Before and After -- Hatfield's OK Homestead

Before and after photos of the Martin Monroe Hatfield Family Homestead in Woods County, Oklahoma.  Maymie said that the homestead was near Estelle, Oklahoma.

The before photo was taken about 1904.  The family was still living in a log cabin.  Left to right: Clinton on horse, Alfred on horse, Blanche in her cute white dress, Nancy, Martin, and Lillie on the far right just above the tear in the photo.
Maymie Pearl Wilson, daughter of Minnie Pearl Hatfield Wilson, said she was born "in a big log house on my Grandpa Hatfield's old homestead."   She was born on July 14th, 1905, so the family was still living in the log cabin in 1905.

The after photo was taken about 3 to 5 years later.  Martin had built his family a home with windows and a brick chimney.  Nancy hung cute curtins on the windows.  They had planted trees and had a path to the front door.  There is a pole right in front of the house with something attached at the top -- any suggestions?  Not sure what is going on with the guns?

More information on the Martin Monroe Hatfield Family can be found on previous blog posts:

Feuding Hatfield?? 

Martin Monroe Hatfield Family
Anna Belle Hatfield
Pioneer in the new 'City of the Dead' at Dove Creek
Fixin' Supper -- the "Minnie Pearl" style
Maymie Wilson Martin

A big Thanks to everyone who is willing to share and contribute pictures and stories to the blog.

Vern and Laura Wilson

Uncle Vern

Vern Wilson was the older brother of our Grandma Maymie.  He was close to our family during my entire youth and I have many fond memories of "Uncle Vern."

William Martin Wilson, more commonly known as Vern Wilson, was the oldest child of Charles and Minnie Wilson.  Vern was born 29 Sep 1903 at Quinlan, Woods, Oklahoma. 

The Wilson family lived a rather nomadic lifestyle, moving around the country in a covered wagon.  They moved from Oklahoma to New Mexico, back to Oklahoma, then to Arkansas, back to Oklahoma, then to Utah and finally to Colorado -- all in a covered wagon.  Below is a picture of Vern and his sister, Maymie, taken about 1912 while they lived in New Mexico.  Vern and Maymie had a close relationship all their lives.

As a teenager living in Southern Utah, Vern had trouble getting along with his father.  One day, Vern saddled up his horse and with two pack horses, and started out for Oklahoma.  A friend by the name of Roy Rutherford rode with him.  Vern rode as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico, when he sold his horses and joined the Navy.

Once when his ship docked in California, Vern had shore leave.  A young girl by the name of Laura Franks was with a group of young women waiting to see all of the sailors. According to one of Vern's sisters-in-law, Laura "grabbed a hold of Vern and never let him go."  

Laura Franks

Vern and Laura were married 5 Dec 1925 in Los Angeles, California.  Laura Ella Franks, the daughter of Carroll Franks and Emma Gipson, was born 28 Jan 1910 in Oklahoma.  Several months after her birth, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she grew up. 

Shortly after they married, Vern and Laura moved to Oakland, California. The photo below was taken in 1927 in Oakland.

Vern and Laura Wilson 1927

Vern was in the Navy about 8 years before he got out.  Rumor has it that he just left while on furlough - as in desertion.  In 1930, Vern and Laura were living in Oakland, Alameda County, California.  He reported his occupation as a roofing laborer.  An occupation he would follow most of his life. 
In 1949, Vern owned a company called Valley Roofing in Cortez, Colorado.  In the photo below, Vern is standing in front of his truck, which was parked in front of  Wilson's Grocery store just north of Cortez.  Vern and Laura lived a little further back behind the store.

In about 1949, Vern was trying to get a roofing contract on the Navajo Reservation. He had to prove that he was part Indian, so he had his wife, Laura, type up a pedigree showing his Indian heritage (shown below).  There is NO PROOF that the great-grandma was actually a Choctaw Indian.



Pedigree for Vern Wilson



In 1949, Vern was baptised by a Southern Baptist preacher in Hartman Creek (north of Cortez, CO).  Baptized at the same time were his sister, Maymie, and his nephews, Leroy and Wilber.



Preacher, Leroy, Maymie, Wilber, Vern
Baptised in Hartman Creek, Cortez, CO 

By 1953, Vern and Laura had moved back to California.  Vern worked for Miller Bros Union Pacific  Stockyard in La Puente, California.   The photo shown below was dated December 1963.  Laura wrote on back: "Kinda goofy looking, but pretty natural at that.  If we get a better one will send it to you."

In 1956, Vern then went to work for stables of Mrs. H. C. Morton of Los Angeles, taking care of her thoroughbred horses.  Laura was a taxi driver in the Los Angeles area during this time. In the photo below, Vern and Laura are still living in California -- not sure on the make of the car, but I do know that he owned a "Hudson" at one time.  



Vern and Laura were not able to have children, but are fondly remembered by nieces and nephews.  The last few years of his life were spent living south of Cortez, Colorado.  Vern had heart trouble and was semi-retired.  I remember working on big puzzles with him.  He would spread the pieces out on his coffee table and let me help him put them together.

