Happy San Jacinto Day!

 San Jacinto Day

San Jacinto Day, celebrated on April 21, commemorates the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, which secured Texas' independence from Mexico. The battle lasted just 18 minutes but had a lasting impact on history. General Sam Houston led his Texan troops in a surprise attack against Mexican forces commanded by Antonio López de Santa Anna, resulting in a decisive victory. Santa Anna was captured, and soon after, he signed treaties that effectively ended Mexican control over Texas. This victory marked the beginning of Texas as an independent republic, later leading to its annexation into the United States in 1845.

Battle of San Jacinto  
Artistic interpretation by Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908)

Today, Texans honor San Jacinto Day with celebrations that include reenactments of the battle, parades, and festivals that highlight the state's rich heritage. The San Jacinto Monument, standing at 567 feet, remains a lasting tribute to this historic event. Visitors can explore the battleground site and museum to learn more about the fight for independence. San Jacinto Day serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of early Texans, preserving their legacy for future generations.

The following family members served with General Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto. 
John Sadler is our direct ancestor - my 3rd great-grandfather.  
Three of the men listed were brothers: John Andrew Box, Nelson Box, and Thomas Griffin Box.  They were the sons of Stephen F. Box.  Their cousin, James Edward Box, was  the son of John Morris Box. They were all first cousins of our direct ancestor, Michael Box. The Box family were early settlers into Texas. 

Box, James Edward
Box, John Andrew
Box, Nelson 
Box, Thomas Griffin
Hallmark, William Calvert (md to Dicey Box)
Lamb, George A. (K) 
Lindley, Joseph 
Sadler, John

Below is the donation land certificate given to John Sadler for his service.  Note that it mentions John Sadler "fought at the Battle of San Jacinto 21 Apr 1836."  To read about John Sadler, click here. 

John Sadler Bounty Land Certificate

Below is a photo of me sitting on the steps of the San Jacinto Monument.  And then a picture of the entire monument.  We took the elevator up to the observation deck.  Inside the base of the monument is the San Jacinto Museum of History.  

San Jacinto Monument
Wikipedia

Heirs of F.M. Baldwin

Heirs of F.M. Baldwin

1919 Affidavit

Recently while going through the deed records for Young County, Texas, I found a 1919 affidavit listing all the heirs of Francis Marion (F.M.) Baldwin.  Francis M. Baldwin died in 1900.  Almost 20 years later in 1919, his widow Mary (Sadler) Baldwin and son E.L. Baldwin had this affidavit recorded at the county court house. 

It is true that present day researchers already know this information from a variety of sources - census records, death records, marriage records, and family records.  But what I like about this 1919 affidavit, is that it was created and sworn to by F.M. Baldwin's widow, Mary Baldwin, and son, E.L. Baldwin.  The affidavit is documented proof of the relationships within the F.M. Baldwin family.  Since both Mary Sadler Baldwin and Francis Marion Baldwin were born in the Republic of Texas, this affidavit would be good documentation for descendants to add to applications for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas or Sons of the Republic of Texas.  

There are a few bits of information in the document that are noteworthy. 

• F.M. Baldwin died intestate and there was no probate. 
• Since no official death record for F.M. Baldwin exists, the death date given in this affidavit could act as a death record and it supports the death date on the headstone. 
• All of the daughters in the family have their husbands listed. 
• A. Lafayette Baldwin, the oldest son, died prior to 1919, and so all of his descendants are named as heirs in the affidavit.
• Mary stated that thirteen (13) children were born to "this union", two of who died before they reached their majority.  We only have record of twelve (12) children.  One son, Lemuel H. Baldwin, died as a 22 year old single man in 1904.  He would be one of two children who died young leaving no heirs.  That leaves an unknown mystery child we know nothing about. 

 To read more about the F.M. and Mary (Sadler) Baldwin family, click here. 

