Alexander Ralston

1779-1861

Alexander Ralston, first son of David Ralston and Mary Reid was born in Pennsylvania, April 25, 1779, and died in May 1861 in Weakley County, Tennessee.  He was raised in the Cumberland Settlements near Nashville.

Sometime prior to 1805, Alexander married Anna Wilson (1780–1817), daughter of John Wilson (c1729-1820) (probably in Davidson County, John Wilson lived in the White's Creek area, near Alexander's home.)  Tennessee Records of Davidson County, Wills & Inventories, Vol. 8 (1821-1826) Part 1 (Tennessee State Archives & Library) describes the distribution of money received from the sale of John Wilson's estate among his children.  The late Anna Wilson’s share went to her husband, “A Ralston”.

Alexander and Anna had five daughters.  Only one of the daughters lived past age 30.

Historic Williamson Co by Virginia McDaniel Bowman Pg. 13 “In 1810, Alexander Ralston bought seventy-five acres from Wilson Davis on Nelson’s Creek, and in 1816, he bought 488 acres from William Wilson near the same location.  Here Ralston remained until 1832 when he sold out to Philip R. Haley. It is thought the house dated back to 1820, but it did not become Pettus’ property until 1840 when Mr. Haley sold it in September of that year.”

Williamson Co.  1805 Alexander Ralston pd. Tax on 62 acres on Nelson Creek.  1809 A. R. pd. Tax on 137 acres on Nelson Creek.  1810 A.R. pd tax on 235 acres on Nelson Creek.   Min Bk 7 pg 6 Jan 1823. A.R. to build a mill on Big Harpeth River about 1 ¾ miles below Scales Mill. Min Bk 7 pg 3 Jan 1823 Hosea Jackson, an orphan boy of 12 years to be bound to A. R. as apprentice to learn occupation of a cabinet maker. Min Bk 7 pg 88 James Berry, an orphan boy of 12 or 13 years to be bound to A.R. as apprentice to learn occupation of cabinet maker.

From TN Furniture “Ralston, Alexander, cabinetmaker, Williamson Co., 1820-23. Using 7,000 feet of plank and scantling, Ralston employed one man and three boys.  Took an apprentice, Hosea Jackson, in 1823. (Ct. Min. Williamson Co.)”

During the War of 1812 Alexander served as second Major in Col. Pipkin's Regiment in the Tennessee militia under Andrew Jackson.  This is listed in the War of 1812 Muster Rolls & Index to War of 1812 Pension files.  This regiment of about 960 men was ordered to man the various forts of the Mississippi Territory--Forts Jackson, Williams, Strother, Claiborne, & Pierce.  At one point Alexander was placed in command of Fort Strother (Mississippi Territory, now Alabama.)  During the war Alexander penned at least two letters to General Jackson which are maintained in the US Library of Congress, national archives:

Alexander Ralston to Andrew Jackson, October 10, 1814 and Alexander Ralston to Andrew Jackson, September 24, 1814

Anna Wilson died in 1817 and was buried at the home place. In 1818 Alexander married Sarah Jordon (1800-1886) daughter of Archer Jordan of Williamson County.

Sarah and Alexander had no children, but raised the daughter of Alexander’s brother, Samuel.  This daughter (named Sarah) was born in 1825.  She married Thomas Hutchins.

After the war and until about 1831 Alexander lived on the Harpeth River in Williamson County where he had a mill. He was a cabinet maker; court records show him taking apprentices. He wrote his half-brother, Robert, in Ireland and encouraged him to come to the U.S. 

Around 1832 Alexander moved to Weakley County.  He is mentioned in the book "Home In the Wilderness" by Effie Meek Maiden.

From the book review:  "Home In the Wilderness" by Effie Meek Maiden is an authentic story of a pioneer family's settlement in West Tennessee after the Indian removal. The story begins in 1848, when James A. Meek travels by horseback from his mill on the Duck River near Chapel Hill, TN to Weakley County to investigate the appeals made to him by Major Alexander Ralston to settle in the ‘Western District’ and ends in 1880."

Alexander was a prominent figure in early West TN and the village of Ralston (or Ralston Station) was an important railroad station and he was the first postmaster.  He owned vast sections of land and was very prolific in land purchases and sales. He donated land for Poplar Grove Methodist Church.

