Frank F. Woodard was a cowboy, rancher and farmer. In early life he worked on some of the largest ranches in Western Oklahoma.
My husband's step-father's aunt was Mollie Woodard
Mollie was born August 22, 1880. She married F. F. Woodard on Dec. 21. 1903.
Kathy Winters
Of Albuqurque, New Mexico.
The first record of Robert Fambrough in Halifax Co. Va. (after his marriage) was on April 5, 1794 when his grandfather, Robert Weakley gave him a 100 Acre tract of land on the East Fork of Runaway Cr., next to a tract of land that Robert Weakley had already given to Samuel Weakley, the previous year.
The consideration in teh deed was: "for love and affection for my grandson". The witnesses to the deed were Robert Weakley, Jr., Thomas Parker, Jr. and Stweart Fambrough (Halifax deed 16 p 401)Robert Fambrough was the last of the Robert Weakleyh clan to leave the old county of Halifax. He sold his land holdings on Dec. 15, 1806 (Halifax 21 p 277), Dec. 20, 1806 (Halifax 21 p 276) and Dec. 24, 1806 (Halifax 21 p 307). The latter was the tract given to him by his grandfather Weakley.
He was at this time preparing for the long and hazardous trip to Tenn., which he and his family would begin on Sunday, March 22, 1807. The account of the trip is most intersting and the diary is one which reflects credit to its author, whether it is Robert or Hannah, as stated by Eliza Alline Fambrough-Davidson, whom I visited in Williamson Co. Ill. The diary is framed in glass and owned by the J.R. Burkholder family in Louisville Ky. The author of this book, retraced the route and presents the diary, herein with illustrations.The correctly spelled names of places have been inserted in parenhesis, thus (__). Where a place is shown by a photograph, it has been underlined [*__* instead].
[picture of the diary]
Aug. 24, 1960. [photo]. the 100 A tract given to grandson, Robert Fambrough by Robt. Weakley on Apr. 5, 1794. May be a marriage present (see pages 22 and 24).
[map, Key to the Fambrough Diary]July 15, 1950. At the Pannill's Ferry there are a number of substantial buildings, for over the years this has been an important river crossing [2 photos]. July 15, 1950. Site of the old Pannill's Ferry on Staunton River. [photo] July 10, 1950. Tinker's Creek. [two photos. July 10, 1950. Site of the old Ingles' Ferry on New River. Established in 1762 my Wm. Ingles. The Ingles are still there. A mail box at the old Ferry site. [photo] Probably the type of roads the Fambrough was traveling over. [photo] July 10, 1950. A modern highway (U S No. 11) East of Radford Va.
THE DIARY
"I started from home on Sunday 22nd day of March 1807 and came over *Pannels (Pannill's) Ferry* which is 12 miles, and satyd all night, and from there we came the next day to where the New London road turned off, which is 22 miles, and the next day we came through New London on to one Everets, this side of New London and took up before night. It rained and snowed at such a rate we staid in a caben until next morning, and then we came on through *mud and mire* through Dilent's until we came to one Blackwell's and there we staid on the bank of a branch all night and then we came the next day over the Blewrig (Blue Ridge) and camped on the bank of Tinkers Creek and from there we traveled on through Salem until we crost Roneoak (Roanoke) river three times and campt on the bank where we crossed the third time and that day the single tree broke and on Saturday, the next day we crossed Roneoak (Roanoke) four times more and crost over the Alegane (Alleghany) and the pin of the waggon broake and the link and key of the traces and we campt that night at the corner of a fence at a well, on Sunday we came on through town of Montgomery Court House and so on till we came to the bank of *New River* and there the bolster pin broake again and we staid there all night and the next morning we crossed the ferry and came 14 miles and camped at Clease fence where it snowed all night and we started in the snow and came on ? miles and it snowed at such a rate we took up in a caben, and staid till next morning and then we started the 1st day of Aprile and went on throug and it snowed off and on all day and we came to one Londons and we staid all night and next day we traveled on through and over creeks and branches and it rained and snowed and froze so that we took up at Mr. Adkins before night, and next morning we started in the cold and going through Mr. Boings lane we discovered the hine axl tree broake and we staid