Author Topic: THE BRICK WALL STANDS (Read 4168 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** April 17, 2009, 06:39:20 AM »

I have run into this brick wall about 5 years ago and cannot rectify it.
The family name is CLOSE.
Oral tradition has my ancestry coming too Texas at some period before 1840.
The oral tradidition and a family bible have it to be from New York State and probably from around Senneca.
Hiram Close and wife Sally are in the 1840 Galveston, Texas census along with my direct ancestry---Cephus.
I can find a Hiram in Senneca but the wife is Polly. The Children are the same names and their ages match the ages in Texas, that is to say the records are a census record of New York in 1830 and if you add 10 years to them they match the names in Texas.
A report from one who has visted there says that Hiram is buried next too Polly.
I find no burial records for Hiram or Sally in Texas.
Got a clue where to go from here?
I am not real concerned but it is a puzzle.
Blessings
Bill Close

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2009, 03:16:03 AM »

Descendants of Hiram Werain Close

Generation No. 1

1. HIRAM WERAIN1 CLOSE was born Bet. 1795 - 1798 in New York. He married SALLY UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1803 in New York, and died Bet. 1860 - 1870 in Galveston County, Texas.

Notes for HIRAM WERAIN CLOSE:
April 22, 1850 Federal Census of Galveston City, Galveston County, Texas shows him with his wife Sally and his children. He is shown as age 55 years and Sally is shown as 47 years old. Both were born in New York. His occupation is hown as a "Machinist".

June 13, 1860 Federal Census of Ward 1 of Galveston City, Galveston County, Texas shows him as Werain Close occupation "Iron Foundry" with his wife Sally and children.

1870 Federal Census of Ward 01, Galveston City, Galveston County, Texas shows him as age 72 years, born in New York, and his occupation is shown as "Foundry and Machine". I take this to mean he operated a Foundry and machine shop.

It shows his children and H.A. with his wife and children. Sally his wife is not listed. So the best guess would say that she died in between 1860-1870 in Galveston more than likely is buried there. Yet she could have been shipped back to New York possible even England. The odds are she is resting in a Cemetery right where you are.

Found this on Hiram Close: Could the age be wrong? Bad transcription? I bet that this is him he was not found on the 1880 Galveston Census

Surname: Hiram* Close
Year: 1870
County: Galveston CO.
State: TX
Age: 22
Gender: M (Male)
Month of Death: Apr
State of Birth: NY
ID#: MRT197_60518
Occupation: MACHINIST
Cause Of Death: FEVER

My best guess is that they both are buried in Galveston. Could she have died of the fever as well?

Yellow Fever Deaths in 1870 notes:

Strict, sometimes vicious, enforcement of these 1870 quarantine laws provided the first ray of hope since the scourge first appeared on the Gulf Coast: The outbreak of yellow fever that year in Galveston resulted in only 16 deaths.


Children of HIRAM CLOSE and SALLY UNKNOWN are:
   i.   STEPHEN2 CLOSE, b. Abt. 1824, New York.
   ii.   AUGUSTUS CLOSE, b. Bet. 1833 - 1834, New York.
2.   iii.   H.A. CLOSE, b. Abt. 1834, Texas.
   iv.   SOPHENA (Sophia)CLOSE, b. Bet. 1835 - 1837, New York.
   v.   CEPHUS B. CLOSE, b. Bet. 1840 - 1842, Texas.

Generation No. 2

2. H.A.2 CLOSE (HIRAM WERAIN1) was born Abt. 1834 in Texas. He married ANNE UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1837 in England.

Child of H.A. CLOSE and ANNE UNKNOWN is:
   i.   HIRAM B.3 CLOSE, b. Abt. 1867, Texas.

williamlayton · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2009, 03:58:52 AM »

This is good information---it also comes close to clearing up another mystery.
Oral histor and bible history offered no moderation but your info does shed some light.
Family Bible:
marriage of Anne Major to Wm Thomas Jan. 19, 1853 in Houston, Texas
marriage of Anne Thomas to Augustus Close April 17, 1868 in Housto, Texas.
Augustus in the family bible is Probably Hiram Augustus Close.
He is found in 1850 census as being born in NY.
Thanks for the help.
Blessings

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2009, 06:42:17 AM »

