15 BAIR Arthur James Bair was born 29 May 1876 in South Carolina, the son of James Judson and Adella Mae (Bonnett) Bair. On 3 March 1904 he married Mary Sophrona Reeves, born 6 March 1888
Arthur James Bair served in the Spanish American War from 1892-1902, spending time in Cuba with the 2" So. Carolina Reg., Co. C. Children of Arthur James and Mary Sophrona (Reeves) Bair: Reeves Bryant, b. 13 December 1904; d. 24 February 1978 James Judson, b. 23 January 1907; m. Hilmer Messervy Source: Son, James Judson Bair
Charles Edwin Bair was born 22 September 1890 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the son of Barton and Julia Susan (Bonnett) Bair. On 16 May 1914 in Albion, Idaho, he married Gladys "Bombi" Charlotte Carson, b. 4 February 1892 in Island, Idaho,
daughter of John Almy Carson and Hannah Lobesa ["Annie Louise" in Swedish] (Larsen) Carson. Charles Edwin Bair was ten years old at the turn of the century when he moved with his family from Orangeburg, South Carolina, to Oakley, Idaho. His parents homesteaded undeveloped land near Oakley; his father farmed and raised horses which were later sold to the U. S. Cavalry at the beginning of World War I. In 1916, two years after his marriage, Charles and his family moved to California where they lived for a brief time as part of a socialist colony, Llano del Rio, near Palmdale, California. Charles' parents and three of his siblings (Alice, Marion, and Maggie) also moved to the Llano del Rio community. Within a short time, all of the families relocated elsewhere. Charles and Gladys then returned to Idaho where they lived for the remainder of their lives. He was a likeable man with a twinkle in his eye and a sweet personality. He loved fishing and a good drink (the latter more than was good for his health). He worked as an auto mechanic and was an excellent photographer. Children of Charles Edwin and Gladys Charlotte (Carson) Bair: Alice Marguerite, b. 5 June 1915, m. Willard Wilson Garrard, b. November 1915, son of Richard and Clodella (Hill) Garrard. She d. October of 1979.
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16 Children: Anita Jeanne, b 13 September 1947, m. (1) Vernon W.
Augustus (2) Paul Moseley Cheryl Anne, b. 7 September 1950, m. Buenos -Boon" G. Callen Children: Hannah Kathryn, b. 8 March 1976 Inger Hope, b. 12 February 1978, b. 12 February 1978; m. Stephen Robert Anderson; Children: Carson Louis Molly Alicia, b. 24 April 1980 Jedd Wheeler, b. 16 December 1984 Tennyson Quayle, b. 10 May 1988 Lois Jeanne, b. 5 April 1925, m. Fred Gray Taplin, b. 1 May 1919, son of William Hunt and Dorothy Olivia (Maddocks) Taplin Children: Lori Dawn, b. 12 September 1952, m. Phillip Graham Crow
Kathryn Lee, b. 5 September 1957 Charles Edwin Bair died 30 July 1947 at Twin Falls, Idaho. He is buried in Burley, Idaho. Gladys Charlotte Carson died 29 June 1966 at Twin Falls, Idaho Sources: Family records Cheryl Anne Callen (granddaughter)
Elizabeth "Liz" Bair was born 4 March 1842 in Orangeburg Co., South Carolina, the daughter of * Joshua A. and Margaret Ann (Baltziger) Bair.
Elizabeth was the oldest child of Joshua and Margaret Ann Bair and the only daughter to survive childhood. She was a young woman of marriageable age as the Civil War conflict began. She never married, and there have been speculations that an intended spouse was lost in the war. Some family members reported that Elizabeth served as a midwife during her lifetime She was in attendance when her niece Alice (Bair) Thompson gave birth to her son, Chester. However, others in the family dispute that she served the community in this capacity and said she actually did not like to be around children. She destroyed the date of her birth in the family Bible, reportedly because she did not want anyone to know how old she was.