at his place all night and on the 4th day of Aprile we went one and half miles to one Coles and got one made and staid there all night and on Sunday, 5th day we came on in 2 miles of Abingdon and campt there and on Monday 6th day we traveled on 14 miles this side and campt on the bank of a branch and on tuesday 7th day we came within 7 miles of the north fork and campt there and on Wednesday we crost the north fork and went on to one Dericks fence and there the *axl borke again* and J. and the children staid in the house out of the rain and next day Robt. made another and we staid the next night also and on friday 10th we started and came on in 2 miles of Rjvil (Rogersville) and campt there and on Saturday 11th we came on through town and came in 11 miles of Bean's station and the *axl broake again* and we staid there all night and J. and the children staid in Mr. William's house and on Sunday 12th we st5aid there that night in a caben and the next day he went to the iron works and got iron and had one made and on tuesday 14th in the evening we started and went three miles to the *big spring* and it broake again and he got it mended and we went 3 miles more to Moarsburt (Mooresburg) and campt where it rained powerfull and from there we went on a good days drive through Bean's station and on through rutledge and campt at Mr. Jenkins fende where it thundered and rained powerfull and fryday 17th we went on within 4 miles of Knoxville and campt there and on 18th we went on through Knoxville and he got the axl strengthened and painted and came to Sinking Creek, and campt there and on 19th we came on to a caben 5 miles from *Southwest Point*, and campt there, it rained powerfull and on the 20th we came on through town and crost the ferry and came up Cumberland mountain and campt at Pine Creek and on tuesday 21st we came on down *Spencer's Hill* and the waggon turned over...
[drawing, wagon and oxen] In going through such roads the oxen must have actually pulled the wagon to pieces. [photo, road marker for Southwest Point] August 22, 1960 [2 photos] Oct. 15, 1947. Old pioneer road on Spencer's Hill between Ozone and Crab Orchard [photo] July 9, 1950. The big spring, near MNooresburg, Hawkins Co. Tenn.
Clarke's Miscellany, by Isaac Clarke of Sumner County; printed by T.C. Bradford in 1812.
page 67. "...and the Crab Orchard, where is an excellent tract of land, I ascended Spencer's Hill, the longest and steepest hill that a waggon goes over, in my knowledge, and the hill took its name from a remarkable large man by the name of Spencer, that was killed by Indians as he was going down the hill..."
No wonder the wagon turned over.
... and fixt up again and we came on over Dadys (Daddy's) Creek and campt there and on Wednesday 22nd we came on to OByes (Obey's) river and there we unloaded the waggon and loaded again and ! to ! and campt there and on thirsday we traveled on and came down the mountain and stayed in the Barrens that night and it rained and there the tongue was broake and on fryday we cam e 12 miles and made a tongue and campt ther and then on Saturday 25th we started and split two of the spoaks and we stopt at a shop and Robt banded them and we went on within 2 miles of *Walton's Ferry* and campt there and on sunday 26th we crost the ferry and went on through town (Carthage, Tenn) and traveled on to a mill on good (Goose) Creek and campt there and on Monday 27th we went on vearay well untill we came to Masteses (Mansker"s) Creek and campt there, it rained all night and tuesday 28th of April we arived at Stewart Fambrough awhile in the night after a long and tedeous journey of thirty eight days on the road.
Robert //[photo] August 17, 1962. Site of old Walton's ferry on the Cumberland River. Looking upstream. Cumb. Rv. in the foreground. Caney Fork River entering at the right edge of the photo. [photo] Oct. 15, 1947. Daddy's Creek near US highway 70N Bridge, looking upstream.
The trip was approximately 575 miles. Stewart Fambrough was Robert's brother (see under B 4-3 for where Stewart lived).
Several times, references were made to J. and the children. It is believed that J. may have been Jane, mother of Robert. And the children; Mary, Aquilla, John, and Shadrack.
The route followed by the party west from Southwest Point was along the Walton Road which was opened for travel in 1801. From Carthage, the route followed the old pioneer road north of the Cumberland River and through Castalian Springs and Gallatin, to Nashville.
