Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo

Charles and Caldona Leffel

The above photograph of Charles E Leffel and wife, Caldona Jane Box Leffel, was given to me years ago by an aunt.  It was in an oval frame (18 X 24) with a oval convex glass.  The frame and photo were both in very poor condition when I received them.  The top of the photo was torn and scraped and the frame was split and chipped.  Surprisingly, the convex glass was not broken.  A professional has made a copy and is going to restore the copy, which I will post when it is finished.  I thought I would post the "before restoration" photo for those who might prefer seeing the original.

The date of the photograph is not known.  There is no photographers stamp attached to the photo or the frame.  My guess is that the photo was taken around 1900.  Any additional information on the photo would be appreciated.

To see the restoration of above photo, click here.

Shaving Mugs

For my husband's birthday, I gave him a shaving mug, a badger-hair shaving brush, and a razor (with stand).  It reminded me of watching my Grandpa Elmer shave when I was young.

I inherited two shaving mugs from my Grandma Maymie.  The first one pictured belonged to my Grandpa Elmer Martin.  The mug had belonged to his father, John Stephen Martin, and before that to his grandfather, Mathias Martin.  Mathias supposedly brought the mug with him when he immigrated to America in 1847.  The bottom of the mug is marked "Germany 288."  Grandpa Elmer used this mug during his lifetime.  I can also remember the razor strop hanging on the end of cabinet.😊

The next shaving mug belonged to Maymie's grandpa, Martin Monroe Hatfield.  Not sure if he was the first person to own it or not.  Maymie said that Martin Hatfield brought it with him when he moved west from Kansas into Oklahoma and finally to Colorado.

History of Shaving Mugs

Wikepedia

A shaving scuttle and shaving mug were developed around the 19th century with the first patent for a shaving mug dating to 1867.  As hot water was not common in many households, one way to provide hot lather was to use a scuttle or mug. A traditional scuttle resembles a teapot with a wide spout where hot water is poured in, and this is where it differs from a shaving mug, which has no spout. Both shaving scuttles and mugs usually have a handle, but some have none. Shaving mugs often look like a standard mug, however, some also have a built in brush rest, so the brush does not sit in lather. Modern versions of the scuttle are in limited production, usually by independent potters working in small volumes.

At the top of the scuttle or mug is a soap holder. Traditionally, it was used with a hard block of shaving soap (rather than soft soap or cream) and therefore had drain holes at the bottom. Later scuttles and mugs do not include the holes, and thus can be used with creams and soft soaps. Some scuttles and mugs have concentric circles on the bottom, which retain some water thus helping to build lather.

In use, the shaving brush is dunked into the wide spout, allowing it to soak into the water and heat up. The soap is placed in the soap holder. When needed, one can take the brush and brush it against the soap, bringing up a layer of lather; excess water is drained back. This allows conservation of water and soap, whilst retaining enough heat to ensure a long shave.

The modern shaving brush may be traced to France during the 1750s. The French call a shaving brush blaireau or "badger." Quality of these brushes differed greatly, as materials used to fashion the handles varied from the common to the exotic. It was not uncommon for handles to be made of ivory, gold, silver, tortoise shell, crystal, or porcelain. The more expensive brushes used badger hair, with cheaper ones using boar's hair. In the 1800s when the folding-handle straight razor design made it practical for men to shave themselves rather than visit a barber, a shave brush became a status symbol, and an expensive or eccentric brush was a way of asserting one's personality or even affluence. The recent rapid rise in the popularity of "wet shaving" has raised demand for high quality and custom shaving brushes.

It's Texas Independence Day!

On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, formed a separate nation, and created the Republic of Texas.

Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With this document, settlers in Mexican Texas officially broke from Mexico, creating the Republic of Texas.  Texas Independence Day is an official holiday in the state of Texas. (Wikipedia)

Some of our ancestors moved to Texas prior to the Texas Revolution or during the time Texas was a Republic (1836-1846) So just remember, that each of us who are descendants have a bit of Texas in our DNA.

Republic of Texas 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.)

Mary Sadler (Born in the Republic of Texas.)
Jane Baldwin Family (husband possibly William Baldwin)
Francis Marion Baldwin (Born in the Republic of Texas.)
James Francis Box Family
Stephen F. Box Family
James Wilson Family

Mills Whitley Family

Sharp Whitley Family

Naturalization Record for Mathias Martin

The following naturalization record for Mathias Martin was found in the Jefferson County, Wisconsin Court House.
Abstract:
Mathias Martin was born in Bayern, Germany about 1810 and landed at the port of Milwaukee on October 1847.
John Matthew Martin, age 48, a native of Bavaria, arrived at the port of Milwaukee on October, 1847, declares his intentin to become a citizen before the Clerk of Jefferson County, Wisconsin on 15 Oct 1848.
Signed: Matthias Martin
Witnesses: John Glaesset & Nicolas Kispert

More on Mathias Martin can be found on the following blog posts:
Catharina Castner & Mathias Martin of Rock Island, Illinois
On the Trail of my German Immigrant Ancestors
Martin Parish Records from Germany

Charles B Wilson 1895

This photo was taken at Mangum, Oklahoma.  Charles B Wilson is on the right.  The identity of the young man on the left is unknown. 

