Digging Up Your Family

I have gotten a little closer in my search for the date and location of Spencer DeMumbrie’s death.  I am almost positively positive that he most definitely died in Austin, Tunica County, Mississippi.  Probably on his plantation.  As for the date…well, he definitely died sometime between September 1874 and September 1876.  How have I pinpointed this?  Why, with Tunica County tax records, of course!

In 1874 Spencer appears on the tax rolls for the last time alive (well, I can’t see the 1875 tax rolls for Tunica County, so he may have been alive on that one, too).  He claimed:

5 cattle valued at $75

3 horses valued at $200

2 mules valued at $200

10 swine valued at $20

2 carriages valued at $30

1 watch valued at $40

Personal property valued at $100

In 1876 the tax list shows the Estate of Spencer DeMumbrie, meaning that he had passed…probably recently.  The Estate claimed:

17 cattle valued at $145

5 horses valued at $250

2 carriages valued at $20

In 1877 Effee Jane Gilchrist, Spencer’s 3rd and last wife, claimed:

3 cattle valued at $45

6 horses valued at $240

3 swine valued at $15

1 carriage valued at $10

1 watch valued at $20

Personal Property valued at $330

She also stated that she lived at DeMumbrie’s the prior year and the current year.  By this she more than likely meant DeMumbrie’s Landing on the Mississippi River.

The last tax record I can find concerning Spencer and Effee is 1879.  That year Effee claimed:

4 horses valued at $60

4 horses valued at $200

Personal property valued at $260

After that there are no tax records listed until 1882.  Effee Jane isn’t on that tax list, nor does she appear on the 1880 census.  So, the search continues…

This is most definitely not the last I will write of Timothy Demonbreun on Digging Up Your Family, but for now I can safely write of his passing, as I have more or less shared some interesting and important moments and events from his life.  There is more, trust me.  That leaves it wide open for future posts for me to contemplate.

Timothy Demonbreun passed at the age of 79 years on Monday, October 30, 1826 at his home in Nashville.  His obituary appeared in the Nashville Whig and Banner on November 4, 1826.  I have searched around, but I can’t find a scan of the actual obituary, so I can only go by what others have reported.  According to The Agnew Family Genealogy:

"In this town on Monday evening last, Captain Timothy Boucher DeMontbrun (Demumbrane), a venerable citizen of Nashville and the first white man that ever imigrated to this vicinity". The paper continues that "Demumbrane was interred at the little cemetery north of the public square, on a knoll near the sulphur springs where the first settlers had followed herds of buffalo".

The Timothy Demonbreun Heritage Society doesn’t mention this second part of the obituary.  I look forward to viewing the microfilm for this issue of the paper someday.  I was able to find him mentioned in the December 19, 1826 edition of the Spectator (New York, New York):

At Nashville, Capt. Timothy Demumbrane, at an advanced age.

It is said that he died with perfect teeth, so that’s pretty interesting.  As for his burial, that’s even more interesting.  The truth of the matter is…well, no one knows where Timothy is buried!  I know, I know, above the Nashville Whig and Banner apparently reported that he was buried in the Old City Cemetery.  There are reports that he may be buried behind John Geist & Sons, a blacksmith shop, at 311 Jefferson Street in Nashville (which I just noticed is listed as an “endangered property” in Nashville).  Other reports are that his body was moved from the Old City Cemetery to the New City Cemetery.  But the best, and most “romantic” report (more family legend than report) is that Elizabeth, his secret second common-law wife that he married off to a friend of his, became so distraught and lonely that her son Jean Baptiste had Timothy’s body disinterred from the city cemetery (old or new, I don’t know) and had it moved to Elizabeth’s land in Marrowbone, Cheatham County, Tennessee, the land now in part the Carney Cemetery.  Elizabeth is buried here, as is her son Jean Baptiste.  And even though no one is sure if Timothy really is buried in Carney, descendants later set a headstone in place.  Inscribed on his headstone is:

JACQUÉS TIMOTHE

BOUCHER

SIEURE De MONTBRUN

(TIMOTHY DEMONBREUN)