Not much is known of Robert Fambrough after he arrived in Tenn. One reference was; on Aug. 20, 1814. The Halifax Co. Va. deed 25 p 103 says: "Thomas Stewart, Agnes Stewart, Elinor Stewart, Leonard Oden and wife Ruth of Warren Co. Ky - Robert Fambrough and wife Hannah of Rutherford Co. Tenn, Rachel Stewart of the Mesura (sic) Territory, Robt. W. Stewart and wife Rebekah of Pittsylvania Co. Va. and Wm. Logan of Halifax Co. Va. sold to Wm. Logan, 232 Acres of land on Elkhorn Creek in Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties, it being same left by Charles Stewart by his last will to his three sons, Robert, Thomas and Charles Stewart". (The wil is in Halifax will 1 p 302 Dated Jan 11, 1780. Thos. Weakley and Agnes Stewart were Exec. and Executrix. John Stewartr was witness.)
In 1814 Robt. Fambrough was private in 2nd Regiment of Tenn. Militia Infantry from Nov. 13, 1814 to May 13, 1815 under Capt. Bird Nance and Co. John Cocke. This Regiment was in the Battle of New Orleans on Jan. 8, 1815. Robert's granddaughter, Georgeanna Mary Cain, said that her grandfather Fambrough was in the war against England.
Robert Fambrough was in Dickson Co. Tenn. in 1824 and also in the census of 1830. Robt. Fambrough, Fambro, entered 4 tracts of land in Dickson Co. as Grants from Tenn. as follows: No 32, 100 A, waters of Weakley's Cr on road leading from Weakley's ferry to the Napier Iron Works, July 5, 1824. No 180, 75 Acres, on a branch on South side of Cuimb. Rv. below Weakley's Creek, Jan 12, 1825. No 445, 200 A, Waters of Weakley's Creek, Jan 7, 1826. No 453, 100 Acres, waters of Weakley's Creek, Jan. 10, 1826 (see aerial photo under Robert Weakley, page 132 of section C 1)
Tenn. grant to Robert Fambrough, No 12638 dated Oct 13, 1818 for 1.44 Acre (see the map of East Nashville and tabulation under Robert Weakley, section B 7 pages 113 and 114)(Tenn. Archives R p 261) Robert Fambrough of Dickson Co. sold the land to John Hobson for $50 on April 18, 1820 (Dav. N p 501)
This is one of those cases where there was an open space between Nor. Car. grants. It was taken up and issued by Tenn. It is a good bet that Samuel Weakley found this opening during his surveying in that section, and helped his nephew obtain the land.
The first record of Robert Fambrough in Halifax Co. Va. (after his marriage) was on April 5, 1794 when his grandfather, Robert Weakley gave him a 100 Acre tract of land on the East Fork of Runaway Cr., next to a tract of land that Robert Weakley had already given to Samuel Weakley, the previous year.
The consideration in teh deed was: "for love and affection for my grandson". The witnesses to the deed were Robert Weakley, Jr., Thomas Parker, Jr. and Stweart Fambrough (Halifax deed 16 p 401)Robert Fambrough was the last of the Robert Weakleyh clan to leave the old county of Halifax. He sold his land holdings on Dec. 15, 1806 (Halifax 21 p 277), Dec. 20, 1806 (Halifax 21 p 276) and Dec. 24, 1806 (Halifax 21 p 307). The latter was the tract given to him by his grandfather Weakley.
He was at this time preparing for the long and hazardous trip to Tenn., which he and his family would begin on Sunday, March 22, 1807. The account of the trip is most intersting and the diary is one which reflects credit to its author, whether it is Robert or Hannah, as stated by Eliza Alline Fambrough-Davidson, whom I visited in Williamson Co. Ill. The diary is framed in glass and owned by the J.R. Burkholder family in Louisville Ky. The author of this book, retraced the route and presents the diary, herein with illustrations.The correctly spelled names of places have been inserted in parenhesis, thus (__). Where a place is shown by a photograph, it has been underlined [*__* instead].
