Gainesville, Texas 1862

Preacher...Not the kind that preached for the Money

2012-02-12T21:49:00.001-07:00

HIRAM KILBORN

"A Baptist Preacher, and not the kind that preached for the money in it."

Hiram was rounded up with all the rest of the men in the pre-dawn hours of October 1. He was trying to get away when he was shot by one of the militia sent to arrest all of the men. Wonder if they shot him in the back?

Here is what is known of Hiram's story. Hiram Kilborn sounds like a good man.

Hiram was a native of Canada. Not certain when he came into immigrated to the United States. He was in Peoria, Illinois in 1841, when he married twenty-one year old, Adelia (known as Delia) Ann Knowles a native of Vermont, on 12 Dec 1841. The couple was still in Peoria in 1850. Hiram reported his occupation as a carpenter for the 1850 census. Hiram and Delia have two sons, George, age 6, and John, age 3.

1850 US Federal Census, Peoria, Illinois, page 240A

Hiram moved his family to Texas sometime between 1852 and 1856. In 1860, Hiram and his family can be found living in Cooke County, Texas. Kilborn is living next to Eli Scott, one of the men who would be hanged in the Gainesville Hanging. Clark refers to Hiram Kilborn as being a 'near neighbor.' Kilborn reported his occupation as a farmer in 1860. Hiram and Delia have two more children by 1860; a daughter, Frances, and a son, Wilson.

1860 US Federal Census, Cooke, Texas, pag 227

Hiram seems to have been very involved in the community. McCaslin refers to Kilborn as a Baptist lay minister and states in the footnote on page 67 of his book, Tainted Breeze: "Kilborn became a school trustee and a road overseer for Cooke County in September, 1858, a supervisor for the polling station at Henry Cockrum's mill in the fall of 1860, and again for the polling station at John Ware's house in the fall of 1860 and in August, 1862."

James Lemuel Clark, in his Recollections, writes the following about Kilborn:

"The next neighbor I will name was Hiram kilborn. He had a homestead of 320 acres of land patened to him by the state. Tho tha did not hang him. He was shot an killed by some of the Bourland men in trying to git a way. His foalks never got his body and did not no what tha dun with it. He Kilborn was a Babtist preacher, and not one of the kind that preached for the money that was in it. He was the oanly Babtist preacher in this country when we came here. I am informed by Frank Foremen that [he] helped to bury Kilborn."

Hiram's son, George, was away fighting for the Confederate Army, when Hiram was shot and killed by the Confederate group in Cooke County, James L. Clark was serving in the same Confederate unit. In one of Clark's letters home to his family, dated 20 Mar 1863, he writes: "Mother tell George Kilborns folks that he is still with us but it not verry well. He has a verry bad cough and it is thought by some that he has Consumption. But he is able to go about. He has not been able to do any duty since he left home but has been able to stay with us." George A. Kilborn appened the following note to James Lemuel Clark's letter: "Be sure and tell my Father and Mother to write to me as soon as you get this letter and tell them where I am. I send my best respects to you and your family. Geo. A. Kilborn."

It appears that while George Kilborn was away fighting for the Confederate Army, he did not know that his father had been killed by the Cooke County confederates. No records for George have been found after this time, so he may have died while serving in the Confederate Army.

After Hiram's death at the hands of the Confederate militia, his family moved to Bourban County, Kansas. Delia and her three younger children can be found in the 1870 census.

1870 US Federal Census, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, page 491B

Delia died in 1879 and was buried in the Mount Orum Cemetery, Bourbon County, Kansas. Son, John, married and had a family and continued to live in Bourbon County. Son, Wilson, moved around a bit, ending up in Colorado.

WHY THIS BLOG?

2012-02-10T15:45:00.008-07:00

Often the question is asked, “Why do a Blog about a Civil War Hanging?”

Additional comments include: "Who cares about that?, How depressing!, You are not like one of those guys who dress up like Civil War Soldiers, are you?, What does that have to do with anything today?, Why waste your time?"

The Blog Welcome, on the right side of the blog, explains the goal or mission statement of the blog:
Our goal is to remember all the men who died in the 'Great Hanging'
and find their families – spouse, children, parents, siblings.

But, the real question that should be asked, is not “Why the blog?” but, “What prompted you to start the blog in the first place?”

While reading the book (footnote) by Thomas Barrett, “The Great Hanging,” the following passage on page eighteen seemed to jump out of the book demanding attention and action.

“There was an order passed that women should not be permitted to be present at the hanging. The women were not noisy, but the signs of deep despair was manifested by the heaving breast, the falling tears, the heavy groans as though the heart was breaking, and all the vitals of life were giving way. I believe all these men were heads of families. The sun set that night on fourteen widowed families, and thirteen families of orphans, for if I recollect right, all these men had children but one.
Language is totally incompetent to express the deep sorrow of that night. Wailing, moaning, weeping and lamentation existed in these families on that dark and fatal night. Tears fell like the rain drop, as tears fall from my eyes at even this distant day, while penning these lines. When the little ones who were just beginning to talk, would say: Ma where is pa? Pa come home, O, ma, go after him. How these words went like a dagger to the heart of that disconsolate wife. He was her husband, she loved him! Let the world say what they may.”

Who were these women?? -- these widows, mothers, and daughters of the Gainesville Hanging victims?

One thing was certain, these women needed their story told. They needed a voice! They needed to be found! In many cases, who these women were, was not known to present day researchers. Many women are still not known, but many have been “found” and their sad but courageous story is finally being told.

For a list of known spouses of the men hanged at Gainesville, go the the "Weeping Wives" post.

If you have information on any of the families of the Hanging victims, please share. There are many ways to share: write a book, start your own blog, post your family information on Ancestry.com, leave a message on genealogy message boards, donate your stories to a historical society/library in Gainesville, post the information on this blog, or all of the above.

Thomas Barrett, "The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, October, A.D. 1862," Gainesville, Texas: January, 1885; Old West Magazine, pages 49-66, Summer 1981, Note: Original pamphlet was written in 1885. Its author, Thomas Barrett, was on the Cooke County jury that found 42 men guilty of conspiracy against the Confederacy in the Fall of 1862. According to the Handbook on Texas, Barrent "deprecated the role of emotion in the jury's decisions and argued that his being on the jury had saved large numbers of lives." Note: Barrett did NOT mention names of the victims.

The John Wiley Question?

2012-02-07T16:08:00.003-07:00

Was John Wiley Hanged in the Gainesville Hangings?

The following information was sent by a John Wiley descendant. Some in the Wiley family feel that their ancestor, John Wiley, was one of the men hanged during the Gainesville Hangings in 1862. Wiley is included in James L. Clark's list of men who were hanged. In addition, Wiley is mention in the 1880 Galveston news article about the hanging. But, he is NOT reported in Diamond's Account as having a trial, nor is he included in McCaslin's list, "Forty-Two Executed by the Citizens Court at Gainesville."

"I have been seeking more information relating to John M Wiley [1812-1862]. I found one unverified source that indicated that his middle name was Malcolm. He was married to Elizabeth "Eliza" "Lizzie" Ann McCulloch [1820-1877] and there were six known children, five girls and one boy. Avaline [B1837], Mary Jane [B1840], Eliza [B1841], Isaac [B1843], Sarah Ann [B1845] and Maria Louisa [B1849] All the children were born in Missouri. The family was living in Jefferson County, Missouri in the 1850 census. They moved to Grayson County in 1854 and were in the Grayson County census in 1860.

Wiley is not on Diamond or McCaslin's hanged lists, but is mentioned by Clark and in the article by the Galveston News Weekly in 1880 as being hanged.

The widow, Eliza was living in the 1870 Grayson County census with her son Isaac and a 8 years old child named James M Wiley who may be the child of Isaac and the grandchild of Eliza. None of the girls are in the home. It appears that the family did not flee the area after the hanging but stayed in Grayson County. Isaac was born 1843 and died in 1924. He was married to Margaret Ellen Hutton and they had several children. They apparently lived near Collinsville in Grayson County and are both buried in the Collinsville Cemetery.

Eliza Wiley died in 1877 and was buried in Wiley Cemetery near Collinsville near her husband, J M Wiley. This cemetery is small with maybe 5 or 6 graves and located about 2 miles SE of Collinsville. None of the graves there appear to be on Find-A-Grave website. Not sure if they are marked or not. Clark calls him "old man Wiley-landowner" in his account.

The only reference I can find about John M Wiley in Diamond's account is that he was present at the Dye meeting on the night of 1 October 1862. This was mentioned in testimony in one of the first seven trials. There is no evidence that Wiley had a trial, but he was hanged on the 12th, so would likely have been one of the 14 men that was selected from a list by a representative of the citizens mob provided to them by the jury for lynching. It does appear however, that he was picked up by his family or friends and buried in a traditional manner by his family and not in the mass grave on the banks of Pecan Creek."

Diamond's Account - List of Trials

2012-02-07T15:47:00.001-07:00

THE FOLLOWING LIST IS FROM DIAMOND’S ACCOUNT OF THOSE TRIED AND EXECUTED DURING THE GREAT HANGING AT GAINESVILLE, TEXAS, OCTOBER 1862.

This list is the order of each man’s trial as presented in Diamond’s Account of the Citizens Court, with the date of hanging listed after each name. (Most hanging dates came from McCaslin's book, Tainted Breeze.)

Dr. Henry Childs – Oct 2
Ephraim Childs – Oct 2
A.D. Scott - Oct 19
M.D. Harper – Oct 4
Henry Fields – Oct 4
I.W.P. Lock – Oct 7
W.W. Morris – Oct 8
Richard Anderson - Oct 19
Dr. Eli Thomas – Oct 19

TRIED TOGETHER:
Edward Hampton - Oct 10
John A. Morris – Oct 19

John M. Crisp – Oct 19
Samuel Carmichael – Oct 13

TRIED TOGETHER - Oct 13
C.A. Jones, James Powers, Eli M. Scott, Thomas Baker, Geo W. Anderson, Abraham McNeese, Henry Cockrum, C.F. Anderson, Wm Wernell, B.F. Barnes, Wm Rodes, & N.M. Clark

Ramey Dye – Oct 13

D.M. Leffel – Oct 19

TRIED TOGETHER – Oct 19
James A. Ward & W.B. Taylor

H.J. Esman – Oct 19

W.W. Johnson – Oct 19

Richard N. Martin – Oct 19

Barnabas Birch – Oct 19

TRIED TOGETHER – Oct 19
Curd Goss, Wm Anderson, John Miller, Ar (Phax) Dawson, & M.W. Morris
======

SHOT WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE:
Dr. James Foster – Oct 10

TRIED BY COURT-MARTIAL AND EXECUTED BY MILITARY:
A.N. Johnson & John Cottrell (together, with Wm McCool)

SHOT WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE:
Mr. Floyd

Note: Three of the men (not sure which ones) with an execution date of Oct 13 were hanged on Oct 12. Nineteen men were executed on Oct 19, and this list only shows 17 trials for men who supposedly were hanged on the 19th. McCaslin lists John W. Morris and Gilbert Smith with the men who were hanged on Oct 19, but Diamond does not list a trial for them. As always, corrections are welcomed.

Gilbert Smith

2012-02-04T14:51:00.004-07:00

Was Gilbert Smith hanged in the Gaineville Hangings?

Gilbert Smith is listed by McCaslin as one of the "Forty-Two Executed by the Citizens Court at Gainesville."

McCaslin (Tainted Breeze, page 203) suggests that Gilbert Smith, age twenty-three, is listed as being in a militia company from Fannin County mustered on July 7, 1861. The twenty-three year old Gilbert Smith in Fannin County can be found in the 1860 Fannin County, Texas Census. He was the son of Robert Smith and he lived in Fannin County until his death in 1915. So, the Gilbert Smith from Fannin County could not have been hanged in the 1862 Gainesville Hangings.

There is another Gilbert Smith reported in the 1860 census as living in Texas. He was a 60 year old family man living in Hopkins County. The Hopkins County Gilbert Smith died in 1868, so he could not have died in the Gainesville Hangings in 1862.

The 1860 census of Texas reports one more Gilbert Smith. He was a 29 year old native of Georgia living in Rusk County. His 21 year old wife, Mary, was a native of Texas. They were parents of an eleven month old son, named Ira. It is not known what happened to this Rusk County Gilbert Smith, so he may be a possibility.

Known facts about Gilbert Smith:

1. Witness for the trial of Ramey Dye.
Diamond's Account (page 78) gives the following testimony by Gilbert Smith for the trial of Ramey Dye:
"I was at the meeting on Wednesday night. Present: Ramey Dye, James Powers, Moses Powers, John Ware, John W. Morris, Dr. Foster, H.J. Esman, Harry Gilman, Arphax Dawson, O. B. Atkinson, and Wm boyles. We were all ordered to bring our guns. I loaded mine after I got there. I suppose there were twenty-eight men in all.
Our object was to come here, (Gainesville) and rescue the prisoners. Ramey Dye was chosen captain. We concluded to get away when Essman came and reported the number of men in town. We adjourned to meet again the next night and consult what to do. I understood we had spies out. Mr. Welch started up here to see how many men were in town. He was sent by the company. Some men were sent out two or three times to spy out and see if any body approached. Old Man Cochran went over to Red River to see how many members of the order there were over in that section. Snodgrass was there when I arrived. I understood that the signs would protect us when the Northern army came."

2. Attended the Rama Dye meeting for the rescue of prisoners.
As stated in his above listed testimony, Gilbert Smith attended the nighttime meeting called by Rama Dye to discuss a rescue of prisoners in Gainesville.

3. Diamond does not list or include Gilbert Smith in any of the trials. So, did he have a trial and Diamond not list it? Was he found guilty and hanged? There is no record of Gilbert Smith ever being tried or hanged. Was he just a witness? Or, was he a prisoner and then released?
Gilbert Smith is not on Clark's list of men hanged, nor is he in the 1880 Galveston news article. But, neither one of these sources contains a complete list of men hanged. Not even sure if Diamond's account contains a complete list of men hanged.

Thoughts and comments about the Gilbert Smith dilemma would be appreciated.

Note: McCaslin's book, Tainted Breeze, is the definitive source for information concerning the Great Hanging at Gainesville. When McCaslin published the book in 1994, there were not online census indices available. Nor was there as much information available that today can be easily found in online databases or offline repositories about the individual men who died in the Hanging. Many thanks to McCaslin for his book about the Hanging, and for laying the groundwork for further research by descendants into their ancestor who died in the hangings.

Star-Telegram News Article

2012-02-03T23:10:00.003-07:00

The following was posted on the Bud Kennedy Column, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Mobs don't lynch people - 'tensions of the times' lynch people

Mobs don't lynch people - 'tensions of the times' lynch people

Posted Thursday, Feb. 02, 2012
By Bud Kennedy
bud@star-telegram.com

It remains the worst mob violence in American history: 14 men lynched, all here in North Texas.
Now, 150 years later, a Rebel-flag-waving movie will tell the mob's "side of the story."
Even by Civil War standards, the Great Hanging is an atrocity.

After a Confederate military tribunal convicted seven men of treason, a vigilante mob set out on the streets of Gainesville and Cooke County, rounding up and hanging 14 more men without regard for trials or the young Confederate nation's constitution.

"The whole town went crazy," said Gary D. Bray, 60, of Forney, a Sons of Confederate Veterans commander lining up extras for the SCV promotional movie Black October.
Bray said the Confederate ancestry group will "tell both sides."
"Everything you read on the Internet says the Confederates were just crazy people lynching folks in a big mob," Bray said.

Well, yes.

But Bray said the movie will blame the lynchings on the "tensions of the time."
By the time the bloodshed ended, 42 men had been lynched, shot or hanged by a tribunal, including five in Wise County and one in Denton.
Bray said the movie's director, David Moore of Parker County-based Southern Legacy Films, has talked with descendants.
"By no means would we want to portray the victims as horrible people," Bray said.

How kind.

The screenplay is based on records compiled by a Confederate soldier who was also an East Texas newspaper editor, Bray said. Scenes have been shot near Tyler, at the Frontier Village park in Denison and at Dexter in Cooke County.
Movie scenes posted online include re-enactments of hangings.
The Sons plan to show the movie in Gainesville to mark the October anniversary, he said.

Some graves there remain unmarked to this day.
One in a Cooke County cemetery is inscribed "Murdered by a Mob."

University of North Texas history professor Richard McCaslin told the story fairly in his 1997 book, Tainted Breeze.
"There's only one book that tries to tell the true story, and I wrote it," McCaslin wrote by e-mail.
"They have made no effort to include me, and the pictures online reflect their lack of knowledge about what really happened."

This movie will be more story than history.

Bud Kennedy's column appears in the Star-Telegram Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Samuel Carmichael

2012-01-31T21:55:00.001-07:00

Samuel Carmichael was born in Tennessee in 1821 and settled in Cooke County prior to 1860.

The 1860 Cooke County, Texas Federal Census gives the following information about Carmichael. He was a thirty-nine year old carpenter from Tennessee, living in Gainesville with his wife Anna. Samuel had $1,200 of personal property and $40 of real estate. Anna was thirty-seven years old and a native of Illinois. It appears that they had no living children of their own. Living in their household with them are the following individuals; fifteen year old Isaac Abele from Alabama, ten year old Josephus L. Wilson from Norway, and twenty-one year old William Gaston from Pennsylvania. It is not known if the younger children were foster children or apprentices or what?

1860 Federal Census, Cooke County, Texas, Gainesville Post Office, page 223, Dwelling 33

By 1862, Samuel Carmichael was assessed for 5 lots in Gainesville, 7 horses and 2 cows.

From Diamond’s account of the trials, we learn that Samuel Carmichael was “an outspoken enemy to the South.”

Diamond reports the following about the Trial of Samuel Carmichael:
“It is in evidence that Carmichael was well informed as to the objects and purposes of the organization, but the testimony does not develop the fact that he was ever sworn in. When the detail was made to go to Fort Cobb during the Indian excitement in that quarter, Carmichael peremptorily refused to go, say that he would fight to the death at home, first.
He was an outspoken enemy to the South and, in every way, considered a dangerous and bad man in Society. He was found guilty and hung.”
Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging, Page 75.

So, it appears that Samuel Carmichael was not even a member of the peace party. Apparently, the Citizens Court thought he was just too outspoken and needed to be hanged. McCaslin referenced a newspaper article in the St. Louis Republic, stating that Carmichael was a “big, strappin’ fellow, not afraid of the devil, and he cussed ‘em to the last.”

Carmichael wrote a will just before he was hanged. He named his wife, Anna, executor and sole heir. He tried to get in a last jab at the Confederates, by requesting that Hughes, his attorney, was to collect all monies that was due to him from the Confederates.

Cooke County, Texas Will Book, Vol 1, pg 330-331

Transcription of Will:
In the name of God Amen. I, Samuel Carmichael in the County of Cooke and State of Texas, being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this frail life, do therefore make ordain publish and declare, this to be my last will and testament. That is to say first after my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate real and personal, I give bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit, To my beloved wife Anna Carmichael all of the property I am now possessed for her own benefit.
Likewise I make constitute and I appoint J. C. Hughes my lawful attorney to collect all monies that may be due me from the Confederate States of America. And receipt in my name to the proper officers for the same hereby ratifying and confirming all that he may do in the premises. Likewise I make, constitute and appoint my wife to be the executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
I also state that I do not wish my will to go into Probate Court but wish for my wife Ann Carmichael to settle up and close the estate for the best advantage to all concerned, there is some Hay put up by Henry Smith and myself one half of which ______
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and my seal using scrawl for seal this 13th day of October AD 1862
Samuel Carmichael

Samuel Carmichel was hanged on October 13, 1862. No known grave, he was probably buried in the mass burial site along the banks of the Pecan Creek, not far from where he was hanged.

It is not known what happened to his wife, Anna Carmichael, after the Hangings.

Those Andersons

2012-01-31T20:37:00.005-07:00

Four men with the Anderson surname were hanged at Gainesville during the Great Gainesville Hanging in October 1862. According to McCaslin their names were; C. F. Anderson, George W. Anderson, Richard Anderson and William B. Anderson.

Researching online sites such as Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, WorldVitalRecords.com, FamilySearch.org, Genealogybank.com and Google searching has not provided much in the way of new information to prove who each of the Anderson men could be. Were they random men who happened to have the same surname or were they connected in some way?

Each Anderson will be reviewed with the information found from McCaslin’s book and Diamond’s account. Any additional information will be added to each man. The most important "new clue" was found in the 1880 Galveston Weekly News article.

Richard Anderson

McCaslin (Tainted Breeze, pg 195): “Richard J. Anderson is listed in the 1860 Grayson County census (F.N. 1,178) as a twenty-eight-year-old farmer from Missouri with $750 in personal property and no real estate. His wife and their three children, the youngest of whom was six years old, were all born in Missouri.”

The census record below is the one referred to by McCaslin. Is the “R. J. Anderson” listed in Grayson County, the Richard Anderson who was hanged? No records have be found to prove or disprove this theory.

1860 US Federal Census; Grayson County, Texas; Roll: M653_1295; Page: 218; Dwelling/Family #:1152/1178.

Richard Anderson was sworn into the Peace Party by JWP Lock at the same time he swore in P. Q. Russell, William Anderson, George Anderson and John Tourly.

According to Diamond’s account of the Hangings, Richard Anderson had his own individual trial, not a group trial. Diamond shares the following about the Richard Anderson trial: “The evidence against this prisoner being the same in substance as that against Harper & Lock, it is deemed unnecessary to repeat it here. He was found guilty, and after [being] sentenced to be hung, made full confession of his guilt.” Since all we have is Diamond’s opinion of the trial, it will never be known exactly what the transpired during the actual trial for Richard Anderson.

C. F. Anderson > E. F. Anderson > Edward Frost Anderson

Anderson was tried in a group trial along with eleven other men. Diamond’s gives the following description of the trial: “The State vs. C. A. Jones, James Powers, Eli M. Scott, Thomas Baker, Geo W. Anderson, Abraham McNeese, Henry Cockhran, C. F. Anderson, Wm Wernell, B. F. Barnes, Wm Rodes and N. M. Clark.” He further states, “The testimony against the above mentioned conspirators corresponds with the testimony herein before produced on the trial of Childs, Fields, Harper, Lock, and others. They all acknowledged their connection with the organization, and made full confession of their guilt at the gallows.”

According to McCaslin, “C. F. Anderson said Lock swore him in and then told him that the organization was for mutual protection when the Federal army came…Lock took the stand in his own defense, saying that he…had organized the Peace party as a protective society, not to attack their neighbors.” During the trial for JWP Lock, “E. F. Anderson” was a witness.

“C” F Anderson from the group trial, and “E” F Anderson, the witness for Lock, are probably the same person. The “E” to a “C” may have been a transcription error. The Anderson man who was hanged was most likely E. F. Anderson. And, his name is probably Edward Frost Anderson, as explained below.

The 1880 Galveston Newspaper article gave the names of three victims of the Hanging whose names were Anderson; “Frosty, George and William Anderson.”

Research on the name of Frosty Anderson comes up with a “Frost Anderson” who lived in Lamar County, Texas in 1850. What is interesting about this Frost Anderson is that his name was Edward Frost Anderson or E. F. Anderson. The Frost Anderson from Lamar County had two sons who were named William (b. 1832) and George W. (b. 1835). Lock, also hanged at Gainesville, was from Lamar County. Frost Anderson and JWP Lock probably knew each other in Lamar County.

1850 Lamar County, Texas Federal Census, Precinct 4, page 285

Anderson Family in 1850: Frost Anderson, Age 40, born Tennessee; Matilda Anderson, age 38, born Tennessee; William Anderson, age 19, born Tennessee; George W. Anderson, age 15, born Tennessee; Jessee Anderson, age 13, born Arkansas; Susan E. Anderson, age 5, born Texas; Mary A. Anderson, age 3, born Texas; Thomas D. Anderson, age 1, born Texas.

Frost Anderson cannot be found in the 1860 census in either Lamar or Cooke Counties. In addition to the children listed in the 1850 census, some family databases have an additional son, John Anderson, who was born about 1830 in Tennessee.

This evidence seems to show that E. F. Anderson who was hanged was most likely Frost Anderson from Lamar County. Two of his sons, William and George, may have been the William Anderson and George W. Anderson who were also hanged.

William Anderson

McCaslin (Tainted Breeze, page 195): “William B. Anderson is listed in the 1860 Cooke County census (F.N. 451) as a twenty-seven-year-old farmer from Tennessee with $175 in personal property. His wife was from Arkansas, but their son, age eight, was born in Texas. Anderson first appears on the tax roll for Cooke County in 1859; he paid only a poll tax for that and the next few years, but in 1862 he was accessed for 2 horses and 7 cattle. He did serve for a period of time in a military unit, because the 1862 tax rolls for Cooke County found in the archives at UNT declare that his payment would be delayed because he had ‘gone to war.’”

1860 Cooke County, Texas Federal Census, page 249

In the above 1860 census, William Anderson is a 27 year old Tennessee native and his wife, Lucinda, is a 17 years old Arkansas native. There is an 8 year old Francis King living in the household, who does not appear to be the son of William or Lucinda. William Anderson in this 1860 Cooke census would be approximately the right age to be the son of Frost Anderson.

A marriage record in Lamar County can be found for William Anderson who married Lucinda Davis on 3 Nov 1855. Lucinda’s father, Abner Davis, can be found on the 1850 census for Lamar County. He moved to Cooke County, Texas, where he died on 15 May 1859. Lucinda’s widowed mother, Sarah Davis, and Lucinda's siblings can be found living in Cooke County in the 1860 census. Sarah Davis has a 17 year old Catherine King living in the household. Lucinda and William, also, had someone with the name of King living with them.

The age for Lucinda is bothersome, because she would only be about 13 years old when she married. Marrying at such a young age is not unheard of, but also not all that common. I personally had a great-aunt who married at the age of 13 years old in the 1920’s. So, although uncommon, young marriages could and did happen.

The big question is whether or not William Anderson, with wife, Lucinda, in 1860 Cooke County and hanged in the Great Hangings, is the same William Anderson who married Lucinda Davis in Lamar County. Evidence seems to support the fact that both are the same man. Also, evidence seems to point to the fact that William Anderson is the son of Frost Anderson of Lamar County.

William Anderson was tried and condemned to death by the "Citizens Court" in a group trial, along with Curd Goss, John Miller, Arphax Dawson, and M. W. Morris. Diamond (Diamond's Account, page 85) stated of this group trial, "These prisoners all acknowledged their guilt, giving the signs, grip, and password, and were active members of Capt Ramey Dye's company. All found guilty and hung."
William was hanged on 19 Oct 1862. His body was probably buried at the mass burial grave site.

It is not known what happened to Lucinda after the 1860 census, or if William and Lucinda had any children.

George W. Anderson

McCaslin (Tainted Breeze, page 195): “George W. Anderson first appears in the Cooke County tax roll for 1862, when he paid taxes on $124 in property, including 1 horse and 4 cows.”

According to Jackson Mounts’ testimony in Lock's Trial, he (Mounts) was sworn into the Peace party at the same time as “P Q Russell, Wm Anderson, George Anderson, John Tourly, and Richard Anderson.”

George W. Anderson was tried in the same group trial as C. F. Anderson (who may be Frost Anderson). He was found guilty along with the group and was hanged on October 13, 1862. He was buried in the mass grave burial site.

The above information is all that is found from Diamond's Account and McCaslin's Book about George W. Anderson.

In the Lamar County 1850 household of Frost Anderson, there was a 15 year old George W. Anderson. It is very likely that he is the same George W. Anderson who was hanged in the Gainesville Hangings. He could have moved to Cooke County around the same time as his brother, William. Both men are on the 1862 Cooke County, Texas tax roll.

It is not known if George W. Anderson was married or had any children.

Conclusion:
Evidence seems to point to Edward Frost Anderson, and two of his sons, William and George, being hanged during the Great Hanging at Gainesville in 1862. One has to wonder how this could happen without some mention being made in a record, newspaper or document. Three men from the same family should have made some news.

Any help or thoughts on the Andersons would be appreciated. Thanks.

What is Lock's Given Name??

2012-01-30T21:08:00.009-07:00

J. W. P. Lock was one of the organizers of the secret society known as the Peace Party. In the account of his trial, Diamond (Diamond, pg 66) refers to Lock as "I. W. P. Lock." But, Anderson, one of the witnesses for Lock's trial, calls him "Wm Lock." McCaslin (Tainted Breeze, pg. 78, 87, 105, 200) refers to Lock as "Leander W. P. Jacob Lock." Was his name Leander or Jacob or William or all of the above? Census records, a marriage record and Diamond's account all list him with only initials -- "J.W.P. Lock"
Note: the “I” in Diamond's account is most likely a “J” that was a transcription error. The first witness in Lock's trial is I. H. Mounts, who is also referred to as Jackson H. Mounts. So, it stands to reason that the “I” in Lock’s name is also a misspelling and should be “J. W. P. Lock”. “J” and “I” are often transcribed wrong by inexperienced transcribers.

It appears that McCaslin combined two people together to come up with the name of "Leander W. P. Jacob Lock." There is a JWP Lock in the 1850 Lamar County, Texas census. He was a 29 year old native of Tennessee. A family headed by Leander Locke is also found in the 1850 Lamar census. As shown from the census records below, they are definitely two separate individuals. But, they could possibly be related.
The Lock referred to Diamond's account would be the 29 yr old farmer, JWP Lock listed in 1850 Lamar County. He was living with his wife, Deannah, and two daughters. The value of his real estate was $1688.

1850 Lamar County Texas Census, Precinct 8, Page 458, Line 29, 458/458

Leander Lock also living in Lamar County in 1850.

1850 Lamar County Texas Census, Precinct 6, Page 293, Line 1, 363/363, Farmer; Leander Lock, White Male, age 39, b. Tennessee, his wife, Sarah, and 5 daughters. This same Leander Lock can be found in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 census records for Lamar County, Texas. So, he cannot be the Lock who was hanged in Gainesville in 1862.

