Rocky Ford Sunday School 1904

Rocky Ford Crossing Sunday School 1904

This photo was titled Rocky Ford Crossing Sunday School, Dec-11-04 and it was taken by Chas. Beindorf.  The photo was given to me years ago by Hollis Leffel.

Charles Leffel (our ancestor) is the 2nd on the far right side and his wife, Caldona, is 3rd from the right. Grandma Baldwin (Mabel Leffel) is the cute little girl in the 2nd row, right in the middle, standing to the left of the girl in the white dress and just behind all the boys sitting in the front row. She has a pouty little face, pigtails with bows and a dress made out of the same material as her mother, Caldona.

Great-grandpa Charles Leffel would often preach at the little church.

According to Hollis Leffel, others in the photo are:
"All the Bud Barkers, Maggards, Stevensons, Arty Price and many others including Mr. & Mrs. Isenberger and Grandma & Grandpa Leffel." 
"You [writing to Mabel Leffel Baldwin] were in the front standing row, next to you were Emily Maggard, Lucy Wilhoit on your left down in front sitting on the ground was, Kirby, Wade & Henry Stevenson, and three other boys that I could not identify.  Behind Lucy, was Aunt Alice next to her was Cabeen Stevenson.  Uncle Lane [Layne] was in the back row.  Aunt Ann holding Chester in her arms was standing in the left foreground.  Pearl Davis (McDonald) standing next to her.  Uncle Bob standing just behind holding Charlie's hand.  Grandpa was the only man there bareheaded."

Rush Springs is one of the oldest communities in Grady County, Oklahoma. In 1901, Our 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.

2020 UPDATE:

 To view a colorized version of this photo, click here

Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862

In October of 1862 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, 40 men suspected of Union sympathies were hanged by an extra-legal "Citizens Court," of which the majority were slaveholders. Two other men were shot trying to escape. North Texas (including Cooke and neighboring counties) was the center of opposition to secession from the Union. The opposition was fueled when the Confederate Conscription Act of April, 1862 was enacted with an exemption from the draft for the largest slaveholders. Those who were in opposition formed a Peace Party.

The Confederate Citizens Court consisted of a majority of slaveholders. Seven of the twelve jurors during Gainsville lynchings were slaveholders and they insisted on a simple majority rule in the decisions for execution. The slaveholder jurors alone could condemn a person to death! These men exerted power and influence far out of proportion to their numbers. The majority of slaves in Cooke County were owned by only 10% of the population. Two of the largest slaveholders in Cooke County were Colonel James Bourland and Colonel William C. Young.

Men were also killed in neighboring Grayson, Wise, and Denton counties. Most were accused of treason or insurrection, but very few had actually conspired against the Confederacy, and many were innocent of the charges for which they were tried.

David Miller Leffel, our ancestor, was one of the Union sympathizing citizens of North Texas who was charged with treason against the Confederacy by the "Citizens Court" in Gainesville, Cooke County in October 1862 and hanged in the Great Hanging at Gainesville.  David was married to Susan E. West.  They were the parents of eight children.

Leading up to this tragedy, David's brother-in-law, William Boyles, encouraged him to attend a meeting of the "Peace Party" at the home of Rama Dye. At the meeting, the rescue of prisoners held by the Citizens Court was discussed. Fifteen men who attended the meeting Dye's home that night were later executed, David being one of them.
At his trial by the confederate "Citizen's Court", David states, "I was sworn by Wm Boyles, who gave me the signs, grip and password. I was sworn to support the old Constitution and Union." David Leffel was connected with the Ramey Dye meeting for the rescue of the prisoners. He and 19 other men were found guilty on Saturday, October 18 and hanged the next day.
David's hanging took place on Sunday, October 19, 1862. It is not known what happened to his body.

In 1869, Susan West Leffel wrote a letter to the Governor of Texas telling of the events of the hanging and continued harassment from the confederate rebels.

Handbook of Texas Online has an article on the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862. Following is a link to the article: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/jig1.html

Go to the Gainesville, Texas 1862 blog for more information and photos about the Great Hanging at Gainesville.


