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The Family Garden
Notes
Ronnie ROBINSON
Her name may have been Victoria, and Ronnie just a nickname.
*Source: Personal knowledge of Kevin Robinson Masini
Jim MAYNARD
He was related to the owners of the Bostich Staple Company.
*Source: Personal knowledge of Kevin Robinson Masini
George Washington STEWARD
Before going to Texas, George traveled to Indiana where he married Sarah Seely. They emigrated to Mississippi and settled in Monroe County, then later moved to Falls County, TX. All of his children except one were born in Falls County, TX. When he left Mississippi, he brought with him six horses, a wagon, a hack and six slaves. It was his intention to go to Dallas County. Along the way he was constantly prospecting for a site for a grist and flour mill. Two years later, in the newly formed county of Freestone, he found the perfect place in a good timber region with many springs of good water . Here, in 1852, he bought 320 acres of land and erected his mill. The millstones for his mill came from Grindstone Creek, near Fairfield. It was said that it was the only mill between Dallas and Houston. He built his home north of the spring and the mill. Soon after, he started a store and it wasn't long before the US Mail was being left there and the community of Steward's mill came to official being. A number of years later, the springs almost failed and slowed the work at the mill, so Washington procured two large steam boilers to power the mill. In the early years the settlement made everything possible by hand and nearly all other necessities were provided at home: bread, meat and even clothing. When the meat was scarce, the woods provide game. Before the Civil War, Washington gave most of his attention to the mill. Many small grains were raised in the area and kept his mill busy. People came from miles around in wagons, hacks, buggies and even horseback. Many camped overnight, or even days, waiting their turns. Steward's Mill was growing. About 1860, Washington gave ample ground for a church and Cemetery nearby. He was doing well financially and took his rightful place as one of the leading citizens of the county. The fall of the Confederacy found him greatly depleted of his wealth. As most of the families of Freestone County, they gave food, clothing, medicines and monies to the cause until there was little left for the necessities of life.
ARTICLE BY Lucille Riley Steward
From a letter of a descendant:
Washington's second wife was Rebecca Hinton Whitaker. Two months after she died, he married a Mrs. Singleton. When one of his friends told him that it was too early for him to marry again, he said "Well, John, she is just as dead now as she will ever be." He had two daughters by his third wife.
WHY IS GEORGE WASHINGTON'S NAME STEWARD WHEN ALL HIS ANCESTORS ANDSIBLINGS ARE STEWART?
Family lore says that that there was another George Washington Stewart in the same county where our George grew up. When he became a young man and started out on his own business ventures, he wanted to be distinguished from the other George Washington Stewart, so changed the spelling of his last name to Steward. There is ample documentation in the Fairfield, Freestone County, TX library that our George Washington is indeed the original George Washington Stewart, descendant ofWilliam Stewart and Nancy Hurt Stewart. Second source: Article by Lucille Riley Steward, Lucille states that there were two other George Washington Stewarts in the area, so he changed his name to Steward.
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STEWARDS MILL, TEXAS. Stewards Mill is at the intersection of Farm roads 833 and 2547, seven miles north of Fairfield in north central Freestone County. It was established in 1849 and named after Washington Steward of South Carolina, who built a gristmill in the area. The mill was one of only a few in the vicinity, and people came from as far away as Ellis and Dallas counties to have wheat and corn ground into flour and meal. A general store built in 1867 by Dr. James I. Bonner was known as Stewards Mill Store. Both the Harmony Presbyterian Church and the Stewards Mill Church were established in 1876. The town also had a brick plant, a sawmill, and the county's first phone exchange. A school founded in 1891 had an enrollment of twenty-five in 1893. The post office opened as Steward's Mill with Jeremiah T. Steward as postmaster in 1872. The apostrophe was dropped from the name in 1894. The post office was discontinued in 1914, and mail was sent to Kirvin. Cotton and corn were the main crops of the area, but livestock was also raised. The community became known for its mules. Mule raisers from as far away as Tennessee purchased stock at Stewards Mill. A school district was formed in 1906 but was consolidated with the Fairfield district in 1929. In the late 1930s the community had a population of fifty-five and two businesses. In 1959 the Fairfield and Harmony churches merged to become the Fairfield Harmony Presbyterian Church. In 1968 the population of Stewards Mill had dropped to twenty-two, and by the late 1980s the community had only a church, a cemetery, and a few scattered dwellings. In 1990 the population was still estimated at twenty-two. The Stewards Mill Store was recorded as a Texas historical landmark in 1964. *Sources: T. Lindsay Baker, Ghost Towns of Texas (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1986). Freestone County Historical Commission, History of Freestone County, Texas (Fairfield, Texas, 1978). Freestone County Historical Survey Committee, Official Texas Historical Markers of Freestone County (Fairfield, Texas?, 1974). (From the Handbook of Texas)
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Conspicious among those who settled in the northern half of the county (Freestone) between 1849 and 1853 were the families of John Burleson, Washington Steward, John Watson, Dr. John Bonner, Oliver and William Carter. These families and their neighbors formed the nucleus of the later communities of Woodland, Bonner, and Stewards Mill. Mr. Steward's contribution to the new county varied somewhat from that of the others. Shortly after he arrived he built a flour mill which came to be patronized by citizens of counties other than Freestone. Some say that customers were known to come from as far away as Ellis and Dallas to have wheat ground and to trade for flour.
