SIRMON FAMILY DOCUMENTATION, Alabama Miscellaneous PDF Document Format Document Index Nathan Sirmon, 1835 Nathan Sirmon Obituary, 1850 History of Methodism in Alabama Nathan Sirmon marriage to Nancy Mansel War of 1812 Bounty Land Request by Nancy Sirmon War of 1812 Verification by John Houston Selected 1820 Census Records Note: Double click icon for instructions.
Nathan Sirmon, 1835 History of Methodism in Alabama by Rev. Anson West, 1893. (pp.198-199)... from the manuscript of the Rev. A. C. Ramsey with slight emendation: There stood an old church on the road leading from Pine Orchard to Claiborne called Mount Zion, which was dilapidated, almost forsaken; hogs had been sleeping under it for months, probably for years. On one of my rounds I was accompanied by old Brother Nathan Sirmon. On the day which I was to preach at Mount Zion he and I rode up the the place and hitched our horses near the church. By the time we had dismounted and removed our saddles the horses began to stamp and move about, but to this we gave no particular concern. Two women, who with Brother Sirmon and me, constituted the entire congregation of the day, were sitting in the door of the church, and as we approached the door in which they were sitting they said to us, If you do not mind you will get fleas on you; there are lots of them here. This warning induced a survey of the situation, and the fact was revealed that we were already literally covered with the agile insects. My buffalo-rug and my saddle-bags, each end of which was covered with bearskin, which I had on my arm, furnished ample concealment for innumerable of these pestiferous creatures. So soon as the true situation had transpired I said to Brother Sirmon, Let us leave here. He replied, O no, not until we have prayers. We must not let the devil run us off with fleas. I yielded to his sentiment, and we had a prayer, which was offered while fighting and scratching. The prayer over, we left the infested place, as soon as we could. Brother Sirmon and I took to the woods, and under cover of the forest growth we knocked off and killed many of the annoying creatures which had secreted themselves in our clothes and had crowded our saddle-bags, saddle-blankets, and buffalo-rug, though it took at least a week to get entirely rid of the troublesome creatures.... The Rev. A. C. Ramsey, from whom the above narrative has been secured, was the preacher in charge of the Conecuh Circuit at the time the incidents here recorded took place, which was in the year 1835.
Nathan Sirmon Obituary, 1850 Southern Christian Advocate: June 21, 1850, p. 12, col. 1 by A. S. Dickinson Died, April 16th, in, Alabama, Nathan Sirmon, in the 64th year of his age. He was a devoted and esteemed member of the M. E. Church for 44 years; his general deportment was consistent with the profession he had assumed; and the estimation in which he was generally held corresponded with the sanctity of his manners, and the purity of his heart. among his many excellencies it is worthy of note, that he was a warm and constant friend of the traveling preachers, ever prompt to sustain them in the responsibilities, and to encourage them in their labours. he filled the office of class leader about 30 years, with ability and usefulness. He was humble in his deportment, amiable in his disposition, and endeared to all who knew him. He obtained the blessing of sanctification 20 years ago, in the enjoyment of which he lived and died. He always felt much for the poor and needy, and was ever ready to administer to the wants of the distressed. His afflictions were long and severe, but he endured them with great patience and resignation, having his mind constantly stayed on God. Two days before his death he called his physician to him and requested that he should tell him candidly what he thought of his case. The doctor told him that no earthly physician could save him, that he must die. On hearing this he raised his eyes toward heaven and sadi, "Bless God for honest dealing," and from that time until he died he was in a constant ecatacy of joy, notwithstanding his afflictions were of the most excruciating character. When he had finished all the directions preliminary to his departure, he requested his family not to shed a tear over him, for his Saviour was with him, and he was going to heaven; and bidding them farewell, without a struggle or a gran he fell asleep in Jesus. A. S. Dickinson
Rev. Anson West, 1893. (pp. 202-203) History of Methodism in Alabama In the neighborhood which has long been known as Forks of Sepulga, at an early day, a Methodist Society was organized, and by or before 1830 a house of worship was build in that neighborhood in the north-eastern corner of, and in Section twenty-six, Township eight, Range eleven, and one mile from Sepulga Post-office, and within one-half mile of the residence of Nathan Sirmon, and named Concord. That Church still exists, 1890, and still bears the name of Concord. Nathan Sirmon was class-leader. Joshua Calloway and John Sirmon were local preachers.... Nathan Sirmon was a man of humble deportment, and amiable disposition, who sympathized with the poor and administered to the relief of the distressed. For forty-four years he was a member of the Church, thirty years a class-leader, and for twenty years claimed and enjoyed the special blessing of sanctification, and lived a sanctified life. he was noted for integrity and piety. Throughout the days of his last sickness on earth he was in ecstasies of joy, and on April 16, 1850, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, at his home near Concord Church, he fell asleep in Jesus. The Rev. John Sirmon was the son of Nathan Sirmon, and was one of the most noted men in the Forks of Sepulga. He was a preacher of remarkable spiritual power. he had a good report of them that were without. The descendants of Nathan and John Sirmon are still in the land, and members of the Methodist Church.