Young County, Texas Deed Record Book 75

Page 209, 14 January 1919

Transcription of above document:

AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF YOUNG
BEFORE ME , the undersigned authority , on this day personally appeared E. L. Baldwin, Mary Baldwin, and C. D. Yancy, J. B. McGlamery, known to me to be credible citizens of Young County , Texas , and being by me duly sworn deposes and say: That they were each well and personally acquainted with F. M. Baldwin, during his life time that they knew him and his family for many years and that the said F. M. Baldwin is dead and that he died intestate in Young County, Texas, on or about the 21 day of May, 1900; That no probate proceedings have ever been had on the estate of the said F. M. Baldwin, deceased.
That the said F. M. Baldwin, deceased was but once married and that to one of these affiants, Mary Baldwin, and to this union were born 13 children, two of whom died before they reached their majority and were never married and had no heirs other than their father and mother; That the other eleven children and heirs are named as follows, towit : A. H. Baldwin, a boy; E. L. Baldwin, a boy; C. R. Baldwin, a boy; Willie Ann Baldwin, a girl; who intermarried with one J. P. Hyden; R. L. Baldwin, a boy; Mittie Jane Baldwin, a girl who intermarried with Virgil Matthews; W. L. Baldwin, a boy; R. Y. Baldwin, a boy; Alice Baldwin, a girl, who intermarried with one C. L. Atcheson; Lena Baldwin, a girl, who intermarried with one John Hill; A. Lafayette Baldwin, deceased who is survived by the following named children and Anna Cartwright is a widow; Cora Baldwin, a girl who intermarried with thee -- Van Horn; all of the above named children are of age and have been for some time, and the remainder of said children are minor under the age of 15 years ; Hattie Baldwin, Willie Baldwin, Dewitt Baldwin, Alvis Baldwin, Thurman Baldwin, and Fred Baldwin, That the above and foregoing named persons are the heirs and only heirs at law of F. M. Baldwin, deceased . That the said Mary Baldwin has never remarried since the death of the said F.M. Baldwin, deceased and is at present living as a widow.
WITNESS our hands at Eliasville, Texas, this the 14 day of January A. D. 1919
E. L. BALDWIN
MARY BALDWIN
C. D. YANCY
J. B. McGLAMERY
Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 14 day of January A. D. 1919
W. J. Hughes, J. P. & Exofficio Notary Public in ( SEAL ) and for Young County , Texas .
Filed for record March 17 , 1919 at 4 : 30 P. M. Recorded March 19 , 1917 at 4 : 30 P. M.
C. W. HINSON HINSON , C. C. C. Y. C. T. BY Pearl Matthews Matthews DEPUTY 

Related Links: 
F.M. and Mary Baldwin Family 
Francis Marion Baldwin Profile - Ancestry.com 
Francis Marion Baldwin  - FamilySearch.org

Remember the Alamo

This day, one hundred eighty-six years ago, was an eventful day in our family's history. The Battle of the Alamo took place on March 6, 1836.

Our Sadler and Lindley ancestors made the move from Illinois to Texas in 1833.  They, along with many other colonists living in Texas, were accustomed to the freedoms they had enjoyed previous to moving into Texas and were not happy with Mexico's increasing dictatorial attempts.  

Texas in Revolution
23 Oct 1835, Richmond Enquirer, pg 4

By the latter part of 1835, the Texians were engaging in battles and revolting against the Mexican government.  Our family's Jonathan Lindley was part of this movement of revolt. 

Jonathan Lindley joined Capt. Carey's Company in the regular Texas Army in the fall of 1835.  Jonathan then participated in the Battle of the Bexar on December 14, 1835, in which the Texians captured the city of  San Antonio de Bexar and fortified the Alamo into a fort.  Afterwards, Jonathan and many others returned home for Christmas hoping that the Revolution was over.  At some point in time after the first of the year, Jonathan returned to help defend the Alamo.

Alamo Battle - Texas State Archives

On February 23, 1836, a Mexican army commanded by General Santa Anna began a siege of the Alamo.  The siege lasted for 13 days.  At dawn on March 6, 1836, Santa Anna's Mexican assault troops stormed the Alamo and overpowered the Texians.   All the defenders of the Alamo, about 189 men, were killed in the battle, which lasted about 90 minutes.  After the battle, Santa Anna had the bodies of the dead stacked and burned.  

