Capshaws are well known for their story telling abilities. That can be a good thing because without those stories we would have much less information about our family. But sometimes, as those stories are passed from one to another over the years, they can become distorted and useless. Our purpose in this page is not to try to discredit other researchers but to examine some of the information that we have concerning the Capshaw family and try to clarify it where possible and correct it or discard it where not possible. There are still many unanswered questions about the Capshaw family. We welcome any comments that will help us answer those questions.

• Jonathon- listed as a son of William Capshaw of Rutherford County N.C. Jonathon  Capshaw was the son of James Capshaw and grandson of William Capshaw. He was born in 1821 in Warren County, Tennessee. William Capshaw of Rutherford County N.C.  had 5 sons, James, Josiah, David, William Washington and Daniel. We have found no evidence of a Jonathon in William's generation.

   

• William Washington Capshaw-  reportedly married Susannah Tabor in 1805 in Pendleton S.C. There seems to be no record that would prove this marriage took place and in fact Tabor researchers record a different husband for Susannah, daughter of William Tabor and Susannah Tubb. If anyone can provide us with proof of a marriage between William Washington Capshaw and Susannah Tabor we will post it.

   

• Paralee- although she is listed as the daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth, we believe evidence confirms that she is the daughter of Elizabeth Capshaw and possibly a son of Josiah. On the 1850 census there are two Elizabeth Capshaws in Dekalb County. Elizabeth, wife of Josiah was born about 1779. Elizabeth, mother of Paralee and Hugh Lawson White Capshaw was born about 1808. Elizabeth, wife of Josiah would have been well past child bearing age when Paralee  was born.

   

• John Thomas - there has been a lot of confusion and debate over this John Thomas Capshaw from Fulton County, Georgia. The 1840 Dekalb County, Alabama census shows A. Capshaw had 2 sons, 10-16 and 3 sons under 10. On the 1850 Dekalb County, Alabama census A. Capshaw has 2 sons still living at home, Benjamin and Joseph. William is living next door. Notice William G. Williams on the other side of Alexander. J. Capshaw was living in a hotel in Fulton County, Ga. in 1850,  In 1853 John T. Capshaw married Elizabeth Naylor in Fulton County, Georgia. In 1859  Thomas Capshaw and Joseph Capshaw were listed on a land patent in Dekalb County, Alabama. In 1860 A. Capshaw is now listed as Alexander on the Dekalb County census. John Thomas had obviously died before 1860 because on the 1860 Marshall County census  Elizabeth had married William G. Williams and William H. Capshaw, 5 years old was living in the household. This is the same William G. Williams who lived next door to Alexander in 1850. Joseph and Benjamin Capshaw, brothers of John Thomas, are also living in Marshall County Alabama in 1860. In 1870 Elizabeth had again remarried, this time to Francis Bruce, and William H. her son was no longer in her household. Note the Williams children in the household. We surmise that A. Capshaw was in fact Alexander Capshaw, that Thomas Capshaw who was listed on the land record with Joseph Capshaw was the son of Alexander and that Thomas was John T. Capshaw who married Elizabeth Naylor in Fulton County, Ga. in 1853. .

   

• William Henry- William H. is first listed on the 1860 census record with Elizabeth, his mother, and his stepfather William G, Williams, who was living next door to Alexander Capshaw in 1850. We have not located him in 1770 but in 1880 he is enumerated on the Grayson County, Texas census and it states that his father was born in England. The 1900 Grayson County Texas census states that his father was born in Alabama. It is our opinion that this William Henry Capshaw is the son of John Thomas Capshaw and Elizabeth Naylor and the grandson of Alexander Capshaw from Dekalb County, Alabama.  
  

   

• Nasby Capshaw-  Wesley Walker Capshaw's name is commonly misread on census records. He has been known as Nasby Capshaw, Watty or Wesly Capshew, West Walker and Wesley W Capshaw.
  Oct. 28, 1830- Wesley Walker Capshaw married Mary Sensabaugh
  1840- Wesley Capshaw in Knox County Tennessee
  1850- Wesley Capshaw in Knox County Tennessee
  1870- Wesley Capshaw in Sevier County Tennessee

   

• Enoch

   

• Capshew

   

• Lawson

 Who Are These People?