Temperance Baxter (Copeland)

Jesse BAXTER was born in 1777 in North Carolina. His wife, Temperance, was born in the same state in 1780. They moved to Tennessee and raised a large family. Among their children were two boys, Willis BAXTER and James "Jimbo" BAXTER, and a daughter named Martha "Patsy" BAXTER.

Some time about 1815 to 1820, Jesse BAXTER moved his family from Tennessee to Jackson County, Alabama. They settled in the Paint Rock Valley. The BAXTERS moved about the country quite a lot, but like most of the early settlers, they were poor and were searching for a better way of life.

About 1825 the two boys, Willis and James, left Paint Rock Valley and settled in the Cherokee Nation (now DeKalb County). After getting themselves fairly well settled Willis and James went to Jackson County in the 1830's and brought their parents and their sister to DeKalb County.

After coming to DeKalb County Jesse and Temperance adopted a son and raised him. His name was George Washington BAXTER. The county records indicate that Jesse owned much land up and down Wills Creek, selling some of it as little as one dollar per acre. Temperance preceded Jesse in death, having passed on in 1862 in DeKalb County, Alabama. She is buried at the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery near Lebanon. Jesse passed away in 1868. He is also buried at the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.