The Southards

The Separatists' Struggle

By 1603, King James I replaced Queen Elizabeth in England. James I was not tolerate of anyone attending any church other than the Church of England. William Bradford and other Separatists like Brewster were thrown into jail often for refusing to worship at the king's church.

Several attempts were made to leave England and live in Holland. On the group's first effort to leave the British Isles, their ship captain turned them over to authorities, stealing all their money and valuables. They were drug through town and made a spectacle to crowds that flocked them and then jailed again.

After the group finally made it to Holland, it was not an easy transition. Everyone had to begin again with home and trade. Even Holland became unsafe as the Dutch began to wage a war with Spain. The Spanish king was burning non-Catholics at the stake. Thus, in 1620, a voyage to the new world was planned.

Our Plymouth Ancestors

"Plymouth Colony (Its History & People, 1620-1691)"
by Eugene Aubrey Stratton, page 240

BARNES, JOHN - On 25 March 1633 Timothy Gatherly, merchant, of London, sold a heifer to John Barnes of Plymouth (PCR1:9). On 26 August 1634 Barnes and Gov. Thomas Prence exchanged servants, John rouse going from Prence to Barnes, and Richard Willis going from Barnes to Prence (PCR 1:30). On 19 December 1634 the court "turned over" Simon Trat to serve John Barnes until age twenty-three (PCR 1:32), and on 13 August 1639 Barnes assigned Trat's indeture to Thomas Clark (PCR 1:129). Barnes was a member of a committee in 1635/36 to advise the governor and council on setting prices for goods and wages for laborers (PCR 1:36). Although he was not on the earliest freeman list, he became a freeman before 7 March 1636/37 when his name appears on another list (PCR 1:52). On 4 August 1638 Barnes tranferred the unexpired term of his servant Thomas Shrive to Robert Bartlett (MD3:108). On 4 December 1638 he was presented for inordinate drinking, but the case was dropped for insufficient evidence (PCR 1:107). On 25 September 1639 Mr. Henry Feake of Sandwich assigned to John Barnes the remaining term of his servant Edmond Edwards (PCR 1:132). He engaged in many land transactions (see chapter 10), and in 1640 he was granted a rather large amount of land, 110 acres (PCR1:a54). He appears very frequently in the records, and Darrett B. Rutman, Husbandmen of Plymouth - Farms and villages in the Old Colony (Boston, 1967), uses him as an example of a general merchant in early Plymouth, adding (p. 25) that he was also a brewer, baker, innkeeper, land speculator, and farmer. Gayles Rickard was his friend, neighbor, customer, and occasional drinking partner. Barnes

Sherman, Ruth Wilder & Robert S. Wakefield. Plymouth Colony Probate Guide (Warwick, R.I., 1983). Probate and land records are the heart of effective genealogical research, and this book shows where to find some 800 probate records of the residents who died during the colony period. Accordingly it is an invaluable research aid, and it should be consulted by anyone doing research on Plymouth Colony genealogy of history.

The American Genealogist (TAG). Founded by one of America's greatest genealogists, Donald Line Jacobus, and dedicated to the use of scientific method in genealogy, this journal has been in existence since 1922. During the ensuing years it has presented a good number of articles on families of Plymouth Colony, many of them written by some of the best scholars in the field. Note articles by Florence Barclay & Robert S. Wakefield. Ancestry of Early Plymouth Immigrants by John G. Hunt.

History of the Southard surname

The Southard surname first surfaced in Lancashire where they were seated from very ancient times, as Lords of the Manor of Southworth, before Norman Conquest and the arrival of William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D.

This Olde English locational name derived from the village in East Cheshire called "Southworth", but originally spelt "Southword" and locally pronounced "Suthard". The two modern variant spellings of the name are Southward and Southard, meaning an enclosure or farm. In the 1212 Court of Fees Register for Lancashire the name is spelt as "Suthewrthe" whilst in the reign of Edward.

Some of the first American settlers of the Southard surname were Edward and Alice Southworth and her son Edward, and Constance, who settled in Plymouth Colony by 1621, Marie Southwood settled in Virginia Colony by 1645.

History of the Hocker surname

Hocker comes from Germany; German (also Höcker): from a Germanic personal name composed with hugi ‘mind’, ‘spirit’ + ger ‘spear’. Hocker Meaning: the shopkeeper

In the 17th Century, the shores of the New World beckoned many European families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced in Europe. These settlers made significant contributions to the colonies that would become the United States. Our first Hocker ancestor found in the Americas was John Hocker (1635-1690) born in Maryland Colony.

History of the Barnes surname

The Barnes family name originated in France. They went to England with William the Conqueror in 1066. For their service in William's conquest, the men were granted estates in Middlesex, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. Marriages before 1699 are recorded in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Maryland. Revolutionary War Barnes veterans served for the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hamshire Colonies.

Our first Barnes ancestor found in the Americas is John Barnes (1610 England - 1671 Plymouth Colony).

Frontier Kentucky Life

In that early day, settlements were scattered and few.In some cases a settlement might be composed of just one family, and if there were more, the closest neighbor might still be three or four miles away.Other settlements might be as far apart as ten miles.

