Sunday, June 29, 2008

True American Patriot - Eleanor Wilson

I want to pay tribute this 4th of July to one of our female ancestors who was a true American Patriot! Her husband and 7 of her sons served in the Revolutionary War.

Eleanor Wilson was the wife of Robert Wilson, brother to our direct ancestor, Major David Wilson. Eleanor Wilson is my 5th great grand aunt.

Eleanor Wilson
From: Women of the Revolution by Elizabeth F. Ellett, Vol. III, 1852Chapter XX, page 347-356

The wives and mothers of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, were called upon to bear more than their share of the toils and dangers of the Revolution. Among these was Eleanor, wife of Robert Wilson, of Steel Creek-a woman of singular energy of mind and devoted to the American cause. Her husband with three brothers and other kinsmen, settled in Mecklenburg about 1760, having removed from the Colony of Pennsylvania. These brothers were Scotch Presbyterians, arrayed by religious and natural prejudice, as well as early education, against tyranny in every form. At the time of the Declaration of Mecklenburg, May 20th, 1775, one of them-Zaccheus Wilson- representing all his kinsmen, signed that declaration, pledging himself and his extensive family connexions to its maintenance. This bold act of a county meeting was immediately published in the royal journals in Charleston, and copies were sent to the King of Great Britain by his Colonial governors, with letters representing the movement of Charlottetown as a dangerous one, to be immediately suppressed. In this crisis there were not wanting citizens who shook their heads, and curling their lips in scorn, characterized the actors in this opening scene of the bloody drama of the Revolution as madmen, rebels and traitors, who were kindly admonished to look out for their necks.

From the first to the last, Mrs. Wilson espoused the cause of liberty, exulting whenever its defenders gained any triumph. Animated by her enthusiasm, her husband and sons entered warmly into the contest. Her sons Robert and Joseph, in service under Col. Lytle with Lincoln at Charleston, were taken prisoners at the surrender of that city, but having given their parole, were allowed to return home. On the way one of their companions became so weak as to be unable to travel. Determined not to desert him, they carried him on their shoulders alternately, till he was able to go on as before. They had scarcely reached home when the British General issued his proclamation declaring the country subdued-withdrawing the paroles, and requiring every able-bodied militia man to join his standard. Refusing to fight against their country, and being no longer, as they believed, bound by their paroles, they immediately repaired to the standard of Sumter, and were with him in several battles.

In that of Hanging Rock, Capt. David Reid, one of their kinsmen, was mortally wounded, and in great agony called for water, which young Robert brought in his hat. In the same action Joseph, a little in advance, was suddenly assaulted by a tory-a powerful man-whom he knew, but killed him after a severe struggle, carrying off his rifle, which is now in the possession of his son, David Wilson, of Maine (sic) county, Tennessee. The elder Robert Wilson and his son John, having collected a supply of provisions and forage for Sumter's corps from the neighborhood of Steel Creek, were hastening to meet them at Fishing Creek, and arrived a short time after the surprise. The consequences was the capture of the two Wilsons, and the seizure of the supplies. The prisoners were hurried to the rear, after having been brutally threatened with hanging on the nearest tree, and by a forced march reached Camden next day, where they were added to a crowd of honorable captives, such as Andrew Jackson, Col. Isaacs, Gen. Rutherford and others, more than a hundred of whom were crowded into one jail.

Meanwhile Cornwallis, leaving Rawdon at Camden, advanced his army to rebellious Charlotte, to forage upon its farms and plantations, and to punish its inhabitants. Many scenes of rapine, house burnings and plunderings might be detailed in connection with his five weeks stay hereabouts. The whig inhabitants of Mecklenburg, Rowan and Iredell came up manfully to sustain their country in this crisis. Although a few of the wealthier ones hastened to Charlotte, and claimed and obtained the protection of the British General, these were in a proportion of scarcely one in a hundred. Unable to keep the open field, the republicans under Davie, Sumter, Davidson, Dickey, Brevard, Hall and Irwin, scattered through the forests and swamps, constantly falling in small parties upon the insolent dragoons of Tarleton and other troops sent out as scouts and on foraging excursions. It was a kind of guerilla warfare, boldly waged by the patriots of Mecklenburg, and feared by the British soldier, who always hated to be shot at from the thickets while he was quietly getting forage for his horse. Having already been rendered uneasy by the bold manner in which the rebels pounced upon his regulars, occasionally driving them within sight of his camp, Cornwallis, when he heard of the defeat of Ferguson at King's Mountain by a formidable body of patriots, fearing that so bold a party might attack his rear at Camden, concentrated his army, drew in his foraging parties, and on the 14th of October began his retrograde march towards Winnsboro.

During this march the British arm halted for the night at Wilson's plantation near Steel Creek. The British General, with his staff, and the redoubtable Tarleton occupied the house of Mrs. Wilson, requiring her to provide for them as though the had been her friends. Although the soldiers were seizing every article in the way of provision on the place, Mrs. Wilson acted her part so well that the General decided in his own mind that she at least was not unfriendly to the Royal cause. Having drawn out in the conversation the principal items of her family history, and finding that he was occupying the house of a noted whig leader, the brother and father of more than a dozen active soldiers, who was, moreover, his prisoner in Camden jail, Lord Cornwallis artfully attempted to enlist her in the King's cause. He began by observing that he deeply regretted being compelled to wage a war in which many of it worst calamities fell upon woman. He was constrained to believe that in this instance, as well as many others, many worthy men who were at heart good subjects, had been seduced from their duty by the delusive promises of aspiring and unprincipled leaders.

