Verify with a Will: Anna Ashford Tucker (1802-1878)
Anna Tucker (1802-1878) was married to James A. Tucker (1802-1885) of Union County, South Carolina. This is her headstone, and this is the first time I have shared that she is related to me. She is my 3rd great grandmother. Her great grandson, George Anderson Tucker (1882-1932), was my great grandfather.
Martha Sims Talley (1855-1936) was the mother of George. You see the Tucker's were enslavers. Martha had George after enslavement. George's father was also George, George Epps Tucker (1859-1927). He made sure that his family did not take the land that he gave George Anderson Tucker (1882-1932). That is why I continue to find out who is related to me no matter what color they are.
After my genealogy research, I know that Ann Tucker (1802-1878) was the daughter of Moses Ashford (1763-1820). One resource that can help you verify the relationships in a published family history is wills. The most logical place to prove that Anna Ashford was in fact the daughter of Moses Ashford also happens to be in a will. Moses purchased land in Union, South Carolina. A will for Ashford, Moses of Union District was recorded on August 23, 1820. As presumed, Anna Ashford is mentioned by her father who divided his estate among his three children: Polly, Anna, George
Miscellaneous Probate Records, 1777-1866, Index, 1777-1961; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Union County) https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9080/images/004753068_00247
Now, the only verification that is left to take place is to prove Anna Ashford is the same Anna that the compiled history names as the person who married James A. Tucker. Her father died before she would have married James, so he refers to her as Anna Ashford instead of Anna Tucker.
On the 1810 Census, Moses Ashford lived in Union County, South Carolina (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7613/images/4433429_00431?pId=595389), with Joseph Tucker staying very close by. James Anderson Tucker, son of Joseph, was home. James and Anna married in 1825. All the clues point to this fact, but it needs to be documented somehow. The search is on for this last piece of evidence. Where do you suppose it will be found?
Needless to say, I did not think I would find anything, so I went on to another blog post thinking that one was easier. I went to find a deed with Full-Text Search at FamilySearch:
I looked for the name, "Ellenia (sp) Chick." I received a lot of results for P. W. Chick. Well, I selected one.
What do you think it turned out to be? If you said, "Anna Tucker," you are right. Take a look:
"Newberry, South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR8-X3T7-H?view=fullText : Feb 9, 2025), image 74 of 205
This one is an equity court record from 1867. The administrator is John C. Richards vs Pettis W. Chick, James A. Tucker, and Anna Tucker. I became very interested in learning more because James, Anna, and Pettis W. Chick were all enslavers.
"Newberry, South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR8-X3T7-H?view=fullText : Feb 9, 2025), image 75 of 205
John C. Richards a representing George Ashford who had just died. He had left one sole survivor, the heiress and his sister Anna Tucker. She was the wife of James A. Tucker. We know that Moses had three children, Polly, Anna, George. I had just proven that Anna Tucker was Anna Ashford Tucker.
I never knew Pettis had any knowledge about George Ashford, James A. Tucker, or Anna Tucker. This particular court case is over twenty pages. I plan on investigating it, and I will let you know what I find. In the meantime, go and pick up "My Best Genealogy Tips: Quick Keys to Research Ancestry Book 2:"
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