Nancy Jane “Nannie” Bullard was my great-great-grandmother. I never met her, as she died in 1955, but I do have a few good photos of her. Having photos of someone always sparks my curiosity even more about that person. I’ve also talked to several cousins descended from Nannie and wanted to record what I know about her for everyone’s records. If you are a descendant and have more information to add, please email me at downhomegenealogy@gmail.com.

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Nancy Jane Bullard was born September 29, 1870 to Margaret Manda Jane Pack and John J. Bullard. Her parents married December 23, 1869 in DeKalb County, Tennessee. I would guess that is also where Nannie was born. I am sure Nannie’s memories of her father were limited as he died sometime before August 1, 1872, when Margaret remarried to William Munrow Barnes in DeKalb County.

The first census Nannie appears on is the 1880 census, where she is listed as Nancy J. Barnes. Her mother and stepfather had at least four children together: James, Fannie, Harvey and Frank Barnes. Sometime between 1880 – 1891, the family moved to Robertson County, Tennessee.

Although I haven’t been able to find a marriage record, according to the 1900 census, Nannie married John Franklin Carrell in 1891. (Read about his life here.) By 1900, Nannie was nearly 30, with 7 total children, but only 4 living children: Mary Emma, Mamie, William and Amanda.

The family is not on the 1900 census, but in 1920 they are living in Frisco, McCurtain County, Oklahoma! On January 29, 1926, the family was back in Tennessee — this time in Nashville. Nannie’s husband John was struck by an ice truck and died. Nannie was 55 when she became a widow.

From records (all records accessible on Ancestry.com), we know that Nannie and John had these children (and at least three others name unknown):

Mary Emmon/Emma Carrell 1894–1975
Mamie Lee Carrell 1896–1932
William M Carrell 1898–?
Amanda Carrell 1899–?
Herschel McKinley Carrell 1901–1980
Lula Belle Carrell 1903–1987
John Franklin Carrell 1906–1985
Harvey Langston Carrell 1908–2002
Grace “Gracie” Carrell 1910–1970

In 1930, Nannie lived with son Harvey and his family, along with son Hershel and his wife, Ida, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. By 1940, her son Harvey, his wife and children had moved to Tennessee Ridge, Houston County, Tennessee. Nannie lived with them. The census indicates she had a third grade education, which was completely normal for that time period.

When Harvey’s family moved west to Red River, Texas, Nannie must have went too (date unknown). Nannie passed away April 14, 1955 at the age of 84. She’s buried in New Haven Cemetery in Clarksville, Red River County, Texas. Her gravestone lists her birth year as 1869 instead of 1870, although that is inconsistent with other records (including her death certificate). Here’s a copy of her death certificate:

*Note: Her married name was spelled both “Carroll” and “Carrell”.

Article of interest: Nannie was likely part Native American. Read more here.

Photos thanks to Cyndie Johnson and ancestry.com user emhaydon.

Originally posted Apr. 19, 2018
Last updated Nov. 20, 2019