In the 1866 State Census for AL, Mrs. Britton McGuire lives in Township 24, Range 12 East in Shelby County. My fragrant cousin and I drove through the area on our recent genealogical forays in AL. State Road 25 goes through that section, which is just outside the town of Wilton before you get to Bibb County. It's pretty country, verdant and teeming with life.
Along the way is the Brierfield Ironworks. Sadly we decided not to stop this trip. Way too hot—95 degrees—and too much to see at the Brent Centerville Library and Judge of Probate office. The people at these offices are WONDERFUL! Kind and helpful.
I looked up original ownership of this area in Family Maps of Shelby County at the BPL. Surprise! (Not really). Pleasant Fancher and Jonathan Newton Smith owned most of it. Manus Lemley owned some.
Britta often lived near Pleasant Fancher and JNS, especially in 1870. Jonathan Smith's third wife was Frances Jane (or Jane Frances) Green, daughter of Joscelin B. Green and granddaughter of Squire John and Jane Kerr Green. Manus Lemley was grandfather of James Pinkney Lemley, who married Sarah Ellen McKinney (Britta's niece). James and Sarah Ellen are in Leflore County, MS, in 1880 with John P. McKinney and other family.
More pieces of the puzzle. I haven't figured out how they fit together yet. But I will.
I look forward to both going back for research at the Courthouse and for visiting the Ironworks. Next year for sure!
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