1747 – 1826

FRENCH CANADIAN FUR

TRADER OF FRENCH LICK

OFFICER OF THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

GOVERNOR IN COMMAND OF

THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY

EARLY RESIDENT AND

MERCHANT OF NASHVILLE

ET QUOY PLUS (meaning “and much more”)

Something else interesting is Timothy’s will.  I can see an actual copy of it, but since I haven’t received permission from the original poster, I can only transcribe it:

Timothy Demonbrun Dec.d Will

Recorded March 19, 1827

The many days of my existence and my bodily infirmities warn me that I have not long to live in anticipation of my departure I leave the following as my Last will and Testament – In the first place – I appoint  my friend Joseph T. Elliston Esq. of Davidson County my executor herein expressly declaring that he is not to be required to give security for the performance of the trust reposed in him by this will – Should Mr. Elliston refuse to Qualify or die before Qualifying or die after Qualifying in either event it is my will and desire that an adminstrat…(page torn away)…reed appointed by the proper tribunals of the country be he who may shall have and possess all…(page torn away)…ting my will that Mr. Elliston can have by Qualifying – It being my great object to leave some per…(page torn away)…authorized to carry my intent into full and complete execution by selling and conveying real estate – As soon as convenient after my death I will and desire that my executor proceed to sell at private or public sale as to him may seem best the part of the Lot No. 45 in the Town of Nashville on which I now live on a credit of one, two and three years with the interest from the date, taking prudent care to secure the purchase money by mortgage or good personal security  In like manner I wish him to dispose of all my personal estate of any description whatever on such reasonable credits as in his opinion enhance the sale to the best advantage – I give and bequeath to my daughter Agnes Doza and such child or children she may have living at the time of my death by Mr. Doza in equal shares, the mother and the children, the sum of five hundred dollars, hereby directing my executor to pay this legacy into the hands of the mother Mrs. Doza, which shall forever aquit him against any claim of the children who may have an interest in this devise.  I give and bequeath to my daughter Julia Johnson one thousand dollars in cash and hereby declare that the receipt of Mrs. Johnson single or married for the legacy shall aquit my executor forever against the demand of every other person whatever  I also give and bequeath to my said daughter Mrs. Julia Johnson two hundred and ninety acres of Land part of the had on which my son Timothy Demonbrun now lives in Davidson County to be laid off and allotted to her by my executor having due regard to Quality by in such way as not to interfere with the plantation of my son Timothy in any way  To have and to hold her her heirs and assigns forever – I give and bequeath to the three oldest sons of my daughter Julia Johnson now living to each of them the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid by my executor into the hands of the mother or any guardian properly appointed unless they be of age for their use – if they become of age before the legacy is paid, let it be of course paid to them.  I give and bequeath to my son Timothy Demumbrun the sum of one thousand dollars in cash.  I also will and devise to my said son Timothy his heirs and assigns forever two hundred and ninety three acres of Land in Davidson County including the farm and plantation on which he now lives – I give and bequeath to my illegitimate son John Batteaste Demumbrun the sum of five hundred dollars – I also will and devise to him said John B. the one third part of a tract of 440 acres of Land for which I have a deed from Capt Joshua Hadley – I bequeath unto my illegitimate daughter late Polly Demumbrun now married to (left blank) the sum of five hundred dollars and also the one third part of of said tract of 440 acres of Land conveyed to me by Capt Joshua Hadley – I will and desire to my illegitimate son William Demumbrun five hundred dollars and the remaining third of said 440 acres of Land deeded to me by Capt Hadley – I give and bequeath to my two sisters Catherine Demumbrun and Polly Demumbrun five hundred dollars each these two sisters if alive reside in the city or neighborhood of Montreal in Canada to which place I wish my executor to
address them notifying them of their interest in my estate – If they or either of them do not in some legal way apply for her or their legacies within the space of three years from my death I then will and bequeath that all their right to the legacies do cease and that her or their legacies be divided in equal proportions among all the legatees named in this will share and share alike – All the rest and residue of my estate if any should remain after paying the aforesaid legacies I wish and devise to be equally divided among all my before mentioned legatees share & share alike – If my estate shall not be sufficient in the end to pay the legacies in full above bequeathed it is my will and desire that each legacy shall abate in equal ratios according to magnitude that is each Legatee shall lose in equal proportions according to the sum divided to him, the larger more – the smaller less – I shall here state what in proper place I should have before directed, to wit, I will and direct that my executor retain for his trouble and services a liberal equivalent out of my estate and if anyone concerned in my estate shall dispute his account being reasonable in that event it is my will and I so declare that if any (it looks like disintered) judge of the highest court Justice in the state shall on inspection declare his charges reasonable and certify the same under his hand.  The same shall become conclusive and binding on all parties and the account shall be paid out of my estate – And as it is my wish to guard as much as possible against accident whe…(page torn away)…nt of this will.  I here again declare…(page torn away)…the course of human events it shall at any time a…(page torn away)…me necessary for any one to qualify as administrator with the will annexed to this my Last will and Testament then and in that went I hereby most fully and amply vest such administrator be he who he may with complete powers to execute this will an very part there as fully amply & completely as if such administrator by name had by me been made executor to this will remarking however that I do not (looks like incompt) such administrator from giving the necessary security required by law.  In the event of my estate falling short whereby the abatement of legacy contemplated in the forgoing part of this will shall take place.  I wish it understood &…(page torn away)…declare that such abatement is only applicable pecuniary legacies and is in no wise to affect the devise of real…(page torn away)…which is by me here declared specific.  In testimony of all which I have hereto set my hand and seal Sept 24th…(page torn away)…igned sealed and published in Our presence. 