The back of the photo has the following inscription:
"Dad age 19 taken at Mangram, Okla"

The photo was taken about 1895, if Charles was 19 years old at the time.

If anyone has additional information about the photo or knows the identity of the young man on the left, please leave a comment.  Thanks.

Additional posts about Charles B Wilson:
Buggy Ride - Marriage of Charles B Wilson and Minnie Pearl Hatfield
Family Bible -- Charles Wilson Family
Wilson's Grocery - Cortez, Colorado
Wilson Family Pictures
Charles B Wilson Photos

Charles B and Pearl Wilson Photos

Miscellaneous photos of Charles B. and Pearl Wilson family. 

Left to Right: Vern Wilson, Charles B. Wilson, Martin Barnes, Elmer Martin, John Wilson, ?, young boy on right is possibly Pat.

Above photo is of a successful hunting trip.  About 1927, Bug Point, Utah (?).  Charles Wilson in front.  Son-in-law, Elmer Martin, in back.

Charles Wilson Family

Charles Wilson Family:  Pearl and Charles sitting in front, Maymie and Alma standing behind them.  Boys in back from left to right: Pat, Vern, Buck, John.  Not sure where this is taken -- Does anyone know?

Pearl and Charles Wilson

  

Pearl and Charles Wilson, Elmer and Maymie Martin

Probably taken about 1947 in Yuma, Arizona.

Additional posts about Charles B. Wilson and family:
Wilson Gathering
Cattle Drives and a Hymn Book
Cortez Cemetery
Fixin' Supper -- The "Minnie Pearl" Style
Wilson Family Pictures
Wilson's Grocery
Family Bible -- Charles Wilson Family

Charles B. Wilson Family History

The following memories and short history of the Charles B. Wilson family was written by Inez Wilson in September 2001. Inez was a daughter-in-law to Charles and Pearl Wilson, the wife of their son, Buck Wilson.

Wilson History - Page 1

Wilson History - Page 2

Charles B. Wilson Family History by Inez Wilson, age 86.  Written 2 Sep 2001
Page 1 
Charles B or V Wilson was born in Denton County, Texas to William Ervin Wilson and his wife, don’t recall her name.  I had a picture of William once.  He was dressed in a nice suit, new boots and Stetson hat.  He had a pipe in one hand and a match in the other.  He was a very handsome man, his eyes were blue like Dad Wilson’s.
I know that Dad Wilson brought a herd of horses to Zuni, McKinley, New Mexico from Oklahoma.  Jennifer (granddaughter to Inez) and I went up there once and looked around.  One old man told us that he’d heard about the horses, that they were sold to farmers and ranchers there.  Mother Wilson drove the wagon from Oklahoma to New Mexico with Vern and Maymie, they were small then.  Not sure how long they were there, but they went back to Oklahoma, as I think Alma was born there and John in Arkansas.  I’m not sure when they came to Utah but I think they lived out in Dry Valley, north of Monticello before they homesteaded on Bug Point.
Vern left from there (Bug Point) with his saddle horse and two pack horses.  He rode to Oklahoma, don’t know why but he 
Page 2 
sold the horses and joined the Navy.  I suspect that he and his Dad clashed, I heard that was the reason.
I can’t recall if Pat was born in Monticello, while in Dry Valley or in Dove Creek.  After Mother & Dad Wilson homesteaded on Bug Point and were still living in Dove Creek, they had a little girl, Juanita, and later a boy, Lloyd.  Juanita became ill while they were in Dove Creek, she died there.  They always thought the old Doctor gave her the wrong medication.  Lloyd was born with “water on the brain,” probably another name for it now and a cure.  The Doctor was an old country doctor, so they lost their 2 youngest.  Though Pat may have been younger, not sure.  Mother Wilson told me that Buck would rock Lloyd for her while she did her work. 
Pat was two years younger than Buck.  Pat was 15 years old when we married and Buck & I were 17 years old.  Buck was with his Dad when he was dying.  Dad Wilson told Buck he was sorry for being so ornery with him.  I’ll always believe Buck looked like “Bill Wilson” the outlaw brother that Dad was scared of.  Dad Wilson loved to tease, which didn’t go so good sometimes (Buck did, too).  I really cared about them all, especially Mother.  She was so gentle, unless crossed.  It was a hard life back then.

