Isaac Wesley Allred was born on May 17, 1844, in Randolph County, North Carolina. His father Anderson Allred was 34 and his mother Sabina McMasters Allred was 30. Isaac Wesley was born during a presidential election. The election was between James Polk and Henry Clay. James Polk was a dark horse, Democratic candidate who was born in Pineville, North Carolina, near Charlotte. His family moved to Tennessee when he was a child and he was an Andrew Jackson protégé. Henry Clay was the better known candidate and was endorsed by the local Asheboro paper, Southern Citizen.
The main issue in the 1844 election was whether to allow the slave-holding state of Texas into the Union. James Polk strongly adopted the policy of Manifest Destiny which contended that the expansion of the United States throughout the American Continent was justifiable and inevitable. Henry Clay waffled on Texas annexation and lost votes in key states because of immigration issues and identification with a nativist anti-Catholic movement, particularly in Philadelphia and New York where there were riots against the Irish Catholics. James Polk narrowly won the election and like Donald Trump in the 2016 election was a dark-horse winner who failed to carry their state of residency. Polk lost Tennessee by 123 votes. Trump lost his state of residency, New York by a whopping 1.8 million votes. Both Polk and Trump also had contentious relationships with Mexico. Under Polk’s watch, there was the Mexican American War from 1846-1848. Trump campaigned on bringing back manufacturing jobs and Polk campaigned on bringing back farming jobs.
So the times that Isaac Wesley Allred were born in were in many ways similar to the times we have today. However, they were much simpler and basic. The commodities or items to be purchased were fewer and more basic as seen by this May 22, 1844 listing for the Asheboro market from The Southern Citizen.
Isaac Wesley’s life appears to have been very much centered around family as his next door neighbors were all part of his close family (paternal and maternal grandparents).
One of Isaac Wesley’s cousins had become caught up the Texas War for Independence. According to an article published by the East Texas Genealogical Society (East Texas Family Records, Summer 1986, Vol 8, No. 2 by Leila B Lagrone). Elijah was the son of William and Patience Julian Allred of Randolph County, North Carolina.
“Elijah heard Sam Houston’s plea for volunteers; and he left for Texas. He was 34 years old and single. He rode to Texas on “his good horse Shirk” and his equipment and provisions included a blanket, a rifle, an axe, a frying pan, a sack of corn meal and a slab of bacon. A descendant, S.T. Allison, said, “It must have been the close of 1835 or beginning of 1836 when Elijah, with a few dollars in his pocket, left the home of William and Patience Allred, in North Carolina, to go to Texas to fight for her independence.”
Upon reaching Nacogdoches in 1836, he learned that Texas had won independence; so he moved northward along Trammel Trace until he found unclaimed land that suited his fancy, “off Trammel’s Trace to the East in what is now the community of Fairplay, in late 1836.” Here he built his first home, his closest neighbor being the Reverend Isaac Reed family, four miles south.
He chose his home site among pines just north of present Fairplay. He bought land from Lewis Sanchez and built a cabin of small logs or poles which he could manage by himself. This was the first house built in that community.
Wild game was plentiful, but he needed bread, so he cleared a patch and planted corn. When the corn was gathered, he rode Shirk to Elder Reed’s or to Nacogdoches, some forty five miles away for grinding. He became closely associated with people at Reed’s Settlement when he and Isaac Reed Jr., married sisters, daughters of Abner Herrin.”
Elijah’s two brothers, Stephen and Renee also followed him from Randolph County, North Carolina to Texas. By 1845, all three of the brothers were living and raising a family in Texas. Renee became the great-grandfather of Governor James V. Allred of Texas.
In the 1850 census, seven year old “Wesley” as he is referred to is House #1232 in the Northern Division of Randolph County. He is living with his 41-year-old father Anderson Allred and his thirty-seven-year-old mother, Sabina McMasters Allred. He also has six brothers and sisters: Elisha, age 18, Rachel, age 13, Edith, age 11, Nancy, age 9, Catherine age 5 and Ann (Kiss ReeAnn). According to the census, Elisha, Rachel, Edith and Nancy could all read. The real estate value of the farm was $340. Anderson Allred had purchased 100 acres of land on the waters of Deep River for $5 from the State of North Carolina (Randolph County Register of Deeds Book 23, page 28). The land joined Isaac (presumably Elisha’s father) and John Allred’s line.
