Martha Susan (24 Feb 1831-12 Jan 1870) — m. Henry L. Roberts on 5 Jun 1853
Jane (1833-after 1880) — m. Dan Griffith, Jr. on 22 Aug 1855
James Leroy “J.L.” (7 Sep 1834-29 Jul 1910) — m. Martha Jane Ritchie on 27 Sep 1857; m. Martha Hodge in 1871; m. Rebecca Alice Worthington Vaughn in 1884
Elvira (4 Feb 1837-12 Aug 1912) — m. Isaac Hill Ritchie on 28 Oct 1856
Isabella “Babe” (3 Jul 1839-5 Jul 1908) — m. Daniel “Little Dan” Griffith, Jr. on 27 Feb 1866
Richard Dekalb (27 Dec 1842-15 Jun 1917) — m. Margaret Stonecipher on 27 Feb 1866
Andrew Jackson “Jack” (3 Jul 1845-28 Sep 1920) — m. Nancy Walling about 1872
Paulina Caroline G. (20 Oct 1847-23 Feb 1928) — m. Henry Gilliam “H. G.” Ritchie on 14 Jul 1867
Thomas W. (Dec 1851-1920) — m. Mary Caroline Hodges about 1875
John Bennett (30 Apr 1856-26 Jan 1925) — m. Sarah Jane Jackson on 30 Jan 1879
Thomas was born in North Carolina. His parents were Richard Armstrong from Montgomery County or Richmond County, North Carolina, and possibly Cherokee Martha “Patsy” Huntley, also of North Carolina. His family moved to Monroe Township in Pontotoc County, Mississippi around 1816. In 1822-1823, his father bought land and/or received a land grant of about 160 acres in Marion County, Alabama, and moved the family there to settle.
Peggy was probably born in South Carolina, although her children at times said Georgia. Her parents were Thomas Weems Lochridge and Susannah “Susan” Goodwin from South Carolina. They moved first to Georgia, and then to Marion County, Alabama.
Thomas and Peggy married in 1830 in Marion County. The 1830 census showed them there, living next door to Thomas’s parents.
The 1840 census for Thomas Armstrong in Marion County listed five children: two girls age 5-9, and two girls and a boy under 5. That fits the list of children above.
Based on the places of birth given for their children, the Armstrongs moved from Marion County west into Mississippi between 1843 and 1845, and from Mississippi to Lawrence County, Arkansas by 1847. The 1850 census showed them in Richwoods Township, Lawrence County, the area of Ash Flat in what’s now Sharp County. All of their children were present except the two youngest, who hadn’t been born yet.
In the 1850s, they moved to Fulton County, Arkansas. Land records show purchases by Thomas H. Armstrong of the following plots:
1 Sep 1857 – 40 acres; SWNE 5TH PM No 18N 6W 14
3 Oct 1857 – 120 acres; NWNE 5TH PM No 19N 6W 34, SESW 5TH PM No 19N 6W 27, and SWSE 5TH PM No 19N 6W 27
1 Jul 1859 – 80 acres; NESW 5TH PM No 19N 6W 27 and NWSE 5TH PM No 19N 6W 27
1 May 1860 – 80 acres; NESE 5TH PM No 19N 6W 27 and SWNE 5TH PM No 19N 6W 27
US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maps provide the details for exactly where those plots were. The first was a 40-acre plot just outside the southeastern corner of the town of Ash Flat in modern Sharp County. The other three form a contiguous area of 280 acres in Fulton County, due north of Ash Flat and southwest of Cherokee Village along what is now Yankton Road.
The 1860 census showed them in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, an area west of Cherokee Village that includes the 280-acre farm.
They must have kept the 40-acre plot near Ash Flat, though, since the 1870 census showed them back there, with sons Andrew (24), Thomas (19), and John B. (14) still at home. The census noted that Peggy was illiterate. Like she’d have time for that with 10 children.
Peggy died reportedly in 1875, and Thomas in either 1875 or 1879. There are findagrave.com pages placing them in Old Baptist Cemetery along Highway 62 on the north side of Ash Flat, where five of their children are buried. However, the grave markers for Thomas and Peggy have not been found, and it’s possible they’re buried elsewhere.
Martha has her own entry in the family tree.
Jane married Dan Griffith, Jr. (~1830-187x) from Tennessee at the home of her parents on 22 Aug 1855. Their children:
George Riley (27 Jun 1854-30 Jun 1917) — m. Margaret Ellen Biggers
William T. (1856-????)
Margaret M. (1858-????)
James G. (1861-~1899) — m. Mary Jane Stillwell about 1888
Virginia (1864-????)
Jackson (1866-????)