Weakley County Tax Records: Ralston/Raulston/Rolston, Alexander/Alex

1842 Weakley Co. TN Tax Book

Civil District 3/2,200 acres, valued $4,400 2 slaves, valued $1,200

1843 Weakley Co. TN Tax Book

Civil District 3/2,000 acres, valued $4,000/5 slaves, valued $2,000

Civil District 7/3 town lots, valued $1,500

1845 Weakley Co. TN Tax Book

Civil District 2/2000 acres, valued $4000/5 slaves, valued $1700

Civil District 7/3 town lots, valued $1500

1846 Weakley Co. TN Tax book

Civil District 2/2000 acres, valued $4000

1847 Weakley Co. TN Tax book

Civil District 3/2000 acres, valued $4000/5 slaves, valued $2200

Civil District 7/3 town lots, valued $400

1848 Weakley Co. TN Tax book

Civil District 2/2000 acres, valued $4000/5 slaves, valued $2200

Civil District 7/2 town lots, valued $1800

1849 Weakley Co. TN Tax book

Civil District 2/1900 acres, valued $3200/6 slaves, valued $3000/Other property, valued $10

Civil District 7/Town lots, valued $1600

1850 Weakley Co. TN Tax Book

Civil District 3/1500 acres, valued $4000/400 acres, valued $200/6 slaves, valued $3800/Other property, valued $10

Civil District 4/337 acres, valued $300

Civil District 7/5 town lots, valued $1500

Alexander Ralston was active in the Methodist faith (Methodist Episcopal Church South) and is listed as preaching at Windrow Campgrounds (located about 9 mi. SW of present-day Murfreesboro).  This would have been in the time period of Alexander Ralston's first wife, Anna. At the time that he and his second wife, Sarah, migrated to Weakley County, there were but few churches there, and the Ralstons were instrumental in founding churches and hosting the traveling preachers of that day

The family of Sarah Jordon were Primitive Baptist and she was raised in that religion.  However, she converted to Methodism and was later considered a "matriarch" of the Methodist religion in West Tennessee.   Upon her death, Sarah Ralston received a lengthy death notice in the Methodist publication (Nashville Christian Advocate).  The article on her was not the usual couple of paragraphs that was included in the obituary section (located near the back of the newspaper) that most people received. It was a separate article (over an entire newspaper column in length) found in the early pages of the publication.

Obituary of Sarah from The Nashville Christian Advocate, 1885-1886

SARAH RALSTON daughter of Archer and Elizabeth Jordan, born Williamson Co., Tenn., Jan. 24, 1800; married Alexander Ralston, Feb. 5, 1818; 5 step-daughters; died May 6, 1886, Ralston, Tenn.

DESCENDANTS, through great-great grandchildren:

Alexander Ralston

m1. bef. 1805, Davidson Co., Anna Wilson 1780-1817

A.

Mary Reid Ralston 1805-1886, lived in Weakley and Madison Co.

 

m. 1824, Williamson Co., Maj. Edward “Ned” Winfield Matthews (1802-1889), from Virginia, farmer

1.

Alexander Ralston Matthews 1825-1852 – never married, born in Williamson, farmed in Madison Co.

2.

John Winfield Matthews 1827-1878, born in Williamson, lived in Weakley and Madison Co. – farmer and merchant

 

 

m. Eliza (Lyde) Boykin 1833-1888

a.

Curb W. A. Matthews 1852–1853

b.

Mary (Minnie) Alonzo Mathews 1864–1906, moved to Arkansas

 

 

 

m. 1883 in Crockett Co., Edwin Sharp 1852–1917, physician

(1)

Cyrus Winfield Sharp 1884–1884

(2)

Mary Eliza (Lide) Sharp 1885–1965

(3)

Samuel Baxter Sharp 1886–1960

(4)

Martha Phoebe Sharp 1889–1983

(5)

Edwin Sharp 1892–1955

(6)

Henry Sommerville Sharp 1894–1969

(7)

Thomas Hicks Sharp 1896–1989

(8)

Lucie Elizabeth Sharp 1900–1967

c.

Female Infant Matthews

3.

Martha Ann Matthews (1829-1883), born in Williamson, lived in Weakley and Madison Co.

 

 

m.  William Carroll Stovall (1816-1887), physician and farmer

a.

