Sturdivant History

A Brief History of Mathew P. Sturdivant As We Know It

By Early Dawn Sturdivant Cline

About 1930

He and several brothers came to this country from Holland. (Daughter Bettie Cline later proved that wrong but the statement might be right on the ones further back than Matthew.) They settled in different parts of the country. One brother ,William , settled in Missouri. Mathew came to Virginia. He married Agnes Kent of Halifax County. Mathew bound out all his boys to learn a trade. He, Mathew, became a Methodist preacher, and was the first preacher to preach Methodism in Alabama. After that he came back to Virginia, settled in Nelson County at Massies Mill, and is buried there. (Grave not found, either ran the poor house or was a patient there in old ags.)

He had several children. I only know about three of them. One daughter, I don't know her name, but she lived at Thaxton, Virginia and is buried there. Another daughter, Mary, married a Mr. Diuguid. They lived in Lynchburg and founded the Diuguid Funeral Home, which I understand is the oldest funeral home in this part of Virginia. Although it has passed out of the family, it is still the Diuguid Funeral Home.

The other child, a son, was Pleasant Meade Sturdivant, and my Grandfather. He was a tailor by trade. He and his wife Nancy spent most of their life in Southwest Virginia. He served in the Civil War until he had pneumonia, and was never well after that. The family then moved to Snowville, Va. where they lived until his death in 1882. He is buried in the Christian Church Cemetery in Snowville. The oldest son was Dudley Kent Sturdivant and my father. To him fell the duty of supporting the family. He worked on Dr. Bullocks farm for seven years. There was a woolen mill in Snowville at that time and his sisters worked there and did sewing, weaving, and spinning. They had very little chance for schooling, but studied at home and all the family were very well educated considering the opportunities they had. Bianca was remarkably well informed. She learned to read well at age four. She was expert at weaving, spinning and sewing. She wrote a book but it was never published. She also wrote two poems, "The Graves of Our Southern Heroes" and the "Dark Haired Cavalier." This later poem was about her Sweet Heart, who never came back from the war. Isabella "Aunt Belle" who was crippled from rheumatic fever was also very well self educated, and one of my favorite aunts. (Early Dawn goes into eight pages of family genealogy here which I have listed under Dudley-Sturdivant genealogy. )

This writeup was furnished to the Methodist Church in Alabama to officials trying to get the history of the first preacher Matthew Parham Sturdivant. Lorenzo Dow was a free lance preacher the Methodists had thrown out that came just before Matthew and nearly ever church in Ala seems to want to claim Dow as their very own. Some of the Early Church of Christ preachers were named Lorenzo Dow + last name.

THE DEVIL'S CONVENTION

Submitted by Fred McCaleb


Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his
evil angels, he said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to
church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the
truth. We can't even keep them from conservative values. But we can do
something else.
"We can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship
experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our
power over them is broken. So let them go to church, let them have
their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't
gain that experience in Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do,
angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and
maintaining that
vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?", shouted his angels.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent un-numbered
schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, then borrow, borrow, borrow.
Convince the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to
work 6 or 7 days a week, 10 - 12 hours a day, so they can afford their
lifestyles.
"Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family
fragments, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures
of work.
"Over stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small
voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they
drive, to keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their
homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world
plays non-biblical, contradicting music constantly. This will jam
their minds and break that union with Christ.
"Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their
minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with
billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail
order catalogs, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering
free products, services, and false hopes.
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return
from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the
coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's
wonders. Send them to Amusement parks, sporting events, concerts, and
movies instead.
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip
and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and
unsettled emotion.
"Let them be involved in soul-winning. But crowd their lives with so
many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon
they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health
and family for the good of the cause."
It was quite a convention in the end. And the evil angels went eagerly
to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy,
busy and rush here and there.
Has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge.
How about this definition of Busy:
B-- being
U-- under
S-- Satan's
Y-- yoke
Wow huh, makes one think! Satan's goal is to take our minds and hearts
off Christ then steer us toward the cares of the world.
God wants us to enjoy life but He must be first.
If we are too busy for God, then we are too busy.

This is a very good lesson to follow. Patsy

School Prayer

Submitted by Fred McCaleb

Written by a 12 Year-Old-Girl in Boston.

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule.
For this great country under God
Finds mention of him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites
It violates the bill of rights.
Anytime my head I bow
Becomes a federal matter now.
The law is specific; the law is precise
Praying out loud is no longer nice.
Praying out loud in a public hall
Upsets those who believe in nothing at all.
In silence alone we can meditate
And if God gets the credit-Great!
They are bringing their guns;
I don't dare bring my BIBLE,
To do so might make me liable.
So, now oh Lord, this plea I make,
Should I be shot in school,
My soul please take..
Jodi Morgan

Morris Cemetery, Fayette County, Alabama

Note from Fred McCaleb:
Members of H McCaleb's family descendants should be slightly interested in this cemetery. One of my dad's little brothers, John Franklin McCaleb that died when 2 years old in 1907 is buried here. His rich Uncle Bird McCaleb is buried here also.

