This is Google's cache of http://hightower.indstate.edu/hightowernews/compilation.html. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on Oct 19, 2011 19:28:24 GMT. The current page could have changed in the meantime. Learn more

Text-only version 

A copy of the following stories, with graphics, charts and photos is available in a 100+ page paperback from the Hightower News/Dr. Paul Hightower 1701 S. 34th St.,Terre Haute, IN 47803, for $30.

Please feel free to print this html document and make sure your printer is loaded with at least 80 sheets of paper.

 

 

The Hightower News-A CompilationEdited by Paul Hightower

Civil War StoriesAndrew Hightower, born in 1811, heard that Union Soldiers were coming to get his guns and horses. He took the horses into the Butler County woods and said "if they get my guns, they will get 'em red hot!" He loaded his black powder weapons, but the soldiers never came.

Andrew lived the early part of his life in Butler County, Kentucky. He was reared by a man named Alph Taylor, who had a number of slaves. Fielding's fatherin-law, James Mahan, purchased two slaves to help farm his land. But when his wife saw them, she made him take them back because she didn't think slavery was right.

Descendents of the two Arkansas brothers who left Warren County, Joshua and William, ended up on opposite sides of the war. William's family joined the Confederacy and fought at Shiloh while Joshua's family went north into Missouri and joined a volunteer Union regiment.

The Kentucky/Arkansas Hightower Connection

Possessed with but few things of this world, believing he could better his condition and be of more benefit to his family caused him to break his endearments with many friends and his Kentucky home and cast his destinies in the almost untrodden wilds of the territory of Arkansas. In November, 1830, Joshua and William Hightower, with their families and Mrs. Elizabeth Wren,(their sister), with her seven children left Warren County, Ky., in wagons for Izard County, Ark. Mr. Wren remained until he could dispose of his tobacco crop. The progress of this little emigrant train was necessarily slow. There were few settlements, and public roads were unknown west of the Mississippi River. By perserverence and energy they reached Rocky Bayou on the 24th of December and camped that Christmas eve night on the farm now owned by R. L. Landers. On this place Mrs. Wren waited for Mr. Wren who came by water to Chickasas Bluff, now Memphis, and walked through the lonely swamps and cane brakes alone, camping out nights with no protection save his pocket knife.He reached his family early in 1831 and made a crop on that place.

James Wren organized a Baptist Church, the first in Izard County, on the west bank of Rocky Bayou with 8 members. Another group of Hightowers, descendants of James WiIson Hightower(born 1816 in Warren County) migrated to Cushman, Arkansas and today about a dozen Hightower families live there. Some of these Hightower migrants moved on into Texas and the Southwest.

The Story of My Parentsby Bertha Turner HightowerJune 27, 1958

Henry Jackson Turner was my father. He was a hard working honest man. He taught us children to do good in all things. Ile worked at a saw mill most of his married life. He didn't make much money, but always bought clothes and food for his family. My father and mother were very devoted to each other. My mother, Harriet Young Turner, was a very fine and sweet woman. She didn't go to church much, but she read her Bible and taught me to read it.She taught me to be honest, truthful and descent. She always taught her children good things. She never talked about her neighbor or anyone else. She was a hard working womanwho taught all of us children to work. While my father worked at the saw mill the children raised large gardens and sold lots of vegetables. She loved her children very much and worked awfully hard to raise them.

Dudley Hightower, Bowling Green, KYI was born and grew up at a community called Benleo, Kentucky. My parents were Henry Lester and Bertha Turner Hightower. There has never been a kinder man than my daddy. He had to be made of steel to endure what he did and raise us during the depression. started to school at five years of age at the Mortar Branch School which was about 2 miles from where we lived on my grandfathers farm. My dad worked at a sawmill, made railroad ties, farmed, trapped and did anything to make a dollar. We kids started work when we were 8-10 years old doing anything we could to help make a living like picking berries, cutting wood, or digging Gin Seng or May

Apple Root. When I was 10, my dad was boarding away from home and working at a sawmill. He came home at the end of the week and brought me a dollar watch. He couldn't afford it, but he did. Was I thrilled!

Louise had pneumonia one night and the doctor came to see her. My daddy rode back to Bowling Green and got some medicine and walked back home ( 17 miles) in the dark. The doctor said tomorrow would be too late. Again, my dad did what had to be done--never complaining.

John Hightower 1653by Hazel Hightower

I yet cannot verify our Hightower immigrant ancestor, but am of the firm conviction we are of English descent.

Friendship, of the earliest passenger ships on record, embarking from England, took nine to ten weeks to complete the Trans-Atlantic crossing and the passengers on board were under obligation to the Governors of American Plantations.

Year 1653, the Friendship, with William Perse, as commander, arrived with one of its passengers by the name of John Hitower (Hightower). According to the passenger ship search and attestation report, he had come to Virginia on land transactions.

In view of the foregoing statement, Hightower descendants, now into the many thousands, would be pleased to claim him as our ancestor. Who knows? In spite of the ever on-going diligent research of hundreds of avid genealogical researchers, proof has not surfaced.

The best we can do is speculate and continue the search. This John Hightower could have been the father of a son Joshua, then residing in England. Perhaps a young man, maybe one with high aspirations to come to America, and his father, John, was instrumental in seeing his son, Joshua, realize his dream.

At any rate, it is a known fact, one Joshua Hightower had been in Richmond County, Virginia, owned property there, indicating residence prior to 1698. A suit was filed against his estate in 1698 and it is recorded in Richmond County, Virginia. Since the suit was filed against his estate is a clear indication this Joshua Hightower was deceased, and that he had been a resident of Richmond County, VA. According to Clayton Torrence's Virginia Will and Administration, 1632- 1800, this Joshua Hightower was not recorded as having a will, therefore, he died intestate.

Since no records had been kept by the State of Virginia, prior to 1700, as to marriages, births and deaths, researchers are at a loss to determine who the Joshua Hightower was that was residing in Richmond, County, Virginia in 1698, with a suit filed March, 1698, Ob2, p. 389 where in an action was brought against Joshua Hightower by Giles and James Webb, executors of John Webb, deceased.

The foregoing statement is clear indication there is a Joshua Hightower, very much alive, residing in Richmond County, VA. It seems logical to use this data to link John and the two Joshuas.John Hightower, believed to have not resided in America, but having bought land in Richmond County, VA, in the early 1650's_whether he was our immigrant ancestor is yet to be proven. My researched opinion is that he, indeed, was our immigrant ancestor and the Joshua Hightower named in the suit filed in March, 1698, by Webb brothers was the Hightower I claim to be the husband of Eleanor Charnold and the father of six children, two of which he named his will, probated in 1726, in Richmond County, VA. Numerous court cases are of record in Richmond County 1698-1726 naming this Joshua Hightower.

After the revolution, the great migration of Virginians carried the Hightowers to various regions south and west. By 1800 there were about 30 families of their descendants. For many years I have collected Hightower records from all available sources, in an effort to trace all lines down to recent times, for publications as a general genealogy of the Hightower family. It is strongly indicated that all Hightowers of the county are descended from that early family of Richmond County, VA.

The earliest Hightower family of whom we have records lived in Richmond County, VA. before the year 1700. There, in 1698, the estate of Joshua Hightower was administered, suggesting residence of Hightowers there sometime before that date.

In 1726, a Joshua Hightower died in Richmond County, leaving a wife, Eleanor and six children. His eldest son, Charnel, married Sarah Glascock in January 1727/8, and reared a large family. From 1720-1750 three Hightower families lived in Richmond County, close neighbors and closely related_the families of Charnel, John and Joshua. We do not yet know just how these three men were related, John and Joshua could have been brothers, Charnel, the son of Joshua who died in 1726, a cousin.

About 1750 these three families moved to Amelia County, to the part that in 1789 was cut off and made Nottoway County. they settled in the southeast corner of the county, near the present city of Blackstone, where Nottoway, Brunswick and Lunenburg Counties meet. Though some lived in each county, they still were near one another. They continued in that region, close together, until the period of the Revolutionary War.

Fortunately, for the genealogical record, the names, birth dates and names of the parents of the children born in Richmond County, VA between 1700 and 1750 were recorded in the North Farnham Parish Register, a copy of which is to be found at Warshaw, Virginia.

Joshua and Eleanor Hightower lived on what is today called the Northern Neck of Virginia it is that portion of land bordered by the Rappahannoch River on the West and the Potomac River on the East where, in 1608, Captain John Smith first visited. It was the southern tip of this portion of Virginia where the ship, Friendship, via Chesapeake Bay landed in 1653.

Six sons were born to the first Hightower couple, Joshua and Eleanor: John, Charnel, Joshua Jr,

Austin, Joseph and Thomas. The birth of Thomas, Sr., the youngest on 20 March 1712, was the first Hightower birth of record.

Thomas Hightower, Jr

by Paul High tower, with Ed Hightower, Hazel Hightower, Hugh High tower, Preston Michael Jones & Tony Rockefeller.

If you are one of the Hightowers whose roots lead you to Warren County, Kentucky, then your Hightower ancestor is almost certainly, Thomas Hightower, Jr. Thomas, according to the North Farnham Parish Register of Richmond County, Virginia, was born 5 February, 1736_listing as his parents, Thomas and Kindness Prentess Hightower. His brother was the Reverand John Hightower, featured in last year's High tower News.

In 1758, North Carolina Land Grant # 1540 survey shows a 400 acre grant in Anson County, NC. to Thomas Hightower and his wife, Kindness and they are residing on this grant situated on the south side of the Pee Dee River, in Anson County. Thomas, Sr. resided on the land until his death abt. 1762. In December 1760, Thomas llightower, Jr. sold 150 acres of the 400 acre tract to John Morris. A deed, dated 21 November, 1763 was signed by Thomas Hightower, Jr.

fle remained single for five years after his fathers death in 1762 and then married Susannah (Herrington?) in Anson County prior to 1767 and moved to Rutherford County, often referred to as District 96, North Carolina on the Broad River. Two children were born: John B. in 1774 and Henry in 1777.

Thomas, by 1780, was living with Susannah on the Tygar River, Spartanburg County, SC. After the fall of Charleston, South Carolina, 12 May 1780, Thomas Hightower, Jr. joined the Revolution.While Thomas was away from home on the campaign, "Bloody" Bill Cunningham, a tory, stormed the Hightower home demanding to know the whereabouts of Thomas. Susanna refused to divulge the information and Bill Cunningham ordered her execution (about 1780).

Thomas, serving with Col. Roebuck of Spartanburg fought at the battle of Kings Mountain 7 October, 1780. The battle was the turning point of the Revolutionary War in the south. The Regiment along with Lt. Col. Ilenry White fought at the Battle of Mudlick where 150 American Patriots successfully attacked the British garrison at Ft. Williams on 2 March, 1781.

After the war, Thomas came came home to his homestead on the Tyger River in Spartanburg, SC and married a Cherokee Indian named Jane (abt. 1786). She was some 20 years of age and Thomas was about 50.

Thomas and Jane's first three children were likely born in Spartanburg: Maryan (1787), John (1790) and Elizabeth (1794).

About 1798, Thomas sold his land on the Tyger River and moved his young family to Warren County, KY. His children by Susanna, Henry and John moved to Tatnal County, GA in 1800 and to Lowdnes Co., GA in 1829.

Thomas and Jane's last three children were born: Joshua (abt. 1797), William Robert (abt. 1805) and Charity (abt. 1807) in Warren County.

Thomas received two separate land grants totaling approximately two hundred acres of land. The tracts were thought to be adjacent, but while doing research in the Kentucky Library this past year, l became concerned by the fact that as I tried to run the titles of ownership to bordering farms, things did not make sense. One tract was 130 acres of land in Jackson's bottoms near Gasper River, but the other mentioned the Big Beaver Dam Creek_which could not be found anywhere near the Gasper River community. Connie Mills, the librarian, found an 1820 map that showed a creek on the upper Green River called BigBeaver Dam. That was it, one land grant tracton Gasper River and the other on Green River, located in Rhoda, Ky, near Brownsville, Edmonson County.

Thomas died about 1908 and it is likely that his grave is one of the dozens of unmarked graves in the nearby Beaver Dam Baptist Church. The Church was founded in 1802, about four years after Thomas and Jane Hightower immigrated there from South Carolina. After Thomas Hightower's death, Jane never remarried. She moved in 1831 with two sons and a daughter to Izard County, Arkansas where she died between 1840 and 1850(see related story, High tower News 1989).

The Life and Times ofJim Hightower-Cherokee Indianby Paul HightowerAfter hundreds of hours of family history research, the nature of our ancestor Jim Hightower begins to emerge from a number of small clues gleaned by dozens of family history researchers. Jim Hightower, father of James Wilson and John Andrew Hightower and husband to Elizabeth Hughes Hightower has eluded researchers for many years, but today we believe his history is becoming more clear.

After his wife was killed by a Tory during the American Revolution, Thomas Hightower, Jr., married a Cherokee Indian in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Thomas and his twenty year old Indian bride, Jane, moved to Warren County, Kentucky about 1798. Along with Thomas, Jane and their children, there came a Cherokee Indian named Jim. Perhaps he was the younger brother of Jane, or a friend or acquaintance of the Thomas Hightowers. The area around Spartanburg, SC was home to numerous Cherokee Indians and many had inter-married with the white settlers. The Cherokee had lived in these lands for over a thousand years before Columbus came.

But they had adapted to the White man's ways living in peace and harmony. The Cherokee signed a peace treaty with representatives of President George Washington just after 1800. The treaty promised the Cherokee that they could live on the land "As long as the rivers flowed and

the grass grew." This, of course, was another in a series of broken promises made to the Cherokee and other Indian tribes of the southeastern United States.

Aunt Mary Hightower's Story written in 1980 spoke of the father of James Wilson Hightower thus: "His father was full blooded Indian and he married this woman, I guess it was in Kentucky...Bowling Green I suppose, and the Cherokee Indian (Jim) cut cedar logs and laced them together and was taking them to market. I think they were using them for ship building. He had laced the logs together with hickory bark. And they never saw him or herd of him again. They said many things could have happened. These logs, the hickory bark could have broken and the logs could have drowned him on the Mississippi. Or he could have been hijacked and killed...nobody ever knew. I know about this great- grandfather who was the full blooded indian because I heard my father tell of him many times."

Another story handed down through family folklore claimed that Jim was a part of the Trail of Tears the forced migration of Cherokee Indians from the southern states to Oklahoma during the winter of 1837. Over four thousand Indians died along the way after the U.S. Government failed to provide food, clothing and supplies that were promised the Cherokee. However, the date of the migration was a number of years after Jim Hightower disappeared.

The river trip theory has been handed down by more than one member of the family and would seem to have the most credence.

Both Jim and his two sons, Andrew and James Wilson were riverboat men when flatboats and later steamers were the only mass-transportation modes available to pioneers on the frontier. The flat boars were loaded with pork, lard, cattle, oats and cornmeal. The boats were made of large yellow poplar trees, reinforced with Red Oak up to 100 feet long and as much as 20 feet wide. There were long oars used to propel the boat and pull it out of eddies and to steer. It would take a little over a month for Jim to make it from the waters of the Gasper River all the way down to New Orleans. Indeed Joshua Hightower made the trip a number of times_walking back to Logan County, Kentucky each time. When the boats arrived in New Orleans they sold the produce to merchants and sold the wood boats to furniture manufacturing companies.

Austin Hightower

Austin Hightower, the son of Joshua and Eleanor Hightower was mentioned in Joshua's Will, recorded in WB 5, Page 14, Richmond County, Virginia, and proven 3 August 1726. In Item 5 of this handwritten Will, Joshua mentioned "my other four children~_research has shown that one of those four was indeed, Austin Hightower, Sr.(see chart page 2) And in the records of Richmond County, Virginia, the earliest reference to this man is found in Brunswick County. A land transaction dated 25 July 1746_a 400acre land grant to Austin Hightower south of Cedar Creek in Brunswick County, Virginia. It is believed that this was where Austin took his young bride in the early 1740's. Many of the records of this County were destroyed by fire and we have

not been able to come up with births, marriages, etc. during those years. However, we do have the following:

1. 2 October 1746, Hugh and Elizabeth Williams to Austin Hightower 168 acres;

2. 1748 Polling List for House of Burgess election;

3.7 March 1750 Austin and wife Jane to James Tarpley, 200 acres. (This is the first evidence that Austin is married.)

4. 26 June 1759 Austin and wife Jane to Andrew Lester - 168 acres. (This is the last record found that lists Jane as Austin's wife. It is believed she died shoffly after this transaction.)

Taken from the Bible Records of Oldham Hightower, it has been established that he was born 17 September 1744, probably in Brunswick County, Virginia, and through court records it has been established that Oldham was the firstborn of Austin and Jane Hightower.

In 1755, records of the North Carolina Historical Commission-Records of the Moravians, p. 536_ shows: Austin Hightower, 640 acres; Marks Creek Fork of New Hope, above John Penes' land, Orange County, North Carolina. We think that Austin was in the process of migrating from Brunswick County, Virginia to Orange County, North Carolina. What is not clear at this time is the fact that we do know that his wife, Jane, was still living, since she entered into the transaction 26 June 1759. Another transaction dated 26 June 1762, 700 acres of land in Orange County~ North Carolina on Phill's Creek, waters of Morgan's Creek, granted to Austin Hightower. (Oldham Hightower was a chain carrier on the survey of this land for Austin.)

Other mentions of Austin Hightower,Sr. and family in Orange County, North Carolina:

1. 1765 Austin Hightower appointed Constable.

2. 1778 Ordered to work on a road building project, Austin Hightower, Sr., George Hightower, Austin Hightower, Jr., William Hightower, John Hightower. Mr. Hightower, overseer.

It has been ascertained that Austin Hightower, Jr., William Hightower and John Hightower were the sons of Austin Hightower, Sr. The George Hightower mentioned in the 1778 reference was a nephew of Austin, (a son of John Hightower of Amelia County, VA, late_he having died in 1764.)

It is believed that Austin Hightower, Sr. moved from Brunswick County, Virginia some time around 1760/62 and established his homestead on the 700-acre tract of land in Orange County, North Carolina. Also, it is believed that he re-married about this time, a lady by the name of Martha. Since we have established from Austin's Will, the name of his surviving widow as being Martha, and also listed three more children, namely:

1) Sterling, who was named as one of the executors of his will and therefore this boy had to be of age to participate, therefore we set his birthdate around the year 1761/62 and it is believed he was born in North Carolina; 2) Henry, born cat 1763 and a daughter, Amelia, 10 June 1765, the latter two also being born in North Carolina, and probably there at the homestead on Phill's Creek, waters of Morgan's Creek, Orange County, (these lands are now in both Orange and Chatham Counties, North Carolina).

Proof that Austin's wife at this time was named Martha is found in Vol.5, P.499 of the Orange County Records of North Carolina wherein Austin Hightower and Martha in 1783_188 acres, a grant. Also, Orange County, N.C. Deeds, Bk. 2, p. 374,'Austin Hightower and wife Martha of Orange Co. to Pamfret Herndon of same for 500 Ibs. a specie of land granted to Austin Hightower by John, Earl of Granville by deed 28 June1762 (this being part of that 700-acre tract by deed, shown as 26 June 1762 on which son, Oldham Hightower was a chain carrier.)

Austin Hightower died at his homestead, Orange County, North Carolina in the summer of 1784. His Will, made 6 February 1782 was proven in the August Session of Chatham County, North Carolina. He named his surviving widow, Martha, as an executor, and Sterling, next to his youngest son, as an executor and named in the following order the following children: l) William, 2) John, 3) Austin, 4) Sterling, 5) llenry and 6)Amelia. It is pointed out that his son, the oldest, was not named in this will-namely: Oldham Hightower. We can not determine the reason for this, except that at that time Oldham was married and migrating_about the time of his father's death, he was living in Washington County, Tennessee. Even though the son, Henry Hightower, was named in his father's will made 6 February 1782, he was dead at the time of his father's death. It is believed that all other children named in the will, survived him.

Will of Austin:I Austin Hightower of Orange County and State of North Carolina being in perfect health and sound in mind and memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to-wit, I recommend my soul to Almighty God who gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian manner at the discretion of my Executor in certain expectation of a glorious Resurrection at the Last Day_and as to my worldly sustenance as hath pleaded Almighty God to bestow on me I give and bequeath in the following manner In premise_my will is that myjust debts be first paid. I lend to my beloved wife Martha my Negro man named Roger during her natural life or widowhood and at her decease or intermarriage his value to be divided among my children agreeable to their distributive shares as in the succeeding. Whereas I have heretofore given to my son William a Negro girl named Sook eight years old also a horse bridle and saddle and to my son John one hundred acres of deeded land and an entry adjoining the same and to my son Austin one cow and calf and to my son Sterling one saddle and bridle.

Sterling HightowerThe first court reference to Sterling Hightower is in his father, Austin Hightower's Will made in 1782, Orange/Chatham Counties, North Carolina. He was also one of the executors of

the will.We do not have a record of the birth of Sterling: nor do we have the date of Austin Hightower's marriage,his second, to Martha whom later in court records reflects her as his wife. Also, she is named in her husband'sWill. Since Sterling was of legal age when his father prepared his Will, Sterling's birthdate is placed at about1761, and in all probability in Orange County, North Carolina, since Austin established residence in that county around 1760 on a tract of land in Orange County North Carolina, more fully described as being on Phill's Creek, waters of Morgan Creek.

It is safe to assume that Sterling resided with his parents up to and after his father's death; that he is not found in the court records of Orange County, North Carolina. In 1785, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Court: Fields Pardue vs. Sterling Hightower. Then in 1793, March 23, Elbert County, Georgia, Martha Hightower of Elbert County, Georgia deeds to one, John Hightower of Buncombe County, North Carolina, one slave. Sterling Hightower witness. (Note: It was apparent that Sterling moving around with Oldham Hightower had his mother, Martha, with him and it is believed that he was single up until this time. Some reports say that Sterling attended Oxford University and graduated prior to 1793 and that he did extensive educational work among the Indians and the uneducated white people of the Colonies, but it cannot be substantiated.

Sterling Hightower made entry of land 640 acres, Buncombe County, North Carolina on August 15, 1793 on French Broad River, two miles above the painted rock. (Grant was never made). Same date, August 15, 1793, Sterling Hightower made another entry for 640 acres adjoining his prior entry. Survey ordered March 10,1794. Grant was never made. November 16,1796. Pendleton District, South Carolina. Deed. John McCosky to James Hagood 137 acres, Georg's Creek, Soluda River. Sterling Hightower, witness. May 28, 1796. Pentleton District, South Carolina. Deed. Howell Dowdy to George Willson 100 acres Dowdyls Creek. Soluda River. Sterling Hightower, witness, 1798 Chatham County, North Carolina. Sterling Hightower of Elbert County Georgia, petitions the court for the original Will of Austin Hightower, his father. 1800 Federal Census Pentleton District, South Carolina. Sterling Hightower. 1 white male, 16-26, 1 white female 16-26, 1 white female - 10. (Note: This is the first record we have that Sterling Hightower is married and there is one child of this union_a daughter.)

In 1803, and earlier, it has been established that Sterling Hightower and his family were living in Walton County, Georgia(now Transylvania County~ North Carolina). There was a dispute between North Carolina and Georgia over the establishment of the County of Walton, Georgia in 1803 and Walton County was represented in the legislature for all of its turbulent career by only three men in the Senate from 1804

1811, and Sterling Hightower represented the County in 1808. He was seated as State Senator 7 November 1808, unseated 11 November 1808 and re-seated 9 December 1808.

Through various articles, it has been determined also that Sterling Hightower's wife was Beersheba Davis and to this union were born 10 children. A list of his children, in the order of their birth has not been determined. We only have the following information:

1....Hightower Taken from the 1800 Federal Census, Pentleton District, South Carolina, established that there was a female child under ten years of age in the household of Sterling Hightower.

2. Hugh MacHightower, taken from Bible Records, tombstone records, etc., b. 9 December 1803, d. 11 February 1879 and m. 3 February 1824. Settled in Montgomery County, Illinois. 11 children. (IYext years' newsletter will feature a story about Hugh Mac Hightower and the Illinois-Hightower connection)

3. Peppernitis llightower-probably settled in Georgia.

4, John Hightower-in Tennessee.

George Hightower 1783

George Hightower was born 28 September 1733, in Richmond County Virginia the son of John and Mary Bryan Hightower. When George was about 17 years old his parents along with other Hightower families living in Richmond County, VA began migrating to other areas of the state. George's parents settled in Amelia County around 1750.

The first court reference found on George Hightower was in Amelia County Virginia, 21 September 1757. His father deeded him 200 acres of land on George Ford's branch and Charles Williams' Corner. The first evidence we have that George is married is found in the court records of Amelia County, 22 June 1769. George and Susannah Hightower sold 275 acres of land to Richard Walthall.

George's oldest brother, William Hightower, died in Amelia County, Virginia in August 1764 and George was named as one of the executors in his will. All nine of William Hightower's children were minors at the time of the will. In 1770, the courts placed four of the minors in George Hightower's custody: William, Daniel, Elizabeth and Stephen.

In 1771 George and Susannah Hightower were selling their land in Amelia County. George, along with his brothers, Joshua, Richard and John sold 890 acres on Tomahitton Creek_their interest in their deceased father's estate.

