Genealogy for
James Benjamin Ward 

	Parents
	John Ward 1770 - 1813	Nahoga Mahala Moniac 1770 - 1863

About James Benjamin Ward
James Benjamin Ward 1796 - 1862 James Benjamin Ward was born about 1796 somewhere in SC and died about 1862 in Dale County, AL. He was 66 years old. The 'Monroe Letter' says James was part Irish and Tuskegee Creek Indian. However, this has not been completely proven and much controversy exists about his parents. The fact that he and his parents are buried in the 'Old Indian Cemetery' in Malvern, AL supports the letter's claim. When he killed a bear at Little Creek near his home, he received the name ‘Jim Bear’ and the creek became known as Bear Creek. Bear Creek is located near Malvern, Alabama. James served in the Indian Wars of 1813 - 1814. He enlisted in Hartford, GA and was stationed at Ft. Mitchell in Alabama. He was listed as a spy under the command of Major Patton (he was spying on the Upper Creek towns for the Americans). This war was fought between the Upper and Lower Creek towns within the Creek Nation. The Lower Creeks were allies to the Americans. The Upper Creeks (called Red Sticks) sided with the Spanish and the British. James received a land grant for his service in the war. His wife Elizabeth (English) was a Creek Indian born in Georgia. They lived in Georgia where their oldest son was born. Soon after the birth of their oldest son they moved to Dale County, Alabama where their other children were born. They are listed in the 1850 and 1860 census of Dale County. When the Civil War begins in 1861, all six of his sons enlist in the Confederate Army. Four of their children settled in Walton County, Florida. William and James M. are found in the 1870 census of Walton County. James B.’s will was dated August 28, 1861 Dale County. Alabama. He and Elizabeth are buried at the Old Indian Cemetery or Purvis Cemetery in Malvern, AL.
Census GA (Decatur County) Copy of hand-written census of Friendly Indians living in Decatur County, GA. Elizabeth Ward, James Ward and Joe Ward are listed near the bottom and William Ward is the first person listed. A copy of this was given to us but the date was not provided. We are in the process of obtaining date, etc. info.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Census 1/1/1800 SC (Spartanburg County) 4 yrs old   On page 11: The family of Nathan Ward consists of 3 free white males under 10 years old, 2 between the ages of 10-15, 2 between the ages of 16-25, and 1 who is 45 years old or older. One free white female is between 16-25 and the other is 45 years old or older.   Census 1/1/1810 SC (Spartanburg County) 14 yrs old   Found on page 35: The family of Elizabeth Ward consists of 2 free white males between the ages of 10-15, one free white female under the age of 10, another between the ages of 26-44, and her self who is over 45 years old. Elizabeth appears to be a widow as there are no men her age.  Military 12/22/1813 Fort Mitchell GA 17 yrs old He is listed on this Muster Roll with the rank of horseman in the GA Militia of Capt. John Thomas' Company , under the command of Maj. James Patton. He was mustered out on 2/20/1814.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Census 1/1/1820 GA (Wilkinson County) 24 yrs old   On page 19: The family of James Ward consists of one free white male between the age of 16-25, one free white female between the age of 16-25, and one female over 45 years old. It appears that Elizabeth Ward is now living with her youngest son, James and his wife.  Additional information about Wilkinson County, GA around 1820: Created in 1803 from newly acquired lands ceded by the Creek Indians in 1802 and increased in 1805. Later, this area is divided to form Laurens, Telfair, and Twiggs counties.   Census 10/24/1850 AL (Dale County) 54 yrs old Beginning on line 33: James B. Ward (age 54, farmer, born in SC), Elizabeth (age 52, born in GA), William J. (20, farmer, born in AL), Benjamin F. (16, farmer, AL), Elizabeth (14, AL), Mary (12, AL), Monroe (5, AL), Ann Eilliott Ward (12, race is recorded as "b" [choices were white, black or Indian], born in AL).  Land Deed 11/1/1850 Elba Land Office AL 54 yrs old Cash sale of 80. 12 acres in St. Stephens to James B. Ward by way of the Act of 4/24/1820. Description: NENE No 2N 25E 8; SENW No 2N 25E 9.  Land Deed 12/1/1852 Sparta AL (Dale County) 56 yrs old Land deed showing full payment by James B. Ward for 40.8 acres.   