Battle of the Alamo

During the siege, on March 2, 1836, a congress of Texians convened at Washington-on-the-Brazos and declared Texan Independence from Mexico.  News of the Alamo's fall, prompted many to join Sam Houston's army and fight for Texan Independence.  On April 21, 1836, the Texan Army attacked Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto.  The battle, which lasted only 18 minutes, was a victory for the Texans.  The battle cry for the Texans was "Remember the Alamo!"

The Alamo

Alamo

Related Posts:

Jonathan Lindley - Defender of the Alamo 

John Sadler

Samuel Washington Lindley

FM Baldwin DNA Project

FM Baldwin DNA Project 

When I first started DNA testing, one of my main goals was to break through the Baldwin brick wall.  Click here to view my first post about beginning DNA testing.

You can read about Baldwin brick-wall and the Jane Baldwin Mystery here.  My line descends from Jane’s son, FrancisMarion (FM) Baldwin.  The paper trail back to FM Baldwin is solid – with vital records, census records, land records, cemetery records, county histories, family histories, obituaries, and now with DNA proof.  But, there are still a lot of questions and holes in the research going back just one more generation past FM Baldwin to his mother, Jane Baldwin (maiden name unknown).   

Brick Wall
Image courtesy of GenealogyInTime Magazine

Even though breaking through the Baldwin Brick Wall has not yet happened…we may be getting closer.

I have enlisted the help of Baldwin relatives to help solve this mystery through DNA testing.  

For this blog post I will share the results I have found thus far with the autosomal DNA testing for descendants of Francis Marion Baldwin.  

First, let’s discuss Autosomal DNA. 

Autosomal DNA is inherited from our parents, our grandparents, our great-grandparents, etc.  When two or more people share segments of the same DNA then that means they share a common ancestor.  The more DNA a person shares with another person, the closer they are related and the closer their shared most-recent ancestral couple.  First cousins will share more DNA than third cousins and the most recent common ancestors for 1st cousins would be grandparents.  The most recent common ancestors for third cousins would be 2^nd great-grandparents.

Autosomal DNA is inherited equally from both parents - 50% from each parent.  The average amount of DNA inherited from our grandparents is around 25% - but it can vary because of mixing (recombination) every generation. According to the ISOGG Wiki, “The amount of autosomal DNA inherited from more distant ancestors is shuffled up in a process called random recombination and the percentage of autosomal DNA coming from each ancestor is diluted with each new generation.” 
SMGF (Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation) has a great animation about how we inherit our autosomal DNA.  To view all their animations, go here.

I like the chart below that shows DNA recombination and how we might match with a cousin.

Diagram courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The goal of DNA testing is to find genetic cousins (meaning those who share DNA with you), and then determine the ancestral couple from whom shared DNA is inherited.  Below is a chart made by Blaine Bettinger that shows expected shared percentages in autosomal DNA relationships.

thegeneticgenealogist.com

Many of my cousins have tested with AncestryDNA.  I like AncestryDNA because matches will sometimes have family trees connected to their DNA test results, and that makes it is easier to figure out who the common ancestors might be.  Although, AncestryDNA shows the amount of shared DNA (centimorgans) with matches, it AncestryDNA does not have a chromosome browser.  This means I cannot see where or on what chromosome I share my DNA with my match.  Because AncestryDNA does not have a chromosome browser, it is important for those who test at AncestryDNA to transfer their raw DNA data to FamilyTreeDNA ($39) or to GedMatch (free).  In addition to finding more matches, these other sites have tools that help to analyze the data and matches to determine who the common ancestor may be. 