"Madam" he continued, "your husband and your son are my prisoners; the fortune of war may soon place others of your sons-perhaps all your kinsmen, in my power. Your sons are young, aspiring and brave. In a good cause, fighting for a generous and powerful king, such as George III, they might hope for rank, honor and wealth. If you could but induce your husband and sons to leave the rebels, and take up arms for their lawful sovereign, I would almost pledge myself that they shall have rank and consideration in the British army. If you, madam, will pledge yourself to induce them to do so, I will immediately order their discharge."

To this artful appeal Mrs. Wilson replied, that her husband and children were indeed dear to her, and that she had felt, as a woman must, the trials and troubles which the war had brought upon her. She felt proud of her sons, and would do anything she thought right to advance their real and permanent interest; but in this instance they had embarked in the holy cause of liberty-had fought and struggled for it five years, never faltering for a moment, while others had fled from the contest and yielded up their hopes at the first obstacle.
"I have seven sons who are now, or have been, bearing arms," she continued, "-indeed my seventh son, Zaccheus, who is only fifteen years old, I yesterday assisted to get ready to go and join his brothers in Sumter's army. Now, sooner than see one of my family turn back from the glorious enterprise, I would take these boys, (pointing to three or four small sons) and with them would myself enlist under Sumter's standard, and show my husband and sons how to fight, and if necessary, to die for their county!"

"Ah! General!" interrupted the cold-hearted Tarleton- "I think you've gotten into a hornet's nest! Never mind, when we get to Camden, I'll take good care that old Robin Wilson never comes back again!"
On the next day's march a party of scouts captured Zaccheus, who was found on the flank of the British army with his gun, endeavoring to diminish the number of His Majesty's forces. He was immediately taken to the head of the column, and catechised by Cornwallis, who took the boy along with him on the march, telling him he must act as his guide to the Catawba, and show him the best ford. Arriving at the river, the head of the army entered at the point designated by the lad, but the soldiers had scarcely gone half across before they found themselves in deep water-and drawn by a rapid current down the stream. Believing that his boy, on whom he had relied to show him the best ford, had purposely brought him to a deep one in order to embarrass his march, the General drew his sword, and flourishing it over him, swore he would cut his head off for his treachery. Zaccheus replied that he had the power to do so, as he had no arms, and was his prisoner; "but, sir," said he, "don't you think it would be a cowardly act for you to strike an unarmed boy with your sword? If I had but the half of your weapon, it would not be so cowardly; but then you know it would not be so safe!" Struck by the lad's cool courage, the General became calmer- told him he was a fine fellow, and that he would not hurt a hair of his head.

Having discovered that the ford was shallow enough by bearing up stream, the British army crossed over it safely and proceeded towards Winnsboro. On this march Cornwallis dismissed Zaccheus, telling him to go home and take care of his mother, and to tell her to keep her boys at home. After he reached Winnsboro, Cornwallis dispatched an order to Rawdon, to send Robin Wilson and his son John, with several others, to Charleston, carefully guarded. Accordingly in November, about the 20th, Wilson, his son and ten others set off under the escort of an officer and fifteen or twenty men. Below Camden, on the Charleston route, parties of British soldiers and trains of wagons were continually passing so that the officer had no fear of the Americans, and never dreamed of the prisoners attempting an escape. Wilson formed plans and arranged everything several times, but owing to the presence of large parties of the enemy they could not be executed. At length, being near Fort Watson, they encamped before night, the prisoners being placed in the yard, and the guard in the portico and house. A sentinel was posted in the portico over the stacks of arms, and all hands went to providing for their evening repast. Having bribed a soldier to buy some whiskey, for it had been a rainey day, the prisoners pretended to drink freely, and some of them seemingly more intoxicated than the rest, insisted upon treating the sentinel. Wilson followed him as it to prevent him from giving him the whiskey, it being a breach of military order. Watching a favorable opportunity he seized the sentinel's musket, and the drunken man, suddenly become sober, seized the sentinel. At this signal the prisoners rushed to the guns in the portico, while the guard, taking the alarm, rushed out of the house. In the scramble for arms the prisoners succeeded-drove the soldiers into the house at the point of the bayonet and the whole guard surrendered at direction. Unable to take off their prisoners, Wilson made tham all hold up their right hands and swear never again to bear arms against the cause of "liberty and the Continental Congress," and then told them that they might go to Charleston on parole; but if he ever found a single mother's son of them in arms again, he would "hang them up to a tree like a dog!" Scarcely were they rid of their prisoners before a party of British dragoons came in sight. As the only means of escape, they separated by twos and took to the woods. Some of them reached Marion's camp at Snow Island, and Wilson, with two or three others, arrived safely at Mecklenburg-a distance of over two hundred miles, through a country overrun by British troops.
The term of the services and imprisonment of the family, was not less than two years each, being in all near sixteen years. Several of the sons were officers; Aaron was a lieutenant at the battle of Stono, in June, 1779, and Robert was a captain in the Indian war towards the close of the Revolution.
Mrs. Wilson was the mother of eleven sons. She and her husband lived to a good old age at Steel Creek, and died about the same time, in 1810.
(researcher's note- Robert Wilson died in 1794, Eleanor died about 1802)