Next door in House #1233 was his grandfather Isaac Allred. Isaac was living with his wife Rachel Trogdon Allred and his daughter Rachel. Also living with them was his sister (not proven), Deanna Allred. Also living with Isaac and Rachel was daughter Mary “Polly” Allred Jennings and her husband David Jennings with children Alson, Nancy, Adrian, Peter, Mary and Ruben. The real estate value of Isaac’s farm was $600.
Other neighbors included House #1231 where Samuel Hayes lived with his wife Elizabeth York and their children. Samuel was a farmer with real estate worth $100. His son Lewis was a shoemaker and son Gasden was a blacksmith. Samuel was related to Sabina McMasters Allred through his mother who was Nancy McMasters, daughter of Irish immigrant James McMasters and his wife, Susan Cann.
In House #1234 lived Henry Branson Allred with his wife Eunice Leonard Allred and their baby. In House #1235, Isaac Wesley’s maternal grandparents lived. Elisha McMasters and wife Dinah Hinshaw McMasters lived there with their son Thomas Yancey. Isaac Wesley’s Uncle Emsley McMasters (his mother’s brother) lived in House #1236 with his wife Rebecca Kendricks McMasters and their children.
Sadly, Isaac’s father Anderson died in January 1851. He is buried at the Billy Trogdon burying ground on Row 9, Grave 1 (Photograph courtesy of Lance, Find Grave).
His baby sister Kiss ReeAnn died May 31, 1851. She too is buried at the Billy Trogdon burying ground. (Photograph courtesy of Lance, Find A Grave).
According to the Federal Mortality Schedule, Isaac Wesley’s grandfather, Isaac Allred died in August of 1859. He was 81-years-old and died of palsy after being ill nine days.
In the 1860 census, sixteen-year old Isaac Wesley is living with his mother who is a 40 year-old female farmer with $200 worth of real estate and $300 personal estate. They are living in Household 1046 in Randolph County County with a Cedar Falls post office. Living with Sabina McMasters Allred are children Rachel (21), Edith (20) Sabra (14) and Eddy (6). Also living with her is her niece Angeline McMasters who is listed as a factory hand. It is not clear if Eddy is the child of Sabina and an unknown male, child of Anderson or perhaps child of Rachel.
Living next door in Household 1045 is Sabina and Anderson’s oldest son, Elisha Franklin Allred. He has married Finity Williams. Living with them is Luvenia McMasters (Angeline’s sister) who is listed as a factory hand. In Household 1048 is Hezekiah Trogdon and his wife Lavicy Allred Trogdon. Hezekiah is a wagonmaker and does not own any real estate.
In Household 1049 is Isaac Wesley’s 82 year-old grandmother Rachel Trogdon Allred. She is living with her 40-year old unmarried daughter, Rachel. She is listed as having $700 worth of real estate property and $1,000 worth of personal items. Rachel Trogdon Allred died in 1866. Her nephew, Joel Trogdon was her executor. She left her estate worth about $100 to her three surviving daughters, Lavina Allred Diffee, Mary Allred Jennings, and Rachel Allred. She left Lavinia a bed and furniture, Mary a side saddle, and Rachel, her unmarried daughter who later married Julius Cicero Gregson a black horse, farming tools, growing crops and provisions, sheep and hogs, and any other property.
Around 1865, Isaac Wesley married Mary Ann Jennings, a nearby neighbor and the niece of his Uncle by Marriage David Jennings who was married to Mary Polly Allred. Mary Ann was the daughter of Nancy Jennings who apparently never married but had several children by Gabriel Lamb.
In December 1868, Isaac Wesley received 28 acres on Gabriel Creek as his share of his father and grandfathers 200 acres which was divided among his brother and sisters. Gabriels Creek is up above Cedar Falls on Deep River.
In September 1869, Isaac purchased 50 acres of land for $200 on the west side of Deep River adjoining William Diffee. He purchased the land from Caroline and John W. Glascow. In December of that year, the family experienced sadness as sister Sabra Catherine Allred Ferree died in December 1869 when Isaac Wesley was 25 years old. Sabra was twenty-two years old and died of consumption of the bowels. Her baby daughter, Rosanna Ferree had died in November of hives. Sabra’s husband, Mebane Causey Ferree was a widower at age 21.
