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Lonestar Bound "H"
James III was b 1801 KY and md Nancy Davis ALLEN in Illinois. They had: Allen, Alfred B. b 1823,IL, Sarah A. b 1827 IL, James b 1837, TX and Amanda Winifred b 1842 TX. Sarah A. md 25 Dec 1843 John CHEEK and had Carey CHEEK b 1848. Carey CHEEK md 15 Oct 1865 Leander H. McNELLY, Capt. Texas Rangers. Amanda Winifred md 20 Oct 1857 James Crozier MORRISS. They had 12 children.
I have more information on this family I am willing to share.
In February 1799, Joseph purchased land in Christian County, KY and adjoining 200 acres shortly after. In 1812, he sold the land and moved farther west into Arkansas County of Missouri Territory. In 1817, the country became AR Territory, the state of Arkansas was not formed until 1836. Somewhere along the way, Joseph met up with Stephen F. Austin's second colony into Texas. It is recorded that on 25 Dec 1825, they crossed the Brazos River about 2 miles south of the present site of Old Washington, Washington County, Texas. This is where he made his home at *New Year's Creek on his seven square miles of land for the remainder of his life.
Joseph farmed and raised stock and was something of a financier. It is said that he had accumulated some money, mostly silver, and there being no banks in that part of Mexico, he buried the money or hid it in the hollow of a tree. A man by the name of Greenwood was aware of his savings and shot Joseph for the purpose of robbing him. Joseph died a few days later on 24 Jul 1839. Greenwood was arrested and it is said, served a jail sentence for his crime. After shooting Harbour, Greenwood dug up the dirt floor of the smokehouse looking for the money but seemingly never found it nor did Joseph's family for that matter. Some neighbor boys found several hundred dollars in silver in a hollow tree on land that belonged to Harbour.
Joseph and Mary Harbour are both buried in the Harbour Cemetery in Washington County, Texas.
Allen started growing cotton on his land in the lower valley and married Clarissa McKenzie (daughter of Lacy and Nancy McKenzie of Virginia) on February 14, 1830 in Richland Township, Jefferson County, Arkansas. They had four children in Arkansas; John H.(1831), Lacy (1837), Asa (1838), and Missoura (1845). All of these children were born in Pine Bluff. Lacy McKenzie, Allen's father-in-law, went to Texas between 1837 and 1839. Lacy was issued 640 acres of land in Houston County on October 6, 1839. Around 1846, Allen also set off with his family and Clarissa’s brother, John, and his family for the greener pastures of Texas. We also believe that Allen's nephew, Bartley C. Harrington, son of Bartley, accompanied them. The first record of them is the birth of another child, Albert Bartley (known as Bird)(1846) in Woodville, Tyler County, Texas. When Clarissa recovered and Bird had strengthened, they moved on to Trinity County, Texas, where they finally settled. They settled in the area between Trinity and Pennington, around 1848. The earliest deed record we have is a piece of property (10 acres) sold to Allen by A.G. and Eliza Teas on December 27, 1851. In the 1851 Tax List, Allen is listed as having 356 acres of land, 14 horses, 9 head of cattle and oxen. A total worth of $2,828. A few years later, in 1854, Clarissa died in Pennington at age 46. I guess with all of those kids and a farm to run, it didn’t take long for Allen to find a second wife. In 1855, in Trinity County, he married Absolena Moore who was 20 years his junior. Absolena had a first husband (it is said he "ran off on her") and two children, John and Marie from her first marriage. The 1860 census showed Marie (age 18) and John (age 16) living with Allen and Absolena. We guess that Allen left his ten acres and moved up around the Pennington area, where Absolena's father, brother and former husband all had surveyed large tracts of land. Together, Allen and Absolena had five children; Alexander (1857), Cora Elizabeth (1858), Sarah Belle (1860), Cynthia Jane (1864) and Albert A. (1866), all born in Trinity County. During this time, Allen’s son, Lacy, went off and fought in the Civil war in the 4th Regiment of Texas Mounted Volunteers (Cavalry), as did his sister’s, Cora Elizabeth’s future husband, John Ramey. They fought in New Mexico and Louisiana for the Confederate forces. Of Allen’s other children; Alexander married but died childless around 1890: Sarah Belle married Ed Washington and had five children before she died before 1900: Cynthia Jane married Richard Ralston and died c. 1898 leaving one son, who went to live with her sister, Cora, and died before adulthood; and Missoura who married James Moore, brother of Allen’s second wife, moved to Collin County and had several children. There is not much known about John H. and Asa, so we suppose they moved to other counties in Texas. Bird stayed until the 1890’s when his wife Elmira died, then moved back to Arkansas and remarried. Allen and Lacy lived out their lives in Houston and Trinity Counties. In the 1870’s, there are over 20 land transactions with the Harringtons, (Allen and his sons, Lacy and Bird) and the McKenzies buying and selling property in Trinity, Houston and Walker Counties. Deeds were transferred for as little as $100 dollars, one horse and four cattle and as much $2,000. The last recorded deed we have for Allen is a deed record on February 6, 1871, that shows Allen and his wife selling their original acreage that he bought in 1851 for $2,000. We are told that there are deed transactions through 1877. He was on the 1870 Census for Trinity County, but died before the 1880 census. He would have been about 70 years old.
