1David

David was born in Wilson Co., TN in 1801. He was raised on farms in Smith and Bedford Counties in middle TN. [See Map] John (Jonathan) Claxton, based on tax, court, and census records, was his father. David was in Bedford Co. from the time he was 10-11 years old with six brothers and a sister.

Tracing the Claxton families and their relationships in middle TN has been a challenge, in particular, in Bedford Co, TN. The county of Bedford lost many records due to courthouse fires, very destructive tornado storms, and, of course the damage caused by the Civil War. Finding more information about David Claxton prior to 1801 and the relationships of the Bedford Co. Claxton families would have been impossible if not for one important record. The state record, dated 12 Dec 1831, was discovered by Marvin Claxton. This record gave new information and confirmed some facts about David, David's father, and, possible siblings. The record was also published in the following:

TENNESSEE CONVICTS Early Records of the State Penitentiary, Vol. 1, 1831-1850 by Charles A. Sherrill and Tomye M. Sherrill, 1997, page 14.

David Claxton was received in the Penitentiary Dec. 12, 1831. He is 30 years old, 6'1" high, weighs 179 lbs. Dark hair, blue eyes, fair skin. A small scar on the right point of the fore head, a remarkable scar on the right hand, caused by the cut of a knife. His right leg has been broken and generally sore. Born in Wilson Co., Tenn., and raised in Smith [and] Bedford Counties, Tenn. He has a wife and two children in Bedford Co, Tenn., seven miles this side of Shelbyville, also six brothers and one sister in said county. Lived three years in Gallatin Co., Illinois, 18 miles below Shawneetown. His father and mother living in Bedford Co., Tenn. Found guilty of passing counterfeit money or bank bills at the Circuit Court of Bedford County and sentenced to three years confinement in the Jail and Penitentiary House of the State of Tennessee. David Claxton was discharged by expiration of sentence Jan 15, 1835.

Detained 35 days for bad conduct. [Ledger 45, p. 16]

Discovered by Tommy Claxton:

One John Claxton was found on the tax records in 1799 in Sumner Co. (later named Wilson Co. south of the Cumberland River). This was the only Claxton found in Wilson Co. A John Claxton was also found in court records dated 16 Feb 1802 concerning a land dispute in Wilson Co. Apparently, John moved on to Smith County after the land dispute because he was found in Smith County on 20 Feb 1806 when he witnessed a deed between Meshack Baker and Wiley Hooker, both of Smith County.

The first record in Bedford Co. of a Claxton was a John Claxton listed on the 1812 tax list. This John (Jonathan) Claxton appears again on the 1820 Bedford Co. census as the head of household, showing him born before 1775, the right age to be David's father. In John's family were five males and three females indicating that the two oldest sons were possibly married. John, the father, was on the 1830 Bedford Co. census and the 1836 tax list owning 59 acres. John moved to and most likely died in Giles Co, TN prior to 13 August 1840 at the age of 66-67 years old. The identity of David's mother is unknown.

Tennessee Tidbits 1778-1914, Vol 2, Marjorie Hood Fisher, 1998, p.62.

Died before 13 Aug 1840 as shown in the suit of Thomas Parsons, administrator of John Claxton Decd., a citizen of Giles County, TN, vs James Claxton and Benjamin Brown of Bedford County.

David's prison record also revealed that in 1831 his father, mother, six brothers, and a sister lived in Bedford Co. According to the Bedford Co. census records, there were only five Claxton heads of households living in Bedford Co. in 1830. They were all living in the same area (one listed on page 44 and four on page 45). This in itself shows these Claxtons were closely related.

(Note: It is important to point out that John's family arrived in TN around 1799. Any children after that date would have been born in TN).

1830 Bedford Co., TN Census:

Based on the above records, it is my belief that the John [Sr.] (Jonathan) Claxton was David's father. The other four Claxtons listed above were his sons and brothers to David. (David, Rosanna, and their two children were living in Gallatin Co., IL in 1830 returning to Bedford Co. prior to December 1831). In question, who were the two young males living in John’s [Sr.] (Jonathan) household in 1830? On the 1836 Tax List of Bedford Co., District No. 8, (also called Falling Creek located a few miles north of Shelbyville) the following Claxtons were listed: John Jr., John Sen., David, Jonathan H., and Wesley. Wesley Claxton would most likely be one of the two brothers living at home in 1830. Wesley apparently died young since this was his only known record. The other brother living in his parent's home was most likely Avery Claxton who was born in TN and fits in the age range. Avery and his family appear on the 1850 Bedford Co. census showing his birth about1815 in TN.

(Note: David's prison record stated that he had a wife and two children in Bedford Co, TN., seven miles this side [north] of Shelbyville. District No. 8 (Falling Creek) would be that area).