Laura was a go-getter - never one to sit still for very long.  She was the first "Tupperware Lady" I knew.  Laura traveled all over the 4-corners area selling Tupperware at parties.

Vern died in his sleep on 22 Oct 1962 and was buried in the Cortez Cemetery.   Laura eventually moved back to California and died 30 Jan 1983 in Torrance, Los Angeles, California.  Her ashes were returned to  be placed beside Vern in the Cortez Cemetery.

Vern & Laura

About 1960

Vern Wilson Birth Information

This affidavit was made by Minnie Pearl Wilson in 1952.  It is the birth information for her son, William Martin "Vern" Wilson. 

Feuding Hatfields??

Martin Monroe Hatfield Family Photo
Were our Hatfield's part of a feud in Oklahoma??

This is a photo of the Martin Monroe Hatfield family on their Oklahoma homestead.  Martin and daughter, Anna, were holding rifles.  The family, looking rather stern and standing in front of their home, appear as if they were trying to scare or chase someone off their property.  Anna looks as if she were ready to shoot the next person to move any closer.  Were they holding guns to make a statement or were they just having fun posing for a photo?

Left to right:  Clinton holding horses, Alfred holding puppy, Grace holding horses, Martin holding a rifle, Nancy, Anna holding a rifle.

This photo was not dated, but guessing from the ages of the children, the photo was taken about 1907-1909.  Photo would have been taken on the Hatfield Homestead in Woods County, Oklahoma.

More on the Martin Monroe Hatfield Family can be found on these blog posts:
Martin Monroe Hatfield Family
Before and After -- Hatfield's Homestead
Anna Belle Hatfield 
Pioneer in the new 'City of the Dead' at Dove Creek
Fixin' Supper -- the "Minnie Pearl" style

The Hatfield family is part of the Wilson family line.  Our direct ancestor, Minnie Pearl Hatfield, married Charles B. Wilson.  She was the daughter of Martin Monroe Hatfield and Nancy A. McNeil.

John Sadler - A True Texan

John Sadler is the great-grandpa of our beloved Dad and Grandpa, Jess Baldwin.  John was the first true "Texan" in our Baldwin-Sadler family line.

JOHN SADLER - A True Texan

John Sadler was born 24 May 1811 in Tennessee. Some researchers believe him to be the son of John William Sadler, but NO proof or source has been given or found to support this theory.
At some point before 1830, John moved to Illinois. It is not known if he moved to Illinois by himself or if he made the move with family and/or friends.
In 1830, John was listed in the Federal Census for Shelby County, Illinois as a single man.  Later in 1830 in Shelby County, Illinois, John married Basheba Lindley.  Below is a copy of the marriage license dated 17 Nov 1830.  Basheba's grandfather, John Whitley Sr., paid the marriage bond.

State of Illinois, Shelby County

To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting

Know ye license & promission is hereby granted to any licensed Minister of the Gospel, Judge,

or Justice of the Peace in the County of Shelby & State of Illinois

to solomize the rites of matrimony between
Mr. John Sadler and Miss Basheba Lindly

now both of the County & State aforesaid.

Witness Joseph Oliver Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of said County of Shelby & State aforesaid.  This 17th day of Nov 1830.

paid on oath of John Whitly Sr.

John Sadler and Basheba Lindley were married the next day on the 18th day of November 1830 by Joseph Baker, JP.  Below is the record of the marriage.

Basheba (sometimes spelled Bathsheba, Barsheba, Bashie) was the oldest daughter of Samuel Washington Lindley and Elizabeth Whitley.  She was born on 5 Mar 1811 in Illinois.

The young couple headed for Texas several years after they married.  They most likely traveled in covered wagons with members of the Lindley family, which included Basheba's father, Samuel W. Lindley.  Members of the Whitley family came to Texas around that time, also.

Texas was still part of Mexico and Mexican government required a letter of recommendation from a reliable citizen of the US before admitting families to Texas. Basheba’s father, Samuel Washington Lindley, received a letter of recommendation signed by the Governor of Illinois on 27 Sep 1833.  So, the group would have started their trek to Texas after that time. 

After they arrived in Texas, John Sadler gave the Mexican authorities a certificate of character on 25 Sep 1834.  Below is a copy of the original certificate.

Transcription of original character certificate from the General Land Office of Texas:

"San Augustine, September 25, 1834
I Certify that John Sadler from the certificate of two repectable persons a native of Tennessee of the United States of America is a man of a family consisting of four persons and that he is a man of good moral habits and industry and a good citizen and a friend to the laws and religion of the country given at the instance of the party ____ . Benjamin Lindsey Aalcalde
(Note) Wife & 2 children = Vehlein. Next to Saml Lindley. Wm Rankin"

The above character certificate states that John and Basheba Sadler had 2 children by 25 Sep 1834.  Who were they? Present day records show only one child born before Sep 1834 and that was James.  Who was the second child mentioned in the character certificate? John and Basheba were married Nov 1830, so it is possible that they had a child born in 1831 or 1832. Did they have a small child that died shortly after they arrived in Texas?