John Mills (6 Aug 1871-14 Oct 1957) — m. Carrie Etta Jones in 1899
In the 1860 census, she and Dan were in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County with their first three children. Also living with them were Dan’s father, Dan Sr. (68), and Jane’s younger brother Richard (19). In 1870 the family was in Richwoods Township, Sharp County. By 1880 they were back in Fulton County, and Dan had died. William, James, Jackson, and John were still at home. I can’t find Jane or most of the children after 1880.
James married Martha Jane Ritchie (5 Sep 1832-Oct 1869) from Virginia on 27 Sep 1857. She had a daughter named Martha Ann Adaline Wiles (1852-1934) from a previous marriage to a John Wiles. In 1860, they were living in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County with Martha Jr. (listed as Margaret), daughter Mary, and some guy named John Neiley (20). Their children:
Mary Isabel (18 Feb 1859-23 Nov 1920) — m. Jim Biggers on 30 Sep 1880
William Daniel (17 Dec 1860-9 Jan 1942) — m. Margaret Elizabeth McClure; m. Louisa Ellen Burnside in 1885
Margaret Molena (10 Oct 1867-5 Sep 1950) — m. John Alexander Perkins on 9 Oct 1887
Martha died in 1869. The 1870 census showed J. L. Armstrong (38), claiming to be from Tennessee, living in Richwoods Township, Sharp County with children Mary, William, and Margaret (listed as Martha). In 1871, J. L. married Martha Hodge (1838-1880). They had one child, a boy:
Lacey D. K. (3 Oct 1872-30 Nov 1956) — m. Maude Morgan Schell on 31 Jan 1891
The 1880 census showed James L. Armstrong (46), now claiming to be from North Carolina, recently widowed and still living in Richwoods Township with Mary, William, Margaret, and Lacey. In the early 1880s, James moved his family to McDonald County, Missouri, where in 1884 he married Rebecca Alice Worthington Vaughn (12 Jan 1857-9 Jul 1943), a widow from Tennessee with several children. They had six more children:
Arminda (4 Apr 1885-26 Jun 1974) — m. Elisha Henry Stephens on 5 Feb 1905
Jasper Samuel (8 Apr 1888-14 Apr 1967) — m. Ella J. Spurlock on 29 Jan 1910
Eva Samantha (8 Nov 1890-27 Jan 1942) — m. Samuel Earnest Potts on 15 Oct 1912
Thomas Jackson (30 Sep 1893-9 Jan 1957) — m. Ruby Ethel Searcy on 21 Aug 1912
John H. (17 Jan 1897-10 Apr 1897)
Sampson Elmer (12 Jun 1898-Nov 1978) — m. Montezuma Estrella McMillan
The 1900 census found them still in McDonald County. James died in 1910 and is buried in Antioch Cemetery, Jacket, McDonald County, Missouri. Alice died in 1943 and is buried with him.
Elvira married Isaac Hill Ritchie (1836-1915) from Tennessee on 28 Oct 1856. They lived in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County. Known children:
Calvin Dewitt (27 Sep 1857-17 Dec 1925) — m. Ellen Florence Phillips in 1878; m. Sophia A. Arnold in 1914
Thomas Hill (2 Jul 1860-????) — m. Mary ?? from Illinois about 1878
Isaac Gilliam (24 Feb 1867-11 Feb 1936) — m. Dora Davidson on 6 Jan 1892
Martha Jane (8 Feb 1870-15 Nov 1943) — m. John Henry Turner on 10 Sep 1890
Elvira died in 1912 and is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, Ash Flat. Isaac died in 1915 and is buried with her.
Isabella married former Confederate soldier Daniel “Little Dan” Griffith (27 Dec 1842-25 Apr 1933) on 27 Feb 1866. He was the nephew of the man Isabella’s older sister Jane married in 1855, hence the nickname. In 1870 they were living with the Taylor family in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County. By 1880 they had their own farm there. They had six children:
Terry Dan (16 Oct 1867-17 May 1945) — m. Lura Hare on 21 Feb 1897
William T. (~1870-????)
Susan Malena “Susy” (17 Oct 1871-29 Jun 1953) — m. John Riley Irby in 1888; m. James A. Irby in 1925
James Gilliam (22 Feb 1873-24 May 1950) — m. Iona Clifft; m. Mary Lavinia Huffman in 1898
Margaret M. (6 Jul 1875-25 Feb 1962) — m. Calvin S. Stroud in 1896
Alvin Jackson (9 Jan 1880-Feb 1971) — m. Effie Stapp on 6 Jun 1907; m. Ethel Barnette on 28 Nov 1927
Isabella died in 1908 and is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, Ash Flat. Dan died in 1933 and is buried with her.
