Skeletons in the Closet - Installment II

Here's a story I heard from my Aunt Mary Alice....

Lillie Evelyn, the daughter of my great-uncle Seaborn Grief Lynch, committed suicide on January 28, 1932, at the age of 29 over a love-gone-wrong. I don't know all the particulars of this suicide, but Mary Alice told me that it was because Lillie loved a young man that didn't return her love. After she died, Uncle Seab wouldn't let anyone go into her room.

I'll try to get more particulars about this story if I can.

Skeletons in the Closet - Installment I

I've been thinking today, about the fact that my grandfather (Dixon Fleetwood Lynch) shot and killed my grandmother's (Evis Pearson) father (William D. Pearson). I had heard this story before, from dad and Aunt Mary Alice, but never really knew the full story. According to a very reliable source (thanks Ronman) I now have a better understand of what really happened. Apparently, my grandfather was fooling around with one of my grandmother's sisters, and she left him because of it. At that time she was 6 months pregnant with my Uncle Sonny. It happened on January 3, 1933 on the railroad tracks near the sawmill where my grandfather was working. No one has said exactly how it happened. I'm wondering if my great-grandfather went to confront him. Anyway, both of the men had tempers, and whatever was said or took place between them, my grandfather ended up shooting and killing my great-grandfather.

The real miracle in all of this, is that my grandfather avoided going to jail for this! And I'm surprised that my grandparents went on to stay together for another 27 years and have 8 more kids together!

Grief Lynch in Atlanta?

I discovered something that amused me greatly while I was watching Gone with the Wind the other day. In the scene where Scarlett and Melanie go to look at the casualty lists, the camera pans over several people (citizens of Atlanta) and I swear, there is a man sitting there holding a child, and he looks just like my grandfather Grief Lynch! I thought a minute, the went back to look again, and I was pleasantly amused by this! Just thought I'd share :)

Grief Lynch Gravesite

The Grave of Grief Lynch

This morning I've received confirmation from my cousin Ron that a picture I came across a few days ago is the gravesite of my grandfather Grief Lynch. It's located at the old Lynch homeplace on Clay Road. It really is a striking headstone and reads "Grief Lynch, Father." I'd love to see it someday. I've been told that there are two other graves there, but it isn't known who they belong to. Bill Lynch asked my Uncle Rogers before he passed away, but he didn't know. Bill speculated that they are the graves of children.

On the Trail of Family History

Okay, so here I am on the trail of family history. It's something that's always interested me, but recently it's turned into an obsession. I lost my dad almost five years ago, and I wish he could be here to see all the things I've learned. Of course, I wouldn't be here without the help of others, so I want to thank all the people who have helped me in this journey, and continue to help me.

One of the best things to come out of this search is reconnecting with family. Living in North Carolina I never had much contact with my dad's family, and I've always regretted it. But things are changing for me now, and I'm very happy about it.

I don't know if I can explain what drives me in this endeavor. I find myself thinking about my ancestors a lot and wondering what they were really like. I often wish I could go back in time and meet them, speak to them, and see how they lived. It's good to know where I come from, and I'm proud of my history. I keep thinking of the song "The Voice" sang by Lisa Kelly from Celtic Woman. I've been listening to it a lot recently. It seems to sum up all of my feelings.

The Voice

I hear your voice on the wind

And I hear you call out my name

"Listen, my child," you say to me"I am the voice of your history

Be not afraid, come follow me

Answer my call, and I'll set you free"

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice, I will remain

I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone

The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow

Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long

I am the force that in springtime will grow

I am the voice of the past that will always be

Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields

I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace

Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice

I am the voice of the past that will always be

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice of the future

I am the voice, I am the voice

I am the voice, I am the voice

It's like a voice calling to me, asking me to preserve the past so that future generations will know where they've come from, know what drives them, what makes them who they are.

Right now I've found about as much as I can find. It doesn't stop me from wanting to know more though. I can barely remember the things my dad told me about my grandfather and grandmother, and it troubles me that those memories have slipped away from me. How many people remain who can tell me what they were like? I often feel awkward in asking questions. Could there be things I'm not meant to know? These things weigh heavily on my mind.

Right now I'm obsessed with the pursuit of old family photos. I look at the faces of my ancestors, hoping to see something of mysef in them. It's a remarkable experience. I am eternally grateful to the people who are helping me fulfill this dream of collecting as many old photos as possible.