On 7 Nov 1834, John Sadler and his father-in-law, Samuel Lindley, received grants from the Coahuila y Tejas government issued in Nacogdoches. These grants were later recognized by the Republic of Texas. Spanish Land Grant, Volume C: 56, Montgomery Co. TX.

On 29 Apr 1835, John received a land patent for in Montgomery County, Texas.

By the latter part of 1835, the Texians were engaging in battles and revolting against the Mexican government.  The Texians were accustomed to a federalist government and individual rights, and were not happy with Mexico’s increasing dictatorial attempts. 

John's brother-in-law, Jonathan Lindley, enlisted in the Texas army.  He was with the relief force from Gonzales that was sent to the Alamo.  Jonathan Lindley died during the Battle of the Alamo on 6 March 1836.

"Remember the Alamo"

News of the Alamo's fall and the death of his brother-in-law, Jonathan Lindley, undoubtedly prompted John to join Sam Houston's army and fight for Texan Independence from Mexico.  John fought in Captain William Ware's Company and is considered one of the heroes who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto under General Sam Houston on April 21, 1836.

Artistic interpretation of the Battle of San Jacinto, 1895.  Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908)

Proof of John's service can be found in different sources:

FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, BOOK II; Published by The Daughters of The Republic of Texas; Austin, Texas, 1974. Page 147.  Mrs. Nannie Fay Sadler Robertson; No. 6179; admitted November 17, 1969; Mary Ann Lawhon Chapter.  'John Sadler, b. 5-28,-1811, Tennessee, d. 4-18-1885, Oletha, Texas, m. 11-17-1830, Shelby County, Illinois, Barsheba Lindley, b. 3-5-1811, Illinois, d 10-17-1885, Oletha, Texas.  John Sadler, a soldier at San Jacinto in Captain William Ware's Company.'

MUSTER ROLLS OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Austin, Texas, 1986.  Muster roll - page 37.  San Jacinto List; Col Sherman's Command.  Name & Rank: John Sadler

Read about the Battle of San Jacinto on the Handbook of Texas Online.

After defeating Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas became it's own republic.  John, Basheba and their family became Citizens of the Republic of Texas.

In August 1838, John received bounty land for having fought at the Battle of San Jacinto.   Below is a copy of the actual bounty land certificate.

 

On 11 Mar 1839, John registered his brand in Montgomery County, Texas.

In the 1840, John was enumerated in the Montgomery County Census of the Republic of Texas.  He reported 2000 acres of land under complete title and 1652 acres of land under survey based on a grant but without final title.  John, also, reported one slave and 15 head of cattle.  In 1846, John was enumerated in the Republic of Texas Poll list.  He was listed with the middle initial of "W".  This is the only record with a middle initial shown.

John, Basheba and their family were living on their land that was partly in Walker County and partly in Montgomery County.  The plat map shown below for Walker County shows where John's land was located.  His parcel of land is the bigger yellow area at the bottom of the map.  Part of the land crossed the county line and was in Montgomery county.  Most of the official records pertaining to John Sadler are found in the Montgomery County Court records, but there are some records also in the Walker County Court records.  His children attended school in Walker County.

By deed dated 19 February 1849 in Walker County, Texas, John Sadler of Walker County sold to William Nathan Lindley of Walker County, for the sum of $150, 96.2 acres of his headright league in Walker County. Recorded 19 March 1849, notary public John S. Besser.

John and "Besheba" Sadler appeared in the US Federal Census of 1 June 1850 in Walker County, Texas. The census recorded that John, a 39 yr old Tennessee native, was a farmer with land valued at $1784.  Other members of the household included James Caine Sadler, Sarah Sadler, Samuel Lewis Sadler, Elizabeth Sadler, Richard Henry Sadler, Mary Sadler and Robert Sadler.

1850 Federal Census, Walker County, Texas, page 268B

John and "Basheby" Sadler were also enumerated in the 1850 Montgomery county census.  This is probably because his land was located in both counties, and, so was shown in the census records for both counties.

On 16 December 1850, John sold to Daniel McGill the "tract of land situated in Montgomery Land District Texas and a part of said Sadlers headright league of land granted to him as a colonist..." for $1700.00.  Montgomery County Deed Book, Vol. O, page 128.

In 1854, his family is listed in the School Enumeration for Walker county.  John Sadler was listed as having 5 children in school.

In later years, John's daughter, Mary Sadler Baldwin, recalled knowing and playing with the children of Sam Houston when she was young.  According to census records, Sam Houston and family were living in Walker County in the 1850's.

On 19 January 1854, John Sadler sold to Jonathan Collard, "a part and remainder of six hundred and forty acre tract of land donated to me by the Republic of Texas for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto."  The deed is found in the Montgomery County Clerks office, Deed Vol. Q, page 324-325.

Sometime in 1854, the family moved to Limestone County, Texas.  The Sadler children were listed in the 1855 School Enumeration for Limestone County.  The John Sadler family had 3 males and 2 females attending school:  Robert, Richard, Samuel, Mary and Elizabeth.