Richard variously claimed to have been born in Alabama or Mississippi. In 1860, he was living with his older sister Jane and her family. He might have fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, as there are records of an Arkansas soldier with his name. On 27 Feb 1866, he married Margaret Steinciper (28 Aug 1850-20 May 1926) from Tennessee. Like others of the Armstrong family, they settled in Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County. There are records of three children:
James Daniel “Jim” (Apr 1868-1953) — m. Nancy Anne Ritchie
Alta L. (26 Sep 1880-11 Dec 1905) — m. Joseph Sam Bryant on 8 Jan 1899
Sampson (17 Sep 1883-Dec 1966) — m. Gertie Elkins on 28 Oct 1906; m. Connie Mellicent Burrell on 26 Sep 1917; m. Laura Bell Martin in 192x
By 1900 they were living in Hardy, Sharp County, and by 1910 in Richwoods Township, Sharp County. Richard died in 1917, and is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, Ash Flat. Margaret died in 1926 and is buried with him.
Andrew, the one member of the family born in Mississippi, married Nancy Walling (1856-190x) from Arkansas about 1872. They lived in Richwoods Township, as shown by the 1880 and 1900 censuses. Their children:
Charity Malena “Lena” (27 Feb 1875-13 Apr 1965) — m. Isham Ernest Roberts on 7 Oct 1896
Christopher Columbus “C. C.” (26 May 1878-?2 Nov 1973?) — m. Nannie Howard on 2 Feb 1896; m. Mittie Lee Emmerson on 1 Dec 1912
Frances Ada “Fannie” (1880-8 Jan 1974) — m. Edgar O. Martin on 26 Sep 1900
Theodore (Nov 1882-19xx)
Nettie Cynthia (1 Sep 1885-16 Jun 1978) — m. John Agrippa Godwin on 25 Dec 1904; m. Willard Glasgo Rathbun on 17 Jan 1920
David Virgil (12 May 1889-20 Mar 1960) — m. Josephine Miller on 31 Dec 1911
Nancy died between 1900 and 1910. The 1910 census showed Andrew as head of house in Henry, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma with son David and widowed daughter Nettie. When Andrew died of pneumonia in 1920, he was living with daughter Lena and her family in Buhl, Twin Falls County, Idaho. He’s buried in West End Cemetery there. Lena and her husband are buried there as well. Daughter Fannie, who had also moved to Oklahoma with her husband, died in California. Sons David and C. C. settled in Oklahoma, daughter Nettie in Idaho.
Paulina married Henry Gilliam Ritchie (20 Mar 1844-3 Mar 1923) from Tennessee on 14 Jul 1867. He was a former Confederate soldier, and half-brother to her sister Elvira’s husband. They lived in Pleasant Ridge Township. Known children:
Thomas Robert (23 Aug 1869-7 Mar 1921) — m. Ella Ophelia Crabb on 5 Nov 1890
Samuel Jackson (2 Oct 1872-30 Dec 1954) — m. Sarah Elva “Elvy” Huffman on 3 Apr 1898
George W. (31 Mar 1877-18 Sep 1897)
Henry died in 1923. Paulina died in 1928 and is buried with him and their son George in Old Baptist Cemetery, Ash Flat.
Thomas married Mary Caroline Hodges (1857-189x) about 1875. Known children:
George H. (1876-????)
Henry Albert (14 Jan 1877-8 Aug 1952) — m. Martha Vaughn in 190x
Elva L. (Oct 1881-19xx) — m. John D. Henry on 28 Apr 1901
Walter (Apr 1884-????)
Cuba Luvina (9 Aug 1885-1966) — m. William Riley Taylor on 23 Oct 1904
Grover Cleveland (14 May 1889-19xx) — m. Mamie ???
The 1880 census showed the family in Pleasant Ridge, Fulton County with the two eldest. They might have lived in Missouri in the 1880s, but there’s no census evidence for that.
By 1900 Thomas, widowed, was living in Hardy with the four younger children. In 1910 Thomas was living with son Henry and family in Henry, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Son Grover had moved to the same area, although his records get tangled up with those of his slightly younger namesake cousin. By 1920 Henry and family had moved to Black Oak, Craighead County, Arkansas, and Thomas was still with them. Thomas reportedly died that same year.
John married Sarah Jane Jackson (11 Oct 1860-11 Mar 1927) on 30 Jan 1879. They settled in Pleasant Ridge, Fulton County. Their twelve children:
Walker A. (1880-19xx)
Laura Belle (7 Sep 1882-Feb 1965) — m. Leon Dee Roberts in 1905
Sidney Jefferson (20 Jun 1884-9 Jun 1962) — m. Sarah Nancy “Sallie” Haskins on 21 Jun 1905
Elmer W. (1886-19xx) — m. ???
