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Descendants of Josiah Bufkin

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This particular report follows two brothers, John T. and Benjamin Franklin Bufkin, as they migrate from South Carolina into Mississippi, probably about 1820, and follows many of their families into Louisiana, and Texas. Many descendants of these families still live in and around the original Antioch Community of Mississippi, as well as in Jasper and Newton Counties. This is the work of many fellow genealogist, and is not all documented, please use accordingly.

Josiah1 Bufkin was said to have been born in South Carolina, around 1766, and died between 1820-1830 in Perry Co Mississippi. His father is said to be Benjamin Bufkin of Horry Co South Carolina. Josiah's wife's name is unknown. He is thought to be the father of the the following children, at least 3 of whom migrated from South Carolina to Mississippi, though I only have lineages for 2 of them.

See map of Horry Co South Carolina showing land holdings of Buffkins, including Josiah

Benjamin Franklin settled in Simpson, and later Copiah Co, John T. in Jasper and Newton Co's. The only records I have found for Joel shows him to be living in Simpson Co in 1830 with what I assume to be a wife, and 3 children. I don't know what became of his family, as in the 1860 census, he is in Copiah County and married to a widow since before 1855. They are both beyond childbearing age, and the only children listed are hers, I'm sure his have grown and left home. I do not have access to an 1840 census with Joel at this time. I am told one brother went back to West Virginia. Isabella is said to also be a daughter of Josiah, she apparently travelled with the family to Mississippi, most likely Benjamin, as she is found in the Antioch Community where she married and was buried at her death.

The book, 'Antioch Baptist Church, 175 Years, 1824-1999', tells the story:
"Family tradition tells that 3 brothers of Norwegian descent, set out from South Carolina in the early nineteenth century to explore and find new country in which to claim a homestead in the vast wilderness of the "Great Southwest". The spelling of these brothers names at that time was Buffking or Buffkin. Later we find that some letters were dropped ad is now spelled Bufkin.   One brother stopped in the area of Jasper Co, another went back to West Virginia, and the third brother settled in what is now the Antioch Community of Copiah Co Mississippi."

John T. Bufkin, born c1783-1793 in Lexington Co South Carolina, and died 1860 in Jasper Co Mississippi.   He married Ulanah.

This family outlined separately, click on his name to see lineage.

Benjamin Franklin Bufkin, born September 27, 1794 in South Carolina, and died 1853 in Copiah Co Mississippi.  He married Celia Ann Lewis.

This family outlined separately, click on his name to see lineage.

Joel Bufkin, born 1797 He married 1.) unknown    He married 2.) Zilpha Bishop aka Widow Butler between 1850-1855
Zilpha had previously been married to Henry L. Butler, as you will see in the following document.
It is unknown if Joel fathered any children, but apparently he and Zilpha borned no children together.

Probate Court records in Smith Co Mississippi dated 16 July 1855

The State of Mississippi)
County of Smith )

On this the twenty-ninth day of June A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-Five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the county of Smith and State of Mississippi, Joel Bufkin, a resident of said county and state, who after being duly sworn according to law, declares -- that there is no guardian (by authority of law) to the minor heirs of Henry Butler, deceased. And the said Joel Bufkin comes and makes this declaration as the next friend of said minors and on their behalf. Said minors are named as follows - - Nancy Ann aged 14 years, Grace aged 20 years, James H. aged 16 years, Samuel aged 13 years, John M. aged 10 years. The said Grace Butler as was is now Grace Wyatt, having recently married a man by the name of Dennis Wyatt. The above named heirs are the only minor heirs of the said Henry Butler deceased, who died in Simpson County in the State of Mississippi in the month of October A.D. 1846. Said minors are resident in Smith County in the State of Miss. And that no widow survives the said Henry Butler deceased. And he states that he knows of no record, private or publick, by which to establish the minors' ages as above set forth. But the said Grace is 20 years old June 24, 1855. The said James H. 16 years old August 13, 1854. The said Nancy 14 years old March 28, 1855. The said John M 10 years old January 2nd 1855. He further states that the said Henry Butler was first lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain John McNeil of the 3rd Regiment of the South Carolina Volunteers under command of Colonal Rutledge - Major Thomas Evans in the War with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June A.D. 1812. He states that the said Henry Butler volunteered on or about the 25th day of June A.D. 1812, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of four months-- and was honorably discharged at Haddrill's Point, in the State of South Carolina, near Charleston, on the 31st day of October A.D. 1812, by the order of General Pinkney. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which said minors are entitled under the Act of Congress approved the 3rd day of March A.D. 1855. He further states, that, he, for said minors nor said minors themselves have not received any bounty land warrant under the above cited Act of Congress, nor made any application there for. He makes this declaration on the behalf of said minors from the best information he has, or can now obtain, of the said Henry Butler's service in said war, and that J. D. Duckworth is hereby authorized  to prosecute this claim and to receive any warrant which may be issued here on.

Joel (his X mark) Bufkin (Seal)

We, Emanuel P. Butler and Zilpha Bufkin, residents of Smith County in the state of Mississippi, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Joel Bufkin in our presence and that the minors represented by him in the foregoing declaration are the minor heirs of Henry Butler deceased and the only minors of said decedent, and that no widow survives the said Henry Butler deceased. And that the said Henry Butler is now dead of their personal knowledge.

And that the ages as set forth (in the foregoing declaration by the said Joel Bufkin) of said minors are correct and true, as by him stated to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Zilpha (her X mark) Bufkin (Seal)

Emanuel Butler (Seal)

The foregoing Declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year therein written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claiment is the person he represents himself to be -- in the capacity as the next friend -- to the minor heirs of Henry Butler deceased. And that I have no interest in the claim.
J. D. Duckworth, J. P. (Seal)

The State of Mississippi )
Smith County )

I, William T. Ward, clerk of the Probate Court within and for the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that J. D. W. Duckworth Esqr., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made is and was at the time of taking the same an acting justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this the 16th day of July A.D. 1855.

W.T. Ward, clerk

Information from Shirley Metz Bufkin

2-2.  Isabella2 Bufkin (Josiah1) was born September 07, 1802 in North Carolina, and died February 06, 1883 in Copiah Co Mississippi, burial in Antioch Cemetery, Copiah Co Mississippi, along with 3 of her and Charles' children, no marker has been found for Charles.

She married Charles Randolph Price

3-3.  Mary Ann3 Price (Isabella2 Bufkin, Josiah1) was born 1827 in Mississippi, and died 1916 in Copiah Co Mississippi, burial in Smyrna Baptist Church Cemetery, Copiah Co Mississippi

She married Ephraim Hester c1853, son of Thomas Hester and Martha Regan.   He was born August 15, 1813 in Bladen Co North Carolina and died February 04, 1875 in Copiah Co Mississippi, his burial is in Antioch Cemetery, Copiah Co Mississippi

Martha Ann4 Hester, born October 31, 1854 in Copiah Co Mississippi & died January 24, 1899 in Copiah Co Mississippi, burial in Smyrna Baptist Church Cemetery, Copiah Co Mississippi
She married L.Q. Wright. (Does anyone know if he has a relationship to Levi Quitman Wright?)

John Thomas Hester, born April 11, 1857 in Copiah Co Mississippi, and died 1915
He married Mary 'Mollie' Louisa Strahan, daughter of William James Strahan, and Martha Louise Barlow.   Mollie is buried in the Smyrna Baptist Church Cemetery, Copiah Co Mississippi

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