My Connections to Shelby County, Alabama

My name is Bobby Joe Seales. I served as the Shelby County ALGenWeb Webmaster and County Coordinator from 3 May 1983 until 21 September 2023 when my wife Diane (Brandenberg) Seales was appointed because of the decline in my health. I am a member of the United States Internet Genealogical Society, the Birmingham Genealogical Society [through 2018], the Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society [through 2010], the Alabama Genealogical Society, and a member of the First Families of Alabama [Certificate No. 148]. On October 24, 2017 I became charter member #7 of the Order of the First Families of the Alabama Territory. Beginning on November 7, 1999 until November 1, 2015 I held the position of President of the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. Diane and I were given on November 1, 2015 "Lifetime Honorary Membership" to the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. In addition to serving 16 years as President of the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. I served as the Director of the Shelby County Museum & Archives. On November 1, 2015 the "Old Courthouse" Foyer in the Shelby County Museum & Archives was named in my honor the "Seales Room". CLICK HERE for additional "retirement" information. I maintained membership from 1998-2003 in the Sons of Confederate Veterans, William Houston Shelby Camp 1537, Shelby County Alabama. I was honored on February 5, 1999 to become a member [life member #2561 in 2018] of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, the Alabama State Society [Lifetime Membership received March 11, 2022], the Birmingham Chapter and in 2003 the Cahaba-Coosa Chapter. I was the founding President of the Cahaba-Coosa Chapter in Shelby County Alabama and served as the Chapter's first President beginning August 22, 2003. In August 2013 I led in the preparation of the 10th Anniversary Celebration and Ceremony of the Cahaba-Coosa Chapter at The American Village and had the privilege to present to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley the Alabama Society SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal and Certificate. From February 2004 to February 2010 I held the position of Historian, from February 2010 to February 2013 I held the position of Treasurer, from February 2013 to February 2014 I held the position of Sr. Vice President and on February 15, 2014 I was elected President of the Alabama Society, S.A.R. and held that position until February 21, 2015. On July 1, 2015 I transferred from the S.A.R. Alternate National Trustee to the S.A.R. National Trustee and held that position for one year [until July 2016]. In July 2017 I was appointed Chairman of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution Fund Raising Committee of the George Washington Endowment Fund and held that position until August 1, 2020; on July 9, 2019 I was recognized and presented the "Gold Roger Sherman Medal" from the National Society SAR. In September 2020 I was elected to serve on the National Society SAR George Washington Endowment Fund Board (resigned January 2021). In July 2015 I was appointed Treasurer of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution Southern District and held that position until July 2018 when I was appointed Secretary for one year. On July 10, 2019, at the 129th Annual Congress of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in Costa Mesa, California, I was sworn-in as Vice President General of the Southern District, National Society Sons of the American Revolution. Because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic the 2020 National Congress was cancelled and I served again in the 2020-2021 year; the National Society SAR General Officers were held over until the 2021 Congress (resigned January 2021). I am a graduate of Leadership Shelby County, Class of 2004, and served on the Alumni Board until August 1, 2019. (My son Mike was a 2005 LSC graduate, my son Josh was a 2010 LSC graduate and my wife Diane was a 2014 LSC graduate. CLICK HERE for LSC Class Photos.) I served as the