Cynthia Calvert's Sons Of White County, Illinois

Enfield, White County, Illinois

We don't know if the Rev George A Colbert aka Calvert

was ever a minister at this Methodist Church

We do know from records he was a Methodist minister. 
Elberta Ramos's Research for the Rev George A Calvert 

The son's of Cynthia Calvert daughter of George Calvert styled, The Younger of Prince William Co.,Virginia. Alexander Calvert and Rev George A Calvert, their families and migration route from Bedford Co.,Virginia, thence to Smith county Tennessee, thence to Allen county, Kentucky and thence to White county, Illinois. And in the case of Rev George A Calvert born circa 1791, his eventual resting place in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois (Colbert Cemetery).

We wouldn't know about the existence of Cynthia Calvert if she hadn't sent her son Alexander Calvert to Prince William Co.,Virginia with her Power of Attorney, to find out the status-progress of her father's estate settlement (1804).

Alexander Calvert was born 27 April 1783  in Virginia. We don't know if he was born in Prince William or Bedford county, Virginia, where he was married 24 August 1805 to Nancy Mayhew, the mother of all his children, Alexander Mayhew surety, father of Nancy (Mayhew) Calvert. 

 Karen Carty 

Research for the Son's of Cynthia Calvert

Calvert Genealogy Administrator 

email address:  soulard2@gmail.com

(not for redistribution) 

Please ask author for permission to re publish - use attribution ,and link to original material.  

Cynthia Calvert:

1783    Bedford County, VA (Birth of Child)

1791    Bedford County, VA (Birth of Child)

1804    Bedford County, VA (Power of Attorney)

1820    Smith Co, TN  (Census)

Karen Carty's research for Cynthia Calvert.

She had, at a minimum, 2 sons.  Since they were 8 years apart it's possible there were more children.

Alexander (b. 1783 in Bedford, VA)  27 Apr 1783 m. Nancy Mayhew in Bedford, VA in 1805.  He was on the Muster Rolls during the War of 1812 as a Private from Virginia.  He appeared on the Allen County, KY tax lists from 1815 through 1824.  In 1827 he purchased land in White County, IL (8 December 1827) and appeared on the 1830 Census in White County.  He was the father of 6 sons and 3 daughters.  Alexander died in White County in 1856.

George Augustine (b. 1791 in Bedford, VA) m. Elizabeth Burns and had 2 sons and 2 daughters.  (Elberta's husband descends from this marriage)  When Elizabeth Burns died in 1831 he married Mary Ann Perryman and had 4 sons and 2 daughters.  He was a well known Methodist minister traveling the western circuit in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana for 3 years.  He was on the Allen Co, KY tax list from 1819 to 1823.  In 1823 he sold his land in Allen Co, KY and was on the White County, IL Census in 1830.  In 1835 he joined a group exploring northeastern Illinois and was one of the original settlers in Henry Co, IL.  He pastor-ed the Methodists in Henry County until his death in 1849.

Cynthia was on the 1820 Smith County, TN Census.

1820 Cynthia Colbert.  1 Free White Male under 10 years, 1 White Female 45+, 1 Person engaged in Agriculture, 1 Free Black Male 15-26.

I do not know who she was living with in Tennessee but the 1830 Smith County Census shows:

Colbert, Elijah  1 Male 40-50, 1 Free Black Male 10-24, 1 Free Black Male 24-36, 1 Free Black Female 10-, 4 Total Household.

In 1840 Elijah was no longer in Smith County, nor was there a separate listing for him in 1820.

Have you ever wondered who this Alexander Calvert is? Could this have been
the husband of Cynthia?

Earliest Tennessee Land Records & Earliest Tennessee Land History,
by Irene M Griffey, Clearfield Company, Inc, 2000.
provided by Calvert Genealogy contributor Sherry Klein, 

Joseph Calvert Sr's descent, who migrated 
to White Co.,Ill. from Cumberland Co.,Pa.

