The Matriarch of the Largest Family in Arkansas in 1899
My grandmother, Martha George, was 14 years old when her great-grandmother, Angeline Miller George, passed away in 1899. Angeline was an incredible woman who left a legacy of resilience, strength, and liberality to her 240 descendants. She was the matriarch of the largest family in the state at the time, and her legacy lives on through her descendants many of who still live in Yell and surrounding counties in Arkansas. Martha was deeply touched by Angeline's spirit, and she passed her wisdom and grace on to her own children and grandchildren. Angeline's legacy is still felt today, and her wisdom and strength live on in her descendants.
Hardin and Angeline and Mt. George
Hardin and Angeline Miller George were some of the first settlers in what is now known as Mt. George, Arkansas. The family emigrated by wagon train from Limestone County, Alabama to Yell County, Arkansas arriving in 1843. After their wagon broke down near Chickalah, Arkansas, they decided to stay and begin building their new life. For the next several years, the George family worked to build homes, barns, and churches in the area, eventually founding the community of Mt. George.
Mt. George is a small, tight-knit community located on Highway 154 about five miles west of Centerville. It is home to many descendants of the George family, and the Mt. George Church of Christ is the center of the community.
Founded in the 1840s, the church is currently ministered by Chris George, great-great-grandson of Hardin and Angeline. Behind the church is the Mt. George Cemetery, where many George family descendants have been laid to rest.
I connected with Chris George many years ago when I walked into his business, Joshua's Fine Jewelry, in Russellville, Arkansas to ask him a few questions about our George family.
He showed me artifacts from the family’s past, like photographs, heirlooms, and documents that he had managed to track down. I used his information to add to and verify my research findings. It's amazing that we have so much history of our George ancestors. But it helps that many of them have lived in the same area for 180 years.
I've known Chris's dad, Sonny George, for years. My parents always spoke of him fondly, especially when we attended our Walker/George family reunions. My mom and I even visited him at his house several years ago to talk about family history. He's a great storyteller and I could listen to him talk all day. Two stories come to mind: his tale of playing basketball at Ola in the 1940s and driving the Ola school bus where he was a student at the time. His stories of those days are filled with humor, nostalgia, and a sense of pride. It's easy to see why he looks back on his high school years so fondly. I'm glad to have a cousin who can still tell his stories with such enthusiasm. Sonny confirmed my George research as well as added some colorful stories.
Our family trees reveal that Chris and I are 3rd cousins through brothers William Presley George and David Hawkins George sons of Hardin and Angeline.
Along with our two ancestors, Hardin and Angeline had 12 other children. Seven of their children were born in Alabama and Tennessee and made the long trek to Arkansas with their parents and the other seven were born in Arkansas. All but one survived to adulthood and each of them had many children. This large family was well-known in the local community for their strong work ethic and their commitment to family. Their great-granddaughter, my grandmother, Martha, was born in 1885 at Mt. George and lived there her entire life, surrounded by her large and loving family. Martha was a testament to the strength of the family's bond and was an important part of their legacy.
Martha's Story and My Memories
Martha George married Amos Jackson Walker in 1910 and over the next 20 years, they had 10 children, seven of them living to adulthood. One of them was Jack, my dad. Census records indicate Martha and Amos lived in the Centerville area their entire married lives. They were farmers. They attended Mt. Tabor Baptist Church which was not too far from the Mt. George Church of Christ. Many of their descendants continue to live and work in Yell County and Pope County in Arkansas.
I was born in Russellville, Arkansas in July 1951 to Jack and Jessie Reed Walker. I didn't get to know my paternal grandparents, Martha and Amos, very well because my parents moved often due to my dad's military service. Military life can be challenging, especially if you move around a lot. A few months after I was born, we were in Germany. Over the next few years, we moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Ord California, and Fort Hood, Texas before returning to Germany in 1957. All of this moving meant that by the time I was six, I had already experienced four different places. Sadly, Martha died a year later in 1958 while we were stationed in Germany and I never got to know her. Despite never having had the privilege of getting to know her, I have heard many stories about the wonderful woman she was. My dad often spoke of her with a twinkle in his eye, telling tales of their life on the farm. I asked my Aunt Dude about her and she said: "She was a lady." I am sure that if I had known my grandmother, I would have been left with memories of a truly remarkable woman, who touched the lives of those around her.
A Summer Vacation I'll Never Forget
I never thought summer at my paternal grandparent's house in Centerville, Arkansas would be such a learning experience. We were used to the amenities we had on a military base. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I knew this was going to be an interesting visit. My grandparents' two-bedroom house was small, with a front porch perfect for sitting and watching the world go by. As I walked through the door, the smell of a wood-burning stove filled my nostrils. I was transported back in time to a simpler era. The days were spent doing things I never imagined I would do.
