Jesse M. Summers

Only sons: Jesse Madison, Albert, Henry and Whitfield are mentioned in his Last Will and Testament.

• Reference: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182791148/Jesse-Summers

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• Reference: FamilySearch Record - SmartCopy: Jul 10 2019, 19:08:36 UTC

Obituary for Jesse Summers -

Died on Monday the 16 of January at his residence in the county, in the 60th year of his age, Captain Jesse Summers, a native of Newberry District, S C whence he moved to the above place of residence twenty years since. The character of the deceased was proverbial, hospitality & honesty, and his charitable disposition was not restricted by party feelings. He left an aged widow to mourn her loss, and seven grown children to imitate his exemplary life.

Source: Clarke County Post, published January 20, 1837.

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Died at his residence in Clark County Alabama, January 16, 1837. A native of Newberry District, South Carolina had lived in 20 years - Age 60 years.

Source: Columbia Telescope, Columbia, South Carolina, February 4, 1837, page 3, column 5, bound in book 2820.

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Jesse Summers was born to Joseph Summers and Eleanor Clary of Newberry County, South Carolina.

Jesse's father, a planter and preacher from Maryland, has been recorded as a Quaker in one history, and a Dunker in another. The Dunkers (also known as German Baptist Brethren) believed that 3 immersions were required in baptism. They also neither shaved their faces nor their heads. Various records note that served as a chaplain in the Revolution. He performed many marriages in Newberry and never charged more than $1. According to the records of the Bush River Friends meeting, he was dismissed for marrying out of unity 27 June 1778 (Hinshaw's Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy). He began to preach in 1782 or 1792 and was known as an eloquent speaker. He was not an educated man; was taller than ordinary; and had gray hair and beard. He was also a saddler by trade. Later, his congregation became known as Universalists.

As a man, Jesse became the husband of Sarah Coate, daughter of Little John Coate and Susannah Ennis of Edgefield County, South Carolina. From their union, at least seven children were born: William E., Whitfield Brooks, Jesse Madison, Albert C., Henry, Caley G., John C., & Eldridge Summers.

1800 Census - Edgefield, SC

Name: Jesse Summers Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 1 Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1 Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2 Number of Household Members Under 16: 1 Number of Household Members: 4

1810 Census - Edgefield, SC

Name: Jesse Summers Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 3 Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 : 1 Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1 Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1 Numbers of Slaves: 5 Number of Household Members Under 16: 3 Number of Household Members Over 25: 2 Number of Household Members: 11

By 1820 the Summers family relocated to Newberry District, South Carolina, and on to Clarke County, Alabama, by 1830.

1830 Census - Clarke County, AL

Name: Jesse Summers Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2 Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1 Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1 Slaves - Males - Under 10: 2 Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 2 Slaves - Females - Under 10: 2 Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 2 Free White Persons - Under 20: 2 Total Free White Persons: 4 Total Slaves: 8 Total - All Persons (Free White/Slaves/Free Colored): 12

October 28, 1835, Jesse was awarded a land grant in for thirty-nine acres in Clarke County, Alabama.

In 1836, Jesse's son William E. Summers, fought and died at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6. He was buried at the Alamo in San Antonio. William is named among the Alamo's Immortal 32. Son Henry C.G. Summers also participated. The Summers brothers voted in the election of delegates to the Texas Independence Convention on March 1, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Henry served as clerk.

20 June, 1836: purchased 90 acres from William Oates.

Jesse passed in 1837.

Last Will and Testament of Jesse Summers:

In the name of the Lord God, amen considering the frailties of human nature and the uncertainty of man’s life, I Jesse Summers of the above named State and County do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. My soul I give to God, and my body I want to be decently interred. My worldly possessions I will to be amicably and harmoniously divided as follows vis First All my just debts I want to be first paid. Second the fall following after my death I will that all my hands be equally divided amongst my lawful heirs in such manner as they may deem most convenient among themselves. The Negroes and the perishable personal property I will to be sold, and the proceeds thereof equally divided amongst my heirs. My wife Sarah I will to have, beside her quota of land, viz. one equal share with the other heirs, not more, the following property to wit: her bed and furniture and all necessary culinary utensils on hand. I further will and ordain that my wife Sarah shall draw an annual sum of twenty dollars from each of my lawful heirs during her life time more of which heirs shall draw their or his quota of their or his legacy except he or they enter into bond with sufficient securities to the judge of the County Court of Clarke for the faithful payment of the above stipulated sum of twenty dollars which said bond or bonds shall be renewed every three years or sooner if necessary. I will that my son, Whitfield Brooks Summers have the horse Jeff or if said horse die, or other horse of equal value. I will that my sons Jesse Madison, Albert, Henry and Whitfield have each one bed and furniture. I will and ordain that the quota of land, mooted out to my wife Sarah shall after her death revert to the rest of my lawful heirs. I will and ordain that Cala [sic] and Jesse M Summers as the Executors and Administrators of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in presence of the undersigned witnesses this Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the sixty first year. Witnesses Jesse Summers {LS} John Beckham, John C. Summers Joseph A. Huber, Hardy Fluker

The State of Alabama Clarke County. Personally appeared in open court John C Summers, Hardy Fluker and John Beckham who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the will which has been produced to the orphans court of Clarke County State of Alabama is the will that they saw Jesse Summers the deceased sign and seal as his last will and testament and that he the deceased signed the same in the presence of the subscribing witnesses and that each of the witnesses signed the same in the presence of the testator and that the deceased was at the time of the signing and sealing of said will of sound and disposing mind and memory. Sworn to and subscribed in open court 6th day of February 1837. Hardy Fluker Attest Terrell Powers, Clerk. John Beckham John C Summers Jesse Summers Estate Settlement

His wife, Sarah "Sally," died September 15, 1841 in Coffeeville, Clarke County, Alabama.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 28 2019, 11:28:06 UTC