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Note: CENSUS DATA: The 1860 federal census, Muscogee Co., Columbus, GA, p. 84, shows Thos. Summersgill, age 35, married, born England and overseer of a factory. Living with him were, Mary, age 30, born GA; John, age 8, born Ga; James, age 6, born GA; Henry, age 4, born GA; and Edward, age 1, born GA. ------------------------------------------------------- MILITARY SERVICE INFORMATION: Records show that Thomas enlisted as corporal in 19th Battalion, Georgia Infantry (State Guard), Company B (Muscogee Co., GA); separated as sergeant . This batallion also known as "Thompson's" or "City Guard Battalion" was made up largely of "decrepits", those too old to enlist in the regular forces fighting on the front, plus boys who were too young and able-bodied workers in the mills, factories and other industries who were supplying materials to the CSA. These men put up a defense against the forces of General James H. Wilson's invading party that swept across Alabama from the west, but were no match for the Federals. The Union took Girard, AL and Columbus, GA easily on 16 April 1865. The above information provided by John Mallory Land, McKenny, Texas. --------------------------------------------------------------- BURIAL SITE: At this time the burial site of Thomas Summersgill is not known; however, it is possible that he is buried in Thomas McCollister's Lot 100 in Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, GA. Edward Summersgill, the 10 year old son of Thomas and Mary McCollister Summersgill, was buried there in 1863. Since Thomas McCollister or someone in the McCollister family had plots in Lot 100 as early as 1863, it is quite possible that Edward's father, Thomas Summersgill, was inturred there in 1865. Just an assumption though! -------------------------------------------------------------- COMMENTARY: Tap Roots, vol. 5, p. 7, provides information on a James Summergill, born Oldham Langshire, England, 13 November 1829 and died Jun 8, 1901. Also, Rosa J. Summergill, born N. C. on 15 January 1830 and died 31 January 1913. It is now known that James was the husband of Rosa J. and they are buried together in Girard Cemetery, Phenix City, AL. Also, it is now known that this James Summersgill was the brother of our Thomas Summersgill. ---------------------------------------------------------- RELATED STORY: A Story related to John Summersgill from "Heritage of Russell County, Alabama Book" provides information on his parents, Mary McCollister and Thomas Summersgill. (See full text of story in notes for John Summersgill) "John Summersgill was the popular and efficient "boss" of a department on the Eagle and Phoenix Cotton Factory of Georgia. John Summersgill was born July 27, 1852 in Columbus, Georgia. John was the son of Thomas and Mary McCallister Summersgill.
Thomas Summersgill was a native of Manchester, England and in early life followed the sea. At about the age of twenty-three, being then the mate of a merchantman, he withdrew from the vessel at Pensacola, Florida and found his way to Columbus, Georgia in about the year of 1850. Thomas found employment in the Eagle Cotton Mill as foreman of the carding room and held the position until the destruction of the mill by fire in 1865. Thomas then went to Cedar Shoals, Georgia and had charge of a cotton mill until his death on the 8th of August 1865.
Thomas was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Mary Summersgill was born in South Carolina, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was married in 1850 to Thomas Summersgill. Thomas and Mary had a family of four boys and one girl, named as follows: John Summersgill, whose name stands at the head of this family history story; James Summersgill, Mayor of Brownville now Phenix City, Alabama; Henry Summersgill, a resident of Phenix City, a member of the quarterly Methodist Conference; Edward Summersgill, who died at the age of six years; Emma Summersgill, wife of John T. Abner (Sic Abney), Superintendent of the Swift Cotton Mill at Columbus, Georgia; and Thomas Summersgill, now of Phenix City, Alabama.