By the census of 1870, Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann Jennings had set up housekeeping. They lived in Household #167 in Franklinville, Randolph County, North Carolina. He was a farmer with $800 in real estate and $375 in personal property. Mary Ann was a domestic, looking after five-year-old Daniel Julian Allred. His nearest neighbors were his brother and mother. Brother Elisha Franklin and his wife, Finity were Household #166. Along with their children, twenty-five year old Mary Kinney was living with them. Mary Kinney was the daughter of Sabina McMaster Allred’s sister, Nancy who had died in 1860. Elisha had $300 in real estate and $300 in personal property. Isaac Wesley’s mother Sabina McMasters Allred was living in Household #165 with unmarried daughters Rachel and Nancy who worked in the factory. Rosanna Kinney, Mary’s sister was also living with her aunt and working in the factory. Also in the household were two farm laborers, Thomas and Eli Allred age 16 and 14. There was also a black domestic servant named Hannah Bray living there.
Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann’s second son Ensey Worth was born on October 30, 1870. Isaac Wesley Allred bought 170 acres on Bush Creek for $505 at a Sheriff’s auction on January 18, 1871. The bid was passed down from Dale Henry, Mines Hinshaw to Isaac. His neighbors were James Odell and John T. Allred. Isaac Wesley moved his family there and this is what was known as the Old Isaac Wesley Allred homeplace.
Isaac’s son Albion Wesley was born in 1874. His sister, Edith died in 1876. She was the widow of Henderson Kinney but had recently married Eli Cagle in 1873. Edith was 37 years old when she died. Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann Allred had their final child (a girl) in 1878. She was named Louie Henrietta.
In the 1880 census, thirty-six year old Isaac Wesley Allred was listed as a farmer. His wife Mary Ann was keeping house. The two oldest sons Daniel Julian and Ensey Worth attended school and Daniel Julian was also listed as a farm laboroer. The youngest two children six-year old Albion and two year old Louie did not attend school. The Household was #47 in the Franklinville District 14. In Household #46 the family of Oliver P. Hays was living. His wife was Mary Ann Jennings Hays. She was the daughter of David Jennings and Mary “Polly” Allred. She was cousin to Isaac Wesley on the Allred side and cousin to Mary Ann Jennings Allred on the Jennings side. In Household #48 William Y. Allred and his wife Mary Ann Trogdon Allred was living. He was the son of John T. (maybe the T stood for Tennessee) and Mary Polly York. In Household #49 was living eighty-two year old James Odell with housekeeper Nancy Allred and son Hallie. Nancy was probably the daughter of John T. Allred and the sister of William Y. Allred.
In October of 1881, Isaac Wesley Allred bought 63 acres of Angeline Trogdon’s land in foreclosure bid for $230. The land on was on Bush Creek near M T Pugh, I W Allred, Emsley Trogdon, Dushkine, and John Trogdon Sr. In December of 1882, Isaac Wesley’s sister Racheal died. She was forty-three. In October of 1883, Isaac Allred bought 14 acres from John M. Trogdon for $60. The land joined Hayes corner on Lick Branch. In June of 1885, Isaac Wesley’s older brother Elisha Franklin Allred died. Elisha was fifty-three.
On July 24, 1886 Isaac Wesley Allred took a mortgage deed from a black family, Andy and Martha Foust and Gaston Lane for a $118 bond due in year and $10 interest payment. The loan was backed by a mortgage deed on 157 acres which joined Isaac Allred’s corner on Deep River. This was a pattern that continued for Isaac Wesley Allred for the rest of his life. He would loan his neighbors money on their land, securing it with a mortgage deed and a bond requiring payment in a short period of time (usually one year) and paying interest of usually six percent. Sometimes he would do as many as a half a dozen of these loans in a year.
In February of 1887, Isaac Allred purchased 74 acres from the estate of James Odell, his neighbor. This deed was not recorded until 1927 when his estate was being settled by his wife and children.
In May of 1891, Isaac Wesley and Mary Jane Allred sold the 50 acres of land they purchased in 1869 from Caroline and John W. Glascow for $200, breaking even. The land adjoined AM Diffie and Luke Cross. It was sold to family members. The purchaser was Ellieth Kinney. Martha Ella “Ellieth” Campbell Kinney married Thomas Frederick Kinney, grandson of Isaac’s aunt Nancy McMasters who was married to Simpson Kinney.
