By Adrianne Fortenberry CrimingerNellie Mae Simmons Fortenberry1891 - 1974

When my grandmother, Mae Simmons Fortenberry passed away in 1974, her sons and daughters-in-law had the task of dispersing her possessions. Because my mother was an avid and prolific quilter, she and my dad were given a quilt of Granny’s thought to have been a wedding gift given to Ferman and Mae when they married in 1913. My mother affectionately called it “The P Quilt” though we were never able to understand its design. I would love to hear if anyone can explain this quilt design!

Due to my interest in family history, the signatures cried out to me to find out about the quilters and when it was actually constructed. It turned out to be much more difficult than expected. Why? During the time the quilt was made, married women rarely went by their given names. Mae Simmons would have considered herself Mrs. Ferman Esco Fortenberry. On the quilt squares, that would have been shortened to Mrs. F. E. Fortenberry. This meant that I would not be able to locate the woman who made the square until I identified the husband, often based on the two initials. Then I would have to find a record of his wife! This proved to be a much harder task!

Special Note: In some cases, I had to make a “best guess” to identify the individual making the square. In one case (andstrangely enough it was a Fortenberry), it was impossible to make a guess for Mrs. T. C. Fortenberry. Also, due to the nature of this project, I am sure there are quite a few errors. PLEASE contact me so that I might make corrections!

The entire “P” Quilt

This unusual quilt contains 30 squares, each with an embroidered signature. Some have faded over time but all the signatures are still very readable.

Each square will be individually highlighted with an explanation of a few things discovered about the quilter.

As one might expect, the history of the individuals are intertwined. I found mothers and daughters, sisters, sisters-in-law, cousins, and fellow church members. Whenever possible, I have given a few of the connections I was able to find. I was particularly interested in links to my ancestors - Willis Simmons, William Jasper Fortenberry, and John Shaffer Ellzey, all early settlers of southwest Mississippi.

Mrs J H Ellzey6E

Mrs L Q Fortenberry

6D

Mrs P D Schilling6C

Mary Lee Goings6B

Mrs H L Schilling6A

Mrs G H Alford5E

Mrs R A Simmons5D

Zelma Fortenberry5C

Madge Simmons5B

Montoria Brumfield5A

Mrs J M Ellzey4E

Ruth Alford4D

Mrs B F Schilling4C

Mrs Dan Lofton4B

Mrs Vick Alford4A

Rita Bond3E

Mrs J W Goings3D

Mrs N C Simmons3C

Mae Nance Schilling

3B

Mrs Lloyd M Millian3A

Lura Alford2E

Mrs T C Fortinberry2D

Mrs C H Schilling2C

Mrs M F Wilson2B

Mrs B M Lawrence2A

Eula Schilling1E

Lynnie Simmons1D

Mrs N C Fortenberry

1C

Mrs I M Corken1B

Mrs J O Boyd1A

Each quilt square will be shown and discussed in order from 1A to 6E.

Mrs. J. O. Boyd1A

Mrs. J. O. Boyd was married to Joseph Oma Boyd (1894-1947). He was listed as a teacher in the 1930 census of Pike County. Her maiden name was Bertha Lee Corkern (1900-1989). They are both buried at Tylertown Cemetery. Bertha was born in Louisiana and her parents were Isaac M. and Idella Corkern. Joseph’s parents were Joseph Cicero Boyd (1869-1936) and Myra Olivia Beard (1887-1950).

Bertha Corkern Boyd’s mother made and signed square 1B which follows. Bertha Corkern Boyd

www.ancestry.com

Bertha and Joe are listed as charter members of Progress Baptist Church, formed in 1928. For a while, Joe was the Progress Sunday School Superintendent.

Mrs. I. M. Corkern1B

Mrs. I. M. Corkern was married to Isaac Monroe Corkern (1860 - 1937). Her maiden name was Idella Hughes (1861 -1944). They are both buried at Silver Springs Cemetery. Idella’s parents were Martin Van Buren Hughes (1831 –1937) and Margaret Fendlason (1832 –1915). Isaac’s parents were AbnerBickham Corkern (1816 – 1865) and Elizabeth Collins Fisher (1823 – 1880). Her daughter, Bertha Corkern Boyd completed square 1A.