Shelby County Representative for the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance from May 2004 until January 2020. I was elected President of the Shelby County Tourism & Hospitality Association for 2007. In November 2011 at the 189th Annual Meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention I was elected to the Historical Commission (District 11) [term expired at the end of 2015]. In February 2012 I became a "Life Member" of the Alabama Association of Historians. On the November 2012 meeting of the Friends of the Alabama Archives Board I was elected to serve a three year term on the Board beginning 2013. Again on November 2015 meeting, I was elected to serve another three year term beginning 2016 [term expired at the end of 2018]. I was also elected in November 2015 to the Secretary position of the Friends of the Archives Board of Directors and served until that term expired at the end of 2018. On March 7, 2014 I received recognition and a certificate of award for "Excellence in Community Service" from the Alabama Society Daughters of the American Revolution at their 116th State Conference in Auburn, Alabama. On February 21, 2015, at the 125th Anniversary of the Alabama Society S.A.R., I received from them a Silver Good Citizenship Medal and Certificate. This was awarded in recognition of distinguished services to community, county and state. On October 16, 2015 I received the 2015 Marvin Yeomans Whiting Award; presented by the Society of Alabama Archivists and the Birmingham Public Library, "for his significant contribution to the preservation and dissemination of local history in Alabama." In November 2014 I became a member of the Alabama Bicentennial Commission Local Activities Committee and on June 3, 2016 I was recognized as an "honored" Alabama Bicentennial Ambassador. The Local Activities Committee seeks to promote activities by and in communities across Alabama that support bicentennial observances and to assist communities in celebrating their special history. It includes departments and agencies that serve and regularly communicate with communities, as well as individuals who are leaders in community programming and service. READ MORE. On December 24, 2015 I became a member of Alabama Society of the General Society of the War of 1812 and in Plattsburgh, New York at the General Society of the War of 1812 Triennial Meeting on September 8, 2017 I was elected Vice-President General of Public Relations. In June 2020 I was elected Chaplain of the General Society of the War of 1812. I was a member through 2018 of the Hoover Historical Society and in 2017 I became a Charter Member of both the Chelsea Historical Society and the Montevallo Historical Society. My first book "Alabaster & Siluria: The Early Years ~ A Pictorial History" was released in November 2017. My second book, "Pelham Memories: A Pictorial History" was released in November 2018. Both books are now found in the National Library of Congress. On July 26, 2018 I became a Positive Maturity "Top 50 Over 50" Recipient. The "Top 50 Over 50" was created in 2014 to recognize 50 individuals in Alabama who have been nominated for making a difference in their community. A Proclamation from The City of Pelham that proclaimed "Bobby Joe Seales Day" in Pelham, Alabama was on November 19, 2018. I was recognized in the 2020 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame "Lifetime Achievement" by the Shelby County RSVP and the Alabama Department of Senior Services. On October 10, 2018 I (a 1963 Thompson High School Alumni) had the honor to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Alabaster City Schools Homecoming Parade. On October 12, 2015 I received a Proclamation and a Key to the City of Alabaster "for outstanding service and dedication to preserving the history of Shelby County and the City of Alabaster." I was honored to received a Key to the City of Columbiana on November 1, 2015 and "Bobby Joe Seales Day" in Columbiana, Alabama was declared through a Proclamation. (I was the first person to receive a key to two different cities in Shelby County Alabama.)

