clmroots

Maiden Name for Rebecca, wife of Samuel Medlin

2011-02-17T16:37:00.024-07:00

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

2010-10-25T15:39:00.011-06:00

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

2010-10-25T11:43:00.002-06:00

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

2010-10-25T11:40:00.002-06:00

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

2010-09-14T15:12:00.010-06:00

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. Francis, age 10 years, is listed with his mother who was listed as the head of the household in the the 1850 Walker County, Texas US 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 is the 1860 census. Francis, aged 19, is living with his mother, Jane, and younger siblings in Limestone County, Texas.

In 1862, Francis M. Baldwin, can be found 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 got home from the Civil War, he married Mary Sadler (or perhaps during the Civil War while on leave.) Mary, 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. 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 living in Limestone County, Texas. Mother, Jane Baldwin, is also living with the family. Jane Baldwin is 65 years old. Francis and Mary have three children by 1870: Lafayette, Allen (our ancestor) and Levi.

1870 Census Limestone County, Texas

By 1880, the Baldwin family, still living in Limestone County, has 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 are listed in the Young County June 11, 1884 School census for year. 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. AnN. 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.)

Mary Sadler Baldwin was a small petite lady --- only about 5 feet tall. Family descendants remember 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 show up in the school records for Limestone County, Texas. (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 90'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.

Anthony Leffel - "A Man of Many Moves"

2010-08-29T19:36:00.010-06:00

Biographical sketch of the Anthony and Mary (Miller) Leffel Family

Anthony Leffel, born on New Year's Day 1791, was the seventh child of John and Anna Margaretha (Abendschon) Leffel. The Leffel family lived in Botetourt County, Virginia. While living in Botetourt County, Anthony grew to manhood and met and in 1810, married his sweetheart, Mary Miller. Mary was the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Peery) Miller. Anthony stated that he was a militia man in the War of 1812. Four children were born to Anthony and Mary while they still lived in Botetourt County, Virginia. The family then moved to Springfield, Clark County, Ohio in 1818, along with Mary's parents and some of his family. Some of Anthony's siblings had moved to Ohio several years earlier. Six more children were born to Anthony and Mary.

You can read about Anthony's many moves and land transactions in the following biographical sketch was written by Samuel S. Miller (a nephew of Mary Miller Leffel):
Emory Pioneer Association
Biographical Sketch of: ANTHONY LEFFEL & MARY MILLER LEFFEL
Born in the state of: Virginia, County: Botetourt, Town: near Fincastle
Came to the neighborhood of Emory Chapel in the year: about 1834
Was married in Virginia
Maiden name of his wife: Mary Miller, daughter of Frederick (b. 1760 d. 1822) and Mary Peery Miller (b. 1768 d. 1844)
Names of all children: Emeline, Rebeca, Samuel, David, Joel, Daniel, Anthony
Being a militia man in the War of 1812, he drilled the pioneers big muster at Bethel in the bottom field of the Miller farm.
Occupation: In early life probably a carpenter, later on a farmer.
Incidents of his life and character:
He was a man of many moves. About 1816 immigrated from Va. Was prominent among the early settlers of that locality, and settled on the East fork of Donnel’s Creek and built a house which farm he sold to David Miller and moved several miles eastward. Early in the 30's the writer remembers of visiting them one Sunday PM in Winter with his father and mother, he living then in a house which is still standing on the National Pike a short distance west of the junction of New Carlisle pike. We went in a farm sled. They talked about where the National would be layed out through the orchard and close to the house. Early in the 30's he moved from that place and bought what is now the Hicks farm, becoming a near neighbor to his brother Jas. P. Selling that, he bought a farm on Mill creek not far from present Bethany town. The writer visited them here in the 1840's. At this place his first wife died. A few years afterward he married Lydia Mayne Harris and we find them on a farm a short distance south of Ebenezer chapel, Y.S. Pike, then a mud road. One cold, stormy evening in March 1854, the writer with his father and mother stopped over night with them. Her (Lydia) daughters Fannie and Addie, then in their teens were part of the household. The roaring fire of hickory, in the capacious fire place, hearty welcome and good meals, made a pleasant memory. Selling this place in a few years and retiring from farm work, he bought property on East High St Springfield, Ohio. Selling that we find them next in the old Householder property corner of Mechanic and Main, next and last move was the place where he died west of Western School house. Afterwards his widow Aunt Lydia and daughter Addie took rooms at the residence of her son-in-law J. L. Pettigrew Yellow Springs St. Second wife Aunt Lydia died ______
Mary Peery died Nov 16th 1850 aged 61 yrs.
Date of death: Anthony Leffel died Jan 28, 1870 age 79 yrs
Place where buried: At the Bethel burying ground East branch Donnel Creek
This Sketch Written by Samuel S. Miller, Date: Oct 8th 1897

John Peery Miller, "The Genealogy of the Descendants of Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Peery Miller" (Yellow Springs, Ohio: Antioch College, 1913), p.22 & 23 Genealogy of the Descendants of Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Peery Miller compiled by their grandson John Peery Miller, Professor of History, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1913.

Anthony lost two sons during the Civil War. Son, Joel Leffel, was serving in the Union Army and died in the Army Hospital in Louiseville, Kentucky in 1863. Son, David Miller Leffel, who had moved his family to Texas prior to the Civil War, was hanged because of his Unionist sentiments in what is called 'The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas' in October 1862.

The photo below is of the original Leffel Homestead in Clark County, Ohio.

Anthony Leffel died on 28 Jan 1870 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. Anthony and Mary are buried next to each other in the Bethel Baptist Cemetery, Clark, Ohio. Mary's father, Frederick Miller, was the first burial the the Bethel Baptist Cemetery in 1822.

Anthony & Mary Miller Leffel Family Info:
Anthony Leffel , son of John Leffel and Anna Margaretha Abendschon, was born on 1 Jan 1791 in Botetourt, Virginia. He died on 28 Jan 1870 at the age of 79 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He was buried in Bethel Cemetery, Clark, Ohio.
Anthony Leffel and (1) Mary Miller were married on 11 Jan 1810 in Botetourt, Virginia. Mary Miller, daughter of Frederick Miller and Mary Elizabeth Peery, was born on 10 Oct 1789 in Botetourt, Virginia. She died on 16 Nov 1850 at the age of 61 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. She was buried on 16 Nov 1850 in Bethel Cemetery, Bethel Twp, Clark, Ohio. Anthony Leffel and (2) Lydia Ann Mayne, a widow, were married on 10 Jun 1851 in Clark, Ohio. Lydia Ann Mayne was born on 12 May 1807 in Frederick, Maryland. She died on 19 Aug 1879 at the age of 72 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio

Anthony Leffel and Mary Miller had the following children:
1. Rebecca Leffel was born on 5 Nov 1812 in Botetourt, Virginia, United States. She died on 14 Jan 1851 at the age of 38 in Clark, Ohio, United States. She was buried in Bethel Cemetary, Clark, Ohio. Rebecca Leffel and John Roller were married on 26 Jan 1837 in Clark County, Ohio. John Roller was born on 10 Dec 1815 in Virginia, United States. He died on 19 Nov 1868 at the age of 52 in Clark, Ohio. He was buried in Bethel Cemetery, Clark, Ohio. They had three children.
2. Samuel Leffel was born on 11 Aug 1814 in Botetourt, Virginia, United States. He died on 11 Mar 1889 at the age of 74 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He was buried in Enon Cemetary, Clark, Ohio. Samuel Leffel and Elizabeth Baker were married on 13 Jun 1844 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. Elizabeth Baker was born about 1819 in Clark, Ohio . She died in Sep 1892 at the age of 73 in Clark, Ohio, United States. She was buried in Enon Cemetery, Clark, Ohio. They had seven children.
3. David Miller Leffel was born on 20 Jan 1816 in Botetourt, Virginia, United States. In 1850 he was a Carpenter in Jackson, Champaign, Ohio. David died on 19 Oct 1862 as a victim of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862. David Miller Leffel and Susan Emeline West were married on 3 May 1837 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. Susan Emeline West, daughter of Michael West and Susannah McKee, was born on 3 Jun 1817 in Mason, Kentucky. She died after 1869 in Texas. David and Susan had eight children.
4. Evaline Leffel was born on 15 Dec 1817 in Botetourt, Virginia. She was buried in Emery Chapel Cemetery, Clark, Ohio. Evaline Leffel and Robert Jones were married on 11 Sep 1836 in Clark, Ohio. Robert Jones was born in 1810 in Culpeper, Virginia. He was buried in Noblesville, Clark, Ohio. They had three children.
5. Harrison Leffel was born on 15 Sep 1819 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He died on 13 Dec 1893 at the age of 74 in , Miami, Ohio. He was buried in Raper Chapel, Miami, Ohio. Harrison Leffel and Ann Martin were married on 20 Apr 1843 in Clark, Ohio. Ann Martin was born on 11 Dec 1817 in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland. She died in 1872 at the age of 55 in Miami, Ohio. She was buried in Raper Chapel, Miami, Ohio. They had seven children.
6. Frederick Leffel was born on 28 Feb 1821 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He died on 8 Aug 1830 at the age of 9 in Clark, Ohio.
7. Joel Leffel was born on 7 Nov 1822 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He died on 22 Feb 1863 at the age of 40 in Army Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky. He was buried in National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky. Joel Leffel and Elizabeth Sparrow were married on 17 Jun 1845 in Clark, Ohio. Elizabeth Sparrow was born on 8 Feb 1828 in Clark, Ohio. They had six children.
8. Delialha Leffel was born on 6 Aug 1824 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. She died on 30 Aug 1830 at the age of 6 in Clark County, Ohio.
9. Daniel Leffel was born on 28 Jul 1828 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He died on 6 Sep 1889 at the age of 61. He was buried in Casstown, Miami, Ohio. Daniel Leffel and Elizabeth Jolly were married on 2 Sep 1852 in Clark, Ohio. Elizabeth Jolly was born on 25 Jan 1827 in Virginia. She died on 22 Jan 1890 at the age of 62. They had six children.
10. Anthony Leffel was born on 7 Oct 1830 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio. He died in Clark, Ohio. He was buried in Emory Chapel Cemetery, Clark, Ohio. Anthony Leffel and Margaret Catharine Collison were married on 31 Jul 1855 in Clark, Ohio. Margaret Catharine Collison was born about 1837 in Clark, Ohio. They had eight children.

John and Rebecca Haning of Grayson County, Texas

2010-08-25T22:57:00.009-06:00

Rebecca Jane West Haning is the younger sister to our ancestor, Susan Emeline West Leffel (daughter of Michael West and Susannah McKee). Rebecca Jane West married John Haning on 19 Jul 1842 in Vermilion County, Illinois. In 1846, the young couple moved to Texas along her husband's family.

The above photo is of John and Rebecca West Haning in their later years. This photo can be found in the History of Grayson County, Texas, along with the following abstract of the John and Rebecca Haning biographical story. Notice in the above picture, that John is holding a cane. He needed the cane because in 1870, he was blinded in a saloon fight.

"The History of Grayson County, Texas"; Grayson County Frontier Villiage, Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Hunter Publishing Co., c1979; #497, pg 346. (abstract)

JOHN AND REBECCA HANING by James L. Haning
"John and Rebecca Haning, my great-grandparents, responding to their pioneering instincts and the promise of land came to Texas from Illinois in 1846 as members of the Peters Colony. On the Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky they joined Great-great-grandparents Aaron and Rachiel Haning and their other sons, Jabes, Aaron Jr. and Henry who were enroute from Ohio to Texas, also as members of the Peters Colony. The journey to Grayson County was fraught with danger from outlaws, Indians, and the elements and disease. Great-great-grandfather Aaron died in Red River County, Texas in 1846 without reaching his destination. The Hanings continued their journey to Grayson County and prior to 1848 were granted a total of 2240 acres of land in the general area west and north of Howe, including Howe, then known as Summit. It was here they built their homesteads, cleared the lush black land, raised their families and thrived as farmers.
Of the 12 children born to John and Rebecca Haning 9 survived to maturity. Their children were: Susan Rachiel married Wilson Moore; Mary Elizabeth married James Maxwell; James Aaron married Sallie Harding; Alice May married Tom Odom; John Franklin married Betty Etchinson; Virginia Bell married Elza Harding; Louisa Francis married J.C. Page, Elza married Jane Page. Little is known about Michael Henry except that he was born in 1851...
After the Civil War, Great-grandfather John was reputed to have become somewhat of a rought character, frequently over-indulging in the "demon rum." In 1870 he was blinded apparently in a gunfight in a Sherman saloon. It is also told that he chewed tobacco and, unable to see, he inadvertently spat on one of his grandchildren. When apprised of the fact he gave up tobacco forever.
Great-great-grandmother Rachel Haning, great-grandparents John and Rebecca Haning, Jabes and Harriet and many other Hanings are buried in Hall Cemetery just west of Howe.
Great-grandfather John, nephew Aaron and Henry were Confederate veterans, having served in Company H of the 16th Texas Cavalry."

The following brief biographical sketch is from the Old Settler's Association of Grayson County, Vol. 1. The minutes of the Old Settler's Association of Grayson County, Vol. 1, comprising minutes of the Association, by-laws, newspaper clippings, and a register of members. The membership roster indicates nativity and the date the member came to Grayson County. This can be found at: http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-11279

John Haning, 1846; Illinois; age 67. Red River county first; Grayson in 1848.
[This is the man who lost his eyesight in 1870 through the merciless attack of a desperado named Hous. Holt, well known to our community and now wearing stripes for murder. Mr. Haning now resides eight miles southwest of Sherman, near the head of Choctaw, his first and early home.]

The Houston Holt who attacked John Haning in 1870 and caused his blindness, was not only an "outlaw" but also an "in-law". He was married to Rebecca Haning's niece, Sarah West, the daughter of John and Barbara Harmon West. It would be interesting to know what the fight between John Haning and Houston Holt was about! Hous Holt ended up in prison in 1878 for killing several men. Sarah divorced (date not known) Houston Holt and later remarried while he was in prison.

John Haning was granted land through the Peters Colony in Grayson County, Texas. According to the above county history, the Haning family (including John, his mother and brothers) were granted a total of 2240 acres. Several members of Rebecca West Haning's West family also were granted land by the Peters Colony. The following biographical sketch for John Haning is found in book, "Peters Colony of Texas,"

Connor, Seymour V., Peters Colony of Texas, A History and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers, page 426

Rebecca and John Haning are buried in the Hall Cemetery in Grayson County, Texas.Below are pictures of their headstone.

Michael West Family

2010-08-21T23:02:00.006-06:00

Michael West Family

Michael West was born on 30 May 1793 in Maryland or Kentucky. His son, James H. West, stated in a county history published in 1879, that his father was a native of Maryland. The 1850 Grayson County, Texas census gives the birthplace for Michael West as Kentucky. My feeling is that Michael was probably born in Maryland.

There is a marriage record in Adams County, Ohio for Michael West and Susannah McKee on 16 Oct 1812. Adams County is just across the Ohio River from Mason County, Kentucky. Most of Michael & Susannah West’s children are said to have been born in Mason County, Kentucky. In 1826, the family moved to Champaign County, Ohio, perhaps near the Clark County line. Michael West can be found in the 1830 Census for Mad River township, Champaign County, Ohio.

Then in 1838, the Michael West family moved to Vermilion County, Illinois. He rented a farm from James Norris, one mile south of Oakwood Station (Illinois). Michael West is listed in the 1840 census for Vermilion County, Illinois. Michael's wife, Susannah, died before 1848, when the family moved again. This time Michael West moved to Texas. His oldest son, John W. West had previously moved to Red River County, Texas.

Land grants were offered by the Peters Colony to help colonize North Texas. Michael arrived in Texas (Peter's Colony) prior to July 1848 and was recorded as a widower with two daughters and one son. He obtained 640 acres in Grayson County, Texas. His son, Michael Perry, also obtained 320 acres in Grayson County, Texas. Daughter, Rebecca Jane Haning, moved to Texas at the same time with her husband, John Haining, and his family. Two of Michael's sons, Joseph and James, did not move west and remained in the east.

Connor, Seymour V., Peters Colony of Texas, A History and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers, page 426.

In the 1850 Census for Grayson County, Texas, Michael West (household 13) is living between son, Michael Perry West, and daughter, Elizabeth Boyles (Boils). Inlaws, the Page Stanley family, are also neighbors.

Texas proved to be a harsh environment for the West family. It seems that tragedy plagued Michael West and his family once they moved to Texas and the coming Civil War greatly added to their hardships. By the end of 1862, Michael West, his sons -- John W. and Michael P., and two of his sons-in-law -- David M. Leffel and William Boyles, were dead. Sometime before 1870, daughters, Susan West Leffel and Louisa Thomas, are most likely dead, along with Louisa's family.

Son, Michael Perry West, died of unknown reasons in 1852 or 1853, losing most of his entire estate (including 320 acres) during the probate process to a neighboring land owner for a $50.00 debt and for court costs. Father, Michael believed that his daughter-in-law (wife of Michael Perry) had been unfaithful and that their daughter was not Michael Perry’s “offspring” (biological child). How Michael died and where he is buried is unknown.

Father, Michael West, died a few years later in 1858. He may have mistrusted the court system in Grayson County. He requested in his will that “the Probate Court nor any other court whatever shall have anything to do with my estate except to record this my will and to inventory my property.” His will is shown in an earlier post.

Oldest son, John W. West, died about 1860/1861 in Grayson County, Texas. He was only 45 years old at the time. It is not known how he died or where he was buried. His wife, Barbara, is buried on land that John donated to use as a school and later used by the Rockport Baptist Church as a cemetery. Was John and his father, Michael, also buried on this plot of land?

Later, during the Civil War, two of Michael West’s sons-in-law were killed by confederate vigilante groups as a result of their unionist sympathies. David Miller Leffel, husband of Susan Emeline West, was one of the victims killed during the Great Hangings at Gainesville, Texas. Michael's daughter,Susan was left a widow with a large family to care for. In 1869, Susan wrote that the men who killed her husband had continued to harass her and her family. Susan cannot be found after June 1869. Was she too killed or did she die of grief and stress? William Boyles, husband of daughter, Elizabeth West, died as a result of hiding out in the timbers after receiving a gun-shot wound that occurred during the Great Hangings. Elizabeth remarried a few years later and lived to be 66 years old.

Youngest daughter, Louisa, and her husband, Jesse Thomas, and their family disappeared after the 1860 census. Was her husband in the Civil War? Did the family die of disease or illness? Or did they move from Texas to an unknown location?

Below is an 1879 Vermilion County, IL History article about son, James Harvey West, who stayed in Illinois. It gives a brief history of Michael West.

Source: Beckwith, H. W.. History of Vermilion County : together with historic notes on the Northwest,... Chicago: H.H. Hill and Co., 1879, page 862.

Transcription of above:
"James H. West was born on the 15th of March 1822. His father was Michael West, who was a native of Maryland, but afterward went to Kentucky and then to Clark county, Ohio. From Clark county, the elder Mr. West rented a farm of James Norris, one mile south of Oakwood station (Illinois).
James was brought up on his father's farm in Ohio, and lived in the family in this county till grown. He then went to Ohio, and took part in the campaign of 1840. He came back to Illinois and went to New Orleans and from there across to Havana, Cuba, with a load of produce; which he sold to the inhabitants at a good profit. He went to New Orleans a second time and in 1844 was engaged in driving beef cattle to New York City. In 1846 he went to Wisconsin and from this date till 1850 dealt in horse and cattle trade to Wisconsin. In 1849, Mr. West was married to Eliza V. McGee, of this county. He then lived two years in Champaign county. After this he moved to Middle Fork. He came to the place where he now lives in 1867. Here he owns two hundred and forty acres of land. He has seven children living and three dead. Mr. West was elected supervisor in Pilot township in 1866 and served two terms; then elected justice of the peace in Oakwood for two years; he then served as supervisor for Oakwood for four year. He has always held office of some kind. He has also been successful in business."

There are still many unanswered questions concerning the Michael West family. Any help would be appreciated.

This family, along with all the sources, can be found on my database on Ancestry.com.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T17:04:00.002-06:00

Happy 4th of July!

Remember our Revolutionary War Ancestors.

Click here to see a list.

Image courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com

Nathan Cole - Patriot

2010-03-14T22:28:00.012-06:00

Nathan Cole

Revolutionary War Veteran
Patriot

Nathan and Judith (Colburn) Cole Family

(Nathan Cole is on the Wilson-Hatfield family tree)

The story of Nathan Cole begins in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts when he was born on 31 Jul 1760 (or 30 Jul 1751). He was the son of William Cole and Elizabeth Luther. Although, Nathan is not included in the list of children for William & Elizabeth Cole in E.B. Cole’s book, The Cole Genealogy (pg. 62), Nathan's Revoluntionary War pension records indicate otherwise. Pension papers make the connection of Nathan to a brother William who also served in the war. William Cole's pension file also makes the connection to Nathan, and also to Gideon Cole & Royal Cole. Nathan lived next to William Cole according to the 1800 Census. Also, Nathan named three of his children after his siblings: Luther, Sabra, and William. The name of Luther could have been a namesake for his mother, Elizabeth Luther Cole’s maiden name.

Nathan served in the Revolutionary War in 1776 and 1778 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He served from Rhode Island in 1776 for about six months. In about 1778 he moved to Hancock, MA, and again enlisted, serving at Springfield under Captain Enos Parker as one of the military stores guards. Nathan Cole appeared on a payroll for Capt. Enos Parker’s Company, detached from Berkshire Co. to guard the Springfield stores for 6 months from 1 July 1778 to 1 Jan 1779. He became sick, was sent home, and never recovered to return to service.

Nathan married Judith Colburn, daughter of Joseph Colburn and Elizabeth Trask, on 15 Jan 1788 in Stafford, Tolland, Connecticut. Judith was born on 22 Jul 1767 in Stafford, Tolland, Connecticut. She was christened on 23 Aug 1767 in Stafford, Tolland, Connecticut. Judith’s application for a widow’s pension gives the following information: According to pension papers, Judith was born Judith Colborn and married Nathan Cole in Stafford, Tolland County, CT, on 15 Jan 1788. The marriage was performed by a Justice of the Peace named Pinney, though Pinney's records were missing in 1846. She and Nathan had 8 children. Judith said she stayed 7 years in Hancock, Mass., then one year in Stephentown, NY before moving to Galway. Nathan d. 29 Dec 1826 in “Galloway,” Saratoga Co., NY.

