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Note: CENSUS DATA: The 1860 census shows Thomas McCollister, age 25, living in Columbus, GA. His brother, William McCollister, age 23, was living with him.
CENSUS DATA: The 1870 census, Roll=381; Page=58; Line=30; indicated that Thomas McCollister, age 32, born GA, farmer, lived at Beat 1, Girard, Ala. in Russell County. He lived with the following children: John - son age 9; William - son age 8; Elizabeth. - dau. age 6; and Sarah - dau. age 4. All children born in AL. Wife was listed as Nancy, age 32, born GA.
CENSUS DATA: The 1880 census, Vol = 20; Ed = 151; Sheet = 41; Line 33; indicated that Thomas McCollister, age 45, widower, lived at Beat 1, Girard, Ala. in Russell County, and worked as a retail grocer. He lived with the following children: John R. - son age 18, worked as a wood hauler; William T. - son age 17, worked as peddler; Mary E. - dau. age 15; Sarah E. - dau. age 14; and James P. - son age 5. All children born in AL. One boarder was listed. No wife was shown.
CENSUS DATA: The 1900 census, Vol = 35; Ed = 45; Sheet = 15; Line 7; indicated that Thomas McCollister, age 67, born March 1833, married 3 years, lived at 112 McCollister Street, Phenix City, Ala. with wife Fannie (Fannie Peterson), age 46, born Jan. 1854. He lived with the following children: Mary E. - dau. born March 1882; George Raiford, son, born May 1886; and Albert L. - son, born May 1893. Thomas' occupation was listed as lumber dealer. COMMENTARY: This census shows Thomas and Fannie married for 3 years with no children; therefore, children Mary E, George Raiford, Albert L. were from the marriage of Thomas and Carrie Frances Favors.
CENSUS DATA: The 1910 census, Vol = 69; Ed = 175; Sheet = 17; Line=not given; indicated that Thomas McCollister was 78 years of age and lived with wife Fannie, age 56; and Albert L. - son, age 16. Albert was listed as working as foreman at coffin factory. The census also indicated that Thomas could not read or write.
CENSUS DATA: The 1920 census, Vol = 52; Ed = 177; Sheet = 19; Line=7; indicated that Thomas McCollister was 87 years of age and lived with wife Fannie, age 64; Joseph E. Peterson, brother-in-law, age 59 and Bennett Williams, brother (probably should read, boarder), age 60. This census also listed Thomas' full name as Thomas A. McCollister. ------------------------------------------------ CITY DIRECTORY INFORMATION: The 1909 Phenix City Directory listed Thomas McCollister as president of McCollister Manufacturing Co., 112 Gale Street, Phenix City. McCollister Manufacturing Co. made coffins at 469 Railroad St., Phenix City.
NEWS PAPER INFORMATION: Notes from Atlanta Constitution, November 4, 1901: "A severe thunderstorm moves through Phenix City, Alabama. Several homes were struck by lightening and "The McCollister Building in Phenix City was also struck". Notes from Atlanta Constitution, September 20, 1907; Thomas McCollister is to establish a coffin factory in Phenix City, Ala.
From the Columbus, Georgia, Enquirer-Sun newspaper, Sunday, 16 MAR 1902: "The ferry boat built by Mr. Thomas McCOLLISTER has been launched, but owing to the inclemency of the weather the seats have not yet been placed upon it. The wire cable with which it will be propelled has not yet arrived but is expected every day. The ferry will run from the foot of Line street to a point opposite the Muscogee mill office." --------------------------------------------------- OBITUARY INFORMATION Obituary in Columbus Enquirer Newspaper; March 14, 1927 Front Page T. McCollister Passes at 95 Pioneer Citizen of Phenix City dies at home at 11:25 O'clock Sunday night after long illness.
