Archie and Sallie's eldest son, Andrew Sawyer (b. 15 Dec 1836 d. 6 Nov 1926) lived most of life in Cocke County, Tennessee. He married Sallie Etherton. Together they had 11 children, including 6 sons that survived to adulthood.
- George Wesley Washington Sawyer (1858-1960) had no surviving sons, but as our longest lived relative must be included.
- James Sawyer (1863-1944) does not appear to have had any sons. He and his wife Clara Jones had daughters Mary, Ruth and Grace.
- William A. Sawyer (1865-1904) married Nannie Cavender in 1895. They appear to have had one surviving daughter, Susan, before William died.
- Jacob Charles Sawyer (1867-1914) was an invalid for most of his adult life. He never married and is not believed to have had children.
- John Sawyer (1872-1940) and his wife Cora Quinn do not appear to have had any sons. They had daughters Tressie and Charlsie.
- Joseph Henry Luther Sawyer (1883-1944). FINALLY!! Joe and his wife Eunice Holt had surviving twin sons, Clarence and Claude (b. 24 May 1921). They also had a daughter Alta, who compiled a family history that has been a cornerstone of my research with the Sawyers.
I don't mean to give short shrift to the women of the family, or to those children who died young. They are cherished and recorded in my data. But they do not pass on the yDNA I am seeking.
While there are many family stories about Andy, especially about his Civil War experiences, documenting them has proved difficult. It is clear the war was a monumental experience in the life of his family. They lived in Sevier County then, reportedly moving further up into the mountains to avoid the violence. Andy was gone for much of the war, though where he was or which side he fought on is not clear. It seems he didn't go far, since several children were born those years. His wife and children reportedly lived with his parents.
According to family stories (and photographs) Andy worked as a teamster hauling cut trees across the mountains to mills in North Carolina when the lumber companies moved into the Smoky Mountains in the early 20th century. His occupation in census records is listed as a farmer. He appears in most records living with or next to his brothers, sisters and children as part of a tight knit clan.
I would dearly love just one or two minutes of time with any direct male descendant of Andy and Joe. It won't hurt a bit. Just a little swab. Promise.
While there are many family stories about Andy, especially about his Civil War experiences, documenting them has proved difficult. It is clear the war was a monumental experience in the life of his family. They lived in Sevier County then, reportedly moving further up into the mountains to avoid the violence. Andy was gone for much of the war, though where he was or which side he fought on is not clear. It seems he didn't go far, since several children were born those years. His wife and children reportedly lived with his parents.
According to family stories (and photographs) Andy worked as a teamster hauling cut trees across the mountains to mills in North Carolina when the lumber companies moved into the Smoky Mountains in the early 20th century. His occupation in census records is listed as a farmer. He appears in most records living with or next to his brothers, sisters and children as part of a tight knit clan.
I would dearly love just one or two minutes of time with any direct male descendant of Andy and Joe. It won't hurt a bit. Just a little swab. Promise.
Written for Amy Johnson Crow's blogger challenge 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
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