George Edward Stovall 1848–1936, policeman, Gibson Co.

m1. Mary Camden (Mollie) Mason 1852–1889

(1)

Martha Cora Frances Stovall 1872–1950

(2)

Maibelle Stovall 1874–1941

(3)

Sarah Elizabeth Stovall 1878–1896

(4)

Alexander Hill Stovall 1883–1972

m2. Lulu A Bland 1870–1954

(5)

Pauline G (Penny) Stovall 1894–1983

(6)

Lucille B Stovall 1896–1974

(7)

Edward Burton Stovall 1898–1977

b.

William Ancel Stovall 1851–1967, salesman, Madison Co.

 

 

 

m. Rebecca Elizabeth Wallace 1865–1940

 

 

 

-     No children

c.

Hartwell Bascom Stovall 1852–1932, mail carrier, Madison Co.

 

 

 

m. Ellen Delanie Ballew 1854–1935

(1)

Effie Demetria Stovall 1877–1963

(2)

Una R Stovall 1879–1970

(3)

Albert A Stovall 1881–1953

(4)

Joseph Hartwell Stovall 1883–1957

(5)

Martha A Stovall 1885–1972

(6)

Mary E Stovall 1892–

(7)

John Edward Stovall 1893–1971

d.

Samuel Madison Stovall 1855–1857

e.

Mary Florence (Mollie) Stovall 1858–1944

 

 

 

m. Daniel Webster Hudgings 1856–1940, farmed in Madison, Co.

(1)

Thomas M Hudgings 1877–1939

(2)

Daniel Webster Hudgings Jr 1880–1964

(3)

Edward Reid Hudgings 1882–1950

(4)

Laura Ethel Hudgings 1882–1985

(5)

Samuel Alexander Pope Hudgings 1884–1939

(6)

Martha Hudgings 1886–1989

(7)

William Travis Hudgings 1889–1954

(8)

Robert T Hudgings 1895–1993

f.

Elizabeth Battle Stovall 1863–1936

 

m. Marmon Spence Pope 1858–1927, farmed in Madison, Co.

(1)

Annie Pope 1883–1976 

(2)

John William Rippon Pope 1892–1976

(3)

Elizabeth Pope 1901–1993

4.

Edward S. Matthews (1832-?), born and farmed in Madison Co.

 

 

m. Martha Smith (1849-1921)

a.

Sara Reed "Sally" Matthews 1860–1944

 

 

 

 

m. Swanee Burrus Lawrence 1843–1920, farmed in Madison Co.

(1)

Samuel Matthews Lawrence 1890–1966

(2)

James Lawrence 1899–1962

b.

Edward D Matthews 1862–1937, owner of real estate and insurance company in Nashville

 

 

 

m. Nannie Webb Ogilvie 1862–1938

(1)

Jennie E Matthews 1889–1981

(2)

Mary Clair Matthews 1893–1976 

(3)

Edward D Matthews, Jr 1899–1957

[Edward ran away from home at age 13 to Paducah, KY.  He was found by the police and retrieved by his mother, Nannie.  He said he was “tired of living in Nashville”.  In the 1930s, Edward left Nashville and moved to Kentucky.  In the mid 1940s he moved to California where he passed in 1957.]

c.

Lucy Ella Matthews 1863–1955

 

 

 

m. Benjamin L Hayley 1861–1929, engineer, Madison Co.

(1)

Mamie Sue Hayley 1885–?

(2)

Lulu Reede Hayley 1887–?

(3)

Sam Benjamin Hayley 1890–1970

(4)

Thomas Hayley 1892–1892

d.

Lizzie J Matthews 1865–1866

e.

Mary Sue (Mamie) Matthews 1867–1934

 

 

 

m. Thomas J White 1863–1934, cotton buyer, Madison Co.

(1)

Martha Augusta White 1889–1990

(2)

Thomas Jefferson White Jr 1890–1983

(3)

Mary Eleanor White 1893–1951

(4)

Katherine White 1896–1962

(5)

Andrew Jackson White 1899–1930

(6)

Rebecca L White 1906–2002

(7)

Albert M White 1911–?

f.

Margaret Lee Matthews 1869–1945

 

 

 

m. Lafayette McCamie Morgan 1862–1921, railroad conductor, Madison Co.