"Thomas McCollister, 95, one of the oldest citizens of this section died last night at 11:25 at his home, 429 Fourth Street, Phenix City. He had been confined to his bed five weeks, but he had been in declining health for a number of years. Mr. McCollister was probably the oldest person in Eastern Alabama and was one of the most prominent citizens of Phenix City. He was born in Carroll County, Georgia, March 10, 1832, but lived in Phenix City for seventy-eight years, having moved there in 1849. Since that time he had engaged in the real estate business and was a large property owner. Surviving Mr. McCollister are his wife who was formerly Miss Fannie Peterson, five sons: J. R. McCollister of Birmingham, Ala.; W. T. McCollister of Phenix City; James P. McCollister whose residence is not known; George McCollister of Phenix City; and Albert McCollister of Baltimore, Maryland; a daughter, Mrs. J. C. Raiford of Phenix City; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. McCollister was a member of the Red Man's Lodge of Phenix City and of the First Baptist Church of that city. He had many friends in Phenix City and in Columbus who will learn of his death with sincere regret. Funeral arrangements have not been completed." ---------------------------------------------------- Obituary in Columbus Ledger Newspaper; March 15, 1927 Mr. McCollister's Funeral Tuesday. "Funeral services for Mr. Thomas McCollister 95, who died at his residence in Phenix City Sunday night were held at the First Baptist Church of Phenix City at 3:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Rev. C. N. James, pastor of the West Side Baptist Church officiated and interment was at Linwood Cemetery, Columbus. Misses Mary Lee Hugley, Martha Moore, Messers E. R. Cribb and C. L. Dobbs sang "No Night There." The following grandsons of the deceased were active pallbearers: E. F. Slider, W. B. Foster, Ralph Raiford, Thomas Raiford, Stuart McCollister, and Willard McCollister; honorary pallbearers were: E. P. Kennedy, J. F. Snellings, J. B. Key, S. Lauderdale, C. F. Williams, and L. Booker. There were many beautiful floral tributes and friends present showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held. T. W. Britton funeral director in charge." ----------------------------------------------- LINWOOD AND RIVERVIEW CEMETERY INFORMATION: Information regarding the names of those intered in Thomas McCollister's Lot 100 at Linwood can be found in notes for his third Wife, Fannie Peterson. -------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The following is a transcription of Thomas McCollister's will and applicable court documents transcribed by Lanny Gamble from a copy of the original documents. I am a great grandson of Thomas McCollister.
STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY.IN PROBATE COURT.
TO THE HONORABLE G.P. BUTLER, JUDGE OF PROBATE
YOUR PETITIONERS, JOHN ROBERT MCCOLLISTER AND W.T. MCCOLLISTER, RESPECTFULLY REPRESENT unto your Honor, that the late Thomas McCollister, who was an inhabitant of this County at the time of his death, departed this life on the 13th day of March 1927, leaving a last will and testament, duly signed and published by him, and attested by I.I. Moses and Roy L. Smith of PHENIX CITY, ALABAMA and S. J. Gilmore of Columbus, Ga., in which will your petitioners are named as Executors, which said will is herewith produced to your Honor and propounded for probate and record in this Court. Your petitioners further state that Fannie McCollister the widow of said deceased resides in Phenix City, Alabama, this County, and that the beneficiaries and the next of kin residents of this state are as follows:
John Robert McCollister,Birmingham, Ala. W. T. McCollisterPhenix City, Ala. Mary RaifordPhenix City, Ala. George McCollisterPhenix City, Ala.
And the beneficiaries and the next of kin non residents of this state are as follows: Albert McCollister1517 Edmunson Ave. Baltimore, Md. James P. McCollisterWhose whereabouts are unknown Ethyl Foster ShieldsFranklin, N. C. Willie Foster501 W. Forsyth St. Jacksonville, Fla. Eva Foster Cobler501 W. Forsyth St. Jacksonville, Fla. Nellie Foster PitcherAtlanta, Ga. co American Ry Express Co. Rosalind Foster DamesAtlanta, Ga. co American Ry Express Co. Thomas Slider23 Main St. Jacksonville, Fla. Evan Slider23 Main St. Jacksonville, Fla. Lottie Slider HowardAtlanta, Ga., co C.T. Slider, South E. Express Co. All of whom being of sound mind and over twenty one years of age.
WHEREFORE, your petitioners pray, that a day be set for hearing this petition, that due notice thereof as required by law be given the widow and next of kin of said deceased, that subpoenas issue to the subscribing witnesses requiring them to testify on such appointed day, and that such other proceedings, orders decrees may be had and made in the premises as may be requisite and proper to effect the due probate and recording of said will according to law.
