James C. Hale of Virginia, Alabama, and Arkansas
My third great grandfather was James C. Hale born about 1802 in Virginia (probably Grayson County). According to family oral history he moved from Virginia to Savannah, Georgia with a wife and at least one son. In March 1850 he removed to Saline County, Arkansas, where at the age of 48 he married 19 year old Mahala James. Mahala was the granddaughter of the Rev. Jesse James, a prominent Baptist minister to the Territory of Arkansas.
Mahala and James had four children: John, Preston, Lue Vicey, and Frances Louisa. James was a fiddler (more family history) at a dance where a fight broke out and although he was not involved directly in the fight he was injured and died as a result of the injury. This ocurred about 1858.
Mahala remarried and had several more children.
I've been stuck for years at this 3rd great grandfather and have recently started again my search for him and his family. I believe it is possible he was the son of Dudley and Mary/Nancy (Burroughs/Burris) Hale from Grayson County, Virginia.
I found this paragraph while searching for more info:
Pioneer Settlers
Dudley Hale, third son of Lewis Hale, Sr., married Mary Burroughs; he was a soldier, and with five brothers, went to Norfolk, Va., in the war of 1812. Capt. Lewis Hale, his brother, was in charge of the company. Dudley Hale died while they were in Norfolk. His wife died a short time after her husband; his brothers took their children and reared them. There were five sons and five daughters: Preston, Franklin and James moved to Cherokee County, Alabama...
A few things that are noteable: (1) James according to census data was born in Virginia; (2)our famiy oral history that James was from the south before coming to Arkansas; and (3) that James named one of his sons Preston. In fact that name has been passed down through the generations. Preston's brother John (my 2nd great grandfather) named one of his sons Johnny Preston and so on...
Hoping to find out more information on this grandfather, James C. Hale, and his family. Thanks for any assistance.