BOUNDS ANCESTRY

1st generation - John Bounds

     John Bounds, at age 20 set sail from London to Barbados aboard a sailing ship named Hopewell.   He is believed to be Welsh.  In 1670 he bought 500 acres of land in Northumberland County, Virginia.  He and his wife Ann later migrated to Somerset County, Maryland.  He was a planter and carpenter.  He died after 1701.

     Children: William, Ann, John, James.

2nd generation - John Bounds, Jr.

     John Bounds, Jr. Was born in 1672.  He was a planter and owned 350 acres in Dorchester County, Maryland.   His wife was named Rebecca.  John, Jr. died March 14, 1721.

     Children: James, John, George, Sarah

3rd generation - James Bounds

      James Bounds was born in Dorchester County, Maryland in 1696.  James married Ann Dicks (Dykes) and after disposing of his land, he left Maryland and moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  In 1754 James was constable of Bedford County, Virginia.  He died by 1775 and was buried on his own plantation.

     Children: John, James, Jesse, Major, Jane, Nellie

4th generation - James Bounds, Jr,

     James Bounds, Jr. was born in 1720 in Maryland.  Records show that he was married more than once.   His first wife was Elizabeth Phillips.  His second wife was Rebecca Rousom who was said to have long, black hair and a beautiful singing voice.  He moved from Virginia to Anson County, North Carolina around 1763.  He was a planter who signed the “Regulators Petition” of 1769. (Petitions of this type led to the Declaration of Independence.) He died after 1810 near Rockingham in Richmond County, North Carolina.

     Children: Stephen, Jesse, William, George, John, Joseph, Benjamin, Rebecca, Nicey, Jennie, Elizabeth, Nancy, Mary

5th generation - William Bounds

     William Bounds was born in 1765 in North Carolina.  He married Ferby Dearman of Richmond County, North Carolina.   William and his brother, John, moved to Chesterfield County, South Carolina by 1800.  He later moved to Perry County, Mississippi.   William died about 1841.

      Children: James, Solomon, John, Carey, Rosamond, Francis

6th generation - James H. Bounds

     James H. Bounds was born in 1787 in South Carolina.  He was a farmer.  He moved to Perry County, Mississippi by 1820.   His wife was Namoi Rebecca, born in 1797 in South Carolina.  She was a Christian Indian lady, thought by some to be Choctaw but most likely was Cherokee as Choctaws were not known to be in South Carolina.  James died in October, 1860 and Namoi died in 1880.   James and Namoi are buried in the “Granny Bounds Cemetery” near Brooklyn, in Forrest County, Mississippi.

     Stories handed down through the generations say that Namoi’s knowledge of local plants and other natural foods saved many from disease and starvation during trying times of sickness and drought in this time period (Malaria, Yellow Fever, etc.)

*Later studies indicate that Namoi was not Indian and was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Creel of South Carolina. 

      Children: Rebecca, Riley, Gillum, Sarah, Arriann, Mary Ann, Henry, Elizabeth, Nathaniel

7th generation - Gillum Bounds

     Gillum Bounds was born near Lumberton,  Mississippi on June 22, 1818.  He married Keziah Nelson in 1843.  She was born April 24, 1824 in South Carolina, the daughter of Samuel and Lydia Nelson.  It is said that Samuel stowed away on a ship from Turkey and came to America.   His nationality is not provided.  Keziah’s hair was described as being blue-black.  Prior to the Civil War, Gillum and Keziah moved from a sugar plantation in Tangiho, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Mississippi.  Gillum enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private in Co. H-A, 3rd Battalion, Mississippi Infantry on 6 August, 1862 at Augusta, Mississippi. 

      Gillum, like many other of the early settlers of South Mississippi, was a farmer and a trapper, known for his story telling.  His family was living in St. Helens Parish, Louisiana during the 1860 census.  By 1900, they had moved to Pearl River County in Mississippi.  Keziah died Jan. 25, 1902 and is buried

in the Landrum Cemetery.  After her death, by the 1910 census, Gillum was living in Marion County, Mississippi with his son-in-law William Harvey Byrd.  He died on April 6, 1912 and is buried in the Allen Landrum Cemetery, located 1/4 mile from I-59 and Mississippi Highway 13, just two miles from Lumberton. 

     The children of Gillum Bounds, born in Lumberton, Marion County, MS;

- Julianne Bounds, born April 13, 1844, died January 14, 1929

- Elizabeth Bounds, born 1844

- Ellis Bounds, born December. 8, 1846, died single on November 27, 1864.  He  was a  Union soldier and is buried in New Orleans, LA.