George and Susannah Hightower and their family moved to Lunenburg County Virginia where they bought 715 acres of land adjoining John Hightower and Thomas Cocke on the branches of Hounds creek, 9 May 1776 (Thomas Cocke was the husband of Eleanor Hightower, George Hightower, Sr's daughter. )

In the court records of Orange County, NC, 1776, there is a mention of George Hightower in the 7th Militia. On 7 February 1777, George Hightower enlisted in the Third South Carolina Regiment. He was taken prisoner, 9 January 1779; George was 46 years old.ln 1787 George and

Susannah sold their land on the south side of Hounds Creek and then moved to Campbell County, Virginia.

The North Farnham Parish ChurchThe North Farnham Parish Church built about 1737, replaced an earlier church built near the site about 1660. The Church is in the shape of a Latin cross, the walls of which are two feet thick. The bullet holes in the exterior brick of the church confirm a skirmish in 1814 between the Virginia Militia and raiders from the British fleet. During the Civil war both Confederate and Union troops occupied the church. Although vandals and the ravages of nature have necessitated the rebuilding of the church's interior, the walls are the original brick circa 1737.

The Church is in the shape of a Latin cross_the walls of which are almost two feet thick. The bullet holes in the exterior brick of the church confirm an 1814 skirmish between the Virginia Militia and raiders from the British fleet. During the Civil War both Confederate and Union troops occupied the church. Although vandals and the ravages of nature have necessitated the rebuilding of the church's interior; the walls are the original brick circa 1737. Only one tombstone has survived the two century old vigil, it bears the name of Katharine Nicholas, died Jan. 1767. There are many other unmarked graves in the cemetery.

Almost as illusive is the evidence of what happened at the parish for all those years. The original parish register_with all births, marriages_was either lost or destroyed. The 1 1 x 17 inch parish register which Walter A. Walker located was actually a copy which was made from the original, sometime during the eighteenth century. The first Hightower entry is, Bom . Thomas, son of Joshua and Eleanor Hightower, Mar. 20 1712 (see inscription above) Notice that instead of comas, periods are used in the separation of text. That is in keeping with the writing style of the era, a hold over from early Latin punctuation. A photocopy of the register is in the State Archives at Richmond. The actual document is in the courthouse at Warsaw, VA.

Our Family OriginAlmost every Hightower family researcher you talk with, eventually gets around to the same age-old question, where did the family originate_Was it England, Scotland, Germany, Holland, or where? Now through the use of computers and a lot of old fashioned footwork, at least two old world locations have emerged as a possibility, the Fife area of Scotland and Western Yorkshire, England.More about them later, but first a few words about surnames, how and when they came about. It is estimated that there are over 100,000 surnames of British origin, but the idea of having a surname has not been around forever. Look at some of the oldest written history we have, in the Old Testament, there was Adam, Moses, Noah. In early Roman Britain, people had only one name. That was true also as the Anglo-Saxons (Germanic tribesmen) invaded Celtic England about 500 A.D., and created one of the great civilizations of the Dark Ages. In 5 centuries the Anglo-Saxons and native Celticspeaking Brits created a unified culture in low-land Britain which they called England (Angle-land). But across the channel the Normands who were Viking adventurers, settled in the French Seine valley in 91 1 A.D. A little more than 150 years

later they were knocking at the gates of the Anglo- Saxon civilization. A Normand named William the Conqueror defeated the Brits at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became ruler of all England. About twenty years later, he wanted to know the extent of English wealth primarily for future taxation. The result was: the Domesday Book_sort of a general directory for 1086 England. Every Shire in England and many of its people are found in the Domesday Book The book illustrates to us that the resident's Old English names had already been modified by 1086, into simpler and more manageable forms. Instead of the long-winded Aethelbeorht and Sigeweard, men were calling each other Albert and Siward.

As they were taking the census for the Domesday Book, Norman clerks wrote down what they heard in their own way. In doing so they made clear to us that the pronunciation of such names had been much modified from the early Anglo-Saxon period. The clerk put it into Latin, but he himself would have uttered his favorite toast in Norman French. The Normans invaded, but they were conquerored by the culture and language of the Brits as we see almost an amalgamation of the French and AngloSaxon tongues. In Domesday, almost all Normans had surnames or second designations of some kind. '

In Hertfordshire in 1289 there was a Richard, son of Alice, at the Lane but by 1317 the next generation is called at the Lane and a generation later, AtteLane ("atte" is the contraction of "at the"). And finally we arrive at the surname LANE by about 1400. The prepositions and articles have virtually disappeared and lists of names have a more modern look. This simplification is yet another sign of surnames being fixed. They have ceased to be descriptive phrases and have become proper names. English surnames were completely settled in by 1 hoo.2 The only new names formed in England afterthat date were those of immigrants from Wales, Scotland and Europe.

1. Our cousin, Ruth Hightower Smith of Murray, KY, located one source in the Tennessee State Archives which points to Scotland, as our ancestral home. In the late nineteenth century the state of Tennessee sent surveys to all their surviving Civil War veterans. These surveys have been published in six volumes. One such veteran was Thomas Hodge High tower. One of his answers regarding ancestry was: Mygrand father, William High tower, came from Scotland, went into business in the city of Philadelphia; from there they moved to eastern IY. C. near the Virginia line. My father told me they raised tobacco.

Of course that was written from his recollection of what had been told him by his family and that might not be accurate. I have checked the International Genealogical Index3 in Scotland and have found one llightower living there in the Seventeenth Century (see map page 9).

2. Our cousin, John Hightower of Berryville, VA, hired a researcher in Knoxville, TN, specializing in English and Scottish family research. Two entries in the surname of fIightower were found. They were both in the lluddlesfield area (see map page 9) of Yorkshire, England. John reports that there are no Hightowers in the cross index of BoyUs, the surnames of England or Scotland, or in the early wills, deeds or court records.

3. Michael Wood, a London genealogical researcher, reports in England, Denmark and Germany, there is the name Heytor. It appears as early as 1 296 A. D. and some modern versions use the current Heytower. From Old English:

-Haegtor- fenced hilltop-Hightor- high hill-haegtour- small tower-Heybury- middlesex meaning high castle-Hightowler- There was a John-Hightowler in Yorkshire, England-Hightower- name found in England

So as we continue the search for our Old World heritage, it is looking more and more like the Island of Britain_There are five High towers in the London phonebook. The next step is to check into parish registers in both the areas of Fife, Scotland and western Yorkshire, England. It is exciting to think that we Ilightowers may be descendants of those early Brittons who lived across the Atlantic more than 1500 years ago. If you are interested in learning more about early Britain, Surnames and The Domesday Book, see the following references:

Hightowers in the ConfederacyA. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 3rd Georgia ReservesA. F. Hightower, Pvt, 2nd Georgia InfantryA. G. Hightower, Pvt, 6th Texas CavalryA. G. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 31st Mississippi InfantryA. Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Louisiana CavalryA. 1. Hightower, Pvt, Russel's Mississippi CavalryA. M. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, I st Georgia RegimentA. M. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 2nd Regiment, Texas State TroopersA. M. Hightower, Pvt, Lynch's Tennessee Light ArtilleryA. M. Hightower, Pvt, Texas Light ArtilleryA. S. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 1 6th Texas CavalryA. Tagivello Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 2nd Battalion, Georgia InfantryA. W. Hightower, Cpl. Livingston's Alabama CavalryA. D. Hightower, Pvt, Randolph County Alabama VolunteersAlexander Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 27nd Arkansas InfantryAnderson E. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 5th North Carolina CavalryAnderson Hightower, Pvt, 4th North Carolina InfantryAndrew H. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 5th Georgia InfantryAmold Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 7th Louisana InfantryB. B. Hightower, Pvt, Ist South Carolina CavalryB. Hightower, Pvt, Clinches Georgia CavalryB. Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 50th Georgia InfantryB. W. Hightower, Pvt, 45th Alabama Infantry

Benjamin Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 3th Virginia InfantryBenjamin Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 1 8th Texas InfantryBenjamin W. Hightower, Pvt, 6th Alabama InfantryBurwell M. Hightower, Pvt. Company G, 56th North Carolina InfantryByrd Hightower, Pvt, 4th Georgia InfantryC. C. Hightower, Pvt, 8th Battalion, Georgia CavalryC. Hightower, Pvt, 45th Georgia InfantryC. Hightower, Pvt, 4th Missouri CavalryCaswell Hightower, Pvt, 10th Missouri InfantryCharles D. Hightower, Pvt, 39th Alabama InfantryCharles D. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 22nd Alabama InfantryCharles R. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 22nd Battalion, Virginia InfantryChamel B. Hightower, Pvt, Company 1, 19th Texas CavalryChamel Hightower, Company E, 30th Texas CavalryChamel Hightower, Cpl, Company E, 31st Louisiana InfantryChamel Hightower, Pvt, 14th GeorgiaChamel Hightower, Pvt, Villepigue's 36th Georgia InfantryD. E. (Divine) Hightower, Sgt, Ist Battalion, Virginia InfantryD. Hightower, Pvt, 16th South Carolina InfantryD. J. Hightower, Pvt, 6th Alabama InfantryD. J. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 6th Georgia InfantryDaniel D. Hightower, Sgt, 22 Virginia InfantryDaniel D. Hightower, Sgt, Company D, 22nd Battalion, Virginia InfantryDaniel Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 4th horth Carolina CavalryDaniel Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 6th South Carolina CavalryDaniel W. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 4th florth Carolina CavalryDavid A. Hightower, Company B, 5th Missouri InfantryDavid C. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 3rd Battalion, Georgia InfantryDavid D. Hightower, Sgt, 22nd Battalion Virginia InfantryDavid Hightower, 2nd. U, 3rd Lillard's Tennessee Mounted VoiunteersDavid Hightower, 37th Tennessee InfantryDavid J. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, I 0th Confederate Cavalry/AlabamaDavid J. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 5th Battalion Hillard's LegionE. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, Phillip's Legion, GeorgiaE. D. Hightower, Pvt, Wood's Missouir InfantryE. F. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 4th Confederate, Al,TN, MSE. G. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 62nd Georgia InfantryE. Hightower, Pvt, 3rd. Palmetto, South CarolinaE. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 16th South Carolina Infantry/GreenvilleE. W. Hightower, Sgt, Company K, 13th Georga InfantryEdward Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 3rd Virginia InfantryElberry Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 40th Georgia InfantryElisha F. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 54th Alabama InfantryElisha Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 4th Confederate InfantryEphaphroditus Hightower, Pvt, Company A, Wood's Missouri InfantryFrancis M. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, Georgia Infantry

G. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 27th Arkansas InfantryG. B. Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 40th Georgia InfantryG. B. Hightower, Pvt, Company 1, Fannin's Georgia ReservesG. E. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 2nd Georgia InfantryG. H. Hightower, Pvt, Ford's Battalion, Missouri VolunteersG. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 4th Confederate InfantryG. W. Hightower, Pvt, 42 Alabama InfantryG. W. Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 3rd Mississippi VolunteersGarland Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 45th Georgia InfantryGeorge Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Mississippi InfantryGeorge Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 13th Georgia InfantryGeorge Hightower, Pvt, Company D, Ist Battalion MS Sharp ShootersGeorge Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 2nd Mississippi InfantryGeorge W. Hightower, Pvt, Ist Battalion, Hillard's Legion, AL VolunteersGreen Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 4th Missouri VolunteersGustance G. Hightower, Maj, Company C, 31st MississippiH. H. Hightower, Pvt, 19th Texas VolunteersH. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 15th Mississippi InfantryH. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 8th Louisianna CavalryH. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 59th Virginia InfantryH. l. Hightower, 2nd Lt, Company G, 20th Georgia InfantryH. l. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 5th Georgia VolunteersHarvey Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 20th Georgia InfantryHenry Hightower, Pvt, Adair's Mississippi VolunteersHenry Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 20th Mississippi InfantryHenry Hightower, Pvt, Company D, Ist Battalion MS Sharp ShootersHenry Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 15th Texas CavalryHenry Hightower, Pvt, Ford's Battalion Missouri InfantryHenry Hightower, Pvt, Perrin's Battalion, Mississippi State InfantryHugh Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 29th Texas Volunteers1. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 32nd Texas Cavalry1. M. Hightower, 2nd Lt, Company B, Moss's Squadron1. N. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 30th Georgia InfantryIssac F. Hightower, Pvt, 30th Georgia InfantryIssac Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 27th Georgia VolunteersIssac O. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 7th Texas InfantryJ. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 42nd Atlanta InfantryJ. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 2nd Regiment, Atlanta InfantryJ. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 6th Arkansas InfantryJ. D. Hightower, Capt, Darden's Mississippi Light ArtilleryJ. E. Hightower, Pvt, 57th Alabama InfantryJ. F. Hightower, Sgt, Company H, 16th South Carolina InfantryJ. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 59th Virginia InfantryJ. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 17th Tennessee InfantryJ. H. Hightower, Pvt, Elliot's Missouri CavalryJ. Henry Hightower, Pvt, Company B, Hardy's Arkansas Infantry

J. Hightower, Pvt, Ist Pannin's Georgia ReservesJ. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, Ist Battalion, Mississippi Sharp ShootersJ. Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 6th Mississippi CavalryJ. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 32nd Georgia InfantryJ. J. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 10th Alabama InfantryJ. M. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, Texas State TroopersJ. M. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 6th South Carolina InfantryJ. O. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 2nd Georgia CavalryJ. R. Hightower, Pvt, 22nd Alabama InfantryJ. R. Hightower, Pvt, 22nd Alabama InfantryJ. S. Hightower, 2nd Lt, 10th ArkansasJ. S. Hightower, Pvt, 26th Arkansas InfantryJ. S. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 27th Battalion, Georgia InfantryJ. S. Hightower, Pvt, Company F, Bell's BattalionJ. T. Hightower, Pvt, 15th Alabama InfantryJ. W. F. Hightower, 2nd Lt, Company C, Ist Battalion Georgia ReservesJ. W. Hightower, Pvt, 4th Confederate Infantry, AL, TN, MSJ. W. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 23rd Alabama InfantryJ. W. Hightower, Pvt, O'Neal's 26th Alabama InfantryJack O. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 21 st Texas CavalryJames A. Hightower, Pvt, I st Alabama CavalryJames A. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 42nd Alabama InfantryJames C. Hightower, Capt, AQM Confederate StaffJames C. Hightower, Pvt, 13th Atlanta InfantryJames C. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 30th Georgia InfantryJames C. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 30th Mississippi InfantryJames C. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 16th Louisiana InfantryJames C. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 3rd Battalion, Georgia InfantryJames C. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, Stapleton's 2nd Georgia State TroopsJames D. Hightower, Pvt, Georgia Light ArtilleryJames E. Hightower, Pvt, 13th Alabama InfantryJames E, Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 42nd Alabama InfantryJames E. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 2nd Texas InfantryJames F. Hightower, Cpl, Company F, 4th South Carolina InfantryJames G. Hightower, Pvt, 27th Arkansas InfantryJames H. Hightower, Pvt, 17th Consolidated Texas Dismounted CavalryJames H. Hightower, Pvt, 53rd Tennessee InfantryJames Hightower, Pvt, 10th Georgia InfantryJames Hightower, Pvt, 17th Texas Cavalry Moore's RegimentJames Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 27th Georgia InfantryJames Hightower, Pvrt, Company B, 6th Texas InfantryJames W. F. Hightower, 2nd Lt, Robinson's State GuardsJames W. Hightower, Pvt, Branne's 4th Tennessee CavalryJames W. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 2nd Ashbys Tennessee CavalryJefferson F. Hightower, Pvt, 2 Ist Georgia InfantryJesse Hightower, 2nd Lt, Company H, Consolidated Mississippi Infantry

Jesse Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 20th Mississippi InfantryJesse Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 5th Florida InfantryJohn A. Hightower, Capt, Parker's Light ArtilleryJohn B. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 2nd Arkansas Mounted InfantryJohn C. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 32nd Alabama InfantryJohn D. Hightower, Cpl, Company C, 29th Mississippi InfantryJohn D. Hightower, Pvt, Company 1, 41st Georgia InfantryJohn F. Hightower, Ist Lt, Company D, 3rd South Carolina ReservesJohn G. Hightower, Pvt, 4th Battalion Georgia Sharp ShootersJohn G. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 3rd Battalion Georgia InfantryJohn Hightower, Ist Lt, Company B, 59th Tennessee Mounted InfantryJohn Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 63rd Tennessee VolunteersJohn Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 26th Tennessee InfantryJohn Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 9th South Carolina InfantryJohn Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 7th Louisiana InfantryJohn Hightower, Pvt, Missouri Light artilleryJohn J. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 61 st Alabama InfantryJohn J. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, I 0th alabama InfantryJohn J. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 30th Mississippi InfantryJohn L. Hightower, Pvt, 12th Louisiana InfantryJohn L. Hightower, Pvt, 39th Alabama InfantryJohn L. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 12th Louisiana InfantryJohn N. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 30th Georgia InfantryJohn N. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 44th Georgia InfantryJohn 0. Hightower, Pvt, 13th Texas volunteersJohn 0. Hightower, Pvt, Wilkins Louisiana CavalryJohn R. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 21stArkansas InfantryJohn T. Hightower, Pvt, 41st Georgia InfantryJohn W. F. Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Battalion Georgia InfantryJohn W. Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Battalion Georgia InfantryJohn W. Hightower, Pvt, 4th Battalion Georgia Sharp ShootersJohn W. Hightower, Pvt, 6th South Carolin InfantryJohn W. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 42nd Alabama InfantryJordan G. Hightower, Sgt, 23 Georgia InfantryJordan Hightower, Sgt, Company D, 23rd Georgia InfantryJordan W. Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Atlanta ReservesJoseph Hightower, Pvt, 2nd Georgia InfantryJoseph W. Hightower, Pvt, 14th Georgia InfantryJoshua Hightower, Capt, 3rd Arkansas InfantryJoshua Hightower, Cpl, Company F, 3rd Battalion Mississippi InfantryJoshua Hightower, Pvt, 14th Georgia InfantryJoshua Hightower, Pvt, 30th Texas CavalryJoshua Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 31st Mississippi InfantryJoshua W. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 22nd Mississippi InfantryL. B. Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 40th Georgia InfantryL. J. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 13th Georgia Infantry

L. T. Hightower, Sgt, 5th Georgia ReservesLeander Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 63rd Tennessee InfantryLewis Hightower, Capt, 35th Texas CavalryMartin Hightower, Capt, Walter's Co, South Carolina Light ArtilleryMartin Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 57th Georgia ReservesMartin V. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 14th McCarver's Arkansas InfantryMilton E. Hightower, Cpl, Company B, 20th Georgia InfantryNathan Hightower, Cpl, 8th Arkansas InfantryNewton Hightower, Pvt, 45th Alabama InfantryNicholas E. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 15th Georgia InfantryP. C. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 43rd Tennessee Infantry, Gillespie'sP. C. Hightower, Sgt, Company C, 19th Louisiana InfantryP. E. Hightower, Pvt, 62 Tennessee Mounted InfantryP.C. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 43rd Tennessee VolunteersPascal H. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 30th Georgia InfantryPascal Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 7th Georgia InfantryPleasant Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 62nd Tennessee Mounted InfantryPleasant Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 30th Mississippi InfantryR. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 27th Arkansas InfantryR. B. Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 10th Georgia InfantryR. C. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 23rd Texas CavalryR. D. Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 4th Texas InfantryR. H. Hightower, 2nd Lt, 10th Georgia CavalryR. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 2nd Louisiana ReservesRaleigh Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 30th Georgia InfantryRichard B. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 5th Florida InfantryRichard Hightower, Pvt, 45th Alabama InfantryRichard Hightower, Pvt, 8th LouisianaRichard R. Hightower, Pvt, Company L, 12th Louisiana InfantryRolly B. Hightower, Sgt, Company E, 31st Louisiana InfantryRolly Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 27th Texas CavalryRussel Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 57th Georgia InfantryS. A. Hightower, Capt, Company C, 19th Louisiana InfantryS. E. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 13 Georgia InfantryS. M. Hightower, Pvt, 27th Arkansas InfantrySamuel Hightower, Sgt, Company K, Woods CavalrySanford Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 10th Confederate CavalrySidney Hightower, Pvt, Wade's Confederate CavalrySterling E. Hightower, Lt, Company C, 31 st Mississippi InfantryT. E. Hightower, 2nd Lt, Company G, 13th Georgia InfantryT. Hightower, Capt, Henly's Co, Mississippi VolunteersT. Hightower, Pvt, 19th Texas CavalryThomas H. Hightower, Ashby's 2nd Tennessee CavalryThomas H. Hightower, Pvt, Capt. Lynch's Co, Tennessee Light ArtilleryThomas Hightower, Capt, Capt. Hightower's Company, Mississippi VolunteersThomas Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Mississippi Infantry

Thomas Hightower, Pvt, Capt. Lee Jr's Alabama VolunteersThomas Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 2nd. Battalion Georgia Sharp ShootersThomas Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 24th Alabama InfantryThomas Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 2nd Texas CavalryThomas Hightower, Pvt, Ferguson's South Carolina CavalryThomas J. Hightower, Pvt, 12th Louisiana InfantryThomas J. Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 27th Louisiana InfantryThomas J. Hightower, Pvt, McCarver's Arkansas InfantryThomas P. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, Waller's Regiment Texas CavalryThomas W. Hightower, 2nd Lt, 21 st Georgia InfantryVincent Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 2nd Confederate VolunteersW. A. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 54th Alabama InfantryW. B. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 37nd Alabama InfantryW. C. Hightower, Lt, Company B, 34th Texas CalvaryW. C. Hightower, Sgt, 2nd Louisiana InfantryW. H. Hightower, Capt, Company, 4th Regiment Georgia MilitiaW. H. Hightower, Cpl, 42nd Alabama InfantryW. H. Hightower, Pvt, 10th Georgia InfantryW. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 35th Alabama InfantryW. H. Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 13th Georgia InfantryW. J. Hightower, 2nd U, 54th Georgia InfantryW. K. Hightower, Company H, 6th South Carolina InfantryW. M. Hightower, Pvt, 10th Georgia InfantryW. M. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 7th Confederate Cavalry/ClairbornesW. R. Hightower, Pvt, 27th Arkansas InfantryW. R. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, Ford's Missouri CavalryW.K. Hightower, 2nd. Lt, 57th Georgia InfantryW.S.A. Hightower, Pvt, Carter's Tennessee CavalryW.S.A. Hightower, Pvt, Thomals Legion North CarolinaWarren Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 22nd Mississippi InfantryWilliam A. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 3rd. Battalion Mississippi InfantryWilliam A. Hightower, Pvt, Company F, Cooke's Arkansas RegimentWilliam A. Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 21 st Arkansas InfantryA. Hightower, Sgt, Company E, 23rd Virginia InfantryWilliam C. Hightower, Sgt, Company A, 38th North Carolina InfantryWilliam D. Hightower, Cpl, Company A, 5th Alabama InfantryWilliam E. Hightower, Cpl, Company B, 20th Georgia InfantryWilliam F. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 16th Arkansas InfantryWilliam F. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 22nd Alabama InfantryWilliam F. Hightower, Pvt, Scott's Louisiana RegimentWilliam G. Hightower, Pvt, 39th Alabama InfantryG. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 31st Mississippi InfantryH. Hightower, 2nd Lt, 57th Georgia InfantryH. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 51st. Arkansas MilitiaH. Hightower, Sgt, 6th South Carolina InfantryWilliam H. Hightower, Sgt, Company G, Floyd' s Legion

Hightower, Pvt, 17th Lemoyne's Arkansas InfantryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, 63rd Tennessee InfantryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, 8th Missouri CavalryHightower, Pvt, Company C, 2nd Regiment Alabama CavalryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 5th South Carolina ReservesWilliam Hightower, Pvt, Company D, Young's 9th Texas InfantryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 3rd Georgia InfantryHightower, Pvt, Company G, 3rd Texas InfantryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 4th Missouri CavalryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, Company H, 8th Arkansas CavalryWilliam Hightower, Pvt, Light Georgia ArtilleryWilliam J. Hightower, Pvt, Josey's Arkansas InfantryWilliam M. Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 13th Alabama InfantryWilliam O. Hightower, Pvt, 10th Georgia CavalryWilliam T. Hightower, Pvt, Company C, 30th Mississippi InfantryZachariah H. Hightower, Pvt, Company A, 3rd Florida Cavalry

Hightowers in the Union ArmyAlexander Hightower, Pvt, 8th Missouri CavalryArland Hightower, Pvt, Company F, 1 20th Indiana InfantryBerry Hightower, Pvt, Company K, 21st Kentucky InfantryCaleb Hightower, Pvt, 148th Indiana infantryCampbell Hightower, Pvt, Company H, Ist Tennessee Mounted InfantryCharles Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 99th 111inois InfantryDaniel Hightower, Sgt, Company F, 60th 111inois InfantryDavid Hightower, Pvt, Webster Co. Batallion, Missouri VolunteersDavid Hightower, Pvt, Sgt, Company 1, 81st 111inois InfantryElijah Hightower, Pvt, Company L, 1 7th Indiana InfantryGeorge Hightower, Pvt, I Ith Kentucky CavalryGeorge W. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 7th Indiana InfantryJames Hightower, Cpl, Company 1, 18th 111inois InfantryJames Hightower, Cpl, Company 1, 18th 111inois InfantryJames R. Hightower, Pvt, 32nd Kentucky InfantryJesse Hightower, Pvt, 3rd Missouri S.M. CavalryJesse Hightower, Pvt, 6th Missouri S.M. CavalryJohn D. Hightower, Pvt, Ist USA Alabama CavalryJohn G. Hightower, Cpl, 14th 111inois InfantryJohn H. Hightower, Bugler, 6th Missouri CavalryJohn H. Hightower, Pvt, Company B, 3rd Missouri CavalryJohn Hightower, Pvt, 40th 111inois InfantryJohn Hightower, Sgt, 32 Kentucky InfantryJohn K. Hightower, Pvt, 81st 111inois InfantryMarion Hightower, Ist USA Alabama CavalryMarcelles Hightower, Pvt, 143rd Indiana Infantry

Monroe Hightower, I st USA Alabama CavalryNoel Hightower, Pvt, Company D, 63rd Regiment, Missouri InfantryRichard Hightower, Pvt, 11 th Kentucky CavairyRobert H. Hightower, Pvt, 12th Kentucky CavalrySmith Hightower, Pvt, 63rd Regiment, Missouri InfantrySmith W. Hightower, Pvt, Company G, 48th Missouri InfantrySolomon Hightower, Pvt, Company E, 149th Indiana InfantryThomas Hightower, Maj, Company B, 81st 111inois InfantryWilliam A.Hightower, Pvt, 6th Missouri CavalryWilburn Hightower, I st USA Alabama Cavalry

Hugh MacHightowerMac Hightower was the first son of Sterling Hightower and Beersheba Davis. His father was from Buncombe County, North Carolina and the date of his parents marriage is unknown at this time. Hugh Mac Hightower, the second child of his parents, was born 9 December, 1803. His parents moved to Franklin County, TN where they are listed in the 1820 census. Hugh Mac would have been about 17 years of age.

