by Rocky Macy
ROARK Update: Last December one of the Rootbound columns dealt exclusively with the family of William Carroll and Comfort (POE) ROARK who brought their children to this corner of the world in the 1850's. Originally settling in Granby Township, the group soon pulled up stakes and moved further westward in Newton County. Their descendants have fanned out across the Ozarks, and, if the Rootbound mailbag is any indication, from coast-to-coast as well.
Rootbound readers were promised more ROARK information as it became available. What follows are historical snipets that have arrived from various sources since the original column ran. This material is not offered as verified facts, but simply as points of departure from which others may wish to explore. Proceed with caution...it's not genealogy until it's proven!
William Carroll ROARK was probably the son of William ROARK (born ca. 1796, Sumner County, TN) and Dica (Dicey) JENT (born ca. 1798, Wake County, NC). William and Dica each supposedly died in Newton County, MO, in the mid-19th century. Some of their children included included William Carroll, Elizabeth (married George CLIBURN on 3 April 1841 in Allen County, KY), Jane (born ca. 1832), Wilson (born ca. 1829, married Elizabeth Jane CALVERT on 7 Dec 1848 in Allen County, KY, died prior to 1866), Wiley B. (born 22 Jan 1838, married Rebecca CHITWOOD, died 6 Oct 1889), and Smith ROARK (born ca. 1839).
The children of William and Dica (JENT) ROARK all appear to have been born in Smith County, TN. They were on the 1850 census in Macon County, TN, but that county was formed from Smith and Sumner Counties in 1842.
Wiley B. ROARK listed his place of residence in the mid-1860's as being Granby Township. He is reportedly buried in Maple Park Cemetery, Lawrence County, MO.
William ROARK, husband of Dica JENT, was possibly a son of yet another William ROARK and _____ DORRIS, daughter of an early day evangelist.
ROARK descendants in this area who would like a copy of the December Rootbound column on the ROARKs may obtain one free by writing to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. Please include an SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) and a line or two about how you tie in to the ROARK tree.
D. Fern MUMFORD (2009 Waverly Dr., Duncan, OK 73533) is researching her Ozark roots in Texas, Ripley, and Oregon Counties in Missouri. The surnames that she is researching are MILLER, MASON, and ROBERTS. Persons tracking those names in south-central Missouri should contact Ms. MUMFORD at the address listed above.
Mrs. G.J. BAILEY (P.O. Box 772, Santa Paula, CA 93060) is seeking all information on Samuel P. KING who was born in east Tennessee in 1834. His father was from North Carolina, and Virginia was his mother's state of birth. Samuel P. KING married Martha SMITH in Linn County, KS, in 1856. His family was listed on the 1880 census of Franklin County, AR. Samuel and Martha's children were: James E.P., Mary Etta, Virginia, Frances (Fanny), Lorraine, William, Joseph, and Maud.
Mrs. BAILEY is also on the trail of Solomon SMITH who was born in 1836 in Whitley County, KY. This Civil War vet resided in Lawrence County, MO, in 1897-1898, and died in California in 1910. He married his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth DONALDSON, in Ft. Smith, AR. Their children were: James (Emet), Joseph, Salinda (?), Jane, and Penelley. Mrs. BAILEY wants to learn what became of the children and their mother. She's waiting by the mailbox in Santa Paula!
Happy trails!
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