Jess Baldwin at the Cortez Sale Barn

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Jess Baldwin worked at the Cortez Sale Barn. His job was to go out and buy livestock to auction at the Sale Barn.  In the above photo, Grandpa is standing with his greyhounds in front of the Sale Barn Truck.  Grandpa Jess loved his greyhound dogs.  Grandma told me that when they moved from Oklahoma to Arizona, Grandpa brought his greyhounds with him.

This picture belonged to the Lichliter family.  The Lichliters owned the Cortez Sale Barn where Grandpa Jess worked as a livestock buyer.  Jess is second from the left, leaning on the front of his car.  His daughter, Verna, said she learned how to drive a car in that car.  As a young girl, I can remember going to the Sale Barn.  I'd sit there fascinated by all the people, all the livestock, and especially the auctioneer  -- I loved all the sights, sounds, and even the smells.  Good memories.:)

Other posts about Jess Baldwin:
Jess and Mabel Baldwin
My Favorite Cowboy
Jess and Mabel married Christmas Day
Baldwin Family 1928

150th Commemoration of Great Hanging 1862

Thought this might be of interest for those of you connected to the Baldwin & Leffel families. 

150th Commemoration of the

Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862

 

It has been 150 years since our ancestor, David Miller Leffel was hanged by a confederate mob in October of 1862.  In what some call "one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War," at least 40 men, suspected of Union sympathies, were hanged by confederates in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas during the month of October 1862.  David's family was left fatherless, defenseless and grieving on the Texas frontier during the Civil War.  David Leffel was the grandpa of our grandma, Mabel Leffel Baldwin. 

Below is the information for the 2012 Sesquicentennial Great Hanging Event:

Remembering Our Past, Embracing Our Future

October 1862 - 2012

This year marks the 150th year since the Great Hanging at Gainesville. The Clark Family invites you to join them for commemoration events and catered luncheon.

Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Civic Center
200 S. Rusk St, Gainesville, Texas

9am – 12noon Speakers:  Richard McCaslin, Leon Russell, Ron Melugin and L.D. Clark
12noon Catered Luncheon
3:30pm Clark Cemetery:  Color Guard Ceremony
5pm Clark-Carri Farm:  629 Clark Rd Gainesville -- Hor d’ oeuvres & Bonfire

RSVP - before October 5, 2012
Email: NathanielClarkfamilyreunion@gmail.com


For additional info about the Great Hanging, go to:  Gainesville, Texas 1862 Blog

Meet for Lunch?

Last week on a late night talk show, the question was asked: "If you could have lunch with any three people in history, who would you pick?"  That got me to thinking, and I bet most of you know exactly what it was I was thinking... 

"If I could have lunch with any three of my ancestors, who would I pick?" 

It was hard for me to choose just three, because I would love to hold a big banquet with many, many more in attendance.  But, I finally made a list --  then changed it, then changed it again.  So, after a week of thinking about it and changing my mind, here's my list of three:

1.  My first choice would be Susan Evaline West Leffel.  Susan Evaline West, daughter of Michael West and Susannah McKee, was born 3 Jun 1817 in Kentucky. Susan married David Miller Leffel on 3 May 1837 in Springfield, Clark, Ohio.  Susan and David moved to Texas around 1858, when she inherited land from her father, Michael West.   The Leffel's move to Texas would set in motion events that would eventually lead to David's death.  Susan's husband, David Miller Leffel, was one of forty Union sympathizing citizens of North Texas who were charged with disloyalty and treason against the Confederacy by a “Citizens Court” in Gainesville, Cooke County in October 1862 and then hanged in what is called the Great Hanging at Gainesville. 
After much study into the Gainesville Hangings on my part, I would like to talk to Susan about what she and her family really went through and what really happened.  I would like to know if David was buried in the mass grave with many other victims of the Hanging, or if he is buried somewhere else.  Why did she stay in Texas after the end of the Civil War?  I would also like to know what happened to some of her siblings and their families.  So many questions...

2.  Second choice would be Rebecca Morgan Medlin.  She is my 3rd great-grandmother and the mother of my 2nd great-grandma, Bettie Medlin Stewart.  Rebecca died of Cholera when Bettie was still an infant, so even Bettie did not know her mother.  Rebecca is shadowy figure in my family history, shrouded in mystery and family legend.  There are stories passed down about her being a Cherokee Indian and hiding out in the mountains when the Cherokee were driven out of Tennessee.  Supposedly she was good with herbs and making her own medicines.  Rebecca's mother may have been Indian and her father white.  One story states that other Indians may have killed her parents because her Indian mother married a white man.  Do these stories have any truth to them?  I have no idea.  Was she related to the Morgans and Elrods in Putnam County, Tennessee?  Where did she meet her husband and where were they married?  So many unknowns in her life. Yes, I would definitely like to spend some time with great-grandma Rebecca.