Hawkins, Strother M.
Strother M. Hawkins and his brother, Andrew Bird Hawkins, came to Fannin County, Texas. They appear on the Republic of Texas Poll list in 1846. Strother Hawkins received 360 acres from the Republic of Texas. The town Ivanhoe, Texas was orginally Hawkins Prairie who named for Strother Hawkins who settled there in 1845. In 1885 the town was changed to Ivanhoe, Texas.
Amos T., our subject, moved with his father to Henry county, Iowa, when very young, and fifteen years later, in 1849, he removed to Dallas county, Texas, where he remained until 1857. In January of that year he came to Johnson county and settled near where he now lives. He was constable of his county one term, is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and has been a member of the Christian Church about forty years, in which he is now an Elder. Mr. Heath served three years in the Confederate army, in Company C, Stone's Second Cavalry Regiment, and was in the battle of Donaldsonville and many others. He was captured May 15, 1864, taken to New Orleans, where he remained until August of the same year, when he was exchanged, returned home on a sixty days' furlough, and joined his regiment in January, 1865. His regiment was put on detached duty to guard the prisoners from Tyler to Shreveport, Louisiana, for exchange, and their horses, saddles, and side arms were taken from them, appraised, and they were promised pay out of the first money that came across the Mississippi river, but nothing has yet been given them. The regiment was then attached to Farney's Division, marched to Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and next to Hempstead, where they remained until the surrender. After the close of the war, Mr Heath returned to Dallas county, Texas, and in September, 1865, he settled where he now resides.
He was married December 11, 1851, to Miss Sarah L., a daughter of Curtis Parks, a native of North Carolina. They have had eleven children.
Source: The Lone Star State: History of Johnston and Hill Counties, Texas p 451, 2.
2nd PARTISAN RANGERS REGIMENT OF TEXAS
Information furnished by email:"Carey Bracewell"
PERSONNEL OF THE SECOND PARTISAN RANGERS REGIMENT OF TEXAS (CSA)
BACKGROUND
Most of the Second's personnel were recruited from the Dallas area. Company "A" was raised in Wood County, "C" and "G" in Dallas County, "H" in Denton, Dallas, and Ellis counties; "I" in Collin County ( however "I" and "J" often indistinguishable from each other in these records), and "K" in Kaufman County {a list of all known "K" Company members compiled from every available source including pension applications, casualty lists, and census schedules can be found at ww.rootsweb.com/~txkaufma/civilwar/2txprk.htm} No muster rolls for any of the regiment's eleven companies have been found.
Colonel Miller's "regimental return" of April, 1865, compiled at Camp Groce (Leonard W. Groce's "Liendo Plantation" two miles east of Hempstead, Texas), is the only membership record to survive. By then desertion, disease, and casualties had reduced the regiment to only a fraction of its original size.
The following personnel listing for the Second Partisan Rangers was derived from Miller's 1865 report and such Federal records as prisoner records and U.S. hospital reports. Citation:
National Archives Microfilm Publications. Microcopy 323 Roll 191.
"Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers who served in Organizations from the State of Texas-- Chisum's Cavalry (Dismounted), (Second Partisan Rangers; Stone's Regiment)"
Battle of Donaldsonville
Joseph was born 11 Feb, 1874 in Falls County, Texas. He died 29 Mar 1955 in Waco, McLennan, Texas and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in (East) Waco, Texas. Joseph married Mary Jane "Mimie" Ferguson (Wilkerson). Mary Jane was the daughter of Margaret Vaught Ferguson and Mr. Ferguson, and the step-daughter of James Robert Wilkerson. Mary Jane was born 8 Jan 1873 in Frost, Navarro, Texas, died 23 April 1961 in Waco and was buried beside Joseph at Greenwood Cemetery. Mary Jane was in the hospital when Papa Joe died. Family members say he was preparing to visit her, stopped for a haircut and had a heart attack while in the barber chair. The following five sons and three daughters were born to Joseph and Mimie: John Henry, Mary Lorena, Jesse James ("Pad"), Robert Lee ("Rob"), Marlin Buster ("Boodle"), Goldie Mae, Reuben Butler ("Rube"), my father, and Gertie Mae. All children were born in McLennan County with the exception of their middle child, Marlin Buster. He was born in Cale, Bryan,OK in 1902. Cale was later renamed Calera in the 1900s. Why they were in OK or for how long is not known at this time, however they are placed back in Waco when their next child, Goldie Mae, was born in 1908. There are no living children. Little is known about the early life of Joseph. I have been able to gather facts only of his adult life, after marriage to Granie Mary Jane. Joseph was quiet, seldom smiled, had a terrible temper, was never clean shaven, hated Franklin D. Roosevelt and almost never displayed affection. On the other hand, Mary Jane was warm, affectionate and always smiling. I have no memory of this kind lady ever raising her voice, nor did I ever detect even a hint of anger. In my adult years, I always felt she and Papa Joe "balanced" each other out. When I think of her, I picture her in her rocking chair, relaxing on the front porch, often rocking we grandchildren. As a child sitting in her lap, I could smell the starch in her crisp little dresses and her "talcum" powder, as she called it, that was used as body powder. We children identified with those smells and they were comforting. We always looked forward to helping her "churn" her milk to make butter. My mouth still waters even now thinking of that pure buter and ice cold buttermilk. I have no memory of their farm, only of their last two homes in Waco. One in South Waco which no longer exists as the Baylor University Campus years ago consumed the entire area where this home was located. The last home I remember was in East Waco on Rose Street. I do not know if this house still exists. Joseph held to the "old" ways, did not enjoy "progress". He never drove an automobile, but would sometimes ride in them. He still had his horse (and mule) and his wagon and was a familiar sight in downtown Waco in his horse pulled wagon amidst all the autos. He did this for so long that it became a common sight and no one thought much about it. He also never had a telephone in his home that we grandchildren can remember. We also thought of him as a "city farmer", living in the center of Waco with a horse, mule, couple of cows, lots of chickens and a few pigs. It was a mystery to us how he managed to hack out a living, but he obviously did, leaving at dawn each morning with a loaded wagon and arriving home at dusk each evening. He sold firewood (I think it was called kindling), milk, butter, eggs, homemade soap and an assortment of other items. Several family members remember Papa Joe's temper and it was not one to be dealt with. This brings to mind the tempers of several other Hightower ancestors that Hightower researchers have written about. Papa Joe most often directed his anger toward his animals rather than the person he was angry with. The following is a particular situation remembered by my sister, Caroline. Papa Joe was in downtown Waco in his wagon, pulled not by his horse but by his mule. Either the donkey was being a typical stubborn mule or Papa Joe was having a bad day. He solved either or both problems by giving the mule a blow to the head. Well, the donkey dropped dead. He was confronted by the police, however the end result of this story is not known. Caroline was quite young at the time and her childhood memory is limited to "Papa Joe killed his donkey". It would be interesting to know the end of that story. Caroline and another sister, Ann, both remember that Papa Joe worked a cornfield for someone in McLennan County, down near the Brazos River and delivered corn in his wagon. This was during the time he and Mary Jane were living in East Waco. I cannot remember this. So little is known at this time of the early lives of Joseph and Mary Jane. Hopefully, other Hightower researchers will come forward in the future and add to this bio. We know that Joseph's father, Thomas Preston