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Genealogy: Finding Your Folks

Holley info surfaces after four years

By JUDY FOWLER KILGORE
jkilgore@thecitizennews.com

Back in 2001, I ran a column on the Holley family of Johnnye Moore Clements, who lives in Fairburn. Johnnye didn’t leave an e-mail address, so I have been unable to forward information to her via the Internet. She did, however, leave a snail mail address and I hope people have corresponded with her if they had any information.

Johnnye was seeking an answer to her Holley family puzzle, namely proof that John Holley, b. 1792 in Sampson Co., N.C., was the son of William Holley, b. 1765, also in Sampson Co., N.C. These Holleys passed through DeKalb and Pike counties in Georgia on their way to Alabama. William Holley, alleged father of John, was the son of Edward Holley and had a brother named Sherod.

Tuesday of this week, I received an e-mail from Pacita Ann (Dennis Jones) Whatley who submitted some Holley information copied by her grandmother from an old Holley Bible handed down for generations.

Since Pacita didn’t submit the info in story form and I am not related to and know nothing about the Holleys, I’m just going to quote her and put punctuation where I feel it is appropriate. I certainly don’t want to get anything out of order and confuse the matter. Also, Pacita names Johnnye’s “Sherod” as “Sherwood.”

Pacita writes:

“Judy: I don't know if Johnnye Moore Clements solved her Holley family puzzle. If not, I think I can help.

“Brothers to first noted Sherwood (were) Edward, Albert, John. Sherwood Holley married Millinder.

“Daughter - Annilizer Betty Holley born 3 March 1814; son - Calven Holley born 21 May 1815; son - Henry Holley born 11 Feb 1817; son - William Holley born 29 Dec. 1818; son - Jason Holley born 3 May 1820; son - Albert Holley born 13 Feb. 1822; son - Gilis Holley born 20 Oct. 1823; son - Joseph Sherwood Holley born 2 July 1826; daughter - Sallie Jane Holley born 23 Sept. 1828; daughter - Mary Ann Holley born 23 Oct 1831; son - David Dawson Holley born 10 Dec. 1832; son - Fielder Holley born 13 Jan 1835; son - Elon Holley born 25 Jan. 1837; daughter - Martha Malinda Holley born 28 Nov. 1839.

“I have a John Holley (born 12 July 1792) married Nancy Dawson Holley (19 March 1813). John was the son of a Sherwood Holley.

“Nancy Dawson was the daughter of Joseph Dawson and Sally (born 25 Oct 1796).

“John W. Betts and Anilizer (Annilizer) - married 17 Jan 1830. Annilizer was the daughter of John and Nancy Holley. Annilizer was born 3 March 1814.

“Calvin Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 21 May 1815; Henry Moren Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 11 Feb 1817; William Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 29 Dec. 1818; Jason Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 3 May 1820. (He) died 6 June 1852 aged 32 years, one month and 3 days; Albert Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 13 Feb. 1822; Giles Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 20 Oct. 1823. Joseph Sherwood Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 2 July 1826; Sally Jane Holley, daughter of John and Nancy Holley, was born 23 Sept. 1828; Mary Ann Holley, daughter of John and Nancy Holley, was born 23 Oct. 1831. David Dawson Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 10 Dec. 1832; Fielder Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 14 Jan. 1835; Elon Holley, son of John and Nancy Holley, was born 25 Jan. 1837; Martha Malinda Holley, daughter of John and Nancy Holley, was born 28 Nov. 1839.

“My family also comes from the Holley Tree. My grandfathers were: Sherwood; his son, John; his son, was Albert; his son was Lewis Edward who married Frances Elizabeth Leana Estes (married 13 Nov 1884). Lewis Edward Holley (was) born 24 Sept. 1862, died 2 Aug 1940??? (Unable to read document). Frances Elizabeth Leana Estes (was) born 3 Sept. 1866, died 3 May 1930.

“Their children: Martha Luella Holley - born 26 July 1886, died 8 July 1974; Lewis Edward Holley - born 25 July 1887, died 18 Sept. 1887; Dora Elizabeth Holley - born 26 Feb. 1889, died 30 May 1928; Albert Abe Holley - born 19 Aug. 1891, died ?; Mamie Helen Holley - born 8 Aug. 1892, died 15 Aug. 1973; Ivie Louada Holley - born 28 Dec. 1894, died 1950; Ewell Otto Holley - born 3 Sept. 1896, died 23 Sept 1969; Infant born and died 1 Feb 1901; Ethel Mae Holley - born 1 July (unknown year), died 28 June 1965; Lewis Hesakile Holley - born 7 June 1908, died 7 July 1961.

“My paternal grandfather was Albert Abe (or sometimes listed Abe Albert) who married Mattie Emnor Thrash, born 21 Oct. 1894.

“If (Johnnye Moore Clements) has not found her Holley family, please forward this information to her. My grandmother had copied this information from an old Holley Bible that had been passed down for many, many generations and is considered pretty accurate, except where I was unable to read the copy. I was given (the information) at her death.

“Thanks, Pacita Ann Dennis (Jones) Whatley, granddaughter of Abie and Mattie Holley, e-mail: pacita@whatleycorp.com.”

Even though it was a long time in coming, I hope Mrs. Clements can use the information. Many thanks to Pacita for reading a very old column and responding.

I welcome all letters and e-mails about genealogy and info on south metro Atlanta families. Send them to The Citizen, P.O. Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com. Any letters and/or e-mails I receive are subject to being used in the column.

Until next week, happy hunting!