JWP Lock's wife, Deannah, died sometime between 1850 and 1853, although probably early in 1853. The 1850 census with wife, Deannah, lists two daughters, Emily (b. 1841) and Ann (b. 1849). Lock gets married again on 5 June 1853 to Evaline Dale in Lamar County, Texas. The name on the marriage record is J. W. P. Lock. The 1860 census with wife, Evaline, lists two daughters, Diana (b. 1853) and Arazona (b. 1858). The older two daughters are not listed and it is not known if they are still living. Could daughter Diana be a daughter from the first wife, Deannah? Could she have died giving birth?

In 1860, Lock is living in New Mexico Territory with his family. He may have left Texas after the shooting (described below). In the 1860 census, Lock is a 38 year old miner living at the Pino Alto Gold Mines with his wife, Eveline, and two daughters. Four boarders are also living in the household.

1860 Census Pino Alto Gold Mines, Dona Ana, New Mexico Territory

McCaslin (pg 105) states that Throckmorton asserted that Leander W. P. "Jacob" Lock, whom he identified as the leader of the "Association," had been acquitted of murder several years earlier in Lamar County."
Throckmorton may have been referring to the following murder in Grayson County, Texas (Dallas Weekly Herald, 22 June 1859).

Transcription of above

"The Sherman 'Texian' records the killing of Howard W. Hales, in the county of Grayson. He had had some difficulty with his wife, who left him and took refuge with at her father's house, to which she was followed by her husband. On reaching the house, Hales made some hostil demonstrations against the family, he was shot at from an outhouse by two young men named Lock, nephews of Mrs. Hales father, sixty or seventy buckshot taking effect, and killing him instantly."
Note: Name may be Harrell instead of Hales. See below news article.

Another newspaper article, that refers to the above shooting. This is probably where the confusion over Lock's give name came from.

Conclusion:
All records indicate that JWP Lock was the man who died in the Gainesville Hangings.
His name may be Jacob William P. Lock, but that has not been proven. Leander Lock is a seperate person and is not the man who was hanged at Gainesville.
The parents for J. W. P Lock are not known at this time. If and how he might be related to Leander Lock of Lamar County, Texas is not known.
Any additional comments or information would be appreciated. Thanks.

TRIAL OF J. W. P. LOCK

2012-01-30T17:05:00.004-07:00

Diamond's Account of the Trial of I. W. P. Lock

The State vs. I. W. P. Lock
Disloyality and Treason

I. H. Mounts sworn.
Witness: I was sworn into this society, by I. W. P. Lock. At the same time, he swore in P. Q. Russell, Wm. Anderson, George Anderson, John Tourly, and Richard Anderson.

E. F. Anderson sworn.
Witness: I know of a secret organization in this country. The prisoner, Wm Lock, told me it was to afford us protection when the Northern Army should come in. Mr. Lock gave me the signs, grip, and password. Lock told me that we were to get powder at Sherman. The design of the organization was the reconstruction of the old Constitution, and Union.

The Prisoner [Lock]: Jackson Mount swore me and I wore him into this organization. I introduced the password “Arizina,” and the signs, and grips of the order. Mount and myself were the first starters of this order. I have heard that there was an organization to break up both armies. I have heard since that it was the same as this; and that the signs and password would protect us when the Northern army come. Mount and myself took two oaths. We were to kill, or assist in killing, every man who should reveal wither the existence of the order or its plans and designs. I advised my men, (Lock had a company,) not to go to the war.

Dr Eli Thomas sworn.
Witness: In a conversation with the prisoner last night (in person) I made a clean breast of the whole matter. Lock said he had scruples about doing so himself, on account of the oaths he had taken in the order.

He was found guilty and hung.

George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414.

Note: The “I” in I. W. P Lock is most likely a “J” that was a transcription error. The first witness is I. H. Mounts, who later in the trial is referred to as Jackson H. Mounts. So, it stands to reason that the “I” in Lock’s name is a misspelling also and should be “J. W. P. Lock.” “J” and “I” are often transcribed wrong by inexperienced transcribers.

James L. Clark's list of Victims of the Gainesville Hangings

2012-01-28T16:29:00.003-07:00

James L. Clark’s list of men “murdered” at Gainesville, 1862

Lemuel D. Clark, ed., The Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark, Including Previously Unpublished Material On The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas In October, 1862 (College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 1984) page 109-112.

“I will conclude by giving the names of all the men that I pursnoly knew an others that was murdered...In the beginning [I] will give the names of the first settlers that lived in this county when my father came:
One of our near neighbors was William Rhodes. He [came] from North Carolina here, an got 320 acres of land as a homestead from the state. He had a nice famley an his oaldest boy belong to the same company that I belonged to. Now Rhodes sold land to a man by the name of Eli Scott about the time the war started. An Scott moved to the land an was murdered while he lived on the land. He Scott [came] from California here, an had a big famley, an was nice foalks. Him [Scott] an Rhodes were hung the same day. Tha are boath buried on the Rhodes survey, now owned by Sam McClerran.
The next neighbor I will name was Hiram Kilborn. He had a homestead of 320 acres of land patened to him by the state. Tho tha did not hang him. He was shot an killed by some of the Bourland men in trying to git a way. His foalks never got his body an did not no what tha dun with it. He Kilborn was a Babtist preacher, and not one of the kind that preached for the money that was in it. He was the oanly Babtist preacher in this country when we came here. I am informed by Frank Foreman that [he] helped to bury Kilborn.

I will give the names [of others who were hanged] as follows:
Wernell – 160 acres
Richard Martin – landowner
Oald Grandpaw Burch – would talk, say what he thought – landowner
H. J. Esmond – 320 acres
Ward
Evans – Or Quinn
Clem Woods – landholder
Wolsey – landholder
Manon – lived on Preston Road
Oald man Leffel
A. B. McNiece – landholder
Wash Morris – landholder
Wesley Morris – landholder – tha were brothers
Thomas Floyd – shot while under gard – landholder
John Crisp – landholder
James Powers
Rama Dye – oald man – landholder
J. Dawson
Oald Man Wiley – landholder
J. Morris
Barnes
Milburn
W. Anderson
Gross
Ward
Dr. Johnson – nation [probably from the “Indian Nation”]
Childs, Senior
Childs, Junior
Hampton
Locke
Foster
Fields
D. Anderson
D. Taylor
R. Manton
Jones
Carmichael
Henry Cochran
Those names are as tha was give to me by McPherson.
Will McCool and two others were murderd at Bill Young Spring on the river after Welch killed Young in Bourland Hollow."

[Footnote on bottom of page 111]
"JLC often mentions a total of forty-four [hanged]. This list is not complete and many contain some errors in names. Even the number of men murdered is not known exactly. The best authorities here seem to be Barrett, Hanging, 21, and Wheeler's diary entry for 19 October 1862. Both accounts give forty as the number hanged and add that two were shot while trying to escape. If two were hanged by the military, the numbers then agree. According to Diamond, three men were hanged by the military. Diamond, "Account," 402."

BlogNote: Men mentioned on above list by JL Clark who are NOT on Diamond's list: Evans, Clem Woods, Manon, Wiley, Milburn, Manton.

WHERE ARE THEY BURIED??? Comment and Follow-up

2012-01-21T11:28:00.004-07:00

The following comment was left on on the "WHERE ARE THEY BURIED???" post. The comment deserves it's own post and thanks the "anonymous" author.

The Burying Place: This location is reported to be near the hanging tree [cut down in 1880 for unknown reason] on the east bank of Pecan Creek about 1/2 mile east of town. It would have been on the far side of a bridge from downtown, although I have not found any reference to a bridge.
In 1867, a Freedmen Bureau agent, Anthony M Bryant, wrote a letter to the Federal authorities requesting that the bodies be exhumed from their mass grave and properly reburied. This request was denied.
I expect that at that time, the location of the burial was common knowledge to many in Cooke County. It would have been hard to conceal in a small town. After, a prisoner was hanged his body was transported back to the old warehouse west of the town square in most cases. Only a few bodies were claimed by relatives because they were afraid to pick them up with the mob in control of the town. Family members were treated as enemies of the state. Remains were left to be buried by the "county". Also it is likely that the bodies started to deteriorate after a few days. This would have been a problem downtown. Some of the bodies were mutilated by hogs because or a hole in the wall of the old warehouse where the bodies were stored. At some point, they had to be buried. Not sure who had this task, but slaves were detailed to make coffins with lumber from an old house that had been torn down for this purpose. There was not enough lumber so some bodies were wrapped in blankets. All were buried in a shallow mass grave on the banks of the creek. Some of the bodies were washed up by heavy rains and the hogs dug some up according to reports. Not exactly a traditional burial.
McCaslin indicates only five traditional burials: Barnibus Burch lies in an unmarked grave on the Marvin Cason farm, James A Powers is buried at John Ware's ranch and has a simple headstone, Nathaniel M Clark is buried in the Clark family cemetery with a large memorial stone, and William W Wernell is buried on the old James L Clark farm, his grave is covered with rocks with a metal marker welded on a post recording his name and his date of death. Also Roma Dye's body was cut down by his nephew, Ben Dye, and taken to his farm in Grayson County and buried in a location now known as the Ben Dye Cemetery. Henry Chiles was picked up by families members and buried in unknown location. An unconfirmed report that Arphax R Dawson was taken back to Grayson County for burial. Also unconfirmed report that John W Wiley was buried in Collinsville by his family. Richard Martin was reportedly picked up by his brother and taken to Hood County in a wagon for burial in unknown location. William Rhodes and Eli Scott were reported by Clark to be buried on the Rhodes survey then owned by Sam McClennen. Possibly a total of eleven bodies that were picked up and buried properly.
This is something that should be addressed. Someday in the future, when evacuating for a new building in Gainesville, they will likely dig up the remains. The mass burial should be located and the remains given a decent burial. I am surprised that the citizens of Gainesville have not done it in the 150 years since it happened. It might be a task for the archaeology department of a major university with expertise. I was at San Jacinto last year, and saw areas of the historic battlefield being evacuated by students from a university. They were marking it off and doing it in the proper way. Hopefully something like this could be done at the hanging site/burial site to locate the mass burial.

Great comment!
Blognote: It is extremely disturbing that Gainesville City, Cooke County and/or the State of Texas have not tried to lay this issue to rest by locating the mass burial site. Also, there should be a memorial with all the names of the men who died in the hangings. There is one more item on the wish list -- Pardons from the State of Texas for all the men who were found guilty in the Gainesville trials and then were hanged or shot.

Historians Observe 'Great Hanging'

2011-10-19T10:01:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday was the fifth annual Gainesville Hanging Commemoration. The following newspaper article is from the GAINESVILLE DAILY REGISTER, Gainesville Texas. October 18, 2011.

Gainesville Daily Register
October 18, 2011
Historians observe ‘Great Hanging’
By GREG RUSSELL, Register Staff Writer
Gainesville Daily Register

Gainesville — Saturday’s observance of Gainesville’s famed “Great Hanging” of 1862 was intended as more than a memory of troubled times.

Members of the North Central Texas College honors program, Cooke County Historical Commission and Morton Museum Heritage Society hosted a guest lecture on campus by Dr. Richard McCaslin, a historian whose research and renowned publications employ the lesson that “Then is today.”

He said during a phone interview Monday that helping the local public understand factors prompting the Texas Militia to execute more than 40 Civil War-era county residents — innocent of their insurrection charges, by many accounts — can help enhance our modern and more civilized order.

“When troublesome issues arise, it’s really not helpful to look back and say, ‘We’ve always been unified, and have always been together,’” McCaslin said. “We’re as argumentative and indecisive as we’ve always been. Once we understand our pasts better, we understand ourselves now.”

The historian is a faculty member of the University of North Texas history department. His works include The Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, which won prizes from the Texas State Historical Association and the American Association for State and Local History. McCaslin is also a Pulitzer Prize nominee for his book Lee in the Shadow of Washington, and he specializes in examining the warfare of historical Texas, and Southern states.

He proposed Monday that the famed hanging was driven by fear. A group of men were suspected of treason against the South, and civilization had far fewer “stop-gaps” in place to help maintain a nonviolent order.

Among them, he listed policing departments and other law enforcement agencies as we regard them today.

“Homeland Security,” McCaslin cited. “I’m not a big fan of Homeland Security, but it beats the hell outta nothing. Texas Rangers. We have all these structures that we can turn to, to help keep our baser natures in check.”

But, he said, with no such structure to lay a buffer between wartime fear and an unruly public, Cooke County militiamen of 1862 took direct action.

“And I guess the insinuation is, we’d all be capable of doing the same thing at the same time,” McCaslin said. “The flip side is, they didn’t do that in Sherman. They rounded the folks up and tried to send them to Confederate district court, which didn’t work. A lot of them fled. So over in Sherman, they took a different course.”

Annual observance of the Great Hanging became a Cooke County staple in 2006. McCaslin said these observances, plus the historical research that supplies their foundation, can help put old divisions to rest and more clearly inform what actually happened nearly 150 years ago.

“I’m amazed what people come up and tell me they were told happened,” he said Monday. “To bring the event out, and discuss it, and realize what did happen brings a kind of closure. Not for all people. But for most people.”

McCaslin added that in more recent times of war, it can be easy for officials and policymakers to view their actions and motivations as new and original to mankind. They virtually never are; similar decisions occurred in the past and were driven by similar ideas, and horrific consequences often followed.

He also said he’s observed a growing argument among Southern heritage organizations that Southerners, and the Confederacy, owe no apologies as per the Civil War.

“That they did nothing wrong and that everything was perfect,” he said. “That’s not functional, that makes no sense and it creates a kind of dysfunction.”

The Great Hanging remembrance of 2012 will mark the event’s 150th anniversary. McCaslin said he and historian authors L.D. Clark and Thomas Barrett have collaborated on a new book about the hanging while Heritage Society member Steve Gordon organizes activities for a sesquicentennial observance.

Next year’s event may prove more elaborate than the previous have been. But intentions of the organizers remain the same, just as views about the Great Hanging of 1862 continue to vary.

“I think that remembering clearly what happened is the step toward making sure that the same things don’t happen again,” McCaslin said. “This book, and the commemoration, are not meant to chastise anyone.
“But if someone takes a corrective as a chastisement? That can be something that happens. And I’m not sure what you can do about it.”

Nathaniel Miles Clark

2011-09-29T17:23:00.005-06:00

Nathaniel Miles Clark

Probably more is known about Nathaniel Miles Clark (and his family) than any other man who was hanged. There are several reasons for this; first, Clark’s son, James Lemuel Clark, kept letters, interviewed others and wrote down his memories and recollections of “the greatest tragedy of his lifetime,” and, secondly, the Clark family stayed in Cooke County, Texas keeping the memory of their ancestor alive with frequent reunions over the years. L. D. Clark, grandson of James Lemuel Clark, took the memoirs and papers of his grandfather, edited them and added an introduction for a book called “Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark and the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas in October 1862.” Anyone serious about learning more about the Great Hanging needs to read Clark's book.

Description from back cover of book:

"Not all Texas agreed with the decision to secede from the Union in 1860, and while most did abide by the decision, many remained outspoken against the laws of the Confederacy. Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark is the story of one Texas family who suffered more at the hands of their neighbors than any warring enemy.

The memoirs of James Lemuel Clark describe his involvement in a series of events leading up to the hanging of forty men in Gainesville, Texas. Eighteen at the outbreak of the Civil War, Clark was the son of one of the men hanged for their Union sympathies in October 1862. Clark's memoirs also tell of his experiences with the Texas militia in Indian campaigns and with the Condederate Army. Civil War Recollections gives an overview of the events that shaped the lives of war survivors and influenced the reconstruction of Texas."

Nathaniel Miles Clark was born 26 Jun 1818 in Christian, Kentucky, the son of Lemuel Marion Clark and Anna Henderson. He married Mahuldah Lutisha Hicklin 7 Jul 1841 in Missouri. In 1850, Nathanial and his family are found living in Cedar County, Missouri. By that time, the couple had four young children: James, Cordelia, Martha, and William. Just after 1850, the Clark family moved from Missouri to Cooke County, Texas. They are found in the 1860 Census for Cooke County. Four more children had been added to their family by 1860: John Boone, Mary, Joseph, and N. M. Douglas.

Many of Clark’s neighbors in 1860, also lost their lives during the time of the Great Hanging: Thomas Floyd, Wesley Morris, Washington Morris, Eli Scott, Hiram Kilborn.

1860 Census Cooke County, Texas

Nathaniel lost his life along with so many others in the Great Hanging at Gainesville in October, 1862. His family buried him in the Clark Family Cemetery outside of Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas. His headstone inscription reads: "Nathaniel Miles Clark June 26, 1816 (should be 1818) Murdered by a Mob October 13, 1862 His last words to his companion Prepare yourself to live and die. I hope to meet in a better world God bless you all"

After Texas seceded from the Union in 1862, Nathaniel's oldest child and son, James Lemuel, was drafted into the Confederate Army. Ironically, James Lemuel was serving in the Confederate Army at the time his father was lynched. After hearing of the death of his father, James deserted the Confederate Army and returned to Texas for several months to take care of his widowed mother and younger siblings. Upon getting them settled somewhat, he later ventured north to Missouri to join the Union Army, therefore serving on both sides during the Civil War.

2011 Commemoration of Great Hanging

2011-09-28T16:27:00.001-06:00

The following info about a commemoration for 2011 was posted on The Great Hanging Group facebook page:

Saturday, October 15, 2011 - Georgia Bass Park, Gainesville, TX ....think the time will be 5pm.

****UPDATE****UPDATE

NCTC to commenorate Great Hanging
By GREG RUSSELL, Register Staff Writer
Gainesville Daily Register

Gainesville — Gainesville’s infamous “Great Hanging” of 1862 has long been a subject of commemoration.

And Cooke County organizations have collaborated yet again to spotlight this dark chapter in local history with a ceremony and historical lecture.

A press release said the fifth annual “Bell Ringing in Remembrance of the Great Hanging” is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 15, near the main flagpoles of Gainesville’s North Central Texas College campus. Representatives of the college honors program, plus the Heritage Society of the Morton Museum and the Cooke County Historical Commission, have organized the ceremony.

Scheduled guest speaker is historian Dr. Richard McCaslin, chair of the University of North Texas History Department. He’ll offer a lecture about the hanging at 5:30 p.m. in the Little Theater of NCTC’s 100 Building.

All events are free and open to the public.

The release said McCaslin is a speaker and historian who specializes in the histories of Texas, the Civil War and the Wild West. Among other books and articles, he authored The Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, which won prizes from the Texas State Historical Association and the American Association for State and Local History.

More notably, the historian is a Pulitzer Prize nominee for his book Lee in the Shadow of Washington, which won the Laney Prize and the Statten Award. He has been listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Contemporary Authors, and was elected a fellow of the Texas State Historical Association.

The release quoted NCTC history professor Pat Ledbetter, who said the “Great Hanging” began on Oct. 1, 1862, after the Texas Militia arrested more than 200 suspected Unionists. Vigilantes in Gainesville executed 42 of these men, following convictions on charges of conspiracy to commit treason and fomenting an insurrection.

Gainesville historian Leon Russell had originally spearheaded events to commemorate the hanging. In a Register story about the 2010 ceremony, he discussed the case with visitors.

“Who are these people?” he said about the hanged. “Well, for the most part, they were non-slave owners, with one or two exceptions, and for the most part they were out in the eastern part of the county — and, for the most part, they were grubbing their living out of a little garden spot.

“Most of them would have been subject to the draft, the Confederate draft, and they really didn’t want to go fight the rich man’s war, the planter’s war,” he added. “They left 42 widows and about 170 children.”

Ledbetter said few of the hanged men had actually plotted to insurrect against the Confederacy; many of them were apparently innocent of the charges. But this mattered little to their captors, whose allies also conducted lynchings in nearby counties.

Among this turmoil, Gainesville’s “Great Hanging” reportedly claimed the most lives. Ledbetter added that the hanging shows how the course of the Civil War took shape based on the concerns of 19th Century Southerners.

During the 2010 ceremony, Russell insisted that in life, the “scale of justice” demands balance, even if that balance doesn’t occur until many years later, and in the form of public regret.

“When I first learned of this I thought it was just such a horrible injustice,” Russell said. “And this is a country that’s supposed to have been formed on the basis of justice. What happened to the idea that every man is considered innocent until proven guilty by a competent court by a jury of his peers?

“The people that did it trashed that, and I’m here to speak out against them.”

The Texas State Historical Commission is scheduled to republish a pair of eyewitness accounts of the hanging. Ledbetter said this is because the upcoming commemoration will occur on the eve of its sesquicentennial, which is in 2012.

“Public and academic interest should be strong,” the release quoted her.

150th Commemoration of The Great Hanging - 2012

2011-09-28T14:45:00.006-06:00

Mark your calendars for next year's big event!!
The following was posted on The Great Hanging Group facebook page:

The Morton Museum and Cooke County Heritage Society, in conjunction with several local organizations, will sponsor the 150th Commemoration of The Great Hanging - October 12-13, 2012 in Gainesville, Texas.
Over the course of two days, educational events and a roster of historians will address both the Northern and Southern perspective as it pertained to North Texas during the Civil War. A memorial service will be held on October 13th.
More details to follow soon.

Facebook has a Group for the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas. If you are a 'Great Hanging of Gainesville' descendant or have an interest in Texas History, you might want to join this group on facebook. Joining this group should keep you updated on all the news concerning the Great Hanging.

The name of the group is: Gainesville Texas - The Great Hanging - October 1862 Civil War
The category of the group is: Common Interest - History
The group description is:
Certainly one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War occurred in Gainesville, Texas in Oct. 1862, when 40 men, suspected of Union sympathies, were hanged.
Searching for descendants of the 42 victims who were hanged in Gainesville, Texas in 1862. An anniversary celebration in October 2012 will mark 150 years since this tragedy - the most mass hangings in the United States.
Photo of Nathaniel Miles Clark, lynched in the Great Hanging in Gainesville, TX on October 13, 1862.

"Left me in a sad and mornful condition"

2011-04-20T14:06:00.012-06:00

Susan Leffel, widow of David Miller Leffel

In this post, we will revisit and ponder the letter written by Susan Leffel on 11 Jun 1869 to Governor Edmund J. Davis.   Susan was the widow of David Miller Leffel, who was killed in the Great Hanging. In this letter, Susan asked the Governor of Texas for help against the continued harassment to her family and friends, who's loved ones were the victims of the Great Hanging at Gainesville in 1862.  See previous post about the letter.

To our knowledge, Susan’s letter is the only surviving document written by a widow of a Hanging victim describing her feelings about the hanging and her experiences afterwards.  Susan's experiences and feelings are probably very similar to those of the other widows and family members of men who were killed in the Hangings at Gainesville.

Background info on Susan Leffel: David and Susan Leffel left Ohio where his family lived to move to the Texas frontier where most of her family lived. Susan Emeline 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. After Susan's mother died in Ohio, her father, Michael West, and several of her brothers moved to Texas before 1848. Michael West and his son, Michael, had obtained land grants as colonists in the Peters Colony in Grayson County. An older brother, John West, was living in Red River County, Texas. Father, Michael West, died in 1858 and left his land in Grayson County, Texas to his heirs, which included Susan Leffel. Sometime right after the death of her father in 1858, Susan and David packed up their young family and moved from Ohio to Grayson County, Texas to claim Susan's inheritance of land left to her by her father.  After moving to Texas in 1858, Susan sells the land she inherited to her brother and then she buys another parcel of land in Grayson County that she later sells to N. H. Holt. Most married women at that time did not buy and sell land on their own.  Also, married women usually did not hold title to land if they had a husband living. Why isn't David's name also on the land that is purchased and then later sold? This suggests that Susan may have been independent, with a mind of her own.  The decision to move from the Northern State of Ohio to a slaveholding state would set in motion events that would eventually lead to David's violent death.

Susan's 1869 letter to Governor Edmund J. Davis of Texas, can be found in the Texas State Archives. Our impression is that a shy, timid woman did not write that letter. Susan seems to have been a very strong, outspoken and determined woman. At the time Susan wrote the letter in 1869, she had been on her own as a widow for almost 7 years. And, this was during the Civil War and the following reconstruction period. All the while, Susan was being continually harassed by some of the same group that killed her husband.

Susan starts her letter by recalling the arrest and hanging of her husband, David Miller Leffel. She refers to the citizens court as a vigilante committee and states that many of the husbands were “taken off by those nocturnal visitors and destroyed by the hanging.” McCaslin states that the men were rounded up at daybreak on 1 October 1862, but Susan used the word "nocturnal" which indicates that it was still dark when at least some of the men were arrested.

In the letter, Susan describes her husband, David, as follows: "kind as he was" and "great source of my comfort and living". She was not only left in a “sad and mornful condition” after her husband was hanged, but since the end of the war Susan and others who had lost relatives in the hanging had been harassed and plagued by attacks. Members of their families had been arrested “without a sine of a rit or any showing of legal authority whatever.”
And, when Susan was robbed of “my many jewelry” and household items, no one was arrested. One has to wonder, just how a pioneer wife and mother came into possession of "many jewelry." Was the jewelry a handed down keepsake from her mother? Or, was the jewelry a gift(s) from her dear husband? Where was the law? Why did they not help a poor widow?

Just two weeks prior to writing the letter in Jun 1869, a dozen men came to Susan’s home to arrest her son on a charge of horse stealing "without a sine of a rit or any showing of legal authority whatever.” The rebel group fired a shower of 40 or 50 bullets as her son fled, but he was soon apprehended. One of the tormentors, Susan mentioned by name: James Anderson of Sherman. Then, the rebels came into her house and one of the party dragged Susan onto the floor from her sickbed and pistol-whipped her younger son. She sadly concluded, “I with maney others have lost hopes of protection from that party’s abuse by the beloved country and government that we loved so dearely. . . what to do, or where to go to hide from them I can not tell.”

Susan’s final plea for help can’t help but tug at the heartstrings:
“It is indeed hart rendring that my husband, as kind as he was, and great sorce of my comfort & living should be hanged and his helpless family, (with many others) are as barbrsly treated as tho we were even aliving with the Indians; simply for them to take vengance uppon us because we were and are in favor of our Fathers Country and Government.”

In June 1869, Susan was living in Pilot Point when she wrote the letter to the Governor of Texas telling of the continued harassment by southern rebels. She cannot be found in records after June 1869. And, Susan's whereabouts are not known after that time.

Did Susan die shortly after writing the letter to the Governor? She mentioned she was "lying sick in bed" when James Anderson jerked her out on the floor. Did she die from the rough treatment of the men who harassed her? Did her tormentors come back after she wrote the letter and kill her for speaking out against them? Susan's death or burial place is not known.

One has to wonder why Susan stayed in Texas instead of returning to the North where her oldest son and several of her brothers lived? Was she determined to "stick it out" in Texas"? It appears that she had hoped for peace and protection during reconstruction. In the last paragraph of the letter, Susan admits to finally losing "hope of protection from that partys abuse by the beloved Country and Government."

Susan was definitely patriotic and loved her country -- the United States of America! She mentioned being a loyal (lawiel) citizen and being loyal during the war. She called the United State of America, her "beloved Country and Government" that she "loved so dearly."

Susan's letter to Governor Edmund Davis

Transcription can be found here.

Trial for Foster's Murder

2011-04-19T23:49:00.002-06:00

E. Junius Foster, Esq. was founder and owner of the Sherman Patriot newspaper until his death in 1863. Foster condemned the Hangings in Gainesville. He died at the hands of James D Young and two others, in revenge for a statement Foster published applauding the death of Young's father, Col. Young.
In 1865, an indictment was found against James Young, Charles Cox and Newton Chance for the murder of E. Junius Foster. In 1872, Young was indicted and went through the form of a trial and was acquitted. In 1873, Cox was tried, and on the evidence of Young was also acquitted. Chance had taken off to Indian Territory and could not be found until he came back to the area in 1885. He was arrested and placed on trial twenty-three years after the murder of Foster.

The following newspaper articles tell the story of the trial of Newton Chance for the murder of E. Junius Foster.

Date of publication: September 24, 1885, Location of newspaper: District of Columbia, Paper: Critic-Record

Newspaper article in the Dallas Morning News about the twenty-three year old trial for the murder of E. Junius Foster.

Publication Date: December 02, 1885, Paper: Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas

James Young voluntarily testified that he alone did the shooting, and thus exonerated the defendant, Newton Chance. Years earlier in the Cox trial, Young testified that he and Cox were sitting upon their horses in the road a hundred yards from where the shooting took place and heard the shooting that killed Foster, but did not know who did the shooting. (Kansas City Star, 4 Dec 1885)

Publication Date: December 10, 1885, Newspaper: New York Times

Newton Chance Aquitted

Publication Date: December 04, 1885, Paper: Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas

E. Junius Foster - Editor of the Sherman Patriot

2011-04-19T23:04:00.007-06:00

E. Junius Foster, Esq. was founder and owner of the Sherman Patriot newspaper until his death in 1863. Foster died at the hands of James D Young, in revenge for an editorial Foster published applauding the death of Young's father and condemning the Confederacy.

Foster was born about 1812 in North Carolina. Not much can be found concerning Foster's personal life. No record has been found of his parents or siblings and it does not appear that he ever married.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Foster is listed as a single man living in Avoyelles, Louisiana. "Editor" is listed as his occupation. Avoyelles county is on the Mississippi River.

Source Citation: Year: 1850 United States Federal Census; Census Place: , Avoyelles, Louisiana; Roll: M432_229; Page: 116A

By 1853, Foster had moved to Texas. On the 29th of March 1853, the Nacogaches Chronicle newspaper reported, "The Star State Patriot, published at Marshall [Texas], has changed hands, J. Marshall, Esq. retires, and is succeeded by S. H. Parsons, and E. Junius Foster." At the time, the Patriot was one the only Whig newspapers in Texas.

Foster bought out his partner, Parsons, and in 1856, he acquired a newspaper in Paris, Lamar County, Texas, which was called the "Frontier Patriot."

Texas State Gazette Newspaper, 15 Mar 1856

Foster then moved his press to Sherman and founded the Sherman Patriot in 1858. He remained a Whig and Unionist in his political views and opposed secession.

