LINDLEY, William Wesley* ^1820,2133

   Other names for William were LINDLEY, W. W.,^{1820,2106,2107} LINDLEY, W. Westley,²¹¹¹ LINDLEY, Wesley,^{1655,1881,1883,2096,2101,2135,2164} LINDLEY, William W.,^{1604,2147,3354,3490} LINDLEY, Wm,²⁰⁶⁹ LINDLEY, Wm W.,²⁰⁶⁵ LINDLEY, Wm Wesley,¹⁸²¹ LINDLY, Welly ²¹⁴⁸ and LINDLY, Wesley.²¹⁰²

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Alt. Birth, Jun 1833, North Carolina, United States. ²¹⁰²

2. Census, 1840, Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. William Wesley Lindley is age 5-10, living with his parents. (Chatham Co, p142)

3. Census, 4 Sep 1850, Upper Regiment, Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. ¹⁸²¹
1) William Lindley, age 58, farmer, $2000 real estate, born NC
2) Sarah Lindley, age 60, born NC
3) Franklin D. Lindley, age 27, farmer, born NC
4) Emeline Lindley, age 24, born NC
5) Linnaeus B. Lindley, age 23, farmer, born NC
6) Wm Wesley Lindley, age 18, farmer, born NC, attends school
7) Sarah E. Lindley, age 16, born NC, attends school.

4. Census, 5 Jun 1860, Eastern District, Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. ²⁰⁶⁹
1) Wm Lindley, age 30, farmer, $600 real estate, $200 personal estate
2) Frances Lindley, age 30, housekeeper
3) Wm F. Lindley, age 4.

5. Story, Cir 1862. ³⁴⁹¹ When the Confederate Congress passed a conscription law in 1862, a delegation of NC Quakers went to Richmond, VA to petition the Congress for relief of Friends from laws they could not obey. The Congress enacted legislation which gave Brethren, Friends, Mennonites, and Nazarenes alternatives to military service - the payment of a tax of $500 or securing a substitute to serve in the army. The conscription law stated that anyone who joined the Society of Friends after 11 Oct 1862 would not be covered by provisions of the act. The yearly meeting soon stated that these alternatives offered no relief to Friends, who could not lend their support to any war efforts. The meeting minutes said "...we cannot conscientiously pay any fines for the nonperformance of military duty." This injunction of the yearly meeting was not always followed by Friends. Some members of Spring MM paid the $500 tax and did not suffer disownment by the monthly meeting. Sometimes people were conscripted even after paying the $500 tax. In some cases, men were given alternative service to perform, such as working in the Wilmington Salt Works which was "manned almost entirely by Quaker youths." The Salt Works were under the jurisdiction of Jonathan Worth, who at one time was a member of Centre MM.

6. Appearance in Document: Quaker Minutes, 26 Dec 1863, Spring Mtg, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ³⁴¹⁴ "12th month 26th 1863. Franklin D. Lindley and William W. Lindley produced an offering to this meeting in which they acknowlege that they have departed from the principles and order of Society and ask the meeting to forgive them and continue them in membership as their future conduct may deserve. Thomas Woody Jessee Buckner Nathaniel Woody Matthew Osborn and Owen T. Lindley are appointed to confer with them on the occashion and report to next meeting." [spelling from original]

7. Story, Cir 1864. Lost all his money attempting to stay out of the Civil War. After all his money was gone, he hid in a barn, and got shot at by men trying to conscript him. (family legend recalled by Virginia Gladys Lindley)

8. Document, 1864. In a letter to John B. Crenshaw, William Lindley of Cane Creek requests aid for sons Franklin D. Lindley and William Wesley Lindley who were arrested despite proper exemption. There is no date on the letter, but other letters written by Franklin D. Lindley while in an army camp near Orange Court House VA are dated 3/31/64 to 4/7/64, and a letter from him saying he was released and back at Cane Creek is dated 7-27-64 (these letters do not mention William Wesley). John B. Crenshaw (1820 - 1899) was a Quaker minister who lived near Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. His influence and personal acquaintances among both Union and Confederate government officials established him a chief aid for Friends who were drafted into the Confederate Army against their religious beliefs. Many letters and papers exhibit how John Crenshaw labored for the exemption of conscientious objectors as well as for the release of Friends who were imprisoned for their pacifist beliefs. The John Bacon Crenshaw Papers, which date between the years of the Civil War (1861-1865), largely contain correspondence between Crenshaw and Friends (many from North Carolina) who were conscripted into the Confederate Army and sought help in gaining their release.

