*This article is part of a series of historical stories aimed to tell the authenthic history of the Holley-Navarre Community. Some newcomers may not be aware that the community of Holley-Navarre dates back into the 1800s.. The goal of this series is to help share the stories and genealogy of Panhandle Pioneers, a local nonprofit recently created to promote, preserve and protect our rich local heritage without ignoring those who built our community prior to the 20th century. Photos courtesy Wendy Harvell Lincoln.
In this second part of the Harvell Family stories, Wendy Harvell Lincoln, founder of Panhandle Pioneers, a local nonprofit recently formed to promote, preserve and protect our area’s rich local heritage, shares her family lineage of Santa Rosa County natives, which traces back nine generations…
It was the promise of “free land” that brought Alfred Harvell and his wife, Elizabeth Littles, along with their infant son, Newsome, to an East River homestead on December 25, 1871. They also brought his mother, Mary Harvell, and other family and friends, including: his sister, who was also named Mary, and her son, John Henry Harvell, who later became Santa Rosa County Sheriff and a State Legislator.
John Henry Harvell
Others who came to Santa Rosa County with them were Alfred’s brother, William Greene Harvell, and best friend, William Lowery – plus those men’s families.
My name is Wendy Kay Harvell-Lincoln, and I am a descendant of Alfred; his son, Newsome; Newsome’s son, Macon; and Macon’s son, Duncan Hillery “Bud” Harvell.
My father James Henry “Stormy” Harvell Sr. was the son of Duncan and Gracie Eldease Broxson, a freshwater Broxson.
Bud & Gracie Harvell with their son, Stormy
I, along with my brother, James Henry “Buddy” Harvell, Jr., have lived in Holley-Navarre on our families land since our birth (he was born in Oct. 1969, and I followed in Dec. 1970). Our parents are Stormy and Judeth Elaine “Judy” Lewis-Harvell (daughter of Walter Davis Lewis and Burma Hazel Bedsole).
Stormy Harvell pictured with his parents (seated), Bud & Gracie; his wife, Judy (left), and their children, Buddy & Wendy
I married Edmond Earl Lincoln, who is a descendant of President Abraham Lincoln.
My brother, Buddy, married and divorced and had two children in that marriage: Harley Ann Harvell and Hillery Madison Gene Harvell. Hillery lives in Haslet, Texas, with her fiancé, Kyle, and their two children Delaynee Kay and Kipton James. Harley is married to Cameron and they have a son, Graydon, making the eighth generation of our family to live in Santa Rosa County.
Harley and her family live in my grandmother’s birth home, which was moved from Eglin Air Force Base when the government forced families off their homesteads in the 1940s. My grandfather Bud moved it to our family property off East Bay Boulevard. We have had five generations live on that house at this site.
LINEAGE:
My Harvell ancestors came from Pike County, Alabama, after the Civil War. My third great grandfather, Alfred Harvell, was in Company K 25th Alabama Regiment. After the Civil War, he moved his family here. He and his wife, Elizabeth Littles (daughter of Andrew Thomas Littles and Margaret Elizibeth Livings), had 6 children:
- Fannie Harvell who married Ellis Colley;
- Newsome Harvell, my great-great-grandfather, married Dora Ann Lowery;
- Evelena J. Harvell married Henry Green Harvell, her cousin William Green Harvell’s son;
- John Augustus Harvell, never married;
- Dock C. Harvell, never married; and
- Isabelle Harvell, never married.
My great-great-grandfather, Newsome Harvell, and his wife, Dora Ann Lowery (daughter of William A. Lowery and Safronia Donaldson), had 8 children:
- James Macon Harvell, my great-grandfather, married Flora Jean McLean;
- Stella Elizabeth Harvell married James Harmon Barlow;
- Susie A Harvell married Percy Lamar Coleman;
- Della Jeanette Harvell married Jesse D. Barlow;
- Vella Isadell Harvell married Burton Mills;
- Nancy Delitha Harvell married Andrew Morman Barlow;
- Martha Jeanette Harvell married Robert Fulton Hicks; and
- Woodrow Aubrey Harvell married Gladys Elaine Rogers.
My great-grandfather James Macon Harvell married Flora Jean McLean, daughter of Duncan Angus Harvell and Mary Jeanette Monroe, and they had 7 children:
- My great-aunt Louise Harvell married Carl Edward Barnard;
- My grandpa, Duncan Hillery “Bud” married my grandmother, Gracie Eldease Broxson, daughter of Henry G. “Sharp” and Gracie Elizabeth Anderson;
- My great-uncle James Macon “Jr” Harvell married Edna Bray;
- My great-aunt Mary Catherine Harvell married Martin Henry Wells;
- My great-aunt Margaret Jeanette Harvell married Joe Hurst Jr and then Robert E Bailey;
- My great-aunt Dora Florence Harvell married James Robert Caine Sr; and
- My great-aunt Julia Susie Harvell married Edwin Leroy Wells.
I’ve told you about my father’s ancestors. What I haven’t told you about was how many descendants the aforementioned early settlers of Holley-Navarre created. I could spend all day telling you about how many children were born from them, but there simply isn’t enough paper.
My ancestors’ blood, sweat, and tears run deep through Northwest Florida, and especially here in Holley-Navarre and Santa Rosa County. They made a life here for themselves and ALL their descendants. I carry their legacy with me everyday, as does every one of their descendants. I don’t know about the others, but I am proud of my lineage.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If your family settled in Santa Rosa County prior to the 20th century (in the 1800s), you’re eligible to become a member of Panhandle Pioneers by emailing PanhandlepioneersNPC@gmail.com. South Santa Rosa News would also like to profile your lineage and family photos/stories; if interested, email news@ssrnews.com.
