Wood & Torbert Families - John Comer Abercrombie

John Comer Abercrombie

b. 27 October 1809, d. 15 July 1878

Father: Leonard Abercrombie b. 2 February 1779, d. 16 September 1837
Mother: Sarah Comer b. circa 1786, d. circa 1849

John Comer Abercrombie was born on 27 October 1809 in Putnam County, Georgia.
He married Jane Minerva Sims, daughter of John Sims and Mahala Mackey, on 3 October 1841 in Macon County, Alabama.
On 19 April 1849, Green Wood recorded in his travel journal: "Left home in company with John C. Abercrombie for Louisianna and Texas."
On Friday, 6 July 1849, Green Wood recorded in his travel journal: "Left our waggons at Mr. Rugeleys & went to Major Coles & to Mr. Robert G. Hadens to get land titles for Milo Abercrombie & returned in the evening to Mr. Rugleys."
John Comer Abercrombie and Jane Minerva Sims appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Macon County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Leonard B. Abercrombie, Sallie Comer Abercrombie, John S. Abercrombie and Caroline D. Abercrombie.
He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
On Sunday, 28 July 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Wrote to John Abercrombie."
On Sunday, 18 August 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent Bob to Montgomery with a letter to John Abercrombie & three others by E. A. & Lizzie Wood."
On Tuesday, 19 November 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "John Abercrombie's Waggons got to Carothers place."
On Monday, 9 December 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "J. C. Abercrombie got here with his negros, sent Carriage and Little waggon to Arnold's for Mrs. Abercrombie and children." And on the following day, "Mrs. Abercrombie and children got here, all well."
On Thursday, 12 December 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Some of Mr Abercrombie's hands working in new ground," and on the following day, "Hands still at the same work as yesterday and some of Abercrombie's hands out with them."
On Sunday, 18 December 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "J. C. Abercrombie returned from Land Hunting."
On Wednesday, 25 December 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. J. Abercrombie and Family and W. B. Wood and Family and Mr. Peter C. Harris to dinner with us."
On Sunday, 26 January 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Abercrombie & Brock came down in the evening," and on Tuesday, the 28th, "Sent two Waggons to Montgomery with Abercrombie for corn." On Wednesday, the 29th, "Mr Abercrombie's two waggons & my two returned from Montgomery with 112 barrels corn, 1-1/4 Bushels each, making 140 bushels," and on the following day, "One [waggon] hendered to send coal & Iron to Mr Arnett's shop for Collier to work."
[Note that in 1850 Montgomery, Alabama, there is a David Brock, age 29, apparently manager of Barton W. Stone's plantation. It is possible that he went to Texas to work for J. C. Abercrombie.]
On Sunday, 2 February 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "John C. Abercrombie and Willis B. Wood went to Montgomery and returned this evening wet and cold."
On Thursday, 13 February 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Made John Abercrombie a visit at his place."
On Sunday, 23 February 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. J. C. Abercrombie and Family left this morning for the Promised land."
On Sunday, 2 March 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Wm B. Wood made J. C. Abercrombie a visit at the Promise Land."
On Saturday, 8 March 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent to Abercrombie's for his waggon to go to Houston."
On Saturday, 3 May 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. Abercrombie spent the week with us. " And on the following day, "Had Mrs. & Mr. Abercrombie, Mrs & Mr [Thomas] Carothers, G. M. Wood and family and Willis B. Wood to dinner with us. Mr. A. and family returned home this evening." Noted above entry: "Paid Abercrombie 1 Barrel flour and 1 of pork, due him 1 Barrel pork yet."
On Saturday, 17 May 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. Garrison got here this evening, " and on Monday, the 19th, "Went with Mr. Garrison to J. C. Abercrombie's." On Wednesday, the 21st, "Sent Bob to Montgomery with Mr. Moses W. Garrison this evening."
On Thursday, 22 May 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "J. C. Abercrombie and Lady came down this evening," and on Friday, the 23rd, "Lizzie, J. Brown and Campbell and Len [Abercrombie] all went home with J. C. A. and Lady."
On Tuesday, 3 June 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "John Abercrombie & G. M. Wood dine with us."
On Saturday, 14 June 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "The hoe hands shelled 20 Bushels of corn at Mr Lindley's for J. C. Abercrombie. . . ."