*Source: History of Freestone County, Texas, First Edition 1978. Published by the Freestone County Historical Society. Repository: Personal Copy. p. 11
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1850 Monroe County, Mississippi Census (copy in files)
Washington Steward, age 39, occupation: ____ Maker), b. So Carolina
Sarah Steward, age 37, born Kentucky
William R. Steward, age 18, occupation: laborer
Jeremiah T. Steward, age 15, occupation: laborer
Mary M. Steward, age 14
Huett B., age 12
George W. Steward, age 9
Margt M. Steward, age 7
Nancy V. Steward, age 5
Francis M. Steward, age 4
Sarah R. Steward, age 1
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1 Feb 1841
Washington patented 40.19 acres of land in Huntsville, Monroe County, Mississippi. Columbus Land Office. Certificate No. 105
27 Feb 1841
Washington patented 40.09 acres of land in Huntsville, Monroe County, Mississippi. Columbus Land Office. Certificate No. 15395
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Deeds for land transactions: (copies in files)
IN THIS document, GW Steward, SR buys 320 acres of land for $320 in 1852. I may have the woman's name, Orpha Angelin - the seller, wrong, it's very hard to read. I have entered blanks where I can't read the words. The State of Texas
The County of Freestone
This deed made this __ day December 29th, A.D. 1852 between Orpha Anglin of the County of Limestone and Sate of Texas of the first part and Washington Steward ___ part that the said Orpha Anglin for and in consideration of the Sum of three hundred and Twenty dollars to her in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath ___ and quit claim and by these Presents doth ___ and quit claim unto the said Washington Steward of the County of Freestone and State of Texas, his heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract or parcel of Land with the apparatus there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining (To wit) three hundred and twenty acres of Land it being apart of the headright Survey of F. Gancy (T. Sancy?) __ & Lying and being in the County of Freestone and State of Texas and beginning at the North West Corner of Said Survey at a Stake from which a P. O. 20 __ ___ bears, S 29, W 4 vis also another P.O 12 ___ ___ S. 72 E 10 vis, Thence N. 60 E with the north boundary line of said Lot No 6 - __60 vis to a stake on line from which a B. __ 12 __ __ ___N 60 E. 3 6/10 vis also another B.J. 12 ___ ___ Markers S. ___ S12th E 10 vis - Thence S. 30 E, 1529 vs _____ Southern boundary of Said Lot No 6 to a stake on line from which a B. M. ___ ___ ___ ___ S. 60 W. 2 vs. Thence S. 60 W with the Southern boundary 1532 vs __ to the __W. corner of Said Lot No 6 at a stake from which a P. O. 10 ___ ___ vs S 45 E vs also another P.O. 24 __ __ N 26 ___12 vs. Thence North with the west boundary 1743 vs to the place of Beginning containing an Area of 320 Acres of Land to the Said Washington Steward, his heirs and assigns forever to have and to hold the Said Land and premises with the apparatus thereunto belonging in any wise appertaining unto the Said Washington Steward, his heirs and assigns forever and the Said Orpha Anglin for herself and her heirs will Warrant and forever defend from herself and her heirs and assigns and no further ____ whereof I hereunto set My hand and Seal ring a ____ for here on the day and year above written.
Her
Signed Sealed and delivered Orpha x Angelin (Seal)
Mark
In presence of
Illegible
Garson B. James
James A. Billington
*Source: Will Book E, pp. 632-633. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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In this document, Washington Steward pays $500 for 151 ½ acres of land from Jesse Clark.
State of Texas
Freestone County
16 Jan 1868
Know all men by these presents that I, Jesse Clark of the above State and County for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars to him in hand Paid hath this day bargained, sold, and delivered unto Washington Steward a certain tract of land being and lying in said County known as the Barley Anderson tract lying in the NorthWest Corner of the E. B. Davis league on headright assignee of John Bradly and Bonded as follows. Beginning at the Northeast corner of said tract or league then running South sixty west 654 ____ thence South thirty east 1908 vs thence East with ___ degrees of said Survey 654 vs ___ Back to the Place of beginning so as to include one hundred and fifty one and a half acres to have and to hold with all improvements therein and by these presents do deliver unto Washington Steward and his heirs and assigns forever and I do hereby bind myself my heirs Executors and Administrators to warrant and defend forever all and ____ the above tract of land unto the said Washington Steward his heirs and assignees against every Person whosoever doth ___ Claiming the same tract or any part thereof.
Witenss my hand and seal this 16th January 1868.
Witness W. E. Seely
Eli Clark
Deed Book H2, pp. 154-155, Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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This document is a correction to the DEED of January 16, 1868, wherein Jesse Clark sold land to Washington Steward. The original deed was for 151 ½ acres, this is corrected to 147 acres. The State of Texas
County of Freestone
16 April 1868
Know all men by these presents : That I Jesse Clark of said Freestone County, State of Texas for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars to me paid by Washington Steward also of said County & State, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted bargained sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant bargain sell and convey unto the said Steward the following described tract or parcel of land to wit: a part of the South East quarter of the E. B. Davis league situated in said Freestone County the ____ being one half of the Bailey Anderson tract of 303 acres in Said League and described as follows to wit: Beginning at a point in the East and West division line of said League between Landrums (?) and _______ 654 ____ S. 60 W from where said division line from joins the East boundary of said League; thence S. 30 E. 1308 vs.; thence S. 60 E. ____ the degrees of said League 66 vis; thence N. 30 W 1405 vs to the place of beginning containing 147 acres and being the West half of the said Barley Anderson tract. To have and to hold the above described tract of land together with all the improvements and appurtances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining to the said Washington Steward, his heirs and assigns forever; And I Jesse Clark for myself my heirs executors & Administrators do hereby warrant and defend the title to the said above described tract of land to the said Steward his heirs and assigns against all persons whomsoever claiming or to claim the same or any portions thereof. It is understood that this Deed is made as a duplicate or substitution for a certain original Deed made by me to the said Steward on the 16th day of January A. D 1868 for the purpose of correcting a mistake in the description of said land in said original Deed which is recorded in the Office of the County of the Freestone County in Book H, vol. 2 of Records page 154-155.