Thimote demon Breun (seal)

(page torn away)…y   Nelson Thornton   E.H. Foster

One thing that mystifies people to this day is that his will doesn’t mention Felix Demonbreun at all, though it is generally believed that he is also Timothy’s illegitimate son.  I mentioned Felix briefly in Part Eight, but I can’t really say too much more about him since I haven’t done much research on him.  According to a woman named Sherry on GenForum Timothy deeded land to “Philix (Philis)Theodore Bennett, son of Elizabeth Bennett” which can be found page 188 of the Davidson County, Tennessee Deed Book C.  Since I haven’t actually seen the book I can only go by what she wrote, though it is interesting.  Felix Theodore does show up in Kentucky as Felix Demonbreun, not Bennett.  So I guess it’s still up in the air over whether or not he is Timothy’s son, but the general consensus is that…more than likely?

Something to close this out with that I found on The Agnew Family Genealogy website:

“Jacques Timothe was a unique man. He was a scoundrel, but a patriot. He was a womanizer and was caught stealing from the store of a friend, yet he donated land on which to build the first Catholic Church in Nashville. He entertained the privateer, smuggler, patriot, Jean Laffite in his home after the war of 1812 as a gesture of gratitude. It was during this celebration that "Fort Nashborough" became Nashville; changing the "borough" to "ville" to give the city a French flavor to honor the beloved pirate.”

The author of the website points out that Timothy was not the first white man to set foot in the area, but he is considered the Father of Nashville.  Also, I had never heard the story about Jean Laffite, let alone thought about him in the same context as Timothy Demonbreun, but you can bet I will be looking up more about that pirate!

Happy Timothy Demonbreun Day!

The events of the last decade of the 18th century are a little fuzzy concerning Timothy and his families.  In 1786 Timothy resigned from the military.  By 1790 he moved permanently to Nashville.  He still had his wife Therese in Kaskaskia, Illinois and his common law wife Elizabeth in Nashville.

From what I understand, and this is family lore mixed with a bit of fact that I can actually find sources for, is that after Timothy moved to Nashville for good and had a really good trading post/tavern/actual house (the house was situated, from what I understand, at the corner of what is now Third Avenue and Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee) set up, he then moved his Kaskaskia family to Nashville.  I can’t say if this is true or not because no one knows exactly when or where Therese died.  Different accounts say she died in Boucherville, Kaskaskia, or Nashville.  Different accounts say she died anywhere from 1790 to 1800.  One family tale that has been passed down for generations is that soon after Therese moved to Nashville she was out riding her horse with little Marie Louise and she was attacked by the Native Americans, with little Marie Louise being torn from her arms and murdered and scalped in front of her, but Therese left unharmed.  Another story is that she, too, was (again) kidnapped by these natives, but (once again) escaped.  Either way, except for her birth there is no mention of Marie Louise ever again.  I find the number of accusations made against different tribes of kidnapping and murder concerning Therese and her children (especially when some children have gone missing) suspect. 

