Hello cousins...I'm looking for the parentage of my GGGF John E. Batts. John married Martha Jane Myers, b. 1842, in 1860 and had two children, John Christopher and Lucy Delilah. In 1869, he married Sarah Mildred Horton, b.1848 and sired five sons, Thomas Rolly, George Millard, Walter Bruce, John E. Jr. and my GGF Judson James.
Family lore says John may have also used the name James as evidenced in several land documents.
I can't seem to find him earlier than the 1880 Census. Can someone help?

Hi Paul,
I think we may have some family ties here. Was John's parents of course, John Batts and Lucy G. from Ireland? i have a Martha Jane Myers, born in 1842 in Alabama and my John E. batts born in 1838 matches your description. I dont have much info. but would love to talk to you and see what we can figure out....Thank you

John E. and Martha Jane Myers Batts had three children. The first of John E. Batts and Marth Jane Myers' three children was Ella Caroline Batts Simpson, my g-grandmother. Martha Jane's parents were Christopher and Delilah (Henderson) Myers, which is where John and Lucy got their middle names. The Batts, Hortons, Simpsons, and Grishams of Limestone Co., AL were very intertwined/intermarried. Some of them, including my branch, eventually ended up in Van Zandt Co., TX. John E. Batts' parents were John H. Batts and Lucy Robinson. John H. Batts was the son of Benjamin Batts and Sarah Hicks Rainey. I hope this helps.

This info rmation is what I have on John





This information is concerning John Edward Batts who died in Arkansas in 1914 at the home of son Judson James. His father was John H. Batts, born 1811. He was married to 3 wives. The 3rd wife and the children of the three are listed in the 1860 census of Limestone County, Alabama. Probably the reason you could not find them is they are listed as John H. PATTS. Note that there was a James listed in the census which might account for the lore that John used name of James sometimes.

His father was Benjamin Batts born 1786 and died in 1834. He was married to Sarah Hicks Rainey (b late 1700s, died 8/12/1850)They had 13 children.

His father was John Batts , born 1717 and married to Mary Warren.

His father was William W.Batts,Sr. born 1691.

This information has been gathered from several locations over the years.I do not have documents to cover all of it but am comfortable with it for my use.

I descend from the Batts-Myers branch and agree with you that there were only two children,John C and Lucy. Ella was married in the home of George Batts.

This is in addition to post of 1/16/09.

The 1870 Limestone Co, Ala. census has him listed as Edward Batts, married to Mildred with 3 minor children. Jackson age 9, Lucy age 5 and Oscar 5 months. John Christopher always went by "Jack." So there is no doubt but these are the same people listed in the family.

Information has been put forth that the children of John Edward and Martha Myers had been placed with other people after the death of Martha. Examples of proof offered were that Ella was in the Shields household and Lucy was in the Christopher Myers household.She could have been visiting her grandfather when the census enumerator came by and was listed as a resident. Since Lucy made the 1870 census twice, I prefer to believe that John and Lucy were the only children of John Edward and Martha Myers and they were with John Edward and Mildred a year after they were married.

In addition, the mariage records in Limestone Co. Ala. Archives states Lucy was married in the home of Edd Batts and Ella was married in home of George Batts.

If you have recieved any information showing closer conection of John, Lucy and Ella, I would appreciate you sharing it with me.

Do you have any knowledge of a Richard Batts for one of these lines in Alabama that would have left for Texas in the late 1880's or 1890? I know that Richard married an Alberta Schultz (Bertie) in 1896.

Sorry to say I don't have anything on a Richard Batts or a Batts with middle inital R in any generation.

Thanks so much for looking. I have one more to try and that is Tomas Batts, born 1836 somewhere in Alabama. At least that is what is thought. I know nothing of any other children, wife or any other details. I have only found one reference to him as Richard's father and the spelling was without the 'H'. Thanks again for looking.