The following is a genealogy of the descendants of Mary Louise nee RUDGE BANKS , daughter of John and Louisa nee MITCHELL RUDGE, who migrated from France by way of North Carolina to Savannah, GA. The following is based on oral interviews with surviving members, primary documents (e.g. census records) and newspaper accounts.

• Index to this page.
• Information on the RUDGE side of her family

1. Marie Louise¹ RUDGE. She was born the daughter of John and Louisa nee MITCHELL RUDGE on 23 Jan 1851 in Nantes, Loire Atlantique, France. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 18 Apr 1906 at 116 Duffy East, Savannah, Chatham Co., GA and was buried on 19 Apr 1906 in the Laural Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co., GA. In census records her occupation is listed as "keeping house". She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

RECORD OF BIRTH: "Those present were told that the father had said he would not sign [his name] until after he had read it. Howette. Ferier. Bosnose. [No.] 33. The year eighteen hundred fifty-one, the twenty fifth of January at 11 a.m. Before the undersigned, Frederier Huette, assistant and registrar, delegated by the Mayor of Nantes, Knight of the Legion of Honor, has appeared Mrs. Besnoce, not employed, thirty-nine years old, living by the gulf. She told us that on the twenty third of the month at eight in the morning, Mrs. Louisa Mitchel, not employed, twenty nine years old, wife for nine years of John Rudge, an engineer, twenty eight years old, gave birth and was truly living near the gulf. The child was of the female sex, as was shown to us. She named the child, Louisa. These statements of declaration and presentation were made in the requested presence of Mr. Joshuron Francois Besnose, commercial assistant, forty eight years old, living near by & Benoit Bounanauncy, contractor, fifty four years old, and from Versailles, friends that declared and signed their agreement with us on the present document. After reading this, she has shown us the child and I have approved. family Besnoce. Besnones. Benoit Bounanauncy. J. Huette." A copy of the original record is located here.

Marie Louise migrated from France with her mother and brother John William ca. 1857-1859 to Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC. She is mentioned in the 1860 census entry for her parents, where she is identified as being nine years old and born in France.

According to a membership application submitted to the United Daughters of the Confederacy submitted by her niece, Kate Irma nee RUDGE GRIFFITH, the family migrated to Columbia, Richmond Co. SC after the death of her father in 1860. It is unclear where they lived during the Civil War, but Marie Louise must have returned to Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC by 18 Aug 1866, when she, her mother and brother joined the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church (Front Street Station M.E. Church South). All three are included as members on subsequent lists of church members dated Nov 1869 and 1870, the latter mentioning that Marie Louise and her mother were "removed by certificate in Feb 1873". (Marie Louise is referred to by her married name in the latter two.)

On 7 Sep 1868, Marie Louise married John W. BANKS, son of John BANKS & Louisa T. WITHENBURY in Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC. He was born ca. 1847 in NC. He died of "complications of the grip" on 4 Dec 1899 in Savannah, Chatham Co. GA and was buried on 5 Dec 1899 in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA. The Wilmington 1870 census identifies his occupation a "lightman; later census records identify him as "working in a sawmill" and a lumber inspector. He was a veteran of the Civil War. He was also a member St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT "MARRIED. In this city, on Monday, the 9th inst., by Rev. J. H. Dally, Mr. JOHN BANKS to Miss MARIE LOUISE RUDGE." (Wilmington Morning Star, Wed 9 Sep 1868.)

Marie Louise and her husband are listed as members of her mother-in-law, Louisa nee WITHENBURY BANKS' household in the 1870 Census for Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC. Her mother is also included in this entry.

CENSUS RECORD: 1870 Census for Wilmington, New Hanover Co., NC: Banks, Louisa age 60, occupation: keeping house; Banks, Charles age 30, occupant; Albert age 18 Clerk in Office; Banks, John age 23 Lighman; Banks, Mary L. age 19 keeping house; Banks, Robert E. age 1; Rodger, Louisa age 48 white, no occupant; Smith, Harriet age 24 black, house servant; Potter, Charlotte age 15 black, house servant. [Note "Louisa Rodger" in this record is a reference to Louisa nee MITCHELL RUDGE, Marie Louise's mother]

Marie Louise and her family migrated to GA by 1873, when she and her mother were removed by certificate from their church in Wilmington, noted above. They appear in the 1880 census for Baxley, Appling Co. GA taken 21 Jun 1880 where John BANKS is mentioned as working at a sawmill. They then migrated to Savannah, Chatham Co. GA, probably as early as 1883 when her mother Louisa nee MITCHELL RUDGE is listed in the city directory for that year as a housekeeper. In any event, they definitely arrived by 1898, as John is mentioned in the Savannah City Directory for that year.

