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This week we’ll conclude the genealogy of the Nixon family of North Carolina who migrated to eastern Georgia, then to Meriwether, Heard, Coweta and Campbell counties. Information was submitted by Valerie Johnson Freeman of Tustin, California (VCJFreeman@aol.com).

This week’s story concerns the descendants of Francis Nixon and his second wife, Ann “Annie” Elizabeth Grantham, daughter of Jadok/Zadok Grantham and Elizabeth Lovelace of Meriwether County. Francis’ first wife was Anna Ray who died about 1850-51. Picking up with the death of Anna, Valerie writes:

“Anna died in late 1850-early 1851. Francis married 2nd to another Ann ... Ann “Annie” Elizabeth Grantham, daughter of Jadok/Zadock Grantham and Elizabeth Lovelace “of” Meriwether Co. She was born 9 Aug. 1824 in Georgia. The 1850 Census of Meriwether Co. has Annie’s parents on page 337B, family #444-444. Francis Nixon and family are close by on page 338B, family #458-458. Francis and Annie were most likely married in the summer of 1851 in Meriwether Co. Annie died 5 Feb. 1905 in Heard Co. and is buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Macedonia, Heard Co., GA.

“Children of Francis Nixon and Annie Grantham were:

“(1) Mary Susan "Ann" Nixon b. 6 May 1852 in GA; d. Abt 26 May 1891 in Heard Co.; m. Angus Andy Weaver on 20 Dec 1883 in Coweta Co. Buried at Flat Rock Campground in Franklin, Heard County. Her children used the Nixon surname, instead of Weaver, as they were raised by her parents.

“(2) John H. Nixon b. 22 Nov 1853 in GA; d. 10 Mar 1927 in Heard Co.; buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. He did not marry.

“(3) Margaret "Shug" Frances Nixon b. 19 Nov 1855 in GA; d. 21 Dec 1943 in Heard Co. GA; buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. She did not marry.

“(4) William "Bill" David Nixon b. 1859-1860 in GA; d. after 1920. He m. Martha "Mattie" Jean Norton on 14 Nov 1883 in Coweta County.

“(5) Barney "Dock" Zellas Nixon b. 1 Dec 1860 in Campbell Co., GA; d. 8 May 1939 in Blackjack Mountain, Carroll Co., GA. In 1889, he m. Mary Wilson, daughter of Griffin "Griff" J. Wilson and Elizabeth Copeland. They are also buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.

“(6) Malinda "Linda" S. Nixon b. 3 May 1862 in Campbell Co., GA; d. 4 May 1937. She m. John M. Wilson; they are buried at Red Oak Methodist Church Cemetery in Heard Co.

“(7) Jackson Nixon b. 1864 in Campbell Co., GA; d. Bef 1870 in Campbell Co., GA.

“(8) Clara Cathan Nixon b. 18 Oct 1865 in Campbell Co., GA; d. 3 Dec 1942 in Heard Co., GA; buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. She did not marry.

“(9) Samuel M. David Nixon b. 24 Feb 1868 in Campbell Co., GA; d. 16 Oct 1922 in Heard Co., GA. He married about 1891 to Harriet "Lizzie" Elizabeth Wilson, b. 11 Jan 1871; d. 1914, sister of Mary (Wilson) Nixon. They too are buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.

“Francis is found in the 1880 census of Coweta Co., living in GMD #647/Fourth District, near Handy. This is the northwest section of the county, very close to the Heard County line. He is the only member of his family that can read and write. He states his father was born in Ireland and mother in Virginia. According to family lore, Francis died in Heard Co. in 1881. I have yet to find his burial location, but I believe it would be an unmarked grave at Macedonia Baptist since his widow and several of his children from his second marriage are buried there. Due to the burning of the Heard County Courthouse in 1893, there may have once been records for Francis we will never find.”

Again, many, many thanks to Valerie for generously sharing her family information. If you are connected to this family, please contact her directly.

I read on one of the Rootsweb messages this week that the new Fayette County Heritage Book has been mailed to those who purchased one. This book is the project of the Fayette County Historical Society and is said to be excellent. Reportedly, there are a few extras for sale. I believe the cost is between $50-$60. I would imagine a call to the historical society at 770-716-6020, would give you more information if you’re interested in purchasing one. The historical society’s library/research facility is on Lee Street in Fayetteville (behind the Log Cabin on Ga. Hwy. 85). They are open Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The library is chock full of Fayette County stuff, particularly Civil War information. They also have many of the original court record books, including early marriage books.

The public library in Fayetteville also has a lot of genealogy material including microfilm of all the Georgia censuses, newspapers from Fayette, church and court records. The library is behind the municipal complex, also on Ga. Hwy. 85, just a stone’s throw from the historical society.

There are many excellent research facilities in the Fayette/Coweta area, including the Coweta Genealogy Library in Grantville and an LDS Family History Center on U.S. Hwy. 29 in Newnan.

If you have a genealogy story about a south metro Atlanta area family, send it to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; E-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!

(Judy regrets that time does not permit her to do personal research for others.)