I have researched people with the surname Aaron who lived in Stewart County, Tennessee during my quest to find the parents of my third-great-grandfather, Henderson Aaron. The most likely candidates for his parents are Rachel and John Aaron. I do not know where John was from or his parentage.

Click here for my article on Rachel Aaron.

Last updated February 4, 2020
Originally posted January 18, 2017

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AARON Records in Stewart County, Tennessee

1804 – 1840: Stewart County, TN Name Index to Tax List.
Jacob Aaron ∙ 73
John Aaron ∙ 27, 48, 58, 72
Preston Aaron ∙ 29

1808: Stewart County, TN tax list. John Aaron is in the section under Capt. Allen.

1808: Stewart County, TN tax list. Preston Aaron is the “returned to clerk” section. He has 125 acres on Hurricane Creek.

1808-1812: Loose Court Minutes. Ordered by the Court that John Aaron be appointed overseer of the road from William Cooley’s up Dyers Creek to the Barrens, and all hands above Maj. Gray’s on both sides of the Creek work under him. Page 74.

1810: Stewart County, TN tax list. John Aaron is in the section under Capt. Ross.

1811: Stewart County, TN tax list. John Aaron is in the section under Capt. Ross.

1811: Stewart County, TN tax list through Ancestry. Jacob Aaron is listed.

7 Aug 1811: Stewart County Court Minutes (p. 226) Jurors to next November term: William Dunbar, James Dunbar, Philip Hall, Caleb Williams, Davis Yarborough, Jesse Gilbert, John Palmer, William Curl, Benjamin Bradford, William Wright, John G. Fletcher, John Aaron, John Finch, John Matheny and John Stancil.

1813 – 1819: Stewart County, TN Court Minutes.
Jacob Aaron 19, 60
Joel Aaron 60
John Aaron 60, 117, 123
John Jacob Aaron 13, 117

May 3, 1813 – John Jacob Aaron, a pauper, came into Court and petitioned for his maintenance next year and it is ordered by the Court that Joseph Gray and Yancey Thornton be appointed to let the maintenance of said pauper to the lowest bidder, and also John Williams, son of Edith Williams. Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

May 6, 1813 – “Joseph Gray, one of the commissioners appointed to let the maintenance of Jacob Aaron and John Williams, returned that they had let them for the term of one year, Jacob Aaron at thirty nine dollars to the said Joseph Gray and John Williams at forty five dollars to Edith Williams.” Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long – If you compare this record to the one from May 3, you will see while his full name was John Jacob Aaron, he went by Jacob Aaron. 

1814 – 1815: War of 1812 records. Capt. James Gray’s Company, 2nd Regiment, West TN Miltia, 13 Nov 1814 – 13 May 1815. Muster roll lists Private John Aaron as “sick absent”.

May 1814: Joseph Gray was paid 39 dollars for keeping Jacob Aaron for the past year.  Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

May 1814: Joel Aaron, a pauper, was to be cared for by John Aaron for this year for $35.75.  Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

3 May 1815: “Ordered that the Sheriff be allowed in his settlement of taxes a credit for the following list of insolvents, sworn to by his Deputy William Curl for the year 1813 and 1814, viz.” “…John Aret, 1 Do. 25 cts” Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

Aug 1815: Money distributed to “John Aaron for keeping his father.” File name: Bradford, Benjamin (Trustee of Stewart Co.) vs Buckingham, Thomas for a tax collection dispute. 19 pages. Stewart County Archives Circuit Court Cases – Civil: 1805-1929

7 Aug 1815: John Aaron to be given money from the County Trustee for the keeping of John Jacob Aaron, a pauper, for the last six months. Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

7 Aug 1815: Stewart County Bonds and Settlements, Book 3. John Weatherford, Alsey H. Bradford, John Aaron, administrator’s bond for Thomas Weatherford, page 107

5 Nov 1816: John Arant, Josiah Dunn ordered to be jurors during the next Court term. Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

3 Feb 1817: John Arant, Josiah Dunn are among a list of men who serve as jurors. Stewart County Court Minutes, 1813-1819, by Jim Long