Witness of my hand and sealed using ____ for Seal, this the 16th day of April A. D. 1868.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of W. Cotton
Jesse X (his mark) Clark
G. S.
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In this document, dated 1879, J. T. Steward (son of Washington Steward) sells half interest in the land originally belonging to Washington from the 1852 purchase, less 1/7 which he describes as his separate interest. Some of it may have been sold before - not sure, but the original purchase was for 300 acres, and 1/7 of that would be about 42 acres, not 26 ½ acres. The State of Texas
County of Freestone
10 May 1879
Know all men by these presents that I, J. T. Steward a resident citizen of said State and County for and in consideration of the sum of $400.00 to me in hand paid by A. T. Watson, also of said Sate and of the County of Limestone, the receipt whereof is herby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, soled and conveyed & by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said A. T. Watson an undivided one half interest in the hereafter described survey of land less one seventh or about 26 ½ acres of said survey (this amount being my separate interest in said survey) being situated in Freestone County, Texas and being a part of the J. James League. Beginning 790 vis south from the NW corner of the J. James League - thence N 85 ½ E 342 vis intersecting Spring Branch - thence following the meanderings of Spring Branch intersecting the S line of the survey granted by Orfila Anglin to Washington Steward S 60 W 164 vis from the S. E. corner of said survey. Thence S 60 W with the boundary line of said survey granted by said Orpha Anglin to Washington Steward 16_8 vis to the S W corner of lot No 6 (the same being the tract of land granted by the same Anglin to said Steward. Thence North 306 vis with said West boundary line to the beginning said survey including my said 1/7 interest 183 ½ acres. To have and hold all and singular the said undivided ½ interest after deducting 1/7 of the whole of said survey unto the said A. T. Watson, his heirs and assigns forever ___ ____ simple.
And I further agree to bind myself, heirs and adm ___ to forever warrant & defend the title to said promises unto the said A. T. Watson, his heris and assigns against all persons whoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof, by ____ or under me. In testimony, I have hereto subscribed my name this the 10th day of May A. D. 1879.
J. T. Steward
*Source: Will Book P, pp. 515-516. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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The State of Texas
County of Freestone
19 May 1879
Before me T. W. Sims, clerk of the court in and for said county personally appeared J. T. Steward to me well and to me acknowledged that the had executed and delivered the foregoing Deed of conveyance bearing even date herewith for herewith for ____ ____ ____ and considerations therein contained. Given under my hand and offical seal this the 19th day of May 1879. T.W. Sims *Source: Will Book P, p. 516. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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The State of Texas
County of Freestone
21 May 1879
I, T. W. Grims, clerk of the county court in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing with the certificate of authentication was filed in my office for record on the 19th day of May 1879 at 2 o'clock P.M. and was duly and correctly recorded in my office on the 21 day of May 1879 at 10 o'clock A. M. In witness thereof I hereunto sign my name and affix the seal of said court my office in Fairfield this 21 day of May 1879. T. W. Sims
*Source: Will Book P, pp. 516-517. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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From the Family Bible of G. W. Steward (copy in files)
(note-images are availabe from the home page)
MARRIAGES
Washington Steward and Sarah Seely October 27 1831
Marriages of their Children Below
John T. Egger and Mary Matilda Steward 27 of January 1832
Terry V. Keel and Margaret Malinda Steward 10 of February 1859
Jer. T. Steward and E. J. Whitaker Dec. 20th 1860
Washington Steward and Rebecca J. Whitaker Sept 21st 1868
Washington Steward and Mary Jane Singleton January 22nd 1872
BIRTHS
Washington Steward October 25th 1811 Aberville, South Carolina
Sarah Seely Sept. 20th 1813 in the state of Ohio
*Twin Boys born Aug. 10 1833 Born dead
The Births of their Children:
William Randolft September 1st 1832 Monroe County, Mississippi
Jerremiah Terry, Nov. 1st 1834 Miss.
Mary Matilda Aprile 29th 1836
Huet Burt Sept 12 1838
George Washington February 3rd 1841
Margaret Malinda December 15 1842
Nancy Victoria February 13 1845
Francis Marion Dec. 14th 1846
Sarah Rebecker December 24th 1848
Susan Martha Sept 14th 1851
J. T. Stewart. Jun. September the 7th 1862. This was the son of J. T. and E. J. Steward
Written in the margin:
__atilda Seely was born Aprile 29th 1820
Written in the margin at the bottom of the page:
A killing frost the 15th of Aprile 1849
A killing frost the sixth of Aprile 1857 deep snow on the 12 same date
Mary Caroline Egger, the daughter of J. T. Egger and Mary Oct 26th 1852
Ada Josephene Steward March 18 1873 daughter of W and M Steward
Jane Steward January 31st 1877 Freestone Texas
Washington Worth Steward Nov the 23rd 1867
Pleasant Alexander Steward December the 11th 1868
Jerry T. Steward Jr, Sept 1, 1862
Charles Burt Steward, Aug 15 1876
*Note, written the right hand margin beside these last 3 children is: Son of J. T. Steward
DEATHS
There are notes in the left margin of the following page detailing the cause of death. I have included them in parenthesis following each person.