Hightower and his mother, "Bama", were divorced when Joseph was barely 20 years old. Did he stay near his father? Or did he follow his mother? The birth of his first child indicates that he and Mary Jane were already married at the time of this divorce. What did Joseph do those first 20 years? What was the extent of his education? What work did he do besides farming? How we would love to know. No family member that I have talked to can remember Papa Joe ever mentioning his father or his mother. Thomas Preston was aged 50 when he married Papa Joe's mother, Alabama ("Bama") and she was aged 26. Ten children were born of this union (this is in addition to the children Thomas already had). Thomas and Alabama were divorced in 1894, with Thomas filing for the divorce. It was granted as Alabama did not show up in court to defend herself. Family legend has it that she was afraid of him. Stories also circulate about two of Alabama's brothers later chasing Thomas with a pitchfork trying to kill him. Joseph's mother,Alabama, died in 1899. In a recent conversation with Margaret Cox (granddaughter of Ida Elizabeth Hightower who was a sister to Papa Joe), information was given to her that Alabama was found dead by another son, James Presley Hightower. Margaret obtained this information from Helen Hightower Upchurch, daughter of James Presley. Helen remembers James saying he was out in the field working when he thought he saw Indians. He swam across the stream, then ran as fast as he could to the house. When he got there, he found Alabama dead, lying across the bed. Now, even more questions spring to mind as to her death. We know even less about the early life of Mary Jane. She was the first child of Margaret W. Vaught. Margaret first married (Ingram or I.M. or J.M. from back side of his photo) Ferguson. He died when Mary Jane was very small. Margaret then married James Robert Wilkerson born about 1841 in Arkansas and from this union the following children were born: Travis Rice, Maggie Irene, Addie, Jenny, and Marlin. Marlin was born either just before or shortly after Wilkerson died in 1887. Mary Jane carried the Wilkerson name so much that we descendants were very confused in the beginning of our research as to which man was her bio father. Margaret married again to R.W. Hyer and had one child, Marshall, from this marriage. This marriage license reflects that she married as Mrs. M.W. Wilkerson. Margaret had Vaught Siblings - Jim, Sam and a sister,Izzie (Oz) Vaught. Margaret's son, Marlin, married his cousin, Cora Vaught, who was the daughter of Sam Vaught. We have Hightower and Wilkerson family photos. Joseph had siblings William Pinkney ("Pink"), Ida Elizabeth, Frank M., Sarah E. Jane, James Presley, John H., Permelia Elvira ("Abby"), Franzany Missouri ("Frannie") and Tennie. He had numerous half-siblings. On the back side of a photo of Papa Joe's mother, Alabama, it states "Bama Hightower, Spanish-Indian, Oklahoma" and "Died 6-27-1899, taken 1898". The photo was made shortly before she died. Bama was also married to a Mr. Gray before she married Papa Joe's father. We have uncovered no information on this marriage except for a photo with the notation that this was her son, Jack Gray, his wife and child, Joycie. Joseph was a rough, tough, hard-drinking Hightower. We grandchildren were in awe of him and scared of him at the same time. Unfortunately, none of us ever really got to know him. My thanks to my sister, Ann, and to many cousins, both Hightower and Wilkerson, for information given to me in this bio. Hopefully, many Hightowers and Wilkersons will read this and contact me with even more information on Joseph Hampton Madison Hightower and Mary Jane Ferguson Wilkerson. Prepared by: Shirley Hightower-Johnston
Many Hughes Generations have past since the days of Moses M. Hughes and it's been assumed by all
living today, that Moses M. Hughes was born in the United States of America. But none had ever documented Moses M. Hughes true origins. With my own research efforts that span over the past two years. Much evidence has been discovered in finding my Hughes progenitor. These research efforts at first only added confusion to resolving the genealogy question, where was Moses M. Hughes born?
In researching Moses M.1 Hughes life, the oldest known records begin in St. Clair County of Alabama in
21830 . Later Federal Census Record contend Moses children where born in 1Alabama, as late as 1846. But BLM records show Moses M1. Hughes signed over in 1843 his Patent on 160 acres3 to a James Cructher whom lived on the adjoining land to Moses M1. Hughes in Marshall County. A subsequent search of Marshall County and surrounding regions failed to find a likely father for Moses M.1 Hughes, nor was Moses located in the 1840 Federal Census Index records of Alabama. 4Land Deed Records of Navarro County placed Moses M.1 Hughes in Texas by 1847. 5More Interesting documents placing residency in Texas are the Mercer Colonist Records. 6 Plus Moses fought in the Mexican - American War of 1846-48.