H.A. Close and Augustus Close are one and the same person. His full name was Hiram Augustus Close born about 1834 in New York. The Census records show New in 1850-1860 and then in 1870 show a birth place of Texas. He did marry Anne Thomas in Houston April 17, 1868 they had a least one child named Hiram B. Close born about 1867 in Texas county unknown.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2009, 06:48:15 AM »

also, I found on the 1860 Slave Schedules that Hiram Close owned three female slaves. one black female age 27 years, one mulatto female age 30 years, and one mulatto female age 6 years. That was probably the child of one of the others.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2009, 08:00:40 AM »

Mystery solved William E. Thomas married Anne Major my records shows January 20, 1853 your bible showed January 19, 1853. I believe the date I have is the date of registration of the marriage at the court house your is the date the marriage was performed.

Something happend to William E. Thomas he died , got a divorce or something between 1860 and 1870. His widow named Anne Major Thomas married Hiram Augustis Close April 17, 1868. She and her children by William E. Thomas moved into the home of Hiram Augustus Close who was living with his father Hiram Werain Close who probably was a Widower in 1870. This is because his wife Sally does not appear on the census.

That should clear up the condfusion now we need to finfd out if William E. Thomas died in the Civil War or perhaps of Yellow Fever.

Descendants of Anne Major

Generation No. 1

1. ANNE1 MAJOR was born Abt. 1837 in England. She married (1) WILLIAM E. THOMAS January 20, 1853 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He was born Abt. 1811 in England. She married (2) HIRAM AUGUSTUS CLOSE April 17, 1868 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, son of HIRAM CLOSE and SALLEY UNKNOWN. He was born Bet. 1833 - 1834 in New York.

Notes for ANNE MAJOR:
This woman was married to William E. Thomas and he died between 1860 and 1870 possibly in the civil war.
She then married Hiram Augustus Close.

Notes for WILLIAM E. THOMAS:
September 03, 1850 City of Houston, Harris County, Texas Census shows William E. Thomas Occupation stable (unreadable), age 39 years, single born in England.

September 30, 1860 Ward 01, City of Houston, Harris County, Texas page 86 shows W.E.Thomas age 49 years, occupation Saloon Keeper, born in England. It shows his wife Anne age 22 years and born in England. It shows the children. Please read my note on the girl child Mary Thomas.

It is possible that he had a previous marriage to this one to Anne Major.

in 1870 all of these children with a few more names are living in the home of Hiram W. Close in Galveston, Texas.


Children of ANNE MAJOR and WILLIAM THOMAS are:
   i.   MARY2 THOMAS, b. Abt. 1850, Bahamas.

Notes for MARY THOMAS:
This girl on the 1860 Census was shown with a age of 10 years and born in the Bahamas and another notation of Bavaria written beside that. What does that mean? Is she a child of a previous marriage by William E. Thomas?

   ii.   LAVINIA THOMAS, b. Abt. 1855, Texas.
   iii.   WILLIAM T. THOMAS, b. Abt. 1857, Texas.
   iv.   AMELIA THOMAS, b. Abt. 1858, Texas.
   v.   JENNY THOMAS, b. Abt. 1860, Texas.
   vi.   HENRY THOMAS, b. Abt. 1863, Texas.
   vii.   AUGUSTIN THOMAS, b. Abt. 1866, Texas.


Child of ANNE MAJOR and HIRAM CLOSE is:
   viii.   HIRAM B.2 CLOSE, b. Abt. 1867, Texas.

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2009, 11:49:49 AM »

Dang Son you got more skills than a man deserves---all them guns and computer skills also---I'm gonna hafta start bragging about being your friend

.
I have the old Major family bible which became the Close family bible.
There are four girls two of which married Close's---my line from Cephus B. and this other Anne who married Cephus's brother. Anne's first husband did die of a fever. Hiram died of dose of morphine taken to fight a headache. This was most probably in Hempstead, Texas---where Cephus had moved too.
Thanks so much.
Yes there are still some Close's from the mulatto slave girl. One was from Crockett and was killed in Nam--Willie Close.
Blessings

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2009, 02:55:33 PM »

yep i found your grandfather down to you and yours and in looking came upon the other side of some the family could not prove it but would have bet on it. i was not gonna mention what i thought.