** 2014 UPDATE**
Our ancestor David Miller Leffel now has a memorial.  In October 2014, the Great Hanging Monuments were dedicated at the Georgia Davis Bass Memorial Park in Gainesville.😉

Charles E. Leffel & Caldona Jane Box

Charles and Caldona Leffel

I love this picture of my great-grandparents, Charles and Caldona Box Leffel.  It is kept it next to my computer so I can view it often.  Charles has a kind face and a twinkle in his eye.  Both Charles and Caldona died way before I was born but I wished I had known them.

Grandma Mabel Leffel Baldwin called her father Charles Leffel, "Papa". She told me that "Her Papa" was the kindest, sweetest, most gentle man she had ever known. She felt that he would do anything to make her and the rest of his children happy. Grandma Mabel was the youngest of nine children born to Charles and Caldona Leffel.  The grandchildren remember the Leffel family as a "happy people".  They were nice, friendly, always laughing and joking.

But, Charles' life was not always easy or happy.  He experienced a lot of sorrow and grief in his younger life.  Charles was born in Ohio and moved with his family to the Texas frontier as a young boy of seven.  In 1862, when Charles was only eleven years old, his father was murdered by a Confederate mob in what is called the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas.  According to his mother, Susan Leffel, the confederate vigilantes kept attacking and harassing the Leffel family for many years after the Civil War.  In 1869, Charles' mother, Susan Leffel, wrote a letter to the Governor of Texas describing their sad experiences.  Despite the challenges and hardships of his younger life, Charles was always a gentle, kind man and a man of deep faith.

In May 1869, Charles married his first wife, a young widow named Sarah Ann Burkham Chapman.  Sarah died just a year later in 1870 after giving birth to their first child; a son, they named David after Charles' deceased father.  Charles was left a widower with a small son to raise alone for the next five years until he married again. 

Child of Charles and Sarah Ann Leffel:

(1) David Benjamin Leffel (1871-1954)  md (1) Hattie Mae Sheets, 1 child; (2) Ella McDonald, 2 children;

On 18 November 1875, Charles married Caldona Jane Box in Dallas, Texas. They had a large family of nine children - our Grandma Baldwin is the youngest.  

Children of Charles and Caldona Leffel:

(1) Rowena Evalyn "Eva" Leffel (1876-1928) md 1) Willis E Sheets, 9 children; 2) Frank W Dellbrugge, 4 children;  
(2) Mary Susan Leffel (1878-1964) md 1) John R Cotter, 8 children, 2) George G Morris, 3) George Johnson; 
(3)Anna Eufamie Leffel (1880-1965) md George R Willhoit, 8 children;
(4) Lillie Catherine Leffel (1881-1968) md Thomas W McDonald, 4 children; 
(5) Charles Wesley Leffel (1882-1934) md Minnie V McDonald, 6 children; 
(6) Layne Lemuel Leffel (1890-1957) md Mabel E Williams, 6 children; 
(7) Alice Oberia Leffel (1894-1922) md Fred Lossing, 5 children; 
(8) Kerby William Leffel (1897-1961) md Flora May Clark, 6 children; 
(9) Mabel Edna Leffel (1900-1995) md 1) Jess W Baldwin, 14 children, 2) Ernest Martin.

Charles and Caldona Leffel
Probably taken in the 1890's in Texas

The Charles and Caldona Leffel family lived in Texas until moving to Oklahoma in 1901. Grandma Mabel Baldwin, the youngest of the children, said she was born (1900) in True, Young County, Texas.  Prior to that, the family lived in Hood County, Texas. Once in Oklahoma, the Leffel family lived near Rush Springs, maybe closer to Rocky Ford Crossing.  The family is included in a photo of the Rocky Ford Crossing Sunday School of 1904.  To view photo, click here.

Charles was a deeply religious man and would often preach at their church meetings. He told his children to call him "Papa" because he felt the name "Father" was reserved for only one person -- Our "Father in Heaven".

Caldona, Susan, and Charles

I love the way Grandpa Charles is looking at his wife, Caldona, and daughter, Susan. You can tell he loves his family by the tender look on his face.

Caldona and Charles

Charles died on June 4, 1919 at the age of 68 years.  His death certificate states he died of "Neuresthema and Pyrea" caused by Influenza.  The funeral home record simply states Influenza as the cause of death.  Neurasthenia was an  overused and ill-defined term used by doctors in the 19th and early 20th centuries.  It is no longer recognized by the medical profession but may have referred to something like present day chronic fatigue syndrome.  Pyrea is commonly referred to as periodontitis.  Neither of these are known to cause death,  but the death certificate states that Influenza was the contributory cause.  So, Charles most likely died of the Spanish Flu with was claiming many lives in the area during 1918-1919.

