The Hughes Family History

24 FEB 1849 Alexander H. McKinnon buys Lot # 11(100 Sq. Foot) in Montezuma, Tn for $15 from Josiah R. Womble.
Witness Jomes A. Fry, John Rogers, Proven 6 Jan 1851. Recorded McNairy Co Deed book C, page 638.

12 May 1849 Deed of Trust: $10.00 Thomas Clayton to Edmond Wade: Clayton owes Alexander H. McKinnon $250.00 note due 7 Apr 1849
Places in trust to Wade: 1 house and lot 12 in Montezuma of 100 Sq. feet; 15 BBL whiskey, 2 kegs of whiskey wine and
1 keg of French brandy. Due 7 APR 1850. signed Thoms. Clayton, Wit: none Proven: 14 MAY 1849
Recorded in McNairy County Deed Book C, page 363, 364.

1850 Census shows the following also living at the same address as this family: E.M Short, tailor, male 35, born in NY L.D. McKissack, clerk, male 21, born in Tn
C.M. Cason, merchant, male 22, born in TN

6 JAN 1851, McNairy County Deed Book # C, Page 640, Alexander H. McKinnon buys from Josiah R. Wamble for $60.00
lots 13 and 15 in the town of Montezuma. Each lot was 100 feet square. Witness by J. C. Hollis and William Cason.

6 Jan 1851 Alexander H. McKinnon is a witness to a deed where Joseph Womble sells to "Hollis and Cason"",
the south half of lot #8, which lies south of the lot #6 owned by Nehemia Burkhead.
James Fry was also a witness to this transaction. Deed book C, page 641.

15 MAR 1853 An entry in Deed book D, page 499 records a sale of a lot in the town of Montezuma.
The Heading of the record shows "Hollis and Cason" selling the lot to A. H. McKinnon. However in the body
of the record, the buyer is recored as A.J. McKinnon. the property is described as a lot begining
on the south corner of lot Number 11, owned by A.H. McKinnon. The record is witnessed by A.H. McKinnon
and Oliver J. O'Neal. It is believed this sell was actually to A.J. McKinnon, not A.H. McKinnon. A.J. was the brother to A.H.

22 OCT 1857, Book G, page 115, McNairy Co, Tn Deed book. The clerk of McNairy County (Joseph Walker) entered a deed where
A.H. McKinnon had bought town lot #7 from E. Wade. It appears that before the deed could be recorded, E. Wade died.
This record was filed assigning the lot to McKinnon.


The 1860 census of McNairy shows:
District #4, Post Office, Montezuma
Page 393, household #557
A.H. McKinnon, age 39 merchant, real estate $600, personel estate $2500
Mary, 37
John B. , 14
Mary A, 12
Eliza J, 10
Alexander, 8
Margaret E, 5
Sarah R, 2 months
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A.H. McKinnon entered the Civil War as a Pvt and left as a Lt. in Company G of the 31st Tennessee Infantry. (Col. A.H. Bradford.)
31st Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (A. H. Bradford's)

31st (A.H. Bradford's) Infantry Regiment was assembled in October, 1861, at Camp Trenton,
Gibson Couty, Tennessee. Its members were recruited in the counties of Weakley, McNairy,
Haywood, Gibson, Madison, and Decatur. For a time the unit was stationed at Fort Pillow, then
moved into Kentucky with Bragg. Later the 31st was assigned to General Stewart's, Strahl's, and
Palmer's Brigade, and in December, 1862, consolidated with the 33rd Regiment. It participated in
the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was part of Hood's operations,
and fought in North Carolina. This regiment contained 765 officers and men in April, 1862, and suffered
about 100 casualties at Perryville. The 31st/33rd lost twenty-three percent of the 379 engaged at
Murfreesboro, then the 31st had 21 disabled at Missionary Ridge and in December, 1863, totalled 157
men and 137 arms. It was included in the surrender on April 26, 1865. The field officers were Colonels
Alsey H. Bradford, Fountain E.P. Stafford, and Edbert E. Tansil; Lieutenant Colonels Caleb M. Cason
and Mansfield D. Jinkins; and Majors Samuel H. Hudson, Samuel Sharp, and John F. Smith.
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His headstone in the Old Montezuma Cemetery reads, "True and Generous".
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The following letter was contributed by Annette McKinnon Frye.
A copy is on file and the original is with Mrs. Fry.
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Carthage 15th of Oct AD 1856


A.H. McKinnon Esq

Dear cousin,
Your last letter containing the unwelcome announcement of the death of your brother was duly received
and ought to have been answered before this. I have been so much from home and so much engaged
when here is my apology for the delay. We all much regreted to hear of the death of poor Angus. His faults
be they few or many were always directed against himself alone: and all must admit that knew him had a kind
and generous heart. As you directed I mentioned to Morison about the claims found by you among Angus
papers purporting to be due to him. Morison says he has no receipt or memorandum of them and did not
seem to recollect much about them. The probability is that the claims belonged to Angus that Morison had
sold them to him. It would be like the one to sell them and very much like the other to buy them.