White, Gifford, TEXAS SCHOLASTICS 1854-1855, Copied from originals in the Archives Division of the Texas State Library, Austin, Texas, 1979, Page 374, 1854 School Enumeration of Walker County, Texas, District 6: John Saddler - 5 children.  Page 178, 1855 School Enumeration in Limestone County, Texas, District 12: John Sadler (3 males & 2 females= 5 children in school) Robert, Richard, Samuel, Mary, Eliabeth.

In 1860, John, Basheba and family were living in Limestone County, Texas.  Son, James was living next door to John and Basheba, or possibly in a different dwelling on John's farm.  Allen Baldwin, a school teacher, was also living next to or on the Sadler family farm.  Allen was a school teacher and often people in the community would help support school teachers.  So, perhaps John was providing Allen Baldwin with living accommodations.

1860 United States Federal Census; Limestone County, Texas;

Roll: M653_1300; Page: 336; Family History Library Film: 805300

John's daughter, Mary Sadler, married Francis Marion Baldwin about 1864.  The courthouse in Limestone County burned down in 1873, so there are no records prior to that time and so no marriage record can be found.  Family tradition states that Mary Sadler and F. M. Baldwin were married "during the Civil War."  The Baldwin family had moved from Walker county to Limestone county about the same time the Sadler family made the move.  The families probably knew each other in Walker County before moving to Limestone County.  It was F. M. Baldwin's older brother, Allen, who was living next to John in the 1860 Census.

In 1870, John and "Bashaba" Sadler were enumerated in the Limestone  County,  Texas Federal Census.  John gave his occupation as "planter."  John's daughter, Sarah Sadler Wageman, was living next to John and Basheba.  According to the census, the value of John's personal and real estate had decreased since the 1860 census.

1870 United States Federal Census; Limestone County, Texas; 

Page: 194B; Family History Library Film: 553095

In 1874, John started the application for a military pension and started receiving an annual pension of $250.00 based upon his service to the Republic of Texas as a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto.

John and "Abasha" Sadler appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Limestone County, Texas. Daughter, Martha, is also in the household.  In the 1880 census, John and Barsheba Lindley Sadler's children, James, Robert and John, and other family members, were enumerated in close proximity in Limestone County.

1880 United States Federal Census, Limestone County, Texas, Page: 419D; ED: 096

John and Basheba had nine children, five sons and four daughters.  Many of their children and grandchildren stayed in the Limestone county area, but others spread out and helped to populate and settle the great state of Texas.  Children of John and Basheba were: (1) James Caine Sadler, 1834-1910; (2) Sarah Sadler Wageman, 1835-1900; (3) Samuel Lewis Sadler, 1839-1921; (4) Elizabeth Sadler Sadler, 1842-1912; (5) Richard Henry Sadler, 1844-1887; (6) Mary Sadler Baldwin, 1845-1933; (7) Robert Sadler, 1849-1924; (8) Martha Sadler Ingle, 1850-1897; and (9) John "Bud" Sadler, 1853-1898.

John Sadler died on 18 April 1885 at age 73 in Limestone County, Texas.  Basheba died later that year, on 17 October 1885.  John and Basheba are buried beside each other in the Ferguson Cemetery in Oletha, Limestone County, Texas.

About 20 years ago, I visited the Ferguson cemetery in Limestone County and took the above photo of the original headstones of John & Basheba with the taller memorial headstone for John between them .  Better photos of the headstones can be found on sites such as Ancestry.com and FindaGrave.com.
 

Descendants of John and Basheba Sadler are eligible for membership in The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and/or the San Jacinto Descendants.

If anyone has additional information on John Sadler, please leave information in a comment.  It would be nice to have a complete history of John Sadler online.  Also, looking for a photo of John and/or Basheba Sadler.  Thanks.

Happy Birthday to Bettie Medlin Stewart

Bettie Medlin was the youngest child born to Samuel and Rebecca (Morgan) Medlin. Bettie's mother, Rebecca Morgan Medlin, either died giving birth to Bettie or died shortly after she was born.  Her father, Samuel, being unable to care for an infant daughter gave Bettie away to be raised by the Barnett Richardson family.  (For more information on Bettie's life and her relationship to the Richardson family, go to a previous post about Bettie.)

Somehow with the death of her mother and being taken in by others to be raised, Bettie's birth was never recorded or remembered .  Bettie, herself, stated in a letter included in her husband's Civil War Pension Records that she did NOT KNOW her birth date or how old she actually was.  Her birth information is missing from the family bible.  Also, she usually did not give a birth year or age to the census taker. BUT, in about 1933, Bettie told her great-granddaughter, Ethel Baldwin, that her BIRTHDAY was on Febuary 14, Valentine's Day.  I feel that she personally picked Valentine's Day for her birthday since she did not know her real birthday.  So, that is the birthdate I think she should have and I have given it to her.

For years, I have listed Bettie's death date as 13 Feb 1939.  I got that date from her death certificate, or, so I thought.  But recently, Cousin Rod informed me of my error.  I had actually written down the date from the second line down, which was the date the doctor had last seen Bettie.  Bettie died at 4:00 am on Valentine's Day, 14 Feb 1939.  Is it a coincidence or fate or what, that Bettie died on the very date that she had privately picked for her special day and birth date?