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

My Favorite Cowboy

My Favorite Cowboy
Grandpa Jess Baldwin

Jess Baldwin was born March 28, 1898 in Eliasville, Young County, Texas.  His parents were Allen and Mary (Stewart) Baldwin.  When Jess was about 15 years old, his parents moved up into Oklahoma - near Mountain Park, Kiowa County, Oklahoma.  It was in Oklahoma that he met a young lady named Mabel Leffel.  Mabel had also been born in Young County, Texas.  Her parents had moved to Oklahoma in 1904. 

Jess and Mabel married on Christmas Day 1917.  They were the parents of fourteen children and grandparents of 46 (50 including step-grandchildren) and great-grandparents of about 89.  In 1934, the Jess and Mabel Baldwin family moved from Oklahoma and eventually ended up living in Colorado, where a lot of the family still resides.

Grandpa was a stockman and spent most of his life buying and selling livestock.  He was especially good with horses and always knew a good horse when he saw one. He worked at the Cortez Sale Barn and later ran a Sale Barn in Montrose, Colorado.

Below are a few pictures of Jess Baldwin and his horses.

Grandpa bought the above horse (name unknown) and saddle when he lived in California.  The saddle and bridle, decorated with silver conchos, are amazing!

Grandpa and Joker
The pinto horse in the above photo was called Joker. Grandpa took him from Montrose, Colorado to Long Beach, California. Then Grandpa sold Joker to a man who used him in the movies.

Grandpa and Amber
The above horse was called Amber. Grandpa had him when he lived on South Market Street in Cortez, Colorado. He gave the horse to his daughter Verna, but as soon as he had a buyer for the horse he sold her.

Grandpa and Angel
The picture above is of Grandpa and Angel. Grandpa, who was living in Montrose, Colorado, traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to buy Angel.  Below is another photo of Angel. 
  

 
In the photo below, Grandpa is with a horse, name unknown. Photo probably taken in Cortez, Colorado.  Below that is a photo of Grandpa riding.  




In the photos below, Grandpa Jess is roping.  Not sure what horse he is on.  Both photos appear to be taken on the same day from different cameras.  



And finally our Cowboy rides away...
Last image of Grandpa Jess on a horse - It is a carving from his headstone.
Jesse William Baldwin died on 8 March 1972 in Montrose, Colorado.



If anyone has any stories about the horses shown here or other pictures of Grandpa with his horses, please contact me in comments. Thanks.

To see colorized versions of above photos, click here 


My Favorite Cowboy Colorized

If you have an Ancestry.com membership you can view the BALDWIN STEWART FAMILY TREE.   If not, contact me for a free invite.

Allen and Mary Baldwin Family

Allen and Mary Jane (Stewart) Baldwin Family
Allen and Mary (Stewart) Baldwin Family
I may need some help in identifying everyone in this photo. Here's what others have told me.
left to right
Tom Baldwin, Clyde Baldwin, Charlie Baldwin, Jess Baldwin, ?sister-Mattie?, Allen Baldwin, Mary Jane Stewart Baldwin
Guessing the date of the photo to be around 1925-1927 in Mountain Park, Oklahoma.

Allen H. Baldwin, the son of Francis Marion Baldwin and Mary Sadler, was born on 12 Dec 1868 in Limestone County, Texas. He died on 5 Jun 1931 in Fort Cobb, Caddo, Oklahoma. He was buried on 6 Jun 1931 in Oak Grove Cemetery, Caddo, Oklahoma.  Family descendants say he died of complications of diabetes.  His brother, Levi Baldwin, died just a month before Allen -- also of diabetes.
Allen married Mary Jane Stewart daughter of Henry Riley Stewart and Bettie Medlin on 22 Aug 1893 in Graham, Young, Texas.
Allen Baldwin and Mary Stewart Marriage Record

Mary was born on 9 Oct 1873 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee. She died on 19 Nov 1959 in Lawton, Comanche, Oklahoma. She was buried in Mountain Park Cemetery, Kiowa, Oklahoma.  Obituary and headstone can be seen here.

After their marriage, Allen and Mary lived in Eliasville, probably near Allen's parents.  Sometime before the 1900 census was taken, they moved to Throckmorton, Texas.  After living in Texas for a few more years, Allen moved his family to Kiowa County, Oklahoma in 1904 and lived near the Stewart in-laws.  They would live the remainder of their lives in Oklahoma.

Grandchildren remember their Grandpa Allen Baldwin as being a very mild mannered, easy going, "jolly" man. He liked to tease and joke with the grandchildren. And, he was never one to discipline. On the other hand, Grandma Mary Baldwin was remembered as being very stern. She seemed to be the "Boss" of the family.

