General Notes

[coosa1.ged]
"....Judge Gappa T. Yelverton, who came from George to Alabama, finally
locating in Elba, where Judge Yelverton is buried; Mrs. Yelverton is
still living.  Judge Yelverton was a prominent attorney and was a member
of the legislature.  He was also county judge of Dale and Coffee
counties, and was a commissioner to Florida to negotiate for the transfer
of West Florida to Alabama.  He was also a member of the secession
convention.  He raised a regiment for service in the late war, but not
called into active service." (1)
(1) The above was quoted from Francis Marion Rushing - Memorial Records
of Alabama, Volume I, pp. 679-681.  Located in Archives and History of
Alabama, Montgomery, AL.
Yelverton were found in the early records of Johnston/Wayne counties,
NC... in the early 1800s, a large group of families from Wayne Co. NC
went to south Alabama with Nathan Bryant Whitfield.
Also, after the 1800 census Johnston Co, NC a group from that county
moved to Davidson/Ruthrford Co. TN. Yelvertons appear to have moved there
also.
In abt 1840, Gappa T. Yelverton and his brother in law, John B. Simmons,
bought the land on which Elba is located from Ephraim King. They
organized the Simmons Mercantile Company, the first store in Elba. This
according to, "Piney Wood Echoes" by Fred S. Watson.
Through his "Talmadge" side the family is related to the Georgia
Talmadges, including Gov. and Senators Eugene and Herman Talmadge.
1860 Census of Coffee Co., AL
1376  Gappa T YELVERTON       46  NC
Martha B                 35  GA
William G                18  AL
Narcissa E              11
Henry B                    9
John G                      4
Martha B                   1
The Yelverton name changed to Yelvington and Elvington, so there are
descendants with both names. It is a "place name" with "tun" meaning
enclosure or place and "yel" meaning water, so the Yelvertons at one time
lived and controlled a well or place where water was used.