OBITUARY - "Death of John W. Banks. His Funeral Will Take Place This Afternoon. Mr. John W. Banks died yesterday at his residence, No. 111 Duffy street, west, after a short illness. He was taken ill last Thursday with the grip, and death resulted from its complications. Mr. Banks was one of the best known lumber inspectors in Savannah. He was a native of Washington, N. C., and was 53 years old. he was a veteran of the Civil War. He had been a resident of Savannah twenty-nine years. He leaves a wife and seven children, two sons and five daughters. His funeral will take place this afternoon at 4 o'clock from his late residence. Rev. J. L. Scully of St. Paul's Episcopal Church will officiate." (Savannah Morning News 5 Dec 1899)

OBITUARY - "Mrs. Marie Louise Banks. After an illness of three months, Mrs. Marie Louise Banks, widow of the late John W. Banks, died at 6 o'clock yesterday morning. She was born at Nantes, France, Jan. 23, 1851, and moved to this country when a girl. She resided in Wilmington, N.C. for a number of years, where she married Mr. John W. Banks. During the illness of the deceased she was surrounded by her children and friends who administered to her every want and nursed her tenderly and faithfully to the end. Mrs. Banks was a devout member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Louisa Rudge; a brother, Mr. J. W. Rudge of Monroe, N.C., and seven children, all residents of this city. They are Mrs. Robert J. Warrick, Mrs. Walter W. Metzger, Mrs. John M. Blaine, Mrs. J. Kaufmann, Miss Georgia Banks, and two sons, Messrs. Robert E. and John E. Banks. The funeral will take place this afternoon from the home of the deceased, No. 116 Duffy street east, at 4:30 o'clock. The interment will be in the family lot in Laurel Grove Cemetery. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Gilbert Ottmann, rector of St. Paul's Church. A quartette consisting of Mrs. Percy Wickenberg, Miss Eleanor Allen, Mr. R. C. Thomson and Mr. J. B. Goodman will sing the following hymns, which were favorites of the deceased: At the home, "Asleep in Jesus" and "Nearer, My God to Thee," at the grave, "Abide With Me" and "The Christian's Good Night." The following gentlemen will act as pallbearers: Mr. J. A. Thomas, Mr. G. W. Register, Mr. Harry T. Kramer, Mr. Samuel Payne, Mr. Thomas Warrick, and Mr. William K. Metzger." (Savannah Morning News 19 Apr 1906).

Mary Louisa RUDGE and John W. BANKS had the following children:

	2	i.	Robert E.2 BANKS (1869-1936)
	3	ii.	Jennie L.2 BANKS (1870-1918)
		iii.	Marie Louise2 BANKS. She was born on 2 Jan 1871 and died
			on 9 Jan 1871 in Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC. She is buried
			in the Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington, New Hanover Co. NC.
	4	iv.	Kathleen Lovett2 BANKS (b. 1875)
	5	v.	John S.2 BANKS (1879-1915)
	6	vi.	Florence M.2 BANKS (b. 1882)
	7	vii.	Maud C.2 BANKS (b. 1887)
	8	viii.	Georgia2 BANKS (1888-1911)
		ix.	Marie2 BANKS. She was born in Oct 1889. She died on 2 Jul
			1890 in Savannah, Chatham Co. GA and was buried on 3 
			Jul 1890 in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

2. Robert E.² BANKS (Marie Louise¹ RUDGE). He was born ca. 1869 in Wilmington, New Hanover Co., NC. He died on 28 Sep 1936 at the Oglethorpe Sanitarium and was buried on 29 Sep 1936 in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA. He was a recorder for the Allee Temple Home.

In the 1888 city directory for Savannah, Chatham Co. GA is is identified as a clerk working for the S.F.& W. Railway.

He married Tillie Marie KRAMMER on 22 Apr 1896 in Savannah, Chatham Co. GA (Chatham Co. Marriage Records Book K p. 503), who according to the 1920 census was born ca. 1878 in GA.

Robert E. Banks and his wife are included in the 1930 census for Savannah, Chatham Co. GA. He is also mentioned in the 1930 and 1932 city directories for Savannah, "recorder Alee Temple Home", residing at 1814 Abercorn.