This is the only image I could locate related to this family. This photo is of Idella’s parents, Martin and Margaret Hughes.

mv.ancestry.com/viewer/2416bd6c-0bee-4c40-86d5-f3bf6ae964f3/8123036/-996282324

Mrs. N. C. Fortenberry1C Mrs. N. C. Fortenberry was married to Norman Chester Fortenberry (1892 – 1934). Her maiden name was Carrie Thornhill (1890 –1980). They were charter members of Progress Baptist Church and they are both buried there. Carrie was a WMU President at the church. She was the daughter of Thomas Wesley Thornhill (1859 – 1940) and Mary Anne Simmons (1864 – 1917). Mary Simmons was Mae’s second cousin; therefore both descended from Willis Simmons. Ferman Fortenberry was also Mary’s second cousin since he too was a descendant of Willis Simmons. Norman Chester was the son of James Felder Fortenberry (1858 – 1925) and Louisa E. (Lula) Schilling (1872 – 1893). In 1930, he was one of the census takers for Pike County.

Ferman and Norman were also second cousins, both descended from William Jasper Fortenberry. Norman’s sister, Alma, completed square 2B! Thomas Chester Fortenberry and wife, Carrie Thornhill

Lynnie Simmons1D

Lynnie Simmons was one of the few women who signed with a given name. She was married to William Howard Simmons (1877 –1934). Her maiden name was Lynnie Dale Schilling (1879 – 1947). She was the daughter of Rev. Esco Schilling (1842 – 1915) and Eveline Elizabeth Ellzey (1846 – 1907). William Simmons was the grandson of Solomon O. Simmons of the Bala ChittoSimmons family. This Simmons family line has no definite relationship to the Mae’s family, known as the Silver Creek Simmons Family. Lynnie was the first secretary/ treasurer of the Silver Springs Cemetery Association and is buried there. Howard is buried at Progress Cemetery. They were charter members of Progress Church.

In 1903, William Howard Simmons was made postmaster at Smithburg, Mississippi.

Wayne Ellzey

Eula Schilling1E

Like Lynnie Simmons, Eula Schilling used her given name with her married name instead of her husband’s initials. EulaSchilling (1895 – 1990) was the wife of James Vernon Schilling (1894 – 1972). They are both buried at Progress Cemetery. EulaMae Alford was the daughter of Jewel Lucian Alford (1871 – 1954) and Frances McElveen(1870 – 1924). Vernon was the son of EscoF. Schilling (1873 - ) and Maggie (Mildred) Duncan. He was a deacon at Silver Springs Baptist Church beginning in 1938 and was also the church clerk 1948-1949.

Wayne Ellzey

This is James Vernon Schilling’s signature on his WWI registration card.

Mrs. B. M. Lawrence2A

This square took a while to figure out! B. M. Lawrence was Benjamin M. Lawrence. According to the 1930 census of Pike County, Mississippi shown below, B. M. Lawrence and wife Zoa were boarding with the Goings family (squares 6D and 6B). They are both listed as public school teachers. By the 1940 census, he and Zoa are living in Jasper County, Mississippi. He gives his occupation as clergyman and says that in 1935, he was living in Pike County. His wife, Zoamade the square but nothing has been found about her.

The 1930 census for the Goings family falls on two pages. Above is the section listing the Lawrence couple as boarders. Note the town is given as Simmonsville.

Mrs. M. F. Wilson2B Mrs. M. F. Wilson was married to Murdock

Fletcher Wilson (1880 – 1942). Her maiden name was Alma E. Fortenberry (1891 – 1994). They are both buried at Silver Springs Cemetery. Alma was the daughter of James Felder Fortenberry (1858 – 1925) and Louise E. (Lula) Schilling (1871 – 1893). Murdock Wilson’s parents were Robert and Alice Wilson

Norman Chester Fortenberry was Alma’s brother. His wife, Carrie Thornhill, completed square 1C.

