(b. July 1853, Smith Cty, MS– d. 16 Dec 1924, Hinds Cty, MS)
Robert Benjamin Varner was the first son of Solomon Varner (1823-60) and Elizabeth Westbrook (1838-?). In the 1860 Census, Mary A. Varner(15), Solomon’s sister was living with them (thanks so Sheila Scott for clarifying this.) Other children in the household were Robert B. (6), Andrew Jackson (4), Harriet C. (6/12). Susan Kindley Varner (60) (1800-80), Solomon’s mother, wass also living with them in Smith County, MS. (County seat Raleigh). Robert’s grandfather was Andrew Varner (1790-1845). The map below shows the area of Smith County, MS.(The map in interactive.) Solomon’s estate in 1860 was valued at $2220 and personal goods at $700. He was listed as a farmer born in North Carolina, Elizabeth and their children were born in MS.
Robert married Amanda Jane Hales (1853-79) from Polkville, Smith County, MS (Route 13), in about 1875, she would have been about 22. They had three children, Mary Elizabeth (my grandmother), Lula Vicey and Jane. Jane died in August of 1879 of malaria, however she had given birth to a Jane Jr. who died in November. In February 1880, with two small daughters, Robert marries Jane’s sister, fifteen-year-old Martha Ann Hales (1865-1916),. Their marriage date was 22 February, 1880, in Rankin County. They lived in Vernon, Madison County. They had 9 children with seveen surviving. They were: daughters, Alphan H., Wellis, Berdie, Eva E., and sons: Charles Washington, James A., and “Lervoice”.
In the 1900 Census, Robert was living in Flora, Madison, MS with Martha A. and seven children. His father’s birthplace was listed as NC. He listed his marriage year as 1883 and birth year as July, 1853. The married year is incorrect since he was already married to Martha in 1880 Census.
In the 1910 Census, Robert was living with Martha in Beat 2, Hinds County, MS with Alpha (25), “Lervoice” (13) and Eva (11). He says he can read and write but Martha cannot. Farming on “own account”.
In 1920 Census, he wass widowed and living in Brownsville, Hinds County, MS with his daughter Evie (20). Next door is his son L. V. Varner (22) and his wife, Ollie (20) and son, William B. (2/12)
Martha died September 5, 1916, and is buried at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Brownsville, MS. Robert died December 16, 1924,. Both were in unmarked graves near son, Charlie W. (according to Marie Sellers who heard it from Berdie Varner). Recently Mel, Floyd and Donald Oakes purchased a stone for Robert and with the help of Marie and son Jerry Sellers it was installed.
Robert Benjamin Varner & Amada Jane Hales Family
Robert Benjamin Varner & Martha Ann Hales Family
Robert Benjamin Varner Gallery
Left To Right: William L. Miller(husband of Willie Varner, Robert’s daughter), Robert Benjamin Varner and Louvoice “Bud” Varner, Robert’s Son.
Martha Ann Hales Death Certificate, September 5, 1916
2nd Wife of Robert Benjamin Varner
Daughter of Wiley H. and Lavisa C. Moore Hales
Robert Benjamin Varner, (1853-1924), (photo provided by Suzanne Lee, restored by Mel Oakes)
Mary Elizabeth Varner(1876-1930), eldest daughter of Robert B. & Mary Hales Varner
William Cornelius and Lula Vicey Varner (1877-1922) Dillon . Children are likely left to right: Eunice (1896-1981), this next could be Ollie (1900-1921) amd Bertha (1898-1995) or viseversa. The child on the right appears to have blue eyes. A picture I have of an adult Bertha looks like she has blue eyes.
William Cornelius Dillon and Daughters.
Left to right: Eunice Dillon Slayton, Alta "Pete" Dillon Jones, William Cornelius, Addie Elizabeth Dillon Hardacre and Bertha Dillon Brewer. (Photo from Sheila Rogers)
Left To Right: James A. Varner(1888-?) and son Percy Varner(1909-?), James was son of Robert Benjamin Varner
Charles Washington Varner (1885-1950), son of Robert Benjamin Varner
Willie Varner Miller (1889-?), daughter of Robert Benjamin Varner
Willie Varner Miller (1889-?), George Morris & Evie Varner Morris, Evie and Willie are sisters.
Willie Varner Miller (1889-?), Louvoice “Bud” Varner (1899-1966), Lola Edrena Hardacre, sister of Tom Hardacre.
Willie & Louvoice are brother & sister.
Evie Ernest Varner Morris(1898-1966), daughter of Robert Benjamin Varner
Louvoice Varner and Willie Varner Miller, brother & sister.
