Edmund Tidwell 1758-1846 Revolutionary War Soldier

Edmund Tidwell was born 1758 in Virginia. He was the son of Richard J and Rachael Rebecca Helms Tidwell.

Edmund, sometimes shown as Edmond, married Anna Gladden Hollis about 1776. As near as I can determine, their children are:
Rebecca born 1778, Fairfield, South Carolina
Isaiah born 1781, Fairfield, South Carolina, married Rebecca Green Tucker
Richard born 1786 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Katie Jane Gladden
John Benson (or Benton) born 1786 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Rachel Meek, and Jane Gladden
Edmund Jr. born 1787 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married cousin Mary Nancy Tidwell, and Ann Rainey
Josiah born 1789 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Louvenia "Louvice" Roden
Jane born 1792 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Minor Gladden
Kisiah born 1793 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Abraham Davidson
Aquilla born 1795 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Mary Davidson
William born 1798 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Mariam McMurtry
Elizabeth born 1799 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Joseph Hiram Davidson
Silas born 1805 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Rachel Meek(s)
Benjamin Tidwell born 1807 in Fairfield, South Carolina, married Lucinda Meek(s)

Edmund served 120 Days in the SC Militia under Lt John Hollis. He is listed as DAR Patriot A115350. He received a land grant for service in what is now Nails Creek in Dickson County, Tennessee.

Goodspeed's History of Dickson County mentions Edmund as an early settler of Dickson County on Turnbull Creek in the 1790's from South Carolina.

Dec 31 1788 Richard Tidwell of Camden District, Fairfield County, SC sold land on Lick Creek to Edmond Tidwell of Camden District.

1790 Census of Fairfield County, South Carolina shows the name of the Head of each family in the county, with the number of free white people living in each house.

Tidwell, Edmond has eleven people in his household.

3 Mar 1802 (Chester) SC. Jeremiah (x) RODEN to Edmund TIDWELL, both of Chester for 4150, 100 ac. on Long Branch, waters of Sealy Creek, bound by George BROWN. Wit. E. NUNN and Loften NUNN. Bk. I, p. 69.

July 3 1809 Edmund Tidwell & Moses Hollis (his father in law) received a land grant on Wateree Creek in Fairfield County, South Carolina.

The Tidwell Bible, which I have only seen transcribed online, has the following entries:

Edmund Tidwell Sr. departed this life
May 12th 1846 Aged 88 years
Anna Tidwell his wife departed this life

November 11 1839 age 70

There are also entries for his children.

Photo used with permission, taken by Kenneth Greene, Jr.

Marker located in Hogin Cemetery, Burns, Dickson, Tennessee
Inscription:In honor of Revolutionary War Soldier of South Carolina. 120 days under command of Lt. John Hollis. Buried elsewhere in Dickson County.

Phelon Thomas Young Tidwell and the Croix De Guerre #52Ancestors #42

Phelon was the son of Phelan and Sarah McCullough Tidwell. He was born July 22, 1894 in Perry County, Alabama. He was the eighth of nine children.

April 19, 1917 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was shown in the muster rolls as a private, attached To Company "G", Marine Barracks, Port Royal, SC. In June of 1917, he is shown as a private in Company "F" Marine Barracks, Paris Island, SC, and Seventeenth Company, Fifth Regiment, Infantry Battalion, Quantico VA.

Phelan Tidwell, Jr

He rejoined September 1918, and is shown as Corporal Phelon Tidwell, Jr.

I found this entry from July 1919, but I have no idea what the abbreviations stand for.

Also found in July, 1919, Machine Gun Company, 5th Regiment, USMC. This one made me smile, notice the entry above Phelon..I wonder if he's related to Gomer...

By August, 1919, Phelon is shown as a Sergeant, attached To Company "A", (17th), 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment. This appears to be his discharge.

This appeared in the Birmingham News June 1, 1932:
ALABAMA HEROES OF THE WORLD WAR
By Sergeant L. E. Jaeckel

THE CROIX DE GUERRE OF FRANCE

"Phelon Tidwell, Jr. (Army Serial No. 116308), Private, 17th Company, 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Force. He displayed remarkable coolness and great bravery in the attack of July 18th near Chaudum. His automatic rifle having become jammed, he put it again in working order and continued in the advanced against a terrific hostile machine gun and shell fire, displaying at all times a contempt for the dangers which momentarily threatened his life. Residence at enlistment, West Blockton, Ala. A Silver Star to be worn with the Croix De Guerre."