Nathan Sirmon marriage to Nancy Mansel Comment: The marriage record below indicates the second marriage of Nathan Sirmon to Nancy Mansel. Nathan's first wife, Lucretia Dean would probably have died some time after 1827 and before 1835. Bounty Land Warrant Application File of Nathan Sirmon Natinal Archives I, Armistead O. Cary, Judge of Probate for and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I have examined the Registry Marriage Licenses in my office and find that Nathan Sirmon and Nancy Mansel were united in the bonds of matrimony on the 20th day of November A.D. 1835 by Allen Murphy a minister of the gospel, and I furhter certify that I have made a search for the Marriage Licence and do not find on file in my office. In? whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 6th day of March A. D. 1851, A. O. Cary, Judge
War of 1812 Bounty Land Request by Nancy Sirmon Bounty Land Warrant Application File of Nathan Sirmon National Archives On this 3rd day of February A.D. 1851 Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid Nancey Serman aged fifty four years a resident of in the State of Ala. who being duly sworn according to law declaring that She is the Widow of Nathan Sermon deceased who was a private in the Company Commanded John Smith (Regiment not Known) Commanded by major Wm Wooten in the War with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th June 1812. That her said husband was drafted at Montecello, Jasper County, Ga. on or about the 1st August 1814 for the term of Six months and continued in actual service for the six months and was honorably discharged at Fort Hawkins, Ga. on or about Feby 1815 as will appear by the muster Rolls of Said Company (no discharge being in existence). She further states that she was married to the said Nathan Sirmon in, Ala. on the 20th day of November 1838 by one Allen Murphy a minister of the Gospel and that her name before marrriage was Nancey Mancill that her said husband died at, Ala. on the 17th April 1850 and that she is still a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Sept 28th 1850. Nancy Sirmon Sworn & subscribed to before me the day and year above wirtten. Andrew E. Jackson (seal) Justice of the Peace. On this the fourth day of August, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me J?? Black?? a Justice of the Peace in the in the State of Alabama Nancy Sirmon aged fifty-nine years a resident of in the State of Alabama who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Nathan Sirmon deceased who served in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812 but do not recalleth company and regiment but that her said husband was drafted in the state of Georgia about the year of 1812 fort the term of six months and continued in actual service in the war for the term of six months. She further states that she was married to said Nathan Sirmon on the twentieth day of November A.D. 1838 by one Allen Murphy and that her name before her said marriage was Nancy Mansel that her said husband died in the County and State aforesaid on the seventeenth day of April A. D. 1850 and that she is now a widow. She further declares that she has here to fore made application for bounty land under the Act approved September 28, 1850 and obtained a land warrant for eighty acres.? not? attached? which she has legally? of and it can not be returned. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3rd, 1855. She also declares that she has never received nor applied for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress except as above stated. (Signed) Nancy Sirmon
We Cullen Blow and William Caldwell residents of the County and State aforesaid upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Nancy Sirmon in our presents and that we are personally and well acquainted with Mrs. Nancy Sirmon before and during the time since her marriage to said N. Sirmon and that we know him to be the identical person there in represented to be and that she is now a widow and that we are not interested in said claim. (Signed) Culli Blow, William Caldwell
War of 1812 Verification by John Houston Bounty Land Warrant Application File of Nathan Sirmon National Archives Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace? and for the County and State aforesaid John Houston who after being duly sworn says that he was personally acquainted with Nathan Sirmon while in the Company Commanded by Capt. John Smith that said Nathan Sirmon served the full term of service of six months and was honorably discharged at Fort hawkins, Georgia in the year 1815 and he further states that said Nathan Sirmon is dead and that the said Nancy Sirmon is his widow. Sworn and subscribed to this 3rd Feburary 1851. John (his X mark)houston Attest: Andrew E. Jackson, Justice of the Peace
Selected 1820 Census Records The table below has selected inhabitants that have been found to be associated with Nathan Sirmon or his family in some manner. Alabama Historical Quarterly, Fall Issue, 1944, pp. 20-42 CONECUH COUNTY CENSUS 1820 Name White males over twenty one years. White males under twenty one years. White females over twenty one years. White females under twenty one years. Total white population. Total of free people of colour. Total of slaves. Total of inhabitants. Nathan Sermon 1 4 1 2 8 0 0 8 Edmund Dean 1 6 1 2 10 0 1 10 Joshua Calloway 1 3 1 3 8 0 0 8 Robert Kindrick 1 3 1 3 8 0 0 8 George Andrews 2 4 1 1 8 0 5 13 William Ellis 1 2 1 2 6 0 0 6 John Weaver 2 1 1 1 5 0 0 5 Drury Deas (Dean) 2 2 1 1 6 0 5 11 William Mancill 2 2 3 3 10 0 0 10 Edward Mancile 1 1 1 4 7 0 0 7