Wren Kin

This article was published in the Wren Kin Newsletter April 1990, Vol. 1, Issue No. 2. and is reprinted here with the permission of author Ruth Wren.

According to census records, William R. Wren was born in Virginia between 1770 and 1780. We can place him in South Carolina in 1810 and 1815 for his daughter, Amelia Ann, and his son Marshall were alleged to have been born in South Carolina. We know he was in Dallas County Alabama by 1820.

I believe the other male and female enumerated in this census as over 21 years of age is his son, William, and wife, Jane — but I have no proof. He is not referred to in the will of William R. Wren but a William Wren is mentioned in Dallas County court records. This William Wren married the widow, Jane (Wardlow) Ramsey, sister of James Wardlow, in 1817 in Abbeville District, South Carolina. They emigrated to Dallas County, Alabama in 1819. According to court records, this William Wren remained in Dallas County, Alabama until 1827. (No other information).

In his will, William R. Wren referred to his wife, Sarah, who was born between 1690 and 1800. I surmise Sarah to be a second wife because William’s daughter, Elizabeth, was also born between 1790 and 1800. I have been unsuccessful in my search for his first wife or any of his South Carolina census/land/court/records.

Our William R. Wren is enumerated in the 1820 printed census of Dallas County, Alabama; pg. 395:

2 males over 21
2 males under 21
2 females over 21
2 females under 21
William R. Wren is still found in Dallas County Alabama in 1830; pg 84;

Male - age 50-60 (William R.) born 1770-1780
Male - age 15-20 (Marshall) - born ca 1815
Male - age <-5 (Richard H.) - born ca 1828
Female age 30-40 (Sarah) - born 1790-1800

18 slaves are also enumerated: 10 male; 8 female

William R. Wren probably died in May of 1838. His will was admitted to probate and recorded on 4 September 1838.

Known Children: Not in order of birth.

1. Ferriby b <1815 m Allen Driskell 25 July 1823 Dallas Co. Ala. (For some unknown reason this daughter was given only $20.00 and omitted from other bequeaths in her father’s will).
2. Polly b? ______? m Benjamin Glover 13 Aug. 1818 Clark Co. Ala.
3. Elizabeth b. 1790-1800 m Wm. McMillian (1830 census - pg 70 ; close to sisters Leanna and Amelia Ann + purchase of 80 acres of land in Dallas Co. Ala. from WILLIAM WREN in February of 1820 - Ref Deed Book A, pg 272).
4. Tappanes b. 1800-1810 m Irwin Adams (1820 census - Dallas Co. Ala., pg 85; 1840 census - Dallas County, Alabama, pg 78. (She is enumerated as a widow with 8 children in 1840 census).
5. Leanna/Dianna b <1810 m Matthew McMillan 7 April 1825 Dallas County, Alabama. She is enumerated in the census of Dallas County, Alabama - pg 78 with husband and 3 male children.
6. Amelia Ann (Milly) b ca 1810 in SC m Aaron Hoot. Enumerated on pg 86, Dallas Co. Ala. census of 1830. Petition to sell land (pg 267 - June Term 1858 - Dallas County, Alabama Deed Records) names the following children: Susan (m Samuel Derrick and of full age), Charles W., Francis M. and Louisa D. Hoot (minors under the age of 21).
7. MARSHALL b ca 1815 S.C. m MARY A. COLEMAN ca 1833 DAL CO ALA DESCENDANTS AND OTHER INFORMATION WILL BE IN OUR JULY ISSUE.
8. Richard H.b. ca 1829 m Mary E. d 1911 Neal, TX; Civil War Veteran; Hood’s Texas Brigade - “Big Dick” Wren. He is enumerated on pg 276 (663/663) of the 1850 census of Dallas County, Alabama; emigrated to Texas - Fannin Co. 1860; Brazos Co. 1870. Children: William M., Sarah W. (m Wm Harmon ca 1868), Clarence Alfred, Richard M., Florence, Mary L. and Thomas S.

Information from will of William R. Wren; census of Dallas Co., Ala. 1820, 30, 40, 50; Fannin County, TX 1860; Brazos Co TX 1870; court, deed, and marriage records of Dallas Co. Ala.