Texas State Gazette, 3 Jul 1858

Foster is again listed as a single man in the Grayson County, Texas 1860 Federal Census. His occupation is Editor.

Source Citation: Year: 1860 United States Federal Census; Census Place: , Grayson, Texas; Roll: M653_1295; Page: 148; Family History Library Film: 805295. Note: The census taker mistakenly listed Foster as a female.

Starting in 1861, there was increased vigilantism against those who would not support secession, conscription and the Confederacy. McCaslin states that "During May, 1861, to silence Unionist editor Foster, vandals ruined his press." After the hangings in Gainesville, Foster published editorials that condemned the hangings of the Unionists and claimed that the murder of Col. William C. Young by Union men was one of the best things that could have happened. In an act of revenge, Young's son, James, shot and killed Foster. Young had two other men with him at the time of the murder.

The Handbook of Texas Online, describes the events leading to Foster's death.
"In the first years of the Civil War, Foster's loyalty to the Union cause resulted in an increasingly "radical" reputation for the Sherman Patriot. Using the Patriot as a platform for his views, Foster's paper was derided as "submissionist" for the proposal to demarcate a new state in North Texas for supporters of the Union. In 1862, after an editorial in which he praised the murder of Col. William C. Young by Union men, Foster was confronted by the victim's son, Jim Young, and two other men. When he refused to recant his criticism of Colonel Young and the Confederacy in general, Foster was shot and killed. Although Jim Young confessed twenty-two years later, none of the assassins were jailed."
Randolph Lewis, "SHERMAN PATRIOT," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ees25), accessed April 15, 2011. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

See the post about the trial for Foster's murder.

Another News Article about the Heroic Escape of the DeLemeron family.

2011-04-13T12:46:00.003-06:00

Here is another newspaper article about the heroic escape of the DeLemeron family from the Confederates around Gainesville. This article was printed in the San Francisco Bulletin on 30 Sep 1863 and was entitled "Letter from St. Louis," with a subtitle of "Refugees from Texas and Arkansas." It varies from the previously posted newspaper article, in that this article gives the given name for Joel DeLemeron's wife, which is Sarah Frances, and the full name of the man who helped her, Edward York.
As stated in a previous post, Joel Francis DeLemeron was tried for treason against the Confederate Government a month after the Hangings. His "crime of treason" involved helping a few of the wives whose husbands were involved with the peace party (Ware and Boyles.) He was sentenced to life in prison.

Read both articles to get the full story.

BlogNote: With a name like DeLemeron, it not surprising that there are many different spellings: DeLamirande, DeLemeron, DeLimerind, DelaMirand. We have decided to go with the spelling in Diamond's Account of the Hangings and the McCaslin Book, which is DeLemeron.

Morris Men Revisited

2011-04-13T11:21:00.006-06:00

New information has been found on the Morris Men -- a partial list of victims from an 1880 newspaper article. In a previous post, the Galveston Weekly Newspaper article (6 May 1880) containing information about the Great Hanging, lists four men by the name of Morris -- "William, John, Wesley and Work Morris." Note: The "Work" Morris is most likely a transcription error and should be "Wash" Morris.
This new list may help figure out the names of the Morris Men who were hanged.
Refer to the previous post about the Morris Men, Who's Who The Morris Men.

Morris Men comparison chart

Online familytree databases for John W. Morris (married to Lucretia in 1860 Cooke County census) show him as one of the men who was hanged. His father is listed as Isaiah Morris. In 1850, the Isaiah Morris family is in Lawrence County, Tennessee -- The same county where Wesley & Wash Morris can be found living in 1850. Is this a coincidence or a connection?

We welcome any further information, insights or corrections concerning any of the Morris Men.

Any information, however small, might help with the research for these men. We want to make sure we have the right men who were hanged, along with their parents, sibings, wives and children. Thanks.

Galveston Weekly News 1880

2011-04-12T16:37:00.005-06:00

EXECUTION AT GAINESVILLE

Special Telegrams to the Galveston News

Publication date: 6 May 1880

The Galveston News ran an article on 6 May 1880 about an Execution by Hanging that took place in Gainesville on 30 Apr 1880. A portion of the article referred to the earlier hangings that took place in 1862.

This 1880 news article is interesting because it includes a partial list of names for the victims of the Great Hanging and it was supposedly the first time these names had appeared in print. The article called the Citizens Court the "court of inquisition" and the weeks in which the Citizens Court was holding it's trials, the "fifteen days of terrorism in 1862."

Transcription of above news article.

Galveston Weekly News (newspaper), 6 May 1880

OVER THE STATE.
Special Telegrams to the Galveston News --- The Execution at Gainesville, April 30
[The first part of the article is about a legal hanging in Gainesville that took place on April 30, 1880. Then the article reflected upon the Great Hangings of 1862.]

"THE SCAFFOLD,
erected in the northeastern suburbs of the town [Gainesville], is within view of the celebrated “hangsmen tree” of Cook County. Upon the low, outstretching limbs of this monarch of the woodland, forty men were gibbeted during the fifteen days of terrorism in 1862. The circumstance has often been alluded to in political harangues and commented upon by the press, but thus far the names of the parties executed, and those of the members of the court of inquisition, have never appeared in print. The object of the secret organization, whose members were gibbeted, is more a subject of surmise than of fact. The secessionists at the time, held that the organization was a league to butcher the confederate command at Wichita, kill all pronounced secessionists, burn and destroy their property, and order out of the country all known southern sympathizers. The anti-secessionists, on the other hand, contended that it was a peace party favorable to an alliance with the disaffected reservation Indians, with the object of cooperating with the union army, in the event of federal success in Arkansas, in restoring order in that portion of the state, then the frontier of Texas.
MURDER RAMPANT
Be that as it may, the knife and the rifle of the assassin were rampant. On the first of October, 1862, several hundred persons assembled at Gainesville, in response to a circulated notice, alleging that a treasonable plot had been discovered. A meeting was held in the Methodist Church, and the following members of the court of inquisition appointed to investigate the matter, which court held its sessions in the Masonic lodge-room: Samuel Doss, Thomas Barrett, Wiley Jones, Benjamin Scandland, Thos. Wright, Daniel Montague, J. P. Long, J. E. Hughes, Reason Jones, W. S. Simpson, John N. Hamil, and James Jones. Some one hundred alleged traitors were arrested and brought before the tribunal for trial, during its sixteen days sessions, forty of whom were adjudged guilty and hanged upon the tree in question.
THE VICTIMS
The names of the parties gibbeted were: Dr. Childs; William, John, Wesley and Work Morris, John Crisp, Dr. Eli Thomas, Frosty, George and William Anderson, E. C. Scott, B. Dossen, Thomas Floyd, Ramsey Dye, James Powers, and the following, whose given names are not remembered Chiles, Fields, Locke, Hampton, Wiley, McNice, Worrel, Birch, Goss, Jones, Esmon, and thirteen others, whose names are not recollected. On the 2nd of the month two were hanged, on the 4th two, on the 7th one, on the 8th one, on the 10th one, on the 12th three and on the 13th eleven. On the 12th the inquisition adjourned, subject to call between that date and the 15th. Col. Young, one of the most popular men in north Texas, was assassinated, together with several other confederate officers. The inquisition reassembled and passed sentence on nineteen members of the league, all of whom were hanged on the 17th. There were three degrees in the league. Those who had only taken the first degree were invariably acquitted, and those who had subscribed to the second and third oath, taken by those degree members, invariably executed. The NEWS reporter has been unable to learn the character of the several oaths."

The John Mansil Crisp Letter

2011-04-11T16:31:00.000-06:00

The following is an exerpt of a letter written in 1921 by John Mansil Crisp, the son of John Crisp, who was hanged in the Great Hanging at Gainesville. Transcribed copies of this letter can be easily found online on message boards and in familytree databases, but a digitized copy of the actual letter has not been found.

Exerpt of a letter to George M. Crisp from his father John Mansil Crisp.

Roswell, New Mexico October 20, 1921
Dear Son, Daughter and Grandson,
..........
You asked to know about the Crisp relation. They are a numerous relationship but about all who spell their names, as we do, can be traced back to one kinship. - But I have not kept up with their genealogy as well as I should.
My father, John M. Crisp was born June 23, 1824 - in Kentucky. He had one brother, Samuel Crisp, a famous Christian Preacher. He died on the Colorado River about the year 1896, very old, somewhere in the 90's--Uncle Sam had four sons, one named Green, one Bill, Jim & Bob, two girls, Eliza and Nancy. They mostly live or did on the Colorado River in Texas. Bob and Green are said to be very wealthy. I visited them in the year 1883 Lohn Co., Texas.
My grandfather's name was William L. Crisp. He was born in KY. About the year 1790 - lived to be 94 years old. Died in Cook Co., Tex. He taught 52 terms of school during his life. He had brothers; (1) Chas. F. Crisp of Georgia, Speaker of the House of Congress for many years. (2) James T. Crisp went to Oregon and served as Gov. for many years. (3) John T. Crisp of Kansas City, Senator of Mo. for a number of years. (4) Reding Crisp, came to Tex. with Grandfather Crisp. He and his two sons, Reding and Carroll settled near Sulfur Springs in Hopkins Co. Tex. and became great landowners and stockmen. Reding had great ranches of cattle and Carroll turned his attention more to raising horses and had several big ranches in western Texas.
It was Reding Crisp boy Bob that visited us here last week. He is living at Allen Reed, Donley Co., Tex. He has a big ranch joining Ed Johnson's in West Texas. Bob has a brother "Reding" who lives at Clinton, Okla. Also a sister. Carroll married a cousin of your mothers named Minnie Brooks. She is still living at Sulpher Springs, Tex. They have quite a number of children in Tex. and Okla.
My grandmother on Fathers side was Elisabeth Matthews. She was born in KY and died in Cook Co., age 98 yrs. - I just can remember of seeing her - I forget her father's Christian name. She had a brother Mansil Matthews. He was a Doctor, Lawyer, and Preacher. I was named Mansil for him--He helped to draft the Constitution of Texas, and was elected several times to Congress (all the relations will remember Uncle Mansil Matthews.) His daughter was Bill Weaver's mother. His only child was Claud Weaver of Oklahoma City. Bill Weaver was a great lawyer, poet, politician and drunkard. He died of Delirium Tremens at Austin while serving as State Senator. I cast my first vote for Bill Weaver.
Bill Weaver had a brother Joe, and some more. They own and control the Town of Alvarado, Texas. I was there in the year 1890 and when they found out who I was, they liked to have hugged me to death. They had parties nearly every night. I stayed there and nearly everything I met was a cousin or such--They gave me a high old time.
Uncle Joe Matthews, another bro. of my Grandmother lives in Somerville Co., Tex. and served as County Judge for more than 20 years in Steal County. He has a son John Matthews who runs a big Dept. store in Glenrose. They are very wealthy--The Milams there are also cousins. They own about ten thousand acres on the Pulaski River and have more artesian wells than you ever saw.
The Matthews and Milams own and run Glenrose like the Weavers and Matthews do Alvarado.
..........a further history of our people;......
It is about the sad history of my Father and his Death at Gainsville Tex. 1863- He was a Blacksmith by trade. A devoted member of the Christian Church and a Deacon for many years and he wielded a big influence in his county. In the year 1860, the whole country became arrested as you know from history, over the question of secession. My Father was opposed to secession and before the election stumped the country against it. He had great influence and a big following but failed to carry the county. As you know secession carried, but in his zeal for the Union he made many enemies.
After secession carried the officers of the state were deposed and lawlessness went wild. All over the state and men were shot down and mobbed on every side and property confiscated or stolen on every side without any recourse at law; in fact they had no law---that led to organizations in different sections of the state for the Protection of the lives and Properties of its Members. My Father belonged to one of such organization in which there were about 100 members, most of which were settlers of Cooke Co. and his close neighbors. Nearly all of which had voted against secession and were still opposed to fighting against the Union.
Along Red River on both sides were a bunch of mixed breeds and lawless whites that pretended to be strictly Secish, but refused to join any army, claiming to be "home guard". Over this organization they had as Captain one Hugh Boland, a half breed-. He lived on the north side of the river in the I.T. On the south side of the river lived a renegade from Miss. named Nute Chance . . . They had a considerate organization. This bunch became the terror of the country. A bunch of them would ride up to a man's house, take his horses, cattle and what else they wanted and drove them across Red River to Bolands-- If the man objected they would shoot him down.
More than a dozen thus lost their lives. This organization, as it was called was the cause of the other bunch organizating - of which my father belonged. Boland and his bunch soon made a raid in our settlement, gathered a big bunch of stock and killed 2 men. One of which was our local preacher.... They started off with their property and my father and about 73 others of the community overtook them and had a scrap with them, capturing the bunch and took them to Gainesville for trial. Meanwhile, some of their bunch went to the confederate camp which was about 25 miles away and brought their whole forces, claiming that the citizens bunch was the bunch that had voted against secession. And was therefore fighting against the Southern Confederacy. They, therefore, held what they called a court martial trial and condemned the whole bunch--and without ceremony or time executed the whole bunch of more than 60 men. Thus wiping out a whole community and church. They then proceeded to confiscate their property, even tearing down their houses and taking them away.
Thus it occurred that my mother, sister (Mary) and myself was forced to loose all our property and go to my Grandfather in Montague Co. without protection or property.
After the confederacy was whipped the government arrested about 60 of the mob and tried them for murder----but they all proved alibis and failed of conviction. But I will say that several of their leaders have bit the dust since.
Please write soon, to your father.
J. M. Crisp

John Crisp Family

2011-04-10T23:03:00.002-06:00

John Crisp was born on 23 Jun 1824 in Booneville, Owsley, Kentucky. John’s parents were William W. Crisp (1783-1857) and Elizabeth Matthews (1789-1868). John was hanged in "The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862" on 19 Oct 1862 at the age of 38. See previous post about his trial by the Citizens Court.

In 1850, John was living with his parents in Hopkins County, Texas. They were next door to John’s older brother, Samuel Crisp.

1850 Federal Census, Hopkins County, Texas

Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: District 8, Hopkins, Texas; Roll: M432_911; Page: 139B

John Crisp and Harriet Pittman were married on 8 Jan 1852 in Hopkins County, Texas. Harriet probably died sometime after the birth of the baby, because John married again in 1857. John and Harriet had one known child, a son: William L. Crisp was born about 1854 in Texas. William was with his father and step-mother in the 1860 census in Cooke County, Texas. No records have been found for him after 1860.

John Crisp and Alcey Hawkins Stephens were married on 4 May 1857 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas. Alcey was born on 18 Jul 1839 in Hannibal, Marion, Missouri. Alcey is the daughter of Charles Washington Hawkins and Mary Packwood. Alcey Hawkins first marriage was to Charley Stephens in June 1855 Cooke County, Texas. He either died or left, because in May 1857, Alcey was free to marry again. After the hanging, Alcey took her young family to Montague County and raised her children that county until she moved to Oklahoma after 1900. Alcey died on 11 May 1919 at the age of 79 in Moore, Cleveland, Oklahoma.
Name variations for Alcey found on census records, marriage records, and familytrees: Alcey, Alice, Ailey, Ailia, Alsey, Ailsey, Ailcey, Alixy, Alicey.

John and Alcey Crisp had the following children:

Mary Elizabeth Crisp was born on 9 Feb 1858 in Texas. She died on 3 Jul 1933 at the age of 75. Mary never married.
John Mansil Crisp was born on 10 Nov 1859 in Gainesville, Cooke, Texas. He died on 27 Jan 1941 at the age of 81 in Yukon, Canadian, Oklahoma. He was buried on 29 Jan 1941 in Rose Hills Burial Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. John married Martha Alice Wilson (1872-1937) on 12 Jun 1892 in Montague County, Texas. Their children were: George, Leonora, Claud, Ethel, Albert and Walter.
Minna Anne Crisp was born on 5 May 1862 in Cooke County, Texas. She died a month later on 7 Jun 1862.

1860 Federal Census, Cooke County, Texas

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Cooke, Texas; Roll: M653_1291; Page: 247; Family History Library Film: 805291

John’s relationship to other men who died in the Hangings:

John’s niece, Elizabeth Martha Crisp, the daughter of his brother Samuel Crisp, married Hudson John Essman who was hanged by the Citizens Court.
Through his mother’s side of the family, the Matthews and Box families, John was connected to the David Miller Leffel family.

We welcome any corrections or additions on the John Crisp family.

Trial of John M. Crisp

2011-04-09T22:49:00.004-06:00

John Crisp was hoping for understanding, mercy and forgiveness from the jury of the Citizens Court as he begged for his life. Instead, he was given a rope around his neck.

"TRIAL OF JOHN M. CRISP
The State vs. John M. Crisp – Disloyalty & Treason

Eli Thomas sworn.
[Witness] John M. Crisp swore me into a secret organization having for its object the reconstruction of the old Constitution and Union. He gave me the sign, grip, and password.

Crisp, himself, when brought before at before the Court, admitted that he had been initiated into the organization. Pending his trial, he addressed the Court the following letter:

Fully believing this to be the last time that I will be permitted to communicate with the Honorable tribunal by which I am to be tried, I adopt this method to do so; and for this reason: Having never before been brought before a Court, and my natural disposition and constitutional powers being so framed, the presence of that august body has the effect to scatter my mind. And while in your presence I cannot collect my thoughts, I will now make in writing these further statements in behalf of my injured Country:
Some time in the month of August, 1862 Dr Thomas and Parson Baker, came to my shop; and being there a short time, went out and seated themselves some distance from me. They returned and requested me to initiate him (Thomas), I understanding him to mean, to enter as a member into the Secret institution to reinstate the old Constitution, I refused, pointing to Baker, [and] told him to get Baker to do it. Thomas laughed, and said no; but for me to do it. I told him I was awkward but would do the best I could. Not having a regular form of oath, I framed one, in like manner, as I have stated before your Honors heretofore; giving him the signs, grip, and password. Parson Baker and myself, about one week before the above stated time, were initiated by Dr McCarty. McCarty told Baker he could initiate also.
A few days after this I was informed that each member had the right to initiate his neighbor. I have initiated six persons, in all, towit: Sam'l Crisp, H. J. Essman, Eli Hinkle, I. M. Baily, Mansell Baily, and Dr Eli Thomas. I suppose Essman and Hinkle are not yet arrested. Dr Thomas informed me that he had initiated an old man, by the name of Parson Howard.
I desire to explain one other thing, which I named to one of your honorable body just as I left the jury room. James Harryman came to my house the day before I was arrested and informed me that they had held a secret meeting, and said that Capt. Garrison, or Lock, had been to a Mr Love's in the Chicasaw [sic] Nation and had initiated him; and that he had plenty of powder that the order could have whenever they wanted it. And now, I acknowledge my wrong and implore you that while examining the testimony I have given, if I have, or seemed to quibble, I pray you to remember the situation of my mind, and deal with me in mercy.
John M. Crisp

After being condemned, he again addressed the Court as follows:
Gainesville, Oct. 18th 1862
To the Honorable Court now in session, at Gainesville:
Whereas, through the mercies of Almighty God, and the Court, my life has been prolonged to the present time, I greatly desire the patience of the Court, yet a little longer.
I hope the Court will condescend to hear my imperfect petition and offered obligations to my injured country. I do not expect to influence you; but implore you, for mercy - that my life may be spared.
First, if in your wisdom and mercy you see fit to spare my life, and I ever again show any signs of not being true to our Southern Confederacy, then I will not plead for mercy any more; but will submit my life, to pay the forfeit.
Secondly, I desire to be placed under the watch-care of some of our truest and best Southern men, that they may from time to time examine my conduct; and if they find any thing wrong, report me forthwith.
Thirdly, I am willing and anxious at any time to do any thing in my power to sustain the independence of our Country. And forthly, if we can have any correct of the future by the past, I would refer your honorable body to Capt. Roff, Harry Howeth, W. B. Magill, Joseph Martin, Wm. West, and Charles Hibert, and let them say what my actions have been heretofore in giving aid to the volunteers. I now submit by begging your forgiveness for the wrongs which I may have done; and I promise you that if my life is spared, I will never commit wrong again.
John M. Crisp

He was hung in accordance with the sentence of the Court and, no doubt from the record before us, died a much better man than he had lived."

George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, Manuscript Edited by Sam Acheson and Julie Ann Hudson O’Connell, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 394-396.

Barnabus Burch

2011-04-09T15:25:00.004-06:00

Barnabus Burch
From the Martin-Neely Family History by Louise Neely:
"Barnibus Burch was an old man in his seventies and almost 'bed ridden with rhymatiz', what we now call arthritis. He was one of the two or three men who were hauled to Gainesville in a wagon because he could not mount a horse.
The Burch family lived just north of what is now Burns City.
At the mock trial, Barnibus Burch made the statement: 'one night recently I had a dream, I thought this was a needless war. I thought the North over ran the South. This disheartened me. Truly, old men shall see visions and young men dream dreams." (from Acts 2 verse 17) He was found guilty and hanged. All of the men who were hanged had signed the Montgomery Act.
After Barnibus Burch was hanged, his body, with all of the others who were hanged, was thrown in a warehouse, on the square, that was owned by James Bourland. The next day Burch's wife and daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Burch) Neely went to Gainesville and brought his body back to his farm. The two women dug the deepest grave they could and buried him in a fence row, near Wade Lake. It is now the Marvin Cason place…
The irony of all this is that the son-in-law of Barnibus Burch, James Neely, Jr. was away fighting for the Confederacy when the hangings occurred. James Martin Neely, Jr. was in Morgan’s Battalion and saw action in Arkansas and Louisiana. His Confederate Pension was number 26367 from Cooke Co., Texas."
Neely, Louise Y., Neely-Martin Descendants Privately published in Dallas, Texas; 1982, Chapter 3, page 55-56.

The trial of Barnabus Burch from page 84 of George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862:
Trial of Barnabas Birch
“On being arraigned he confessed his guilt, giving the signs, grip and password. He was a participant in the Ramey Dye meeting. While his trial was pending he addressed the court as follows:
One night recently I had a remarkable dream, which runs this way: I thought that the North had overrun and surrounded the South which disheartened me. I could see no way for the South to escape. This dream, with what I heard (of the organization,) determined my course. I further dreamed that the Federals took me prisoner, and an officer gave me some liquor and I drank it; and it proved to be the best liquor I ever drank in my life.
Truly, 'the old men shall see visions, and the young men shall dream dreams.'
Birch was found guilty and hung.”
George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414.

McCaslin on Barnabus Burch:
“Barnibus Burch moved to Hood County, Texas, from Missouri about 1850, then to Cooke County by 1860. He was approximately seventy years of age, and crippled with arthritis, when he paid twelve cents in taxes on his personal property in 1862. His name is penciled in above that of “Thomas Burch” on the 1862 tax roll for Cooke County found in UNT.”
McCaslin, Richard B., Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862, Louisiana State University Press, 1994, page 196.

1830 Morgan County, Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 2
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 7

In 1850, the Barnabus Burch family is found living in Hickory County, Missouri.

Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: District 37, Hickory, Missouri; Roll: M432_401; Page: 61B

By the 1860 Census the Barnabus Burch family was living in Hill County, Texas. They were living in the same household has N. A. and Sarah McPhaul. Sarah may be an older daughter of Barnabus.

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Division, Hill, Texas; Roll: M653_1297; Page: 97; Family History Library Film: 805297

The Barnabus Burch Family
Note: Barnabus Burch and family can be found in quite a few message boards and online databases such as RootsWeb.com and Ancestry.com. It seems that most of the information in these databases have just been copy and pasted from each other -- none seem to have sources. We have not found well documented information for the Barnabus Burch family. Below is a sample of what can easily be found online. We would welcome a well researched family history for Barnabus Burch.

Barnabus Burch was the son of James Phillip Burch and Sarah Gillespie (or Whaley). Barnabus was born about 1798 in Surry, North Carolina and died 19 Oct 1862 at Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas.
Barnabus had at least two wives, but he may have had three.
He married (1) M. May about 1822.
Children of Barnabus Burch and M. May are:
1.George Milton Burch, born 1823; died 26 Oct 1889 in Camden County, MO, marr Mary Elizabeth Green (1833-?)
2.Tillman Barnabus Burch, born 19 Feb 1824; died 07 Apr 1893, marr Susan Slaven (1836-1918) 1 Jun 1854 McLennan County, TX
3. Capt. William "Bill" Burch, born 28 Aug 1825 in Monroe Co.,Indiana; died 11 Oct 1893 in Maysville, Garvin Co., Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, Marr Teletha Cox
4. Sarah Cordelia Burch, born about 1829 in Illinois. Married to N. A. PcPhaul? Did he die while serving in the Civil War?
5. Cynthia Burch, born Jul 1834, died Apr 1924, marr Henry Matlock (1843-1896) 20 Dec 1860 Cooke County, TX

Barnabus married (2) Mary McConnell (some add Jackson as a surname?) 18 Apr 1839 in Scott County, Illinois.
Children of Barnabus Burch and Mary McConnell are:_
1.David Austin Burch born 1840 Missouri.
2. Elizabeth Ann Burch born 16 Apr 1842 in Neosha, MO; marr James Martin Neely 8 Mar 1861 in Cooke County, TX. While James served for the Confederacy, Elizabeth took her little family to Missouri to be close to her brothers.
3.Catherine Burch born 1845 Missouri
4. Rosetta Burch born 1847 Missouri
5.Lynetta Burch born 1849 Missouri
6.Elizetta (Alzetta) Burch born 1851 Missouri
7.Lucinda Burch, born 1852 Missouri
8. Angeline Burch, born 1854 Missouri; married Henry M. Land 08 Aug 1880 in Jasper, Missouri. Angeline lived with sister, Elizabeth Neely in 1870 census and brother, David A. Burch in 1880 census.

It seems as if most of the Burch family left Texas and traveled back to Missouri sometime after their father died in the Hanging and before 1870. As stated in the above Neely-Martin history, Elizabeth Ann Burch Neely left Texas and took her little family to Missouri to live with her older half-brothers. Elizabeth's younger sisters most likely traveled with her. Elizabeth Neely can be found in the 1870 Dallas County, Missouri census with her husband,children and youngest sister, Angeline Burch. Rosetta Burch can be found in 1870 in Dallas County, Missouri, living with the West Family. Alzetta Burch can be found in 1870 Hickory County, MO, living with J. A. Romans family. In the 1870 census of Dallas County, Missouri, there is a 20 year old Lunthe Burch, which could be Lynetta or Lucinda. She is living next door to her brother, Milton Burch, with his mother-in-law, Margaret Green. So, it seems as if the younger children of Barnabus Burch were scattered, living with whoever would take them in. It is not known what happened to their mother, Mary. No records have been found for her.

Any additional information on this family would be appreciated. Thanks.

George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862

2011-04-08T15:01:00.011-06:00

"George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862," edited by Sam Acheson and Julie Ann Hudson O'Connell, can be accessed here on the The Portal to Texas History website. This account was published by the Texas State Historical Association in The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963.

George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862

Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963, H. Bailey Carroll, editor, Journal/Magazine/Newsletter, 1963; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101196 : accessed April 08, 2011), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association, Denton, Texas.

George Diamond's brother, James Diamond, was one of the key players in trying to rid Cooke county of anyone with Union sentiments. George Diamond was asked to use the records of the court to prepare an "official account" of the court proceedings, with the purpose of "preserving them and so disposing of them that the history of its (Citizen's Court) transactions might be perpetuated and justice done to those who participated (Jurors & accusers) in its deliberations." Diamond's compilation of "memoranda" was to be offered to the public as a just vindication of the conduct of those whose judgements were under national criticism. So, basically, Diamond's job was to make the court look good.

In his conclusion, Diamond states, "The proceedings of the Citizens Court are characterized with as much wisdom, justice and moderation as may anywhere be found in the history of criminal procedure." Was he biased or what??? Naturally, the members of the court examined Diamond's account and gave their unanimous and unqualified approval. Diamond apparently completed the manuscript before the end of 1876, but it was not published during his lifetime. In 1963, Diamond's account was transcribed and edited by Sam Acheson and Julie Ann Hudson O'Connell, and then published by the Texas State Historical Association.

On page 27 of CIVIL WAR RECOLLECTIONS OF JAMES LEMUEL CLARK, L. D. Clark gives his opinion of Diamond's Account:
"Diamond had been a newspaper-man before the war and in 1862 held a commission in the Confederate army. When he went to Gainesville not long after the affair to visit a brother who had helped round up the Unionists, he was entrusted with the court records with the understanding that he would write a thoroughgoing vindication of the hanging. Not until the mid-1870's did he undertake to fulfill his promise, and what he produced was left unfinished and unpublished at the time of his death. He arranged some of the testimony from papers in his possession, thought we have no way of knowing whether he transcribed it verbatim. He introduced a background of sorts and a narrative of events interspersed with commentary, all of it written in a determination to give a noble cast to the outrage, even to the extent of arguing that the action must have been right since it was undertaken by the "best men" in the county... To make matters worse, while no one can say whether he himself destroyed the records, at best he seems to have taken no care to preserve them, though he did see to the preservation of his own manuscript."

It seems that Diamond's Account published by the Texas State Historical Association was transcribed and edited from Diamond's manuscript, which he in turn had edited and condensed from the actual court proceedings. Anytime a record is transcribed, even if it is transcribed word for word, there is room for error. But, as Clark states above, we have no way of knowing "whether he transcribed it verbatim."

Diamond concluded with the following explanation concerning his edited version.
"We have now written what we designed to write concerning the proceedings of the "Citizens Court." The Jury as well as all others who were connected with the scenes of that day desired that all the evidence in each case should be published. It is to be regretted that it has not been done.
But it is the opinion of all that a complete transcript from the record of the Court would have been unnecessary to vindicate the course pursued, and would also have made a volume to too large a size for the general public notice." (Diamond's Account, page 405)

Diamond was not kidding when he stated it was "to be regretted" that all the evidence in each case should NOT be published. All who are now interested or who will ever be interested in the history of the Hangings, REGRET Diamond's decision to edit and leave to history only his condensed version of the Court!! And, one has to wonder just how much Diamond edited, changed, or left out from the original "Citizens Court" records?

