The George surname can be traced back to early France, England, and Scotland.    My George ancestors probably originated in either Scotland or England.    The earliest use of the George surname in England is said to have appeared in Cambridgeshire about the year 1100.    Surnames, as a rule, began being used during the mid to late 1200's.    English surnames were generally taken from such things as localities or land features (such as Field, Marsh, or Hill), from occupations (such as Cooper, Plumber, or Brewer), from the names of flowers and animals (such as Rose or Sparrow), or from physical features (such as Stout, Beardsly or Long).    The English George surname is derived from an occupation of the ancestor.   The English surname means "farmer".

Early immigration records show numerous listing for the George surname.    Immigrants from both France and England began arriving in America in the early 1600's.    Among the earliest immigrants were Benjamin George who immigrated to Virginia in 1663; James George who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1653; John George who immigrated to Virginia in 1653; Richard George who immigrated to Virginia in 1650; and William George who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1637.    Immigrants from Shetland and other areas of Scotland began arriving in the early 1700's.

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My 4th great grandfather is believed to have been John George, who was born prior to 1750.    At this time we know nothing about John.    We believe he had several children including Richard George, William George, John George, Jesse George and Benjamin George, from whose line I descend.

My 3rd great grandfather, Benjamin George, was born about 1772, possibly in Virginia.   Benjamin married my 3rd great grandmother, Rachel Tucker, about 1800.    Rachel was born about 1782, in Virginia, according to census records.

Benjamin moved his family to Tennessee prior to 1804. 

Benjamin appears on the 1820 Jackson County, Tennessee, census.   The census shows one male 45 or over (Benjamin), two males 16-25 (Benjamin, Jr. & Richard F.), one male 16-18 (this is also Richard F.), 2 males 10-15 (James S. & unknown), two males under 10 (Andrew J. & unknown), one female 26-44 (Rachel), two females 10-15 (unknown), and two females under 10 (unknown).

The 1820 Jackson County, Tennessee, census shows several other George families living in the same area.    We believe they were all related to Benjamin.   The census shows the James George family as one male 26-45, four males under 10, one female 16-25, and one female under 10.   The Jesse George family shows one male over 45, one male 16-25, three males 10-15, one female over 45, and one female 16-25.   The John George family shows one male over 45, two males 16-25, one male 16-18, three males 10-15, one female 26-45, and one female under 10.   The Presley George family shows one male over 45, one male 10-15, three males under 10, one female over 45, one female 26-45, one female 10-15, and two females under 10.   The Richard George family shows one male over 45 and one female over 45.    The Thomas George family shows one male 26-45, two males under 10, one female 16-25, two females 10-15, and one female under 10.   The William George family shows one male over 45, one male 26-45, two males 10-15, two males under 10, one female over 45, and one female under 10 years old.

Benjamin's family appears on the 1830 Haywood County, Tennessee census, living near the Town of Brownville.    His son Richard was living in the Town of Brownville.   Benjamin and Richard are the only two George families living in Haywood County in 1830.   Some of the George families that were in Jackson County in 1820 were in Lincoln County, Tennessee in 1830.   

Benjamin's family appears on the 1840 Haywood County, Tennessee census.   The census shows Benjamin George a male 70-79, one male 15-19 (Andrew J.) and one female 50-59 years old. Benjamin's son Richard F. George and his family were living next to Benjamin's family.  

Benjamin George and his son Richard moved their families to Arkansas about 1841.  They settled in Izard County.   Records show that Benjamin paid personal property taxes in Izard County in 1846. 

Benjamin died about 1849, in Izard County, Arkansas.    

Benjamin's widow, Rachel, appears on the 1850 Izard County census in Rocky Bayou Township.   The census shows Rachael George, 67, born in VA and Newton George, 17, born in MS.

 Rachel died 1851-1854, in Izard County.

Census indicates that at least ten children, and perhaps as many as thirteen children, were born to Benjamin and Rachel.    We have record of the following four of their children. 

Children of Benjamin George and Rachel Tucker

The music you are hearing is Barbara Allen.

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