor/Keyser before marrying Henry Wax. Her maiden name could have been Noel or Noll because of some records found pertaining to the Noel family. Evidently Catherine Hutsinpillar had some sons, they moved to Greenbriar after her death. There are several Karnes in Greenbriar records who may be sons of Henry? Karnes and Catherine Hutsinpillar, 1) Nicholas, 2) Abraham, 3) Henry, 4) John. There are later records of Karnes which may have been sons of Michael. It is possible that there was some connection between our George Sr. and the second wife of Henry Wax."

Know all men by these presents that we Henry and Elizabeth Yocum of Bedford County in Virginia have voluntarily freely and without and compultion soald bargained for and made over and by these presents doth sell and deliver all our Right Title Dower and Right of Title Dower and Intrist of four hundred acres of land in said county where we now live on Stoney Fork of Otter (the property of George Carn Deceist) with all the Crop of every kind whatever now on the Ground with all Houses Meddows Orchards and purtainance, with every other Claim wee in any wise have os said four hundred acres of Land or improvements to Michael Carn of said County for and in Consideration of the full and Just Sum of Nineteen pounds of Current Money by said Michael Carn in hand paid the receipt whereof we hereby fully acknowledge The which Land and Improvements above Mentioned Defend to said Michael Carn to him his heirs Exors. Admrs. or Assigns During the whole life of my said wife Elizabeth Yocum from all and every person or Manner of person whatsoever Buying any Right Claim or Title to the Same witness our hands and Seals this 25th day of September 1772.

his
Henry W. Yocum (LS)
mark

her
Elizabeth O. Yocum (LS)
mark

Signed and Acknowledged
in the Presents of us
John Wood, Thomas Dooley, Daniel Goodwin

At a Court held for Bedford County February 22nd 1773.
This relinquishments was Proved by the Oaths of John Wood, Thomas Dooley and Daniel Goodwin, witnesses thereto Subscribed and Ordered to be Recorded.

Teste
Re. Alexander D.C.C.

If you would like to have your web page included in this list, please let me know.

This list is on the web at https://members.tripod.com/~spiel/Karnes2-2.html with the links already activated.

If you would like to have your web page included in this list, please let me know.

Corley, Karnes: I am looking for any information regarding Daniel Spain Corley who married Susan Howry Karnes. Daniel is the son of George and Willie Corley. No further information is known about his parents. Kimm Antell, 910 Cypress Station #1503, Houston, TX 77090; schmidt@chariott.com; http://chariott.com/~schmidt/.

Karnes: I am still looking for information on William F. Karnes born PA about 1816, moved to Quincy, IL and died there in 1849. Also Nicholas Karnes and wife Mary. Probably born in PA in 1780's. They had several children. One was Sarah Jane Karnes born in PA in 1810. They moved to Cincinnati, OH and died there. Thanks again, Dottie Carque; carque@csinet.net

I am seeking info on the marriage of Trish Carnes and Davis Sterling Vaughan b. 1794 m abt 1818. Davis married several times and I am in need of dates to prove the mother of my ancestor Judson Henry Vaughan b 1829. There is some question to Judson belonging to this family group at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, Davis had a brother that married a Carnes. Since it was common to find brothers that married sisters I would like to mention their marriage too. James Vaughan b. 1800 married Catherine Carnes. Davis' family migrated from NC>GA>AL>TX. Any help would be appreciated. Please e- mail me at: TreeCrazyD@aol.com or write to Dana Thomas RR 2 Box 193-A Hughes Springs, Texas 75656

My Abraham Carnes, Carns, Kearnes, Cairnes, was originally from Scotland and then moved to North Ireland for awhile before coming to U.S. I suppose they had to leave Scotland, like many others, because they were on the wrong side of the political fence, and many leaving in the "dark of the night". In any event, my ancestor arrived in the U.S. at the age of 19 in 1789. He came to Augusta County, Virginia and land records substantiate him purchasing land in 1794 from Andrew Thompson, and then in 1975 he married Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Andrew. I have searched for over 30 years for the birthplace of Abraham in N. Ireland and the names of his parents, without any luck. My Gr. Aunt worked on this a long time before I started, even making a trip to N. Ireland, but to no avail. Jim Carns jcarns@pearl.mhtc.net