This would have been in 1918 in the battle of July 18 to 20 - Dommiers Chaudum

Croix de Guerre from Wikipedia

At some point Phelon chose to be known as Thomas Young Tidwell. He married Ethel McKay in the early 1920's. They had three children: Thomas Young, Jr born 1922, Robert Lee born 1925, and Dorothy Ann born 1929.  Dorothy was the only child to survive to adulthood.

Phelon Thomas Young Tidwell

Many thanks to my cousin Sandy Grods for the pictures and the story.


Thomas Young Phelon Tidwell Jr, 74, of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla, who died Friday, was a retired employee of U.S. Pipe Co. here. Graveside service was today at Elmwood. Survivors include his wife, a daughter Mrs. William C. Ireland, Birmingham; a sister, Mrs. W. H. Ellis, Bessemer; a brother, Kess Tidwell, Dallas Tex.


Published in the Birmingham News Feb 10 1969 Metro Edition Page 35

Josiah Tidwell 1789-1862 #52Ancestors #33

Josiah Tidwell was probably the son of Revolutionary War Soldier Edmund Tidwell and Anna Gladden Hollis. He was born about 1789 in Fairfield, South Carolina. I have found no document showing his parents, but I do have a DNA connection to the Hollis line of Anna Gladden Hollis.

Josiah's family moved to Dickson County, Tennessee in the 1790s, where he married Louvenia "Louvice" Roden. They had eight children:
Harriett born about 1811; married George W Cowden
John Roden born about 1813; married Celia Huffstutler and Sarah Beavers
Orlena Arrena born June 11, 1816; married Rev. Deforrest F. Allgood
Rowan born about 1818; married Cynthia Ann "Cincianna" Cornelius
Kesterson born February 1819; married Nancy Huffstutler and Louisa Elizabeth Brown
Sheba born about 1828
Gazzam born about 1829; married Sarah J Montgomery
Vienna born about 1831

The first three children were all born in Tennessee. Josiah's growing family moved to Blount County Alabama between 1816 and 1818.

Josiah is enumerated in the Blount County census in 1830.

Josiah purchased land in Blount County, Alabama in 1833

and again in 1858

The 1850 Blount County census: 

Josiah Tidwell, 62, farmer, SC, can't read and write
Louvice, 60, SC, can't read and write
Sheba, 23, AL, can't read and write
Ghasm, 21, farmer, AL
Vianna, 19, AL

The 1860 census in Blount County:
Tidwell, Josiah 71 M W SC Farm Laborer, Personal Property 1500
 Lovisa 71 SC
Shelba 30 F AL
Vienna 25 F AL

Per the September 26, 1870 estate papers found at familysearch.org, Josiah died in "1864 or 5". The property mentioned above was in the possession of of the family of B. C. Allgood, who married the widow of Gazzam Tidwell.

The heirs of Josiah are listed:

There is no final disposition listed with these estate papers, but it appears it may have been resolved years later in the estate of Gazzam.

Josiah's final resting place is unknown

Rowan aka Ryan Tidwell 1819-1873 #52Ancestors #31

Rowan Tidwell, also known as Ryan Tidwell, was the son of Josiah and Louvenia "Louvice" Roden Tidwell. He was born about 1818 in Allgood, Blount County, Alabama.

Rowan married Cynthia Ann Cornelius October 16, 1842 in Blount County.

Rowan Tidwell married Caney Anny Cornelius, Oct 16, 1842, Rowan and Centerson (probably his brother Kesterson) Tidwell, bondsmen, p. 944, Book C, 1838-1844, Blount Co., Ala.
Married by John H Box, JP

Rowan and Cynthia had seven known children:
Louisiana "Sis" born 1844, married Benjamin Jerome Munkus
Phelan born 1847, married Sarah Elizabeth McCullough
Harriett born 1851, married E Holdridge Moncus (brother of the above Benjamin Munkus)
Beverly Cornelius born 1853, married Eva Sarah Locke
Hampton Clinton born 1855, married Palestine Gibson
Rowan B "Ryan" born 1859, married Zimmie Tubb
Brecusie born about 1861, died young

I thought I had found Rowan in the 1850 census. This Rowan is found in the household of Nelson Word, a farmer in Blount County. IHe was listed as a student instead of a farm laborer.

If this is my Rowan, where were Cynthia and the children they had by 1850?

