Continuing the Research from 2006

Research published by Jerry Merritt in 2006 steps through a lengthy process of reviewing records leading to Nathan Ward of Spartanburg, SC being the father of James B. Ward. His research identifies Samuel, Nathan, John, and Solomon as James B.’s brothers.  To Mr. Merritt’s credit, he makes it clear his research was subject to change should new evidence be found in the future.  Ron Jones also contributed to this research effort. To review this body of research, see:

• Wards & Bakers: Pioneers of West Florida (Ron Jones, 1994)¹
• What do we really know? (Jerry Merritt, 2000)²
• Are we getting close, yet? (Jerry Merritt, 2001)³
• Finding James B. Ward’s Parents (Jerry Merritt, 2006)⁴

Other research, most of which focuses on disproving specific documents, WILL NOT be discussed in this research paper.  It is my hope we can move beyond “throwing the baby out with the bath water” and focus on evidence universally accepted within the research community (for example: county, state or federally created documents with a proven chain of custody which authenticates them as being “truthful”).  None of the documents which have fallen into the category of being “fake” are included in my research efforts.

Below are some of the key points made in the body of research presented to-date which I feel is relevant to the new evidence.

Specifically, Mr. Merritt’s research relies heavily on five key points which I believe the new evidence will prove to be wrong:

Key Point #1 – Four brothers

James B. Ward had four brothers named Solomon, Samuel, Nathan, and John. At no point in Mr. Merritt’s research does he “prove” James B. had four brothers – much less that they were named Solomon, Samuel, Nathan, and John.  He creates a theory and produces research to prove or disprove the theory by reviewing census and other records.  To date, I do not know of any evidence to support James B. had brothers.  At most, we can say the evidence STRONGLY SUPPORTS a relationship between John Ward, Nathan Ward, and James Ward.  Maybe John, James, and Nathan are cousins, or maybe they are brothers…..we don’t know the truth, yet.  However, the research shown below strengthens the possibility these three (John, James & Nathan) are brothers and possibly weakens the case for Samuel and Solomon being related.

Key Point #2 – Father died before 1820

James B. Ward’s father died before 1820.  Mr. Merritt concludes the elder woman on the 1820 Census found living with a “James Ward” in Wilkinson County, GA could not be Elizabeth’s mother – because Elizabeth’s father was still living and her mother should have been counted as an elder woman in her father’s household. Therefore, this elder woman must be James B. Ward’s mother – which means James B.’s father is probably dead.

If the 1820 Wilkinson County Census is found to be another Ward (and not our James B.), then we can no longer speculate his father was dead by 1820.

Key Point #3 – Searching “all”

Records reviewed included all men who could have been James B.’s father.  It is common practice among researchers to conduct census searches of “all” residents in a county, state, or year in order to locate possible matches.  Mr. Merritt’s research relies heavily on this technique – and there is nothing wrong with that.

However, it is important to remember the time period being researched – late 1700s and early 1800s – was one of rapid expansion and people were often moving into places that were not included in these early United States Censuses.  Therefore, you need to be very careful if you say “I searched all the Ward families and found only one possible match…”  Because, in reality you searched ALL THE RECORDS – not ALL THE FAMILIES.

The new evidence presented in this research proves James B. Ward was living in the Territory of Florida in 1820.  This means James B. Ward was not enumerated on the United States 1820 Census. By 1830, when the first Florida census is conducted, James B. Ward had moved from Florida to Dale County, AL and is relatively easy to trace.  It is his movements prior to 1830 that will lead to the discovery of his true father.

Key Point #4 – Lived in Baldwin County, GA

James B. Ward was living in Baldwin County, GA in 1815. In 1815, James B. Ward would have been 19 years old.  The following was provided as evidence James B. Ward was living in Baldwin County, GA:

• “A tax record from Baldwin County, GA shows 'James Ward' paid taxes in that county.  Furthermore, a few years earlier in 1808, a James English (possibly the father of Elizabeth English) sold land in Baldwin County, GA.  In 1819, a James English owned land on Turkey Creek in Laurens County. That same year a James English also appraised a brace of hogs with Abraham Payne in Laurens County.”⁵
• “In the 1830 Dale County census three people were grouped on the same page with James B. Ward -- Daniel Duniven, James Cooper, and John Calaway. In 1815 Daniel Dunivent, James Cooper (born 1796 SC), and John Calloway paid taxes in Baldwin County with James Ward. Daniel Dunevan and John C. Callaway were still there in the 1820 census and also fit the 1830 Dale County census data.”⁶

Was this 1815 James Ward living near the English family our James B. Ward?  Was this James English the father of Elizabeth English, James B.’s future wife?   Mr. Merritt later proves this English family is not Elizabeth’s family.⁷  However, the actual identity of this particular “James Ward” has not been completely resolved.  Could it be our James B. Ward?