It is not known what happened to the actual records of the Citizens Court. We are very much aware of the historical value and significance of Diamond’s account of the Hanging, especially since his account is the only "official" record remaining. But, it is really, really unfortunate that the complete and original "Citizens Court" records are lost to us. Were the originals destroyed when Diamond was finished using them or are they still lying around in some dusty attic?

A short biography of George Washington Diamond can be found on the Handbook of Texas Online.

Cooke County Books and Articles

2011-03-27T18:14:00.001-06:00

Just found a great website with a list of books and articles on Cooke County, Texas. Many of the articles contain information about the Great Hanging. An index to the site can be found the Cooke County Genforum.com message board.
The Genforum.com post states that "The follow-up posts will contain links to articles/books I've scanned and put online for everyone to read/print."

http://genforum.genealogy.com/tx/cooke/messages/1667.html

You can also get to the list of books and articles by going directly to the Ware's of Woodbine website:
http://waresofwoodbine.envy.nu/pic4.html

Who's Who? The Morris Men

2011-03-25T18:57:00.040-06:00

According to some accounts of the Great Hanging, there were four Morris Men who lost their lives in the hanging. Most accounts give only initials for the given names, such as W. W. Morris, M. W. Morris, John W. Morris, I. W. Morris, John A. Morris, etc. It can be a little tricky trying to figure out just who is who.

McCaslin in his book "Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862," lists four men who were hanged with the surname of Morris.
Diamond’s account of the Great Hanging only identifies three men with the surname of Morris that were brought to trial before the Citizen's Court.
James Lemuel Clark has three Morris men on his list of men who were hanged.

In preparing the previous post about Thomas Floyd, we found a small clue about a few of the Morris Men. Supposedly, Clora Carter Floyd (wife of Thomas Floyd) had a sister(s) who married a Morris. They migrated from Tennessee to Texas with a stop-over in Arkansas along the way. And then, they lived next to each other in the 1860 Cooke County Census. The husband to Clora Carter Floyd's sister supposedly died in the Hanging, also.

So, first we will list and compare information about the Morris Men found in the different accounts.

Diamond’s list of 3 Morris Men who were tried by the Citizens Court:
W. W. Morris – Seventh man tried by the Citizens Court - individual trial
John A. Morris – Tried together with Edward Hampton
M. W. Morris – Group trial with Goss, Anderson, Miller and Dawson.

McCaslin's list of 4 Morris Men, along with his notes on each man:
William W. Morris – (1860 Cooke County Census) age 50, born Georgia, farmer. Wife, Nancy, age 35, born Alabama. Will written 28 Feb 1861 and probated 27 Oct 1862. Wife, Nancy, is only heir mentioned. No known children. Trial, hanged on October 8th. In his trial, W. W. Morris states he was initiated into the Peace Party with (Thomas) Floyd.
BlogNote: Probably the W. W. Morris referred to in Diamond’s account
John A. Morris – (1860 Montague County Census) age forty, born Arkansas, wife, Marguerite 39 b. Indiana, oldest three children born Arkansas and youngest born Texas. John Morris paid taxes in Cooke County in 1861 & 1862. Tried by Citizen’s court in a double trial along with Ed Hampton, hanged on October 19th.
M. W. Morris – paid a poll tax in 1861 & 1862, Cooke County. McCaslin states that M. W. Morris is a brother to William Morris.
Tried in a group trial, along with Goss, Anderson, Miller and Dawson. Hanged on October 19th.
John W. Morris -- (1860 Cooke County Census) age thirty, born Tennessee. Wife, Lucretia, and their two sons (ages 11 & 9) born in Tennessee.
BlogNote: There was NO mention in Diamond's account of a trial for John W. Morris. Was he the witness named I. W. Morris in the trial of Ramey Dye, stating that he had been at the meeting for the rescue of Harper? Witness Gilbert Smith mentions John W. Morris as being present at the Dye meeting.

Clark’s list of 3 Morris Men, along with our BlogNotes:
Clark said there were two Morris brothers - Wesley & Wash - that were hanged:
Wesley Morris – landholder – probably the Wesley Morris listed in 1860 Cooke County census, wife: Ann 33 b. TN, daughters: Martha Ann & Clora. He lived next to Thomas Floyd and Washington Morris in the 1860 census.
Wash Morris – landholder – probably the Washington Morris listed in 1860 Cooke County census, wife Josephine 22 b. TN, twins Wm R. & Sarah 3 yrs old.
Clark also listed:
J. Morris - ? This is probably the John A. Morris in Diamond’s account, but it could be either one of the two John Morris men listed by McCaslin.
BlogNote: Some may argue that Clark's list included men that were not hanged and did not include some that were. The Clark family and the Morris brothers were listed on the same page of the 1860 census, making them close neighbors. Clark would have known close neighbors who were also hanged along with his father.

So, who exactly are the Morris Men who died in the hangings? Were there 3 or 4? Which ones were brothers? Who were their families?

On page 227 of the 1860 Federal Census for Cooke County, the following men are listed next to each other:
Household 89 - Thomas Floyd family (Thomas Floyd hanged)
Household 90 - Wesley Morris family (According to J.M. Clark, Wesley Morris hanged)
Household 91 - Robert Morris family
Household 92 - Washington Morris family (According to J.M. Clark, Wash Morris hanged)
Household 93 - Madison Lynch family
Household 94 – N. M. Clark family (Nathaniel Miles Clark hanged)
Household 95 – Alex Powers (Father of James Alexander Powers, who was hanged)

According to the above mentioned “small clue” we found in the Lewis County, Tennessee History Book: Thomas Floyd married Clora Carter and she had sister(s) who married a Morris and lived next to them in Cooke County, Texas. Note, we were only able to find one sister that married a Morris.

Research into the marriage records for Lewis County, Tennessee, shows a Michael W. Morris who married Ann Carter on 10 July 1850. The marriage was performed by K. Carter (Kinchen Carter) who was the father of Clora and Ann Carter.   Floyd and Clora Morris named their first son, Kinchen, after her father. Wesley and Ann Morris had 2 known daughters, one of them named Clora, after Ann's sister.

The household 90 from the above 1860 census page shows the Wesley Morris family. Wesley’s wife is Ann, age 33 born in Tennessee. It appears that the Wesley Morris on Clark’s list is the Wesley Morris in the 1860 census.  His full name is Michael Wesley Morris and he is the M. W. Morris listed in Diamond’s account.

In 1860, Wesley was living next door to his brother-in-law, Thomas Floyd. Wesley Morris and Thomas Floyd married sisters, Clora and Ann Carter of Lewis County, Tennessee. Thomas and Wesley were also living next to at least one more Morris brother, Washington Morris, and perhaps another, Robert Morris.

WHO'S A BROTHER TO WHO? McCaslin states that the M. W. Morris on his list was a brother to William W. Morris. McCaslin's William W. Morris was 50 years old born in Georgia. It seems more likely that Wesley was the brother to Wash Morris (Clark's account) than to William W. Morris (McCaslin's account.)  Clark was a close neighbor to the Morris brothers, as shown in the above 1860 census for Cooke County and would have had personal knowledge of the relationship between Wesley Morris and Wash Morris.  According to the 1860 census, Wesley was 32 years old born in Tennessee. He was living next to Washington Morris, age 21 born Tennessee in the 1860 census.

In the 1850 Census for Lawrence County, Tennessee, the following Morris family can be found with both a Wesley and Wash. Lawrence County borders Lewis County, where the Carter family lived.

1850 Lawrence Co., Tennessee, Page 371 line 1-11, Dwell 180/Family 180
Morris, Shadrick, 44, M, Farmer, Value of Real Estate $1500, NC
Morris, Sarah A. 44 , F, SC
Morris, Wesley, 19, M, TN
Morris, Sam'l C., 18, M, TN
Morris, Mary, 16, F, TN
Morris, Wash P., 11, M, TN
Morris, Shadrick F., 7, M, TN
Morris, George M., 6, M, TN (Moved to Texas by 1860)
Morris, Sarah J., 3, F, TN (Moved to Texas by 1860)
Morris, Felix G., 22, M, Farmer, TN (Moved to Texas by 1860)
Morris, William M., 2, TN (son of Felix & Henrietta Pollack Morris)

The above family from the 1850 census is most likely the family belonging to Wesley and Wash Morris in 1860 Cooke County, Texas and referred to by James Lemuel Clark.
Wesley Morris is most likely the M. W. Morris but was Wash Morris one of the McCaslin/Diamond men?
Several Morris Men had a "W" initial. But, in the above 1850 census, Wash's middle initial is “P” and we know from further research his son was called Washington P(erry) Morris, so, his name was most likely Washington "P" Morris. That does not fit any of the men on the Diamond or McCaslin list. But, how careful was Diamond in transcribing the original court records? Could Diamond have gotten the initials wrong? Diamond's account lists only 3 trials for Morris men. McCaslin added John W. Morris (he was mentioned during court testimony and I. W. Morris was a witness.) A recently found newspaper account from 1880, lists Wesley and Work Morris. Work is probably a transcription error for Wash.

Washington Morris married Josephine Hawbuckle 20 Oct 1859 in Cooke County, Texas. In the 1860 census, there are 2 three year old children listed. Since Washington and Josephine were married less than a year when the census was taken, the children listed on the census could be children from a previous marriage for Josephine. If that is the case, then Hawbuckle is probably not her maiden name but a previous married name. Josephine and Wash Morris had one son, named Washington Perry Morris, who was born in November 1862.  If Washington Morris was one of the men who died in the hanging, then that means his wife, Josephine, gave birth to a baby boy a month after the hanging.   In 1867, Josephine remarried a man by the name of William Alpin, so we know she was free (widowed) to marry by 1867.

It's very unforunate that the only surviving records of the court (Diamond's account) listed some of the men by initials only! Research is much more difficult when only initials are known for the given name, especially if the surname is common in the locality of research.

***UPDATE ON THE MORRIS MEN FOUND HERE.***

Any help, suggestions, additions or corrections to any of the Morris Men would be appreciated. We have not been able to find information posted by descendants on any of the online family trees on RootsWeb.com, Ancestry.com, etc.

Thomas B. Floyd

2011-03-24T14:37:00.005-06:00

The following short biography was sent by a Floyd descendant:

Thomas B. Floyd was born about 1831 in Tennessee (1860 Cooke County, Texas Census show his age as 29). Thomas married Cloe Carter (born 14 Feb 1835 in Maury Co., Tennessee, died 29 Jan 1900 Cooke Co., Texas). Cloe is interred in New Hope Cemetery, Burns City, Cooke County, Texas. They married 4 May 1851 in Maury County, Tennessee.

They had a son, named Kinchen Floyd born about 1852 in Tennessee. He was 8 years old in the 1860 Census. No record of him has been found since the Great Hangings.

They had a daughter, named Martha Jane Floyd born 20 April 1858 in Cooke Co., Texas, died 1906 in Cooke Co., Texas and interred in the New Hope Cemetery. Martha married Wilber Fisk Riley 25 October 1872 in Cooke Co., Texas. They had seven children.

Cloe Carter Floyd had another child: Thomas Hammond Floyd born 31 Dec 1863 and died 18 May 1937. He married Sarah Katherine Parsons in Cooke County, TX. They are interred in New Hope Cemetery, Burns City, Texas. Thomas Hammond's death certificate shows T. H. Floyd as his father.

Cloe Carter Floyd married Alison W. Roark. They had two daughters, Cordelia (born 1870, died 1915) and Charity (born 1872, died 1937). Both married men by the last name of Howard. They are interred in the New Hope Cemetery, Burns City, Texas.

The family account says that THOMAS B. FLOYD was shot in the back at an ambush on Elm Creek. The family does not know where he was buried. All records have been searched to no avail. a Historian for Cooke County said that if the bodies were not claimed after the Hanging, they were buried in a mass grave on Elm Creek.

Marriage Record, Lewis County Marriage Records Book 1

Thomas B. Floyd Married Cloey Carter 4 May 1851

by S. D. Edmiston, J.P. in Lewis County, Tennessee.

1860 Census US Federal Census, Cooke County, Texas, page 227

The following biography was found in a Lewis County, Tennessee History Book:

Lewis County, Tennessee: Est 1843, Lewis Historical Society, Turner Publishing Co., Kentucky, 1995, pg 89

CARTER-JOHNSON
Family history has been my interest for many years and my connection with Lewis County was in its earliest creation. The Carter and Johnson families came to Maury county from North Carolina before 1820.
My great-great-grandfather, Kinchen Carter, was married to Kessiah Johnston on Feb 6, 1822, by Charles Harrington. (MauryCounty Marriage Record 1807-1837 by Priest and Alexander 1962).
Kinchen Carter was elected a magistrate of District 8 after Lewis County was formed in 1843. (Goodspeed’s History of Lewis County, p. 803) According to Lewis County’s Minute and Quarterly Court Records, he served as commissioner and juror until 1852. His brother, Gideon,also served in county government.
At least 11 children were born to Kinchen and Kessiah Carter, including my great-Grandmother, Clora Carter. She supposedly was of half-Cherokee blood. She married Thomas B. Floyd on May 4, 1851. (Lewis County Marriage Records Book 1) A son, Kinchen Floyd,was born before they migrated with other members of the family to Texas. Two of Clora’s sisters married Morris’ and were neighbors in the 1860 Cooke County, Texas census.
Two other children were born to the Floyds. A daughter, Martha Jane, married Wilber Riley and a posthumous son, Thomas Hammon Floyd, who married Sarah Parsons. Descendants still live in the Cooke County area.
Thomas B. Floyd, a Unionist, was shot and killed while trying to escape and W.W. Morris was hung for “Disloyalty and Treason” after Texas joined the Confederacy. (Great Hanging at Gainesville 1862 by G. W. Diamond, p.89)
Clora Carter Floyd later married my great-grandfather, Allison W. Roark, and had two daughters. Charity and Cordelia married two Howard brothers, who originally came from Lincoln County, TN.

Cordelia and George Wesley Howard had seven children while moving to Oklahoma and New Mexico. My father, George Wesley Jr., married Lois Amanda Teeters in Wichita, KS and later moved to Colorado and King County,Washington. This is where I grew up and stayed after my own marriage.

The Kinchen Carter family lost two son-in-laws during the hanging in Gainesville: Thomas Floyd (shot) and M. Wesley Morris (hanged).

The following family history information for the Kinchen Carter family is from Jackson County (Arkansas) Historical Society “Stream of History,” Vol. IV, No. 3, page 8, published July 1966.

Kinchen Carter, died in Jackson County about 1855, married Kezziab (Cazar) Johnston, who was born about 1805 in Tennessee, died March 31, 1868, in Jackson Co., Ark. (She was probably a sister of James Johnston, father of Andrew Aridy" Johnston.) They had fourteen children, two of whom died in infancy. The others were:
1. John. Carter: living 1868 in Lawrence County, Tennessee; married and had issue with Jessie Carter, Emma Carter.
2. Fannie Carter: living 1868 in Lawrence County, Tennessee; married William Floyd and had issue: Caroline, Mandy.
3. Anne Carter: living 1868 in Cook Co., Texas; married Wesley Morris, who had died before 1870.
4. Chloe Carter: living 1868 in Cook Co., Texas; married Thomas Floyd, who had died before 1870.
5. Vicey Carter: died before 1870; married Mac Carroll, who had died before 1870; issue – William James Carroll, living 1868 in Lawrence Co., Tennessee.
6. William Carter: died before 1870; married and had. William James “Mack” Carter living 868 in Lawrence Co, Tenn.
7.Gideon G, Carter: died before 1870; married and had James Carter, residence unknown in 1868.
8. Martha Carter: born about 1846 in. Tenn.; married James C. Grubbs (born 1837) and had Mary, James, John, Cora, and Lizzie.
9. Sarah Carter: born 1848Tenn.; living 1868 Jackson Co., Ark.; married Dec. 1, 1865, Joseph Sutherland, born about 1844, died about i884; had issue: Bud Sutherland and four others.
10. Charles Dufield Carter: born Jan. 1839 in Tenn.; died about 1866; married Sept. 9, i88, N. Arenia Turner, born Sept.1842 in Ark., living i868 in Jackson Co., Ark.; issue-Kansas Carter, born 1859, and Andrew Carter.
11. Jane Carter: born 1842 Tenn.; died before 1870; living 1868 in Jackson Co., Ark.; married M. L. Garland, who died before 187O issue--Elizabeth.
12. Jarrett Record “Cord” Carter, also called “Jack” Carter in younger days: born Jan. 26, 1840, Tenn., died Jan. 11, 1912; married 1863 Mrs. Melissa (Benson) Jones; married Mary Jane Sutherland, born May 7, 1850, died July ), 1911. Issue by Mary Jane Sutherland--Betty (born Mar. 12, 1873, married John Pennington, who was born Aug. 12, 1868), Sarah (born Oct. 2, 1874), Jarrett R. Jr. (born Jan. 17, 1877, married Lula ford, daughter of Bill ford, and had Ben, Tom, Linzy), Mabel (born Sept. 5, 1883, married first a Ford, then Charles Evins), Rosenell (born Oct. 17, 88, married Artie Evins), arid Maud (married Adolph Huey).

Gainesville Hanging Marker

2010-10-19T14:54:00.002-06:00

The marker for the "Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862" is located in the Georgia Bass Park on the east bank of Pecan Creek, between Main Street and California Street. The marker was erected in 1964. According to a local, at one time the Gainesville Hanging marker was located west of I-35, near Elm Creek and later moved to it's present location.

Close-up of the marker - marker text at bottom of this post.

Marker Text:Facing the threat of invasion from the north and fearing a Unionist uprising in their midst, the people of North Texas lived in constant dread during the Civil War. Word of a "Peace Party" of Union sympathizers, sworn to destroy their government, kill their leaders, and bring in Federal troops caused great alarm in Cooke and neighboring counties. Spies joined the "Peace Party" discovered its members and details of their plans. Under the leadership of Colonels James Bourland, Daniel Montague and others, citizens loyal to the Confederacy determined to destroy the order; and on the morning of October 1, 1862, there were widespread arrests "by authority of the people of Cook County." Fear of rescue by "Peace Party" members brought troops and militia to Gainesville, where the prisoners were assembled, and hastened action by the citizens committee. At a meeting of Cooke County citizens, with Colonel W.C. Young presiding, it was unanimously resolved to establish a Citizens Court and to have the Chairman choose a committee to select a jury. 68 men were brought speedily before the court. 39 of them were found guilty of conspiracy and insurrection, sentenced and immediately hanged. Three other prisoners who were members of military units were allowed trial by Court Martial at their request and were subsequently hanged by its order. Two others broke from their guard and were shot and killed. The Texas Legislature appropriated $4,500 for rations, forage used by State troops here during the unrest. (1964)

Not sure why the names of all the men who died in the hanging were not placed on the marker. It would seem that they deserve being remembered by name!

Found an article on the Gainesville Hanging marker by author James Loewen.

In his book, Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong, James Loewen gives an interesting take on the Gainesville Hanging historical marker. Loewen considers the modest marker an "extended excuse" for what happened in October 1862. He explains how years earlier in 1911, Gainesville put up a Confederate monument on the courthouse lawn that was "a counterfactual statement to cover over the awful crime that the Confederates carried out on these very grounds in October 1862."

Ceremony Commemorates Great Hanging

2010-10-19T10:47:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday, the fourth annual Gainesville Hanging Commemoration was sponsored by the Cooke County Historical Commission. The following newspaper article is from the GAINESVILLE DAILY REGISTER, Gainesville Texas. October 18, 2010

Ceremony Commemorates Great Hanging

By PAMELA ROBINSON, Register Staff Writer

Gainesville Daily Register

Gainesville — History can lie buried, like a civilization covered over by centuries of dust and then layers of earth. But, it is still there, and can be brought back to life by someone researching the site or event.

The Gainesville history of The Great Hanging was unearthed by Leon Russell, who made it his business to shed light on an unsettling event that took place in our town. Russell is credited for starting the yearly ceremony to commemorate the victims of The Great Hanging which took place in 1862.

Saturday morning, Russell was at the fourth commemoration in his wheel chair and one arm in a sling, at the Georgia Bass Park, the actual site of the hangings in 1862. He said his intent has always been to bring justice to a group of men whose lives were ended.

During the ceremony Ron Melugin, Chair of the Cooke County Historical Commission and fellow commission member Colleen Clark Carri, walked through the rows of crosses and read each name and rang a bell in remembrance of each person.

Russell then spoke to those at the gathering. “Now that we’ve heard the names, who are these people?” Russell asked. “Well, for the most part, they were non-slave owners, with one or two exceptions, and for the most part they were out in the eastern part of the county and for the most part, they were grubbing their living out of a little garden spot and trying to perfect their claim under the Peters colony. Most of them would have been subject to the draft, the Confederate draft, and they really didn’t want to go fight the rich man’s war, the planter’s war. They left 42 widows and about 170 children.”

Russell joked that people might look at him and say, “well, what’s an old guy in that shape, what would be his interest in something like this, and I can tell you right quick, when I first learned of this I thought it was just such a horrible injustice. And this is a country that’s supposed to have been formed on the basis of justice. What happened to the idea that every man is considered innocent until proven guilty by a competent court by a jury of his peers?” Russell became very emotional during his address and said, “The people that did it trashed that and I’m here to speak out against them. And if I don’t get to say anything more, I hope they’re watching,” he said as he looked around, “because I want to say, ‘you didn’t get us all yet,’” to the applause of the gathered audience.

Russell himself is not a descendant of anyone involved in The Great Hanging but said, “The scale of justice has to be re-balanced somewhere, that’s our fundamental belief.”

L.D. Clark was the featured speaker at the commemoration and wrote the book, “A Bright Tragic Thing,” about the hanging. Melugin introduced Clark as a noted author and specialist on the Great Hanging and a decedent of Nathaniel Miles Clark who was hanged. Clark is now as a resident of Gainesville.
“You know why we are gathered here today? Because 148 years ago in 1862, there started what is called a ‘reign of terror’ in Gainesville because over a three-week period, 42 men were hanged and a couple were shot. This went on for three weeks and you can imagine what it was like in the whole county,” Clark started. “They had a so-called jury...You might as well say it was a mob to begin with.”

Clark said most of the people got the sham trial, but pointed out that his ancestor Nathaniel Miles Clark and 11 other men never even got the sham trial. “When everything is going into chaos, that’s when the rule of law is supposed to kick in,” Clark said.

Clark introduced two of Ephraim Chiles’ great-granddaughters, Barbara Parcell of North Richland Hills and Shirley Clough of Kansas. Clough addressed the audience and told them about the history they are working on, which led then to Gainesville for the first time for the commemoration. Chiles and his brother Henry Chiles were the first two men to be hanged.

The Commemoration of the Great Hanging started four years ago after Russell went before the Gainesville city council to start the ceremony. “He felt it just needed to be done,” his daughter Gayle Russell said. Russell grew up in Woodbine and when someone mentioned The Great Hanging to him, he had no idea what they were talking about. “It started hanging on his heart,” Carri said, “and he contacted Ron Melugin and said ‘I want to do something about it and I’m running into roadblocks and I can’t get anybody to talk to me about this.’ Ron said, ‘well, I’ll talk about it. So one thing led to another...’”

Russell and his wife and his nurse also made the crosses, one for each victim, for the commemorations.

The commemoration is sponsored by the Cooke County Historical Commission.

A huge memorial stone commemorating the events is located in Georgia Bass Park. The park is located between California Street and Main Street and is east of Pecan Creek.

Arphax Dawson

2010-08-27T14:24:00.015-06:00

Given name is spelled various ways: Arphaxton/Arphax/Arphaxad . It is a biblical name and reference to it can be found in the Book of Genesis 10:22. Arphaxad was the son of Shem and grandson of Noah.

Richard B. McCaslin's book "Tainted Breeze," gives this account of Arphax:
"Arphax R. Dawson immigrated to Texas from Illinois; he is listed in the 1860 Grayson County census (F.N. 642) as a farmer from Georgia, age fifty-five, with $3,297 in real and personal property. His wife, Jane, was from Tennessee; their five children had been born in Illinois, Missouri, and Texas. Their oldest daughter, Mary Ann, married Rama Dye on June 27, 1861."

Arphaxton. R. Dawson was born 1805 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He was married about 1824 to Mary HORN near Sewanne, Franklin, Tennessee. They had twelve known children (listed below). Mary died in 1856 in Franklin County, Illinois. Arphax then married Jane Caroline Stalcup. They had three known children (listed below.) He and second wife, Jane, were living in Sherman, Grayson County in October 1862. Arphaxton R. DAWSON died 19 Oct 1862 "The Great Hanging" at Gainesville. He was 57 years old at the time of his death. Some online accounts state that his body was taken back to Grayson County for burial, but NO burial site is known.

During the proceedings of the ‘Citizens Court” Arphax gave testimony in the trial of his son-in-law, Ramey Dye. Testimony: “Ramey Dye came to my house and told me that M. D. Harper had been arrested on the charge of being connected with our society; and that there would be a meeting held that night, (1 Oct 1862) near Lattimer’s and Richies’ steam mill, for the purpose of consulting how to rescue Harper. He wished me to attend and bring my gun, which I did. The meeting was attended by Ramey Dye, John M. Wiley, Isham Welch, Wm Boyles, Jon Ware, H. Gilman, Robt Duncan and others. He talked about the rescue of Harper. We came to the conclusion that the force at Gainesville was too strong for us to accomplish our purpose.”
Arphax Dawson was tried in a group trial (5 men) and found guilty of “giving the signs, grip, and password, and were active members of Capt Ramey Dye’s company.” They were found guilty and hanged.
George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414

In the "Tainted Breeze," McCaslin states that "Arphax R. Dawson and James A. Ward, had tried to flee the state but found their way across the Red River blocked by unseasonably high water brought on by the deluge of October 1."

Rama Dye, the son-in-law of Arphax Dawson, was also tried by the 'Citizens Court', found guilty of treason and hanged. His wife, Mary Ann Dawson Dye, lost both her husband and father during those dreadful October days when so many men were hanged.

Arphax had three sons who fought in Confederate units. According to a descendant, Ephriam A. Dawson was serving in a Confederate Texas Cavalry unit on the very day that his father was hanged by the confederates in Gainesville .

Arphax can be found in the following census records:
Census: 1840 in Franklin County, IL
Census: 1850 in Franklin County, IL
Census: 1860 Grayson County, Texas

Jane Dawson, was married once before. Her first husband is believed to be William Bland. In the 1860 census, 2 boys named James BLAND (b. abt 1850 TN) and John R. J. BLAND (b. abt 1853 TN) are living in the Dawson household. Jane C. and Arphaxton married in late 1856 or early 1857 (no marriage record found) as they had their first child Arfax DAWSON in 1857 in Missouri on their way down to Texas from Illinois.

Arphaxton and Mary HORN had the following children:
1. Allen DAWSON b. 1825 d. 1877 m. 1848 Mary C. VAUGHN; buried in Dawson Cemetery, Franklin Co., IL Descendants known.
2. Minerva DAWSON b. 1826 Alabama; m. 1850 William J. FLETCHER in Franklin Co., IL; descendants known (she names one of her sons Arfax)
3. Susan DAWSON b. abt 1827 m. HARRISON Descendants unknown
4. Rebecca Jane DAWSON b. abt 1828 AL; m. 1850 George LEFLER in Franklin Co., IL; descendants known
5. William DAWSON b. abt 1829 m. Melinda HAMON Franklin Co., IL; some descendants known
6. Juda "Judith" DAWSON b. abt 1834 White Co., IL m. 1853 Henry FLETCHER Franklin Co., IL; descendants known.
7. Samuel J. DAWSON b. abt 1838 AL; m. 1859 Mary Jane SKAGGS Cooke Co., TX; descendants not known
8. Ephraim A. DAWSON b. 1840 Franklin Co., IL; d. 1926 Cooke Co., TX; buried Mt. Zion Cemetery, Cooke Co., TX; m. 1861 (1) Sarah Jane WARD 1861 (2) Lucinda PARSONS 1868; descendants known
9. Mary Ann DAWSON b. abt 1843 Franklin Co., IL; m. 1861 (1) Rama DYE in Cooke Co., TX (he was also hanged in The Great Hanging Oct 1862) and (2) William T. HORTON ; descendants unknown
10. Nancy Catherine DAWSON b. abt 1845 Franklin Co., IL; m. 1861 A. DICKERSON in Grayson Co., TX; unknown descendants
11. George W. DAWSON b. abt 1846 Franklin Co., IL; m. (1) Cordelia REEVES (2) Sarah HUFFACRE in 1867 Cooke Co., TX; descendants unknown
12. Canzada DAWSON b. abt 1849 Franklin Co., IL; m. William KING in TX; nothing more known

Arphax R. DAWSON and his second wife Jane had the following children:
1. Arfax DAWSON b. 1857 Missouri; m. 1882 Mary Elizabeth FUTRELL in Dallas, Dallas, TX. She died in 1883 and nothing more in known of Anfaxton.
2. America Jane DAWSON b. 1859 Sherman, Grayson, TX;
d. 1939 Willis, Marshall, OK, buried in Marlow, Stephens, TX
m. Dennis Morgan MURPHY 1874 in Dallas Co., TX; descendants known.
3. Parthena T. DAWSON b. 27 Jun 1861 Sherman, Grayson, TX; d. 1916 Dallas, Dallas, TX; buried Laurel Oaks Cemetery, Old Bennett Cemetery section, Mesquite TX. She married (1) James WILLS 1877 Dallas Co., TX; ended in divorce; she had one child, Mary, with him; nothing known of her. (2) Samuel Wayne FUTRELL in 1882 Dallas, Dallas, TX; Descendants known.