(1)

Martha Anne Morgan 1896–1897

(2)

Mack L Morgan 1899–1993

(3)

John Alexander Morgan 1901–1952

(4)

Newt Seale Morgan 1905–1975

g.

James Smith Matthews 1871–1964, farmed in Madison Co.

 

 

 

m. Rebecca Adelina Small 1876–1949

(1)

Willis Small Matthews 1904–1981

(2)

James Shields Matthews 1906–1991

h.

Martha Ann (Pattie) Matthews 1874–1937, moved to Kentucky

 

 

 

m. Edgar Thompson Riley 1874–1946, physician

(1)

Isabelle Riley 1900–1904

(2)

Edward Thompson Riley 1906–1980

i.

Alexander Ralston Matthews 1875–1963, farmed in Madison Co.

 

 

 

m. Ruby Altona Williams 1882–1946

(1)

Elizabeth Altona Matthews 1907–1997

(2)

Martha Isabella Matthews 1913–2002

(3)

Raymond Dudley Matthews 1915–1961

j.

Nettie Ruth Matthews 1878–1956

 

 

 

m. Edward J Engles 1869–1928, farmed in Williamson Co.

(1)

Martha Virginia Engles 1909–1988

(2)

Edward Samuel Engles 1913–1974

(3)

Helen Engles 1913–1999

(4)

Sarah Ruth Engles 1918–2000

5.

Mary E. Matthews 1836-?, born in Madison, lived in Crockett Co.

 

 

m1. 1854, Madison County, Carson Carren Boykin 1830–1859, farmer and retail clerk in Madison Co.

a.

Reginald M. E. Boykin 1855–1888, lived in Madison Co., unmarried

 

 

b.

Sarah “Sallie” Boykin 1857-?

 

 

 

m. Robert Gaston Saunders 1844–1880

(1)

Lyda Eva Saunders 1876–1965

(2)

Nettie Saunders – died in infancy

 

 

m2. 1865 Cleon M. Boykin 1843–1927 (brother of Carren), farmed in Crockett Co.

c.

Joseph A. Boykin 1867–1867

 

 

d.

Edward W Boykin 1868–1920, farmed in Crockett Co.

 

 

 

m. Leona B Rains 1873–1952

(1)

Ernest Reginald Boykin 1891–1967

(2)

Mary Jennye Boykin 1895–1970

(3)

Lyda Lucille Boykin 1902–1991

 

 

e.

Mabel C Boykin 1876–1960

 

 

 

m. Charles Lynn Henderson 1872–1915, trucker

(1)

William Cleon Henderson 1898–1990

(2)

Ross Edward Lynn Henderson 1901–1930

(3)

Mary Catherine Henderson 1905–1973

(4)

Sara Fay Henderson 1908–?

6.

Margaret E. Matthews 1839-1917, born in Madison, lived in Gibson Co., TN

 

 

m. 1857, Madison County, TN, Robert H Hunt 1836–1876, farmed in Gibson Co.

a.

Mary Eugenia Hunt 1858–1941, lived several years in Los Angeles before returning to Tennessee

 

 

 

m. 1876 in Gibson Co., William L Elder 1850–1927, real estate broker in California

 

 

 

- No children

 

 

b.

John Windfield Hunt 1859–1917, farmed in Gibson Co.

 

 

 

m. Lane "Ellie" Alexander Banks 1868–1935

(1)

Howell Houston Hunt 1890–1967

(2)

James Kenneth Hunt 1893–1950

(3)

Mary Louise Hunt 1895–1981

(4)

Mattie Maude Hunt 1897–1992

(5)

John Windfield "Jack " Hunt 1900–1983

(6)

Isaac Louis Hunt 1903–1946

(7)

Robert Roderick Hunt 1906–1909

(8)

Nel Adams Hunt 1913–1988

 

 

c.

Sarah Fisher Hunt 1862–1863

 

 

d.

Margaret Mai Hunt 1864–1950

 

 

 

m. Richard Calvin Adams 1855–1945, grocer in Gibson Co.

(1)

Richard Elder Adams 1888–1966

[Twin of Robert, dentist in Memphis]

(2)

Robert Hunt Adams 1888–1946

[Twin of Richard, traveling salesman in Kansas]

(3)

Harry Mitchum Adams 1890–1978

[Attorney and Circuit Judge in Memphis]

(4)

Margaret Adams 1894–1984

 

 

e.