117 7 She lived with her father for many years. For a time she lived with her brother Lucious Addison, after he inherited the family property. Later, she lived with her brother James and his family. Some records refer to an "E. M. A. Bair". It is believed that this person is Elizabeth. possible that her full name was Elizabeth Margaret Ann, in which case she was named after her mother.
It is
Sources: Bair family Bible; Census records; letters from grand-nephew James Judson Bair, from grand-niece Dottie Edith Ashe, and from grand-niece Jeanne Taplin
* Jacob Bair is believed to be the father of * Joshua Bair (born 1807) and * Ann Bair is believed to have been his wife. To date, no official documentation has been found to prove this connection. However, several known bits of information lead to this conclusion.
Oral family history relates that: Joshua Bair 's father was known as "The Preacher". He was also a gunsmith. In a letter dated 1979, James Judson Bair, great-great-grandson of "the preacher" wrote that he had in his possession an old gun with the stock made by this man. Oral history also relates that "The Preacher" came to America from Germany, along with a friend named Weimer ( Veimer/Wymer) who settled in the area of St. George, South Carolina. Joshua's daughter, Elizabeth, often went to Branchville, S. C'., to visit members of that family.
Joshua Bair and others in that Bair family lived in the Four Holes area of Orangeburg County. ...."One of the first Baptist churches west of Charleston was the Four Holes Baptist Church in Orangeburgh District. It was a log church, or meeting house, built circa 1813. In the early nineteenth century, services were held at this church once a month and a special revival was held after crops had been planted. These services often lasted several days. Many of the pastors served several churches which were a great distance apart, and the pastors traveled on horseback from one church to another, carrying their clothing, medicines, and Bible in their saddle bags. The difficulty of travel through trails, swamplands, and streams is an indication of the dedication of these early religious leaders. "The second church building constructed by members of Four Holes Baptist was a frame and unceiled building that was used until about 1880.".... Quote from Orangeburgh District, 1768-1868, History and Records by Daniel Marchant Culler.
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The book Baptists of South Carolina by Townsend, records that the Four Hole Church was formed in 1813 and entered the Charleston Association that year. The first meetings were thought to have been held in "Brush Arbors", then in a log house. In a list of g storfhembcus, Jacob Bair is shown delgatsohAcindPaas the pastor from 1813 through 1825. In the book noted above, there is an entry indicating that Jacob Bair died before the 1826 Association meeting: We have also to lament the death of our beloved brother, Rev. Jacob Bair, who since our last meeting (November 1824) has left us for the joys of his Lord Brother Bair was instrumental in building up the church of which he was the highly esteemed pastor." (From the Minutes of the Charleston Association)
Jacob "Bear" appears in the 1790 Census of Orangeburg County as head of a household containing 1 male 16 or older; 1 male under 16, 3 females, and no slaves. In the census taken ten years later, Jacob Bair heads a household comprised of 1 male over 45, 1 female 16-26, 1 male under 16, 1 female 10-16, 3 females under 10, and 3 slaves. If this Jacob Bair is indeed the father of Joshua, it is clear that there were several children (at least 5) older than Joshua, who was yet to be born. In 1810, the census shows the household with two adults, 9 children (5 sons and 4 daughters), and 3 slaves. By 1830, Jacob no longer appears as head of household, but Ann appears in that role. This would match with the church records indicating his death between 1820 and 1830. That 1830 census shows only 4 young persons (2 sons; 2 daughters) remaining at home with Ann who is then between 50 and 60 years of age. In 1840, Ann is in a household alone, living near other Bairs (probably sons) named James, Samuel, Amos, and John. Jacob Bair may have been named John Jacob Bair/Behr. It certainly is probable that the surname in Germany was Behr. Joshua's daughter Kiziah (from his first marriage with
Mary Ott), had a notation showing "Behr-Germany". Each generation seems to have used the name "John". Joshua's first two sons (whose mother was Mary Ott) were named "John" and "Jacob." If Jacob Bair immigrated from Germany, he may have come to America before adulthood as a member of a larger family. However, oral family history seems consistent in the story that he was not born in this country. From census records of the Orangeburg area near the homes of Joshua, Jacob, and Ann Bair, we can theorize that the following list includes male children of Jacob and Ann Bair.
