My great grandparents are Sampson and Mary __?__ BENSON (both b MO).   Both are listed in the Wise County Census of 1860 with their young daughter Nancy J. (Jane) BENSON; however, their surname BENSON is incorrectly transposed as BEESON.  Nancy Jane BENSON (b TX 1857) is my maternal grandmother who died in Shelby Co., TX in 1941.  Her parents were killed by Indians from now Oklahoma in one of their raids into Wise Co. in the early 1860s.  She and a baby sister survived and where separated and reared by separate families.  There was also thought bo be a brother, name unknown, who was killed or perhaps kidnapped and assumed dead.  Nancy Jane was reared by a family named Murphy.  We later found her with the Murphy family in another TX county, age about 10, in 1870.  She is listed in the later census as N. J. Benson, female.  Nancy Jane Benson said that she remembered that her Murphy family lived in Decatur until about 1870 and one of her sons drove her  from Shelby Co., TX to Decatur and she recognized the old Murphy house.  She was trying to find her sister.  She knew her name but I failed to write it down.   I think it was Mary Elizabeth.

This query is placed in the event that the above James William Benson is related and that the above Mrs. Jim Murphy's husband may be related to the same Murphy family that reared my grandmother; and, hopefully, someone on the list will know about one or both of these families.  Any information will be very much appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

Roy G. Creech, subscriber to the Wise County-List
rgcreech@ra.msstate.edu

BERNARD
Looking for descendants of Lewis Taylor who died in Lexington, KY in 1865 while in the Union Army of the Civil War. His widow, Mary Coontz Taylor, married Charles P. Tate and had a son named Charles C. Tate born Casey Co., KY 1870. Between 1880 and 1888 Mary Taylor Tate and her children sold their Casey Co, KY land and moved to Wise Co, TX. Lewis was the son of my ggg-grandfather, Joshua Taylor, of Bledsoe Co, TN and Wayne, Casey & Marion Co, KY.

Children of Mary & Lewis Taylor:
Sarah Jane Taylor married James M. Luttrell 1868
Margarett Caroline Taylor married Reuben A. Thomas 1869
Hannah Adeline Taylor married William Luttrell 1872
Mary Frances Taylor married John A. McDaniel 1879
James J. Taylor married Ellen P. Bernard 1880
Martha Elizabeth Taylor married Walker H. Bernard 1882

James J. Taylor died in Wise Co, TX in 1912. Any information greatly appreciated. Have much to share.

Jackie Taylor Zortman
rock@montrose.net
Ouray, Colorado

A James BIBBY family was in Wise Co in 1880, with wife Frances. One
researcher has told me this family remained there, having several
children, one being son, James.
Looking for any records concerning the BIBBY name. Will share all
family data on this line...going back as far as 1500's.
Please contact me.
Doris Peirce

BIDDLE

Seeking information on a James B. BIDDLE listed in the 1870 census index for
Wise county, Decatur Prect. 3, Page 492. I don't have access to the actual
census but am hoping someone will recognize the name. Is he the same James
B. BIDDLE who married Mary Ann HAMMACK on the 25th of February 1858 in Parke
Co., IN?

BIRDWELL
Trying to locate place of death and burial for Mira Blackwell Birdwell whose last will was recorded in Parker Co TX. Many of the family was in the Springtown and buried the the Opal cemetery.
I received my copy of Parker County Oct 1998 'Trails West". On page 11 there is "Page 355 The State of Texas and County of Parker Wills
Last Will and Testament of Mira Birdwell, Deceased
I, Mira Birdwell, of said County and State being of sound and disposing mind and memory and being desirous to settle my wordly affairs while I have strength so to do, do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others heretofore by me made.
Children: Robert Randolph Birdwell John Birdwell
Abraham Milton Birdwell
Joseph R. Birdwell (deceased) his heirs to receive his share
Executor: John C. Birdwell (brother)
Witnesses: W.R. Roberts & A. Thomas
Will written March 11, 1903 and Filed October 2, 1907. G. J. Bankhead, Co Clerk

Any help is appreciated.
MarthaT466@aol.com

BIRDWELL/BLACKWELL
A.S. BIRDWELL married Myra BLACKWELL 12 July 1859 in Smithe Co TX.
They moved to Wise Co near Parker Co TX. They had 4 children:
Clarence BIRDWELL 4 Jun 1892 TX - Jan 1981 in Boyd, Wise Co TX and married Mae ___. They had Erbie Lee BIRDWELL 1918-1995 who married Johnnie NEWBY.
Ruby Birdwell 6 Aug 1897 - Jan 1981 Boyd, Wise, TX.
Ethel BIRDWELL married Mr VANDIVER
Lois BIRDWELL married Mr SWOPE
Myras parents were Richard BLACKWELL and Mary Ann SOLOMON.