3.  My third choice would be Jane Baldwin, my third great-grandmother.  She has tugged at my heart for years!!  Not only can I NOT find enough records to know all the "who, what and why" of her life, but my heart cries for her.  Jane experienced so much loss during her lifetime -- her husband and many of her thirteen children.  By 1870 when Jane was about 65 years old, only TWO of her thirteen children are known to still be living: James M. and Francis Marion. Jane's other eleven children were already deceased or their whereabouts completely unknown. Texas was definitely not kind to the Baldwin family!  But through it all, Jane did not lose faith in God -- In 1854, she was a founding member of  the "Little Flock Baptist Church." 
There are so, so many questions I would really like to ask Jane.  What happened to this child or that child?  Where did she grow up?  What is her maiden name? Who were her parents and grandparents?  Where did she meet her husband and where were they married? Were they happy and did they have a good marriage?  What was it like living in Texas in those early days?  The list could go on and on and on.

If you could pick three ancestors to have lunch with, who would you pick? 
Do you even know who three of your ancestors are? 

Now is the best time in history to get involved in genealogy and family history, so many records are accessible right from your own computer.  My family trees, along with all the research and records, are on Ancestry.com.  And, many records are free -- FamilySearch.org adds free records daily to the billions of records they already have!  Get started and have fun!  Find those three ancestors you would love to meet for lunch.


**Descendants (male and female) of these ancestors are encouraged to participate in DNA testing!!

The Mystery of Jane

Jane Baldwin

Jane Baldwin, my 3rd great-grandmother, is the end-of-the-line, dead-end, Brick Wall in the Baldwin family research.  Over the last thirty years, I have spent countless hours researching Jane in major libraries, local county libraries, court houses, Texas State Archives, online databases, and everywhere else I could think of.  I have hired researchers, written letters, cold-called Baldwins out of phone books, posted queries online, tested my DNA, and anything else I could think of.  I have even researched Jane's neighbors and associates hoping to find a connection.  None-nada-zip-zero-zilch...
A number of years ago, Kevin Thompson (4th cousin once removed) and I collaborated our research efforts.  He, then, wrote the following article about our Jane Baldwin.  Kevin's article is an excellent summary report of our research.  I am re-posting his article (with his permission). 
All descendants of Jane Baldwin are encourage to participate in DNA testing.    
The article posted below is courtesy of the Thompson Family Genealogy Blog:  Leaf, Stem, Branch, and Root.  

My additions (new research findings, comments, etc) to Kevin's report are highlighted in brown. 

The Mystery of Jane 
by Kevin Thompson

There are probably three significant mysteries in our family that I would like to solve. The mystery described below is the current blocking point in research of the Baldwin line.

In the 1850 United States census, a woman named Jane Baldwin appears as a head of household in Walker County, Texas with 12 other individuals aged 20 and under [1]. The 14 year old child named Frankin (Franklin) is my 3rd great-grandfather. Presumably, Jane Baldwin is my 4th great grandmother. But, who is her husband and where is he?

Jane is one of the most mysterious figures in the family tree. 

Her story is, on the surface, one with a lot of missing pieces. We might begin with her appearance in the 1850 United States Census. She is an illiterate widow, born in Ohio, with (apparently) 12 children (two sets of twins). By the birth dates of her youngest children, her husband died between 1847 and 1850. By the birth dates and places of her children, she and her husband emigrated with their children from Illinois to the Republic of Texas between 1836 and 1838 (making Jane and her son Benjamin Franklin citizens of the Republic of Texas). Very little is known about many of the children, but at least 5 of them have well-traced family trees.

It is my belief that a man named William D. Baldwin is a likely candidate for her husband. William D. Baldwin first appears in the 1830 United States Census in Illinois. He appears to be married and has 1 son and 2 daughters. We next find him fighting in the Black Hawk War in 1831-1832 [5, 6].

Signature of William D. Baldwin

William next appears in Texas receiving a 3rd class conditional land grant for 640 acres (meaning he is married) in Jasper County on 03 Jan 1840 [7, 8]. Information in these documents show he immigrated to the Republic of Texas in Jan 1838 which aligns perfectly with the dates implied by Jane's children. He also appears on the Jasper County 1840 tax roll paying a $1.00 poll tax [9, 10].

On 04 Jul 1842, William D. Baldwin receives the unconditional certificate for his 640 acre land grant in Washington County[7, 11]. The primary signer of the certificate is a man named J. C. Thomas. The certificate states that William has been in the Republic of Texas for at least 3 years.