Thomas Harvey (15 Mar 1886-9 Jul 1963) — m. Grace Marcelia Godwin in 1907
Rosa Lee “Rosey” (22 Nov 1887-23 Jan 1965) — m. James Monroe Holt
Grover Cleveland “Cleve” (3 Oct 1890-12 Dec 1957) — m. Bessie Elizabeth “Bess” Sneed on 1 Jul 1921
Cora M. (1891-1897)
Richard Andrew (15 Jan 1892-1956) — m. Cora Worthington on 18 Aug 1915
Orville L. (22 Oct 1894-23 Apr 1960) — m. Bertha Clift
Iona May (22 Jan 1897-12 Jul 1971) — m. Elmer Lee Thompson in 1915
Eva (16 Jan 1900-14 Jul 1972) — m. Fred Kerry Evans in 191x
The 1900 census listed them with 10 children, missing Elmer and Cora. By 1910 they were down to the four youngest still at home. In 1920 it was just Orville. John died in 1925 and is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, Ash Flat. Sarah died in 1927 and is buried with him and their daughter Cora.
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ARSHARP/2002-04/1019150959 -- Armstrong family
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=meggars&id=I05617 -- ditto
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPH-Q48 -- 1830 census; note Richard Armstrong next door
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHB4-JV2 -- 1840 census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M678-N81 -- 1850 census; name transcribed as "Arensbay"
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N995-SP1 -- 1855 wedding of Jane
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8W9-932 -- 1860 census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8W9-MLM -- 1860 census, Jane
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8W9-MLL -- 1860 census, James
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8W9-MLY -- 1860 census, Elvira
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N995-BLW -- 1866 wedding of Richard
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N99R-78J -- 1867 wedding of Paulina
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCX-KWR -- 1870 census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCF-MC3 -- 1870 census, Jane
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCX-TPQ -- 1870 census, J. L.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNC3-JQY -- 1870 census, Elvira
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNC3-Z7T -- 1870 census, Isabella
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNC3-Z71 -- 1870 census, Richard
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCX-KWP -- 1870 census, Paulina
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188047691/margaret-malina-armstrong -- 1875 grave of Peggy (disputed)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188047622/thomas-h.-armstrong -- 1875 grave of Thomas (disputed)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-VBQ -- 1880 census, Jane
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW5-QWJ -- 1880 census, J. L.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-F3M -- 1880 census, Elvira
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-V15 -- 1880 census, Isabella
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-J5P -- 1880 census, Richard
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-V1K -- 1880 census, Thomas Jr.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW5-Q3G -- 1880 census, Andrew
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-26D -- 1880 census, Paulina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNW7-FMK -- 1880 census, Elvira’s son Thomas
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N93B-954 -- 1890 wedding of Elvira’s daughter Martha
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N93B-5WY -- 1896 wedding of Andrew’s daughter Lena
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3Z2-MQJ -- 1900 census, James
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3F9-7FP -- 1900 census, Isabella
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XZ-7DL -- 1900 census, Richard
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XZ-781 -- 1900 census, Thomas Jr.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XZ-7KG -- 1900 census, Andrew
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3F9-JYJ -- 1900 census, Paulina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XZ-781 -- 1900 census, Thomas Jr.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XZ-7V5 -- 1900 census, Andrew’s daughter Lena
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N93B-BXY -- 1901 wedding of Thomas’s daughter Elva
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21767391 -- 1908 grave of Isabella
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2BQ-BYJ -- 1910 census, James
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKKM-H4N -- 1910 census, Elvira
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKV1-YD4 -- 1910 census, Richard
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ML7S-LBG -- 1910 census, Andrew
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116939100/james-leroy-armstrong -- 1910 grave of James
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49444617/james-leroy-armstrong -- ditto, wrong cemetery
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21767550 -- 1912 grave of Elvira
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76115186 -- 1917 grave of Jane’s son George Riley Griffith
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDNZ-385 -- 1920 census, Thomas Jr.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDZ9-9W6 -- 1920 census, Andrew J. and daughter Lena
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLT9-X4P -- 1920 death of Andrew J.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132481709 -- 1920 grave of Andrew J.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDNL-HYC -- 1920 census, Paulina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN1J-LBM -- 1920 census, Thomas Jr.’s son Grover
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21767560 -- 1928 grave of Paulina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCWY-Z3D -- 1930 census, Andrew J's son David
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21093964 -- 1943 grave of Elvira’s daughter Martha
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59039323/henry-albert-armstrong -- 1952 grave of Thomas’s son Henry
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K336-BKD -- 1957 death of Jane’s son John
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77378606/_ -- 1966 grave of Thomas Jr.’s daughter Cuba
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WRYN-Q23Z -- 1973 death of prob. Andrew J’s son Christopher
https://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/SharpCounty.pdf -- map showing land grids
https://glorecords.blm.gov/LandCatalog/Catalog -- Searchable township maps and land patents