Alfred Daniel Cunningham

Information submitted by Roger Cunningham

My cousin, Larry Newcomb and his brother Foy published a wonderful book about our family. It is titled, “The Ancestors and Descendants of Alfred William Cunningham”. I have included an excerpt from his book that discusses my ggrandparents Margaret and Alfred Daniel Cunningham of Bibb County, Alabama.

We know that both Alfred and Margaret are buried in Bibb County, but we do not know where they are buried. If anyone has information, please send it to me. ~ Thanks!

Compiled by: Larry Auburn Newcomb and Foy Franklin Newcomb

Page 303 … Alfred Daniel Cunningham

Alfred was the second child born to Alexander and Ruth (Carruth) Cunningham. He was born on 25 Nov 1795. For a time, it was commonly thought that he was born in N.C. At one time Anson County, N.C. extended as far south as Spartanburg, S.C.
However, we know that Alfred's father, Alexander, was in Tennessee in 1885-86 tending his father's land along with his brother, James. The story is that Alexander also established a 'Drovers Inn' and needed a cook. Ruth, his eventual wife, was sent to Knoxville to work for him because she was a famous cook. They married 31 Mar 1791 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Alexander made application to operate a public
ferry near Knoxville in 1792, so we can presume both Alexander and Ruth were there (in Tennessee) at the time the first child, Iredell was born in 1793. It is not known to us when Alexander sold the ferry. We do know that he operated it a few years,
beginning in 1792, and then sold it to Samuel Cowan who in turn sold it to Richard Waterhouse.

We also know that he was involved in a transaction of land with his father-in-law in 1799 in North Carolina. So, it is possible that the latter three sons were born in any of the three states. It is probable that the first two, Iredell and Alfred, were born in what is now Knox County, Tennessee.

At first Alfred's name was spelled Aleford. Later it became evident that it was intended to be spelled Alfred. There is a court record in Greene County, Alabama pertaining to the death of John Ricard, the father of Margaret, Alfred's wife. Generally, it lists the heirs, who are his children, and their spouses. Margaret's spouse is listed as 'Daniel' Cunningham. There is another document filed 26 Jul 1847 involving the same parties selling the land to
Daniel W. Ricard. In that document Margaret's husband is referred to as "Alfred". For these reasons we conclude that Alfred's full name was Alfred Daniel.

Alfred Cunningham was described on some military papers as having dark hair and eyes and having a rather dark complexion. He came from a family that was very involved in the military of the country. He is said to have been honorably discharged at New Orleans, Louisiana. In that case, he was faced with a rather long trip home whether it was to Tennessee or South Carolina. We think that his uncle James Cunningham had already arrived
in Alabama at Greenville in Butler County. It is entirely possible that Alfred made his way through Alabama on the way home and possibly just stayed in Alabama.

Alfred served in the War of 1812 from 1 Nov 1814 until 7 Mar 1815. He was in the South Carolina Militia and was honorably discharged. Alfred served in Capt. Edward Clement's Company of the Infantry, 1st. Regiment. Documents that reflect these facts are displayed at the end of this section. As a result of his military service, Alfred was determined to be entitled to receive two land grants called "Bounty Land". We found two land grant deeds recorded in Bibb County, In Alfred's name. The first was filed on 31 Jul 1851 for 40 acres in Sect. 15, Township 22, R7E.
The second was filed 31 Jul 1857 and also contained land in Sect. 15, Township 22 R7E.

Years later, Margaret filed for a pension in connection with Alfred's Military Service. On that application it was indicated that Alfred died on 6 Oct 1852. The authorities received this application on 25 Feb 1880. She was granted a pension of $8.00 a month retroactive to 3 Mar 1878. The Bibb County 1883 list of Pensioners on Roll shows Margret Cunningham of Pondville. It is unknown if she ever received the money but we do feel that she was still alive in 1883. The exact date of death and her burial
place are unknown.

Alfred Daniel married Margret (Margaret) Ricod (Rykard) (Ricard) 9 May 1827 in Green County, AL. A copy of that marriage document is displayed below.Margaret was the daughter of John Rykard and Margaret Dominick, both from S.C. She was born 9 May 1811. John Rykard was born about 1775 in South Carolina and died about 1833 in Greene County, Alabama. John was the son of Michael Rykard, Sr. (B: about 1738 in Bavaria, Germany) and Elizabeth Shield (B: about 1745 in S.C.).

Margaret Dominick was born about 1780-85 in S.C. and Margaret Rykard's sisters, Elizabeth, married John George LaGrone and another married James Wilder. We know this because they were listed on the Citation regarding the settlement of the estate
of John Ricard. Two sisters of Margaret, Nancy, and Sarah, also ended up in Cherokee County, Texas. They relocated there with Malissa, a daughter of Alfred and Margaret. Margaret's brother, Daniel Ricard, bought his father's land in Greene County, Alabama.

The date of death for Daniel Alfred Cunningham is listed in several places as 6 Oct 1852. His widow, Margaret, filed for a military pension and listed his date of death as 6 Oct 1852.
Short of conclusive evidence to the contrary, we accept that as the date of death. It is obvious that he died before 1860, as he is not on that census and Margaret is listed as head of household.

What made the date questionable was a permission signature on the marriage consent form for his daughter Louisa in 1855. Although it is signed 'Alfred Cunningham' the Alfred seems to be spelled 'Alferd' or 'Alford. In addition, the signature does not appear to match the signature of Alfred on earlier documents. In fact, permission was not even necessary as Louisa was of legal age to marry.

At the time of Alfred's death in 1852 (??) Margaret was in a dilemma. It would appear that her last child, Sarah, was on the way. The oldest child, Malissa was already married. That left the oldest children Louisa, age 22 and John, age 20, to help run the house and care for the younger children. Remember that Thomas would have been only two years old, and Henry, five. The 1860 census shows James, age 20, as the oldest child in the household. The next oldest male child left in the household was
Alfred William at age 15. For that reason, we doubt that James would have married in late 1859 and left the household. If indeed that happened, Alfred William would have learned hard, hard work and making a living very early in life. So too, would have Nancy Emiline and Louisa, early in life, have learned
something about raising children.

Supporting Documentation:

Land Grant 1, 2

MW Patent

Marriage Certificate

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