Alma Fortenberry WilsonSylvia Berry: www.ancestry.comAlma’s son, Dalton Wilson was a good friend of

my Dad’s. This 1937 picture was taken at Progress School when my Dad was graduating. Dalton is on the left.

2C Mrs. C. H. SchillingMrs. C. H. Schilling was married to Charles Hanson Schilling (1875 – 1952). Her maiden name was Leona Eva Fortenberry (1881 –1973). They are both buried at Silver Springs Cemetery. Leona was the daughter of Ivan H. Fortenberry (1855 – 1928) and Laura Alford (1864 – 1941). Charlie was the son of James Jeffrey Schilling (1837 – 1896) and Martha Elizabeth Alford (1849 – 1914).

Leona’s grandfather was Hollis Horton Fortenberry; therefore she is a descendant of William Jasper Fortenberry. Leona and Charles Schilling

http://www.geni.com/people/Charles-Hanson-Schilling/6000000000703809335

2D

Mrs. T. C. Fortinberry???

It has not been possible to determine exactly who T. C. Fortinberry was. He could either be Thaddeus Clyde Fortenberry or Thomas Calvin Fortenberry. Notice that the square is signed Fortinberry not Fortenberry. Neither of these men appear to have ever lived in Pike County.

T. Clyde Fortenberry (1879 – 1935) often used Fortinberry instead of Fortenberry. Clyde was married to Ella Pearl Regan (1889 – 1968). Clyde was the son of Nelson Monroe Fortenberry (1849 – 1913) and Philona Rebecca Ball (1851 – 1923).

Thomas Calvin Fortenberry (1883 – 1964) was married to Eva Irene Magee (1889 – 1964). Thomas was the son of Willis Jackson Fortenberry (1838 – 1911) and Elizabeth Rebecca Pigott (1945 – 1883). Both Clyde and Calvin are descendants of William Jasper Fortenberry, our Mississippi pioneer.

T. Calvin and Irene Magee Fortenberry

T. Clyde and Pearl Regan Fortenberry

Please get in touch with me if you know which Fortenberry wife made this square!

2ELura Alford Lura Willett Alford (1908 – 1976) was the

daughter of George Howard Alford (1875 –1958) and Mayme Simmons (1878 – 1949). Information about this couple can be found on the quilt square made by her mother, MaymeSimmons Alford (5E). Lura Alford married Luther Wroten Alford (1907 – 1993). On the 1930 census of the town of Magnolia, they were listed as married with one child. Luther was the son of Albert Arthur Alford (1872 –1936) and Linnie Dean Berryhill (1872 – 1952). He was the great grandson of William Jasper Fortenberry. Lura is buried at Progress Cemetery. No information can be found online as to where Luther is buried but family information on Ancestry says he died in Meridian, Mississippi.

Wayne Ellzey

Her sister, Ruth Alford, completed square 4D. Her mother, Mayme Simmons Alford, completed square 5E.

Mrs. Lloyd McMillian3A

Mrs Lloyd McMillian’s maiden name was Lois Evelyn Schilling (1907 – 1996). Her husband was Lloyd Dale McMillian (1906 – 1988). Lois and Lloyd are buried at Progress Church. The spelling of this last name seems to vary. On the quilt square done by Lois, she has a definite second i. On the tombstones the name is spelled McMillan. Lloyd was the son of David J. McMillian (1872 – 1950) and Mary Ola Schilling (1880 – 1954). On the 1930 census, he is listed as working in the railroad shops. Lois was the daughter of Prentiss Daniel Schilling (1881 – 1940) and Linda Bertha Simmons (1887 – 1978). Lois’s mother completed square 6C. See that square for more information about her family. Lloyd’s sister, Mrs. Vick Alford, completed 4A.