Key Point #5 – Lived in Wilkinson County, GA

James B. Ward was a resident of Wilkinson County, GA around 1820.  A “James Ward” is found on the 1820 Census in Wilkinson County, GA.  Based on this, the following supporting evidence is deduced or found:

• James B. Ward and family are listed on page 221 of the 1820 Wilkinson County census.  Since four of James B. Ward’s children married into the family of Chesley Purvis and Lydia Wright, it is significant that Chesley Purvis appears on page 215 of the 1820 Wilkinson County census and Lydia’s father, John Wright, appears on page 222.
• Captain John Thomas was Captain of the military unit James B. Ward served under during the War of 1812.  Captain Thomas was living in Laurens County, GA in August of 1812. He is listed several times in Laurens County records as Captain. In 1820 he was on page 9 of the Laurens County census and listed as Major.
• On May 7, 1822 the Milledgeville Newspaper reported:  "Sold at courthouse....110 acres of land, on the waters of Nat's Creek....levied on as the property of James B. Ward, to satisfy two fi fas in favor of Robert Adams."  NOTE:  Upon closer inspection of this document, it is evident the actual name is “James S. Ward” and not “James B. Ward.” By comparing other capital “B” and “S” letters in the document it becomes evident the middle initial is “S.” Furthermore, there is a “James S. Ward” living in Greene County, GA on the 1820 Census which was enumerated on 8/7/1820.  Greene & Wilkinson Counties are within 50 miles of each other.⁸
•  In 1840 Dale County, James Ward has a J.L.B. McCrone on the census line next to him. There was a John McCrone in Wilkinson in 1820 on page 222. McCrone is an unusual name and appears only once for each of these early census years. John McCrone was 45+ in 1820. In 1830 he was in Thomas County, GA about 100 miles from Dale County, AL and was in the 50-60 bracket. In 1840 J.L.B. McCrone was 20-30. John McCrone had a son the right age to have been J.L.B. in both 1820 and 1830.
• In another name match, there was a John Rodgers near James Ward in 1820 Wilkinson County on page 222. Both John and his wife were in the 26-45 age bracket. In 1838 James Ward sold land in Early County, GA to John Rodgers for the heirs of James English. In 1840 Early County was a John Rodgers 40-50 and his wife 30-40. Comparing with the 1820 census ages this would have made John 26-30 in 1820 and his wife 10-20. In 1850 John was 57 making him 27 in 1820 - a good fit. In 1840 John had a son in the 20-30 range that fits the young son he had in 1820.
• Still another link -- two of the spies from Pulaski County who served with James in 1814 - William Ford and James Clark. Both were in Wilkinson County in 1820 on pages 209 and 203 respectively.

The new evidence will prove James B. Ward was not living in Wilkinson County, GA in 1820.  He was living in Florida.
Therefore, much of Mr. Merritt’s research falls apart and no longer supports his finding that Nathan Ward of Spartanburg, SC was James B. Ward’s father.

Starting Timeline

Based on the above records and data, as well as other census/records not listed above, Mr. Merritt offers the following timeline for James B. Ward’s early life:

• 1813 – GA:  Hartford, Pulaski County - enlistment as a spy
• 1814 – GA:  Hartford, Pulaski County - discharged
• 1815 – GA:  Baldwin County - James Ward paid taxes
• 1820 – James B. Ward’s father was dead by 1820
• 1820 – GA:  Wilkinson County – Appears on census with wife and elderly woman
• 1821 – GA:  Birth of first son, John Jackson Ward on Feb. 16, 1821
• 1821 – FL:  Jackson County – Listed as resident on 1824 Land Claim
• 1822 – GA:  James’ land on Nat’s Creek in GA is sold for fi fa
• 1827 – FL:  Jackson County – Signed Petition
• 1829 – FL:  Jackson County - Sold Land
• 1830 – AL:  Dale County – Appears on census next door to John & Nathan Ward
• 1837 – AL:  Dale County – James English estate settlement records
• 1840 – AL:  Dale County – Appears on census
• 1850 – AL:  Dale County – Appears on census and children are named

The 1822 entry “James’ land on Nat’s Creek” is now known to be “James S. Ward” instead of “James B. Ward.”  Therefore, it has been crossed off the timeline.
Figure 1 is a map showing Georgia county lines in 1821 and the location of Wilkerson, Baldwin, Laurens, and Pulaski Counties.  A very rapid expansion was in process during the years surrounding this map and county lines were quickly changing in order to accommodate the rapid growth.

Figure 1 - 1821 GA, FL, and AL Counties

Click image for larger view.