They show up in the state census in 1855 in Blount County:
Rowan Tidwell     Head of Family:
Males < 21= 2;
Males > 21 = 1;
Females < 21 = 2;
Females > 21 = 1

The family is found living in Village Springs in Blount County in 1860:
Rowan Tidwell 40 M W Farmer Value of personal estate 50 AL
Cinciana 41 F AL
Louisia 14 F AL
Fielding 12 M AL
Harriet 10 F AL
Beverly 8 M AL
Hampton 5 M AL
Rowan 7/12 M AL

The Civil War was soon upon them, and Rowan enlisted in Company I, 49th Alabama Infantry.
The 1862 Confederate Census of Blount County says it all:

"Tidwell, Rowan; has a wife and six children; Lousanna, 16 years old; Filding, 14 years old; Hariett, 12 years old; Beverly, 9 years old; Houston, 6 years old; Rowan, 2 years old; has 150 pounds; no corn nor anything else; in Captain Crump's Company; January 17, 1862; Beat No. 14; $75.00"

The documents I have found for Rowan's service:

Paid January 9 1863 for service from July 1 to December 31 1862

Paid November 16 1863 for service from January 1 to August 31 1863

Captured July 9 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana (exchanged after three months)

Payment for Clothing...with a signature!!!!

Here's a bit about the 49th Alabama from the Alabama Archives:
This regiment was orgnized at Nashville, in January 1862, and attached to the Kentucky brigade of Gen. Breckinridge. It took part in the battle of Shiloh, where it lost 113 killed and wounded. A few weeks later, the Forty-ninth was sent to Vicksburg, with Breckinridge's brigade, and was engaged in the defense of the place when bombarded in 1862. Aug. 6, the regiment fought at Baton Rouge with a loss of 45 killed and wounded. Joining the army of Gen. Van Dorn, the Forty-ninth was engaged in the assault on Corinth, and suffered very severely there. Ordered to Port Hudson, the regiment passed the winter in that quarter, and was brigaded with the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-fifth Alabama, and two Mississippi regiments under Gen. Buford, who was soon succeeded by Gen. Beall. The Forty-ninth shared the dangers and hardships of the 42 days siege of Port Hudson, losing 55 men killed and wounded, and the reminder captured. Exchanged three months later, the Forty-ninth re-organized at Cahaba, and was attached to the brigade of Gen. Scott of Louisiana, with the Twelth Louisiana, and Twenty-seventh, Thirty-fifth, Fifty-fifth, and Fifty-seventh Alabama regiments. Joining the main army at Dalton, the brigade was assigned to Loring's division, Stewart's corps. Having wintered at Dalton, the Forty-ninth participated in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, doing much arduous service, but losing inconsiderably. Around Atlanta it was again fully engaged, and suffered severely. It moved with Gen. Hood into Tennessee, and came out of the battles of Franklin, and Nashville with a long list of casualties, and captured men. Transferred to the Carolinas, the Forty-ninth took part in the operations there. Reduced to a skeleton, it was surrendered at Greensboro, N. C.

Rowan survived the Civil War and in 1870 was found in Marion, Perry County, Alabama:

Tidwell Rion 50 M W AL Farm Laborer can't read & write
Sincina F can't make out age Keeping house AL can't read & write
Fielding 22 M Farm Laborer AL can't read & write
Beverly 17 M Farm Laborer AL can't read & write
Hampton 14 M Farm Laborer AL can't read & write
Rowin 10 M AL Attended school within the year can't write
Brecusie 8 M AL Attended school within the year

Rowan was mentioned in the estate file of his father in 1870

Rowan sold property in January 1873:
Perry Co., AL Deed Book "Y", pages 136, 137, 141, & 142:
Tidwell, Rowan & C. - Grantor
Dunkin, Elias - Grantee
Jan., 1873; T20 R8

Unfortunately, Rowan died later that year. In Cynthia's Confederate Widows
Pension Application she states Ryan Tidwell died Nov. 11, 1873 near Jericho, Perry County.

The Southern Argus (Selma, AL)
November 28, 1873
"Died in Perry Co., recently, Mr. Tidwell"

No grave site has been found.

Phelan Tidwell 1847-1933 #52Ancestors #30

Phelan was born September 27, 1847 in Blountsville, Blount County, Alabama. He was the son of Rowan and Cynthia Ann "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell. He was the second of seven children.

I have been unable to find the family on the 1850 census. In 1860 they were living in Village Springs, Blount County:
Rowan Tidwell 40 M W Farmer Value of personal estate 50
Cinciana 41 F
Louisia 14 F
Fielding 12 M [Phelan]
Harriet 10 F
Beverly 8 M
Hampton 5 M
Rowan 7/12 M

The Civil War began, and Phelan's father Rowan went to war. He served July 01, 1862 - August 31, 1863 in Co. I, 49th Alabama Infantry.

Phelan ran away from home to join the fight per his daughter Ella. He enlisted at Blue Mountain in Blount County September 9, 1862.  He would have been almost 15. He joined the 19th Alabama Infantry, Company B, 7th Regiment. It was later attached to Hood's Battallion.

