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Elkanah Brush

Elkanah Brush was born in 1796 in New York to Lt. Gilbert Brush and Jenny (Hunt) Brush. It is believed that this is the family found in the 1822 Albany City directory at 38 Dock Street. There Elkanah was a merchant. When, in 1827, he was appointed administrator of his father's estate, he resided in Otsego County. The 1830 census lists him in Cherry Valley, Otsego County. Soon thereafter the family imigrated to Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas (taken from 'Descendents of Thomas & Richard Brush of Hunting, Long Island' by Stuart C. Brush and Russell B. Brush) with the Powers & Hewetson Colonies. He married Sarah Duncan Farnum, born in Massachusetts in 1796.

He fathered at least 4 children, 2 sons - Gilbert Russell, and Bradford, and 2 daughters, Sarah Brush Loftin and Catherine (Kate) Brush Cabeen.

Gilbert Russell was born in 1825, resided in San Antonio until 1850, died in 1859 in California.

Bradford F. born 1826, married July 13, 1851 to Elizabeth Georgia McGee, died April 5,1865.

Catherine (Kate)was born in 1832, married Ephriam A. Cabeen, died in 1898.

Sarah (this is my ancestor) born February 11, 1836 in Sarco Creek, Goliad County, Texas, married June 20, 1855 to William Thomas Loftin, died July 6, 1915.

In October of 1834, he and his two sons were granted land from the Spanish government in what is now the State of Texas. This land was in the area of Goliad, where the first Declaration of Independence for the State of Texas was drafted. He was a signer of that original Declaration of Independence.

He served in the Army of the Republic of Texas, and was elected to the House of Representatives for the First Congressional Session, but lost the election for the Second Congress. History shows that he and his family then moved to Fort Bend County where he became a farmer.

Family history relates that through some misfortune, after the death of his wife in 1850, he suffered a reversal of fortune, and became virtually a pauper. He reportedly lived out his remaining years with his daughter, Kate Cabeen in Grimes County, Texas.

Although historians report that he is buried in Richmond, Texas, with his wife, family history relates that he died in Grimes County, and given the circumstances of his finaces at the time of his death, is most likely he is buried in an unmarked grave there, most likely Courtney Cemetery.

It can be assumed that his death occurred prior to 1855, as his estate petitioned at that time to the courts to sell property belonging to him, and permission was granted.

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