Blanton Family Roots & Branches

Searching the Family History Library Catalog

2012-01-13T12:40:00.001-06:00

Sometimes it takes perseverance to find what you are looking for in the Family History Library (FHL) catalog. Yesterday I was searching for copies of the early tax lists (1832-1836) of St. Francis County, Arkansas and I almost gave up my search too soon.

I began my search on the FHL Catalog search site on the new FamilySearch web site at: https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog. I searched under Place-names for Arkansas, St. Francis. Under Taxation they had two records: one showed tax records from various years from 1867 to 1890, and the other was real estate taxes from 1889 to 1890. Neither of those would help me.

Then I went to the Arkansas History Commission and State Archives web site at http://www.ark-ives.com/. They had lists of county records which they have on microfilm. On each listing, they gave the Arkansas Archives microfilm number, plus the FHL number for each film. Every film except two – the two which contained the 1832 to 1870 St. Francis County Tax Books – had a corresponding FHL film number. So this indicated to me that the tax records which I needed had not been filmed by the FHL.

Not being one to give us easily, I went back to the FHL web site. This time I went to the old site found at: http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp. I searched that catalog for St. Francis County, Arkansas and found the same results that I had found on the new web site. I even looked under all of the categories in St. Francis County to make sure that I was not overlooking the film.

I gave up my search for a while, but I just kept thinking that a copy of that film had to be somewhere else besides in the Arkansas Archives in Little Rock. It just didn’t make sense that all of the other films for that county were at the FHL except the tax lists.

I went back to the FHL catalog for the third time and searched using several different search terms to try to find the film with the tax records. None of these searches turned up the tax lists that I needed. It finally dawned on me to look in the State of Arkansas records in the FHL catalog.

So, I searched for Arkansas and found 164 topics in that category, including Taxation. Under Taxation, I found Arkansas Tax Records, 1821 – 1884, Arkansas, State Auditor. I clicked on the title and on View Film Notes (I was still on the old FHL site), scrolled down, and there it was: Arkansas county tax records St. Francis County, 1832-1836, 1838. The exact records that I need! Now why did they make these records so hard to find? Why are they not listed under the St. Francis, Arkansas list? Why does the Arkansas Archives web site not have the FHL film number for the tax records listed like all the other films? Had I not kept looking and looking, I would never have found this set of films.

I went back to the new FHL Catalog site and did some searching. I searched under Titles for St. Francis County Arkansas tax, St. Francis tax, and Arkansas tax. The only time I got the results for the early tax records for St. Francis County was when I searched using only the search terms Arkansas tax. So, you have to be creative when searching the FHL catalog. Don’t assume that all of the county records are listed under that county. I will remember from now on when looking for county records to also check the state records because not all county records are listed under the county.

Family Events for January

2012-01-04T10:39:00.000-06:00

12 January 1854 – Thomas L. Davis & Martha Emmaline Farris were married

16 January 1866 – Thomas Edwin Nix was born

17 January 1914 – Jordon Omer Griffith & Mabel B. Nix were married

21 January 1860 – William Edwin Nix & Georgia Ann Reid were married

21 January 1862 – Nancy Caroline “Tommie” Davis was born

22 January 1860 – Martin Van Buren Mills & Mary Frances Armstrong were married

24 January 1796 – Martha “Patsy” Harvey was born

24 January 1831 – William Edwin Nix was born

31 January 1796 – James Gresham Davis was born

Esther’s Place

2011-10-12T15:19:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, Lisa over at Are You My Cousin? announced her new venture, Esther’s Place, an online store for heritage crafts. She sponsored a give away and I was the lucky winner of a heritage decorative tile. I received the gift yesterday, and I wanted to share it with everyone. These would make great Christmas gifts for family members. I used my favorite picture of my 2nd great grandparents, John Martin Blanton and Julia Ann McAnear. I have the decorative tile sitting on my bookcase beside my computer so that I can see it every day. Thanks, Lisa, for a wonderful gift!

This Is The Face of Genealogy

2011-06-05T14:31:00.000-05:00

My paternal Great Great Grandparents
John Martin Blanton &
Julia Ann McAnear

Civil War Ancestors

2011-04-12T05:00:00.019-05:00

April 12, 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. In recognition of this anniversary, I would like to pay tribute to my ancestors who fought in that war.

JOHN MARTIN BLANTON
My great great grandfather
Company E, 23rd Texas Cavalry, Gould’s Regiment
Born 26 Nov 1827, Alabama
Died 8 Dec 1873, Cass County, Texas
Buried: Unknown

THOMAS L. DAVIS
My great great grandfather
Company I, 31st Louisiana Infantry, Sparrow Cadets
Captured 4 Jul 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi
Born 15 Oct 1830, Fayette County, Georgia
Died 21 Jul 1863, Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi
Buried: Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi

JONATHAN J. MILLS
My great great great grandfather
Johnson Cavalry, Rock Creek Guards, Johnson County, Texas
Born 10 May 1803, North Carolina
Died 10 Oct 1878, Johnson County, Texas
Buried: Prairie Springs Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas

MARTIN VAN BUREN MILLS
My great great grandfather
Company C, 21st Texas Infantry, Griffin’s Regiment &
13th Regiment Texas Cavalry
Born 2 Jun 1837, Illinois
Died 8 Nov 1926, Johnson County, Texas
Buried: Prairie Springs Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas

RUFUS K. PRESTIDGE
My great great grandfather
Company K, 37th Texas Cavalry, Terrell’s Regiment
Born 24 Mar 1842, Mississippi
Died 4 Aug 1918, Van Zandt County, Texas
Buried: Prairie Springs Cemetery, Van Zandt County, Texas

WILLIAM H. ROSE
My great great grandfather
Company D & Company I, 6th Missouri Infantry &
Company D, 8th Missouri Infantry
Born 7 Aug 1840, Lawrence County, Ohio
Died 18 Feb 1900, Montague County, Texas
Buried: Smyrna Cemetery, Montague County, Texas

Thomas L. Davis, Civil War Vet

2011-04-09T21:19:00.006-05:00

On 21 January 1862, my great grandmother, Nancy Caroline Davis, was born in Union Parish, Louisiana to Thomas L. and Martha Emmaline (Farris) Davis. She was their third child.

Two months later on the 16th March 1862 in Monroe, Louisiana, Thomas L. Davis enlisted as a Private in Company I, 31st Louisiana Infantry.