On the 1840 Bedford Co. census two additional names appear. They are closely related but would not be sons of John [Sr.] primarily because both were born in NC while John [Sr.] was in TN. They also do not fall into the time frame of John's family. John [Sr.]was most likely an uncle to the two (cousins to David and his siblings).

David married Rosanna Moore about 1825/26 based on the birth date of their first child. Rosanna was born in 1811 in VA. Her parents are unknown.

(Note: Rosanna's name has been spelled in many different ways. I have chosen Rosanna in this writing because Martha Ann, their first child, named her daughter after her grandmother as Margaret Rosanna Locke. This spelling appears as such on Margaret Rosanna's birth certificate).

Martha Ann Claxton was born in Bedford Co. on 30 Jan 1827. Around 1828 David, Rosanna, and Martha travelled about 195 miles northwest, through KY, crossing the Ohio River into Gallatin Co, IL. They lived in an area called Cave-in-Rock on the Ohio River, 18 miles south of Shawneetown. Today, Cave-in-Rock is located in Hardin Co. and is a state park within the Shawnee National Forest. They lived in this area for three years and their second child, Abraham Claxton, was born there in 1829. Why they moved to this area is unknown. Cave-in-Rock was and still is a very small village that highlights a nearby cave on the west bank of the Ohio River. From the 1790s-1870s, this area was plagued by river pirates, robbers, horse-thieves, murderers, and counterfeiters. Books and movies have featured this area over the years. A quote from the town's history: Wikipedia.org "It can be said that, the majority of Cave-In-Rock's earliest settlers, were fugitive criminals on the run from civilized society."

David and his family were back in Bedford Co., living seven miles north of Shelbyville, prior to 12 Dec 1831. At this time, David was described as 6' 1" tall, weight 179 lbs., dark hair, blue eyes, and fair skin.

David appeared to be a man who was always searching for opportunities and a better life as were most men in the 1800s. Not only did he move to IL, he moved to Montgomery Co, TN in the 1840s, and to northern AR in the 1850s. He was listed as having several occupations: general laborer, wagon builder, blacksmith, and farmer. David was poor and records indicate he never owned land and had very little in personal property. As most farmers and general laborers of the time, he did not have the opportunity to learn how to read or write. It is obvious that David had to have been a hard man to withstand the conditions of the Tennessee State Prison which opened for the first time in 1831. It was also probably difficult for him to return to a normal life and be accepted favorably by the community and family. His prison record states that David had a scar on the right point of the forehead and a remarkable scar on the right hand caused by the cut of a knife. His right leg had been broken and was generally sore. It was also stated that he was detained an extra 35 days for bad conduct.

(Note: Could a person who did not read or write have the ability to counterfeit money or bank bills? Not likely. Could a person be used by others to attempt to pass the same? Most likely. The judicial system of TN beginning in 1829 set the sentencing at 3-15 years for counterfeiting, full time served. The sentence was determined by the jury and David was given the minimum sentence. It is not known if others were tried in this incident or not. It is also important to point out that during this time each state and, at times, individual banks produced their own currency and/or bank bills. There was no uniform federal currency until the 1860s.)

In Jan 1835 after his release from prison, David and Rosanna were together again in Bedford Co. and had five more children: A daughter born in late 1835 who apparently died at a young age, Jonathan, James J., William Harvey, and Emaline.

The 1840 Census, Bedford Co, TN lists David, Rosanna, 2 males under 5 (Jonathan and James), 1 male 5-10 (Abraham), one female 5 –10 (name unknown), and 1 female 10-15 (Martha Ann.) The one unknown female 5-10 was no longer in the home in 1850. With the exception of Abraham, it is believed that all of these children were born in Bedford Co, TN.

In 1850, David was no longer in the household. Rosanna was alone with five of the children in Civil District 8. Abraham (name spelled Alan) was working as a blacksmith and the other four children were age 13 and under. Martha Ann was married and living next door with her husband, Alfred Knott. Apparently David and Rosanna were divorced between 1843 and 1849 and he left Bedford Co. Records do show that after David left, the children remained with or very close to their mother.

In 1860, Rosanna was head of the household in Western Division of District 7, Shelbyville, Bedford Co. Her sons, James J. and William H. were working as laborers. Also living in the home were Emaline and Martha Ann. Abraham and his family were living next door. Jonathan, with his family, was nearby in Shelbyville.

In 1870, Rosanna was living with her son, William H. (listed as H.C.) in Civil District 8. Jonathan was still living nearby, with his family, in Shelbyville. James was living west of Shelbyville, with his family, in Marshall Co, TN. Abraham’s wife and children were living next door to Rosanna. (Abraham died in 1865). Martha was remarried and living with her family in Shelbyville. I have found no record for Rosanna after June 1870.