George W Steward December 7th 1861 at Hopkinsville Kentucky, Private in Capt. Mosby Company (measles and pneumonia)
Sarah Steward July 8th 1862 age 48 yrs 10 months 12 days (measles)
Margaret Malinda Keel Aug 17th 1862 (measles and pneumonia)
Huett B. Steward April 16th 1862 Departed this life at Camp Douglas Chicago Ilinois (died from fever)
W. R. Steward Oct 14th 1863 (consumption)
J. T. Stewart, jun. Departed this life August the 29 1864 (notation on cause of death is illegible)
Pleasant Alexander Steward Sept 12th 1869
(notation on cause of death is illegible)
Francis Marion, 3-21-1921 (note this is written in a completely different hand, and suspect it was added in recent times)
Rebecca Jane Steward wife of Washington Steward departed this life Dec 9th 1871 of cronic ulcer of the bowels
Sarah Rebecca Lake
Nancy V. Wells Sept. 8, 1906
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When Washington proposed to Rebecca Jane (his second wife), he put his saddle on her porch and told her if it was gone in the morming, then he would come in and they would get married, and if was still on the porch in the morning, he would just get his saddle and be on his way.
*Source: Story told to me by Jo Watson Turner, descendent, in Sept. 2002
Sarah SEELY
Died of measles at age 48 years, 10 months, 12 days
*Source: Family bible of George Washington Steward
Research note: According to Jo Watson Turner, she was related to Rebecca Jane Hinton Whitaker (her husband's second wife) and Eliza Jane Whitaker (wife of her son J. T. Steward).
Washington Stewards bible lists her bith place as Ohio, the 1850 Monroe County, Miss. Census lists her birth place as Kentucky.
William Randolph STEWARD
His brother, J. T. Steward, wrote a letter home from the civil war, in which he refers to him as Randolph. An extract from this letter is: "Chenieville La Oct 4 1863
My dear and affectionate wife
....... I was very sorry to hear of Randolf's death. tho we all have to die sooner or later the plan is to try to be prepared to meet death. there is no getting around that death. my dear I did play cards some times for fun but while Randolph was out here I quit and wil not play any more........". This is somewhat confusing, as Randolph's gravestone has his death as Oct 14. However, given the circumstances of a soldier in camp during the civil war, it is entirely possible that J. T. did not have the correct date on this letter. We know that Randolph died from consumption from his father's family bible record. We know that Randolph was at least visiting his brother in a civil war camp. There is a grave marker in Stewards Mill for 3 of the sons of Washington Steward: Huett Burt, George Washington, Jr and William Randolph. Huett and George Jr. died during the civil war. Did Randolph also die in the civil war? I have been unable to find a record of his service. It is logical to assume that he did not die at home as he does not have a grave marker of his own. He did, however, go to visit his brother, so perhaps he was not actually a soldier, but just a visitor? I have found no record of him being married. He is a puzzle! From Mike Bonner - he was the "life of the party" and very popular.
Twin STEWARD
One of twin boys stillborn.
Twin STEWARD
One of twin boys stillborn.
Huett Burt STEWARD
Huett Burt Steward died at the Confederate Prison Camp Douglas in Chicago, IL. I do not know if Huett's body was ever shipped home, but there is a tombstone for him in the Steward's Mill Cemetery near Fairfield, TX. The following letters were written by Huett from college and from the prison camp. (copies in files). Spelling is exactly as written by Huett, blanks are for words I couldn't read.
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McKenzie College
April 28, 1860 Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 16th of April. I was glad to here that you all were well and also received the five dollars ($5.00) which Pa sent me. Your letter found me well. you made some inquirey with regard to when the examination or if you please when the school will be out. It will be out the last of June. I would like for the one that comes to get here in time. let him start in time to get here then. it will about six days to come _____. I said send a two horse wagon after us. as to the wagon I am not paticular. a carriage or anything that is convenient so it will hall us and our produce. And again how much money I would owe at the close of the school. I suppose it will take about two hundred dollars ($200.00). it will be that ______ and I will want some books besides. But tell pa that to not put himself to any extra trouble to send it all. but if he can I would be glad. As I said in my last letter I reckon _____ _____ will stay with me on vacation. he is making his arrangements to that effect and our intention is to study there at home. If you can, it would do well to have us a house built. about large enough to hold two beds and have sufficient room besides. the place to put it would be best between the new house and fence (nere the fence) to the right of the gait from the house. or if you will not have time to build it if you can get the planks we can help to make it. I take this to be the better plan as the family is large and frequently has company. if you call upon any better plan do so. Tel Jerry if he at home that I would have written to him but I thought it uncertain about his getting it as he spoke of going to be absent from home. as soon as I learn that he is stationary I will write to him. Tell George I think it is to me he is learning how to write. We have some very cool mornings & heavy dews now. very recently we had some heavy rains. Write if your school is going on now & how long it will continue and write how your preacher is doing and what his name is and if he is a man of a family and where he boards. Give me all the nuse that would interest me. give my love to all. May God with his infinite goodness preside over you all.