DNA from my grandfather, Jess Baldwin

To start the FM Baldwin DNA Project, I encouraged as many of my mom’s generation to test as possible, and five of my mom’s siblings were willing to participate in DNA testing.  I also have four first cousins on the Baldwin side who tested their DNA.  The DNA I share with all of my aunts and my uncle (from 1387 cM to 1727 cM) is within the expected range for an aunt or an uncle.   I also share DNA with my cousins (from 683 cM to 1374 cM) within the expected range for a 1^st cousin.  Below is a chart showing how much DNA I share with my mom, uncle, aunts, and cousins.  The ICW (in-common-with) ancestral couple for this group would be my grandparents, Jess Baldwin and Mabel Leffel Baldwin. 

In genetics, a centiMorgan (cM=centiMorgan) is a unit for measuring genetic linkage. 

I want to show what a chromosome browser looks like, so below is the chromosome browser from FamilyTreeDNA showing how I match to my mom, uncle, and 3 aunts.  This chart shows my 23 chromosomes (dark navy base color) with the matches.  My mom is the top match (orange color), and since she is my mom we match along the entire chromosome.  As you can see, I match my uncle and aunts in varying amounts (as also noted in the table above).  My uncle is the blue match.  It is interesting to look at the X chromosome (Chromosome 23).  Since my uncle could only receive his X from his mother not his father (men receive an X from their mother and a Y from their father), the segment he shares with me had to come from his mom – my grandmother.  

DNA from my great-grandfather, Allen Baldwin 

 

The next generation back on the family tree are Jess Baldwin’s parents, AllenBaldwin and Mary Jane Stewart Baldwin.  In addition to the descendants from my line (mentioned above), I have found four other grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Allen and Mary Baldwin who have tested their DNA.  These four descendants are from two of the daughters of Allen and Mary Baldwin (sisters to Grandpa Jess Baldwin).

Below is a chart showing DNA matches between the descendants of Jess Baldwin’s sisters to me and also to my mom and my aunts.  The cousins match me within the expected range for 2nd cousins (290 cM – 380 cM) and match my mom and my aunts within the first cousin once removed range (423.3 cM – 698.3 cM).  Since our shared DNA is within the expected range for our known relationships, we can determine that Allen Baldwin and Mary Stewart Baldwin are the closest common ancestors we received the shared DNA from.  Some of the DNA will be from the Baldwin family and some will be from the Stewart family.

The columns in purple show the relationship of these cousins to me (clm).  Columns in blue show the relationship to my mom and aunts.  My mom and her sisters would be first cousins to the children of Jess’s sisters, but since these matches come from the sisters’ children and grandchildren, they are first cousins once-removed and so on.  (c = cousin, r = removed, 2c1r = 2nd cousin once removed) 

Notice that Cousin A shares a lot less DNA with me than with my mom and less than half the amount of DNA with me than with my Aunts.  This is why it is important to test family members, because they may have more shared DNA matches on certain family lines than you might have.  Since my Aunts share quite a bit more DNA with the Baldwin cousins, I often use their DNA to search for additional Baldwin matches.

• Note that the above chart shows NO shared match between Aunt #2 and the Cousins B and D because they did not test at the same company (and have not transferred DNA data to Gedmatch), and so the DNA data cannot be compared.  The Aunt #2 tested at 23andme.com and the Cousins B & D tested at AncestryDNA so they cannot be compared.    If the cousins B&D had transferred their DNA data from AncestryDNA to GedMatch.com, we could compare the shared DNA match information.  This is why it is important for those who test at AncestryDNA to transfer their DNA data.  GedMatch.com provides a place for those who test at any of the three companies to transfer their DNA data so it can be compared to others who originally tested at other sites.

Cousins A and C match each other, match me and my mom, and match each of my aunts and my uncle, who also match each other.   So all of us form a triangulated group representing Allen Baldwin.

DNA from my 2^nd great-grandparents, Francis Marion Baldwin  and Mary Sadler.