I have many connections to Shelby County Alabama dating back to when Shelby County was created, February 7, 1818. My great-great-great grandparents, Enoch and Mary Seale, came to Shelby County Alabama, along with other Seale brothers and their families, from Fairfield County South Carolina. [Enoch's father, Charles Seale, served as a soldier in the North Carolina Militia of the Revolutionary War. As a direct descendant of Charles Seale I received a National Society Sons of the American Revolution Supplemental Ancestor Certificate on February 13, 2006.] Apparently, after the death of Enoch Seale in Shelby County Alabama, Mary Seale moved with her son, Herod, and his family to Lafayette County Mississippi, which on June 8, 1852 became Calhoun County Mississippi. As indicated in the October 31, 1850 Lafayette County Mississippi census records, Mary Seal, age 92 years, born in South Carolina, was enumerated with Herod Seal and his family. The probable known children of Enoch and Mary Seale were  (1) Charles Seale, born about 1785 in South Carolina. His wife, Eleanor, was possibly the daughter of Hezekiah Nettles and Eleanor White. The known children of Charles and Eleanor Seale were Beadie Ann Seale, wife of Jacob Martin, Charles W. Seale, 1820-1857, Sarah A. Seale, 1823-1898, wife of Patrick H. Harvey, Felix P. Seale, 4th Sgt. Co.  "D" 30th Alabama C.S.A. Infantry, 1827-1863, Emmeline L. Seale, 1820-1911, wife of Rev. Daniel Thomas Seale, who was a son of  Rev. William Seale  and Temperance Crosland,  John M. Seale, Private Co.  "D"   30th Alabama C.S.A. Infantry, 1830-1902, and William Seale.  (2) James Seale, born February 7, 1788 in South Carolina, died January 15, 1853 in St. Clair County Alabama. The children of James and Louiza Seale were Jane Minerva (Seale) Stracener, Sarah Ann (Seale) Roberson, Daniel Seale, Mahalia J. (Seale) Lawley Bradshaw, 1816-1893, Chapman L. Seale, 1818-1895, Wilburn R. Seale, Wyatt Stark Seale, 1821-1900, Mary Ann Seale, 1823-1845, Samantha Seale, 1825-1837, James F. Seale, Allen Seale, Harriett Seale, married Peter C.H. Funderberg, Jr., and July Ann Caroline Seale, 1836-1858.  Much of the James Seale family information was graciously furnished by Dr. Robert Holt Seale.  (3) Herod Seale, my great-great grandfather, born about 1793 in South Carolina, died in 1875 in Calhoun County Mississippi. "Herod Seals"  and his family were in Shelby County Alabama as early as the 1820 census, along with Eligah, Abraham, Greenberry, Charles, and Enoch Seals and their families. Lt. Herod Seals was listed in the Alabama U.S. Register of Officers, Vol. 2, 1820-1832, Page 532,commissioned on August 1, 1832, of the 56th Regiment. As stated by James Smith Seale, son of Willoughby and Sarah (Ford) Seale, in the  "History of Arkansas,"  from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas (Monroe County), Chicago: Goodspeed, 1890, page 556, His grand father, Herod Seale, served in the War of 1812, was a mechanic by trade, and died in Calhoun County, Miss., in 1875. However, I have not found any War of 1812 records to confirm this - other than this military record when he registered in Alabama in 1832 as Lt. Herod Seals." (4) Felix James Seale, born about 1805 in South Carolina. The children of Felix J. Seale and Keziah Mitchel, daughter of Robert S. Mitchel as noted in his estate settlement in Shelby County Alabama, were Mary Caroline Seale, Charles Seale, Elizabeth Seale, who was the second wife to Edward Hayes, my wife's great-great grandfather, Nancy Seale, Newton Seale, Mahala R. Seale, married John Wesley Wadsworth, Felix James Seale, Jr., 1845-1925, and John A. Seale. The second marriage of Felix J. Seale, Sr. was in Shelby County Alabama on January 13, 1867 to Mary Ann Miller.  (5) Enoch Seale, Jr., born about 1811 in South Carolina, died July 9, 1892 in Shelby County Alabama. The obituary, The Shelby Chronicle, Columbiana, Alabama, dated July 13, 1892, "Enoch Seal. Like a sheat of wheat, ripe for the harvest, this venerable man past quietly and peacefully from earth to heaven on the 9th inst. at the home of his son, W.M. Seal, near Hotspur, in this county. Mr. Seal spent the most of his long life to this town where he was loved and respected by all who knew him. Mr. S. attained more than the age allotted to man, being 80 years of age at the time of his death. He had been a consistent member of the M.E. church from his youth, and found comfort and consolation in the dying hour, in the truths of that religion he had so long professed. Mr. S. had been honored by the people of this county several times by being elected tax collector, which office he filled to the entire satisfaction of the people. His remains were brought to this place for interment and on Sunday a large concourse of his friends followed his remains to their last resting place. After a long life well spent, he has been gathered to his fathers, respected, honored and loved by all."