Wayne Ellzey

Mae Nance Schilling3B

Mae was the only person to put her full name on a square. It is even that way on her tombstone. Mae (1893 – 1968) was married to Cicero Fleet Schilling (1884 –1962). Nothing has been found about Mae’s ancestry. On the 1920 census, Mae Nance was listed as a boarder with Eva Vaughn in Magnolia and listed as a clerk. Her place of birth was listed as Kentucky. Cicero was the son of Rev. Esco Martin Schilling (1842 – 1815) and Eveline Elizabeth Ellzey (1846 – 1907). Cicero served as a Private with the Medical Department 29th Coast Artillery Corps during World War I. They are both buried at Silver Springs Cemetery.

This is Mae’s signature in 1962 on an application for a veteran’s headstone. Wayne Ellzey

3C

Mrs. N. C. Simmons

Mrs. N. C. Simmons was married to Norman Clifton Simmons (1900 – 1985). Her maiden name was Eula Allen Price(1899 – 1961). Eula was the daughter of Robert E. Price (1877 – 1914) and Lula Elizabeth Allen (1872 – 1951). Clifton Simmons was the son of George Oliver Simmons (1873 – 1948) and Carrie Lee Alford (1878 – 1919). George was a great grandson of Willis Simmons. His wife, Carrie Alford, was the great granddaughter of William Jasper Fortenberry. Clifton and Eula are buried at the William M. Allen Cemetery 1 mile east of Bluff Springs Church. This cemetery has not yet been recorded on findagrave.com.

Clifton Simmons is listed in 1928 as a charter member of Progress Baptist Church.

Mrs. J. W. Goings3DMrs. J. W. Goings was married to Joseph Wesley Goings (1882 – 1948). Her maiden name was Cammie E. Miller (1886 – 1969) They are both buried at Silver Springs Cemetery. Joseph was the son of John W. Goings (1849 – 1884) and Sarah E. Grace (1857 – 1902). Cammie’s parents were Monroe Jefferson Miller (1867 – 1947) and Mary Ann Melton (1867 – 1945).

Joe Goings became a deacon at Silver Springs Baptist Church beginning in 1930.

Wayne Ellzey

Wayne Ellzey

Joe’s signature on his WWI registration card.

Reta Bond3E

Wayne Ellzey

Reta Bond (1912 – 1997) was married to Ernest J. Bond (1906 – 1995). Reta’smaiden name was Reta Romelia Smith, daughter of Luther Preston Smith (1885 –1934) and Mallie Irene Brown (1888 –1977). Ernest Bond was the son of Fletcher Alonzo Bond (1879 – 1943) and Florence Morris (1878 – 1943). Reta and Ernest are buried at Silver Springs Cemetery.

Reta Bond wrote a short 66 page genealogy called “Genealogical Outline Of The Descendants Of John Smith and John Brown Families.” There is no publication date inside the cover.

Mrs. Vick Alford4A

Mrs. Vick Alford was married to Hollis Victor Alford (1891 – 1968). Her maiden name was Ethel Pearl McMillan (1899 –1977). Ethel was the daughter of David McMillan (1872 – 1950) and Mary OlaSchilling (1880 – 1954). David and Mary McMillan were charter members of Progress Baptist Church. Victor Alford was the son of Julius Caesar Alford (1855 – 1937) and Sarah Elizabeth Fortenberry (1859 – 1938) and therefore a descendant of William Jasper Fortenberry through his son, Hollis Horton Fortenberry.

Ethel Pearl’s sister-in law, Lois Evelyn Schilling, completed square 3A.

Sarah Elizabeth FortenberryMother of Vick Alford

Julius Caesar AlfordFather of Vick Alford

Mrs. Dan Lofton4B

Mrs. Dan Lofton has been one of the most challenging of the squares. I am not sure I found the right one and hopefully someone reading this might be able to help.

The only possibility I have found is a Daniel Henry Lofton (1881 – 1948) of Copiah County. He was married to a woman named Rachel Adelia W. (1881 – 1969). They are both buried at Wesson Cemetery in Copiah County.