Then research efforts uncovered in the 1850 Texas U.S. Census that Moses M.1 Hughes birthplace was in
the State of Georgia. 7A Local History Book for Navarro County reveals Moses had a brother named James
Hughes, but failed to site any source documents proofing such a relationship, plus recorded Moses died
prior to 1858. 8Navarro County Probate Records give us Moses Hughes death as being in October 1855 and
that Moses M.1 Hughes was a resident of county at the time of his death. Noting that in two different U.S.
Census record from the 20th century showed both grandchildren of Moses, James M.9 Hughes and William
D.10 Hughes recording their own father Anguish M.11 Hughes birthplace as being from the State of Georgia,
however earlier and later U.S. Census Records 12dispute this findings. But it does raise the possibility that
family stories where handed down through the generations. Republic of Texas enlistment records show that
the brother of Moses M.1 Hughes, James7 Hughes swore to the fact in July 1840 “ that he James7 Hughes
was born 181013 in Ireland ”. This discovery during my investigation produced uncertainty as to where
Moses M.1 Hughes was born.
2. Alabama, an index to the 1830 UNITED STATES CENSUS, compiled by Pauline Jones Gandrud, Published by Bobbie Jones McLane 1973, page 171 [Third Entry] Hughs, Moses St. Clair County Alabama.
3. Patent N0. 4543 for which I made my home 22 June, 1838 For Value Received Moses Hughes of Marshall County, Alabama purchased by me 20th January 1843 per Receivers receipt 6563, designated as North West Quarter of section Seven, in Township No. Nine, of Range Three, containing One Hundred and Sixty and 75/100 acres, at a rate of one dollar and Twenty cents per acre , request that a Patent be issued to James Crutcher 20th Day of January 1843, Presumption Act 1841.Reproduced from the Bureau of Land Management records held by the National Archives and Records Administration
Washington D.C.,
4. Navarro County Deed Records 1846-1850, Grantor: Joseph T Bell, Grantee: Hughes Moses Type of Instrument:Deeds, Book A., page 66 on November 1847. Reproduced from the holdings of the University of Texas at Arlington reel # 1034635
5. Mercer Colonists, by Gifford White, State Abstract of Hill County to August 31, 1941, Line 407, Original Grantee Hughes,Moses M. Cert. # 98, Patentee Ethan Melton, 640 Acres, File # 544. File # 544, No 48, 640 acres, The State of Texas, County of Navarro, This Certificate entitles Moses M. Hughs to Six hundred and Forty acres of Land, to be located, on any vacant land, within the limits of the Colony of Charles Fenton Mercer and his Associates, not otherwise appropriated, he having taken the oath and made proof required by law, of his citizenship may locate, transfer or donate this Certificate and exercise all rights of ownership over it, set by my hand , at the town of Corsicana 16th day of April A.D. 1850, John M. Crockete Commissioner of Mercer Colony. Reproduced by the General Land Office of Texas in Austin, Texas
6. Military Bounty Land Warrant # 72532 for service in the Texas Volunteers during the Mexican - American War. Under the act of 1855 for 120. Reproduced from the records at the National Archives and Records Administration 700 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW, Washington, DC 20408-0001.
7. Old Northwest Texas, Historical-Statistical-Biographical Book, Complied by Nancy T. Samuels and Barbara R. Knox Volume I-B Navarro County 1846-1860 pages 465, 466.
8. Index to Probate Abstract Book 1, Case # [no entry] Hughes M.M. Vol. 1, Page 246. Probate Abstract Book 1, Estate of Hughes Moses M. decd. Administrator Martha C. Hughes Book H pages 610 -616, 636,726. Book L pages 51-53, 67,,78,528 Years 1855 to 1860
9. Letter written by James M. "Joe" Hughes while at his Mothers home Permelia A. Parson - Hughes- Tickle in Purdon, Texas to Son Robert Lee Hughes, Sweetwater Oklahoma, Post marked December 28,1925. Letter refers to his stay during Christmas Holidays. Second, a Letter Sent by Davis and Jester Attorneys and Counselors at Law, 116 West 5th Ave., Corsicana, Texas.To: Mr. Joe Hughes, Enid Oklahoma. Dated 16, 1929 Begging James "Joe" Hughes hand on documents to settle the estate of Permelia Tickle. Detailing child portions, which listed three Tickle children and three Hughes children, Letter included "Mr.WD Hughes understands and agreed to this division".