Allen Baldwin’s parents are Francis Marion (FM) Baldwin and Mary Sadler Baldwin, my second great-grandparents.  It was such a long time before I received any DNA matches from descendants of FM and Mary Baldwin, I was beginning to think that perhaps Allen was adopted or something.  But within this past year, there have been 3^rd cousin matches show up.  Several descend from Anderson Lafayette Baldwin (ALB).  He was the older brother of our Allen Baldwin and first child of Francis Marion and Mary Baldwin.  These cousin matches each come from a different children within the Anderson Lafayette Baldwin (ALB) family.  There is also a match from a descendant of Alice Baldwin. who was a younger sister to ALB and Allen.  But, we need more descendants of FM Baldwin to test!

Ancestry.com has a “Francis Marion Baldwin DNA Circle”, which shows a possible DNA relationship to those within the circle.   All are descendants of Marion Baldwin(FMBaldwin) and Mary Sadler and there is a good possibility that the DNA we share came from them.  Within each DNA Circle are family groups.  The Allen Baldwin Family Group within the FMBaldwin DNA Circle had 9 members: myself, my mom, siblings, aunts, cousins (all descendants of Allen Baldwin mentioned above).   The Anderson Lafayette Baldwin has two members.  In order to be included in the FM Baldwin DNA Circle, link your Ancestry DNA test results to a public family tree that goes back to FM Baldwin and Mary Sadler as ancestors.

FM Baldwin DNA Circle

According to Ancestry.com, requirements to be included in and view a DNA Circle are: 1-you must be an AncestryDNA customer, 2-link your AncestryDNA test to a Public tree, and 3-subscribe to Ancestry.com.

If you have an AncestryDNA test and don't want to pay for a subscription to Ancestry, you can transfer your raw DNA data to Gedmatch for free.  Two of the above matches have transferred their raw DNA data from Ancestry to GedMatch and another has also transferred his raw DNA data from Ancestry to FamilyTreeDNA.com.  FamilyTreeDNA has some great tools to analyze the data.  Below is FamilyTreeDNA’s chromosome browser showing how my mom and 4 of her siblings match KB, the grandson of Anderson Lafayette Baldwin. 

As more descendants of Francis Marion Baldwin and Mary Sadler participate in DNA testing we will be able to determine which segments of DNA belong to the Baldwin side and which belong to the Sadler side.  This will be especially helpful in going back to the next generation of Jane Baldwin. 

DNA has already helped to prove Mary Sadler’s father, John Sadler, was related (most likely the brother) to William Sadler – who came to Texas in the late 1850’s and settled in Frio, Texas. 

Thus far, we only have descendants from three of children of Francis Marion and Mary Sadler Baldwin in the FM Baldwin DNA Project: Anderson Lafayette Baldwin, Allen Baldwin, and Alice Baldwin Atchison.  
So, “pretty please” if you are a descendant of FM Baldwin and Mary Sadler consider participating in DNA testing.  

If you have tested or plan to test with Ancestry.com, you will need to link your DNA test to a public tree (that includes your direct line back to FM Baldwin) in order to be in the Francis Marion Baldwin Circle.  If you want to keep your main family tree private, you can make another (duplicate) tree just to link your DNA to.  It will need to be public (one of the requirements from Ancestry.com).  That family tree will only need direct ancestors back about 4-6 generations or so -- No need to put all the children or descendants.  The only people you got your DNA from is your direct ancestors.  
And remember, if you test with Ancestry, you can transfer your raw DNA data to GedMatch or to FamilyTreeDNA, so that you can access a chromosome brower.:)

Jane Baldwin's DNA Project and the Baldwin Y-DNA Project will be covered in separate posts.

Additional information:
SMGF (Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation)/University of Utah Animations
International Society of Genetic Genealogy
The Genetic Genealogist Blog
DNAeXplained - Genetic Genealogy
The Legal Genealogist

John Sadler "A True Texan"

John Sadler is the great-grandfather of our Grandpa Jess Baldwin and our 3rd great-grandfather.  John was the first "True Texan" in our Baldwin-Sadler family line.

John and Basheba Sadler
Our "First Family" in Texas

John Sadler was born 24 May 1811 in Tennessee. Some researchers believe him to be the son of John William Sadler and brother of William D Sadler who settled in Frio County, Texas.  Since descendants of our John Sadler and descendants of William D Sadler share common DNA, it is almost for certain that John and William were brothers.