The 31st Infantry was engaged in several battles. In December 1862, they fought at Chickasaw Bayou near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Then in May 1863, they were engaged in the battle at Port Gibson, Mississippi. On the 22 of May 1863, they helped to hold off Union forces at Vicksburg only to be overtaken on the 4th of July 1863. Several men of the 31st were killed at Vicksburg including Colonel S. H. Griffin, their company commander. The rest of the men, including Thomas L. Davis, were taken as prisoners of war.

In order to be released, the prisoners were forced to sign an oath stating that they would no longer fight for the Confederacy. Thomas L. Davis signed the oath on 13 July 1863. Once the oath was signed the men were free to return to their homes. It is not known when Thomas Davis began his trip home to Union County, Louisiana; however, he never made it back to his wife and three children. He died near Natchez, Mississippi on or about 21 July 1863. In his honor, the following letter was written to his wife and children by their church.

(Click on letter to view a larger copy.)

The Baptist Church at Mount Olive [Louisiana]
In Memory of Brother Thomas L. Davis

Bro Davis was born in Fayett County, Ga on the 15th of Oct 1830 Emigrated with his Farther James G Davis to Arkansas in 1840 and to this State & Parish (after the Death of his Farther in 1846) where he lived, the most of his time til he volinteered in the Service of his cuntry on the 16th of March 1862 he made a good and faithful Soldier up to the time of his illness which he bore with christian fortitude he was in Siege at Vicksberg, was surrendered a prisnor of War on the 4th of July 1863 Died on his way home on the 21st day of July 1863 and was buried at or near Natches. He was married on Jan 12th 1854 to M E Farris the Daughter of Elias Farris, He was united to this church by Experiance & Baptism in Sept 1859 of which his wife was a member he made a consistant and pias member He was an affectionate husband, a kind farther a good nabour and a worthy citizen (Resolved) that we deepley simpathise with our bereaved, Sister Davis & children and the relations in the Loss of her Husband, We feel that we have lost in the person of Bro Davis a useful member we feel our Loss to be his gain and do not sorrow as those who hav no hope We feel that we will meet him where Husbands & Wives children friends & christians will part no more Resolved, that the above be spread on the church Book and a copy be sent to the Widow & children of our Brother
Don[e] in conferance on Saturday, before the 2nd Sabbath in Oct 1863

                               H. R. Elkins
                                              Moderator
                               M. M. Harris
                                          Church Clerk

This post was written for Bill West's The American Civil War Genealogy Blog Challenge. Thanks, Bill, for the inspiration!

Copyright © 2011 Debbie Blanton McCoy.
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Tombstone Tuesday

2010-02-09T11:00:00.002-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

Henry H. Slaughter
9 Mar 1852
24 Feb 1892
[Son of William A. & Sarah Jane (Wise) Slaughter]

Zilphia Slaughter
16 June 1854
4 Sept 1935
[Daughter of Levi Benjamin & Savannah (Sloan) Faulk]

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Tombstone Tuesday

2010-02-02T07:02:00.002-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

William A. Slaughter
1813 – 1896

Sarah Jane (Wise) Slaughter
1824-1890

Parents of Sarah Frances Slaughter

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Tombstone Tuesday

2010-01-26T06:00:00.003-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

Udora Josephine Prestidge Harris
1 Dec 1870
30 Mar 1962
Daughter of Rufus K. &
Sarah F. (Slaughter) Prestidge

Alford N. Harris
28 Oct 1861
8 Oct 1946
Husband of Udora Josephine Prestidge
Married 25 July 1888
Van Zandt County, Texas

Spelling of Udora’s name was taken from her death certificate.

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Tombstone Tuesday

2010-01-19T06:00:00.032-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery

Van Zandt County, Texas

Raymond Prestidge

1 June 1911

20 October 1976

Son of Obediah Dee &

Lula Grace (Goolsby) Prestidge

Sally E. Prestridge

1888 - 1889

John M. Prestridge

1890 - 1893

Son & Daughter of William A. &

Susan L. (Wright) Prestridge

Susie L. (Wright) Prestridge
1867 - 1895
1st Wife of William A. Prestridge

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Happy 101 Award

2010-01-10T00:49:00.001-06:00

Becky Jamison at Grace and Glory has awarded me the Happy 101 Award. Thank you, Becky! I appreciate the award and thank you for reading my blog.

I am supposed to list 10 things that make me happy and list 10 blogs to whom I want to pass on this award.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

My family
My friends
Flowers
Spring
Chocolate
Sunshine
Sunsets
Traveling
Being retired
Doing genealogy and all the wonderful friends I have met because of this great hobby

10 Blogs I would like to nominate for this award:

A Canadian Family

All My Ancestors

Be Not Forgot

Bluebonnet Country Genealogy

My Tombstone Collection

We Tree

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T16:46:00.001-06:00

Happy new year to all of my Blanton family cousins and my Geneablogger friends. I truly appreciate those of you who have read and commented on my blog this year.

I’m not one to make a bunch of New Year’s Resolutions, but I have a few in mind. I have only made 31 posts to my blog this year and I will try to do better next year. I am not a writer like many of the wonderful Geneabloggers. I started this blog to give out more information about the families I am researching. I’m not sure where I will go with my blog this year, but I’m hoping to get more of my family information on here. I have the majority of it on my web site, but it doesn’t hurt to have it in two places.

I’m also hoping to join at least one of the nearby genealogical societies where many of my ancestors lived. Now that I’m living nearby, it will be possible for me to attend their meetings. I would also love to go to one of the genealogy conferences, but I’m not sure if I can make that happen this year.

Happy New Year everyone. Here’s wishing that we all make some wonderful discoveries this year and break down some of those brick walls!

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-12-08T18:50:00.002-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

Obediah Dee Prestidge
8 Feb 1875
9 July 1932

Lula Grace (Goolsby) Prestidge
10 Jan 1895
15 Aug 1972

Jerry Goolsby
1865 – 1931
Father of Lula Grace Goolsby

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Tombstone Tuesday

2009-11-24T12:20:00.006-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

John T. Prestidge
Born
Dec 1, 1862
Died
Mar 15, 1886

S. C. Prestidge
Born March 20, 1878
Died Jan 1, 1897
My Darling Boy Is
Gone But Not Forgotten
(Scott C. Prestidge)

Larkin C. Son of
R. K. & S. F. Prestidge
Born
Mar 13, 1883
Died
Oct 4, 1899

All three of the above were sons of Rufus & Sarah (Slaughter) Prestidge. Although John’s birth date on his tombstone is 1 Dec 1862, I believe he was actually born in 1860. His sister, Mary Jane, is always shown as being two years younger than John in every census in which they appeared together, and in the Hood County, Texas school records. According to census records and her tombstone, Mary Jane was born in Dec 1862.