After widowhood of a few years Mrs. Mary Summersgill was married to W.R. Martin who died before 1893. She became a Widow again and resided with her daughter, Emma Summersgill." Submitted by: S. H. Summersgill 1214 18th Ave Columbus, G ------------------------------------------------------- SUMMERSGILL IN AMERICA BOOK: All of the following information is from the book "Summersgills in America." The book was written by LaDelle Wilbur Plates and greatly added to my research. Mrs. Plates' work is exceptionally well done and her contribution is greatly appreciated. The following section show her information related to our Thomas Jess Summersgill. NOTE: When Mrs. Plates' work and information on the Summersgill's line from my research are viewed together, a number of voids in our research efforts are filled.
The following is quoted directly from Mrs. Plates' work. "Thomas Jess Summersgill was born 1825 in Oldham, Lancashire Co., England. He married Mary McCollister in June 1851 in Columbus, GA. She was born 1830 in South Carolina. She was the daughter of __________ McCollister. Mary died 28 Sep 1895 in Phenix City, AL at the age of 65.
Known children of Thomas Jess Summersgilal and Mary McCollister are: + 7. mi. John Summersgill {354}, born 15 Jul 1852, died 7 Jul1923 . + 8. mii. James Summersgill {355}, born 11 Jun L854, died 3 Sep L939. + 9. miii. William Henry Summersgill { 331 }, born 4 Oct 1856, died 2 Jun I9I7 . 10. miv. Edward Summersgill 1752), born 1859, died in childhood23 May 1863, at the age of 4. 1860 Georgia census shows a I year old Edward in his father Thomas' s household. + 11. fv. Emma H. Summersgill { 353 }, born 29 Oct 1862, died 26 Jan 1911 . 12. mvi.Thomas Summersgill {352}, born Jun 1865 in GA, died in Mississippi. 1880 census lists a 14 year old Thomas living in the home of his "uncle" William R. Martin and his wife and 5 children. Listed as "works in cotton mill". Martin was actually his step father and Uncle. 1900 census lists a �Joseph� Summersgill, age 34,single, listing his birthday as June 1865, mother born in GA and father born in England. It lists his occupation as Engineer. We think this might be the same man as there is no other Summersgill who would match. Maybe his name was Thomas Joseph or Joseph Thomas. There is a Joseph Monroe Summersgill, son of James Hanson who was born in 1869 but he was married in 1900. We believe he was in touch with his brother James as James's daughter-in-law Gracie remembers James mentioning his brother Tom. No records of his marriage or children have been found yet.
NOTES for Thomas Jess: Emigrated from Oldham, England w/brother James Hanson Summersgill. It was also discovered that a related family named Kinnett came to America with Thomas and James. This family also settled in Phenix City, AL/Columbus, GA area. There is today a very large dairy named for this family. More research is ongoing with this connection. Family records show that the brothers Thomas J. and James Hanson Summersgill emigrated from Oldham, Lancashire County, England around 1845. There also might have been another brother, John with them. Since his children were born in the U.S., he probably came to the U.S. before 1852, between 1845 and 1850. They first came to South Carolina, then moved to Columbus, GA area. Apparently Thomas did not stay long in South Carolina. The 1860 Georgia census shows Thomas, age 35 listed as overseer, factory with wife, Mary age 30 and 4 children, John 8, James 6, Henry 4 and Edward 1. Value of his estate was $300. Their address was Columbus, Muscogee Co., Georgia. He is listed as born in England and Mary and the children born in GA.
Newspaper and Sextant's record shows for Thomas Summersgill, a child died Jan. 24, 1857 and, another May 23, 1863 (We believe this last one was Edward).
In 1861, the Eagle Manufacturing Co., the mill that Thomas was overseer, ran 10,000 cotton and 1,300 woolen spindles; that they had 282 looms weaving cotton and woolen goods; that they consume nine bales of cotton and 1, 000 pounds of wool per day, and employ 500 hands, at an expense of $240 per day for their labor (that works out to .48 per day average pay). The capitol employed is $375,000.