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It is certain that there were also several daughters, but in the early census records only the names of the heads of household were shown: Possible children of Jacob and Ann Bair:
John, b. 1790-1800 Amos, b. 1800-1810 Joshua, b. 3 April 1807; m. (1) Mary Ott (2) Margaret Ann Baltzegar Samuel, b. 1800-1810 Wsh (Washington ??), b. 1800-1810 James, b. 1810-1820 Jacob, b. 1814; m. Frances
Valentine, b. about 1815 Sources:
Minutes of the Charleston Association of Baptist Churches, Orangeburgh District 1768-1868 History and Records by Daniel Marchant Culler, Census records for Orangeburg County (1790, 1800,
1810, 1830, 1840), letters from James Judson Bair (great-great-grandson of Jacob Bair), and correspondence from Bettie Berry (descendant of Joshua Bair and Mary Ott).
James Judson Bair was born 16 April 1849, in Orangebuerg County, South Carolina, son of * Joshua A. and Margaret Ann (Baltzegar) Bair. On 23 March 1871 he married Adella Mae Bonnett, born 29 January 1851 in Orangeburg County, S. C., daughter of * Daniel D. Bonnett and Mary Elizabeth McMichael. James' brother * Barton Bair married Adella's sister * Julia two years later.
In 1863 when he was 14 years of age, James Judson talked his father into letting him join the Army of the Confederacy; he was part of Reg. Co. F of the CSA. He went to war in the company of his older brother, Loverick, who was charged with his care. James' military experience was brief, but had long-lasting consequences. He was involved in military action against Sherman's army at Blackstock (near the North Carolina state line) and was hit by musket fire in the left arm near his elbow. The bullet smashed bones in his arm and skimmed his body. After awaiting medical care for days, a doctor finally wrapped the wound in a piece of bed sheet and told James to go home; he did so, walking all the way. He was left with a partially stiff elbow as a result. Adella Mae Bonnett was one of nine children. Her mother died when she was about 8 years of age. During the Civil War, her father left the children in care of various aunts and uncles and enlisted in the Confederate Army. He never returned home He became a prisoner of war and died at a military hospital in Virginia when Adella was 13 years of age. Adella lived with a maternal uncle, Thomas McMichael, until her marriage to James Judson Bair. For some of her later life, James Judson's sister Elizabeth lived with him.
Children of James Judson and Adella Ma, (Bonnett) Bair
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Leila Celestia "Lessie", b. 8 March 1872; m. Luther Mathias Bonnet (a cousin), d 26 November 1928 Ida Julia, b. 10 November 1873; m. Charles Metts; d. 23 July 1955 Arthur James, b. 29 May 1876; m. Mary Sophrona Reeves; d. 26 October 1931 Mary "Mamie" Pauline, b. 29 October 1879; m. John Evans Metts George H., b. 27 October 1880; d. 14 April 1896 at the age of 15 Willie Clifford (or Clifton), b. 2 February 1882; m. E. Izettie Ayers; 13 April 1930 Daniel David, b. 1 December 1885; m. Georgie Smoak; d. 29 March 1954 Viola Estelle, b. 2 March 1888; m. David Peter Smoak; d. 31 May 1975 Cephas McMichael, b. 5 August 1891; m. Emma Metts; d. 22 August 1957 James Judson Bair died 13 July 1919 in South Carolina. Adella Mae (Bonnett) Bair died 2 May 1931 in South Carolina.