James A and Louvoice Varner, brothers.
Louvoice Varner (son of Robert Benjamin Varner and Martha Ann Hales) was born on 09 Jan 1899 in Warren County, Mississippi, USA. He died on 15 Sep 1966.
He married OLLIE DILLON. She was born in 1900 in Mississippi, USA. She died on 30 Mar 1921 in Oak Ridge, Warren County, Mississippi, USA. He married LOLA EDRENA HARDACRE. She was born on 03 Jan 1907 in Hinds County, Mississippi, USA. She died on 04 Apr 1975.
Ollie's 2 small children were left with Lula Varner Dillon to raise.
George and Evie Varner Morris. c. 1920
Original of George and Evie before I restored it to version above.
Two of the three sons of R. B. Varner. The sons were Charles Washington, James A. and Louvoice Varner, pictures above. The man on left appears to have dark eyes while in photo above one brother may be blue eyed, difficult to tell because of quality of photo. Hopefully another photo of James will surface. The postcard was printed between 1918-30. Charles was born in 1885, James born 1888 and Louvoice in 1896 . This would make them 33+, 30+ and 24+. I don’t have young picture of Charles. The studio is the same as my mother’s family picture on the G. L. Hartley page. She said it was in Clinton, MS. Her picture was taken about 1920
This tintype is owned by Marie Sellers. It was not in very good shape. I have restored it. The eye of the boy on the right was missing. I have made him one as a combination of his left eye and the eye of the boy on the left.
I think it is very likely these are two of Robert Benjamin & Martha Hartley’s sons. More likely Charles and James since their age separation of 3 years matches. I think these two boys could very well be the two men above. I need an early picture of Charles Washington Varner to compare. A date of around 1895 would approximate their ages in the picture and be consistent with their clothing. These collars were popular in 1890 to 1905.
Birdie Boyd, wife of Charles Washington Varner & sister of Benjamin Maliky Boyd (spouse of Birdie Varner }. Sister & brother marry brother & sister. Charles and Birdie were children of R. B. and Martha Varner. Child probably grandchild.
Spurgeon & Myrtle Louise Dillon Davis and Geraldine. Louise is granddaughter of Robert B. Varner, daughter of Lula Vicey Varner Dillon.
Alonzo Antler Varner, (1879-1950), son of Robert Benjamin Varner’s brother Andrew Jackson Varner(1858-1926). Picture taken in MS in 1945.
Minnie Ola Sanderfer Varner, (1883-1919?), wife of Alonzo A. Varner, (Two pictures kindly provided by Christy Varner, Frenchglen, Oregon)
George William Morris, husband of Evie Ernest Varner. (1890-1973). WWI
He enlisted May 8, 1918 at Jackson, MS. Rank Private. Company D, 4th Battalion. He was discharged Dec 19, 1918 at Camp Beauregard, MS. Cause of discharge was Demobilization. Admitted to U. S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Johnson City, TN in 1922. Disability when admitted to Home in Johnson City, TN:
“ Chr. pul. th. active ?. A. Mitral regurgitation.”
Description: Age 32, Ht. 6’11 1/4”, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, lt brown hair, reads and writes, protestant, farmer, married to Evie, Morris in Clinton, MS. Dischared from hospital Jan 2, 1924, pension $8.
(Family members contradict this exceptional height, they say he was tall but not 6’ 11”.
Signature from WW1 Draft Registration Card,
Evelyn Kathleen Morris Chappell, (1920-93), daughter of George William and Evie E. Varner Morris, ca.1922, (picture courtesy of granddaughter, Suzanne Lee)
Picture was a postcard placed in an oval mat. Here is back of postcard. The note was to her grandfather, Robert Benjamin Varner (picture courtesy of granddaughter, Suzanne Lee)
Mary Ann Bellinger Haver(1843-), Josephine & Addie’s sister.
She married Michael Haver(1830-1892), April 8, 1859
Neville James Sellers, (1908-1974), husband of Margie Marie Morris. He was a member of the 327th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group. He served in England from August 6, 1942, until November 18, 1943. He made the rank of Sergeant on September 1, 1942 and maintained that rank until he was honorably discharged on December 30, 1943. – Jerry Sellers, son.
William Dillon maried Lula Vicy Varner, sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner
Lula Vicey Varner Dillon Death Certificate (d. June 6, 1922)
Wife of William Cornelius Dillon
Daughter of Robert Benjamin & Amanda Jane Hales Varner
Sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner Hartley
Lula Vicey Varner Dillon
(1875-1922)
Wife of William Cornelius Dillon
Sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner Hartley
Lula Vicey Varner Dillon
(1875-1922)
Wife of William Cornelius Dillon
Sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner Hartley
Thomas Forbus and Addie Dillon Hardacre and their children.