FUNERAL NOTICES: "The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Banks and family are invited to attend the funeral of Mr. Banks from the residence of his daughter Mrs. Orrie E. Bright in Gordonston this Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock. Interment Bonaventure Cemetery" (29 Sep 1936 Savannah Morning News p. 2); "Robert E. Banks. Funeral services for Robert E. Banks, 16 1/2 East Thirty-seventh street, who died early Monday morning after a short illness were held yesterday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Orrie E. Bright in Gordonston. Rev. A. L. Patterson, D.D., pastor of Hull Memorial Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Bonaventure Cemetery." (30 Sep 1936 Savannah Morning News p. 2)

Robert E. BANKS and Tillie Marie KRAMMER had the following children:

	
	i.	Maggie3 BANKS. She was born ca. Jan 1887 and died five months later on 21 May 1887 in Savannah, GA.
ii.	Robert3 BANKS. He was born ca. Jan 1887 and died on 28 Apr 1898. He and his older sister are buried in the Laurel Grove Cemetery.
9	iii.	Marie3 BANKS (b. 1899)
	iv.	Keith3 BANKS. He was born ca. 1904 in GA.
	v.	Robert3 BANKS. He was born ca. 1914.

Jennie L. BANKS and Robert J. WARRICK had the following children:

	10	i.	Norman B.3 WARRICK (b 1905)
	ii.	Karl W.3 WARRICK. He was born ca. 1900. He died on 15 Oct 1937 
		in Demino, NM and was buried on 20 Oct 1937 in the Laurel Grove 
		Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

Jennie second married Herman HALSTEAD on 15 Sep 1913 at St. Paul's Church, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA (Book Z, p. 141 of Chatham Co. GA Marriages).

FUNERAL NOTICES: "Halstead.- The friends and relatives of Mrs. Jennie Warrick Halstead and family are invited to attend her funeral from No. 123 West Gwinnett St. West this Saturday morning at 11 o'clock. Interment private." (2 Mar 1918 Savannah Morning News p. 2); "Funeral of Mrs. Jennie Halstead.- The funeral of Mrs. Jennie Warrick Halstead, who died early Friday morning, was held yesterday morning at 11:00 from the residence of her sister, Mrs. J. M. Blaine No. 123 West Gwinnett Street. Interment was private in Laurel Grove Cemetery." (3 Mar 1918 Savannah Morning News p. 2)

Kathleen Lovett. BANKS and Walter Wallace METZGER had the following children:

	11	i.	Louise A.3 METZGER. (b 1910)

FUNERAL NOTICE: "Banks- The friends and relatives of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Banks and family are invited to attend the funeral of the former from the residence 515 Bolton Street East at 2 o'clock this afternoon at Bonaventure." (22 Nov 1915 Savannah Morning News p. 2)

LETTER WRITTEN IN HONOR OF HIM: "John S. Banks. That he was energetic, progressive personally likeable and one of the best known of the younger business men of Savannah but inadequately describes John S. Banks whose death occurred yesterday. He was public spirited, was always ready and glad to do what he could for the interest of Savannah and his passing removes a man of whom it may be said that he was a good citizen. He will be remembered specially for the part he played in the organization of the Rotary Club of which he was the first president an office for which on account of his personality he was unusually well fitted. Expressions of appreciation on the part of members of the club indicate very clearly how much of his success must be considered as the result of his efforts. That his death will be greatly regretted need hardly be said and regret is felt by all the more because his life ended while he was yet a young man with the hope at least of many more years of usefulness." (22 Nov 1915 Savannah Morning News p. 6)

John's widow Mamie nee Payne BANKS is included in the 1930 and 1932 city directories for Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: "Blain is made officer Flynn, Harris, Bullard. Savannahian elected Secretary, Treasurer and Director. At a meeting of the stockholders of the Flynn-Harris-Bullard Company, naval stores factors in Jacksonville yesterday, John M. Blain, for the past six years resident manager of Savannah, was elected secretary and treasurer of the company and was placed on the board of directors. News of the promotion of the Savannah man was received yesterday afternoon in telegrams from Jacksonville and excited considerable interest in naval stores circles. Remain in Savannah. The promotion of Mr. Blain does not mean he will leave Savannah. He is to retain his place as resident manager, performing duties of that office in addition to those of secretary and treasurer. In the latter office he succeeds John E. Harris of Jacksonville, who while giving up his active place of secretary and treasurer, retains his place on the board of directors. Long service. Mr. Blain has been with the Flynn-Harris-Bullard Company and the organizations that preceded it for the past twenty-five years. He has worked his way up from a junior clerkship to the present place. His friends in Savannah and throughout this section will be pleased to hear of his promotion in the directory and one of the most important offices in the gift of the directors. The Officers. The officers of the Flynn-Harris-Bullard Company chosen at the annual meeting in Jacksonville yesterday are as follows: Chairman of the Board-D. M. Flynn, Jacksonville. President-Walter Ray, Jacksonville. Vice President-H. L. Richmond, Jacksonville. Vice President-A .L. Brogden, Jacksonville. Secretary and Treasurer-John M. Blain, Savannah. Assistant Treasurer-T. J. Rooney, Jacksonville. Directors. The directors elected by the stockholders yesterday are as follows: W. Roy Powell, Wake Forest N.C...John M. Blain, Savannah..."

