Person Page

     Alexander Hill was born circa 1808 in North Carolina.^1,2,3,4 He married Florence Omega Bumpass, daughter of William Bumpass and Elizabeth Billings, on 9 September 1841 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^5,6 Alexander died after 6 June 1880 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.

     Alexander and Omega moved to Memphis and lived there from 1843 to 1849, when they returned to Davidson Co. and moved back to the old home place.

     Omega received 17 acres from the estate of her father, William Bumpass. John W. Rucker, husband of Tennessee Bumpass, and Greenville D. Grizzard, husband of Martha Bumbass, sued Alexander and Omega over the division of the land from William Bumpass' will. The case took from 1862 to 1871 to settle.

     On 1 February 1871, Alexander and Omega used the 17 acres to secure a loan of $100 to send one of their daughters, not identified, to St. Secelia Academy. The debt was paid on 9 September 1871 and the lien on the land released.

     On 1 January 1866, Alexander deeded 70 acres, more or less, from his share of the estate of his father, John Hill, to his eldest son, George W. Hill. This land is described as being north of the land of Alexander's mother, Margaret L. Hill. This is the only place that the middle initial of Margaret has been found. The deed was recorded 15 May 1866. George later moved to Shelby Co. and sold a part of this land, 3/4 acre, to a negro named Hiram Overton. George was back in Davidson Co. by the 1880 census.

     Alexander deeded land to his son John B. Hill on 21 February 1877.

     Alexander Hill was listed at age 42, born in North Carolina, as a member of the household of John Hill in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1850 enumerated 3 September 1850.¹

     In the Census of 1860 enumerated 4 June 1860, Alexander Hill was listed as a head of household in 11th Civil District, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 52, occupation as a farmer with real estate value of $2,800 and personal estate value of $1,000, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Omega Hill, George W. Hill, William Alexander Hill, John Bumpass Hill, Margaret Ellen Hill, Christopher Columbus Hill, Alpha Omega Hill and George Washington Bumpass.²

     In the Census of 1870 enumerated 18 August 1870, Alexander Hill was listed as a head of household in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 59, occupation as a farmer with real estate value not listed and personal estate value of $1000, born in North Carolina. Also enumerated in the household: Omega Hill, George W. Hill, William Alexander Hill, John Bumpass Hill, Margaret Ellen Hill, Christopher Columbus Hill, Alpha Omega Hill, Neal S. B. Hill, Mary Florence Hill and Elizabeth Billings.³

     In the Census of 1880 enumerated 6 June 1880, Alexander Hill was listed as head of household in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 70, occupation as a farmer, born in North Carolina. Also enumerated in the household: Omega Hill, Neal S. B. Hill and Florence Hill.⁴

     Florence Omega Bumpass was born on 9 August 1820 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^1,2,3 She married Alexander Hill, son of John Hill and Margaret L. Covington, on 9 September 1841 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^4,5 Florence died on 30 March 1905 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 84.⁶ She was interred on 31 March 1905 in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.⁶

     Florence was also known as Oma.

     Information from Don Attison gives the death year and burial as 1905 although he states that the Springhill Cemetery records indicate 1904.

     Florence Omega Bumpass was listed at age 28, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of William Bumpass in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1850 enumerated 3 September 1850.⁷

     Omega Hill was listed at age 40, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of Alexander Hill in 11th Civil District, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1860 enumerated 4 June 1860.¹

     Omega Hill was listed at age 49, born in Tennessee, as a member of the household of Alexander Hill in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1870 enumerated 18 August 1870.²

     Omega Hill was listed as 60 at age Tennessee, in the household of Alexander Hill in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1880 enumerated 6 June 1880.³

     James Thomas Harper was born on 16 March 1853 in Cannon Co., Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 He married Ida Vanetta McMurry on 4 January 1872 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^7,8 James died on 27 December 1935 in Bedford Co., Tennessee, at age 82.^1,9,7 He was interred on 30 December 1935 in Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee.^1,9

     In the 1873 Nashville City Directory, James T. Harper is listed as a carpenter with home at 449 S. Market.¹⁰ Thomas was a cabinetmaker and made custom architectural millwork in Nashville.¹¹

