Bilbray Curtis

No proof located that Bilbray Curtis was buried in this cemetery but he was very close to his parents Hillary Curtis Sr and Susannah Gulley Curtis who are buried in Forks of the Creek Cemetery.

Hillary Curtis Sr was on the 1820 and 1830 federal censuses in Jackson County, Tennessee. Records indicate Hillary Curtis Sr and son Bilbray Curtis were in Tishomingo County, Mississippi as early as 1837.

Bilbray Curtis married Elizabeth Curtis on July 11, 1838 in Tishomingo County.

Mississippi Marriages, 1826-50:
Groom Name: Bilbra Curtis
Bride Name: Elizabeth Curtis
Marriage Date: 11 Jul 1838
County: Tishomingo
State: Mississippi

Bilbray Curtis appeared on the 1840 state census as Bilbon Curtis:
1840 Tishomingo Co., Mississippi Census:
pg. 235 line #637
Curtis, Bilbon

And on the 1845 state census, he appeared next door to his father:

1845 Tishomingo Co., MS Territorial & State Census:
Curtis, Hilberry 4 males - 4 females
Curtis, Billerry 3 males - 1 female.

Land Patents- Old Tishomingo County, Mississippi:
Name Signature Date Document Accession NR
Curtis, Bilbray * 1-13-1845 * NR18267 MS3100_.104

Land records show that on September 12, 1850, Bilbray Curtis sold 160 acres in Tishomingo County to his brother Moses Curtis. Deed was filed and recorded on March 23, 1852, in Iuka, Tishomingo County. This property was situated on what is now Highway 365 on the west side of Highway 25 (Section 4, Township 2, Range 10-NW 1/4).

Bilbray and Elizabeth Curtis' first four children were born in Tishomingo County:

1850 United States Federal Census:
Name: B Curtis
Age: 34
Birth Year: abt 1816
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1850: Northern Division District 4, Tishomingo, Mississippi
Gender: Male
Family Number: 8
Household Members:
Name Age
B Curtis 34
Elizabeth Curtis 30
William Curtis 10 [William Moses]
Mary Curtis 5
Cary Ann Curtis 3
George Curtis 0

After the birth of George Thomas Curtis in November of 1848, the family moved to Arkansas. When the 1860 federal census was taken on August 29, 1860, Bilbray Curtis and his family resided in Independence Township (Rock Hill post office), Pope County, Arkansas. His parents Hillary Curtis Sr and Susannah Gulley Curtis lived close by.

1860 United States Federal Census:
Name: Bilbry Curtis
Age in 1860: 45
Birth Year: abt 1815
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Independence, Pope, Arkansas
Gender: Male
Post Office: Rock Hill
Household Members:
Name Age
Bilbry Curtis 45
Elizabeth Curtis 40
Carry A Curtis 13
Thomas Curtis 10
Fanny Curtis 7
Amanda I Curtis 4
Sarah E Curtis 1

Bilbray and Elizabeth Curtis had one more child: Susan Curtis born 1860 - she is 10 years old and living with her mother on the 1870 federal census. Her mother had remarried to a George Paine. Living in the household was Elizabeth [Curtis] Paine, and daughters Carrie Ann, Fanny, Amanda Jane, Sarah, and Susan, 10.

Bilbray Curtis' death date has not been located by me. He last appeared on the 1860 federal census, 44 years of age.

By the time of the 1870 federal census, his widow Elizabeth had married a George V. Paine, born about 1809 in Tennessee. After years of research, I have been unable to find any record of George V. Paine or Elizabeth Curtis Paine after their appearance on the 1870 federal census taken 31 August 1870.

1870 United States Federal Census:
Name: George V Paine
Age in 1870: 61
Birth Year: abt 1809
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: Liberty, Pope, Arkansas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Dover
Household Members:
Name Age
George V Paine 61
Elizabeth Paine 53
Carra Ann Curtis 24
Fanna Curtis 18
Amanda Jane Curtis 14
Sarah E Curtis 12
Susan L Curtis 10

Research ongoing....* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 11 2022, 17:00:40 UTC