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Saturday Night Genealogy Fun – Who is Your MRUA?

2009-11-21T21:13:00.005-06:00

Randy Seaver’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun this week is to tell about your Most Recent Unknown Ancestor and to identify what resources you might use to find him or her.

My Most Recent Unknown Ancestors are the parents of my great great grandfather, William M. Saunders. He is number 20 on my pedigree chart and his parents would be numbers 40 and 41.

William Saunders married L. J. (Louisa J.) Scarborough on the 15 Dec 1859 in Anderson County, TX. The 1860 Anderson County, TX census shows William M. Sanders, age 18, born in Texas and L. J. Sanders, age 20, born in Arkansas. Louisa’s brother, John Scarborough, age 18, born in Arkansas, is living with them.
Louisa’s parents have already moved on to Johnson County, Texas by 1860. There are no other Saunders/Sanders families living in Anderson County that could be the parents of William. I have searched at the Anderson County courthouse for deeds for William and found none. More than likely, he did not own land there.

William and Louisa had two sons: William Henry Saunders (my great grandfather), born in Feb 1862 and John M., born in Sept 1863.

I believe that William and Louisa moved to Bosque County, Texas between 1860 and 1866. William Saunders died sometime before July 1866, as Louisa married David Henry Eddleman on 12 July 1866 in Bosque County, Texas.

The only reference to William's death is found in the Probate Minutes of Bosque County, Texas, Volume D1, page 619. It reads as follows:

Thursday, Nov. 1st 1866
#95 D. H. Eddleman Guardian of the minors William H. Sanders & John M. Sanders heirs at law.
This case coming to be heard and the court being satisfied Petition had been filed and notice given as the law requires It is therefore ordered by the Court that D. H. Eddleman be appointed guardian of the Person and Estate of the Minors William H & John M. Sanders and that letters of Guardianship do issue as soon as he shall have filed in this Court a sufficient Bond. Ordered this case be continued until the next regular Term.
There were no other minutes on this case. Either David Eddleman never filed the bond, or it is missing from the records.

I have searched for records of Civil War soldiers, thinking that William may have been killed in the war. I have searched for deeds, probates and a Will and have not found anything telling me about the life of William, nor found even a hint as to whom his parents were.

I searched the 1850 census in Texas looking for a William Saunders born around 1842. I found one family with a William M. Saunders, age 8, which fits my William’s age exactly, as does the middle initial. The father in that family was also named William and he and his wife had several young children in 1850. I cannot find this family in the 1860 census, nor can I find any trace of them in Anderson County or Bosque County; therefore, I don’t know if this is the right family or not.

I have also searched in Arkansas where Louisa’s Scarborough family was living. That did not produce any results, either.

What to do now? I would like to go back to Bosque County and do more searching just to make sure that I didn’t miss something the first time. I also need to check the deeds to see if perhaps Louisa (Scarborough) Eddleman disposed of any land that could have belonged to her and William. In the meantime, I will keep doing periodic searches on the internet and on Ancestry with the hopes of finding another relative who is researching this line.

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Tombstone Tuesday

2009-11-17T19:28:00.002-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

Jessie
Dau. of
R. K. & S. F.
Prestidge
Born
Nov 1 1888
Died
Nov 21 1888

Nancy A.
Dau. of
R. K. & S. F.
Prestidge
Born
Aug 4 1890
Died
Jan 12 1903

Sentha
Dau of
R. K. & S. F.
Prestidge
Born
4 Aug 1890
Died
8 Sep 1890

Tombstone is now missing.
Information taken from an old
Van Zandt Cemetery book.

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Surname Saturday – Prestridge

2009-11-14T12:08:00.002-06:00

MY PRESTRIDGE ANCESTORS

5. Josephine Milam Saunders, daughter of William Henry Saunders and Mary Jane Prestidge, was born on 25 Jul 1900 in Glen Rose, Somervell County, Texas, died on 23 Aug 1986 in Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas at age 86, and was buried in West Bridgeport Cemetery, Wise County, Texas. Josephine married Wilbur Alexander Blanton, Sr. on 26 May 1921 in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas.
11. Mary Jane Prestidge, daughter of Rufus K. Prestidge and Sarah Frances Slaughter, was born in Dec 1862 in Van Zandt County, Texas, died on 7 Jun 1905 in Glen Rose, Somervell County, Texas at age 42, and was buried in Squaw Creek Cemetery, Somervell County, Texas. Mary married William Henry Saunders about 1881 in Texas.
22. Rufus K. Prestidge, son of Obediah C. Prestridge and Mary Gilmer, was born on 24 Mar 1842 in Mississippi, died on 4 Aug 1918 in Grand Saline, Van Zandt County, Texas at age 76, and was buried in Prairie Springs Cemetery, Van Zandt County, Texas. Rufus married Sarah Frances Slaughter on 28 Dec 1859 in Van Zandt County, Texas.
44. Obediah C. Prestridge, son of Larkin Prestridge and Alcy Campbell, was born about 1806 in Georgia, died after 1880 in Hood County, Texas, and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Hood County, Texas. Obediah married Mary Gilmer about 1833 in Alabama or Mississippi.
88. Larkin Prestridge, son of John Prestridge, Jr. and Elizabeth Walters, was born about 1774 in Virginia and died on 10 Aug 1858 in Cherokee County, Texas about age 84. Larkin married Alcy Campbell about 1796.
176. John Prestridge, Jr. son of John Prestridge, Sr. and Ann, was born about 1752 in Virginia and died about 1818 in Franklin County, Georgia about age 66. John married Elizabeth Walters about 1772 in Virginia.
352. John Prestridge, Sr. was born about 1730 in Virginia and died in 1791 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia about age 61. John married Ann about 1750 in Virginia.

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-11-10T10:11:00.010-06:00

Rufus K. & Sarah F. (Slaughter) Prestridge
share a tombstone in Prairie Springs Cemetery,
Van Zandt County, Texas.

