Century, is required.Recently in January Mary Anne Stephens determined that Susan's Mother was Eliza Dunn. Records in Lawrence County reflect Eliza, evidently remarried as a result of losing her husband had married Isham or Ishaom Dunn. The Records reflect that they gave permission via the courts for thier daughter to marry Elias Newman.
As we search for information about possible Nolens who may have been her father, lets look at Lawrence County. It is always helpful to have a little background on the area you are researching.
In Volume 2 of Dr. Dunbar Rowland's sketch of Mississippi Counties and towns, we read, ( See larger Map of Mississippi here)
Lawrence County was one of l4 territorial counties represented in the Constitutional Convention of 1817, and was created from Marion County on December 22, 18Th, originally embracing within its area all of the eastern half of the present county of Lincoln. The original Act defined its boundaries as follows: "Beginning on the Franklin County line where the middle section of the fifth township intersects the same; thence east along the said line to its intersection with the eastern boundary line of the county of Marion. And all that tract of country on the north side of said 1ine~ and within the original boundary of Marion county, shall form a county, known by the name of Lawrence." Its original area was about 1000 square miles.
By act of January 5, 1819, it contributed of its eastern area to form the county of Covington, and February 12th, of the same year, it surrendered to Marion county the northern half of township 5, ranges 17 and 18; in 1870, it contributed of its western area to form the new county of Lincoln. The present area of the county is 414,382 acres, or 638 square miles.
For a period of five years county courts were held at the house of Wright Mitchell, and then a rude log courthouse was built on the site of the present building. Harmon Runnels, Chief Justice of the Quorum; Stephen Noble, J.Q.; Benjamin Goodson, J.Q.; James Stigler, J.Q. Harmon M. Runnels, Clerk; and Hardin B. Runnels, Sheriff, constituted the first court as organized March 6, 1815. The civil officers of the county in 1818 were as follows: George W. King, Chief Justice of the Quorum, and John Reagan and Eli Garner, Justices of the Quorum; Samuel Alexander, Randolph Traylor, Fort Alford, _____ Warner, Francis Ross, Harper Garner, Alex. Hall, Jesse Maxwell, Wm. Smith, Sr., Samuel Pepper, Joseph Hart, Francis Tilman, Thomas Ship, Arthur Fox, John N. Field, Justices of the Peace; John Burney, Assessor and Collector; Harper Garner, County Surveyor; Wylie Bohannon, County Treasurer; Jonathan Armstrong, Leonard Green, Wm. D. Hathorn, Thos. P. Honea, Thos. Matthews, _____Phillips, Parish Garner, Ezekiel Loften, William Mallet, Constables.
The county was named in commemoration of James Lawrence, captain of the Chesapeake in the memorable battle with the British on Lake Erie. Its northern boundary is the old Choctaw boundary line of 1805, separating it from Copiah and Simpson counties on the north, Covington County is on the east, Marion and Pike counties on the south and Lincoln County on the west. It is an old settled region in the south central part of the State, and its hardy and vigorous pioneers contributed largely to the early beginnings of Mississippi. The little village of Monticello (named in honor of the residence of President Jefferson), with a population of 500 and situated on a high bluff on the western bank of the Pearl River, is the county seat; it was the home of Harmon Runnels, Hiram G., Harmon M., and Hardin D. Runnels, his sons. Harmon Runnels came to the State from Georgia, built the first house in Monticello, and was a forceful representative in the constitutional convention of 1817. He reared a large family, which became influential in the annals of the State. Hiram G. Runnels, one of the sons, became Governor of the State in 1833. There are no large settlements in Lawrence county, the more important ones being Monticello, the county seat, and the railroad towns of Grange, Hebron, Prentiss, and Silvercreek. The county is well watered by the Pearl River which flows through the center, together with its numerous tributaries. Pearl River is navigable for steamboats and is extensively used for shipping purposes and in lumbering operations.
The Gulf & Ship Island Railroad crosses the county from north to south, the Mississippi Central Railroad enters the county from the east, and passes through westward crossing the Gulf & Ship Island R. R. at Silver- creek. A short spur of the Illinois Central Railroad from Brookhaven, enters the northwestern part of the county and extends to Monticello, and the N. C. & N. Railroad enters its southwestern corner.
The timber growth of the county is chiefly of the long leaf or yellow pine variety and is of an excellent quality. The general surface of the region is undulating and hilly, and level on the river and creek bottoms. The low lands are very fertile; on the uplands the soil is sandy and needs fertilizing.
NB: Since the above sketch was written, Jefferson Davis County has been created, and forms the eastern border of Lawrence County
By reviewing the information that's is at our disposal, we may be able to establish the parents of Susan "Nolen" Newman. Susan married Elias Newman April 25, 1850 in Lawrence County, Ms
More information about Elias and Susan is available at
/Elias_Newman.html
Evidence by way of Census records reflect that Susan was born in Mississippi. Susan was only 15 or so when she got married based on Census Records information.
I am assuming that Susan was born in Lawrence County Mississippi and grew up there although I have no evidence to support that theory, but it it is highly probable.
We can begin by looking at the various records that are available and here are a few I looked at. I would like to point out that as you review this document, that you should not assume that I uncovered every shred of evidence available. Actually my research methods are more hit n miss than a very detailed organized effort. Therefore if you are a researcher yourself, I encourage you to assist by gather additional data. The more we have the better opportunity we have of determining who Susan's parents are.
I ran across several spellings and variations of Nolen. Some of these variations may be just wild goose chases but I threw them in anyway to ensure we did not miss any options.
Following is a list of Tax records from Lawrence County, Miss. by year.
Comments or suggestions 