Hugh Mac married Delia Hicks in Wilson County, TN, 3 February, 1824. Alfred M, their first child, was born 8 January, 1825 in Franlkin County, TN. We f nd the family in Lincoln City, TN, in 1827 where two children were born_ Martha Jane, 15 April 1827 and Elizabeth 12 February 1829. Hugh M. is listed in the 1829 Lincoln County Tax List.

He appears next in the 1830 census of Montgomery County, IL. Children born in Montgomery County included Alexander Jackson (15 April 1832), George (19 August, 1834), Margaret Melsena (19 September 1836), Sterling Sylvester(4 February 1840), Henretta Carolina (20 May 1841), James Richard ( 1 1 April 1843), John Henry (23 June 1845), and Sarah Melvina Catharine (29 March 1848). Hugh Mac's sister, Nancy Hightower King, lived in nearby Coles County, Illinois.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois - Bateman and Selby, pg. 912_Hugh Hightower settled in 1843, Section 33, built first house ever erected within the boundaries of Nokomis township- pg 907~ames Kelly and a Hightower landed in Hillsboro in 1829 without a penny. p. 715. Hugh Hightower in 1843 made a settlement in section 33 and for some years was the only resident in this section of this county. Apparently he was slow paying his land taxes in 1858, 1861 and 1865_he was listed in the delinquent land list in the Montgomery County Herald for those years. Montgomery County Herald - 13 January 1 860_Sheriff's sale in favor of William Brewer against George W. and Hugh Mac Hightower (Note: George Washington Hightower was a younger brother of Hugh).

Copy of a deed dated 10 August 1833 and recorded August 15, 1833, reflects Hugh McHightower purchasing a parcel of land in the Cresses addition, Town of Hillsboro, Lot No. 4, Montgomery County, Illinois forthe sum of $14.00 lawful money of the United States, together

with all and singular the appurtenances and advantages thereto. This is where Hugh Mc Hightower settled and where several of his children were born on these premises. Hugh Mac Hightower's wife, Delia Hightower, was accepted on certificate as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Hillsboro, Illinois on the 1 8th day of April 1831.

Hugh Mac Hightower died 1 1 February 1879 in Powsheik County, lowa (Deep River) and is buried in the Light Cemetery in Powsheik County, lowa.

Although some think that Hugh used the last name of Mac Hightower as is the case on his tombstone, we fnd it listed that way in only one other place_an obituary. But in all court documents, tax rolls and census records it is Hugh M. Hightower or Hugh M. C. Hightower. And all the kids go by the name Hightower. Robert Thurman says, "I can recall Grandad Bob Hightower calling him Hugh Mac.

James Wilson HightowerI was born the 1 6th of February, 1908 to Louvina Kirkdoffer and William Hightower, only six months before my father's seventieth birthday. On touring over his 208 acre farm with me at his heels running to keep up with his swift pace, he would sometimes sit for a few minutes on a log, or a stone, to rest and reminisce. These were memorable occasions. They always brought out accounts of adventures in his exciting life: hunting, fishing, trapping, making a home, and making a living in the wilderness.

He was a wonderful story teller, making the Ozark pioneer wilderness life so real that I lived through his childhood memories; the Civil War days; the carving of the farm out of the virgin hardwood forest; building the home and farming the rich dark soil. I felt my roots securely anchored here in this, the most beautiful place in the world to me. There were stories of his parents, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts, some strangers from the Indian tribes, not yet moved to reservations, and new comers to the territory, some of whom were large plantation and slave owners. He said that his father, James Wilson Hightower, and his father's brother, John Andrew, came from Bowling Green, Kentucky. Their father had disappeared down the Mississippi River on a raft of cedar logs for sale in the ship yards of New Orleans (see story of Jim Hightower-Cherokee Indian in HighLowerlYews 1990). No one ever heard of him again. When they were little boys, they were obliged to go to work while quite young. As they were working on a keel boat taking a load of slaves up the White River they tied up the boat overnight at Walls Ferry. The ferryman, William Tosh, was from Virginia. His wife, Elizabeth born in Tennessee had lived there long enough to have several children, the oldest of whom was Margaret Tosh. James Wilson and she fell in love and became engaged.

The two Hightower boys hated their jobs because they didn't believe in slavery. They said the slaves were tied to the deck and had to push the boat up river in rain and storm, heat or cold up to the Saltpeter mines further up the river. There was a big demand for saltpeter for use in making nitroglycerin. When they went back to Bowling Green they planned a family reunion with their mother in five years. James Wilson returned to Walls Ferry and married Margaret Tosh in Batesville, Arkansas_the county seat of Independence county. There he became a farmer. Before the five years were up his mother had died and he never returned to Kentucky.

My father, William, was their first child, born July, 1859. We as children to celebrate his birthday, always enjoyed a family campout at Walls Ferry where he was born. We children and mother enjoyed a campfire and were bedded down at night in a wagon bed of clean wheat straw while father and the boys fished on the river. The big drums took the bait better at night my dad always said.

Our farm was five miles from Walls Ferry on the White River. Father's favorite way to fish was standing in a boat spearing the fish with a harpoon. He told of harpooning a catfish so big that when he tied it's head with willow switches to carry it over his shoulder, its tail dragged the ground. He could relate adventures with such detail we kids would listen with big eyed wonder and suspense like we were standing up in the little boat with him as he relived his boyhood fishing adventures.

He told us of clearing one field with his father saying, "pappy, let's leave this little one" every time a young saplin took his fancy. Finally, right in the middle of what was to become a cornfield he said, "Willie you may have this one." The tree became the famous Chiquipin tree that grew to be so large that all five of us children in the second family holding hands could not reach around it. Though it was struck regularly by lightening it produced bushels of nuts every year through my childhood and its spreading branches sheltered the sorghum mill each summer where hundreds of gallons of sweet sorghum syrup were made from cane that grew right on the spot.

About the time father was born William and Elizabeth Tosh had another little girl, they named Sarina. She and father grew up together and were inseparable friends, though being his mother's sister she was really his aunt. He taught us to love and respect her like a saint and everyone respectfully called her Aunt Rean. She married William Barnes who died in Missouri in the Union Army during the Civil War. She was instrumental in keeping the family together and getting them all to Missouri when they had been run out of their homes by the bushwackers and the Confederate Army. William had carried his sick father, James Wilson, on his back for much of the way until it was safe to buy a horse and continue their journey to what they thought would be safety.

William was a friendly, likable lad and made friends with plantation owner, John Glenn, his children and slaves. Mr. Glenn had built a log school house at Glenn's Gin where the Lafferty Creek flows into the White River. Steam boats landed there at the cotton gin to ship cotton down river and for delivering goods and news from New Orleans. He hired the Methodist circuit rider preacher to teach his children and slaves. William was invited to attend the first integrated school

in the area, which was an eight mile walk through dangerous woods, but he never missed a day. He attended four, four-month sessions and had memorized the bluebook speller words, and stories word for word. He loved repeating these stories as I sat on his knee before the fireplace until I could repeat them too. He boasted that he could cypher any sum the teacher would put on his slate. I always thought of him as a well educated person. He read widely: books, news fliers, and especially the Holy Bible. He seemed endowed with good common sense and wisdom. I never heard him use a bad word and he never chewed or smoked tobacco or drank whiskey.

He was a lover of nature and perhaps his best school was the wilderness itself which he knew and loved well. One day a little motherless fawn followed him to school. Like Mary's Lamb it lingered on the playground during school and ran after him in the games in the clearing during recess. All children loved it and young Johnny Glenn's sister wanted her brother to buy it for her. Father said he would take five dollars. Mr. Glenn told me about the deer deal once when I was going to Arkansas College and Uncle Johnny was old and white-haired. I asked father about it and his countenance fell. That was one story he had intentionally missed. He said he thought he had put the price so high no one would buy it. Next morning when Johnny came running to him waving a big green five dollar bill his heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. But he said his father, James Wilson, had taught him that his word was his honor. He had not wanted to part with his devoted little friend but there was no way out of the deal.

William was strong and tall and often walked miles for any necessary purpose or maybe just to explore with his muzzle loading rifle. Once when Christmas was coming and there was no turkey for the dinner he set out walking at 4 a.m. on his way to Bates Landing 12 miles away for a keg of gun powder. In Grooms Holler he heard the rumbling noise of an ox cart meeting him, they exchanged greetings. Next morning before daybreak when the wild turkeys began to come down from the roost, father was there under the big trees to bring one home for Christmas dinner.

While he was still a youth, James Wilson became sick with what they called dropsey. Much of the responsibility of providing for the family and managing the farm fell to William, with the help of his sisters and Aunt Rean. They cut trees, split rails, fenced the fields and made crops. He told of cutting his knee with the sharp axe once while he and Rean were splitting rails, she tore a piece from her petticoat, bound up the wound and threw him over her shoulder and carried him to the house. Margaret, his mother was an industrious woman and housewife. He said she spun the thread and wove the cloth for a new pair of britches for him to put on each fall. The ones he discarded, already too small, had rotted off at the knees from being rolled up to avoid the dew while plowing.

In spite of all the work and the responsibility he found time for recreation and fun often walking miles to a pioneer party to play his fiddle for dancing. William was a self-taught musician. I never had the pleasure of hearing father play the violin though he loved to tell about it. He had been bitten by both a diamond-back rattler and a copperhead snake at different times on the same hand and some of this finger joints were stiff as a result.

About the time he was approaching voting age, rumors of Civil War and politics began to filter into this peaceful wilderness country west of the Mississippi and south of the Ozarks. Father was hopeful that the Missouri Compromise introduced by Stephen A. Douglass might possibly

prevent war. So for his big day of casting his first vote for president, he voted for Douglass. Nothing but heartache and disappointment followed. Afterwards he proudly supported his new hero and voted for Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States.

As the dangers of war came over the Mississippi, rumors of the Confederate Army confiscating the struggling frontier families' food, supplies and horses, and pressing men into the army_even those who opposed slavery. One old man whose family had hidden him under the porch was coughing with TB when the soldiers dragged him out and killed him and pressed his teenage son into the army. These people were father's neighbors. Two of Margaret's brothers were forced to join the Confederate Army and both died and were buried on Papa Island in the Mississippi River.

The southern soldiers were aided by a band of renegades who for their own greedy reasons stole and plundered the natives' homes and barns for food, cattle, oxen and horses. But the men in the gray uniforms, who were on leave, hunted down the bushwhackers and killed many of them.

While plowing one summer day, William had removed his shoes to cool his feet in a little spring of water on the hillside when he looked down in the field where his horse was still tied to the plow and saw men stealing his horse. The horse was expendable but his sick father was at home. He ran home without taking time to put on his shoes. He carried his father to a limestone sinkhole covered with vines and leaves to hide temporarily.

The soldiers hung around for several days pestering Margaret and the younger children. They hung the young twin boys Robert and Henry by the toes until they were unconscious trying to make them tell where James Wilson and William were. But the little fellows didn't know. Then Aunt Rean came onto the scene she cut the children down and threatened the soldiers with her anger and famous vocabulary of cuss words.

Her home was about two and a half miles away by Lafferty Creek and they hit her home next. They took all her smoked bacon and sausage and hams from her smokehouse and everything they could use. Then one of the ruffians piled all their bedding; feather beds, quilts and pillows in a heap in the middle of the floor. Then he lit a torch at her fireplace and started to set the pile on fire. Aunt Rean picked up a home-made hickory chair and warned him with strong language that if he did that he'd regret it. So as he stuck the torch to the bedding she let him have it and stomped out the fire. When he recovered enough to get up he ran outside to the soldiers who had been supervising the raid and yelled "She hit me! Shoot her! Shoot her!" The young Confederate Lieutenant became angry and ordered him to let these people alone and get going. He must have come from one of the better southern families in the south. He said, "We have taken their food and supplies with winter coming on, leaving these people to starve. Would you burn down their shelter and everything left? This is not the purpose of this war."

After they rode away she went into the woods, rounded up an oxen, hitched him to the cart and went out and shot a hog. She some how got it onto the cart and headed home. On the little wooded trail she met 6 soldiers on horseback she sat on top of the hog, waving a huge butcher knife and threatened anyone who tried to take her food. They meekly cut out of the trail and gave her the right of way.

William, William Barnes and James Wilson were hiding in the cedar breaks and Aunt Rean was slipping food to them pretending to be gathering greens or one pretext or another. William Barnes slipped away to Missouri and joined the Federal Army.

As soon as father's foot was well enough to travel he had hurt it when he ran barefoot to rescue his father_they started walking north by the stars. As soon as they thought they were in neutral territory they approached a man who was gathering fresh corn from a field. On asking about buying food they were invited in for breakfast. On the table was a large platter of cooked roasting ears. The food was blessed and they were invited to help themselves. He said that was all they had. Fresh corn never tasted so good. They found a farm that would sell them a horse and that helped them get to Rolla, Missouri. They went around the town to a high spot from which they could look down on the town and found the streets filled with Confederate Soldiers.

When his father was safely located William found a warehouse that needed teamsters and hired on with some other loyal men. They were told to take loads of food and supplies to a battalion of Federal soldiers some distance away who were pinned down by the Confederates. They were told the direction and instructed to cut out though the woods separately. He had not gone far until he came upon one of the wagons on fire and the driver hanging by the neck from a tree. But father and one other load got through. Father joined the army and his name was on the roll. When the troops found out he could cook he became the official biscuit maker. They had been on hardtack too long. He described hardtack as something like a dehydrated bagel.

He said night after night the guard in a certain place was killed. Finally the culprit was caught by a clever trick of putting a dummy in place of the guard. The assassin was caught hiding behind a log. He had been posing as the preacher of their own outfit. I remember a scar as big as a dollar on father's arm_he had a smallpox vaccination and almost lost the arm. He and a friend were very sick with measles. They went to a house they had past while coming to camp. The lady said, "You poor boys come in." She gave them some food and put them to sleep in a warm room. Next morning they were broken out with the red measles. The lady was angry that her children had been exposed but she knew if she sent them out so sick they would die so they became a part of the family.

By the time they were well enough, their outfit had either died of measles or had been wiped out by the confederate troops. The records were destroyed and there was never an official record of William Hightower ever having been a member of the United States Army.

Aunt Rean and grandmother Margaret managed to get all the family to Rolla where they cared for Grandfather James Wilson Hightower until he died. While they were in Missouri, father's lovely sister, Margaret, died of diphtheria. After the war, the whole family returned to Independence County, Ark., without grandpa James Wilson and little Margaret. They were buried in unmarked graves in Rolla, Missouri.

Bill Barnes, Aunt Rean's husband had died in the U.S. Army. William was engaged to Mary Gillispe Wilson. He returned with the family to Arkansas to make their home and when the house was finished and the crop laid by, he returned to Missouri for her. They were married in

Rolla, 13 December, 1866 and returned to Arkansas. In the aftermath of Civil War the couple had 5 boys and 3 girls and reared them in the peace of their little Arkansas farmstead.

 

John D. Hightower of Effingham, IL, Civil War Veteran

From a History of Effingham County, by Bateman & Shelby, Chicago, 111., published 1910

John D. Hightower received his education in the subscription schools of Georgia and Alabama. At the outbreak of the Civil War John and his four brothers joined the I st Middle Tennessee Cavalry, United States Troops, in which he served until the battle of Stone's River, when they were transferred to the 1 st Alabama.

John was captured by the Confederates and taken to Tupelo, Miss. But after two months of confinement he managed to escape and hid in the woods, escaping from the scouts of the Confederate army. In October, 1863, he rejoined his regiment in which his three brothers, Marion, Monroe and Wilburn were serving.

The 1st Alabama took part in the hard fought campaigns around Atlanta. When this company served as escort to General Sherman, John D. Hightower was his orderly during the March to the Sea (ea. note. though we genealogists are most unhappy with all the courthouse records pillaged by the invading General Sherman).

In 1864 Mr. Hightower spent five months in scouting service. After the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, Hightower's company was mustered out at Nashville, Tl1., 21 July, 1865.

Two of his brothers, Monroe and Wilburn, died in the war and Marion was discharged and migrated to Arkansas. In 1865 Mr. Ilightower came to Effingham County and bought a small farm on section 20, Watson Township. His wife, whom he had married after his escape from the Confederates in 1863, had come to Effingham County in 1864. The couple had seven children: George, Wilburn, Martha, John, Sadie, Lota and Lee.

Mr. Hightower has voted for every Republican president since Lincoln. He was for a number of years Republican County Chairman. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church of which he is a liberal supporter.

Early Tennessee Hightowers

In each issue of the Hightower News we feature a particular state and the contributions of early Hightower settlers in that state's history. Tennessee not only holds a great deal of Hightower family history, but it is through the Volunteer State that many of our ancestors came on their way west.

In 1776 the settlers in a few isolated centers in Tennessee organized themselves into the Watauga Association for protection and administration of justice. Two now famous leaders of this association were John Sevier, who would become the first governor of the state and James Robertson, who founded (1779) a community near present-day Nashville.

A less prominent signer of the Watauga Petition was Oldham Hightower (see story of Oldham Hightower page 8). Oldham's son, Richard Hightower (b. 25 May, 1764) lived in Caswell County, NC in 1790. In 1791 Richard Hlightower marned Nancy Smith. The couple settled in Williamson County Tennessee on Wilson Pike at Old Smyrna Rd., in what is now the city of Nashville. This Richard Hightower should not be confused with the Capt. Richard Hightower of Jessamine County, Kentucky whose father was George Hightower (some researchers have made this mistake simply due to proximity and the fact that they lived at nearly the same time). Richard and Nancy had nine children: John, Robert Smith, Asenath, Lucinda, Sarah Clemmons, Mary Smith, Joseph B. and Richard R._all born at the Hightower homestead pictured here. The home was purchased by Buck Davis about 1865 and burned almost one hundred years later in 1964.

Hightower Place Names

Churches and Cemeteries:Hightower Cemetery. Johnson Co., GA near Cow Hell SwampHightower Cemetery, Lowndes Co, GA, BemisHightower Cemetery-2. Lowndes Co, GA,BaldostaHightower Church, Cherokee, GA, Ball Ground EHightower Church, Kershaw Co, S.C., ElginHightower Church, Swain, Co, S.C., WesserHightower-Andrews Cemetary, Lee Co., AL, OpelikawestHightower Cemetery, Limestone Co., AL, SalemHightower Cemetery, Clairborne, Co., LA, Haynesville, EHightower Cemetery, Benleo, Warren, KY,Hightower Cemetery, Webster Co, MS, Little Sand CreekHightower Cemetery, Erath Co., TX, Morgan MillHightower Cemetery, Walker Co., TX, Huntsville

Communities, Towns 8t Places:Hightower Hollow, Lawrence, Co, AL, MastersonHightower, Forsyth, GA, MattHightower Summet, Towns Co., GA, Hightower BaldHightower Branch, Rabun Co., GA, Dillard

Hightower Branch, Steward Co., GA, LumpkinHightower Creek, Greene Co., GA, White PlainsHightower Creek, Laurens, Co., GA, East DublinHightower Creek, Towns, Co., GA, MacadoniaHightower Falls, Polk Co, GA, FeltonHightower Gap, Towns Co., GA, Hightower BaldHightower Gap, Union Co., GA, NoontootlaHightower Indian Trail Monument, (see map above-left),Hightower Lake Reservoir, Polk Co., GA, FeltonHightower Lake Reservoir, Upson Co., GA, TomastonHightower Mt, Polk Co., GA, FeltonHightower School, Lumpkin Co., GA, Campbell Mt.Hightower Creek, Aiken Co, S.C., GranitevilleHightower~Hall, in York Co, S.C., (historical site)Hightower i~untain, Greenville, Co., S.C., SlaterHightower Gap, Swain Co., N.C., WesserHightowers Community, (see above map and photo below)Hightower Creek, Warren Co., KY (Hadley)Hightower in Cleburne, AL, HightowersHightowers Store, also Avery's Store, Talladego, Co., ALHightower in Mississippi Co., AR, DellHightower Creek in Baxter Co., ARHightower Hollow, Giles, CO., TN, Aspen HillHightower Spring, Marion Co., TN, South PittsburgHightower Canyon, Hidalgo Co., N.M., Table Top Mt.Hightower East Oil Field, Chaves Co., N.M., Frier RanchHightower Mountain, Lincoln Co., N.M., Ft. StautonHightower in Texas, Liberty Co., TX, RayburnHightower Branch, Montgomery Co., TX, FostoriaHightower Bridge, Parker Co., TX, Tin TopHightower Creek, Erath Co., TX, Morgan MillRockdale, Co., GA, Milstead

Charnell HightowerCharnell Hightower was probably born in Clarke County, Georgia in 1796. He was only one of many Charnells_perhaps named after his grandfather Charnell. Little is known about Charnell's parents (see Chart links on page 2), except that his father was named Thomas Hightower and died around 1826 probably in Marengo County, Alabama. The connection between Charnell and Thomas is verified by two deeds. The first deed is dated February 2,1819, in Clarke County, Georgia. This deed willed nine slaves to Thomas Hightower as an inheritance from his parents, Joshua and Polly Hightower, in the event of their deaths. The names and ages of all of the slaves are given in the deed.

The second deed is dated February 4,1828, and it is recorded in Marengo County, Alabama. This deed gave one slave, Frank, to Charnell Hightower as his part of his father's and grandfather's estates. According to the deed, the slave was to descend to Charnell after the death of his grandfather, Joshua, because of the previous death of Charnell's father, Thomas. The slave was one of the same slaves deeded to Thomas by Joshua in 1819. Therefore, these two deeds verify the identity of Charnell's father and grandfather. At this time, according to the deed of 1826, Charnell was a resident of Walton County, Georgia.

It was said that Charnell served in the War of 1812, but no record of his service could be found. Therefore, the first actual record where Charnell is involved is his marriage to Elon Watts on December 22, 1816, in Morgan County, Georgia. The marriage record listed their names as, UCharnell Hightower and Ellon Watts."

Next, Charnell is found back in Clarke County, Georgia when he bought 730 acres for $250 on April 19,1819. This land was situated on the Oconee River. In October of 1820, Charnell and his family lived in Clarke County near many other Hightowers. By this time Elon had bore two children. (Thomas Preston Hightower born on December 3,1817 and an unidentified daughter born around 1819) Charnell once again bought land in Clarke County on November 27,1820 when he purchased 225 acres on the Oconee River for $600. Then on February 12, 1821, Charnell sold the 730 acres for $475, making $225 on the sale. This was the last record of Charnell and his family in Clarke County, Georgia.

By leaving Clarke County, Charnell began his life-long westward journey which would lead him through five states. His journey would end nearly fifty years later and over 800 miles from his birthplace.

In 1826, Charnell lived in Walton County, Georgia according to the previously mentioned deed from Marengo County, Alabama. Also Charnell's son John B. Hightower testified to have been born there, so we know that at least two of Charnell's children were born there. (John B. Hightower born in December of 1822 and Teletha Hightower Sanders born about 1825; also by this time another unidentified daughter had been borned about 1821)

Next Charnell is found in Newton County,Georgia where he participated in the Land Lottery of 1827. The birthplace of his next three children is uncertain, but some may have been born here.(Charnell Jr. born about 1827, William T. born 1828 and another unidentified daughter born about 1829)

The reason that three of Charnell and Elon's daughter's are unidentified is that the records of Chickasaw County, Mississippi, where these children were probably married, were burned in the Civil War, so their names from marriage records are lost forever. The only way to find the identity of these daughters is for their descendants to see the connection from old family records and legends.