Rufe K. Prestridge
Born
Mar 24 1842
Died
Aug 4 1918

Sarah F. Prestridge
Born
Dec 24 1844
Died
Dec 31 1915

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Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Blanton Surname Distribution

2009-11-07T20:28:00.002-06:00

Randy Seaver’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun asks participants to determine the distribution of their surname using the World Names Public Profiler.

I searched my Blanton surname and received the following results.

The United States had the largest concentration worldwide of the Blanton surname with 94.7 persons per million. Canada was second with 0.92 persons per million, then the United Kingdom with 0.9 persons per million and Germany with 0.11 persons per million.

In the United States, the three states with the highest concentration of Blantons were Kentucky with 520 persons per million, South Carolina with 518 persons per million and North Carolina with 415 persons per million.

Next, I looked at the distribution of Blantons in Texas. This was surprising. The highest concentration was in Clay County. One of David Blanton's sons, Charles Wesley Blanton, lived in nearby Wilbarger County, but his children moved to other counties. The second highest concentration was in Rusk County. These are possibly ancestors of a branch of Blantons from North Carolina who settled in Rusk County in the 1800's.

Thanks, Randy, for the interesting assignment.

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Tombstone Tuesday

2009-11-03T06:30:00.003-06:00

Prairie Springs Cemetery
Van Zandt County, Texas

Prairie Springs Cemetery is located on Highway 64 just a few miles southeast of Canton, Texas. According to the historical marker in the cemetery, it dates back to 1866.

I have 29 family members buried in this cemetery, mostly from my Prestridge and Slaughter lines. Most of their tombstones can be found in two rows in the northeast corner of the cemetery.

When I lived in east Texas, I was only about an hour away from the cemetery and I visited it often. It is one of my favorite cemeteries and I stopped by there on a recent trip to Longview. I don’t know why I keep being drawn back there, but maybe one day it will lead to a discovery.

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Tombstone Tuesday

2009-10-27T04:00:00.022-05:00

Nancy C. (Blanton) Oakes
Wife of
James W. Oakes
Born
May 27, 1807
Died
April 15, 1878

James W. Oakes
Born
June 12, 1800
Died
Feb 25, 1885

Key Cemetery
Morgan County, Alabama

This cemetery is located west of Falkville in Morgan County, Alabama, on private property off of Key Turney Road. The man who owns the house and the land where the cemetery is located was very friendly and was nice enough to open the gate so that we could drive down to the cemetery. It was a very beautiful and peaceful place. According to family records, Nancy C. Blanton was the daughter of Isaac Blanton, and is my 3rd great grand aunt.

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Saturday Night Fun – My Great Great Grandparents

2009-08-09T19:06:00.006-05:00

Randy Seaver’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun looked like too much fun this week, so I was forced to put aside the boxes that I am unpacking from my recent move and play along. I'm a little late as it is now Sunday night, not Saturday; but here is the list of my 16 great great grandparents:
16. John Martin Blanton, son of David Blanton and Susannah Snow, was born on 26 Nov 1827 in Walker County, Alabama, died on 8 Dec 1873 in Cass County, Texas at age 46, and was buried in Cass County, Texas.
John married Julia Ann McAnear on 10 Sep 1850 in Clarksville, Red River County, Texas.
17. Julia Ann McAnear, daughter of Alexander McAnear and Elizabeth Blanton, was born on 4 Dec 1831 in Alabama, died on 24 Oct 1915 in Johnson County, Texas at age 83, and was buried in Marystown Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas.
Julia married John Martin Blanton on 10 Sep 1850 in Clarksville, Red River County, Texas.
18. Martin Van Buren Mills, son of Jonathan J. Mills and Mary Faulkner, was born on 2 Jun 1837 in Illinois, died on 8 Nov 1926 in Johnson County, Texas at age 89, and was buried in Prairie Springs Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas.
Martin married Mary Frances Armstrong on 22 Jan 1860 in Johnson County, Texas.
19. Mary Frances Armstrong, daughter of John Armstrong and Sarah Morris, was born on 20 Jun 1838 in Kentucky, died on 31 Dec 1928 in Johnson County, Texas at age 90, and was buried in Prairie Springs Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas.
Mary married Martin Van Buren Mills on 22 Jan 1860 in Johnson County, Texas.
20. William M. Saunders, probable son of William T. Saunders and Jemima, was born about 1842 in Texas and died before Jul 1866 in Bosque County, Texas.
William married Louisa J. Scarborough on 15 Dec 1859 in Anderson County, Texas.
21. Louisa J. Scarborough, daughter of John Scarborough and Sarah, was born on 6 Dec 1840 in Union County, Arkansas, died on 11 Aug 1911 in Tolar, Hood County, Texas at age 70, and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Hood County, Texas. She was usually called Eliza.
Eliza married William M. Saunders on 15 Dec 1859 in Anderson County, Texas.
Eliza next married David H. Eddleman on 12 Jul 1866 in Bosque County, Texas.
22. Rufus K. Prestidge, son of Obediah C. Prestridge and Mary Gilmer, was born on 24 Mar 1842 in Mississippi, died on 4 Aug 1918 in Grand Saline, Van Zandt County, Texas at age 76, and was buried in Prairie Springs Cemetery, Van Zandt County, Texas.
Rufus married Sarah Frances Slaughter on 28 Dec 1859 in Van Zandt County, Texas.
23. Sarah Frances Slaughter, daughter of William A. Slaughter and Sarah Jane Wise, was born on 24 Dec 1844 in Jasper County, Georgia, died on 31 Dec 1915 in Van Zandt County, Texas at age 71, and was buried in Prairie Springs Cemetery, Van Zandt County, Texas. She was usually called Sallie.
Sallie married Rufus K. Prestidge on 28 Dec 1859 in Van Zandt County, Texas.
24. Harvey Griffith was born about 1818 in Tennessee and died about 1860 in Madison County, Arkansas about age 42.
Harvey married Anna Poyner about 1840 in Tennessee.
25. Anna Poyner, daughter of John Poyner and Elizabeth Griffith, was born in 1819 in Tennessee and died from 1856 to 1859 in Arkansas at age 37.
Anna married Harvey Griffith about 1840 in Tennessee.
26. Thomas L Davis, son of James G. Davis and Unknown, was born on 15 Oct 1830 in Fayette County, Georgia, died on 21 Jul 1863 in Natchez, Adams County , Mississippi at age 32, and was buried in Natchez, Adams County , Mississippi.
Thomas married Martha Emmaline Farris on 12 Jan 1854.
27. Martha Emmaline Farris, daughter of Elias Farris and Martha, was born on 15 Dec 1835 in Alabama, died on 21 May 1913 in Logan County, Arkansas at age 77, and was buried in Bethel Cemetery, Logan County, Arkansas.
Martha married Thomas L Davis on 12 Jan 1854.
Martha next married Richard M. Gilbert in 1865 in Union Parish, Louisiana.
28. William Edwin Nix, possible son of Elijah Nix and Martha, was born in 1831 in Georgia, died in 1890 in Sunset, Montague County, Texas at age 59, and was buried in Smyrna Cemetery, Montague County, Texas.
William married Georgia Ann Reid on 21 Jan 1860 in Coosa County, Alabama.
29. Georgia Ann Reid was born in 1845 in Georgia, died in 1895 in Sunset, Montague County, Texas at age 50, and was buried in Smyrna Cemetery, Montague County, Texas.
Georgia married William Edwin Nix on 21 Jan 1860 in Coosa County, Alabama.
30. William H. Rose was born on 7 Aug 1840 in Illinois or Ohio, died on 18 Feb 1900 in Montague County, Texas at age 59, and was buried in Smyrna Cemetery, Montague County, Texas.
William married Hester A. Patterson about 1866 in Missouri.
31. Hester A. Patterson, daughter of James William Patterson and Sarah Jane McHenry, was born on 16 Mar 1850 in Virginia, died on 29 Mar 1894 in Montague County, Texas at age 44, and was buried in Smyrna Cemetery, Montague County, Texas.
Hester married William H. Rose about 1866 in Missouri.