My doubts arise from the fact that almost everyone was living in the Pike County area at the time of the 1930 census. This couple never shows up anywhere except Copiah County. Maybe she was visiting someone in Pike County at the time the quilt was made?

World War 1 Registration card

4C

Mrs. B. F. Schilling Mrs. B. F. Schilling was married to Benjamin Franklin Schilling (1884 – 1963). Her maiden name was Matilda Elma “Tillie” McMillan (1883 – 1963). Tillie was the daughter of Archibald McMillan (1849 – 1924) and Sophronia Ann Strickland (1849 – 1925). Benjamin Franklin Schilling was the son of James Jeffrey Schilling (1837 – 1896) and Martha Elizabeth Alford (1849 – 1914). Bennie and Tillie are buried at Silver Springs Cemetery.

Tillie Schilling was the aunt of Lloyd McMillianand Lloyd’s wife made square 3A.

Parents of Tillie McMillan –Archibald McMillan and Sophronia Ann Strickland

Ruth Alford4D

Ruth Alford (1903 – 1987), single at the time of making the square, was the daughter of George Howard Alford and Mayme Simmons. Ruth’s mother, Mayme, made square 5E. She and her parents were charter members of Progress Baptist Church. In 1930, she is living with her parents in Simmonsville when the census was taken. She later married Leslie Outterson of Texas.

She is buried at Progress Cemetery.

Wayne Ellzey

Mrs. J. M. Ellzey4E

Mrs. J. M. Ellzey was married to John Monroe Ellzey (1867 – 1934). Her maiden name was Elizabeth Izella Fortenberry (1855 – 1945). Both are buried at Silver Springs Cemetery. Izella was the daughter of William J. Fortenberry (1814 – 1896) and Elizabeth Martha Ann Cutrer (1827 – 1909). John Monroe Ellzey was the son of John Shaffer Ellzey (1829 – 1874) and Saryntha A. Smith (1833 – 1905). Izella and her husband, J.M. Ellzey, are both descendants for William Jasper Fortenberry.

Monroe Ellzey and stepdaughter, Lillian Ellzey. Lillian completed square 6D and her stepmother completed this one.

Montoria Brumfield5A

Montoria Brumfield was married to Dudley Clarence Brumfield (1881 – 1971). Her maiden name was Etha Montoria Pittman (1887 – 1962) and most likely used her first name to prevent confusion since she was Dudley’s second wife. She was the daughter of Jesse Pittman (1842 –1929) and Lou King (1850 – 1946). Dudley was the son of Isaac Preston Brumfield (1843 – 1921) and Georgia Ann McClendon (1853 – 1931). They were charter members of Progress Church and are both buried there.

http://www.7miss.org/soldiers/aa.html

During the Civil War, Montoria’sgrandfather, Jesse R. B. Pittman was with the 7th Mississippi Infantry, Company F.

Madge Simmons5B

Madge Elizabeth Simmons was born in 1908 and died in 1980. She was the daughter of William Howard Simmons (1877 – 1934) and Lynnie Dale Schilling (1879 – 1947). At the time the quilt was made, Madge was not married. She married Cassie M. Cooper (1899 –1976), son of William M. Cooper of Perry County, Mississippi. Madge and Cassie are buried at Fairly Cemetery in Perry County, Mississippi.

Her mother, Lynnie made square 1D.

Samantha Mitchell ClementsFindagrave.com

Zelma Fortenberry5CZelma Fortenberry (1911 – 2000) was the daughter of Lemuel Q. Fortenberry and his wife, Lillian Ellzey. At the time the quilt was made, Zelma was not yet married. She later married John Nolan Smith (1905 – 1953), son of Reid Smith and Avrilla Kaiser. Zelma and Nolan are buried at Silver Springs Cemetery.