As I find more I will keep you all posted.

The picture shown here is Mary Harmon Lynch, the youngest daughter of William Lynch Jr. She was also called Molly.

Thanks!

Dixon Fleetwood Lynch

My grandfather Dixon Fleetwood Lynch was the third son of Jarratt Grief Lynch and Sarah Ann Thompson. He was born August 21, 1876 in Monticello, Georgia. He married his first wife Marietta Thomson on October 10, 1894 and they had 12 children.

1.) Pauline Lynch (June 8, 1897 - June 1, 1976)
2.) Ruth Ida Lynch (July 26, 1898 - March 16, 1992)
3.) Marshall Lynch (March 5, 1900 - March 31, 1976)
4.) Julia Lynch (June 18, 1901 - June 20, 1986)
5.) Sallie Lynch (Jan. 18, 1903 - )
6.) Travis Lynch (April 8, 1904 - March 4, 1981)
7.) Margaret Lynch (March 8, 1906 - June 5, 1967)
8.) Rogers Lynch (April 7, 1908 - ?)
9.) Paul Lynch (September 12, 1909 - May 15, 1911)
10.) James Lynch (Dec. 5, 1912 - Dec. 16, 1986)
11.) Sherrod Lynch (April 6, 1915 - Nov. 14, 1980)
12.) Mildred Lynch (May 19, 1917 - ?)

My grandfather married his second wife (my grandmother) Evis Pearson in December of 1930 in Monticello, Georgia. They had 10 children:

1.) Annie Jean Lynch (Dec. 13, 1931 - April 20, 1982)
2.) William Pearson Lynch "Sonny" (April 9, 1933 - July 5, 1999)
3.) Child born 1935
4.) Norma Lee Lynch (Jan. 11, 1937 - )
5.) Mary Alice Lynch (May 8, 1940 - )
6.) Joyzelle Lynch (Dec. 17, 1942 - Feb. 4, 1991)
7.) Child born June 2, 1945
8.) Child born June 2, 1945
9.) Dixon Fleetwood Lynch (June 2, 1045 - May 18, 1956)
10.) Joseph Gilbert Lynch (April 8, 1947 - August 10, 2005)

My grandfather died March 29, 1960. I don't have much about him except stories I heard from my dad. I don't have any pictures of him either, but I'm working on that....

I wanted to add a little note about my great-grandmother Sarah Ann Thompson Lynch. I've been told that her nickname was "Money". She was born September 22, 1839 and died April 16, 1930. Sarah was the daughter of William Balum Thompson and Sarah Elizabeth Huff. William Balum Thompson was the son of Patrick Thompson, who came to America from Ireland shortly after the American Revolution.

Jarratt Grief Lynch

Jarratt Grief Lynch, also known as simpy "Grief" was my great-grandfather. He was born June 2, 1811 in Hancock, Georgia. He married Sarah Ann Thompson on August 13, 1868 in Jasper County, Georgia. In an 1850 census, Grief's is listed as being a farmer. He enlisted June 1864, Macon, Georgia in Co. D 5th Georgia Militia.

Grief and Sarah Ann had four children:

1.) William Henry Lynch (Nov. 29, 1869 - August 11, 1955)

2.) Seaborn Grief Lynch (Jan. 19, 1873 - June 20, 1967)

3.) Dixon Fleetwood Lynch (August 21, 1876 - March 29, 1960)

4.) Edwin Clifford Lynch (May 14, 1880 - April 2, 1956)

Jarratt Grief Lynch died on December 26, 1890 and is buried at the old Lynch Homeplace on Clay Road, in Monticello, Georgia.

Jarratt Lynch in Georgia

Jarratt Lynch, son of William Lynch, was born June 6, 1781 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He travelled to Georgia with several of his brothers and other members of the family in the early 1800s. My cousin Bill Lynch believes that he moved to Georgia around 1811. He married Sarah Thomas on May 15, 1807. They lived for a time in Putnam County, Georgia, but eventually purchased land in Jasper County, Georgia in 1823 and were living there at the time of the 1830 census. Jarratt and Sarah had 10 children:

1.) Ephraim Lynch

2.)Mary Lynch

3.) Jarratt Grief Lynch

4.) Rinza Lynch

5.)Fleet Lynch

6.)Zaccheus Lynch

7.)Sackville Lynch

8.)Melvina Lynch

9.)Nancy Lynch

10.)Martha Lynch

In an 1850 census, Jarratt is listed as age 70 and his occupation is given as a carpenter. Also living with him is his wife Sarah (age 66), his son Grief (age 34) and his daughter Martha (age 22).