Anyway, I don’t know if Therese ever actually moved to Nashville.  However, I can only imagine the awkwardness that must have occurred with the situation between Therese and Elizabeth.  Apparently some agreement was struck with Elizabeth, because on March 12, 1793 Elizabeth married Timothy’s French/Cherokee friend Joseph Desaque (as it appears on the marriage record itself…though later it will change to all sorts of possibilities, including: DuRat, Durard, Gerard, Durrat…oh, it goes on and on).  Oh, even though this post isn’t about Elizabeth, I have to mention this just because it’s funny:  Elizabeth gave birth to Joseph Desaque’s son Joseph Dougherty Durard in 1791, a year prior to giving birth to Timothy’s daughter Mary Polly Demonbreun.  Yup.

So, anyway, I had mentioned before about the possibility of MORE common law wives for Timothy.  Betsy Phillips (author of the blogs Tiny Cat Pants and Pith in the Wind-Nashville Scene, also author of A City of Ghosts, which is a totally fantastic book) in an article for Pith in the Wind describes her discovery of some information contained in the William Alexander Provine Papers (1552-1935, held at the Tennessee State Library and Archives).  According to Mr. Provine (and I totally can’t wait to get up to TSLA to see these for myself!):

“Timothy Demonbreun lived with three women as “common-law wives” –his legitimate wife was Agnes Gibeau (close enough, I guess?), the other women were:

1. Elizabeth Himslar

Timothy Demonbreun also lived with a woman by the name of Crutcher, by whom he had no children.

Timothy Demonbreun also lived with Martha (Patsy) Gray, (who was an aunt of Wm Bennett), by whom he had two children – a boy and a girl.  They were quite small when Bennett visited them & does not know what became of them, he thinks this woman was from Georgia.”

I wonder how much of that is true?  And yes, what did ever happen to these other wives and the children?

So back in the post a Kind Heart and a Cave I mentioned Timothy’s cave home.  Let’s go into a bit more detail about his cave, then we will continue on about his whereabouts and his family…er, families.

There doesn’t seem to be any definite known time when Timothy moved into his luxurious cave, complete with a “kitchen”.  I saw one website that said he just took refuge there during an attack by the natives.  I have seen this repeated a few times, but I can’t find anywhere in the history and genealogy books that this is mentioned.  Some say it wasn’t until the 1780s that he moved in, some say it was when he first “discovered” the area.  One person wrote that he only lived in the cave during his first year after settling in the area.  I would like to think that it was when he first came across the area, only because I don’t know where else he would have stayed during the first winters in the 1700s.  The cave is registered at a private residence roughly 2.5 miles or so from the Cumberland River and the cave itself.  It has two entrances:  one on the river and one on the bluff above.  When entering through the river entrance, he would apparently pull up, tie his boat up and climb a ladder, which he would then pull up into the cave.  My guess is that it must have been pretty cozy, especially with all of the furs he dealt with.

Now, I have seen mention that he built a hut to store his furs, tallows and trinkets.  However, I don’t think it was until about 1790 that he built an actual house in Nashville.

Throughout the 1770s the only way to tell where Timothy was came from his correspondences.  Starting in the 1780s, though, we could track him based on court records, correspondence AND the birth of his children.  How, you may ask, can you tell from the birth of his children?  Well, at some point Timothy had another wife.  Say what!?  Yeah, for those that are descended from Timothy or have been researching him already, this comes as no shock.  It might come as a surprise that he may have had more than two wives at the same time, but right now we are only going to focus on his second wife-who-wasn’t-really-a-wife-but-actually-a-common-law-wife.