On Tuesday, 8 July 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Returned hone by way of Abercrombies & found Colonel Hackett & Lady here."
On Sunday, 10 August 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Had J. C. Abercrombie & family with us; left for home this morning."
On Sunday, 24 August 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Had J. Abercrombie & Colonel Wm O. Baldwin, Moses & Mr Davis, Mr Remley, Mr Moseley & Mr Norton from Desoto Parrish Louisiana to Dinner. (Emily Amanda Baldwin Davis was the sister of William Owen Baldwin, and their first cousin Marion Augustus Baldwin's wife's sister was the wife of Henry Marshall Elmore.)
On Monday, 25 August 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent Peter to Mr. Abercrombie to work in place of Collier."
On Monday, 8 September 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Collier and John working in the shop."
On Sunday, 21 September 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent Blacksmith Collier home this morning after working three weeks mending old plow chains, waggons, &c."
On Tuesday, 7 October 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent three hands this evening to help Abercrombie raise his gin House tomorrow," and an the following day, "Mrs. W. and Lizzie went to J. C. Abercrombie's."
On Sunday, 12 October 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Abercrombie and family came this evening. Abercrombie's Blacksmith came this evening," and on the following day, "Collier working in the Shop."
On Thursday, 16 October 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent eight hands to Abercrombie's after dinner to help raise his Screw," and on the following day, "Sent B. Bob to Abercrombie's this morning."
On Saturday, 18 October 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Three hands came home from Abercrombie's," and on Sunday, the 19th, "Hands all returned from Abercrombie's, Peter went back this evening."
On Wednesday, 5 November 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. W. and Lizzie went to Mr. Abercrombie's," and on the following day, "Abercrombie's Smith at work today."
On Monday, 17 November 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Collier at work again today in Shop," and on Wednesday, the 19th [in a different hand], "Green Wood and J. C. Abercrombie left here this morning for Houston. . . Collier went home this evening." And on Monday, 24 November, "Green Wood and J. Abercrombie returned from Houston."
On Sunday, 25 January 1852, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Collier came down this evening, worked for me 3 days and McGill 1 day," and noted at the bottom of the page "29th January Received of Mr McGill $50 on account of Gining his cotton." On Sunday, the 1st of February, "Collier went home this morning having worked 6 days."
On Saturday, 20 March 1852, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Collier has worked in the Shop three days."
On Sunday, 4 April 1852, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "To Dinner, Plenty of Garden Peas for a long table, Abercrombie, Hardy, Randle & Davis."
Notes: May have been Walker County physician Wheeler Randall or (his brother?) farmer Dudley Randall, and Mr. Davis may have been John J. Davis of Huntsville.
On Sunday, 6 June 1852, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: Mr Abercrombie, Mr Hardy & Talbot McGar & Mr Randal [probably Dudley Randall] here to dinner, Mr Powell & Wm B. Wood brought plenty of fish & a venison from the lake for Dinner.
On Sunday, 13 June 1852, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr Wm Scott & Mr Tom Snow from Alabama & Mr Hardy & Abercrombie."
On Tuesday, 9 November 1852, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Hon Judge G Goldthwaite came this morning," and on the following day, "I went to day with Judge Goldthwaite to look at the Goodrich land in Sanjacinto." And on Friday, the 12th, "Road up to Abercrombie's with Judge Goldthwaite."
On Sunday, 9 January 1853, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent Granville & Ephriam to J.C. Abercrombie's to work in place of Collier," and on Sunday the 23rd, "Granville & Ephriam returned from Mr Abercrombie's."
Evelina Wood wrote on 5 March 1855, to her daughter Lizzie Powell, undergoing treatment for cancer in Murfreesboro, Tennessee: ". . . Cousin John Abercrombie is looking as well as I ever saw -- Chapman's gout cordial cured him, he eats any thing and every thing with impunity -- Cousin Minerva has taken Sallie Comer to school in Huntsville, she boards at Mr Mc Shan's the preacher's -- they have not been to see us since the middle of December. . . ."