Zelma’s mother, Lillian Ellzey Fortenberry, made square 6D. Zelma and her two of her children

James and Robert

Mrs. R. A. Simmons5D

Mrs. R. A. Simmons was married to Roy Allen Simmons (1894 – 1957). Her maiden name was Annie Hope Kimmons (1889 – 1972). Both are buried at Progress Cemetery. Annie was the daughter of William Harvey Kimmons(1859 – 1932) and Emma Jane Newell (1862 -?) Roy was the son of John Lee Simmons (1861 – 1915) and Alice Jane Allen (1867 –1947). Roy’s grandfather was Solomon O. Simmons of the Bala Chitto Simmons family.

Roy and Annie were founding members of Progress Church. On the 1930 Mississippi census, they are living in Simmonsville. Roy is listed as a railroad machinist and Annie is a school teacher.

Wayne Ellzey

Mrs. G. H. Alford5E

Mrs. G. H. Alford was married to George Howard Alford (1875 – 1958). Her maiden name was Mayme Simmons (1878 – 1949). Mayme was the daughter of Dr. Willis Fleet Simmons and Annie Hall. Mayme was the great granddaughter of Willis Simmons. George Alford was the son of JepthaJosephus Alford (1854 – 1929) and OleviaLuminda Fortenberry (1856 – 1942), therefore, the great grandson of William Jasper Fortenberry. George and Mayme were charter members of Progress Baptist Church and are buried there. They have two daughters who each completed a quilt square – Lura Willett Alford (2E) and Ruth Alford (4D).

G. H. Alford Maume immons

Mrs. H. L. Schilling6A

Mrs. H. L. Schilling was married to Herbert Luther Schilling (1890 – 1951). Her maiden name was Mamie Elizabeth Potts (1895 – 1951). Mamie was the daughter of Samuel Felix Potts (1872 –1950) and Barbara Irene Estess (1875 –1953). Herbert was the son of Rev. EscoMartin Schilling (1842 – 1915) and EvelineElizabeth Ellzey 1846 – 1907). Please see a later page concerning the many connections to the Esco Schillings family.

Herbert and Mamie were founding members of Progress Baptist Church and are buried there.

H. L. Schilling’s signature from his WWI draft registration.

Wayne Ellzey

Mary Lee Goings6B

Mary Lee Goings was not married when the quilt was made. Mary Lee was the daughter of G. W. Goings and Cammie Miller. For information about her family, see square 3D as it was made by her mother. In 1933, she married George Wesley Jackson(1913 – 1998). They are both buried at the Rimes Cemetery.

On the 1930 census, Mary Lee is living with her parents in Simmonsville.

Lisa Mae: Findagrave,com

Mrs. P. D. Schilling6C

Mrs. P. D. Schilling was married to Prentiss Daniel Schilling (1881 – 1940). Her maiden name was Linda Bertha Simmons (1887 – 1978). They are both buried at Silver Springs Cemetery. Linda was the daughter of John Lee Simmons (1861 – 1915) and Alice Jane Allen (1867 –1947). Linda is a descendant of Solomon O. Simmons of the Balo Chitto Simmons Family. Prentiss was the son of Rev. EscoMartin Schilling and Eveline Elizabeth Ellzey. Prentiss and Linda were charter members of Progress Baptist Church.

P. D. Schilling’s signature from his WWI draft registration.

Mrs. L. Q. Fortenberry6D

Mrs. L. Q. Fortenberry was married to Lemuel Quin Fortenberry (1879 – 1958). Her maiden name was Lillian Ellzey (1883 – 1950). Both Lillian and her husband were descendants of William Jasper Fortenberry. Lillian Ellzey was the daughter of Oscar J. L. Ellzey (1854 –1883) and Elizabeth Fortenberry (1855 –1949). Lemuel Fortenberry was the son of Howell K. Fortenberry (1852 – 1900) and Mary Ann Alford (1858 – 1894).

Lemuel and Lillian are buried at Silver Springs Cemetery.