For the little girl who never had a real birthday,
who became the fiesty grandma most of the family remembers, 

let's all wish her a  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

on this day she picked for her remembrance.

Maiden Name for Rebecca, wife of Samuel Medlin

The Medlin family is on the Baldwin family line.  2nd great-grandpa Henry Stewart married Bettie Medlin.  This is about Bettie's mother, Rebecca.

After years of searching, I recently found the maiden name for Rebecca, the wife of Samuel Medlin of Wilson County and Davidson County, Tennessee.  To say I was excited would be a gross understatement.

Previously, the only official record I had of Rebecca was the 1850 Federal Census of Wilson County, Tennessee.  The 1850 census showed the Samuel and Rebecca family with the following children: Caroline, Emily, Nancy, Amanda, Eliza, Paralee, Riley, and Pinkney.  Our great-grandma, Bettie, was born a few years later. 

Rebecca died shortly after Bettie, her youngest daughter, was born in about 1853.  After Rebecca's death, it appears that the older Medlin children married or were on their own and the younger Medlin children were raised by extended family or friends. Bettie Medlin was raised by the Barnett Richardson (his brother Caleb was married to Patsey Medlin) family in Putnam County, TN. Isaac Pinkney was living with the Riley Medlin family in Putnam County, Tennessee in 1860.  Twenty-one year old, Amanda was living with her married sister, Emily Rogers, in 1860.  Records indicate that Samuel Medlin married again after the death of his wife Rebecca, but it does not appear that any of the children lived with him in his new marriage.

Several of the children ended up living in the Nashville area: Emily Medlin Rogers, Amanda Medlin Reed, William Riley Medlin and Isaac Pinkney Medlin.  I have never been able to find information concerning Caroline, Nancy or Eliza.

The Tennessee death certificates have just recently been placed online by FamilySearch.org.   The only place that the maiden name for Rebecca has been found is on the Death Certificates for her sons, Isaac Pink Medlin and William Riley Medlin. 

Rebecca's maiden name that was written on the death certificates is Morgan.  Did I mention that I was excited about this find? :)

Isaac Pinkney died at the age of 96.  The parent's names given on Pink's death certificate are:
Father - Sam Medlin b. Tennessee
Mother - Miss Morgan b. Tennessee
The informant listed on the death certificate was Pink's son, Morgan David Medlin

Riley died at age 80.  The parent's names given on Riley's death certificate are:
Father - Sam Medlen b. Tennessee,
Mother - Beckie Morgan b. Tennessee
The informant listed on the death certificate was Mrs. W. R. Medlin (Riley's wife, Kate).

Many thanks to the volunteer indexers of FamilySearch.org who made this possible.  The death certificates can be found on FamilySearch.org.  If you would like to help volunteer and index records, please go to Worldwide Indexing.  The records that are indexed by volunteers are free and available to everyone.  Volunteering to index is easy and fun to do!

Can't tell you how much money I had previously sent to the Tennessee State Archives, trying to locate and obtain these death certificates without success.  At that time, I was charged a $10 fee for a 3 year (timespan) search, where I would give them the year to search from.  I certainly did not think that Pinkney would live to be 94 years old!  Now these records are free on FamilySearch.org.  Yea!!  I think that I mentioned before that I was really excited to find the Tennessee Death Records online!:)

Some "Family Stories or Traditions" concerning Rebecca Morgan
 -- Remember these are not proven.
Some descendants recall stories about an Indian Grandma.  Was Rebecca Morgan a Cherokee Indian??
In a 2002 telephone conversation with Henry Reed Jr. of Madison, TN (descendant of Rebecca's daughter, Amanda Medlin Reed), Henry said that his great-grandmother was Cherokee Indian. He said that she (Rebecca) was born before the Indian removal. When the Cherokee's were driven out of Tennessee on the "Trail of Tears", Rebecca hid out in the mountains. The mountains were in the southern part of Tennessee -- one was called Lookout Mountain. Henry said he saw a picture of his grandmother, Rebecca, when he was a boy and she looked Indian. Henry also said that "Rebecca" was not her real name, it was a name given to her when she was christened and her real Indian name is lost to anyone's memory. He also recalled stories handed down in the family of how Rebecca would teach her children how to gather herbs and make traditional Indian medicines. 
Bettie Medlin Stewart also passed down stories about her mother being an Indian.  A great-grandson, Joe Baldwin, recalled stories Bettie told about her Indian mother and white father being attacked by Indians who were mad because her Indian mother had married a white man.  Bettie said that her father was scalped by the attacking Indians and her mother left for dead.  Could these stories be about her grandparents instead of parents?!?  Probably so.  Research shows that her father lived years after her mother died, so this story can't be about him. Since her mother died when Bettie was an infant, Bettie never knew her mother and was raised by extended family.  She may have confused the stories she heard as a child.  My feeling is that this story may be about her mother's parents.  As more records become available, perhaps we can solve this mystery about Rebecca's parents.
If anyone has any information concerning Rebecca Morgan, please leave a comment.