Click here to see a copy of the original document. Land Deed 7/15/1854 Elba Land Office AL 58 yrs old Two 40. 04 acre tracts in the St. Stephens area are sold to James B. Ward in accordance with the Act of April 24, 1820. Description: SENE No 1N 25E 8 and NESW No 2N 25E 4.  Land Deed 11/1/1858 Elba AL (Dale County) 62 yrs old Full payment of 80.12 acres by James B. Ward is recorded in the Elba Land Office.   Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 1/1/1859 AL 63 yrs old Woodward's Reminiscenses of the Creek, or Muscogee Indians, published in 1859, talks about Countryman John Ward. He says Ward's wife was related to Daniel McDonald, who was more generally known as Daniel McGillivray. John's father took him on a trip into the Creek Nation when he was a child and died, leaving John to be raised by Daniel. John's father may have been from GA as someone in the story who knew both the GA Wards and John, said they looked similar and were probably related. The GA Ward was contacted and made a trip into the Creek Nation. Upon his arrival they realized they were twin brothers. John died the day after his brother arrived. He left one son, also named John, who was raised by the Indians. John Jr. sold his land to Col. George Taylor. Ben Ward is also mentioned.   Click here to see a copy of the original document. Census 8/31/1860 AL (Dale County) 64 yrs old Family #1227: James B. Ward (age 65), Elizabeth (age 60), Monroe (male, age 15), Ann Ellis (black female, age 21), Wesly (mulatto male, age 6), Henry (black male, age 3), Amos (black male, 8 months old). James B. is a farmer and Monroe is a student. James estimates the value of his real estate to be 2,000 and his personal estate to be $4,973. James B. was born in SC, Elizabeth in GA and Monroe in AL.   Land Deed 9/1/1860 Elba Land Office AL 64 yrs old A total of 200. 05 acres in the St. Stephens area are sold to James B. Ward in compliance with the Act of April 24, 1820. Description: SENW No 2N 25E 4; SWNE No 2N 25E 4; W1/2SE No 2N 25E 4; SESW No 2N 25E 4.  Graveyard/Tombstone 8/26/1861 near Malvern AL (Geneva County) 65 yrs old James B. Ward 1796 - 1861 Pvt GA Militia War of 1812 h/o Elizabeth English- Purvis Cemetery. (Old Indian Cem.) on Hwy 49 & CR70 north of Malvern.  Other 8/26/1861 AL (Dale County) 65 yrs old Will  Other 8/28/1861 The Monroe Letter AL (Dale County) 65 yrs old The 'Monroe Letter'. A copy of the original statement made by James B. Ward to his son (and signed by L. S.) saying he is half Indian and his wife, Elizabeth, is a full-blood Creek Indian.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 11/12/1955 FL (Bay County) 93 yrs after death Sarah Emma Ward Heridix says that she is 87 years of age and personally knew Elizabeth English Ward, wife of James B. Ward. Elizabeth English Ward was a Creek Indian. She says on oath that she is personally acquainted with Jesse Joe Ward of Bruce in Walton County, Florida, and she personally knows that Jesse Joe Ward is the grandson of Elizabeth English Ward. She further says she is acquainted with Elizabeth Rebecca Ward of Freeport, Florida, in Walton County and Lyda Apseybeth Ward Hayes of Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Elizabeth Rebecca Ward and Lyda Apseybeth Ward Hayes are the sisters of Jesse Joe Ward, and all of the above named are the grandchildren of Elizabeth English Ward.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 11/17/1955 FL 93 yrs after death C.A. Faulk says he is 85 years old and personally knows Elizabeth English Ward, wife of James B. Ward. Elizabeth English Ward was a Creek Indian. He was personally acquainted with Jesse Joe Ward of Bruce in Walton County, Fl. He also knows Jesse Joe Ward is the grandson of Elizabeth English Ward. He further says he is acquainted with Elizabeth Rebecca Ward of Freeport, FL, in Walton County and Lyda Apseybeth Ward Hayes of Pensacola, FL, Escambia County. Elizabeth Rebecca Ward and Lyda Apseybeth Ward Hayes are the sisters of Jesse Joe Ward. All of them are grandchildren of Elizabeth English Ward.   Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 12/10/1955 AL 93 yrs after death Allice Thomley says she knew John Jackson Ward to the be the son of James B. (Jim Bear) Ward and Elizabeth (English) Ward. She knew the family of John Jackson Ward and his wife, Susan Wynn Ward. She knows their children were Elizabeth (Purvis), Katherin (Kate Byrd), Nettie (Skipper), Sallie (Wright), Rebecca, Ellen (Singletary), Liza (Bonds), Teresy (Horn), Mary Jane (Skipper), John, Joe, Jeff, Jasper, Franklin Jackson (Frank), and Sterling.