The 19th Alabama saw some heavy combat. Just a few months before Phelan joined they were in the Battle of Shiloh and lost 219 killed and wounded.

Phelan would have been in the battles at Murfreesboro, Tullahoma, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge in Tennessee, and then in Georgia at Dalton, Resaca, Cassville, Kenesaw, Peachtree Creek, the battle on the Decatur road, Ezra Chapel, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy's Station. The regiment went with General Hood into Tennessee, and fought at Franklin, Nashville, and also at Bentonville, North Carolina.

Phelan was discharged in April of 1865.

Phelan rejoined his family and they moved to Marion in Perry County, Alabama. Here they are in 1870:
TIDWELL RION 50 M W AL Farm Laborer AL can't read & write
Sincina? F can't make out age Keeping house AL can't read & write
Fielding 22 M Farm Laborer AL can't read & write [Phelan]
Beverly 17 M Farm Laborer AL can't read & write
Hampton 14 M Farm Laborer AL can't read & write
Rowin 10 M Attended school within the year can't write
Brecusie 8 M Attended school within the year

In 1880 Phelan was working as a farm laborer for his uncle, Benton Cornelius in Chepultepec, Blount County:
Benton Cornelius 42 Farmer AL, both parents born SC
Elisabeth Cornelius 32 Keeping house, she & both parents born AL
Guye H. Cornelius 13 son
John L. Cornelius 10 son
Emartta Cornelius 6 daughter {looks more like Cinthella in orig. image}
Bennarick Cornelius 5 son
Tiny E. Cornelius 2 daughter
Pheba Cornelius 65 Mother
Phelan Tidwell 35 Farm Laborer

Phelan married Sarah Elizabeth "Bettie" McCullough of Perry County September 13, 1881 in Jefferson County, Alabama.

The T's weren't crossed on the marriage certificate for Bettie

They raised nine children:
McKesterson "Kess" born July 9, 1882
Zada Belle born December 1883
Zola Mae born March 1885
Martha Jane "Mattie" born August 1886
Beverly Clinton born October 8, 1888
Ella Debaugh born September 22, 1890
Madeline Virginia born 1891
Phelon Thomas Young born July 22, 1894
Deforest born July 25, 1898

Tidwell family about 1891
From left: Zada, Phelan, Ella, Kess, Beverly, Sarah, Mattie, Cynthia "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell, and Zola

I got lucky and have the 1890 census! Perry County has some of the only remaining census fragments.  The family was living in Perryville, Perry County in 1890:

Tidwell, Phelan, Head, Age 44, Born AL, Farmer, can read & write
Elizabeth 33, 5 children born, 5 living, Born AL, can read & write
McKetron (McKesterson) , son, age 9, born AL
Zada, daughter, age 7
Zola, daughter, age 5
Martha J, age 4, daughter, born AL
Beverly C, age 2, son, born AL

In 1900, they were still in Perry County, living at Oldtown. The census taker had the last name as Phelon:
Phelon, Tidwell 53 M W AL Sept 1847, 57, Married 19 years, Farmer
Phelon, Sarah E, Dec 1857, 42, 9 children, 8 living, born AL, Father TN, Mother AL
Phelon, Kessie, July 1882, 17, Farm Laborer
Phelon, Zada B, Dec 1883, 16
Phelon, Zola M, Mar 1885, 15
Phelon, Mattie J, Aug 1886, 13
Phelon, Bevley C, Oct 1888, 11
Phelon, Ella D, Sept 1890, 9
Phelon, Phelon, July 1894, 5
Phelon, D. Forest, July 1899, 11/12

In 1910, they had moved to Kingdom in Bibb County, Alabama:
Philan Tidwell 64
Bettie Tidwell 53
Clinton Tidwell 21
Ella D Tidwell 19
Phelen Tidwell Jr. 15
Forrest Tidwell 10
Married 30 years, 9 children, 8 alive
Indicates Civil War service

Bibb County, Alabama

Phelan Tidwell 1920s?

Phelon's wife Bettie died in 1913. I'm not sure where he was in 1920, as I can't find him in the census.
In 1930, Phelan was living with his granddaughter in Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama:
Bentley, Lucille B, Head, Rents, $40, Divorced, AL, parents AL, Occupation none
Bentley, Harlow B, son, 6, AL, parents AL
Tidwell, B. Clint, uncle, 39, single, AL, parents AL, contractor house, WW veteran
Tidwell, Phelan, Gr Father, 83, widowed, odd jobs, CW veteran

I was told Phelan went door to door and sharpened knives in Bessemer, Alabama

Phelan and his son Beverly Clinton, Bessemer, Alabama

Phelan died September 6, 1933 at Hillman Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama (now UAB Medical Center)

He is buried at Mt Carmel Cemetery, West Blockton, Bibb, Alabama in an unmarked grave.

