I am researching my Randall roots. My fifth great-grandmother is Polly Randall. She was married to Reuben Owens. (Read more about him here.) Her father was likely James Randall. I have created a timeline of records to help in my search.

Records Timeline

*All records are from Ancestry.com unless otherwise noted. Randall spellings include Randol, Randal and Randle.

1785 – 1800 – North Carolina – Polly Randall is born in North Carolina, according to the 1850 census she was born in 1785 there. On the 1840 census, she is listed as between the ages of 30 – 39. Since she was married in 1814, I would guess her birth year was 1800 at the least.

February 9, 1814 – Maury County, Tennessee – Polly “Randle” marries Reuben Owens. They were married by Robert Sellers, J.P.

1820 – Maury County, Tennessee – James Randall is over 45 and living with his large family. Note that TWO females over 45 living with him. One is his wife, Nancy. Unsure of the other.

Enumeration Date August 7, 1820
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15 1
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25 1
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over 1 – James
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25 4  <— Note FOUR daughters
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44 1
Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over 2 – Nancy and ?

Maury County, Tennessee – “Rabin” (Reuben) Owens is living two house down. He has four sons under 10. He and his wife, Polly, are listed as 16 – 25 years old.

April 10, 1822 – Maury County, Tennessee – Sarah Randall marries William Kates [Cates]. James Randall is listed also on the certificate. This is probably his daughter.

January 23, 1823 – Maury County, Tennessee – Rachel Randal marries Jefferson Shanon. Rachel could be the daughter of James.

February 7 AND July 18, 1823 – Maury County, Tennessee – Elisabeth “Randle” is signed for by James Randle to marry John Morrow.

February 15, 1827 – Maury County, Tennessee – This record is indexed as the wife being named Noah K Randal, but that is actual the name of a bondsman. The wife is not listed. The husband is James Ewing. Is Noah a son of James?

October 17, 1827 – Maury County, Tennessee – James Randall (Junior) marries Barbarry Reynolds.

1830 – Maury County, Tennessee – James Randol is listed next door to a Noah K Randol. James is living with wife and another older lady (probably his mother or mother-in-law).

Maury County, Tennessee – James “Randol” Junior is listed as below. Not sure how his wife, Barbarry, is listed here. (James Jr. lives next door to a James Erving.)

Free White Persons – Males – Under 5: 1
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons – Males – 20 thru 29: 1 (James)
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons – Females – 40 thru 49: 1

1836 – Maury County, Tennessee – Tax list has “James Randall Senior” and “James Randall Junior”.

1838 – Maury County, Tennessee – Will of Jemima Randall is recorded on April 9. Her mother is inferred as “Nancy”. Her father is indicated as deceased. That means James Randall Sr. died somewhere between 1836 – 1838. Jemima also leaves items to her niece, Rachel Ann Owens (daughter of Polly). [Source: Will thanks to Nathan Randall!]

May 1, 1838 – Maury County, Tennessee – Clement Nances marries Rachel Ann Owens, daughter of Polly Randall and Reuben Owens mentioned in Jemima Randall’s will.

May 16, 1838 – Maury County, Tennessee – David Owens marries Mary Ann Randall. David was the son of Polly Randall and Reuben Owens. I am unsure who Mary Ann Randall is, perhaps a cousin?

1840 – Maury County, Tennessee – Census records list Reuben Owens as age 40 – 49, with wife, Polly, age 30 – 39, and eight children.

Maury County, Tennessee – Two houses away from Reuben and Polly is James Randall, age 40 – 49. Likely Polly’s brother, a junior.

Maury County, Tennessee – Three houses away from Reuben and Polly, and next door to James Randall, is Nancy Randall who is age 70 – 79 and living alone. This is probably James’s widow.

1850 – Maury County, Tennessee – Reuben Owens is head of household, age 65, born 1785 in Georgia. His wife Polley is 65, born in North Carolina. Three of their children are living with them: Jemima, John and Mary Ann (my fourth great-grandmother). He lives beside two of his sons, Noah and David.

Hickman County, Tennessee – James Randall Jr. is listed with wife, Barbary, and eight children.

Hickman County, Tennessee – Noah K Randall is listed with wife and children.

July 30, 1856 – Piedmont, Wayne County, Missouri – This is the death date of James Randall Jr. listed on his tombstone.

1859 – 1860 – Maury County, Tennessee – Reuben Owens passes away by May 7, 1860 according to guardianship papers for his grandson, William. In Reuben’s estate file there is no mention of Polly. Her death date is between 1850 – 1860.

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Children of James and Nancy

From the records, the likely children are:

James Jr.
Rachel
Polly
Noah K.
Sarah
Jemima
Elisabeth

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James Randall – Marriage and Parents

I haven’t been able to find a marriage record for James and Nancy.

Oldest son James Jr. says he was born in North Carolina, so my guess is that James and Nancy married and started their family there.

I have not been able to trace James’s parents.

 

If you have any more information or if you’re also researching the Randall family, email me at downhomegenealogy@gmail.com.

Originally posted 1/23/2018
Last updated 8/28/2018