 P 127 Calvert, Alexander File 531 Sullivan Co 100 acres, grant 534, 
13 Feb 1791, entry 311, entry date 14 Mar 1780, Bk 73 p 381, 
Beg at said Calverts old corner

 P 135 Cavatt, Alexander File 178 Washington Co 348 acres, grant 46, 23 Oct
 1782, entry 627, entry date 24 Nov 1778, Bk 47, p 21, On Holston River

 Cavatt, Alexander File 1899 Davidson Co 480 acres, grant 133, 27 Apr 1793,
 entry 532, entry date 17 Jul 1784, Bk 81, p 37, On N side of Cumberland
 River

1804 - Prince William County, Virginia
A power of attorney from William Dobson to Elijah Calvert was in open court proved to be the act and deed of the said Dobson by the oaths of JOSEPH THURMAN SR., Alexander Calvert and Francis Calvert, the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Prince William Co., Virginia, Order Book 1804-1807, page 33  

(Edith Calvert married William O Dobson, they are shown on early Fauquier Co.Va., tax list the geographic area that borders Prince William Co.,Va.)

1804 

Book 2, page 397, sept. 24, 1804. Cynthia Calvert of the County of Bedford and State of Virginia to her son, Alexander Calvert of Bedford County, power of attorney "to call upon John Calvert of Prince William County, the administrator of my father, George Calvert, deceased, for a just and full settlement."

1819 Colbert, Alexander 100a Tramel Fk - also Colbert, A. George 82a Tramel Fk.
1820 Calbert, Alexander 100a B. Creek PATENT - also Calbert, A. George 82a Tramel Fk.
1821 Calbert, Alexander 100a Tramel Cr. - also Colbert, George 180a Tramel Cr
1822 Colbert, Alexander 100a Tramel Fk. 2 ch aged 4-14
- also Colbert, A. George 180a Tramel Fk 2 ch aged 4-14
1823 Colbert, Alexander 100a Tramel Cr. - also Colbert, A. George 180a Tramel Cr.

In 1828 Alexander sold his land in Allen County, KY (bordered on Smith County, Tennessee).

Children of Alexander Calvert and Nancy (Mayhew) Calvert:

James G b. 1806 m. Jane Beaven Phipps White Co., 1828 married by Rev G A Colherd, died 1834.

Sally b. 1807 m. Benjamin Lattimore, Gallatin Co.,  1836

John Alexander b. 1809 m. Nancy Low, White Co. 1842

Patsey H b. 1811  residing in home of her father 1850 White Co census

George A b. 1813 m. Manervyan Hargrave, White Co 1834 (my ancestor) Karen Carty

Aaron Mayhew b. 1816 m. Elizabeth McCullough, Guernsey Co., Oh 1852

Amos H b. 1818 m. Mary Osburn, White Co. 1838, Sarah Vinson, Gallatin Co. 1863.

William P b. 1820 m Martha Brannon, Gallatin Co. 1863

Elizabeth b. 1833 m. George Thomas, White Co. 1857

Rev George A Colbert

The first mention found of George A Colbert was in November 1813 when he attended the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Sumner County, Tennessee.  He was a Methodist Circuit Rider appointed to the Natchez, Mississippi District.

According to Brent Cloud who summarized the Conference proceedings George A Colbert traveled two years in the western part of the Western Conference before he was ordained deacon.  For his third year he was appointed to the Natchez Circuit for one year before locating.

He would have been 22 years old.

By backdating the inscription on his gravestone, George A Colbert was born 25 April 1791.  He died March 11, 1849, Aged 57 years, 10 months, 16 days.  He is buried in the Calvert Cemetery, Geneseo, Henry County, Illinois.  He was born in Virginia; either Prince William or Bedford County. 

It is generally accepted that he was the son of Cynthia Calvert, and grandson of George Calvert the Younger of Prince William County.  No proof has been found.  O’Gorman believed that Cynthia Calvert had three sons; Alexander, George and Augustine by three different husbands.   I believe that George and Augustine were one, George Augustine.  Cynthia’s proven son, Alexander J Calvert, left a trail through Allen County, KY and White County, IL and was accompanied on those journeys by George A Colbert.

Following service in the War of 1812, Alexander J Calvert (son of Cynthia) moved to Allen County, Kentucky.  He first appeared on the Tax Roll in 1815 with no land.  In 1817, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823 and 1824 he had land on Buck Creek and Tramel Fork in Allen County.