Arphaxton R. DAWSON's second wife, Jane C. remarried Creed Taylor WALTHALL, a minister and farmer, on 26 Jan 1864 in Grayson County, Texas. They had the following children: Thomas WALTHALL b. abt. 1864 and Milton WALTHALL b. abt 1866 - nothing more in known about them.
Jane C. Dawson Walthall d. 1902 Dallas, Dallas, TX; buried in the Laurel Oaks Cemetery (Bennett section) in Mesquite, TX

What Were Their Occupations?

2010-08-27T10:08:00.012-06:00

What were their occupations?

In October 1862, 42 men were tried for their Union Sympathies and convicted by a Confederate ‘Citizens Court’ in Gainesville, Texas. 40 men were hanged and several were shot while trying to escape.

According to McCaslin, “Many of the victims were not of the lower echelons or fringes of society, but instead could claim to be middle-class.”

The following is a list of ‘Great Hanging’ men and their known occupations. Since most came to Texas to become landowners and farm, the majority of the men were obviously farmers, but it’s surprising to see other occupations represented as well.  Many of the men had trades or held county offices. Known talents, such as being a musician, are also noted.

Any corrections or additions to this list of the men and/or their occupations are welcome!

1. C. F. (E. F., Frosty) Anderson - ?
2. George W. Anderson - ?
3. Richard J. Anderson - ?
4. William B. Anderson - farmer
5. Thomas O. Baker - farmer
6. Bennet C. Barnes - farmer
7. Barnibus Burch - farmer
8. Samuel Carmichael - carpenter
9. Ephraim Chiles - farmer
10. Henry Chiles - physician
11. Nathaniel M. Clark - farmer
12. Henry Cockrum- -farmer, miller
13. John Mansil Crisp - blacksmith
14. Arphaxton R. Dawson - farmer
15. Rama Dye – farmer, justice of the peace, minister, road overseer
16. Hudson John Esman – farmer, musician
17. Henry S. Field - shoemaker
18. Thomas B. Floyd (shot) - farmer
19. James T. Foster (shot) - physician
20. Curd Goss - farmer
21. Edward D. Hampton - farmer
22. M. D. Harper - carpenter
23. William W. Johnson - farmer, Clarke called him Dr. Johnson
24. C. A. Jones - ?
25. David Miller Leffel - carpenter
26. Leander W. P. Jacob Lock - farmer
27. Abraham McNeese – farmer
28. Richard N. Martin - farmer
29. John M. Miller – carpenter, teacher, musician
30. John A. Morris - farmer
31. Wash Morris - farmer OR John W. Morris - farmer
32. M. Wesley Morris - farmer
33. William W. Morris - farmer
34. James A. Powers – “sawer”
35. William R. Rhodes - farmer
36. Alexander D. Scott - farmer
37. Eli M. Scott - farmer, road overseer
38. Gilbert Smith - farmer
39. William B. Taylor - farmer
40. Eli Sigler Thomas - physician
41. James A. Ward - farmer
42. William Wilson Wornell - farmer
==
43. William Boyles (later shot and possibly died from wounds) - farmer
44. Hiram Kilborn (shot) - road overseer, school trustee, poll supervisor, Baptist preacher
====
Other men that were killed during that time:
Hanged by James Young:
   William A. McCool - ?
   John M. Cottrell -?
   A.N. Johnson - ?
E. Junius Foster, shot by Young, newspaper editor of the Sherman Patriot, shot as he was closing up newspaper office.

Left Without a Father

2010-08-26T15:29:00.012-06:00

According to our latest list (Feb 2012), there were at least 185 children left without a father after the Great Hanging at Gainesville. If we had a complete list of all the families for the men who were executed during the Hangings, the total children left without a father in the home would be much higher. Several children, whose mother had died previously, were left orphans by the Hanging. Read the sad story about the Miller girls in a previous post.

While some of the children of older men who died, were already adults by the time of the Hanging, most of the children were younger and still needed a father in their lives. There were also numerous infants and some unborn babies. Think of all those poor widowed mothers who had to care for their families all by themselves without the support of a father and husband.

During our research, as we find more information about the men who died that dreadful October so many years ago, we will undoubtedly find more children who had to live without the benefit of a father in their home.

The lives of all of these children were definitely changed due to the violent death of their father during those dark days of October 1862. Not only had they lost their father tragically, but many families faced continued harassment. Susan Leffel's 1869 letter to the governor states that she and her family had been robbed, threatened and abused since the Hangings. Dr. Henry Chiles oldest daughter, Elizabeth, had to become a domestic servant to help support her family. M. D. Harper's wife, Eliza, became a wash woman to help support her young family and most of the family remained very poor, with some of the chldren even being buried in a county poor farm. These are just a few examples of life for the children after they lost their father in the 'Great Hanging'.

Gone to Texas

2010-08-26T14:47:00.015-06:00

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

Most of the men who died in the Hangings came to Texas hoping for a better life for themselves and their families. Instead, they met a premature death at the end of a rope and their family was left alone on the Texas frontier. Most were hardworking, honorable men with hopes and dreams for bettering their family's future.

Descendants of men who died in the 'Great Hanging of Gainesville', may qualify for a Texas Heritage Certificate. Several certificates are given by the Texas State Genealogical Society:

Texas First Families Certificate Prove direct or collateral descent from an ancestor who settled in Texas before February 19, 1846.

Gone to Texas Pioneer Certificate Prove direct descent from a person who was in Texas prior to 1886. Descendants of all the men who died during the Hangings should qualify for this certificate.

West Texas Pioneer Certificate Prove direct descent from a person who was in West Texas (as defined by list of 133 Counties attached) prior to 1901.

Perhaps the Cooke County Historical Commission should consider a certificate program for descendants of all those who lost their lives in the Great Hanging. A program such as this would be nice to have in place by the sesquicentennial of the Gainesville Hanging in October 2012.

The Peters Colony of Texas

On the 4th of February 1841, the Republic of Texas adopted a land colonization law called "An Act Granting Land to Emigrants" that dealt with two important issues: the granting of land and the settling of immigrants. This law was proposed by group of 20 petitioners who declared their interest in colonizing unoccupied portions in north Texas. Circulars were printed for distribution and posted in public places advertising the rich lands of the Red River and Trinity Colony in Texas. One advertisement stated that the Peters Colony was “peculiarly adapted to the successful growth of cotton and tobacco,” and, “Indian corn, rye, barley, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, beans, melons, figs, garden vegetables and all the fruits.” Circulars further claimed that “the country abounds in wild game, such as buffalo, deer wild turkies, prairie hens, quails, and grey squirrels, and the forest with wild honey.” With advertisements such as this, it is easy to see why so many families decided to emigrate to Texas.

Every family settling in Texas during this period was to receive 640 acres of land and each single man 320 acres, provided they lived on and work the land for three years. By the 1850’s, the Peters Land Company was reorganized under the name of the Texas Emigration and Land Company, which offered 320 acres to married men and 160 to single men, plus a "free cabin, seed, and musket balls.”

Below is a list of men who died in the Great Hangings that were colonists in the Peters Colony or had ties to the Peters Colony. Please let us know of any additions to this list - there should probably be more men represented on this list.
Henry Cockrum – issued a certificate by Cooke County for 640 acres, later disallowed
Rama Dye – issued a certificate and patented 640 acres in Cooke County - Fannin 3rd Class #1201
David Miller Leffel moved to Texas in 1858 when his wife inherited land from her father, Michael West, who was issued a certificate for 640 acres in Grayson County. Fannin 3rd Class #904
William Boyles – issued a land certificate and later patented in Grayson County – Fannin 3rd Class #1569

To conduct a Land Grant Search at the Texas General Land Office, go to:
http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm

Leave a comment for additions to the Peters Colony list of men who died in the Hanging.

Gainesville Hanging Cemetery

2010-08-26T14:03:00.003-06:00

Gainesville Hanging Cemetery Now on Findagrave

FindaGrave.com now has a virtual cemetery for the men who died in the Great Hangings. The descendants have long been denied from being able to visit a grave site or memorial with names for their ancestors who died in the Hangings.

As noted in a previous post, after the men were hanged, their bodies were thrown into an empty warehouse building on the west side of the town square. A few of the families were able to claim the body of their loved one, but most of the grieving, frightened widows could not find able bodied men to help them (anyone caught helping the widowed families were themselves arrested.) Most of executed men were left for the court officials to bury. Some were buried in hurriedly made coffins, but when the scrap lumber from the torn-down house was used up, the rest of the men were wrapped in old blankets and buried in shallow graves along the banks of Pecan Creek. It has been said that rains washed away the dirt covering some of the graves and that wild pigs dug up some graves.

All that being said, except for the descendants of about 5 of the men who died the Hangings, the rest of the descendants have NO known grave to visit. What a shame the state or county has never placed a memorial marker with all the names of the men who perished in the Hangings.

Now, a virtual cemetery has been created on FindaGrave. If you have an ancestor who died in the Great Hanging, visit the Great Hanging Burial Site on findagrave.com and leave a note & (virtual) flower for your ancestor. If you want, you can also leave a picture, story, obituary or add family links. Also, you can have the memorial of your ancestor transferred to you by just contacting the person who created the memorial.

Go to FindaGrave Website: http://www.findagrave.com/ -- Then perform a search for your Great Hanging ancestor in Cooke County, Texas.

*******

Gainesville Hanging Group on Facebook

2010-08-26T14:01:00.002-06:00

Facebook has a Group for the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas. If you are a 'Great Hanging of Gainesville' descendant or have an interest in Texas History, you might want to join this group on facebook. Joining this group should keep you updated on all the news concerning the Great Hanging.

The name of the group is: Gainesville Texas - The Great Hanging - October 1862 Civil War
The category of the group is: Common Interest - History
The group description is:
Certainly one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War occurred in Gainesville, Texas in Oct. 1862, when 40 men, suspected of Union sympathies, were hanged.
Searching for descendants of the 42 victims who were hanged in Gainesville, Texas in 1862. An anniversary celebration in October 2012 will mark 150 years since this tragedy - the most mass hangings in the United States.
Photo of Nathaniel Miles Clark, lynched in the Great Hanging in Gainesville, TX on October 13, 1862.

Group's Goal: Searching for descendants of the 42 victims who were hanged in Gainesville, Texas in 1862. An anniversary celebration in October 2012 will mark 150 years since this tragedy.

John M. Miller Biography

2010-07-02T14:08:00.005-06:00

The following biography was written by S. M. Wollard, a descendant of John M. Miller. Please see the previous posts, Orphan Daughters of John Miller and Will the real John Miller please come forward! Thanks to S. Wollard, the real John M. Miller and his family has come forward!

John M. Miller (1821-1862)

John M. Miller was born near Campbellsville, Green County, Kentucky in the autumn of 1821. He was the son of William Lindsay and Nancy (Puryear) Miller, both natives of Kentucky who had married in 1818. John was raised in a family of two sisters and five brothers: Elizabeth, Louisa, Francis M., Thomas, Jesse, Edwin and William E. The Millers moved from Green County to Adair and Taylor Counties in Kentucky before migrating to Missouri. After a brief stay in Howard County, they eventually settled in Carroll County around 1848.

John, like his father was a carpenter by trade and in 1850 was found living with both his family and in the household of another carpenter by the name of Malcoger R. Flora. John, as his younger brother Francis, was also a school teacher. Descendants of John claim that he was musician and taught music lessons. Even though some records indicate that John was illiterate, he was apparently well educated and gifted musically.

John married Martha Jane Sandusky on January 18, 1852 in Carroll County, Missouri. Martha’s family lived next door to the Millers and her father James was a wagon maker. James and Margaret (Campbell) Sandusky had arrived in Carroll County in the 1830s migrating from Kentucky; Martha being born there in 1832. The Sanduskys were partially responsible for bringing a minister and building the first Christian Church in Carroll County.

John and Martha Miller had three daughters: Nancy L., Mary Elizabeth, and Luella A. All were born three miles northwest of Bogard, Missouri in an area called Bogard Mound.

In October of 1852, John and his father William purchased 40 acres of land in Carroll County. It is not certain when, but apparent that John had staked a claim in a land venture in Texas. He, along with several others during this time, registered land in Grayson, Collin, Montague, and Cooke Counties in an area known as the Cross Timbers. This group of emigrants was of mid- and deep-southern heritage, but predominantly northern unionists. The Peters Colony, as it was called, was settled in 160 and 320-acre parcels at a time prior to and during the Civil War.

On August 24, 1857, Martha Miller died unexpectedly by choking on food. She was 35 years old and was buried in Carroll County. Whether planned, it is not known, but John and his daughters moved from Missouri to Cooke County, Texas shortly after Martha died. By 1860, the widower and his daughters were living near Gainesville. He had built a cabin on 320 acres and his daughters kept house. He owned $2160.00 in personal and real property.

At this time, the Civil War had begun and tensions in northern Texas were on the rise. Even though Cooke and neighboring counties were chiefly “non-slave” holding counties, slave-holding secessionists controlled public affairs. These men were long-standing residents who owned large tracts of land and viewed Texas as a republic; and were skeptical with the addition of numerous colonists moving into the area. News about the war seemed to spread through these northern counties before newspapers managed to put it in print. Suspicions grew and in September of 1862, it was confirmed that there was a secret organization in the midst known as the “Peace Party.” This institution was made up primarily of “Unionists”, who at a moment’s notice, were prepared to aid the north in defeating southern sentiment, gaining access to ammunition and land.

In the early morning hours of October 1, 1862, several groups of secessionist men rounded up suspected unionists and brought them into Gainesville where they were held by guards. One after another, they were tried and some found guilty of insurrection and treason. After deliberation, approximately 40 of these men were hanged over a three week period. A lot of these men were simply farmers who had joined the Peace Party to have an association that would offer protection for their families.

Unfortunately, John Miller was a unionist and was one of the last to hang on October 19, 1862. It is likely that he was buried in a shallow grave near the Pecan Creek in Gainesville, Texas. According to Nancy (Miller) Brand’s obituary, she and her younger sister escaped on that rainy October morning through the timber and took refuge at a neighbor’s home. Before John was tried and hanged, he had asked a man named William Mitchell to look after his estate and see that Nancy and Mary Elizabeth were sent back to Missouri to be with family.

Instead, Mr. Mitchell sold off John’s land in parcels and kept the money. He worked the orphaned Miller girls very hard and did not allow them to attend school. This went on for years and then according to court records, a Judge John E. Wheeler stripped Mitchell of guardianship, deeming his actions illegal. Mitchell was ordered by the court to pay the new guardian, a Mr. John H. Harrison, the sum of $160.00 as a settlement. Mr. Harrison alerted the Miller family in Missouri of the circumstances relating to John’s death and the ordeal that his daughters had suffered . John’s younger brother Thomas, in a covered wagon presumably built by James Sandusky, went to Texas and took the girls back to Missouri. By 1870, all three Miller girls were living with their Sandusky grandparents.

Nancy Miller eventually became a school teacher and in 1878 married Daniel Brand, a native of Pennsylvania. They had two children: Harry and Bernadotte. Daniel was a painter, newspaper man and clerk after serving in the Civil War. He died in 1905 and Nancy in April of 1941. She was 88 years old.

Although the author is close, the remainder of Mary Elizabeth Miller’s life is uncertain at this time.

Luella A. Miller married Theodore Barnett in January of 1874. Theodore was born near Petersburg, Boone County, Kentucky in 1846. They raised six daughters: Lenora, Mary, Susie, Nanny, Stella, and Gertrude. Theodore died in October of 1899. Luella lived alone or with a roommate for years before moving to Bavaria, Kansas to stay with a daughter. As many older people do, Luella fell and broke her hip, dying shortly afterward of pneumonia at the age of 89. She was brought back to Carroll County on a train in 1944 and buried with her husband in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Bogard, Missouri.

Reference: The majority of this biographical sketch was taken from Profiles in Ancestry, 2006, by S. M. Wollard.
1. Some believe that the youngest daughter, Luella, was still in Texas at the time of John’s death and may have passed away prior to the mid-1860s. She was listed in the 1860 Cooke County, Texas census; however, I believe she was sent back to Missouri because of the possibility of Indian attacks and the wild frontier.

2. It was thought by some that John had remarried in September of 1860 to a woman named Mary Eubanks. There were two John Millers in Cooke County, Texas at this time. The other man, John B. Miller most probably married Miss Eubanks; however, he too died in the early 1860s. She then remarried a man by the name of James Hooper in 1863.

1870 Census showing the Miller daughters living with their maternal grandparents, James and Margaret Campbell, in Carroll County, Missouri.

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Wakenda, Carroll, Missouri; Roll M593_766; Page: 398B; Family History Library Film: 552265

Obituary for Nannie (Nancy) L. Brand, daughter of John M. Miller, that tells of her story during the Gainesville Hanging tragedy.

The death certificate for Nannie L. Brand, daughter of John M. Miller can be found at http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/deathcertificates/

Rama Dye

2009-11-15T15:39:00.005-07:00

This information on Rama Dye has been collected from various databases and web sites. Not much of it was sourced and not all of it has been verified.

Rama Dye, the son of Fauntleroy and Elizabeth Young Dye, was born about 1821 in Kentucky. He married Sarah Jane Bradley on 16 Jan 1842 in Monroe County, Missouri. Rama moved his family to Texas about 1846 and was issued a land certificate as part of the Peters Colony by 1850 for 640 acres in Cooke County. His brother, Jacob, moved to Texas at the same time as Rama.

Rama Dye and Sarah Jane Bradley had the following family:

1. James Rama Dye was born in Missouri about 1842. James died after 1861.
2. Margaret Elizabeth Dye was born August 18, 1844. Margaret married Nathaniel Bullard. Margaret was a midwife.
3. Leroy Dye was born in Texas 1847. Leroy died February 1850 in Cooke County, TX, at 2 years of age.
4. Rachael Dye was born in Cooke County, TX March 1850. Rachael died after 1920 at 70 years of age. Rachel lived with her sister, Margaret, and brother-in-law, Nathaniel Bullard.
5. Thomas Dye was born in Cooke County, TX about 1855.

1850 Census

Source Citation: 1850 Federal Census; Census Place: Cooke County, Texas; Roll M432_910; Pages: 69-70; Household 23/24

In the 1850 Census, R. (Rama) Dye is on the bottom of page 69 and his family continues on the top of the next page.

1856 Rama Dye gave land for use as school house to Cooke County on Nov. 7,1856. (Deed Bk 1, pg 593)

Rama's wife, Sarah, died before the 4th of July1860, because she is not listed in the 1860 Census, which was taken on that date.

1860 Census

1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Cooke, Gainesville, page 239

On 27 Jun 1861 in Cooke County, Texas, Rama married Mary Ann Dawson, daughter of Arphax Dawson. Arphax Dawson was one of the victims of the Great Hanging. Mary Ann lost both her husband and her father during the 'Great Hanging.'

Rama Dye donated land to the Christian Church in the SE corner of Cooke County. He was a minister and farmer.

Rama was a second cousin to Martha Ellen YOUNG, mother of the future President of the United States, Harry S. TRUMAN. Their common ancestor was John Young and wife, Ann.

1862 Cooke County, TX Deed Records: Ramy Dye sold 320 acres to J.B. and R.H. Ruryear July 26, 1862.

Rama Dye meeting for the rescue of M. D. Harper.
Rama Dye was a good friend to M. D. Harper. Dye was upset when Harper was arrested for being a member of the Peace Party and called a meeting at his home to discuss the rescue of his friend, Harper, and others who were being held as prisoners by the viliante committee. The following is from Tainted Breeze page 71: "...nighttime meeting of settlers in the Eastern Cross Timbers who were 'noisy to be led on to the assistance of their friends'. They had convened at the request of Rama Dye, a former Peters Colonist who ironically had spent the day guarding prisoners in Gainesville. Dye was distraught about the arrest of M. D. Harper -- a "resolute and uncompromising" organizer of the Peace party -- and had called the meeting that night to discuss a rescue."
At that first meeting, the group discussed the options of rescue for Harper and the other prisoners, of fleeing, of surrender or a fight or bushwhacking campaign. Dye was elected as their captain and they planned to meet again the next night to further discuss what to do after they had gathered more information.
Diamond's Account of the hanging identifies as being present at the first meeting: William B. Anderson, Benjamin C. Barnes, Barnibus Burch, Henry Cockrum, Arphax R.Dawson, Rama Dye, Hudson J. Esman, James T. Foster, Curd Goss, William W. Johnson, David M. Leffel, John M. Miller, John W. Morris, James A. Powers, and Gilbert Smith. All these men just mentioned who were present at that first meeting were later executed. Others may have been present, such as Obediah B. Atkinson, William Boyles, Robert Duncan, Harry Gilman, Moses Powers, S. Snodgrass, John Ware, Isham Welch, and John Wiley.

TRIAL OF RAMA DYE
Taken from the Southwestern Historical Quarterly Vol. LXVI, Jan. 1963, No. 3:

The State of Texas vs. Ramey Dye. Charge: Disloyalty or Treason.
Testimony of Arphax Dawson: (Arphax Dawson was born in Ga. in 1805. He was one of the first settlers of Cooke Co. His daughter Mary was married to Ramey Dye).
Witness: RAMEY DYE came to my house and told me that M.D. Harper had been arrested on the charge with being connected with our society and that there would be a meeting held that night (1 Oct. 1862) near Lattimer's and Ritchies steam mill for the purpose of consulting how to rescue Harper. He wished me to attend and bring my gun, which I did. The meeting was attended by RAMEY DYE, JOHN M. WILEY, ISHAM WELCH, WM. BOYLES, JOHN WARE, H. GILMAN, ROBT. DUNCAN, and others.He talked about the recue Harper. We came to the conclusion that the force at Gainesville was too strong for us to accomplish our purpose.
Testimony of Ben F. Barnes:
Witness: There was a meeting at the steam mill last Wednesday night. Some members observed we had better go to the Northern army where we could fare better. They were to hold a meeting the next night, somewhere. RAMEY DYE was appointed Captain.
Testimony of I.W. MORRIS:
Witness: I was at the meeting at Ritchie's Mill. Dr. Foster said the purpose of the meeting was to rescue Harper; and he wanted us to take our guns and go - myself and Ramey Dye. The reason we did not go to rescue Harper was a messenger, ESSMAN, told us that there were a great many soldiers in Gainesville and we were then afraid.
Testimony of GILBERT SMITH:
Witness: I was at the meeting on Wednesday night. Present: RAMEY DYE, JAMES POWERS, MOSES POWERS, JOHN WARE, JOHN W. MORRIS, Dr. FOSTER, H.J. ESSMAN, HARRY GILMAN, ARPHAX DAWSON, O.B. ATKINSON, and WM. BOYLES. We were all ordered to bring our guns. I loaded mine after I got there. I suppose there were 28 men in all.Our object was to come here (Gainesville) and rescue the prisoners. RAMEY DYE was chosen Captain. We concluded to get away when ESSMAN came and reported the number of men in town. We adjourned to meet again the next night and consult what to do. I understood we had spies out. Mr. Welch started up here to see how many men were in town. He was sent by the company. Some men were sent out two or three times to spy out and see if anybody approached. Old man COCHRAN went over to Red River to see how many members of the Order there, were over there in that section. SNODGRASS was there when I arrived. I understood that the signs would protect us when the Northern army came.
Dye was found guilty and hung.

Rama Dye Will
After Rama was found guilty by the citizens court and sentenced to be hanged, he wrote a will which can be found in the Cooke County court probate records.

Cooke County Probate Records, Vol. 1, pages 327, 329, 330, 338 & 343.
Will Dated Oct. 13, 1862
The State of Texas. In the name of God, Amen, County of Cooke. I Rama Dye of the County of Cooke State aforesaid being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish, and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say, first after all my lawful debts are paid, and discharged, the residue of my estate real and personal, I give, bequeath, and dispose of as follows, to wit. To my beloved wife, Mary Ann Dye, My Daughter, Margaret E. and Rachael Dye, and my son (s?) Rama J. Dye all my property, to be divided equally among my heirs above named.Likewise, I make, constitute, and appoint my Brother Jacob Dye to be executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.I further wish that my Estate may not be probated, but that an Inventory of all my property may be recorded in the Probate Court.In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name, and affixed my seal, using scroll?
this thirteenth day of October AD 1862
/s Rama Dye/seal/

BURIAL:
Excerpt from "Ben Dye and County Line Community" article:
"Rama Dye was summoned to Gainesville, October 1862, charged with being a member of "the Clan", and was hanged for his political views. Ben R. Dye, oldest son of Jacob Dye, heard what had happened, so he hitched a yoke of oxen to the wagon and went to Gainesville, drove the wagon under the body of his uncle, cut the rope and the body fell into the wagon. Burial of Rama Dye was made on his farm. No men could be found to assist with the digging the grave, so some women brought a blanket and helped Ben bury his uncle. All of the men had "hid out" for fear of the infuriated hanging mob. No mention has been made that any sort of a coffin was made, only a blanket for a shroud. Rama Dye was County Treasurer of Cooke county at this time."

QUESTIONS concerning Rama Dye:
Did he have children with his second wife, Mary Ann Dawson??

Family members attend dedication ceremony

2009-11-15T09:48:00.002-07:00

This newspaper article is from the GAINESVILLE DAILY REGISTER, Cooke County's only daily newspaper, Gainesville Texas. October 26, 2009 03:26 pm

Great Hanging victim's family members attend dedication ceremony
NATALIA JONES Register Staff Writer

— A special dedication ceremony was held Saturday, Oct. 24 to honor the Clark Cemetery where Nathaniel Miles Clark, a Great Hanging victim, and his family are buried.

An official Texas Historical Marker was unveiled during the ceremony. The marker tells a brief summary of the historic cemetery which was established by the Hatcher family and others sometime in the 1850s.

During the Civil War, the cemetery became known as the Clark Cemetery named for a pioneering Cooke County family.

Great-grandson of Nathaniel Clark, author L.D. Clark was present to retell his family’s past.

“This cemetery has been hallowed ground to the Clark family for 147 years,” he said. “I’ve been around for 87 of those years, so I have had an opportunity to learn a great deal about the history of this place...There’s a great deal of sorrow in it and there’s a great deal of tragedy in it, but there’s also a great deal of thanksgiving just for having this place to share with the family.”

Nathaniel Clark was among the unionists who were lynched in the Great Hanging in Gainesville, in 1862. He was buried in the Clark Cemetery by his widow, Mahuldah Clark, and their 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.

Great-great granddaughter of Nathaniel and Mahuldah Clark, Colleen Clark Cari was also present to extend a warm welcome and introduction to guests.

Prior to the event, she said, over 125 members of the Clark family met at the Lone Oak Ranch and Retreat in Gainesville for a family reunion.

Special guests present for the dedication included Ron Melugin, chair of the Cooke County Historical Commission, Cooke County Judge John Roane and Commissioner Steve Key.

Boy Scouts Troop No. 668 of the First Baptist Church gave the presentation of colors, while Miles Nathaniel Shaffer, great-great-great-grandson of Nathaniel and Mahuldah Clark, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Music during the ceremony was provided by Dana Freeman, fourth great-granddaughter of Nathaniel and Mahuldah Clark; Larry Clark, great-great-grandson of Nathaniel and Mahuldah Clark; Pam Clark Boaz, third great-granddaughter of Nathaniel and Mahuldah Clark; and Mary Faye Jackson.

Nancy Blackwell, great-great-granddaughter of Nathaniel and Mahduldah Clark, also read a poem entitled “Dear Ancestor.”

Clark Cemetery is located at the intersection of Clark Road and County Road 220.

L.D. Clark also served as the guest speaker for the third annual Commemoration of the Great Hanging which took place Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. in Georgia Bass Park.

Lydia Field McCool -- Her Story Continues

2009-09-17T15:14:00.011-06:00

Lydia Field McCool suffered great loss during the Gainesville Hangings. Both, her husband and father were killed in the fall of 1862. Henry Field, Lydia’s father, was the third man tried by the so-called "Citizen’s Court" in Gaineville and was executed by hanging on October 4th. Lydia’s husband, William A. McCool, was captured by James D. Young , convicted by a court martial and hanged at Young’s Red River plantation in the later part of 1862, sometime after the Hangings in Gainesville.

Lydia was expecting a child when her father and her husband were hanged in the fall of 1862. When her new baby boy was born, Lydia named him, William, after her deceased husband. Little William was born in 1863 in Texas. Think of the grief, sorrow and fear, Lydia must have felt during this time. The two men who were her protectors had just been killed and Lydia was left pregnant and alone on the Texas frontier.

Sometime after the death of her husband and prior to 1867, Lydia married a man by the last name of Tullis. Lydia had one daughter by this husband and named her Marietta. Marietta was born about 1867 in Texas. What happened to this second husband is unknown, but by 1870 he is no longer in the picture.

Prior to June 1870, Lydia left Texas and moved back to Iowa with her two young children. It would be interesting to know how she traveled from Texas to Iowa with her two young children. In the 1870 census, Lydia had can be found living in Bellevue, Iowa, with her maternal grandparents, Daniel and Jersusha Potter, and her older sister, Laura Field. Her two children, William McCool and Marietta Tullis, are with her.

About 1876, Lydia married a third time to Robert Coulehan. They had two children, Agnes born 1876 and Lulu born 1884.

The Robert and Lydia Coulehan family can be found living in Bellevue, Iowa in 1880. Lydia’s children from three marriages are living in the household: Agnes Coulehan - age 2, Ettie Tullis age - 13 and William McCool – age 17.

The Coulehan family moved to Boulder, Colorado by 1900. Lydia's daughter, LuLu, is the only child still living in the home. Lydia states that she gave birth to six children and only 4 were still living in 1900. Lydia and her husband Robert have a boarding house and four male lodgers are living in the home. Lydia’s daughter, Agnes, is living in Denver and working as a stenographer. The 1900 whereabouts of Lydia’s two older children, William McCool and Marietta Tullis is not known at this time and will take further research.

By the time Lydia is sixty-four years old, she is widowed again. She is found living in Long Beach, California with her daughter and son-in-law, Agnes and Claude Blakemore. One of Agnes Blakemore’s sons became well-known in the southern California banking world.