10. Tickle Pamaly household, 1900 U.S Census Record Navarro County, Blooming Grove Village, Enumerated 25th day of June 1900, William D Hughes, son, white, male, Birth: October 1879, age 21, single, place of birth: Texas, Farther place of birth:Georgia, Mother place of birth: Kentucky. Reproduced from the Microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library, Odessa,Texas, University Microfilms International, MF -6154/5 T623 Roll 1661/2. Hughes Joe M household, 1900 U.S Census Record Roger Mills County, Berlin Township Enumerated 12th day of June 1900,Dwelling 168, Hughes Joe M, white, male, Oct 1870, age 29, married, Place of birth: Texas, Fathers Place of Birth: Georgia,
Mother place of Birth: Texas. Reproduced from the Microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library, Odessa, Texas. National Archives Microfilm Publications Call No. MF-6360m, Microcopy No. T 623
11. SS-5 Application for Social Security Card for William D. Hughes list father name as being Anguish M Hughes. Reproduced by Social Security Administration, Office of Earnings Operations, FOIA Workgroup, 300 N. Greene Street Baltimore, Maryland 21290. Oral History by the William D. Hughes extended Family. 1980 Recording holds sibling talking about their oldest brother Anguish M Hughes 1903-1905, being named after his Grandfather. Recorded by Ms. Patsy Walker-Vanderpool, Arlington, TX.
12. William D Hughes household, 1920 US Census record Navarro County, incorporated place Purdon Town, Enumerated 14 day of January 1920 place of birth: Texas Father place of Birth: Tennessee, Mothers place of birth: Alabama.
MC Hughes household 1920 US Census Record Navarro County, Incorporated Place: Purdon Town Enumerated 14 day January 1920. Hughes MC age 72, Birthplace Tennessee, Father Birthplace: Tennessee, Mother Birthplace: Tennessee Permillia Hughes age 74, Born Kentucky, Fathers birthplace: Prussia, Mothers birthplace: Unknown. Reproduced from the
Microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library , Odessa, Texas. American Genealogical Lending library MF 12773m, T625 Roll 1836.
13. Enlistment Records Republic of Texas: Sworn to by James Hughes at Post Galveston, on July 9th 1840. I, James Hughes was born in Ireland aged 30, 5 feet 3.5 inches high, of flnid complexion Grey eyes, Red hair, and by profefsion a Laborer do acknowledge to have this day Voluntarily Enlisted as a soldier in the Army of The Republic of Texas for the period of three years unless sooner discharged by proper authority. And I James Hughes do solemnly swear that I will bear true Faith and Allegiance to the Republic of Texas. [He placed his mark X]. Reproduced from the Holdings of the Texas State Archives in Austin, Texas
James7 Hughes known sibling of Moses M.1 Hughes relocated to the 14Republic of Texas in no later than 1837. Placing his westward travels much further and quicker than his older brother Moses earliest recorded events in Alabama. 15James Hughes died October 1846 in Navarro County Texas in testate. 16But before his death James served the Republic of Texas during its fight for Independence from Mexico. During which time James was shot and later declared disabled by the Republic. Considering all the previous information together might explain why James never took a wife. 17Then it appears that James Hughes soon after lives
in Fort Bend County of Texas where its recorded James was narrowly defeated in a local race for Sheriff. James then sells his land in Fort Bend County to his sibling Darcas18 Powell. Thus relocating to Austin County of Texas, but quickly moved further North in Texas. 19Where it is recorded that James had ridden with a survey team in Bosque County of Texas.