1818: John Arant, Rachel Arant and Susanna Arant are called to testify in Gray, Joseph’s executors vs Cooley, William M. (admr of Joel Cooley) for debt – $150 for livestock and merchandise. John Dunn and James Dunn also summoned. 14 pages. Stewart County Archives Circuit Court Cases – Civil: 1805-1929

6 May 1818: John Arant, James Dunn are on a list of men to serve as jurors the next Court term. (Stewart County, Tennessee County Court Minutes, 1813 – 1819, by Jim Long)

4 Aug 1818: John Arant, James Dunn serve jury duty. (Stewart County, Tennessee County Court Minutes, 1813 – 1819, by Jim Long)

1819: John Arant was a juror in Nelson, Humphrey vs Russell, James for appeal of debt judgment from County Court – $17.27. 12 pages. Stewart County Archives Circuit Court Cases – Civil: 1805-1929

1819: John Aaron – File name: Bradford, Benjamin (Trustee of Stewart Co.) vs Buckingham, Thomas for a tax collection dispute. 19 pages. Stewart County Archives Circuit Court Cases – Civil: 1805-1929

1819: John Jacob Aaron – File name: Bradford, Benjamin (Trustee of Stewart Co.) vs Buckingham, Thomas for a tax collection dispute. 19 pages.

1819-1828: Stewart County, TN Court Minutes.
David Aaron · 302, 379, 380
John Aaron · 184

1822: Henderson Aaron was born. (See 1850 census for age estimate.)

1824: John Arant and Rachel Arant are mentioned in the case State vs Jenkins, James G., assault on John Lee. In March 1819, John and Rachel are summoned to court on behalf of James Jenkins. 12 pages. Circuit Court Cases – Criminal (State): 1810-1940

March 29, 1825: David Arant was a juror. Volume 1, page 162. Name Index to Stewart Circuit Court Minutes, 1821-1834

1825: John and Rachel Aaron get a divorce. I had the case information pulled in hopes of children’s names, but there wasn’t any additional information in the file. For reference, Serial No. 30, Chapter/Section 103.2. Case note says, “husband and wife, Rachel receives property rights as a feme sole.”

October 11, 1826 – Rachel Aaron was a witness and gave testimony in the case “Patsy Leroy Gibson vs. John Rushing and others” about a slave named Charity. Rachel is listed as about thirty-five years old. She wasn’t originally from the county, but settled on Dyer’s Creek. (Source: Stewart County Circuit Court. BIG thanks to Jim Long!)

1827 – 1830 – I could not locate any Aarons or name variants on Stewart County tax lists.

1828 – 1831: Stewart County, Tennessee County Court Minutes lists William Aaron on pages 76, 82, 87, 91, 92, 93, 101. No further info about what is included.

1829: David Aaron – File name: Aaron, David vs Colson, William K. Debt for horse. 15 pages. (Circuit Court Records at the Stewart County, Tennessee Archives)

Brief overview: David Aaron, summoned along with William Aaron, accused William K. Colson of taking his horse and not paying. The earliest records date back to September 1826.

4 Mar 1827: On behalf of David Aaron, three people were summoned: William Aaron, Joel Aaron, Sally Colson (wife of Jno K. Colson). Rachael Aaron was also summoned.

David Aaron told the court that William K. Colson took his horse to Alabama with the intent of selling the horse. David wanted $100 for the horse.

Hugh Colson, of Alabama, was asked to testify for the defendant. Richard Cooley and Joseph Colson were also called.

1830: Census lists Rachel Aaron (age 30 – 40) live with a male (age 5 – 10), female (5 – 10), female (10 – 15), and female (15 – 20).

1830 Census: Henderson would have been 8 years old and living with parents.

1830: Census lists William Aaron living with a male (under 5), female (age 5 – 10), and wife (age 20 – 30).

November 10, 1831: State of Tennessee vs Rachel Aaron. House of ill fame [brothel]. This day came the Attorney General in behalf of the State, and with the assent of the Court enters a noli prosequi in this case. Therefore it is considered by the Court that the defendant go hence without day.  *She could be operating out of her home and not an actual brothel. (Source: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Stewart County Reel #39, County Court Minute Book, 1831-1844. Big thanks to Jim Long!)