Submitted by

Patsy Box Johnson

Location: From Winfield, Alabama travel hwy 78 east to the Glen Allen turn off. Turn right on County Road 129, which will be the Hubbertville hwy. Turn left on County Road 24. Go about one mile to Berea Road and turn right. Morris Cemetery on right.

Nicodemus F. Morris b: 25 Nov 1853 d: 14 Jan 1933

Susan E. Whitehead Morris b: 8 Mar 1854 d: 16 Jul 1901
Luther F. Box b: 20 Sept 1893 d: 24 Dec 1968

Ruth F. Morris Box b: 11 Sept 1893 d: 11 Aug 1911

Reedie Box "Little Reedie" b: 17 Aug 1909 d: 21 Feb 1913

Joseph T. Box b: Jun 1864 d: 7 Jul 1927

Martha F. Whitehead Box b: 1873 d: 1950

Teddie M. Morris son of P.A. & J.M. Morris b: 31 Aug 1903 d: 16 May 1904

Liddie Morris dau of P.A. & J.M. Morris b: 22 Jun 1905 d: 1 Sept 1905

Jerusia Morris b: 12 Dec 1881 d: 19 May 1905

J.F.Whitehead b: 12 May 1859 d: 10 May 1927

Archibald Whitehead, Jr. b: 1822 d: Aug 1861

Martha "Patsy" Anthony Whitehead b: 1824 d: 1911

Archibald Whitehead, Sr. b: 1 Aor 1783 d: 5 Sep 1866

Nancy Smith Whitehead b: 22 Jul 1791 d: 25 Mar 1881

Nathaniel A. "Nathan" Whitehead b: 19, Mar 1861 d: 8 Jan 1873

J.N. Whitehead b:---

Melton Whitehead b: 1910 d: 1912

G. McCaleb b: 31 Aug 1909 d: 19 Nov 1915

T. Nichols son fo W.C.& V.E. Nichols b: 6 Jul 1911 d: 23 Aug 1904

Nellie Mills b: Abt 1829 d: 19 Mar 1905

John Franklin McCaleb b: 10 Dec 1907 d: 28 Jul 1909

Infant McDonald of W.C. & M.D. McDonald b: 26 Apr 1908 d: 4 May 1908

M.D. McDonald b: 1885 d: 1923

E.M. McDonald b: 1912 d: 1923

W.G. McDonald b: 1874 d: 1945

Mary Grigg b: 29 Jan 1879 d: 14 Jan 1942

Doshia McDonald b: 1894 d: 23 Aug 1958

Thomas LaFayette "Fayette" McDonald b: 29 Aug 1863 d: 18 Jul 1941

Ella Moore McDonald b: 14 Aug 1870 d: 28 Feb 1950

Ira W."Tete" McDonald b: 5 Feb 1892 d: 25 May 1954 (Pvt. WW1. 102Inf. Co.K.)

Effie McDonald b: 1870 d:---

Harom McDonald b: 8 Mar 1895 D: 27 Jul 1930 (Pvt WWI)

Avneil Ford b: 1920 d: 1920

H.L. Davis b: 4 Dec 1856 d: 17 Jul 1916

Fred Cockren b: 8 Jul 1920 d: 13 Sept 1921

Byrd McDonald b: 15 Sept 1858 d: 20 Sept 1930

Elizabeth "Lizzie" McDonald b: 18 jan 1863 d: 24 Aug 1950

Ador Miles b: 19 Feb 1906 d: 21 Dec 1906

Myrtle Whitehead b: 25 May 1902 d: 9 Jul 1905

Mary L. Whitehead b: 20 Apr 1901 d: 27 Jun 1901

Molissie Whitehead b: 6 Oct 1904 d: 2 Oct 1905

Elizabeth Crow b: 10 Feb 1828 d: 11 Dec 1909

J.D. Crow b: 24 Mar 1829 d: 6 May 1899

W.N. Guess b: 23 Mar 1873 d: 9 Mar 1899

M.E. Whitehead b: 22 Jul 1861 d: 6 Nov 1924

Melton Whitehead b: 1910 d: 1912

Drury Henry Co Whitehead b: 5 Sept 1831 d: 2 Apr 1914

Mary Jane Anthony Whitehead b: 27 Sept 1837 d: 1 Jul 1916

Infant Norris of Johnny Norris b&d: 8 Oct 1927

Abram Perry Whitehead b: 7 Aug 1859 d: 2 Jul 1937

Donna Alice Tucker Whitehead b: 27 Mar 1866 d: 16 Jun 1964

Clyde Darrel b: 9 Jul 1936 d: 11 Aug 1946

Mary Erwin b: 1840 d: 1898

Elizabeth Erwin b: Nov 1806 d: 3 Jun 1886

Mary A. Morton b: 12 Nov 1857 d: 2 Jun 1859

Luther O. Morton b: 3 Nov 1859 d: 24 Nov 1861

-----b: 15 Oct 1880 d: 19 Jan 1891

L.M. McCollough(wife of W.H.) b: 1 Jan 1846 d: 13 Sep 1909

William Henry Weaver b: 1901 d: 23 May 1957

A. Weaver (no dates)

Christine Whitehead b: 1925 d: 1926

Inf. Whitehead of L.N. 1921

Arzo Whitehead b: 1917 d: 1918

Inf.Whitehead child of G.A & A.J. b: 14 Feb 1932

Ethel L. Berry Whitehead wife of J.F."Frank" Whitehead b: 13 Feb 1894 d: 15 Feb 1926