John Raymond McGowan, Jr 1932-1979 #52Ancestors #23

John Raymond McGowan, Jr. was the oldest of five children born to John and Georgia Fratoddi McGowan. He was born October 1, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama. You can see his baby book here.

John was baptized October 16, 1932 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West End by Rev Walter J. Tobin.

Blessed Sacrament

He attended West End High School, where he graduated in 1951. From his 1951 yearbook, he was known as Jungle John and Shag. His ambition was "To be a success in everything I undertake". His activities were "Various Session Room Offices, and Student Teacher". His Quotation was "The paths of glory lead but to the grave".
John broke his knee cap playing football. He walked around on it anyway. This resulted in a limp and built up shoe for the rest of his life.

Senior picture, 1951

John went to work for the Birmingham News/Post Herald where he would work in the engraving department all his life.

John married Anna Tidwell  August 16, 1958 at Wylam Baptist Church in Jefferson County, Alabama.

John was the father of three; myself, John Tidwell McGowan, and William Neal "Bill" McGowan.

Family Photo. Bill wasn't born yet.

John was a lover of the outdoors and could be found hunting or fishing every chance he got. He dipped Gold Seal Snuff and chewed Red Man Tobacco, and always drove a Chevrolet truck with step sides. There was usually a dog box in the back for his hunting dogs. If you looked hard enough, you might find a bottle of MD2020 stashed somewhere in the truck, but sweet tea was downed by the gallon at home. There was always a gun rack in the cab, and a snake bite kit in the glove box. He was a member of Tombigbee Hunting Club in Boligee, Alabama, where he could be found every Saturday during deer season. We always had venison in the freezer.
We never knew what kinds of animals would turn up. I can remember having geese, a fox, and a squirrel. We always had a pen full of hunting dogs.

That is no doubt some Red Man in his cheek

He was also strong as a bear, although the bear got the best of him in this wrestling match.

This beautiful tribute was written by family friend John E. Phillips

John died January 19, 1979 of liver cancer. I found out years later that printer's ink can cause liver cancer. John is buried in Hueytown, Alabama at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Happy Father's Day Daddy! I love and miss you!

Louvice Roden Tidwell #52Ancestors #21

Updated June 20, 2015
Louvice Roden, aka Lavisa, Leuvice, Louvenia, was born about 1790 in South Carolina. She was the daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Jeremiah Roden and his wife Susannah Kirkland. The Roden family had moved to Blount County, Alabama by the 1830 census.

It appears by DNA I'm on the right track with this family.

Ancestry DNA circles. Photo of Jeremiah's grave by Maria Gilliland (Head Hunter) (#47958320). Photo of Susannah's grave by Nancy Cornelius (#47621517). Both allow use of their photos from findagrave.

Louvice Roden married Josiah Tidwell about 1810. They had possibly been neighbors in South Carolina before the marriage. In 1802 Jeremiah Roden sold land to Edmond Tidwell, father of Josiah, in Chester, South Carolina.

Louvice and Josiah settled in Blount County, Alabama. In June 1833 Josiah was issued a land patent for 80.44 acres in section 27 of Blount County. In March 1858 Josiah was issued another patent for an additional 120.66 acres on section 27.

Louvice and Josiah had at least eight children:
Harriett born about 1811 in Tennessee, married George W Cowden
John Roden born about 1813 in Tennessee, married (1) Cecelia Huffstuttler and (2) Sarah Gilliam Beavers
Orlena Arrena born 1816 in Tennessee, married Rev. Deforest Allgood
Rowan "Ryan" born about 1819 in Alabama, married Cynthia"Cincianna" Cornelius
Kesterson born 1819 in Alabama, married (1) Nancy Huffstuttler  and (2) Louisa Elizabeth Brown
Sheba born 1828 in Alabama
Gazzam born 1829 in Alabama, married Sarah J Montgomery
and Vienna born 1831 in Alabama.

Louvice died sometime after the 1860 census of Blount County, Alabama. She was not mentioned in the estate of Josiah, which was filed September 28, 1870.

Cynthia Ann "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell 1820-1906 AL #52Ancestors #13

Cynthia Cornelius was the daughter of Beverly Cornelius and his wife Nancy Euphemia Smith. She was the third of nine children and born in Blount County, Alabama March of 1820. Census data all have her name spelled differently. Cancy Ann, Cinceana, and even as Susana. The death certificate for her son  Phelan has Synsandis. The estate of her father Beverly Cornelius refers to her as Cynthia Ann, Cinthian and Cinciana. She is often confused in online trees as her sister, Cincinatti.