Yours until death
H. B. Steward P.S. It may be that you do not understand how it is that I owe so much. a part of it is on the old score last year. I believe I shall want about five dollars more. you may think that it takes a heap to do me, so it does. everything I get I have it to buy. I would also like for you to send me a pare of boots or if you cannot get good boots a pare of shoes will do. send them by the one that comes after us. a pare that fits Jerry will fit me. write soon.
Yours as ever
H. B Steward
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NOTE: The following letter was written sometime after Feb 21, 1862.
Camp Douglass Chicago, Ill.
My Dear Pa & Ma
I am glad to write to you (letter torn here) for I know you will be glad even to hear that I am well. as you have doubtless heard it is my sad fate to be prisner of war though I expect to see better and happier days. Since we were taken at Ft. Donaldson we been treated as well as prisoners of war are commononly treated I reckon. we were surrendered 16th Febr and was brought to this place on the 21st of Feb and have been here ever since. in a few days after we got here our officers was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio near Colombus and from there the field officers were sent to ______ ______. Geo Bradley Lee Moody Geo Blair Bob _____ Bill Harris went with the officers to Camp Chase. Si is with George yet. we have received a letter from Col Gregg and Capt Moody each. they were all well. the locality of this place is very low and in wet weather is very muddy & would I suppose afford a beautiful scenery if it wasn't for the plant wall which surrounds us. it is in sight of Lake Michigan. There has been a good deal of sickness amon the prisoners (here the top corner of the letter is torn away and the opening words of the first five sentences are missing)…..up to this morning 165 dead _____lost but one out of our co. that _____ Joseph S Manning. Died of plurasne. ____ are three in the hospital viz Bob Steele, Will Huckaby & Jeff Tull. I met with Jim George & Marion Seelys son Steward and several other old acquaintances at Ft. Donaldson. They are here & I see them evry day. Jim Seely was wounded in the arm and was left at Perduca ____. he got here about a week ago. he is well of his would but has the mumphs. Knowing the deep interest that is felt for the entire Co. I will give you a list of all that is here. Our killed was Wm L Neal, Wm McIlveen, J___ Mayo & Forkner Sims. the wounded was Syrms Love, John Means, Josh S____ & Tom Jourden.
We have had an opportunity of being released by taking the oath of allegiance but when we come home we will come with honor. Pray for us. as ever your obedient son
H. B. Steward NOTES: This letter was written sometime after Feb 21st in 1862. H.B. had only a short time to live. He died on 16 April 1862. He was only 22. Many men did take the "oath" and either came home or went on fighting. Many felt that an oath was an oath, no matter to whom it was given. Some felt that an oath given to "Yankees" wasn't worth the ink it was written in. Obviously, our Huet felt it would be dishonorable to take the oath.
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The following extracts depict the military movements of Huett's Company and exactly correspond this his last letter: By the middle of June, 1861, John Gregg was back in Texas with the purpose of raising a regiment of troops……At Fairfield, during the late summer and early fall of 1861, W. L. Moody was engaged in organizing a company of volunteers to serve in Gregg's Regiment…...This company of ninety-five men, rank and file....rendezvoused in the vicinity of Marshall on September 30 (1861).......Scarcely had Moody's company arrived at Marshall before Gregg received orders from Richmond to forward his regiment as early as possible to Memphis, Tennessee. On the 9th of October (1861), six companies took up the march to Monroe, Louisiana. From there they went by railroad to Nashville by way of ……..Memphis, thence by boat to Clarksville and later to Hopkinsville, KY……Captain Moody's company became Company G of the regiment.....During November, December and January, the weather was so severe, sickness and disease infested the camps near Clarksville, Tennessee, and Hopkinsville, KY and Gregg's regiment suffered terribly. By the 25th of January, 1862, one hundred and thirty-nine men had died of measles, pneumonia, diarrhea, flux and other maladies. Moody's company suffered most severely; ninety-five men had left Texas early in October and thought not a shot had been fired in battle, twenty-three men were dead before the last of January. …..Colonel Gregg's regiment in Kentucky had remained inactive for three months, but on February 8 (1862), it was ordered to reenforce the garrison at Fort Donelson. Two days later it arrived and took part in the siege that soon followed. Four men in Moody's company were killed and five wounded. On the 16th, the regiment was surrendered and taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, where the commissioned officers wee separated from the men and sent to Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie. ….A Yankee's description of the soldiers from Fort Donelson is interesting:
"Viewed from the distance, the varied and grotesque costumes of the captives presented a most novel sight. In approaching the prisoners they looked very much like a vast throng of gypsies, having blankest of all colors, a few of them fantastic ponchos made of fragments of carpeting and bed quilts, sent to them as winter clothing by rebel families in Secessia. Their garments are of every possible pattern and description….Many of the officers are decently uniformed and are quite intelligent, though much less polite and social then the common solders".
*Source: Extracts from History of Freestone County Texas, by the Freestone County Historical Commission, 1978, p. 19
George Washington STEWARD JR
George Washington Steward died in the Civil War at Hopkinsville, KY. He was a private in Captain William Lewis Moody's Company which was the first company of men formed in Freestone County, TX. The following letters (copies in files) were written home from George during the Civil War. Spelling is as George wrote it, blanks are for words I couldn't read.