- John Riley Bounds, born January 8, 1849, died December  13, 1935

- Martin Bounds, born 1850, died January. 5, 1869

- Lydia Bounds, born 1853

- Wilkin Ira Bounds, born June 16, 1857

- James Henry Bounds, born January 16, 1848, died January 3, 1929

- Gillum Nathaniel Bounds, born July 2, 1863

- Sallie Bounds, born January. 8, 1865

- James Reuben Bounds, born June 30, 1861

8th generation - James Henry Bounds

     James Henry Bounds was born February. 8, 1850 in Lamar County, Mississippi.   On December 11, 1879 James married Nancy Penina (Penny) Lee, daughter of Eli Lee and Dicey Landrum Lee.  She was born November 27, 1856 and died January 12, 1928 in Forrest County.  The 1900 census shows them living in Perry County, Mississiippi and in 1910 they were in Forrest County. James died on January 3, 1929 in Forrest County, Mississippi.  They were buried in the Mill Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

     The children of James Henry Bounds are:

- Mittie Coren Bounds, born September 24, 1880 in Talowah, Lamar County, died September 1941.  Married Sidney James Thomas December 26, 1898.

- Fannie Selma Bounds, born September 11, 1882, died of spinal meningitis May, 1883.

- Dora Nettie Keziah Bounds, born October 13, 1883.   Married John Bowen Brown August 23, 1918. He had 8 living children from former marriage.  She died June 23, 1970.

- Dicey Lutitia Bounds, born February 9, 1886, married Russell W. Davis on May 30, 1908 in Wiggins, Mississippi.  Died May, 1953.

- Grover Cleveland Bounds, born April 11, 1888 in Lamar County, married Minnie Graves, died November 4, 1934.

- Jesse Clemmon Bounds, born January 19, 1890, married Ollie Norris, died 1918.  She is buried in Palatka, Florida.He married Nan Campbell in 1933.  She is buried in Mill Creek Cemetery.

- Stella Rosette Bounds, born September 16, 1891. married A. B. Mc Gill, died May 19, 1929.

- Benjamin Franklin Bounds, born, January 2, 1896, married Ida Isabel

Anderson, died March 23, 1941. 

- James Ellis Bounds, born January 17, 1900, married Mollie Brown, born January 24, 1906, James died November 26, 1981.

9th generation - Benjamin Franklin Bounds

     Benjamin was born on January 2, 1896.   He enlisted in the U. S. Army on July 7, 1916 and was discharged as a sergeant on August 26, 1920.  Assigned to the cavalry, he served with General Jack Pershing’s “Punitive” Expedition into Mexico in 1916 to find the bandit Pancho Villa.  Benjamin was also in WW1 in the 27th and 31st Infantry Regiments in Russian Siberia in 1918 and 1919 in combat with the Bolsheviks near Vladivostok.

     Benjamin married Ida Isabel Anderson, who was born on January 21, 1906.  They managed a sheep, cattle and farming operation in South Forrest County, Mississippi for many years.  Benjamin died on March 23, 1941and Ida continued to live on the same farm. 

     Benjamin and Ida are buried in the Mill Creek Cemetery on Ida Bounds Road near Carnes, Mississippi.

     Children of Benjamin Franklin Bounds:

- Augustus Ledbetter (Gus)  Bounds, born June 8, 1923.  Married Wilna Pauline Lee.

      Gus was Ben and Ida’s first child.   He was almost lost to them at age 2 by drowning in a small pond near their house.  Mother rescued and revived him by pressing firmly on his body, getting the water out and the air flowing back into his lungs.  

     Gus was known as a hard worker as a young boy, and Mother and Papa depended on him for raising crops and taking care of livestock on their farm.  He graduated from Forrest County Agricultural High School in Brooklyn, Mississippi (FCAHS).

     After Papa died, Gus went to Connecticut where he worked in the ship building industry for WWII.  He was a professional boxer while living in Connecticut.  He was drafted by the military in 1944 and volunteered for the U. S. Marine Corp.  After completing basic training, he was shipped to the Pacific war area to fight against the Japanese on the Island of Peleliu.  This battle was known as the bloodiest battle of WWII.  After winning Peleliu from the Japanese, his Marine unit went to train for the Invasion of Japan.  Fortunately for these Marines, the Japanese surrendered and the invasion of mainland Japan did not take place.

     Gus returned from WWII, worked again in the shipbuilding industry, retiring as a master welder from Ingalls Shipbuilders in Pascagoula.  After retiring he became a cattle producer and a first class gardener.

     Gus was known as a Bible scholar and teacher of the Bible for many Baptist churches in South Mississippi.   He is an ordained Baptist deacon.  Several people have described Gus as being “the hardest working man ever known.”

     Their children were: Sylvia Jean Bounds, born July 26, 1943; Benjamin Rodolphus Bounds, born June 29, 1947; Stevon Augustus Bounds, born September 20, 1954.

- Nancy Penina Bounds Soley, born December 16, 1925.  Married D V Soley.