George Colbert was listed as a Taxpayer in Allen County, Kentucky in 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1823.  He lived on 82 acres, expanded it to 180 acres, on Tramel Fork.  In 1822 he had two children aged 4-14.  In 1823 he sold the land for $450.00 to Jededia Frost and Thomas Mitchell.

In 1825 Alexander Calvert sold his property  in Allen County.  In 1827 Alexander purchased four parcels of land near Shawneetown, White County, Illinois.

In 1826 a son, George Fletcher Colbert was born to Rev George A Colbert in Sangamon County Illinois.

The 1830 US Federal Census shows

George A Colvert in White County, Illinois.  His household included 2 male children, 2 female children, 1 adult male and 1 adult female.

Alexander J Calvert in White County, Illinois.  His household included 8 children and 2 adults.

The obituary of Samantha Ford Colbert, substantiates the identity of Rev George A Colbert of White County and Rev George A Colbert of Henry County as follows. 

Original obituary from the Albany Review (Albany, Illinois) September 22, 1911.

Samantha Ford Colbert was born in Allen County, Tenn. April 15, 1817, and died in Albany, Ill., Sept 13, 1911 at the home of Mrs. Mary Hoobler, her eldest daughter, with whom she had made her home for the past five years, aged 94 years, four months and 28 days.  In her childhood she moved with her parents, Rev. and Mrs. George A. Colbert, to Kentucky and in a few years to Carmi, White County, Ill., later to Knox County, from there to Henry County where she was united in marriage to James P. Dodge Feb. 7, 1836. (Ed. note: Allen County, Tennessee became Allen County, Kentucky after resolution of the "Walker Line" in 1859-1860).

The families of George A Colbert and Alexander Calvert settled together in Allen County, Kentucky then moved together to White County, Illinois.  Alexander’s  sons, Aaron Mayhew and John Alexander Calvert,  followed George A Colbert to Henry County before 1840.

According to family tradition George A Colbert was first married in Kentucky to Elizabeth Ann Burns.  No record has been found of the marriage.  They had four children,

Washington B Colbert b. between 1816-1820, Allen Co, KY

 Samantha Ford Colbert b. 1817, Allen Co, KY

 Elizabeth Ann Colbert b. 1823, Allen Co, KY

George Fletcher Colbert b. 1826, Sangamon Co, IL

On August 15, 1831 after the apparent death of his first wife, George A Colbert married Mary Ann Perryman in White County, Illinois.

They had children

William McKendree Colbert b. 1832 White Co, IL

Martha Jane Colbert b. 1833, IL

John L Colbert b. 1836, IL

Harriet A Colbert b. 1839, IL

Alexander A Colbert b. 1841 Henry Co, IL

James Davenport Colbert b. 1844 Henry Co, IL

In June 1835 George A Colbert joined a small party that left Knoxville for the purpose of exploring the lands of the adjoining and unsettled portions of Illinois. They visited what is now Henry County. The party consisted of Rev. George A. Colbert, Rev. P. K. Hanna, J. P. Hanna, J. B. B. Tabor, Samuel and Neely Withrow.  They followed the Black Hawk trail about 20 miles in a northeasterly direction, camping at what is now known as McHenry's Ditch, in Phoenix Township. They then returned to Knoxville, where they remained about two weeks. Then P.K. and  J. P. Hanna and Robert Land (Land was from Carmi, Ill.) returned to Henry County, camping the first night out at White Oak Grove, on Edwards River. From this grove they traveled north, and reached the banks of Rock River in the month of July, 1835. Here they unhitched their team and went into quarters on section 32, township 18, range 2. In their immediate neighborhood were the Winnebago Indians.  After remaining here in camp a few days and looking around at the country, the party again returned to Knoxville, and after a few days preparation P.K. Hanna, with his family, started for the new home he had selected, arriving at their destination August 13, 1835.  This was the first family to settle in what is now Hanna Township, and the fourth family in the county. 

The first church organization in the Township of Hanna, also the first in the county, was at the house of P. K. Hanna, in the Fall of 1835, where the Methodist Society was organized. Rev. Colin D. James, was the first pastor.  Rev. P. K. Hanna and wife, Geo. A. Colbert and wife, Mrs. Sullivan and two daughters, were among the original members.  Here, February 7, 1836, occurred the first marriage; James P. Dodge and Samantha Colbert, daughter of Rev. G. A. Colbert.

