The Costilow-Hopkins Family

Children:

1. Unknown Daughter
   b. abt 1818-1820, MS
   
   

2. Ann R. Costilow (m. Daniel Oglesby)
   b. abt 1821, Adams Co, MS
   d. aft. 1880, likely Robertson Co, TX
   
   

3. Mary Jane Costilow (m1. ____ Brantley)
   b. abt 1829, Adams Co, MS (m2. Wilson Burney)
   d. bef. 1869, Yazoo Co, MS
   
   

4. James Andrew J. Costilow (m1. Martha Ann Miller)
   b. 25 Dec 1833, Yazoo Co, MS (m2. Alvana Adams)
   d. 22 Feb 1923, Duck Hill, Montgomery Co, MS (m3. Sarah F. Elizabeth Rickles Tollison "Sallie")
   
   

5. Henry N. Costilow
   b. abt 1835, Yazoo Co, MS
   d. bef. 1869
   *Served in the Civil War - Co I, 3rd MS Regiment, under the name H. Costellow.
   *His probate records state his heirs (siblings) by name.

Known Localities:

• Tennessee

• Adams County, Mississippi

• Franklin County, Mississippi

• Yazoo County, Mississippi

Chronological Timeline:

James Costilow clearly migrated to Adams County, Mississippi at some point, and considering the distance, there had to have been some driving force behind that move. The War of 1812 seems to align with that migration pattern and records from that war are the first known records of our James Costilow. At some point, he was serving under two different companies under the surnames of Costilow, Costillow, Costillo and Castelow.

• Col. John Coffee's Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry
  Formation History: Dec 1812 - Apr 1813
  Comprised mostly of men from Rutherford, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson Counties.
  This regiment of cavalry joined Jackson's forces at Natchez in early 1813. The strength of the regiment was approximately 600 men. While the bulk of Jackson's troops traveled by boat to Natchez, Coffee's mounted men went overland after rendezvousing near Franklin, Tennessee in mid-January 1813. The officers of this regiment were considered to be the elite citizens of their counties. Many of the men in this regiment later became part of the unit led by Colonels Alcorn and Dyer during Jackson's first campaign into the Creek territory in the fall of 1813.
  *A man named Charles Castelow also served in this same regiment. A possible brother?

  • • • Company muster roll for Capt. Frederick Stump's Troop of Cavalry, dated 10 Dec 1812 in Nashville [Davidson County, Tennessee], for private "Charles Castalow" states he enlisted on 10 Dec 1812 for the term of 12 months and was absent from service.

      • Company pay roll for Capt. Frederick Stump's Troop of Cavalry, likely dated 9 Feb 1813, for private "James Castelow," states he enlisted on 10 Dec 1812 and the expiration of his service was on 9 Feb 1813. Remarks state he was absent from service and received no pay.

• Col. Alexander Loury (or Lowry) & Lt. Col. Leroy Hammons, 2nd Regiment West Tennessee Militia (Creek War)
  Formation History: Sep 1814 - Apr 1815
  Comprised mostly of men from Davidson, Warren, Humphreys, Lincoln, Maury, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, White, and Williamson Counties.
  Part of General Nathaniel Taylor's brigade, this regiment was scattered throughout the Creek territory and the vicinity of Mobile to man the various forts in the region: Forts Jackson, Montgomery, Claiborne, and Pierce. Some of the companies participated in the taking of Pensacola (7 November 1814) from Spanish authorities that were accused by Jackson of supporting British troops there.
  Loury resigned on 20 November 1814 and Lieutenant Colonel Leroy Hammonds took over as commander. The regiment was plagued by disease during its tenure in the Mississippi Territory. For example, a morning report of Captain Asahel Rains on 6 January 1815 shows twenty-seven on the sick list and twenty-seven additional men required to take care of the sick (totaling half the company).

  • • • Company muster roll dated 20 Sep 1814 in Fayetteville [Lincoln County, Tennessee] shows "James Costillo" enlisted on the same day for service until 20 Mar 1815 (six months). He was present for service.

      • Company muster roll dated 31 Dec 1814 shows "James Castelow" enlisted as a private on 20 Sep 1814 for the term of six months. The roll states he was "absent" and "left sick at Fort Strother."

      • Company muster roll dated 20 Apr 1815 in Nashville [Davidson County, Tennessee] shows "James Costilow" enlisted as a private on 20 Sep 1814. The roll states he was "absent" and "left sick at Fort Strother 10th Octr 1814 and unable to perform duty 10th November 1814."

      • Company pay roll, likely dated 20 Apr 1815, for "Jas. Costillow," states he enlisted on 20 Sep 1814 and the expiration of his service was on 10 Oct 1814. This was only 21 days of service and he was to be paid $8/month, with his total amount coming to $5.60. Remarks on this pay roll state he was "left sick at Fort Strother 10 October 1814."