I would really love to know exactly where and how Timothy met Elizabeth.  Or what her real name REALLY was.  I’m thinking it was not Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was said to be Choctaw, though I question this (for reasons that will be discussed in a future post about her!).  I saw that a man who recently passed wrote that he had records of her having been married before and having children with her husband, then travelling to Tennessee with Timothy and having children with him.  However, I cannot find any marriage record at all for her prior to Tennessee.  A woman asked this man for references for his information, and he was unable to provide them.  And where did these other children go, anyway?  This is not about her, though.  This is about Timothy and his whereabouts.

Now, if you read through the Kaskaskia Records, 1778-1790, Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 1909 you will see tons of letters and court meetings signed by Timothy.  We don’t necessarily need those to track his whereabouts, though.  Let’s look at his children:

William Demonbreun (mother: Elizabeth) born 1783 (month and day unknown) in Nashville, Tennessee.  This year is according to the Timothy Demonbreun Heritage Society.  His tombstone has about ten years later and court records have about three years later.  I’m going to go by what the Timothy Demonbreun experts say.

Julienne (Julia) Demonbreun (mother: Therese) born March 12, 1785 in Kaskaskia, Illinois.

Jean Baptiste Demonbreun (mother: Elizabeth) born January 24, 1788 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jacques Timothy Demonbreun (mother: Therese) born April 7, 1788 in Kaskaskia, Illinois.  (see below for more information about the first born son Timothy Felix).

Marie Louise Demonbreun (mother: Therese) born February 28, 1789 in Kaskaskia, Illinois.

Mary Polly Demonbreun (mother: Elizabeth) born 1792 (month and day unknown) in Nashville, Tennessee.

Now, the only reason we even know that the children with Elizabeth are Timothy’s is because he mentions his illegitimate children by name in his will.  There is still a mystery child Felix Theodore Demonbreun, however. 

I may have to back up for a second.  I wrote in the post Kaskaskia to French Lick that Timothy and Therese’s second child born in 1770 was Timothy Felix Demonbreun.  Well, it appears that there is some controversy surrounding this child.  I have seen that there is nothing that says his name ever contained the middle name Felix.  He did exist and there is a baptism record for him.  I just scanned through Timothy’s will again and there is nothing about this first son Timothy, but there is mention of Jacque Timothy, the second son with Therese.  I suppose his first son died.  I will get more into mystery child Felix Theodore at a later date, though.

Back to William Demonbreun.  Judging by a few family trees, there are some people out there who still can’t accept that William is not Therese’s child.  William is considered the first “white” child born in Nashville.  He was born in the cave overlooking the Cumberland River to Elizabeth.  Timothy’s will states “I will and (desire) unto my illegitimate son William Demumbran now married to      The sum of five hundred dollars and the remaining third of said 440 acres of Land deeded to me by Capt Hadley…”  I’m fairly certain that says right there that he isn’t Therese’s son.

While we are on the subject of common law wives…well, perhaps tomorrow.

Oh, where did I leave off?  Oh yes, the cave.  And the missing wife.  Well, we will talk about the cave next time.  This time…

So, as previously mentioned, Therese has gone missing after the birth of son Timothe Felix.  Whether she was missing or not I can’t be sure of.  All that is known is that she appears on no records.  I assume if she did actually go missing that her children would have been living with family in Kaskaskia while Timothy was out floating (and rowing) up and down the Mississippi and Cumberland rivers, huntin’ and fishin’ and fur-tradin’.  If she didn’t disappear then I guess we don’t have to wonder about the children.  They would have been with her in Kaskaskia, doing whatever privileged kids back in those days did (which I imagine to be girls learning needlepoint and playing with porcelain dolls, boys playing war with their tin soldiers…).

In 1775 war was declared against Britain.  According to Mrs. Whiteford, Timothy “established the first permanent camp in middle Tennessee.”  However, he had returned to Vincennes by April of 1777.  I haven’t found the letter online anywhere (I supposed I will actually have to order the microfilm reel to see it), but Mrs. Whiteford states that April 26, 1777 Timothy sent a letter to Boucherville with a postmark of Vincennes, Indiana.  It was at this time that Timothy met with the British Lieutenant Governor Edward Abbott who had arrived at Vincennes on April 19, 1777 (source).  Timothy became Abbott’s confidential messenger, though not for long.

