Without a known journal or family bible the U.S. Federal Census is a great story teller for those born in the early 1800’s.   Beginning in 1840, we know that Clabourn M. STYLES lived in Campbell County, Georgia as evidenced in the following census of that year:

Can you find Claiborne M. Styles in this 1840 U.S. Federal Census of Campbell County, GA?

In the 1840’s, the United States Census only listed the name of the head of household, in this case,  Clabourn M. Styles.  It then listed people in the home by age group and whether male or female.

By 1850, the Census included the names, ages, and birthplaces of all members of the household.  We find his wife’s name is Nancy and was also born in South Carolina.  She cannot read or write.  Clabourn is listed as a farmer with $3500 of real estate.  Often there are discrepancies in the spelling of names, in large part due to the individual census worker who wrote the names.  Notice that one daughter of Clabourn and Nancy was named ‘Celia’.  This name is generational and helps secure the connection to Clabourn’s mother.  Daughter Caroline is the ancestor that married William H. HOPKINS.

The 1850 U.S. Census of Campbell County GA listing all members of the household.

Another record of Clabourn STYLES is found in the Slave Schedule of 1850 in Campbell County, GA.  It lists the slaves by age, sex, and cumulative value, but not by name.  His father’s will states the names of several slaves given to him and his siblings.  Perhaps some of the slaves in this schedule are the ones bequeathed. . . subject for a future post.

Burial grounds are great sources of information.  Here in Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery in Palmetto, GA is found the birth and death dates of Clabourn.  Born 11 July 1800 and died 4 August 1876.

Gravesite of Clabourn M. STYLES

Photo by Judy K. Brantley/Wilson of FindaGrave.com

Photo by Guy Shaw on FindaGrave.com

Ramah Baptist Church in Palmetto, Fulton, GA Photo by Cheryl Wright Kemptner on FindaGrave.com