Cynthia Cornelius Tidwell from Sandy Grods collection. She looks so much like my grandmother!

Cynthia married Rowan "Ryan" Tidwell October 16, 1842 in Blount County, Alabama. In this record she is recorded as Caney Anny Cornelius. Rowan and Cynthia had at least nine children:
Louisiana "Sis" born 1844. She married Benjamin Jerome Munkus
Phelan born 1847. He married Sarah Elizabeth McCullough
Harriett born 1851, married E Holdridge Monkus
Beverly Cornelius born 1853, married Eva Locke
Hampton Clinton born 1855 and married Palestine Gibson
Rowan B "Ryan" Jr. born 1859. He married Zimmie Tubb.
Brecusie?? born about 1861. He died young and is only found in the 1870 Perry, AL census.

Phelan Tidwell family about 1891. From left: Zada, Phelan, Ella, Kess, Beverly, Sarah, Mattie, Cynthia "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell, and Zola

The family lived in Blount County, Alabama until at least after the 1866 Alabama census. Rowan Tidwell died November 11, 1873 in Jericho, Perry County, Alabama. Cynthia A Tidwell applied and was granted a Civil War Widows Pension in 1899.

In 1880 Suzanna? Tidwell was living with her son Beverly's family in Perry County.
In 1890 Perry, Alabama had some of the few surviving 1890 census records, but unfortunately not Cynthia.
The 1900 census enumerated her as Sinsanny Tidwell living in Perry County with her son Rowan Jr's family.

Cynthia A. Tidwell died on April 13, 1906 in Jefferson County, Alabama per the Jefferson County, Alabama Pension Application (#14196). I do not know where she is buried.

Sarah Elizabeth McCullough Tidwell of Alabama 1857-1913 #52Ancestors #8

Sarah McCullough was born January 3, 1857 in Perry County, Alabama to Gabriel J. and Mary Meggs McCullough. She was the oldest of five children.. She was also sometimes known as Martha and Bettie.

From my cousin Sandy Mathis Grods

In the 1860 census, her family was living in Severe, Perry, Alabama. By the 1870 census, both her parents were dead. Gabriel is presumed to have died in the Battle of Selma, Alabama in 1865. Mary may have died in childbirth of the twins, Thomas and James, in 1863.

Sarah was living in Perry County with William Edmonds and family in 1870. No close family connection is known at this time. Age is indexed as 20, but if you look at the original, it is 10. All the other McCullough children were living with various different relatives.
William Edmond M 90y
Parmelia Edmond F 45y
Margaret Edmond F 20y
Tracy Edmond F 18y
Cromwell Edmond M 17y
Rachell Edmond F 13y
Amos Edmond M 10y
Sarah Mccullough F 20y (10y)

I have not found Sarah in the 1880 census.
Sarah married Phelan Tidwell September 13, 1881 in Jefferson County, Alabama. Martha is crossed out, and Bettie did not have the Ts crossed, so all the indexes show Billie McCulla. Phelan is indexed in the Marriage Book as Phelan Ridwell.

Jefferson County Marriage Book Vol 9 Pg 424

Phelon (or Phelan) and Sarah raised a large family of nine children:
McKesterson "Kess" born July 9, 1882
Zada Belle born December 1883
Zola Mae born March 1885
Martha Jane "Mattie" born August 1886
Beverly Clinton born October 8, 1888
Ella Debaugh born September 22, 1890
Madeline Virginia born 1891
Phelon Thomas Young born July 22, 1894
Deforest born July 25, 1898

Tidwell family about 1891
From left: Zada, Phelan, Ella, Kess, Beverly, Sarah, Mattie, Cynthia "Cincianna" Cornelius Tidwell, and Zola

The family lived in Perry County until after the 1900 census. They had moved to Bibb County by the 1910 census.

Picture in Sandy Grods collection

TIDWELL
Blocton Enterprise, Thursday, 14 August 1913
A SAD DEATH
Mrs. Phelan Tidwell died at her home near Big Springs on Friday evening about
six o’clock from a second stroke of paralysis. Mrs. Tidwell had lived eight years in the
community in which she died, and was never heard to speak a harm word of anyone, and
she was ever ready to assist those in distress or in need of sympathy. She lead a model
Christian life in the church, at home, and in the neighborhood, and none had aught but
kind words to speak of her. She was known in this place, and it was with deep regret that
her friends here learned of her death. Of Mrs. Tidwell it can be said that truly a good
woman has gone to her reward. The remains were interred at Mt. Carmel cemetery
Saturday evening, Rev. J. L. Busby officiating. She leaves a husband, four sons and four
daughters to mourn her loss, to whom we extend deepest sympathy.