At some point before 1830, John moved from Tennessee to Illinois. It is not known if he moved to Illinois by himself or if he made the move with family and/or friends.

In 1830, John was listed in the Federal Census for Shelby County, Illinois as a single man.  Later in 1830 in Shelby County, Illinois, John married Basheba Lindley.  Below is a copy of the marriage bond dated 17 Nov 1830.  Basheba's grandfather, John Whitley Sr., paid the marriage bond.

State of Illinois, Shelby County

To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting

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

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

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

now both of the County & State aforesaid.

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

paid on oath of John Whitly Sr.

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

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

TEXAS

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

Texas was still part of Mexico and Mexican government required a letter of recommendation from a reliable citizen of the US before admitting families to Texas. Basheba’s father, Samuel Washington Lindley, received a letter of recommendation signed by the Governor of Illinois on 27 Sep 1833.  In an 1838 land record, John stated that he "arrived in this County [Montgomery] in November 1833."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Battle of San Jacinto

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

Battle of San Jacinto.  Artistic interpretation by Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908)

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Sadler Texas Bounty Land Certificate

On 11 Mar 1839, John registered his brand in Montgomery County, Texas.  The brand looks like the initials "JV".  Not sure what the "V" would stand for?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greatest Rail Maker in Montgomery County

JH Collard gave the following description of John Sadler in his earlier years when John lived in Montgomery County.  This was found in a 1877 deposition for John's "proof of service" in the Army of the Republic of Texas and is part of John's pension application found in the Texas General Land Office records.

Deposition by J H Collard - glo.texas.gov

Transcription of above deposition by J H Collard:
"I know the John Saddler that served in the Army of the Republic with me by the expression of his eye, by the color of his hair, by his voice, by his being a large, stout man, and was notorious in his younger days as being the greatest rail maker in Montgomery county, and this to be the same John Sadler who lives as stated, near L____ Prairie."

Move to Limestone County

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

1855 School Enumeration for Limestone County
Texas State Archives

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

1860 United States Federal Census; Limestone County, Texas;

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

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

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

1870 United States Federal Census; Limestone County, Texas; 

Page: 194B; Family History Library Film: 553095

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

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

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

John and Basheba had at least nine known children, five sons and four daughters.  Many of their children and grandchildren stayed in the Limestone county area, but others spread out and helped to populate and settle the great state of Texas.  According to information found in online family tree databases, there were about 54 known grandchildren.  Although, not all of the grandchildren lived past childhood.  And, it appears that a large majority of the grandchildren remained in Texas.

Known children of John and Basheba Sadler: 
(1) James Caine Sadler, 1834-1910, md Amarillis Corner, 8 children; 
(2) Sarah Sadler Wageman, 1835-1900, md Henry Wageman, 7 children; 
(3) Samuel Lewis Sadler, 1839-1921, md Jane Folley, 12 children; 
(4) Elizabeth Sadler Sadler, 1842-1912, md John Sadler, 2 children; 
(5) Richard Henry Sadler, 1844-1887, md Rachel Ferguson, 1 child; 
(6) Mary Sadler Baldwin, 1845-1933, md Francis Marion Baldwin, 12 children; 
(7) Robert Sadler, 1849-1924, md Nan Ross, 5 children; 
(8) Martha Sadler Ingle, 1850-1897, md Taylor Ingle, 1 child; 
(9) John "Bud" Sadler, 1853-1898, md Elizabeth Martin, 6 children.

Death

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

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

To view John Sadler's Find A Grave memorial, Click Here.

To view the original donation land grant records shown above, go to the Texas General Land Office website: History>Land Grant Search.  Search both spellings: John Sadler and John Saddler. 
 
To view John Sadler's Character Certificate, Click Here.
To view John Sadler's 1838 land record, Click Here.
To view John Sadler's Donation Land Certificate, Click Here.

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

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