1870 census Lee Co., Brownsville Beat, Alabama w/Columbus GA post office lists: H. Summersgill, female, head of household, works in cotton mill age 30, J. Summersgill, male, works in cotton mill age 16, another J., male, age 13, an H. or K., age 11 male, T. fem, 8 and E. male 6. The first 4 listed as born in GA and the last 2 born in Ala. These do not fit into any family except the children seem to be the same as Thomas's. Since I don't have a death date for him, this could be his family after his death except for the 30 year old female, "H" head of household. Mary would be 40 and Thomas would be 45 in 1870. If Thomas was dead and Mary remarried Mr. Martin, she may have left some of her children with her husband's sister Hannah.
It was later discovered that Thomas had another sister, Eliza Walmsley from Texas, who attended their brother James's funeral in 1901. Looking at English records indicates an Eliza Summersgill born to John & Mary Summersgill in Oldham and christened in 1832. That same record shows a Hannah Summersgill born to John & Mary Summersgill and christened in 1835 in Oldham. This could be the mysterious "H� head of household although she would be 35 and not 30 in 1870.
Mary also married (2) W. R. Martin {1141} 19 Jul 1871 in Columbus, GA Co. He was born 13 Feb 1828 in Ireland. W. R. died 28 Apr 1884 in Phenix City, AL, at the age of 56.
NOTES for W. R.: Listed in obituary as a foreman at the Eagle & Phenix Mills. Land records from Lee Co., AL 1. William R. & Mary Martin sold to John and James Summersgill and William McCollister for $600.00. Lots 136, I37 and 139 located in Girard. Each lot contains � acre. S W corner of lot 13 7 owned by Wilson Williams Masonic Lodge sold on 10/16/1882. Filed on 5/1511894. Mary signs her mark X.
1880 census shows William R. Martin, age 52, works in cotton mill, born in Ireland, whose father was born in Ireland and his wife (no name) age 53 who was born in South Carolina and whose father was born in Ireland. One daughter, Sarah J., 16, works in cotton mill, born in GA., daughter Eliza, l4, works in cotton mill, born in GA, son, David, 11 born in GA, daughter, Margaret, 8 born in AL, son William R., 5, born in AL, sister Rachel Martin, 55 born in Ireland and "nephew" (his stepson) Thomas Summersgill, 14, works in cotton mill, born in GA., father born in England.
NOTES for Mary: Born in South Carolina. Her father was born in Ireland. Remarried Mr. Martin. Mary had 4 stepchildren by Mr. Martin after the death of Thomas J. Summersgill: Janie Martin (Ledbetter), Liza Martin (Hooks), Rachel (Pat) Martin (Page) & David Martin. They could have been the children of her relative, Jane McCollister as a marriage for Jane and Wm. R. Martin is recorded between 1855 and 1858. She also had 2 natural children by Mr. Martin: William and Maggie (Hill).
Editor's note: if Jane was Mary's sister as I suspect, that would explain why W. R. Martin is listed as Thomas Summersgill's "uncle". He would actually be his uncle who became his stepfather.
Mary was an active member of the Methodist Church. Buried in the McCollister Family Plot Lot # 100, Linwood Cemetery Columbus, GA.
Obit: Died in Phenix City, AL, 5 sons, John, James, Henry, Thomas, William, 2 daughters, Mrs. John T. Abney of Columbus, Mrs. Maggie Hill of Phenix City, AL. 2 Brothers, Thomas & William McCollister. Stepmother of Mrs. Thomas Ledbetter, Mrs. Eliza Hooks, Mrs. Rachel Page, all of Columbus and David Martin of Louisiana. Editor's note: The daughter Maggie Hill and son William are assumed to be the natural children of Mary & W. R. Martin.
Others buried in the same plot: George McCollister, Fannie Peterson, w/o Thomas McCollister, Nancy Fletcher, w/o Thomas McCollister, Thomas McCollister, Carrie Fletcher, w/o Thomas McCollister, James Clarence Raiford, Mary McCollister, w/o J.C. Raiford, Little W.L. McCollister, Mrs. Catherine ? Sister."
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