The first election in Henry County was held on June 19, 1837 at the house of George Brandenburg. There were to be elected three County Commissioners, Sheriff, Coroner, Surveyor, and Recorder.

List of Voters.

4th person to vote was Washington B. Colbert

13th person to vote was George A. Colbert

In 1839 Geo Colbert served as Chairman of a committee charged with choosing a new location for the County Seat. 

"It is further resolved at this meeting, by an unanimous vote, that we concur with the majority of legal voters of the county (when they shall be taken) for the re-location of the county seat of said county; and we further disapprove of the minority REMONSTRATING against any location that may be made by the majority"

Signed Saturday, June 1, 1839

GEO COLBERT, Chairman

GEO TYLER, Secretary

In 1843 and 1844 George A Colbert purchased a total of 236 acres in 4 transactions in Section 25, township 18N, Range 02E in Henry County, Illinois.

He died of unknown causes in Hanna, Illinois on March 11, 1849.  No will, probate record or obituary has been found.

Rev George A Colbert was the father of ten children.

Washington B Colbert b. between 1816-1820, Allen Co, KY

Married Sarah Caroline May in Henry County, lllinois on April 8, 1838.  The 1840 Census enumerated them living in Henry County with 2 male children.  Washington purchased 80 acres of land in Henry County in 1838 and 1839.  He died on March 8, 1845.  His children were William J. Colbert (1839-1865 who was unmarried when killed during the Civil War, and Albert A. Colbert (1842-1921) survived the Civil War and married Lois Allen on August 20, 1866.  They were the parents of two daughters.

 Samantha Ford Colbert b. 1817, Allen Co, KY

Married James P Dodge in Henry County, IL on February 7, 1836.  James P Dodge died before 1843 and Samantha Colbert married twice more, and lived in Illinois until her death in 1911 at the age of 94.

 Elizabeth Ann Colbert b. 1823, Allen Co, KY

Married  James Hickox on September 16, 1839.  They moved to Calhoun County, Iowa and lived to old age.

George Fletcher Colbert b. 1826, Sangamon Co, IL

 In 1850 he was on the Illinois Census in Henry County.  By 1852 he was in Linn County, Oregon.  He married Edna Whipple in November 1853.  They were the parents of 2 sons and 2 daughters;  Luella Sarvilla Colbert (1855-1946), Raymond Pelton Colbert (1856-1930), Viola A Colbert (1858-1888), and George Whipple Colbert (1867-1914).

Raymond Pelton Colbert married Alechia Toohey in November 1889.  In 1900 she appeared on the Census as a married woman, head of household, living on the Tongue River Indian Reservation, Custer, Montana.  In 1910 they were living together in Brandenberg, Rosebud, Montana.  She died in 1910 and then after he was listed as a widower.  He died in 1930 in Miles City, Custer, Montana.  It does not appear they had children.

George Whipple Colbert married Nancy Drucilla Hawk in 1897.  They were the parents of 3 sons, a daughter and 1 unidentified child; Norman Fletcher Colbert (1898-1987), Avis Colbert (d 1969), Raymond Lester Colbert (1908-1989) and George Franklin Colbert (1910-1993) . 

This is the line that Elberta Ramos’  husband descended from.  It is also a line where a potential DNA donor has been found but does not respond to messages or letters. 

           

William McKendree Colbert b. 1832 White Co, IL

Married Mary Ann Shafer in March 1855.  They were the parents of 3 sons and 3 daughters.  Here is a copy of his obituary.

Death:  May 22, 1911, Mound City, Linn County, Kansas, USA

William McKendre Colbert, one of the older farmers of Linn County, and one of the best known men of the community, died at his home, near Mound City, Monday, May 22, 1911, aged 78 years, 10 months and 28 days.  Mr. Colbert was born in White County, IL, June 24, 1831. On March 1, 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Shafer. To this union were born 8 children, 2 of whom died in infancy, Ina, wife of Fred Weatherbie, preceeded him in death June 22, 1904. In 1869 he went to Golden, Colo. where he engaged in business until 1876, when he removed to his late home where he continued to reside until his death.  Deceased is survived by his wife and five children-namely: George of Wyoming, Mrs. Dora Campbell of Bartlesville,OK., William of California, Mrs. Amy Shaw of Blue Mound, KS and Edwin who resides at home. Some two or three years ago Mr. Colbert was severely injured in a runaway from which he had never recovered and together with his mature years caused his death. For more than a year he had suffered almost constantly, but was never heard to complain and patiently waited for the final summons. While his death was not unexpected yet when the news came that he had passed from this life it came as a severe shock to his relatives and friends.  Funeral services were held from the family home Tuesday, May 23, conducted by Rev. Cash, pastor of the Christian Church at Blue Mound and interment was made in the family cemetery on his farm which he donated to the community several years ago.  