Also in the pension file is the following affidavit from Ely Manning, which tells how Judith and Nathan met.
On 3 Oct 1846, Ely MANNING, age 65, appeared before a Cayuga Co., NY, Justice of the Peace to vouch for the marriage of Judith Colburn and Nathan Cole. Ely stated that he was born in the house where Judith Colburn lived and remained there until he was 7 years old, when his father moved them to Stephentown, NY. A few years later, his Aunt Judith Colburn’s sister, Mrs. Ward, moved to Hancock, about 9 miles from Stephentown. Ely visited there frequently, often staying several weeks. Judith Colburn came there to live for a year, when she met Nathan Cole. They were to have been married “in the fall of the year, but she was taken sick. After about a year, her father came from Stafford, CT, to take Judith back home with him. Nathan and Judith were thus married in Stafford. Ely states that he was well acquainted with the Nathan, Judith, and their 8 children.

Nathan and Judith had the following children:

1) Rev. Luther Cole was born on 22 Jun 1790 in Hancock, Berkshire, Massachusetts. Veteran of the War of 1812. "In the summer or fall of 1812 Luther Cole volunteered & entered the service and was gone till about March 1813 when he came back sick & was doctored by Orpha Miller Dake's father."
Luther married Mary (maiden name unknown at this time) about 1815 in New York. Mary was born on 15 Sep 1789 in Vermont.
Luther became a Baptist Preacher and was ordained in 1823 in Enosburgh, Franklin, Vermont. .He died on 9 Apr 1871 in Enosburgh. Mary died almost a year later on 2 Mar 1872. They are both buried in Enosburgh Center Cemetery, Franklin County, Vermont.
Luther and Mary had no known children.

2) Sabra Cole was born on 15 Aug 1792 in Hancock, Berkshire, Massachusetts. She died after 1860. Sabra married Amos H. French about 1818 in New York. Amos was born about 1780 in Connecticut.

*3) Nathan Cole Jr. (our ancestor) was born on 8 Sep 1794 in Hancock, Berkshire, Massachusetts. He died on 5 May 1870 in Taylor, Iowa and was buried in in the Graceland Cemetery.
Nathan married (1) Anna Margaret Goble, daughter of James Goble and Nancy Mary Pollard, on 24 May 1818 in Jersusalem, Ontario, New York. Anna was born on 27 Jan 1795 in , Wyoming, Pennsylvania. She died on 14 Jul 1850 in Parke, Indiana. She was buried on 15 Jul 1850 in Old Rockville. Nathan then married Anna's widowned sister, Abigail Goble "Abby"on 14 Aug 1850 in Parke County, Indiana. Abigail was born on 13 Apr 1808 in New York and died in 1889 in Bigelow, Holt, Missouri.

4) Joseph Cole was born on 20 Dec 1796 in Galway, Saratoga, New York. He died on 16 Oct 1871 in Nunda, Livingston, New York. Joseph Cole was a member of the Nunda Baptist Church. Joseph married Rhoda Gifford, daughter of John Gifford and Ruth Wilcox, on 21 Mar 1823 in New York. Rhoda was born on 8 Mar 1800 in White Creek, Washington, New York and died on 25 Apr 1894 in Nunda, Livingston, New York.

5) Elizabeth Cole, called Betsey, was born on 8 Jun 1799 in Galway, Saratoga, New York. She died on 4 Feb 1880 in Ira, Cayuga, New York. She was buried in Ira Hill Cemetery, Cayuga, New York. Elizabeth married Abram Phillips about 1820 possibly in Cayuga County, New York. Abram was born on 28 Feb 1795 in New York. He died on 24 Feb 1878 in Ira, Cayuga, New York. He was buried in Ira Hill Cemetery, Cayuga, New York.

6) Judith Cole was born on 10 Jan 1802 in Galway, Saratoga, New York. She died after 1880 in , Potter, Pennsylvania. Judith married Elijah Hill about 1819 in New York. Elijah was born in 1796 in Mayfield, Fulton, New York. He was christened on 6 Sep 1796 in Reformed Dutch Church, Mayfield, Fulton, New York. He died after 1880 possibly in Potter, Pennsylvania.

7) Roxena Cole was born on 30 May 1804 in Galway, Saratoga, New York. Roxena married Russell Westcott, son of Ezekiel Westcott and Lydia Forbes, about 1830 in New York. Russell was born about 1805 in Clarendon, Rutland, Vermont. He died on 5 May 1894 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

8) William A. Cole was born on 13 Mar 1810 in Galway, Saratoga, New York. William married Emaline (possibly Houten) about 1830 in New York. Emeline was born 1815 in Vermont. Both supposedly buried in Bridgeton, Parke County, Indiana.

Nathan Cole is on the Wilson-Hatfield family tree.

Nathan Cole's Revolutionary War Button

2010-03-14T20:00:00.004-06:00

Occasionally some new find in my family history will make me very happy. Receiving the following photos did just that.

This will be the first of several posts on our direct ancestor, Nathan Cole.
Nathan Cole was a young single man when he served in the Revolutionary War. His wife, Judith, gives the following information of Nathan's service in the Revolutionary War in her pension application, "she stated her husband was a resident of either Swansea, Massachusetts or Freetown in Rhode Island, and that he served from RI in 1775 or 1776 for about six months. In about 1778 he moved to Hancock, MA, and again enlisted, serving at Springfield under Captain Enos Parker as one of the military stores guards. Nathan Cole appeared on a payroll for Capt. Enos Parker’s Company, detached from Berkshire County to guard the Springfield stores for 6 months from 1 July 1778 to 1 Jan 1779. He became sick, was sent home, and never recovered to return to service."

This button was passed down with the descendants of Nathan Cole. It ended up in a local library then given to a historical society.

Below is a photo of Nathan Cole's button, from Nathan's jacket he wore while serving in the Revolutionary War.

Wilson Gathering

2010-03-14T19:39:00.003-06:00

The photo below is of a Charles B. Wilson family gathering. The date is unknown but was probably taken around 1940. If anyone has an exact date, please leave the date in comments.
From left to right:
Wilber, John, Inez, Buck, Maymie, Charles B, Pearl, Pat with Leroy in front, Anna with Gr-grandma Nancy Hatfield in front, Jenny, ?unknown girl?, unknown couple standing in fron of door on far left.

Not sure who all the younger children sitting in front belong to.

William B. Wilson Confederate Veteran

2010-02-16T23:37:00.002-07:00

William B. Wilson is my 2nd great-grandfather. Click here to see a photo of William B. Wilson and here to see information on his family.

William B. Wilson joined the Civil War on 12 Feb 1862 in Weston, Collin County, Texas. He was in Company "K" 6th Texas Calvary, CSA and served for over three years or until the end of the war. Since he was living in Oklahoma when he applied for the pension, William received a small confederate pension from the state of Oklahoma, just before he died. Several documents from the pension file are shown below.

The following information about 6th Cavalry Regiment is from the Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System website maintained by the National Park Service:
6th Cavalry Regiment [also called 2nd Regiment] was organized with 1,150 men at Dallas, Texas, in September, 1861. Many of the men were from Dallas, McKinney, Waco, Austin, and Lancaster, and Bell County. The unit skirmished in the Indian Territory, fought at Elkhorn Tavern, then moved west of the Mississippi River. It contained 803 effectives in the spring of 1862 and was dismounted during the battles at Corinth and Hatchie Bridge. Here the regiment reported 148 killed, wounded, or missing. Assigned to Ross' Brigade, it served with the Army of Tennessee during the Atlanta Campaign, was active in Tennessee, and ended the war in Mississippi attached to the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. The field officers were Colonels Lawrence S. Ross, B. Warren Stone, and Jack Wharton; Lieutenant Colonels John S. Griffith and Peter F. Ross; and Robert M. White and Stephen B. Wilson.

The following quotes are from interviews with grandchildren of William Wilson.
1. Champ Means, 29 Nov 1979:
"Grandpa did fight in the Civil War in the Cavalry. He furnished his own horse which ran away in the first battle through enemy lines and back through without injury to him or the horse. After the war he was discharged and received small pension."
2. 25 Jul 1986, grandaughter, Margaret Means Williams:
"Grandpa Wilson was in the Civil War for 4 years. When I asked him if he killed any Yankees he said, 'I killed as many Yankees as they killed me.' Grandpa Wilson is buried at Reck Cemetery, there is no headstone."
3. 14 Aug 1986 with gr-son, Joe Baily Means:
"Grandpa Wilson received a Civil War pension. He fought in 4 or 5 major battles. He never got shot at all. He lived in Georgia and Tennessee before Texas. Grandpa was called Willie."

Pension Records from the State of Oklahoma

for William B. Wilson

Note: these copies are from microfilmed copies of the pension records and are difficult to read. There are notes or abstract below several of the documents.

Name given as William Benton Wilson

W. B. Wilson of Carter County, P.O. Reck

(First Application) 16 Aug 1915

Age: 77; Born: Tennessee;

How long in Oklahoma: 35 years;

Residence: Reck, Carter County;

Occupation: Farmer - not able to work; Physical condition: Feeble;

State served from: Texas;

How long did you serve: Feb 1862 to end of war;

Company name: Company "K" 6th Texas Cavalry

Signed W.B. Wilson, Carter Co., Texas, 16 Aug 1915

Affidavit by C. Hoff of Beckham County, Oklahoma, 17 Apr 1917

"C. Hoff ... was well acquainted with the said W. B. Wilson during the time from and since the year 1857, that he knows the said W.B. Wilson enlisted in the Confederate army, at Weston, Collin County, Texas, on or about the year of 1862, that he was in battle in the west and that he was later transferred to east of the Mississippi River, and that he returned home from the army in the spring of 1865. Signed C. (his X mark) Hoff, Witness: Vina Cox”

(Note: C. Hoff is the brother of Mary Pollly Wilson and so brother-in-law of William B. Wilson. Vina Cox is the daughter of C. Hoff (Cosley Hoff).)

State of Arkansas, County of Washington, 1 Jul 1918, Affidavit by R. F. House: He states that "he was well acquainted with applicant W.B. Wilson and have known him for about 70 years...and that he (Wilson) was a Confederate soldier in Co "K" Regiment of 6th Texas Calvary" and served from 1862 to 1865, then honorably discharged. Signed R. F. House

(Note: Robert F. House is a cousin to William B. Wilson.)

Governor's Pardon for William B. Wilson

2010-02-16T21:55:00.005-07:00

The last time I was doing genealogical research at the Texas State Archives in Austin, I decided to check the index of the Governor's Pardons for all of my Texas surnames. I found a few more surprises that I expected. William B. Wilson is my 2nd great-grandfather. Click here to see a photo of William B. Wilson and here to see information on his family.

On 20 Feb 1888, W. B. Wilson was convicted of Horse Theft (a serious crime in Texas) in Collin County, Texas and sentenced to five (5) years in the Texas State Penitentiary. He was incarcerated in Rusk Penitentiary.

An application for pardon was started in behalf of W. B. Wilson in the spring of 1889. There were numerous letters requesting a pardon -- from the sheriff, judge, county attorney, etc. Also a petition signed by over 200 residents of Collin.

The application states a hardship case for William B. Wilson's family. His wife, Polly, was blind and had a large family to care for. He also had an aged father to help care for. One of the documents in the pardon stated that W. B. Wilson was a resident of the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory. Maybe that is why I have not been able to find the William Wilson family in census records for 1860-1870-1880.

The following petition for pardon had four sheets of signatures.

Over 200 men in Collin County signed the petition.

Only the first sheet is shown.

Take note of the notation at the bottom of the following sheet. I am not sure if our Grandpa Wilson thought he had received the pardon and left, or if he was tired of waiting for the pardon to go through, or just what!?! But, whatever the reason, he left in January 1890 before the pardon was granted in May of 1890 and it was considered an "escape" from prison.

Susanah McNeil & Levi Taylor Ball Family

2010-02-15T14:07:00.010-07:00

Susanah McNeil Ball was the sister of our direct ancestor, Nancy Abbagail McNeil Hatfield. Susanah was married to Levi Taylor Ball.

Levi T. and Susan A. McNeil Ball

Levi Taylor Ball was born on 17 Jan 1847 in Trimble County, Kentucky. He was the son of Henry & Nancy Ball. He died on 20 Aug 1919 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 21 Aug 1919 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

Levi served in the Civil War, Company C, Regiment 125, 10 Indiana Calvary in 1863/1865 in American Civil War. Records of the GAR Post at Hopkins, Missouri dated February 10, 1900, read: Levi Ball is by occupation a farmer, entered the service on December 9, 1863 as a Private in Company C, Regiment 125 of the 10 Indiana Calvary and was finally discharged on August 31, 1865 by reason of the close of the war. After the war, he was a member of the GAR - Grand Army of the Republic - a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army.

Levi married Susanah A. McNeil, daughter of William S. McNeil and Sarah Margaret Cole, on 29 Aug 1876 in Ottawa, Missouri. Susanah was born on 19 Nov 1849 in Parke, Indiana. She died on 23 Jan 1930 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried on 26 Jan 1930 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

They had the following children: 1) William H. Ball was born on 10 Jul 1877 in Missouri, United States. He died in 1878. 2) Noah E. Ball was born on 24 Nov 1879 in Smith County, Kansas. Noah married Addie Higsby on 23 Jun 1902. They were living as husband & wife in the 1905 Kansas State Census, but were divorced by the 1910 US census. Noah died in Jan 1915. 3) Clara N. Ball was born on 26 Oct 1882 in Smith County, Kansas. She died in May 1888 in Smith County, Kansas.

Susan & Levi Ball Family

seated: Susan McNeil Ball, Levi Taylor Ball

standing: son Noah and wife, Addie

Obituary for Levi T. Ball

William S. McNeil Family Record

2010-02-15T13:11:00.003-07:00

The following is a copy of the original William S. McNeil Family record. It was found in papers belonging to his grandaughter, Minnie Pearl Hatfield Wilson. It appears to be written about 1889.

The back side:

William S. McNeil was born on 21 Jul 1818 in Ohio, United States. He died on 5 Feb 1894 in Cedarville, Smith, Kansas. He was buried in Feb 1894 in Cedar Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. William married Sarah Margaret Cole daughter of Nathan Cole Jr. and Anna Margaret Goble on 17 Oct 1847 in , Parke, Indiana. Sarah was born on 21 Feb 1826 in , Sullivan, Indiana. She died in 1905 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried in 1905 in Cedarville Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

They had the following children:
1) Eliza Jane McNeil was born on 12 Aug 1848 in Parke, Indiana. She died about 1856.
2) Susanah A. McNeil was born on 19 Nov 1849 in Parke, Indiana. She died on 23 Jan 1930 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried on 26 Jan 1930 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. Susanah married Levi Taylor Ball son of Henry Ball and Nancy Wise on 29 Aug 1876 in Ottawa, Missouri. Levi was born on 17 Jan 1847 in , Trimble, Kentucky. He died on 20 Aug 1919 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 21 Aug 1919 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.
3) Thomas C. McNeil was born on 21 Jan 1852 in Terre Haute, Parke, Indiana. Thomas never married. He died on 18 Nov 1923 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 20 Nov 1923 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.
4) Roxie Ellen McNeil was born on 18 Feb 1857 in Hopkins, Nodaway, Missouri. She died on 22 Feb 1936 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried on 24 Feb 1936 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. Roxie married Albert R. Reed on 5 Dec 1878 in Cedar, Smith, Kansas. Albert was born on 28 Apr 1856 in Malvern, , Ohio. He died on 18 Dec 1928 in , Smith, Kansas.
5) Nancy Abbagail McNeil was born on 23 May 1860 in Hopkins, Nodaway, Missouri. She died on 18 Jan 1946 in Egbert, Laramie, Wyoming. She was buried on 20 Jan 1946 in Pine Bluffs Cemetery, Laramie, Wyoming. Nancy married Martin Monroe Hatfield son of John Martin Hatfield Jr. and Martha Jay on 1 Jan 1879 in Harvey Twp., Smith, Kansas. Martin was born on 18 Apr 1857 in Boone, Iowa, United States. He died on 31 May 1918 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado. He was buried on 4 Jun 1918 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado.
6) Nathan H. McNeil was born on 25 Aug 1864 in Bedford, Taylor, Iowa. He died on 21 Apr 1939 in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. He was buried on 24 Apr 1939 in Douglas, Kansas. Nathan married Susan Emma Hoyt daughter of Joseph King Hoyt and Mary Jane Lukehart on 24 Nov 1889 in Holdrege, Phelps, Nebraska. Susan was born on 27 Feb 1871 in Illinois.
7)James Harmon McNeil was born on 18 Dec 1867 in Hopkins, Nodaway, Missouri. He died on 16 Jan 1936 in Cedar, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 19 Jan 1936 in Cedar Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. James married Minnie B. Newbrey daughter of George Franklin Newbrey and Margaret E. Dear on 14 Oct 1896 in , Smith, Kansas. Minnie was born on 9 Feb 1876 in Iowa, United States. She died on 30 May 1941 in , Smith, Kansas. She was buried in Cedarville Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

Levi Taylor Ball - GAR Certificate

2010-02-15T12:51:00.008-07:00

Levi Taylor Ball was married to Susanah McNeil, sister to our ancestor, Nancy Abigail McNeil Hatfield.
Levi served in the Civil War, Company C, Regiment 125, 10 Indiana Calvary in 1863/1865 in American Civil War. Records of the GAR Post at Hopkins, Missouri dated February 10, 1900, read: Levi Ball is by occupation a farmer, entered the service on December 9, 1863 as a Private in Company C, Regiment 125 of the 10 Indiana Calvary and was finally discharged on August 31, 1865 by reason of the close of the war. After the war, Levi joined the GAR - Grand Army of the Republic. The GAR was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army.

Transfer Card of the Grand Army of the Republic for L. T. W. Ball (Levi Taylor Ball)

McNeil - Ball Family Bible Pages

2010-02-15T12:31:00.004-07:00

These copies from the original Ball Family Bible were made in 1970 when I was given permission to briefly see the bible. Sorry, but back then I did not know I should make a copy of the title page of the bible. But according to a deposition by Levi T. Ball in his Civil War pension file, the bible was published in 1851 (see bottom of post). Bible history: The bible most likely came into the possession of the McNeil family through the Susanah McNeil Ball, wife of Levi Taylor Ball. The bible then eventually came into the possession of Susanah's sister, the Nancy McNeil Hatfield family. They added McNeil and Hatfield family information to the bible, in the form of family records written on loose sheets of paper, obituaries, etc. Lillie Hatfield Smith had the bible in the late 1950's and left the bible with her sister, Minnie Hatfield Wilson, of Cortez, Colorado. After Minnie died in 1966, the bible was given to her son, Clayton Pat Wilson. His widow, Anna Wilson of Oregon, is still in possession of the bible. It has not been cared for and has not been kept in good condition. The extended family has not had access to it. A few years ago, a grandson of Anna Wilson was permitted to make copies. He said the title page of the bible was missing by then.

Ball, McNeil, Hatfield Family Bible Pages

The following pages appear to have been torn out of another bible and stuck into the Ball-McNeil Bible.

Deposition in the Levi Taylor Ball Civil War Pension File, dated Dec 17, 1912, giving reference to the Ball family bible.

"My age is 65, having been born January 17, 1847...The bible from which the date of my birth as above given was taken, was my father's family bible, the first one he ever had in his house, and the only one. The record of the date of my birth is in my father's handwriting. He and mother told us that they made the records of our births at the time each child was born. At the time of my father's death the bible passed into the hands of my brother Benjamin Ball. After his death, two or three years ago, his daughter, Laura, husband's name not known, now living at Bedford, Iowa, gave me the bible. I had six brothers and five sisters, all of whom are now dead. Their names and the dates of their births as given by my fathers bible are as follows:

Elizabeth, born July 24, 1821
Manlinday, born April 13, 1823
Calamata, born March 3, 1825
Benjamin L, born January 16, 1828
James H, born February 1, 1830
William E., born October 3, 1831
Daniel W. born December 27, 1833
Mary, born April 10, 1836
David W., born August 6, 1838
Nancy, born March 1, 1841
James H., born February 18, 1843
Phebe, born July 26, 1844
Levi T. W., born January 17, 1847
Both of the children named James Henry died in infancy
When I enlisted I was 16 years of age but my age was put down as 18. I enlisted December 9, 1863, in Co. C 10. Ind. Vol. Cav. and was discharged August 31, 1865 as shown by a copy of my discharge certificate...I am a married man - my wife's maiden name was Susana A. McNeil. We were married August 27, 1876 near Hopkins, Mo., by Rev. Edward Otis. Neither of us had ever been previously married...Since you have called my attention to the fact that father's bible was not printed until 1851, I do not know what to say. My understanding always was that my father made those birth records at the time of birth of each child. The records are in my father's handwriting; I can swear to that..."signed Levi T. W. Ball

Mabel's 90th Birthday Party

2009-12-06T23:12:00.009-07:00

Our Grandmother, Mabel Edna Leffel, was born on 21 November 1900 in True, Young County, Texas, the daughter of Charles Edgar Leffel and Caldona Jane Box. Mabel Leffel married Jesse W. Baldwin on Dec. 25, 1917, in Mountain Park, Oklahoma. Jesse and Mabel had fourteen children. They were married almost 55 years when Jesse died in 1972. She then married Ernest Martin.

On 21 Nov 1990, Grandma had a 90th Birthday Party in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where she was living at the time. Family came from across the country (Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado) to wish Grandma a Happy 90th Birthday.

Grandma with Beverly, Verna and Juanita.

Grandma with granddaughters, JoAnna & Cathy.

In the below photos, Grandma and her girls do a little birthday Hokey Pokey.

Put your right foot in, Put your right foot out.....

Family - That's what it's all about!

FamilySearch

2009-12-03T12:19:00.008-07:00

FamilySearch.org

I love-love-love FamilySearch.org and mainly for one reason - the Texas Death Records. Last year before the Texas Death records were added to Record Search, I spent $20 apiece for several death records from Texas. Since the database has gone online, I have probably copied close to 200 death records for ancestral relatives for free! Do the math. Information found in the death records has given mother's maiden names, broken down difficult brick-walls, helped to locate places of burial, etc, etc, and etc.