      Nancy attended Forrest County Agricultural High School.  After Papa died, Nancy was an excellent caretaker for her younger siblings while Mother was working the farm, which included raising crops, cattle, hogs and about 400 head of sheep.   Nancy was an excellent cook, and like a second mother for all of her younger brothers and sisters.  She married D V Soley and was a wonderful mother for seven children of her own.

     Nancy was an inspiration and part time caretaker for Mother and Ira as they became more dependent in their later years.

     Nancy played piano for many years at Mill Creek Baptist Church. 

     Nancy died of massive heart failure in 1993.  She and her husband D V are buried in the Mill Creek Cemetery.  “Her legacy was that she left to us all, is a fine example of what every woman should be...the virtuous woman” (quote by Mary Ida Ellis).  “Aunt Nancy left a legacy of love”. (quote by Sylvia Jean Gunn.)

      Their children were: Vernon David Soley, born April 4, 1944, Linda Ann Soley, born April 18, 1946; Mary Faith Soley, born March 28, 1948; Nina Mae Soley, born February 13, 1950;  Duval Porter Soley, born June 14, 1952; Hulaine Soley, born July 12, 1954; Nera Soley, born October 6, 1956.

- Penny Bounds Lee Holoman,  born February 7, 1928, married Joseph Henry Lee.

     Penny inherited her mother Ida’s “strength of character and resoluteness” in her personal life.                                                                   After graduating from FCAHS, she went to work at Camp Shelby for the duration of WWII.  She married Joe Henry Lee.  Penny’s life for many years was tough.  Two of her children were born invalids.  Joelyn is still living, Angela died at a young age.  Even while her husband, Joe,  was incarcerated she made sure that her other two children, John Pilot and Mary Ida were properly schooled to be good law-abiding and productive citizens. 

     Penny always stood firm under conditions that would have broken the lives of many others.  Penny completed nursing school after most folks have given up on schooling.   For many years she served as a nurse. 

     After Joe died, Penny married Clyde Holomon.  Clyde died in 1999.

    Penny stays busy with home care for the aged, and all sorts of home crafts, such as quilt making, crocheting, etc.  She has won  many blue ribbons at Arts and Craft shows and fairs. Her endeavors have resulted in many special gifts for birthdays, weddings, showers, etc. within the family and community.

     Penny and Joe’s children:  Joelyn Lee, born April 23, 1948, John Pilot Lee, born July 21, 1949; Angela Lee, born March 22, l951 and Mary Ida Lee, born January 20, 1956.

-  Titia Cleo Bounds Fore, born March 12, 1930,  married Roy Halverson (Bud) Fore, Sr.

     Cleo attended FCAHS, then married Roy “Bud” Fore.   After five children were born, Cleo went back to school and later became librarian at McHenry Public Library.

     Cleo always made family and visitors feel welcome at her house.   She served nothing fancy.   Beans, greens, squash, cornbread, biscuits, etc. were always “fit for a king”.  She made the best fruit salad ever.

     After Bud died in 1975, Cleo married Chris Baker.  

     Cleo suffered greatly in her later years from heart and kidney failure.   Even in this time of duress, she was always cheerful and (after many years of dialysis two times a week) was always smiling and more concerned for the welfare of others than for herself. 

     Cleo’s oldest son, Roy, was quoted in the Bounds Family Newsletter as follows:  “She spent many an hour gardening, cooking, cleaning, and caring for this family.  Consider her losing two husbands to heart disease within the space of three years.  She then endured open-heart surgery twice while staying in the hospital for eight months out of the year of 1994.  And then, going through the disheartening and painful process of dialysis three days a week with a mechanical valve in her heart.  The epitome of diligence.  And she still wears a smile.  Ain’t she something!!!  You bet!!!”

     Cleo died in 1998 and is buried beside her first husband, Bud, in the Oaklawn Cemetery near McHenry, Mississippi

     Children: Roy Halverson Fore, Jr., born January 16, 1949; Darryl Wayne Fore, born October 17, 1950; Marcia Elise Fore, born March 13, 1953 Randall Earl Fore, born September 20, 1954; Daniel Kemper Fore, born December 25, 1956.

- Millard Fillmore Bounds, born January 7, 1933, married Arland Wilkins.

     Millard graduated from FCAHS.   Millard, like his sister Penny, proved at an early age that he was of very strong character.

     At age 14 he was stricken with a ruptured appendix.   Gangreen then attacked his abdominal cavity causing major damage and a long recovery period.  After several operations and several years of drainage tubes in his abdomen, he healed and managed to finish high school.    Millard also won the South Mississippi and Mississippi State Golden Gloves Boxing tournaments.

