Andrew H. Franks

The early life of Andrew H. Franks is unknown at present, even his year of birth is hard to pinpoint. A pension application in the 1871 stated Andrew was 100 years old, giving a birth year of 1771, while the 1850 census listed his age at 70, giving a birth year of 1780. The 1850 census also lists his birthplace as Spain (but lists his name as Franklin instead of Franks).
Sometime during the 1980s, I visited with my great-grandmother Lillie Miller Bennett (Mama Lillie). We got to talking about family members and she told the tale of her great-grandfather, who she called Martin Franks, but I later discovered she meant Andrew. She told how his sister had married an Englishman and Andrew boarded a ship from Spain to go visit her. On the way, the ship sank and a passing American ship picked up the survivors and brought them to the United States.
I have tried to determine when Andrew actually arrived in the U.S., but that, too, has proved hard to find. He was here as early as 1810. On 13 August 1810, Ellenor Bright appeared before Justice of the Peace Isaac Wingate stating that “she is afraid that Andrew H. Francis of said county [Craven] will Beat wound maim or Kill her” and asked he be arrested. The Justice issued the arrest warrant. Just nine days later, 22 August, Andrew H. Frank appeared before Justice Ephraim Willis stating “he is afraid that Elener Bright…Will kill beet Maim Wound him” and she was ordered to appear before any Justice to answer the charge. [This event needs further research to determine the outcome of all cases.] [C.028.326.1 Craven County Criminal Action Papers, Box 1, Folder 1810]
On 10 November 1814, Andrew was drafted as a private in Captain Minor Huntington’s North Carolina Militia for service in the War of 1812. He “was stationed at Beaufort, N.C., and was detailed to work on a Fort then being constructed at or near that place.” He was discharged on 15 March 1815. [War of 1812 Pension Application for Andrew and Martha Franks, available online at Fold3]
Andrew married Martha “Patsy” Dixon on 1 December 1829 (marriage bond dated 13 November 1829). Justice of the Peace Charles Nelson officiated at the ceremony. [1812 Pension Application and Craven County Marriage Bonds]
Andrew died 15 October 1872. [1812 Pension Application]
Children born to Andrew Franks and Martha Dixon Franks were: Joseph, Martin Van Buren, Duncan (or Nahab), Anise (?), Andrew, Barzilla, and Stephen (also called Andrew).
I have not done much research on the children of Andrew, except Barzilla, my direct line. She was born 12 September 1845 and married James Laughinghouse, who died during the Civil War. After the Civil War, she married Ephraim Simpkins on 27 October 1865. Barzilla died 17 February 1921. Her children with Ephraim were: Ellen, Mattie, Hattie, Thomas Ruffin “Ruff”, Graham, Joseph M., Jesse N., and Laura Alice.
Laura Alice married James Richard Miller. They are my direct ancestors through their daughter Lillie Miller Bennett, mentioned above.