Front row Opal Earlene, Johnny Harold, Elizabeth Ann
2nd row : Ollie Mae, Ernest Malcolm, Addie Dillon Hardacre
3rd row: William Edgar, Maben Steaven, Thomas Colon, Tom Hardacre holding Jimmy Norman
(Picture provided by Sheila Scott Rivers and identifications kindly provided by Opal Hardacre Cauthen, daughter of Tom and Addie Hardacre)
Also suggested as Tom Hardacre and wife Addie Dillon. Hard for me to see the girl in these three pictures as the same. Here is man is much taller than the girl. At left relative heights not so severe. Also girl above seems to have light colored hair. Appreciate any help. (Picture provided by Sheila Scott Rivers.)
Suggested as Addie Dillon b. 1908. Addie is granddaughter of Robert B. Varner, daughter of Lula Vicey Varner Dillon. This picture is 1921, Addie would be 13, she seems older in this picture. Picture ids Kermit Varner on left and Evelyn Morris on right. Evelyn was born 1920 to George and Evie Varner Morris. Kermit Varner, born 1921 was child of Louvoice Varner and Ollie Dillon(Addie’s sister). Later was raised by Thomas and Eunice Dillon Garrison and was known as Albert Kermit Garrison. (Picture and information from Nancy Thompson)
Suggested as Addie Dillon b. 1908. Addie is granddaughter of Robert B. Varner, daughter of Lula Vicey Varner Dillon. This picture is 1921, Addie would be 13, she seems older in this picture. Picture ids Kermit Varner on left and Evelyn Morris on right. Evelyn was born 1920 to George and Evie Varner Morris. Kermit Varner, born 1921 was child of Louvoice Varner and Ollie Dillon(Addie’s sister). Later was raised by Thomas and Eunice Dillon Garrison and was known as Albert Kermit Garrison. (Picture and information from Nancy Thompson)
William Cornelius Dillon(1868-1960). I would put him about 50 years old, making the photo about 1920. The girls hair would date about the same. Might be a little later. His daughters Addie(1908-74) would be 12. Alta((1901-97) would be 19 and Mytle (1911-37) would be 9. If we move the date of the picture by 3-5 years then Addie would be 11-13 and Mytle 12-14. Both possible ages for the girls. Comments appreciated.
William C. Dillon married Lula Vicey Varner. Lula was sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner and daughter of Robert Benjamin Varner and Amanda Jane Hales. (Picture provided by Sheila Scott Rivers.)
Spurgeon & Myrtle Louise Dillon Davis and Geraldine. Louise is granddaughter of Robert B. Varner, daughter of Lula Vicey Varner Dillon. For comparison with picture above. (picture shared by Sheila Scott Rivers)
Louvoice and Ollie Dillon Varner, married in 1918.
(Picture provided by Sheila Scott Rivers.)
Spurgeon & Myrtle Louise Dillon Davis and Geraldine. Louise is granddaughter of Robert B. Varner, daughter of Lula Vicey Varner Dillon. For comparison with picture above. (picture shared by Sheila Scott Rivers)
William Cornelius Dillon(1868-1960). The car in the picture is about a 1923 Model T. It has the rectangular rear window introduced that year. Car looks in good shape so maybe 1923 to 1925 would be years of photo. If so then WC would be 52 to 55. If I have the birth dates correct then Eunice 27-29, Bertha 25-27, Ollie 22-24 (however she died in 1921 so not in picture), Alta 22-24, Addie 15-17 and Myrtle 12-15. If the five girls and Lola are pictured above then a suggested identification.
Back: L to R: William, Alta “Pete”(suggested by WC Jones Jr.), Eunice, Bertha, Might be Addie, Louvoice married Lola Hardacre in 1924 so she might be in picture.
Note: There are two face between Bertha and ?, they look like small girls probably standing on car seen in next picture.
Front Row: Myrtle?, ?, ?. Addie(I was pretty sure of this id based on picture of Addie with babies supplied by Nancy Thompson, however WC identified a picture of Tom Hardacre and wife Addie, if correct then I think Addie would be back right which leaves this woman unidentified. Addie with babies is 1921 and Addie would be 13, appears older than that, however often girls worked hard and matured quicker .
My Census search has Alta’s boys Charles b 1922, Jesse, 1924, W. C. 1925-26, Felix 1927-28 (need to correct this from information supplied on Jones Group.