Hempstedstead melons best in the world. parts of the indian reservation in livingston was a gift from my 3 rd ggggrandfather to the indians he was the first indian agent for the and he and my other 2 gggrandfather brought them there from Alabama 1821. they had hunting ground long establish on the old home place and he gave the 5000 acres and kept them from the Trail of Tears. last time i went there they gave me and my kids gifts and things. the chiefs in my childhood would come and give gifts to my kinfolks. they never forgot.

found some of you grandparents on the mothers side in Polk County and I believe William Epperson was name after his mothers family and there wasd a Epperson family living next door to them in 1920 i think it was.

my family is all over tyler polk and so on..ran many a trot line on the trinity and caught a lot of fisk on Lake Livingston, Rayburn and old Dam B.

good luck glad to help if you want anything else if i can i will help.

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2009, 07:45:28 AM »

William E. was my dad.
His dad was William Spence.
William and mothers maiden name fo a middle name.
Small world---may even be cousins--with names like Layton, Spence, Epperson, Baker you just never know.
Were you raised up there or down around Beaumont?
Don't even say Redmond.
Blessings

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2009, 09:14:35 AM »

silsbee..live in almost all the rest...much much family woodville...jasper... hillister i am almost certain family lines are crossed with yours on the cousins.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2009, 10:52:10 AM »

Sounds like a lot of inbreeding down there in Texas... $:-\$ You'ld think you guys were from Alabama...

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2009, 05:09:50 PM »

brother dealing with my family tree it is amazing many first cousind..brothers married sister as many as up to 4 each in some cases. one grandpaw way back married his son wife....and had kids...

sounds bad but not uncommon..gotta remember in them woods in alabama texas georgia way back then..there was not alot of choice around and the next little town might be a three day journey with lots of danger between.

i have done geneology for over 25 years my family and i can tell you that you find many many cases of stuff like that in most families.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2009, 05:12:22 PM »

williamlayton:

i spent most of the last 24 hours digging around on your family got a lot of it if your interested...

AtlLaw · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2009, 05:13:44 PM »

Where do you think that old song "I'm my own Grandpa" came from!?

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2009, 07:21:41 AM »

WilliamLayton I have tried to attach a copy of your Grandfathers World War I Draft Registration Card. It is a .jpeg file in other words just like a picture. i hope this works and you can read it . He was registered in Polk County and Pecos County. I think he was off working in Pecos County and they transferred it to Polk.

Any way I have a lot more stuff and on the Eppersons and I am working on the Pattilo side dead end right now.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2009, 08:11:33 AM »

williamlayton:

Question? What was the name of Cephus B. wife. Could she have been Anne Major the wife of his brother? The reason I ask is that the 1870 Census Galveston shows Cephus B. and he is not married with no children. the 1880 census hempstead shows him widowed or divorced with three children listed as his one is H. Close age 14 years ( I believed this is the child (Hiram B.) of his brother Hiram Augustus and Anne Major. The other two are Major Close age 4 years and William age 3 years. All these kids are shown as his?

Is it possiblle that his brother Augustus died and he married his wife and then she died? If you have anymore dates or names give them to me and I will fill it in. Then print or send it to you with it allorganized nice and neat. Also give me the four girls names and who they married when?

squirrellluck · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2009, 05:23:33 PM »

my family tree looks more like a huge circle. Had to leave the state to marry someone not kin to me!

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2009, 05:26:51 PM »

lol...i hear that!

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2009, 05:29:33 PM »

williamlayton:

many graves were totaly obliterated in the Great Storm of 1900 along with many of the records in Funeral Homes and Cemetary offices. Many bodies and caskets were just piled up and burned on the east beach as well as along the Strand.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2009, 07:27:16 PM »

Hiram Werain Close died in March 1876 in Galveston and was buried there, Then in 1895 his family came and took his body and reburied it in Albany, New York.

look at the last entry on these notes.

Read the notes on Galveston Daily News Newspaper articles included. He was a very capable inventor and Machinist. He was also very wealthy.

Here they are:

Galveston Daily News ----Newspaper Articles

July 16, 1867

Long article describing the travels of Hiram Close that took him to Rhode Island to visit a friend A.W. Sprague Senator of Rhode Island and one of the wealthiest men of that state. It related how Hiram Close had convinced this man to invest in various companies in the state all involving his Cotton Press.

January 09, 1869

Advertisement of Planters Cotton Press Company claiming that they have the most powerful cotton press ever built. They added that it had been designed by and built by Hiram Close.