William next appears in Washington County, Texas on the 1843 tax roll [13]. Then on 04 Sep 1843 he makes the unusual move of giving a power of attorney to a man names James H. Holt concerning his land grant [12]. Mr. Holt is given full authority to sell the land. Since we find William in Grimes County next in 1846 [14, 15, 16], presumably he was leaving the area and left someone in charge to eventually dispose of the land for him. Note the mention of J. C. Thomas (and a Pheba Baldwin) in this power of attorney document as being present before the land commissioners with William on 04 Jul 1842 when he received the unconditional certificate.

In 1844, William Baldwin was a founding member of the Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Grimes County, Texas.  In the Minutes of Organization of the Rocky Creek Baptist Church, those being present were: J. C. Thomas, Louisa Thomas, William Baldwin, etc.

Union Baptist Association (Tex.). Minutes of the Eighteenth Annual Session of the Union Baptist Association, 1857

Sometime in this period, William is a witness to a John C. Thomas land sale.

On 27 Jul 1847, William's land grant is surveyed and placed in Nueces County [17].

From 1846 to 1848 William D. Baldwin appears on the Grimes County tax rolls [14, 15, 16]. None of them indicate he had much of anything, and no deed records for William have been found in Grimes or Montgomery County (from which Grimes was formed in 1846). He is always seen paying a small tax with no land, horses, cattle, etc. It is not known why he is in Grimes County now, why he is not living on his land in Nueces County, and where he is living or who he is living with in Grimes County. (Is he living with John C. Thomas?)

During the 1846 to 1848 period William also appears on the Nueces County tax rolls [18, 19, 20]. This is probably solely due to the fact that he is a land owner in the county. Since he is paying a poll tax in Grimes County in these years, he is likely living in Grimes County.

The next we see of William he has died in Grimes County. His estate is in probate in June 1849 [21]. John C. Thomas is requesting and receives Letters of Administration at the request of the unnamed widow (remember Jane was illiterate and likely would not have been able to represent herself). No other mention of the estate probate has been found. The location of William's grave is not known. It should also be noted here that J. C. Thomas does indeed appear in the 1850 United States Census in Grimes County [22]. He is with a woman named Louisa.

And so picks up the story of Jane. She appears in the 1850 United States Census in Walker County as an illiterate widow with 12 children [1].  Jane's family starts at the bottom of page 11 and continues on page 12.


1850 Walker County, Texas Census, page 11

1850 Walker County, Texas Census, page 12 

Why would this Jane of the 1850 Walker County, Texas Census be connected to William Baldwin of Grimes County?
It is the subsequent events in her life that bear this out.

The land she is living on in 1850 is the one labor of land bought from Daniel B. McMahon (granted to him via Certificate #22, 1st Class, 14 Mar 14 1839) on 21 Dec 1849 [23]. The land was 14 miles N 64°W of Huntsville, Texas. Note that this is quite close to the Grimes County line. It is not known where in Texas the family was living prior to this. Importantly, note that John C. Thomas is a witness to this land purchase.

The 1850 Agriculture Schedule for Walker County gives information about Jane's land holdings, farm animals, and crop production.  From the 1850 Agricultural Schedule, we learn that Jane had 15 acres of improved land and 175 acres of unimproved land with a total value of $150.  Jane's livestock was valued at $189, which included one horse, 9 "milch" cows, 3 working oxen, 13 other cattle, and 24 swine.  Her crop production was 500 bushels of Indian Corn.

Jane Baldwin is seen on the 1851 and 1852 Walker County tax rolls living on the land purchased from McMahon[24, 25]. She does not appear on the 1853 tax roll.

William D. Baldwin's 640 acre land grant in Nueces County is sold on 28 Mar 1853 in Washington County, Texas[26]. The land is sold by his attorney James H. Holt (via the 04 Sep 1843 Power of Attorney) to George W. Gentry. Since we see Jane on the move shortly after this (see below), it is possible the income from this sale allowed her some freedom.

In 1854, Jane Baldwin is seen in Leon County (near the Limestone County line) as a founding member of the Little Flock Baptist Church [27]. How do we know this is our Jane? In the 1860 United States Census the Jane Baldwin family is living on the edge of Limestone County near the Leon County line (her children Franklin [29] and Arminda [2] are living nearby, separately) [2]. Three other founders of the church are living near her (Cothern, Lamb, and Stapleton). And, the church and cemetery are also in this area. So, surely this is Jane. Note also that J. C. and Louisa Thomas are also founding members of the church. In the 1860 census they are found living in Bear Grass, Texas in Leon County near the Limestone County line in the general area of the Little Flock Baptist Church [28].