The Kentucky pioneers faced many hardships and privations in their new homes.It was never an easy life.Most of their experiences, however, were common to that day and times. There were no real roads. The paths and trails created by animals and Indians were the forerunner of roads in the county.

Basically, the early families were related to the land they lived on and their immediate environment. Each family brought its own culture, values and traditions to the wilderness. Boys usually did most of their courting within a five to ten mile radius of their own home. Horses were their only means of travel, which set limits on how far they could ride and still get home in time to get the livestock fed.

After several generations, the young men of the county had to visit other settlements looking for wives in order not to marry kinfolk. Even today many Ohio County residents are related to each other if one goes far enough back down the ancestral lines.

Many of the earliest settlers in Ohio County came from Virginia and Maryland. It is thought, but not proven at this date, that both of Thomas Jefferson’s parents came from Montgomery County.

Boys grew to young manhood on their father’s farm, where he labored alongside his father, helping to fell the trees and clear a few acres of land each year. When the stumps were dug out and burned, they plowed the soil with animal power, using crude farm implements brought from their old home. They learned from their fathers at an early age how to tend and harvest their crops. The biggest crops were corn, wheat, flax, oats, tobacco, potatoes and other grains.

No doubt young men grew up learning to assume responsibility for certain daily chores that had to be carried out around the farm and homestead. Theirs was a simple agrarian way of life. Sons and daughters were taught by both parents that hard work was good for the soul.

Church, camp meetings, weddings, and corn shuckings were the important social events in the lives of the pioneers. Camp meetings were of the brush arbor type and were well attended by all denominations. Whole families arrived at these meetings by the wagonloads full, pulled by a team of horses or mules. Others walked or rode horseback for miles.

Those who traveled from a distance arrived the night before the meeting started. Latterns were tied to buggys & wagons for night travel. They camped out and cooked meals over a campfire, sleeping in their wagons out under the stars or on quilt pallets rolled out on the ground.

Some camp or brush arbor meetings lasted several days or even as long as a week, especially when a popular preacher was doing the preaching.

Plymouth Colony

The Pilgrims landed the Mayflower at Provincetown on Cape Cod, November 25, 1620, but deemed the spot unsuitable. Leaving the Mayflower anchored at Provincetown, Captain Miles Standish led a scouting party in a small open boat and landed at Eastham on December 10th, Clark's Island on December 19th, and Plymouth toward December 21st. December 26, the Mayflower transported the pilgrims to Plymouth.

The Pilgrims who landed in 1620 never mentioned Plymouth Rock in any of their diaries. In 1741, when the town planned to cover the granite rock with a wharf, Thomas Faunce, born twenty-six years after the landing, insisted that his father (who had arrived three years after the landing) told him the Pilgrims set foot at Plymouth using the rock as a stepping-stone.

The rock broke in two when the townspeople tried to move it into town during the Revolutionary War. In 1920, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Mayflower's landing, a shrine was built to house the rock.

Greenville News

February, 1923
Volna B. Southard was born October 30, 1878 near Prentiss, Kentucky and died of cancer February 19, 1923 at Luzerne. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Southard of Prentiss and a brother of (Susan) Mrs. John Chapman of Simmons. Another sister, Mrs. Amelia Burton, of Render, died some five years ago. Volna was born and reared on the farm, attended school during the winter and in 1898 was a student at Hartford College. In the fall of 1897 he taught school near Smallhous and the following spring, he taught at Rockport.

In 1901, he went to Luzerne, Muhlenberg County, where he has since resided; first serving as a check weighman at the Duncan mines, but after a few months going to work in the company store at that place which positions he held continuously until his death.

In 1904, Volna was married to Miss Belle Luckett, of Luzerne. To this union were born three children, two girls and one boy. Mary Catherine, the eldest, was claimed by death about twelve years ago at the age of four. Ruby Nell, aged eleven , and John, aged seven, survive.

The funeral was conducted at the local church at Luzerne on February 20th by Rev. W.C. Franks, of Elizabethtown, assisted by Rev. W.D. Nowlin of Greenville, and Rev. O.M. Shultz, of Princeton. His remains were taken to Greenville and laid to rest in the cemetery there by the side of his little girl, Mary Catherine. The exercises at the grave were conducted in a very appropriate and impressive manner by the Greenville Lodge of Odd Fellows of which he was an honored member.

Volna was converted and joined the M.E. Church at East Providence at the age of sixteen and has ever since lived as a consistent, devoted Christian. The writer has often heard him say that was by far it was the best day's work he ever did. The immense crowd that attended his burial and the magnificent and beautiful floral offerings placed on his grave bore absolute evidence as to the high asteem in which he was held by those who knew him.

The hundreds who knew Volna B. Southard can testify that a splendid citizen, a kind and loving father, a true and loyal husband and a Christian gentleman has answered the last roll call and gone to meet his Maker. Knowing for weeks that he was facing death, he often expressed himself, as regretting to leave his loved ones and friends, but that death had no terrors for him.

