•Part 7
Richard James Warner (1804-1832) was the child of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner (1772-1833) and his wife Tabitha Cargill Warner (1776-1854). The Warner lineage was set forth in Dr. E. Russ Williams, Jr.'s book "Kinsmen All Descendants of Wettenhall Warner and Related Families," which is my sole source for this series of columns on the Warner family.
Dr. Williams aptly described Richard Warner as one of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner's "preacher sons." A cavalcade of them. Though Richard's life was short, his contribution was significant. As was explained in Dr. Williams's book, one letter - dated February 5, 1826 - survived to tell his remarkable life story. From Washington Parish, Richard penned the missive to Rev. John P. Haney, who was a good friend at the time and who eventually became his brother-in-law, in Winchester, Wayne County, Mississippi. It is important to note that the planned meeting house, constructed by Col. Warner for his preacher sons, "three quarters of a Mile below" referred to near the end of the letter is what became known as "Warner's Church," and according to Dr. Williams was the start of the Methodist faith here. In the letter, which at the time of Dr. Williams's writing was owned by Mrs. Carroll (Martina Ellis) Buck in Amite, Richard Warner described how he, his siblings, and his mother "got religion."
Promising his own prayer, he asked for Rev. Haney's prayers and presence, also. One of the latter lines in the letter read, "[Y]ou mentioned in your letter that you thought it would be very uncertain whether you ever would see me again Certainly it is uncertain for life is uncertain & death is Certain but I flatter myself with the hope of seeing you again next fall on Bogue Chitto please to write often & let us know how you are doing & state to us how you like that section of the country & the inhabitants therin [sic] contained. The family at large wishes to be remembered to you sentments [sic] of esteem."
It's such a poignant, spiritual letter, and it defines the times, in the early 19th century. Religion remained of primary importance. Communication was by letter. Distance was a detriment to visiting and seeing family. Yet, family was at the forefront. They longed for correspondence from one another. And friends often became family.
Mary "Polly" Pamelia Warner (1806-1889) was the next child of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner and wife Tabitha. She was wed, by Rev. John P. Haney, to Benjamin Kendrick (1807-1893) on January 18, 1828. Their firstborn was Sarah Elizabeth Kendrick who, born in 1829, married Asbury Harper, and had children Frankie, Mary (Tullis), and Betty (Prichard). Their second born was Dr. Cornelius George Washington Kendrick who, born in 1831, never married.
Their next son Benjamin John Pipkin Kendrick, born in 1836, married Frances Ann Blankinship. The couple had a son William Dudley Kendrick who wed Maude Jeannette Ballard. Benjamin John Pipkin Kendrick served in the Civil War as did the brother who followed him, Dr. William Thomas Warner Kendrick, born in 1833. The good doctor married Sue Hathorn, and they were without issue.
Daughter Tabitha Margaret Kendrick came along next, born in 1838 to Mary "Polly" Pamelia Warner and husband Benjamin Kendrick. She married Thomas Owen, and they had children George, Eugene, and Duetta. Son David Dudley Kendrick was born next, in 1840. A Civil War veteran, he married the widow of his brother Benjamin John Pipkin Kendrick - Frances Ann Blankinship. The couple had the following children: Maggie Elizabeth Kendrick, who married Ben Kimball, first, and Mac Tidwell, second; Addie Emily Kendrick, who married Robert L. Jackson; Amelia (Pamelia) Harriet Kendrick, who married Luther Thompson; Daniel Richard Kendrick, who served in the Confederacy and died at the age of 19 in the Civil War; Emily Matilda Delia Kendrick, who born in 1849 died early; and Francis Holly Kendrick, who born in 1852 also died early, the same as her sister Emily.
John Bickham Warner (1807-1843) was the ninth child of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner and wife Tabitha. Born in St. Helena Parish, he resided both there and Washington Parish until he moved to Covington with his mother in the winter of 1842, shortly before his leave-taking. The obituary of Rev. John B. Warner revealed his devout Methodist faith, which he professed in 1825. Sadly, he had been afflicted with some illness since the age of eight. But he was undeterred and held in high esteem.
Hetty Harriett Warner (1809-1851), the tenth child of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner and wife Tabitha, never married, staying with her mother for forty-two years. Her final resting place is unknown though possibly at the old home place near Warnerton or in the Pipes Cemetery.
Tabitha Emily Warner (1811-1890), the next child of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner and wife Tabitha, was born in St. Tammany Parish. She married Judge Ezekiel Parke Ellis (1807-1884), and they kindly took in most of her sisters in their old age. Both Judge and Mrs. Ellis died at the family homestead in Amite, about six years apart.
The couple had the following offspring: Thomas Cargill Warner Ellis, who born in 1836 was a distinguished lawyer, law professor at Tulane University, District Attorney, officer in the Confederate forces, State Senator, and District Court Judge, and married Martina Hamilton; Nancy H. W. Ellis, who died as an infant in 1838; Tabitha S. Ellis, who died as an infant in 1838; Mary Elizabeth Ellis, who married Rev. John Ellis; Ezekiel John Ellis, a Congressman who married Josephine Chamberlain; Stephen Dudley Ellis who married Josephine Alsworth, first, and Amanda Davis, second; Emily Margaret Ellis, who born in 1848 died 1916; and Ellen Olivia Ellis, who born in 1852 died young in 1873.
George Washington Warner (1814-1830), the next to youngest child of Col. Thomas Cargill Warner and wife Tabitha, died at the young age of sixteen. He was buried at Warnerton in the Warner Cemetery.