On 05 Aug 1854 the future buyer of Jane's Walker County land (William Robinson) writes a letter concerning the patent for the land to "Mr. Tomas" [30]. On the back of the letter the words "Favor of Franklin Baldwin" can be seen. (Benjamin Franklin Baldwin, Sr. , who went by the name Franklin, is Jane's son.) Again we see Mr. Thomas connected to Jane Baldwin. And, it appears that a deal to sell Jane's Walker County land was in the works as early as 1854.

Four of Jane's children are enumerated in the 1855 School Census, Limestone County, Texas, District 13.  Jane is indicated as the Parent/Guardian of four children in the school census: 3 males and 1 female.  Her name is written as "Jane Balden".  Jane's four children who attended school in Limestone County in the 1854-1855 school year are: Francis M., Andrew J., and James (males), and Cornelia, a female.  (Note: Cornelia was listed as a male Cornelius in the 1850 Census and female Cornelia in the 1860 Census. The 1855 School Census is the tie-breaker and it is safe to assume that Jane's child born in 1845 was a daughter named Cornelia.)

1855 Limestone County, Texas School Enumeration
Texas State Archives

On 23 Nov 1858 Jane receives a patent for the Walker County land bought from (and originally granted to) D. B. McMahon [31, 32]. She finally sells this land on 13 Oct 1859 [33], almost exactly a decade after she bought it. It is important to note here that John C. Thomas is the notary public for this sale (in Bear Grass, Texas where he resides in the 1860 census).

Jane is included in the 1860 Agricultural Schedule for Limestone County.  Her farm is valued at $650 and includes 30 acres of improved land and 130 acres of unimproved land.  She owns farming implements valued at $10.  Jane's livestock is valued at $25 and includes 5 "milch" cows.  Her crop production consisted of 250 bushels of Indian Corn.

On 30 August 1864, Mistress Baldwin is listed on the Confederate Indigent Families List of Limestone County, Texas.   
Mstr (Mistress) Baldwin: 4 family members, Confederate, "dependant on hur son." (4 family members could be Andrew, Cornelia, James, Harriet)
She listed next to Frank Baldwin and James Sadler.
Source: Mearse, Linda (Transcribed by), Confederate Indigent Families Lists of Texas 1863-1865, DAR Library, Washington, D.C.

The last we see of Jane Baldwin she is living with her son Francis Marion Baldwin in Limestone County in the 1870 United States census [3], which was enumerated on 1 Jun 1870.  

In the 1870 Census, Jane's age is recorded as sixty-five years old.  Her birthplace of Ohio is consistent with the previous two censuses.  Jane's son James Baldwin is enumerated on the same page of the census - three households away. 

By 1870, only two of Jane's thirteen children are known to still be living: Francis Marion Baldwin, who Jane is living with, and James M. Baldwin, who is living nearby.  Jane's other eleven children were already deceased or their whereabouts unknown in 1870.  

It is not known when Jane died or where she is buried. 

The constant theme of this story is John C. Thomas. The theory, which is strongly supported by many of the facts, is that his wife Louisa is the eldest child of William and Jane Baldwin (so he is a son-in-law). According to the 1850 and 1860 United States censuses, Louisa was born in Illinois in 1826. This is the right time and the right place. She would be one of the two girls under 5 in the 1830 census (the son is probably Allen M. and the other daughter could very well be Mary if her and Allen's birth dates are slightly off in the 1850 census).

The Thomas' repeated presence with William and/or Jane from 1842 to at least 1859 (and through a move from Grimes to the Leon/Limestone County area) is a strong indicator of family ties.

The only other documented Baldwin that arrived in Texas in time to have a child by 1838 is a James R. Baldwin. However, his conditional and unconditional land grants are in Bexar County, Texas which would place the family far from the eventual location of Walker County, Texas. This decreases the likelihood that this is the right man to be Mr. Baldwin.

The best I can conclude is that William D. Baldwin is indeed the husband of the Jane Baldwin seen in the 1850 United States census in Walker County, Texas.

Janeʼs maiden name and parentage are unknown. With her sudden appearance on the scene in the 1850 census, little can be gathered of her early life and family.

Jane had 13 children (including Louisa) and two sets of twins.

The children of Jane (Baldwin), and presumably William D. Baldwin:

1) Louisa Baldwin was born about 1826 in Illinois [22, 28]. She married John Covington Thomas. Louisa and John were the parents eight children: Jasper, Mary, Martha, James, Amanda, Franklin, Janey, and Alex.
2) Allen H. Baldwin [1] was born about 1830 in Illinois [1]. He married Charles Frances Amanda Guerrant (sister of his brother Benjamin's wife) on 31 Aug 1854 in Walker County, Texas [34]. He and Amanda both died before Nov 1869 [35], presumably in Walker County, Texas.  Allen and Amanda had one son, Charles William Baldwin.
3) Mary J. Baldwin [1] was born about 1831 in Illinois [1]. Mary married James Stapleton about 1854 in Limestone County, Texas.  They were the parents of four children: William Thomas, Isabella, Susan, and John.  Enumerated in 1860 Limestone County census.  Both Mary and James apparently died before 1870.
4) Martha Baldwin [1] was born about 1834 in Illinois [1]. She married James Jutson on 3 Feb 1853 in Walker County, Texas [36].  Martha died 1857-1858.  Martha and James had two daughters: Emily and Martha.  Click here to read about Martha.
5) Benjamin Franklin Baldwin, Sr. [1, 37] was born on 12 Jan 1836 [38, 39] in Illinois [1]. He married Magdellen Moseley Guerrant on 10 Feb 1859 [41] presumably in Limestone County, Texas. He was Sheriff of Walker County, Texas shortly before his mysterious death on 22 Mar 1869 [38, 40]. He was buried in McAdams Cemetery [38].  They had one son, Benjamin Franklin Baldwin, Jr.
6) Arminda Baldwin [1] was born about 1838 in the Republic of Texas [1]. She married James J. Rose on 07 Feb 1856 in Walker County, Texas [42]. She probably died in Limestone County before Sep 1863.  James remarried and lived in Leon County.  Arminda and James had two sons: Andrew George and James M.  

7) Francis Marion Baldwin [1, 44] was born on 06 Sep 1840 [43] in the Republic of Texas [1]. He married Mary Sadler about 1865 in Limestone County, Texas. He died on 21 May 1900 in Eliasville, Young, Texas and was buried in Eliasville Cemetery [43].  F.M. and Mary had twelve children: Anderson, Allen, Levi, Charles, Robert, Willis Ann, Mittie, Walter, Lemuel, Alice, Rosco, and Lena.

8) Sarah Baldwin [1], fraternal twin to Andrew J., was born about 1842 in the Republic of Texas [1].  Nothing more is known.

9) Andrew J. Baldwin [1, 2], fraternal twin to Sarah, was born about 1842 in the Republic of Texas [1].  Nothing more is known.

10) Cornelia Baldwin [1, 2] was born about 1845 in the Republic of Texas [1]. Cornelia was listed as a male Cornelius in the 1850 Census and female Cornelia in the 1860 Census. The 1855 School Census is the tie-breaker listing Jane's child as a female Cornelia, and so it is safe to assume that Jane's child born in 1845 was a daughter named Cornelia.

11) James M. Baldwin [1, 2] was born on 12 Mar 1847 [45] in Texas [1, 2]. He married Eady F. Spillers on 15 Apr 1867 in Walker County, Texas [47]. He died on 11 Feb 1905 [45, 46] in Seale, Robertson, Texas [46] and was buried in Ferguson Cemetery, Limestone County, Texas [45]. James and Eady had eight children: William, Mollie, Dora, Ben, Lella, Bula, James and an infant who died.

12) Harriet Baldwin [1, 2], twin to Jane, was born about 1849 in Texas [1, 2]. Nothing more is known.

13) Jane Baldwin [1], twin to Harriet, was born about 1849 in Texas [1]. She apparently died before 1860 as she does not appear in the 1860 United States census with her mother and siblings [2].

Related Posts:
Francis Marion Baldwin  

Finding Family With DNA
FM Baldwin DNA Project

References

[1] 1850 United States Census. Walker County, Texas, Pages 256 A and 256 B.
[2] 1860 United States Census. Limestone County, Texas, Page 335 A.
[3] 1870 United States Census. Limestone County, Texas, Page 198 B.

[4] 1830 United States Census. Fulton County, Illinois, Page 249 A.

[5] Whitney, Ellen M., The Black Hawk War 1831-1832, Volume 1 - Illinois Volunteers, Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield, 1970. Page 455.

[6] Ibid. Page 190.
[7] White, Gifford, 1840 Citizens of Texas, Volume 1, Land Grants, Austin, Texas, 1983. Page 12.
[8] Texas State Archives: Records of the Texas General Land Office. File 85, San Patricio, 3rd Class, William D. Baldwin. James H. Holt Deposition. Front Back.

[9] Tax Records of Jasper County, Texas. Tax roll for 1840, page ?.

[10] White, Gifford, 1840 Citizens of Texas, Volume 2, Tax Rolls, Austin, Texas, 1984. Page 87.
[11] Texas State Archives: Records of the Texas General Land Office. File 85, San Patricio, 3rd Class, William D. Baldwin. Unconditional Certificate (#25). Front Back.

[12] Ibid. Power of Attorney. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4.

[13] Tax Records of Washington County, Texas. Tax roll for 1843, page 14-1.

[14] Tax Records of Grimes County, Texas. Tax roll for 1846, Page 1.

[15] Ibid. Tax roll for 1847, Page ?.