Florence and her husband are mentioned in the 1930 census, which indicates her nephew Norman B. Warrick was living with them. They are also included in the 1930 and 1932 city directories for Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

FUNERAL NOTICES: "The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. John Miller Blain and family are invited to attend the funeral of Mr. Blain from the residence No. 123 West Gwinnett St. this Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Interment: Laurel Grove Cemetery" (28 Jan 1937 Savannah Morning News p. 2); "John Miller Blain. The funeral of John Miller Blain, who died suddenly Wednesday morning, took place yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the residence at 123 West Gwinett street, with Rev. George Oliver Taylor, Pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating. Burial was in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Eugene Tart, Robert and John Register, Paul Barringer, Julius Schwartz, Jr., W. T. Holt, Herbert Muller and E. A. Liney." (29 Jan 1937 Savannah Morning News p. 2)

According to family tradition, Florence married a second time to Walter TURNER. I was unable to find a record of this marriage among Chatham Co. records.

iv. Margarette³ KAUFMANN. He was born ca. 1916.

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8. Georgia² BANKS (Marie Louise¹ RUDGE). She was born ca. 1888 in Georgia. She died on 17 Sep 1911 in Asheville, NC and was buried on 18 Sep 1911 in the Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA. She married William F. ANTHONY of Charlotte NC, ca. 1908 in Savannah, Chatham Co. GA.

OBITUARY - "Mrs. William F. Anthony. The friends of Mrs. William F. Anthony, who was Miss Georgia Banks of this city, will learn with regret of her death, which occurred yesterday morning at 5 o'clock in Asheville, N.C. after a lingering illness. She was surrounded by members of her family who were at her bedside daily, untiring in their attention and devotion since she went there in March in hope of restoring her health. While her death was not a surprise to her family and friends because of her condition becoming so critical the last week it came as a distinct shock. Mrs. Anthony was a native of this city and lived here until July 1908, when she was married to William F. Anthony of Charlotte, N. C. Since her marriage she made her home in Jacksonville. She was 23 years of age. Besides her husband the decease leaves four sisters, Mrs. R. J. Warrick, Mrs. W. W. Metzger, Mrs. John W. Blaine, Mrs. Jule Kaufman, and two brothers, Robert E. and John S. Banks, all of this city. The remains will arrive this morning and will be taken in charge to the home of her sister No. 402 West Thirty-Seventh street. Funeral arrangements will be made after the arrival of the body." (Savannah Morning News 18 Sep 1911).

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Third Generation

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9. Marie³ BANKS (Robert E.¹; Marie Louise¹ RUDGE). She was born ca. 1899 in Georgia. She was buried in the Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham Co. GA. She married Orrie E. BRIGHT ca. 1922. He was born on 12 Mar 1900 in GA and died on 10 Oct 1981 in Chatham Co. GA. He was a lawyer with a firm called "Cobb & Bright".

Marie BANKS and Orrie E. BRIGHT had the following children:

	i.	Edward BRIGHT. He was born ca. 1922 in GA.
	ii.	Marie BRIGHT. She was born ca. 1926 in GA. 

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10. Norman B.³ WARRICK (Jennie L.¹ BANKS, Marie Louise¹ RUDGE).He was born ca. 1905 in GA. He appears in the 1930 census entry for his aunt (Florence M. nee Banks Blain) and is identified as a clerk at a naval store.

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11. Louise A.³ METZGER ( Kathleen Lovett² BANKS, Marie Louise¹ RUDGE). She was born ca. 1910 in GA, and according to the 1930 city directory for Savannah was a stenographer.

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If you recognize any of the names here and would like to contact me, here's my email address: david.rudge@wmich.edu.

Other lines on this site:

• Maine COOK FLUENT MILLS WEBBER WOODWARD;
• Michigan BIERI ROTH WYSS;
• North Carolina ADAMS GIBSON PAE PERSONS RUDGE BANKS COBLE;
• Virginia BATH BREEDLOVE WILLIAMSON;
• Wisconsin BREITKREUTZ FINDER NEFF YOUNG

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Last updated on 23 Nov 2005