*Fort Strother, built in November 1813 on the Coosa River by Andrew Jackson, served as the main supply and staging base for the Tennessee militia during the Creek War. Tennessee militia units, including those from Middle and West Tennessee, such as the 2nd Regiment, were stationed at Fort Strother to secure Jackson’s supply lines and prepare for major operations like the Battles of Talladega and Horseshoe Bend. The fort was built by General Andrew Jackson and several thousand militiamen in November 1813, during the Creek War. It was to serve as his base of operations against the Red Sticks. It was located at Ten Islands in the Mississippi Territory, in what is today St. Clair County, Alabama and was located on a bluff of the Coosa River. This connection to Andrew Jackson at Fort Strother could be a reason why James Costilow named his son James Andrew J. Costilow.

It's unclear where James Costilow was between 1814/1815 and when he first appears in Adams County, Mississippi in 1818.

NOTE: Need to review the Mississippi 1816 Territorial census.

The 1818 Mississippi state census has James Costilow enumerated on 5 Feb 1818 in Adams County, Mississippi. His household consisted of 1 male over 21 years old.

NOTE: Listed amongst Elijah Chambers and Gideon Hopkins, who would become his brother-in-law and father-in-law later the same year.

SOURCE: Mississippi state census returns : RG 28, 1818-1880, microfilm 4827069
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9PH8-WTD

An 1818 tax list for Adams County, Mississippi, dated 6 Jul 1818, has James Costilow being taxed on 1 white poll and he was taxed 83 cents for the State Tax.

SOURCE: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPX8-SZG

The 1820 federal census has James Costlow enumerated in Adams County, Mississippi. His household consisted of the following:

1 Male 16-26 - unknown (younger brother, or brother-in-law?)
1 Male 26-45 - James
1 Female under 10 - unknown (daughter?)
1 Female 16-26 - Mary Bethia (wife)

NOTE: Listed immediately below Nathan Swayze, Harriet Swayze and Nathan Luce.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYY-DKM

On 15 Jun 1824 in Adams County, Mississippi, James Costilow and Bethia his wife sold 34 acres of land to Elijah Chambers for $204. The land was described as being "on the waters of Sandy Creek it being the same inherited by the said Bethia Costilow form the estate of her deceased father Gideon Hopkins... bounded on the South by Charlotte Hopkins land, on the West by Prudence Hopkins land, on the North by Gideon Hopkins land and on the East by Sandy Creek." James Costilow and Bethia his wife swore oath and proved the deed in court on the same day. The deed was recorded on 14 Dec 1824.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book O, page 51
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-Y9RL-8

On 10 Feb 1826 in Adams County, Mississippi, Augustus Roddy entered into a mortgage with James Costilow for $92. The property was described as 82 acres of land "lying on Sandy Creek bounded on the North by lands of Elijah Chambers and on the south by lands of Mrs. S. Hopkins." It further states "the condition of the above obligation is such that should the said Augustus Roddy pay unto the said James Costilow the above sum of $92 with interest within the term of three years the above obligation shall be null and void." The witnesses to the mortgage were George Varnadu and Joseph T. Evans, who swore oath and proved the mortgage in court on 11 Mar 1825. The mortgage was recorded on 8 Jul 1826.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book P, page 205
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLG-Q77N

An account of the sale of the estate of Richard Luse, dated 5 Apr 1826 in Adams County, Mississippi, shows James Costilo purchased several items:

• 1 Dur[ham?] Oxe $13.52 1/2

• 1 Bar Shears Plow $6.00

• 1 Saddle $3.00

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QX-392N-T

On 20 Nov 1827 in Adams County, Mississippi, Hanna Ireson paid James Costilow $54 "in full, for digging a well."

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9QX-396L-G

On 9 Dec 1828 in Adams County, Mississippi, Augustus Roddy & Prudence Roddy his wife sold 82 acres of land to James Costleow for $200. The land was described as being "part of a tract of land belonging to the late Gideon Hopkins decd. & on which Sarah Hopkins the widow of said G. Hopkins now resides it being the part of said tract which was laid off for Prudence Hopkins one of the heirs of the decd. G. Hopkins now the wife of the said A. Roddy, bounded North by land belonging to a certain Mr. Ellison & by land of Sarah Swayze, East by the part laid off for Gideon Hopkins Junior and Elijah Chambers, South by land of Mary Hopkins & West by land of G. King." The witnesses to the deed were Thomas Evans and Joseph T. Evans. Augustus Roddy & Prudence Roddy his wife swore oath and proved the deed in court on the same day. The deed was recorded on 21 May 1829.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book R, page 414
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS41-P9W1-F

The 1829 tax assessment for Adams County, Mississippi shows James Costilow of Sandy Creek being taxed on 1 white poll.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G51R-9SK3

On 8 Jan 1829 in Adams County, Mississippi, James Costelow sold 82 acres of land to Henry P. Evans for $128. The land was described as being "a part of the tract of land belonging to the late Gideon Hopkins decd. in which his widow Sarah Hopkins now resides, it being the part of said tract which was laid off for Prudence Hopkins, one of the heirs of the decd. G. Hopkins now the wife of A. Roddy and the said A. Roddy & wife deeded and sold to the said Castelow, bounded on the North by lands belonging to a certain Mr. Ellison & by lands of Mr. S Swayze East by land laid off for E. Chambers & South by land of Mary Hopkins and West by land of G. King." The witnesses to the deed were Joseph T. Evans and Calvin Bradley.

