Byers Genealogy & Research Services

07/29/2025

Calling card case given to Belle by her grandmother upon the event of her marriage to James Brownlow. It is engraved with their wedding date, October 3, 1865. Notepad, Pencil and Pad, change purse and watch, all crafted from silver were handed down to Belle Cliffe by her grandmother, along with the above calling card case on Belle and James wedding date on October 3, 1865.

Belle was very close to her grandmother, who was her namesake. Evidence of this lies in the fact that on the day Belle was married, her grandmother, Isabella McPhail Cliffe Smith, gave her these silver pieces. Pamela Byers, Franklin historian, describes her interpretation of these gifts:

“The belief that elite plantation mistresses did not work is a myth. Here is just one example:

The four items chained together would hang from a chatelaine belt. They were made from sterling silver and were quite valuable. In addition, innumerable heavy iron keys would also hang from the belt. Everything on the plantation was locked up, from the spices, sugar, and medicine cabinets to the outbuildings and the mistress held the keys to them all. This kept her at the beck and call of everyone, including the enslaved, all day. Only one of her many duties and daily tasks.

A coin purse, a notepad, pencil and watch are pictured here. There were many other useful household items such as scissors, needle cases to knives that could be added to the belt.”

https://lovelyfranklin.com/the-love-story-of-belle-cliffe-and-james-brownlow/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL1BEFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUkk2cVRSR3BFWW1OMXI2AR65cjhhN5plK6If8GoVPel1q6ybmV8q8t3xz2mVVfJrJShJ_ahSNQ2Jm2Y02A_aem_cJ4moPHlOq0wnCGasNHc8g

“Beneath the Bayonet Moon: The Love Story of Belle and James Brownlow” In the shadow of cannon smoke and the scorched hills of Franklin, Tennessee, a love bloomed that defied the brutal divide of a nation at war. Belle Cliffe, the spirited daughter of a town physician with quiet Union loyalties,...

05/01/2025

Please read this message from our Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti about 23andMe and their bankruptcy to protect yourself.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued a consumer alert and encouraged Tennesseans to protect their genetic data following 23andMe’s bankruptcy announcement.
https://www.tn.gov/attorneyge.../news/2025/3/28/pr25-20.html
The California-based 23andMe collects and analyzes people’s genetic code and uses DNA samples for a variety of purposes, including helping people trace their ancestry and detect personal health risks. The company, which filed for bankruptcy, announced plans to sell its assets.
Given the sensitive consumer data 23andMe has amassed, Attorney General Skrmetti reminded Tennesseans of their rights under Tennessee’s Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA), which went into effect in July 2023. Tennesseans have the right to delete the consumer’s account and genetic data, and the right to request and obtain the destruction of any samples of genetic material held by the company.
Consumers can delete their account and personal information by taking the following steps:
1. Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
2. Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
3. Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to “23andMe Data.”
5. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
7. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
8. Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
To Destroy Your 23andMe Test Sample:
If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under “Preferences.”
To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research:
If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers using your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page under “Research and Product Consents.”

04/13/2025

Tip # 7 – Don't Rely on Transcripts of Original Records – Read Them!

Now that Ancestry is using AI, you will note that the information given in the transcripts of the records is incomplete. I’ve always advocated looking at the original record but it’s more important now than ever. In addition to the immediate family, others such as in-laws, grandparents to servants, farm laborers or boarders may also be listed on the original but not in the transcription. When you can’t find your grandparents, you will often find them living with one of their children in their old age, etc.

In addition, dates and places are not always included any more either. For instance, instead of saying St. Louis, the transcription may say “of this city.” So, pay attention to the details or you may miss out on important information.

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03/30/2025

In honor of Women’s History Month

The belief that elite plantation mistresses did not work is a myth. Here is just one example:

The four items chained together would hang from a chatelaine belt. They were made from sterling silver and were quite valuable. In addition, innumerable heavy iron keys would also hang from the belt. Everything on the plantation was locked up, from the spices, sugar, and medicine cabinets to the outbuildings and the mistress held the keys to them all. This kept her at the beck and call of everyone, including the enslaved, all day. Only one of her many duties and daily tasks.

A coin purse, a notepad, pencil and watch are pictured here. There were many other useful household items such as scissors, needle cases to knives that could be added to the belt.