Herod Seale first married Mary Rutledge from South Carolina. She died in Shelby County Alabama before April 3, 1835. At the time of her death they had a  "family of eight children."  Their known children were  (1) Adaline Seale, born about 1816 in South Carolina, married in Shelby County Alabama to William Austin Attaway. William A. Attaway, Cpl., Co.  "E"   44th Infantry, C.S.A., was killed June 3, 1864. Their children were * John W. Attaway, * William Attaway, and * Sarah Elizabeth Attaway, died November 23, 1927 in Jefferson County Alabama, married John Washington Campbell, died September 12, 1930 in Washington County Mississippi. Aderline Seale, prior to her marriage, the 1841 February Term, Minutes of Shelby County Alabama Court, indicate  "Aderline Seale vs Thomas Edwards, administrator of Vincent Jones, deceased ...."  This is the same case in Shelby County Circuit Court that Herod Seale and James Seale were individually involved.  (2) Willaby Seale, my great grandfather, born August 30, 1818 in Tennessee, as they traveled from South Carolina to Shelby County Alabama, died Monday, September 19, 1892 in Shelby County Alabama. He is buried in Old Beaver Creek Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama, where many Seale family members are buried. He was a Private, Company  "K" 3rd Alabama C.S.A. Reserves. The obituary, The People's Advocate, Thursday, September 29, 1892, "Mr. Willoughby Seale one of the old land marks of Shelby, died at his home near Shelby on Monday 19th inst., of decrepitude age, 74 years. We extend sympathy to his family in their bereavement." Also, another obituary, The Magnet, Shelby Alabama, Friday, September 23, 1892, "Mr. Willoby Seals, who resided near this place, died Monday, aged 70 odd years. His remains were interred in the Beaver Creek church cemetery, Rev. C.W. O'Hara, of Columbiana conducting the funeral services."  (3) James Seale, born about 1821 in Shelby County Alabama. Mrs. Jane F. Ford, the mother-in-law to Willaby Seale, on January 17, 1856 in Shelby County Alabama appeared before the Judge of Probate and made a deposition concerning the estate settlement of Martha Mink, deceased. It had been noted that Martha Mink was the widow of Jacob Mink, deceased. Jacob Mink married Patty Nettles in Shelby County Alabama on November 14, 1841. It appeared as though James Seale was attempting to acquire the farm and property of Martha Mink after her death, as it was testified that he took care of her until she died. No further issue after the Shelby County Alabama Probate Court report filed January 2, 1861, "James Seale, administrator of the estate of Martha Mink, deceased."  He had indicated that he was  "renting the farm"  for the present year.  (4) John Rutledge Seale, born about 1824 in Shelby County Alabama, and married on January 24, 1850 in LaFayette County Mississippi to Elizabeth Davis, daughter of James Madison Davis and Nancy Henry. They are buried, no grave marker, in Spring Creek Cemetery in Banner, Calhoun County Mississippi. Their children, all born in Mississippi, were * Nancy Jane Seale, born about 1851, married George W. Simpson, 1856-1927, * Henry Wilburn Seale, 1854-1951, * Willaby Jefferson Seale, 1857-1932, * John Davis Seale, 1860-1926, * Victoria Elizabeth Seale, 1866-1947, married Charles H. Nations, and * Lena Lura (Seale) Nation Lackey, buried in Calhoun City Cemetery, Calhoun County Mississippi. Lena L. Seale, "Wife of D.L. Nation,"   born May 4, 1870, died April 28, 1930. The obituary, The Monitor-Herald, Calhoun City, Mississippi, Thursday, May 1, 1930,  "... Mrs. Lee Nations-Lackey, age 65, died at the home of her brother, Mr. Henry W. Seale, at this place, on Monday of this week ... She was reared in the northern part of the county. For a number of years she was a saleslady for the Pittsboro Mercantile Company ... She has lived the past three years at this place, making her home with her brother, Mr. H.W. Seale ... She is survived by two brothers, Mr. Will Seale, of Texas, and Mr. H.W. Seale, this city, and by one sister, Mrs. C.S. Nations, of Texas...."  (5) Mary Jane Seale, born March 14, 1828 in Shelby County Alabama, married on September 12, 1852 in Shelby County Alabama to Felix Johnson Splawn, 1831-1896. She died April 22, 1904 in Ellis County Texas. Their children were Stephen Herod Splawn, James West Splawn, Joshua West Splawn, William Harrison Splawn, Thomas Alexander Splawn, John Cole Splawn, and Ada Ann (Splawn) Rhodes.  (6) Rebecca Seale, born about 1831 in Shelby County Alabama, moved to Calhoun County Mississippi with her father and family in about 1845.  (7) James M. Seale, born about 1833 in Shelby County Alabama, moved to Calhoun County Mississippi with his father and family in about 1845. He enlisted on April 29, 1861 in Sarepta, Calhoun County Mississippi, Co. "F", 42nd Regiment Mississippi C.S.A. Volunteers, was elected to 2nd Lieutenant on May 14, 1862, and on August 29, 1862 was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Records indicate that he died July 3, 1863 "from wounds received at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania." In Calhoun County Mississippi on November 5, 1863, Eliza Ann Seale, widow of James M. Seale, filed for  "pay or other allowances for services."  Also, records  not  destroyed by fire when the Calhoun County Courthouse burned on December 22, 1922 indicate, Page 125, "Chancery Court September 1866 Term ... Herrod Seals and to ... Administrator of Estate, J.M. Seals, deceased ... debts free from claim of debts."  (8) According to the census records the eighth child, name unknown, was a female. However, the 1820 and 1830 Shelby County Alabama census records indicate a total of four female children, names unknown, born to Herod and Mary Seale. They were born 1811-1815, 1816-1820, 1821-1825, and 1826-1830. It is possible that at the time of Herod's second marriage, three of these four female children were either deceased or married, most likely deceased, thus, creating his  "family of eight children."  Also, at the time of the October 31, 1850 Lafayette County Mississippi census records this remaining name unknown female was either deceased or married.

