Humphrey Posey Childers
abt 1805 - 1888
Bunc Co NC? Swain Co NC
"It is not known at this time who Humphrey's father was but the only Childers listed in the census of
1810 was Samuel. It should be noted that some documents list Samuel's surname as Childress rather
than Childers."
"Humphrey's name first shows up in the census of 1830 and he is living in the vicinity of the Oconolufty
River somewhere between present day Cherokee and Smokemont Campground."
- Stephen R. Childers, "The Childers Family in Western North Carolina".
A Namesake? See Rev. Humphrey Posey.
With the creation of the Qualla Boundary of the Cherokee Reservation, there was a dispute about land.
See Land Troubles.
In 1860, Humphrey Childers resided at census house #391, Webster, Jackson Co NC. His occupation
was listed as miller.
In 1880, Humphrey Posey Childers was living with wife Sarah in Birdtown, next to Yo-na-skee-nah
(trans. "Devil Bear" thanks to Peggy Lambert).
- 1880 U. S. Census, Oconalufty, Swain County, NC.
Bethabara Church was established 22 Oct 1887 by Elders J. M. Smiley and J. H. Queen, members of
Shoal Creek and Indian Creek churches.
During 1888, H. P. Childers, member of Bethabara, died.
- Elder John S. Smiley, "History of the Tennessee River Baptist Association from Year 1830 to 1892".
"Bethabara is the name of the church here in Birdtown, not the present day church but further up the
Oconalufty River on the river bank where Wolf Camp Ground is now located. Birdtown is where the
Childers lived in 1880."
- Peggy Lambert, Swain County Genealogical Society, 21 Nov 2005.
Sources: US Census, 1860, Jackson Co NC;
US Census, 1880, Swain Co NC;
Peggy Lambert, Swain County Genealogical Society, 21 Nov 2005.