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Marshal Texas October the 6 1861 Dear Sister
I take my pen in hand to rite to you for the first time in life. we are all well. My mes… I am well and doing as wel as you might expect. I was soall the second day of this month. I mean that we was mustered in to servis. yhey are 6 companeys muster into servis. we had three more on the ground and one more acoming now on the road. we will leave this plase next week. I would like to hear from you all the best _____ world. I have not hear from home sinse I left. I want you to wright to if Jerry is gone home. If he has tell him right to me. all of the family to right to me. I want you to get me that ___ _____ and send it to me. good nuse from home. Give my love and respects to all inquiring friends. Tel Huet if he is not started to right to me whether he acoming or not. Tel him I would like for him to come if posable. You must write soon. Back your letter to Monro in care of Capt Moody. I have not time to right eny more. I have to drill. Give my love and respects to all of the family. I remain your dear brother until death. George W Steward ______ ________ sendes his respects too you all
tel Jerry I will right to him soon NOTES: Jerry is George's brother, Jeremiah T. Steward, and Huet is another brother, Huet Burt Steward.
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Memphist October the 22, 1861 Dear father and Mother
I am well and have bin ever since I left Marshal. I have nothing of importance to write to you. we got her on the 20. we have not drild any yet. we have bin washing our cloaths and cleaning up things generally. they are too cavaraldy here. one from mississp and one from Alabama. ther are nine thousand min on the ground. there are oanley two company of our regerment got here yet. they come in every day. Captain Moody get a letter from Mister Neal. he roat that him and mister neal would catch up in two or three days. He has not got her yet. we are a looking for him everay day. there a company from arkansaw. the day before we got here they say before we got here they was 2 nine of them died and the next day they was 7 died. that was yeterday. they have got the measles and they think it is the filth and the way the management. they are campted about 7 miles from her. they have measles in one company in about 50 yards that has had them and have one case yet and they have not lost any yet. theys all well in our company except a few that has the chils. everything is very hi here. red russsets is worth two dollars and a half. Capt Moody ast the talor what he would make a pare of pants and coat gray cloth and wanted him to make them as plain as posable and he sed that he would make the coat for 25 dollars and the pants for ten. Mr Carner sed that he would send us everything that was nessary. he tuck a list of evrthing that we had and he sed that if he could not get the country to send them he would get individuals to git them and send them rite away. I would like to have a pare of undershirts and over coat. if mister carner don't git them I wish you would git them for me. if huet don' come in a few days I will go down to _____ in a few days and will rite again and rite all the nuse I have not got time yet. I rote this on a borde and held hit in my lap. I have not heard from home yet. I would like to her from youall the _____ in the world. I want you to write soon and tell them all to write to me and I will try to answer there letter. they all have a better _____ than me. I have sean hard times ever since I have ben in camp but I am afrade that I have not sead anything yet. tel nancy to rite all about the school and tel her to rite one at the scool house and tell all of the girls that wants to send me an word to put it down and Miss Betty all so. it took about 24 hours to come from Monro to Memphist. I will rite more the next time. give my love to all of the family and all inquirryng friends. you must excuse bad spelling for I have not time to spell it. So good by til the next time.
I remain your sone until death
G. W. Steward Envelope reads: Geo W. Steward private in Capt W. L. Moody's Comp.
Greggs' Redgment Texas Volunteers Mr Wash Steward
Fairfield
Freestone County, Texas Postmarked Memp Tenn Oct __ 1861 DUE 10
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Memphist, ten October the 15th 1861 Dear Brother and Sister
I take this short spase of time to inform you whar I am now and how I a agetting along. I am well exept a bad coald. Several of the boys has that. All of the balance is well. our company got there last Sunday the _____ _____ tuesday amd about fore today. we all left marshal the same day. we look for the balance every day. they ladyes come to see us every day. they was about a hundred ther every day. we walked from ther to monro. We had prit wether except the last 2 or 3 days. we left Monro Satureday morning and got here the next morning. we went about a hundred miles in about 24 hours. a feller never lerns eanything til he pais for it thou here he pais for mor then he lerns. he lerns a heap but he pais for a heap mor. we generally had bred and bacon and coffee but for the last three or four days we have had a little pore beef and a little pore barly and meal brand and a little coffy mixt together it makes a little sort of slop and nothing to shorten with and flour and peas and a little grise and you may guse how it eats. We will draw a little _____ Saturday. I have not had but one good meal of vituals since I left home. Tell Cousin Beacy a good glas of cream and a plate of butter would be worth something to me jest about now. we have orders to leave here in a few days. we will go to Clarksville, ten. I will be glad when the day comes. we will alect our officers as soon as all of the regiment gets here and then we will have a ______ of our own. I heard that Huett had started here but he has not get here yet. I look for him every day. Jerry they have got the measles in a hundred yards of us tho we have not got them yet. they are ten thousand volunteers on the ground here at this plase. they ain't eany of them volunteers for but twelve months. if the war lasts more than twelve months we are gone under. they are lots of the boys wish they was at home. we drill about 6 or 7 hours in a day. Cournel Greg __________ they have been several battles fought lately. we whip them every time. Memphist is the largest town I ever saw and a beautiful plase. they are amaking canons and bom shells and grapeshot and cannon balls. everyday the cares is as thick as the wagons is at our mill of a good grinding day. you can hear them _____ all of the time. I have not went down to Uncle Terry yet. I think I will go in a few days. I can staret here at 6 oclock in the morning and git there at 4 in the evening. I have no herd from home since I left. it would be the greatest sadisfaction to me in the world for me. you all tell them all to write to me and I will try answer all of ther letters. tell them to rite soon and rite long letters. if one can't fil it out tell all of them to put a little in. You must excuse bad spelling for have not got time to spel my words and have to write on a board on my lap. tell Cousin Jim that I have not shaved since I was out ther. Tell him I have _______ set and if he has not go anof jest to come over and I will let him have some grafts ______ that is ______. so farwell til the next time. I trust in God that I will se you all again
G W Steward back your letter to the Cear of Capt Moody and Gregg regiment. give my love to all the family and reserve_____ portion for yourself and allot the inquiring friends & to the girls aspesshily. write soon. back your letter to Memphist first.. NOTES: George Washington Steward Jr. died on December 7, 1861 at Hopkinsville, KY. He was 20 years old.