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Puckerbrush Award

2009-06-08T19:07:00.007-05:00

Judy Shuburt from Tennessee Memories gave me the Janice Brown Puckerbrush Blog Award. Thanks, Judy, not only for the award, but also for the kind words that you had to say about me and my blog. I really appreciate you recognizing my blog, even though I have neglected it lately. Judy is among many of the wonderful people who I have met from the Genea-bloggers group on Facebook.

The Puckerbrush Award was started by Terry Thornton of the Hill Country of Monroe County Mississippi blog to honor his friend, Janice Brown. You can read more about the award on his blog here.

As Judy stated in her blog, I have been busy preparing to sell our house and move back to my hometown of Fort Worth. If any of you have ever had your house on the market, you know how time consuming it is to get up and clean every morning just in case someone wants to drop by and look. In addition, I have also been busy creating a website for the chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to which I belong.

I am supposed to give this award to ten blogs, but I believe that all of the blogs that I read have already received the award. I have neglected reading my blogs lately, also. Thanks again, Judy, and I hope to be back blogging soon!

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-04-07T00:30:00.005-05:00

John Wesley Blanton
16 Jan 1862
9 Apr 1956

Sirena C.
Wife of J. W. Blanton
2 Aug 1871
22 June 1909

Marystown Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas

John Wesley Blanton was the son of John Martin Blanton and Julia Ann McAnear. He married Sirena C. Kennedy on the 7 Nov 1899 in Johnson County, Texas. They had 3 children: Leonard A. Blanton, Robert Lee Blanton, and Flora Kyrene Blanton.

Sources provided upon request.

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-03-24T09:10:00.011-05:00

E. J. [Elisha Jackson] Blanton
Husband of Anna E. Blanton
Born
Dec. 23, 1856
Died
May 22, 1891

[Anna E. Blanton was Elisha's second wife.
She is buried in Cleburne Memorial Cemetery.]

Mary Jane [Bockman]
Wife of
E. J. Blanton
Born in Cass Co. Tex
July 21, 1857
Died at Egan, Johnson Co.
Dec. 19, 1882

Little Infant Son
of
E. J. & Mollie Blanton
Born at Egan
Dec. 15 And
Died Dec. 24, 1882
Aged 9 Days

Marystown Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Your Paternal Grandmother's Patrilineal Line

2009-03-23T10:28:00.012-05:00

Randy Seaver had another Saturday night fun at Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Your Paternal Grandmother's Patrilineal Line.

This week's challenge was:

Provide a list of your paternal grandmother's patrilineal line. Answer these questions:

* What was your father's mother's maiden name? Josephine Milam Saunders

* What was your father's mother's father's name? William Henry Saunders

* What is your father's mother's father's patrilineal line? That is, his father's father's father's ... back to the most distant male ancestor in that line?

William Henry Saunder's father was William M. Saunders, born about 1842 in Texas and died between 1862 and 1866, probably in Bosque County, Texas. This is one of my brick wall ancestors. I have not been able to find any information about William M. Saunders' death or his parents.

* Can you identify male sibling(s) of your father's mother, and any living male descendants from those male sibling(s)? If so, you have a candidate to do a Y-DNA test on that patrilineal line. If not, you may have to find male siblings, and their descendants, of the next generation back, or even further.

My grandmother had 2 brothers:

John Saunders b. about 1885. I know nothing else about this brother. He only appears in the 1900 census and I have not been able to find him after that. I don't know if he moved somewhere else, or died at an early age.

James "Rex" Saunders, b. 1892, died after 1960. James moved to Arkansas and had at least 2 sons and a daughter. I need to do more research on his family. It might provide some clues.

My grandmother's mother died when my grandmother was only 5 years old. She had several half-brothers:

Gene Saunders, 1910-1982, no children

Edward "Red" Saunders, 1913-1960, 1 daughter

Milton Saunders, 1916-1970, no children that I have found

Hershel Saunders, 1922-1980, no children

After doing this exercise, I see that I need to do some work on the James Saunders line in Arkansas to see if I could possibly find a living relative. Thanks, Randy, that was fun and informative.

Copyright © 2009-2010 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-03-17T00:01:00.004-05:00

Annie Blanton Bockman
May 20, 1856 Born Cass Co. Texas
Nov. 10, 1874 Married William A. Blanton
Sept. 29, 1884 Died Near Egan

Their Children

Lela Blanton Gober 1878 - 1924

Elmer A. Blanton 1880 - 1964

Blanton
Infant Son of
Wm. A. & Annie B. Blanton
Stillborn
Near Egan, Texas
Sept. 28, 1884

This was my great grandfather's first wife and son who died within one day of each other. Both are buried in Marystown Cemetery, Johnson County, Texas.