In addition to the Texas Deaths 1890-1976, FamilySearch.org has US Census Records, State Census records, Death Records for Ohio, Arizona, Michigan and other states, marriage records and the list just goes on and on. International records are also available. All for FREE!!
Check back frequently for new collections that have been updated or added.

FamilySearch.org makes me want to do the genealogy happy dance! :) Can you tell I'm excited or what about this site?

You can perform a search from the main page or go to a record collection. To search a record collection, go to the Browse by Location, click on a location, then scoll through the record collections available. I usually first do a search on the main page, then go to specific record collections for more specific searches.

Have fun finding your ancestors!

North and South

2009-11-11T18:37:00.013-07:00

Since today is Veterans Day, I though I would try to list our Civil War Veterans. In addition to direct ancestors, I will also list siblings of direct ancestors.

Name, State served from, pension Yes/No, Federal pension if Union or state pension if Confederate.

Union

Leonard D. Hatfield, Iowa, Y, Federal pension

Joel Leffel, Ohio, y-widows, Died during war
Gottlieb Weiss, Illinois,
Daniel S. Coddington, Missouri, Y, Federal pension (5 sons also fought in Civil War)

Andrew McNeil, Indiana, Y-widows, Died during war

Levi Taylor Ball, Indiana, Y, Federal Pension

Nathaniel McNeil, Indiana, Y, Federal pension
Henry R. Stewart, Tennessee, Y, Federal pension
Jacob M. Stewart, Tennessee, Y, Federal pension

Confederate

Alan Baldwin, Texas, N, ?died during war?

Benjamin F. Baldwin, Texas, No pension found

Francis Marion Baldwin, Texas, No pension found

Fields Hoff, Texas, Y, Texas pension

Richard Huff, Texas, Y, Texas pension
Samuel L. Sadler, Y, Texas pension

William B. Wilson, Texas, Y, Oklahoma pension

Go to the National Parks Service website, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, to find your Civil War Ancestor:

http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html

Let us not forget our grandpa, David Miller Leffel, who was hanged during the Civil War in the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862. His crime -- having Union sympathies in Confederate Texas. So, although he did not die while in service, he died as a result of the war.

Jess & Mabel married Christmas Day 1917

2009-11-10T12:29:00.004-07:00

Jesse Baldwin married Mabel Leffel on Christmas Day 1917 in Mountain Park, Oklahoma.

50th Wedding Anniversary

They had fourteen children, 50 grandchildren (including step-grandchildren) and about 85 great-grandchildren. Jess and Mabel lived in Oklahoma until 1934, then moved to Arizona, then to Colorado in the early 1940's. They lived the rest of their lives together in Montose and Cortez, Colorado.

30th Wedding Anniversary

Jess & Mabel 1961

Jess & Mabel 50th

Below is their marriage record from Kiowa County, Oklahoma

Does anyone have a wedding picture for Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin?? If so, please share a copy!

Jess and Mabel Baldwin Headstone

2009-11-10T11:04:00.001-07:00

Mabel Leffel Baldwin & Jess William Baldwin are buried in the Grand View Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado.

Obituary for Jess Baldwin from the Montrose Daily Press:

Jess W. Baldwin of the Shavano community died Wednesday in Memorial Hospital. A retired rancher, he had resided in Colorado since 1937 and in the Montrose area since 1939. Born March 28, 1898 at Graham, Texas to Allen and Mary J. (Stewart) Baldwin, Jess W. Baldwin spent his early life in that vicinity.

On Dec. 25, 1917, he was married at Mountain Park, Oklahoma to Mabel E. Leffel. In addition to his wife, he is survivied by four sons and eight daughters: Joe H. and William A. Baldwin, Mrs. Dan (Ethel) Scott, and Mrs. Ken (Joan) Greenhalgh, all of Montrose; Jess V. and Jack H. Baldwin, Mesa, Arizona; Mrs. Dee (Leona) Coker and Mrs. C.L. (Ester) Neff, Camarillo, California; Mrs. Vernyle (Juanita) Thompson, Dolores; Mrs. Leroy (Verna) Martin, Arizona; Mrs. Dwayne (Glenda) Lichliter, Grand Junction; Mrs. Terry (Beverly) Rigler, Houston, Texas. One son and one daughter are deceased. There are 42 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Brothers and sisters are Charlie Baldwin, Corcoran, California; Clyde Baldwin and Mrs. Betty Miller, Lancaster, California; Tom Baldwin, Stockton, California; Mrs. Maud Killian and Mrs. Ettie Barker, Mountain Park, Oklahoma.
Services will be conducted by Pastor A. J. Kubish Saturday at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church. Interment in Grand View Cemetery will be directed by the Valley Funeral Home.

Obituary for Mabel Edna Leffel Baldwin Martin from the Montrose Daily Press, 21 Mar 1995, Montrose, Colorado:
Mabel Baldwin Martin, 94, a resident of Delta for the past three years, died of a sudden illness on Saturday, March 18, 1995, in St. Mary's Hospital and Regional Medical Center at Grand Junction.

Funeral Services to honor Mrs. Baldwin-Martin's life will be officiated by the Rev. Jasper Weaver on Wednesday, March 22, at 3 p.m. from the Montrose First Assembly of God Church, 515 S. Hillcrest.

Interment will follow the service in the Grand View Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Montrose Valley Funeral Home.
Born in Graham, Texas on Nov. 21, 1900, Mabel Leffel was the daughter of Charles Edgar and Caldona Jane (Box) Leffel. She spent her childhood, received her education, and grew to adulthood in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Miss Leffel married Jesse W. Baldwin on Dec. 25, 1917, in Mountain Park, Oklahoma.
In 1943, the Baldwins ran the sale barn in Montrose and then moved to Cortez and ran the sale barn there. Mrs. Baldwin, a homemaker, fried chicken, baked bread and pies for the Indians on the reservation near Cortez.
Mrs. Baldwin lost her husband, Jesse W. Baldwin, to death in 1972 at Montrose. She married Ernest Martin and the couple lived in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Mr. Martin preceded her in death in 1993, following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Martin moved to Delta three years ago to live with her daughter, where she made her home until her death.

She is survived by three sons: Joe H. Baldwin of Montrose; Jack H. Baldwin of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Buck Baldwin of Gilbert, Ariz.; seven daughters: Joan Brownen of Chickasha, Oklahoma; Ethel Taylor of Montrose; Beverly Wagner, Juanita Thompson, Glenda Pilgrim, all of Delta; Esther Neff of Camarillo, California; Verna Martin of Cortez; 47 grandchildren; 89 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to both of her husbands and parents, Mrs. Martin was also preceded in death by four children: Billie Jean Baldwin, Weldon A. Baldwin, Jesse V. Baldwin and Sue Coker.
She was a member of the Church of Christ and the Rebekah Lodge.

Mrs. Martin played the organ and sang at her church. Her children remember her singing hymns around the house. She enjoyed quilting, sewed all her own clothing and was an avid gardener. She always had a meal for anyone who was hungry. In addition to her own 14 children, Mrs. Martin raised two grandchildren and two other children as well.

Below is a photo taken the day of Grandpa's funeral. Grandma is in the center and surrounded by her children and Grandpa's brother, Tom Baldwin (without hat).

Some other posts about Jess or Mabel: (click on the link):

Leffel Family Tree - Ancestors of Mable Edna Leffel Baldwin

1928 picture of the Mabel & Jess Baldwin family

Pictures of Grandpa on a horse.

Baldwin Family Tree - Ancestors of Jess Baldwin

Chester Cemetery, Greever and Estelle Oklahoma

2009-09-22T14:41:00.006-06:00

According to Maymie, her grandma, Polly Huff Wilson, died about 1899 at the family home in Greever Canyon, Woods (now Major), Oklahoma and was buried in the Chester Cemetery. No headstone has been found but there are several unreadable and unmarked stones. We may never know if Grandma Polly Huff Wilson was really buried in the Chester Cemetery or on the Wilson farm at Greever.

Below is a picture of the road sign at Greever Creek, Oklahoma. (spelled Griever on road sign)

Here is an old map showing Chester, Estelle and Greever. Maymie said she was born at Estelle in one record and at her grandpa Hatfield's homestead in another record -- are they one and the same??

Soldiers in Uniform - Bub & Kirby Leffel

2009-09-21T14:13:00.008-06:00

"Bub" Charles Wesley Leffel & Kirby Leffel

Both, Kirby and Bub, registered for the World War I draft on 12 Sep 1918. Bub registered in Comanche County, Oklahoma, where he was living at the time. Kirby registered in Kiowa County. Since they are in uniforms, they apparently were drafted and served in the army. We have no record of their service at this time. Both brothers were living at home with their wives and families in the 1920 census.

I love this picture, especially the female peeking out of the rear opening of the car. Since both men were married at the time, the female peeking out of the rear window of the car could have been either one of their wives.

Kirby William Leffel and Charles Wesley "Bub" Leffel are the sons of Charles and Caldona Box Leffel.

Anna Belle Hatfield

2009-09-08T21:16:00.003-06:00

Anna Belle Hatfield was the daughter of Martin Monroe Hatfield and Nancy Abigail McNeil. Anna was born 12 Jan 1891 in Norton County, Kansas. She moved to Oklahoma with her parents in 1899. On the 24 of August 1910, Anna married Sidney H. Allen. According to family stories, Anna died in childbirth on 18 Dec 1911. She was buried in the Union Cemetery, Woods County, Oklahoma.

Anna Belle Hatfield & Sidney H. Allen on their wedding day.

24 Aug 1910

Woodward County, Oklahoma

Obituary clipping from an unknown newspaper:
Mrs. Anna B. Allen died at her home in Quinlan, Monday morning after a short illness. Anna Belle Hatfield was born January 12, 1891, in Norton County, Kansas, and came to Oklahoma in 1899 with her parents. She was married to Sidney H. Allen August 24, 1910. She joined the Christain church at Quinlan in 1909 and was an active worker in church and Sunday School, being a delegate to the Sunday school convention at Alva last year. Her neighbors and friends all regard her life as a Christian to be above reproach and she was held in the high esteem by all who knew her.

She leaves a husband, father, mother, four brothers, three sisters and many friends to mourn her loss.
Funeral was held in the Christian church, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Evangelist Adamson of Newton, and the body laid to rest in the Union cemetery.

"Pioneer in the new 'City of the Dead' at Dove Creek"

2009-08-25T19:20:00.011-06:00

Martin Monroe Hatfield was the first burial in the Dove Creek Cemetery (Dove Creek, Colorado). His obituary states: "Mr. Hatfield has been three times a pioneer. His first being in Kansas, then Oklahoma, and two years ago he came to Colorado. He loved the pioneer life and it is fitting that he should become the pioneer in the new "City of the Dead" at Dove Creek."

The plaque attached to the headstone reads:
Martin M. Hatfield
1857-1918
First Grave in Cemetery

This next picture was taken in 2001 at the Dove Creek Cemetery looking south toward the Hatfield farm.

Also buried in the Dove Creek Cemetery is Martin M. Hatfield's daughter, Lillie Smith, and his son, Charles O. Hatfield.

Obituary for Martin Monroe Hatfield:
The funeral services of Martin M. Hatfield, who died suddenly at Dove Creek Friday, were held at the Dove Creek school house Tuesday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. C. L. Flanders of the Dolores Baptist church. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet composed of O. J. Shultz, wife and daughter and Mr. McConnell. A large concourse of people were present to bear testimony of the esteem in which the deceased was held. His remains were laid to rest in the new cemetery at Dove Creek.
Martin Monroe Hatfield was born in Boone County, Iowa, April 18, 1857 and died at his home in Dove Creek, Colorado, May 31, 1918, at the age of 61 years, 1 month and 13 days. In early manhood he became a Christian and united with the Baptist Church and proved himself a good true Christian man. At the time of his death, he was superintendent of the Dove Creek Sunday School.
On New Year's Day, 1879, he was married to Nancy Abbagel McNeil at Smith County, Kansas. He leaves a wife, nine children, twelve grandchildren, three brothers and a host of friends to mourn his departure.
The deceased was a member of the Farmers Union of Dove Creek, which organization took charge of the burial. He took an active interest in all the affairs of the community that were for the benefit and uplift of the same.
The day before his death, he was at the farmer's meeting at Cahone and in the morning of his death ate a hearty breakfast and went about the place doing his usual chores. About the middle of the forenoon he was stricken with neuralgia of the heart and passed away before medical aid could reach him.
He was conscious to the last and realized his time had come and he gave directions to his loved ones as to his burial and their remaining together in this new country.
A plot of ground was selected on his farm for a cemetery and he was laid to rest amid the scenes of his hearts greatest desire while in this life.
Mr. Hatfield has been three times a pioneer. His first being in Kansas, then Oklahoma, and two years ago he came to Colorado. He loved the pioneer life and it is fitting that he should become the pioneer in the new "City of the Dead" at Dove Creek.

Family Record for the John McNeil Family of Parke County, Indiana

2009-08-24T10:45:00.010-06:00

This is a family record of the John & Sally McNeil family of Parke county, Indiana. This family record was found in the Nathaniel McNeil Civil War pension file.

In 1908, the youngest son of John and Sally McNeil, Nathaniel, needed to prove his birth date for his Civil War pension. Nathan had an old biographical dictionary (Lempriere's Biographical Dictionary) published in 1827 that had belonged to his father, John McNeil. Inside the dictionary was a written copy of the Family Record for John McNeil family. Nathan took this to a Notary Public in Garfield County, Oklahoma and the affidavit of the McNeil Family Record can found in Nathan's pension file.

*Note: There is one transcription error of the original. John's wife is listed as Dolly -- it should read Sally and was mistakenly transcribed at some point. The Mathew Miller included in the list is the father of Nathan's wife, Malinda Jane Miller. Nathan's two children are also listed.

Transcription of above record:
(Page 1)
State of Oklahoma,:
County of Garfield,:
Nathaniel McNeil, being first duly sworn on oath deposes and states:
That he was 75 years of age on the 14th day of October, 1907, and that he was born on the 14th day of October, 1832.
That there is not a public record of his birth, and no baptismal record of his birth, but that there is in his possession a family record of his birth, which was kept in a copy of “Lempriere’s Biographical Dictionary” which was published in 1827 by D.F. Robinson & Co., of Hartford, and which was kept by affiants father John McNeil, who was born March 18th 1784, as shown by said record, and the record then proceeds with the dates of birth of the various members of the family, and shows the name of Nathaniel Strong McNeil, born October 14, 1832, and which refers to, and is the name of the affiant, but that the affiant has since maturity cropped the middle name “Strong”, and has never used it as a part of his name since. That ever since the death of affiant’s father in 1852, the said family record has been in the possession of affiant.
Nathaniel McNeil (signed)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 29th., day of January 1908.
Chalmers B. Wilson (signed)
Notary Pubic
(page 2)
COPY OF FAMILY RECORD.
A List of Ages.
John McNeil was born March 18th 1784.
Dolly (this is prob a transcriber error and should read Sally) McNeil was born in the (sic) of our lord 1791.
Our son John C. McNeil was born May 16th., 1814.
Thomas A. McNeil was born June 16th 1816.
William L. McNeil was born July 21st., 1818.
Neal McNeil was born June 23rd., 1820.
Sally Ann was born March the 20th., 1822.
Elizabeth was born February 29th., 1824.
James McNeil was born March 4th., 1826.
Pleasant McNeil was born January the 14th., 1828.
Andrew Sterling McNeil was born August 15th., 1830.
Nathaniel Strong McNeil was born Oct. 14th., 1832.
Violet Irene McNeil was born November the 28th., 1901.
Mathew Miller was born Feb. 7th 1839.
Lyoid Oliver Jay McNeil was born Sept. the 21st., 1904.

State of Oklahoma,:
County of Garfield,: SS:
I, Chalmers B. Wilson, a Notary Public in and for said State and County do hereby certify the above and fore-going copy of the family record showing the name and date of birth of Nathaniel McNeil, the affiant who has signed and sworn to the attached affadavit, to be a true and correct copy of said record taken from the book described in said affadavit. The entire record including the name of Nathaniel Strong McNeil was made with old, acid ink, and no erasures, and the names after that beginning with Violet Irene McNeil have been made later with an entirely different ink. The said book of record was published in 1827, and ? I believe the writing to have been done at about the dates mentioned. Done at Enid Oklahoma this 29th., day of January 1908. Chalmers B. Wilson, Notary Public.
**Note: Information found online about the above mentioned book.
"Lempriere's Biographical Dictionary" was published in Hartford by the D.F. Robinson & Co. in 1827. Author was John Lempriere. The book was made with period full leather binding, gilt-tooled smooth spine, and had engraved frontis showing portraits of historical figures. The book measured 4 1/2" W x 7 1/2" H and was 444 pages. Full title: Lempriere’s Biographical Dictionary, or Sketches of the lives and Celebrated Characters in Every Age and Nation. Embracing warriors, heroes, poets, philosophers, historians, divines, [etc.]. Also: Notices of One Hundred Eminent Living Individuals

McNeil Cemetery, Parke County, Indiana

2009-08-23T12:56:00.014-06:00

McNeil Cemetery is in a small grove of trees in the middle of a field (private property) in Raccoon township in Parke County, Indiana. Several years ago, we were able to travel to Parke County. The present owner of the land that our John C. McNeil owned, was kind enough to walk us out to the cemetery and help us find the headstones. All of the headstones had fallen over and were covered with overgrowth and leaves. We had to poke around through the leaves & brush until we felt the hard headstones. Then we wiped and cleaned everything off of the top of the headstones and then took pictures.

This first headstone is our ancestor, John C. McNeil (1784-1852). John was the owner of the land the cemetery is located on.

These next two headstones are of John McNeil's brother, Thomas Hargis McNeil (1795-1850), and his wife, Malinda McNeil (1806-1859).

This last picture is of the present owner of the land and yours truly. We are in front of his barn and workshop. He was writing down his name and address for me. After I got back home, I sent him histories of our McNeil ancestors who lived so many years ago on the property he now owns.

Michael & Mary (Fulcher) Box Family

2009-08-10T11:15:00.013-06:00

Michael & Mary Fulcher Box Family

Sources can be found at bottom of post.

Michael Box, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 was born about 1780 in Laurens, South Carolina. He was the son of James and Mary Box. (Records created by Thomas Box, son of Michael Box, indicated that the parents of Michael Box were James and Mary Box.) Michael's father, James Box, apparently died. His mother, Mary Box, may have then married William Hellums. William and Mary Box Hellums had three children: John Hellums, Mary Hellums (Johnson) and Anna Hellums (Johnson). Throughout his life, Michael Box continued a close relationship with his Hellums half-siblings. Michael Box died 11 on 20 Jan 1841 in Tippah, Mississippi.
Michael married13 Mary Fulcher12 daughter of Cason Fulcher about 1797. Mary was born14 in 1779 in South Carolina. She died15 in Feb 1841 or 1844.

The following is from a collection of Box researchers:

Michael Box, born about 1780, moved from Laurens County SC to Knox County, TN where his sons, James Francis Box, William and Thomas were born. Michael had married Mary Fulcher, daughter of Cason Fulcher, about 1798 in Tennessee. Wade in The Box Book indicates Michael Box was performing marriages in Knox County TN in 1809. By 1810, he was on the tax rolls of Madison County, Mississippi Territory (which became Madison County, Alabama) and his sons, John Box and Grief Johnson Box and his daughters Mary Box and Lydia Box were born in Alabama. During the War of 1812, he was a private in the 16th Regt. of Mississippi Territory militia. He served with his brother-in-law, Grief Johnson, husband of half-sister, Mary Hellums Johnson. They were apparently good friends, because Michael would later name his youngest son, Grief Johnson Box. In the 1815-1817 census of Mississippi Territory he was listed as Michael Box, 1 male over 21; 4 males under 21; 1 female over 21 and 2 females under 21; along with a Benjamin Box.On Feb. 28, 1818, Michael Box, his wife, Mary, and Mary Hellums, were received into membership of Bethel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa County, AL. In the Census of 1830, Fayette County, AL, Michael Box, age 50 to 60, is listed along with his sons , William and John. The 1830 census for Michael lists the following household members (my guess to who they were in parentheses) : Males: 1 under 5 (?), 1 age 10-15 (Grief J. Box), 1 age 50-60 (Michael Box); Females: 1 age 20-30 (Lydia Box), 1 age 50-60 (Mary Box). On August 2, 1838, Michael, William, and John Box made application for Land Patents on Quarter Sections of land in Tippah County, Mississippi. The Certificate Numbers were 961 for Michael Box and 962 for William Box and both were for land that had been previously assigned to Joseph Warren Mathews. On November 16,1840, Lewis Garret and Thomas Box obtained a Land Patent for Quarter Section that was located in the area that became Benton County, MS. On November 28, 1843, Grief Johnson Box obtained a Land Patent for a Quarter Section. The 1840 Census of Tippah County, MS lists Michael Box, his sons Thomas, Grief J., and John and Elizabeth “Elspeth” Box, Michael’s daughter-in-law and widow of William Box. This Michael Box died intestate in 1841 according to Mississippi Supreme Court records and his wife, Mary, shortly after. The court records also state that Michael's estate started probate in January term 1844 in Tippah County, MS. (Note: Son, Thomas, states his father, Michael died 20 Jan 1844 and his mother, Mary, died in Feb 1844. But since probate started in Jan 1844, the 1841 year of death given in the court records is probably correct.) In 1846, his son, Grief J. Box, as administrator of Michael Box’s estate was sued by, Lydia Box McCollum, as a daughter of Michael Box. The value of Michael Box’s estate at the time of his death was appraised at nearly two thousand dollars with debts totaling less than thirty five dollars.Known children of Michael Box and his wife, Mary Fulcher Box: James Frances Box, William M. Box, Thomas Box, Mary Box Henderson, Lydia Box McCollum, John Box and Grief Johnson Box. Son, Thomas Box, became a member of the LDS Church in Texas in 1856 and provided family information to the church that indicated his father, Michael Box, was the son of James and Mary Box. Thomas also stated he was a grand-nephew of Stephen F. Box and 2nd cousin to Rolan Box (son of John Morris Box). That would make Thomas' grandfather, James Box, a brother to Stephen F. Box and John Morris Box. Upon the apparent death of Michael's father, James Box, his mother, Mary Box, married William Hellums. Mary Box Hellums' children with William Hellums became Michael Box's half siblings: half-brother, John Hellums and half-sisters, Mary Hellums and Anna Hellums. That would accout for Michael Box's close relationship to the Hellums family. Michael's son, Grief Johnson Box, married his half-cousin, Roenna Johnson, daughter of Anna Hellums Johnson.