Lillian Ellzey

Lemuel Q. Fortenberry

Mrs. J. H. Ellzey6E

Mrs. J. H. Ellzey was married to John (Johnny) Holmes Ellzey (1870 – 1961). Her maiden name was Louisa Elizabeth Schilling, daughter of James Jeffrey Schilling (1837 – 1896) and Martha Isabel Alford (1849 – 1914). Johnny Ellzey was the son of Benjamin Franklin Ellzey (1926 – 1904) and Emily Holmes (1836 – 1906). Johnny and Lizzie were charter members of Progress Baptist Church. They are both buried at Sliver Springs Cemetery.

Lizzie and Johnny Ellzey

See James Shilling family photo at the end of quilt squares for more information about Lizzie’s family.

After several weeks of research, I determined the quilt was made between 1930 and 1933. By looking at the 1930 Pike County Federal Census, I was able to get an idea of where most of the quilters were living. As might be expected, the quilt was most likely made through a very localized social group. Two churches figure prominently with the quilters, Silver Springs and Progress. Progress was established in 1928 from a group leaving Silver Springs.

Most of the families were living in the Pike County voting district of “Beat 1” and especially in the area called Simmonsville. The name was given to this area because Willis Simmons made his home there.

The husband of one of the quilters was actually the census taker and went door to door in April of 1930 to record the census information. Notice that Norman Chester Fortinberry is listed as the enumerator.

Location, Location, Location

Lincoln3BSchilling, Mae Nance

McComb3AMcMillian, Lloyd

Copiah4BLofton, Dan

?2DFby, T C

4114EEllzey, J M

4105CFby, Zelma

4106DFby, L Q

4084CSchilling B F

2771ABoyd, J O

2443CSimmons, N C

1545DSimmons, R A

1082ALawrence, BM

1086BGoings, Mary Lee

1083DGoings, J W

1061BCorkern, I M

1004DAlford, Ruth

1002EAlford, Luna

1005EAlford, G H

796EEllzey, J H

776ASchilling, H L

714AAlford, Vick

706CSchilling P D

681CFby, NC

625ABrumfield, Montoria

582CSchilling, C.H.

573EBond, Reta

531ESchilling, Eula

475BSimmons, Madge

471DSimmons, Lynnie

312BWilson, M F

As the census was done, the enumerator (in this case, Norman C. Fortinberry) went from house to house asking the required questions. The houses were numbered as they were visited. Thisdata table shows the location of the thirty signers of the quilt. Notice the numbers in the last column. Close numbers lived near or next door to each other. For instance, P.D. Schilling and Vick Alford most likely lived next door to each other since Schilling was listed as house 70 and Alford was in house 71. Houses numbered 1 to 211 were listed as being in the Simmonsville area. Houses from 212 to 411 are outside of Simmonsville but still in “Beat 1.” My grandparents, Ferman and Mae, were living in household numbered 46. All six of there sons are listed as still at home. They were living next door to William Howard Simmons, husband of Lynnie (1D) and their daughter, Madge Simmons (5B).

The exceptions are:1. Dan Lofton always appears in Copiah County Census records.2. Lloyd McMillian and his wife are living in the town of McCombwhich was part of Beat 4, Pike County. 3. Mae Nance Schilling appears in 1920 boarding with Eva Vaughnin Magnolia (birthplace given as Kentucky) and in 1930 she and her husband, Cicero Fleet Schilling are living in Norfield, Lincoln County, Mississippi which is just north of Pike County. 4. In 1940, Thaddeus Clyde Fortenberry was living in Marion County, Beat 4. In 1930, Thomas Calvin Fortenberry was living in Walthall County, Beat 1.

Family of James Jeffrey Schilling 1892-1893This photo was copied by Adrian Fortenberry in the 1970s and was included in the photo section of The Fortenberry Families of Southern Mississippi. Front row L/R Ira Payne Alford (1822 - 1901), Raleigh, Mallie, Benjamin, Luther, Evie(except for Ira, all children of James J. Schilling). Second row L/R James J. Schilling, wife Martha Alford (daughter of Ira), John Holmes Ellzey (husband of Lizzie Schilling), Leon Schilling, Lizzie, Maggie (wife of Esco F. Schilling), Esco holding Emma. Back L/R Charles, Theodore, Ellis holding Ella, Mollie (wife of Ellis), Lena.