George A Colbert was born about 1859 in Henry County, Illinois.  He married first, Dina Gobat that they four sons and a daughter; Willard David Colbert b. 1891 in Dubuque, Iowa, Myrtle E Colbert b. abt 1898 in Iowa, Fred Marvin Colbert b. 1903 in Hot Springs, Wyoming, Harold Albert Colbert b. 1905 in Landers, Wyoming, and Howard E Colbert b. abt 1908 in Wyoming.

Before 1911 he married Nattie UNK.  They had two sons and a daughter; Milo M Colbert b. abt 1911 in Wyoming, Floyd Randal Colbert b. 1914 in Wyoming and Lois M Colbert b. abt 1922 in Colorado.

George A Colbert died in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1941.   

William Alexander Colbert was born in July 1864 in Illinois.  He married Liddie A UNK abt 1888. They had sons Donald Cameron Colbert (1890-1979) and Hiawatha A Colbert 1893-1982) in Linn County, Kansas.  Both sons died in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

John Edward Colbert was born in June 1870 in Colorado.  In the 1910 Census he was living with his parents in Linn County, Kansas.  In 1920 he was enumerated as “Divorced” living with his mother in Linn, Kansas.  He died in November 1951 and is buried in the Colbert Cemetery in Linn County, Kansas.  There is no indication he had any children.

Martha Jane Colbert b. 1833, IL

Married Dexter Talcot in July 1853.  Remained in Illinois until her death in 1915.

John L Colbert b. 1836, IL

Served in the Civil War.  Married Roxy Kennedy in December 1859.  They were the parents of 2 sons, Clayton A. Colbert (b 1861), John L. Colbert (b 1870) and a daughter Myra Colbert (b. 1882).  In 1885 the whole family was living in Ogden, Riley County, Kansas.  Except for Myra they are all buried there at the Ogden Cemetery. 

Harriet A Colbert b. 1839, IL

Married William W Ransford in Henry County, Illinois in 1857.  In 1860 she was enumerated as a head of household living next to her parents and brothers.  It’s possible she remarried in 1867.

Alexander A Colbert b. 1841 Henry Co, IL

Served in the Civil War.  Married Alice Santee in November 1869.  They removed to Guthrie County, Iowa between 1870-1880.  They were the parents of 3 sons and 4 daughters;   

 Jannie Elizabeth Colbert (1871-1952, Iowa),

Herbert H. Colbert (1875-1934, Iowa.  Married Princy UNK and had one son, Bernard E. Colbert               (b. 1903).

Quincy M. Colbert (1878-UNK, Iowa),

Charles G. Colbert (1884-1953, Iowa),

Mary Colbert (1888-1888),

Martha Ellen Colbert (1889-1892),

Reah Colbert (1891-1892). 

           

Research into the families of Herbert H. Colbert, Quincy M. Colbert and Charles G. Colbert is needed.

James Davenport Colbert b. 1844 Henry Co, IL

Married Lucinda Farber in April 1875.  They remained in Henry County, Illinois.  They were the parents of 2 sons and 2 daughters;  Mary Jane Colbert (b. 1876), Ira Colbert (b. 1878), Lizzie Colbert (b. 1880) and Earl Talcott Colbert (b. 1892).  In the 1900 Henry County Census his marital status is Divorced and he is a servant in a private home.  More research is needed.

         

The Calvert FTDNA surnames project is actively seeking Male DNA participants from the descendants of Cynthia Calvert, and her unknown husband(s) through her son's Alexander Calvert and Rev George A Calvert aka Colbert's descendants. The Calvert FTDNA project can be found here.  The Calvert Genealogy Group on facebook here.