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The
OWNBYS: Ownebe, Oadby, Oneby, Ownebye, Onby, Onebie, de Ouneby, de
Ouresby, de Outhenby, de Ouensby, de Oudeby, (Pick a spelling)
Much has been speculated regarding the origins of the name Ownby,
Owenby, Oneby and Owensby. Ancient records date back to Lincolnshire,
Rutland, and most prolific Leicestershire, England. The earliest
notation is: THOMAS ONDEBY, "SHERIFF OF RUTLAND IN 1156"
In "A History of the County of Leicester" edited by R A McKinley, Vol
IV, 1958, is the mention of Roger de Oadby who held land in Gumley
(next door to Oadby) in 1279, such land remained in the hands of the
Oadby family, lords of Oadby until the early 16th century. Roger's grandson married a Barbazon , and a several times great grandaughter was the Mother of Nathan Wrighte (Lord Chancellor of London)
From
a Pedigree entered in the Visitation of London, 1634, by John Oneby and
Humphrey Oneby, now remaining in the College of Arms (C. 24. sol.
593.b.); compared with another, which was entered at the Visitation of
Leicestershire, 1681, at the ------ of dame Mercie Oneby, relative of
Sir John Oneby; and of John Oneby, an attorney, Lord of the manor of
Barwell (K.2.p.84).
The American Ownby/Ownbey/Owenby
tree originates in the mid 1600's when Arthur Onby, William Onesby,
Edward Onbrey, Marmaduke Onesby, Robert Onsby, Stephen Onesby,
Elizabeth Ownsby, Mary Ownbey, John Ownbey, and Mary Ownby all migrated
to America. It is believed that Arthur is the common ancestor of the
American Ownbys, (although I kinda like Marmaduke).
Most of them were illiterate and there is very little written history.
Even after the Owenby's moved to America the name was spelled however
the person writing it down chose to spell it. You will find Owensby,
Ownby and Ownbey.
The
direct line is in question regarding origin, but my line knows for sure
that Walter Ownby was the son of Thomas and had several children. Three
of them married Cheek siblings.
Walter's son Edward B Ownby and Mary Jane Cheek moved from Orange Co,
NC to Sumner Co, TN where Edward B "Neddy" owned land in 1820. By 1827
they were in Marshall Co, TN where Mary Jane died. Her 6 children
inherited her portion of her father's estate, and there was a court
battle with some of her siblings. Neddy remarried to Nancy Perkins in
1835 and had 3 more children. Nancy died in 1845 and Neddy married a
third time to Martha L Fisher who was 35 years his junior. They had one
son and moved to Carrol Co., TN where Neddy died in 1865 at the ripe
old age of 73.
Eli Craig Ownby was the oldest son of Neddy and Mary Jane. He married
Nancy Carol Winstead in 1839. Eli and Nancy had a successful farm and
11 children when Civil War broke out in Middle Tennessee. In 1861 their
oldest daughter was married and gone from home and their 4 oldest sons
left to fight in the war. Nancy died in 1862 (probably from
complications of the birth of her last child in 1861). The oldest
children were gone and that left 12 year old Lizzie to tend the
children and the farm. Eli was still alive but was captured by the
invading Northern Forces and held captive for 2 weeks and never
regained his mind and stamina.
After serving in the Civil War, Watterson Knox Polk Ownby came home to
Bedford Co., Tennessee to find his mother dead and the farm in ruins.
His 15 year old sister, Lizzie told him "I'll manage the children and
you run the farm". So the two took charge of the other 9 children. In
1873, Watt married Martha Jane Taylor, daughter of Anderson Taylor and
Nancy Canaday , and Lizzie married Martha's brother Jefferson Taylor the
same day. The oldest daughter Mary married Leroy Brown and stayed in
the Murfreesboro area and Samuel Mortimer married Ruthie Springer Smith
and stayed in the Woodbury area. The remainder of Eli and Nancy family
(including Eli) moved to Texas around 1882. The stroy is that it thook
them 3 trips to move everyone and everything from Tennessee to Texas.
Andrew Jackson settled in Savoy, TX. Eli Jr, settled in Chillicothe,
TX. Sterling Green McAllister settled in Detroit, TX. Henry McGrew
settled in Era, TX. Watt settled in Kentucky Town and Lizzie in Pilot
Grove, TX. Margaret Emily married James Knox Polk Spangler and they
moved back to Tennessee when their daughter died to take care of their
grandchildren. Queen Ann Matilda never married and was the much beloved
Aunt Queen to all of her nieces and nephews and spent her life moving
from one sibling's home to another.
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