Midgett, O'Neal, Hawkins, Bass
Michelle:I have not researched your particular line, but found Marinda A. Midgett's name in Donna Gowin Johnston's book "Our Crawford County Illinois Heritage" which, I believe, Donna still has for sale.Marinda A. Midgett is found on page 91 and says she was "born about 1884, married John W. Bradberry and they had 8 children.She died in 1968 and is buried in the Tohill Cemetery."The entry further states your Marinda is the daughter of Joseph Allen Midgett (b 13 Feb 1853, Crawford County, IL - d 18 Oct. 1915,buried Tohill Cemetery, Honey Creek Twp.)and Caroline Elizabeth York.This Joseph Allen Midgett, it says, was the son of Joseph A. Midgett and Marinda A. Highsmith.The older Joseph A. Midgett, father of Joseph Allen Midgett, again, according to the book, was born 7 Dec 1821 in Tennessee.On 14 April 1846 in Crawford County, IL he married Marinda A. / Marianna Highsmith, daughter of Rev. Richard Highsmith and Sarah Spann.Marinda was born 30 June 1829 in Illinois, it says.
Joseph A. Midgett (b1821) was the son, according to the book, of George Midgett and Mary Gowin.Joseph A. Midgett is listed in George Midgett's will of 1843 along with 3 other children he had with Mary Gowin.Before Mary, George was married to Sabra Burrus.One of their children was apparently my Dorcas Midgett who first married John O'NEAL and 2nd married Grief B. HAWKINS.He did not name any children from his first marriage in his will, and there is a statement in his will leading one to think he did not wish his will to be contested.
Our MIDGETT family lived in the Watertown / Commerce area or Wilson County, Tennesse and were closely associated with the O'NEAL, BASS, & EDWARDS families who had all come out of North Carolina.The MIDGETT and O'NEAL families in particular date back to the earliest history of the Outer Banks of NC, which you likely already know.
If the information in the book is accurate, your Joseph A. Midgett and my Dorcas Midgett were half-siblings.
Hope this helps.
Debbie Ward McArdle [email protected]