Robert Edward Lee Hunt 1868–1946, farmer, moved to Mississippi

 

 

 

m. Edna Bell Donaldson 1870–1942

(1)

Edward Eugene Hunt 1891–1891

(2)

Lillian L Hunt 1894–1988

(3)

Robert J Hunt 1898–1972

(4)

Andrew Donaldson Hunt 1898–1991

(5)

Mary Marquerite Hunt 1900–1981

(6)

William James Hunt 1902–1984

(7)

Albert Leon Hunt 1907–1980

 

 

f.

William James Hunt 1872–1956, dentist in Memphis

 

 

 

m. Mary Lou Gregory 1875–1948

 

 

 

- No children

 

 

g.

Martha Loucile Hunt 1874–1930

 

 

 

m. Lloyd Owen Sweatman 1873–1968, bank cashier in Madison Co.

(1)

Martha Sweatman 1906–1980

(2)

Angie M Sweatman 1909–1991

 

 

h.

Samuel Marion Hunt 1876–1910 (unmarried), dentist in Trenton, TN.  [From the Trenton Herald Democrat, Jan 23, 1910: “A very sad death occurred at the M. & O. depot here last Sunday morning as the 4:30 train arrived on which was Dr. S. M. Hunt, who, with his sister, Mrs. W. L. Elder, came in from Los Angeles, California.  Dr. Hunt was in the last stages of consumption and was seeking to reach home to die among his friends.  Just as he was placed in a carriage to be conveyed to the residence of his brother-in-law, R. C. Adams, he collapsed and breathed his last in the arms of Z. L. Biggs.  Dr. Hunt was one of Trenton's most popular young men.  Graduating from the dental department of Vanderbilt University, he established an office here and was doing a good business.  Last year he was attacked with Tuberculosis and was advised to go west.  He spent some time in New Mexico and Arizona, but failed to find relief.”]

B.

Elizabeth Ralston abt. 1806- abt. 1832

 

m. 1826 in Williamson Co., Nathan L. Norvell 1801–1877, Methodist Clergyman

Elizabeth’s children, Margaret and Wesley were raised by Alexander and Sarah after she died when they were small children.

1.

Margaret Ann Norvell 1830-1876, born in Williamson, lived in Weakley Co.

m. Thomas Lee Wood 1828–1893, farmed in Weakley Co.

a.

Susan Ann Wood 1849–1928

m. 1866 in Weakley Co., Capt. William L Baldridge 1836–1924, farmed in Weakley Co.

(1)

Robert L Baldridge 1867–1941

(2)

Alexander Baldridge 1869–1962

(3)

Joseph Thomas Baldridge 1871–1901

(4)

Margaret Jane Baldridge 1873–1940

(5)

Albert S J Baldridge 1878–1952

(6)

Nancy Catherine Baldridge 1878–1957

[Nanny, with husband, Rev. Ben Freeman]

(7)

William Earl Baldridge 1880–1965

(8)

Eppa Mae Baldridge 1882–1909

(9)

James Henry Baldridge 1886–1967

(10)

Bradley B Baldridge 1887–1892

 

 

b.

Henry Wood 1850–? - unknown

 

 

c.

Nathan Alexander Wood 1851–1937, farmed in Texas and California

 

 

 

m1. 1874 in Weakley Co., Mary Jane Knox 1850–1898

(1)

Rosa Margaret Wood 1876–1962

(2)

Freeman L Wood 1879–1883

(3)

Cynthia Eulala Wood 1882–1959

(4)

Susie Wood 1884–1936

(5)

Norvell Ephriam Wood 1887–1926

(6)

Rev Thomas Eugene Wood 1891–1962

 

 

 

m2. Lenora C Gilmore 1861–1915

(7)

Richard Coke Wood 1905–1979

(8)

Clem Alexander Wood 1907–1966

 

 

d.

Sarah Elizabeth Wood 1853–1898

 

 

 

m. Almus Lee Gardner 1850–1935, farmed in Weakley Co.