JOHN ROBERT McCollister W. T. McCollister, Petitioners _____________________________________ THE STATE OF ALABAMA JEFFERSON COUNTY. BEFORE ME J. T. Harris, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally came John Robert McCollister, who being first duly sworn, says that he is one of the petitioners in the foregoing petition, and that the matters and things stated therein are true as they stand stated. John Robert McCollister Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 23rd day of March 1927. J. T. Harris _______________________________________ State of Alabama Lee County. Before me, W. O. Brownfield, Clerk of Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came W. T. McCollister, who being first duly sworn deposes and says that he is one of the petitioners in the foregoing petition, and that the matters and things stated therein are true as they stand stated. W. T. McCollister. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 25th day of March, 1927. W.O. Brownfield, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Lee County, Ala. _____________________________________ AFFIDAVIT OF Non-Residence. State of Alabama Lee County. Before me, W. O. Brownfield, Clerk of Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came W. T. McCollister, who being first duly sworn deposes and says that he is one of the executors of the Last Will and testament of Thomas McCollister deceased, that James P. McCollister is one of the legatees in said Will, and deponent further says that he has been informed and verily believes that the said James P. McCollister is a non-resident of Alabama, and that his place is (sic) residence is unknown, and that it cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort, and further that said James P. McCollister is over twenty one years of age. W. T. McCollister Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 25th day of March, 1927. W.O. Brownfield, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Lee County, Ala.
ORDER APPOINTING DAY FOR PROBATE. THOMAS MCCOLLISTER, deceased in the matter of Probate of his will March 25, 1927. This day came John Robert McCollister and W. T. McCollister and filed their petition in writing and under oath, therewith producing and filing in this Court and instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Thomas McCollister deceased, and praying for such orders, decrees and proceedings as may be proper and requisite, for the due probate and record of said will in this court, which said instrument appears to be attested by I. I. Moses and Roy L. Smith of Phenix City, Alabama, and S. J. Gilmore of Columbus, Ga and who are alleged to have signed the same subscribing witnesses thereto, and it appearing to the Court from said petition, that said petitioners are the next of kin of said deceased, that Fannie McCollister, who resides at Phenix City, is the widow of said deceased, that deceased left surviving him six living children and the heirs of the two deceased daughters, according to said will that said children surviving residents of this state are:
John Robert McCollister,Birmingham, Ala. W. T. McCollisterPhenix City, Ala. Mary RaifordPhenix City, Ala. George McCollisterPhenix City, Ala. and the said children surviving non residents of this state are: Albert McCollister1517 Edmunson Ave. Baltimore, Md. James P. McCollisterWhose present place of residence and Post Office address is unknown according to affidavit filed by one of the petitioners in said petition.
and that the children of the two deceased daughters non residents of this state are: Ethyl Foster ShieldsFranklin, N. C. Willie Foster501 W. Forsyth St. Jacksonville, Fla. Eva Foster Cobler501 W. Forsyth St. Jacksonville, Fla. Nellie Foster PitcherAtlanta, Ga. co American Ry Express Co. Rosalind Foster DamesAtlanta, Ga. co American Ry Express Co. Thomas Slider23 Main St. Jacksonville, Fla. Evan Slider23 Main St. Jacksonville, Fla. Lottie Slider HowardAtlanta, Ga., C.T. Slider, South. Express Co.
ALL of whom appearing from said petition to be of sound mind and over twenty one years of age.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that the 25th day of April 1927, be set as a day for hearing testimony in proof of said instrument as such will, that said I. I. Moses and Roy L. Smith be subpoenaed to be and appear on said day in and before this Court, to testify and give evidence of and concerning all and any facts touching the question of the validity of said instrument as such will. That notice of the day set for hearing be given Fannie McCollister the widow of said deceased, and Mary Raiford and George McCollister, James P. McCollister, Ethel Foster Shields, Willie Foster, Eva Foster Cobler, Nellie Foster Pitcher, Roaslind Foster Dames, Thomas Slider, Evan Slider, Lottie Slider Howard, be notified and brought into Court as parties to his proceeding, by publication once a week for three successive weeks in the Opelika News a newspaper published in the County. G. P. Butler, Judge of Probate. Filed in office this the 25th day of March 1927, Recorded Aug. 19th, 1927. Will Rec. E. Page 228. G. P. Butler, Judge of Probate. ------------------------------------------------------- PROOF OF WILL. STATE OF ALABAMA. LEE COUNTY.IN PROBATE COURT In the matter of the probate of the last will and testament of Thomas McCollister, deceased.
Before me, G. P. Butler, Judge of said Court personally appeared Isaac I. Moses, Roy L. Smith and S. J. Gilmore who being by me first duly and respectively sworn and examined depose and say that each of them is a subscribing witness to the instrument of writing now shown them, and which purports to be the last wiol (sic) and testament of Thomas McCollister deceased, late an inhabitant of Lee County, Alabama, that said Thomas McCollister since deceased, signed and executed said instrument on the day the same bears date, and declared the same to be his last will and testament, and that affidavits respectively set their signatures thereto, on the day the same bears date, and subscribing witnesses to the same in the presence of said testator, was of sound mind and disposing memory, and in the opinion of the deponents dully capable of making his will at the time same was made as aforesaid, that said testator was on the day of the date and making of said will of the full age of twenty one years and upwards. Isaac I. Moses. Roy L. Smith. S. J. Gilmore. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 25th day of April, 1927. G. P. Butler. Judge of Probate. Filed April 25th, 1927 Recorded Aug. 19, 1927 Will - E, Page 229. G. P. Butler. Judge of Probate. ----------------------------------------------------------- WILL THOMAS MCCOLLISTER STATE OF ALABAMA, RUSSELL COUNTY. In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas McCollister, of the County of Lee and State of Alabama, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, declare sign and publish this as my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others by me heretofore made.