     His father-in-law, William McMurray gave him his walnut schoolmaster desk. Thomas kept it in his cabinetry shop just off Church Street in downtown Nashville as an office desk. There was a fire in which Thomas lost a good bit of lumber and equipment. The desk was scorched but he saved it and just painted over the scorch marks. It eventually went to Bess and she gave it to her son Roy (Leroy). It currently is in the possession of Dick Hulan.¹²

     In the Census of 1870 James Thomas Harper was listed in the household of C. H. Calicut in Obion Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 18, occupation as a farm laborer, born in Tennessee.¹³

     James Thomas Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census enumerated 5 June 1900, in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 47, occupation as a carpenter, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Vanetta Harper, Launa Myrtle Jones, Pearl Harper, Jessie Kidder Harper, Frank Omohundro Harper and Laurel Augusta Harper.³

     James Thomas Harper was listed as father-in-law at age 57, born in Tennessee, in the household of William Ross Duke in Caldwell, Sumner Co., Kansas, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 15 April 1910.⁴

     J. T. Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 5 January 1920, in Hillsboro, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 66, occupation as carpenter, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Vanetta Harper.⁵

     J. T. Harper was listed as father-in-law at age 77, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. W. Davidson in Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁶

     James' obituary:

     James Thomas Harper, 82, died Friday night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. H. Hulan and Mr. Hulan in Shelbyville. Despite his advance age, Mr. Harper was in fairly good health and active until his latest illness which was only a few days duration. He had suffered for some time with heart trouble which was the immediate cause of his death. Since the death of his wife about two years ago, Mr. Harper had made his home here with his daughter, Mrs. Hulan and another daughter, Mrs. George Davidson of Dickson.
     Mr. Harper was a resident of Nashville until a few years ago where he was a prominent contractor and architect. He was a devout member of the Church of Christ and was a elder for years in the activities of his church. Funeral services were conducted at home, Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock by the Rev. J. H. Hines, Minister of the Church of Christ, assisted by Rev. Charles C. Thompson, minister of the First Christian Church. Burial was in Willow Mount Cemetery.
     Survivors are five daughters, Mrs. Hulan; Mrs. Davidson; Mrs. W. R. Duke and Mrs. A. P. Oaks of Wichita Falls, Texas and Mrs. Carl Lawrence of Birmingham; two sons, F. O. Harper of Shelbyville and Roy Harper of Nashville.⁹

     Ida Vanetta McMurry was born on 27 November 1854 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7} She married James Thomas Harper on 4 January 1872 in Davidson Co., Tennessee.^8,9 Ida died at the family home on 13 May 1933 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at age 78.^1,8,10 She was interred on 15 May 1933 in Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee.^1,10

     Ida Vanetta Harper was listed as wife at age 45, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.⁴

     Ida Vanetta Harper was listed as mother-in-law at age 55, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 10 May 1910.⁵

     Ida Vanetta Harper was listed as wife at age 65, born in Tennessee, in the household of J. T. Harper in Hillsboro, Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 5 January 1920.⁶

     Ida Vanetta McMurry was listed as mother-in-law at age 75, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. W. Davidson in Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁷

     Ida's obituary:

     Mrs. Ida McMurry Harper aged 78, wife of James T. Harper, died at the family home in Nashville last Saturday. Funeral services were held at the Highland Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville, Monday afternoon, followed by burial at 5 o'clock in Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville.
     Mrs. Harper is survived by her husband, sons, J. L. Harper and F. O. Harper of Nashville; daughters, Mrs. A. P. Oaks and Mrs. W. R. Duke of Wichita Falls, Texas, Mrs. C. G. Lawrence of Birmingham, Alabama; Mrs. G. H. Hulan of Shelbyville and Mrs. G. W. Davidson of Dickson, Tennessee. Brothers Lee McMurry, Will McMurry, Frank McMurry and sister Mrs. Edward F. Corbitt, Nashville.
     George Davidson, Carl Lawrence, Ross Duke, George Hulan, Roy Harper, Jr., Carl Hulan, her grandsons and sons-in-law served as pall bearers.¹⁰

     William McMurry Harper was born on 9 February 1875.^1,2 He married Willie Minnie Seigrest on 25 July 1894.² William died in a railroad accident on 8 June 1896 at age 21.