Jesse Stewart, Baptist Preacher - part 2

See more on Jesse Stewart here.

Jesse Stewart of Putnam county, Tennessee

 Biography, Signature and Bible Pages

Jesse Stewart Signature
From an affidavit signed 11 Oct 1832 for John Rany's Revolutionary War Pension Application.


The following copies of a family record from a Bible belonging to Jesse Stewart were sent to me years ago by J.T. Stewart.  (He did not send a copy of the title page or publication information of the Bible and this is the best copy I have.)

Transcription of Bible pages:
Jesse Stewart was borne July the 5th - 1790
Jemimah Stewart was borne November the 18th - 1795
Janey Stewart was borne Febuary the 26th - 1813
Preston Stewart was borne July the 12th 1815
Harrison Stewart was born May the 7th - 1817
Hirum Stewart was born March the 30th 1819
Enon Stewart was born May the 6th - 1821
Ceburn Stewart was born February the 10th 1823
Asa Stewart was born February the 19th 1825
Anthony Stewart was born January the 21 - 1827
Ervincy Stewart was born October the 22th 1829
Levashure Stewart was born October the 17th 1831
Almirminda Stewart was born January the 14th in 1834
Jemimah Stewart was born January the 19th 1836
Mary Stewart was born Febuary the 21st 1838
Ceburn Stewart was borne Febuary the tenth 10 1823
?Not sure why Ceburn is listed twice in the bible record?

Chronological Data Pertaining to Jesse Stewart by J. T. Stewart

Jesse Stewart came to Overton County with his father Joseph Stewart from Jefferson County, TN about 1800. He was about 10 years old at the time. By 1820, he was married and head of a family according to the 1820 Overton County census. In July 1824, Jesse Stewart bought 55 acres of land in White County on Calfkiller River from Thomas Ussery. In July 1826, he sold this 55 acres of land to Jeptha West. It is not certain that he resided on this land.

Richard F. Cook’s survey book shows that 75 acres of land on Bear Creek was surveyed for Jesse Stewart on 18 Feb 1831. The chain carriers were Richard Harris and Preston Stewart. This land was partly in Jackson and partly in Overton counties, which later became Putnam County. An affidavit dated 11 October 1832, signed by Jesse Stewart submitted in connection with John Raney’s Revolutionary War Pension application gives Jesse Stewart’s place of residence as County of White. (John Raney was his brother-in-law.) But, in census records of 1830 and 1840 Jesse Stewart was enumerated in Overton County. (White County marriage records show that Jesse’s son, Enon, was married to Sarina Cordle on 4 January 1845.)

Census records show that in 1850, Jesse Stewart was in Tood County, Kentucky with wife, Jemima, and children, Asa, Ervina, Lavisha, Almarinda, Jemima, Mary and Sarah. In 1852, Jesse Stewart along with sons, Enon, Asa and Lavasha, bought 450 acres of land in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky on Long Creek. But by 1860, Jesse was back in Putnam County again with wife, Jemima (age 64) and children, Jemima Jr. 24 and Mary 22. This was in the Double Springs community and he was shown living next door to Preston and Jane Stewart. (Preston was his oldest son.)

But, sometime after 1860 at about the time of the Civil War, he supposedly went back to Kentucky again. (This comes from J.H. Grime’s “History of Middle Tennesse Baptists”, p. 277.) Circumstantial evidence indicates that both Jesse and Jemima died in Kentucky about 1864. The two girls, Jemima (Jr.) and Mary, evidently went to live with their aunt and uncle, Sarah (West) jDavis and Jacob Davis. Todd County, Kentucky marriage records show that Jemima (Jr.) Stewart was married to Francis M. Seger at the home of Jacob Davis on 11 December 1864.

Jesse Stewart was a Baptist preacher and he was involved in some of the early controversies of the church. He was probably ordained by the Roaring River Baptist Church of Overton County, of which he was a member in the early 1800’s and he was in these associations: Stockton’s Valley, Freedom Association of Kentucky, Salem Association, with Putnam County as a center, and later Johnson Association. According to Spencer’s “History of Kentucky Baptists” Jesse Stewart was excluded from Stockton’s Valley Association in 1843, after which he became affiliated with Freedom Association.

See previous post about Elder Jesse Stewart here.

Never Too Old To Learn

Sally Carr Brown is a fourth great grandmother on my Baldwin Family line.  Grandma Sally set a wonderful example of living life fully until the end.  According to a notation made in her daughter's bible, Sally learned to read late in life -- when she was 76 years old!  She proved that one is never too old to learn!

Sally was married to John Brown.  They lived in Putnam county, Tennessee.  Two of their daughters, Jane and Sarah, married brothers, Preston and Harrison Stewart, repectively.   We decend through Harrison and Sarah Brown Stewart.

The above copy is from the family bible of Preston and Nancy Jane Stewart.  I love the added information about Sally and Jane learning to read.  Transcript below:

"John Brown was borne 1790

Deceast this life 1858

Salley Brown was borne 1792

Deceast this life Aug 25 1868

Salley Brown lerned to read in hir 76th yeare.