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 12/28/1955 AL 93 yrs after death E.A. Eddie Alonzo Hundley says he was personally acquainted with James B. Ward and Elizabeth English Ward (now deceased). He knows Elizabeth English Ward [page wrinkled and text missing from copy] Creek Indian. All that knew her, knew her to be a Creek Indian. He also says that he is 92 years old and not related to James B. Ward or his wife Elizabeth.   Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 12/31/1955 FL (Walton County) 93 yrs after death Jesse Joe Ward, who after being duly sworn says that he is 85 years of age, a grandson of James B. Ward and Elizabeth English Ward, the Creek Indian, and that their sons were John Jackson Ward, Thomas Jefferson Ward, James Madison Ward, Benjamin Franklin Ward, William Joe Ward and Monroe Ward.   Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 1/14/1956 FL (Geneva County) 94 yrs after death Charoles O. Silcox knew John J. Ward who is known as John Jackson Ward and he knew his wife, Susan Ward He also knows that they lived together for many years in Geneva County, Alabama as husband and wife and they had fifteen children who lived to be of age and their names are as follows: Mary J. Ward, James J. Ward, Susan E. Ward, Nancy E. Ward, William J. Ward, Tiercy E. Ward, Louisa F. Ward, Franklin J. Ward, Thomas J. Ward, Rebecca A. Ward, Sarah M. Ward, Rody Ward, Sterling Ward and Annette Ward, and John J. Ward. He knows that John J. Ward was known as the oldest son of James B. Ward and his wife Elizabeth English Ward and that Elizabeth English Ward was a full-blooded Creek Indian. He knows John J. Ward or John Jackson Ward was a half Indian and the son of the Full-blooded Indian and was recognized by all of the people of the Community as being that. Of his own personal knowledge, he knows Elizabeth English Ward as a full-blooded Creek Indian. He also says he will be ninety years of age February 22, 1956 and he is not related by blood or marriage to James B. Ward and Elizabeth English Ward.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 2/29/1956 AL (Geneva County) 94 yrs after death Susan Davis Martin of Gevena County, Alabama, says she is 86 years of age. The attached two photographs are true pictures of her mother, Mary Ward Davis, the daughter of Elizabeth English Ward the Creek Indian and James B. Ward. She has had these pictures in her possession since the death of her mother Mary Ward Davis and she knows they are true pictures of her.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 12/28/1956 AL 94 yrs after death Thomas Henry Peel, of Geneva County, Slocomb, Alabama, says he is 86 years old. He knew Elizabeth English Ward, widow of James B. Ward, and her two sons, John Jackson and Monroe Ward and her daughter, Mary Ward, who married James W. Davis. Elizabeth English Ward lived with her daughter, Mary Ward Davis in her later years and died there. He knew Elizabeth English Ward for several years and she was known by all to be a full blooded Creek Indian. James W. Davis was my nearest neighbor, lived only two miles away. He is not related by blood or marriage to Elizabeth English Ward or any of her descendants. Nor is he related by blood or marriage to any of the Davis family.  Click here to see a copy of the original document. Other 3/12/1957 AL 95 yrs after death Mrs. Alice Thomley, age 98, says she knew John J. Ward (also known as John Jackson Ward) and she knew his wife, Susan Ward. They lived together for many years in Geneva County, AL. As husband and wife they had fifteen children who lived to be of age. Their names were: Mary J. Ward, James J. Ward, Susan E. Ward, Nancy E. Ward, William J. Ward, Tiercy E. Ward, Louisa F. Ward, Franklin J. Ward, Thomas J. Ward, Rebecca A. Ward, Sarah H. Ward, Rody Ward, Sterling Ward, Annette Ward and John J. Ward. She knew John J. Ward was the oldest son of James B. Ward and his wife Elizabeth English Ward and that Elizabeth English was a full-blooded Creek Indian. She knew John J. Ward (or John Jackson Ward) was half-Indian and the son of the full-blooded Indian and was recognized by all in the community to be that. She further says she is not related to Elizabeth English or any of her descendants.  Click here to see a copy of the original document.