     James Lee Roy Harper was born on 20 June 1873 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 He married first Jennie Bromwell on 9 October 1892.⁶ James married second Ida Bailey before 1930.^6,5 James died in June 1963.⁷

     Roy Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census enumerated 23 June 1900, in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 26, occupation as a brick layer, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Jennie Harper.²

     J. LeRoy Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census enumerated 18 April 1910, in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 37, occupation as a produce merchant, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Jennie B. Harper.³

     James Lee Roy Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 6 January 1920, in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 46, occupation as President, Wholesale Produce, born in Tennessee.⁴

     In the Census of 1930 enumerated 14 April 1930, James Lee Roy Harper was listed as head of household in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 56, occupation as none, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Ida Harper.⁵

     Bessie Marie Harper was born on 17 August 1877 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married George Henry Hulan on 10 May 1894.² Bessie died in 1970 in nursing home attached to the Bedford Co. Hospital, Bedford Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 22, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bradford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 15 June 1900.³

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 32, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 10 May 1910.⁴

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 42, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. H. Hulan in Shelbyville, Bradford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 10 January 1920.⁵

     Bessie Marie Hulan was listed as wife at age 52, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁶

     Launa Myrtle Harper was born on 22 November 1879 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married first Henderson A. Jones on 16 December 1896.² She married second George W. Davidson circa 1901 in Tennessee.^1,6 Launa died without issue in September 1971 at age 91. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Launa Myrtle Jones was listed as a daughter at age 30, occupation as hosiery maker at the state prison, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.³

     Launa Myrtle Davidson was listed as wife at age 30, born in Tennessee, in the household of George W. Davidson in Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 26 April 1910.⁴

     Launa Myrtle Davidson was listed as wife at age 40, born in Tennessee, in the household of George W. Davidson in Dickson, Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 16 January 1920.⁵

     Luna Davidson was listed as wife at age 50, born in Tennessee, in the household of G. W. Davidson in Dickson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.⁶

     Edna Pearl Harper was born on 4 March 1882 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5,6 She married William Ross Duke circa 1903.^7,4,6 Edna died without issue.⁸

     Edna was also known as Pearl.

     Pearl Harper was listed as a daughter at age 18, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.²

     Pearl Harper was listed as a boarder at age 18, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bradford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 15 June 1900.³

     Edna Pearl Duke was listed as wife at age 28, born in Tennessee, in the household of William Ross Duke in Caldwell, Sumner Co., Kansas, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 15 April 1910.⁴

     Pearl Duke was listed as wife at age 37, born in Tennessee, in the household of W. R. Duke in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 15 January 1920.⁵

     Edna Pearl Duke was listed as wife at age 48, born in Tennessee, in the household of William Ross Duke in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 9 April 1930.⁶

     Frank Omohundro Harper was born on 10 May 1888 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Edna Moore circa 1912.^6,5 Frank died in December 1971 at age 83. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee.⁷

     Frank Omohundro Harper was listed as a son at age 12, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.²

     Frank was listed in the household of Jerry McCarty as a roomer on the 1910 Census in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas. He was listed at age 21, occupation as an electrician at a light company, born in Tennessee.³

     Frank Omohundro Harper was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 7 February 1920, in Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 31, occupation as a salesman for an electric company, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Edna Harper.⁴

     In the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930, Frank Omohundro Harper was listed as head of household in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 41, occupation as a salesman, born in Tennessee. Also enumerated in the household: Edna Harper.⁵

     Laurel Augusta Harper was born on 6 September 1893 in Tennessee.^1,2,3,4,5 She married Arthur Porter Oakes circa 1911.⁵ Laurel died in May 1970 at age 76. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas.⁶

     Laurel Augusta Harper was listed as a daughter at age 7, born in Tennessee, in the household of James Thomas Harper in Davidson Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 5 June 1900.²

     Laurel Augusta Harper was listed as sister-in-law at age 16, born in Tennessee, in the household of George Henry Hulan in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 10 May 1910.³

     Laurel Augusta Oakes was listed as wife at age 25, born in Tennessee, in the household of A. P. Oakes in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 19 January 1920.⁴

     Laurel Augusta Oakes was listed as wife at age 36, born in Tennessee, in the household of Arthur Porter Oakes in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 4 April 1930.⁵

     Vernon Vertrise Harper was born on 13 May 1897.¹ Vernon died before 1900. He does not appear on the 1900 U. S. Census and the Census indicates that seven of the nine chiildren of Ida and James were living. William McMurry Harper would be the other child that died prior to 1900.

     Willie Minnie Seigrest married William McMurry Harper, son of James Thomas Harper and Ida Vanetta McMurry, on 25 July 1894.¹