It is uncertain what Charnell and his family did after leaving Georgia, for the family was not recorded in the 1830 census as far as has been determined. It is reasonable to assume that they quickly moved through Alabama, and by the end of 1830, they were settled in their new

home_Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Due to the lost records of this county, Charnell's life there is almost a mystery. He lived there until about 1846 when he once again moved west. While in Chickasaw County, Charnell and Elon had their last four children. (Raleigh or Rolly-born on December 18, 1830, Joseph Watts born on March 26, 1832, Joshua born in 1833, and then Allexander G. or Allen born in December of 1837) Charnell was first recorded in Texas in 1848 in Cherokee County, Texas. He lived near his son, Thomas P., and his daughter, Teletha Sanders,(Mrs. Stephen) According to tax rolls, he also lived there in 1849 and owned 450 acres.

Then in the census of 1850, Charnell was in Anderson County, Texas. Living with him were his wife, Elon, his sons, William, Joshua and Allexander. Charnell must have been quite a businessman, as was evident from two deedS in Anderson County dated January of 1851. In the first deed dated January 3, 1851, he bought 400 acres for $800 from Frost Thorn. Then on January 9, 1851, he sold the same 400 acres to Barnett Hollingsworth for $2000, making a $ 1200 profit in just six days.

Charnell and Elon then moved to Henderson County, Texas near Tennessee Colony. Charnell bought 320 acres for $640 from John Stephens on January 30, 1852. According to tax rolls of 1852, Charnell owned twelve slaves valued at $4200, six horses valued at $300 and 75 cattle valued at $300. His son John B. Iived nearby. On September 25, 1853, Charnell bought 70 acres for an unstated price(valued at $ 160 in 1853 tax rolls) from John Stephens. This deed was witnessed by J. Hightower and J. W. Hightower. All of this land was located on the Neches River.

The family remained in the same area, and in 1856 death struck when Elon Watts Hightower, mother of twelve and Charnell's wife of 40 years, died. Her death was recorded in the family Bible of her son Joseph Watts Hightower. It reads, "Elon Hightower, August 20th, 1856, aged 59 years."

Only two months after the death of Elon, Charnell remarried to Mrs. Thomas Jefferson Morris of Cherokee County, Texas. Mrs. Morris or Glovina as she was called, probably met Charnell when he visited his son, Thomas P., who also lived in Cherokee County. Charnell and Glovina were married there on October 30, 1856, though they lived afterwards in Charnell's home in Henderson County. Several of Glovina's children from her previous marriage lived with them. Glovina was almost twenty years younger than Charnell, and on their marriage record her name was listed as "Lucretia Morris".

Charnell fathered two children by his new wife, when he was over 60 years old. Both of these children were born in Henderson County. (Sidney S. born in 1857 and Lucinda or Cynthia born in 1859)

Between the years of 1857 and 1859 Charnell disposed of eleven slaves. Only one record concerning this has been found. This record stated that on May 9,1858 in Henderson County, Charnell Jr. paid Charnell $400 for a slave girl named Harriet as his part of his father's and mother's estate. This deed was witnessed by John B. Hightower.

Oldham HightowerOldham Hightower was born 17 Sept.1744. This date was taken from Bible Records. Through research it has been ascertained that he was the firstborn of Austin and Jane Oldham Hightower and they were residing in Brunswick County, Virginia about that time, on a 400-acre land grant south of Cedar Creek. It is interesting to note that there is an Oldham, VA which is near the North Farnhum Parish Church and near where the Hightower family lived in Richmond County, VA. That is most certainly the ancestors of Jane Oldham, wife of Austin.

There is no reference to Oldham Hightower in Brunswick County, VA. in the records of that time that were not destroyed. He was first mentioned in the land grant from John Earl Granville to Austin Hightower in 1762, in Orange County, North Carolina. He was a chain carrier on the survey of the granted land and would have been about 28 years old.

From bible records, we learned that Oldham Hightower married Sara Parker (b.12 April, 1745) in 1763, and in all probability it was in Orange County, North Carolina. Their first child, a son, Richard, was born 25 May of 1764. John Oldham, Jr. was born in 1766 and Joseph was born in 1768, all in Orange County, North Carolina, as the records show Oldham and Sara Parker Hightower still residing in Orange County, North Carolina in 1771.

Shortlythereafterhe is found in SurryCounty, North Carolinaand on the fax Lists for 1774 and 1775 (at that time this County covered Northeast corner of North Carolina).

Oldham apparently was moving westward toward Tennessee because in 1776 he was living in the Watauqua District, which is now in eastern Tennessee, but at that time was Indian Territory and not part of the United States or the colonies. He was one of the signers of the Watauga Petition. He was a Revolutionary Patriot.

In 1778, Oldham Hightower paid one poll tax and owned 0- 100 acres of land in Washington County, Tennessee (this county covered the entire state)_taken from the records of Hardy Hightower, the fourth child and son of Oldham and Sarah Parker Hightower, he was born 28 December 1779 in Buncombe County, North Carolina (formerly Rutherford County). Their only daughter and last child, Jane (Jincy) was also born in Buncombe County, North Carolina about 1786.

In 1800 Oldham was recorded as being in Christian County, KY, perhaps visiting a family relative there or a preleminary to his move to Giles County Tennessee. Oldham was one of the first settlers on Bradshaw Creek, east of Pulaski, Tennessee in 1808. He raised corn and wth his son, Hardy, built the first grist mill on the creek. According to the 1820 Census_Oldham and his wife was living in the home of their son, Hardy. About 1821 Hardy moved the family to the Hickory Flat Plantation near Florence, Alabama where Oldham died, 23 October, 1823. Sarah Parker died at the plantation 31 December, 1836.

Epaphroditus HightowerEpaphroditus Hightower was the youngest son of Joshua and Susannah Tavenor Hightower, born in Richmond County, Virginia about 1741. His birth was not recorded in the Farnham Parish Register, however verification that he was their son is taken from Joshua Hightower's will made 12 May,1770. He married Eleanor Hightower, daughter of Joshua Hightower, of Amelia County, VA in November 1771, in Amelia County, VA

He was one of the earliest residents of Caswell County, NC., by 1780 he entered a deed for land on Country Line Creek and in 1783 he was in county court records as a road overseer. He was reported on tax records and the Federal census through 1810.

Epaphroditus moved to Buncombe County, NC in 1809. In the files of the County Court Clerk, we find and "Epaphroditus" bought and sold land twenty times until the year 1834, but some of those transactions could have been his son, Epaphroditus, Jr. (The will of the Senior Epaph was probated in 1832). We don't know exactly when he moved to Tennessee, but he served as a private in Bunch's Mounted Regiment, East Tennessee Volunteers in the War of 1812. He served from 12 October, 1813 to 12 January, 1814. Epaphroditus lived in Grainger County, Tennessee according to the U. S. Census in 1820 and 1830.

Epaph and wife Eleanor had the following children:

1. Frances A. married Herndon Lea.

2. Joshua married Delialah Slade and had one child: Deveraux. A second marriage was to Eunice Lea. The two moved from Grainger, TN to Bloomington, IN about 1830. Joshua died before 1843, Eunice died in 1863.

3. Agnes, married John Kersey. She was living in Granger County, TN as late as 1852. 4. Lettice married James Paul.

5. Sally, married Benjamin Walker.

6. Susannah married John Tyre Curl.

7. Elizabeth married Jeremiah Jarnigan.

8. Epaphroditus, Jr. married Nancy Clay.

Epaphroditus died in Grainger County, TN about 1832 and his wife Eleanor died in 1848.

Hightowers in the Indian Wars

D.C. Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Company 1, Beall's Georgia Mounted Volunteers.Elisha Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Company 1, Georgia drafted militiaGeorge Hightower, Pvt, Comb's Kentucky Mounted GunmenGreen Hightower, Pvt, Seminole War, Picket's Florida Mounted VolunteersH. Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Company 1, Beall's Georgia Mounted VolunteersHen~y Hightower, Pvt, Seminole War, 1st Battalion, Wimberly's Georgia MilitiaH.L. Hightower, Pvt, Cherokee War, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry1. W. Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Company 1, Beall's Georgia Mounted VolunteersJames Hightower, Pvt, Florida War, Ross's Battalion, Georgia MilitiaJa~nes H. Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Smith's Alabama Mounted VolunteersJ~mes M. Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Company 1 Beall's Georgia Mounted VolunteersJoel Hightower, Pvt, Florida War, Ross's Battalion, Georgia MilitiaJonathan Hightower, Pvt, Seminor War, Wimbert's Georgia MilitiaJoshua Hightower, Pvt, Cherokee War, Lindsay's Georgia Mounted VolunteersJoshua Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Webb's Battalion, Alabama Mounted MilitiaL. G. Hightower, Pvt, Florida War, Howard's Battalion, Georgia Mounted MilitiaPleasant C. Hightower, Pvt, Cherokee War, Company 2, Tennessee Mounted MilitiaRobert L. Hightower, Pvt, Creek War, Georgia Infantrylhomas A. Hightower, Pvt, Florida War, I loward'sBattalion, Georgia Mounted MilitiaThomas Hightower, Pvt, Florida War, Ross's Mounted MilitiaWilliam Hightower, Corporal, Seminole War, Company 1, Mounted Gunmen W. Tenn.William Hightower, Pvt, Florida War, Company 1, Brisbane's South Carolina Militia

Inhe American Revolution the British, as the French had done earlier, made extensive use of Indians to fight the colonists. After the war, settlers pushed west of the mountains, and newfighting erupted. North of the Ohio River, in 1790 and 1791, LITTLE TURTLE led warriors of the MIAMI, SHAWNEE, and other tribes to victories over U.S. troops. The Shawnee chief, TECUMSEH, carried on, striving to forge a grand alliance of tribes west of the mountains. His dream was shattered by the Indiana Territory Governor William Henry HARRISON at the Battle of TIPPECANOE in 1811. Tecumseh fell in battle during the WAR OF I 812, in which Indians once again aided the British. In the South, Indian resistance collapsed after Gen. Andrew JACKSON smashed the CREEKS in 1814 at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, located in present-day Alabama.In the three decades following the War of 1812 the U.S. government evolved a policy of moving eastern tribes to new homes west of the Mississippi River in order to clear the way for white settlement. For the most part, Indian removal was accomplished by nonviolent though coercive measures. Notable exceptions were Florida's SEMINOLE WARS (181 7- 18, 1835-42, 1856-58) and the brief BLACK HAWK WAR (1832) in 111inois.

Jim Polk HightowerThe following reminiscences of the past were furnished by one of our old colored friends, Jim Polk Hightower, here in Sardis, AL in 1875.

"After so much has been written about the town of Sardis by its white citizens, I thought I would try to give a little history of the old time white southern gentlemen, and as times are so fast carrying all of the old time whites and old time colored into that unknown world, and myself as one of the old time slaves I thought it but right that I should give to the world some of the ways of the old time white men and old time white women. They was as a general thing kind to the slaves and only correct them when it was needed. The slave was treated much better than the present generation can imagine. It seems that it was the highest ambition of Master and Mistress to teach them to be honest and to have manners and I want to say right here that most of our race that are yet living have not forgot the first lesson, that manners and good behavior will carry you farther than money. On the plantation the white boy and the niger boys would play together, fight and make up before going to the house for if the father and mother were told of the fighting, both would get the rod. And when the old time southern gentleman and lady would fix to go to see some entertainment, you would see the gentleman with his trock tail broadcloth coat and his white lining shirt, they did not think of themselves being dressed up if they did not have on a frock coat. Such a thing as a white gentleman going to church or to a wedding with a short coat on was not known with oldtime aristocrates. And the good white lady would have on her silk dress and her bonnet, and the carriage driver would dress up and be as proud as the old Master.

Then come the white young lady and she was just as obedient to mother and father as a child. She would not say a cross word to them for anything, and I must say, I grew up right there in the yard, with the white people and had a good chance to know something of their ways.

And when any slave on the plantation was sick you would see the old mistress going in the night to the house of that sick slave to give the medicine and some of them was as good a doctor as some of them that practices medicine.

And I must say that the mothers and fathers of the boys that grew up in the sixties ( I 860's) were the best people that the world will ever see. So to the few old boys of the Lost Cause(Confederacy), let me say that you are the sons of some of the purest mothers and fathers that ever lived. And I want to say right here that I belonged to one of the best owners that lived in the day of slavery. Mr. J.D. Hightower and his little wife thought so much of their slaves. We were always kindly treated. If one of the slaves on the term got into trouble with the overseer in the absence of the master, he would go to the house, the mistress would take him into her room and have him stay until his master came home.

All of us Hightower slaves with bear witness of the love we had for Miss Dollie and Master John as we call them. Then in 1861 came the War between the States and how sad it is to me jest to look back and see such a band of noble young men, just in the pride of life go out to the cruel war. Some of them never to return home anymore. Yet the father and mother gave them up freely to go out and fight for what they thought was their right. They did not go out to fight to hold the negroes in slavery, for that was not the question when the war commenced. They fought for prinicple. They put that ahead of dollars and slaves.

Then after the war was over and the poor old South was beat, and the camp-tevered, worn-out soldier returned, and as he came in sight of home he would look and see the black smoked chimney as the only remaining thing to point him where the manson of his father and mother

stood. What a cruel war! Then the poor fellow would start a new life without a dollar. I think if more of the old time slaves would write and give the world the true facts of our relations to the old slave owners it would better our condition. Now let us live together in peace and die in the full triumph of the Christian faith.

Back to The Northern Neck of VAFollowing the king's grant of another charter to the Virginia Company in 1609, Robert Johnson, a London alderman and official of the company, printed this promotional pamphlet entered for publication on February 28, 1609. The author pleaded for colonists, called planters to come to Virginia, this "paradise on earth." It may have been a flyer such as this that led our first liightower family to tidewater Virginia. Of course it was not the paradise defined by the pamphlet, it was an extremely difficult life on the Northern Neck of Virginia in the seventeenth century.

And while we do not know exactly when the Hightower family first arrived in America, We think it was after 1650 (llightower IYews, p. I 1, 1993). From 1645 to 1665, the population of the Virginia colony multiplied more than threefold. And more than 75% of the immigrants came as indentured servants. In order to pay for the passage, the young adventurer would enter into a contract with a planter to pay his way. To repay the planter, the youth would agree to work for the planter for a certain period of time, and at the end of his service he would have a trade and some supplies to get started in housekeeping. Starting in 1642, servants 21 years of age and older had to serve their masters for four years.lt has been speculated that the first llightower in America was one of those indentured servants_ from a book by Samuel Hales published in 1975, we read, "Mrs. Blanche Williams was a daughter of William Flavius Joseph Hightower. Mrs. Williams said that her father told her that his great-great-great grandfather llightower came to America as a bound boy," or indentured servant. Indeed that may be the reason that we are unable to find evidence of a land grant or deed for land prior to 1700 in the Hightower name. The first mention in court records of the Northern Neck is a suite settled against Joshua llightower in which he has to pay the sum

John HightowerThe birthdate of John Hightower has not been proven but through years of research it has been accepted as about 1692 and that he was the oldest child of Joshua and Eleanor Hightower, first Hightower's of Virginia, and that this family was residing in Richmond County prior to the 1700's. Our story on John Hightower has been taken from the court records of Richmond and Amelia Counties of Virginia, and the Farnham Parish Register Richmond County, the Lunenburg Parish Register, Richmond County, Virginia.

He was about 26 years of age when he married Mary Bryan, daughter of Thomas Bryan and Eleanor Winniford, also of Richmond County Virginia and their first child, WILLIAM, was born 20 July 1720. A total of eight children were born of this union, the last, twins, Richard and

Rebeckha were born 27 December 1737 and all the children's births were recorded in the Farnham Parish and Lunenburg Parish Registers with the sole exception of Rebeckha, and her birth was recorded only in the Episcopal Church Records of Richmond County, Virginia. There has been no further information found on this child and it has to be assumed that she died at birth.

It is evident that John llightower was a profitable farmer and grower of tobacco. In one court reference he paid 5000 Ibs. of tobacco for 180 acres of land on Turks Branch of Totuskey Creek in October 1726. As early as 1612, John Rolfe had planted a commercial tobacco crop in Jamestown and the Virginia settlement quickly became a center for the trade of tobacco. Tobacco cultivation spread through colonies.

Court records reflect that John Hightower was a slave owner in Richmond County in 1729 and by August 28, 1745 he and his wife Mary owned 290 acres of land and at this time they sold it to Nicholas Flood for 50 pounds of Virginia money.

Also from the court records we learn that John llightower was a surveyor and was appointed as the surveyor of highways as prescribed by law June 18, 1739. (It might be pointed out at this time that this chosen line of work was found in the descendants of not only John, but of his brothers as well.)

The Hightower families began to migrate around 1748 and JOLIN and his wife, MARY moved too. They stayed in Virginia their entire lives and their only move was to Amelia County. Between 1748 and 1756 John had acquired 1600 acres of land in Amelia County.

The 1600-acre plantation in Amelia County was on Tommihitton Creek, and there were a number of slaves.

September 21, 1757 JOHN HIGHTOWER filed six deeds in Amelia County Virginia, deeding acreage to his six sons as follows: John Hightower, Jr.,250 acres, 10 shillings; Thomas Hightower, 100 acres, 10 shillings;George Hightower,200 acres, 10 shillings; William Hightower,400 acres, 10 shillings; Richard Hightower, 200 acres, 10 shillings.

John Hightower was about 20 years old, living in Richmond County, Virginia, and in all probability in the homestead of his parents, Joshua and Eleanor, when he married Mary Bryan, the daughter of Thomas Bryan, Jr. and Eleanor Winniford, in 1718 or 1719. Their first child was born in Richmond County, Virginia, and his birth was recorded in the Farnham Parish Register. They named him William and he was born 20 July 1720.

The first reference to John Hightower was in May 1719,, p. 166, Richmond County, Virginia. Elizabeth Whittle vs. John llightower. 794 Ibs. of crop tobacco due on account. Again in May 1719, p.166, Richmond County, Virginia, Anthony Sidney, assignee of John Bryan vs. John llightower. This case was dismissed. OB8, p. 110, Richmond County, Virginia. Newman Brackenbrough, plaintiff and John llightower and Mary his wife, defendants. Pay out of estate of Thomas Bryan to plaintiff. This is the first record that offers proof that John Hightower is married and that his wife's name is Mary. In the above reference, the 'Thomas Bryan' is the late

father of John Hightower's wife, Mary Bryan Hightower. Taking this date, it has been established that this couple was married about 1719. The case of Whittle vs. LIightower continued on into Mary 1720 at which time John Hightower was found guilty and required to pay damages. Also on p.189 of May 1720, the claim of John llightower for taking up one runaway servant named James McCall belonging to John Lomax of Essex County be certified. The second child of John and Mary Bryan Hightower was born: 10 January 1722, Eleanor, and her birth was also recorded in the Farnham Parish Register, Richmond County, Virginia. Through research, it has been established that John and Mary Bryan Hightower had established their domicile near the homestead of John's parents, Joshua and Eleanor Hightower, in Richmond County, Virginia and thatJohn's brothers, Joshua, Charnell and Thomas were living at the homestead. All of these children had been born prior to the 1700's with the sole exception of Thomas and he was born 20 March 1712 and his birth was recorded in the Farnham Parish_ Richmond County,Virginia.

Further research of the Richmond County, Virginia court records reveals John residing in the county at the time of his father's death in 1726. Also, their third child, JOHN, JR. was born 13 November 1725 and his birth was recorded in the Farnham Parish Register, Richmond County, Virginia.

In August 1727 John HIightower was appointed surveyor of highways for coming year. This profession was carried down through generations and it is interesting to

Another son, Joshua, was born 12 September 1728, and his birth was recorded in the Farnham Parish Register, Richmond County, Virginia. This boy was named for his grandfather Joshua, who died in Richmond County, Virginia in 1726. It was established and the records of Richmond County, Virginia reflect that John Hightower was a slave ownerin 1729.

The fifth child, another son, Thomas, was born 24 May 1731; the sixth, George, born 28 September 1733; and the last two, twins, born 27 December 1737, Richard and Rebeckah. Births of the three boys were recorded in the Farnham Parish Register, Richmond County, Virginia but the birth of Rebeccah was recorded in the Episcopal Church Register. It has to be assumed this child died at birth, or shortly thereafter since no further information has been found to this date.

The court records reflect John and Mary Hightower still residing in Richmond County, Virginia up to and including August 28, 1745, at which time John and Mary Hightower sold to Nicholas Flood 290 acres for 50 pounds Virginia money. This was the last reference of this couple being residents of this county. May 20, 1748, Amelia County, Virginia we find Wood Jones selling to John Hightower 600 acres in Tommihitton Swamp. Again in 1750, Thomas sold John Hightower 400 acres for 35 pounds in the Tommihitton Swamp. May 2, 1754, Charles Williams sold John Hightower 50 acres for 10 pounds, Tommihitton Creek.

In 1755, September 10, John Hightower was granted 400 acres in Lunenburg County, Virginia and in August 7,1756, John Ornsby sold to John Hightower 550 acres of land at the head of Tommihitton Creek. This gave John Hightower 1600 acres in the Tommihitton Swamp and 400 acres in Lunenburg County a total of 2 ,000 acres and a number of slaves. Then in March 1758, John Hightower, Sr. deeded to his son, Thomas, the 400 acres in Lunenburg County, Virginia, thus leaving 350 acres in the Tommihitton Swamp known as the plantation.

John Hightower died in 1764, Amelia County, Nottaway Parish, Virginia leaving a will dated October 16, 1761. This will was probated September 27, 1764 in Amelia County, Virginia and it is recorded in Will Book 2X. In his will, John Hightower gave each of his surviving children, six sons and one daughter, his slaves, reserving slaves for his wife, Mary, to be given to John, Jr. upon his mother's death, along with the plantation lands and another small tract. His wife, Mary, to remain at the plantation with her three slaves until her death.

Thomas Russell HightowerThomas Russell llightower, one of the leading citizens of Union Township, Webster Co., Mo., was born in Caswell County, N. C., May 1, 1839, and is a son of Deverex and Sicily (Gooch) Hightower, natives, respectively, of linox County, Tenn., and North Carolina. The parents were married in North Carolina in 181 d, where they lived until the fall of 1850, when they removed to Greene County, MO., and three years later located in Webster County. When a young man the father learned the stone- mason's trade, at which he worked in connection with farming all his life, and was very successful until the outbreak of the Civil War, during which he lost heavily. He was a Democrat politically, and in his death, which occurred September 17, 1872, Webster County lost one of its most enterprising residents. Mrs. llightower died in October, 1858, a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. There were eight sons and eight daughters born to the parents of our subject, of whom four sons are now living, viz.: Joshua, a farmer of Niangua Township, Webster County; Eppa, a farmer of Wright County, Lao.; Abner, a farmer of High Prairie Township, Webster County, and Thomas Russell. The latter received his education in the common schools, and his home was with his parents during their life-time, providing and caring for his father during the last years of his life. He started in life for himself with limited means, but industry and good management have added 280 acres to the eighty acres led him, and he now owns a farm of as good laud as there is in Webster County. March 4,1860, he married Martha Walker, daughter of Robert Walker; she was born in Cedar County, MO., June 5,1843. To this union were born six children. Mr. llightower is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the Methodist Church. lle is one of the enterprising men of the county, and is highly respected by all who know him.

John HightowerJohn Hightower, Jr. was born Novem- ber 13, 1725, in Richmond County,Virginia, the son of John and Mary Bryan Hightower. Ilis birth was recorded in the Farnham Farish Register. His parents migrated to Amelia County, Virginia around 1748 and John, then about 23 years of age, went along with them.

The first reference we find of record in Amelia County, Virginia, is dated August 7,1756. Deed. John Ornsby to John Hightower, Sr. Adjoining John Hightower, Jr. This establishes his residence in Amelia County, Virginia. He married l) Ann Smith, daughter of Agniss Smith. It is not known at this time the number of children born of this union, however, we are certain there was at least one child, a daughter, Lucy. She was named in her grandfather, Agniss Smith's Will, Book 2,

Amelia County, Virginia, proved 24 March 1774. John and Ann Hightower were married prior to 1758, as she is mentioned in legal transaction in that year.

September 21,1757, Amelia County, Virginia. Deed. John Hightower, Sr. to John Hightower, Jr. 250 acres. Tomahitton Swamp. Amoco's Corner. Stanley's Branch. September 21, 1757, Amelia County, Virginia. Deed. John Ilightower, Sr. to John Hightower, Jr. 100 acres. Tomahitton Creek. Womack's Corner. September 21, 1757, Amelia County, Virginia. Deed. John llightower, Sr. to Richard Hightower. Adonis his brother, John Hightower, Jr. September 27,1758, Amelia County, Virginia. Deed. John Hightower, Jr. and wife, Ann to Benjamine Milner. 100 acres adjoining William Hightower, to the Sedge Bottom. June 5,1759, Lunenburg County, Virginia.Deed. John Ilightower, Jr. of Amelia County, Virginia, from Joseph and Amelia fIightower of Lunenburg County, Virginia. 300 Acres. llounds Creek.