Copyright © 2009 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Saturday Night Fun

2009-03-14T21:23:00.005-05:00

Randy Seaver's Saturday Night Fun this week was:

Here's your assignment if you want to play:

1) Go to http://www.wordle.net/ and create a Wordle with your surnames in it. As many as you want.

2) Post it on your blog or web page, and/or print it out and hang it on your wall. Show off your prowess!

3) Tell us what you've done - either in Comments to this post or in your own blog. Brag about your creation! If you want me to post it here, send a JPG file to me at rjseaver@cox.net.

4) Can you make something else really creative or pretty? If so, show us.

Here's my surname Wordle:

Blanton Brothers

2009-03-09T19:51:00.007-05:00

The word prompt for the 11th Edition of Smile For The Camera is brothers & sisters. Were they battling brothers, shy little sisters, or was it brother & sister against the world?

Wilbur Blanton
1900-1977

Horace Blanton
1904-1966

This is my grandfather, Wilbur Blanton, and his brother, Horace. They were the youngest of 8 children born to William and Mirenda (Mills) Blanton (2 of the children died in 1891 before they were born). They also had an older half-brother and half-sister. Wilbur and Horace remained in contact with each other all of their lives, so I can only assume that they were close growing up. I love their clothes in this picture; they are so cute!

Photograph: Wilbur & Horace Blanton, ca. 1910, privately held by Debbie McCoy, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE]. Texas, 2009.

Copyright © 2009 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Mahaley Emaline McAnear

2009-03-02T13:00:00.006-06:00

On the same day in March 1836 that the Republic of Texas was born, another birth was taking place near Clarksville in Red River County. Mahaley Emaline McAnear was born on that day to Alexander and Elizabeth "Betty" (Blanton) McAnear. Alexander and Betty were my 3rd great grandparents and Mahaley Emaline was my great grand aunt. She later married her cousin, Benjamin Blanton.

On her 85th birthday, she wrote an article, probably for the local newspaper. I have a photocopy of the clipping, but the name of the publication was not included. Below is a copy of that article.

OLDEST NATIVE TEXAN LIVING

Mrs. M. E. Blanton, Munday, Knox Co., Texas

On March 2, 1921, I was 85 years old. I was born fourteen miles east of Clarksville, Red River County, Texas, March 2, 1836, the day that Texas declared her independence of Mexico. As far as I know, I am the oldest native Texan now living in Texas. My parents and family of five children came from Alabama to Texas in 1833, settling in Red River County, where I was born three years later. My father's name was Aleck McAnear. In May 1856, we moved to Johnson County, Texas, settling on McAnear Creek (named for my father), just northwest of where the town of Cleburne now stands.

On Jan. 31, 1858, I married Benjamin Blanton. We moved to Cherokee County, Texas, and the following July we moved back to Johnson County. Eight children were born to us, four boys and four girls, all of whom are now living. My husband died March 22, 1919.

We lived sixty-one years in Johnson County, when my two daughters and myself came to Munday to live with my youngest daughter, Mrs. Bettie Rodgers. Only three of my father's family are now living of eleven children. They are Mrs. Ruthy McNeil of Vera Texas, Mrs. Nancy Mathis of Cleburne, Texas, and myself. My husband was in the Civil War. He was in charge of the commissary department and was sent west to collect cattle for the army. He had several narrow escapes from death at the hands of the Indians. In August, 1874, he camped in front of the home of the Huff family in Wise County. The following night the entire family was massacred by Indians.

We old pioneers did our part in freeing Texas from the dominion of the Indians and the desperadoes, and hand the liberated State to posterity without blot or blemish, in the hope that rising generations will keep it from the sordid selfishness and greed of those who may wish to exploit it in the interest of any unworthy or unscrupulous clique, clan, or crew.

Article privately held by Debbie McCoy, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Texas.

Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Texas Independence Day

2009-03-02T01:00:00.002-06:00

One hundred seventy-three years ago, on March 2, 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Convention of 1836 which met at Washington-on-the-Brazos, thus declaring Texas as a free and independent Republic. Happy Birthday, Texas!

Leap Year Day Events

2009-03-01T10:03:00.005-06:00

Randy Seaver's Saturday Night Fun this week was:

* Go into your genealogy database software program and determine which of your ancestors, if any, were born on 29 February.

* Do the same and determine if any of your ancestors married on 29 February.

* If you don't have any ancestors born or married on that day, are there any persons in your entire database born or married on that day.

I found two people in my database who were born on February 29th and no marriages. Who would marry on February 29th? You would only get an anniversary present every 4 years. My results were as follows:

Arabella Carter, Wife of my 1st Cousin 4 times removed
b. 29 Feb 1851 in Alabama
m. William Jasper McAnear 17 Jan 1871 in Red River Co., TX
d. 6 Sep 1938 in Nocona, Montague Co., TX

Sarah Margaret Prestridge, 2nd Cousin twice removed
b. 29 Feb 1908 in Roger Mills Co., OK
m. Preston W. George 8 Jul 1933 in OK
d. 18 Oct 1993 in Oklahoma Co., OK

Margaret, as she was called, was the mother of my good friend and cousin, Burnis, who has shared with me many wonderful stories and information about our Prestridge family.

Copyright © 2009 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Names, Places and Most Wanted Faces

2009-02-28T20:30:00.001-06:00

Craig over at GeneaBlogie suggested the following:

List the surnames you are researching and the general localities. Then tell the names of your “Most Wanted Ancestors,” that is, the ones you most want to find behind that brickwall. (You can tag people if you want; I’ve chosen not to do that here so that all readers are included). Let’s see your lists; maybe we can each help someone out!

Below is a list of the surnames in my genealogy hunt and the places they lived.

Armstrong (KY, TN)
Bickerstaff (GA)
Blanton (VA, TN, AL, AR, TX)
Brothers (VA, GA)
Campbell (NC)
Davis (GA, MS, AR, LA)
Farris (SC, AL, AR)
Faulkner (TN, TX)
Gilmer (AL, TX)
Griffith (TN, AR, TX)
Kimbrough (GA)
McAnear (VA, SC, AL, AR, TX)
McHenry (VA)
Mills (VA, NC, IL, TX)
Morriss (SC, KY, TX)
Nix (GA, AL, TX)
Patterson (VA, MO, TX)
Plant (VA, NC, IL, TX)
Poyner (TN, AR, TX)
Prestridge/Prestidge (VA, GA, AL, MS, TX)
Reid (GA, AL, TX)
Rose (MO, TX)
Saunders (TX)
Scarborough (VA, NC, LA, TX)
Slaughter (VA, GA, TX)
Snow (KY, AL)
Wise (GA, TX)

Most Wanted Ancestors:

The wife and parents of John Blanton, born 1760/1761, probably in VA; lived in east TN, Walker Co., AL, St. Francis Co, AR and Red River Co., TX. Died in Red River Co., TX in Nov. 1840.