Charles E Leffel - Death Certificate

Death caused by neuresthema and pyrea;

contributing cause was Influenza

Charles E Leffel 

Funeral Record

Death caused by Influenza

Caldona died almost 7 years later on February 12, 1926.  She was 66 years old at the time of her passing.  Her death certificate states she died of cancer of the pancreas with gall stones.  

Caldona Jane Leffel

Death Certificate

Both Charles and Caldona were buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  Many other family members were also buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Charles and Caldona Leffel Headstone
Rose Hill Cemetery, Chickasha, OK

Additional photos of Charles and/or Caldona Leffel:

Caldona Jane Box Leffel

Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo 

Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo Restoration 

Rocky Ford Sunday School 1904

Maymie & Elmer in Yuma

This photo of Maymie and Elmer walking in old downtown Yuma, Arizona, brings back many memories. I can remember walking down that very same street with Maymie. It had covered sidewalks up and down the street. Mostly I remember the Five & Dime store that can be seen behind them in the picture. Maymie & I often went downtown shopping. The five & dime store had tables full of all kinds of treasures for a 4 or 5 year old girl. I can remember that a pulley system (might have been in another store in old downtown) was used in order to pay for a purchase & receive change. A clerk would write up a ticket and put the ticket & money on a pulley and it was sent up to the second level and then a cashier would make the change and send it back down.  Since Maymie did not drive, Elmer would drive us.  While Maymie and I were shopping, Elmer would usually visit a bar down the street. One time he drank a little too much and forgot all about us and we were sitting out on the street after the stores closed. Wilber finally came and found us when Elmer showed up at home all by himself.

The photo below shows one of Elmer's favorite pastimes -- fishing.

I can remember going fishing with him.  Elmer even got me my own fishing pole. 

We would go fishing on Colorado River or on occasion to Old Mexico (San Felipe).

Revolutionary War Ancestors

This post is a tribute to my Revolutionary War Ancestors.

I have documented and proven lineage to Revolutionary War Patriot, Nathan Cole, but have many more direct line ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War or helped the cause of freedom and are considered patriots.

Direct Line Ancestors (many found in DAR or SAR):

Name of Patriot, Family line, Colony served from
Nathan Cole (Wilson line) DAR#A024205; Served from RI 1775/1776 abt 6 months, re-enlisted in Hancock, MA.

Robert Carothers (Wilson line) DAR#A019364;  Served in Mecklenburg County, NC Militia.
David Wilson (Wilson line) DAR Roster of Soldiers of NC in the Revolutionary War, P. 401-2
Jonas Goble (Wilson line) DAR#A045835; Continental Army, Waggoner from Morristown, NJ
Ezekiel Goble (Wilson line) DAR#A045827; Sergeant in Eastern Battalion, Dunmore's War, NJ Militia
Andrew Cox (Cock) (Wilson line) DAR#A026969; Soldier, Patriotic Service, Montgomery County, VA Militia
William Jay (Wilson line) DAR#A061803; 96 District, SC, Patriotic Service - furnished supplies
William Whitley (Baldwin line) Scout and soldier in the Virginia Troops
Isaac West (Baldwin line) South Carolina, Patriotic Service, Attacked by British at Kings Mountain
John Belk (Baldwin line) North Carolina, Civil Service
George Brown (Baldwin line) Virginia (Died in TN - headstone states he served in Revolutionary War)
Robert Box (Leffel Line) DAR#A012968; 96 District South Carolina, Patriotic Service - Furnished Supplies
Balzar Leffel (Leffel line) DAR#A069001; Oath of Allegiance, 1778 Berks Co. PA
John Leffel (Leffel line) DAR#A132153;  Patriotic Service, 1783 Berks Co., PA


Other direct line ancestors who may have fought (some research needs to be done on these men):

James Thompson (Wilson line) ??some say he fought at CowPens, SC or Guilford Courthouse, NC??

