John K. (probably Knox) Elliott was a farmer and tanner in Sumter County, Alabama from the early 1850s until his death on 13 February 1892. He was born in Tennessee in 1813 to Andrew and Anne Knox Elliott. He moved to west central Alabama and then married Nancy O. Nowlen on 20 December 1854 in Perry County, Alabama. However, in his daybook for the date 25 August 1879, John states, “This day 29 years ago my first wife died,” which would imply she died in 1850, before they were married. Also the 1850 United States Census for Payneville, Sumter County, Alabama shows John and Nancy Elliott with three small children, Harriet (age 5), Susanna (age 3) and Nancy L.E. (age 8 months).
On 1 Jun 1857 John married Elizabeth (last name unknown) in Mississippi. The couple had seven more children, Martha (13 in 1870 census), John Luther (10), William (8), Anna (6), Calvin (4), Matthew (3) and Mary (1). The oldest son, John Luther, died 21 September 1878.
William was born in February 1861 and helped his father around their various properties by picking cotton, planting corn, and hauling rails for fences. He also helped in the tannery.
From the guide to the John K. and William M. Elliott Daybooks MSS. 0482., 1870-1911, (University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama)