Jane Stewart lerned to read when

she was about 40 years of age.

She read the new testament through

10 times & the olde scriptures

through 5 times."

Family Bible of Preston and Jane Stewart of Jackson County, Tennessee

Years ago, J.T. Stewart of Tennessee, sent me copies of the Family Bible of Preston and Nancy Jane Stewart.  (Preston Stewart was the oldest son of Rev. Jesse Stewart of Putnam County, Tennessee.)  Back then, the copies we used were not high quality scans but regular xerox copies - some of the copies seemed to be copy of a copy.  But, even if they are not the greatest copy, I thought it best to share them. The bible was printed in 1878.  The first page of the family record shown is the births, then deaths, marriages and a page with information about Jane's parents, John and Sally Brown. 

The page below has information concerning Jane Brown Stewart's parents, John and Sally Carr Brown.

For a transcript of above page, go here.

Francis Marion and Mary (Sadler) Baldwin

Francis Marion Baldwin was our first ancestor to be born in Texas -- actually the Republic of Texas.  Francis Marion was born the 6th of September 1840.  We know his mother's name was Jane and his father was most likely William Baldwin, who died about 1849 in Grimes County.  Jane was left a widow to raise a large family on the Texas frontier.  Young Francis Marion grew up without a father and with the added responsibility of helping his widowed mother.  In 1850, Francis, age 10 years, was listed with his mother, Jane Baldwin, who was listed as the head of the household, in the the 1850 Walker County, Texas Federal Census. 

Sometime in the 1850's, the Baldwin family moved to Limestone County, Texas.  The next record that can be found for Francis Marion Baldwin was the 1860 census.  Francis, aged 19, was living with his mother, Jane Baldwin, and younger siblings in Limestone County, Texas.

In 1862, Francis M. Baldwin, was reported on the rosters for the Confederate army.  He was a Private in Texas Cavalry Baylor's Regiment Company E, Muster Roll for Oct 21 to Dec 31, 1862.  Francis enlisted 21 Oct 1862 at Centerville, Leon County, Texas by Capt Carrington, period - 3 years in the war, received no pay.

Shortly after Francis returned home from the Civil War, he married Mary Sadler (or perhaps during the Civil War while on leave.)  Mary, who was also born in the Republic of Texas on October 1, 1845, was the daughter of John and Bathsheba (Lindley) Sadler.   Her father, John Sadler, was a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, having fought for the independence of Texas from Mexico in 1836. Mary's uncle (her mother's brother), Jonathan Lindley, died at the Alamo.

The John Sadler family was a neighboring family to the Jane Baldwin family in Limestone County.  Both families had moved from Walker County to Limestone County at about the same time -- around 1855.  Because Limestone county is a "burned county," meaning that the Court House burned down, no records exist prior to 1873.  Therefore, there is no record for the marriage between Francis Marion Baldwin and Mary Sadler on the county level.  In 1958, their daughter, Alice, stated that her parents were "married in Limestone County during the Civil War."  Their first child was born in September of 1866, so it is very likely that they married at the close of the Civil War in 1865.  Perhaps someday, a family bible will come forward with the marriage date, but no family bible for the Francis Marion Baldwin family has yet been located.  Frank Atchinson remembers seeing a family bible, when Mary Baldwin had to prove son Roscoe's birth date.

The 1870 census, shows the Francis Marion and Mary (Sadler) Baldwin family was living in Limestone County, Texas.  Mother, Jane Baldwin, was also living with the family.   Jane Baldwin was 65 years old.   Francis and Mary had three children by 1870: Lafayette, Allen (our ancestor) and Levi.

1870 Census Limestone County, Texas

By 1880, the Baldwin family, who were still living in Limestone County, had grown to include nine children. 

1880 Census Limestone County, Texas

In the latter part of 1883 or early in 1884, the Baldwin family moved to Eliasville, Young County, Texas.  Eliasville is tucked between the mountains and the banks of the Clear Fork of the Brazos River in the southwest corner of Young County.  The Baldwin children were listed in the Young County, June 11, 1884 School census.  The Eliasville school was a rock building located south of the business section of town on what was called "The Hill".  In 1884, the school had 115 students and was taught by Prof. A. N. Edwards, Miss Martha Elkins and Mr. W.T. Stinson.

Photo of the Francis Marion Baldwin homestead in Young County, Texas.

All that was left standing of the Baldwin home (1984) was the cistern.

In 1885, both of Mary's parents died.  Her father, John Sadler, died in April of 1885 and her mother, Bathsheba (Lindley) Sadler died six months later in October.  Mary may have received a small inheritance from her parents, because in 1886 she had her own money and bought cattle from her husband, F.M. Baldwin, for $486.80.  She apparently did not want to just turn her money over to her husband, so she made him write out a legal bill of sale for cattle in exchange for her money. 