Children of Michael and Mary (Fulcher) Box:

1. James Frances Box 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 was born about 1798 in Tennessee. He died27 in Mar 1860 in Kaufman, Texas.
James married29 (1) Penina Babb 28 on 15 Jan 1817 in , Madison, Alabama. Penina was born about 1800 in ,, Alabama. She died before May 1826.
James married30 (2) Elizabeth Matthews daughter of Joseph Cromwell Matthews and Penina Crisp on 15 May 1826 in , Lawrence, Alabama. Elizabeth was born about 1809 in , Madison, Alabama. She died in Aug 1850 in , Titus, Texas. She was buried in , Titus, Texas. James married (3) Jane Goddard on 10 Dec 1852 in , Navarro, Texas.

2. William M. Box 31,32,33 was born about 1801 in Tennessee. He died34 on 19 Dec 1838.
William married Elizabeth 35,36 . Elizabeth was born about 1804 in Georgia. What happened to Elizabeth and her children after 1840 is not known at this time.

3. Thomas Box 37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56 was born 57,58 on 8 Aug 1804 in Timbercrest, Knox, Tennessee. He died59 on 17 Mar 1881 in Farmington, San Juan, New Mexico.
Thomas married (1) Clarkey Carpenter 60,61,62,63 daughter of Richard E. Carpenter and Nancy Holliday about 1830. Clarkey was born64,65,66 on 15 Dec 1812 in , Amherst, Virginia. She died about 1881 in , San Juan, New Mexico. She was buried in Fruitland Cemetery, San Juan, Mexico. Thomas married (2) Belinda Marden 67 daughter of John Marden and Rachel Shaw on 10 Jul 1858 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. Belinda was born68 on 24 Dec 1820 in Chichester, Merrimack, New Hampshire. She died69 on 19 Feb 1894 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. She was buried on 21 Feb 1894 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. They separated (divorced?) prior to 1870.
4. Mary Box 70 was born about 1806 in Madison, Alabama. She died between 1860 and 1876 in Texas.
Mary married Hugh G. Henderson 71,72,73,74,75,76,77 son of John Henderson and Nancy McLaurin about 1825 in Alabama. Hugh was born about 1796 in North Carolina. He died in 1855 in Titus, Texas.
5. Lydia Box 78,79,80,81 was born about 1808 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She died after 1847.
Lydia married George McCollum 82,83,84 about 1830. George was born about 1805 in South Carolina. He died before 1876. What became of Lydia & George McCollum after 1847 is not known.

From the LDS church records, Thomas Michael Box, (son of Thomas Box) states that
he is the "Nephew-in-law" to George McCullom and Clarkey Carpenter Box stated that
she was the "sister-in-law" to Lydia Box and "aunt-in-law" to Martha McCullom.
With the Mississippi Supreme court records (January Term 1847), we now know that
Lydia Box married George McCollum.
A plat map of Fayette county, Alabama shows George McCollum owning
land in the same township as John Hellums & Mary Hellums. Lydia
McCollum also owns land. Hugh G. Henderson (Mary Box Henderson) also owns land in
the same township. So, we know that George & Lydia were married while living in
Fayette County, Alabama. (Lots of McCollums in Fayette county!) Luke Johnson, who married Anna Hellums, also owns land in Fayette County.
George & Lydia McCollum and family (ar least 1 son & 3 daughters) can be found in the
1840 Tippah County, MS census and 1845 Tippah, Mississippi State Census.
The Supreme Court case was in January, 1847.
What happened to this family after 1847??
George, Lydia and one daughter, Martha, were deceased by 1876 when Thomas &
Clarkey recorded their names in the Church records.

6. John Box 85 was born about 1810 in Alabama. He died before 1874.
7. Grief Johnson Box 86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98 was born about 1819 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He died99 on 12 Jan 1874 in Cooke, Texas. No gravesite has been found.
Grief married Roenna Johnson 100,101,102,103 daughter of Luke Johnson and Anna Hellums about 1838 in Tippah, Mississippi. Roenna was born on 15 Oct 1822 in Alabama. She died104 on 3 Apr 1904 in Rush Springs, Grady, Oklahoma. She was buried105 in Apr 1904 in Rush Springs Cemetery, Grady, Oklahoma. Roenna and Grief would have been a half cousins to each other.
Please help with the below questions concerning the Michael & Mary Fulcher Box Family:
1. What became of son, William Box's, family after the 1840 census? Did his wife Elizabeth marry again? Did the children stay in Tippah county?
2. What became of Lydia Box & George McCollum family after the court case in 1846? What were the names of their children? According to the 1840 census, Lydia & George should have had 2 daughters and one son.
3. Did son, John, marry? Have children? If married, was his wife's name Margaret?

Sources1. Tax List , 1816 Resident's List, Monroe County, Alabama Territory.
2. 1830 U.S. Census , Alabama, Fayette County, pg 209.
3. 1840 U.S. Census , Mississippi, Tippah County, pg 209, 1 Jun 1840.
4. Family Information from David E. Box, Jr., 5726 Ridgetown Circle, Dallas, Texas 75230; Nov 1991.
5. International Genealogical Index , Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, http://www.familysearch.org/. Michael Box's son,Thomas Box, joined the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints) and in 1856 moved from Henderson, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah. In the 1870's Thomas and his wife, Clarkey Carpenter Box, became involved with Temple work for their deceased relatives & ancestors.The following are the relationships Thomas & Clarkey gave for the Box family: In 1874 & 1876 Thomas states he was the son of MICHAEL BOX who was born 1780 South Carolina and died 30 Jan 1844; Thomas's wife, Clarkey, states she was the daughter-in-law to Mary FULCHER who was born 1779 in South Carolina and died Feb 1844."
6. Church Records. "Bethel Baptist Church Register, Alabama Records, Volume V, 50, Hunstville Public Library, Huntsville, Alabama.Record of the Baptist Church of Bethel Falls of Black Warrior, Constituted of 31 day of January, 1818.John Hellums a founding member.Michael Box and wife, Mary Box, were received into membership of the Bethel Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama on 28 Feb 1818."
7. Newspaper , Southern Sentinel, Ripley, Mississippi, 5 Nov 1934.
8. Timeline for Michael Box.
9. USGenWeb , , Fayette County, Alabama USGenWeb. Michael Box ~ Voting precinct established at his residence, 1824
10. Land/Deed Records , Tippah County, Mississippi, 1838.
11. International Genealogical Index , FHL#1149522, 5 Aug 1874.
12. International Genealogical Index Mary's last name of Fulcher comes from IGI -- Endowment house records of 1874 & St. George Temple records of 1878.In 1874 & 1878, Thomas Box performed temple work for his father, Michael Box and Thomas' wife, Clarkey Carpenter Box, performed temple work for her mother-in-law, Mary FULCHER Box. FHL#1149523Endowment House Baptisms for the dead, 1857-1876, heir index, 1855-1876Vol. F, page 429, Ref # 20373 Thomas had his parents "sealed" in the St. George, Utah Temple on 27 Nov 1878. Michael Box born 1780 South Carolina, Mary Fulcher born 1779 South Carolina, died Feb 1844 St. George Sealings, Book B, FHL#170596
13. International Genealogical Index. St. George Temple Sealings, Book B, FHL#170596.
14. International Genealogical Index. Film Number: 1149523 Page Number: 429 Reference number: 20373
15. International Genealogical Index .
16. Will . Kaufman County Konnections, Vol. 14, Number 3 (September 1995), p. 37._Published by the Kaufman County Genealogical Society, Terrell, TX_WILL OF JAMES F. BOX_STATE OF TEXAS_COUNTY OF KAUFMAN_17. Family Information from David E. Box.
18. Land/Deed Records .
19. 1840 U.S. Census , Texas, Red River County.
20. Mullins, Marion Day, 1846 Republic of Texas Poll List , Baltimore [Maryland] : Genealogical Pub. Co., c1974, Titus County, Texas, 976.4 R4m - FHL US/CAN Book.
21. County & Town Histories. Box, James F. History of Titus County Texas, Vol II pages 19, 51
22. Periodical. James F. Box, 1859 Will, Kaufman Co., Tx_Surname: Box, Volume: 14 Number: 3 (September 1995)_Periodical Title: Kaufman Kounty Konnections
23. Land/Deed Records , http://www.rootsweb.com/~txtitus/a_titus.txt.
24. 1850 U.S. Census , Texas, Titus, pg 131, hh 532, 7 Oct 1850.
25. Online Family Web Site . http://home.nc.rr.com/rwbaird/hayes/Solomon%20Hayes.htm#_ftn26; BOB'S GENEALOGY FILING CABINET; Solomon Hayes
26. 1860 U.S. Mortality Schedule . Surname: James F. Box Year: 1860 County: Kaufman CO. State: TX Age: 60 Gender: M (Male) Month of Death: Mar State of Birth: AL ID#: MRT197_32063 Occupation: FARMER Cause of Death: BRONCHITUS Source Information: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999
27. 1860 U.S. Mortality Schedule , Texas, Kaufman County.
28. International Genealogical Index , FHL#1149523, 21 Jun 1876.
29. Marriage Record . Madison County, AL Marriage Records: Book 1, Page 334 License granted on 15 July 1817 James Box & "Bemima Bob"."
30. Ancestry.com , Copyright © 1998-2006, MyFamily.com Inc., Provo, UT, Alabama Marriages, 1807-1902; http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7838.
31. 1830 U.S. Census , Alabama, Fayette County.
32. State Census , 1845 Mississippi State Census, Tippah County.
33. 1840 U.S. Census .
34. International Genealogical Index , FHL#1149522, 5 Aug 1874.
35. 1840 U.S. Census .
36. 1850 U.S. Census .
37. 1840 U.S. Census , Mississippi, Tippah County.
38. 1850 U.S. Census , Texas, Henderson County, pg 259/127, 15 Sep 1850.
39. 1860 U.S. Census , Utah, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City 13th Ward, 1 Jun 1860.
40. 1870 U.S. Census , Utah, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City 17th Ward, 30 Jun 1870.
41. International Genealogical Index .
42. Probate Record , Henderson County, Texas.
43. Land/Deed Records , Tippah County, Mississippi Deed Book D.
44. Land/Deed Records , Texas General Land Office.
45. Periodical , Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol 66 Issue 4, page 516-546, Apr 1963.
46. Timeline .
47. Court Record , Salt Lake County, Utah Civil and Criminal Case Files, 1852-1887.
48. Book , Utah Since Statehood, Volumes 1-4.
49. City Directories , 1863 & 186Salt Lake City Directories.
50. Land/Deed Records , Salt Lake County, Utah Land Records, FHL#929288.
51. Land/Deed Records , Henderson County, Texas.
52. Court Record , Henderson County, Texas.
53. Newspaper , Pioche, Nevada Court Proceedings -- SF Newspaper.
54. Book , Division of Animal Industry Brand Book, Utah, Dec 1874.
55. Book .
56. Newspaper , LOS ANGELES STAR VOL VIII, Saturday, 7 Nov 1857, No. 25.
57. International Genealogical Index .
58. Patriarchal Blessing Index , FHL #392638, Church History Archives and Library, LDS Church Historical Department, Archives/Library, 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.
59. Obituary , http://www.lib.utah.edu/digital/unews/.
60. Book .
61. Church Records .
62. Church Records .
63. Church Records , LDS, Early Church Information File.
64. Patriarchal Blessing Index , FHL #392638.
65. Church Records .
66. International Genealogical Index .
67. 1860 U.S. Census , Utah, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City 13th Ward, 1 Jun 1860.
68. Patriarchal Blessing Index , FHL #392638.
69. Obituary , Deseret News, 20 Feb 1894.
70. 1860 U.S. Census , Texas, Titus, Prec. 11, Snow Hill P.O., pg 49, 1 Aug 1860.
71. 1830 U.S. Census , Alabama, Fayette County.
72. 1840 U.S. Census , Mississippi, Tippah County.
73. 1850 U.S. Census , Texas, Titus County, pg 96-97, 10 Sep 1850.
74. Land/Deed Records , Tippah County, Mississippi Deed Book D.
75. County & Town Histories , http://www.rootsweb.com/~msgenweb/county-hist/index.htm.
76. Land/Deed Records .
77. Land/Deed Records , Texas General Land Office.
78. Court Record , Cases argued and decided in the Supreme Court of Mississippi ..., page 619, 1847, January Term.
79. 1830 U.S. Census , Alabama, Fayette County, pg 209.
80. 1840 U.S. Census , Tippah County, Mississippi.
81. State Census , 1845 Mississippi State Census, Tippah County.
82. Court Record , Cases argued and decided in the Supreme Court of Mississippi ..., page 619, 1847, January Term.
83. 1840 U.S. Census , Tippah County, Mississippi.
84. State Census , 1845 Mississippi State Census, Tippah County.
85. International Genealogical Index , FHL#1149522, 5 Aug 1874.
86. 1840 U.S. Census , Mississippi, Tippah County.
87. 1850 U.S. Census , Arkansas, Dallas County, Polk twp, pg 07.
88. 1860 U.S. Census , Arkansas, Bradley County, Smith twp., pg 492a.
89. 1870 U.S. Census , Texas, Hunt County, Timber Creek P.O., pg 50/439.
90. State Census , 1845 Mississippi State Census, Tippah County.
91. Timeline for Grief Johnson Box.
92. Land/Deed Records , Cooke County, Texas.
93. Probate Record , Hopkins County, Texas.
94. Land/Deed Records , Hunt County, Texas.
95. Tax List , Cooke County, Texas.
96. Deed Record , Cooke County, Texas Deed Records, Book 70(?), pg 212, 20 Feb 1905.
97. 1860 U.S. Census , Bradley County, Arkansas.
98. Voting Registration or Lists , 1867 Voter's Registration of Texas.
99. Church Records .
100. 1880 U.S. Census , Texas, Cooke County, Prec. 1, pg 209/34 B, 19 Jun 1880.
101. 1900 U.S. Census , Texas, Jack County.
102. Deed Record , Cooke County, Texas Deed Records, Book 70(?), pg 212, 20 Feb 1905.
103. Death Index .
104. Cemetery Records . Rush Springs Cemetery, Headstone:"Roenna, wife of G. J. Box, Born Oct 15, 1822, Died April 3, 1901"Rush Springs, Grady, Oklahoma
105. Headstone . Rush Springs Cemetery, Rush Springs, Grady County, Oklahoma. Roenna Box, wife of G. J. Box Born Oct. 15. 1822 Died April 3. 1901 An open book on the top of the headstone reads: "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship thee. Psalms 22:27" Engraved at the bottom of the headstone: "She is gone to the land where the weary Enjoy the sweet rapture of sacred repose."

Miller Homestead, Clark County, Ohio

2009-08-09T23:13:00.011-06:00

Frederick Miller Homestead, Clark County, Ohio

In 1818 Frederick and Elizabeth Peery Miller left their home in Botetourt County, Virginia to make a new home in Clark County, Ohio. Frederick bought a quarter section, containing forty acres of cleared land, located in Bethel township, six miles west of Springfield, Ohio. A cabin on that land was their home until 1822 when the above pictured building of hewn logs was erected. It was built two stories, with a central hall and four rooms. By records dated 1823, Peter Minnich and Peter Marquart did the carpenter work. Beaded mantles, partitions, joists and paneled doors, unusual in log houses in primitive settlements, gave beauty of finish to the structure. Its broad faced poplar logs with the white stripes of lime mortar between made an impressive view.
Frederick Miller 1760-1822 died during the erection of this house. As a widow then Elizabeth was to have a separate room in the new house. She chose as her own the east room on the first floor with its huge fireplace.
In later years other occupants of this house would build around the original structure making it a part of their home. It was still being used in 1912.

Miller land as it looks now.

Frederick & Mary Elizabeth (Peery) Miller

2009-08-09T22:53:00.015-06:00

The following was taken from the book: "The Genealogy of the Descendants of Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Peery Miller" by John Peery Miller (Yellow Springs, Ohio: Antioch College, 1913). The Genealogy of the Descendants of Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Peery Miller was compiled by their grandson John Peery Miller, Professor of History, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1913.

Frederick & Elizabeth Peery Miller

Frederick Miller (1760-1822) and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Peery (1769-1844), were both raised in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. After their marriage, they migrated to the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Their seven children were born in Botetourt County, Virginia, 1789-1811. The family migrated to Clark County, Ohio in 1818. Frederick bought a quarter section, containing forty acres of cleared land, located in Bethel township, six miles west of Springfield.

Frederick Miller died during the construction of their house in Clarke County in 1822. Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Miller are buried in the Bethel Cemetery, Bethel Township, Clark County, Ohio.
Seven children had been born to Frederick and Elizabeth. They were Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, John, Daniel, David and Delilah, all born in Botetourt County, Virginia.

Our line descends through their daughter Mary, who married Anthony Leffel.

The whole story may be read below:

Our Family Blacksmiths

2009-07-04T09:38:00.008-06:00

We have had a few blacksmiths in the family. The first that comes to mind is great-grandpa Henry Stewart. Several of his sons, as well as his father, Harrison Stewart, were also blacksmiths. Above is a letterhead/logo found on a letter in Henry's Civil War pension file.

"THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH"

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
His face is like the tan:
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate'er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear his bellows blow,
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.

And children coming home from school
Look in at the open door;
They love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,
And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing floor.

He goes on Sunday to the church,
And sits among his boys;
He hear the parson pray and preach,
He hears his daughter's voice,
Singing in the village choir,
And it makes his heart rejoice.

It sounds to him like her mother's voice,
Singing in Paradise!
He needs must think of her once more,
How in the grave she lies;
And with his hard, rough hand he wipes
A tear out of his eyes.

Toiling,--rejoicing,--sorrowing,
Onwards through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.

Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought!

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Hous Holt's Pardon

2009-05-31T09:45:00.011-06:00

(Transciption at bottom of this post)

Northly Houston Holt, commonly known as Hous Holt, was married to Sarah Ann West, daughter of John & Barbara (Harmon) West. John West was the brother to our director ancestor, Susan Emeline West Leffel.

Hous Holt got into a fight with his wife's uncle, John Haning (husband of Rebecca West Haning). John lost his eyesight and was blind the rest of his life. Some say it was a gun fight in a saloon. The minutes of the Old Settler's Association of Grayson County, Vol. 1, gives the following report of the fight: "This is the man (John Haning) who lost his eyesight in 1870 through the merciless attack of a desperado named Hous Holt, well known to our community and now wearing stripes for murder."

In 1878, Houston Holt was charged with murder in two cases. First was the 1878 murder of a man by the name of Powers for a remark about his horse (Sherman Daily Register). Hous was also charged with a second murder that had occurred years earlier. This was the murder of a man named Beard who has accused Houston Holt's father of being a member of an insurrection party. He was mostly referring to the "Peace Party" or Unionist party that had so many members hanged in the Great Hanging at Gainesville in neighboring Cooke County.

Houston was not charged with killing Beard until after the charges of killing Powers was filed against him. He was found guilty of both murdered and sentenced to life-time or a total of 104 years in prison.

In the 1880 census, N.H. Holt listed in the Huntsville, Walker County, Texas as an inmate in prison. His wife Sara is listed in the 1880 Denton County, Texas with her two children by Holt, James & Ninnie, and her son by Dale, John F. Dale.

In the 1890 Veteran Schedule, which was suppose to list only Union Veterans, N. H. Holt is listed in the Rusk Penitentiary, Texas. No records have been found to support his service in the Union or Confederate armies. His obituary, states that he was a confederate veteran.

In 1894, Houston Holt was pardoned by Governor Hogg after serving 15 years for the murder of Beard and Powers. (Sherman Daily Register, Friday, 8 June 1894)

Sarah divorced Hous prior to 1887 when she married again in 1887 to George Mead. She would live the rest of her life in Vermilion, Illinois where in 1919 she died and was buried. Their daughter, Nina, died in 1886 shortly after the birth of her only daughter. Son, James, died in 1908, when he was hit by a train.

Northley H. Holt can be found in the 1910 census for Denton County, Texas. He is living alone and states he is a widower. He also stated he was a veteran of the Civil War.

Houston lived out his life in Denton County, Texas. He married again to a Mrs. Polly Solomon, who was left his widow. Hous died 20 Apr 1915 at his home near Club Lake community in Denton County, Texas and was buried in the Cooper Creek Cemetery.