[picture of the diary]
Aug. 24, 1960. [photo]. the 100 A tract given to grandson, Robert Fambrough by Robt. Weakley on Apr. 5, 1794. May be a marriage present (see pages 22 and 24).
[map, Key to the Fambrough Diary]July 15, 1950. At the Pannill's Ferry there are a number of substantial buildings, for over the years this has been an important river crossing [2 photos]. July 15, 1950. Site of the old Pannill's Ferry on Staunton River. [photo] July 10, 1950. Tinker's Creek. [two photos. July 10, 1950. Site of the old Ingles' Ferry on New River. Established in 1762 my Wm. Ingles. The Ingles are still there. A mail box at the old Ferry site. [photo] Probably the type of roads the Fambrough was traveling over. [photo] July 10, 1950. A modern highway (U S No. 11) East of Radford Va.
THE DIARY
"I started from home on Sunday 22nd day of March 1807 and came over *Pannels (Pannill's) Ferry* which is 12 miles, and satyd all night, and from there we came the next day to where the New London road turned off, which is 22 miles, and the next day we came through New London on to one Everets, this side of New London and took up before night. It rained and snowed at such a rate we staid in a caben until next morning, and then we came on through *mud and mire* through Dilent's until we came to one Blackwell's and there we staid on the bank of a branch all night and then we came the next day over the Blewrig (Blue Ridge) and camped on the bank of Tinkers Creek and from there we traveled on through Salem until we crost Roneoak (Roanoke) river three times and campt on the bank where we crossed the third time and that day the single tree broke and on Saturday, the next day we crossed Roneoak (Roanoke) four times more and crost over the Alegane (Alleghany) and the pin of the waggon broake and the link and key of the traces and we campt that night at the corner of a fence at a well, on Sunday we came on through town of Montgomery Court House and so on till we came to the bank of *New River* and there the bolster pin broake again and we staid there all night and the next morning we crossed the ferry and came 14 miles and camped at Clease fence where it snowed all night and we started in the snow and came on ? miles and it snowed at such a rate we took up in a caben, and staid till next morning and then we started the 1st day of Aprile and went on throug and it snowed off and on all day and we came to one Londons and we staid all night and next day we traveled on through and over creeks and branches and it rained and snowed and froze so that we took up at Mr. Adkins before night, and next morning we started in the cold and going through Mr. Boings lane we discovered the hine axl tree broake and we staid at his place all night and on the 4th day of Aprile we went one and half miles to one Coles and got one made and staid there all night and on Sunday, 5th day we came on in 2 miles of Abingdon and campt there and on Monday 6th day we traveled on 14 miles this side and campt on the bank of a branch and on tuesday 7th day we came within 7 miles of the north fork and campt there and on Wednesday we crost the north fork and went on to one Dericks fence and there the *axl borke again* and J. and the children staid in the house out of the rain and next day Robt. made another and we staid the next night also and on friday 10th we started and came on in 2 miles of Rjvil (Rogersville) and campt there and on Saturday 11th we came on through town and came in 11 miles of Bean's station and the *axl broake again* and we staid there all night and J. and the children staid in Mr. William's house and on Sunday 12th we st5aid there that night in a caben and the next day he went to the iron works and got iron and had one made and on tuesday 14th in the evening we started and went three miles to the *big spring* and it broake again and he got it mended and we went 3 miles more to Moarsburt (Mooresburg) and campt where it rained powerfull and from there we went on a good days drive through Bean's station and on through rutledge and campt at Mr. Jenkins fende where it thundered and rained powerfull and fryday 17th we went on within 4 miles of Knoxville and campt there and on 18th we went on through Knoxville and he got the axl strengthened and painted and came to Sinking Creek, and campt there and on 19th we came on to a caben 5 miles from *Southwest Point*, and campt there, it rained powerfull and on the 20th we came on through town and crost the ferry and came up Cumberland mountain and campt at Pine Creek and on tuesday 21st we came on down *Spencer's Hill* and the waggon turned over...
[drawing, wagon and oxen] In going through such roads the oxen must have actually pulled the wagon to pieces. [photo, road marker for Southwest Point] August 22, 1960 [2 photos] Oct. 15, 1947. Old pioneer road on Spencer's Hill between Ozone and Crab Orchard [photo] July 9, 1950. The big spring, near MNooresburg, Hawkins Co. Tenn.
