The OWNBYS: Ownebe, Oadby, Oneby, Ownebye, Onby, Onebie, de Ouneby, de Ouresby, de Outhenby, de Ouensby, de Oudeby, (Pick a spelling)

Much has been speculated regarding the origins of the name Ownby, Owenby, Oneby and Owensby. Ancient records date back to Lincolnshire, Rutland, and most prolific Leicestershire, England. The earliest notation is: THOMAS ONDEBY, "SHERIFF OF RUTLAND IN 1156"

In "A History of the County of Leicester" edited by R A McKinley, Vol IV, 1958, is the mention of Roger de Oadby who held land in Gumley (next door to Oadby) in 1279, such land remained in the hands of the Oadby family, lords of Oadby until the early 16th century.


From a Pedigree entered in the Visitation of London, 1634, by John Oneby and Humphrey Oneby, now remaining in the College of Arms (C. 24. sol. 593.b.); compared with another, which was entered at the Visitation of Leicestershire, 1681, at the ------ of dame Mercie Oneby, relative of Sir John Oneby; and of John Oneby, an attorney, lord of the manor of Barwell (K.2.p.84).

The American Ownby/Ownbey/Owenby tree originates in the mid 1600's when Arthur Onby, William Onesby, Edward Onbrey, Marmaduke Onesby, Robert Onsby, Stephen Onesby, Elizabeth Ownsby, Mary Ownbey, John Ownbey, and Mary Ownby all migrated to America. It is believed that Arthur is the common ancestor of the American Ownbys, (although I kinda like Marmaduke).

Most of them were illiterate and there is very little written history. Even after the Owenby's moved to America the name was spelled however the person writing it down chose to spell it. You will find Owensby, Ownby and Ownbey.

The direct line is in question regarding origin, but my line knows for sure that Walter Ownby was the son of Thomas and had several children. Three of them married Cheek siblings. The Cheek information is on the Cheek page.
Walter's son Edward B Ownby and Mary Jane Cheek moved from Orange Co, NC to Sumner Co, TN where Edward B "Neddy" owned land in 1820. By 1827 they were in Marshall Co, TN where Mary Jane died. Her 6 children inherited her portion of her father's estate, and there was a court battle with some of her siblings. Neddy remarried to Nancy Perkins in 1835 and had 3 more children. Nancy died in 1845 and Neddy married a third time to Martha L Fisher who was 35 years his junior. They had one son and moved to Carrol Co., TN where Neddy died in 1865 at the ripe old age of 73.
Eli Craig Ownby was the oldest son of Neddy and Mary Jane. He married Nancy Carol Winstead in 1839. Eli and Nancy had a successful farm and 11 children when Civil War broke out in Middle Tennessee. In 1861 their oldest daughter was married and gone from home and their 4 oldest sons left to fight in the war. Nancy died in 1862 (probably from complications of the birth of her last child in 1861). The oldest children were gone and that left 12 year old Lizzie to tend the children and the farm. Eli was still alive but was captured by the invading Northern Forces and held captive for 2 weeks and never regained his mind and stamina.
After serving in the Civil War, Watterson Knox Polk Ownby came home to Bedford Co., Tennessee to find his mother dead and the farm in ruins. His 15 year old sister, Lizzie told him "I'll manage the children and you run the farm". So the two took charge of the other 9 children. In 1873, Watt married Martha Jane Taylor, daughter of Anderson Taylor and Nancy Canaday, and Lizzie married Martha's brother Jefferson Taylor the same day. The oldest daughter Mary married Leroy Brown and stayed in the Murfreesboro area and Samuel Mortimer married Ruthie Springer Smith and stayed in the Woodbury area. The remainder of Eli and Nancy family (including Eli) moved to Texas around 1882. The stroy is that it thook them 3 trips to move everyone and everything from Tennessee to Texas. Andrew Jackson settled in Savoy, TX. Eli Jr, settled in Chillicothe, TX. Sterling Green McAllister settled in Detroit, TX. Henry McGrew settled in Era, TX. Watt settled in Kentucky Town and Lizzie in Pilot Grove, TX. Margaret Emily married James Knox Polk Spangler and they moved back to Tennessee when their daughter died to take care of their grandchildren. Queen Ann Matilda never married and was the much beloved Aunt Queen to all of her neices and nephews and spent her life moving from one siblings home to another.


James Knox Polk Ownby, Thelma Jewel and Alma Blanche "Jessie" Savage Ownby

Watterson Knox Polk Ownby and Guy Malcom Ownby


Watterson Knox Polk, Samuel Mortimer, Andrew Jackson, Elizabeth Nancy, Sterling Grren McAllister and Queen Ann Matilda Ownby


Guy Malcom Ownby in 1926


Guy in 1946


Yours truly in 1949


Jim and Jessie 1954


Cousins in 1949

The Ownby's Now. This picture was taken in 1996 of 3 generations of Ownby's. We still get together at Christmas and sometimes in the summer. There are really 4 generations living but some have been born since this picture was taken. Other cousins live out of Texas and can't make it to the get-togethers. The faces you see in this picture are a mixture of Ownby, Winstead, Cheek, Taylor, Canaday and all the in-laws and out-laws that have married into the family.




OWNBY LINKS:

Wayne Owensby's Page

Oadby-Wigston, Britain Web Site

John "Johny" Ownbey Web Site

Go to Terry Cheek Web Site

Finding Eli's Grave


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