Thanks to a comment left, the burial place for Lydia has been found. Lydia was buried in the Angelus Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. A picture of the headstone can be found on FindaGrave.com. The inscription on the bottom of the headstone reads:

"TO KNOW HER WAS TO LOVE HER"

Any additional information on Lydia and her son, William McCool, would be appreciated. Thanks

Photo of Eli Sigler Thomas & wife, Susan Mary Hedenberg Thomas

2009-08-24T17:02:00.006-06:00

This is a photo of Doctor Eli Sigler Thomas and his wife, Susan Mary Hendenburg Thomas.

Doctor Eli Sigler Thomas was one of the men killed in the Gainesville Hanging. He was hanged on 19 Oct 1862, along with nineteen other men. He left behind a wife and two children.

Information on Eli Sigler Thomas can be found in several earlier posts:
http://gainesvilletx1862.blogspot.com/2008/11/doctor-eli-sigler-thomas.html

http://gainesvilletx1862.blogspot.com/2008/11/more-on-eli-s-thomas-family.html

Many thanks to the Dr. Eli Sigler Thomas descendant who sent this photo to the blog. This is one of two known photos of a victim of the Great Hanging.

Henry Field

2009-08-20T13:48:00.011-06:00

Henry S. Field, the son of Henry and Lucinda Frisbee Field, was born 12 Feb 1810 in Elbridge, New York. He settled in Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa in 1838. In 1842, Henry married Jane Augustine Potter. They had four daughters and one son: Laura, Julia, Lydia, Marcus, Jane. Henry's wife, Jane, died in 1848. Henry then married Mary Ann Bail on the 4th of July 1850 in Iowa. They can be found in the 1850 Census (Jackson County, Iowa) that was taken in September of that year.

Henry and Mary had five children, two sons and three daughters: Marcus, Gratia, Martyna, Willliam and Sarah. Sometime around 1857, Henry and Mary moved their family from Iowa to Texas. The youngest two children were born in Texas. They can be found in Cooke County, Texas in the 1860 Census. Henry listed his occupation as a shoemaker. He had $800 in personal estate and no real estate.

The following is from McCaslin's book:
"The Citizen's Court tried Henry S. Field, a shoemaker, after they condemned the Chiles brothers. Henry Chiles had admitted that he initiated Field, and a neighbor recalled a conversation in which Field unwisely asserted that if conscription were expanded to include men his age, he would rather hang than serve in the army. Field had also intemperately applauded General Benjamin F. Butler's infamous proclamation, made during his occupation of New Orleans, that any female who showed contempt for a soldier of the United States Army would be treated 'as a woman of the town plying her occupation,' and carried with him a newspaper containing the edict. Field denied being a member of the Peace party but, after being returned before the jury, admitted that he had taken the first degree from Chiles and 'afterwards did go through' a full initiation. He insisted he would have confessed earlier, before the arrests, but was afraid."

After being sentenced to hang by the Citizen's court, Henry wrote a will on 3 October 1862. Below is a copy of the will (transcript follows):

Cooke County Probate Minutes, vol. 1, 1857-1863; FHL US/CAN Film 1290682
Abstract
3 Oct 1862
"I Henry Field of Texas in the county of Cooke..I desire to be decently and privately buried in the yard near my residence with as little expense as may be, also I give and bequeath my daughter Lydia C. McKool three cows and calves also one colt known as the Roan Filley for her own use and benefit, Also I give and bequeath my wife Mary Ann Field for her and my infant childrens benefit and maintanence consisting in the public land improvement where she resides, also two large mares and one filley, one yearling colt and one colt, also two wagons, also all the remainder of cattle and all movable effects, after paying all my debts. I do hereby appoint and constitute my said wife M.F. sole executrix of this my last will and testament...
the third day of Oct 1862
Henry Field (seal)"
Diamond's account of the trials states, "Fields was called by his neighbors a clever man, and a useful citizen. His implication in this secret and wicked plot astonished the people, more perhaps, than any others."
Henry Field was hanged on October 4th. He made a speech just prior to being hanged and confessed that he was a member of the Peace Party. He also pleaded for charity toward his memory and toward "those who bear my name and are attached to me by kindred ties."

A Field family descendant posted the following on Ancestry.com's World tree (accessed 28 Oct 2007) contact unknown:
"Henry Field, Jr., son of Henry and Lucinda, settled in Bellevue, Iowa, in 1838. In 1854 they moved to Bolivar, Texas, where he resided at the breaking out of the rebellion of the slave-holding states with other northern families. He with eighteen of his neighbors were arrested for refusing to take up arms in the Confederate service, and being refused the privilege of returning north, were hung December, 1862. He wrote a farewell letter to his family of which his family ( Dorothy Dorchester Melville, his great, great niece) has a copy. He had five children by his first wife, Jane, and five children by his second wife, Mary Bail."
There are a few mistakes in the above family account, but it interesting to note the mention of a farewell written to his family.

Notes on the second wife of Henry Field, Mary Ann Bail Field. There is a marriage record for marriage record for Mary Ann Fields to Jefferson Anderson in Cooke County, Texas on 10 Dec 1863. But if this was the widow of Henry Field, then she changed her name from Anderson back to Field by 1900. Mary Field or Mary Anderson cannot be found in the census records for 1870 or 1880. But, Mary Field is found living with her daughter, Martyna, & son-in-law, James Jennings, in the Census records of 1900, 1910 & 1920. She gives her name as Mary Field in all three census records. Mary stated in the 1900 census that she gave birth to 6 children and only one (1) was still living in 1900 -- that would be her daughter, Martyna Field Jennings. Mary Ann Bail Field lived to be almost 92 years old. Her life was touched with hardship and sorrow -- she lost her husband in the Great Hanging of 1862 and five of her six children by 1900. But hopefully, she also experienced peace and joy during her life. Mary died 1 Oct 1921 in Lamar, Colorado, while living with her daughter, Martyna.
Question: Where was Mary living during the 1870 & 1880 census?

Lydia Field McCool "Much esteemed for her modesty, beauty and virtuous refinement"

2008-12-04T23:41:00.013-07:00

Lydia Field was the daughter of Henry Field and Jane Augustine Potter. Lydia was born 12 Dec 1845 in Iowa. She moved with her father and step-mother, Mary Ann Bail, to Texas in about 1856. The family is found living in Cooke County, Texas in 1860. Lydia's father, Henry Field, is listed as a 45 year old shoemaker with no real estate and $800 personal estate value.
When Lydia is 15 years old, she married William McCool (17 Feb 1861 Cooke County, Texas).
According to McCaslin, Lydia allegedly eloped with William McCool and then they settled nearby. McCool "joined William C. Twitty's company during May, 1861, in Gainesville, but never reported for mustering. He paid taxes in 1862 in Cooke County on two cattle, and that summer joined Randolph's Partisan Battalion."
William McCool, along with two others from Randolph's command, A. N. Johnson and John M. Cottrell, were captured by James D. Young. After a confederate court martial presided over by Randolph, all three men were found guilty of treason against the Confederacy and hanged at the Young's Red River home.

Lydia Field McCool lost both her husband and father as a result of trials and hangings. Lydia's father, Henry, wrote a will the day before he was hanged. Henry left to his daughter, Lydia, the following: "three cows and calves also one colt known as the Roan Filley for her own use and benefit."

Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging states this about the McCools:
"William McCool, who was hung with Johnson and Cottrell, was the son-in-law of Henry Fields, who was hung early after the organization of the Court.
Mrs. McCool, the daughter of Fields, is a lady much esteemed for her modesty, beauty and virtuous refinement. She was attached to her husband by the strongest ties of affection. But a short time previous she had secretly abandoned her father's roof, to join her destiny to her bold and determined lover. How sad and melancholly the reflection that she who loved so well could not have loved more wisely. Or why could he not, 'Taste the honey, and not wound the flower.'"

George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, Manuscript Edited by Sam Acheson and Julie, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 404.

For an update on Lydia Field McCool, go to the 17 Sep 2009 post.

Lynching or Hanging

2008-12-04T23:29:00.008-07:00

Was the "Great Hanging at Gainesville" a Hanging or Lynching??

LYNCHING
A lynching is when a few people (often a vigilance committee) decide the punishment for another person or persons. It is an execution (usually by hanging) without the due process of law, often under the pretext of service to justice, race or tradition.
The victim of the lynching may or may not have committed a crime. The ringleaders or social elite would rile up a crowd or vigilance committee, who would then feel justified because of the assumed guilt of the victim. The leaders and members of the vigilante committee would often serve as prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner. The issue of the victim's guilt was secondary to the passions and objectives of the accusers. Measures taken by vigilance committees often resorted to hasty injustice and were at best extralegal . In early Texas, it was often considered a form "frontier justice" and was more common in areas where there was not an established legal system.

HANGING
A hanging follows due process under the Rule of Law. It involves a trial in a legal court of law with a judge and jury. It has many rules of evidence. The defense gets to face the accusers. The accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty in a legal court of law.

The Handbook of Texas Online states this:"The stresses of the Civil War, such as racism, regional loyalties, political factionalism, economic tension, and the growth of the abolition movement, inured people to violence in a way that seemed to make lynching increasingly easy to contemplate. War-generated tensions produced the greatest mass lynching in the history of the state, the Great Hanging at Gainesville, when vigilantes hanged forty-one suspected Unionists during a thirteen-day period in October 1862. "

Henry Cockrum Family Update

2008-11-28T11:33:00.009-07:00

Below is the information gathered so far on the Henry Cockrum family. Any additional information, corrections or comments would be appreciated.

Henry Cockrum 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 was born about 1831 in Missouri. Henry lived in Fannin County, Texas in 1850. He purchased land in Cooke County in 1858. By 1860, Henry had moved his family to the Choctaw Nation (Indian Lands). He was back in Cooke County by 1862. He died on 13 Oct 1862 in Gainesville, Cooke, Texas as a victim of "The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862".

Question?? The 1860 Census has children in the household that don't seem to fit into the family. Were these extra children in the household, nieces & nephews, grandchildren, foster kids, or did they belong to Henry & Elizabeth? In the 1900 Census, Elizabeth states she gave birth to 6 children and 4 where still living. We need help figuring out all the children!!

Henry married13 Elizabeth Lackey Petell Jones 9,10,11,12, called "Lizzy,"on 19 May 1849 in Fannin County, Texas. Henry was her third husband. Elizabeth was born on 6 Mar 1820 in Kentucky.
Elizabeth was first married to John Petell. After he died, she married a second time to (unknown given-name) Jones. On her marriage record to Henry Cockrum, she is listed as Elizabeth Jones.
By 1870, Elizabeth had moved her family to Lawrence County, Missouri. In 1900, she is living with a grand-daughter in Indian Territory. She died on 10 Apr 1906 in Oil Center, Pontotoc, Oklahoma. She was buried in Box X Cemetery, Pontotoc, Oklahoma.

Henry and Elizabeth had the following children:
i. Amanda Cockrum was born on 2 Apr 1850 in Texas. She died14 on 8 Feb 1921 in El Reno, Canadian, Oklahoma.
Amanda married (1) William Martin Elliott 15,16 on 20 May 1866 in , Cooke, Texas. William was born about 1838. He died on 14 May 1875 in , Cooke, Texas. Mande and William lived near the Red River where William ran a ferry boat at Horse Shoe Bend (now in Lake Texoma). William was murdered 14 May 1875 while trying to collect a debt.
Amanda married (2) James Franklin Meler on 7 Jun 1877 in Cooke Co., Texas. James was born in Dec 1856 in Alabama. He died17 on 3 Oct 1923 in El Reno, Canadian Co., Oklahoma.
ii. Lucinda Cockrum was born on 17 Oct 1854 in Texas. She died on 25 Jun 1921 in Oklahoma. She was buried in Rosedale Cemetery, Ada, Pontotoc, Oklahoma.
Lucinda married Franklin Travis Jones about 1878 in Texas. Franklin was born on 13 Apr 1853 in Grayson, Texas.
iii. William Henry Cockrum was born about 1856 in Texas. He died in May 1889 in Dexter, Cooke, Texas.
William married Alveria Harriet Ford on 22 Jul 1875 in Cooke, Texas. Alveria was born in Apr 1859.
iv. Edward Cockrum was born on 17 Dec 1860 in Cooke, Texas. He died18 on 23 Apr 1924 in Joplin, Jasper, Missouri.
Edward married (1) Joycie F. Morton . Joycie was born on 18 Aug 1855 in Granby, Newton, Missouri. She died on 2 Dec 1913 in Joplin, Jasper, Missouri.
Edward married (2) Mary Smith .

Elizabeth was first married to John Petell on 8 Feb 1838 in , Pike, Illinois.
Elizabeth and John had the following known children:
v. John W. Petell was born about 1843 in Illinois.
vi. M. Petell, a female, was born about 1839 in Illinois.
Could this be the 22 year old Malvina in the 1860 census???

Elizabeth then married second husband, (unknown given-name) Jones about 1846.
They had one known child – a daughter born about 1848. She was listed as “A. Jones” in the 1850 census.
vii. A. Jones , a female, was born about 1848 in Texas.

Sources
1. Gainesville Great Hanging Sources."One of forty Union sympathizing citizens of North Texas who were charged with treason against the Confederacy by a Citizens Court in Gainesville, Cooke County in October 1862 and then executed in the Great Hanging at Gainesville.References:1. Richard B. McCaslin, "Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862" (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1994).2. George W. Diamond, "Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862" SOUTHWESTERN HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Vol. 66, no. 3, January, 1963, p. 331-414, edited by Sam Acheson and Julie Ann Hudson
O'Connell.3. James L. Clark, "Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark, Including Previously Unpublished Material On The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas In October, 1862" (College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 1984).".
2. George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414, pg .397.George W. Diamond was a brother of secessionists, John R. Diamond and James J. Diamond, who was a principal in the Great Hanging. After the hangings and the adjournment of the court, Diamond was given the records for the purpose of "preserving them and so disposing of them that the history of its (Citizen's Court) transactions might be perpetuated and justice done to those who participated in its deliberations. Diamond's compilation of "memoranda" was to be offered to the public as a just vindicaton of the conduct of those whose judgements were under national criticism. The members of the court examined Diamond's account and gave their unanimous and unqualified approval."pg 397The State vs. C. A. Jones("HumpBack"), James Powers ("Carpenter"), Eli M. Scott, Thomas Baker ("Old Man"), Geo W Anderson, Abraham McNeese, Henry Cochran ("30"), C.F. Anderson, Wm Wernell, B.F. Barnes ("35 or 40"), Wm Rodes, and N. M. Clark ("25").Disloyalty & Treason.The testimony against the above mentioned conspirators corresponds with the testimony herein before produced on the trial of Childs, Fields, Harper, Lock, and others. They all acknowledged their connection with the organization, and made full confession of their guilt at the gallows.===pg 398 Witness in trial against Ramey DayBen F. Barnes sworn.(Witness)I was at the meeting at Richie's Mill. Dr. Foster said the object of the meeting was to resue Harper; and he wanted us to take our guns and go -- myself and Ramey Dye. The reason we did not go to rescue Harper was because a messenger (Essman) told us that there were a great many soldiers in Gainesville and we were then afraid."
3. Connor, Seymour V. , Peters Colony of Texas, A History and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers, Texas State Historical Association; Austin; 1959."page 222 "Henry Cockrum was issued a certificate by the county court of Cooke County for 640 acres. Since his claim was later disallowed, it is doubtful that he was a bona fide colonist."(**note: There is also a Edward Cockrum listed as receiving a certificate for 320 acres in Cooke County and in 1857 having his claim also disallowed.)."
4. Probate Record, Cooke County Probate Book 1, page 380-381, Sep 1863."Cooke County Probate Book 1, page 380-381, 5 September 1863(bottom of page 380 and continuing on top of page 381)Appraisement Bill of the Community property of Henry Cockrum, Decd70 head of sheep @ $4 280.0035 head of stock cattle @$9 315.001 Yoke of Oxen $100 & 19 head of horses @ $80 1620.001span mules $400 & 1 bay horse $200 600.002 head of hogs @ $10 160 acres of land @$2 340.00160 acres of land & improvements 250.002 setts of harnes & one wagon 175.00Farming tools $25 2 log chains $14 39.001 corss but saw $10 1 box of tools $15 35.001 note $80 Debt on Doct Martin $350 430.00
1 block $25 Household furniture $150 175.002 steers @ $40 80.00 Total $4,329.00Page 381The State of TexasCounty of CookeThis is to certify that I have made a true and correct exhibit of all the property belonging to the estate of Henry Cockrum Decd, that has come to my knowledge.Elizabeth CockrumSworn to subscribed before me this 28th day of September AD 1863Saml Gooding, Clerk."
5. 1850 U.S. Census, Texas, Fannin County, Household #1, pg 142."In the 1850 Fannin County, Texas census, household #1Henry (Harry) Cockran, age 19, farmer, born MissouriElizabeth Cockran, age 26, born KentuckyA. Cockran, age 2/12 months, female, born TexasJno. W. Petell, age 6, born IllinoisM. Petell age 10, female, born IllinoisA. Jones, age 2, female, born Texas."
6. Land/Deed Records."Cooke County Deed Records3 July 1858Purchased 160 acres8 July 1858Purchased 100 acres."
7. 1860 U.S. Census, Choctaw Nation, Indian Lands, Arkansas.
"Name: Henry Cockram Age in 1860: 28 Birth Year: abt 1832 Birthplace: Missouri Home in 1860: Choctaw Nation, Indian Lands, Arkansas Gender: Male Value of real estate: Household Members: Name Age
Henry Cockram, 28 Elizabeth Cockram, 36 Malvina Cockram, 22 Isafena Cockram, 13 Susana Cockram, 9 Luanda Cockram, 8 Wm Henry Cockram, 5 Edward Cockram, 3 Catharine Cockram. 6 Malinda Cockram, 5 Manuel Cockram, 4 John Hoosier, 8.12 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Choctaw Nation, Indian Lands, Arkansas; Roll: M653_52; Page: 1211; Image: 740.Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653,."
8. Family Information."I am sorry it has taken me so long to get this out to you. I have had a very_busy couple of weeks._I am attaching six family group sheets for William Henry Cockrum, his_children and grandchildren._My husband's family descends through Amanda Cockrum Meler's daughter Alice._Alice was quite a person in her younger years. As a result Amanda raised_Novva Cockran (one of Alice's marriages was to William Cockran-no relation)._This is my husband's grandmother. She lived to be 100 years old. Amanda had told her that she watched her father hang and Novva passed this story down to the family. I have corresponded with a few Meler relatives and a few_Elliot relatives so I know there are many descendants out there._The information on Preston, Isom and some on William Henry comes from "A_History of the Cockrum Family in America" by Emmett Cockrum. There is a_family that is posted on Ancestry that has a different ancestry for William_Henry. I have not done enough research on this family to know which I think_is correct._I have a copy of the marriage cert for William and Elizabeth Jones. Given_that there were children in the census named Peters and Jones, it is_possible that Elizabeth was married before. The cert does not identify her_as Mrs. Jones. They could have been taking care of others children also._Elizabeth is buried in Box X Cemetery, Pontotoc County, OK. Amanda and Frank_Meler are buried in El Reno, OK. I have copies of the records from the Cooke_County Courthouse regarding the property left by William Henry. William_Henry filed for land in Fannin County. William Henry, Elizabeth and family_are in the Fannin County census in 1850 and Jacks Fork, Indian Territory_census in 1860. _If I come across anything else I will let you know. It has been several_years since I have worked on this family line. Please let me know if these_come through alright and if there is anything else I can do._R. Sheppard."
9. 1850 U.S. Census, Texas, Fannin County, Household #1, pg 142."In the 1850 Fannin County, Texas census, household #1Henry (Harry) Cockran, age 19, farmer, born MissouriElizabeth Cockran, age 26, born KentuckyA. Cockran, age 2/12 months, female, born TexasJno. W. Petell, age 6, born IllinoisM. Petell age 10, female, born IllinoisA. Jones, age 2, female, born Texas."
10. 1860 U.S. Census, Choctaw Nation, Indian Lands, Arkansas. "Name: Henry Cockram Age in 1860: 28 Birth Year: abt 1832 Birthplace: Missouri Home in 1860: Choctaw Nation, Indian Lands, Arkansas Gender: Male; Value of real estate: Household Members: Name Age Henry Cockram, 28 Elizabeth Cockram, 36 Malvina Cockram, 22 Isafena Cockram, 13 Susana Cockram, 9 Luanda Cockram, 8 Wm Henry Cockram, 5 Edward Cockram, 3 Catharine Cockram. 6 Malinda Cockram, 5 Manuel Cockram, 4 John Hoosier, 8.12 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Choctaw Nation, Indian Lands, Arkansas; Roll: M653_52; Page: 1211; Image: 740.Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the
United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653,."
11. 1870 U.S. Census, Mount Pleasant, Lawrence, Missouri.
"Name: Elizabeth Cochrum Estimated Birth Year: abt 1821 Age in 1870: 49 Birthplace: Kentucky Home in 1870: Mount Pleasant, Lawrence, Missouri Post Office: Mount Vernon Race: White Gender: Female Value of real estate: No Real Estate
Household Members: Name Age Elizabeth Cochrum, 49 Susan Cochrum, 17 Lucinda Cochrum, 16 William H Cochrum, 13 Edward Cochrum, 11 Malinda Petell, 14 John Petell, 10 (Note: Who are the Petell children? Elizabeth’s children by John Petell are listed in the 1850 census for the Cockrum family. Could these Petell children be Elizabeth's grandchildren from the 10 year old female in the 1850 census??) Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Mount Pleasant, Lawrence, Missouri; Roll: M593_787; Page: 458; Image: 86.Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003. Original data: 1870."
12. 1900 U.S. Census, Township 4, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; page 41, ED 120, 7 Jul 1900. "Note: Living with granddaughter's family, Annie McCurry, daugther of Lucinda Jones.Name: Lizzy Cochran Home in 1900: Township 4, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory Age: 81 Born: Mar 1819; Birthplace: Kentucky Race: White; Relationship to head-of-house: Mother-in-law (should read grandmother-in-law)Household Members: Name Age Daniel McCurry, 29 Annie McCurry, 19 Arthur McCurry, 4 Myrtle McCurry, 1 Lizzy Cochran, 81, Mar 1819, widowed, 6 births 4 living, Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Township 4, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; Roll: T623 1846; .Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623."
13. Marriage Record, Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909; Ancestry.com. "Name: Henry Cochrum Marriage Date: 19 May 1849 Spouse: Elizabeth Jones Marriage County: Fannin Marriage State: Texas Source: Texas Marriages, 1814-1909 Source Information: Ancestry.com. Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909 and 1966-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005."
14. Cemetery Records."Amanda is buried in El Reno, OK's only cemetery next to her husband. They are buried in the old section,
Block 39, Lot 4, Grave C."
15. Family Tradition & Stories. "It was at Dexter,Tx that William ran the Ferryboat. Martin Elliott Jr is my GG Grandfather and I have the data to show my Great X (10) Grandparents. Rabourn Elliott was also a brother to William Elliott and he was my Great grand father and he married Elvoria (Elvira) Brown (Elliott) he too ran the Ferryboat and died in 1875 Cooke Co Tx. Willim Elliott had been killed by horse thiefs and ones that owed him a debt. We have proof of this and it is on his Grave marker at Burneyville,Ok. When Rabour died, that left my Grandfather to run the Dexter Ferryboat along with my Grandmother Annie Jane Hilton (Elliott) His name, Doc McHenry Elliott and like to be called Big Doc Elliott. He was thirteen years old when he began to run the Ferryboat. I have articles on Him and my grandmother. They called him "The Riverboat Man" and Her "The Boat Woman" She loved the River and didnt want to leave and go back to Love Co Marietta, Oklahoma where they both lived and died. Most of the Elliotts are in that part of the country today. My Grandpa Doc was forced to take Bonnie and Clyde Parker (outlaws) over into Texas by means of the Red River. He use to lay around on the porch and tell me the stories.From Cockrum Genforum."
16. Family Tradition & Stories. "Mande and William lived near the Red River where William ran a ferry boat at Horse Shoe Bend (now in Lake Texoma). William was murdered 14 May 1875 while trying to collect a debt."
17. Cemetery Records ."Amanda is buried in El Reno, OK's only cemetery next to her husband. They are buried in the old section, Block 39, Lot 4, Grave C."
18. Death Certificate, http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/deathcertificates/."Missouri Death Certificate Edward Cockrum Death: April 23, 1924, Jasper Joplin 11619 Birth: December 17, 1860, Cooke County, Texas Father: Wm Cockrum Mother: unknown Informant: Mary Cockrum (2nd wife to Edward)."

More on Eli S. Thomas & Family

2008-11-25T20:55:00.004-07:00

Susan Mary Hedenburg, wife of Eli Sigler Thomas.
She went by her middle name of "Mary" in most records.
Susan Mary Hedenburg was born 19 SEP 1828 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of Peter Cadmus HEDENBERG (b: 23 SEP 1790 in New York City) and Susan M. SPENCER (b: 6 NOV 1803 in New York City). As a youth, her family moved to Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. Her father was a harness maker and "saddler".
Susan Mary married Eli Thomas on 6 Apr 1853 in Morgan County, Illinois. They had two children: Owen Cadmus THOMAS (b: 15 AUG 1854 in Iowa) and Mary Alice (Allie) THOMAS (b: 22 MAY 1858 in Texas.)
After her husband Eli S. Thomas was killed in the Gainesville Hangings, she married William C. HAYS on 3 MAY 1863 in Grayson County, Texas. They had one son. William Hays died in 1880. Susan Mary died in 1898.
Her obituary reads:
Mrs. S. M. Hays died the 31st day of March, 1898. She was sick 11 days. She was born September 1, 1828, in Kentucky. Her father, Peter Hedenberg moved to Jacksonville, Ill, when she was quite small, where she was raised. In April 5, 1853 she was married to Eli S. Thomas and lived with him till October 19, 1862, when he died. She married William. C. Hays May 3, 1863. He died in 1880. She had been a consistent member of the Christian Church since she was 22years old. Barton Stone baptized her. She was a loving mother and good and kind to every one. She took great delight in reading this paper. She lived with her only daughter. She leaves two sons and one daughter and a host of neighbors and friends to mourn her loss. What was our loss was gain.
Mrs. A. Sloan, Mangum, Oklahoma

She is buried in Newport Cemetery, Jack County, Texas, next to her second husband and her two oldest children. The cemetery is located N of Newport, Texas, about 0.5 miles N on CR 1288, E of road.
Hays, Susan Mary, Sep 19, 1828, Mar 31, 1898, 3, 23
Hays, Wm. Carrel, Aug 17, 1817, 1892, 3, 23,
Thomas, Owen C., Aug 15, 1854, Apr 11, 1936, 3, 23
Thomas, Nancy J., Aug 21, 1860, May 22, 1936, 3, 23
Sloan, Mary Alice, May 22, 1858, Oct 22, 1926, 3, 23

Eli S. Thomas Family
Doctor Eli Sigler Thomas 1,2,3,4,5 was born about 1823 in Ohio. He died on 19 Oct 1862 in the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas.
Eli married7 Susan Mary Hedenberg 6 on 6 Apr 1853 in Morgan, Illinois. Susan was born on 1 Sep 1828 in Kentucky. She died8 on 31 Mar 1898 in Texas. She was buried9 in Newport Cemetery, Jack, Texas.
They had the following children:
1. Owen Cadmus Thomas 10 was born on 15 Aug 1854 in Iowa - probably in Lee County, Iowa. He died11 on 11 Apr 1936 in Wichita, Texas. He was buried12 in Newport Cemetery, Jack Texas.
Owen married Nancy Jane Hughey . Nancy was born on 21 Aug 1860 in Fayetteville, Alabama. She died13 on 22 May 1936 in Wichita Falls, Wichita, Texas. She was buried14 in Newport Cemetery, Jack Texas.
2. Mary Alice Thomas "Allie" was born on 22 May 1858 in Texas. She died on 22 Oct 1926. She was buried15 in Newport Cemetery, Jack Texas.
Mary married Arthur M. Sloan . Arthur was born on 24 Jul 1859. He died on 13 Oct 1890. He was buried16 in Newport Cemetery, Jack Texas.