Mrs. Whiteford writes:

“Timothe DeMonbreun did not remain long in the British forces, for in Draper MSS36J5 Timothe DeMonbreun makes a statement that he was with Colonel Clark on his expedition in the Illinois country.  It is doubtful if he was present to help Clark retake Kaskaskia, on the night of July 4, 1778.  The next day all Kaskaskia rallied to the American cause and took oath of allegiance to Virginia of America, from Father Pierre Gibault, their parish priest.” 

My head is spinning looking at all of the information dealing with the retaking of Kaskaskia (Fort Sackville at the time).  Since we aren’t focused on the squirmishes of the Revolutionary War itself, I won’t feel too bad about not going into detail.   However, I will make note that the Colonel Clark referred to is Colonel George Rogers Clark.

By now Timothy has been made Lieutenant.  In a letter written by Colonel John Montgomery (“founder” of Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee…see how that worked out?) as a certificate of service (Kaskaskia Records, 1778-1790, Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 1909):

“CERTIFICATE OF SERVICES OF TIMOTHE DE MONBRUEN

October 17, 1780

[Draper MSS., 50J70, – A.D.S]

Fort Clark Octr 17th 1780

TO ALL HOME IT MAY CONSARN

This May Certefy that Lt Mumbron haith Beheved him Self as a Frend to the Cause of America in Evey Respect and that he haith Been Readey at all Times on Eaney immergencey to do Every thing in his Power for the defence of his Cuntrey & at all times When Ever Called on By his Superior or Commanding officer turned out.  When the Savages Came in order to Destroy the Cuntrey Last Spring he turned out With the formost to Repulce them.  When I was ordered to Go on the Expodition up the Wabush he allso Went with the Greatest Chearfullness and when The Savages attacted Fort Gefferson when I Could Git But twelve Men to Go with Me he a Gain Ventered his life to the Releefe of that post.  I Think When all These proofes are Considered that he oute to be aplaused by Every Good Man and Rewarded  Acording to his Merrite.  Geven under My hand

JNO MONTGOMERY

Lt Col Commandant”

So, this is about where everything gets a little crazy…or crazier?  In 1780 Therese suddenly shows back up in the church records as being named a godmother.  She also, along with Timothy, signed a power of attorney for the sale of their land in Vincennes.  I can only assume that they then returned to Kaskaskia to live.  But…

Timothy returned to the Cumberland Valley and went back to trading.  Apparently he also got into some legal issues by selling liquor without a license.  He was traveling between Kaskaskia and Nashville and had no money, as he had served under Clark for at least two years without a single cent of pay.  After requesting pay and resignation, Timothy wrote directly to Colonel Clark on March 5, 1782 (Kaskaskia Records, 1778-1790, Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 1909):

“MY GENERAL:

I had the honour to address myself to Major John William, your representative, ask him that either he grant my discharge or give me, in my quality of gentleman and officer in the service of the Republic of Virginia, which I have the honor to serve, my pay as lieutenant, in good money or merchandise, so that I might be able to maintain my family.  Major Williams was able to grant me nothing but provisions for my subsistence as you will see by the answer herewith enclosed, which I have the honor to send to you.  Therefore, my general, I trust that you will be able to help me, after you will have seen the certificate Colonel Montgomery and the answer of Major Williams concerning my services and their incapacity to recompense me for my services in spite of the good desires these gentlemen had to do so; and when you will have seen the zealous wish I still have to follow you on the expedition which you are going to make, if you are willing, however, to grant me the maintenance for my family so that I can be absent myself without leaving my family to the mercy of my friends, which is a thing of shame to a man of noble birth such as I am.  I hope, my general, that, in depending on the zeal with which I desire to serve my country, I shall find in you all the resources which may be necessary for me, so that I can march with your confidence under your banners, under whose shelter a true soldier wishes for nothing else.

I have the honour to be with a profound respect, my general,

Your very humble and very obedient servant,

TIMOTHE DE MONBREUN, Lieutenant”

Way to pull out the Royalty card, Timothy.

Never fear, it appears that after writing at least one more letter, undated, to Clark that payment was received.

Now, the question we must ask ourselves:  to which family was he referring?

Ah, yes, we haven’t quite gotten there yet, have we?