champions of little coon, al

hey there. my family grew up in the same cove as the champions...in fact in 1860 they lived right next door.

on the 1860 count, the family included james, 46, farmer, 1500, 820, tn, (illiterate); mary a. 44, ky, illit; gilbert l, 21, laborer, al; jefferson, 17, laborer, al; betsy a., 15, al; george m., 19, al; john w., 10, al; sonna, 8, al; thomas j., 6, al; william, 1, al.

by 1870, the count read jas. champion, 57, farmer, 250, 150, tn; mary a., 55, ky, keeping house, ky; elizabeth, 24, at home, al; george m, 22, farm laborer, al, john w., 20, farm laborer, tn; rena c., 18, at home, tn; thomas j, 16, farm laborer, tn.

by 1880, there were 3 champion households and if you want that info i will be happy to send it on to yo.

about 'rash'...my family sometimes called their p.o. rash, sometimes olalee, sometimes stevenson. if you want to see the area, get off the highway (72) in stevenson, (locals now call that area the bypass) and at the intersection where mc donalds is, turn away from mcdonalds (that might be rd. 117 or one that essentially runs parallet to it)...towards the bank, gas station, drug store, grocery store, etc. go down and bear to the left, turning left when the road ends. after you turn, you'll go a few blocks, the po will be on your left. go just beyond it and turn right at the light, cross the rr tracks, go up to the light and make another left, and go outta town a couple miles, looking for hwy 54, skyline wildlife management area sign is there, and turn left again. cross the creek, keep going and when the road forks right takes you to little coon, left takes you to big coon. keep on the road and when you get to cave springs church also on the left, you're a little better than halfway there maybe. i'm not sure if it's paved all the way or not but champion cemetery is beyond the old matthews and mccrary cemeteries, on your right. as i recall it's not kept up and somewhat hard to find...would be easier once frost has hit and leaves and grass have died back. there is also a place called champion springs up there which has been a favorite picnic spot for generations. i can't remember the directions on that but could find out for you.

always glad to find another 'coon' researcher. realize this may be old news to you by now, but i hope in some way it helps. best of luck. write back if i can help. darallen814@yahoo.com

deb