Herod's second marriage, April 3, 1835, in Shelby County Alabama was to Mrs. Sarah Elliott, born about 1797 in Tennessee, died November 20, 1881 in Shelby County Alabama. At the time of their marriage she was a widow, with a family of four children. She was the daughter of Joseph Hale and Mary Elizabeth Lindsay, who was a daughter of  David Lindsay  and Mary Casey. The children of Sarah and her first husband, Amos Merrill Elliott, Jr., were Charles B. Elliott, Rachel M. Elliott, wife of Dr. Thomas P. Lawrence, Amos Merrill Elliott, III, and Lindsay F. Elliott. Herod and Sarah Seale had no children and their marriage ended in divorce. The divorce was filed by Herod Seale in Shelby County Chancery Court, Record Book I, page 62-63, on May 14, 1839 and was granted on Monday, February 24, 1840.

On December 12, 1841 in Shelby County Alabama the third and final marriage for Herod Seale was to Christianna "Anna" Hawkins. Their children were  (1) Margaret E. Seale, born about 1842 in Shelby County Alabama. No further information, the Calhoun County Mississippi Courthouse burned on December 22, 1922 and all marriage records were destroyed.  (2) Olevia Seale, born about 1844 in Shelby County Alabama. No further information, the Calhoun County Mississippi Courthouse burned on December 22, 1922 and all marriage records were destroyed.  (3) Martha Jane Seale, born about 1846 in Mississippi. No further information, the Calhoun County Mississippi Courthouse burned on December 22, 1922 and all marriage records were destroyed.  (4) Isabella Seale, born about 1848 in Mississippi. No further information, the Calhoun County Mississippi Courthouse burned on December 22, 1922 and all marriage records were destroyed. (5) Sarah Elizabeth Seale, born about September 1849 in Mississippi. She married John H. Kelley, born March 1837 in Alabama, died February 13, 1912 in Calhoun County Mississippi, Co. "K" 17 Miss. Inf. C.S.A. and is buried in Spring Creek Cemetery in Banner, Calhoun County, Mississippi (Sarah Elizabeth Kelley does not have a grave marker). The June 17, 1880 Calhoun County Mississippi census indicates, living with John and Sarah E. Kelly and family, Anna Seal, "mother-in-law," age 73 years, widowed, born in South Carolina, her parents born in South Carolina. The January 1920 Calhoun County Mississippi census indicates, Elizabeth Kelley, "mother," widowed and age 68 years living with Walter C. Kelley, and family.

Willaby Seale married in Shelby County Alabama on March 18, 1847 to Sarah Sophronia Ford, born June 25, 1826 in Georgia, died September 14, 1911 in Monroe County Arkansas. Her parents were Rev. John Smith Ford, a Methodist minister, and Jane Fleming McLuer. CLICK HERE TO VIEW REV. JOHN SMITH FORD'S BIBLE INFORMATION. Their five children, all born in Shelby County Alabama, were  (1) Mary Jane Seale, born July 3, 1848, died October 11, 1907 in Shelby County Alabama. She married in Shelby County Alabama on December 25, 1870 to Wiley B. Cromwell, 1841-1915. They are buried in Old Beaver Creek Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama. Their children, also buried in Old Beaver Creek Cemetery, were William Turner Cromwell, 1882-1915, and Thomas Oliver Cromwell, 1884-1912. In 1990 I was given the  "Willaby Seale Family Bible" that was one time in the possession of Mary Jane Seale, wife of Wiley B. Cromwell.  (2) James Smith Seale, born March 17, 1850, died March 21, 1921 in Crawford County Arkansas. Much information about him and his family can be found in the  "History of Arkansas,"  from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas (Monroe County), Chicago: Goodspeed, 1890, page 556. He married in Monroe County Arkansas on February 2, 1876 to Martha Elizabeth Arnold, 1856-1912. Their children, all born in Arkansas, were Bertha Alma (Seale) Ferguson, Myrtle Seale, Effie Irene (Seale) Brown, James Willoughby Seale, and Lula Pearl Seale.  (3) John Ford Seale, my grandfather, born January 19, 1852, died April 28, 1935 in Jefferson County Alabama. He is buried in Elliottsville Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama.  (4) Robert Henry Seale, born November 5, 1854, died before January 2, 1896. The June 9, 1880 Monroe County Arkansas census records indicated that he was living with his brother, James S. Seale. On January 2, 1896, when the last will and testament of Willaby Seale was probated in Shelby County Alabama it was stated that  "Mary C. Seale, a minor daughter of Robert H. Seale, deceased, who was a son of deceased but whose residence is unknown to petitioner."  (5) Thomas Jones Seale, born October 22, 1857, died January 22, 1895 in Monroe County Arkansas. He married on July 17, 1884 in Monroe County Arkansas to Laura C. Thomas, 1864-1914. Their children were Willie Mae (Seale) Rideout, Frank Rice Seale, later in life changed his name to Thomas Frank Seale, Jessie Seale, and Dr. Esther Seale.