Records then place James7 Hughes nearest the town of Purdon, Texas during his final years. 20James can be found paying taxes in Navarro County as early as 1846. 21A varied supply of documents concerning Navarro County and James7 Hughes show him as having been a party in numerous land dealings around the now State of Texas. Noting James's land holdings once totaled 6000+ acres in varies locations across the State.22 Most of James Land Deeds where later contested in Navarro District Court. 23With one case being
heard before the Texas Supreme Court sessions of 1857. But earlier Land Bounty and Donation Warrants issued by the Republic, recorded in 24Burleson and Dallas County of Texas never disputed by any court. Locating the Interment for James was inconclusive after an exhaustive search of Navarro County records. However probate records reveal James was indeed a resident of Navarro County at the time of his death.Moses M.1 Hughes applied for administrator of James estate in 15January 1847 and was granted based on
evidence showing Moses being one of James1Hughes closes living relative and presented facts pervasive to being James brother. No other records in Texas have ever contested that fact or produced an extended family for James. Later entries in James7 Hughes probate records show a relationship to Darcas18 Powell,when her husband John25 Powell takes over as administrator of James Hughes estate. 15 The last recorded entry concerning the Life of James Hughes is found when his Probate Case is closed in May 1891 by R.W.Walton Admin de Bonis non [without bond].
With research concluding that James Hughes never had an extended family nor was ever recorded in any
U.S. Census Record that included one's place of birth and placing James life mostly spent on the frontier's
edge of the United States. Surly it can be said without a doubt now all where contributing factors that
limited us to only one record ever revealing James birthplace. Examining Moses M.1 Hughes date of birth
being 1806 and James7 Hughes being born in 1810 and considering the hardships placed on most whom
travel abroad during this time period. Makes it very unlikely that the family returned to Ireland during the
recorded time of James birth.
15. Probate Abstract Book 1 of Navarro County Texas Page 239 - 245 List Charters of Proceedings for Case # 33 which numbered well over one hundred entries from January 1847 beginning in Book C page 3 through Book 11 page 467 of May 1891.
16. N0 . 292 Republic of Texas, County of Fort Bend This is to Certify that James Hughes a private in the Washington Company of Volunteers, has the certificate of G.W. Bummett and Edward Burlenson, the former Lieutenant of Said Company and Later commandant of the volunteer army, they said Hughes was severely wounded while performing his special duty, and was entitled to the benefits of the act allowing each soldier who was wounded. So as to be disabled[unreadable] league of land. Given under my hand at Richmond May 12th, 1838.Daniel Perry. Reproduced by the Texas General Land Office in Austin, Texas.
17. History of Fort Bend County, by Clarence R. Wharton, Copyright 1939. Page 89 James Hughes 45 Votes
18. Fort Bend County Deed Records 1838 - 1844 Grantor: James Hughes, Grantee: Darcas Powell, Instrument: Deed, Filed January 24, 1838, Records in Book A, page 1. Reproduced using the Microfilm Collection of the George Memorial Library Reel # 1007983
19. Bosque Territory, A history of Agrarian Community by William C. Pool, Illustrated by Body Saunders, page 46
20. Navarro County Tax Rolls 1846 - 1879 Reproduced from the Holdings at the University of TX at Arlington, Reel
# 117501
21. Austin County Deed Records 1837-1886 Microfilm Collection George Memorial Library. Fort Bend County Deed Records 1846-1886 Microfilm Collection of George Memorial library. Guadeloupe County Deed Records 1846 - 1886 , Microfilm Collection of San Antonio Regional Offices. McLennan County Deed Records 1850-1906, Microfilm Collection of Baylor University. Navarro County Deed Records 1838-1851 Microfilm Collection of University of Texas at Arlington.Burlenson County Deed records [2 each]Brazos County Deed Records & Milam County Deed Records
22. District Court Minutes 1855 - 1859 Navarro County Vol. A& B, Reel # 1034865. Vol. C 1859-1865 Reel 1034866. Reproduced from the Holdings at the University of TX at Arlington
23. Reports of Cases Argued and Decided in The Supreme Court of The State Of Texas, during Austin Session, 1857 and Part of Galveston Session 1858. By O.C. & R.K. HARTLEY., with notes and other decisions. VOL XX, West Publishing Co. St. Paul,Minn. 1882, originally printed in 1858 pages 346 - 348. Robert Gregory, Administrator de Bonis non, v. Martha C. Hughes
24. File No. 401 Milam County Donation, 640 Acres. Republic of Texas, Know all men To whom presents shall come: That James Hughes Having Guarded the Baggage at Harrisburg Unit [unreadable] is entitled to Six Hundred and Forty Acres of Donation Land, in accordance with the act of congress, passed Dec. 21,1837, Said James Hughes His Heirs, Executors, Administrators or their Assigns, are entitled to Hold said land: but it cannot be Sold, Alienated, or Mortgaged and is exempt for execution During the life- time of the person to whom it is granted. I have hereunto set my hand, at Houston this 6th day of June 1838. Tim W.Hackley, Secretary of War. Reproduced by the Texas General Land Office in Austin, Texas.