[16] Ibid. Tax roll for 1848, Page ?.

[17] Texas State Archives: Records of the Texas General Land Office. File 85, San Patricio, 3rd Class, William D. Baldwin. Land grant survey. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3.

[18] Tax Records of Nueces County, Texas. Tax roll for 1846, page 2 (unmarked).

[19] Ibid. Tax roll for 1847, page 12 (unmarked).

[20] Ibid. Tax roll for 1848, page 3 (unmarked).

[21] Minutes of the County Court of Grimes County, Texas. Book 2, Page 90.

[22] 1850 United States Census. Grimes County, Texas, Page 382 A.

[23] Texas State Archives: Records of the Texas General Land Office. File 459, Montgomery, 1st Class, Daniel B. McMahon. Land sale to Jane Baldwin. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3.

[24] Tax Records of Walker County, Texas. Tax roll for 1851, Page ?.

[25] Ibid. Tax roll for 1852, Page ?.

[26] Texas State Archives: Records of the TX GLO. File 85, San Patricio, 3rd Class, William D. Baldwin. Land grant sale. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3.

[27] Minutes of the Twelfth Annual Session of the Trinity River Association of United Baptists (1859), Texas Baptist Power Press Print, 1860. Page 22.

[28] 1860 United States Census. Leon County, Texas, Page 283 B.
[29] 1860 United States Census. Limestone County, Texas, Page 335 B.

[30] Texas State Archives: Records of the Texas General Land Office. File 459, Montgomery, 1st Class, Daniel B. McMahon. Letter from William Robinson to "Mr. Tomas" re: land patent. Front Back.

[31] Texas State Archives: Records of the Texas General Land Office. Land patent records. Volume 13, Number 325.

[32] Walker County, Texas Deed Records. Book P, Page 273.

[33] Ibid. Book P, Pages 274 and 275.

[34] Marriage Records of Walker County, Texas. Volume 5, Page 246.

[35] Minutes of the Probate Court of Walker County, Texas. Book G, Page 123.

[36] Vick-Rainey, Mary E., Marriage Records of Walker County, Texas 1846-1880, 1978. Page 13.

[37] Mearse, Linda, Confederate Indigent Families Lists of Texas, 1863-1865, 1995. Page 280.

[38] Walker County, Texas Cemeteries, Volume 2, North Walker County, Walker County Genealogical Society, Huntsville, TX, 2004. Page 99, McAdams Cemetery.

[39] B. F. Baldwin, Jr. Bible. Owned by Benjamin Franklin Baldwin. Jr. and Clara Ann Clarke. "Memoranda" page.

[40] Ibid. "Deaths” page.

[41] Ibid. "Marriages" page.

[42] Vick-Rainey, Mary E., Marriage Records of Walker County, Texas 1846-1880, 1978. Page 19.

[43] Loftin, Jack and Marie, Complete Cemetery Census of Young County, Texas 1837-1995, 1995. Page 85.

[44] 1870 United States Census. Limestone County, Texas, Pages 198 A and 198 B.

[45] Bounds, Virginia J. and Imogene C. Barham, Limestone County, Texas, Cemetery Surveys, Volume 1, Part 1, Limestone County Historical Museum, 1988. Page 168, Ferguson Cemetery.

[46] Death Records of Robertson County, Texas. Volume 1, page 8.

[47] Marriage Records of Walker County, Texas. Volume 2, Page 767.

Buggy Ride

Marriage and Buggy Ride

Charles B Wilson and Minnie Pearl Hatfield

Charles B and Minnie are sitting in the buggy.  I've heard two versions of when this photo was taken.  One version is that it was taken on their Wedding Day, and the other is that it was taken a few days after the wedding.  Given the facts that Minnie and the woman on the horse, both have an interesting-looking ornate headdress/veil on and Charles has a suit on, my feeling is that the photo was taken on their Wedding Day.
Not sure of others in photo, but guessing they may be Minnie's family -- some of the Hatfield Clan.   But, the question of the day is:  Why take the photo on the edge of a cliff? 

Charles & Minnie in Buggy

Charles B Wilson and Minnie Pearl Hatfield were married on 14 Dec 1902 in Woods County, Oklahoma at the "Home of Bride" in the presence of Friends and Relations.  Below is a copy of their marriage certificate.


Marriage Certificate

At the time of the wedding in 1902, the "Home of the Bride" would have been the log home, shown in the photo below, on her parents homestead in Woods County, Oklahoma.

Hatfield Homestead

Other related posts about Charles B Wilson and Minnie Pearl Hatfield Wilson:
Fixin' Supper - the "Minnie Pearl" Style
Family Bible -- Charles Wilson Family
Wilson Family Pictures

Wilson's Grocery
Hatfield Homestead in Oklahoma