Alexander Womack of McMinn County, Tennessee

 There is a Find-a-Grave memorial for 'James Alexander Womack':  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27677828/james-alexander-womack

It shows a tombstone engraved with 'Womack, James Alexander, 1797-1877' and 'Freelove Thompson '1805 - 1877'.

This was not, of course, the original tombstone, but one added fairly recently, probably within the last 50 years, by well-meaning descendants meaning to honor their ancestors.  However, most of the information on the tombstone is incorrect.

Over the next few posts, I will go over mistakes on the tombstone, as well as some recently discovered information.

Topics:

• He did not die in 1877
• He was not born in 1797
• His name was not 'James Alexander Womack'
• Probable parents of second wife, Freelove Thompson
• Some clues to family of first wife, Mary Neal

To start with, he died in 1874, not 1877.

His will is a little hard to read, but says the will was probated in November 1874:

McMinn Co, TN Will Book G:259 (LDS Film #830196, image 159/507)

Last Will and Testament of Alexander Womac

State of Tennessee

McMinn County

Know all men by these presence that I Alexander Womac in the presents of mind do make this day my Will. I give to my wife Freelove, my land & stock, household & kitchen furniture, after the funeral expenses is paid and for Free Paris [sic, 'Farris'] still to work the farm and keep up the repairs & pay the taxes and take care of my wife so long as she lives and at her death I want all sold and equal divide made with all the children alike and Elizabeth to have to make her equal.  I wish this to be faithfully executed and in order that it be done I appoint James A. Womac to tend my business and to attend to my wifes trading and to attend at the death of the old woman to wind up this my will. Signed, Sealed, and delivered the presents of us this 11th day of May 1874. I also give my mare colt to Free Paris [sic, 'Farris'] & his wife Lucinda the loom day and date above for the

services in waiting on me.

Alexander his X mark Womac (Seal)

Witness

Thos Prince

Wm Calhoun

Probated Nov/74.

There is also the Bond for his son J A Womack, to be executor of the will.  The bond is clearly dated 5 Nov 1874, and signed 'James A Womac'.  (McMinn Co, TN, Bonds, Administrators & Executors, p.10, LDS Film # 004776241, image 37/843).  Also signing the bond were Daniel Wamack and S H McWhirter - from census records, this was Samuel H McWhirter, a physician in McMinn Co.

Also, McMinn Co, TN Court Minutes, Vol 1:134 (LDS Film # 008478623, image 100/532) - 2 Nov 1874, will of Alexander Womack proved by witnesses James Prince and William Calhoun, and James A Womack appointed executor.

Note that the clerk who copied the will into the will book made a couple mistakes:  Free Paris instead of Free Farris, and Thos [Thomas] Prince instead of James Prince.

Estate sale, 21 Nov 1874, by James A Womack, administrator, buyers were James Hammond, Free Farris, R A Womack, E L Womack and D Womack.  (McMinn Co, TN Inventories of Estates, 1:34, LDS Film # 004776242, image 36/403)

Thus, Alexander Womack died between 11 May 1874, when he signed his will, and 2 Nov 1874, when his will was probated.