25. Navarro County Probate Book Vol. C page 156 , June 1849, John Powell husband of the sister of Jas Hughes decd. files his contest for Letter of Admin & resistance of sale of land heretofore made. Reproduced by the Navarro County Court House of Corsicana, TX.
Alternative Possibilities
A previously shown trend by the grandsons of Moses M. Hughes is that they recorded their own father's
birthplace as being Georgia, when in fact it was not his birthplace at all. Adding in they continued this
misrepresentation of fact in most released copy of 20th Century Federal Census Records for which they
where involved. Perhaps by James Hughes skipping a generation and placing his own heritage back in
Ireland. Like the grandsons of Moses, this act was practiced in an attempt to quietly honor their forefather's
birthplaces, plus being cemented in records for future generations to discover and follow.
We can trace Darcas16 Powell in earlier records of Lauren’s County of Georgia, in which marriage index
records show Darcas Hughes married John24 Powell in 251818. 26Then the couple is found living in Telfair County of Georgia. Noting Telfair shares it's border with Lauren's County Georgia. A subsequent search of the surrounding area yielded a possible father for Darcas and siblings. Thos.27 Hughs was located in Lauren's County Georgia in Federal Census Records of 1820, age brackets for males listed fit well the age profile for which Moses M.1 Hughes and James7 Hughes should have appeared. Concluding now with no other Hughes families can be found livings in neighboring areas to Lauren's County Georgia. Later records revealed Darcas16 Powell only known child Adaline28 Brady was born 1824 in Alabama. By locating Darcas16 Powell Land Deed Records in Fort Bend County, Republic of Texas Military Records for John24 Powell and varied tax records entries for the family, I did marked their arrival on the Texas Frontier as being before 1838. Disappointed however that none of the records located thus far listed a birthplace for Darcas16 Hughes. Then Darcas and family move to another county in Texas, records show them remaining in Robertson County between the years of 1846 and 1855, realizing in 1846 Navarro County was formed from Robertson County lands. 29Then a record revealed Darcas16 Powell was born in Georgia, age 52, which makes her birth ca. 1798. 30The last time I find Darcas living in Texas is when she gives Power of Attorney to a local lawyer in 1855 and gives her daughter Adaline28 Powell - Brady property in the same
year. By all indications John and Darcas Powell leave Texas for an unknown location.
26. 1820 Telfair County Georgia Federal Census record. Reproduced using the Microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library, Odessa, TX. University Microfilms International MF-649m, M-33, Roll 10
27. 1820 Lauren's County Georgia Federal Census records Thos. Hughes. Reproduced using the microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library, Odessa, TX. University Microfilms International MF-513m, M-33, Roll 9.
28. Brady Daniel household, 1860 U.S. Census Records of Robertson County Texas Enumerated Daniel Brady age 49
wife Avaline Bradly age 35, birthplace Alabama. Reproduced using the microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library, Odessa, TX. National Archives Microfilm Publications Call # MF-8444m, Microcopy No. M-653, Roll No. 1303.
29. 1850 Federal Census of Robertson County Texas, Enumerated Oct 27, 1850 John Powell age 52, male, birthplace: GA, Wife:Darcas Powell, age 52, Female, Birthplace GA. Reproduced using the Microfilm Collection of the Ector County Library,Odessa, TX. National Archives Microfilm Publications Call No. MF-10770m, Microcopy No. M 432, Roll No. 914.
30. Robertson County Deed Book M Pages 159 - 161.[Darcas placed her Mark x]. Reproduced from the Microfilm Holdings of Texas A&M University, Reel # 963278.
Conclusion
Further research should be conducted in trying to provide a connection with Thomas Hughes, in that it might yield further information to support Moses M. Hughes being born in the State of Georgia.
Brent Tod Hughes
Hutchison, Alexander
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