I am the GGGG Grandson of John P. Carnes and Mary Smallwood Carnes. There is no such person named "John Thomas" Carnes, They were two brothers - John born 1786 and Thomas 1787, both in NC. I have the will for each of them. Thomas will talk about his wife "Mary M. Carnes" and John's mentions his "beloved wife Mary Carnes". Based on a researcher DNA and genealogy records, she and I now believe that Thomas' wife was s Mary Magdalene "Polly" SHIPLEY.
The originator of this mistake was Dr. Donald Carnes of GA, who did extensive Carnes genealogy before the internet. When I met Dr. Donald in 2004, he was getting a bit tired of so many Carnes bugging him about genealogy I think, but he and I had a long and pleasant talk in Villa Rica, GA one Sunday and exchanged some letters afterwards. When I showed him the John Carnes and Thomas info, he agreed with me they were actually brothers and not the same person. He is the person who told me it was John "P" because I could not find a middle name or initial for him anywhere. Dr. Donald told me most likely he missed a comma when he was going through the old records. Clearly he had some of his older notes about them but he did not give me a copy. Once Donals did his stuff, it was propagated all over by Paul Rose (his mother was a Carnes) and some of the GA Carnes - so the mistake is all over the place.
I have the will for both John (died 1857) and Thomas (not sure, his will was dated APR 1860) if you are interested.
Joseph Carnes was born in 1760 in Virginia. Soldier in Revolutionary War.
Married Comfort Ann Cash on 12 Nov 1783 in Granville Co., NC. Joseph Carnes
had the following children:
Zachariah Carnes (Carns) born NC 1785 Mecklenberg Co. NC (Ed Carnes note - GC census 1850)
John P. Carnes born NC 1786 Mecklenberg Co. NC
Thomas Carnes born NC 1787 Mecklenberg Co. NC
David Carnes no info, for name from Dr. Donald Carnes letter 1/9/2002
Lydia Carnes no info, for name from Dr. Donald Carnes letter 1/9/2002
Peter Carnes no info, for name from Dr. Donald Carnes letter 1/9/2002
Edmund Carnes no info, for name from Dr. Donald Carnes letter 1/9/2002
Unknown daughter no info, for name from Dr. Donald Carnes letter 1/9/2002
Greenberry Carnes born G abt 1800 (Ed Carnes research) or Maybe son of Peter (above)
John P. Carnes was born in 1786 in Mecklenberg Co. NC. He died in Dec 1857 in Polk County, GA. He is presumed to be buried in GA although there is a small cross marker next to his wife’s grave that indicates it is ether his body was brought there or it is just a placeholder next to her.
He was married to Mary Smallwood about 1808. Mary Smallwood was born in 1790 in NC (GA per C.W. Carnes death certificate). She died on 15 Apr 1866 in Comanche County, TX and is buried in Downing Cemetery (SW part), 6 miles north of Comanche. John Carnes and Mary Smallwood had the following children:
3. Rachel Carnes (Hulsey) was born in 1808 in Habersham County, GA. She was married to Charles Hulsey about 1826 in GA. She died in GA and did not emigrate to Comanche County, TX with her mother and 6 siblings.
4. Brooks Carnes was born in 1810 in Franklin County, GA. After a trip to Grayson County KY around 1842/43 with his brother Shipley (family stories say he was trading or selling mules). He seems to have disappeared from records.
5. James Richard Carnes was born on 10 Aug 1813 in Habersham County, GA. He was married to Elisabeth P. Hobbs (born MAR 13, 1814) on 16 May 1834. He and his family emigrated to Comanche County, TX with his mother and 6 siblings. He died on 28 Oct 1906 in Comanche County, TX. Elisabeth died on APR 11, 1901. They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery (section E), Comanche, TX. Buried by his son John Carnes, born Apr 10, 1834 and died Jul 14, 1907.
6. Shipley Carnes was born in 1824 in GA. He is one of two potentials fathers of William Shipley Carnes who was born in Grayson County KY around 1843. It is said he made a trip to Grayson County KY around 1842/43 with his brother Brooks (family stories say he was trading or selling mules). He was married to Mary Ann (last name unknown). They were divorced in 1871. He had another son, Irvin, born 1844 presumable in GA.
7. Elizabeth Carnes (Putnam) was born in 1825. SShe was married to William John Putman 1840 in Paulding Co GA. She is buried in Downing Cemetery (SW part), 6 miles north of Comanche. Their headstones are rocks marked with “John Putnam” and “Old Putnam”. Sons William (born 1846 Paulding Co GA.) and Charles (born 1848 Paulding Co GA.). Widowed between 1848-1849. Moved to Polk Co. Ga sometime after 1850.
8. Mary Carnes (Ward) was born in Dec 1826. She was married to Thomas Leach Ward (born Oct 2, 1826) on 10 Mar 1851. She died in 1902 in Comanche County, TX. Thomas died on Dec 5, 1898. She is buried in Oakwood Cemetery (section E), Comanche, TX next to Thomas.
9. Clayton William “C. W.” Carnes was born on 6 Jan 1832 in Carroll County, GA. He was married to Sarah Eleanor Taylor (born on Feb 1, 1844) in May 1872 in Comanche County, TX. He died on 24 Sep 1924 in Comanche County, TX. Sarah died on 3 Mar 1934 in Comanche County, TX. They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery (section E), Comanche, TX next to (all?) their children.
10. Nancy Carnes (Davitte) was born on 28 May 1833. She was married to Samuel W. Davitte on 29 Oct 1854. She died on 9 Nov 1867 in Comanche County, TX. She is buried in Downing Cemetery (SW part), 6 miles north of Comanche.
Ed Carnes
elcfiddle@gmail.com
