WILLIAM NASH (b. 1810-1820, d. aftr 1880)      

Born between 1810-1820, during the presidential terms of James Madison and James Monroe, respectively. He was born in North Carolina. William moved with his parents William and Lucy (and the rest of his family) to White County, Tennessee. William was between the ages of 13 and 23 when the move was made. He married Elizabeth Felts in White County on July 6, 1842. Elizabeth Felts Nash was born in Tennessee. The marriage was officiated by Shadrach Price, Esq. They were a farming family with at least ten children, eventually. Also in 1842 (December 24^th), a William Nash purchased 135 acres for $500.00 from F. Elmore, Deed Book N-311. This may have been either William Nash the father or William Nash the son. Within a year of that date, a William Nash sold a 138 acre tract and paid $80.00 to settle a debt with two men in Deed Book N-337. Could this debt have had to be settled because of the death of William the father? 

William’s father (William) had probably died by 1850, leaving his mother Lucy to tend house. On August 8, 1847, a William Nash bought a 135 tract of land for $300.00 from J. Allison. In 1849, the White County Tax Records show that William Nash paid taxes on 373 acres in the 7^th Civil District and the property was valued at $900.00.  Looking at the 1850 Census data, it reveals that the Nashes were all living near each other, for mutual support it can be presumed. Unfortunately, by 1861 several liens were put on the land owned by William Nash. By 1865, William Nash had paid taxes on his then 235 acres of land valued at $300.00.  In 1867, William and his brother Allen Dirgin Nash both paid the poll tax on William’s 235 acres which had increased in value to $350.00. Finally, in 1868, William Nash sold his 235 acres for $485.00 according to Deed Book V-421.

The 1870 United States Federal Census for White County, Tennessee (District 7) finds the Nash families still near each other. William and Elizabeth (BK# 1194) have nine children at home with them ranging in ages from 4 to 24.  There is Milly, Absolom, Lucy Jane, Nicholas, Nancy, John, William, Babe, and Sampson. Interesting to note that their 21 year old son Absolom, is listed as “insane” in the census. One son of William and Elizabeth not in the home is- Edmond (my direct line). He is living nearby (BK#1177) with his wife Susannah and two children.                                                                          

Edmond is 23 years old. Allen Dirgin Nash and his wife Sarah are living at BK-1195. They have five children at home ranging in ages from 2 to 14. There is George, Jesse, William, James, and John. Over at BK-1193, widowed Lucy is living with three children, as earlier noted. There is another Nash as a head of household listed living at BK-1192. She is 30 year old Mary Nash. She has three children with her: Mary, age 9, Dirgin (sound familiar?) age 7, and James, age 3. Is she widowed? Is she divorced? There can be no doubt that she was part of our Nash clan. Nash family members have speculated that she had been married either to George or Linsey Nash- both sons of William and Lucy Nash. Years later, Allen Dirgin Nash mentioned her in a deed in Dickson County.  

The 1880 United States Federal Census contains the last entry for William Nash. He is cited as a farmer. His age is given at 73 years. This would place his birth at around 1807, contrary to other sources which place his birth between 1810-1820. Such is genealogy! It also places his birth as North Carolina. However, it shows his father as having been born in Virginia. This is the reason some believe he was born there instead of North Carolina. This is possible of course. However, given the fact that his father Joseph and grandfather John resided in North Carolina, my vote opts for that State. In 1880, William and Elizabeth are still keeping home in White County, Tennessee. The census is for District 11. It gives Elizabeth’s age as 67 and notes that she has dysentery. Dysentery is an illness involving severe diarrhea that is often associated with blood in the feces. It is caused by ingestion of food containing bacteria. Sampson, their 14 year old son is also noted as having the illness. Also living in the home are: Milly, 40 years old and single, Nancy, 26 years old and single, John, 21 years old and single, Billie (son), 20 years old and single, Babe (son), 18 years old,  and two grandchildren, George M., 8 years old, and Lee Ann, 10 months old. They are the children of William and Elizabeth’s daughter Nancy (also living in the home as listed). Apparently, Nancy Nash had both children out of wedlock. One Nash descendent shows her as eventually getting married to a George Washington Williamson circa 1884 in Tennessee. Whether or not he is the father of the two children George and Lee Ann, it is not known to me. Is it only a coincidence that her future husband and current (at that time) 8 year old son are both named George?  Elizabeth Felts Nash is also not listed in a census after 1880. I have not been able to find the dates of death for William or Elizabeth, nor where they are buried. One Nash relative has William as having died and buried in Putnam County. She can cite no proof of her claim. More likely, both died and are buried in White County where they lived and raised their family for so long. This could be a job for a future Nash researcher. My guess is that they were, like so many, buried perhaps in a little family graveyard on their property at that time- and now are “lost.”