John England and Nancy Savage, Robertson County, TN
[Copy of my message posted on the England Family Forum.]
Here is some information that I believe will help some individuals seeking the husband and maiden name of Nancy (Savage) England, who was enumerated in the 1850 Census in Robertson County, TN, apparently as a widow [in response to messages number 124, 182, 580, 686, and 2079 on the England Family forum].
In seeking information on my Savage family line in the Robertson County Archives in Springfield, TN, I came across an 1836 record in Robertson County Circuit Court Minute Book A, page 299 showing a court case between six children who were the orphans of Thomas N. Savage and his wife Elizabeth Owen Savage. The case was between the children who were still minors at that time (Polly Savage, Thomas Savage, Lucy Savage, and Robert Savage) and the children who had already turned 21 (Willie Savage and "John England & wife Nancy" Savage). The case was brought before the circuit court in order to sell some land belonging to the Savage heirs for the benefit of the four minor children and their guardians. John England and Nancy Savage must have been married sometime between late 1834 and early 1836 because Nancy Savage was still listed in court records under the guardianship of Eli Baggett as late as 10 February 1834 (which predates the available marriage records in Robertson County, TN).
The land in question was eventually sold to Anthony Swift (Robertson County Circuit Court Book B, page 17), although the deed does not appear to have been recorded in the Robertson County deed records. [Note: Anthony Swift was the husband of Elizabeth England, an older sister of John England. Although not specifically identified in the court records, the land that was sold appears to be the land that Elizabeth Owen Savage inherited from her father at his death. James Owen divided his land into nine parcels which he distributed to his heirs. Elizabeth Savage received Lot No. 5 of 9 (55 acres) (Robertson County Will Book 8, pages 261-262). During the same period (March 1837), Anthony Swift also purchased Lots 6, 7, and 8 of James Owen's nine lots from other heirs (Robertson County Deed Book Z, pp. 530-532).]
Nancy Savage's parents had died when she and her five siblings were all minors. Nancy's mother, Elizabeth Owen Savage, was the daughter of Nancy Ann Wilks (probably her namesake) and James Owen, a Revolutionary War veteran who had served both in South Carolina and Virginia during the War. Elizabeth died between 1820 and 1830, according to census records, leaving Thomas N. Savage as a single parent. Thomas N. Savage wrote his will dated 11 October 1830, and it was proved in Robertson County court during the November Term 1830. In his will Thomas Savage named his six children as heirs: Willie Savage, Nancy Savage, Polly Savage, Thomas Savage, Lucy Savage, and Robert Savage.
John England appears to be the son of James and Lydia England. John was mentioned in James England's will, written 15 June 1834 and proved in Robertson County court during the August Term 1834 (Robertson County Will Book 8, pp. 397-398). One of James England's other sons named in his will--William England, brother of John England--later married Polly Savage, sister of Nancy Savage (in 1842, according to Robertson County marriage records).
John England is shown as a head of household in the 1840 Census in Robertson County. He was a male, age 20-30 (thus born 1810 to 1820). Other individuals in this household probably included Nancy Savage England (female, age 20-30), and their daughters Mary and Frances (females, age less than 5). Also in this household were a second female, age 20-30, and a female, age 5-10 — names unknown (perhaps a sister or sister-in-law with their daughter?).
By the 1850 census, John England appears to have died, although there is no record of a will in the Robertson County records. Nancy England is enumerated living next door to her brother, Robert Savage, and his family. Nancy is shown with four children: Mary, Frances, James, and Thomas, all probably children of John England. In the 1860 census, Nancy England was living with her daughter Frances and husband Elijah Warren, Jr. in Robertson County. By 1870, in Robertson County, Nancy had remarried--to Elijah Warren, Sr. (father of her son-in-law), and was enumerated adjacent to her daughter Frances ("Frankie") and Elijah Warren, Jr. In 1880, Nancy and Elijah Warren were enumerated in Fannin County, Texas and Elijah Warren, Jr. and Franky were living with them. Nancy's sons, James and Thomas England, and their families, were also living in Fannin County in 1880. By the 1900 Census, James and Thomas England and their families had moved to Hunt County, Texas, and Elijah, Jr. and Frankie Warren had moved to Franklin County, Arkansas.
I hope this is helpful to those seeking this family.