Age Date Event Viewing events that affected the communities where James Ward lived Viewing U.S. History Viewing World History Viewing Discoveries 1 1797 Napoleon proclaims the Venetian Constitution, founds Ligurian Republic in Genoa 2 1798 Mississippi Territory organized from Georgia's western land claims. It includes what will later become portions of Mississippi, Alabama and Northern Florida, 3 1799 The Rosetta Stone was discovered 4 1800 The first battery was invented by Volta 4 1800 NEWS HEADLINES: Seat of U.S. government moves from Philadelphia to Washington DC 7 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France (who secured it from Spain) gives the US a huge new territory and the port of New Orleans. 8 1804 The Seminole warrior later known as Osceola is born near Tuskegee, AL. 9 1805 Federal Road project begins after the Creek Indians give the U.S. permission to develop a “horse path” through their nation that will provide better mail delivery between Washington City (DC) and New Orleans. Soon settlers are traveling and settling along this path to settle the southern frontier. 10 1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition, which began in 1804, ends. News of the rich lands to the west begins to spread. 11 1807 The first steamboat was invented by Fulton 15 1811 Tecumseh visits the Creek Indians living in what will become Georgia and Alabama to try to persuade them to join his fight against the flood of white settlers. Some towns join forces with Tecumseh and become known as "Red Sticks". 15 1811 NEWS HEADLINES: Tecumseh's emerging Indian Confederacy is defeated at the Battle of Tippecanoe in Ohio. Afterwards, Tecumseh and his brother travel from their Shawnee homes in the north to recruit and unify the southern Indians. 15 1811 By 1811 the new "Federal Road" (which started as a horse path) is filled with a steady flow of white settlers into Creek Indian Territories. The Spanish begin to fan hostile sentiments among the Indians. 16 1812 The Creek tribes in southern Alabama and Georgia find themselves under increasing pressure from white settlers. Led by Chief Weatherford, they accepted an alliance with Tecumseh and are nicknamed "Red Sticks". 16 1812 NEWS HEADLINES: War of 1812 begins and will continue for until 1814. Some call it the Second War of Independence because the US fights Great Britain to a stalemate, Americas independence was assured. 17 1813 Fort Mims is attacked on August 13 by the Red Sticks while the inhabitants are eating their noon meal. The massacre brings an immediate response from the whites and soldiers are recruited from Tennessee, Georgia and other territories. 17 1813 During 1813-14, Muskogee-speaking Creeks leave AL and move into areas in Northern FL in response to the Creek Civil War (also known as the Red-sticks War). 18 1814 The first locomotive engine was created by Stephenson 18 1814 Battle of Burnt Corn -- The town of Burnt corn was a community of mixed bloods in the Alabama area. 18 1814 Battle at Horseshoe Bend on March 27, leaves the Creek Red Sticks scattered and unorganized. Those that survive the battle flee south into northern Florida and band together as the Seminoles. Red Eagle (Billy Weatherford) surrenders to General Andrew Jackson at Fort Jackson later in the year. 23 1819 Alabama admitted to the United States 24 1820 The Act of April 24, 1820 abolished the land purchase credit system, fixed the price of public lands at $1.25 per acre, and set the minimum purchase at 80 acres. After a person purchased land, a final certificate was issued by the land office and sent to Washington DC to be verified and signed by the President -- a time consuming process. Public lands were most typically available through US treaties with Indians who agreed to be removed from their homelands. 34 1830 Indian Removal Act signed and the moving of eastern Indians west of the Mississippi begins. 34 1830 The first railroad is constructed between Liverpool and Manchester, England 34 1830 South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union, setting the stage for the creation of the Confederacy. 37 1833 Santa Anna is elected President of Mexico 39 1835 Second Seminole Indian War begins. 