Sources
1. 1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Cooke County, Gainesville, hh 375/387."Name: Eli Thomas Age in 1860: 37 Birth Year: abt 1823 Birthplace: Ohio Home in 1860: Cooke, Texas; Post Office: Gainesville Value of real estate: $2,000; Value of personal estate: $8,460Occupation: M.D.Household Members: Name Age Eli Thomas, 37, Ohio Mary Thomas, 31, KentuckyOwen C Thomas, 6, IowaMary A Thomas, 9, Texas Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Cooke, Texas; Roll: M653_1291; Page: 246; Image: 501."
2. Will, Cooke County, Texas Wills, Vol 1, pg 324-325, 19 Oct 1862."The State of TexasCounty of CookeIn the name of God Amen. I, Eli S. Thomas of the County of Cooke State aforesaid being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make and ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say first after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate real and personal, I give bequeath and dispose of all as follows to wit, To my beloved wife Susan Mary Thomas during her natural life, and to my son Owen Cadmus and my daughter Mary Alice for their use and benefit.Likewise, I make constitute and appoint my wife Susan Mary Thomas Guardian and Administratrix of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
I further wish that my estate may not be probated.In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix my seal using scroll this 19th day of October AD 1862.Eli S. ThomasSworn and subscribed before me the undersighned authority this 19th day of October AD 1862 in the Town of Gainesville.Sam'l Gooding, Clerk."
3. Family Information." Eli sigler Thomas, a medical doctor from Ohio moved to Illinois where he married April 5 1853 to Susan Mary Hedenberg. They moved to Cooke County, Texas where E. S. Thomas was hanged in what is referred to as the "GreatHanging" in Gainsville, Texas. Reasons for the trial of 40 men who opposed the Confederacy differ. What is known is that none of those convicted owned slaves while the jury members were slave owners. Cooke county had voted against secession from the Union."
4. Gainesville Great Hanging Sources: 1. Richard B. McCaslin, "Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862" (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1994).2. George W. Diamond, "Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862" SOUTHWESTERN HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Vol. 66, no. 3, January, 1963, p. 331-414, edited by Sam Acheson and Julie Ann Hudson O'Connell.3. James L. Clark, "Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark, Including Previously Unpublished Material On The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas In October, 1862" (College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 1984).".
5. State Census, Iowa State Census, 1856, Lee County, 1856."Name: Eli S Thomas Census Date: 1856 Residence County: Lee; Residence State: Iowa; Locality: Washington; Birth Location: Ohio; Family Number: 110; Birth Year: abt 1826; Line: 16; Roll: IA_58; Household Members: Eli S Thomas, 30; Mary Thomas, 27; Cadmus Thomas, 1; John Thomas, 39; Wm Van Scyhock, 16. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest."
6. 1850 U.S. Census, Illinois, Morgan County, Jacksonville, pg 180.
"21 year old, Mary Hedenberg, is listed in her father's household. He is listed by his first initial, "P"Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Jacksonville, Morgan, Illinois; Roll: M432_122; Page: 180;."
7. Marriage Record, http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/marrsrch.html."Illinois State Archives -- Online Databasehttp://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/marrsrch.htmlIllinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763–1900Morgan County, Illinois====THOMAS, ELI to HEDENLERY, MARY; 1853-04-06; B/ 90 2808 MORGAN."
8. Obituary."Obituary: Mrs. S. M. Hays died the 31st day of March, 1898. She was sick 11 days. She was born September 1, 1828, in Kentucky. Her father, Peter Hedenberg moved to Jacksonville, Ill, when she was quite small, where she was raised. In April 5, 1853 she was married to Eli S. Thompson (Thomas) and lived with him till October 19, 1862, when he died. She married William. C. Hays May 3, 1863. He died in 1880. She had been a consistent member of the Christian Church since she was 22years old. Barton Stone baptized her. She was a loving mother and good and kind to every one. She took great delight in reading this paper, She lived with her only daughter. She leaves two sons and one daughter and a host of neighbors and friends to mourn her loss. What was our loss was gain.Mrs A. SloanMangum, Oklahoma."
9. Cemetery Records. Newport Cemetery, Jack, TexasThe cemetery is located N of Newport, Texas, about 0.5 miles N on CR 1288, E of road.http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Wtx/Jack/cemetery/Newport.html == Hays, Susan Mary, Sep 19, 1828, Mar 31, 1898, 3, 23
Hays, Wm. Carrel, Aug 17, 1817, 1892, 3, 23,
Thomas, Owen C., Aug 15, 1854, Apr 11, 1936, 3, 23
Thomas, Nancy J., Aug 21, 1860, May 22, 1936, 3, 23
Sloan, Mary Alice, May 22, 1858, Oct 22, 1926, 3, 23.
10. Family Information. "Owen Cadmus THOMAS Birth: 15 AUG 1854 in IOWA Death: 11 APR 1936_Father: Eli Sigler THOMAS b: 1823 _Mother: Susan Mary HEDENBERG b: 19 SEP 1828 in Kentucky_Marriage 1 Nancy Jane HUGHEY b: 21 AUG 1860 Children Teb THOMAS b: 1897 Henry THOMAS Victor Malone THOMAS b: 28 JAN 1893 Artie THOMAS b: 7 AUG 1899 Muriel THOMAS b: 1903."
11. Death Index."Name: Owen Cadmus Thomas; Death Date: 11 Apr 1936; Death County: Wichita; Certificate: 23618; Source Information:Ancestry.com. Texas Death Index, 1903-2000 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006. Original data: Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1903-2000. Austin, TX, USA: Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit."
12. Cemetery Records. Newport Cemetery, Jack, Texas
13. Death Certificate, Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976; http://www.familysearch.org/. "Name: Nancy Jane Thomas Death date: 22 May 1936 Death place: Wichita Falls, Wichita, Texas Gender: FemaleRace or color (on document): White Age at death: 75 years 9 months 1 day Birth date: 21 Aug 1860Birth place: Fayetteville, Ala.Marital status: WidowedSpouse name: Owen Cadmus Thomas Father name: James ... HugheyFather birth place: S. Carlina Mother name: Hulda Bruton Mother birth place: Mississippi Occupation: Housewife Residence: Wichita Falls, Texas Burial place: Newport, Texas Burial date: 24 May 1936Additional relatives: XFilm number: 2116935Digital GS number: 4166731Image number: 3628Reference number: cn 28494Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976; www.familysearch.org."
14. Cemetery Records. Newport Cemetery, Jack, Texas
15. Cemetery Records. Newport Cemetery, Jack, Texas
16. Cemetery Records. Newport Cemetery, Jack, Texas

Doctor Eli Sigler Thomas

2008-11-25T11:11:00.012-07:00

There were several physicians executed in the Gainesville Hangings -- Eli Sigler Thomas was one of them.

Doctor Eli Sigler Thomas was born in Ohio. His parents are unknown at this time. He married Susan Mary Hedenburg 5 Apr 1853 in Morgan County, Illinois. Susan was the daughter of Peter Cadmus Hedenberg and Susan Spencer of Jacksonville, Morgan, Illinois.

By 1854, Eli and Susan were living in Iowa when their son, Owen Cadmus Thomas, was born on 15 Aug 1854. Eli is listed on the 1856 Lee County, Iowa State Census as a farmer. His wife, son, Cadmus, and a 39 year old, John Thomas are listed with him.
Is the John Thomas living in the household a brother to Eli Thomas? Who are Eli's parents?

1856 Lee County, Iowa State Census

It is not known exactly if, when, or where Eli Thomas received his medical training to become a physician. He was listed as a farmer in the 1856 Iowa State Census and as a "M.D." in the 1860 Cooke County, Texas Census.

Sometime between 1856 and May of 1858, Eli and family moved to Texas. Daughter, Mary Alice (Allie), was born 22 May 1858 in Texas. Eli is listed in the 1860 Cooke County, Texas Census as a 37 year old "M.D." born in Ohio. The value of his real estate is $2,000 and $8,460 of personal estate. One of his near neighbors listed in the census, was A. D. Scott (Alexander D. Scott), who was also a victim of the hanging.

1860 Cooke County, Texas Census

Eli S. Thomas was one of 19 men condemned by the jury of the 'Great Hanging at Gainesville' on October 18 and hanged on Sunday, October 19, 1862. It is not known where his body is buried.

Richard McCaslin writes in his book, 'Tainted Breeze', this about Eli S. Thomas: "Thomas, the physician who had been initiated by Crisp at his shop in August, also wrote to the jurors on October 18, asking them to reconsider his case. He named four witnesses, including Crisp, who could clear him if they were allowed to speak, but the jury refused to consider new testimony. Thomas even promised to help implicate others if released, but in vain. He wrote a will on October 19, in which he reflected sadly on the "uncertainty of this frail and transitory life" and left all his possessions to his wife, Susan, and their children, before climbing on the wagon to ride to his hanging."

Eli S. Thomas Will

Cooke County, Texas Wills, Vol 1, pg 324-325

The State of Texas
County of Cooke
In the name of God Amen. I, Eli S. Thomas of the County of Cooke State aforesaid being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make and ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say first after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate real and personal, I give bequeath and dispose of all as follows to wit, To my beloved wife Susan Mary Thomas during her natural life, and to my son Owen Cadmus and my daughter Mary Alice for their use and benefit.
Likewise, I make constitute and appoint my wife Susan Mary Thomas Guardian and Administratrix of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
I further wish that my estate may not be probated.
In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix my seal using scroll this 19th day of October AD 1862.
Eli S. Thomas
Sworn and subscribed before me the undersighned authority this 19th day of October AD 1862 in the Town of Gainesville.
Sam'l Gooding, Clerk

Under the Rebel Flag

2008-11-24T13:37:00.010-07:00

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has a great website about life in Texas during the Civil War. The website is called UNDER THE REBEL FLAG.

Under the Rebel Flag -- Life in Texas During the Civil War
http://dev.texshare.edu/exhibits/civilwar/index.html
http://dev.texshare.edu/exhibits/civilwar/dissent.html

William R. Rhodes Pardon?

2008-11-21T13:59:00.005-07:00

A descendant of the William Rhodes family sent this comment:

"William R. Rhodes was husband of Amanda Lindsey, youngest dau of Charles and Polly Lindsey... The story in our family is that Amanda Lindsey wrote letters to officials of Texas, and finally gained a pardon and acquittal for William R. Rhodes (sometimes spelled Rhoades and even Rodes)."

We would very interested to know if Amanda Lindsey Rhodes was granted a pardon and acquittal for her husband, William R. Rhodes. Anyone live in the Austin area that can do some research in the State Archives and report back?

Eli Scott Descendants

2008-11-18T10:50:00.004-07:00

A descendant of Eli M. Scott has sent the following information:

Thank you so much for the information on Eli Scott.
Here is what I know about my family:
1860 Census
Eli Scott (49) B. in TN 1811
Maria Scott (white ) (24) B.KY 1835
married @1850
Children
1.Amanda M.K.Scott B.1852 AR
2.Caledonia C. V. Scott B 1856,AR
3.Celeta A.M. Scott B. 1858 AR
4. John W. Scott (16) B.1844 AR
5. Zac T. Scott (12) B. 1848 AR
1870 Census:
Maria Scott (36) (Black) B. KY (At that time Indians were listed as Black and since all the children were listed as white, we think Maria was an Indian) (**note: Census taker could have made a mistake when putting a "B" by her name on the census form.)
Children
1. Amanda (17) (White) B.AR
2.Caledonia (24) (White) B. AR
3.Seleda (12) (White) B.AR
*4. William (9) (White) B.TX
5.Jacob (5) (White) B TX
William mar. Nancy Elizabeth Cox(B. TN 1895)
Children
*1. Harry Scott B. 1895 KS
2.Myrtle May Scott B1898, KS
3.Jennie Edith Scott B.1900 KS
Harry Scott married Lenora Mae Morris
Children
1. Alvin Willard Scott B.30 Dec.1917 Died 9 Nov 2005
2.George Leon Scott B.4 July 1919 Died @Sep 2007
3. Chester Duane "Wayne" Scott B.25 jan 1921 Died 13 Jun1993
* 4.William Dale Scott B.22 Jun 1923 Married Lois May Mathis (Died 6 Feb 2003)
Married Delores Lerner (Died @Mar 2006)

Eli M. Scott Family

2008-11-18T09:22:00.012-07:00

Eli M. Scott Family
1. Eli M. Scott 1,2,3,4,5,6 was born about 1811 in Tennessee. He was hanged on 13 Oct 1862 in Gainesville, Cooke, Texas as a victim of "The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862." According to James Lemuel Clark, Scott was buried7 in Cooke County, Texas on the "Rhodes survey, now (1916-1926) owned by Sam McClerran".
Clark states that Eli Scott was from California, but McCaslin states the following: “Clark, recalled that Scott came to Texas from California, but on June 1, 1858, Scott sold his possessions located in Scott County, Arkansas -- 5 horses, 50 or 60 cattle, 2 wagons, 8 to 10 sheep and some furniture -- to F.M. Scott, a woman, for $800. (Cooke Cty. Deed Record, V, 577) He purchased 220 acres soon thereafter, because he paid taxes in Cooke County on this land in 1861 and 1862, when he also paid taxes on 8 horses and 9 cattle.” (Note: It is possible that Eli Scott was in California for a short period of time, but we have found no record of him there.)

Eli married (1) Sarah Erwin on 23 Nov 1835 in , Shelby , Tennessee. Sarah died about 1850.
Eli had the following known children from the first marriage:
1. John W. Scott was born in 1844 in , , Arkansas.
2. Zac T. Scott was born in 1848 in , , Arkansas.

(note: There are probably more children from this marriage. There marriage was in 1835 and first known child born in 1855.)

Where was the Eli Scott family in the 1850 census?

Eli married (2) Maria 8,9 about 1850. Maria was born about 1835 in Kentucky. They had three daughters by 1860. The family can be found in the 1860 Cooke County, Texas census (below).

Who is the 23 year old 'Doctor Scott' next to Eli Scott in the census?

1860 Census

After her husband was killed in the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Maria Scott moves her family to Waco, McLennan County, Texas by the 1870 Census (shown below). In addition to their three daughters, Maria had two sons in the household by the 1870 census: William who is 9 years old and Jacob who is 5. How did Maria have a child 5 years old in the 1870 census, when her husband died in October 1862. Maria may have been just barely expecting when her husband was killed in the hanging in October 1862. The child would have been born in June of 1863 -- making the child at least 6 or 7 in the 1870 census. Or she could have had a child from another father. One wonders how vulnerable these poor widows were after losing their husbands.

What happened to Maria and her children after 1870? Where are they in the 1880 census?

1870 Census

Eli and Maria had the following children:
1. Amanda M. R. Scott was born about 1852 in Arkansas.
2. Caledonia C. V. Scott was born about 1856 in Arkansas.
3. Celeta A. M. G. Scott was born about 1858 in Arkansas.
4. William M. Scott 10 was born in Dec 1861 in Texas.
William married Nancy Elizabeth Cox about 1895. Nancy was born in Jul 1859 TN. William can be found in the 1900 Cowley County, Kansas census.
5. Jacob Scott was born about 1864 in Texas.

Where are the children after 1870? We only have information on one of the children -- William. Did the other children marry? If so, who are their spouses and where did they live?

Sources
1. Clark, James Lemuel; Edited by L.D. Clark, Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark , Texas A&M University Press, College Stateion, Texas 77843, ISBN 0-89096-205-7
"After some concideration I will rite a brief statement an give the fact in regard to the 44 good men that was murderd by a mob in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas in October 1862, as I no more a bout the men then eney body else now in this country. Will say tha were murderd for there Union princeables... One of our near neighbors was William Rhodes. He (came) from North Carolina here, an got 320 acres of land as a homestead from the state. He had a nice familey an his oaldest boy belong to the same company that I belonged to. Now Rhodes sold land to a man by the name of Eli Scott a bout the time the war started. An Scott moved to the land an was murderd while he lived on the land. He Scott (came) from California here, an had a big famley, and was nice foalks. Him an Rhodes were hung the same day. Tha are boath buried on the Rhodes survey, now owned by Sam McClerran."
2. "One of forty-two Union sympathizing citizens of North Texas who were charged with treason against the Confederacy by a Citizens Court in Gainesville, Cooke County in October 1862 and then executed in the Great Hanging at Gainesville. References: 1. Richard B. McCaslin, "Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862" (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1994). 2. George W. Diamond, "Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862" SOUTHWESTERN HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Vol. 66, no. 3, January, 1963, p. 331-414, edited by Sam Acheson and Julie Ann Hudson O'Connell. 3. James L. Clark, "Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark, Including Previously Unpublished Material On The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas In October, 1862" (College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 1984).".
3. George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414, pg .397.George W. Diamond was a brother of secessionists, John R. Diamond and James J. Diamond, who was a principal in the Great Hanging. After the hangings and the adjournment of the court, Diamond was given the records for the purpose of "preserving them and so disposing of them that the history of its (Citizen's Court) transactions might be perpetuated and justice done to those who participated in its deliberations. Diamond's compilation of "memoranda" was to be offered to the public as a just vindicaton of the conduct of those whose judgements were under national criticism. The members of the court examined Diamond's account and gave their unanimous and unqualified approval."pg 397 The State vs. C. A. Jones("HumpBack"), James Powers ("Carpenter"), Eli M. Scott, Thomas Baker ("Old Man"), Geo W Anderson, Abraham McNeese, Henry Cochran ("30"), C.F. Anderson, Wm Wernell, B.F. Barnes ("35 or 40"), Wm Rodes, and N. M. Clark ("25"). Disloyalty & Treason.The testimony against the above mentioned conspirators corresponds with the testimony herein before produced on the trial of Childs, Fields, Harper, Lock, and others. They all acknowledged their connection with the organization, and made full confession of their guilt at the gallows
4. 1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Cooke, Gainesville P.O., pg6, hh 97/99. "Name: Eli Scott Age in 1860: 49 Birth Year: abt 1811 Birthplace: Tennessee Home in 1860: Cooke, Texas Post Office: Gainesville Value of real estate: $440; Value of personal estate: $447 Household Members: Eli Scott, 49, m, farmer, 440/447, Tennessee; Maria Scott, 24, f, Kentucky; Amanda M R Scott, 7, Arkansas; Calidona C V Scott, 4, Arkansas; Celeta A M G Scott, 1, Arkansas; John W Scott, 16, Arkansas; Zac t Scott, 12, Arkansas. Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Cooke, Texas; Roll: M653_1291; Page: 227."
5. Tax Records."Cooke County, Texas1857: Poll Tax 1861: Tax on land (220 acres)1862: Tax on land, 8 horses, 9 cattle."
6. McCaslin, Richard B., Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862 , Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1993. xvi, 234 pp. Intro. App. Illus. Map. Index., page 203. "Scott...paid his first poll tax in Cooke County in 1857. His neighbor, James L. Clark, recalled that Scott came to Texas from California, but on June 1, 1858, Scott sold his possessions located in Scott County, Arkansas -- 5 horses, 50 or 60 cattle, 2 wagons, 8 to 10 sheep and some furniture -- to F.M. Scott, a woman, for $800. (Cooke Cty. Deed Record, V, 577) He purchased 220 acres soon thereafter, because he paid taxes in Cooke County on this land in 1861 and 1862, when he also paid taxes on 8 horses and 9 cattle."
7. Clark, James Lemuel; Edited by L.D. Clark, Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark ."Page 109 Tha (William R. Rhodes & Eli Scott) are boath buried on the Rhodes survey, now owned by Sam McClerran."
8. 1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Cooke, Gainesville P.O., pg 6, hh 97/99. "Name: Eli Scott Age in 1860: 49 Birth Year: abt 1811 Birthplace: Tennessee Home in 1860: Cooke, Texas Post Office: Gainesville Value of real estate: $440; Value of personal estate: $447Household Members: Name Age Eli Scott, 49, m, farmer, 440/447, Tennessee Maria Scott, 24, f, KentuckyAmanda M R Scott, 7, ArkansasCalidona C V Scott, 4, ArkansasCeleta A M G Scott, 1, ArkansasJohn W Scott, 16, ArkansasZac t Scott, 12, ArkansasSource Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Cooke, Texas; Roll: M653_1291; Page: 227; Image: 464."
9. 1870 U.S. Census, Texas, West of Brazos, McLennan, Waco "Name: Maria Scott Estimated Birth Year: abt 1834 Age in 1870: 36 Birthplace: Arkansas Home in 1870: West of The Brazos River, McLennan, Texas Post Office: Waco Maria Scott, 36, f, b, keeping house, KentuckyAmanda Scott, 17, f, w, ArkansasCaledonia Scott, 14, f, w, ArkansasSeleda Scott, 12, f, w, ArkansasWilliam Scott, 9, m, w, TexasJacob Scott, 5, m, w, TexasSource Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: West of The Brazos River, McLennan, Texas; Roll: M593_1598; Page: 136; Image: 268."
10. 1900 U.S. Census, Kansas, Cowley, Winfield.

Honoring Those Who Died

2008-11-16T21:18:00.013-07:00

On Sunday, October 19, 1862, the final nineteen victims of the Gainesville Hanging were hanged.

So last month, on Sunday, October 19th, several of us who are descendants visited the Georgia Davis Bass Park, the location of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862. Sunday, October 19th was chosen because that is when our ancestor and 18 other men were hanged. We don't know the exact location on Pecan Creek where their bodies were buried, so we left flowers and flags at the historical marker in the park.

The burial place for most of these men was along the banks of Pecan Creek. No headstones were ever placed on any of the graves of the men who were buried there along the creek. There could be over thirty (30+) men who are buried there. Even though there are no headstones to mark the exact grave sites, that area along Pecan creek is considered a cemetery or sacred ground by all of us who are descendants of one of the victims of the Gainesville Hanging.

There are only five known grave sites for the victims of the Gainesville Hanging. An earlier post (http://gainesvilletx1862.blogspot.com/2008/08/where-are-they-buried.html) listed the known and suggested burial places.

This last picture is on the opposite side of the historical marker and is looking toward the bridge.

Not Just A Name On A List

2008-11-09T10:51:00.008-07:00

In October 1862, 40 men died, breathing their last breath with a rope around their neck. Several others died from gunshot wounds.
Every man who died during the Gainesville Hangings is important and not just because their name is on a list. Behind every name written on the list was a real person. These were men with hopes and dreams -- men with families and loved ones. Most came to Texas hoping for a better future for themselves and their families. Instead, they met a premature death at the end of a rope and their family was left alone on the Texas frontier.
They had wives, children, parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends who grieved when they died. Many of the men were connected to each other by blood or marriage. Several large extended family groups lost several loved ones during the hanging. Their sorrow was inconsolable. We have made lists of the men who died during the hanging and of their wives -- these lists were made to help facilitate our research. Please remember that each and every man and woman on these lists was a unique human being and not just a name on a list.

Dicey Chiles

2008-10-16T11:06:00.013-06:00

Dicey (Dicy) Chiles was the widow of Dr. Henry Chiles, the first person to be hanged in the Great Hanging at Gainesville. (see previous post on Dr. Henry Chiles) Dicey had just recently given birth to a sweet baby girl when her husband was killed. She named her new daughter, Mary Henryetta, after her husband. Dicey also had six other children: Elizabeth, George, Sarah, Margaret, John and James. Sometime before 1870 she moved her young family to Mercer County, Illinois. Her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was hired out as a domestic servant. Dicey later moved with her married children to Taylor County, Iowa. She is buried in Taylor County, Iowa next to her daughter.

In 1891, Dicey, her children, sister-in-law and others brought suit against other Chiles family members over the execution of the will of Henry Chiles, Sr.

***IS Henry Chiles, Sr. who wrote the will, the father or uncle of Dr. Henry Chiles, Gainesville hanging victim and husband of Dicey?? (note: Henry was a popular name in the Chiles family. Every generation had several men named Henry.)

The following newspaper notice (below) was placed in the Knoxville Journal in March of 1891.
THE KNOXVILLE JOURNAL March 25, 1891
HEIRS-AT-LAW OF THE SPECIFIC LEGATEES UNDER THE WILL OF HENRY CHILIES, DEC'D.No. 4,263
Whereas a bill has been filed in chancery court at Knoxville, Tenn., by Dicey A. Chiles, widow of Henry Chiles, Jr., dec'd; George W. Chiles, James F. Chiles, Elizabeth J. Powell and Robert M. Powell, her husband, Mary H. Powell and James E. Powell, her husband, Sarah A. Langley and James F. Langley, Mary Shafer (widow), Margaret Chiles (widow), James Chiles, son of Margaret; Martha Fleener and her husband Adam Fleener, and William Chiles,
AGAINST Henry Chiles, a resident of the state of Missouri, Francis M. Chiles, of Warren county, Iowa; William Chiles, jr., of Washington county, Virginia, H.H. Hamilton, of Mendota, Virginia, and the unknown heirs or specific legatees of Henry Chiles, sr., dec’d, and their heirs, all of whom their names and residences are unknown and cannot be ascertained after diligent inquiry except as they are described in the original bill formerly pending in this honorable court of the name and style of C. W. Karns, et at exrs vs. Mary I. Chiles, afterwards Sam’l Shields, admi’r, et al., wherein their names and residences are set forth as follows:
First: Children of Fanny Barker, sister of testator, as follows: Henry Barker, Charles Barker, Sarah who married James Sprowls, and another daughter whose christian name was stated to be unknown, but who married Pesquel White, all of whom resided in Lee county, Virginia; George Barker, Wm. Barker, Elizabeth Barker who resided in Washington county, Virginia; Phoebe, wife of Isaac Miller, whose residences were unknown; Polly, wife of George Clark, residents of Missouri, and Joel Parker who resided in Sullivan county, Tenn.
Second: Children of Katherine Barker, excepting William Code and wife, as follows: Thomas Barker and Joseph Barker of Washington county, Virginia; Charles Barker, of Lee county, Virginia; Henry Barker, Sam’l Barker, Paul Barker, and Polly Dowell, wife of Thomas Dowell, all of Know county, Tennessee.
Third: Children of Nancy Meek, to-wit: Sam’l Meek and four daughters whose christian names were unknown, the first of whom married John Chiles; the second, Henry Sullivan; the third, Elisha Bowers, and fourth, Anderson Thomas, and were residents of Indiana.
Fourth: Children of Polly Russell, to-wit – John Russell and Abraham Russell both of whom resided in Missouri, and the names of other children, if any, were unknown.
Fifth: Children of William Chiles, to-wit – William Chiles, Sally who married Wm. Sprawls, Martha wife of Adam Fleener, John Chiles, Almon Chiles, residents of Virginia; Nancy, wife of George Maloney, Anna wife of Logan Willis; James Chiles, Henry Chiles, William Chiles, Francis Chiles and Ephraim Chiles, who were alleged to be residents of the state of Missouri; and
Sixth: Children of Nolen Chiles, or Rolen Chiles, to-wit – James William, Henry G., John A. and George Chiles and two daughters, one of whom married Abram Smith and the other Sam’l Meek, but whose christen names were unknown, but the residents of the state of Indiana. These and the unknown heirs of all of said specific legatees whether they are all mentioned or not, and their descendants whose names and residences are known after diligent inquiry are made defendants and said bill seeks to sell for partition a tract of land in Knox county, Tennessee, which was purchased at an execution sale on the 8th of February, 1873, by the specific legatees under the will of Henry Chiles, who died in Knox county, Tennessee, many years ago.
Now therefore, it is hereby ordered that all the parties named above as defendants and all the heirs-at-law of the specific legatees under the will of Henry Chiles, to-wit –
“The children of his sister, Fanny,”
“The children of his sister, Katherine Barker, excepting William Code and wife,”
“The children of his sister, Nancy Meek,”
“The children of his sister Polly Russell,”
“The children of his brother Rolen or Nolen Chiles,”
– whose names are not given above and whose names and residences are unknown and cannot be ascertained upon diligent enquiry, come forward and make themselves parties to this suit and make defense to said bill on or before the first Monday of May next or the same will be taken for confessed and set for hearing exparte.
This notice will be published in the Knoxville Journal for four consecutive weeks.
This 9th day of March, 1891.W. L. Trent, C.& M.By W. A. Galbraith, D.C. & M.J.W. Sneed and Cornick & Caldwell, Sols.

Bennet C. Barnes

2008-10-15T08:35:00.013-06:00

Bennet C. Barnes Family

Bennet C. Barnes was born about 1824 in Alabama or Tennessee. (It appears that he was called Ben verbally and then assumptions made it be Benjamin. The initials B. C. was also used and all legal documents give his name as Bennet C. Barnes.)
He died on 13 Oct 1862 in Gainesville, Cooke, Texas. Bennet Barnes was one of the victims of "The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862".

Bennet married Sarah A. Rodgers about 1848.
Sarah was born in May 1831 in Alabama. She died after 1900 in Texas. She was sometimes called Sary. Sarah was blind before 1870. (Blind in both 1870 & 1880 census.) Her youngest child was born around 1862. Sarah was left a widow on the Texas Frontier with an infant, four other children and was blind by 1870.

Bennet and Sarah had the following children:
i. Simeon Barnes was born in Sep 1848 in Texas.
Simeon married Nancy C Smith on 25 Feb 1868 in Hopkins, Texas. Nancy was born in Feb 1848 in Texas.
ii. John Barnes was born about 1853 in Texas.
John married Laura Boyd on 13 Jul 1884.
iii. Susan Olive Barnes was born in 4 Feb 1857 in Wise County, Texas and died 8 April 1923 in Stephens County, Texas and buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery in Stephens County. Called “Ollie”. Susan married John Green Littlepage . John was born on 16 Jun 1854 in Texas. He died on 22 Jun 1936.
iv. Joel Densmore Barnes was born in May 1859 in Texas. He died in 1929 in Wise County, Texas. He was buried in Chico Cemetery, Wise, Texas.
Joel married Rachel Ann Perkins . Rachel was born on 9 Dec 1859 in Texas. She died on 17 Dec 1919 in Wise County, Texas. She was buried in Chico Cemetery, Wise, Texas.
v. Mary Jane Barnes was born 12 Oct 1861 in Texas and died 1 Jul 1935 in Era, Cooke, Texas. She married J. B. Stevens in 1885 and then married ?Blair.

Sources
1.George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414, pg .397.George W. Diamond was a brother of secessionists, John R. Diamond and James J. Diamond, who was a principal in the Great Hanging. After the hangings and the adjournment of the court, Diamond was given the records for the purpose of "preserving them and so disposing of them that the history of its (Citizen's Court) transactions might be perpetuated and justice done to those who participated in its deliberations. Diamond's compilation of "memoranda" was to be offered to the public as a just vindicaton of the conduct of those whose judgements were under national criticism. The members of the court examined Diamond's account and gave their unanimous and unqualified approval. " pg 397 The State vs. C. A. Jones("HumpBack"), James Powers ("Carpenter"), Eli M. Scott, Thomas Baker ("Old Man"), Geo W Anderson, Abraham McNeese, Henry Cochran ("30"), C.F. Anderson, Wm Wernell, B.F. Barnes ("35 or 40"), Wm Rodes, and N. M. Clark ("25"). Disloyalty & Treason. The testimony against the above mentioned conspirators corresponds with the testimony herein before produced on the trial of Childs, Fields, Harper, Lock, and others. They all acknowledged their connection with the organization, and made full confession of their guilt at the gallows.
pg 398
Witness in trial against Ramey Day; Ben F. Barnes sworn.(Witness)I was at the meeting at Richie's Mill. Dr. Foster said the object of the meeting was to resue Harper; and he wanted us to take our guns and go -- myself and Ramey Dye. The reason we did not go to rescue Harper was because a messenger (Essman) told us that there were a great many soldiers in Gainesville and we were then afraid."
2. 1850 U.S. Census, Texas, Hopkins, hh 227.

