Notes for Mary Flavilla Alexander




			The Ancestors of D O N N A J O Y J O H N S O N of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Notes for Mary Flavilla Alexander

I received - through the will of my Uncle Gilmer Wentz - a cross stitch sampler worked by Mary Flavilla. It is quite faded, but very readable. After a series of four worked alphabets (all in different scripts) she stitched this little poem,
"May I choose the better way
Think on God and watch and pray,
Study to be good and wise
Aim at heaven and win the prize."
Across the bottom, it says, "Mary F. Alexander's sampler worked in the 16th year of her age. 1827." There is a border of flowers and leaves in small white pots worked all around the sampler. [Marge Dawson, 20 January 1999]

[letter written 11 March 1999]
Joe & John (and Bud),
My 'gut' feeling is that Mary Flavilla ALEXANDER was the daughter of John Garrison ALEXANDER and Elizabeth LEMMOND.
As far as I know, there is only circumstantial evidence of this. But, for my money, there is a lot of circumstantial evidence.
Mary's husband, Silas ORR was executor for both John Garrison ALEXANDER (d 1827) and Elizabeth Lemmond ALEXANDER (d c 1834). Silas was guardian to the young daughters of this couple after their death a few years apart. I have learned that Silas was also executor for the estate of Jane/Jean LEMMOND nee McCULLOCH, mother of Elizabeth Lemmond ALEXANDER (and perhaps the
grandmother of Mary Flavilla ALEXANDER.)
Another tantalizing bit of evidence - Cunningham Miller ORR, son of Silas ORR and Mary Flavilla ALEXANDER resided with his Aunt (recorded relationship) Susan MILLER when the census was taken in 1870 and 1880. In 1860, the census lists A. C. and Susan MILLER. In 1870, Susan MILLER and
Cunningham Miller ORR are living in the same household (Andrew has passed away). In 1880, Cunningham was named as the head of the household, which consisted of his wife, children, and Aunt Susan MILLER. I believe that Susan MILLER was Susan Clarissa ALEXANDER who married Andrew C. MILLER (from her father's estate, Susan C. MILLER, daughter, named as orphan of John Garrison ALEXANDER.)
Also, the oldest son of Silas ORR and Mary Flavilla ALEXANDER was named John Garrison Alexander ORR.
Andrew C. MILLER is buried alongside John Garrison Alexander ORR and wife Leah MONTEITH at Sugaw Creek Church.
Well, I've almost convinced myself that I should show this as my hypothesized relationship, until someone proves me wrong!!!
Joe, does any of this ring true with what you have found? If you can help prove this, my everlasting praise and gratitude. (My firstborn child is spoken for.)
I would like to learn the parents of John Garrison ALEXANDER. Haven't found any good leads on him.
[signed] Donna J. Johnson

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