5 Nov 1874 – William Alexander Blanton and Margaret Ann Bockman were married
7 Nov 1926 – Bobby Lee Blanton was born
26 Nov 1827 – John Martin Blanton was born
29 Nov 1748 – James Scarborough was born
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Annie Bockman Blanton
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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