Obituary: Denton Record Chronicle; N. Houston Holt; Death 20 Apr 1915; obit 21 Apr 1915

Transcription of the newspaper article at begining of this post:
Hous Holt's Pardon (News Article) Date: 1894-06-08; Paper: Dallas Morning News Historical Archive
HOUS HOLT’S PARDON
Sentenced to One Hundred and Four Years in the Texas Penitentiary.
After serving Fifteen Years He is Liberated by Executive Clemency – Holt’s Experience within the Wall – The Crime
Seated at the corner of a grocery store here was a man surrounded by a good sized crowd of auditors. He was Houston Holt, who was the past week pardoned by Gov. Hogg after serving fourteen years in the state penitentiary on a 104 years sentence. He was convicted of murder in two cases, first for killing an old man named Beard during the war. The killing was said to be the results of an accusation that Holt’s father was a member of some insurrection party. The last killing was about the year 1878 and was brought on by some remarks made by Powers about a horse Holt was riding and trying to trade.
The versions of the killing are told differently and the opinions about them are diverse. One fact, however, is that Holt was not tried for the killing of the old man Beard until after the charge of murdering Powers was filed against him. The first trial was for the murder of Beard and was before the late Judge Joseph A. Carroll. A conviction was had, as heretofore stated, which resulted in a life-time sentence or ninety-nine years. The other case was tried in Cooke county on a change of venue and resulted in a conviction and a five years sentence.
The “Hous” Holt, as he was familiarly known, was a hale and hearty man, had a long beard, large brilliant blue eyes and he possessed activity uncommon for a man of age. Now he is minus the beard, with a face which looks careworn and wrinkled. The cases are notable and at the time they were disposed to attract wide attention. The best legal talent was employed on both sides, the state was represented by Judge J. Millert (?), who is now on the court of criminal appeals. Senator ___ C. Smith, Messrs. Lovejoy and Dickson and District Judge D. E. Barrett. The defense had such counsel as the late Gov. Throckmorton, Judge Hare of Sherman and Judge Piner of Denton.
“The penitentiary is a peculiar place,” he told those who stood around him. “I was there long enough to find out what it is, and I want to say that people have a deluded idea regarding the place. Prisoners there are treated humanely, and not abused, as I have heard. During my fifteen years’ confinement there I was only in the hospital five days. When I first went there I was closely watched. I knew I was and I determined to impress upon the officers that I was not such a bad man as I was reported to be, although then I bore a terrible name. Privately one day Capt. West came to me and said: ‘Holt, we have been receiving some letters from Denton county giving you a hard name, but I have watched your course since have been here and I do not think you are as bad a man as you are reported to be.’
“I thanked the captain very kindly and told him that he could rely upon my doing a man’s part. And I did it. No matter what kind of labor I was ordered to do, I did it if I was able, and as a result I fared better and am her today to begin life anew. I know a man that you Denton county people are acquainted with, sent from Wise county, who is now studying medicine in the penitentiary, and is making wonderfully rapid progress. He is a bright fellow, and being trained by such skill as the penitentiary affords, cannot but make a success.
“I never was whipped,” he continued. “The nearest I ever came to receiving the licks was on an occasion when I was called to Superintendent Goree’s office and told that I was guilty of insubordination and mutiny. I was charged along with a number of others. When my turn came I demanded to know of the superintendent who had made the charge against me. He replied a convict, hereupon I replied that no convict would dare come before him in my presence and make the charge, and I requested that I be given a chance to defend myself. The case against me was dismissed.
“But those days are past and gone. Let them be what they are, but from now on Houston Holt will found a different man. I have tasted of the bitter, and now it is time to enjoy the sweet.”
Such is the history of a man whose name was a household word throughout north Texas fifteen years ago.
Judge F. E. Piner, who defended Holt in both cases and who has worked unceasingly for his pardon was asked how it came about that Gov. Hogg pardoned Holt. He said: “The main reason, I suppose, why Gov. Hogg pardoned Holt was that Holt ought never to have been indicted or convicted for the killing of Beard. I have no disposition to exercise or find fault with those extra patriotic citizens of Texas, who during the dark days of the war took the law into their own hands and executed men for political opinion. Communities in those dark and bloody days were easily wrought up into a state of unreasoning excitement, and upon very slight evidence or no evidence at all took the lives of those who differed from them on the questions of the hour. Holt killed Beard because that man caused an angry and excited mob to arrest his (Holt’s) old father and because he was arraigned on false testimony before the then influential vigilance committee as the leader or a member of a secret society of union men whose object was to rise in rebellion against the confederacy and after committing all the outrage possible to go north and fight against the confederacy. Under the circumstances then prevailing such a charge sworn to and filed in the hands of the vigilance committee almost amounted to a death sentence, and but for the cooler heads among the mob and the good sense and wise supervision of a conservative and honest vigilance committee would have caused the death of old man Holt.
“A young man appeared at about the same time, Mr. Cox, tried to escape from the guards and was shot and mortally wounded. This man had been guilty of no offense, nor had Holt. Both were prisoners suffering from Beard’s lies. It is true that after the excitement had been aroused to the fever heat he retracted his charges and admitted that his entire testimony was false. But this was not announced until the chairman of the vigilance committee read out the testimony to the crowd and also the retraction. It was learned for the first time that Hous Holt learned upon whose testimony his father had been so wrongfully imprisoned and threatened with death. Smarting with the wrong done his father and feeling that the man had cruelly and causelessly wronged the old man, Holt went to the house where Beard was and killed him. His crime, committed under the sudden heat of passion, was nothing more than man-slaughter.” Were all other men indicted and convicted for all the technical and real violations of law committed during the war, then it would be proper to punish Houston Holt, perhaps, but I know of no reason for singling him out as the only one to punish for a war time act. As for the Powers case, I have only to say that Holt was tried by as good a jury as ever assembled in Cooke county, found guilty of murder in the second degree and served his sentence without motion for a new trial or appeal. And besides, he has served nine years for killing Beard. No one can complain that Holt was not well prosecuted in the Powers case, when the state was represented by Judge J. M. Hurt, Senator Emory Smith, Judge D. E. Barrett and Lovejoy and Dixon

Hous, born about 1837 in Tennessee, was the son of James & Ann Holt. He is listed as 12 year old Northley H. Holt in the James Holt household in 1850 census of Tishomingo County, Tennessee. He is also listed as Northly Holt, age 22, in the 1860 census of Sugar Loaf, Arkansas.

Hous left Arkansas and moved to Texas in July of 1860. On the 25 July 1860, N. H. Holt buys land located on the waters of the Choctaw Bayou in Grayson County, Texas from Susan West Leffel. Susan's niece, Sarah, later marries Hous.

On 18 Mar 1863, N. Houston Holt marries Sarah A. Dale in Grayson County, Texas. Sarah Ann West Dale is the divorced wife of Calvin Dale.

Hous and Sarah Holt can be found listed in the 1870 census for Sherman, Grayson County, Texas. He is listed as N. H. Holt age 30 born Tennessee, a farmer, $2000 real property, $100 personal property, wife, Sarah A., 30, f, m, keeping house, Illinois. They have two children, James F.S. age 7 and Nina B. age 5. Sarah's widowed mother, Barbara West, is also living with them.

Michael Box of Tippah County, Mississippi

2009-05-27T21:15:00.031-06:00

Many thanks to a group of Box Family Researchers that have been sorting out the different Michael Boxes and have prepared short histories for Five Michael Boxes.This information can be found on the Box Family message board on Rootsweb.com:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.box/1471.2/mb.ashx
and the Genforum Box Family forum:
http://genforum.com/box/messages/2074.html

Since our family descends from Michael Box who lived in Tippah County, Mississippi, his information is given below. I have added additional info in grey.

Michael Box, born about 1780, moved from Laurens County SC to Knox County, TN where his sons, James Francis Box, William and Thomas were born. Michael married Mary Fulcher, daughter of Cason Fulcher, about 1798 in Tennessee.
Wade in The Box Book indicates Michael Box was performing marriages in Knox County TN in 1809. By 1810, he was on the tax rolls of Madison County, Mississippi Territory (which became Madison County, Alabama) and his sons, John Box and Grief Johnson Box and his daughters Mary Box and Lydia Box were born in Alabama.
During the War of 1812, he was a private in the 16th Regt. of Mississippi Territory militia. He served with his brother-in-law, Grief Johnson, husband of half-sister, Mary Hellums Johnson. They were apparently good friends, because Michael would later name his youngest son, Grief Johnson Box.
In the 1815-1817 census of Mississippi Territory he was listed as Michael Box, 1 male over 21; 4 males under 21; 1 female over 21 and 2 females under 21; along with a Benjamin Box.
On Feb. 28, 1818, Michael Box, his wife, Mary, and Mary Hellums, were received into membership of Bethel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa County, AL.
In the Census of 1830, Fayette County, AL, Michael Box, age 50 to 60, is listed along with his sons , William and John. The 1830 census for Michael lists the following household members (my guess to who they were in parentheses) : Males: 1 under 5 (?), 1 age 10-15 (Grief J. Box), 1 age 50-60 (Michael Box); Females: 1 age 20-30 (Lydia Box), 1 age 50-60 (Mary Box).
On August 2, 1838, Michael, William, and John Box made application for Land Patents on Quarter Sections of land in Tippah County, Mississippi. The Certificate Numbers were 961 for Michael Box and 962 for William Box and both were for land that had been previously assigned to Joseph Warren Mathews. On November 16,1840, Lewis Garret and Thomas Box obtained a Land Patent for Quarter Section that was located in the area that became Benton County, MS. On November 28, 1843, Grief Johnson Box obtained a Land Patent for a Quarter Section.
The 1840 Census of Tippah County, MS lists Michael Box, his sons Thomas, Grief J., and John and Elizabeth “Elspeth” Box, Michael’s daughter-in-law and widow of William Box.
This Michael Box died intestate in 1841 according to Mississippi Supreme Court records and his wife, Mary, shortly after. The court records also state that Michael's estate started probate in January term 1844 in Tippah County, MS. (Note: Son, Thomas, states his father, Michael died 20 Jan 1844 and his mother, Mary, died in Feb 1844. But since probate started in Jan 1844, the 1841 year of death given in the court records is probably correct.)
In 1846, his son, Grief J. Box, as administrator of Michael Box’s estate was sued by, Lydia Box McCollum, as a daughter of Michael Box. The value of Michael Box’s estate at the time of his death was appraised at nearly two thousand dollars with debts totaling less than thirty five dollars.
Known children of Michael Box and his wife, Mary Fulcher Box: James Frances Box, William M. Box, Thomas Box, Mary Box Henderson, Lydia Box McCollum, John Box and Grief Johnson Box.
Son, Thomas Box, became a member of the LDS Church in Texas in 1856 and provided family information to the church that indicated his father, Michael Box, was the son of James and Mary Box. Thomas also stated he was a grand-nephew of Stephen F. Box and 2nd cousin to Rolan Box (son of John Morris Box). That would make his grandfather, James Box, a brother to Stephen F. Box and John Morris Box. Upon James Box’s apparent death, his widow Mary Box, had married William Hellums, and was mother to Michael Box’s half brother, John Hellums and half sisters, Mary Hellums and Anna Hellums. William Hellums, his son, John Hellums, and Carson (Cason) Fulcher, father of Michael's wife, Mary, are all listed on the 1806 tax list for Knox County, Tennessee. Michael's son, Grief Johnson Box, married his half cousin, Roenna Johnson, daughter of half sister, Anna Hellums.
Michael & Mary Fulcher Box Family information can be found at:
http://clmroots.blogspot.com/2009/08/michael-mary-fulcher-box-family.html

Notes:
1. Michael Box is often listed with the middle initial of "B". As you can see from the signature of the document below, the "B" appears to be his "mark" instead of his middle initial. He signed his name Michael (B) Box. The (B) was in parentheses with "his" written above the (B) and "mark" written below the (B).
Instead of signing documents with an "X" because he could not read and write, Michael used a "B" for Box.

2. Many online databases have our Michael Box of Tippah County, MS married to Mary Lawrence on 25 May 1837, Lowndes, MS. This is an error - Michael Box of Tippah County, MS was NOT married to Mary Lawrence. This marriage belongs to one of the other Michael Boxes - Michael J. Box. Our Michael Box was married to Mary Fulcher and all of their children were born before 1837.
3. TIMELINE for Michael Box
1780: Born in Laurens, South Carolina. Parents may be James Box and Mary Box.
1798: Married Mary Fulcher (dau. of Cason Fulcher), probably in Tennessee
1799: Son, James Frances Box born in Tennessee
1801: Son, William M. Box born
1804: Son, Thomas Box, born 8 Aug 1804 near Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee
1806: Dau, Mary Box born in Madison, Alabama
1807: Bondsman for Marriage Bond for Grief Johnson to Mary Hellums, Knox County, Tennessee, 24 March 1807
1807: Son, John Box born
1808: Dau, Lydia Box born
1812: Military Service, Served in the War of 1812 from Mississippi Territory. During his military service, he served with Greef Johnson, who he would later name his youngest son after.
1816: Monroe County, Alabama Residence Tax List
1818: Michael Box and wife, Mary Box, were received into membership of the Bethel Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama on 28 Feb 1818. (John Hellums a founding member.)
1819: Son, Grief Johnson Box, born 1819 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
1824: Fayette County, Alabama Voing precinct
1830: Fayette County, Alabama Census Males: 1 under 5 (?), 1 age 10-15 (Grief J.), 1 age 50-60 (Michael); Females: 1 age 20-30 (Lydia), 1 age 50-60 (Mary)
1838: 2 Aug 1838 Application for land patent in Tippah County, Mississippi
1840: Tippah County, Mississippi Census: Box, Michael 1 white male 60-70; 1 white female 60-70
1841: Death. Michael died intestate in 1841 according to Mississippi Supreme Court records (1846) and his wife, Mary, shortly after. The court records also state that Michael's estate started probate in January term 1844 in Tippah County, MS. (Note: Son, Thomas, states his father, Michael died 20 Jan 1844 and his mother, Mary, died in Feb 1844. But since the probate started in Jan 1844, the 1841 year of death given in the Mississippi State Supreme Court records is probably correct death year.)
1844: Probate started in Jan 1844.

Lydia Box McCollum Lawsuit Against Her Brother, Grief J. Box

2009-05-27T21:15:00.028-06:00

Lydia Box, daughter of Michael and Mary (Fulcher) Box, was born about 1808 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She is most likely the 20-23 year old female listed in the 1830 Census of Fayette County, Alabama for the Michael Box family.
In about 1830 Lydia married George McCollum. They both appear as original landowners in Fayette County, Alabama. Lydia and George moved to Tippah County with the rest of the Box Family in about 1838.
George and Lydia McCollum and family (at least 1 son & 3 daughters) can be found in the 1840 Tippah County, MS census and 1845 Tippah, Mississippi State Census.
In 1874, Clarkey Carpenter Box, gives information to the LDS church stating she has a sister-in-law by the name of Lydia Box, who was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Clarkey also mentioned a niece, Martha McCollum, who would be one of the daughters of Lydia and George McCollum.
Lydia Box McCollum and her husband, George McCollum, sued her brother, Grief Johnson Box, over the mishandling of their father, Michael Box's, estate. Below are the first two pages of the 1847 Mississippi Supreme Court Case, McCullom vs Box. The complete case can be found online at Google Books.
Lydia and her husband, George, cannot be found in records after 1847. Any additional information on this family would be appreciated.

This entire book can be found on google books.

http://books.google.com/

http://books.google.com/books?id=4eYDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#PPA619,M1

Happy 1st Blogoversary

2009-05-02T22:46:00.019-06:00

clmroots has just celebrated it's first Blogoversary!

Here are a few milestones and Top Three picks:

We have posted 82 blog posts during our first year. There have been 1,503 visits to our blog. Of those, 813 visits were through search via 683 keywords. More visits came from Texas than any other state, but considering that most of our ancestors came from Texas, that was to be expected. Most of the visits came from the United States but we received visits from all over the world, including places like Sri Lanka, China, Turkey, Belgium, Denmark.

The first set of Top Three picks come from Google Analytics info:

Top three most visited blog posts: 1. Jonathan Lindley - Alamo, 2. Wilson Family Birth Record, 3. Thomas Box - Early Mormon Convert from Texas.

Top three most used "key words" to find our blog: 1. David Miller Leffel, 2. Samuel Washington Lindley, 3. Emma Josephine Box.

Top three states to visit our blog: 1. Texas (212), 2. California (72), 3. New York (39)

Top three countries to visit our blog (outside of US & Canada): 1. United Kingdom (19), 2. Spain (4), 3. Australia (3)

The next set of Top Three are personal picks:

Top three most interesting persons to research: 1.(tie) Thomas Box & Josephine Box Cunningham, 2. David Miller Leffel, 3. Bettie Medlin Stewart

Top three most tragic stories: 1. Mother & Daughter Die Same Day, 2. Box Family Massacre, 3. Kozette Perkette Stewart.

Top three most inspiring stories: 1. Uncle Gus Wilson, 2. Eleanor Wilson, 3. Col. Joseph Leffel

Top three favorite photos: 1. Fixin' dinner the Minnie Pearl style, 2. Jess on a horse, 3. Maymie's slide show.

Feel free to vote for your favorite post or person in comments.

The Will of Michael West

2009-04-30T16:31:00.012-06:00

Michael West was born on 30 May 1793 in Maryland or Kentucky. He married Susannah McKee on 16 Oct 1812 in Adams County, Ohio. Most of their children were born in Mason County, Kentucky. The family moved to Champaign County, Ohio about 1826. Then in 1838, the Michael West family moved to Vermilion County, Illinois. Michael's wife, Susannah, died before 1848, when the family moved again. Michael arrived in Texas (Peter's Colony) prior to July 1848 as a widower with two daughters (Elizabeth and Louisa) and one son (Michael). He obtained 640 acres in Grayson County, Texas. Michael's will was written on the 29 day of January 1858 and he died on 28 Jun 1858.

Michael West's will lists the following descendants:
Granddaughter, Susan R. Hanning, daughter of John & Rebeca J. Hanning
Heirs of daughter, Mary Ann West (deceased), wife of John W. West
John W. West
Susan E. Leffel, wife of David M. Leffel
Joseph J. West
James H. West
Elizabeth Boyles, wife of William Boyles
Rebeca Jane Haning, wife of John Haning
Louisa Thomas, wife of Jesse Thomas
A child bearing the name Sarah Jane West, daughter of my son (deceased) Michael P. West's wife ...not the offspring of my said son Michael ... not my grandchild.

Michael West's will can be found in the Grayson County, Texas Probate Minutes, Vol. E, page 9, August Term, 1858.

Below is the transcribed copy of the will:

Grayson County, Texas
Probate Minutes
Vol. E, page 9
August Term 1858
Last Will and Testament of Michael West

I Michael West being in my proper mind do make and establish this my last Will and Testament. First I give and bequeth to my Grand Daughter Susan R Hanning, Daughter of John Rebeca J. Hanning my young horse Job Fisher a Dark bay. Second, I bequeth the entire remainder and ballance of my Estate between the following persons to wit. The heirs (residing in Ohio) of Mary Ann West my daughter, the said Mary Ann being the wife of John W West The heirs are residing in the State of Ohio, John W West, Susan E Leffel wife of David M Leffel, Joseph J West, James H West, Elizabeth Boyles wife of William Boyles, Rebeca Jane Hanning wife of John Hanning, and Louisa Thomas wife of Jesse Thomas. The above named devisus being my children and grand children & heirs. The Grand children ment are the children of my said Daughter Mary Ann West deceased. I hereby appoint my son John W. West my Executor to carry out this my last will and testament and it is my desire and request that the Probate County nor any other Court whatever shall have any thing to do with my Estate except to record this my Will and to inventory my property and my said Executor is to have the entire control of the same and to superentend the division of said property according to the bequest above mentioned. It is my wish and desire that a child bearing the name Sarah Jane West Daughter of my son Michael P Wests wife shall have no part of my Estate whatever because I am satisfied and have sufficient evidence to satisfy me that said child is not the offspring of my said son Michael and that the same is not my grandchild and that that my son Michael is not its father. Given under my hand and scroll for Seal this 29th day of January AD 1858.
Michael "X" West
The indulianation and names on this page was made and done before signing
Attest H G Hendricks
James d Frazor

Mysterious Death of Michael Perry West

2009-04-30T15:01:00.016-06:00

Michael Perry West & Priscilla Stanley

Michael Perry West moved to Texas with his widowed father, Michael West, in 1848. He, along with his father, applied for and received land grants in Grayson County, Texas through the Peters Colony. He is mentioned in the book on the Peters Colony of Texas:

Connor, Seymour V., Peters Colony of Texas, A History and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers, Texas State Historical Association; Austin, Texas; 1959, page 426, Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, www.familysearch.org, 976.4 D3c FHL US/CAN Book."Michael P. West came to the colony as a single man before July 1, 1848. He reported to Ward in 1850 and received a certificate for 320 acres, which his heirs patented later in Grayson County (Fannin Third Class No. 1282). He is listed on the 1850 Census (Grayson County, family No. 12) as a 23-year-old farmer, born in Ohio."

Michael married Priscilla Stanley on 28 Feb 1850 in Grayson County, Texas. She was the daughter of Page and Elizabeth (Martin) Stanley. Page Stanley was a neighbor and friend to the senior Michael West. Page was a witness to Michael senior's land deed in 1850.

In the Grayson County, TX 1850 census, Michael P. and his wife, Priscilla Stanley West were living between their parents, the Page Stanley family and Michael West, Senior.

The Page Stanley family left Texas in Aug 1851 to meet with a Wagon Train on the Platte River bound for Oregon Territory, arriving in the Territory in 1852. Did Priscilla leave with her family or did she leave at a later time?
Sometime before Sep 1853, Michael Perry West died. He was only about 26 years old at the time of his death. Why would Michael die so young??
His probate started in the Grayson County Court in Sep 1853. According to his probate, Michael's wife & child had left for "California or Oregon" and could not be found. After probate, what was left of his estate (320 acres) after debts were paid, was less than $50 dollars. And that remainder went to the State of Texas, because his wife, Priscilla and their daughter, Sarah Jane, could not be found.
Priscilla was alive in 1878, because she is included in her father's, Page Stanley's will. (Early Oregon Wills Vol 1, Multnomah Co., Probate Book 2, 7 Aug 1878) But no residence is mentioned and she could not be found in census records. No records have been found of her daughter.

In January 1858, the Michael West (Senior) Last Will & Testament, states: "It is my wish and desire that a child bearing the name Sarah Jane West, Daughter of my son Michael P. West's wife shall have no part of my Estate whatever because I am satisfied and have sufficient evidence to satisfy me that said child is not the offspring of my said son Michael and that the same is not my grandchild and that my son Michael is not its father."

What caused Michael P. West's death?
Why did Michael's wife, Priscilla, leave Texas right after he died and not even try to claim any inheritance for her daughter? Perhaps she left before he died?
Why didn't Michael's family (father or siblings) claim his inheritance when his wife could not be found?

There are a lot of unanswered questions concerning the death of Michael P. West and the distribution of his estate.

Michael had a debt of $50.00 and was given only one day to come up with the money. He had to use 220 of 320 acres of his Texas Headright to cover the debt. Soon after this transaction, is his probate started. At no time are his father, brothers or sisters mentioned. His wife and daughter could not be located and the State of Texas ended up with what was left of his estate. The ones involved in the debt do end up with the 220 acres. Coleman Watson ended up with most of the estate. Coleman Watson was a Notary Public at the courthouse in Grayson County and most likely had an "in" with the judge and other county officials. Michael's land bordered the land that Watson owned. Did Watson manipulate the probate, so he could end up with Michael's land??

Was Michael's debt to Watson a gambling debt?
Was this a case of land grabbing?
Was he murdered??
Did the fact that his father did not believe Michael's daughter was "really" his biological daughter have something to do with Michael's death?