Thus lived and thus died one of the "noblest of the earth." Peace to his ashes. His cousin, O.S.

Nancy Mary Hocker Southard's Obituary (1848-1924)

Ohio County News

Mrs. Nancy Mary Southard, wife of Willis Hickman Southard, was born in Ohio County, KY, January 12, 1848. She professed faith in Christ when about twelve years of age, joined the Methodist church, and lived a faithful life for 62 years.

She was married to Willis H. Southard in 1878, having one son and two daughters to bless their home.

At the time of her death, which occurred November 3, 1924, she was and had been for a long time, a member of Providence Methodist Church.

Sister Southard was a woman of strong personality. She had many excellent qualities; kind, gentle, and loving. She loved her church and was a faithful attendant whenever possible upon its service.

Their home was the preacher's home, and no doubt there are a number of preachers who remember her kindness to them.

Her husband has lost a faithful wife, the children a loving mother, the community a kind neighbor and her church, one of its most faithful members.

Peace to her memory. E.D. Ryan

W.H. Southard' Obituary (1857-1927)

Ohio County News

Willis H. Southard, who was in his seventy-first year, died at his home near Prentiss, Monday, December 12, following a two week illness due to paralysis.

Mr. Southard was born and reared near McHenry, Ohio County. He engaged in farming in the Prentiss community for about fifty years. Willis was an upright citizen and a member of East Providence Methodist Church. He was twice married, first to Miss Mary Nancy Hocker who passed away some three years ago. Second marriage was to Mrs. Fannie Stevens. Mr. Southard is survived by his second wife, daughter Susan Southard Chapman, and numerous grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at East Providence Methodist Church at 11 AM Tuesday, December 12th, by his pastor, Rev. M.D. Allen, of Beaver Dam, KY. Internment was in the church cemetery.

Kenosha News

March 9, 1957
Mrs. Belle Southard, 80, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Darr, 4817 22nd Avenue, last night following a long illness. She was born in Greenville, KY, Feb 11, 1877, the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. John Luckett. In 1904, she married Volna Southard who preceded her in death February 19, 1923. Belle taught school before marrying. Afterward, she was a devoted wife and mother, continuing to run the farm after her husband's early passing. In 1955, she moved in with her daughter Ruby Nell Southard Darr, Evansville, Indiana. Last year they transferred to Kenosha. In addition to her daughter, Belle is survived by a son, John B. Southard of Middletown, KY and three grandchildren.

The Southards

Thursday, March 5, 2009

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1903, the Wright brothers successfully airlifted their first plane.

Volna Blackburn Southard

Willis & Nancy Mary Hocker Southard

Belle Lee Luckett Southard

Mary Catherine

Susan Ellen Southard Chapman, July 12, 1881 - Dec 26, 1973

Plymouth . . .

The Separatists' Struggle

Our Plymouth Ancestors

Volna

Volna & Belle

Women's fashion in 1904

Volna & Belle's first house

History of the Southard surname

Proud parents with their first child.

Belle & Mary Catherine, 1909

The Southard Homestead, owned by Willis Hickman Southard, Ohio County, Kentucky

Willis & Nancy with their descendants.

History of the Hocker surname

Willis Hickman Southard's farm in 2009

Mary Willis Chapman Eskridge & Betty Southard Stokes

W. H. Southard's farm, August 2009

Nancy Mary Hocker Southard

Nancy Mary Hocker - direct descendant - Plymouth Colony Pilgrims

Female Pilgrim ancestors

Male ancestors at Plymouth Colony

History of the Barnes surname

Nancy Mary Hocker Southard's parents

Women's fashion during Mary Nancy's youth.

Frontier Kentucky Life

Plymouth Colony

Revolutionary War Veteran - Phillip Hocker

Volna and Belle with friends

Greenville Light & Water, 1913

Luzerne Baptist Church, Mulenberg County, KY

Duncan Coal Company General Store

Inside the Duncan General Store

Hard at Work

Susan Southard (Chapman) & amp; John Chapman

Susan Southard Chapman's family

Susan Southard Chapman & Belle Luckett Southard

Susan Southard's & John Chapman's Homeplace

Aunt Susan Southard Chapman's 50th Wedding Anniversary

Aunt Susan Southard Chapman's Family, 1957

Belle & her children

"Salt of the Earth"

Southard Farm

Belle made beautiful quilts.

1940

Belle with her son's family in 1950

Grandmother Southard & her grandchildren, Betty & Johnny.

Belle Southard's decendants

Aunt Susan's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Volna's, nieces & nephews with his sister Susan & brother-in-law John Chapman.

Mary Catherine Southard's stone

Mary Catherine's obituary

Betty at Aunt Mary Catherine's stone, 2009

Flowers on Volna's grave

Volna Blackburn Southard's stone

Willis Hickman Southard & Nancy Mary Hocker Southard

Nancy Mary Hocker Southard's Obituary (1848-1924)

W.H. Southard' Obituary (1857-1927)

Belle Luckett Southard's stone

Family gathers for Belle's funeral.

Aunt Susan Ellen Southard Chapman's stone.

Southard Homestead in 2009

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