Marvin Claxton stated:

“As near as I have found out, Rosanna died about 1900. Her great grandson, John Stricklin Claxton, told me that he went to her funeral and that he was about eight years old. He said that he remembered that they took her to the cemetery in a two-horse wagon. She and her daughter Emmaline are buried in the Jones Cemetery as listed in the Marsh Record of Bedford County.”………. “I had the priviledge of going to the cemetery with my father, Murry Claxton, many times. The grave of Rosanna is not marked but there is a field stone with the inscription – S.E. Claxton- embedded in a tree on the grave of Emmaline’s.”

According to family sources, Marvin had a headstone placed on Rosanna’s grave that listed the names of her children. At the time he was not aware of the daughter, Martha Ann. He had the headstone redone to add Martha.

{Note: It is my belief that Rosanna died early in 1870 primarily for three reasons: (1) Where was she for 30 years, 1870-1900? No known records have been found, to my knowledge, showing her living to 1900. (2) Her children stayed close to her for over 20 years after David left. Jonathan was in TX in 1872 and Martha Ann in about 1885 after her husband's death. It is my opinion these two children, especially Martha Ann, would not have left the Bedford Co. area if their mother were living. (3) James J. would have been the only child to care for her since Abraham died in 1865; William H. was killed in 1874; and, there was no record of Emaline after 1860. It could be possible that John Stricklin Claxton, at such a young age, had Rosanna confused with someone else.}

Records show that David married Eliza Taylor 8 Aug 1849 in Montgomery Co, TN. In Oct 1850, David Claxton age 50, wife Eliza age 40, and William Taylor age 83 were living in Montgomery Co. William was most likely Eliza’s father. David and Eliza had one son, Zachariah (aka Zackary or “Zack”) Taylor Claxton, born 16 Aug 1852 in Montgomery Co, TN. It is my belief that David never returned to Bedford Co. after 1849.

During the 1850s, David, Eliza, and Zack moved to Lawrence Co, AR. On 2 June 1860 they lived in the Duty Township near the town of Powhatan located in northeastern AR. In June 1870, Eliza and Zack (without David) were living in the Mill Creek Township east of Jasper, Newton Co, AR. Eliza, age 60, and Zack, 17, were doing farm labor. They had only $135 in personal property. Family sources have indicated that the only information they have on David was from a family Bible stating that David died around 1865.

In June 1880, Eliza, age 73, was living with Zack’s family in the Mill Creek Township and was listed as a widow. The census records show several families from TN living in the area. Eliza died 2 Aug 1885 and was buried on a family farm in an area called P D Flat in the Mill Creek Township of Newton Co., 1.4 miles east of Jasper. It is my belief that David was buried in northern AR, most likely on the P D Flat family farm near Eliza. During my correspondence with a lady who lived in the P D Flat area, she remembered, as a child, hearing people of the area speak of graves in the farm field near the old P D Flat Church. However, as she got older, she recalled seeing only one headstone out in the middle of a farm field covered with concrete. The field is an active farm and the grave (or graves) are not protected or cared for. If other headstones did exist, they have been destroyed. As of this date, I have been unable to find any record of others who may be buried on this farm.

Marvin Claxton believed that David must have moved to Texas to be near his children and died in Texas. The first child to move to Texas was Jonathan and he was not in Texas until 1871, presumably after David’s death. The children and grandchildren who went to Texas are well documented, but, no evidence has been found that David was ever in Texas.

The remainder of this book is about David's children.

David C. Claxton

1838 Tax List of Bedford County, Amie Caldwell McGrew, Shelbyville, TN
Ancestry.com
Bedford County Tennessee Family History Book, Turner Publishing, 2002
Bedford County, TN Census Records
Carolyn Smotherman of Tennessee
Cemetery Records of Bedford County, Tennessee, Helen C. & Timothy Marsh, 1985
Descendants Of David Claxton, abt. 1982, by Marvin Claxton
Dorothy Sadler of Tennessee
Early Middle Tennessee Marriages, Vol. 1, Byron & Barbara Sistler, 1988
Early Tennessee Tax List, Byron & Barbara Sistler, 1977
Headstone
History and Families Wright County, Missouri, Vol 1, 1993
History of Boone County, Arkansas, Boone County Historical and RR Society, 1998
History Of Wright County, Missouri, The Goodspeed Publishing, 1889, p.1164
Inmates of The Tennessee State Penitentiary 1831-1850, by Tennessee State Library & Archives
Lawrence County, AR Census Records
Linda Norton of Newton Co., Arkansas
Melvina Arnett of Missouri
Montgomery County, TN Census Records
Newton County, AR Census Records
Tennessee Tidbits 1778-1914, Vol ll, Majorie Fischer, 1988, p. 62
The Counties of Middle TN Map, Charles A. Reeves, Jr.
The Goodspeed Histories 1886, Woodward & Stinson Printing, 1971
TN Convicts-Early Records of The State Penitentiary, Vol. 1, 1831-1850, Charles & Tomye Sherill, 1977
Tommy Claxton and Mary Ann Claxton of Tennessee