(1)

John Gardner 1872–1872

(2)

William C. Gardner 1873–1943

(3)

Infant Son Gardner 1875–1875

(4)

Harvey Lee Gardner 1876–1951

(5)

Margret Anne Gardner 1879–1910

(6)

T C Gardner 1881–1883

(7)

Infant Daughter Gardner 1883–1883

(8)

Katherine Gardner 1885–1963

(9)

Milburn Gardner 1888–1958

(10)

Daisy Gardner 1891–1974

 

 

e.

Thomas Clemens Wood 1857–1937, farmed in Weakley Co.

 

 

 

m. 1877 in Weakley Co., Margaret Etta Freeman 1861–1932

(1)

Cleatus Andrew Wood 1880–1887

 

 

f.

Mary “Molly” Catherine Wood 1859–1934

 

 

m. 1877 in Weakley Co., Newton Pierce "Newt" Bullington 1855–1946, farmed in Weakley Co.

(1)

James Robert Bullington Sr 1878–1955

(2)

Bulah May Bullington 1880–1914

(3)

Finley Collins Bullington 1883–1883

(4)

Lela Bullington 1884–1951

(5)

Lena M Bullington 1885–1920

(6)

Edna Florence Bullington 1887–1985

(7)

Neetie Letty Bullington 1890–1969

(8)

Harmon Johnson Bullington 1893–1961

(9)

Thomas Lee Bullington 1895–1991

(10)

Ella M Bullington 1898–1965

(11)

Judy Woodson Bullington 1902–1992

 

 

g.

Johnson Lee Wood 1862–1927, farmed in Weakley Co.

 

 

m. 1883 in Weakley Co., Mary Etta Maxwell 1862–1945

(1)

William Thomas Wood 1884–1970

(2)

Francis Marvin Wood 1887–1975

(3)

John Norman Wood 1889–1960

(4)

Archie Norvell Wood 1891–1951

(5)

Adrian Douglas Wood 1894–1941

(6)

Harry Lee Wood 1899–1972

(7)

Ann Wood 1902–1956

(8)

Ralph Maxwell Wood 1904–1986

 

 

h.

Nancy Allen Wood 1866–1917

 

 

m. 1882 in Weakley Co., William Conner Parish 1859–1937, farmed in Weakley Co.

(1)

H C Parish 1883–1886

(2)

Clem Dupont Parish 1885–1939

(3)

Olive Parish 1885–1917

(4)

Cazie Cleon Hall 1889–1962

(5)

Geneva Parish 1890–1890

(6)

Lesta Velma Parish 1892–1994

(7)

Mary Lee Parish 1894–1894

(8)

Hallie Daye Parish 1896–1977

(9)

Judson Pearl Parish 1898–1953

(10)

Evelyn Vaden Parish 1902–1988

(11)

Hafford Graden Parish 1905–1998

(12)

Nannie Mae Parish 1908–2006

 

 

i.

Margaret Ellen Wood 1868–1956, moved to California in 1896

 

 

m. 1886 in Weakley Co., William H Hawkins 1865–1898

(1)

Vera Hawkins 1887–1981

(2)

Georgia Margaret Hawkins 1890–1928

[Georgia taught school in Pomona, CA.  She died of pneumonia at age 37.]

(3)

Joseph Key Hawkins 1893–1950

 

 

j.

James Andrew Wood 1871–1952, Methodist clergyman

 

 

m. 1889 in Weakley Co., Mary Alice Haley 1873–1944

(1)

James Dennis Wood 1890–1972

(2)

Nathan L. Wood 1895–1896

(3)

Fitzue Sellars Wood 1896–1985

(4)

Mary Amelia Wood 1901–1983

(5)

Sewell S. Wood 1904–1979

(6)

Virgil Palmore Wood 1913–1947

2.

Alexander Wesley Norvell 1832-1875 unmarried, farmed in Weakley Co.

C.

Margaret M. Ralston 1809-1830, lived in Williamson Co.

 

m. 1 Sep 1828 Williamson Co. Ashley B. Rozell 1802-1886, farmed in Williamson, Co.

 

- No children

D.

Martha L. Ralston c1810 – Bef. 1838 Williamson Co.

 

m. 1830 in Williamson Co., Samuel J. Matthews (brother of Martha’s brother-in-law)

1.

Thomas E. Matthews 1831-bef. 1900, cabinet maker in Franklin Co.

m. 1858 in Williamson Co., Martha Ann Jordon 1832-? (Niece of Alexander’s second wife, Sarah Jordon)

a.