Allen and Mary had the following children:

1. Etta V. Baldwin was born on 13 Jan 1895 in Eliasville, Young, Texas. She died in Oct 1973 in Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma. She was buried in Mountain Park Cemetery, Kiowa, Oklahoma. Etta married Albert Roy Barker son of James Henry Barker and Sue Belle Herndon about 1911 in Oklahoma. Albert was born on 31 Mar 1888 in Everton, Dade, Missouri. He died in truck accident in 1929 Oklahoma.  Etta and Roy were the parents of seven children.

2. Martha A. Baldwin "Mattie" was born on 15 Feb 1897 in Eliasville, Young, Texas. She died on 22 Jun 1964 in Modesto, Stanislaus, California. She was buried in Modesto, Stanislaus, California. Martha married James Albert Mitchell about 1918 in Oklahoma. James was born on 25 May 1899 in Oklahoma. He died on 9 Jan 1979 in Modesto, Stanislaus, California.  Mattie and Jim were the parents of two children.

3. Jess William Baldwin was born on 28 Mar 1898 in Eliasville, Young, Texas. He died on 8 Mar 1972 in Montrose, Colorado. He was buried on 11 Mar 1972 in Grand View Cemetery, Montrose, Colorado. Jess married Mabel Edna Leffel, daughter of Charles Edgar Leffel and Caldona Jane Box, on 25 Dec 1917 in Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma. Mabel was born on 21 Nov 1900 in True, Young, Texas. She died on 18 Mar 1995 in Grand Junction, Mesa, Colorado. She was buried on 22 Mar 1995 in Grand View Cemetery, Montrose, Colorado.  Jess and Mabel were the parents of fourteen (14) children.

4. Betty Florence Baldwin was born on 26 Nov 1899 in Eliasville, Young, Texas. She died on 6 Mar 1993 in Lancaster, Los Angeles, California. Bettie married Charles Harvey Miller on 2 Sep 1918 in Kiowa County, Oklahoma. Charles was born on 3 Jun 1894 in Itasca, Hill, Texas. He died in Jun 1974 in Lancaster, Los Angeles, California.  Betty and Charles were the parents of seven daughters.

5. Maudie Mae Baldwin was born on 22 Mar 1904 in Throckmorton, Throckmorton, Texas. She died in Jun 1987 in Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma. Maudie married Paul B. Mark Killian son of Leonadas C. Killian and Haseltine Moss about 1918 in Oklahoma. Paul was born on 8 Mar 1896 in Haysville, Clay, North Carolina. He died in Oct 1979 in Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma. He was buried in Mountain Park Cemetery, Kiowa, Oklahoma.  Maudie and Paul were the parents of 10 children.

6. Charles F. Baldwin was born on 6 Sep 1906 in , Kiowa, Oklahoma. He died on 25 Aug 1986 in Corcoran, Kings, California. Charles married Verda Lee Sartin 23 November  1929 in Caddo County, Oklahoma. Verda was born on 14 Oct 1910 in Oklahoma. She died on 3 Dec 1995 in Corcoran, Kings, California. Charlie and Verda were the parents of 6 children.

7. Clyde Henry Baldwin was born on 16 Dec 1911 in Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma. He died on 11 May 1995 in Anadarko, Caddo, Oklahoma. He was buried in Memory Lane Cemetery, Caddo, Oklahoma. Clyde married Faye M. Sartin on 28 Jan 1931 in Fort Cobb, Caddo, Oklahoma. Faye was born on 11 Dec 1914. She died on 2 Jan 1996 in Anakarko, Caddo, Oklahoma. She was buried in Memory Lane Cemetery, Caddo, Oklahoma.   Clyde and Faye were the parents of three children.

8. Thomas W. Baldwin was born on 15 Jan 1915 in Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma. He died on 27 Sep 1994 in Lodi, San Joaquin, California. Thomas married Lillian Novelia Busby on 1 Mar 1939 in Oklahoma. Lillian was born on 4 Aug 1920 in Oklahoma. She died on 17 Aug 1987 in Lodi, San Joaquin, California.  Tom and Lillian were the parents of three children.


Related Posts:

Monday, June 16, 2008

Old Stone House

Henry Stewart Home -- Kiowa County, Oklahoma

left to right
Allen Baldwin (our ancestor) is leaning against the post, his son Jess (my grandpa) is standing in front of him with the white shirt & suspenders, Mary is next to the post with Maude and Charlie in front of her, ?unknown?, Betty Stewart holding a baby, Mattie Stewart, ?unknown?, ?known?, Etta, Mattie, Bettie, Evert, Henry Stewart

Some say this old stone house was in Mountain Park, some say in Cooperton, and some say it was in Mountain View (all in Kiowa County, Oklahoma). Henry lived in Mountain View just before he died in 1912 and that is where his blacksmith shop was located. Anyone know the answer to this question -- Was the stone house in Mountain View, Cooperton or Mountain Park?? 

Picture below with the Oldakers was taken about 1907 and the picture above sometime after when the house was completed.