Isaac Wesley’s mother Sabina passed away on July 22, 1891, in Cedar Falls, North Carolina, at the age of 77. She was a widow for forty years. Her husband, Anderson died in 1851. She is buried at Cedar Falls Baptist Church Cemetery.
In the 1900 census, Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann Allred continue to live at their Bush Creek Homeplace in Franklinville Township. All of the boys have left home leaving only twenty-two year old Louie. The census says that Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann had been married thirty-four years and they had four children during that period of time, all of who were living. All of the members of the household could read and write. Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann’s Household was #279. Living next door in Household #277 was Nancy Allred and her son Hallie. Household #278 was Widower Charles Richard Hurly and his children. Household #280 was George Pugh and Ida Smith Pugh. Isaac and Mary Ann’s sons lived in the same Census District 86 in Franklinville Township. Their Household numbers were #312 for Daniel Julian and his family for a rented home, Household #317 for Ensey Worth and his family for a rented house and #318 for Albion Wesley and his family for a rented house.
Isaac continued his pattern of loaning money on deeds of property during the decade between 1900 and 1910 and in 1910, he sold the timber on his property to AM Davis whose home was near liberty.
In the 1910 census, Isaac Wesley, Mary Ann, and Louie were Household #124 in East Franklinville District 85. Isaac reported he was a farmer and that he and his wife had been married 45 years. This census also stated that Isaac Wesley was a member of the Confederate Army but I have found no other evidence he served in the Confederate Army. Isaac’s neighbors are Household #125 Nathan Hays and his family and Household #123 Wilson Davis and his family. Isaacs son’s Albion and his family lived in a rented house in Household #126 and Ensey Worth lived in a rented house in Household #121. His son Daniel Julian lived further away as he was working in the cotton mill. He lived in Household #286.
The Courier Tribune reported in March of 1911 that Isaac Allred was building a store building at the crossroads close to his house.
In the 1920 census, Isaac Wesley and Mary Ann are 75 and are still living at the homeplace in Franklinville Township. According to the census, their farm is free of mortgage. Living with them is forty-year- old Louie. His neighbors are still the Hurleys, Pughs and the Davises. His son Albion lives close by in Household #204 in a rented home. Albion lives in Household #190 in an owned home, and Daniel Julian lives in a rented home in Household #234.
On November 25, 1925, Isaac Wesley’s last surviving sibling died. His sister Nancy Leah Allred Frazier died in Marshall Indiana. She was 73 years old and had been a resident of Indiana since the 1870’s when she and her family moved there.
Isaac Wesley Allred, the last surviving child of Anderson Allred and Sabina McMasters Allred died on March 26, 1926 at his home three miles north of Cedar Falls. The following is his obituary which appeared in The Courier Tribune,
Isaac Wesley continued to loan money on mortgage deeds up until his death. His sons Ensey Worth and Albion settled some of them after he was deceased.
After the death of Isaac Wesley Allred, mother Mary Jennings Allred and son Daniel Julian Allred and his wife signed over the bulk of the land that he owned to sons Albion Wesley and Ensey Worth Allred. Albion got the 63 acres purchased on Bush Creek on October of 1881 and Ensey Worth got 74 acres purchased from James Odell.
Isaac Wesley was buried at the Whites Memorial Baptist church along with his wife Mary Ann Jennings Allred who died the next year on April 12, 1927.
The couple are buried in the White Memorial Baptist Church, their home church. Photograph is from Find a Grave’s Polly Fry Hagerman.
Children of the couple are:
Daniel Julian Allred 1866-1935 married Nancy Jane Elmore 1863-1933
Ensey Worth Allred 1870-1956 married Carrie Lee Odell 1870-1925
Albion Wesley Allred 1874-1952 married Carrie Ethel Johnson 1873-1947
Louie Henrietta Allred 1878-1954
After Isaac Wesley’s death, Daniel Julian Allred signed over his remaining portion of the homeplace to Ensey Worth Allred and Albion Wesley Allred. It was for $10 and other valuable consideration. Those consideration included the future care and support of sister Louie. Sister Louie outlived all of her brothers except Ensey Worth who lived two years longer.
References available at Rogers Family Tree on Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/34712803/family
and at Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCRN-Z9M
Martha's Family Connections 