"1850 Census of Hopkins Co. Texas _227

Bennet BARNS 26 M Farmer $80 Alabama

Sary BARNS 19 F Alabama

Simon BARNS 1 M Texas."
3. 1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Wise County, pg 25/317, hh 116/168, 2 Jun 1860.
"Barnes, Bennet C., 36, m, Farmer, 320/700, Alabama
" , Sarah A., 30, f, Alabama
" , Simeon, 10, m, Texas
" , John, 6, m, Texas
" , Olive, 3, f, Texas
" , Joel, 1, m, Texas
" , Tennessee, 10, f, Texas (This is probably a niece, daughter of William & Rebecca Waits Barnes, who were killed by Indians in 1854.)
Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Wise, Texas; Roll: M653_1308; Page: 317;."
4. Land/Deed Records.

"WISE & DENTON Counties Texas_Texas General land Office in Austin.
SIMON P BARNES S. BARNES 73 _BC BARNES B. BARNES 124
Grantee: Bennet C. Barnes
Patentee: Bennet C. Barnes

Patent Date: 01 Jun 1859 _Acres: 160 _District: Fannin _County: Denton _File: 2727 Patent #: 330 Patent Volume: 24 Class: Fan. 3rd.

_District surveyors from Cooke County in the north and Denton County to the east mapped out the area, most of which was drawn from Cooke County. Wise County was officially established by legislative act on January 23, 1856, and was named in honor of Henry A. Wise, a United States Congressman from Virginia, who, during the 1840s, supported the annexation of Texas

Grantee: Bennet C. Barnes_

Patentee: Bennet C. Barnes_Patent Date: 01 Jun 1859_Acres: 160_District: Fannin This is in Denton County. _File: 2727_Patent #: 330_Patent Volume: 24_Class: Fan. 3rd.

Grantee: B. C. Barnes_Patentee: Hrs. of B. C. Barnes_Patent Date: 09 Apr 1873_Acres: 160

This correlates to:_District: Fannin B.C. Barnes Survey, A-124, Wise County, Texas_County: Wise This document is filed in Volume 6, Page 590,

File: 1597_Patent #: 78_Patent Volume: 20_Class: Fan. Scrip.

Grantee: B. C. Barnes_Patentee: Hrs. of B. C. Barnes Dec'd_Patent Date: 21 Jan 1960_Acres: 160 This is a Correction Patent pertaining to the above_District: Fannin

This document is filed in Volume 230, Page 372

County: Wise_File: 1597_Patent #: 474_Patent Volume: 29-B_Class: FAN. SCR.

General Warranty Deed dated November 3, 1874 from Sarah Barnes to G W Perkins recorded in Volume 6, Page 591

It appears to cover the entire 160 acre survey.

General Warranty Deed dated July 24, 1884 from S R Barnes to G W Perkins recorded in Volume 12, Page 114"
5. 1870 U.S. Census, Texas, Hopkins County.
"Name: Sarah A Barnes
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1829; Age in 1870: 41; Birthplace: Alabama
Home in 1870: Precinct 5, Hopkins, Texas; Post Office: Charleston
Race: White; Gender: Female Whether deaf & dumb, blind, insane/idiotic: BLIND
Value of real estate: none
Household Members: Name, Age
Sarah A Barnes, 41
John Barnes, 15
Ollie Barnes, 13
Jane Barnes, 8
Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Precinct 5, Hopkins, Texas; Roll: M593_1592; Page: 166;."
6. 1880 U.S. Census, Texas, Wise County.
"Name: Sarah A. Barnes;
Home in 1880: Precinct 2, Wise, Texas;
Age: 48 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1832 Birthplace: Alabama
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Father's birthplace: Alabama Mother's birthplace: Indiana;
Occupation: Keeping House; Marital Status: Widowed Race: White;
Gender: Female; Health: BLIND
Household Members: Name Age
Sarah A. Barnes 48
John B. Barnes 23
Joel D. Barnes 21
Mary J. Barnes 17
T. B. Emerson 22
Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 2, Wise, Texas; Roll: T9_1333; Family History Film: 1255333; Page: 121.1000; Enumeration District: 126; .
Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005."
7. 1900 U.S. Census, Texas, Wise County.
"Name: Sarah A Barnes
Home in 1900: Justice Precinct 7, Wise, Texas Age: 65 Birthplace: Alabama
Relationship to head-of-house: Mother Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Joel D Barnes 41 Racheal A Barnes 40 James D Barnes 12
John W Barnes 16 Jessie G Barnes 15 Ollie M Barnes 12
Sarah A Barnes 65
Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 7, Wise, Texas; Roll: T623 1681; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 150."
8. Family Information.
"Simeon R. Barnes (b.Sep 1848-Texas; d.Aft 1900-Last seen Johnston County,Oklahoma)
spouse: Nancy C Smith (b.Feb 1848-Texas; m.25 Feb 1868, Hopkins County, TX; d.Aft 1900-Last seen Johnston County,Oklahoma)
Children: 1. Sara Jane "Jennie" Barnes (b.5 Aug 1869;d.7 Jan 1907-Charlie,Clay County,Texas) sp: George Henry Jones (b.12 Jan 1866-Delta County Texas;m.3 Mar 1887;d.27 Sep 1940-Charlie,Clay County,Texas) 2. Louis B Barnes (b.Feb 1871-Texas;d.Aft 1900-Last seen Johnston County,Oklahoma) 3. William J Barnes (b.1874-Texas) 4. John R Barnes (b.1876-Texas) 5. Samantha Barnes (b.1878-Texas) 6. Mary Barnes (b.Oct 1882-Texas)1900 Chickasaw territory with wife Nancy, son Louis and daughter Mary. His mother, Sarah A Barnes and children were in Hopkins co in 1870. Simeon and Nancy were in Wise Co in 1880 as was his mother, Sarah and family....."
9. 1900 U.S. Census, Texas, Wise County.
"Name: Sarah A Barnes Home in 1900: Justice Precinct 7, Wise, Texas Age: 65 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1835 Birthplace: Alabama Relationship to head-of-house: Mother Race: White Household Members: Name Age Joel D Barnes 41 Racheal A Barnes 40 James D Barnes 12 John W Barnes 16 Jessie G Barnes 15 Ollie M Barnes 12 Sarah A Barnes 65 Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 7, Wise, Texas; Roll: T623 1681; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 150."
10. 1910 U.S. Census.
11. 1920 U.S. Census.
"Name: Joel D Barnes_Home in 1920: Chico, Wise, Texas Age: 60 years Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860 Birthplace: Texas Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birth Place: Alabama Mother's Birth Place: Alabama Marital Status: Married Race: White Sex: Male Home owned: Own Occupation: Cobler at a shoe shopAble to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Household Members: Joel D. Barnes, O, F, M, W, 60 yrs, M(?), Texas, Alabama, Alabama, cobler, shoe shop Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Chico, Wise, Texas; Roll: T625_1860; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 163."
12. Texas Death CertificateName: Ollie Barnes Littlepage
Death date: 08 Apr 1923; Death place: 12 Mi. N.E. Moran, Stephens, Texas
Gender: Female; Race: White
Age at death: 67 years 2 months 4 days
Birth date: 04 Feb 1857; Birth place: Wise County, Tex.
Marital status: Married; Occupation: Housekeeper
Father name: Bennet Barnes; Father birth place: Tennessee
Mother name: Sarah Rodgers; Mother birth place: Alabama
Burial place: Shady Grove, Stephens Co.; Burial date: 09 Apr 1923
Film number: 2074802; Digital GS number: 4170539
Image number: 892; Reference number: cn 13372
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976; www.familysearch.org
13. Texas Death Certificate
Name: Mary Jane Blair
Death date: 01 Jul 1935
Death place: Era, Cooke, Texas
Gender: Female; Race or color (on document): White
Age at death: 73 years 8 months 19 days
Birth date: 12 Oct 1861 Birth place: Texas
Marital status: Widowed; Occupation: No Trade
Father name: Ben Barnes
Mother name: Sarah Rodgers
Burial place: Rosston; Burial date: 02 Jul 1935
Informant: G. B. Stevens of Era, Texas
Film number: 2116623; Digital GS number: 4030353
Image number: 198; Reference number: 32172
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976; http://www.familysearch.org/

Please add any family stories or histories for this family. How did Bennet's widow survive after his hanging? She had five young children, the youngest just a toddler and she was going blind.

'Weeping Wives' Update

2008-10-13T21:55:00.028-06:00

Many Thanks to those who left comments on the blog and to FamilySearch.org for putting the Texas Death Certificates 1890-1976 online. (https://familysearch.org/ hint: Death certificates can be a great place to find the maiden name of a mother.)

There are now several more spouses names and maiden names added to our WEEPING WIVES list.
Below is a repeat of an earlier post with the additional information added. Update Apr 2011

Diamond refers to the Weeping Wives of the accused and also refers to the screaming women and children. Barret stated the following, "while those (wives) who got news that the husband was to be hung, were following or before, weeping, while wailing and lamentations burst from their lips. In some houses, sadness and deep sorrow reigned supreme. None but those who experienced that dreadful night can fully realize the deep sorrow of loving and disconsolate hearts."

Below is the list of those who died in the Hanging and their known spouses. Please help us replace the question marks ??? with names. There are far too many unknown spouses in the list! Corrections are welcomed! Thanks.

Name of Victim, Name of Spouse(s)
1. C. F. > E. F. (Edward Frost) Anderson, Matilda
2. George W. Anderson, ??
3. Richard J. Anderson, Lucinda ?
4. William B. Anderson, Lucinda Davis
5. Thomas O. Baker, Mary ?
6. Bennet C. Barnes, Sarah A. Rodgers
7. Barnibus Burch, (1) May ?, (2)Mary McConnel
8. Samuel Carmichael, Anna ?
9. Ephraim Chiles, Margaret Kendrick
10. Henry Chiles, Dicy Kennedy
11. Nathaniel M. Clark, Mahuldah Hicklin
12. Henry Cockrum, Elizabeth Lackey Petell Jones
13. John Mansil Crisp, (1) Harriet Pittman, (2) Alixy Hawkins
14. Arphaxton R. Dawson, (1) Mary Horn, (2) Jane Caroline Stalcup
15. Rama Dye, (1) Sarah Jane Bradley, (2) Mary Ann Dawson
16. Hudson John Esman, (1) Rachel Meadows, (2) Mary Sullivant, (3) Elizabeth Crisp
17. Henry S. Field, (1) Jane Potter, (2) Mary Ann Bail
18. Thomas B. Floyd, Cloe Carter
19. James T. Foster, ??
20. Curd Goss, Mary Alexander
21. Edward D. Hampton, single
22. M. D. Harper, Eliza Dougherty
23. William W. Johnson, ??
24. C. A. Jones, ??
25. David Miller Leffel, Susan Emeline West
26. Leander W. P. Jacob Lock, Deannah ?, Evaline Dale
27. Abraham McNeese, Rebecca Price
28. Richard N. Martin, Cynthia Ann Neely
29. John M. Miller, Martha Jane Sandusky
30. John A. Morris, Marguerite ?
31. Wash Morris, Josephine ? OR John W. Morris, Lucretia
32. M. Wesley Morris, Ann Carter
33. William W. Morris, Nancy ?
34. James A. Powers, Priscilla Barnett
35. William R. Rhodes, Amanda Lindsey
36. Alexander D. Scott, Mary Woolsey
37. Eli M. Scott, (1) Sarah Erwin, (2) Maria ?
38. Gilbert Smith, ??
39. William B. Taylor, Martha ?
40. Eli Sigler Thomas, Susan M. Hedenberg
41. James A. Ward, Nancy Muirheid
42. William Wilson Wornell, Elizabeth ?Wilkerson
==
43. William Boyles, Elizabeth T. West (Boyles not arrested but later shot & possibly died from wounds)
44. Hiram Kilborn, Delia Ann Knowles
====
William A. McCool (later hanged), Lydia Field
John M. Cottrell (later hanged), ??
A. N. Johnson (later hanged), Armarylis Hawley

Updated Jan 2012

Gainesville's 'Great Hanging' Commemoration

2008-10-13T20:58:00.009-06:00

Those of us who are descendants of the men who were hanged in the 'Great Hanging' would like to send a big thanks to Gainesville City for hosting a commemoration on Saturday, October 11, 2008, during their Depot Day Festival. For those of you who could not attend the 'Commemoration of the Great Hanging', here are some pictures of the event sent by one of the descendants.

The bell ringer would stand in front of a cross and ring the bell as each name was read.

Gainesville to Commemorate 'Great Hanging'

2008-10-10T14:24:00.009-06:00

Tomorrow, on Saturday October 11, 2008, Gainesville will commemorate the 'Great Hanging' during their Depot Day Festival.

We are glad that Gainesville will remember the men who died in the 'Great Hanging', but it would be nice if there was enough of a notice so that the descendants of the victims of the 'Hanging' could arrange travel and attend the event. Many of the descendants live in different states all over the country.

Here are links to newspaper articles telling of the commemoration.
http://www.gainesvilleregister.com/local/local_story_282120012.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/967133.html

Stay tuned for a post telling about the actual commemoration service. Hopefully we will have pictures of the memorial service to post also.

William & Elizabeth (West) Boyles Family

2008-10-01T12:24:00.014-06:00

William Boyles was born about 1826 in Kentucky. William Boyles and his father, Joseph Boyles, came to Texas prior to 1848 and both received land as a part of Peter's Colony that settled North Central Texas. William died about 1863 in Collinsville, Grayson, Texas. It is believed that he died from a gunshot wound and exposure as he hid from the same group responsible for the hangings. Diamond stated that Boyles was "later killed at Collinsville." We have added him to the list of the victims of the Gainesville Hanging, since his death was a result of his participation in the Peace Party and resulting arrests, trials & Hangings. (See biography on previous post.)

THE FAMILY LEGEND OF WILLIAM BOYLES, March 2000 By Sammy Harrison: According to family legend, William Boyles did not want to fight in the Civil War. He hid out in the hills, contracted pneumonia, and died. Mother said the way she had heard it, he was a very kind hearted person and could not stand the thoughts of taking the life of another individual. At the time, I wondered what a person like that was doing on the Texas frontier where he was forced to defend his home and family.
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From another descendant: My Great Great Great grandfather William boyles married an Elizabeth West May,19,1849. In the 1860 census it shows that an Ann West was living with William and Elizabeth. She was 18 at the time. I also know of a Susan Emeline. She married David Miller Leffel and moved from Ohio to Grayson Texas in the late 1850's. They may have traveled and settled there as a family because that is where William and Elizabeth (Boyles) and Ann West were also during the same time. David was hung during the great hanging in texas 1862 and William is believed to have been shot in the back when he tried to run and later died a month later from his wounds.

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

Sources
1. 1850 U.S. Census, Texas, Grayson, pg 674, 9 Dec 1950."Boils, William, 24, m, Kentucky, cannot read or write " , Elizabeth, 20, f, Ohio, cannot read or write, Boils, Jos, 64, 400, Virginia, cannot read or write (Next door to Father-in-law, Michael West)."
2. 1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Grayson, Sherman P.O., hh 148, pg 23/145. "Name: Wm B Boyl Age in 1860: 34 Birth Year: abt 1826 Birthplace: Kentucky Home in 1860: Grayson, Texas Post Office: Sherman Value of real estate: Household Members: Name Age Wm B Boyl, 34, m, farmer, 1600/900, Kentucky E S Boyl, 27, f, domestic, IllinoisJos Boyl, 7, m, TexasLouisa E Boyl, 5, TexasMartha S Boyl, 3, ArkansasWm F N Boyl, 5.12, TexasAnne West, 23, domestic, OhioSource Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Grayson, Texas; Roll: M653_1295; Page: 145; Image: 290 (**Note: Also listed in 1860 Cooke County Census)."
3. 1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Cooke County, Gainesville, pg 232-233, hh 178/184."Boyles, William, 34, m farmer, no real estate, $750 personal estate, Kentucky " , Elizabeth, 30, f, Ohio
" , Joseph, 7, m, Texas " , Sarah L., 5, f, Texas " , Martha S., 3, f, Arkansas " , Wm. T., 7/12, m, TexasWest, Ann, 18, f, Ohio (note: Not sure where Ann West fits into the family. She is most likely one of Elizabeth's nieces.) Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Cooke, Texas; Roll: M653_1291; Page: 232; Image: 473.(**Note: Also listed in 1860 Grayson County Census)."
4. McCaslin, Richard B., Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862 , Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1993. xvi, 234 pp. Intro. App. Illus. Map. Index
"William Boyles came to Peters Colony as a single man before July 1, 1848. He served in ranger companies during 1846 and 1848, then married in May, 1849. The 1850 Grayson County census (F.N. 14) lists him as a farmer, age twenty-four, from Kentucky, and his wife, Elizabeth, as being from Ohio.The census taker in 1860 found him in Cooke County (F.N. 184) with $730 in personal property. He had three children -- ages seven years, five years, and seven months -- born in Texas, and a three-year-old born in Arkansas. His father died in October, 1857, and William, then in Crawford County, Arkansas, inherited his land in Cooke County. He paid taxes in Cooke County in 1861 on 311 acres of the "James" Boyles grant on the Red River, but in 1862 he was assessed for only a third of this grant, 4 horses, 20 cattle, and 4 sheep."
5. Land/Deed Records."William Boyles and his father came to Texas as a part of Peter's Colony that settled North Central Texas. He received from Thomas Wm Ward, commissioner for the colony agent, a single persons share as part of Peter's Colony, of 320 acres of land in Grayson County near the town of Dorchester. Today the survey is still known as the Wm Boyles Survey. 21 Oct 1854 -- William Boyles to Thomas A. Mounts -- bond for the sale of the Joseph Boyles land lying in Collin County, TX which was sold on the steps of the Grayson Co., TX courthouse. Grayson Co., TX Deed Records Vol G pg 80.26 Mar 1855 William Boyles sold his title and interest in his Head Right Certificate to John H. Wilson for $650.00. Grayson Co., TX Deed Records, Vol G pg 167."
6. George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414. George W. Diamond was a brother of secessionists, John R. Diamond and James J. Diamond, who was a principal in the Great Hanging. After the hangings and the adjournment of the court, Diamond was given the records for the purpose of "preserving them and so disposing of them that the history of its (Citizen's Court) transactions might be perpetuated and justice done to those who participated in its deliberations. Diamond's compilation of "memoranda" was to be offered to the public as a just vindicaton of the conduct of those whose judgements were under national criticism. The members of the court examined Diamond's account and gave their unanimous and unqualified approval."
page 83 "Boyles was later killed at Collinsville."
7. Connor, Seymour V. , Peters Colony of Texas, A History and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers, Texas State Historical Association; Austin; 1959. "William Boyles migrated as a single man prior to July 1, 1848. He was issued a land certificate by Thomas William Ward in 1850, which was sold unlocated and was later patented in Grayson County (Fannin Third Class No. 1569). He is listed on the census of 1850 (Grayson County, family No. 14) as a 24-year-old farmer, born in Kentucky."
8. 1870 U.S. Census, Texas, Coryell, Prec. 2, pg 275."Lee, Isaac, 60, m, farmer, 500/500, NC " , Elizabeth, 40, f, keeping house, Ohio " , William, 18, m, Louisana " , David, 15, m, Texas " , Virginia, 14, f, TexasBoyles, Jos. M., 17, m, Texas " , Sarah L., 16, f, Texas " , Martha L., 13, f, Arkansas " , William F, 11, m, Texas."
9. 1880 U.S. Census, Texas, Coryell, Texas, pg 503A.Lee, Isaac A., self, m, marr, 69, NC, farmer " , Elizabeth, wife, f, marr, 49, keeping house, OH Boil, William, stepson, m, single, 20, farmer, Texas4 others in household.
10. Marriage Record, Grayson County, Texas Marriage Book A, pg 39.
11. Marriage Record, Grayson County, TX Marriage Book A, pg 39. "Name: Elizabeth West Marriage Date: 19 May 1849 Spouse: William Boyles Marriage County: Grayson Marriage State: Texas Source: County Court Records - FHL microfilm # 1290410 item 2."FHL # 1290410 item #2.

The Willam Boyles Story

2008-10-01T12:04:00.017-06:00

It is believed that William Boyles died from a gunshot wound and exposure as he hid from the same group responsible for the hangings. Diamond stated that Boyles was "later killed at Collinsville." We have added him to the list of the victims of the Gainesville Hanging, since his death was a result of his participation in the Peace Party and the resulting arrests, trials & hangings that took place. Below is William's story by one of his descendants.

William Boyles

by S. H. Harrison 1997 Fort Worth, TX

William Boyles was the son of Joseph Boyles, his mother is still unknown. Joseph Boyles came to Texas from Illinois, I found him in Green County in 1830 and 1840 census records. According to these records he had other sons and a daughter (or perhaps extended family living with them), however, we only know the names of William and Sarah. According to the 1850 census records, Joseph was born in Virginia, William was born in Kentucky and Sarah in Illinois. Joseph Boyles arrived in Texas a widower and obtained land from Peters Colony in Collin and Cooke Counties. William served in ranger companies during 1846 and 1848. He obtained a Headright in Grayson County as a single man and married Elizabeth West in Grayson County, 19 May 1849. When his father, Joseph, died 19 May 1853, William was appointed the executor of the estate. It is unclear on what date he and Elizabeth went to Arkansas, however there are probate records indicating that the court had not heard from William Boyles. The court cost by the October 1857 term, amounted to over $500.00 and the decision was made to sell the property in Cooke County to cover court costs. It was at this time that William, from Crawford County, Arkansas, sold all of his interest in his father’s estate to his sister Sarah Gibson. He apparently thought he had taken care of his obligations of Joseph’s estate, or thought they would take care of themselves. They could have been in Arkansas the entire four years, census records show the birth of a daughter in Arkansas. At any rate, they were back in Texas in time for the 1860 census. (His family is listed in both Cooke & Grayson Counties in the 1860 Census.)
Sister, Sarah Boiles, age 19 was living with William Fitzhugh in Collin County in the 1850 census. I have wondered if there is a relationship with them since Fitzhugh’s wife, Mary, was also born in Illinois, however, nothing has been proven one way or the other. Sarah married Nelson Gibson from Pettis County, Missouri (Nelson’s name is recorded in deed records as her husband). In the 1860 census Sarah and Nelson Gibson are listed on the same census page as O.T. Mallow with other Mallows on the other census pages. For those who don’t recognize the name, Mother’s youngest sister, Dovie, married J.T. Mallow. I checked with their daughter, Jeanie, their Mallows were in Collin County at that time.

Back to William Boyles. Family tradition stated that "he did not want to fight in the Civil War, hid out in the hills, contracted pneumonia and died." Let’s take a look at the time period. Both the Boyles and West families moved to Texas from Illinois in the middle 1840's. They had both been subjected to "Texas Justice." William had served with the home rangers protecting the frontier families from Indian attacks, so he was not afraid of fighting. By the time they arrived, slave owners from the south manned most of the political offices. In 1862, Texas became embroiled in the question of secession and called for a vote. The vote in Cooke and Grayson Counties was overwhelmingly against secession. However, as a state, the vote was for secession. A large number of men in the Red River border counties joined a secret society that was loyal to the government of their fathers (Old Constitution and the Union).
This sets the stage for what later became known as "The Great Hangings of Gainesville." The West (Elizabeth West Boyles) sister, Susan and her husband David M. Leffel arrived in Texas in time to become embroiled in it too. September 1862 Union forces had advanced into the Oklahoma Territory and there was a good deal of unrest in the Red River area. The Confederate army in the area learned of the secret society and suspected treason. What ensued was mass hysteria and mass arrests. David Leffel was among them and William Boyles’ name came up during the so-called trial. David was one of the 42 men who were hanged in Gainesville the middle of October and William was one of the wanted. One report says that William was killed near Collinsville. The family tradition said pneumonia. Could they both have been right? It was October and he was hiding out in the Timbers. He could have suffered a gunshot wound and contracted pneumonia, too.

Elizabeth Boyles moved her family to Coryell County and Susan Leffel continued to live in the area until problems erupted after the return of the confederate veterans at the end of the Civil War. A neighbor, Joel F. DeLemeron, tried to help Elizabeth and her children by giving her a horse and was charged with treason for aiding the families of suspected Unionists.

William R. Rhodes

2008-09-28T23:38:00.011-06:00

William R. Rhodes was born about 1818 in Tennessee. He married Amanda Lindsey (daughter of Charles Lindsey and Mary Polly Bennett) about 1840 in Tennessee. Amanda was born about 1820 in Alabama.
McCaslin says this about William R. Rhodes: "William R. Rhodes ... preempted 320 acres in Cooke County. He doubled his property on December 24, 1856, by purchasing 320 acres, on which he paid his first taxes in Cooke County in 1857. . . He joined the Frontier Regiment on March 11, 1862." Richard B. McCaslin, "Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862" (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1994).

James L. Clark gives this information about Rhodes: "One of our near neighbors was William Rhodes. He (came) from North Carolina here, an got 320 acres of land as a homestead from the state. He had a nice familey an his oaldest boy belong to the same company that I belonged to. Now Rhodes sold land to a man by the name of Eli Scott a bout the time the war started. An Scott moved to the land an was murderd while he lived on the land. He Scott (came) from California here, an had a big famley, and was nice foalks. Him an Rhodes were hung the same day. Tha are boath buried on the Rhodes survey, now owned by Sam McClerran.
page 113, From a letter James Lemuel wrote to his parents:
Pe Rodes has the measels. With this exception the Cooke County Boys are all well... tell Pe Rodeses folks he sends his best love and respects to them." (Note: Census records indicate that William Rhodes was born in Tennessee not North Carolina.)
Clark, James Lemuel; Edited by L.D. Clark, Civil War Recollections of James Lemuel Clark, Texas A&M University Press, College Stateion, Texas 77843, Page 109, 113
Question?? Which of Rhodes' sons joined the Confederate Army Company that Clark referred to in the above statement and had the nickname of "Pe"??

According to Diamond's account of the trial, Rhodes was tried in a group trial with eleven other men: The State vs. C. A. Jones("HumpBack"), James Powers ("Carpenter"), Eli M. Scott, Thomas Baker ("Old Man"), Geo W Anderson, Abraham McNeese, Henry Cochran ("30"), C.F. Anderson, Wm Wernell, B.F. Barnes ("35 or 40"), Wm Rodes, and N. M. Clark ("25"). Disloyalty & Treason. The testimony against the above mentioned conspirators corresponds with the testimony herein before produced on the trial of Childs, Fields, Harper, Lock, and others. They all acknowledged their connection with the organization, and made full confession of their guilt at the gallows." George Washington Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862, ManuscripteEdited by Sam Acheson and Julie, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXVI, January, 1963, No. 3, pages 331-414, pg .397.
Amanda and William R. Rhodes began having children in Shelby County, Republic of Texas in about 1842. In 1850 they are in Shelby County and in the 1860 Census they are in Cooke County, Texas. William lists his occupation as a farmer.
Amanda was left with nine (9) children to raise after the death of her husband. The youngest child was only six months old. Sometime after the Hanging of her husband, Amanda moved to Stephens County, Texas with her children.
William and Amanda had the following children:
1. Charity Armitta Rhodes was born on 28 Jun 1842 in Texas. She died on 26 Oct 1928 in Eastland, Texas. She was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Eastland, Texas.
From the 1870 United States Federal Census for Stephens County, Texas, page 2,
household number 8, lines 15 through 24:_We find Charity Boggs listed as 28 years of
age, and a seamstress, living in the household of her mother, Amanda Rhoade, age
45. In the same household is David Rhoade, age 19. Daniel Rhoade, age 14. Delia
Lane Rhoade, age 12. Martha Ann Rhoade, age 8. William Boggs, age 11. Thomas
Boggs,age 8. James Boggs, age 6. And Pennington Boggs, age 1._This shows that
after her husband died, she indeed went to live with her mother, near Pickettville in
Stephens County. She married two more times, first to a man named Lafayette
Deweese, and later to a man named John Quincy Adams Funderburgh.
Charity married Thomas Boone Boggs on 7 Jun 1858 in , Cooke, Texas. Thomas was born on 14 Mar 1832 in Winchester, Clark, Kentucky. He died on 3 Mar 1868 in Fort Muggainsville, Moran, Shackleford, Texas.2. Charles Rhodes was born about 1844 in Texas. (?Served in the Confederate Army with James Clark.)3. Sary A. Rhodes was born about 1847 in Texas.
4. James Rhodes was born about 1849 in Texas.
5. Daniel G. Rhodes was born in Apr 1851 in Texas.
6. William Rhodes "Willie" was born about 1852 in Texas.
7. Samuel Rhodes was born about 1854 in Texas.
8. Delia Jane Rhodes was born about 1858 in Texas.
9. Martha Ann Rhodes was born on 26 Mar 1862 in Texas. She died in 27 Jul 1946 in Stephens County, Texas. Martha married William Rogers.

1850 U.S. Census, Texas, Shelby County hh 292/292, pg 21/42

Name: Wm R Rhoades
Age: 35 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1815 Birth Place: Texas
Value of Real Estate: $300
Home in 1850(City,County,State): Shelby, Texas
Household Members:
Name Age
Wm R Rhoades, 35, farmer, $300, born Tennessee
Amanda Rhoades, 30, Alabama
Charity A Rhoades, 8, Texas
Charles Rhoades, 6, Texas
James Rhoades, 1, Texas
Sary A Rhoades, 3, Texas
Saml Lindsey, 35, South Carolina
Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: , Shelby, Texas; Roll: M432_915; Page: 21

1860 U.S. Census, Texas, Cooke, Gainesville, hh 171/177

Name: Wm Rhodes
Age in 1860: 46 Birth Year: abt 1814 Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Cooke, Texas; Post Office: Gainesville
Value of real estate: $700; Value of personal estate: $184
Occupation: farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
Wm Rhodes, 46, m, farmer, 700/184, Tennessee
Amanda Rhodes, 39, f, Alabama
Charles Rhodes, 16, Texas
Daniel Rhodes, 9, Texas
Willie Rhodes, 7, Texas
Samuel Rhodes, 5, Texas
Delia Rhodes, 1, Texas
Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , Cooke, Texas; Roll: M653_1291; Page: 232;
(**note: on same page of census as John Miller & William Boyles)