Lewis Buckner HightowerOften I am asked if my family is related to the distinguished Hightower family in southeast Texas. Judge Lewis Buckner Hightower was a pioneer in Liberty County, Texas, and a renowned bear hunter in the Big Thicket. His progeny include many distinguished lawyers, judges and public servants. Judge Hightower was a descendant of Austin Hightower. Another descendant of Austin Hightower was Judge Richard Levesly Hightower, who was brought to Texas in a wagon train at the age of four in 1840, and served as a member of the Texas Senate in 1881. As a lawyer he is remembered for obtaining an acquittal for Abe Rothschild in the Diamond Bess Murder Trial. Some have inquired about our relationship to Jim Hightower, the Commissioner of Agriculture of the state of Texas. When the commissioner was asked this question in my presence he replied, "Oh yes, we are last cousins." Regardless, whether "first" or "last" cousins, it would seem that there is a great probability that through descent from the family of Joshua and Eleanor, most who carry the name Hightower are kin.

John Hightower, the son of Joshua Hightower and his wife, Eleanor, was born about 1692, probably in Richmond County, Virginia. He was married when he was about twenty six years to age, in 1718 or 1719, to Mary Bryant, in Richmond County. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor Winniford Bryan.

It is evident that John Hightower was a profitable farmer, most likely in tobacco. In one court reference h paid 5000 Ibs of tobacco for 180 acres of land on Turk's (see Hightower News 1996) Branch of Tutskey Creek in October, 1726. The County records reflect that he was a slave owner in Richmond County in 1729 and by August 28,1745 he and his wife Ma! owned 290 acres of land. At this time they sold it to Nicholas Flood for 50 pounds of Virginia money. Also from the court records we learn that he was a surveyor and was appointed as the surveyor of highways as prescribed b law June 18, 1739.

In about 1748 they moved to Amelia County, on Hurricane Creek, near Blackstone, in present Nottoway County, Virginia. They stayed in Virginia their entire lives and their only move was to Amelia County. Between 1748 and 1756 they acquired 1600 acres of land in Amelia County and were granted 400 acres in Lunenburg County

William Hightower, the eldest son of John Hightower and Mary Bryant, was born July 20, 1720, Richmond County, Virginia. He was the first grandchild of Joshua and Eleanor Hightower. He married Susann Hanks, the daughter of William and Hannah Mills Hanks, October 12,1743, in Richmond County. Susannah w born December 18,1725, in Richmond County (See The Hanks Family).

The Hightower families decided to move and all moved together some settling in Amelia County, some Brunswick. The migration began around 1750. William followed

Hightower, Stephen Hightower, born about 1780, Susannah Hightower, ~ Pressley Hightower.

Thomas Hightower was born in Amelia County, Virginia, about 1751, the son of William Hightower and Susannah Hanks (See The Hanks Family). By 1774 he had moved to Mecklenburg County, Virginia, on Piney Creek, a few miles northeast of South Hill. He lived there until 1782 when the tax lists credit Thomas Hightower with six slaves. In 1782 he sold his farm in Mecklenburg. No further record is known until August, 1789, when Thomas bought 400 acres of land in Union County, South Carolina. He was married to Mildred Arnold, the daughter of James Arnold of Mecklenburg County sometime prior to November 6, 1775, when James Arnold wrote his will (See Hightower Family Wills).

In December, 1776, Thomas and Mildred sold their land and moved to Elbert County, Georgia. By 1801 Thomas and his family, three of the children married, had moved to Greene County where his brother William had settled in 1796. His neighbors were his brother William, James Leggett, Reuben Smith and Russell Talley. He bought an improved farm there in April of 1803. But he was not to enjoy the possession of it long, for he died the following September 22,1803. Mildred was living in Putnam County, Georgia, as late as 1820.

Thomas Hightower served in the Revolutionary War under the command of Col. Robert Goode and Brig. Gen. James Wood. He was wounded in 1781 while under the immediate command of Major General The Marquis de LaFayette. He received a pension for his services which began September 4,1783. He was a private in the militia of Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Thomas Hightower, Jr., the son of Thomas Hightower,Sr. and Mildred Arnold was born in 1800 at Cracker's Neck, Greene County,Georgia2. On October 16,1821, he married Elizabeth Tucker Moreland in Putnam County, Georgia.

Revolutionary service authenticated by Daughters of the American Revolution, No. 415734. 21n 1797 Rev. James Jenkins, a leader in the early days of Methodism, preached at Cracker's Neck and reported in his journal that, once a "fiery exhortation", a man in uniform came down the aisle and fell to his feet, crying for pardon.

Thomas and Elizabeth lived in Putnam County until 1824. They moved to Monroe County, Georgia, in 1825. By 1830 they were in Troup County, Georgia, where they lived until after 1840. By 1846 they were in Chambers County, Alabama, and moved on to Clalborne Parish, Louisiana, sometime before 1860.

Thomas Hightower, Jr., died in Clalborne Parish, Louisiana, May 15, 1874. Elizabeth died there October

William Clayton Hightower'sWar Experiences

An account of W. C. Hightower's service during the Civil War can be found in a history of the "Clalborne Guards" by W. C. Cooksey in The History of Clalborne Pansh, Louisiana, compiled by D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse, New Orleans: Press of W. B. Stansbury & Co, 38 Natchez Street, 1886, beginning at page 173:

This company was organized in Homer, in April, 1861, with John Young, Captain, and J. B. Parham, J. M. Andrews, and John S. Young, Lieutenants. The company left immediately for New Orleans, where it went into the Second Louisiana Regiment of Infantry. Captain Young was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, which necessitated a new election of officers for the company, resulting in the choice of J. M. Andrews, Captain, and J. B. Parham, John S. Young and W. C. Leslie, Lieutenants. The regiment remained about a week in New Orleans, drilling, when we were ordered to Yorktown, where we passed a month in fortifying the place. From Yorktown we went to Williamsburg, where we remained two months, drilling and throwing up breastworks. Then we moved about ten miles, to the James River, where we spent two months more in drilling; after which we went into winter quarters about twenty miles east of Yorktown.

Early in the spring of 1862, we left winter quarters for Dams Nos. 1 and 2, in the Peninsula, where we spent a short time without any occurrence worthy of mention, except a little engagement, which, in the light of subsequent experience, we have always regarded as a very small affair. During

Clasping Hands with Generations Pastby Hazel Hightower

Texas gained her independence on March 2,1836, and its vast new territory beckoned to many of the pioneer families that had pushed their way down from the Virginias, through the Carolinas and the overland road through Tennessee and across Mississippi's Natchez Trace was frequented with long wagon trains creaking their way to this new land. Families with all their earthly belongings, including slave property, joined the trek as it moved through the states.

And so it was, this cold dreary winter of 1839-1840. A group that had joined the train in Tennessee, stopped off at Shreves Port, Louisiana and camped on the banks of the Red River. A dispute over slave property had developed enroute and the matter had to be settled before the slaves could be transported out of the United States into the Republic of Texas. Their destination_a day's travel west_seemed now as far away as did their home in Tennessee. Perhaps the only one in the group unaffected by the turmoil was a happy little four-year-old, blue-eyed boy, playing about the camp. Were it not for him, this story would not be possible.

Our story has its beginning in the State of Tennessee, near Somerville, in Fayette County, on December 26, 1829. One Drury S. Field, because of the love and affection he had for his brother, James A. Field, deeded 300 acres of land and two slaves, Bob and Diana, for his use and benefit, as well as that of his wife, Sally (also referred to as Sarah) and their five children, Stith, Alexander S., Caspor Wistor, Drury and an only daughter, Jane Anderson Field. A Peter R. Bland was named trustee. The instrument carried a provision that the land could be sold and monies derived therefrom used for the use and benefit of the family as James A. Field so directed.

The 1830 census of Fayette County records the household of James A. Field and wife, Sally, with a daughter between 15-20 years of age; two sons between 10-15 years of age and two sons under five years of age.

Six years pass before we find another link in our story. Drury 5. Field, again feeling magnanimous, deeds a slave boy, Alexander, nine years of age, to his namesake, Drury, youngest son of his brother, James A. Field. The instrument has a provision that Caspor Wistor, next to the youngest son of James A. Field, have possession of the slave boy should his brother, Drury, die prior to age 21 years. The document was dated December 12,1835, and was witnessed by three men, one of them signing as R. S. Hightower

According to the next authentic documents, it has been ascertained that the acreage covered in the original deed of trust had been sold and the monies derived therefrom, $2, 200. 00, paid to Drury 5. Field for eight slaves, with a balance outstanding of $ 1, 900. 00, to be paid as the slaves earned the money through their labors. The document was dated December 23,1835, and a clause therein substituted Robert S. Hightower as trustee instead of Peter R. Bland. The recipients are spelled out in this instrument as in the original deed with the exception of Jane A. Field; her name is written Jane Anderson Field Hightower. This is the first record we have that Robert and Jane are married.

On May 24, 1836, a son, Richard Levesly Hightower, was born to Robert Smith and Jane Anderson Field Hightower in Fayette County, Tennessee. From all indications, Robert was well accepted by his wife's people and the next three years found him busy, not only looking after the welfare of his wife and son, but also that of his wife's parents, James A. and Sally Fields along with four younger brothers. Two of these brothers were pursuing a formal education; Caspor Wistor preparing to become a doctor and Drury in the study of law.

Jane A. Field Hightower negotiated to purchase land in the Republic of Texas from James Shandoin of Shelby County, Texas. Certificate of Headright #499, dated June 8, 1835. It was agreed that he would sell her a league and labor of land 4, 605. 5 acres when she appeared in person to consummate the transfer of title.

Much thought and time went into the preparation of this move. This change of residence would not only affect her own home but that of her parents and her brothers. It also meant the moving of all the<. slave property belonging to her parents and brothers. Nevertheless, in the spring of 1839, all had been readied and their wagons, heavily laden, joined an already too long wagon train headed for Texas.

The trip was a long and tedious one, especially for Jane. Only a few weeks away from Tennessee, Jane learned she was again with child. In spite of her frail stature, she had determination and a strong will power. Traveling in the same train was Jane's Uncle Drury S. Field. Uncle Drury's patience and betterside was no longer showing after a few weeks on the trail. He did not feel so magnanimous anymore. Instead, he began to feel I remorse over having sold the eight slaves under ~he condition that he did, ie: The balance was to be paid as the slaves earned their keep.

Uncle Drury complained to Jane and to her husband. Hardheaded young Robert contended that a deal is a deal and that he positively refused to pay for the slaves other than as spelled out in the deed. Uncle Drury shouted that the slaves could not be taken out of the United States into the Republic of Texas until they were paid for in full.

The train was moving at a snail's pace across Louisiana. Finally. Iate in October, 1839, it reached Shreve's Port on the east bank of Red River. When the wagon train moved on west, the Field- Hightower clan remained in camp. No settlement had been reached. Too, Jane had given birth to their second child, a girl, who was given the name of Sarah P. Hightower. After a few weeks' discussion over the possibility of settling permanently in the vicinity of Shreve's Port(now Shreveport, or going on to Texas, it was decided that the climate would not be best for Jane's health, and Texas remained their destination.

Since nothing could be amicably agreed upon between her husband and her uncle to the slaves, Jane decided to take matters into her own hands. Lifting her full top skirt to the knee, she extracted a money purse from her petticoat pocket, counted out nineteen one-hundred-dollar bills, paid Uncle Drury 5. Field in full for the eight slaves and had all three instruments pertaining thereto recorded in the Conveyance Records of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Book "A", Pages 231-237.

And so it was, this cold dreary winter of 1839-40, the families traveling the Shreveport-Grand Bluff Road west from Shreve's Port, Louisiana arrived at their destination_then a wilderness, identified to them only by surveyor's stakes_ but a Utopia to this group of weary and roadworn travelers. Little did Jane know that the place she had bargained for would be the birthplace of her firstborn son's fifteen natural children and become known to all as the Hightower community.

The first dwelling was a log house. The site was chosen for the abundance of timber and it was about one mile north of the Shreveport-Grand Bluff Road, approximately four miles east of the present town of Elysian Fields, Texas. The balance of the year 1840 was used getting the families housed and clearing land for the next year's crop planting.

1841 was the year that legal title to the acreage was acquired. James Shandoin deeded the property, situated in Harrison County, to A. Field Hightower for a cash consideration of $909. 00. This also was the year the permanent homestead was built. The building was located in the corner of the section where the Shreveport-Grand Bluff Road intersected the little-traveled road to the town seven miles to the north Waskom, Texas.

It is assumed that the family occupied the new homestead in late 1841 or early 1842, and that the third child of Robert 5. and Jane A. was born in this house. James F. Hightower was born February 1, 1842.

The next four years could very well have been spent clearing, crop raising, and generally getting settled in their new world. Nothing is actually known of the activities of the family during this period. Taken from Bible records of one of the descendants, it was learned that Jane A. continued to fail in health that she again became pregnant and soon thereafter developed tuberculosis.

Now that Richard Lee was married and head of a household, he filed for and was successful in securing a partition of the estate of his parents. To the union of Richard Lee and Martha A. Powell Hightower were born the following named children: Hannah , Edgar Wallace, Malcolm, Harriet Ella, Sallie ~ William.

During 1858, Richard Lee's sister, Sarah P., died The exact date and cause of death is unknown. She was eighteen years of age and had never been married. Her property was divided between her two brothers, Richard Lee and James F. Hightower. On April 3,- 1863, James F. Hightower, a bachelor, living in the Hightower homestead with his brother, Richard Lee, deeded all of his right title and interest in all real and slave property that he owned to his sister-in-law Martha A. Powell Hightower.

This family progressed in the farming industry as well as could be expected during the Civil War and the years to follow. When its slaves were freed they chose to remain with this family and both prospered.

Tragedy struck this family around 1869. Martha, the beloved wife and mother, died leaving six children. the oldest, Hannah, approximately fourteen years of age and William only four.

Richard Lee Hightower, a widower at the age of 33 years, was undaunted by the hardship. Even though this was quite a blow to this ambitious young lawyer and surveyor, he was determined and of strong will. Hannah, his fourteenyear-old daughter, was a great comfort to him. She helped with the management of the household and cared for her little brothers and sisters, with the help of servants, of course. This type of family life was trying and Richard Lee felt that he

must find a wife for himself and a mother for his children. On June 15, 1870, he married the widow of the late Douglas J. Rogers, Martha E. Fortson Rogers, with three children, namely: Joseph E., John and a girl, Willie. These children were around the ages of Richard Lee's three oldest. Very little information could be obtained on the third child, Lee. Therefore, it is assumed that he died in infancy. Taken from the records of the fourth child, Cora, her mother died of childbirth, only two weeks after she was born_October, 1878.

Less than ten years had passed and again Richard Lee found himself in somewhat the same predicament, only more complicated. Five of his children by his first marriage, two of his three stepchildren and three little ones of his second marriage, all in his household without a mother.

By the same source of information, it was determined that Robert decided to return to Tennessee for recuperation. Early in 1847, Robert and Jane A. Ioaded up their wagon and set out for Somerville, Fayette County, Tennessee, leaving their three small children with Jane's parents, James A. and Sally Field, in the Hightower homestead.Jane's health did not improve and it is assumed that the child was born and\ died in infancy and buried in Fayette Couny. Robert S. had instructed the family that when he died, he wanted the grave to be large enough to accommodate the bodies of both he and his wife, Jane. He selected the site for the family graveyard, which was only a few hundred feet to the north of the homestead. He designated the spot he desired that he and Jane be buried at the base of a young, trim Cedar Tree. So it was, in 1849, Robert and Jane A. Field Hightower were laid to rest in their own private cemetery, sharing in death the same grave as they had shared in life the same bed.

According to the 1850 census of Harrison County, James A. and Sally Feld were maintaining the Hightower homestead and the three children of Robert S.. and Jane A. Hightower were with them. The oldest, Richard Leevesly Hightower, was fourteen. His sister, Sarah P., ten years old and their younger brother, James F. was eight years old. Even though Richard was young in years, he was mature in his way of thinking. He had diligently applied himself during there years to his studies, especially the study of law and survey. Tutors were hired to come live in at the homestead to teach the children.

Robert and Jane A. Field Hightower left no wills_this gave generous Uncle Drury a chance to step into the picture again. He promptly had himself appointed administrator of the then large estate of Robert and Jane A. Field Hightower. Young Richard was aware of the manner in which his uncle was handling the affairs of his late mother and father and squandering moneys that was rightfully his as well as his younger brother and sister. He was very displeased. The state continued to dwindle the first four year, after the death of Robert S. Richard (who now preferred to be called Richard Lee) was mentally mapping out his plan of action to salvage as much of the estate as he could. When he reached the age of eighteen years, he t.took himself a wife, He married Martha A. Powell on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1854. W. W. staples, minister, officiated.

Judge Hightower. as he was then called, was 42 years old and very active practicing attorney, as well as carrying on a lucrative survey business. Even though farming was the backbone of the

financial structure of this family, loyal freed slaves relieved the strain and burden somewhat. His brother, James, and oldest son, Edgar, son, Joseph and step-son, John, looked after the management of the crops and bringing in supplies. Hannah, his oldest daughter, again, assumed the role of mother and housekeeper, and promised her father if he would not remarry that she would remain single and care for the children for him. He though it over but felt the sacrifice on Hannah's part would be too great; that she needed to make a life of her own. this was not in keeping with what Hann had expected and proved to be a great disappointment to her at the time. This decision perhaps led to more than one early marriage of the older children. Hannah married his step-son, Joseph E. Rogers, and the second daughter, Harriet, married J. Brooks Rogers(no relation to his step-child It was along about this time that the second step-son, John married Mattie. Shortly after this rush of weddings, Richard Lee won the hand of pretty, 2-year-old, Miss Alice Marion Fortson of Keatchie, Louisiana. She was the daughter of F. Marion Fortson and Frances Ann Spence.

In spite of the extreme hardships and grief of his life, Richard pressed on, achieving recognition as one of the best defense lawyers in East Texas. He was known far and near for his legal expertise and his services were widely desired. One of the more prominent cases of his career was the Diamond Bess Murder Trial. Diamond Bess(Bessie Moore) was murdered in a lonely heavily wooded area on the outskirts of the then thriving and booming town of Jefferson, Marion County, Texas. Her husband, Abe Rothschild, was accused of her murder. Abe's wealthy family resided in the Boston area. They had a squad of lawyers representing him in the courts of Marion County but the young Man seemed doomed to hang. Some of the members of his family, having heard of Judge Hightower's fame, sought his counsel. After much thought and some delay, the Judge accepted the case, provided the hearing could be held in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. He felt that his client would receive a fair trial in a county removed from the scene of the crime. The motion was granted and Richard Lee was successful in securing a "Not Guilty" verdict for the accused. The murder is unsolved to this date.

Richard L. Hightower was serving in the State government in Austin as a senator during his whirlwind courtship and marriage to Alice. Each year, for many years now, the Jefferson Pilgrimage, held in May, stages a play with the reenactment of the courtroom scene of the trial. A player portrays Judge Hightower wearing a high- topped hat and frocktailed coat, as did the Judge in the day and time of the trial.

The winter of 1889-90 was a bitterly cold one. It was during these chill months that Richard Lee was doing extensive survey work, necessitating his being out in the weather for long periods of time. Combined with overexposure to the severe weather and extra long working hours, he became ill and confined to his bed at his homestead. The doctor attending him was unable to control the high temperature without using cold, wet applications. Richard Lee's weakened condition caused him to develop pneumonia and he died on April 5, 1890 at his homestead at the age of 54 years. He was survived by his third wife, Alice Fortson Hightower, twelve of his fifteen natural children(Malcolm, Sallie and Lee deceased), three stepchildren, and sixteen grandchildren. He was buried on April 6, 1890 in the Hightower Cemetery to the right of his second wife, Martha E. Fortson Rogers Hightower. In reading the diary of one of Judge Hightower's neighbors, Judge W. J. Owens, the writer found the following entry: April 6, 1890. I had to go dig ole man Hightower's grave this morning. Got it done

 

The Hightowersof Cedartown, GAI was headed south this past fall, it was raining like a Florida hurricane and the leaves were changing color as I passed through the Smokey Mountains. But as I drove farther south, in the direction of Atlanta, there was barely a hint of autumn. When I turned off the interstate in the direction of Rome, GA, I was headed for Morgan Valley in the northwest Georgia foothills.

I love these Genealogical treks into the deep south because I can always find real pork barbecue-not the kind Yankees make, the kind that drips with southern flavor-you just can'tget that sort of thing north of the Mason-Dixon line. Leaving Rome, old highway 27 winds its way over to Cedartown, GA, a place where Elias Dorsey Hightower made his home in 1846.

Elias bought a wooden grist mill here in Polk County that had been built a decade earlier by a Mr. John Wilson. The mill was constructed near a waterfall on the banks of a small stream which flowed into Euharlee Creek. The area would come to be known as Hightower Falls. According to a story in the Northwest Georgia News by Gordon D. Sargent, the first mill was built while Cherokee Indians still inhabited the area.

Hightower converted the old grist mill into a cotton gin, and nearby built a three-story mill out of native stone. The stone walls of the mill remain today. The mill was used to grind corn and wheat; on the second floor was a carding machine for making wool from sheep raised on the Hightower farm.Sargent records in his article: "About ten years after construction of the mill, its operations were rudely interrupted by the conflagration known as the U.S. Civil War. Thomas Hightower, the son of Elias Dorsey Hightower (see Letters of Thomas Hightower, Hightower News, vol. 8), served in the 21st Georgia Volunteers, and on the 7th of December, Lucelia, his wife, had recently moved from Polk County to a spot east of Atlanta know as Powelton, to be with family for the birth of the couple's first-born. As the U.S. Civil War swept toward his falls, Elias Dorsey Hightower had cause for concern. General Sherman had ordered his troops to destroy all factories in Georgia, but he had specifically exempted 'small flouring mills, manifestly for local use.' His troops, however, often failed to follow these orders, and many a mill was burned to the ground as a result. Elias's mill and operations were soon to be put to the test.

Hightower had already endured much of the tortures of war. Two of his four eldest sons had enlisted at the start of the war. One had died of wounds at the Battle of White Sulfur Springs, Virginia (now West Virginia) early in 1863. Elias undoubtedly was greatly concerned for the safety of his son Tom too.

Sherman was marching to the sea down through the Dalton-Atlanta corridor, and in November of 1864, he razed much of Cedartown. In mid-November, Lee McCormack, a school teacher who lived with the Hightowers, brought the frightening news when he visited Tom Hightower in New

Market, Virginia. On November 28th, Tom passed the news to his wife in Powelton: "They burned every occupied Court House, all the storehouses, grocers, blacksmith shops and every house that there was no person living in. Burnt old Bill Peek's dwelling and all of his out-buildings. They take and kill everything as they go, killed all the stock, ducks, chickens, etc ." Thomas Hightower, however, was helpless to come to the aid of his family at Hightower Falls. As more detailed accounts filtered in, he must have grown more worried with each passing day. According to Hightower's greatgrandson, Charles N. Carter, Union troops did visit the mill, and helped themselves to corn meal, baked corn bread, and even "killed one of Grandpa's pigs," to make supper. The hogs had been driven up into the hills beyond the falls for protection, but one old sow apparently had wandered back down just as the Yankees arrived, and met its fate shortly thereafter. Possibly mellowed from a full meal and a good night's sleep, the troops spared the home and mill from the torch, and moved on.

Following the war, rebuilding must have been slow and tedious as the lives of Polk County residents slowly returned to a semblance of normality. "Judge" Elias Hightower (as he had become known), served in the Georgia General Assembly in 1873 and 1874. In Cedartown, he was a partner in the law firm of W.M. Phillips & Company.Business undoubtedly picked up at Hightower Falls following the war. Aside from the cotton gin and wool carding operation, Hightower also had a tannery, a sorghum mill, honey bee hives and he had a plantation to manage. When the Hightowers came to the Polk County area in 1846, they lived in a house at the end of what is known today as Hightower Falls Road, near the mill. In 1857, A. H. Wood built a new home for Elias further down the road from the mill. The old homestead where the Hightowers raised their eleven children stands unchanged today, except for the removal of the front porch."Elias Dorsey Hightower died in 1892 and the Cedartown Standard had this to say about him: "...Reporting the death of one of Polk's oldest and best citizens, Judge Hightower. He ably represented this county in the state legislature in 1872-73. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Church for 50 years and often spoke of his approaching end saying he was ready to go. For over fourscore years he has walked an upright, blameless life and at the age of 83 he bid farewell to life and went to his reward."In Cedartown today, only a local lumber store retains the Hightower name and only the native Georgia stone walls of the mill remain to remind us of a page of Hightower history almost lost in time.