The parents of William M. Saunders, born abt. 1842 in Texas; died before July 1866, last living in Bosque Co., TX.

Copyright © 2009 Deborah Blanton McCoy
Do not copy the articles or pictures in this blog without the consent of the author.

Battle of Mansfield

2009-02-27T18:31:00.035-06:00

The Red River Campaign was the Union's effort to capture Texas and take control of the Trans-Mississippi headquarters at Shreveport, Louisiana. Union troops under the command of General N. P. Banks, and Navy troops under Flag Officer D. D. Porter, moved up the Red River through Alexandria, Louisiana to Natchitoches. At that point, General Banks moved away from the Red River and his naval support. He was not expecting to meet Confederate troops until he reached Shreveport.

On the morning of April 7, 1864, Union troops encountered Confederate troops under the command of General Richard Taylor (son of President Zachary Taylor) near Wilson's Farm south of the town of Mansfield. At noon the next day, April 8, 1864, Confederate forces met the Union forces in battle about four miles south of Mansfield. This is where the Mansfield State Historic site is today. The Confederate forces overtook the Union soldiers, taking many prisoners, and causing the Union forces to retreat to Pleasant Hill. The next day, the Battle of Pleasant Hill was fought with both sides sustaining heavy losses and withdrawing. After the two battles, the Union army retreated back to Natchitoches and down the Red River, thus ending the Red River Campaign.

The Battle of Mansfield has been called the most important battle west of the Mississippi. It was the turning point in the Red River Campaign, and it saved Texas from the invasion of Union Troops.

Three sons of my 3rd great grandfather, David Blanton, fought at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill:

John Martin Blanton (1827-1873)
James Elijah Blanton (1842-1919)
David Robert Blanton (1844-1894)

They were members of the 23rd Texas Cavalry Regiment which was assigned to H. Bee's and Debray's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Dept.

The Mansfield State Historic Site is operated by the State of Louisiana. Inside the Interpretive Center, visitors can watch an interesting 10 minute video about the Battle of Mansfield and view several exhibits containing artifacts from the war including weapons, uniforms, letters and diaries.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-02-24T20:16:00.006-06:00

L. J. Wife of
D. H. Eddleman
Dec 6 1840
Aug 11 1911
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Hood County, Texas

This is Louisa J. Scarborough whom I wrote about yesterday.

Who's Number 21?

2009-02-23T18:41:00.008-06:00

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings posts Saturday Night Fun every Saturday night. Last Saturday night he suggested that we find number 21 in our Ahnentafel list and post about that person. I didn't have a chance to do this Saturday night, but wanted to make sure that I wrote about that person, so I'm doing so now.

Number 21 on my Ahnentafel list is Louisa J. Scarborough. Louisa was born 6 Dec 1840 in Union County, Arkansas to John Scarborough and wife, Sarah. Sometime after 1850, the family moved to Texas. Louisa married William M. Saunders on 15 Dec 1859 in Anderson County, Texas. She and William and her younger brother were all living in Anderson County in 1860, but her father had moved on to Johnson County by then. Shortly after 1860, William and Louisa moved to Bosque County, Texas. They had 2 children together, William Henry Saunders, born 3 Feb 1862 and John Saunders, born in Sept 1863. I do not know the circumstances of William Saunders' death, but he had died by 12 July 1866 when Louisa married her second husband, David H. Eddleman. In Oct 1866, David H. Eddleman applied for guardianship of the minors William H. Saunders and John M. Saunders, heirs at law. This was the only reference I have been able to find pertaining to the death of William Saunders.

David and Louisa later moved to Hood County, Texas. Louisa died on the 11 Aug 1911 and is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Hood County. Her husband, David Eddleman, is buried beside her.

Louisa J. Scarborough and her husband, David H. Eddleman

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-02-20T09:56:00.012-06:00

JoLyn of Uphill Both Ways has given me the Kreativ Blogger award. Thanks, JoLyn! Being a new blogger, I appreciate this very much.

I now get to pass this award on to seven of my favorite bloggers:

Andrea of Family Tales

Apple of Apple's Tree

Carolyn of Like Sand Through An Hourglass

Elyse of Elyse's Genealogy Blog

Jennifer of Jennifer's Genealogy Blog

Miriam of AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors

Ruth of Bluebonnet Country Genealogy and The Graveyard Rabbit of Cowtown

Be sure to visit them all!

Here are the rules connected with the KreativBlogger Award:

1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.
4. Link to those sites on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate.

Congratulations everyone and thanks again, JoLyn.

10th Edition Smile for the Camera

2009-02-10T21:32:00.006-06:00

The word prompt for the 10th Edition of Smile For The Camera is Costume. No, not as in Halloween. Costume as in dress in general; especially the distinctive style of dress of a people, class, or period. Show us that picture that you found with your family collection or purchased that shows the costumes of the rich to the not so rich, from the civil war to the psychedelic sixties.

These are my great grandparents, William Alexander & Mirenda Mills Blanton. I wish I knew more about this picture. It was in the possession of their daughter, Margie Ruth Blanton Thompson. The same picture appeared in an article written by Margie Ruth in 1985, and in the article she stated that the picture was taken in 1885. William and Mirenda married in December 1885, so I'm wondering if this might be their wedding picture.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-02-10T13:33:00.005-06:00

Infant Sons of

William A. & Mirenda S. Blanton

Marystown Cemetery

Egan, Johnson County, Texas

My Brickwall Ancestor: John Blanton

2009-01-24T21:11:00.007-06:00

Miriam Robbins Midkiff wrote in her blog about a brickwall ancestor and challenged others to do the same. She presented an excellent outline to follow in her blog at Who Are Our Brickwall Ancestors and Why Aren't We Blogging About Them Regularly?

So, I am writing about my brickwall ancestor, John Blanton, in hopes that it will help me to uncover the secret that he has been hiding from so many of his ancestors for so long - who were the parents of John Blanton?