There are images of the William Lindley letter at http://www.guilford.edu/about_guilford/services_and_administration/library/fhc/crenshaw.html (item I8). The transcript is as follows (spelling matches the original letter):

Cane Creek Chatham County NC
John B. Crenshaw
Dear Friend
I have learned from friend Isam Cox that thee is well acquainted in the City of Richmond and with head officers of the army thereabouts I have two sons in Cooks Brigade 27th Infty Co I Northern Va. They are numbers of the society of friends and have been from their birth The paid the tax according to law and was clear of military duty. Some few weeks since they ware arrested and carried off to the army where they now are.
The wrote me last mail that they presented there paper to the officer he told them they had shown him th[at] they weare members and had paid the tax to clear them but they must show whi it is that the papers ware revoked. So I have drawn a certificate stating the cause and feet and enclosed it to my sons and will be mailed with this letter so both will reach the office at the same time If possible I want thee to see them forthwith and assist them to get of ??? If thee sees the letter addressed to F.D. Lindley I would be glad thee would take care of it If thee can start as to get there as soon as the letter would go If not let it pass on, I am informed that Isam Cox wrote thee some time concerning my sons there names Franklin D. Lindley and William Westley Lindley
???
F.D. Lindley
Wm W Lindley
Is the way they sighn there names They are from Chatham County NC The first military clears and the last also
I am ??? thy friend
Wm Lindley ??
Cane Creek
Chatham Co.
NC

9. Appearance in Document: Quaker Minutes, 30 Jan 1864, Spring Mtg, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ³⁴¹⁴ "1st month 30th 1864. The Friends appointed to confer with Franklin D. and William W. Lindley report that they have had an oppertunity with them to some degree of satisfaction, but believe further care nesessary, they are continued for further service and report to next meeting." [spelling from original]

10. Appearance in Document: Quaker Minutes, 27 Feb 1864, Spring Mtg, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ³⁴¹⁵ 2nd month 27th 1864. The Friends appointed in the case of Franklin D. and William W. Lindley are continued to next meeting. [spelling from original]

11. Appearance in Document: Quaker Minutes, 30 Apr 1864, Spring Mtg, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ³⁴¹⁶ "4th month 30th 1864. The Friends appointed in the case of Franklin D. and William W. Lindley report that they have not had any oppertunity with them since last meeting on account of their being taken to the military camp. They are continued to next meeting." [spelling from original]

12. Appearance in Document: Disowned from Spring Meeting, 29 Oct 1864, Spring Mtg, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ^1604,3417 William W. Lindley disowned.

"The Friends appointed in the case of William W. Lindley report that have had an oppertunity with him, and find that his conduct has been such that it is their united sentiment that the meeting cannot continue him in membership, this meeting therefore disowns him from being a member of our Society, the clerk is directed to furnish him with a coppy of the above minute." [spelling from original]

13. Appearance in Document, Cir 1865. Wesley Lindley is included in a list of the male members of the Center Methodist Church in the early 1860's. (From e-mail from Les Lindley of Fresno in 2000)

14. Census, 25 Aug 1870, North Side Pittsboro Road, Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. ²⁰⁶⁵
1) Lindley, Wm W., age 38, farmer, $800 real estate, $200 personal estate, born NC
2) Lindley, Francis, age 35, female, keeping house, born NC
3) Lindley, Wm, age 14, farm laborer, born NC, cannot read or write
4) Lindley, Annie, age 12, at home, born NC, cannot read or write
5) Lindley, Phebe, age 10, at home, born NC, cannot read or write
6) Lindley, Dora, age 8, at home, born NC
7) Lindley, Munroe, age 6, at home, born NC
8) Lindley, Sally, age 4, at home, born NC
9) Lindley, Rousanna, age 7/12, at home, born NC.

Post Office is Pittsboro.

15. Census, 1 Jun 1880, Newlin Twp, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ²¹⁰¹
1) Lindley, Wesley, age 48, born June, married, farmer, born NC, parents born NC
2) Lindley, Louisa, age 43, born Aug, wife, married, housekeeping, born NC, parents born NC
3) Lindley, Dora E., age 18, born Nov, daughter, single, works in cotton mill, born NC, parents born NC
4) Lindley, James M., age 14, born May, son, farm hand, born NC, parents born NC
5) Lindley, Sarah, age 12, born Oct, daughter, born NC, parents born NC
6) Lindley, Rosanah, age 10, born Apr, daughter, works in cotton mill, born NC, parents born NC
7) Lindley, Mary F., age 8, born Apr, daughter, born NC, parents born NC
8) Bacon, Wm E., age 12, born June, stepson, born Missouri, parents born NC.