Funeral of Sarah McCullough Tidwell from Sandy Grods collection

Sarah is buried in an unmarked grave in Mount Carmel Cemetery, West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama

Beverly Clinton Tidwell of Alabama 1888-1955 #52Ancestors #7

Beverly Clinton Tidwell was born October 8, 1888 in Perryville, Perry County, Alabama. He was the son of Phelan and Sarah Elizabeth McCullough Tidwell. He was the fifth of nine children. He was known as Clint or B.C.. He was named Beverly after his great grandfather, Beverly Cornelius, and/or his uncle, Beverly Cornelius Tidwell..

Phelan Tidwell Family. Beverly is 5th from the left.

Perry County was one of the few counties in the US to have a surviving census from 1890.
1890 Census Perryville, Perry Co AL Beat 8
Series: M407 Roll: 1 Page: 15

Phelan Tidwell, Head, Age 44, Born AL, Farmer, can read & write
Elizabeth, 33, 5 children born, 5 living, Born AL, can read & write
McKetron (McKesterson) , son, age 9, born AL
Zada, daughter, age 7
Zola, daughter, age 5
Martha J, age 4, daughter, born AL
Beverly C, age 2, son, born AL

The 1900 census was a challenge. Everyone in the family was listed with the last name Phelon.
Oldtown, Perry, Alabama
Series: T623 Roll: 36 Page: 191

Phelon, Tidwell 53 M W AL Sept 1847, 57, Married 19 years, Farmer
Phelon, Sarah E, Dec 1857, 42, 9 children, 8 living, born AL, Father TN, Mother AL
Phelon, Kessie, July 1882, 17, Farm Laborer
Phelon, Zada B, Dec 1883, 16
Phelon, Zola M, Mar 1885, 15
Phelon, Mattie J, Aug 1886, 13
Phelon, Bevley C, Oct 1888, 11
Phelon, Ella D, Sept 1890, 9
Phelon, Phelon, July 1894, 5
Phelon, D. Forest, July 1899, 11/12

The family moved to Kingdom in Bibb county by 1910
Philan Tidwell 64
Bettie Tidwell 53
Clinton Tidwell 21
Ella D Tidwell 19
Phelen Tidwell Jr. 15
Forrest Tidwell 10

Clint served in WWI in the Alabama Wagoner Supply Company, 89th Infantry.

Clint Tidwell, WWI

Clint became a house carpenter and built many houses in Jefferson County Alabama. He also built at least one bridge

Bridge in Perry, Alabama built by Clint Tidwell

In 1920, Clint was living in Bessemer, Jefferson, Alabama in a boarding house along with his brother McKesterson. Both had occupation as house carpenter.

Clint Tidwell, Bessemer, Alabama

Clint married Flora Jane Carter about 1930. I have not been able to locate a marriage record, but they were not married when the census was taken in April, 1930. Clint was living with his divorced niece, Lucille Blake Bentley, and his father Phelan.

Clint and Flora had two daughters, Anna and Mary. They lived in Hueytown, Alabama.

Per my mother, Anna, Clint had the original idea to build the Hueytown Community Center. He donated his time and labor. He caught pneumonia and suffered his first heart attack while building it.

Beverly Clinton Tidwell died of a heart attack May 31, 1955. He was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hueytown, Alabama.

The Birmingham News
June 1, 1955, page 8

"SERVICES ANNOUNCED FOR BEVERLY TIDWELL

Funeral services for Beverly Clinton Tidwell, 65, a widely known Hueytown building contractor, who died yesterday in a local hospital, will be held tomorrow.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, with the Rev. Fred Jordan, the Rev. John Hones, and the Rev. Clay Herring officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery. Brown-Service, Bessemer, directing.

Mr. Tidwell, who made his home in Hueytown for the past 30 years, lived at 112 Lindbergh Rd. at the time of his death.

He was active in church and civic work and was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Church.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Flora Carter Tidwell; two daughters. Miss Anne Tidwell, an employee of the Birmingham News Circulation Department, and Mrs. Winifred Justice; three brothers, M. Kess Tidwell, Dallas, Tex., Thelon* Tidwell, Bessemer, and D. Forrest Tidwell, Norfolk, Va.; and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Blake, Trenton, N.J. and Mrs. William H. Ellis of Birmingham."

*Actually Phelon
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Lane Cake- A Southern Christmas Tradition

My grandmother, Flora Carter Tidwell, was an excellent cook. She often made Lane Cake for the holidays. It was one of my mother's favorites.