William A Matthews 1859–1924, school teacher in Texas

m. 1888 in Rutherford Co., Lavisa E Beesley 1858–1893 (sister of John)

- No children

b.

Mary E "Molly" Matthews 1861–1920

m. 1884 in Rutherford Co., John Beesley 1840–1891 (brother of Lavisa) farmer in Rutherford Co. [John was accidentally poisoned when he drank from a bottle of horse medicine, thinking it was whiskey.]

(1)

Frank Beesley 1881–?

c.

Martha Love Matthews 1861–?

m. 1880 in Rutherford Co., Richard W Faris 1844–1921, city marshal and mail carrier, Richard City, Marion Co.

(1)

Aubrey Marvin Faris 1885–1921

(2)

Ervin Winfield Faris 1887–1950

(3)

Alton Rough Faris 1890–1914

d.

Lillie A. Matthews 1872–?, stenographer in Nashville -no known marriage

2.

John Alexander Matthews 1833-1930 lived at Ralston Station, Weakley Co., farmer

m. 1861 in Weakley Co., Ann E. Hannings 1841–1880

a.

Samuel Edwards Matthews 1862–1936, RR conductor in Madison Co.

m. Portia A Freeman 1867–1938

(1)

Laura Earnestine Matthews 1891–1978

b.

John Alexander "Coon" Matthews 1867–1948, RR conductor and liveryman in Madison Co.

m. Louanna (Lou Anna) Williamson 1874–1953

(1)

George Alexander Matthews 1900–1901

(2)

John Williamson Matthews Sr 1903–1972

(3)

Ruth Elizabeth Matthews 1906–1970

c.

Martha E. Matthews 1869–1918, lived in Weakley Co., TN, and Fulton Co., KY

m1. James Harper Sullivan c1858–c1892

(1)

James Hartmon Sullivan 1886–1960

m2. Robert Lee Parsley 1869–1929, blacksmith in Kentucky

-

- No children

d.

Mary A. Matthews 1871–?, unknown

e.

Ruth Catherine Matthews 1874–1959

m. Charles Pinkney "Pink" Brooks 1871–1962, farmed in Weakley Co.

(1)

Eulice H Brooks 1892–1917

(2)

Carlie D Brooks 1897–1901

(3)

Ieula Brooks 1902–1994

[The Tennessee 4-H Club’s Lee Medallion was named in honor of Ieula Brooks Lee, who was a volunteer 4-H leader for over 60 years in Weakley Co.]

(4)

Charlie Mayo Brooks 1904–1981

(5)

Robert Lewis Brooks 1911–1963

(6)

Calvin Matthew Brooks 1914–1947

3.

William Henry Matthews 1835-1926, lived in Williamson Co.

m. 1865 in Williamson Co., Mary Frances Johnson 1841-?

a.

Benjamin Matthews 1867–1949

m. Carolyn Wallace 1869–1951

- No children

b.

Mattie Love Matthews 1868–1954

m. George Washington Blair 1864–1924

(1)

Mary Frances Blair 1891–1957

(2)

Howell Fulton Blair 1895–1920

(3)

George Preston Blair 1897–1984

(4)

Martha Agusta Blair 1900–1986

(5)

Dorothy Jo Blair 1904–1967

E.

Catherine A. Ralston (1811–1840), born in Williamson, died in Weakley County

 

m. John House 1810-1867

1.

Alexander Ralston House (1833-1898), lived in Weakley Co., – was postmaster at Ralston Station

m. 1865 in Weakley Co., Sarah M. Jordan (1834–1875) (Niece of Alexander’s second wife, Sarah Jordon)

a.

Johny R House 1866-1867

b.

Katie Lou House 1868–1923

m. 1891 in Weakley Co., William W Fuller 1861–1924, merchant in Weakley Co.

(1)

Mildred Fuller 1892–1974

(2)

Infant son Fuller 1899–1899

(3)

William Ralston Fuller 1902–1937

c.

Lena May House 1870–1895 (unmarried)

Alexander Ralston

m2. 1818, Williamson, TN Sarah Sally Jordan (1800–1886) (no biological children)

F.

Sarah Ralston (1825–1885) - Ward of Alexander and Sarah Ralston.  She was the daughter of Alexander’s brother Samuel.

See Samuel Ralston.