Email From Gary Aden to Gary Aden
Email Dated 5/16/2001

Continue same paragraph (last word Daniel):

The vicinity of Allen Creek, the old cemetery, and the area where the
Allen "plantation"(the word he used in his will) can be approximated at
the present time by driving northwest of the intersection of I 85 and
State Route 129 near Jefferson, Georgia. However, research has failed to
turn up a property record of any kind related to an Allen plantation
existing in that area prior to  William's death in 1806. His will, of
course, as discussed elsewhere, describes crops and farm implements,
however, as well as six slaves. Elizabeth was the major beneficiary of
the estate with each of his four sons receiving one slave. Elizabeth
received one slave to sell, one slave to keep, and the plantation, farm
equipment, crops, and all other assets. She served as Executrix of the
Estate  and Hugh Montgomery as Executor. They filed annual statements
related to the estate. Records show that Elizabeth returned to
Lancaster, South Carolina to sell equity in properties left to her by
Major John Barkley in 1805(Book F, p.23) and 1808(Book G, p. 178). Prior
to that time, William Allen had represented her interest in selling a
Lancaster property in 1799(Book B, p.343). Subsequently, four years
after William's death on October 26, 1810, Betsy bought 121 acres of
land and a house in Jackson County, Georgia on the north side of the
middle fork of the Ocanee River. Research has shown that in those times,
land without a house would have sold for about $1-2 per acre. The
property was purchased in such a manner to vest title in her name and
all four sons, with rights of survivorship. The purchase price was $500.
William was survived or descended by William Barkley Allen(November 27,
1788 Burke County, Georgia- April 26, 1819 Jackson County, Georgia) m.
April 24, 1817 Susannah "Susan" OLLIVER Allen BRADLEY(August 4, 1804
North Carolina- March 25,1858 Campton, Georgia), daughter of Elijah
Olliver and Mary WISE Olliver, and two grandchildren; Robert
Allen(November 27, 1792 Burke County, Georgia-  ? ?) m.  Amelia STORY
Allen( ? ?- ? ?) and seven grandchildren; Eliazar "Beverly"
Allen(November 27, 1797 Jefferson County, Georgia- October 21, 1864 ?)
m. Sally HUTSON Allen( ? ? - February 4, 1881 ?) and thirteen
grandchildren;       and Thomas G. Allen( November 27, 1801 Jeffferson
County, Georgia- 1828 Jackson County, Georgia) m. Louise ?( ? ?- ? ?)
and two grandchildren.  Kindly note that the names of the wives  of
Beverly and Thomas have been altered from the L.P. Allen version based
on recent research.

Tragedy would befall several Allen brothers. William B. would fall from
a horse shortly after his second son, John William Barkley Allen, was
born and die in status epilepticus(probably a subdural or epidural
hematoma). Eliazar would be run over by a truckload of rails. Thomas G.
was thrown from a horse in childhood resulting in the muscle being sheen
from the calf of his leg in childhood; another time he sustained a
severe concussion from his head striking a stump; and finally was shot
and killed by a drunken boy(Thomas G. died intestate). The L.P. Allen
version is contradictory in some of its facts here as well, but not in
its conclusions that this family was "venturesome, impulsive and
nervous." He went on, "they seem to have often taken chances and chances
went against them." In contemporary psychosocial circles, their
daredevil behavior would raise questions about associated alcohol/drug
abuse.It should be recalled that alcohol abuse in those days was so
rampant that it was estimated that 25 percent of the male population was
drunk by noon. No doubt, dealing emotionally with these tragedies was
challenging for Elizabeth. No wonder that their notable grandson,
Reverend  J.W.B. Allen, was to lecture  on the evils of drinking spirits
in the years to come.

On June11, 1814, Elizabeth remarried to Judge Robert Smithwick. Records
show that they lived in Jackson County until 1830 when they moved to
Forsyth County, at the time considered Indian land. Prior to moving, he
sold some land to Robert Allen, William's son. Judge Smithwick was
admitted to the Thyatira Presbyterian Church on June 1, 1828. On
September 6, 1829, church records show that he was tried for
drunkenness. On May 6, 1832, he confessed to drunkenness. On March 13,
1833, he was tried once again for drunkenness. He died June 9, 1835 and
is buried in Forsyth County, Georgia. The date of Elizabeth's death is
unknown, but she was alive when the will was probated which left
everything to her, but designated 25 % interests to Robert Allen,
Beverly Allen, and John William Barkley Allen and  12.5% interests to
George W.T. Allen & Thomas Madison L. Allen after her death.
Related Twig: Allen or Montgomery; by marriage, Smithwick; by Branch,
Allen

Barclay Sites: Old World: Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern
Ireland(Major John Barkley)

New World1) Lancaster, South Carolina, Old Waxhaws Church, gravesite
of Major John Barkley. (2) Louisville Public Library, Revised Map of
Land Plats of  Big Creek, Burke and Warren Counties until 1796, then
Jefferson County. (3) Battle of Brier Creek Marker, near Louisville,
Jefferson County, Georgia (4) Jackson County, Georgia: vicinity of
William Allen plantation, old cemetery, and Allen Creek 5 1/2 miles
north of Jefferson, Georgia, nw of the intersection of I 85 and US Route
129.

Barclay Family Organization: Across the nation, regional Barclay/Barkley
Clans gather for Games and Clanmeets around the year. The national
reunion that I attended included banquets, games and a dance. The
Barclay Broadside is their new bulletin and is distributed to dues
paying members. A special service is the "one name search", a free
genealogical effort to pursue a lost family member.
Diseases(transmitted): it certainly makes you think that alcoholism and
risk taking behavior ought to be at least considered after reviewing the
early history of the William Allen family in Georgia, doesn't it?
DAR: No membership numbers as of now.

Gary Carl Aden 5/16/01