John Ford Seale first married on January 8, 1874 in Shelby County Alabama to Margaret "Maggie" Miller, born about 1848 in Shelby County Alabama. As indicated in The Shelby Sentinel, dated Thursday, October 16, 1879, she died on October 9, 1879 in Shelby County Alabama. The 1880 Shelby County Alabama Mortality Schedule indicate that she died of "dropsy."  Her parents were Daniel Miller and Martha S. Dalrymple. Margaret "Maggie" (Miller) Seale is buried in her parents family plot at Beaver Creek Cemetery in an unmarked grave. The children of John and Maggie Seale, born in Shelby County Alabama, were  (1) James Willaby Seale, born July 15, 1875, died July 28, 1928 in Jefferson County Alabama. Jim W. Seals and his wife, Della Reynolds Martin, daughter of Wyatt Pinkney Martin and Sarah E. Crim, are buried in Old Rock Springs Cemetery in Chilton County Alabama.  (2) Susan Sophronia "Sudie" Seale, born May 9, 1877, died February 4, 1960 in Chilton County Alabama. She married in Shelby County Alabama on December 1, 1892 to Lucius Oliver Keith, son of Jessie Jonas Keith and Louisa Winston Zimmerman.

After the death of his first wife, John Ford Seale married on September 3, 1882 in Shelby County Alabama to Mary Ann  "Molly"  Cabaniss, born about March 1860 in Talladega County Alabama. She died on May 23, 1918 in Tuscaloosa County Alabama. Her parents were John James Cabaniss and Mary Elizabeth Reames. The children of John and Molly Seale, all born in Shelby County Alabama, were (1) William Joshuway  "Tobe"  Seale, born May 21, 1883, died May 12, 1916 in Monroe County Arkansas. W.J. Seals was the proprietor of C.O.D. Meat Market in Clarendon, Arkansas. (2) Johnnie Pearl Seale, born January 1, 1885, died May 19, 1976 in Jefferson County Alabama. Her first marriage in Shelby County Alabama on January 16, 1904 was to Richard Brashier Elliott, 1871-1914. He was the son of Jefferson Bell Elliott and Elizabeth Eleanor Brashier. Her second marriage on November 18, 1917 in Jefferson County Alabama was to William Joseph McCarley, 1877-1962. She and her second husband are buried in Jefferson Memorial Gardens South, Jefferson County Alabama. (3) Walter Seale, died at the age of one and one-half years. (4) Lula Belle Seale, born January 27, 1892, died October 29, 1968 in Shelby County Alabama. On December 8, 1911 in Shelby County Alabama she first married and later divorced John Edward Carden, 1889-1970, son of Joseph H. "Joe" Carden and Mary Lou Hope. Her second marriage in Shelby County Alabama on February 7, 1939 was to Eugene  "Boss"  Massey, son of James Massey and Martha Jane Stamps. (5) Mary Lou  "Mamie"  Seale, born November 18, 1895, died August 20, 1965 in Jefferson County Alabama. On October 10, 1915 in Shelby County Alabama she first married and later divorced Leonard Alexander Fowler, 1888-1942. Her second marriage on December 6, 1921 was to Charles Alford Fowler, a brother to her first husband. The parents of Leonard and Alford Fowler were John Monroe Fowler and Katie Katheryn Boyd. (6) Charles Audry  "Charlie" Seale, my father, born March 11, 1899, died February 17, 1986 in Shelby County Alabama. (7) Pinkie Ozell Seale, born October 30, 1901, died September 18, 1986. On February 28, 1920 in Talladega County Alabama she first married and later divorced James Luther Kelley, 1884-1941. Her last marriage on February 10, 1945 in Jefferson County Alabama, which later ended in a divorce, was to Charles Henry Hutchins, 1903-1992. Ozell Hutchins is buried in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East, Jefferson County Alabama.