The next picture was taken during the construction of the home.
On top of the house (left to right) Will Oldaker, George Oldaker, Louis Oldaker, Charlie Stewart, Evert Stewart
Standing in front of the houseLizzie Oldaker, Bettie Stewart, Pearl Oldaker, John D. Oldaker, Mattie Stewart, Blanche Oldaker, Henry Stewart

John D. Oldaker was a stonemason and Henry Stewart hired him to help build the stone house. Grandpa Henry Stewart and John D. Oldaker became good friends. Then they became in-laws when Evert Stewart married Blanche Oldaker. I am not sure what kind of clothes Louis Oldaker has on -- looks like a circus outfit.




Martin and Nancy Hatfield Family



Family of 
Martin Monroe Hatfield and Nancy Abagail McNeil
This photo was taken about 1892, while the family was living in Kansas.
left to right
Lillie, Martin holding Jimmie, Will, Pearl, Charlie, Nancy holding baby Anna
Our ancestor Minnie Pearl Hatfield, is the little girl in the middle.

Martin Monroe Hatfield, the son of John Martin Hatfield and Martha Jay, was born on 18 Apr 1857 in Boone County, Iowa. He died on 31 May 1918 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado.  Martin was buried on 4 Jun 1918.  He was the first person buried in the Dove Creek Cemetery.  His obituary states that a plot of ground was selected on his farm for the cemetery.

Martin married Nancy Abagail McNeil, daughter of William S. McNeil and Sarah Margaret Cole, on 1 Jan 1879 in Harvey township, Smith County, Kansas. Nancy 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 Pines Bluff Cemetery, Laramie, Wyoming.

Martin's obituary states that, "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..."  Several interesting photos of the Martin Monroe Hatfield Family on their Oklahoma homestead can be found here and here

Our family descends from their daughter Minnie Pearl Hatfield who married Charles B. Wilson.

Martin and Nancy had the following children:

1. John William Hatfield was born on 1 Oct 1879 in Phillips County, Kansas. He died on 21 Apr 1950 in Yuma, Yuma, Arizona. He was buried on 24 Apr 1950 in Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, Arizona. John married Myrtle Jane Grosse in Oct 1904 in Woodward, Oklahoma. Myrtle was born on 25 Oct 1885 in Missouri. She died in Jul 1974 in Roll, Yuma, Arizona.

2. Charles Orlando Hatfield was born on 22 Mar 1882 in Phillips County, Kansas. He died on 30 Mar 1944 in Denver, Denver, Colorado. He was buried in Dove Creek Cemetery, Dolores, Colorado. Charles married Inez on 19 Mar 1918 in Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado. Inez was born on 1 Jan 1889 in Missouri. She died on 6 Mar 1980 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado. She was buried in Dove Creek Cemetery, Dolores, Colorado.

3. Lillian Victoria Hatfield was born on 9 Apr 1884 in Jewell County, Kansas. She died on 20 Jul 1959 in Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado. She was buried on 22 Jul 1959 in Dove Creek Cemetery, Dolores, Colorado. Lillian married Ray Ruggles Smith on 7 Jun 1905 in Alva, Woods, Oklahoma. Ray was born on 18 Feb 1879 in Kansas. He died in Mar 1956 in Dade, Florida.

4. Minnie Pearl Hatfield was born on 27 Apr 1886 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She died on 22 Feb 1966 in Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado. She was buried on 24 Feb 1966 in Cortez Cemetery, Montezuma, Colorado. Minnie married Charles B. Venton Wilson son of William B. Wilson and Mary Polly Huff on 14 Dec 1902 in , Woods, Oklahoma. Charles was born on 6 Apr 1876 in Denton County, Texas. He died on 16 Dec 1951 in Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado. He was buried on 20 Dec 1951 in Cortez Cemetery, Montezuma, Colorado.

5. James Monroe Hatfield was born on 14 Aug 1889 in Cedarville, Smith, Kansas. He died on 23 Aug 1897.

6. Anna Belle Hatfield was born on 12 Jan 1891 in Norton, Kansas. She died on 18 Dec 1911 in Quinlan, Woods, Oklahoma. She was buried on 19 Dec 1911 in Union Cemetery, Woods, Oklahoma. Anna married Sidney H. Allen on 24 Aug 1910 in Woodward, Oklahoma.

7. Clinton Jay Hatfield was born on 11 Nov 1894 in Cedarville, Smith, Kansas. He died on 9 Jun 1935 in Crystal Plains, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 11 Jun 1935 in Crystal Plains Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. Clinton married Vesta Fern Pennington daughter of Robert Lee Pennington and Hattie Belle Lewis on 4 Apr 1917 in Smith County, Kansas. Vesta was born on 26 Aug 1894 in Cortland, Gage, Nebraska. She died on 14 Dec 1974 in Boulder, Boulder, Colorado.

8. Grace Blanche Hatfield was born on 23 Apr 1897 in Cedarville, Smith, Kansas. She died on 18 Jun 1986 in Ft. Collins, Larimer, Colorado. She was buried on 21 Jun 1986 in Pine Bluffs Cemetery, Laramie, Wyoming. Grace married George Kaser son of Oliver Jacob Davis Kaser and Dora Catherine Cloyd on 26 Oct 1919 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado. George was born on 5 Sep 1893 in Kansas. He died on 15 Jan 1981 in Carpenter, Laramie, Wyoming. He was buried in Pines Bluff Cemetery, Laramie, Wyoming.