I had a small bond against poor Angus. He wanted to pay it when here last but it was misplaced. I send it to
you that you may save the little that is due on it for his widow should the estate be insolvent. I know of no claims
against him in this county save suit that Sam Barrett has against him now in the Superior Court for a debt due
from him as the surety of his cousin Angus B. Kelly. They tried to get a judgement in the county court and failed.
The suit will now abate of course and Sam will loose his money as he well deserves to do. The consideration
given to A.B. Kelly by Barrett was a parcel of old insolvent debts on sundry persons bought by Kelly to trade upon
and of course to bring himself into notice and he gave his bond with security for their payment.

Mr. McDonald and myself tried the cause for Angus without fee so far and of course will so remain.

Well I have nothing of special interest to write from here. Matters are moving much in the old channel.

We have very little political excitement indeed, I must say too little in view of the fact that an important national
election is just upon us. I much fear that there is not enough of interest felt to cause our people to go to the polls.
We have just at this time many mass meetings going on in various parts to get up if possible some excitement
and get our people right.

In N.C. we did badly at the August elections: doubtless the result of the free suffrage humbug about which our
people have been divided for some years. I fear the presidential election coming off so soon after the recent
election it will be difficult to get our people right. I am satisfied that a majority of our people if they have time for
reflection and has the subject freely explained by our leading men would most certainly vote for Fillmore and
Donalson. In our recent election we voted right in old Moore and I think we will do so again. I hope your people
in Tennessee will do things right and stand up for your own man.

Your relations and friends in this section are all well so far as I know. Your cousin Sandy had the misfortune to
loose his servant woman Bitha. She died of consumption. John B. Kelly, Jr is now in college - is doing very well
so far. Donald has been farming this year on a part of the old place Sandy's. He is now of age and will at January
go into the possession of his property. I hope he may do well though he has not been promising very much for the
last few years. He has done better this.

I am still at this place and not yet determined whether or not I will settle here permanently.

You are aware that in the latter part of May I was married. My wife posses all that I married her for: good sense,
a cultivated mind and good manners. I apprend I am as well contented as is ordinarily the lot of man to be. You
will please give my best respects to your wife. Say to her that her father and family are quite well. Write me again
at your leisure.
I remain your cousin truly

A. R. Kelly
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Editor's note:
The A.R. Kelly in the above letter is Angus Robertson Kelly, b.1812; d. 1887

The 1940 obituary for Sadie McKinnon Robbins in the Chester County newspaper
indicates Sadie's father, Alec McKinnon, fought in the Civil War and
was killed while Sadie was still a child.


The following story was submitted by Deanna May.
It was told by Rachel Dillon McKinnon.


Alexander H. McKinnon Esq., had a country store and post
office. Soon after the war there were many bands
of evil soldiers going through the country robbing
and killing. A.H. became afraid and buried a pan of
gold and silver. That same night a band of men
called him out and when he refused to tell them
where his money was, they shot and killed him. His
wife, Mary A. McKinnon and children, could never
locate the buried money. During the first year of
their marriage, 1845, Alexander and Mary A.
moved west from Carthage, North Carolina. Mary's
maiden name was Muse and was said to be a
distant cousin of George Washington. When A.H.
was shot, Mary A. was left with three girls and two
boys... John B., his brother, Sandy, his sisters,
Elizebeth, Madge and Sadie.

Alexander served as Postmaster of Montezuma, TN from
27 December 1850 to March 1860 according to "TN Post
Offices and Postmaster appointments 1789 to 1984", compiled
by D.R. Frazier, 929.368 F848t.

The 1860 edition of the TN State Gazetteer and Business
Directory published by John L. Mitchell shows a listing under
the Village of Montezuma for A.H. McKinnon. In bold print it
shows him to be General Merchant, Sewing Machine Agent,
and Justice of the Peace.

1. John Bethune McKinnon b: 5 MAY 1846 in McNairy County, TN
2. Mary Ann McKinnon b: 25 SEP 1848 in McNairy Co, Tn
3. Eliza J. McKinnon b: 1850
4. Alexander H. Jr. McKinnon b: 5 DEC 1853
5. Margaret (Maggie) McKinnon b: 1 DEC 1856
6. Sarah R McKinnon b: 1858
7. Sadie M. McKinnon b: APR 1861
8. Little Annie McKinnon b: 1 JUN 1863

1. Note:
   1850 Census of Tn, McNairy Co., Family letters from L.C. Nichols and Headstone located in Montezuma Cem (35deg 24min 8 sec by 88 deg 41min 29sec.)
2. Note:
   National Archives CWSS
   Microfilm roll M231 roll 29