===
Abstracts of the Michael P. West Grayson County, Texas Probate Records,

Vol. A-B 1846-1854, pg 447; September Term 1853: Patrick T. Andrews was first administrator for the Estate of Michael P. West Decd.
February Term 1854, P. T. Andrews petitions to sell land in the estate.
Vol. D, 1854-1858, pg. 3; 100 acres is sold to Riley E. Butridge for $180.00.
Vol. D, pg 67; December Term 1854; Coleman Watson & Enoch Moss file debtor vouchers.
Vol. D, pg 201-204; February 1856; Final Settlement of Estate; After all the court fees and debts paid $49.42 are left to the heirs: widow and one child "who were living somewhere in California or Oregon."
Vol. D, pg 272; Court ordered the administrator of the estate to pay over to the Treasurer of the State $47.?7, since the heirs of the estate cannot be found.

Below are transcribed copies of Vol. D of Michael P. West's Probate in Grayson County. Transcribed by Mazie Coker in 1990.

WANTED -- Any information concerning Priscilla Stanley West. Did she marry again? What happened to their daughter, Sarah Jane West? Where did they live after leaving Texas?

John Stephen Martin Family Bible

2009-04-28T21:51:00.009-06:00

John Stephen Martin and his wife, Elizabeth D. Weiss Martin, lived in Bowling Township, Rock Island County, Illinois. The John Stephen Martin family bible has his name engraved on the front of the bible -- "J.S. MARTIN". The bible was published by the Holman Company in 1882.

Catharina Castner & Mathias Martin of Rock Island, Illinois

2009-04-13T17:01:00.023-06:00

Mathias and Catherine Castner Martin

German Immigrants

Maria Catharina Castner, called Catherine or Kate, was the daughter of Georg Castner & Susanna Dorothea Fickenscher. (Castner is sometimes spelled Kastner.) She was born 5 Jun 1822 in the small town of Rothenbach, Germany. The parish register states that she was born in house number 20 between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Witness to the birth was Maria Catharina Castner, wife of Johann Castner, who was most likely the godmother to little Catherine. Catherine's father, Georg Caster, died in February of 1847.

Sometime in her early twenties, Catherine met Mathias Martin. Mathias was from a town about 10 miles away from Rothenbach. He was a shoemaker from Thierstein. Mathias was born 30 Nov 1809 in Thierstein, Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany. He was twelve years older than Catherine. They apparently fell in love because Catherine had his child, a baby boy, born the 28th of November 1847. The baby was name Johann Stephan Martin. (No parish register in Rothenbach or Thierstein can be found of the baby's birth, so it is not known if Catherine was living someplace else during the birth.)

If Mathias was still an apprentice shoemaker, they could not have afforded to get married yet. German customs and laws of primogenitor (oldest heir inherits everything) often kept people from marrying until in their 30's. Being an apprentice often meant 10 years or so of learning one's trade for only room and board.

Mathias and Catherine must have felt that they would have more opportunities for their family's future in America. Mathias decided to emigrate to America first, then send for Catherine and the baby. American was a land of promise, of opportunity and of land ownership. A descendant of Johanna Martin Franing, said that his grandmother's family, the Henry Martin Family, had sent money to Mathias so he could come to America. Even though everything points to Henry Martin being an older brother to Mathias, the relationship between the Henry Martin and Mathias has not been proven with records.
The naturalization papers (in Jefferson County, Wisconsin) for Mathias state that he landed at the port of Milwaukee on October 1847. He has not been located on any ship lists. He lived in Jefferson County, Wisconsin next to the Adam Martin family. It is not known how Mathias might be related to Adam Martin.

According to the Rothenbach parish register Catherine emigrated to America on 22 March 1848. Catherine traveled with her young son, Johann Stephan. Her older sister, Barbara, also traveled with her. The parish register states that Barbara emigrated on 3 April 1848. It may have taken her sister a few more weeks to prepare her emigration papers. They boarded the ship 'Telegraph' at Bremen, Germany and landed in New York on 21 Jan 1848.
Below is a copy of the ship's list.
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957; Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany; Ship Name: Telegraph; Port of Arrival: New York, New York; Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls); Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36; National Archives, Washington, D.C. Microfilm roll: M237_73; Line: 18; List number: 590.

Cath. Kastner, age 25, female; Barb. Kastner , age 29, female; Joh Steph Kastner, age 2, male.

Both a Rock Island, Illinois county history and Catherine's obituary state that Mathias and Catherine married in 1849 -- on Christmas Day, although no marriage record has been found in Jefferson County. Catherine and Mathias can be found in the 1850 Census Farmington, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. They are living next to the Adam Martin family.

Catherine's sister, Barbara, cannot be found in the census. But Catherine's obituary states the following: "In 1848 she and her sister emigrated to this country and located in the town of Farmington, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. Her sister died soon after they arrived."

Catherine and Mathias lived in Jefferson County, Wisconsin until 1864, when they moved to Rock Island County, Illinois. They became the parents of eight children: John Stephan (1847-1919), Rosina (1850'1919), Lawrence (1854-1920), Henry (1855-1929), Susan Dorothy (1856-1916), Christina (1859-1901), Mary K. (1860-1925), and Ahart (1862-1910).

Both Catherine and Mathias belonged to the Lutheran Church in their native Germany, but joined with the Methodist Church in America. Catherine's obituary states that "she was converted to God under the labors of George Miller and ever since was a member of the Evangelical Association." The county history on Mathias states that he was Methodist. The following information was found online: The Evangelical Association of North America was founded by Jacob Albright. George Miller completed and published the Discipline in 1809. It was identical with major portions of the German edition of the Methodist Episcopal Church Discipline of 1808.
A cousin sent a photocopy of the picture below with the notation: Mathias Martin Homestead.
Mathias died 11 Sep 1890 in Bowling Township, Rock Island, Illinois. Catherine died 8 Mar 1907 same place. Both Mathias and Catherine were buried in the Preemption Cemetery, Mercer County, Illinois.

Below is the information from 2 different county histories and Catherine's obituary.
"History of Rock Island County", Chicago, 1914, Munsell Publishing Company, Volume II, pg 1273-1274; information on Mathias is given in the history of his son, John S. Martin.
Mathias Martin was born November 30, 1809, and was married in Germany to Katherine Castner, who was born June 5, 1828. In his native country Mathias Martin learned the trade of a shoemaker, and on first coming to the United States settled at Farmington, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he followed his trade and engaged in farming for twelve years. He had come to this country in 1847, and in the following years sent for his wife and baby, who joined him at Farmington.

"Martin, Mathias, Farmer; Sec. 23; P.O. Milan; Rep; Methodist; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $5000; born in Dhierstien, Germany, Nov. 30 1809; came to Jefferson Co., Wisconsin, in 1847; lived there seventeen years; came to this Co., May 15, 1864; wife was Mary Kestner, who was born in Redenboch, Jan. 5, 1822; married Dec. 25, 1849; eight children."
Past & Present of Rock Island County, Illinois"; H.F. Kett & Co., Chicago; 1877; pg. 435.

One of Catherine's obituaries reads: "Catherine Martin, nee Kostner, was born June 5, 1822, in Roetenbach, Bavaria, Germany. In 1848 she and her sister emigrated to this country and located in the town of Farmington, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. Her sister died soon after they arrived. The same year she was converted to God under the labors of George Miller and ever since was a member of the Evangelical association. In 1849, she was united in marriage with Matthias Martin and to this union were born four sons and four daughters. The husband died sixteen years ago and one daughter about five years ago. In 1864, she with her family, moved to Bowling, Rock Island county, Illinois. She leaves four sons, three daughters, twenty four grandchildren, three treat-grandchildren and many friends who mourn her departure, March 8, 1907 after an illness of about a week, she fell peacefully asleep, like one who weary with life's labors, sinks sweetly to rest, aged 84 years, 9 months, 8 days."
Reynolds Press, Rock Island County, Illinois, 22 Mar 1907.

The above photocopies of the pictures of Catherine & Mathias were sent by a wonderful cousin. All we have are photocopies to post on the blog. We would appreciate scans of the originals - if possible!

German Naming Patterns

2009-04-13T12:16:00.006-06:00

The names our German ancestors named their children confused me until I took a beginning class on German Research and learned how the children were named.

Reason for confusion -- a typical family might have 3 sons, all with the first name of Johann: Johann Georg, Johann Michael, and Johann Christoph. And their 3 daughters might have the same first name: Anna Dorothea, Anna Maria, and Anna Elizabetha.

When a child was baptized, two names were usually given. The first name was a spiritual or saint name. The second name was a secular or "call" name. This second "call" name was the name the child was called by or known by to family, friends and the rest of the world.

So in the example above, the three boys with the first name of Johann would be known, respectively, as Georg, Michael and Christoph. The three girls with the first name of Anna would be known, respectively, as Dorothea, Maria and Elizabetha.

Sometimes every child in the family would have a different first or "saint" name but it's not unusual as in the example above, for a family to have had a favorite saint and use that name for every child in the family.

Also, if a family had a child that died as an infant, they often named the next child of the same sex the very same name of the child who died. So if two Johann Michael's were in the same family, the first child by that name most likely died before the birth of the second by the same name.

Johann & Johannes -- If a son's first name was Johann followed by a a second name, then Johann was the saint name and the second name was the call name. Sometimes only the name Johannes is used without the use of a second name. Then the child is called Johannes.

Easter Picnic

2009-04-12T16:17:00.010-06:00

The only Easter pictures I could find were from an Easter Picnic in the Arizona desert in about 1934. Jess & Mabel Baldwin and their family had just moved to Arizona from Oklahoma. It was during the depression and Grandpa Jess Baldwin had moved to Arizona to work for his Uncle Charlie (Charles Vester Stewart). The picnic included the following known families: Jess Baldwin family, Charles Stewart family, Kirby Leffel family.

According to the info on the back of the pictures, the Easter Picnic took place off of Elliot Road in Mesa Arizona. It would be interesting to see a present day picture the same hill or rock formation.

I love this first picture with everyone trying to pile on top of the rock

Guys in above picture:

Front row: ? boy, Weldon Baldwin, Claude Kane, ?, Joe Bailey, Kirby Leffel, ?boy in pilot hat, Charlie Stewart, ?Jim Mitchell, Clyde Baldwin

Middle row: Charlie Baldwin, Jess Baldwin (hat & vest)

Top row: Joe Burton, Leland Stewart, Leon Stewart, Joe Finley

Lutheran Register Records of Arzberg, Germany

2009-04-12T15:01:00.012-06:00

Catherine Castner (Maria Catherina Castner) married Mathias Martin on Christmas Day 1849 in Jefferson County, Wisconsin (marriage date according to information Mathias gave to a county history). Mathias Martin had emigrated to the United States in October of 1847. According to the Arzberg Parish register, Catherina emigrated on 22 Mar 1848 to America (New York Passenger Lists show arrival as 21 Jun 1848.) She may have been waiting for their son to get a little older before making the voyage. Their, John Stephan (our direct ancestor), was born on 28 Nov 1847 in Germany. If you are thinking the dates don't add up, you are right. Our little John Stephan was born several years before his parents were married.

Below are copies of the parish registers of of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Arzberg, Wunsiedel, Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany. The Castner family lived in the small village of Rothenbach but attended church in Arzberg -- a mile or so away.

This first record is the Baptismal or christening record of our grandmother, Maria Catherina Castner. On top is the translation and on the bottom is the actual parish register. The parish priest made a notation in the first column on the left concerning Catherine's immigration on 22 Mar 1848.

This next record is the marriage record of Catherine Castner's parents: Johann Georg Castner and Susanna Dorothea Fickenscher.

Below is the baptismal record of Catherine's father, Johann George Castner. This record also shows the death date of 19 Feb 1847.

This last record is the parish register for Catherine's mother, Susanna Dorothea Fickenscher. You may notice that it is not transcribed. Feel free to transcribe it, but please send me the translation. Thanks.

Note: Castner is sometimes spelled with a "K" -- Kastner. Some of the parish records for the Castner family used the spelling "Kastner" instead of Castner.

Martin Parish Register Records from Thierstein, Wunsiedel, Germany

2009-04-11T14:05:00.017-06:00

In late 1980's, I received information from the Parish Priest of the Lutheran Church in Thierstein, Germany concerning our Martin ancestors who had lived there.

Below are copies of records from the Registers of Evangelical Lutheran Parish in Thierstein, Germany. (According to the Standard Finder we should use the following place name: Thierstein, Wunsiedel, Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany.)

There was a "great fire" in Thierstein in 1725 and the parish registers were destroyed. So, records are not available prior to 1725 (at least according to the parish priest).

The first record shown below is a chart showing our ancestors who lived in Thierstein. On the top of the chart is our earliest recorded ancestor, Johann Martin, down to our immigrant ancestor, Johann Mathias Martin. Mathias Martin was born in 1809 in Thierstein, Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1847.

Below the chart are the individual records or certificates showing births and marriages that occurred in Thierstein.

Key Words:

German > English
geboren > birth
kind von > child of
taufzeugnis > christening certificate
trauzeugnis > marriage certificate

beruf > occupation

gutsbesitzer > landowner

On the trail of my German immigrant ancestors

2009-04-07T11:48:00.016-06:00

Where in Germany was our immigrant Martin ancestor from??

The above question haunted me for years! Our first Martin emigrated to America in 1847, but no one in the family knew exactly where in Bavaria (Germany) our ancestral town was located.

I grew up knowing my Grandpa Martin was German (he was born in Illinois but his parents were German). He would make sauerkraut in a large crock. Eating the homemade sauerkraut was mandatory when we visited his house. He also liked strange looking sausages and smelly cheeses. And of course, he drank a lot of beer. But on the plus side, he was clean, neat, organized, inventive, precise and specific. I am not sure if these are German characteristics but they were certainly his.

When he was in his twenties, Elmer Martin left his family in Rock Island, Illinois and came west to the silver mines of southwestern Colorado. After a divorce from his first wife (no children), Elmer married my grandmother, Maymie Pearl Wilson.

Our family "out west" never had much contact with the Martin family back in Illinois. In 1971, several years after the death of my Grandpa Elmer Martin, I decided to visit Illinois and get to know my Martin relatives. My room-mate from Wisconsin was driving home for the summer, so I hitched a ride with her as far as Rock Island.

My Illinois Martin relatives were welcoming and very nice. I stayed with my great-uncle, Wilber Martin, and his wife, Celia. They were wonderful people -- I fell in love them and felt cheated that I had not had them in my life up until then. They lived on the farm that my 2nd great-grandfather, Mathias Martin, had purchased and farmed. I felt a lot of history just staying there on the farm.

One of my goals on my trip was to find out exactly where in Germany the Martin's were from. No one in Illinois seemed to have a great interest in family history at that time or know where the Martin's immigrated from. So, even though I did not find our immigrant information, I returned back home with a greater appreciation of my Martin family and will always be thankful for their hospitality to me.

During the following year, I made several trips to the Family History Library in SLC. There I found several books on the History of Rock Island. One of the books had the following information on our immigrant Matthias Martin.

Martin, Mathias, Farmer; Sec. 23; P.O. Milan; Rep; Methodist; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $5000; born in Dhierstien, Germany, Nov. 30 1809; came to Jefferson Co., Wisconsin, in 1847; lived there seventeen years; came to this Co., May 15, 1864; wife was Mary Kestner, who was born in Redenboch, Jan. 5, 1822; married Dec. 25, 1849; eight children.
"Past & Present of Rock Island County, Illinois"; H.F. Kett & Co., Chicago; 1877; pg. 435.

For years, whenever I had a chance, I would search through maps and gazetteers for Germany. But, I could never find the two towns mentioned in the article above. This was in the pre-internet and pre-google days, so all searching was done the old-fashioned way. From the naturalization papers and census records, I knew that both of these towns should be in Bavaria. But, narrowing the search down to Bavaria (Bayern) still did not help. Finally, one day while researching at the the local university, a young man who had lived in Germany helped me. He helped me realize that the names of the towns were written in English but were most likely pronounced in German by my ancestors. So using German pronounciation, we came up with the following:

Dhierstien >> Thierstein

Redenboch >> Rothenbach

Bingo! We found two towns in a German Gazetteer that matched and then found them on a map of Bavaria about 5 miles apart.

From the German Gazetteer, Ortschaften-Verzeichnis Freistaat Bayern, page 1175

Map of Thierstein & Rothenback in Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany

I could not find microfilmed parish records of the towns at the Family History Library in SLC. So, a wonderful German neighbor helped me write letters in German (I included international money coupons for good measure) to the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Priests in both towns and I then waited and waited -- hoping and praying that I had the right locations and right religion. There were only two main religions in Germany at that time - Lutheran and Catholic. The Martin's attended the Lutheran Church then Methodist Church here in America, so I was guessing that they belonged to the Lutheran Church in Germany.

A couple of months later I received records for our family from both Parish Priests. The Martin family records were in the Thierstein Evangelical Lutheran Parish and the Castner family records were in Arzberg Evangelical Lutheran Parish (Rothenback is just a few miles from Arzberg). I am very grateful to both parish priests for the time and effort given to locate my family records, make copies and send them to me.

Are you OK?

2009-03-26T14:54:00.013-06:00

How many times a day do you use the expression "OK" (okay)?

Have you ever wondered where the term came from?

During the elections of 1840, one of our ancestral relatives, Daniel Leffel, was responsible for making this a popular form of expression that has lasted down to our time.

Read the article below for the full story (text version printed below the scanned copy):

Below is the text version of the above article:Ohio Archaeological and Historical Publications, Vol XIII, Columbus, 1904, page 350-354by J. Warren Keifer.
O. K.

The above is the most used form of expression in the commercial world, and is used in the United States oftener, perhaps, in conversation, than any other purely arbitrary expression in the English language.
It has no classic origin or derivation; it has no linguistic, Greek or Latin, root: it cannot be claimed for it even the dignity of an American slang birth: nor is it an abbreviation of an established expression or form of words properly found in any language. Its universally accepted meaning is well understood, yet not until recently has any dictionary or lexicon given it a place, or undertaken to tell its significance. It is used to attest the accuracy, genuineness, or approval of whatever it is placed upon. It is not usually used in composition, or in connection with other words, or phrases. Its meaning is so ample and complete that it defies misunderstanding, and requires no qualifying words to explain or amplify it. It is used, literally, around the world. Not only the business men in banks, mercantile houses, private business offices, insurance companies, etc., in America, use O. K. to avouch the correctness of statements, accounts, bills of all kinds, etc., but the American and English legations, consuls, etc. in all countries where they are found, especially in all parts of the world in which ships enter and depart, use the same O. K. to express their approval of all official business documents or papers. In all the principal and subordinate departments of our government, O. K. is now in more or less common use by officials and clerks to attest their approval, satisfaction or the accuracy of whatever they favorably pass judgment upon. Its use extends to wherever the English language is used, but more particularly in connection with trade and commerce. It has no synonym; nor no substitute; it stands unique, and alone, for its use. Its meaning is —All Correct. Its origin came from the mis-spelling of the two words — all correct.
The origin of the expression — if it may be so called — was in the exciting Harrison political campaign of 1840.
According to the then custom of organizing and attending political meetings, Whig and Democratic, the people went in processions, sometimes for long distances, to the appointed places where they were to be harangued by the orators. Great rivalry existed between parties to hold the largest meeting at a given place, and to have the greater numbers in the processions, the most persons on the same wagon drawn by the most horses, and the most flags, and banners, on which were usually mottoes supposed to be the most expressive and catchy, especially in the matter of attracting the populace and expressing the sentiment of the people.
A notable Whig convention was held at Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, September 15th, 1840, which General William Henry Harrison, the candidate for President, addressed (it is said for two hours) and at which Hon. Moses B. Corwin (cousin of Thomas Corwin) of Urbana presided. In the grove of John A. Ward (father of the now famous sculptor, John Q. A. Ward of New York City) twelve tables were set, each 300 feet long, from which the people were fed barbecued oxen, sheep, etc., with cider (the popular beverage of that campaign) and all in abundance. Addresses were made during the day and evening by Ex-Governor Metcalf of Kentucky, (in a buckskin hunting shirt, it is said), Arthur Elliott, a Mr. Chambers, of Louisiana, and Richard Douglas, of Chillicothe.
An enthusiastic Whig farmer from Jackson Township, Champaign County, rigged up a wagon, drawn by many horses, with a platform thereon to accommodate his neighbor- farmers, to join a procession and to attend this convention. A banner was suspended over the platform on which was rudely printed the inscription: THE PEOPLE IS OLL KORRECT.
According to the recollections of some, who pretend to remember, the inscription was: THE FARMERS IS OLL KORRECT.
23 Vol. XIII.
The material part, however, is the last two words, and their mis-spelling.
Democratic newspapers seized on the bad spelling of this inscription and displayed it as an evidence of the ignorance of the Whigs and the supporters of General Harrison. Samuel Medary of Columbus, Ohio, famous then for his zeal in publishing campaign-democratic literature, and in assaults on the Whigs, made much use in his paper of this farmer's illiteracy. Democratic orators carried this banner-motto around on hand bills and exhibited it to their shouting hearers, much to the disgust and chagrin of the Whigs.
One Daniel Leffel, a typical early-time tavern-keeper, an unusually, even for that time, enthusiastic Whig and supporter of Harrison, the proprietor of the Sugar Grove tavern, located just west of Springfield, Ohio, on the National Road, thought it best to ward off the odium heaped on his party by the rustic farmers illiteracy by accepting the situation and making the most of it. So, before the campaign ended, he caused the letters 0. K. to be painted immediately over a front door of his Sugar Grove tavern, in large capital letters, and thence forth gave it out, that they meant that his tavern was "Oil Korrect."
This is, with little doubt, the first place these two letters — O. K. — were used with the artificial meaning they now so universally possess. From this use, with this meaning, at first little by little locally, matters were O. K.-ed, until now millions use the expression without doubt as to its meaning, or question as to the propriety of its use, or without inquiry or knowledge of its origin.
Dan Leffel built better than he knew — so the Jackson Township farmer. O. K. has conic to stay.
Whatever of local differences there may be as to the details of the farmer's banner-inscription, or as to the great Urbana- Harrison convention, there is a concurrence as to the mis-spelling of the words — all correct, and that they were, on the banner, spelled "Oil Korrect."
The Sugar Grove House (thus inscribed) was used as a wayside tavern — a stopping place for movers using the National Road as a throat to pass to the great west — some "cheer" was dispensed there to local and other patrons — stories of gambling, etc., etc., have been told as a part of the entertainment furnished — for about forty years, and only ceased when the mover and cattle-driver ceased to move, or drive, by ordinary road, as in the good old times. Dan Leffel is dead, and some question whether his life and character were such as to secure for him an 0. K. for the better world. However, this may be, his use of the letters 0. K. will go on so long as the English language is written.