Clarke's Miscellany, by Isaac Clarke of Sumner County; printed by T.C. Bradford in 1812.
page 67. "...and the Crab Orchard, where is an excellent tract of land, I ascended Spencer's Hill, the longest and steepest hill that a waggon goes over, in my knowledge, and the hill took its name from a remarkable large man by the name of Spencer, that was killed by Indians as he was going down the hill..."
No wonder the wagon turned over.
... and fixt up again and we came on over Dadys (Daddy's) Creek and campt there and on Wednesday 22nd we came on to OByes (Obey's) river and there we unloaded the waggon and loaded again and ! to ! and campt there and on thirsday we traveled on and came down the mountain and stayed in the Barrens that night and it rained and there the tongue was broake and on fryday we cam e 12 miles and made a tongue and campt ther and then on Saturday 25th we started and split two of the spoaks and we stopt at a shop and Robt banded them and we went on within 2 miles of *Walton's Ferry* and campt there and on sunday 26th we crost the ferry and went on through town (Carthage, Tenn) and traveled on to a mill on good (Goose) Creek and campt there and on Monday 27th we went on vearay well untill we came to Masteses (Mansker"s) Creek and campt there, it rained all night and tuesday 28th of April we arived at Stewart Fambrough awhile in the night after a long and tedeous journey of thirty eight days on the road.
Robert //[photo] August 17, 1962. Site of old Walton's ferry on the Cumberland River. Looking upstream. Cumb. Rv. in the foreground. Caney Fork River entering at the right edge of the photo. [photo] Oct. 15, 1947. Daddy's Creek near US highway 70N Bridge, looking upstream.
The trip was approximately 575 miles. Stewart Fambrough was Robert's brother (see under B 4-3 for where Stewart lived).
Several times, references were made to J. and the children. It is believed that J. may have been Jane, mother of Robert. And the children; Mary, Aquilla, John, and Shadrack.
The route followed by the party west from Southwest Point was along the Walton Road which was opened for travel in 1801. From Carthage, the route followed the old pioneer road north of the Cumberland River and through Castalian Springs and Gallatin, to Nashville.
Not much is known of Robert Fambrough after he arrived in Tenn. One reference was; on Aug. 20, 1814. The Halifax Co. Va. deed 25 p 103 says: "Thomas Stewart, Agnes Stewart, Elinor Stewart, Leonard Oden and wife Ruth of Warren Co. Ky - Robert Fambrough and wife Hannah of Rutherford Co. Tenn, Rachel Stewart of the Mesura (sic) Territory, Robt. W. Stewart and wife Rebekah of Pittsylvania Co. Va. and Wm. Logan of Halifax Co. Va. sold to Wm. Logan, 232 Acres of land on Elkhorn Creek in Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties, it being same left by Charles Stewart by his last will to his three sons, Robert, Thomas and Charles Stewart". (The wil is in Halifax will 1 p 302 Dated Jan 11, 1780. Thos. Weakley and Agnes Stewart were Exec. and Executrix. John Stewartr was witness.)
In 1814 Robt. Fambrough was private in 2nd Regiment of Tenn. Militia Infantry from Nov. 13, 1814 to May 13, 1815 under Capt. Bird Nance and Co. John Cocke. This Regiment was in the Battle of New Orleans on Jan. 8, 1815. Robert's granddaughter, Georgeanna Mary Cain, said that her grandfather Fambrough was in the war against England.