I am researching "Booker" family tree and have a connection to Carnes (Ontario Canada early 1800's). I know that there are Carnes connected to this branch living in Texas. The family line in Canada is Mathew Carnes /Hannah Fathers, their son Walter Mathew Carnes /Mary Ann Barry, their daughter Nancy Ann Carnes /William Booker. All were born in Ontario or Quebec and I know Walter Mathew Carnes died in 1891, Mary Ann Barry died 1894. In an Obit for a Descendant of Walter Mathew Carnes, it listed children living in Texas. (I don't know where.) --- Helen Fortney at helfor@istar.ca

I am working on my family line and have hit a stump. My gfather Sewell Bates Norris was born in Fayette Co, Tx 12.9.1897 and had several siblings: Jeff, Charles Bryan, Mary Margaret, Jim; also listed in Mom's bible are John Karnes and Clarence Karnes, and half-brothers Boyce, Troyce and Ewell. I will be glad to share. Also researching Calhoun, Mayfield, Robertson, Leigh, Taylor, Crockett, Townley, Drisdale, Royal, Blanton and Burnet - all of Tx. Thank you. dnorris at dnorris@pics.net

Instructions regarding queries: If you are interested in submitting a query, please use the following format:

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There is no limit to queries. However, please try to keep them brief and to the point. Only put the essential places and dates. (i.e.: birth, marriage, death) If someone thinks that there is a link, they will contact you for more information. If you don't have an e-mail or family tree web site (not just a personal), then please put n/a.

Please send all queries to be submitted in this newsletter to schmidt@chariott.com or, in lieu of e-mail, Kimm Antell, 910 Cypress Station #1503, Houston, TX 77090. E-mail is preferred. Subject: Karnes Crowbar

I hope that this newsletter has been of a help to you or at least been interesting and informative. Please let me know if you have any ideas or requests to be added to the newsletter. Cheers!

THE CENSUS....
It was the first day of census, and all through the land
each pollster was ready ... a black book in hand.
He mounted his horse for a long dusty ride,
his book and some quills were tucked close by his side.
A long winding ride down a road barely there,
toward the smell of fresh bread wafting, up through the air.
The woman was tired, with lines on her face
and wisps of brown hair she tucked back into place.
She gave him some water ... as they sat at the table
and she answered his questions ... the best she was able.
He asked her of children. Yes, she had quite a few --
the oldest was twenty, the youngest not two.
She held up a toddler with cheeks round and red;
his sister, she whispered, was napping in bed.
She noted each person who lived there with pride,
and she felt the faint stirrings of the wee one inside.
He noted the sex, the color, the age...
the marks from the quill soon filled up the page.
At the number of children, she nodded her head
and saw her lips quiver for the three that were dead.
The places of birth she "never forgot"
was it Kansas? or Utah? or Oregon ... or not?
They came from Scotland, of that she was clear,
but she wasn't quite sure just how long they'd been here.
They spoke of employment, of schooling and such,
they could read some ... and write some ... though really not much.
When the questions were answered, his job there was done
so he mounted his horse and he rode toward the sun.
We can almost imagine his voice loud and clear,
"May God bless you all for another ten years."
Now picture a time warp ... its' now you and me
as we search for the people on our family tree.
We squint at the census and scroll down so slow
as we search for that entry from long, long ago.
Could they only imagine on that long ago day
that the entries they made would effect us this way?
If they knew would they wonder at the yearning we feel
and the searching that makes them so increasingly real.
We can hear if we listen the words they impart
through their blood in our veins and their voice in our heart.
Author unknown.