This information provided courtesy of Bobbie Ross. Thanks Bobbie.
SPENCER ALTUM (ca.1790-1855) wife not known, from NC to Anderson Co. TN. Children:
1.John C. Altum (1815-1847) married Obedience Hall (more below)
2.Matilda (or Malinda) Altum married a Tiller.
3.Louisa F. Altum married William Britton in 1850.
4.Mary A. Altum (1822) married a Tucker.
5.William Carrth Altum (1824-1863) married Winny Ann Thibbs.
6.Martha Ann Altum (1854-) married Sol Davis.
7.James C. Altum (1833) married Emma Chapman in 1857.
8.Charlotte Altum (1836) married F. M. Edmunson in 1857.
JOHN C. ALTUM (1815-1847) married OBEDIENCE HALL (1818-1870/80) Anderson Co. TN. and children were:
1.Jane Altum married a Henderson.
2.Spencer Altum (1837-1884) married Nancy Harrell, Anderson Co. TN.
3.Susannah Altum (1838-) married 1858 to James Messimore, Anderson Co. TN.
4.John C. Altum (1839-) married 1858 to Parthenia Messimore, Anderson Co. TN.
5.Newton Russell Altum married Elizabeth Irene Watson. (more below)
6.Matilda Altum (1844)
7.Daniel Thomas Altum (1845-1911 married 1. Rachel E. Lee 2. Elizabeth Jane Cline Faulkner.
8.Nancy Frances Altum (1847) married 1876 to C. R. Milligan.
NEWTON RUSSELL ALTUM (1842-1918) married ELIZABETH IRENE WATSON (1842-1923) Murray Co. GA to Coryell County, TX. Children:
1.Obedience (Bidd) Altum (1867-) married 1883 Thomas L. Farris, 9 children, Coryell Co. TX.
2.Margaret Altum (1870-1916) married Levi Beasley, 10 children, Coryell Co. TX.
3.F. Bell Altum (1872-) married a Gallager.
4.John T. Altum (1873-1935) married Ettie Edgar, 3 children, Bell Co. TX. John and Dollie listed below were twins.
5.Mary Jane (Dollie) Altum married William Nelson Farris, Coryell Co. TX. (more below)
6.James F. Altum (1876-1963) married Joanna Averitte, 2 children, Coryell Co. TX.
7.Samuel Newton Altum (1878-1953) married Mattie Gallegar (1882-1960)
11 children.
This is a letter written by Obedience Altum who lived in Anderson Co. TN to her son, Newton Russell Altum on 7 April 186?, (appears to be 1861, but could be 64, 67 or 69). Newton and his family lived in Spring Hill, Murray Co. GA. Obedience died following the 1870 census in Anderson Co. TN. Between 1870 and 1872 the Altums came to Coryell County. Transcribed exactly as written: Dear Son & Daughter I now have the oppertunity of ancering your kine letter to me I was glad to hear from you & hear that you was all Well We air all Well but my Self & I have bin confined to my bed for a Good While Newton I Wold like to see you all mity well but I think very likely you have put off the time to come to see me to long for unless some change I cant live long & I want you to bee a good Boy & if I never See you any more I want you to try to meet mee in a better world than this I have nothing more to write much I think that Thomas has give out Coming Down this Spring So you must Write As soon as you can So I must close for this time by saying I remain your Mother untill Deth Obedance Altum To N. R. Altum & famley Wrote by Spencer Altum A few lines for my Self now We air all well at this time & I hope that theas few lines will Reach you & fine you all well I have nothing of intrust to write to you at presant times is very harde a bout money at this time Produse is not near as by as it has bin hear all they has bin a gradeal of corn & Stuf Distroyed by the Water this Spring We have had more Rain this Spring than I ever saw I think we air not Dun Sowing oats yet & in fact their is not eny Body that has Dun Everything to words farming yet. Newton you must write to mee & let mee now how times is Down their So no more at present But Remaines yours & cu( ? possibly cousin?) I think this letter is written by Spencer Altum, older brother of Newton by 5 years, or possibly a cousin, although I cannot place a cousin Spencer at this place & time. Original letter in possession of Johnny DeLord of Gatesville in 1998.
ALTUM FAMILY
Photo taken in front of Altum home in Coryell Co. TX around 1900
STANDING, Sam and John Altum (sons of N.R.Altum) SEATED, Elizabeth Irene
Watson Altum and Newton Russell Altum Not sure whose wife and children these
are, either Sam's or John's
WILLIAM NELSON FARRIS(1864-1932 married MARY JANE ALTUM (1873-1945) in Coryell County, TX, children:
1.Augusta (Gussie) Farris (1892-1955) married John Barr, 10 children.
2.William Everett Farris (1893-1975) never married.
3.Annie Bell Farris (1895-1986) never married.
4.Harvey Denver Farris (1897-1984) married Bertha Netherlin, 6 children.
5.Elizabeth Farris (1899-1984) married Eddie B. Glass, 3 children.
6.Odie R. Farris (1902-1906.
7.Samuel Omar Farris (1904-1973) married Annie Glass, 4 children.
8.Oscar A. Farris (1906-1992) married Readie Galloway, 2 children.
9.Louie E. Farris (1908-1994) married Mae Henderson, no children.
10.Lois Irene Farris married Tommie Lee Ross, children listed above.
11.Virginia Farris married Willie Turner
12.Woodrow W. Farris married Norsie Swope
For more information on THE ROSS FAMILY AND THEIR LINEAGES PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEB SITE AT: http://www.htcomp.net/ross/default.htm or email Bobbie at:
bwross@htcomp.net