Randolph Whitley (Baldwin line)
Thomas Lindley (Baldwin line) served from North Carolina -- must prove correct service
Phillip Peery (Leffel line)
Benjamin Johnson (Leffel line) -- He received a military land grant

Note: The above are direct line ancestors -- many of their family members (brothers, uncles & cousins) also served by fighting in Revolutionary War or serving the cause of freedom in some other capacity.  See below.

Other family members (not direct line) who served in the Revolutionary War:

William Cole (brother to Nathan Cole) Private, 4th Regiment, NY line, Continental Army
Royal Cole (brother of Nathan Cole) Allowed pension. Enlisted July, 1776.  SAR
Samuel Abenschon (brother to Margaret Abendschon Leffel) Private, Berks Co. Militia, Capt San's Co, 5th-6th Battalions
Zaccheus Wilson (brother to David Wilson) Captain at Battle of King's Mountain, Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence at Convention 20 May 1775.
Robert Wilson (brother to David Wilson) and seven sons (7 of 11 sons) are known to have participated in the Revolutionary War.  See blog post about Robert's wife, Eleanor Wilson.
John Box (Leffel line) South Carolina Revolutionary War Rolls
Edward Box (Leffel line) Served under Capt Robert Manfield, Col Worton
Samuel Box (Leffel line) Capt Sanders, Col Moultrie, 1776, Taken Prisoner at fall of Charleston 1780

If any of you know of any other Patriots in our family line, please let me know, and I will add them to the list.  Click here to view my post about the Daughters of the American Revolution or you can visit the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) website to take advantage of their online research system or investigate how to submit forms for membership; go to: DAR Genealogical Research System or DAR Daughters of the American Revolution.

Title: Yankee doodle 1776 / A.M. Willard. Creator(s): Willard, Archibald M., 1836-1918, artist Related Names: Ryder, James F., 1826-1904 , publisher Date Created/Published: Cleveland, Ohio : Pub. by J.F. Ryder, c1876. Medium: 1 print : chromolithograph. Summary: Print shows three patriots, two playing drums and one playing a fife, leading troops into battle.

Daughters of the American Revolution

"God, Home and Country"

Motto of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

I have been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 1985. The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution can join the DAR. The Patriot Ancestor I joined under was from the Wilson family line -- Nathan Cole.  But, we have quite a few other ancestors who were Patriots during the American Revolution.

While in Washington DC, I have been able to visit the DAR Library many times for research - one of my favorite places to hang out while in DC. They have one of the best genealogical research libraries in the country. The library is in the DAR National Headquarters which is located between the White House and the Washington Monument and faces the Presidents Park, known as the Ellipse. The DAR Headquarters also has a Museum and "state period rooms."  The DAR library, Library of Congress,  and the National Archives are my favorite places to visit when I'm in DC.

The DAR Library has an online DAR Patriot INDEX on their website.   You can even do a virtual tour of their period rooms.:)

Gone to Texas

Gone to Texas, often abbreviated G.T.T. or GTT, was a phrase used by Americans immigrating to Texas in the mid-1800's. They moved to Texas for many reasons; often to escape debt, to start over again, begin for the first time, to get land or looking for adventure as well as for new fortunes. Obtaining "land" seems to be the driving force for most of our ancestors. "Gone to Texas" or "G.T.T." was often written on the doors of abandoned houses or posted as a sign on fences.

Many of our ancestors moved to Texas during this period of time. So just remember, that each of us who are descendants have a bit of Texas in our DNA.

Below is a list of some of our "Gone to Texas" (GTT) ancestors who moved to Texas during the 1800's:
* denotes a direct ancestor

+ denotes a "Republic of Texas" ancestor (in Texas 1836-1845)

GTT Baldwin Ancestors:
*+Samuel Washington Lindley & Elizabeth Whitley Family (son Jonathan died at the Alamo)
*+John Sadler & Bathsheba Lindley (John fought at the Battle of San Jacinto)
+Mills Whitley Family
+Sharp Whitley Family
*+Jane Baldwin Family (and husband William Baldwin)
+Benjamin Franklin Baldwin (with parents)
+Allen Baldwin (with parents)
*Henry Stewart & Betty Medlin Family