First Families of Georgiaby Joseph Henry Hightower MooreTowaliga Farm, GA

William Hightower, b. Bute Co., NC, 1778, d. Fayette Co., GA, 1851, m. GA, c. 1798, ?Sarah? Fann, dau. of Jesse Fann, Sr., and wife Wilmouth. She was b. in Bute/Warren Co., NC, c.1778, d. Fayette Co., GA, 1840-1850. Sarah Fann (first name not proven) is currently traced in descent from William and Sarah Stone of North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., VA, whose dau. Mary Stone married John Fann. A probable son, name unknown, married Judith, who as Judith Fann appears in the North Farnham Parish Register as the mother of two children including Willoughby Fann who moved to Chatham Co., NC, where he died in 1785. Jesse Fann, Sr.,

named a son Willoughby and appears to be a brother of Willoughby Fann of North Carolina. It is likely that Jesse Fann and wife Wilmouth lived in a Virginia county whose records are destroyed, and from there went to Bute and Chatham Counties, NC. Between 1790 and 1793 they moved to llancock Co., GA, then to Greene Co., and by 1801 were in Clarke Co. Jesse Fann, Sr., died about 1815 and Wilmouth Fann died after 1823. By descent from William and Sarah Stone of Richmond Co., VA, William Hightower and his wife Miss Fann would have been third cousins.

William Hightower came to Georgia about 1797 and very soon married and settled in Clarke Co. The lands of himself and several children, as well as his Fann in-laws, were near the Jackson Co. Iine on Bear Creek and McNutts Creek of Oconee River, and near the main road from Athens to Jefferson. William Hightower was a captain in the Clarke County Militia in 1821. As a resident of McElroy's District, Clarke Co., he drew lands in Monroe and Houston Counties in the 1821 Georgia Land Lottery, but did not settle either tract.

In 1826 the family moved to Fayette Co., where William Hightower settled in Land Lot 108, 5th District, and in 1832 paid tax on adjacent Land Lot 118 (or 108), 5th District. In old age he lived in the household of his son Isaac Hightower on the main road between present Inman and Woolsey (present State Highway 92), Fayette Co., and died there. He was buried, by family tradition, in the Bishop Family Graveyard near his original Fayette Co. homestead. William Hightower left no document naming all his children. The following list is derived from records of his descendants who were personally acquainted with several of his children, and from other sources.

1. Raleigh Hightower.

2. Isaac Hightower.

3. Lucinda Hightower, b. c. 1801, d. DeKalb Co. by 1840, m. Clarke Co., 25 Mar. 1819, Stokely Evans, who d. DeKalb Co. also by 1840. They lived in Clarke and Fayette Counties before going to DeKalb after 1830.

4. Jonathan Hightower, b. 1802-04, m. Clarke Co., 5 Oct.1824, Mariah Wiggins.

5. Jesse Hightower, b.1806, d. Hunt Co., TX, after 1867, m. (1) Clarke Co. 28 Aug.1823, Mary Cagel, b.1806, d. after 1860, (2) Hunt Co., TX, 23 Aug. 1867, Mrs. Mary Ann Darling. Ple settled in Fayette Co. where he was 1st lieutenant of militia 1831- 1833,and captain of militia 18331834. He then moved to upper Henry Co. where he was captain of militia in 1838, and commissioned Justice of the Peace in 1839. He was a farmer in Henry Co. in 1850, but by 1860, had become a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and had moved to Randolph Co., AL, where lived several families of his liightower cousins, children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Pollard) [Hightower formerly of Clarke Co., GA. Jesse Hightower afterwards went to Hunt Co., TX, where he is presumed to have died before 1870.

6. Sarah Hightower, b. by 1810, m. Fayette Co., 29 Mar. 1827, Jonathan Mitchell, son of Hinchey Mitchell of Henry County. (See Mitchell).

7. John N. Hightower, b.l807-10, d. Fayette Co.1832, m. Fayette Co., 24 Dec. 1829, Elizabeth Hunter, who died by 1840 leaving an orphan son, Millard [lightower, who lived with his older first cousins, William G. and Jane (Hightower) Edwards, and is presumed to have moved with them to Ashley Co., AR, after 1850.

8. James C. Hightower, b. 27 Nov. 1813, d. Inman, Fayette Co., 29 Apr. 1891, m. c. 1834, Manervia Ann Armstrong,b.9 June 1813,d.30Mar.1889. He owned lands on the north side of Inman eventually totalling to some 732 acres and his home there, built between 1847 and 1849, remains in the possession of his McLucas descendants. He was a founding trustee of Liberty Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church near his home and was a lay reader, or exhorter, whereby he occasionally preached at Liberty Chapel and other churches in Fayette and surrounding counties. He was a charter member and officer of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge in Bear Creek Station (Hampton), Henry Co., in 1853. He was the ancestor of the llightower family of Jonesboro, Clayton Co. (See Joseph Henry llightower Moore, "Hightower (Clayton County Branch," in Ancestors Unlimited, Inc., The History of Clayton County, Georgia, 1983, pages 285- 291.)

9. George Carroll Hightower,b.1818, d. Fayette Co., Sept., 1850, m. Fayette Co., 3 Jan.1834, Sarah Eliza Grimn, b. 12 May 1820, d. 7 Aug. 1889. Raleigh [lightower, the founder of the main line of Henry Co. Hightowers, was b. in Clarke Co. in 1799 and d. in Henry Co. in 1856.The House name is found in Virginia and in some of the same NC counties through which the Hightowers migrated. Raleigh Hightower owned land on Bear Creek and McNutts Creek of Oconee River in Clarke Co. He sold out in Clarke in 1825 and no doubt came to Henry Co. by 1826 when his father and brothers went to Fayette. (Raleigh had drawn Land Lot 98, 9th District, Fayette Co., in the 1821 Land Lottery, and Land Lot 117, 9th District, Henry Co. (later Newton], but did not settle either tract. ) His first Henry Co. land purchases were not recorded, but it is known that his home was near Concord Methodist Episcopal Church which was organized in 1829 and of which he was a strong member and perhaps a trustee. The Henry County Agricultural Census for 1850 shows him with 302 acres of land which was undoubtedly his homeplace tract.The first deed in which he appears is a sale of Land Lot 123, 12th Dist., on present Stagecoach Rd. just beyond Concord Church, north of present Stockbridge, in 1838. In 1851 he bought a total of 607 acres. This property was in two parcels, one belong present Stockbridge on present Rock Quarry Rd., and the other some distance northwest of Stockbridge. It is doubtful that he lived on either tract,but is most likely that his homeplace remained just above Concord Church. [lelefta comfortable estate when he died and with his wife was buried in a nowunmarked grave in the old Hightower lot at Concord Church Cem. Raleigh Hightower and wife Elizabeth House had the following issue, born in Clarke and Henry Counties:

1. Dr. Richard House Hightower, physician, b.4 Mar. 1820, d.3 July 1897, m. Henry Co.,18 Feb.1849, Mary Ann Chapman. He was an early doctor in Henry Co. and about 1861, moved to Jonesboro, his home until the end of the Confederate War, in which he servcd, when he returned to Henry Co. and settled in Stockbriclge. He was sheriff of Henry Co. in 1860,1866.

2. James Cook 15 Nov. 1842 Co., 1 July 1865, Sarah A. Patillo were living in Fayette (now Clayton) Co. in 1851, when he was a farmer. He worked as town marshal and railroad

superintendent for the Macon and Western Railroad. After service in the Confederate army he moved back to Henry Co. and lived near Stockbridge.

3. William Hightower, married twice (names presently unknown) and lived in DeKalb Co. or in Atlanta. He presently has descendants in Atlanta.

4. Mary A. Hightower, b. 1826, m. in Henry Co., 8 Nov. 1846, Isham H. Hightower, her first cousin, son of Jesse H. Hightowerand his (1) wife Mary Cagel. They lived in Henry Co. in 1850. Soon thereafter they moved to Hunt Co., TX, where Isham Hightower was first a farmer, but soon became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

5. Sarah Hightower, b. 1829, never married.

6. Paschal H. Hightower, b. 1830, d. Hilton Head Island, SC, 20 Feb.1865, Confederate soldier. He m.7 Nov. 1854, Margaret P. Crockett, b. 8 July 1835, d. 25 Jan. 1915, dau. of James Walkup Crockett and wife Malissa Mcacndon of Henry Co. and a descendant of the noted Pickens family of South Carolina. (See Crockett.) She later m. (2) Mr. Fraser.

7. Winfred Hightower, b.l832, m. Henry Co., 25 Sept.1853, Jesse Newt George.

8. Elizabeth T. Hightower, b.l833, m. Henry Co. 18 Sept. 1853, James M. Patillo.

9. Caroline Hightower, b.l839, m. Henry Co.,13 Dec. 1855, Johnson C. Turner.

10. Dr. Raleigh Hightower, physician, b. 1840, d.l912. Dr. Hightower was a minor when his father died, whereby he was adopted by his older brother Dr. Richard House Hightower, 4 Oct. 1856. He m. (1) 7 Dec. 1865, Catherine Watts Elliott,b.5 July 1840, d.23 Apr.1891, dau. Of Hiram C. Elliott and wife Mary Ann Atkinson of Henry Co. (see Elliott). Dr. Raleigh Hightower m. (2) 2 Feb.1893, Mary Orlenza (Crumbley) Morris, widow of John Morris and dau. of William H. Crumbley and wife Fannie A. Walker (see Crumbley). He served as a captain in the Confederatearmy, Co. E (later Co. D, 30th Ga. Regt. (See A. P. Adamson, Brief History of the Thirtieth Georgia Regiment, Rex, 1912, page 72.) His home was at WhiteHouse near Stockbridge. Dr. Raleigh Hightower b.1840 and d. 9-8-1912, and Catherine Elliott Hightower b. 7-5-1840, d. 4-23-1891.

11. John Nelson Hightower, b.l844. With his brother Dr. Raleigh Hightower, he was adopted, 4 Oct.1856, by his older brother Dr. Richard House Hightower. He was a Confederate soldier and m. in Henry Co., 13 July 1865, Sarah Green Chapman.

12. Martha Hightower, b. l 845. It was said she never married, but in Henry Co. on 15 Dec. 1859, a Miss M. J. Hightower was married to R. T. Carroll. Whether this was Martha or one of her nieces is not known by this compiler.

Joseph has contributed Hightower family histories in the First Families of Henry County, GA, published in 1993 and A History of Clayton County, GA, published in 1983. Both lines of Hightowers come from William Hightower (1778-1851).

Thomas Jefferson HightowerAs a progressive businessman and a thoroughly conscientious and upright citizen, this gentleman has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the community. Thomas was born in Parrotsville, East Tennessee, on 29 October, 1829. His grandfather, Thomas Hightower, was a native of South Carolina, and a gallant soldier in the American Revolution. His father, Allan Hightower, was also a native of South Carolina and a very successful planter and stock-raiser of that state. The maiden name of Mr. Hightower's mother was Louisa Jefferson. She was a native of Virginia and a member of the distinguished family to which the illustrious Thomas Jefferson belonged.

The boyhood and early youth of Mr. Hightower were spent in his native village in Tennessee, and from the institutions of that neighborhood he derived a common school education. At the age of eighteen he began to shift for himself and settled in Dahlonega for the purpose of digging gold. He failed, however, to gratify his ambition in this direction and decided to abandon the enterprise, because of ill luck. He clerked for a year in a grocery store at Dahlonega, and then located in Forsyth County, a few miles distant, where he found work as a clerk for four years. After this he clerked in a grocery store in Rome, GA for two years. He was then overtaken by the gold fever a second time and set out for the mountains of California going by the way of the Isthmus of Panama and taking a two month's trip. After a rugged experience of two years in the west, he returned to Georgia in 1854. He was then united in marriage to Miss Eliza E. Henderson, a loveable and gentle lady. In 1854 the year of his marriage, Mr. Hightower opened a general store in Cherokee County which he operated until the spring of 1862. He then sold out his business for the purpose of accepting an appointment under the Confederate government in the quartermaster's department. He remained there until the close of the war.

After the war he engaged in the grocery business in Atlanta, the firm being that of Ford, Hightower & Co. Their place of business was on Mitchell Street. Mr. Hightower served as a member of the state senate during the sessions of 1850-1860. He prefers the uneventful life of a busy merchant to the more conspicuous role of a public servant. Mr. Hightower is a Blue Lodge Mason and a consistent member of the First Baptist Church.

I was returning home from an academic conference in Myrtle Beach, SC in winter- if you could call what they have on the beach in Carolina-winter. Shortsleeve sunny with a warm ocean breeze, I almost forgot it was late February as I was driving inland but the snow covered Appalachians in the distance, reminded me. I wondered why a number of our Hightower ancestors would abandon a warm, beautiful place like South Carolina to go west. Some went west and pioneered Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and other southern states all the way to Texas. In this issue we will explore those ancestors, The Carolina Hightowers.1812, with 63 members and representing in the Green River Association. The first house of worship was a log building. By 1846 another building was in use-a brick building. The present building was built in 1866."

Reverand John Hightower

From Baptist Church Records of South-Central Kentucky and the UpperCumberland of Tennessee 1799-1899 published in 1985 we learn more of this pioneer preacher: "In 1798 County. He also organized Bethlehem Baptist Church located north of Scottsville in Allen county near Difficult Creek. 'I remember,' said an aged citizen, 'to have been present at a meeting where Hightower preached a long sermon and Logan followed him with an exhortation of twenty minutes during which about twenty sinners fell as dead men.'

John Hightower helped organize Buck Creek Church in Spartanburg in 1779. After the reconstruction period that followed the Revolutionary War in 1792, John Hightower and Thomas Burgess also organized Boiling Springs Baptist church. The church was a crude log structure with a chimney at one end, it was replaced by a frame building in 1842 (see photo).

He and wife Cristina left District 96 sometime after 1793 bound for South Central Kentucky. We believe he spent one or two years in the Knoxville area perhaps with Abijah Hightower, relation unknown. He was in Logan County, Kentucky by 1795. J.H. Spence records in A History of Kentucky Baptists, published in 1886: "At the beginning of the year 1795, the gloom was still deepening over religious circles in the Ohio Valley. Religion was now at a lower ebb in Kentucky than at the darkest period of the Indian Wars. Reverend Hightower was a man of tireless zeal in the cause of his Master. John Hightower, Joseph Logan and Alexander Devin were instruments in raising up most of the early churches in that region. In the year 1795, he and a number of others formed a settlement on the Middle Fork of Drakes Creek, in what is now Allen County. Here he spent the remainder of his days.

During the great Revival his great zeal so carried him away that his feet were severely frost bitten. From this circumstance he was unable to walk for about a year. But as soon as he was able to sit in a chair, he made appointments for preaching at his house, and continued preaching with much fervor sitting in a chair, till he was able to walk again. He continued to preach with zeal and faithfulness till the Lord took him to himself about the year 1826." Reverand Hightower was regarded a strong doctrinal preacher for his day, although he held some loose notions about keeping the Sabbath according to more fundamentalist believers. Spence says that he did not wholly discard the obligation to keep the day holy, but he held it very lightly, and broke the Sabbath himself for very trivial causes. "The effect of his teaching was such, that many, otherwise pious and devout Christians, has no conscientious scrupples about fishing, hunting or attending to any pressing business, on Sunday. It appears that most of the Baptists from South Carolina, at that period, held similar views to those of Mr. Hightower. The effects on the people were very pernicious, and even to the present day, the results of this teaching are manifest in some portions of Southern Kentucky." There are no records available to show how many members there were in the constitution of Old Union Church. The records from 1795 to the late 1830's are missing. According to the History of the Baptists by Benedict and printed in 1813:

 

Hightowers of South Carolinaby Ted Hightower

The family from whom, the current Hightower families in Barnwell, Bamberg, and the Orangeburg Counties, S.C. descend arrived here in the 1780's. They settled in an area that at the time of the 1790 census was Orangeburg District, South Part. Later it was a part of Barnwell District and is now Bamberg County. The local is several miles south of Denmark, east of US Highway 321 on the waters of Lemon Swamp; a tributary of the Little Salkehatchie River. The earliest Hightower records here were recorded in Orangeburg. They were destroyed in February, 1865 by the invading army of William T. Sherman during his march through the Carolinas near the end of the War Between the States. (I reckin these records must have put up a powerful defense since they suffered near one hundred percent casualties.) The earliest records that survived were recorded in Barnwell. The citizens of Barnwell removed their records before Sherman's arrival and hid them in a swamp until his army was gone.The 1790 census records Joshua Hightower as a head of household, in the Orangeburg District, South Part. He had established his family before their arrival. Living with him were two free white males older than sixteen, one free white male under the age of sixteen, three free white females, and one slave. To date, no actual records have been found regarding this Joshua. Land plats have been found showing the property of Joshua Hightower as a neighbor. He doesn't show up in the 1800 census of Orangeburg District, thus presuming him dead by this time; though not substantiated.The 1800 and 1810 census records are confusing regarding the Hightower family in this area. The 1800 census records three Hightower families; two with the first name of Thomas in Barnwell District and one with the first name of William in Orangeburg District(A Hightower mill is depicted in the map on this page in the Edgefield District. The map is from a survey in 1817 and shows a mill site with the identification: W. Hightower mill. It is believed that one Thomas and William are the sons of Joshua. The remaining Thomas is unknown at this time. parts of the district, and very possibly could have been counted twice. The 1810 census records four Hightower families; two with the first name of William, and one with the first name of Thomas in Barnwell District and a John in Colleton County. It is believed that William and Thomas in Barnwell District and John in Colleton County are the sons of Joshua. The remaining William is unknown at this time.

The Hightower families living in this area who are traceable were established here by 1820. The 1820 census records William and Thomas Hightower in Barnwell District and John Hightower in Colleton County. It is believed that these three men are the sons of Joshua based on association and records.Thomas moved and settled in the northwestern portion of the District in an area called the Lower Three Runs. This area is now located on the Savannah River Site. There are a will, census and land records that establish him and his descendants. Thomas died in January, 1830Few records have been found regarding John even though he had a large family. He is absent in the 1830 census and is presumed dead by this time. He married, Mary, a daughter of John and Sarah Guess. Little else is currently known about John and his descendants except that his son, Jesse, moved to Florida by 1850 and remained there.

William remained on or near the original Hightower land. He and his descendants left the most complete and continuous Hightower records in the area. It is believed that most Hightower descendants living in this area today descend from Thomas and William. William (born between 1770 and 1780, died in December 1836) married Catherine Zorn (b. about 1766, d.15 January

1851) a daughter of Henry Zorn, one of his neighbors. By 1800 he had purchased and recorded some of the first land in the newly formed Barnwell District. To them, six known children were born: Mary (b. about 1810, m. James C. Tant), Susan (b. ?, d. Oct.1842, m. Francis Hadwin), Nancy (b. ?, d. before Jan.1851, m. ? Cummins), Henry, (b. ?, d. about Dec. 1836), and Levionah, (b. 1825, d. ?). Research has revealed some knowledge of William and his family.

He was educated. This is based on the fact that his well- composed signature is recorded on various legal documents, and the estate papers of one David Lightsey named William as the teacher of his children. William's estate papers indicate he accumulated considerable wealth during his life. His land holding was about 1000 acres. An estate sale netted the family over $9000.00 in cash. The inventory of his estate reveals many interesting insights into the personal property of people of William's time. It includes a listing of his livestock, farm implements, home furnishings, supplies necessary for the sustenance of both his family and livestock, and personal items as his mirror and Bible. It also included 10 slaves that research has revealed to be primarily one family. Correspondence and conversations with a descendent of this slave family have revealed that William apparently held different ideas from most other slave owners of his day. He allowed the head of his slave family to retain his African name in a time that others were "Christianizing" their slaves and requiring them to take Christian names According totheir oral history, slaves owned by the family were married at Ghents Branch Baptist Church near Denmark. Additionally, research has revealed that this Hightower family had divested themselves of all slave holdings by the 1850's. Another tribute given to William and his family was that after gaining their freedom, their former slaves honored them by taking the name Hightower as their own even though they had not been family property for years.

The land acquired by William during his life and the proceeds from the sale of his estate essentially supported his entire family, including his widow; his daughters, their husbands and children; and his grand children and their families, until the late 1850's many years after Catherine's death.

 

Thomas H. Hightowerby Ted Hightower

Thomas was born in 1821 in Barnwell District, SC. He was the son of Henry Hightower (b. ?, d. about December 1836). He was also the grandson of William and Catherine Hightower. The mother of Thomas is currently not known. He had one sister, Eliza (b. 1827), who married William Tant. Thomas married Morning Rhoden (b.1820, d.1902) before 1845. To this marriage eight children were born: Elizabeth (b. September 3,1845, d. March 1, 1905), married H. Nick Hadwin, Eliza (b.1849), Henry (b. 1851), Harriet (b.1854), Hardy Elijah (b. November 3,1855, d. August 16,1928) first married Susan Washington Dyches (b. about 1858, d. March 9,1880), second married Martha Blume nee Abstance, at that time a widow, third married Julia Hutto,

Robert James (b. March 28, 1857 d. January 27,1933) first married Lavinie Nix, second married Beulah Grimes, Owen, (b.1860, d. 1933) married Amelia Barr, and John (b.1863).

For most of his life, Thomas was a planter. He lived on and farmed a portion of the land that was acquired and left to the family by his grand father William Hightower. On September 4, 1863, at the age of forty-two, records show that Thomas enlisted, however he was probably conscripted, into the army of the Confederacy at McClellanville, SC, for the period of the war. He was assigned to Company I, Fifth Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry. This unit was known as Butlers' Brigade, Hampton's Legion, Army of Northern Virginia. After receiving their training, Thomas and his unit was ordered to Virginia. While there, Thomas' records show the following events: sick in quarters on November 1, 1863, on furlough for 20 days from February 25,1864, on furlough for 30 days from April 29, 1964, sick in Jackson Hospital from July 5 through 9, 1864 with intestinal problems and diarrhea, and received clothing for fourth quarter on November 2, 1864. At some time around January 1864, General Hampton and his troops were ordered back home to secure provisions. They arrived in time to help in the final struggle to stop General Sherman's march through the Carolinas. Thomas and his comrades participated in the confederate's last stand against General Sherman's army at the battle of Bentonville, NC, the final major battle in the war between the states. The final tribute paid Thomas' regiment was that the Fifth Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry or what was left of it was selected as the escort for General Joseph E. Johnston at the surrender of this army to General Sherman at the Bennet House near Durham, NC. Thomas was a participant and witness to this historical event. It is also a documented fact that the Fifth South Carolina Cavalry was never surrendered. Instead, their commander escorted them about fifty miles south of there and ordered them to return home along with their horses and weapons with a statement to keep them for they might be needed at a later date. Therefore, Thomas was never paroled. After the war Thomas returned to civilian life in Barnwell district and lived peaceably until his death in 1900. He and Morning are buried at Ghents Branch Baptist Church near Denmark, SC.

The Hightowers of Caswell Countyby Walter A. Walker

Editors Note: It is exciting that the lead article of this year's Hightower News is written by a family genealogist who began researching the Hightower line in 1921. A newspaper man by trade, each summer he and his wife would set out in their auto to some county courthouse and there do tedious, basic genealogy research. His personal letters from which the story on this page was taken, are all carefully dated and documented. He never guessed about lineage, I have never found Mr. Walker to be mistaken in his research. All that and he didn't even have the advantage of a census summary or the internet!

Caswell County deed records show that one, Epaphroditus Hightower, son of Joshua Hightower of Richmond and Amelia County, VA, 1695-1772. bought land in Caswell County in October, 1780, more in October, 1784 and another tract in January, 1785. It may have been at about 1789 that John Hightower went to Caswell, for he was married there March 22, 1790, to Agnes matlock. And John's sister Mary and her husband Jackson also seem to have moved to Caswell

County, for in July, 1791, John Hightower bought 300 acres of land from Thomas Jackson, and both are described as "of Caswell County, N.C." Epaphroditus (see story, page 54, Hightower: An American Family since 1650) bought his land on Country Line Creek, a little southeast of yanceyville, and others bought on North Hyco Creek and its branches, but living a short distance away from Epaphroditus and Elenor. At this time Joshua Hightower, Sr., bought 179 acres of land on North Hyco, a part of the land of Robert Culbertson. He is described as "of Notoway County, Virginia."

John Hightower died in Caswell County, N.C. in the fall of 1816, and it may be that while in Caswell on the occasion of his death and burial, that Joshua and William decided to move there also, where most of the others had settled. Records show that both Joshua and William did buy land and move to Caswell about that time. It is with William, son of Joshua, of Nottoway County, VA, that we are more concerned in Caswell County, because his descendants remained tin the county, near the old settlement; and many of them are still living there.(as of this writing, Spring, 1955.)

Volume 6 of a History of northa Carolina, [published in 1919 by Lewis Publishing of Chicago, has the following passage: "William Hightower, the Hightower family of North Carolina was established in Caswell County, in the early years of the nineteenth Century, by William Hightower, who was a born in Virginia, the son of Joshua Hightower. William Hightower bought land in what is now hightower Township of Caswell County, and was a planter and slaveholder there until his death. He married Mary Anderson, who was born in Orange County, NC. They reared sons named Joshua, William, John A. and Daniel, and three daughters named Elizabeth, Jane and Parmelia.

 

Hightowers on the Vietnam Veterans WallCpl. James Larry Hightower of Brownsville, KY killed in 1966Sgt. George Malcolm Hightower of Seattle, WA killed in 1966Sp4. Alfred Hightower, Jr., of Waynesville, NC killed in 1968

 

The following was published in the Terre Haute Tribune Star after the author visited the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

By PAUL HIGHTOWER

WASHINGTON - It was my intent to visit the memorial for a few minutes. I stayed for eight hours. Thousands of people-mostly Vietnam veterans and their friends and survivors-came here from all over the country to see the unveiling of the statue by Frederick Hart titled "Three Servicemen." One grips an M-16 rifle, another carries an M-60 machine gun and the third, presumably an officer, has a .45-caliber pistol strapped in its holster.

