Week 9 - Gone Too Soon

When I saw the topic for this week, I had several options to write about ancestors who died before they appeared with their children in census records, leaving no club of their name. Instead, I went looking through my family tree for ancestors who died young. I realized that my great-great-grandmother, Sara Frances Cash, was only 31 when she passed on. I decided to share what little I know of life...

Sara Frances Cash was born circa 1855 in Habersham County, Georgia, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain. The land had been acquired by her great-grandfather, through his draw in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery. Ancestors on both sides of her family had settled in and around Habersham County, as early as 1810, on Cherokee Lands. Looking through the Habersham County Headright and Loose Lottery records, it's hard to find a plat map that doesn't border the land of one of my ancestors or their offspring. The early Habersham Land Deeds have page after page of transactions that include the surname Cash. Driving through the area in 2020, if beauty alone was reason to homestead there, I can't imagine going any further.

Sara was the third born and oldest daughter of the fourteen children born to William Haley Cash and Hester Ann (nee Echols). While her father would have been of prime age to have served during the Civil War, there appears to be no record that he did. Habersham County managed to sidestep the war for the most part. The only battle of any significance occurred on 12 October 1864 at a mountain pass, named the "Battle of Narrows." Habersham County also avoided pillaging by Union troops and camp followers. Although time were hard, the inhabitants of the area perservered.

On 19 March 1871, sixteen-year-old Sara married Moses Prince Ayers. Moses was a farmer and according to the 1880 census, neither he, nor Sara, could read or write. I wonder if the notation that Sara was unable to read or write is in error. The Cash's were a prominent clan and all Sarah's siblings, including her sisters, have no notation on the census, or subsequent records, that they could not read or write. Moses, on the other hand, belonged to a family of meager means. His father was born the third son in his family, and had succumbed to some type of paralysis after serving for the Confederate Army.

By 1880, Sara and Moses had welcomed four children into the world – Simpson/Simeon, 7; Malora, 6; Josephine, 4; and John 1. Their second born, Malora Jane, would later become my great-grandmother. Their daughter Hester was born in 1883, followed by Hannah in 1885. It is purely speculation, but with Sara’s death in 1885, it is possible she died as a result of childbirth. Moses remarried on 29 Dec 1887 to Mariah Jane Payton. They would have no children together, and “Jane” as she was known, stepped into the role as mother, taking Sara’s place.

Although her time on earth was short, it was meaningful, nonetheless. If she hadn't married and given birth to my great-grandmother, I wouldn't be here. It is through her that I've been able to provemy descent from five Revolutionary Patriots. Lastly, bur certainly no least, without looking into her history, I never would have know that I am related to one of the most famous singer-songwriters ever. An entertainer who was known for his deep bariton voice and outlaw image. Does the name Johnny Cash ring any bells?