Tom McCabes Genealogy 2022

Only circumstantial evidence supports the claim that Araminta McMurtry Mize Sisk was the mother of Benjamin Mize of New Haven and Shawneetown. Araminta lived and was married on the border between Gallatin and White Counties where Benjamin's name first appears in 1855. In the 1830 census Araminta Mize was a widow with a young (unnamed) boy of Benjamin's age and in the 1840 census she has married Culbertson Sisk, has a young (unnamed) teenage boy consistent with Benjamin's age who was born well before her marriage to Mr Sisk. The 1850 census of the area is devoid of any mention of a Benjamin Mize. Benjamin consistently says he was born in Illinois and the 1830, 1840 census has no other Mize families in the neighborhood. Benjamin attends the same Presbyterian church as the other McMurtry's of White Co.

Transcribed by Laurie Shaft © 2002

Will of John McMurtry Signed 6-Sept-1831 Proved Apr-1841

Source: Source: Sumner Co., TN Will Book 2, page 278.

In the Name of God, Amen: I, John McMurtry, being in reasonable health at this time, yet of sound mind and memory, do take this opportunity to make this, my last will, in manner following.

First, I resign my Soul to God, who gave it, and my Body to the earth from whence it came, to be buried at the discretion hereinafter named.

I leave to my wife, Peggy McMurtry, the plantation on which I live, at the time, with all that I own for her support during her lifetime. But, should she marry again, she is to have only my mare called Fly, and saddle and bed, and go off the plantation with her husband.

She is not to give away any of the property to one child, more than another of the children. They must all share alike.

I leave my sister, Jane Hammond, the house and lot where John Garrett Jr now lives, with wood for her fire and water from my spring, for her use, if she will live on it. But, it she will not live there, it returns to the plantation again.

When my wife, Peggy McMurtry, dies or marries, the children, Henry, John Jr, Asa, Thomas Wilkerson McMurtry, Jenny Garrett and Polly Forrester, can divide the land if they can agree about it. If they cannot agree, it must be sold with the rest of the property and the money equally divided with the children.

Should my wife, Peggy McMurtry, think she has more property when I die than she wants to keep, she can sell it and live on the money.

Should my wife, Peggy McMurtry, think proper to give up her claim on the place and property to her children, so as they could have their share at my death, she may do it, they, giving her bond and security for so much money, yearly, or to support her during life.

The names of my executors are: Asa McMurtry Thomas Wilkerson McMurtry Samuel Kirkpatrick

s/John McMurtry

6 Sept 1831 Signed, sealed, delivered Witnesses: Hugh Kirkpatrick, Benjamin Taylor, William Lowry

Proven 1841, County Court, Sumner Co., TN Will Book 2, page 278

Benjamin's death date was recorded in baby book of his great grandson Thomas W Gaddis in 1940. In addition, more recently death notices and obituaries have been found in Illinois newspapers from 1885:

\"B T Mize died at his home in Fairfield on Monday morning the 16th (Feb) He was for many years a resident of this county and ran a saddlery shop in Shawneetown for some time prior to his removal to Fairfield two or three years ago. Mr. Mize was an honest citizen... 5 Mar 1885 Shawneetown News\" From Wayne Co. IL Death Notices and Obituaries 1880-1890 comp by Betty Ann Butler Beeson p 110

In addition, the same newspaper on Feb 19, 1885 reported:

\"OBITUARY ... B.F. Mize died at his home in Fairfield Monday morning, Feb 16, at an avanced age, highly respected by the community. The funeral was preached at the C.P. Church by Rev W.M. Murray Tuesday afternoon.\"