Sources: Bair family Bible; Census records; letters from James Judson Bair (a grandson), Dottie Edith Bonnett Ashe (granddaughter); The Orangeburg News, and Jennings-McMillan-Faulling-Whaley-Bluer-and other early families of South Carolina compiled by Carnicc Jennings Groves
* Joshua A. Bair was born 3 April 1807 in South Carolina. His father was probably * Jacob Bair and his mother named * Ann. On 18 May 1828 he married Mary Ott who died 15 May 1837 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. After his first wife's death, Joshua married * Margaret Ann Baltzegar of Rowesville, S.C., b. 21 August 1817. This second marriage occurred in 1839. Joshua Bair first appears as head of household in the 1830 census, where the family is shown with a male child under 5 years of age; a man and a woman between the ages of 20 and 30 (most assuredly Joshua and his first wife, Mary (Ott); one male over 100 years of age (possibly Mary's father?); and one slave. The child may have been one of the two sons, John or Joseph, both of whom died in 1833. In the 1840's, records from the Orangeburg District list the Bair farm as one location where a school was located. The teachers were paid per student by the school commissioners. The school at the Bairs show varying numbers of students with as many as 17 attending during one period in 1849. Other official records show that the Bairs were active within the community and together with other landowners of the area signed several appeals to governmental bodies for a variety of issues of common interest. For example: (1) In 1843 a list of proposed polling places for the next General Election was submitted; (2) In 1854 legislators were asked to establish a uniform ticket which every slave would be required to have in his
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possession when traveling from place to place, specifying his/her destination, (3) in 1857 there was a formal plea that the location of a new road to be constructed from Haigs Landing on Santee River to Rustford on Fourhole Swamp be located as originally planned and not changed without the support of the entire community. Joshua was a planter, whose holdings were valued at $2,800 in the 1850 census. The location of his home was described as "between the River Road from Orangeburg to Branchville and Four Hole Swamp". He was shown living with his second wife, Margaret Ann (Baltzegar) and four children: Elizabeth, Loverick, Daniel, and James. In the separate slave census for 1850, Joshua was shown as owner of 27 slaves: 11 males, ages 50, 40, 30, 14, 14, 10, 10, 7, 4, 2, and 1 ; and 16 females, ages 40, 40, 40, 28, 18, 16, 13, 12, 12, 11, 6, 6, 5, 5, 3, and 2. Ten years later, in the 1860 census, his assets had expanded to a valuation of $6000 in real estate, and $18,000 personal property (which included value of slaves). He was living with his wife, Margaret, and children: Elizabeth, Loverick, James, S. I. Barton, and Lucious Addison. Also in the home were Charles and Henrietta Rigsby (function in the house not specified) and Laura Snider, a governess. The 1860 slave census shows Joshua as owner of 21 slaves: 8 males, ages 40, 21, 19, 19, 15, 15, 9, 3, and 11 months ---; and 13 females, ages 50, 28, 25, 20, 19, 18, 18, 16, 14, 8, 7, 4, and 1. The agricultural census for 1860 gives a detailed account of Joshua's farm. It lists him as owner of 300 acres of improved land and 3,700 acres of unimproved land. He valued his farm implements at $150; his livestock at $900; and slaughtered animals at $250. At that time he had 4 horses, 2 asses or mules, 8 milk cows, 4 other cattle and 140 swine. Stored on his plantation were: 1,000 bushels of Indian corn; 1,300 lbs. of rice; two 400-1b. bales of cotton; 100 bushels of peas/beans; 50 bushels of barley; and 20 lbs. of cheese. The number of swine and the value of slaughtered animals would indicate that the Bair household cured considerable pork for ham and bacon. The store of rice and beans was also significant. Joshua's children, as adults, routinely consumed rice, beans, and ham as staples in their diet. The Civil War conflict swept through the Orangeburg County area. The oldest son, Loverick, age 18, enlisted. James Judson was only 14 years of age, but he begged to go also. Joshua resisted for a time, but eventually gave consent, putting the younger boy in his older brother's care. Not long after, in a skirmish with Sherman's army at Blackstock (north of Columbia near the North Carolina state line), James was hit with a "minnie ball" that went through his left arm just above the elbow, smashing the bones, then passing through his shirt, grazing the left side of his body. He related to his family that he lay for days waiting for medical care at the field hospital, fearing that he would get infection and lose his arm. There were so many in worse condition than he, that the doctor wrapped the wound with a piece of bed sheet and told him to go home. He walked all the way home.
a.