Thanks for any help.
Martha

BISHOP
I am trying to find info on my father-in-law's parents. My father-in-law was born in Boonsville, TX on 3/27/1915. His name was Edward Howard BROTHERTON and his father was William Joseph BROTHERTON, born 4/10/1875 and his mother was Martha Ann BISHOP, born 11/10/1879. I would like to find any info possible on his mother and father. I don't know where either of them were born. Thanks!!!!

Please reply to CaHarlan1@aol.com

BLACKWELL
Trying to locate place and date of death for Mary Ann (SOLOMON) Blackwell (born abt 1823) who was a widow in 1880 on the Wise Co TX census. She died after 1898. She reportedly froze to death in her son's yard.

She lived with her son, Irving/Urvin, after the death of her husband Richard BLACKWELL who died before 1880. He is buried on the old Blackwell place near the Opal Cemetery.

Trying locate obituary or any info for Richard and Mary Ann (Solomon) BLACKWELL.
Thanks,
Martha Tanner

BLACKWELL
DUTTON, BLACKWELL, TURRENTINE, HUGHES
Seeking information on Dutton families that arrived in Wise Co. ca. 1890. Stephen Penn DUTTON, b. ca. 1835 came with wife Sarah Jane b. ca. 1841. His children, by previous marriage: George b. ca. 1864, Martin Luther b. ca. 1866, Margaret E. b. ca 1868, John C. b. ca. Apr 1870, James Arthur b. 23 Sep 1873 d. 21 Sep 1967 md. Mary Abilene BLACKWELL, and William W. b. ca. 1875. Sarah Jane had son by previous marriage, Stephen Henry TURRENTINE b. ca. 1867. Also arriving were George S. HUGHES (b. ca. 1840) and wife Margaret Elizabeth (DUTTON) HUGHES (b. ca. 1840) with children Edmund Albert b. ca. 1868, George L. b. 1869, John A. b. ca. 1872, Malissa(?) b. ca. 1864, and Willie Edna b. ca. 1877. The HUGHES were buried at Cottondale Cemetery near Bridgeport. May have been other families arriving. Any information on any of these families would be greatly appreciated.

BLACKWELL
My Blackwells (Richard born abt 1819 - bef 1880) came from Warren Co TN by
1850 to Smith Co TX, then to Parker Co TX by 1860, Denton Co TX by 1870, Wise
Co TX by 1880 then some onto OK.
I had a lot of family in and around Springtown, Parker Co but a lot of the family said Springtown was in Wise Co. I have copies of notarized documents listing Spingtown in both Counties.

Other names in the family are Graves, Pierce, Birdwell, Solomon, Houser,
Bradford, Vandiver, Swope, Wilson, Dutton, Warlick, Drennan, Williams,
Kitchen, Davis, Holmes.

The Blackwell Family home is located near the Opal Cemetery in Wise Co.
Thanks

BLACKWELL
Richard BLACKWELL and Mary Ann SOLOMON lived on a farm near the Wise Co and Parker Co lines near Springtown and Opal Cemetery. Richard and his daughter Evelina are buried on the Old Blackwell place in Wise Co TX.

I'm looking for info about Richard Blackwell and Mary Ann Solomon born abt 1823 in NC and married richard Blackwell abt 1841 in Warren Co TN. They were in Denton Co TX in 1870. Mary Ann Solomon , father was Bennett Solomon Jr and her mother was prob Aby or Ava McGREGOR.

Brother of Mary Ann: Wiliam Bennett Solomon married Mary E. 'Dorinda' Blackwell may have moved this way from TN.

Richard and Mary Ann children are: Myra, Evelina, Elmore, Eliza J, Urvin, John Calvin, Ples, William Grant, Richard (Dick).

BLAGG

These 3 families came from Ark. before 1900. They stopped in Lamar Co and went to Wise Co.