The statues depict three Vietnam-era soldiers, who look as if they have just emerged from the stand of maple and oak trees near the Lincoln Memorial. They could be returning from a patrol as they cast a glance at "The Wall"-the two-year-old monument includingthe names of all soliders killed in action in the Vietnam War.

Since its dedication, almost 2 million people have visited the wall to pay respects to all the names inscribed in black granite.The day was chilly and windy as people inched by the memorial, some in battle fatigues, others in three-piece suits and some much too young to have been a part of the Vietnam experience. Many taped flowers to the wall or left a small American flag near the name of a fallen friend or loved one. Soldiers tossed their battle insignias at the base of the statues.

At the wall, one very old man with white hair was bent and crying. His friends urged him to leave and to remove his fingers from the name of his son, but he would not.

Small groups of people were hugging each other crying and offering mutual comfort. Work War Two veterans hugged Vietnan veterans.A group of White-House press corps photographers laughed and joked with each other, seemingly untouched by the experience. But they were very young and from different time. To someone from the Class of 1965, the experience brought back the years of Vietnam and the memories of high-school friends who never made it back--except as names on a wall in Washington D.C.

 

Hightowers Township, NorthCarolinaHightowers is located in the southeastern part of Caswell County at the crossroads of N.C. 86 and N.C. 119. The settlement was named for Daniel Hightower, who moved to the area from Virginia in 1795.A post office was established here in 1830 and served this community for about 100 years.Hightowers was among several new voting places opened in 1841 for the next election of congressmen. It has continued to be the precinct voting place throughout the years.Hightowers is in the center of a very prosperous farming region. Tobacco was and still is the chief money crop, cotton was grown at one time, corn and several other varieties of grain fill out the needs of the people.For a while Hightowers had a tobacco manufacturing company located south of the crossroads. John Love lived near Hightowers between Hyco and Panther Creeks and operated a grist mill below his house on Panther Creek. He was listed as a whiskey distiller in Branson's North Carolina Business Directory in 1884. Also listed as offering liquor for sale at Hightowers were J.T. Baynes and T.Y. Banes. Hightowers was among the many Caswell County communities who organized a chapter branch of the Red Cross after the start of World War 1. Among their efforts were supplying clothing for war ravaged countries of Europe, rolling bandages and preparing ''comfort kits'' for soldiers.Daniel Lorenzo (5/28/1909).

Staunch Methodists, the Hightowers were leading members of Bethel M.E. Church, South. There was no high school in the community then, so Clara and Mary boarded in Cedar Grove and went to school there and later taught in Caswell County. Gurney went to Trinity College, now Duke, Clara went to college in Greensboro, and Louise went to business college in Raleigh.

When Ralph died after a brief illness in 1910, he had a few coins tied in a little bag in his pocket. His father carried this same bag in his pocket for the remainder of his life. When Della died in 1915, leaving young children, the older sisters helped theirfather keep the family together.Gurney was married to Bessie Howell in 1918, Clara to Howard Price Hodges in June, 1923, and Mary to John Clinton Long in October, 1923. Palmetta died of tuberculosis in 1926. Louise had come home from Raleigh to help nurse her. Louise married Asa Conally Long at the home of her aunt and uncle, Joe and Eugenia Smith, in Leasburg in 1927. Daniel married Sue Clayton in January, 1928.Gurney, Clara, and William moved to the Washington, DC area. Gurney was chief photographer at the Smithsonian Institution for a number of years. Clara, a woman ahead of her time, worked at General Accounting. Mary, Louise and Daniel remained in Caswell County. Mary and Louise were active in the community and church. In 1938, Julia, a nurse, died in January, William "Bill" married Leah Frances "Pat" Patterson in August, and John S. Hightower died on November 30. William served in the navy in World War 11 in the Pacific area. Mary, who had always loved Christmas, was ill for several years, and died on December 21, 1965. In 1974, Daniel died suddenly and the next year, on Sept. 22, Clara died. She was returned to her beloved Caswell County to be buried in the cemetery at Hebron Methodist Church. William and Frances moved to Florida around 1980 to be near their sons's familyr Louise is the only member of this generatior now living in Caswell County.The Hightower family has left these legacies to their descendents: love of God, love of family and community, determination, perseverance, thrift, and hard work.

Sources: Vol. V1 - History of N.C., Lewis Publ. Co. Chicago & N.Y., 1919.; Will on file Cou N.C. Office c Archives & History material compiled by Mary Deste Hightower, 1971; family member - Louise H. Owen, Caswell County records; family Bible and personal know edge.

The Hightowers of Caswell County:The Hightower family of North Carolina was established in Caswell County in the early years of the nineteenth century by William Hightower, who was born in Virginia, a son of Joshua Hightower. William Hightower bought land in what is now Hightower Township of Caswell County, and was a planter and slave holder there until his death. He married Mary Anderson, who was born in Orange County, N.C. They reared sons named Joshua, William, John A., Daniel and Stephen, and four daughters named Elizabeth, Jane, Sally, and Permelia.

William Hightower's will of October 18, 1850, reads in part as follows: 1 st I bequeath my mansion house and land that I now live on to my two daughters to be equally divided between Jane and Elizabeth for a home free from all claims forever and ever - And I further wish and bequeath to Jane and Elizabeth a bed and clothing a piece and one cow and calf a piece and a sow and pigs . . . " John A. Hightower (1814 or 1819-1869),one of William Hightower's sons, inherited land and bought more land in Hightower Township, and spent his life there as a farmer.

On November 9, 1843, he married Mary Jackson, a native of Caswell County, daughter of Daniel Jackson, who was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. According to the family, the Jacksons were said to be directly related to the famous Confederate general, "Stonewall'' Jackson.

John A. Hightower and Mary Jackson Hightower (1822-1890) reared eight children. They were William Daniel, Susan Ann, Alexander Corydon, Sarah Jennie, James Rainey, John Stephen, Mary Francis "Fannie," and Bettie. The oldest son, W. Daniel (1844-1925), enlisted in Company B of the fourth North Carolina Regiment on January 1, 1863. He was with that regiment in many of its battles including the great conflict at Gettysburg. He was captured near Petersburg when Lee surrendered. After his parole, he returned to Caswell County, was identified with farming there, and later removed to Rockingham County where he was prominent as a farmer, merchant, and holder of several public offices, including Deputy Register of Deeds. Two of the daughters Susan and Jennie, never married and con - tinued to live at the old family homeplace in the Ridgeville community of Caswell County. Susan died in 1919 and Jennie in 1922, but the house, though unoccupied, remains standing today and is known as "Aunt Jennie's" place.John S. Hightower (b. 6/30/1855). the youngest of John A. Hightower, married Della Susan Smith (b. 10/28,1868), the daughter of William Henry Smith and his wife, the former Mary Dameron, of Hightowers, N.C. on November 20, 1892, in a home ceremony. Della had attended school at Guilford College and John was known to have "a good head for figures." A prosperous farmer, John built a new home for his family on the Ridgeville road near the old homeplace. He and Della were the parents of nine children. They were Gurney Ivey (8/20/1893), Mabel Clara (5/3/1895), John Ralph (7/13/1897), Mary Lollis ( ' 1/9/ '899), Berta Louise (1/16/1902), Palmetta (12/23/1903), Julia Esther (9/28/1905), William Franklin (7/19/1907), and

The Hightowers of AlabamaThe buttercups were in bloom at the small crossroads at Hightower, Alabama. The area is not even marked with a sign, if you hadn't seen the official Alabama State map that indicates the tiny hamlet, you might miss it. This past year I visited Hightower, Alabama with its rolling hills, small farms and trees laden with Spanish Moss. When I am in a "Hightower" neighborhood like The North Farnham Parish, or Hightower, NorthCarolina or here in Hightower, Alabama, I feel like I am on special land-land where Hightowers pioneered, built homes, farmed, raised families and worshiped more than 200 years ago. Yes, it is a special place. And here in Hightower, Alabama, I talked with some of the oldest residents of the area and they did not know where the Hightower name came from. Recently I was reading a letter from Hightower researcher, Walter A. Walker: "Lewis Buckner Hightower was born in Florence, Alabama, served in the Confederate Army, was an attorney, 30 years a district judge, town of Hightower, AL, named in his honor" (See story James Buckner Hightower, the Davey Crocket of East Texas, The Hightower News).

Hightower, Alabamaby Roland Smith, Huntsville, AlThis brief treatment covers some of the early personalities of Cleburne County. Of the many notable people harbored in this county from the 1800's to the present, this narrative mentions a

few naming only men. Please note that family women deserved as much (if not more) credit for influencing the community. In the late 1800-early 1900 period there were two doctors in Hightower who also were brothers. They were Doctors Jerry and Henry LINDSEY and their practices covered quite a large area surrounding Hightower. They often performed their necessary services without pay, money was often scarce during their tenure in Cleburne County. The Lindsey brothers willing, diligently and faithfully delivered babies and treated the ill and infirm

J.R. Doc HightowerJ.R. Hightower was born February 10, 1845 in Pike County, Alabama to Gregory D. and Rebecca Hightower. He served in the Confederate Army. He enlisted in Company I, 22nd Alabama regiment on January 15, 1862 and served until August 18th, 1864. He was wounded and thought dead until one of the fellow soilders noticed he was able to blink his eyes. He was then taken to the army hospital. His stay in the hospital must have been very instructive as in years to come he was called "Doc" and did doctor everyone in the community and surrending area. J. R. Came to Madison County, Texas in 1876. He left home with 36 head of cattle and one other rider. They had started out for free range and water but the weather in north Texas, where they spent the first winter, was too cold, so they continued their drive south. He purchased land in Gum Springs,Cnncord Community and aquired a large estate of land and cattle. He was said to ride his horse sitting very streight and always wore a starched and ironed shirt even to work cattle. He is said to like to ride a mule on trips and he once owned a large amount of donkeys that had free range between Larrison and Myrtle creeks.On August 12, 1885 he married Emma Green Spell the daughter of Henry and Martha C. Spell. Henry died shortly after his return home from the Civil War and Martha C. Married H. S. Wallace. Emma came to Madison County with her mother and Mr. Wallace. J. R. and Emma G. had seven children:Willie Rebecca Ruth was born December 30, 1886 she married Luther Floyd son of Ira and Pauline (Daniels) Floyd on December 22, 1907. They had two sons to live to be grown, Nolan and Luther Buran.Susan Stella was born September 14, 1888 she married Andrew Hager. Their first child Kern died at an early age and their daughter billie Esther, married Fletcher Arterberry who came from Oklahoma. They had two children: Mattie Sue and James Wesley. Stella lived to be 92 years old. She and Andrew are buried in the Greenbrier Cemetery along with their son, son-in-law and grandson-in-law.Henry Gregory was born august 2, 1893 he married Pearl Driver daughter of Will and Mary Driver. They lived in the old Hightower home for a few years and then built their home on land that he had inheirted. He used some of the lumber from the original school house in the Concord Community. Greg was a good farmer and trader, but as he got older and his health and eye sight failed he sold his farm and moved to Madisonville. He died on February 8, 1970 and is buried in the Madisonville City Cemetery. Greg and Pearl had three children: Eugene, Sherman and Doris.Sally Katherine was born July 2, 1891 and married W. Charles Kunze on December 19, 1912. Rev. W. C. Kunze was an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church. He served several churches in Texas and one in Ohio. He died while at the church in Canyon, Texas. Katherine

continued to live there for about 25 years and then returned to Madisonville where she died as the results of an auto accident on July 30, 1962. She and Rev. Kunze are buried in the Madisonville City Cemetery. They had no surviving children. Winnie Feddie was born October 27, 1896 she married Emmet C Colwell. Bertha Annie was born December 20, 1898. She was the sixth child of J. R. and Emma G. Hightower. Her first marriage was to Cleve D. Burke ,a September 7, 1918. they had one child from this marriage, Armeda who was born August 29, 1919. Armeda graduated from Madisonville High School in 1935. She then attended West Texas State Teachers College in Canyon and then Sam Houston State Teachers College. She taught school one year at Madisonville Elementary School. She married Vernon Robinson and they have one daughter, Marianne. Marianne is married to Kirby Lynn Nash and their two children are: Kirby Lynn, Jr and Sara Ann. Cleve died and is buried in the Madisonville City Cemetery. Bertha then returned home and attended Sam Houston Teacher's College and taught school in the Jenkins Community. While there she met Thomas Moore Williams of North Zulch, and.they were married on February 10, 1926. She had three children from this marriage: Mavis born December 30, 1926, She graduated from Madisonville High School in 1944 and went to work in Houston. She married E. Ray Morris they had three sons; Gaylon Ray who married Peggy Connevey and they have one child Warren Ray; then Mavis and Ray had twins, Dean Thomas and Gene Patton.

 

Joshua Hightower-Bad Guy?Joshua was a magistrate in Randolph County, Alabama. He was a state representative from Randolph County in the 1859-60 legislature and was a Captain in the Civil War under Colonel Jefferson in Falkner's Battalion. The following excerpt is from Historical Records of Randolph County, Alabama 1832-1900. It gives insight into Joshua's community service, his dedication to his cause and his forceful, and perhaps controversial, personality. Since it is such a rare find, this information is quoted here in its entirety: "Joshua Hightower was a farmer, an extreme Democrat, an old settler, 45 years of age, and lived in Jenkins beat. He was a brother of William Hightower, Randolph's first Sheriff (see story page 4).Mrs. Hightower was said to be an exceptionally good lady. But the honorable Joshua Hightower was a Breckenridge Democrate and voted for secession. He made up a company of Home Guards and was its captain. He was arrogant, selfish and egotistical, and said to be tyrannical and oppressive during the latter part of the war, persecuting men and women who differed with him politically, or in any way showed or expressed their sympathy for the Union cause. It was said, and from personal knowledge, it is believed that Captain Hightower was in command of the squad of men who were detailed by Captain Robinson, commander of the post at Wedowee, to carry Bone Trent and Dock King to Talladega conscript camps, which they never reached nor were seen alive afterwards, but were said to have been found by Captain E. B. Smith sometime afterward."The above narrative was written in 1894-1896 by J.M.K. Guinn. It is not knnown how accurate it is or if the accusations made against Joshua are true. If so, he was a very tough customer. If not, he at least had a very negative reputation in the community. It is true that Joshua left Randolph

County after the Civil War.James Monroe Hightower (1850-1940) remembered Joshua in a letter dated 3 March, 1937. The letter said, "My Grandmother, Sallie E. Hightower had brothers Raleigh, Joshua and William. This Raleigh I recall seeing oftentimes and the Joshua and his family lived several years within two miles of us in Calhoun County, Mississippi, just prior to their leaving for Texas.Joshua was not found in the 1870 census, making it difficult to identify children born between 1860 and 1870. Family legend says that Joshua's youngest daughter, Trecy Luella, was taken to the home of her oldest sister, Melissa Frances Herring, to be raised by her. By this we might assume that Joshua's wife, Nancy, died around 1870. The 1880 census shows Tracey Luella living in the Herring home as their eldest child. What happened to some of the other children remains a mystery.

Hardy HightowerHardy Hightower was born 29 December, in1779 Buncombe County, North Carolina. He was the son of John Oldham Hightower, a Revolutionary War veteran and his wife, the former Sarah Jane Parker. Hardy was married to Hariett Margaret Neill, born in Burke County, NC. They were married 14 March, 1811 in Buncombe County. Hardy had already moved along with his parents, from North Carolina to Giles County, Tennessee in 1808. The first six of Hardy's and Hariett's eleven children were born in Giles County, Tennessee where Hardy owned land along a 2 1/2 mile stretch of land on the Tennessee River. The family then moved to Lauderdale County, Alabama where the last five were born.In 1841 Hardy and his entire family moved to Walker County, Texas. They made the move to Texas in a wagon train made up entirely of their families, including eight slaves.Their first child, Jane S. and her husband, Almon H. Mason came to Texas with them and acquired acreage that they would subsequently sell to William S. Bolding and his wife, the former Cynthia Lowe after they came to Walker County with the Bowden and Lowe children, 1855. The masons had planted a double row of cedar trees in a straight line from the front steps to what is now referred to as the Old Huntsville Rd. The home was eventually called "Cedar Hill" The site commands the finest view of any in the surrounding area.Catherine Hightower born 19 May, 1813, married Samuel W. Probasco on 10 August 1837 in Florence, Alabama. He was an attorney from Ohio. The couple had no children of their own, but when Hardy and harriett cames they left their tenth child, Caroline M. Hightower to make her home with her aunt. The Texas home that Hariett and Hardy Hightower had built following the clearing of a sufficient area of land was a rather large, two stuse, the upper floor of which was never partitioned off. There were sleeping areas for the unmarried sons, but the remainder of the space was converted into a ballroom. The columns that extended across the front of the house were felled and heand-hewn there on the place.My father told me that in order to have obtained six such perfectly matched columns, six completely straight pine trees sixty feet in height would have had to be located and painstakingly handled. After the completion of the house and other necessary outbuildings, including slave cabins sufficient in number to house the eighty slaves, a work platoon was assigned the task of digging an extensive drainage ditch around a large section of property.

When the next planting season came, another platoon of workers was put to the task of planting a large, horshoe-shaped driveway from the Old Huntsville Road to the front yard. About 400 cedar trees were planted in double rows around the driveway, to mark the four corners of the yard. They planted crepe myrtle between every tow trees, thus assured of an evergreen approach and colorful flowerings to the yard.Many years later Mrs. W.O.B Gillespie would tell about attending balls at the Hightower Plantation, of driving up the long and always lovely driveway, of being"handed down" from the carriage by a liveried footman, who stood waiting to receive the occupants of all vehicles due to arrive for the evening's revelry. But the cedar drive has now gone with the wind that swept through Texas as well as through Georgia.

Thomas Hightower, M.D.

Thomas A. Hightower, physician and surgeon of Hot Springs, Ark, was born on the state line between Tennessee and Alabama, in the town of Bethel, June 20, 1850, and is the son of James and Lucy Westmorland Hightower, the former a native of Albemarle, VA, while the latter was born in Giles County, Tennessee. In young manhood the father made his way down through Kentucky to Tennessee, where he was married and took up his abode, locating just across the line in Limestone County, Alabama. There he engaged in farming.The son, Dr. Thomas A. Hightower, was educated in the rural schools of Alabama and subsequently took up the study of medicine in the medical department at the University of Tennessee, from which he received his professional degree in the year 1873. He began practice near Courtland, AL and in 1879 went to Arkansas, locating in the village of De View, where he remained in active practice for a quarter of a century. He next removed to the town of McCrory, building the first house in the town following the advent of the railroad. His practice to that point grew beyond his ability to care of it individually and he was forced to leave in order to preserve his health, so great were the demands made upon his time and energy. In 1905 he moved to Hot Springs.In 1875 Dr. Hightower married to Miss Emma K. Simpson of Courtland, Alabama, and to them were born six children: Issac R residing in El Paso, Texas; James B., a resident of Jonesboro, Ark'Katie, who is the wife of Tine Coppage of Jonesboro; Thomas W. living in El Paso, TX; Gladys, the wife of H.W. Schleicher of Jacksonville, FL; annd Linnie, the wife of Lt. C.C. Quinn of the U.S. Army.Mrs. Hightower died in 1905 and the Doctor was married to Mrs. Ella Hollingshead of East Liverpool, Ohio. Mr. Hightower belonged to the First Methodist Church and his life in all of its relations was guided by his religious belief. Thus it is that Dr. Hightower holds to the highest standards of conduct and is regarded as a most conscientious physician, as a faithful friend and a loyal and progressive citizen.

 

Sheriff William Hightower

Sheriff William Hightower was the oldest proven son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pollard Hightower. He was a War of 1812 veteran and the first Sheriff of Randolph County, Alabama. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Bill" by the people of Randolph County. His wife was known as "Aunt Liza", and they apparently had no children of their own, although they cared for other young people in their home as various census records indicate.There are various records that possibly refer to this William Hightower in the area that his family lived. For example, on June 25,1818, in Clarke County, Georgia, a William Hightower was paid to guard a prisoner named William McClendon. Could this have been the beginning of William's career in law enforcement? Then in 1827, a William Hightower was mentioned in family deeds in Newton County, Georgia, while relatives were living there. Of course, there were many men named William Hightower living at the same time, making it difficult to be certain whic! William Hightower each record referred to.Randolph County, Alabama, was organized on December 18, 1832, and William Hightower was said to live in the area before that time. William was the county's first Sheriff from October 8, 1833 - October 11, and tax collector in 1835. He built the county"s first courthouse of logs in 1836. It had three hole windows, I door, dirt floor and no furniture. William held court proceedings on Poplar bark as the first jail was a hollow Poplar tree. He built a new jail in 1837 and a new courthouse in 1839.J.M.K. Guinn, an early Randolph County, Alabama, historian recorded much about Sheriff William's life and character in the book Randolph County, Alabama, Sixty-Two Years Ago the Red Man's Home, The White Man's Eden 1894-I896. The entire portion referring to William will be quoted here because it is the only glimpse into William's character that has been found. Guinn wrote, "Sheriff Hightower, tradition says, was a bachelor when he came to the county. He was here when the county was first organized and had been for some time previously. He was elected in August 1833, to the Sheriff's office. He was rough, wild and mischievous, playing tricks on the credulous. Uncle Bill was perhaps as good material as the county had at that time for Sheriff."Tradition further said, he was the original owner of the present site of Wedowee. "When we first got acquainted with him he was married and lived on the old McIntosh road about two miles west of GoldRidge, and with the exception of two or three he lived in Wedowee in 1857-8, his home was at the old home place until his death . He was forty three or four years of age when he came to the county, and in 1880 he was 92; this made him near 100 when he died. When he lived here in Wedowee in 1857, and kept a hotel, we got well acquainted with Aunt Liza, his wife. They had no children. They lived where Sheriff Willoughby now lives. Ira Culbreath had the house built and Uncle John Spence hewed the sills and logs.''"Uncle Bill was a terror to evil doers. He had the first Court House built, it was a log cabin, on lot 108 near R.T. West's present store house. He had a jail too, but the hand of man did not fashion it, except the door. This jail may have been as long in construction as Noah"s Ark, being an old and very hollow poplar tree, and from the best information known by the writer was on lot number 116, near the foot ofthe hill east of the present jail and on the bank of Frog Level branch.""While Sheriff, Uncle Bill had to carry a prisoner to another county. He had one guard in a two horse wagon, went into camp on their trip and after supper, the guard wanted to know which one would guard the prisoner in the forepart of the night. Uncle Bill said I'll fix that when bed time comes. The time came after a while and Uncle Bill took the bed off, turned it bottom side up, put the prisoner under it. He placed his and the guard's beds on top --- the prisoner was on hand next

morning."This insight into Sheriff William Hightower"s life in early Randolph County Alabama, is a remarkable find and gives a priceless look into the life of this rugged pioneer.In the Randolph County Census of 1840, William and his wife had a female aged 10-15 living with them. in 1870 a "Samford" aged 12 lived with them, and at another time a "Margaret" born in 1836 lived with them. Since it,was said that they were relatives, they had no children, perhaps these were orphans or taken in by William and Liza. On March 1, 1875, property belonging to William Hightower was sold at public auction to the highest bidder for back taxes at the Wedowee Court House."One record that verifies Sheriff William"s relationship to Thomas and Elizabeth Pollard Hightower's family is the War of 1812 Pension File of his brother Charnell's widow. The affidavit says, "...Charnold (sic) Hightower was a soldier under the command of Cole Jenkins in Cole Jenkins Regiment and Captain Starns Company and volunteered about the 12th day of Aug. 1812. He volunteer enlisted for six months, was discharged at Miledgeville, Ga. about the first of March 1813 in General Charles Floyd's Army --- this 3rd day of Aug. 1881" signed with an "X" by William Hightower of Randolph County, Alabama. Charnell's widow was refused a pension because there was no record of his service. Her lawyers replied on October 9, 1881, "...Hightower's Brother who is now in Alabama and who served in the same Company is now living on a pension." This pension file proves the connection between my Charnell and Sheriff WIlliam. This information is in the War of 1912 Service Pension #39883. On January 1, 1883, William Hightower was listed as a survivor of the War of 1812 living in Wedowee, Randolph County, Alabama. He was receiving an $8.00 pension dating His pension file is #7295."Another piece of information that links Sheriff William to his brothers and sisters is in the letter dated,March 1, 1937, which has been quoted previously, written by James Monroe Hightower (1850-1940). The letter States, "My Grandmother, Sallie E. Hightower had brothers Raleigh, Joshua and 1 think a William."

Jordan HightowerJordan Hightower born in Lunenburg, Co, VA, in 1776. We believe his parents were Presley,Sr and Elizabeth Jordan. He married Cassia Hazelwood in Lunenberg, County, VA where Jordan was not very successful as a planter. He bought land on Hitto Creek in 1800. The two moved to Kentucky before arriving in Limestone County, AL. He built this single-pen house of logs in the traditional manner. Their children were Elisha, born in VA, James Jordan, b.Feb 15, 1814 in KY. And Osborne, Lucretia and Elizabeth, though little records are found of the last three. James Jordan was married to Ann Booth and had Mary Ann. He also married Lucy Morris Westmorland and had John Calvin.