These items belonged to Belle Cliffe Brownlow of Franklin, TN. The calling card case was a gift from wedding day on October 3rd, 1865.
Her obituary.
Gen. James P. Brownlow (1st Tennessee Cavalry, USA) was the son of Parson W.G. Brownlow, U.S. Military Governor of Tennessee. He was wounded in a skirmish south of Franklin, near the Harrison House, and was taken to the home of Dr. D.B. Cliffe for treatment. During his stay at the Cliffe home, he fell in love with the doctor’s daughter, Belle Cliffe. They were married by his father, Governor Brownlow, on October 3, 1865. Two children were born to the couple, a boy and a girl, both of whom died young. Sadly, in May 1878, Belle also died. The Nashville Daily American related, “When death removes those who have fulfilled their time, we are grieved but not surprised, but when it strikes the young and idolized, as it has here last week, we bow with submission though with broken hearts. Such a shock as we received in the death of Mrs. Belle Brownlow has not often fallen on Franklin, in perfect health at 5 o’clock Tuesday, she was stricken with the shaft at 6 o’clock, and in forty-eight hours went to join her children. She was the idol of her parents and the pride of her husband. Like a fragrant flower, she shed affection all around her.”
Apparently, Gen. Brownlow had little desire to live without his dearly loved ones. Less than a year later, he was gone as well. On May 3, 1879, The Daily American reported: “Gen. Jas. P. Brownlow was buried in the new cemetery last Tuesday by the side of his young wife and two children, who had preceded him to the grave only a few short years. Gen. B. was very popular here with all who knew him, and especially was he liked by those who were opposed to him in arms during the civil war. On Monday there was a meeting of citizens and ex-Confederate soldiers, and resolutions were adopted expressive of their admiration and esteem for him. As the resolutions state, ‘he was thoroughly imbued with the courage and chivalry of a Tennessean. He lived long enough with us after the war to change our esteem and respect into affection.’ His family and friends have the sincere sympathy of our people in their bereavement. Peace to his ashes.”

I believe the article was published in the 2008 Williamson County Historical Society Journal and then appeared on the Carter House page. I found it and the photos on the “Old Town” website.

03/14/2025

My 8th great-grandmother was Lady Elizabeth Smith Lawrence Carteret Townley. Her second husband, Sir Phillip Carteret was the first governor of New Jersey. He named Elizabethtowne, NJ after her.

In his absence, "... she was entrusted with the affairs of the colony ... and in the title to some of the acts of that period, it is stated that they were 'passed under the administration of Lady Elisabeth Carteret.' "

Source: Colonial Families of the United States of America, Volume VII

03/06/2025

Tip: Where you can find your female ancestors in newspapers.

We've delved into our archives to highlight articles about women that may help you find your female ancestors in the papers!

03/04/2025

Historian, Catherine Clinton, notes "early March beds needed “scalding” to prevent bedbugs, part of the mistress’s spring-cleaning ritual."

Better start cleaning!!!

03/02/2025

I am not a Southern sympathizer, but a historian looking to set the record straight.

12/23/2024

Tip #6 - Finding Birth-Marriage-Death Certificates

If you can't find the above on Ancestry.com for a certain person, try looking under the "Pictures" section. Sometimes people post them there.

If all else fails you can order them for a fee from Vitalcheck.com.

You must know the exact date, town/city, county and state. You will receive a typed certificate.

12/01/2024

https://www.taftlaw.com/news-events/law-bulletins/nagpra-2024-revamped-rule-strengthens-process-for-museums-and-universities-to-heal-prior-inequities-and-rebuild-tribal-relationships/

“NAGPRA is an important law that helps us heal from some of the more painful times in our past by empowering Tribes to protect what is sacred to them. These changes to the Department’s NAGPRA regulations are long overdue and will strengthen our ability to enforce the law and help Tribes in the r...

11/15/2024

Alexander Reid, Jr. was born in Auldcarn, Nairndshire, Scotland in 1755. He died in Williamson County, TN about 1819. He was a scholar and teacher, yet he amassed an amazing amount of land. While no will was found at the...

11/14/2024

This photo of Maude Belle Laubach depicts her wearing an extreme mask. It covers her forehead down to her chest (note her white hands). Was this mask to protect her from the Spanish flu? It does not resemble the masks...