GTT Leffel Ancestors:
*Charles Edgar Leffel (with parents)
*David Miller Leffel & Susan Evaline West Family (David was killed at the Great Hanging at Gainesville 1862)
*Michael West Family
John W. West Family
Rebecca West & John Haning Family
Michael Perry West
*Grief Johnson Box & Roenna Johnson Box Family
*Caldonia Jane Box (with parents)
Thomas Box & Clarkey Carpenter Box Family
Mary Box & Hugh G. Henderson Family
Lydia Box McCollum Family

+James Francis Box Family
James Jackson Box Family
William Young Box Family

+Stephen F. Box Family
James Pruett Hellums Family
Mary Ann Hellums Jeffery Family
Anna Hellums Jeffery Family
William Harmon Johnson Family
John Alfonzo Johnson Family
Alfonzo Sterret Johnson Family

GTT Wilson Family:
*William B. Wilson (with parents)
*Mary Polly Huff (with parents)
*+James Wilson Family
*David Wilson Family
Pleasant Wilson Family
William Carothers Wilson Family
Elizabeth Wilson Carruth Family
David Carroll Wilson Family
Margaret Wilson Null Family
Leonidas Wilson Family
*Matthew B. Huff Family (some family members later changed their name to Hoff)
Joseph Day Family

Samuel Washington Lindley - Character Certificate

The Governor of Illinois, John Reynolds, wrote this Certificate of Character for Samuel Washington Lindley in 1833 when Lindley was moving to Texas. This document can be found in the Texas General Land Office at Austin, Texas.

Character Certificate for Samuel Lindley

Samuel Lindley and several family members moved from Illinois to the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas in November 1833. He moved his family to Texas after securing a Mexican Land Grant on the present boundary of Montgomery and Walker Counties. There he founded the town of Danville. Texas was still part of Mexico and Samuel needed a letter of recommendation from a reliable citizen of the US before he could be admitted to Texas.

Governor of Illinois wrote SWL a character certificate and it reads:

"State of Illinois, Fayette Co., Sept 27, 1833,

The Bearer hereof Mr. Samuel Lindley has resided in the Sate of Illinois about 20 years during which time I have known him and a number of his family and hereby take pleasure in certifying that hehas uniformly maintained a character for industry and sobriety and honesty, and that his deportment has been that of a Christian. John Reynolds, Governor of Illinois."

The recommendation was signed by Vehlein, a Mexican official who checked all papers of the people coming to Texas by way of Nacogdoches. It contained the notation "Located about one and a half miles south Cooshatee Trace a branch of the San Jacinto."

Samuel's son, Jonathan Lindley, also received a certificate of character, as did his son-in-law, John Sadler.  

Samuel Washington Lindley and His Four Marriages

Samuel Washington Lindley was married four times: 1) Mary Polly Hall, 2) Elizabeth Whitley, 3) Margaret E Collard, 4) Martha E Taylor.

Samuel was the father of  fourteen known children.  And grandfather of possibly around a 100 grandchildren.  It appears most of the children and grandchildren helped to settle the great state of Texas.  

1. First marriage:  Samuel Lindley first married Mary Polly Hall on 5 June 1809 in Christian County, Kentucky.  They had one daughter, Sarah Lindley, born 1810.  Wife, Mary died at childbirth or soon after.  Daughter, Sarah, married Thomas Steele.  They were the parents of nine children.

2. Second marriage:  Samuel then married Elizabeth Whitley soon after the death of his first wife in 1810.  Samuel and Elizabeth were the parents of twelve children.  Elizabeth Whitley Lindley died in 1838.  Our line descends from the oldest child, Basheba Lindley Sadler. 

Samuel and Elizabeth (Whitley) Lindley children: 

1) Basheba, 1811-1885, married John Sadler.  Nine children.

2) Mary "Polly", 1813-1893, married Hiram Little. Ten children.
3) Jonathan, 1814-1836. Jonathan was killed at the Alamo. No wife and no children.
4) Sarah, 1816-1874, married Lemuel Collard. Eleven children.
5) William Nathan, 1817-1870, married Mary Jane Hostetter. Ten children.
6) Martha "Patsy", 1821-1882. She first married John Crowson and then Anthony Gibson. Martha had several children died as infants and five children live to adulthood.
7) Samuel Washington, Jr, 1823-1849, married Margaret Fowler Park. One known son who died as an infant.
8) Rachel, 1827-1916, married Benjamin Franklin Kelton and then William O'Banion. Ten children.
9) John L,1829-1911, married Eliza Ann Martin.  Fourteen children.
10) James, 1831-1895, married Mary Irvine. Nine children.
11) Mahala, 1833-1860, married Elijah Collard Tolbert. Four children.
12) Elijah, 1835-1880, married Eliza Tolbert first and then Margaret McGill.  Five children.