On Sunday, 15 April 1855, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs W. & myself made a visit to Abercrombie."
During February and March of 1856, Houston merchants Van Alstyne & Taylor advertised for sale in The Weekly Telegraph Green Wood's "celebrated 'Wood Corn,' superior to any seed corn in this country," featuring testimonials by John J. Scott and J. C. Abercrombie.
On Wednesday, 16 July 1856, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Campbell and the children and Mr. Powell left this evening on a visit to Abercrobie's and [Folks], Waverly." And on Monday, the 21st, "Mrs. W. and Mrs. Campbell returned home from their visit."
On Monday, 1 December 1856, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Collier the Blacksmith commenced work on my plows this morning."
On Sunday, 11 January 1857, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. and Mrs. John Abercrombie's infant child was buried here today."
On Wednesday, 22 February 1857, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. W. and the Children left for Abercrombie's and Waverly," and on Saturday, the 28th, "Mrs. W. returned this evening."
On Friday, 3 July 1857, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs W & Mrs Campbell started on a visit to Abercrombie's & to Waverly."
On Friday, 3 September 1858, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Campbell Wood left this evening for Rutersville by way of J. C. Abercrombie." [It is an educated guess that Campbell and Len Abercrombie travelled together to Rutersville.]
On Saturday, 30 October 1858, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Made a Visit to J Abercrombie's & Waverly," and on the following day, "Returned this evening from visit to J. C. Abercrombie and Mrs Scott's, Waverley."
On Friday, 27 May 1859, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. W. and children left on a visit to J. Abercrombie."
On Tuesday, 19 July 1859, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Delivered 50 Ewes to J. C. Abercrombie at $4 per Head, Paid by Draft."
John Comer Abercrombie and Jane Minerva Sims appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Waverly, Walker (later San Jacinto) County, Texas. Other members of the household included Leonard B. Abercrombie, Sallie Comer Abercrombie, John S. Abercrombie, Caroline D. Abercrombie, Evelina Wood Abercrombie, Jane Minerva Abercrombie, James B. Abercrombie, Charles Anderson Abercrombie and John Sims.
He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
On Thursday, 22 November 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. Wood went to J. C. Abercrombie's to see a sick child."
On Sunday, 20 December 1863, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Made a visit to John Abercrombie,s to see Capt. Fisher."
The following appeared on 5 February 1868 in The New Orleans Crescent: (Texas Intelligence) John Abercrombie, Esq., of Walker county, is now on his way to Tuxpan, Mexico, to seek a more congenial home than Texas. What a sad commendary on our political condition is this, when men are driven to seek refuge from political proscription at home in the most anarchical country on this continent. [Galveston Civilian].
John Comer Abercrombie and Jane Minerva Sims appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas. Other members of the household included John S. Abercrombie, Evelina Wood Abercrombie, Jane Minerva Abercrombie, James B. Abercrombie and Charles Anderson Abercrombie.
He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
John Comer Abercrombie died on 15 July 1878 at age 68 . According to family lore, he died in Marlin Springs.
His wife Jane Minerva Sims became a widow at his death.
Jonathan Cogswell Farley was one of the first permanent white inhabitants of Montgomery, Alabama, then known as "New Philadelphia." His store was the site of Montgomery's first election in 1820, and also housed the town's first newspaper, The Montgomery Republican. He visited Greenwood in 1855, 1857, 1859 and 1860. J. C. Farley's first wife Thermutis Pinkston was Thermutis Pinkston's first cousin, daughter of his mother's helf-sister Grissell Comer Pinkston. Also, Grissell's son Lucius/Lucian Pinkston was in Montgomery County, Texas, 1850-1870.

Last Edited: 9 Jan 2015

Charts: Descendants of ABERCROMBIE Charles & Edwina Malinda "Dicey" Booth

Family: Jane Minerva Sims b. circa 1822, d. 24 July 1883

Leonard B. Abercrombie b. circa 1842, d. circa September 1862
Sallie Comer Abercrombie+ b. 10 January 1845, d. 1 January 1929
John S. Abercrombie b. circa 1847
Caroline D. Abercrombie+ b. 2 June 1849, d. 19 October 1944
Evelina Wood Abercrombie+ b. circa 1852
Jane Minerva Abercrombie+ b. 23 May 1854, d. 23 March 1943
Lizzie Powell Abercrombie b. 31 July 1856, d. 10 January 1857
James B. Abercrombie b. 27 July 1858
Charles Anderson Abercrombie+ b. 27 January 1859, d. 4 August 1936