41 1837 The trickery used to capture Seminole Indian Chief Osceola (Assi Yohola) creates a public uproar and U.S. General Jesup is publicly condemned. 43 1839 Goodyear invents vulcanized rubber, opening the door for tires and other rubber products. 44 1840 Oregon Trail is established 46 1842 Second Seminole Indian War ends and thousands of Seminole Indians are forced to move west of the Mississippi. 48 1844 The first telegraph message is sent by Morse, who later invents the Mores Code 57 1853 The process of creating steel is invented by Besermer in Britain and Kelly in the U.S. 59 1855 Third Seminole Indian War begins. It ends three years later when Chief Billy Bowlegs and his band are forced to move from Florida. 60 1856 The first Neanderthal fossils are found near Germany 63 1859 Charles Darwin publishes "Origin of Species" and begins the evolution theory. 64 1860 Presidential election puts Abraham Lincoln in office. The campaign has heated the issues regarding slavery in the south. 64 1860 About 63,000 men from South Carolina served in the Confederate armed forces. 65 1861 NEWS HEADLINES: American Civil war begins at Ft. Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, VA. 66 1862 NEWS HEADLINES: May 20, 1862 the US government passes the Homestead Act to provide cheap land for settlement of lower Southeast and West. 66 1862 May 20, 1862 the US government passes the Homestead Act to provide cheap land for settlement of lower Southeast and West.     Click on the Community, US History, World History or Discoveries button above to see a listing of historical events that happened during James Ward's life. These events affected the life and times of James, his family and friends. The Age column will show how old James was when the event occurred.
Grave Site

Marriages
	Elizabeth English Born about 1798 and died on 12/25/1888. They were married about 1814.

The Children of James Benjamin Ward
	James Madison Ward Born in Dale County, AL on 6/30/1823 and died in Bruce, FL on 2/3/1891. He was 68 years old. He served in the 33rd Alabama Infantry CSA which was organized in Pensacola, FL in April 1862. They fought battles in AL, TN, GA and the Carolinas. The 33rd disbanded before the official surrender a...
	Thomas Jefferson Ward Born in Dale County, AL on 6/8/1825 and died in Bruce, FL on 7/1/1919. He was 94 years old. He and his family moved to Florida between 1862 and 1866. He served in the Confederate Army. It says Pvt Co F 6 Ala Inf CSA on his tombstone. Children: Mary Jane (1848, Dale C...
	John Jackson Ward Born in Dale County, AL on 2/16/1827 and died in Malvern, Geneva Co., AL on 8/12/1901. He was 74 years old. Married 1843 to Susan Elizabeth Wynn (born 2/23/1825 in GA died 12/6/1896 in AL). Children: James J. (1846), John J. Jr. (1850), William Josiah (1853 -1908),
40 years old	William Josiah Ward Born in Dale County, AL on 3/23/1830 and died in Bruce, FL on 4/4/1924. He was 94 years old. He was called Diamond Joe, because he made a diamond shape mark on all his possessions. He could recite most of the Bible by memory. He built a log school house on Seven Run Creek near Bruce, FL. <...
76 years old	Benjamin Franklin Ward Born in Dale County, AL about 1834 and died in Ponce De Leon (Holmes Co. ), FL on 6/23/1923. He was 89 years old. Married Martha Edna Gilley (born 4/28/1838 in Alabama and died 1/16/1913). Children: Jesse E. (1858-1942), Jincy F. (1860-), James W.(1862-1948), Martha L.(...
	Elizabeth Rebecca Ward Born in Dale County, AL about 1836 and died in an unknown location about 1920. She was 84 years old. Actual date of birth and death not known. Believed to have been the second wife of Rufus Jackson Purvis (11/15/1824-1913) born in GA and died in AL. Marriage was in Dale, AL. He was the son of Che...
76 years old	Mary Jane Ward Born in Geneva County, AL on 3/26/1838 and died in Geneva County, AL on 3/21/1921. She was 83 years old.
	Monroe James Ward Born in Dale County, AL on 4/7/1845 and died in Walton County, FL on 6/7/1907. He was 62 years old. Military service: Pvt Co. D 53 Ala Inf CSA. He married Mary Elizabeth 'Polly' Russell (3/15/1844 AL - 4/23/1912 FL). Children: William D. (1870), Benjamin F., Mary Emma (1883-1945), Monroe, ...