1836: State vs Burrell Bayliss – William Aron served as a guard while Burrell was in jail. (Circuit Court Records at the Stewart County, Tennessee Archives)

3 Jul 1837: Stewart County Settlements and Bonds, Volume D (June 1836-June 1840) (108) sale of Benjamin W. Tayloe by administrator John Tayloe; buyers include John Barnes, James Collier, William Norrid, William Bell, Hardison Daniel, Nathan A. Winters, R. M. Jenkins, Wiley Sexton, Martha Tayloe, James Poston, John Turpin, Tilman Sexton, James Hagans, Allen Sexton, Anderson Sexton, John Tayloe, James Blount, William Hogan, Curtis Hornberger, William Williams, John Randle, Green Moody, Royal Broadway, Richard Tayloe, James Campbell, William Aaron, Hymon Tayloe, Jason Merrick, Abraham Philips, William Mainard

1839: Stewart County Settlements and Bonds, Volume D (June 1836-June 1840) sale of the estate of Susan Niton by administrator Wiilie B. H. Jones; buyers include Richard Blanton, H. G. Cherry, Osburn Moore, James J. Jones, W. H. Coleman, J. C. Ingram, Eli Rumfelt, W. Aaron, Elisha Dawson, Calvin Whitfield, Thomas Buckingham, John Hinson; returned to Dec. term 1839

1840 Census: Henderson is not listed on the census. Would have been 18 years old.

1841: “William Aron” is listed in District 7 on the tax list, owning no land.

1842 – 1843: “William Aron” is listed in District 7 on the tax list. He owns 640 acres valued at 640 and taxed at 32.

19 Aug 1841: Archives Roll 53, Settlements and Bonds, Volume E  (116) sale of the estate of William T. Mansfield; buyers include Thomas Buckingham, Daniel Alexander, William Weston, P. B. Nolin, John Randle, William Aron, William Roles, William Folks, Joseph Campbell, Norfleet Daugherty, W. Alford, Thomas Cherry; recorded Aug term 1841

1844: William Aaron bought from the State of Tennessee #17770 a deed for 100 acres on the waters of Indian Creek. (Page 15, book 253)

1845: Henderson Aaron (Grantor/Seller) to Jonathan Skinner (Grantee/Buyer). Kind of instrument: mortgage. Page 15, Book 174. Description: personal property.

1845: William Aaron sold to James W. Williams a trust deed for a yoke of oxen and cart. (Page 15, book 246)

1846: William Aaron owns 40 acres worth $100 in District 7. Henderson Aaron is listed in the same district with no property. (Tax List)

1847: William Aaron owns 40 acres worth $100 in District 7. (Tax List)

1848: William Aaron owns 40 acres worth $100 in District 7. (Tax List)

1848: Criminal Circuit Court Cases. William Aaron. File name: State vs. William Aaron for assault and battery of Claton Jones. 2 pages.

1848: William Aaron – File name: Rutland, W. C. vs Aaron, William for a debt judgment of $18.05. 19 pages.

1849: William Aaron and Henderson Aaron on the tax list in District 7.

1849: William Aaron sold to Hiram Vollentine a trust deed for various property, in debt to the estate of Jonathan Skinner. (Page 16, book 354) ****NOTE: In 1845, Henderson Aaron sold a mortgage/property to the same man, Jonathan Skinner.

1849: William Aaron sold to William B. Cherry a trust deed for 215 acres, 2 tracts in District 7. (Page 16, book 407)

1850 Census: Stewart County, Tennessee. Henderson Aaron is living next door to in-laws (Mary’s parents: Ebenezer & Elizabeth Rumfelt). 28 years old. Wife is Mary, children are Elizabeth, Elmira and Ebenezer. This is the ONLY census Henderson appears on by name.

1850: Henderson Aaron (Grantor/Seller) to J.W. Wall. Kind of instrument: trust deed. Page 16, book 490. Description: various household property and livestock, in debt to J. R. Hooks

1850: William Buckanon Aaron bought from S.W. Kelly a sorrel colt. (Page 18, book 410)

8 Oct. 1850: U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, in “Stuart, Stewart County, Tennessee”, Schedule type is Agriculture. He’s listed underneath his father-in-law, Ebenezer Rumfelt.