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The article below details the movement of young George Washington Steward's short military career. Note the comparisons between his letters and the facts below...sadly matching perfectly.
By the middle of June, 1861, John Gregg was back in Texas with the purpose of raising a regiment of troops……At Fairfield, during the late summer and early fall of 1861, W. L. Moody was engaged in organizing a company of volunteers to serve in Gregg's Regiment…...This company of ninety-five men, rank and file....rendezvoused in the vicinity of Marshall on September 30 (1861).......Scarcely had Moody's company arrived at Marshall before Gregg received orders from Richmond to forward his regiment as early as possible to Memphis, Tennessee. On the 9th of October (1861), six companies took up the march to Monroe, Louisiana. From there they went by railroad to Nashville by way of ……..Memphis, thence by boat to Clarksville and later to Hopkinsville, KY……Captain Moody's company became Company G of the regiment.....During November, December and January, the weather was so severe, sickness and disease infested the camps near Clarksville, Tennessee, and Hopkinsville, KY and Gregg's regiment suffered terribly. By the 25th of January, 1862, one hundred and thirty-nine men had died of measles, pneumonia, diarrhea, flux and other maladies. Moody's company suffered most severely; ninety-five men had left Texas early in October and thought not a shot had been fired in battle, twenty-three men were dead before the last of January.
*Source: Extracts from History of Freestone County Texas, by the Freestone County Historical Commission, 1978, Vol I, p. 19, Repository: Personal Copy
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"The following companies were in active service (Freestones Freeman).....Captain W. L. Moody.....Stewart, G. W.
*Source: History of Freestone County, by the Freestone County Historical Commission, Vol I, 1979, Repository: Personal Copy, pp. 42, 43
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"Peck's reserved Company --the 'Braxton Bragg Calavary'...Captain Wm. M. Peck....Stewart, H. B., Stewart, G. W.
*Source: History of Freestone County, by the Freestone County Historical Commission, Vol I, 1979, Repository: Personal Copy, pp. 42
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George Washington Steward, JR died of measles and pneumonia.
*Source: Steward Family Bible (copy in files)
Elkanah BABBIT (BOBET)
"Elizabeth [T.P.R. Brigs] and Elkannah Bobit, June 25, 1689* intention not recorded."
*Source: "Taunton Mass. Vol. II, Vital Records to 1850", Taunton Marriages pg. 63
He resided in Berkley. His lands were partly in Dighton as the town boundaries were then located.
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 31
Various deeds to his children:
Feb 14, 1711-1712, Elkanah Babbit, Senior of Taunton, Husbandman, in conideration of parental love and affection for well-beloved son Elkanah Babbit, husbandman, give said Elkanah, land lying on east side of dwelling house between that and the Island Road, so-called, about 100 acres. Adjoining Isaac Hataway, Samuel Richmond and John Crane. Feb. 17, 1728-1729. Elkanah Babbitt of Taunton, yeoman. In consideration of love and natural affection which I bear my son, Josiah Babbitt of said Taunton, yeoman, deed him 1-3 part on the northeast corner of my homestead or farm.
Feb 17, 1728-1729. Elkanah Babbitt of Taunton, yeoman, in consideration of love and natural affection I bear my son Benjamin Babbitt of Taunton, yeoman, deed him 1/3 part on the westerly side of my homestead or farm lying partly in Taunton and partly in Dighton, on each side of township line, about 43 3/4 acres, (deed mention the place where Elkanah BAbbit house formerly stood which was burnt.)
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, pp. 31-32
WILL OF ELKANAH BABBITT
Bristol Co. Probate Records, Book 8, Page 316.
In the name of God Amen, I Elkanah Babbit of Berkley in ye County of Briftol in ye province of ye Mafsachufets Bay in new England: Being of sound memory and difpofing mind through Divine Goodness: Do make this to be my Last will and teftament my foul I Commit to God in Christ my mercyfull favior; my body to ye Earth by Deacent burial, the wordly Eftate that God hath Given me I difpofe of as follweth Imprimis:
To my fon Elkanah Babbit I have all Rady Given by Deed of Gift that part of my homeftead that Lately Belonged to ye township of Dighton whare my sd fon have allrady built an houfe whare he now dwels. Reference to fd deed being had more fully may appear and I Doe By thefe Present Ratefy and Confirm fd Gift unto my fd fon his heirs and affigns for ever;
fecondly to my other three fons namely Jofiah Babbitt, Benjamin Babbit, Jofeph Babbit; I have all Rady Given by Deed of Gift my homeftead to be equally Divided between them my three younger fons Containing to Each of them about fourty five acres apeace more of Les to my fd fon Jofiah ye north eaft part of my homeftead to my fd fon Benjamin -----one third part being ye northweft part of my homeftead and I Do hearby Confirm fd Gift to them and their heirs and affigns for ever...