February 16, 1871

Article describes the Incorporation of Cotton Spinning Manufacturing Company of Texas. Those incorporating this company were Hiram Close, John Sealy, James A, McKee, F.R. Lubbock, and A.O. Lufkin. Hiram Close was to be the First president and it noted they had invested a total of $2 Million Dollars.

June 22, 1873

Report of the Deed to Planters Cotton Press along with 20 city lots to Hiram Close.

August 31, 1873

Report of the wealthiest men in the City. Based on the Taxes they pay Hiram Close was listed.

April 19, 1874

Many listings of many city lots sold by C.B. Close (NOTE: his full name is shown on some as Caplius B. Close.)

December 11, 1875

Article describing a great concert held at the Sunday School Room of St. Johns Church. Hiram Close, Jr. gave a speech entitled “Great and Small”

May 18, 1873 Article on the front page of Galveston News praising the contributions of its oldest and most esteemed citizens for contributions made for the building of the Galveston Baptist Sunday School. Hiram Close was one of those mentioned.

August 16th, 1873

Letter to Hiram Close on the front page of the paper praising a Steam Engine built by Hiram Close at his machine Shop from a man in Trinity, Texas that used it in a sawmill.

March 30, 1876 announcement of the Probate Court that A.R. Campbell and C.B. lee were appointed Executors of Hiram Close Estate.

April 20, 1876
Notice to the public that any claims against the Estate of Hiram Close must be presented to C.B. Lee or A.R. Campbell Executors with in one year from the date of March 31, 1876.

December 31, 1876

Annual Report of the Deaths turned in to the State in the year. Hiram Close was listed in the month of March 1876 at Galveston Texas. No day of death was shown.

October 01, 1881

Just a short entry that the probate court was hearing the matter of Hiram B. Close, a minor, as to his guardianship. (Note: This was the child of Hiram Augustus Close and Anne Major) Question? Had they both died?

October 05, 1881 Report of the probate court concerning Hiram B. Close minor. Testimony taken and notes that a lot had been sold in his interest?

June 04, 1886

Court orders the selling of lands in Coleman County in the interest of Hiram B. Close.

Wednesday, October 02, 1895

The body of Hiram Close buried in 1876 was disinterred by relatives on Monday and sent to Albany, New York for re-internment. (Moved Monday September 30, 1895)

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 21, 2009, 09:47:36 PM »

Great Find on Hiram Close it was the Direct United States Presidential Pardon. In 25-30 years of doing geneology research mostly on my own family I have never seen one of these Pardons. Many of my family both close and distant were soldiers in the Confederate Army many many have been Paroled and Pardoned and i have the document or copies. However, not one required a Direct Pardon From The President and signed by him. That was reserved for a special class of Confederate an This is the forward on the database:

About Confederate Applications for Presidential Pardons, 1865-1867
This database contains applications from former Confederates for presidential pardons from 1865-1867. Not all Confederates will be found in this database. Confederates who had already been granted a pardon or amnesty under the proclamation made by President Lincoln in 1863 are most likely not listed in this collection. Also, this record set contains records only for amnesty applicants who, at the time they applied for amnesty, needed special permission from the President. Hence, most ordinary Confederate soldiers will not be included in these records because their case did not require special Presidential consideration and there are really not many that hold that distinction.

I found the 4 page handwritten document by Hiram Close in which he pleaded his case for being pardoned. He addressed it directly to the President it was dated July 21, 1865. it traveled to the Office of the Provisional Governer of Texas A.J. Hamilton and was signed by him and dated November 06, 1865.

He forwarded it to the President of the United States Andrew Johnson. He signed it and forwarded it to the Attorney General of the United States with the recommendation that he be pardoned if after review they thought he had a good case.