9. Alfred Clayton Hatfield "Al" was born on 3 Dec 1899 in Payne County, Oklahoma. He died on 26 Nov 1959 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. He was buried in Memory Lawn Cemetery, Maricopa, Arizona. Alfred married Susan Ella Davison "Susie" daughter of Oliver Columbus Davison and Elsa Henrietta Smith on 4 Oct 1920 in Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado. Susan was born on 12 Jan 1901 in Elkland, Webster, Missouri. She died on 6 Jan 1994.

Hatfield Family
Son, Will and wife, Myrtle, and their daughters: Elsie and Mildred;
Daughter,Blanche and son, Alfred
Back row: Myrtle, Will, Blanche, Alfred
Front row: Nancy, Elsie, Martin holding Mildred


This picture was taken about 1917 in Dove Creek, Colorado.  Grace and Alfred are still single and little Mildred looks like she could be about a year old.  The cross on Elsie's dress could have something to do with WWI.

This Hatfield family, along with all the sources and records, can be found on my Ancestry.com: Wilson Hatfield Family Tree.

I want to thank all of those who contribute stories and photos and I encourage all family members to share any photos and stories of our Hatfield family.  If we all work together, we can leave a more complete family history for future generations.

Other posts about the Hatfield family:
Before and After - Hatfield's Homestead
Feuding Hatfields
Pioneer in the new "City of the Dead" at Dove Creek

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Flag Day -- June 14th

I love this country and I love our Flag.

Our flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red stripes alternating with 6 white stripes. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well:
Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor,
White symbolizes Purity and Innocence
Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. Since then, Americans have commemorated the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by celebrating June 14 as Flag Day.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag reads as follows:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Caldona Jane Box Leffel


Caldona Jane Box Leffel
Caldona Jane Box Leffel is the daughter of Grief Johnson Box and Roenna Johnson. She was born on 18 March 1858* in Bradley County, Arkansas. When she was young, her family moved to Texas. 

Caldona married Charles E. Leffel on 18 November 1875 in Dallas, Texas.  Charles was a widower with a 5 year old son, David.  Caldona and Charles were the parents of nine** children, with Grandma Baldwin being the youngest. 
Children of Caldona and Charles Leffel:
Rowena Evalyn "Eva" Leffel (1876-1928) md 1) Willis E Sheets, 2) Frank W Dellbrugge  
Mary Susan Leffel (1878-1964) md 1) John R Cotter, 2) George G Morris, 3) George Johnson
Anna Eufamie Leffel (1880-1965) md George R Willhoit
Lillie Catherine Leffel (1881-1968) md Thomas W McDonald
Charles Wesley Leffel (1882-1934) md Minnie V McDonald
Layne Lemuel Leffel (1890-1957) md Mabel E Williams
Alice Oberia Leffel (1894-1922) md Fred Lossing
Kirby William Leffel (1897-1961) md Flora May Clark
Mabel Edna Leffel (1900-1995) md 1) Jess W Baldwin, 2) Ernest Martin

Caldona died 12 February 1926 in Chickasha.  She is buried next to her husband in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Caldona and Charles Leffel Headstone
*Note: There is some confusion as to the birth year of Caldona.  Her death certificate and headstone gives her birth as 18 Mar 1860, BUT, the 1900 Census gives her birth as Mar 1858 and in the 1860 Census she was enumerated as being two years old.  The 1860 census would have been made closest to the time of her birth.  The 1880 census she is 21 and in the 1910 census she is 52.  A son-in-law gave the information on the death certificate -- how many son-in-laws know their mother-in-laws birth date?  I will use the 1858 birth year.

**Note: In the 1900 US Census, Caldona stated she gave birth to 11 living children and only nine were still living at that time.  So, there may be been several other children who died in infancy.  Someone mentioned once that Anna was a twin and the other twin died.  If anyone has more information, please leave a message.:)

More stories and photos about Caldona Jane Box Leffel:
Charles and Caldona Leffel
Rocky Ford Sunday School 1904
Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo
Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo Restored

John and Elizabeth Martin Family Photo

John and Elizabeth Martin Family of Rock Island County, Illinois



Back row standing: John S. Martin holding Wilber, ?not known?, Christina Weiss, Mary Martin, ?not known?, Ahart Martin, Christina Wittick
Front row sitting: Elizabeth Martin, Emma, Elmer, John, Catherine Martin (mother of John)

The above photo was taken about 1896 at the Methodist Camp Grounds in front of the John Martin cabin.