ITEM I. I drect (sic) that my body be buried in a decent and CHRISTIANLIKE manner, and that a gravestone be erected over my last resting place, the same to be selected by my wife and my Executors hereinafter named, and to be in keeping with my conditions in life.
ITEM II. I direct that all my just debts be paid as soon as practicable after my death, and should there not be sufficient cash money on hand at the time of my death, I hereby empower my Executors hereinafter named to select from my estate, and to make a sale thereof of such property as in their judgement (sic) they may deem most suitable for said purpose, said sale to be either at public or private sale, and without the order of any Court whatsoever.
ITEM III. Unto my beloved wife FANNIE MCCOLLISTER, I hereby give and devise a life interest and estate in and to the house and lot now occupied by us as a home, also the storehouse in lower Girard, Russell County, known as the Cogbill Corner, She is to have use and enjoy all the rents issues and profits from each of said pieces of property for and during her natural life. I hereby direct that my Executors hereinafter named shall set apart a fund of TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS (Note: words missing at bottom of page on copy used for transcription) _____________________ the rents, issues and profits from the real estate above bequeathed not be sufficient to properly support and maintain my said wife, I hereby direct that my Executors, hereinafter named, shall use said TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS, or so much thereof for the support and maintenance of my said wife, as is necessary for said purpose. And should there remain in the hands of my Executors any portion of said funds at the time of the death of my said wife, I hereby direct that the same be returned to my estate and divided as shall hereinafter be set out in my will.
The provision herein made is in lieu of dower, years of support and all other rights and interests allowed to married women under the laws of the State of Alabama.
ITEM IV. It is my will and I hereby direct that after my death, and when my Executors hereinafter named, shall have set apart the property and money heretofore bequeathed unto my wife in Item III of this my will, that they divide the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal and mixed into eight equal parts, and I hereby give and devise a one eighth portion of my said property to John Robert McCollister, of Birmingham, Alabama, a one eighth part to W. T. McCollister of Atlanta, Georgia, a one eighth part to Mary Raiford of Phenix City, Alabama, a one eighth part to Albert McCollister of Baltimore, Md., a one eighth part to James P. McCollister, whose whereabouts is at present unknown to me, a one eighth part to the children of my deceased daughter, Lizzie Foster, which children are as follows: Ethel Foster, Willie Foster, Nellie Foster, Eva Foster and Rosalind Foster, a one eighth part to George McCollister of Phenix City, Alabama, a one eighth part to the children of my deceased daughter, Sarah Slider, which children are as follows: Thomas Slider, Lottie Slider and Evan Slider.
ITEM V It is my will and I hereby direct that one eighth interest bequeathed to my son James P. McCollister shall be delivered to him upon his return to Phenix City, Alabama, provided he returns to claim the same within twelve months from the date of my death, should he fail to return however, within the twelve month period, then it is my will, and I hereby direct that the one eighth interest bequeathed to him shall go to and become the property of his children who are as follows: Thelma McCollister, Nellie McCollister, and Willie McCollister.
ITEM VI. I hereby empower my executors, hereinafter named, to make a division in kind, of my property, between the heirs and legatees hereinbefore mentioned, but should it not be practicable and should my Executors hereinafter named, deem it wiser and more advantageous plan for the division of my property, then and in that event my said Executors are hereby empowered to make a sale of any and all of my property, either at public or private sale, and without the order of any Court whatsoever, and to make a division of my estate, as thus reduced to cash in the manner and form as hereinbefore bequeathed to the heirs hereinbefore set out and mentioned.
ITEM VII. I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my beloved sons, John Robert McCollister (Note, written in longhand is the name of W. T. McCollister) as Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby expressly relieving them from making inventory, from giving bond, and from making returns of their actings and doings as such Executors to any Court whatever, reposing special confidence in their ability and integrity to administer my estate faithfully, honestly and correctly as indicated and provided for (Note: words missing at bottom of page on copy used for transcription ) ____________________.