Quilt relationships with children of J. J. Schilling: Benjamin’s wife (Tillie McMillan) made square 4C, Charles’ wife (Leona Eva Fortenberry) made 2C, Lizzie Schilling, wife of Johnny Ellzey (both shown here) made 6E. The old man on the front row (Ira Payne Alford) had additional connections through his son, Jeptha (Dock) Alford: grandson’s wife, Mayme made 5E, two great granddaughters (Lura Alford and Ruth Alford) made 2E and 4D.

Connections to William Jasper Fortenberry (~1774 – 1842) and Willis Simmons (1784 – 1862)

William Jasper Fortenberry had quite a few direct descendants though hisdaughter, Euseba, and two of his sons, William and Hollis.

Daughter, Euseba Fortenberry (1809 – 1878)1. John M. Ellzey 4A2. Lillian Ellzey Fortenberry 6D3. Zelma Fortenberry Smith 5C

Son, William Jasper Fortenberry, Jr. (1814 – 1848)1. Izella E. Fortenberry Ellzey 4E2. Lillian Ellzey Fortenberry 6D3. Zelma Fortenberry Smith 5C4. Norman Clifton Fortenberry 3C

Son, Hollis Horton Fortenberry (1825 – 1867)1. George H. Alford 5E2. Lura Alford 2E3. Ruth Alford 4D4. Hollis Victor Alford 4A5. Lemuel Q. Fortenberry 6D6. Norman Chester Fortenberry 1C7. Zelma Fortenberry Smith 5C8. Leona Eva Fortenberry Schilling 2C9. Alma Fortenberry Wilson 2B10 Luther Wroten Alford 2E

Willis Simmons (1784 – 1862) also had a few direct descendants:1. Mayme Simmons Alford 5E2. Lura Alford 2E3. Ruth Alford 4D4. Carrie Thornhill Fortenberry 1C5. Norman Clifton Simmons 3C

William Jasper Fortenberry, Jr.

Hollis Horton Fortenberry

Willis Simmons

The amazing connections to the family ofJohn Shaffer Ellzey (1796 – 1880)

1. John Holmes Ellzey 6E2. John Monroe Ellzey 4E3. Lillian Ellzey, wife of L.Q. Fortenberry 6D4. Norman Clifton Fortenberry 1C5. Zelma Fortenberry 5C6. Lloyd McMillian 3A7. Evelyn Schilling 3A8. Prentiss D. Schilling 6C9. James Vernon Schilling 1E10. Herbert Luther Schilling 6A11. Lynnie Simmons 1D12. Madge Simmons 5B13. Alma Fortenberry Wilson 2B

Eliza Jane Ellzey Fortenberry1830 - 1899

Burrell Taylor Fortenberry1820 - 1863

My connection to the Ellzey family is through my 2 great grandfather, Burrell Taylor Fortenberry. In 1850, he married Eliza Jane Ellzey, daughter of John Shaffer Ellzey and Elizabeth Coney.

Burrell Fortenberry was the son of William Jasper Fortenberry. He died during the Civil War after enduring the Siege of Port Hudson. As a prisoner, he was paroled on July 9, 1863 and sent home. According to his grandson’s journal (my grandfather, Ferman EscoFortenberry), he died of “Exposure to War” on September 14, 1863. Eliza Jane had just had her 33rd

birthday nine days before his death. She never remarried.

Over the years I have researched and written quite a bit about my family. Sometimes, my ancestors seem closer to me than many of the people alive in my world today. In writing this article, I was amazed to realize just how interconnected families become when living in the same area for 200 years. My father felt that connection as a child. Though I would not change a thing about my life, I now feel the loss of my “unknowable” Mississippi roots.