Martin Family Stories:
John Stephan Martin
Mother and Daughter Die Same Day
Mathias and Catharina Martin
John Martin and Elizabeth Weiss Marriage

Fixin' Supper -- the "Minnie Pearl" Style

This is a picture of Grandma Wilson (Minne Pearl Hatfield Wilson) taken about 1911 on the Rooker Ranch near Red Rock, New Mexico (in the Zuna Mountains near Gallup). Grandpa Wilson worked on the ranch.
Grandma Wilson was a true pioneer woman -- Before she could prepare dinner, she would take her 22 rifle and go out hunting for a rabbit or squirrel to cook for their dinner.  So, don't complain about needing to run out to the grocery before you can prepare dinner, just think about Grandma "Minnie Pearl" Wilson grabbing her rifle and going out hunting for a squirrel or rabbit just so she could 'fix' dinner. 😊

This next picture is of Vern & Maymie taken the same day as the picture above of Grandma Wilson. Vern was 8 years old and Maymie was 6 years old. They are standing in front of a cellar on the Rooker Ranch.
Maymie was wearing a bright blue dress with a white lace collar. Their dog, old Spot, is standing next to them. Vern is holding the 22 rifle his mother would use to go out shooting squirrels & rabbits for their dinner.


Minnie Pearl Hatfield Wilson was the daughter of Martin Monroe Hatfield and Nancy Abigail McNeil.  The Hatfields are part of the Wilson family line.

Other posts about Minnie Pearl Hatfield Wilson:
Wilson Bible Record
Buggy Ride
Wilson's Grocery
Wilson Family Photos
Finding Pearl's Obituary


John Martin Hatfield Jr Family Record

This family record was written in 1899 by Charles Edmond Hatfield for his brother, Albert Westley Hatfield. The notation at the bottom of the second page states: "Copyd [copied] by C. E. Hatfield Dec 30th 1899 for A. W. Hatfield". That means there must have been another record he copied it from -- perhaps a family bible. Does this mean that Charles E. Hatfield had the original record he copied it from?  Charles E Hatfield is a bit of a mystery - not a lot is known about him.

This record lists all known children of John Martin Hatfield JR. John only had children by his first two wives, Martha Jay and Maria Ann Butler.

Our direct ancestor, Martin Monroe Hatfield, was the 5th son, of John Martin Hatfield Jr and first wife, Martha Jay.




A big THANKS to Charles Edmond Hatfield for making this record over a
hundred years ago. I have a special place in my heart for ancestors who
took the time from their busy lives to record family information. It makes
my job a lot easier!

Transcribed copy of above record:

Handwritten account of the John Martin Hatfield family listing first two wives & all known children & birthdates.
Bottom of letter states "copied by C.E. Hatfield Dec 30th 1899 for A. W. Hatfield."

Page 1

Record of the Hatfields:

John Martin Hatfield Son of John and Phebe Hatfield was born July 31st 1829
Martha Hatfield Eldest Daughter of William and Labitha Jay was Born September 25th 1830.
Maria Ann Hatfield Daughter of Bail and Amy Butler was Born January 3rd 1835
Barton Wellington Hatfield Eldest Son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born June 22nd 1850
Albert Wesley Hatfield 2nd son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born October 5 -- 1851
William Wiley Hatfield 3rd Son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born December 17th 1853
Henry Sanford Hatfield 4th Son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born October 16th 1855
Martin Monroe Hatfield 5th Son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born April 18th 1857
Hiram Vinton Hatfield 6th Son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born April 19th 1859
(over)

(Written on the side)
John M. Hatfield and Martha Jay was married Sept 6th 1849
John M. Hatfield and Maria A. Freel was married June 11th 1863

Page 2

Charles Edmond Hatfield 7th and last Son of John and Martha Hatfield was Born October 31st 1861

Martha Launa Hatfield 1st child of John M. & Maria A. Hatfield was Born March 9th 1864
Lewis Elmer Hatfield 2nd child of John & Maria Hatfield was Born March 31, 1866
Eva Laura May Hatfield 3rd child of John & Maria Hatfield was Born March 19, 1868
Harmon Howard Hatfield 4th child of John & Maria Hatfield was Born May 19th 1870
Francis Henry Hatfield 5th child of John & Maria Hatfield was Born September 17th 1872
John Preston Hatfield 6th child of John & Maria Hatfield was Born March 11th 1875

Death Record:
Barton W Hatfield 1st Son of John and Martha Hatfield Died July 25th 1850
Martha Hatfield wife of John Hatfield Died March the 5th 1863
Maria A. Hatfield 2nd wife of John Hatfield Died March 21-- 1875
John M. Hatfield Husband of Martha Hatfield Died Oct 4th 1898

Copyed By C.E. Hatfield Dec 30th 1899 for A.W. Hatfield


This handwritten account of the Hatfield Family originally came from Jeanette Reid, daughter of Nellie Hatfield.  It had been passed down in the A. W. Hatfield family.  Received this copy in 2001.


Friday, June 13, 2008

Box Family Massacre 1866

Box Family Massacre by Kiowa Indians 
in Montague County, Texas 1866
I remember Grandma (Mabel Leffel Baldwin) telling me a story about some of her family that were captured and killed by the Indians in Texas.  After a little research, I found which relatives Grandma was referring to – the James Jackson Box family. James Box was a first cousin to Grandma’s mother, Caldona Jane Box Leffel.  To see an account of the Massacre by General George Custer, click here.
James Jackson Box was the 4th son of James Francis Box and Pinnina Babb. He married Mary Eliza Matthews about 1842 in Titus County, Texas. The newlyweds soon moved to Westport, Hopkins County, Texas and lived there until 1861. All of their older children (Sarah, Margaret, Josephine and Ida) were born in Westport. In the spring of 1861, they moved to Montague County, Texas. James was a "Union man" and hoped to escape some of conflict of the Civil War by moving further out on the frontier. Another daughter, Laura, was born in October 1865 in Montague County. Other children may have been born to James and Mary but there is no record of them.