For the boys and Myrtle to fit I would suggest it is W. C. in Alta’s arms, and he is 1, making the year of the photograph 1925. Thus Jesse is 1-2 and Charles is 3. If someone can supply me with more accurate birth dates I can see if they still fit. Myrtle in the picture looks younger than 14-15. So she doesn’t fit very well. Maybe not Myrtle and one of the older girls is missing. Myrtle in picture below is quite short but difficult to place in the above picture. Hopefully more pictures will surface to resolve the issue.
William C. Dillon married Lula Vicey Varner. Lula was sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner and daughter of Robert Benjamin Varner and Amanda Jane Hales. (Picture provided by Sheila Scott Rivers.)
Picture taken at same time as above picture. Appears to be the males of the group.
Front: William Cornelius Dillon(1868-1960) and Jesse Jones.
The car in the picture is about a 1923 Model T. It has the rectangular rear window introduced that year. Car looks in good shape so maybe 1923 to 1925 would be years of photo. If so then WC would be 52 to 55.
Back: L to R: Tom Garrison( Eunice’s husband). Tom Hardacre, (Addie’s husband), compare with other pictures above of Tom. Clearly Louvoice Varner, in fact his name was on border of picture.
William C. Dillon married Lula Vicey Varner. Lula was sister of Mary Elizabeth Varner and daughter of Robert Benjamin Varner and Amanda Jane Hales. Louvoice was Lula’s half-brother. (Picture provided by Sheila Scott Rivers. WC)
Alta “Pete” Dillon Jones and grandson Charles Jr., born Feb. 28, 1943. Alta is granddaughter of Robert B. Varner, daughter of Lula Vicey Varner Dillon. For comparison with picture above. Charles birthday would date photo. ca. 1945 (Picture from Nancy Thompson. Birthdate from Dorris Ballard, Charles’ sister)
Back of Photo: On the back of the photo is a handwritten note in pencil: To Rena(sp) From Louise This is myself and Alta biggest boy. Alta Dillon Jones' oldest son would be Charles Rueben (born 1921). His Aunt Mytle Louise Dillon, born 1911, would be 10 years older which would work. She married Spurgeon Davis.
William Cornelius Dillon and Daughters
Front Row: Addie Dillon Hardacre in flowered dress, Bertha Dillon Brewer, William Cornelious Dillon.
Back Row: Alta Dillon Jones, Eunice Dillon (Garrison, Gill) Slaton
(Identifications kindly provided by Opal Hardacre Cauthen, daughter of Tom and Addie Hardacre)
Addie Dillon Hardacre and unknown
Children of Jesse & Alta "Pete" Dillon Jones
Donald Oakes & Marie and Jerry Sellers.
Marie, Jerry and Floyd Oakes. Installation of Robert Benjamin Varner’s stone. September 26, 2009.
Varner marker installation. Click picture above to see movie.
1859 Land Purchase by Solomon Varner
1859 Land Purchase by Solomon Varner
House built by W. C. Dillon at Dillon Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, MS (Picture courtesy Dutch Anderson) Information provided by Opal Hardacre Cauthen,"House on Dillon Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, MS. Was built by Squire Dillon according to the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic preservation
The Foundation published a tour of the home which is currently owned by Steve and Diane Miles."
Wayne Scott;'s GrandMother Alta Dillon with three sons and her daughter
Charles Jones, W. C. Jones, Alta, Mary Louise, and Jesse Jones. Their grandfather and Grandmother was William Cornelius Dillon and Lula Varner. They are Alta’s parents.
Sarah Francis Deason Jones, Picture at left restored to match more closely what the original was like. Some restoration also done on picture at right.
Sarah Francis Deason Jones, Picture at left restored to match more closely what the original was like. Some restoration also done on picture at right.
Jessie Jones, restored photo.
Jake Dose Jr. and Felix Jones. Interesting photo. I am related to Jake on my father's side and to Felix on my mother's side.
Robert Benjamin Varner was the first son of Solomon Varner (1823-60) and Elizabeth Westbrook (1838-?). In the 1860 Census, Mary A. Varner(15), Solomon’s sister was living with them (thanks so Sheila Scott for clarifying this.) Other children in the household were Robert B. (6), Andrew Jackson (4), Harriet C. (6/12). Susan Kindley Varner (60) (1800-80), Solomon’s mother, wass also living with them in Smith County, MS. (County seat Raleigh). Robert’s grandfather was Andrew Varner (1790-1845). The map below shows the area of Smith County, MS.(The map in interactive.) Solomon’s estate in 1860 was valued at $2220 and personal goods at $700. He was listed as a farmer born in North Carolina, Elizabeth and their children were born in MS.