and to my younger fon Jofeph Abbbit one third part of my homeftead being ye fouth Eaft fide thare of whare my Dwelling houfe now ftands to him my fd fon Joseph I have Given him his third part by a Deed intailed and I Doe hear by Ratefie and Confirm fd Deed of Gift with that intal; vis: to my fd fon Joseph Dureing his natural Life and after him to ye heirs begotten by ye body of my fd fon Jofeph; I give my three fons Laft mentioned to wit jofiah, Benjamin and Jofeph my whole Right or fhear in ye bare fwamp and to their heris and affigns for Ever to be Equally Divided between them; and I allfo Give unto my fd fon Jofeph one Cow and one heafer and my mare and Cart and wheels and one bed and beding and one Iron pot; which fd moveables above mentioned are not to come in ye hands of my fd fon Jofeph untill after ye Deceaf of my wife;
and I Doe hear by thefe prefnats Confititute and appoint James Phillips and Gerfhom Crane Both of fd Berdley as over fears of my fd fon Jofeph in all Confearns Rael and personal and that my fd fon Jofeph shall not Difpofe of any thing to him conveyed with out ye advife and Cofent of fd over feers; and to my beloved wife Elizabeth I Give ye Improvement of all my moveables Dureing her natural Life and to her Difpofe all Excepting what my Executors hereafter mentioned fhal have accation o fye Difpofal of to pay Legaces Given to my Daughters hear mentioned and for ye payment of my Juft Debts and funeral Charges that I Referve out of my moveables for my Executors to Improve and Dispofe of as aforefd.
I Give unto my five Daughters, namely Damaris Hathway wife of Ifaac Hathway, Dorcus Harvey wife of Ebenezer Harvey, hopestill Phillips wife of James Phillips, Elizabeth Holloway wife of Malachy Holloway, farah Briggs wife of David Briggs Junr; to Each of them I have Given and they have all Rady Recd formerly Each of them a bed and Beding and fome other things and It is to be Remembered that my Daughter Dorcus Recd a bed and bedding and fum other things of me before her marriage:
I allfo Give to my five Daughters afore metioned, Demaris, Dorcus, hopestill, Elizabeth, farah -- fourty fhillings apeace to be paid by my Executors hereafter-mentioned unto Each of my Daughters afore mentioned which sd fum of fourty fhillings is to be paid unto my Daughters after ye Deceaf of my wife further my will is If any of my moveable Eftate Remains unfent or not Difpofed of by my wife as aofre fd Expecting what what my Executors fhall Improve for ye payment of my Juft Debts and Legaces afore fd, fhall after ye Deceaf of my wife be Equally Dividedbetween my fd five Dauthers:
I allfo Give unto my beloved wife ye im provement of my Dwelling houfe Dureing my widdow___. It if to be underftood that my fd wifes maintenance Dureing her natural Life or Dureing my widdow is to be provided for out of ye ufe and Improvement of my homeftead ye whole of it:
Laftly, I appoint my two Eldeft fons, namely Elkanah and Jofiah, to be Joynt Executors of this my Laft will and teftament. Inteftamony hear of I ye fd Elkanah Babbit have hear unto fet my hand and feal this twenty fecond day of December in ye ninth year of ye Regin of our foverigne Lord King George ye fecond over Grate Brittain &c annoqud in one thoufand feven hundred and thirty five 1735.
figned fealed and Declared
to be his Laft will and teftament
In prefants of us ------
Abial atwood (Signed) Elkanah Bobbit
Israel Briggs
John Crane.
*Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, pp. 32-34 (Notes, the spelling is exactly as in the book, I added spacing and some punctuation to give clarity--lcw)
NOTE: The birthdates for Elkanah's children, Elkanah, Damaris, Dorcas, Hopestill, Elizabeth and Mercy came from The Babbit Family History Book - birthdates for the other children likely came from the internet (unfortunately I did not record the source for these).
Elizabeth BRIGGS
There are two versions of Eliz. Brigg's parentage: the one in the 1912 book, William Briggs & Sarah Macumber; and the one that most researchers more recently have concluded is correct (from the highly regarded 1966 Briggs Family genealogy, and an April 1971 article in NEHGR by Edna Hannibal & Claude Barlow which states specifically that Eliz. Briggs dtr of Wm & Sarah is often mistaken for Eliz Briggs (3), Jonathan (2), Clement (1) who m. Elkanah Babbitt): Eliz Briggs who m. Elk. Babbitt was dtr of Jonathan Briggs & Experience Harvey. Some sources quote her name as Elizabeth Macumber (Macomber) Briggs, but no proof has been found to support this as her middle name.
*Source: Internet and misc books
Damaris BABBITT
Damaris Babbitt married Isaac Hathaway, son of Isaac Hathaway and Mary Pitts. She was born on 18 Jun 1691 in Berkley, Bristol, Mass. *Source: Internet
Mercy BABBITT
Died young. *Source: The Babbit Family History, 1643-1900 compiled by William Bradford Browne, Taunton, Mass 1912, p. 31
Joseph BABBITT
He may have died young. No mention is made of him in his father's will.
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