Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
-
In reply to:
Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
Ronnie W. Bagwell 12/14/02
James Perry who married Susan Jane Harlan WAS the son of Dikander Walls and Nathan Washington Perry.
I say this because of a body of collaborative research and because of over 150 letters written between the children and grandchildren of Dikander and Nathan for nearly 100 years from 1811 to 1909. Some of the letters are ones written by James. The letters were kept by four generations of Perrys in the Silas Perry line and in the Amos Perry line.
In letters James refers to his wife by her middle name, Jane. James and Susan Jane Harlan were married 15 Mar 1838 in Monroe County, Tennesse and were joined together in marriage by John Tate, M.G (minister of God). James was in Monroe County where his brother, Silas, lived. Silas was married to Susan Jane’s mother, Hannah Lewis Harlan.
Hannah, a widow, was first married to Ezekial Harlan, one half Cherokee and from a highly regarded Cherokee family. Ezekial’s grandmother was Nanye’hi the Ghi-ga-u, meaning “The Beloved” who had a sort of undisputed veto power above the chiefs (who were all men) in certain war and peace decisions in the Cherokee Nation. She was the last Cherokee woman given this title and her words and decisions were regarded as higher wisdom. Later, with a subsequent marriage to a white man with the last name of Ward, Nanye’hi was called Nancy Ward. Ezekial, her grandson, was the son of Ka-ti Kingfisher, a daughter with her first husband, Tsu-la Kingfisher, a Cherokee warrior who was killed in battle. Ka-ti marriedthree times. Her marriage to Ellis Harlan, a white man produced Ezekial (and other children). Hannah (also white) and Ezekial Harlan married and had three children; Susan Jane was the youngest and was one fourth Cherokee.
When Silas and Hannah married on 4 Oct 1821 in Knoxville, Tennessee Silas became the stepfather of Susan Jane Harlan who was then four years old, going on five. When Susan Jane married Silas’ brother, James, then in addition to being her stepfather, Silas became her brother-in-law. When Susan Jane and James had children Hannah was both the grandmother AND the aunt of the children.
In ensuing years, James and Susan Jane and their growing family moved to Catoosa County, Georgia into traditional Cherokee lands where James was instrumental in the early formation of this new county. Silas and Hannah moved to Missouri. Though separated by distance, the Perry families (all seven children of Dikander and Nathan) kept in contact over many years through letters and personal visits. Politics, Civil War, religion, education and, of course, family members are the main subjects of the letters. But not once in any letter is Nancy Ruth Crawford Perry mentioned nor are any of her children.
There is some question over the middle initial of James. I might add that another researcher (L. Thomas) indicates that one of James Perry’s descendants, Seqouyah Perry indicates that James’ middle initial might be “A.” But never in letters (or on legal papers that I have found) did James Perry use a middle initial.
In legal matters, his name is listed simply as James Perry. Example: On 27 Nov 1834 (Deed Book A-I and L (623) in Monroe County, TN “Silas and James Perry to Joseph, Pleasant M., Kinzie, and B.M. Routh, all of Monroe C.; $600; their claim to Copyright of Gunn’s Domestic Medicine or poor man’s friend to the Territory of Arkansas, conveyed to them by John C. Gunn, the proprietor of said Work.”
There are a few James O. Perrys in the family, however. For example, in Monroe County, Tennessee, James O. Perry is listed in Deed Book M (202) along with his father, Silas, on 17 Sep 1841. James O. was then a young man. Silas’ son, James Oliver Perry, died in 1843 in his very early 20’s and was unmarried and had no issue.
These bits of info: the letters, legal documents, the middle initial and other documentation lead me to question that James Perry, son of Dikander and Nathan Washington Perry was the husband of Nancy Ruth Crawford Perry. I do hope we can find more documentation to clarify the relationship. It would be wonderful to know and to solve the mystery for many family researchers. If someone has more evidence, we would all appreciate having it to shed more light on this situation.
As far as the James Perry married to Susan Jane Harlan, it is clear that he was the son of Dikander Walls and Nathan Washington Perry.
FYI: The 150+ letters have all been input into Word and will be printed at some point soon so that Perry researchers can advance their research and enjoy what several generations have preserved for us for between 100 to 200 years. We are so lucky! (Thanks Grandma Jean Faith Perry Lowman [1890-1993] for keeping them safe for many decades… Yes, she was103 years old!]
More Replies:
-
Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
wanda ingram 4/20/10
-
Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
DEL HIESTAND 7/05/04
-
Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
Claudia Lowman 7/05/04
-
Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
DEL HIESTAND 7/05/04
-
Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis
-
Re: Silas Perry (1786-1844) married Hannah Lewis