My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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T. S. MAYES. James Mayes was born about 1788 in Georgia, and came to Tennessee in 1816. He married Polly Sparks, who was a native of Georgia, and our subject was born to them December 16, 1814. He resided on his parents’ farm until twenty-one years of age and then began farming on his own responsibility, and has continued very successfully up to the present date. He served the people of his district in the capacity of constable for six years, being first elected in 1840, and in 1852 was elected to the same office for two years. Since that time he has farmed exclusively and has accumulated a good property through his own exertions. Anna Catner became his wife, January 4, 1848, and this union has resulted in ten children, seven of whom are living: Mary E. (Mrs. J. D. Blackwell), Eliza J. (Mrs. W. R. Woodard), William W., John A., Martha A. (Mrs. J. A. Woodard), James L. and Harriett F. Mr. Mayes is a man of great decision of character and is strictly honest and exact in his business transactions. He and Mrs. Mayes are members of the Christian Church and he supports the Democratic party.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Bedford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Bedford County, Tennessee family biographies here

View a historic 1888 map of Bedford County, Tennessee

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