Alan, a quick followup to your excellent point and earlier observation about the Blewett family of 1860-era Columbus. Even a cursory look at the U.S. Census of Lowndes County, Miss., in 1860 certainly sheds a great deal of light on the topic of the family's prominence.

Residing in the same household, as recorded on page 173 of the census, and appearing there as residents within the City of Columbus, are the following two men:

Thomas G. Blewett, Sr., 79 male, Planter, born SC (abt 1789), with real estate valued at $80,000 and a personal estate valued at $190,000, (there is a check mark in the column for "Married within the last year," but no spouse named), and
Randle Blewett, 30 male, Planter, born Mississippi (abt 1830) with real estate valued at $48,000 and personal estate of $65,000

On page 135 of the same census, also within the city, is Thomas G. Blewett (Jr?), 42 male, Planter, born SC (abt 1818), with real estate valued at $145,000 and a personal estate valued at $149,000, along with his family, consisting of Laura, 35 female (born abt 1828), and Claude, 6 male (born abt 1854).

That certainly qualifies them all as clearly among the prominent, land-holding gentry.