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Note: From Wilma Cockrell's records ( a descendent of Ann Campbell Cruickshank) (This story was also told to Lisa Allen Baggett by Herbert D. Sims, a descendent of Elizabeth George Cruickshank)
George Patterson Cruickshank, a native of Scotland, settled in Autauga County, Alabama, in 1822, near where the present town of Prattville is located. In the year 1823, he was married to Lovedy Campbell McNeil, daughter of Lachlan McNeil, an early settler of Autauga County, Alabama.
George Patterson Cruikshank was a tailor by trade. He was killed by one of his patrons in 1830. This patrons disliked having bills presented him and made the remark that he would kill any one who would do this. George Cruikshank, not aware of this feeling, one day when at the court house, handed him a bill for tailoring. This customer pulled his pistol, and killed George Cruickshank. Lovedy Cruikshank, his wife, had a large house and five slaves, which were given to her by her father. At George's death she was left a widow with 4 small children to raise. The patron regretting his act, wished to help with the children's support, but Lovedy would not accept his help.
In 1832 she removed to Lowndesboro In Lowndes County, where she remained until the Spring of 1834, when she returned to Autauga County. She visited the Creek nation, soon after the land sales in 1834, and purchased a home in Mardisville in Talladega County, to which she removed her family in October of that year. This home was turned into a boarding house (based on Herbert Sim's facts) as to support herself and four children. Lovedy married Isaac Estill Esq. in 1838.
Herbert Sims continues Wilma Cockrell's story:
During these times, the boarding house was a central meeting spot for people coming into the county. Upon Henry Sim's arrival in Talladega County, he frequently took meals, etc at the boarding house. It was here that he met his future bride (second wife) Elizabeth (Lizzie) George Cruikshank, daughter of Lovedy Cruikshank and George Cruikshank.
These facts are also based on the 8/3/1881 obituary of Mr. Lovedy Campbell Estill.
Autauga County Records: Lovedy C. Cruikshank, administratix of George Cruikshank, deceased, March 2, 1830.
From the book "Autauga County, the First Hundred Years (1818-1918)
"Cruikshank, another of the business men of the place in it early history, the tragedy of whose death is among the first of its kind in this county, might here be noticed. Some misunderstanding between Cruikshank and Henry Augustine, whose father resided at or near the place afterwards know as the Huey place, terminated their meeting in the streets of Washington and Augustine, shooting Cruikshank and inflicting a wound from which he soon died. Augustine was arrested and lodged in jail. Some time after a write of habeas corpus was being taken to Montgomery by the sheriff of Autauga County for his deputy and were met by a brother of Augustine and a near relative who rescued him from the hands of the officer and safely conducted him to Texas which was a safe retreat for those fleeing from the penalties of the law they violated."
Poor George, he died when he was only 30 years old. Lovedy was left with 3 children and was pregnant with Lizzie when he died.
Lisa Allen Baggett March 2003
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