On May 14, 1927 in Shelby County Alabama, Charles Audry Seale married Naomi Massey, born October 27, 1908 in Shelby County Alabama. Naomi (Massey) Seales died March 8, 1985 in Shelby County Alabama. Her parents were James Massey and Martha Jane Stamps. They are all buried in Elliottsville Cemetery, Shelby County Alabama. CLICK HERE for more information about the Stamps family. At the time my parents married, my mother, not knowingly, changed the spelling of the name SEALE to SEALES. The children of Charlie and Naomi Seales, all born and died in Shelby County Alabama, were (1) Charles Eugene Seales, born April 14, 1928, died January 11, 2016. (2) Paul Leon Seales (twin), born March 4, 1929, died November 20, 1931. (3) Robert Lee Seales (twin), born March 4, 1929, died March 5, 1929. (3) Wilburn Audry Seales, born March 2, 1932, died July 29, 2016. (4) Jewel Marie Seales, born December 20, 1933, died December 20, 2012, married on May 22, 1953 to Norman Rockwell Brasher, born August 14, 1930 in Shelby County Alabama, died April 3, 2002 in Shelby County Alabama. (5) David Lathon Seales, born January 26, 1939, died May 31, 2014 and (6) Bobby Joe Seales, born February 4, 1945 in Shelby County Alabama.

I married in Shelby County Alabama on December 6, 1969 to Diane Brandenberg, daughter of Homer Lewis Brandenberg and Bessie Marie Walton.[Bessie Marie Walton Brandenberg was the daughter of John Anderson Walton, Jr., son of John Anderson Walton, son of Edward Augustus Walton, son of Augustus George Walton, son of Revolutionary Soldier Capt. Robert Walton and Blanche Glasscock Walton who was the daughter of Revolutionary War Soldier William Glasscock. George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence was the nephew to Capt. Robert Walton.] Our children are (1) David Michael "Mike" Seales, married August 3, 1996 in Shelby County Alabama to Joy Michelle "Michelle" Greer, daughter of Johnny Michael Greer and Deborah Joyce Ray. Madelyn Ashton Seales was born on May 17, 2000 and Molly Claire Seales was born on May 10, 2006 to Mike and Michelle Seales. In June 2008 Mike and Michelle Seales divorced in Shelby County Alabama. Her second marriage in Shelby County Alabama on September 12, 2009 was to Adam McCollum Power, son of Matthew McCollum Power and Donna Belle Rickett. Logan McCollum Power was born December 20, 2010 to Adam and Michelle Power. On July 20, 2013 in Shelby County Alabama Mike married Reagan Chandler Holt, daughter of Robert Chandler Holt and Teresa Ann Johnson. Michael Holt "Holt" Seales was born May 16, 2014 in Jefferson County Alabama to Mike and Reagan Seales. (2) Joshua Caleb Seales, graduated from the University of Alabama in 2004. His first marriage on May 22, 2004 in Shelby County Alabama was to Meredith Strother Raybon, daughter of Richard Lee Raybon, Jr. and Holly Stewart McLaughlin. Josh and Meredith Seales divorced in April 2006 in Houston County Alabama at which time she was requested by him to return to her maiden name. They had no children. (In 2010 she married and became Meredith Raybon Smith.) On June 13, 2009 in Shelby County Alabama Josh married at Trinity United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama to Lauren Michelle Hall, daughter of Rev. Michael Anthony Hall and Carol Ann Linton. Parker Caleb Seales was born June 17, 2011 in Jefferson County Alabama to Josh and Lauren Seales. Their second child, Lillian Audry Seales, was born March 26, 2014 in Houston County Alabama and their third child, Chloe Kathryn Seales, was born September 20, 2016 in Houston County Alabama.

I would appreciate any additional information that anyone could provide me to further expand my knowledge of the SEALE families from Shelby County Alabama.

A book, "Stamps-Massey Ancestors" by Bobby Joe Seales, was published in 1970 (sorry, no copies available).

David Lindsay, 1750-1836, a Revolutionary War Soldier, is my great-great-great-great-grandfather. He and his wife, Mary Casey Lindsay, 1750-1847, are buried in Shelby County Alabama. Click Here for more information.

Should you have any questions or suggestions about the Shelby County ALGenWeb Site or about Shelby County Alabama please contact me. If I cannot immediately help you I will try to find the answer for you or point you in the direction to get your question(s) answered.

Thank you very much for your support.