The documents are clear and the script writing is very heavy but it I clearly read Andrew and then it turns to scribble. These documents are in the National Archives however there would have been a letter giving Pardon signed by the President Andrew Johnson that would have been given to Hiram Close. Search you family records high and low as these not only would be a family treasure but might also have value.
This type of Pardon was very unusual. I can get electronic copies and forward to you and will gladly do so. Then you could save and print if you wanted. You could tell in his letter that he was desperate. One can only imagine how he and his family was suffering under reconstruction that was very vengful against anyone that served the confederacy and more so people like him that had been classified as extra special enemy of the Union. This really his a historic document concerning your family history.l

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 21, 2009, 10:06:44 PM »

A little history to these pardons:

Historical Background:

On May 29, 1865, President Johnson issued an amnesty proclamation. Under this proclamation any former Confederate who had not already taken advantage of President Lincoln’s 1863 amnesty proclamation, could receive amnesty, upon their taking an oath to defend the Constitution and the Union, and to obey all Federal laws and proclamations in reference to slavery made during the rebellion. President Lincoln’s 1863 amnesty proclamation had similar requirements.

The proclamation excluded amnesty from the following individuals except upon special application to the President:

Individuals who had absented themselves from the U.S. in order to aid in the rebellion

Graduates of West Point or Annapolis who served as Confederate officers

Ex-Confederate governors

Persons who left homes in territory under U.S. jurisdiction for purposes of aiding the rebellion

Persons who engaged in destruction of commerce on the high seas or in raids from Canada

Voluntary participants in the rebellion who had property valued at more than $20,000

Persons who had broken the oath taken under the provisions of the proclamation of 1863

Civil or diplomatic agents or officials of the Confederacy

Persons who left judicial posts under the U.S. to aid the rebellion

Confederate military officers above the rank of Army colonel or Navy lieutenant

Members of the U.S. Congress who left to aid in the rebellion

Persons who resigned commissions in the U.S. Army or Navy and afterwards aided in the rebellion

Persons who treated unlawfully black prisoners of war and their white officers

Persons in military or civilian confinement or custody

The president received thousands of amnesty applications. By late 1867 he had already granted 13,500 pardons. In September 1867, the president issued a second proclamation which reduced the number of exception categories from 14 to 3. On July 4, 1868 President Johnson issued his third proclamation which only excluded Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederate States of America), John C. Breckinridge (Confederate Secretary of War and a Confederate general), Robert E. Lee (Confederate general), and a few others. On Christmas Day of the same year Johnson issued his final proclamation, which granted amnesty to all who had participated in the rebellion.

About the Records:

The records contained in this database primarily consist of about 14,000 files of pardon applications with related records (affidavits, oaths of allegiance, recommendations for executive clemency, etc.) submitted between 1865 and 1867 for President Johnson’s 1865 amnesty proclamation. A few of the applications had been submitted to President Lincoln for earlier amnesty proclamations. These files usually contain a lot of information on the applicant’s background and activities during the war.

These records are arranged alphabetically by state and surname of applicant. Searching for a name in this database will get you to the image of the coversheet of the application file for that individual. The images immediately following the coversheet are all of the records included in that file. Therefore, be sure to use the “Next” button in the image viewer in order to see all images pertaining to your ancestor. Once you see another coversheet image (usually distinguishable by the “Received from Department of Justice” stamp located on the page), you have entered a new application file.

williamlayton · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2009, 02:04:15 AM »

Cephus B did marry Ann.
I have no further contact concerning Hiram B (Jr).
William served in the Spanish Americam War.
His son William Spence was my Grandfather.
I could not open the data base you forwarded.

You, my friend, have opened a whole new world to me.
I have no records of the pardon or other information you have shown.
Prehaps all of the information resides with the heirs of Hiram---I have no information concerning them, only oral.
They may have been in San Antinio or Dallas or both.
There was a Close still residing in Galveston after WWII because my Grandmother (Lucy Pitilla) and I took the bus down there. This was shortly after my father died--sept.26, 1945. I have lost contact with those folks.
Cephus was a well read man, and I have many of his books including two that are signed and dated, as was my Grandfater--he was a court reporter.

Any info you could collect on those Close's from Hiram would be greatly appreciated. I have tried, over the years, too find info.
The Eppersons were an inflential family in Polk County.
They had a hotel or boarding house which Sam Houston stayed in when he came too that part of the world.
Some came from Georgia and some Kentucky.