The long-term results of the injury was a partially star elbow which prohibited his
able to get his left hand to his head By the time of the 1870 census, the fortunes of the family had dramatically changed, Civil War made a significant impact The description of the location of his farm v.,: shown as in the district of the Reevesville Post Office, Cow castle Township Joshua's estate was valued at Âś2,0(X) in real property and $500 personal property Margaret his second wife was deceased Living in the same house with Joshua (now aged 0%1 were his unmarried daughter Elizabeth, and his son James. Living in a separate house &dial.= to Joshua were his sons Samuel Barton, age 17, Lucious Addison, age 14; and Lamas Berry, a black man Dunng the next 10 years, Joshua transferred ownership of his property to his children_ dividing the large holdings into smaller tracts.
children of Joshua A. and Mary (0t1)Bair: Maria (Marzia) Ann, b. 9 May 1831; m. Irvin Zeagler (Seigler), d. 18 March 1861 John, d 24 February 1833 Jacob, d. 8 October 1833 Chisier (Kiziah), b. 17 March 1835; m. Uriel Zeagler (Seigler), brother of H.---,_ both brothers from Walterboro, S.C.
Children of Joshua A. and Margaret Ann (Baltzegar) Bair: Elizabeth "Liz" (who may at times have been identified as "E.M.A. Bair",' b. 4 March 1842; never married; d. 16 December 1923 Ann, b. 22 November 1843; d. 20 December 1844, age 1 year. Loverick, b. 9 August 1845; m. Mary Rigby; d. 10 July 1893. Daniel A_, b. 13 April 1847; d. 24 July 1855, age 8 years. James Judson, b. 16 April 1849; m. Adella Mae Bonnett; d. 13 July I Q10
* Samuel L Barton, b. 9 May 1852; m. 18 April 1873 Julia Susan Bonnett• 4 December 1930 Lucious "Luke" Addison, b. 27 July 1854; m. Armenia S. Hayden, d. 5 September 1898 Joshua A. Bair died 21 January 1880 in Orangeburg County, S.C. Margaret Ann (Baltzegar) Bair died 3 November 1867. Both (plus Joshua's first wife) are honed private Ott Cemetery located in the woods beside a road on the west side of Polk 5, Bay. There are no markers.
Sources: Bair family Bible Census records: 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870 Letters from James Judson Bair (great-great grandson of Jacob Bair) and Bettie Berry (descendant of Joshua Bair and Mary Ott)
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23 Orangeburg County (1768-1868) history and Records by Daniel Marchant Culler
Land transfer records, Orangeburg County South Carolina General Assembly Reports 1843 South Carolina General Assembly Petitions 1854, 1857
Loverick (Lovick) Bair was born 9 August 1845 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, Joshua A. and Margaret Ann Baltzegar. He married Mary Rigby.
son of *
Loverick served in the Army of the Confederacy during the Civil War. After his marriage, the family lived in Dorchester County on the Edisto River. In the 1890's, typhoid fever resulted in the death of all except the following children: Edward Kistler, who died unmarried at the age of 53. Mary Ellen, who m. Castleberry Loverick Bair d. 10 July 1893. Mary (Rigby) Bair died 14 December 1897 Sources: Family records; Bair family Bible
* Samuel I. Barton Bair was born May 9, 1852 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. He was the son of * Joshua Bair, a planter who grew cotton. Although always known as "Barton", the early census records (1860 and 1870) list him as S. I. Barton. A great-grandson of Joshua Bair, who supplied some information from the family Bible, listed him as Samuel I. Barton.