16. Property: Bought 1 acre, 3 Sep 1885, Burlington Twp, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. Deed from George W Anthony and wife Mary M Anthony of Alamance Co to W Wesley Lindley of Alamance Co. For $105. Land in Burlington Twp adjoining the lands of J D Bacon, a Street 20 ft wide, S R Sheppherd, and Dixie Street and others: beginning at a rock on NE Side of Dixie Street ... 1.05 acres (Alamance Co Deed Book 14, p 154-5) I have a copy of this deed. [J D Bacon is Wesley's son-in-law and also his stepson]

17. Property: Sold half acre, 5 May 1890, Burlington Twp, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. Deed from W W Lindley and wife Louisa Lindley of Alamance Co to Wm E Bacon of Alamance Co. For $800. .51 of an acre in Burlington Twp adjoining S R Shepherd, W W Lindley, J D Bacon, and Dixie Street. NE Side of Dixie Street. (Alamance Co Deed Book 14, p255-6) I have a copy of this deed. [Wm E Bacon is Wesley's stepson and Louisa's son]

18. Property: Sold half acre, 22 Aug 1896, Burlington Twp, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. Deed from W W Lindley and wife Louisa Lindley of Alamance Co to W E Bacon of Alamance Co. $125. Land in Burlington Twp adjoining Stockard Street, J W Quakenbush, W E Bacon. SW side of street. .51 of an acre. (Alamance Co Deed Book 18, p364) [I have a copy of this deed. This appears to be the remainder of the parcel that was sold to W E Bacon in 1890. If so, there should be another land purchase prior to this for the land on Webb Ave where Wesley is living in 1900]

19. Census, 21 Jun 1900, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ²¹⁰²
1) Lindly, Wesley, head of household, b June 1833, age 66, married for 25 years, born NC, parents born NC, farm labor, owns his farm free
2) Lindly, Louisa, wife, born Aug 1836, age 63, married for 25 years, 4 children, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC
3) Quackenbush, Banks, boarder, born Mar 1873, age 27, married, born NC, parents born NC, carpenter
4) Quackenbush, Mollie, wife, born May 1872, age 28, married, no children, born NC, parents born NC.

20. Occupation: Farmer.

21. Religion: Quaker, disowned 1864.

22. Story. ³⁴⁹² Many of William's children worked at the cotton mill in Saxapahaw. Here is some history of the mill: John Newlin, a Quaker, founded Saxapahaw in 1844 when he began building a cotton mill on the banks of the Haw (the site had a grist mill around 1750). Newlin's textile mill was begun in 1844 and ready for production in 1848. It was delayed by the war with Mexico. At first, only coarse yarn was produced, and sold in packages to housewives for weaving on hand looms. During the Civil War the factory produced cloth and yarns for the Confederate Army. Newlin died in 1867. His sons carried on the business until 1873 when the factory and village were sold to Edwin M. Holt, a prominent cotton mill magnate of that time. He bought the property for his daughters Fanni and Emma. Their husbands Dr John Lee Williamson and Captain James W White took charge of the mill and eventually turned over active management to their sons. In 1922 the White-Williamson Company went into receivership and C V Sellers of Burlington and his brother bought it out in 1927. B Everett Jordan, a nephew of Sellers, came to Saxapahaw to reopen and manage the concern. He became a US Senator in 1958.

William married Frances* FOUSHEE, daughter of Horace* FOUSHEE and Mariah* CARTER, about 1855. (Frances* FOUSHEE was born circa 1835 in North Carolina, United States,^2065,3493 died in 1872 ³⁴⁹⁴ and was buried in Center Methodist Church, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States ³⁴⁹⁴.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. Marriage: Research. Have not found any mention of this wedding in Spring Meeting records (Men's Minutes, Women's Minutes, Marriages).

William next married Louisa PUGH, daughter of Luke Teen PUGH and Martha RAY, on 31 Oct 1875 in Saxapahaw, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States ²¹⁰⁶.^,2107 (Louisa PUGH was born on 15 Aug 1836 in North Carolina, United States,^{2101,2102,2103} died on 15 Feb 1915 in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, United States ^2103,2104 and was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina ^2103,2105.). The cause of her death was Influenza (La Grippe).

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. Marriage, 31 Oct 1875, Saxapahaw, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ²¹⁰⁷ Marriage License dated Oct 30 1875 in Alamance County. W. W. Lindley of Alamance County, age 44, son of William Lindley and Sarah Lindley, both deceased, and Louisa Bacon of Alamance County, age 38, daughter of Luke Teer (deceased) and Martha Ray, living, of Chatham County. Marriage performed 31 October 1875 in Saxapahaw, Thompsons Twp.

2. Marriage, 31 Oct 1875, Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. ²¹⁰⁶ W. W. Lindley (age 44, son of William Lindley and Sarah Lindley) married Lowisa Bacon (age 38, daughter of Luke Teen and Martha Ray) on 31 Oct 1875 in Thompsons Twp, Alamance Co, NC.

3. Story: Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. Louisa Bacon m W W Lindley (Alamance Co Marriages, Book 1, p848, listed in Alamance Genealogist, Vol 8 #2, p33)