My grandparents were happy to see us and soon we found out what country life was like. Martha took us to gather eggs in the barn, which seemed like a fun adventure to us city kids. However, it was a different story when we got to the barn. Chickens were busy pecking, flapping their wings, and squawking, and some even tried to chase us around. The sun shone threw the big
windows and cats were lurking around the hay in the barn making it seem like a secret place just for me. It was like a scene straight out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
But that was just the beginning. My grandparents had a well and the outhouse was out back. Water had to be carried into the house to be used for cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Going to pee at night was a scary adventure. I never knew how much I cherished indoor plumbing until then. But one awesome experience was drinking cold water from the well out of a dipper. I never thought about it then, but looking back, I realize it was a community dipper that everyone drank out. I wonder how often they all got sick at the same time. Still, I'm thankful for the nostalgia of that experience.
As the days went by, we soon learned that my grandparents lived a life much simpler than what we were used to. One morning at breakfast, I watched my grandmother, cook eggs and bacon on her wood-burning stove as my grandfather poured coffee into his saucer to drink it. I remember thinking why did you do that but was too shy to ask. Later, I asked my mom and she said to cool the coffee so it wouldn’t burn him.
I met my cousins for the first time and they were really fun to be around. They took us to the pig pen where we sat on the fence awed at the sight of the giant beasts. The cousins dared us to run across the pigpen and evade the pigs. I couldn't resist a dare, and so, I found myself sprinting across the pen with my heart beating faster than I ever thought possible. It was like a scene from a comedy movie, with the pigs chasing us as we ran for our lives. We made it out unscathed, but I still think about that and wonder how we survived.
The cousins asked us to go exploring in their "neck of the woods." They took us to a hidden slave graveyard that was both eerie and fascinating. It was like living in a history book. Even at a young age, I was shocked to learn that was a part of my family history.
One highlight of our trip was the walk to the local store to get a treat. We were amazed at the old-fashioned setting. It was like stepping back in time. There were two stores located at the intersection of Highway 7 and Highway 154 in Centerville, Arkansas. The one on the southwest corner had gas pumps. It was okay, but I liked the one on the southeast corner because, at the entrance door, there was a cooler filled with cold drinks. The cousins convinced me to get a moon pie and an RC cola. Best combination ever. I was hooked.
But the real fun started when relatives in the area came to visit. The front yard transformed into a buffet table, and the laughter and conversation never stopped. The cousins would chase each other in the field in front of the house. My cousin, Bobby Roach, would tickle me until I begged for mercy. We picked flowers and looked for four-leaf clovers. After dark until bedtime, the living room became the gathering place. My grandparents' house was the hub of the family, and we were happy to be a part of it.
As our vacation ended, I realized that sometimes the simple things in life can be the most entertaining and funny. My grandparents' house may not have had all the latest amenities, but it had something much more valuable - family. I had learned so much about the way things used to be. I had experienced a way of life that was completely foreign to me. But most of all, I had made memories that would last a lifetime.
Though I don’t have many memories of my paternal grandparents and their home during our time spent together in the 1950s, I wouldn't trade what I have for anything.
I'm Proud to be a part of the George Family Legacy
Through my research, I discovered my George family is huge and sprawling. Though I had met a whole bunch of them during my life, I didn't realize just how big and influential the Georges were in Yell and surrounding counties. Their legacy dates back to the early 1840s when the first George ancestors settled in the Chickalah area. The Georges have been involved in numerous businesses and public affairs through the years, from running a large farm to family-owned businesses to serving in the state legislature. They have also been active in the community, giving generously to causes and helping out those in need.
The George family legacy, beginning with Angeline Miller and Hardin George, is still alive and well. I have a thriving family network that spans over six generations, and my family members continue to make an impact in their communities. Their story has been written many times, and now from my viewpoint. I hope you enjoy it. I am proud to be part of this amazing legacy and like, Angeline, strive to leave my own legacy of resilience, strength, and liberality.
This blog is dedicated to telling the story of the George family's history in Yell County, Arkansas. The blog is written by Barbara Adams, a 6th great-granddaughter of the original settlers, Hardin and Angeline George. It covers a wide range of topics, from the family's early days in the area to their lives today. Readers can expect to find stories about the family's hardships, triumphs, and even humorous anecdotes. Additionally, the blog includes photos and important documents that offer a more complete picture of the George family's history. With this blog, readers can get a unique glimpse into a family's past and present in Yell County, Arkansas.
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