Memory W. Statham (abt. 1800 - abt. 1856)

Born about 1800 in Georgia, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Malissa T. Campbell — married 28 Jul 1826 in Greene County, Georgia

Died about 12 Mar 1856 at about age 56 in Greene County, Georgia, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Donna Newman [send private message]

Biography

Parentage: The names of Pleasant's children come from the estate documents of his father, John Statham; specifically, a 5 Jan 1828 receipt for legal services in James Christian & John Brown Executors of John Statham Decd vs Leonard Barnet Memory W. Statham & Jesse Harris guardian of Sarah Statham, Polly Statham & Pleasant Statham. This record does not specifically state that Memory was the son of Pleasant but suggests that he was. His birth year, which comes from the 1850 Greene County, Georgia census, fits — Pleasant was obviously single in 1798 and got headright land for himself and one in the family, presumably a wife, in 1799.

I didn't find Memory in the 1820 census but he would not have headed a household as he wasn't of age if he was born in 1800. He, his widowed mother and younger siblings may have been "invisible" occupants of a relative's household since I didn't find her either.

Land lottery: The earliest mention of Memory is his registration for the 1821 land lottery in Capt. Scott's district, Greene County. He drew Lot 150, Section 3 (should probably be District 3) in Houston County, which later became part of Bibb Co.; it is not yet known when he sold it but it was resold in Feb 1823 . Registration for this lottery began two months after publication of the Act of May 16, 1821.

Marriage: Memory married Malissa T. Campbell in Greene County on 28 Jul 1826. In 1836 he bought out William L. Strain's interest in a "Tavern and Mansion House" they had operated at the corner of Broad and Main streets in Greensboro, establishing the Statham Hotel in its place. Memory was on the census in Greene Co. from 1830 through 1850 and his widow was there in 1860.

Death: Memory's will was published on 28 Sep 1855 and he died in Mar 1856 according to the petition for letters of administration by his son-in-law, Wiley G. Johnson on 24 Jan 1861 — Memory's widow, whom he had named as his Executrix, died on 26 Nov 1860 according to Wiley, leaving Memory's estate not fully settled. Estate documents suggest Memory died around Mar 12th as a bill on that date (image 712) looks to be for burial clothes: pants, satin vest, cravat and cloth coat, all black.

Children of Memory W. and Malissa T. Statham, all born in Georgia: More information about Memory and Malissa and their children, including citations, can be found in John Statham descendants, Book of Stathams, pp. 91-98, which has been attached to this profile.

1 - Mary M. Statham, born in about 1827, died in Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama on 2 Aug 1899. She married Wiley G. Johnson in Greene County on 26 Apr 1844.

2 - Francis Cummins Statham, born on 29 Oct 1829, died in about Sep 1901 in Johannesburg, South Africa. No known marriage or children.

3 - Ophelia Jane Statham, born on 12 Apr 1836, died in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia on 2 Jan 1916 [1]. Married Robert W. Pearman in Greene County on 31 Jan 1856.

4 - Henrietta W. Statham, born on 12 Feb 1837, died in Vanceburg, Kenton County, Kentucky on 13 Oct 1906 [2]. Married 1) William H. Crane in Greene County on 31 May 1859, and 2) Adolphus F. Durst in Greene County on 28 Feb 1861.

5 - Anna Antoinette Statham, born in about 1841, died at sea on 30 May 1909 [3]; her permanent address at the time was Manhattan. Married 1) William D. Condon in Greene County on 26 Mar 1856, divorce decree from Greene County Superior Court in Mar 1861 (receipts in Memory's estate documents); 2) Leonard Chamberlain Weld on 12 Apr 1861 in New York City; and 3) George J. Clement in about 1890, probably in Manhattan.

6 - Lillian Malissa Statham, born in about 1852, last found mentioned in an annual return by her guardian dated 1 Aug 1866.

Sources

Elbert County, Georgia Estates 1790-1900; "John Statham d 1823," image 366, FamilySearch.org

Silas Emmett Lucas, The Fourth or 1821 Land Lottery in Georgia, p. 214

Robert S. Davis, "The Georgia Loose Land Lottery Papers," Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly 52, pp. 136-138

Bibb County, Georgia Gen Web archives, deeds: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/bibb/deeds/deedab.txt

Thaddeus Brockett Rice, History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886, pp. 163-164 (my sincere thanks to Carol Finch for the extensive compilation of Greene County materials she sent me)

Census records

Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978, Ancesrty.com

Georgia, Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992, FamilySearch.org; Greene County Estates 1790-1943, "Memory W. Statham 1861" (images 552-761) and "Memory W. Statham 1863" (images 431-551)

Georgia, Compiled Marriages, 1754-1850, Ancestry.com

Kentucky, Death Records, 1852-1965, Ancestry.com