SUGAR GROVE HOUSE.
The House (shown above) a few years ago, with the picturesque land around it, passed to the ownership of the Ohio State Masonic Home. The stately buildings of this Home, where practical, fraternal charity is now dispensed, over towered the old tavern.
It was spared until 1901, then torn down to further clear and beautify the Masonic Home grounds. The originally inscribed letters "0. K." remained above the door about sixty
years and until the brick upon which they were painted were removed and scattered by the destroyer.
Attempts have been made to otherwise account for the origin of O. K. as so generally used, on suppositions, and theories, and probabilities, but only the foregoing has any real foundation.
O. K. is found in the Century Dictionary where it is said: "The origin is obscure; usually said to have been originally used by Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the U. S., as an abbreviation of All Correct spelled (whether through ignorance or humorously) Oil Korrect: but this is doubtless an invention."
Another speculation there refers the use to "Old Keokuk," an Indian Chief, who is said to have signed treaties with the initials, "O. K."These suggestions as to a definition are all inventions, born of a desire to find a plausible origin for the much used expression.

Additional articles can be found online by googling "Daniel Leffel".

Mystery Photo Identified?

2009-03-25T22:41:00.010-06:00

About 10 years ago, I was given two photocopies of old photographs. (They were not high quality/resolution copies.) One was of our great-grandpa, William B. Wilson. The other was identified as the sister & brother-in-law of William Wilson. The photocopies came from the Alma Wilson Barnes family.

This first photo is of William B. Wilson. He married Mary Polly Huff 7 Dec 1858 in Collin County, Texas. She died about 1899 in Oklahoma. William died in 1920 in Oklahoma.

The second photocopy (below) given to me had the following notation:

"Coss & Bess -- Sister & Brother-in-law to William Wilson"

I have never been able to figure out just who Coss & Bess were.

I thought maybe "Coss & Bess" meant who the picture was to not who the picture was of.

The research into William Wilson's family showed he had two siblings -- both sisters. One was named Mary and she married Jacob Helms. Another older sister listed in the Collin County, Texas 1850 census, was only known as E. G. (or J.). It was not known what happened to her. William's wife, Mary Huff Wilson, had a brother by the name of Cosley. I thought perhaps this could be him -- but his wife's name was Tempie.

So the "Coss & Bess" written on the picture remained a mystery to me because it did not fit any of the family.

Last month, I found the following picture on http://www.findagrave.com/. As you can see, it is the same picture as the one above, only in a little better condition. It was attached to W. J. Roberts who was buried in the Hess Cemetery in Jackson County, Oklahoma.

William J. Roberts was born 12 Dec 1829 in Tennessee. He lived in Collin County, Texas from 1850 to the 1890's. William married Sarah E. J. Wilson on 22 Jun 1856 in Collin County, Texas. According to their family, Sarah Elizabeth Jane Wilson was the sister to our William Wilson and the daughter of James & Martha Wilson.

This helps to solve another genealogical mystery. Years ago, my uncle Wilber told a story about his grandpa (Charles B Wilson) visiting "Roberts" relatives in Portales, NM in the early 1900's. I could never figure out how the Roberts in his story were related to our Wilsons. He also talked about a gunfight that took place in Texas involving the Wilson and Roberts family. After the gunfight, the Roberts family moved away. The Roberts moved to Oklahoma and some of their children moved to Portales, NM and lived there in the 1910 census.

So the wife of William J. Roberts, Elizabeth Jane Roberts, appears to be the daughter listed in the 1850 Census for the James Wilson family. That would make her the sister to William Wilson. "Bess" is sometimes used as a nickname for Elizabeth.

Any additions or corrections to this information concerning the William & Elizabeth (Wilson) Roberts family would be appreciated.

Margaret Leffel Headstone - Bethel Cemetery

2009-03-25T20:49:00.015-06:00

Anna Margaretha Abendschon Leffel was born 10 Jan 1760 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Reinhold Abendschon & Anna Wilson. Margaret married John Leffel about 1778. John died in 1801 in Virginia. In 1817, Margaret moved to Clark County, Ohio with son, James Leffel, to be close to her other children who had moved into Ohio three or four years earlier. Margaret died 5 Jul 1829 and was buried in the Bethel Cemetery, Clark County, Ohio.

Here we are trying to decipher the small engraving on the bottom of the headstone.

We will take all the help we can get in deciphering the message on the headstone.

Give it a try.

Partial transcription:

Lifes labor (done) as (sinks) the (clay/day)

Light from its load the spirit flies:

While heaven and earth combine to say

____ blest the rightous when he dies

Stewarts of Putnam County, Tennessee

2009-03-25T18:03:00.008-06:00

Harrison Stewart & Henry Stewart families of Putnam County, Tennessee

Taken 1865-1871

We need help in identifying everyone in photo.

Porch Photo

boy?, Harrison Stewart, Elizabeth Brown Stewart, Sarah Brown Stewart, lady?, man?

People in yard - left to right
man?, boy?, Henry Riley Stewart, Elizabeth Brown Stewart (sitting), Sarah Stewart, lady?
Man in suit could be Jacob Stewart, brother to Henry

Henry Stewart returned home from the Civil War in April 1865. He married Elizabeth Brown in December 1865. She died in August 1871.

Rush Springs Cemetery - Roenna Box Headstone

2009-03-25T15:29:00.011-06:00

The Rush Springs Cemetery is in Rush Springs, Grady County, Oklahoma. Rush Springs is one of the oldest communities in Grady County. In 1901, 0ur Box and Leffel family moved from Texas to the Rush Springs area. They probably lived in-between Rush Springs and Rocky Ford, since they attended church in Rocky Ford.
Roenna Johnson Box died in 1904 and was buried in the Rush Springs Cemetery. Here are pictures of her headstone.

Josephine Box Cunningham

2009-03-17T17:23:00.026-06:00

Josephine

Josephine Box, daughter of Thomas and Clarkey (Carpenter) Box, was born on the 8th of June 1849 in Henderson County, Texas. She is said to have been very beautiful and had georgeous long auburn hair. It appears that she also had a determined and feisty personality. Josephine was the youngest child and only living daughter in the Box family. Her parents moved from Henderson County to Ellis County, Texas in the mid 1850's.

In 1856, when Josephine was about 7 years old, her parents came in contact with the Mormon Missionaries. They were converted the the Mormon religion and in April of 1856 were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ellis County, Texas. The Box family along with other Mormon converts in the area formed a small branch (congregation) of the Mormon Church in Ellis County, Texas.

Sometime in 1857, the Box family migrated to Utah to live in "Zion" with other Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). They lived in Salt Lake City once they arrived in Utah. Thomas Box became quite well known in Utah and became friends to the leaders of the LDS Church including Brigham Young. In 1858, Thomas Box married a plural wife, Malinda Marden Pratt. She was a widow of Parley P. Pratt.

In the 1860 Census for Salt Lake City, Thomas Box is listed in the 13th Ward and gives his occupation as a merchant. In addition to his wife Clarkey and their three children (Thomas, William Jeff., and Josephine), the Box household also includes Thomas's plural wife, Belinda (Marden Pratt) Box and her children from her marriage to Parley P. Pratt. Belinda has five children, including a teenage son. It could not have been an easy task to combine two families with pre-teen and teenage children. By the 1870 census, Belinda Pratt Box had taken her children and moved out of the Box Household. What caused this split is not known.

The Box household of 1870, includes Thomas, Clarkey, sons; Thomas & William, Josephine and two year old Emily Box. Emily is the illegitimate daughter of Josephine. It is not known who the father of Emma (Emily) might be.

1870 Federal Census, Salt Lake City, Utah

Josephine married Dennis Cunningham in 1871. Dennis was a Civil War veteran traveling through Salt Lake City on his way to California, when he met Josephine. They were married in 1871 in Pallisade, Nevada. In addition to Emma, Dennis and Josephine became the parents of Thomas J., born 1872 and Margaret born in 1875 (two other daughters would also be born to Dennis and Josephine after they moved from Utah.) In 1876, Four year old son, Thomas J. Cunningham, died of scarlet fever just a week earlier than young Emma, who also died of scarlet fever. Both, Emma and little Thomas, are buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery next to each other. (Young Eva Silvis Usher, a cousin from the Carpenter family is buried next to them.) Dennis is listed as the adoptive parent of Emma in the Salt Lake County, Utah Death Record book, while Dennnis and Josephine are listed as the parents of Thomas J.

Dennis Cunningham could not be found in any other early Utah records -- so, who was Dennis Cunningham and where was he from? My research hit a brick wall at this point. I was unable to find any further records in Utah for Dennis and Josephine after the death of their children. They seemed to disappear. They could not be found in census records, land records, newspaper records, Catholic Church records of Salt Lake City, etc.

Then several months ago, one of the Dennis and Josephine Cunningham descendants contacted me and sent the following family story.

So here is the rest of the story about Josephine Box Cunningham according to Cunningham family tradition:

"Josephine was supposed to marry Brigham Young, although she did not want to marry that "old man." She supposedly informed her parents, after much dispute, that she was going to marry the next man that rode into town (Salt Lake City).

Along came Dennis Cunningham on his way to California from Dubuque, Iowa in 1871. Dennis had served in the Union Army, 2nd Kansas Volunteer Calvary from 1861-65 mustering in & out of Leavenworth Kansas. Josephine ran out into the street to greet him as he rode into town. She had auburn hair and my grandmother said her father said she was beautiful. Despite the fact that he was a confirmed 31 year old, Irish Catholic bachelor, they were married in Salt Lake much to the dismay of Brigham Young and Josephine's parents.

My grandmother, Margaret (Dunn) was born in Brigham City, Utah in 1875. She was a year old when little Thomas and Emma died.

In about 1876, the family moved to Fruitland, New Mexico. They lived on a farm, according my grandmother, as one day Billy the Kid rode onto their property and Dennis went out to greet him after he had hid his family. Their second daughter, Katheryn (Shultz) was born in 1883 and then their third and final daughter Josephine (Lacy) was born in 1884.

Josephine Box Cunningham died in 1884 or 1885 due to a ruptured appendix. (She may be buried in the Fruitland Cemetery).

Dennis took the girls back to Dubuque Iowa as my grandmother stated that he did not get along with the Mormon side of the family as they were never able to convert him. My grandmother stated that there had been a lot of turmoil with his in-laws. We were led to believe that they were ran out of Utah by Brigham Young.

Dennis left daughters at a Catholic convent in Dubuque, Iowa. Josephine lived with Catharine Cota (Dennis' sister or niece). Margaret & Katheryn stayed at the convent until Margaret married John J. Dunn of Dubuque and Katheryn was able to be on her own and then she married Theodore Shultz.

Dennis left his Civil War metals with my grandmother at the convent to remember him by. His service metal was given to me by my uncle and has spurred on my interest finding out their story.

Dennis lived in a boarding house in 1885 in Iowa City and worked as a plasterer. He finally went out to California in 1892, but returned to Doon, Iowa by 1915 and lived out his life with his daughter, Katheryn and died in Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota in 1923. I do not believe that he ever remarried.

Josephine Cunningham became an RN, married a dentist, Robert Lacy and then divorced him when her daughter was a year old. She never remarried and lived her after-marriage life in San Francisco. She definitely inherited her mother's determination.

My father told us that all of Thomas and Clarkey's family money was given to the Mormon Church to purchase the organ in the SLC cathedral.

I grew up in Southern and Northern California and many summer vacations were spent driving to Helena, Montana via Salt Lake City and hearing the stories about Dennis & Josephine and their flight from their Mormon family."

Note: Census records, military records, death records and an occasional newspaper records support the above Cunningham Family Tradition. For more specific source information, please leave a query in the comments and I will post what source information I have researched thus far. This family (along with sources) can be found on my Ancestry.com familytree.

Josephine and her husband, Dennis Cunningham, moved to San Juan County, New Mexico in the early 1880's. They lived in La Plata, which is just a few miles from Farmington and Fruitland. The Dennis and Josephine Cunningham family was enumerated in the 1885 New Mexico Territorial Census in La Plata, Rio Arriba County (San Juan County formed in 1887). The following children were listed in the family: Maggie, a daughter aged 10 born in Utah; Willie, a son aged 7 born in Utah; Katie, a daughter aged 3 born in New Mexico; and, Josephine, a daughter aged 6 months born November in New Mexico.

Josephine Box Cunningham, died of a ruptured appendix on 9 Jun 1888. After Josephine's death, her husband, Dennis, took their daughters back to Dubuque, Iowa and placed them in the care of a Catholic Convent. Little Willie must have died prior to that time because no mention is made of him after the 1885 census. San Juan County, New Mexico in the 1888 would have been a very isolated and rough place to live and raise three young daughters. There are numerous stories of quite a few outlaws in the area during that time. It is no wonder Dennis took his daughters back to Iowa to live in a more civilized environment.

After taking his daughters and leaving them at a Catholic Convent in Iowa, Dennis Cunningham returned to live in San Juan County, New Mexico. He can be found living in La Plata, San Juan County, New Mexico in the 1890 Veteran's Schedule. He homesteaded land in La Plata and became active in trying to bring irrigation to the area. Next to the La Plata Cemetery is a ditch called the Cunningham Ditch.

I have wondered if Dennis returned to New Mexico to be near the place where he buried his beloved Josephine? Although, no grave marker has been found for Josephine in the La Plata Cemetery or surrounding San Juan County cemeteries -- at least in online or printed cemetery listings.

Dennis was probably born in Iowa, but both of his parents were born in Ireland. In most records, his birth place is given as Iowa but one listed Ireland and one referred to him being born on the ship coming to America. Dennis can be found in the 1850 Census and 1860 Census in Dubuque, Iowa in the household of John and Margaret Cunningham. Family tradition says that his father's name was McCarty and he died on the voyage from Ireland. His mother, who was expecting Dennis at the time, remarried John Cunningham aboard the ship. More research needs to be done concerning his family.

As a Civil War veteran, Dennis received a Civil War Pension from the Federal Government.

By 1915, Dennis had moved back to Iowa and in 1920 was living with his daughter, Katheryn (Theodore) Schultz, in Minnesota. Dennis Cunningham died in 1923 in Duluth, Minnesota.

Please refer to the blog post on Josephine's parents, Thomas and Clarkey Box, for more information about the Box Family.

Additional information on the BOX or CUNNINGHAM families would be greatly appreciated. I would love to hear from descendants of these families. Thanks.

A Wee Bit of Irish

2009-03-17T10:13:00.020-06:00

Those of us who descend from the Baldwin family have a wee bit of Irish in us. Our Lindley and Hadley families lived in Ireland in the late 1600's and early 1700's.

The Lindley and Hadley Families were our Quaker ancestors. Information about them can be found in a book called, "Immigration of the Irish Quakers Into Pennsylvania, 1682-1750" by Albert Cook Myers, M.L., Swarthmore, 1902. (Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985.)

Below is the information on our ancestor Simon Hadley from page 340.

And here is the page of information on James Lindley, page 336.

Below is a part of a letter written by one of our early relatives, Robert Parke, to his sister back in Ireland. (We are related to the Parke family through the above Eleanor Parke Lindley, wife of James Lindley.)

Chester Township

10th Month 1725

Dear Sister Mary Valentine,

...There is not one of the family but what likes the country very well and wod If we were in Ireland again come here Directly it being the best country for working folk & tradesmen of any in the world, but for Drunkards and Idlers, they cannot live well any where, it is likewise an Extradin healthy country...

Unkle James Lindly & family is well & Thrives exceedingly, he has 11 children & Reaped last harvest about 800 bushels of wheat, he is a thriving man anywhere he lives, he has a thousand acres of Land, A fine Estate.

To see where these families fit into the familytrees, go to the Ancestry of Jess William Baldwin database on RootsWeb. The link is at the top of the blog on the right hand side. Click on the red Ancestry of Jess William Baldwin.

Pig Playmates

2009-02-04T09:19:00.009-07:00

Leroy is on the right, pointing his toy gun at Wilber. (circa 1933)

Verna is trying to get her doll to ride the pig. (circa 1937)

B.F. Baldwin Bible

2009-01-31T23:13:00.013-07:00

Benjamin Franklin Baldwin was an older brother to our ancestor, Francis Marion Baldwin. He was born in Illinois a couple years before the family moved to Texas in 1838. He lived in Limestone & Walker Counties in Texas. He married Maggie Mosely Guerrant on 18 Feb 1859. They had one son, Benjamin Franklin Baldwin, Jr.
B.F. Baldwin was sheriff of Walker county Texas the year before he died (1868-1869).

Below are copies of the B.F. Baldwin Bible pages I received in 1986 from a B.F. Baldwin descendant.

Hats Off to the Cowboy

2009-01-29T23:24:00.007-07:00

Since most of the family were cowboys, I would like to share with you a poem about cowboys written by Red Steagall in 1989.

Hats Off to the Cowboy

The city folks think that it's over.

The cowboy has outlived his time--

An old worn-out relic, a thing of the past,

But the truth is, he's still in his prime.

The cowboy's the image of freedom,

The hard-ridin' boss of the range.

His trade is a fair one, he fights for what's right,

And his ethics aren't subject to change.

He still tips his hat to the ladies,

Let's you water first at the pond.

He believes a day's pay is worth a day's work,

And his handshake and word are his bond.

Ride for the Brand, The poetry and songs of Red Steagall, by Red Steagall 'Cowboy Poet of the State of Texas', Bunkhouse Press, 1993. If you ever get a chance, attend a performance by Red Steagall, you will enjoy it.

Cattle Drives and a Hymn Book

2009-01-29T21:12:00.015-07:00

Charles B. Wilson started working on cattle drives with his older brother, Bill Wilson, when Charles was still a young lad. Charles, or "B" as he was often called by others, would carry a small hymn book with him that had belonged to his mother.

Before Maymie died, she gave me her father's (Charles B. Wilson) hymn book. She said that her Dad Wilson carried the little hymn book with him when he was working as a cowboy or drover on the cattle drives. The little hymn book had belonged to his mother,
Mary "Polly" Huff Wilson.
The hymn book is 3" X 4-3/4" in size, so it was small enough to carry in a pocket. As you will see in the pictures below, the hymn book had been covered with red cloth that had some embroidery stitches on it (no particular pattern). The book is badly worn and soiled.
The title page is missing and most of the first page. I could make out the term"Gospel H***, No. 5, With Standard Sel***". After doing some research online, I found reference to "Gospel Hymns No. 5 With Standard Selections" by Sankey, McGranahan & Stebbin, John Church Co. 1887. (Copies can be readily found in online book stores.)

Front cover of Hymn Book

Inside Front Cover

Back cover of Hymn Book

The name "Mary" is written several times.

The only notation or writing in the book that seems original to the book is found on page 155. The name "Rosa" is written on the bottom of the page. Rose or Rosa was the daughter of Mary.

On the back pages of the book, written in Maymie's handwriting is the following:

"B carried this book in his pocket when on cattle drives in Texas"

and

"Dad Wilson's mother's book"

Terrible Tragedy

2009-01-24T00:36:00.011-07:00

Kozette Perkett Stewart

1916-1935

One of the saddest stories I have run across while doing family history is that of Kozette Stewart. Kozette Perkett Stewart was the wife of Charles Leon Stewart. Charles was a 1st cousin to our grandpa, Jess Baldwin. It was during the depression and Grandma & Grandpa had moved from Oklahoma to Arizona and were living close to their Stewart relatives.

This story is pieced together from stories I heard from relatives and from the death certificate and obituary.
It was the fall of 1935. Charles & Kozette were newlyweds and were expecting their first child. They lived just outside Gilbert, Arizona, not far from Charles' parents. Kozette was just 19 years old and was about seven months pregnant. The family remembers Kozette as being a very beautiful and sweet person.
Kozette was getting ready to cook dinner and needed to start a fire in the wood stove. She used kerosene to start the fire. The stove exploded and Kozette was badly burned. Kozette and her unborn baby died a week later in the SouthSide Hospital in Mesa, Arizona.
The Mesa Journal Tribune of Friday November 22, 1935.

My aunt remembers Grandma Baldwin going to the hospital in Mesa to see Kozette. The whole family was just devastated. They all loved Kozette.

Kozette was born 27 Aug 1916 in Paden, Oklahoma and was the daughter of Fred Perkett and Katie Roby.
The death certificate states that Kozette was buried in Mesa. If anyone has a picture of her headstone or can find and take a picture of her headstone, please contact me. Thanks.

Who is this??

2009-01-16T10:02:00.013-07:00

Who is this photo of??

Could it be our David??

This photo, or half a photo, was given to me some years ago. I was told it was one of the old relatives on the Leffel family

As you can see, the photo had been torn in half. We are looking at the top half. The backside of the photo has writing on it, but I am not exactly sure what the given name is.

The surname, which is partially torn away, appears to be "Leffel".

The given name is a puzzle. It could be an abbreviation for David or Daniel -- Davd for David or Danl for Daniel.

David and Daniel Leffel were brothers, sons of Anthony Leffel.

Our direct ancestor was David Leffel (1816-1862). He left Ohio and moved to Texas in the 1850's. David met a premature death at the age of 46, when he was killed during the Civil War by a confederate mob in Gainesville, TX.

Daniel Leffel (1828-1889) lived all his life in Ohio.

I am not sure how a photo of Daniel would end up being kept and treasured enough by our family in the west to survive all the turmoil and moves they incurred. It makes more sense that the family would keep a picture of David.

Any ideas??

Does anyone have a picture of David Miller Leffel or Daniel Leffel, so that we could compare this picture to?