It further states "the condition of the above obligation is such that should the said James Costilow pay unto the said Henry P. Evans the sum of $128, with lawful interest from date hereof, or before the first day of January 1831, to void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue."

Calvin Bradley swore oath and proved the deed in court on 21 May 1829. The deed was recorded on the same day.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book R, page 413
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS41-P9W1-F

On 9 Feb 1831 in Adams County, Mississippi, Andrew Sharp as administrator of the estate of Joseph Thomas deceased, paid $6 to James Costilow.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9QX-9889

The 1834 tax assessment for Adams County, Mississippi shows Jas. Costelow being taxed on 80 acres of land on Sandy Creek.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-951R-991J

On 8 Sep 1835 in Adams County, Mississippi, James Castlow [Castilow] and wife Bethiar [Bathar, Bathiar, Bethier] sold 80 acres of land to William Lyons for $800. The property was described as "all that lot or parcel of land drawn for Prudence Hopkins in the partition of the Estate of her Father the late Gideon Hopkins being bounded on the West by lands, Kings heirs on the South, by Polleys dower belonging to William Lyons, and on the East on land belonging to Phebee Chambers, Sharloot Hopkins & on the North by lands belonging to Sally Swazeys heirs." James Castlow and wife Bathiar swore oath and proved the deed in court on the same day. The deed was received for record on 9 Oct 1835.

NOTE: This tract of land represents partition Lot No. 1 to Prudence Hopkins.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book W, page 357
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLG-7S6M-1

On 1 Jan 1838 in Adams County, Mississippi, Elijah Chambers and wife Nancy, Egustus Rodey [Augustus Roddy] and wife Prodey [Prudence], John Winley all of Franklin County, and James Costilow and wife Bethier, and Gideon Hopkins of Yazoo County, sold 100.20 acres of land to Pharaoh Carter for $1,000. The property was described as being "on the waters of Sandy Creek and being Lot number 1 (No 1) in the partition and devision of the estate of Gideon Hopkins deceased... which was allotted to Sarah Hopkins the widow of Gideon Hopkins. The widowed Sarah Hopkins also made "her mark" on the deed, indicating she was still alive. The witness to the deed was M. A. McMillan.

On 19 Feb 1838 in Yazoo County, Mississippi, widow Sarah Hopkins, James and wife Bethier Costillow, and Gideon Hopkins swore oath and proved the deed in court.

On 14 Mar 1838 in Franklin County, Mississippi, Elijah Chambers and wife Nancy swore oath and proved the deed in court.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book AA, page 236
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-R9K5-X

On 2 Jan 1838 in Adams County, Mississippi, James Costilow and wife Bethia, Elija[h] Chambers and wife Nancy, Augustus Roddy and wife Prudence, John Worley and wife, and Gideon Hopkins of Franklin and Yazoo Counties, sold 30 acres of land to William J. Lyons for $600. The land was described as being "on the waters of Sandy Creek it being the same inherited by Sharlotte A Hopkins from the Estate of her deceased father Geddeon Hopkins, bounded... on the East by Sandy Creek, on the North by Faron Carters land, on the West by William J. Lyons land and on the South by William J. Lyons land." The witnesses to the deed were Giles Thompson and Eley Jones.

On 2 Jan 1838 in Franklin County, Mississippi, James Costelow, Elijah Chambers and his wife Nancy A., and Prudence Roddy [wife of Augustus] swore oath and proved the deed in court.

On 5 Jan 1838 in Adams County, Mississippi, Augustus Roddy swore oath and proved the deed in court. The deed was recorded on 5 Jan 1838.

SOURCE: Adams County, Mississippi deed book Z, page 358
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRP-C9CD-2

Cannot be located within the 1840 census.

On 13 Apr 1848 in Yazoo County, Mississippi, John Z. Bell and Mrs. B. Costlow [Castlow, Costelow] were issued a marriage license. They were married on the same day by Daniel Jones.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BJ-MQ9R-H

The 1850 federal census has John Z. Bell enumerated on 7 Jul 1850 in Yazoo County, Mississippi. His household consisted of the following:

John Z. Bell 52 M W Planter South Carolina
Berthia 53 F W Mississippi
Joseph 24 M W Laborer Mississippi
Tabitha 22 F W Mississippi
Mary 20 F W Mississippi
Harriet 11 F W Mississippi
Jane 13 F W Mississippi
Alfred 10 M W Mississippi
James Costilough 17 M W Planter Mississippi
Henry Costilough 15 M W Mississippi

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6GK3-F2R

The 1860 federal census has Bertha Bell enumerated on 4 Sep 1860 in Yazoo County, Mississippi, within the household of her son-in-law, Wilson Burney:

Wilson Burney 36 M W Planter $160 real estate $1000 personal estate Mississippi
Mary 29 F W Mississippi
John Brantley 14 M W Mississippi
Chesteram 4 F W Mississippi
Sarah 1 F W Mississippi
Bertha Bell 60 F W Mississippi

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9BS3-9QDW