Son---about all I can say about family is what my GGgrandmother said of her husband to my mother. She married mr Epperson because they both lived in the same hotel in Livingston. She said, I never loved him, it was just what we did in those days to maintain respect in the community--it was a marriage of convenience.
Thanks a whole bunch &
Blessings
Bill close

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:04:48 AM »

william layton:

i am still putting it all together and i had figured the ones in dallas were some of the. Also they had foundrey and machine shops in austin 1890-1900. hiram B. parents must have both died and there was a court fight over his inheirentence as he was a minor. (If it is like it has been in my family probably a lot of hard feelings)

yes i found that some were involved in Hotel in Polk County and the one wwas the court reporter. I bet my GGGGrand fathrer and that guy knew each other well as he was the first judge in Tyler County -Indian agent for Alabama Coushatta-- and personal friends with Sam Houston.

This man Firam W. Close seems to have been a very wealthy and powerfull man in Galveston big leader in the Baptist Church and one of the largest donors.

He ran his foundry to make weapons and munitions for the Confederacy and that brought the wrath of Carpetbaggers down on him. They confiscated all he owned and were pretty ruff with him and his family that why he was so desperate to be Pardoned. He did get it and he made a strong comeback in his business and so on. As you are aware anyone that fought and anyone who served the cause was in an elevated stature in the eyes of the people. He was one of those guys. So now I will take the time to fill in the documentation it will take a while. You should have been able to open that deal its just a scanned image and any photo program or windows should open with out problem. Do not worry if you want I will send it all to you in Email or U.S. if I have to. I will download the pardon in just a few minutes. i did not do it last night i was so facinated reading it it really is a very uniqe document. I will try to open what I post to see if i can ge t it to work don't worry i have it aon my computor and will get it to you somehow.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:06:52 AM »

dang you are right it says empty file when i tried it. i should have checked it out. no problem we will get it done one way or another.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:23:02 AM »

now your gettin like me many double first cousins and second and third.

get this on she is my great aunt double second and double third and double 6th cousin. Now there was some serious affection in that line.....

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:47:18 AM »

those marriages of convenence were very common.. what was a woman witrh a big pack of kids to do? living in the woods with no man to do the labor. the kids were no big enough.

that made a many a marriage all across America in the early times. many a single man married a woman for the kids she had to be the workers on the farm. ready made laborers you might say. plus just the fact the next town might be 30 miles and that was loaded with danger you just did not take off sight seeing in early Texas espcialy in the "NEUTRAL ZONE" in East Texas and Western Louisiana. Odds very high you would not return. so you married in the families close by. my family and the ones they married into so many times came out of Vitginia (Now North Carolina) and slowly came to Texas from early 1700s--to 1820-50 they marrtied in and out with those that came with them. Danger all along the way so they traveled with those families they trusted and when the came to Texas they were among the first whites in Tyler county not much choice around and yep one side married into the Alabamas matter of fact many of that legacy are buried on the reservation. thats why one donated the part of the lands and with the help of Sam Houston kept them from being moved. those indians protected my family when the occassional stray commanches showed up by hideing them in the river bank in caves on the neches.my ggg Grandfather was able to enlist these indians into his company during the Civil War and when the state of texas refused to honor their deal after the war he stood up and saved their bacon.

anyway this geneology has always been a passion for me..my mother took me everywhere every cemetery in every swamp and baygall to meet all the kinfolf when i was a kid and alway insisted that i know who was who. she was intensly proud of her family and instilled in me that passion. i only wish she could have lived to see the power available by the computers. she hand wrote everything traveled all over to the courthouse in every state gathering the family hiistory. when she died i got most of that stuff and i made her a promiise i would continue her work. i have given my children cousins and whatnot all the stuff copied on cd i can. the rest of my brothers or anyone really has no interest.
people worry about what someone might find out...heck all families have both the good and the bad. nothing to be ashamed of its just a part of the story and we are not responsible for their actions no more than they for ours. its just the facts and who are we to judge anyone.

williamlayton · « **Reply #27 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:33:43 AM »

I am waiting for every piece of information you can give me--and--believe me it is appreciated.
I had no idea which way to turn until the Lord put you in front of me.
Blessings
Bill

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2009, 05:11:31 PM »

Emails are enroute Draft Registration WWI of your Grandfather and Presidential Pardon of your Great Great Great Grandfather for crimes against the United States during the Civil War.

tell me if they came our alright and I will start sending more!

williamlayton · « **Reply #29 on:** November 23, 2009, 01:00:12 AM »

Everything came out good.
Bygalls---have not heard that term in ages.
You may run across some connections to Keys--they were the originators of the old Keys Hotel.
I am, forever, in your debt.
Blessings
Bill