On May 21,  1900, Francis Marion Baldwin died, at the age of 59 years.  He was buried in the Eliasville Cemetery.  His headstone has the Masonic emblem on it.  A short obituary was posted in May 1900 in the Graham Leader newspaper (Graham, Young, TX):
"F.M. Baldwin, old and well known citizen of the Eliasville country, died at his home Monday and was buried at Eliasville Tuesday. Mr. Baldwin was near sixty years old, has been a citizen of Young County for the last sixteen years. He leaves a wife, a large family of children, and numerous friends who mourn his departure."

F.M. Baldwin Headstone, Eliasville Cemetery, Young County, Texas

Since the photo of the headstone is hard to read, I've added some

headstone rubbings (didn't have the right supplies so not very good.)

According to descendants who knew her, Mary Sadler Baldwin was a small petite lady --- only about 5 feet tall.  Family descendants also remembered their Grandma Mary telling them stories about the Sadler children (Mary and her siblings) playing with the children of Sam Houston, when she was a young girl living in Walker County, Texas.  School records show that the Sadler children were attending school in Walker County in 1854.  The Sadlers moved shortly afterwards because by 1855, the children showed up in the school records for Limestone County, Texas in 1855.  (White, Gifford, TEXAS SCHOLASTICS 1854-1855, Copied from originals in the Archives Division of the Texas State LIbrary, Austin, Texas, 1979)

After the death of her husband, Mary continued to live on the Baldwin homestead in Eliasville until her death in 1933.  No one lived in the house after she died and the house was eventually torn down -- only the cistern was left standing.  According to cemetery records, Mary is buried next to her husband in the Eliasville cemetery.  If Mary had a headstone, it no longer exists and her information is not added to the side of her husband's headstone.  

In 1958, Tom Cunningham interviewed daughter, Alice Baldwin Atchinson, for the information on the Baldwin family to include in his book, "Story of Eliasville."  (Cunningham, Thomas M., Story of Eliasville 1958, Denton, Texas)

Story of Eliasville, pages 73-74:
The Baldwin Family
Francis Marion Baldwin (1840-1900) and Mary Baldwin (1845-1933) were married in Limestone County during the Civil War, and with ten children came to Eliasville in 1884, settling on the river two miles north east of town. The two youngest children were born here. They were faithful members of the Baptist church and often entertained visiting preachers. Their home was two room frame building with an open hall between, to which were added lean-to rooms to the rear. During an Association revival Mr. Baldwin plowed till ten, shifted his team to the wagon, wan with the children and preachers went to church. After their return he arose from the noon meal bidding his minister guests to make themselves at home while he resumed his weed killing. The family never missed a service at the church. Their twelve children were: Lafayette, Allen, Levi, Charlie, Bob, Willie Ann, Mittie, Walter, Lem, Alice, Roscoe, and Lena.
Lafayette married Nannie Barnes, and they had four children. By a second marriage he had six children.
Allen married Mary Stewart, and they had eight children.
Levi married Addie Johnson, and they were parents of four children.
Charlie marred Della Choate, and they had three children.
Bob married Mattie London, and their children numbered six.
Willie Ann married Pleas Hyden, an they had ten children.
Mittie married Virgil Matthews, and their son is Clayton.
Walter, single, died only a few years ago.
Lem, died in young manhood.
Alice married Charlie Atchison, and their three children are: Frank, Leroy and C.L. Frank married Rita Bell, and they have one daughter, Mary Alice. Frank Atchison is a banker in Graham. Leroy married Lois Lankford, and their three children are: Helen Catherine, Steve Roy and Ralph. C.L. is the father of one child, Lynn. C.L. owns a successful finance company in Midland. Frank and C.L. received their financial training in the Eliasville Bank under Mr. Harvey C. Brock and Mr. W.O. Cunningham.
Roscoe married Annie Belle Mills, and they have two boys: Hoyt and Hubert. Hoyt has a son, Bobby. Hubert married Wanda Sharklin. Roscoe and his family reside in Johnson County.
Lena married John Hill and they have six children: Norman, Robert, Myrtle Mae, Wayne, J. W., and Nettie Fay. This family lives at Seymour.
Father Baldwin worked oxen on his farm, and Alice recalls when she rode the oxen to the water in spite of brotherly warnings from Walter and Lem that she might get hurt. Lively as a cricket and unafraid, Alice rode them just the same. Alice, the baby when the family moved to Eliasville, claims a continuous residence in Eliasville of seventy-three years.
(On page 40)
Roscoe Baldwin got his nickname from reciting a bumble-bee poem which ended with, “it went bum, bum, bum.” We called him “Bum Baldwin” ever afterward."

The below photo (actually a very poor xerox photocopy) was sent to me by B. R. Sadler in the 1990's.  He said it was of Francis Marion Baldwin.  If anyone has a better copy or the original, please scan a copy and share!  With today's technology a much better digital copy could be posted for all posterity to enjoy.

The following photo is of Mary Sadler Baldwin holding Hoyt Baldwin, her grandson.   Again, a better copy of this photo would be appreciated!

Any additional information on the Francis Marion and Mary (Sadler) Baldwin family would be appreciated.   A much better story could probably be written and I hope someday someone will accomplish that.  
Thank you.