Dade County History Book

Silas Burke Wakefield & Sophrenia Sutton Wakefield

Silas Burke Wakefield was born 12 May 1807 in Wittcher Crossroads, Smith Co., TN and died about 1893 in Melissa, Collin Co., TX. Silas was the son of Henry and Mary Simpson Wakefield. The Wakefield line (Henry, Charles, Abel, Abel, Thomas, John) settled in Charles and Albemarle Counties VA., Burke Co NC, and finally Smith Co TN. Silas married Sophrenia Sutton 14 February 1832 Jackson Co., TN. Sophrenia was the daughter of George and Elizabeth Cartwright Sutton. The Sutton family descend from James and Martha Brown Sutton. The Sutton line migrating from Guilford Co NC to Smith County TN and a few members to Dade County GA.

Sophrenia Sutton Wakefield’s sisters Jane Sutton and Mary Ann Sutton would marry Dade County men. Jane married Larkin Payne and Mary Ann would marry Robert H Tatum.

To the marriage of Silas and Sophrenia Wakefield, 10 children were born: Mary Elizabeth (1837 – 1872) married John Allison; William Wakefield (1838 – 1912) married Jeannie Steadman; John A (1841 – ?); George H (1842 – 1909) married Lucy Ann Wood; Martha Ann (1845 – 1926) married John Henry Basden; Leroy Thomas (1847 – 1904) married Anna Elizabeth Bailey; Nancy Henderson (1850 – 1901 or 02) married John Henry Jones; Andrew C (1851 – 1935) married Amanda Lively; Newton W (1855 – 1927) married Sarah Evans?; and Jefferson born abt 1862 died young.

Lucy Ann Wood Wakefield’s sister, Sarah Margaret Wood became the second wife of John Allison in 1873.

Silas Wakefield’s second marriage was to Sarah Ann Hughes.

Silas and Sarah had two children: Cora L ( 1869 – ?) and Charlie Price (1872 – 1934) married Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Larkin Payne.

Silas Burke Wakefield was a lawyer and farmer, he was a member of the Church of Christ. Silas’ father Henry Wakefield served in the American Revolutionary War and fought in the Battle of King’s Mtn.

George H Wakefield served as a private in Company B, 6^th GA Vol Inf, Army of TN, CSA “Lookout Dragoons”. John A (Pvt) and William P Wakefield (4^th Sgt.) served in Company D, 39^th GA Vol Inf, Army of TN, CSA “Dade County Invincibles”. John and William P were captured at Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. They were paroled July 8, 1963. William P is again captured near Trenton, Sept 12, 1863. He then appears as a POW at Camp Morton Ind. 10-22-1863 and is transferred to Fr Delaware, DL in March 1864. Mar 1865 he was exchanged from Ft Delaware.

Submitted by: Gil Allison, 2408 Crescent Dr., Vernon, TX 76384

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