John Calvin Blagg m Josephine Ann Harris in Ark. had daughter there about 1885. Josephine was sister to William Robert Harris.

James Andrew Shawhart had one son I know of to be born in Wise Co. He was Thomas (Tom) Shawhart. His family came back to Lamar Co and settled rest of their life in Ragtown, Lamar Co.

I can remember Mr. William Robert Harris. Mr. Harris and the Blaggs went back to Wise Co. several times. There were several more families of Blaggs, John Wesley Blagg was one. I think one was Thomas Jefferson Blagg. I can't connect all these Blaggs. John Calvin Blagg & wife "Aunt" Josey came back to Ragtown, Lamar Co.Tx.

I never got any information from Montague Co. Your county has been very helpful to me and my Shawhart friend. I've never came across a county as Wise Co. You are number one in my opinion. I was born in Ragtown, Lamar Co, Tx. Small community but we were big family. I now live in Dallas. I am 70 and Joy Shawhart is 77 I think. She has good memory. Mine isn't as good as hers.
Do you have any of these families on Census of records there? Thanks to you and your county.
Betty Ford Smith.

BLASSINGAME/BUTTLER/BUTLER
My husband's grandmother was born in Wise Co., Texas on Oct. 16, 1874 to M.D. BUTLER (or BUTTLER) and Dolly BLESSINGAME/BLASSINGAME. She married (Hiram ?, most records say Thomas GRAGG, date unknown and at some time they moved to Comanche Territory Okla., having their first child, Richard Leon, in Nov 1904 in Okla. I have been told that she attended college and was a school teacher.

Looking for confirmation of her birth and origin of her parents.

I know that the Graggs, Alexander R. GREGG (Gragg) and Marshall E. GREGG changed the spelling of their last name when they got to Texas from Tennessee about 1867. They married after arriving in Texas. Anyone have any clues for me? Thanks. Nancy Gragg

BOND
My grandmother Sara Charlotte (Hancock) Bond dob 16 Mar 1876 attended a woman's college in Decatur, Texas. Does anyone have any information on this college such as the name, the years it was opened and closed, where are the records on the students anything!

Thanks,
Char Bond
PO Box 66794
Albuquerque, NM 87193

BOND

Seeking information on the family of Miles BOND and Rebecca J. RENICK.
They married 3 Jan 1867 Cooke Co TX>listed in Benton Co AR 1870>1880
were listed in Wise Co TX. They are listed with 3 children: Anna, Alphus
and Valmer. Rebecca was daughter of William H Renick and Rebecca Logan.
Appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks
Harold in New Orleans
haroldlmorris@webtv.net

BOONE
Hello, I'm searching for info on any BOONE'S that were in Wise Co. from !850's to 1920's.
My ancester Howard Boone bn in 1824 TN. married Elizabeth FLOYD bn in 1825. moved to area I believe in 1850's. I know of only 2 sons. Howard Lawson Boone Bn in 1852 in Tn. Bedford Co. and Elija Floyd Boone. Howard Lawson Boone , had Howard Lawson Boone who married Lou Ella Frances WILLIAMS,they had my Grandmother Margie Marie Boone bn 1904 Rhome, Wise Co.

I sent for her birth records , they did not have them.

Thanks.
Karla

BOYD
I am trying to locate the parents of Lawrence Lafayette WARD (b. Feb. 29, 1829, Elbert County, GA, and was married to Lucy Ann MARSHALL in 1850 in Alabama).

Their children included: Henry L. WARD (held various county positions); J. Lawrence WARD (President of Decatur Baptist College for may years); as well as a daughter who was married to Marcus Taylor OATES. L.L. Ward and his wife, Lucy, entered Deep Creek Community, Wise County, Texas in early 1850's. In later life, they lived in Aurora and Rhome, Wise County, Texas.

The sons, J. Frank WARD (my great-grandfather), William (Billy) E. WARD, Henry L. WARD, and J. Lawrence WARD set up a mercantile business by name of Ward Bros. Mercantile. L.L.; his wife, Lucy; and most of their sons, are buried in Deep Creek Cemetery, as well as Lucy's 2 sisters, Mary A. Boyd (married to Richard BOYD) and Martha WALKER (married to Madison WALKER). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Sallie R. Frazee

Have you done any research on the Dean family in Boyd, Texas. Dr. Wesley Nicholas DEAN was the first medical doctor in Boyd but I can't find out any information on him.