3. Third marriage:  After wife Elizabeth's death in 1838, Samuel then married a third time to Margaret Elizabeth Collard on 4 Sep 1839 in Montgomery County, Texas.  They had one daughter, Amanda Marie Lindley (1840-1911).  Wife, Margaret died in 1840 after the birth of their daughter.

4. Fourth marriage:  Samuel married a fourth time to Martha Elm Taylor.  No children.

Family History Humor

A Family History Poem with a little humor.

Suzy Lee Fell in Love

Suzy Lee fell in love --She planned to marry Joe.
She was so happy about it all, --she told her pappy so.
Pappy told her, "Suzie Gal, --you'll have to find another.
I'd just as soon yo maw don't know, --but Joe is yo half-brother."
So Suzie forgot about her Joe --and planned to marry Will.
But after telling pappy this, --he said, "There's trouble still.
You can't marry Will, my gal --and please don't tell yo mother,
cause Will and Joe and several MO --I know is yo half-brother."
But mama said, "Honey chile, --do what makes you happy.
Marry Will or marry Joe, --You ain't no kin to pappy!"

DRT Library at the Alamo

If you are ever in San Antonio, make sure you visit the Alamo. While there also visit the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library. It is part of the Alamo complex. The Library has a folder of information on Jonathan Lindley. It has been 10 years since I was there to do research, so there may be a lot more information on Jonathan Lindley and the Lindley family.  It's a great place to research your Texas ancestors!

Jonathan Lindley - Alamo Defender

Battle of the Alamo

Jonathan Lindley
Alamo Defender

Jonathan Lindley was a younger brother of our direct ancestor, Basheba Lindley, wife of John Sadler.

Jonathan Lindley was born 12 Feb 1814 in Sangamon County, Illinois.  Jonathan was the third child and oldest son of Samuel Washington Lindley (1788-1859) and his second wife, Elizabeth Whitley (1795-1838).  According to descendants, Samuel's first wife Mary Polly Hall died after the birth to their first child Sarah in March 1810.  Several months later, Samuel married Elizabeth Whitley, with whom he had his remaining children except Amanda.  While still living in Illinois, ten children were born to Samuel and Elizabeth: Basheba (1811); Polly (1812); Jonathan (1814); Elizabeth (1815); William (1817); Martha (1821); Samuel W. Jr. (1823); Rachel (1827); John (1829); and James (1831).

Jonathan Lindley spent his youth living in Illinois.  He would have been closely associated with his Whitley grandparents, John Saunders Whitley and Bathsheba Bateman Whitley, who also lived in Illinois.  According to the Combined History of Shelby & Moultrie Counties, Illinois, written in 1881:

“...John Whitley and family, and his son-in-law, Samuel Lindley. They came in the fall of 1826, and settled at the head of Whitley creek timber, now Whitley's Point, on section 12, where J. M. Edmond's farm now lies… They, with their families and Samuel Lindley all settled in the same neighborhood with the old gentleman. Here they built their cabins, and broke the first ground in the county. A rude horse mill was constructed by the elder Whitley, which of course was the first mill of any kind built in the township. He as well as his boys were very fond of the sports of the day, such as wrestling, horse-racing, etc. They remained here only a year or two, when they scattered in various directions; some went to Texas, and others to Missouri.”

“Gone to Texas”

Jonathan, along with his family, moved from Illinois to Texas in fall of 1833.  They most likely traveled in covered wagons with extended family and friends; including married sister, Basheba, and her husband, John Sadler.  At that time Texas was still part of Mexico, and the Mexican government required a letter of recommendation from a reliable citizen before admitting families to Texas.  Jonathan's father, Samuel Washington Lindley, received a letter of recommendation signed by the Governor of Illinois on 27 Sep 1833.  So, the group would have started their trek westward to Texas sometime after Sep 1833.

Once in Texas, Jonathan also received a letter of recommendation on 31 October 1834, signed by Joseph Lindley and Nat Robbins. This recommendation was part of applying for a land grant.