Robert Fambrough was in Dickson Co. Tenn. in 1824 and also in the census of 1830. Robt. Fambrough, Fambro, entered 4 tracts of land in Dickson Co. as Grants from Tenn. as follows: No 32, 100 A, waters of Weakley's Cr on road leading from Weakley's ferry to the Napier Iron Works, July 5, 1824. No 180, 75 Acres, on a branch on South side of Cuimb. Rv. below Weakley's Creek, Jan 12, 1825. No 445, 200 A, Waters of Weakley's Creek, Jan 7, 1826. No 453, 100 Acres, waters of Weakley's Creek, Jan. 10, 1826 (see aerial photo under Robert Weakley, page 132 of section C 1)
Tenn. grant to Robert Fambrough, No 12638 dated Oct 13, 1818 for 1.44 Acre (see the map of East Nashville and tabulation under Robert Weakley, section B 7 pages 113 and 114)(Tenn. Archives R p 261) Robert Fambrough of Dickson Co. sold the land to John Hobson for $50 on April 18, 1820 (Dav. N p 501)
This is one of those cases where there was an open space between Nor. Car. grants. It was taken up and issued by Tenn. It is a good bet that Samuel Weakley found this opening during his surveying in that section, and helped his nephew obtain the land.
Did not marry.
1840 Census of Dallas County shows S. Fambrow, a wife, and five sons.
It is unfortunate that the census taker did not spell out the given name. In view of the fact that Wm. W. Fambro was in Dallas county as early as 1836 and was there in 1840, it seems safe to say that this person was Stewart Fambro, Junior. There were no other records of the family, so they probably moved on to other parts. Remember, also, that there was Bryant with a Fambrough wife who were also in Dallas or nearby counties. The author made diligent search but was never able to get any clues.
After extensive research, by the law of elimination, this is believed to be a correct soltion.
This is a photo of Samuel Felin's grave stone, found loose and broken, in a barn lot at Lillymay, Cheatham Co. Felin lived and died at this place. Sam's creek is named for him. Note the perfect lettering, even after these many years. [book includes photo]
Samuel Felin was in Davidson Co. Tenn. at an early date. He purchased Nashville lot No. 34 on April 3, 1787. He died on the south side of the Cumb. Rv. near the mouth of Sam's Cr. His will is on page 156 of Davidson Co. will book 4-6. It was dated 5-13-1811. He mentions wife Mary, sons Wm. Felin, Thomas Williamson Felin, James Felin, Smith Felin; daughters, Sinthey Felin, Obedience Felin, Sicy Felin and Fereby (may-be Ferrebee) Felin and grandson Samuel Felin Dennis. The records of this will and the marriages can be found in Dav. Co. records. At the sale of the property of Wm. Felin on May 20, 1815, the following is a partial list of buyers: several Gowers, James Hatfield, Polly Feeland, Isaac Harris, James Lovell, Samuel Dennis.
Polly Feeland, relict of Wm. Feeland, had her dower laid off on April 11, 1817 by Enoch Douge, Peter Dozier, John M. Lovell and Nicholas Meshack and Geo. Hail; 1/3 of 105 Acres of the Shanklin Preemption.
After extensive research, by the law of elimination, this is believed to be a correct soltion.
This is a photo of Samuel Felin's grave stone, found loose and broken, in a barn lot at Lillymay, Cheatham Co. Felin lived and died at this place. Sam's creek is named for him. Note the perfect lettering, even after these many years. [book includes photo]
Samuel Felin was in Davidson Co. Tenn. at an early date. He purchased Nashville lot No. 34 on April 3, 1787. He died on the south side of the Cumb. Rv. near the mouth of Sam's Cr. His will is on page 156 of Davidson Co. will book 4-6. It was dated 5-13-1811. He mentions wife Mary, sons Wm. Felin, Thomas Williamson Felin, James Felin, Smith Felin; daughters, Sinthey Felin, Obedience Felin, Sicy Felin and Fereby (may-be Ferrebee) Felin and grandson Samuel Felin Dennis. The records of this will and the marriages can be found in Dav. Co. records. At the sale of the property of Wm. Felin on May 20, 1815, the following is a partial list of buyers: several Gowers, James Hatfield, Polly Feeland, Isaac Harris, James Lovell, Samuel Dennis.
Polly Feeland, relict of Wm. Feeland, had her dower laid off on April 11, 1817 by Enoch Douge, Peter Dozier, John M. Lovell and Nicholas Meshack and Geo. Hail; 1/3 of 105 Acres of the Shanklin Preemption.
They lived in Cheatham Co. district No. 7
Living in Dec. 3, 1840