I am also trying to find out information regarding Coleman William BRADFORD who was a very prominent rancher in Wise County and gave many speeches before the Texas Legaslature.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Tonya

BRADLEY
BRADLEY,KELLY, LOGGINS, KING. Morris BRADLEY b 1824 NC and wife Rebecca
Ann (GRIFFITH) b 1836 NC went to Wise Co., TX from Fanning Co., GA with
the following children: Christopher, Sarah Caroline, Martha Jane, Amanda
and Mary.

Martha Jane md Tom KELLY and had two sons Virgil and Morris,
Sarah Caroline md Joe KING and Amanda md Rufus LOGGINS I found a letter
written in 1970 by a lady in Fort Worth Texas giving the above
information on this family and would be happy to share her name and
address by e-mail.....would like to be in touch with someone who could
help me on these families after they went to Texas.

Will be happy to
share information on parents of Morris and Rebecca Ann and siblings back
in NC.

BRIDGES
Seeking info on David Alexander Bridges, b 1850, possibly in Springfield, IL. or Decatur, Macon County, IL., m. Oct 30, 1881, in Weatherford, Parker County, Tx to Merry Virginia Adams, b Sept 1, 1862, possibly near St. Louis, MO.

Unsure of parents of David Alexander Bridges, possibly Elmo Bridges (may have been a brother) and Sarah Todd. Elmo and Sarah may have had children Tom, John, George, and Bob. May have lived in Mississippi at some point. May have lived near Decatur, Wist County, Tx around 1880's.

Family history suggests that ancestor Bridges changed name from McBride but nothing to substantiate this.

--Thanks

BROCK
MARTIN BROCK moved to Wise Co., TX by 1881. He was from Clark Co., Ky. I am interested in contacting his descendants.
Thanks.
JFaulconer

BROTHERTON
I am trying to find info on my father-in-law's parents. My father-in-law was born in Boonsville, TX on 3/27/1915. His name was Edward Howard BROTHERTON and his father was William Joseph BROTHERTON, born 4/10/1875 and his mother was Martha Ann BISHOP, born 11/10/1879. I would like to find any info possible on his mother and father. I don't know where either of them were born. Thanks!!!!

BROWDER/BURTON
My grandparents John I. Browder and Mary Elizabeth Burton Browder are buried in Sand Hill Cemetery south of Decatur. On a visit there last Labor Day, I found an unmarked grave next to theirs. Is there anyway that I can find out whose grave this is? I know one possibility, but would like to find out from cemetery records if possible.

Thanks, Lewis Browder

BROWN
Looking for information on the BROWN family.
Thomas Howard BROWN (b. 1874 - Bowman, Georgia/ d. 1952 - Worland,
Wyoming) and his wife Mary Elizabeth HOLLOWAY (b. 1871- Illinois/d. 1950
- Decatur, Texas). They were married about 1898 and had two children, Marie (b. 1900) and Howard Gains BROWN (my grandfather - b. 1906 - Decatur, Texas/d. 1968 - Fort Worth, Texas). Howard Gains BROWN married Vera Ella VANN (b. 1906 in Indian Territory - now Durant, Oklahoma/d. 1993 - Livingston, California) in 1926. My grandfather attended Decatur Baptist College and graduated in 1926. All four of them are buried in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery south of Decatur. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Mrs. Lory Leacock
Sacramento CA

BROWN
I'm searching for any information on my G-Grandfather Samuel Johnson DODDS b. 1835 in Jefferson Co. IL. Samuel, his wife Sarah Elizabeth AKIN DODDS and 7 children moved to Wise Co. abt. 1883 from Kaufman Co TX. Sarah Akin died abt. 1884. Samuel married Sarah Elizabeth BROWN GAGE in 1885 in Wise Co. Sarah GAGE also had children from another marriage. They moved to Indian Territory near Tishomingo OK abt. 1887 If anyone has any information about this family please e-mail me at doddsjnc@swbell.net Thank you.... Jerry Dodds

BROWN
I am looking for anything on the Brown family living near Bridgeport around late 1800's and early 1900's. The children were, William,Ballum,Lizzie, and Charlie Brown. Lizzie's married name was later Stewart. The children's father may have been named Nelson Brown. Please e-mail if you have any leads on this family.