Uncle Gus Obituaries

2009-01-01T13:34:00.010-07:00

Uncle Gus Wilson's Obituaries

(The above is a partial copy of the obituary found in the Dallas Morning News, below is a transcription of the complete obituary.)
Dallas Morning News, October 2, 1935, page 1
Log Cabin Farmer Who Gave Friends Fortune Dies at 91
Uncle Gus Wilson, Collin County Pioneer, Nearly Penniless at His Death Special to the News. McKinney, Texas, Oct. 1
A. M. (Uncle Gus) Wilson, 91, a farmer, who lived in a log cabin six miles northwest of McKinney but who gave away more than $750,000 to deserving Collin Countians, will be buried Wednesday in the little family cemetery plot which marks almost the last of his one-time vast land holdings.
Wilson, who had lived in the same house on the same tract of land since he moved to Collin County with his parents in 1849, died Monday night. His funeral--which he planned more than ten years ago, with his coffin and tombstone paid for--will be conducted by Elder R. C. Horn of the Christian Church, an octogenarian himself and a lifelong friend of the aged philanthropist.
The pioneer, who never married, made it a habit to buy automobiles and farms for anyone who caught his fancy with a kind or industrious act. Landholders returning from the field might find the deed or mortgage to their property hidden under the dinner plate; a newly-married couple might discover a fully-equipped new car in the garage of their new home.
To one boy, he gave $1,000 in stock because he did not look up from his cotton-hoeing job when Wilson passed.
His philanthropy was not confined to individuals. Time and again he would underwrite the salaries of teachers to keep schools from closing. He literally paid for many churches, irrespective of denomination.
Wilson, a native of Arkansas, (**note by clm-should be Tennessee) was taken to Collin County by his parents when he was 5. They built a log cabin which, with occasional remodeling and additions, served as his life-long home.
At times almost a recluse, in recent years the early settler had given Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Robinson his last farm on which his home is situated, on the provision that he might live with them for the rest of his life. He died virtually penniless, compared with his early wealth, which was made largely from real estate.
For years Wilson's only companion was his dog. When he animal died he erected a tombstone in its memory. Wilson, though he never dressed up, habitually retaining his man-of-the-soil clothing, was a world traveler and it was his boast he never missed a world's fair except the Chicago Century of Progress in 1933, when his enfeebled health forced him to remain at home.
========
Obituary from the The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, Thursday, October 3, 1935;
McKinney Buries Man Who Gave Away Fortune to Deserving Poor McKinney, Tex, Oct. 2.—AP—Simply, Collin County buried its 91-year-old farmer-philanthropist today. In the coffin and under the tombstone he selected and paid for ten years ago rested A. M. (Uncle Gus) Wilson, distributor of an $800,000 fortune among deserving farm folk. Elder R. C. Horn, himself an octogenarian and a Christian minister for 60 years, said last rites for his old friend.
The same simplicity of Wilson’s life marked the funeral service. He was buried in the family plot, just a few paces from the log cabin in which he lived 86 years. The burial ground and home were remnants of a huge fortune, dissipated by philanthropic deeds. Uncle Gus erected churches, regardless of denomination; built schools and homes for teachers; underwrote teachers’ salaries when doors of the schoolhouse were threatened with closing because of lack of funds; gave youth a financial boost when the cause seemed worthy.
Natives recalled his many deeds of kindness. They remembered the day he walked along a lane, stopped to watch a farm boy hoeing cotton. The boy did not look up at Uncle Gus. He hoed down the row. Uncle Gus gave the lad $1000 in stocks because he worked—did not stop to talk. The wealthy landowner, who chose the dress of the farmer and lived the same life, held many mortgages, but it didn’t make much difference. A farm couple who toiled long each day to pay off a debt on their farm to Uncle Gus, lifted their supper plates one night and found the heavy balance marked “paid in full.”
He took a group of Boy Scouts on an extended trip across the continent; had new automobiles waiting in the garages of newly-married couples when they returned from honeymoons and gave rich farming land to men of the soil who struck him as being industrious and appreciative. Uncle Gus never missed a world’s fair until the Chicago century of progress. Ill health kept him away.
He was unmarried and lived alone with a faithful dog who died a few years ago. He buried the dog on his grounds and erected a handsome tombstone. He lies within a few paces of his dog.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T00:27:00.006-07:00

Merry Christmas

Joe and I are going Home

2008-12-23T00:26:00.011-07:00

Augustus M. Wilson, known as "Uncle Gus", is the 2nd cousin to our direct ancestor, William B. Wilson. Gus was the son of Addison Wilson and Ann Moore. Addison is a 1st cousin to our James Wilson.
True West Magazine, A Joe Small Publication, June 1975, Volume 22, No. 5, page 20; (Partially transcribed, the rest of the article can be found in the June 1975 True West Magazine.)

"JOE AND I ARE GOING HOME" by Dana Cox Funk

"Joe and I are Going Home" -- these words are carved in a small private cemetery near McKinney, Texas. On top of the marker is the carved image of A.M. Wilson's faithful dog, Joe. The stone was ordered and paid for by the man who rests beneath it, one of the most colorful figures in Texas history. Within A. M. Wilson's lifetime he gave away more than one million dollars in money, stocks, bonds, blackland farms and other items of considerable value. The give-away was different from most, in that "uncle Gus," as he was known, denied himself every luxury in life. His home was a log cabin that had been built in 1850. The original homestead dated back to 1849; three small rooms were added to the crude structure in later years.
Born in Tennessee in 1845 to Addison and Ann Moore Wilson, Gus came to Texas with his family in 1849... The Wilson family was very poor and the move West was made with hopes of a better life. Gus was four years old when the trip began. He, along with his older brothers and sisters, walked most of the way to Texas.As a young man, Gus saved his money from the sale of his crops. When a piece of land was for sale Gus would buy it. Mrs. Ritter stated that he paid fifty cents an acre for many of his farms. As he grew older, and stocks and bonds became available, Uncle Gus began to invest. Just who explained to him about stocks and bonds is not known. One of his better investments was railroad stock that paid him $1,000 a month for thirty years... Uncle Gus took part of this money and bought more land; at one time he was the largest land owner in Collin County.
Uncle Gus and his gifts are legendary. New cars became a favorite item for him to bestow. In his lifetime he gave away more than twenty-five. Uncle Gus did not own a car until late in life, and then he didn't keep it. He gave it to a man whom he met in the road one day. Gus asked the man how he would like a car like the one that he (Gus) was driving. The man replied he would like it just fine except that he couldn't afford anything except a wagon and horses. Gus pitched him the keys and told him that the car was his, then walked the rest of the way home. Gus preferred to walk to town anyway.
Mrs. Ritter related the story of how Uncle Gus once decided to make the trip to Dallas to buy five new automobiles for people that he thought were deserving. Dressed in his usual careless manner, Gus was taken for a bum. Gus did not bathe daily, nor were his clothes always clean. His appearance was a shock to the car dealer. Gus proceeded to select the five cars that he wanted delivered. The dealer refused to confirm the sale until a phone call to the bank in McKinney revealed that A. M. Wilson had enough money to buy the cars and enough to buy the dealership if he chose.
Another favorite item Uncle Gus liked to give away was expensive blackland farms. A few months before his death at the age of ninety, Gus held the mortgages on three farms. He told his nephew Ad Wilson, who ran the abstract office in McKinney, to make out a deed to each of the farms to three area farmers. "These boys are hard workers, but they're having hard luck. Just make out a deed to each one of them and give it to them," Uncle Gus is quoted as saying.
Mrs. Mattie Wilson Neal, whose late husband was President of the Collin County National Bank, recalled that her Great-uncle Gus once gave a boy $1,000 because of the impression the youth made. Gus was walking into town and passed three boys working in a cotton field. Two of the boys stopped working to watch as the old man with dirty clothes, unkempt hair and long shaggy beard, passed. The third boy did not look but kept working. The next day Uncle Gus gave the third boy ten shares of stock in a power company, each share worth $100.
Uncle Gus gave 150 acres to the Ash Grove school which was near his home and donated $2,000 for a teacher’s salary fund. (He would gladly give but he refused to be solicited by anyone. Once he was solicited by a local church for a large donation. The solicitor told Gus that it was for God. Uncle Gus replied, "In that case I will deliver it in person.")
On a single day Roy Roberts drove Gus around and watched as the kindly old man gave away $28,000 in cancelled notes. Once a lady in California sent Gus a crate of oranges. Gus sent her shares of stock worth $10,000. The largest give away – deeds to four different farms with a total value of $240,000. The deeds were given to four men who Uncle Gus thought were deserving.
One time, while Uncle Gus was in town, a niece decided to give his clothes a good washing. Upon returning home Gus was so moved by the thoughtful act that he gave her $1,000. So it went.
Gus never married. He confessed to Mrs. Ritter that, "I was always out in the woods hunting rabbits. When I quit hunting I was too old to marry." Whether it was hunting rabbits or acquiring land, Uncle Gus did not have an idle moment.
Perhaps the closest he came to getting married was in 1923. That year the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sent a feature writer to see Uncle Gus. As a result of a double page layout entitled "The Fun of Giving Away a Fortune" was written. The wire services picked up the story and soon Uncle Gus received a mountain of mail.
One day a taxicab pulled up in front of his simple log cabin. Out stepped a well-dressed young woman. She was met in the front yard by the 78-year-old man.
"You’re Uncle Gus, aren’t you? I read about you, and I’ve come to marry you," the young lady stated. Startled, Gus asked the cab driver how much she had paid him to bring her from the McKinney station.
"Five dollars, " was the reply.
Gus handed him twenty and told him to drive her as far as it would take her.
Uncle Gus did not make many long trips but when he did they were memorable. ON a train trip to Utah, Gus could not find his shoes. After searching for some time he was told by a porter on the train that he had taken the shoes and cleaned the axle grease and mud off and then polished them. Gus had seen the cleaned shoes but thought they belonged to someone else!
Gus decided to take a trip to Galveston. He didn’t want to go alone and to preclude showing favoritism, he invited his whole neighborhood. A chartered coach took the group on its way. Before reaching Galveston two men became a little tipsy from strong drink. Gus had the coach stopped and told the men to get off. He said that they could get back home the best way they could. Gus didn’t believe in drinking and smoking.

Our Family's Own Official Santa Claus -- Uncle Gus Wilson

2008-12-22T22:40:00.015-07:00

We have an offical Santa in the family. Augustus M. Wilson, known as "Uncle Gus", is the 2nd cousin to our direct ancestor, William B. Wilson. This is a 1922 newspaper article about "Uncle Gus" Wilson. Gus even has a long white beard like Santa.

The McKinney Examiner. Dec. 28, 1922, Vol. 37, No. 7. (McKinney, Collin County, Texas)

Tom Shewmake Given A Farm.

"Talk about luck — but Tom Shewmake who runs a little store about a mile northwest of the city on the pike is one of the luckiest of men. On Christmas day, Tom and his good wife were given a fine rich, black land farm of 56 acres which is located in the Roland community, 7 miles northwest of the city. UNCLE GUS WILSON was the Santa Clause in this case.

This giving away of farms is a habit with “Uncle Gus,” and one out of which he is getting oodles of happiness. For several years past he has been quietly, but judiciously giving away much property such as land, securities, cash, autos, etc. Many worthy persons have been “remembered” by “Uncle Gus”.

He is a pioneer settler of the Roland community. He became possessed of much land in his younger days. Having never married, he has no family to whom to leave his wealth. Like Andrew Carnegie, Uncle Gus believes it a sin to die rich, at least he acts that way, and to us it seems he is using mighty good judgment in his gifts. Those to whom he has given presents...are always worthy people. Some are tenants on his farms. Some had borrowed of him and shown their sincere honesty and manhood. Others he had quietly noticed were “doing their bit” uncomplainingly, and those are the people Uncle Gus likes.

In the case of Tom Shewmake, the writer has known Tom since he was a bare-footed boy in this city. Tom’s people were poor, but hard workers and honest. His brother lived on the farm of the writer’s father for many years. We knew him as absolutely honest and loyal. Tom we have known as a friendly, hard worker. He and his good wife have not only reared their own children, but from time to time have cared for and given homes to 8 little orphan children. They are willing to divide their last crust with the homeless. Uncle Gus, we take off our hat to you. Tom, here’s hoping you don’t let your good fortune spoil your good heart."

Plymouth & the Pilgrims

2008-11-28T00:10:00.011-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Although no Mayflower ancestors have been found, we do have an ancestor who lived in early Plymouth -- James Cole. James Cole is on our Wilson Family line. It is through his descendant, Nathan Cole, that we can join the DAR.

According to historians, James Cole, came to America in about 1632 - twelve years after the Mayflower. In 1633, James Cole was admitted as a freeman in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The following is taken from the book 'The Descendants of James Cole of Plymouth 1633' by Ernest Byron Cole (1908, Grafton Press), page 21-22

"His name appears upon the tax list of Plymouth in 1634; Jan. 2, 1636, he had a grant of ten acres of land; Jan. 2, 1637, the court deeded him seven acres of land to belong to his dwelling house... His dwelling stood on the lot next below the Baptist Church. He was the first settler of and lived upon what is still known as "Cole's Hill," the first burial ground of the Pilgrims. This land probably included the ground upon which rests Plymouth Rock... He was surveyor of highways in the years, 1641, 42, 51, and 52; was constable in 1641 and 1644. In 1637 his name appears upon a list of volunteers against the Pequot Indians.

Soon after his arrival at Plymouth he opened the first inn or public house of Plymouth, and one of if not the first, public house in New England."

The children of James Cole were: James, Hugh, John & Mary.

Here are some Pilgrim websites:

http://www.plimoth.org/ and their kids page: http://www.plimoth.org/kids/

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mosmd/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/researchtools/researchstarters/plymouth/

http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/index.php

Springfield, Ohio

2008-11-24T10:51:00.009-07:00

In October, we had the opporunity to visit Ohio. In addition to visiting with a Leffel cousin who lives near Cleveland, we were able to travel down to Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. Clark County is where our great-grandfather, David Miller Leffel, grew up and most of our Leffel ancestors lived.
Below is a picture of an old post card showing what downtown Springfield would have looked like back in the day.

I spent an afternoon with our Leffel cousin doing research in the 'Heritage Center of Clark County' in Springfield. Below is a picture of the Heritage Center as it looks now. http://www.heritagecenter.us/index.cfm

We stayed in a hotel located on Leffel Lane.

Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Clark County, Ohio

2008-11-18T14:10:00.026-07:00

While in Clark County, Ohio, we were able to visit the Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Bethel township.

The Cemetery is located next to the Bethel Baptist Church.

We walked around the cemetery trying to find the graves of our Leffel and Miller ancestors who were buried there.
In the photo below, we are trying to read the headstones. Some of the headstones were tipped over, some broken and most were covered with moss.

History of Bethel Cemetery as found in "THE HISTORY of CLARK COUNTY, OHIO," Chicago, W. H. BEERS & CO. 1881, SPRINGFIELD, CLARK COUNTY, OHIO, BETHEL TOWNSHIP, page 717

The cemetery adjoining Bethel Church was set apart for private burial purposes in 1821. The first body laid there was that of Frederick Miller, in 1822. Since that time, it has been the burial-place of most of the inhabitants dying in the vicinity. In 1837, the ground was deeded to Trustees, to be kept forever as a place of sepulture. These grounds have been kept, and are now, in the best of order, except the south side, which has been seriously injured by grading down the pike, even to the extent of exposing some of the graves.

List of our direct ancestors buried in the Bethel Baptist Cemetery:

Frederick Miller

Mary E. Peery Miller

Anthony Leffel

Mary Miller Leffel

Anna M. Abendschon Leffel

Many of our ancestors' sibings and children are also buried in the cemetery.

William and Elizabeth (West) Boyles

2008-11-17T12:18:00.008-07:00

William Boyles married Elizabeth West, the sister to our direct ancestor, Susan Emeline West.

William Boyles was born about 1826 in Kentucky. William Boyles and his father, Joseph Boyles, came to Texas prior to 1848 and both received land as a part of Peter's Colony that settled North Central Texas. William died about 1863 in Collinsville, Grayson, Texas. It is believed that he died from a gunshot wound and exposure as he hid from the same group responsible for the Great Hangings at Gainesville, Texas in October 1862. William's brother-in-law, David Miller Leffel, was one of the victims of the Hanging. Diamond stated that Boyles was "later killed at Collinsville." His death was a result of his participation in the Peace Party and resulting arrests, trials & Hangings at Gainesville, Texas in 1862.

William married Elizabeth T. West daughter of Michael West and Susannah McKee West on 19 May 1849 in , Grayson, Texas. Elizabeth was born on 5 Dec 1831 in Champaign, Ohio. She died on 14 Mar 1898 in Erath, Texas. She was buried in Mar 1898 in Alexander Cemetery, Erath, Texas.
They had the following children:
1. Joseph McKee Boyles was born on 6 Dec 1852 in Sherman, Grayson, Texas. He died on 19 Mar 1933 in Portales, Curry, New Mexico. He was buried in Portales, Curry, New Mexico.Joseph married (1) Mary Rose Auvenshire "Polly" on 5 Jul 1877 in Jonesboro, Coryell, Texas. Mary was born on 1 Jan 1860 in , Carroll, Tennessee. She died on 3 Apr 1879 in Aurora, Wise, Texas. She was buried in Old Bethel Cemetery, Rhome, Wise, Texas.Joseph married (2) Sara Elizabeth Pennington in 1880 in . Sara was born on 14 Jun 1861.
2. Sarah L. Boyles was born about 1855 in , , Texas.? IGI possible spouse: Sarah L Boyles; Female; Birth: 1855 , Texas married spouse: Thomas Grimes; Marriage: 14 APR 1872 , Coryell, TX
3. Martha S. Boyles was born on 2 Jun 1857 in , Crawford, Arkansas.Your information on the Boyles is the same family as mine. My husbands Great Grandmother Martha Jane Boyles was born June,2 1857. She had 4 brothers, one who was Joseph McKee Boyles born 1853 according to our information. Elizabeth married a Issac Lee April 30, 1865 and Elizabeth died March 14, 1898 in Earth CoTexas. We have been told that Martha Jane is part Cherokee Indian. I have a picture of her and Andrew Jackson Roberts her husband, and she looks Indian. But, so far I haven't been where I can check out the Indian information. My husband's niece has a Dawls Book and she showed a Martha Jane Bowles. But, her Dad's last name was Boyles. But, I need to study the book better if I ever get back to Abilene Texas where she lives. My husband's Dad always said his Grandmother was a Cherokee Indian.
4. William Tomes Nelson Boyles was born in 8 Nov 1859 in , Cooke, Texas.William preferred to spell his name as Boils. There was much discussion over the fact that he felt Boils was the proper spelling.Marriage 1 Martha J. Pennington, 2 MAY 1881 in Coryell Co., TX

The Story of William Boyles by S. H. Harrison 1997 Fort Worth, TXWilliam Boyles was the son of Joseph Boyles, his mother is still unknown. Joseph Boyles came to Texas from Illinois, I found him in Green County in 1830 and 1840 census records. According to these records he had other sons and a daughter (or perhaps extended family living with them), however, we only know the names of William and Sarah. According to the 1850 census records, Joseph was born in Virginia, William was born in Kentucky and Sarah in Illinois. Joseph Boyles arrived in Texas a widower and obtained land from Peters Colony in Collin and Cooke Counties. William served in ranger companies during 1846 and 1848. He obtained a Headright in Grayson County as a single man and married Elizabeth West in Grayson County, 19 May 1849.When his father, Joseph, died 19 May 1853, William was appointed the executor of the estate. It is unclear on what date he and Elizabeth went to Arkansas, however there are probate records indicating that the court had not heard from William Boyles. The court cost by the October 1857 term, amounted to over $500.00 and the decision was made to sell the property in Cooke County to cover court costs. It was at this time that William, from Crawford County, Arkansas, sold all of his interest in his father’s estate to his sister Sarah Gibson. He apparently thought he had taken care of his obligations of Joseph’s estate, or thought they would take care of themselves. They could have been in Arkansas the entire four years, census records show the birth of a daughter in Arkansas. At any rate, they were back in Texas in time for the 1860 census. (His family is listed in both Cooke & Grayson Counties in the 1860 Census.)Sister, Sarah Boiles, age 19 was living with William Fitzhugh in Collin County in the 1850 census. I have wondered if there is a relationship with them since Fitzhugh’s wife, Mary, was also born in Illinois, however, nothing has been proven one way or the other. Sarah married Nelson Gibson from Pettis County, Missouri (Nelson’s name is recorded in deed records as her husband). In the 1860 census Sarah and Nelson Gibson are listed on the same census page as O.T. Mallow with other Mallows on the other census pages. For those who don’t recognize the name, Mother’s youngest sister, Dovie, married J.T. Mallow. I checked with their daughter, Jeanie, their Mallows were in Collin County at that time.Back to William Boyles. Family tradition stated that "he did not want to fight in the Civil War, hid out in the hills, contracted pneumonia and died." Let’s take a look at the time period. Both the Boyles and West families moved to Texas from Illinois in the middle 1840's. They had both been subjected to "Texas Justice." William had served with the home rangers protecting the frontier families from Indian attacks, so he was not afraid of fighting. By the time they arrived, slave owners from the south manned most of the political offices. In 1862, Texas became embroiled in the question of secession and called for a vote. The vote in Cooke and Grayson Counties was overwhelmingly against secession. However, as a state, the vote was for secession. A large number of men in the Red River border counties joined a secret society that was loyal to the government of their fathers (Old Constitution and the Union).This sets the stage for what later became known as "The Great Hangings of Gainesville." The West (Elizabeth West Boyles) sister, Susan and her husband David M. Leffel arrived in Texas in time to become embroiled in it too. September 1862 Union forces had advanced into the Oklahoma Territory and there was a good deal of unrest in the Red River area. The Confederate army in the area learned of the secret society and suspected treason. What ensued was mass hysteria and mass arrests. David Leffel was among them and William Boyles’ name came up during the so-called trial. David was one of the 42 men who were hanged in Gainesville the middle of October and William was one of the wanted. One report says that William was killed near Collinsville. The family tradition said pneumonia. Could they both have been right? It was October and he was hiding out in the Timbers. He could have suffered a gunshot wound and contracted pneumonia, too.Elizabeth Boyles moved her family to Coryell County and Susan Leffel continued to live in the area until problems erupted after the return of the confederate veterans at the end of the Civil War. A neighbor, Joel F. DeLemeron, tried to help Elizabeth and her children by giving her a horse and was charged with treason for aiding the victim’s families.