     After completing college courses at Clark College in Newton, Mississippi Millard then joined the U. S. Marines and served as administration assistant to the Battalion Sergeant Major and as a Marine Corps Chaplain’s assistant. 

     Millard was ordained a “Baptist Minister”.  He married Arland Wilkins of Jacksonville, North Carolina.  After bearing three children, Arland was killed in an auto accident in North Carolina.  This left Millard with three children to raise.   He later married widowed Elaine Wheat Lee who had two boys to raise.  After the children were about grown, Elaine left.  Millard was devastated by all of this.

      After some time passed he again decided he was not beaten.  He returned to North Carolina, went back to college and earned a college degree in Social Science from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.   He became a school teacher and coach and continued to pastor Baptist churches in North Carolina.   Since retirement, he as served as interim pastor for several churches and conducted several missionary group trips to Trinidad and Dominican Republic.

     Millard has survived several heart attacks and by-pass operations and is still going strong.  He deserves the title: “The Comeback Kid”!

     He was down several times, but never out.  A proven winner.                             Children: Virginia Lynn Bounds, born July 8, 1957; Deborah Denese Bounds, born April 2, 1959; Gregory Millard Bounds, born May 27, 1962

.

- Bill Carman Bounds, born May 24, 1935, married Mary Blakeney, January 26, 1962.  

     Bill was born in Lumberton, Lamar County, Mississippi on May 24, 1935.  He attended and played football at  FCAHS in Brooklyn, Mississippi.  In 1954 he joined the army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He was discharged in 1957 but stayed active in the National Guard, retiring as a major after 25 years of service. 

     Bill attended Pearl River Junior College for two years, then was graduated from William Carey Baptist College in 1961 with a degree in biology.  He loved to fish and observe the beauties of nature.

     Bill won a Mississippi State Golden Gloves Tourney in 1955.  He coached amateur boxing in college and for many years in south Alabama.

     On January 26, 1962, he married Mary Elizabeth Blakeney, born November 26, 1940.  She was a piano teacher and church musician.

     After graduation Bill taught high school biology for a year; then accepted a position as Environmental Chemist with the Geigy Chemical Corporation, which later became Ciba Geigy.  Bill retired as the Supervisor of the Environmental Technical Laboratory.

     Children: William Mark Bounds, born  March 12, 1963, Carmen Elizabeth Bounds, born September 4, 1964; David Franklin Bounds, born October 21, 1968.

- Van Henry Bounds, born March 15, 1938; married Mary Paulette Cooper November 1972.

     Henry attended and played football at FCAHS.                                         Henry seemed to instinctively know and understand all farm animals.  He especially loved horses and dogs and could teach them to do many useful things, horses to herd livestock, and dogs to hunt.  Henry once led “Old Scout”, his favorite horse, through Mother’s house.  When asked why he did this, Henry replied, “I just figured Old Scout would like to know what the inside of the house looked like.”

     Henry was sometimes called “Tinker” because he wanted to take anything that had moving parts apart.  He also loved to walk through the forests blazing a trail with a hatchet as he went.  Henry never went through an open gate, he always climbed over the gate or the fence, even if the gate was already open.

     Henry joined the U. S. Navy and served on the USS Lexington aircraft carrier for several years.  He boxed his way to the finals of the U. S. Navy boxing tourney in the 1960's.  After his Navy service, he returned home and continued to box as an amateur, winning several titles.   He also helped coach boxing teams in Carnes and in the Moss Point and Pascagoula areas.

     Henry married Paulette Cooper, and worked at Ingalls Shipyard as a Master welder until retiring. Henry and Paulette live and manage a large mobile home site “Coastal Meadows” in Gautier, Mississippi.        

     Children:  Van Henry Bounds, Jr., born and died on September 5, 1973; Mary Louise Bounds, born February 17, 1976,  Nancy Elizabeth Bounds, born October 5, l978, and Amera Grace Bounds,

- Ira Wilkie Bounds, born November 28, 1940, died February, 1993 with no descendants.

     Ira attended FCAHS.   After finishing school, he joined the U. S. Army.  He volunteered for Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, completed it and became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He was later assigned to Paratrooper units in Germany and France.

    Ira returned from military service with a severe hearing loss, caused by the terrific noise of firing many U. S. Army artillery rounds.

     Ira loved to help Mother with raising crops and cattle on the old home place.  Ira had the most contagious laugh and giggle ever known.  He would at times, while watching cartoons or comedies at the local theater, “steal the show” with his unusual laughs and giggles.   People sometimes paid more attention to him than to the show.

     Ira had a way with numbers, his brain was a very good calculator.  When he shopped for groceries, he knew the total of the bill before the clerk added it on the cash register.  He knew immediately if the clerk added correctly.  When he sold livestock, he would know immediately, after the price per pound and total weight was established, how much money he had coming.

     Ira died of heart failure in February, 1993.