A time line of the life of John Blanton:

1760 -1761 - John Blanton was born. (Muster Roll of the Republic of TX Army lists John Blanton's age as 75 on 14 July 1836.)

1784 - According to family history, John's eldest son was Isaac Blanton. Isaac was born about 1784 in North Carolina. It is thought that he was born in the part of North Carolina which became Tennessee. That would be Washington or Sullivan County. There was a John Blanton in Sullivan County in 1784, but we have been unable to prove that this was our John Blanton. There were several John Blantons in that same area and other researchers believe that the John in Sullivan County is their John, so it is difficult to tell which John was there.

We are not sure that Isaac Blanton was a son of John as the family has reported. He was not mentioned in John’s Estate, nor did he receive any land from that Estate; however, Elisha, another son, was not mentioned in the Estate, either.

1785 – 1790 – Son, Benjamin, was born. Birth dates came from census records.

Abt. 1795 – Son, Elisha, was born. Birth date is approximate and came from census records.

1799 – 1800 – Son, David, was born in Tennessee. Birth date and place came from census records.

1810 – Son, Elijah Blanton was born in Tennessee. Birth date and place came from census records.

1812 - John Blanton, Isaac Blanton, William Blanton, and Vincent Blanton were listed on Warren Co, TN tax list. This could be our John and Isaac; however, we have records showing Isaac in Claiborne County, TN around this time, but it is possible that he owned land in two places. This is William Blanton and son, Vincent, who had lived in Lee County, VA. William also had a son named John, so this could be his son. If he had a son named Isaac, it is not known.

1 Dec. 1826 - Land patent in Walker Co., AL issued to John Blanton, of Fayette Co., AL. This is our John. Isaac purchased land nearby as did John’s son, David, and Isaac’s son, James. This land was probably purchased several years before the 1826 date. The land bureau was several years behind in issuing patents for land in Alabama and it is said that many people had already sold their land by the time the patent was issued.

By 1828, John had moved to Arkansas, along with son, Benjamin. No record has been found of him selling his land in Alabama, but there are no deed records in Walker County before 1877 due to courthouse fires.

1828-1836 - John was on the Tax Lists for St. Francis Co., Arkansas along with son, Benjamin.

1830 St. Francis Co., Arkansas Census lists John Blanton, 1 Male 20-30; 2 Males 60-70; 1 Female 50-60. (Page 35, line 19.) I do not know who the other male is, nor if the woman was John’s wife or the other man’s wife.

12 July 1836 - John arrived in Texas. First Class Headright #302, dated March 23, 1838, showed John Blanton, a married man, arriving in Red River Co., TX on July 12, 1836. John stated that he was a married man, but no other mention of a wife was ever made in any of his deed or probate records. Did his wife refuse to come to Texas with him? Or, perhaps she died on the way from Arkansas or soon after arriving in Texas?

April - Oct 1836 - John served in the Republic of Texas Army, William Becknell's Company of Mounted Volunteer Rangers called the Red River Blues. Muster Roll shows John Blanton, Age 75, Horse's Valuation $75.00, Gun Valuation $20.00, Saddle Blanket Valuation $12.00.

March 23 1838 - First Class Headright #302 - Received 1 league and 1 labor of land for his service in the Texas Revolution.

Nov 1840 - John Blanton died in Red River Co., TX

Dec 1840 - Son Benjamin was appointed Administrator of John Blanton’s Estate until he was killed in 1842. Then son Elijah took over the Estate. He remained Administrator until he moved to Gonzales County in 1848 and gave David power of attorney to handle their father’s Estate.

1873 - Elisha’s daughter, Sarah Blanton Basham, named Benjamin, Elijah, David and Elisha as the heirs of John Blanton’s Estate in an Affidavit.

Where we have searched:

Several of us have searched for years looking for something to prove who John’s parents were. Before we came along, other researchers have searched the courthouses and mailed out letters to find as many of John’s descendants as possible and interviewed those descendants.

We have searched for records in the courthouses of Texas and Alabama where John lived. I have a copy of his probate papers from Red River County. I have copies of all his deeds in Red River County and land transactions in Texas from the General Land Office.

I have not searched the records thoroughly in Arkansas. He lived in St. Francis Co. The courthouse there burned and they have no deed, marriage, court, or probate records from the time that John was there. There are a few existing tax records.

In Alabama, all of the records from Walker County have also burned. The courthouse has burned 4 times and there are very few records which exist before 1877.

I have also tried to trace other families who lived near or married into this Blanton family, hoping to find them living near each other in an earlier time. I can trace some of the families back to Alabama, but that’s as far as I can trace them.

So, what else can I search? I will keep following these families who interacted with my family to see if it leads me to a clue. I would also like to do more research in the records of Arkansas and Alabama, even though most of them burned. John had descendants who stayed in Arkansas and Alabama, so there might be some reference to him in the later records. Of course, I don’t know who any of John’s siblings were, so I can't research them. If anyone knows of any resource that I have missed, please let me know about it.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-01-20T08:31:00.003-06:00

My Great Grandparents

William Alexander Blanton

17 Oct 1853 - 12 June 1936

Mirenda Samantha Mills Blanton

25 Apr 1863 - 25 Oct 1835

Marystown Cemetery

Egan, Johnson County, Texas

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-01-13T14:29:00.004-06:00

Julia Ann [McAnear] Blanton

Dec. 4, 1831

Oct. 24, 1915

Our Darling

Mother sleepth here.

Marystown Cemetery

Egan, Johnson County, Texas

My Favorite Picture

2009-01-09T23:22:00.002-06:00

This picture is tattered and torn, but it is one of my greatest treasures.

Have you ever had a favorite ancestor? One that you were attracted to more than the others? That's how I have always felt about the woman in this picture, my great great grandmother, Julia Ann McAnear. Sitting beside Julia Ann is her husband, John Martin Blanton. They were married in 1850. Their marriage lasted only 23 years, as John Martin died in 1873 at the age of 46. In those 23 years, they had 16 children.

After John Martin died, Julia Ann never remarried. She remained on their farm in Cass County, Texas, farming and rearing her children. Many of those children, my great grandfather included, moved to Johnson County, Texas. After her children were grown, Julia Ann moved there and spent her last years living with one of her sons. She died at the age of 86 and is buried in Marystown Cemetery near Egan, Texas.