Jonathan Lindley Letter of Recommendation - glo.texas.gov

On Nov 4, 1834, Jonathan Lindley started the process with the Mexican government to obtain a land grant.  As an unmarried man, on July 17, 1835 Jonathan was finally granted a one-fourth league of land (640 acres) as a headright in the William Pace Mexican League, originally titled May 3, 1835.

First page of the Jonathan Lindley Mexican land grant - glo.texas.gov

Some researchers believe Jonathan was a surveyor and spent most of his time surveying the land of other colonists, but I've never seen documented proof of this.

Battle of the Alamo

By the latter part of 1835, the Texians were engaging in battles and revolting against the Mexican government.  The colonists living in Texas were accustomed to the freedoms they had enjoyed previous to moving to Texas and were not happy with Mexico’s increasing dictatorial attempts.  Jonathan was part of this movement of revolt. 

Alamo Battle - Texas State Archives

Jonathan Lindley joined Capt. Carey’s Company in the regular Texas Army in the fall of 1835.   He participated in the Battle of Bexar on 14 Dec 1835 after which he, as many others, returned home for Christmas hoping that the Revolution was over.  According to a family story in the 1989 book by Ed Kelton "The Descendants of Robert and Catherine Kelton," Jonathan rode to his father's house just before returning to the army after his Christmas leave.  He took his 8 year old sister Rachel for a short horseback ride, kissed her goodbye, and then rode off to war.

Some believe that Jonathan joined Captain Albert Martin's band of men who were later known as "The Immortal Thirty-Two Men from Gonzales."  But, other researchers feel that Jonathan was already at the garrison on February 1st.   Whatever the case, we do know that Jonathan was at the Alamo later in the month.

Along with the other defenders of the Alamo, Jonathan Lindley was killed March 6, 1836 by the Mexican army.  Afterward, Santa Ana had the bodies of the dead stacked and burned.  Supposedly what ashes left were gathered and placed in a single coffin.

Remembering Those Who Died at the Alamo

Following the Independence of Texas, the grateful Republic of Texas posthumously awarded the heroes of the Alamo bounties of land. Under certificate #9132 dated May 14, 1839, Houston, Texas, Jonathan Lindley was awarded 1280 acres of land situated in Panola County, ten and one-half miles south, twenty degrees west from Carthage, Texas. It was patented March 9, 1860. The lawful heirs of Jonathan Lindley, namely his parents and his brothers and sisters, since he was not married, fell heir to the 1280-acre bounty plus his original Mexican Grant of 640 acres in the William Pace Survey in Polk County.

Below are the bounty land certificates, each stating that Jonathan Lindley was killed at the Alamo.

Jonathan Lindley Bounty Land 1280 acres - glo.texas.gov

Jonathan Lindley Bounty Land 640 acres - glo.texas.gov

Samuel Washington Lindley, was appointed administrator of the estate of his son, Jonathan Lindley; as such he administered and divided the estate. After the Battle of San Jacinto, the surviving Lindley family re-settled in Montgomery County, Texas.  In the Lindley Cemetery 5 miles north of Anderson in Grimes County, Texas there is a historical marker honoring Jonathan Lindley.

The March 24, 1836 Telegraph and Texas Register (newspaper) listed some of the men who died at the Alamo.  Jonathan Lindley is listed about 3/4 down in the middle column.

Telegraph and Texas Register (San Felipe de Austin, Tex., Vol. 1, No. 21, Ed. 1, Thursday, March 24, 1836, Newspaper; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth47891/ ),  The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu.

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

Some researchers report that Jonathan Lindley was married or engaged to be married at the time of his death to Sarah Drusilla Winters.  Since his land was left to his "heirs" - which was his father and siblings, it doubtful he was married.  A memorial marker for Sarah Winters Crouch states: "Sarah Winters Crouch ... lost her first sweetheart, Jonathan Lindley in the Battle of the Alamo." 

The following 1860 newspaper clipping was found on the Portal to Texas History:

Jonathan Lindley

Clipping, April 12, 1860; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth32806/ : accessed March 23, 2016), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Star of the Republic Museum, Washington, Texas.