Thanks, Marian.

BROWN
Ernest Brown b. abt 1916 in Bridgeport to Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Brown. Her maiden name was Hill or Hilton. I would like any info on her maiden name and place of birth and anything on this Brown family.

Thanks - please email

BROWN
I am looking for information on Garrison Brown. He is on the 1880 Wise Co. Census and then disappeared. Even his descendents don't know what happened to him. His daughter Minerva is my g-grandmother. He also had several other children; among them London Carvi Brown. Any information would be appreciated.

Linda Nelson
520 East Comanche
Norman, OK 73071

BULLARD
My ancestor Amos B. BAILEY was in the 1860 census of Wise County, Texas
at Prairie Point along with his wife Elizabeth and children, Elizabeth
J. age 7, William age 3 and Ephraim W. age 9 months. Also, in the
household was Samuel Knight age 23 and William Donoho age 19. His wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Wright Bullard. Elizabeth was in Wayne County, Illinois in the 1870 census and remarried to an Andrew Martin.
What happened to Amos B. BAILEY? Did he get killed, did he die? I never have found him again.

BURNETT
I am searching my COLLINS line.My g.grandfather was Cornelius Swank COLLINS,who died the winter of 1919 in Bridgeport ,Wise Co.Tx.His second wife was Louisa Jane BURNETT b.1866 in Lamar Co.,Tx.She was the daughter of Nathan BURNETT b.1835 in Spartanburg Co. SC.Cournelius and Louisa daughter was Annie COLLINS HARRIS b.1897 the wife of General HARRIS b.1894 in Cherokee Co.,Tx. Is there anyone out there who can help me . I would like to find out about his first wife and family and who his parents were.I would be most grateful for any information and I would gladly share what I have .Thank You.
Jo McBride

BURNETT MURDER MYSTERY

My great uncle, Ben Orville Burnett shot and killed his ex father in law,
W.T. Klepper, both of Paradise, Texas. The tial was held Oct 13, 1909.
Burnett was acquited. Seems it was a case of self defense. The trial
lawyers were: For Burnett; Carswell and Mc Murry. For the State of Texas,
Sen. Odell of Cleburne.

Can you help me locate where I can find the court
records or if there is a way to search for any newspaper accounts. The copy
of an old letter I have says that this trial was a major event so I would
assume some records still exist. My great grandfather Lafayette Burnett
had a farm some where in the Paradise area. He moved there after the Civil
War.
The bond set for Burnett was $2,500 and in 1909 I would assume that that was
a ton of money and meant that my great uncle must have shot someone of local
importance.
The shooting took place near the home of a Dill Lindsey.
Any thing you can tell me would be appreciated.
Garland Burnett
Edgewood, New Mexico

BURTON

I am looking for information about my g-g-grandmother Pharaby (DAVIDSON)
BURTON (b. 1842 TN; m. 1857 Lawrence Co., MO), who moved into the Wise
Co. area about 1891-1896 following her divorce from Lemuel BURTON of
Eastland Co. Texas, where they lived for many years.  Pharaby died
between 1895-1900 and I'm trying to find any leads to where she might
have died or is buried.  So far, the great work on Wise Co. cemeteries
haven't turned up anything on Pharaby.  She had daughters in Wise Co.,
Emily (BURTON) EMMONS (b. 1874) who died of consumption in 1901 in Wise
Co (can't find her grave either), Ida (BURTON) BURNETT  (b. 1879,
married 1898 W.L. BURNETT) who were in Paradise in 1900 census but I
can't find *anywhere* since; and Addie (BURTON) BLACKFORD (b. 1884 d.
1974) who is buried in Paradise cemetary. Pharaby's name is also spelled
Pheoraby, Pheroby, and Fairabee just to list a few.
G. Wilson (gdwilson@blackhat.net)

am looking for grave of mary eliza burton m. james willis law born 1850 d. 1879 denver, texas

hobac@bendnet.com

BYRD
Any chance you could tell me who submitted the information on Haynes BYRD!

Thanks so much...maybe I can get in touch with someone who might have more on my BYRD line through them. Pat

CABLE
Searching in Wise County for missing parents of Nannie Bell Cable, who married Will Napolean Wright abt early 1890's. There were persons named Cable according to census data. Please help me find my great grandmother.

Andy & Karen Wright Wilson
argonut@elite.net