James Needham HAIRSTON

HAIRSTON.org ID#3976, b. 13 September 1812, d. about 1857
Father*Robert HAIRSTON1 b. bt 1776 - 1780, d. 22 Aug 1841
Mother*Margaret SMELTZER (SMELSER)1 b. a 1785, d. 16 Nov 1862
Birth*James Needham HAIRSTON was born on 13 September 1812 in Lincoln, Tennessee. The 1900 census of Nancy Minerva Hairston McCaleb (James's daughter) states both of her parents were born in Tennessee.2,3 
He was the son of Robert HAIRSTON and Margaret SMELTZER (SMELSER).1 
Marriage*James Needham HAIRSTON married Mary VAUGHN about 1838. 
Census 1840*James Needham HAIRSTON appeared on the census of 1840 in Lincoln, Tennessee, Males under 5 1, 20-29 2, Females under 5 1, 15-19 1, slaves 2. A Sarah Vaughan, age 50-59 born 1781-1790, is also listed in the 1840 Lincoln County census. Possibly related to Mary Vaughan.4
WillIn Robert HAIRSTON's will dated 12 August 1841 in Marshall, Mississippi, James Needham HAIRSTON was named as an heir; The will mentions his wife Margaret, daughter Mary Meek, nephews Robert Meek & Robert Hairston, son Manley M. Hairston and son James N. Hairston. Robert's son Manley M. Hairston was appointed administrator. Note: Nephews Robert Meek & Robert Hairston are actually grandsons of the deceased Robert Hairston. Robert Meek is the son of Mary E. Hairston Meek and Robert Hairston is the son of James N. Hairston. - Marshall County Mississippi Court records 1839-1846, pages 411-412. FSL #5815480, image 220. A copy of the will was also filed in the Lincoln County TN Will Books, Page 204 - Tennessee Wills and Probate Records. FSL #7642927, image 383 and #8959917, image 284.5
Court Record*8 January 1850. This day came said Robert Hairston a minor about the age of nine years, by his father James Hairston and filed his petition herein showing that said minor resides in this county and that he has no guardian of his estate, which is now in the County of Lincoln and State of Tennessee, and is of about the value of ??? hundred dollars. - Dallas County, Arkansas Probate Court Book A, page 101. FSL #7116904, image 78. 
Census 1850He appeared on the census of 17 October 1850 in Tulip, Dallas, Arkansas.

 
Court RecordJames Hairston as guardian for his son Robert Hairston a minor. Dallas County, Arkansas Probate Court Book A, page 283. FSL #7116904, image 196.
Death*He died about 1857 in Dallas, Arkansas.6 
ProbateHis estate was probated on 14 February 1857 in Probate Court, Dallas, Arkansas.6
Deed1857 Dallas County - 40 acres Township 10 S, Range 16 W, Section 36. This deed was recorded after his death.7

Family

Mary VAUGHN b. 3 Sep 1815, d. 19 Jul 1901
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S46] Vic Hairston and Edward J. Bregenzer, The Hairston History, February 12, 1998. Personal Collection - copy.
  2. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  3. [S3176] Lincoln County Tennessee Bible Records, Volume 4, compiled by Mabel Abbott Tucker and Jane Warren Waller, Lincoln County Tennessee Pioneers. Family History Library Film #007831066., Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  4. [S1840] 1840 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S3251] Tennessee Wills & Probate Records 1779-2008, Ancestry.com.
  6. [S3260] Record of Wills, 1843-1921; Author: Arkansas. Probate Court (Dallas County); Probate Place: Dallas, Arkansas, Ancestry.com.
  7. [S3261] United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. Automated Records Project; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes. http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/. Springfield, Virginia: Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States, 2007.
  8. [S1850] 1850 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited30 Nov 2025