Martin Charnel HightowerJoshua Hightower, (1670-1726), clan patri arch, and wife, Elinore, lived in Richmond County, Virginia, March 1698. Court records indicate he paid every fine, penalty, or debt in "good, sweet

smelling tobacco". Their descendants were: John, Joshua, Austin, Charnall, and Thomas. Our ancestors, (hereafter underlined), Charnall and Sara (Glascock) Hightower, migrated to Brunswick County, Virginia. Court records show that he and brother Austin frequently sued each other. Charnall's son, Joshua, (1739-1841), was a recognized Revolutionary War veteran who died in Marengo County, Alabama, at age 102. Charnall and Sarah's children were: Elizabeth, Sarah, Charnel, Rawleigh, Joshua, Gregory, John, and Thomas. Our ancestor, Joshua's son, Charnel, was born in North Carolina. His son, our ancestor Aaron, was also born (1801) in Caswell County, where he married Dinah. Their son, John T Hightower (GA, 1827), married Anna (Reede) Hightower, September, 1847, in Benton County, Alabama.Their son, Martin Charnel Hightower, (AL, 1854-1942), married and homesteaded the last of the Indian Lands opened in Cleburne County in 1886. He and his first wife raised six children: Ruben, Nora, Nancy, John, Asa, and Fannie. In 1885, Martin married Pollie Ann (Coleman) Hightower in Cleburne County Their children were: George, Arab, Pearl, Isaac Clinton, Louetta, and Grady. Father Isaac Clinton (1909-1982) married Eliza Magnease Davidson, the daughter of Charlie Theodore Davidson; granddaughter of Ashford Turner Davidson (1861) and Mary Roxanne Elizabeth Jane Hart (1862) from Georgia. Most of them lived in the Oak Level Community. Mother, Magnease, (now in Heflin), was the daughter of Lora Gurtrude (Tanner); daughter of Harrison Tanner and Eliza Jane Elking, (Mars Hill Community); granddaughter of McDaniel D. Tanner, a Cherokee Indian (1826) from North Carolina. It is not known how he evaded the roundup of Cherokees who were marched west to Oklahoma in 1838-39 via the "Trail of Tears", but his knowledge of woods, wildlife, and hunting, helped us survive the rigors of life in Cleburne County.Clint and Magnease Hightower raised four boys in Cleburne County. Clyde Martin and Isaac Claude were born near Oak Level; Simon Clifford was born on Granddad's homestead

G.R. HightowerMississippi You're On My MindI think I see a wagon rutted roadWith the weeds grown tall between the tracksAnd along one side runs a rusty barbed wire fenceAnd beyond sits an old tar paper shack

I think I hear a noisy old John DeereIn a field speckled with dirty cotton lintAnd beyond that field runs a little country streamDown there you'll find the cool green leaves of mint

I think I smell the honeysuckle vineIt's thick sweetness about to make you sickAnd the dogs, my brood, they're hungry all the timeAnd the snakes are sleeping where the weeds are thick

I think I feel the angry oven heatThe southern sun just blazing in the skyAnd the dusty weeds and old grasshopper jumpsI wanna make it to that creek before I die.

Mississippi you're on my mindMississippi you're on my mindOh Mississippi you're on my mind.

I visited Mississippi last year in March-driving across the delta I could smell the new mown hay, which was a real change from the snow back home in Indiana! I was taking pictures on the G.R. Hightower plantation and the smell of honesuckle reminded me of my childhood and of the Jesse Winchester song, Mississippi, You're on My Mind.It is interesting the way I arrived at the Hightower plantation in Mississippi. While doing research a few years ago in the Mississippi State Archives in Jackson, I came across the story that follows. Last spring I started looking for the Selsertown plantation. The story said it was about 10 miles North of Natachez on highway 61 near a town called Stanton. The story was written more than three quarters of a century ago and lots can change in that time. But I found a couple of elderly ladies who lived in the small town of Stanton, and who had heard of Selsertown, though it was not called that today. Sure enough, I found the descendants of G.R. Hightower and made some wonderful friends of our Hightower cousins. The story begins...

After devoting the major part of his life to the service of his fellow-men as a statesman, educator and philanthropist, George Robert Hightower is engaged in the operation and improvement of the plantation, Selsertown, which he owns and operates. After devoting the major part of his life to the service of his fellow-men as a statesman, educator and philanthropist, George Robert Hightower is engaged in the operation and improvement of the plantation, Selsertown, which he owns and occupies and which is situated ten miles northeast of Natchez on Highway 61 at Stanton. It is fitting that at this time he should have the opportunity of furthering his own interests, as through so many years he had devoted himself almost exclusively to the upbuilding of the state, contributing in notable measure to its material, intellectual and civic progress. He has resided in the Natchez area since 1916 and upon his plantation of 3,000 acres since 1920.Mississippi proudly claims him as a native son. He was born at Smith's Mills, in Grenada County, on the fifteenth of October, 1865, a son of George and Fannie (Kirby) Hightower. The father, who was a prominent farmer of Grenada County, was a native of Tennessee, as was his wife, and in 1836 they came to Mississippi. George Hightower was a son of William and Martha (Dawson) Hightower, both were born in Tennessee in the early part of the nineteenth century, and were there reared and married. The Hightower family came originally from England, having been associated with the history of the South from almost the earliest period of the development of this part of the country. George Hightower, father of G. R. Hightower, served in the Confederate Army through the entire period of the Civil War and died of illness in the spring of 1865 just before the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. His family numbered a son and daughter yet living, the latter being Mrs. Mattie Mullen, widow of the late Felix Mullen, of Starkville, Mississippi.George Robert Hightower grew to manhood in Grenada County, Mississippi, and there began his education in the public schools, while later he attended Normal College at Buena Vista,

Mississippi, for three years, graduating in 1889. He then took took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for one year in his native county, after which he taught in the Abbeville Normal School of this state for three years. He next spent a year as instructor in the Grenada Female College at Grenada, Mississippi, and Subsequently accepted a teaching position in the public schools of New Albany, this state, where he was later made principal and so continued for two years. In 1895 he retired from teaching to engage in farming in Lafayette County, Mississippi, and while there residing he was elected county superintendent of education in 1898 for a four- year term.Appreciation of his worth as a citizen and of his devotion to the public good led to his election to the state legislature in 1904 and after serving for one term as a member of the House of Representatives, he was elected to represent Lafayette County in the state Senate in 1906, followed by reelection. After serving a part of his second term however he resigned to become state president of the Farmers Educational Cooperative Union of America, a national farmers' organization, which position he occupied with great credit to himself and his associates until 1912. He resigned to become president of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College at Starkville, now the Mississippi State College. He remained at tile head of that institution from 1912 to 1916, during which time he greatly furthered the interests of the college and in moulding the lives of thousands of young men and women of this and other states, helping them to become useful and influential men and women. This is attested by the high scholastic standing accorded the institution in national educational circles. Mr. Hightower made notable contribution to the development of the school and to upholding its principles and its purposes. In 1914, while serving as its president, he inaugurated a department of markets, which was the first of the kind to be established in any similar institution in the United States. The department of business of the college was also inaugurated at the college during Mr. Hightower's administration as president and is now one of the most important departments of the institution. He was also instrumental in beautifying the college campus and planting the water oaks and elms, which are today the wonder and admiration of all who behold them.While Mr. Hightower was a member of the state legislature he was the active spirit in having a state department of agriculture created and in securing the passage of a bill reducing the legal rate of interest from ten to eight per cent per annum. Another public office which Mr. Hightower occupied and in which he discharged his duties in a most creditable and beneficial manner was that of state tax commissioner, to which he was appointed in January, 1924, by Governor H. L. Whitfield, soon after his induction into office. Mr. Hightower served under Governor Whitfield's administration and also under Governor Murphree, who became chief executive Of the state upon the death of Governor Whitfield March 18, 1927. During the time when he was president of the Farmers Union of Mississippi, He devoted his time almost exclusively to the work of promoting the organization and as the result of his unceasing efforts, energy and tact the Mississippi Union became one of the strongest in the national organization. The Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union had as its chief objectives the promotion of farm welfare and cooperative buying and marketing. There was both a state and national organization and under the guidance of Mr. Hightower the state organization became one of the strongest organizations among farmers in the entire country. The work of Mr. Hightower in its promotion commanded such wide recognition among its officers and also from government officials that in 1908 he was appointed a delegate to the International Cotton Conference held in Barcelona, Spain, which he attended in company with Harvey Jordan of Georgia, representative of the National Cotton Association of the United States and James H.

Brooks, who represented the United States Department of State. Mr. Hightower was one of the leading delegates at the conference and took a prominent part in its debates, deliberations and recommendations. He is a man of clear and sound judgment who never jumps to hasty conclusions, but carefully considers the matters under discussion and reaches decisions which are usually correct. However, when once he reaches a conclusion he always as the strength of character to act upon it. His strongly marked qualities, as outlined in this review, have naturally made him a leader in educational and business circles, in civic affairs, in statesmanship and in politics, so that men in all walks of life look to him for counsel and direction, while men prominent in state and national affairs have sought and profited by his opinions.After many years devoted to public service, Mr. Hightower became identified with plantation interests in his own behalf and is now engaged in the cultivation of more than 3,000 acres of land, specializing in raising long staple cotton, in which he is very successful. He is also largely interested in the breeding of pedigree horses and cattle and has some of the finest stock in the state. On the eleventh of February, 1892, Mr. Hightower was married to Pearl Bishop, a daughter of M. P. Bishop, a wealthy and prominent planter of Abbeville, Mississippi. They are the parents of three sons. George Bishop Hightower, the eldest, born April 1, 1893, married Meta Perkins, daughter of John Perkins, a leading merchant of Starkville, and they now have one daughter, Meta Hightower, 17 years of age, who is now a student at Mississippi State College, of which her grandfather was formerly president. George B. Hightower is a graduate of Mississippi State College and also a graduate of the law department of the University of Mississippi and is now engaged in the oil business at Jackson. Lynwood, the second son, born June 25, 1905, is now his father's partner in the operation of the home plantation and in the breeding of fine stock. He married Mary Edgecombe, of New Orleans, Louisiana, and they are the parents of two sons, Marion and Lynwood, aged five and three years. Dr. Robert Beall Hightower, born August 14, 1907, is assistant health director of the District of Columbia located in Washington, D. C. He is a graduate of Jefferson Military College of Washington, Mississippi, of Mississippi State College at Starkville, and of the University of Virginia, where he pursued his medical studies.Mr. Hightower is an active member of the Jefferson Street Methodist Church of Natchez and also belongs to Harmony Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M. of Natchez, and to the Woodmen of the World. He takes an active part in both county and state affairs and thus continues his work of promoting public progress, in which he has been so long engaged. He has given his service to the people conscientiously, graciously and helpfully and without fear or favor and there is perhaps no man in the state who has rendered more practical or beneficial aid to his fellowmen, whom he has inspired with much of his own zeal and enthusiasm and in whom he has awakened higher ideals. As one of Mississippi's representative men his name should be among the foremost.

Stephen HightowerStephen Hightower was born 3 October, 1777, in Mecklenburg County, VA. He moved to Panola County, Mississippi about 1836. He acquired two sections of land from the Chickasaw Indians for $7,000. Much of the present town of Sardis was built on this land. The Hightower family owns deeds showing that Mr. Hightower donated land for the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Churches and the first public school of Sardis.

While living in Giles County, he was a man of manny accomplishments. He built the first mill on Bradshaw Creek(see Hightower News-A Compilation) soon added burr stones for wheat, then the first saw mill. He built a cotton gin, blacksmith shop and distillery. In 1855 Stephen Hightower and his son John Deveraux built a house (now called "The Oaks" photo on this page) in Sardis which is one of the present day showplaces in the town. Hightower Street in Sardis is about a half mile in length running east off Main Street.

This Hightower story was written about 1930 by Stephen Hightower and was published in "The Panola Story" in 1984.Stephen Hightower (see Stephen Hightower story on page2) was born 3 October, 1777. Stephen Hightower died 31 July 1860.He married Tabitha Baugh 21 July 1808. Tabitha Baugh Hitghtower died in 1832 (Cemetery records record 1852).They were b oth buried in the old family cemetery one mile north of Sardis, MS. The Baugh and Hightower Families came from Mecklenburg, VA to middle Tennessee. The Hightowers moved from Tennessee to Panola County, MS in 1832.Their family is as follows:James B Hightower (11'291809-7/28/1828) Agnes B. Hightower 10/30/1811-9/22/1831, Sallie Hightower 5/19/1814-12/28/1889; Joshua Hightower 7/9/1816; Stephen A Hightower 7/15/1819; Tabitha A. Hightower 4/23/1822;Martha E. Hightower 2/11/1825-9/9/1845; John Devereux Hightower 8/14/1832-7/31/1899. Agnes married William Butler, Sallike married Henry Laird, Tabitha married William Smith. After the year 1832 the family lived in Sardis and when they died were buried at the old home place one mile north of town. The Hightowers were very religious and were old school blue stocking Presbyterians. My father, John Devereux Hightower, born 8/14/1832 and died 7/31/1899. He was born near Sardis, MS andied there while on a visit in 1899.My, was considered a very very pretty and accomplished woman. She was very religious and contracted a cold while attending a revival being held by a presbyterian minister. She later died from the effects. She was a graduate of Martin College for Women. She was a musician of talent. My father was a graduate of the University of Virginia. He was a well read man, a Bible student. His liberality was his worst fault, and before he died, had given away a personal fortune.After I was old enough to remember, we spent quite a good deal of the summers in and around Pulaski, Tennessee. One of my uncles lived on my grandfather's homestead, the home of many fine horses and I think the prettiest place in middle Tennessee.

 

Martha Almarine HightowerMost of the stories we find in genealogical research seems to be the stories of Hightower men. But this is a wonderful story of a strong Hightower woman. I found this story doing research in the Mississippi State Archives. It was written by an unnamed granddaughter and portions of the handwritten story were not legible.

John Puckett Hightower got killed by a neighbor in October, 1844 in a dispute over land. Sarah, his wife was distraught so she left her home and came to Mississippi with some of her relatives . She was 65 years old when she left home. They stopped in Randolph County, Alabama to stay a

few months with the Hightowers who lived there.When Grandma, Martha Almarine Hightower, was in her 80's she would tell of her early life. She was born while the Hightower klan were staying in Randolph, about May 13, 1846, she was grandchild of John Pucket and Sarah Elizabeth Hightower*. Her parents were Thomas Hightower and Keziah Anderson. She moved with her family while yet an infant to Houston, Mississippi.Grandma said they always lived on a farm near Houston and had about 14 slaves of varied sex and ages. She went to a private school run by a preacher during the week. Her main companionn was her sister Frances who was two years older than she. In 1851, when she was only 4 years old, her mother died. I do not know much of her early life, but when she met Grandpa they were married and lived on a farm near Houston, MS. The next Saturday afternoon after she was married, Grandma was playing cards with some cousins. They had not left for their homes and in uncle came and took the cards away from her. He told her since she was now a married woman she should not play cards any more. Grandma said she never played cards again.Although Grandma has left no picture of her as a young woman, she must have been very pretty. She had the Hightower brown eyes and brown hair and creamy complexion. In 1866 times were really hard. Grandma and Grandpa had this farm in Calhoun County, what is called Skuna Bottom, that is the name of the river that runs nearby. Schools were few and far between. Mississippi tried to restore order following the Civil War, but times were very difficult.

Grandma loved flowers In her home at Pontotoc there were lots of hyacinths, daffodills that came out every spring. Once I asked her what her favorite was and she said Hydrangeas. There were a lot of Walnut and Cedar trees in their yard.Grandma was a good cook. She did all the cooking on her wood stove. When dinner was served, she would sit at the end of the table and serve all and pour the milk and coffee.On Christmas they always had a big tree in the living room. They would have lots of candles lit on the tree. While she lived in Pontotoc, Grandma had all her teeth pulled. The dentist came to the house where they gave her chloroform. I visited her a few weeks before she died. She suffered a stroke and in a few days she died. She was a wonderful woman.

 

John C. Hightower Kidnapped by IndiansIt is believed that John C. Hightower was born in the year 1810. Around 1820, when he was ten years old, he was kidnapped by Indians. We do not know what tribe took him or the circumstance in which he was taken, but it seems as though he was taken peacefully or quietly. Perhaps he was out exploring like any young boy. The Indians took him and used him as a slave. It was also common for a tribe to trade their slaves, so our John C. was traded from one tribe to

another over the duration of his captivity. In this way he not only learned to speak the language of the tribe that took him, but also the languages and dialects of other tribes.In 1830 he was with a tribe in the Dakotas or Montana when he and another slave made their escape. They escaped when their hunting party came upon some trappers. The trappers had some liquor and when all bedded down for the night, the two slaves, not bound as tightly as normal, made their escape. After growing into manhood with Indians, John Carol Hightower looked like an Indian, so when a band of cavalry came upon the two escapees, they shot at them. Somehow John Carol made his way back south to Texas where his family was living.Unfortunately, after living as an Indian for so many years, John Carol was no longer able to live with the white man. He left his family and never returned or had any communication with them.The next 24 years of his life and travels is shadowy until he married our great-grandmother Rebecca Norris in Travis County Texas (FT. Worth) in 1854. He was apparently working for the Army because of his skills with the languages and dialects of the Indians, however he does not appear on the lists of U.S. Army Scouts that I have had access to as of yet. In the 1860 Census for Texas, John Carol's occupation was listed as "day laborer." John and Rebecca had a child in 1858 and they name him George Washington Hightower. He was born in Stephens, TX. They have a second son, William Norris while living in Breckinridge, TX. Their third child was Mary Jane and fourth son was John C.In 1881, when our subject was 71 years old, he moved his family to the New Mexico Territory where he would live out the remainder of his life. On September 29,1910, the rest of the family gone to El Paso, TX, on covered wagons for supplies, John Carol was on the way to the barn and corral to help his daughter-in-law feed the cattle. He said he didn't feel well and went back to the house. She found him lying on his pallet in front of the fireplace. He had died in the only bed he had ever known, a pallet thrown on the floor, eleven days before his one hundredth birthday.

Elias Hightower of Ray County, MissouriElias Hightower pursued animal husbandry to improve his domestic animals on his Ray County Farm, on section 10, township 53. His father, Joseph Hightower, was born in South Carolina in 1808, and was the son of Thomas Hightower, a hero of the War of 1812, who took part in the battle of New Orleans under General Andrew Jackson. Joseph Hightower removed from his native state to Virginia and when twelve years of age went to East Tennessee, where he grew to manhood, receiving instruction in the common schools of the country. In Tennessee he married Miss Elizabeth Clevenger, daughter of Elias Clevenger, also one of the soldiers of the War of 1812. After a year had passed, he brought his wife to Ray County, Missouri with their child , Nancy, and settled near Missouri City in the river bottoms. After remaining there a short time, he went to Caldwell County, where the Mormons drove him out (see sidebar: The Mormon War on page 11). Joseph returned to Ray County, where he located on a farm about two miles south of Vibbard, soon buying the farm upon which he afterward lived and finally died, it being about six miles south of Vibbard. He was the father of

twelve children and a farmer throughout his entire life and was very successful in his work. He was a member of the Batptist Church, being a deacon; his wife was also a member, and co-operated with him in religious work.Elias was reared in this county and received a common-school education. In the year 1853, he drove an ox-team across the plains to California, requiring three months and twenty days for the journey. Many hardships were encountered, but were successfully resisted and when he reached his destination he engaged in mining with fair success. Returning to Missouri, he married Miss Nancy Ann Wyman, who died within a year. Immediately after he was married he settled upon the place where he now lives, and which has been his continuous residence to date. Hightower was married in 1857 to Miss Mary F. Wyman, the sister of his first wife, and a native of Ray County, MO. Her mother, Christian Wyman, was born in Kentucky, January 12, 1800, and came to Ray County, Missouri about 1842. Hisfather, Hezekiah Wyman, was one of the brave soldiers of the War of 1812. He died in Ray County at the age of 83 years. His beloved wife departed this life when about the same age as her husband. Her maiden name was Maria Rouner, and she was a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Harden) Rouner, the latter a cousin of old Gov. Harden of Missouri.Elias was the father of twelve children, one by his first wife and eleven by his second: Nancy Ann, who married Thomas P. Munford, a prominent author; Cornelia J., wife of Oliver Wood; Fanny E., who died when 12 years old; William A. who died at the age of 8 months; Colonia, who died at the age of 6 months; Robert E., married and living near Vibbard; Lizzie, wife of Joseph C. Hill, residing in Ray County; Harriet, wife of John Cox, living one mile from Elias; Maggie wife of Q.A. Harris, living in Ray County; Lee, married and a resident of Ray County; and Ethel.The farm belonging to Mr. Hightower consists of two hundred and five acres, and is in a good state of cultivation; upon it the owner is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Harmony Lodge no 384 F. & A.M., being the Senior Warden. Our subject is a devoted member of the Baptist Church, being faithful to its teachings and an active worker in its behalf. In politics, he is a Democrat, and firmly adheres to the teachings of the party as proclaimed in its platform. He is a member of the Grange and Treasurer of the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Association. To Elias belongs the distinction of being one of the oldest settlers of Ray County now residing within its boundaries.

Battle of Hightower TownMore than 40 years prior to the "Trail of Tears', and the founding of Rome, GA, north western Georgia was Cherokee and Creek Indian Territory. Among the principal Cherokee towns were Ustanali(near present day Resaca, GA), Chatuga(today's Summerville, GA), and Hightower(Rome, GA).In September, 1793, elements of the Cherokee force under the leadership of the King Fisher arrived at Cavett's Station, a small settlement just a few miles from Knoxville. The residents' three men and eleven women and children were garrisoned in a blockhouse(a small sturdy fort like building designed especially to withstand Indian attacks). The small force held off the raiders for several hours, during which Alexander Cavett and five Cherokees were killed. Given assurance by the Indians that they would be released unharmed, the defenders in the blockhouse

eventually surrendered. As they emerged from their protective enclosure, however, and laid down their arms, the enraged Indians killed all but one.Word of the deaths spread quickly. Revolutionary War hero John Sevier organized an army of 800 volunteers and set out in hot pursuit of the raiding Indians. A letter written by Sevier describing the situation:"We made some Cherokee prisoners, who informed us that John Watts headed the army lately out on our frontiers...that the same was composed of Indians, more or less from every town in the Cherokee nation, and had made for a town at the mouth of the Hightower River."An interesting aside here is the origin of the name "Hightower." Examples of the interactive usage of these words include the Etowah River which is still referred to by some old-timers as the Hightower River, and the northwest area of Lumpkin County known as the "Hightower District," where the Etowah rises. The names are also cross-identified in numerous other spots, such as the Hightower Trail, a former Indian route to the Etowah River.It was at the Indian town of Hightower at the mouth of the Etowah River that the Tennesseans finally caught the Indian raiders on a fateful autumn day. During the skirmish, the King Fisher attempted to rally his men, but was shot and killed.After the battle, the Tennesseans pursued the Cherokees and, somewhere west of the forks, crossed the Coosa River. Sevier describes the chase in his report:"We crossed the main Coosa where they had thrown up some breast works and evacuated. We proceeded on our way down the main river near Turnip Mountain, destroying in our way several Creek and Cherokee towns, which they had settled together on each side of the river and from which they have all fled with apparent precipitation, leaving almost everything behind. We destroyed near three hundred settlements."The Tennesseans, satisfied that they had eliminated the Chrokee and Creek threat, began their long march home, where Sevier resumed his political career.

Louisianna HightowersThe way I found the Richard Whites of Ruston, Louisianna is a story in itself. Last summer while doing research in Ray County, Missouri, I found a letter in a local genealogy library. The letter was from a Mary Hightower White, Box 846, Ringgold, LA.and dated, 1988. The letter inquired about a number of Hightower relatives of Ms. White. Knowing that I was going to visit Louisianna the following spring, I filed the address. And on the way to New Orleans a few weeks ago, I stopped by Ringgold, LA, population 400 or so and tried to find Ms. White. I knew she might have passed away because the letter had been sent fifteen years ago. But I got a Ringgold phone book, parked in the local Dollar Store parking lot and started dialing all the "Whites" from the book on my cell phone. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, since there was no "Mary White." I finally dialed a lady who knew a Mary White who had died. She said Mary's husband was also dead, but a son, Richard White lived in Ruston and worked at the local Walmart as a Pharmacist. I had been to that very Walmart earlier in the day, I drove there and checked with the pharmacy. Mr. White was off for the weekend, but the relief pharmacist gave me his address. I called and said, was your mom, Mary Hightower White, and bingo, there was our Hightower descendent! And Richard White is the nicest man you could ever want to meet. He and his lovely wife shared lots of genealogy data with me, including the wonderful photo of

his great grandad(page 129)Richard R. Hightower, Tax assessor of Lincoln Parish and the page from an old family Bible. One of the greatest things about doing genealogical research in addition to finding our dead relatives, is finding our terrific live ones! Richard is still sifting through his mom's genealogy files and says he will share his future findings with The Hightower News.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy The Hightower News Online

Paul H.