A.L. Clark b: 2 Mar 1859 d: 22 Jun 1918

Mary G. Sexton b: 23 Feb 1820 d: 12 Jun 1903

Annie Lou Roby b: 12 Dec 1927 d: 27 Aug 1929

Belvie Whitehead b: 22 Jun 1905 d: 19 Nov 1939

Jo Ann Whitehead b: 1940 d: 1942

Lonzo b: 1882 d: 1949

Rosie Whitehead b: 1884 d: 19-

Terry Baccus b: 1947 d: --

Gaines McDonald b: 1876 d: 1948

Preshie McDonald b: 1878 d: 19-

Inf Campbell of Edwin & Aneda b: 15 Jun 1942 d: --

Jim McDonald b: 14 Oct 1886 d: 23 Dec 1929

Susan Shaw b: 25 May 1873 d: 30 May 1941

Harris ?

Josie Morris Davis b: 22 Nov 1880 d: 26 Feb 1925

Nocal Davis child of J.&T. b: 24 Feb 1914 d: 5 Mar 1914

Inf McCaleb son of Alfred & Hester b: 7 Sept 1921

Dexter F. McCaleb b: 6 Feb 1928 d: 21 Oct 1931

Hester McCaleb b: 7 Jun 1891 d: 7 Sept 1958

Alfred Cowan McCaleb b: 13 Jun 1891 d: 23 Dec 1955

Roy Elliott Ala.Pvt. 355 Inf. 92 Div. d: 21 Dec 1929

H.G. Threadway b: 12 May 1835 d: 28 Oct 1877

R.O. Mills (no dates)

J.J. Barnes b: 2 Oct 1865 d: 16 Mar 1934

Mrs. S.M. Barnes b: 1 Feb 1869 d: 19 Aug 1935

Nancy Mills b: 24 Jan 1820 d: 13 Mar 1891 (My Mother)

James E. Mills b: 1815 d: 24 Dec 1910 (My Father)

J.C. Meherg b: 18 Apr 1892 d: 2 Aug 1892 (6mo 15days)

James A. Mills b: 31 Jul 1876 d: 20 May 1899

Alice Mills b: 15 Feb 1878 d: 26 Apr 1900

Martha E. Mills b: 15 May 1881 d: 1 Dec 1903

Rufus S. Mills b: 24 Feb 1851 d: 13 May 1935

Mahala C. Mills b: 22 Dec 1846 d: 3 Aug 1920

William Madison Mills b: 1875 d: 9 May 1958

T.M. Mills b: 1876 d: 1945

George Rosco Whitehead b: 8 Sep 1891 d: 2 Mar 1934 (Ala Pvt 152 Inf 38 Div)

E. Glendon Matthews b: 31 Mar 1923 d: 21 Apr 1929

James McCollough b: 1882 d: 1931

Lucretia Morris McCollough b: 31 Dec 1882 d: 29 Apr 1981

Martha Whitehead b: 1862 d: 1945

Jerome Aldridge b: 1939 d: 1950

Charles S. Lee b: 1864 d: 5 Apr 1955

N.C. Lee b: 1879

Rebecca Rosena Sprinkle Whitehead b: 7 Jul 1866 d: 4 Jun 1935 (Mother)

John Sherman Whitehead b: 10 Jan 1868 d: 5 Aug 1951 (Father)

William McKinley Whitehead b: 27 Aug 1826 d: 13 Sep 1958

Alex Tidwell b: 1881 d: 1952

Missouri Whitehead Tidwell b: Sep 1881 d: 1964

Bertha E. Caddell b: 1882 d: 1943

Thomas E. Caddell b: 1857 d: 1932

Josie Caddell b: 1862 d: 1903

Bozzie A. Caddell b: 1898 d: 1917

Alonzo D. Caddell b: 1884 d: 1918

William H. McCollough b: 31 Aug 1840 d: 25 Aug 1911 (Co. I. 26 Ala Inf C.S.A.)

Our Past Ancestors

Submitted by:
Fred McCaleb

"We are people to whom the past is forever speaking. We listen to it because
we cannot help ourselves, for the past speaks to us with many voices. Far
out of that dark nowhere which is the time before we were born, men who were
flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone went through fire and storm to break
a path to the future. We are part of the future they died for; they are part
of the past that brought the future. What they did--the lives they lived,
the sacrifices they made, the stories they told and the songs they sang and,
finally, the deaths they died-- make up a part of our own experience.
We cannot cut ourselves off from it. It is as real to us as something that
happened last week. It is a basic part of our heritage as Americans."