More Research:
The above newspaper clipping, along with other articles can be found on the Portal of Texas History.  Just do a search on Jonathan Lindley.
Bounty and land records can be found on The Texas General Land Office website.  From the home page of the Texas GLO (glo.texas.gov), click on the History tab, then the Land Grant Search tab.  The Research Links tab also has many useful links.

For further info on the Battle of the Alamo or Jonathan Lindley try the following:
Handbook of Texas Online article on Jonathan Lindley.
Search the Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online

List of Alamo Defenders (Wikipedia)

Battle of the Alamo  (Wikipedia)

Related Posts on this Blog:

John Sadler 

Samuel W Lindley

Update for Jonathan Lindley

**This post was updated July 2016 to include the newly found character certificate, bounty land records, and to make a few other additions and minor corrections.:)

Susan Leffel Letter to Governor of Texas

Susan Leffel's Letter to 

Edmund Davis, Governor of Texas

Susan Leffel, widow of David Miller Leffel, wrote a very touching letter to Texas Governor Edmund Davis in 1869 informing him of the continued attacks and persecution upon her family as she pleaded for help for herself and other families of the victims of the Great Hangings at Gainesville, Texas 1862.

Please refer to the follow-up post about Susan's letter here.

Click on the page to enlarge.

Page 1



Page 2

Page 3

Page 4 - Letter cover

Texas Governor's Office Records, Archives Division, Texas State Library, Austin, Texas. 

Susan Leffel gives Pilot Point as her place of residence in a letter to the Governor of Texas written on 11 Jun 1869.  Susan is informing the Governor of the continued persecution by southern sympathizing vigilantes.

Transcription:

Pilot Point Denton Co. Tex, June the 11th 1869

{ To the Honorable Governor, Chief }

{ Executive of the State of Texas }

I wish to give you some statements of matters and facts of my condition and how I have bin treated: in the first place the vigilent committy hung my husband (at the time they hanged so many at Gainesville) on the account of his Union proclivities, and left me in a sad and mornful condition but still after I have had all that to endure and my family and many of our sympathizing friend (that the leader of their familys were taken off by those nocternal visitors and destroyed by the hanging:) are ever since the war as the carcas to the Eagel:) every now and then they will arest one or our party without a sine of a rit or any showing of any legal authority whatever: why sir some of their party came to my house & robed me soon after the war of my many jewelry and household plunder: (and nothing done with them & two of the party well known to us:) but thinking we would get protection after awhile; I still remained here and bore it, with many slanders and slams unjustly thrown uppon us by that party.

[Page Two]

Yet it seems that the lawiel [loyal] citizens will never scease to be maltreated and unsafe as they were during the war on the account of there lawielty [loyalty]; why sir it hasent bin two weeks since some of that dislawiel possie cameto my house, some 10 or 12, with foure sixshooters a piece and arested my son, without any legal athority, (with the plea that he had stolen a horse some 5 or 6 years ago)(of which charge is ever redy to prove his inocence) fired some 40 or 50 shots at him as he ran and arested him out in the field: a part of them came to the house: James Anderson of Sherman drew and cocked his sixshooter on a lady that I have a living with me, I was lying sick in the bed, he (Anderson) came to my bed with pistle presented and grabed hold of me jerked me out on the floor; from which abuse I came very neare diing for several dayes; He then turned and struck an other of my sons on the side of the head with pistle, disabling him from working out my crop; who was my only dependance to do anything: and roughly abusing another young lad that was at my house; and all with-out any cause at all, no one said or done one thing to them, but they cusing and abusing the Union Class of people generaly,

[Page Three]

It is indeed hart rendring that my husband, as kind as he was, and great sorce of my comfort & living should be hanged and his helpless family, (with many others) are as barbrsly treated as tho we were even aliving with the Indians; simply for them to take vengance uppon us becuase we were and are in favor of our Fathers Country and Government;I with many others have lost hope of protection from that partys abuse by the beloved Country and Government that we loved so dearly; if she can put down rebellion God knows she has had ample time it seems to me; and what to do or where to go to hide from them I can not tell But I thought it ment and rite that some of our Chief Officers shouldknow some of the particulars of the outrages of the enimys of our country.Yours Ever, Susan Leffel

[Page Four]

Pilot Point Denton, June 11th 1869

Susan Leffel relates the murder of her husband and persecution of herself, family & friends by ex rebels or rather extra devils.