ITEM VIII. After the death of my beloved wife, Fannie McCollister, and the termination of her life estate in and to the home place and the store house referred to in item III of this my Will, and should there remain any portion of the money directed to be set aside as a maintenance fund, as referred to in said Will, I hereby direct that my said Executors take over each of said pieces of real estate and the money so remaining from said maintenance fund, and they are hereby directed to divide said money in eight equal portions, and distribute the same to the same legatees provided for in Item IV of this my will, and should any or all of the legatees therein mentioned be not in life at said time, then said share to go to the heirs of such legatees.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this the 26th day of May 1926.
T. McCollister. Signed, sealed, declared and published by Thomas McCollister as his last will and testament, in the presence of us, the undersigned, who sign out names as witnesses hereto, at his special instance and request, he first signing said will in out (sic) presence, we signing the same as witnesses in his presence, and all signing in the presence of each other. This the 26th day of May 1926. Isaac I Moses. Roy L. Smith. S. J. Gilmore. Filed in office this 25th day of Mar 1927- Recorded Aug. 17, 1927, Will Record E. Page 229. G. P. Butler, Judge of Probate. ---------------------------------------------------- State of Alabama, Lee County. I, Fannie McCollister, widow of Thomas McCollister, late of Lee County, Alabama, now deceased, do hereby assent to the terms of the will of the said Thomas McCollister, and I Accept the provisions of said will, that is, Item Third which is made in lieu of dower, Years support, and all other interests and rights allowed to married women under the laws of the State of Alabama, and I do hereby elect after full knowledge of all conditions, and value of said estate, to take under said will and to take the provisions therein made to me in lieu of dower, support and all and any other rights provided by law for married women under the laws of the State of Alabama. This election is made after careful consideration, and after looking into the value of said property and the value of the property willed to me in said will, and this election is made for the purpose of allowing the executors to more expeditiously carry out the terms of said will, and same is made on my part voluntarily, and not by reason of inducements offered by any person, or any threat of coercion by any person whether interested or disinterested, in said state, which said will of said Thomas McCollister was probated in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama on the 25th day of May 1927, and being the same will executed by (Note: words missing on bottom of page on copy used for transcription ) ________________ of May 1926. I do certify that I am more than (Note: words missing on bottom of page on copy used for transcription) ____________________.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand seal this the 1st day of July, 1927.
Fannie McCollister. L.S. WITNESS, E. L. WHITE. State of Alabama, Lee County. I, E. L. White, a Notary Public in and for said County, hereby certify that Mrs. Fannie McCollister, whose name is signed to the foregoing conveyance and instrument, who is known to me, acknowledged before me on this day, that being informed of the contents of the conveyance, she voluntarily executed the same on the day of its date.
Given under my hand and official seal, this the 1st day of July, 1927. E. L. White. Notary Public, Lee County, Ala. Recorded. Aug. 19th 1927, Record Will- E. Page 231. G. P. Butler, Judge of Probate. -------------------------------------------------------- Final order of Probate. THOMAS MCCOLLISTER, deceased. In the matter of the probate his last will and testament April 25th, 1927. This day having been regularly appointed for hearing the application of John Robert and W. T. McCollister, which was heretofore filed in this court for the probate of an instrument of writing, purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of said deceased, now comes the said applicants, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that the notice of the said application and of the time appointed for hearing the same has been given in pursuance of law and in strict accordance with the former order of this court, made and entered in the premises on the 25th day of March 1927, by publication once a week for three consecutive weeks in The Opelika Daily News, a newspaper published in said County, and by citation personally served, as directed in said former order. And it appearing t the satisfaction of the Court from the testimony of Isaac I. Moses, Roy L. Smith and S. J. Gilmore, that they on the day of the date thereof, in the presence of the testator, and at his request, respectively signed the said instrument as subscribing witnesses to the same, the testator then declaring that said instrument constituted his last will and testament. And it being also shown by satisfactory proof that said testator was of the full age of twenty one years and upwards at the time of making said will. It seems to the Court that said application should be granted. It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court that said will of said Thomas McCollister deceased, be received, and the same is hereby declared to be duly proven as the last will and testament of said decedent, and as such, admitted to probate to be recorded, together with the proof thereof, and all other papers on file relating to this proceeding. It is further ordered that said applicants pay the costs in this proceeding. G. P. Butler, Judge of Probate.
Filed April 25, 1927. Recorded Aug. 19th, 1927, Record Will- E, Page 232. G. P. Butler, Judge of Probate.
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