In 1866, after learning that his brother lay near death, James loaded up his family and headed back to Hopkins County. After staying until his brother was better, they started home in August. The trip back took five days. On last night of the trip, James and his family stayed in Gainesville with his wife’s cousin, the mother of Mrs. Fern Suydam. They started out the next morning for their home in Montague County. When they were in sight of their home, James saw someone near the homestead and at first thought it might be a neighbor but soon realized it was Indians.

The Kiowa Indians, led by Chief Santana, attacked the family -- killing and scalping James. The Indians tied the mother and daughters (Margaret, Josephine, and Ida) on ponies and took them into Indian Territory. Baby Laura was killed when the Indians bashed her head against rocks then threw her into a ravine. They traveled without rest or sufficient water. One daughter filled her shoe with water from a stream to take back for her mother to drink. She received a beating from the Indians for helping her mother. Mother and daughters were separated once they reached the Indian camp and were treated as slaves by the Indians. They were beaten and given only boiled or raw meat to eat. It was a terrible life for them. Several months later, they were rescued by the army and returned to Texas.

According to a letter in Gov.Throckmorton Paper's, written on Sunday, Sept 2, 1866, the massacre took place "on the main road from Gainesville to the Town of Montague, about three miles east of the Head of Elm and about fifty-yards from the west line of Cooke."


There were several stories written about the Box Family massacre and kidnapping. Each account differs but all have some of the same elements.

Gen. George A. Custer's account of the Box Family Massacre can be found here.

Below is an account given by Mary Matthews to Captain Andrew Sheridan, Fort Dodge, Kansas, 20 October 1866, after her rescue.  This document is supposedly available from the Department of the Interior.
My name is Mrs Matthews Box. Am about forty-two years of age. Was born in Gibson Tennessee , went to Texas when I was about eight years old. Was married to James Box in Titus Co, Texas, when I was seventeen years of age. After we were married we lived in Titus Co. three months, Then moved to Hopkins Co, (Westport) we lived in Wesport, Hopkins Co. for along time, all my children but one were born in Westport. About the breaking out of the late rebellion, we moved to Montague Co Texas on the extreme frontier, the cause of our moving was owing to my husband being a Union man and did not wish to fight in the rebellion. It was sometime in May 1861, that we moved. There were five families of us, all relations. While we were living in Montague Co, my husband learned that one of his brothers was laying at the point of death and that another of his brothers had had a leg amputated, in Hopkins Co, and that they wished to see him at once. So we started, and went to Westport, Hopkins Co and stayed with my husband’s brothers until they were nearly well: I should say about five weeks.
We started for home, about the 10 of Aug. last. My husband had put a quantity of leather in one wagon to take home, there being no leather in Montague Co. On our journey home, it rained a great deal. About five days after we started and when we were within three miles of our home, my husband saw somebody on the hill,whom he supposed to be one of his neighbors. He said to me , "I wish that man would come down to us, so that I could borrow his horse for our jaded one then we could get home faster. I looked in the direction where he pointed and said "Why there are three or four of them:" He then said "they are Indians, we are gone.  Margaret, get my sixshooter quick!" Margaret went to get it and before she could give it to him, the Indians came upon us and shot him in the breast. He fell  over in the wagon. Pulling the arrow from his breast, arose and fired at them.  He was then shot through the head by an arrow . He pulled the arrow from his head, jumped out of the wagon and around to the left side of thewagon when he fell to the ground. The Indians then scalped him twice,and cut his left jaw.
They then pulled me out of the wagon by the hair of the head, robbed and took everything out of the wagon. Took Josephine Maizie and Ida and tied them on ponies. They put Margaret on one, but she jumped off and ran arount to her father, and held him until they pulled her from him. They put Margaret back on the pony and started off on a gallop. We traveled fourteen days (night and day) before we stopped, about eleven days after we were taken, my baby Laura died.  They took her from me and threw her in a ravine. We traveled on until we got to the camp, where all the Indians were. I stayed at this camp about four days with my children, when they moved me off about six miles farther to another camp, where I stayed until they brought me inhere; I had to stack wood and carry water. When I delayed they would whip and beat me and even the squaws would knock me down. I was very sick while with the Indians, not withstanding they would beat me. It was a terrible life. They gave us nothing to eat but boiled meat, nothing whatever but that. My husband’s three brothers are still living in Texas . Wade Box lives in Johnson Co. Texas. Young Box lives in Hopkins Co. Texas, Westport and John Box in Westport, Hopkins Co. Texas. My mother’s brother and niece are living at our home in Montague Co, 25 miles from Gainesville.
(signed) Mary Matthews Box

Below is another letter describing the massacre.  Written by T. F. Mosby, Sept. 2, 1866, from Denton County, TX. (Governor's Papers. J. W. Throckmorton, Folder 11, September 1-10, 1866, Texas State Archives)



UPDATE:
An account of the massacre by General George Custer can be found here.