Flora Jane Carter Tidwell

Tradition has it that Emma Rylander Lane, of Clayton, Alabama, won first prize with her cake at the county fair in Columbus, Georgia. She published a cookbook, Some Good Things To Eat, in 1898, and she included the recipe as "Prize Cake".

Lane Cake was mentioned several times in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch said, “Miss Maudie Atkinson baked a Lane cake so loaded with shinny it made me tight.” (Shinny is slang for liquor.)

From http://www.thesecondlunch.com/2010/04/omnivore-books-edible-art-contest/

Ready to get some bowls and pans dirty? (Really, it takes a ridiculous amount!) I honestly can't even fathom making this without an electric mixer as Miss Emma and contemporaries did. I have even seen some versions of the recipe calling for 16 layers!

Here's my version:

LANE CAKE RECIPE

- CAKE –
3 cups sifted cake flour
1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
8 egg whites*
1 cup milk

*Separate eggs, placing 6 whites in a large mixing bowl, 2 whites in a small bowl and all the yolks in a saucepan (yolks will be used for the filling, the 2 remaining in the frosting)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl of mixer beat 6 egg whites and salt until foamy; gradually add add 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff. Set aside.

In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the butter, remaining sugar and vanilla. Add the flour mixture a little at a time, alternating with the milk. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in the egg white mixture gently but thoroughly.

The choice of pans are yours. The original recipe was baked in pie tins. You want to end up with at least 3 layers. You can use a bundt pan (my personal choice), or 8 or 9 inch round pans. You can cut the layers after baking into additional layers. Divide the batter between 2 or 3 or 4 pans if using round pans. Grease and flour whichever pans you choose.

Bake in a 350-degree oven until edges shrink slightly from sides of pans and tops spring back when gently pressed with finger, or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean — about 20 minutes depending on which size pans you choose. (The thinner the layers the faster it cooks). Place pans on wire racks to cool for about 5 minutes.

Turn out on wire racks; turn right side up; cool completely.

- FILLING -

8 egg yolks
1 cup sugar

1 cup shredded coconut

1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained (reserve a few cherries for the top)
1 cup raisins, finely chopped

½ cup butter, at room temperature
1 – 3 cups bourbon or brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecan pieces

In a large saucepan, combine egg yolks, sugar, coconut, cherries, raisins and butter. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly until very thick. and mixture mounds when dropped from a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in bourbon, pecans, and vanilla. Cool slightly.

-TO ASSEMBLE CAKE-

Depending on which size pan you chose, slice bundt or layers diagonally to make 3 or four layers. A bread knife works well for this. The filling is placed between layers, not on the top or sides. Filled cake can be stored 1 week ahead if stored airtight in a cool place. If refrigerated, allow to stand at room temperature for half a day before serving because the texture is best when cake is not served chilled. Frost top and sides with boiled white frosting. I like to decorate the top of mine with a few maraschino cherries and pecan halves.

-BOILED WHITE FROSTING ( AKA 7 MINUTE FROSTING) -

1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup hot water
2 egg whites

Beat egg whites in a large bowl of mixer until stiff.

Combine sugar, cream of tartar, salt, and water in a saucepan. Cook rapidly without stirring to soft-ball stage (240 degrees on a candy thermometer), 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. With the mixer on, pour hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites, beating constantly at high speed until frosting is shiny and smooth and will hold stiff peaks.
Put layers together (on a cake plate) with Lane Cake Filling, stacking carefully; do not spread filling over top. Cover top and sides with Boiled White Frosting. The frosting is thick enough to make beautiful swirls.

___

Before you go running from the kitchen, I have also successfully cheated by using a white cake mix for the cake, and then assembled using the filling and frosting. The filling and frosting are what really makes the cake!

I would love to see some links to your traditional recipes!

Sibling Saturday-William Neal "Bill" McGowan

My brother Bill was born August 4, 1966 in Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama. He was the son of John Raymond Jr. and Anna Tidwell McGowan. He passed away too soon November 8, 2001 at the age of 35 in San Diego, California. He died of pneumonia from a short illness he thought was a cold, but ended up being the flu.
Bill was the youngest child of three. Our dad died when Bill was about 13. Bill attended University of Alabama at Birmingham, and worked for USAA insurance in Tampa, FL. He moved to San Diego after he was recruited by The Hartford. He loved hiking in the desert & jogging.

Published in the USAA Newsletter

I was told by co-workers at The Hartford, that Bill encountered some Mexican boarder crossers in the desert while hiking. They were lost, hungry, thirsty, and had no shoes. Bill gave them directions, food, water, and the shoes off his feet.

The world needs more like Bill. I miss him dearly!