In an 1860 census we find Jarratt at age 80 with real estate valued at $2000 and personal property worth $8000.

A putnam County, Georgia 1815 tax record shows that Jarratt owned 56 acres in Captain Roper's district.

Jarrratt married a second time to Francis Brandon on December 28, 1862. He died June 26, 1864 in Monticello, Georgia.

William Lynch Sr. and William Lynch Jr.

Although there is no birth record for William Lynch, son of John Lynch, it is likely that he was born around 1715 in Bertie County, North Carolina. Not much is known about his life, except that he married Rachel Steed sometime before 1733. She was the daughter of Francis Steed, who was a neighbor of John Lynch in Brunswick County, Virginia. William shows up first when he serves as proxy to his father on a land deed in 1749. William Lynch Sr. died October 4, 1762 in Brunswick County, Virginia.

His son William Lynch, Jr. was believed to have been born in 1752. It is not believed that William Lynch Sr. and Rachel Steed ever had any other children. As was common in colonial times, William never learned to read or write. During the days of the American Revolution, William Lynch would marry and build a dynasty of Lynches! There is a list of men who served in the Revolutionary War on the wall of the Brunswick County Courthouse, and included is the name of William Lynch. We also find him on the list of "Revolutionary Patriots of Brunswick County, Virginia" that is framed and hangs on the wall of the Register of Deeds Office in Lawrenceville, Virginia. By an act of the Virginia Assembly that was passed on February 9, 1827, William Lynch was excused from paying taxes because he was a "useful and upright citizen".

Perhaps the most astonishing thing about William Lynch Jr. is that he was married 4 times, and father 34 legitimate children. His first wife was Eliza Grief. His second wife's name is not known. His third wife was Nancy Wright. His fourth wife was named Elizabeth, though her surname is not known. Precise birth and death dates are not known for all of his children.

1.)Anselm Lynch
2.)Edgar Lynch
3.) George Lynch
4.) Jones Lynch
5.) Rachel Steed Lynch
6.) Smith Lynch
7.) William Lynch
8.) Adin Lynch
9.) Faith Coleman Lynch
10.) Sion Lynch
11.) Syrach Lynch
12.)Lewis Lynch
13.)Laxton Lynch
14.)Nancy Clack Lynch
15.)Jarratt Lynch
16.) Grief Lynch
17.)Mary Harmon Lynch
18.) Lemuel Lynch
19.) Asbury Lynch
20.) Aggie Barefoot lynch
21.)Thintchum Lynch
22.)Warren G. Lynch
23.) Joseph A. Lynch
24.) Andrew W. Lynch
25.)John Lynch
26.)Edlow Lynch
27.)James H. Lynch
28.) Viney Lynch
29.)Meredith Lynch
30.) Chancey Lynch
31.)Gilbert Lynch
32.) Gray Lynch
33.) Clack Lynch

It is not known if all of his children survived infancy, but infant mortality rates at the time were extremely high.

William Lynch Jr.'s will is dated January 1, 1833 and it is believed he died in 1737.

John Lynch - An Irishman in Virginia

It is not precisely known when John Lynch (my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather) came from Galway, Ireland to America, but most family history researchers agree that it was sometime between 1650 and 1700. All I can say for certain that this important ancestor of mine was one of the first settlers of our great nation. Life in Virginia during colonial times was not easy, but John Lynch obtained land grants and settled in the area that is today Brunswick County. According to the book "The Lynch Mob", John Lynch obtained a patent for 290 acres of land in February of 1723, in Surrey County. Three years later he added another 30 acres. Within another 3 months, his increased his land holdings by another 230 acres. By 1733 John Lynch owned 1,070 acres of land in Brunswick County, Virginia.

But in time he began selling off his land, eventually selling his entire estate. He then moved to Granville County, North Carolina in 1748, though he still traveled back to Virginia on occassion for court proceedings. He lived the remainder of his life in North Carolina with his wife Elizabeth. His will was probated in December 1757. According to his will, John and Elizabeth Lynch had 4 children - Elizabeth, Nellie, John, and William.