He was a child during the early days of the Civil War, too young to take part in the fighting. During his childhood, a school was operated on the Bair plantation. At least for a time, the teacher lived on site. Sometimes the school served as many as 17 students. These probably included children from nearby families as well as Bair children. The Civil War dramatically changed the life of Barton and the family of which he was a part. The Bair family owned slaves whose labor enabled the plantation to be productive. After the Civil War, some of those who had been slaves prior to the war stayed as workers even after they were free. However, Joshua Bair eventually found it expedient to divide _his land and deed the smaller segments to his children, and Barton received at least one piece of property, perhaps more
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Above: Samuel I. Barton Bair (1352-1930) Julia Susan Bonnett Left: (1854-1940)
25 From Book 17. Page 485, Land records of Orangeburg County, 1880 . The State of South Carolina .. Know all men by these presents that 1, Joshua Bair of Orangeburg County in the state aforesaid, in consideration of the sum of $400 lawful money of the U. S. to me paid by Barton Bair, in the state aforesaid, have granted, bargained, sold, and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, and release unto the said Barton Bair all that lot, piece, parcel I had of land located in Orangeburg County, Cow Castle Township, bounded on the north by lands of R. A. Bowman; east by J. It Wannamaker, south by D. E. __? and Polk Swamp Bay; west by James Biar. The above recorded land was purchased by Joshua Bair at Sherriff's sale at Orangeburg County and is known as the Rainir (?) land
On April 18, 1873, Barton married * Julia Susan Bonnette, born 17 November 1854. She was the daughter of * Daniel D. Bonnette and Mary Elizabeth McMichael. Both parents pre-deceased Julia. Her mother died while she was still a small child; her father, a Confederate soldier, died in a Virginia hospital while a prisoner of war. Barton's brother James Bair hadearlier married Julia's sister, Adella.
The children of Barton and Julia Bair included: Mary Alice, b. May 19, 1874 in S.C., m. Charles William Thompson. She d. October 29, 1963 in Tulare, California * Sarah "Sallie" Emma, b. August 24, 1876 in S.C., m. Daniel Dantzler Jones. She d. July 13, 1954 in Sacramento, California Susan, b. January 19, 1880 and d. September, 1880 in S.C. Marion, b. December 12, 1883 in S.C., m. William G. Flagler. She d. November 25, 1945 in Chester, Virginia Madge (Maggie) Adelle, b. October 16, 1886 in S.C., m. Henry Francis McBride. She d. March 23, 1978 in San Jose, California Charles Edwin, b. September 22, 1890 in S.C., m. Gladys Carson. He d. July 30, 1947 in Burley, Idaho There was also a 'foster daughter" who lived with the Bairs for several years. She was: Anice Tipton, b. 15 September 1914 in Oakley, Idaho.
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Samuel I. Barton Bair (1852-1930) Julia Susan (Bonnette) Bair (1854-1940)
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daughter Maggie and her husband Frank McBride, and Barton's daughter Alice and her husband, Charles Thompson, all decided to investigate the Colony. Within a period of three or four weeks at the end of 1916, all three families arrived. There were many small cabins at the site, with one allotted to each family. The laborers were taken by bus from that area to the fields. It soon became apparent that the Colony would not survive. In only a few months many of those who had been initially interested began to move away. Some went to another Colony of the same name at Stahles, La. Charles Bair returned to the Burley, Idaho area. The Thompsons settled in the area near Tulare, California. The Bairs and McBrides traded their shares in the Colony for a dairy in Fallon, Nevada. In 1923, Barton and Julia Bair sold their share of the dairy to the McBrides and moved to Tulare, California where they built a house near their daughter Alice and remained for 3 or 4 years. They then went to Virginia where for a time they lived near their daughter Marion. Returning to Idaho, they moved to Glenns Ferry, Idaho, where they lived for a time with their daughter Sallie. Barton died 4 December1930 at Burley, Idaho where his son Charles lived; Julia died 31 May 1930 in Winnemucca, Nevada near the home of her daughter Maggie. Sources: Census records: Death certificate for Julia Susan; family letters and records: family Bible
Left: Marion Bair (1883-1945) Above: Mary Alice Bair (1874-1963)