1852: William Aaron – File name: Aaron, William vs Adams, Robert T. for a plea of debt. 2 pages.

1853: William B. Aaron bought from John Scarborough’s heirs by Thomas J. Munford, clerk & master of Montgomery Co. a deed of 115 acres on Indian Creek. (Page 18, book 293)

1853: William B. Aaron – File name: Shackelford, J. O. (admr of Scarborough, John) vs Scarborough, John’s heirs for “land purchased by William B. Aaron of Montgomery Co.” 4 pages.

1855: H. Aron (Henderson) and William Aaron are listed in district 7 on the tax list. William owns 215 acres valued at 860.

16 July 1855: Henderson Aaron is a juror in two cases. (Court records) *This is the last record that mentions Henderson.

1855: William B. Aaron & William Aaron sold to George W. Bufford a deed for 2 1/4 acres on Indian Creek. (Page 19, Book 175)

1855: William Aaron – File name: Aaron, William vs Woods, Payne & Co. for a debt. 2 pages. (Circuit Court Records)

1855: John P. Aaron – File name: Aaron, John P. vs Duncan, John T. for a $40 debt. 5 pages. (Circuit Court Records)

1856: William Aaron sold to Right T. Daniel a trust deed for 100 acres of land in District 7, plus personal property in debt to William B. Cherry. (Page 19, book 434)

1856: William Aron is listed in District 7, owning 215 acres valued at 860. Henderson Aaron is not listed. J.T. Aron is listed.

1857: William Aron is listed in District 7, owning 215 acres valued at 800. Also listed is J.P. Aron.

29 Jul 1857: William Aaron in Stewart County newspaper, name index (This is probably a death notice, see above entry.)

1858: WIlliam Penix and Cynthia Ann Kelly vs William Aaron for ejectment – 54 acres on Indian Creek. (Circuit Court Records)

1859: William B. Aaron sold to Nathan Brandon a deed for 115 acres on Indian Creek, adjoining the Dover town tract. (Page 21, Book 42)

1859: W.B. Aaron was on the tax list in District 7 owning 186 acres valued at 700.

1860: William B. Aaron & others sold to Edward S. Winn & I.S. Banister a deed for 100 acres in Indian Creek. (Page 21, book 489)

1860: William Aaron’s heirs received receipt of payment from S.E. Cherry admx. by William B. Cherry to R.T. Daniel for a tract of land. (Page 21, book 535)

1871: Eli Rumfelt, admin of Ebenezer Rumfelt, vs John H. McElroy, Mary Aron, G.W. McElroy – suit for collection of note Mary Aron (Circuit Court Records at the Stewart County, Tennessee Archives)

1879: State of Tennessee vs Wiley Aron, failure to appear, grand jury, felonies and misdemeanors. (Circuit Court Records at the Stewart County, Tennessee Archives)

1879: Robert Aron, by his next friend Wiley Aron, vs James Taylor for unpaid labor. (Circuit Court Records at the Stewart County, Tennessee Archives)

12 June 1914: Henderson’s daughter Bettie dies. Her death certificate lists parents as “Wm. Aron and Sis Aron”. The abbreviation Wm. means William. Was this a mistake or was this Henderson’s first name? Information was reported by Bettie’s son-in-law, Jake (Jacob) Coffel, who was married to her daughter Mary. Bettie lived with them for several years until her death.

20 Jan 1931: Henderson’s son Eli “Hawk” dies. Death certificate lists his parents as “Henderson Aaron and Sis Rumfelt”.

Sources: 

• Ancestry.com
• A BIG THANK YOU to the Stewart County Genealogy page at tngenweb.org/stewart for a lot of these records. They have one of the best county sites I’ve seen. If you are doing research for Stewart County, Tennessee, you have to visit their page!
• Another great resource: Stewart County Archives Available Holdings

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Other Articles about the Aaron Family

Henderson Aaron

John Aaron

Rachel Aaron